OBSERVATIONS FROM SCOTLAND                            22 Aug 2007                                GM1SXX

The MKARS80 80M QRP SSB Transceiver. (Part2)

Tonight when I arrived home, I got straight into making the TX strip work.  I fitted the IRF510 Power Fet, set the variable resistor for the bias to the correct end of its travel and switched on. I adjusted the quiescent current as described and tried out the TX strip with a heat clip temporarily attached to the FET.  For this test I used my own DIY Terminated RF Power Meter. It worked fine, delivering the rated power with ease and I copied the leakage on a nearby receiver. I set the BFO frequency accurately using a DFM and the carrier balance as described in the manual.

The radio is now fully functional and ready to box up in it's metal case. In use, the only unusual thing about this radio is that the VFO tunes 'backwards', no big deal. I'm sure I'll get used to that very quickly.  The lack of an AGC system is something I can live with. The radio is a real pleasure to use and I'm looking forward to using it portable.

The KIT for the MKARS80 is available in limited quantities from the Milton Keynes Amateur Radio Society via Steve Drury G6ALU.  The kit can be purchased 'as-is' or with a suitable undrilled metal enclosure for a few pounds extra. A web search for MKARS80 will unearth all the information you need.

To complete the kit, you need to provide a set of phones (3.5mm jack), an electret mic + PTT switch and cables, solder and three control knobs of your choice.  If you buy the metal cabinet, you will need some hand tools to cut the opening for the LCD display and twist drills to make the openings for the controls.

73 Al.
GM1SXX