Being a late comer to 4SQRP (started with the Bayou Jumper) I have found the various kits really well designed and a bargin when compared to other gear on the market. My past QRP was my pair of FT-817s I carried all over the world before I retired from Hewlett-Packard. They were sold a few years ago with a goodbye to QRP. The BJ was too tempting so I'm back. BTW, I added the Souperuper and EZKeyer IIi/SMT to the BJ.  I even bought an IC-705 to replace my FT817s. 
I recently built 3 kits that I want to mention:  4S Tuner, QRPoMeter and the Transformer Experimentation Board

4S Tuner: I finished this tuner last night and tested it this afternoon. It went together quite well although it took a search for more photos of the coil winding and understanding the options. Basically, everything needed to build and use the tuner was in the manual. Using PCB material for the case is a fantastic idea.  I like the design of the 4S Tuner because of the IN/OUT switch where you can set the tuner without melting your final transistor. The bridge design with a dummy load makes a lot of sense and I see it used with the QRPoMeter.  For the test, I used an existing 66 ft long wire for EFHW pulled out to 73 ft. I also used the existing 30 ft counterpoise lying on the ground. No problems - it tuned right up on 20M with the inductor set at E or F (goes from A to L in steps). On 40, it tuned right up on L for the inductor (max inductance). I called a station in Bend, OR (I'm near Seattle) and got a 44 report. Then I switched from IN to OUT (duh!) and he copied me Q5! OUT connects the rig to the antenna rather than to a dummy load and bridge SWR detector. This tuner is a worth while project and will go with my Bayou Jumper to simulate the actual Paraset use of a longwire antenna. 

QRPoMeter: I didn't get this through 4SQRP but directly from NM0S. I learned about it from this group, however. This kit went together quite well with excellent build instructions. Like the 4S Tuner, I really like the design and the use of a bridge circuit to measure SWR and a nice load on the rig during the process. Also it provides a dummy load. Back in my FT-817 days, I had an Oak Hills QRP Wattmeter which got sold with the rigs. The QRPoMeter is a good fit and is quite accurate. Its powered by an internal 9v battery and has a very sharp LCD display. Its clearly a superior instrument. 

Transformer Experimentation Board:  This kit has a very handy set of components with the PC board. After learning why certain size of toroids require a certain number of turns, I decided to build the EFHW 49:1 transformer and use this with my Bayou Jumper rather than a long wire as used back in WWII.  I did the winding carefully and gave it a try with a 66 ft longwire and a 30 ft counterpoise. Didn't work. Then I checked the photo and see the jumper is needed to connect the CP to the circuit. Still no joy. My antenna analyzers indicate that its not an antenna for ANY ham band. I checked everything closely and made sure I burned off the thermaleze and tinned the wires, etc. The included caps are unmarked but I measured them and chose the largest one. With or without cap, its the same. I'm at a loss on this one.

All in all, lots of fun building inexpensive projects that make ham radio fun and interesting. My hat's off to all those who design and produce these kits.

73, Larry W7DGP 

Reminder: Wednesday Evening 40 and 80 meter Nets

When:
05/18/2022
20:00 to 21:00
(UTC-05:00) America/Chicago

Where:
40 and 80 Meters

Organizer: jomatlock@...

View Event

Description:
The 40 Meter Net will be at 8:00 pm central time  on 7.122 +-. QRM
NCS is WQ5RP/ACØBQ 

Wednesday evening 80 Meter CW Net. will be at  (8:30PM Central Time Wednesday (DST). 

The 80 meter net will be called on 3.564 MHz +/- QRM.
Net control operator is Johnny ACØBQ 

* NEW *  Wednesday evening DMR Voice Net will be at (Thursday) 02:00 UTC (9:00PM Central Time Wednesday/)
Four States QRP has a Brandmeister DMR Talk Group (TG31654). Join us to discuss QRP, ask questions, or just ragchew. The Wednesday net is a directed net  but any other time you may use the Talk Group to chat with other QRPers.
Net Control operator is Bert NØYJ.

Hi all,
One last plea: if anyone needs a room for FDIM or Hamvention, I have one available at the Holiday Inn in Fairborn and I'm willing to deal on the price!

Cheers & 73,
Howie / WA4PSC

Johnny, Jim (N5IB) and anyone headed to Xenia that does go to the Airforce museum, I can’t remember which hangar it’s in, but there is a small twin engined blue & white Aero Commander 560 in a back corner that was actually used as Air Force One several times for Eisenhower.  For a while, during my Army career, while I was stationed at Fort Devens, MA, I belonged to the Fort Devens flying club and they actually had it in their stable of aircraft.  We had a picture of Eisenhower getting into it framed by the rear door and that photo is still on the aircraft.  The wife of one of our club members made a set of checkered seat covers for it and as far as I know, they are still on the seats.  I took some multi engine flight training in that plane and have actually flown it.  When aviation gas prices got so high we turned the plane back over to the Air Force and they put it in the museum shortly after that.  The one time I went to FDIM, I saw it there and several other hams from here (Wichita, KS) have told me it’s still on display there.

--

Should you be heading for the Dayton area for the big 'Fest and/or FDIM, don't forget you're less than 10 miles away from the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.
Open 9am-5pm 7 days a week

And if you should take time for a visit... and if you are wandering the WW2 gallery... and should you happen across a Bell P39Q AiraCobra... you might notice the name lettered below the canopy - - Lt. L Spoonts

That would be my Uncle Les - Lt, later LtCol (ret) Leslie Spoonts, W5WWX (SK)
It was Uncle Les who put me on a path to my Novice ticket back about 1960.
That call sign is now held by my son, Ian, who's a meteorologist.

Perhaps I'll get there yet, but I'd dearly love to have someone send me a photo of that aircraft, with a bunch of hams in the picture.

73
Jim, N5IB

QRP. Here tinkering with a nn1g 2 board transceiver. 1993 predecessor to 40-40 and sw series. Similar receiver except fixed gain mc1350 between the ne602 and it uses a real variable capacitor. Original builder had not aligned TX and rx, well nearly 0 Hertz difference. Now it's able to make qsos. 

Curt

Four Days In May is a seminar/conference/gathering held beginning the Thursday before Hamvention. The main event is Thursday when a series of talks are presented about various QRP and radio related topics. It is sponsored by QRPARCI.

FDIM Information

Tim N9PUZ

What is FDIM?  Field day in May?  Look all over the sight couldn’t find it mentioned.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I think we have probably beaten several types of Cycles to the point where it now Hertz.

How about we move along and let this one go away.

Tim N9PUZ
for the moderators

--

jerry,

yuuuugggh,

remind me never to eat any of their finger sandwiches they made.:)

73
David
ac9xh

Thanks Jim.  Dang - I didn't know Diz was ill.  Prayers from here as well.

Andy
KG5RKP

jerry,
I did that and wound up married HI HI

David
ac9xh