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Cricket mods...

Curt
 

Somehow I missed all this previously, N9EGT responding to a question as follows:

"Curt,  Through the comments of several I made some modifications to my Cricket.  I changed C9 to 180p and C10 to 470p.  Then I paralleled R1 with another 100K making 50K and paralleled R2 with a 1K to make .6K"


Doing the same changes, got the sale results.  I am using normal HC49 ( not little ones) for 3535, 3550, 3560.  With 11VDC, get 800 mW with all of them.  With the 3579.545, getting over 1W.  The output transistor doesn't get hot during transmit.  The resistor changes seemed to make the biggest difference.


Going to try 3550 this evening.


72, Curt KB5JO
Re: Cricket problem(s) solved?

Wayne Steury
 

Hello, Cricket people!

Through the comments of several I made some modifications to my Cricket.� I changed C9 to 180p and C10 to 470p.� Then I paralleled R1 with another 100K making 50K and paralleled R2 with a 1K to make .6K

It works with all crystals from KC9ON but lower power.� The best was my 3550 crystal that gives me about 400 milliwatts. Maybe these crystals vary. What do others say?� Using my old 3.579 I now seem to get 1 watt on my MFJ-971 tuner.� I have made several� QSOs on 3550.� It shows about the same db on reverse beacon.

I am sure interested in technical comments. Nothing seems to get hot with my regular CW and K1EL keyer.

73's Wayne� N9EGT� Berne, IN� See me on QRZ.com


On 7/17/2017 7:21 AM, gregory parker greg.parker13@... [4sqrp] wrote:
�

The question is do you have to modify the cricket to use 13.8v? To use other crystals? As I have several other crystals from kc9on.

Greg Parker
NM8B
Sent from my iPhone
Re: Cricket problem(s) solved?

Curt
 

I tried my (real) FT243 @ 3558.  Same results as with HC49 crystal on 3560.  Less than 400 mW and hot PA.

72, Curt KB5JO
I'm still alive

John Lonigro
 

Well, I have to apologize. Here it is July 17th and I have yet to post the results from the Second Sunday Sprint, which was over a week ago! Sorry about that. Last week's temperatures around St. Louis were hovering near or above 100 degrees most of the week. For that reason, I ran errands and rode my bike in the morning, which is when I typically tabulate the SSS scores. I had plenty of time in the afternoon, when I stayed indoors a lot, so my main excuse is "I forgot". August may be just as bad. I'll try harder.

That being said, I took a look at the automated logging comments (thanks again, Diz) and, unless I missed something, didn't see any successful sideband QSOs or even any unsuccessful attempts. Perhaps people tried, failed, and didn't bother making an entry in the log. While everyone is encouraged to check out the sideband watering holes every once in a while, I'm not going to mention it again for a while. It seems that CW is hard enough and won't get any easier for several years, based on solar activity.

The winner for July is Bill, KV6Z, with 15 QSO points. Congratulations! As usual, Bill will get his certificate emailed to him shortly, unless I forget! Johnny, AC0BQ, came in second with 10 points followed by Gary, KF7WNS, with 8. All in all, we had 9 people enter the contest, most notably Joe, W0MQY. This is Joe's first entry for 2017. Welcome Joe! It looks like we can expect approximately 10 people to enter the contest each month. It's not a great showing, but it's sufficient to keep the contest running. As always, the more the merrier, plus the more people listening, the more QSOs we'll have. More QSOs means more FUN.

The overall 2017 leader is also Bill, KV6Z, with 116 QSO points, followed by Gary, KF7WNS, with 86 points, and Chas, W2SH, with 84. It's not too late to catch up with these guys. We are only slightly past the halfway point in the contest. And, of course, the individual monthly winners from August through December are still up for grabs.

72 and I hope to be more timely next month,

John, AA0VE
4SQRP Contest Coordinator (when he remembers)
Re: Cricket problem(s) solved?

Greg Parker
 

The question is do you have to modify the cricket to use 13.8v? To use other crystals? As I have several other crystals from kc9on.

Greg Parker
NM8B
Sent from my iPhone
Re: Cricket problem(s) solved?

Curt
 

Now posting 3.549 on QRPspots "4SQRP Cricket with external 13.8 VDC supply and WW-II surplus FT-171-B rock at two watts to the GADS! antenna".  So maybe key is using old style crystals (more activity?) to get enough output from the oscillator to drive the PA.  I am going to try my 3548 FT243 to see what happens.


72, Curt KB5JO
Cricket problem(s) solved?

Curt
 

N4QA posted frequency of 3.509 and 3.549 on QRPspots for his new Cricket.  "4SQRP Cricket at one watt to the GADS! antenna, using external 9V supply"  Evidently he is managed to operate witch success using other crystals.  Look forward to learning how to do the same.

72, Curt KB5JO
Re: Unun Installation [1 Attachment]

Tim N9PUZ
 

Remember to ground the Polyphaser!

Looks nice. I do not have an end fed wire at home but use them all the time portable.

Tim N9PUZ

On 7/15/2017 1:01 PM, kk5ib01@gmail.com [4sqrp] wrote:
This is my 9:1 unun installation for my 56' end fed sloper and 25'
counterpoise fed with coax through a Polyphaser and common mode choke.
Top wire on side is antenna and bottom one is counterpoise. More work
to be done with ground rod and wire and tape for exposed connectors.
It tunes 80 through 6 meters with a LDG AT-200Pro II automatic antenna
tuner, will tune 160 meters with manual tuner. Still experimenting
with counterpoise length. Simplest and cheapest way to get multiple
bands on a limited space that I have found, also easy to install for
portable or emergency use.
Darryl, KK5IB
Re: Unun Installation

keith ford
 

I want to do one of these in the future.   Thanks for the post and motivation charge. 

On Saturday, July 15, 2017, 13:24, Bob Groh bob.groh@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

Looks nice. What does the orientation of the counterpoise look like relative to the antenna wire?

Bob, WA2CKY

On Sat, Jul 15, 2017 at 1:01 PM, kk5ib01@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:
 

This is my 9:1 unun installation for my 56' end fed sloper and 25'
counterpoise fed with coax through a Polyphaser and common mode choke.
Top wire on side is antenna and bottom one is counterpoise. More work
to be done with ground rod and wire and tape for exposed connectors.
It tunes 80 through 6 meters with a LDG AT-200Pro II automatic antenna
tuner, will tune 160 meters with manual tuner. Still experimenting
with counterpoise length. Simplest and cheapest way to get multiple
bands on a limited space that I have found, also easy to install for
portable or emergency use.
Darryl, KK5IB
Re: Unun Installation [1 Attachment]

wa2cky
 

Looks nice. What does the orientation of the counterpoise look like relative to the antenna wire?

Bob, WA2CKY

On Sat, Jul 15, 2017 at 1:01 PM, kk5ib01@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:
 

This is my 9:1 unun installation for my 56' end fed sloper and 25'
counterpoise fed with coax through a Polyphaser and common mode choke.
Top wire on side is antenna and bottom one is counterpoise. More work
to be done with ground rod and wire and tape for exposed connectors.
It tunes 80 through 6 meters with a LDG AT-200Pro II automatic antenna
tuner, will tune 160 meters with manual tuner. Still experimenting
with counterpoise length. Simplest and cheapest way to get multiple
bands on a limited space that I have found, also easy to install for
portable or emergency use.
Darryl, KK5IB
Unun Installation

Darryl J Kelly
 

This is my 9:1 unun installation for my 56' end fed sloper and 25'
counterpoise fed with coax through a Polyphaser and common mode choke.
Top wire on side is antenna and bottom one is counterpoise. More work
to be done with ground rod and wire and tape for exposed connectors.
It tunes 80 through 6 meters with a LDG AT-200Pro II automatic antenna
tuner, will tune 160 meters with manual tuner. Still experimenting
with counterpoise length. Simplest and cheapest way to get multiple
bands on a limited space that I have found, also easy to install for
portable or emergency use.
Darryl, KK5IB
Re: need a 5.6uh choke

Tom Sevart
 

On 07/13/17 16:57, Dale Putnam daleputnam@hotmail.com [4sqrp] wrote:


would there be any 5.6uh chokes layin about? only need one, or maybe two.??

(L9 in a SS-40 rx)
I think I have a couple, but they are SMT.

--
Tom Sevart N2UHC
St. Paul, KS
need a 5.6uh choke

Dale Putnam
 

would there be any 5.6uh chokes layin about? only need one, or maybe two.??

(L9 in a SS-40 rx)


Have a great day,
--... ...-- Dale - WC7S in Wy

"Actions speak louder than words"
1856 - Abraham Lincoln
Re: Texas operator makes a qso - THEN THIS HAPPENED . . .

WA0ITP
 

Congrats Curt!!  


72 WAØITP Cricketeer 002 
I love this radio stuff.
www.wa0itp.com
www.4sqrp.com
On 7/13/2017 6:22 AM, Wayne Steury waynesteury@... [4sqrp] wrote:

 
Welcome Curt.  It is great to grow our special group. I have a neighbor who is working to finish his radio and will be cricketing soon

Wayne N9EGT 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 12, 2017, at 11:56 PM, dekle@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

Curt - KB5JO, has joined the elite group of 4S Cricketeers.
Congratulations Curt  on becoming member number 005.

Curt's achievement has simultaneously added the 5th state represented in the Cricket Society.
A coveted double whammy.

Who's next?

73
Bill
KV6Z
Re: Texas operator makes a qso - THEN THIS HAPPENED . . .

Curt
 

I thank SKCC ops putting up with my foolishness, last QSO was with WI5H, Mike, in San Angelo.  The little radio seems to reach out 100-300 miles, my contacts ranged from 3 miles to nearly 700 miles, TX, AR, LA, OK, GA.  Pushing nearly 800 mw into an 80M dipole up 50 feet.  Using 10 VDC supply.

Being limited to a single frequency, tied to a straight key, and not being a night owl, this was nearly as hard as making WAS for me!

GL. 72 KB5JO
Re: Texas operator makes a qso - THEN THIS HAPPENED . . .

Wayne Steury
 

Welcome Curt.  It is great to grow our special group. I have a neighbor who is working to finish his radio and will be cricketing soon

Wayne N9EGT 

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 12, 2017, at 11:56 PM, dekle@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

Curt - KB5JO, has joined the elite group of 4S Cricketeers.
Congratulations Curt  on becoming member number 005.

Curt's achievement has simultaneously added the 5th state represented in the Cricket Society.
A coveted double whammy.

Who's next?

73
Bill
KV6Z
Texas operator makes a qso - THEN THIS HAPPENED . . .

dekle@...
 

Curt - KB5JO, has joined the elite group of 4S Cricketeers.
Congratulations Curt  on becoming member number 005.

Curt's achievement has simultaneously added the 5th state represented in the Cricket Society.
A coveted double whammy.

Who's next?

73
Bill
KV6Z
Re: KN-q7a

Paul Ross <deadgoose@...>
 

There are some files with mods. One suggested replacing the gain pot with one with a switch. That would have involved running wires from the back panel area, and I was reluctant to do that, as I didn't want to risk picking up RF on the power supply leads. The SPST switch was an easy fix. Early versions of the PC board did not directly support a speaker microphone. Mine does. I got my kit from the guy out west, as I figured if I had problems, support would be better than attempting to work with Adam in China. I believe there is a new version of the rig out. DDS tuning, I think. If you are into small voice rigs, look up the DSB rig from Ozqrp.com. VERY interesting.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 4:31 PM, John Cronhelm <johncronhelm@...> wrote:

Yes very good idea having a larger tuning knob and an on/off power switch is a great idea .I hate having to disconnect the battery leads or pull out the power connector each time I am finished. Not sure why they didn't Include that in the kit manual.
Will email you some time in the future.  Many thanks!
73,  John vo1jcc.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 5:35 PM, Paul Ross deadgoose@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

OK, pick away...I also replaced the stock tuning knob with a larger one, which helps a lot.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 2:09 PM, John Cronhelm <johncronhelm@...> wrote:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting back to me  on the KN-Q7A.  With a struggle  I managed  the SMT transistor .  It's too bad  propagation on 40 is terrible at  the present.  Still have the transmit part to finish, more to that than the receiver part. May pick your brains on that later.
Cheers,
John, vo1jcc.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 12:12 PM, Paul Ross deadgoose@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

I built one a couple of years ago. Due to inexperience, had to get some help on installing the small SMT driver transistor. Otherwise fine. I did put a SPST switch for power on back panel. Tuning is a bit touchy, so will likely put a 10 turn pot in for tuning. Some drift, but it settles down in a bit.

73 /Paul W3FIS

Sent from my iPad
Re: KN-q7a

JOHN CRONHELM
 

Yes very good idea having a larger tuning knob and an on/off power switch is a great idea .I hate having to disconnect the battery leads or pull out the power connector each time I am finished. Not sure why they didn't Include that in the kit manual.
Will email you some time in the future.  Many thanks!
73,  John vo1jcc.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 5:35 PM, Paul Ross deadgoose@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

OK, pick away...I also replaced the stock tuning knob with a larger one, which helps a lot.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 2:09 PM, John Cronhelm <johncronhelm@...> wrote:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting back to me  on the KN-Q7A.  With a struggle  I managed  the SMT transistor .  It's too bad  propagation on 40 is terrible at  the present.  Still have the transmit part to finish, more to that than the receiver part. May pick your brains on that later.
Cheers,
John, vo1jcc.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 12:12 PM, Paul Ross deadgoose@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

I built one a couple of years ago. Due to inexperience, had to get some help on installing the small SMT driver transistor. Otherwise fine. I did put a SPST switch for power on back panel. Tuning is a bit touchy, so will likely put a 10 turn pot in for tuning. Some drift, but it settles down in a bit.

73 /Paul W3FIS

Sent from my iPad
Re: KN-q7a

Paul Ross <deadgoose@...>
 

OK, pick away...I also replaced the stock tuning knob with a larger one, which helps a lot.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 2:09 PM, John Cronhelm <johncronhelm@...> wrote:

Hi Paul,
Thanks for getting back to me  on the KN-Q7A.  With a struggle  I managed  the SMT transistor .  It's too bad  propagation on 40 is terrible at  the present.  Still have the transmit part to finish, more to that than the receiver part. May pick your brains on that later.
Cheers,
John, vo1jcc.

Sent from my iPad

On Jul 12, 2017, at 12:12 PM, Paul Ross deadgoose@... [4sqrp] <4sqrp@...> wrote:

 

I built one a couple of years ago. Due to inexperience, had to get some help on installing the small SMT driver transistor. Otherwise fine. I did put a SPST switch for power on back panel. Tuning is a bit touchy, so will likely put a 10 turn pot in for tuning. Some drift, but it settles down in a bit.

73 /Paul W3FIS

Sent from my iPad
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