Category Archives: QRP

A New Transistor for the Pixie

Posted on February 21, 2017 by robert

Of course the Pixie final transistor, Q2 S8050, gets darned hot, and I’ve blown one out in the past just holding the key down more than a few seconds.  With my Pixie + Red Core Filter, I was seeing about … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Pixie, Projects, QRP | Leave a comment

Passing Pixie!

Posted on February 21, 2017 by robert

After experimenting with T37-6 yellow core inductors, it was time to change to the T37-2 red core.  These have a lower operating frequency, up to 10 MHz, and it is possible that they might have a higher attenuation on 14 MHz … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Pixie, Projects, QRP | 1 Comment

Pixie PLUS 5-Pole LPF

Posted on February 20, 2017 by robert

My Pixie produces about 500 mW of output power when driven by a 13.8 volt supply.  The total input power to the board is about 1.5 watts.  As I’ve mentioned the Pixie only suppresses the 2nd harmonic by about 10 … Continue reading →

Posted in Pixie, Projects, QRP | Leave a comment

A 40 Meter LPF for the Pixie

Posted on February 20, 2017 by robert

As I mentioned the 40-meter Pixie QRP rig has pretty horrible harmonics, well above the maximum allowable FCC limit (-43 dBc).  One Pixie was about -9 dBc, and the other was about -20 dBc. The output filter in the Pixie … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Pixie, Projects, QRP | 2 Comments

Pixie Varibility

Posted on February 16, 2017 by robert

Given the dismal harmonic supression of my first Pixie kit, I was excited to test another. While still not passing, it is isn’t absolutely dismal. The readings were taken with a 40 dB external attenuator.  So the fundamental is actually … Continue reading →

Posted in Pixie, Projects, QRP | Leave a comment

QRP Still Rules the World; even on 80 Meters

Posted on February 13, 2017 by robert

Yesterday I decided to set my radio up on a QRP (5 watt) beacon mode on 80 meters (I used a propagation mode called WSPR, transmitting once every 10 minutes).  I let the rig run from about 4:45 PM local time … Continue reading →

Posted in DX, Propagation, QRP | Leave a comment

Pixie Pain

Posted on February 11, 2017 by robert

There is an inexpensive QRP kit that sells on eBay for somewhere between $4-10, called a Pixie.  It is a single conversion rock bound 40 meter QRP rig often set to 7.023 MHz, but sometimes 7.040 MHz.  They are often … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, Pixie, QRP | 1 Comment

K1 30-meter Emissions, Revisited

Posted on December 16, 2016 by robert

So I decided to open up my K1 and recheck the 30-meter bandpass filter alignment, guessing that the simple “peak coils for maximum” in the manual might also tend to peak the spurious emissions for maximum as well.  Sure enough … Continue reading →

Posted in Operating, QRP, Testing | Leave a comment

K1 Tuner Completed

Posted on November 30, 2016 by robert

It took about an hour to wind the 5 inductors and install the remaining components, so the entire kit took about 2.5 hours to assemble.  Some minor changes need to be made to the K1 itself, and the meter circuit … Continue reading →

Posted in Gear, QRP | Leave a comment

Finally Building the K1 Antenna Tuner

Posted on November 20, 2016 by robert

I had a ball building my K1 Transceiver.  It has worked out very well, and has a fantastic receiver.  My only issue so far is that the transmit power folds-back aggressively.  If the SWR is high, the power will immediately … Continue reading →

Posted in QRP | Leave a comment