Okay, not futile… but time consuming.
Also installed all of the data headers and the power connector. And…
…decided that I really don’t like winding toroids. One more to wind: the transformer.
Finishing this will need to wait until I’ve completed a few home-improvements.
In fact, it’s something along the lines that I’ve already done.
Previously, it was the 20m QCX. Now it’s the 40m QCX kit:
I’ll be excluding the protective Schottky diode from the power input because of 1) the energy cost and 2) there’s little risk of reversing polarity. Why? Because I’ll instead use Anderson Powerpoles to greatly reduce the risk of inverting voltage. While I don’t like to claim anything is impossible, once configured, they’re rather idiot-proof.
While I’ve only just started on this, and have already completed its 20m equivalent, I feel that I crave a greater degree of complexity.
I should also see about perhaps an UltimateS3 or a Megaprocessor (more) or maybe something somewhere between the two.
Why?
Because I can.
You know, I’m beginning to realize that I need to branch out — increase complexity and understanding of concepts — to keep things interesting and engaging for me.
This? A tool to do testing of discrete electronics.
Honestly, I found it easy to assemble. No electronics work needed. Just assembly of its case.
The greatest challenge was the need of improved dexterity: twisting nuts or removing the protective cover from the acrylic that I struggle with.
But, it works. I just need to go read the docs, do the calibration, then this is ready to use for other electronic/assmbly projects.
But first, work to do.
Ordered another kit from QRP Labs, but the 40m QCX Transceiver because I’ve already assembled the 20m QCX Transceiver… because I really couldn’t resist. So, that’s coming up.
I’ll also see about capturing more photos, maybe even some video of the prep and assembly process when it arrives.
…and, if someone could find a way to make it a bit more work maybe add some frustration and inconvenience to readily spending money online… that’d be great.
I honestly don’t really have a need for a function generator. This was inexpensive and small enough to fill an hour’s time.
The most time-consuming part was understanding what orientation the electrolytic capacitors were to be installed. While the silkscreen on the PCB did have an indication that the capacitors had to go one way, there wasn’t a positive/negative marking. So I guessed that the white on one half of the circle must equal white on the capacitor.
Oh, and peeling off the protective coating from the acrylic parts. There are a few bits still inside of some of the letters.
There’s probably a slightly more elegant function generator — actually, there are several and more expensive — but this will do for now.
Before I build too many more things, I should see about building a power supply. Maybe the ubiquitous LM317 would be a reasonably inexpensive and capable project.
Also, it seems to me that I’m continuing to do things backward.
How so?
Because one would think that learning tasks would start with simplistic concepts and work toward more complex. I started with the complex (the QCX project) and moved over/back/into this, the simple.
the rest of me 