N2CQR & N6QW,
I ran across a reference to the SolderSmoke book and read through it very quickly. Through the book, I discovered the SolderSmoke podcast and have been enjoying every minute!
I just want to thank the two of you for the inspiration and new motivation I’ve found in a hobby I’ve loved for 25 years! I’ve never tried homebrewing anything but that’s about to change.
It took me a while but we have oscillations on or about 14.060 MHz!
I adjusted the circuit to use resistor divider biasing of the 2N2219 and changes to the biasing and coil to accommodate the 20m crystal. Also the only cap I had that worked was a 10-50pF trimmer. Aside from my placing the crystal in the wrong point in the circuit because I wasn’t paying attention, this Michigan Mighty Mite needed minimal tweeting. The antenna is a 50 ohm resistor which the KX3 heard very well with its attenuator in line.
Now my problem is that I listen to SolderSmoke in the car and it’s bad form to take notes and drive at the same time. Also, I find myself wanting to experiment with all of the ideas from the podcast at once… If I build your LBS in modules, Pete, then I can experiment later and swap circuits to my hearts content.
One question for now…where is a good source of plentiful, inexpensive crystals?
Thanks again, guys!
Darryl Hambly, W2DLH
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Grid DM78pu


Congrats, Darryl! … but did you ever watch Mary Poppins as a kid? Supercaifrag… “My father gave my nose a tweak and told me I was bad” So it’s Tweak (twist/manipulate/adjust) not tweet (chirp). I also heard no ‘chirp’ on the signal – good work! 73
Here’s a good source for crystals, ham owned too. Rich is actually the president of our local club here in central Florida. http://www.expandedspectrumsystems.com/order.html
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