Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

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JamesA
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Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

Crusty suggested that i post some pics of the build of my Reggie II kit, so here we are. Posted here rather than the HF monitoring forum as this is a transceiver for the 80M band. Maybe we need a homebrew forum for this sort of thing.

Anyway, the Reggie II is a kit from QRPMe.com based on a design by AA1TJ. It is a minimalist QRPp CW rig for 80M with an output of around 100mw :)

As you will see from the pics, all of the components are soldered to the top of the boards using 'Limerick' style construction, which is Rex's (W1REX) take on Manhattan style using etched boards so you dont have to cut out pads and glue them down. Works very well so far!
Reggie Circuits.jpg
P1020012.JPG
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Last edited by JamesA on 24 Jan 2010, 17:35, edited 1 time in total.
M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
JamesA
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Re: Reggie II Build thread

Post by JamesA »

Got started last night, sorted all the parts and built the MIX board. 3 resistors, 2 caps and 2 diodes.
P1020014.JPG
Then, onto the LPF board. This is actually the band pass filter, but he forgot to rename the board before having them printed lol.
5 caps, 2 coils
P1020021.JPG
Assuming my little girl goes to sleep before me tonight, im aiming to wind the torroids and build at least one of the remaining boards.
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M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
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crusty
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by crusty »

Nice one James, looking good. I agree it would be nice to have a DIY/homebrew section on the forum so we can follow the progress of peoples projects more easily. Might encourage a few more projects too.

Good luck with the kit, looking forward to seeing it assembled.

ATB.
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

Ta Crusty, We will have to bother the mods for an extra forum :)

Ive got a couple of other bits to put together after this so more to come from me anyway.

Got most of the TUNE board built after getting the little monster to sleep, took 2 hours :/
C3 is missing and needless to say its one value ive not got in my parts box so just ordered that. Also not wound toe coil yet, didnt think it would go too well at 11pm after half a bottle of wine :lol: Pic once i get it finished.
M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by M0MTH »

Cool thread, will keep an eye out for further posts ;)
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northern35s
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by northern35s »

I'm enjoying these build threads, and a QRP transceiver should be fun to use / build, I might have to get tapping the desk again, dah di dah dah dit :D
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fez
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by fez »

JamesA wrote:Ta Crusty, We will have to bother the mods for an extra forum :)
I will make a thread in the staff section. Shouldn't be a problem.

Liking the pics of the builds.

I will have to get some pics of the stuff my mate built from scratch when he gets a camera.
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by M0JSW »

Great Idea.Ive got a Softrock kit to construct/butcher,when I get get my head round how small the board is.I`ll put some pics up when I start that(assuming I don`t make a pigs ear of it) :oops:
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by wa10 »

good stuff, get the irons warmed up ;)
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

TUNE board done bar C3 which should be here tomorrow. Wound the transformer without too much trouble after checking pics of someone else's to make sure i wound it the right way. Oh there is also the tuning cap to fit once all the boards are ready to be connected together. Must get a bottle of solvent to clean up the flux :)
P1020023.JPG
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M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

Have now fitted the missing cap to the TUNE board and also finished the RCVR board.
P1020025.JPG
Was a bit of a fiddle getting the audio transformer on as its a little too large for the pads, but managed it by bending one set of legs under.

Next job is to mount the 4 boards onto a piece of copper clad board and add the external components and wiring between them.
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M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by crusty »

Nice work James, coming along nicely.
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

It Lives! Mounted the boards onto the copper clad base and did the ground connections last night and ive just finished the connecting wires and external components. Fired it up and it worked first time, well, 2nd but only coz i forgot to connect the input to the RCVR board :P
P1020027.JPG
Next job is to make a case of some sort and fine tune the tuning cap to get the best range. Also want to do a small mod to increase the audio output and add a volume control. The its on to the 5w amp!
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M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

Not managed to find the right sort of case so ive ordered some copper clad board. Going to make a case out of that which will shield it nicely too.

Also, my rockmite kit arrived so that's on the build list too :)
M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
JamesA
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Re: Reggie II Build thread (QRP transceiver kit)

Post by JamesA »

Done some more on my little rig. Now have a front panel made from copper clad board and an audio amp circuit.

Tune, Volume, Phones, Key connectors. Will add a power switch sometime.
P1020036.JPG
Audio output from the Reggie is very low, so i built an amp circuit i found based on the LM386 chip. Thats is mounted up side down by its volume pot :)
P1020034.JPG
LM386 board wires up and ready to fit.
P1020038.JPG
Next i'll add a back panel the same size with power and aerial connectors.
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M6JCA -> 2E0JCA

Yaesu FT-897, FT-857D (In car), FT-817D & Wouxun KG-UVD1P
Full wave 40M wire loop for HF, Watson V2000 for 2, 70 & 6
HRD Logbook: http://www.hrdlog.net/ViewLogbook.aspx?user=2E0JCA
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