Youkits TJ2B QRP HF Handheld

I picked up a new to me YouKits TJ2B last weekend. I liked these some years ago but it seems YouKits are no more and have been overtaken by other SDR radios from the likes of Xiegu and others. Renowned for poor speaker volume this one was beyond a joke as you needed headphones to hear anything coming out of it. In hindsight it was a gamble as I could not tell if the speaker was the issue or if the receive section was deaf.

After taking it apart and doing some research I found a section in the TJ2B build instructions on this being an issue caused by cold solder joints on the mini transformers T1, T2, and T3. Problem was that the build instructions were for an older model and the PCB was different. I reflowed them anyway and problem solved with an actual sound coming out of the speaker for a change. I then proceeded to stuff up the assembly 4 times and could not understand why I did not have access to all of the tuning options. Well after taking it apart again I finally noticed I had put a screw through the ribbon cable from the main tune control. With that repaired, normal service was restored and receive was fine. It currently puts out a 3W carrier and I have no confirmed contacts with it yet even with local hams assisting in testing. We can hear each other but signal is so low as to be unintelligible and barely even able to tell when the over has ended. More testing to come.

Quick contact with Mic (FK8IK) in New Caledonia

First contact on my new to me $40 Hamfest special is FK8IK (Mic) in New Caledonia. Using my max licence limit of 10W which is still QRP for phone and it made the trip of 1463 kms no problem. Audio is much nicer than the Anytone 6666 and the notch and shift make a big difference there.

Mic's QRZ profile: https://www.qrz.com/db/FK8IK

6 Watts to ZL2SDX in Wellington - 2489 kilometres, thanks Darren

 I was getting nowhere on 10 metres with the new AT-6666 and broke out the Youkits SK-1A QRP kit to head down to 40m. Not getting very far on 40m either, and having some antenna tuning difficulties but persevered and came across ZL2SDX Darren on 7.183 and he was kind enough to take the time and extract my callsign from the static. Thanks Darren and my 33 signal report will do just fine for 6 watts making the 2489 kilometre trip.

Darren's QRZ profile: https://www.qrz.com/db/ZL2SDX

New radio for QRP on 10m

I'm missing my Alinco DX-70 and needed something to replace it for HF. Enter the Anytone AT-6666. Tuned up for 5 watts PEP on 10m although I should be 10W PEP on SSB and still be QRP. I'll see what I can do with 5 watts first. Fingers crossed.

QRP rig has arrived

My new YouKits SK-1A QRP rig has arrived along with the 2 LiPo batteries, battery alarms, and DC regulator. The radio was well packed and seeing as it was Chinese New Year I was impressed with the turn around time. First impressions are.....this thing is small. I got into it straight away with setting up the power cables for both the radio itself and the low power tuner I will be using. One thing I didn't pick up on when I ordered it was that there is no internal speaker, only a jack for an external one or headphones to be used. Not a problem usually but it will be a little more difficult to get good audio when videoing some future activations I am planning.



So the first QSO I have logged  in over 3 years and the first with the new rig was with Craig, VK5CE/P3 working out of Gabo Island as IOTA OC196 - oc196.blogspot.com.au with a good 55 signal for portable and I in turn received a 53. Not bad for 5 watts.



The radio works fine straight out of the box and gave me a 1600km contact on the first try. I'm looking forward to getting used to this radio and some future field work So far so good ;-)



The radio with the external tuner

And the LiPo battery with cell monitor and alarm, and the dc regulator.

Manpack is gone and the new QRP rig is ordered

Well the manpack radio has been sold in preparation for another addition to the stable....the Youkits SK-1A

With Chinese new year coming up it may be slightly delayed. I've kept the LiPo battery pack from the manpack and with an operating voltage range up to 15V I should not need to use the voltage regulator. I'll be pairing this with my Z11 tuner.

EU QSO on the Kenwood TS-120V

Stephan had the Kenwood TS-120V rig fixed in super quick time and after I found out he had to rebuild the VFO I was even more impressed with both his work and turnaround. Good Work Stephan!

After a quick chat with Pete - VK4BT and Barry - VK3NBW (Geelong) they both gave some positive feedback on the audio. Tuning around 10 metres there was a JA pileup but no chance of getting through that one and as the evening changed to night I tried again and came across Dobrisan Bogdan - YO4RIU calling CQ DX from Romania. He was working a few VK stations and after a couple of tries the contact was made just as his signal was beginning to fade in and out.

I'm pretty happy with the Kenwood as the receive is better than my Dragon 485 and the 10 watts made the grade in getting out some 13,111 kilometres to Romania.

Now to get an antenna setup for some of the other bands and see how that goes.