QRP Ham Radio Station Setup and Operation

In this video I show how to set up and operate a complete QRP ham radio station using the Two Tinned Tunas transmitter, Sudden Storm ][ receiver, and Tuna Helper T/R switch from QRPme.com.

[@GratefulJWB]

Doug DeMaw would be thrilled at how his original creation has evolved! I built an original TT2 way back in 1980 shortly after receiving my license. It was loaned out and disappeared many years ago. Great tutorial! I've been inactive for some time, though still keep my license active. I've never completely lost interest, and QRP was always my first love. I think it's time to start building again!

[@ThePauperPrepper]

Jeff a very well done video. Your presentation was well thought out and done professionallyIll be looking forward to more from you. 73

[@mnpd3]

Back in 1978 I built the original Tuna Tin 2 and the matching Herring Aid 5 receiver in the appropriate tuna and herring (sardine) fish cans. The plans were in a 1976 QST magazine article and authored by the late great Doug DeMaw. The Tuna 2 transmitter was single crystal controlled, and I never got around to building the CB Slider (Corned Beef can) VFO which was published later because it had a part which I couldn't find or new technology which baffled me at the time (was it a toroid?). The numbers "2" and "5" came from the respective number of transistors (almost all 2N2222) used by each project. The direct conversion receiver of the Herring Aid 5 worked, but the volume was very low, and the Tuna 2 only put out a couple hundred milliwatts - low for even QRP standards. I replaced the final amp transistor with a beefier transistor which resulted in chirp until I balanced out a similar beefed-up transistor for the crystal oscillator. The result was a whopping 2-watts with which I made a good many daytime 40m contacts in those long-gone days. Thanks for the demo and the memories; I didn't know anyone was making copies of DeMaw's work. :)

[@ganjajoe2566]

Hi! Thanks so much for this video! It's more helpful to me than you might imagine. I am a person with NO HAM background, and am just now learning Morse Code on youtube, with my dad (Morse Code Tracing Video) and I have ordered 25 Pixie CW QRP 40-meter transceiver build kits and 11 of the Frog Sounds ones. I got the pixies for $2.88 shipped and the Frog sounds ones for $10 shipped. Also, I ordered all of the stuff to make 2 big dipoles in 40M (N,S,E,W) and all the nick nacks (Weller Irons, good solder, wick, SWR meter, volt ohm meter, iron feroid, tons of cables and wires, etc) to make me into a well outfitted tiny radio factory. So every little bit of radio knowledge I can pick up from videos like yours are GOLD to me, as I venture on in this new adventure! I have been sliding backwards a little financially lately because I am autistic and have a hard time keeping a job because I'm ungifted at dealing with contentious people. However, I think that because of my positive, upbeat personality, and the freedom and economy of working at home, this will be a nice addition to my e-bay selling. As it is, I sell WiFi Hacking kits, and have been selling a good number of them to people who are really keen on Anonymity. I advertise to them on Facebook, and I reckon they'll appreciate the anonymity that a mobile and brief deployment of CW QRP for the purpose of an important coded message can easily provide in a way that is going to be spyware-free and virtually free of recurring expense. Thanks again!

[@KU9L]

Hey, I still have those kits and just dusted them off to start putting them together. We are in a 23 ft travel trailer so it will be picnic table assembly and operation for sure. Cheers, Dave - KU9L

[@gliderrider]

Thanks so much for making this video! I'm sure to refer to it often when I get these kits, which I've been eyeballin for years.

[@murrij]

What a great video. You nailed it in the introduction. For n00bs like me there's plenty of kits, but once built how do I use 'em? Thank you for taking the time to do this video.

[@KU9L]

Got to love these kits! Still deciding on the best antenna for extended travel in a truck camper, but current thinking is a 1/2~ wire with 1/4 counterpose & a 1/2~ tuner.

[@RobMacKendrick]

Awesome tutorial! Thanks, Jeff!

[@vk3ye]

Jeff - well done on a comprehensive and well-produced video. Many only show operating and not setting up so you fill a gap here. However I'd be wary about promoting this type of gear to beginners. 200mW crystal control means frustration, fruitless calls and not being able to operate if the freq is busy. QRP teaches what's really needed & what's not. Eg you don't need sidetone or QSK. But freq agility & >2w out make the difference between fun and failure & novices should be told this.

[@rpraver1]

Great video, enjoyed it thoroughly...

[@aerobob427]

Excellent video. I have the Sudden Storm and three Tuna Tins for various bands, I think I'll get the Tuna Helper.

[@landerosbaudelio6247]

I'm watching this in 2018 I want one

[@joshuahunt1210]

My brain just exploded. This is awesome!

[@UPGardenr]

Thanks for posting Great vid

[@PH2LB]

Nice video, gives a good introduction and inspiration to the Tins. 73 de Lex PH2LB

[@bodacious2276]

That's really cool.

[@HMDickson]

Interesting, the Rube Goldberg method of QRP :) While the value of knowledge you gain is worth the trip, not very practical if you just want to get on the air. I used to build these kits. Lately, I just spring the $100 for a used Heathkit HW-8, boost the receive, rewind new toroids for the output, and heavy up the final to 5 watts. I decided tinkering time is better used for antenna building. AE4YW

[@vetham100]

nice to see another ve3 on here, thanks for the video, very informative. 73 VE3QJ

[@vasilepop4369]

Nice video! Keep up the good work! 73 de VA6POP

[@jefftranter]

Agreed. Making contacts with a low power QRP transmitter is challenging and not for beginners. The receiver can be used by beginners for W1AW code practice though.

[@HistoryandFacts]

Watching this in sep 2020

[@leos9865]

Thanks

[@mnpd3]

The "reverse" RF Gain control can be cured by simply swapping the two end leads of the three-lead potentiometer; which I presume the receiver uses.

[@aerobob427]

Power is no substitute for skill.

[@even200x]

Very nice tuna. I scored a contact with mine, but the rcvr has a problem.

[@petchharrison]

see you on the air,youmean hear you on the air .. jeff..ps qrp very interesting..

[@raafatalheety826]

73 from baghdad de Yi1hxh

[@vetham100]

using qrp teaches us to be patient as well..

[@jefftranter]

I don't know what a "non-powered passive antenna signal booster" is (it sounds like a contradiction in terms).

[@12presspart]

hi jeff is there RIT control built in between tx/rx or do you have to alter the tuning on recieve this can be a problem with dc reciever,s jim g0wmj

[@jefftranter]

There is no RIT per se but the receiver has a limited amount of adjustable frequency shift so you can adjust it for a suitable offset.

[@raypsi1]

Your right I'd have a hard time putting the 5000 watt generator in my back pack

[@inventhead]

i still got the book that shows how to build n parts list books anayone read books anaylonger da dit da da da di di da

[@jefftranter]

No, you don't need an amateur radio licence for receiving, only transmitting.

[@jefftranter]

I don't think these would be useful in this application. They don't handle the power levels that a transmitter puts out and are designed for the wrong frequencies (cable TV versus HF).

[@N4PJA]

Kinda harsh there buddy. There's an art to sending and receiving CW. You kinda filter out the phone hogs this way. hihi

[@reddog694uk]

Hope the dog doesn't eat it by mistake !!

[@aerobob427]

Pirating is not the point.

[@choppergirl]

The thing is, kids want to operate their own pirate radio stations and broadcast political revolution and/or music, and none of these kits can even do ssb or voice am. Maybe you can pound out a beep beep monotone rhythm but that's total fail. These kits lost them completely by going CW. I wouldn't buy a CW rig for a dime even if it put out a million watts. What can you do with it? Make a contact with someone else that knows morse and is trolling the band for it, and that's it.

[@raypsi1]

The thing is Q freaking RO not QRP give me sum power power is king power makes might so QRO is the way to go ne time ne where QRP is for pansies 73 OT de N8ZU

[@RobMacKendrick]

Aaaaaand... this is why most of my airtime is QRP now.