REVIEW: CR Kits CPK-1 Pixie2023 7 MHz QRP transceiver

Reviewing the CR Kits CPK-1 Pixie 7 MHz CW transceiver kit.
It's similar to other Pixie kits except for two features that both make it more versatile. In this video I build it and put it on the air to see if you can really make contacts with such a basic 2 transistor / 1 IC transceiver.
Details and ordering at crkits.com
Suggested modifications (for this and other Pixie kits)
LA3ZA: la3za.blogspot...
G4JQT: www.gqrp.com/T...
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[@StreakyP]

I have 2 similar CRK-10A's from CR Kits & would like to say the quality of many other misc origin Chinese Pixie kits can sometimes be a little "hit or miss" (to put it mildly) however I have nothing but praise for CR Kits & Adam. His boards are great quality, everything has been included in the kits, the instructions are great & well illustrated & in clear English, I've not found any dodgy spec transistors/chips used & silly things like having properly matched pin/hole spacings made the build a delight. CR-Kits THOROUGHLY RECOMMENDED. (worth checking out his other kits too).

[@timbarnett4708]

Great QSO Peter, it sounded very nice my end, as you could hear. 73, VK3TBR

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

Thanks for the recording.

[@WFSteury]

I have worked over 20 states with my Pixie, which I converted to 20 m.

[@jeromeGrzelak]

it will take me 20 years kg6mn

[@tonywright8294]

Built 2 pixies ,both work no problem . Just have to learn Morse now! 🤣

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

👍I have a Pixie kit. On the list of things to do and will look at the mod's suggested. Using similar basic DC receiver circuits, the modification that I found made the biggest difference was adding a 700Hz AF active filter. In EU at least, when 40m conditions are good, there is a lot of activity around 7030KHz. Being able to filter out nearby stations really helps.

[@TheArtofEngineering]

It would be fun to see if the Progrock from QRP labs could replace crystals?

[@gliderrider]

I was sending a few “cq’s” on a Chinese pixie just to see if I was showing up on the reverse beacon network. Someone answered me and I got a qso out of it. Happened to be recording at the time so that was great. 73’s de n5vwn

[@SergiuCosminViorel]

The RC filter, is 8800 cps, must be lowered, to some 3300 cps for SSB, or 1000 cps for CW. Act on R or on C, depending on the inpedances

[@jeromeGrzelak]

Someone has put a pixie on am of all things kg6mn

[@bill-2018]

I recently bought a single frequency Pixie but be aware. As you say there are several manufacturers. No audio on my Pixie but everything looked o.k. I eventually theorised there was a fault on the p.c.b.. Sure enough after destroying the audio jack socket to remove it I found when the plug goes in it was shorting the audio to earth. The copper track on mine needed cutting to isolate it. I put my last one on 5.262 MHz but unfortunately it blew up, transistor and electrolytic capacitor and the track lifted when I tried to repair it so binned it. Not a thing to do with that nice expensive Yaesu but these are cheap enough. G4GHB.

[@adamrong8990]

This is why I make available Pixie2023 although there are many Pixie kits there. Hopefully the building experience will be improved.

[@snarfusmaximus]

All my bills are via email so getting physical mail is definitely exciting.

[@vk3ye]

I keep my bills physical. Less likely to be missed.

[@jeromeGrzelak]

Ilove this one kg6mn

[@TheArtofEngineering]

Nice save on the freq error! Pixie is fun to play with. Well done on the QSO. Mine was QRO at 2 plus watts (with the wrong transistor) but no go on receive!!! Chris (VK2NAP) and I had a full "World Pixie Day" go at making QSO's we got a couple of QSO's....but more importantly had fun (and a bottle of wine too!!). 73 loved this video!!

[@WFSteury]

I have made many Pixies and I am excited to try this one. I will probably put a 2N2222 as the final. N9EGT

[@adamrong8990]

The metal can 2N2222 will improve the RF output by about 3dB per my test. Use the one with higher hFE if you have many.

[@cleverson_sa_]

👏 interesting. I own an old version of Pixie, but no way to TX on 40m here at my QTH. May be if I find a 28mhz cristal, will this kit work?

[@vk3ye]

Short answer is it won't. It needs a complete redesign.

[@jeromeGrzelak]

yes yes and yes@@vk3ye

[@Andy2e0ree]

See you then

[@ziyayergok6090]

very good pronouncation..good english..thank you..Peter..73..DE TA3IID...

[@Tony770jr]

I wonder if a vfo could be used instead of the crystals?

[@cosmefulanito5933]

...and SSB. CW is dead.

[@tmmlrd]

Could you pls explain how the potentiometer works? I didn't find in this video. Many thanks.

[@vk3ye]

It's RIT, shifting frequency a little on receive. Uses diode to vary capacitance.

[@F_Tim1961]

Adam Rong -- do you realise how sarcastic "Even makes contacts " is ? It's dry Ozzie humour but sarcasm anyway.... I guess --- let it ride.

[@adamrong8990]

Hi Hi, It is my bad.