Derek M0XDC bought the Hunter HF SDR Receiver/Panadapter kit from Radio Kits at the Lincoln Hamfest on 30th September [see report here]. Apparently it was ‘my fault’ – by my dragging him to the stand to have a look at the Panadapter demo setup! Derek likes a challenge, especially the opportunity to use his SMD soldering station on tiny little components. So, here’s a blow-by-blow account of the kit being assembled in his words and, mostly, pictures.
More info on the Radio-Kits Hunter SDR Receiver/Panadapter at http://www.radio-kits.co.uk/hunter/.
For those wanting a better view, click here for the construction manual.
There is a Yahoo! group. http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/RK-Hunter/
73
John G8DZH (Email: g8dzh@lefars.org.uk)
Monday 3rd October 2011
16:58 Done a fair bit today, but had to stop – due to going cross eyed. I have managed to lose 5 pieces ! They been sent into orbit via the tweezers, and I can’t find them 🙁 I have emailed Radio-Kits for replacements. Anyway pictures below. 73 Derek.
20:33 I have just received an email from Steve G6ALU, the guy that does the radio-kits. He is sending the five lost parts at no expense to me, excellent service J. 73 Derek.
Sunday 9th October 2011
12:30 I replaced U3 (MCP1702T) kindly sent by Steve G6ALU, again at no expense to me. Again I will say excellent service and support.
Unfortunately I found another fault; I was getting a lot of noise and no receive. Anyway that turned out to be just one dodgy solder joint on Q3 (BC857B) and easily corrected. I suppose there had to be one out of many.
Anyway here’s that picture you wished you had taken.
HAAAAAAAAAAAA Job finished
22:44 40m busy tonight Picture of 40m, and it’s running on a 16bit sound card at 96KHz…
Monday 10th October 2011
17:06 Finally Labels made and applied. 73 Derek.
Hi Derek
Do you have the contact details where a kit such a this might be purchased? Already, I have checked out the web-link and, there are no active links to buy the kit.
Additionally, which SMD station do you use? Do you have any advice for buying such a device?
Nice building.
Reply received from Derek M0XDC
Hi Stacy, This is a copy and paste off the RK Hunter yahoo group on how to purchase the kit at this time. There will be a link on the radio-kits site some time soon.
The kit was introduced at the National Hamfest for £78, I will be placing Paypal payment options on the website soon:
Hunter to UK – £85
Hunter to European continent – £86
Hunter the the rest of world – £87
If you would like a kit before we get the Paypal “Buttons” up and running then please send £85 by Paypal to val@radio-kits.com, if you wish to save the Paypal commission please email us for other options.
Regards,
Steve G6ALU
The rework station I use is a YiHUA 898D plus, I picked it up off ebay. The cost was about £100, but a good temp controlled soldering iron with a nice point and an additional small amount of flux will do the same job. Hope it is, of some help. If not, I will be more than happy to answer further questions.
73 Derek.