Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1993 10:12:17 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <JMG@tntech.edu>
Subject: MFJ QRP KIT
To: qrp@Think.COM
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All,

Just finished putting together a 30 meter MFJ.... trying to convince
them it would make a great kit. They originally designed it so it can be
kitted. The reason that they haven't kitted it was that they can only
sell it for about $20 less in the kit form than the built form, and
figured no one would buy it. The only thing I had against my MFJs was
that I didn't build them. I think for about $159 list and probably $139
selling it is a bargain.

You can sit down on a rainy day and build the whole kit taking your
time. The board is nicely silk screened. It is a nice double sided board
with plated thru holes. The parts aren't too densly packed. Everything
is on one board. The coils are pre-wound. There is even a fuse (trace
on the board) in case the power decides to go the wrong way (I tested it
out.. sure saved a bunch of parts). The parts were decent quality.

Of course I didn't have any instructions..but things were still real
easy. The built version has a schematic and voltages for the chips and
transistors. There is also a complete parts list. The manual for the
built version also has very clear step by step alignment procedures.  I
didn't have any problems getting it built or aligned. I talked with
Toronto this AM and got a real good signal report. There was some QSB..
so don't know whether the VFO is drifting or the bands were bad. 

This version has a much quitier relay for TX/Rec. They are also working
on a revision to correct the low audio output problem. The rig is very
rugged and about perfect size for packing. I have used my other ones for
hours on a 4 ah gel cell. 

A friend built a 4 position audio filter from the QRP handbook and fit
it to the same place the MFJ version goes... inexpensive to build and
very effective (when he sold his rig, I got the filter and I am going to
put it in this rig).

So what do you think? Think it may be worth MFJs while to kit this?

72

*now I have just started the ARK 40.. Best boards, best manual I have
come across.. see review this months 73.

Jeff, AC4HF