Date: Mon, 16 Aug 93 13:21:54 EDT From: jps@Kodak.COM (John Spoonhower) Message-Id: <9308161721.AA05613@apt07.kodak.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: review of Tejas-II backpacker I picked this up from packet over the weekend.....thought some of you might be interested. John, KC2DU MSG#68 08/14/93 13:08:43 FROM K7YHA TO QRP SUBJECT: Tejas Backpacker II-Review The following are my observations and comments regarding the Tejas RF Technologies new Backpacker-II QRP transceiver. My review rig was a factory assembled 30 meter transceiver that Bill Hickox, K5BDZ, sent me. The new rig differes slightly from it's predecessor the BP-I. The demensions are slightly larger (by 1/2 inch in width and depth) and a Mini-Circuit Labs TUF-1 mixer was used in place of the SBL-1. Bill re-worked the intermediate stages to redistribute gain to avoid feedback problems encountered by some builders of the BP-I. An LM380N-8 audio IC replaced the original LM386 in the BP-I to provide much more AF gain. Tejas offers the BP-II in kit for only for 40, 30, 20, 17 and 15 meters. The new manual is MUCH better than the manual that came with my BP-I. This is not a beginner's kit, so beware! The kit conforms to the guidlines setforth by the QRP ARCI on homebrew gear. The less experienced builder should have no major problems IF HE/SHE PAYS ATTENTION TO DETAILS AND TAKES TIME TO READ AND RE-READ THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY. The bigger cabinet offers more room for options and accessories like keyers, SWR/P circuitry, etc. The cabinet is the same nice looking anodized aluminum with crisp black silkscreened lettering. Front panel layout is well thought out and not cluttered. The design of the rig is sound and duplicatable results are obtained between radio indicating that Bill did his homework on the R&D end. The rig worked well and, when compared to my Argosy-II could hear everything that the Ten-Tec rig could hear. The BP-II is a direct conversion RX and, once proper Zero Beating techniques are learned, proves to be a breeze to tune. The BP-II suffered no AM breakthrough (and with WBAX only 1/4 mile away from me, AM breakthrough is a problem at K7YHA). The design is "bullet proof" and plays well. The dual stage CW filter provides 180 Hz and 110 Hz bandpass, respectively. Wide open the receiver passband is about 2.7 kHz wide. I could detect no difference in RX performance between the BP-I and BP-II. The TX put out 1.9 watts into my calibrated dummy load and provided some good DX on 30 meters using the Carolina Windom. TX waveform was clean with no tendency to click or chirp. QSK was as good as the Argosy. No thumps or pops were heard at 20+ These single band rigs are a great idea for the traveling QRPer. My review rig drew only 23 mA on RX and about 300 mA on TX. A single 4.5 Amp Hr gell cell can run this rig for an entire weekend of DXing with no problems. This little radio comes as a complete kit with everything except the battery, antenna and key provided. It's nice styling an size make it a very good choice for the active QRPer. Price is $159.95 plus shipping from Tejas RF Technology, P.O. Box 720331, Houston, TX 77272-0331 (713) 879-9300 or FAX (713) 879-9494. ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 16 Aug 1993 13:29:32 -0500 (CDT) From: "Jeff M. Gold" Subject: Texas II To: qrp@Think.COM Well, the review sounded great.. after building and testing many a QRP.. you better bet your bottom dollar I WOULD NOT spen $160 for a DC receiver. There are a bunch of good Superhets available for that price. Wonder if Chuck ever got his version I going. As far as a remember it was the only kit I can recall him saying didn't work. BEWARE DC receiver. I had a great time with mine.. it is a big challenge compared to a Superhet to use. 72 Jeff