October 30, 2008 update:
Lobstercon2009! information
NEW!
The Tuna and Texas Topper kits boost your QRPp and QRP signals
up to a full 5 watts!
The Quintessential Bulletin Vol.1 #1
QRPme currently offers 21 kits:
Two Tinned Tunas (TTT)
Tuna Tin 2 (TT2)
Texas/Tuna Topper (TXT)
Tuna Power System (TPS)
Numerical Frequency Indicator (NFI)
Numerical RST Indicator (RST)
Sudden Storm (SS)
Rexwood 1000W (RXW)
Sudden Storm Update (SSU)
Sudden Storm Crystal (SSX)
Manhattan Chowder (MC)
Island Cutter (IC)
Preparation T (PT)
Zomboids Prototyping (ZP)
Zipball Transmitter (ZBT)
oddiZ Fireball 4 Transmitter (ZFB)
Lobstercon Maine Bugs 2 (MB2)
Picnic Table Outlets (PTO)
AXEme Picaxe 08M Construction Kit (AXE)
The Picaxe Hatchet Kit (HAT)
Kid's Kit #1 Learn the Code (KK1)
QRPme also organizes the premiere QRP camping event on the east coast:
Lobstercon2008!
Site last updated: Oct. 30, 2008
Attention: New shipping rates on Tinned kits
To
US destinations
1 or 2 cans = $6.00 USD
1 or 2 cans = $12.00 USD
3 ot 4 cans = $15.00 USD
5 or 6 cans = $20.00 USD
Click here for a Handy Dandy Order Form
1 or 2 cans = $6.00 USD
3 or 4 cans = $9.00 USD
5 or 6 cans = $12.00 USD
To DX
destinations: 5 or 6 cans = $12.00 USD
1 or 2 cans = $12.00 USD
3 ot 4 cans = $15.00 USD
5 or 6 cans = $20.00 USD
Click here for a Handy Dandy Order Form
Two Tinned Tunas Kit
The Two Tinned Tunas ( TTT) kit is an updated version of the classic TT2 kit designed by W1FB, Doug Demaw. The TT2 transmitter has been kitted by several QRP clubs in the past. This current version is a COMPLETE kit; whereas, the previous versions required additional parts scrounging for connectors, switch etc. This kit comes COMPLETE with all PCB mounted parts: transistors, capacitors, resistors, toroids, magnet wire, crystal, crystal socket and key jack. All chassis mounted parts: RCA jacks, T/R switch and PCB mounting hardware are also included. The kit also contains the solder, hookup wire and sandpaper necessary to complete the construction of the kit. Step by step assembly instructions, with Hi-res pictures are available below. The current label design is shown on the above picture. All holes necessary to mount the connectors, jack and T/R switch are pre-drilled in the can. All the parts come sealed inside a factory fresh tuna can with an easy open pull top lid. This kit is an excellent kit for 'beginners' or 'experts' alike and also makes a perfect gift. Can be assembled in one evening by a 'beginner'. A great conversation piece for every QRPer's bench!
NNew OPTIONS: Now available in 80m, 40m, 30m & 20m versions!
Price: $25.00
Flavors Assembled
Click Here to view the Step by Step assembly guide...as a pdf
If you want to do some parts scrounging at your local hamfest, we also sell a version of the original.........
Tuna
Tin 2 Kit
The Tuna Tin 2 (TT2) kit includes a round printed circuit board and all PCB mounted parts: transistors, capacitors, resistors, toroids, magnet wire and key jack. The kit also includes a 7.040Mhz crystal and SIP socket for easy crystal change. Assembly instructions and additional documentation can be found below. You have to scrounge up the can, PCB mounting hardware, antenna, power and receiver jacks, hookup wire and T/R switch. This earlier version of the TT2 requires additional mods by the builder to insure compliance with current FCC harmonic output regulations.
Price: $17.00
Click HERE for TT2 Manual
Click HERE for TT2 Schematic
Click HERE for TT2 mods file
Click HERE for TT2 wiring diagram
Click HERE for TT2 PCB layout drawing
Texas/Tuna Topper Kit
The
Tuna Topper and Texs Topper kits will boost that QRP or QRPp signal to
a full 5 watts. The Tuna Topper kit includes a round tuna can printed
circuit board
and all PCB mounted parts: transistors, capacitors, resistors, toroids,
magnet wire and includes a predrilled factory fresh tuna can with
label. The Texas Topper kit includes the same electronic parts
but features an Altoids/Rockmite sized rectangular board. Full details
about kit construction can be found on Chuck Carpenter' website: www.W5USJ.com.
Tuna Topper kit: $30.00
Texas Topper kit: $25.00
Tuna Power System Kit
The Tuna Power System kit is the ideal benchtop companion to the Two Tinned Tunas and Sudden Storm kits. This kit has an on-board Unitrode intelligent gel cell battery charger chip and power distribution connector system for powering multiple tuna can rigs or any other 12 volt powered QRP kits. There are 5 RCA connectors for powering QRPme kits and the original TT2 as designed by Doug DeMaw. There are a couple of additional connectors for powering other unique items on your QRP bench: a USB connector with a regulated 5 volts allows for powering USB accessory items like mini fans, LED lamps etc. and a Molex .2" x 4 connector allows for both +5 and +12 volt items to be powered using surplus cables from PC power supplies. Two terminal screw terminals are provided for connections to the builder (that's you) supplied +15 to 20 volt DC wall wart and gel cell battery. Maximum battery charge current is programmable using current sense resistors. Four resistors are supplied for charge currents of approximately 400ma, 600ma, 800ma and 1000ma.
Price: $30.00
Numerical Frequency Indicator Kit
Both the TTT and TT2 kits have SIP crystal sockets for quickly changing crystals. Both kits are shipped with a crystal for operating at 7.040Mhz. All the previous incarnations of the Tuna Tin 2 kit also shipped with 7.040Mhz crystals but no crystal socket. Another popular QRP 'watering hole' is 7.030Mhz. The Numerical Frequency Indicator kit solves the dilemma of which frequency to operate: This kit includes a 7.030Mhz crystal and 'reminder' can label indicating which frequency is 'in use'. Attach the label to a tuna fish can (cat food cans work AOK and are QRP priced), insert the crystal in a QRPme kit and you are 'stomping' in new turf. For older versions of the Tuna Tin 2, carefully unsolder the crystal, insert and solder a 3 pin SIP socket, cut or clean up the old crystal leads and you too can be 'stomping' in new turf.
Price: $4.00
Numerical RST Indicator Kit
When operating in contests using a Two Tinned Tunas or TT2 transmitter, RST reports are a snap using the new Numerical RST Indicator kit from QRPme. This kit provides an easy to read numerical display of the most optimum RST to transmit easily and automatically. Replace the subjective task of determining what RST with the simple procedure of reading a digital display and then transmitting the optimum RST displayed. The RST kit consumes so little power that you can leave it on at all times. For a limited time only, The RST kit is available free of charge! Of course, at this price, you have to supply your own hardware. Download the file and build it on your locally acquired chassis. 100% guaranteed or double your money back!
Click HERE to download the RST builder's file
Sudden Storm Kit
The Sudden Storm kit is QRPme's implementation of G3RJV Rev. George Dobbs' Sudden Receiver as written up in October 2006 Practical Wireless magazine. It makes the perfect companion receiver to the Two Tinned Tunas or Tuna Tin 2 kit. An easy and straight forward kit to build with NO surface mount parts. All the parts come sealed inside a factory fresh tuna can with an easy open pull top lid and custom label. Complete assembly documentation can be found below. This kit is an excellent kit for 'beginners' or 'experts' alike and also makes a perfect gift. Can be assembled in one evening by a 'beginner'. A great conversation piece for every QRPer's bench!
New Feature: now comes with added parts for 80m, 40m, 30m or 20m operation!
You supply the crystals or purchase the crystal upgrade kit below)
Price: $35.00
Rexwood 1000W Receiver Kit
The Rexwood 1000W kit is a customized version of our Sudden Receiver kit. An easy and straight forward kit to build with NO surface mount parts. This kits comes with a 7.0475 Mhz crystal so that this receiver is 'sitting' on W1AW, the bulletin and code practice station of the ARRL. All the parts come sealed inside a factory fresh tuna can with an easy open pull top lid and custom 'radio in the round' label. Full assembly instructions can be found below. Can be assembled in one evening by a 'beginner'. When it is built, simply add a battery, antenna, pair of headphones and tune into W1AW and learn the Morse Code. A great conversation piece for every QRPer's bench!
Price: $35.00
Do you have an older version of our Sudden Storm kit and want to upgrade it to a new 4 band version?
Order a SSU upgrade kit! Includes additional inductors, SIP socket pins & crystals for 4 bands: 3.560, 7.030, 10.116 & 14.060......
SSU kit price is $15.00
Have a 4 band version of the Sudden Storm kit but need just the crystals?
Order a SSX crystal kit and get 4 QRP 'watering hole' crystals. Includes crystals
for 4 bands: 3.560, 7.030, 10.116 & 14.060......
SSX kit price is $12.00
Click Here to view the Step by Step builders guide....as a pdf
Island Cutter Kit
The Island Cutter kit contains a plethora of construction aids for building accessories to your Two Tinned Tunas or Tuna Tin 2 Transmitter using BOTH the Manhattan construction and Island Pad Cutter construction techniques. Sealed inside the can are: miscellaneous pieces of .031" thick pcb material, 1/4" wide strips of .031" material for making rectanglar pads (.031" cuts easily using dikes or snips), a smattering of Harbor Freight hand punch 'holes', DIP and SOIC pattern boards for easily mounting ICs, a small tube of superglue, a 6mm diamond coated core drill and a CDrom containing K7QO's Manhattan construction tutorial and NJQRP Club's Island Pad Cutter introduction. A larger piece of .062" double sided printed circuit board material and a double sided round circuit board routed to fit on top of the can are also included.
Price: $25.00
The Island Cutter kit contains a plethora of construction aids for building accessories to your Two Tinned Tunas or Tuna Tin 2 Transmitter using BOTH the Manhattan construction and Island Pad Cutter construction techniques. Sealed inside the can are: miscellaneous pieces of .031" thick pcb material, 1/4" wide strips of .031" material for making rectanglar pads (.031" cuts easily using dikes or snips), a smattering of Harbor Freight hand punch 'holes', DIP and SOIC pattern boards for easily mounting ICs, a small tube of superglue, a 6mm diamond coated core drill and a CDrom containing K7QO's Manhattan construction tutorial and NJQRP Club's Island Pad Cutter introduction. A larger piece of .062" double sided printed circuit board material and a double sided round circuit board routed to fit on top of the can are also included.
Price: $25.00
Click HERE for Island Pad Cutter construction tutorial
Manhattan Chowder
Kit
The Manhattan Chowder kit contains a plethora of construction aids for building accessories to your Two Tinned Tunas or Tuna Tin 2 Transmitter. Sealed inside the can are: miscellaneous pieces of .031" thick pcb material, 1/4" wide strips of .031" material for making rectanglar pads (.031" cuts easily using dikes or snips), a smattering of Harbor Freight hand punch 'holes', DIP and SOIC pattern boards for easily mounting ICs, a small tube of superglue, and a CDrom containing K7QO's Manhattan construction tutorial and NJQRP Club's Island Pad Cutter introduction. A larger piece of .062" double sided printed circuit board material and a double sided round circuit board routed to fit on top of the can are also included.
Price: $15.00
Preparation T Kit
Price: $30.00
Zomboids Prototyping Kit
The Zomboids Prototyping kit contains a plethora of construction aids for building QRP projects in the 'standard' Altoids tin or the custom QRPme Zomboids tin shown above. The tin contains delicious spearmint flavored mints. Included in a separate packet are: miscellaneous pieces of .031" thick pcb material, 1/4" wide strips of .031" material for making rectanglar pads (.031" cuts easily using dikes or snips), a smattering of Harbor Freight hand punch 'holes', DIP and SOIC pattern boards for easily mounting ICs, a small tube of superglue, and a CDrom containing K7QO's Manhattan construction tutorial and NJQRP Club's Island Pad Cutter introduction. A larger piece of .062" double sided printed circuit board material and a double sided rectanglar circuit board routed to fit inside the mint tins are also included. The Zomboids tin is the ultimate mint tin for that special QRP shirt-pocket portable project!
Price: $15.00
Lobstercon Maine Bugs 2 Kit
Price: $20.00
The Manhattan Chowder kit contains a plethora of construction aids for building accessories to your Two Tinned Tunas or Tuna Tin 2 Transmitter. Sealed inside the can are: miscellaneous pieces of .031" thick pcb material, 1/4" wide strips of .031" material for making rectanglar pads (.031" cuts easily using dikes or snips), a smattering of Harbor Freight hand punch 'holes', DIP and SOIC pattern boards for easily mounting ICs, a small tube of superglue, and a CDrom containing K7QO's Manhattan construction tutorial and NJQRP Club's Island Pad Cutter introduction. A larger piece of .062" double sided printed circuit board material and a double sided round circuit board routed to fit on top of the can are also included.
Price: $15.00
Preparation T Kit
The Preparation T Kit
from QRPme and AC5UR includes 10 each of
T37-2, T37-6, FT37-43, T50-2 and T50-6 toroids. The kit also includes
the
Toroid EZ toroid winding tool (by AC5UR) which securely holds T37 or
T50 toroids
for
hassle free winding. The toroids and Toroid EZ tool come sealed inside
a
factory fresh tuna fish can for easy storage and locating.
Price: $30.00
Zomboids Prototyping Kit
The Zomboids Prototyping kit contains a plethora of construction aids for building QRP projects in the 'standard' Altoids tin or the custom QRPme Zomboids tin shown above. The tin contains delicious spearmint flavored mints. Included in a separate packet are: miscellaneous pieces of .031" thick pcb material, 1/4" wide strips of .031" material for making rectanglar pads (.031" cuts easily using dikes or snips), a smattering of Harbor Freight hand punch 'holes', DIP and SOIC pattern boards for easily mounting ICs, a small tube of superglue, and a CDrom containing K7QO's Manhattan construction tutorial and NJQRP Club's Island Pad Cutter introduction. A larger piece of .062" double sided printed circuit board material and a double sided rectanglar circuit board routed to fit inside the mint tins are also included. The Zomboids tin is the ultimate mint tin for that special QRP shirt-pocket portable project!
Price: $15.00
Lobstercon Maine Bugs 2 Kit
The
Lobstercon Maine Bugs kit was introduced as an attendance gift at
Lobstercon 2007 and prooved to be popular so it has been recently
upgraded. It
includes a small printed circuit board, Dallas Semiconductor one-wire
digital temperature sensor, 2 ultra-bright green LEDs, piezo sounder,
miscellaneous resistors, IC socket, connector and a preprogrammed
Picaxe microprocessor. The new version includes a silk screen and
solder masked printed circuit board and adds a 12mm coin cell holder on
the back for a completly self contained 'bug'. The included program is
a simulation of a
firefly and cricket where the firefly flashes your call sign and
the cricket chirps the temperature in 'cricket talk'.
The Picaxe micro has an easy to learn BASIC-like language and kit makes
a great first step project into computer programming. Download the
Programming tools free from: www.Picaxe.com, build a downloading cable
using a standard DB9 or USB serial cable (not provided) uning the
included connector parts, use the on board coin cell or cobble up a 3
battery power supply and you
are in business playing with the Picaxe microprocessor. Play with the
program, make changes, have fun, learn programming!
Price: $20.00
Click to see how to Build a
Bug in PDF format
Click to see a schematic in PDF format
Click to see a schematic in JPG format (optimized for dialup)
Click to Download the Maine Bugs program in PDF format
Click to Download the Maine Bugs program in BAS format
Lobstercon Picnic Table Outlets Kit
The Lobstercon Picnic Table Outlets kit was introduced as an attendance gift at Lobstercon 2008. It includes a small printed circuit board suitable for mounting in an Altoids tin, alligator clip leads, 5 volt regulator and several different types of connectors for powering projects laying around you bench or picnic table. Use the RCA connector for powering you Two Tinned Tunas or other QRPme kit. Use the USB connector for all those funky laptop accessory lamps, fans etc. The 4 pin Molex connector allows you to send both 5 and 12 volts to your custom benchtop creation. Purchase the upgrade kit to turn the PTO into a 12 volt gell cell battery charger like its big brother..the Tuna Power System or scrounge the parts yourself.
Price:
$12.00
Order a PTO upgrade kit! Includes additional parts for implementing the
intelligent 12 Volt gel cell charging circuit......
PTU kit price is $15.00
The AXEme Picaxe Construction kit is a logical progression up from the elementary Lobstercon Maine Bugs kit. The kit contains all the fun 'stuff' for playing around with the Picaxe microprocessor and learning about programming. The centerpiece of the kit is a Picaxe 08M micro. An on board 170 tie point solderless breadboard is surrounded by a plethera of useful electronic items to interface to the micro: a one-wire temperature sensor, IR decoder, IR LED, piezo sounder, ultra-bright LED, 2 pushbutton switches, 10K potentiometer and RCA connector. Each interface item is wired to a SIP connector pin for total flexibility. Both 5 volt and 9 volt regulated power supplies are located on the board. The Picaxe enhanced download circuit is also located on the board. Additional resistors, LEDs, thermistor, photo-resistor, breadboard jumpers are also supplied with the kit. Download the Picaxe Programming Software from the www.picaxe.com site, build a download cable from an old serial using the supplied connector parts and you are on the road for hours and hours of fun using the easy to learn Picaxe programming language. Don't spend days writing that assembly language program to monitor the temperature, do it in minutes with the Picaxe micro and the AXEme Picaxe Construction Set! All the additional pieces not being used in your current project can be stored inside the can underneath your project.
Price: $40.00Click to see a schematic in PDF format
Click to see a schematic in JPG format (optimized for dialup)
Click to Download the Maine Bugs program in PDF format
Click to Download the Maine Bugs program in BAS format
Lobstercon Picnic Table Outlets Kit
The Lobstercon Picnic Table Outlets kit was introduced as an attendance gift at Lobstercon 2008. It includes a small printed circuit board suitable for mounting in an Altoids tin, alligator clip leads, 5 volt regulator and several different types of connectors for powering projects laying around you bench or picnic table. Use the RCA connector for powering you Two Tinned Tunas or other QRPme kit. Use the USB connector for all those funky laptop accessory lamps, fans etc. The 4 pin Molex connector allows you to send both 5 and 12 volts to your custom benchtop creation. Purchase the upgrade kit to turn the PTO into a 12 volt gell cell battery charger like its big brother..the Tuna Power System or scrounge the parts yourself.
Order a PTO upgrade kit! Includes additional parts for implementing the
intelligent 12 Volt gel cell charging circuit......
PTU kit price is $15.00
AXEme Picaxe Construction Kit
The AXEme Picaxe Construction kit is a logical progression up from the elementary Lobstercon Maine Bugs kit. The kit contains all the fun 'stuff' for playing around with the Picaxe microprocessor and learning about programming. The centerpiece of the kit is a Picaxe 08M micro. An on board 170 tie point solderless breadboard is surrounded by a plethera of useful electronic items to interface to the micro: a one-wire temperature sensor, IR decoder, IR LED, piezo sounder, ultra-bright LED, 2 pushbutton switches, 10K potentiometer and RCA connector. Each interface item is wired to a SIP connector pin for total flexibility. Both 5 volt and 9 volt regulated power supplies are located on the board. The Picaxe enhanced download circuit is also located on the board. Additional resistors, LEDs, thermistor, photo-resistor, breadboard jumpers are also supplied with the kit. Download the Picaxe Programming Software from the www.picaxe.com site, build a download cable from an old serial using the supplied connector parts and you are on the road for hours and hours of fun using the easy to learn Picaxe programming language. Don't spend days writing that assembly language program to monitor the temperature, do it in minutes with the Picaxe micro and the AXEme Picaxe Construction Set! All the additional pieces not being used in your current project can be stored inside the can underneath your project.
CLICK for Builders Guide in PDF format
CLICK for Users Guide in PDF format
NEW! CLICK for Picaxe programming notes
Picaxe Hatchet Kit
The Picaxe Hatchet kit is a beginner's introductory kit to the Picaxe microprocessor. Six completely different applications around the ham shack have been programmed for both actual use around the shack and to serve as learning examples. Study the example programs and use them as is or modify them to suit your specific needs. Each program is fully documented in order to aid the user in learning how to program using the Picaxe micro. The 6 applications are: Variable delay T/R switch, Beacon keyer, Infrared remote controller, Multiple interval timer, Multiple setpoint temperature controller and Audio Voltage monitor.
Kid's Kit #1
Learn the Code
Label design by Katie Harper
The
Kid's Kit #1, Learn the Code, is a simple construction kit that
requires only a small Phillips and regular screwdriver to assemble.
When built, the kit becomes a code Morse Code practice set and is ideal
for scouts and young children, .
A 9 volt battery clip and screw terminal connector are mounted on the
underside of the wooden disk inside the can. A small buzzer provides
the sound and a small strip of printed circuit board serves as a key.
All the parts mount on a circular wooden disk cut to fit on the top of
the open can. The parts mounting locations have pilot holes
pre-drilled. All the parts come sealed inside a tuna fish can except
the wooden disk which fits on the can...not in it! Pull the easy
open tab, remove the lid to find the parts and start building....
Price: $10.00
72 and thanks for checking out my site!
W1REX