The Sparkford 80m CW Transceiver
The Sparkford 80m CW Transceiver
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The Sparkford 80m CW Transceiver by Tim Walford G3PCJ, Walford Electronics, appeared in the Autumn 1998 SPRAT magazine and was the front page picture. Pages 21 through to 24 describe this very nice little QRP Transceiver capable of 1.5 watts with a 13.8 volt supply and 4 watts at 20 volts. The complete transceiver comprises 2 integrated circuits and 9 BS170 MOSFETSs; all fitting onto a doubles sided PCB measuring 80x100mm. Thats including plug sockets and three control pots!
This kit was at a special price for members of the G-QRP club for a short time and so I quickly ordered one.
It arrived in time for the school half term holidays, so it came with me to Cornwall as we were staying in a static caravan for the week. Thankfully my XYL was fine about me taking the soldering iron and assembling the kit in the evenings. All component assembly was completed by the end of the holiday, however when I got home it was put on a shelf in the Garrage to await being tested and tried out on my antenna.
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and then other priorities and projects came along.
One day a year ago (19 years after its construction), when trying to put the garage into some sort of order and clear out some of the clutter, I rediscovered the Sparkford under a pile of other part built projects and spare parts.
I hope I am not the only one to do this sort of thing! What a shame to not have followed through with this great little rig!
Time I put this project into an enclosure and get it on the air I thought.
For the enclosure I used some extruded box section aluminium that used to be roof supports for a lean to greenhouse. This when cut into sections with end plates, makes very nice little boxes for projects of this nature.
Also the resulting enclosure is extremely strong and will take the weight of someone standing on it.
Just ideal for a field radio/backpacking rig.
Once installed in its new box the Sparford had to wait another year while I brushed up on my CW which had got rather rusty.
Finally on the 6 May 2017 21:25 I had my first QSO with about 1 watt, using this great little rig. I Gave the station G0VQR a call and to my amazement and great pleasure he came back to me with 559. Before I went to bed that night, I worked another two more stations in the UK.
This little rig gave me my first insight into what can be accomplished below 5 watts.
I am hoping this summer, to take this little rig with me when I go on holiday in my caravan.
I just need to sort out an portable antenna and tuner. Possibly my next project?
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