Category Archives: Kits

Making A Transistor Radio by George Dobbs

A sample illustration from "How To Build a Transistor Radio"

A sample illustration from “Making a Transistor Radio”

Those of you who are ham radio operators (especially QRPers) are familiar with the name George Dobbs (G3RJV). In 1972, Reverend Dobbs wrote a book called, Making A Transistor Radio and now it’s available online.

Making A Transistor Radio is a clear, simple, step-by-step guide to building your own transistor radio. In each stage of the process you’re rewarded with a working radio. In addition, you’ll learn about all of the stages of a working receiver.

Perhaps what I love best about this book–besides the fact that is resembles the mountains of electronics books I poured through in my youth–are the illustrations. Each illustration describes exactly how each component of the radio should be built, leaving nothing to be pondered.

If you’ve ever wanted to build your own radio, from scratch, this is a great place to start.

Thanks, Eric, for sending this link!

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A simple upgrade for your Ten-Tec Model 1254 shortwave receiver

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In the video below, Alan (W2AEW), shows us the installation and basic operation of an upgraded micro-controller for the Ten Tec Model 1254 Superhet Receiver Kit.

As Alan points out in the video, this is one of two upgrades offered at Cholakian.com. Both upgrades enhance the operation and usability of the Model 1254, giving it many more choices of tuning steps (yes!), the ability to automatically turn off the LED display, more memories and allowing you to eliminate the 9V battery back-up. This basic upgrade costs $38, the premium upgrade costs $68 even allows you to control the receiver via your PC.

Thanks, Alan, for showing us just how simple this upgrade is to perform:

You can see more of Alan’s projects at his website.

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Heathkit is back in business

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Great news for kit builders! Legendary company Heathkit has started manufacturing kits again. Though their first line-up of products do not include radios, they are planning to cater to the amateur radio community as soon as next year.

I would like to believe that the popularity of the Maker community has given Heathkit the ability to re-enter the growing kit building market (it has certainly given Radio Shack reason to continue carrying components).

Here is an announcement from Heathkit’s website:

Thank you for your overwhelming response to our announcement that Heathkit is back into the Do-it-Yourself kits business. We received many great suggestions for kits you would like to build.

We will be releasing Garage Parking Assistant kit (GPA-100) in late September and soon after the Wireless Swimming Pool Monitor kit will be available.

Based on your input, we are looking at developing amateur radio kits. Our goal is to have kits available by the end of year.

Please keep your suggestions coming so that we can continue to bring you interesting, unique Heathkit products.

Now is the time to let Heathkit know you that you want shortwave and amateur radio kits!

You can contact Heathkit at the following address:

Heathkit
2024 Hawthorne Avenue
St. Joseph, MI. 49085
(269) 925-6000 : Phone
(800) 253-0570 : Toll-free
(269) 925-2898 : Fax
[email protected]

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Cardboard Tube Radio Kit

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While cruising Retro Thing, this cardboard tube radio kit caught my eye. It’s available for 49.95 EUR from Conrad International in Germany. I would have never thought about combining the warm character of vacuum tubes with a cardboard chassis. Still, one builder’s report is quite positive and assembly time is estimated at two hours.