The MKARS80 80m SSB Transceiver kit

If you, like me, enjoy building kits then you need to make this radio.  It is based on the famous BITX20 but modified for 80m and fitted with a ‘Huff and Puff’ stabilised VFO and frequency display.  There’s more information on the kit here which includes details of the CW adapter and digital SWR bridge.  You can even download the manuals in advance.

 

 

 

 

The MKARS80 puts out a heady 5W so is ideal for QRP work…but you’d be surprised how far 5W can go.  The kit is available with or without the case and knobs.  My first build worked first time so I bought a second one to play with another time.

Sensitivity is excellent, received audio sounds natural and transmit audio reports are as good as any rig costing £1,000+.

Steve Drury, G6ALU, is the man you have to thank for this project.  It’s simple to build…no surface mount (SMD) parts…and it works well; it’s pretty good value at £61 without the box too.  But for an extra £11 you get a pre-cut box and knobs…so why wouldn’t you?

Steve was also involved with the PicaStar project…which simply had too many SMD parts for me.  I do have the main parts and PCB for his 150W linear, which will be stand alone as it will work with many of my QRP radios.  There is a part build CDG2000 in the queue too 😉