QRP club booth (Hamfair 2010)

QRP favorite members from all Asian area are gathering at JA QRP club booth and neighboring villa-QRP booth. QRP homebrewing equipments and presented with documentation. QRP operation technique are also introduced and exchanged each other. In evening, QRP friendship party is held at pub in separate place.

TS-590 from Kenwood (Ham Fair2010)

As the blogger promised, here is the report of TS-590 shortly. Kenwood is presented 5 units of TS-590 in their booth. 3 units are displayed only and 2 units are for sound listening. Belief lecture style presentation of its magnificent performance attract people all seriously listening. A blogger tried headphone listening and felt very good Kenwood sound immediately. As a QRP gear, amazingly this is a QRPp native machine with 0 dBm output port and additional RX input. Though these are port for transverter, mW-class QRP is realized by manufactured transceiver.

ICOM released IC-9100 (Ham Fair 2010)

ICOM released IC-9100 at Ham Fair 2010. It says the first fixed type transceicer with D-STAR digital mode. This is the digital mode of no interest from QRPers who like to build anything from scratch. The classified specification negotiated under Japanese administration and university professors is no meaning to all radio amateurs. Buy the IC-9100 without D-STAR.

TS-590 announced with detail specifications

Prior to the Japanese Ham Fest next weekend, Kenwood released long awaited TS-590 detail in their web site. It says they will start shipping in October. Looks like TS-570 previous model, but inside of the rig is totally different. No frills like recent ICOM and YAESU, they focus on real performance in SSB and CW to communicate in distance. They prepare S/D/V lineup and price of the series are 228,900JPY. With nominal discount of 15% in Akihabara, we can reach them less than 200,000JPY. Not cheap, still this is realistic range as QRP gear. We must say welcome to the 20W V-version for QRP operation.
It is sure Kenwood will display TS-590 in Ham Fest. QRP blogger will report its feeling in this site immediately after the festival.

Ham Fair 2010 next weekend

Japanese Ham Fair 2010 will be held next weekend 21, 22nd August at Tokyo BIGSIGHT exhibition hall. Due to shrinking the scale year by year, it is not interesting place to find QRP gears and parts anymore. Though the exhibition hall is expensive place to retail small parts and exchange junks, stupidly JARL is choosing the place for the sake of their appearance. As a result, most of retail shops withdraw their booth, and many radio club had to sell junks to compensate their cost instead of present their radio related achievement. Kind of PC related rubbish are presented many booth and they throw away in the end of exhibition. Such horrible situation occurs actually. JARL prepared three kits, IC radio, LED flusher and morse trainer for children. Before doing this, policy must be changed. At least QRPers can find a reason to the place to meet other QRPers once a year. Beside this shabby exhibition, fruitful conversation of QRPers are valuable.

Marutsu released a direct conversion kit MRX-7D-FK

Marutsu Denpa is relatively new parts shop chain located in Japanese major cities. They focus on amateur radio item as well as other computer item just like Radio Shack in good old days. Recently they released an original direct conversion receiver kit MRX-7D-FK. In previous blog topic, we reported that they had a seminar course to build the DC-RX. The kit price 12,800JPY is expensive for those who experienced QRP club kits. But for newbies who never experienced kit building and DC-RX nature, this kit will be a very good educational material proofed by Marutsu corporation. We can observe they are using two 8-pin dip ICs. They are supposed to employ NE612 and LM386.

DX-R8 table top receiver from ALINCO

ALINCO　announces a new HF table top receiver DX-R8. After the storm of JRC discontinue, another wave by Chinese radio swept away almost every made in Japan receivers in market. Now the surviving receiver of this kind is only IC-R75. This DX-R8 will be welcomed by all QRPers waiting receiver. 10 years ago everybody says who likes Yae-com-wood says ALINCO is the second class manufacture. They dislike ALINCO also handles ladder and health-care product through their TV-shopping. But maturity of their transceiver is enough, even they are attractive than the Yae-com-wood. DX-R8 has IQ output necessary for SDR processing, without expensive dog-year DSP, the analog output receiver is 59,800JPY.

K-ON! 2nd season

K-ON! 2nd season started. As the previous one, Kyoto Animation poured enormous resources to this 2nd season opening. The 3-D synthetic animation shows incredible 2-D character's motion we've never seen. Details of music instruments are well described again. As our consequence, emitting loud acoustic sounds is still popular and let everybody enjoy. On the other hand, making and emitting radio frequency is less popular.

The cable shop

This shop Oyaide handles only cables. In this small shop huge kind of cables such as magnet wire, flat cables and coaxial are stacked. It is difficult to catch salesperson in busy time since they are preparing cable orders from professionals. To buy the cables, at least one must have conversation to the sales person to let them cut length.

Professional Parts Shop (Bolt and Nut)

Shops in Akihabara are professional in their specialties. To find right parts at right place is important for beginners. The shop Nishikawa is special in metric bolt and nut. If you have Japanese transceiver and some bolts are missing, bring them to the shop. Sales persons are kindly find out an identical one from their stock. Don't care about quantity, though they are selling 100pcs package, they work hard most willingly.

Appoaching Akihabara Electric Town

The favorite way to approaching Akihabara is Not use the Akihabara station. The station is always too crowded. When we are approaching there by East bound, Ochanomizu station is appropriate one. Near by Tokyo University and Kanda used book market, the small station is easy to get off. After you get off you can see the Electric town is rising high over the city. Walking along the Kanda river is pleasant time and a chance you determine your mind when you buy an expensive parts.

Govern the QRP (MIC)

It is supposed that Japan is the most strictly regulate radio emission from amateur radio except North Korea. When we replace a kind of final transistor, licensee have to send an application to local radio agency each time. Recently, smart QRPer found a way to escape. He had submitted application of all kind of transistors he can imagine before he make his TX! Anyway, such kind of legislation difficult to follow is introduced by Ministry of Internal affairs and Communications (MIC) without seeing real radio experimenters.

1200MHz Transverter from Maki-Denki

Maki-Denki in Kawasaki-city is a sole micro-wave dedicated amateur radio shop in Japan. They have many components and transverter up to 40GHz. They released 1.2GHz transverter kit as their low end frequency. This entry band product is missing for a longtime. By its 1151MHz local, your 145MHz transceiver is up-converted to 1296MHz. The price is reasonable from 36,0
00JPY. Additional PLL local version is higher than this.

Marconi Basic-7 renovated

Marconi Japan is now selling again their only one product 'Basic-7'. The DC transceiver is now well arranged step by step construction manual. If you never experienced FCZ coils, you will see how Japanese QRPers are in good environment with the excellent inductor transformer. On this release they are selling board kit independent from their unique chassis.

Adults Science Magazine

Strange titled magazine, the "Adults Science Magazine" is named parodied counterpart of Children's Science Magazine. The latter one is historical since 1923. Many Japanese scientist and engineers are raised by this in their school library. Since everybody like the kit supplemental to the magazine, the adults version seriously prepareing various kind of experimental kit range between 3000-5000JPY. In their previous series, only pick a few of electrical kind, crystal radio, battery tube radio, battery tube amplifier, synthesizer, 4-bit PC and music instruments termin are provided. In this issue, finally they released 8-bit PC named Japanino compatible to Arduino AVR based programing board. Several QRPer bought this. QRP related application is expected.

Visit local parts shop to find QRP parts

Local parts shop is a good place to see around. Price in local shop is usually higher than in Akihabara. But we can save money of transport and time to visit there. Variety of semiconductors are limited. But they are enough for our future project. Less in their advertisement, good junk parts in local shop last longer than in Akihabara. From your good relationship between local amateur friends you will be able to know precious junk incoming. The photo is Edison Plaza in Yokohama. Ishikawa-cho station, nearby the China town, 3 parts shops are gathered at 2nd floor of a building. In the next block, there is an amateur radio shop Hammers.

OIKey, popular PIC 4-chennel keyer full kit

The OIKey PIC16F88 based 4-channel memory keyer is popular among Japanese amateur. The keyer was introduced CQ ham radio June 2008. Different from 8-pin PIC keyer with complex command structure, direct access to each memory slot by buttons are real convenience in operation. Originally the CQ ham radio supply the board with magazine. Akizuki-denshi provide additional parts kit. But now, Marutsu is selling both board and parts. This is good shopping for who missed the issue. The price of the kit is 2,580JPY.

JA QRP NEWS, May 2010

JA QRP club issued QRP NEWS. April issue was missing due to club situation. Now everybody understand the club is maintained only by its remaining asset without membership charge. This issue introduces JA8IRQ Mr.Fukushima's electronics homemade seminar for children in elementary school. Teaching something to children is apparently another fun for us and we will see a few boy and girl shows extraordinary interest to dangerous soldering iron. They will become a real amateur in future. Latter part of the QRP News explains club operation is currently volunteer basis.

Yes we can, Radio Experiment

CQ Publishing released 'Yes we can, Radio Experiment' in their electronics making with printed circuit board series. This book previously released Airband Receiver, Shortwave Listening Loop Antenna and HF CW transmitter. Now the book reach an AM transmitter in BC band. In the final section of the book, this AM transmitter is modified to QRPp transmitter of non-license power level. Digital modulation topics and its board is included in this book too. This is a very good educational material for non-ham youth. Price of the book is 2,310JPY. This is a bit higher than we expect to the board.

Little Dayton, local swap meet in Yokohama

Now it's Dayton FDIM period and all world QRPers are gathering there. Though the scale is smaller, in Yokohama area, more than 100 vehicle gathered and a swap meet was held by a local amateur radio club. Under the sunny sky, radio nuts spent their pleasant time with their topics. Price of rig and parts are reasonable, quite cheaper than in net auction. In some case, sellers are asked to clear up his precious junk by his wife. He explains his situation and everybody buy from him at minimum price with maximum sympathy. I saw mobile and handy transceivers of 20yrs old are from 2,000JPY. HF transceivers need some overhaul are from 10,000JPY.

K-ON!, with a glowing valve keyboard

K-ON (light music non classic) means actually a kind of rock'n roll music club often seen at high school or universities. This animation K-ON! is selling CD as well as real artist. If you visit Akihabara electric-town now, yu will see many shops have K-ON!'s poster. In the story, four students in hi-school start K-ON club and various episode commonly happen in their school life is in there. May be everybody seeing K-ON! enjoy stories as when their student days. For QRPers fun, in the opening moment, glowing tube 12AU7(ECC82) appears. KORG Triton extreme synthesizer had the valve in its special feature. Other music instruments appeared in this animation are well described in its details from existing famous models.

RF World magazine occasionally QRP article

The RF World magazine is the quarterly from CQ publishing dedicated to wireless technology mainly focused to professional. Occasionally experimental article related to fundamental experiment presents QRP character. In this recent issue No10, the special feature is a network analyzer, but beside this, QRPers may be excited by a short FM wireless transmitter article using CMOS IC 74AHCU04. To the curiosity, using analog characteristics of the high speed inverter, one chip FM transmitter is realized. oscillator/modulator, ECM amplifier, buffer and finals are assigned to each inverters inside the chip. The price of this magazine is 1680JPY.

Elementary Radio Kit RX-501 from Mizuho

Last year Mizuho discontinued popular step-by-step radio kit RX-123D. The kit was unique by its upgradable design from a Germanium Radio to transistor or IC radio. Now they are start selling new version RX-501. The RX-501 is differ by its printed circuit board intend an IC radio. Though a choice to transistor radio is not exist, this board is downgradable to a Germanium Radio. Some Mizuho collector says he wish reproduction of MX-series. You must be happy that still they have this radio in their line-up. President Takada show his mind trying radio looks good by a white line under dial. If you really like the Mizuho, you should buy one. The RX-501 price is 2,500JPY.

QRP Special Stations 8J1P,8J4P,8J6P

Special QRP stations around the International QRP days started this years QRV. During May and June, 8J1P,8J4P and 8J6P expected to appear various QRP frequency. In weekends, QRPers are gathering and intensively transmitting. In weekdays, each members are trying to keep activity from somebodys shack. Please find them and give them your report. In the past, their suffix are 'VLP (Very Low Power)'. Now the simple suffix 'P' is approved by radio agency. The QSL shown here is issued in 2009, drawn by JH1FCZ. These stations are maintained by donation from QRPers and the QSL is printed by JARL QRP club budget.

Akizuki QRP price HT antenna in good performance

Akizuki-Denshi, the most famous outlet parts shop in Akihabara provides several kind 430MHz HT whips for radio amateur. The price of antennas are nice QRP from 400 to 1000JPY. Apparently, these antennas are produced in China. Most of the HT whips are flexible type and this prevent harmful force to HT's SMA connectors. A blogger examined the short 430MHz whip by his VX-7. As a result, the performance is acceptable by this price. Performance in 430MHz is better than genuine whip and even AM broadcasting reception is possible. 50MHz AM reception is soso. S-9 signal by 6m GP is readable with the whip antenna inside home. With the twiggy whip your HT looks different. When overseas amateur visit Akihabara, this is a good souvenir for your ham friends.

Balcony whip for windy days

Fishing rod is popular choice for QRV from balcony and anywhere. But the weakness against strong wind is not avoidable. The rod easily bend and dancing wire get caught by other structure. The rod often retracted by wind shaking. For such unexpected Japanese weather, a whip antenna is another choice. A mobile whip mounted to top of aluminum retractable pole is less efficient than long wires. But sustainable under strong wind. The Comet HR-series is the longest mobile whip with center loading. These are extremely strudy. Using 1/4 lambda ground wire, SWR of the whip is less than 2.5 at 7MHz width of 40kHz. You think Buddipole or MP-1 will be another choice. But I don't recommend such expensive fragile antenna to expose bad weather long time. Price of HR-series is less than 7,000JPY.

Japanese QRP books (6)

This new book is not QRP book. But shortwave broadcast listening is also the favorite of many QRPers. Several QRPers are started from listening in his childhood, now returning to listener after QRPpp. In Japan, broadcast listening is named BCL. This book is good compendium covering loop antenna technique and software defined radio PERSEUS utilization in this hobby. In addition major radio station from overseas are introduced with special topics. Price of this book is 1500JPY.

Meeting Mate 40, 7MHz CW QRP transceiver (3)

This is a scematic diagram of MM40. For transmit two transistors are working. Relatively high power 2SC2053 employed in uts final stage. Receiver part is simple DC type with 2SK241 front-end. Another 2SK241 following is the product detector. LM386 boost audio to drive ear-phone. To your surprise, this transceiver does not have any TX/RX switching circuit. Huge thump and loud tone during transmit must be tried by user.

Meeting Mate 40, 7MHz CW QRP transceiver (2)

Not following the Manhattan style (Mr.Imai says 'Land method'), this is an example of the Meeting Mate 40. A blogger remembered that he made this transceiver himself ago. The transceiver is found from old layer of storage. Simple configuration of MM40 inspired many amateur the fun of QRP. In contrast, orange colored sticker is approved transmitter mark by radio administration agency. They kindly send the same stickers to licensee every 5 years at renewal. Keep the stickers, they will offer free gift in future.

Meeting Mate 40, 7MHz CW QRP transceiver (1)

From Mr.Imai's book 'Handmade transceiver', a popular transceiver named 'Meeting Mate 40' is introduced here. This transceiver is build up from TX and RX part separately. Hence it uses two crystals, it avoid complex T-RX circuit. The book shows picture of Manhattan style in color. These are very easy to understand and several QRPers made this transceiver by themselves. Every Sunday morning, JA QRP club has weekly meeting on 7003kHz under domestic propagation. This transceiver is designed to join this meeting by homemade beginners.

Miracle Paint (vocaloid's song with promotion video)

Respect to creativity of songwriter, vocaloid programming and animations. Does amateur radio has such attractive outcome as they provide to people through the internet? May be, may be not.

7MHz QRP TX AYU-40 modification

AYU-40 is simple full-QSK 7MHz QRP TX kit. The board is a bound in supplement of CQ ham radio magazine July 2009. Recently JE1UCI Mr.Fukawa is trying to improve the AYU-40 function in ICOM BEACON online magazine. He is a famous QRP homemade instruments writer. By his modification adding a diode, any receiver can calibrate frequency to AYU-40 oscillator stage without transmitting. Above picture is a blogger's AYU-40 in progress, not the modified AYU-40 based on the article. About the AYU-40, you can see one in previous post.

Mizuho antenna coupler coil LA-2

Popular antenna coupler among Japanese QRPers is a Pi-C type coupler introduced by President Takada of Mizuho. This coupler has large tuning capability than simple L-C type tuners. Unfortunately Mizuho already discontinue KX-series such as KX-S9 or KX-QRP antenna coupler, they still provide a key component LA-2 coil and Poly-Varicon of 340pF. The LA-2 coils cost 1,575yen and PVC costs 820-yen. Their PVC price is bit higher than junk in market. LA-2 coil has its advantage in its accurate inductance and magnetic saturation. JL1KRA Junichi says that he can send a few LA-2 coils to overseas at actual cost.

JA QRP NEWS, March 2010

JA QRP CLUB distributed March QRP NEWS. In the top story,JK1TCV, Mr.Kurihara introduces fun of CW operation. Groups interested in special station for International QRP day are planned in 1,4 and 6 areas in 2010. As a foreign QRPers KF7JS, Mr.Marlowe with S9 vertical is nominated. The JA QRP club decided to change their operation to volunteer basis. This means they will not charge members annual expense 4,000 yen anymore. But they will provide minimum control from remaining asset. Any interested members can gather their 4,000 yen and they can plan QRP activity by the name of QRP Club. About the club operation, too many discussion continued last year. President and core members need their rest.

Fuji-musen FY-end sale March 27/28th

Fuji-Musen (musen means wireless) is one of remaining ham radio shop in Akihabara. This is a typical radio shop without frills. You can say this is the real shack. They carry out spacial sale in September and March. Honestly, HRO and AES other international volume suppliers are always showing discount prices. But the bargain at retail shop and limited outlet attract ham radio nuts. Shop assistants are unique and they knows something interesting stories behind the products. If you have a bundle of bank notes for FT-9000, they can make additional discount. The special price is informed to customers by e-mail. Here for your example, limited outlet QRP rigs are follows, FT-817ND (59,800JPY), DJ-G7 (36,800JPY), VX-7 (29,800JPY), VX-3 (19,800JPY). You have to queue up in front of the shop early in the morning. Foreign visitors be careful, 'J'-marked VHF rigs are limited VHF range 144-146MHz to inhibit CPU TX at Japanese police frequency.

VX-8G APRS machine comes without AM QRP

Other blog applause this new APR machine VX-8G(R).
Remembering VX-7(R) and VX-8(R), these are precious QRP handy enables 1W AM in 50MHz.
This is an attractive, though the dry sound AM can not compete with classical transformer modulation.
Now Vertex drastically discard the function from VX-8 and they install GPS receiver instead.
Some QRPer say they welcome APRS unit to broadcast his position before reaching mountain summit to operate QRP. But here, several QRPers see this VX-8G with sorrow eyes without AM.

Recent blog update

We would like to provide reader Japanese QRP topic at least once a week. But, this March is the end of Japanese Fiscal Year. overwhelming business task are assigned to QRP bloggers. Update of blog is delayed often. Sorry so much for this situation.

Japanese QRP books (6)

This is the recent issue 'Handmade Transceivers Introduction' written by Mr.Imai JF1RNR. He had been an active writer in the CQ ham radio. Beautiful colored drawings to construct simple receiver and transceiver as the Manhattan style are followed by JA QRPers. In Section 1 fundamental issue are written. Section 2 introduces CW transmitters and receivers. Section 3 topics are advanced to DSB/SSB transceivers. Rigs you can reach in this book are follows, (Section 2) 50mW QRPp 7MHz TX, 500mW 7MHz CW TX, Simple 7MHz TRX, 50MHz 2tr CW TX, 50->7MHz crystal-convetar, 1.9MHz RX, 1.9MHz CW TX, 21MHz CW TRX (Akagi-standard), 144MHz CW transceiver,10MHz CW transceiver, 18MHz CW transceiver. (Section 3) 50MHz DSB transceiver, 144MHz DSB TRX, 14MHz SSB TRX, 7MHz transveter, 50MHz SSB/CW transceiver,28MHz DSB TRX, 7MHz 3W anplifier, 3.5MHz SSB TRX. Article will be introduced upon your request.

Japanese QRP books(5)

JA7CRJ Mr.Chiba is running kit company AITEC. AITEC is not major as MIZUHO, but they are providing very nice kit from discrete parts. This book 'Transceiver Building Introduction AM and SSB edition'is published in 1994 and it introduces a separate type AM transceiver and an integrated SSB transceiver. In this decade, the AITEC was selling SSB transceiver kit and QRP beginner learned the simple SSB generator CQ-1 employ active mixier SN16913 and 2SK439 with aluminum enclosure. Later this SSB transceiver have an evolution to TRX-601 kit with iron chassis then discontinued in 2002 due to obsolete filter. Still they are selling TRX-1 50MHz 100mW DSB transceiver and TRX-502
50MHz 300mW AM transceiver at retail shop.

Japanese QRP book (4)

Special issue of Ham Journal No.44 back in 1986 is an another bible for QRP builder. A SSB generator as 'Kumamoto-city Standard' is the must read article. Using only discrete transistor, still this design is alive and report form completed builders are found in this internet era. In 1980's a group in Kumamoto area was very eager to build homebrew transceiver. Centering a guru JA6BI Mr.Tabuchi, their activity and introduction to beginners are well packed in this periodical from CQ publishing. Ladder type crystal filter and inexpensive measurement instruments are presented in this issue too.

Japanese QRP book (3)

The "Homebrew electronics circuit text" by JH1FCZ Mr.Okubo is precious book covering most of the popular FCZ elementary kit series schematics and how to build them. Most of them are built as experimental style board and easy to debug. Unfortunately this book is out of print too. But still the successor book "Amatetur Radio Homebrew Circuit" almost same coverage is available from CQ publishing.

Japanese QRP book (2)

"Amateur radio station build from zero" is written my President Takada of Mizuho. Start from basic section, receiver section introduces tube 0-V-0, DC-receiver, 7MHz super-het by IC and crystal converter from 6m. Transmitter section contains 7,21MHz CW-TX and 50MHz AM TX. Finally, these are integrated at transceiver section. As a completed transceivers P-7DX and P-21DX are explained. Then QRP PA(PL-series) up to 10W are explained. Many other useful topics are seen in this book. The course is well organized with Mizuho kits and units. Finally reader can reach own radio station. Unfortunately, this book is out of print.

Azumanga-Daioh Chiyo-chan's song

As she doing, make something QRP. In our case, something wrong appears too.

Japanese QRP Book (1)

Prominent QRP books are introduced in this blog. The first one is 'QRP Handbook' published in 1996. More than 30 QRPers contributed. Articles are divided into three section as operation, homeblew equipment and antennas. Thus the position of this book is similar to 'QRP POWER' of ARRL. This book is already out of print and sometimes found in auction at double price.

Update Notice

Picture of FCZ AM transmitter is changed from a diagram to real kit. This notice will be erased after a while. ANALOGMA (analog-bear) is propaganda character opposed to DIGITAL-TV enforcement by Japanese government. No relation to QRPer who love analog technology.

QRP NEWS Feb. Issue

JA QRP CLUB distributed QRP NEWS February. Top of the news, amazingly an interview Mr.Takada of Mizuho is placed. History of Mizuho Corporation and his attitude in QRP is presented. As an overseas QRPer, UA1AV/QRP is introduced in this issue. Domestic QRP meetings and award program by the club is reported too.

QRP-WARC/18 Award

Mention about QRP-WARC/18 Award, 100 QRP QSOs in 17m band is awarded at free of charge for overseas application. The rule is simple, If you send a log filled with 100 QSOs less than 5W and SAE(self addressed envelope). You will receive A4-letter sized printed award. This award is started 1992 by QRP Technical Group which developed FUJIYAMA transceiver dedicated to 18MHz band. Design of the award is impressive with Mt.Fuji drawing. Currently awarding program is maintained by JL1KRA. Use qrz.com to find his mailing address. Under this low sunspots condx, achieve 100 QSOs with QRP gear is your efforts.

Circuit House SSB Generator

There are several personal based QRP vendor activity in Japan. 'Circuit House' is one of them and they are providing good SSB transceiver components. CG-90A is popular SSB generator among Japanese builders. Though it need several modifications to adjust individual preference, 5700JPY is reasonable as SSB generator. Adding 6m or 2m transverter and QRP amplifier, You can configure a SSB mono-band transceiver. Chassis will be prepared by builders.

FCZ QRP 50MHz AM transmitter

One of the kit example with FCZ coils. Favorite of Japanese QRPers is 6m AM QRP. In dense population and novice license without code, 6m phone had been an entry point for beginners. Making SSB is rather difficult and MIZUHO already provided PICO MX series. Naturally many built AM transmitter for their practice. This is 10mW AM transmitter designed by JH1FCZ. Now the FCZ transferred kitting operation and this #009 transmitter kit is provided by Calibration and it cost 3500JPY.

FCZ coil

FCZ coils are popular among Japanese QRPers. Oversea builders quote TOKO mono-band coils often, but these are less common in market. FCZ Lab. prepares all ham band frequency coil in 3 different sizes (5,7,10mm). VXO and other special purpose coil are exist. Detailed specifications are open to public. These are benefit to reproduce homebrew unit by others. The only weakness of the FCZ coil is its price due to their high quality. Each coil cost only 270JPY. When the number of coil increased, they are dominant in your budget. There is no relation between FCZ lab.

Marutsu 7MHz receiver kit seminer

Marutsu announces that they will hold 7MHz DC receiver kit seminer on 31st January. The seminar started from theory and simulation in morning session. Then the kit will be completed in afternoon. Rgular rental price of Marutsu's making space is 2000JPY. Thus the seminer fee 8500JPY including the RX kit seems bargain. Unfrotunately, 14 sheets are already booked. This kit appears first time. We hope they will sell this kit in the shop at reasonable price as a companion of the 7MHz transmitter kit.

CQ ham radio February 2010 issue

135kHz band first ever DX contact and QRP-TX article are reported in February issue. JA QRP club members are participating this magazine as writers. CQ ham radio is the only remaining amateur radio dedicated magazine in Japan. Index shows other homebrew articles 2-transistor radio, VX-3 USB and GP antennas cable are included. Each issue cost 890JPY.

The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya

Some rest again. This animation is originated from million seller novel. In its story, Haruhi Suzumiya started 'Team-SOS' and she is looking for alien and person of time travel. Unusual things are happen frequently in her school. The quality of animation and space time related story beyond universe difficult to understand attract several QRPers.

IC-R6 coming soon

IC-R6, the successor of high sensitivity ICOM IC-R5 will be at shop in the end of January. May be some QRPer will not have interest to this kind of scanner. Actually this is very useful tool to find out QRP signals. Especially at 50MHz, we are spending time to find out AM QRP signals. But high speed scanning capability enables search between 50.4 to 50.7 MHz without any effort. It will find out weak 50MHz AM signal rapidly. You can use solder iron or you can read books during the receiver doing his task.

Marconi's DC-TRX

CQ ham radio Ferbuary 2010 shows how to make the Maconi-Japan Basic 7. The radio is unique in its appearance. Large knobs and Italian like colored chassis are looks new as a Japnese radio. Full QSK 1.5W power is enough for domestic QSO. It has a sidetone and the built in Speaker. But VXO coverage is only 20kHz. Thus the radio is CW band only. 15,900JPY is good price with punched chassis. For those who never experienced QSO by DC receiver, he should experience technique.