
( Brand: Cricket ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: United States ), ( Band Plan: 80 Meters ), ( Type: Transceiver ), ( Supported Modes: Cw ), ( Mono/multi Band: Mono Band ), ( Frequency Band S : Hf )
The Cricket 80A Minimalist 80m CW QRP Transceiver Kit Pixie is an exceptional piece of radio equipment designed for amateur radio enthusiasts and hobbyists. This kit offers a compact and lightweight transceiver that is perfect for portable operations, field day events, or simply for enjoying the art of Morse code (CW) communication.
The Cricket 80A is built around the popular Pixie design, but with several improvements and enhancements. It operates on the 80m band (3.5-3.8 MHz), providing a wide range of frequencies to explore. The transceiver features a minimalist design, with a small footprint that makes it easy to carry and set up anywhere.
The heart of the Cricket 80A is its direct conversion architecture, which eliminates the need for an intermediate frequency (IF) stage. This simplifies the circuit design and reduces the overall size of the transceiver, making it a great choice for QRP (low power) operations. The transceiver is capable of delivering up to 5 watts of output power, which is more than enough for most CW communications.
The Cricket 80A kit is a true DIY project, offering a great opportunity for hobbyists to build and customize their own radio. The kit includes all the necessary components, such as high-quality surface-mount components, a small printed circuit board (PCB), and a clear, step-by-step assembly guide. The guide is easy to follow, even for beginners, and includes clear diagrams and explanations.
The kit is compatible with a variety of power sources, including batteries, making it ideal for portable operations. It also features a built-in keyer, which allows for automatic Morse code transmission, making it easier for beginners to get started with CW communication.
In summary, the Cricket 80A Minimalist 80m CW QRP Transceiver Kit Pixie is a fantastic choice for amateur radio enthusiasts and hobbyists looking for a compact, lightweight, and high-performance CW transceiver. Its minimalist design, direct conversion architecture, and easy-to-follow assembly guide make it a great project for DIY enthusiasts, while its small size, wide frequency range, and automatic keyer make it a versatile and practical tool for CW communication.
Pros of buying a Cricket 80A Minimalist 80m CW QRP Transceiver Kit Pixie:1. Affordability: The Cricket 80A is an economical option for individuals interested in building their own QRP transceiver.
2. Learning Experience: Assembling the kit can be an educational experience, providing hands-on knowledge of how radio transmitters work.
3. Portability: The small size of the Pixie makes it highly portable, making it an excellent choice for field operations or travel.
4. Simple Design: The transceiver's minimalist design and CW-only operation make it easy to understand and operate for beginners.
5. Community Support: There is a strong and active community of Pixie builders, offering assistance and resources for those constructing their kits.
Cons of buying a Cricket 80A Minimalist 80m CW QRP Transceiver Kit Pixie:1. Limited Functionality: As a QRP (low-power) transceiver, the Cricket 80A has limited capabilities, such as a lack of SSB, digital modes, and VFO tuning.
2. Assembly Challenges: Some users may find the assembly process challenging, requiring patience and attention to detail.
3. Durability: The kit's minimalist design may make it less durable compared to commercial transceivers, which are built with stronger components and materials.
4. Potential Quality Control Issues: Since the kit is a DIY project, there may be variations in component quality from one kit to another.
Ending Conclusion:If you're a beginner looking for an affordable, educational, and portable CW-only QRP transceiver, the Cricket 80A Minimalist 80m CW QRP Transceiver Kit Pixie could be a great choice for you. However, be prepared for the assembly challenges and limited functionality compared to commercial transceivers.
Recommendation:If you're willing to invest time and effort into building a QRP transceiver and are interested in the CW mode, the Cricket 80A Minimalist 80m CW QRP Transceiver Kit Pixie is a worthwhile project. However, if you're looking for a more versatile, feature-rich, and durable transceiver, you may want to consider purchasing a commercial alternative.
No droids: droids to wind, all indicators are etched on board spiral coils hours, depending experience level. PDF Cricket was designed as a simple, low-cost cw transceiver that could serve an excellent kit for beginners, but has performance good enough to get on the air usable radio. The Cricket kit is a self-contained cw transceiver, with built in battery holder, spiral PCB trace indicators, on-board Morse key, and included crystal. No alignment: none needed, put it on the air immediately after assembly.
Power supply: 9 volt on board battery. 6 same as everyone else - so they also can build and use the Cricket. Spectral purity: all harmonics and spurs are 50db or more below the carrier.
You can literally be on the air making contacts within an hour of opening kit envelope. Crystal controlled: a 3579 khz color burst is included. Self contained: both the battery and a straight key are board mounted. It features low parts count, a misfit pa mixer, and modern njm2113d audio amp.
Features: transceiver fully functional. Fast assembly: approx. You can read the assembly manual at.
Power output: 1 watt or greater. Sensitivity: minimum discernible signal MD's DBMS s3 well below the normal 80m noise level. Chosen as the build session kit for Aztecan 2017, it bears a family resemblance to well known but much lower performing pixie, is higher powered, and has better receiver. All through hole parts make this kit very easy to solder together and assemble.
Full SK and a side tone complete the essential operating features. Final amp: 2n7000 in class e for cool efficiency. Oscillator: improved oscillator, now uses a misfit. Side tone: yes.
Sounds good, and plenty of volume for headphones earbuds. Power switch: an off on switch has been added to the 80a. Note that novices and technicians have 80m cw privileges from 3.
No heat sink needed. A TX Rx offset is also included so that you can work other stations have zero beat, or are using crystal on the same frequency. Current requirements receive: less than 10ma, transmit: 80ma.
Single band: 80m only. The Cricket a low cost entry level minimalist cw transceiver for the 80 meter band. Transmitter chirps not included most Crickets chirp: o this one doesn't.
Audio: modern audio ic amplifier. SK: full SK. Reverse voltage protection: battery clips help prevent connection.
Current requirement: approx 111 ma. Note any 80m cw crystal, except dirty ft243s, may be used. Current requirement: less than 10ma. Can hear a zero beat station, with no offset they wouldn't be heard.
Great keying aide, unusual in such a low parts count rig. R Rx offset: yes. The pa filter indicators are implemented as etched spiral coils included on PC board, so there no droids to wind.
Robust: will transmit into an open antenna jack with no damage. Low part count: only 36 total electrical components the pixie has size: board is 6 x Full SK with fast, high speed switching. These are many unusual features for such a low parts count and inexpensive transceiver.
Tools required: soldering iron and solder, flat Philips screwdrivers, diagonal cutters, sandpaper. Kits Cricket80a Cricket80amanual. 5 including a 1/2 snap off piece that becomes the board mounted key.