Category: Red Summit RF

Stuart M0SGV started soldering at age 8 in the 1950s, building crystal sets with a copper tip heated over a gas cooker. Nearly 70 years later he is still at the bench, building tube transmitters from 1949 magazine circuits, Hans Summers QMX and QDX rigs, a Michigan Mighty Mite, and a high voltage power supply built from scratch to power all of it.

In this episode Stuart walks us through a dozen homebrew projects, shares his philosophy on project selection, and offers hard won advice on soldering and why leaded solder is non-negotiable. We also talk about his connections to the Michigan QRP Club and G QRP Club, and his next big project: a QO-100 geostationary satellite transceiver.

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

**SolderSmoke DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/GYVRZSBVFC

Connect with us:
* Discord: https://discord.gg/WVE3vVveWU
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/redsummitrf
* TikTok: @redsummitrf
* X (formerly Twitter): @NJ7V_

Support the channel:
* Buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
* Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#apdz #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #tuberadio #vacuumtube #vintageradio #QCX #QMX #HansSummers #QO100 #satellite #GQRP #MichiganQRP #FourDaysinMay #soldering #FDIM

Barb WB2CBA is a civil engineer by trade and an open source QRP designer by passion. Every circuit he’s created has gone straight to GitHub with no paywalls and no kits he controls exclusively, and builders around the world have taken notice. In this episode Barb walks us through his major designs from the uSDX collaboration to the Pebble HF, talks about his experience at Four Days in May, and shares what it feels like to see strangers around the world building circuits he designed and released for free.

If you’re into QRP, digital modes, or homebrew radio, this one is worth your time.
GitHub: github.com/WB2CBA
Pebble HF: pebblehf.com

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

**SolderSmoke DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/GYVRZSBVFC

Connect with us:
* Discord: https://discord.gg/WVE3vVveWU
* YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/redsummitrf
* TikTok: @redsummitrf
* X (formerly Twitter): @NJ7V_

Support the channel:
* Buy us a Coke: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/RedSummitRF
* Red Summit RF Amazon Storefront: https://www.amazon.com/shop/redsummitrf

#apdz #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #HFtransceiver #opensource #FT8 #digitalmodes #ADX #PebbleHF #Si5351 #QRPp #WSPR #FourDaysinMay #FDIM

Derek W7DLZ has earned the SOTA Mountain Goat award five times over and he’s closing in on a sixth. Since his first activation in September 2021, Derek has operated from hundreds of summits across six associations and twenty-two regions at a pace that’s hard to believe, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
In this episode we cover his preferred radio, antenna choices, and operating philosophy.
If you’re into SOTA, QRP field ops, or just want to hear what genuine passion for a hobby sounds like, this one’s for you.

https://www.qrz.com/db/W7DLZ

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

**DISCORD INVITE**: https://discord.gg/WVE3vVveWU

#apdz #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #HamRadio #QRP # CW #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #ManhattanStyle #BITX #SolderSmoke #HFtransceiver #QRPSSB #directconversion #analogradio #morsecode

Bonus Episode: Scratch Building a Frequency Counter? Rex W1REX Breaks Down His X-Checker Circuit

This one wasn’t planned as an episode — but it was too good not to share.
As part of our ongoing Beginner Project Series, we’re scratch building a frequency counter based on Rex Harper W1REX’s X-Checker kit from QRPme.com. Before we put iron to board, we sat down with Rex himself to walk through the circuit — and what came out of that conversation is exactly the kind of deep-dive explanation that doesn’t show up in any build guide.
If you’re following along with the Beginner Project Series and building this circuit from scratch, this video will give you a much clearer picture of what’s actually happening on that board — straight from the designer himself.
Rex Harper W1REX is the one-man operation behind QRPme.com, home of the Tuna Tin 2, the Rockmite, MePADs, and dozens of other beloved QRP kits. He’s been designing and kitting ham radio projects for decades and is a fixture in the QRP homebrew community.
Resources mentioned:

X-Checker kit: https://www.qrpme.com/?p=product&id=Q17

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

#apdz #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #ManhattanStyle #BITX #SolderSmoke #HFtransceiver #QRPSSB #directconversion #analogradio #FrequencyCounter

Part 3 of the Chuck Adams W1AW Direct Conversion Receiver build — and it’s receiving. I tuned the receiver using both a 14.0480 and a 14.0475 MHz crystal, and both worked well. With the radio on, I pulled in W1AW live out of Connecticut. The signal drifts in and out, but that’s band conditions — closer stations come in noticeably stronger. Three stages, three shorts, one working receiver.
Part 1 — Oscilloscope Failed Me, My Yaesu FTdx10 Didn’t:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/EoIKxCHX3vc
Part 2 — Does This Audio Stage Work? W1AW Direct Conversion Receiver:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sk9R5fhybCM

If you enjoy the channel and want to support my efforts, membership means a lot
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHriEQX4EK2b0QS7EgSvjmg/join

#hamradio #amateurradio #STEM #electronics #homebrew #shorts #qrp #directconversion #receiver #cw #morseCode #w1aw #colpittsoscillator #localoscillator #yeasu #ftdx10 #oscilloscope #troubleshooting #20meters #hf #crystalradio #buildathon #arrl

In Part 2 of my W1AW Direct Conversion Receiver build, I tackle the audio stage using the LM386 IC. Once the circuit was complete, I connected a speaker and touched an open pad at R7 — and the static jumped dramatically, confirming the audio stage is alive and amplifying. The Chuck Adams W1AW receiver is coming together one stage at a time.
Part 1 — Oscilloscope Failed Me, My Yaesu FTdx10 Didn’t: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3IZlar-XjJA

If you enjoy the channel and want to support my efforts, membership means a lot
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHriEQX4EK2b0QS7EgSvjmg/join

#hamradio #amateurradio #STEM #electronics #homebrew #shorts #qrp #directconversion #receiver #cw #morseCode #w1aw #colpittsoscillator #localoscillator #yeasu #ftdx10 #oscilloscope #troubleshooting #20meters #hf #crystalradio #buildathon #arrl

In this video I build the Stockton Bi-Directional Wattmeter and SWR Indicator from the G-QRP Club Telford Buildathon 2023 kit, designed by David Stockton GM4ZNX and originally published in SPRAT 61 back in 1989. The Stockton bridge is a deceptively simple circuit using just a BN43-202 binocular ferrite core and a handful of components, built here using Manhattan style construction. A great little project for any QRP station!

If you enjoy the channel and want to support my efforts, membership means a lot
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHriEQX4EK2b0QS7EgSvjmg/join

#hamradio #sota #portableops #electronics #gear #shorts #amateurradio #STEM #qrp #pota #keyer #ssb #vhf #fm #soldersmoke #hamradioworkbench #hackaday #homebrew #electronics #wattmeter #swr #manhattanstyle #gqrp #stockton #buildathon

In this episode, I sit down with Rick N3FJZ — a prolific homebrew builder known in the SolderSmoke community for his meticulous construction, clean schematics, and commitment to all-discrete analog design. We trace his journey from his first scratch build projects to his current tranciever with a custom front panel digital display.

Join us as we explore how you can get involved in portable radio, QRP, and more in this episode of the All Portable Discussion Zone (AP/DZ). Every aspect of portable operations is covered in this biweekly podcast, from news and gear to achievements, the workbench, contests, awards, and beyond.

Rick’s website: http://www.remmepark.com/circuit6040/
Show notes Listed on Rick’s Website: http://www.remmepark.com/circuit6040/Show_Notes/Show_Notes.html

#apdz #SOTA #POTA #PortableOps #HamRadio #QRP #Workbench #Electronics #homebrewradio #DIYradio #testequipment #RFprojects #amateurradio #hamradiopodcast #scratchbuild #ManhattanStyle #BITX #SolderSmoke #HFtransceiver #QRPSSB #directconversion #analogradio

Tried tuning the W1AW 20m Direct Conversion Receiver local oscillator with an oscilloscope and got strange readings — so I grabbed my Yaesu FTdx10 instead. Tuned to 14.047MHz, listened for the carrier, and adjusted trimmer C1 until I had a nice ~600Hz beat note. Sometimes your HF rig is better test equipment than your test equipment! Part of my W1AW Direct Conversion Receiver build series.

If you enjoy the channel and want to support my efforts, membership means a lot
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHriEQX4EK2b0QS7EgSvjmg/join

#hamradio #amateurradio #STEM #electronics #homebrew #shorts #qrp #directconversion #receiver #cw #morseCode #w1aw #colpittsoscillator #localoscillator #yeasu #ftdx10 #oscilloscope #troubleshooting #20meters #hf #crystalradio #buildathon #arrl

In this video I build the Stockton Bi-Directional Wattmeter and SWR Indicator from the G-QRP Club Telford Buildathon 2023 kit, designed by David Stockton GM4ZNX and originally published in SPRAT 61 back in 1989. The Stockton bridge is a deceptively simple circuit using just a BN43-202 binocular ferrite core and a handful of components, built here using Manhattan style construction. A great little project for any QRP station!

If you enjoy the channel and want to support my efforts, membership means a lot
👉 https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHriEQX4EK2b0QS7EgSvjmg/join

#hamradio #sota #portableops #electronics #gear #shorts #amateurradio #STEM #qrp #pota #keyer #ssb #vhf #fm #soldersmoke #hamradioworkbench #hackaday #homebrew #electronics #wattmeter #swr #manhattanstyle #gqrp #stockton #buildathon