This has been a fun project for new builders as well as old timers. I totally agree with what you are suggesting. That is exactly what I did on the one I am building, plus I added terminal covers to boot. I added pictures to my QRZ page. Bob N4JGO
I'm not presently building this project, but I too agree switch the hot side not the neutral. Bob is Ham Nation going to have a on air gathering of all the pine board transmitters or a mini pine board contest with each transmitter listed with a special PB# work 10 pine board transmitters get certificate? Maybe that will spur some interest in people to get started in home brewing.
I took a liking to technology when I was about two. My Dad built a "New for 1969" Heathkit GR-180 color TV as our Christmas present in 1968 and I couldn't wait for the magic glow to happen. Later he built an SB-401/303 (SS receiver) set with the SB-600 and SB-630 accessories I now have and am restoring. From his teachings on electricity to my own education and experiences with current based technology that solid state uses, I'd much rather use high voltage tube equipment. Remember, ignorance and current are what kills, not voltage. Learn how to handle high voltage rather than avoid it. It just might save a life. https://www.physics.ohio-state.edu/~p616/safety/fatal_current.html I look at it this way, the state of solid state is so fragile that if you see mushroom clouds on the horizon, tube radios will most likely be the only radios working if there's anyone left to communicate with. By the very nature of discreet electronic design, they were naturally hardened against Alpha particles and flew on every space mission and every satellite launched and still do. Tube finals are used on every broadcast satellite in orbit because of their durability and reliability. When all else fails, vacuum tubes can be relied upon. Keep up the good work Mr. Heil. Teaching younger generations how to respect and use electricity through experimentation and working examples is a big plus! 73! Smitty K4ACS heathkit-interests.blogspot.com
Easy question to answer. Back in the old days , most Hams knew something about radio electronics and electricity. Now days most Hams know about contesting , prepping , storm spotting , SOTA , repeaders , boy scouts , compewders - - almost everything EXCEPT for radio. With more than half of the US Hams being at Tech class level , with essentially no knowledge of electronics ,, I think it is GOOD that they don't play with high voltages. gregW OH2FFY
Hi Bob, I started seeking the parts for the transmitter build and found that the 2.5Mh RF choke from Radio Daze isn't available anymore. I've searched quite a bit for one like it but no luck so far. I am definitely a noob and looking for a reasonable alternative. Thanks