QRP -- Projects
Additional information on this subject and related topics can be found in back issues of QST and the following:
The ARRL Handbook for Radio Amateurs
W1FB's QRP Notebook
QRP Power
Low Power Communication
The ARRL has an extensive catalog of books and materials related to Amateur Radio.
Articles
Note: Some of the following articles are in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) files. To view and print these files, you'll need a copy of Adobe's Acrobat Reader program. (Version 3.0 or later required). More information here.
- An Updated Universal QRP Transmitter (1,229,440 bytes, PDF file) Errata
QST April, 2006
Looking for a project that will let you try some of your own "scratch built” ideas? Here is a starter low power transmitter circuit for that pursuit.
- The MRX-40 Mini Receiver (advanced) (163,840 bytes, PDF file)
QST September 1997, pp. 59-60
A tiny 40 meter amateur band Morse code receiver barely larger than a half dollar.
Rescaling the MRX-40 Receiver for 80 Meters
QST May 2001, pp. 98-99
Feedback: Rescaling the MRX-40 Receiver for 80 Meters
QST Jul 2001, p. 31
- An Automatic Sealed-Lead-Acid Battery Charger (135,954 bytes, PDF file)
QST May 2001, pp. 43-47
Neat little charger that not only charges your Sealed Lead Acid batteries, but can keep them on trickle charge safely.
- The NJQRP Squirt (151,957 bytes, PDF file)
QST April 2001, pp. 40-43
A reduced-size 80-meter antenna designed for small lots, portable use, and a fine companion for QRP or the Warbler PSK31 Transceiver .
- A Simple 10-Meter QRP Transmitter (413,364 bytes, PDF file)
QST March 2000, pp. 43-46
Take advantage of this 10-meter/QRP combo to get more miles per watt!
- Some QRP-Transmitter Design Tips (373,796 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1988. Pp. 30-32
Full QSK is beneficial during QRP CW work. It is easy to achieve without relays at low power levels.
- Four Watt, QSK, for 24.9 MHz (817,955 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1986, pp. 23-26
Here's your chance to try the 24.9-MHz WARC band at minimum cost. This transmitter is a fine mate for the 24.9-MHz converter described in April 1985 QST.
- A Two-Transistor Transmitter for 30 meters (564,542 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1984, pp. 46-47, Hints and Kinks
- An Optimized QRP Transceiver for 7 MHz (1,424,733 bytes, PDF file)
ARRL Handbook 1993, pp. 30-37 to 30-40
Here is a rig that provides a real challenge for the QRP home builder. Nonetheless, this is a classic circuit and a favorite in the QRP community.
- A QRP SSB/CW Transceiver for 14MHz -- Part 1 (682,742 bytes, PDF file)
QST December 1989, pp. 18-21
Exotic circuitry and hard to find components aren't necessary if you want to build excellent performance into a home-brew SSB/CW transceiver: Careful design is the key.
- A QRP SSB/CW Transceiver for 14MHz -- Part 2 (720,967 bytes, PDF file)
QST January 1990, pp. 28-31
W7ZOI rounds out his description of a 1- or 10-W SSB/CW rig with details on its transmitter, TR switching and optional speech processor.
- The QRP Three-Bander (2,949,379 bytes, PDF file)
QST October 1989, pp. 25-30
This low-power, direct-conversion CW trnsceiver covers 18, 21 and 24 MHz, and includes sidetone, spotting and relay-less full break-in --- all on one circuit board!
- A Balanced QRP Transmatch (850,325 bytes, PDF file)
ARRL Handbook, 1990, pp. 34-19 to 34-20
- Build A Tuna-Tin 2 (1,870,395 bytes, PDF file)
QST May 1976, pp. 14-16
Ham radio lost its kick? Go QRP with this weekend project transmitter! WAS with a 40-meter half-watter? You betcha!
- The Tuna Tin 2 Today (168,122 bytes, PDF file)
QST March 2000, pp. 37-40
The revival of a legend
Note: the TT2 Kit is now available from the Ft Smith QRP Group.
Contact Jay Bromley W5JAY for details ( w5jay@alltel.net )
- The CB Slider (1,811,747 bytes, PDF file)
QST March 1977, pp. 15-17
Would you like to operate the Tuna Tin Two but not crazy about crystal control? Heres the answer.
- The NORCAL SIERRA: An 80-15 Meter CW Transceiver (463,425 bytes, PDF file)
ARRL Handbook 1996, pp. 17.89-17.95
This project is available as a complete kit from Wilderness Radio.
Note: Suitable substitutes for C52 can be found at several suppliers.
- A Simple and Accurate QRP Directional Wattmeter (2,741,574 bytes, PDF file)
QST February 1990, pp. 19-23, 36
A directional wattmeter that's simple, portable, and accurate from 10 watts down to 5 milliwatts!
- The Miracle Whip: A Multiband QRP Antenna (113,933 bytes. PDF file)
QST July 2001, pp. 32-35
A small portable and inexpensive to make.
- QRP-France with a "Junk Box Shorty Forty" Antenna (128,512 bytes, PDF file)
QST July 2001, pp. 66-68
A short center-loaded 40-meter dipole for portable QRP
- Updating the W1FB 80-Meter "Sardine Sender" (187,658 bytes, PDF file)
QST November 2001, pp. 54-56
Build a “modern” version of this old classic QRP transmitter.
Feedback: March 2002, p. 42 – The value of capacitors C6, C8, C9 and C12 should be 0.1uF
- A Multimode Phasing Exciter For 1 to 500 MHz (1,205,616 bytes, PDF file)
QST April 1993, pp. 27-31
A simple transmitter that generates SSB, CW and more. (a mate to High-Performance, Single-Signal Direct-Conversion Receivers )
- A Small High-Performance CW Transceiver (349,563 bytes, PDF file)
QST November 1995, pp. 41-46
A full break-in 1 watt output and single-signal direct-conversion 20-meter package the size of a 35mm camera
Feedback: QST September 1996, p. 76 (included above)
Note:
Contact information for suppliers mentioned in the above articles should first be confirmed using TIS Address Database Search.
Web Links:
- The AMQRP club web page features a whole slew of downloadable construction projects.
- QRP HomeBuilder Software
Presented on this page is software for use in designing and building your QRP and homebrew projects. This 32-bit software is for users of Microsoft Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0-5.0 (tm) operating systems.
- Back to the Future The Tuna Tin 2
Information on how to build a modern replica of the Tuna Tin 2
- QRP Builder Homepage
These web pages were designed for hams who wish to build and operate low power radio equipment on the amateur radio bands.
Bibliography (Members Only)
ARRL Periodicals Index Search - This database contains the QST index from 1915 to the present and the QEX index from 1981 to the present. For QST issues from 1970 to the present, and some selected articles back to 1922 (when construction articles featuring tubes began in earnest), identifying keywords have been added to the technical articles. By entering keywords (ANTENNA) or combinations of keywords (CONSTRUCTION ANTENNA VERTICAL HF) into the Title words: field, you may create dynamic bibliographies.
Technical article KEYWORD list. Hints for more successful searching
Suggested keywords for more articles like the ones on this page are: CONSTRUCTION QRP
Article Reprints:
You can get a photocopy of any ARRL published article for $3 ($5 for nonmembers) for each article requested. Contact the ARRL Technical Department (reprints@arrl.org ), 1-860-594-0390) if you wish to get photocopies.
This information was prepared as a membership service by the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 (860) 594-0214. Email: tis@arrl.org (Internet). ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information on the Web free of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.
If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or distribution of this material, please contact:
TIS Coordinator
American Radio Relay League
225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
Tel: 860-594-0214 Fax: 860-594-0259
(email: tis@arrl.org)
Page last modified: 02:38 PM, 25 Sep 2007 ET
Page author: tis@arrl.org
Copyright © 2007, American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
