Best beginner CW transceiver kit to start with

[Train Ham]

Which CW transceiver kit do you recommend for a complete kit building beginner with zero experience,to start with?

[K0RGI]

I don't want to rain on your parade, but I wouldn't recommend a transceiver as your first kit. Start with something considerably easier and develop your skills before attempting a transceiver. That said, QRP Labs has a well regarded series of single and multi-band transceiver kits.

73, Jim - K0RGI

[N8TGQ]

Welcome to ham radio!

Maybe try one of the "pixie" type kits to get started. They're not the greatest on receive, but easy to put together and inexepensive. Choose a frequency between 7025 and 7125 to use with the Technician class license.

Here's one made byan American company that uses a bigger circuit board than most. Makes building a bit easier:

https://vakits.com/catalog/ham-radio-kits

Any questions or problems, just put out a call here!

Good luck & 73 from Rick N8TGQ

[Andrew (grayhat)]

also check

https://www.4sqrp.com/index.php

[KL7MJ]

I just built a (tr)uSDX, and I would have to say that it was one of the fastest radios to build that I have seen. Most of the parts are surface mounted already, so construction consists mostly of installing the display and controls on the top board, and winding and installing toroids on the bottom board. Making a nice looking 3D printed case was more of a challenge for me! The only reason I said "fastest" and not "easiest" is that there are very limited instructions. The kit came with one sheet that listed the number of turns for each toroid, but not much else. The designer, DL2MAN, has a video that shows exactly what to do. The documentation is a far cry from an Elecraft or QRP Labs kit, but it is a pretty straight forward build.

73,
Mike, KL7MJ

[N8TGQ]

Here's another one you might like:

https://breadboardradio.com/40-woodpecker.html

Sidetone, a bit of tuning on the receiver and a real front panel!

[KL7MJ]

For those of us who were on the air in the early 1980s, the name woodpecker brings back bad memories! The Soviet OTH RADAR really made a mess of the bands.

Mike

[W5GUS]

4StateQRP is a great source alright. I've built a few of their kits with good results. Check out the transceiver kits at "qrpme.com" they also have ALOT of other useful and quirky fun kits to learn building with. Be prepared to spend some time at the site just looking around.
72
W5GUS
Dallas,TX

[Andrew (grayhat)]

4StateQRP is a great source alright. I've built a few of their kits with good results. Check out the transceiver kits at "qrpme.com" they also have ALOT of other useful and quirky fun kits to learn building with. Be prepared to spend some time at the site just looking around.
72
W5GUS
Dallas,TX

As for 4SQRP, a nice startup kit may be the "Bayou Jumper"

https://www.4sqrp.com/bayoujumper.php



with the addition of the optional "Soup'er Up'er" board

https://www.4sqrp.com/souperuper.php

and then, willing to also add an antenna (and, if desired, a tuner)

https://www.4sqrp.com/4stuner.php

https://www.4sqrp.com/EFHW.php

notice that the EFHW kit can also be used to host an EFRW (9:1) transformer

[w2tef]

Here's one made byan American company that uses a bigger circuit board than most. Makes building a bit easier:

I'd echo the admonitions to go with a larger, simpler kit for your first time out.

I've just built a QRP-Labs QMX kit. I still have a couple issues to resolve to get it on the air. It's a well-made kit with excellent instructions at a very reasonable price. But the tolerances are so tight on that little board that it's a demanding build. Not a beginner kit.