QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/arrl/tis/kits.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 20KB | 626 lines

ARRL Technical Information Service
Kit Manufacturers List
Rev.: July 16, 1993  File: KITS

This information package was prepared as a membership service by
the American Radio Relay League, Inc., Technical Information
Service, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111 [phone].
Email: [e-mail] (Internet).

From the files of the ARRL Automated Electronic Mail Server,
([e-mail]):

Reprinted from: August 1993 QST, Lab Notes column
Copyright 1993 American Radio Relay League, Inc.
All rights reserved.

Thank you for requesting the following information from the ARRL
Technical Information Service or the ARRL Automated Mail Server
([e-mail]).  ARRL HQ is glad to provide this information free
of charge as a service to League members and affiliated clubs.

For your convenience, you may reproduce this information,
electronically or on paper, and distribute it to anyone who needs
it, provided that you reproduce it in its entirety and do so free
of charge.

If you have any questions concerning the reproduction or
distribution of this material, please contact Michael Tracy,
KC1SX, Technical Information Service Coordinator, American Radio
Relay League, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111
(email: [e-mail]).



Subject: Lab Notes: Kits Galore!


Summertime, and the living is easy.  It's the perfect time to
build a kit!  You can do it all at once in a mad frenzy, or work
on it piecemeal.  Either way, you're guaranteed fun, education and
true pride of ownership.  Mike Gruber, WA1SVF, ARRL Laboratory
Engineer, briefly discusses kit-building and provides a valuable
list of kit suppliers.--WB8IMY


Q: I'd sure like to try an electronics project, but I'm not
quite sure where to begin.  I'm considering kits, but is kit
building really worth the trouble?

A: Well, when I was a youngster I would watch with fascination
as my Dad assembled his latest Heathkit project in our basement.
Smoke would often curl up from his soldering iron late into the
night.  Friends and family would gather for the grand unveiling of
his latest triumph.  A drawer full of those red plastic nut
starters that came with each and every kit (remember those?) is
still in our basement somewhere!  I received quite an education
when I was finally old enough to follow in Dad's kit-building
footsteps.  This early exposure to electronics inspired me to
obtain an Amateur Radio license and even pursue a career in
electronics.


Q: Are kits difficult to build?  What ever happened to all those
classic kit manufacturers, anyway?  What about Heath?  I've heard
that they're out of the kit business.  Does this mean that kit
building is a thing of the past?

A: Whoa!  Easy, big fella.  Let me answer your questions one at a
time.  First, the level of difficulty varies with the individual
kit.  A very simple kit can require only minimal time, skill and
experience to put together.  Complex kits can, of course, be
considerably more difficult.  It is important to determine which
kits match your abilities.  When selecting a kit, be sure to
consider any additional purchases that may be required, such as
knobs and cabinets.  You may also need test equipment to complete
the project.

    Second, it's true that many of the old kit manufacturers,
such as Eico and Knight-Kit, are no longer in the kit business.
Back in the days of point-to-point wiring and vacuum tubes, a kit
manufacturer stood a decent chance of succeeding in the consumer
electronics market.  They offered better products at lower prices-
-including products not normally available.  Today, the
miniaturization of electronics, modern assembly techniques, and
cheap overseas labor have taken away much of the competitive edge
that kit makers enjoyed.  Heath, however, is still making kits,
mostly of the educational variety.  These may be excellent starter
kits to get your feet wet.

    Finally, it's not true that kit building is a thing of the
past.  True pride of ownership and the thrill of doing it yourself
are things that mass-produced products don't always offer.  Many
companies still make kits to fill this niche.  Just about any
skill level can be accommodated if you know where to look.


Q: Okay, you've sold me.  I want to run home right now, warm up
my soldering iron!  I'll bet you've even compiled a list of kit
manufacturers for me.  How about it?

A: Yep, here's the list.  Happy kit-building!


A & A Engineering
2521 W LaPalma, Unit #K
Anaheim, CA 92801
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

A & A offers a wide range of amateur related kits from QRP
transceivers to a digital frequency synthesizer and a 450-MHz
spectrum analyzer.  Electronic components, enclosures, ICs and
ham-related publications are also available.  Catalog available.


Antique Electronic Supply
6221 S Maple Ave
Tempe, AZ 85283
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Numerous kits for reproducing antique and vacuum tube radios are
available.  Antique Electronic Supply is also an excellent source
for parts, components and documentation for antique radios.
Catalog available.


C & A Electronic
PO Box 25070
Athens, 10026 Greece
tel: [phone]
tel: [phone]

Established in Athens in 1977, C & A Electronic has now grown to
15 employees.  Their current 53-page catalog includes over 150
kits with, according to Simeon Krizias, SV1AYI, of C & A, more on
the way.  The projects range from the relatively simple to the
complex.  Kits include Amateur Radio, high-fidelity stereo, power
supplies and instrumentation projects.  Ready-made versions are
available for novice kit-builders who prefer advanced or
intermediate kits.  A special US price list is available.


CCI (Communications Concepts, Inc)
508 Millstone Drive
Beavercreek, OH 45434
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

CCI's catalog features many linear amplifiers and projects from
Motorola Applications Notes.  Amplifier boards and various
components are offered separately as sets.  Other kit projects
include an ATV receive converter and an audio squelch control.
Semiconductors and other components can also be purchased
separately.  VISA and MasterCard accepted.


Cirkit Distribution Ltd.
Park Lane
Broxbourne
Herts EN10 7NQ
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

More than 100 kits for the radio amateur, including preamps,
power amps, converters, speech processors and a dip meter.
Catalog available.  Cirkit does not have a price list in US
dollars, but does accept Master Card, VISA and American Express.


Curry Communications
852 North Lima St
Burbank, CA 91505
tel: [phone]

 Two kits currently available:

 The 80-AU converts the entire LF/VLF band to the 80-meter
 amateur band.  Cost is $59.95.

 The SAM-1 is a transverter that enables operation on the
 license-free 1750 meter band with an 80-meter amateur transceiver.
 Cost is $89.95.


Down East Microwave
RR 1, Box 2310
Troy, ME 04987
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Down East Microwave (DEM) is owned and operated by Bill Olson,
W3HQT.  Numerous kits are offered for VHF, UHF and microwave
projects.  Down East Microwave also carries an extensive line of
antennas.  Office hours are 9 am to 4:30 pm Eastern Time, Monday
through Friday.  Call anytime; Bill says to be sure to leave a
message on the machine if no one is available.  Business and
personal checks as well as VISA and MasterCard are accepted.  COD
orders carry a $4 service charge.  Catalog available.


FAR Circuits
18N640 Field Court
Dundee, IL 60118

FAR Circuits provides PC boards for a number of QST projects.


Hamtronics, Inc
65 Moul Rd
Hilton, NY 14468-9535
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

A wide variety of amateur related kits are available.  Kits
include VHF and UHF exciters, linear amplifiers, receivers,
repeaters, repeater accessories, preamps and receive converters.
Some kits are FCC type accepted for commercial service.  A 40-page
catalog is available.


Heath Company
PO Box 1288
Benton Harbor, MI 49023-1288
tel: [phone]

Although Heath's kit line is no longer as extensive as many old-
timers may recall, they still carry a number of "build your own"
electronic projects.  Their current kit line includes two weather
computers and numerous educational kits, such as a portable
radio, an electronic cricket and a power supply.  VISA, MasterCard
and American Express accepted.


John Langner, WB2OSZ
115 Stedman St
Chelmsford, MA 01824-1823

John provides the Pasokon SSTV project kit featured in January
1993 QST.  One empty expansion slot in a 286 or faster computer,
640K of memory, a color monitor and a VGA display adapter are all
you need to send and receive all popular modes of SSTV.  The
complete kit is $199.95, or $229.95 for an assembled and tested
unit.


Kanga US
Bill Kelsey, N8ET
3521 Spring Lake Dr
Findlay, OH 45840
tel: [phone] (7 pm to 11 pm Eastern Time only)

Bill, N8ET, operates Kanga US as an importer of QRP kits
manufactured by Kanga Products in England:

 Kanga Products
 Dick Pascoe, G0BPS
 Seaview
 Crete Road East
 Folkstone CT18 7EG
 England

Dick is currently the only person at Kanga in England.  Kanga
offers over 25 Amateur Radio kits with emphasis on QRP.  Kanga's
philosophy is to keep prices low by not supplying parts typically
found in most junkboxes, such as the cabinet and knobs.  Send one
unit of First Class postage when requesting a catalog from Kanga
US.  VISA and MasterCard accepted.


Lake Electronics
7 Middleton Close, Nuthall
Nottingham, NG16 1BX
England
tel: [phone]

Every Lake kit is complete, down to the last component, including
knobs and screws.  The catalog features QRP transceivers, a
receiver, an SWR meter, a power meter/dummy load, an antenna
tuning unit, an audio filter and a power supply.  A special price
list is included for overseas customers.  VISA, MasterCard and
Eurocard accepted.


Mark V Electronics, Inc
8019 E Slauson Ave
Montebello, CA 90640
tel: [phone] (Catalog and information)
 800-423-FIVE orders only (outside California)
 800-521-MARK orders only (California residents)
fax: [phone]

More than 70 kits available including high-fidelity audio
products, laboratory equipment, power supplies, light
controllers, games and numerous miscellaneous projects.  Audio
amplifiers range from 6 to 300 watts.  Kit difficulty levels are
individually specified as beginner, intermediate or advanced.
VISA, MasterCard and American Express accepted.


M.A.S.  Enterprises
UHF Technik
104 King St South
St.  Jacobs ON N0B 2N0
Canada
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Four kits currently available: a 6-meter SSB transverter, 2-meter
foxhunting receiver, 24 cm FM TV transmitter, and a baseband
processor for the TV transmitter.  These kits are not intended for
beginners.  A catalog is forthcoming.  Prices range from $69 to
$198.  Owner: Manfred H.  Zielinsky, VE3ZIE.


Microcraft Corporation
P. O. Box 513
Thiensville, WI 53092
Tel: [phone]

Currently available kits: Morse-A-Word CW reader, RTTY Reader,
Morse-A-Keyer (CW keyboard keyer), Videoscan 1000 SSTV decoder,
Code*Star reader for CW, RTTY and ASCII.  Kit prices range from
$140 to $595.


Oak Hills Research
20879 Madison St
Big Rapids, MI 49307
tel: [phone]
 800-842-3748
fax: [phone]

Founded by Doug DeMaw, W1FB, and sold three years ago to Dick
Witzke, KE8KL.  Oak Hills Research has long been a source of QRP
kits and components.  Several new products are now being added to
the company's line.  Hours are weekdays from 8 am to 6 pm.  VISA
and MasterCard accepted.


Ocean State Electronics
PO Box 1458
6 Industrial Dr
Westerly, RI 02891
tel: [phone]
 800-866-6626 (orders only)
fax: [phone]

Kits appear on pages 56-61, 64 and 85 of Ocean State's 1993 catalog.
Included are a QRP transceiver, several receiver and robot kits,
a keyer and code practice oscillator, educational and training
kits and electronic test instruments.  VISA, MasterCard and COD
accepted; $10 minimum order.  Open weekdays 8 am to 5 pm EST,
Saturday 10 am to noon.  Frank Pellicano, WB1GTK, President.


Ramsey Electronics Inc.
793 Canning Parkway
Victor, NY 14564
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

A variety of kits ranging from complete amateur transceivers to
mini-kit type projects for under $10.  Products include VHF/UHF FM
transceivers, HF receivers, QRP transmitters, an active antenna,
a CW keyer, 20 watt amplifier for a QRP transmitter, shortwave
receiver, RDF kits and other projects.  Ramsey charges a flat rate
of $3.95 for shipping, insurance and handling.  Call or write for
a free catalog.


$equence Electronics
John Beech, G8SEQ
124 Belgrave Road
Coventry CV2 5BH
England

Monoband direct-conversion receiver and transmitter kits
available from 80 through 6 meters.  All parts, including a
diecast box and printed circuit board, are included.  A three-band
version is also available.  Other kits include a receive and
transmit converter from 10 to 6 meters and an FM transceiver for
50, 70 or 144 MHz.  All $equence kits are specified as
intermediate-level projects.


Ten-Tec, Inc., T-Kit division
1185 Dolly Parton Parkway
Seiverville, TN 37862-3710
Tel: [phone]
Orders: 1-800-833-7373
Fax: [phone]

Available kits include 9-Band Shortwave Receiver, 2 Meter Power
Amp (for HTs), 6 Meter Transverter, SWR Bridge/Wattmeter, RF Ground
Counterpoise, Dummy Load, Air-core Variable Capacitor, and many
more items.  A 2 Meter FM Transceiver is under development.  Write
for catalog.  Minimum order $15.


Townsend Electronics
PO 415
Pierceton, IN 46562
tel: [phone] (US Only)
 219-594-3661
fax: [phone]

Townsend Electronics carries kits by one of the largest kit
manufacturers in England:

 C.  M.  Howes Communications
 Eydon, Davantry,
 Northants NN11 6PT,
 England
 tel: [phone]

Townsend's 26-page catalog features receivers, transmitters and
transceivers.  Also included are such projects as a speech
processor, a VHF converter, a code-practice oscillator and a
digital frequency display.  All kits are engineered by Dave Howes,
G4KQH, a former BBC engineer, who founded C.  M.  Howes in 1983.
Townsend Electronics accepts VISA and Mastercard.  Amateurs
outside the United States may order kits from directly from C.  M.
Howes (Dave requests a couple of IRCs for overseas catalog
requests.)


Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR)
8987-309 East Tanque Verde Rd, No.  337
Tucson, AZ 85749
[phone] (voice mail)
[phone] (FAX)

TAPR is a nonprofit research and development corporation with
more than 1000 members wordwide.  It was founded in an attempt to
develop a low-cost Terminal Node Controller (TNC) kit.  This
effort resulted in the now famous TNC-1.  TAPR's second
development, the basis for most TNC's currently in use, is known
as the TAPR TNC- 2.  TAPR no longer provides complete TNC kits.
Instead, they have licensed several commercial manufacturers to
produce the TNC-2 design.  They still provide the TNC-2 circuit
board and associated EPROMs, EPROM codes, schematics and manuals.
Modems and related hardware are still available in kit form.  TAPR
also offers an extensive selection of associated software.
Catalog is available.


Truscott's Electronic World
Division of Shredall Pty.  Ltd
30 Lacey Street
Croydon, Victoria, 3136
Australia
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

Resells products and kits from Dick Smith, Altronics and Arista.
Several other kits also available.  Most kits are not for the
beginner and were featured projects in Amateur Radio Magazine,
the monthly publication of the Wireless Institute of Australia.
A catalog is now in the works and new kits are being added.


624 Kits
171 Springlake Dr
Spartanburg, SC 29302
tel: [phone] (days)
 803-583-1304 (after 6 pm)

624 Kits was founded several years ago by Pat Bunn, N4LTA.  The
name 624 was originally chosen because the company made kits for
the 6-, 2- and 420-MHz bands.  Even though they no longer make
VHF/UHF kits, the name remains.  Most of the products offered by
624 are QRP in nature and many appeared in QST.  Included are
numerous transmitters, receivers, W1FB projects, the Modified
Cubic Incher, the Neophyte Receiver and the Gary Breed, K9AY,
receiver kit.  Any kit can be returned for a full refund before
assembly.  All parts are 100% guaranteed and repair service is
also available.  Please include two units of First Class postage
when requesting a catalog.



Other sources of kits:


All Electronic Components
118-122 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
Australia
NOTE: SWL, Amateur, Test Equipment


Altronics
P.O.  Box 8350
Perth Mail Exchange
WA 6000
Australia
NOTE: Test Equipment, Power Supplies


Auskits
Amblecote Crescent
Mulgrave, VIC 3170
Australia
NOTE: Amateur, QRP


Dan's Small Parts and Kits
1935 South 3RD West #1
Missoula, MT 59801
Tel: [phone]
Note: Neophyte Rx, 40M Cub in., 20M Superhet, others.


Dick Smith Electronics
P.O.  Box 468
Greenwood, IN 46142
1-317-888-7265
Note: General kits


Digitrex Electronics
1005 Bloomer Road
Rochester, MI 48063
NOTE: VHF, QRP, Amateur


Eico Electronic Instruments Co., Inc.
363 Merrick Rd
Lynbrook NY 11563
Note: No current kits, EICO manuals and schematics only


Harlech Electronics
Noddfa, Lower Road
Harlech, Gwynedd LL46 2UB
England
NOTE: QRP, SWL


Hosfelt Electronics Inc.
2700 Sunset Boulevard
Steubenville, OH 43952
1-800-524-6464
Note: General interest kits


IDIOM Press
P.O.  Box 583
Deerfield, IL 60015
Note: CMOS Super-keyer II


John Beech
124 Belgrave Road
Wyken, Coventry CV2 5BH
England
NOTE: Amateur Transceiver


Maplin Electronic Supplies
PO Box 3
Rayleigh, Essex SS6 8LR
England


Mercury Systems
15 Lakeside Dr.
Marlton, NJ 08053
1-609-596-3304


MFJ
Box 494
Mississippi State MS 39762
601-323-5869
Note: SW receiver kit, QRP kits


NCG
1275 North Grove Street
Anaheim, CA 92806
NOTE: 15 m Mobile XCVR


Q-Sat
P.O.  Box 110
Boalsburg, PA 16827
NOTE: SWL Receiver


R & R Associates
3106 Glendon Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90034
NOTE: Amateur, QRP


S & S Engineering
14102 Brown Road
Smithsburg, MD 21783
Tel: [phone]
Note: ARK-40 QRP CW kit


Smith Enterprises
408 East Mauna Loa
Glendora, CA 91740
NOTE: QRP


Steward Electronics Components Pty
P.O.  Box 281
Oakleigh, VIC 3166
Australia
NOTE: Amateur


Tejas RF Technology
P.O.  Box 720331
Houston, TX 77272-0331
NOTE: Backpacker II, other Amateur kits

NOTE: The ARRL does not warrant any of the manufacturers listed above,
or their products.  Addresses subject to change without notice.