QRZ! Ham Radio 1/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - December 1993.iso/arrl/kits

Text File | 1993-11-21 | 19KB | 612 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  (203)  666-1541.
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.

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(email: [e-mail]).




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.


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.


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)
PO Box 12925
Tucson, AZ 85732
tel: [phone]
fax: [phone]

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


Penntek Electronics
14 Peace Dr.
Lewistown, PA 17044
1-717-248-2507
Note: The Neophyte Receiver, QST


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.