My most ambitious kit to date.  The Hendricks PFR-3 is a 3 band (40, 30, 20) 5 watt CW radio.  It includes a balanced line tuner (BLT) as well as internal batteries.  The kit is about the size of a hardback book.  I completed the build at the beginning of October 2009.  I have made over a dozen contacts so far and love this radio.  It is easy to use and just plain fun.  I have gotten several nice comments about how the radio sounds and the majority are surprised that it is a kit.

Initially I was only getting 5 watts out on 20 meters, 4 watts on 40, and 2 on 30 meters.  But thanks to the designer and the Yahoo Group I was able to get tips on how to tweak the coils to get the full 5 watts.  Most of my problem was lack of experience building kits.  The other main issue was that I was not very careful about the input voltage.  As the manual says the power out is directly related to the DC voltage IN.  Once I got a stable 12 volts into the radio I was able to move the coils enough to get 5 watts on all three bands.  Earlier I was trying to adjust it with anywhere from 10-11 volts in. 

The next step in this process is to come up with a good portable antenna.  So far I am trying the following with my greatest success coming from the dipole:

  - 67' long wire with a 28' counterpoise.

  - 40 meter dipole made from speaker wire and fed with 15' of tiny coax.

  - Norcal Doublet.

My prayer group is going camping from Nov 6-7, 2009.  We will be setting up in the Sipsey Wilderness in Northern Alabama (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipsey_Wilderness).  I think the elevation is only about 800' but since Memphis is 300' I am hoping to get a better signal out.  If you hear me, please give me a call!  I will create a special QSL photo to send to all my contacts. 

* Note: Had a great trip.  Heard several stations but only made one contact with K5IRH.  Did not have as much time to operate as I hoped but still had a great time!