Blast from the past! I just bought a Rockmite kit from OfferUP and is inspired to add the step-up 12v and lithium ion battery with charger to the Rockmite and other builds too....thanks Adam from the past!
This must have been one of your earliest videos Adam... An evil genius, learning CW, and ‘“Frankenstchtiening” a poor little rockmite. Even the telescopic whip, makes the beast look scary. But “it’s alive, alive!” “Why be ‘normal’.” ([Young Frankenstein). i enjoyed the video... You’d make Steve Weber proud! 72! de KD7UXQ Rand dit dit
A few years later, I have finally gotten around to using this. I actually just disassembled the kit - the step up voltage converter was just too noisy. Check out the second half of this video for a SOTA activation with the Rockmite... th-cam.com/video/HNBwX0CiTXs/w-d-xo.html
Great video. Nicely packaged little kit there. Please follow up with a video on how you get on with it on a SOTA activation. Keep up the good work. 73 Dan (M0TGN)
These step-up transformers, USB charge modules and the like have really been a quantum leap for we builders. I really like your iteration of this kit. I hope to hear you on the air--if I happen to be within a block of your station, hi. DE W0XO
Very good ideas combining several individual components to make a nice portable QRP rig. Each time I a make a contact with my Rockmite, it's exciting. When condx are good the RM will pleasantly surprise you, I've made many 1000mi/watt contacts before. Send me a PM and I'll be happy to try RM to RM contact when your ready to get on the air. 73 John/W5CYF
Very very cool video Adam; thanks for sharing your work with us. Don't let anyone discourage you from experimenting; we're amateurs not professionals and I was able to get a true appreciation of your efforts from this video. The video doesn't have to be perfect! There are some really nice, small, portable amplified speakers out there that would help with the low volume on the rig. Here's one of the ones I use with my YouKits HB1B www.ebay.ca/itm/161475448278?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 Can't wait to see your next video! 72 de VA3YG Brent
Thanks for the feedback, Burt. The rockmite does produce receive audio, though it's not as loud as the sidetone. Looking at the circuit diagram, I see the sidetone doesn't go through the LM1458 audio amp, so it's possible that I either have a damaged LM1458 or a problem with the trim pot I used in place of R8. I'll be checking those both to see if there's an issue that needs to be resolved. Perhaps you disagree, but I'd rather build my skills sending and receiving before fumbling through a CW QSO that ends up being painful for both parties involved. Assembling kit and a few pre-built modules into a fun little device is (fortunately) a skill unrelated to being able to actually use it. I'll get there though. And now that I've got this to practice with and listen and copy code on, my learning will be accelerated.
Vector511c I don't disagree about waiting to get on the air but producing a video before both it and you are ready I do have an issue with. Your technical talent is admirable.
+burt2481 Burt could've been a bit more diplomatic, but we hams are somewhat notorious for our perhaps stunted social skills. Vector, I can't say enough--the screw contacts for the TouchKeyer, the package--it's all excellent. Remember this--if you can't do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly. An adage that hardly applies to you, however, but perhaps your burgeoning CW skills. Hang in there and do it. My mother had to take over the key on my first QSO. I freaked out. But now I can work CW fairly well. Impressive video.
burt2481 Your comment is negative, non-constructive, and not in the ham spirit. We would all benefit from learning about your own talent through your specific suggestions on how to improve. Beginner here with true respect for teachers, not so much for judges. This was perhaps a waste of talent, not his. Please help us to learn by example.
Crazy to look back and see an Adam that doesn't know CW
Blast from the past! I just bought a Rockmite kit from OfferUP and is inspired to add the step-up 12v and lithium ion battery with charger to the Rockmite and other builds too....thanks Adam from the past!
Right? Who is that kid?
😆
Holy shnikeys! You are a mad genius! That touch key is a really smart idea! Now I've got to build one of these!!!
Sorry for the one-channel audio, I'll attempt to fix it and re-upload.
You did a great job with that radio. Like your mod putting into the Altoids tin as well!
Thanks! I like the current version in the Altoids tin even better. It's a fun little radio.
Where did you get the antenna, and what was it called, I couldnt make it out when you said it. ?
This must have been one of your earliest videos Adam... An evil genius, learning CW, and ‘“Frankenstchtiening” a poor little rockmite. Even the telescopic whip, makes the beast look scary. But “it’s alive, alive!” “Why be ‘normal’.” ([Young Frankenstein).
i enjoyed the video... You’d make Steve Weber proud!
72! de KD7UXQ Rand dit dit
Adam,
Great video and gives me some great ideas for the RM. Thanks for posting!
Have you made some QSO with it?
A few years later, I have finally gotten around to using this. I actually just disassembled the kit - the step up voltage converter was just too noisy. Check out the second half of this video for a SOTA activation with the Rockmite... th-cam.com/video/HNBwX0CiTXs/w-d-xo.html
Awesome kit! Do you have a link for the antenna shown and have any ideas on what end-fed you might add?
nice to put a metal between the keyer circuit and the rockmite circuit to isolate some of the unwanted noise when you transmit.
Great video. Nicely packaged little kit there. Please follow up with a video on how you get on with it on a SOTA activation. Keep up the good work.
73 Dan (M0TGN)
Nice job Adam. Great and clever to put together all neat circuits into one cool kit! Congrats. Hope to work You with my RM40...;)
Love the Video,great information, just wondering what is the model number of that MFJ Whip Antenna?
Pretty cool!
These step-up transformers, USB charge modules and the like have really been a quantum leap for we builders. I really like your iteration of this kit. I hope to hear you on the air--if I happen to be within a block of your station, hi.
DE W0XO
excellent - thanks
Check out LICW cub for all your Morse code training needs N2GSL
Really the spy design :-) 73!
Very good ideas combining several individual components to make a nice portable QRP rig. Each time I a make a contact with my Rockmite, it's exciting. When condx are good the RM will pleasantly surprise you, I've made many 1000mi/watt contacts before.
Send me a PM and I'll be happy to try RM to RM contact when your ready to get on the air.
73
John/W5CYF
Very very cool video Adam; thanks for sharing your work with us. Don't let anyone discourage you from experimenting; we're amateurs not professionals and I was able to get a true appreciation of your efforts from this video. The video doesn't have to be perfect!
There are some really nice, small, portable amplified speakers out there that would help with the low volume on the rig. Here's one of the ones I use with my YouKits HB1B www.ebay.ca/itm/161475448278?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649
Can't wait to see your next video!
72 de VA3YG Brent
Don't do a video unless you are ready to do it right, no audio on receive and you haven't any on air experience. A waste of your talent.
Thanks for the feedback, Burt.
The rockmite does produce receive audio, though it's not as loud as the sidetone. Looking at the circuit diagram, I see the sidetone doesn't go through the LM1458 audio amp, so it's possible that I either have a damaged LM1458 or a problem with the trim pot I used in place of R8. I'll be checking those both to see if there's an issue that needs to be resolved.
Perhaps you disagree, but I'd rather build my skills sending and receiving before fumbling through a CW QSO that ends up being painful for both parties involved. Assembling kit and a few pre-built modules into a fun little device is (fortunately) a skill unrelated to being able to actually use it. I'll get there though. And now that I've got this to practice with and listen and copy code on, my learning will be accelerated.
Vector511c I don't disagree about waiting to get on the air but producing a video before both it and you are ready I do have an issue with. Your technical talent is admirable.
+burt2481 Burt could've been a bit more diplomatic, but we hams are somewhat notorious for our perhaps stunted social skills. Vector, I can't say enough--the screw contacts for the TouchKeyer, the package--it's all excellent. Remember this--if you can't do something well, learn to enjoy doing it poorly. An adage that hardly applies to you, however, but perhaps your burgeoning CW skills. Hang in there and do it. My mother had to take over the key on my first QSO. I freaked out. But now I can work CW fairly well. Impressive video.
burt2481 Your comment is negative, non-constructive, and not in the ham spirit. We would all benefit from learning about your own talent through your specific suggestions on how to improve. Beginner here with true respect for teachers, not so much for judges. This was perhaps a waste of talent, not his. Please help us to learn by example.
What is the ham spirit saying hi hi, lying about reports in a contest?