tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post8301288845715364777..comments2024-03-27T18:30:37.287-05:00Comments on AE5X: Thoughts on the Penntek TR-35 QRP transceiver kitJohn AE5Xhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-86561404490266264092022-11-19T12:08:58.552-06:002022-11-19T12:08:58.552-06:00Thanks Dan - I hope you like the TR-35. To me, it&...Thanks Dan - I hope you like the TR-35. To me, it's definitely a keeper.<br /><br />I don't think there is a Group.io for the TR-35 but that's a great idea and could include all the Penntek rigs/kits. I'll suggest it to John WA3RNC and see if he wants to start one. If not, someone else could but he should probably get first dibs on it, although from what I hear, he's pretty John AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-307658979763575682022-11-19T11:51:28.234-06:002022-11-19T11:51:28.234-06:00Forgot to add name and call...Forgot to add name and call...Dan NM3Anoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-7516078818221075282022-11-19T11:50:21.652-06:002022-11-19T11:50:21.652-06:00John,
Great review! After playing with a friend...John,<br />Great review! After playing with a friend's, I ordered a kit. Got some questions about mods. First, Is this the only discussion site about the TR35? Groups.io?<br />1. Stereo mod- would a resistor instead of a wire protect the audio amp? Would it make the output too low?<br />2. Any thoughts on a permanent 'key' like a small SM switch built in? Would make tuning easier andAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-79707181715808790972022-07-27T08:26:10.065-05:002022-07-27T08:26:10.065-05:00Thanks Gary. I haven't tested the TR-35's ...Thanks Gary. I haven't tested the TR-35's response to SWR's of worse than 1.8:1 or so. John WA3RNC is very responsive to questions and would probably be happy to provide details on the topic. I'm a bit of a paranoid when it comes to high SWR and go out of my way to make sure whatever rig I use is happily matched to the antenna. And I've only used batteries to power mine - John AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-58894795573597442662022-07-25T23:58:08.077-05:002022-07-25T23:58:08.077-05:00Your review is refreshingly thorough and helpful, ...Your review is refreshingly thorough and helpful, John! My interest is base QRP. The lure of new ones with 100W from home has faded, In my youth I loved QRP, so likely will buy TR-35 or similar rig. Is the TR-35 quite sensitive to VSWR? Say to 1.8-2.2? I've used internal rig ATs for so long I don't have one now. Not a biggee, just curious. Will of course build an AT if needed. Gary, NM7Gnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-39632593120330240562022-06-13T12:25:46.321-05:002022-06-13T12:25:46.321-05:00No, I had two already on hand from other projects ...No, I had two already on hand from other projects - no idea where I originally got them. FWIW, mine measures 35mm diameter (1-3/8 inches) and is the perfect size. Mouser lets you search for knobs by diameter and other factors, so you should be able to find one close to that size. Anything bigger will begin to cover the "SIG" LED.John AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-8915578010815375202022-06-13T10:08:53.606-05:002022-06-13T10:08:53.606-05:00John, Did you purchase your larger tuning knob fr...John, Did you purchase your larger tuning knob from OEP? I messaged them and received this reply— Unfortunately we do not sell a few knobs to customers. We sell to OEMs and our minimums are in the 1,000s. Please try Mouser or Small Bear.<br /> I have looked at Mousers website with no joy. Do you have a link for buying onesies twosies ? The knobs would be perfect for other toys in the shack KA3BWPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-12589870900559071612022-06-08T07:08:47.414-05:002022-06-08T07:08:47.414-05:00New upgrades to the software of the TR-35 now allo...New upgrades to the software of the TR-35 now allow for two CW memories.<br /><br />73<br />Don kb3drwAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-19617964485214492202022-04-25T12:20:56.406-05:002022-04-25T12:20:56.406-05:00Hi Dave - my problem with Pelican (and similar) ca...Hi Dave - my problem with Pelican (and similar) cases is that I keep changing what I want to carry...so, what at first seemed the ideal case, now becomes too big, small or incompatible with what I later decide to include with a rig. They are nice though and offer the best protection available.<br /><br />73,<br />JohnJohn AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-75176957428142842212022-04-24T12:11:32.667-05:002022-04-24T12:11:32.667-05:00John, I put my TR-35 in a small Pelican case. I mi...John, I put my TR-35 in a small Pelican case. I might put a small piece of foam on top of it but I'm not sure it is necessary. The small Pelican cases are not very expensive, either.<br /><br />There's room inside for a couple of doodads, too. <br /><br />The Elecraft T1 is a nice addition to the radio and complements it nicely. In fact, I'm thinking about taking this rig out today Dave AG7TXhttp://randomruminations.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-78554449414415203312022-04-04T10:06:50.270-05:002022-04-04T10:06:50.270-05:00Ergonomics of radios should be rated right up ther...Ergonomics of radios should be rated right up there with rx specs, IMO. Enjoy!<br /><br />73,<br />JohnJohn AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-15096454034115545272022-04-04T09:47:51.382-05:002022-04-04T09:47:51.382-05:00John - I acquired a larger knob and it is THE BEST...John - I acquired a larger knob and it is THE BEST modification - makes navigating the bands so much easier. Thanks!C.L. Stearnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00128600238236715821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-66270265300928265852022-03-27T14:56:29.530-05:002022-03-27T14:56:29.530-05:00Thanks!Thanks!C.L. Stearnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00128600238236715821noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-45080051812666853592022-03-26T20:57:07.938-05:002022-03-26T20:57:07.938-05:00Hi Chuck,
It is part number 41004-4:
https://www....Hi Chuck,<br /><br />It is part number 41004-4:<br />https://www.oep.com/Products/TuningKnobs/tuningknobs1.aspx<br /><br />Amazon or Mouser probably have many similar that would work (25 to 30mm diameter).<br /><br />73,<br />JohnJohn AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-8970854982146193382022-03-26T19:38:27.115-05:002022-03-26T19:38:27.115-05:00Hey John AE5X, thanks for the write-up! I pulled t...Hey John AE5X, thanks for the write-up! I pulled the trigger on a TR-35 just the other day. I really like your larger-knob upgrade, and have tried to find the knob you used (since it matches), but I’ve been unable to locate it. Would you mind sharing a link or a part number?<br /><br />73,<br />Chuck KI5JUBAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-35306336579154020102022-03-25T07:54:42.465-05:002022-03-25T07:54:42.465-05:00By the way, my TR 35 displays reverse display illu...By the way, my TR 35 displays reverse display illumination as long as you hold the band switch up in the memory write position. Don't know if he rewrote that feature in the chip he sent me or not.<br /><br />Vic<br /><br />WA0USAAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16067628901418205908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-19494004436809009152022-03-25T07:51:04.731-05:002022-03-25T07:51:04.731-05:00Thanks for the info, Vic. Maybe that explains why ...Thanks for the info, Vic. Maybe that explains why I never heard the hum - I've only used a battery to power my TR-35, never a PS. Like you, I also have an Astron (35M). I'll try it out on that supply but don't think my rig will ever see any real use other than from batteries. In fact, I need to buy a smaller one - the 12AH one I have is overkill for QRP rigs.<br /><br />Thanks again John AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-18814711466714433962022-03-25T07:43:27.392-05:002022-03-25T07:43:27.392-05:00Hi John: I noticed the 90 hZ hum when changing pow...Hi John: I noticed the 90 hZ hum when changing power supplies with no antenna on the rig. I thought it was the different supply that I had switched to, a 3.5 A computer style supply. I started out with an Astron RS 70m that I use to power my HF rigs. I never heard the hum with an antenna attached and would not have worried about it until I received a note from John saying that the condition Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16067628901418205908noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-72141786504592546012022-03-21T20:52:15.759-05:002022-03-21T20:52:15.759-05:00Hi Vic - it's good to know that John is respon...Hi Vic - it's good to know that John is responsive to issues (or even requests) on firmware updates and changes. I've heard from a few other owners regarding the noisy IC mod...maybe a bad batch affecting only some of the kits? I guess if you need to make the mod, it's obvious? I must have lucked out. Thomas K4SWL mentioned the need in his pre-built kit as well.<br /><br />73,<br />John AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-2286941048865423302022-03-21T19:22:57.748-05:002022-03-21T19:22:57.748-05:00I built the kit and did the noisy IC mod.I love th...I built the kit and did the noisy IC mod.I love the radio. Worked 42 DXCC entities in the ARRL DXCCcontest 40m SO QRP. The rig was right at home in KW alley. Handled the strong signals with aplomb. My reference rigs are Orion II and FT 1kD for contesting. I would say the 400 hZ figure on narrow is about right but I find "wide" perfect for getting an idea of band condition. I contacted Vic Kieffer WA0USAnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-82223059599752037122022-03-15T14:32:12.131-05:002022-03-15T14:32:12.131-05:00FB Dave - it looks to be well on its way to becomi...FB Dave - it looks to be well on its way to becoming a very popular rig/kit.<br /><br />73,<br />JohnJohn AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-72000721749730816192022-03-15T14:31:00.241-05:002022-03-15T14:31:00.241-05:00I know what you mean - I have a 20m QCX-mini waiti...I know what you mean - I have a 20m QCX-mini waiting to be built but with the TR-35 on-hand, it may be a very long while before I can justify the effort to build it only to do 1/4th of what the TR-35 is already doing (although the QCX series have WSPR capability).<br /><br />73,<br />JohnJohn AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-2497730096307547392022-03-14T15:09:55.917-05:002022-03-14T15:09:55.917-05:00Thank you John, I just ordered me one.
Dave KN4OK...Thank you John, I just ordered me one.<br /><br />Dave KN4OK Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06502394096476615785noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-4093303390726093032022-03-06T20:54:20.790-06:002022-03-06T20:54:20.790-06:00Thank you for this review; I've decided the TR...Thank you for this review; I've decided the TR-35 is the next radio for me. I've built a 40m QCX+ and a 20m QCX mini, and I've enjoyed them, especially the mini. However, I don't want a bunch of QCXs to cover 4 bands. I also like the no-menu philosophy and the smooth tuning on the TR-35, so I'm glad to see that it works as good as I hoped.Greg Grahamhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11290074804358990591noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1142737426092510126.post-12001365847499594452022-02-23T14:54:22.194-06:002022-02-23T14:54:22.194-06:00Jeff, I was doing the same thing but then read of ...Jeff, I was doing the same thing but then read of the parts availability affecting the further development of the TR-45 and decided then to get the TR-35. I really like the look of the '45 and hope to have one eventually. But the TR-35 has the four bands that I use the most.<br /><br />I just played with the rig a bit in today's CW Sprint and will post a short video of the rig in action John AE5Xhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06884676867006975179noreply@blogger.com