SW40 Alternative?

[KD8PMK]

Hello all,

I had planned to build a Small Wonders SW40, but held off ordering till now.  When I went to order one it appears that he has discontinued these.   So now what?  I am exploring the idea of building a RockMite40 and adding a Texas Helper 5W amp to it.  However it would have been nice to have the VXO of the SW kit.

What do you guys thing?  I have seen a few other similar kits out there but none of them have gotten the same good reviews as the SW+ transceivers.  So should I go the RockMite route or wait and see how long it takes Small Wonders to put out the replacement for the SW+ series?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Dave

[K6TTE]

Have you looked at a NorCal 40a?  It's a nice kit and QRP Bob at Wilderness Radio provides great support.

http://www.fix.net/~jparker/wilderness/nc40a.htm

[WB6BYU]

We ordered boards for the 40-40 transceiver (forerunner of the SW-40 series) from FAR Circuits
and stuffed them with parts from our junkbox.  They work great.  Not quite the latest version
of the SW40+, but very good performance.

[N2LK]

WOW! I just finished 2 of his SW kits in Feb...just got in under the wire. I found them very very easy to build for a newbie, and easier to alighn. Not sure what he can do to make them easier.

However, with no kind of AGC I find the receiver to be tough with strong signals on 40 meters. Will blow your ears out with headphones, which is all I use anyway.

I just finished a OHR100A for 20 Meters and it is very, very nice. Has some really nice audio features and a pleasure to listen too. Does drift a bit on power up, while the SWL is rock solid, but not a big deal.

My recommendation is the OHR unit till Dave at SWL comes out with his new design.

Cant go wrong with either mfc...

[VE3GNU]

Dave----I second the suggestion of the Wilderness NC-40A---a wonderful monoband kit with clear and easy-to-understand instructions---fantastic receiver with narrow bandpass!
As well, consider the Ten Tec 1340 Kit---more parts, bigger and heavier, more challenging to build, but a 'hot' receiver with wonderful QSK.
Also have the OHR-100A for 20m---more features, easier to build than the TT, but with a more spacious board.
GL with your choice.
Ernie  VE3GNU

[WB0FDJ]

Just a clarifying point. This information comes from Daves website:

"Effective 28 March 2012, I have halted sales of the popular SW+ series.  It will be undergoing a ‘facelift’ for improved ease of construction and alignment."

So apparently the good news is that this series will return at some time. Having built two of these I can't imagine how he can make them better or "easier" but I'm looking forward to the next iteration.

72 de WB0FDJ Doc

[WB8YYY]

While the rockmite and similar rigs are cute, nothing beats having an xtal CW filter and a VFO -- literally more valuable the transmitter power. 
If portable operating is your thing - also look at the SST.  While VXO based, it has enough frequency range to make QSO's. 
I can't imagine Dave will have a new SW-series out by end of summer - not that I haven't been wrong before (but its my reading between the lines of his message). 
The TT-1340 is a real pain (or adventure at least) - so I do not highly recommend it unless you want to work hard to get it working well. 
If you have a little more money to spend - check out qrpkits.com.  I have a PFR-3 which I really like. 
Shop carefully, read reviews, ask questions - and don't wait until never to get a portable-worthy QRP rig. 

[AD6KA]

So should I go the RockMite route or wait and see how long it takes Small Wonders to put out the replacement for the SW+ series?

No.
I wouldn't hold my breath for a "new improved SW40+".

I'm still waiting for the "new and improved PSK Series Rigs"
that were promised when they were discontinued, what,
over a year ago now?

I have an SW40+ I finished a few weeks ago, works FB
if you're interested. (I got side tracked with another project).
It's setup for 30 KHz in the Novice Band, but changing
one cap and maybe squeezing a few turns on L1 will put it
wherever you want it to be.

My email is gud at QRZ.com.
73, Ken  AD6KA

[VE3WMB]

One option could be the NADC 40 sold by Hendricks QRP.  This is a KD1JV design.
The board kit is a bit more expensive than the SW40+ ($75 vs $55) but you can also opt for the enclosure and the digital dial or just put it in your own box. 

The Wilderness NC40A is a good choice but it is a bit more expensive .. very nice rig though !
If you don't mind spending a bit more $$ I would opt for the NC40A.

Michael VE3WMB

Hello all,

I had planned to build a Small Wonders SW40, but held off ordering till now.  When I went to order one it appears that he has discontinued these.   So now what?  I am exploring the idea of building a RockMite40 and adding a Texas Helper 5W amp to it.  However it would have been nice to have the VXO of the SW kit.

What do you guys thing?  I have seen a few other similar kits out there but none of them have gotten the same good reviews as the SW+ transceivers.  So should I go the RockMite route or wait and see how long it takes Small Wonders to put out the replacement for the SW+ series?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Dave

[N4OI]

How about a resurrected DSW-II series?  Man, I love those little boxes!

73 ES GOD BLESS U ES URS DE KEN