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write your own review of the Emtech NW40.
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N2DTS
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Rating: 4/5
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Aug 6, 2007 17:05
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very nice
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I built one years ago, easy to build, worked very well, very small and light, even with a battery installed in the lid.
It has two possable drawbacks in my book, no built in antenna tuner (one would likely fit inside) and quite a bit of noise (hiss) from the chips. The filter works very well, the VFO is real nice.
Could actualy be a fantastic radio without the hiss.
Brett
N2DTS
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KB1HYR
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Rating: 5/5
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Aug 16, 2006 08:01
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Excellent radio
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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I built this radio a couple of years ago. It went together perfectly with no trouble, and took me about three evenings to build - but I'm meticulous. I'm lucky to have a good scope and I already had a freq-mite handy, so aligning the kit and adjusting the transformers was no trouble.
This radio is a solid performer. So solid, in fact, that on CW it does better than my much more expensive IC-718. It does one thing, and it does it well. I highly recommend this XCVR!
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KG6TAG
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 30, 2004 16:06
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Great performer, Great value
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Time owned: 3 to 6 months
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Hi,
= Favorite Features of the Emtech QRP radios =:
1. Variable Bandwidth Tuning (VBT) - I love this. It works very nicely with little to no ringing and goes down to about 200 Hz if memory serves.
2. Sensitive receiver - see my report below.
3. Audio filter - This is a very narrow audio filter on its own and complements the VBT nicely. Very little ringing.
4. RIT - Some people report that the RIT on this radio tunes much too broadly. I strongly disagree with that position and think it is just about right. Make sure however that you mark the "center +/-0 " position on the RIT control so you can easily return there.
= Order / Assembly =
I ordered my NW40 with the optional audio filter and received the kit a week or so later in February 2004. Upon inventory, I found that it was missing a couple of parts -- no problem. A call to Scott and they were in the mail the next day.
I was a bit slower than the average tech because this was my first "real" kit in about 20 years. However, I found that assembly was relatively straight forward and the documentation and step-by-step test process was very well done. All told, it probably took me 15-20 hours of assembly time, not including the metal chassis work.
Everything went together exactly as specified except, for some strange reason, I get better passband response through the crystal filters when I tune the slugs for the opposite sideband for which it was designed. [Now, after two more kits since the Emtech, I suspect that I may have soldered one of the crystals too close to the board. But, I have yet to follow that up because the radio is working so nicely and I don't want to mess with a good thing].
You can read more about my assembly experiences at:
http://emtech.steadynet.com/forum/bforum.mv?module=view&viewid=292.00000&mode=all&row=&username=&password=
= Performance =
== Receiver ==
My other radio is an Argonaut 509 which has a nice receiver but with a very wide IF bandwidth (~2.6 kHz).
Subjectively (using a A/B test with an antenna switch), I find that the NW40 receiver is just as sensitive as the Argonaut receiver, when I have the NW40 Variable Bandwidth Tuning set to my 'normal' operating level of about ~1 kHz.
The combination of the VBT, the audio filter, and the _lack_ of AGC is exceptional. It allows me to pick out CW signals that my Argonaut would hide from me. This is my primary radio for CW operations on 40 m.
== Speaker ==
I built in a small speaker in the cabinet and the radio has the output to drive it for room filling (read: wife annoying :-) volume.
== Keyer ==
This radio does not come with a built-in keyer, so I integrated Steve Weber's(KD1JV) "Frankenkeyer" http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/frankinkeyer.HTM to good effect and got a keyer and Morse read-out frequency counter for $25. Visit a follow-up that I posted to the URL above to learn how I integrated that board.
== Transmitter ==
The transmitter will put out about 7 watts, but I have it adjusted to about 4 watts. Transmit reports are clean - even when running from a $12, regulated switcher wall wart putting out 1.25 amps.
QSK is quite acceptable, but not "in-between dit" fast like the Ten Tec.
= Enclosure =
I put it in a Jameco enclosure: http://www.jameco.com/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=91&prrfnbr=355614&cgrfnbr=788&ctgys=503;529;788; where it makes a nice system.
This is by no means a backpack portable solution, but it does fit nicely in the stack with my other toys. It could certainly be put in a more compact enclosure.
= Summary =
The NW40 is sort of in a class of its own. It is not a miniature backpacking rig, but then the performance and features from the NW40 are much better than those rigs in the same price bracket. Assembly was easy, support and response from Emtech was excellent, and performance is superb. I recommend this radio to anyone.
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AB7UW-MONTANA
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Rating: 5/5
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Apr 14, 2004 19:18
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Excellent rig!
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Time owned: 6 to 12 months
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I have been using this rig for about 7 months now and cant say enough about it. has built in filter as well as RIT control. It puts out a rock stable 5 watts and a gell cell battery can power it all day and night without recharging. A fantastic qrp radio! Keep it up Emtech! Vaughn-N1XV
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K8WIW
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Rating: 5/5
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Jun 5, 2003 17:12
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What a hoot!
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Time owned: more than 12 months
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Most of the comments regarding the NW-30 can be applied to the NW-40. As a builder I really appreciated the "test as you build" approach that the instructions indicate. There is a lot to like about this rig. It has a "real" dial that you can check your frequency and tunes 7.000 to 7.200 kc. The AF filter is great! The receiver is really hot with low noise. With my Carolina Windom and Emtech tuner I have no problems making contacts. It tunes in SSB signals with good audio quality. I had a cross mode contact with a SSB station. Construction is relatively easy. My hands shake from the medications I take yet I was able to solder all the parts in and come up with the rig working on the first attempt. If you want to put some fun back in your life, try one of these little rigs. 73s
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