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Author Topic: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander  (Read 600 times)

K4EMF

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Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« on: November 05, 2021, 02:36:17 PM »

I looked through the reviews without finding anything on it.
Any first hand experiences with the company in general or the KD1JV Tri-Bander and or the (currently out of stock) PFR-3B tri band CW radio?

I'm currently comparing the above with the Venus SW-3B, any and all comments and accounts good or bad welcome.
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N6MST

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2021, 03:10:00 PM »

I looked through the reviews without finding anything on it.
Any first hand experiences with the company in general or the KD1JV Tri-Bander and or the (currently out of stock) PFR-3B tri band CW radio?

I'm currently comparing the above with the Venus SW-3B, any and all comments and accounts good or bad welcome.

I just finished building a Tri Bander a couple months ago. It was easy enough, the components on the board are spaced out enough. Make sure you install the bail on the enclosure before you put the PCB in and wire it all up.

One thing to note is that the owners of qrpkits.com are not very speedy with email replies. They have ALWAYS responded to my emails but sometimes it takes a few days.

A friend of mine is in the middle of a PFR-3A build and has gotten the receive side done. It sounds great and I suspect the rest of the build will go well and he will have a great travel radio for SOTA/POTA/camping/etc.
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K6SDW

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2021, 04:59:06 PM »

I've looked at KD1JV kits, but then a ham friend reminds of the flood of Chinese rigs on the market....some getting really good reviews, such as the Xeigu rigs.

I've built a couple of the simple, cheap QRPkits test kits and excellent stuff, great online manuals.

GL/73
« Last Edit: November 05, 2021, 05:01:43 PM by K6SDW »
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KL7CW

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2021, 04:44:22 PM »

Some years ago, I built a PFR3A for an "elderly" friend.  It was an easy build for me and I was about 75 at the time.  The directions were clear and there was plenty of space.  The 3A had pushbutton tune with the option of input of frequency with a paddle. I believe the 3B has a tune knob.  I found it easy to master the operation and even operated a contest with the paddle input and the button tune.  My friend could not master the rig, so donated it back to me.  It would make a good portable rig with very good performance for the price if you can adjust to a few "minor" quirks.  The size and weight is a bit much for serious long back pack trips, however it puts out a full 5 watts on all 3 bands with internal batteries and the internal manual antenna tuner can match "almost anything reasonable" unlike most in rig ATU's.  The tuner is also a bit "fussy" to adjust at first, but is easy to master.  There is even room inside, so I made some modifications, not necessary but I am a ham and enjoy "butchering" any perfectly satisfactory radio.  KD1JV has some very good designs for the price.  I did find a few parts missing, but simply supplied them from my junk box.  I do not own a Tri-Bander, but suspect it is a good design.          Rick  KL7CW
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K4EMF

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #5 on: November 13, 2021, 11:21:19 AM »

I ordered a Venus SW-3B, costs less and it's already assembled. I also ordered the 50W PA from QRP Labs, it will be my first kit. It's my intention to modify it for use on all three bands the SW-3B covers.
According to QRP Labs anyway that should be relatively simple.
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K3UIM

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #6 on: November 13, 2021, 02:58:27 PM »

After a "vacation" of about 25 years, I wanted to get back into the saddle so ordered a Tri-Bander from Pacific Antenna.
It took me, working part time on it, about a week and, having no test equipment at the time, had a ham friend "tune it up".
It performs well and I'm really pleased with it. I, for one, highly recommend the kits from PA.
Charlie
 
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

K3UIM

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2021, 04:07:20 PM »

EMF: https://www.qrpkits.com/tribander.html Anything you'll need
Charlie
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Charlie. K3UIM
Where you are: I was!
Where I am: You will be!
So be nice to us old fogies!!

KG9H

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2021, 10:34:04 AM »

I have had one for years, but have not used it as of late.  Mine is an odd one, 40/80/30.  Works very well!  de KG9H
Just found the power meter, 10Watts on 3.560, 8 watts on 7.030 and 10 watts on 30 meters.  Receiver is very sensitive, .02uV

(might be interested in trading or selling it) de KG9H
« Last Edit: December 01, 2021, 10:36:36 AM by KG9H »
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US7IGN

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Re: Pacific Antenna KD1JV Tri-Bander
« Reply #9 on: December 01, 2021, 11:03:34 AM »

I have repeated this design, including a modification with a tuner. Very good parameters with low cost and simplicity. It cost me no more than 50 bucks.

https://uarl.info/forum/index.php?topic=131.0

https://uarl.info/forum/index.php?topic=162.0
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