Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Meshing my world class MC1496 Direct Conversion Receiver (G-QRP SPRAT Issue 187) with the 2026 PNP Transistor CW QRP Transmitter you get a chance to experience the good old days of ham radio when hams were hams. This is a classic homegrown radio like was done before the rise of the appliance box operator who only contest and operate.
Two basic features of this homegrown rig should be observed. The first is the Direct Conversion Receiver and while simple in design packs a wallop in terms of performance. The second piece is the use of PNP switching transistors for the oscillator, the amp/driver stage and for the keying circuit. It is absolutely essential to use the W3NQN low pass filter on the output side to comply with the FCC regulations. Search the G-QRP website for details about these filters.
This project was totally engineered at the N6QW Newbury Park Laboratories. No kits involved! This project can be built for less than $100 yet provides a sophisticated rig that challenges the skill of the operator.
The bonus news is I have a CCI AN762 RF Amp and with about 300 milliwatts of drive on 40M, I get about 22 watts to the antenna. It is like having a Heathkit DX-20 on the operating position. A Reverse Beacon Network check with the Amp in line showed my signal being received across the USA. The furthest distance heard running the RF amp was 1800 miles on 7030 kHz at 6:30AM left coast time. Running barefoot at 300 milliwatts on 40M the distance was 600 miles.
This Integrated CW Station could form the basis of an excellent emergency radio station. Guess the ARRL did think about that when they eliminated CW as a license requirement.
The way it is designed all of the modules are screwed down to a wooden board purchased from Amazon and even includes the J-38 CW key. To operate just hook up the power supply, antenna, and speaker and/or headphones and you are on the air. Key down you draw about 400 milliamps from the power supply.
See the N6QW website n6qw.com/MC1496.html and the N6QW QRZ.com page for more info. The N6QW Blog has been neutered although the content has not been removed. The closing down of the blog has been a good thing for me. Them that know, survive!
73's
Pete N6QW
Meshing my world class MC1496 Direct Conversion Receiver (G-QRP SPRAT Issue 187) with the 2026 PNP Transistor CW QRP Transmitter you get a chance to experience the good old days of ham radio when hams were hams. This is a classic homegrown radio like was done before the rise of the appliance box operator who only contest and operate.
Two basic features of this homegrown rig should be observed. The first is the Direct Conversion Receiver and while simple in design packs a wallop in terms of performance. The second piece is the use of PNP switching transistors for the oscillator, the amp/driver stage and for the keying circuit. It is absolutely essential to use the W3NQN low pass filter on the output side to comply with the FCC regulations. Search the G-QRP website for details about these filters.
This project was totally engineered at the N6QW Newbury Park Laboratories. No kits involved! This project can be built for less than $100 yet provides a sophisticated rig that challenges the skill of the operator.
The bonus news is I have a CCI AN762 RF Amp and with about 300 milliwatts of drive on 40M, I get about 22 watts to the antenna. It is like having a Heathkit DX-20 on the operating position. A Reverse Beacon Network check with the Amp in line showed my signal being received across the USA. The furthest distance heard running the RF amp was 1800 miles on 7030 kHz at 6:30AM left coast time. Running barefoot at 300 milliwatts on 40M the distance was 600 miles.
This Integrated CW Station could form the basis of an excellent emergency radio station. Guess the ARRL did think about that when they eliminated CW as a license requirement.
The way it is designed all of the modules are screwed down to a wooden board purchased from Amazon and even includes the J-38 CW key. To operate just hook up the power supply, antenna, and speaker and/or headphones and you are on the air. Key down you draw about 400 milliamps from the power supply.
See the N6QW website n6qw.com/MC1496.html and the N6QW QRZ.com page for more info. The N6QW Blog has been neutered although the content has not been removed. The closing down of the blog has been a good thing for me. Them that know, survive!
73's
Pete N6QW
