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HillTopper TallBoy

HillTopper TallBoy

Kitted and Offered For Sale By
The Four State QRP Group

Designed by Dave Benson, K1SWL
and Jim Giammanco, N5IB

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Dave Benson K1SWL, founder of the renowned Small Wonder Labs, listened to you and has designed a version of his winning Hilltopper design than you can build for the band of your choice (40 through 15 Meters).   Four State QRP Group is honored to have been selected to kit this transceiver, and has added some extra features, notably an LCD digital display and an XIT function.   The Hilltopper is a high performance CW transceiver.   It is the perfect solution to your portable operation needs - small, lightweight, wide full-band frequency coverage and low current drain, extending the life of your portable power source.   The receiver is adapted from K1SWL’s SW+ Series with minor modifications.   The front-end circuitry was revised to replace the now-vanished 10.7 MHz IF transformers.   The receiver output is suitable for headphone use.

The transmitter strip is a proven design using three BS170 transistors for the PA.   The frequency source for both transmitting and receiving is a DDS VFO employing a Si5351 PLL module.   Control for the rig is provided by an Atmel ATmega328P.   This runs both the frequency control and the full-featured CW keyer.

A custom silk-screened PCB enclosure is included with the kit.   No drilling or cutting required!

There are two pre-installed SMT ICs on the board, but the remaining parts are ALL THROUGH HOLE, and with the exception of one rear panel toggle switch, all other controls, jacks and connectors are board mounted, the combination making this kit very easy to assemble.

The new Hilltopper TallBoy can be customized to flash your callsign and your name on the display at each power up. The name and call sign each have an eight character limit. The feature is turned off by default.
Contact the Kitter via email if you would like this feature enabled. Once programmed, the name and callsign cannot be changed, but a hardware mod (add a grounding jumper) can disable it

Clubs and Groups Please Note!  Group discounts are available, 5 kit minimum order required.

Specifications and Design Features
General
Transceiver: Full-function CW
VFO: Si5351 PLL
Frequency Range: Full coverage on one chosen band
Frequency Readout: 2-line x 8-character LCD display, or audio Morse
Tuning: 10 kHz / 1 kHz / 100 Hz / 20 Hz steps
Reverse Voltage Protection: Series Schottky diode protection
Single Bander: Choose 40 m, 30 m, 20 m, 17 m, or 15 m
Size: (includes knobs) 4 1/2"W, 4 1/8"D, 2 1/2" H, and weighs ~ 12 oz
Power Supply: 12 volt battery or bench supply, up to 13.8 V, 5.5x2.1 mm plug
Current requirements Receive: Approximately 80 ma, Transmit: < 700 ma.
Keying: Iambic keyer, speed control via panel knob, or Straight Key
Documentation
Schematics
BOM Sorted by Bag Number
BOM Sorted by Part Value
Combo Manual rev16 v8r68 ed-N5IB
LCD Hilltopper v8r50 Software
Parts Placement and PCB Images
Assorted Build Photos
Hilltopper Support Group (including Tallboy)
Receiver
Type: Single-conversion superhet, 5.185MHz IF
Sensitivity: Minimum Discernible Signal (MDS) -118 dBm.
Mixer: SA612AD 8-pin SOIC-8 IC (pre-installed)
Current Req'd: 80 mA
QSK: Full QSK.
Audio: Headphones 3.5mm (1/8") stereo jack
Transmitter
Power Output: ~5 Watts
Final Amp: 3 x BS170 MOSFETS
Spectral Purity: All harmonics and spurs are 50dB
or more below the carrier.
Current Req'd: < 700 ma.

Posted with permission

Electronics 2000's Capacitor Identification Page
Electronics 2000's Resistor Code Graphic Calculator
Ordering Information:
• The cost of this kit
• The shipping cost of this kit

 
DX Buyers, check HamRadioLand for availability.

Note to Canadian Purchasers:
 Due to high bank processing fees,
 we can no longer accept Canadian Money Orders.

 
•  If paying by check or money order (U.S. $ only),
 please make it out to "Four State QRP Group" for the
 indicated cost of each kit purchased.
 Do not forget to specify the Operating Band for the radio.
 Then mail your order to:


 Four State QRP Group
 Johnny Matlock ACØBQ
 379 23rd Road
 Lebo, Ks 66856
 
To Make Your Purchase
First Select an Operating Band

 

 
The HillTopper TallBoy is carefully kitted and shipped by Jim Pruitt, WA7DUY
Please direct shipping, kit, and part related questions to Jim Pruitt
 
All proceeds are applied toward funding OzarkCon.
Thank you for supporting The Four State QRP Group.
 
 
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