HillTopper to TallBoy Upgrade

Kitted and Offered For Sale By
The Four State QRP Group

Designed by Dave Benson, K1SWL
and Jim Giammanco, N5IB

Hilltopper Upgrade Kit, Converts an original Hilltopper transceiver to a Hilltopper TallBoy transceiver

The popular Hilltopper monoband CW transceiver was recently re-released as the Hilltopper TallBoy.   The new version retained all of the hardware features of the original Hilltopper while adding a 2-line x 8-character digital LCD display as well as several new operating convenience features.

4SQRP is now pleased to offer an Upgrade Kit that will transform any of the original Hilltopper transceivers into a TallBoy version, with the added improvement of a 2-line x 16-character LCD display.

The Upgrade Kit consists of a new top cover to fit the 2x16 Display; new front, rear, and side panels; a new microprocessor chip programmed with the most recent firmware; a backlit 2x16 LCD display panel; and all the necessary hardware to complete the conversion.  The upgrade should take no more than a couple of hours on the workbench.  No cutting or drilling is required, just some unsoldering and re-soldering, and popping a new chip into its socket.

But wait, there's more....
The new front side panel supplied with the Upgrade Kit features, on its inner surface, the UNPOPULATED circuit board traces for capacitive sensor touch paddles, a circuit very similar to the paddles in 4SQRP's new "Mentho-Morse" keyer kit.  This surface mount circuit pattern IS NOT POPULATED nor are the parts for it included, but can be utilized by those comfortable with SMD assembly.  A parts list and instructions are available in the Hilltopper Support Group's Files archive.

IMPORTANT:

• When ordering an Upgrade Kit be sure to select the band which matches your existing transceiver.
• The new microprocessor chip must be programmed by 4SQRP's Kitter for your existing band of operation.
• The upgrade is NOT capable of changing the operating band of the radio.

• The new Hilltopper TallBoy firmware 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.