February 12, 2012

KN-Q7A Single Band SSB Transceiver Kit - Step 4: RX IF Amplifier

This is the 7th article in our series on building the KN-Q7A Single Band 40m SSB Transceiver Kit. In our prior article, we completed the Detector / Double Sided Band Modulator. In this article we proceed with building step 4: RX IF Amplifier.

We followed the instructions and installed the parts without incident. 

KN-Q7A build through Step 4: RX IF Amplifier
The function test involved confirming that audio increases or decreases relative to changing the potentiometer.  We were very pleased that the test passed the first time.

Lessons Learned
  • Confirm the potentiometer is the correct one before soldering.  The two potentiometers in the kit look similar and are different.
  • The MC1350 integrated circuit does not have a notch.  Instead it has a dot identifying pin 1.  Orient the chip on the board so that the dot is closest to the notch demark on the board.  Would be helpful to inexperienced builders to have this explained in the instructions.
In the next installment the fun continues as we proceed with building Step 5: IF Crystal Filter.

Other related articles on NJ2X.COM: