To meet the criteria of being "first time" and "tube" I'd go for a one tube regen receiver based on a 1T4 or similar tube that can be run from batteries and drive a headphone. You'd need 1.5 volts for the filament and fairly low-voltage B+ - something in the range of 27 to 45 volts depending upon the sensitivity of the phones. Use magnetic phones and you can put them in the plate circuit as the plate "load". Three to five 9-volt batteries snapped together into a series pack will handle that, eliminating any need for a mains power supply.
I'd suggest covering the AM broadcast band. It's really easy to pick up signals there and get used to the receiver. Then my second choice would be the 6 to 10 MHz region of the shortwave bands: lots of signals, CW and AM to copy there. In fact, Midnight Science makes just such a kit: http://tinyurl.com/dn5vx I was just a little younger than you son when my Dad gave me a Meissner regen kit. I learned to solder building it. I still remember the look in his face when I turned it on and we heard signals! It's a good thing you are doing, Mike Ron AC7AC -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Markowski Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 12:29 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [Elecraft] Off topic: beginner kit recommendations? My 11 year old son KB3KYB has been fascinated by my recent K2 kit building. He has never soldered but is excited about the idea of building a radio of his own. With his birthday coming up this would be the perfect chance to get him a small kit that we could build together. I thought a shortwave receiver with a few bands would be best since it's simpler & cheaper. Though I'm also considering a "cake tin special," getting the parts to homebrew one of the old tube beginner rigs built on an upside down cake pan. Any ideas would be very welcome. Thanks! Mike AB3AP Avondale, PA _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: [email protected] You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
