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Rockmite
17 March 2015 | by As I’m moving towards CW as an operating mode I took the plunge and bought a Rockmite kit from Kanga. Lets just say its not working quite as I had anticipated. This time I was very careful to look at the various instructions. Lid everything out and then checked every component as I assembled it.
Next time I’ll throw these things together in the usual manner. I might have a bit more success. Power on and I get little in the way of audio, a gentle hiss but not much else. So troubleshooting has to begin. Fortunately there is quite a bit of help for this but to be honest I’m not holding out much hope as I did such a thorough job of checking the first time round. Must be a faulty (insert component here) 
All good fun and not as if the world will end if I have to spend some time on it.
4 Responses to “Rockmite”
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It is pretty easy to mis-locate some of the parts. Look twice, solder once!
I have the 20 meter version. Getting the variable speed keyer set up is a PITA.
You also might want to check out the MFJ “Cub” transceivers. Not much more complicated to assemble, and more flexibe. My 20 meter one tunes from 14.020 to 14.088, FWIIW.
/paul W3FIS
My Rockmite II on 20 Meters went together well. But, I placed two side be side resistors 90 degrees from the way they should have been. Straightened that out and all worked well except a bad zener. I replaced that and away we go.
Good luck. 73
Hi,
Blended the Rockmite 30 together, working as designed, made some changes to resistors and final trap, now handles a bit more power.
Check whether there is not a trace of solder between two isles or you by accident connected two isles.
Hope you get it working soon.
73
Frank
I found it in the end. One of the resistors was soldered in the wrong orientation. There was a mark on the board that made it look like it out to go across another. Once out and put in the right place it worked perfectly.
I doubt this will be the last QRP rig I build. I must spend more time learning CW though