the "Rock-Mite" files A resource page for builders and operators of the new "Rock-Mite" from Small Wonder Labs. 11-Sep-2001

Here I will attempt to collect information to share with others about the "Rock-Mite". Operating Stories, builder hints & tips, modifications, links to web pages done by others, and "the Rock-Pile", pictures of Rock-Mites built by others!

Read my QRP-L posting announcing this site.

what you have and I'll post it here for others to enjoy

--builder, owner and operator of the 'Rocky Mountain "Rock-Mite"'.

Mods:

• Ron, K3PF, adds a "Simple VXO, and RF Gain Control" to his 20m Rock-Mite

• "Received the RMK-PIC which enhance the ability of the famous Rock-Mite, Here I briefly report my installation.

  Although one must disassemble the Rockmite, The installation is straightforward. Two modifications are needed to mount the RMK-PIC...." read the rest of Junichi's story.

• Chuck, WB9KZY, of Jackson Harbor Press presents the "RMK keyer chip" for the Rock-Mite: two 60 character, non-volatile memories, optional pot speed control...and more. Read the QRP-L announcement here.
• Chuck, W5USJ, prepared a brief article about all his band and VXO mods.
• From Wayne, NB6M: "...with the additions of a few parts and changes in others, the tuning range of both the 40 Meter and 20 Meter versions of the Rock Mite can be significantly improved...." UPDATED 07-OCT-2002
• From Bill, KD7S, "First, I replaced Q6, the 2N2222A final transistor with a 2N3053...". Read the rest here, Bill is getting 1.5 watts output power!
• In a QRP-L posting, Steve offer suggestions to minimize QRM in DC RCVRS as in the Rock-Mite.
• Add a reverse polarity diode to protect your Rock-Mite from backwards battery hook ups--Rod, N0RC July 2002
• Ground the case of Y2 to reduce AC hum in the audio--Rod, N0RC July 2002

Builder Notes:

• KD1JV Rock-Mite Audio Filter, with Spectrogram plots, and a note about building sequence--Rod, N0RC
• Check out Robert's (KC5WA) "Manhattan" [construction] Rock-Mite at: http://www.kc5wa.com/test.html
• Keith, WB2VUO, shows us how to build a heat sink for the Rock-Mite final.
• Here is a link to Dave Benson's Supplemental Rock-Mite instuctions. Tips for curing BCI, general trouble shooting, building tips, and more, from the man who created the Rock-Mite!--taken from a QRP-L posting, as good as it gets! rc

• "I am pleased to announce the creation of a Rock-Mite Yahoo Group for the interactive exchange of ideas, modifications, trouble-shooting help, operating tips and QSO scheduling. Please visit

  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Rock-Mite_Group/

  or email [email protected] with your callsign to signup."

  73, Doug Wilson / WA0VSL
• Need a little helping debuging a problem Rock-Mite? Check out the DC/RF voltage chart provided by Wayne, NB6M.
• Not up for building you own Rock-Mite case? Well, check out the "Mitybox", a limited time offering from Doug, KE6RIE. A very nice CNC manufactured case machined from a solid block of aluminum!
• Here is a tip from Chuck, W5USJ, on using XTAL sockets to accomodate frequency changing and experimenting.
• Read Tony's (G4WIF) notes about sidetone, audio refinments and more.

• From Stan, AK0B--A perfect fit is the LMB part number CR-425. I used the Crown Royal (blue and gray one). Length 4.25" Width 2.25" Height 1.25" Mouser part number is 537-CR-425 for $6.79

  I also expect that the Rock Mite and the AAPB would both fit into some of the small Ten-Tec cases.
• Here is a link to a photo essay on how I prepared an Altoids tin to enclose my Rocky-Mountian Rock-Mite. Rod, N0RC
• Save some wire, if you use an Altoids tin for a case, solder "common" terminals to the case (see my web link below)--Rod, N0RC July 2002
• Drilling holes in Altoids Tins, from a QRP-L posting--Rod, N0RC

Operating

Chuck, W5USJ, offers an RMK quick ref. chart

Events:

• From Chuck, K7QO: "...starting in October every Wednesday night (Tue and Thur are usually the Fox Hunt nights) how about a Rock Hunt ? All you guys with Rock-Mites on 40 meters and the other bands get on the air and try to catch other R-Ms..."

  Read the whole story, then if you wish, send me your entry for the Rock-Hunter Registry.,

• Steve "Melt Solder" Weber, in a QRP-L posting, proposed Late Sunday nite (10p local) as a rendezvous night for Rock-Mites, SMKs, TT2s...etc. Let's give it a try!

Stories:

• Spending too much time in the shack with your Rock-Mite? GO MOBILE! Read about Bill's, N4QA, excellent adventure.
• Chuck, W5USJ, trys out his repackaged Rock-Mite (see Rock-Pile) in beacon mode, and receieves one report from 670 miles away!
• ROCK MITE DX- N4 to ZL4- distance of 8485 miles!!!--Jerry, N4EO
• I asked Tony, G4WIF how his Rock-Mite RX hold up in the harsh RF environment in England. Read his reply here.
• From Dave Benson, K1SWL: The local oscillator does not have its own supply voltage regulation. As a result, any switching frequency energy superimposed on the DC power supply will modulate the local oscillator signal. Depending on the switching supply, this energy may result in LO energy within the 40M SWBC segment. This energy will effectively demodulate whatever remaining SWBC energy gets through the front end filter. The front-end filter is quite effective at preventing IMD but much less so if the LO is impure. If it's not convenient to use a battery supply, a conventional (linear) regulated power supply will be free of this effect as well.
• Rock-Mite & NorCal BLT Roadtest--Rod, N0RC

the "Rock-Pile":

(click image for larger view in new window)

"MightMouse"! From Mike, KL7R--(pretty cool Mike--rc)
RM40, nicknamed "Sinnamon." from Randy WA4CIT--(I'll say no more this is a family page!--rc :-)	The "Spam-Mite" from Rem K6BBQ. (a first time builder--rc)	"My version of Rock-Mite. Very fine equipment!" 73's Lluis EA3WX
Zed's 40M "Bud Light" Rock Mite	The "Red-Mite" from Daniel, M3CAX	40m Rock-Mite from MAc, W2TI-(note "dual" power supply--rc)
"See-though-Mite" from Steve, N7SR. (Cool rig Steve--rc)	SUPER ROCK-MITE/40 from Chuck W5USJ--I hear he has hot and cold running solder in his house :-)	A "meaty beefy" dual bander from Tommy, WD5AGO--30/40m, VXO & more!

Links to other "Rock-Mite" sites:

• Nelson, WB6DWD makes his Rock-Mite offering to the WWW here. Check out his offering of "...a few mods and odds and whatnots...."
• David M. Peterson, KE4QDM, put up a FB website about his Rock-Mite fun, check out: the ROCK-MITE EXPEDITION!
• Joe, KM5CW, offers a nice pictorial essay about the building of his Rock-Mite: http://web.wt.net/~km5cw/page2.html
• KD1JV's Limited Edition "Melt Solder" kits for the QRPer, see "Rock Mite Audio Filter" link. (was originally known as AAPB)
• Jackson Harbor Press offers an alternative keyer chip for the "Rock-Mite".
• Here is a Yahoo discussion Group just for Rock-Mite enthusiasts--Doug, WA0VSL
• "rc", kc5wa, documents the building of his Rock-Mite
• The Mitybox from American Morse Equipment , a CNC manufactured case
  for your Rock-Mite.
• "The W2AGN Rock-Mite", by John. W2AGN.
• Lew, N5ZE The Obsedian Rock-Mite
• Doug WA0VSL offers up his
"Penguin Rock-Mite" on the web for viewing.
• Steve, AA5TB puts his Rock-Mite on the web.
• European version Rock-Mite (with 7030 crystals) to be available from QRPproject
• Chuck, K7QO builds a "Rock-Mite" and documents it here.
• QRPp-I add section for Rock-Mite--Brice, KA8MAV
• Rocky Mountain "Rock-Mite"--Rod, N0RC

Posted: July-2002 Modified: 22-Mar-2003

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