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IMPORTANT WARRANTY INFORMATION! PLEASE READ
Return Policy on Kits When Not Purchased Directly From Vectronics: Before continuing
any further with your VEC kit check with your Dealer about their return policy. If your Dealer
allows returns, your kit must be returned before you begin construction.
Return Policy on Kits When Purchased Directly From Vectronics: Your VEC kit may be
returned to the factory in its pre-assembled condition only. The reason for this stipulation is,
once you begin installing and soldering parts, you essentially take over the role of the device's
manufacturer. From this point on, neither Vectronics nor its dealers can reasonably be held
accountable for the quality or the outcome of your work. Because of this, Vectronics cannot
accept return of any kit-in-progress or completed work as a warranty item for any reason
whatsoever. If you are a new or inexperienced kit builder, we urge you to read the manual
carefully and determine whether or not you're ready to take on the job. If you wish to change
your mind and return your kit, you may--but you must do it before you begin construction, and
within ten (10) working days of the time it arrives.
Vectronics Warrants: Your kit contains each item specified in the parts list.
Missing Parts: If you determine, during your pre-construction inventory, that any part is
missing, please contact Vectronics and we'll send the missing item to you free of charge.
However, before you contact Vectronics, please look carefully to confirm you haven't misread
the marking on one of the other items provided with the kit. Also, make certain an alternative
part hasn't been substituted for the item you're missing. If a specific part is no longer
available, or if Engineering has determined that an alternative component is more suitable,
Vectronics reserves the right to make substitutions at any time. In most cases, these changes
will be clearly noted in an addendum to the manual.
Defective Parts:
Today's electronic parts are physically and electrically resilient, and
defective components are rare. However, if you discover an item during your pre-construction
inventory that's obviously broken or unserviceable, we'll replace it. Just return the part to
Vectronics at the address below accompanied with an explanation. Upon receipt, we'll test it.
If it's defective and appears unused, we'll ship you a new one right away at no charge.
Missing or Defective Parts After You Begin Assembly:
damaged after construction begins are not covered under the terms of this warranty. However,
most parts supplied with VEC kits are relatively inexpensive and Vectronics can replace them
for a reasonable charge. Simply contact the factory with a complete description. We'll
process your order quickly and get you back on track.
Factory Repair After You Begin Assembly: Kits-in progress and completed kits are
specifically excluded from coverage by the Vectronics warranty. However, as a service to
customers, technicians are available to evaluate and repair malfunctioning kits for a minimum
service fee of $18.00 (½ hour rate) plus $7.00 shipping and handling (prices subject to
change). To qualify for repair service, your kit must be fully completed, unmodified, and the
printed circuit board assembled using rosin-core solder. In the event your repair will require
more than an hour to fix (or $36.00, subject to change), our technicians will contact you in
advance by telephone before performing the work. Defective units should be shipped prepaid
to:
Vectronics
1007 HWY 25 South
Starkville, MS 39759
Parts and materials lost or

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Summary of Contents for Vectronics VEC-1220K

  • Page 1 From this point on, neither Vectronics nor its dealers can reasonably be held accountable for the quality or the outcome of your work. Because of this, Vectronics cannot accept return of any kit-in-progress or completed work as a warranty item for any reason whatsoever.
  • Page 2 When shipping, pack your kit well and include the minimum payment plus shipping and handling charges ($25.00 total). No work can be performed without pre-payment. Also, provide a valid UPS return address and a day time phone number where you may be reached.
  • Page 3: Tools And Supplies

    VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual INTRODUCTION This kit provides a great introduction to QRP operation, one of the hottest and fastest growing activities in amateur radio. With these little rigs, you'll discover what thousands of QRP enthusiasts already know--the magic of communicating...
  • Page 4 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual ! High-temperature Iron Holder with Cleaning Sponge ! Rosin-core Solder (thin wire-size preferred) ! Needle Nose Pliers or Surgical Hemostats ! Diagonal Cutters or "Nippy Cutters" ! Solder Sucker, Vacuum Pump, or Desoldering Braid ! Bright Desk Lamp...
  • Page 5 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual 4. Omitting or Misreading a Part: This is easier to do than you might think! Always double-check to make sure you completed each step in an assembly sequence. Soldering Tips: Cleanliness and good heat distribution are the two secrets of professional soldering.
  • Page 6: Resistor Color Code

    VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Resistor Color Code Black = 0 (tens) Blue 1st Digit Brown = 1 (hundreds) Violet = 7 2nd Digit = 2 (K) Gray Multiplier Orange = 3 (10K) White = 9 Yellow = 4 (100K) Silver = 10%...
  • Page 7 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual monolithic and disc-ceramic capacitors are marked with a three-number code. The first two digits indicate a numerical value, while the last digit indicates a multiplier (same as resistors). Electrolytic capacitors are always marked in uF. Electrolytics are polarized devices and must be oriented correctly during installation.
  • Page 8: Parts List

    VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Installation Installation Pin Numbers PARTS LIST The parts list for your kit is presented in two parts. First, you'll identify and inventory the generic parts--those items common to all VEC QPR transmitter kits regardless of band. Then, you'll inventory the parts specifically for your particular VEC QPR transmitter, which contains frequency-critical parts that determine the specific band of operation.
  • Page 9 1/2" tuning shaft extension Now, to complete the inventory, select the correct list below for the specific model of your kit--and check off those items: VEC-1220K (20-Meter QRP-CW Transmitter Kit) Capacitors: " Part Description Designation...
  • Page 10 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual 22 pF multilayer (22 or 220) 47 pF multilayer (47 or 470) 68 pF multilayer (68 or 680) 220 pF multilayer (221) C7,C19,C20 330 pF multilayer (331) 470 pF multilayer (471) Inductors/Chokes: " Part Description Designation 1.8 uH (brown, gray, gold, silver) RFC1,RFC2,RFC3 12"...
  • Page 11 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual 220 pF multilayer 470 pF multilayer C13,C19,C20 1000 pF multilayer Inductors/Chokes: " Part Description Designation 4.7 uH (yellow, violet, gold, silver) RFC1,RFC2,RFC3 12" length of #24 enameled wire Crystal: " Part Description Designation 7.040 MHz crystal VEC-1280 (80-Meter QRP-CW Transmitter Kit) Capacitors: "...
  • Page 13 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual STEP-BY-STEP ASSEMBLY Your VEC QRP-CW Transmitter Kit will be constructed in three stages. First, you'll install the smaller generic parts (resistors, capacitors, etc.) that are common to all four models. Next, you'll mount frequency-determining components--those parts that determine the specific band of operation for your particular kit.
  • Page 14 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Find three (3) 470 ohm resistors (yellow-violet-brown). ! ! 4. Install a 470 ohm resistor at R5 and solder. ! ! 5. Install a 470 ohm resistor at R9 and solder. ! ! 6. Install a 470 ohm resistor at R11 and solder.
  • Page 15 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual the markings on the capacitor body are unclear, the plus (+) lead is always the longer of the two. ! ! 12. Locate the 470 uF capacitor. Observing polarity, install this at C4 and solder. This completes capacitor installation for now. There are several multilayer capacitors remaining, but these will be installed later as frequency-determining components.
  • Page 16 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Phase 5: Transistors and Diodes ! ! 1. Locate the 2N3906 transistor (black plastic case), checking its identification markings closely. Find its flat side, and make sure this is aligned with the printed outline on the PC board before inserting the leads.
  • Page 17 Phase 7: Frequency-Determining Parts In this section, you'll select a specific set of instructions for your particular kit (VEC-1220K, VEC-1230K, etc). However, before you do this, please review these two important general construction tips that apply to all four models of the kit.
  • Page 18 If necessary, refer back to these instructions at any time during assembly. You may now move ahead to the section of the manual that corresponds with your particular kit. VEC-1220K 20-Meter QRP-CW Transmitter Kit ! ! 1. Find a 22 pF multilayer cap (marked 22 or 220). Install at C6 and solder.
  • Page 19 ! ! 15. Locate the 14.060 MHz crystal (metal can, two wire leads). Install at Y1 and solder. This completes stage 2 construction of the VEC-1220K 20-meter kit. After checking for errors, you may now move on to the final stage of construction.
  • Page 20 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual This completes stage 2 construction of the VEC-1230K 30-meter kit. After checking for errors, you may now move on to the final stage of construction. VEC-1240K 40-Meter CW Transmitter Kit ! ! 1. Find a 47 pF multilayer capacitor (47 or 470). Install at C6 and solder.
  • Page 21 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual ! ! 1. Find a 68 pF multilayer capacitor (marked 68 or 680). Install at C6 and solder. ! ! 2. Find a 100 pF multilayer cap (101). Install at C8 and solder. Find two (2) 470 pF multilayer caps (471).
  • Page 22 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual ! ! 1. Locate two (2) DPDT push-button switches (six pins). Install one of these at SW1, making sure the switch pins are fully seated and the switch body is level. Solder in place. ! ! 2. Install the second DPDT push-button switch at SW2.
  • Page 23 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual ! ! 9. Install two (2) heavy leads (from the 1N4007 diode) from the ground tabs to the pads in front of the VXO capacitor on the PC board. Solder each lead at both ends. The combined holding action of the two-sided tape and the ground leads should anchor the cap firmly in place.
  • Page 24 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Be sure to correct all errors before moving on. If a careful inspection revealed that everything is A-OK, you're now ready for the moment of truth! TESTING AND ALIGNIMENT Tools And Materials Required For Testing: Your VEC QRP-CW Transmitter is a "no-tune" design that has no adjustable alignment trimmers or coils to set up prior to operation.
  • Page 25: Dc Power Supply

    VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual inadequately-filtered 12-volt wall-adapters. These can cause ripple on the CW note, and may even damage your kit if the unloaded output exceeds 15 volts. A fully-charged 12-volt battery is a suitable power source, although transmitter output may be reduced slightly (RF output is specified at 13.8 volts).
  • Page 26 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Cut pin here and round off end. Test Set-up and Procedure: To test your transmitter, set up as shown in the following diagram. Make sure the PC board is on a clean non-metallic surface and that the test area is free of lead-clippings, hardware, and other conductive debris that could get under the board and cause a short circuit.
  • Page 27 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual If you don't have access to a wattmeter, a standard 5 mm LED may be used to give a rough indication of normal power output from the transmitter. When using this test, however, the transmitter's antenna jack must be terminated with a 50-ohm dummy load.
  • Page 28 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual Antenna Lead Power Supply Receiver Crystal Power Select Switch 1. Crystal Select: Selects calling frequency (Y1) and optional crystal (not provided). 2. VXO Tune: Varies oscillator above and below crystal's "cut" frequency. 3. Key Jack: 1/8" mini-jack, accepts manual keys and most electronic keyers.
  • Page 29 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual QRP Antennas: QRP operation requires a good antenna, but you don't need stacked beams at 100' to get the job done! Most QRP operators use modest wire antennas that have been carefully installed and tuned for minimum VSWR. It's best to avoid compromised or severely shortened designs along with long lossy feedlines and inefficient matching schemes.
  • Page 30: In Case Of Difficulty

    VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual QRP or may simply have a poor transmitting antenna! You'll soon discover world-wide QRP contacts are routine. A growing legion of CW operators have QRP-DXCC certificates hanging on the wall to prove it! IN CASE OF DIFFICULTY Your VEC QRP-CW Transmitter has been thoroughly field-tested and is known to be reliable and "forgiving"...
  • Page 31 If, despite your best effort, you cannot solve a problem with your radio, kit repair services are available through Vectronics. See the warranty on the inside front cover for complete instructions.
  • Page 32 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual THEORY OF OPERATION AND SPECIFICATIONS Technical Circuit Description: The VEC QRP-CW Transmitter is a simple three-stage oscillator/amplifier with no tune-up requirement. Q1 is keyed on by logic-low input from a mechanical key or electronic keyer to power oscillator Q2. Q1 also supplies turn-on bias to driver Q3 and T/R switching diode D2.
  • Page 34 VEC-1220K/1230K/1240K/1280K Owner's Manual ENCLOSURE Vectronics has designed a matching enclosure just for your CW Transmitter Kit. The matching enclosure is an all metal box which includes knobs, hardware, decals, and rubber feet. Enclosure model: VEC-1200KC. To install your CW Transmitter in the VEC-1200KC matching enclosure follow these instructions (read all instructions before beginning ...

This manual is also suitable for:

Vec-1230kVec-1240kVec-1280k