Pixie II Deluxe With Mods

This video montage demonstrates the Chinese version of the Pixie II. It incorporates several mods: 2-position crystal switch, VXO, built-in audio amplifier and home-brew Morse key. Also included is a view of two previous versions of the Pixie II, which were built in different enclosures. All three Pixies have the VXO mod, as well as a built-in audio amplifier. Hope you enjoy the vid and thanks for watching. 73's from Rick, W B 3 B I Q.

[MarkPentler]

Get those capacitors changed on the LPF, I think 870 is recommended for 40m? That’s the only thing really that’s missing from a lot of pixie builds. I’m embarking on a project to get a kind of “Megapixie” PCB made with all of the cool mods on it. Hopefully when everything has died down I can get them shipped from China for about £2 for 5 boards. It has a BPF, some upgraded transistors, a proper side tone circuit (so remove the auto mute from the LM386) and a few other minor changes.

[laseraddict]

If you add the Polyvaricon, it is not necessary to add any other inductance. It'll work just fine. Here's the diagram.

[KBTQORADIO]

I'm curious, did you have to add any inductance in series with the variable cap?

[gliderrider]

I actually made a contact with a Chinese version. About 600 miles away. He was pushing 30 watts on a homebrew.

[Afterburner]

Have you managed some good QSOs with this rig? 73 de KK6IQK

[WFSteury]

I love my Pixie too. See me on qrz.com N9EGT 15 states so far!

[andrewlamoureux]

Great! For anyone wondering, the enclosure is a "Super Stacker" crayon box.

[KBTQORADIO]

Brilliant!!! I love it. Just picked up a Pixie 2 for myself. Thanks for the video. 73

[MusicByJC]

Can something like this be used to reliable communicate distance of say 10-50 miles reliable? I looks like a lot of people are interested in seeing how far they can get contacts, but I would be much more interested playing around with some other people that live within my geographical region. I plan on getting ham license for regular 2 meter band, but this looked like something that would be cheap to have some fun with.

[takeonishizaka]

Laseraddict, stunning job!
Maybe a silly question, with one xtal and the polyvaricon, how many khz up-down can you go?