Hi Mike: You're in for a lot of fun. My daughter, Zane, who is now 16 built (95% --- I wound the toroids) a K2 at the age of about 12 or 13, including the SSB/160M/60M/DSP/Noise Blanker/100Watt etc. etc. The rig came out great, and it is in regular use.
The warm up was an MFJ receiver kit and a couple of little kits from Ramsey --- I think a strobe light and some other small thing. These kids have great vision, nice small fingers, and pretty good focus. Zane and I double-checked every component before she soldered it in, and the basic K-2 was near perfect the first time. Once they learn to solder, everything else comes easily. We worked on it only 2-3 hours a weekend, but it was a great father/daughter experience. Zane would rather build kits than operate them, which is just fine. I get to use the gear! If you are an adept builder, I think there is no reason to shy away from a complicated kit as a first or secong project. Just make sure you're working side-by-side with your son. 73 de Brian W3BW -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mike Markowski Sent: Wednesday, May 11, 2005 15:29 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net 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
