50 Years of the Tuna Tin 2: A Fair Snape Fell Celebration
This month marks exactly 50 years since the original QST article describing the Tuna Tin 2 QRP transmitter. Conceived by Doug DeMaw, W1CER (later W1FB), as a weekend project using accessible parts, the design evolved into a true QRP classic.
Tuna Tin 2 original article -
Tuna Tin 2 remembered -https://www.arrl.org/files/file/Technology/tis/info/pdf/0003037.pdf
The “Fishy” Backstory
My own journey with Tuna-based rigs started at a G-QRP convention in Rishworth, where I picked up a QRPme SUPER Tuna ][ kit. I’ve always found amusement in the quirky side of the hobby, and the fact that the components arrived sealed inside a genuine ring-pull tuna can was irresistible. My collection grew steadily until I simply ran out of kits to buy!
Admittedly, these kits are entirely unsuitable for SOTA. The components are exposed and vulnerable to the elements—but I suppose that vulnerability just adds to the challenge.
The Activation: Fair Snape Fell (G/SP-007)
I wanted to celebrate the 50th anniversary with a summit attempt this month. After some correspondence with Richard, G4TGJ, the stars aligned for a joint activation today. I hastily grabbed a few tuna cans from the shack shelf last night, and had my fingers crossed that they still worked!
We met near Fell Foot and made the trek up to the summit. A chilly breeze greeted us at the top, so we took shelter amongst the peat mounds to set up.
Operation: “Open the Tin”
Assembling the station was a delicate process; I checked the wiring several times before nervously applying power.
40m: I managed 4 QSOs, which was a massive relief. The receiver is quite wide, making it a mental workout to determine if a station is actually replying to you or someone else nearby.
20m: Encouraged by the 40m success, I switched to a 20m Tuna receiver and TT2 transmitter. I was amazed to be pulled out of the noise by EA7GV and OK2VOX.
By that point, the effort of straight-keying in the cold had taken its toll, and I decided to pack away.
Summary
Qualifying the hill with novelty equipment was fantastic fun. It felt like a fitting way to mark a significant milestone in QRP history.
Equipment Used:
TX: QRPme Tuna Tin 2 (40m & 20m versions)
RX: Matching Tuna-can receivers
TX/RX switching: QRPme Tuna Helper
Key: QRPme ‘FreeKey’ Straight key
Antenna: 40m/20m linked dipole on 6m Decathlon carbon pole
73,
Colin, M1BUU
(Yes, that is the original Tuna Tin 2 I’m holding!)
