Another whacky M1BUU activation

Activation Reports
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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.

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​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.

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​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

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(Yes, that is the original Tuna Tin 2 I’m holding!)

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Xcellent Coliin - until I read further I thought this post was going to be about Tuna fishing rigs :face_with_peeking_eye::roll_eyes::roll_eyes::roll_eyes::roll_eyes::roll_eyes: then I discovered the truth…. C​:roll_eyes::roll_eyes::roll_eyes:

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A novel outing honouring our QRP pioneers. You set the bar high with your MG activation (building your rig on the summit! LOL!). But I see you’re not out of ideas yet!

I wonder what’s next…

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Setting the bar very high once again in the ‘radio bizarro’ genre! My Easter bonnet is doffed in your general direction sir!

That snap of all the tuna tins and the wild colours, then paired with neon pink earbuds made me chuckle. All the vibrant colours and madcap devices. I love it! :blush:

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That’s very cool!

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The special 50th Anniversary Tuna-Tin 2 kits are shipping, but has anyone seen the wiring diagram yet?

If not, does anyone know W1REX’s email address (still no reply from tunacankits ‘at’ gmail ‘dot’ com)?

EDIT I finally found the TT 2 topic here, so I’ll ask my question there

QRpmeKits on groups.io

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Colin. Thanks for sharing your adventurous activation. Great idea to take the tins up the hill and congratulations on your success. It’s amazing what you can do with QRP cw and even more special with the tins.

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The TTT50A kit arrived a few days before I left for a camping trip to the Isle of Mull with my youngest son. I was busy getting things ready for my trip, so the radio kit was put on the shelf.

I’ve put the kit together over the past couple of days. Initially the transmitter didn’t work but then by sheer chance I saw an email from Rex in my spam folder explaining about a missing 2N7000 transistor. I’ve added the missing transistor this afternoon and now the rig is working as expected. I found a short on the EFHW coupler board, which I cleared with a sharp craft knife. There’s a power rail routed through the EFHW main board connector and unfortunately one of the corresponding pins on the daughter board is connected to the ground plane. An easier fix would be to clip the problem pin from the daughter board connector.

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I’m yet to work out how to use the keyer chip!

73, Colin

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Rather unexpectedly I found myself doing another whacky activation yesterday.

Somehow, the stars aligned and I found myself completing a SOTA activation of Rombalds Moor G/NP-028 with the original W1CER (W1FB) 1976 Tuna Tin 2 transmitter.

I’m still letting that sink in… THE original Tuna Tin 2 that lives in a museum in the USA, being used for SOTA on Ilkley Moor!

The 5 stations who chased me are equally part of the story, congratulations to @M0BKV , F6IEE , @M0VFC , @GW0PLP , and @G4IVV .

(G4WIF , @G3XJS , @G5LSI also worked the Tuna Tin 2 under different operators).

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Thanks are due to W1REX, NJ7V, M0KZZ and M0KOV for making this activation possible. I just happened to turn up!

73, Colin

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Gives a whole new meaning to “I’ll put the cans on” doesn’t it? I’ll see myself out :slight_smile:

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Very fitting for the Tuna Tin 2’s 50th anniversary.

It was good to meet you and Rex at the Telford Hamfest :+1:

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Wow, I’m really pleased you were able to operate the original Tuna Tin Colin! I’ve heard Rex talk about the kit and its history on various podcasts but never expected to hear it on the air.

I was too late into the shack to catch Rex or Charlie, but saw your spot on the same summit and when I heard the slightly chirpy signal I hoped you might be using the original Tuna Tin :grinning:

You were a good S4-5 down here, easy copy.

73 and thanks, Jonathan

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It was a delight and refreshing to hear the characteristic sound of the 1976 Tuna Tin
transmitter yesterday. Sadly I could not make a QSO due to QSB but the signal pushed through the ether and through the limitations of my less than optimal antenna. So pleased to have heard the transmission and in retrospect I wish I had the presence of mind to record it. Great that you Colin and W1REX, NJ7V, M0KZZ and M0KOV were able to get together for this Tuna Tin special occasion.

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