Pixie Transceiver Case

thingiverse

This is a case for the Pixie v 5.1 transceiver. For those who don't know, a Pixie is a minimalist 40 meter cw transceiver that's easy to build and super affordable. Its low parts count and simple design make it accessible to anyone, and it's dirt cheap! I bought two with free shipping for $US 5.00 each on eBay, where you can also find kits starting at just $US 3.29 with free shipping. The price is a real bargain, making it hard to resist pulling out the soldering iron and building one. As a ham radio operator and 3D printer enthusiast, this project is a sweet combination of skills. Once you hear cw coming out of it, you'll be amazed by how well it performs for its price. Don't expect it to rival your KX3 or other high-end QRP rigs, though - the direct conversion receiver is wide, and it's crystal controlled with a capacitor that lets you tune in by pulling on the crystal. Considering its ultra-low price point of less than $5, what do you really expect? Most kits come with a 7023 Khz crystal, which I've got as an Extra class ham radio license holder. However, the QRP watering hole is at 7030, so I swapped out my crystals for 7030 Khz ones from eBay. You can find HC-49s crystals online starting at $11 for 10 with free shipping. After building two Pixies and ordering more, I realized they're better suited to operation on 7030 than their original frequency. KC9ON sells them on his web store http://www.3rdplanetsolar.com for just $US 0.89 each, a real steal! If you want to learn more about the Pixie, check out this document: http://w1sye.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/NCRC_PixieOperation.pdf You can also watch a YouTube video of the Pixie in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I92bmGQaPpg. Building one is a breeze, and it's a great project for beginners or seasoned hams alike. To assemble the case, simply print the top case, bottom case, front panel, and back panels, then slide them into place and secure the PCB to the mounting posts using #6 3/4” screws from an old bag of anonymous parts. Once you've got it together, apply power, attach your antenna, phones, a key, and get ready to rock 'n' roll! This project is sure to inspire some of you to make one - they're fun to build and print a case for, all for just $5!