Hands Electronics Kits. Documentation. - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 7:18 pm

I been looking through the shed/shack and my files of amateur radio info, I had a thought- most radio kits without instructions is just a box/bag of bits with no chance of ever being built.
We have all seen unbuilt and built kits being for sale at rallies, most going at a tiny fraction of the original cost, 95 percent of the time the instructions have been miss placed or put in the bin because they are unimportant looking black and white printout or a photocopy.
In the past we have had some very good supplier of kits in the UK most are no longer trading so asking the supplier is not an option. Instruction can be found for some WPO kits - most were in Ham Radio Today, the GQRP club have the info for Howes kits, this leaves a few others.
In my collection of info I have scans for 20 Hands Electronics kits, I have up loaded one manual, all are less than 4MB most less than 2.5 MB.

I hope people can might find them of use keeping the old kits running or getting some built, and may give some people ideas for their own designs.

If a moderator says it is ok I will up load the rest.

Andrew G7SEG

AC/HL · 19th Jun 2020, 8:22 pm

I've never heard of Hands kits, but I'm sure others have and these may well prove useful for the reasons you cite.

Radio Wrangler · 19th Jun 2020, 8:36 pm

Hands kits were by Sheldon Hands, based near Machynlleth. I haven't seen Sheldon for many years, nor have I heard anything of him other than George Dobbs telling me he'd dropped right out of radio.

Sheldon's kits were amongst the best.

David

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 9:03 pm

Batch 1
The VFO and a PIC based counter, there were is a few other counters, at least 2 based on the ICM counter chips, I have no instructions for these, I picked unbuilt kits and a built one at a rally, when I find them I will take a picture of the built PCB and scan the unbuilt pcbs.

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 9:06 pm

Batch 2
Phase lock loop system one for 6 bands and the other for full 10

Nuvistor · 19th Jun 2020, 9:07 pm

I built a couple of his kits, yes excellent and full support from Sheldon if required.

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 9:16 pm

Batch 3
RTXIF 9Mhz if system there were a few of the but only have info in this one
RTXAGC
RTXAGC

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 9:21 pm

Batch 4
The Receiver mixer and transmit mixer for 6 and 10 band versions

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 9:26 pm

Batch 5
Receive filters/preamp, transmit filters, power amp and the change over system

SEG7RAL3 · 19th Jun 2020, 9:43 pm

Batch 6 and the last one.

DDS 1 a DDS VFO and Control system.
lastly the diagram for assembly of a complete microprocessor controlled HF radio using the DDS1 and all the RTX.

I Know there is more eg DDS 3, RTX VHF range.

I can and others may also remember the Hands stall at the Donnington Park rally, in the entrance turn left, go past the Van Draper stall, and Hands was near if not next the the Jab stall.

If I find more I will add them.

Andrew G7SEG

nomisimon · 27th Jun 2020, 11:54 pm

Thanks for these, they will be truly invaluable. I have quite a few Hands kits and modules...more are always welcome if they are no longer needed (gentle nudge

) With your permission, can I make these available on my website to people FOC as a download? I'm particularly looking for the RMX10A (note 'A' version) build instructions and schematic. It replaced the original RMX10 and used a high level diode ring mixer. I have the TMX10A kit complete, but only the PCB and a few other bits for the RMX10A.

Cheers

Simon G8POO / M5POO

SEG7RAL3 · 28th Jun 2020, 3:14 pm

I have no issue with that.
I uploaded the information so it did not get lost and to get more hands kits used.
The built kits I have form 2 HF transceivers, one with DDS and the other VFO plus counter these 2 are under going rebuilds but currently in storage.
The only unbuilt ones I have are an incomplete set of boards and parts for the 6m TRX transceiver but no instructions, there is very little info on these, I could only find basic info on the "Wayback Machine" copy of the Hands web site and a review in 2 copies of HamBrew Winter 1996 and Spring 1996, Hambrew can be found on the Worldradiohistory web site.
Andrew G7SEG

SEG7RAL3 · 28th Jun 2020, 5:36 pm

Forgot to put when using the Wayback machine you need to search for rf-demon.co.uk/ and rf-demon.co.uk/index.htm, Hands changed their web site around 2000 and you need to look at both, a quick look shows there must have been around 100 different kits.
There is a bit of RMX10A info there, a schematic but no instructions or component values the RMX10 might use similar filter components but it is at least a starting point.
https://web.archive.org/web/19990218...o.uk/rmx10.htm
Andrew G7SEG

Paul Stenning · 28th Jun 2020, 6:37 pm

I have made this thread "sticky" so it remains in the top part of the first page and doesn't get lost.

Triple M · 18th Jan 2021, 11:02 pm

Hi Do you have the Hands 70mhz details at all?
Thanks

Glenn
G0HPS

SEG7RAL3 · 14th Feb 2021, 1:35 pm

Sorry for the late reply been off the forum for a while, I have very little info on the vhf range they did, looking on the wayback machine there was a RDX50 then the RDX70 from the around 1998.
I did find a write up on a Hands 6m RTZ transceiver in Hambrew from 1996 see post 12, the RDX might be a later version. I would start there, there is an outside chance if you could contact the author of the review they may have a bit more info on the 6m version.

Andrew G7SEG

Tea_Bot · 5th May 2021, 9:57 pm

Sheldon moved to Portugal some years ago but is now sadly reported as Silent Key

https://www.qrz.com/db/CT1IZU

https://www.qrz.com/db/GW8ELR

Regards
Tea_Bot

Radio Wrangler · 6th May 2021, 9:09 pm

Thanks for letting us know.

It's sad to hear. I remember many great technical discussions with Sheldon when we met at Rochdale in the 80s and early 90s. I also tried out a number of his kits for him.

Another of the good guys gone.

David

CHRIS.M0AWN · 5th Nov 2021, 1:33 pm

I still have my Hands GQ40 and GQ Plus multi bander CW rig with Sheldon's DDS VFO.
I was the first of the few builders to assemble the GQ Plus and still have most of it's paperwork.
Sorry to hear the old fella is silent key now.
He was very helpful the whole way through my builds.

hellozero · 13th Mar 2023, 5:07 am

Hi - Sheldon was a very kind and understanding Gent and sorely missed. In the 1990's I posed a question on designing an ultra simple HF transceiver which had minimal controls - no on/off switch which even with a fuddled and mitted hand could survive and proposer at temps (storage) in the mid -60C's and be operable at - 40C or lower - we spent literally hours nay days on the phone and with expansive testing came up with a directive of the RTX TRX IF2 that could produce a safe 10W PEP on bespoke HF channels - with his help and builds' we deployed on a number of North/South Pole expeditions, which some were successful in their primary goal or not. Im grateful to the number of people who have posted schematics given I have lost of lot of mine in over 12 house moves over the period. Im likely putting one of the transceivers which I still have from those heady days into museums and want to have all the schematics - I have all of them now except a 4 TXCO (Varactor) 4 "channel" board using a 2N2222a and wonder if anyone has one still in the coffers - I dont know how many or if in fact the board design was a one off but heres hoping - In my case the crystal freq is +9MHz above wanted - it has a simple port for amplitude and small Blue C for trimming the crystal ; the choice of cut was very important given the temperature ranging as you can imaging - any info appreciated - again, thanks to Sheldon and his family - great products...

19th Jun 2020, 8:22 pm	#2
AC/HL Dekatron Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Heckmondwike, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 9,632	Re: Hands Electronics Kits I've never heard of Hands kits, but I'm sure others have and these may well prove useful for the reasons you cite. __________________ Bill, BVWS member

19th Jun 2020, 8:36 pm	#3
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,238	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Hands kits were by Sheldon Hands, based near Machynlleth. I haven't seen Sheldon for many years, nor have I heard anything of him other than George Dobbs telling me he'd dropped right out of radio. Sheldon's kits were amongst the best. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

19th Jun 2020, 9:07 pm	#6
Nuvistor Dekatron Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Wigan, Greater Manchester, UK. Posts: 9,376	Re: Hands Electronics Kits I built a couple of his kits, yes excellent and full support from Sheldon if required. __________________ Frank

27th Jun 2020, 11:54 pm	#11
nomisimon Triode Join Date: May 2016 Location: Corbridge, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 18	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Thanks for these, they will be truly invaluable. I have quite a few Hands kits and modules...more are always welcome if they are no longer needed (gentle nudge ) With your permission, can I make these available on my website to people FOC as a download? I'm particularly looking for the RMX10A (note 'A' version) build instructions and schematic. It replaced the original RMX10 and used a high level diode ring mixer. I have the TMX10A kit complete, but only the PCB and a few other bits for the RMX10A. Cheers Simon G8POO / M5POO

28th Jun 2020, 3:14 pm	#12
SEG7RAL3 Triode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Coalville, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 22	Re: Hands Electronics Kits I have no issue with that. I uploaded the information so it did not get lost and to get more hands kits used. The built kits I have form 2 HF transceivers, one with DDS and the other VFO plus counter these 2 are under going rebuilds but currently in storage. The only unbuilt ones I have are an incomplete set of boards and parts for the 6m TRX transceiver but no instructions, there is very little info on these, I could only find basic info on the "Wayback Machine" copy of the Hands web site and a review in 2 copies of HamBrew Winter 1996 and Spring 1996, Hambrew can be found on the Worldradiohistory web site. Andrew G7SEG

28th Jun 2020, 5:36 pm	#13
SEG7RAL3 Triode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Coalville, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 22	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Forgot to put when using the Wayback machine you need to search for rf-demon.co.uk/ and rf-demon.co.uk/index.htm, Hands changed their web site around 2000 and you need to look at both, a quick look shows there must have been around 100 different kits. There is a bit of RMX10A info there, a schematic but no instructions or component values the RMX10 might use similar filter components but it is at least a starting point. https://web.archive.org/web/19990218...o.uk/rmx10.htm Andrew G7SEG

28th Jun 2020, 6:37 pm	#14
Paul Stenning Administrator Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Cardiff Posts: 8,966	Re: Hands Electronics Kits I have made this thread "sticky" so it remains in the top part of the first page and doesn't get lost. __________________ Paul Stenning Forum Admin/Owner and BVWS Webmaster

18th Jan 2021, 11:02 pm	#15
Triple M Triode Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Uffculme, Devon, UK. Posts: 17	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Hi Do you have the Hands 70mhz details at all? Thanks Glenn G0HPS

14th Feb 2021, 1:35 pm	#16
SEG7RAL3 Triode Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Coalville, Leicestershire, UK. Posts: 22	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Sorry for the late reply been off the forum for a while, I have very little info on the vhf range they did, looking on the wayback machine there was a RDX50 then the RDX70 from the around 1998. I did find a write up on a Hands 6m RTZ transceiver in Hambrew from 1996 see post 12, the RDX might be a later version. I would start there, there is an outside chance if you could contact the author of the review they may have a bit more info on the 6m version. Andrew G7SEG

5th May 2021, 9:57 pm	#17
Tea_Bot Triode Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales, UK. Posts: 14	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Sheldon moved to Portugal some years ago but is now sadly reported as Silent Key https://www.qrz.com/db/CT1IZU https://www.qrz.com/db/GW8ELR Regards Tea_Bot

6th May 2021, 9:09 pm	#18
Radio Wrangler Moderator Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Fife, Scotland, UK. Posts: 22,238	Re: Hands Electronics Kits Thanks for letting us know. It's sad to hear. I remember many great technical discussions with Sheldon when we met at Rochdale in the 80s and early 90s. I also tried out a number of his kits for him. Another of the good guys gone. David __________________ Can't afford the volcanic island yet, but the plans for my monorail and the goons' uniforms are done

5th Nov 2021, 1:33 pm	#19
CHRIS.M0AWN Diode Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Chessington, Kingston upon Thames, Greater London, UK. Posts: 1	Re: Hands Electronics Kits I still have my Hands GQ40 and GQ Plus multi bander CW rig with Sheldon's DDS VFO. I was the first of the few builders to assemble the GQ Plus and still have most of it's paperwork. Sorry to hear the old fella is silent key now. He was very helpful the whole way through my builds.

13th Mar 2023, 5:07 am	#20
hellozero Diode Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Anchorage, Alaska, USA. Posts: 3	Re: Hands Electronics Kits. Documentation. Hi - Sheldon was a very kind and understanding Gent and sorely missed. In the 1990's I posed a question on designing an ultra simple HF transceiver which had minimal controls - no on/off switch which even with a fuddled and mitted hand could survive and proposer at temps (storage) in the mid -60C's and be operable at - 40C or lower - we spent literally hours nay days on the phone and with expansive testing came up with a directive of the RTX TRX IF2 that could produce a safe 10W PEP on bespoke HF channels - with his help and builds' we deployed on a number of North/South Pole expeditions, which some were successful in their primary goal or not. Im grateful to the number of people who have posted schematics given I have lost of lot of mine in over 12 house moves over the period. Im likely putting one of the transceivers which I still have from those heady days into museums and want to have all the schematics - I have all of them now except a 4 TXCO (Varactor) 4 "channel" board using a 2N2222a and wonder if anyone has one still in the coffers - I dont know how many or if in fact the board design was a one off but heres hoping - In my case the crystal freq is +9MHz above wanted - it has a simple port for amplitude and small Blue C for trimming the crystal ; the choice of cut was very important given the temperature ranging as you can imaging - any info appreciated - again, thanks to Sheldon and his family - great products...