While I had the radio open, I also decided to decrease the rattle and tack down the inductors using some hot glue. I am aware it is getting warm inside the radio so that might just create a huge mess, but I feel it is worth a try. If that does not work out I will remove it (it should be relatively easy using IPA) and replace it with silicone. We will see™️ :D #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

Another little thing to do on the radio: I now got some silicone thermal pads for the TO-220s, so I have to take the radio apart and put them in. While I am at it I am also adding the optional TCXO temperature sensor. The instructions recommend to couple the oscillator and the sensor with some copper tape. #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

I have to wait for a dummy load and a few other bits and bobs to arrive before I can calibrate the radio and try to go on air with it. In the mean time I am trying to get familiar with the controls and while doing that I managed to receive some SSB on 40m! 🎉📻 #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

And here we go! We have a fully assembled mcHF QRP radio! There is more work to do, but let's sit back and enjoy the view l for a little bit! :D #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

The front panel has some silicone covers for the buttons. But oddly enough these are not mats that fit the hole pattern. One has to clip the buttons apart and then insert into the button holes. It makes the assembly a bit awkward because the buttons love to fly out of position. #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

Now the UI board can be mounted on top of that. Let's finally remove that pesky protective film from the LCD display! #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

Next is the RF board we spent so much time on, followed by an RF shield. The enclosure comes with an RF shield but it needs a bunch of modifications. So instead of doing that I designed my own RF shield and ordered it from Send Cut Send! It worked out great. You can find the design on my GitHub. ;) https://github.com/esden/mchf-rf-shield #hamradio #kitradio #mchf

First thing for the case is to screw in and solder the wire to the speaker. #hamradio #kitradio #mchf