Make: Technology on Your Time Volume 38

TOOLS

Ten-Tec Rebel Pro

$199, tentec.com

I’ve been an active ham radio operator — writing about the hobby for more than 30 years — and I have seen many advances in technology in that time. The Ten-Tec Rebel low-power amateur radio transceiver is a modern return to the era where hobbyists would routinely modify, change, and improve their equipment. But now, in addition to modifying the electronic circuit, the ham hobbyist can further enhance this radio through reprogramming the processor.

Generating 5 watts in the 20 and 40 meter CW (Morse Code) ham bands, as shipped, any properly licensed amateur can get on the air immediately by simply connecting an antenna, key, and 10–15V DC power. As a standalone, low-power (QRP) transceiver, this unit is ...