Hi Runner. Yes, I built the MTR-3B as a kit from one of Steve Weber's(KD1JV) kit runs. I think I paid $140 for the kit from Steve for $140. Everyone begged him to do another run of 100 boards. After that he did a build of about 100 kits for his 5 band Mountain Topper design. Now you can buy several of his designs as well as a bunch of other QRP rigs from
LNR Precision(link).
If you don't mind the utter lack of display and controls, the MTR is a great rig. It's got a great receiver, transmits 3W-5W and draws 35mA on receive. You do have to be careful and not power it from the usual 13.8V 12V battery. Its output stage isn't reliable beyond 12V. Of course, it's got a nice cool factor. I've got a clip board with veclro that holds it, a battery pack and the tiny paddles you see there and still has room for a sheet of paper folded in half. A whole operating desk on my lap.
Truthfully, I like my old
Ten-Tec R4020 more because it's got a display with all the info I want, can receive voice and has a knob for tuning. The receiver isn't as good, but it's just easier to use.
Learning Morse isn't easy, but it's one of those worthwhile challenges. It uses the same part of the brain that learns new languages, so if you have the gift of learning new languages easily, Morse will be easy. I like that it's one of those things you can't buy. You have to earn it. The wealthiest ham with a 90' antenna tower is going to be jealous of a janitor that can head-copy Morse at 30 words per minute. And with Morse, you can work the world with a super cheap radio and simple wire dipole. I know prepper/survival guys that have a
$11 Frog Sounds rig[/U hasRL], AA battery pack, ear buds and thin wire dipole in a tin in their bugout bag.