Re: [Repeater-Builder] Fwd: access gate accident

2010-03-31 Thread Paul Plack
Yikes! Pardon me while I go get a tetanus shot!

73,
Paul, AE4KR

  - Original Message - 
  From: Mike Morris WA6ILQ 
  To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 12:57 AM
  Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Fwd: access gate accident


  >Look at all four pictures to see how lucky this guy really was.
  >
  >I'll bet that the first thing the gentleman driver checked was to see if
  >Mr. Wiggles and his two neighbors were still there.



  

Re: [Repeater-Builder] HP E8285A Cellular Test Sets

2010-03-31 Thread Kevin Custer
Dawn wrote:
> I checked the archives and noticed there was scant mention of these units. 
> For the money, these seem like a dream come true. From what I understand, 
> once set up in the test mode, they have most all of the function of the 
> HP-8920 series minus the following:
>
> No Edacs,LTR or any signaling formats or DPL except raw tone generation and 
> DTMF.
>
> Three watt limitation
>
> No frequency count on Spec A screen
>
> Pre-set squelch or none.
>
> Otherwise these function as a complete service monitor from 100kc-1 gig and 
> another second band to 1.7gig.
>
> I also gather that with a suitable thruline or similar power attenuator, the 
> wattmeter indication can be adjusted to read correctly removing the 3 watt 
> limitation.
>
> If all this is correct and with an external multi format tone generator such 
> as Motorola's or Cromco's and a Multiformat tone reader such as Opto's or 
> Connect System's boxes, you pretty much have the entire enchilada por poco 
> dinero.
> Am I missing something or is this quite possibly a fantastic deal due to the 
> shere amount of orphaned CDMA/TDMA test sets since GSM?
> Anyone have one of these? The 100 kc-1 gig isn't part of Agilent's specs. Is 
> this a hack or was this a function of earlier units?
>
> Any info or caveats appreciated on these units.


I bought one recently on eBay.  It had, what the seller referred to as, 
a 'jittery' display.  It also has the desired "Option 102" (spectrum 
analyzer / tracking generator.
They can be branded either HP or Agilent.  Some later models aren't able 
to tune below 800 MHz, as the downconverter and input modules 'may' not 
be calibrated by the factory for operation in this portion of the 
spectrum.  Also, the firmware on the newer units doesn't support 
operation below 800 and some other functionality.  The unit I was 
watching looked pretty good, had 102, and I took the plunge...

There is a guy in Lakewood NY that is very knowledgeable on HP / Agilent 
equipment (as well as some other brands).  His name is Rick Bowman, and 
he owns Amtronix Instruments.  Before purchasing my unit, I asked Rick 
all of the same questions you are wondering about.  Basically, if you 
buy one from eBay or another surplus source, it isn't known if you will 
have a 'good one' until someone like Rick takes a look and determines 
what it needs.

I lucked out.  Even though the unit I have has a serial number above 
what Rick considered would be okay for operation below 800, mine didn't 
require a different downconverter or input module.  It did require a 
firmware downgrade and I had him run it through calibration.  The 
display jitter was caused by some bad capacitors on the display board.  
If you have one of these and the display is jittery, don't run it as it 
will eventually take out the regulators on the display board.  My 
display is a little burned - common I'm told for these machines.

Rick has these units already 'fixed up' from time to time for around 
$700.00.  He is currently out of stock on these, but expects to be 
getting some in soon.  My suggestion is to get on his waiting list.  
Rick is a good guy to deal with.  His prices are fair and his work 
second to none.

In the past, I have used the HP 8920A/B and my HP E8285A is very similar 
in operation.  Basically it doesn't have the items you mentioned above, 
but does have a few things that the 8920 doesn't.  It is a good machine, 
and for the price, you can't beat it for a good monitor.  I'm told all 
E8285A's have the high-stability reference oscillator.  Here's a page 
that does a comparison between them:
http://www.amtronix.com/e8285a.htm

Rick can be reached at:
http://www.amtronix.com/

Kevin Custer




Re: [Repeater-Builder] Helix / Connectors

2010-03-31 Thread Joe
The use of aluminum cable seemed to became popular when the cost of 
copper was sky high.  It became cost effective for some companies 
(according to the bean counters) to use aluminum.  Supply of copper was 
beginning to become a problem, so some coax manufacturers were promoting 
aluminum as a viable substitute.  Then the price of copper came down and 
aluminum was not such a bargain.  Copper supplies went back up and 
copper coax was readily available.

I believe that aluminum coax can be used effectively, but the chances of 
having it installed properly are slim.  Cable crews are either not 
trained or experienced at aluminum coax installation, or they lack the 
proper tools to install the connectors.  Yes, aluminum coax has been 
used successfully in the CATV business, but CATV does not have to deal 
with the relatively weak receive signals and high transmit powers that 
are used in two way systems. 

I'll take copper any day.  As Jeff said, one site visit to fix a bad 
aluminum cable connector on the top of the tower and you've lost all 
that you saved plus more.

Jope

Jeff DePolo wrote:
>  While the cost of the cable alone may be 15% mroe for copper versus 
> aluminum, the total project
> cost variation is likely going to be only a few percent.
>   



[Repeater-Builder] Re: if you have a commercial license..........

2010-03-31 Thread Al Wolfe
Got my First Phone in 1973. It has generated several employment 
opportunities for me.  However, having an Amateur license has opened even 
more opportunities.

Got out of the Air Force in 1974 and went looking for a job in broadcast 
radio. One local station was looking for an engineer. Of the several 
applicants with first phone licenses I was the only one with an amateur 
license. The chief was also a ham so I was hired.

The same thing has happened to me with almost every career move I've 
faced. Hams tend to hire hams above other applicants when other 
qualifications are similar. Is this fair? I don't know but it has worked out 
this way for me personally. YMMV.

Al, K9SI, retired mostly

P.S. In nearly forty years in broadcasting and other RF work no one, 
including the FCC inspectors, has ever asked to see my commercial or amateur 
license. Guess they just assumed I had them. I did have the First posted on 
a wall at one station for a while. 



Re: [Repeater-Builder] Fwd: access gate accident

2010-03-31 Thread Dennis Wade
"Hello, scheduling?  I'd like to cancel my vasectomy appointment.  Turns out
I really don't need one anymore."



On Wed, Mar 31, 2010 at 12:46 AM, Paul Plack  wrote:

>
>
> Yikes! Pardon me while I go get a tetanus shot!
>
> 73,
> Paul, AE4KR
>
> --
I've been wondering lately..."Where am I going and why AM I in this hand
basket??"

-
Dennis L. Wade
KG6ZI
Carmichael, CA


Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread Nate Duehr

On 3/30/2010 8:27 PM, Paul Plack wrote:


Did I miss *this 
* 
in an earlier thread, or is this a surprise?

Paul, AE4KR

Honeywell Wins Contract to Build 449 MHz Wind Profiler



They've been operating for almost a decade, or more... I remember 
there's being a kerfluffle when they were first announced.  After they 
proved not to be much of an interference source, it got quiet.


I haven't ever seen any significant interference problems from our 
"local" one (up near Ft. Collins).  The antennas are at ground level, 
and generally radiate straight up.  (I'm sure there's side-lobes, but 
we've never heard anything significant from the one installed "near" 
here... the engineer for our local one is a ham, if he's still there, I 
believe.)


We have the added benefit that we're high out, low in 'round here, so 
the repeater's outputs are up there... and easily cover up any noise 
that thing might be making...


Nate WY0X


Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread Chuck Kelsey
I don't think that they've been at 449 MHz. That's the new part. They were much 
lower in the band.

Chuck
WB2EDV


  - Original Message - 
  From: Nate Duehr 
  To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 3:32 PM
  Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?




  They've been operating for almost a decade, or more... I remember there's 
being a kerfluffle when they were first announced.  After they proved not to be 
much of an interference source, it got quiet.



Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread Nate Duehr

On 3/31/2010 1:52 PM, Chuck Kelsey wrote:


I don't think that they've been at 449 MHz. That's the new part. They 
were much lower in the band.




That could be true... didn't remember where they were... maybe they were 
down in the weak-signal portion of the band, and that's why I remembered 
it... being a 432 aficionado...


Nate WY0X


[Repeater-Builder] Tower Site Insurance

2010-03-31 Thread John Szwarc
This is off topic, but does anyone have a source for property and liability
insurance for tower sites?  Looking for a company that specializes in
towers.  My regular insurance agent proved to be useless in this regard.
 


RE: [Repeater-Builder] Tower Site Insurance

2010-03-31 Thread Andrew Seybold
I can dig up the company I use given a few hours-have used them for over
15 years as a tower owner-

 

Andy

 

From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of John Szwarc
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 1:55 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Tower Site Insurance

 

  

This is off topic, but does anyone have a source for property and
liability insurance for tower sites?  Looking for a company that
specializes in towers.  My regular insurance agent proved to be useless
in this regard.

 





Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread Paul Plack
Nate, as noted in the original posting, (below,) they've been at 404 MHz since 
1992, and they're apparently wide enough to be taking out 406 MHz personal 
locator beacons.

Granted, that would be a bigger issue for satellites looking down at radar 
pointing up, but it'll probably still be "Son of Pave Paws."

73,
Paul, AE4KR

  - Original Message - 
  From: Paul Plack 
  To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 8:27 PM
  Subject: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?




  Did I miss this in an earlier thread, or is this a surprise?

  Paul, AE4KR

  

  Honeywell Wins Contract to Build 449 MHz Wind Profiler

  PHOENIX, March 29, 2010 -- Honeywell (NYSE: HON) today announced that it has 
been awarded a $49 million contract to upgrade the National Weather Service's 
radar wind profiler network that will predict severe storms earlier and provide 
the public with more accurate warnings of upcoming storms.

  "For nearly two decades, ground weather radar improvements have been mostly 
incremental - yet weather patterns and storms around the globe have become more 
severe," said Vince Trim, president, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. 
"Honeywell is building a ground radar wind profiler network that can predict 
severe storms earlier and more reliably while better able to withstand 
hurricane force winds year after year."

  Honeywell's work on the production phase of the Next Generation National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Profiler Network contract 
includes upgrading the NOAA network of wind profilers that provide upper air 
wind data for crucial weather forecasting tasks.

  The NOAA Profiler Network has been operating continuously since 1992 and the 
equipment is now unsupportable. Honeywell's solution, which includes upgrades 
to the antenna, RF hardware, signal processing, networking, and other system 
components will provide the technology improvements to bring the profiler 
network up to a supportable, maintainable, and reliable level. Honeywell will 
change the radio frequency of existing 404 MHz profilers by replacing them with 
449 MHz systems. This will prevent the existing interference with search and 
rescue satellite-aided tracking transponders...



  

Re: [Repeater-Builder] Helix / Connectors

2010-03-31 Thread no6b
At 3/31/2010 05:20, you wrote:

>I'll take copper any day.  As Jeff said, one site visit to fix a bad
>aluminum cable connector on the top of the tower and you've lost all
>that you saved plus more.
>
>Jope

Aluminum hardline was once banned at one mountaintop site I rent from.

Bob NO6B



Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread MCH
No - I recall when this was mentioned
being at 449 MHz about 10 years ago.

Joe M.

Chuck Kelsey wrote:
> 
> 
> I don't think that they've been at 449 MHz. That's the new part. They 
> were much lower in the band.
>  
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
>  
>  
> 
> - Original Message -
> *From:* Nate Duehr 
> *To:* Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
> 
> *Sent:* Wednesday, March 31, 2010 3:32 PM
> *Subject:* Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?
> 
> They've been operating for almost a decade, or more... I remember
> there's being a kerfluffle when they were first announced.  After
> they proved not to be much of an interference source, it got quiet.
> 
> 
> 
> 


Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread Chuck Kelsey
According to the NOAA site:

"The original network consisted of (31) 404 MHz profiler sites located in 
the central United States and one site in Alaska. Since January of 2000, 
there are (32) 404 MHz profilers in the central United States and three 449 
MHz profilers in Alaska."

The press release indicated that they would all move to 449 MHz.

Chuck
WB2EDV



- Original Message - 
From: "MCH" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 8:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?


> No - I recall when this was mentioned
> being at 449 MHz about 10 years ago.
>
> Joe M.
>
> 


Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?

2010-03-31 Thread Joe
I agree with Chuck,

This is according to an EPA site:

Prototypes:
404 MHZ (74 cm) profiler developed for the
Wind Profiler Demonstration Network
(WPDN) in 1988.
449 MHZ (67 cm) profiler operates at the
approved frequency for UHF profilers and will
eventually replace the 404 MHZ units.

Joe

Chuck Kelsey wrote:
> According to the NOAA site:
>
> "The original network consisted of (31) 404 MHz profiler sites located in 
> the central United States and one site in Alaska. Since January of 2000, 
> there are (32) 404 MHz profilers in the central United States and three 449 
> MHz profilers in Alaska."
>
> The press release indicated that they would all move to 449 MHz.
>
> Chuck
> WB2EDV
>
>
>
> - Original Message - 
> From: "MCH" 
> To: 
> Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 8:13 PM
> Subject: Re: [Repeater-Builder] 449 MHz Wind Profiler Radar?
>
>
>   
>> No - I recall when this was mentioned
>> being at 449 MHz about 10 years ago.
>>
>> Joe M.
>>
>>
>> 
>   


Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: if you have a commercial license

2010-03-31 Thread AA8K73 GMail

When I got a job in the 1970's at a big LMR shop in Southern 
California, they told me they almost didn't hire me because I 
had an Amateur Radio License.  They were unimpressed by most 
ham's skills.


Al Wolfe wrote:
>  
> 
> Got my First Phone in 1973. It has generated several employment
> opportunities for me. However, having an Amateur license has opened even
> more opportunities.
> 
> Got out of the Air Force in 1974 and went looking for a job in broadcast
> radio. One local station was looking for an engineer. Of the several
> applicants with first phone licenses I was the only one with an amateur
> license. The chief was also a ham so I was hired.
> 
> The same thing has happened to me with almost every career move I've
> faced. Hams tend to hire hams above other applicants when other
> qualifications are similar. Is this fair? I don't know but it has worked 
> out
> this way for me personally. YMMV.
> 
> Al, K9SI, retired mostly


Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: if you have a commercial license

2010-03-31 Thread Ken Arck

At 06:00 PM 3/31/2010, AA8K73 GMail wrote:




When I got a job in the 1970's at a big LMR shop in Southern
California, they told me they almost didn't hire me because I
had an Amateur Radio License. They were unimpressed by most
ham's skills.


<---Been a ham since 1967 (at the ripe old age of 13). Had my Novice 
and Tech together for a few years (back then you could hold both!). 
Got my General in 1969, Advanced later that year and finally my Extra 
Class in  1979 or thereabouts, back when you still had to actually 
copy code at 20 WPM.


Got my 1st Class RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1975, at 
the ripe old age of 21. Had it until they replaced it with the 
utterly useless General RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1985.


Got my Extra Class Amateur license in 1979, back when you still had 
to actually copy code at 20 WPM.


Being an old school guy, I have to admit a certain bias against 
General RT holders and even the new codeless ham guys. I've seen many 
General RT holders who couldn't tune a broadcast radio to a local 
station let alone work on a genuine 2-way radio.


So sue me.. I'm only human :-)

Ken 

[Repeater-Builder] feedpoint impedance for DB-212

2010-03-31 Thread Tyke
  Ok now, time pick some brains and or stir up the old gray matter!

  Anybody know the feedpoint imprdance od the DB-212 lowband antennas.   They 
look to be too far apart for 300 or 450 ohm, and seem to be too far apart for 
600 ohm. any old DB Product engineers out there who would wish to grace us with 
their knowledge would be greatly appreciated!!
It appears to be way above the range of a MFj-259 antenna analyzer!

Tyrone   N5XES 



Re: [Repeater-Builder] feedpoint impedance for DB-212

2010-03-31 Thread Chuck Kelsey
50-ohms. MUST work against a metallic member longer than the element.

Chuck
WB2EDV




- Original Message - 
From: "Tyke" 
To: 
Sent: Wednesday, March 31, 2010 9:44 PM
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] feedpoint impedance for DB-212


>  Ok now, time pick some brains and or stir up the old gray matter!
>
>  Anybody know the feedpoint imprdance od the DB-212 lowband antennas. 
> They look to be too far apart for 300 or 450 ohm, and seem to be too far 
> apart for 600 ohm. any old DB Product engineers out there who would wish 
> to grace us with their knowledge would be greatly appreciated!!
> It appears to be way above the range of a MFj-259 antenna analyzer!
>
> Tyrone   N5XES
>
>
>
> 
>
>
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>






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14:32:00



RE: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Doug Hall 4RV Voter

2010-03-31 Thread Yahoo
Have you tried here yet dheco.com

Jeff

-Original Message-
From: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:repeater-buil...@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of skipp025
Sent: Tuesday, March 30, 2010 9:55 PM
To: Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Doug Hall 4RV Voter

> Kevin Custer  wrote:
> Not likely... A manual with schematic is not offered by 
> Hall. If you need it repaired, try shotgunning the IC's 
> or send it back to them for repair.

> > Nicholas Cerreto wrote:
> > Hello!  
> > Does anyone have a service manual for the Doug Hall 
> > Voter 4RV Voter?

The Manual for the early DH Voter is around and hopefully 
still available from the Mfgr. That manual contains a generic 
diagram more of the basic circuit layout without the specifics 
related to the voting signal detector circuit (schematic) for 
each channel. 

However, diagrams of the signal quality detector channel 
are known to exist if the mfgr won't help you. But DHE is 
pretty good about customer service so try them first. I 
can't imagine they wouldn't be able to provide a copy of 
the original supplied manual. 

cheers, 
s.  





Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: if you have a commercial license

2010-03-31 Thread AA8K73 GMail

Nothing personal about you Ken, just my experience
was different.  My ham license was not an advantage.

I got my first ham license in 1961.  I was hired in 1975.

In 1973 I got my Amateur Extra when you had to have
a full minute of 20 WPM error-less CW both receiving
and sending (which I did with the FCC straight key).

It wasn't until after I worked there that my First
Class Radiotelephone with Radar and Broadcast was
converted into a GROL.

The shop did have a couple of hams working there
and the owner was a ham.  We built our own UHF and
microwave repeaters with beautiful shielding and low
power consumption (wind and solar on the mountains).
They also did some interesting trade secret things.

Many of the hams they hired in the past were not
able to service the equipment and left them with the
bias against hams.



Ken Arck wrote:
>  
> 
> At 06:00 PM 3/31/2010, AA8K73 GMail wrote:
> 
>>  
>>
>>
>> When I got a job in the 1970's at a big LMR shop in Southern
>> California, they told me they almost didn't hire me because I
>> had an Amateur Radio License. They were unimpressed by most
>> ham's skills.
> 
> <---Been a ham since 1967 (at the ripe old age of 13). Had my Novice and 
> Tech together for a few years (back then you could hold both!). Got my 
> General in 1969, Advanced later that year and finally my Extra Class in  
> 1979 or thereabouts, back when you still had to actually copy code at 20 
> WPM.
> 
> Got my 1st Class RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1975, at the 
> ripe old age of 21. Had it until they replaced it with the * utterly 
> useless * General RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1985.
> 
> Got my Extra Class Amateur license in 1979, back when you still had to 
> actually copy code at 20 WPM.
> 
> Being an old school guy, I have to admit a certain bias against General 
> RT holders and even the new codeless ham guys. I've seen many General RT 
> holders who couldn't tune a broadcast radio to a local station let alone 
> work on a genuine 2-way radio.
> 
> So sue me.. I'm only human :-)
> 
> Ken






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[Repeater-Builder] Re: Fwd: access gate accident

2010-03-31 Thread Chuk
Hate to be a party pooper, but can you post these photos in an appropriate 
section?  They don't come thru in digest mode.


--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ  wrote:
>
>  From an acquaintance.
> 
> Worth reading.
> 
> The driver of the vehicle in these photos had a real wake-up call.
> 
> Mike WA6ILQ
> 
> At 02:02 AM 02/26/10, anonymous wrote:
> 
> >Most of us have to drive through access gates to back country radio sites
> >at some point of our amateur radio repeater careers.
> >
> >A local wildlife refuge has had numerous incidents with gates swinging in
> >the wind and hitting vehicles.
> >
> >This guy caught a gate that was probably hidden by the tree line
> >as he rounded the corner.
> >
> >Share the following pictures as you see fit with your work groups.
> >
> >Look at all four pictures to see how lucky this guy really was.
> >
> >I'll bet that the first thing the gentleman driver checked was to see if
> >Mr. Wiggles and his two neighbors were still there.
>




[Repeater-Builder] Re: if you have a commercial license

2010-03-31 Thread wb6dgn


"Being an old school guy, I have to admit a certain bias against General RT 
holders and even the new codeless ham guys. I've seen many General RT holders 
who couldn't tune a broadcast radio to a local station let alone work on a 
genuine 2-way radio.  So sue me.. I'm only human :-)"
  
Yes!  So have I; but I've seen many hams that can't do any better.  AND, I've 
seen a number of engineers that won't FIX a radio, they've got to MODIFY it to 
"work better". Incompetents come in ALL flavors.  My last (and final) employer 
was heavily biased against hams of any kind.  In my opinion, all that 
accomplished was to narrow the field of good potential technicians greatly; and 
he sure couldn't afford to do that.  One of my most memorable interviews 
consisted of, of course, the usual introductions, then a trip back to the 
service area.  Waiting, was a real live radio in need of repair.  I was asked 
to fix it.  When I finished, I was thanked and told that I would be contacted.  
I'm not going to tell you whether I got that job or not!

"...and even the new codeless ham guys."

Your shop works on CW equipment???  If not, talk about "stuck on stupid" "So 
sue me.. I'm only human :-)"! (for the record, I got my ham licenses in the 
'60s)
Tom DGN
  



--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Ken Arck  wrote:
>
> At 06:00 PM 3/31/2010, AA8K73 GMail wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >When I got a job in the 1970's at a big LMR shop in Southern
> >California, they told me they almost didn't hire me because I
> >had an Amateur Radio License. They were unimpressed by most
> >ham's skills.
> 
> <---Been a ham since 1967 (at the ripe old age of 13). Had my Novice 
> and Tech together for a few years (back then you could hold both!). 
> Got my General in 1969, Advanced later that year and finally my Extra 
> Class in  1979 or thereabouts, back when you still had to actually 
> copy code at 20 WPM.
> 
> Got my 1st Class RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1975, at 
> the ripe old age of 21. Had it until they replaced it with the 
> utterly useless General RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1985.
> 
> Got my Extra Class Amateur license in 1979, back when you still had 
> to actually copy code at 20 WPM.
> 
> Being an old school guy, I have to admit a certain bias against 
> General RT holders and even the new codeless ham guys. I've seen many 
> General RT holders who couldn't tune a broadcast radio to a local 
> station let alone work on a genuine 2-way radio.
> 
> So sue me.. I'm only human :-)
> 
> Ken
>




[Repeater-Builder] Re: if you have a commercial license

2010-03-31 Thread wb6dgn


"Being an old school guy, I have to admit a certain bias against General RT
holders and even the new codeless ham guys. I've seen many General RT holders
who couldn't tune a broadcast radio to a local station let alone work on a
genuine 2-way radio. So sue me.. I'm only human :-)"

Yes! So have I; but I've seen many hams that can't do any better. AND, I've
seen a number of engineers that won't FIX a radio, they've got to MODIFY it to
"work better". Incompetents come in ALL flavors. My last (and final) employer
was heavily biased against hams of any kind. In my opinion, all that
accomplished was to narrow the field of good potential technicians greatly; and
he sure couldn't afford to do that. One of my most memorable interviews
consisted of, of course, the usual introductions, then a trip back to the
service area. Waiting, was a real live radio in need of repair. I was asked to
fix it. When I finished, I was thanked and told that I would be contacted. I'm
not going to tell you whether I got that job or not!

--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Ken Arck  wrote:
>
> At 06:00 PM 3/31/2010, AA8K73 GMail wrote:
> >
> >
> >
> >When I got a job in the 1970's at a big LMR shop in Southern
> >California, they told me they almost didn't hire me because I
> >had an Amateur Radio License. They were unimpressed by most
> >ham's skills.
> 
> <---Been a ham since 1967 (at the ripe old age of 13). Had my Novice 
> and Tech together for a few years (back then you could hold both!). 
> Got my General in 1969, Advanced later that year and finally my Extra 
> Class in  1979 or thereabouts, back when you still had to actually 
> copy code at 20 WPM.
> 
> Got my 1st Class RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1975, at 
> the ripe old age of 21. Had it until they replaced it with the 
> utterly useless General RadioTelephone (with radar endorsement) in 1985.
> 
> Got my Extra Class Amateur license in 1979, back when you still had 
> to actually copy code at 20 WPM.
> 
> Being an old school guy, I have to admit a certain bias against 
> General RT holders and even the new codeless ham guys. I've seen many 
> General RT holders who couldn't tune a broadcast radio to a local 
> station let alone work on a genuine 2-way radio.
> 
> So sue me.. I'm only human :-)
> 
> Ken
>




Re: [Repeater-Builder] Re: Fwd: access gate accident

2010-03-31 Thread Mike Morris
Look in the files section for the folder titled "Access Gate Incident".

Mike WA6ILQ

At 08:08 PM 03/31/10, you wrote:
>Hate to be a party pooper, but can you post these photos in an 
>appropriate section?  They don't come thru in digest mode.
>
>
>--- In Repeater-Builder@yahoogroups.com, Mike Morris WA6ILQ 
> wrote:
> >
> >  From an acquaintance.
> >
> > Worth reading.
> >
> > The driver of the vehicle in these photos had a real wake-up call.
> >
> > Mike WA6ILQ
> >
> > At 02:02 AM 02/26/10, anonymous wrote:
> >
> > >Most of us have to drive through access gates to back country radio sites
> > >at some point of our amateur radio repeater careers.
> > >
> > >A local wildlife refuge has had numerous incidents with gates swinging in
> > >the wind and hitting vehicles.
> > >
> > >This guy caught a gate that was probably hidden by the tree line
> > >as he rounded the corner.
> > >
> > >Share the following pictures as you see fit with your work groups.
> > >
> > >Look at all four pictures to see how lucky this guy really was.
> > >
> > >I'll bet that the first thing the gentleman driver checked was to see if
> > >Mr. Wiggles and his two neighbors were still there.
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>


[Repeater-Builder] Motorola 1150x tone/code generators

2010-03-31 Thread Dawn
Were these repackaged Cromco's? I've seen a few of these over the years and 
wondered about that. They seem like they are Cromco CEC-10's with a membrane 
key pad and moto case.