Re: [AMRadio] Shocking Stories (was: amazed...)
> Someday I'll tell the story of the 300-watt guitar amp and the metal
> screwdriver...it went to 11, alright...
Listen to the substain, man...
Steve WD8DAS
sbjohns...@aol.com
http://www.wd8das.net/
-
Radio is your best entertainment value.
-
-Original Message-
From: John Lawson
To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service
Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:53 pm
Subject: [AMRadio] Shocking Stories (was: amazed...)
I lived in a coastal canyon for many years. Right after I got my
ticket,
I amassed the typical 'impossible dream of electronic childhood' - a
nice
Collins S-Line set-up.
Before I had any antenna smarts, I stretched an enormous long-wire
down
to one end of my property, very nearly 500 feet of copper. And, I
end-fed
it, with coax. (Well, I used RG8 - what could go wrong???) No
counterpoise, no grounds (three-story house perched on a 50-degree
slope).
This mess was matched to the transmitter with a horrible home-brew
tuner
I got at a ham-fest - a huge butterfly variable cap and a 4-inch tapped
coil and switch on an open aluminum chassis.
One afternoon, I tuned 'er up, made a few contacts, chewed a rag or
two
- then it was Dinner Time. After relaxing a bit, I returned to the
shack
to see what Night would bring one of the things Night brought was
a
15-degree drop in outside temperature. And the 500 feet of copper
reacted
accordingly.
I had a footswitch attached to the PTT line, and, after checking
that
the transmitter was still in tune, listened for a bit and called CQ -
got
a station right back.
When it was again my turn, I hit the footswitch and leaned into the
microphone, whereupon a nice fat little 1-inch RF arc leapt from the
mic
to the side of my lip. Seems a voltage node had 'backed' back into the
shack with the change in length/tuning...
"Okay, Station X, FB on the..." zzzZZAAp! "*&{}#&*$*!!!$*(*...@~"
What I screamed into the open mike cannot be reproduced here, and
certainly has no place on the ham bands... HIHI!!
For months after that I cringed every time I opened the mailbox,
expecting a nice little note from the FCC inviting me to explain
myself...
but, I'm still here, as is my ticket.
Someday I'll tell the story of the 300-watt guitar amp and the
metal
screwdriver...it went to 11, alright...
Cheers
John KB6SCO
DM09fg
__
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[AMRadio] Shocking Stories (was: amazed...)
I lived in a coastal canyon for many years. Right after I got my ticket,
I amassed the typical 'impossible dream of electronic childhood' - a nice
Collins S-Line set-up.
Before I had any antenna smarts, I stretched an enormous long-wire down
to one end of my property, very nearly 500 feet of copper. And, I end-fed
it, with coax. (Well, I used RG8 - what could go wrong???) No
counterpoise, no grounds (three-story house perched on a 50-degree slope).
This mess was matched to the transmitter with a horrible home-brew tuner
I got at a ham-fest - a huge butterfly variable cap and a 4-inch tapped
coil and switch on an open aluminum chassis.
One afternoon, I tuned 'er up, made a few contacts, chewed a rag or two
- then it was Dinner Time. After relaxing a bit, I returned to the shack
to see what Night would bring one of the things Night brought was a
15-degree drop in outside temperature. And the 500 feet of copper reacted
accordingly.
I had a footswitch attached to the PTT line, and, after checking that
the transmitter was still in tune, listened for a bit and called CQ - got
a station right back.
When it was again my turn, I hit the footswitch and leaned into the
microphone, whereupon a nice fat little 1-inch RF arc leapt from the mic
to the side of my lip. Seems a voltage node had 'backed' back into the
shack with the change in length/tuning...
"Okay, Station X, FB on the..." zzzZZAAp! "*&{}#&*$*!!!$*(*...@~"
What I screamed into the open mike cannot be reproduced here, and
certainly has no place on the ham bands... HIHI!!
For months after that I cringed every time I opened the mailbox,
expecting a nice little note from the FCC inviting me to explain myself...
but, I'm still here, as is my ticket.
Someday I'll tell the story of the 300-watt guitar amp and the metal
screwdriver...it went to 11, alright...
Cheers
John KB6SCO
DM09fg
__
Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net
AMRadio mailing list
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the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
Sorry, I reversed the #1 and #2 in my story of the transmitter fire. I just reread my own article and realized I had them backwards as I wrote a few minutes ago. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: sbjohns...@aol.com To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:27 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood Hey, *I* was there... It was at my "Boat Harbor" transmitter site at WGH in Virginia. What a hoot - the #2 of a combined FM transmitter was on fire and Fred opened the cavity door and bent over to try to blow out the fire. But the blower was blowing a huge amount of air on it already - how else can you get teflon to burn?! I just turned off the other transmitter and killed the blower breaker and the fire stopped immediately. The trouble was that we didn't know that the reject load was no longer 50 ohms, and when we shut down the #2 transmitter, RF from #1 got back into #2 via the now-unbalanced combiner, arc'ed over the plate blocker and set the insulating shelf on fire. It had happened before at that site (before Susquehanna owned it) when no one was around and burned up the entire transm itter. The Chief Engineer lost his job over it - but it wasn't his fault, it was those terrible oil cooled Bird loads. I switched to an Electro-Impulse air load for the reject and the trouble never happened again. I wrote an article about it for Radio Guide - see http://www.wd8das.net/RCAfire.JPG Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: BILL GUYGER To: Discussion of AM Radio20in the Amateur Service Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:10 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood Steve This isn't going to mean a thing to the rest of the list, but your story reminded me of the tim Fred Greaves got his picture taken when he opened the PA cavity door of a FM transmitter that was off, but the cavity was still hot with RF from another transmitter getting back through the combiner. At least I think those are the facts, I've slept since Norm Philips told me about it. Bill AD5OL - Original Message From: "sbjohns...@aol.com" To: amra...@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:20:33 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood The shock I experienced did not deter me - it just made me more careful. And now I have over 25 years as a broadcast engineer working with plenty of high, low and indifferent voltages. I've been shocked a few more times, too. But I still have the good habit of only using one hand on live gear. The other hand is down my pants, er, I mean, hooked in my belt around the back. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Mes sage- From: CL in NC To: amra...@mailman.qth.net Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 8:00 pm Subject: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood I thought electric shock was a right a passage. I tried to build a Jacobs ladder as a kid of about 10, using brazing rods, a Ford ignition coil, and a 0D Lionel train transformer. Yes, I knocked the stuffing out of myself, but I learned something in the process. I had a real Gilbert Erector set too, with all kinds of sharp metal items, a real 110VAC electric motor, and an imagination to build twirling things of great danger. My first electronic project was right out of Boys Life Magazine as a Cub Scout, a 2 tube audio amp, transformerless I might add. Worked like a champ, and not a word of warning in the directions about how this could be dangerous, just if it hummed turn the AC plug around. The only 'real' shock I have endured was from my GE Prog Line, I had mounted to a 19 inch rack panel with speaker, discriminator meter, volume, squelch, and a pot to adjust the screen voltage of the final to change power out. It was on, and I needed to turn it over, and when I reached around both sides of the radio chassis, I grabbed hold of the 110 in. The weight of the radio is what broke the connection when it shook loose from my hands. Everything in this=2 0hobby can be dangerous, just like everything in life is dangerous. If you take care in what your do ing, you can avoid the stupid mistakes, but failures of interlocks, insulation, or tower s
Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
Hey, *I* was there... It was at my "Boat Harbor" transmitter site at WGH in Virginia. What a hoot - the #2 of a combined FM transmitter was on fire and Fred opened the cavity door and bent over to try to blow out the fire. But the blower was blowing a huge amount of air on it already - how else can you get teflon to burn?! I just turned off the other transmitter and killed the blower breaker and the fire stopped immediately. The trouble was that we didn't know that the reject load was no longer 50 ohms, and when we shut down the #2 transmitter, RF from #1 got back into #2 via the now-unbalanced combiner, arc'ed over the plate blocker and set the insulating shelf on fire. It had happened before at that site (before Susquehanna owned it) when no one was around and burned up the entire transmitter. The Chief Engineer lost his job over it - but it wasn't his fault, it was those terrible oil cooled Bird loads. I switched to an Electro-Impulse air load for the reject and the trouble never happened again. I wrote an article about it for Radio Guide - see http://www.wd8das.net/RCAfire.JPG Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: BILL GUYGER To: Discussion of AM Radio20in the Amateur Service Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 10:10 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood Steve This isn't going to mean a thing to the rest of the list, but your story reminded me of the tim Fred Greaves got his picture taken when he opened the PA cavity door of a FM transmitter that was off, but the cavity was still hot with RF from another transmitter getting back through the combiner. At least I think those are the facts, I've slept since Norm Philips told me about it. Bill AD5OL - Original Message From: "sbjohns...@aol.com" To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:20:33 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood The shock I experienced did not deter me - it just made me more careful. And now I have over 25 years as a broadcast engineer working with plenty of high, low and indifferent voltages. I've been shocked a few more times, too. But I still have the good habit of only using one hand on live gear. The other hand is down my pants, er, I mean, hooked in my belt around the back. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Mes sage- From: CL in NC To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 8:00 pm Subject: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood I thought electric shock was a right a passage. I tried to build a Jacobs ladder as a kid of about 10, using brazing rods, a Ford ignition coil, and a Lionel train transformer. Yes, I knocked the stuffing out of myself, but I learned something in the process. I had a real Gilbert Erector set too, with all kinds of sharp metal items, a real 110VAC electric motor, and an imagination to build twirling things of great danger. My first electronic project was right out of Boys Life Magazine as a Cub Scout, a 2 tube audio amp, transformerless I might add. Worked like a champ, and not a word of warning in the directions about how this could be dangerous, just if it hummed turn the AC plug around. The only 'real' shock I have endured was from my GE Prog Line, I had mounted to a 19 inch rack panel with speaker, discriminator meter, volume, squelch, and a pot to adjust the screen voltage of the final to change power out. It was on, and I needed to turn it over, and when I reached around both sides of the radio chassis, I grabbed hold of the 110 in. The weight of the radio is what broke the connection when it shook loose from my hands. Everything in this=2 0hobby can be dangerous, just like everything in life is dangerous. If you take care in what your doing, you can avoid the stupid mistakes, but failures of interlocks, insulation, or tower sections will claim even the most careful. To leave the 'dangerous stuff' to a real technician is fine if you bought a Volvo just because it's a safe car. But, to be afraid to open up a piece of equipment after following the safety rules because it says 'Danger HV', makes as much sense as buying a rifle and never firing it because it has the words, "may cause injury or death" engraved on top of the barrel. Charlie W4MEC in NC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listi
Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
I too learned all about AC/DC 5 tube superhets the hard way, and thanks to a Dynaco power amp that had been sitting unpowered for several days, about the lightning that lurketh in non bleeder resistor equiped filter caps. But the most embarrasing shock I ever got was when I was in college and working in the Learning Center tape room. I reached into the back of a rack of 1" VTR's got hold of exposed 120V. somehow and it went to ground through my nose which was up against the rack side panel. Talk about opening your sinuses! Bill AD5OL - Original Message From: CL in NC To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:00:33 PM Subject: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood I thought electric shock was a right a passage. I tried to build a Jacobs ladder as a kid of about 10, using brazing rods, a Ford ignition coil, and a Lionel train transformer. Yes, I knocked the stuffing out of myself, but I learned something in the process. I had a real Gilbert Erector set too, with all kinds of sharp metal items, a real 110VAC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
Steve This isn't going to mean a thing to the rest of the list, but your story reminded me of the tim Fred Greaves got his picture taken when he opened the PA cavity door of a FM transmitter that was off, but the cavity was still hot with RF from another transmitter getting back through the combiner. At least I think those are the facts, I've slept since Norm Philips told me about it. Bill AD5OL - Original Message From: "sbjohns...@aol.com" To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:20:33 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood The shock I experienced did not deter me - it just made me more careful. And now I have over 25 years as a broadcast engineer working with plenty of high, low and indifferent voltages. I've been shocked a few more times, too. But I still have the good habit of only using one hand on live gear. The other hand is down my pants, er, I mean, hooked in my belt around the back. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: CL in NC To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 8:00 pm Subject: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood I thought electric shock was a right a passage. I tried to build a Jacobs ladder as a kid of about 10, using brazing rods, a Ford ignition coil, and a Lionel train transformer. Yes, I knocked the stuffing out of myself, but I learned something in the process. I had a real Gilbert Erector set too, with all kinds of sharp metal items, a real 110VAC electric motor, and an imagination to build twirling things of great danger. My first electronic project was right out of Boys Life Magazine as a Cub Scout, a 2 tube audio amp, transformerless I might add. Worked like a champ, and not a word of warning in the directions about how this could be dangerous, just if it hummed turn the AC plug around. The only 'real' shock I have endured was from my GE Prog Line, I had mounted to a 19 inch rack panel with speaker, discriminator meter, volume, squelch, and a pot to adjust the screen voltage of the final to change power out. It was on, and I needed to turn it over, and when I reached around both sides of the radio chassis, I grabbed hold of the 110 in. The weight of the radio is what broke the connection when it shook loose from my hands. Everything in this hobby can be dangerous, just like everything in life is dangerous. If you take care in what your doing, you can avoid the stupid mistakes, but failures of interlocks, insulation, or tower sections will claim even the most careful. To leave the 'dangerous stuff' to a real technician is fine if you bought a Volvo just because it's a safe car. But, to be afraid to open up a piece of equipment after following the safety rules because it says 'Danger HV', makes as much sense as buying a rifle and never firing it because it has the words, "may cause injury or death" engraved on top of the barrel. Charlie W4MEC in NC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
Way to go Steveo! Bill AD5OL - Original Message From: "sbjohns...@aol.com" To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:31:46 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A special day today This evening, after a couple small repairs and alignment, the Galaxy 300 seems to be working fine. The first time I spun the dial with an antenna connected what do I hear? - the distinctive WB9GKZ laugh from a couple kcs away. I tuned him in and found that Pat was spieling on or about 3820 kHz. At least that's what the dial said, and I'd just calibrated it. I threw in a couple wise cracks and was rewarded with a good report. I think the rig is about ready for the vintage SSB net. One of the sideband generator crystals had drifted too far out to be adjusted by the trimmer, so I added a series 12pF cap and that gave me the ability to get it on frequency. Not much else wrong, and now it seems to be meeting specs all around. "After" photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02/3211879080/in/set-72157612756003726/ Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
This evening, after a couple small repairs and alignment, the Galaxy 300 seems to be working fine. The first time I spun the dial with an antenna connected what do I hear? - the distinctive WB9GKZ laugh from a couple kcs away. I tuned him in and found that Pat was spieling on or about 3820 kHz. At least that's what the dial said, and I'd just calibrated it. I threw in a couple wise cracks and was rewarded with a good report. I think the rig is about ready for the vintage SSB net. One of the sideband generator crystals had drifted too far out to be adjusted by the trimmer, so I added a series 12pF cap and that gave me the ability to get it on frequency. Not much else wrong, and now it seems to be meeting specs all around. "After" photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02/3211879080/in/set-72157612756003726/ Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
Hello, Sometimes known as "one hand for the ship, one hand for yourself." 73, Bruce WA8TNC = sbjohns...@aol.com wrote: > The shock I experienced did not deter me - it just made me more > careful. And now I have over 25 years as a broadcast engineer working > with plenty of high, low and indifferent voltages. I've been shocked > a few more times, too. But I still have the good habit of only using > one hand on live gear. The other hand is down my pants, er, I mean, > hooked in my belt around the back. > > Steve WD8DAS > > sbjohns...@aol.com > http://www.wd8das.net/ > - > Radio is your best entertainment value. > - __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
I see this fear of voltage and current prevalent among the "board-swapper" type techs that have never worked on anything with more than 12 VDC. Jim W5JO hit the nail on the head, there just isn't a lot of common sense around these days.When fooling with HV, put one hand in the pocket and be sure to be awake/alert. Joe W4AAB - Original Message - From: To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" ; "Jim Wilhite" Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 8:17 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A special day today > > Anyone who knows Leo Meyerson knows what a gentleman he is and if there > had > been some concern over the issues mentioned at the time of manufacture of > the > WRL/Galaxy, they would have been addressed at that time. After all, should > anyone be injured by a bad design, that would probably spell the end of > the > products and no one wanted either of those to happen. > > Those radios were a product of their times. Caution should be applied > today as > it was yesterday. Accidents will happen and my immediate recall is Ross > Hull. > > K0NG > > __ > Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net > AMRadio mailing list > Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ > List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net > To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with > the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
[AMRadio] Those Jolts that Get your Attention
Here are the two electrical shocks that I will remember forever. The first came from an "All American 5 tube" design BC radio when I was about 10 years old. I had gotten inside it, connected a pig tail to one end of the ferrite antenna, and stuck it through one of the vent slots in the back of the case. The intent was to connect it to a bunch of wire outside, which I did. But, I didn't know about insulators, grounds, etc. Ouch! Soon after that, I learned how to accomplish this with an inductor held against the back of the radio. The second came from a Viking Ranger not long after I connected an audible tuning indicator across the meter. This was the original Ranger, so most of you know where the meter appears electrically in the plate circuit. I have known that fact very well too since my right hand encountered just enough bare wire to complete a circuit across the pins of the connector I had used. Sometimes, seeing with your hands is tough! Fortunately, in both of these cases, I was only using one hand, was wearing good shoes, and was not on concrete. Mike Duke, K5XU American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
I never bore any ill feeling toward WRL - it was *my* careless mistake. Note that when homebrewing I generally do not provide easy-open, wide-mouth, flip-top lids on any gear with more than 120 VAC inside. Safer to have to unscrew a panel before getting to the goodies... Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: k...@inebraska.com To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service ; Jim Wilhite Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 8:17 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A special day today Anyone who knows Leo Meyerson knows what a gentleman he is and if there had been some concern over the issues mentioned at the time of manufacture of the WRL/Galaxy, they would have been addressed at that time. After all, should anyone be injured by a bad design, that would probably spell the end of the products and no one wanted either of those to happen. Those radios were a product of their times. Caution should be applied today as it was yesterday. Accidents will happen and my immediate recall is Ross Hull. K0NG __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
Yeah, but I would still like to know why he used AX9909's in the Globe Chump 300 and why the T-1 transformer was wimpy. I'm still negotiating for the one I toasted. Mod-U-Lator, Mike(y) W3SLK - Original Message - From: To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" ; "Jim Wilhite" Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:17 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A special day today Anyone who knows Leo Meyerson knows what a gentleman he is and if there had been some concern over the issues mentioned at the time of manufacture of the WRL/Galaxy, they would have been addressed at that time. After all, should anyone be injured by a bad design, that would probably spell the end of the products and no one wanted either of those to happen. Those radios were a product of their times. Caution should be applied today as it was yesterday. Accidents will happen and my immediate recall is Ross Hull. K0NG __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day??
>To prove that Steve knows what he is talking about: >"Did you know? The State of Ohio recognized Martin Luther King Day as a >legal holiday, effective Aug. 1, 1975. Thank you, Bruce. I'm very glad to hear your confirmation that I am not losing my mind (at least on this point). Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
The shock I experienced did not deter me - it just made me more careful. And now I have over 25 years as a broadcast engineer working with plenty of high, low and indifferent voltages. I've been shocked a few more times, too. But I still have the good habit of only using one hand on live gear. The other hand is down my pants, er, I mean, hooked in my belt around the back. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: CL in NC To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 8:00 pm Subject: [AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood I thought electric shock was a right a passage. I tried to build a Jacobs ladder as a kid of about 10, using brazing rods, a Ford ignition coil, and a Lionel train transformer. Yes, I knocked the stuffing out of myself, but I learned something in the process. I had a real Gilbert Erector set too, with all kinds of sharp metal items, a real 110VAC electric motor, and an imagination to build twirling things of great danger. My first electronic project was right out of Boys Life Magazine as a Cub Scout, a 2 tube audio amp, transformerless I might add. Worked like a champ, and not a word of warning in the directions about how this could be dangerous, just if it hummed turn the AC plug around. The only 'real' shock I have endured was from my GE Prog Line, I had mounted to a 19 inch rack panel with speaker, discriminator meter, volume, squelch, and a pot to adjust the screen voltage of the final to change power out. It was on, and I needed to turn it over, and when I reached around both sides of the radio chassis, I grabbed hold of the 110 in. The weight of the radio is what broke the connection when it shook loose from my hands. Everything in this hobby can be dangerous, just like everything in life is dangerous. If you take care in what your doing, you can avoid the stupid mistakes, but failures of interlocks, insulation, or tower sections will claim even the most careful. To leave the 'dangerous stuff' to a real technician is fine if you bought a Volvo just because it's a safe car. But, to be afraid to open up a piece of equipment after following the safety rules because it says 'Danger HV', makes as much sense as buying a rifle and never firing it because it has the words, "may cause injury or death" engraved on top of the barrel. Charlie W4MEC in NC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
Anyone who knows Leo Meyerson knows what a gentleman he is and if there had been some concern over the issues mentioned at the time of manufacture of the WRL/Galaxy, they would have been addressed at that time. After all, should anyone be injured by a bad design, that would probably spell the end of the products and no one wanted either of those to happen. Those radios were a product of their times. Caution should be applied today as it was yesterday. Accidents will happen and my immediate recall is Ross Hull. K0NG __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day??
Then that means it is "Lee/Jackson/Neal Newman Day!" ;>) Happy 47 Neal. Mod-U-Lator, Mike(y) W3SLK - Original Message - From: "neal Newman" To: "Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service" Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:08 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day?? Yes its a special day. Its my birthday I made it to 47 Neal __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day??
Yes its a special day. Its my birthday I made it to 47 Neal __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
[AMRadio] Amazed any young ham made it to adulthood
I thought electric shock was a right a passage. I tried to build a Jacobs ladder as a kid of about 10, using brazing rods, a Ford ignition coil, and a Lionel train transformer. Yes, I knocked the stuffing out of myself, but I learned something in the process. I had a real Gilbert Erector set too, with all kinds of sharp metal items, a real 110VAC electric motor, and an imagination to build twirling things of great danger. My first electronic project was right out of Boys Life Magazine as a Cub Scout, a 2 tube audio amp, transformerless I might add. Worked like a champ, and not a word of warning in the directions about how this could be dangerous, just if it hummed turn the AC plug around. The only 'real' shock I have endured was from my GE Prog Line, I had mounted to a 19 inch rack panel with speaker, discriminator meter, volume, squelch, and a pot to adjust the screen voltage of the final to change power out. It was on, and I needed to turn it over, and when I reached around both sides of the radio chassis, I grabbed hold of the 110 in. The weight of the radio is what broke the connection when it shook loose from my hands. Everything in this hobby can be dangerous, just like everything in life is dangerous. If you take care in what your doing, you can avoid the stupid mistakes, but failures of interlocks, insulation, or tower sections will claim even the most careful. To leave the 'dangerous stuff' to a real technician is fine if you bought a Volvo just because it's a safe car. But, to be afraid to open up a piece of equipment after following the safety rules because it says 'Danger HV', makes as much sense as buying a rifle and never firing it because it has the words, "may cause injury or death" engraved on top of the barrel. Charlie W4MEC in NC __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day??
Hello, To prove that Steve knows what he is talking about: "Did you know? The State of Ohio recognized Martin Luther King Day as a legal holiday, effective Aug. 1, 1975. See S.B. No. 18, 136 Laws of Ohio, Part II, 41; ORC 1.14. The federal government did not declare Martin Luther King Day a federal holiday until 1983". From the CM Law Library Blog. of the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, Cleveland, Ohio. 73, Bruce WA8TNC = sbjohns...@aol.com wrote: > Ron Lawrence W4RON wrote: > >> I hate to question your memory, but Martin Luther King Day didn't >> exist in 1977 or 1978. >> President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it >> was first observed in 1986. > > That's the *federal* holiday. I hate to correct a corrector, but it > most certainly did exist - in the State of Ohio. > > This is the sixth email message I've received pointing out this > supposed error on my part. I experienced it as a school holiday in > the late 1970s, and as a city and state employee in the very early > 1980s. I recall much racially-oriented bellyaching at the time about > the state adopting this new holiday. > > Steve WD8DAS > > sbjohns...@aol.com > http://www.wd8das.net/ > - > Radio is your best entertainment value. > - __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day??
Ron Lawrence W4RON wrote: >I hate to question your memory, but Martin Luther King Day didn't >exist in 1977 or 1978. .President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was >first observed in 1986. That's the *federal* holiday. I hate to correct a corrector, but it most certainly did exist - in the State of Ohio. This is the sixth email message I've received pointing out this supposed error on my part. I experienced it as a school holiday in the late 1970s, and as a city and state employee in the very early 1980s. I recall much racially-oriented bellyaching at the time about the state adopting this new holiday. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: Ron Lawrence W4RON To: amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 6:47 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day?? > This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King Day > 1977 or 1978. I hate to question your memory, but Martin Luther King Day didn't exist in 1977 or 1978. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. Now is seems like it's turned into Martin Luther King WEEK... 73, Ron w4ron __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A Special Day??
> This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King Day > 1977 or 1978. I hate to question your memory, but Martin Luther King Day didn't exist in 1977 or 1978. President Ronald Reagan signed the holiday into law in 1983, and it was first observed in 1986. Now is seems like it's turned into Martin Luther King WEEK... 73, Ron w4ron __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
Jack wrote: >According to Wiki, the holiday did not start till 1986. >But an interesting story non the less. 1986 is when it became a *federal* holiday. My school system did indeed have an MLK holiday. As I recall it was a State of Ohio mandate. I remember because it pissed me off to be "wasting" the day off school by being in the hospital. Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - -Original Message- From: Jack To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service Sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 4:20 pm Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A special day today According to Wiki, the holiday did not start till 1986. But an interesting story non the less. I was first bit in a electronics shop class. I was checking out a power supply I had built for a small 6L6 transmitter. Got bit by a lytic when it was off. (oops did I forget a bleeder resister) I cleverly reached in and got it again, thinking my first go around had discharged the cap. My classmates found it amusing. 73, jack On Jan 19, 2009, at 4:07 PM, robertchar...@att.net wrote: > You are a jewel for sharing your story with us. Fortunately for me, > I have never experienced anything other then a shock across the CW > Key contactsand that was bad enough for me back in the late > 60's-70's. > -- Original message from sbjohns...@aol.com: > -- > > > > > > > > It is indeed a special day today. I'm working on the restoration > of my > > old WRL Galaxy 300 SSB transceiver - my first SSB rig I bought as > a new > > General lo those many years ago. I had to pull use all my savings, > > plus cash gifts from my parents and grandmother to scrape enough > money > > to buy it mail-order from Associated Radio in Kansas City. I think > it > > cost $229. > > > > This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King > Day > > 1977 or 1978. I was 13-14 years old, fooling around one evening in > my > > room, trying to determine why there was a tube shield on the > Galaxy's > > 6BZ6 RF amp tube. It is located right behind the finals in the PA > > compartment. > > > > At one point I got very careless. With the transceiver turned on > > (bad), in fact transmitting a full-power carrier (very bad), I > lifted > > the lid and reached back in with my right hand to remove the 6BZ6's > > shield. Trouble is, to get to it I reached over the two 6HF5 > finals and > > their plate caps with about 900 volts DC, plus a couple hundred > watts > > of RF. My wrist touched the plate caps at the same time my fingers > > reached the tube shield, and the shocking and the burning commenced. > > My hand drew up in a fist, making it seemingly impossible to pull it > > back out. With the pain of the electric shock and RF burns I > couldn't > > get my hand out! Fortunately I was only using one hand for this > > madness, and I ultimately pushed myself away with my other hand on > the > > wooden desk. This also meant that the current had only flowed > through > > my hand and arm, not across my chest (very good). > > > > I had some pretty serious and painful burns on my hand and forearm. > > Clutching my wounded limb, I sat on my bed considering my options. I > > had a VERY BIG CONCERN that if I told my parents what had happened > > they'd stop my ham hobby dead. I was also very embarrassed to have > > hurt myself in such a dumb way. But I was also hurting pretty bad, > and > > worried about the side-effects of a strong shock, so I concluded > to be > > up-front about it. Not sure now how I would have hidden the injuries > > anyway. now that I think about it thirty years later. > > > > They handled it very well, and took me to the hospital emergency > room. > > The doctor did not understand the situation very well and was > checking > > my feet for burns, worried about my heart, etc - and he demanded > that I > > be kept overnight. I was admitted and put into a bed in a room with > > eight patients. > > > > All night long, every few minutes one or another of these poor souls > > needed a nurse for something and would start calling out, ringing > > bells, moaning and crying. The nurse would finally enter, > switching on > > the gigantic bank of fluorescent lights that lit the whole room like > > the surface of the sun. Click... zz.. , snap, snap, snap as the > > lights fired individually and finally humm they were on and I > was > > blinded by the light. No sleep for me, and I spent part of the the > > next day in the hospital wasting a school holiday - Martin Luther > King > > Day. > > > > My parents never said a word in judgment of my foolishness or > against > > ham radio because of this accident. And I was able to "milk" my > > injury to get me out of gym class for several months (very good). > > > > "Before" photos of the Galaxy 300 at > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
According to Wiki, the holiday did not start till 1986. But an interesting story non the less. I was first bit in a electronics shop class. I was checking out a power supply I had built for a small 6L6 transmitter. Got bit by a lytic when it was off. (oops did I forget a bleeder resister) I cleverly reached in and got it again, thinking my first go around had discharged the cap. My classmates found it amusing. 73, jack On Jan 19, 2009, at 4:07 PM, robertchar...@att.net wrote: > You are a jewel for sharing your story with us. Fortunately for me, > I have never experienced anything other then a shock across the CW > Key contactsand that was bad enough for me back in the late > 60's-70's. > -- Original message from sbjohns...@aol.com: > -- > > > > > > > > It is indeed a special day today. I'm working on the restoration > of my > > old WRL Galaxy 300 SSB transceiver - my first SSB rig I bought as > a new > > General lo those many years ago. I had to pull use all my savings, > > plus cash gifts from my parents and grandmother to scrape enough > money > > to buy it mail-order from Associated Radio in Kansas City. I think > it > > cost $229. > > > > This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King > Day > > 1977 or 1978. I was 13-14 years old, fooling around one evening in > my > > room, trying to determine why there was a tube shield on the > Galaxy's > > 6BZ6 RF amp tube. It is located right behind the finals in the PA > > compartment. > > > > At one point I got very careless. With the transceiver turned on > > (bad), in fact transmitting a full-power carrier (very bad), I > lifted > > the lid and reached back in with my right hand to remove the 6BZ6's > > shield. Trouble is, to get to it I reached over the two 6HF5 > finals and > > their plate caps with about 900 volts DC, plus a couple hundred > watts > > of RF. My wrist touched the plate caps at the same time my fingers > > reached the tube shield, and the shocking and the burning commenced. > > My hand drew up in a fist, making it seemingly impossible to pull it > > back out. With the pain of the electric shock and RF burns I > couldn't > > get my hand out! Fortunately I was only using one hand for this > > madness, and I ultimately pushed myself away with my other hand on > the > > wooden desk. This also meant that the current had only flowed > through > > my hand and arm, not across my chest (very good). > > > > I had some pretty serious and painful burns on my hand and forearm. > > Clutching my wounded limb, I sat on my bed considering my options. I > > had a VERY BIG CONCERN that if I told my parents what had happened > > they'd stop my ham hobby dead. I was also very embarrassed to have > > hurt myself in such a dumb way. But I was also hurting pretty bad, > and > > worried about the side-effects of a strong shock, so I concluded > to be > > up-front about it. Not sure now how I would have hidden the injuries > > anyway. now that I think about it thirty years later. > > > > They handled it very well, and took me to the hospital emergency > room. > > The doctor did not understand the situation very well and was > checking > > my feet for burns, worried about my heart, etc - and he demanded > that I > > be kept overnight. I was admitted and put into a bed in a room with > > eight patients. > > > > All night long, every few minutes one or another of these poor souls > > needed a nurse for something and would start calling out, ringing > > bells, moaning and crying. The nurse would finally enter, > switching on > > the gigantic bank of fluorescent lights that lit the whole room like > > the surface of the sun. Click... zz.. , snap, snap, snap as the > > lights fired individually and finally humm they were on and I > was > > blinded by the light. No sleep for me, and I spent part of the the > > next day in the hospital wasting a school holiday - Martin Luther > King > > Day. > > > > My parents never said a word in judgment of my foolishness or > against > > ham radio because of this accident. And I was able to "milk" my > > injury to get me out of gym class for several months (very good). > > > > "Before" photos of the Galaxy 300 at > > > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02/sets/72157612756003726/ > > > > Steve WD8DAS > > > > sbjohns...@aol.com > > http://www.wd8das.net/ > > - > > Radio is your best entertainment value. > > - > > __ > > Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net > > AMRadio mailing list > > Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ > > List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html > > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailm
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
People of yesteryear didn't have the "self esteem" of today's people, therefore they found a mentor, read the book (in most cases) and more importantly, would not find Leo guilty of anything in court if the plaintiff did something stupid. I believe it was called common sense, something severely lacking today in many people. Good grief, Jim/W5JO > What I still wonder even today is how WRL/Leo Meyerson could make > such death > traps and get away with it. > > I still have a Galaxy V that when you life up the lid, there is > the PA cage > fully exposed. > > What was he thinking? Could it have been $ by shaving costs. > No > interlocks on the "big boy: - the Globe King 500. > > __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
You are a jewel for sharing your story with us. Fortunately for me, I have never experienced anything other then a shock across the CW Key contactsand that was bad enough for me back in the late 60's-70's. -- Original message from sbjohns...@aol.com: -- > > > It is indeed a special day today. I'm working on the restoration of my > old WRL Galaxy 300 SSB transceiver - my first SSB rig I bought as a new > General lo those many years ago. I had to pull use all my savings, > plus cash gifts from my parents and grandmother to scrape enough money > to buy it mail-order from Associated Radio in Kansas City. I think it > cost $229. > > This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King Day > 1977 or 1978. I was 13-14 years old, fooling around one evening in my > room, trying to determine why there was a tube shield on the Galaxy's > 6BZ6 RF amp tube. It is located right behind the finals in the PA > compartment. > > At one point I got very careless. With the transceiver turned on > (bad), in fact transmitting a full-power carrier (very bad), I lifted > the lid and reached back in with my right hand to remove the 6BZ6's > shield. Trouble is, to get to it I reached over the two 6HF5 finals and > their plate caps with about 900 volts DC, plus a couple hundred watts > of RF. My wrist touched the plate caps at the same time my fingers > reached the tube shield, and the shocking and the burning commenced. > My hand drew up in a fist, making it seemingly impossible to pull it > back out. With the pain of the electric shock and RF burns I couldn't > get my hand out! Fortunately I was only using one hand for this > madness, and I ultimately pushed myself away with my other hand on the > wooden desk. This also meant that the current had only flowed through > my hand and arm, not across my chest (very good). > > I had some pretty serious and painful burns on my hand and forearm. > Clutching my wounded limb, I sat on my bed considering my options. I > had a VERY BIG CONCERN that if I told my parents what had happened > they'd stop my ham hobby dead. I was also very embarrassed to have > hurt myself in such a dumb way. But I was also hurting pretty bad, and > worried about the side-effects of a strong shock, so I concluded to be > up-front about it. Not sure now how I would have hidden the injuries > anyway. now that I think about it thirty years later. > > They handled it very well, and took me to the hospital emergency room. > The doctor did not understand the situation very well and was checking > my feet for burns, worried about my heart, etc - and he demanded that I > be kept overnight. I was admitted and put into a bed in a room with > eight patients. > > All night long, every few minutes one or another of these poor souls > needed a nurse for something and would start calling out, ringing > bells, moaning and crying. The nurse would finally enter, switching on > the gigantic bank of fluorescent lights that lit the whole room like > the surface of the sun. Click... zz.. , snap, snap, snap as the > lights fired individually and finally humm they were on and I was > blinded by the light. No sleep for me, and I spent part of the the > next day in the hospital wasting a school holiday - Martin Luther King > Day. > > My parents never said a word in judgment of my foolishness or against > ham radio because of this accident. And I was able to "milk" my > injury to get me out of gym class for several months (very good). > > "Before" photos of the Galaxy 300 at > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02/sets/72157612756003726/ > > Steve WD8DAS > > sbjohns...@aol.com > http://www.wd8das.net/ > - > Radio is your best entertainment value. > - > __ > Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net > AMRadio mailing list > Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ > List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net > To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with > the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
Surely half the fun of these big old radios is knowing there are thousands of Volts, tens of Amps and lots of totally unprotected RF floating around, to wrap them up in silly wire cages just isn't playing the game!, 73 Max M0GHQ/KJ4ISS - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 9:44 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] A special day today > > How could GM (and others) make those dangerous cars, why when you open > the hood, > those giant fan blades and rotating pulleys are totally exposed!! > > While I concur with the idea that a child could raise the lid of an > unprotected > table top radio and be harmed or worse, dismantling Big radios, even with > interlocks, should only be done by experienced technicians. Amateurs > should > stay out. Safety First. > > JMHO. K0NG . > > > > __ > Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net > AMRadio mailing list > Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ > List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net > To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with > the word unsubscribe in the message body. > __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
How could GM (and others) make those dangerous cars, why when you open the hood, those giant fan blades and rotating pulleys are totally exposed!! While I concur with the idea that a child could raise the lid of an unprotected table top radio and be harmed or worse, dismantling Big radios, even with interlocks, should only be done by experienced technicians. Amateurs should stay out. Safety First. JMHO. K0NG . __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] A special day today
What I still wonder even today is how WRL/Leo Meyerson could make such death traps and get away with it. I still have a Galaxy V that when you life up the lid, there is the PA cage fully exposed. What was he thinking? Could it have been $ by shaving costs. No interlocks on the "big boy: - the Globe King 500. David Knepper, W3ST/W3CRA - Original Message - From: To: Sent: Monday, January 19, 2009 2:35 PM Subject: [AMRadio] A special day today > > > It is indeed a special day today. I'm working on the restoration of my > old WRL Galaxy 300 SSB transceiver - my first SSB rig I bought as a new > General lo those many years ago. I had to pull use all my savings, > plus cash gifts from my parents and grandmother to scrape enough money > to buy it mail-order from Associated Radio in Kansas City. I think it > cost $229. > > This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King Day > 1977 or 1978. I was 13-14 years old, fooling around one evening in my > room, trying to determine why there was a tube shield on the Galaxy's > 6BZ6 RF amp tube. It is located right behind the finals in the PA > compartment. > > At one point I got very careless. With the transceiver turned on > (bad), in fact transmitting a full-power carrier (very bad), I lifted > the lid and reached back in with my right hand to remove the 6BZ6's > shield. Trouble is, to get to it I reached over the two 6HF5 finals and > their plate caps with about 900 volts DC, plus a couple hundred watts > of RF. My wrist touched the plate caps at the same time my fingers > reached the tube shield, and the shocking and the burning commenced. > My hand drew up in a fist, making it seemingly impossible to pull it > back out. With the pain of the electric shock and RF burns I couldn't > get my hand out! Fortunately I was only using one hand for this > madness, and I ultimately pushed myself away with my other hand on the > wooden desk. This also meant that the current had only flowed through > my hand and arm, not across my chest (very good). > > I had some pretty serious and painful burns on my hand and forearm. > Clutching my wounded limb, I sat on my bed considering my options. I > had a VERY BIG CONCERN that if I told my parents what had happened > they'd stop my ham hobby dead. I was also very embarrassed to have > hurt myself in such a dumb way. But I was also hurting pretty bad, and > worried about the side-effects of a strong shock, so I concluded to be > up-front about it. Not sure now how I would have hidden the injuries > anyway. now that I think about it thirty years later. > > They handled it very well, and took me to the hospital emergency room. > The doctor did not understand the situation very well and was checking > my feet for burns, worried about my heart, etc - and he demanded that I > be kept overnight. I was admitted and put into a bed in a room with > eight patients. > > All night long, every few minutes one or another of these poor souls > needed a nurse for something and would start calling out, ringing > bells, moaning and crying. The nurse would finally enter, switching on > the gigantic bank of fluorescent lights that lit the whole room like > the surface of the sun. Click... zz.. , snap, snap, snap as the > lights fired individually and finally humm they were on and I was > blinded by the light. No sleep for me, and I spent part of the the > next day in the hospital wasting a school holiday - Martin Luther King > Day. > > My parents never said a word in judgment of my foolishness or against > ham radio because of this accident. And I was able to "milk" my > injury to get me out of gym class for several months (very good). > > "Before" photos of the Galaxy 300 at > > http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02/sets/72157612756003726/ > > Steve WD8DAS > > sbjohns...@aol.com > http://www.wd8das.net/ > - > Radio is your best entertainment value. > - > __ > Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net > AMRadio mailing list > Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ > List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html > List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html > Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net > To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with > the word unsubscribe in the message body. __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email
[AMRadio] A special day today
It is indeed a special day today. I'm working on the restoration of my old WRL Galaxy 300 SSB transceiver - my first SSB rig I bought as a new General lo those many years ago. I had to pull use all my savings, plus cash gifts from my parents and grandmother to scrape enough money to buy it mail-order from Associated Radio in Kansas City. I think it cost $229. This is the rig that put me in the hospital on Martin Luther King Day 1977 or 1978. I was 13-14 years old, fooling around one evening in my room, trying to determine why there was a tube shield on the Galaxy's 6BZ6 RF amp tube. It is located right behind the finals in the PA compartment. At one point I got very careless. With the transceiver turned on (bad), in fact transmitting a full-power carrier (very bad), I lifted the lid and reached back in with my right hand to remove the 6BZ6's shield. Trouble is, to get to it I reached over the two 6HF5 finals and their plate caps with about 900 volts DC, plus a couple hundred watts of RF. My wrist touched the plate caps at the same time my fingers reached the tube shield, and the shocking and the burning commenced. My hand drew up in a fist, making it seemingly impossible to pull it back out. With the pain of the electric shock and RF burns I couldn't get my hand out! Fortunately I was only using one hand for this madness, and I ultimately pushed myself away with my other hand on the wooden desk. This also meant that the current had only flowed through my hand and arm, not across my chest (very good). I had some pretty serious and painful burns on my hand and forearm. Clutching my wounded limb, I sat on my bed considering my options. I had a VERY BIG CONCERN that if I told my parents what had happened they'd stop my ham hobby dead. I was also very embarrassed to have hurt myself in such a dumb way. But I was also hurting pretty bad, and worried about the side-effects of a strong shock, so I concluded to be up-front about it. Not sure now how I would have hidden the injuries anyway. now that I think about it thirty years later. They handled it very well, and took me to the hospital emergency room. The doctor did not understand the situation very well and was checking my feet for burns, worried about my heart, etc - and he demanded that I be kept overnight. I was admitted and put into a bed in a room with eight patients. All night long, every few minutes one or another of these poor souls needed a nurse for something and would start calling out, ringing bells, moaning and crying. The nurse would finally enter, switching on the gigantic bank of fluorescent lights that lit the whole room like the surface of the sun. Click... zz.. , snap, snap, snap as the lights fired individually and finally humm they were on and I was blinded by the light. No sleep for me, and I spent part of the the next day in the hospital wasting a school holiday - Martin Luther King Day. My parents never said a word in judgment of my foolishness or against ham radio because of this accident. And I was able to "milk" my injury to get me out of gym class for several months (very good). "Before" photos of the Galaxy 300 at http://www.flickr.com/photos/34505...@n02/sets/72157612756003726/ Steve WD8DAS sbjohns...@aol.com http://www.wd8das.net/ - Radio is your best entertainment value. - __ Our Main Website: http://www.amfone.net AMRadio mailing list Searchable Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/amradio@mailman.qth.net/ List Rules (must read!): http://w5ami.net/amradiofaq.html List Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/amradio Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.html Post: mailto:AMRadio@mailman.qth.net To unsubscribe, send an email to amradio-requ...@mailman.qth.net with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
