Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Is this in the May issue? If so, I haven't received mine, yet. Once I read the article, I may write a letter of disagreement with such a premise, but I have to see the article, first. Kim Elmore, N5OP At 11:32 PM 4/20/2008, you wrote: The Getting On The Air column by W1ZR. Vacuum tube based equipment is far too dangerous to consider for a first rig, and building your own equipment apparently isn't even a consideration any longer. If it uses tubes, GASP! High Voltage! We can't have any of that! Also, avoid gear older than 8 years, because you might not be able to get it repaired. I hang my head in shame over what has happened to this once great hobby where people were somewhat technically competent. Those that lacked technical skills at least learned a bit of theory to at least have a basic understanding of the operation of their equipment. At 44 years old, I'm a relative youngster in ham radio. I build and restore vacuum tube equipment. I also play the guitar. The electric guitar fraternity seems to embrace homebrewing far more than the amateur community does today. Most good guitar amp designs are still vacuum tube based, including modern designs. People regularly modify their amps or build clone designs. Yes, high voltage. You learn the proper precautions. Seems rather funny that a musician might be more apt to work with electronics than a ham radio operator. Modern electronics is too complicated, tubes are too dangerous - it's no wonder that electronics isn't even taught any longer throughout most of the school system. I'm really beginning to question why I continue to support the ARRL. At first when I saw the cover of this issue, I had thought there would be all these neat projects from the Homebrewer's Challenge. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I used to treasure QST. While I still save all my issues, I'm beginning to wonder why. It certainly isn't the technical journal it once was. 73, Joe, N6DGY Pleasant Grove, UT __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Hi Mark, Well spoken... I once had to replace the MRF-422(?) RF power output transistors in my FT-980 here...for what I paid for these wonderful, low-voltage, SAFE solidstate devices, I could have purchased a LOT of 12BY7's 6146's...! Some of these god-sent transistors cost more --- and are a LOT more rare --- than tubes to-day, especially the sand-derived active devices from earlier no-tube gear (have you priced direct-replacement germanium power transistors lately, as were employed in the multi-vibrator power supplies of 60's/70's mobile QRO equipment...?!). ~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ - Original Message - From: Mark K3MSB [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 11:27 PM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST My first recommendation would be to only consider older vacuum tube or hybrid gear (solid state receiver, tubes in part of the transmitter) if you have experience working with vacuum tube transmitters. It is too easy to destroy hard to get transmitting tubes while you learn. One of the most common PA line ups of hybrid transmitters is a 12BY7A driver and a pair of 6146 finals. Without searching hard, you can get all 3 NOS at a fester for $12; less if you put some effort into it. 73 Mark K3MSB __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
On Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 8:35 PM, Jim Tonne [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I point out that low volts and LOTS of AMPS can be bad news just as can high voltage. Put your metal wrist watch band across the output of a 48 volt power supply and kiss your hand goodbye. (Unless the supply is severely current-limited) The part that amazes me is, according to the author's logic or assertion by association, more - many more of us should be dead by the sounds of it. When we didn't have all of the new plastic plug-n-play, then throw-away gear years ago, we bought older gear routinely. We fixed it ourselves, or learned on it while trying. More of us were young then, probably younger than today's average new ham. There was nothing wrong with it then, in fact we were encouraged to do so. Now, I realize in today's 'death of common sense', politically-correct world of the warm-fuzzies that much less is expected of people intellectually. But does the author of the original remark really believe everyone is that stupid, or is he basing it on his own [lack of] personal knowledge? Seems like his preference is to scare folks away from it rather than teaching them to respect its potential. The result further down the road when more newbs become interested in old tube gear? A serious lack of knowledge and respect for potentially lethal voltages, having been coaxed into a false sense of security by the plug-n-play mentality. IMO - Better to do it 'right', from the start. The transition to ss from tube technology would be much easier, and safer. ~ Todd, KA1KAQ __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
I suspect that most of today's entry level hams can't afford much more than a 2M FM transceiver. I know when I was younger (even in my 40's) I could not afford the HF transceivers (iCom, Kenwood, Yaesu) that are available today. I did build some Heath CW/AM rigs but I could not even afford the Heath SSB rigs before 1980. So I did a lot of surplus conversion and homebrewing. I don't see that in today's people. What I do see at the meetings I have attended is everyone seems to has a VHF FM HT! Bob Macklin K5MYJ Seattle, Wa, Real Radios Glow in the Dark - Original Message - From: Todd, KA1KAQ [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2008 7:20 AM Subject: Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST On Mon, Apr 21, 2008 at 8:35 PM, Jim Tonne [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I point out that low volts and LOTS of AMPS can be bad news just as can high voltage. Put your metal wrist watch band across the output of a 48 volt power supply and kiss your hand goodbye. (Unless the supply is severely current-limited) The part that amazes me is, according to the author's logic or assertion by association, more - many more of us should be dead by the sounds of it. When we didn't have all of the new plastic plug-n-play, then throw-away gear years ago, we bought older gear routinely. We fixed it ourselves, or learned on it while trying. More of us were young then, probably younger than today's average new ham. There was nothing wrong with it then, in fact we were encouraged to do so. Now, I realize in today's 'death of common sense', politically-correct world of the warm-fuzzies that much less is expected of people intellectually. But does the author of the original remark really believe everyone is that stupid, or is he basing it on his own [lack of] personal knowledge? Seems like his preference is to scare folks away from it rather than teaching them to respect its potential. The result further down the road when more newbs become interested in old tube gear? A serious lack of knowledge and respect for potentially lethal voltages, having been coaxed into a false sense of security by the plug-n-play mentality. IMO - Better to do it 'right', from the start. The transition to ss from tube technology would be much easier, and safer. ~ Todd, KA1KAQ __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
I suspect the charge card is alive and well with amateurs too. Charge it today; worry about paying for it tomorrow. HT's are also easy to carry on the belt. I'm not sure I would want to hang my IC-7000 + battery supply on my belt just to bring it to a meeting. Pete, wa2cwa http://www.manualman.com On Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:50:19 -0700 Bob Macklin [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: I suspect that most of today's entry level hams can't afford much more than a 2M FM transceiver. I know when I was younger (even in my 40's) I could not afford the HF transceivers (iCom, Kenwood, Yaesu) that are available today. I did build some Heath CW/AM rigs but I could not even afford the Heath SSB rigs before 1980. So I did a lot of surplus conversion and homebrewing. I don't see that in today's people. What I do see at the meetings I have attended is everyone seems to has a VHF FM HT! Bob Macklin K5MYJ Seattle, Wa, __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
From: Brett Gazdzinski [EMAIL PROTECTED] 50 years ago, I am sure the old timers complained that the new apliance operators dont even make their own capacitors or resistors anymore, or blow glass for tubes That's about when I first heard the term plug-in appliance operator. More and more hams were buying Rangers, Valiants, DX-100's (later Apache's), Globe Kings, etc, instead of building homebrew rigs up from scratch. Components were plentiful and readily available then, either WW2 surplus or brand new from Allied, Burstein-Applebee, LaFayette and Radio Shack, so the parts procurement problem was not an issue. Technical information and detailed project descriptions were abundant in the Handbooks and amateur radio magazines of that era. As SSB became more widely accepted, that accelerated the trend towards appliance operating, since few hams had the capability or desire to build something that complex from scratch and try getting it to work, although there were quite a few homebrew SSB rigs on the air. The commercial stuff, mostly Collins and Central Electronics, was too expensive for many amateurs, and sideband for the masses (the cheap, flimsy, low-quality transceivers like the Heathkit Hotwater rigs, Swans, Galaxies and others) had not appeared on the market yet. Nevertheless, the growing trend towards appliance operation was one of the motivators for the incentive licensing proposal, which first appeared in a QST editorial sometime in 1963. In hindsight, incentive licensing was a dismal failure in terms of its stated purpose, since if anything, it accelerated the trend towards appliance operation, and looking at the bands to-day... well, enough said. Incentive licensing almost turned out to be the long hoped-for death blow to AM. After the changes went into effect on 22 November, 1968, almost overnight AM and most homebrew rigs all but disappeared from the bands. One of the reasons was that Generals were restricted to narrow subbands that soon took on the name electronic ghetto, and many went to SSB because they could no longer hack it with 100-watt class rigs on AM. It has been theorised that this was exactly one of the intentions of incentive licensing from the outset, since powers that be weren't happy with the pace at which amateurs were changing over from AM to SSB. I do agree you are not allowed to take any risks with anything anymore. Except with the money we invest for retirement. More and more companies are phasing out their guaranteed pension entitlement plans and replacing them with risky 401K's that may actually lose money. Your retirement security may be heavily impacted by current market conditions on the date of your retirement. Don k4kyv __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Hi Bob, K2KI Company, Yeah, things sure have become disappointing. Too many hams have become Plug Play. I've seldom owned new rigs. At the present time, my newest radio is 25 years old (an ICOM IC-740). It was a non-runner, that was easy to get going, and has a fantastic receiver. My favorite rigs (due to the fact that my favorite casual radio operating mode is AM), are over 50 years old. One of them (my Viking II), was a non-runner, that I bought for $75 last November. It was a pain at times (due to Hammy Hambone mods that were made to a few things) to get it going, but it has been on the air now for almost 2 months. It sounds great. AND, it sure was a good feeling to take a radio that nobody wanted (the thing hadn't been used in how many years - I had to spend over 20 minutes just vacuuming out the dust when I brought it home), and put it back on the air (the same thoughts hold true for my IC-740). I'm am both baffled and saddened that so many (although not all) newbs have been indictrinated with this black box, plug play mentality. It's too complicated to load up a tube or hybrid rig - huh?! When I was a Novice and young General in the late 70s through the 80s, it was pretty much a given that unless you had the cash, you'd get something with tubes for you first rig. At W9YT (the Univ. of Wisconsin Ham Club, station), when I graduated in 1987, we still used a TS-830S as the main HF station. We had a homebrew KW with 3-500Zs in it. As was mentioned in a thread that's similar to this, that's in progress on QRZ.com, loading upan amp is like loading up a tube rig (BTW, the majority of responentson that thread are just as digusted by that article as we are). There's something wrong, when a new Extra asks, how do I make a dipole? That was a question on my Novice test (on Xmas Eve Day) in 1977! Don't laugh, hams have already been asked this question. I briefly knew a ham a year and a half ago,(via a Yahoo ham group I'm no longer active in - the group owner's a bit of a my opinions are the onloy ones that count person), who, whenever somebody mentioned some cool portable antenna they'd built, would always ask, gee, where can I buy one? It was finally pointedout to the man, that wile plug play is OK, building you own antenna is even better. 73, Ellen - AF9J __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Hi Joe, I echo those sentiments here... QST ceased to be desirable (never-mind collectable!) when the geniuses in Connecticut decided to gut the magazine by publishing THE NATIONAL CONTEST JOURNAL, and QEX, right alongside it. What'd that do to QST...? It became a mere shadow of its former, great self, IMHO. Just what exactly is it anymore, anyway...? Little more than a touchy-feely-warm-and-fuzzy tome, that each month shows some new 8 year old seated in front of a synthesized transceiver, and page after page of ads. I get more out of ONE SINGLE small-format QST, than I do out of a whole half year's worth of them to-day... QST, R.I.P.! ~73~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ ** - Original Message - From: Joseph Bento [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Discussion of AM Radio in the Amateur Service amradio@mailman.qth.net Sent: Monday, April 21, 2008 12:32 AM Subject: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST The Getting On The Air column by W1ZR. Vacuum tube based equipment is far too dangerous to consider for a first rig, and building your own equipment apparently isn't even a consideration any longer. If it uses tubes, GASP! High Voltage! We can't have any of that! Also, avoid gear older than 8 years, because you might not be able to get it repaired. I hang my head in shame over what has happened to this once great hobby where people were somewhat technically competent. Those that lacked technical skills at least learned a bit of theory to at least have a basic understanding of the operation of their equipment. At 44 years old, I'm a relative youngster in ham radio. I build and restore vacuum tube equipment. I also play the guitar. The electric guitar fraternity seems to embrace homebrewing far more than the amateur community does today. Most good guitar amp designs are still vacuum tube based, including modern designs. People regularly modify their amps or build clone designs. Yes, high voltage. You learn the proper precautions. Seems rather funny that a musician might be more apt to work with electronics than a ham radio operator. Modern electronics is too complicated, tubes are too dangerous - it's no wonder that electronics isn't even taught any longer throughout most of the school system. I'm really beginning to question why I continue to support the ARRL. At first when I saw the cover of this issue, I had thought there would be all these neat projects from the Homebrewer's Challenge. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I used to treasure QST. While I still save all my issues, I'm beginning to wonder why. It certainly isn't the technical journal it once was. 73, Joe, N6DGY Pleasant Grove, UT __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
I have three non-hollow state radios. They work BUT are rather boring after a very few minutes. The tube type equipment, on the other hand, is always interesting to fire up and get on the air with. I pity the EXPERTS that just don't know any better and insist on showing it at every oppertunity. Oh well, that's their loss. Bob AB8OP Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Yahoo! Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile.yahoo.com/;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Lookit QST is crap, and has been so for years. All the decent technical stuff was moved to QEX years ago. I subscribe to QEX, and enjoy it immensely. I haven't read a QST in years. It's fluff and only good for beginners and people who don't know any better. CQ is marginally better. I haven't seen a decent construction article in CQ in 25 years or more. CQ used to publish Communications Quarterly, the competition to QEX, until QEX bought out ComQuart. Electric Radio and QEX are the only two amateur magazines I subscribe to; the rest are virtually worthless. 73 used to be decent, until Wayne Green was captured by aliens. And that is the state of Amateur Radio publishing today. Pathetic. Ed, VA3ES __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
While this subject is interesting, and I agree with most of what is being said, let's not forget that there are appliance operators on AM, as well. I've run into them, and so have you. The most extreme example I can remember was a California station that had big, big bucks equipment, but had to have another (paid) ham come over to change frequency and tune-up. I think it would be great if some of the technical questions that are asked on this reflector got as much response as the political topics. 73, Barrie, W7ALW __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
How can I get QEX without QST? Ed Sieb wrote: Lookit QST is crap, and has been so for years. All the decent technical stuff was moved to QEX years ago. I subscribe to QEX, and enjoy it immensely. I haven't read a QST in years. It's fluff and only good for beginners and people who don't know any better. CQ is marginally better. I haven't seen a decent construction article in CQ in 25 years or more. CQ used to publish Communications Quarterly, the competition to QEX, until QEX bought out ComQuart. Electric Radio and QEX are the only two amateur magazines I subscribe to; the rest are virtually worthless. 73 used to be decent, until Wayne Green was captured by aliens. And that is the state of Amateur Radio publishing today. Pathetic. Ed, VA3ES __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
RE: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
You subscribe separately. No connection with ARRL membership. QEX is open to any one who wants to pay for a sub. Non-ARRL members: $36.00 per year. (ARRL members, $24.00/yr.) Ed. VA3ES -- Dave Rothermel wrote: How can I get QEX without QST? __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Rumor is they want to return him but no one will let them land. Jim/W5JO 73 used to be decent, until Wayne Green was captured by aliens. Ed, VA3ES __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
On 4/21/08, Bob Bruno - K2KI [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Hi Joe, and to all the AMRadio members, I agree. Amateur Radio has been hit too many time with the Dummy-Down Stick or Nerf Bat. I got my novice ticket on May 14, 1984. At 49 years old, I too am a newcomer to this hobby. My very first rig was a Viking II. And the rcvr was an HQ-129 with a 110V Dow-Key. Lotsa voltages there that can kill You mean it wasn't that two meter Gonset you kept in your Chevy Nova so you could listen to the 135 machine? :) __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
I am 49, and have been a ham since high school, and my entire station is home brew, and there are lots of people building qrp rigs, and you have the Elecraft guys, and people making things with what they can get. 50 years ago, I am sure the old timers complained that the new apliance operators dont even make their own capacitors or resistors anymore, or blow glass for tubes I do agree you are not allowed to take any risks with anything anymore. Brett N2DTS __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
As Brett (and others) indicated: I do agree you are not allowed to take any risks with anything anymore. I point out that low volts and LOTS of AMPS can be bad news just as can high voltage. Put your metal wrist watch band across the output of a 48 volt power supply and kiss your hand goodbye. (Unless the supply is severely current-limited) - Jim WB6BLD __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
[AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
The Getting On The Air column by W1ZR. Vacuum tube based equipment is far too dangerous to consider for a first rig, and building your own equipment apparently isn't even a consideration any longer. If it uses tubes, GASP! High Voltage! We can't have any of that! Also, avoid gear older than 8 years, because you might not be able to get it repaired. I hang my head in shame over what has happened to this once great hobby where people were somewhat technically competent. Those that lacked technical skills at least learned a bit of theory to at least have a basic understanding of the operation of their equipment. At 44 years old, I'm a relative youngster in ham radio. I build and restore vacuum tube equipment. I also play the guitar. The electric guitar fraternity seems to embrace homebrewing far more than the amateur community does today. Most good guitar amp designs are still vacuum tube based, including modern designs. People regularly modify their amps or build clone designs. Yes, high voltage. You learn the proper precautions. Seems rather funny that a musician might be more apt to work with electronics than a ham radio operator. Modern electronics is too complicated, tubes are too dangerous - it's no wonder that electronics isn't even taught any longer throughout most of the school system. I'm really beginning to question why I continue to support the ARRL. At first when I saw the cover of this issue, I had thought there would be all these neat projects from the Homebrewer's Challenge. Needless to say, I was disappointed. I used to treasure QST. While I still save all my issues, I'm beginning to wonder why. It certainly isn't the technical journal it once was. 73, Joe, N6DGY Pleasant Grove, UT __ 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 [EMAIL PROTECTED] with the word unsubscribe in the message body.
Re: [AMRadio] Getting on the Air - May 2008 QST
Hi Joe, and to all the AMRadio members, I agree. Amateur Radio has been hit too many time with the Dummy-Down Stick or Nerf Bat. I got my novice ticket on May 14, 1984. At 49 years old, I too am a newcomer to this hobby. My very first rig was a Viking II. And the rcvr was an HQ-129 with a 110V Dow-Key. Lotsa voltages there that can kill ya. Hell, you could die from a heart attack from carrying one from the car to the shack! But... I learned about high voltages. I learned Ohms Law and understood it. I had an elmer who instilled homebrewing into me and made me appreciate what we were doing! He taught me respect and reverence for these things. I love the smell of tubes! Today, Amateur Radio has become an appliance hobby. You goes to the store, you pays your money and you walks out of said store with an Appliance Radio that you plugs into your 12 VDC Appliance Power Supply and Appliance Antenna which you just took out of the box all assembled and tuned. Then you makes your very first contact with another Appliance operator who just did the same thing. No tuning, WTF is an SWR? And, what do I do if I have one? (seriously, I heard a young GENERAL say that to me.) Load and Plate? Whuts dat? B+? Is that a new Vitamin Water? You actually use that big heavy monstrosity? Why? You know THE CW? All of these things I have heard from the mouths of the new Amateur Radio Operator! Now don't get me wrong, I am happy when I hear of another person joining the ranks of Amateur Radio. I am pained however when I learn that the same person passed his test by sheer memorization and no learning! No love and respect of electricity and its fundamentals. NO FREAKIN' CLUE!!! I am proud of my daughter Sarah who presently hold her Tech. She was sad when they did away with the code. She wants her General. She loves boatanchors. In fact, her favorite thing in the shack is the National NC-125! And she is coming with me to Near-Fest and is looking forward to meeting the AM crew (especially TimTron) Proud I am!!! And while I am ranting... What the hell is up with Radio Shack? I remember I could walk in there and buy a 100uf 450VDC Electrolytic right off the rack and maybe a 6AU6 and a 12BY7. Plus, the guy working there knew what they were and what they were usually used for! Plus, the ENTIRE WALL WAS COVERED WITH ELECTRONIC PARTS. Now they are tucked away in drawers with the entire area measuring 3'x3'x3' and mostly LED's and maybe a few fuses! SAD!!! And, you don't want to start me on the whole CW thing. I know that would stir up some serious Sh... err Stuff... For crying out loud people, Learn about what makes our hobby special. Learn to use your brain!!! Seek out the old timer, He can open the door to great aspects of the hobby. All ya gots to do is walk through and open your eyes and ears! Regress a bit and embrace the possibilities. Oh, I am no longer a member of the ARRL. I gave up the privilege a few years back. I remember I used to soak up every issue. Even before I became a ham, I would go to my elmers and he would give me a years worth at a time. This was when they were smaller in sized and packed with real content! I hate the direction they have allowed amateur Radio to be taken. Elitist bunch of bureaucrats! Go sit in Riley's lap. How do ya like me now? Ok, I guess I am getting old and buzzardly. I apologize. I too hate to see where our wonderful way of life is headed! Oh, and I too play the guit-fiddle and work on my amps. Ya wanna know what is on my bench at the moment? DX-100 (Recap, retube and Timtron mods,) SX-42 (Recap, retube and align) NC-183 (Recap, retube, align and new paint) BC-779-A (Just got it. Retube and maybe recap and align in it's future) Softrock40/30 TXRX (New kit. Hey, I like the new stuff too!) De k2ki SK. Flame all you want!!! Joseph Bento wrote: The Getting On The Air column by W1ZR. Vacuum tube based equipment is far too dangerous to consider for a first rig, and building your own equipment apparently isn't even a consideration any longer. If it uses tubes, GASP! High Voltage! We can't have any of that! Also, avoid gear older than 8 years, because you might not be able to get it repaired. I hang my head in shame over what has happened to this once great hobby where people were somewhat technically competent. Those that lacked technical skills at least learned a bit of theory to at least have a basic understanding of the operation of their equipment. At 44 years old, I'm a relative youngster in ham radio. I build and restore vacuum tube equipment. I also play the guitar. The electric guitar fraternity seems to embrace homebrewing far more than the amateur community does today. Most good guitar amp designs are still vacuum tube based, including modern designs. People regularly modify their amps or build clone designs. Yes, high voltage. You learn the proper precautions. Seems rather funny that a musician
