Subject: Start From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Aug 27 18:48:22 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA07448; Fri, 27 Aug 93 15:48:16 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA23413; Fri, 27 Aug 93 17:48:11 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA26655; Fri, 27 Aug 93 17:48:09 -0500 Date: Fri, 27 Aug 93 17:48:09 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9308272248.AA26655@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: flags did i tell you i finally found the last flag (number 2 from the left)? i knew you didn't care!!! everybody have a nice weekend. i've got three more weeks to go. i'll be /6 in one more week. you probably won't here me on the east coast. i'll be on 30 meters running 1.4W with OHR Sprint. 72 de k5fo dit dit chuck adams k5fo adams@sgi.com CP-60 From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Aug 27 19:25:57 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA13304; Fri, 27 Aug 93 16:25:49 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA23516; Fri, 27 Aug 93 18:25:46 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA26700; Fri, 27 Aug 93 18:25:45 -0500 Date: Fri, 27 Aug 93 18:25:45 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9308272325.AA26700@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: here vs hear before i get flamed. i do know the difference between here and hear. i hear well but not here....... ;-) dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Aug 27 20:11:23 1993 Return-Path: id AA04456; Fri, 27 Aug 93 17:11:05 PDT id AA06182; Fri, 27 Aug 93 17:11:03 PDT Date: Fri, 27 Aug 93 17:11:03 PDT From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein) Message-Id: <9308280011.AA06182@harley.tti.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: here vs hear +before i get flamed. i do know the difference between here and hear. +i hear well but not here....... ;-) Hear, hear! From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Aug 28 03:11:16 1993 Return-Path: id AA14733 (5.65b/CWI-3.3); Sat, 28 Aug 1993 09:11:11 +0200 Fri, 27 Aug 1993 18:56:17 MDT Date: Fri, 27 Aug 1993 18:56:16 MDT From: "Dick Hissink" Message-Id: <2c7e3cb1.bsdihi@bsdihi.atr.bso.nl> Organization: BSO\AT Rotterdam Netherlands To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: remove from list Content-Type: text Content-Length: 178 Hello Bruce Please unsubscribe me from the qrp list. I understand my request from a month or so ago disappeared. 73 's -- Dick Hissink PA3DSP Email:dihi@bsdihi.atr.bso.nl From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Aug 28 11:31:39 1993 Return-Path: id AA15003; Sat, 28 Aug 93 08:31:33 -0700 Message-Id: <9308281531.AA15003@nthead.zso.dec.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Gell Cell charger Date: Sat, 28 Aug 93 08:31:32 -0700 From: Jeff McLeman X-Mts: smtp I am looking for a GOOD gell cell charging circuit. I would like it to either be run from the household mains or from a solar panel. If anyone has a good design, and wouldn't mind sharing it, I'd appreciate it. THanks and 72! Jeff (KD1IT/7) (And no Jim, I am not going to be running my 6L6 xmitter from it. :-) ) From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Aug 29 23:20:02 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA23241; Sun, 29 Aug 93 20:19:54 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA26343; Sun, 29 Aug 93 22:19:51 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA28700; Sun, 29 Aug 93 22:19:49 -0500 Date: Sun, 29 Aug 93 22:19:49 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9308300319.AA28700@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Icom IC-707 Gang, just received the flier (one page front and back on the above) i'd have to say that i'm disappointed. as a QRPer, you'll probably feel the same way after you look at the specs. and i quote the blurb: o 32 memory channels - 25 regular, 5 split, plus 2 scan edge channels o stable 100W of output power is available o 0.16 uV of high sensitivity ( for 10 dB S/N, 1.8000 to 30.000MHz, preamp on) o covers all ham bands (their quote, but this is from below 30MHz) o 500KHz to 30.0MHz general coverage receiver o 10 dB preamplifier and 20 dB attenuator o RIT control that shifts the receive frequency o noise blanker that reduces pulse-type noise o HM-36 hand microphone is supplied o 2 VFO system o 2 types of scan o affordable price (this was not given anywhere in the fact sheet) SPECIFICATIONS GENERAL: o Frequency Coverage : Receive 0.50000-30.00000 MHz : Transmit 1.80000-1.99999 MHz 3.50000-3.99999 MHz 7.00000-7.30000 MHz 10.10000-10.15000 MHz 14.00000-14.35000 MHz 18.06800-18.16800 MHz 21.00000-21.45000 MHz 24.89000-24.99000 MHz 28.00000-29.70000 MHz o Mode : USB, LSB, CW, AM, FM(UI-9 FM unit is required) o Number of Memory Ch.: 32 o Antenna Impedance : 50 ohms nominal o Usable Temperature range : -10C to +60C (+14F to +140F) o Frequency Stability : +/-200 Hz from 1 min to 60 min after power on. after that, the rate of stability change is less than +/-30 Hz/hr at +25C(+77F) o Power Supply : 13.8V DC +/-15% o Current Drain : Tranmit 20A (NOTE: this is the problem area) Receive squelched 1.3A max audio 2.1A o Dimensions : 240(W) x 95(H) x 239(D) mm 9.5(W) x 3.7(H) x 9.4(D) in (projections not included) o Weight : 4.1kg (9.0 lb) TRANSMITTER: o Output Power : SSB, CW, FM 5 to 100W continuously adjustable AM 5 to 25W " " o Spurious Emissions : 50 dB below peak output power o Carrier Suppression : -40 dB o Unwanted Sideband : -50 dB o Microphone Impedance: 600 ohms RECEIVER: o Sensitivity (preamp ON) : SSB, CW (1.8 to 30 MHz) 0.16 uV AM (0.5 to 1.8MHz) 12.6 uV (1.8 to 30 MHz) 2.00 uV FM (28 to 30MHz) 0.50 uV o Selectivity : SSB, CW More than 2.1 kHz/-6dB Less than 4.0 kHz/-60dB AM More than 6.0 kHz/-6dB Less than 20.0kHz/-60dB o Spurious & Image Rejection: -70dB o Audio output power : more than 2.6W with an 8 ohm load o RIT variable range : +/-1.2 kHz All stated specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. that's it for the first pass. i'm disappointed in the power requirements. this is not going to be a very good field day rig or rig for operation off of battery or solar source. just too much current drain on receive or transmit. what do you think? i am not associated with or in anyway affiliated with ICOM or its subsidaries. just FYI. 72 es gl de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Aug 30 07:41:12 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9308301141.AA22818@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 4580; Mon, 30 Aug 93 07:41:01 EDT Date: Mon, 30 Aug 93 07:36:50 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: Need small hand key To: qrp@Think.COM I am looking for a small hand key (e.g. a "spy key" size or something smaller than a standard sized hand key). I have been using a limit swittch to operate my very small QRP setup when I am portable. I think my fist might improve with something a bit bigger and steadier. Size is important since everything packs into a small metal box. If you have such an item or a suggestion I sure would appreciate hearing from you. Thanks and 73, Greg Buhyoff KN4FR at Buhyoff@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Aug 30 14:04:36 1993 Return-Path: id AA03272; Mon, 30 Aug 93 14:04:58 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Mon, 30 Aug 1993 14:02:40 -0400 Date: Mon, 30 Aug 1993 14:02:40 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199308301802.AA01965@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ftpable artwork Cc: mwilson@arrl.org Ok, all we're almost ready to roll here with the anonymous ftping of mirror image artwork. Thanks to Dave Mensing at Xerox. Soon, we'll have neophyte.ps available at think.com under pub/radio/ham/qrp/artwork. Response has been overwhelming for the post script format to be used. I think it's time to hear requests for what artwork people might like to see up on think.com? Here's your chance to voice an opinion. send email to bmitchel@kodak.com 73 all P.S. Chuck you have a scanner there too don't you ? P.S.S. Remember all that the Neophyte is probably one of the worst artworks I have as far as clarity. Others are much better. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Aug 30 16:07:31 1993 Return-Path: id AA20029 for qrp@think.com; Mon, 30 Aug 93 16:07:11 -0400 id AA277504 ; Mon, 30 Aug 93 14:53:54 EST Date: Mon, 30 Aug 93 19:35:08 GMT Message-Id: <13948@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM, boatanchors@gnu.ai.mit.edu Subject: Using Internet Postings In Other Media Copyright Jim Kearman 1993, all rights reserved. Folks: There's sort of an unwritten policy that says you attribute the source when you reproduce material in one publication etc that originated elsewhere. For example, you'll see articles from the _Washington Post_ indicated as such in your local paper, lest you think the Post's correspondent is writing for the Podunk Herald. If your radio club newsletter belongs to the Amateur Radio News Service or a similar organization, it's usually considered okay to borrow material from other members' newsletters, _with attribution_. Otherwise, you should get permission, either from the author or the publisher before you print the item. Permission is usually granted, as long as you agree to identify the source. As an employee of a publishing company, regardless of its IRS status, any writing I do about radio is owned by ARRL. This means that only they have the authority to grant permission to reprint anything I write. I am permitted to write for non-profit newsletters, such as _QRP Quarterly_ (QQ), _72_ (New England QRP Club newsletter). In the past, QQ has picked up material I wrote for _72_, _after asking me_. It is conceivable that a for-profit magazine would reprint non-copyrighted material that appeared in a club newsletter. Thus, without precautions, my writing could appear in a for-profit publication that essentially competes with _QST_. Such occurrences are not conducive to prolonged careers! They are also extremely embarrassing. This is so even if the material is published in a club newsletter. Without attribution it may appear that I was drafted by the editor to write something for his club newsletter. I'm sure you can envision scenarios in which the appearance of an editor having an inside track to ARRL HQ would be improper. I trust I have been helpful to many readers of these groups, and I would like to continue being helpful. To do so, I must ask you to refrain from duplicating any postings I make, electronically, in print or in any other medium, without my permission. If I give my permission, I'll ask that you attribute the medium in which the material first appeared, in this case an Internet mailing list. The attribution should appear directly before or after the attributed material. For example: "This article originally appeared on the 'boatanchors' mailing list on Internet. Reprinted with the author's permission." The lists become so informal and spontaneous, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that some of us are paid writers. Thanks for your cooperation and 73. Jim, KR1S -- jkearman@arrl.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 10:21:42 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA29884; Tue, 31 Aug 93 07:21:35 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA06424; Tue, 31 Aug 93 09:21:31 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01531; Tue, 31 Aug 93 09:21:28 -0500 Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 09:21:28 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9308311421.AA01531@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G revisited ok gang, last nite finally got to changing out the MPF-102 in the vfo of the Danny Stevig kit version of NN1G's xcvr. drift went to zip in a minute and drift under a 100 cycles for a cold start. not bad. building spectrum analyzer to look at posted problem with spurs. followup when i get there. to the individual asking earlier, the Boyd Electronics sweep generator is on hold and in the box. maybe by friday, but don't hold my feet to the fire. Please. 72 de k5fo dit dit i'm in a panic to get things done before monday, at which time i'm going /6 for two weeks. darn it. i hate traveling. From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 13:26:46 1993 Return-Path: Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 13:25:00 EDT From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: TenTec Scout Message-Id: <9308311325.aa29255@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> Does anyone know whether the Scout will be able to operate on 6m? Even if TenTec does not plan on a 6m option does the rig's design allow making your own module to get on 6m and will the rig still operate? Any opinions from those who have looked at the rig and its schematic would be appreciated. 73, Randy Rand AA2U rrand@PICA.ARMY.MIL From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 17:10:56 1993 Return-Path: id AA15681; Tue, 31 Aug 93 17:10:49 EDT Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 17:10:49 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9308312110.AA15681@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: dit dit Hi All! Maybe this is a stupid question. But I have only been a ham for 8-9 mths, and have only done CW for 2 mths. At the end of a lot of HF QSOs (CW) I hear ...-.- then dit dit. Does dit dit simply mean Im shutting of the radio after ur final? 73s de kb1amb/ae /ex From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 18:18:31 1993 Return-Path: id AA04365; Tue, 31 Aug 93 18:19:55 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Tue, 31 Aug 1993 10:05:53 -0400 Date: Tue, 31 Aug 1993 10:05:53 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199308311405.AA02765@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: premature ftp-able artwork Ok, well, I got the Neophyte to print out .ps format, but there was a problem. It is not scaled appropriately. I'll have to check into it before I get on with scanning more artwork. I'm not sure if the scale factor was intorduced with the .ps conversion or the original .tif write. 73 all. Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 18:29:33 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA15291; Tue, 31 Aug 93 15:29:27 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08201; Tue, 31 Aug 93 17:29:24 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA03128; Tue, 31 Aug 93 17:29:23 -0500 Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 17:29:23 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9308312229.AA03128@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: dit dit Swami Kumaresan asks about dit dit. you see it a lot when i email stuff to this group. a long time ago before you guys/girls were born (1956-1958 timeframe) somebody started the following. at the time "shave and a haircut - six bits" was a popular phrase. used in music at the time. people got tired of calling cq cq cq de kn5fjz kn5fjz kn5fjz k. so somebody started the following scenario: calling station: dit di-di-dit dit no answer: calling station: dit di-di-dit dit answering station: dit dit thus simulating: calling station: shave and a haircut answering station: six bits the calling station would then send: de kn5fjz. tu ge om es tnx fer call..... and the qso would go on. at the end of the qso both stations would sign through the standard procedures. last station would send "shave and a haircut" and the other station would send - dit dit for the six bits. some people had to get in the last "word", so they'd send 'dit dit' after the other station had sent 'dit dit'. then the other and then..... the FCC put a rapid stop to this nonsense by issuing pink tickets to hams that called cq in this manner. it was against the regulations at the time. it may still be. now it's a friendly way to end a qso. if i sign (end qso) and then you sign i can send 'dit dit' to let you know that i was still there and copied it all. we still do it although i think a majority of the hams alive today have forgotten it. maybe i should do a paragraph for QST just to keep it alive and well, if someone hasn't already. kn5fjz was my first call. i heard many a ham on a bug have fits with that one. ;-) if you ever meet W5LXS, Roger Rose, get him to do his little funny routine on great sounding combinations for words in morse. the guy must sit around in the texas sun in the summer time thinking of words that have neat rhythms. he's almost as tall as me. he runs the TCN checkin on 14.060 sunday at 2330Z (UCT). QNI. 72 de k5fo dit dit :-) From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 19:10:42 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA21774; Tue, 31 Aug 93 16:10:33 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08297; Tue, 31 Aug 93 18:10:30 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA03173; Tue, 31 Aug 93 18:10:27 -0500 Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 18:10:27 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9308312310.AA03173@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: flags revisited gang, just to brag, got confirmation that i got all ten flags correct. guess the half day of work was worth it. probably everybody else in the world got them right too. you will get back a card if you miss any of the flags. don't know if they tell you which one..... ;-) oh, this is for the Icom IC-707 contest in latest QST (sept). also found out an interesting fact. if you diplay a flag in print, you reverse the flag if it is on the left hand side of a display. very interesting. goes to show you that a phd in physics is always wasted!! gl es 72 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Aug 31 20:23:33 1993 Return-Path: id AA15150; Tue, 31 Aug 1993 20:03:48 -0400 id AA15144; Tue, 31 Aug 1993 20:03:43 -0400 From: jbate@ncrcol.columbiasc.NCR.COM Message-Id: <199309010003.AA15144@ncrcol.ColumbiaSC.NCR.COM> Name: jbate (John.Bate) Date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 20:03:41 EDT To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: jbate@ncrcol.columbiasc.NCR.COM Subject: re: six bits I had a great laugh at this. Thanks Chuck for making my day. And a bit of history. Never knew where the 'shave and a haircut' came from. I have been enlightened. Now what's the '72' for? 71's de ki7hs/4 (born in '56) <> to: qrp@think.com from: ncrcae!ncrcom!mail.think.com!think.com!qrp-request date: Tue, 31 Aug 93 17:29:23 -0500 subj: dit dit sender: Charles Adams sent: 08/31/1993 8:23 pm (EDT) --------- **| Swami Kumaresan asks about dit dit. you see it a lot when i email stuff to this group. a long time ago before you guys/girls were born (1956-1958 timeframe) somebody started the following. at the time "shave and a haircut - six bits" was a popular phrase. used in music at the time. people got tired of calling cq cq cq de kn5fjz kn5fjz kn5fjz k. so somebody started the following scenario: calling station: dit di-di-dit dit no answer: calling station: dit di-di-dit dit answering station: dit dit thus simulating: calling station: shave and a haircut answering station: six bits the calling station would then send: de kn5fjz. tu ge om es tnx fer call..... and the qso would go on. at the end of the qso both stations would sign through the standard procedures. last station would send "shave and a haircut" and the other station would send - dit dit for the six bits. some people had to get in the last "word", so they'd send 'dit dit' after the other station had sent 'dit dit'. then the other and then..... the FCC put a rapid stop to this nonsense by issuing pink tickets to hams that called cq in this manner. it was against the regulations at the time. it may still be. now it's a friendly way to end a qso. if i sign (end qso) and then you sign i can send 'dit dit' to let you know that i was still there and copied it all. we still do it although i think a majority of the hams alive today have forgotten it. maybe i should do a paragraph for QST just to keep it alive and well, if someone hasn't already. kn5fjz was my first call. i heard many a ham on a bug have fits with that one. ;-) if you ever meet W5LXS, Roger Rose, get him to do his little funny routine on great sounding combinations for words in morse. the guy must sit around in the texas sun in the summer time thinking of words that have neat rhythms. he's almost as tall as me. he runs the TCN checkin on 14.060 sunday at 2330Z (UCT). QNI. 72 de k5fo dit dit :-) From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 03:23:45 1993 Return-Path: id AA14115; Wed, 1 Sep 93 09:23:11 +0200 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 09:23:11 +0200 From: nnsde01@mailserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de (Hans-Joachim Dezelski) Message-Id: <9309010723.AA14115@mailserv.zdv.uni-tuebingen.de> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: unsubscribe Thanks for the fun and hope to meet you some time. Hajo DL1SDZ From bruce@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 08:28:05 1993 Return-Path: From: Bruce Walker id AA23901; Wed, 1 Sep 93 08:28:05 EDT Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 08:28:05 EDT Message-Id: <9309011228.AA23901@dolius.think.com> To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM Cc: QRP@Think.COM In-Reply-To: Brad Mitchell's message of Tue, 31 Aug 1993 14:01:17 -0400 <199308311801.AA02897@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> Subject: ftp-able artwork Regarding the Think.COM FTP repository, in specific the new artwork collection: I forgot to mention that because of a security feature here, anything you upload to Think.COM site via FTP will not be visible to you (and everyone else on anonymous ftp) until I do something here to change the file permissions. So, when you transfer new things to the QRP area of Think.COM, drop me (a.k.a. qrp-request) a note, and I'll fix up the files to be visible. --bruce WT1M From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 09:17:39 1993 Return-Path: id AA21858; Wed, 1 Sep 93 09:19:05 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Wed, 1 Sep 1993 07:23:06 -0400 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1993 07:23:06 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199309011123.AA00711@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: re:dit dit dit dit dit ....... dit dit Well, There must have been inflation introduced at some time, I was told it as shave and a haircut ... TWO bits.... hmmmmmmmm maybe Michigan was always depressed. Good humor Chuck! This is definitely printable material for QST! 72 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 11:09:31 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA08758; Wed, 1 Sep 93 08:09:25 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12270; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:09:23 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04069; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:09:22 -0500 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:09:22 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309011509.AA04069@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: six bits versus two bits sorry gang, i was accounting for inflation, i guess!! it is 'shave and a hair cut - two bits'. two bits is $0.25 in US money in the old days....... 72 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 11:45:48 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA12890; Wed, 1 Sep 93 08:45:42 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12453; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:45:39 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04159; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:45:36 -0500 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:45:36 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309011545.AA04159@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: AA2U Randy, congratulations. i was reading the Sept issue of CQ magazine last nite. in the 1992 WorldWide CQ SSB test (i don't have the issue with me), our fellow QRPer won the ENTIRE WORLD QRP division. something like 864,000+ points running 5 watts on all bands. good job OM. i know it was a lot of work on your part and we be proud of you. :-) no wonder the kid made the QRP Hall of Fame. maybe you should do a book on contest operation with QRP levels. i'd buy several AUTOGRAPHED copies for my collection. agin, tnx es gl es cu agn 72 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 11:46:27 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA12976; Wed, 1 Sep 93 08:46:19 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12456; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:46:17 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04162; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:46:16 -0500 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:46:16 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309011546.AA04162@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: flags called ICOM. one entry per person. enter the kids, enter the pets...... gl es gm dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 12:21:52 1993 Return-Path: <01H2FKN2WF3KA3CJ1V@tntech.edu>; Wed, 1 Sep 1993 11:22:21 CDT Date: Wed, 01 Sep 1993 11:22:21 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: two bits To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H2FKN34GG2A3CJ1V@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT All, Guess Chuck is a lot older than I am. In my day we called 25c a quarter.. think I remember my grandaddy saying something about two bits. 72 Jeff From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 12:50:25 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309011650.AA11321@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Wed, 01 Sep 93 12:48:44 EDT Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 09:49:52 PDT From: mont@ibmmail.COM To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: RE: dit dit Thanks for the history lesson chuck, I always wondered how it got started. As far as not being a legal way to cq, it seems like it should be alright as long as you id every 10 minutes... in 1972 when I got my first novice ticket, they did it a little different then they do now. Then it was: 1st party in qso: de kk1kk sk 2nd party in qso: de kk1bb sk dit dit dit dit dit (shave & haircut) 1st party in qso: dit dit (2/6 bits) Then after being away from ham radio for 20 years, I was a little lost because the other station just sent "dit dit", but wait I didn't send "dit dit dit dit dit" yet... Oh well. It has always bothered my just a tad too because technically isn't this an illegal transmission? The regs. say that I have to identify my last transmission. But I guess it's good the FCC lets us get away with it, it would be a real drag if you had to id EVERY time you just bumped the key. I think the next time I here "dit dit" I'll come back with "No your suppose to send the 'shave and a hair cut' part, then I come back with the "dit dit" and see what happens, hi hi. 73, de km6wt, mont@ibmmail From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 13:00:26 1993 Return-Path: id AA08588; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:00:07 EDT From: bwhite@dsd.camb.inmet.com (Bill White) Message-Id: <9309011700.AA08588@dsd.camb.inmet.com> Subject: Re: two bits To: JMG@tntech.edu (JEFF M. GOLD) Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1993 13:00:06 -0400 (EDT) Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <01H2FKN34GG2A3CJ1V@tntech.edu> from "JEFF M. GOLD" at Sep 1, 93 11:22:21 am X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 596 > > All, > > Guess Chuck is a lot older than I am. In my day we called > 25c a quarter.. think I remember my grandaddy saying > something about two bits. > > 72 > > Jeff > Well, you are both right. I know so little about amateur radio I rarely contribute, but I do know this. The story is that spanish dubloons in the 18th century had marks on them to break them into eight pieces. You've heard of spanish pieces of eight, right? Well, that's where it comes from. One fourth of such a coin would be two bits, so two bits is a quarter -- same thing. Peace, Bill White, N1OSA From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 13:10:21 1993 Return-Path: id AA02425; Wed, 1 Sep 1993 13:09:20 -0400 id AA08770; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:09:08 EDT id AA15034; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:08:36 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309011708.AA15034@kaos.ksr.com> To: "JEFF M. GOLD" Cc: qrp@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: two bits In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 01 Sep 93 11:22:21 CDT." <01H2FKN34GG2A3CJ1V@tntech.edu> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 13:08:35 -0400 > Guess Chuck is a lot older than I am. In my day we called > 25c a quarter.. think I remember my grandaddy saying > something about two bits. Well, as I understand it, this colloquialism is actually older than anyone on this list (I think :-). It dates to the late 1700s/very early 1800s; in some areas of the country, people followed the Spanish tradition of converting the inconveniently "large" standard currency unit (the dollar for the US, the peso for Spain (I hope I got that right)) into smaller "coins" by just cutting them into eight wedge- shaped pieces (whence "pieces of eight"). Two eighths of a dollar is, of course, a quarter; one "bit" would have been twelve and a half cents -- I don't think the US ever minted a "half penny" coin, so the eighth-dollar might have been the only fractional-cent "coin" ever used. I don't know offhand if the government "officially" sanctioned the use of chopped up dollar coins, but since they were made of enough gold to total one dollar's worth of gold, it didn't matter very much what they thought... Eventually this habit died out, but people have been referring to a quarter of a dollar as "two bits" ever since. Thus ends today's history lesson from someone old enough to know better than to repeat half-remembered history, but nowhere near old enough to have remembered any of this first hand :-). From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 13:15:51 1993 Return-Path: id AA07429 for qrp@think.com; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:15:32 -0400 id AA279850 ; Wed, 01 Sep 93 12:01:11 EST Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 17:08:02 GMT Message-Id: <14200@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: September Thurs Nite 3579/3684 Sprints I posted this yesterday, but haven't seen it, so here 'tis again: While your neighbors are warming up their TVs for the new Fall season, you can check the stability of their colorburst oscillators, and meet other weird QRPers at the same time! Yes, you too can DX the colorburst frequency of 3579.5 kHz, hunting other participants in the ***** SEPTEMBER COLORBURST SPRINTS ***** sponsored by the New England QRP Club. When? Each Thursday night (Eastern time) in September 9-10 PM. We're on EDT here, 4 hours behind UTC. The frequency is easy to find: just look for the colorburst howls and screeches around 3579 kHz. Exchange name, QTH, RST + "X" if you're crystal controlled (Yes, that's the opposite of the way X is supposed to be used, but nobody uses it the traditional way anymore. This system has worked fine so far.), name, power output and other info you feel is relevant. I may start using a new Q signal I made up, QCB. QCB means "These colorburst oscillators are killing my hearing." QCB? means "Are the colorburst oscillators killing your hearing?" What? Could you speak up, please? If you're a member of NE-QRP, send your membership number, too. Having a QRP club number is really important if you're going to hang out in QRP QSO parties like this one. Having a low number is very prestigious. I had to join the Czech QRP club to get a 2-digit number, and I just squeaked through (#94). My NE QRP number is even better, though: #5! Good thing, because my memory is going and that's easy to remember. Experienced participants in NE-QRP QSO parties know that putting my call and NE-QRP number in their log is the only way their scores are given any recognition at all. What's good for politicians is good for contest managers. Since this is a QRP club, you're not supposed to run more than 5 watts output, okay? The idea of this contest is to test the ability of the NE-QRP contest manager to withstand tortuous shrieking noises, and also to promote the construction of rigs that use colorburst crystals as the frequency determining element. The time was selected to work around W1AW on 3581 kHz. This may not be a problem where you live, but at my place, 1/2 mile (0.8 km) from W1AW, they're even louder than the colorburst oscillator downstairs. Unfortunately for me, W1AW, in an attempt to be a good neighbor, has begun sending warnings 5 minutes before bulletins and code practice start, so I have to be off by 9:55 PM. I can usually tell when they're close to blasting me off the band by the increase in white noise when all those solid- state KW amps are powered up. Whoever heard of working an operating event around the unfortunate choice of QTH of one member? Hey, I'm not contest manager for nothing! NE-QRP has published a transmitter design that uses the colorburst oscillator, but any old QRP circuit for 80 meters will work. You used to be able to get these crystals at Radio Shack, but they don't carry them anymore. Extra points if you steal the one from your neighbor's TV! Being able to "swing" the crystal is nice, as the area around 3579 gets a bit crowded. Sometimes you just have to wait for KN1H to get around to you. Whatever you do, don't turn on the TV while you're waiting! It's not my fault the colorburst frequency is outside the Novice/Tech subband, right? Fortunately, the Europeans were more thoughtful, and chose 3684 kHz for their banshees to haunt. Look on 3684 for N/T QSOs. If you don't hear anything, please call CQ NE. Who knows what will come back? If you hear W1FMR, give him an especially good signal report. He's so far north, he has to start transmitting on Wednesday afternoons to get his signal down here on time. Work each station once per week, and don't forget to put me in your log, too. At the end of the month, send your logs, comments and bribe attempts to me: Jim Kearman 83 Main St #13C Newington, CT 06111-1330 Put my call in your log, but please don't put it on the envelope. The mailman is already somewhat unstable, and I don't want to tax him further. Also, seriously, I really am keeping a low profile at home, so none of the neighbors knows that I'm a ham. Joys of apartment living. Note that there really are no points (I lied earlier), scoring formulae, awards, fame or glory associated with these events. We just want to get acquainted and keep in touch. See you Thursday nights in September. 72/73, Jim KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 13:33:32 1993 Return-Path: id AA00571; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:35:09 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Wed, 1 Sep 1993 13:32:47 -0400 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1993 13:32:47 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199309011732.AA01018@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: RE: dit dit I propose that Chuck write a blurb for qst entitled something like So you wanted to know what an 807 is but were afraid to ask. With that and the dit dit haircut bit it would make a good one for the newcomer to ham radio bit. I must be getting to be an old you know what, someone asked me what an 807 was and I new the answer. Go for it Chuck. 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 14:00:49 1993 Return-Path: id AA03097; Wed, 1 Sep 1993 13:59:56 -0400 id AA10119; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:59:54 EDT id AA18523; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:59:48 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309011759.AA18523@kaos.ksr.com> To: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) Cc: QRP@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: September Thurs Nite 3579/3684 Sprints In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 01 Sep 93 17:08:02 GMT." <14200@jek> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 13:59:39 -0400 > Since this is a QRP club, you're not supposed to run more > than 5 watts output, okay? The idea of this contest is to > test the ability of the NE-QRP contest manager to withstand > tortuous shrieking noises, and also to promote the > construction of rigs that use colorburst crystals as the > frequency determining element. Just one question: did you mean "determining" or "deterring"? (HI) Hmm. Tomorrow night. I may JUST have enough time to homebrew something for this. Now, which U-Haul box did I pack my antenna wire in...? From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 14:16:36 1993 Return-Path: id AA03311; Wed, 1 Sep 1993 14:14:24 -0400 id AA10571; Wed, 1 Sep 93 14:14:21 EDT id AA19601; Wed, 1 Sep 93 14:14:13 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309011814.AA19601@kaos.ksr.com> To: bmitchel@cba.kodak.com Cc: qrp@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: dit dit In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 01 Sep 93 13:32:47 EDT." <199309011732.AA01018@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 14:14:12 -0400 > I propose that Chuck write a blurb for qst entitled something like > So you wanted to know what an 807 is but were afraid to ask. > With that and the dit dit haircut bit it would make a good one for > the newcomer to ham radio bit. > I must be getting to be an old you know what, someone > asked me what an 807 was and I new the answer. Go for it Chuck. > 73 Brad WB8YGG OK, now I'll reveal how young I am (or might be) and admit that I don't know this one and am curious, though I have a strong guess from remembering a description of the importance of AGC circuits as preventing you from flinging your arm over to the volume control, ``spilling the 807 over the logbook in the process,'' to turn down the ear-splitting racket in your headphones... 73, John, WB7EEL/1 From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 14:23:04 1993 Return-Path: id AA15257; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:27:38 EDT Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:27:38 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309011727.AA15257@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: 73 not 73s First of all, tnx to all the people who replied about dit dit. Many also commented on how I had 73s in my msg rather than 73. I never have sent --... ...-- ... I just put the s in because it is a habit. I have heard people say "Seven ThreeS" on 2m and many HF bands. The people who belong to my local 2m repeater club say "UE" at the end of a qso. I asked why and they said it was because they all used play around with 2m RTTY and that 7 and 3 were on top of the U and E keys (respectively) on the old mechanical RTTY machines. 73 de kb1amb/ae From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 14:38:27 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309011838.AA16027@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:37:58 CDT From: Marcel=C.=Fabry%Eng%GenAv.Mlb@ns14.cca.cr.rockwell.com Subject: To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: unsubscribe me. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 15:00:13 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA13753; Wed, 1 Sep 93 11:59:56 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA14659; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:59:53 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04825; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:59:51 -0500 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:59:51 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309011859.AA04825@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 807s et.al. take the 807 stuff to boatanchors!!!! :-) went outside this morning. temp about 65F or so. feels like fall in the air. then along comes Jim with the colorburst xtal gang. guess what. i gave my color TV away on Sunday to a needy person. what timing. now if i can just get my neighbors to do the same. :-) now a prediction. i'll listen on 80. we haven't had rain on the ranch for 3 months. watch out. we'll have the flood of '93 tomorrow night or i'll take a direct hit from a lightning bolt!!! Murphy's Law Corollary #3. i'll listen on 7.040MHz at 9CDT which will be 10EDT. that is, if you OFs can stay up that late. :-) anybody that knows what an 807 is has gotta be older than dirt. let's go drink an 807. if you know that one, then you're really really old........ oh, the smell of fall and the peanut whistles coming outta the closets. gotta go now and find an oscillator or 80. 72 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 15:09:33 1993 Return-Path: id AA19826 for qrp@think.com; Wed, 1 Sep 93 15:09:22 -0400 id AA280013 ; Wed, 01 Sep 93 13:54:52 EST Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 18:59:56 GMT Message-Id: <14256@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Vote How many readers know what an 807 is? Email to jkearman@arrl.org. Hint: It ain't a tube. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 15:14:54 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA16089; Wed, 1 Sep 93 12:14:50 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA14722; Wed, 1 Sep 93 14:14:47 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04874; Wed, 1 Sep 93 14:14:31 -0500 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 14:14:31 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309011914.AA04874@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: what? John, WB7EEL/1 what's a logbook? :-) i keep one and always have. it's like a diary. it'll be fun when i sit down in the old rocker and tell the grandkids (if my son ever gets married and has same) how it was in the old days. Granpa, what's Morse? dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 15:39:01 1993 Return-Path: id AA21341; Wed, 1 Sep 93 12:24:52 PDT id AA07841; Wed, 1 Sep 1993 12:26:51 -0700 id AA23009; Wed, 1 Sep 93 12:26:49 PDT Message-Id: <9309011926.AA23009@gold.gvg.tek.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: MFJ Mods Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 12:26:46 PDT From: "Grover Cleveland - Mellita, magnus in metricum est" Now that I've acquired a 30m MFJ rig, I wonder if there is a list of improvements for that radio. Grover WT6P qrparci #3795 From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 15:47:33 1993 Return-Path: id AA04855; Wed, 1 Sep 93 15:49:07 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Wed, 1 Sep 1993 15:46:24 -0400 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1993 15:46:24 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199309011946.AA01222@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: colorburst mania Well, I'll try to be color bursting with my cubic incher, but no guarantee the the caps arn't dragging the oscillator away a bit maybe 3578 or so... If I'm on it'll be with 1 watt tx cubic incher and the Sudden rx for 80.. (all painted ugly green) 72 all Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 16:01:19 1993 Return-Path: id AA19725; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:01:09 HST id AA02085; Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:01:08 HST Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 10:01:08 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Project 6: 80M QRP colorburst xmtr Message-Id: Gang, In preparation for tomorrow's 80M QRP Colorburst Contest, here's a quick 80M xmtr you can throw together in 5 minutes; the 3579 kHz xtal comes, naturally, from the colorburst oscillator board in your color TV (if you've got a junked TV, or if you think TV only contains junk, yank the xtal out). The rf output is not much - about 25 mw. Tuneup is simple: just bring a field strength meter into vicinity of L1/L2 and tune L1 for peak deflection of the meter. If you really want to get fancy, you can substitute a 100 pF variable for C3 and optimize a bit further; this involves a bit of experi- mentation to determine a `norm' setting for L1/L2. After this has been established, all further tuning can be accomplished with C3. Parts List: C1 .047 mF capacitor C2 .0015 mF C3 100 pF L1 18 turns of No.30 wire closewound on 3/8 in. diameter slug-tuned form L2 5 turns of No. 30 closewound around middle of L1. Experiment with posi- tion of this coil over L1; in some circuits performance will be increased by moving L2 towards cold end of L1. Once exact position has been determined (with ant. hooked in and FSM for monitoring), glue in place. L3 2.5 mH rf choke (National R-100 or equiv.) M1 3 volt battery M2 6 volt battery M3 80 meter xtal Q1 HEP-2 transistor R1 330 ohm resistor R2 27K resistor S1 spst switch ---------M3---------- ANT | | | | | | *------E-Q1-C-------*------------*------- -------------- | B | | | | | | | | L3 *-------- C3 L1 L2 | | | | | | | | | | | | R1 R2 C1 *------- GND | | | | | | | | | GND GND | | | | *----------KEY------M2+----GND ----------S1---M1+---GND | | C2 | | GND Note the polarity of M1 and M2. Hope to hear some of you on the `official colorburst frequency' of 3579 kHz! Jeff NH6IL Jeffrey Herman, University of Hawaii Mathematics, jherman@Hawaii.Edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 16:41:20 1993 Return-Path: id AA21709; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:40:53 PDT id AA01615; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:40:51 PDT Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:40:51 PDT From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein) Message-Id: <9309012040.AA01615@harley.tti.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: what? +what's a logbook? + +:-) + +i keep one and always have. it's like a diary. it'll be fun +when i sit down in the old rocker and tell the grandkids (if my +son ever gets married and has same) how it was in the old days. + +Granpa, what's Morse? Green stuff that grows on the north side of logbooks :-) From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 17:24:41 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309012124.AA24558@Early-Bird.Think.COM> (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA03940; Wed, 1 Sep 93 16:33:23 -0500 From: Jay Freeman Subject: RE: dit dit To: mont@ibmmail.COM Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 16:33:23 CDT Cc: qrp@Think.COM (QRP Mail list) In-Reply-To: <9309011650.AA11321@Early-Bird.Think.COM>; from "mont@ibmmail.COM" at Sep 1, 93 9:49 am Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85] > > in 1972 when I got my first novice ticket, they did it a little different > then they do now. Then it was: > > 1st party in qso: de kk1kk sk > > 2nd party in qso: de kk1bb sk dit dit dit dit dit (shave & haircut) > > 1st party in qso: dit dit (2/6 bits) > When I was a novice in 1980, I remember we all used dit-di-di-dah-dit, and it was only at the end of the qso. -- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + Jay Freeman, WT9S Packet: wt9s@w9yci.il.usa.noam + + internet: freeman@eagle.sangamon.edu + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 19:09:06 1993 Return-Path: id AA10489; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:08:59 HST id AA06449; Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:08:58 HST Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 13:08:58 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: project 6 credits Message-Id: I forgot to state my reference for the 80M xmtr: Brown and Kneitel's 101 EASY HAM RADIO PROJECTS, 1968. Jeff. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 1 19:55:11 1993 Return-Path: on Wed, 1 Sep 93 18:54:54 -0500 id AA19458 with SMTP id AA19466; Wed, 1 Sep 93 17:52:14 GMT-0600 Date: Wed, 1 Sep 93 17:52:14 GMT-0600 From: drenze@chop.isca.uiowa.edu (Douglas J Renze) Message-Id: <9309012352.AA19466@chop.isca.uiowa.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM, swamik@ele.uri.edu Subject: Re: dit dit jjjjjjj v From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 2 10:15:53 1993 Return-Path: id AA18753; Thu, 2 Sep 1993 10:15:05 -0400 id AA03209; Thu, 2 Sep 93 10:15:01 EDT id AA04195; Thu, 2 Sep 93 10:14:58 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309021414.AA04195@kaos.ksr.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Another death knell for homebrewing In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 01 Sep 93 13:08:58 -1000." Date: Thu, 02 Sep 93 10:14:57 -0400 Imagine my shock when I stopped at the local Radio Shack last night to procure parts to slam together a Colorburst rig for tonight's festivities and discovered that Radio Shack no longer stocks colorburst crystals!!! Well, I couldn't find my soldering iron last night anyway, so I guess it didn't matter much (gotta finish unpacking...). From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 2 12:31:37 1993 Return-Path: on Thu, 2 Sep 93 11:30:01 -0500 id AA09198 with SMTP Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1993 10:28:11 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: project 6 credits To: Jeff Herman Cc: QRP@Think.COM In-Reply-To: Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Wed, 1 Sep 1993, Jeff Herman wrote: > > I forgot to state my reference for the 80M xmtr: Brown and Kneitel's > 101 EASY HAM RADIO PROJECTS, 1968. > > Jeff. > Would you please resend the 80-m xmtr to me? I lost it somewhere... TNX es 73 de Doug, N0Y?? 02W 03D 22H 31M and counting... From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 2 12:33:18 1993 Return-Path: on Thu, 2 Sep 93 11:31:53 -0500 id AA09264 with SMTP Date: Thu, 2 Sep 1993 10:29:47 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: dit dit To: qrp@Think.COM, swamik@ele.uri.edu In-Reply-To: <9309012352.AA19466@chop.isca.uiowa.edu> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Wed, 1 Sep 1993, Douglas J Renze wrote: > jjjjjjj > v erps...sorry this appeared in y'all's mailbox...my keyboard got very stuck. Peace es 73 de Doug N0Y?? 02W 03D 22H 32M and counting... . . From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 08:31:50 1993 Return-Path: id AA05063; Fri, 3 Sep 93 08:31:47 EDT Message-Id: <9309031231.AA05063@nms1.abb.com> X-Sent: from UBSV01.ABB.COM via SMTP (09Apr93-0000); Fri, 3 Sep 93 08:31:47 EST DECnet; Fri, 3 Sep 93 08:31:44 EST Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 08:31:44 EST From: jennings@abb.com Subject: Lightnig kept me away To: QRP@Think.COM Hello QRRers, Sorry I couldn't make it last night for the colorburst party but there was a terrific lightning storm last night 73 Tom Jennings KV2X jennings@abb.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 09:42:00 1993 Return-Path: <01H2I7G2E1TKA3CYWM@tntech.edu>; Fri, 3 Sep 1993 08:42:36 CDT Date: Fri, 03 Sep 1993 08:42:36 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Ten Tec Scout To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H2I7G2E1TMA3CYWM@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Hi, as promised..my version-> I borrowed a Scout for a week. This is not an easy task in itself. Hams don't like to share their brand new toys. The rig is about the same size as the Kenwood TS50, but a lot lighter. It has a very large digital display that is really nice for mobile use. The rig is super-simple to use. You lift a lever to pop out the band pack and slide in another band pack. The Jones filter works great and is easy to use. You just turn a knob counter clockwise to narrow the bandwidth. It works well both for CW and SSB and you use the same control for both. There is nothing to do to change from SSB to CW. You just go to the part of the band you want to operate, and operate. There are provisions on the back of the rig to leave both a straight key and a set of paddles connected. The rigs built- in iambic keyer work fine and the QSK is the best I have ever used. To set the keyer speed you flip the toggle that is also used for RIT to the up position and then use the paddles to raise or lower the speed. I was on 20 meters with it and the bands were quite noisey. I heard some calling CQ on SSB and answered the call. He reported the rig had "great audio." During the QSO someone started to broadcast almost on top of us. I used the fitler and was able to eliminate the other station completely. The receiver sounds really good both on my bench and in the car. I was talking for a long time with a guy on a Heath 100 .. he was drifting, the band was bad and all sorts of other not nice things on the band. Between the Jones filter and RIT.. I had no problem having a nice LONG QSO. If someone makes me an offer on my new 850 I think I will buy an Omni VI. 72, 73 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 10:02:03 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA11395; Fri, 3 Sep 93 07:01:54 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA24688; Fri, 3 Sep 93 09:01:49 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08967; Fri, 3 Sep 93 09:01:46 -0500 Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 09:01:46 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309031401.AA08967@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G re-revisited got another NN1G kit from Danny. boards have been silkscreened now. for $49.95 + 3.75 s&h, not a bad deal. better than i can scrounge up the parts for and i can't do PC boards. all of you that have built the previous kit. go back and check. i found a problem in mine last nite. on the transmitter board pictorial (page 22A of Doug H.'s QRPp newsletter and the stuff from Danny), on the left side of Q4 is a 10K resistor labeled and on the right side of Q4 is a 4.7K resistor. NOT. they are reversed and the schematic is correct. i'm changing mine around and will let you know before i take off for CA on monday how it works with the change. anybody else catch this? i'm taking the rig with me. i'll, of course, be on the internet agina again (sp) on wednesday when i get back to an office in mt view. gonna play golf for two days. don't ask me about my scores, please. i've not played in two years. was scratch, but not now!! good job on the newsletter Doug. looks like you did a lot of work. i like the format and it's larger than the Mich. QRP MW, i think. my $5 is in the mail. ok, back to your regularly scheduled programming. 72 es gl es dx de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 10:11:29 1993 Return-Path: id AA09609; Fri, 3 Sep 93 10:11:24 -0400 id AA21161; Fri, 3 Sep 93 10:11:23 -0400 Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 10:11:23 -0400 From: Gary Bishop Message-Id: <9309031411.AA21161@dixie.cs.unc.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: How do Vector Impedance Meters Work? Can anyone point me to a reference that describes how commercial "vector impedance meters" work? I'm not interested in the traditional bridge circuits with variable components, but rather direct reading instruments. I can postulate multiple ways it *might* be done, but I suspect that there are methods that are not so obvious that result in better performance. I'm most interested in the circuitry for interface to the unknown load (thus making voltages and phases available for measurment). I intend to check out the Hewlett-Packard Journal in hopes of finding something there. Any other sources? Thanks gb wa4fut From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 10:28:35 1993 Return-Path: id AA15520; Fri, 3 Sep 93 10:30:09 -0400 Message-Id: <9309031430.AA15520@wrdis01.robins.af.mil> Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 10:30:08 -0400 From: lakeith@wrdis01.robins.af.mil (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;WR-ALC/653 CCSG/SCDD) Subject: Re: Vote To: jkearman@arrl.org Cc: QRP@Think.COM X-Orig-Date: Wed, 01 Sep 93 18:59:56 GMT X-Orig-From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) X-Orig-Message-Id: <14256@jek> In your message of 3 Sep 1993 at 0912 EDT, you write: > How many readers know what an 807 is? Email > to jkearman@arrl.org. > > Hint: It ain't a tube. > I like mine from Colorado! Larry From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 10:38:06 1993 Return-Path: id AA02490; Fri, 3 Sep 93 07:36:14 PDT Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 07:36:14 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309031436.AA02490@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal QRP Journal Guys, The second issue of the QRPp, the Journal of the Northern California QRP Club went in the mail Monday. Some of you have already received your copy and I hope that you enjoy it. Complimentary copies were sent to all authors who contributed postings from internet. Thankyou for the input. 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 11:15:38 1993 Return-Path: on Fri, 3 Sep 93 10:14:11 -0500 id AA06791 with SMTP Date: Fri, 3 Sep 1993 09:10:59 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: PCB layout software for the Mac? To: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309031401.AA08967@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sorry to bother you all with this but since this *is* a QRP/homebrew group... Does anybody know of some PD/Shareware pc-board layout software for the mac? preferrably something which will run on an SE? I've a few things I've built "ugly" that I'd like to get nice and small for transportability. Tnx in advance. Peace es 73 de Doug, N0Y?? 02W 04D 21H 15M and counting... From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 14:57:44 1993 Return-Path: id AA09241; Fri, 3 Sep 93 14:57:38 EDT Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 14:57:38 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309031857.AA09241@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Colorburst? I have read a bunch of things on this mailing list abt Colorburst Xmtr?QSO party? etc. What is this abt? Tnx es 73 de kb1amb/ae PS - Hope u people don't mind these questions. Ive been a ham for < 10mths and into HF CW for 2 mths. tnx From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 15:55:25 1993 Return-Path: id AA25682; Fri, 3 Sep 1993 15:54:15 -0400 id AA05559; Fri, 3 Sep 93 15:54:14 EDT id AA05978; Fri, 3 Sep 93 15:54:02 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309031954.AA05978@kaos.ksr.com> To: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Cc: qrp@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: Colorburst? In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 03 Sep 93 14:57:38 EDT." <9309031857.AA09241@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> Date: Fri, 03 Sep 93 15:54:01 -0400 > I have read a bunch of things on this mailing list abt Colorburst > Xmtr?QSO party? etc. What is this abt? > Tnx es 73 de kb1amb/ae > PS - Hope u people don't mind these questions. Ive been a ham for < 10mths > and into HF CW for 2 mths. tnx No problem. The "colorburst" in question is the reference frequency for TV color, referred to as the "colorburst" frequency for that reason. That frequency is 3.759-and-lots-of-change MHz (I think). There tends to be a fair amount of QRM there on the air, due to TVs with leaky chassis radiating their color reference signals, but thanks to this, there is relatively little *ham* QRM, making it a fairly good spot for moderately- hardy operators who don't mind dodging a few local TV sets but find it harder to dodge a couple of dozen rabid DXers... ( :-) for the rabid DXers on the list here :-) ). It's also popular for crystal-bound operators, since colorburst crystals are widely available (at least until Radio Snack dropped them :-( ), and are cheap. The Colorburst QSO party is (I guess) a way of making it easy for people to find each other, so that everyone tries to operate at once (instead of all but one avoiding the frequency at any given time :-) ). Hope that helps. John, WB7EEL/1 From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 18:33:31 1993 Return-Path: id AA17671; Fri, 3 Sep 93 15:32:12 -0700 Message-Id: <9309032231.AA11943@itgmsm> From: laurahal@microsoft.com To: qrp-request@Think.COM, swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Cc: jfw@ksr.com, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Colorburst? Date: Fri, 03 Sep 93 15:29:00 PDT X-Mailer: Microsoft Mail V3.0 John writes in response to Swami: >No problem. The "colorburst" in question is the reference frequency for >TV color, referred to as the "colorburst" frequency for that reason. That >frequency is 3.759-and-lots-of-change MHz (I think). The number is 3.579545 MHz. It was chosen so that color subcarrier information could fit in between the sidebands of the chrominance (black & white) subcarrier. Since the main feature of the video signal is sidebands at multiples of the horizontal sweep frequency, the NTSC folks chose a half multiple of the sweep frequency for the subcarrier frequency (3579545/15734=227.5) to put color information in between the black & white information. This interleaving is why color tv sets sometimes have difficulty separating color information from fine detail. Since these crystals are mass produced for color tv use, they're cheap and fairly easy to come by. As well as being a useful 80m frequency. When the Europeans decided that they did want the same colors to recur (critics claim NTSC stands for Never Twice the Same Color :-), they went through a similar exercise and came up with a color subcarrier of 4.43something MHz. 73 from Burnaby, laura VE7LDH From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 3 23:25:24 1993 Return-Path: id AA18044; Fri, 3 Sep 93 23:25:19 EDT Date: Fri, 3 Sep 93 23:25:19 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309040325.AA18044@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: MFJ 9020 Hi! Tnx to all who replied abt Colorburst. I have an MFJ 9020 QRP rig. Every once in a while, I hear a buzzing noise at the following frequencies: 14.014, 14.047, 14.069 Anyone have this problem b4 with the MFJ? Or could it be some RFI from somewhere else? If I disconnect the antenna, the buzz stops. tnx es 73 de kb1amb/ae From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 4 13:55:21 1993 Return-Path: <01H2JUS2YAHCA5U5OG@tntech.edu>; Sat, 4 Sep 1993 12:56:05 CDT Date: Sat, 04 Sep 1993 12:56:05 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: anyone know? To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H2JUS2YAHEA5U5OG@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Return-path: Return-path: ed@imp.pnl.gov <01GZ3FEM3MYOK6ONZK@tntech.edu>; Mon, 7 Jun 1993 11:16:53 CDT 7 Jun 93 08:45 PDT 7 Jun 93 08:41:15 PDT Greetings All -- I was at the SEA-PAC Ham Convention this past weekend and spent some time talking to a ham and looking at a couple of units billed as "A Quality Transceiver for the Serious Low Power Operator". Basic specs are: 5 watts CW & SSB 160M thru 10M, SCAF Digital Audio Filters (100 Hz to 2400 Hz Variable Bandwidth), 20 Memories, RIT, Split, Full QSK. Size is 5 1/2"W x 4" H x 6" D. Power is 140 Ma on receive, and 1 amp on xmit. Fully synthesized and LARGE display and lettering on front panel (I could operate this rig without my glasses!). Simple (but full) front panel has LCD Freq display down to 100 Hz though it tunes in 10 Hz steps. 20 dB switchable attenuator, Three pos switch for XCVE, RIT, SPLIT. REV button for split. BANDWIDTH button for adjusting (and displaying SCAF bandwidth). FAST button for tuning, MEM button for scanning through the memories (used together these buttons store to a memory). Mini-phones jack, S-meter, Volume/OFF control and Tuning Knob. On the back is Mic connector, screwdriver adjust output power level (for the milliwatters), sidetone level (freq seems to be fixed at 700 Hz, oh well...), power, etc. Most of the top of the case covers a "large" speaker chosen for efficiency. Got the fellow to pop the lid and looked inside. Construction was very clean and neat and consisted of 4 or 5 (can't remember) PC boards stacked horizontally and taking up most of the space. the design is a single conversion with up conversion to 50 MHz IF. A number of units are out for evaluation to fellow qrp enthusiasts and first production run in July. Price is listed at $595. For info you can write to: Index Laboratories 19913 48th Street Longbranch, WA 98351 (206) 884-3855 Comments: No detailed specs on performance -- he will send me a users manual with schematic, etc when available in next month or so. Was hard to judge perf in ham-com atmosphere with no antenna to speak of and background noise, etc. This might be a very nice unit at half the price and size of an Argo II. No separate modules compared to the Scout. If the specs and performance turn out to be as good as they should, this could be a real winner. I really liked the ability to operate split and the all-band function, as well as the variable bandwidth on receive. I suspect requests for info could help this guy gauge the market and encourage him in his endeavor. No connection at all, but certainly interested... 72 de N7YQR, Ed ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ Edward W. Kleckner K6-84 Internet: ew_kleckner@pnl.gov ~ ~ Battelle Northwest n7yqr@amsat.org ~ ~ Battelle Blvd. Packet: N7YQR@WA7EAQ.WA.USA.NA ~ ~ Richland, Washington Voice: (509) 376-8425 ~ ~ 99352-0999 FAX: 376-5368 ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 4 19:05:33 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA29777; Sat, 4 Sep 93 16:05:27 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01727; Sat, 4 Sep 93 18:05:23 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA10965; Sat, 4 Sep 93 18:05:19 -0500 Date: Sat, 4 Sep 93 18:05:19 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309042305.AA10965@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G Again Gang, well, i sat down and finished the project up. worked in the yard and time for break today, saturday, so came in and sat down at the old workbench. well, i call it that. it's a solid core oak door on a computer desk. gives me plenty of room for the scope, meters, soldering iron, swr meter, dummy load, ........ you know the picture. took the NN1G outta the box again for the n-th time. flipped it over and desoldered the 4.7K and 10K voltage divider and bias resistors and reversed them. ok, back in the box and fire it up. receiver still working and all looks good. get the OHR MW-1 wattmeter and swr meter and keydown into the dummy load. !!!!! guess watt? yep, only 0.950 watts out. but, hey, that's ok by me. ok, out into the yard again. you see, i have this 80 meter long wire up 10 meters. from the back of the house straight north it's pointed. i know, cause i went out a night and it's aligned with the north star. i didn't do it on purpose, it just turned out that way. i digress. in doing the yard, the rg58u coax line for the ground side of the antenna was 'slightly' separated from the ground by the lawnmower. hey, i gotta get it close to the house. :-). ok, weller soldering gun, the only time i get to use it, and splice in another two pieces. one to bury and the other to bury and run at 90 degrees for 40 ft to the ground system where i had the butternut hf6v. this is 1,000 ft of buried wire!!! love that edger. ok, water it down and back into the house. ok, move NN1G xcvr to the shack, a small bedroom at the front of the house. hey, the kid is off to school getting a phd so that he can buy his own bedroom. :-) take the gell cell, hook up the antenna, the aea ck-2 keyer and headphones (oops. they need new covers, gotta get them at the audio store next trip). ok, here we go. wow, band sounds good. listen around 7.040 for clear spot. ok, here it is. QRL? QRL? CQ CQ CQ de K5FO K5FO K5FO/QRP k K5FO K5FO de KB9ICC KB9ICC KN ...... my rst 559, his 589. my 0.95 watts his 50 watts with ten tec. he didn't volunteer model. get that on his qsl, as he promised one for my first qso on the rig. so, this is the rig that goes with me to CA on monday. one CQ and one QSO. talk about lucky. guess i've now halfed my power down from 2.0 watts. now a milliwatter. the thrill of it all. now know what Ed Hare, Zack Lau, and those guys down in the noise level banging away. ok, here's the rig, as i see it now. NN1G xcvr, Heathkit micromatic keyer, phones, gell cell, 300 ohm ladder line and dipole, heath tuner and qrp wattmeter. logbook is notepad and later entered into computer. the rig tunes 14.005 to 14.055 MHz and i'll leave there for now. clean signal. keying is clean and i tuned with yaesu ft707 and couldn't hear any spurs within 100 KHz. i may have to speed up the qsk, but i don't use it that much anyway. sidetone is clean. in general, a good rig for $49.95 and the $3.75 shipping. oh, in the notes, an optional place to put 10uF electrolytic on the 386 for additional audio gain. PUT IT IN. it's worth it. a little more noise, but the signals are way up. not a bad receiver. thanks Rick Littlefield and Dave Benson NN1G. Ed Hare, if you know this guy and or see him. tell him i said hi. ok, ton of work to get done before the flight on monday. but every chance i get, i'm up to the higher bands. 20 meter CW WAS MILLIWATT AWARD. 1 down - 49 to go. p.s. may want to leave the 10K and 4.7K reversed, if you have clean signal and all. it may be the reason for the spurs, etc. on transmit. i didn't look on the scope before, as i was working on the drift. popped out the 2N5486 and put in another MPF102. good stability and no drift. so, something to note and possibly change. so, two weeks QSY to /6 land, land of the California kilowatts and sunshine. i'll be checking in, so don't talk about me while i'm gone. just tuesday and wednesday without a terminal, but i will be on the air. 72 es gl de k5fo/6 dit dit oh. KB9ICC in IND. 885 miles / 0.95 = 932 miles/watt. just so close to that 1,000 mile/watt award. From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 4 19:06:37 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA29805; Sat, 4 Sep 93 16:06:33 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01730; Sat, 4 Sep 93 18:06:26 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA10968; Sat, 4 Sep 93 18:06:25 -0500 Date: Sat, 4 Sep 93 18:06:25 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309042306.AA10968@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: update the 10 uF electrolytic goes between pins 1 and 8 of the LM386. + side to pin 8. for the inquiring minds From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 5 00:13:49 1993 Return-Path: id AA08288; Sat, 4 Sep 93 22:13:32 -0600 id AA23844; Sat, 4 Sep 93 22:13:11 -0600 Date: Sat, 4 Sep 93 22:13:11 -0600 From: tjf@beta.lanl.gov (Tom J Farish) Message-Id: <9309050413.AA23844@beta.lanl.gov> To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: NN1G Again Hi...Got to Olympia Wa on one Watt from Los Alamos, NM ... 1800+ Km. Tell me about this 1000 mile/Watt award! ;^) He was running 100 W and gave me a 579 to his 569! This on the MFJ 20m rig and helical PVC pipe antenna. I seem to have a pipeline to Washington State on 20m. Florida on 40m (evenings). Heard Hawaii on 20m but couldn't raise him. Hawaii is unusual for me on 20m...anyone else notice unusual propagation last night (Fri)? Thanks Jeff for the antenna Plans! Rig is going deer hunting with me next weekend. I'll be up around 11,000 ft in the Manzano Mountains. should be some DX evenings! Ahhhh...deer liver & onions & dx! ;^) Tom KJ5LT From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 5 20:25:48 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA16406; Sun, 5 Sep 93 17:25:42 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA03607; Sun, 5 Sep 93 19:25:40 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11699; Sun, 5 Sep 93 19:25:39 -0500 Date: Sun, 5 Sep 93 19:25:39 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309060025.AA11699@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 1,000 mile/watt award tjf@beta.lanl.gov (Tom J Farish) asked me about the 1,000 mile/watt award. it's an award available for the QRP ARCI awards chairman. what you need is a qsl showing you working qrp and power level. long/lat coordinates for both stations would help and the great circle distance. miles/watt value is (total-distance between the two stations/total power of lowest powered station) award is for both transmission and receiving. i guess they figure if you worked someone running very low power, you made half the job and thus are available for the award also. congratulations Tom on your achievement. get the card and then ping me back. by that time i may be the awards chairman. last time i talked to Bob he was shipping me the stuff, but he may have to get it cleared through the board of directors and other levels of paper work. don't know and i'll try to find out. i hope i get the job. first thing to do is get all the records on computer and get out an awards booklet. i've not seen one ok, back to regular scheduled programming. 72 de k5fo soon to be /6 in bay area, mt view CA. take care all. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 6 01:32:31 1993 Return-Path: id AA03674; Sun, 5 Sep 93 22:30:32 PDT Date: Sun, 5 Sep 93 22:30:32 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309060530.AA03674@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal QRP Sept. Report The September meeting of the Northern California QRP Club was held at the California Burger Restaurant in Pleasanton. It is located at the Santa Rita exit of 580. 24 members showed up, at least 24 members left, as we had 10 new members sign up. It was a great meeting with lots of QRP info traded back and forth and the members getting to know each other. Wayne Burdick, N6KR had serial number 1 of the NorCal 40 club project there. It is a 40 meter superhet transceiver that is a thing of beauty and a joy to operate. I know, because I built serial number 2. The NorCal project committe announced that orders are being taken for the kits which will be sold by the club. The club is doing a run of 50 kits to be offered to offered for $75 plus $4 shipping. Make check or money order payable to: Jim Cates, WA6GER 3241 Eastwood Rd. Sacramento, CA 95821 It is the lowest priced transceiver kit on the market that is complete with all parts, pcboard, connectors and case. All you need to build it is the old soldering iron and some solder. Mike Miller, WB6TMH, had a homebrew 40 meter transceiver that he built from various articles in the handbook and QST over the years. It is being written up and will be published in the next issue of QRPp. Mike used ugly construction and is not planning on developing a kit or a pcboard. The article explains his trials and tribulations as he built the rig. We had a qso in the parking lot after the meeting, with Mike using his rig and a "dummy load" for an antenna. I used the NorCal 40 and my hamstick on the pickup. First time that I every worked anyone using a dummy load for an antenna. Lots of fun. Of course we were only 10 feet apart, but we still made a contact. Stan Cooper, K4DRD, brought his Oak Hills research 20 meter rig. He did a really nice job building it, and everyone had to pop the top and check out the insides. Stan has promised to write a review and it will be in the next issue of QRPp also. There wasn't a lot of QRP gear at Livermore for sale at the swap. One HW-8, that the guy wanted $125 for. Ouch! It did have one of the old MFJ audio filters in the blue box that I have been looking for with it. Tried to buy it, but the owner said it was "married" to the HW-8. Oh well.... The buy of the swap may have been the 3 mint condition leg keys that Bob Smith, Denis Englander, and I bought. We got them for $10 each, and they were new in the package!! Jim Cates, WA6GER, found them for us. The group decided to keep meeting at the California Burger at 11:00 on the same day as the Livermore Swap. If you are interested in learning more about QRP join us. It was also decided to use 7.120 as a "club frequency". When you get on the air, check there and see if other club members are hanging around. Call CQ CQ Norcal de yourcall. Some members are also interested in forming a net. More discussion at the next club meeting. Membership is approaching 100, as we are in the high 90's, with about 35 opting to subscribe to the QRPp also. Jim, WA6GER, Steve Cates, and I will be at the Los Altos Foothill Swap soliciting members to the NorCal QRP club. We will have a QRP display table with various rigs and of course the NorCal 40 will be on display. Stop by and say hello and operate the NorCal 40 if you like. We would love to meet you. Chuck Adams, I understand that you will be in Mt. View. If you don't stop by the swap, I will be really upset with you! Bring your NN1G and I will bring the antenna. I do promise to print a membership list in the next issue of QRPp, and might be able to get one out on packet and internet. CUL, 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 6 14:50:37 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA17394; Mon, 6 Sep 93 11:50:32 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05934; Mon, 6 Sep 93 13:50:29 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12729; Mon, 6 Sep 93 13:50:29 -0500 Date: Mon, 6 Sep 93 13:50:29 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309061850.AA12729@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: mt view Doug, mentioned swapfest. send me details on how to get there. i assume that is next weekend. i'll bring the NN1G and the OHR sprint for 30M. taking heath tuner and qrp wattmeter. leaving behind all the clothes. no room in bags....... see you there. save me one of the $75 kits. i'll have the cash or i'll mail the order. let me know. 72 de k5fo/am (aeronautical mobile) then k5fo/6 by midnight. see you on 20M. k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 6 15:26:32 1993 Return-Path: <71154.331@CompuServe.COM> id AA21741; Mon, 6 Sep 93 15:26:12 -0400 Date: 06 Sep 93 15:21:41 EDT From: Stan Cooper <71154.331@CompuServe.COM> To: Doug Hendricks Subject: Review of Oak Hills 20 Meter QRP Rig Message-Id: <930906192141_71154.331_DHQ41-1@CompuServe.COM> Hi Doug, I enjoyed yesterday's get together and sat down this morning to write up a review on the Oak Hills Research QRP rig. I'm putting it in the mail today, so you should have it in a day or so. 73, Stan, K4DRD From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 7 00:17:56 1993 Return-Path: <71154.331@CompuServe.COM> id AA15842; Tue, 7 Sep 93 00:17:35 -0400 Date: 07 Sep 93 00:14:29 EDT From: Stan Cooper <71154.331@CompuServe.COM> To: Doug Hendricks Subject: Oak Hills Research QRP 20 Review Message-Id: <930907041429_71154.331_DHQ59-1@CompuServe.COM> Product Review - Oak Hills Research 20 Meter QRP CW Transceiver Kit By Stan Cooper, K4DRD Although I've enjoyed working QRP for the past twenty years using a Ten-Tec Argonaut model 505, there are occasions - vacations and business trips - when I want to take along a small HF rig, but the Argonaut is just too big and takes up too much luggage space. Early last year, with a ten day Hawaiian vacation coming up, a small ad in QST for the Oak Hills Research QRP transceiver caught my eye. The ad offered a 7.5" x 6.25" x 2.5" CW transceiver kit in either 40 Meter or 20 Meter versions for $149.95. Published specifications for the rigs are pretty impressive: SPECIFICATIONS: General: Frequency Range: 14,000 to 14,100 kHz (20 Meter Version) 7,000 to 7,100 kHz (40 Meter Version) Transmit Offset: 700 Hz Mode: CW Power Requirement: 13.6 VDC (Negative Ground) Power Consumption: 700 ma at 2.5 Watts Transmit 60 ma Receive (no signal) Antenna Impedance: 50 ohms T/R Switching: Semi-Break in Sidetone Frequency: 700 Hz Active Components: 7 ICs, 14 Transistors, 13 Diodes Transmitter: Final Power Output: 2 - 3 Watts Final Output Stage: 2SC1909 or 2SC2092 Receiver: Circuitry: Single Conversion Superheterodyne, IF: 9 MHz Sensitivity: .25 V Selectivity: + 1 kHz @ (-6 dB) 4 Pole Crystal Ladder IF Filter Integral, Switchable Active Audio Filter: 1 kHz With 700 Hz Center Frequency RIT: + 1.5 kHz Audio Output: 500 Mw I chose to order the twenty meter version, partly because of the DX potential on twenty and partly because of antenna restrictions. Also, my recollection of QRM from high powered broadcast transmitters on forty meters when I was a novice is still vivid in my memory. Assembly - The kit arrived several days after I'd placed my order. After inventorying all of the parts, I began assembly. The kit is built around a single printed circuit board, and all coils are prewound. Although the instructions are not detailed "step-by-step" procedures with profuse illustrations like the old Heathkit manuals, they are adequate, and I managed to get all of the parts properly mounted and soldered to the PC board. One complaint I have is the number of jumpers on the PC board. There are twenty six jumpers, and they are not clearly shown on the parts overlay illustration; the two ends of each jumper are labeled, but one must locate the label for one end, then look at a very "busy" drawing for the label identifying the other end. Finding the locations of each of the jumpers was very time consuming, and this task could have been made much easier had the jumpers themselves been drawn on the parts overlay illustration. By contrast, the NorCal 40 QRP transceiver has only four or five jumpers - a sure sign that Wayne Burdick, N6KR, put a lot of thought into the board layout. Assembly took place non-stop over a Saturday afternoon and evening, and I decided to wait until Sunday morning to apply power. The checkout and alignment instructions call for the use of a voltmeter, frequency counter and an oscilloscope, so if these aren't part of your tool box, you should probably arrange to borrow them from a neighbor before attempting alignment. The VFO coil, L1, is the only coil not "doped" from the factory, and the reason for this is that the winding of L1 is compressed or expanded on the toroid core to obtain the proper VFO frequency before doping by the builder. I spent about an hour tweaking the L1 winding trying to "bring in" the VFO frequency to the required 5 MHz with the tuning capacitor plates fully meshed. I finally gave up, wrote a brief note to the folks at Oak Hills Research explaining my predicament, and shipped the unit back to the factory for check out and alignment. The OHR people called me to let me know that after they had adjusted L1 (admittedly a tricky procedure), the rest of the alignment was uneventful. They even complimented me on my work (nice soldering, no wiring errors, etc.). The cost for their efforts was a very reasonable $28.00, including return shipping charges. Operating - The rig arrived by UPS several days later, and I fired it up minutes after opening the box. I live in a twentieth story apartment, so my antenna options are pretty limited. I'm currently using a pair of "Hustler" mobile whips with 20 meter resonators, configured as a dipole. Using this antenna, I worked several states in the first few hours on the air with the OHR rig. It was (and still is) a real thrill to use this tiny rig, powered by a twelve volt gell cell, to work DX as far away as Latvia. I've found the rig very easy to use, and on-the-air reports of the signal quality have been gratifying. I'm consistently told that the signal is steady as a rock, without any sign of chirp, and - when powered with an AC supply - hum free. QSK characteristics are excellent. Receiver audio is adequate when used with a quality eight ohm impedance headset, but I bought a Radio Shack eight ohm speaker with a 12 VDC powered eight watt internal amplifier (part number 21-541) for use with the rig, and have come to prefer the speaker. Oak Hills Research also offers a keyer kit which may be built into the transceiver. I opted to build the keyer into a separate minibox since I wanted to use it with the Argonaut as well as the OHR rig. The keyer is built around the Curtis 8044ABM keyer chip and costs $29.95. Control Layout- The OHR QRP rig controls are nicely laid out, with the vernier VFO frequency dial located in the center of the front panel. The audio volume control with On/Off switch is in the lower left corner of the front panel, and the headphone jack is mounted directly above it in the upper left corner. The receiver incremental tuning (RIT) knob is in the lower right corner, and the audio filter "narrow/wide" switch is located in the upper right corner. The antenna connector, an SO-239 type, is located on the rear apron along with the key jack and 12 VDC power jack. Summary- The OHR QRP rig is well designed and a real ball to operate! In spite of my complaints, I believe anyone could assemble the kit and get it on the air. Although I haven't tested the unit's specifications, I have no reason to believe the manufacturer's published specifications aren't accurate. The receiver is hotter than a pistol, and the transmitted signal gets glowing reports. Manufacturer- Oak Hills Research Phone: (616) 796-0920 20879 Madison Street Big Rapids, MI 49307 From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 7 10:19:29 1993 Return-Path: id AA08451; Tue, 7 Sep 93 08:19:09 -0600 id AA25089; Tue, 7 Sep 93 08:18:42 -0600 Date: Tue, 7 Sep 93 08:18:42 -0600 From: tjf@beta.lanl.gov (Tom J Farish) Message-Id: <9309071418.AA25089@beta.lanl.gov> To: groverc@gold.gvg.tek.com, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: MFJ Mods Hi...did you get any info on mods for your MFJ QRP rig? I am building a little audio amp for it.... Tom KJ5LT From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 7 11:32:53 1993 Return-Path: <01H2NW9W45EUA5UDHU@tntech.edu>; Tue, 7 Sep 1993 10:33:26 CDT Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1993 10:33:26 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Gary Breed revisited To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H2NW9W45EWA5UDHU@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT howdi all, I spent some of the weekend finishing up a 20 meter A&A Gary Breed transceiver. Had it working and was playing around one day and plugged needed power for it.. ended up picking up a power cord I had made for something and the leads were reversed in the wires.. blew up both the receiver and transmitter.. talk about SMOKE..... Sure got pretty good with the oscilloscope finding the problems. Got the last one yesterday.. one of the chokes went south. Well got the thing running and retuned it. The wave form from the tx is beautiful.. when i hooked up the PA section the power was about 8 watts (think this is common with these rigs). I tuned one of the transformers and got it down to under 5 while still keeping the signal looking pretty. Now the reason I am writing this. I really don't have much of a background in electronics. I learn by blowing things up and trying to fix them. I listened to the signal from the A&A and it sounded great. When I got on the air, I noticed that people were coming right back to me, even thought 20 meters was really funky in my QTH. I even worked some French stations that i could barely hear on my 850 using my Quad. I have noticed that people seem to be hearing the signal from this rig really well. I had recently built QUITE a few QRP transceivers. In testing them side by side, I would often notice that even with the same power, certain rigs would bring back better responses. I have heard that unlike SSB, CW is pretty much CW... but I can hear big differences in sound of a CW signal (some sound nicer to me). Is this related to the wave form and if so.. seems like you could design and tune a rig to get better results on the air. I really like this new rig.. The receiver seems to work quite well (although 20 meters was so bad last night I had to plug in my Oak Hills audio filter.. guess If i keep this rig, I will have to build an audio filter into it).. the transmitter works great.. .Down sides..only covers 48khz (not too bad.. mine goes from 14.000-14.0048.. pretty usable), and the relay switching can drive you bonkers.. the rig is also in a pretty big case considering how small the boards are. The kit is VERY easy to build and tuning is very easy... I think you can tune this just using a general coverage receiver standing by... guess I can start on my DDS S&S kit next. 72 Jeff From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 7 12:28:59 1993 Return-Path: <@batdd6.pica.army.mil:klaudon@batdd6> 7 Sep 93 12:20 EDT id AA06645; Tue, 7 Sep 93 12:21:50 EDT Date: Tue, 7 Sep 93 12:21:50 EDT From: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Message-Id: <9309071621.AA06645@batdd6.batdd1.pica.army.mil> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: MFJ9030 dial calib.? Cc: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Well, friends, I am happy to report that I am the proud owner of a brand new MFJ 9130B CW station. Got it last week at AES Orlando when on travel down there. Price $ 300. Includes the 9030 xcvr (30 meters), matching 971 tuner (I figure this ought to be able to handle the 5 w xcvr output; the 300 watt scale on the wattmeter I will ignore totally!), 4114 portable PS (see discussion below!), and 1773 folded dipole made out of brown 300 ohm twinlead, with "matching network" for 50 ohm UHF termination built into feedline ( there is a 107 pf cap across the feedline a specific distance up the line). Well, I feel that representing the ps as portable, as shown in the ads, is a bit misleading. The box itself contains regulator circuit and also (on this model) a charging circuit for nicad D cells. There are holders in the box for 8 D cells, plus another holder for a few more (presumably for nicads, to make up the required voltage). So far so good. But surprise, instead of a line cord, there is a connector to plug in the "wall cube" that has the real work. It is a monster 40 VA unit, as big as a man's fist, and heavy! So much for ultra-portable! OK, now for the real question. When examining the unit right out of the box at AES, I noticed that the dial pointer did not quite make it down to the bottom of the band (10.100 Mhz), and overshot the top end (10.150) by what looked like 7 to 10 Khz. I asked the guy to take it to the back and have their technician check it out. He came back and said they moved the pointer a little, and now the dial was exactly correct on 10.1, and that rx and tx track perfectly all thru the range, but that when the dial reads 10.150, the freq is actually about 10.155. Now, I realize that this is a cheap little rig, but dial error of 5 Khz on a 50 Khz ham band, or 10 percent of dial reading of the only freq-setting device this rig has, is totally unacceptable. I called up MFJ and the customer svc tech said to send it to them and they would fix it. Of course, I will have to go to all the trouble of boxing it up, paying more shipping, waiting for it, and having no one home to receive the box when it comes back! Any experiences out there with this rig? Oh, yes, the front panel is crooked and looks funny when mounted to the other station components. And I did spend an extra $ 5. for the station "handle" (lousy bent sheet metal painted black for suckers like me - oh, but I do love gimmicks!) I did turn it on at home, with just the dipole still rolled up in the bag, and heard a few stations from 1500+ mile distances, so I am looking forward to a good little rig. Audio from the built-in spkr is very skimpy - It needs that audio amp mod that someone is working on. Looking forward for any advice on the cal problem, 72, Kalman WD6CZI in 2 land, From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 8 09:28:28 1993 Return-Path: <01H2P6DTW1J4A5UNB5@tntech.edu>; Wed, 8 Sep 1993 08:29:10 CDT Date: Wed, 08 Sep 1993 08:29:10 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: 624 Kits To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H2P6DTY6OYA5UNB5@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Howdi, I was so encouraged by the results of tuning the transmitter on the A&A Gary Breed, that I thought I might try it on the 624 kits version (40 meters) that I had been having problems with. When I turned it on .. it was only putting out 2.5 UGLY watts into the dummy load. Hooked up the scope and tuned it up... with a 12 v battery about 8 watts.. more with my power supply. turned the power back under 5 watts and the wave form is identical to the A&A version.. boy do I feel happy. Guess when my loaner agreement on this scope is up I will have to find one of my own. On another topic, since there are people in this group that are expert in all devices electrical: I have a satellite system and had a problem with it.. could no longer turn it or call for a different satellite. The receiver works fine .. when I get the dish right..it receives and decodes. Found that the reed switch was bad out at the satellite. Replaced the reed switch.. and now I can turn the dish ok.. Problem: When I program in a satellite and then another one.. the dish doesn't go back to the right place and the numbers on the receiver are wrong.. my guess is that the dish isn't sending the pulses back right (too fast or slow .. or maybe intermittent) Maybe on taking it apart I banged the magnet too hard and demagnetized part of it? I have just been trying to figure out how the system actually works to see if I can fix it.. seems that as the magnet out at the dish turns it makes and breaks the reed switch, which in turn sends pulses to the reciever. I THINK somehow the reciever counts the pulses and does somekind of adding or subtracting of the programmed # for a satellite to get to a different position.. This thing is driving me crazy. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 8 15:06:55 1993 Return-Path: id AA12808 for qrp@think.com; Wed, 8 Sep 93 15:05:49 -0400 id AA286467 ; Wed, 08 Sep 93 13:50:07 EST Date: Wed, 08 Sep 93 18:53:34 GMT Message-Id: <14916@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Chew this one over This message appeared on the Contest mailing list. If you have any comments on this message, please contact JO1BMV. I am merely the messenger! > Date: Wed, 8 Sep 93 20:49:03 +0900 > From: hal-y@tkyux.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp (YOKOYAMA Muneharu) > Message-Id: <9309081149.AA09006@tkyux.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp> > To: cq-contest@TGV.COM > Subject: CQ WW RTTY > > > Hi, all. > > I am one the operators of JL1ZCG, Nakayoshi QRP Club, and > planning to participate in the CQ WW RTTY Contest at the end of > this month. To advance our position in the world (5th M/S last > year), we must make some QSO's with U.S./Canadian stns on 40 and 80. > We know that you have certain activities there, but the Japanese band > plan (7025-7040 and 3520-3525 for the data communications) prevents us > from transmitting on the "hot spots" (somewhere on the higher frequencies, > I think). It is very hard for us to hear your signals on the Japanese > phone frequencies (7030-7100 and 3525-3575), so working split is almost > impossible. Please look for us on the lower frequencies described above, > and try to call there. Any informations, suggestions, or schedules would be > appreciated. Thanks. > > 73's de Hal, JO1BMV (hal-y@tkyux.phys.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp) > From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 8 15:15:59 1993 Return-Path: id AA19395; Wed, 8 Sep 93 12:15:35 PDT id AA05556; Wed, 8 Sep 93 11:15:27 PDT Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1993 11:12:46 -0700 (PDT) From: stark Subject: Re: NN1G Again To: Tom J Farish Cc: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com, qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309050413.AA23844@beta.lanl.gov> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hi all, Well Tom, I will be up deer hunting first part of Oct. Will be in Idaho and hope to have a rig with me. May have to take the TS130S. Battery and solar panel etc. Keep us posted on how the hunt goes. I will be looking for a nice rack. Want one to mount for a change. Will be listing for all, 72, KU7Y From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 09:14:31 1993 Return-Path: <01H2QKFLSHYOAJKLN0@tntech.edu>; Thu, 9 Sep 1993 08:15:14 CDT Date: Thu, 09 Sep 1993 08:15:14 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: article idea To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H2QKFM0SYQAJKLN0@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Would appreciate your thoughts on the following (and if it really ends up happening.. anyone is invited to come on down and join in.. Chuck travels all over the place anyway, he can just stop by) I would like to propose an idea for an article. I guess a title like "Mini-expedition on a Budget" It would be about how a non-expensive outing to the most exciting place close enough by the home QTH. Two such sugestions for my QTH would be taking a weekend outing to the top of a remote mountain top and setting up all home brew QRP equipment (and Argonaut 509 for SSB) and home made antennas. Some type of publicity beforehand such as on the local repeater and through packet would be used to anounce it. *** Usenet/Mailing List *** Battery power would be the power source (portable gel cells that are small enough to carry should last a weekend of QRP). For antennas I was thinking of a G5RV and maybe my portable PVC vertical. Idea #2..non-QRP with a radio such as the Ten Tec Scout or Kenwood TS50 and maybe an Isoloop or MFJ vertical. This would be to an island in the middle of one of the big lakes not too far away. We would bring a small generator and maybe camp out for the weekend.. There are people from all over the world who read the QRP mailing list on Internet, and the Usenet News groupd, Think I could have some special QSO cards or certificates made up for the occassion. Point is: bunches of us non-rich, not all that adventurous people read about DXepeditions in all the ham radio magazines. We may enjoy reading about them, but they may not be entirely appropriate for us, where as we can still do a mini-version to test out the idea and have a great time (maybe get some more hams interested in QRP, and some new hams interested in a bunch of stuff they might not have otherwise tried). Most of us have thought about it. We have sat at the edge of our chairs as we read about one in a ham radio magazine. Many of us dream about going on one someday. For the majority of us the dream may never become reality because of lack of funds, time, or because we are just not willing to put up with the dangers or discomforts associated with it. The Dxpedition may be the Ultimate Ham Experience. What could be more exciting than being at the other end of a pileup? I for one was tired of just reading about it. I came up with a plan of action that would turn a dream into a reality. The expedition had to be on a weekend to fit my time schedule. It had to be not too far away in order to fit both the time and budget constraints. My destination had to be remote enough to be exciting! I wanted a plan that other could easily duplicate. * To make the trip more interesting I decided to use only low power (QRP) gear that I had built myself. I wanted to be able to operate on at least three bands using only gel cells for power. My antennas would have to be portable enough to be carried to the top of a mountain. I decided on my three band PVC vertical and a small G5RV and antenna tuner. I chose three small backpacking rigs that I had built from inexpensive kits that operate on 20, 30 and 40 meters. *This probably isn't as salable an article as a non-QRP version (sorry we QRP nuts are a minority). Let me know what you think. 72,73 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 09:44:32 1993 Return-Path: EDT Date: Thu, 09 Sep 1993 07:44:11 EDT From: "Fred Cady ieefc@msu.oscs.montana.edu" To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <0097246D.92F6EBC0.2406@ece.ee.montana.edu> Subject: KB6NQ Internet address Does anybody know if KB6NQ, Richard Rathburn is on internet? Fred, KE7X From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 10:29:20 1993 Return-Path: id AA12483 for qrp@think.com; Thu, 9 Sep 93 10:29:11 -0400 id AA287716 ; Thu, 09 Sep 93 09:16:11 EST Date: Thu, 09 Sep 93 14:19:13 GMT Message-Id: <14986@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Mini Expeditions Jeff, AC4HF, has a good idea for having fun. Not quite like a DXpedition, tho, but could still be fun. Sort of like an off-season Field Day. The big kick in a DXpedition, after you've gotten there, is the wall-to-wall pileups. Nothing else challenges your operating skill like that! Let's face it, going to an island in a nearby lake just isn't going to generate enthusiastic pileups hour after hour! If I may suggest an alternative, why not promote a QRP Weekend Afield, where other groups around the world do the same thing? 72, Jim KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 10:37:36 1993 Return-Path: id AA25427; Thu, 9 Sep 93 07:37:25 PDT id AA09982; Thu, 9 Sep 93 07:35:02 PDT id AA747585379 Thu, 09 Sep 93 07:36:19 PST Date: Thu, 09 Sep 93 07:36:19 PST From: Gary_Thorburn_at_Notes-Gate@sceng.UB.com Message-Id: <9308097475.AA747585379@sceng.UB.com> To: jmg@tntech.edu Cc: qrp@Think.COM Subject: I like your article idea I like your idea Jeff. The allure of simple remote communication is what has really enthralled me about radio since I was a kid. Also, I'm thrilled to be able to communicate here with a FAMOUS AUTHOR !! ( I enjoyed your recent QST article !) On a related topic, "JOTA" is coming up, and I'd like to do a micro-expedition with my son's Scout Patrol; perhaps setting up a station on a little knoll in the woods behind the local school. I'd like to get the kids involved in pulling a simple antenna (G5RV or 10m dipole) into the trees, and see what we can do. I consider myself a really wet-behind-the-ears ham; I've been licensed over a year, but what little time I spend at the radio is usually listening. Any suggestions on how NOT to blow something like this with a group of five 10-12 yr old kids? IDEAS WELCOME. By the way, It wont be QRP, my only HF rig's an ICOM 725, we'll lug in a small marine battery. From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 11:11:26 1993 Return-Path: id AA07206; Thu, 9 Sep 93 11:11:21 -0400 id AA01886; Thu, 9 Sep 93 11:11:19 EDT Date: Thu, 9 Sep 93 11:11:19 EDT From: gc@fox.gsfc.nasa.gov (Gary Chatters) Message-Id: <9309091511.AA01886@fox.gsfc.nasa.gov> To: JMG@tntech.edu Subject: Re: article idea Cc: qrp@Think.COM Jeff writes: > I would like to propose an idea for an article. I guess a title like > "Mini-expedition on a Budget" > > You seem to be considering two ideas: - Going on a mini-DXpedition - Writing an article about it You have a good start on an idea; I'll throw in some of my limited experience and hope that it helps and encourages you. A couple of clubs that I belong to have had mini-DXpeditions to nearby islands. There is an award program that someone runs called Islands On The Air (IOTA). If your expedition isn't to a really rare DX spot, then relating it to some award like IOTA can generate a lot of interest. The IOTA program lists specific islands or islands groups for their awards. I have been on one such mini-DXpedition with one club that I belong to; another club has also made such expeditions, all to nearby islands in Virginia. Nearby could mean a four hour drive and a 50 minute boat ride but it's a lot closer than, say, Clipperton. There must be a bunch of other awards programs that would provide some interest. You probably know about the county hunters and there are grid squares for VHF. Anyone ever hear of a WAMT award (Worked All Mountain Tops)? The one mini-DXpedition I participated in was written up by one of the participants and the article was published in Beam magazine (hope I have the name right, that was a little freebie ham magazine that came out a couple of years ago. I don't know if it is still around). So it can be done. Gary From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 15:45:31 1993 Return-Path: id AA12160 (5.65b/CWI-3.3); Thu, 9 Sep 1993 21:45:19 +0200 Wed, 08 Sep 1993 21:51:29 MDT Date: Wed, 08 Sep 1993 21:51:28 MDT From: "Dick Hissink" Message-Id: <2c8e37c1.bsdihi@bsdihi.atr.bso.nl> Organization: BSO\AT Rotterdam Netherlands To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: HELP !!!!!!! Content-Type: text Content-Length: 258 HELP, After three request to be removed from the QRP mailing list I still get lots of QRP mail messages that i do not want anymore!!! What do I have to do to be DELETED from this list???? 73's ...-.- -- Dick Hissink PA3DSP Email:dihi@bsdihi.atr.bso.nl From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 16:40:17 1993 Return-Path: Date: Thu, 9 Sep 93 16:39:24 EDT From: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: cfishman@PICA.ARMY.MIL Subject: R2 and T2 Message-Id: <9309091639.aa23332@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> Has anybody out there built the phasing tx and rx in QST in the past few months. I think if the R2 was followed with a superscaf audio filter it might be a good rx. Keep those cards and letters coming...... Clark Fishman WA2UNN cfishman@pica.army.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 9 19:36:22 1993 Return-Path: 9 Sep 93 16:27 PDT To: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) Cc: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: R2 and T2 In-Reply-To: Your message of "Thu, 09 Sep 1993 16:39:24 EDT." <9309091639.aa23332@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> Date: Thu, 09 Sep 1993 16:27:40 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9309091627.aa01457@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Well, Clark......I just got my T2 board (ordered back in May?) and await my R2 board (said they might ship in September). When I get them I will be looking for a few others who are building (have built) to ride along with. I think you are right - good audio filtering will be a real useful thing to have with this rig. I am presently beginning to wonder about the best VFO design for it, are there any recommendations? I have some upgraded commercial mixers that require a bit more from the VFO than the standard ones, but that should be easy to deal with. Clark WA3JPG From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 10 00:26:56 1993 Return-Path: id AA29007; Fri, 10 Sep 93 00:26:51 -0400 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for qrp@think.com) id m0oax2w-0002PlC; Thu, 9 Sep 93 21:13 EDT id m0oaQTg-000155C; Wed, 8 Sep 93 09:26 CDT Message-Id: From: jjw@seastar.org (John Welch) Subject: Re: Gary Breed revisited To: qrp@Think.COM (qrp mailing list) Date: Wed, 8 Sep 1993 09:26:31 -0500 (CDT) Reply-To: jjw@seastar.org Organization: Welch Research Laboratories X-Location: McHenry, ILLinois 60050-1461 Operating-System: Xenix 2.3.4 SysV/386 Lines: 17 X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL22] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 875 Jeff, re: your comments about one CW rig sounding better than another - some do. The ones that sound lousy genreally have lots of phase noise, so the signal *averages* out to be on frequency over time, but at any given instant it's not really there. Many commercial PLL-based rigs have this problem, and some VFO-based rigs have it too. Generally, a crystal has very good response, and little phase noise. Alas, a crystal won't change frequency very well. Oh well... BTW, as I understood it the S&S rig *isn't* a DDS, it's a PLL-based rig. Not bad at all, and pretty good compared to many low-end commercial (multiple mixed PLL) rigs, but not DDS. DDS has its own interesting problems, mostly related to price and availability of very high speed digital parts (and phase noise that gets worse the closer to 40% of the clock frequency you get...). -- John Welch, N9JZW From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 12 19:41:34 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA25176; Sun, 12 Sep 93 16:41:30 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA17979; Sun, 12 Sep 93 18:41:27 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA18425; Sun, 12 Sep 93 18:41:25 -0500 Date: Sun, 12 Sep 93 18:41:25 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309122341.AA18425@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorthCal 40 Rig Gang, I'm still K5FO/6 in Mt View CA. I got to the Foothills College flea market on saturday morning. Not too bad. I'm kinda spoiled by the 5-10,000 size of the Dallas sidewalk sale once a month, but still the Foothills fleamarket is pretty good. i only got to see 2/3rds of it, as I stopped at the Northern California van/tables and met Doug Hendricks, KI6DS, and the rest of the group there. Looks like the QRP movement is gaining significant numbers there/here in Northern California. Keep up the good work gang. Now let me give you my impressions of the NorthCal 40 QRP transceiver. I don't have the exact dimensions, but I'd guess 4.5x5.0x2.25" or so. Small and about the same size as the OHR Sprint rig. Doug can give us exact dimensions. The engineering and layout is first class. Imagine a PC Board about the above size. Imagine front panel a rectangular piece of Aluminum with mounting holes (left to right) for AF Gain, RIT Switch, RIT pot, and Tuning. The AF, RIT pot and Tuning hold the front panel to the PC board. The rear panel (looking at it from the back also from left to right) have Key jack, Phone Jack (both 3.5mm I think), On/Off switch, and SO-259 Antenna connector. Both the RIT Switch and On/Off switches pass through the front/rear panels, but do not hold it down. The PC board is by FAR Circuits and is silk screened and not real crowded. Features that I remember and have starred those that I think are a real plus to the rig. 1. Varactor tuned with no noticable drift. 2. QSK without relay ***** 3. RIT ***** 4. Small Size (good rig for backpackers) 5. LOW current drain (12.5 mA on receive and ~150 or so for xmit) my mind is fuzzy on this last figure, but the rig is real real efficient. 6. Price of ~$80 for everything is pretty darn good. 7. Output is variable by internal pot ***** max out about 1.5W i think uses 2SC799. Someone on the net give us the replacement for this. The world supply is dwindling and QRP rigs everywhere seem to use this critter. 8. Adjustment is simple ***** Won't require all the frequency counter and scope stuff that some of the others require. Real neat idea to have variable air trimmer to set the frequency instead of adjusting spacing on the toroid. Doug let me play with the rig a little later on, but 40 seemed deader than a door nail, possibly due to a solar flare. Stations heard earlier at the flea market on a mobile whip sounded great and i think this rig is gonna be a real hit. Now, this is not an advertisement, but only 50 rigs being made in the first run. I think all but 10 have been sold, I know i plopped down my $79 total at the meet after seeing the rig. If it sounds good to you, get your check off to Jim Cates, WA6GER 3241 Eastwood Road Sacramento, CA 95821 I'm sure there will be more kits made up, but if you want one now, act fast. The NN1G rig is setup in my room at the hotel, but not a great antenna setup, but can listen. Haven't really tried to contact anyone yet as my Curtis "Lil Bugger" keyer seems to be having relay problems. It set up for five years in a desk drawer and hadn't been exercised. Another reason why I dislike relays anywhere in any rig or equipment. OK, sorry for the long posting, but gotta get it all down while it's fresh. 72 de k5fo/6 dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 12 20:42:02 1993 Return-Path: id AA04485; Sun, 12 Sep 93 17:40:00 PDT Date: Sun, 12 Sep 93 17:40:00 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309130040.AA04485@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal QRP Roster Guys, here is the latest roster with NorCal membership numbers. If you have an asterisk by your name, you are a paid subscriber. Northern California QRP Club Membership Roster September 12, 1993 AA6DK NC# 85 Stan Cummings KJ6MO NC# 98 Charlie Trentacosti * AA6IY NC# 36 Gene Marshall * KJ6OG NC# 19 Vern Haik AA6UL NC# 55 Ralph Irons KK6IU NC# 18 Kent LeBarts AA7AR/6 NC# 11 Bruce Florip KK6TQ NC# 111 Randy Meltier * AA7U NC# 105 Steve Ratzla * KK6ZC NC# 66 Glenn Menard * AB6MB NC# 65 Jeff Jones KM6EP NC# 121 Dick Kors * AB6SO NC# 41 Vic Black KM6FM NC# 35 Mark Helfen * AC4HF NC# 39 Jeff Gold KM6QP NC# 96 Bob Lai * G1PJJ NC# 44 Paul Turvey * KM6RI NC# 20 David Varn K4DRD NC# 5 Stan Cooper * KN6HG NC# 110 John Miers * K5FO NC# 40 Chuck Adams * KV6I NC# 91 Dan Magro * K6AGN NC# 101 D.J. McDonald * N2KZZ NC# 103 Paul Beltrani * K6DIW NC# 4 Nicholas Kaps N3CUD NC# 70 Roberta Perkins * K6EN NC# 33 Charles Ketterman N4HCJ NC# 112 James Kretzschmar * K6MA NC# 114 Stan Kuhl * N6DOK NC# 117 Lloyd Hartshorn * K6MDJ NC# 51 Fred Turpin N6DZA NC# 10 Gary Steinhour K6PYP NC# 90 Scott Swanson * N6FZS NC# 106 Mervin Enos * K6ZAN NC# 93 Ralph Butler * N6GA NC# 52 Cam Hartford K8BPN NC# 21 Ron Moeller * N6KR NC# 3 Wayne Burdick * K8VOR NC# 79 Bob Bell N6LQA NC# 107 Wayne Stade * KA6JFF NC# 87 Dale Applegate * N6MVE NC# 82 Michael Wood * KA7ULD NC# 27 Mark Cronenwett * N6NQY NC# 116 Frank Nagle * KA9BZM NC# 86 Bill Shortz N6PFK NC# 81 Michael Westfield * KB6HZM NC# 49 Pat Gormley N6PFL NC# 115 Allen George * KB6LUC NC# 94 Tom Server, Jr. * N6SYW NC# 83 Hall Baker KC6AND NC# 13 Randy Shore N6VT NC# 108 Ralph Conly * KC6JEV NC# 58 Larry Earlix N6WTL NC# 23 Jim Strang * KC6SEG NC# 32 Mike Collins N6YBD NC# 14 Gary Narramore KC6SOC NC# 92 Terry Young * N7TDK NC# 99 Bill Graves * KC6TEV NC# 31 Steve Cates * N7WIM NC# 63 Kevin Purcell KC6ZDG NC# 102 Chuck Mahler * N8ET NC# 43 Bill Kelsey KD4GLC NC# 89 Rusty Smith * NC# 113 Rob Ontiverous * KD4GLC NC# 77 Rusty Smith NC# 72 William White * KD6CVL NC# 80 Stanley Salek * NK6I NC# 104 Ed Esheim * KD6ETI NC# 34 Denis Englander * NN1G NC# 62 Dave Benson * KD6FDW NC# 122 Ron Manabe * W1IFL NC# 74 Chandler Eaton * KD6FJI NC# 12 Lloyd DeVaughns W4OEL NC# 76 Sheldon Dunham KD6FVI NC# 25 Bob Smith W5QJM NC# 69 Fred Bonavita * KD6GMF NC# 24 William Stanley W6CUB NC# 120 Dave Bradley * KD6JKQ NC# 22 Mark Eddy W6CYX NC# 7 Robert Warmke * KD6MNP NC# 28 Jeff Furman * W6EBY NC# 78 Jack Shulman KD6VIO NC# 8 Bob Dyer * W6EQB NC# 119 Paul McKinnie * KD6WUC NC# 95 Chris Miller W6ISQ NC# 46 John Troster KD6ZBQ NC# 67 Hayes Alexander * W6KGS NC# 109 Loren Moeslchler * KE0UQ NC# 57 Roy Crozier * W6LNG NC# 60 William Semorile * KE4PC NC# 75 Mike Dooley * W6QIF NC# 42 Jim Pepper * KE6HD NC# 68 Mike Jarchow * W6SIY NC# 53 Keith Clark KH6MM NC# 118 Marvin Tanaka * W7JDZ NC# 100 J.L. McClurkin * KI6DS NC# 2 Doug Hendricks * WA3JPG NC# 56 Clark Turner KI6JD NC# 6 James Williams * WA4GIR NC# 73 Joseph White * KI6PR NC# 29 Mike Siegel * WA6ARA NC# 50 Mike Herr * KI6SN NC# 37 Richard Fisher * WA6BOY NC# 26 David Joseph * KI6UH NC# 30 Gordon Yee WA6ENC NC# 48 Loren Chan KJ6LL NC# 15 Brian Treusch WA6ERB/VE2DRB NC# 88 Robert Gobrick * WA6GER NC# 1 Jim Cates * WB6SDW NC# 38 Ed Avila WA6NCX NC# 45 Rick Ferranti * WB6TMH NC# 16 Mike Miller * WA6PWW NC# 97 Kit Blanke * WD6BOR NC# 17 Darrell Jones * WA7SOU NC# 47 Larry Burkett * WD6DCV NC# 84 Frank Zawalick WB2STR NC# 9 Thomas Mukai WD6GYJ NC# 64 Don Wilbor WB6FZH NC# 71 Greg Greenwood * WF6D NC# 54 Bill Young * WB6QKU NC# 61 Joseph Dabkoski WF6U NC# 59 Hollis Button * Cul, 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 13 09:39:03 1993 Return-Path: id AA24522; Mon, 13 Sep 93 07:38:38 -0600 id AA03117; Mon, 13 Sep 93 07:38:01 -0600 Date: Mon, 13 Sep 93 07:38:01 -0600 From: tjf@beta.lanl.gov (Tom J Farish) Message-Id: <9309131338.AA03117@beta.lanl.gov> To: JMG@tntech.edu, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: article idea Jeff and the group, I like this idea! I do have a question, though, about determining the level of "support". That is, if I had the idea of activating some rare counties in New Mexico, how can I determine the interest such an outing might have? How many QSL card do I have printed? (or do I wait until after the event?) How do I let perople know? I know that New Mexico is fairly rare for Europeans....how do I get out the word to them? Tom KJ5LT From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 13 12:17:21 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309131616.AA10903@interval.interval.com> Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1993 09:21:34 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: NorCal 40 rig Cc: dh@altair.csustan.edu, mvjf@mvubr.att.com, adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com Fellow QRPers, I wanted to clear up a few points about the NorCal 40, the first project of NorCal, the Northern California QRP Club, as reviewed by Chuck Adams in a posting yesterday. (And by the way, Chuck, sorry I missed the Foothills flea market on Saturday. Had I known what the turnout at the NorCal setup was going to be, I would have planned to be there to talk about the rig design. Maybe next time.) First, this is a club project--not a commercial product--which is why we intended a run of only 50 kits to start with. A club project is evolving, malleable, imperfect; a commercial product should not be. To the extent that it *may* become a product someday, I suppose we could consider it Beta test. Another important difference between a club rig and a commercial one is, in this case, Doug Hendricks and Jim Cates. These two tireless gentlemen are not your typical purchasing, shipping, and sales department: they're doing this on thier own time, and I am grateful for thier help in making this rig a reality. So while I appreciate Chuck's suggestion that you all mail your checks in early, I'd like everyone to keep in mind that the $75 price of the rig reflects a total payroll of $0.00 divided three ways. Our intent is to give club members a chance to build and operate a rig together, not to make money, which we won't, so the bottom line is a limited supply that will first be offered to club members. Now, regarding Chuck's review: The dimensions are 4.6"W x 4.5"D by 2.2"H (good eye, Chuck). The case is custom made in four parts that attach directly to the PC board, making it very easy to remove either the top or bottom. That's one feature of the HW-8 that I always appreciated. All components, controls, and connectors also mount to the PCB so there's no chassis wiring at all. And we left plenty of room in the case for mods--this is, after all, an evolving, malleable and imperfect club project. Other points: - yes, both the key jack and headphone jack are 3.5mm, by popular demand; - no, the antenna jack is a BNC; - the RX current drain is nominally 15mA but can go higher when loud signals are present; TX current drain is nominally 175mA at about 2 watts out; - measured PA efficiency was 83% on the first rig built, 75% on the second; I used an MRF237 in the first one and got 1 to 3.3 watts out, while Doug (KI6DS) used a 2SC799 and got 1.2 to 2 watts out; the final design may use an MRF607; - the receiver has a novel differential JFET AGC circuit in the AF channel that draws no current; - the receiver is a superhet, with the I.F. at 4.915 MHz and the VFO at a nominal 2.085MHz. Finally, the known quirks and limitations: - there isn't enough AF output to drive a speaker; - the AGC range is limited (JFETs go nonlinear at some point); - like all NE602-based receiver designs, you *will* need the RF gain control at times; - the VFO tuning range is only 35 to 40 KHz using the varactor diode (presenting one of many opportunities for modification); - there is a good, loud "birdie" at 7.022 MHz that is a blessing if you're using it as an extra-band-edge marker during VFO alignment, but a curse if you're using the extra band; fortunately, the birdie can be easily subdued with a series LC circuit on the back of the board, as explained in the manual; - there is no I.F. amp--not really needed on 40 meters--so modifying the rig for 20 meters or above isn't a good idea. I hope that clears things up. If you're interested, please go ahead and *write* to Jim (Jim Cates, WA6GER, 3241 Eastwood Road, Sacramento, CA 95821) to get onto a waiting list. But don't send your precious dollars yet since we may be sold out! We *may* do a second run. If things get wildly out of hand, the rig may become a commercial product, with a bigger price tag, sales tax, phone support, etc., etc. Thanks again, Chuck, for your visit to NorCal territory. I hope others here on QRP@think.com will give us feedback on the rig design and get a chance to try it out. Special thanks to Doug Hendricks for eeking out bargain prices from unwary Silicon Valley surplus houses, keeping the kit price low! Wayne Burdick N6KR wayne@interval.com (415) 354-0928, (415) 592-2700 From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 13 12:36:39 1993 Return-Path: id AA09621; Mon, 13 Sep 93 12:38:32 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Mon, 13 Sep 1993 12:35:52 -0400 Date: Mon, 13 Sep 1993 12:35:52 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199309131635.AA05408@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Spider Mania Cc: diana@sneaks.kodak.com Well, Production of Spiders has begun here in upsate N.Y. Myself (WB8YGG) and Gary (N2JGU) have both constructed 80 meter versions of this great little rig. It all started with manufacturing our own P.C. board using the QST process. I ended up making 5 boards, and I think Gary made the same. I gave 2 away, and plan to build the Spider on 80, 40, and 30. Total investment for the rig is probably around $25.00 for everything including the box. One of the boards that I gave away was to our local BARK (Brockport Amateur Radio Club) President K2DB. He put his on 40 meters, and let me say that if he can get it working , anybody can. I only say that because Paul wants to get on this qrp list server something bad, and hasen't been able to yet.. Oh yeah. Performance... Well I started out with a contact 40 miles away, and last night I made a contact to Vermont 559 on 3720. Not bad at all. The 40 meter one is next, then the 30. Sure is fun homebrewing. 72 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 13 14:16:13 1993 Return-Path: id AA02091; Mon, 13 Sep 93 14:15:36 EDT Date: Mon, 13 Sep 93 14:15:36 EDT From: skitch@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (M. Squicciarini) Message-Id: <9309131815.AA02091@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: New Magazine Cc: radio-info@ucsd.edu The following is the text of a postcard I received last week. It announced a new magazine that maybe of interest to the group. I have posted this FYI and standard disclaimers apply. Dear OM, In the past, on at least one occasion, we have enjoyed a QSO together (ed. I checked my logs and we QSOed in 1988 QRP). I am writing to you because I want to tell you about a new ham magazine which I am about to launch. It's designed especially for the hams who like to build their own equipment and antennas, whether from kits or "scratch-built", even modifications to existing rigs. It's called Hambrew, and we are getting a great response to the idea from hams all over the country! "It's just what we need," I hear again and again. I hope you will c'mon aboard and try a $20 yearly subscription now. You'll like Hambrew - it's a quarterly by hams, for hams, not sold in stores. If you order before November 1, 1993, I'll throw in a free bonus extra copy as a thank you for helping us get off the ground: five issues for the price of four. We've even go an "800" number to make ordereing easy for Visa and MC holders: Call now and say "Hello"! 1-800-5-HAM RIG. And thanks! Warm Regards and 73, George De Grazio, WF0K (ex KB0AHD, N0IHS) I ordered the magazine and when I get my first issue I'll review it. 73 -- marty -- nr3z skitch@nadc.navy.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 14 02:17:12 1993 Return-Path: id AA05950; Mon, 13 Sep 93 23:15:16 PDT Date: Mon, 13 Sep 93 23:15:16 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309140615.AA05950@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Motorola Number Query I have several transistors that have a Motorola number on them. can someone on the net help me out. The number is 8734, and on the bottom line is 1884-0068. If you know what these are, please let me know. also, if you know of a cheap source of 2SC799's, I am looking for some. CuL, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 14 09:38:08 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA26636; Tue, 14 Sep 93 09:38:02 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 093631.23589; Tue, 14 Sep 1993 09:36:31 EDT id AA04208; Tue, 14 Sep 93 09:25:07 EDT Date: Tue, 14 Sep 93 09:25:07 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9309141325.AA04208@auratek.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, uunet!deneb.csustan.edu!dh@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: Motorola Number Query First # is a date code. Made in the 37th week 1987. The second # is a house part number. You'll have a trouble getting more info on this device from Motorola. It was manufactured for a specific company and they (Motorola) usually will not make this info public. It could be a special or just a common part. 73 Ed W1AAZ From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 14 17:37:53 1993 Return-Path: id AA21387; Tue, 14 Sep 93 21:37:35 GMT Date: 14 Sep 93 16:36:32 EDT From: Jeff Furman To: Subject: Re:Motorola Number Query Message-Id: <930914203631_555063.0_FHI37-2@CompuServe.COM> That part number (1884-0068) reminds me of Hewlett- Packard part numbers: 1853-xxxx Si PNP, 1854-xxxx Si NPN, 1855-xxxx FETS (N- and P- channel). Many of these parts have direct commercial equivalents, but some have selected specs. from an industry std. part. There is a non-toll-free phone number (which I can't remember) in Santa Rosa, CA. for HP parts specs. 73 Jeff Furman KD6MNP JFurman@spa.mhs.compuserve.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 15 11:26:23 1993 Return-Path: id AA01667; Wed, 15 Sep 93 09:23:14 MDT Date: Wed, 15 Sep 93 09:23:14 MDT From: mb@titan.wordperfect.com (Michael Bendio (unix dev)) Message-Id: <9309151523.AA01667@titan.wordperfect.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: extruded aluminum enclosures Does anyone know of a source for extruded aluminum enclosures like the old Hayes modems used to come in? I'm looking for a very rugged enclosure for the R2/T2 combination I'm building. Michael Bendio mb@titan.wordperfect.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 15 12:40:42 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309151640.AA14288@interval.interval.com> Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1993 09:45:48 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: NorCal 40 Well, we tried to build only 50 of these critters, but they're more popular than we expected. So we're going for 100. Send me mail if you're interested (wayne@interval.com). This is still a NorCal QRP Club project, so if you're not a member, that sly opportunist Doug Hendricks (KI6DS) may trick you into paying your $5 club dues at the same time. Thanks & 72, Wayne, N6KR Wayne Burdick Interval Research Corp. wayne@interval.com 1801-C Page Mill Road (415) 354-0928 Palo Alto, CA 94304 From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 15 14:11:20 1993 Return-Path: on Wed, 15 Sep 93 13:09:34 -0500 id AA08182 with SMTP Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1993 12:06:59 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: NorCal 40 To: Wayne Burdick Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309151640.AA14288@interval.interval.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Wed, 15 Sep 1993, Wayne Burdick wrote: > Well, we tried to build only 50 of these critters, but they're more popular > than we expected. So we're going for 100. Send me mail if you're > interested (wayne@interval.com). > > This is still a NorCal QRP Club project, so if you're not a member, that > sly opportunist Doug Hendricks (KI6DS) may trick you into paying your $5 > club dues at the same time. > > Thanks & 72, > Wayne, N6KR > I'm interested in both the kit and becoming a member! Tnx es 72 de Doug N0Z?? 04W 03D 00H 10M and counting... From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 15 16:24:14 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA03755; Wed, 15 Sep 93 13:24:09 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04876; Wed, 15 Sep 93 15:10:16 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA21626; Wed, 15 Sep 93 15:10:16 -0500 Date: Wed, 15 Sep 93 15:10:16 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309152010.AA21626@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorthCal 40 gang, the rig for 40 meters will go like hotcakes. i'm in process of sending note to Dallas and Oklahoma. i highly recommend getting the rig, a. nice design, b. nice engineering, and c. nice price that includes the case and associated hardware. i'm a member of the club but i am not financially tied to the project. it's really a great deal and i like to see this regional projects make it. it's for the betterment of the hobby and QRP in general. 72 de k5fo/6 dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 10:23:44 1993 Return-Path: From: alsun150!jvm@aluxs.att.com id AA22993; Thu, 16 Sep 93 10:16:08 EDT id AA19385; Thu, 16 Sep 93 10:15:56 EDT Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 10:15:56 EDT Original-From: aluxs!alsun150!jvm (Jim Morgan) Message-Id: <9309161415.AA19385@alsun150> To: mb@titan.wordperfect.com Subject: Re: extruded aluminum enclosures Cc: QRP@Think.COM > From att!Think.COM!qrp-request Thu Sep 16 10:12:20 1993 > Date: Wed, 15 Sep 93 09:23:14 MDT > From: mb@titan.wordperfect.com (Michael Bendio (unix dev)) > To: QRP@Think.COM > Subject: extruded aluminum enclosures > Content-Length: 227 > > Does anyone know of a source for extruded aluminum enclosures like the old > Hayes modems used to come in? I'm looking for a very rugged enclosure for > the R2/T2 combination I'm building. > > Michael Bendio > mb@titan.wordperfect.com > Please post what you find ! Thanks & 73, Jim Morgan WX4D/3 jvm@aluxpo.att.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 11:20:14 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA00764; Thu, 16 Sep 93 08:20:07 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA10405; Thu, 16 Sep 93 10:20:04 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA22405; Thu, 16 Sep 93 10:20:02 -0500 Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 10:20:02 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309161520.AA22405@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorthCal 40 followup Gang, people have sent me mail about ordering the NorthCal 40 Rig, so i'm responding to all the QRP mailing group at once. this will cut down on my typing requirements. again, i'm not associated with this deal, it is NOT a commercial venture on the part of the individuals involved. it is a QRP club deal, in this case the Northern California QRP Club, NorthCal QRP Club. again, it is a 40 meter QRP xcvr and all the specs have been posted to this group. check the archives at 'think.com' to get all the details. unfortunately, i'm k5fo/6 this week and i printed them off at the office, but didn't save them to a file. as i understand it, the club has sold 50+ of the units and will take orders for another 50 for a total of 100 units. it is rather unfortunate that we don't have technology in place to give each of you a complete picture of the assembled rig. it is very well done. i don't see that anyone would have problems assembling it and beginners certainly could find help in their area. two things to get one of these critters. a. join the NorthCal Club which will cost you $5 and gets you 4 issues of the QRPp newsletter (actually it's a pretty nice 8.5 x 11" double sided and folded and center stapled booklet). b. and $75 + $4 s&h for the rig itself. i'll let Jim Cates followup to the net if he will take check, m.o., or whatever for the total including the membership dues. Doug, KI6DS, is the official membership chairman for the club. i know that Doug has to pay for his connect time, which is costing him a non-trivial amount for long-distance connect charges at the present time. you may want to drop Jim a SASE when you write to him, just in case they get swamped with this deal. i personally think that it may become the hotest deal around. it will be interesting to attempt to get a weekly schedule going on 40 this winter for the NorthCal 40 Work a Friend Net. I'll throw out Thursday nites for a starter. this will allow the Color Crystal people to try their stuff and then come up to 40 and work the "QRO" guys at 7.040, the QRP ARCI frequencies. ok, here's Jim's address: (posted here without his permission this time, sorry Jim, the devil made me do it) :-) Jim Cates, WA6GER 3241 Eastwood Rd. Sacramento Ca, 95821 i have not posted Doug's email address so that he won't get swamped. i guess one of the sidelights and interesting notes about this group is that some of you are paying for getting email. i understand your plight. i have to pay long-distance bills from the 'ranch' to dallas in order for me to get my mail at night and weekends. it's just part of the expense of getting timely information. if Doug wants to give you his mailing address also and request that you send him membership dues, i'll let him followup. he might can do both, in fact i'm sure he can. sorry that i don't have more. i'm just a customer in waiting for the rig. i've seen it, i've operated it and it's gonna be my travel rig. compact and complete except for the keyer, phones, p/s, and antenna. for now, 72 de k5fo/6 dit dit chuck adams From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 11:40:25 1993 Return-Path: id AA27949; Thu, 16 Sep 93 09:37:19 MDT Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 09:37:19 MDT From: mb@titan.wordperfect.com (Michael Bendio (unix dev)) Message-Id: <9309161537.AA27949@titan.wordperfect.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Thanks for all the kind and helpful replies to my recent query: "Does anyone know of a source for extruded aluminum enclosures like the old Hayes modems used to come in? I'm looking for a very rugged enclosure for the R2/T2 combination I'm building." From: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) >There is a company called Lansing I think in LA that sell extruded >cabinets...I will do some checking for you... and a follow-up message: >I found it ..Lansing Instrument Corp 800-847-3535 >nice looking enclosures..they have an add on page 272 of the Sept >Electronic Products Magazine From: jbate@ncrcol.columbiasc.NCR.COM >Try >powerbox inc. >1503 Spruce St. >Boulder, CO 80302 >(303)444-1461 >(800)444-1461 >I got their catalog. It's a bit spendy, but may be what you're >looking for. From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" >Radio Shack used to have some rugged boxes that came disassembled. >The flat bottom, top, and sides, plus the end plates of those elongated >cube boxes were fitted together with tongue & groove type joints. I >don't know whether those things can still be had, since I'm talking about >what R. S. had probably twenty years ago, but just in case, they might >be worth a try. There were also two replies that suggested using Kantronics enclosures such as are used for the KAM. These enclosures are apparently available separately from Kantronics. Again--I was gratified by your responses. Thanks much. Michael Bendio, WT7J mb@titan.wordperfect.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 13:19:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA01741 for qrp@think.com; Thu, 16 Sep 93 13:19:33 -0400 id AA295524 ; Thu, 16 Sep 93 12:07:48 EST Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 17:15:36 GMT Message-Id: <15479@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Extruded housings Somebody was selling extruded aluminum housings at Dayton last year (92). Painted or bare, around $5 apiece. Looked like they were from modems or radar detectors. You could always cannibalize an Escort... 73, KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 14:04:22 1993 Return-Path: id AA29070; Thu, 16 Sep 1993 14:04:06 -0400 id AA01018; Thu, 16 Sep 93 14:04:02 EDT id AA23555; Thu, 16 Sep 93 14:03:42 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309161803.AA23555@kaos.ksr.com> To: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) Cc: QRP@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: Extruded housings In-Reply-To: Your message of "Thu, 16 Sep 93 17:15:36 GMT." <15479@jek> Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 14:03:41 -0400 > Somebody was selling extruded aluminum housings at > Dayton last year (92). Painted or bare, around $5 > apiece. Looked like they were from modems or > radar detectors. You could always cannibalize an > Escort... It might not be a very large car, but isn't an Escort still a bit large for most electronic projects? Also, they wanted extruded aluminum, and I'm quite sure the outer surface of my Escort is cardboard. :-) From bruce@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 14:44:07 1993 Return-Path: id AA05854; Thu, 16 Sep 93 14:43:31 EDT Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 14:43:31 EDT Message-Id: <9309161843.AA05854@zarathustra> To: qrp@Think.COM From: "Paul Mackanos, Co" Sender: bruce@Think.COM Subject: SpiderMania Content-Length: 955 [Forwarded by me. --bruce WT1M] To: QRPREQUE--EKSMTP qrpreque From: Paul Mackanos, Construction, 1/23/KP 24301, (x13966) Subject: SpiderMania I am not sure if this will hit the server, so it is more or less a test message. Whoever gets it, please reply to me and let me know. My address is KP26.594646@kodako.kodak.com Anyway, several of us in the WNY area have recently built the SP-1 Spider Transceiver that has appeared in January 1993, 73 Magazine. Two have been built and are on the air on 80 meters, and mine is up and on the air on 40 meters. There seems to be a lot of enthusiam in the area, as we have received quite a few requests for the article, and where to purchase parts. Well, with less than 1 w. out, and a 40 dipole my best DX so far is from 4 land, Chapel Hill NC. If ya have any questions, or have built the SPIDER, and want to chat & exchange ideas, please reply. 72 de Paul K2DB   Paul From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 16:56:50 1993 Return-Path: (16.8/15.5+IOS 3.13) id AA20984; Thu, 16 Sep 93 13:56:46 -0700 (16.6/15.5+ECS 3.3) id AA00621; Thu, 16 Sep 93 13:56:43 -0700 (1.37.109.4/15.5+IOS 3.21) id AA03815; Thu, 16 Sep 93 13:56:43 -0700 From: Stan Witherspoon Message-Id: <9309162056.AA03815@hprstw.rose.hp.com> Subject: Motorola transistor To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 13:56:42 PDT" Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85] I looked up 1884-0068 in our microfilm, and, IF that is a HP part number, it's not a transister, it's a SCR, that is no longer manufactured by Motorola and doesn't appear to have a generic part no. I can send you the specs (I can see why it is no longer manufactured, it's a rather wimpy part by SCR standards. VRpeak = 25V, Imax = 5A (RMS)) This is assuming that it IS a hp part. -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ Stan Witherspoon Hewlett-Packard Co. (916) 785-5071 ~ ~ stan@hprpcd.rose.hp.com Systems Technology Division ~ ~ Stan (hprpcd) /HP5200/UX 8020 Foothills Blvd. Roseville, CA 95678 ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 20:11:37 1993 Return-Path: id AA08285; Thu, 16 Sep 93 17:09:38 PDT Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 17:09:38 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309170009.AA08285@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Doug Hendricks Mail Address For those inquiring minds who want to know, here is my mailing address. Doug Hendricks KI6DS 862 Frank Ave. Dos Palos, CA If you want to get me email it is dh@csustan.edu All orders for the NorCal 40 should go to Jim Cates. His address is: Jim Cates, WA6GER 3241 Eastwood Rd. Sacramento, CA 95821 Oops, missed my zip code. It is 93620. If you want to join NorCal and subscribe to the journal, QRPp, it is $5 per year. Send checks or money orders made out to Doug Hendricks to me. If you are ordering the NorCal 40 rig, send a check for $79 to Jim. Hope that helps you out. 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 16 22:20:00 1993 Return-Path: id AA22659; Thu, 16 Sep 93 16:19:52 HST Date: Thu, 16 Sep 93 16:19:51 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Project 7: 15 watts on 80 and 40* Message-Id: * If you are reading this on the rec.radio..homebrew newsgroup feel free to run the full 15 watts. BUT, if you are reading this on the QRP mailgroup you can only use this xmtr in the standby mode (a few milliwatts)(no fair cheating now...). Here's the most sophisticated xmtr project so far: 15 watts output on 40 and 80 meters. There is a standby mode which keeps the oscillator ticking but cuts out the PA transistors - use this for zero-beating your rcvr to the xmtr output frequency (uh, I guess this really isn't necessary with today's receivers... This IS an old book). The book is 104 HAM RADIO PROJECTS FOR NOVICE AND TECHNICIAN, by Burt Simon, 1968. Burt says: "RFC1 should be a low resistance; use a 1/4 inch loopstick and at least 20 turns of #28 wire or larger. No component values are critical except for the amplifier coils. The NE-2 bulb should be mounted flat against the chassis near the #49 bulb with both leads connected to the antenna lead and only stray capacitance to ground. Also be sure to use a fundamental- frequency crystal. The oscillator transistor does not need a heat sink, although you'll need a Wakefield #NF207 on the buffer transistor. "Tuning: Only final amplifier adjustments are necessary. Tune always for maximum output, NOT MINIMUM PA CURRENT. Normal tuning of C9 and C10 should bring about a satisfactory bulb brilliance. If antennas are under 30 feet (or 1/2 wave), output capacitance will be much less and tuning capacitance more; the #49 bulb will show less current, but the neon bulb will ignite showing high voltage feed. In general, tune for maximum bulb brilliance regardless of load." Parts List: ----------- Q1,2 2N697 transistor; use Wakefield #NF207 heat sink on Q2 Q3,4 PADT50 C1,4,12 330 pF capacitor C2 .068 mF C3,5 .01 mF C6,8 .22 mF electrolytic, 50V C7 820 pF C9,10 365 pF variable C11 330 pF R1 27K resistor R2 3.3K R3 330 ohms R4 10K R5 100 ohms 2W R6 1.5 ohms 2W -------------------------------->12-28VDC | | | ------------------->12VDC (for zero beating) | | | R * ------------*------------*----*--- SW1A | | | |T * | | | | | R1 RFC1 C5 | *----*----*----*---- | | | | | | | | | | | GND | | | | | | *---X1------*---C4---- | C6 RFC3 C8 R6 I3 | | | | | | | | | | | *-B-Q2-C-- | | *----*---* *--B-Q1-C---- | E GND | | | | E R4 | | E E | | | *-----C7-----* Q3-C--C-Q4 *-C1-*---- | | | B B | | | | R5 | | | R2 R3 C3 | | *----*--------- ANT | | | ----* | | | | | | | ------>RCVR ANT | *----*---*-----RFC2------- | | ----I1----* | | | |R | | | | | * SW1B | | C2 ----KEY---GND | -----*--L1--*--*--L2--*--*--L3--* | -----*T | | | | | | | | | | | | | GND RFC4 | C11 C10 | I2 | | | LOAD | | | C9 | | C12 | GND TUNE | GND | GND | | | GND | | 80*|*40 LO*|*HI | | SW2 * * SW3 | | | | GND GND Whew! Okay, note that the 40M terminal of SW2 is not connected to anything; neither is the HI terminal of SW3. As I written, C9 is the tuning and C10 is the loading capacitor. Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 17 12:43:58 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.930917114238.480; 17 Sep 93 11:43:17 +600 Message-Id: To: qrp@Think.COM >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 17 Sep 93 11:42:08 CDT Subject: MFJ Rigs - Power Supply? Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 1015 Interested in using the 9020 while on the road with commercial power available. Anyone have insights on using a power cube type supply such as the 1 amp model I see in my old (free) Radio Shack catalog or the supposed (I haven't laid a meter on it yet) 15V, 1.5 amp that I have for my notebook. Any advice and or hints about using this type of power supply with any other rig appreciated. I'm not real impressed with what you seem to get for the price/size on the MFJ supply but maybe I should be. Thanks and 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 17 18:47:17 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA01290; Fri, 17 Sep 93 18:47:13 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 184506.3538; Fri, 17 Sep 1993 18:45:06 EDT via rusnews; Fri, 17 Sep 1993 18:38:38 EDT for qrp@think.com To: qrp@Think.COM X-Original-Article-From: cmwdr01@nt.com (Dave Redfearn) Subject: Re: HW-9,MFJ 9020,OHR RX From: rich@mulvey.com (Rich Mulvey) Message-Id: <930917.183838.9H5.rusnews.w165w@mulvey.com> Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1993 18:38:38 EDT In-Reply-To: Organization: Mulvey Home Node X-Newsreader: rusnews v1.05 Just saw this.... In rec.radio.swap, cmwdr01@nt.com writes: > For Sale: > > Heathkit HW-9 QRP Transceiver > 80 - 10 meters + WARC bands > Superhet RX, 2.4 Khz crystal filter, audio filter > 5 - 7 watts output (adjusable) > > Heathkit PSA-9 power supply > Heathkit HM-9 QRP HF wattmeter > > All in GOOD working condition, no modifications > Some light scratches on the cases > Will sell as a package ONLY > HW-9, PSA-9, HM-9 - $ 225.00 obo > > Oak Hills Reasearch 30 Meter receiver kit (unassembled) > 10.000 - 10.150 Mhz VFO > Superhet RX, 3 pole crystal filter > All parts & PC board included, NO case > $ 30.00 > > MFJ 9040 40 Meter QRP Transceiver > 7.000 - 7.150 Mhz > Superhet RX, 4 pole crystal filter, RIT, AGC > 5 watts output (adjustable) > NEW condition with box and manual > $ 125.00 obo > - Rich -- Rich Mulvey Amateur Radio: N2VDS 787 Elmwood Terrace rich@mulvey.com "Ignorance should be painful." Rochester, NY 14620 From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 18 16:48:32 1993 Return-Path: id AA09648; Sat, 18 Sep 93 13:46:33 PDT Date: Sat, 18 Sep 93 13:46:33 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309182046.AA09648@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G Problem Ok, all of you technical wizards out there. Here is a problem for you from a non technical builder of the NN1G. I put the kit from Danny Stevig together this week. The first thing that you are supposed to do is to test for audio. I plugged in the phones, and the power, and nada, nothing, even adjusting T4 did not help. So, I used the Dougie method of touching various parts to see if I forgot to solder a joint or something (not unknown to happen). Well, I accidently shorted the heatsink on Q7 to the case of Q6, and bingo! tons of audio. So I separated the two, took a clip lead and tried it again. Worked fine. So, what is my problem? Do you have an idea of what it could be? The schematic is in January 93 QRP Quarterly or September QRPp. I would appreciate the help. 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 18 18:39:54 1993 Return-Path: id AA05613; Sat, 18 Sep 93 18:39:50 EDT Date: Sat, 18 Sep 93 18:39:50 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309182239.AA05613@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Dany Stevig's kits Hi All How does one order a kit from Danny Stevig? What different kits does he have? Does anyone have a list of prices and kits. What are ur experiences with ordering from this guy? Tnx! 72 es 73 de KB1AMB/AE From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 18 23:22:51 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA13940; Sat, 18 Sep 93 20:22:45 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA22942; Sat, 18 Sep 93 22:22:42 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA24965; Sat, 18 Sep 93 22:22:40 -0500 Date: Sat, 18 Sep 93 22:22:40 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309190322.AA24965@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP Awards QRP Amateur Radio Club International Operating Awards Program The objective of the QRP ARCI Operating Awards Program is to demonstrate that "power is no substitute for skill". It encourages full enjoyment of Ham Radio while running the minimum power necessary to complete a QSO and thereby reducing QRM on our crowded bands. QRP is defined by the club as 5 watts output CW and 10 watts PEP output SSB. The following awards are available to any Amateur. Requirements are set forth below. QRP-25 This award is issued to any Amateur for working 25 members of QRP ARCI while those members were running QRP. Endorsements are offered for 50, 100 and every 100 thereafter. To apply send list of members worked. List should be in numerical order. WAC-QRP This award is issued to any Amateur for confirming QSOs with stations in all six continents while running QRP. WAS-QRP This award is issued to any Amateur for confirming QSOs with stations in 20 or more of the 50 states of the USA while running QRP. Endorsement seals are issued at 30, 40 and 50 states confirmed. DXCC-QRP This award is issued to any Amateur for confirmed QSOs with 100 ARRL countries while running QRP. 1000-MILE-PER-WATT (KM/W) This award is issued to any Amateur transmitting from, or receiving the transmission of, a QRP station such that the Great Circle Bearing distance between the two stations, divided by the QRP stations power output equals or exceeds 1000 Miles-per-Watt. Additional certificates can be earned with different modes and bands. QRP-NET (QNI-25) This award is issued to those members completing 25 check-ins into any individual QRP ARCI net. Subsequent 25 QNIs in another net will earn an endorsement seal. Net managers send a list of those qualifying to the Nets Manager at the end of the month. Awards are issued FREE to those qualifying by the Awards Chairman as information is received from the Nets Manager. NOTES 1) The fee for all awards, except QRP NET (QNI-25), is $2.00 US or 10 IRCs. Subsequent Endorsement Seals are $1.00 or 5 IRCs. Make checks or money orders (preferred) payable to QRP ARCI. 2) GCR List (General Certificate Rule): QRP ARCI will accept as satisfactory proof of confirmed QSOs and that the QSLs are on hand as claimed by the applicant if the list is signed by: (a) a radio club official, OR (b) two amateur radio operators, general class or higher, OR (c) notary public, OR (d) CPA. If you must send QSLs, please include postage for their return. Neither QRP ARCI or the Awards Chairperson are responsible for lost or damaged QSLs. 3) QRP ARCI member numbers are not published. The Awards Program will accept as satisfactory proof for any of the club awards a QSO with a club member giving their membership number and power output in the log data. If the QRP number and power are not given a QSL is required for confirmation. See Note 2 above. 4) Endorsement seals are available for a) One Band, b) One Mode, c) Natural Power, d) Novice and e) Two-way QRP if log data so indicates. Send Applications to: QRP ARCI AWARDS CHAIRMAN Chuck Adams K5FO 830 Waite Drive Copper Canyon, TX 75067-8581 From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 19 02:05:44 1993 Return-Path: id AA10089; Sun, 19 Sep 93 02:05:40 -0400 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for qrp@think.com) id m0oeHaR-0001ZgC; Sun, 19 Sep 93 01:45 EDT id m0oeH5C-00015fC; Sun, 19 Sep 93 00:13 CDT Message-Id: From: jjw@seastar.org (John Welch) Subject: Re: NN1G Problem To: qrp@Think.COM (qrp mailing list) Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1993 00:13:09 -0500 (CDT) In-Reply-To: <9309182046.AA09648@deneb.csustan.edu> from "Doug Hendricks" at Sep 18, 93 01:46:33 pm Reply-To: jjw@seastar.org Organization: Welch Research Laboratories X-Location: McHenry, ILLinois 60050-1461 Operating-System: Xenix 2.3.4 SysV/386 Lines: 38 X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL22] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 2029 > Ok, all of you technical wizards out there. Here is a problem for you from > a non technical builder of the NN1G. I put the kit from Danny Stevig together > this week. The first thing that you are supposed to do is to test for audio. > I plugged in the phones, and the power, and nada, nothing, even adjusting T4 > did not help. So, I used the Dougie method of touching various parts to see > if I forgot to solder a joint or something (not unknown to happen). Well, I > accidently shorted the heatsink on Q7 to the case of Q6, and bingo! tons of > audio. So I separated the two, took a clip lead and tried it again. Worked > fine. So, what is my problem? Do you have an idea of what it could be? The > schematic is in January 93 QRP Quarterly or September QRPp. I would appreciate > the help. > 72, Doug Dunno what's connected to the case on the 2SC799, but I'd bet it was connected to the collector. By shorting the case of Q7 to the case of Q6 (which *is* connected to the collector), you'd provide +12 on the Vsw line, thus bringing +12 to all the transmitter circuits just as if you had keyed the rig. This would give lots of audio. Why you have no audio is probably another problem. Have you connected the additional 10uF cap (not shown on schematics) to U4? Without this, you'll have *very* low audio. Also, even *with* the extra cap you have very low audio unless the signals are about S3 or better. When the signal gets to S9 the audio is painfully loud. It needs a good AGC and one more stage of IF amp to really be comfortable with weak and loud signals. Possible cheesy way to adjust the receiver is remove the cover from your PC-type computer and fire it up. Re-adjust the VFO to cover 14.318 and peak on the signal from the 14.318 oscillator(s) usually found in a PC (at least on various *GA cards). re-adjust the VFO when done, or enjoy sending CW overtop the SSB (the narrow filter cuts SSB down to just a mild buzz that won't interfere with CW hardly at all ;^). -- John Welch, N9JZW From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 19 11:11:14 1993 Return-Path: <01H34N4T2OEEAXB6MO@tntech.edu>; Sun, 19 Sep 1993 10:12:17 CDT Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1993 10:12:17 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: MFJ QRP KIT To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H34N4T2OEGAXB6MO@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT All, Just finished putting together a 30 meter MFJ.... trying to convince them it would make a great kit. They originally designed it so it can be kitted. The reason that they haven't kitted it was that they can only sell it for about $20 less in the kit form than the built form, and figured no one would buy it. The only thing I had against my MFJs was that I didn't build them. I think for about $159 list and probably $139 selling it is a bargain. You can sit down on a rainy day and build the whole kit taking your time. The board is nicely silk screened. It is a nice double sided board with plated thru holes. The parts aren't too densly packed. Everything is on one board. The coils are pre-wound. There is even a fuse (trace on the board) in case the power decides to go the wrong way (I tested it out.. sure saved a bunch of parts). The parts were decent quality. Of course I didn't have any instructions..but things were still real easy. The built version has a schematic and voltages for the chips and transistors. There is also a complete parts list. The manual for the built version also has very clear step by step alignment procedures. I didn't have any problems getting it built or aligned. I talked with Toronto this AM and got a real good signal report. There was some QSB.. so don't know whether the VFO is drifting or the bands were bad. This version has a much quitier relay for TX/Rec. They are also working on a revision to correct the low audio output problem. The rig is very rugged and about perfect size for packing. I have used my other ones for hours on a 4 ah gel cell. A friend built a 4 position audio filter from the QRP handbook and fit it to the same place the MFJ version goes... inexpensive to build and very effective (when he sold his rig, I got the filter and I am going to put it in this rig). So what do you think? Think it may be worth MFJs while to kit this? 72 *now I have just started the ARK 40.. Best boards, best manual I have come across.. see review this months 73. Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 19 12:32:55 1993 Return-Path: id AA19122; Sun, 19 Sep 93 12:32:28 EDT Date: Sun, 19 Sep 93 12:32:28 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309191632.AA19122@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: MFJ9020 I have an MFJ 9020 and plan to sell it before xmas. It is in perfect condition and has the 700Hz filter. Does 140 dollars sound like a gud price. I am not asking if u guys will buy it. I am asking if this sounds like a fair price. It is 2 mths old and I payed 169 + 29 for it. All boxes (even styrophoam (sp?) and platic covers are intact) and manuals are included. I even have the original invoice to prove how old it is. Tnx es 72 KB1AMB/AE Swami From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 19 18:52:05 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for qrp@think.com); Sun, 19 Sep 1993 17:51:48 -0500 Date: Sun, 19 Sep 1993 17:51:48 -0500 From: Arnett Message-Id: <199309192251.AA04180@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: hw-9 help I picked up a HW-9 at the local hamfest this weekend w/o PS or manual. I am going to photocopy the manual from a local ham. From what time I've had, it appear to be brand spanking new, and it has an '89 factory` sticker inside. It appears that only 4 bands were installed (why?) which correspond with the 80, 40, 20 & 15m bands. There's not even any RTV on the ferrite beads. The only checkout I've done is to plug in headphones and about 3ft of wire this afternoon. I could hear signals on 40, 20 & 15, but it sounds like it needs alignment. So, anyone w/ HW-9 experience who can offer helpful suggestions would be` greatly appreciated. Also, since this thing is brand new (except for a couple light scratches in the case) how much butchering (er, uh, modifying) can I do to this before other QRP'ers will hunt me down? I'm resisting the urge for a while to replace the phono connector for the key with a 1/4" connector. The power connector is pretty cheesey though, so I'll eventually replace that. tnx es 73 Drew Arnett kb9fko@uiuc.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 19 22:10:10 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA15757; Sun, 19 Sep 93 19:10:04 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA25520; Sun, 19 Sep 93 21:10:01 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA25731; Sun, 19 Sep 93 21:10:00 -0500 Date: Sun, 19 Sep 93 21:10:00 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309200210.AA25731@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 20M this weekend Gang, If you weren't on 20M this weekend, Shame Shame Shame on you. I got back late friday nite from /6 land. Slept late and then in process of unpacking, took NN1G rig and hooked it up to see if it survived the airline handling. It did. I wasn't on all that much over the weekend, since two weeks away from the ranch lets the grass grow too much. But the band was hot. With 0.95W out, i worked over 8 stations at greater than 1,000 Miles-per-Watt. The first one was 1,013 Miles/Watt. Wouldn't you know it. I get the job as Awards Chair and I hit the jackpot!! Oh well, such is life. I'll have to get the QSLs and have the QRP Lunch Bunch sign off on them. :-) I picked up MN, SD (old Ernie who's photo you see in the QQ in front on a snowladen scene holding a rig in front of a tent during one of the QSO parties), NY, GA, CA (Los Angeles), and a VE3 in Toronto. Just to name a few of the goodies. The NN1G rig seems to be working super. I know that some guys have had problems, but mine seems to be exceptional. Good sensitivity and selectivity. I did discover one problem though. I don't have to check the clock on the wall. I can hear WWV in the noise level and can hear the ticks. An S2 to S3 signal will overrun it, so I'll get ideas on cleaning it up later. That's the problem with 10.000MHz IFs. Good idea Wayne N6KR to use the 4.915MHz IF frequency. Too reasons, it eliminates the WWV problem and isn't 4.915 used in baud-rate generation circuits? That should make the crystals plentiful, cheap, and also probably within closer tolerances that other frequencies. I heard Europe and South America, but didn't attempt to work them as the QRO guys were in there like Ducks after a June-Bug (Texas Talk). I built the 40 meter version Saturday nite after 20 closed. Lack on toroid to complete it, as the 20 meter version doesn't use the same toroid for L7. I'll get one Monday at the friendly toroid place. Hopefully I'll have it up and running Monday night. You'll note that I have violated my general rule of not using the shift key to capitalize!! Someone mentioned that using my postings for newsletters was causing them grief, so periodically I'll use proper keying techniques to help out. My guess is that 40 Meters is going to be the band to work like crazy this winter. Starting out real good. I dusted off the old OHR Spirit and worked MN at 4PM local time today. Of course, it is getting late September and some would consider this winter already. :-) Ok, back to your regularly scheduled program in progress. 72 de k5fo dit dit p.s. at end of net this morning, when i signed i sent the 'dit dit'. several of the guys sent their dit-dits to acknowledge. i waited 10 seconds and sent another dit. You guessed it, i heard four other dit-dits. Reminded me of the old days. :-) You people have a nice week. p.s.s. Anybody wanna do 30 meters this winter at lunch time? We could brown bag it, take lunch out and drive to an empty lot somewhere and check it out. Maybe once a week? I'll have the Sprint going end of this week and maybe the MXM rig on 10.106MHz. i'm looking for fiberglass rods to build take down dipole and/or loop. i've not found the rods used by people on bicycles to hold up the triangular flag. fishing rods too much trouble...... 72 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 01:51:01 1993 Return-Path: id AA10721; Sun, 19 Sep 93 22:48:57 PDT Date: Sun, 19 Sep 93 22:48:57 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309200548.AA10721@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Weekend Activities Hey guys, I just read Chuck's posting of his weekend's activities. Mine was spent cleaning up the shack, (XYL insisted that she be able to at least see the floor), and working on my NN1G. First problem was not enough audio. I posted a message and John Welch told me to check the capacitor that you are supposed to add for increased audio. 10 uF electrolytic. Of course, I forgot to add it, and when I soldered it in, no problem with the audio. Then I moved on to the next step, which was the vfo. It would not vfo. I thought that I had a shorted tuning capacitor, and messed around with it for about 2 hours, then found out the problem wasn't that at all. Mike Herr, WA6ARA, the QRP satellite guru gave me a call about an article that he is doing for the next issue of QRPp, and he suggested that I check the MPF102, if that was not the problem, then check the connections to the coil. I replaced the MPF 102, not the problem, then I took out the coil, rewound it, and voila, I found the problem, the insulation was not taken off the hot end of the coil so it wasn't connected. Bad solder joint. Will stop here and not go any farther with the NN1G tonight as I am tired and will probably make a dumb mistake if I continue. Working on the next issue of NorCal Journal, QRPp. If any of you guys have any articles that you wish to see in print, send them along. So far I have an article on Satellites, a tongue in cheek review of one of the OHR rigs, Homebrew 40 meter transceiver built from several articles in QST and the handbook by Mike Miller, Great review of the Scout, and Wayne is writing up the NorCal 40. I need 3 or 4 operating articles, a la Chuck Adams, a couple of member profiles, and ANY construction articles that you might have. Have new software, Pagemaker, which is supposed to be the "thing" to use in desk top publishing. (Have to get one of my high school computer whizes to give me a crash course. One of the students is a real expert.) Talked to Chuck Adams on the phone Saturday afternoon. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon together last week after the Foothill Flea Market. Chuck brought the NN1G down and showed it to everyone at the NorCal QRP table. It was really neat to show people the article, have them ask if you could really build it and make it work, and then point to Chuck's rig and say, "There it is right there." Chuck does really nice work, and the rig is mounted in one of the cases that he had made up. He sells them for $9 postage paid, and they are made of good quality aluminum, lots of room inside the case after you mount the NN1G boards. I am not a member of Chuck's company, nor does he have one that I know of. He had some of the cases made up and as a favor, made some extra. If you are interested, send him Email. Oh, by the way. Chuck is TALL, and I do mean Tall. Nice guy, gray hair, distinguished and all that. We had a blast talking QRP and he gave me several good ideas for future activities in NorCal. If you ever get a chance to meet him, by all means do so. Have a good week, and post to the net any activities that you had this weekend that were exciting, notable, or mildly entertaining. We are interested in what you have to say. 72, Doug x From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 09:40:15 1993 Return-Path: <01H35YHP8UK0AXBCF3@tntech.edu>; Mon, 20 Sep 1993 08:41:11 CDT Date: Mon, 20 Sep 1993 08:41:11 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: MFJ continued To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H35YHPAQ2AAXBCF3@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT All, Think I forgot some stuff in the first posting. Another thing I really liked about the MFJ kit was that when you get all the parts on the board there is only one jumper wire and then one wire going to the antenna.. there is NOTHING ELSE to wire.. all wiring is done through the circuit board. The case goes together in a few minutes. Also liked the DC fuse that is built onto the board.. it blows before anything else incase of a short. Anyone know where I can get a 1.5 amp pigtail fuse. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 11:19:04 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309201519.AA11245@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: 20 Sep 1993 08:19:00 +0000 From: "CPSMTP01 Admin" Subject: Weekend Activities To: qrp@Think.COM Mail*Link(r) SMTP Weekend Activities Hey guys, I just read Chuck's posting of his weekend's activities. Mine was spent cleaning up the shack, (XYL insisted that she be able to at least see the floor), and working on my NN1G. First problem was not enough audio. I posted a message and John Welch told me to check the capacitor that you are supposed to add for increased audio. 10 uF electrolytic. Of course, I forgot to add it, and when I soldered it in, no problem with the audio. Then I moved on to the next step, which was the vfo. It would not vfo. I thought that I had a shorted tuning capacitor, and messed around with it for about 2 hours, then found out the problem wasn't that at all. Mike Herr, WA6ARA, the QRP satellite guru gave me a call about an article that he is doing for the next issue of QRPp, and he suggested that I check the MPF102, if that was not the problem, then check the connections to the coil. I replaced the MPF 102, not the problem, then I took out the coil, rewound it, and voila, I found the problem, the insulation was not taken off the hot end of the coil so it wasn't connected. Bad solder joint. Will stop here and not go any farther with the NN1G tonight as I am tired and will probably make a dumb mistake if I continue. Working on the next issue of NorCal Journal, QRPp. If any of you guys have any articles that you wish to see in print, send them along. So far I have an article on Satellites, a tongue in cheek review of one of the OHR rigs, Homebrew 40 meter transceiver built from several articles in QST and the handbook by Mike Miller, Great review of the Scout, and Wayne is writing up the NorCal 40. I need 3 or 4 operating articles, a la Chuck Adams, a couple of member profiles, and ANY construction articles that you might have. Have new software, Pagemaker, which is supposed to be the "thing" to use in desk top publishing. (Have to get one of my high school computer whizes to give me a crash course. One of the students is a real expert.) Talked to Chuck Adams on the phone Saturday afternoon. We spent a very enjoyable afternoon together last week after the Foothill Flea Market. Chuck brought the NN1G down and showed it to everyone at the NorCal QRP table. It was really neat to show people the article, have them ask if you could really build it and make it work, and then point to Chuck's rig and say, "There it is right there." Chuck does really nice work, and the rig is mounted in one of the cases that he had made up. He sells them for $9 postage paid, and they are made of good quality aluminum, lots of room inside the case after you mount the NN1G boards. I am not a member of Chuck's company, nor does he have one that I know of. He had some of the cases made up and as a favor, made some extra. If you are interested, send him Email. Oh, by the way. Chuck is TALL, and I do mean Tall. Nice guy, gray hair, distinguished and all that. We had a blast talking QRP and he gave me several good ideas for future activities in NorCal. If you ever get a chance to meet him, by all means do so. Have a good week, and post to the net any activities that you had this weekend that were exciting, notable, or mildly entertaining. We are interested in what you have to say. 72, Doug x ------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------ Return-Path: 01:50:56 EDT id AA10721; Sun, 19 Sep 93 22:48:57 PDT Date: Sun, 19 Sep 93 22:48:57 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309200548.AA10721@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Weekend Activities From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 11:25:03 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309201525.AA11691@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: 20 Sep 1993 08:24:31 +0000 From: "CPSMTP01 Admin" Subject: Re: HW-9,MFJ 9020,OHR RX To: qrp@Think.COM Mail*Link(r) SMTP RE>HW-9,MFJ 9020,OHR RX Just saw this.... In rec.radio.swap, cmwdr01@nt.com writes: > For Sale: > > Heathkit HW-9 QRP Transceiver > 80 - 10 meters + WARC bands > Superhet RX, 2.4 Khz crystal filter, audio filter > 5 - 7 watts output (adjusable) > > Heathkit PSA-9 power supply > Heathkit HM-9 QRP HF wattmeter > > All in GOOD working condition, no modifications > Some light scratches on the cases > Will sell as a package ONLY > HW-9, PSA-9, HM-9 - $ 225.00 obo > > Oak Hills Reasearch 30 Meter receiver kit (unassembled) > 10.000 - 10.150 Mhz VFO > Superhet RX, 3 pole crystal filter > All parts & PC board included, NO case > $ 30.00 > > MFJ 9040 40 Meter QRP Transceiver > 7.000 - 7.150 Mhz > Superhet RX, 4 pole crystal filter, RIT, AGC > 5 watts output (adjustable) > NEW condition with box and manual > $ 125.00 obo > - Rich -- Rich Mulvey Amateur Radio: N2VDS 787 Elmwood Terrace rich@mulvey.com "Ignorance should be painful." Rochester, NY 14620 ------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------ Return-Path: EDT (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA01290; Fri, 17 Sep 93 18:47:13 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 184506.3538; Fri, 17 Sep 1993 18:45:06 EDT via rusnews; Fri, 17 Sep 1993 18:38:38 EDT for qrp@think.com To: qrp@Think.COM X-Original-Article-From: cmwdr01@nt.com (Dave Redfearn) Subject: Re: HW-9,MFJ 9020,OHR RX From: rich@mulvey.com (Rich Mulvey) Message-Id: <930917.183838.9H5.rusnews.w165w@mulvey.com> Date: Fri, 17 Sep 1993 18:38:38 EDT In-Reply-To: Organization: Mulvey Home Node X-Newsreader: rusnews v1.05 From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 19:01:38 1993 Return-Path: id AA04979; Mon, 20 Sep 93 13:01:25 HST id AA21536; Mon, 20 Sep 93 12:53:25 HST Date: Mon, 20 Sep 93 12:53:25 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: transistor info Message-Id: I have the following power transistors (taken from a TV): TZ 1008, A23 403-1, A23 780-6. Anyone know what the fT value is for these pups? Thanks so much. Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 19:48:01 1993 Return-Path: id AA10647; Mon, 20 Sep 93 19:47:48 EDT Date: Mon, 20 Sep 93 19:47:48 EDT From: William McFadden Message-Id: <9309202347.AA10647@oucsace.cs.ohiou.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP ARCI subscription address? Hello All. I mailed mail my new subscription form and check to QRP ARCI in early July, and the check hasn't been cashed yet. Of course, I've lost all record of the name of the person to whom I mailed these things, and his address. Can someone help me with this info? I am in Ohio. An Internet address for him would be great, but a snail mail address or phone number would be sufficient. Many thanks, es 73, Eric McFadden, WD8RIF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 22:22:00 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA13245; Mon, 20 Sep 93 19:21:56 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA00658; Mon, 20 Sep 93 21:21:54 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01023; Mon, 20 Sep 93 21:21:52 -0500 Date: Mon, 20 Sep 93 21:21:52 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309210221.AA01023@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP ARCI address Subscriptions to QRP ARCI and membership goes to Mike Kilgore KG5F 2046 Ash Hill Road Carrollton, TX 75007 sorry, i don't have his home phone number. probably get it through directory assistance. New Members $12 ($2 for lifetime QRP number and $10 for the QQ) Renewals $10 Check or MO pay to QRP-ARCI. i don't work for money and i don't get anything buy paperwork as Awards Chairman. In fact, my mailbox started the last week with applications. I'm going to be popular, i can tell. let me know if i need to go out and pound the pavement or see about any lost apps, etc. Eric WD8RIF, if you don't get help, let me know. 72 de k5fo dit dti oops. a lil chirp on that last dit. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 20 22:31:49 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA14194; Mon, 20 Sep 93 19:31:44 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA00670; Mon, 20 Sep 93 21:31:41 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01030; Mon, 20 Sep 93 21:31:41 -0500 Date: Mon, 20 Sep 93 21:31:41 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309210231.AA01030@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: DX Warning QRP Only Ok, gang, this is ***TOP SECRET***, for QRP guys/girls only. We can't compete with the QRO guys/girls one to one. So this is a scoop from your truly. Don't and I repeat, don't let anyone other than another qrp ham that you trust with your life...... :-) I met, Ron, AA5DX, at the Gainesville Meet just before leaving for CA /6 land. He is an avid DXer, on the honor roll I think. He and I have a deal going to get me a beam. Anyway, just talked to him on the phone. He and his lovely XYL are going on a trip in a few weeks. He is taking a rig. Oct 2nd - Oct 14th J79DX is the call Oct 14th - Oct 21st V47DX is the call He will transmit on the following frequencies 3.505MHz 7.005 10.105 14.023 18.073 21.023 24.895 28.023 he will listen up 2-3KHz. He will listen for QRP. He will be listening for me. I will work him. Anyone who has over 300 countries has got good ears. Interesting story on how he got that call. He was a W8, came to Texas. Told everybody, when the FCC was giving out 2x1 Extra calls that he was going to wait for AA5DX. Sure enough, he got very very lucky and when he applied, his timing was perfect. Young kid too. OK, i gotta run and catch up on some awards..... 73 de k5fo dit dit got the chirp fixed :-) From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 21 17:14:23 1993 Return-Path: X-Ns-Transport-Id: 08003700622709113021 Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1993 14:11:41 PDT From: David_Mensing.roch817@xerox.com Subject: October 73 mag = QRP!!! To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: dm.roch817@xerox.com Reply-To: dm.roch817@xerox.com Message-Id: <"21-Sep-93 17:11:36".*.David_Mensing.Roch817@Xerox.com> I just picked up a copy of 73 mag (October 1993), it`s devoted to `QRP Low-Power Fun!`. I thought some of you would be interested. Dave, N2PSH mensing.roch817@xerox.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 21 17:16:39 1993 Return-Path: id AA19797; Tue, 21 Sep 93 11:16:18 HST id AA19266; Tue, 21 Sep 93 09:19:26 HST Date: Tue, 21 Sep 93 9:19:22 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: [cmwdr01@nt.com (Dave Redfearn): Index Labs Qrp Rig ?] Message-Id: ****************************************************************** I found this on r.r.a.misc - anyone ever heard of Index Labs? (I guess I live under a rock [or on an island - hee hee hee]) ***************************************************************** --------------- Article: 45380 of rec.radio.amateur.misc Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc Path: news.Hawaii.Edu!ames!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!convex!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!nrtpa038!brtph560!nt.com!cmwdr01 From: cmwdr01@nt.com (Dave Redfearn) Subject: Index Labs Qrp Rig ? Message-ID: Lines: 10 Sender: news@brtph560.bnr.ca (Usenet News) Organization: Northern Telecom, Inc. X-Newsreader: Trumpet for Windows [Version 1.0 Rev A] References: Date: Tue, 21 Sep 1993 16:49:40 GMT Has anyone bought or used the new Index Labs QRP rig ? I would like some comments from ownwers/users about it compares to other rigs like the TEN-TEC Scout, 509, 515, 525, etc... 73 - Dave. ==================================================================== Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst Northern Telecom RTP, NC. ph.(919) 992-3925 email: cmwdr01@nt.com qrl? de N4ELM/qrp All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, co-workers or any other person, living or dead. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 00:24:53 1993 Return-Path: (5.65a/IDA-1.4.2 for qrp@Think.COM); Tue, 21 Sep 93 21:33:35 -0700 Date: Tue, 21 Sep 93 21:33:35 -0700 From: Ward Silver Message-Id: <9309220433.AA29042@sumax.seattleu.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP radio recommendations Hey guys, Raul, LU9LC, is visiting Seattle from Argentina and wanted some recommendations for QRP radios. Kits or assembled is fine. I get the impres- sion he's looking to spend $200 or less. Please send a short note, incl. the address and phone number of the company to me directly...hwardsil@seattleu.edu Thanks in advance! 73, Ward N0AX/7 From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 10:33:22 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA15936; Wed, 22 Sep 93 07:33:14 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07478; Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:33:11 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04327; Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:33:09 -0500 Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:33:09 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309221433.AA04327@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Once Again I'm sure that some of you remember my comment about famous people in this group and I'm not one of them. Once Again, AA2U, Randy Rand, famous QRPer and DXCC award winner is listed again in QST. I got my Oct '93 issue last night when i got home. Reading from cover to cover ran across results of 1993 ARRL International DX Contest starting page 105. On page 108, upper left corner, W/VE QRP Top Ten: 1. AA2U 728,442 points 2. K3NCO 256,608 3. N7IR 237,876 4. KK2E 228,900 5. KA1CZF 200,301 6. K9AY 186,984 7. WA1N 186,240 8. W1QK 178,596 9. N1AFC 177,459 10. KF5QR 143,715 Congrats to all and especially Randy for once again coming in top QRP in the USofA and number 2 in the world. V73C had 1,249,416 points for the top QRP score CW. the above scores for CW. Randy got 702,684 points for #1 in Phone for W/VE QRP, which was #4 behind 3 DX scores. Lots of hard work Randy. He won the Q/VE QRP Combined Single Operator Special Plaque donated by Dr. Marvin Tanaka, KH6MM. Anyone else on the above list on the qrp mailing group? I don't want to leave anyone out. 73 es gl in tst de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 10:39:40 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA16621; Wed, 22 Sep 93 07:39:35 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07492; Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:39:31 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04335; Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:39:30 -0500 Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:39:30 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309221439.AA04335@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Oct QRP QSO Party There are two remaining contests for '93 for the QRP ARCI. Fall QSO Party-CW 1200Z Oct 16 to 2400Z Oct 17th Holiday Spirits Sprint-CW 2000Z to 2400Z Dec 5th in the January issue of QQ, Red Reynolds noted that 1992 might have been the last year for the SSB sprints. Let me know what you think. I don't think we outta drop them, but interest has been rather low. Probably due to the lack of kits, HomeBrew SSB rigs, and general availability of QRP SSB rigs. Mods to the ICOM, Yaesu, and other commercial rigs are probably not as popular. But I know there is interest, we just gotta bring it outta the closet. Let me know. Let's not let it die. OK? I really don't know if I can pick up a microphone. :-) Because of my voice, which I don't like, I don't use it on the air. :-) back to your regularly scheduled programming. 73 es gl es gm de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 11:05:24 1993 Return-Path: id AA03018 for qrp@think.com; Wed, 22 Sep 93 11:05:13 -0400 id AA301974 ; Wed, 22 Sep 93 09:49:57 EST Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 14:53:32 GMT Message-Id: <15980@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Hotel Reservations for Dayton Someone in MI-QRP handles reservations for the hotel QRPers use at Dayton. Who is it? I want to go next year, but The Company probably won't send me. Better this way, I get to come and go at my pleasure. 73, KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 15:11:40 1993 Return-Path: id AA17939; Wed, 22 Sep 93 15:11:34 EDT Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 15:11:34 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309221911.AA17939@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G Is the NN1G available in a 40m version? If so, where can I (actually a friend) order one? What are some of its features, what does it lack. Any recommendations? Neither I nor my friend is an experienced kit builder. How easy is it to build? tnx es 72 de KD1QV/ae ex-KB1AMB From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 17:07:51 1993 Return-Path: id AA21854; Wed, 22 Sep 93 17:07:46 EDT Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 17:07:46 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309222107.AA21854@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: HEP-2 Colorburst First of all, tnx to those who responded abt the NN1g. Attn K5FO: Tnx for ur offer of help. I will ask if I need to. My dad is an electrical engineer, but it has been 15 years since he has built a circuit (for his own use or for a clas, etc.) So he probably does not remember the details abt diferent types of solder. u But I am sure he knows the theory and cn can help. Sri abt the messy typimg, my terminal emulator is terrible. I am 15 yrs old and have taken an electronic course in high school so I have put together a couple of kits. (555 IC oscilators, etc (oops thats oscillators)) End Attn K5fo Anyway, I hv another question. Jeff NH6IL posted a schematic for a low power colorbusrt txr a while ago. He said it uses a HEP-2 transistor . Does anyone know where these are available. Cost? Other name? Also is it NPN or PNP. Another question. Does anyone know what the values of L1 L2 and L# L3 are? tnx es 72 de KD1QV/ae /ex oops (i am used to doing that on packet, no way to delete it after I hit ) 73 From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 22:14:52 1993 Return-Path: id AA08271; Wed, 22 Sep 93 16:14:39 HST id AA19232; Wed, 22 Sep 93 16:13:56 HST Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 16:13:55 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: hep-2 transistors Message-Id: Christopher was asking about the hep-2 x-sistors for the flea power 80M xmtr - those are PNP types, general replacement; I think they're made by Motorola. Concerning the coils, I don't have the actual inductance values but if you get out the good old ARRL handbook you'll be able to determine the values from the given info (number of turns, diameter of coil form). Now, the 25 mw output is really a challenge to work with, so I suggest either using the 15w xmtr I recently posted (and of course decreasing the pwr to 5 watts), or (if you all can stand another 80m xmtr) wait until Project 8 which will be a 1.5w 80m xmtr - it uses two 2N269 x-sistors - it's very simple. Jeff NH6IL (ex: WA6QIJ - I've got to add this now cuz someone on r.r.a.misc sez I should stay out of the code debate cuz I have such a new sounding call - boy my blood really boils sometimes on .misc and on .policy) From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 22 22:24:17 1993 Return-Path: id AA09260; Wed, 22 Sep 93 16:24:05 HST id AA19467; Wed, 22 Sep 93 16:21:37 HST Date: Wed, 22 Sep 93 16:21:36 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: oops Message-Id: I guess that was Swami that asked about the x-sistors not Christopher (where did I get that name from?). Sorry Swami! Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ blah blah...) From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 11:39:28 1993 Return-Path: id AA19532; Thu, 23 Sep 93 08:39:19 PDT id AA15705; Thu, 23 Sep 93 08:39:18 PDT Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 08:39:18 PDT From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein -- kd6laa) Message-Id: <9309231539.AA15705@harley.tti.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: oops +Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ blah blah...) ^^^^^^^^^ as opposed to dit dit???? From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 12:01:14 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c+/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 23 Sep 1993 12:01:09 -0400 From: Scott Wood Message-Id: <199309231601.AA19419@vela.acs.oakland.edu> Subject: Ramsey 80 meter QRP twins FORSALE To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1993 12:01:08 -0400 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 976 My brother gave me a set of Ramsey twins that he built. I checked them out, and they seem to transmit and recieve fine. There is an inherent problem (or so he tells me) with the TR switching that involves an ever failing diode in the transmitter, and Ramsey even confirmed this. However, I merely used an external antenna switch to get around this. I do not really use these, and I am trying to get some money together to eventually buy me a Ten Tec Scout (555) so I am looking to sell these little buggers. Transmitter is powered off of 12 volts (preferably more than 2 amps for clearest tone) and the receiver off an internal 9 volt. I would like to get $20 for these (including shipping). The construction was done very clean as my brother tends to be a perfectionist. swood -- If you receive this signature, please return it to it's rightful owner: swood@vela.acs.oakland.edu swood@argo.acs.oakland.edu swood@unix.secs.oakland.edu swood@terminator.cc.umich.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 16:05:58 1993 Return-Path: 23 Sep 93 13:03 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: poop.... Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1993 13:03:34 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9309231303.aa13815@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Maybe this would be more appropriate to boatanchors list, but..... Just wanted to get my original station together again. BACK when QRP was defined as `under 100 watts input power' (as stated on my QRP ARCI membership certificate), I had a National NC-98 receiver, a Knight-kit T-60 transmitter, a J-38 key and some few crystals. Well, I found an NC-98 in Houston and had the fellow ship it out to me ("mint" and all), and, well, you guessed it, UPS bounced it around too much. The thing was bubble wrapped and set into styro peanuts, but only single boxed. The back took a dent to a corner and two sides show the damage. Now, anyone ever deal with straightening out a cabinet like this? Re-paint is not an option, I have to do this carefully. The dents look like they could come out, no breaks or scars in the paint. However, one dimple is in the middle of a curve in the cabinet, and I suspect I cannot completely restore that. I will have UPS come look at it, but how do I substantiate the damages (or even estimate $$ for them?) I paid $100, insured for $150. I am tempted to go first to an auto body shop and just ask the guys what they think of it. I plan to (after UPS inspection) take out the chassis and have the cabinet naked, then take it to someone for straightening. OR maybe I can do it myself, but I know I would only do a little, for fear of making it worse. SO......ruff day. However, I have managed to sell off some old gear and purchase a Ten Tec Corsair I with cw filter pretty cheap. Can't wait to get it, the guy promised a double box for me. My OMNI is up at Tom Miller Electronics for some RX tweaking. I am slowly going American. I also sent my order for the NorCal 40 up there to NorCal, hope I get on the list! 72 all. Clark ..................... Clark Savage Turner, Graduate Student Researcher Safety Critical Software Group home: Department of Info. and Computer Science 1514 Verano Place Irvine, CA. 92717 Irvine, CA. 92715 (714) 856 4049 (714) 856 2131 WA3JPG, QRP #3526, active on HF, VHF and UHF. ARRL Volunteer Counsel From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 17:47:55 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA25604; Thu, 23 Sep 93 14:47:48 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA15166; Thu, 23 Sep 93 16:47:44 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07017; Thu, 23 Sep 93 16:47:43 -0500 Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 16:47:43 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309232147.AA07017@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Field QRP Only Gang, Jim, W1FMR, must have ESP. He doesn't need a rig!!! :-) Had lunch today with Dave Little, AF5U, so we had 2/3 of the contest committee for QRP ARCI together. We discussed the same topic, a FD for QRP only, short time, battery only so that we can say NOT A SINGLE power generator was fired up anywhere on the face of the planet by the people operating FD QRP. Maybe twice, once in the fall, before you guys/girls to the north start getting ice and snow and in the spring about late March. We've already started mowing the grass by that time in the south. How about a trial run Oct 9th? This is an emergency test. Start planning now: 1. Battery Power 2. Categories a) 1.01-5.0W b) <= 1.00W 3. 2 to 6pm local (fixed bonus for east and mid sections for staying on later and giving contacts to the west coast) 4. Field and Home categories 5. Exchange RST/ARRL Section/Power/QRP-ARCI# or zip-code 6. Bonus for writeup in QQ (submission is proof) Country divided into 3 sections, East, Mid, and West (somebody divide us up geographically, say mississippi river and the rockies as dividing lines) Each region challenges the others. Club challenges. North Texas Club first up for the challenge. Ok gang, is it a go? First trial QRP Only FD Test. Notify others via any ham link and computer link. We'll thrash this out til monday and then give a go or no-go to the trail. Are you up for this? It's exciting....... for 6. add photos!!! I'm preparing mailer for North Texas and Oklahoma clubs. Should I put this in? The more the merrier. Working from an automobile does count. Antenna must be not fixed to or part of a home station. How is that. Clark, being a lawyer can draft a legal document, binding in a court of law....... Start your soldering irons. Next contest will be a "from scratch" contest. 73 es gl de k5fo/5 :-) dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 18:02:08 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA28622; Thu, 23 Sep 93 15:02:03 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA15193; Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:02:00 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07038; Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:01:59 -0500 Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:01:59 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309232201.AA07038@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal ooops. i forgot. see gang, i told you the NorCal 40 was a good deal. :-) ;-) 73 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 18:13:31 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA01080; Thu, 23 Sep 93 15:13:23 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA15266; Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:11:15 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07053; Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:11:13 -0500 Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:11:13 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309232211.AA07053@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ooops again. gang, i apologize. i thought that Jim Fitton had posted his proposal to the QRP net. that's the proposal for a FD QRP only event. thus my remark about the NorCal40 rig, since he mentioned it in his post to me. anyway, seems like everybody has similar wants and ideas about a QRP only FD at a time of the year when it's not hot as haydes in texas (and that ain't all that often :-) ) and the rest of the country isn't fighting storms and stuff. so here's the lowdown. i think we should go ahead with a trial test to see if activity can be generated on short notice and have some fun. other option is to do this during the first Sunday QSO party. would that be better to try for October 3rd? Post your feelings to the net. see you on the bands. dit dit From bruce@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 18:41:15 1993 Return-Path: From: Bruce Walker id AA09652; Thu, 23 Sep 93 18:40:45 EDT Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 18:40:45 EDT Message-Id: <9309232240.AA09652@zarathustra> To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309232147.AA07017@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> (adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com) Subject: Re: Field QRP Only Content-Length: 794 Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 16:47:43 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Country divided into 3 sections, East, Mid, and West (somebody divide us up geographically, say mississippi river and the rockies as dividing lines) Each region challenges the others. Club challenges. North Texas Club first up for the challenge. Or by call area...East: 1,2,3,4,8; Midwest 0,5,9; West: 6,7. Q Points: 1 for within region, 2 for neighboring region, 4 for East<->West (have to do something to offset the midwest QRP advantage :-). ... Start your soldering irons. Next contest will be a "from scratch" contest. That would be tons of fun: everything must be constructed (including antennas) starting from one week or one month before the 'test. --bruce WT1M From bruce@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 18:53:24 1993 Return-Path: From: Bruce Walker id AA09679; Thu, 23 Sep 93 18:52:54 EDT Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 18:52:54 EDT Message-Id: <9309232252.AA09679@zarathustra> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: IROC contest Content-Length: 914 .. Start your soldering irons. Next contest will be a "from scratch" contest. What about a homebrew contest/party with equal equipment, sort of an IROC of homebrewing? Like the QRP-NE colorburst parties, but if we could get enough people to build the same thing (e.g., the NorCal 40) by kit or schematic. It would have to be a good enough rig to be something people would like to add to their equipment, or trivial enough that the cost is no issue (like colorburst xmitter). But if we could get ~100 people building and using the same thing at the same time, we would probably all learn something (and get the cost down). Each year it would be a new piece of equipment (wait with the 10m rig until about 2001!), and if popularized via ARCI, G-QRP, and such we could probably get a lot of participation. A committee of sorts could pick among possible designs to be the "rig of the year". --bruce WT1M From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 20:56:55 1993 Return-Path: id AA03781; Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:56:40 PDT Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:56:40 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309240056.AA03781@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP & HB FD Wayne, Chuck Adams called last night and wanted me to send him my NC40 so he could show his local qrp group in Texas and Oklahoma. They have a group very similar to ours. He wants to get them started on a project, and show them what can be done. Plus, he can't wait to get his hands on it to operate. So I shipped it this morning next day air, insured for $300. It was like one of my kids leaving home. Hated to see it go, but Chuck promised to take good care, and he is a great guy. Fine on the cases. I agree we should hold off. I never thought about the front and back panels, although you could use a washer to take the place of the circuit board space. If we do it, I think it should be done as a prepaid order, send out a flyer, take orders and then tell the guy how many. But, it will have to be redesigned somewhat. Steve, Jim's son, wants one to put his accessories in, and at first I thought, hey great idea. But, as usual, you are the practical one and point out the nuts and bolts of things for me. Let's table it until the next meeting. Darn, I am going to have to miss Dave Benson. Tell him that I am sorry, but it just won't be possible for me to make it over there tomorrow night. How about you two guys thinking up a ssb rig for a joint club project, but not to come out until say next fall. Give yourselves about a year to work on it together. I am sure that NorCal could provide the R&D money needed. Maybe it could be a TransAmerica QRP project with the NE Club and NorCal??? Or, how about a multiband rig, that would be similar to the Sierra 4? Or, the infamous HW-10, a basic rig with converters for the other bands? It would be QRP of course, CW/SSB, and have a basic unit such as 40 meters, with plug in modules for the other bands. It would have digital readout, and it would be about the same size as the HW-7, 8, & 9 series. Could have the module to copy rtty and cw??? With you two guys on it, the sky is the limit. By the way, do you realize that the 2 hottest topics to hit the QRP community in the last year are the NN1G and the NorCal 40. Believe me, it is true. When we ship the kits, internet will be full of info. Now if we can just get them to write up some mods and operating stories, it will be perfect. Sorry about the long, rambling message, but just a few items that have been running around in my mind. Cul, 72, Doug Oh, take Lillian out for dinner and a movie this weekend. She deserves it. Grin!! 72, Doug ?k From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 23 23:32:17 1993 Return-Path: id AA08233; Thu, 23 Sep 93 17:31:57 HST id AA04052; Thu, 23 Sep 93 15:46:11 HST Date: Thu, 23 Sep 93 15:46:09 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Project 8: 1 1/2 watts on 80M CW Message-Id: Can you all stand one more 80M xmtr? (Do you get the feeling that I'm trying to push for more 80M activity? I really love that band!) The book is 104 HAM RADIO PROJECTS FOR NOVICE AND TECHNECIAN by Burt Simon. Burt says: "This rig has provided many hours of fun for the authors in the 80M novice band, where regular 800 mile DX has been nothing out of the ordinary. In fact one contact was made with a W6 in Los Angeles from our Long Island,NY QTH. "Tuning is conventional. Transistors should be loaded to about 50ma in the bottom of the dip if you're pumping in the full 30 volts. With C6 about half meshed, L1 should resonate at the low end of the 80M band. (You can check this with your GDO)." Parts List Q1, Q2 2N269 transistor C1, C2 150 pF capacitor C3, C4 300 pF C5 .01 mF C6 200 pF variable C7 50 pF R1, R2 470K resistor R3, R4 2K R5 200 ohms B1 30 VDC battery L1 30 turns, center-tapped, on 1 inch form, with 4 turn link into center for output RFC1,2 2.5 mH RF choke (National R-100) X1 80 meter fundamental crystal M1 0-100 DC milliammeter ANT | --------*--------*--------*--------B-Q1-C-------- | | | | | E | C7 | | | C1 | | | | R1 R3 | RFC1 *--------- | | | | C3 | | | ------- | | | | | | | | X1 *----- *--------*----------*---GND C6 ) | | | | | | | | ) L1 ( | | | | C4 | | ----) ( | R2 | R4 | RFC2 | | ) | | | | | C2 | | | | | | | | | | E | | | GND --------*----)---*--------*--------B-Q1-C-------*----)---- | | | | --+B1---M1---*--------------------------------R5-----*-----C5-----GND | | | ----KEY----GND Note the polarity of B1; there are two `jumps': between R2 and R4, and over the `hot' end of L1. 1 1/2 watts should be real fun - not quite the challenge as the 25 mw xmtr. Okay, no more 80M xmtrs! I promised I'd post a 2M xmtr - I have two - neither are FM, though. I'll post them next and let you folks figure out how to FM them; shouldn't be hard at all. (Probably only the r.r.a.homebrew folks will be interested in them, but you QRP mailgroup folks might have a use for them also.) Jeff NH6IL (ex: WA6QIJ) From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 01:10:35 1993 Return-Path: on Fri, 24 Sep 93 00:08:47 -0500 id AA28242 with SMTP Date: Thu, 23 Sep 1993 23:05:32 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: Ramsey 80 meter QRP twins FORSALE To: Scott Wood Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <199309231601.AA19419@vela.acs.oakland.edu> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I'll buy! I'll buy! I'll buy! This'd be my first HF rig. Tnx es 73 de Doug N0Z?? License Watch: Day 39 (05W 04D 11H 09M and counting...) On Thu, 23 Sep 1993, Scott Wood wrote: > My brother gave me a set of Ramsey twins that he built. I checked them > out, and they seem to transmit and recieve fine. There is an inherent > problem (or so he tells me) with the TR switching that involves an ever > failing diode in the transmitter, and Ramsey even confirmed this. > However, I merely used an external antenna switch to get around this. > > I do not really use these, and I am trying to get some money together > to eventually buy me a Ten Tec Scout (555) so I am looking to sell these > little buggers. > > Transmitter is powered off of 12 volts (preferably more than 2 amps for > clearest tone) and the receiver off an internal 9 volt. > > I would like to get $20 for these (including shipping). The construction > was done very clean as my brother tends to be a perfectionist. > > swood > > -- > If you receive this signature, please return it to it's rightful owner: > swood@vela.acs.oakland.edu swood@argo.acs.oakland.edu > swood@unix.secs.oakland.edu swood@terminator.cc.umich.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 03:12:47 1993 Return-Path: id AA24948; Fri, 24 Sep 93 00:12:38 PDT id AA29059; Fri, 24 Sep 93 00:13:18 PDT Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 00:10:54 -0700 (PDT) From: stark Subject: Re: Field QRP Only To: Charles Adams Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309232147.AA07017@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hi all, Sounds like a good idea. I will be on a Mt. top in Idaho on Oct 9th. Deer hunting, but will have a rig with me and will try to get on in the eve. Guess will be 40m. Around 7050. Hope to see you all. Ron, KU7Y From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 07:07:34 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Fri, 24 Sep 1993 06:07:09 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Fri, 24 Sep 1993 06:06:58 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Fri, 24 Sep 1993 02:06:00 -0500 Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 07:06:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.633:24.08.93.11.06.58] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: Scout, Index ... From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"22634 Fri Sep 24 06:07:01 1993"@nt.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Scout, Index Labs, Atlas-310 - ?, info Looking for reviews and users comments on the TEN-TEC Scout, the new INDEX LABS rig, and the Atlas-310. I have a Scout and just want to hook up with other Scout owners. The INDEX LABS and Atlas-310 rigs look interesting. 73 - Dave, N4ELM EMAIL: cmwdr01@nt.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 08:30:23 1993 Return-Path: id AA11473; Fri, 24 Sep 93 08:29:20 EDT Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 08:29:20 EDT From: skitch@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (M. Squicciarini) Message-Id: <9309241229.AA11473@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP FD Oct 9 ??? There might be a small problem with Oct 9 as the date for the QRP FD and that is Oct 9 is the weekend of the PA QSO Party. 73 -- marty -- nr3z skitch@nadc.navy.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 09:56:25 1993 Return-Path: id AA01310; Fri, 24 Sep 1993 09:56:09 -0400 id AA11942; Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:56:17 EDT id AA10810; Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:56:14 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9309241356.AA10810@kaos.ksr.com> To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Cc: qrp@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: Field QRP Only In-Reply-To: Your message of "Thu, 23 Sep 93 16:47:43 CDT." <9309232147.AA07017@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:56:13 -0400 > a FD > for QRP only, short time, battery only so that we can say NOT A SINGLE > power generator was fired up anywhere on the face of the planet by > the people operating FD QRP. Just out of curiosity, why not solar power, esp. since it's to be held during daylight hours? Or, for that matter, wind or even water wheels (since the goal is to avoid the freezing season as well ;-)? It seems bizarre to prefer someone who fires up their old beater and revs the engine for half an hour to make sure the battery is topped off in time for the contest over someone who operates continually off of a solar panel... > 6. Bonus for writeup in QQ (submission is proof) If submission is good enough, that sounds like a great way to deluge the poor overworked editor with inarticulate articles by people just looking for the bonus... > Start your soldering irons. Next contest will be a "from scratch" > contest. I like that, though you'll then get into a debate over what "from scratch" means. If someone buys a PC, a TNC, some cables, and a Rat Shack HTX-202 built a packet "from scratch" if they do all the cabling themselves? Has someone who assembles an Ugly Transceiver *not* built it from scratch if their semiconductors didn't start as a pile of sand out back? Where to draw the line is an interesting question; for example, would someone have built a "homebrew" station if they bought a PC motherboard, took the boards out of a TNC and an HTX-202, and put them all in a new cabinet? You could view them all as really big ICs (or, to bend common usage a lot less and to use the electronic packaging industry's hot new buzzword, Multi Circuit Modules). That's enough on that from me; I like the idea, but you probably ought to get ready for a lot of argument from the people who think the dividing line ought to be on the *far* side of my first example... John, WB7EEL/1 (who has finally unpacked his soldering iron after the recent move but still can't find the solder) From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 10:27:08 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA23853; Fri, 24 Sep 93 07:27:00 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA17501; Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:26:58 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:mswmod@sage.unr.edu id AA08187; Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:26:57 -0500 Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:26:57 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309241426.AA08187@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: stark Subject: Re: Field QRP Only Cc: qrp@Think.COM Ron, i put you on the calendar. post to the net the times and the frequencies you want to use. you be the fox and we'll hunt you. :-) good luck on the deer hunting and you be extra careful. i get the chills thinking about Idaho in Oct. we won't have cold weather here until mid-December. 73 es cul de k5fo/qrp dit dit p.s. copy posted to qrp. note sent to Ron, KU7Y, who will be /7 oct 9th. From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 10:55:44 1993 Return-Path: id AA00113 for qrp@think.com; Fri, 24 Sep 93 10:55:38 -0400 id AA305015 ; Fri, 24 Sep 93 09:36:58 EST Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 14:45:02 GMT Message-Id: <16361@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Dave Benson, NN1G Was someone going to meet Dave this weekend? If so, please ask Dave to call me at work Monday. Thanks! Jim, KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 11:22:18 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309241521.AA23313@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Fri, 24 Sep 93 11:20:05 EDT Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 08:08:19 PDT From: mont@ibmmail.COM To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: RE: IROC contest, build from scratch and xmit From: Bruce Walker > .. > Start your soldering irons. Next contest will be a "from scratch" > contest. > > What about a homebrew contest/party with equal equipment, sort of an > IROC of homebrewing? Like the QRP-NE colorburst parties, but if we > could get enough people to build the same thing (e.g., the NorCal 40) > by kit or schematic. It would have to be a good enough rig to be > something people would like to add to their equipment, or trivial > enough that the cost is no issue (like colorburst xmitter). But if we Let's see. I wonder if you could take this a step further. If a club or company has kits and also sells the rigs assembled, they could loan out the kits to QRP hams for the contest and get them back assembled. How about a contest to see who can get the most kits put together in one day? You'd build a kit, get on the air and make some contacts, then build the next one. On the otherhand, maybe I'm blowing this all out of proportion... I like building kits, just can't afford to buy them all. back to work.... 73, km6wt, mont@ibmmail.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 12:30:12 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c+/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 24 Sep 1993 12:30:01 -0400 From: Scott Wood Message-Id: <199309241630.AA28929@vela.acs.oakland.edu> Subject: Ramsey 80 meter twins To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 12:30:00 -0400 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 515 The rigs have been tentatively sold. I guess they are worth more than the $20 I requested, as I have had a number of replies. I have had them at the hamfests for $25, and though in good shape, most people I guess just don't know what they are or care. Sell them in the right spot and learn your lesson I guess.... swood -- If you receive this signature, please return it to it's rightful owner: swood@vela.acs.oakland.edu swood@argo.acs.oakland.edu swood@unix.secs.oakland.edu swood@terminator.cc.umich.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 13:09:17 1993 Return-Path: id AA16593 for qrp@think.com; Fri, 24 Sep 93 13:09:06 -0400 id AA305124 ; Fri, 24 Sep 93 11:11:53 EST Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 15:08:24 GMT Message-Id: <16372@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: QRP FD If there's enough interest, of course the QRP FD contest should go on. I wonder how many people are like me, though, and use QRP to get away from the madness that Amateur Radio can become? Contests don't encourage human communication. The popular ham contests have driven people to elaborate lengths to win. Is it still a hobby when you've spent >$100k on antennas alone? I like the QSO party idea, where there is no score and no declared winner. That way, we get to find out about each other, what kind of rig we're using, etc. When everyone is using either an FT-1000, TS-950 or IC-781, it doesn't matter. On the other hand, if you're running real QRP gear, that's of interest, as there is a much greater variety. What I like about QRP is the simplicity, of both the equipment and the operating. I didn't want "the same thing but with less power." Lord, life has enough challenges! I may be all wet, and I'm prepared to hear that, but is turning QRP into just a low-power subset of A*M*A*T*E*U*R R*A*D*I*O all that it sounds? Am I a better person because I got more ARCI numbers and zip codes last weekend? Does the Appalachian Trail have a zip code? Who cares? Yes, I have placed in the Top Ten in a couple of QRP ARCI contests, and was part of a team that set a new record in the Fall contest a few years ago. Been there, done that. Contesting with QRP is fine if you like it, but there are plenty of opportunities. If we're going to start growing contests just like the mainstream hobby, why don't we just join the mainstream contests and be done with it? Anyone else out there on the list feel the same, and want to just get together on the air and have a conversation? Horror of horrors, I might even turn up the power a few dB if conditions get dicey. Of course, I have no equipment at home capable of measuring 1.01 watts, let alone 5.00 watts. I get obsessed about some things, but not power output. Am I out of touch? Does anyone else feel the same? I'd like to know. 73, Jim, KR1S -- jkearman@arrl.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 14:35:22 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309241834.AA06473@interval.interval.com> Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 11:40:20 -0800 To: jkearman@arrl.org, qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: QRP FD Touche. I agree: QRP should be qualitatively--not just quantitatively--different, a "random act of senseless beauty" as one bumper sticker I saw read. Of course, just as you contested your way up to this level of wisdom, so will others. QRP is an intertidal zone between the pounding power of waves and the tranquility of sunshine, and there are many niches in between. Wayne, N6KR Wayne Burdick Interval Research Corp. wayne@interval.com 1801-C Page Mill Road (415) 354-0928 Palo Alto, CA 94304 From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 15:36:08 1993 Return-Path: id AA02546; Fri, 24 Sep 93 14:35:59 CDT From: majec@cactus.org (Majec Systems) Message-Id: <9309241935.AA02546@cactus.org> Subject: Re: ooops again. To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 14:35:57 -0500 (CDT) Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309232211.AA07053@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> from "Charles Adams" at Sep 23, 93 05:11:13 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL22] Content-Type: text Content-Length: 1159 > texas (and that ain't all that often :-) ) and the rest of > the country isn't fighting storms and stuff. > > so here's the lowdown. i think we should go ahead with a trial test > to see if activity can be generated on short notice and have some fun. > other option is to do this during the first Sunday QSO party. would > that be better to try for October 3rd? Post your feelings to the net. > > > see you on the bands. > > dit dit > > > > Good idea: Lets do it on Oct. 3rd. It should be cooler in austin by then. One request: Please include the novice bands in the plan. I am limited to them at this point . In particular the 7110 khz frequency my MXM rig is set on. Oh yea Chuck, did you get around to mailing out the awards for the cw contest at ham-com. I recieved a certificate for a blistering 15 wpm at the contest and I thought we were going to get something I could pass on to my children. Or at least glue to the wall of the shack to keep the north wind out. Ok. Oh well it,s the thought that counts, and with out the award it's easier to lie and claim I'm faster than that. HI HI. Over. Ed Guinn KB5Ruf majec@cactus.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 15:36:45 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA09118; Fri, 24 Sep 93 12:36:39 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA19338; Fri, 24 Sep 93 14:36:34 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08873; Fri, 24 Sep 93 14:36:33 -0500 Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 14:36:33 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309241936.AA08873@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP FD gang, FD is off for this year. it, as others have probably thought out, is just too little time to do it. let's think about it until later and then get QRP ARCI, Northern California, NE-QRP, and the rest of the country and world into it. lots of interest in the homebrew contest. but aren't we already doing something to further homebrewing with the bonus points in the contests? like Jim mentioned, contests have really dominated too many areas of ham radio already and it seems that there are contests every weekend. one plus for a contest is the birds-of-a-feather effect. everybody that is into a special interest know when to schedule to meet others of similar interests. kind of the pack attact vs. the individual off by themselves searching for other of similar interests. ok, the pressure is off. wheeew. that was close. 73 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 16:55:43 1993 Return-Path: id AA10565; Fri, 24 Sep 93 16:56:55 EDT id AA23148; Fri, 24 Sep 93 16:56:53 EDT Date: Fri, 24 Sep 93 16:56:53 EDT From: cheech@med.unc.edu (cheech@ocean.med.unc.edu (Greg Young)) Message-Id: <9309242056.AA23148@hasty.med.unc.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP FD alternative Greetings, I'm sure I saved the original post that got this going, but I don't seem to be able to find it. In Message-Id: <16372@jek> Jim Kearman writes: >If there's enough interest, of course the QRP FD contest >should go on. I wonder how many people are like me, though, >and use QRP to get away from the madness that Amateur Radio >can become? >Contests don't encourage human communication. The popular >ham contests have driven people to elaborate lengths to win. >Is it still a hobby when you've spent >$100k on antennas >alone? I like the QSO party idea, where there is no score >and no declared winner. That way, we get to find out about >each other, what kind of rig we're using, etc. . >On the other hand, if you're running real QRP gear, >that's of interest, as there is a much greater variety. . . >I may be all wet, and I'm prepared to hear that, but is >turning QRP into just a low-power subset of A*M*A*T*E*U*R >R*A*D*I*O all that it sounds? Am I a better person because I >got more ARCI numbers and zip codes last weekend? Does the >Appalachian Trail have a zip code? Who cares? . . >Anyone else out there on the list feel the same, and want to >just get together on the air and have a conversation? Horror >of horrors, I might even turn up the power a few dB if >conditions get dicey. Of course, I have no equipment at home >capable of measuring 1.01 watts, let alone 5.00 watts. I get >obsessed about some things, but not power output. Am I out >of touch? Does anyone else feel the same? I'd like to know. >73, Jim, KR1S In Message-Id: <9309241834.AA06473@interval.interval.com> Wayne Burdick writes: >I agree: QRP should be qualitatively--not just quantitatively--different, a >"random act of senseless beauty" as one bumper sticker I saw read. >Of course, just as you contested your way up to this level of wisdom, so >will others. QRP is an intertidal zone between the pounding power of waves >and the tranquility of sunshine, and there are many niches in between. >Wayne, N6KR This got me thinking. (Bad sign, that.) So I would like to propose partial rules for the QRP AntiContest (QRPAC) Time: As previously proposed (I lost the post, alright. It's never happened before and will never happen again.) Contest Exchange: 1. Callsigns 2. QTH Address Where you live: apartment, condo, suburb, farm and so forth 3. Rig: What kind of rig? Did you buy it or build it? Did you buy it new? From a kit or plans? How do you like it? Was it your own design? What kind of rig would How well do you like it? you replace it with? What would you change? 4. Antenna: What kind and how far up? What other antennas do you use and on what bands? What other antennas have you tried? How did they work? What antenna would you really like to have? What antenna restrictions do you have to put up with. Are they zoning or CC&R? 5. RFI: How many of your neighbors complain of interference? How many complain when you run QRO? 6. Weather: Any ham that doesn't know how to talk about the weather needs some elmering. 7. Personal: (Include all that apply.) Name of spouse. Names and ages of children, dogs, cats, gerbils, and any other dependent wildlife. Mandatory cute only to you (child dog cat gerbil) story. Where do you work? What do you do there? Do you like it? What job would you like to have? What other hobbies do you have that cost too much and take up too much time? All exchange items above are required. You should be able to think of a few more. Scoring: (Number of minutes on the air divided by number of QSOs) times miles per milliwatt of QSO lasting longest. Prize: Everyone chips in a buck to buy the winner a nice soft cushion for the chair in his/her shack. Of course, it's probably been done before. Suggestions for improvement welcome. Just a (late Friday afternoon) thought, Greg AC4YT From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Sep 24 17:32:39 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309242132.AA11480@interval.interval.com> Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 14:38:00 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: QRP FD With respect to this week's issue (contests): (1) A kind of a contest--Not! is a possibility: have a contest to see who can go the longest without entering one. Points start at 0 and go negative for each week that one abstains. Slip in a couple of contest QSOs in a week--your score goes up. Largest negative score wins (he said, tounge firmly planted in cheek). (2) Seems like some folks use Internet more than they use the HR bands for QSO's these days. Perhaps we should accept this and see what Internet HR contests would be like. Just stick a "CQ DX" in the "Subject" field and go for it. (: In all seriousness, with so much network-assited HR traffic going on these days, we should all think about what virtual ham contacts via Internet will ultimately lead to. What are the salient differences between network QSOs and those via direct RF? What is the difference between a QSO and E-mail? Is it analog vs. digital? Is it the challenge of a low signal-to-noise ratio? Is it a romantic, early 20th-century illusion roughly akin to "the radio art"? These are fascinating issues for me; I wonder what you all think. In the mean time, I'll be on 7.040 with my NorCal 40.... Wayne, N6KR Wayne Burdick Interval Research Corp. wayne@interval.com 1801-C Page Mill Road (415) 354-0928 Palo Alto, CA 94304 From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 25 00:08:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA16390; Fri, 24 Sep 93 21:08:32 PDT id AA06974; Fri, 24 Sep 93 21:09:14 PDT Date: Fri, 24 Sep 1993 21:05:38 -0700 (PDT) From: stark Subject: Re: Field QRP Only To: Charles Adams Cc: stark , qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9309241426.AA08187@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hi Chuck and all, I will be in Idaho from about the 30th of this month till around the 13th of Oct. Will be on as much as I can. Listen for me on 7033 the am of the 30th Sept. Will be driving up there. When 40 gets bad, will move up to 20m, guess around 14025/14050. Hope to work some of you all. Monte "Ron" Stark, KU7Y From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 25 06:27:36 1993 Return-Path: 25 Sep 93 3:23 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: QRP FD In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 24 Sep 1993 15:08:24 GMT." <16372@jek> Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1993 03:23:21 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9309250323.aa02785@Paris.ics.uci.edu> I would like to echo Jim Kearman's thoughts on QRP FD and the idea of a different orientation for a QRP QSO party. I do not enjoy the usual contests, and, at best, get on there to give out a few points. I participate in FD mostly because of the comraderie of the Zuni Loop group out here in the wilds of California. I enjoy the silly gear and the monster wire antennas / tuners, and the many discussions we have around the picnic tables. Clark WA3JPG From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Sep 25 23:05:23 1993 Return-Path: id AA01379; Sat, 25 Sep 93 23:05:19 EDT Date: Sun, 26 Sep 93 01:27:50 EST Message-Id: <42961.2CA505CE@ns.fidonet.org> From: Charlie.Kuhn@f107.n2230.z1.fidonet.org (Charlie Kuhn) Subject: QRP List To: QRP@Think.COM X-Mailer: UFGATE/PC-NFS QRP-Request. --Charlie Kuhn,N9NVV NAME: Charlie Kuhn CALL: N9NVV EMAIL: Charlie.Kuhn@f107.n2230.z1.fidonet.org QRP RIG: HW-8 QRP Favorites:Solar Power,CW COMMENTS: New to QRP thanks for putting me on the list,73...N9NVV -- =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*= (Gated via FidoNet Node 1:1/31) Charlie Kuhn Internet: Charlie.Kuhn@f107.n2230.z1.fidonet.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 26 22:43:39 1993 Return-Path: id AA27357; Sun, 26 Sep 93 16:43:23 HST id AA07799; Sun, 26 Sep 93 16:43:23 HST Date: Sun, 26 Sep 93 16:43:22 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Project 9: 2M CW transmitter Message-Id: Here's the first of two 2M xmtrs: this one is a 2-transistor CW rig and the other is a 3-transistor AM circuit which you can FMize yourself (of course the AM xmtr can be used for CW, too). Here's what Burt Simon in 104 HAM RADIO PROJECTS FOR NOVICE AND TECHNICIAN (1968) has to say: "Here's a dandy 2-meter CW rig that will astound the local gang. Using only 2 transistors and a 72 MHz third overtone crystal, you can practically carry the set around with you. It can be built into the tiniest of boxes and requires only a 9-volt battery to power it. At least one VHFer has worked 110 miles with this transmitter, and several (built as club projects) have been equipped with simple one-transistor modulators. "Construction is simple, although care must be taken to insure that all leads are as short as possible. L3 should have its iron-core slug removed. The RFCs are simple 1/2 watt resistors wound full of #36 enameled wire. To check their efficiency, use a grid dip meter to see if you're anywhere near 144 MHz. If they aren't, remove or add turns until the desired frequency (should correspond with your transmit frequency) is achieved. L1 should be neutralized by winding a full solenoid of #26 wire on a 1 meg, 1 watt resistor. Leaving only about 1/2-inch of lead, solder the choke to the crystal socket. It should resonant at your operating frequency. "Main thing is to get the crystal to oscillate. If you have trouble, adjust L2 and expand or compress the turns of L1 until you hear (using a 2-meter receiver) the oscillator harmonic. From here on in you can simply tune for maximum signal using a GDO, field strength meter, or receiver S meter." Parts List Q1, 2 2N1745 transistor C1, 2 .001 mF capacitor C3, 4 .01 mF C5 50 pF C6 12 mF, 5% R1 510 ohm resistor R2 30K R3 10K R4 100 ohms B1 9vdc battery L1 19 turns #24 enameled wire on 1 meg, 1 watt resistor L2 9 1/2 turns #24 enameled wire on 5/16 inch slug-tuned form L3 6 1/2 turns #24 enameled wire, spaced 1/6 inch on 5/16 inch slug- tuned form L4 1 3/4 turns #22 enameled wire on cold end of L3 RFC1,2,3 #36 enameled wire wound (and glued) on 1/2 watt resistor. Should check to approximately 145 MHz with GDO. If it doesn't, adjust number of turns. (Ohmite Z-144) X1 72 MHz 5th overtone crystal SW1 SPST switch ---L1--- | | | | ------------*--X1--*------------ | | | | *------------E-Q1-C------ C1 | B | | | | ) | R1 | L2 )------)------C6---*---E-Q2-C------- -----C5---ANT | | ^ ) | | B | ^ | | | | )------- | | ) | ( RFC1 | | ) RFC2 | L3) | (L4 | | ) | GND ) | ( | | | | | | GND -------*--R2-*--* R4 ------* | | | | | | | | GND | | | | | | | C2 R3 C3 | GND C4 RFC3 | | | | | | | | | | GND | GND GND GND | | -----------------------------------*---SW1--B1+--GND Notes: Observe good VHF wiring techniques (we can't be as sloppy here as we are down on the HF bands!) The positive pole of B1 goes to ground. I attempted to use arrows to indicate the adjustable coil forms. Nothing was said about the two taps coming off of L2 - you'll have to experiment as to their placement. C1 jumps over the other tap from L2. If any of you build this pup let the rest of us know how you got it to work.... (who in the world has even got 72 MHz xtals anymore?) Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ) From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Sep 26 23:17:40 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA01851; Sun, 26 Sep 93 20:17:31 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA25915; Sun, 26 Sep 93 22:17:29 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11148; Sun, 26 Sep 93 22:17:28 -0500 Date: Sun, 26 Sep 93 22:17:28 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309270317.AA11148@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal40 Drift i've been playing with NorCal40 qrp rig for 40 meters, serial #2. drain on receive measured at 14mA (that's 14 milliamperes). drift at 65 degrees F from cold start: 0 min 2.124504MHz on VFO 1 min 2.124520MHz 2 min 2.124528MHz 3 min 2.124528MHz 5 min 2.124528MHz 10 min 2.124528MHz 30 min 2.124528MHz so, i measure the total drift at 24Hz. i would not have believed it possible with a varactor tuned VFO, had i not measured it myself. this was done with a Heath 200MHz counter calibrated with WWV. i did it again, but got only 15Hz. i'll do it again monday nite. i figure that i had affected the results of the second by doing the first and had allowed only 30 minutes for cooldown. i'll let it sit for 24 hrs and try again. i haven't gotten to receiver sensitivity yet or transmitter. i now have a spectrum analyzer and have to check it out and then measure a few rigs to see how they are doing. stay tuned to your bat channel, same time same station...... 73 de k5fo dit dit p.s. i didn't get on this weekend. the kid up from college for the weekend and took him and the wife out for dinner and a movie. and thank you people up north for the cool weather. really appreciate it. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 10:12:33 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA05790; Mon, 27 Sep 93 10:12:29 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 101051.28565; Mon, 27 Sep 1993 10:10:51 EDT id AA21705; Mon, 27 Sep 93 08:07:51 EST From: jpo@acd4.acd.com ( Jim Osburn ) Message-Id: <9309271307.AA21705@IEDV5.acd.com> Subject: 72 MHz Xtals To: qrp@Think.COM (QRP Mailing List) Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 8:07:50 EST X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] > > (who in the world has even got 72 MHz xtals anymore?) > > Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ) > Radio control model airplane transmitters. Jim, WD9EYB From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 10:53:14 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA18169; Mon, 27 Sep 93 07:53:04 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA27937; Mon, 27 Sep 93 09:53:02 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11907; Mon, 27 Sep 93 09:53:01 -0500 Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 09:53:01 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309271453.AA11907@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 72MHz Xtals ok, open up the discussion. 72MHz crystals. try your local hobby shop that handles R/C Model Airplanes. they should have crystals if they do repair work or they can tell you closest supplier. good luck, dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 11:22:42 1993 Return-Path: id AA21061; Mon, 27 Sep 93 10:22:34 CDT id AA05471; 4.1/CRI-5.6; Mon, 27 Sep 93 10:22:32 CDT Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 10:22:32 CDT From: dadams@cherry.cray.com (David Adams) Message-Id: <9309271522.AA05471@cherry10.cray.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: Project 9: 2M CW transmitter Cc: dadams@cherry.cray.com I have been thinking of doing something similar. A small tranceiver or transmitter & receiver pair for 2M or 1.25M based on the Motorola MC2833 for the transmitter and the MC3363 for the receiver. I don't have any plans other than the fact sheets that Motorola will give out with these parts, which will require some modification. Has anyone tried anything like this? I think it is one nice way to get a clean set up easy. (The boards came with the chips.) Do you still call it QRP when you are in VHF or UHF using < 5 watts? (I will probably use 500 mw.) Low power is more of the norm here? From the fact sheet: "The MC3363 is a single chip narrowband VHF FM radio receiver. It is a dual conversion receiver with RF amplifier transistor, oscillators, mixers, quadrature detector, meter drive/carrier detect and mute circuitry. The MC3363 also has a buffered first local oscillator output for use with frequency synthesizers, and a data slicing comparator for FSK detection. "*Wide Input Bandwidth -- 200 MHz Using Internal Local Oscillator -- 450 MHz Using External Local Oscillator "*RF Amplifier Transistor "*Muting Operational Amplifier "*Complete Dual Conversion "*Low Voltage: Vcc = 2.0 V to 7.0 V "*Low Drain Current: Icc = 3.6 mA (Typ) at Vcc = 3.0 V, Excluding RF Amplifier Transistor "*Excellent Sensitivity: Input 0.3picoV (Typ) for 12 dB SINAD Using Internal RF Amplifier Transistor "*Data Shaping Comparator "*Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) with 60 dB Dynamic Range "*Low Number of External Parts Required "*Manufactured in Motorola's MOSAIC Process Technology" And of the MC2833 the fact sheet saith, "MC2833 is a one-chip FM transmitter subsystem designed for cordless telephone and FM communication equipment. It includes a microphone amplifier, voltage controlled oscillator and two auxilary transistors. "*Wide Range of Operating Supply Voltage (2.8-9.0 V) "*Low Drain Current (Icc = 2.9 mA Typ) "*Low Number of External Parts Required "* -30 dBm Power Output to 60 MHz Using Direct RF Output "* +10 dBm Power Output Attainable Using On-Chip Transistor Amplifiers" My big fear is, "How the *&^%$! am I ever going to solder these delicate little chips to these boards??! I have some disease that makes my hands shake whenever I try to do delicate work like this. ;^) One of the examples in the fact sheet (which uses the same board) is for a transmitter at 144.6 MHz. (Also for 49.7 MHz and 76 MHz.) I heard the rumor that they guys who develop these are hams and that the first test applications are often set on the ham bands. For the receiver chip one of the examples given is a "256 Channel Frequency Synthesized Two Meter Amateur Band Receiver." Has anybody done any homebrew with all in a chip parts like these? Do you have any pros or cons to mention? What other chips should be considered. (Heck! They are designing these so fast that before I ever get to understanding what my options are, they have designed and are producing another!) I am wanting to try something on 1.25 M since Novices have privelidges there and I hope (eventually) to drag my grade school sons' interest into all this. --David C. Adams Statistician Cray Research Inc. dadams@cray.com "I have two poles tho' one is poor I have three cown & want five more, I have not horse, But fifteen sheep; No more than these this year I keep, Stears, that's two years old, one pair, Two calves I have, all over hair, Three heffers two years old, I own, One heffer calf that's poorly grone, My land is acres Eighty two, Which search the Record youle find true, And this is all I have in Store, I'll thank you if youle Tax no more" --Asael Smith of Topsfield From parish@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 11:30:49 1993 Return-Path: From: Edward Parish id AA16905; Mon, 27 Sep 93 11:30:48 EDT Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 11:30:48 EDT Message-Id: <9309271530.AA16905@thor.think.com> To: dadams@cherry.cray.com Cc: QRP@Think.COM, dadams@cherry.cray.com In-Reply-To: David Adams's message of Mon, 27 Sep 93 10:22:32 CDT <9309271522.AA05471@cherry10.cray.com> Subject: Project 9: 2M CW transmitter Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 10:22:32 CDT From: dadams@cherry.cray.com (David Adams) I have been thinking of doing something similar. A small tranceiver or transmitter & receiver pair for 2M or 1.25M based on the Motorola MC2833 for the transmitter and the MC3363 for the receiver. I don't have any plans other than the fact sheets that Motorola will give out with these parts, which will require some modification. Has anyone tried anything like this? I think it is one nice way to get a clean set up easy. (The boards came with the chips.) Do you still call it QRP when you are in VHF or UHF using < 5 watts? (I will probably use 500 mw.) Low power is more of the norm here? >From the fact sheet: "The MC3363 is a single chip narrowband VHF FM radio receiver. It is a dual conversion receiver with RF amplifier transistor, oscillators, mixers, quadrature detector, meter drive/carrier detect and mute circuitry. The MC3363 also has a buffered first local oscillator output for use with frequency synthesizers, and a data slicing comparator for FSK detection. "*Wide Input Bandwidth -- 200 MHz Using Internal Local Oscillator -- 450 MHz Using External Local Oscillator "*RF Amplifier Transistor "*Muting Operational Amplifier "*Complete Dual Conversion "*Low Voltage: Vcc = 2.0 V to 7.0 V "*Low Drain Current: Icc = 3.6 mA (Typ) at Vcc = 3.0 V, Excluding RF Amplifier Transistor "*Excellent Sensitivity: Input 0.3picoV (Typ) for 12 dB SINAD I'd say that was quite excellent. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 13:50:36 1993 Return-Path: From: alsun150!jvm@aluxs.att.com id AA09002; Mon, 27 Sep 93 13:48:56 EDT id AA29700; Mon, 27 Sep 93 13:48:51 EDT Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 13:48:51 EDT Original-From: aluxs!alsun150!jvm (Jim Morgan) Message-Id: <9309271748.AA29700@alsun150> To: dadams@cherry.cray.com Subject: Re: MC2833 & MC3363 Cc: alsun150!jvm@Think.COM, QRP@Think.COM > From: dadams@cherry.cray.com (David Adams) > To: QRP@Think.COM > Subject: Re: Project 9: 2M CW transmitter > Cc: dadams@cherry.cray.com > Content-Length: 3815 > > I have been thinking of doing something similar. A small tranceiver > or transmitter & receiver pair for 2M or 1.25M based on the > Motorola MC2833 for the transmitter and the MC3363 for the > receiver. I don't have any plans other than the fact sheets > that Motorola will give out with these parts, which will require > some modification. Has anyone tried anything like this? I think > it is one nice way to get a clean set up easy. (The boards came > with the chips.) > > > My big fear is, "How the *&^%$! am I ever going to solder these delicate > little chips to these boards??! I have some disease that makes my hands > shake whenever I try to do delicate work like this. ;^) > > The MC2833 is available in a DIP package. Also, there is a receiver chip, the MC3362, which is almost the same as the '3363, and is available in DIP. The DIP may be a little easier to deal with than the surface-mount package (which is the only way the 3363 is available, I believe). I am collecting parts to build a rig similar to what you describe, but have not yet started soldering. Good luck with the project! Jim Morgan WX4D/3 jvm@aluxpo.att.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 14:23:36 1993 Return-Path: id AA17726 for qrp@think.com; Mon, 27 Sep 93 14:23:20 -0400 id AA307796 ; Mon, 27 Sep 93 13:06:22 EST Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 18:12:02 GMT Message-Id: <16565@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Contests--WJ1Z Chimes In The WJ1Z Contest: Turn on your radio, get acquainted with the band segment of interest, answer first CQ you hear, have QSO (No CQs? call one, work first [or weaker/est of multiple responses] station who calls). A dare: If you happen to be running what is popularly called QRP, don't add *QRP* to your calls. Subdare: If you happen to find yourself working another QRPer, don't needlessly pervert the Phillips code by sending *72* instead of *73*. Peter Gabriel (from "Not One of Us") "How can we be 'in' if there is no 'outside'?" True Yoursly, WJ1Z -- dnewkirk@arrl.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 16:28:42 1993 Return-Path: Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 16:28:21 EDT From: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Toko parts Message-Id: <9309271628.aa11250@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> Digi-Key has Toko coils to support several of the Motorola chips including th3362 and 3363 etc. These include 455khz and 10.7mhz filters and quad coils for the detectors. Good building...gang Clark Fishman WA2UNN cfishman@pica.army.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 21:08:52 1993 Return-Path: 27 Sep 93 18:04 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Contests--WJ1Z Chimes In Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1993 18:04:05 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9309271804.aa19376@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Well, Dave Newkirk has a good idea there. I have, on occasion, with my silly little Argonaut (and even once with my Spider...) NOT used "/QRP", and then gotten a decent RST of 579 or better, and decided NOT to even tell the guy I am running QRP. Sometimes the rig doesn't come up or anything, so no big deal, just good conversation, and the secret knowledge that I am having fun. I like it. Clark ..................... Clark Savage Turner, Graduate Student Researcher Safety Critical Software Group home: Department of Info. and Computer Science 1514 Verano Place Irvine, CA. 92717 Irvine, CA. 92715 (714) 856 4049 (714) 856 2131 WA3JPG, QRP #3526, active on HF, VHF and UHF. Admitted to practice law in California, Massachusetts, and New York. ARRL Volunteer Counsel From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Sep 27 23:42:14 1993 Return-Path: on Mon, 27 Sep 93 22:40:30 -0500 id AA09099 with SMTP Date: Mon, 27 Sep 1993 21:37:03 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Joining NorCal QRP? To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I lost the address of the person to whom I need to send my $5 for a year's membership in NorCal QRP. Anbody? Anybody? 73, -doug, N0YVW (<- New call...came today! 6 weeks 1 day) From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 02:19:27 1993 Return-Path: id AA10135; Mon, 27 Sep 93 23:19:10 PDT Date: Mon, 27 Sep 93 23:19:10 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9309280619.AA10135@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Dial for NN1G and other rigs Ok guys here is a quickie. If you want to make a dial for the tuning capacitor that Danny Stevid puts in his super NN1G kit, here is how to do it. The tuning capacitor is one with a 8 to 1 reduction drive built in to it. There is a sleeve that moves at 1/8 the speed of the knob, so you can't put a pointer on the knob. Dick Witzke at OHR came up with this idea, and Chuck Adams mentioned to me that he had taken one of the clear acrylic dials from an OHR 20 meter kit and put it on his NN1G. The light went on, and here is what I have come up with. Get some 1/16" thick clear acrylic. Locally we get it from the scrap bin at Tap Plastics for $1 per pound. Use a Black & Decker 2" hole saw in a drill press to cut a hole in the plastic. When you get done, you have a circle that is about 1 7/8" in diameter with a pilot hole in the center of 3/16". Then it is a simple matter to drill out the center hole to match the shaft of the slow turning sleeve on the tuning capacitor. Voila, you have a dial. Some may want to put the frequency marks on the dial itself, a la OHR, or as Chuck says, put 1 line on the dial, and the frequency marks on the front of the cabinet. Whatever works best for you. Not a biggie guys, and most of you probably already thought of it, but in case you haven't...... 72, Doug, KI6DS From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 07:36:57 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9309281136.AA12451@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 5898; Tue, 28 Sep 93 07:36:27 EDT Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 07:30:34 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: OHR switched cap filter and PWR meter To: qrp@Think.COM I have for sale a BUILT OHR Wattmeter WM-1 and a OHR Switched Capacitor Audio Filter. Both are in excellent condition and work fine. Wattmeter -- $55.00 plus shipping Filter -- $45.00 plus shipping Greg Buhyoff KN4FR -- Buhyoff@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu Work Phone: 703-2312-5148 --- Located in Virginia From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 09:35:52 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9309281335.AA17876@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 4668; Tue, 28 Sep 93 09:35:15 EDT Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 09:33:47 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: Thank you all! -- OHR filter and wattmeter SOLD. To: qrp@Think.COM The OHR wattmeter and SCAF filter have been sold. I was overwhelmed by the number of offers within a couple hours of posting the message. Thank you all! 73, Greg From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 09:52:20 1993 Return-Path: id AA11171 for qrp@think.com; Tue, 28 Sep 93 09:52:06 -0400 id AA309307 ; Tue, 28 Sep 93 08:33:43 EST Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 13:38:04 GMT Message-Id: <16666@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: New ham on the list Hey, everybody, Doug, drenze@chop.isca.uiowa.edu just got his license. Say hello to N0YVW! From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 10:50:15 1993 Return-Path: on Tue, 28 Sep 93 09:48:11 -0500 id AA20690 with SMTP Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 08:44:55 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: New ham on the list To: Jim Kearman Cc: QRP@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <16666@jek> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII p On Tue, 28 Sep 1993, Jim Kearman wrote: > Hey, everybody, Doug, drenze@chop.isca.uiowa.edu just > got his license. Say hello to N0YVW! > thanx! It's like all the Christmases and Birthdays from when I was a kid rolled up with getting the IRS off my back. :-) The 15-year wait was worth it. tnx es 73, Doug, N0YVM From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 11:40:51 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA13049; Tue, 28 Sep 93 11:40:22 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 113816.12857; Tue, 28 Sep 1993 11:38:16 EDT id AA28059; Tue, 28 Sep 93 10:38:10 EDT Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 10:38:10 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9309281438.AA28059@auratek.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, uunet!deneb.csustan.edu!dh@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: Dial for NN1G and other rigs Here is another way. Your local hardware store sells fender washers. These come with an outside diameter of 1 1/2" to 2" and have a 3/8" diameter center hole. Simply paint the washer, dry transfer a index line or numbers, insert a 3/8" rubber gromet in the center hole and push over the shaft. The gromet center hole will be a comfortable friction fit over a 1/4" shaft. I perfer this method as I found it difficult to cut a nice smooth, round hole in plastic and its a lot faster. 73 Ed W1AAZ From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 13:10:48 1993 Return-Path: id AA16427; Tue, 28 Sep 93 13:10:07 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Tue, 28 Sep 1993 13:07:03 -0400 Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 13:07:03 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199309281707.AA01867@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, dh@deneb.csustan.edu, epacyna@auratek.com Subject: Re: Dial for NN1G and other rigs I like the idea about the fender washer, but what exactly is a fender washer? Here's my guesses.... 1. To be used on old VW's to hold the rust spots together, but only on the fender. 2. They can be used as a pick for your Fender Stratocaster 3. Julio Fender invented them specifically for QRP rigs. Don't mind me, I had to take ALL of my antennas down to get a roof put on and I think it's taking it's toll.. ANON From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 13:33:36 1993 Return-Path: on Tue, 28 Sep 93 12:31:48 -0500 id AA25609 with SMTP Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 11:28:25 -0600 (GMT-0600) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Switching addresses To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: qrp-request@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Please unsubscribe me at this e-mail address and resubscribe me as drenze@grind.isca.uiowa.edu. Thanx--the mailer on this machine is going through some experimental fits, and is unreliable. From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 13:54:08 1993 Return-Path: on Tue, 28 Sep 1993 17:36:23 GMT. Organization: Iowa Computer Aided Engineering Network, University of Iowa Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1993 12:35:17 +1871500 (??) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Slight correction to my last message... To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: qrp-request@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Please make that new subscription address "drenze@icaen.uiowa.edu" -- forgot about the way the mail alias is set up. Tnx. __ /| | Douglas J Renze, N0YVW | Charter Member, Popular Front \'o.O' | +1 319 337 4664 | for Revolutionary Darwinism: =(___)= | drenze@isca.uiowa.edu | U | Douglas-Renze@uiowa.edu | Evolution Now! From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 16:21:22 1993 Return-Path: id AA03535 for qrp@think.com; Tue, 28 Sep 93 16:20:51 -0400 id AA310221 ; Tue, 28 Sep 93 15:04:08 EST Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 20:09:11 GMT Message-Id: <16787@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Don sent this to me by mistake >From dacoleman@fair1.fairfield.edu Tue Sep 28 18:32:22 1993 id AA16741 ; Tue, 28 Sep 93 18:32:19 GMT >From POP3@uu2.psi.com. Tue Sep 28 12:25:16 1993 id AA10637 for poparrl; Tue, 28 Sep 93 13:34:51 -0400 <01H3HF3LU07K9AMJHL@fair1.fairfield.edu>; Tue, 28 Sep 1993 13:33:36 EST Date: 28 Sep 1993 13:33:36 -0500 (EST) From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" Subject: Re: New ham on the list To: jkearman@arrl.org Message-Id: <01H3HF3LU07M9AMJHL@fair1.fairfield.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"jkearman@arrl.org" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Hello, N0Yvw! Don Coleman, W1VOQ From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Sep 28 22:14:54 1993 Return-Path: (5.65a/IDA-1.4.2 for qrp@think.com); Tue, 28 Sep 93 19:23:40 -0700 Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 19:23:40 -0700 From: Ward Silver Message-Id: <9309290223.AA09121@sumax.seattleu.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G kit What's the address for NN1G kits? Thanks, Ward (N0AX) From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 08:30:19 1993 Return-Path: <@VTBIT.CC.VT.EDU:ABRC@CATCC> Wed, 29 Sep 93 08:26:33 EDT Message-Id: <29SEP93.09112845.0070.MUSIC@CATCC> Date: Wed, 29 Sep 93 08:26:15 EDT From: ABRC000 To: Subject: 72 MHz Xtals In-Reply-To: In reply to your message of MON 27 SEP 1993 09:07:50 EDT > > > > (who in the world has even got 72 MHz xtals anymore?) > > > > Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ) > > > > Radio control model airplane transmitters. > > Jim, WD9EYB Is is possable(practical) to convert 72Mhz RC stuff to 50Mhz? Anyone know? FUTABA says that it is cheaper to buy a new radio. thank's ****************************************************************** * Rodney Clayton KA3BHY Howard County Public Schools * * Ellicott City, MD USA * * Systems Programmer ABRC@CATCC.BITNET * ****************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 11:52:36 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA11084; Wed, 29 Sep 93 08:52:21 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA23013; Wed, 29 Sep 93 10:52:17 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA15795; Wed, 29 Sep 93 10:52:14 -0500 Date: Wed, 29 Sep 93 10:52:14 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309291552.AA15795@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G #2 Cc: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com September 29, 1993 Gang, Well, I did get NN1G rig #2 done and it's on 40 meters. First: I bought two kits from Dan's Small Parts and Kits, 1935 S. 3rd W. #1, Missoula, MT 59801 phone/fax 1-406-543-2872. I do not own or am in any way associated with Danny Stevig's company. Just another satisfied customer. The kit sells for $49.95 and $3.75 for S&H. It includes all you need for the two boards and an air variable. It does not have the case, connectors, but it does have the variable resistor. So, you'll need to find connectors for ant, key, power, and phones. Also you'll need some kind of dial indicator. I want to thank Ed (W1AAZ) for his very nice idea yesterday using the fender washer, whatever that is. :-) I know physically what it is, but i assume from the name that it is used as a backing support for thin walled metal sheets for holding and supporting items attached with nut and bolts. Second: You have probably seen my earlier postings on the NN1G kit for 20 meters. It has been working great, i.e. if I can get some more air time when 20 meters is open. I think that I will have to start bringing it to work and brown bagging lunch to get some air time. It will get me away from my work (and contrary to what you might think, I do work :-) ) and outta the office. The second NN1G kit took me longer, not to build, but a wait for a FT-37-61 toroid that is needed for the 40 meter mod. I got the toroid yesterday in the mail (the USPS is really slow sometimes) and installed it last night after working on another NN1G kit that someone else built. Got it going first (sacrifice) then worked on mine. Installed the toroid after putting on 13T. The rig worked the first time. In fact, I started the IF transformers at the same places I had the 20 meter version. The transmitter was exactly right. The receiver required only minor tweeking. It works great! Was listening to Europe, F5IN was very strong for about an hour around 0500Z to 0600Z. I couldn't work him, since I had not aligned the transmitter offset to the receiver at the time. Now I have everything aligned, I will start exercising the rig on the air. I was checking the receiver out anyway at the time. Here is what I did to check out the receiver. I put a PL-259 "T" on the back of the Yaesu FT-707 transceiver (do not try this at home boys and girls unless you are fully awake - as you will have two transmitters wired to the antenna and to each other!!). Don't worry, I unplugged the CK-2 keyer from the rigs just in case. :-) I have had the Yaesu 707 for many years. I consider it to have one of the better receivers around. The QST review article has a noise floor figure of -126dBm. So now I have two receivers on the same antenna on the same band at the same time. Starting at 7.000MHz and going to 7.075MHz (oh, forgot - I replaced the air cap with one I got from OHR, since the one provided with the NN1G kit only covers 40KHz or so on 40M) I slowly tuned each receiver to each signal heard. I could hear the same signals on both receivers and the NN1G receiver is slightly weaker, but not enough to worry about, since with only 1W out I doubt that every weak signal could near me anyway. I'm doing an article on The Principal of Reciprocity and what it means to hams. The NN1G receiver is noisier and I think a low pass audio filter would help a great deal. I'll try to breadboard one up this weekend and see if it helps significantly. It seems to have plenty of power in the LM386 to drive the earphones (Yaesu FT-77) louder than I want into my ears. In summary, for $49.95, a good kit and I think you should have a little experience before doing this kit. There are no detailed instructions and there are some tricks that will help you a lot if you know ahead of time about construction. I may buy one more for 30M. :-) It's not that I don't have any rigs, it is my relief from stress. At least that is what I tell my wife. :-) BTW, the OHR cap is another $9 plus shipping. But if you don't mind the narrower band tuning with the original, there is nothing wrong with it. Ok, hopefully I am through with major construction projects for a few months and now plan to exercise 40M like crazy during the winter months. Starting Oct 1, I will schedule anyone that wants a schedule to try out 40M. Mondays nites will have to be late (after 10PM Texas time), but other nights should be OK. Weekends are dependent upon the scheduling of my social committee. :-) 73 es enjoy your rig and hopefully I'll hear you on the air de k5fo/qrp dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 12:34:57 1993 Return-Path: <@uga.cc.uga.edu:CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET> with BSMTP id 9887; Wed, 29 Sep 93 12:35:06 EDT <01H3IRC3RJEO8Y56S2@NKUVAX.BITNET>; Wed, 29 Sep 1993 12:34:20 EDT Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 12:34:20 -0400 (EDT) From: "Daniel J. Curtin" Subject: RE:NN1G rig To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H3IRC3SLZM8Y56S2@NKUVAX.BITNET> X-Envelope-To: qrp@Think.COM X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@Think.COM" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Dear QRPers, I was off the net for a while and seemed to have missed something. Is the NN1G rig a transceiver or a receiver? If anyone could send me a brief note about it, I'd appreciate it. Today's postings told me where I can get one Thanks & 73, Dan, KF4AV Daniel J. Curtin Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 41099-1700 CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET _._ .._. ...._ ._ ..._ From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 13:17:31 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Wed, 29 Sep 1993 12:16:53 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Wed, 29 Sep 1993 12:16:31 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Wed, 29 Sep 1993 08:16:00 -0500 Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 13:16:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.728:29.08.93.17.16.31] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: Wanted From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"10731 Wed Sep 29 12:16:36 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Wanted WANTED: Looking for late model sold-state or hybrid HF rig with blown finals for a QRP Project. Especially interested in IC-735, FT-707 w/WARC, FT-101ZD w/WARC, TS-530S or ant TEN-TEC rigs. 73 - Dave, N4ELM. email: cmwdr01@nt.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 13:43:37 1993 Return-Path: id AA04819; Wed, 29 Sep 93 10:43:26 PDT id AA00448; Wed, 29 Sep 93 10:44:09 PDT Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 10:42:41 -0700 (PDT) From: stark Subject: unsubscribe To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Please unsubscribe me while I am on vacation. I will resubscribe when I return. Thanks, KU7Y From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 14:27:26 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9309291827.AA03139@interval.interval.com> Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 11:32:44 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: NN1G #2 Chuck said: >The NN1G receiver is noisier and I think a low pass audio filter would >help a great deal. I'll try to breadboard one up this weekend and see >if it helps significantly. Another simple solution to the noise problem is to add a single-crystal filter between the MC1350 and the product detector (NE602). I haven't tried this on the NN1G but I have used this method on other homebrew rigs, and it works very well. The reason you need the second filter is that the MC1350 is a VERY noisy part, especially at full gain. The noise is easily removed by a one-pole filter, using the same type crystal as used in the first filter. This mod might be easier than adding a low-pass filter at the audio output, and has the advantage of not adding any active circuitry or increasing the current drain. You might have to experiment with the terminating caps on either side of the crystal, but 100 pF is a good starting point. The cap on the MC1350 output side is more critical, because it will affect the resonant frequency of the MC1350 output coupling circuit between pins 1 and 8. It's worth noting, as many have before (including Ed, W1AAZ) that you don't always need an I.F. amp in a receiver of this type. For example, the NorCal 40 doesn't use an I.F. amp; I just connected the crystal filter directly to the product detector. This works because the NE602 has over 20 dB gain and a good noise figure at 7MHz. It's just a little less impressive at 14MHz. With no MC1350, you save 15mA and a whole lot of noise. To make up for the lost gain, you should use differential coupling between the NE602 and the LM386, and use a cap between pins 1 and 8 on the LM386 (about 2.2uF works fine). Wayne, N6KR Wayne Burdick Interval Research Corp. wayne@interval.com 1801-C Page Mill Road (415) 354-0928 Palo Alto, CA 94304 From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 15:19:24 1993 Return-Path: id AA18813; Wed, 29 Sep 93 09:19:17 HST id AA28838; Wed, 29 Sep 93 09:19:16 HST Date: Wed, 29 Sep 93 9:19:14 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: [cyphyn!randy@cyphyn.radnet.com: Re: Project 9: 2M CW transmitter] Message-Id: Concerning the two 2 meter xmtrs (one's already been posted on here), here's a bit more info. Jeff NH6IL --------------- (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for jherman@uhunix3.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu); Wed, 29 Sep 1993 07:42:23 -0400 id AA21228; Wed, 29 Sep 93 06:08:23 -0400 From: cyphyn!randy@cyphyn.radnet.com (Smail3.1.28.1 #5) id m0ohmnd-0001uzC; Tue, 28 Sep 93 17:41 EDT Message-Id: Date: Tue, 28 Sep 93 17:41 EDT Apparently-From: cyphyn!cyphyn!randy To: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jeff Herman) Subject: Re: Project 9: 2M CW transmitter Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Organization: Evil Weather Machines LTD Jan and ICM crystals companies have those 72mc crystals 2N4427 as final and 2N3866 as osc can be used too by the way. -- Randy KA1UNW If you get a shock while servicing your equipment, "Works for me!" randy@192.153.4.200 DON'T JUMP! -Peter Keyes You might break an expensive tube! From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 16:34:03 1993 Return-Path: id AA27018; Wed, 29 Sep 93 16:33:21 EDT Date: Wed, 29 Sep 93 16:33:21 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309292033.AA27018@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Selling kits Here is my problem: I am 15 years old and my main source of income is lawn mowing and babysitting. Ham radio is an expesive hobby/. Therefore I am thinking of selling simple kits. I am going to start with one (or maore) from QRP classics. Here is a list of a few POSSIBLE ones. I plan to make limited amounts and sell them at lower prices than Danny Stevig. Neophyte Rcvr QRP 250 (250 mw W1FB) Cubic incher (40/80) 1.5W W7ZOI Txr Maybe others, suggestions welcome Wud any 1 be interested in any of these? Does any one have any comments. Is this a STUPID idea, an OK idea, a GREAT one? tnx for ur time. 72 de KD1QV/ae Swami K. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 16:44:25 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA27247; Wed, 29 Sep 93 13:44:07 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA09754; Wed, 29 Sep 93 15:43:51 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA16484; Wed, 29 Sep 93 15:43:49 -0500 Date: Wed, 29 Sep 93 15:43:49 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309292043.AA16484@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal40 revisited the other day i posted my first findings on the drift. Ed P. suggested that i go and take the cover off and see how it does near an open window, drafts, etc. another set of points: 1. windows open and cealing fan on medium room temp 76 degrees F 0 min 2.124850MHz vfo 1 min 2.124862 2 min 2.124863 3 min 2.124862 4 min 2.124861 5 min 2.124858 10 min 2.124849 15 min 2.124849 so about a 13 cycle swing and back to starting point!!! 2. windows open and cealing fan off root temp 76 degrees F 0 min 2.124692MHz 1 min 2.124712 2 min 2.124720 3 min 2.124724 4 min 2.124728 5 min 2.124731 10 min 2.124737 15 min 2.124744 35 min 2.124744 so, about 52Hz drift and fixed. i'd consider anything under 100Hz well within the response curve of my ear and i'd not be bothered by it at all. i think Wayne B. has a winner in his circuit (which i haven't seen yet). next test is the FT-707 comparison. stay tuned for results. full line of specs to follow as soon as i can set up the tables. 73 es cul de k5fo/qrp dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 16:47:35 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA27647; Wed, 29 Sep 93 13:47:21 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA09993; Wed, 29 Sep 93 15:46:47 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA16489; Wed, 29 Sep 93 15:46:47 -0500 Date: Wed, 29 Sep 93 15:46:47 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9309292046.AA16489@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G keying ooops forgot. i tuned in the NN1G on the FT707, both 20 and 40M versions on 50 ohm dummy load and on long wire with < 1.1SWR. i then keyed each from 20wpm to 60wpm. the keying is very very nice. no problem copying at any speed. 73 de k5fo From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 18:51:09 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA05840; Wed, 29 Sep 93 18:51:03 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 184920.27520; Wed, 29 Sep 1993 18:49:20 EDT id m0oiAIi-0007L0C; Wed, 29 Sep 93 18:47 EDT Message-Id: From: rich@mulvey.com Subject: Tuners for backpacking To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 18:47:12 -0500 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 368 Hello: I've got a question about what people here use for tuners while going portable. In the past, I've taken the MFJ portable tuner with a 40M dipole when I go into the woods. I thought that it might be nice to cut down the size a little bit by taking a smaller tuner and a spooled long wire. Any suggestions as to what a good substitute would be? - Rich From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Sep 29 19:59:22 1993 Return-Path: 29 Sep 93 16:53 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Tuners for backpacking Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1993 16:53:07 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9309291653.aa09363@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Ahhh, good topic. Tuners for backpacking. I always took my Ten Tec AC-5 tuner along with my Argonaut and a lantern battery / mike / key backpacking. A bit bulky and heavy, but what fun. There are ways to build and use really tiny tuners for low power. That is the key - how much power are you going to put through the thing? You might also think about no tuner (lightest alternative) if you think you can get an antenna up that will be somewhere in the ballpark of a reasonable SWR. BUT, the AC-5 provided a model for a tiny QRP tuner I use at times. ... a QRP antenna tuner from junk box parts from my sparse junk box. It CAN BE very simple. I use a little 10-365 pf variable cap and a coil, and an alligator clip lead cut in half (two single alligators!), an antenna connector and piece of coax to the xmtr. It is so s imple and works very nicely. It is designed for unbalanced lines (although it is not hard to make one for balanced OR unbalanced antennas with a two ganged variable cap from an old receiver or tuner somewhere). An swr meter is necessary, too.... This works: --------------- To transmitter | | | <------------| | |/ Coax from antenna -----------> | /| variable cap | | | _____ coil ___ _ gnd The arrows are alligator clips and they can be connected to the coil at various taps. The coil I use is #18 wire wound on a pill bottle, with loops in the wire stripped and raised for easy connection by the clips. I use about 25 turns with 5 equally spaced taps. More would be a bit better. ****** I have also made a mini- Z match tuner that is sort of fun, but more complex than this. Good luck, and write me directly if you would like copies of schematics or stuff I have stashed in my little library about these things - mostly from the QRP Quarterly. Clark WA3JPG From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 30 07:56:49 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9309301156.AA24877@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 0916; Thu, 30 Sep 93 07:55:05 EDT Date: Thu, 30 Sep 93 07:45:01 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: Sell OHR 20M SPIRIT To: qrp@Think.COM I have a built OHR 20 meter SPIRIT (do not read SPRINT). This is the rig which sells for $200.00 in kit form. By the way, Dick said he was raising the price on this kit (He may have already). Anyway, the rig worked great but I did something stupid. I have a remote antenna selector which carries 12v on the coax. I (in a state of early AM stupor) connected the wrong coax to the rig. OOPS! 12 volts on the antenna connector of the rig! The receiver section works fine but the transmitter section is only putting out about 750 milliwatts. The radio is beautifully constructed -- even if I do say so myself. I have a ton of radios and not a ton of time due to work committments. I will sell the radio for $100 (including shipping) to someone who wants to fix it -- I assume, at worst the finals are blown. But I would guess it may not be that bad. I can be reached at 703-231-5148 8-3PM EDT -- leave voice mail if I am not in --- or here at Buhyoff@vtvm1.cc.vt.edu Thanks, Greg Buhyoff KN4FR From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 30 09:13:12 1993 Return-Path: id AA01017; Thu, 30 Sep 93 09:12:57 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 30 Sep 1993 07:19:46 -0400 Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1993 07:19:46 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199309301119.AA03826@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, turner@safety.ICS.UCI.EDU Subject: Re: Tuners for backpacking This topic of backpacking tuners is a great one! I have been building qrp stuff for a while now, and I was tempted to do just as clark suggests.. something real simple! Clark, I would be interested to know if you use the tuner with an swr bridge built in a box, or if you just use it with the Spider and smart tone. My spiders are still in process, although I've made several contacts, and I was thinking about tuners.. for this as well as for my other qrp portable rigs. 72 all , Brad From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 30 09:25:39 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Thu, 30 Sep 1993 08:24:59 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Thu, 30 Sep 1993 08:24:47 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Thu, 30 Sep 1993 04:24:00 -0500 Date: Thu, 30 Sep 1993 09:24:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.620:30.08.93.13.24.47] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: sale stuff From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"7621 Thu Sep 30 08:24:50 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: sale stuff Hi all, I found some things I haven't used in a while so I thought I'd clear some shelf space. FOR SALE: MFJ 815 wattmeter dual needle meter 20, 200, and 2KW scales works fine, some scratches $ 45.00 Advanced Receiver Research GasFET Preamp model: SP144VDG 144 Mhz, built in TR switching, 12 Vdc. works, some scratches and wear on outside, clean inside. $ 55.00 Kenwood YK-88C 500Hz CW filter used, works - bought for uncompleted HW-9 filter mod. $ 50.00 Prices include UPS shipping in USA. WANTED: Looking for late model solid-state or hybrid HF rig with blown finals for a QRP project. Especially interested in IC-735, FT-707 w/WARC, FT-101ZD w/WARC, TS-530S, or any TEN-TEC rigs. 73 - Dave, N4ELM. email: cmwdr01@nt.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 30 12:43:42 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9309301643.AA08945@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 2638; Thu, 30 Sep 93 12:43:13 EDT Date: Thu, 30 Sep 93 12:42:06 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: OHR SPIRIT SOLD To: qrp@Think.COM Thanks, again to all of the responses to my OHR SPIRIT sale message. The rig is SOLD. 73, Greg KN4FR From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 30 15:37:40 1993 Return-Path: id AA04157; Thu, 30 Sep 93 15:37:23 EDT Date: Thu, 30 Sep 93 15:37:23 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309301937.AA04157@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Tnx Thanks to all who reponded to my Selling Kits question. Rather than responding to invidual posts I decided to respond in one msg. I have taken school into consideration. School is very important to me and my parents are very strict about my grades (this is not the ONLY reason I try to do well in school). Someone (sorry I forgot who) said they made money by writing software when they were 16. I wanted to do this, but I don't know what to write. I can program in C (and program WELL if I may say so myself) and basic and I can understand Pascal and Fortran. I have written programs to emulate the AX.25 protocol on a UNIX machine in C, but I don't know what software to write that I could sell. Oh well. Thanks to all who replied. 73 es 72 de KD1QV/ae From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Sep 30 16:19:35 1993 Return-Path: id AA04157; Thu, 30 Sep 93 15:37:23 EDT Date: Thu, 30 Sep 93 15:37:23 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9309301937.AA04157@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Tnx Thanks to all who reponded to my Selling Kits question. Rather than responding to invidual posts I decided to respond in one msg. I have taken school into consideration. School is very important to me and my parents are very strict about my grades (this is not the ONLY reason I try to do well in school). Someone (sorry I forgot who) said they made money by writing software when they were 16. I wanted to do this, but I don't know what to write. I can program in C (and program WELL if I may say so myself) and basic and I can understand Pascal and Fortran. I have written programs to emulate the AX.25 protocol on a UNIX machine in C, but I don't know what software to write that I could sell. Oh well. Thanks to all who replied. 73 es 72 de KD1QV/ae From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 1 15:41:37 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.931001144121.288; 01 Oct 93 14:41:43 +600 Message-Id: To: QRP@Think.COM >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 1 Oct 93 14:40:59 CDT Subject: Charging Gel Cells? Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 692 Can I charge gel cells with the auto battery charger I have sitting out in the garage? If so, is that just adequate or would another type of charging circuit be far better? Thanks and 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 1 18:25:30 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA04182; Fri, 1 Oct 93 15:25:22 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA00944; Fri, 1 Oct 93 17:06:13 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01048; Fri, 1 Oct 93 17:06:11 -0500 Date: Fri, 1 Oct 93 17:06:11 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310012206.AA01048@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: washers Gang, Ed P., W1AAZ, gave us an excellent hint for dial indicators. Well, I stopped at the Payless Hardware store a while ago and picked up the last two that they had. These are 'fender washers' with 3/8" hole and they are only 15 cents each US currency. I know that I have seen these critters before in a kit. Don't know which one. Now, when i get home, I hope that I have the right size grommet to fit it. I've also got to hope that I left enough clearance on the shaft and the front of the case to install same. If not, then I'll have to drill two more mounting holes in the bottom and move the tuning cap forward about an 1/8" or so. Stay tuned to this bat channel for further developments on this miracle of modern technology. Wish I had known about this earlier when I first staked out the holes for everything. By the way, they are 1.5" in diameter. I'll have to see how the Mouser knobs do with the washer. My plan is to spray them with primer and flat white Krylon(tm) paint and then make on radial mark for the indicator. On the front panel I will put frequency calibration marks using the Sticky-Back stuff with LaserWriter printing. I'll try to photograph the results and with Ed's permission put it in the newsletter and QQ. ------------------------------------------------- Now, I've just finished eight, yes, eight weeks from hell, being on the road and/or on my feet teaching 8+ hrs a day. I now have 30 days to rest and relax. Guess what I'll be doing. You can look for me evenings around 7.040MHz after 8PM Central. I'll be reading my email daily and if you think the band is good enough to your area, send me message and let me know if you want to try to work the county of Denton in the state of Texas. I'm starting on DXCC 40CW QRP 2W from scratch and i've got 10 months to complete working 100+ countries. Cards to follow later. I'll also be on 20M during the day, if I'm not painting walls or doing the yard. The grass still grows in Texas until November. :-) I hope that we don't have anymore solar flares during the next 30 days and that the Ionosphere is doing well. 73 es hpe to wk u on the bands soon de k5fo/qrp dit dit CP-60 From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 2 10:14:38 1993 Return-Path: <@gilligan.tsoft.net:regor@tsoft.net> Date: Sat, 2 Oct 1993 07:08:34 -0700 From: Michael Furman Sender: Michael Furman Reply-To: Michael Furman Subject: Re: Charging gel cells/sealed lead acid To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: ke6ajd@bbs.arasmith.com, silent@spam.tsoft.net, kd6hwu@bbs.arasmith.com, km6wp@bbs.arasmith.com Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII These are some general guidelines for charging any sealed lead acid type batteries: The usual method for charging these batteries is constant voltage with a current limit. The maximum current that the battery should ever be able to draw is C/4 (C is the capacity of the battery in amp hours). Cheap surplus 12 volt power supplies can be modified for constant voltage/current limit. Most of the time they are set up for foldback. This may work, but not as well. The battery determines its own current levels as it charges (don't let it exceed c/4 or it will vent hydrogen gas as the electrolyte boils away inside) When a battery is charged the current will be very low (c/100 or c/1000 depending on the charging rate) For this type of charging you need to have a well regulated power supply. There are 2 charging rates: cyclic and float. A typical cyclic charging voltage is in the neighborhood of about 2.45 volts per cell (7.35 volts for a 6 volt battery and 14.7 volts for a 12 volt) When the battery is charged the current will drop to C/100. At this charging rate, you should not leave the battery unattended. When the current gets to the lowest level, you need to remove it from the charger otherwise you may cook out the battery! After a cyclic charge you can then put the battery on a float charge for a few days to top the charge off. Float charging: Batteries can stay on a float or standby charging rate for years without loss of capacity. The current limits are the same, but the voltage level is lower, 2.25-2.30 volts per cell. I use 13.65 v float level for all my 12v sla batteries. The batteries can be left on the charger at this rate indefinately! If you want an emergency battery supply use this rate. When the battery is fully charged, the current will be C/1000. Some notes on shelf life and sulfation... if you charge your battery and then take it off the charger and set it on the shelf, you need to make sure to charge it again about every month on float for a few days. If you let it sit and sit forever, it may become sulfated and won't accept a charge. Another note, if you use the battery for some time, you need to be sure not to overly discharge it. these batteries are not like NiCd batteries where you use them till they stop. Don't go lower than 12v or even 11v unless you need to! If you want to charge it, you do not need to (and should not!) fully discharge the battery. I hope this is enough information to answer the question about using a car battery charger for charging sealed lead acid/gell cell batteries.. it depends on the capacity of the battery and the current limit of the charger. For small batteries it may be better to use a small powersupply! This information is from personal experience and also from the informational pamphlet put out by PowerSonic. =========================================================================== | KD6OCZ/R | Michael Furman, KD6OCS | Soon to be... | / \ __ The rising star | InterNet: regor@tsoft.net / \/ \ of South Bay Area | Packet: KD6OCS@N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA \ \ Repeaters! | ========================================================================== From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 2 11:40:48 1993 Return-Path: <@gilligan.tsoft.net:regor@tsoft.net> Date: Sat, 2 Oct 1993 08:36:17 -0700 From: Michael Furman Subject: followup on sealed lead acid batteries To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII One last note about sla batteries... the C/4 charging rate is the ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM CURRENT FOR CHARGING THE BATTERIES!!! You should probably use a C/5 level or something like that just to be safe! Don't you hate it when you forget something important! --Mike =========================================================================== | KD6OCZ/R | Michael Furman, KD6OCS | Soon to be... | / \ __ The rising star | InterNet: regor@tsoft.net / \/ \ of South Bay Area | Packet: KD6OCS@N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA \ \ Repeaters! | ========================================================================== From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 2 13:54:19 1993 Return-Path: id AA16093; Sat, 2 Oct 93 10:53:57 PDT Date: Sat, 2 Oct 93 10:53:57 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310021753.AA16093@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Fenderwashers Revisited I have to second Chuck Adam's evaluation of the fender washer dial that was posted by Ed Pacyna. I went to the local mom and pop hardware store and bought five 3/8" x 1 1/2" fender washers for 90 cents. That works out to 18 cents each, so Chuck got a better deal. I then went to an electric motor repair shop and bought 3/8" grommets with a 1/4" hole for a nickel each. My dials cost me 23 cents each, but they are not painted yet. That comes tomorrow. Ed you are right. The fender washer method is much easier, and is a whole lot cheaper than the plastic dials. The grommets are less than 1/4" thick Chuck, so they should fit your dial with no problem. Have a good week and make a resolution to contribute something to qrp@think.com. CUL, 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 2 19:56:44 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for qrp@think.com); Sat, 2 Oct 1993 18:56:26 -0500 Date: Sat, 2 Oct 1993 18:56:26 -0500 From: Arnett Message-Id: <199310022356.AA12037@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: qrp swr meter pcb I'm ready to string a long wire (aka crooked 40m vericle :-) , but I still need to put together a tuner and swr meter. I decided to try out the qrp swr meter from the 2nd ed. of Solid State Design and see how it works. Sinc. Since I am also experimenting with homemade PCB's I laid out a board for the circuit with Protel's demo software Easytrax. After I get this together and check it out, if it's decent, I could contribute the pattern to the archive in postscript. Which reminds me, I haven't checked the archive in a while... 73 de kb9fko@uiuc.edu just trying to get a couple watts out of a subterranean apartment... From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 11:40:42 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA22912; Mon, 4 Oct 93 08:40:32 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07739; Mon, 4 Oct 93 10:40:25 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04752; Mon, 4 Oct 93 10:40:24 -0500 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 10:40:24 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310041540.AA04752@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: CMOS II Keyer Gang, i went back through the qrp-archives. noted that on aug 9 i posted receiving card from R&R about two week delay in getting CMOS II keyer kit. i still have not received same. i could not find any posting of the address, so that i could write back to see status. anyone have the address and/or call? i think that it was posted here, but not sure. i'm in process of clearing out my office of clutter. found that i have not cashed any checks for the schematics. stupid of me. so i'll be sending mail to each to inquire if checks are still good. :-) any help appreciated. 73 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 11:47:53 1993 Return-Path: id AA20811 for qrp@think.com; Mon, 4 Oct 93 11:47:32 -0400 id AA316650 ; Mon, 04 Oct 93 10:18:29 EST Date: Mon, 04 Oct 93 15:20:18 GMT Message-Id: <17259@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: QRP At Connecticut State Convention I've been drafted to talk about QRP this Sunday in Durham, CT, from 10-11 AM. This gives me time to hit the flea market, at least. I'd be glad to see any QRPers who can make it. Help me spread the Word. 72, Jim, KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 12:58:43 1993 Return-Path: id AA22815; Mon, 4 Oct 93 12:58:36 -0400 id AA27379; Mon, 4 Oct 93 12:54:44 -0400 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 12:54:43 -0400 Message-Id: <9310041654.AA27379@esds01.es.dupont.com> From: grib@esvax.dnet.dupont.com (JOSEPH M. GRIB, JR) To: "qrp@think.com"@ESDS01.dnet.dupont.com Cc: GRIB@esds01.es.dupont.com Subject: QRP gear for sale Hello, I have a Heathkit HW-8 with Heath power supply in good condition with manuals for $125. The unit is unmodified and works well. I have a MFJ 40 meter QRP transmitter with VFO for sale. I only have the schematic of the transmitter though, but both units are available for $50. The rig puts out about 1-2 watts on 40 meters only, and can be operated either by using FT-243 crystals (2 slots for internal and 1 for external) or the VFO. I have a Kamtronics Rockhound xtal controled transmitter for 40 meters with 1 crystal (7.125 MHz) and "manual" for $20. Please call (302) 834-8685 after 6:00 pm eastern if you're interested in any of these items. Prices are plus shipping. Thanks, Joe KI3B From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 13:11:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA16239; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:11:37 -0400 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:11:37 -0400 From: jrj@mbunix.mitre.org (James R. Johns) Message-Id: <9310041711.AA16239@mbunix.mitre.org> Posted-From: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ARK 40 QRP Rig I thought the QRP group might be interested in my opinions on the ARK 40 QRP rig from S&S Engineering. While I bought the kit at the 1993 Dayton Hamvention, business and personal activities made it impossible to finish the rig as fast as I would have liked to. I fully agree with the review in the latest issue of 73 magazine. The rig consists of very high quality components, a great assembly manual and the little rig works great! While not a kit for a beginner, anyone who has put a few kits together and who takes their time will have no problems with this kit. I tend to be extra careful when assembling a kit and check out all the components on a bridge before soldering them into the kit. For that reason the problem pointed out in the 73 piece about the brown vs violet resistor markings wasn't really a problem for me. The rig tunes up easily and I was able to work from Boston to Philly using my 20 Meter dipole (attic mounted) and an ATU. (Remember this is a 40 Meter Xcvr into a 20 Meter dipole at 7 PM local time) The rig keys cleanly and the waveform looks good on a scope. Now when the NEN meets on Saturday morning I'll know exactly where 7.040 is :-) If anyone has any questions about the kit I'd be happy to provide any info I can. 73 & 72 Jim Johns KA0IQT jrjohns@mitre.org Note: I have no association with S&S Engineering other than as a satisfied customer. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 14:28:34 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA24933; Mon, 4 Oct 93 11:28:24 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08958; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:28:18 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05194; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:28:16 -0500 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:28:16 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310041828.AA05194@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: R&R Gang, since a number of you have ordered and have not gotten anything back, i thought i'd post the particulars and see what we as a group can do. R&R Associates Richard Rathburn KB6NQ 3106 Glendon Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90034 (310) 474-1315 is the number i get from information. no answer, yet. i'll drop him a card and a will try to reach him by phone to get status report. thanks to those who responded to the earlier post. 73 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 14:33:21 1993 Return-Path: <01H3PSOI2AR4C00RCC@tntech.edu>; Mon, 4 Oct 1993 13:34:40 CDT Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1993 13:34:40 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: S&S eng. To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H3PSOI3WMQC00RCC@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT All, I am still stuck on the first board of my ARK 40. Taking my time. I want this one to be perfect the first time. The board is the best I have ever soldered, and a lot of time went into planning out the kit. I just finished their Digital freq. counter: *Please this part can not be reprinted unless you have authorization from QST: The kit with 4 1/2 digits only costs $49.95. A 4 digit add on Kit is $16.95. The frequency counter S&S Engineering offers a nice guarantee for their kits. If you build it and it doesn't work they will fix it. If the fault has anything to do with the kit they will fix it for free. If you messed it up they will fix it for less than $25.00. They try to have a 24 hour turnaround time on repairs. The kit does not come with an enclosure but sits up on four standoffs. You don't really need and enclosure, but if you want one you can detach the part of the board that has the display and have it as a remote. This will require sawing the board and then just wiring the two boards. This is also a fairly easy task. The other positive part about the detachability of the counter is that not only is this an excellent tool for alignment purposes, but the counter can be used on QRP, or older rigs as a digital display. The kit is absolutely top rate. The parts were all very good quality and the printed circuit board is the finest I have ever seen. It is clearly silk screened and is plated through and double sided. A lot of time went into designing the board so that it is easy to find where the parts go on the board. I loved soldering on the board and it looked great when it was finished. Parts are packaged seperately so it takes a minimal amount of time preparing to build the kit. I found that all the work that went into the preperation made the kit a lot more fun to build. The counter works great. I have the 8 digit model and have tested it against factory assembled versions and found it to be very accurate. I mounted some test leeds on it with alligator clips. I found that when I grounded one lead to the chassis and layed the other lead across the back of the antenna connection and transmited, the counter accurately read the frequency. If you take the positive lead and bring it near an oscillator circuit, it will read the frequency. This is a very handy tool and lookspretty impressive out of the case next to my equipment. another happy customer (they need to put out some more inexpensive kits) 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 14:56:51 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA29483; Mon, 4 Oct 93 11:56:39 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA09120; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:56:35 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05281; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:56:34 -0500 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:56:34 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310041856.AA05281@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NN1G 40Meters on 10/2/93, early in the a.m. (that's saturday), i started my quest for distances on 40 meter with 0.95W out. qsos in order with QTH worked were: 1. Dorchester, NJ 2. Spokane, WA 3. Omaha, NE 4. Angleton, TX (south of Houston) 5. Lenexa, KS 6. Browing, IL 7. Salado, TX so, the first two were over 1,000 miles/watt. the rig works good. monday nite will try with the NorCal 40 and see how it does. the NN1G receiver on 40 works very well. couple of things that i think it needs. AGC and RIT. i worked some of the qsos with tone under 200 cycles and that unto itself is a feat that i don't recommend to anyone. :-) i didn't want to touch the dial for fear of starting a walk down the band during the qso everytime we switched sides. above qsos started at 1104Z. i called CQ for the first three qsos and the last three. so the rig was getting out. RST reports from 459 to 589. see you on the air, de k5fo/qrp dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 15:36:27 1993 Return-Path: id AA09465; Mon, 4 Oct 93 09:36:18 HST id AA18404; Mon, 4 Oct 93 09:36:02 HST Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 9:36:00 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: QRP freqs. Message-Id: I have a 1985 list of QRP operating frequencies - are these still current? CW SSB NOVICE 1810 ? 0 3560 3985 3710 7040 7285 7110 10,106 0 0 14060 14,285 0 21,060 21,385 0 24,900 24,950 0 [tentative in '85] 28,060 28,885 28,110 50,060 50,885 0 Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 15:57:23 1993 Return-Path: id AA04159; Mon, 4 Oct 93 15:57:17 -0400 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 15:57:17 -0400 From: jrj@mbunix.mitre.org (James R. Johns) Message-Id: <9310041957.AA04159@mbunix.mitre.org> Posted-From: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA To: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) Subject: Re: ARK 40 Cc: qrp@Think.COM It shouldn't be too hard to rig up a rotary encoder that provides a suitable input to the 4059. S&S was nice enough to use a ribbon cable with a dip header between the thumbwheel PCB and the synthesizer so connecting the external inputs would be easy. If you develop something you should drop a note to S&S. I talked to them on the phone today and they are looking at new product ideas for future products. I don't have a problem with the thumbwheels but I can see how those used to a rotary dial for tuning could find the switches hard to use. Of course the issue of frequency display must be considered when going to a rotary dial system. I'll have to give it some additional thought. 73 & 72 Jim Johns KA0IQT jrjohns@mitre.org Insert usual disclaimer here . From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 17:46:15 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.930929095149.448; 29 Sep 93 09:52:08 +600 Message-Id: To: qrp@Think.COM >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 29 Sep 93 09:51:45 CDT Subject: Charging Gel Cells? Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 691 Can I charge gel cells with the auto battery charger I have sitting out in the garage? If so, is that just adequate or would another type of charging circuit be far better? Thanks and 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 17:51:50 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.930930085245.480; 30 Sep 93 08:52:29 +600 Message-Id: To: qrp@Think.COM >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 30 Sep 93 08:52:20 CDT Subject: Charging Gel Cells? Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 796 Sorry if this is a repeat but don't think it went first time. ------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- Can I charge gel cells with the auto battery charger I have sitting out in the garage? If so, is that just adequate or would another type of charging circuit be far better? Thanks and 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 18:37:49 1993 Return-Path: id AA18017; Mon, 4 Oct 93 15:37:28 PDT Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 15:37:28 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310042237.AA18017@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal QRP Meeting Wow, what a great weekend. This was the Sunday for the monthly meeting of the Northern California QRP Club. We meet on the first Sunday of the month at the California Burger Restaurant located in the the shopping center just off the Santa Rita Road exit on 580 just north of Livermore, from 11 to 1. Today's meeting was attended by about 25 or 30 qrpers, and it was a lot of fun. Stan Cooper brought his new TenTec Scout for all of us to drool over. I am really impressed with that rig. Everyone checked it out, and it was a hit. Dave, WA6BOY, brought a homebrew rig that he just built. It is an 80 meter transceiver. No big deal? Well this one was in a 35 mm film canister!! Dave has written an article and it will be published in the next issue of QRPp. You want to look for that one. There was a model of the 40 meter coiled longwire that was in September 73. I am sorry but I don't have the name of the gentleman that brought it. His first name was Terry. He is writing an article on how he built the antenna, and made it into a knock down unit for storage. That should also be in the December issue of QRPp. Wayne, N6KR had his bread boarded ssb receiver on 20 meters. It sounds great. With a little encouragement, I think Wayne just might go ahead and develop it into a transceiver. I have been urging him in that direction. Anyone else want to build a 20 meter ssb qrp rig? Send Wayne a message at wayne@interval.com if you are interested in such a rig. The rig uses varactor tuning, a ten turn pot, and covers the entire ssb portion of the 20 meter band. Hmn, I sure am interested. And last but not least, we were honored to have the "original" NN1G rig that Dave Benson built. It was featured in the last issue of QRPp and Chuck Adams has been posting several articles on it here on the net. Dave did a really neat job of mounting his in a case that is 4" wide x 4" deep x 2" high. How did he do that you ask? He mounted the two boards on edge and back to back. Nifty job and a great looking dial. He made a dial with a piece of plastic cut into a wedge shape. The scale is on white paper that has been laser printed with a half circle, and numbers. It is mounted behind a piece of clear acrylic, 1/16" thick, held on by 4 screws, about 1" x 2". For those of you who are waiting on the NorCal 40, here is the latest update. There are 27 kits left. We have all of the parts in Jim Cates hands except for the circuit boards. Fred Reimer of Far Circuits has promised delivery within a few days. As soon as Jim gets the boards, he will start mailing out kits. We should hit the Oct. 15th target date. Wayne, N6KR, and I delivered our parts to Jim today. I don't know if you have ever seen the parts for 100 kits, but that is a lot of parts. I saw 310 NE602's in one place today, most that I have ever seen. Anyone know of a cheap source for those? If you do, send me E-mail. After the meeting, Wayne and I drove over to Sunnyvale and had a great visit with Jim Fitton, W1FMR, who had just flown in from New England. Jim is the coordinator of the New England group, and was a great help in starting the Northern California Club. The NE group has 207 members, while the Northern California Club has 136 members and 104 subscribers to QRPp. We spent the afternoon talking about all sorts of QRP things. Jim and I ran several ideas by each other, and we had a good time. Of course, as soon as we arrived, we had to watch Jim do one of his famous Antenna launchings from his hotel window. He put a long wire really high up into the trees right outside his hotel. Jim is a master at hotel operating. He had a neat QRP tuner and SWR meter that he had built. His rigs were, the "original" NN1G, and the "original" NorCal 40, both on loan from Dave Benson and Wayne Burdick. So you can see I had a neat day. This is what QRP is all about, meeting your friends and making new ones. If you are interested in joining the Northern California QRP club, send me E-mail at dh@csustan.edu or packet mail KI6DS @ K6RAU.#CENCA.CA.USA.NA. 72, and cul. Doug KI6DS From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 18:55:09 1993 Return-Path: id AA08981; Mon, 4 Oct 93 12:54:51 HST id AA02089; Mon, 4 Oct 93 12:54:48 HST Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 12:54:46 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: QRP freqs (oops!) Message-Id: Sorry folks; I just ran across the QRP calling frequencies that Chuck posted a while back so I've answered my own question posed this morning. My list is a proper subset of Chuck's... (actually Kevin Purcell N7WIM had posted Chuck's and added some more). Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 18:55:11 1993 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0ojyo5-000MONC; Mon, 4 Oct 93 15:55 PDT (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0ojytI-00011vC; Mon, 4 Oct 93 16:00 PDT Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 16:00:28 PST From: Michael D Wyman Message-Id: <931004160028_9@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Charging Gel Cells . . . I have experienced in the past that over charging Gel Cells can be fatal to the life of the cell. If the battery charger that you are using is a Trickle Charger and will limit the current then it will work ok. It is best however to use a charger that provides a constant charge at about 1/10th the rating of the battery. From experience I wiped out 3 Delco Voyager Deep cycle batteries because the Solar cell I was using was providing to much current and boiling the battery away! The other solution to the charge problem is to go back to the old reliable wet cell (Sulfuric Acid and Distilled water). Hope that helps . . . de Mike WB1CWD From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 19:03:12 1993 Return-Path: id AA10210; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:03:06 HST id AA02652; Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:03:05 HST Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 13:03:05 HST From: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu Message-Id: <9310042303.AA02652@> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: to Jeff Jones (re: QRP freqs) Jeff, You are entirely correct; there are no QRP `operating' frequencies - we can operate QRP anywhere (within our grade of license); I should have said QRP `calling' frequencies (so we can work our own species). My error! Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 19:47:44 1993 Return-Path: id AA11804 for qrp@think.com; Mon, 4 Oct 93 19:47:30 -0400 id AA318530 ; Mon, 04 Oct 93 16:00:36 EST Date: Mon, 04 Oct 93 20:55:34 GMT Message-Id: <17317@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM, boatanchors@gnu.ai.mit.edu Subject: Active Filters Why build discrete-component active filters? Toko America sells hybrids for about $10-13. Low pass, 3 kHz cutoff Bandpass 300-3000 Hz See DigiKey catalog for info. That low-pass filter looks like just the thing for my GRC-109. 73, Jim KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 20:45:12 1993 Return-Path: sendmail 5.67/UCSD-2.2-sun via SMTP Mon, 4 Oct 93 17:45:08 -0700 for qrp@think.com by weber.ucsd.edu (8.6.beta.12/UCSDGENERIC.4c) on ttyv1 id RAA11821 to qrp@think.com; Mon, 4 Oct 1993 17:45:07 -0700 Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1993 17:45:07 -0700 From: jgervais@weber.ucsd.edu (Joe Gervais ) Message-Id: <199310050045.RAA11821@weber.ucsd.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: MFJ 9020 Mods (and please add me to the mailing list) First, please add me to the QRP mailing list. Thanks. I'm buying a used MFJ 9020 and was wondering if someone could direct me to a faq of mods, i.e. softer keying signal, better audio, etc. Also, any recommendations for powering these critters? 12VDC/1A, I believe. For home use I've been looking for something to plug into good ol' AC, but all I have is a 12VDC/300mA transformer. Guess that would get me 1-2 watts out, but on occasion it would be nice to have the full 4-5 watts available to break those pileups. :) For remote use (great hill with ocean view behind my home) I've looked at some 3-6 Amp-hour gel cells, but haven't decided on any brands. Suggestions? Thanks tremendously for your help. 73 and 72! Joe jgervais@ucsd.edu KD6PRD/AG From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 4 22:14:10 1993 Return-Path: id AA28179; Mon, 4 Oct 93 18:57:51 PDT id AA00593; Mon, 4 Oct 1993 19:00:01 -0700 V4.2-12 #4050) id <01H3Q4AB2XWGMXBQN5@gvg47.gvg.tek.com>; Mon, 4 Oct 1993 19:00:17 PDT Date: Mon, 04 Oct 1993 19:00:48 -0800 From: cleveland@gvg47.gvg.tek.com (Grover Cleveland) Subject: Re: MFJ 9020 Mods (and please add me to the mailing list) To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H3Q4ABEGN6MXBQN5@gvg47.gvg.tek.com> X-Envelope-To: qrp@think.com Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT >First, please add me to the QRP mailing list. Thanks. > >I'm buying a used MFJ 9020 and was wondering if someone >could direct me to a faq of mods, i.e. softer keying >signal, better audio, etc. > > >Joe >jgervais@ucsd.edu >KD6PRD/AG Check the latest issue of 73 - it has exactly what you are looking for. Grover, WT6P *************************************************************************** * P. Grover Cleveland Internet: groverc@gold.gvg.tek.com * * Instructional Designer Compuserve: 71213,2741 * * The Grass Valley Group Inc. Amateur Radio: WT6P@WA6NWE * * 400 Providence Mine Rd. phone: 916-478-3153 * * Nevada City, CA 95959 _ _ ... ... _ _ fax: 916-478-3850 * * U.S.A DoD7388 * *************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 00:37:59 1993 Return-Path: id AA18770; Mon, 4 Oct 93 21:37:39 PDT Date: Mon, 4 Oct 93 21:37:39 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310050437.AA18770@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal QRP club Several of youhave sent messages inquiring about joining the NorCal QRP Club. Membership is open to all. Benefits are a membership number, monthly meetings, and the opportunity to get to know other qrp enthusiasts. We have done 1 club project, a 40 meter QRP transceiver kit called the NorCal 40 that we sold (sell) for $79 postage paid, and are planning more in the future. We are also in the process of starting an awards program. Membership is free. But, if you want to get the 40 page journal, (more or less) it will cost you $5. Subscriptions to the QRPp journal should be sent to Doug Hendricks 862 Frank, Dos Palos CA 93620. Order the kit from Jim Cates, 3241 Eastwood Road, Sacramento, CA 95821. Hope that helps. Cul, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 08:31:27 1993 Return-Path: id AA19960; Tue, 5 Oct 93 08:31:23 -0400 Date: Tue, 5 Oct 93 08:31:23 -0400 From: jrj@mbunix.mitre.org (James R. Johns) Message-Id: <9310051231.AA19960@mbunix.mitre.org> Posted-From: The MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA To: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: ARK 40 QRP Rig Cc: qrp@Think.COM I haven't had a problem with the thumbwheel switches and tuning the ARK 40. As I indicated on an earlier post, it probably wouldn't be too hard to come up with an optical encoder to replace the RIT control and slip a display in place of the thumbwheels and convert the rig to a more conventional method of tuning. Or I suppose one could control the tuning from a computer and have all kinds of fancy scanning and memory for operation. Once you get used to switching the ARK 40's thumbwheels when you need to carry or decrement a higher switch position, tuning hasn't been a problem. One thing I forgot to mention in the review of the rig is the large prototyping area that is left available on the transceiver PCB. Lots of room for add on or modification hardware. 73 & 72 Jim Johns KA0IQT jrjohns@mitre.org The opinions expressed are mine and not my employer's. From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 09:31:19 1993 Return-Path: id AA05464 for qrp@think.com; Tue, 5 Oct 93 09:30:56 -0400 id AA319251 ; Tue, 05 Oct 93 08:13:57 EST Date: Tue, 05 Oct 93 13:17:51 GMT Message-Id: <17372@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: boatanchors@gnu.ai.mit.edu, QRP@Think.COM Subject: Let's deep six this guy 'til he gets back! >From georges@yang.earlham.edu Tue Oct 05 01:45:17 1993 id AA17345 ; Tue, 05 Oct 93 01:45:10 GMT >From POP3@uu2.psi.com. Mon Oct 04 20:26:29 1993 id AA22971 for poparrl; Mon, 4 Oct 93 21:36:29 -0400 <01H3Q7M1OSGG002411@YANG.EARLHAM.EDU>; Mon, 4 Oct 1993 20:36 EST Date: Mon, 4 Oct 1993 20:36 EST From: GEORGES@YANG.EARLHAM.EDU Subject: Away till January To: jkearman@ARRL.ORG Message-Id: <01H3Q7M1OSGG002411@YANG.EARLHAM.EDU> X-Vms-To: IN%"jkearman@ARRL.ORG" Currently I am not at Earlham and am unable to receive your email at my usual address: georges@yin.earlham.edu I am in Japan where I'm directing one of Earlham's off-campus study programs in the city of Morioka in Iwate prefecture. I will be in Morioka until December 1st and will be returning to the U.S. shortly before Christmas. I'll be back in Richmond, Indiana and reachable at the above address by the 1st of January, 1994. During my absence, Ed Delaney is acting director of Earlham Computing Services. His email address is: EdwardD@yin.earlham.edu If you need to contact me in Japan about pressing matters which Ed can't handle, please send email to: earlham2@twics.co.jp Please note that I make no guarantees about the rapidity or reliability of email messages sent to this address. It is experimental. --George Silver, Director Earlham Computing Services June 26, 1993 From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 11:11:09 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Tue, 5 Oct 1993 10:10:54 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Tue, 5 Oct 1993 10:10:45 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Tue, 5 Oct 1993 06:10:00 -0500 Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1993 11:10:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.963:05.09.93.15.10.45] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: NORCAL 40 ? From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"964 Tue Oct 5 10:10:48 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NORCAL 40 ? Is the schematic or detailed description of the NORCAL 40 kit availble somewhere for downloading? 73 - Dave, N4ELM. ==================================================================== Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst Northern Telecom RTP, NC. ph.(919) 992-3925 email: cmwdr01@nt.com qrl? de N4ELM/qrp All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, co-workers or any other person, real or imaginary. From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 11:34:22 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310051534.AA11348@interval.interval.com> Date: Tue, 5 Oct 1993 08:39:46 -0800 To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: NorCal #2 Status Cc: qrp@Think.COM Chuck, Thanks for the NorCal 40 comments. A bit of feedback: >1. you didn't tell me (or i forgot) the plugs for keyer and phone >were stereo!! Yeah, I figured most folks would use Walkman-type headphones. The key plug can be mono, but it allows a stereo plug in case you build in a keyer someday. >2. #2 only covers about 35KHz, but not problem. 35 to 40 Khz coverage is about all I wanted to push that VFO pot. I'm going to put a 10-turn pot into mine (if I ever get it back from Jim Fitton!) and increase the range to 150KHz, which requires one capacitor change. >the receiver is ... much quiter than the NN1G. This is because there is no I.F. amp in the NorCal 40. The NN1G has more sensitivity. Actually, the NN1G could be made much quieter with a 1-crystal filter following the MC1350. >hope there are some left. I think we've sold 72 of them so far. Anyone who wants one should call me at (415) 592-2700 to see if we have any left before sending Jim Cates their check. >i notice a slight thumping during QSO's, but not too bad. If you mean thumps when you key the rig, that's due to the rapid discharge of the gate capacitor on the AGC/Mute transistors. It should be very minor, unless you have headphones with spectacular low-frequency response. If you mean thumps during receive of loud signals, that's because the NorCal 40 uses AF-derived AGC. Some thump is unavoidable. >looking forward to the SSB rig. I'm in progress on that one. It will be a 20 meter, SSB/CW rig, and I'm going to try real hard to make it the size of a small 2M mobile radio. (In fact, I'm going to try to make it small enough to be handheld if I can. Anyone know of a good BNC-terminated 20M whip? I'm also looking for cheap 9- or 10-MHz SSB filters.) Thanks again. I'm sure Doug will be happy to get his NC40 back! Wayne N6KR Wayne Burdick Interval Research Corp. wayne@interval.com 1801-C Page Mill Road (415) 354-0928 Palo Alto, CA 94304 From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 16:03:27 1993 Return-Path: <@batdd6.pica.army.mil:klaudon@batdd6> 5 Oct 93 16:00 EDT id AA22148; Tue, 5 Oct 93 15:59:08 EDT Date: Tue, 5 Oct 93 15:59:08 EDT From: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Message-Id: <9310051959.AA22148@batdd6.batdd1.pica.army.mil> To: jgervais@ucsd.edu Subject: gelcells for MFJ xcvr Cc: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL, qrp@Think.COM Joe: Glad to hear that you're getting this rig! I enjoy mine (30m version) and want to get something for 20m. I responded to your inquiry a while back about this rig, and how to power it. I had suggested a 1.3 ah gel cell. However, after I wrote this to you, I started to pay attention to what others were doing who were already using gel cells (I am not, at present) and I started to see that they were talking about using larger ones, like 4 ah or thereabouts. I have heard Jeff Gold AC4?? on this group mention his 4 ah cell setup. Sorry, Jeff, I can't remember your call as I am typing this! I believe that I heard, or read, somewhere, that one should only use a lead-acid (gel or wet) cell for use at approx. C/4. I had suggested to you the 1.3 ah model because the MFJ draws approx 1 amp on transmit. Since this is fairly intermittent, I had thought that 1.3 would do, especially from a portability standpoint. These smallest of gel cells are really compact, light, and inexpensive! Much more so than 4 ah ones. But the C/4 rule would put the number at Jeff's 4ah rating, or the 3-6 ah rating you have arrived at (by consensus, I assume?) For the net members out there: Anyone care to comment on how to SELECT the required ah rating for a gel cell application, taking into account tx/rcv duty cycle for CW, and their respective current requirements? What does C mean, when expressed in the "20 hour rate", in ah units? Perhaps this has been hashed over before, but I wouldn't mind hearing about it again w/r to gel cells. Joe, if you select your gel cell correctly, perhaps that 300ma xformer should be used instead as the front end of a charger for your gel cell. That way, you could operate from DC all the time, and recharge the gel cell when necessary. I personally like the idea of operation from a pure clean DC source, even when at home. If you are only on the air for "while" each day, the rest of your time spent in non-ham activities, then you should have plenty of time to recharge the cell. BTW, as far as mods go, I know that MFJ has done mods for the audio and QSK relay in the new rigs they are shipping. But I just use cans and I seem to have sufficient volume. The relay dosen't bother me but then I haven't yet tried cranking down the "vox delay" to something that resembles a reasonably fast "semi" break-in. 72, Kalman WD6CZI From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 5 17:53:32 1993 Return-Path: id AA00759; Tue, 5 Oct 93 11:53:22 HST id AA16338; Tue, 5 Oct 93 11:53:21 HST Date: Tue, 5 Oct 93 11:53:19 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: qrp calling freqs (again) Message-Id: I've had several folks ask me about Chuck's/Kevin's complete list of QRP calling frequencies, so here they come (recall my list was an incomplete subset of their's...): CW SSB NOTES 1810 1910 1843 Europe 3560 3985 3710 US novice 3579.5 Colorbusters (oops, I meant colorbursters...) 7040 7285 7030-7060 Europe 7110 US novice 10106 14060 14285 18080 18130 21060 21385 21110 US novice 24910 24950 28060 28885 28110 28385 US novice 28360 Suggested in SPRAT In mHz: 50.060 50.885 This may be 50.300 now because of R/C airplanes 50.125 50.125 National calling frequency - everyone listens here 144.060 144.285 144.2 144.2 National calling frequency - everyone listens here Originally composed by our world famous QRP spokesman Chuck Adams, K5FO, and Kevin Purcell, N7WIM/G8UDP (I hope I have that right, Kevin; it actually says here G*UDP [sticky shift key...]) Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 07:56:47 1993 Return-Path: id AA16918; Wed, 6 Oct 93 07:58:53 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Wed, 6 Oct 1993 07:56:22 -0400 Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 07:56:22 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310061156.AA05347@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Circuit Board Building Session Well last evening our local club (BARK) sponsored a circuit board building event, right here in Brockport, N.Y. Last evening we cut circuit boards to size, prepared them for ironing on artwork, ironed on artwork, and placed these boards in a bleach solution overnight. Tonight we will remove the excess pulp from the boards, touch up as necessary, and etch them. If time allows, we may even drill a few. The current boards that we are making are basically the spider transceiver, and the neophyte receiver. Other projects are planned already, and mostly include boards that are already laid out. We have looked at building the NN1G , and or the Nor Cal 40, but don't have artwork for them. It's a lot of fun, and I would encourage local groups to try something similar. 72 all Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 08:35:57 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c+/IDA-1.4.4); Wed, 6 Oct 1993 08:35:52 -0400 From: Scott Wood Message-Id: <199310061235.AA01869@vela.acs.oakland.edu> Subject: Info wanted on Pico(?) To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 08:35:52 -0400 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 378 My brother was telling me today about some rig called a "pico" that is a handheld QRP all band. If anyone knows any more about this rig, I would appreciate some more information. swood -- If you receive this signature, please return it to it's rightful owner: swood@vela.acs.oakland.edu swood@argo.acs.oakland.edu swood@unix.secs.oakland.edu swood@terminator.cc.umich.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 09:04:29 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA14887; Wed, 6 Oct 93 06:04:21 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA15320; Wed, 6 Oct 93 08:04:18 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07706; Wed, 6 Oct 93 08:04:15 -0500 Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 08:04:15 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310061304.AA07706@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Tale of Whoa Gang, it's a sad sad tale i'm about to tell you. parental descretion is recommended for this post. after 20+ years of faithful service and the building of many many kits my American Beauty soldering iron met its untimely demise. i started on the Boyd Electronics sweep generator. this kit is a beauty and i was doing a professional job on it (still am, but it's in limbo for a day or two). So i was piddling around the shack, well it's really a room where i have a large solid core door for a workbench and building area. was clearing it off and needed to fix a power plug for one of the rigs to connect to a 22 pound rechargeable set of cells from Gates Energy Products. i plugged in what i thought was the american beauty, but alas it was not. well this other iron was not in the soldering station. the rest is history. ok, i need your help and/or advice. the american beauty has on it the following: American Beauty A. L. H. Co. Detroit Catalog No. 2500 115V 33W this thing has the best tip of any iron i've ever owned. it's the original and it has a pyramid shaped tip and after all these years, not a bit of corrosion. i think it's iron and it's not gold plated. i guess i'm going to have to buy another iron. what are your recommendations and how long does a tip usually last on your model. i have another american beauty somewhere and if i can find it's cord (seems to have skipped the country on the last move - kinda like a teenager that doesn't want to leave his/her friends) then i'll be back in business. i attempted to fix the cord gang. but it's that Litz type wire that won't solder worth a darn. special plug into the iron, so i have no alternative plan. your help greatly appreciated. and i was being careful, just one mistake and poof! anybody in Detroit? is this company still around? i doubt it, but then again miracles do happen. 73 de k5fo :-( p.s. money is no object. always get the best. it saves money. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 09:11:23 1993 Return-Path: <@batdd6.pica.army.mil:klaudon@batdd6> 6 Oct 93 9:01 EDT id AA08239; Wed, 6 Oct 93 09:00:23 EDT Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 09:00:23 EDT From: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Message-Id: <9310061300.AA08239@batdd6.batdd1.pica.army.mil> To: jmg@tntech.edu Subject: QSL? Cc: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL, qrp@Think.COM Jeff: Tnx fer the qso last nite!!!!! I came back to you a 2nd time and began to chew the rag a bit, and then, when I turned it over, you were gone! You had a very FB solid signal into my QTH, which is far more than you could say for me, so I assumed that you had lost me and then either went QSY or QRT. I was so nervous and excited to finally qso with a fellow qrp@think.com listmember, that I could hardly send my call correctly. That accounted for my readability of 3, no doubt. But a strength of 1, wow, that's a weak signal! At least the tone was 9. But I do not yet have an outside antenna up yet at this qth - I just have 10 feet of wire going out the door, wrapped once around the outdoor light fixture, with the end tied to the downspout - and half of that is doubled back along the same wall as it comes along on the inside! I know, I know, it's not even an excuse for an antenna, but you are my 2nd qso with it - the first was to K4JBY in Atlanta. He also lost me quickly, tho. Wow, your sig was xclnt, tho! The keying sounded VERY sharp, just on the VERGE of a click on the leading edge. But I found that it actually improved the copy of your signal - it was like the slightly abrasive effect of a few db of speech processing for SSB. In conclusion, I want the net folks to know that Jeff's kitbuilt MFJ on 30m was one of the loudest signals I heard on the band last night (approx 2030 EDST). Good work. 72 es qsl? Kalman WD6CZI, Spring Valley, NY From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 10:35:44 1993 Return-Path: id AA27100; Wed, 6 Oct 93 10:35:35 -0400 id AA08293; Wed, 6 Oct 93 10:35:24 -0400 Organization: Iowa Computer Aided Engineering Network, University of Iowa Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 09:26:26 +2385300 (??) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: QRP gear for sale To: grib@esvax.dnet.dupont.com Cc: "qrp@think.com"@ESDS01.dnet.dupont.com, GRIB@esds01.es.dupont.com In-Reply-To: <9310041654.AA27379@esds01.es.dupont.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Is the HW-8 still available (and, since I know little about heathkit products...is it a tranceiver or transmit/receive only?) __ /| | Douglas J Renze, N0YVW | Charter Member, Popular Front \'o.O' | +1 319 337 4664 | for Revolutionary Darwinism: =(___)= | drenze@icaen.uiowa.edu | U | Douglas-Renze@uiowa.edu | Evolution Now! On Mon, 4 Oct 1993 grib@esvax.dnet.dupont.com wrote: > Hello, > > I have a Heathkit HW-8 with Heath power supply in good condition with > manuals for $125. The unit is unmodified and works well. > > I have a MFJ 40 meter QRP transmitter with VFO for sale. I only have the > schematic of the transmitter though, but both units are available for > $50. The rig puts out about 1-2 watts on 40 meters only, and can be > operated either by using FT-243 crystals (2 slots for internal and 1 for > external) or the VFO. > > I have a Kamtronics Rockhound xtal controled transmitter for 40 meters > with 1 crystal (7.125 MHz) and "manual" for $20. > > Please call (302) 834-8685 after 6:00 pm eastern if you're interested in > any of these items. Prices are plus shipping. > > Thanks, > > Joe KI3B > From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 11:25:08 1993 Return-Path: id AA01921; Wed, 6 Oct 93 11:24:58 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Wed, 6 Oct 1993 09:58:55 -0400 Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 09:58:55 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310061358.AA05518@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com Subject: Re: Tale of Whoa Well Chuck's Soldering iron bit the dust. Just between the rest of us guys, that may give us a chance to catch up with the OM. .. but probably not. Well my advice... I once bought a very nice weller soldering iron. It died 6 months later. I now use a $5.00 soldering iron with a variac for temp control... Sometimes when I get impatient for the thing to heat up I use my Gun! 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 14:22:26 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Wed, 6 Oct 1993 13:22:00 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Wed, 6 Oct 1993 13:21:51 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Wed, 6 Oct 1993 09:21:00 -0500 Date: Wed, 6 Oct 1993 14:21:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.529:06.09.93.18.21.51] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: TEN-TEC Scout... From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"7530 Wed Oct 6 13:21:53 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: TEN-TEC Scout Review (long) TEN-TEC 555 Scout review Basic Description The Scout is single conversion SSB/CW transceiver. Power output is 50 Watts (adjustable). Plug in modules allow coverage of all the amateur bands from 160 - 10 meters. Only one band module is installed at a time. The band modules are installed into a slot in the front of the radio and can be changed while the radio is on. The Scout features: 4 digit frequency display, Power/SWR meter, Permeability tuned oscillator (PTO), RIT, Jones crystal filter (variable from 5 Hz to 2.4 Khz), Full break keying on CW, 750 Hz CW sidetone, Curtis type B iambic keyer, and a Frequency Lock System. The Scout is 2.5" X 7.25" X 9.75" and weighs about 5 lbs. It requires 12-14 VDC; 600 ma receive, 10 A transmit @ 50 watts out, 4.5 A transmit @ 5 watts out. Included with the Scout are: one band module (your choice), Operator's manual, DC power cable with fuse, mike and paddle connectors, and an Allen wrench. The Operator's manual lists these optional accessories for the Scout: Band modules for 160 - 10 meters, Dummy load, 200 watt antenna tuner, Mobile mount, Noise blanker, Key paddle, Handheld mike, Desk mike, AC power Supply, Mike connector, DC adaptor, and DC connector. Review I purchased my Scout with the following options: Noise blanker and band modules for 80, 40 30, 20, and 17 meters. The 20 meter module was bad and was sent back for a replacement. The tuning rate is about 20 KHz per turn. The radio operates normal SSB and CW, no opposite sideband. There is no RF gain or RF attenuator control. The RIT is switchable and covers about +/- 1 KHz. The AGC time constant seems to favor the SSB signals. The Jones crystal filter seems to work well. The front panel IF BW control allows continuous adjustment from wide (2.4 KHz) to narrow (500 Hz). There is more than enough audio output. I run the volume about 1/4 turn open (9 o'clock). There is no attenuation on the headphone jack so the audio can get very loud, very quickly. The band modules are easy to change, just pull out the old one and push in the new one. From the factory, the transmitter puts out 50 watts. There is a power adjustment (accessible through the bottom cover) to set the ALC level. I set min for 4.5 watts out. The QSK seems smooth. The keyer works well. It defaults to 25 wpm and is reset when the power is turned on. A front panel switch lets you display the keyer speed and adjust it using the paddles, pressing the dit paddle increases and pressing the dah paddle decreases the speed. The transmit sidetone frequency is about 750 Hz and the sidetone level is adjustable (accessible through the bottom cover). I have gotten good audio reports on SSB. The manual says the mike can be 200 - 500,000 ohms impedance and there is a front panel mike gain control to set the level. The FWD/REV switch for the SWR/power bridge is on the back and the levels are set for a 50 watt signal. The Scout requires a 12-14 Vdc 10 Amp power source. On my Scout (@ 13.5 Vdc), RX current was 450 Ma, 4.5 watts TX @ 4.5 Amps, 50 watts TX @ about 10 Amps. This seems about normal for the newer rigs. The TEN-TEC Delta II and Kenwood TS-50S require about the same current for the same power output levels. Problem areas The first 20 meter module had a problem in the TX bandpass filter and was replaced. With the Jones filter in the narrow position, I had trouble tuning in weaker signals (S3 - S5) at the 750 Hz offset. The transmit offset is 750 Hz and sidetone oscillator is 750 Hz so I expected to be able to tune in a CW signal at Hz. The Jones filter seems to be peaking low, from my best measurements the filt seems to peak around 400 Hz and the -3db points are 76 Hz and 666 Hz. This gives a filter bandwidth of 590 Hz and 750 Hz is way down on the skirt. I returned the Scout for alignment, but after receiving it, TEN-TEC says that it meets their sp for the filter even though it obviously will not pass a 750 Hz tone. When I got Scout back, I found I could adjust the BFO frequency to get the 750 Hz tone though but that messed up the frequency response for a SSB signal when the filter was in the wide position. I re-set the BFO, padded the sidetone oscillato 600 HZ, and re-set the TX offset to 600 HZ. Now I can tune a CW signal at a 600 Hz tone, the TX offset is 600 Hz, and the sidetone is 600 Hz. There is no attenuation for the headphone jack. With phones on, the volume adjustment is touchy, it is easy to get too much volume. If the sidetone level is set for comfortable phone operation, it is too low for speaker use. If sidetone is set for speaker use, it is much too loud on the headphones. An attenuator pad could be built into the headphone plug but I use my headphones on several different rigs. I installed a 120 ohm resistor on the rear of the headphone jack, in series with the jack. That evened the audio out quite a bit, now one sidetone setting works for both phones and speaker. The manual does not provide very detailed technical information. The schematics are almost too small to read. There are pictures of the circuit board but no parts layout pictorials. There are no overall pictures of the rig showing circuit board mounting or front and rear panel layouts. There are no instruction for dis-assembling the radio. Conclusion The Scout seems to be a good basic SSB/CW HF rig. It is inexpensive for a new rig but still has some nice features. 50 watts is enough power to make lots of contacts and I've been having good success with mine set to 4.5 watts. The receiver seems to hear everything that my Paragon can. Generally, the Scout operates a lot like the Argosy 525D but at half the size. Even with the glitches I found on mine, I would recommend the Scout to a new ham looking for a starter rig or an experienced op looking for a second rig. Disclaimer: I am not employed or compensated by TEN-TEC, I am just a customer. 73 - Dave, N4ELM. ==================================================================== Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst Northern Telecom RTP, NC. ph.(919) 992-3925 email: cmwdr01@nt.com qrl? de N4ELM/qrp All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, co-workers or any other person, real or imaginary. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 15:38:31 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA16535; Wed, 6 Oct 93 12:38:24 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA16994; Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:37:44 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08625; Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:37:44 -0500 Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:37:44 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310061937.AA08625@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP ARCI Fall QSO Party Gang, here are the rules for the Fall QRP ARCI Contest. Please, no contest flame wars on this. This is provided for those who haven't seen the rules. Think they have been published in QST earlier in the year, but there was an error. There is no HB bonus points. Red, K5VOL, left them off and that is the way they stand at the present time. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Fall QRP ARCI CW QSO Party - Contest Rules Date/Time October 16, 1993-1200Z through October 17, 1993-2400Z Exchange - Member -> RST, State/Providence/Country, ARCI Number Non-Member -> RST, State/Providence/Country, Power Out QSO Points - Member = 5 points Non-Member, Different Continent = 4 points Non-Member, Same Continent = 2 points Multiplier - SPC (State/Providence/Country) Total All Bands. The same station may be worked on more than one band for QSO points and SPC credit. Team Competition - Teams consisting of 2 to 5 members will be a separate category apart from individual entries. Team members will be listed as individuals and the team score will be the total of the member's scores. Team entry will be all-band only. The team captain must send a list of members to the contest manager POSTMARKED at least ONE day prior to the QSO Party. Certificate awarded to the highest scoring team. All team members must operate in a QRP Category. Power Multiplier x10 - less than 1 watt out x 7 - 1-5 watts out x 1 - over 5 watts out Suggested Frequencies --- CW --- -- NOVICE -- 160M 1810 KHz 80M 3560 KHz 3710 KHz 40M 7040 KHz 7110 KHz 20M 14060 KHz 15M 21060 KHz 21110 KHz 10M 28060 KHz 28110 KHz 6M 50060 KHz Calling - CQ QRP CQ QRP CQ QRP DE K5VOL K5VOL QRP TEST K Score SCORE = POINTS * SPC * POWER MULT Entry may be an all-band, a single band, "HI-BAND" (20M, 15M, 10M, and 6M) or as a "LO-BAND" (160M, 80M, and 40M) in the QRP Category. QRO entries are considered as 'all-band'. All entries will compete against other entries in their own class of entry only. Certificates to the top 10 scores and to the top score in each single band, lo-band, and hi-band. Certificates for the top score in the 'QRO all-band' class. The contest manager reserves the right to recognize special significant entries with a certificate award. Entry includes a copy of the logs and a separate summary sheet. Include duplicate check sheets with entries of 100 QSO's or more. Indicate the total time-on-air, including time spent listening. All entries include a complete, legible, name, call, and address. All entries must be received within 30 days following the contest. Late entries will be counted as check logs. Members indicate their QRP ARCI Member Number on all logs. Members and non-members indicate their input or output power for each entry and band. The highest power level used will determine the power multiplier. Output power is considered as 1/2 of the input power. During the QSO party, a maximum of 24 hours may be operated within the 36 hour time period. Include a description of homebrew equipment, commercial equipment, and antennas used with each entry. A summary sheet and sample log sheets are available from the contest manager for an SASE with 1 unit of postage. Include a SASE with 1 unit of postage in the entry for a copy of the contest results. Results will be published in the next available issue of the QRP ARCI quarterly. Contest Manager: Cam Hartford N6GA 1959 Bridgeport Ave Claremont, CA 91711 --------------------------------------------------------------------- good luck in the contest es cu there de k5fo/qrp dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 16:00:08 1993 Return-Path: id AA15993; Wed, 6 Oct 93 09:59:25 HST id AA19820; Wed, 6 Oct 93 09:59:24 HST Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 9:59:23 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: soldering iron? Message-Id: Gee, all these years I've been using matches to melt solder. You folks are really high-tech to be using these new-fangled soldering irons. Next thing you know, someone will invent a radio that's already built... Hey, I'd bet that there are even people on here who use store-bought keys! I'm proud to say that my key is a paper clip and two thumbtacks. Jeff NH6IL (back in the good ol' days when we made our own components: WA6QIJ) From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 17:01:22 1993 Return-Path: id AA07544; Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:01:11 PDT id AA22151; Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:01:09 PDT Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:01:09 PDT From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein -- kd6laa) Message-Id: <9310062101.AA22151@harley.tti.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: soldering iron? +Gee, all these years I've been using matches to melt solder. You folks are +really high-tech to be using these new-fangled soldering irons. Matches?? How yuppie can you get? I rub two sticks together. +Hey, I'd bet that there are even people on here who use store-bought keys! +I'm proud to say that my key is a paper clip and two thumbtacks. Stores sell keys? What a concept! From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 17:20:54 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA04056; Wed, 6 Oct 93 14:20:49 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA17326; Wed, 6 Oct 93 16:20:47 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08992; Wed, 6 Oct 93 16:20:45 -0500 Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 16:20:45 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310062120.AA08992@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: DX anyone worked AA5DX at one of his exotic calls? how about Roy, KU7Y, on his little hunting dx-pedition? who is causing the pileups on the low end of 40? really attracting a crowd. i didn't stay around to filter out the hunters to find out who the hunted group was. inquiring minds wanna know, de k5fo/qrp dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 6 17:22:49 1993 Return-Path: id AA16324; Wed, 6 Oct 93 16:22:43 CDT id AA01298; 4.1/CRI-5.6; Wed, 6 Oct 93 16:22:40 CDT Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 16:22:40 CDT From: dadams@cherry.cray.com (David Adams) Message-Id: <9310062122.AA01298@cherry10.cray.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: soldering iron? +Gee, all these years I've been using matches to melt solder. You folks are +really high-tech to be using these new-fangled soldering irons. We can't use matches in the winter here in Minnesota--the flame gets frozen. We have to use a hammer to put them out. Otherwize who knows what might happen come spring when the things thaw out. ;^) --David C. Adams Statistician Cray Research Inc. dadams@cray.com Kilo Golf Zero India Oscar -(KG0IO)- From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 7 03:34:49 1993 Return-Path: id <19873-0@chx400.switch.ch>; Thu, 7 Oct 1993 08:34:19 +0100 Thu, 7 Oct 93 08:30:52 +0100 Thu, 7 Oct 93 08:34:08 +0100 From: martin.zurn@cen.jrc.it (Martin Zurn) Message-Id: <9310070734.AA06043@dac.ise.jrc.it> Subject: WAG contest To: qrp@Think.COM, cq-contest@tgv.com Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1993 08:34:08 +0100 (MET) X-Disclaimer: Expressed opinions may be personal X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 851 Hi QRP fans and/or CONTEST fans, Just read about the Worked All Germany contest. That's sad news cause it seems to coincide with an ARCI activity.... Anyway, there's even a QRP class. When? Oct 16, 93 1500UTC thru Oct 17, 1993 1500 UTC Where? 80 40 20 15 10 CW/SSB Classes: A CW B CW/SSB C QRP D Multi OP E SWL Exchange: RST+serial nr (German stns give DOK code instead) Scoring: 3 pt per QSO (German stn get bonus for DX) Multis: All DOKs count as multis (independently from mode/band) (for Germans WAE countries count as multis) Manager: Klaus Voigt DL1DTL PO Box 720427, D-01023 Dresden, Germany Could someone tell me how I can distribute a few point in the ARCI test? Want more details? drop a line to martin.zurn@jrc.it Martin, IK2RMZ, ex F0IRY, DL1GBZ -- martin.zurn@jrc.it From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 7 04:26:25 1993 Return-Path: id AA15883; Wed, 6 Oct 93 22:26:19 HST id AA16513; Wed, 6 Oct 93 22:26:18 HST Date: Wed, 6 Oct 93 22:26:18 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: [martin.zurn@cen.jrc.it (Martin Zurn): Re: qrp calling freqs (again)] Message-Id: Martin, IK2RMZ, has sent me the following list of European QRP frequencies (thanks Martin!) Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ) ************************************************************************** --------------- id <18977-0@chx400.switch.ch>; Thu, 7 Oct 1993 08:20:04 +0100 Thu, 7 Oct 93 08:16:38 +0100 Thu, 7 Oct 93 08:19:54 +0100 From: martin.zurn@cen.jrc.it (Martin Zurn) Message-Id: <9310070719.AA05931@dac.ise.jrc.it> Subject: Re: qrp calling freqs (again) To: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jeff Herman) Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1993 08:19:54 +0100 (MET) In-Reply-To: from "Jeff Herman" at Oct 5, 93 11:21:56 pm X-Disclaimer: Expressed opinions may be personal X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 903 As promised I copied the European QRP frequencies from the publication "nieuwsbrief" which is the club journal of the 2nd largest qrp club in EU CW/SSB/FM 1843 3560/3690 7030/7090 10106 14060/14285 18096 21060/21285 24906 28060/28360 144060/144285/144585 BTW, didn't work KH6 for many years. And never worked it from my present QTH in Italy. Do u work Europe regularly? even in QRP Guess KH6 is as hard as can be for us here. It is not as far away from us as VK/ZL but condx are less favorable I have already worked VK and ZL both in QRP/QRP, both long path guess even both stations were using single element antennas. I wrkd the ZL with an endfed and the VK with a Windom Present rig: Argo 515 (+PA abt 30W out) for QRP and moderate pwr and Corsair2 (low serial nr) for 80W high power Ant: Windom 6 band (best on 17m worst on 12m) 73 de IK2RMZ ex F0IRY and DL1GBZ -- martin.zurn@jrc.it From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 7 06:22:54 1993 Return-Path: id <29596-0@chx400.switch.ch>; Thu, 7 Oct 1993 11:22:28 +0100 Thu, 7 Oct 93 11:19:03 +0100 Thu, 7 Oct 93 11:22:20 +0100 From: martin.zurn@cen.jrc.it (Martin Zurn) Message-Id: <9310071022.AA09724@dac.ise.jrc.it> Subject: Problem with Argo 515 offset tuning To: QRP@Think.COM Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1993 11:25:47 +0100 (MET) X-Disclaimer: Expressed opinions may be personal X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 823 Hi QRPers, Gotta problem with my Argonaut 515. To be transceive with my QSO partners I must put the offset tuning (wide) to a non-zero position (abt 10 o'clock for low bands and abt 2 o'clock for hi bands (or vice versa)). As a consequence I can't use the offset fine tuning (because it works only ok with the knob at 12 o'clock). Adjusting the internal variable R does not work because I never get it right for all bands). Any ideas? Bought the 515 in 1986, it works more or less ok, except for occasional (impredictable) output drops (1 W instead of 5W) at times accompanied by QRI and/or QRH THE QSK IS EXCELLENT. 73 de ik2rmz PS please respond privately to martin.zurn@jrc.it In case I succeed to find a solution that works I will post a summary report. Ciao from Italy with diluvial rain -- martin.zurn@jrc.it From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 7 07:43:02 1993 Return-Path: id AA25328; Thu, 7 Oct 93 07:45:13 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Thu, 7 Oct 1993 07:42:47 -0400 Date: Thu, 7 Oct 1993 07:42:47 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310071142.AA06660@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: circuit board buildingsession continued. Well, our final night of circuit board building went off very well last evening. I have never seen so many Spider Circuit boards, and Neophyte circuit boards in one place before. As people arrive, we took the trusty tooth brush and carefully rubbed off the pulpy paper. Then any boards that needed touch up, were touched up with finger nail polish. Then the etching process. It took some people an hour to etch their boards, but I think they had some crummy ferric chloride solution. Then finally we even drilled a few boards out to complete the cycle. KB2BLS came last night and brought a bunch of 3.579 color burst xtals, and 3.684 Mhz xtals, and donated them to the cause. In a couple of months if you listen on those freqs you may hear some of us from North Western NY state. 73 all and happy homebrewing.. Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 7 11:26:29 1993 Return-Path: id AA15854; Thu, 7 Oct 93 11:30:27 EDT Date: Thu, 7 Oct 93 11:30:27 EDT From: delancy@chesapeake.ads.com (J.D. Delancy) Message-Id: <9310071530.AA15854@chesapeake.ads.com> To: QRP@Think.COM, boatanchors@gnu.ai.mit.edu, jkearman@arrl.org Subject: Re: Let's deep six this guy 'til he gets back! Talking about deep six'in someone, is WA4D gonna be a deep six recipent with the current FCC judgement against him? From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 7 12:21:16 1993 Return-Path: Date: Thu, 7 Oct 93 09:18:20 PDT From: gregg@sp-eug.com (Greg Gibson) id AA17455 for qrp@think.com; Thu, 7 Oct 93 09:18:20 PDT Message-Id: <9310071618.AA17455@sp-eug.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Adding Newsgroup I would like to be added to this newsgroup if possible. Please mail me if there is something else I need to do to be added. Address: gregg@sp-eug.com thank you Greg Gibson From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 09:01:55 1993 Return-Path: <01H3V2CP7SFGC01YXH@tntech.edu>; Fri, 8 Oct 1993 08:03:04 CDT Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1993 08:03:04 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: QRP group.. very small? To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H3V2CP7SFIC01YXH@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Hi, #1 anyone have any idea about the following information? a) how many people on this QRP list? b) how many people in the ARCI? Reason I am asking is that in my communication with the people at the ARRL (QST), I get the impression that they feel that there is only one or two of us crazed QRP type people out there. This leads to them only wanted to print articles once or twice a year that are QRP related. I understand that they have a tought time figuring what needs to be in the magazine to best meet the needs of their clientele. I would have let this slide, but I have been receiving a number of comments about people starting to get interested in QRP as a result of articles in QST and 73 about the subject (not only my articles). I wonder if there is enough interest to warrant at least a small regular QST QRP column. thanks for any help. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 09:48:22 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310081348.AA28232@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Fri, 08 Oct 93 09:46:24 EDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 06:47:30 PDT From: mont@ibmmail.COM To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: RE: Circuit Board Building Session > Last evening we cut circuit boards to size, prepared them for ironing on > artwork, ironed on artwork, and placed these boards in a bleach solution > overnight. > > Tonight we will remove the excess pulp from the boards, touch up as necessary, > and etch them. I did a little expermenting of my own a couple of weeks ago. I previously bought some of the special paper to photocopy onto and then transfer the print to a pcb board. Then later I heard someone say that they've done it with plain copier paper. They said they used plain copy paper, an iron to transfer the print, and water to desolve and separate the paper from the pcb. Here's my results with plain paper: I took three photocopies of a template and placed them side by side on a pcb. Then I place another sheet of paper on top of this and I heated it for a couple of minutes with an iron (wife's old one). Next I remove the iron and the second sheet of paper and accidentally caught the edge of one of the templates. The print on the pcb looked pretty good so I just continued removing the one template. I soaked the board to try to remove the paper from the other templates. It wasn't too easy and I still had some fuzz that I couldn't seem to get off. Also, in some places the print stuck more to the paper then the pcb, I had to patch them up with a resist pen. Next I etched the board. The template that I peeled off while the black print was still hot turned out great. The others didn't work to good. The fuzz left behind from the paper interfered with the flow of etching and left copper between some of the traces. I next took a copy of the Spider-1 template and ironed it onto a pcb, and peeled it off while the print was hot. Same thing, the print came out really nice and the board etched really well. There's only one problem with these boards, they are all backwards. I knew this when I started, I just figured on soldering all the parts to the surface, that way I don't have to drill any holes... To do this right I need to add another step to the process. Somehow I need to get a mirrored copy of the template so that when it is ironed on it will be correct on the pcb. Okay, so here is the final proceedure that I came up with to make pcbs from plain paper: 1. Make a transparency film copy (used for overhead projectors) of template using either the "Plain paper copier Transparency film" or the machine that uses heat to transfer a photocopy print onto a transparency film. 2. Turn the tranparency upside down in the copier and make a photocopy of this image. Now the print is reversed on the paper. 3. Place one or more template copies on the pcb where you want the images to be transfered. 4. Place a second piece of paper over the templates. This helps hold them in place while you iron them. 5. Take a hot iron and place it on top of the second piece of paper. Apply medium pressure and move the iron around the paper is circular patterns to insure that the pcb and templates are evenly heated. Do this for about 2-3 minutes. 6. Remove the iron and immediately but gently pull the templates off the pcb board. You should now have a nice mirrored print on the pcb of the template. 7. Let the pcb cool undisturbed. > > If time allows, we may even drill a few. Anybody know an easy way to drill the holes? I was thinking that a robot arm that could sense the round holes in the copper traces on the pcb would be really great. Just setup the board in a vice and let the robot have at it. Come back in 5 or 10 and it would be all done. 73, de km6wt, mont@ibmmail.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 10:00:49 1993 Return-Path: id AA01839; Fri, 8 Oct 1993 10:00:25 -0400 id AA16480; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:00:41 EDT id AA11280; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:00:38 EDT From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods) Message-Id: <9310081400.AA11280@kaos.ksr.com> id AA25248; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:00:37 EDT To: "JEFF M. GOLD" Cc: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: QRP group.. very small? In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 08 Oct 93 08:03:04 CDT." <01H3V2CP7SFIC01YXH@tntech.edu> Date: Fri, 08 Oct 93 10:00:37 -0400 > #1 anyone have any idea about the following information? > a) how many people on this QRP list? > b) how many people in the ARCI? > Reason I am asking is that in my communication with the people at the > ARRL (QST), I get the impression that they feel that there is only one > or two of us crazed QRP type people out there. This leads to them only > wanted to print articles once or twice a year that are QRP related. Well, I don't know which people at the ARRL you communicated with, but I know there's at least one ARRL person on this list, and it isn't the well-known crazed QRP person, Ed Hare (the one whose picture appears in QRP Classics); so, if the ARRL truly believes there are only one or two crazed QRP type people, since both of them work at Headquarters I can see why they wouldn't see the need for devoting QST space to them. (:-) On the other hand, I do suspect they believe it's just a wee bit more popular than that (gee, how many copies of QRP Classics and QRP Notebook have they sold?). > I wonder if there is enough interest to warrant at least a small regular > QST QRP column. There might be; they might also figure the plethora of existing QRP magazines fills that need nicely. From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 10:04:26 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c/LAI-3.2) id AA13399; Fri, 8 Oct 1993 09:07:28 -0500 id AA05946; Fri, 8 Oct 93 08:59:58 CDT id AA16004; Fri, 8 Oct 93 08:59:57 CDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 08:59:57 CDT From: mstrong@raiders.micro.ti.com (Mike Strong) Message-Id: <9310081359.AA16004@raiders.micro> To: JMG@tntech.edu, QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: QRP group.. very small? Jeff, I am one of the very quiet members of the QRP list. I am very much in favor of a QRP column in QST. In fact, a QRP column in QST might convince me to re-subscribe to QST (listening in Newington?). So put me down as one vote in favor. I am not an expert in any facet of ham radio, but I might be to contribute to such a column in order to get it started / keep it going. Hope this helps, Mike Strong KT5H mstrong@micro.ti.com or mstrong@raiders.micro.ti.com > From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 08:54:27 1993 > Subject: QRP group.. very small? > To: qrp@Think.COM > X-Vms-Cc: JMG > > Hi, > > > #1 anyone have any idea about the following information? > a) how many people on this QRP list? > b) how many people in the ARCI? > > Reason I am asking is that in my communication with the people at the > ARRL (QST), I get the impression that they feel that there is only one > or two of us crazed QRP type people out there. This leads to them only > wanted to print articles once or twice a year that are QRP related. > > I understand that they have a tought time figuring what needs to be in > the magazine to best meet the needs of their clientele. I would have let > this slide, but I have been receiving a number of comments about people > starting to get interested in QRP as a result of articles in QST and 73 > about the subject (not only my articles). > > I wonder if there is enough interest to warrant at least a small regular > QST QRP column. > > thanks for any help. > > 72 > > Jeff, AC4HF > From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 10:31:09 1993 Return-Path: id AA24819; Fri, 8 Oct 93 07:30:58 PDT id AA21878; Fri, 8 Oct 93 07:28:47 PDT id AA750090365 Fri, 08 Oct 93 07:26:05 PST Date: Fri, 08 Oct 93 07:26:05 PST From: Gary_Thorburn_at_Notes-Gate@sceng.UB.com Message-Id: <9309087500.AA750090365@sceng.UB.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Jeff's question about QST QRP Jeff, I subscribe to this QRP mailing list because altho I'm a rather inactive and new ham, QRP embodies for me all that attracts me to radio: - homebrew - experimentation - portability - economy - self sufficiency - elegant simplicity A QRP column in QST (provided it wasn't just a contest log) might complement the "New Ham Companion" section. Not that it should strive to be elementary in emphasis, but that it might spark an interest in HF for those with low budgets, a desire to tinker, and perhaps a memory of when radio didn't mean a complex Japanese gadget. Does any of this make sense? Did anyone out there get bit by the radio bug when they first heard R. Moscow or the BBC on a homebrew regen set with a 1U4 tube, or a single CK722 transistor? -- Gary KB1AIF gthorbur@sceng.ub.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 10:52:54 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA08780; Fri, 8 Oct 93 07:52:49 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07310; Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:52:42 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11580; Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:52:30 -0500 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:52:30 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310081452.AA11580@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP population Gang, here are some figures that come to my mind, so take them with lots of A1 Steak Sauce or Salt (season to taste) :-) 1. QRP ARCI - over 8,000 ARCI numbers issued 2. this group - about 200 3. NorCal QRP Club - over 200 (correct me on this Doug, if i'm wrong) 4. Michigan QRP Club - over 1500 5. G-QRP in Europe - over 6,000 active members but you know what? Most of the QRPers are loners or belong to localized QRP groups, i.e. groups of maybe less than 30 guys/girls that meet at a local Denny's or pancake house on Saturday mornings early to show off newly built rigs, discuss projects, circuits, etc. What I call 'grass-roots' QRPers. Some QRPers, and i do run into them at the local electronic surplus places, may not even put there creations on the air for a number of reasons. Maybe Jim F. can tell us how many in the NE-QRP club. Hope the number isn't classified. 73 from the desk of k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 11:04:35 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA10013; Fri, 8 Oct 93 08:04:23 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07350; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:04:15 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11609; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:04:12 -0500 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:04:12 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310081504.AA11609@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: PC Boards Mont, good posting on the PC board stuff and a very very good idea. i was in a new electronics place just yesterday picking up a new soldering iron. in fact, this place is only a few blocks from work, opened in Nov of last year and i didn't know about it. i was looking at a kit for $38 (and i'll go back and get the name) that had a some photosensitized boards, a frame with glass to expose the board with (good english there), tape to lay out board, and the chemicals needed to do PC boards. I think i'll buy one to lay out the K5FO special next week. i like your idea of ironing on from the photocopy of the board. 1. what setting did you use on the iron? did you worry about scortching the paper? is that the reason for the second sheet? 2. how fast does it cool off? do we need to be in a hurry and if we wait too long are we in a mess? i think you should do an article somewhere on this before someone else takes credit. you have 200 witnesses and an electronice time stamp as to when you came up with it. it's that kind of brilliant thinking that makes this group worthwhile. keep up the good work. keep us informed to anything that you come up with. oh. 3. have you experimented with line resolution (width) to see fine a line and how close you can get them? i'd be willing to sacrifice a small board to do this. Tanner electronics (where i spend a lot of money) has double sided board 23"x?? for $3.95. not a bad price, i think. what is everyone paying for boards nowdays? inquiring minds wanna know........ chuck From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 11:41:47 1993 Return-Path: id AA20867 for qrp@think.com; Fri, 8 Oct 93 11:41:36 -0400 id AA323941 ; Fri, 08 Oct 93 10:24:43 EST Date: Fri, 08 Oct 93 15:25:35 GMT Message-Id: <17771@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: ARRL Staffer Expresses Personal Opinion It took me a couple of minutes to come up with this list of 25 possible subjects for QST articles. I'm sure you can think of others. 1. QRP 2. SSTV 3. ATV 4. Nets 5. DX 6. Contests 7. VHF FM 8. VHF Weak signal 9. Transmitter hunting 10. Mobile operating 11. Setting up a home station 12. Mountain topping 13. Interference 14. Antenna theory 15. Antenna practice 16. Propagation 17. Fixing your rig 18. Classic rigs 19. Computers and ham radio 20. Solar power 21. Using/recharging batteries 22. Getting started on the air 23. Hamfests 24. Flea markets 25. Increasing your code speed. Nobody at HQ thinks QRP is of limited interest. I know at least 3 people on the staff who own HW-9s, and I can think of 11 people who operate QRP. That's almost 10 percent of the staff, including non-hams! As you can see from this list, though, there are plenty of other topics we have to cover. We publish: QRP Classics QRP Notebook (now in a 2nd edition) Design Notebook QRP Operating Companion Low Profile Amateur Radio I think the quality of QRP articles in _QST_ blows away the coverage in CQ and 73, regardless of the number of pages they dedicate to the subject. Considering the relative popularity of QRP vs FM, the FMers would have a case if they said we were neglecting them in favor of QRPers, eh? Now, to be controversial, how much can you say about QRP? How many under-5-watt transmitters can you publish? I like the smell of burning rosin as much as anyone, but let's be realistic and recognize that QRP is only a subset of a very broad and deep hobby. Some people just don't want to run QRP, and _they_ complain about TOO MUCH coverage of QRP in _QST_! If ARRL were to dedicate more coverage to QRP, what would we say that isn't already said in _QRP Quarterly_, _The Five Watter_, _Sprat_, _The NWQ Newsletter_, _72_....? If _QST_ expanded its coverage enough, we could probably make some QRP clubs obsolete. I wouldn't want to see that happen; would you? It is the business of all special-interest groups to try to put forward their agendas. I appreciate Jeff's zeal, but we must look at this objectively. I think the League does a fine job of promoting QRP--if I didn't, I'd say that, too. 72/73, Jim, KR1S ARCI 7421 G QRP 6257 MI QRP 494 OK QRP 94 NE QRP 5 -- jkearman@arrl.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 11:58:35 1993 Return-Path: id AA26992; Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:55:22 MDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:55:22 MDT From: mb@titan.wordperfect.com (Michael Bendio (unix dev)) Message-Id: <9310081555.AA26992@titan.wordperfect.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: tiny drill bits... Here is a non-electronic question that I hope is nonetheless relevant. I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? Michael Bendio, WT7J From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 12:30:23 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA00909; Fri, 8 Oct 93 12:30:16 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 122819.28040; Fri, 8 Oct 1993 12:28:19 EDT id AA01284; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:12:38 EST From: jpo@acd4.acd.com ( Jim Osburn ) Message-Id: <9310081512.AA01284@IEDV5.acd.com> Subject: QRP Column To: qrp@Think.COM (QRP Mailing List) Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:12:35 EST X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] If there is a QRP column in QST, then something else probably has to be dropped. QST editors would probably be lynched by what ever group has their stuff dropped. But that doesn't mean it's not alright to lobby the editors for a QRP column. We just need to understand the situation. What kind of stuff would be in a QST QRP column? Jim, WD9EYB From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 12:31:35 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310081631.AA06983@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Fri, 08 Oct 93 12:29:44 EDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:30:46 PDT From: mont@ibmmail.COM To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: PC Boards from photocopy paper In my first posting about making PCBs from a photocopy I may have neglected to say that it has to be from a LAZER photocopier. The lazer photocopying process uses a toner that is bonded (melted) onto the paper. It's sort of like a plastic and not like ink that soaks into the paper. > i was looking at a kit for $38 (and i'll go back and get the name) > that had a some photosensitized boards, a frame with glass to expose > the board with (good english there), tape to lay out board, and the > chemicals needed to do PC boards. I think i'll buy one to lay out > the K5FO special next week. After you get it all layed out on the glass, turn the glass over and make a photocopy of it for me. I'll etch a board and send it back to you for comparison. Or.... You could just take some felt tip pens, piece of paper, and draw the layout. Take it to a laser copier and you've got your iron-on template... :) (Just remember to draw the layout as if you are looking through a pcb from the top) > i like your idea of ironing on from the photocopy of the board. > > 1. what setting did you use on the iron? did you worry about > scortching the paper? is that the reason for the second sheet? I turned the iron on to it's highest setting and heated the paper until the second sheet starts to turn brown (light brown!). You want the toner to be sort of liquidy so that when you peel off the template there is no resistance. If it starts to cool then it may cling to the paper more then the PCB. If it doesn't come out perfectly you can even take another copy and iron it on right on top of the first one. Just make sure you line it up exactly the same as the first one. > > 2. how fast does it cool off? do we need to be in a hurry and if we > wait too long are we in a mess? If your in a hurry, just take it to the sink and run cold water on it for 30 seconds or so. Water will not disturb the toner. Another thing I forgot to mention, but probably it's obvious: After etching the board you can use steel wool under running water to remove the toner from the copper. > > oh. 3. have you experimented with line resolution (width) to see > fine a line and how close you can get them? i'd be willing > to sacrifice a small board to do this. Tanner electronics > (where i spend a lot of money) has double sided board 23"x?? > for $3.95. not a bad price, i think. The Spider-1 board traces turned out great. But I've only made 2 boards so far so I'm not sure. The edges of the traces did turn out very crisp and smooth. I guess a special pattern could be used of several lines of gradually thinner and thinner thicknesses. Then after etching measure the thinist trace left on the board. > > what is everyone paying for boards nowdays? I've been buying double sided scraped pieces at an electronics surplus supply store for 1 cent per square inch. They have ends 3 feet long by 4 or 5 inches, and lots of smaller stuff too. A 24" x 6" piece would cost $1.44. Before using with the iron-on process I use comet cleanser to cleanup the board. 72, km6wt mont@ibmmail.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 12:46:27 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310081646.AA07661@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Fri, 08 Oct 93 12:44:43 EDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:45:44 PDT From: mont@ibmmail.COM To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: RE: tiny drill bits... > Here is a non-electronic question that I hope is nonetheless relevant. > > I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling > holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will > hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to > believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of > adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? At Halted Electronics in San Jose Ca. They have drill bits that have about a 1/4" shank then reduces down to a tiny drill on the end (last 1/2"). I think this is the kind of drill your looking for. 72, km6wt, mont@ibmmail.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:04:18 1993 Return-Path: id AA17986; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:04:05 EDT Message-Id: <9310081704.AA17986@FRC2.FRC.RI.CMU.EDU> From: Mike Blackwell To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 08 Oct 1993 09:55:22 MDT." <9310081555.AA26992@titan.wordperfect.com> Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1993 13:04:09 -0400 Sender: mkb@FRC2.FRC.RI.CMU.EDU A Dremel tool mandrel works very well for holding tiny drill bits. They have a 1/4" or so shaft which can be chucked right in to your drill press. You should be able to get one at a hobby shop for a few bucks. You can get drill bits made for PC board drilling which have a much wider shank, and can be mounted in a standard chuck. The drilling portion is shorter than normal, so less likely to flex and break. Never try to drill with a hand drill, the bits are way too brittle, and you'll break then in no time. In a pinch, sewing machine needles work pretty well as PC board drill bits (in a drill press of course...). Remember to wear your safety glasses! Those little bits are prone to snapping, no matter how careful you are. Mike Blackwell ke3ig mkb@cs.cmu.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:07:49 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for qrp@Think.COM); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 12:07:27 -0500 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 12:07:27 -0500 From: Arnett Message-Id: <199310081707.AA17428@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: re: tiny drill bits The smallest bit in the set I used at work was 40/1000 of an inch. (Can't remember the number though) It was OK on the board I made for a SWR meter, but I tried it on a 62/1000 pad for a PLCC socket and it didn't leave much copper to solder to. Has anyone seen 35 mil bits in a store local to them? I guess it's just something else to order.... 73 de Drew Arnett kb9fko@uiuc.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:12:57 1993 Return-Path: (16.8/15.5+IOS 3.13) id AA25179; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:12:53 -0700 (16.6/15.5+ECS 3.3) id AA24021; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:12:49 -0700 (1.37.109.4/15.5+IOS 3.21) id AA05081; Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:12:45 -0700 From: Stan Witherspoon Message-Id: <9310081712.AA05081@hprstw.rose.hp.com> Subject: re: tiny drill bits. To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:12:44 PDT" Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85] Go down to your local hobby/hardware/DYI warehouse/store and look at their collection of Dremel tools & bits. I found a minature chuck with a 1/8 (3/16?) shaft that fits in my Dremel tool. It should also fit my drill press, but I haven't tried it yet. Do use a drill press or one of those Dremel tools router/drill press stands. You will break your bit trying to use it with a hand drill. If you don't have one yet, a Dremel tool is a very handy thing to have around. Get the one with the ball bearings and the variable speed. stan -- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~ Stan Witherspoon Hewlett-Packard Co. (916) 785-5071 ~ ~ stan@hprpcd.rose.hp.com Systems Technology Division ~ ~ Stan (hprpcd) /HP5200/UX 8020 Foothills Blvd. Roseville, CA 95678 ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:19:38 1993 Return-Path: id AB03448; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:19:46 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:17:02 -0400 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:17:02 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310081717.AA00465@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: QRP@Think.COM, jkearman@arrl.org Subject: Re: ARRL Staffer Expresses Personal Opinion Well, my personal opinion, to be a little contorversial, is that there is a big glut of amateurs out there now that are very very thirsty for the knowledge of some of the O.F.'s in the hobby. It may seem redundant to publish the tuna tin 2 or whatever the heck it was that was published years ago, but this is the kind of thing that is needed to get some of these new hams a jump start. In my recent experience with making P.C. Boards, and QRP projects, I have been overwhelmed with the response that has occured from the new hams to build these projects. Litterally over- whelmed. I see that with the New Ham Companion that QST has reckognized this void and is trying to fill it. But I also reckognize that there is a new magazine out there that is specifically for the homebrewing. I guess my personal opinion is that if there is enough interest out there in this aspect of the hobby, which I beleive there is, that I would personally prefer the league publish it rather than another sector, representing a small contingent. Also , it's nice that special interest groups exist, but a new ham WILL NOT find these groups out as readily as the ARRL! The league represents most early on contact for new hams, and is the life line of many others. One final point. I noticed that you put your membership number on your closing. When I was a new ham I had enough money to buy one magazine period. It was either. 73 or QST. (:-) 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:20:41 1993 Return-Path: From: alsun150!jvm@aluxs.att.com id AA07790; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:16:31 EDT id AA15203; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:16:20 EDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:16:20 EDT Original-From: aluxs!alsun150!jvm (Jim Morgan) Message-Id: <9310081716.AA15203@alsun150> To: qrp@Think.COM, mb@titan.wordperfect.com Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... Cc: alsun150!jvm@Think.COM > From att!Think.COM!qrp-request Fri Oct 8 12:08:45 1993 > Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 09:55:22 MDT > From: mb@titan.wordperfect.com (Michael Bendio (unix dev)) > To: qrp@Think.COM > Subject: tiny drill bits... > Content-Length: 441 > > Here is a non-electronic question that I hope is nonetheless relevant. > > I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling > holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will > hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to > believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of > adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? > > Michael Bendio, WT7J > Be careful here... the drill press may be ok, but a hand drill will be unwieldy (sp?) with those tiny bits. They break off *very* easily, and most of your hand strength is going to be used holding the drill up. If you plan to do much small-hole drilling, you may want to get one of those hand-held motor tools, like a Dremel tool. Sears has one that's a lot less expensive (I think). The collets (used to grip shafts of what- ever grinder or drill you're using) come in different sizes, and the smallest has practically no hole in the middle. This is what I use with those small bits, and it works pretty well. The best thing would be one of those little presses they make to hold the motor-tool, but I don't own one of those. Good luck & 73, Jim Morgan jvm@aluxpo.att.com WX4D/3 From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:30:27 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310081730.AA16933@interval.interval.com> Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 10:35:51 -0800 To: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: ARRL Staffer Expresses Personal Opinion Cc: qrp@Think.COM Jim, I agree with your assessment that QST has published many excellent QRP articles over the years. In particular, QST authors have been careful to submit reproduceable designs. However, the QRP column idea is still a valid one. Interest in QRP is blooming because Heathkit died and left a big pile of fertilizer for homebrewers and small kit producers to take root in. Given the many special interests QST must represent, the best way to handle the QRP column might be to make it one of a number of rotating guest columns that show up in each issue: QRP and SSTV one month, Moonbounce and High-Speed CW the next, etc. You would have ample volunteers to write such columns, I bet. Anyway, Jim, I think you have nicely projected QST's position. Thanks. Wayne, N6KR Wayne Burdick Interval Research Corp. wayne@interval.com 1801-C Page Mill Road (415) 354-0928 Palo Alto, CA 94304 From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:38:56 1993 Return-Path: on Fri, 8 Oct 1993 12:23:15 -0500. Organization: Iowa Computer Aided Engineering Network, University of Iowa Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 12:21:07 +1874200 (??) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: PC Boards To: Charles Adams Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9310081504.AA11609@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 8 Oct 1993, Charles Adams wrote: > i think you should do an article somewhere on this before someone > else takes credit. you have 200 witnesses and an electronice time > stamp as to when you came up with it. it's that kind of brilliant > thinking that makes this group worthwhile. > Too late! The whole idea came out of the July QST to start with. > keep up the good work. keep us informed to anything that you come > up with. > > oh. 3. have you experimented with line resolution (width) to see > fine a line and how close you can get them? i'd be willing > to sacrifice a small board to do this. Tanner electronics > (where i spend a lot of money) has double sided board 23"x?? > for $3.95. not a bad price, i think. > According to QST, line resolutions down to ~0.2" can be attained. __ /| | Douglas J Renze, N0YVW | \'o.O' | +1 319 337 4664 | In God We Trust: =(___)= | drenze@icaen.uiowa.edu | All Others Pay Cash U | Douglas-Renze@uiowa.edu | From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:42:33 1993 Return-Path: id AA10984; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:42:25 -0400 id AA01913; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:42:24 EDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:42:24 EDT From: gc@fox.gsfc.nasa.gov (Gary Chatters) Message-Id: <9310081742.AA01913@fox.gsfc.nasa.gov> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... Michael Bendio writes: > I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling > holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will > hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to > believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of > adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? My first thought on this would be to try a pin vise. I just dug out the one we have at the office to take a look at it. It is about 3-1/2" long by 5/16" diameter and designed for hand use. Put bit in pin vise, put pin vise in drill chuck. The pin vise is double ended. For this purpose I would saw it in half to keep it from getting too unstable. Doesn't look like it would be the best arrangement but might work if you're trying to do it cheaply. Note: This is proposed solution to the problem. I haven't tried this yet; I have a drill that takes the small bits. Has anyone tried this? Do the bits break too much? Gary From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:47:42 1993 Return-Path: id AA04383; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:47:34 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:44:54 -0400 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:44:54 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310081744.AA00485@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, mont@ibmmail.COM Subject: RE: Circuit Board Building Session > > Here's my results with plain paper: > > I took three photocopies of a template and placed them side by side > on a pcb. Then I place another sheet of paper on top of this and I > heated it for a couple of minutes with an iron (wife's old one). > Next I remove the iron and the second sheet of paper and accidentally > caught the edge of one of the templates. The print on the pcb looked > pretty good so I just continued removing the one template. I soaked > the board to try to remove the paper from the other templates. It > wasn't too easy and I still had some fuzz that I couldn't seem to get > off. Also, in some places the print stuck more to the paper then the > pcb, I had to patch them up with a resist pen. > > Next I etched the board. The template that I peeled off while the > black print was still hot turned out great. The others didn't work > to good. The fuzz left behind from the paper interfered with the > flow of etching and left copper between some of the traces. > > I next took a copy of the Spider-1 template and ironed it onto a pcb, > and peeled it off while the print was hot. Same thing, the print > came out really nice and the board etched really well. > > There's only one problem with these boards, they are all backwards. > I knew this when I started, I just figured on soldering all the > parts to the surface, that way I don't have to drill any holes... > > To do this right I need to add another step to the process. Somehow > I need to get a mirrored copy of the template so that when it is ironed > on it will be correct on the pcb. > > Okay, so here is the final proceedure that I came up with to make pcbs > from plain paper: > > 1. Make a transparency film copy (used for overhead projectors) > of template using either the "Plain paper copier Transparency > film" or the machine that uses heat to transfer a photocopy > print onto a transparency film. > > 2. Turn the tranparency upside down in the copier and make a > photocopy of this image. Now the print is reversed on the > paper. > > 3. Place one or more template copies on the pcb where you want > the images to be transfered. > > 4. Place a second piece of paper over the templates. This helps > hold them in place while you iron them. > > 5. Take a hot iron and place it on top of the second piece of > paper. Apply medium pressure and move the iron around the > paper is circular patterns to insure that the pcb and templates > are evenly heated. Do this for about 2-3 minutes. > > 6. Remove the iron and immediately but gently pull the templates > off the pcb board. You should now have a nice mirrored print > on the pcb of the template. > > 7. Let the pcb cool undisturbed. > > > > > If time allows, we may even drill a few. > > > Anybody know an easy way to drill the holes? I was thinking that a > robot arm that could sense the round holes in the copper traces on > the pcb would be really great. Just setup the board in a vice and > let the robot have at it. Come back in 5 or 10 and it would be all > done. > > > 73, > de km6wt, mont@ibmmail.com > That's great, sounds like you may have shortened this process by one day. previously insead of pulling the paper off the hot template, we have been soaking the board with inverse image artwork on it in a bleach solution overnight. If that works like you say it does, I just had 18 people make spiders and neophytes with a process that was more lengthy than required. You should submit this as an addendum to the July 1993 article that describes basically the rest of the process you describe. 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:50:18 1993 Return-Path: id AA04501; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:50:39 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:47:28 -0400 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:47:28 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310081747.AA00493@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, mkb@cs.cmu.edu Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... > > You can get drill bits made for PC board drilling which have a much > wider shank, and can be mounted in a standard chuck. The drilling > portion is shorter than normal, so less likely to flex and break. > > Never try to drill with a hand drill, the bits are way too brittle, > and you'll break then in no time. > I use a #59 drill bit, and a hand drill. I have not broken a bit yet, with the exception of dropping the whole drill motor, and breaking the bit. YOu don't have to hang out 2 inches of bit to drill a P.C. board with. From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 13:54:55 1993 Return-Path: id AA04635; Fri, 8 Oct 93 13:54:51 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:00:11 -0400 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:00:11 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310081700.AA00457@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, mb@titan.wordperfect.com Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... Here is a non-electronic question that I hope is nonetheless relevant. I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? Michael Bendio, WT7J ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I found the same problem, but just wrapped making tape around the bit several times, then put it in the chuck. With the target etched properly, it works great. 73/72 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 14:12:49 1993 Return-Path: id AA03707; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:12:26 EDT From: bwhite@dsd.camb.inmet.com (Bill White) Message-Id: <9310081812.AA03707@dsd.camb.inmet.com> Subject: New homebrewing magazine To: QRP@Think.COM Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 14:12:13 -0400 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 253 Has anybody seen the new homebrewing magazine which was advertised over this group recently? It's apparently called Hambrew. I was just wondering if anybody had seen an issue yet, or knows if it is any good. Peace, Bill White N1OSA/AG From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 14:19:40 1993 Return-Path: <01H3VDBCA39YC02CG7@tntech.edu>; Fri, 8 Oct 1993 13:20:42 CDT Date: Fri, 08 Oct 1993 13:20:42 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Sorry!!!!! To: QRP@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H3VDBCA3A0C02CG7@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"QRP@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Guys and Gals, I think I better retract some of my earlier ramblings. I didn't mean to start anything by asking about a QRP column. It just was one of those things that made sense at the time and I am not all that sure about now. #1) QST is still my favorite magazine. I think they do a good job and I enjoy reading it every month #2) I believe I was mistaken about my comment about only a couple of QRP articles, I checked and there were a bunch of different articles that relate to QRP, they just weren't labeled in a column called "QRP". I don't think this is bad. My goal when I write is to get people interested in trying new things. So when you publish a review of a MFJ.. maybe it shouldn't be labeled "QRP". I always believe QRP is no different from anyother operation. It has some limits, but I work people every day SSB and CW, even 3 watts SSB/mobile. I never sign /QRP until I am well into a contact and want to make sure they understood I meant 3 watts and not 300 watts. #3) I have always gotten great support from the ARRL and immediate responses to my questions and help with problems. I believe although they aren't perfect, they do a better job than any other hobby related organization I have ever been associated with. Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! head hung low and slumpy back into my closet for a while. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 14:24:37 1993 Return-Path: id AA13190 for qrp@think.com; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:24:29 -0400 id AA324159 ; Fri, 08 Oct 93 13:07:51 EST Date: Fri, 08 Oct 93 17:45:54 GMT Message-Id: <17831@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: QRP Column Well, QST is running close to a dozen low-power/QRP oriented articles a year. I don't see what a column would offer. Personally, I think columns are good for spreading the news on new technology. We've used columns to further our agendas in various areas, like microwaves and packet and fm, the latter two being the most-popular modes. Assuming you got even a full page, you couldn't repro a rig schematic etc in one page. Operating news? Maybe. But I think the low-power crew finds each other. You folks in the field can help by making sure there's a QRP forum or at least a QRP table at EVERY hamfest. If you read QST, I hope you read the ads. You'll see the ads for our QRP books, which list clubs, freqs, etc. If someone is interested he or she will find the way. "When the student is ready, the master will appear." Finally, I think we at the League (speaking my personal opinion) would like to bring hams together. There's a lot of finger pointing in this hobby, and having separate columns tends to emphasize our differences, not our similarities. Again, my opinion. This whole thing is my opinion. So don't hate the League for what I say, okay? 73, Jim, KR1S Long-time ham, CW fan, QRP/boatanchor fan, and not apologetic! From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 14:31:24 1993 Return-Path: id AA05947; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:32:42 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 14:29:51 -0400 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 14:29:51 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310081829.AA00535@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: PC Boards > From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 11:42:32 1993 > Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 10:04:12 -0500 > From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) > To: qrp@Think.COM > > Mont, > > i like your idea of ironing on from the photocopy of the board. > > 1. what setting did you use on the iron? did you worry about > scortching the paper? is that the reason for the second sheet? > > 2. how fast does it cool off? do we need to be in a hurry and if we > wait too long are we in a mess? Chuck Must have been too busy building to have read his QST... shame shame Chuck.. No wonder he smoked hi soldering iron. (:-) Either that or he was exiled to 6 land for longer than he wanted to admit. 72 all and have a great weekend . Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 15:10:25 1993 Return-Path: id AA07234; Fri, 8 Oct 93 15:10:39 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 8 Oct 1993 15:07:08 -0400 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 1993 15:07:08 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310081907.AA00579@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: QRP@Think.COM, JMG@tntech.edu Subject: Re: Sorry!!!!! > Guys and Gals, > > I think I better retract some of my earlier ramblings. I didn't mean to > start anything by asking about a QRP column. It just was one of those > things that made sense at the time and I am not all that sure about now. >> Sorry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! > > > head hung low and slumpy back into my closet for a while. > > 72 > > Jeff, AC4HF > Jeff, don't say sorry!!! nobody has flamed the league or anything at all. The bottome line is that qrp crosses over with home brewing and kit building and others. Jim said it very well that calling it qrp does kind of put walls up and all. That's why I personally have a hard time saying 72 on the air. Sorry Guys...that's just the way I feel. From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 15:52:00 1993 Return-Path: id AA06940; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:51:54 CDT id AA03187; 4.1/CRI-5.6; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:51:53 CDT Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:51:53 CDT From: dadams@cherry.cray.com (David Adams) Message-Id: <9310081951.AA03187@cherry10.cray.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: QRP column in QST + soldering iron Brad Mitchell writes: >It may seem redundant to publish the tuna tin 2 or whatever the heck it was >that was published years ago, but this is the kind of thing that is needed >to get some of these new hams a jump start. In my recent experience with >making P.C. Boards, and QRP projects, I have been overwhelmed with the response >that has occured from the new hams to build these projects. Litterally over- >whelmed. Speaking as a new ham, and as one that has wanted to get involved for years, being only held back by the high cost of equipment, I think we have a strong need for some simple home brew information that can help teach the newcomer the principles and skills as he/she builds. As a young man I used to scour the library looking for homebrew type information. I found many articles and books about building your own regenerative receiver and simple transmitter, and similar projects all of which were obsolete. These materials would tell you how you could scrounge around for used tubes and other parts. It is hard to do that now--you can't even find the materials these articles would describe anymore. When was the last time you saw a piece of bakelite? My point is that in an earlier era there was an assumption that young people could get into this hobby by using simple materials commonly available. Many articles and books were written to address the need. These materials acted as tutorials teaching many young persons the basics of electronics and radio. What has changed today is not that parts are hard to come by. On the contrary what has changed is that technology has advanced so fast that people don't have the chance to write such a text before it is obsolete. We need some homebrew texts on the order of "QRP Notebook" etc. with up to date information. We need something that shows several examples of using modern chips like the NE602, MC2388, MC3363, etc. We need to have simple examples of phase locked loops, etc., etc. When I look at some of those old projects like the tuna tin 2 (Ok I didn't actually look at that one--but you get the idea) I often get discouraged because the plans often call for parts that used to be as common as a tuna can, but just can't be found anymore. Besides the parts available today are probably much better, If only we had similar information on how to use them. I think the reason people like those old articles is because they were easier to understand. I think this "homebrewing tutorial" type of information needs to teach the new ham how to take advantage of the latest technology. I think many of the articles in QST do a marvelous job, but then you find out that the board you need to do the job is available for $45 from such and such a place. That may be peanuts to many of you, but for a group of scouts trying to pull off a ham project- that is as tough as summer camp, and they worked all summer for that. It is exciting to me to find out that the photocopier can help in making boards at home. This opens up new possibilities. I simply couldn't do the artwork myself with the old resist pen. Of course there is still the initial investment required of a quality soldering iron. But then if a scoutmaster or meritbadge counselor has one it can go a long way for a lot of scouts. (I suppose you can guess where I am trying to go with all this. ;^) >But I also reckognize that there is a new magazine out >there that is specifically for the homebrewing. How many magizines should I have to buy? Maybe if this magizne is much better I should drop my subscription to QST? Well those are my options. BTW, what have people recomended to Chuck about new soldering irons? I have been wanting to order a new one from Jameco. The catalog I have is out of date, but they have an Analog Display Soldering Station (the XY1683) for $69.95. Do any of you know if the price has gone up. Do any of you have a more recent Jameco catalog? This is what the add says: The XY1683 maintains a steady temperature using a cartridge heating element, providing a longer life for the soldering tip. * Electronic temperature control from 200 deg. to 878 deg. F. * Zero-Voltage thyristor switching protects voltage and current sensitive devices such as CMOS IC's against voltage spikes * Power-on and Heater-on LED indicators * Power consumption: 60 watts * Includes one XY21, 1/16" tip * Size: 4.15"W x 6"D x 3.38"H * Weight: 4 lbs. You can buy a variety of other tips for this iron (narrow or wide, semi chisel or conical chisel) for about $4 each. There is a more expensive version with LED temperature readout which will maintain the temperature to +/- 6 deg. F. for $109.95 I figured that was more $ than I could throw at the problem. Can I do better elsewhere? --David C. Adams Statistician Cray Research Inc. dadams@cray.com Kilo Golf Zero India Oscar -(KG0IO)- From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 15:52:25 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA00375; Fri, 8 Oct 93 12:52:07 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08153; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:52:04 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12476; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:51:35 -0500 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:51:35 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310081951.AA12476@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Belton Hamfest Gang, in texas tomorrow, there is a swapmeet in Belton just south of Temple on I35. i'll be there, so i'll be doing some mobile work back and forth. if those of you from texas are gonna be there, look me up. i'll be the tall ugly guy wandering around kicking the tires and looking under the hood. i will have the NorCal 40 serial #2 with me. WARNING: i do know Karate, so don't try to take it away from me..... :-) my instructor was Eagle Park, Eighth Dan, at one time the highest in this country. Red if wondering what the color was of his belt. ;-) Bruce Williams will have his new xcvr there. final price is $129.95 plus $5 for shipping. dual conversion receiver, etc. i'll have the final docs on it tomorrow and will post on sunday or so. hope to see you soon, remember next weekend, 16th of Oct, is the big QSO party. is your antenna ready? batteries charged? cat fed? rig ready to roll? keyer programmed? 73 de k5fo p.s. didn't know whether to do this separate or not. will do it here and hope everybody reads all this. :-) on think.com, in ftp area for qrp stuff will be a was.ps file as soon as Bruce gets it moved over. I'll let him announce to the group. it is a WAS (Worked All States form) in PostScript(tm) format. you can print it on your local printer if you have the capability. use and distribute this form to all the QRPers that you know and might be working on this award. it will make the paperwork much simpler and faster for all concerned. other forms to follow. thanks, chuck CP-60 QRP ARCI# 6285 M-QRP# 1024 NorCal# 40 G-QRP# 7296 ??? not sure on this one, sounds like a net frequency NorTex# 1 From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 15:57:10 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA00906; Fri, 8 Oct 93 12:57:03 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08160; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:56:59 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12489; Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:56:57 -0500 Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 14:56:57 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310081956.AA12489@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: PC Boards Brad, guilty on all counts. bring in the hangman. i'll read it tomorrow on the way to belton tx. and yes, i will be driving and working mobile cw at the same time. :-) joking gang, joking. it - QST article on PC boards. it takes me weeks to read the whole issue. they, ARRL, keeps making the print finer and finer each year. i want to get the issue on an audio tape at 60wpm+. then i can listen to it on the way to work........ oh gang, the net was busy today, wasn't it? ciao, dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 8 18:04:55 1993 Return-Path: id AA20580; Fri, 8 Oct 93 12:04:48 HST id AA13279; Fri, 8 Oct 93 12:04:47 HST Date: Fri, 8 Oct 93 12:04:46 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Project 10: A BFO for your $40 SW rcvr Message-Id: It seems there are quite a few cheapie shortwave receivers out there that have everything (synthesizer tuning, digital readout, fairly good specs) but lack the all important BFO to copy SSB and CW. Well, let's remedy that problem right now. The heart of this project is a 455 kHz IF transformer: go to your closest junked broadcast radio receiver and steal one from there. If you are reading this on rec.radio.shortwave you may skip this paragraph; if you are reading this on rec.radio.amateur.homebrew or on the QRP mailgroup here's a neat idea: get one of these cheapie SW rcvrs and after installing this BFO you'll have a great companion to any of the simple transmitters I've been posting! Let's face it, xmtrs are easy to build, but rcvrs certainly require more care; for $40 you can pick up one of these synthesized digital readout pups and have a complete backpack transmitter-receiver pair. PARTS LIST Q1 2N544 transistor C1 15 pfd variable capacitor C2 .001 mfd C3,4 .01 mfd R1 7.5K resistor R2 5.1K B1 1.5 VDC battery T1 Miller #9-C2 IF transformer SW1 SPST switch ------------------------------------- ANT | | | | | | R1 | | | | | | | | *------*------B-Q1-C-----*----------)-------------*------C2-------- | | E | | | | | | | | | R2 | | C1 | *----- | | GND | | | ) | | | | | ) GND | GND | C ) -------O | | | ) ( | *-------------)----) ( N.C. | | | ) ( | | | ) -------O | | | ) --------------C3-------------)-------------*----- | | *-------SW1-----B1+----GND | | GND Recall: Q1 is marked B=base, C=collector, E=emitter; the case of Q1 MUST be grounded; GND=ground; note the polarity of B1. Now, the unmarked capacitor, C, and its associated transformer, are inside the can of the IF transformer; if you remove the can you'll see where to make the connections. N.C. means not connected - while you have the can off you'll have to cut those leads. Also, screw the tuning screw slug all the way out. After you've put everything together set C1 about midway. Adjust the transformer slug until it resonates at 455 kHz, which can be accomplished using a receiver or GDO. AS you tune the slug (using the receiver) you should hear the heterodyne note of the BFO lowering in pitch until it eventually zero-beats. Stop tuning at this point. The BFO antenna can be any piece of hookup wire wrapped around the antenna wire near (or even inside of) the receiver. Whenever you want to copy CW or SSB, merely flick on SW1. Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 9 22:52:16 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA05110; Sat, 9 Oct 93 19:52:10 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11416; Sat, 9 Oct 93 21:52:05 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA14256; Sat, 9 Oct 93 21:52:03 -0500 Date: Sat, 9 Oct 93 21:52:03 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310100252.AA14256@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: new MXM es R&R revies Gang, I was at the Belton Swap Meet in Belton TX on Saturday, Oct 9. Saw a PM-2 complete in box for $80 and several HW-8s, all clean. Sorry, I didn't buy any, since the last thing I need is a new rig. :-) I do personally want to thank you guys up in the north for the cool weather. Finally the heat wave has broken. High temp today was 75 and the low forcast for tonight is in the lower 40s. Belton is a two hour drive from Denton county. I took the NN1G 40 meter rig with me and ran it off the 7AH 12V Gel Cell. Just listened as I was rushed to get out the door early and didn't have a setup for a keyer and I did want to concentrate on the driving. The receiver worked great and enjoyed listening to many QSOs going down. Band was not doing all that well in the afternoon, with the solar flare (corona hole?) and all. Used the WD4BUM 'ham stick' for an antenna. Here is the latest ad that came out today from MXM Industries, Rt 1 Box 156C, Smithville, TX 78957 (512) 237-3906 and I quote from the flyer that I picked from Bruce Williams, WA6IVC, owner and designer. I am not paid by or financially connected to MXM Industries, just a satisfied customer. ------------------------------------------------------------- Hi-Performance CW Transceiver Kit 80-40-30-20 Meters +----------------------------------+ | | | SIMPLE TRANSCEIVER | | | +----------------------------------+ Double Conversion Excellent Dynamic Range Super-Het Receiver Speaker Volume Audio Dual IF Filters True RF Monitoring Pass Band Tuning 3-4 Watts Power Output Double Balanced Mixers QSK Full Break-In The SIMPLE TRANSCEIVER is not a re-hash of an old design. It is new, inovative and outstanding. The receiver performance is the best of any kit we have tested. It rivals the sensitivity and selectivity of many of the expensive commercial transceivers. The QSK is smooth and you monitor your transmitted signal not some silly side tone. The pass band tuning feature will allow you to vary the effective filter width and the pitch of the received signal. The transmitter features a solid 3 to 4 watts output power with no chirps or clicks. It is also SWR protected just like the big radios. You kit will include: PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD, ALL BOARD MOUNTED COMPONENTS, 7:1 VERNIER DRIVE TUNING CAP, ALUMINUM CABINET. You will need to pick up a few minor parts, such as connectors of your choice, from your local supplier or Radio Shack. $129.95 and $5 S&H Limited Time Only ---------------------------------------------------------------- I want to thank everyone that was involved in the R&R Associates deal for the CMOS Super Keyer II deal. I received mine on Friday, October 8th. If you remember from posts some time ago to this group, the kit was for $25 + $1 for programming + $1 S&H. I keep hearing feedback from numerous places that due to the fire in a plastics plant in Japan, the IC market has been hit fairly hard causing numerous price increases, delays in components, etc. Motorola has a backlog for the MC68HC705C8P microprocessor, the one used in this kit, and there is also a price increase to $19 each - up from $10.80 for the old price, in small quantities like R&R is getting. So the price of the kit is now $32 + $1 + $1 in the note that I got from R&R. In the kit I got the micro, associated parts, a small speaker 8ohm 2inch (for monitor, but I don't think I'll use it due to poor quality), and two small PC boards (and for the same reason I won't be using these). The boards were hand drilled and no way a socket (not included - 80 pin) is ever going to go onto the board due to alignment. I will be wirewrapping (I can still do that stuff) this critter onto a small perf board with wirewrap sockets and wirewrap pins. Think I'll put this in one of the NN1G xcvrs (the 40M one) and see how it does. It (CMOS keyer) runs for a long time on two AA cells. With the kit came a four page photocopy of the November 1990 QST article by KC0Q and N0II and two page photocopy of a Manual Supplement: Version 2.0 from Logikey K-1 CMOS Super Keyer II Kit (Copyright 1991). Also a one page "catalog" from R&R for PC Boards from 73, QST, and ARRL HB circuits. I don't think I'll be ordering any of these after my experience as outlined here. In summary, I think maybe the $49 kit price from Idiom Press might just be a better deal. It wasn't that I was trying to be cheap, but the price of $25 + change looked too good to be true (and it was). My personal opinions expressed above. I'd like to hear comments from the others, but they may not wish to be so open as I. Hope they are having better results. Anyone in this group get the Idiom Press kit? Is this a record? Is the first negative review that I've done? I think it is. OK, back to my hole where I hope it's still warm. :-) Hope to see you during the Fall QRP ARCI QSO Party next weekend. 73 from the ranch of k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Oct 10 01:44:43 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA15036; Sat, 9 Oct 93 22:44:33 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11626; Sun, 10 Oct 93 00:44:27 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA14347; Sun, 10 Oct 93 00:44:26 -0500 Date: Sun, 10 Oct 93 00:44:26 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310100544.AA14347@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: MXM followup Gang, i typed in the ad as it was written. It's not clear in their writeup, but it is a monobander. you specify which band you want. sorry for the confusion. i'm innocent, i promise. the dual bander rig will be from OHR pretty soon, i think. 73 de k5fo/qrp p.s. 40 sounding pretty low saturday nite but did hear a ZL at 7.003. From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Oct 10 16:50:45 1993 Return-Path: id AA24226 for qrp@think.com; Sun, 10 Oct 93 16:50:37 -0400 id AA325395 ; Sun, 10 Oct 93 15:29:47 EST Date: Sun, 10 Oct 93 20:32:09 GMT Message-Id: <18019@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: CT State Convention QRP Forum Drew about 25 people, which sure surprised me. They had to climb a steep hill on a cold day, and walk away from the flea market to get there. Look for more activity on 7040 soon! 73, Jim KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 01:54:35 1993 Return-Path: id AA19329; Sun, 10 Oct 93 22:54:26 PDT id AA23549; Sun, 10 Oct 93 22:54:24 PDT Date: Sun, 10 Oct 93 22:54:24 PDT From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein -- kd6laa) Message-Id: <9310110554.AA23549@harley.tti.com> To: JMG@tntech.edu, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: QRP group.. very small? +I wonder if there is enough interest to warrant at least a small regular +QST QRP column. If you are looking for a reasonably good QRP column in a general ham mag, you may want to consider "Worldradio". Their sub number is 1-800-366-9192. I suspect that they will send you a sample if you ask nicely. 72 +/- 1, kd6laa (moi!) From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 06:59:57 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 05:59:32 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 05:59:18 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 01:59:00 -0500 Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 06:59:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.890:11.09.93.10.59.18] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: sale - TEN-TE... From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"8891 Mon Oct 11 05:59:21 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: sale - TEN-TEC 405 & stuff For Sale: Ten-Tec 405 linear amp 80 - 10 meters. 3 - 5 watts in, 50 watts out. 12 -14 VDC @ 10 amps. This is the matching amplifier for the TEN-TEC 505 & 509. It will also work with the TEN-TEC 515 or any 3-5 watt HF rig. Excellent condition, the paint looks almost new. with photocopied manual. $200.00 obo, price includes UPS in USA. MFJ-815 SWR/Power meter 20, 200, 2K watt scales. Crossed needle movement. Works, some scratches on top. $45.00 Advanced Receiver Research 2 meter GASfet pre-amp SP144VDG GASfet pre-amp w/ TR switching. rated 25 watts, .5 nf $45.00 Prices include UPS shipping in the US. ==================================================================== Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst Northern Telecom RTP, NC. ph.(919) 992-3925 email: cmwdr01@nt.com qrl? de N4ELM/qrp All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, co-workers or any other person, real or imaginary. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 07:41:52 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for qrp@think.com); Mon, 11 Oct 1993 05:40:52 -0600 From: Bill Kelsey Message-Id: <199310111140.AA16267@teal.csn.org> Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... To: mb@titan.wordperfect.com (Michael Bendio (unix dev)) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 05:40:51 -0600 (MDT) Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9310081555.AA26992@titan.wordperfect.com> from "Michael Bendio (unix dev)" at Oct 8, 93 09:55:22 am X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 793 > > Here is a non-electronic question that I hope is nonetheless relevant. > > I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling > holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will > hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to > believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of > adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? > > Michael Bendio, WT7J > I seem to remember reading somewhere years ago that you could wrap a layer of fine solder around the drill bit and put it in the chuck with the solder between the chuck and the bit - and that would allow you to use a much smaller bit than normal. I have never tried it - seems like the bit would slip..... 73 - Bill - N8ET From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 09:38:07 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA22766; Mon, 11 Oct 93 09:38:02 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 093631.25286; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 09:36:31 EDT id AA23233; Mon, 11 Oct 93 08:59:22 EDT Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 08:59:22 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310111259.AA23233@auratek.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, uunet!chuck.dallas.sgi.com!adams@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: MXM followup Chuck Thought you would like to sign up for this one (see attached). Finally got some time down in the workshop this weekend and had a chance to finish and package up a 40M transceiver that I started last winter. Third QSO was with a W5 from Dallas. 73 Ed W1AAZ ==================================================================== Ham Radio Operators Needed to Participate in Tactual Interface Study ==================================================================== We at the Sensory Communication Group of Research laboratory of Electronics at MIT are interested in studying whether people can perceive Morse Codes through finger motions. We are looking for experienced Morse Code operators to participate in our study. Traditionally, Morse Codes are perceived through the auditory channel. There are deaf Morse Code operators who receive Morse Code through a vibrator on the skin. We have constructed an experimental apparatus that is capable of moving the index finger in a fashion similar to the motions it makes while sending Morse Code. We would like to compare the learning curves of Morse Code operators and naive subjects (i.e., people who have never used Morse code before) in receiving Morse Codes through this device. We would like to recruit 3 Morse Code operators to participate in our study along with three naive subjects. We would prefer people who can use a straight key, but anyone who knows Morse Code is invited to participate in our study. All subjects will be paid on an hourly basis (rate to be determined). UROP positions are available for MIT students who would like to be more involved in the research. After the initial screening, subjects are expected to be trained 3 times a week, roughly 1.5 hours per session for about 3-6 months. We will encourage the completion of the study by paying a bonus to those who stay till the end. Please reply to this Email account and explain in a sentence or two who you are and why you would like to participate in this research. Thank you. -Hong Z. Tan- Ph.D. Candidate EECS tan@cbgrle.mit.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 10:30:22 1993 Return-Path: Mon, 11 Oct 93 14:29:15 GMT Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 14:22:30 GMT From: PENC@psumeteo.psu.edu Subject: small drill bits To: qrp@Think.COM X-Vms-Mail-To: EXOS%"qrp@think.com" Message-Id: <931011142230.20408732061@psumeteo.psu.edu> Board Fabricators: I have used #60 bits in a black and decker hand drill with success. I mounted the hand drill in one of those "drill press stands" which are used to convert your portable electric hand drill to operate as a miniature drill press. I think they run around 20 or 30 bucks. Try out your portable drill to see if the chuck will clamp the bit tightly-- mine did (both 3/8 and 1/4 inch chucks). I have never had a problem with this method. Perhaps I was lucky. Radio Shack also used to sell a miniature hand drill (about $4) in their catalog. That worked fine for drilling a small number of holes, but is more difficult since you must concentrate on holding the drill, necessitating holding the board down by other means. I have had success with that too; although it takes more time. Since many of you have portable electric drills lying around, give it a try (see if the bit will hold first) then get one of those inexpensive drill press stands. It will prove useful for other household tasks and pay for itself. de WK2A/3 Rich Penc Dept. of Meteorology Penn State University penc@psumeteo.psu.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 13:11:44 1993 Return-Path: id AA29281; Mon, 11 Oct 93 10:11:28 PDT id AA07675; Mon, 11 Oct 93 10:11:26 PDT id AA08222; Mon, 11 Oct 93 10:09:34 PDT Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 10:09:34 PDT From: Dennis.Henderson@Eng.Sun.COM (Dennis Henderson) Message-Id: <9310111709.AA08222@oversteer.Eng.Sun.COM> To: mb@titan.wordperfect.com, kelsey@csn.org Subject: Re: tiny drill bits... Cc: qrp@Think.COM > Here is a non-electronic question that I hope is nonetheless relevant. > > I just got some very small-diameter (#66, I think) drill bits for drilling > holes in PCBs. To my dismay, the smallest bits my drill press chuck will > hold are 1/16". Likewise, my electric drill. What to do? I have to > believe that a new chuck would be pretty expensive. Are there any kind of > adapters or holders for small drill bits like these? > > Michael Bendio, WT7J Check a hobby shop for an adapter that allows use of the tiny drill bits. I think they are primarily designed for hand drilling but might work in a powered drill. ...Dennis Henderson, N6TTW From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 14:16:55 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA27770; Mon, 11 Oct 93 11:16:46 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA14885; Mon, 11 Oct 93 13:16:33 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA16287; Mon, 11 Oct 93 13:16:32 -0500 Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 13:16:32 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310111816.AA16287@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Hobby Shop Gang, while you're at the hobby shop, ask to look at a 'prop nut wrench'. i have one of these and they make a great tool for the nut on phone jacks, pots, etc. can use this tool without damaging the nice paint job you put on the cabinet. there are a lot of other goodies too. ever hear of the Adams Actuator?? if you know that one, you are approaching that age where younger people call you an OF. :-) 73 de k5fo dit dit p.s. if you care, i got the lowest signal report of my life (35 yrs ham). at midnite texas time, worked a W7 on 40M with my 950mW. he gave me a 139, but copied me through a 10 minute qso. i gave him some relief by slowing down to 22wpm and not holding him for a 30 min qso. this was last night and he was in Spokane WA. that makes one on 20 and one of 40. must be one of the major lobes for 80M LW pointed due north. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 14:44:21 1993 Return-Path: id AB25980; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 14:43:04 -0400 Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 14:39:05 -0400 (EDT) From: Robert Marlan Subject: argosy Qrp rig To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I have an opportunity to buy a mint ten-tec argosy with matching power supply. I comes with a factory switch to go between 5 and 50 watts. It also has a built in swr meter. Two question for the group: 1) are these good rigs - have people had good or bad experiences with them? 2) what is a fair price - is $300 a good deal for everyything? 3) I was originally thinking about getting a spirit rig, but now this seems like a good deal - also does ssb.. what do you all think... thank bob Ka6noc From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 15:29:08 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA28450; Mon, 11 Oct 93 15:29:02 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 152748.15827; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 15:27:48 EDT id AA08257; Mon, 11 Oct 93 13:16:57 EST From: jpo@acd4.acd.com ( Jim Osburn ) Message-Id: <9310111816.AA08257@IEDV5.acd.com> Subject: Re: R&R and OHR WM-1 To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 13:16:56 EST Cc: qrp@Think.COM (QRP Mailing List) In-Reply-To: <9310100252.AA14256@chuck.dallas.sgi.com>; from "Charles Adams" at Oct 9, 93 9:52 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] Good to know someone got their keyer kit. Mine has been on order since 8/23/93 and I haven't heard a peep. I already have one of the Idiom press kit's that I have been using for over a year, maybe close to 2 years. The kit was good, went together fast, the PCB was good, no parts other than the ones on the board though. I'm still using the batteries I installed when I built it. The Idiom kit is worth the $49.00. On Saturday I finished an OHR WM-1 QRP Wattmeter. One part was missing from the kit, the No. 4 solder lug. I improvised without it. After finishing the Wattmeter, I adjusted the output of my Kenwood TS-440S to 4 W and worked Montana on 40 m. I needed Montana. 73, Jim From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 15:42:55 1993 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0omT8r-000MQ0C; Mon, 11 Oct 93 12:42 PDT (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0omTEw-00016pC; Mon, 11 Oct 93 12:49 PDT Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 12:49:05 PST From: Michael D Wyman Message-Id: <931011124905_3@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: Spence_S_Wilhelm@ccm.hf.intel.com, qrp-request@Think.COM, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Hobby Shop Gang, The hobby shop also carries an assortment of small jewelers screwdrivers and dremel supplies for PC board assembly. By the way regarding the Adam Actuator, bet you haven't seen a Janssen Digi Trio! regards and good QRP de Mike WB1CWD From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 15:59:47 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.931011145903.384; 11 Oct 93 14:59:37 +600 Message-Id: To: rsm@world.std.com >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 11 Oct 93 14:58:53 CDT Subject: Re: argosy Qrp rig Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu Cc: QRP@Think.COM X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 1958 > I have an opportunity to buy a mint ten-tec argosy > > Two question for the group: > 1) are these good rigs - have people had good or bad experiences with them? > 2) what is a fair price - is $300 a good deal for everyything? > 3) I was originally thinking about getting a spirit rig, > but now this seems like a good deal - also does ssb.. > I'd jump on it but then I'm biased....have had an Argosy since they first came out...81-82?...been a great rig....hardly ever had it out of the 5w position but its nice having the capability to do 50W if you ever need it. Its not digital, i.e. no 2d vfo, memories etc, but I've been able to work over 180 qrp countries with it and a G5RV at 25 ft (of course, I use a 2d receiver too). As usual with Ten Tec, QSK is superb, good reports on keying, and although I don't use it much, voice quality (almost have a QRP SSB DXCC). Somewhat large for a portable rig but certainly possible although fairly high current draw. Also, check to see what additional boards it has. For example, since purchase I have developed a need for the noise blanker but haven't been able to find one. I very much like the audio filter using that almost exclusively and would categorize the .5khz IF filter as nonessential (but I like to hear whats going on around me). The one time I had to send it in I received the very quick, high quality service I've heard Ten Tec has a (well-deserved by my experience) reputation for. 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 16:22:49 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for ); Mon, 11 Oct 1993 16:22:31 -0400 Message-Id: <199310112022.AA05951@postoffice.mail.cornell.edu> Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 16:22:34 +0500 To: QRP@Think.COM From: fkf1@cornell.edu (F. Kevin Feeney) X-Sender: fkf1@postoffice.mail.cornell.edu Subject: Re: Argosy Bob, I like my Argosy fine. It has a decent receiver and the reports I get from it are fine. The 5/50 watt switch is nice for running QRP, makes it pretty easy to get down to the low power levels without fussing. I like the fact that it has a 10 mhz position, so you get 30 meters either qrp or qro. Also the cw filter, if you have it installed, is nice. Mine is 500 hz and helps a lot. Also you can get a variety of filters for it. Check and see if it has a 4 pole or 8 pole filter in it for the main ssb filter - either will work and I have a 4 pole and have used it for years, but when the band is noisy/crowded I wish the skirts were in tighter (so I'm getting a new filter!) I paid $275 or $300 for mine about 4 years ago and thought that was a fine price - no power supply and I had to pop for the special breaker to protect it. I use mine mostly mobile and have a lot of fun with it. I also like it for emergency use as it takes a lot less power than my synthesized rig in receive. (especially when you remove the dial lamp) It's a nice basic radio - not terribly complicated, seems to work fine, qsk is nice, the 5 watt level is handy (fun to run qrp amtor with), and getting 6 bands (plus all of 10 meters) plus QRO/QRP and SSB tossed in for the price in a 12 volt solid state radio can't hardly be beat. :-) Plus there is enough room in it to do some hacking if you want. I'd go for it. 73 de Kevin, WB2EMS From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 16:24:25 1993 Return-Path: id AA10800 for qrp@think.com; Mon, 11 Oct 93 16:24:13 -0400 id AA326716 ; Mon, 11 Oct 93 15:08:41 EST Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 20:08:12 GMT Message-Id: <18139@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: qrp@Think.COM, rsm@world.std.com Subject: Re: argosy Qrp rig Bob asked about the Argosy. This sounds like the original Argosy, with analog dial. The price seems right. It's a good rig. The switch bypasses the PA for QRP. The Argosy II works differently: the switch reduces the drive, meaning high idling current in QRP operation but probably better IMD. I reworked my II with a 5-W-only final. The 10-meter band is covered in 4 segments, which could become 2 segments of 10 meters and one each for 17 and 12. Someday I will do this mod! There are some problems with thumping QSK, which are covered in QRP Classics. If your audio thumps badly on CW, let me know and I'll post the mod-- replacing a cap. The VFOs sometimes develop problems. The VFO is adjusted with a slug-tuned coil, not a cap. There may be mechanical problems, but Ten Tec has replacement VFOs. Dunno the price. If yours is broken, it will be obvious when you use it--the freq jumps (this can be a dial problem too, easily solved). Compared to the going prices of Argonauts, which cannot be fitted with CW-bandwidth crystal filters etc, $300 for an Argosy is almost a steal. It's slightly bigger than an Argonaut, but not much. LOTS of room inside for mods, additions, etc. I used mine to achieve 2nd place in 1A battery during FD 91. 73, Jim, KR1S From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 16:34:45 1993 Return-Path: <01H3ZP1KI57GC2ITFS@tntech.edu>; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 15:36:01 CDT Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 15:36:01 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: keyer To: QRP@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H3ZP1KI57IC2ITFS@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"QRP@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT all, I also built the Idiom press keyer.. my first kit.. my elmer had to get rid of a few soldering bridges and show me how to read a schematic, worked fine the first time on a 440..didn't key my 820.. had to put in a reed relay for that type of rig. Still have the same batteries after a long time. It is the best keyer I ever used (I now have at leat 5 different keyers and I am just finishing an article on accesories). The keyer alone has the best timing and is the most forgiving. The contesting features are GREAT... extremely well thought out.. I have used it in more than 15 contests in the last year and a half. I also never received my kit..from what Chuck said, maybe I should be glad..not sure, but don't think my check was ever cashed..it has been so long, couldn't find it.. anyone know whether the original checks were cashed when sent? Anyone besides Chuck get theirs? 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 16:47:11 1993 Return-Path: sendmail 5.67/UCSD-2.2-sun via SMTP Mon, 11 Oct 93 13:47:04 -0700 for qrp@Think.COM by weber.ucsd.edu (8.6/UCSDGENERIC.4c) on ttyud id NAA22188; Mon, 11 Oct 1993 13:47:03 -0700 Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 13:47:03 -0700 From: jgervais@weber.ucsd.edu (Joe Gervais ) Message-Id: <199310112047.NAA22188@weber.ucsd.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Records for farthest QSO per watt? Cc: joe@expersoft.com Hi Everyone, I was wondering what the Km/W records were. Mainly HF, but also VHF/UHF. Does anyone keep track of these things? How about sharing yours? I'll start. The first time I turned my SB-101 down to 5 watts (recent) I got La Jolla, Ca. Which is about 12 miles from my QTH. :) Not quite a max range record, but I'm working on it! 73, Joe jgervais@ucsd.edu KD6PRD/AG "20 WPM or Bust!" (Almost done rebuilding my antenna, hoping to break that 1000Km/W soon...) From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 17:16:47 1993 Return-Path: id AA03556; Mon, 11 Oct 93 17:16:23 EDT From: bwhite@dsd.camb.inmet.com (Bill White) Message-Id: <9310112116.AA03556@dsd.camb.inmet.com> Subject: Re: keyer To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 17:16:03 -0400 (EDT) In-Reply-To: <01H3ZP1KI57IC2ITFS@tntech.edu> from "JEFF M. GOLD" at Oct 11, 93 03:36:01 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 1109 > > all, > > I also built the Idiom press keyer.. my first kit.. my elmer had to get > rid of a few soldering bridges and show me how to read a schematic, > worked fine the first time on a 440..didn't key my 820.. had to put in a > reed relay for that type of rig. Still have the same batteries after a > long time. It is the best keyer I ever used (I now have at leat 5 > different keyers and I am just finishing an article on accesories). The > keyer alone has the best timing and is the most forgiving. The > contesting features are GREAT... extremely well thought out.. I have > used it in more than 15 contests in the last year and a half. > > I also never received my kit..from what Chuck said, maybe I should be > glad..not sure, but don't think my check was ever cashed..it has been so > long, couldn't find it.. anyone know whether the original checks were > cashed when sent? Anyone besides Chuck get theirs? > > 72 > > Jeff, AC4HF > I got mine on Saturday. I don't remember when I ordered it though. It was a long time ago, that I know. I haven't had time to sit down and look at it yet. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 17:49:04 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310112147.AA06730@mts-gw.pa.dec.com> Date: Mon, 11 Oct 93 14:48:59 PDT From: _...just waiting to happen. To: qrp@Think.COM Apparently-To: qrp@think.com Subject: personal record/watt I made a 300 mile 40m qso with the tuna tin II (100mW?) during the early afternoon once, that suprised me no end! /john wb5oau From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 18:48:19 1993 Return-Path: 11 Oct 93 15:45 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: keyer In-Reply-To: Your message of "Mon, 11 Oct 1993 15:36:01 CDT." <01H3ZP1KI57IC2ITFS@tntech.edu> Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 15:45:26 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9310111545.aa17855@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Well, I suppose Richard is a wee-bit slow getting out his CMOS keyer kits! I note that he is a regular at our local swap meets, and I see him each time I go (about once each two months lately). I bought the CMOS Super Keyer II kit from him last year for the low $20 price tag, and was wonderfully impressed. The board was nothing to write home about, but I didn't care, it did the job fine. The chip I got was EEPROM (probably a mistake) - so I can even have it reprogrammed. It went together in an hour or two, got one part wrong (easily replaced) and had to do a bit of figuring on some others, the instructions were not that clear. All in the game, though. Put it in a Ten Tec box to match my Argonaut, and have enjoyed it ever since. I thought the price tag was just the ticket for me. I want another, and will be asking Richard about his expected shipping dates next time I see him. Clark ..................... Clark Savage Turner, Graduate Student Researcher Safety Critical Software Group home: Department of Info. and Computer Science 1514 Verano Place Irvine, CA. 92717 Irvine, CA. 92715 (714) 856 4049 (714) 856 2131 WA3JPG, QRP #3526, active on HF, VHF and UHF. ARRL Volunteer Counsel From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 11 19:59:18 1993 Return-Path: on Mon, 11 Oct 1993 18:36:22 -0500. Organization: Iowa Computer Aided Engineering Network, University of Iowa Date: Mon, 11 Oct 1993 18:35:00 +1872500 (??) From: Douglas J Renze Subject: Re: keyer To: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9310111545.aa17855@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Can anybody tell me what the current price tag for the Super Keyer II kit is? From what I read in the original QST article and in the '93 Handbook, it seems to be an excellent device. __ /| | Douglas J Renze, N0YVW | \'o.O' | +1 319 337 4664 | In God We Trust: =(___)= | drenze@icaen.uiowa.edu | All Others Pay Cash U | Douglas-Renze@uiowa.edu | From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 07:01:00 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310121100.AA16077@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: 12 Oct 1993 06:54:24 +0000 From: "Bob Scott" Subject: HW-9 To: "QRP" Subject: Time:6:54 AM OFFICE MEMO HW-9 Date:10/12/93 A local ham is selling his HW-9 and needs to know what a reasonable asking price would be. He is also including the HFT-9A antenna tuner and the PSA-9 power supply. Please let me know what he should be able to get for the batch. Thanks. 73 Bob AC4QO From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 07:58:29 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9310121158.AA18858@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 5669; Tue, 12 Oct 93 07:57:49 EDT Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 07:55:40 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: Source for Gel Cells? To: qrp@Think.COM I would like to know a good source to purchase new, quality gel cells. I am interested in 6 - 7 AH cells. I have been burned by some "hamfest deals" as the cells would not come up to full charge. Thanks, Greg Buhyoff KN4FR From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 08:40:40 1993 Return-Path: id AA02344; Tue, 12 Oct 93 08:39:57 EDT Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 08:39:57 EDT From: skitch@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (M. Squicciarini) Message-Id: <9310121239.AA02344@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: CMOS Keyer II Received I received my keyer on Saturday and look forward to building it as soon as time permits. I would like to key my Drake T4XB with it and if someone has a suggestion for a circuit to do that I would appreciated that. 73 -- marty -- nr3z skitch@nadc.navy.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 08:51:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA18263; Tue, 12 Oct 93 08:54:33 -0400 Message-Id: <9310121254.AA18263@wrdis01.robins.af.mil> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 08:54:33 -0400 From: lakeith@wrdis01.robins.af.mil (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;WR-ALC/653 CCSG/SCDD) Subject: Re: Source for Gel Cells? To: BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU Cc: qrp@Think.COM X-Orig-Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 07:55:40 EDT X-Orig-From: Greg Buhyoff X-Orig-Message-Id: <9310121158.AA18858@Early-Bird.Think.COM> In your message of 12 Oct 1993 at 0842 EDT, you write: > I would like to know a good source to purchase new, quality gel > cells. I am interested in 6 - 7 AH cells. I have been burned by > some "hamfest deals" as the cells would not come up to full charge. > Thanks, Greg Buhyoff KN4FR > Try Midwest Surplus Electronics 1-800-523-3690. They did have some new (surplus) gel cells in that range.. 73, Larry KQ4BY From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 10:22:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA05831; Tue, 12 Oct 93 10:21:48 EDT Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 10:21:48 EDT From: skitch@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (M. Squicciarini) Message-Id: <9310121421.AA05831@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Mods for Argosy Jim, K1RS, mentioned mods for the Argosy to add 12 and 17 meters. Is there someplace I could get a hold of them? Also what other mods are there for the the Argosy? Look for me this weekend in the Fall QRP CW QSO Party 73 -- marty -- nr3z skitch@nadc.navy.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 10:32:49 1993 Return-Path: 12 Oct 93 7:28 PDT To: "M. Squicciarini" Cc: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: CMOS Keyer II Received In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 12 Oct 1993 08:39:57 EDT." <9310121239.AA02344@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1993 07:28:50 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9310120728.aa22447@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Glad to hear people are receiving the CMOS keyer kits. There is a question about keying tube type rigs.... I built up a little switching circuit for my Kenwood TS 530 from the article in QST, Feb, 1990 pps 24-27. They aren't very basic instructions, but if you have any trouble at all in figuring out how to fill in the details, just ask. The solutions are very simple and work just fine. 72 Clark WA3JPG Filling my shack (slowly) with American gear..... From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 10:41:39 1993 Return-Path: <@UNIVSCVM.CSD.SCAROLINA.EDU:BMOBLEY@isc.scarolina.edu> Message-Id: <9310121441.AA25055@Early-Bird.Think.COM> (IBM VM SMTP V2R2) with TCP; Tue, 12 Oct 93 10:40:33 EDT Tue, 12 Oct 93 10:41:26 EST5EDT To: qrp@Think.COM From: "Berry L. Mobley" Organization: USC Instructional Services Center Date: Tue, 12 Oct 1993 10:41:09 EST5EDT Subject: Re: Source for Gel Cells? Reply-To: bmobley@isc.scarolina.edu Priority: normal X-Mailer: WinPMail v1.0 (R2) > I would like to know a good source to purchase new, quality gel > cells. I am interested in 6 - 7 AH cells. I have been burned by > some "hamfest deals" as the cells would not come up to full charge. > Thanks, Greg Buhyoff KN4FR Check with a security or alarm dealer. You can get the battery plus a charger for under $30. Berry Berry Mobley KE4DCC/AE | 'It's not denial, I'm just selective bmobley@isc.scarolina.edu | about the reality I accept.' Calvin From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 11:56:52 1993 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0omm5d-000MOMC; Tue, 12 Oct 93 08:56 PDT (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0ommBp-0000weC; Tue, 12 Oct 93 09:03 PDT Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 09:03:09 PST From: Michael D Wyman Message-Id: <931012090309_3@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: Spence_S_Wilhelm@ccm.hf.intel.com, qrp-request@Think.COM, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re[2]: Source for Gel Cells? Hey guys, There is a place here in Arizona called Lynntronics that sells gell cells brand new for a fairly good price. I can get their address if anyone wants it . . . 73's de Mike WB1CWD From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 12:35:20 1993 Return-Path: Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 12:33:38 EDT From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: rrand@PICA.ARMY.MIL Subject: QRP DXpedition Message-Id: <9310121233.aa17403@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> I am going on a QRP DXpedition at the end of the month. I will be operating from Aruba and my callsign will be P40C. Operation will commence on 26 or 27 October on the usual QRP frequencies or down around .020 if activity is light. I will be using an Argonaut II to a tribander and dipoles on a 7th floor roof. Hopefully, I will have a good signal. Also, I will be active in the CQ WW SSB contest as P40C(a QRP entry). Please look for me and give me a point. The contest starts at 0000z 30 Oct and ends 2400z 31 Oct. I will be on continuously throughout the contest period. I would guess the best places to find me during the CQ WW would be in the upper portions of the phone bands where activity is lighter and my weaker signal will stand out better. If you find me and work me, post me on the local packetcluster so others can find and work me. This goes for before the contest also, it will make it easier for some of you to find me. All QSL's will be answered as I will be logging with a computer and will print out all labels upon my return. QSL to my callbook address with an SASE or if you want to wait, you can pick your card/s up for free at Dayton. I will bring along cards and labels. QSL's via the bureau for non US stations are welcomed. Some activity is planned for the WARC bands before the contest for those that are interested in WARC. 73, Randy Rand AA2U / P40C rrand@PICA.ARMY.MIL From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 13:43:40 1993 Return-Path: id AA04370 for qrp@think.com; Tue, 12 Oct 93 13:43:23 -0400 id AA327931 ; Tue, 12 Oct 93 12:27:26 EST Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 17:19:01 GMT Message-Id: <18228@jek> From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: Mods for Argosy Marty, NR3Z asks about the 12- and 17-meter mods to the Argosy. I was going to wing it, but there was a mod kit for another Ten Tec rig available. I almost got one at a flea market, but the guy ahead of me bought it. The way I figured to do it was to change the crystals and use jumpers on the band switch to select the appropriate low-pass filters (10-meter filter for 12 meters, 15-meter filter for 17). Tweaking the CW offset in that rig is a pain. They use one BFO crystal and select parallel trimmer caps for USB, LSB and CW. There is interaction, the caps drift, etc. Big pain. I like a beat note of about 500 Hz, which I was able to achieve, but I never got the sideband offsets quite right. I'll probably invest in some more crystals and run each one off its own crystal. Not that I do much SSB. In fact, I've never worked anyone on SSB with that rig! I'd like to slow up the AGC decay time a tad, but that's a personal preference and easy to accomplish. There is an RIT, and I'd like to make it switchable RIT/XIT. That way, I could find the place a DX station is listening with the RIT, hit the switch and be ready to transmit there. I don't have (or feel the need for) the noise blanker, so I could wire the function via that pushbutton. There's an article about Ten Tec PTO (permeability tuned oscillators, the method used in their VFOs of that vintage) overhaul kits in the October issue of _QRP Quarterly_, a benefit of paid membership in QRP Amateur Radio Club Int'l (ARCI). The author says the overhaul kits do a good job that lasts. I like the Argosy. IMO, Ten Tec should keep making rigs like it and the PM series. If we want synthesized whiz-bang rigs, there are plenty of places to get them. What this country needs is a good $500 transceiver! (Without a basketful of modules.) Looking at the apparent success of Tejas, Oak Hills, A&A and others, I'd say Ten Tec prematurely discontinued the PM series of transceivers, that had direct-conversion receivers. Of course, I feel the same way about Subaru. They made great, cheap cars, but they had to be "just like Toyota," and now there's no good, inexpensive, reliable car maker. Moral: Be happy with what you are. Don't try to be W3LPL. 73, Jim, KR1S Note: I'm not a spokesperson for ARRL, Ten Tec, Subaru or W3LPL! From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 12 15:34:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA17077; Tue, 12 Oct 93 09:34:30 HST id AA19275; Tue, 12 Oct 93 09:32:33 HST Date: Tue, 12 Oct 93 9:32:32 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Project 10: Oops! Message-Id: Before anyone accuses me of owning stock in the battery companies I'd better make a (not so) slight correction to the BFO circuit I posted last week (and shame on you folks for not catching my error!). I left capacitor C4 out; the lower right portion of the diagram should look like this: | | *-----SW1-----B1+---GND | | C4 | | GND As you can see, without C4 the BFO wouldn't have beat very much... Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 06:46:08 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310131046.AA16493@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: 13 Oct 1993 06:44:25 +0000 From: "Bob Scott" Subject: HW-9 Sold To: "QRP" Subject: Time:6:46 AM OFFICE MEMO HW-9 Sold Date:10/13/93 The HW-9 setup has been sold. Thanks for all your interest. 73 Bob AC4QO From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 09:11:23 1993 Return-Path: id AA08633; Wed, 13 Oct 93 09:10:16 -0400 Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 09:10:16 -0400 From: comas@dwcu03.nyo.dec.com (andrew comas) Message-Id: <9310131310.AA08633@dwcu03.nyo.dec.com> To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: new MXM es R&R revies >>Anyone in this group get the Idiom Press kit? Chuck, Yes and have been happy with it for the most part. It was like $48 including s/h, but no speaker, buttons, or phone jacks. The PC board was not of the greatest quality, and actually I found an open trace on one of the pull-up (?) resistors. This may have been due to my soldering, if so it was the first time I ever done this. Yet the PC board is small, they include a socket for the microcontroller chip. I really like this keyer, nevertheless I am beginning to notice differences between the curtis keyer chip in my Yaesu and software (OK firmware) keyer programmers. They are not as smooth as curtis chips and I sometimes get dit-dit when I should have just gotten dit. Has anyone else noticed this? andrew KF2JH From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 09:31:54 1993 Return-Path: <01H422V3HHIKC2JGJH@tntech.edu>; Wed, 13 Oct 1993 08:33:02 CDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1993 08:33:02 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: NN1G To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H422V3HHIMC2JGJH@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Help!!!! I have been trying to fix Doug's NN1G... had a friend trying to do it.. but he put it off for months.. so finally took it back and trying to do it myself. I have the receiver running, aligned and even close to frequency. Last night I got the transmitter fired up.. putting out a nice clean 2 watts that sound good on my other receivers and look good on the scope. Here are the problems I have remaining: before I reassemled the boards into Doug's case I had it aligned so that the TX/REC where on the same freq. Now that it is back together the variable cap won't bring the freq. the same. the second problem is that the sidetone on tx is almost non-existent.. you can hear a slight very weak sidetone, even though there is plenty of audio on the receiver and the receiver tone is adjusted to a nice pitch. any ideas. thanks 72 Jeff, AC4Hf From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 09:50:33 1993 Return-Path: id AA06993; Wed, 13 Oct 93 08:49:36 CDT id AA17859; Wed, 13 Oct 93 08:49:35 CDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 08:49:35 CDT From: tardis@atd.mke.ab.com (Bob Citkowski) Message-Id: <9310131349.AA17859@hammer.atd.mke.ab.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: hw8 request for info hi folks, a friend of mine hooked the power up backwards to his hw8. does anyone have a schematic that they can provide him with a copy of, at his expense? also, can anyone supply him with any hints as to what he should look for first? external p.s. is ok! responses can be sent to: cieslak@cgc9.mke.ab.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 09:52:48 1993 Return-Path: id AA06999; Wed, 13 Oct 93 08:52:46 CDT id AA17865; Wed, 13 Oct 93 08:52:46 CDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 08:52:46 CDT From: tardis@atd.mke.ab.com (Bob Citkowski) Message-Id: <9310131352.AA17865@hammer.atd.mke.ab.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: hw8 info request hi again, not only did he blow up the rig but he gave me a wrong address to respond to. try: cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com hi call is: ae9k thanks again. From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 10:32:14 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA00291; Wed, 13 Oct 93 07:31:36 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA27509; Wed, 13 Oct 93 09:31:29 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA19358; Wed, 13 Oct 93 09:31:27 -0500 Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 09:31:27 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310131431.AA19358@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: It's Here!! Gang, got my Oct issue of the QRP ARCI Quarterly yesterday. spent some time last night memorizing, since I got beat up pretty bad by this group on the last issue of QST and the fact that I missed the PC Article. :-) I had schedule last nite with VE5VA. Sorry Peter, but we were in the middle of what we texans call a 'thunderboomer', meaning electrical storm. I assure you that with a 250 ft (80 meter) long wire up 10 meters (33 ft), I or anybody else does not want to have any transceiver connected in anyway to it. :-) Will try again. So for those of you on last nite, if you were hearing QRN, it was in my backyard. 73 de k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 11:08:43 1993 Return-Path: <01H422L3UBWMC2JGJH@tntech.edu>; Wed, 13 Oct 1993 08:29:07 CDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1993 08:29:07 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Cmos Keyer To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H422L3UBWOC2JGJH@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Hi, Well Chuck's first was a negative review, I think for the first time I might have to disagree a little with Chuck (sorry). I finally received my keyer kit yesterday. I own the Idiom press $50 version which I love.. think is the best keyer I own.. and have used in many a contest.... The $50 kit had a board and the board parts... I nice thick operations manual. I needed to provide the push buttons and all jacks and such. The $25 kit came with the board and board parts and 4 push buttons that already had wires coming off and a small speaker (haven't tried it.. real cheap looking.. but that is all you really need.. I never use my speaker in the other keyer except to program the memories and functions.. all other times use the rigs sidetone.. sounds better and uses the batteries much less). Well at breakfast this morning proceeded to check out Chuck's comments. I cleaned the bottom of the board with isopropal alcohol and took the chip socket out.. the socket had some bent legs.. easily straightened them out and the socked went right into the board.. I soldered it in and the board took the solder with no problem. This wasn't the best quality board I have seen, but certainly no problem or nothing worth complaining about. I noticed that one of the solder pads really was almost non-existent and you really couldn't solder to it. I checked the schematic and it isn't used anyway.. I think the other 39 legs will hold it to the board. If this works correctly, I feel it is one of the biggest bargains out there. Curtis keyer chip keyer kits are going for $39-$59. They don't have memories or any of the other functions.. like reversing dits and dashes and a mess of other stuff..I still think for $50 the idiom press is also quite a bargain. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 11:35:00 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.931013103432.800; 13 Oct 93 10:35:12 +600 Message-Id: To: QRP@Think.COM >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 13 Oct 93 10:34:10 CDT Subject: Barbados (8P) QRP Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 1223 Randy's recent post re P40 jogged me into action here. I'm going to Barbados next week and hope to provide some 2x qrp contacts. Licensing has to be done in person, hopefully I'll get it done in time available. Ever the optimist, I'll have a rig ready but given the uncertainty of licensing I'm not going to fool with hauling aluminum and will just take a dipole. So won't be real strong but if I everything comes together I'll be on October 22 - 25. Miniprop tells me 2200 - 0200 UTC is the best time for stateside, will try some sunrise also, right now planning for 20 meters cw only (unless I get real optimistic and pack the Argosy and matchbox), and will plan on spending some time on/around 14.060. 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 12:10:31 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA13841; Wed, 13 Oct 93 09:10:25 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA27898; Wed, 13 Oct 93 11:10:22 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA19496; Wed, 13 Oct 93 11:10:21 -0500 Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 11:10:21 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310131610.AA19496@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: AC4HF review hey, no problem. i expect people to disagree with me. :-) glad you got a good one. i didn't get the socket and i disassembled the ranch looking for one. i do have wirewrap, but no regular. i can tell you from visual inspection that in no way is a socket going to fit the alignment along the two rows as drilled. i got a bad one, no problem. life goes on........ chuck "wasn't trying to cause problems" adams k5fo dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 12:20:45 1993 Return-Path: <01H428TUAN8GC2JGJH@tntech.edu>; Wed, 13 Oct 1993 11:22:13 CDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1993 11:22:13 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: keyer To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H428TUJHIQC2JGJH@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT > Subj: RE: new MXM es R&R revies > > >>Anyone in this group get the Idiom Press kit? > > Chuck, > Yes and have been happy with it for the most part. It > was like $48 including s/h, but no speaker, buttons, or phone jacks. > The PC board was not of the greatest quality, and actually I found an > open trace on one of the pull-up (?) resistors. This may have been > due to my soldering, if so it was the first time I ever done this. > Yet the PC board is small, they include a socket for the microcontroller > chip. I really like this keyer, nevertheless I am beginning to > notice differences between the curtis keyer chip in my Yaesu and > software (OK firmware) keyer programmers. They are not as smooth > as curtis chips and I sometimes get dit-dit when I should have just > gotten dit. Has anyone else noticed this? > > andrew KF2JH I disagree.. i have used the Yaesu 757GX built in keyer, and have used many Curtis keyers (just finished and tested the newer release chip in a Oak Hills keyer kit). I agree the Curtis Keyers are nice keyers, but I like the CMOS Super Keyer II better. I find it smoother and more precise and much more forgiving. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 14:07:40 1993 Return-Path: (InterLock SMTP Gateway 1.1 for QRP@Think.COM); Wed, 13 Oct 1993 13:05:31 -0500 Wed, 13 Oct 1993 13:05:31 -0500 Wed, 13 Oct 1993 13:05:31 -0500 Wed, 13 Oct 1993 13:05:31 -0500 Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 13:07:29 CDT From: sfarmer@amoco.com (Steven L. Farmer) Message-Id: <9310131807.AA16994@gp3.trc.amoco.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: Mods for Argosy jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman) writes: >The way I figured to do it was to change the crystals and >use jumpers on the band switch to select the appropriate >low-pass filters (10-meter filter for 12 meters, 15-meter >filter for 17). Being fundamentally lazy, I'd be tempted to simply replace the 15m xtal with one cut for 17. After all, as we move closer to the bottom of this cycle, 17 will be open far more often than 15, especially in the evening hours when most of us do our operating. >There's an article about Ten Tec PTO (permeability tuned >oscillators, the method used in their VFOs of that vintage) >overhaul kits in the October issue of _QRP Quarterly_, >a benefit of paid membership in QRP Amateur Radio Club Int'l >(ARCI). The author says the overhaul kits do a good job that >lasts. I used one of the kits to rebuild the PTO in my Argo 505, but with mixed results. The problem I set out to cure was binding of the shaft assembly as the unit is tuned. The overhaul improved things, but it still binds. Anyone know where I can get a good PTO? 73 - Steve WA5RPF From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 17:10:50 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA09442; Wed, 13 Oct 93 14:10:42 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA00546; Wed, 13 Oct 93 16:10:37 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA20396; Wed, 13 Oct 93 16:10:34 -0500 Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 16:10:34 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310132110.AA20396@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: antenna Gang, Kalman, WD6CZI, will/has posted note on his new antenna. congrats. sounds great and i'll be listening for you on the bands. he asks question, and a good one it is, what do i do for grounding the antenna. first. it's an end fed 80 meter long wire. i use 450 ohm ladder line which (don't come down on me on this one guys, as my wife took away the 30x30' room and i converted it back into a den :-) ) runs about 60 feet from the front of the house, up into the attic and out the back. the ground side is rg-58u to ground and buried for 60 ft and then connected to a radial system that i had for the butternut. the covering has been stripped where the cable is buried. the radial system is about 500 feet or more of random lengths to 40 meters in all directions. all that i can tell you is that it works great. tunes to 1.0:1 on all bands with the mfj versa tuner II. when i turn off the rig, i take an clip lead with alligator clips on each end and short the antenna to ground. i lost the drivers and finals in a tentec argosy I twice before i learned my lesson and learned it well. i haven't put a 470 ohm resistor across the output to ground internally in the mfj tuner. we discussed this on the net last year, but other projects were more pressing. this resistor to bleed static charges off the wire at other times. of course, if i ever take a direct hit, which i don't think likely as there other higher objects that i hope are more likely targets, then i don't think there is any protection. millions of volts at significant amperage will just about treat anything as a small fuse. with a $60 dollar NN1G rig, i'm hoping it'll act as a fuse to save the MM-3 keyer or mfj keyboard. ;-) in Texas we don't mess with mother nature at all. 73 de k5fo SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 13 23:30:37 1993 Return-Path: (5.65a/IDA-1.4.2 for qrp@think.com); Wed, 13 Oct 93 20:39:48 -0700 Date: Wed, 13 Oct 1993 20:36:45 -0700 (PDT) From: Ward Silver Subject: Argosy mods To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII The QRP ARCI Quarterly had a number of mods for the Argosy over the years. I lowered the high-freq. rolloff of the audio stage to reduce noxious hiss and also changed the AGC response time to get rid of thumping. One mod I'd like to hear about is improving the insertion loss of the CW filters. They seem to be very lossy and I don't feel like completely re-aligning the rig to use some off-frequency jobs. Ten-Tec apparently has no upgrade in this dept. What say, gang? 73, Ward N0AX From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 00:36:05 1993 Return-Path: id AA03861; Wed, 13 Oct 93 21:35:37 PDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 21:35:37 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310140435.AA03861@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Pacificon & QRP Guys, I will be the QRP Speaker at the Pacificon ARRL Convention on the 23rd of this month. If you are in the Concord, CA area, please stop in and say hello. My session is at 3:15, and the convention is at the Concord Hilton Hotel. I am going to take the NorCal 40, the W7EL, the OHR QRP Wattmeter, the Super Cmos II Keyer, and my home brew paddles. Mike, KI6PR, is bringing a model of a unique way to build a Skelton Cone. He uses 4" PVC Pipe as a support, and runs the twinlead down the inside of the pipe. His model is on a 4' x 4' piece of plywood. Glad he has to haul it down there. I will also have my HW7, HW8 & HW9 on display. Plus, I will have samples of Sprat, LowKey, QRP Quarterly, NW QRP, "72", The 5Watter, & QRPp to show what is available as far as QRP periodicals. Hope to CU There. 72, Doug, KI6DS From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 00:37:15 1993 Return-Path: id AA03864; Wed, 13 Oct 93 21:36:48 PDT Date: Wed, 13 Oct 93 21:36:48 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310140436.AA03864@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QQ for Oct? I see from Chuck's postings that the October issue of QQ is out. Mine is not here yet. Will someone send me a list of the Table of Contents so I will be even more anxious for my copy to arrive? Also, I want to apologize to the net. I am the one who originally posted the availability of the Super Cmos II Keyer kits from Richard Rathburn. I posted it in response to a request from Vicki Welch. Chuck, I did get mine and it was excellent as far as I could tell. Mine works great. I did replace the buttons with some from Radio Shack, and used a different speaker, but other than that, I love mine. Have to agree with Jeff on the review. But, I did not realize that he was going to take so loooong to deliver!! Maybe it is like a friend of mine who likes to tell his customers, "You can have it Good, Fast or Cheap, Pick any two you want." My kit was good, cheap, but boy did it take a long time to get here. My advice is that if you want it fast, order from Idiom Press. 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 06:42:33 1993 Return-Path: id AA00442; Thu, 14 Oct 93 06:44:37 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 14 Oct 1993 06:42:02 -0400 Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 06:42:02 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310141042.AA02220@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, dh@deneb.csustan.edu Subject: Re: Pacificon & QRP Sounds great Doug, wish I could make it. Also sounds like you better make sure you have enough room for all that great stuff you are taking along. 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 06:57:47 1993 Return-Path: id AA00614; Thu, 14 Oct 93 06:58:46 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 14 Oct 1993 06:56:10 -0400 Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 06:56:10 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310141056.AA02224@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com Subject: Re: antenna > i haven't put a 470 ohm resistor across the output to ground internally > in the mfj tuner. we discussed this on the net last year, but other > projects were more pressing. this resistor to bleed static charges > off the wire at other times. > > in Texas we don't mess with mother nature at all. > > 73 de k5fo When I was a young lad, growing up in Michigan, I had a long wire antenna, and used the aluminum siding of my house for a ground plane. The 2 supports for that antenna were 30 ft tall trees that I had cut down out of the woods and dragged up to the house a half mile away. ( I got attacked by our honey bees in the process, but that's another story). Anyway for static discharge I had a neon light across the antenna to ground. This worked great for receiving, but not to great for the DX-60B transmitter. During lighning storms, and at times I didn't see lightning, the old neon would be flashing away! Boy did it surprise me the first couple of times that happened. But with A Long Long wire like I had static can build up pretty easily. I wonder ... seems like 30 v is the most I get on these home-brew rigs that I have so far. 90 v is where these neon lights are supposed to ignite...Might be worth trying, but oh never mind, it doesn't hardly ever lightning here in NY State. Kinda boring that way. Also ,If I lived in Texas, I would use 000000 gauge wire to ground my antenna! 73 all Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 09:45:34 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c/LAI-3.2) id AA08444; Thu, 14 Oct 1993 08:49:04 -0500 id AA26523; Thu, 14 Oct 93 08:41:59 CDT id AA02996; Thu, 14 Oct 93 08:41:58 CDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 08:41:58 CDT From: mstrong@raiders.micro.ti.com (Mike Strong) Message-Id: <9310141341.AA02996@raiders.micro> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Lightning in Texas Chuck, K5FO, made some comments about lightning in Texas. When I first moved to Texas, I went to a local ham store (in San Antonio) and got set up with ground rods, grounding antenna switches and lightning arrestors. When I commented about being concerned about the famous Texas thunderstorms, he made the comment that everything I was doing was good, but the best protection from lightning is a good insurance policy. Needless to say, I took his advice! Mike Strong KT5H mstrong@raiders.micro.ti.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 10:04:37 1993 Return-Path: id AA01802; Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:03:19 CDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:03:19 CDT From: msdooley@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com (Michael S. Dooley) Message-Id: <9310141403.AA01802@aud.alcatel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Texas lightning Gosh, Chuck alligatoring the antennae to ground brought back fond memories... I used to do that. Had a ground wire that went from the table in the shack out a window and to an 8 foor ground rod pounded up to its neck in good old mother earth. The ground wire (#10 bare copper) was layed length wise across the table (cafeteria style table) under the rigs. Helps hold the wire down and gives a convenient place to hook to for grounding. Anyway, lightning struck one night while I was on the road (scared the wife and kids) knocking out the TVs and VCRs. When I got home I noticed the stub on my Ringo Ranger, which used to be nice and square was round. In vestigating in the shack showed the lightning came down the coax, through the alligator lead to ground and back out the window. The problem occurred when the ground wire went UNDER my KWM2 to get to the window. There's a nice pretty spot on the bottom of the rig that now has no paint. From there it went to the AC outlet and took out EVERYTHING on that AC circuit... Computers, monitors, radios, hot water heater elements, water bed heaters, everything except the KWM2 ;-)... That KWM2 still works fine... So, as Chuck sez... here in Texas we don't fool with Mother nature... AT ALL. Oh, and now my coaxs are left hanging OUTSIDE the window when I'm not using the rig. A little inconvenient, but considering my previous experience well worth it... Mike Dooley KE4PC msdooley@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com PS... Pardon the spellin (foor? foot?) It's sometimes hard to translate a Texas drawl to Internet speak ;-)... Mike (one of the few Native Texans left) Dooley From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 10:05:06 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310141400.AA24393@mts-gw.pa.dec.com> Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 07:04:58 PDT From: _...just waiting to happen. To: qrp@Think.COM Apparently-To: qrp@think.com Subject: Lightning An area of New Mexico, the Jemez mountain range, about 40 miles north of here, is the second most hit-by-lightning area in the US (the first I believe, is Tampa Florida). We have thunderstorms almost every afternoon from june to september... I've installed a bulkhead with grounded SO239s to ground all cables coming down from the tower _before_ it comes into the house. I dont know if it is any safer than inside grounding , but it helps me sleep better at night! (especially since the coax runs under the bed!). /john wb5oau From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 10:44:59 1993 Return-Path: <@batdd6.pica.army.mil:klaudon@batdd6> 14 Oct 93 10:30 EDT id AA13940; Thu, 14 Oct 93 10:31:24 EDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 10:31:24 EDT From: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Message-Id: <9310141431.AA13940@batdd6.batdd1.pica.army.mil> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Chuck's 80m wire(resend) Cc: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Sorry, folks, I forgot to post this to the net as well as to Chuck Texas, er, Adams. He has already published his response! But here goes. de WD6CZI > >I had schedule last nite with VE5VA. Sorry Peter, but we were in the >middle of what we texans call a 'thunderboomer', meaning electrical >storm. I assure you that with a 250 ft (80 meter) long wire up 10 meters >(33 ft), I or anybody else does not want to have any transceiver connected >in anyway to it. :-) Will try again. So for those of you on last nite, >if you were hearing QRN, it was in my backyard. > >73 de k5fo dit dit > > Well, just thought the net would like to know that I am now on the air with a REAL antenna. Clark Fishman, WA2UNN, came over to my place this past Columbus Day, and with me doing the tree climbing, basically took charge of the antenna-raising. The result: A 188 ft wire, center fed with 450 ohm ladder line, up approx 25 ft on each end, with the center 45 ft laying on my roof! We had hoped to get a full 80 meters in length, but couldn't do it with the time and materials at hand, or with the foliage still on the trees. But it does work just fine on 30m (the only band I am on QRP, and in fact, the only band I work at the moment). A lot better than the 10 ft wire I had there for the last few weeks! I am getting very solid reports into 4 and 5 land. Not surprising, since it is almost 2 full waves on 30m, and the wire is n-s, so you southern guys are probably off my major lobe! I have a very noisy (EMI) location, and during the last few days of intense rainstorms here, the noise in the evening was fierce! And the MFJ xcvr is fairly noisy as it is. Anybody have any suggestions as to what to do with this antenna to minimize static or lightning damage to the house or eqpt? What do you do, Chuck? Do you have a giant dpdt knife switch outside the house for grounding the wire when the storms kick up? Or do you just unplug the ant from the rig/tuner and let it hang there? A public thank-you to Clark for getting me on the air for real. 72 all, Kalman WD6CZI From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 10:52:36 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310141452.AA29713@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: 14 Oct 1993 10:49:16 +0000 From: "Bob Scott" Subject: Kent Keys To: "QRP" Subject: Time:10:50 AM OFFICE MEMO Kent Keys Date:10/14/93 I was checking some old mail and found comments about Kent keys. Does anyone know where they can be ordered from and if you have one, how do you like it. Thanks. Bob AC4QO From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 11:00:15 1993 Return-Path: id AA11851; Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:24:13 CDT id AA16325; Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:33:00 CDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:33:00 CDT From: cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com (Brian Cieslak) Message-Id: <9310141433.AA16325@eda.mke.ab.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Lightning I live in southeastern wisconsin and we get an average number of thunderstorms a year but I still tried to take all the traditional grounding measures..ground rods at the vertical ground rod s at the house..etc.... The only time I ever suffered damage was last summer...due to a GROUND STRIKE... that destroyed my Power supply and Garage door opener. My Neighbor lost a VCR, Cordless Phone, Two TV's and his built in intercom. Strangley enough open transformer windings was the most common problem... I guess your never safe....Seems storms always blow up when I'm at work where I can't get home to disconenct everything.` I too think the best protection is a good insurance policy. 72, Brian, AE9K From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 11:05:05 1993 Return-Path: <@batdd6.pica.army.mil:klaudon@batdd6> 14 Oct 93 10:59 EDT id AA20216; Thu, 14 Oct 93 11:00:45 EDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 11:00:45 EDT From: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Message-Id: <9310141500.AA20216@batdd6.batdd1.pica.army.mil> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: static/lightning protection Cc: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL Chuck K5FO responded to my inquiry: > i haven't put a 470 ohm resistor across the output to ground internally > in the mfj tuner. we discussed this on the net last year, but other > projects were more pressing. this resistor to bleed static charges > off the wire at other times. > > in Texas we don't mess with mother nature at all. To which Brad WB8YGG (like me, another non-2 call living in 2 land): >When I was a young lad, growing up in Michigan, I had a long wire antenna, >and used the aluminum siding of my house for a ground plane. The 2 supports >honey bees in the process, but that's another story). Anyway for static >discharge I had a neon light across the antenna to ground. This worked great >for receiving, but not to great for the DX-60B transmitter. During lighning >storms, and at times I didn't see lightning, the old neon would be flashing >away! Boy did it surprise me the first couple of times that happened. But with >A Long Long wire like I had static can build up pretty easily. > I wonder ... seems >like 30 v is the most I get on these home-brew rigs that I have so far. 90 v >is where these neon lights are supposed to ignite...Might be worth trying, >but oh never mind, it doesn't hardly ever lightning here in NY State. >Kinda boring that way. > > >Also ,If I lived in Texas, I would use 000000 gauge wire to ground my antenna! > Well, I am using a center fed wire (lucky me!) so I don't have the problem of having to operate the antenna against a ground system, or have a radiating feedline. But I would assume that static discharge and lightning protection are just as important, especially with ~200 feet of wire in the air. So how is the neon bulb and/or 470 ohm resistor trick done? BTW, won't a 470 ohm resistor across a 450 ohm line cause a few problems? Or is one hung off of each leg to a ground (rod)? Are there commercial devices worth looking into (like these gas discharge thangs sold at radio schlock?). Finally, how would these tricks be modified for QRO work (risky question to ask on this net!)? 72, Kalman WD6CZI From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 12:26:26 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA02610; Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:26:17 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA02905; Thu, 14 Oct 93 08:06:12 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA21669; Thu, 14 Oct 93 08:06:09 -0500 Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 08:06:09 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310141306.AA21669@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: CMOS II Keyer Kit : Again Gang, my apologies to Doug H. and the net. and Doug, you don't have to apologize for the delay in getting the keyer kit. stuff happens. we've all been there at one time or another. in this day and age everybody is dependent upon everybody else and if one glitch comes along, the domino effect takes place. i feel that i got my money's worth. the 68HC05 programmed with the latest and greatest code is worth the $26. i am getting by the pc board problem. i can't wait to try it all, since everybody loves theirs. i will attempt to have it going by saturday for the QSO party. oh, the rules, as posted by Mike on packet are from QST and are wrong. the one's that i poster here are correct. hope you get your QQ before Saturday. it'll be a test of the USPS system. if you have a fax, send me your number. i'll fax you the suggested log forms and a copy of my super-duper dup sheet (well it might not be super-duper, but what the hey, i thought of it and it doesn't take a lot of space like the ARRL dup sheet - no arrows aimed at the ARRL, it's their form is too big for a small contest). i'll post the table of contents for the Oct issue later. i'm at the ranch and headed toward the office. you know i told you i'd be at the ranch for four weeks - NOT. i've been in the office everyday and no relief in sight. :-) later gang, dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 12:31:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA22197; Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:30:56 PDT id AA25654; Thu, 14 Oct 93 09:30:54 PDT id AA20254; Thu, 14 Oct 93 12:30:53 EDT id AA07842; Thu, 14 Oct 93 12:30:52 EDT id AA11056; Thu, 14 Oct 93 12:28:18 EDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 12:28:18 EDT From: Frank.Milos@East.Sun.COM (Frank Milos - Sun USOPS CSU Manufacturing Engineering) Message-Id: <9310141628.AA11056@quirp.East.Sun.COM> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Antenna Question? Classification: Sun Proprietary: Internal Use Only I saw Doug's mail about Pacificon and all the great projects he is going to display. In the e-mail, he says, "Mike, KI6PR, is bringing a model of a unique way to build a Skelton Cone." I know it is October and Halloween is at the end of the month but what is a "SKELTON CONE" antenna? Can anyone describe it (dimensions, etc.) and how does it compare to a dipole? TIA, 72 - Frank, NO1E From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 12:41:45 1993 Return-Path: <01H43NUZCYYOC2JYU2@tntech.edu>; Thu, 14 Oct 1993 11:43:04 CDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 11:43:04 -0500 (CDT) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Kent Keys To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H43NUZFDRMC2JYU2@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@think.com" X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT I have both the paddles and the straight key.. up there with my favorite. Day I put together the paddles, sold my Benchers.. not much more money and about 3 times better in my opinion. Also really like the straight key. R. A. Kent Engineers PO Box 809 Mount Ida, AR 71957-0809 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 13:22:45 1993 Return-Path: Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 12:21:16 -0500 (CDT) From: Jeff Walker Subject: Put me on the list! To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I'd like to be placed in the QRP mailing list. Also if you have any other ham-related mailing lists, I'd appreciate being placed on them as well. tnx es 73 Jeff AA0IJ From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 14:07:36 1993 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0onX5G-000MPWC; Thu, 14 Oct 93 11:07 PDT (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0onXBi-00015tC; Thu, 14 Oct 93 11:14 PDT Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 11:14:10 PST From: Spence S Wilhelm Message-Id: <931014111410_3@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: mail failed, returning to sender Here in Arizona we have spectacular lightning storms as well. Back in the late fourties my father had a dipole up about 60 feet. The feed line was home made 600 ohm ladder type that came all the way into the house. One evening lightning struck his antenna, came down the feedline and zapped both my father and mother. Both survived but were burned and shaken up badly. My dads T-shirt was shredded and many small pieces of the shirt ended up stuck to the ceiling. My mothers shoes were torn off and she was thrown across the room. Needless to say, my mom wasn't to thrilled with ham radio after that... An interesting note, the antenna wire and ladder line survived but the wooden pole supporting the antenna was cut in half and the guy wire that supported the pole was cut up into equal length pieces measuring about six inches each. I agree, the safe thing to do is disconnect the feed line and put it outside. de KB7TCY, Spence Wilhelm From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 14:24:53 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for QRP@Think.com); Thu, 14 Oct 1993 13:24:38 -0500 Date: Thu, 14 Oct 1993 13:24:38 -0500 From: Arnett Message-Id: <199310141824.AA20271@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: heath parts still avail? Hi, does anyone know if parts are still available from Heath despite their recent scaling back? I'm interested in getting the parts for the HW 9 10m +WARC bands option. It would be nice to get it all in one place instead of ordering crystals & can inductors, etc. I've got my swr meter together (but not yet nulled) and a match box almost together. Hopefully I can get a "random" wire loaded by this weekend so I can help another contest make the bands unuseable for non-contesting hams... ;-) Hope I can remember what all the letters are... 73 de Drew Arnett kb9fko@uiuc.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 14 15:32:20 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA11921; Thu, 14 Oct 93 15:32:13 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 153144.12585; Thu, 14 Oct 1993 15:31:44 EDT id AA04794; Thu, 14 Oct 93 13:29:21 EST From: jpo@acd4.acd.com ( Jim Osburn ) Message-Id: <9310141829.AA04794@IEDV5.acd.com> Subject: Dup Sheet To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Date: Thu, 14 Oct 93 13:29:20 EST Cc: qrp@Think.COM (QRP Mailing List), jpo@uunet.UU.NET ( Jim Osburn ) In-Reply-To: <9310141306.AA21669@chuck.dallas.sgi.com>; from "Charles Adams" at Oct 14, 93 8:06 am X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] Chuck says: > > if you have a fax, send me your number. i'll fax you the suggested > log forms and a copy of my super-duper dup sheet (well it might not > be super-duper, but what the hey, i thought of it and it doesn't take > a lot of space like the ARRL dup sheet - no arrows aimed at the ARRL, > it's their form is too big for a small contest). > Dup sheet? I don't use a dup sheet anymore. But I used to. I also have a super-duper dup sheet of my own design. It's 8.5" x 11" and gives A to M calls right side up, N to Z calls upside down, all on one side. I have a Post Script file of the dup sheet that I will email to any who request it. But I don't use dup sheets anymore. I use my pocket calculator for dup checking and logging. For more details see the technical correspondence column in the November 1992 issue of QST. If you have an HP48SX and want to try the program I can email a copy that you can upload to your calculator. For operating instructions see the QST article. I have no idea if the program works on a HP48GX or not. I sometimes like to think of my pocket calculator as a QRP computer. 73, Jim, WD9EYB From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 15 11:18:17 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA04458; Fri, 15 Oct 93 08:18:04 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA09174; Fri, 15 Oct 93 10:17:54 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA24658; Fri, 15 Oct 93 10:17:53 -0500 Date: Fri, 15 Oct 93 10:17:53 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310151517.AA24658@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 40 meters last nite Gang, I wish to publicly thank Peter, VE5VA, for a qso we had last nite. We had a schedule at 0100Z and we both showed up. The trouble I was having was that everybody else did too. Forty meters was alive and well. Some QRN and lots of QRM. There was a digital station right on 7.044MHz. We tried for about 15 minutes and decided to try again at 0300Z. This time, at 0300Z, the frequency was a little better and we moved up to 7.046 or so. We both got 449 for signal reports. I can tell that Peter is a good operator. First: during the first try, he and I spent more than 30 minutes struggling to get a sentence back and forth, to no avail. During the second go around he was bopping along at a good clip on the keyer. Second: our second qso was also lengthy and very good. 100% copy the whole time. It was during the second qso that I got the piece of information that I needed most. His power level was 0.9W. Since mine was 0.95W with the modified NN1G xcvr, which now makes it the K5FO Special :-), I believe he and I have achieve the first Internet QRPp QSO, but don't hold us to that. Someone else may have done it, but our Mile/Watt figure may be better. Make that the Internet QRP mail QRPp QSO. Also, because we each had 449 RST reports and about the same power levels, the Principal of Reciprocity (POR) holds up. Even though I had a long wire and he had a dipole up 40ft, it doesn't matter. The the POR. I'm hoping to get an article into the next QQ on this to really stir up the controversy. Maybe the ARRl might wanna do this one. Thanks a million Peter. One of the fun qsos of the year for me. ----------------------------- After the qso, I decided, what the hey, I'm still wired, let's do some construction. Outta the pile comes the famous R&R CMOS II keyer kit. :-) OK, let's see, where's the portable Ohio Valley Forge drill and a #60 or so bit. Ahhh, there it is. Now, with hands as steady as a brain surgeon, yours truly modified the holes for the 40 pin dip and got a 40 pin Augat socket to fit. Soldered all the parts to the board. Oh, this after going to the kitchen and getting the Cameo Steel and Aluminum cleaning powder and scrubbing the board lightly with a plastic scouring pad critter. Board soldering went just fine. Fired up first time on 4 nicads (4.8V). Didn't have time to play, but will probably use it during this weekends test. Let's see now, battery, keyer, Kent paddles, K5FO Special, 250ft long wire, log forms, new ball point pen, scratch paper, headphones, and clock. Oh, diet coke and tv dinners, now ready to rock and roll........ Let the games begin. Everybody have a good weekend and I hope to see you during the test. Listen for the weak ones, they appreciate you the most. dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 15 13:27:19 1993 Return-Path: id AA19958; Fri, 15 Oct 1993 11:22:40 -0600 for qrp@think.com Date: Fri, 15 Oct 1993 11:20:53 -0600 (CST) From: Peter Hardie Subject: ARCI To: qrp mailing list Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII I hope to be on this weekend for the ARCI contest and, now that I have an antenna for 40 and 80, I'm hoping to catch ND and MT for 2-way QRP QSOs to complete a 2-way QRP WAS. Pete ve5va.qrp@usask.ca From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 15 17:20:22 1993 Return-Path: id AA04855; Fri, 15 Oct 93 17:20:09 EDT Date: Fri, 15 Oct 93 17:20:09 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9310152120.AA04855@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Can someone tell me about the TEST this weekend... I need the basic info, time, brief rules, etc. But first I have to take my PSATs tommorrow morning... 72 de KD1QV/AE From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 16 00:51:38 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA29700; Fri, 15 Oct 93 21:51:33 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA12262; Fri, 15 Oct 93 23:51:30 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA26060; Fri, 15 Oct 93 23:51:28 -0500 Date: Fri, 15 Oct 93 23:51:28 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310160451.AA26060@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QQ Table of Contents Gang, I've been asked by several, since I have my copy in hand, for the outline to the Oct 1993 issue of QQ. So, by popular demand, here it is from page 3 of the QQ. Table of Contents Technical A Bare Minimum 6 Meter Converter by Tom Pusateri, W9NBG .............8 More on the MX-18S Tranceiver by Byron Weaver, WU2J .................9 Touch Paddles for the Curtis 8044-Chip Keyer by B. Szymaniak, DL7GK 10 RIT/XIT for the K9AY Transceiver by Gary Breed, K9AY ...............11 The Idea Exchange by M. Czuhajewski, WA8MCQ ........................17 Calibrate Your FR Voltmeter by R. Kuehn, W0HKF .....................30 Direct Conversion-A Neglected Technique by W. Hayward, W7ZOI & D. Bingham, W7WKR .............34 Antennas Single & Multi-Turn Loop Antennas by B. Anderson, W9PNE .............4 Ten Feet on Ten Meters by Al Bates, W1XH ............................7 Operating More QRP Satellite Work, Part II by M. Czuhajewski, WA8MCQ ..........28 Still More on the Russian Satellites by R. Arland, K7YHA ............37 Reviews The Kirsta Keyer by F. Bonavita, W5QJM ..............................13 Commentary Letters to the Editor ...............................................14 More Thoughts on Top Band QRP by L. Smart, GW0LBI ...................15 The Future of QRP..or Blah? by B.C. Weaver, WU2J ....................16 QRP Hall of Fame ....................................................31 Contests by Cam Hartford, N6GA ......................................24 Awards by Chuck Adams, K5FO .........................................26 QRP ARCI 1993 Membership Survey .....................................27 Members' News by R. Fisher, KI6SN ...................................32 SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Oct 16 13:03:45 1993 Return-Path: id AA14348; Sat, 16 Oct 93 13:03:38 EDT Date: Sat, 16 Oct 93 13:03:38 EDT From: swamik@ele.uri.EDU (Swami Kumaresan) Message-Id: <9310161703.AA14348@neptune.ele.uri.EDU> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: To K5FO Sorry I had to send this to everyone, but my mailer is not able to open and SMTP session with Chucks mailer. Chuck, tnx for the offer. Could u fax the stuff to my dafdd's office at the Univ. of RI. Then number is 9401 (401)-782-6422 Tnx es 72 From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Oct 17 19:38:48 1993 Return-Path: id AA23512; Sun, 17 Oct 1993 19:38:44 -0400 Date: Sun, 17 Oct 1993 19:33:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Robert Marlan Subject: HW-9 deal good or bad To: Charles Adams Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9310160451.AA26060@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Hello everyone, Well I was up @ the hoss traders hamfest in ROchester, NH and came across a mint HW-9, along with the expanded band coverage, matching speaker, and matching watt meter. (no power supply though) The guy wouldn't negotiate so I shelled out $250. IS this ok or did he go to the bank laughing. Even if I over paid, I didn't see any others there.. although I did see sortof a cute rig an HW -99 novice rig lookied like a scaled up hw-9 with ~50 wats out. AC ps I think.. bob KA6NOC From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 10:21:22 1993 Return-Path: by gossip.pyramid.com (5.61/OSx5.1a Pyramid-Internet-Gateway) id AA26683; Mon, 18 Oct 93 07:21:15 -0700 id AA04137; Mon, 18 Oct 93 07:18:55 -0700 Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 07:18:55 -0700 From: mcronenw@pyramid.com (Mark Cronenwett) Message-Id: <9310181418.AA04137@pyrman2.mis.pyramid.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: My account of ARCI contest Well let me say that this was my first contest ever. I sure didn't know what I had been missing :)) Everybody must be nuts to do this all the time :)) I woke up at 4:30 am to make LOTS of coffee. Started right on time at 0000 utc. Then it happened, from out of nowhere, someone came and took my code COPYING ability!!! WHAT HAPPENED!! All of a sudden it was all Greek. I decided ok, I will just slow down, then I can copy it. But NO, that didn't help either. After an hour of trying to make a SINGLE contact, I decide I needed more sleep. Back on at about 0400 utc on 20 meters. Ah, now I can copy, at 3 WPM!! Managed to make a couple of contacts, then I moved up to 15 meters to do some up there. Got a few more, then everything went bezerk..... I couldn't seem to hear anybody....I then realized that my wife was yelling in my ear about some trivial matter that mortals worry about. Something about food and the fact that it was raining hard outside. Back on the air later in the afternoon provide more insight. In an answer to one of my CQ's, I get a nice strong answer. I figure it is someone close, possibly a fellow NorCal club member. HAH!! it is a guy wanting a QSO that is in Milpitas....I live in Sunnyvale....say about 10 miles. I was nice and chatted with him for about a half hour about the contest and other stuff. I found out he was running 100 W for our nice little chat. At least I could COPY code well enough :)) All in all, I had a real fun and funny time. I made 9 contacts for about 5 hours of operating. Considering my difficulties (water in my coax perhaps :)) I had a great time. I must have changed my Super Keyer settings 5 times at least. I NEEDED that keyer. I couldn't SEND EITHER!!!!!! :)) So Chuck, how did you like your CMOS Keyer? 72, Mark ******************************************************************************** -m-------- Mark Cronenwett (408)428-9000 x6978 --mm------- Senior Technician ---mmmm----- Board Analysis and Repair Team Naui AI Z9697 -----mmmmmm--- Pyramid Technology Corporation ------mmmmmmm-- San Jose, California KA7ULD(@N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA) -------mmmmmmmm- mcronenw@pyramid.com ******************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 10:28:34 1993 Return-Path: id AA01671; Mon, 18 Oct 93 07:28:08 PDT Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 07:28:08 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310181428.AA01671@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Fall QSO party War Stories Hey, everyone did such a great job filing the Field Day stories, how about some war stories from the Fall QSO party. Don't just give us your totals, how about some meat and potatoes. As Chuck says, inquiring minds want to know. 72, Doug, KI6DS From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 10:48:13 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA29251; Mon, 18 Oct 93 10:48:03 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 104616.1555; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 10:46:16 EDT id AA09218; Mon, 18 Oct 93 10:30:36 EDT Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 10:30:36 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310181430.AA09218@auratek.com> To: uunet!Think.COM!qrp@uunet.UU.NET Subject: 40M QRP Transceiver For Sale Cc: ed@auratek.com The transceiver is based on the " 40 Meter Optimized QRP Transceiver" by W7EL See August 1980 QST, 1992 & 1993 ARRL Handbook or QRP Classics (2nd Edition). However, it has been further improved with the following changes. * A 5 pole HP filter has been cascaded with the 5 pole LP filter to form a wide bandpass filter. * A double tuned narrow band pass filter has been added in front of the RF port on the SBL-1 mixer. * A 7 element Elliptical LP filter has been added in the audio channel. The cutoff is 825 Hz with a shape factor of 1.4:1. * A complementary pair AF driver has been added to drive small speakers or 8 ohm earphones. * Power has been icreased to a full 5W output (adjustable with pot on PCB). The transceiver is homebrew, on a single PCB, and in an attractive black en- closure (6"W x 6"D x 2 1/2"H) with alumimum front & back panels (neatly letter- ed with dry transfers). The transceiver features: * Front panel w/ tuning (7.00 to 7.055Mhz w/ 6:1 reduction drive), RIT, spot & volume controls, and a LED power on lite. * Back panel has power cable (diode polarity protected), antenna SO239, key jack (phono jack) and earphone/speaker jack (2 circuit mini jack). * Full QSK, stable VFO operation & sidetone (600 Hz) Price is $120 plus ship. Contact Ed Pacyna W1AAZ email: ed@auratek.com telephone (617)290-4800 x114 From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 12:19:42 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310181619.AA18410@interval.interval.com> Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1993 09:25:24 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: W1AAZ's rig Just wanted to put in a plug for Ed's rig. I've seen his work: if this one is anything like other W7EL's that he has built, it will be suitable for display at an art gallery. Wayne, N6KR From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 12:27:44 1993 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9310181627.AA19903@interval.interval.com> Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1993 09:33:25 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: NorCal update Gang, The NorCal 40 kits are ready and will begin shipping today. Jim says he'll ship 25 to 50 of them this week, so you should all have them within a couple of weeks. Bob Warmke, W6CYX, was our guinea pig. He built the first kit over the weekend and has had great success. He worked a JH1 on Sunday morning and about 30 other stations. His rig is putting out around 2 watts, maybe a bit more. We still have about 15 or so kits left of the first batch of 100, so if you want information about how to get one just send me some mail. Also, remember that this is a club project, so all of you technically-inclined types are encouraged to volunteer to help other builders get their kits up and running. I personally will help anyone who has trouble and doesn't mind the drive to San Carlos, California. 72, Wayne, N6KR From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 13:11:20 1993 Return-Path: id AA10845; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 13:11:11 -0400 id AA19767; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 13:09:24 -0400 id AA04201; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 13:09:23 -0400 From: Warren E. Lewis Message-Id: <199310181709.AA04201@cardamom.unx.sas.com> Subject: Fall QSO party War Story To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1993 13:09:23 -0500 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 3131 Hummm...where do I start :-) Well, I was really excited about participating in my first CW contest. The night before I got the Kenwood TS-820S(More on the boat-anchor side of things than a QRP rig :-) ) , MFJ TNC Keyer all set up with my exchange and CQ QRP call all ready, and my shack all organized for the QSO party. I was so excited I could barely sleep. I figured this contest would be a great way for me to get my feet wet and to hopefully help improve my slow 5-7 wpm code speed. I also hoped that I could meet a few qrp mail-list regulars that may stray into the novice sub-bands during the contest. :-) The next morning, I got everything turned on and tuned up for 40 meters. Okay, now wait till 1200Z...time couldn't have moved any slower!! Ding Ding Ding the race is on!! I figure I would listen around for someone else first and give them a call. Nothing...Nada...Not a peep!! So I tune down to around 7040 to make sure I had got the starting time correct. Sure enough people where down there, calling and answering to CQ QRP TEST. Okay, I go back up to around 7110 and still nothing. So I say what the heck, why not give a few calls and see if anyone answers me. Hit the keys to make the TNC send the CQ QRP call I programmed in the night before. Well, I sent a few CQs and then I heard a weak signal coming back to me, an N2 call (Do not have log here at work and I don't remember the exact call). I then sent my information and received his after a couple of repeats, due to the weak signal and my slow code speed. Yeah!! First contest contact!! Okay QRZ QRP TEST DE KD4YRN K , wow somebody else is coming back to me, a KC4 call. Now is when the QSO party turned for the worse for me!! :-( As I was sending my information to the KC4 call I noticed all of the sudden my plate current meter stopped moving and the power meter on the SWR meter was showing ZERO on key downs!! Oh no what is wrong!! I did everything that I know of to get the rig up and running again. I went so far as replacing all the tubes, but the electrons just were not on my side!! I was disappointed at first, but, I soon let the elation of having made my first CW contest contact cover up the disappointment. After failing to get the radio to transmit again, I decided just to listen for awhile and see if I heard any of the folks from the mailing list during the contest. I didn't hear any familiar callsigns, but I was surprised at how many folks were on 40M. I was also glad to see that there was a good bit of contest activity in the Novice sub-bands for all us Novice and Tech+ ops. Even though my radio died and I could not transmit I learned a good deal about proper contest technique and etiquette during the QSO party. So all was not lost!! :-) - Warren KD4YRN P.S. Anybody know of a good Kenwood repair shop/person? :-) :-( -- Warren E. Lewis saswel@unx.sas.com Graphics Division (919) 677-8001 x6542 SAS Institute Inc. PP-ASEL Cary, NC KD4YRN DOD#0021 From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 13:22:12 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA27054; Mon, 18 Oct 93 13:22:03 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 132041.8509; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 13:20:41 EDT id AA10287; Mon, 18 Oct 93 11:31:37 EDT Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 11:31:37 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310181531.AA10287@auratek.com> To: uunet!Think.COM!qrp@uunet.UU.NET Subject: QRP For Sale In order to make time for some new projects, I would like to sell the following: 1. Built and tested receiver PCB from "Better Ears for the MAVTI-40" see QST article in October 1985 pg.14, or QRP Classics pg.140. The receiver is built on a gold plated (2 sided) PCB about 5"W x 3 1/2"W. It contains all the circuits of Fig. 6. The audio band pass has been opti- mized for a 600Hz center frequency. Although a 40M double tuned band pass filter is installed, this can easily be changed for the receiver to operate on any band. The PCB also includes T/R keying and antenna change over. Just add a VFO for a fully functional receiver. I recommend the NG1G premixed VFO (see QRP Quarterly) since the VFO buffer to drive the SBL-1 is on the PCB and this would allow you to build for any band. Add a transmitter and sidetone and you can build a complete transceiver around this module. One notable feature of this reciver circuit is the notch filter which works quite well. Price does not include the few components that are chassis mounted (e.g. jacks, pots etc.). Full documentaion included. Price $50.00 2. Built and tested receiver PCB from "High Performance DC Receivers" see QST August 1992, pg.19. This receiver sounds just like the author claims. The installed 7th order Elliptical filter was sightly modified to obtain a superior response (Fc= 850Hz S.F. 1.4:1). Also the biasing for the op amps and low noise pre-amp was optimized and the idle current for the complementary pair AF stage was cut back to conserve power drain. Can be used on any frequency from .5 to 200Mhz with addition of VFO and an appropriate band pass filter. Full documentaion included. Price $65. 3. Set of (3) PCB's for the "Ugly Weekender II" see QST June 1992 and 1992 ARRL Handbook. Price is $10 with documentation. Or, I will furnish a complete parts kit for this transceiver with these boards (less 7Mhz calibration osc., enclosure, knobs and jacks) for $50. 4. SWR/Power Meters - These meters are new, clear plastic with a black band at the bottom. SWR is indicated at 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1 and by a red arc for > 3:1. Power scalers are 0 - 10, 0 -100 and 0 - 1000. Size is 2 7/16"W x 2 5/16"H. The mounting hole is 1 3/4" diameter. The movement is 100uA. Price is $10 each. Shipping is not included in any of the above prices. Ed Pacyna W1AAZ email: ed@auratek.com telephone: (617) 290-4800 X114 From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 13:45:11 1993 Return-Path: id AA05689; Mon, 18 Oct 93 13:44:11 EDT Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 13:44:11 EDT From: skitch@NADC.NAVY.MIL (M. Squicciarini) Message-Id: <9310181744.AA05689@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Fall QRP Contest As Chuck says, inquiring minds want to know, so here is my story about the QRP Fall contest. I had a great time. I would like to thank everyone I worked and apologize to everyone I did not hear. I'll start modifing my Argosy as soon as I build a workbench (but that's another stroy). This was my first contest using a logging program (N6TR's) and it was great!! I finished the interface box on Thursday. The box keyed the rig and also allowed my paddles to be connected. This was a big plus. There were several big signals out there. Looking over my log they were K8NQC, N4LH and N9ND to name a few. I worked about 6 hours around a hectic schedule including an overnight visit by my parents, my son's soccer game, a party at friends and the Giants football game. There were several times I would go down to the radio a make a few contacts before anyone missed me. Now for the summary. Rig: Ten Tec Argosy Ant: 3 elem Yagi up 35 ft / ground mounted vertical Pwr: 1 - 5 Watts 81 Q's for 330 pts 36 SPC Total (I think) 83,160 If anyone has a copy of the rules that were posted before the contest could you mail me a copy. Also if there are any special forms I need to fill out please include those. I've been away from QRP for awhile and it was nice to get back. As soon as the workbench is completed I'll even start to build things. 72 -- marty -- nr3z skitch@nadc.navy.mil From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 13:47:07 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA17313; Mon, 18 Oct 93 10:46:44 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA19324; Mon, 18 Oct 93 12:46:06 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA29483; Mon, 18 Oct 93 12:46:05 -0500 Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 12:46:05 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310181746.AA29483@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Contest anybody else work the test. i once again worked VE5VA, QRPp to QRPp on 20 meters. that means we both have two ways on 40 and 20. maybe we should try for all bands from 80 to 10. :-) 5 band 2-way QRPp QSOs with the same station. what's left? Pete, do you have 30 meters? i have a OHR Sprint on 30. :-) 73 de k5fo dit dit p.s. thought my mail server was down, but i did get one mail from this group today. let me know if i've not responded to any requests. SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 14:26:41 1993 Return-Path: id AA25240; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 12:26:26 -0600 for qrp@think.com Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1993 12:04:17 -0600 (CST) From: Peter Hardie Subject: ARCI To: qrp mailing list Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Well I don't have any war stories from the contest. Things went smoothly. Well not quite. Did anybody notice all the PACTOR etc. all over the place? Then there was the pileup on 14.062 for ST2/G4OJW. However, my scoring program (which I wrote for my Amiga) ran without a hitch, although I did have the printer backup output running just in case. I have chronic fatigue syndrome so I can't do the early mornings which loses me lots of contacts on 40 and 80, but I did squeeze a few contacts out on both bands before I went to bed at about 0400Z. Contacted some familiar calls, including Roger W5LXS and Chuck K5FO, and lots of others that ought to be familiar but my memory fails me. I need to add another feature to my program so that it remembers everybody's name for me. Too bad ten meters didn't open up more than it did - 2 QSOs. And it would have been nice to work some EU but couldn't hear any from here. Summary: 0.9W out to a 2-el Gem Quad at 40 feet QSO Band Points SPC 80 12 3 40 78 11 20 406 35 15 385 29 10 7 2 Total 888 * 80 * 10 = 710400 I was particularly happy with the QSOs on 80 as they are my first QRP QSOs on that band. I also was really pleased to work HP1AC and PY7FNE, both 2-way QRP. Too bad the battery multiplier isn't in the rules any more. I liked it when it was a 50% bonus and wasn't too bad when it was 25% more points. Pete ve5va.qrp@usask.ca From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 15:37:07 1993 Return-Path: Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 15:35:15 EDT From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: ARCI Contest Message-Id: <9310181535.aa00954@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> I was pretty busy this weekend working on preparations for my upcoming QRP operation from Aruba. However, I did make a few short appearances in the contest. Saturday night I worked a long string of stations on 40m. I got most of the callers but there were a few in there that couldn't quite make it over top of the SSB and digital mode QRM we have back here. I was really quite suprised at the level of activity. The responses to my CQ's were frequent and sometimes a small pile was generated. On Sunday afternoon I worked a bunch of stations on 20m and a few on 15m. Notable DX contacts were HP1AC, HC1CK and ON5UP. It was nice to see some activity from the overseas QRPers. The QSO rate on 20m was pretty high for a while. It was alot of fun logging so many stations so quickly. I never did hear or work Chuck though. Did manage to work Peter, VE5VA. I used my Argonaut II for a rig and a KT34XA on the higher bands and a 2 element 40m yagi on 40m. Pulled out a few really weak signals that wouldn't have been copiable without the gain antennas. All in all, the contest was alot of fun and I would have much rather spend Sunday morning working it than replacing crankup tower cables(Not an enjoyable exercise). 73, Randy Rand AA2U From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 16:13:50 1993 Return-Path: 18 Oct 93 13:12 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: NorCal update Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1993 13:12:29 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9310181312.aa25614@Paris.ics.uci.edu> Wayne brings up an important point about the NorCal 40 being a club project. I just want to raise my hand for the Orange County area, where we have maybe a few other builders. Anyone needing help or just company on the construction journey to the promised land of the NorCal 40, give me a hoot. I would love to share the work, the tools or just the stories. 72 Clark ..................... Clark Savage Turner, Graduate Student Researcher Safety Critical Software Group home: Department of Info. and Computer Science 1514 Verano Place Irvine, CA. 92717 Irvine, CA. 92715 (714) 856 4049 (714) 856 2131 WA3JPG, QRP #3526, active on HF, VHF and UHF. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 17:39:35 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA29502; Mon, 18 Oct 93 14:39:16 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA20533; Mon, 18 Oct 93 16:39:03 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA00019; Mon, 18 Oct 93 16:39:01 -0500 Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 16:39:01 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310182139.AA00019@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Contest Gang, I'm truly sorry Randy, AA2U, that I missed you. I quit about 1780Z on Sunday afternoon. Had to come into office, as guest instructor from California needed help in setting up systems for a course this week. I started at 1320Z on Saturday morning, worked two stations, then quit for about 30 minutes to fix WWV bleedthrough on NN1G/K5FO xcvr on 20 meters. The 10MHz IF is going to go within the week. :-) I worked total of 6 hours for the weekend. Saturday afternoon saw the storms start to roll in again and we had some beauties Saturday night and Sunday nite, with baseball sized hail and tornado alerts. It's late in the season for violent storms, but hey, we have all this room to have this things. Because of the storms lasting most of the nite, I missed 40 meters, my favorite band, completely. So, I wound up single band QRPp with 0.95W. Like most of you on 20M and the other bands too, I fought two problems. The CHN (county hunters net) at 14.056 seemed to be the lower limit and 14.062 and above was all digital. Like Peter, we had all kinds of interference from them. I still have nitemares where I'm in the middle of copying a real real weak CW signal and a strong KW digital critter starts chirping right on top. :-) I tried to hold them above 14.062, but at 0.95W, I didn't have a chance. Twice the digital garbage came down to 14.055!!! Just isn't fair. Just isn't fair. Looks like I have gotta get a TNC and start taking names and publishing them in the QQ. :-) Let's see them try to get any awards. :-) :-) Joking guys, joking....... Big names in the contest I worked: W5TTE (Ed, NM), N8CQA, N6GA (Cam, contest manager), and the previous winner in Canada VE5VA (Peter). That makes VE5VA, Peter, and I with two 2-way QRPp QSOs, one on 40 and one on 20 meters. His 0.9 and my 0.95. Both 559, but a better 559 on 20 meters. Did anyone notice that when the band was up and down how some of the same '5W' signals were the only ones left? :-) :-) I found that I worked CA, GA, IN, NM, WI, SD, and OH most populated QRPers. The SD stations were the strongest, guess because of the Long Wire pointed north. The summary: QSOs = 55 BAND POINTS SPC 20 244 27 Total 244 * 27 * 10 = 131,760 points OK I guess for 0.95W on single band for 6 hours. Rig: NN1G/K5FO xcvr 20M 0.95W out to 80 meter long wire up 10 meters. Kent paddle with CMOS II keyer. Rig battery powered on 7AH Gel Cell. I got stopped three times for qsos by people who didn't know about the test, but were QRP. It pays to advertise. This at up about 35 minutes of the total time, but no problem. Speaking of which, if you are going to QSL everybody and you want to include a handout on QRP awards and ARCI in a envelope, send me email and I'll send you some copies. I pay for these, not the club or anyone else. This is a freebie. I usually send out my cards in an envelope (have you seen what the USPS does to QSL cards?) and it costs no more to include two pages, printed both sides. One has award summary, like i posted to this group, and QRP ARCI application. The other a schematic of the rig and parts list. If i can get in another page, and i have to weigh this, I'll throw in WAS list. I listened for everyone, but didn't hear you through the QRM QRN and WWV. I agree, seemed to be a good turnout. I spent most of the last hour or so looking for multipliers. You keep hearing the same stations sitting on the same frequency the whole weekend. Recognized the shape of their keying after listening to them twice. :-) We're still having rain and thunderstorms here for a few more days. Hope to catch each of you on 40Meters this winter. Good luck to Randy on his DXpedition and contest. Some people have all the fun. :-) I think the group is cheering for you all the way. 73 es gl de k5fo/qrp dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 20:24:20 1993 Return-Path: id AA10940; Mon, 18 Oct 93 14:24:10 HST id AA25906; Mon, 18 Oct 93 14:24:09 HST Date: Mon, 18 Oct 93 14:24:08 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: xmtr of the NORCAL 40 Message-Id: Does the NorCal 40 have seperate xmtr and rcvr boards? If so, would the NorCal folks be interested in just selling the xmtr board and parts? I've got several fine rcvrs but a high quuality xmtr kit would be great. I like to always operate with seperate xmtr and rcvr rather than with xcvr. Jeff NH6IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Oct 18 20:49:31 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 19:48:54 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 19:48:39 -0500 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 18 Oct 1993 15:48:00 -0500 Date: Mon, 18 Oct 1993 20:48:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=cmwdr01/G=William/I=WD/S=Redfearn/@nt.com X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/;mcigate.nt.971:19.09.93.00.48.39] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: Want dead HF ... From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"27975 Mon Oct 18 19:48:42 1993"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Want dead HF rig Looking for late model HF rig with blown finals fora QRP project. Especially interested in FT-707, IC-735, TS-530s, FT-101ZD, or any TEN-TEC rigs. 73-Dave. ==================================================================== Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst Northern Telecom RTP, NC. ph.(919) 992-3925 email: cmwdr01@nt.com qrl? de N4ELM/qrp All opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the views of my employer, co-workers or any other person, real or imaginary. From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 08:05:23 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for qrp@think.com); Tue, 19 Oct 1993 06:05:19 -0600 From: Bill Kelsey Message-Id: <199310191205.AA23310@teal.csn.org> Subject: Contest score - Zero.... To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1993 06:05:18 -0600 (MDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 677 I was not on the test at all this past weekend, but did listen for a few minutes - and my impression was that the activity level was high. Instead of operating I made a trip north and picked up a 51' crank-up tower, so I should be ready for the next one. The base was ordered Monday, and with any luck I'll have it up before the snow gets too deep here in Ohio. Also have the hole dug for the foundation for my 18HT vertical which should go up this weekend if Hygain gets the base for that here as promised! So - I was not in this one - but look out for the next one! Randy - will you be on 160 from P40C?? I am going to hang a 160 wire from the 18HT. 73/72 - Bill - N8ET From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 09:53:06 1993 Return-Path: id AA05953; Tue, 19 Oct 1993 09:52:30 -0400 id AA08139; Tue, 19 Oct 93 09:53:13 EDT id AA28164; Tue, 19 Oct 93 09:53:05 EDT Message-Id: <9310191353.AA28164@kaos.ksr.com> id AA25399; Tue, 19 Oct 93 09:53:03 EDT To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Cc: qrp@Think.COM, jfw@ksr.com Subject: Re: Contest In-Reply-To: Your message of "Mon, 18 Oct 93 16:39:01 CDT." <9310182139.AA00019@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> Date: Tue, 19 Oct 93 09:53:03 -0400 From: "John F. Woods" > I started at 1320Z on Saturday morning, worked two stations, then > quit for about 30 minutes to fix WWV bleedthrough on NN1G/K5FO xcvr > on 20 meters. The 10MHz IF is going to go within the week. :-) Well, I've got a big pile of 16MHz crystals I picked up for $0.10 each at Active Electronics in Woburn... :-) (For those on the list in the Boston area who want to pick up some (I think they had a few thousand left), email me for directions to Active). However, I guess 16MHz is a bit too close to 20m for comfort (as well as 17m, though I've been thinking about building an NN1G for 21Mc using them...). John, WB7EEL From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 09:53:40 1993 Return-Path: (5.65c/LAI-3.2) id AA29195; Tue, 19 Oct 1993 08:57:35 -0500 id AA13034; Tue, 19 Oct 93 08:49:31 CDT id AA15510; Tue, 19 Oct 93 08:49:30 CDT Date: Tue, 19 Oct 93 08:49:30 CDT From: mstrong@raiders.micro.ti.com (Mike Strong) Message-Id: <9310191349.AA15510@raiders.micro> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Heath HW-16 Manual / Schematic I picked up an old Heathkit HW-16 at the Houston, TX Sidewalk Sale last weekend. This was the Novice rig I always wanted, so nostalgia played a part in this purchase. I also to bought the HW-16 to use as a backup receiver for my QRP station (there is the QRP tie-in you were all looking for). Anyway, the radio came without a manual or schematic. If any one on the net has a spare, or would be willing to copy theirs, I would be willing to pay for the copying, postage, nominal funds for 807's (copying manuals is dry, thirsty business), etc. Hoping that someone can help. 72 de Mike Strong KT5H mstrong@raiders.micro.ti.com or mstrong@micro.ti.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 09:54:26 1993 Return-Path: Date: Tue, 19 Oct 93 9:44:51 EDT From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: P40C Message-Id: <9310190944.aa20805@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> In response to some questions concerning my upcoming P40C operation, I will be operating on all bands, including WARC bands. However, I don't think I will have a decent antenna for 160m, so don't expect too much success on that band. I will have a full size dipole for 80, 40 and an A3. Additionally, I will have one of those 40m add-on kits for the A3. So, I will be able to pick and choose the best 40m antenna. Listen for me starting at the earliest next Tuesday evening. I will make short contest type QSO's mostly to maximize the number of stations worked. Spread the word to your friends and the DX cluster when you find me. All QSL's will be handled via my Callbook address. 73 & DX, Randy AA2U / P40C From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 14:36:16 1993 Return-Path: id AA24355 for qrp@think.com; Tue, 19 Oct 93 14:36:00 -0400 id AA19465; Tue, 19 Oct 93 14:35:44 EDT Tue, 19 Oct 93 14:35:55 EDT Date: Tue, 19 Oct 93 14:35:55 EDT Message-Id: <00974415B81B2DE0.20C00990@evax.gdc.com> From: "Patrick Franzis (203)758-1811 ext 7338" Subject: Antennas To: qrp@Think.COM Hi Everyone! I am trying to decide what type of antenna to use for a 40 meter QRP(5 watts) station. Due to tree location and spousal arguments, I have to make due with some type of wire antenna. I will be using the peak of the house and a tree about 110 feet away. A dipole is not usable. After some reading, I have decided on an end fed Zepp antenna. Any comments or experience that could help me out? Thanks! 73 Patrick n1ocj From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 15:44:27 1993 Return-Path: id AA08314; Tue, 19 Oct 93 12:44:12 PDT id AA01128; Tue, 19 Oct 93 12:44:10 PDT Date: Tue, 19 Oct 93 12:44:10 PDT From: paulb@harley.tti.com (Paul Blumstein -- kd6laa) Message-Id: <9310191944.AA01128@harley.tti.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Antennas Patrick Franzis (n1ocj) writes: + + I am trying to decide what type of antenna to use for a 40 meter + QRP(5 watts) station. Due to tree location and spousal arguments, I + have to make due with some type of wire antenna. I will be using the + peak of the house and a tree about 110 feet away. A dipole is not + usable. After some reading, I have decided on an end fed Zepp antenna. + Any comments or experience that could help me out? Thanks! Since you have the peak of your house, would an inverted V dipole fit? You could put up a large pole with wire headed down towards the ends of your house. (Hope that your trig is up to snuff). Anyway, the inverted-V is efficient and the effective height of the antenna is the same as the height of the highest point. 73 de kd6laa From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Oct 19 17:19:19 1993 Return-Path: 19 Oct 93 14:16 PDT To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Antennas Date: Tue, 19 Oct 1993 14:16:25 -0700 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9310191416.aa29605@Paris.ics.uci.edu> As far as simple, workable antennas for QRP work with the peak of the roof and a tree 110 feet away....well....I would put out 110 feet or so of wire from the peak of the roof to the tree. I would use either a short piece of coax (some balun or isolator at top to keep RF out of house, but, then again, at 5 watts you probably don't need to keep RF off the feedline !) OR if you can get reasonable clearance for it - use twin lead or open wire line to the tuner. Just feed it from wherever you can. The end is fine, somewhere in between is fine also. If the coax is short you sacrifice nearly nothing in losses due to high SWR on the line. If the feed is more than 50 feet or so, you might really try to use the open wire or TV twin lead. Really easy and probably as good as any other solution. Clark WA3JPG From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 11:49:07 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA15349; Wed, 20 Oct 93 08:48:56 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA02381; Wed, 20 Oct 93 10:48:50 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA03714; Wed, 20 Oct 93 10:48:49 -0500 Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 10:48:49 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310201548.AA03714@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Painting Gang, Got a call from Doug Hendricks last nite. He was bragging about the paint job on a new rig. So here is the technique for a fine looking black wrinkle finish. 1. Start with a clean surface. For aluminum I use Cameo Aluminum and Steel Cleaning compound that is like Comet, except that it is white instead of green. I use a plastic flat pad to rub it lightly over the entire surface while wet. Rinse with water and then dry with paper towel. After this, try not to touch the surface, as finger prints, body oils, etc. don't mix with paint. 2. Go to your favorite autosupply store and ask for AVT Blank Wrinkle Spray Paint. Follow the instructions on the can and you'll have a very nice wrinkle finish. It takes three light coats spaced at 5 minutes or so. Take all the usual precautions for fumes, overspray (don't spray in an enclosed area containing anything that you don't want paint on) :-), You don't have to bake, which is something that my wife appreciates and everyone else in your household will appreciate it too. I stumbled onto this paint by accident, when my favorite electronic stores didn't carry wrinkle paint. Seems like a lost art going away at a rapid rate. This during the refurb of a Brown Bros. Paddle. It now looks brand new and like it came off the assembly line yesterday, but Brown Bros. folded up some time ago. Something that I haven't tried, but I guess you could prime over this paint and then use your favorite color on top. For the other parts of the case, I use Krylon Primer and Krylon Semi-Glass White. I bought the photocopy material to make front panels, but like so many projects, that one is on hold for another week or so (let's see now, 8 weeks and counting ----). Some of you guys, like Ed W1AAZ, probably have your favorite schemes and probably much better. From the flood plains of Texas...... dit dit p.s. for five nites in a row I've had electrical storms and I'm tired of it. Getting stuff built and paperwork caught up, but no operating. SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 11:58:57 1993 Return-Path: Oct 1993 11:00:48 CDT 10:59:55 GMT-5 From: "Kevin Anderson" Organization: Augustana College - Rock Island IL To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 10:59:39 GMT-500 Subject: Is this list alive? Priority: normal X-Mailer: PMail v3.0 (R1a) Message-Id: <3187AF69A2@augustana.edu> QRPers -- Is this e-mail list "alive"? If so, has the "owner" been away, as I have sent a request to join to qrp- request@think.com over a week ago with no responses. Could someone let me know, so I don't "stay up late" thinking about it. Thanks. 72, de kb9iua (Kevin) * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kevin L. Anderson, Geography Dept., Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois 61201 USA phone: (309) 794-7325 e-mail: gganderson@augustana.edu or kla@helios.augustana.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 12:45:31 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA19274; Wed, 20 Oct 93 12:45:23 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 124211.19105; Wed, 20 Oct 1993 12:42:11 EDT id AA07561; Wed, 20 Oct 93 09:43:46 EDT Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 09:43:46 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310201343.AA07561@auratek.com> To: uunet!Think.COM!qrp@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Follow Up to MIT Morse Code Testing A week ago I sent the announcement of this program. A friend of mine is participating. Attached are his comments after his first session. Ed W1AAZ +f From uunet!aol.com!jseney Wed Oct 20 06:49:30 1993 From: uunet!aol.com!jseney Errors-To: X-Mailer: America Online Mailer Sender: Errors-To: Reply-To: To: epacyna@auratek.com Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 05:58:46 EDT Subject: CW Study Hi Ed: Yesterday was day #1 at the MIT Morse Research Project. It went very well. I was there for 2 hours. They gave me about a 30 minute introduction to the research itself and then introduced me to the gear. It is done in a very small room where the computer and "the device" sit on a table. You sit at a chair in front of the table and interact first with the computer. By typing in a few things, you start a program that sends you blocks of 130 characters at a time. You have to touch the device much like you would touch a straight key and by feeling the pressure and movements figure out what letter has just been sent. As you decode, you enter a letter at a time into a keyboard. It judges you immediately after each letter and says "Right!" if correct or if you get it wrong, it gives you the correct character next to the one you guessed. After 130 characters, it then grades you on a percentage of total characters that you got correct. I did about 10 blocks and peaked at about 95% with a low of 85%. It was a little frustrating because the gyration of the device isn't as articulated as a real key might be...had it been stronger...or a tone..., I think my score at the self-paced speed would have been perfect. While you do this, you have to wear ear plugs and then headphones that pump in white noise so you can't hear ANYTHING from the device. Next session will be Friday and they see this going at the rate of 4 hours per week for as long as 3 months. The research is independent and attached to a few departments within the EE and CS that are looking at virtual reality facets and bio-sensory issues. It was neat and I'm sure my CW skills will improve if I can stay the course. The $10.00 per hour doesn't hurt either. Maybe treat myself to a new rig. 73, John From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 15:11:20 1993 Return-Path: id AA05585; Wed, 20 Oct 93 12:10:53 PDT Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 12:10:53 PDT From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9310201910.AA05585@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Painting Chuck is being modest guys. He told me how he painted his NN1G after I admired it and asked. (Note the sublte way I operate). I got my paint from an auto parts store. It was $4.95 per can, but the paint job that I got on my case looks absolutely professional. Plus, it dries hard as nails and is very durable Bottom line is I endorse Chuck's method fully. 72, Doug From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 16:01:39 1993 Return-Path: From: g-taylor4@tamu.edu via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.931020150039.288; 20 Oct 93 15:01:03 +600 Message-Id: To: QRP@Think.COM >From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR Date: 20 Oct 93 15:00:29 CDT Subject: QRP-ARCI Contest Reply-To: g-taylor4@tamu.edu X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5. Content-Type: text Content-Length: 1254 Finally, getting around to writing up my observations. Seemed to be very good conditions with good signal/noise ratios which at this qth doesn't happen often. Either that or my ears are improving with age which I doubt. Anyway, only didn't get one or two stations and my apologies to them but I generally run about an S3 noise level here.....(and I want to do qrp???). Couldn't be on much but had a good run on 20 at about 0000z on the 17th. Made a few on 40 and 80 also. Either wasn't on at the right times or mufs didn't get much past 21mhz for low antenna's because didn't do much on 15 meters at all. Twenty sounded very good on Sunday afternoon but was busy trying to put together an antenna to take to Barbados so didn't make any contacts. 72, Greg KD4HZ ****************************************************************************** Dr. Gregory S. Taylor !MAIL: 110 Dairy Science Building Extension Program Leader for ! College Station, TX 77843-2124 Community Development !VOICE: 409-845-4445 Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX: 409-847-8744 Texas A&M University System !EMAIL: Reply or g-taylor4@tamu.edu ****************************************************************************** From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 17:16:02 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA18308; Wed, 20 Oct 93 17:15:46 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 171224.6158; Wed, 20 Oct 1993 17:12:24 EDT id AA10122; Wed, 20 Oct 93 15:07:43 EST From: jpo@acd4.acd.com ( Jim Osburn ) Message-Id: <9310202007.AA10122@IEDV5.acd.com> Subject: Re: Painting To: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 15:07:41 EST Cc: qrp@Think.COM (QRP Mailing List) In-Reply-To: <9310201548.AA03714@chuck.dallas.sgi.com>; from "Charles Adams" at Oct 20, 93 10:48 am X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] If I wasn't so lazy I would paint my enclosures too. But, being lazy, I cover my enclosures with contact paper. The rolls of contact paper cost about $2.00, so for $4.00 you can have a two tone color scheme. And you can have interesting patterns too, one of my favorites looks like denim. I like light blue for the front panel. I've also used wood grain and light beige. And you don't have to wait for it to dry. And if you mess it up, you can just peel it off and start over. Watch out for air bubbles though. 73, Jim From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 17:16:56 1993 Return-Path: Oct 1993 16:20:26 CDT 16:19:32 GMT-5 From: "Kevin Anderson" Organization: Augustana College - Rock Island IL To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 16:19:20 GMT-500 Subject: Ramsey vs. CW Howes kits for 40m twins Priority: normal X-Mailer: PMail v3.0 (R1a) Message-Id: <36DB5A6D44@augustana.edu> QRP Gang- Alright, you've given me the bug to consider a kit. All of these wonders you talk about (NN1G, NorCal40m, etc) seem too sophisticated for mods, tinkering, etc., that are needed to get them up and running, especially for a FIRST KIT stage that I am at. Also I am Novice, recently licensed, so have to cover the 7.100 to 7.150 subband (which apparently only the MFJ and ARK directly cover that I've seen/heard without modifying torrid coils, which sounds messy). What would say about a twin set of either Ramsey or Howes radios? I understand both brand xmtrs are xtal controlled to begin with, but a VFO kit is available for at least the Howes. Does Ramsey have a VFO? I've only seen magazine ads for them (Ramsey in the latest 73, Howes in copies of UK magazines I recently picked up on a visit to London), and don't actually have literature (or US prices for Howes) yet. I need a complete kit, as homebrew is too much yet. What do you recommend for a first kit builder? I've got only a 30watt iron so far, and screwdrivers, pliers, etc. 72, de Kevin kb9iua. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kevin L. Anderson, Geography Dept., Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois 61201 USA phone: (309) 794-7325 e-mail: gganderson@augustana.edu or kla@helios.augustana.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 18:04:10 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA22584; Wed, 20 Oct 93 15:03:50 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA04825; Wed, 20 Oct 93 17:03:36 -0500 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05246; Wed, 20 Oct 93 17:03:35 -0500 Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 17:03:35 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310202203.AA05246@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Gel Cell Gang, Well, since I couldn't get on the air, thought I'd do a little experimenting. Never a dull moment nor a wasted moment, if time permits. Here's the setup: 1 - An Oak Hills Sprint 30M Rig (the W7EL design) 2 - CK-2 contest keyer 3 - headphones 4 - OHR WM-1 wattmeter 5 - dummy load 6 - one WP4-12 12V4Ah Gel Cell dated 930206 About 3"x4" base and 3.5" high. Maybe 2 pounds on the weight or so. Output 0.95W measured on the transmitter key down. The above Gel Cell cost me $15 at Tanner Electronics in Dallas. Something that Jim has aperiodically in the store. Fun place for me to walk in and walk up and down the aisles looking for parts and ideas. Charged up the cell and then let it sit for an hour. Measured the starting voltage at 12.93V. Ok, program CK-2 to send at 25WPM the following CQ CQ CQ DE K5FO K5FO K5FO/QRP K and fire up the rig into the dummy load. The keyer waits 2 seconds and then resends the above repeatedly. So far, here is the data. TIME VOLTAGE 0100Z 12.93V 0130Z 12.88V 0245Z 12.83V 0345Z 12.80V 0450Z 12.77V 0531Z 12.75V 1239Z 12.52V So far, so good. Looks like the small cell will do pretty good for weekend outings, trips, etc. But here are the unanswered questions? So from the experiences on the qrp group, any suggestions, experiences,.... 1. How low can I run the voltage down? 2. Any airline regulations on cells in baggage? 3. I use an R/C varicharger with meter and charge at 100mA until I get to 13.50V and then quit. Is this OK? Any guidelines? I forgot to look in the Handbook on this one. Someone mentioned that people who handle burglar alarms have cells and chargers. So I take the yellow pages and call 5 listed as close to the office. Four of the five are outta business, the fifth doesn't have anything that would help. So, it was a good idea group, but doesnt' work here. I'd have left the above experiment going during the day, but I thought that I'd check with the wealth of knowledge here before continuing. Oh. I shut down the rig for 1 minute before measuring the voltage. More detail would have been to measure the voltage while keying and then shutting down, measuring and waiting 1 minute and measuring again. Too much data to mess with........ I have another 12V7Ah battery, but I'm not worried about it. This saturday, AF5U Dave Little, W5HKA Luke Dodds, and a bunch of girls and guys from the North Texas and Oklahoma clubs will be in Texoma all day for a swapmeet. We have a room to setup rigs and there will be antennas set up. Look for us on the QRP Freqs starting 20M and down. Maybe higher, if rigs show up and bands permit. 73 es cul de k5fo dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Oct 20 22:13:02 1993 Return-Path: id AA16621; Wed, 20 Oct 93 16:12:52 HST id AA08316; Wed, 20 Oct 93 16:12:51 HST Date: Wed, 20 Oct 93 16:12:51 HST From: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu Message-Id: <9310210212.AA08316@> To: QRP@Think.COM If there are any members of the Northern California DX Club on here please eamil me. Thanks so much. Jeff NH6IL (jherman@hawaii.edu) From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 00:48:25 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for QRP@Think.COM); Wed, 20 Oct 1993 23:48:17 -0500 Date: Wed, 20 Oct 1993 23:48:17 -0500 From: Arnett Message-Id: <199310210448.AA19408@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Kevin--Howe's vs. Ramsey I picked up a sheet on the Howe's (sp?) kit from a distributor at the Indy hamfest this summer. His stuff looked interesting, although the "piece at a time" pricing was rather unattractive. I wouldn't mind hearing about someone's experience with one. It would probably go together as easy as everything else (but I don't have the flyer here to refresh my memory.) If I remember correctly, the Howe's stuff has a direct conversion receiver. If your planning on using the 40m novice segment (and with a DC receiver) I wish you patience... 73 de Drew Arnett kb9fko@uiuc.edu From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 01:00:06 1993 Return-Path: (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for QRP@Think.COM); Thu, 21 Oct 1993 00:00:03 -0500 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 00:00:03 -0500 From: Arnett Message-Id: <199310210500.AA21899@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: rechargeable batteries Chuck, If you haven't looked over any manufacturer's sheet on lead acid's, it's worth doing. It's interesting to see their curves for discharge and for other interesting things like temperature effects. You loose voltage as it cools down, but don't let your batteries sit in the TX sun 'cause their useful life will start to drop... If you need, I'll look up some phone #'s. 73 de Drew Arnett kb9fko@uiuc.edu Champaign, IL From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 08:34:53 1993 Return-Path: <@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU:BUHYOFF@VTVM1.CC.VT.EDU> Message-Id: <9310211234.AA05481@Early-Bird.Think.COM> with BSMTP id 3682; Thu, 21 Oct 93 08:34:14 EDT Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 08:17:53 EDT From: Greg Buhyoff Subject: QRP wattmeters and gel cells To: qrp@Think.COM Does anybody know off-hand if Bird manufactures a low power HF element.. say, in the 10w range? Or, is this problematic? Also, I am looking for a WELZ QRP wattmeter or a HEATH QRP meter. If anyone has one of these to sell I would be most interested. A couple of weeks ago I sent out some mail inquiring where I could buy high quality, new gel cells. I got only two replies and my sincere thanks to those individuals. Well, I started to call around and I found that Antennas West in Provo, Utah (talk to Jim, KK7C) has everything in the way of gel cells and charging information and chargers. You name the size and capacity and he can provide it. High quality Johnson Controls and Sonic Tronics cells. I know for a fact from my R/C flying that these are two super brands. In fact, Jim can supply cells of many different size/capacity configurations and can supply cells with different electrolytes so as to match your "type" of amperage draw with the cell type. I was able to order, for example, a 4X4X4 inch 8 AH with deep cycle electrolyte, a standard sized 8AH with regular electrolyte and a 30AH with deep cycle electrolyte. His prices are VERY good. I have used gel cells a lot over the years and have found a lot of them to be junk. In fact a lot of them would not even take a charge to the maximum 13.7 or so that a good gel cell should. These are quality cells. I am just a satisfied customer and since I sent out the inquiry, I thought I would share the information I uncovered. Greg Buhyoff KN4FR From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 11:02:01 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA07311; Thu, 21 Oct 93 08:01:56 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA07941; Thu, 21 Oct 93 10:01:51 -0500 for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA01469; Thu, 21 Oct 93 10:01:49 -0500 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 10:01:49 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310211501.AA01469@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Contest Followup Gang, Everybody was talking about who they worked during the test in various posts. Well last nite I called Richard Fisher, KI6SN, famous editor of Member News in the QQ, and QRP column writer and QRP Editor for Worldradio. He had sent me a form to fill out about the local QRP Club, and since we really don't have a local QRP club, I had hesitated in sending it back. Doug H. called me and reminded me that I was the only one who had not returned the survey. I love to write (bet you didn't know that!), but I really really hate paperwork. Well, during the conversation Richard mentioned that I, yours truly, was the first person he worked during the test!! Now that's an honor and and a pleasure. So add one more to my list. :-) ;-) BTW, Richard is a super guy from what I can tell over the phone. He loves to talk QRP. I think that's one thing that seems to separate the QRPers from the other branches of this hobby. QRPers are typically quite people (really). QRPers like the challenge of working with low power, not forcing our views and our ways upon others, and just quietly doing our thing and sharing our experiences with others. There are those who keep everything to themselves too (a.k.a the silent majority). Even though others will bitch and moan about the antique mode of CW communication, it (CW) is a quick and easy way for beginners to start on the path to really constructing their own equipment and the pride of same. We don't have to be 'appliance operators' and I do respect one's choice here, but if one doesn't try it I believe that individual is missing out on a lot that the hobby has to offer. Soapbox Mode OFF: back to regularly scheduled programming -- -- -- -- dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 13:18:49 1993 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta x400gate.bnr.ca in /PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/; Relayed; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 13:18:15 -0400 X400-Received: by /PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/; Relayed; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 13:17:50 -0400 X400-Received: by /PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/; Relayed; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 06:27:00 -0400 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 10:27:00 +0000 X400-Originator: /DD.ID=1739238/G=Ken/I=KE/S=Harker/@bnr.ca X400-Mts-Identifier: [/PRMD=BNR/ADMD=TELECOM.CANADA/C=CA/;bcars735.b.949:21.09.93.17.17.50] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: QRP: Looking ... From: "Ken (K.E.) Harker" Sender: "Ken (K.E.) Harker" Message-Id: <"10953 Thu Oct 21 13:17:55 1993"@bnr.ca> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP: Looking for feedback on NorCal kits Howdy! I am considering getting into QRP. My main reason for this is that I am on a student's budget and can't afford my own HF gear any other way, and part of it is that I'm looking to learn a lot more about electronics and building usable devices. I thought I would get into QRP by first building a 40m cw transceiver. I have an MFJ practice keyer that I think I can use, and I can probably find a place for a home-made dipole antenna. What I am looking for is a _complete_ kit. I have never built anything more complicated than a couple of different 2m antenna designs, and I'll be doing this at school in New Hampshire where there aren't a whole lot of electronics stores around to go get knobs and cases and whatnot... I've heard good things about the Northern California QRP Club's kits, and I've got the information for their 40m version selling for $75. Has anyone had any experience with this kit? I'm looking to see if this is a good choice for my first building experience. On more general topics, are most QRP kits crystal controlled? Are there any that cover the entire 40m band? Or that have digital tuning? Also, I don't have an HF SWR-meter - how difficult or expensive would it be to make one? What sort of tools should I be investing in for building a radio? I've got a soldering iron, wire cutters, and such, and I can get a multimeter. Are there other tools that I would find helpful? Before I start on anything, I'm busy reading parts of the ARRL Handbook and the book _Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur_ which seem to be the definitive works for a beginning builder. It's amazing how much electro- magnetic physics I have forgotten sincce high school! I'm also looking to get a book entitled _The "Grounds" for Lightning Protection_. OK, I know these are a lot of questions for a newcomer to ask all at once, but I would really appreciate any answers that I can get for any of this. BTW, if you haven't gathered yet, I'm a relatively new ticket whose only experience so far in VHF... 72's and tnx, _ken/n1pvb From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 13:53:22 1993 Return-Path: <@uga.cc.uga.edu:CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET> with BSMTP id 3077; Thu, 21 Oct 93 13:54:04 EDT <01H4DKL0EFTG8Y5IEC@NKUVAX.BITNET>; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 13:55:15 EDT Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 13:55:14 -0400 (EDT) From: "Daniel J. Curtin" Subject: Info on NN1G rig wanted To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H4DKL0EFTI8Y5IEC@NKUVAX.BITNET> X-Envelope-To: qrp@Think.COM X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@Think.COM" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Dear QRPers, I have ordered a 20m NN1G rig as a surprise Christmas present from my wi fe (to me). Thus I have to build it without knowing it. I would appreciate any further mods or hints anyone on the net has. I ha ve saved a few of those that have appeared. Has there been any trouble getting these rigs g oing? Thanks and 73, Dan, KF4AV Daniel J. Curtin Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 41099-1700 CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET _._ .._. ...._ ._ ..._ From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 14:37:47 1993 Return-Path: <@uga.cc.uga.edu:CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET> with BSMTP id 3471; Thu, 21 Oct 93 14:38:29 EDT <01H4DM51CA7E8Y5IEC@NKUVAX.BITNET>; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 14:39:38 EDT Date: Thu, 21 Oct 1993 14:39:38 -0400 (EDT) From: "Daniel J. Curtin" Subject: Info on NN1G rig wanted To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H4DM51CA7G8Y5IEC@NKUVAX.BITNET> X-Envelope-To: qrp@Think.COM X-Vms-To: IN%"qrp@Think.COM" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Dear QRPers, I have ordered a 20m NN1G rig as a surprise Christmas present from my wife (to me). Thus I have to build it without knowing it. I would appreciate any further mods or hints anyone on the net has. I have saved a few of those that have appeared. Has there been any trouble getting these rigs going? Thanks and 73, Dan, KF4AV Daniel J. Curtin Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 41099-1700 CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET _._ .._. ...._ ._ ..._ From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 16:02:23 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA26925; Thu, 21 Oct 93 13:02:15 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA13023; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:02:11 -0500 for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:comas@dwcu03.nyo.dec.com id AA02690; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:02:10 -0500 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:02:10 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310212002.AA02690@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: comas@dwcu03.nyo.dec.com (andrew comas) Subject: Re: Contest Followup Cc: qrp@Think.COM Andrew, no, send logs to Cam Hartford N6GA 1959 Bridgeport Claremont CA 91711 cc. qrp@think.com for the guys and girls. Remember, Cam is now contest Chairperson for QRP ARCI. If you happen to have sent them to Red Reynolds, duplicate a set and send to Cam. This will speed things up and inclose a note to Cam as to what you have done. The final results will come out earlier this way. This will be the way for all contests for now until...... 73 es gl n the test de k5fo dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 16:03:19 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA27002; Thu, 21 Oct 93 13:03:10 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA13049; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:03:03 -0500 for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA02693; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:03:02 -0500 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:03:02 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310212003.AA02693@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: spelling make that enclose. typing 101! SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 16:38:44 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA28338; Thu, 21 Oct 93 16:38:05 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 163700.24678; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 16:37:00 EDT id AA27019; Thu, 21 Oct 93 16:07:08 EDT Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 16:07:08 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310212007.AA27019@auratek.com> To: uunet!Think.COM!qrp@uunet.UU.NET Subject: QRP Transceiver For Sale - Update The transceiver is based on the " 40 Meter Optimized QRP Transceiver" by W7EL See August 1980 QST, 1992 & 1993 ARRL Handbook or QRP Classics (2nd Edition). However, it has been further improved with the following changes. * A 5 pole HP filter has been cascaded with the 5 pole LP filter to form a wide bandpass filter. * A double tuned narrow band pass filter has been added in front of the RF port on the SBL-1 mixer. * A 7 element Elliptical LP filter has been added in the audio channel. The cutoff is 825 Hz with a shape factor of 1.4:1. * A complementary pair AF driver has been added to drive small speakers or 8 ohm earphones. * Power has been icreased to a full 5W output (adjustable with pot on PCB). The transceiver is homebrew, on a single PCB, and in an attractive black en- closure (6"W x 6"D x 2 1/2"H) with round edges, tilt up bail and alumimum front & back panels (neatly lettered with dry transfers). The transceiver features: * Front panel w/ tuning (7.00 to 7.055Mhz w/ 6:1 reduction drive), RIT, spot & volume controls, and a LED power on lite. * Back panel has power cable (diode polarity protected), antenna SO239, key jack (phono jack) and earphone/speaker jack (2 circuit mini jack). * Full QSK, stable VFO operation & sidetone (600 Hz) Price is $100 plus ship. Contact Ed Pacyna W1AAZ email: ed@auratek.com telephone (617)290-4800 x114 From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 16:38:48 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA28401; Thu, 21 Oct 93 16:38:09 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 163659.24672; Thu, 21 Oct 1993 16:36:59 EDT id AA26512; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:50:53 EDT Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:50:53 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310211950.AA26512@auratek.com> To: uunet!Think.COM!qrp@uunet.UU.NET Subject: QRP Equipment FOR SALE - Update 1. Built and tested receiver PCB from "Better Ears for the MAVTI-40" see QST article in October 1985 pg.14, or QRP Classics pg.140. The receiver is built on a gold plated (2 sided) PCB about 5"W x 3 1/2"W. It contains all the circuits of Fig. 6. The audio band pass has been opti- mized for a 600Hz center frequency. Although a 40M double tuned band pass filter is installed, this can easily be changed for the receiver to operate on any band. The PCB also includes T/R keying and antenna change over. Just add a VFO for a fully functional receiver. I recommend the NG1G premixed VFO (see QRP Quarterly) since the VFO buffer to drive the SBL-1 is on the PCB and this would allow you to build for any band. Add a transmitter and sidetone and you can build a complete transceiver around this module. One notable feature of this reciver circuit is the notch filter which works quite well. Price does not include the few components that are chassis mounted (e.g. jacks, pots etc.). Full documentaion included. Price $50.00 2. Sold 3. Sold 4. SWR/Power Meters - These meters are new, clear plastic with a black band at the bottom. SWR is indicated at 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 3:1 and by a red arc for > 3:1. Power scalers are 0 - 10, 0 -100 and 0 - 1000. Size is 2 7/16"W x 2 5/16"H. The mounting hole is 1 3/4" diameter. The movement is 100uA. Price is $10 each. Shipping is not included in any of the above prices. Ed Pacyna W1AAZ email: ed@auratek.com telephone: (617) 290-4800 X114 From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Oct 21 16:54:25 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA05468; Thu, 21 Oct 93 13:54:17 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA13320; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:54:12 -0500 for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA02803; Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:54:11 -0500 Date: Thu, 21 Oct 93 15:54:11 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310212054.AA02803@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Contests Gang, These are dates for possible QRP related contests next year. Any conficts or problems that you see. These are first pass guesses at dates. Details to follow when they firm up. Speak now or ....... Dates Jan 1-2, 1994 Jan 9, 1994 Jan 15, 1994 Apr 9-10, 1994 May 29, 1994 July 10, 1994 Aug 7, 1994 Oct 15-16,1994 Dec 4, 1994 Thanks es 73, SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 22 10:26:49 1993 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA05868; Fri, 22 Oct 93 07:26:43 -0700 for @sgi.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA19317; Fri, 22 Oct 93 09:26:39 -0500 for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:qrp@think.com id AA04182; Fri, 22 Oct 93 09:26:38 -0500 Date: Fri, 22 Oct 93 09:26:38 -0500 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9310221426.AA04182@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 40Meter Update Gang, Well, finally with the clearing skies and cold nites, fall is officially here in Texas. Thanks to those in the NorthWest for sending down the cold fronts. Maybe we can now get some relief from the QRN on the bands. There was frost on the punkin' at the ranch. Last nite, late I might add, in order heard on 40M. F5IN - Mike has a very very strong signal into Texas. Around 7.020MHz. K8NFC/QRP - Ed, obviously not a member of QRP ARCI, since he was running 10W. Good signal though. KL7UQ - Francis, weak but copy ok. ZL2UV - 549 into Texas and many others. So, dust off the old peanut whistle and lets hear the sound of dits and dahs filling the ionosphere with the sounds of contacts being made. All those hams and so little time....... 73 de k5fo dit dit SIG ------cut here---------- Chuck Adams, K5FO - CP60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 22 12:01:28 1993 Return-Path: Date: Fri, 22 Oct 93 12:01:42 EDT From: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: cfishman@PICA.ARMY.MIL Subject: FOR SALE Message-Id: <9310221201.aa09164@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> POSTING IS FOR A FRIEND THAT DOES NOT HAVE NET ACCESS. FOR SALE: TEN TEC CENTURY 21 TRANCEIVER IN EXCELLENT CONDITION ASKING PRICE $150 SEND REPLY TO: cfishman@pica.army.mil tnx WA2UNN From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 22 14:00:32 1993 Return-Path: id AA04874; Fri, 22 Oct 93 14:00:10 EDT From: bwhite@dsd.camb.inmet.com (Bill White) Message-Id: <9310221800.AA04874@dsd.camb.inmet.com> Subject: Kits for building groups To: qrp@Think.COM, barc-list@world.std.com Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1993 13:59:57 -0400 (EDT) X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 3072 This letter is going out to the Boston Amateur Radio Club email address, and the qrp email list. I hope that it is appropriate for both. I have volunteered to start a homebrew subcommittee of the Boston Amateur Radio Club. I am looking for ideas. I have not done anything at all in the way of building kits myself. My experience in electronics is limited to reading books. But ignorance never frightens me. I am interested in things like: o Recommendations for designs or kits which the club members can build as a group. I am personally more interested in building from scratch -- by making a PCB board or ugly construction rather than buying and assembling a kit, but that's really more of a decision for the group to make. The possibilities I know of are: 1.) The commercial offerings -- Oak Hills, Tejas, Howe, A&A Research and so forth. These seem kind of expensive for what I have in mind. I was thinking more along the lines of << $100 by scrounging parts or by doing judicious substitutions where necessary and possible. 2.) The NN1G tranceiver from QQ, or the NorCal 40 kit. These seem more to the point. 3.) Some designs from the literature -- the QRP Classics from ARRL, or perhaps from back issues of QQ. How well does the Lil Tuff Stuff work -- especially for a club project? I have thought of making that. I have also thought of the Mavti-40 from QRP classics, and went so far as to make up a parts list and take it to the parts store. However, there are several transistors there that the store did not have. o Group study of some book or other. The ARRL's Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur is popular, although I find it impenetrable. Chris Bowick's newly rereleased, but old book is another possibility. I found it very clear, though it is kind of a cook-book. o A group analysis of some of the published designs, say the NN1G, W7EL, NorCal, and so forth. o A seminar on hacking hardware. That is, some discussion of ways to move a transceiver design to some other band. Of course, I am not capable now of doing any of these things, although I feel confident of my ability to learn them. If anybody has any recommendations along these lines, please let me know. I would like to make up a more definite proposal sometime soon. P.S. This probably duplicates some of the charter of the NE QRP club or the Tuesday night group. If so, please contact me and I will be happy to coordinate in whatever way seems appropriate. I am a NE QRP member, but haven't heard anything from them except for a letter when they got my application. Perhaps nothing has happened of note recently, but perhaps I inadvertently got dropped from or never added to their mailing list. P.P.S. I realize that not everyone in the BARC has email access, so this is not an announcement. It is more in the way of a request for ideas. From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 22 15:42:46 1993 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA06396; Fri, 22 Oct 93 15:42:24 -0400 (queueing-rmail) id 154023.14208; Fri, 22 Oct 1993 15:40:23 EDT id AA06590; Fri, 22 Oct 93 14:17:31 EDT Date: Fri, 22 Oct 93 14:17:31 EDT From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9310221817.AA06590@auratek.com> To: uunet!Think.COM!qrp@uunet.UU.NET Subject: For Sale - PCB for Micro20 Receiver Cc: ed@auratek.com I have several PCB's to build the Micro20 receiver which was published in Ham Radio Magazine, February 1988. The PCB is about 1 1/2" X 3". A block diagram for this receiver is shown below. Band Pass---NE602 Mix.---Cohn Xtal---MC1350---NE602 Prod.Det.---LM386 AF Filter | Filter | | Amp. VFO | BFO | | | |_________AGC Amp._________| The Micro20 uses a 4 pole cohn filter using 10Hz crystals and a 4MHz VFO. It is a simple matter to change the tuned circuits and filter frequency and make this receiver for any band. For example, a filter with 16Mhz crystals and a 5Mhz VFO would tune 15M. This is basically the same receiver as used in the MFJ 90XX transceivers. I am asking $8.00 per board with a copy of the article. Ed Pacyna W1AAZ From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Oct 22 16:21:28 1993 Return-Path: id AA01595; Fri, 22 Oct 93 16:19:11 -0400 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 22 Oct 1993 15:13:38 -0400 Date: Fri, 22 Oct 1993 15:13:38 -0400 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199310221913.AA01063@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, barc-list@world.std.com, bwhite@dsd.camb.inmet.com Subject: Re: Kits for building groups > > I have volunteered to start a homebrew subcommittee of the > Boston Amateur Radio Club. I am looking for ideas. I > have not done anything at all in the way of building kits > myself. My experience in electronics is limited to reading > books. But ignorance never frightens me. > > I am interested in things like: > o Recommendations for designs or kits which the club > members can build as a group. I am personally more > interested in building from scratch -- by making a > PCB board or ugly construction rather than buying > and assembling a kit, but that's really more of a > decision for the group to make. The possibilities > I know of are: band. Hello, well, this is almost exactly what we have done here in Brockport, NY in conjunction with our Brockport Amateur Radio Klub (BARK). Anyway, we decided to etch our own boards, etc. We started out with two projects, the Neophyte (QST) for a simple receiver, and the Spider transceiver (73 Mag). The simplicity of these was important so that there would be success abound for the experienced as well as the novice builder. We started out with informing everyone of the articles, and then comming up with parts lists. This followed with a two night session of making the P.C. boards using the July 1993 QST method. The first night was basically cutting p.c. boards using a sabre saw, and then ironing on the wrong-reading artwork and then putting the boards in a bleach solution to soak overnight. The next evening was spent touching up the artwork with finger-nail polish, or whatever , and then etching, and drilling. All in all we probably made 50 boards or more amongst the group. The next step was to encourage our members to independantly order their parts. Please note that until people had their boards, it was difficult for some to reckognize that parts were needed. As soon as the board was in their hands, it became apparant! Independance in part ordering is good, because the novice builder will then get on the catalog list! Anyway, we plan to have a monthly building session from here on to help debug or solder or whatever. But the simplicity of these things is ringing true! Many Spiders are on the air making contacts already!! 73 and good luck !!