Subject: Start From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Feb 5 12:00:30 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402051700.AA11692@Early-Bird.Think.COM> From: mvjf@mvubr.att.com Date: Sat, 5 Feb 94 11:54 EST Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton +1 508 960 2577) To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: ehare@arrl.org, jkearman@arrl.org, lau@arrl.org Subject: ARCI QQ I received my Directors advance copies of the QRP-ARCI Quarterly this morning. The regular mail copies should not be far away. 40 pages and excellent. 73/72 Jim Fitton, W1FMR QRP-NE mvjf@mvubr.att.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Feb 5 13:29:00 1994 Return-Path: id m0pSrit-0001d8C; Sat, 5 Feb 94 13:27 EST Message-Id: From: randy@cyphyn.radnet.com (Randy) Subject: UNSUBSCRIBE To: ab415@leo.nmc.edu Date: Sat, 5 Feb 1994 13:27:14 -0500 (EST) Cc: qrp@Think.COM (qrp @think.com), vss@acm.org (oldy solid state) In-Reply-To: <9402051657.AA01454@leo.nmc.edu> from "Kenneth Vito Zichi" at Feb 5, 94 11:57:01 am X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Content-Type: text Content-Length: 89 UNSUBSCRIBE -- randy@192.153.4.200 From qrp-request@Think.COM Sat Feb 5 23:06:33 1994 Return-Path: Date: Sat, 5 Feb 94 23:02:37 EST From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 3Y0PI - Peter Island Message-Id: <9402052302.aa13317@FSAC3.PICA.ARMY.MIL> An expedition to Peter Island, located 200 miles from Antarctica, has been mounted and is on the air. They were first active on 1 Feb and have as many as 4 stations on the air at once now. This is the most wanted country on the DXCC list and the expedition cost around $300K to undertake. So, if you are a DX chaser you will want to work this in the next week or so before they leave around the 17th of Feb. I worked them initially on 17m on 1 Feb with my Argonaut II. Since then I have managed to work them on each band with CW QRP from 30m on up to 10m. They have been very workable. I do have some big antennas but on 30m I only used a dipole. On 20m I worked them with 0.37 watts. This shows they can hear pretty well so give it a shot. They work split usually at least 5 KHZ up. 73 & Good DX, Randy Rand AA2U From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Feb 6 01:29:48 1994 Return-Path: id AA21046; Sat, 5 Feb 94 22:28:33 PST Date: Sat, 5 Feb 94 22:28:33 PST From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9402060628.AA21046@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Chuck Adams I called Chuck this evening and he says to tell everyone that he is doing fine. He will be back on the net in the near future. He is taking a leave of absence from his job and is going to take a few months to enjoy life and do what he w wants to. Sends his best. 72, Doug KI6DS From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Feb 6 17:28:13 1994 Return-Path: id AA14969; Sun, 6 Feb 94 12:27:43 HST id AA01505; Sun, 6 Feb 94 12:27:43 HST Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 12:27:42 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: boatanchors@gnu.ai.mit.edu Subject: Var. cap. question Message-Id: Gang, What is the approx. range of a typical variable cap in a pocket AM/FM bc band rcvr? 365 pf comes to mind but that seems a bit much... Thanks! Jeffrey NH6IL jherman@hawaii.edu, who, in his spare time, cannibalizes old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course). Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc) Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish If you do not study you will never become anything. From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Feb 6 20:20:58 1994 Return-Path: (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA19711; Sun, 6 Feb 94 20:26:20 -0500 From: randy7388@aol.com X-Mailer: America Online Mailer Sender: "randy7388" Message-Id: <9402062026.tn114694@aol.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Sun, 06 Feb 94 20:26:14 EST Subject: QRP/Internet Attn: WT1M Hello, I was referred to you from Jim Fitton, W1FMR, regarding getting subscribed to the QRP-Internet group. (I think). At present, the only access to on line services I have is via America On-Line (AOL). Jim had sent an e-mail to me to ask you to get me a subscription. If this doesn't make any sense, I'll telephone Jim so I can get it correct. Thanks for your time, and 72's de Randy Jones KA9HAO PO Box 1461 N.Kingstown, RI 02852 Internet addr=Randy7388@aol.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Sun Feb 6 21:49:49 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA02943; Sun, 6 Feb 94 18:49:43 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA06720; Sun, 6 Feb 94 20:49:38 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01680; Sun, 6 Feb 94 18:49:37 -0800 Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 18:49:37 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402070249.AA01680@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Jan QQ Gang, 1. I am off the mailing list, so any comments, etc. directed to me should go to adams@sgi.com. If my account should disappear, then I am gone off the net for a period of time. I did not go into details in previous post and I'm sure that many thought the worst. My health is great and I feel much better after two days. :-) I was putting in 80 hrs per week for a long time and I needed the rest. So I'm taking it. 2. The Jan 94 issue of QRP Quarterly (QQ) arrived Saturday. Here is the table of contents from same. 80 Meter Transceiver using Surface Mount Components - W1CFI .......4 Putting the NN1G Transceiver on 80/40/30 Meters - NN1G ............8 More on the Kenwood TS-50S - N4ELM ...............................12 Remote PF Keys for the TS-50S - N4ELM ............................13 Breathing New Life into Over-the-Hill Tuners - W5QJM .............15 Modify the FT-7: Turn a Good Radio into a Great QRP Radio - AD5X .22 Simple Attic Antenna for 10 Meters - GW0LBI ......................14 S&S Engineering ARK40 Synthesized QRP XCVR - WA8MCQ ..............23 Idea Exchange - WA8MCQ ...........................................16 Contests - N6GA ..................................................26 Members News - KI6SN .............................................36 QRP Quarterly 1993 Index .........................................38 NN1G article. Dave wants someone to put rig on 17 or 15 meters. How about it Ed W1AAZ? 10 pages on contests!! Cam caught up on all the paperwork. I know that there are a lot of anti-contest peopole in the group, but this will be the largest number of pages consumed for results. I liked the spreadsheet format. Surprise of the century was the results of the 1992 QSO Party. Single band results, top scores - 10M N6BXU 39,200 points 15M KF7MD 142,690 20M K5FO 83,495 40M N3OS 695,588 how about that? i made the big time. :-) Cam went back to the format showing states, call, score, points, power, bands, time, rig, and antenna. Very interesting reading. Paula Franke, WB9TBU, is still looking for a new president of QRP ARCI. Myron Koyle, N8DHT, is the new Secretary/Treasurer Mike Kilgore, KG5F, is looking for new membership chairman to replace him. I've been asked to consider the Presidency. I don't know. That could be asking for trouble. I'd like to see Jeff Gold, AC4HF, think about it. Maybe we can get Doug Hendricks to publish the Quarterly? That'd be interesting. Dick Pascoe, G0BPS Seaview House Crete Road East Folkestone, Kent CT18 7EG England the above for membership in G-QRP and ARCI. from the keyboard of K5FO, dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 01:23:45 1994 Return-Path: id AA21440; Sun, 6 Feb 94 22:22:22 PST Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 22:22:22 PST From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9402070622.AA21440@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Feb. NorCal Meeting The February meeting of the NorCal QRP Club was held on Feb. 6 with about 40 members present. And what a meeting it was! The weather was cold and rainy, which caused several members to show up early at the California Burger. Denis Englander, KD6ETI, was there with a treat for all of us. He had his NorCal 40 with a great new mod, Jim Pepper's, W6QIF, digital display. It is really neat. Denis has his rig set up to tune from 7100 to 7140, and the digital display shows the readout to 1 KHz. It features a 4 digit led display, and is quite an addition to the NorCal 40. Especially for those of you who have made the mods to give extended band coverage, but are using a ten turn pot. Throw away the turns counter, digital display time! The club is going to pay for the pcboards to be developed by Far Circuits, and when they are finished, you will be able to order boards directly from FAR. The club is not going to Kit this project, but you will be able to order the parts from Digikey or Mouser. As soon as the boards are available, a notice will be put on packet and internet. Stay tuned. Thanks to Jim Pepper for his outstanding work on a much requested project. Several other NorCal 40's were in attendance and the mods are starting to fill up the cases. Terry Seeno, N6YQD, has installed a Curtis Keyer in his NorCal 40, and the next issue of QRPp will have full details on how to do it with an article from Mac McClurkin, W7JDZ. Bob Lai, had his NorCal 40 with a meter for signal strength mounted in the top, plus a speaker, af amp, and a neat little antenna to copy signals without using an outside antenna. Bob gave me part of an article on his mods and promised to send the rest next week. It will be published in the June issue of QRPp. Stan Cooper, K4DRD, brought his NC40 Solar Station! He has just returned from a week in Hawaiia, (tough job, but someone has to do it!), and while he was there, he worked Long Beach with his NC40 solar powered. He has the solar panels, charge controller, and gel cells all in a compact arrangement that is very easy to take along backpacking. Terry Young, KC6SOC, now has 3 layers of circuit boards in his heavily modified rig. The mod for 150 KHz band coverage is in the March issue, and he also put a speaker and additional audio amp plus a keyer in his rig. Terry says he has more ideas but is running out of real estate! Bob Smith, KD6FVI, had his NC40 and it is stock. Bob is a new ham, and this is his first project. He has done a nice job, and can't wait to get on the air with it. I also met Dara Ea, N6YJS, who told me that he built his NorCal 40 in seven hours. The neat thing about Dara's story is that it is the first time that he has ever used a soldering iron. His first attempt at building anything, and it works! This was great to hear, as one of the design goals was to have a kit that the beginner, the guy who has never touched a soldering iron (Dara) could successfully build. Terry Seeno also had his NC40 packed in a neat carrying case. The case held the rig, antenna, log, tuner, coax, battery pack, and the neatest little key you ever saw, made out of pvc pipe and micro switches. Terry will write an article on the key and the pack for the June issue of QRPp. I brought proof copies of QRPp to the meeting to distribute to my proof readers, Wayne Burdick, N6KR, Jim Cates, WA6GER, and Steve Cates, KC6TEV can catch my spelling errors before the final run at the printers. The March issue will have 72 pages, 63 articles and the press run is 500 copies. We now have 309 members, and the extra copies will be taken to Dayton to give away at the QRP-QRCI hospitality room. I will mail the March issue the last week of February. The club has ordered a plastic bag sealing machine, and we will seal all of the issues in a protective bag. This should help with the US Postal Service not tearing up the copies. Also, the March issue will be mailed bulk rate, but with return postage guaranteed. That way, if we have someone's address wrong, the post office must return it to us. The cost will be 19.8 cents per issue to mail, as opposed to 98 cents per issue if mailed first class. We figured you would rather have more material in QRPp and take a few days longer to get it. If you are interested in becoming a subscriber to QRPp, and a NorCal QRP Club member, send $5 along with your name, call, & address to Jim Cates, WA6GER, 3241 Eastwood Rd., Sacramento, CA 95821. Be sure to make checks and money orders out to Jim and not to NorCal or QRPp. I have saved the best for last. Wayne Burdick, N6KR, brought the Sierra All Band Rig, which is the next club project, with him. YES, he had the actual rig there, in a case, with knobs, etc. The Sierra is the next NorCal Club project, and we do mean to emphasize club project. It will only be sold to club members, and we will do a mailing to all club members within the next sixty days. The mailing will contain full specs on the rig and details on how to order. We will only do one run of these, so if you want one be sure to respond to the mailer. The rig has coverage of 80 - 15 meters, 150 KHz of the cw portion of the band. It has a better receiver than the NC40, and utilizes plug in modules to change bands. Wayne will post details later. This is not a beginner's project, and has lots of toroids to wind, but they are easy to wind. If you successfully built the NorCal 40, you can probably be successful with the Sierra. What is the cost? We don't know yet, as we haven't priced the components. Those details will be in the flyer. Everyone who was at the meeting had a smile on their face and a gleem in their eye when they looked at the rig. It is exciting! It was a great meeting. Don't forget that if you are interested in QRP and building and want to have fun, come to our "meeting". But you will be disappointed if you want to sit through minutes, treasurers reports, old business, new business and a boring program. We don't do any of those things. We get together, show and tell, and talk QRP. We meet at the California Burger Restaurant off I-580 at the Santa Rita Exit west of Livermore on the first Sunday of the month. The fun starts at 11:00 AM. 72, Doug, KI6DS From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 07:51:08 1994 Return-Path: X400-Received: by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 06:50:56 -0600 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 06:50:48 -0600 X400-Received: by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 01:50:00 -0600 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 07:50:00 +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.431:07.01.94.12.50.48] X400-Content-Type: P2-1984 (2) Content-Identifier: ATTN: KI6DS -... From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" Message-Id: <"9437 Mon Feb 7 06:50:51 1994"@nt.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ATTN: KI6DS - Doug Yep, you can use the note about my version of the mousekey in the QRPp. BTW, you did not leave tour e-mail address in your message, hope this finds you in time. 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 Mon Feb 7 09:15:49 1994 Return-Path: <01H8LIHLA61IDXXZYA@tntech.edu>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:17:50 CST Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 08:17:50 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: ARCI To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LIHLA61KDXXZYA@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 Saw Chuck's posting.. I agree with the first part.. think Doug would be great at doing the newsletter.. already think his NorCal QRPp is excellent, imagine what he could do with some more resources. I think after Chuck rests up he would make a great President..I don't know that I would have time.. I work 2 jobs and write a bunch lately, not sure what it would involve..wouldn't want to get into anything I couldn't do well. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 09:33:04 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pTX1G-000MNPC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 06:32 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pTX4G-0000IIC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 06:36 PST Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 06:36:04 PST From: Michael D Wyman Message-Id: <940207063604_1@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: 40673 crosses (NTE222) are still available! Text item: Text_1 Hi Gang, I was at Circuit Specialists in Mesa AZ this past weekend and checked his stock of NTE 222's. He had plenty of them on the wall and picked up a couple for myself. As far as I know we can still get the NTE replacement. They also have crossovers for the MRF 237. 72 de Mike WB1CWD MWYMAN@CCM.HF.INTEL.COM From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 09:38:23 1994 Return-Path: id AA10904; Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:38:17 -0500 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:38:17 -0500 From: wb9omc@ecn.purdue.edu (Duane P Mantick) Message-Id: <9402071438.AA10904@harbor.ecn.purdue.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM, rrand@PICA.ARMY.MIL Subject: Re: 3Y0PI - Peter Island My question is, will they be on 10 M between 28.3 and 28.5 and do they listen up for QRP stations now and then? There is nothing more frustrating than trying to break a massive pileup using my typical 5 to 10 watts only to discover that the op has little interest in working QRP stations..... Duane wb9omc From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 09:53:02 1994 Return-Path: <01H8LJJF6FEGDXXZYA@tntech.edu>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:54:50 CST Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 08:54:50 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Ten Tec Gear To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LJJF6FEIDXXZYA@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, spent a bunch of the weekend on my now developing Ten Tec collection. Got in an Argosy II.. it was worth the wait and the trouble.. speaking about fine qrp gear... just flip the switch in the back and you have either a 50 watt or 5 watt rig. It got me great audio reports on SSB and good reports on CW.. the digital is nice. the rig has about every option except the crystal filter.. (hopefully will have this taken care of soon). The audio filter is effective for both CW and SSB (2 position). It would make an outstanding mobile rig.. one of the included options is a noise blanker. Think the one I got also has a relay for driving a linear..have to figure out how to get rid of that extra. also got in a Century 22. After getting the Century 21 and never having seen a 22, I expected a big old looking rig. What a pleasant surprise. The thing is tiny and real cute.. near mint condition (2 tiny places where paint is missing). It has a crystal calibrator and variable audio filter. Both it and the Argosy do 10,15,20,30,40,80 meters. The 22 will put out 20 watts if you let it. This is the first DC rig I have ever really enjoyed. Made a some long rag chews and did some DX with it. May have figured out how to be on the same freq as the person calling CQ. I moved the RIT knob so that when it sound right to my ear, I am actually tx on the same freq as the person calling (noticed that the person had put a tiny mark on the dial in the same place I found.. so confirmed my theory.. used my 850 to find things out prior to going on the air). The only thing strange about each rig is that there are no on/off switches on either that I can find.. a pain in my shack.. maybe I missed something. 72 Jeff, AC4HF PS..still waiting to find out about a possible PM2 or PM3 deal From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 10:00:27 1994 Return-Path: id AA13876; Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:01:07 EST Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:01:07 EST From: majewski@erim.org (Ron Majewski) Message-Id: <9402071501.AA13876@spsd630a.erim.org> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: The NorCal 40 in the NA CW Sprint Good morning to all- I decided to be bold, brave, and daring with my NorCal 40 this weekend. I used it in the North American CW Sprints that ran from 0000 - 0400 utc. This was my first experience with the Sprint, and I had trouble adapting to the unique QSY rules. The rule seemingly doesn't favor QRP operation, but I'm a glutton for punishment and dove in with high spirits. I did not do any operation on 20m and 80m. 40m was in great shape and there were lots of extremely strong stations. The receiver held up pretty darn well -- turning down the RF gain about 1/4 helped quite a bit. Given the extreme density and strength of signals, I had surprisingly few selectivity problems. These were solved by tuning to a different part of the band. :) Not a bad solution since everyone else was hopping around anyway. The NorCal was putting out 2w and was feeding my 40m ground plane. The GP is 17 feet off the ground and has six radials. I worked 26 stations across 18 states in 1.5 hrs of operation. Since a positive attitude is everything, I successfully called CQ a few times when I found open frequencies. The majority of my contacts, though, were made using search and pounce. Texas (five QSOs) and California (four QSOs) were the best represented states here in Milford, Michigan. The CW Sprint was a tremendous amount of fun! Even with all the strong signals, I felt swamped out only a few times. I do need to get my code speed up -- some of the big dogs bark a bit too fast for my ear. 72/3, Ron (wb8ruq). From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 10:25:38 1994 Return-Path: id AA16386; Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:34 PST id AA25544; Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:33 PST id AA28159; Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:32 PST Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:32 PST From: sjhawk2@srv.PacBell.COM (Stephen Hawkins) Message-Id: <9402071525.AA28159@pbpal.srv.PacBell.COM> To: QRP@Think.COM I am thinking of building a memory keyer for use with or in my QRP rig. Does anyone out there know of a good kit. Thanks sjhawk2@srv.pacbell.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 10:40:23 1994 Return-Path: <01H8LN5MFQPQ94E080@fair1.fairfield.edu>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 10:36:39 EST Date: 07 Feb 1994 10:36:39 -0500 (EST) From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" Subject: Re: Var. cap. question To: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu Cc: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LN5MFQPC94E080@fair1.fairfield.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu" X-Vms-Cc: IN%"qrp@think.com" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT The two_section variables have a range of from 35 to 365 (approx.) on the big section, as you thought, and 5 to 50 pf (approx.) on the little section. The ones that have just a single section have the larger range, and I imagine they do some tricks with taps on the loop stick to get the osc. in the right range. I'm sure you'll realize that these caps have to have about a ten-to-one range in order to meet the three-to-one requirement imposed by the defined width of the am bc band. 72.115383 Don Coleman, W1VOQ From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 10:52:08 1994 Return-Path: id AA21212; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 10:52:59 -0500 id AA02703; Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:51:34 -0500 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:51:34 -0500 Message-Id: <9402071551.AA02703@bunny.gte.com> From: okas_rp%ncsd.dnet@gte.com To: "qrp@think.com"%BUNNY.dnet@gte.com Subject: NN1G problem resolved Hello All, I finally solved a perplexing problem I had with the 20m NN1G rig I'm assembling. It's a problem I've seen reported here before, so this information may be of some help to others. In my case, the VFO wouldn't oscillate, even through I tried all of the obvious things. Finally yanked the 560 pF cap (C1) and it started to sing. I tacked in a 470pF ceramic cap, one with a blue band on the top, (a Jameco part) thinking it was an NPO. Same thing. It stopped oscillating as soon as the cap was in the circuit. I stuck in a 220 pF NPO (fer sure) in the circuit and it worked fine, although off frequency. Next I tried silver mica caps. Beautiful! Worked every time I cycled power. The final component values were thus: total capacitance, excluding the 100 pF film, was 370 pF. This was comprised of 270 and 100 pF mica caps. The number of turns on L1 was 30, with the tap 8 turns up from the cold end, instead of 4 turns. This last suggestion came from Ed, W1AAZ. I tried modifying the inductor first, thinking that it would solve the problem, but it didn't. I was tired of winding toriods by then, so I left it as is and it appears to be stable. The only thing I can deduce is that the regular ceramic caps are too lossy (i.e. low Q, high leakage resistance) and cause the oscillator to non- function. I had temporarily fixed this by bridging the 5 pF coupling cap with a 22 pF cap, but this obviously wasn't the ultimate solution. Are there any component specialists out there that can confirm this suspicion? So, the suggestion is to make sure you use high quality caps in the vfo tank circuit. Silver mica, NPO or film caps will do just fine. Tonight, I'll complete alignment of the receiver portion and hope there's some action on the band tonight! Bob - N3MBY *patiently* waiting for my NorCal 40! From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 11:10:12 1994 Return-Path: (Soft-Switch Central V4L380P3); 07 Feb 1994 10:59:10 EST Message-Id: Date: 07 Feb 1994 10:59:10 EST From: "JHeise" Subject: 3Y0PI - 10 meters & QRP To: qrp@Think.COM Comment: MEMO 1994/02/07 11:11 QRP Gang, I cannot vouch for whether the expidition will listen for QRP or not. I did work them Saturday afternoon on 10 meters in the 300-500 portion of the band. 3Y0PI - transmitting on 28.475, listening 28.480-490 mhz. I heard the rumor Thursday night at our club meeting that the Russian ship picking them up was going to be six days late. If that is true, they will be on Peter I a total of 18 days. The propagation has been good, and the longer they are there, the better the chance of working them QRP. BTW - I gave a QRP presentation to the club which went VERY WELL. Had over 30 people who were quite interested. Five people brought in equipment for "show and tell" including, A&A Engineering kit, NN1G II, Ten Tec Scout, HW-8, MFJ 9020, HB and lots of accessories. My NC40 did not arrive in time :-( I gave out handouts with lots of info on clubs, frequencies, kits, etc. I started out with a copy of the notorious ETO Alpha Life's too short... ad and a caption saying "Is this the image of ham radio we want to portray?" It was a piece of cake from there on :-) 72/73 Jan WA4VQD jheise@ic1d.harris.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 11:29:58 1994 Return-Path: <01H8LMXHIH2ODXXZYA@tntech.edu>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 10:31:32 CST Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 10:31:32 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: QRP mini-Expedition To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LMXHLOTEDXXZYA@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 all, In my never ending quest for truth, justice, the American Way and trying to get hams excited about QRP: I am planning to do a mini-expedition to a wild and untamed section of a Tennessee State park. I believe the expedition will be a special events station bearing the Tennessee Technological U. club call.. WA4UCE.. I am the club trustee (I am trying to get the students excited). I believe we will try to make it April 15,16 17 and offer a nice certificate. My hopes are to get some spectacular pictures (bringing a couple of prof. photographers.. alumni and students), make a bunch of contacts and then be able to write a GREAT story hopefuly for QST. We are planning on operating SSB and CW. We will either have 2 stations or keep alternating. We will be using battery power and multi-band wire and some PVC verticals. I would love to get hold of the QRP Plus and a MFJ 20 meter SSB for this trip.. but have my Argosy II and about 8 CW rigs available for the adventure. I would certainly like to arrange for as many people from this list as possible to attempt to contact us and also from the .misc group (some of these people obviously need to be converted). 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 11:54:45 1994 Return-Path: id AA11492; Mon, 7 Feb 94 08:40:02 PST id AA27001; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:40:05 -0800 V4.2-12 #4050) id <01H8LJGR6JR49D4IN7@gvg47.gvg.tek.com>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:44:01 PDT Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 08:43:39 -0800 From: cleveland@gvg47.gvg.tek.com (Grover Cleveland) Subject: Norcal 40 Does DX To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LJGRLA829D4IN7@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 Well lads (and lassies), with any luck I will have a brief stint in 3X land. Assuming that I can get a license a Norcal 40 will accompany me. More as the time appraches - most likely April. 73 Grover WT6P From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 12:44:19 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA17143; Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:44:06 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11104; Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:44:03 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA02439; Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:44:02 -0800 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:44:02 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402071744.AA02439@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ARCI Membership Sorry for the confusion on last post. Renewals go to England for DX. US stateside stations still go to Mike Kilgore until a change of hands takes place. My apologies for any confusion that I may have caused. dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 13:37:40 1994 Return-Path: id AA25512; Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:38:06 -0500 Message-Id: <9402071838.AA25512@wrdis01.robins.af.mil> Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:38:05 -0500 From: lakeith@wrdis01.robins.af.mil (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;653 CCSG/SCT) Subject: Is this reasonable? To: qrp@Think.COM >From our local credit union bulletin: FOR SALE Ham Radio Electronic Keyer, MFJ422B oscillator & Bencher paddle, $100.. Is this a reasonable price? I have been considering trying an electronic keyer but, am not up on the various models.. Tnx, Larry, KQ4BY From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 14:49:01 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA17639; Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:48:19 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA11990; Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:48:14 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:swart@curry.shr.dec.com id AA02650; Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:48:13 -0800 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:48:13 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402071948.AA02650@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: swart@curry.shr.dec.com (Mark Swartwout) Subject: RE: ARCI Membership Cc: qrp@Think.COM to Mike Kilgore KG5F 2046 Ash Hill Road Carrollton, Texas 75007 for US renewals and new memberships to QRP ARCI. it looks like it's time for FAQ for QRPers. i'll do it in two weeks. anyone want to contribute their two cents worth, just send contributions to me, adams@sgi.com dit dit p.s. Monday, 2000Z, 40M is long to MI and the east coast. look for yours truly tonite around 7.040 +/- pileups on the dx-pedition. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 14:55:33 1994 Return-Path: <01H8LW1DQRS694E080@fair1.fairfield.edu>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:47:49 EST Date: 07 Feb 1994 14:47:49 -0500 (EST) From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" Subject: Re: Var. cap. question To: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu Cc: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LW1DQRS894E080@fair1.fairfield.edu> X-Vms-To: IN%"jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu" X-Vms-Cc: IN%"qrp@think.com" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Yes indeed. And the amazing thing is that I used to use the larger-sized, older units to pad the output coil on my converted ARC5 xmtr years ago. The cap"s plates would arc on humid days now and then, but there were probably sometimes a couple of hundred peak volts of rf on "em! 72 Don, W1VOQ GL From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 16:07:16 1994 Return-Path: id AA29907; Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:03:25 -0800 Message-Id: <9402072103.AA29907@enet-gw.pa.dec.com> Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:06:41 PST From: "The faster you drive, the less you feel." To: qrp@Think.COM Apparently-To: qrp@think.com Subject: Article from QQ Jan 94 needed please! Can someone who gets QQ copy the article about the FT7 for me? I would be more than happy to reimburse you for the cost involved. I thought the FT7 was a nifty radio, but I assumed I was the only one that HAD one!!! Best 72/73 /john WB5OAU From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 17:08:23 1994 Return-Path: <01H8LZ119HASDXXZYA@tntech.edu>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 16:10:15 CST Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 16:10:15 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Dayton ARCI room res To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LZ119HAUDXXZYA@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 anyone hear yet about the room reservations? I sent my check in quite a while ago.. and never heard either way...guess I should find out... may be April some day. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 17:16:01 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402072212.AA16336@interval.interval.com> Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:11:30 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM, adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com, dh@altair.csustan.edu, ciavarin@mother.millipore.com, mvjf@mvubr.att.com, rschetgen@arrl.org From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Sierra The NorCal QRP club has now officially kicked off its new club project, the Sierra multiband QRP CW transceiver. I demonstrated the Sierra prototype at our monthly meeting in Pleasanton yesterday. We will do another revision of the PC board in about a month, at which time I hope we'll be ready to build a batch of Sierras for field-testing by NorCal club members *only*. If you're interested in the Sierra but are not a club member yet, write to Jim Cates at: 3241 Eastwood Road, Sacramento, CA 95821. Include $5 to join. Tentative pricing is around $250 including the 80, 40, 30, 20, and 15 meter band modules. We won't be doing any variations on this, since we have to purchase the custom crystals in predictably large quantities to keep the prices low. 73, Wayne, N6KR P.S. -- If you didn't receive my earlier description of the Sierra, here it is: This Sierra is a multiband successor to the NorCal 40. The rig is optimized for portable use. It is a bit bigger than the NorCal 40 at 6"W x 2.5"H x 5"D, and uses internal plug-in modules for each band. The band modules are 1"H x 4"W and contain only passive components (filters and HFO crystal). The Sierra uses a premix scheme, a superhet receiver with 400 Hz crystal filter at an I.F. of 4.915MHz, and a very stable VFO running at around 3MHz. Receive-mode current drain is 30mA (higher when using a speaker), and nominal transmit power output is around 2 to 3 watts. There is only one PC board in the unit besides the band modules; this main board has all controls and connectors and even the case parts mounted to it, so there is very little additional wiring. The rig tunes 150KHz of 80, 40, 30, 20, 17 and 15 meters. The VFO dial is calibrated in 5KHz steps and uses a capacitor with a built-in 8:1 vernier. Note: With 25% more parts and more complicated alignment, the Sierra is not a good project for a first-time kit builder. A future version of the rig may be refined enough to attract a wider audience, but for now it should be attempted only by true QRP backpackers and other pioneers with good electronics skills and plenty of patience to wind toroids. (There are 8 easy-to-wind toroids on each band module, so plan to get good at it!) The Sierra is a step up from the the NorCal 40 is several ways, incorporating better key shaping, more AGC range, and enough audio to comfortably drive a speaker. I'll answer technical questions about the Sierra, but please send your NorCal membership questions or requests to Jim Cates. From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 17:18:30 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pTeHP-000MNgC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:18 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pTeKF-0000TxC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:21 PST Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:21:02 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940207142102_28@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Norcal 40 Does DX I anxiously await, as I can rest assured you'll listen for QRPers only? Right? :) de WO7T/QRP Mark ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Norcal 40 Does DX Author: qrp-request@Think.COM at Internet_Gateway Date: 2/7/94 9:51 AM Well lads (and lassies), with any luck I will have a brief stint in 3X land. Assuming that I can get a license a Norcal 40 will accompany me. More as the time appraches - most likely April. 73 Grover WT6P From qrp-request@Think.COM Mon Feb 7 18:04:59 1994 Return-Path: id AA06305; Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:46:47 PST id AA13981; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:46:48 -0800 V4.2-12 #4050) id <01H8LWAE5C0W9D4J7U@gvg47.gvg.tek.com>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:50:43 PDT Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 14:50:23 -0800 From: cleveland@gvg47.gvg.tek.com (Grover Cleveland) Subject: Re: Article from QQ Jan 94 needed please! To: "The faster you drive, the less you feel." Cc: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8LWAEJJ7M9D4J7U@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 > Can someone who gets QQ copy the article about the >FT7 for me? I would be more than happy to reimburse you for >the cost involved. > > I thought the FT7 was a nifty radio, but I assumed I >was the only one that HAD one!!! > > Best 72/73 > /john > WB5OAU Me too! Me too! Grover WT6P From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Feb 8 00:52:00 1994 Return-Path: id VAA23709; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 21:48:02 -0800 Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 21:48:02 -0800 Message-Id: <199402080548.VAA23709@holonet.net> To: QRP@Think.COM From: ROHRWERK@holonet.net Subject: RCA 40673 replacements On 02-04-94, HEACOCK@KUHUB.CC.UKANS.ED wrote to qrp@Think.COM: >------------------------------------ >And a fine list it was, indeed (which I plan to compare against my >collection tonight in case I've missed anything :-), but there's one >minor trap awaiting: > >The 40673 is no longer in production, and apparently replacements for >it are getting scarce as well. I *think* the 3N200 is a good >replacement, but it may not be being produced as well. Danny Stevig's >catalog newsletters usually mention whichever dual-gate MOSFET he's >managed to stock up on most recently. > >------------------------------------ The NTE replacement line includes the NTE222, of which I have purchased MANY from our local distributor. They're not cheap, around $4, but I have no idea what the original price level was when the 40673 was available. Because these are intended as replacements, and because these things are delicate enough that they blow sufficiently often, I'm guessing there will always be a market for them in the replacement field! John K0JD --- * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Feb 8 01:16:10 1994 Return-Path: id WAA24368; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 22:11:28 -0800 Message-Id: <199402080611.WAA24368@holonet.net> Subject: Transistorizing the T-368 exciter To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 22:11:26 PST From: John Seboldt I have had a military surplus T368 VFO/multiplier for some time. I hooked it to my old Heath DX60 when I first got back on the air about 5 years ago, and it was a marvelous VFO -- far more stable than the mating HG10, and cost $35 from Fair Radio Sales at the time. If you're not acquainted with the unit, it has a 1.5-3 MHz PTO, a mechanical digital readout, and doubler stages to cover 1.5-3, 3-6, 6-12, and 12-24 MHz (they say 12-20, but the dial reads to 24; probably reflects the ratings of the companion PA). It's built like a tank, and the tuned circuits in the multipliers track the PTO in typically elegant Collins fashion. Lately I have been building up Rick Campbell's R2 receiver, and have had a 5 watt transmitter for some time, built while I was trying to see if Rick was going to provide kits! When it became apparent that he was barely able to keep up with circuit board requests, I made my own and went forward. Gradually, I realized that the old T368 would be a marvelous general-coverage VFO -- it's built like a tank, far more stable than I could ever construct. Suggestions for transistorizing the PTO were made in Feb. 1989 QST Technical Correspondence. I adapted those ideas. so far, so good. I was on my own on the multiplier stages. I chose to wire in JFET's, using the locally-available NTE312. One stage had a weird low-frequency oscillation, but I cured it with a series RC network. It worked! Then just broadband output stages to boost the power up for those hungry diode-ring mixers. While I was at it, I added a tuning diode to the PTO for RIT and CW offset. I have two pots (found matching knobs at a local surplus house!) and a switch added to the front panel, and a transistor switching arrangement to select the correct pot when the transmitter is keyed. Works well with full QSK. Does this trip anybody's trigger? Will happily provide more details if interested -- not that I've done everything absolutely right, of course, but like any experimenter, I just kept fiddling till it worked. John K0JD From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Feb 8 12:13:26 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402081712.AA11896@interval.interval.com> Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 09:11:52 -0800 To: smitht@slick.sps.mot.com (Trevor G. Smith) From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Re: Sierra on 17M? Cc: qrp@Think.COM, rshetgen@arrl.org, dh@altair.csustan.edu, mvjf@mvubr.att.com >The sierra didnt mention 17m but your general specs >did - is this a typo? is 17m included? Trevor, 17 meters is the 6th band covered by the Sierra, but it's not included in our club project field-test package because our survey showed little interest. However, the manual will include information on what crystal to buy, how to wind the toroids, etc., so you can build up a band module for that band too. My calculations show the possibility of a small birdie at 18.074MHz, but I haven't tried that band on the prototype yet--it may disappear. In any case, the boards for the band modules will be available so you can try any other band you'd like, including 160, 12, and 10 meters. On these bands, though, there are compromises. On 160 meters, you can't cover the full 150 KHz without some mods to the tuned circuits, and on 10 and 12 you need a 3rd-overtone crystal and a couple of parts to suppress the fundamental. 72, Wayne From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Feb 8 14:43:31 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402081941.AA16532@easynet.crl.dec.com> Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 14:41:28 EST From: N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1 08-Feb-1994 1426 To: qrp@Think.COM Apparently-To: qrp@think.com Subject: QRP shopping list, rev 2 Here's a revised flea market shopping list for the circuits in W1FB QRP Notebook. I added a few things: chips, zeners, wire, and various types of caps. As before, this is everything that appears 3 or more times in all of the schematics in the book, with the exception of a couple of items, like the chips. If it has a +, buy lots of it. Thanks for the word on the 40673, guys! BTW anyone know what a T24-43 toroid is? Not in the Amidon catalog. Transistors Amidon cores Diodes Chokes Enamel Hardware 2N2222A+ T24-43 ? 1N914+ 1mH+ Wire 6-32 2N3553 T37-6+ 22uH+ #18 4-40 2N3866 T50-2+ Zeners 15uH #20 2N3904+ T50-6+ 6.8V 10uH #24 2N4400+ T68-2+ 9.1V #26 2N4401+ T68-6 15V #28 2N4403+ FT37-43+ 33V #30 2N4416+ FT50-43+ 56V (0.4 & 1W) 2N5179+ FT50-63 MPF102+ BLN43-202 40673 (NTE222) Bead, 850mu Chips Op Amps Pots Mini Air Ceramic or CA3028 (RCA) 741 100k+ Variable Mica Trimmer CA3046 747 10k+ 15 5 50 LM386 (Natl) TL081 (TI) 1k 25 10 60+ LM723 50 15 100+ MC1350P (Moto) 100+ 25 300 MC1496G 150 MC3346P MWA110 NE555 (Sig) NE602 uPC1651G (NEC) Disk Ceramic NP0 Electrolytic Polystyrene 22 100+ 0.001++ (102) 22 100+ or Tantulum 220 27 130 0.005 (502) 27 130 1+ 560 33 150+ 0.01++ (103) 47+ 150 2.2+ 1000 47+ 220 0.1++ (104) 56+ 220 4.7 1500 56+ 470 68 10+ 2000 68+ 680 22+ (16 & 25V) 2200+ 220 10000 15000 Resistors (1/4 & 1/2w, comp or film) 10+ 100++ 1.0k++ 10k++ 100k++ Silver Mica 15 150 1.5k+ 12k 220k+ 130 390 22 180+ 2.2k+ 15k 470k+ 150+ 470 33+ 220 2.7k 22k+ 180+ 560 47+ 270+ 3.3k+ 27k+ 220 750 56+ 390 3.9k 33k 240 1000 470+ 4.7k+ 47k+ 270+ 1200 560+ 5.6k+ 56k+ 330 Stock up those junk boxes! -Tom R. N1OOQ randolph@est.enet.dec.com From qrp-request@Think.COM Tue Feb 8 21:35:02 1994 Return-Path: id AA27235; Tue, 8 Feb 94 16:34:39 HST id AA05172; Tue, 8 Feb 94 16:34:38 HST Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 16:34:37 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: jherman@Think.COM Subject: 2N2222 x-sistors Message-Id: Gang, The QRP Notebook calls for the `generic' 2N222A x-sistor in several circuits. I've got several dozen 2N2222 with out the suffic `A'. I assume the `A' version is the `new and imporved model' - anyone know what the difference in specs are? Oh, I got all these 2N2222's out of the trash - the dumpster behind our computer center is filled with wonderful things like these (this is called ``dumpster diving''). =========================================================================== Jeffrey NH6IL jherman@hawaii.edu, who, in his spare time, cannibalizes old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course). Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc CW) Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish If you do not study you will never become anything. =========================================================================== From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 00:48:22 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA25658; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:48:15 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA25243; Tue, 8 Feb 94 23:48:13 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05144; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:48:13 -0800 Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:48:13 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402090548.AA05144@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: DX QRP ARCI Membership Gang, I received a nice email from Dick Pascoe, G0BPS. As it turns out, he is on this list. His email is dick@kanga.demon.co.uk and all DX amateurs should address all correspondance to him via email or to: Dick Pascoe, G0BPS Seaview House Crete Road East Folkestone, Kent CT18 7EG England Membership is 7 Pounds Sterling for new members and 6 Pounds Sterling for renewals. Make check or MO in British pounds. Maybe Pounds Sterling is incorrect. I made that up from memory and my old English History. Make payable to G-QRP or R. Pascoe G0BPS. dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 00:55:22 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA26028; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:55:10 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA25247; Tue, 8 Feb 94 23:55:07 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05148; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:55:05 -0800 Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:55:05 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402090555.AA05148@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: mobile to chicago il Gang, i'm contemplating going mobile from dallas to chicago starting this friday. everybody north of me send me email on the road conditions. the temperature dropped from 80 degrees F to 40 degrees F here and it's going to 20 degrees F by tomorrow afternoon. expecting ice and sleet, but warming up by friday. am i hoping for too much for the area to the north? i know it's been a heck of winter for everybody. all you county hunters may wanna listen for me on 14.0555 if i do go. hope i don't have to wait for spring!! why mobile? JB - just because. i got the antenna tuned, the FT-707 outta the closet, and the heathkit micromatic keyer mounted on velcro to a leg strap. rock & roll at 35wpm at 65mph. it doesn't get any better than this. :-) dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 00:56:20 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA26110; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:56:07 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA25252; Tue, 8 Feb 94 23:56:05 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA05155; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:56:04 -0800 Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:56:04 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402090556.AA05155@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: OHR Sprint All owners of OHR Sprint W7EL kit. Send me email. dit dit From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 11:16:11 1994 Return-Path: id AA27406; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:16:05 -0500 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for qrp@think.com) id m0pUHRu-0002pHC; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:07 EST id m0pUGJf-0001BAC; Wed, 9 Feb 94 08:54 CST Message-Id: From: jjw@seastar.org (John Welch) To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Wed Feb 9 08:54:59 1994 Newsgroups: qrp Path: jjw From: jjw@seastar.org (John Welch) Subject: Re: QRP shopping list, rev 2 Date: Wed, 9 Feb 1994 14:54:55 GMT Message-ID: Distribution: local References: <9402081941.AA16532@easynet.crl.dec.com> Reply-To: jjw@seastar.org (John Welch) Followup-To: qrp Organization: Welch Research. Lines: 10 As quoted from <9402081941.AA16532@easynet.crl.dec.com> by nshore!usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu!est.enet.dec.com!randolph (N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1 08-Feb-1994 1426): > BTW anyone know what a T24-43 toroid is? Not in the Amidon catalog. I would guess it's a typo of an FT23-43, as the -43 is a ferrite type, and they do have a size 23 in that material... -- When I die, they'll bury me John Welch, N9JZW in the Tomb of the Unknown Hacker. jjw@seastar.org From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 13:29:44 1994 Return-Path: id AA14293; Wed, 9 Feb 94 13:28:23 -0500 Message-Id: <9402091828.AA14293@wrdis01.robins.af.mil> Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 13:28:22 -0500 From: lakeith@wrdis01.robins.af.mil (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;653 CCSG/SCT) Subject: Re: Is this reasonable? To: rich@mulvey.com Cc: qrp@Think.COM X-Orig-Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 21:42:28 -0500 (EST) X-Orig-From: rich@mulvey.com X-Orig-Message-Id: Tnx to all who responded to my Keyer/Paddle query.. 'tis nice to have an information source like this.. Think I will pass on this one, catch up with Jeff at Dalton and get some good recommendations. 73, Larry, KQ4BY From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 14:45:13 1994 Return-Path: id AA06031; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:45:01 PST id AA11015; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:45:00 PST id AA02764; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:44:59 PST Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:44:59 PST From: sjhawk2@srv.PacBell.COM (Stephen Hawkins) Message-Id: <9402091944.AA02764@pbpal.srv.PacBell.COM> To: qrp@Think.COM Howdy, Thanks to all who responded to my question about memory keyers. The winner by a huge margin the Cmos Super Keyer II. In fact no other keyer got any of the 15 votes. Thanks Again 73 49 0111 0011 de Steve WV6U From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Feb 9 18:12:12 1994 Return-Path: id AA13580; Wed, 9 Feb 1994 18:12:00 -0500 Message-Id: <9402092312.AA13580@lambada.oit.unc.edu> Subject: unsubscribe To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 18:12:00 EST From: Terry Murphy X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4dev PL65] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text Content-Length: 13 UNSUBSCRIBE From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Feb 10 07:58:43 1994 Return-Path: id AA20304; Thu, 10 Feb 94 08:01:08 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Thu, 10 Feb 1994 07:58:04 -0500 Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 07:58:04 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402101258.AA11765@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Hello everybody, and I'm glad to be back on line. Our mail has been down for some time, but it works again. Anyway, I had too much time to think while Off the list server, so here's just one of those thoughts that I had. I realize there are a lot of people that are kit builders out there , and that they are haveing a lot of fun. But I'll bet with all of you kit builders that if you build from scratch a transceiver like the nn1g, or the spider or something along that order, and don't learn one thing from it that you find valuable, then I'll buy a kit and build it myself, something within my meager budget that is... This is a big deal for me, because I haven't wanted to build a kit since the first Sudden Receiver that I made using my own p.c. board. I truely believe that by building from scratch, you will learn more about circuit layout, component tolerance, construction, and the circuit operation in general than you can by building a kit. Who knows you may learn enough to write a good technical article from it. The definition of scratch is as follows: 1. Make your own p.c. boards, or use ugly construction 2. Procure all parts yourself, including torroids. 3. Use whatever documentation you can scrounge If you do this, you may find that this is the next step towards hobby gratification, or you may say that this next step is beyond your means and you'll never do it again. Whatever, I beleive you will learn something that will be of use to you in the hobby. Then after that is the next step... Designing your own. I have been building other people's designs from scratch , but haven't myself stepped into the design it yourself arena with the exception of add on circuits like t/r switches and circuit enhancments. Some day I'll do that too. 73 from the snowy north east. Brad WB8YGG From qrp-request@Think.COM Thu Feb 10 12:42:15 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402101741.AA15545@easynet.crl.dec.com> Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 12:41:30 EST From: N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1 10-Feb-1994 1232 To: qrp@Think.COM Apparently-To: qrp@think.com Subject: Dumpster diving Speaking of dumpster diving, I found some heavy duty switching power supplies when DEC was cleaning out one of the computer rooms here. A couple are in primo condition, all I have to do is figure out how to hook them up. A couple more were scrap... lots of 2N4401 and 2N4403 xsistors, some voltage regulators, some big caps, some MOVs, some diodes. Lots of potted toroids too... another ham claims I can liberate them by cooking them in the oven for a while, I say more trouble than it's worth.... -Tom R. N1OOQ randolph@est.enet.dec.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 10 22:17:23 1994 Return-Path: From: Bruce Walker id AA11837; Thu, 10 Feb 94 22:17:17 EST Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 22:17:17 EST Message-Id: <9402110317.AA11837@luna.think.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP List now under Majordomo Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Greetings, QRPers. I am in the process of drastically changing the way this list is managed. With travel, work, and vacation schedules, it has been difficult for me to respond to QRP-Requests in a timely manner. And, I had been meaning to establish a digestified version of the qrp list for some time. So, tonight, I configured this list to be maintained by Majordomo, an automated mailing list maintenance program. People can now subscribe, unsubscribe, and retrieve information files and archives by mail without human intervention. Also, coming your way very soon is a Digested version of the list. For those of you who don't want to receive each QRP message individually, you may wish to unsubscribe to the QRP list and subscribe to the QRP-Digest list. Actually, you may do so now, but no guarantees that it works until the first digest comes out! Digests will be created nightly for now, but if there is popular demand or low volume (now that Chuck's off the list :-), I'll move it to weekly digests. Opinions are welcome. All administrative requests should now be sent to "Majordomo@Think.COM"; mail sent to the QRP-Request address will cause an automatic reply from Majordomo telling you what you should do. If you want to unsubscribe from this list, send a message to the majordomo address above containing only the line: unsubscribe qrp If you want to get the QRP-Digest list (still considered highly experimental!) instead of the QRP list, send a message containing these two commands: unsubscribe qrp subscribe qrp-digest More info on things you can do with/to majordomo can be had by sending the command: help Eventually, I will move the files which are in the QRP anonymous FTP area into an area where they can be automaticaly retrieved by majordomo; as yet, you'll find nothing with "index qrp". I hope this isn't too impersonal to you, but I think we're all better off putting things like editing names on a list in the hands of a machine, rather than wait a week for me to get around to processing the requests! If you still have questions or comments that require a human, send to QRP-Admin@Think.COM, and someone will (eventually) get back to you. 73, --Bruce Walker Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA bruce@think.com; +1 617 234 4810; Aviation: PP-ASEL; Radio: WT1M From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 14:29:55 1994 Return-Path: with ESMTP id MAA24795; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 12:52:06 -0500 Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 12:49:00 -0500 (EST) From: Rodney Clayton Subject: Using RS DX440 as QRP RX. To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Someone recently mentioned using their DX440 as RX for qrp work. I was hoping they could drop me a note. I would like to see what type of antenna's they are using and how effective it is. thank's Rod From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 14:45:48 1994 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcuw20109; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:35:15 -0500 ; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 12:35:14 -0500 id AA16648; Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:45:12 EST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:45:12 EST From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9402111645.AA16648@auratek.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, uunet!CBA.Kodak.COM!bmitchel@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I have never heard anyone refer to their DX40, HW100, HW9 or SB220 as being homebrew. If you assemble a kit, that is all that you have done. 73 Ed W1AAZ From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 15:03:35 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA07871; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:03:17 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA08265; Fri, 11 Feb 94 14:03:10 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA00440; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:03:07 -0800 Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:03:07 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402112003.AA00440@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: K5FO/M delay Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Trip to IL delayed until Wednesday or Thursday. Details to follow when I get loaded up. WX is nasty in a couple of spots and I didn't want to get snowed in, but that wouldn't be too bad. I'd get to do some operating. Anyone remember if YN1CC's QSL manager is W3HKN? I'm doing this from memory, and I still wanna get the 3 QSO's confirmed. I found a bunch of cards (well a few) that I thought I had sent out in a pile of log sheets on the desk. So if I promised you a QSL card and you didn't get it, not to worry. I still have it. :-) If you have not sent in your subscription to QRPp, you are making a big mistake. March issue if 72 pages. I just proofed it and it took two hours!! Lot's of good stuff. Doug is an important stop on the super highway of information. Uncle Al, uncle Bill, and aunt Hilary need to take lessons from Doug. :-) Thinking back on the number of people who have quit this group 'cuz of the number of mailings, they are in trouble. The internet generates more than 150MB of info each day!!! It's going to get worse each week as more and more people jump on the bandwagon. My two cent evaluation at no extra charge. dit dit p.s. This is vacation. :-) Chuck Adams K5FO CP-60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 15:42:53 1994 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcvi29340; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:40:28 -0500 ; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 15:40:29 -0500 id AA17102; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:39:43 EST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:39:43 EST From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9402111739.AA17102@auratek.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, uunet!ccm.hf.intel.com!Mark_E_Gustoff@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > >Personally, I feel it's homebrew if you assembled the electrical >components in to a something and it works :) This includes the heathkit >HW-8s and HW-9s of yester-year. > Well, I guess I have to take back my earlier statement "that I never heard anyone ever take credit for their Heatkit as homebrew equipment". When did "connect the dots" or "paint by the numbers" art? Shall I now call my Kenwood TS850S/AT homebrew (after all I did return a product survey questionnaire once and therefore participated in it's design)? Ed W1AAZ From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 15:45:37 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pV4h9-000MNuC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:42 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pV4kh-0000dlC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:46 PST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:46:14 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940211124614_6@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Well all I did with my OHR-20 kit was solder it together, align it, debug the initial faults, and get it working. Same goes for the RadioKit QRP-17 which is a version of the MFJ rigs by Rick Littlefield that I am currently building from a kit. So, it appears I've broken the rules QQ has for contesting as these rigs aren't really HB since I just assembled them. I'll be paying more attention to my scoring next contest, and not count myself for any extra points due to HB equipment. I wanted clear clarification on this as I don't care to be out of bounds with the rules. Tnx es 73, WO7T/QRP ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Operating semantics Author: qrp-admin@Think.COM at Internet_Gateway Date: 2/11/94 12:21 PM I have never heard anyone refer to their DX40, HW100, HW9 or SB220 as being homebrew. If you assemble a kit, that is all that you have done. 73 Ed W1AAZ From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 16:17:06 1994 Return-Path: id AA16122; Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:16:47 HST id AA20076; Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:16:32 HST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:16:31 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Homebrew vs. Kits Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Gang, It's difficult for me to accept that building a kit should be called homebrew. The distinction is not getting the parts all at once versus getting them one at a time; it's more like having to do some math in determing L&C values for resonance, finding coil forms, winding your own coils by referring to the proper formula (taking into account wire size, radius and length of the coil), substituting a hard-to-find capacitor with a couple in series or parallel (and having to do a little arithmetic), determing the parts layout, then figuring out why the whole mess doesn't work as it's supposed to. Sorry to go against the majority's opinion but this is how I feel about it. =========================================================================== Jeffrey NH6IL jherman@hawaii.edu, who, in his spare time, cannibalizes old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course). Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc CW) Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish If you do not study you will never become anything. =========================================================================== From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 17:04:02 1994 Return-Path: 11 Feb 94 14:03 PST To: Edward Pacyna Cc: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Operating semantics In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 11 Feb 1994 11:45:12 EST." <9402111645.AA16648@auratek.com> Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 14:03:44 -0800 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9402111403.aa11089@paris.ics.uci.edu> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I have to agree with you, Ed, on your comment about "kits" not being homebrewed. I would feel more honest if I were to brew the board and actually have something to do with the circuit design. Just my two cents..... 72 Clark WA3JPG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 17:09:54 1994 Return-Path: 11 Feb 94 14:09 PST To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NorCal 40 as true backpack radio? Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 14:09:32 -0800 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9402111409.aa11234@paris.ics.uci.edu> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Well, I have not yet built my NorCal 40 kit. I have been busy trying to extricate myself from the stuff I am doing, and am about to break away and take a few months this summer backpacking up the Pacific Crest trail or down the Appalachian Trail from Maine. I need some time alone, and enjoy roughing it in the wilderness. I plan to take radio, at least for periodic checking in with my wife, KC6TKO, who promises to have her General soon. I used to carry my Argonaut 505 with a lantern battery, tuner, and wire. Honest. It took some space and weight, but I could still carry a good week of supplies and go way out into the woods and set up camp with radio. That is not a good solution now, since I plan to take over 10 days between supplies at the least. I wonder about experiences with current drain on the NorCal, and wonder about any battery combinations and thoughts. I would naturally go for a small AA pack with alkaline cells, and operate for a half hour or so every 3 days or something, which I suspect would work fine. Anyone think about this stuff? I need to be somewhat serious, since I may really need to call out if something goes wrong. I will frequently be over 100 miles from anything civilized. 72 Clark WA3JPG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 17:49:33 1994 Return-Path: id AA27342; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:49:15 MST id AA10197; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:49:13 MST id AA18664; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:49:12 MST id AA12945; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:06 CST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:06 CST From: rand@zeta.sps.mot.com (Rand Gray) Message-Id: <9402112248.AA12945@zeta.devtools> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Homebrew vs. Kits Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk There is a fairly substantial tradition which categorizes a homebrew rig as one built from 'scratch'. That is, your building instructions are mostly a schematic diagram, a parts list, and an article which probably provides help on electrical checkout and alignment. It is not common to require that the homebrewer is also the designer. There is a strong distinction between following detailed step-by-step Heathkit-style instructions, and building mostly from a schematic. On the other hand, I don't think it's required to etch your own circuit board. Remember, a circuit board is just one more component in an assembly. The circuit board merely reinforces the 'recipe' which the article provided. The tradition seems to suggest that it's homebrew if: 1. You built it from plans found in the amateur literature, OR 2. You designed it yourself, frequently by deriving your design from others found in the amateur literature. 3. You have made significant modifications to an existing kit or finished assembly (particularly in the heyday of war surplus equipment). The tradition has held that commercial kits are not homebrew, but I really think it depends on the kit. If the kit supplies all the parts, the circuit board, an assembly drawing, alignment procedures, and perhaps a reprint of the original article, it is quite far from being a Heathkit. Perhaps the distinction comes down to the set of skills which were required: 1. Reading schematic diagrams. 2. Reading assembly drawings or circuit-board silkcreens. 3. Interpreting color codes. etc. I have to say that watching and participating in the homebrew scene for many years, I have never seen a requirement that to be homebrew means you had to perform any design tasks or mathematics. There is great pleasure in doing such things, but they are not at the crux of homebrewing. Just my two cents. 73, Rand W1GXN rand@zeta.sps.mot.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 19:03:28 1994 Return-Path: id AA17785; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:58:33 PST id AA24802; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:01:54 PST id AA11806; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:03:07 PST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 15:51:08 -0800 (PST) From: stark Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics To: Mark E Gustoff Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <940211124614_6@ccm.hf.intel.com> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Well gang, I just have to go against the group. When you look at the question, it is asking if kit building is the same as buying a rig. Or it's asking if is the same as scratch building. No simple answer but I think kit building puts a person way ahead of those who just buy. And many many kit builders wind up doing other things on their own. Much more ham spirit building kits than buying radios. And has anyone put a kit together without having to solve some kind of problem? Wrong parts, bad board, broken things etc. So to me it sounds a bit elitist to draw that fine a line. I think the spirit of the rules is what counts. Otherwise there will be a lot of classes. On the other hand, the more classes, the more winners, so maybe that is a good answer! Just my 2 cents worth.... Ron, KU7Y From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 19:44:36 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pV8T7-000MOdC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:44 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pV8Wf-0000ciC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48 PST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:01 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940211164801_1@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Builders vs. Buyers. Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Text item: Text_1 OK, it appears as though there is some pretty strong opinions on what constitutes HB. Based on responses I've seen I would suggest their are multiple categories all possibly worth various bonus points in contests. ( Me sometimes)Appliance Op (e.g. TS-450 w/power cranked down to < 5W) ( Me ) Kit Builder (e.g. Builder of HW-8, Norcal 40, OHR-40 which is largely an assembly, and alignment project. (Not me yet) Scratch Builder (e.g. Builds based upon own design, circuit board layout and etching parts scrounged. Seems to me the QRP organizations (ARCI, Nor-Cal, MI-QRP, NWQRP) might want to consider a scoring calculation accomodating the latter two. That is to say the appliance operator gets no bonus points, the kit builder gets some bonus points, and the scratch builder gets even more bonus points. Sort of an incentive to move to each stage. 73 Folks, de WO7T/QRP From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 19:49:45 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pV8Y7-000MOdC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:49 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pV8be-0000cgC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:53 PST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:53:10 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940211165310_5@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: auratek!auratek.com!epacyna@uunet.UU.NET, qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Well at the age of 15 when I built my HW-8 and barely knew anything about electronics I considered it homebrew, as I thought at the time that homebrew meant home-built, which further meant put together in your home. ============================================================================= I'm not quite sure why the tone of aggravated cynicism in your last sentence. But, if it gives you satisfaction in our hobby to call your 850S a HB rig then so be it. I was only looking for a definitive definition on homebrew in order to be a purist in my scoring of the contests I compete in. Clearly, based upon the feedback acquired so far, there is no definitive definition as best I can tell, and I somewhat regret posing the question. de WO7T/QRP ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Re: Operating semantics Author: auratek!auratek.com!epacyna@uunet.UU.NET at Internet_Gateway Date: 2/11/94 12:46 PM > >Personally, I feel it's homebrew if you assembled the electrical >components in to a something and it works :) This includes the heathkit >HW-8s and HW-9s of yester-year. > Well, I guess I have to take back my earlier statement "that I never heard anyone ever take credit for their Heatkit as homebrew equipment". When did "connect the dots" or "paint by the numbers" art? Shall I now call my Kenwood TS850S/AT homebrew (after all I did return a product survey questionnaire once and therefore participated in it's design)? Ed W1AAZ From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 21:27:17 1994 Return-Path: id AA06320; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:26:44 -0600 for qrp@think.com Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:26:43 -0600 (CST) From: Peter Hardie Subject: Homebrew To: qrp mailing list Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I found the QRP ARCI definition of homebrew in the Jan 1992 issue of QQ. The homebrew bonus points only count for homebrew transmitters, receivers or transceivers (i.e. a homebrew antenna tuner or QRP power meter wouldn't count). The qualifying equipment must meet one of the following criteria: I quote: 1. Completely home constructed gear, original design or a copy of another's design and not a kit. 2. "Kits" which do not include, or have available, a step-by-step construction manual (i.e. not a Heathkit). 3. Kits (such as Heathkit) or commercial gear that contains a major modification to improve or alter significantly its performance. Examples include redesigned front-ends, alteration of one band for another band, or complete repackaging and modification involving a change in use such as home-based to portability. Completely home-built transverters used with commercial gear also qualifies as homebrew. Cosmetic changes such as adding dial lights, commercial filters and larger control knobs do not qualify. A pure vanilla version of a Heathkit-type kit does not qualify. The final decision as to homebrew qualification rests with the contest manager. End quote. (I hope I have caught all my typos) If you want to disagree with their definition, take it up with the current contest manager. For ARCI contest entries you are required to describe your homebrew equipment, so if you feel your rig is homebrew I think you should claim the points, describe your rig(s) and let the contest manager decide if you deserve the homebrew bonus. Pete ve5va.qrp@usask.ca From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 21:48:24 1994 Return-Path: id AA00106; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:02 HST id AA16053; Fri, 11 Feb 94 10:16:04 HST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 10:16:03 HST From: Jeff Herman To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM Cc: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: Operating semantics In-Reply-To: Your message of Fri, 11 Feb 1994 10:09:49 -0500 Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Brad and the Gang, I guess we can partition our radios into three catagories: - Store bought - kit - homebrew - from someone else's design - from my own design But from what I'm reading on rec.radio.amateur.misc to get a Ramsey radio going it almost become a homebrew effort: supplying missing/wrong parts, modifying to make it work. Maybe those three catagories above aren't enough, for what if you modify a store bought rig? Then youve done a bit of homebrewing... Oh well, at least I tried... 72, Jeff =========================================================================== Jeffrey NH6IL jherman@hawaii.edu, who, in his spare time, cannibalizes old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course). Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc CW) Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish If you do not study you will never become anything. =========================================================================== From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 11 23:56:05 1994 Return-Path: id AA24743; Fri, 11 Feb 94 20:54:36 PST Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 20:54:36 PST From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9402120454.AA24743@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Operating Semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk NorCal QRP Club is a large QRP club (315 members as I write this), but, we do not have any constitution, rules, etc. Our policy, we don't have a policy, if you think it is homebrew, fine with us. We respectfully decline to be drawn in to this debate as a club with a formal policy. So, no comment from NorCal, 72, Doug, KI6DS From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 00:05:07 1994 Return-Path: id UAA26026; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:56:47 -0800 Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:56:47 -0800 Message-Id: <199402120456.UAA26026@holonet.net> To: QRP@Think.COM From: ROHRWERK@holonet.net Subject: QRP shopping list, rev 2 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk On 02-08-94, randolph@est.enet.dec.com wrote to qrp@Think.COM: >------------------------------------ Here's a revised flea market shopping list for the circuits in W1FB QRP Notebook. I added a few things: chips, zeners, wire, and various types of caps. [etc] Op amps: 741 747 TL081 >------------------------------------ Thanks for that handy list. A small matter about op amps for audio use. Even for communications, I would avoid the 741 and 747 for audio. These were some of the earliest op amps, and their slew rate (rise time) is real slow. Folks in the audio field were building up all this stuff based on these chips, and wondering why they sounded so awful. The reason is that slow slew rate creates something called "transient intermodulation distortion" -- bursts of IM distortion. I think it was kind of discovered with these op amps. Sure, we're not hi-fi nuts in ham radio, but for little more you can use better chips and remove all doubt about audio cleanliness. The nice Signetics NE5534 (single), NE5532 (dual), or NE5514 (quad) opamps are examples. They are clean as a whistle, and have lots of output to boot. John K0JD --- * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 00:14:19 1994 Return-Path: id AA09820; Sat, 12 Feb 94 00:14:05 -0500 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for qrp@think.com) id m0pVCcR-0002nzC; Sat, 12 Feb 94 00:10 EST id m0pVANe-0001BeC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 20:46 CST Message-Id: From: jjw@seastar.org (John Welch) Subject: Homebrew or commercial? To: qrp@Think.COM (qrp mailing list) Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:46:49 -0600 (CST) Reply-To: jjw@seastar.org Organization: Welch Research Laboratories X-Location: McHenry, ILLinois 60050-1461 Operating-System: Xenix 2.3.4 SysV/386 Lines: 12 X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL22] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 611 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Realizing that nobody gives a hoot about *my* opinions anyhow :-) here's my $0.02: If you designed it, it's homebrew. If you had to re-design it from a kit, it's what modelbuilders used to call 'kit-bashed'. If your involvement only included knowing how to solder, it's a kit. If your only technical skill was to keep turning knobs till it came on, you're an appliance operator. I tend to do a lot of all of the above (appliance mostly above 120MHz), so I do speak from experience ;-) The tough call catefory is 'kit-bashed'. Just how much bashing is needed to make it a new rig? -- John Welch, N9JZW From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 02:59:00 1994 Return-Path: (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 11 Feb 1994 23:44:00 -0800 id m0pV7J0-00003iC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 23:29 GMT Message-Id: From: jerry@tr2.com Subject: Learning to Design your own... To: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 23:29:50 +0000 (GMT) Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9402120454.AA24743@deneb.csustan.edu> from "Doug Hendricks" at Feb 11, 94 08:54:36 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Length: 2593 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk A while back, somebody asked about what he should read in order to learn to design his own QRP equipment. People suggested things like the ARRL Handbook, the Solid State Design manual, a few other things.... I'd like to make a different suggestion. Anybody who wants to design their own gear needs to learn the basics of electrical circuitry, and learn them well. First of all, Ohms Law backwards and forwards and around and through. Watts Law. Loop analysis. Nodal analysis. Voltage sources. Current sources. Thevenin's theorem. Norton's theorem. Without a good solid grasp of the basics, one can only poke in the dark at explanations of transistor circuitry. I recommend getting a college text on DC & AC circuit analysis. The kind they train technicians with. Avoid the engineer books, they're too enlightened, they bring in calculus for the fun of it :-). I used the book by Boylestad ( nope, don't remember the name ), and I'm sure there are other good ones. The neat thing about college texts, is that they have exercises. You can actually *learn* this stuff by doing the exercises. It's not rocket science, you just need highschool algebra. The trouble with the ham books is that they proceed more or less directly to the ``fun'' stuff, without grounding you enough in the basics. And they don't have exercises. You'd be amazed how different a lot of this stuff looks once you've got the basics. For example, did you know that you can analyze AC circuits, complete with inductors and capacitors, using Ohms Law? You just have to use vector algebra. You can take something like a PI network, calculate out the reactance of each component, figure out what it'll do with Ohms law, and find out interesting things like the input impedance of the PI network, the output voltage, output impedance, etc. Then pick another frequency and do it all again. Or do like I did, write a Basic program to figure it all out umpteen times. I first did that with a programmable calculator. Made beautiful plots of output voltage versus frequency. Then tried sticking a resistor ( a load ) across the output and did it again. Once you have the feel for a circuit by playing with all the values enough, it's almost anticlimactic to actually build the thing :-). - Jerry -- *************************************************************** * Jerry Kaidor jerry@tr2.com, jkaidor@synoptics.com * * KF6VB * *************************************************************** From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 09:30:31 1994 Return-Path: (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for qrp@think.com); Sat, 12 Feb 1994 09:32:24 -0500 Date: Sat, 12 Feb 1994 09:32:24 -0500 Message-Id: <199402121432.AA25794@yfn.ysu.edu> From: ak238@yfn.ysu.edu (Keith M. Hamilton) To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Hamfest Shopping List Reply-To: ak238@yfn.ysu.edu Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Oh HECK! I accidentally deleted my copy of the recent Hamfest parts shoping list that was recently posted! Could someone please-please-please repost or emialail me another copy? Thank you so much! Keith -- Keith M. Hamilton 73 de NO8Z ak238@yfn.ysu.edu Youngstown, Ohio From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 11:38:54 1994 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcyk12117; Sat, 12 Feb 94 11:38:45 -0500 ; Sat, 12 Feb 1994 11:38:45 -0500 id AA23792; Sat, 12 Feb 94 10:28:02 EST Date: Sat, 12 Feb 94 10:28:02 EST From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9402121528.AA23792@auratek.com> To: QRP@Think.COM, uunet!uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu!jherman@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: Homebrew vs. Kits Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I think the topic deals with taking credit for something where you have contributed substantial added value. This is vague enough to keep everyone happy. So don't feel you need to build each component to take credit. If you feel that you created the Mona Lisa by connecting the dots, putting the right colors in the numbered spaces, or using the office copy machine; take the credit for your work, skill and ability. 73 Ed W1AAZ From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 11:38:54 1994 Return-Path: (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcyk12114; Sat, 12 Feb 94 11:38:44 -0500 ; Sat, 12 Feb 1994 11:38:43 -0500 id AA23699; Sat, 12 Feb 94 08:14:31 EST Date: Sat, 12 Feb 94 08:14:31 EST From: epacyna@auratek.com (Edward Pacyna) Message-Id: <9402121314.AA23699@auratek.com> To: QRP@Think.COM, uunet!mvubr.att.com!mvjf@uunet.UU.NET Subject: Re: HB Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > >We suspect what you are doing, and know who you are ! >So cut it out, you are giving QRP an bad name. >Everybody on Internet has commented about it (privately >of course)...... > Good comment Jim. Reminds me of a thread I saw a while back where some guy worked a DX station but he could not not copy the call letters. He posted " I worked 5????? yesterday. Does anyone know the rest of the letters?" He needed the call so he could ask for a QSL and hope- fully get the rest of the information for his log book! How is "install all the resistors" in the picture" any different than "paint the color red in all the spaces marked with a 1"? I think we do a dis-service to the hobby when we do not give credit to a kit manufacteur who brings us equipment to build or authors who bring us articles when we do not give them credit (and take it as our own). Will our 40M dipoles now be homebrew? Connect the dots and you will see the picture. 73 Ed W1AAZ From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 12 16:31:53 1994 Return-Path: Sat, 12 Feb 94 16:29 EST for Think.COM!qrp id m0pVRpS-0001DjC; Sat, 12 Feb 94 16:24 EST Message-Id: From: andrews@fms.com (Andrew Sargent N8OFS) Subject: test, please ignore... To: qrp@Think.COM (QRP) Date: Sat, 12 Feb 1994 16:24:39 -0500 (EST) Cc: boatanchors@gnu.ai.mit.edu (Boatanchors) Reply-To: andrews@telemax.com X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21] Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Content-Length: 294 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk poll 122130zFEB94 -- Mesmerized by a decade of hate, ! AMATEUR = N8OFS Flowers and remorse, ! ARMY MARS = AAN5HJT Fading vision lost in time, ! CB = THE NEON KNIGHT Tragedy on course!!! - Frontline Assembly ! HACKER = TH3 N30N KN16Ht From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sun Feb 13 14:03:53 1994 Return-Path: id AA26546; Sun, 13 Feb 94 11:02:19 PST Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 11:02:19 PST From: dh@deneb.csustan.edu (Doug Hendricks) Message-Id: <9402131902.AA26546@deneb.csustan.edu> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Communications Quarterly Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Has anyone received the new issue of Communications Quarterly? If you have, could you tell me if there is an article by Jim Pepper, W6QIF, in it? Thanks, Doug, KI6DS From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sun Feb 13 17:59:44 1994 Return-Path: id AA04030; Sun, 13 Feb 94 12:59:28 HST id AA16882; Sun, 13 Feb 94 12:59:29 HST Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 12:59:28 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: R.S. trimmers Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Gang, Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength 100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches. A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they work okay; I'll let you know. Jeff NH6IL From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sun Feb 13 21:15:52 1994 Return-Path: <01H8UNFA1XUO9EDR8H@delphi.com>; Sun, 13 Feb 1994 21:14:37 EST Date: Sun, 13 Feb 1994 21:14:37 -0500 (EST) From: TENDAM@delphi.com Subject: Re: Kit Building To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8UNFA27HU9EDR8H@delphi.com> X-Vms-To: INTERNET"qrp@think.com" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk >>From: IN%"bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM" 10-FEB-1994 08:22:28.20 >>I realize there are a lot of people that are kit builders out there >>, and that they are haveing a lot of fun. But I'll bet >>with all of you kit builders that if you build from scratch >>a transceiver like the nn1g, or the spider or something along that >>order, and don't learn one thing from it that you find valuable, >>then I'll buy a kit and build it myself, >>I truely believe that by building from scratch, you will learn more >>about circuit layout, component tolerance, construction, and the >>circuit operation in general than you can by building a kit. I agree with the sentiments about learning more by building from "scratch" than by building from kits; however, I have built some kits....and rebuilt some kits..... and redesigned some kits due to design flaws and poor workmanship of the kits. Most are inexpensive to begin with so some of this is to be expected. I guess I'm trying to say that the caliber of some of these kits requires a minimum level of experience to negotiate these problems and certainly offers lots of opportunities for learning. My latest endeavor has been apart several times and now I feel at one with the schematic. Sort of a Zen thing. If only I could trade in 8 of my ten thumbs.... 73 de WS8T, Pat. From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 00:52:04 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pVwDt-000MNhC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:51 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pVwHj-0000dlC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:55 PST Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:55:55 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940213215555_18@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Homebrew Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Pete: Thanks for clearing this up and getting the facts on the table via this definition. My initial question created a lot of conjecture and opinions that only an organization (like ARCI) could resolve by creating such a definition and driving a stake in the ground (so to speak). 73 de WO7T/QRP ______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________ Subject: Homebrew Author: qrp-admin@Think.COM at Internet_Gateway Date: 2/11/94 6:54 PM I found the QRP ARCI definition of homebrew in the Jan 1992 issue of QQ. The homebrew bonus points only count for homebrew transmitters, receivers or transceivers (i.e. a homebrew antenna tuner or QRP power meter wouldn't count). The qualifying equipment must meet one of the following criteria: I quote: 1. Completely home constructed gear, original design or a copy of another's design and not a kit. 2. "Kits" which do not include, or have available, a step-by-step construction manual (i.e. not a Heathkit). 3. Kits (such as Heathkit) or commercial gear that contains a major modification to improve or alter significantly its performance. Examples include redesigned front-ends, alteration of one band for another band, or complete repackaging and modification involving a change in use such as home-based to portability. Completely home-built transverters used with commercial gear also qualifies as homebrew. Cosmetic changes such as adding dial lights, commercial filters and larger control knobs do not qualify. A pure vanilla version of a Heathkit-type kit does not qualify. The final decision as to homebrew qualification rests with the contest manager. End quote. (I hope I have caught all my typos) If you want to disagree with their definition, take it up with the current contest manager. For ARCI contest entries you are required to describe your homebrew equipment, so if you feel your rig is homebrew I think you should claim the points, describe your rig(s) and let the contest manager decide if you deserve the homebrew bonus. Pete ve5va.qrp@usask.ca From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 00:52:27 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pVwED-000MNhC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:52 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pVwI4-0000dlC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:56 PST Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:56:16 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940213215616_26@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP Gear For Sale Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Text item: Text_1 Am posting these here for about a week prior to posting on larger nationwide distribution. Ten-Tec Century 21 - 80-10 CW Only Transceiver - 70W input - Double Direct Conversion - Full break-in keying - 3 RCV Filters (2.5khz, 1.0khz, 500hz) - Built-in AC Supply - Very Good Condition - Manual - $185 Ten-Tec Argonaut 509 - 80-10 (5 band) CW/SSB Transceiver - 5W or less output per drive control - Superhet Receiver - Manual - Very Good Condition Ten-Tec FR4 Matching Audio Filter (SSB->CW) Ten-Tec 210 Matching 12V Power Supply Ten-Tec 206A Matching Crystal calibrator Homebrew Active CW Audio Filter (not in matching case) Above four in good condition All -$345 OHR-20 Transceiver - 20M (14.00-14.080) - 3W - Superhet Receiver - Built-in Wide/Narrow CW filter & RIT - Semi break-in keying (relay) - Optional RF Preamp installed - 2 years old - Manual $120 Call after 0130Z (602) 839-8677 or before 2330Z (602) 554-8574 Can also reach me here on e-mail. 73, Mark de WO7T/QRP From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 00:55:32 1994 Return-Path: (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pVwH5-000MO5C; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:55 PST (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pVwKv-0000HZC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:59 PST Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:59:13 PST From: Mark E Gustoff Message-Id: <940213215913_82@ccm.hf.intel.com> To: Mark_E_Gustoff@ccm.hf.intel.com, qrp@Think.COM Subject: QRP Gear For Sale (Phone Correction) Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Text item: Text_1 I'm posting the following here for about a week prior to posting to a larger nationwide distribution on the net. Ten-Tec Century 21 - 80-10 CW Only Transceiver - 70W input - Double Direct Conversion RCV - 3 Built-in RCV Filters (2.5khz, 1.0khz, 500hz) - Built in AC->DC power supply - Very Good Condition - Manual - $185 Ten-Tec Argonaut 509 - 80-10 CW/SSB Transceiver - 5W or less output via pot adjustment - Superhet Receiver - Full break-in keying - Very Good Condition - Manual Ten-Tec FR4 Passive Audio Filter (SSB->CW) Ten-Tec 210 AC->DC Power Supply Ten-Tec 206A Matching Crystal Calibator Home-brew Active CW FIlter All - $345 OHR-20 - 20M CW only (14.000-14.080) - Abt 3W output - Superhet Receiver - Built in wide/narrow filter & RIT - Optional RF preamp installed - Manual - 2 years old $120 =============================================================== CORRECTION ON PHONE AND TIMES: If interested please respond here on e-mail or call before 0000Z @ (602) 554-8574. =============================================================== 73, Mark de WO7T/QRP From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 07:57:05 1994 Return-Path: id AA09651; Mon, 14 Feb 94 07:59:17 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Mon, 14 Feb 1994 07:56:07 -0500 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 07:56:07 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402141256.AA16529@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Operating semantics nerve Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Wow, I guess I hit a nerve with that one. There are some pretty strong feelings out there. Glad to see the no comment from QRP sub p!! It kinda is a personal thing I guess, no need to draw lines in the sand etc. I guess that I can drop this subject now with the exception of one thing.. Jim... W1FMR, what did you mean by the comments we know who you are, we know what you are up to , now cut it out.. We locally debated about this one, and we couln't agree about the intent. The options were as folows: 1. You as a general statement that Big brother is watching you so make sure that you sign the right class with your rig. 2. You meant to tell me personally to quit stirring things up. :-) If the case is 1, then I agree, it's kinda up to the person with the rig to be honest with themselves. If the case is 2, then "sorry, just be glad you don't work with me" :-) And, oh by the way what am I doing? I want to know. :-) I certainly hope nobody took offense with this series, I truely beleive we have a common interest, goal, and I'll keep my mouth shut for a day or two. 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 08:25:21 1994 Return-Path: From: gdo@aloft.att.com id AA17258; Mon, 14 Feb 94 08:22:36 EST id AA23524; Mon, 14 Feb 94 08:22:33 EST Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 08:22:33 EST Original-From: aloft!gdo (Glenn D. O'Donnell) Message-Id: <9402141322.AA23524@dasher> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > On Fri, 11 Feb 1994, Mark E Gustoff wrote: > > > Personally, I feel it's homebrew if you assembled the electrical > > components in to a something and it works :) This includes the heathkit > > HW-8s and HW-9s of yester-year. If you bought one already assembled, I > > would not consider you eligible for HB bonus in contests. > > I vaguely remember reading in a QQ somewhere what the QRP-ARCI considers > to be homebrew for their contests and the Heathkits were specifically > excluded because they had extremely detailed instructions. However, if I never really thought about it, but I use a Heathkit HW-101 (I know this is a QRP forum ... I run an MFJ-9040 for QRP ... nice rig!). I have never mentioned my HW-101 as "homebrew" and I don't really consider it to be such. When I send "RIG IS HEATHKIT HW101" I assume they know SOMEBODY had to assemble it. I just leave it at that and count all contacts as non-homebrew QSOs. 73 de Glenn O'Donnell, N3BDA From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 11:28:28 1994 Return-Path: id IAA17723; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800 From: btoback@netcom.com (Bruce Toback) Message-Id: <199402141628.IAA17723@mail.netcom.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: R[2]: Operating Semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance operation. So the builder should get some credit for that. Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna! The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other people's published circuits for things I don't have the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew." -- Bruce Toback KN6MN From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 12:32:06 1994 Return-Path: id AA29246; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:34 -0800 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:33 -0800 Message-Id: <9402141728.AA29246@eagle.is.lmsc.lockheed.com> From: ames@force.DECNET.LOCKHEED.COM To: "qrp@Think.COM"@EAGLE.DECNET.LOCKHEED.COM Subject: Homebrew or commercial? Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Intent has to be a "big" factor. If the intent is to win, then one criteria predominates. If the criteria is to merely to figure out how to submit an entry, perhaps a less agressive criteria might apply. For example, if I modify my TS830 to operate QRP based on an article last year in QQ AND change the IF SSB filter to 1.8 KHz Kenwood filter even tho Kenwood claims IT WILL NOT WORK, does that make my modification Homebreww? No, because I am merely utilizing the skills the FCC thought I ought to have anyway to get my licence. If I were to "hire" a friend to design an RF rig for me, and then then ask somebody else to wire it up for me, would that be "homebrew"? Clearly there is an ethical side to the question. Intent is a factor, a factor which can by-pass any rule. We ought to go no further than formulate a rule to help us figure out how to submit our entries. The FCC assumes we have a certian level of technical skill, we ought to assume that our fellow operators have a certian level of ethics. 73, alan N2ALE/6 From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 12:44:14 1994 Return-Path: id AA12891; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 12:44:56 -0500 id AA29319; Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500 Message-Id: <9402141721.AA29319@bunny.gte.com> From: okas_rp%ncsd.dnet@gte.com To: "qrp@think.com"%BUNNY.dnet@gte.com Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Bruce, KN6MN, sez: >It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies >some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building >a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide >training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take >the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's >decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical >justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance >operation. So the builder should get some credit for that. >Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real >homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally >a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna! >The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design >and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use >in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number >of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing >apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other >people's published circuits for things I don't have >the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to >mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew." I've been grappling with this issue myself lately. Suppose one purchased NN1G bare boards from FAR circuits, purchased/scrounged the parts and during the course of construction (or maybe assembly would be a better term) performed modifications to a greater or lesser degree. Does this qualify as homebrew as opposed to assembling a kit from Dan's? Probably not, one might be tempted to say. But suppose another individual copied the NN1G circuit verbatim but built the rig using *ugly* construction. Does this qualify as homebrew? Does all of the circuitry in a rig have to be an *original* design (sorry for the excessive use of astersisks and parenthetical statements) or does it suffice that a rig be built from the available smorgasbord of mixers, vfos, product detectors, etc. to permit one to call a rig 'homebrew'? I realize I'm asking more questions than providing answers, but these are the issues as I see them. This is the fine line we tread here. My opinion lies somewhere in the middle. If I copied the NN1G or Ugly Weekender and built it on whatever substrate and packaged it myself, I think it should qualify as homebrew, even if the circuit design was not original with me. If I purchased a complete kit from, say OHR, S&S or whomever, then what I really did was assemble a kit, not homebrew a rig. With so many good, 'standard' circuits available, it sometimes isn't worth the effort to come up with an original design. Let's face it, we're not all RF designers with 20 years of experience. Perhaps the deciding factor in whether a rig is homebrew should depend on the amount of effort placed into the sheet metal work and circuit mods. In that case, the NN1G rig I'm working on could be considered homebrew. Just some thought fodder... Bob - N3MBY From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 13:02:54 1994 Return-Path: id AA28621; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:15 PST id AA28425; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:12 PST (1.37.109.6/16.2) id AA27773; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600 From: Randall Rhea Posted-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST Received-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600 Message-Id: <9402141757.AA27773@atlas> Subject: Re: R.S. trimmers To: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jeff Herman) Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST Cc: QRP@Think.COM In-Reply-To: ; from "Jeff Herman" at Feb 13, 94 12:59 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk => =>Gang, => Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor =>for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength =>100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches. => A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they =>work okay; I'll let you know. 95 pf is pretty high for HF projects, isn't it? How to you get/make coils with the low mH required? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Randall Rhea Informix Software, Inc. Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems randall@informix.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 13:47:23 1994 Return-Path: id AA17650; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 13:51:00 -0500 id AA29754; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 13:50:59 -0500 Message-Id: <9402141850.AA29754@usc02.rfc.comm.harris.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: The HomeBrew Spectrum Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 13:50:52 -0500 From: gmd@rfc.comm.harris.com X-Mts: smtp Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Rather than attempt to define what HomeBrew means, I am submitting this spectrum of operator involvement with respect to equipment used for amateur communications. | 1. op buys rig and knows how to operate it | | 2. op buys rig, learns how to operate/modify/repair it | | 3. op buys turn-key kit, builds and operates it | | 4. op buys turn-key kit, builds/modifies/repairs it | | 5. op builds project from article, procures parts manually | | 6. op designs/builds project from previous designs, procures parts, etc. | | 7. op designs/builds project which utilizes new technology, procures parts, etc. I am suggesting that as one starts at the top of the spectrum and proceeds down, that a greater level of knowledge and pride in equipment and abilities is attained. I will also go so far as to say that the learning curve is less linear and more exponential as one proceeds down the spectrum. I am not suggesting that a person needs to follow this progres- sion; we all have limits to our abilities, and not everyone wants to spend all their spare time doing ham radio activities. Thus not everyone will end up designing equipment which breaks new ground. As an anology, I ran a marathon in 4 hours and change, and believe me, I might as well have won the NYC marathon for the feeling of accomplishment that I felt. I had challenged myself and won. Yes, the "winners" of the race had long since gone home and gotten a shower, but that didn't dilute my accomplishment. I think those who have built equipment toward the bottom of the above spectrum will attest, it is within the abilities of many amateurs to get more involved with the entire building process. But like marathon running, having two legs is not enough, you have to be motivated. I think that the fun of getting more involved is what drives the amateurs at the bottom of the spectrum to try and coax (i.e. feed them a line!) those at the top of the spectrum. 73 All. Gary N2JGU gmd@rfc.comm.harris.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 13:43:31 1994 Return-Path: (5.65+UW94/UW-NDC Revision: 2.30 ) id AA27687; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:43:14 -0800 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 10:43:13 -0800 (PST) From: Stephen Lee Subject: Ten-Tec Kit Catalog To: qrp@Think.COM Cc: Stephen Lee Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Hey gang! The much awaited Ten-Tec kit catalogs are out...just received mine in the mail this morning. One item of interest is an all-band Argonaut II rf deck for $95.00 :) Another is a G5RV antenna kit...$49.00....lotsa good stuff!!! Oh Boy!!! Stephen Lee no-call-sign....8.5 weeks and waiting... From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 14:05:08 1994 Return-Path: with BSMTP id 2658; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:05:18 EST <01H8VMMQIYWW8Y5DC5@NKUVAX.BITNET>; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:02:14 EDT Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:02:14 -0400 (EDT) From: "Daniel J. Curtin" Subject: Re: R.S. trimmers To: randall@informix.com Cc: QRP@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8VMMQJI768Y5DC5@NKUVAX.BITNET> X-Envelope-To: QRP@Think.COM X-Vms-To: IN%"randall@informix.com" X-Vms-Cc: IN%"QRP@Think.COM" Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk You could put one in series with a fixed value cap (NP0 perhaps for stability) to bring down the lower value. E.g., a 100 pF cap would give a range of about 49-80pF, if I have punched the buttons on my calculator correctly. I have often done this to modify the range of a variable cap I have on hand. I am sure in a very critical application this could present problems, say if the currents were relatively high and the cap shifted due to heat. 73, Dan, KF4AV Daniel J. Curtin Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Northern Kentucky University Highland Heights, KY 41099-1700 CURTIN@NKUVAX.BITNET _._ .._. ...._ ._ ..._ => =>Gang, => Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor =>for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength =>100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches. => A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they =>work okay; I'll let you know. 95 pf is pretty high for HF projects, isn't it? How to you get/make coils with the low mH required? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Randall Rhea Informix Software, Inc. Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems randall@informix.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 14:23:34 1994 Return-Path: (16.6/15.5+MGC-TD 2.20) id AA29458; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:21:17 -0800 (15.11.1.6/15.5+MGC-TD 2.08) id AA18413; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:21:15 -0800 Message-Id: <9402141921.AA18413@rainbow.mentorg.com> Date: 14 Feb 1994 11:08:21 U From: "Larry Mull" Subject: QRP QSO.... To: qrp@Think.COM Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk QRP QSO.... 2/14/94 10:31 AM Last night I had my first QSO (partial) with another QRPer. As I was tuning around the Novice segement of 40 with all the noise and broadcast interference, in a quiet spot I heard a faint CQ with a /QRP on the call sign. Normally, I won't pursue a faint station, assuming they are running 100 watts. Everytime I've tried this, I've drawn a blank. For this station I thought: If I can hear them at QRP levels, maybe they can hear me! I went after the call and made contact! What great fun! I'm in Portland, OR, the other station was in Santa Barbara, CA. A pretty good distance on 2.7 watts! Well, after two exchanges, we got squashed by an opera suddenly coming on, and by another station calling CQ. I had the NorCal front end wide open, but couldn't copy a thing. Oh well... I've heard many of you in this group say just send the standard 3x3 CQ, with no /QRP. Does this work well? I've only had one QSO where I've called CQ. It seems I'm just not heard. I imagine life is better down below 7.1MHz, with a little less broadcast noise to deal with. So, for a newbe who's been on the air since mid January, with only 9 contacts, all with my little NorCal40, it has not been real easy, but it has been fun! I'm goin for General tomorrow night! 73, Larry, KB7ZNE From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 14:59:29 1994 Return-Path: id AA09185; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:59:03 -0500 id AA05806; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:59:35 EST id AA01652; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:59:31 EST Message-Id: <9402141959.AA01652@kaos.ksr.com> To: gmd@rfc.comm.harris.com Cc: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: The HomeBrew Spectrum In-Reply-To: Your message of "Mon, 14 Feb 94 13:50:52 EST." <9402141850.AA29754@usc02.rfc.comm.harris.com> Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:59:30 EST From: "John F. Woods" Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > Rather than attempt to define what HomeBrew means, I am submitting this > spectrum of operator involvement with respect to equipment used for amateur > communications. > | 1. op buys rig and knows how to operate it > | > | 2. op buys rig, learns how to operate/modify/repair it Actually, considering the flap some time ago about US DX hounds screwing up their split-VFO rigs and ending up operating out of band, I think this spectrum should start with | 0. op buys rig, and doesn't know how to operate it. :-) John, WB7EEL From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 16:43:45 1994 Return-Path: id IAA17723; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800 From: btoback@netcom.com (Bruce Toback) Message-Id: <199402141628.IAA17723@mail.netcom.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: R[2]: Operating Semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance operation. So the builder should get some credit for that. Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna! The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other people's published circuits for things I don't have the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew." -- Bruce Toback KN6MN From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 16:48:27 1994 Return-Path: id AA29246; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:34 -0800 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:33 -0800 Message-Id: <9402141728.AA29246@eagle.is.lmsc.lockheed.com> From: ames@force.DECNET.LOCKHEED.COM To: "qrp@Think.COM"@EAGLE.DECNET.LOCKHEED.COM Subject: Homebrew or commercial? Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Intent has to be a "big" factor. If the intent is to win, then one criteria predominates. If the criteria is to merely to figure out how to submit an entry, perhaps a less agressive criteria might apply. For example, if I modify my TS830 to operate QRP based on an article last year in QQ AND change the IF SSB filter to 1.8 KHz Kenwood filter even tho Kenwood claims IT WILL NOT WORK, does that make my modification Homebreww? No, because I am merely utilizing the skills the FCC thought I ought to have anyway to get my licence. If I were to "hire" a friend to design an RF rig for me, and then then ask somebody else to wire it up for me, would that be "homebrew"? Clearly there is an ethical side to the question. Intent is a factor, a factor which can by-pass any rule. We ought to go no further than formulate a rule to help us figure out how to submit our entries. The FCC assumes we have a certian level of technical skill, we ought to assume that our fellow operators have a certian level of ethics. 73, alan N2ALE/6 From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 17:33:39 1994 Return-Path: id AA28621; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:15 PST id AA28425; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:12 PST (1.37.109.6/16.2) id AA27773; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600 From: Randall Rhea Posted-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST Received-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600 Message-Id: <9402141757.AA27773@atlas> Subject: Re: R.S. trimmers To: jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu (Jeff Herman) Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST Cc: QRP@Think.COM In-Reply-To: ; from "Jeff Herman" at Feb 13, 94 12:59 pm X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk => =>Gang, => Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor =>for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength =>100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches. => A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they =>work okay; I'll let you know. 95 pf is pretty high for HF projects, isn't it? How to you get/make coils with the low mH required? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Randall Rhea Informix Software, Inc. Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems randall@informix.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 18:16:37 1994 Return-Path: id AA12891; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 12:44:56 -0500 id AA29319; Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500 Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500 Message-Id: <9402141721.AA29319@bunny.gte.com> From: okas_rp%ncsd.dnet@gte.com To: "qrp@think.com"%BUNNY.dnet@gte.com Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Bruce, KN6MN, sez: >It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies >some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building >a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide >training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take >the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's >decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical >justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance >operation. So the builder should get some credit for that. >Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real >homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally >a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna! >The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design >and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use >in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number >of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing >apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other >people's published circuits for things I don't have >the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to >mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew." I've been grappling with this issue myself lately. Suppose one purchased NN1G bare boards from FAR circuits, purchased/scrounged the parts and during the course of construction (or maybe assembly would be a better term) performed modifications to a greater or lesser degree. Does this qualify as homebrew as opposed to assembling a kit from Dan's? Probably not, one might be tempted to say. But suppose another individual copied the NN1G circuit verbatim but built the rig using *ugly* construction. Does this qualify as homebrew? Does all of the circuitry in a rig have to be an *original* design (sorry for the excessive use of astersisks and parenthetical statements) or does it suffice that a rig be built from the available smorgasbord of mixers, vfos, product detectors, etc. to permit one to call a rig 'homebrew'? I realize I'm asking more questions than providing answers, but these are the issues as I see them. This is the fine line we tread here. My opinion lies somewhere in the middle. If I copied the NN1G or Ugly Weekender and built it on whatever substrate and packaged it myself, I think it should qualify as homebrew, even if the circuit design was not original with me. If I purchased a complete kit from, say OHR, S&S or whomever, then what I really did was assemble a kit, not homebrew a rig. With so many good, 'standard' circuits available, it sometimes isn't worth the effort to come up with an original design. Let's face it, we're not all RF designers with 20 years of experience. Perhaps the deciding factor in whether a rig is homebrew should depend on the amount of effort placed into the sheet metal work and circuit mods. In that case, the NN1G rig I'm working on could be considered homebrew. Just some thought fodder... Bob - N3MBY From qrp-admin@Think.COM Mon Feb 14 21:43:08 1994 Return-Path: id AA01429; Mon, 14 Feb 94 16:42:46 HST id AA20767; Mon, 14 Feb 94 16:41:50 HST Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 16:41:49 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: trimmer caps Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk It was mentioned that these 90-420pf trimmers might be too high for HF work. Here's how I'm using them: I posted an 80M xmtr on here a couple weeks ago and I'm currently collecting the parts for it. Three variable caps are called for, but since this xmtr is being built around a 3579khz xtal I'm using these trimmers - I'll set them once and that will be it (variable are too hard to come by in my `dumpster diving', and these trimmers are cheap). In the tank portion of the xtal osc, a 250pf cap in parallel with a 7.9uh inductor. The circuit calls for a fixed 250pf but I'll want to tweek to perfection so I'll use a trimmer [don't sneeze while operating]. Next, a 75pf variable cap is called for to couple the xtal osc to the PA xsistors - here I'll use one of the trimmers IN SERIES with a 45pf cap so that the mid range of the trimmer will land at 75 pf. Finally, the output stage calls for 2 caps in parallel: 250pf fixed and 100pf variable (total 350pf), with these paralleled caps in series with a 5.65uf inductor. Here I'll use just a trimmer in place of the two paralleled caps [don't cough - you'll change the temp.] Some will be unhappy to hear me using these trimmers in this manner, rather than using variables, but remember - this is xtal controlled and that xtal is fixed, and the temp here in Hawaii remains rather stable... 72, Jeff NH6IL From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 02:53:45 1994 Return-Path: id AA08236; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 02:54:35 -0500 id AA28841; Tue, 15 Feb 94 02:53:36 -0500 Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 02:53:35 -0500 Message-Id: <9402150753.AA28841@bunny.gte.com> From: harvey::jerry@tr2.com To: okas_rp%ncsd.dnet@gte.com Cc: "qrp@think.com"%BUNNY.dnet@gte.com Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk My two cents on the ``Homebrew'' discussion, Let's look at it from the contest organizers' point of view. Assumably they want to 1) Have a good, active contest with lots of participation. 2) Do some ``good'' for amateur radio in general. Now, as we all know, the state of radio art is higher than ever before; yet the technical competence of the average amateur is pretty low. Suppose that the organizers were to create a category of ``rigorous'' homebrew (designed, built, and scrounged it yourself, no premade circuit boards or magazine schematics)... Result? Only one or two participants in that category! Not much fun. And the people who made it into said category would probably all be long-time homebrewers, maybe professional engineers. Not much use, either. Instead, they went for a fairly lax definition; permitting more people to use the category, and possibly prodding a few appliance ops to get their feet wet a bit, thus tending to improve the average technical competence. Or so one might hope. - Jerry, KF6VB *************************************************************** * Jerry Kaidor jerry@tr2.com, jkaidor@synoptics.com * * KF6VB * *************************************************************** From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 07:13:35 1994 Return-Path: id AA10350; Tue, 15 Feb 94 07:15:36 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Tue, 15 Feb 1994 07:12:26 -0500 Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 07:12:26 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402151212.AA17836@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM, Larry_Mull@pdxml2.mentorg.com Subject: Re: QRP QSO.... Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > I've heard many of you in this group say just send the standard 3x3 CQ, > with no /QRP. Does this work well? I've only had one QSO where I've > called CQ. It seems I'm just not heard. I imagine life is better down > below 7.1MHz, with a little less broadcast noise to deal with. > I do this... cq cq cq cq de wb8ygg wb8ygg wb8ygg/qrp ar k Then I usually have to do it again to net a contact! most of my contacts are by calling other stations I'm using the nn1g mkII with only about .8 watts out. 40 meters is no problem during the day, but at night when the path goes long, contacts are harder. > So, for a newbe who's been on the air since mid January, with only 9 > contacts, all with my little NorCal40, it has not been real easy, but it > has been fun! > > I'm goin for General tomorrow night! GOOD LUCK!! > > 73, > Larry, KB7ZNE > > > Brad WB8YGG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 09:23:00 1994 Return-Path: id HAA29964; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 07:21:42 -0700 id AA16780; Tue, 15 Feb 94 07:23:57 -0700 Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 07:23:57 -0700 From: tjf@beta.lanl.gov (Tom J Farish) Message-Id: <9402151423.AA16780@beta.lanl.gov> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: what is homebrew Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Hi...I have often used a schematic printed in for example the QRP Notebook and built a project. Whether I made my own circuit boards or used a perf board or did it 'dead bug', I consider it homebrew! If I sent off for a ready-made board, I still might consider it homebrew. A full kit is a slightly different manner. I consider it a 'kit', a different kind of homebrew. Tom KJ5LT, home of the amazing 9-band 2-transistor QRP transmitter(s) From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 12:59:34 1994 Return-Path: id MAA27623; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 12:59:23 -0500 Date: 15 Feb 94 12:56:37 EST From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <70466.1405@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: QRP HINTS & KINKS Message-Id: <940215175636_70466.1405_FHC108-3@CompuServe.COM> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk TO: >INTERNET:qrp@think.com QRP HINTS & KINKS Attention QRP Homebrewers and Kit Homebrewers: If you can remember way back when - Radio Shack used to have a number of different sizes of it's two tone (black and unpainted) aluminum metal cabinets - now they just have one size (3X5X5). Sadness to us "appliance" type homebrewers who would rather purchase than build (bend metal) an inexpensive cabinet to "house" our/others creations. Well I just came across a "find" in the Dec 93 issue of Nuts and Volts magazine that unfortunately will not last long - American Electronics Inc in Greenwood Indiana (1-800-872-1373 or 1-317-888-7265) is discontinuing it's line of Dick Smith Electronic imported metal cabinets. The ones of interest (to me) are: DSH2741 3.25 X 2.25 X 5 $3.25 DSH2742 4 X 2.5 X 4.5 $2.44 DSH2743 5.25 X 3 X 6 $5.28 DSH2744 6.25 X 3 X 7.25 $4.02 The quality is what you would expect for the price - but not bad enough to make your PCB or "ugly" construction project look like a million bucks (or close to that..) The only other source of cabinets like this is the Ten Tec series which are better quality but at least double the price. Good luck 72 Bob WA6ERB/VE2DRB INTERNET:70466.1405@compuserve.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 13:02:17 1994 Return-Path: id NAA11102; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 13:02:02 -0500 Date: 15 Feb 94 12:56:23 EST From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <70466.1405@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: QRP HINTS & KINKS Message-Id: <940215175622_70466.1405_FHC108-2@CompuServe.COM> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk TO: >INTERNET:qrp@think.com Info from future issue of New England QRP club newsletter "72". QRP HINTS & KINKS Attention QRP kit builders - After my old trusty flea market special printed circuit board holder (Panavise clone) broke down I was at a loss for an inexpensive PCB holder for my soldering needs. Voila! While strolling through the Active Electronic Components store here in Montreal I came across a new item by Weller - the ESF-120 Circuit Board Vise. This is a fantastic unit - it's basically a PCB vise that has two adjustable side pieces riding on two rails. It has a spring clamp that lets you rotate the PCB 360 degrees. It also has an adjustable cushion grip arm that will hold the components in place when you flip the board upside down to solder. A picture would be a better way to describe it :-). I have never seen this item in the States, but from what I can tell it is in the Active catalog so it should be available. The price was about $44 Canadian. Hope this helps out you kit builders (I know "real" QRP builders only use "ugly" construction). 72, Bob WA6ERB/VE2DRB INTERNET:70466.1405@compuserve.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 14:45:44 1994 Return-Path: id AA24856; Tue, 15 Feb 94 09:45:08 HST id AA05275; Tue, 15 Feb 94 09:43:49 HST Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 9:43:48 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Ten-Tec info Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Stephen Lee sent me the following which might be of interest to some of you. Jeff NH6IL ********************************************************************** Subject: Re: Ten-Tec Kit Catalog The All-Band Argonaut II RF Deck is Ten-Tec's T-Kit Model No. 1204. It features 5 watts RF output with instant electronic bandswitching on all the HAM bands between 160 and 10 meters. An SWR bridge and a universal VXO crystal oscillator are built-in. In addition, it comes with fast T-R switching and the final amplifier transistors are fully protected. It requires only a few milliwatts of drive power. The rear panel contains an SO-239 antenna connector, RCA jacks for the receiver and RF input keying, SWR output (I think for a DC voltmeter), and fused DC power cord (I wonder if it uses a wall wort). The internals consist of a PA board, filter board, and control board, all housed in a custom fitted enclosure. All parts are warranted for one year against manufacturing defects. Available April 1994 :( (well, I have a birthday in April so :) ) Ten-Tec has come up with its own QRP homebrew concept called UQS, the Universal QRP System. They plan to bring it out in the near future. For orders only call 1-800-833-7373 or FAX to 1-615-428-4483. Include $5 for shipping on orders under $100. For orders greater than $100, shipping and handling is $9. There is an information number at 1-615-453-7172. Can you tell I'm excited about all this???????? Feel free to post to the QRP net. Stephen Lee From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 15:49:20 1994 Return-Path: id AA27954; Tue, 15 Feb 94 10:11:48 HST id AA03853; Tue, 15 Feb 94 09:26:26 HST Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 9:26:26 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: perspective... Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Gang, Here's an interesting note I received from someone who I had asked if he was on the QRP list. It made me realize that we shouldn't set ourselves aside or apart from the rest of the ham community; we're just folks who choose to turn down the power a bit. The last line of his note is cute. Jeff NH6IL *********************************************************************** No, I'm not on the QRP list, but I was thinking I ought to be. Then again, I don't think of QRP as something fringe or special interest, 'cause it's what I've always done. Never ran more than 3 watts out with any regularity, and even then, it was usually 50 watts max (519 linear). When I finally got my 'dream station' (Drake 7-line, all of it), I still found myself twisting the drive controls down to the 25 or so watt level most of the time. I guess if you're after DXCC or some such, you want some power, but if you just like ol' fashion CW when the band is open, or 10 Meter SSB (when it's REALLY open), it doesn't make sense to put out the extra QRM. Of course, when I heard Easter Island, UP went the gain :-) Worked 'em, too. Is that list the one where the letters fade in an out, and sometimes you can't see them at all, but it's easy to fill in the blanks? :-) 73, From qrp-admin@Think.COM Tue Feb 15 18:57:32 1994 Return-Path: id AA28688; Tue, 15 Feb 94 13:57:17 HST id AA18738; Tue, 15 Feb 94 12:52:34 HST Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 12:52:33 HST From: Jeff Herman To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: ugly? Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk When did point-to-point wiring start getting called `ugly' construction? I find that term offensive. Point-to-point is easier and (I'm told) more efficient than any other scheme. Cheaper, too. Used to be that p-t-p was THE only way to build (prior to pc) so let's give it the respect it deserves. Jeff NH6IL From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 03:45:08 1994 Return-Path: id AA03557; Wed, 16 Feb 94 03:40:37 -0500 Mailer: WinNET Mail, v2.04 Message-Id: <56@ted.win.net> Reply-To: mjsilva@ted.win.net (Michael Silva) To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: Ham-Homebrew@UCSD.Edu Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 00:42:44 Subject: What test equipment do you use? From: mjsilva@ted.win.net (Michael Silva) Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk It just occurred to me that I could finally get an answer to a question I've wondered about for a long time, namely: As homebrewers, what test equipment do you use in getting your projects working? Are you using 'scopes, freq. counters, signal generators, sweep generators, GDO's, spectrum analysers? Any other obvious things I've forgotten at 1AM? Comments? If I get enough responses I'll tabulate them and post them. Thanks, Mike, KK6GM From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 09:20:44 1994 Return-Path: <01H8Y3BFM500ECY9H3@tntech.edu>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:22:40 CST Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:22:40 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: norcal, QRPp To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8Y3BFMXXEECY9H3@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 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I must be getting old, I know this has been posted, but did anyone receive or know when the expected dates for the Norcal 40 and QRPp are? thanks 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 09:22:45 1994 Return-Path: <01H8Y3D2XPS6ECY9H3@tntech.edu>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:24:42 CST Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:24:42 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Ten Tec Keyer To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8Y3D2XPS8ECY9H3@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 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Hi, any of you experts have advice: I just got hold of a 645A Ultramatic keyer case with the twin paddles and all the controls. Everythink is mint except there is no longer the keying circuitry. Anyone have schematics or no whether it would be worth puruing restoring this? thanks 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 10:28:23 1994 Return-Path: id AA16504; Wed, 16 Feb 94 10:28:51 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:23:12 -0500 Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:23:12 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402161523.AA19714@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Artwork Requests Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Ok, I have written authorization from Mark Wilson at the league for scanning any of their artwork, and putting it up on think.com. I got this authorization by sending them a copy of the postscript file that we (N2PSH and I ) generated for the NN1G rig. Now that they think this is acceptable quality, I am asking you all what would you like to see as a top priority for scanning and putting the mirror image artwork on think.com. Any league publication artworks are now authorized so put your thinking caps on, and let me know what you'd like to see. 73 ----------------- | ___ ________ | Bradley S. Mitchell WB8YGG | | / / | | Eastman Kodak Company | | / / | | KEMD Electronic Products | |< < K O D A K| | Circuit Board Assembly Dept. 606 Test Engineering | | \ \ | | 901 Elmgrove Road Rochester, N.Y. 14653-5211 | |__\ \________| | (716) 726-5775, FAX (716) 726-7109 | | INTERNET: bmitchel@kodak.com ----------------- From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 10:49:12 1994 Return-Path: id KAA20330; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:48:54 -0500 Date: 16 Feb 94 10:45:49 EST From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <70466.1405@CompuServe.COM> To: Subject: What test equipment do y Message-Id: <940216154549_70466.1405_FHC57-2@CompuServe.COM> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk TO: >INTERNET:qrp@think.com Test Equipment for Homebrewers Mike KK6GM made a request for what folks are using in the way of test equipment to get their/other's projects going after they finish the soldering. The following is a list of some of the test equipment that I use in my "soldering room" (as my wife calls it). I will say that I don't have access to lab quality test gear at work and that in general my shop test gear is made up of things collected over the years. Maybe what is important is the order of priority of how I use the equipment. Anyway here goes: 1. Decent quality digital multimeter. My latest acquisition is the Radio Shack 22-175 Benchtop true RMS multimeter with frequency counter, transistor gain and capacitance ranges. About $100 list but usually on sale every once in a while. I mainly use if for the volt/ohm/ma readings. 2. FET-Input Analog Multimeter. Again another Radio Shack unit - model 22-220 with a "jumbo" 5" analog scale. Although I prefer the digital VOM above for most of my big time work (ie testing battery voltages :-)) there is nothing like watching that needle swing to a peak reading (digital bar graphs just don't cut it). Another good price - $50 list and usually on sale every once in a while. 3. Digital Frequency Counter - I have an old Digimax oven temperature stabilized 1 GHz counter. For the price, any of the Optoelectronics /Startek type units is a must have piece of equipment. 4. A synthesized HF rig with (if possible) the transmit enabled for all band coverage so it can be used as piece of test equipment. I use my commercial rig as a piece of test equipment quite a bit - amazing what it sounds like to be actually "heard" or "being heard" when your troubleshooting a new project rig. 5. From this point on I have test equipment that sometimes I hardly ever use, but like anything else is invaluable when you need it. Randomly: - Old B&K 5 MHz oscilloscope (wish I had a 20 MHz unit). - Old B&K RF signal generator (my HF rig does a better job). - Handheld Digital Capacitance tester - really comes in handy when you become brain-dead trying to interpret what the uf,nf,pf decimal markings really mean on a capacitor. - Audio generator - use to have one, sold it (BIG mistake) now I need one. - General purpose power supply - got a decent one at Dayton for good price. 6. Other goodies: MFJ SWR digital analyzer, little kenwood 25 W dummy load. I got the feeling I must be missing something - yea I know - an intelligent tester behind the test equipment. Can't vouch for that in my shop :-). I'd also be curious what others on the QRP list use. 72, Bob VE2DRB/WA6ERB. INTERNET:70466.1405@compuserve.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 12:12:36 1994 Return-Path: id AA28998; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:09:19 EST Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:09:17 EST Message-Id: <9402161709.AA28998@pppl.gov> To: qrp@Think.COM From: neindorf@princeton.edu (Richard Neindorff) X-Sender: neindorf@vaxcluster.pppl.gov Subject: Re: norcal, QRPp Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk >I must be getting old, I know this has been posted, but did anyone >receive or know when the expected dates for the Norcal 40 and QRPp are? > >thanks > >72 > >Jeff, AC4HF You're not getting old, just getting like a kid at Christmas (me too!). The last I heard, the QRPp Journal was not due out until March 1st and the NORCAL 40 kits (phase 2) were still being put together by volunteer slave labor. I too check the mailbox and look for the UPS truck everyday. (Not much else to do in the frozen northeast.) ---Rich, WB2RAR From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 12:21:46 1994 Return-Path: id AA00543; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 12:21:07 -0500 id AA19327; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:21:43 EST id AA20479; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:21:35 EST Message-Id: <9402161721.AA20479@kaos.ksr.com> To: Jeff Herman Cc: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: ugly? In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 15 Feb 94 12:52:33 -1000." Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:21:34 EST From: "John F. Woods" Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > When did point-to-point wiring start getting called `ugly' construction? > I find that term offensive. Point-to-point is easier and (I'm told) more > efficient than any other scheme. Cheaper, too. Used to be that p-t-p > was THE only way to build (prior to pc) so let's give it the respect > it deserves. Well, actually, I thought "ugly" construction was usually reserved for "ground-plane" construction; when I hear "point-to-point construction" I usually think of either perfboard or parts dangling from terminal strips. While those kinds of point-to-point construction can get pretty grisly, the perfboard at least hides the wiring from the top view, and terminal strips do tend to impose some kind of order on the wiring. "Ground plane", "dead bug", or "ugly" construction has everything out in plain (and plane :-) sight, and if you're even in the slightest hurry while working, it winds up looking like a big ball of wire with components strewn throughout. Of course, if you take your time, "ground-plane" construction can even be artistic, but let's face it, the big attraction of "ground-plane" construction is the fact that it's real, real fast, which means that people usually use it when they're in a hurry. Anyway, I don't mind giving mildly pejorative labels to favorite techniques; I'd hate to think I took this so seriously that I can't laugh at my foibles. John, WB7EEL From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 12:31:40 1994 Return-Path: id AA00650; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 12:31:14 -0500 id AA19388; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:31:50 EST id AA20699; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:31:45 EST Message-Id: <9402161731.AA20699@kaos.ksr.com> To: mjsilva@ted.win.net (Michael Silva) Cc: jfw@ksr.com, QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: What test equipment do you use? In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 16 Feb 94 00:42:44." <56@ted.win.net> Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:31:45 EST From: "John F. Woods" Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk From: mjsilva@ted.win.net (Michael Silva) > It just occurred to me that I could finally get an answer to a > question I've wondered about for a long time, namely: > As homebrewers, what test equipment do you use in getting your > projects working? Are you using 'scopes, freq. counters, signal > generators, sweep generators, GDO's, spectrum analysers? Any other > obvious things I've forgotten at 1AM? Comments? Let's see, I've got a digital multimeter, an RF voltage probe for same, a 'scope (ancient beast, I should try to replace it), a frequency counter, a capacitance meter, a signal generator, a base dip oscillator (:-), and parts for a spectrum analyzer that I still haven't gotten around to building. I think that's about the order of usage, most to least. When I finally get around to finishing it, the spectrum analyzer will probably come after the 'scope :-). John, WB7EEL From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 14:25:26 1994 Return-Path: (5.65+UW94/UW-NDC Revision: 2.30 ) id AA18159; Wed, 16 Feb 94 11:24:49 -0800 Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 11:24:47 -0800 (PST) From: Stephen Lee Subject: Re: norcal, QRPp To: Richard Neindorff Cc: qrp@Think.COM In-Reply-To: <9402161709.AA28998@pppl.gov> Message-Id: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk * * * * * * * * * * * * * It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.... Just received my NorCal 40 Kit in the mail this morning, folks. Thought y'all would like to know :) Stephen Lee On Wed, 16 Feb 1994, Richard Neindorff wrote: > >I must be getting old, I know this has been posted, but did anyone > >receive or know when the expected dates for the Norcal 40 and QRPp are? > > > >thanks > > > >72 > > > >Jeff, AC4HF > > You're not getting old, just getting like a kid at Christmas (me too!). > The last I heard, the QRPp Journal was not due out until March 1st and the > NORCAL 40 kits (phase 2) were still being put together by volunteer slave > labor. > > I too check the mailbox and look for the UPS truck everyday. (Not much > else to do in the frozen northeast.) > > ---Rich, WB2RAR > > From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 15:31:10 1994 Return-Path: <01H8YFQHCDF4ECYLWS@tntech.edu>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:22:49 CST Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:22:49 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Direct Conversion To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8YFQHD6CIECYLWS@tntech.edu> X-Vms-To: QRP X-Vms-Cc: JMG Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Been playing around with my new/old Century 22... when I first got my Century 21.. made some contacts with it, and it confirmed past beliefs about direct conversion receivers. I hooked up my new single paddle and keyer to the Century 22 I recently purchased. This gave me an incentive to REALLY try out the rig. I have been playing with it most evenings for at least one QSO a night. I find I really enjoy the little rig. It works great for QRP. I had an experience of getting into a nice rag chew with a YL (one of best fists I have ever heard)... and after about 20 minutes or so. .some idiot sends QRL? and immediately without taking a break sends CQ (and it was on the freq we were on.. not the opposite side). I decided to try one of the benefits of DC receivers.. I used the offset and went to the other side.. it was clear and I was able to finish the QSO. The built in audio filtering seems very effective.. I leave it cranked all the way up on 40 and the receiver sounds great. 72 Jeff, AC4HF From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 15:38:47 1994 Return-Path: <01H8YGJH049SECYLWS@tntech.edu>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:40:21 CST Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:40:21 -0600 (CST) From: "JEFF M. GOLD" Subject: Ten Tec PM2A Manual To: qrp@Think.COM Message-Id: <01H8YGJH29FMECYLWS@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 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Anyone have a PM2A manual that they could copy.. I will pay copy and shipping... hopefully will be getting one soon and already know it needs some help. thanks 72 Jeff,AC4HF From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 16:47:51 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402162147.AA22557@Early-Bird.Think.COM> From: mvjf@mvubr.att.com Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 13:54 EST Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton +1 508 960 2577) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: QRP-DX Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk There is a CW DX contest coming up this weekend. All the islands in the Caribean are being infestooned with ham and beams, all on the air, getting ready for the test. DX is easy with a super QRP contest station consisting of a NorCal-40, long wire antenna, HB swr bridge and tuner, and Curtis keyer copied from the ARRL Handbook. (There is no guilt using the term HB, in spite of an Irish catholic upbringing and parochial school education) This morning between tying shoes, and brushing teeth I worked DXCC country #45... Belize. 73/72 Jim Fitton, W1FMR QRP-NE mvjf@mvubr.att.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Wed Feb 16 20:41:29 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402170141.AA01733@Early-Bird.Think.COM> Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 20:41:19 EST From: Mark Shelhamer To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Test Equipment Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk On the subject of what test equipment is useful, I would have to agree that a good general coverage receiver is invaluable. I was also lucky enough to find a spectrum analyzer for a fair price, and that's almost equally useful. After that, of course there's the usual assortment of oscilloscope, DVM (with L/C meter), freq counter, signal generator, power supply, and the all-important eyes/ears/nose. I have a question for those who use their transceiver/transmitter as an RF generator - obviously you run it into a dummy load at low power, but how do you pick off the RF and couple it into your circuit under test? A high-value attenuator seems like just the thing - is that what people are using, and do you build or buy? Mark WA3YNO From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 08:00:06 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402171259.AA23318@Early-Bird.Think.COM> From: mvjf@mvubr.att.com Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:41 EST Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton +1 508 960 2577) To: QRP@Think.COM Cc: mvubr!mvjf@Think.COM (James M Fitton) Subject: Wish I was there Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Got a call from Calif. last night. It was Dave, NN1G who was about to meet Wayne, N6KR and possibly Wes Hayward, W7ZOI for dinner. Dave really knows how to rub it in...... Hi ! I took over as NCS in the GLN QRP net for Dave last night (0200Z on 3.560 mHz). VE2XLT said he entered the QCWA contest last weekend in the brand New QRP class. He made 1800 points. Things are really heating up on 40m in preparation for the CW ARRL DX contest this weekend. Many DX stations calling CQ this morning with no takers.... 73/72 Jim Fitton, W1FMR QRP-NE mvjf@mvubr.att.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 09:55:28 1994 Return-Path: id AA17228; Thu, 17 Feb 94 09:57:12 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ); Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:52:59 -0500 Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:52:59 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402171452.AA21452@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: QRP-DX Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > > DX is easy with a super QRP contest station consisting > of a NorCal-40, long wire antenna, HB swr bridge and > tuner, and Curtis keyer copied from the ARRL Handbook. > > (There is no guilt using the term HB, in spite of an > Irish catholic upbringing and parochial school education) I don't know guys, Jim might be unfairly advantaged technically to call this setup homebrew. Just look at his callsign he's been in this for a while, I can tell. Maybe we whould pro-rate homebrew, based on years of experience? That's a joke guys!! > > This morning between tying shoes, and brushing teeth > I worked DXCC country #45... Belize. Neat!! > > > > > 73/72 Jim Fitton, W1FMR QRP-NE mvjf@mvubr.att.com > 73 Brad WB8YGG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 09:58:21 1994 Return-Path: id AA17276; Thu, 17 Feb 94 09:59:10 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:55:16 -0500 Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:55:16 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402171455.AA21456@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: QRP@Think.COM, mvjf@mvubr.att.com Subject: Re: Wish I was there Cc: mvubr!mvjf@Think.COM Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk > > Got a call from Calif. last night. > It was Dave, NN1G who was about to meet Wayne, N6KR and > possibly Wes Hayward, W7ZOI for dinner. > I wonder what the napkins looked like! > Dave really knows how to rub it in...... Hi ! > > 73/72 Jim Fitton, W1FMR QRP-NE mvjf@mvubr.att.com > Brad WB8YGG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 10:33:32 1994 Return-Path: for qrp@think.com id AA02492; Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:33:16 -0800 for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA01213; Thu, 17 Feb 94 09:32:39 -0600 for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:qrp@think.com id AA07425; Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:32:37 -0800 Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:32:37 -0800 From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams) Message-Id: <9402171532.AA07425@chuck.dallas.sgi.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: DX on 40 meters Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Gang, In case you've been out in the boonies and haven't been paying attention, this weekend is a BIG DX contest weekend. In preparation for same, there are a number of BIG GUNS and some little pistols warming up. That is, they're out there testing equipment, antennas, keyers, and all kinds of jazz. It is a CW test. As a result, I've picked up 30 new countries on 40 meters in the last week using only 0.95W (950 milliwatts) with a 80 meter long wire for ears. So, warm up the old receiver and transmitter and rack up your count, that is if you are into such things. HINTS: 1. Get there before anybody else does. I worked all the above by being one of the first 10 people to hear the station, and in many cases I was the first contact. 2. Patience. Remember that everyone else is using 20 to 1000 times the power level that QRPers use. So walk softly and beat 'em with cotton ball. :-) 3. I'm a 40 meter freak, so I leave it as an exercise for you guys/girls to beat the other bands. 4. I won't be working the test unless I stay home for the weekend and delay the trip. If I do manage to get on, I'll do it late in the contest when the stations are hurting for contacts. They'll work anybody then. Sorry for the late posting, but the modem seemed to be busy when I tried to dial in. Had to go to the post office to send off all the DX cards :-), so I dropped in to say howdy. 73 es cul, dit dit Chuck Adams K5FO CP-60 adams@sgi.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 13:59:08 1994 Return-Path: id AA23863; Thu, 17 Feb 94 13:58:58 -0500 Reply-To: bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 17 Feb 1994 13:50:51 -0500 Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 13:50:51 -0500 From: Brad Mitchell Message-Id: <199402171850.AA21827@hobby1.cba.kodak.com> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: R1,R2,T2 artwork Cc: rand@zeta.sps.mot.com Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Ok all, there were more requests for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks than anything, but I need the following info from you so I can get the templates: Article date, and page number for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks. Thanks Brad WB8YGG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 16:49:23 1994 Return-Path: Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 15:49:06 -0600 (CST) From: KELL@LARK.JSC.NASA.GOV Message-Id: <940217154906.198@LARK.JSC.NASA.GOV> Subject: Christmas To: qrp@Think.COM X-Vmsmail-To: SMTP%"qrp@think.com" Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Got my NORCAL 40 in the mail today. It looks like a real nice kit. Thanks to all that had a hand in putting it together. Ted KC5CUW From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 17:17:06 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402172216.AA01856@interval.interval.com> Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 14:15:49 -0800 To: qrp@Think.COM From: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Subject: Looking for a book or two Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I'd like to borrow or buy two books on QRP by Weiss, possibly titled "The Joy of QRP" and "A History of QRP in the United States." My apologies if I've got those titles way off. I had a long talk with Wes Hayward at the wireless conference in Santa Clara yesterday, and Wes strongly encouraged me to read these books. How could I turn down such advice? Anyone got a clue? Thanks, Wayne N6KR From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 17:38:53 1994 Return-Path: 17 Feb 94 14:38 PST To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: R2/T2 boards for sale Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 14:38:41 -0800 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9402171438.aa27169@paris.ics.uci.edu> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Hello all: Anyone want the R2/T2 boards? I have them, along with the article and stuff, and I am going through a mid-life crises that gives no time or energy for the project. (Just turned 40, and I feel like I turned a BIG corner!) I forget what they cost, but I would be happy to sell them for that, and include shipping. I am not sure presently, but I think Campbell is notoriously behind schedule in shipping these boards....you can get mine fast! 72 Clark WA3JPG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 18:11:19 1994 Return-Path: id m0pXHrj-0002cPC; Thu, 17 Feb 94 17:10 CST Message-Id: From: jason@persoft.persoft.com (Jason Penn) Subject: QRP mod for IC-751A To: qrp@Think.COM Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 17:10:39 CST X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11] Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Greetings. I would like to know if someone could please point me toward the modification of an ICOM-751A HF transceiver for QRP work. Anybody know this one off the top of their head? Thanks! -- Jason F. Penn N9RPT | Persoft, Inc. | jason@persoft.com Whenever I want to find something, it's always in the last place I look. From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 22:50:11 1994 Return-Path: id AA01984; Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:50:14 JST Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:50:14 JST From: Bruce Walker Message-Id: <9402180350.AA01984@jupiter.think.co.jp> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: WT1M/JA Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I'm on vacation in JA, and I just stopped by our Tokyo office to catch up on things. The Internet is wonderful! I went browsing Akihabara (the electronics district) the other day. What a contrast to the US: I went in about 10 places which sold ham gear (in addition to everything else electronic), and I probably saw only 1% of the stores! One particularly interesting item not exported is 3-band SSB HT covering 40, 15, and 6 meters with 2-3W output. Not sure if there was an FM mode for 6m, and not sure if there's a key input for CW; I'm going back to look at it more closely before leaving the country. The dollar is so poor that prices are high here; things are cheaper in the US, so I was mostly looking at things which aren't exported. I also saw some nice QRO stuff, including ICOM 732 and 736 models, with which I was unfamiliar. There is also a low-power version of the TS-50 (max 10 watts for a couple hundred $$ less than the regular version). I'll be back in a week. Thanks again to Ed Parish WA2SCA for minding the list (with the help of majordomo) while I'm gone. This whole trip happened on such short notice that I didn't get a chance to look in to reciprocal operating while here. --bruce WT1M/JA From qrp-admin@Think.COM Thu Feb 17 23:38:09 1994 Return-Path: 17 Feb 94 20:37 PST To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Re: R2/T2 boards for sale Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 20:37:56 -0800 From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG Message-Id: <9402172037.aa15817@paris.ics.uci.edu> Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Got a taker for the boards. Thanks for all the inquiries. My NorCal 40 is the only kit on the table now, and it will get built soon for my 40th year mid-life crisis 3 month walk in the woods :-). 72 Clark WA3JPG From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 02:04:57 1994 Return-Path: id AA04676; Thu, 17 Feb 94 21:04:35 HST id AA15084; Thu, 17 Feb 94 19:38:35 HST Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 19:38:35 HST From: Jeff Herman To: burdick@interval.com (Wayne Burdick) Cc: QRP@Think.COM Subject: Re: Looking for a book or two In-Reply-To: Your message of Thu, 17 Feb 1994 14:15:49 -0800 Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk I can't recomment ``A History of QRP in the U.S.'' enough! I couldn't put the book down. I found a copy in our public library; I wrote to Weiss and he said that book is still available from: Milliwatt Publishing 833 Duke St. #83 Vermillion, South Dakota 57069 $12 includes the first class shipping. 72, Jeff =============================================================================== Jeffrey Herman, NH6IL, jherman@hawaii.edu, who, in his spare time, cannibalizes old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW of course). Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500kc CW) It is said that CW is the second most popular mode on HF, but scanning the bands I frequently count more CW QSOs than SSB QSOs. ============================================================================== From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 07:18:59 1994 Return-Path: Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 21:42:06 GMT Message-Id: <1835087@kanga.demon.co.uk> From: dick@kanga.demon.co.uk (Dick G0BPS) Reply-To: dick@kanga.demon.co.uk To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: homebrew Y/N Anwered from UK X-Mailer: PCElm 1.08 Lines: 44 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk HI gang, Firstly I must declare my interest as a kit supplier to the UK & US market. I also supply more than 50 countries in the world. OK advert over.... In the UK we define homebrew as anything made in the home. Thus, if the maker gets the parts and makes a PCB himself and puts it all together it is the same as buying a kit. The buyer still buys the parts and puts it all together. The only exception is the PCB. Lets assume Joe Average reads an article in QST and gets the bits at RS. but buys the PCB from ARRL. Is this Homebrew? If Joe cannot design anything, why should he be penalised because he gets the parts at RS and gets the PCB from a supplier? If Joe now makes the PCB (or builds it ugly style) should he be awarded? Must all builders who claim "Homebrew" both design and build their own gear. I stress the design. Because if the design appears in QST and Joe builds that, it that homebrew? If Joe buys the PCB from the designer, but gets the parts from RS should he be penalised. Should we be made to make our own transistors and resistors...... OK I am getting a little over the top perhaps, but if we follow some of the comments made, we should make all the components as well as the boards. Could you make a transistor ????? 72 de Dick.... -- Dick G0BPS / G0ROO A member of the DRAGON SLAYERS QRP Group Kanga Products (Remember that sometimes the Dragon wins) [ The opinions expressed here are always that of the management, ] [ I am the management!! (especially when she lets me) ] From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 07:19:46 1994 Return-Path: Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 20:34:23 GMT Message-Id: <1572943@kanga.demon.co.uk> From: dick@kanga.demon.co.uk (Dick G0BPS) Reply-To: dick@kanga.demon.co.uk To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ARCI / OK / G membership X-Mailer: PCElm 1.08 Lines: 44 Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Hi all, just to save some confusion, I handle the DX membership of the ARCI Payment should be made in pounds sterling (Thats British pounds Jeff) by check / cash payable to the G-QRP club. (just so no-one thinks I make anything!). For the ARCI New membership costs 7 Renewal of membership costs.......6 For OK QRP club the membership is the same Checks still payable to G-QRP club. To join the G-QRP club ask, after the sad death of Luke W5HKA we are looking at getting a replacement. In the meantime Email me for info. I am also perhaps going to handle the DX membership of the VK club but thats in the pipeline. Any VK amateurs in here ??? To join I need the following information... Name, Address, Call, Name used on air, Date first licensed, Type of licence Interests SSB / RTTY / CW / etc, Willing to write? Willing to serve on board? Finally, just to keep the slate clean, I own / run Kanga Products. This sideline is a way of promoting the hobby of low power operating. I am an avid low power operator when I can, I just love it! I'd rather go on the air with 1w than 1Kw, as my friends will confirm. I have no finacial interest whatsoever in any QRP club other than being a member much as any other, except for the G-QRP club where I am the SSB columinst in SPRAT and also a committee (board) member. I also write the QRP column in the British Ham Radio Today magazine (in my fourth year now!) I wanna promote QRP !!!!! -- Dick G0BPS / G0ROO A member of the DRAGON SLAYERS QRP Group Kanga Products (Remember that sometimes the Dragon wins) [ The opinions expressed here are always that of the management, ] [ I am the management!! (especially when she lets me) ] From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 13:00:44 1994 Return-Path: id AA03866; Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:00:21 EST Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:00:21 EST From: mgseyle@super.org (Melvin G. Seyle) Message-Id: <9402181800.AA03866@super> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: NORCAL Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Watching all the mail about the NORCAL 40 has aroused my interest in NORCAL. How can I join NORCAL? Is it too late to get one of the NORCAL 40 kits? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks in advance. Mel mgseyle@super.org From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 13:06:31 1994 Return-Path: id AA03917; Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:06:16 EST Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:06:16 EST From: mgseyle@super.org (Melvin G. Seyle) Message-Id: <9402181806.AA03917@super> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: ICOM-751A Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Jason Penn's (N9RPT) note on the ICOM-751A reminded me of something I had been wanting to ask for a while. Does anyone know of a way to easily mute the ICOM-751A so that one could use it as a receiver with a QRP xmtr? Thanks. Mel mgseyle@super.org (WA3KZR) From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 13:33:39 1994 Return-Path: id AA26876; Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:32:16 EST Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:32:16 EST From: skitch@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL (M. Squicciarini) Message-Id: <9402181832.AA26876@NADC.NADC.NAVY.MIL> To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Homebrew Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Dick's, G0BPS, definition for homebrew is excellent and should put to rest anymore argument on the matter (dream on ;-). For those of you that missed it. Homeberew is defined as anything made in the home. 73 -- marty -- nr3z skitch@nadc.navy.mil From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 14:17:12 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402181916.AA29218@Early-Bird.Think.COM> From: mvjf@mvubr.att.com Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 14:09 EST Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton +1 508 960 2577) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: muting Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Muting an ICOM.... I dont know about muting an ICOM, but I thought of using my Ten Tec Argosy as a receiver with a home brew transmitter or transceiver to provide split frequency operation. (RCV on 1 freq., XMT on another) I would use the ARGOSY to receive and the NorCal-40 to transmit and key both the NorCal and the Argosy at the same time. The Argosy would be turned down to 0 watts out, and only the NorCal would send a signal to the antenna. Both rigs would be connected to the same antenna. You would be able to listen to both frequencies at the same time but just transmit on the NorCal frequency with the key down. I have not tried it, as the idea does not sound too sound, but what if it works ? The Argosy may just act like a big dummy load, but if I had the chance to work the 3Y0 station, which was running split, on 40 meters, I would have tried it. 73/72 Jim Fitton, W1FMR QRP-NE mvjf@mvubr.att.com From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 15:06:53 1994 Return-Path: Message-Id: <9402182006.AA01695@Early-Bird.Think.COM> From: mvjf@mvubr.att.com Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 14:55 EST Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton +1 508 960 2577) To: QRP@Think.COM Subject: NET Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk The Northeast QRP Net - NEN will be on the air tomorrow, at 8 am eastern, or 1300 UTC on 7.036 mHz (40 meter general band), Saturday morning. Let's see how many interneters are REAL hams...... Check in using AA5DX/inet inet = internet or W1FMR/inet K5FO/inet etc.... I will tell the control stations to watch for us. When I was in CA, I heard W8MVN, KI4IO and others checking in to NEN, and if I was swift enough, would have asked them to QSP (relay) my QNI (check-in). WA1JXR, or K3TKS will be the NCS (net control station) and it is a big deal just to be able to check in. No traffic or anything is passed, just check-in is fine. You may even get your call published in the ARCI QRP Quarterly (QQ). CU SN Jim W1FMR/QRP From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 15:54:32 1994 Return-Path: id AA00945; Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:42:50 PST id AA18989; Fri, 18 Feb 1994 12:37:02 -0800 id AA23705; Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:38:28 PST Message-Id: Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:34:10 PST Reply-To: GroverC@gvgadg.gvg.tek.com (Grover Cleveland) From: GroverC@gvgadg.gvg.tek.com (Grover Cleveland) To: qrp@Think.COM Subject: Norcal 40 does Africa - help Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Hi guys and gals, The Africa trip is getting to be more of a reality. As I said in an earlier post, the Norcal 40 will be going along, operated on an intermittent schedule when slack time permits. I want to borrow from someone a small tuner - perhaps someone has built up a tuner in a Norcal case that they would let me use. On a similar vein, does anyone have a very small memory keyer I might take along? I have an Autek keyer and Vibroplex paddles but the keyer is bigger than the Norcal and the paddles weigh more than the radio (isn't that silly?). The overall size of all this equipment must be kept down. Anyone have any thoughts on suppliers of very portable dipoles? Perhaps something from Antennas West? What are your recommendations? I've never been dx before - this is going to be fun. Hopefully we can take some pictures and get a Norcal article into one of the magazines. 73 Grover WT6P (no "72" from this Morse man; no "Morris" either; let's preserve the Mother Tongue.) From qrp-admin@Think.COM Fri Feb 18 23:37:21 1994 Return-Path: id AA24353; Fri, 18 Feb 94 18:37:01 HST id AA15239; Fri, 18 Feb 94 11:10:00 HST Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 11:09:59 HST From: Jeff Herman To: dick@kanga.demon.co.uk Subject: Re: homebrew Y/N Anwered from UK In-Reply-To: Your message of Wed, 16 Feb 94 21:42:06 GMT Cc: QRP@Think.COM Message-Id: Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk Dick et al, To add a little fuel to the fire (but not to flame!) let's look at an analogy: One can go to the grocery store and buy ready-made cookie dough; once at home one can seperate the the already-sliced dough (you don't even get to slice it yourself!) and lay the pieces on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown. Now, can we say that those cookies are home-made cookies? I don't think ANYONE would take that credit. I don't see what's wrong with 3 catagories of radio: - Store bought - Kit - Homebrew (including winding your own coils and using some formulas, scronging for parts here and there and using a little math to make some substitutions for those impossible-to-find components; but NOT having to make any xsistors). - Hmmmm, maybe a 4th class is needed: modification to the first two above One thing I've learned on internet: it's rare that one person can ever change another person's viewpoint! Maybe we should just dump this thread and get on the air and have fun! I promise I'll QSO with you no matter WHAT kind of rig you operate. Dick, which came first the callsign or the company name? Kanga - G0ROO - that's cute! Oh, the folks on the boatanchor mail net have a weakly CW non-contest on 3700kc - they call it the Friday Night Fist Fight - listen for CQ CWist (time?). I'm too far to the left (Hawaii) to hear anything. Phooey. 72 to everyone and have a great 3-day weekend, Jeff =============================================================================== Jeffrey Herman, NH6IL, jherman@hawaii.edu, who, in his spare time, cannibalizes old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW of course). Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500kc CW) It is said that CW is the second most popular mode on HF, but scanning the bands I frequently count more CW QSOs than SSB QSOs. ============================================================================== From qrp-admin@Think.COM Sat Feb 19 02:14:23 1994 Return-Path: id XAA01795; Fri, 18 Feb 1994 23:04:35 -0800 Date: Fri, 18 Feb 1994 23:04:35 -0800 Message-Id: <199402190704.XAA01795@holonet.net> To: QRP@Think.COM From: ROHRWERK@holonet.net Subject: R1,R2,T2 artwork Sender: qrp-admin@Think.COM Precedence: bulk On 02-17-94, bmitchel@CBA.Kodak.COM wrote to qrp@Think.COM: >------------------------------------ Ok all, there were more requests for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks than anything, but I need the following info from you so I can get the templates: Article date, and page number for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks. Thanks Brad WB8YGG >------------------------------------ R1: "High-Performance Direct-conversion Receivers", QST, August 1992, page 19ff R2: "High-Performance, Single-Signal Direct-conversion Receivers", QST, January 1993, page 32ff T2: "A Multimode Phasing Exciter for 1 to 500 MHz", QST, April 1993, page 27ff. Actually, you need the article AND the templates! You get the templates simply by writing with an SASE: Technical Department Secretary ARRL 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 Just request the CAMPBELL R1 BOARD TEMPLATE, CAMPBELL R2 BOARD TEMPLATE, or CAMPBELL T2 BOARD TEMPLATE. I've built the R2. Used it as a simple direct-conv. receiver at first, and was surprisingly satisfied, so took me a while to build my first phasing network. Well, I did last night for 40 meters, and boy, was I pleased. You really have to listen hard to hear the "other side" on all but those strong broadcast carriers. I built it without the elaborate diplexer networks at the inputs -- I balked a bit at the need to match those expensive inductors and capacitors. I used the simple diplexer from the Lewallen Optimized QRP Transceiver -- the one he faults for not terminating the lowest frequencies correctly. He's probably right, but it still performs very well with the less-elaborate circuit -- no audible overload problems to my ear. So save a few bucks. (How many people can accurately measure 3.9 to 27 MILLIhenry inductors, anyway?) I put the amplitude balance control on the front panel so I can change it easily when I change bands. Band changing will be a matter of neat little circuit-board boxes with phasing networks and input lowpass filters -- all with three carefully-spaced BNC connectors! (I may make them 2 or 3 bands per box -- found some neat 4PDT slide switches at our last hamfest!) Try it. An unusual, very clean-performing and excellent-sounding design! Just for fun, I can switch out ALL the audio filters, and hear from about 100 Hz to 15 kHz -- true hi-fi! John K0JD --- * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly