I like Laura's idea of the semi-kit, containing PC board(s) and major semiconductors, or other more difficult-to-find parts (like coils?). My junque-box is
crammed with "bread-and-butter" parts, and I can usually find (or make) knobs,
cases, etc. Seems like it would be easier to 'kit
a design, too.
73 Randy Kaufman WD4LUJ
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 11:07:12 1993
Return-Path: <msdooley@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com>
id AA22176; Wed, 17 Nov 93 10:07:00 CST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 10:07:00 CST
From: msdooley@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com (Michael S. Dooley)
Message-Id: <9311171607.AA22176@aud.alcatel.com>
To: qrp@Think.COM
Subject: Bit Freaks
Chuck's story of the Senir Major EE wanting to know what the large blue
circular thing was reminds me of another story. Our company had hired
six June brides (recent EE grads) and their new boss wanted them trained
on the largest fiber optic transmission system we build. They asked me
if I could do the training and how long it would take. I asked them why
they were training recent grads with NO transmission systems experience
on this system. To make a long story short, I ended up taking them
from DC to light in a six week training course. During one phase they
were required to build a cable based on a schematic I had given them.
I supplied the connectors, wire, solder and iron and any other tools they
needed then left them on their own for an hour. I returned to a bunch of
melted DB25 connectors and only one that was working (precariously).
My initial comment was "it looks like a bunch of engineers have been in
here!"(smile)... Anyway, we spent the rest of the day learning how
to strip wires, tin, solder and mount parts.... something NONE of them had
learned at school.
Mike Dooley KE4PC
PS as an aside, I've been keeping track of these guys since the class,
because this training is something we'd never done before or since. Today,
the several engineers we hired at the same time who didn't go through
the course are still engineers. The three of the six who are still with
us are Product line managers or in senior engineering positions. I still
say there's virtually no replacement for good, well structured, hands on
training to give new hires the background they need when starting a job.
Sorry if it seems I'm patting myself on the back, but I sure am proud of
how well these guys have done.
Mike
msdooley@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 12:59:30 1993
Return-Path: <jkearman@arrl.org>
id AA29247 for qrp@think.com; Wed, 17 Nov 93 12:59:11 -0500
id AA380304 ; Wed, 17 Nov 93 12:37:29 EST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 17:32:14 GMT
Message-Id: <21701@jek>
From: jkearman@arrl.org (Jim Kearman)
To: QRP@Think.COM
Subject: Kits
I discussed the inclusion of cabinets, etc, with one of
the better-known kit manufacturers a few years ago. He
had just started including silk-screened cabinets and
prewound toroids. Personally, I think homemade gear
should look homemade, and if you don't get to wind the
toroids, what's the point of building a kit? You can
get a machine to install the parts on a board, and
another one to solder them. For that matter, you can
get a machine to wind toroids, too, which is what he did!
Mates, "dead bug," "ugly," or "ground-plane" construction
is easy, compact and electrically better than pc boards.
It's also faster and less expensive, and easier to modify.
Compare the relative sizes of Roy Lewallen's prototype
Backpacker and the pc-board-based versions available.
You want hands-on instruction in the method? Throw an
ARRL-approved CONVENTION (not a hamfest) and specify
you want a Hq staffer who can demonstrate it to attend.
I still have the little 12-meter xmtr I built to show
at Dayton a few years ago sitting in front of me, and
I had an incredibly compact 20-meter transceiver built
by Zack Lau sitting on a corner of my keyboard, but the
lab made me give it back. :> This method works well.
Oh, and you don't have all those nasty chemicals to
get rid of.
Form the soldering irons into a circle....
73, Jim
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 13:02:19 1993
Return-Path: <doug.snowden@ccd.harris.com>
id AA05211; Wed, 17 Nov 93 13:02:14 EST
id AA10455; Wed, 17 Nov 93 13:02:37 EST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 13:02:37 EST
From: doug.snowden@ccd.harris.com (Doug Snowden)
Message-Id: <9311171802.AA10455@pd2>
To: msdooley@rockdal.aud.alcatel.com, qrp@Think.COM
Subject: Re: Bit Freaks
I thought you were going to say they laid you off after you trained them.
Doug
N4IJ
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 13:24:10 1993
id <m0ozurz-002ielC@neon.rain.com>; Wed, 17 Nov 93 13:56 PST
id <m0ozuIq-0002S0C@firefly.rain.com>; Wed, 17 Nov 93 13:20 PST
id AA29857; Wed, 17 Nov 93 13:15:32 PST
Message-Id: <9311172115.AA29857@rodgers.rain.com>
Wed, 17 Nov 1993 13:10:12 pst
From: lbrunson@rodgers.rain.com
Organization: Rodgers Instrument Corp.
To: qrp@Think.COM
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 1993 13:12:39 PDT
Subject: Re: New Product Ideas / Turns Counter
X-Pmrqc: 1
Priority: normal
X-Mailer: PMail v3.0 (R1a)
| From: lakeith@wrdis01.robins.af.mil (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;653 CCSG/SCT)
| While waiting for the 4 o'clock bell, I have been trying to figure out
| new products for the radio amateur... Check these out and help me
| see if there would be a market..
|
| 1. Electronic Turns Counters -- Since mechanical turns counters
| are getting expensive, how about a counting circuit, triggered by a
| collar on the shaft, feeding a 2 digit LCD display. Should be cheap
| enough.. Works for Antenna Tuners, Linear Amps, etc.
|
I use an old calculator with an external switch connected to the '+'
key... (different calculators may require attachment to different keys).
Then I push the number one and whenever the switch activates it adds one
to the display. Of course, you could use different numbers if you
wanted. There are lots of neat ways to expand this idea.
Lowell Brunson (503) 681-0417
Rosenet: lbrunson@roland.co.jp
Internet: lbrunson@rodgers.rain.com (preferred)
lowell@techbook.com
Packet Radio: KC7DX@K7IQI.OR.USA.NA
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 17:05:10 1993
Return-Path: <cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com>
id AA04293; Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:01:22 CST
id AA01073; Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:11:04 CST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:11:04 CST
From: cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <9311172211.AA01073@eda.mke.ab.com>
To: QRP@Think.COM
Subject: ETO VS QRP
My apologies to THE POOR GUY WHO RECEIVES THE STUFF AT QRP-REQUEST.I`LL GET THE ADDRESS RIGHT ONE OF THESE DAYS.
I'm not sure but I think that amplifier in the ad can be driven to full output with only 5 watts in....Maybe k7ss used his argonaut..
73,
Brian
AE9K
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 17:10:36 1993
Return-Path: <cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com>
id AA04511; Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:06:48 CST
id AA01076; Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:16:30 CST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:16:30 CST
From: cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <9311172216.AA01076@eda.mke.ab.com>
To: QRP@Think.COM
Subject: NAFTA
----- Begin Included Message -----
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 16:05:02 1993
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:40:02 EST
From: klaudon@PICA.ARMY.MIL
To: jkearman@arrl.org
Subject: Your new job/qth
Cc: qrp@Think.COM
Content-Length: 818
>"To the Editor, QST
>
>Sir:
>
>While I believe in a free marketplace, what kind of message does
>the ETO ad on page 145 of December _QST_ send to new hams? ('Life's
>too short for QRP!') Within the last year, QST devoted a considerable
[.....]
>James E. Kearman, KR1S
>Life Member, ARRL"
>
>I sometimes get email complaining about something the League has
>done. I'm willing to put my money where my mouth (and my job)is;
>how about YOU? Or do you agree with the staffer who told me I was
>taking my avocation (QRP) too seriously?
>
>72/73, Jim, KR1S
>ARRL Employee (this week, at least)
Well, Jim, if NAFTA passes today, then soon we're going to have to start
calling you, "Jimeno, XE1xxx"!!!
------------------------------
Kalman Laudon WD6CZI in 2 land
<klaudon@pica.army.mil>
------------------------------
----- End Included Message -----
Just think if NAFTA passes today We'll; have somewhere to dump all the old rigs in our basements. How ,any pesoes do you think a heathkit hw-100 is worth. (6146's not included). Who syays this is a bad thing
adios
AE9K
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 17:27:09 1993
Return-Path: <jkearman@arrl.org>
id AA04036 for qrp@think.com; Wed, 17 Nov 93 17:26:23 -0500
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:36:23 -0500
From: jkearman@arrl.org
Message-Id: <9311172226.AA04036@uu2.psi.com>
id AA380932 ; Wed, 17 Nov 93 16:15:51 EST
Apparently-To: <qrp@think.com>
Bob, N3MBY says:
> In this electronic age, do we really need to kill more trees
> sending snail.mail? Please post Brian Battles' email address so we
> can post our responsible comments and concerns in real-time. Our
> addresses are in the headers, let them serve as our signatures.
>
Trust me, folks. If you want to have an effect, sacrifice a tree.
The first few emailings are likely to get downloaded, the rest
sent off to the bitbucket. No reflection on the editor, but paper
still has more clout than electrons. You might CC: your Division
directors. Addresses in QST, page 8.
Since Bob asked, Brian's address is bbattles@arrl.org. Our FAX
number is 203-665-7531.
72/73, Jim, KR1S
--
jkearman@arrl.org
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 17:31:28 1993
Return-Path: <datwyler@moons.sim.es.com>
id AA18606; Wed, 17 Nov 93 15:29:44 MST
id AA11385; Wed, 17 Nov 93 15:29:49 MST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 15:29:49 MST
From: Doug Datwyler <datwyler@moons.sim.es.com>
Message-Id: <9311172229.AA11385@moons>
To: qrp@Think.COM
Subject: QST: the Alpha ad
Since it has been brought up as "who actually get QST", what about the
when so we may indicate that we saw the ad and thought it to be in bad
taste?
Doug Datwyler WR7O
I have run 100W, since my antenna is small, but haven't in a while. I
subscribe to the idea that construction is "GOOD"
datwyler@moons.sim.es.com
From qrp-request@Think.COM Wed Nov 17 17:32:38 1993
Return-Path: <jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
id AA14912; Wed, 17 Nov 93 12:32:30 HST
id AA25394; Wed, 17 Nov 93 12:32:30 HST
Date: Wed, 17 Nov 93 12:32:30 HST
From: Jeff Herman <jherman@uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu>
To: drenze@Think.COM.wb9omc@ecn.purdue.edu, jkearman@arrl.org, qrp@Think.COM
Subject: Re: Our current discussion topics
Says Jim:
" Maybe what we need
initially, is a SIMPLE rig with detachable 100-W amp. "
Great idea. For the relatively simple rig, I might ahve suggested the
Uniden HR2510 (UN-modifed with some of the power hacks), but I gather that
Uniden gave up on making it. Too bad, I am so pleased with mine as a
"simple" rig, not outrageously expensive either (I've seen people spend WAY
more).
Whiel QRP diehards cringe at the idea of me calling it QRP (the needle on
my tuner rarely registers over 10 watts) perhaps if there is QRP and
QRPp, we can have a class for Uniden 2510/2600 and Radio Shack HTX100
owners...
QRP+ :-) :-) well, 1/2 smiley anyway.....
I have spoken to quite a few such folks on 10 meters. Maybe a QRP+ club
for folks running less than 25 watts.....
Duane
wb9omc
From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Nov 19 10:56:31 1993
Return-Path: <cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com>
id AA09306; Fri, 19 Nov 93 09:52:43 CST
id AA08433; Fri, 19 Nov 93 10:02:27 CST
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 10:02:27 CST
From: cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <9311191602.AA08433@eda.mke.ab.com>
To: qrp@Think.COM
Subject: QRO-QRP discusssion
When Jim, KR1S, brought up the point about a detachable amp for low power rigs that reminded me that there was a time that Ten Tec made a 100 W amplifier for the argonaut. That in it self isn't news but I also remember that the dealers couldn't keep them on the shelves. New ones were always sold out and used ones didn't stay on the shelf long...
My question is. If QRP ops thought so badly about QRO what were all these argonaut owners doing with these amplifiers and why can't you find any even today???
I Guess I'm tired of this thread...Let talk about fun stuff again...
Does anyone use wooden cabinets or their rigs anymore?
73,
Brian
AE9K
From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Nov 19 11:04:02 1993
Return-Path: <cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com>
id AA09374; Fri, 19 Nov 93 10:00:14 CST
id AA08544; Fri, 19 Nov 93 10:09:58 CST
Date: Fri, 19 Nov 93 10:09:58 CST
From: cieslak@cgc9.eda.mke.ab.com (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <9311191609.AA08544@eda.mke.ab.com>
To: qrp@Think.COM
Subject: Re: Solder
Chuck,
Who manufactures that solder you use? We've been looking for a solder with a water soluble flux core for a while so we can get rid of tehe cans of Flux Off we've been using. Ours Techs are starting to act kind of strange and thier starting grow extra appendages from areas on their body you wouldn't expect to see any. Normally we wouldn`t care but we`re switching health care plans here and they expressed some concern about the in coherent behaviour of some of our employees. In the past we would just pass them off as managment trainees.
73,
Brian AE9K
From qrp-request@Think.COM Fri Nov 19 11:36:01 1993