QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/qrp/archives/94_01_22.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 240KB | 5,813 lines

Subject: Start
From [e-mail]  Sat Jan  8 02:40:19 1994
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    (5.65/UW-NDC Revision: 2.29 ) id AA00242; Fri, 7 Jan 94 23:40:11 -0800
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Date: Fri, 7 Jan 1994 23:40:10 -0800 (PST)
From: Stephen Lee <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: SRA-1 mixer specs/pinout
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
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I've got the '92 ARRLno handbook and it too lists the frequency range for
the SRA-1 as 5 to 500 MHz.

In chapter 30, HF Radio Equipment, Pg. 30-11, Fig. 13, is a diagram
of a mixer circuit.  The description of the mixer, IC U2, lists the
Mini Circuits Lab doubly balanced mixer, type SBL-1.  It also lists
mixer type SRA-1 as "suitable, as are other similar units from other
manufacturers.  Well, I had just been reading up on this circuit this
evening then I read your message.  Thought I could verify those pinouts
but now I'm as confused about it as your are.  So don't feel alone...

In the event ARRL reads this...I've noticed all the various mixer types
in chapter 12.  Looks like Plessey, Motorola, and RCA are represented.
Why not include the Mini Circuits SRA-1???  All-in-all, it is a very
comprehensive collection


On Fri, 7 Jan 1994 [e-mail] wrote:

> Have been bulding the Campbell R2 receiver.  I have some Mini-Circuits
> SRA-1 mixers on hand, but I'm uncertain of the detailed specs.  My 1988
> ARRL handbook says it has LO/RF range of 5-500 MHz, but my Radiokit
> catalog (reliable source?!) says 0.5-500 MHz. May want to run it on 80
>
>
> Also, the pinout the guy gave me was the same as the SBL-1. Can anyone
> confirm this?
>
> Bottom View:  (1=blue mark)
>
>    RF  IF Gnd Gnd
>    1   3   5   7
>    +   +   +   +
>        |
>    +   +   +   +
>    2   4   6   8
>   Case IF Gnd  LO
>
>
> John Seboldt K0JD
>
>
> ---
>  * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly
>

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan  8 10:44:04 1994
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   with BSMTP id 1958; Sat, 08 Jan 94 07:44:02 PST
Date:    Sat, 08 Jan 94 07:43 PST
To: [e-mail]
From: Michael Stein                        <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: SRA-1 mixer specs/pinout
Cc: [e-mail]

> Have been bulding the Campbell R2 receiver.  I have some
> Mini-Circuits SRA-1 mixers on hand, but I'm uncertain of the
> detailed specs.  My 1988 ARRL handbook says it has LO/RF range
> of 5-500 MHz, but my Radiokit catalog (reliable source?!) says
> 0.5-500 MHz. May want to run it on 80
>
> Also, the pinout the guy gave me was the same as the SBL-1. Can
> anyone confirm this?

It's very similar to the SBL-1, however it has some differences:
 - hermetic seal
 - HTRB tested, 5 year guarantee
 - it's slightly taller (.400 in vs .310 in)
 - the pinout is almost the same, except that the SRA-1 has pin 2
   connected to the case (the SBL-1 doesn't have a case
   connection).  Both are run with pin 2 grounded.
 - it's more expensive.
 - it has a slightly different insertion loss spread (wider, but
   average is lower 5.11 db vs 5.60 db).
 - it has 5 db or so less isolation "typical", "minimum"s are the
   same.

This is from Mini-Circuits RF/IF designer's Guide (SF 93/94) -
a thin booklet.

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan  8 11:04:53 1994
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 id <[e-mail]>; Sat, 8 Jan 1994 11:04:44 EST
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 1994 11:04:44 -0500 (EST)
From: [e-mail]
Subject: SRA-1 vs SBL-1 mixers
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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I checked the Mini Circuits data sheets in the latest Microwaves and RF
magazine (125 pages devoted to Mini Circuits devices), and it looks like
the SRA-1 and the SBL-1 are similar.  Both operate at the same levels
of oscillator drive and rf input.  The SRA-1 is rated for 0.5 to 500 Mhz and
the SBL-1 is 1 to 500 Mhz.  The pinouts for both devices are the same as are
listed in the message below except they say that pins 2,5,6, and 7 are
grounds and, on the SRA-1, pin 2 is also case ground (yeah, that would make
it seem like pins 2,5,6, and 7 are also case ground.  Seems a little
confusing but if you ground all four ground pins it shouldn't matter.)

   -joe    WA4GIR

>Have been bulding the Campbell R2 receiver.  I have some Mini-Circuits
>SRA-1 mixers on hand, but I'm uncertain of the detailed specs.  My 1988
>ARRL handbook says it has LO/RF range of 5-500 MHz, but my Radiokit
>catalog (reliable source?!) says 0.5-500 MHz. May want to run it on 80
>
>
>Also, the pinout the guy gave me was the same as the SBL-1. Can anyone
>confirm this?
>
>Bottom View:  (1=blue mark)
>
>   RF  IF Gnd Gnd
>   1   3   5   7
>   +   +   +   +
>       |
>   +   +   +   +
>   2   4   6   8
>  Case IF Gnd  LO
>
>
>John Seboldt K0JD

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan  8 12:28:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Sat, 8 Jan 1994 11:30:52 CST
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 1994 11:30:52 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: MJF audio mod
To: [e-mail]
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Howdi,

I think it was on this list someone posted the audio level mod for the
MFJs.

I have a newer 30 meter version.. I tried the R27 shorting and it did
indead to pick the audio up a LITTLE. I tried the R35 short.. all this
did in my rig was to make the background hiss louder.. the signal level
stayed the same..(worstened the signal to noise ration?). Took out the
R35 mod and left the other..

72

Jeff, AC4HF

I also remember reading in 73 or somewhere about a real way to improve
the audio by building a mini-audio amp and attaching it near the
speaker.

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan  8 12:39:39 1994
Return-Path: <auratek!auratek.com![e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA08842; Sat, 8 Jan 94 12:39:04 -0500
    (queueing-rmail) id 123749.1677; Sat, 8 Jan 1994 12:37:49 EST
    id AA20150; Sat, 8 Jan 94 10:47:31 EST
Date: Sat, 8 Jan 94 10:47:31 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], uunet!holonet.net![e-mail]
Subject: Re:  SRA-1 mixer specs/pinout

John

From the Mini-Circuits RF/IF signal processing handbook:

The SRA-1 frequency range is: LO/RF port = .5 - 500Mhz
                              IF port = DC - 500MHz

It's conversion loss is: 6.5db typical, 8.5db max

The LO drive requirement is 7dbM

Maximum RF port input is 1dbm

The pin-out is the same with the except that pin 2 is also
tied to the case.

There are some minor differences in LO-RF port and LO-IF port
and case dimensions. The SRA-1 also cost 2X the SBL-1.

73

Ed W1AAZ

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan  8 13:56:31 1994
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 <[e-mail]>; Sat, 8 Jan 1994 13:56:08 EDT
Date: Sat, 08 Jan 1994 13:56:07 -0400 (EDT)
From: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP Slug For Bird
To: [e-mail]
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Has anybody ever seen a QRP slug for a Bird watt meter - I'd sure
like to find one that'd cover the HF range and measure up to abt.
10 watts.

                TNX
                BOB
                IN
                MS

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan  9 12:17:15 1994
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    with ESMTP id MAA02754; Sun, 9 Jan 1994 12:17:11 -0500
From: Rodney Clayton <[e-mail]>
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 12:17:11 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP:Hamfest crystals?

What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
Thank's Rod KA3BHY

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan  9 13:39:58 1994
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    id m0pJ50j-0000XfC; Sun, 9 Jan 94 13:37 EST
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From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
To: [e-mail] (Rodney Clayton)
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 13:37:13 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Rodney Clayton" at Jan 9, 94 12:17:11 pm
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>
> What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
> Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
> Thank's Rod KA3BHY
>
The cost will vary...anywhere between 50c and $2.oo

Load uuf is generally not marked....but you don't worry about that...you
can fiddle with the osc. to get it on freq in many cases.
All my crystals, That I got recently, are almost 1 kc low ...
[[ in the ckts I used ]]  ... I could have just as well, chosen a ckt
that would put them 1 kc above!  However, I find the freq I am on, are
just as good as the ones I selected to begin with.

--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan  9 21:56:16 1994
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    Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:55 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJCk9-0001CTC; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:52 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Andrew Sargent N8OFS)
Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
To: [e-mail] (Randy)
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 21:52:37 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (QRP)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Randy" at Jan 9, 94 01:37:13 pm
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> From: [e-mail] (Randy)
> Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> To: [e-mail] (Rodney Clayton)
> Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 13:37:13 -0500 (EST)
> Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
> In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Rodney Clayton" at Jan 9, 94 12:17:11 pm
> X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
> Content-Type: text
>
> >
> > What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
> > Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
> > Thank's Rod KA3BHY
> >
> The cost will vary...anywhere between 50c and $2.oo
>
I've seen quite a few rocks at various frequencies going for $.25 to
$7.00.  It also depends on the 'fest...
--
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 [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 01:05:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sun, 09 Jan 94 19:23:17 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Martin Coburn)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop
X-Mailer: PCElm 1.07 DIS
Lines: 11

I saw an ad in one of the radio mags over here in the UK about the
MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop aerial (sorry antanna). I was wondering if anyone had
tried this type of aerial out for QRP work, and if so how successful they
found them.

Thanks, 73 Martin
--
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From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 09:25:30 1994
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          id AA29736; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 08:25:22 -0600
          id AA19544; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 08:25:20 -0600
    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA28325; Mon, 10 Jan 94 08:23:32 -0600
From: [e-mail]
    id WT02217.115; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 08:23:31 CST
Date: 10 Jan 94 08:23:17 -0600
To: qrp#064#[e-mail]
Subject: KB6NQ version of Super CMOS II
Message-Id: <"Macintosh */PRMD=MOT/ADMD=MOT/C=US/"@MHS>


Good Morning all;

It looks like there are two suppliers of the Super CMOS II keyer.  For $25 you
can get one from KB6NQ.  Does anyone have the address to order from KB6NQ?  I
have the Idiom Press Address, but being cheap......

72 KF9OA.  Check in the mail for a NorCal 40!


From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 10:09:12 1994
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    id AA09843; Mon, 10 Jan 94 08:09:07 MST
    id AA06102; Mon, 10 Jan 94 08:09:06 MST
    id AA18500; Mon, 10 Jan 94 08:09:05 MST
    id AA13548; Mon, 10 Jan 94 09:08:58 CST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    (1.37.109.5/16.2) id AA11136; Mon, 10 Jan 94 09:09:00 -0600
From: Tony Lyon <[e-mail]>
Subject: Kenwood TS-430 @QRP levels
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 9:09:00 CST
Mailer: Elm [revision: 70.85]

Greetings QRP'ers,
I have a question for you guys. I have a Kenwood TS-430 whic I purchased
recently from my dad. I have been running it  at QRP levels (i.e.
<= 5 w). Yesterday, a strange thing happened. After about 10 minutes, the
power level dropped to < 0.5 watts. But, as soon as I tweaked the carrier
knob, the power came back up. My dad owned the radio for about 6 years, and
never used it on CW. Therefore, I rotated the Carrier knob back and forth several
times, to loosen any potential grit that could have accumulated on the
wiper of the potentiometer, but no change at all. The problem is consistent,
which should make it easy to debug.

My non-QRP ham friends tell me to just leave the carrier at high levels,
and just forget about it. But, I do like working at QRP levels.......

Any ideas??
Is it common to run an HF rig with the power turned down to QRP levels??

Any ideas/suggestions would be greatly accepted!!

Regards,
Tony Lyon (KB5ZYA/AA)

P.S. I am a new ham (~4 mos.)




From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 10:37:15 1994
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    id AA26140; Mon, 10 Jan 94 10:37:06 EST
          id AA56276; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 10:41:52 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Bruce Lifter)
Message-Id: <9401101541.AA56276@sarsa>
Subject: Re: IF Transformer Identification Help
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 10:41:51 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (Bruce Lifter)
In-Reply-To:
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Thanks to all those that responded to my query regarding IF transformer
identification.

I guess things that are too good to be true really are too good to be
true. The local surplus suplier sells the unidentified transformers
for $.10 each. Dan sells the 10.7 mhz IF transformers for $1.00 each
and Ed W1AAZ tells me that Mouser has them for $.79.

It appears that there is no easy way to identify these. It seems to
be the consensus that the markings are from a supplier and with out
knowing who the supplier is, then its off to the test bench. I spent
a hour or so digging in data hand books before giving up. I went as
far as tearing one a part to see how its made. The wires are so small
and gunked up, it is near impossible to determine the winding ratios.
I will probably grab a hand full to through in my junk box while they
are still available, just in case I later decide to play with them on
the test bench.

At this point, I don't think the unidentified transformers are worth
messing with. If any body else out there does, I will gladly send you
a small hand full, free, provided you tell me the results of your
investigation. :)

73, Bruce

--
Bruce Lifter                                                      MS: R5-202
Harris Corporation                             email: [e-mail]
Controls Division           Amateur Radio Packet: KR4AQ@N5AUV.#MLB.FL.USA.NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 13:25:40 1994
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  (5.65c+/IDA-1.4.4); Mon, 10 Jan 1994 13:25:49 -0500
From: Scott Wood <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Spare parts
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 13:25:48 -0500 (EST)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
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Well, we have a nice junk shop up the road where I got a ton of nice
knobs, a bag of assorted screws, some binding posts, wire grommets and
even a couple of nice audio amp circuits and mini-speakers.

I will be going to Radio Shack to get a new wad of resistors and
capacitors and maybe even a DMM.  I have a nice collection of digital
IC's (both ttl and cmos) and will be picking up some op amps and
mixers from the Active store down the road where I also got a good
collection of diodes, xsistors and capacitors.

Now, where can I get a collection of toroid cores, pre-measured chokes
and open air/ceramic caps for my junk box?

swood

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From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 13:26:27 1994
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  (5.65c+/IDA-1.4.4); Mon, 10 Jan 1994 13:26:38 -0500
From: Scott Wood <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Inductance measurement?
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 13:26:37 -0500 (EST)
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What is the easiest and least expensive way to measure inductance?
Do I have to run out and get a DIP meter?

swood

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From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 15:35:51 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21675; Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:37:43 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Mon, 10 Jan 1994 12:16:59 -0500
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 12:16:59 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: keyers and Uncle Alberts Advertisement in QST

Well, I know this isn't really qrp, but keyers seem to be a hot topic lately.

Well, It seems to me that the recent article in QST about Uncle Alberts Keyer
was nice, but it really should have been in the paid adds part of the magazine.
The reason I say this is the quote that was in the notes part that the code for
the controller is "unavailable".  Well this means that basically it's a kit,
and kit alone.  I have nothing against making money, but this belongs in the
adds part of the magazine. Am I missing something?
73 all

 -----------------
|  ___  ________  |    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
| |__\ \________| |    [phone], FAX [phone]
|                 |    INTERNET:   [e-mail]
 -----------------


From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 15:38:41 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21636; Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:36:18 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Mon, 10 Jan 1994 14:43:56 -0500
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 14:43:56 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: IF Transformer Identification Help



It appears that there is no easy way to identify these. It seems to
be the consensus that the markings are from a supplier and with out
knowing who the supplier is, then its off to the test bench. I spent
a hour or so digging in data hand books before giving up. I went as
far as tearing one a part to see how its made. The wires are so small
and gunked up, it is near impossible to determine the winding ratios.
I will probably grab a hand full to through in my junk box while they
are still available, just in case I later decide to play with them on
the test bench.

-----------------------------
Well, it seems to me, that if you had a real accurate ohm meter, and
the primary and secondary are using the same  gauge wire, you might be able
to approximate the turns ratio that way.  You would need a presision ohmeter
specifically for low ohmage measurments, like the kind used for tracking
inter-layer shorts on boards.

73 Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 15:50:06 1994
Return-Path: <auratek!auratek.com![e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA09876; Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:49:56 -0500
    (queueing-rmail) id 154515.5287; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 15:45:15 EST
    id AA06019; Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:38:50 EST
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:38:50 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], uunet!vela.acs.oakland.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Inductance measurement?

>
>What is the easiest and least expensive way to measure inductance?
>Do I have to run out and get a DIP meter?
>
>swood
>
No, although it would be a nice and simple way. If accuracy is important you
should also measure the frequency at which the dip for the L/C circuit occurs
(e.g. frequency counter or a general coverage receiver w/ digital dail).

You can also build a L/C tuned oscillator with a know amount of C. Install
a L, measure the frequency (see above) and calculate the value of L.


In either case the formula is  L = (25330.3) / (F^2  x  C)

73

Ed W1AAZ


From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 16:18:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00297; Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:13:45 CST
    id AA01569; Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:24:51 CST
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 15:24:51 CST
From: [e-mail] (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: re: keyers and Uncle ALbert

Brad,

I tend to agree with you...It is interesting that a majority of construction
articles that appear in QST and the handbook these days require you to buy
the key component from the author, usually a programmed part. There was a
time that QST ran construction articles that used parts that could only be foundin the author's junk box...in the 70's they went a little more generic so a
majority of the parts in a project could be picked up at R.S.. I think QST
should require that authors make all the information required to build a projectavailable for free to it readers who pay $30 a year for the privilege of being amember and make the purchase of pre programmed parts an option instead of a
requirement. Otherwise, as you suggested, the authors should be paying for an
ad to sell their products.

One of the classic examples is the Super Cmos II keyer...It was featured in an
article in QST and is inthe HANdbook...but you can't build one unless you but a
preprogrammed part from the author or his representatives. Why isn't the source
code in the handbook? I feel if the article was published in QST or any other
magazine it becomes the property of the readers who purchased that magazine.

So there!  73, Brian  AE9K



From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 16:51:33 1994
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    id AA16720; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 16:48:57 -0500
    id AA19225; Mon, 10 Jan 94 16:48:59 EST
    id AA23962; Mon, 10 Jan 94 16:48:46 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    id AA15841; Mon, 10 Jan 94 16:48:43 EST
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: keyers and Uncle Alberts Advertisement in QST
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Mon, 10 Jan 94 12:16:59 EST."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 16:48:43 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>

> Well, I know this isn't really qrp, but keyers seem to be a hot topic lately.
> Well, It seems to me that the recent article in QST about Uncle Alberts Keyer
> was nice, but it really should have been in the paid adds part of the
> magazine.
> The reason I say this is the quote that was in the notes part that the code
> for
> the controller is "unavailable".  Well this means that basically it's a kit,
> and kit alone.  I have nothing against making money, but this belongs in the
> adds part of the magazine. Am I missing something?

Well, the last time rec.radio.amateur.misc spun around and around and around
on this topic, the arguments sort of went

con:  what's the point of a microcontroller demonstration article if you learn
      nothing about microcontroller from it?  (The first CMOS keyer article in
      QST, as I recall, started out claiming that it would explain embedded
      micros and then just showed how to wire up their kit.)

pro:  what's the difference between an article about a
      68HC11-programmed-by-Joe-Ham keyer and a Curtis 8044ABM keyer?

con:  Curtis didn't claim to be teaching logic design.
con:  Curtis will probably still be making 8044ABMs next year.
con:  ...

pro:  Coders deserve to be compensated for their work!

I sorta come down on the "it's just a kit" side, but rather than getting
exercised about it, what I'd really like to do is create some useful uC gadget
for publication in QST and make a point of making code available (perhaps a
companion QEX article about software design?).  A disadvantage, however, is
that the usual kitting places might not carry it (since *I* don't particularly
want to get into the kit business) since the availability of the code would
make instant duplication easy.

Maybe what's really needed is a series of articles on designing new software
for the CMOS-II Keyer and the other black-box uC kits that have been published.

From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 18:31:20 1994
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Content-Identifier:  re:MFJ-1786 H...
From: "david (d.e.) baker" <[e-mail]>
Sender: "david (d.e.) baker" <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <"22733 Mon Jan 10 18:30:39 1994"@bnr.ca>
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  re:MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop

In message "MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop", you write:

>I saw an ad in one of the radio mags over here in the UK about the
>MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop aerial (sorry antanna). I was wondering if anyone had
>tried this type of aerial out for QRP work, and if so how successful they
>found them.
>
>Thanks, 73 Martin
>--
>+-------- Email ----------------+-------------- Radio -----------------+
>| [e-mail]      |  [e-mail] [44.131.5.145] |
>| [e-mail]        |  NTS BBS network  G4DUL @ GB7KHW     |
>+===============================^======================================+

Martin,

I have used the MFJ loop, and it does indeed work.  It will outperform most
any dipole that is not at least a half wavelength up in the air.  I just
got an AEA ISOLOOP which is about the same thing as the MFJ, and it
usually gives me 2 to 4 S units over my 40 meter dipole (on any freq.
between 10-30, of course).  For comparison, my 40 meter dipole is attic
mounted, about 15 feet above ground level, in a U shape.  The loop is
also horizontal, at 20ft, still inside the attic... However,before I
mounted the loop, I used it mounted on a 5 ft pole, right in the room
with me, and it still beat or equaled the dipole's gain.  The major problem
with a loop is tuning.  They are slow and difficult to tune, due to their
high Q nature. Bandwidth is also small due to the Q, typically 10 to 100KHz
depending on freq.  This will also help eliminate any TVI, especially at QRP
levels.  :)

Homebrew QRP loops should prove to be very functional, the only problem
will be that it would be very difficult to make one with a remote tuner.
As easy project might be a 40Meter QRP loop.  Using loop antenna construction
guidelines, it would be simple to create a loop with a fixed capacitor, but
then it would only operate on a fixed frequency and at low power only.
The other big problem with loops is that they create very high voltages
on the loop during transmit.  Commercial loops like MFJ, AEA, or AMA's are
designed for higher power, and thus require HUGE tuning capacitors with
high voltage ratings.

Bottom line: if you can't mount an antenna (dipole) up at the ideal height,
             a loop will probably beat it.  I would still recommend putting
             up a long wire or something similiar just for scanning.  It is
             somewhat tiring to try to retune the loop as you scan the band.

Hope this helps.  Check the November 1993 issue of QST or one of the ARRL
antenna handbooks if you want some more background info.

______________________________________________________________________
| David E. Baker  | Internet: [e-mail] (Richardson, TX, USA)   |
| IP: 47.122.65.7 | UnixID: crchh7b0 | Bell-Northern Research, Inc.  |
| Callsign: AB5PI | Packet: AB5PI@N5AUX.#DFW.TX.USA.NA | Smile! ;-)  |
| My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|

From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 18:38:46 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id PAA27514; Mon, 10 Jan 1994 15:36:04 -0800
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 15:36:04 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Bruce Toback)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: keyers and Uncle Alberts Advertisement in QST
Cc: [e-mail]

>> Well, I know this isn't really qrp, but keyers seem to be a hot topic lately.
>> Well, It seems to me that the recent article in QST about Uncle Alberts Keyer
>> was nice, but it really should have been in the paid adds part of the
>> magazine.
>> The reason I say this is the quote that was in the notes part that the code
>> for
>> the controller is "unavailable".  Well this means that basically it's a kit,
>> and kit alone.  I have nothing against making money, but this belongs in the
>> adds part of the magazine. Am I missing something?

>pro:  Coders deserve to be compensated for their work!

>I sorta come down on the "it's just a kit" side, but rather than getting
>exercised about it, what I'd really like to do is create some useful uC gadget
>for publication in QST and make a point of making code available (perhaps a
>companion QEX article about software design?).  A disadvantage, however, is
>that the usual kitting places might not carry it (since *I* don't particularly
>want to get into the kit business) since the availability of the code would
>make instant duplication easy.

I've been thinking about this issue, since I've been planning a construction
article that will use a number of programmed parts -- not all with
code, but a few. Obviously, there's a substantial benefit to publishing
the source code, or at least the important parts of it. Just as obviously,
it's hard work writing the code, and I'd like to get something more than '
$50/page for it. The work that goes into the keyer articles is tiny compared
to the work that goes into the keyers.

One solution is to publish the code, but retain copyright to it. That means
that readers can make copies for their personal use, but can't sell them.
Those few readers who have access to the hardware necessary to program
the parts can buy the parts themselves, and the rest can buy programmed
parts from a supplier. All who are interested get the benefit of understanding
(or at least perusing) the software that gives the project its character.

By the way, the big distributors like Hamilton (or whoever they are these
days) will sell programmed parts if you guarantee them a minimum order.
That way, you don't have to get into the kit production business. Most uC
projects have few non-junk-box parts _except_ for the uC, so just making
the programmed chip available would probably statisfy most people. In
fact, I suspect that very few people would want to take the trouble to
compile/assemble the source code, figure out how to link it, and then
generate a ROM image with the proper relocation. They'd just buy the
programmed parts.

-- Bruce Toback
Internet: [e-mail]
Packet: [e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 20:57:03 1994
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 20:56 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJYIY-0000p1C; Mon, 10 Jan 94 20:53 EST
Return-Path: <wariat!cpqm.saic.com!CPSMTP01>
    id m0pJVak-0000isC; Mon, 10 Jan 94 18:00 EST
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 13:02 EST for <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: 9 Jan 1994 20:00:23 -0800
From: "CPSMTP01" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Gatewy Prob, Please re-send
To: "Randy" <[e-mail]>
Cc: "QRP" <[e-mail]>
Content-Type: text
Sender: [e-mail]

Mail*Link(r) SMTP               RE>QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> From: [e-mail] (Randy)
> Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> To: [e-mail] (Rodney Clayton)
> Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 13:37:13 -0500 (EST)
> Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
> In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Rodney Clayton" at
Jan 9, 94 12:17:11 pm
> X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
> Content-Type: text
>
> >
> > What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
> > Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
> > Thank's Rod KA3BHY
> >
> The cost will vary...anywhere between 50c and $2.oo
>
I've seen quite a few rocks at various frequencies going for $.25 to
$7.00.  It also depends on the 'fest...
--
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

------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------
Return-Path: <fmsystm![e-mail]>
<[e-mail]>;
    Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:55 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJCk9-0001CTC; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:52 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Andrew Sargent N8OFS)
Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
To: [e-mail] (Randy)
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 21:52:37 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (QRP)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Randy" at Jan 9, 94
01:37:13 pm
Reply-To: [e-mail]
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
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Content-Length: 953






From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 22:22:11 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Mon, 10 Jan 1994 21:21:20 -0600
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 21:21:20 -0600
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (william r finch)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Ten-Tec QRP rig
Reply-To: [e-mail]




One of the local new hams (age 15) has a Ten-Tec QRP (I think!) rig
that he got from a relative, and I told him I would try to find out
what the heck it is. It has "RX10" on the front, covers the CW part
of 15/20/40/80, push button band select, and an RCA plug for the
antenna connection. Is this enough info to ID this little rig?
He wants to sell it, and get a fair price, but I can't find this
thing in my limited library.

If anyone has some info about this rig, please let me know, and I'll
pass it on. TX, and 72/73

--
Bill Finch   KF9KI
Champaign, Illinois

[e-mail]  [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 10 22:44:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA22896; Mon, 10 Jan 94 22:45:15 EST
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 22:45:15 EST
From: [e-mail] (Ron Majewski)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: NA Sprint with the NorCal 40


Hello to all-

  It was another exciting QRP weekend here in Michigan!  I fired up the
NorCal 40 that I bought from Chuck, k5fo, and ran the North American
Sprint on 40 meters on Saturday night.  This was my first experience with
both the rig and the contest.

  According to my MFJ wattmeter, the NorCal was putting out about 2watts.
The antenna was a newly-constructed quarter wave ground plane.  The base
of this beast is about 12ft off the ground and I have six ground radials
attached to it.

  Band conditions on Saturday night were excellent -- no noise and propagation
in all directions.  I didn't have much time to operate, but I worked 18
stations in 14 states in about 45 minutes.  East-West, I worked California
to New Hampshire; North-South, Manitoba to Florida.  An outstanding
evening on 40m.

  The rig is really great!  The receiver stood up well to the crowded band.
I could have used a bit more receiver selectivity at some points, but didn't
play with any outboard filters.  The T-R switching is smooth.

  Did anyone else run their NorCal in the Sprints?

  72 and 3!

Ron (wb8ruq).

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 00:20:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21092; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 00:20:20 -0500
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 00:20:19 -0500 (EST)
From: howie cahn <[e-mail]>
Subject: Keyers, technical articles, and software
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII


    I too am upset about the recent articles in QST, and other ham
magazines, that seem to me to be little more than licenses for
authors to sell kits for their projects. The reason for publishing a
technical article is to educate; there's no justification for one that
doesn't fully explain the project and at least provide a good start
toward duplicating it. I recently wrote an article describing the
hardware and software to interface a PC to a Ramsey 2 Meter transceiver
(_Communications Quarterly_, Fall '93). The program was written in
Visual Basic. I tried to go through much of its design philosophy and
I provided sample code. While it wasn't feasible to include the entire
program listings, I said that if anyone was interested, I'd either post
the full source to Internet, CompuServe, etc., or for a nominal charge,
send them a disk. I felt that you have no business publishing an article
if you won't release the source code. On the other hand, this still
leaves me free to sell an executable version of the program, with
enhancements and support, if I choose.

     There's    a larger issue here -- that a significant and
growing portion of communications technology consists of software
-- but this hasn't been recognized by the ham magazines. In a typical
station there's the microcontroller code in the transceiver's ROM,
packet/TNC control programs, logging software, external radio control
programs, etc. Have you ever seen articles on how to do any of these?
The little that is given is usually state-of-the-art circa 1970. The
last copy of the Handbook I have has two pages about software; a brief
description of a few programming languages. If you take away the
programming component of projects like the Uncle Albert or Super CMOS II
keyers, you're basically just left with a soldering exercise. I'd like
to see articles which describe both the hardware and software, and in
enough detail to learn something.


72/73...

howie, wb2cpu
[e-mail]



From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 05:14:45 1994
Return-Path: <nshore!seastar![e-mail]>
    id AA17065; Tue, 11 Jan 94 05:14:41 -0500 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for [e-mail])
    id m0pJfuu-0001T6C; Tue, 11 Jan 94 05:01 EST
    id m0pJNkA-0000qPC; Mon, 10 Jan 94 08:37 CST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon Jan 10 08:37:21 1994

Newsgroups: qrp
Path: jjw
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Subject: Re: MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop
Reply-To: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Organization: Welch Research.
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 14:37:17 GMT
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Followup-To: qrp
References: <[e-mail]>
Lines: 23

As quoted from <[e-mail]> by seastar!nshore!usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu!chalford.demon.co.uk!qrp (Martin Coburn):

> I saw an ad in one of the radio mags over here in the UK about the
> MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop aerial (sorry antanna). I was wondering if anyone had
> tried this type of aerial out for QRP work, and if so how successful they
> found them.
>
> Thanks, 73 Martin

    I'm not certain I know this antenna, but if it's similar to
the AEA Iso-Loop, it isn't even suitable for semi-serious QRO let
alone QRP.  With the IsoLopp and 100 watts, we were mostly inaudible
in the noise.  Flipping the antenna switch to a non-resonant dipole
(through a tuner) and we were about S7.  We also couldn't hear very
well.  (Yes, we tuned it properly.  It just sux as an antenna, and it
radiates a little too much for an expensive dummy load.)
    Just on general principles, I would stay away from any
shortened loop antenna *UNLESS* your only other option was to stay off
the air.  My $0.02 worth, your opinions are worth as much as mine too
;-)

--
John Welch, N9JZW


From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 09:29:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id HAA08220; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 07:27:57 -0700
    id AA22444; Tue, 11 Jan 94 07:29:42 -0700
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 07:29:42 -0700
From: [e-mail] (Tom J Farish)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: re:MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop

Hi...I built my own version of the MFJ and AEA units and posted my
results in rec.radio.antenna a while back.  The unit was made of
3/4" copper tubing bent into a 43" diameter loop.  50 pF of HIGH
voltage doorknob capacitors gave me a 2:1 VSWR range covering almost
14.025 to 14.075.  With a tuner (and a cap change) I worked the Novice
portion of 15m with no problem.  I mounted the antenna on a PVC tubing
frame about 10 feet off the ground and worked Olympia Washington (1836
miles) on one watt with my MFJ 9020 QRP rig.  I had most of the parts on
hand so it cost me about $10.  The reason the MFJ and AEA units cost so
much is the stepper-motor-driven BIG air-variable HV capacitor.  It
takes me about 1 minute to change out the dorrknob cap on my loop, so
I didn't cvare about being able to tune it faster.  Also, I use it only
on the code section of the bands, so I don't need a wide tuning range.

Good luck!  I find building antennas lots of fun...and MUCH cheaper
than buying.

Tom
KJ5LT
From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 09:28:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA27809 for [e-mail]; Tue, 11 Jan 94 09:28:39 -0500
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0pJfNf-000B74C; Tue, 11 Jan 94 09:27 GMT
    id AA8148 ; Tue, 11 Jan 94 09:18:38 GMT
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 02:08:14 GMT
Message-Id: <4923@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Articles in QST

Brad Mitchell comments on the lack of available source
code for the "Uncle Albert's Keyer" article in a recent
issue of QST.

Source code was not available for the CMOS Super Keyer
or the Hershberger (W9GR) DSP filter either, so "Uncle
Al" isn't breaking new ground here.

If the author chooses to retain the source code, we
can't very well torture it out of him, can we? Should
we reject a pretty neat project, just because a tiny
number of readers want to be able to program their own
ROMs? We don't think so.

May I point out that, while some readers may have access
to semiconductor foundries, we don't publish dimensional
data for MRF475 transistors? Think of a custom device
as you would any exotic semiconductor, and it doesn't
seem so bad. One of the most-popular keyers going is
based on Curtis Microdevices custom integrated circuits.
Many QRPers have installed them in their rigs, and I've
never heard anyone complain that you can't make your own
8044ABM chip.

72/73

Jim Kearman, KR1S
Assistant Technical Editor, QST




From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 09:46:56 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21007; Tue, 11 Jan 94 06:46:47 PST
    id AA05711; Tue, 11 Jan 94 06:45:15 PST
    id AA758212845 Mon, 10 Jan 94 06:40:45 PST
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 06:40:45 PST
From: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Cosmonaut Contact TODAY !



  Just learned a couple minutes ago that my son's school, which did a SAREX
  sked a while ago, is supposed to be talking to a cosmonaut today (do they
  still make cosmonauts?) at 12:15pm EST.  The school is in Maynard, MA.

  Anyway, I have no further information, but I'd like to try to listen in
  from my car on lunch hour.

  I expect it will be a 2m simplex contact, perhaps split.  Does anyone
  have
  any suggestions about what exact frequencies might be used?

  Incidentally, both my son and I got our tickets largely due to having our
  interest sparked by the school's SAREX activity in March 1992.

  /***
  Gary W. Thorburn   [e-mail]  KB1AIF
  ***/

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 09:48:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AB17503; Tue, 11 Jan 94 09:45:28 -0500
    (queueing-rmail) id 094349.29335; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 09:43:49 EST
    id AA15222; Tue, 11 Jan 94 08:44:15 EST
From: [e-mail] ( Jim Osburn          )
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: High Speed Code Practice
To: [e-mail] (QRP Mailing List)
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 8:44:15 EST
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]

Last night I found a station sending high speed code practice
on 7.022 MHz at 0100 UTC.
The QST was sent at 30 wpm and the practice was at 35, 40, 45 and 50 wpm.
I think the call sign of the station was AE8G.
Does anyone have any more details?

Thanks,

Jim

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 10:35:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
From: Edward Parish <[e-mail]>
    id AA09238; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:35:07 EST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:35:07 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: Jim Kearman's message of Tue, 11 Jan 94 02:08:14 GMT <4923@jek>
Subject: Articles in QST

   Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 02:08:14 GMT
   From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)

[....]

   If the author chooses to retain the source code, we
   can't very well torture it out of him, can we? Should
   we reject a pretty neat project, just because a tiny
   number of readers want to be able to program their own
   ROMs? We don't think so.

   May I point out that, while some readers may have access
   to semiconductor foundries, we don't publish dimensional
   data for MRF475 transistors? Think of a custom device
   as you would any exotic semiconductor, and it doesn't
   seem so bad. One of the most-popular keyers going is
   based on Curtis Microdevices custom integrated circuits.
   Many QRPers have installed them in their rigs, and I've
   never heard anyone complain that you can't make your own
   8044ABM chip.

Yeahbut.  Does Motorola write an article in QST about how to use the
MRF475?  No, they write app notes to help sell their product.  The point of
the recent email I believe is that the authors are promoting their business
or profiting through an article in QST.  Authors of articles in the past
usually had no connection to the suppliers of the material to construct the
project.  I don't think that the CMOS Super Keyer or DSP filter were
precedents.  I think that the precedents that you should be citing were the
constuction articles of the past couple of decades.  These projects listed
items such PCB's that had the b+w layout printed in the article with the
option to buy the prefabricated board.  Correct me if I am wrong, but what
I think these people want to see is the b+w code with the option to buy the
prefabricated silicon.

Ed Parish WA2SCA

   72/73

   Jim Kearman, KR1S
   Assistant Technical Editor, QST





From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 11:25:03 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17439; Tue, 11 Jan 94 11:25:15 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Tue, 11 Jan 1994 11:22:07 -0500
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 11:22:07 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Articles in QST

> Brad Mitchell comments on the lack of available source
> code for the "Uncle Albert's Keyer" article in a recent
> issue of QST.
>
> Source code was not available for the CMOS Super Keyer
> or the Hershberger (W9GR) DSP filter either, so "Uncle
> Al" isn't breaking new ground here.

Multiple wrongs don't make it ok.  I Guess that I would be happy if it was
at least called a
kit review, as opposed to a regular article. Same as for the other "articles"
too.

>
> If the author chooses to retain the source code, we
> can't very well torture it out of him, can we?

If he's a QRO guy, we could send him on a dxpedition with an xtal controlled
qrp rig.   :-))))

>Should
> we reject a pretty neat project, just because a tiny
> number of readers want to be able to program their own
> ROMs? We don't think so.

There we go again picking on us minoritys again.
I'll have to start the I'm a purist homebrewer that is so cheap I won't
even buy code from a fellow ham club.  :-)))

>
> May I point out that, while some readers may have access
> to semiconductor foundries, we don't publish dimensional
> data for MRF475 transistors? Think of a custom device
> as you would any exotic semiconductor, and it doesn't
> seem so bad. One of the most-popular keyers going is
> based on Curtis Microdevices custom integrated circuits.
> Many QRPers have installed them in their rigs, and I've
> never heard anyone complain that you can't make your own
> 8044ABM chip.
>
> 72/73
>
> Jim Kearman, KR1S
> Assistant Technical Editor, QST
>
Ok, Ok, I know that Jim, but I guess I just don't know where to draw the line.
For instance, there are some that are so pure as to want to make their own
p.c. boards, instead of buying them, ie me. Then there are others that would rather
wind a lifesaver than buy a torroid core. Your point is well intended and taken.
I think that "controversial" subjects sometimes bring out good discussion.
For instance, Howie makes a real good point about the fact that software is
a very important part of what makes many radios work, and at least he seems
dissastified about the # of articles that promote that...
So what's the answer?
I don't know, but it's apparant that
you'll never make us all happy Jim,
no matter what you print in QST, but I'll always anxiously await it`s arival.
73 es good luck!!
Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 11:25:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          id AA22321; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 10:25:17 -0600
          id AA20940; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 10:25:16 -0600
    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA23225; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:22:49 -0600
From: [e-mail]
    id WT22037.4507; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 10:22:45 CST
Date: 11 Jan 94 10:22:10 -0600
To: jkearman#064#arrl.org#l#RFC-822#r#[e-mail],
        qrp#064#[e-mail]
Subject: RE: Articles in QST
Message-Id: <"Macintosh */PRMD=MOT/ADMD=MOT/C=US/"@MHS>



Software is an interesting beast.  In the case of the articles in QST where the
authors have chosen to keep their "property" secret.  As a software engineer I
like to keep control of my creations, but I would be nice

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 11:26:43 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          id AA22463; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 10:26:36 -0600
          id AA21148; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 10:26:34 -0600
    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA23334; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:24:45 -0600
From: [e-mail]
    id WT22037.4519; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 10:24:43 CST
Date: 11 Jan 94 10:24:20 -0600
To: qrp#064#[e-mail]
Subject: Software and ham
Message-Id: <"Macintosh */PRMD=MOT/ADMD=MOT/C=US/"@MHS>



Software is an interesting beast.  In the case of the articles in QST where the
authors have chosen to keep their "property" secret.  As a software engineer I
like to keep control of my creations, but it would be nice too see how things
are done, such as the DSP articles.


From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 11:36:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01339; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:32:19 CST
    id AA06433; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:43:27 CST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:43:27 CST
From: [e-mail] (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QST COnstruction Articles

Ed PArish hit it right on the head...I think the authors are writing articles
to promote their products in QST instead of using it a Journal for sharing
ideas among the Ham radio community and fellow members of the league.

All were really asking Jim, is that we have the opportunity to complete the
 project with the information presented in the article. It is pretty
frustrating to get all pumped up over an article and then find that I have to
shell out another $50 bucks to buy a key component from an author, who has grossly marked up a component's price  (single source, yet) to complete it. Have you ever tried ordering parts from some of these authors? If your lucky enough to
actually get the parts after your check is cashed its usually after long delays because some private individual, the author, wasn't prepared to handle the
avalanche of orders he got.

Would QST publish a transmitter and receiver article
and not put values on the caps and resistors at the request of the author
inorder to force the reader to buy the authors kit. Thats they way I and
apparently many of the others on this net feel about not having the source code available for the projects in QST.

I would also strongly recommend that QST re evaluate it's comment about the
tiny number of readers who want to program their own roms. I think there are
more than they might realize.

I have no problem with the author providing the service of
selling a pre programmed part for those who wish to buy one. But don`t force
use to do it in order to finish a project that appearred in a magazine that
is supposed to be a membership service.

73,
Brian - AE9K

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 11:45:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
From: Bruce Walker <[e-mail]>
    id AA18500; Tue, 11 Jan 94 11:45:09 EST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 11:45:09 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: Brian Cieslak's message of Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:43:27 CST <[e-mail]>
Subject: QST COnstruction Articles



**** TIMEOUT ****

While this discussion about QST construction articles and source code is
interesting to me, it has nothing to do with QRP, except to the extent that
we are disproportionally more apt to be homebrewers/kitbuilders.

I'll resist the temptation to fan the fire by injecting my own views on
this subject, or perhaps I will mail them directly to the active
participants of the discussion.

Let's try to keep focus here...asking opinions about or availability of
keyers is relevant enough, but a flame war on QST construction article
policy isn't.

Thanks,
--bruce WT1M


From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 12:17:29 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01774; Tue, 11 Jan 94 11:13:06 CST
    id AA06748; Tue, 11 Jan 94 11:24:14 CST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 11:24:14 CST
From: [e-mail] (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: QST COnstruction Articles


Ok Bruce,

You're RIght....Enough is enough....but it sure was fun....Jim just hit a hot
button.

anyone interested in starting a magazine with micro based ham articles that
give the whole story let me know off line.

Brian - AE9K

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 12:25:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
X400-Received:
 by mta mcigate in /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 11:25:05 -0600
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 by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 11:24:52 -0600
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 by /PRMD=NT/ADMD=MCI/C=US/; Relayed; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 06:22:00 -0600
Date:  Tue, 11 Jan 1994 12:22:00 +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.238:11.00.94.17.24.52]
X400-Content-Type:  P2-1984 (2)
Content-Identifier:  Ten-Tec Scout...
From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" <[e-mail]>
Sender: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <"29248 Tue Jan 11 11:24:57 1994"@nt.com>
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  Ten-Tec Scout - QRP?

In their recent ads, Ten-Tec has said that a QRP version of the Scout is
comming. From a phone call to Ten-Tec, I was told that basically they
were just going to remove the 50 watt power amplifier module and run
directly from the driver stage.
The Scout manual states that the output from the drivers is about 3 watts.
So, I thought I would try running directly from the drivers and see what
the results were. I removed the covers, uplugged the coax cable between
the drivers and the input of the PA module, and unplugged the coax from the
output of the PA module and plugged it into the output of the drivers. Then
I connected up a wattmeter, dummy load, and power to the Scout and tested
in CW mode. I have modules for 160,80,40,30,20,17,and 15 Meters. With the
RF pot set for full output, the power output on 40 Meters was about 3 watts.
On all of the other bands, the power output was 9-10 watts. The drivers did
not get very warm during the testing, the DC voltage to the rig was 12.5 vdc.
The Scout manual said about 3 watts from the driver, so I was surprised to
get 10 watts out on every band but 40 Meters.
I wonder if anyone else has tried this with their Scout and what the results
were?
If the 10 watts is normal from the drivers, I wonder how Ten-Tec is going to
really create a QRP Scout.
73 - Dave.

====================================================================
Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst   Northern Telecom  RTP, NC.
ph.[phone]  email: [e-mail]    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 [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 12:42:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA00279 for [e-mail]; Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:41:47 -0500
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0pJiOU-000B74C; Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:40 GMT
    id AA8609 ; Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:31:26 GMT
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 17:15:41 GMT
Message-Id: <4955@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: QST Articles


Ed Parrish says Motorola doesn't publish articles in QST.
Not lately, but we have published articles by Motorola
application engineers in the past: Helge Granberg's name
comes immediately to mind. At least one well-know QST
author specializing in microwave circuits is an applications
engineer for the company that manufactures the semiconductors
he features. Does anyone recall "Narrowband Voice Modulation,"
by the way? How 'bout the Collins engineers who wrote articles
on single-sideband?

Back in the "good old days," many QST articles were supplied
by RCA engineers, using (surprise) RCA tubes. Yes, RCA sometimes
_licensed_ other companies to make the same type numbers, but
they sure weren't giving away the blueprints. I think QST has
remained free of the wanton collusion between advertisers and
editorial content one sees in other magazines on the newstands.

The CMOS Super Keyer and W9GR DSP filter have been phenomenally
popular articles. The vast majority of QST readers have no
interest in knowing the source code for projects. Yes, the
authors are making money on these projects, and what's wrong
with that? How many hours did it take those folks to write
that code? How many of you are willing to devote that much
time to something and then give it away? (I don't recognize
any QST authors among those who protest our policy.)


The Brave New World is upon us. I just scrapped an otherwise
good VCR because NEC no longer supplies a custom IC needed
to fix it. I wasn't building my own 6146s in 1963 and I don't
expect to build my own 486 CPU chip tomorrow. I can take
advantage of the work of others, if I'm willing to pay for it.
I sure as heck can't fix a computerized fuel injected car--should
we go back to carburetors and breaker-point ignition?

The limited amount of money (ham radio isn't quite as big
a market as, say, VCRs) these authors make selling programmed
parts is fair compensation for building, debugging and
WRITING ABOUT a project. I know a ton of hams who are doing
really neat stuff. Some of them even complain about what
others are publishing in QST, saying it isn't up to date.
When you corner these people and send them Author's Guides,
though, they disappear into the basement.

Someone mentioned "owning" what's in the magazine. Well,
that's just not true. ARRL owns the copyright to QST. You
get a license to read it when you join. If you start making
and selling photocopies you're going to hear from our counsel!
The author of an article that uses proprietary source code
is licensing us to license you to build one, just as buying
an MRF475 licenses you to use it in a circuit, not replicate
it. Yes, these authors could license you to zap your own ROM.
How many people would be selling those ROMs at Dayton this
year, without paying royalties to the author? My guess is,
plenty. It's a lot harder to spot such dishonesty than it is
to spot bootleg copies of QST. Facing up to reality, the authors
keep the source code to themselves.

For the handful of people who've said they agree source codes
should be made available, I admire your thirst for knowledge,
but I hope you can recognize the changes coming down the road. I
expect to live to see a single-chip receiver where all functions
are done in DSP. I don't expect the people who accomplish this
miracle to give away the source code. If I did it, and I had the
choice of either giving it away, or making a few bucks to maybe
do something for my family to compensate for the time I spent in
away from them working on the project, I know what I'd do.

In the ideal world, everyone would do the right thing with no
thought to personal gain or profit, right? If these authors
could be certain that someone else wouldn't start hawking the
ROMs for profit, they might make the source codes available.
But why should my labor profit you, who do nothing but run a ROM
programmer? If there's money to be made, why shouldn't I make
it? On the other hand, if they offer a construction article for
this project to QST, I will vote to accept it, even without
source code.

I've really rattled on here, but I expect this to be my final
word on the subject: "What's worth doing is worth being paid for."
(Donohue's Law). I'll prepare a summary of the arguments presented
on this subject, and present it to my managers.

73,

Jim Kearman, KR1S
ARRL HQ




From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 12:46:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA00341 for [e-mail]; Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:46:52 -0500
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0pJiTH-000B74C; Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:45 GMT
    id AA8617 ; Tue, 11 Jan 94 12:36:22 GMT
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 05:36:06 GMT
Message-Id: <4973@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: W9GR Source Code

I stand corrected. W9GR source code is available.
Thanks to VE5VA for the info.

73, Jim



From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 13:01:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 12:03:36 CST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 12:03:36 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: QST articles
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
X-Vms-Cc: JMG
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

Howdi,

probably get fried for this and acused of all sorts of nasty things..but
hasn't stopped me before:

OK, I understand what many people perceive as the problem with authors
selling things related to their articles (guess I write the wrong kind
of articles). There is another side to the story. Way before I started
writing, I was reading and building from QST articles. I built the CMOS
Super Keyer II. I enjoyed reading the article and sent off for the Idiom
Press kit.. think it was one of the first things I built. I enjoyed
building it and was real pleased later on when it outperformed anything
else I have ever used.. bargain to boot.. at the price they sold it
for.. I just don't have a problem with them selling it. I also read the
article on the DSP unit. I really enjoyed the article.. probably never
had heard of DSP and ham radio together other than Kenwood adds. I once
again ordered the kit.. again it performs really well, I got to build it
and think it was well worth the money.

OK, this is what it comes down to for me:  I read QST to learn about
aspects of the hobby that I haven't previously been exposed to (and
slobber over add for equipment I can't afford) and find out things that
will make the hobby even more enjoyable than it already is. Well the
articles in question sure fit my needs. I have more of a problem with
the other magazines I subsrcibe to.


72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 14:08:12 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 14:06:47 EST
Date: 11 Jan 1994 14:06:46 -0500 (EST)
From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" <[e-mail]>
Subject: high-q antennas
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
X-Vms-Cc: IN%"[e-mail]"
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

Just thought I'd put my proverbial two cents in here.

I'm not familiar with the MFJ animal, so I'll not aim any criticism at
that antenna in particular.  On the other hand, one needs to bear in mind that,
by definition, the most efficient antenna is one whose characteristic impedance is equal to its radiation resistance.  Such an *ideal* antenna would have a q
of 1.  Clearly a high-q antenna has to represent the exact opposite of the ideal.

72.38344985

Don Coleman, W1Voq

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 14:10:25 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA22899; Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:10:15 CST
    id AA05702; 4.1/CRI-5.6; Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:10:12 CST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:10:12 CST
From: [e-mail] (David Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Keyers, technical articles, and software


 howie cahn <[e-mail]> wrote:

>The program was written in
>Visual Basic. I tried to go through much of its design philosophy and
>I provided sample code. While it wasn't feasible to include the entire
>program listings,

From my point of view, I would much rather see a little bit of pseudo code
than the actual program.  (Leaving out any routines not immediately relevant
to the project, or information that is well documented elsewhere.)  I would
be likely to choose to write in some other language, maybe even on an
alternative hardware platform.  Psuedo code, or algorithm notes, would get me
going faster than actual code in a language I am not used to.

This approach would leave the author free to sell his own implimentation
as he chose.

Sourdough and Ham  AA0PV

--David C. Adams        internet:  [e-mail]
  Statistician          uunet:     uunet!cray!dadams
  Cray Research Inc.    packet:       kg0io@tcman.#msp.mn.usa.noam
  9 months of good sleding, 3 months of bad sleding.

   --member:  Minnesotans for Global Warming.

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 14:42:22 1994
Return-Path: <auratek!auratek.com![e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA05678; Tue, 11 Jan 94 14:42:05 -0500
    (queueing-rmail) id 143817.17597; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 14:38:17 EST
    id AA02352; Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:33:11 EST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:33:11 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: uunet!Think.COM![e-mail]
Subject: Ham Radio Magazine


I spent a lot of time indoors last week due to getting over 20" of snow. I
went through some old issues of Ham Radio Magazine (70's and 80's).

I forgot how good this magazine really was in terms of technical articles.
Lots of creative ideas, construction and state of the art articles. In fact,
most of the material is still better than whats being published today. Really
miss this kind of stuff.

Point is, I often see stacks of back issues available at flea markets. They
usually sell for a buck or two a year. Buy them if your interested in top
notch construction / technical articles.

Note: The 70's and early 80's Ham Radio magazine was much better than their
late 80's and early 90's issues.

73

Ed W1AAZ


From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 15:09:49 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24442; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:09:36 HST
    id AA04894; Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:09:36 HST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:09:35 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: CAPACITORS
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Hi Gang,
   I've been on your side of the Pacific for the last three weeks - I don't
know how you folks can stand that cold weather (currently here in Hawaii
at 0945 the temp is 75...).
   Anyway, I wanted to build a couple of QRP xmtrs while on vacation -
found some simple circuits at the local library, but was I was dismayed
at what I saw: the books in which contained the schematics didn't give
any unit of measurement for the required capacitors - only numerical
values were provided but no uF or pF units.
   I checked my 1972 ARRL Handbook (my only copy) and saw that the Handbook
does the same - only numerical values, EXCEPT for each schematic there is
a footnote stating ``... whole number capacitor values are in pF, decimal
values are in uF...'' - this makes sense after a moments thought.
   So my question is this: Is the Handbook's convention standard practice?
i.e., if the unit of measurement is not stated, we should assume whole
number values are in pF and decimal values are in uF?
   Next question (related to the first): My junkbox (parts from junked TV
sets) contains dozens and dozens of capacitors with again no pF or uF
markings (especially ceramic disk caps); does the above convention also
apply?
   Quesion 3: Some older tubular caps have the unit `mfd' marked on them;
by today's units I would interpret that as `millafarad' which seems way
too big for RF applications. Did manufacturers at one time use: mfd = micro-
farad?
   Finally, a complaint: Why do authors, when RF chokes are called for,
only provide a company's name and stock number rather than giving the
actual inductance value? Doesn't anyone wind their own RF chokes? Am
I a nut to want to do so? (I greatly dislike buying something if I
can instead make it myself.)
   Thanks in advance.

Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 16:16:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26450; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 16:15:53 -0500
    id AA13998; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:16:00 EST
    id AA25910; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:15:56 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    id AA19231; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:15:55 EST
To: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: CAPACITORS
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 11 Jan 94 10:09:35 -1000."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:15:54 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>

>    I checked my 1972 ARRL Handbook (my only copy) and saw that the Handbook
> does the same - only numerical values, EXCEPT for each schematic there is
> a footnote stating ``... whole number capacitor values are in pF, decimal
> values are in uF...'' - this makes sense after a moments thought.
>    So my question is this: Is the Handbook's convention standard practice?
> i.e., if the unit of measurement is not stated, we should assume whole
> number values are in pF and decimal values are in uF?

Yes.

>    Next question (related to the first): My junkbox (parts from junked TV
> sets) contains dozens and dozens of capacitors with again no pF or uF
> markings (especially ceramic disk caps); does the above convention also
> apply?

Yes, though some of the ceramics will be coded (e.g. "103" means 10x10^3pF,
not 103pF).  (The way I remember that is that 100 and 101 have the same
meaning.)

>    Quesion 3: Some older tubular caps have the unit `mfd' marked on them;
> by today's units I would interpret that as `millafarad' which seems way
> too big for RF applications. Did manufacturers at one time use: mfd = micro-
> farad?

Yes, and frequently mmfd for micro-micro-farad (now pF).

>    Finally, a complaint: Why do authors, when RF chokes are called for,
> only provide a company's name and stock number rather than giving the
> actual inductance value? Doesn't anyone wind their own RF chokes? Am
> I a nut to want to do so? (I greatly dislike buying something if I
> can instead make it myself.)

I don't think I've seen this for RF circuits, but I've seen it done a lot
in power supply circuits, and some of the same reasons might apply:  for
power supply circuits, where the chokes are subjected to large stresses of
current, voltage, and sharp transients in each, the actual value of the choke
becomes less important than the details of manufacture; i.e. one manufacturer's
100uH choke works, another's 100uH choke just detonates on the board.  For
RF, construction details would change parasitic capacitances and self-resonant
frequencies, again meaning that one 10uH choke would work and another 10uH
choke would fail.

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 16:20:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5 for <[e-mail]>); Tue, 11 Jan 1994 14:19:54 -0700
   id AA07237 (4.1/at-generic.8Nov93); Tue, 11 Jan 94 14:19:50 MST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 14:19:50 MST
From: Tom Poindexter <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <9401112119.AA07237@teton>
Subject: re:MFJ-1786 Hi-Q Loop
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]

Tom,

Would you happen to have a drawing of your loop?  I've seen several variations
of where the feedpoint is, and where to locate the cap.  If you just copied a
published design, a pointer to that would be fine instead of a drawing.
You also mention using a 50pF cap on 20m.  What voltage rating?  What size
cap for 15m?

Thanks,
Tom


Tom Poindexter     [e-mail]  or  [e-mail]
U S WEST Advanced Technologies,  Boulder, Colorado
"I hate it when that happens"

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 16:46:57 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          11 Jan 94 20:17 GMT
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:57 EST
From: Danny Eskenazi <[e-mail]>
To: unsubscribe <[e-mail]>
Subject: please unsubscribe
Message-Id: <23940111185732/[e-mail]>

please unsubscribe...thanks  K7SS

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 17:10:03 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA07602; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 17:10:39 -0500
    id AA17975; Tue, 11 Jan 94 17:09:30 -0500
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 17:09:29 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
To: "[e-mail]"[e-mail]
Subject: Ooops


>>    Next question (related to the first): My junkbox (parts from junked TV
>> sets) contains dozens and dozens of capacitors with again no pF or uF
>> markings (especially ceramic disk caps); does the above convention also
>> apply?

> Yes, though some of the ceramics will be coded (e.g. "103" means 10x10^3pF,
> not 103pF).  (The way I remember that is that 100 and 101 have the same
> meaning.)                                     ^^^     ^^^

BZZZZZZTT... WRONG!

The best and most foolproof way to read cap values is to treat the first two
digits as indicating the value and last digit as indicating the number of
zeros that follow. SO, in the example above, 100 means 10 pF and 101 indicates
100 pF. BTW, since I'm a bit-twiddler by nature, I always remember 104 as
0.1 uF. Don't ask me why, I just remember it and derive the rest 8^}  .

Unless otherwise rated, all ceramic caps are in pF, or mmf for us olde pFarts.


From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 17:29:30 1994
    Tue, 11 Jan 94 17:28 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJqSh-0000wPC; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:17 EST
Return-Path: <wariat!Think.COM!qrp-request>
    id m0pJaKC-0000j8C; Mon, 10 Jan 94 23:03 EST
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 22:25 EST for <[e-mail]>
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 20:56 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJYIY-0000p1C; Mon, 10 Jan 94 20:53 EST
    id m0pJVak-0000isC; Mon, 10 Jan 94 18:00 EST
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 13:02 EST for <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: 9 Jan 1994 20:00:23 -0800
From: "CPSMTP01" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Gatewy Prob, Please re-send
To: "Randy" <[e-mail]>
Cc: "QRP" <[e-mail]>
Content-Type: text
Sender: [e-mail]

Mail*Link(r) SMTP               RE>QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> From: [e-mail] (Randy)
> Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> To: [e-mail] (Rodney Clayton)
> Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 13:37:13 -0500 (EST)
> Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
> In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Rodney Clayton" at
Jan 9, 94 12:17:11 pm
> X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
> Content-Type: text
>
> >
> > What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
> > Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
> > Thank's Rod KA3BHY
> >
> The cost will vary...anywhere between 50c and $2.oo
>
I've seen quite a few rocks at various frequencies going for $.25 to
$7.00.  It also depends on the 'fest...
--
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

------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------
Return-Path: <fmsystm![e-mail]>
<[e-mail]>;
    Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:55 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJCk9-0001CTC; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:52 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Andrew Sargent N8OFS)
Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
To: [e-mail] (Randy)
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 21:52:37 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (QRP)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Randy" at Jan 9, 94
01:37:13 pm
Reply-To: [e-mail]
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Mime-Version: 1.0
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From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 18:07:58 1994
Return-Path: <harvey::[e-mail]>
    id AA08482; Tue, 11 Jan 1994 18:08:35 -0500
    id AA19363; Tue, 11 Jan 94 18:07:49 -0500
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 18:07:48 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: harvey::[e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Cc: "[e-mail]"[e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Ooops

> > Yes, though some of the ceramics will be coded (e.g. "103" means 10x10^3pF,
> > not 103pF).  (The way I remember that is that 100 and 101 have the same
> > meaning.)                                     ^^^     ^^^
> BZZZZZZTT... WRONG!
> The best and most foolproof way to read cap values is to treat the first two
> digits as indicating the value and last digit as indicating the number of
> zeros that follow. SO, in the example above, 100 means 10 pF and 101 indicates
> 100 pF. BTW, since I'm a bit-twiddler by nature, I always remember 104 as
> 0.1 uF. Don't ask me why, I just remember it and derive the rest 8^}  .

I've never seen a cap marked "100" that wasn't 100pF, though it occurs to me
that I *have* seen a few "680"s that were actually 68pF.  Other than that one
particular value, though, anything I've ever seen below 101pF (:-) has been
labeled with the actual value and no scale factor.

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 18:51:30 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00795; Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:51:26 HST
    id AA19322; Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:51:25 HST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 13:51:24 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RE: CAPACITORS
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Gang,
   Thanksso much for all the replies concerning capacitor values; now I
know why some of my projects don't work they way they should.....
   I am suprised my Handbook (the 1972 edition) didn't mention the convention
concerning ceramic disk caps: XYZ = XY*10^Z pF. There is a fairly detailed
appendix concerning component values, but no mention of this.

Jeff NH6IL (ye olde WA6QIJ)

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 19:23:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA07234; Tue, 11 Jan 94 19:25:18 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Tue, 11 Jan 1994 19:21:57 -0500
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 19:21:57 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: capacitor designations

well guys, I as well as others have learned the hard way that
for instance 470 on a capacitor can mean 47 or 470 pf!!  I kinda
think that there should almost be a note of that in the handbook!
That's why I'm looking to build a low value cap meter. This is
described in September 1986 QST.  This will aid very much in
the construction of my qrp rigs.  It's a pretty simple circuit
the only part I'm having a hard time finding is the horizontal
scale 50 micro amp meter. (Anybody know a good source?).

Once again, don't believe what you read about caps and designations!
They can be verbatim the way they are written on the cap.. for instance
100 can mean 100 pf , or by the handbooks designation which is 100 menas
10 pf!!  I know this for a fact because I have personally lped
a couple of local hams debug their circuits only to find that was the
problem.  Can you imagine trying to get an xtal oscillator to run using
470 pf instead of 47 pf?  It don't work!!  I myself have not been biten
by this problem, but I sense it comming soon, so I want the meter done
before hand ... 73 all and have a good one..
Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 19:25:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA25815; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:24:31 PST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:24:31 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Where is QQ???

Anybody got their Jan. issue of QRP Quarterly?????
72, Doug

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 19:26:50 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA25818; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:25:49 PST
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:25:49 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Where is QQ????

Has any one seen a copy of the January issue of QRP Quarterly?  I know it is
still January, but I would expect it to ship by the 1st, not the last.  Anxious
and waiting.  72, Doug, KI6DS

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 20:28:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 17:32:01 -0800
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: Scout question

Can anyone tell me what type of connectors the Scout's plug-in band modules
use?  Also, does the owner's manual give any clue as to how many times the
modules can be inserted/removed?

Thanks

Wayne, N6KR



From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 23:09:05 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          11 Jan 94 20:09 PST
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Ten Tec Scout QRP
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 20:08:57 -0800
From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>

Along with the current discussion of how much output the Scout will
have when stripped.....

what is the REAL current drain of the receiver?  I could look at the
published specs, but I don't trust them.  Could someone with a Scout
tell me the current drain in plain old receive at comfortable listening
level?  I am hopeful it will be low, else the Scout is not a useful
alternative to my other radios.

Clark
WA3JPG

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 11 23:45:58 1994
    Tue, 11 Jan 94 23:45 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJwXV-00000LC; Tue, 11 Jan 94 22:46 EST
Return-Path: <wariat!Think.COM!qrp-request>
    id m0pJt3R-00003JC; Tue, 11 Jan 94 19:03 EST
    Tue, 11 Jan 94 18:53 EST for <[e-mail]>
    Tue, 11 Jan 94 17:28 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJqSh-0000wPC; Tue, 11 Jan 94 16:17 EST
    id m0pJaKC-0000j8C; Mon, 10 Jan 94 23:03 EST
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 22:25 EST for <[e-mail]>
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 20:56 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJYIY-0000p1C; Mon, 10 Jan 94 20:53 EST
    id m0pJVak-0000isC; Mon, 10 Jan 94 18:00 EST
    Mon, 10 Jan 94 13:02 EST for <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: 9 Jan 1994 20:00:23 -0800
From: "CPSMTP01" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Gatewy Prob, Please re-send
To: "Randy" <[e-mail]>
Cc: "QRP" <[e-mail]>
Content-Type: text
Sender: [e-mail]

Mail*Link(r) SMTP               RE>QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> From: [e-mail] (Randy)
> Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> To: [e-mail] (Rodney Clayton)
> Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 13:37:13 -0500 (EST)
> Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
> In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Rodney Clayton" at
Jan 9, 94 12:17:11 pm
> X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
> Content-Type: text
>
> >
> > What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
> > Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
> > Thank's Rod KA3BHY
> >
> The cost will vary...anywhere between 50c and $2.oo
>
I've seen quite a few rocks at various frequencies going for $.25 to
$7.00.  It also depends on the 'fest...
--
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

------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------
Return-Path: <fmsystm![e-mail]>
<[e-mail]>;
    Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:55 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pJCk9-0001CTC; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:52 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Andrew Sargent N8OFS)
Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
To: [e-mail] (Randy)
Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 21:52:37 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (QRP)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Randy" at Jan 9, 94
01:37:13 pm
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From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 02:31:20 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pK00Z-0001TAC; Wed, 12 Jan 94 02:28 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Gatewy Prob, Please re-send (fwd)
To: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 02:28:50 -0500 (EST)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 2938


sorry....but SOMbodys mail box is roasted...I include all so you'll know!

Forwarded message:
> From Think.COM!qrp-request Wed Jan 12 00:39:45 1994
> Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
> Date: 9 Jan 1994 20:00:23 -0800
> From: "CPSMTP01" <[e-mail]>
> Subject: Gatewy Prob, Please re-send
> To: "Randy" <[e-mail]>
> Cc: "QRP" <[e-mail]>
> Content-Type: text
> Sender: [e-mail]
>
> Mail*Link(r) SMTP               RE>QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> > From: [e-mail] (Randy)
> > Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> > To: [e-mail] (Rodney Clayton)
> > Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 13:37:13 -0500 (EST)
> > Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
> > In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Rodney Clayton" at
> Jan 9, 94 12:17:11 pm
> > X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
> > Content-Type: text
> >
> > >
> > > What should I expect to pay for 7MHz crystals at a hamfest?
> > > Is the load capacitance marked on the crystal?
> > > Thank's Rod KA3BHY
> > >
> > The cost will vary...anywhere between 50c and $2.oo
> >
> I've seen quite a few rocks at various frequencies going for $.25 to
> $7.00.  It also depends on the 'fest...
> --
> 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
>
> ------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------
> Received: by cpqm.saic.com with SMTP;9 Jan 1994 20:00:19 -0800
> Received: by mail.think.com; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:56:20 -0500
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> Received: from Think.COM by mail.think.com; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:56:16 -0500
> Received: from wariat.org by Early-Bird.Think.COM; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:56:12 EST
> Received:  from fmsystm by wariat.org  with uucp(/\==/\ Smail3.1.28.1 #28.5) id
> <[e-mail]>;
>     Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:55 EST for Think.COM!qrp
> Received: by fms.com (Smail3.1.28.1 #1)
>     id m0pJCk9-0001CTC; Sun, 9 Jan 94 21:52 EST
> Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
> From: [e-mail] (Andrew Sargent N8OFS)
> Subject: Re: QRP:Hamfest crystals?
> To: [e-mail] (Randy)
> Date: Sun, 9 Jan 1994 21:52:37 -0500 (EST)
> Cc: [e-mail] (QRP)
> In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Randy" at Jan 9, 94
> 01:37:13 pm
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>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 06:37:15 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA09412; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:33:09 GMT
Message-Id: <9401121133.AA02387@bot5>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Unsubscribe
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:33:05 GMT
From: Jonathan Magee <[e-mail]>

Could you please take me off the list?
Thank you
[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 08:06:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00339; Wed, 12 Jan 94 08:05:52 EST
          id AA42211; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 08:10:41 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Bruce Lifter)
Message-Id: <9401121310.AA42211@sarsa>
Subject: Re: capacitor designations
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 08:10:41 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (Bruce Lifter)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Brad Mitchell" at Jan 11, 94 07:21:57 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL20]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Length: 2074

Brad Mitchell writes:
>
> well guys, I as well as others have learned the hard way that
> for instance 470 on a capacitor can mean 47 or 470 pf!!  I kinda
> think that there should almost be a note of that in the handbook!
> That's why I'm looking to build a low value cap meter. This is
> described in September 1986 QST.  This will aid very much in
> the construction of my qrp rigs.  It's a pretty simple circuit
> the only part I'm having a hard time finding is the horizontal
> scale 50 micro amp meter. (Anybody know a good source?).
>
> Once again, don't believe what you read about caps and designations!
> They can be verbatim the way they are written on the cap.. for instance
> 100 can mean 100 pf , or by the handbooks designation which is 100 menas
> 10 pf!!  I know this for a fact because I have personally lped
> a couple of local hams debug their circuits only to find that was the
> problem.  Can you imagine trying to get an xtal oscillator to run using
> 470 pf instead of 47 pf?  It don't work!!  I myself have not been biten
> by this problem, but I sense it comming soon, so I want the meter done
> before hand ... 73 all and have a good one..
> Brad WB8YGG
>

This almost caught me on a 40 meter NN1G MARK II from Dan's kits. Two
of the ceramic caps that were supposed to be 47 pf were marked 470.
Having just obtained a meter from RS (~$49 closeout) that measures
capacitance, I was spot checking most of the values when I ran across
them. At first I thought I was reading the meter wrong. After measuring
a couple of other known pf values, I was convinced they were 470 pf.
Given my only experience with determining capacitor values was with my
understanding of the handbook, the meter saved further frustration.

73, Bruce

--
Bruce Lifter                                                      MS: R5-202
Harris Corporation                             email: [e-mail]
Controls Division           Amateur Radio Packet: KR4AQ@N5AUV.#MLB.FL.USA.NA
----------------------------------------------------------------------------

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 08:58:56 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 id <[e-mail]>; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 13:28:02 MET
 12 Jan 1994 13:25:24 +0100
 id 100.940112132545.416; 12 Jan 94 13:26:11 +0100
Date: 12 Jan 94 13:25:37 GMT+0100
From: Henk Hoekstra <[e-mail]>
Subject:
To: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Envelope-To: [e-mail]
X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.3 (R4).
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Priority: normal
X-Pmrqc: 1

unsubscribe

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 09:22:16 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:12 EST
To: [e-mail]

Hello netters!
I just received from FAR circuits the boards for the NN1G Mk II
xceiver.  Perhaps I have the cart before the horse, but where
can I find the schematics/circuit description/operating manual
for the rig?  I someone has a copy, can they fax it to me?

Thanks in advance,
es 72/73 de ND3P
Scott McLellan

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 09:33:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA16812; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:33:14 -0500
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:33:14 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Duane P Mantick)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: UN-subscribers.....


I seem to have seen a lot of *this* lately....

"Could you please take me off the list?"

I don't know if it has to do with the heavy mail volume that
this list is generating or not.  In my case, I am beginning
to get tired of having to clean my mailbox out twice a week
or even more frequently.  A good 80% of my mail comes from the
QRP list these days, in an unceasing torrent.

Now I suppose that is *good* in many ways - it suggests an
ongoing interest in the QRP sport.  :-)

If I may suggest some ideas....

I see a lot of stuff that could be handled by private email,
like requests to email information.  I don't see a good
reason why everybody on the list has to see these
requests, even though the actual requested information
might be of benefit.

The basic idea, I guess, is not to waste everyone's
mailboxes with stuff that isn't likely to interest the
whole group.  Perhaps with such a reduction in traffic,
fewer people will want to leave......

Duane
wb9omc

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 10:34:50 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA03456; Wed, 12 Jan 94 10:34:38 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    (16.6/16.2) id AA03003; Wed, 12 Jan 94 10:35:11 -0500
From: Tom_Jennings <[e-mail]>
Subject: Sun spot cycle
To: [e-mail] (qrp mailling list)
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 10:35:10 EST
Mailer: Elm [revision: 66.25]


 Hi QRPer's,
 This morning on the way to work I had a discussion of the
 sun spot cycle with another ham on 2 meter.  One thing we
 were not sure of was where we are in the sun spot cycle.

 Are approaching the bottom and how long will it be when we
 hit bottom? Or are we already at bottom?

 Thanks for any info.

 73

 TJ, kv2x
 --
 -------------------------------------------------------------
                                |
 Thomas J. Jennings             | Tel: [phone]
Development Engineer           | Fax: [phone]
                                |
 ABB Process Automation         |
 Post Office Box 22685          |
 Rochester, New York 14692-2685 |
                               |
 -------------------------------------------------------------
 Internet: [e-mail]
 -------------------------------------------------------------


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 10:46:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26939; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:46:12 CST
From: [e-mail] (Gregory Lapin)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: QST COnstruction Articles
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 09:46:12 -0600 (CST)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 793

[e-mail] (Brian Cieslak) wrote:
> Ed PArish hit it right on the head...I think the authors are writing articles
> to promote their products in QST instead of using it a Journal for sharing
> ideas among the Ham radio community and fellow members of the league.

We get a lot of journals here and generally categorize them as follows:
Technical Journals (IEEE Transactions, Most medical journals),
Professional Journals (IEEE Spectrum, EMB Magazine), and
Throw-Away Journals.  The Throw-Aways generally have lots of ads and some
articles written by people from companies that tend to be promoting
products.

I always considered QST to be in the Professional category.  It seems to be
drifting toward the Throw-Away category.

Is this what we really want?

Greg Lapin
KD9AZ

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 11:12:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA16533; Wed, 12 Jan 94 08:14:05 PST
    id AA758391182 Wed, 12 Jan 94 08:13:02 pst
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 08:13:02 pst
From: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: UN-subscribers.....



Isn't there a qrp-request address?  I seem to recall when I subscribed to this
list, the address for requests was different that what's being used to send this
list....maybe this info should be passed along publically periodically.

---
Gary T. Lau                    |  Internet:   [e-mail]
Electronic Messaging and       |  Amateur :   N6MMM @ N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA
Mobile Computing Division,     |  "Don't blame me, I told them I used Microsoft
Lotus Development Corporation  |   Excel but I got hired anyways..."


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: UN-subscribers.....
Author:  [e-mail] (Duane P Mantick) at internet-mail
Date:    1/12/94 9:33 AM


I seem to have seen a lot of *this* lately....

"Could you please take me off the list?"

I don't know if it has to do with the heavy mail volume that
this list is generating or not.  In my case, I am beginning
to get tired of having to clean my mailbox out twice a week
or even more frequently.  A good 80% of my mail comes from the
QRP list these days, in an unceasing torrent.

Now I suppose that is *good* in many ways - it suggests an
ongoing interest in the QRP sport.  :-)

If I may suggest some ideas....

I see a lot of stuff that could be handled by private email,
like requests to email information.  I don't see a good
reason why everybody on the list has to see these
requests, even though the actual requested information
might be of benefit.

The basic idea, I guess, is not to waste everyone's
mailboxes with stuff that isn't likely to interest the
whole group.  Perhaps with such a reduction in traffic,
fewer people will want to leave......

Duane
wb9omc


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 12:06:54 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA20437; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:06:41 PST
    id AA05997; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:12:10 PST
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:12:10 PST
From: [e-mail] (Bill Bencze)
Message-Id: <9401121712.AA05997@gyro3.>
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  Unsuscribe requests...


Just a FYI,

QRP list administrative mail should go to [e-mail]
(ie suscribe/unsuscribe requests) rather than to the entire
mailing list, [e-mail].  I found this info in the "welcome
to the list" mailing I got when I suscribed.

-Bill, KD6TOB/AA


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 12:10:10 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA12513; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:10:06 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA00709; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:10:04 -0600
    for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA08881; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:09:58 -0600
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:09:58 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: YL QRPers


Gang,

got a call from Connie Dunn, who writes a monthly column for QST.
she is doing an article on YL QRPers.  please email name and call
of anyone you know that is currently active in qrp work of any kind.

thanks,

dit  dit
Chuck Adams
[e-mail]




From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 12:16:26 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA13828; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:16:21 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA00737; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:16:19 -0600
    for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA08914; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:16:18 -0600
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:16:18 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: W5HKA


I got a call from Mike Kilgore last night.  He informed me that
Luke Dodds, W5HKA, had a heart attack and is on life support systems
in the hospital.  He has minimal brain activity and will be taken
off life support sometime today.

I have known Luke for some time, since we are both active QRPers in
the local area and met everyother month for lunch on the first
Saturday of even months with other members of the North Texas QRP Group.
Luke was the treasurer until last month for the QRP ARCI organization.
He will be missed by us all that knew him.

I am posting this so that someone in Europe will pass the word on to
the British Group and the Czech OK QRP club members, many of whom were
personal friends of Luke.

Luke was born on Jan 2, 1922.

Chuck Adams
[e-mail]




From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 12:19:07 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA14359; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:19:02 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA00744; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:18:52 -0600
    for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA08929; Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:18:52 -0600
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 11:18:52 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QQ Jan issue


Last night in phone qso with Mike Kilgore, Membership Chairman to
QRP ARCI, he mentioned that the mailing labels had been sent to the
printer (in Alpine TX) of QQ and thus they should be in the mail
soon, if not already.

dit  dit
Chuck Adams
[e-mail]




From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 12:37:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA14050 for [e-mail]; Wed, 12 Jan 94 12:37:31 -0500
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0pK9Ub-000B83C; Wed, 12 Jan 94 12:36 EST
    id AA10716 ; Wed, 12 Jan 94 12:29:24 GMT
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 05:29:00 GMT
Message-Id: <5278@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: New Year's Resolution

I let myself get dragged into an ARRL policy debate yesterday.
Today, three or four people unsubscribed. From now on, I will
not respond to any ARRL policy comments unless they are
directed at me as email by the person making the original
comment. My reply will go, as email, only to the person who
directed his or her remarks to me in the first place.

I enjoy this list because of the low stress factor. I will
do my best to keep it that way.

72/73

Jim, KR1S
I am employed by ARRL, but not as a spokesperson.



From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 12:42:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: 12 Jan 1994 12:40:05 -0800
From: "Bob Scott" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: UN-subscribers.....
To: "QRP" <[e-mail]>

        Reply to:   RE>UN-subscribers.....
Actually, I am disappointed when someone asks a question and
the answer does not show up on the list.  I know that it
increases the amount of EMAIL showing up, but one of the
reasons I subscribe to this list is to learn from the vast
wealth of information that is available.  Just my 2 cents
worth.  73  Bob  AC4QO



From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 13:27:55 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA14717; Wed, 12 Jan 94 13:24:20 EST
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 13:24:19 -0500 (EST)
From: "John A. Evans" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: UN-subscribers.....
To: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.89.9401121326.A14540-0100000@explorer>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Length: 1302



> I seem to have seen a lot of *this* lately....
>
> "Could you please take me off the list?"
>
> I don't know if it has to do with the heavy mail volume that
> this list is generating or not.  In my case, I am beginning
> to get tired of having to clean my mailbox out twice a week
> or even more frequently.  A good 80% of my mail comes from the
> QRP list these days, in an unceasing torrent.
>
Another suggestion - how about the list in digest format?  I am a member
of other lists that have the digest listserv option.  If this option is
available, maybe we could reprint instructions on how to get the digest
format.  If it is not available, maybe we could start it.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John A. Evans, Capt, USAF                     "My number one goal as a
VHDL/EDA Engineer                              runner is to live long enough
N3QOO Tech Plus !!!                            to place in my age group!!!"

[e-mail]                              Linux - the OS of choice !!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Once data encryption is outlawed, only outlaws will have data encryption !!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 15:33:15 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          id AA01409; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 14:33:09 -0600
          id AA17677; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 14:33:08 -0600
    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA05070; Wed, 12 Jan 94 14:31:17 -0600
From: [e-mail]
    id WT27270.182; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 14:31:12 CST
Date: 12 Jan 94 14:30:41 -0600
To: qrp#064#[e-mail]
Subject: Power For QRP
Message-Id: <"Macintosh */PRMD=MOT/ADMD=MOT/C=US/"@MHS>


Good afternoon all;

I am getting setup for QRP ( I have one of the NorCal 40 kits on order) and I am
looking into power options.  I was wondering how much batter folks generally
take along.  I have various sizes of gel cells, but I like my little 2AH 12
cells.  I was tinking about one or two of them and a wall,solar charger system I
am designing.  Anybody got some input?


Bob Fairbairn  KF9OA

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 15:55:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA05771; Wed, 12 Jan 94 14:50:48 CST
    id AA14674; Wed, 12 Jan 94 15:01:57 CST
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 15:01:57 CST
From: [e-mail] (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Norcal40 ?

Are there any NORCAL40 kits left????
If so how much do I make the check out for and where do I send It.

Brian - AE9K

PS is there any more info on the nn1g mark 1 xcvr...i got the artwork,
schematic and pl form think.com but could use parts placement guide
and other details.

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 17:16:52 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28039; Wed, 12 Jan 94 17:16:47 -0500
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 17:16:47 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Duane P Mantick)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP power


Bob Fairbairn asked about power for QRP rigs/ops.  Seems like a real
good topic to me.

I have used a 12v 6.6AH gel cell in the past to run my HR2510.  Works real
nice, never did try to really run it down in actual operation for fear
of doing some radio damage.  But I can recall running for at least 2
or 3 hours off it with no problems.

Now these days I am getting real interested in solar power.  The newest
Edmund Scientific catalog has some nice cells for those who want to
build their own panels, plus they have some complete panels.  Still
not REAL cheap, but getting better all the time.

Digi-Key is selling the Panasonic/Matsushita Sunceram II units, including
at least one and possibly more full panels.

The idea of combining the two (batteries and solar cells) for a
rechargeable source makes a great deal of sense to me.  A true QRP
rig of only a couple watts could probably run off my 6.6 AH battery
for QUITE a long time......one could use two batteries, opping off one
while the other charges - just as one example.

Now to be more exotic, crock up a big enough solar panel to skip most
of the battery middleman.......hmmmm.....

"WB9OMC/QRP/SOLAR"  has a nice ring to it...  :-)

Duane

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 17:26:01 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pKDyG-0001TpC; Wed, 12 Jan 94 17:23 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Re: Power For QRP
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 17:23:23 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
In-Reply-To: <"Macintosh */PRMD=MOT/ADMD=MOT/C=US/"@MHS> from "[e-mail]" at Jan 12, 94 02:30:41 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 2992

>
>
> Good afternoon all;
>
> I am getting setup for QRP ( I have one of the NorCal 40 kits on order) and I am
> looking into power options.  I was wondering how much batter folks generally
> take along.

Pancake batter does not last too long...I'd say 3 cups per person per day.

>  I have various sizes of gel cells, but I like my little 2AH 12
> cells.  I was tinking about one or two of them and a wall,solar charger system I
> am designing.  Anybody got some input?
>

1st...solarcells:  put a  1N4001 diode and a 10 ohm resistor in series with
the solar cell bank, to protect them in case the sun lite gets dim or out,
and the battery is still connected...else you can damage the cells....and
run the battery down.

Makes charging like it should be: care-free and automatic (enough, for your
application)

Lets assume the rig draws 100ma avg on receive.
Lets assume 8 hr a day of use
Lets assume you spend 3 hours ACTUALLY transmitting ( key tapped down, total
accumulated time)

JUST receiving, you will run the batterys out in 20 hours (omitting any
charge-up)
Transmitting...assume rig pulls 750ma...total send time will be...about 2 1/2
hours....or....sending/receiving, you might just make it for one 8 hour stretch.

Now add the solar charger.

EXPECT to only get 4 hours of USFUL charge per day ( clouds, overcast, and
shadows cast by trees due to less than optimum placement of solar panel)

A  2AH battery ---if you want it to live a long time---should not be charged
heavier than 200ma for 15 hours.
400ma for 7.5-8 hours would be as heavy as I would want to recharge them.

How much amperage does your solar panel put out?

Lets say it does 500ma, just to figure all this roughly.

Thats .5 amps for 4 real hour...2 amp hours ( tranlates to 1.5 amp charge-hours
due to batterys being a bit 'wasteful')

Your solar panel will only help to slow down the total run out of the battery
thus extend your running time some.

No..a bigger solar panel can't be used or you may hurt the battery...but, if
you keep battery as a back up, and wire a big solar panel to 'charge' a large
bank of capacitors ( enough to make 1,000,000 uf or more @ 15 vdc rating)
then you could run direct off THAT......capacitors act as your current
reserve, for when you transmit...and gets you thru any short duration
cloud-pass overs.
You'd keep the battery for when the sun isn't brite enough to do the job.

So...now you have 2 ways to go, and have a rough idea how long you can go.

====
Last nite, around 3-5 am, on 3700kc, I heard broadcast station Doitch Vella
(the German one with the chimes-ID) fluttering in and out.

NO...was not IMD nor Image...they were THERE!.....lasted about 1 hour and
they faded out, slowly.


--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 18:15:58 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (1.36.108.7/15.5+IOS 3.13) id AA26198; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 15:15:53 -0800
    (1.36.108.7/15.5+IOS 3.20+cup+OMrelay) id AA02642; Wed, 12 Jan 1994 15:08:27 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Power For QRP
To: [e-mail] (Randy) (Randy)
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 94 15:08:26 PST
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>; from "Randy" at Jan 12, 94 5:23 pm
From: [e-mail] (Bob Headrick)
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Bob Headrick)
Mailer: Elm [revision: 66.25]

>
> Lets assume the rig draws 100ma avg on receive.
> Lets assume 8 hr a day of use
> Lets assume you spend 3 hours ACTUALLY transmitting ( key tapped down, total
> accumulated time)
>
> JUST receiving, you will run the batterys out in 20 hours (omitting any
> charge-up)
> Transmitting...assume rig pulls 750ma...total send time will be...about 2 1/2
> hours....or....sending/receiving, you might just make it for one 8 hour stretch.
>

The NorCAL radio is about 15mA in receive, 2-300mA in transmit.  Batteries
last a *long* time.  I use 8 AA rechargable alkalines that fit nicely
inside the case - but would be a little hard to charge with the solar
setup.  A 2AH gel cell would probably last a week of normal operating,
even if you forget to turn it off. .

Bob Headrick WA7OVU
[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 20:55:48 1994
Return-Path: <wa8tzg.mi.org![e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0pKGzz-0001oNC; Wed, 12 Jan 94 20:37 EST
    id A9559KB Tue Jan 11 22:06:59 1994
X-Mailer: *Cinetic Mail Manager V2.1
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 11 Jan 1994 22:06:58 EST
From: [e-mail] (Bill Meahan)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: W9GR Source Code

If the source code is available, where might one find it?
--
Bill Meahan WA8TZG
[e-mail]
Hey, this is my OWN computer!  I can say what I want!
        cat: a purr bearing mammal

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 21:39:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pKHvT-0001TuC; Wed, 12 Jan 94 21:36 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Improved power supply
To: [e-mail] ((mail net) (boatanchor net)),
        [e-mail] (qrp @think.com), [e-mail] (Pete at Myth),
        [e-mail] (aka (phil cook)),
        [e-mail] (michael nagorski)
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 21:36:46 -0500 (EST)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 2536

Finding a need for regulated 100vdc, I added a zener diode to the '150volt'
power supply I posted some time ago.

The extra diode is to prevent any voltages (like form a charged cap or a
mis-wired, experimental somthing) from getting back to the zener.

This also uses the full current capability of the transformer

FRS Transformer is # 115-2045 pg 12 WS-93 cat
    Choke, 8HY  is # L3/SG15  pg 14 WS-93
    Caps are on page 11                      sorry for forgetting this before


Power supply for small tube ckts    150vdc 100ma, 100v 40ma reg   &  6.3vac 6a.

                        100v 40ma
  +    150v B     -          +     6vac
  o               o          o    o   o
  |        a  k   |          |    |   |
  +-/\/\/--->[----+          |    |   |
  | 15k    led    |          |    |   |        Caps, choke and Xformer and 4x
  | 2 watt        |          |    |   |         1N4007 diodes all from F.R.S.
  |               |          |    |   |
  +-----)(--------+          |    |   |        diodes to make bridge ckt, with
  |    + 360uf    |          |    |   |         .oo2 1kv cap paralell to each
II(     250vdc ea.|          |    |   |         diode for anti RF buzz.
II( 8hy           |          |    |   |
II( 110ma         |          |    |   |              +----)(----+
  |               |  1n4007 _|_+  |   |         o----|          |-----o
  +-----)(--------+          A    |   |              +----->|---+
  |    + 360uf    |  1K 10w  |    |   |                      +
  +---------------)---/\/\/\-+    |   |
  |               |         _|_/  |   |
  |      o--------)------+ / A    |   | <--- 100v 10w zener NTE 5220A
  |     / \       |      |   |    |   |       stud type, mtd on chassie
  +--o/+   -\o----+      |  ###   |   |
      \     /            |        |   |
        \ /   1kv bridge |        |   |
         o      &        < 50     |   |
         |    .002ufs    > ohm    |   |
         |               <10 W    |   |
         |    115vac .2a |        |6.3|
         +uuuuuuuuuuuuuuu+        +uuu+
         ==============================            __
                  +mmmmmmmmmmm+-------------------/ |=
                  |                 on off       (  |
                  +-------------------o/ o--------\_l=  117vac




--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 12 22:01:04 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pKIGE-0001TxC; Wed, 12 Jan 94 21:58 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Strange signal heard
To: [e-mail] ((mail net) (boatanchor net)),
        [e-mail] (qrp @think.com), [e-mail] (Pete at Myth),
        [e-mail] (michael nagorski),
        [e-mail] (aka (phil cook))
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 21:58:14 -0500 (EST)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 1537


 Strange thing heard !

Jan 11th '93   around 3-5 AM

 A friend and I were juggling parts-to-order, against how much we might eat
the next week, and I had the Receiver on, 3699kc.
 As our discussion went on, I noticed a carrier that was awfully long for a
tune-up, and so I listened a bit more closely.
 Then, the very recognisable chimes I.D. of the German station, Deutch-a-vella
(that is what it sounds like) came on.
 Whoa! What is this??? Can this be?
I switched to A.M. and centered in on freq...they being ON 3700kc... and
listened.
 No mistake...being a casual (not a memberof any SW clubs) SWL, I recognised
the station as being them.
 S reading was only 7-9 and very fluttery.

What got me, was to be able to hear --- apparently Germany--- all the way to
here ( Connecticut,USA ) on 80 meters.

On 40 mtrs, I'd expect it! ( I'd curse it!! )...but way down on 80?

Then it occured to both of us:   Hey! Just what are they doing down ON 80m
anyway???
If anywhere, they might be on 3980kc or 3200kc region....and very faint at that.

So, we pondered over that, while they slowly fluttered to below
the noise-of-the-air ( being around S 7).

Being quite occupied with our catalogs and 'how will we eat next week' I didn't
note the time...but it was near 4 AM.


--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 13 05:15:16 1994
Return-Path: <nshore!seastar![e-mail]>
    id AA10284; Thu, 13 Jan 94 05:15:11 -0500 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for [e-mail])
    id m0pKOtF-0001T5C; Thu, 13 Jan 94 05:02 EST
    id m0pK7Ld-0000q2C; Wed, 12 Jan 94 09:19 CST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed Jan 12 09:19:05 1994

Newsgroups: qrp
Path: jjw
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Subject: Re: QST Articles
Reply-To: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Organization: Welch Research.
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 15:19:01 GMT
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Followup-To: qrp
References: <4955@jek>
Lines: 41

As quoted from <4955@jek> by seastar!nshore!usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu!arrl.org!jkearman (Jim Kearman):

> The limited amount of money (ham radio isn't quite as big
> a market as, say, VCRs) these authors make selling programmed
> parts is fair compensation for building, debugging and
> WRITING ABOUT a project. I know a ton of hams who are doing
> really neat stuff. Some of them even complain about what
> others are publishing in QST, saying it isn't up to date.
> When you corner these people and send them Author's Guides,
> though, they disappear into the basement.

    Uh, I've seen the Author's Guides, and heard a few horror
stories from old-timers.  From what I read, the ARRL *OWNS OUTRIGHT
ALL RIGHTS* to *ANYTHING* sent to them.  If I send them all the parts
to my gizmo, I forfeit all the work I've done.  If there's ever any
profit to be made from my device, the ARRL gets it all.

    Wrong-o there, folks!  I have a rather BIG problem about this
policy, as I'm almost finished with a complete microcontroller run DDS
CW/SSB general-coverage receiver.  I would LIKE to publish it, source
code included, and still own the copyrights to the code.  Note that I
have NO problem about anybody else burning ROMS and so forth provided
they ask me (it's an ego thing, I like to know how many people are
using stuff I've done).  I've gotten disgusted with the treatment the
authors get from 73 magazine, and I don't like the ARRL's policy
either.  Been sorely tempted to release everything with a GNU-ish sort
of license, requiring no $$$ be charged above cost & shipping while
still requiring it carries my name.

    BTW, the EPROM controller for the TW-1 DDS rig that was
originally supposed to be published in the Nov 93 issue of 73 probably
will not be printed till at least April (and yes I did send them
source code and .BIN files for the EPROMs).  For a 5 page article,
schematics, parts list, double-sided PCB artwork, several B/W photos
and source code with .BIN files, I will get less than $150 *when they
publish it*, whenever that is.  Building the first 2 prototypes cost
me more than that (grumble grumble).  But at least it's improving - I
lost a lot more $$$ on the first article from fed-ex charges 1/2 ;-)

--
John Welch, N9JZW


From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 13 09:14:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 94 09:01 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Century 21


QRPers
I rebuilt the PTO (VFO) on my Century 21 rig but there is
some backlash when tuning.
The frequency will not stay where it is set, but wants to
change (return) slightly.

Any ideas ?

W1AW/QRP... Please listen for the QRP Club of New England
(QRP-NE) Sunday from approx. ~ 1800Z to 2000Z
on the usual QRP CW freqs, from Newington CT,
ARRL Hdq, using the call W1AW/QRP.



  73/72   Jim Fitton, W1FMR   QRP-NE   [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 13 09:30:35 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA13693; Thu, 13 Jan 94 09:30:30 -0500
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 94 09:30:30 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Duane P Mantick)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Power For QRP
Cc: [e-mail]

" I heard broadcast station Doitch Vella"
                            ^^^^^^^^^^^^

Uh, that's Deutsche Welle, if my memory of taking german in high
school serves me correctly.  Also printed something like that in most of the
SWL books.....

Duane

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 13 09:47:13 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA26781 for [e-mail]; Thu, 13 Jan 94 09:47:22 -0500
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0pKTIm-000B8BC; Thu, 13 Jan 94 09:45 EST
    id AA12500 ; Thu, 13 Jan 94 09:38:16 GMT
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 94 14:41:46 GMT
Message-Id: <5531@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: NE QRP Club Meeting

Well, here it is Thursday, but it's gonna be cold Sunday,
so you won't want to be outside anyway. If you can make
it to Newington, CT Sunday, come to the Northeast QRP Club
meeting, 10 AM. Email for directions.

We'll have W1AW/QRP on the air around 1830 UTC, usual CW
frequencies.

72/73

Jim, KR1S



From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 13 10:28:50 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA12173; Thu, 13 Jan 1994 10:26:08 -0500
    id AA22818; Thu, 13 Jan 94 10:26:18 EST
    id AA19080; Thu, 13 Jan 94 10:26:10 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] (Randy)
Cc: [e-mail] ((mail net) (boatanchor net)),
        [e-mail] (qrp @think.com), [e-mail] (Pete at Myth),
        [e-mail] (michael nagorski),
        [e-mail] (aka (phil cook)), [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Strange signal heard
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 12 Jan 94 21:58:14 EST."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 94 10:26:09 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>

> Deutch-a-vella

Having seen two tries at spelling this on QRP recently, for your amusement:
Deutsche Welle (German (short)wave).
John, WB7EEL (still haven't quite forgotten all of high school German...)

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 13 17:16:35 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17593; Thu, 13 Jan 94 14:16:19 PST
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 94 14:16:19 PST
From: [e-mail] (Randy Cole)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Pair of HW-8s for sale
Cc: [e-mail]

QRPers:

I have two HW-8s which I bought about a year ago.  Despite
the best of intentions, I haven't really done anything with
either one.  I'd like to sell them both, and I'd prefer to
sell them as a package.  However, I'll at least consider
reasonable offers for just one.  This is what I've got:

  1. A non-working HW-8.  I bought it in that condition, and
     the only thing I've done with it is hook it to an
     antenna and tune around.  I heard a couple of strong
     stations on 40 meters but that was about it.  I didn't
     try to transmit.  The construction looks good and the
     case is in average or better condition (scratches but
     no dings or chips).

  2. An HW-8 that was assembled but never aligned or tested.
     I haven't powered this one up.  The construction also
     looks good, but the builder drilled a bunch of holes
     for a speaker in a squarish pattern in the top shell of
     the case.  The result looks a bit messy.

I have one original manual and one copied manual.

I'd prefer to sell them both as a package, as-is, for a
total of $175 plus shipping.  This is exactly what I have
invested in the pair, so the price is firm.

73,

Randy Cole
KN6W
[e-mail]
310/450-9111 x2628 days
213/939-9847 eves

From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 14 12:02:20 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Fri, 14 Jan 1994 11:04:29 CST
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 1994 11:04:29 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: project cases
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
X-Vms-Cc: JMG
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

Howdi,

I have been thinking about QRP cases.. they seem real expensive... I
think they were about $10. Today in the computer center at work I was
kidding with our operations manager about the little metal boxes that
are used for AB switches.. either the serial or parallel.. they are
about perfect size for a lot of the QRP kits and projects I have come
across.. He informed me the whole switch box was purchased for $3.85.
The case seems more heavy duty than the kits I have built.. and figured
you might be able to use the switch itself for something and just
through a coat of paint on the outside of the box.

72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 14 19:57:36 1994
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #5) id m0pKzIA-0001TpC; Fri, 14 Jan 94 19:55 EST
Return-Path: <MAILER-DAEMON>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #5) id m0pKyki-0000ZCC; Fri, 14 Jan 94 19:20 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 94 19:20 EST
From: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: mail failed, returning to sender
Reference: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]

|------------------------- Failed addresses follow: ---------------------|
 [e-mail] ... transport smtp: connect: Error 125
|------------------------- Message text follows: ------------------------|
    id m0pKFg4-0001TpC; Wed, 12 Jan 94 19:12 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: randy (Randy)
Subject: Re: Power For QRP
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 12 Jan 1994 19:12:44 -0500 (EST)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Bob Headrick" at Jan 12, 94 03:08:26 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 1073

>
> The NorCAL radio is about 15mA in receive, 2-300mA in transmit.  Batteries
> last a *long* time.  I use 8 AA rechargable alkalines that fit nicely
> inside the case - but would be a little hard to charge with the solar
> setup.  A 2AH gel cell would probably last a week of normal operating,
> even if you forget to turn it off. .
>
OH my!  15ma  for rx?   oh! Thats a LOT different then!   and 200-300ma TX
ah...then Norcal is in the 2 watt region...( I assumed maybe 4.5 watts)

Speaking of QRP..just 3 min ago, on 3699kc, I was hailed by a QRP out of
Florida...X ruff copy, and he was using a keyer and kept flubbing things
with it...but it looks like KC4GKY (somthing...maybe /AA or some such)
so got to this machine to do a call search on him...and here you were!

I'm in Connecticut, by the way.
--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!


From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 14 21:15:38 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pL0Vh-0000ZCC; Fri, 14 Jan 94 21:13 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: no subject (file transmission)
To: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
Date: Fri, 14 Jan 1994 21:13:09 -0500 (EST)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 925

Twice, this has failed, including sending TO the qrp net...so. 1 more
try, and if it fails...this guy is gone.
>
> The NorCAL radio is about 15mA in receive, 2-300mA in transmit.  Batteries
> last a *long* time.  I use 8 AA rechargable alkalines that fit nicely
> inside the case - but would be a little hard to charge with the solar
> setup.  A 2AH gel cell would probably last a week of normal operating,
> even if you forget to turn it off. .
>
OH my!  15ma  for rx?   oh! Thats a LOT different then!   and 200-300ma TX
ah...then Norcal is in the 2 watt region...( I assumed maybe 4.5 watts)

Speaking of QRP..just 3 min ago, on 3699kc, I was hailed by a QRP out of
Florida...X ruff copy, and he was using a keyer and kept flubbing things
with it...but it looks like KC4GKY (somthing...maybe /AA or some such)
so got to this machine to do a call search on him...and here you were!

I'm in Connecticut, by the way.
--



From [e-mail]  Sat Jan 15 04:45:55 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 94 09:38:15 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Dick Pascoe)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: HI & HH Vacation
X-Mailer: PCElm 1.07 DIS
Lines: 10

Hi all,
I am visiting Dom Republic (HI) and hopefully Haiti (HH) too
from May 11th - 26th, Hoping to get licence and take HW8 or
Argo 515 or similar. Plan to be active QRP CW on normal frequ,
Any offers of ideas, suggestions welcomed as this is first
visit to Carribean. All comments welcome.
Any ARCI / GQRP members on the island?
72 de Dick.
--
Richard Pascoe

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan 15 13:27:02 1994
Return-Path: <wa8tzg.mi.org![e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0pLFPx-0001pcC; Sat, 15 Jan 94 13:08 EST
    id A3878fF Sat Jan 15 13:10:52 1994
X-Mailer: *Cinetic Mail Manager V2.1
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 13:10:51 EST
From: [e-mail] (Bill Meahan)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: What's a NorCAL?

I've seen several references in the last few days to NorCAL rigs.  I've
never heard of them before (but that doesn't mean much :-) ) so I'd like
the usual basic information:
What are the specs?
Who makes them?  Kit?
How much do they cost?
Do they cover 30 Meters or just 40?
Where can I get more info?
Where can I buy one if I decide to?
--
Bill Meahan WA8TZG
[e-mail]
Hey, this is my OWN computer!  I can say what I want!
        cat: a purr bearing mammal

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan 15 18:04:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pLJze-0001UyC; Sat, 15 Jan 94 18:01 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Mini-tube TX ( 6AU8 )
To: [e-mail] ((mail net) (boatanchor net)),
        [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 18:01:21 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (aka (phil cook)), [e-mail] (Pete at Myth),
        [e-mail] (michael nagorski)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 6601

ANOTHER XMIT!  ( will go with 6GH8 RX set and 150V power supply)



     6AU8 ( 6AW8 6BA8 etc, 9DX based tubes) Transmitter    up to 700mw

                               :
            3 +----+--)(--+    :     9 +-----------+----+
             _|_   | .01  |    :      _|_          |    |
   +---+-----...   )      |C101:    7 ...------+  _|_   )
  _|_  |  2  ---   )      +--)(--+----...  8   |  ___.o1) L2
  [ ]  <    1|     )L1    |    : |    ---      |   |    )
   |X1 >100k |     )    \_|_C1 : <   6|        | \_|_C2 ) +----------o out
  ###  <     |     |     ---   : >56k +-)(-+-)(+  ---   ) ( L3
       |   c o     |-)(---| \  : <    |.o1 |.o1|   | \  ) (
      ###    J  o  |.01  ###   : |    <   ###  |  ###   | +-----+
          S1 o  |b |           :###   > 100    |        |       |
            a| ### |           :      < ohms   |        |      ###
  o----------+-----)------------------+        |        |
key          |     |           :               |        |
  o---+---)(-+     +---------------------------+-/\/\/\-+---o 150v 40ma
      | .o1                    :       /       | 2200 2 |   +
     ###        /\ fil         :  +-->|--------+ 2 watts|           o -
              4|  |5           :  |  / 100v            _|_.o1uf     |
               o  o            : ###  10 w zener       ___         ###
             6.3v .7a          |                        |
                              ###shield                ###


pf = uuf = mmf     all caps => 250v
                                    Resistors 1/4 w unless specified & any %
.o1 = 103

C101  22 - 100pf...use smallest value that gives max out put...will need
                   to be 22pf for 3rd Over-tone xtals/ freqs 14mc and up


C1=C2= 50 uuf min (at max mesh) but not over 400uuf
                                200-400 uuf jobs good for 160-80-40 mtrs only

I used 55uuf ones from Fair Radio Sales....screw-driver adj.


L1=L2= (can be Digikey coils)

     C= half mesh value of C1 C2
     F= Mid band freq, Mc's                25330
                                      ---------------- =   UH
                                         (F x F) x C
     round off to nearest std value
     that Digikey has.

L3 ... aprox 6:1 ratio, turns...experimental try n see may be needed

Note...on higher bands, osc may chirp so, use S1 to keep osc on & just key
       the final.

S1
       [ o o o ]
        a  c  b    can be toggle or slide-switch

S2  ( not shown)  DPDT...to switch ANT from RX to TX   and switch B+ to
    transmitter if desired...or cross wire it to put dummy load where ant
      is not...  ( pair of 100 ohm 1 watt in paralell)

    _____________
    |           |
    <         o o o---- TX
    > 50       \ /               I favour this method for T/R on QRP
    <          / \
    |         o o o---- RX
   ###          |
                +----ant




Zener..In my model , I used a VR-105, later tried a stack of 9 volt 1 watt
       zeners ( by passed with .01uf 250v).
       Cost of all those 9's is close same as a sud-mtd 10watt 100v.


If using the 'improved 150v supply'  you can omit 2200 ohm and zener, and
run a 2nd B+ wire, to the 100v...of which it can be the switched one for T/R
if you choose to switch the B+...( keep B+ ON, on the RX set tho).

The reason for being vague about C1 C2 is that everyone has their own
sources for caps... so for me to rock-solid-specify a uuf, may make it
impossible for some to build this.

For those who have caps or get caps of 2 different values, just calculate
the uh for each.....need NOT have to have both caps same.
...but put the smaller value cap on the oscillator (triode ) part.

This is NOT a wood base set!  A 7" chassie (aluminum) is best, but those
wanting to build small, can squeeze it all in to a 5 x 3 Radio Snack box.

Pentode section of this rig may try to self osc...so have L1 and L2 mtd
on 90 deg. angle to each other....or as I did, put a cross-socket shield
so it passes between pins 1 & 9  and OK if it grounds pin 4 or 5...unless
same supply runs Receiver, and you want fil. line to be balanced.
( then slip sleeving over 4 & 5 to prevent shortage)

The central pin that many 9 pin sockets have can be used as solder-on-support
for the shield....cut a slot in the shield so it fits up in there.

The shield is to be cut carfully so it snug-fits the socket and has 'feet'
with holes to allow # 4-40 nuts/bolts fastening to the chassie.
I used a metal coffee can lid for this....cut to fit, using sissors!
( I got a cheap pair for $3.00 at Walgreens)

 Magnified view of cross-socket- shield:         U cut to fit

      -------------------------------------------------------
      |                                                     |
      |                                                     |
      |                                                     |
      |                                                     |
      | O hole                                              |
      |                                                     |
      | O hole        () hole                               |
      |                        __                           |
      | O hole                |  | slot for ctr pin         |
      |                       |  |                          |
      |                _______|  |________                  |
      |              _|                   |_                |
      ===============                       =================
      footy ^hole         socket here              ^ hole   footy


Left & Right edges should contact the sides of chassie...using a bent L
like shape on the edges, to clear the installation of the cover if a
5 x 3 "   box   ( cover is U shaped )

O Holes allow wires to get thru for key-line, B+ and Filament

() hole is for passing the grid-side of C101 thru

C1 to be on triode side of shield, C2 to be on pentode side.

This ckt I made in 1989 to try for 10 mtr CW, but not having the right
crystal at that time, the ckt was relegated to just testing.
It lit up a #47 bulb about  3/4  full brite....which is about 700mw.



By the way, I use this trick for RF and IF amps too....even tho tube is
a single pentode.

To make this readable in one evening..not take all week, I'll stop here,
and any one needing details,including plans for the power supply, Email me.
--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

From [e-mail]  Sat Jan 15 20:20:05 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21160; Sat, 15 Jan 94 15:20:00 HST
    id AA17928; Sat, 15 Jan 94 15:20:00 HST
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 94 15:19:59 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: PROJECT 13: ANOTHER 80M TRANSMITTER
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Gang,
   Randy and I must be on the same wavelength today... Please look over
the following circuit and try to give me the actual inductances for
L1 and L2 so I don't have to BUY two B&W coil forms; specifically,
L1 and the 250pf cap are in parallel, but what about the 75pf variable
and the .001uF caps? I could determine L1 if just the 250pf cap was
used to determine resonance, but the other two caps must effect the
resosance, also. Same with L2: it's in series with the 100pf and
250pf caps (which themselves are in parallel so we'll say L2 is in
series with a 350pf cap) but what about the .002uf and .001uf caps?
Must they be figured in to determine the proper inductance of L2?

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Gang,
   Here's another 80M xmtr; this one's supposed to be capable of 1-2 watts.
I got this out of a book called ``1000 Transistor Circuits'' or something
like that.
                                      ----250pF-----
                                      |             |
                              GND-----*---100pF/V---*
                                                    |
                                                    ) L2
                                                    )
                                                    )----.002uF----*---ANT
------XTAL----*----*----75pF/V-------*---B-C---*----)              |
|             |    |                 |    E    |    )              |
|             |    )                 |    |    |    |           5Kohm
|          250pF   )                 |   GND   |    |              |
|             |    )                 |         |    *--.001uF--    |
*---B-C-------|----)                 *---B-C----    |         |    |
|    E        |    ) L1              |    E         |         |    *----
|    |        |    |                 |    |         |        GND   |   |
82K  |        -----*---.001uF---     |   GND        |              |   |
ohm  |             |           |    RFC             |            5Kohm |
|    *--KEY--GND   |          GND    |              |              |  1N34
|    |             |                GND             |              |  diode
|  .001uF          |                                |             GND  |
|    |             |                                |                  |
|   GND            |                                |              ----*
|                  |                                |              |   |
-------------------*----------------*---------------*---+12VDC   .001  +
                                    |                             uF  0-1
                                   2uF                             |   mA
                                   50V                            GND  |
                                    |                                 GND
                                   GND

The 3 transistors are 2N2270. Two capacitors show: /V - means variable.
L1 is 30 turns on a B&W #3012 coil form, with a tap 10 turns from bottom.
L2 is 18 turns on a B&W #3015 coil form, tapped 3 and 7 turns from bottom.
Only numerical values were given for the capacitors so I've interpreted
this as ``whole number values are in pF and decimal values are in uF'',
except the 2uF 50V cap - that was specified.
The 1N34 diode's symbol should be oriented:  \  /
                                              \/
                                           --------
                                              |
                                           to meter

Now yank that 3579 kHz crystal out of your color TV set and have fun!

Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan 16 10:46:21 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA04138; Sun, 16 Jan 94 07:46:16 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA19876; Sun, 16 Jan 94 09:46:13 -0600
    for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA26943; Sun, 16 Jan 94 09:46:12 -0600
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 94 09:46:12 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: W5HKA <sk>


Luke Dodds, W5HKA, passed away Saturday, January 16th at 0700UCT in Grapevine, TX
Luke had a heart attack on Monday Jan 10th.

Luke was Secretary/Treasurer of the QRP ARCI club for a number of years and had
just given up the position in Dec.  He was also active in the G-QRP and OK QRP
clubs in Europe, serving as the US membership coordinator.

I'm sure that he will be missed by many and was a friend to all who met him.

I will post to the group any other notices and information as it becomes available.

Services will be held Monday, Jan 17th in Grapevine at the Faust Funeral Home on
Main St.

Chuck Adams
[e-mail]




From [e-mail]  Sun Jan 16 16:35:47 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: 16 Jan 1994 13:34:35 -0800
From: "CPQM Admin" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mini-tube TX ( 6AU8 )
To: "(mail net) (boatanchor net)" <[e-mail]>,
        "qrp @think.com" <[e-mail]>
Cc: "aka (phil cook)" <[e-mail]>,
        "michael nagorski" <[e-mail]>,
        "Pete at Myth" <[e-mail]>

Mail*Link(r) SMTP               Mini-tube TX ( 6AU8 )
ANOTHER XMIT!  ( will go with 6GH8 RX set and 150V power supply)



     6AU8 ( 6AW8 6BA8 etc, 9DX based tubes) Transmitter    up to 700mw

                               :
            3 +----+--)(--+    :     9 +-----------+----+
             _|_   | .01  |    :      _|_          |    |
   +---+-----...   )      |C101:    7 ...------+  _|_   )
  _|_  |  2  ---   )      +--)(--+----...  8   |  ___.o1) L2
  [ ]  <    1|     )L1    |    : |    ---      |   |    )
   |X1 >100k |     )    \_|_C1 : <   6|        | \_|_C2 ) +----------o out
  ###  <     |     |     ---   : >56k +-)(-+-)(+  ---   ) ( L3
       |   c o     |-)(---| \  : <    |.o1 |.o1|   | \  ) (
      ###    J  o  |.01  ###   : |    <   ###  |  ###   | +-----+
          S1 o  |b |           :###   > 100    |        |       |
            a| ### |           :      < ohms   |        |      ###
  o----------+-----)------------------+        |        |
key          |     |           :               |        |
  o---+---)(-+     +---------------------------+-/\/\/\-+---o 150v 40ma
      | .o1                    :       /       | 2200 2 |   +
     ###        /\ fil         :  +-->|--------+ 2 watts|           o -
              4|  |5           :  |  / 100v            _|_.o1uf     |
               o  o            : ###  10 w zener       ___         ###
             6.3v .7a          |                        |
                              ###shield                ###


pf = uuf = mmf     all caps => 250v
                                    Resistors 1/4 w unless specified & any %
.o1 = 103

C101  22 - 100pf...use smallest value that gives max out put...will need
                   to be 22pf for 3rd Over-tone xtals/ freqs 14mc and up


C1=C2= 50 uuf min (at max mesh) but not over 400uuf
                                200-400 uuf jobs good for 160-80-40 mtrs only

I used 55uuf ones from Fair Radio Sales....screw-driver adj.


L1=L2= (can be Digikey coils)

     C= half mesh value of C1 C2
     F= Mid band freq, Mc's                25330
                                      ---------------- =   UH
                                         (F x F) x C
     round off to nearest std value
     that Digikey has.

L3 ... aprox 6:1 ratio, turns...experimental try n see may be needed

Note...on higher bands, osc may chirp so, use S1 to keep osc on & just key
       the final.

S1
       [ o o o ]
        a  c  b    can be toggle or slide-switch

S2  ( not shown)  DPDT...to switch ANT from RX to TX   and switch B+ to
    transmitter if desired...or cross wire it to put dummy load where ant
      is not...  ( pair of 100 ohm 1 watt in paralell)

    _____________
    |           |
    <         o o o---- TX
    > 50       \ /               I favour this method for T/R on QRP
    <          / \
    |         o o o---- RX
   ###          |
                +----ant




Zener..In my model , I used a VR-105, later tried a stack of 9 volt 1 watt
       zeners ( by passed with .01uf 250v).
       Cost of all those 9's is close same as a sud-mtd 10watt 100v.


If using the 'improved 150v supply'  you can omit 2200 ohm and zener, and
run a 2nd B+ wire, to the 100v...of which it can be the switched one for T/R
if you choose to switch the B+...( keep B+ ON, on the RX set tho).

The reason for being vague about C1 C2 is that everyone has their own
sources for caps... so for me to rock-solid-specify a uuf, may make it
impossible for some to build this.

For those who have caps or get caps of 2 different values, just calculate
the uh for each.....need NOT have to have both caps same.
...but put the smaller value cap on the oscillator (triode ) part.

This is NOT a wood base set!  A 7" chassie (aluminum) is best, but those
wanting to build small, can squeeze it all in to a 5 x 3 Radio Snack box.

Pentode section of this rig may try to self osc...so have L1 and L2 mtd
on 90 deg. angle to each other....or as I did, put a cross-socket shield
so it passes between pins 1 & 9  and OK if it grounds pin 4 or 5...unless
same supply runs Receiver, and you want fil. line to be balanced.
( then slip sleeving over 4 & 5 to prevent shortage)

The central pin that many 9 pin sockets have can be used as solder-on-support
for the shield....cut a slot in the shield so it fits up in there.

The shield is to be cut carfully so it snug-fits the socket and has 'feet'
with holes to allow # 4-40 nuts/bolts fastening to the chassie.
I used a metal coffee can lid for this....cut to fit, using sissors!
( I got a cheap pair for $3.00 at Walgreens)

 Magnified view of cross-socket- shield:         U cut to fit

      -------------------------------------------------------
      |                                                     |
      |                                                     |
      |                                                     |
      |                                                     |
      | O hole                                              |
      |                                                     |
      | O hole        () hole                               |
      |                        __                           |
      | O hole                |  | slot for ctr pin         |
      |                       |  |                          |
      |                _______|  |________                  |
      |              _|                   |_                |
      ===============                       =================
      footy ^hole         socket here              ^ hole   footy


Left & Right edges should contact the sides of chassie...using a bent L
like shape on the edges, to clear the installation of the cover if a
5 x 3 "   box   ( cover is U shaped )

O Holes allow wires to get thru for key-line, B+ and Filament

() hole is for passing the grid-side of C101 thru

C1 to be on triode side of shield, C2 to be on pentode side.

This ckt I made in 1989 to try for 10 mtr CW, but not having the right
crystal at that time, the ckt was relegated to just testing.
It lit up a #47 bulb about  3/4  full brite....which is about 700mw.



By the way, I use this trick for RF and IF amps too....even tho tube is
a single pentode.

To make this readable in one evening..not take all week, I'll stop here,
and any one needing details,including plans for the power supply, Email me.
--
Randy KA1UNW              If you get a shock while
                         servicing  your  equipment,         "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200             DON'T  JUMP!                     -Pete Keyes
                     You might break an expensive tube!

------------------ RFC822 Header Follows ------------------
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
18:04:02 EST
    id m0pLJze-0001UyC; Sat, 15 Jan 94 18:01 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: Mini-tube TX ( 6AU8 )
To: [e-mail] ((mail net) (boatanchor net)),
        [e-mail] (qrp @think.com)
Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 18:01:21 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (aka (phil cook)), [e-mail] (Pete at Myth),
        [e-mail] (michael nagorski)
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 6601





From [e-mail]  Sun Jan 16 18:01:13 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29663; Sun, 16 Jan 94 15:00:09 PST
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 94 15:00:09 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Dayton ARCI Rooms

If you are interested in staying with the ARCI group at Dayton, here is the
info.  We will be staying at the Day's Inn South, which is actually in
Miamisburg, where they make Drake gear, and is 25 miles from the Convention.

The person in charge of the ARCI rooms is Myron Koyle, of Canton, Ohio.  To
reserver a room, you need to send him a check for $70 made out to Day's Inn
South, and tell him how many nights you want the room.  The room will cost
$70, and they don't care how many you put in the room.  Give Myron a call
at 216-477-5717 for his address and the availability of rooms.  I just got
off the phone (Sunday at 3:00 PM, PST) and he has rooms left.  Please don't
send me email with questions, because I have just told you all that I know.
See you in Dayton!!!
72,



















Doug, KI6DS

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan 16 18:20:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29681; Sun, 16 Jan 94 15:19:19 PST
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 94 15:19:19 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRPp Back Issues Available

I have been asked by many of our subscribers to make the back issues of
QRPp, the Journal of the Northern California QRP Club, available.  I have
made copies of the back issues, but there is good news
and bad news.  The good news is that they are available, the bad is that they
are expensive in small quantities.  I have decided to copy and bind all of
the first three issues of Volume I into one book.  It has original quality
copies of Issue #1, #2, & #3 bound with a plastic finger binder and with
a heavy card stock front and back cover.  It is the same exact binding as
the reprints that I do of QRP Quarterly, only in the 5.5 x 8.5" format.

Please do not ask for individual issues, they are not available.  The bound,
complete 3 issue set is available for $10, postpaid.  If you want a copy,
send me $10 with your name and address.  Make checks and money orders out
to me.  I know that some of you are going to say, "Why are the back issues
more than the originals?"  The answer is that when you do printing in small
quantities you have to pay much more, and also, these are punched and bound
into the 1 book.  The book is 140 pages, with 32 pages in issue #1, 48 pages
in #2, and 60 pages in #3.

72, Doug, KI6DS, 862 Frank Ave., Dos Palos, CA 93620

For those of you wondering, QRPp is the Journal of the Northern California
QRP Club.  It is published quarterly in March, June, September and December.
There is no advertising, just QRP information and plenty of it.  If you are
interested in subscribing and becoming a member of NorCal, the cost is $5
per year.  Send subscriptions to Jim Cates, WA6GER, 3241 Eastwood Rd.,
Sacramento, CA 93620.  Foreign orders send $15 per year.  We have 260 members
as of Jan. 16, 1994.

72, Doug

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan 16 22:35:14 1994
Return-Path: <wa8tzg.mi.org![e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0pLkR4-0001pyC; Sun, 16 Jan 94 22:15 EST
    id A0948vq Sun Jan 16 21:21:39 1994
X-Mailer: *Cinetic Mail Manager V2.1
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 1994 21:21:38 EST
From: [e-mail] (Bill Meahan)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: QRPp Back Issues Available


>72, Doug, KI6DS, 862 Frank Ave., Dos Palos, CA 93620
>
>72, Doug
 ^^
Is this a QRP version of 73??  :-) :-)
--
Bill Meahan WA8TZG
[e-mail]
Hey, this is my OWN computer!  I can say what I want!
        cat: a purr bearing mammal

From [e-mail]  Sun Jan 16 23:43:12 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA23461; Sun, 16 Jan 1994 23:36:51 -0500
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 1994 23:36:51 -0500 (EST)
From: Robert Marlan <[e-mail]>
Subject: Norcal kit info
To: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I know its been here before,
but does anyone have the info (specs)
and information sheet (emailable) on the norcal?

Also, if I want to order from the second run
do you have the adress and phone of the right person.

Just finished in Oak Hills Research Spirit 40
report to follow soon!

thanks
bob
KA6NOC


From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 17 01:24:37 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA19587; Sun, 16 Jan 94 20:24:31 HST
    id AA17508; Sun, 16 Jan 94 20:24:28 HST
Date: Sun, 16 Jan 94 20:24:27 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: [[e-mail] (Wayne Burdick): NorCal 40: The Second Batch]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Gang,
   Since two requests came over the net for the NorCal 40 I thought, as
a public service, I'd run the info. Maybe this should be in a FAQ...

Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ)   
*************************************************************************
                ---------------

Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 14 Dec 1993 14:33:32 -0800
To: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: NorCal 40: The Second Batch
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]

The NorCal 40 is back!

Many of you--including NorCal club members--asked about the NorCal 40 AFTER
we had already sold all 100 of the kits.  Since the response was so
positive, we've decided to do another batch of 100.

The first batch of 100 taught us a lot about doing a big club project.
Some of us went through two sets of tires and wore out our welcome looking
for bargains at surplus stores, which was the only way to keep the cost low
enough to offer the kits for $75.  This time, we're going to keep our
social lives intact and buy almost all of the parts new, and consequently
the price is going up $14.  This is still a bargain when you consider that
the NorCal 40 is a complete superhet transceiver kit, with custom case, all
controls and connectors, a really clean silk-screened PC board, and a
complete assembly manual.  (If the NorCal 40 becomes a commercial kit, it
will sell for $100 to $120 depending on whether or not they use slave/child
labor!  We can sell it for less because we have a bunch of retired guys
doing the kitting who promised thier wives exotic vacations after this is
all over.)

If you're interested in a NorCal 40 kit, call Jim Cates at 1-916-487-3580
or write to him at 3241 Eastwood Road, Sacramento, CA  95821.  He'll let
you know if there are any left and reserve one for you, at which time you
should send him a check (in his name) for $89 plus $4 shipping/handling.

If you're not a NorCal Club member, you'll make Doug Hendricks an even
happier guy than he usually is by including another $5 to join up and
receive the next issue of the NorCal journal, QRPp.  Doug does a great job
on QRPp--the last one was around 60 pages!  You'll get plenty of QRP tips
including ideas for modifying the NorCal 40.  (Some club members have
modified thier NorCals to put out 5 watts and cover the whole 40-meter CW
band, notably Bob Warmke, W6CYX.)

Again, remember to make the check out to Jim Cates, NOT me and NOT NorCal.
Note:  This is a club project, and all surplus receipts, if any, will go
towards NorCal club activities and future projects.

If you missed the original description of the NorCal 40, here's a reprint.
Please forward this letter to others who aren't on Internet who might be
interested.


72/73,

Wayne Burdick, N6KR


                                   *  *  *


NorCal 40 Transceiver Description

The NorCal 40 is a compact 40-meter CW transceiver optimized for ease of
assembly and use.  It is particularly well suited to portable,
battery-powered operation, with very low receive-mode current drain.  To
make assembly as easy and trouble-free as possible, all components,
including the controls, connectors, and even the case parts are mounted on
a single printed circuit board.  There is virtually no chassis wiring.
Alignment is similarly easy, and can in many cases be done with no test
equipment, or with only a separate transceiver that covers the 40-meter CW
band.

The receiver is a superhet, providing good sensitivity, selectivity, and
freedom from 60-Hz hum pickup.  The 4-pole crystal filter offers clear
single-signal reception, and a simple differential JFET AGC circuit is used
to keep strong signals relatively constant.  An RF gain control is provided
to attenuate extremely loud signals.  The conversion scheme used results in
a stable, low-frequency VFO (variable-frequency oscillator), operating at
about 2 MHz.

Operating features include RIT (receive incremental tuning), solid-state
Transmit-Receive switching, transmit signal monitoring, and variable power
output up to about 2 watts.


Specifications

(Note:  Numeric values given are typical.)


General

Size:                            2.2" (H) x 4.6" (W) x 4.5" (D)
Power Requirements:              10 to 15VDC; reverse-polarity protection
Receive:                         15mA typ.
Transmit:                        200mA typ. at 2.0 watts output
Tuning Range:                    Any 35 to 40 kHz portion of 40 meters
VFO:                             2.085MHz at RF = 7.000MHz; 10 to 30 Hz drift
                                      from cold start after one hour

Transmitter

Output:                          500mW to 2.0W, adjustable
Final amp efficiency:            75%
Load Tolerance:                  brief operation into high SWR or open
Transmit offset:                 500-700 Hz
T-R (transmit-receive) delay:    200 milliseconds

Receiver

Sensitivity:                     Better than 0.5uV for 10dB S+N/N
Selectivity:                     400Hz @ -6dB, 1.5kHz @ -30dB
I.F.:                            4.915MHz, 4-pole Cohn crystal filter
R.I.T. Range:                    +/- 2kHz at center of VFO tuning range
Audio output impedance:          8 to 32O (headphones only)


Quirks and limitations:

- there isn't enough AF output to drive a speaker--just headphones;

- the AGC range is limited (JFETs go nonlinear at some point) and you have
to choose one of 3 supplied resistors during alignment;

- as with all NE602-based receiver designs, you *will* need the RF gain
control once in a while;

- the VFO tuning range is only about 40 kHz using the varactor diode
(presenting one of many opportunities for modification);

- there is a small "birdie" at 7.023 MHz can be easily subdued with a
series LC circuit on the back of the board, as explained in the manual
(parts supplied);

- there is no I.F. amp--not really needed on 40 meters--so modifying the
rig for 20 meters or above isn't a good idea.   30 meters should work fine;
replace all 6 of the 4.915MHz crystals in the rig with 8.000MHz crystals.
80-meter mod is even easier since you can use the same crystals.


The rig was designed by Wayne Burdick, N6KR.  Please send mail to
[e-mail] for design details.



From [e-mail]  Mon Jan 17 22:23:16 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    with ESMTP id WAA15586; Mon, 17 Jan 1994 22:23:05 -0500
From: Rodney Clayton <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 17 Jan 1994 22:23:05 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: QRPp Back Issues Available

Actually I was woundering how you got your own computer on internet.
Could you tell me how you go about that and what it costs?
Thank's Rod KA3BHY  [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 18 12:48:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 94 12:22 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP-NE Application


QRP-NEW ENGLAND

The membership/renewal application was ommitted from the
QRP-NE Newsletter "72" accidentaly.  Please find it encl.

Also, minutes of the 1/16 meeting of QRP-NE at ARRL HDQ to
follow soon.

Great to work so many QRP-NE members  from W1AW/qrp.

  73/72   Jim Fitton, W1FMR   QRP-NE   [e-mail]





                  QRP - NEW ENGLAND
               THE N.E. QRP AMATEUR RADIO CLUB

            APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP OR RENEWAL

Last Name: _________________________ First Name: _________________________

Call Sign: _________________________ Phone Number: _______________________

Street Address/P.O. Box: _________________________________________________

Town/City: _________________________ State: ______ Zip Code: _____________

License Class: _____________________ Age: ________________________________

Year First Licensed: _______________ Former Calls: _______________________

Please indicate whether you are also a member of these QRP organizations:

QRP-NE Number (FOR Renewals):    NE ____________

QRP - ARCI         Yes __________ No __________

Michigan QRP Club       Yes __________ No __________

G-QRP             Yes __________ No __________

What QRP awards have you won or achievements have you accomplished? _____

_________________________________________________________________________

Please indicate whether you are member of the ARRL  Yes _______ No ______

Would you like to be an office/director of QRP-NE?
                         Yes ___ No ___ Maybe ___

Would you like to help write for the QRP-NE Newsletter?
                         Yes ___ No ___ Maybe ___

Please circle your chief interests:

Ragchewing  DX  Contests  Traffic  Awards  Homebrew  VHF/UHF  Packet

CW  SSB  RTTY  ATV  Satellite  other: ___________________________________

Annual dues are $10.00 for new members. Renewals are $7.00 per year.
Membership includes a subscription to "72", the QRP-NE newsletter.
All membership renewals are due between January 1 and March 1 of each year.
Please make your check or money order payable to "QRP Club of New England."
Please put your callsign and QRP-NE number (if any) on your check!  Mail to:

        New Members: ($10)                      Renewals:  ($7)
        --------------------                    --------------------
    To  Jack Frake, NG1G                To  Paul Kranz, W1CFI
        POBOX 1153                26 Mettacomett Path
        Barnard  VT  05031            Harvard  MA  01451


From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 18 19:13:13 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 18 Jan 94 19:18:57 EST
From: [e-mail] (Bob Applegate)
        id AA24239 for [e-mail]; Tue, 18 Jan 94 19:18:57 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Articles in QST
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

I think the purpose for publishing source code for a microcontroller project
would be so that other people can learn something about how the device
operates (by device, I mean the end product, not the microcontroller) and
possibly to add some additional features.  Since the code in the processor
dictates what the device does, then it basically means that any article
without source code is a black box that can't be expanded or modified.  Is
this the purpose of articles in QST?

Now let's address the topic of "not being compensated" for software work.
I'm a software engineer, so I think I have a right to comment on this topic.
Why is there a difference between the amount of time/work involved in a
software effort versus a hardware effort?  If I spend 500 hours developing
a project that uses off the shelf components (no uprocessors), why do I
deserve any less "compensation" than someone who spends 5 hours on hardware
and 495 hours on software?  We both put in the same amount of time, and we
both get paid the same amount per page when published.  I fail to see the
difference.

Processor based projects should be EXACTLY like hardware projects...
everything needed to build it should be part of the article or available
for next to nothing (such as dialing into a BBS to download PC board
patterns, etc).  If the author wants to make a few bucks on the side, then
some of the parts can be made available for $$$, but the builder should
not be required to buy components from the author of the article.

Just my two cents worth...
72,
Bob wa2zzx

From [e-mail]  Tue Jan 18 22:03:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date:     Tue, 18 Jan 94 22:02:11 EST
From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject:  CZEBRIT 94 Contest
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>

I received the following information on the contest from Gus Taylor,G8PG,
today.

CZEBRIT 94 is a new world-wide QRP event run jointly by the OK and G QRP
Clubss
It is open to all QRP operators, with sections for OK/OM stations, UK
stations, other EU stations and stations outside EU. The leader in each
section will receive one year of G QRP Club free membership and a certificate.
Second and third will receive certificates.

Rules:

1. Dates/Times: From 1600 gmt 25 Feb-2359 gmt 27 Feb 1994.

2. Frequencies: 3560, 7030, 14060, 21060, 28060 khz, all +/- 5 khz.

3. Power/emission: Power must not exceed 5w rf output, using CW only.
Stations unable to measure rf output, use half their dc input.

4. Scoring:
  a. Contacts with own country do not count.

  b. EU stations:
    (1). Each contact with OK, OM or UK stations count as 2 points.
    (2). Each contact with another EU country counts as 1 point.
    (3). Each contact with station outside EU counts as 3 points.
    (4), UK stations may not contact any other UK stations.

  c. Stations outside EU:
    (1). Each contact with OK, OM station counts as 5 points.
    (2). Each contact with UK station counts as 5 points.
    (3). Each contact with any other EU station counts as 3 points.

  d. Multipliers:
    (1). EU: Any station contacting 5 or more DXCC countries multiply
         point score by 2.
    (2). Outside EU: Any station contacting 2 or more countries in EU
         multiply score by 2.

  e. Scoring:
    (1). Total points per band added together X multiplier(work stations
         only once per band.

5. Exchange: RST, Serial number, / , power(watts)
   Example: 579001/5 or 579003/01  (01 signifies 100mw, 5 signifies 5w)

6. Logs: Send log sheets and summary to the following addresses:
   a:EU, except UK and Ireland:
        OK QRP C
        C/O Petr Doudera, OK1CZ
        ul baterie 1
        16200 Praha 6
        Czech Republic

   b:Outside EU and UK and Ireland:
        G QRP C
        C/O A. D. Taylor, G8PG
        37 Pickerill Road
        Greasby
        Merseyside L49 3ND
        England

7. Awards: As defined in the introduction.

8. Disputes: The decision of the organisers is final.

Comments: The contest falls on the same weekend as the CQ WW 160m SSB
contest and the weekend between the ARRL DX CW and SSB contests. This
is a busy time of the contest season.

            72 & GL,
                        Randy Rand AA2UxD

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 01:21:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA05673; Wed, 19 Jan 94 06:17:59 GMT
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 06:17:59 GMT
From: Randy Cole <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Msg to people who responded to my HW-8 posting
Cc: [e-mail]

Please excuse the broadcast message, but I live in LA (a mile
north of the gaps in the Santa Monica Freeway) and just found
out that our offices won't be cleaned up enough for us to
return to work till at least Thursday.  The normal modem
connection mechanisms don't seem to be functioning, and my
normal mailbox is inaccessable.

This is just to let the people who responded to my posting and
spoke for the rigs know that I'll get back to them as soon as
possible.  They can reply to me at this net address if they
like, but it would also be best to cc my normal address
([e-mail]).

Randy Cole
KN6W

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 10:18:41 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA05405; Wed, 19 Jan 94 09:18:30 CST
    id AA07197; Wed, 19 Jan 94 09:18:30 CST
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 09:18:30 CST
From: [e-mail] (Bob Citkowski)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Articles in QST

hi,
continuing on this drawn out thread..... the february 73 magazine has an "article", not
a review of a kit, on an ascii to cw project.  provides the schematic, parts list,
long article on what's going on, but, no listing of the code for the eprom program that
the micro uses.  in the parts list the "kit" provider for $27 will sell you the micro
and eeprom with the required code burned along with the source code and software tools
to program/modify the code yourself, of course one needs to have a eprom eraser/programmer
available to do this.  this seems to be a recurring "problem"(?) with the projects that
are being published according to the thread on this list.  but, from the average ham i
run across, if he even wants to build something, which most don't, they don't have the
technical understanding of micro programming and debugging to accomplish the projects
beyond the basic circuit fabrication ability.  let's face it people, most of the ham
population doesn't have an EE degree.  it's a hobby, and most of the hobbiests work in
offices, or manufacturing, or, heck, they're retired, and they don't have the lab resources
available to accomplish hardware/software projects.  the small slice of the ham population
that is represented by this list distribution is not representative of the general ham
population by any stretch of the imagination.  now can we finish this thread and move on?

Just my two cents worth...  8-0

de bob -- n9jak

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 11:59:05 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA08507; Wed, 19 Jan 94 12:01:35 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Wed, 19 Jan 1994 11:55:30 -0500
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 11:55:30 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Nor Cal 40 review.

I got a free World Radio in the mail yesterday, and in it was a review of the
NorCal 40.  It was pretty well written, and there is a picture of the
rig in there as well.

Just thought that I would let you all know that it was in there in case you
were interested.
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
| |__\ \________| |    [phone], FAX [phone]
|                 |    INTERNET:   [e-mail]
 -----------------


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 12:05:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24800; Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:19 HST
    id AA12071; Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:16 HST
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 7:05:16 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RE: ARTICLES IN QST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>


I'm getting tired of saying this but I guess it need to be said every
few months. Bob, et al, I have subscribed to this mail list only to
read about the wonderful world of QRP. These ongoing posts about
non-QRP related items are boring and costly; this is not USENET but
a very private email list with a very narrow scope. Don't you realize
that some folks on here have to pay a fee for each email they receive?
You are costing them money that they didn't intend having to spend by
posting articles outside the purpose of the net (so the ``tough - they
don't have to read it'' attitude doesn't apply here). Please, stick
to the topic of the net. Thanks guys (and gals, too!)

Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ)  

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 12:19:52 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Wed, 19 Jan 1994 09:12:24 -0800
    id m0pMYjt-00000JC; Wed, 19 Jan 94 08:58 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Articles in QST
To: [e-mail] (Bob Citkowski)
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 08:58:12 +0000 (GMT)
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Bob Citkowski" at Jan 19, 94 09:18:30 am
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Length: 2207

N9JAK writes:
> [...] the average ham i
> run across, if he even wants to build something, which most don't, they don't have the
> technical understanding of micro programming and debugging to accomplish the projects
> beyond the basic circuit fabrication ability.

*** Here I have to disagree.  Yes, its true that most hams are not interested
in building.  But those who _are_ ( and after all, it's the builders that
such articles are written for ) should be well capable of learning the
simple coding techniques required for something like a code keyer.  It just
ain't rocket science.  Of course, my view may be jaded, since I've been
banging out embedded firmware for a living for the past 13 years, but
I've known several ham experimenter types who've done their own little
microcontroller applications, and it seems to be a relatively accessible
area for someone who's already into electronics.

  Also, I would submit that the _software_ is the ``fun part'' of such
projects.  Don't know about you guys, but I find wiring up computer
circuitry deadly dull.  Never one wire, always 8, or 16, or 32 or....
But when you get into the source code, things liven up.  Want a new
feature?  Add a couple of lines of code for it!  Take out something
you don't like?  Ditto!  Customize the buttons for the contest on
Saturday?  Noooo problem!  Stick your own call into the thing for
automatic ID?  Ditto!  Simple software is a tinkerer's dream.

  That project where the author offered source and tools for $27,
That's pretty good; I have nothing against that.  It's the
ones where they sell you just a programmed part that I don't
like.  Not that there's anything immoral about it, it's just
not much fun. Here you are, going to all the trouble to get
all these parts together, build a case, stuff the board;
 this pre-programmed part comes in the mail, and *bingo*
you're an appliance operator again!

                                   - Jerry

--
***************************************************************
* Jerry Kaidor       [e-mail], [e-mail]     *
*                    KF6VB                                    *
***************************************************************

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 13:34:10 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA08507; Wed, 19 Jan 94 12:01:35 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Wed, 19 Jan 1994 11:55:30 -0500
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 11:55:30 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Nor Cal 40 review.

I got a free World Radio in the mail yesterday, and in it was a review of the
NorCal 40.  It was pretty well written, and there is a picture of the
rig in there as well.

Just thought that I would let you all know that it was in there in case you
were interested.
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
| |__\ \________| |    [phone], FAX [phone]
|                 |    INTERNET:   [e-mail]
 -----------------


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 13:40:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24800; Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:19 HST
    id AA12071; Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:16 HST
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 7:05:16 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RE: ARTICLES IN QST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>


I'm getting tired of saying this but I guess it need to be said every
few months. Bob, et al, I have subscribed to this mail list only to
read about the wonderful world of QRP. These ongoing posts about
non-QRP related items are boring and costly; this is not USENET but
a very private email list with a very narrow scope. Don't you realize
that some folks on here have to pay a fee for each email they receive?
You are costing them money that they didn't intend having to spend by
posting articles outside the purpose of the net (so the ``tough - they
don't have to read it'' attitude doesn't apply here). Please, stick
to the topic of the net. Thanks guys (and gals, too!)

Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ)  

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 14:11:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA18356; Wed, 19 Jan 94 13:06:58 CST
    id AA21062; Wed, 19 Jan 94 13:18:18 CST
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 13:18:18 CST
From: [e-mail] (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: re: Article in QST

Well I hope I can Put this thread to rest....When I griped about QST last week
I made the comment if anyone would be interested in a new magazine that would
have micro processor based construction articles, programs and the like for
ham radio that would satisfy the completeness issue of the thread.

The response
from would be authors and readers on my email has encouraged me and Bob Berlyn,
N1PWU, who has experience in the publishing field,
to set the wheels in motion. We have a list of those who offerd comments and
volunteered(or should I say offered) to write and you will be contacted shortly.

The premier issue will hopefully be out early this summer, hopefully sooner,
as there are a lot of
pieces to the puzzle still being fit together. We will try to get copies
of this issue in the hands of those on this net who may be interseted in such
a magazine for comments...SInce there are a large number of homebrewers on this net we figure you guys would be a good sounding board and the toughest critics.

This Premier issue will be a major part of our marketing research so you now have the power to make or break the concept that we've all be griping about.

Now we
can get back to having fun on the net and Jim's,kr1s's ears can stop burning.
Let hear only positive vibes for a while.

If you want more info, want to provide more comments, suggestions and encouragment
 or to be assured a copy of our premier issue let us know ..email direct

73,
Brian AE9K es
Bob   N1PWU

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 14:29:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Wed, 19 Jan 1994 09:12:24 -0800
    id m0pMYjt-00000JC; Wed, 19 Jan 94 08:58 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Articles in QST
To: [e-mail] (Bob Citkowski)
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 08:58:12 +0000 (GMT)
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Bob Citkowski" at Jan 19, 94 09:18:30 am
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Length: 2207

N9JAK writes:
> [...] the average ham i
> run across, if he even wants to build something, which most don't, they don't have the
> technical understanding of micro programming and debugging to accomplish the projects
> beyond the basic circuit fabrication ability.

*** Here I have to disagree.  Yes, its true that most hams are not interested
in building.  But those who _are_ ( and after all, it's the builders that
such articles are written for ) should be well capable of learning the
simple coding techniques required for something like a code keyer.  It just
ain't rocket science.  Of course, my view may be jaded, since I've been
banging out embedded firmware for a living for the past 13 years, but
I've known several ham experimenter types who've done their own little
microcontroller applications, and it seems to be a relatively accessible
area for someone who's already into electronics.

  Also, I would submit that the _software_ is the ``fun part'' of such
projects.  Don't know about you guys, but I find wiring up computer
circuitry deadly dull.  Never one wire, always 8, or 16, or 32 or....
But when you get into the source code, things liven up.  Want a new
feature?  Add a couple of lines of code for it!  Take out something
you don't like?  Ditto!  Customize the buttons for the contest on
Saturday?  Noooo problem!  Stick your own call into the thing for
automatic ID?  Ditto!  Simple software is a tinkerer's dream.

  That project where the author offered source and tools for $27,
That's pretty good; I have nothing against that.  It's the
ones where they sell you just a programmed part that I don't
like.  Not that there's anything immoral about it, it's just
not much fun. Here you are, going to all the trouble to get
all these parts together, build a case, stuff the board;
 this pre-programmed part comes in the mail, and *bingo*
you're an appliance operator again!

                                   - Jerry

--
***************************************************************
* Jerry Kaidor       [e-mail], [e-mail]     *
*                    KF6VB                                    *
***************************************************************

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 14:53:35 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01942; Wed, 19 Jan 1994 14:52:48 -0500
    id AA17932; Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:30 EST
    id AA09367; Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:28 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29009; Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:27 EST
To: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: ARTICLES IN QST
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:16 -1000."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:27 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>

> I'm getting tired of saying this but I guess it need to be said every
> few months. Bob, et al, I have subscribed to this mail list only to
> read about the wonderful world of QRP.

OK, does anyone have any low=power mods to the software on the ... OUCH!
Stop throwing those keyers!

72 & 73, John, WB7EEL

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 15:56:41 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA08507; Wed, 19 Jan 94 12:01:35 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Wed, 19 Jan 1994 11:55:30 -0500
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 11:55:30 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Nor Cal 40 review.

I got a free World Radio in the mail yesterday, and in it was a review of the
NorCal 40.  It was pretty well written, and there is a picture of the
rig in there as well.

Just thought that I would let you all know that it was in there in case you
were interested.
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
| |__\ \________| |    [phone], FAX [phone]
|                 |    INTERNET:   [e-mail]
 -----------------


From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 16:44:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24800; Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:19 HST
    id AA12071; Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:16 HST
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 7:05:16 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RE: ARTICLES IN QST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>


I'm getting tired of saying this but I guess it need to be said every
few months. Bob, et al, I have subscribed to this mail list only to
read about the wonderful world of QRP. These ongoing posts about
non-QRP related items are boring and costly; this is not USENET but
a very private email list with a very narrow scope. Don't you realize
that some folks on here have to pay a fee for each email they receive?
You are costing them money that they didn't intend having to spend by
posting articles outside the purpose of the net (so the ``tough - they
don't have to read it'' attitude doesn't apply here). Please, stick
to the topic of the net. Thanks guys (and gals, too!)

Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ)  

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 17:08:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Wed, 19 Jan 1994 09:12:24 -0800
    id m0pMYjt-00000JC; Wed, 19 Jan 94 08:58 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Articles in QST
To: [e-mail] (Bob Citkowski)
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 1994 08:58:12 +0000 (GMT)
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Bob Citkowski" at Jan 19, 94 09:18:30 am
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL21]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
Content-Length: 2207

N9JAK writes:
> [...] the average ham i
> run across, if he even wants to build something, which most don't, they don't have the
> technical understanding of micro programming and debugging to accomplish the projects
> beyond the basic circuit fabrication ability.

*** Here I have to disagree.  Yes, its true that most hams are not interested
in building.  But those who _are_ ( and after all, it's the builders that
such articles are written for ) should be well capable of learning the
simple coding techniques required for something like a code keyer.  It just
ain't rocket science.  Of course, my view may be jaded, since I've been
banging out embedded firmware for a living for the past 13 years, but
I've known several ham experimenter types who've done their own little
microcontroller applications, and it seems to be a relatively accessible
area for someone who's already into electronics.

  Also, I would submit that the _software_ is the ``fun part'' of such
projects.  Don't know about you guys, but I find wiring up computer
circuitry deadly dull.  Never one wire, always 8, or 16, or 32 or....
But when you get into the source code, things liven up.  Want a new
feature?  Add a couple of lines of code for it!  Take out something
you don't like?  Ditto!  Customize the buttons for the contest on
Saturday?  Noooo problem!  Stick your own call into the thing for
automatic ID?  Ditto!  Simple software is a tinkerer's dream.

  That project where the author offered source and tools for $27,
That's pretty good; I have nothing against that.  It's the
ones where they sell you just a programmed part that I don't
like.  Not that there's anything immoral about it, it's just
not much fun. Here you are, going to all the trouble to get
all these parts together, build a case, stuff the board;
 this pre-programmed part comes in the mail, and *bingo*
you're an appliance operator again!

                                   - Jerry

--
***************************************************************
* Jerry Kaidor       [e-mail], [e-mail]     *
*                    KF6VB                                    *
***************************************************************

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 18:24:55 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA18356; Wed, 19 Jan 94 13:06:58 CST
    id AA21062; Wed, 19 Jan 94 13:18:18 CST
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 13:18:18 CST
From: [e-mail] (Brian Cieslak)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: re: Article in QST

Well I hope I can Put this thread to rest....When I griped about QST last week
I made the comment if anyone would be interested in a new magazine that would
have micro processor based construction articles, programs and the like for
ham radio that would satisfy the completeness issue of the thread.

The response
from would be authors and readers on my email has encouraged me and Bob Berlyn,
N1PWU, who has experience in the publishing field,
to set the wheels in motion. We have a list of those who offerd comments and
volunteered(or should I say offered) to write and you will be contacted shortly.

The premier issue will hopefully be out early this summer, hopefully sooner,
as there are a lot of
pieces to the puzzle still being fit together. We will try to get copies
of this issue in the hands of those on this net who may be interseted in such
a magazine for comments...SInce there are a large number of homebrewers on this net we figure you guys would be a good sounding board and the toughest critics.

This Premier issue will be a major part of our marketing research so you now have the power to make or break the concept that we've all be griping about.

Now we
can get back to having fun on the net and Jim's,kr1s's ears can stop burning.
Let hear only positive vibes for a while.

If you want more info, want to provide more comments, suggestions and encouragment
 or to be assured a copy of our premier issue let us know ..email direct

73,
Brian AE9K es
Bob   N1PWU

From [e-mail]  Wed Jan 19 18:46:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01942; Wed, 19 Jan 1994 14:52:48 -0500
    id AA17932; Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:30 EST
    id AA09367; Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:28 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29009; Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:27 EST
To: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: ARTICLES IN QST
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 19 Jan 94 07:05:16 -1000."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 19 Jan 94 14:52:27 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>

> I'm getting tired of saying this but I guess it need to be said every
> few months. Bob, et al, I have subscribed to this mail list only to
> read about the wonderful world of QRP.

OK, does anyone have any low=power mods to the software on the ... OUCH!
Stop throwing those keyers!

72 & 73, John, WB7EEL

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 11:28:30 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 11:18 EST
To: [e-mail]

Hello QRP netters!

For those who responded to my request for a parts list and schematic
for the NN1G transceiver, my eternal thanks.

I now am accumulating the parts necessary to build the NN1G Mk II
transceiver.  Most of the parts are easy to come by.  But the 10.7 MHz IF
transformers are not specified in the parts list.  Does anybody
have a part number?  Any ideas on turn ratios and/or nominal inductance?
There are several types that are available from different suppliers
but I don't know which should be used (my guess is that the choice
is not that critical).

Any ideas?

72/73 de ND3P
Scott McLellan

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 11:36:49 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA02613; Thu, 20 Jan 94 08:00:18 -0800
    id AA05760; Thu, 20 Jan 94 10:58:57 -0500
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 10:58:57 -0500
From: [e-mail] (andrew comas)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP Plus Rig Review


Well 6 months after ordering it, my QRP Plus arrived.  A small
box (5.5"w x 4"h x 6"d) and a lot heavier than I thought, maybe 4
pounds.  The QRP Plus covers CW & SSB 160 meters through 10 meters.
5 Watts out on SSB and 0 - 5 watts on CW.  It has a SCAF digital
audio filter covering 100hz to 2400hz in 100hz steps.  20 memories,
split and rit operation, and full break-in QSK.  It also has a 20dB
attenuator, a separate receiver antenna input and power/S meter.  It
claims .14 Amp (140 ma) power draw on receive and 1 Amp on transmit
at 12 V and an automatic turn-off at 11V and below.  I measured .13
Amp (130ma) on receive with 50% volume, 147ma on 100% volume.
Transmit drew 1.15 Amps normal and 1.51 Amps on >3 SWR.  I haven't
tried the 11V auto-off feature, but this would be great for not
killing off gel-cels.

The unit is well made.  Heavy 1/8" aluminum box holds 5 pc boards, 4
boards stacked on top of each other, separated by plastic-covered
aluminum shields.  The one other board holds the LCD and switches.
Attached to the top cover is a large 3.5" speaker.  The wiring is
well laid out.  The PC boards are connected with a detachable ribbon
cable.  I believe Bruce Franklin of Index Laboratories makes medical
equipment and he applied those high standards to this little rig.
Large switches, buttons and knobs make it a pleasure to operate.  The
display is easy to read, nice large .5" numbers on a .75" display.
The fuse is mounted on the back in a standard fuse holder.

The heart of this rig is an Intel 80C39 microcomputer chip.  The chip
controls the synthesizer (frequency control), display, filters, RIT,
split frequency operation, iambic keyer, sidetone, and memories.  I
spent some time talking with Bruce about his selection of this chip.
(My first job out of college was using these microcomputer chips to
build embedded systems).  I asked him why he used the 8039 instead of
the 8051 (a slightly newer and more functional chip).  He said that
the 8051 was more RF sensitive.  Well I have seen RF reset 8051s many
times myself and spent plenty a night trying to prevent just that.  He
has put plenty of research into this rig.  Another example is the
easy-to-access, standard lithium battery (for memory backup),
as well as recessed pots to set CW power, sidetone and mic-gain.  He
also includes a nice large tuning dial with a finger point for easy
tuning.

Having a nice tuning dial is very important, especially since all
your selections are done by it.  You press a FAST, MEMORY, or
BANDWIDTH button (or combination to store into memory or set keyer
speed) and then turn the main tuning dial to select.  In frequency
mode one full turn is 4Khz, in fast frequency mode one full turn is
about 60Khz.  You cover all the BANDWIDTH filters in a half turn,
all 20 memories in 3 1/2 turns.

The head phone jack is set for walkman type stereo headphones (don't
try mono headphones; they won't work unless you plug them in half-
way).  The volume output for the headphones is more than
adequate.  I never get beyond 3/4.

The receiver really shines.  I could hear a lot more then I could
ever hope to work and the SCAF filter is remarkable.  You press the
BANDWIDTH button and the display shows you the SCAF filter frequency
in Khz.  At 2.0 Khz, SSB is really clear, at .1 Khz it's a CW pile-up
solver (or so says Bruce).  The filters work very smoothly.

Other nice features are:
There are three recessed pots on the back which set:
    Mic Gain
    CW output power 0 - 5 watts continuous
    Sidetone volume (not frequency)
The MEMory button toggles between the frequency in memory and the
working frequency.  A nice way to monitor a net or sked.

The iambic keyer is not ready yet, but will be a free update when it
is.  The box is pre-drilled and labeled for the plug.  So all that's
needed is to upgrade the EPROM (the key is simulated in software like
the CMOS Super Keyer II is) and the jack.  The keyer speed is set via
the main tuning knob and a button press.

As with everything I have my complaints.  The antenna connect is via
a standard BNC instead of an SO-259 connector.  The FAST tuning
button moved at 60Khz per tuning dial turn.  There needs to be a 1Mhz
rate for quickly tuning bands.  Of course this is only a pain until
you set memories and use them to set bands.  (The rig has some preset
band frequencies which you can re-load into memory).  I would have
added a light for the LCD, but Bruce decided to save the 20-30ma and
not add one (I asked him about this).  I built my own mic from the
Radio Shack speaker mic, but I couldn't get the mic gain to give more
than 1 Watt out on SSB.  Bruce said people were having mixed results
with building their own.  Index Labs will be selling one as an
option.

Other observations: As we see more and more things controlled by
computers, functionality won't be our complaints, software bugs will
be.  And I hit one.  When in RIT mode, pressing REVerse is suppose to
give you the transmit frequency.  It doesn't.  It sets the receive
and transmit frequencies to the RIT frequency.  Nothing major and
Bruce promises to fix it with the iambic keyer upgrade.  Also the
display frequency on my rig has a tendency to drift down 100hz after
the first transmit.  This is solved by switching into SPLIT mode.
The SPLIT mode locks the frequency in and disables the tuning knob
(and yes this means the BANDWIDTH control is locked out too, another
software bug to be fixed).  But on the upside, a software controlled
rig allows for more functionality.  Bruce is talking about letting
the user set the QSK break-in time, paddle reverse all of which can be
accomplished via software.  The rig does not reduce power on high SWR
since the transmit components are rated at much higher power levels
than 5W, but may produce spurious signals.

Overall this is a fabulous rig for the money ($595).  It was built by
a man who loves QRP for the QRP lover and it shows.

The usual disclaimers:  I do not work for Index Laboratories nor am
in any way compensated.  Just a happy customer.  Opinions expressed
by the author are not necessarily those of Digital Equipment Corp.



From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 13:25:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 11:18 EST
To: [e-mail]

Hello QRP netters!

For those who responded to my request for a parts list and schematic
for the NN1G transceiver, my eternal thanks.

I now am accumulating the parts necessary to build the NN1G Mk II
transceiver.  Most of the parts are easy to come by.  But the 10.7 MHz IF
transformers are not specified in the parts list.  Does anybody
have a part number?  Any ideas on turn ratios and/or nominal inductance?
There are several types that are available from different suppliers
but I don't know which should be used (my guess is that the choice
is not that critical).

Any ideas?

72/73 de ND3P
Scott McLellan

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 13:44:47 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA02613; Thu, 20 Jan 94 08:00:18 -0800
    id AA05760; Thu, 20 Jan 94 10:58:57 -0500
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 10:58:57 -0500
From: [e-mail] (andrew comas)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP Plus Rig Review


Well 6 months after ordering it, my QRP Plus arrived.  A small
box (5.5"w x 4"h x 6"d) and a lot heavier than I thought, maybe 4
pounds.  The QRP Plus covers CW & SSB 160 meters through 10 meters.
5 Watts out on SSB and 0 - 5 watts on CW.  It has a SCAF digital
audio filter covering 100hz to 2400hz in 100hz steps.  20 memories,
split and rit operation, and full break-in QSK.  It also has a 20dB
attenuator, a separate receiver antenna input and power/S meter.  It
claims .14 Amp (140 ma) power draw on receive and 1 Amp on transmit
at 12 V and an automatic turn-off at 11V and below.  I measured .13
Amp (130ma) on receive with 50% volume, 147ma on 100% volume.
Transmit drew 1.15 Amps normal and 1.51 Amps on >3 SWR.  I haven't
tried the 11V auto-off feature, but this would be great for not
killing off gel-cels.

The unit is well made.  Heavy 1/8" aluminum box holds 5 pc boards, 4
boards stacked on top of each other, separated by plastic-covered
aluminum shields.  The one other board holds the LCD and switches.
Attached to the top cover is a large 3.5" speaker.  The wiring is
well laid out.  The PC boards are connected with a detachable ribbon
cable.  I believe Bruce Franklin of Index Laboratories makes medical
equipment and he applied those high standards to this little rig.
Large switches, buttons and knobs make it a pleasure to operate.  The
display is easy to read, nice large .5" numbers on a .75" display.
The fuse is mounted on the back in a standard fuse holder.

The heart of this rig is an Intel 80C39 microcomputer chip.  The chip
controls the synthesizer (frequency control), display, filters, RIT,
split frequency operation, iambic keyer, sidetone, and memories.  I
spent some time talking with Bruce about his selection of this chip.
(My first job out of college was using these microcomputer chips to
build embedded systems).  I asked him why he used the 8039 instead of
the 8051 (a slightly newer and more functional chip).  He said that
the 8051 was more RF sensitive.  Well I have seen RF reset 8051s many
times myself and spent plenty a night trying to prevent just that.  He
has put plenty of research into this rig.  Another example is the
easy-to-access, standard lithium battery (for memory backup),
as well as recessed pots to set CW power, sidetone and mic-gain.  He
also includes a nice large tuning dial with a finger point for easy
tuning.

Having a nice tuning dial is very important, especially since all
your selections are done by it.  You press a FAST, MEMORY, or
BANDWIDTH button (or combination to store into memory or set keyer
speed) and then turn the main tuning dial to select.  In frequency
mode one full turn is 4Khz, in fast frequency mode one full turn is
about 60Khz.  You cover all the BANDWIDTH filters in a half turn,
all 20 memories in 3 1/2 turns.

The head phone jack is set for walkman type stereo headphones (don't
try mono headphones; they won't work unless you plug them in half-
way).  The volume output for the headphones is more than
adequate.  I never get beyond 3/4.

The receiver really shines.  I could hear a lot more then I could
ever hope to work and the SCAF filter is remarkable.  You press the
BANDWIDTH button and the display shows you the SCAF filter frequency
in Khz.  At 2.0 Khz, SSB is really clear, at .1 Khz it's a CW pile-up
solver (or so says Bruce).  The filters work very smoothly.

Other nice features are:
There are three recessed pots on the back which set:
    Mic Gain
    CW output power 0 - 5 watts continuous
    Sidetone volume (not frequency)
The MEMory button toggles between the frequency in memory and the
working frequency.  A nice way to monitor a net or sked.

The iambic keyer is not ready yet, but will be a free update when it
is.  The box is pre-drilled and labeled for the plug.  So all that's
needed is to upgrade the EPROM (the key is simulated in software like
the CMOS Super Keyer II is) and the jack.  The keyer speed is set via
the main tuning knob and a button press.

As with everything I have my complaints.  The antenna connect is via
a standard BNC instead of an SO-259 connector.  The FAST tuning
button moved at 60Khz per tuning dial turn.  There needs to be a 1Mhz
rate for quickly tuning bands.  Of course this is only a pain until
you set memories and use them to set bands.  (The rig has some preset
band frequencies which you can re-load into memory).  I would have
added a light for the LCD, but Bruce decided to save the 20-30ma and
not add one (I asked him about this).  I built my own mic from the
Radio Shack speaker mic, but I couldn't get the mic gain to give more
than 1 Watt out on SSB.  Bruce said people were having mixed results
with building their own.  Index Labs will be selling one as an
option.

Other observations: As we see more and more things controlled by
computers, functionality won't be our complaints, software bugs will
be.  And I hit one.  When in RIT mode, pressing REVerse is suppose to
give you the transmit frequency.  It doesn't.  It sets the receive
and transmit frequencies to the RIT frequency.  Nothing major and
Bruce promises to fix it with the iambic keyer upgrade.  Also the
display frequency on my rig has a tendency to drift down 100hz after
the first transmit.  This is solved by switching into SPLIT mode.
The SPLIT mode locks the frequency in and disables the tuning knob
(and yes this means the BANDWIDTH control is locked out too, another
software bug to be fixed).  But on the upside, a software controlled
rig allows for more functionality.  Bruce is talking about letting
the user set the QSK break-in time, paddle reverse all of which can be
accomplished via software.  The rig does not reduce power on high SWR
since the transmit components are rated at much higher power levels
than 5W, but may produce spurious signals.

Overall this is a fabulous rig for the money ($595).  It was built by
a man who loves QRP for the QRP lover and it shows.

The usual disclaimers:  I do not work for Index Laboratories nor am
in any way compensated.  Just a happy customer.  Opinions expressed
by the author are not necessarily those of Digital Equipment Corp.



From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 16:22:03 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id OAA15933; Thu, 20 Jan 1994 14:20:55 -0700
    id AA00924; Thu, 20 Jan 94 14:22:46 -0700
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 14:22:46 -0700
From: [e-mail] (Tom J Farish)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Compact loop


Hi All,

I got lots of requests to post more info about the
homebrew loop antenna I built last fall.  Here
are the details.  I used 1/2 inch copper pipe bent
into a circle 48" in diameter.  My simple calculations
show that this loop has an inductive reactance of
235 ohms at 14.05 Mhz.  Thus to resonate at this
frequency, Xc=235 which leads to a capacitance of
about 48 pF.  I had a bunch of doorknob capacitors
rated to 20-30KV, so I put several in series.  Three
180pF's gave me 60pF.  Too high, I said, but I had a
tuner.  Well, in my backyard, this seemed to give me
less than 1.5 SWR from 14.025 to 14.075, with
almost 1:1 at 14.05!  Now 60 pF gives a capacitive
reactance of 185 ohms which is 50 less than the
235 ohms of inductive reactance!  Just a coincidence
it is 50 ohms....?  Well, when I set it up over my brick
patio, I get a different resonance!  I think this is because
the loop is only about 6 feet off the ground (also, I
watered the lawn that day, it was a Sunday, etc..... ;^) )

I used doorknob caps as the voltages on such a look can
easily get to the kilovolt range, so I am told.

Here is a drawing courtesy of William Graham - VE6UUG,
who posted to me to ask a question:

                25 to 60pF,
                  20 KV
                             ____
                   | |      /    \
-------------------| |-----/      \
feedline (to xmtr) | |             |  1 turn of Cu tubing,
---------------------------        |  48 in. diameter.
                           \      /
                            \____/

The feedline is coax.  I attached the caps and SO-239 to
the loop with hose clamps!  The PVC frame is built from
short sections of 3/4" thick wall tubing and "t" sections.
Top view looks like this:


        |- ------------ -- ------------ -|

end "t"             middle "t"           end "t"


The "t" are not threaded, but held together by friction
to allow easy take-down.  I have a 5-foot length that I
put into the middle "t" as the mast.  An identical section
below forms the 'feet' with the addition of 4 more
2-foot lengths stuck into the end "t" 's instead of the
copper pipe.  Top view looks like this:



        |                                        |
        |                                        |    "feet"
        |                                        |
        |- ------------ -- ------------ -|
        |                                        |
        |                                        |
        |                                        |


end "t"             middle "t"           end "t"

That's all there is to it!  By the way, thin-walled tubing
is too flimsy for the 1/2-inch pipe.  You might try 1/4 inch.


So far, it has worked like a champ with my MFJ 9020.
I'll be testing with some real power if I can get it up a
bit higher......beware of high voltages on this loop!

Tom
KJ5LT


From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 16:27:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
          via Charon-4.0-VROOM with IPX id 100.940120144113.1472;
          20 Jan 94 14:56:47 +600
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
>From: TAEX003N!GTAYLOR
Date:     20 Jan 94 14:41:01 CDT
Subject:  Re: HI & HH Vacation / 8P Trip
Reply-To: [e-mail]
X-Mailer: Pegasus Mail v2.1c R5.
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 3502

> I am visiting Dom Republic (HI) and hopefully Haiti (HH) too
> from May 11th - 26th, Hoping to get licence and take HW8 or
> Argo 515 or similar. Plan to be active QRP CW on normal frequ,
> Any offers of ideas, suggestions welcomed as this is first
> visit to Carribean. All comments welcome.

Dick's post inspired me to (finally) write up experiences from my trip
last October to 8P (Barbados) for what use it may be to others.

Wound up going to Barbados after some late-breaking changes in travel
plans which, other than some scrambling for a hotel room, didn't pose any
major problems. Fortunately, Barbados licensing procedures don't require
advance application (in fact, I think it must be done in person). I was
8P9BD about 15 minutes after walking through the door of the Communications
Authority. Amazingly enough the checked baggage with accessories and
anntenna components had arrived with the plane and everything went right
through customs. I was able to use an AC supply because line voltage and
sockets (at least at our hotel) were U.S. compatible. Unfortunately,
because of the aforementioned scrambling for a hotel, the antenna situation
was less than optimum. Although the room was on top floor, maybe 40
feet up, there was no way to run a wire in the open. Although a variety
of configurations were tried (glad I brought the transmatch), evidently a
noticable signal was never developed.

In fact, it was a lot like operating QRP from the home qth... you
know...better results answering than calling CQs, etc. Also became a
believer in the saying that a DX callsign gets you a 10db increase in
signal. With a full-bore 5 watts, I was getting about the same signal
reports as at the home qth. About S7 from the super-stations with
monobanders at 75 ft. etc, S5 from tribander at 35 ft crowd and, when we
were able to connect, S3 from the stations with dipoles. Figure what was
gained by the callsign was lost by the antenna.

Some general observations - appeared to be a two hop limit (all 20 meter
operation) for contacts, signal just couldn't seem to make that third hop.
Definitely different propagation patterns from there. PZ1DY, who had been
running about S6 back in Texas, came blasting through like he was next door
(which come to think of it, he was, and over salt water at that).

Still had a great time, although I didn't draw big pile-ups that made for
a little more relaxed operation, which I think the XYL appreciated. And,
hearing I was the first- ever 8P for some made it worthwhile anyway. Aside
from ham radio, Barbados itself was interesting to visit.

If I had it to do over again wouldn't change much. I would certainly work
on enhancing the antenna situation. Also, would try to borrow a two-meter
handheld to take so I could talk to the locals. I did take a small
assortment of tools, soldering iron, wire, string, tape, etc. which
turned out to be nice to have in working on the antenna. And, hopefully,
some day I will get a chance to try it again!

72, Greg KD4HZ


******************************************************************************
Dr. Gregory S. Taylor               !MAIL:  110 Dairy Science Building
Extension Program Leader for        !       College Station, TX 77843-2124
  Community Development             !VOICE: 409-845-4445
Texas Agricultural Extension Service!FAX:   [phone]
Texas A&M University System         !EMAIL: Reply or [e-mail]
******************************************************************************

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 20:55:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 20:49 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail], mvubr![e-mail] (James M Fitton)
Subject: QRP-NE meeting



Minutes from the New England QRP (QRP-NE) Club
meeting held on January 16, 1993 at ARRL Hdq.,
Newington CT

16 attended, many driving for 3 hours in bitter cold, with
temperatures hovering around 0 degrees F.  But friendly
spirits, conviviality, and the extreme  southern location of the
state of Connecticut provided a welcome relief from the really
cold weather further north.
Thanks to Jim Kearman, KR1S, QRP-NE contest manager, for hosting
the visit and Norm Bliss, WA1CCQ, W1AW radio engineer, for coming
in on Sunday and making us feel very comfortable and welcome at
the radio station(s).

Upcoming QRP-NE meetings in 1994 will be held at Dayton OH in April,
Deerfield or Rochester NH in May, (meeting Sun. 10 - 11 a.m.)
Field Day at Princeton MA in June,
Boxboro MA in October

In addition Harry, W1LMU is going to reserve tables at local
flea markets set for late winter and early spring.
Check into local CW, SSB nets for additional information.
NEN, SAT., 8 a.m., 7.040 mHz,
NE, Mon., 9 p.m., 3.855 Mhz (dead lately)
GLN, Thurs, 9 p.m. 3.060 mHz,
NEN, Tues., 8:30 p.m. 3.035 mHz

Some of the HB rigs brought along to the meeting were:
2 NN1G-20s, 40/40 prototype and printed board version,
NorCal-40, OHR Spirit, and more.

Thanks to Randy, KA9HAO who provided a quantity of new relays,
surplus from his parts business, to give away at the meeting.

Mark, NX1K reported on our outstanding 1993 Field Day performance.
Some have already signed to participate in 1994, but more loggers,
antenna experts, SSB, and CW ops, and guitar players will be needed
this year.  The potential for many more contacts would have been
there last year if we had more SSB operators.

I am eagerly looking forward to the QRP-NE club pioneering a QRP
Mini-Field Day event in Sept.  or Oct., and I am now in
the process of constructing 2 mini rigs, tuners, and SWR meters
in anxious anticipation of that event.

Dave, NN1G brought to the meeting, the prototype 40/40 meter HB
club project transceiver and the new printed wiring board version.
Although the printed board didn't arrive until Saturday,  Dave
worked through the night and barely completed the rig in time for
the meeting on Sunday.  Great work Dave !!
QRP-NE was suitably impressed with the appearance of the board,
HB enclosure and Dave's tenacity to get a job done.
The little Superhet transceiver was enclosed in a clever box frame
easily  duplicatable with simple hardware and tools. Dave will
photograph and detail it in a future issue of "72".
Eric, KA1EEC  volunteered to help with kits and instructions.
Jack, NG1G ( currently camping in the Virgin Islands) previously
offered to distribute, and help distribute kits.
The current goal is to have kits to sell at Dayton, in April.
Thanks to Dave for the outstanding craftmanship and leadership on
this project. The success of this venture will pave the way for
more  of these terrific HB projects in the future.

Luke Dodds, W5HKA passed away recently from a heart attack.  Luke
was Secretary-Treasurer for the QRP Amateur Radio Club International
club for many years and will be missed by all who knew him, including
his special friends in the G-QRP and OK-QRP clubs.

Carl, N1CUU handed the "72" editorial baton to Dennis, K1LGQ.
Thanks Carl for two years of excellent craft and leadership
providing your mates with a superior journal.
Carl intends to maintain close ties with the newsletter, and we are
fortunate for his effort.

A special hearty welcome to Dennis K1LGQ.   Dennis worked on the
January issue which turned out very nice with graphics and
creativity.  Congratulations.......

Attending the meeting were:

Mark, NX1K     Jim, KR1S       Eric, KA1EEC         Zack, KH6CP/1
Mark, KE1L     Dave, NN1G      Jim, W1FMR           Dennis, K1LGQ
Mike, KC1SX    Derek, WM1U     Larry, K1LO          Randy, KA9HAO
Bill, AE1D     Mike, KD1BF     Bill, N1OSA        Bob, KA6NOC


Over half of those present at the meeting communicate via Internet
or electronic mail.  Is this a growing trend ? Carl, N1CUU is being
financed by the club for about $20 per month, in order to tap into
the wealth of QRP information available on Internet.  Members in
turn will receive some of this excellent information via "72".


"The Excitement Is Building"






  73/72   Jim Fitton, W1FMR   QRP-NE   [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Thu Jan 20 21:36:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21364; Thu, 20 Jan 94 18:12:05 -0800
    id AA06030; Thu, 20 Jan 94 21:10:43 -0500
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 94 21:10:43 -0500
From: [e-mail] (andrew comas)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP Plus Address


    Sorry I forgot to post an address and phone number.
    The QRP Plus HF Amateur Radio Transceiver (it's not a kit) is:
    Index Laboratories
    9318 Randall Dr. NW
    Gig Harbor, WA  98332
    206 851 5725

andrew KF2JH


From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 21 10:17:29 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA29475 for [e-mail]; Fri, 21 Jan 94 10:17:38 -0500
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0pNNb9-000B8CC; Fri, 21 Jan 94 10:16 EST
    id AA25697 ; Fri, 21 Jan 94 10:10:03 GMT
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 94 15:06:41 GMT
Message-Id: <6968@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Call for Articles

QST is always interested in considering articles on
the topics of homebrewing equipment, or QRP operating.
Before suggesting a topic, please review QST for the
past two years or so, and try to suggest a topic we
haven't covered.

Some possible topics:

QRP Antenna Tuners
Alternative Power Sources
Pictures/articles about people having fun with QRP
How your club set up a club project or kit

Please contact me with topics you'd like to write
about. If I like the idea, I'll send you an Author's
Guide and we can get started.

Thanks and 72/73,

Jim Kearman, KR1S
Asst Technical Editor

[e-mail]
203-666-1541 ext 279
203-665-7531 (FAX)
203-667-2568 (home)



From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 21 11:00:30 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date:     Fri, 21 Jan 94 10:36:55 EST (1536Z)
From: kevin der kinderen <[e-mail]>
Registered:
To: [e-mail]

UNSUBSCRIBE

I hate to send this to the general audience but my request to unsubscribe sent
to [e-mail] seems to have failed.  I sent another request just
before this.  Any help pulling my name from the list will be appreciated.

Kevin, kj4qf
[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 21 15:42:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01270; Fri, 21 Jan 1994 15:42:02 -0500
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 1994 15:42:01 -0500 (EST)
From: Robert Marlan <[e-mail]>
Subject: wanted manual for Heath HM-9 wattmeter
To: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

Well I have a nice QRP wattmeter (health HM-9), but
it needs a little work.  If anyone has the manuals and
the schematics, I would be glad to either buy them, or pay to cover
any copying and shipping charges!

Thanks a bunch!  (help keep me at an honest 5 watts!)

bob KA6NOC
[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 21 18:11:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA27202; Fri, 21 Jan 94 15:11:08 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA14307; Fri, 21 Jan 94 17:11:05 -0600
    for @sgidal.dallas.sgi.com:[e-mail] id AA19695; Fri, 21 Jan 94 17:11:04 -0600
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 94 17:11:04 -0600
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RadioKit Review


January 21, 1994


Gang,


      RadioKit Notes by Chuck Adams, K5FO


After helping one individual build one of these critters over
the phone, I got another call this week from another ham in
the mid-cities area of Dallas-Ft Worth about another one.

Background:  This ham had been QRT for 20+ years, so in June
got active again by buying the MFJ-9020 at HamCom in this
area.  He is having a blast using this little setup with a
simple dipole.

He bought the RadioKit QRP-30 kit.  Since he was having some
difficulty, I drove 40 miles over to his place to take a look
at it.  I wound up spending about 3 hours working on odds and
ends.

His wiring job was pretty good and I found only one solder bridge.
The spacing between some of the paths on the PC board were very tight.

Here are just some of my notes on the kit:

1.  Very small board compared to other K1BQT kits and NN1G rig.

2.  Not silk screened, not solder masked.  Just a single sided board.

3.  I'd personally grade the parts quality as a B.

4.  I'd grade the board as a D.  We had to drill four of the holes
    that were missing.  For a beginner with minimum tools, this would
    really cause problems.

5.  About a half-dozen components were missing.

6.  I don't like the relay for QSK.  I think the solid state switching
    that everyone else uses is vastly superior.  And cheaper too.

7.  We didn't get to installation in case, as board was unfinished.

8.  I think that everyone has to write a better set of instructions
    on the art of winding toroids or refer the builder to the ARRL
    handbook.

9.  Schematic is wrong in some places, as I found out by tracing
    paths on board and components.  I knew from the schematic, upon
    close examination, that there was no way this puppy was going to
    work if the board was really setup per the schematic.  I have
    the K1BQT schematic, NN1G, and some of the others memorized.  :-)

10. Air variable capacitor was shorted.  I believe the plates are just
    too close and would think that more than 30% of them would be shorted
    from the factory.  Also, this will tend to cause thermal drift problems
    for the vfo.

More notes as he gets the missing parts and brings rig over for
tuneup and alignment and the 'smoke test'.

Overall, I'd spend my money on something else for a xcvr kit.
And I have.  :-)


dit  dit


Chuck Adams  K5FO  CP-60 wpm
[e-mail]




From [e-mail]  Fri Jan 21 20:08:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Fri, 21 Jan 1994 19:10:24 CST
Date: Fri, 21 Jan 1994 19:10:24 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Radio Kit review
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
X-Vms-Cc: JMG
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

all,

I think overall Chuck was much too kind. I have spent a few weeks
working on this. If the kit was done correctly I could have finished it
on a Saturday and really enjoyed it.

The board is the worst I have ever seen.. doesn't solder great, you get
one chance..even with good desolder tools.. you have to drill out the
board in many places.. like for an adjustable board mounted pots (think
there are 3 or 4) holes are left out, holes aren't orderly or logical,
parts stink.. many pages of mod to mod.. soldering modifications on the
bottom of the board..the parts overlay doesn't look a whole bunch like
the board and like Chuck says.. schematic isn't correct and I find it
hard to follow.

I use to like building before this one.. I don't think someone could
make a worse kit..except by trying REAL hard.

At first I thought the non-silk screened board was throwing me.. then
looked over to the $29 Spider sitting on the bench waiting to get a VFO
and it was fun to build.. no silk screen.. good board..bottom looks good
and work fine the first time. The NN1G I built didn't have silk screen.

AVOID unless you want a real challange.,. anyone want a partially
completed one for $70 shipped US.. I am about ready.. have some projects
I would like to start.. I have been forcing my self to put a few parts
on every day.. sure don't look forward to it.

72

Jeff, AC4HF