QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/qrp/archives/94_02_19.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 190KB | 4,920 lines

Subject: Start
From [e-mail]  Sat Feb  5 12:00:30 1994
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Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 94 11:54 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: ARCI QQ


I received my Directors advance copies of the QRP-ARCI Quarterly
this morning.   The regular mail copies should not be far away.
40 pages and excellent.

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

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb  5 13:29:00 1994
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    id m0pSrit-0001d8C; Sat, 5 Feb 94 13:27 EST
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From: [e-mail] (Randy)
Subject: UNSUBSCRIBE
To: [e-mail]
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 1994 13:27:14 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (qrp @think.com), [e-mail] (oldy solid state)
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Kenneth Vito Zichi" at Feb 5, 94 11:57:01 am
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UNSUBSCRIBE

--

randy@192.153.4.200


From [e-mail]  Sat Feb  5 23:06:33 1994
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Date:     Sat, 5 Feb 94 23:02:37 EST
From: "Henry T. Rand Jr." (FSAC-AAD) <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  3Y0PI - Peter Island
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>

An expedition to Peter Island, located 200 miles from Antarctica, has been
mounted and is on the air. They were first active on 1 Feb and have as many
as 4 stations on the air at once now.

This is the most wanted country on the DXCC list and the expedition cost
around $300K to undertake. So, if you are a DX chaser you will want to work
this in the next week or so before they leave around the 17th of Feb.

I worked them initially on 17m on 1 Feb with my Argonaut II. Since then I
have managed to work them on each band with CW QRP from 30m on up to 10m.
They have been very workable. I do have some big antennas but on 30m I only
used a dipole. On 20m I worked them with 0.37 watts. This shows they can
hear pretty well so give it a shot.

They work split usually at least 5 KHZ up.

                73 & Good DX,
                Randy Rand AA2U

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb  6 01:29:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21046; Sat, 5 Feb 94 22:28:33 PST
Date: Sat, 5 Feb 94 22:28:33 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Chuck Adams

I called Chuck this evening and he says to tell everyone that he is doing fine.
He will be back on the net in the near future.   He is taking a leave of absence
from his job and is going to take a few months to enjoy life and do what he w
wants to.   Sends his best.
72, Doug
KI6DS

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb  6 17:28:13 1994
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    id AA14969; Sun, 6 Feb 94 12:27:43 HST
    id AA01505; Sun, 6 Feb 94 12:27:43 HST
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 12:27:42 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Var. cap. question
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Gang,
   What is the approx. range of a typical variable cap in a pocket
AM/FM bc band rcvr? 365 pf comes to mind but that seems a bit much...
   Thanks!

Jeffrey NH6IL  [e-mail], who, in his spare time, cannibalizes
old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course).

Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc)

Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish
                    If you do not study you will never become anything.

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb  6 20:20:58 1994
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    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA19711; Sun, 6 Feb 94 20:26:20 -0500
From: [e-mail]
X-Mailer: America Online Mailer
Sender: "randy7388" <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Date: Sun, 06 Feb 94 20:26:14 EST
Subject: QRP/Internet

Attn: WT1M

Hello, I was referred to you from Jim Fitton, W1FMR, regarding
getting subscribed to the QRP-Internet group. (I think).

At present, the only access to on line services I have is via
America On-Line (AOL). Jim had sent an e-mail to me to ask you to get me a
subscription. If this doesn't make any sense, I'll telephone Jim so I can get
it correct.

Thanks for your time,   and 72's de Randy Jones   KA9HAO
                                                       PO Box 1461
                                                       N.Kingstown, RI 02852

Internet addr=[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb  6 21:49:49 1994
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    for [e-mail] id AA02943; Sun, 6 Feb 94 18:49:43 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA06720; Sun, 6 Feb 94 20:49:38 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA01680; Sun, 6 Feb 94 18:49:37 -0800
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 18:49:37 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Jan QQ


Gang,

1.  I am off the mailing list, so any comments, etc. directed to me
    should go to [e-mail].  If my account should disappear, then
    I am gone off the net for a period of time.

    I did not go into details in previous post and I'm sure that many
    thought the worst.  My health is great and I feel much better after
    two days.  :-)  I was putting in 80 hrs per week for a long time
    and I needed the rest.  So I'm taking it.

2.  The Jan 94 issue of QRP Quarterly (QQ) arrived Saturday.
    Here is the table of contents from same.



80 Meter Transceiver using Surface Mount Components - W1CFI .......4
Putting the NN1G Transceiver on 80/40/30 Meters - NN1G ............8
More on the Kenwood TS-50S - N4ELM ...............................12
Remote PF Keys for the TS-50S - N4ELM ............................13
Breathing New Life into Over-the-Hill Tuners - W5QJM .............15
Modify the FT-7: Turn a Good Radio into a Great QRP Radio - AD5X .22

Simple Attic Antenna for 10 Meters - GW0LBI ......................14

S&S Engineering ARK40 Synthesized QRP XCVR - WA8MCQ ..............23

Idea Exchange - WA8MCQ ...........................................16
Contests - N6GA ..................................................26
Members News - KI6SN .............................................36
QRP Quarterly 1993 Index .........................................38


NN1G article.  Dave wants someone to put rig on 17 or 15 meters.  How
about it Ed W1AAZ?

10 pages on contests!!  Cam caught up on all the paperwork.  I know
that there are a lot of anti-contest peopole in the group, but this
will be the largest number of pages consumed for results.  I liked
the spreadsheet format.  Surprise of the century was the results of
the 1992 QSO Party.  Single band results, top scores -
10M N6BXU  39,200 points
15M KF7MD 142,690
20M K5FO   83,495
40M N3OS  695,588

how about that?  i made the big time.  :-)

Cam went back to the format showing states, call, score, points,
power, bands, time, rig, and antenna.  Very interesting reading.


Paula Franke, WB9TBU, is still looking for a new president of QRP ARCI.
Myron Koyle, N8DHT, is the new Secretary/Treasurer
Mike Kilgore, KG5F, is looking for new membership chairman to replace him.

I've been asked to consider the Presidency.  I don't know.  That could be
asking for trouble.  I'd like to see Jeff Gold, AC4HF, think about it.
Maybe we can get Doug Hendricks to publish the Quarterly?  That'd be
interesting.

Dick Pascoe, G0BPS
Seaview House
Crete Road East
Folkestone, Kent CT18 7EG
England

the above for membership in G-QRP and ARCI.

from the keyboard of K5FO,  dit dit






From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 01:23:45 1994
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    id AA21440; Sun, 6 Feb 94 22:22:22 PST
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 22:22:22 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Feb. NorCal Meeting

The February meeting of the NorCal QRP Club was held on Feb. 6 with about
40 members present.  And what a meeting it was!  The weather was cold and
rainy, which caused several members to show up early at the California
Burger.  Denis Englander, KD6ETI, was there with a treat for all of us.  He
had his NorCal 40 with a great new mod, Jim Pepper's, W6QIF, digital display.
It is really neat.  Denis has his rig set up to tune from 7100 to 7140, and
the digital display shows the readout to 1 KHz.  It features a 4 digit
led display, and is quite an addition to the NorCal 40.  Especially for those
of you who have made the mods to give extended band coverage, but are using
a ten turn pot.  Throw away the turns counter, digital display time!  The
club is going to pay for the pcboards to be developed by Far Circuits, and
when they are finished, you will be able to order boards directly from FAR.
The club is not going to Kit this project, but you will be able to order the
parts from Digikey or Mouser.  As soon as the boards are available, a notice
will be put on packet and internet.  Stay tuned.  Thanks to Jim Pepper for
his outstanding work on a much requested project.

Several other NorCal 40's were in attendance and the mods are starting to
fill up the cases.  Terry Seeno, N6YQD, has installed a Curtis Keyer in his
NorCal 40, and the next issue of QRPp will have full details on how to do it
with an article from Mac McClurkin, W7JDZ.  Bob Lai, had his NorCal 40 with
a meter for signal strength mounted in the top, plus a speaker, af amp, and
a neat little antenna to copy signals without using an outside antenna.  Bob
gave me part of an article on his mods and promised to send the rest next
week.  It will be published in the June issue of QRPp.  Stan Cooper, K4DRD,
brought his NC40 Solar Station!  He has just returned from a week in Hawaiia,
(tough job, but someone has to do it!), and while he was there, he worked
Long Beach with his NC40 solar powered.  He has the solar panels, charge
controller, and gel cells all in a compact arrangement that is very easy to
take along backpacking.  Terry Young, KC6SOC, now has 3 layers of circuit boards in
his heavily modified rig.  The mod for 150 KHz band coverage is in the March
issue, and he also put a speaker and additional audio amp plus a keyer in his
rig.  Terry says he has more ideas but is running out of real estate!  Bob
Smith, KD6FVI, had his NC40 and it is stock.  Bob is a new ham, and this is
his first project.  He has done a nice job, and can't wait to get on the air
with it.

I also met Dara Ea, N6YJS, who told me that he built his NorCal 40 in seven
hours.  The neat thing about Dara's story is that it is the first time that
he has ever used a soldering iron.  His first attempt at building anything,
and it works!  This was great to hear, as one of the design goals was to
have a kit that the beginner, the guy who has never touched a soldering
iron (Dara) could successfully build.  Terry Seeno also had his NC40 packed
in a neat carrying case.  The case held the rig, antenna, log, tuner, coax,
battery pack, and the neatest little key you ever saw, made out of pvc pipe
and micro switches.  Terry will write an article on the key and the pack for
the June issue of QRPp.

I brought proof copies of QRPp to the meeting to distribute to my proof
readers, Wayne Burdick, N6KR, Jim Cates, WA6GER, and Steve Cates, KC6TEV can
catch my spelling errors before the final run at the printers.  The March
issue will have 72 pages, 63 articles and the press run is 500 copies.  We
now have 309 members, and the extra copies will be taken to Dayton to give
away at the QRP-QRCI hospitality room.  I will mail the March issue the last
week of February.  The club has ordered a plastic bag sealing machine, and
we will seal all of the issues in a protective bag.  This should help with
the US Postal Service not tearing up the copies.  Also, the March issue will
be mailed bulk rate, but with return postage guaranteed.  That way, if we
have someone's address wrong, the post office must return it to us.  The cost
will be 19.8 cents per issue to mail, as opposed to 98 cents per issue if
mailed first class.  We figured you would rather have more material in QRPp
and take a few days longer to get it.

If you are interested in becoming a subscriber to QRPp, and a NorCal QRP Club
member, send $5 along with your name, call, & address to Jim Cates,
WA6GER, 3241 Eastwood Rd., Sacramento, CA 95821.  Be sure to make checks and
money orders out to Jim and not to NorCal or QRPp.

I have saved the best for last.  Wayne Burdick, N6KR, brought the Sierra All
Band Rig, which is the next club project, with him.  YES, he had the actual
rig there, in a case, with knobs, etc.  The Sierra is the next NorCal Club
project, and we do mean to emphasize club project.  It will only be sold to
club members, and we will do a mailing to all club members within the next
sixty days.  The mailing will contain full specs on the rig and details on
how to order.  We will only do one run of these, so if you want one be sure
to respond to the mailer.  The rig has coverage of 80 - 15 meters, 150 KHz of
the cw portion of the band.  It has a better receiver than the NC40, and
utilizes plug in modules to change bands.  Wayne will post details later.
This is not a beginner's project, and has lots of toroids to wind, but they
are easy to wind.  If you successfully built the NorCal 40, you can probably
be successful with the Sierra.  What is the cost?  We don't know yet, as we
haven't priced the components.  Those details will be in the flyer.  Everyone
who was at the meeting had a smile on their face and a gleem in their eye
when they looked at the rig.  It is exciting!

It was a great meeting.  Don't forget that if you are interested in QRP and
building and want to have fun, come to our "meeting".  But you will be
disappointed if you want to sit through minutes, treasurers reports, old
business, new business and a boring program.  We don't do any of those things.
We get together, show and tell, and talk QRP.  We meet at the California
Burger Restaurant off I-580 at the Santa Rita Exit west of Livermore on the
first Sunday of the month.  The fun starts at 11:00 AM.
72, Doug, KI6DS

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 07:51:08 1994
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From: "William (W.D.) Redfearn" <[e-mail]>
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Message-Id:  <"9437 Mon Feb  7 06:50:51 1994"@nt.com>
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  ATTN: KI6DS - Doug

Yep, you can use the note about my version of the mousekey in the QRPp.
BTW, you did not leave tour e-mail address in your message, hope this
finds you in time.
73 - Dave.

====================================================================
Dave Redfearn, SR PC LAN Analyst   Northern Telecom  RTP, NC.
ph.[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]  Mon Feb  7 09:15:49 1994
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 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:17:50 CST
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 08:17:50 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: ARCI
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Saw Chuck's posting..

I agree with the first part.. think Doug would be great at doing the
newsletter.. already think his NorCal QRPp is excellent, imagine what he
could do with some more resources.

I think after Chuck rests up he would make a great President..I don't
know that I would have time.. I work 2 jobs and write a bunch lately,
not sure what it would involve..wouldn't want to get into anything I
couldn't do well.

72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 09:33:04 1994
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    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pTX1G-000MNPC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 06:32 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pTX4G-0000IIC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 06:36 PST
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 06:36:04 PST
From: Michael D Wyman <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: 40673 crosses (NTE222) are still available!


Text item: Text_1



        Hi Gang,

        I was at Circuit Specialists in Mesa AZ this past weekend and
checked his stock of NTE 222's.  He had plenty of them on the wall and
picked up a couple for myself.  As far as I know we can still get the
NTE replacement.  They also have crossovers for the MRF 237.

                              72 de Mike WB1CWD

                              [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 09:38:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA10904; Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:38:17 -0500
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:38:17 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Duane P Mantick)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  3Y0PI - Peter Island

My question is, will they be on 10 M between 28.3 and 28.5 and do they
listen up for QRP stations now and then?

There is nothing more frustrating than trying to break a massive
pileup using my typical 5 to 10 watts only to discover that the op
has little interest in working QRP stations.....

Duane
wb9omc

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 09:53:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:54:50 CST
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 08:54:50 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ten Tec Gear
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Howdi,

spent a bunch of the weekend on my now developing Ten Tec collection.
Got in an Argosy II.. it was worth the wait and the trouble.. speaking
about fine qrp gear... just flip the switch in the back and you have
either a 50 watt or 5 watt rig. It got me great audio reports on SSB and
good reports on CW.. the digital is nice. the rig has about every option
except the crystal filter.. (hopefully will have this taken care of
soon). The audio filter is effective for both CW and SSB (2 position).
It would make an outstanding mobile rig.. one of the included options is
a noise blanker. Think the one I got also has a relay for driving a
linear..have to figure out how to get rid of that extra.

also got in a Century 22. After getting the Century 21 and never having
seen a 22, I expected a big old looking rig. What a pleasant surprise.
The thing is tiny and real cute.. near mint condition (2 tiny places
where paint is missing). It has a crystal calibrator and variable audio
filter. Both it and the Argosy do 10,15,20,30,40,80 meters. The 22 will
put out 20 watts if you let it. This is the first DC rig I have ever
really enjoyed. Made a some long rag chews and did some DX with it. May
have figured out how to be on the same freq as the person calling CQ. I
moved the RIT knob so that when it sound right to my ear, I am actually
tx on the same freq as the person calling (noticed that the person had
put a tiny mark on the dial in the same place I found.. so confirmed my
theory.. used my 850 to find things out prior to going on the air).

The only thing strange about each rig is that there are no on/off
switches on either that I can find.. a pain in my shack.. maybe I missed
something.

72

Jeff, AC4HF

PS..still waiting to find out about a possible PM2 or PM3 deal

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 10:00:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA13876; Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:01:07 EST
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:01:07 EST
From: [e-mail] (Ron Majewski)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: The NorCal 40 in the NA CW Sprint


Good morning to all-

  I decided to be bold, brave, and daring with my NorCal 40 this weekend.
I used it in the North American CW Sprints that ran from 0000 - 0400 utc.
This was my first experience with the Sprint, and I had trouble adapting
to the unique QSY rules.  The rule seemingly doesn't favor QRP operation,
but I'm a glutton for punishment and dove in with high spirits.  I did
not do any operation on 20m and 80m.

  40m was in great shape and there were lots of extremely strong stations.
The receiver held up pretty darn well -- turning down the RF gain about 1/4
helped quite a bit.  Given the extreme density and strength of signals,
I had surprisingly few selectivity problems.  These were solved by tuning
to a different part of the band. :)  Not a bad solution since everyone
else was hopping around anyway.

  The NorCal was putting out 2w and was feeding my 40m ground plane.  The
GP is 17 feet off the ground and has six radials.  I worked 26 stations
across 18 states in 1.5 hrs of operation.  Since a positive attitude is
everything, I successfully called CQ a few times when I found open
frequencies.  The majority of my contacts, though, were made using search
and pounce.  Texas (five QSOs) and California (four QSOs) were the best
represented states here in Milford, Michigan.

  The CW Sprint was a tremendous amount of fun!  Even with all the strong
signals, I felt swamped out only a few times.  I do need to get my code
speed up -- some of the big dogs bark a bit too fast for my ear.

72/3,

Ron (wb8ruq).



From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 10:25:38 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA16386; Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:34 PST
    id AA25544; Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:33 PST
    id AA28159; Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:32 PST
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 07:25:32 PST
From: [e-mail] (Stephen Hawkins)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]


    I am thinking of building a memory keyer for use with or in
    my QRP rig.  Does anyone out there know of a good kit.
    Thanks [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 10:40:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 10:36:39 EST
Date: 07 Feb 1994 10:36:39 -0500 (EST)
From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Var. cap. question
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
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The two_section variables have a range of from 35 to 365 (approx.) on the big
section, as you thought, and 5 to 50 pf (approx.) on the little section.
The ones that have just a single section have the larger range, and I imagine
they do some tricks with taps on the loop stick to get the osc. in the right
range.

I'm sure you'll realize that these caps have to have about a ten-to-one range
in order to meet the three-to-one requirement imposed by the defined width of
the am bc band.

72.115383

Don Coleman, W1VOQ

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 10:52:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21212; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 10:52:59 -0500
    id AA02703; Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:51:34 -0500
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 10:51:34 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
To: "[e-mail]"[e-mail]
Subject: NN1G problem resolved

Hello All,

I finally solved a perplexing problem I had with the 20m NN1G rig I'm
assembling. It's a problem I've seen reported here before, so this
information may be of some help to others.

In my case, the VFO wouldn't oscillate, even through I tried all of the
obvious things. Finally yanked the 560 pF cap (C1) and it started to
sing. I tacked in a 470pF ceramic cap, one with a blue band on the top,
(a Jameco part) thinking it was an NPO. Same thing. It stopped oscillating
as soon as the cap was in the circuit. I stuck in a 220 pF NPO (fer sure)
in the circuit and it worked fine, although off frequency.

Next I tried silver mica caps. Beautiful! Worked every time I cycled power.
The final component values were thus: total capacitance, excluding the
100 pF film, was 370 pF. This was comprised of 270 and 100 pF mica caps.
The number of turns on L1 was 30, with the tap 8 turns up from the cold
end, instead of 4 turns. This last suggestion came from Ed, W1AAZ. I tried
modifying the inductor first, thinking that it would solve the problem, but
it didn't. I was tired of winding toriods by then, so I left it as is and
it appears to be stable.

The only thing I can deduce is that the regular ceramic caps are too lossy
(i.e. low Q, high leakage resistance) and cause the oscillator to non-
function. I had temporarily fixed this by bridging the 5 pF coupling cap
with a 22 pF cap, but this obviously wasn't the ultimate solution. Are there
any component specialists out there that can confirm this suspicion?

So, the suggestion is to make sure you use high quality caps in the vfo
tank circuit. Silver mica, NPO or film caps will do just fine.

Tonight, I'll complete alignment of the receiver portion and hope there's
some action on the band tonight!


Bob - N3MBY     *patiently* waiting for my NorCal 40!


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 11:10:12 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        (Soft-Switch Central V4L380P3); 07 Feb 1994 10:59:10 EST
Message-Id: <BL15B.JHEISE.9103.1994 020710 59 10 59>
Date: 07 Feb 1994 10:59:10 EST
From: "JHeise" <[e-mail]>
Subject: 3Y0PI - 10 meters & QRP
To: [e-mail]
Comment: MEMO 1994/02/07 11:11

     QRP Gang,
     I cannot vouch for whether the expidition will listen for QRP or not.
     I did work them Saturday afternoon on 10 meters in the 300-500 portion
     of the band.

     3Y0PI - transmitting on 28.475, listening 28.480-490 mhz.

     I heard the rumor Thursday night at our club meeting that the Russian
     ship picking them up was going to be six days late.  If that is true,
     they will be on Peter I a total of 18 days.  The propagation has been
     good, and the longer they are there, the better the chance of working
     them QRP.

     BTW - I gave a QRP presentation to the club which went VERY WELL.  Had
     over 30 people who were quite interested.  Five people brought in
     equipment for "show and tell" including, A&A Engineering kit, NN1G II,
     Ten Tec Scout, HW-8, MFJ 9020, HB and lots of accessories.  My NC40 did
     not arrive in time :-(   I gave out handouts with lots of info on
     clubs, frequencies, kits, etc.  I started out with a copy of the
     notorious ETO Alpha Life's too short... ad and a caption saying "Is
     this the image of ham radio we want to portray?"  It was a piece of
     cake from there on :-)
     72/73
     Jan WA4VQD    [e-mail]



From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 11:29:58 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 10:31:32 CST
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 10:31:32 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP mini-Expedition
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

Hi all,


In my never ending quest for truth, justice, the American Way and trying
to get hams excited about QRP:

I am planning to do a mini-expedition to a wild and untamed section of a
Tennessee State park. I believe the expedition will be a special events
station bearing the Tennessee Technological U. club call.. WA4UCE.. I am
the club trustee (I am trying to get the students excited). I believe we
will try to make it April 15,16 17 and offer a nice certificate. My
hopes are to get some spectacular pictures (bringing a couple of prof.
photographers.. alumni and students), make a bunch of contacts and then
be able to write a GREAT story hopefuly for QST.

We are planning on operating SSB and CW. We will either have 2 stations
or keep alternating. We will be using battery power and multi-band wire
and some PVC verticals. I would love to get hold of the QRP Plus and a
MFJ 20 meter SSB for this trip.. but have my Argosy II and about 8 CW
rigs available for the adventure.

I would certainly like to arrange for as many people from this list as
possible to attempt to contact us and also from the .misc group (some of
these people obviously need to be converted).

72

Jeff, AC4HF


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 11:54:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA11492; Mon, 7 Feb 94 08:40:02 PST
    id AA27001; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 08:40:05 -0800
 V4.2-12 #4050) id <[e-mail]>; Mon,
 7 Feb 1994 08:44:01 PDT
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 08:43:39 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
Subject: Norcal 40 Does DX
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Envelope-To: [e-mail]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

Well lads (and lassies), with any luck I will have
a brief stint in 3X land. Assuming that I can get a license
a Norcal 40 will accompany me. More as the time appraches -
most likely April.

73

Grover WT6P



From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 12:44:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA17143; Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:44:06 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA11104; Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:44:03 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA02439; Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:44:02 -0800
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 09:44:02 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: ARCI Membership


Sorry for the confusion on last post.  Renewals go to England for DX.
US stateside stations still go to Mike Kilgore until a change of hands
takes place.  My apologies for any confusion that I may have caused.

dit dit




From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 13:37:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA25512; Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:38:06 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:38:05 -0500
From: [e-mail] (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;653 CCSG/SCT)
Subject: Is this reasonable?
To: [e-mail]


>From our local credit union bulletin:

FOR SALE Ham Radio Electronic Keyer, MFJ422B oscillator & Bencher
paddle, $100..

Is this a reasonable price?  I have been considering trying an
electronic keyer but, am not up on the various models..

Tnx,

Larry, KQ4BY

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 14:49:01 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA17639; Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:48:19 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA11990; Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:48:14 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA02650; Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:48:13 -0800
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 11:48:13 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] (Mark Swartwout)
Subject: RE: ARCI Membership
Cc: [e-mail]

to

Mike Kilgore KG5F
2046 Ash Hill Road
Carrollton, Texas  75007

for US renewals and new memberships to QRP ARCI.

it looks like it's time for FAQ for QRPers.  i'll do it in two
weeks.  anyone want to contribute their two cents worth, just send
contributions to me, [e-mail]


dit  dit

p.s.  Monday, 2000Z, 40M is long to MI and the east coast.  look for
      yours truly tonite around 7.040 +/- pileups on the dx-pedition.





From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 14:55:33 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:47:49 EST
Date: 07 Feb 1994 14:47:49 -0500 (EST)
From: "D A Coleman (ext. 2850)" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Var. cap. question
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

Yes indeed.  And the amazing thing is that I used to use the larger-sized,
older units to pad the output coil on my converted ARC5 xmtr years ago.  The
cap"s plates would arc on humid days now and then, but there were probably
sometimes a couple of hundred peak volts of rf on "em!

72

Don, W1VOQ

GL

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 16:07:16 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29907; Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:03:25 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 13:06:41 PST
From: "The faster you drive, the less you feel." <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Apparently-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Article from QQ   Jan 94 needed please!


    Can someone who gets QQ copy the article about the
FT7 for me? I would be more than happy to reimburse you for
the cost involved.

    I thought the FT7 was a nifty radio, but I assumed I
was the only one that HAD one!!!

    Best 72/73
    /john
    WB5OAU

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 17:08:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 16:10:15 CST
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 16:10:15 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Dayton ARCI room res
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

anyone hear yet about the room reservations? I sent my check in quite a
while ago.. and never heard either way...guess I should find out... may
be April some day.

72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 17:16:01 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:11:30 -0800
To: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: Sierra

The NorCal QRP club has now officially kicked off its new club project, the
Sierra multiband QRP CW transceiver.   I demonstrated the Sierra prototype
at our monthly meeting in Pleasanton yesterday.

We will do another revision of the PC board in about a month, at which time
I hope we'll be ready to build a batch of Sierras for field-testing by
NorCal club members *only*.  If you're interested in the Sierra but are not
a club member yet, write to Jim Cates at:  3241 Eastwood Road, Sacramento,
CA  95821.  Include $5 to join.

Tentative pricing is around $250 including the 80, 40, 30, 20, and 15 meter
band modules.  We won't be doing any variations on this, since we have to
purchase the custom crystals in predictably large quantities to keep the
prices low.

73,
Wayne, N6KR

P.S. -- If you didn't receive my earlier description of the Sierra, here it is:

This Sierra is a multiband successor to the NorCal 40.   The rig is
optimized for portable use.  It is a bit bigger than the NorCal 40 at 6"W x
2.5"H x 5"D, and uses internal plug-in modules for each band.  The band
modules are 1"H x 4"W and contain only passive components (filters and HFO
crystal).  The Sierra uses a premix scheme, a superhet receiver with 400 Hz
crystal filter at an I.F. of 4.915MHz, and a very stable VFO running at
around 3MHz.  Receive-mode current drain is 30mA (higher when using a
speaker), and nominal transmit power output is around 2 to 3 watts.  There
is only one PC board in the unit besides the band modules; this main board
has all controls and connectors and even the case parts mounted to it, so
there is very little additional wiring.  The rig tunes 150KHz
of 80, 40, 30, 20, 17 and 15 meters.  The VFO dial is calibrated in 5KHz
steps and uses a capacitor with a built-in 8:1 vernier.

Note: With 25% more parts and more complicated alignment, the Sierra is not
a good project for a first-time kit builder.  A future version of the rig
may be refined enough to attract a wider audience, but for now it should be
attempted only by true QRP backpackers and other pioneers with good
electronics skills and plenty of patience to wind toroids.  (There are 8
easy-to-wind toroids on each band module, so plan to get good at it!)

The Sierra is a step up from the the NorCal 40 is several ways,
incorporating better key shaping, more AGC range, and enough audio to
comfortably drive a speaker.

I'll answer technical questions about the Sierra, but please send your
NorCal membership questions or requests to Jim Cates.


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 17:18:30 1994
Return-Path: <ccm![e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pTeHP-000MNgC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:18 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pTeKF-0000TxC; Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:21 PST
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:21:02 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Norcal 40 Does DX

I anxiously await, as I can rest assured you'll listen for QRPers
only?  Right?   :)

de WO7T/QRP
Mark



______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Norcal 40 Does DX
Author:  [e-mail] at Internet_Gateway
Date:    2/7/94 9:51 AM


Well lads (and lassies), with any luck I will have
a brief stint in 3X land. Assuming that I can get a license
a Norcal 40 will accompany me. More as the time appraches -
most likely April.

73

Grover WT6P

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb  7 18:04:59 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA06305; Mon, 7 Feb 94 14:46:47 PST
    id AA13981; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 14:46:48 -0800
 V4.2-12 #4050) id <[e-mail]>; Mon,
 7 Feb 1994 14:50:43 PDT
Date: Mon, 07 Feb 1994 14:50:23 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
Subject: Re: Article from QQ   Jan 94 needed please!
To: "The faster you drive, the less you feel." <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Envelope-To: [e-mail]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT

>        Can someone who gets QQ copy the article about the
>FT7 for me? I would be more than happy to reimburse you for
>the cost involved.
>
>        I thought the FT7 was a nifty radio, but I assumed I
>was the only one that HAD one!!!
>
>        Best 72/73
>        /john
>        WB5OAU


Me too! Me too!

Grover

WT6P



From [e-mail]  Tue Feb  8 00:52:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id VAA23709; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 21:48:02 -0800
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 21:48:02 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
Subject: RCA 40673 replacements

On 02-04-94, [e-mail] wrote to [e-mail]:

>------------------------------------
>And a fine list it was, indeed (which I plan to compare against my
>collection tonight in case I've missed anything :-), but there's one
>minor trap awaiting:
>
>The 40673 is no longer in production, and apparently replacements for
>it are getting scarce as well.  I *think* the 3N200 is a good
>replacement, but it may not be being produced as well.  Danny Stevig's
>catalog newsletters usually mention whichever dual-gate MOSFET he's
>managed to stock up on most recently.
>

>------------------------------------

The NTE replacement line includes the NTE222, of which I have purchased
MANY from our local distributor.  They're not cheap, around $4, but I have
no idea what the original price level was when the 40673 was available.
Because these are intended as replacements, and because these things are
delicate enough that they blow sufficiently often, I'm guessing there will
always be a market for them in the replacement field!

John K0JD


---
 * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly

From [e-mail]  Tue Feb  8 01:16:10 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id WAA24368; Mon, 7 Feb 1994 22:11:28 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Transistorizing the T-368 exciter
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 7 Feb 94 22:11:26 PST
From: John Seboldt <[e-mail]>

I have had a military surplus T368 VFO/multiplier for some time.  I hooked
it to my old Heath DX60 when I first got back on the air about 5 years
ago, and it was a marvelous VFO -- far more stable than the mating HG10,
and cost $35 from Fair Radio Sales at the time.

If you're not acquainted with the unit, it has a 1.5-3 MHz PTO, a
mechanical digital readout, and doubler stages to cover 1.5-3, 3-6, 6-12,
and 12-24 MHz (they say 12-20, but the dial reads to 24; probably reflects
the ratings of the companion PA).  It's built like a tank, and the tuned
circuits in the multipliers track the PTO in typically elegant Collins
fashion.

Lately I have been building up Rick Campbell's R2 receiver, and have had a
5 watt transmitter for some time, built while I was trying to see if Rick
was going to provide kits!  When it became apparent that he was barely
able to keep up with circuit board requests, I made my own and went
forward.  Gradually, I realized that the old T368 would be a marvelous
general-coverage VFO -- it's built like a tank, far more stable than I
could ever construct.

Suggestions for transistorizing the PTO were made in Feb. 1989 QST
Technical Correspondence.  I adapted those ideas.  so far, so good.

I was on my own on the multiplier stages.  I chose to wire in JFET's,
using the locally-available NTE312.  One stage had a weird low-frequency
oscillation, but I cured it with a series RC network.  It worked! Then
just broadband output stages to boost the power up for those hungry
diode-ring mixers.

While I was at it, I added a tuning diode to the PTO for RIT and CW
offset.  I have two pots (found matching knobs at a local surplus house!)
and a switch added to the front panel, and a transistor switching
arrangement to select the correct pot when the transmitter is keyed.
Works well with full QSK.

Does this trip anybody's trigger?  Will happily provide more details if
interested -- not that I've done everything absolutely right, of course,
but like any experimenter, I just kept fiddling till it worked.

John K0JD



From [e-mail]  Tue Feb  8 12:13:26 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 09:11:52 -0800
To: [e-mail] (Trevor G. Smith)
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: Re: Sierra on 17M?
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail]


>The sierra didnt mention 17m but your general specs
>did - is this a typo? is 17m included?

Trevor,

17 meters is the 6th band covered by the Sierra, but it's not included in
our club project field-test package because our survey showed little
interest.  However, the manual will include information on what crystal to
buy, how to wind the toroids, etc., so you can build up a band module for
that band too.  My calculations show the possibility of a small birdie at
18.074MHz, but I haven't tried that band on the prototype yet--it may
disappear.

In any case, the boards for the band modules will be available so you can
try any other band you'd like, including 160, 12, and 10 meters.  On these
bands, though, there are compromises.  On 160 meters, you can't cover the
full 150 KHz without some mods to the tuned circuits, and on 10 and 12 you
need a 3rd-overtone crystal and a couple of parts to suppress the
fundamental.

72,
Wayne



From [e-mail]  Tue Feb  8 14:43:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 14:41:28 EST
From: N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1  08-Feb-1994 1426 <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Apparently-To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP shopping list, rev 2


Here's a revised flea market shopping list for the circuits in W1FB QRP
Notebook. I added a few things: chips, zeners, wire, and various types of caps.
As before, this is everything that appears 3 or more times in all of the
schematics in the book, with the exception of a couple of items, like the
chips. If it has a +, buy lots of it. Thanks for the word on the 40673, guys!
BTW anyone know what a T24-43 toroid is? Not in the Amidon catalog.

Transistors     Amidon cores    Diodes          Chokes  Enamel  Hardware
2N2222A+        T24-43 ?        1N914+          1mH+    Wire    6-32
2N3553          T37-6+                          22uH+   #18     4-40
2N3866          T50-2+          Zeners          15uH    #20
2N3904+         T50-6+          6.8V            10uH    #24
2N4400+         T68-2+          9.1V                    #26
2N4401+         T68-6           15V                     #28
2N4403+         FT37-43+        33V                     #30
2N4416+         FT50-43+        56V (0.4 & 1W)
2N5179+         FT50-63
MPF102+         BLN43-202
40673 (NTE222)  Bead, 850mu

Chips           Op Amps         Pots    Mini Air        Ceramic or
CA3028 (RCA)    741             100k+   Variable        Mica Trimmer
CA3046          747             10k+    15              5   50
LM386 (Natl)    TL081 (TI)      1k      25              10  60+
LM723                                   50              15  100+
MC1350P (Moto)                          100+            25  300
MC1496G                                 150
MC3346P
MWA110
NE555 (Sig)
NE602
uPC1651G (NEC)

Disk Ceramic                    NP0             Electrolytic    Polystyrene
22   100+  0.001++ (102)        22   100+       or Tantulum     220
27   130   0.005   (502)        27   130        1+              560
33   150+  0.01++  (103)        47+  150        2.2+            1000
47+  220   0.1++   (104)        56+  220        4.7             1500
56+  470                        68              10+             2000
68+  680                                        22+ (16 & 25V)  2200+
                                                220             10000
                                                                15000
Resistors  (1/4 & 1/2w, comp or film)
10+  100++  1.0k++  10k++  100k++               Silver Mica
15   150    1.5k+   12k    220k+                130   390
22   180+   2.2k+   15k    470k+                150+  470
33+  220    2.7k    22k+                        180+  560
47+  270+   3.3k+   27k+                        220   750
56+  390    3.9k    33k                         240   1000
     470+   4.7k+   47k+                        270+  1200
     560+   5.6k+   56k+                        330

Stock up those junk boxes!
-Tom R.   N1OOQ   [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Tue Feb  8 21:35:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA27235; Tue, 8 Feb 94 16:34:39 HST
    id AA05172; Tue, 8 Feb 94 16:34:38 HST
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 16:34:37 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: 2N2222 x-sistors
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>

Gang,
   The QRP Notebook calls for the `generic' 2N222A x-sistor in several
circuits. I've got several dozen 2N2222 with out the suffic `A'. I assume
the `A' version is the `new and imporved model' - anyone know what the
difference in specs are?
   Oh, I got all these 2N2222's out of the trash - the dumpster behind
our computer center is filled with wonderful things like these (this is
called ``dumpster diving'').

===========================================================================

Jeffrey NH6IL  [e-mail], who, in his spare time, cannibalizes
old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course).

Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc CW)

Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish
                    If you do not study you will never become anything.
===========================================================================

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 00:48:22 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA25658; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:48:15 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA25243; Tue, 8 Feb 94 23:48:13 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA05144; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:48:13 -0800
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:48:13 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: DX QRP ARCI Membership



Gang,


I received a nice email from Dick Pascoe, G0BPS.  As it turns out,
he is on this list.  His email is [e-mail] and all
DX amateurs should address all correspondance to him via email or

to:  Dick Pascoe, G0BPS
     Seaview House
     Crete Road East
     Folkestone, Kent CT18 7EG
     England

Membership is 7 Pounds Sterling for new members and 6 Pounds Sterling
for renewals.  Make check or MO in British pounds.  Maybe Pounds Sterling
is incorrect.  I made that up from memory and my old English History.

Make payable to G-QRP or R. Pascoe G0BPS.

dit  dit





From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 00:55:22 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA26028; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:55:10 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA25247; Tue, 8 Feb 94 23:55:07 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA05148; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:55:05 -0800
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:55:05 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: mobile to chicago il


Gang,

i'm contemplating going mobile from dallas to chicago starting this
friday.  everybody north of me send me email on the road conditions.
the temperature dropped from 80 degrees F to 40 degrees F here and
it's going to 20 degrees F by tomorrow afternoon.  expecting ice and
sleet, but warming up by friday.  am i hoping for too much for the
area to the north?  i know it's been a heck of winter for everybody.

all you county hunters may wanna listen for me on 14.0555 if i do go.
hope i don't have to wait for spring!!

why mobile?  JB - just because.  i got the antenna tuned, the
FT-707 outta the closet, and the heathkit micromatic keyer mounted
on velcro to a leg strap.  rock & roll at 35wpm at 65mph.  it
doesn't get any better than this.  :-)

dit dit





From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 00:56:20 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA26110; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:56:07 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA25252; Tue, 8 Feb 94 23:56:05 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA05155; Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:56:04 -0800
Date: Tue, 8 Feb 94 21:56:04 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: OHR Sprint


All owners of OHR Sprint W7EL kit.  Send me email.

dit  dit




From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 11:16:11 1994
Return-Path: <nshore!seastar![e-mail]>
    id AA27406; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:16:05 -0500 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for [e-mail])
    id m0pUHRu-0002pHC; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:07 EST
    id m0pUGJf-0001BAC; Wed, 9 Feb 94 08:54 CST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed Feb  9 08:54:59 1994

Newsgroups: qrp
Path: jjw
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Subject: Re: QRP shopping list, rev 2
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 1994 14:54:55 GMT
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
Distribution: local
References: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Followup-To: qrp
Organization: Welch Research.
Lines: 10

As quoted from <[e-mail]> by nshore!usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu!est.enet.dec.com!randolph (N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1  08-Feb-1994 1426):

> BTW anyone know what a T24-43 toroid is? Not in the Amidon catalog.

    I would guess it's a typo of an FT23-43, as the -43 is a
ferrite type, and they do have a size 23 in that material...

--
When I die, they'll bury me                           John Welch, N9JZW
in the Tomb of the Unknown Hacker.                    [e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 13:29:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA14293; Wed, 9 Feb 94 13:28:23 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 13:28:22 -0500
From: [e-mail] (CONTRACTOR Larry Keith;653 CCSG/SCT)
Subject: Re: Is this reasonable?
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
X-Orig-Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 21:42:28 -0500 (EST)
X-Orig-From: [e-mail]
X-Orig-Message-Id: <m0pU4sn-0007KHC@mulvey>


Tnx to all who responded to my Keyer/Paddle query..   'tis nice to
have an information source like this..  Think I will pass on this one,
catch up with Jeff at Dalton and get some good recommendations.

73,

Larry, KQ4BY

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 14:45:13 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA06031; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:45:01 PST
    id AA11015; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:45:00 PST
    id AA02764; Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:44:59 PST
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 11:44:59 PST
From: [e-mail] (Stephen Hawkins)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]


Howdy,
    Thanks to all who responded to my question about memory
    keyers.  The winner by a huge margin the Cmos Super Keyer II.
    In fact no other keyer got any of the 15 votes.
    Thanks Again  73 49 0111 0011  de Steve WV6U


From [e-mail]  Wed Feb  9 18:12:12 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA13580; Wed, 9 Feb 1994 18:12:00 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: unsubscribe
To: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 18:12:00 EST
From: Terry Murphy <[e-mail]>
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4dev PL65]
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text
Content-Length: 13

UNSUBSCRIBE


From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 10 07:58:43 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA20304; Thu, 10 Feb 94 08:01:08 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Thu, 10 Feb 1994 07:58:04 -0500
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 07:58:04 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]

Hello everybody, and I'm glad to be back on line.
Our mail has been down for some time, but it works
again.

Anyway, I had too much time to think while Off the list server,
so here's just one of those thoughts that I had.

I realize there are a lot of people that are kit builders out there
, and that they are haveing a lot of fun.  But I'll bet
with all of you kit builders that if you build from scratch
a transceiver like the nn1g, or the spider or something along that
order, and don't learn one thing from it that you find valuable,
then I'll buy a kit and build it myself, something within my meager
budget that is... This is a big deal for me, because I haven't
wanted to build a kit since the first Sudden Receiver that
I made using my own p.c. board.
I truely believe that by building from scratch, you will learn more
about circuit layout, component tolerance, construction, and the
circuit operation in general than you can by building a kit.  Who
knows you may learn enough to write a good technical article from it.

The definition of scratch is as follows:

1. Make your own p.c. boards, or use ugly construction
2. Procure all parts yourself, including torroids.
3. Use whatever documentation you can scrounge

If you do this, you may find that this is the next step towards
hobby gratification, or you may say that this next step is beyond
your means and you'll never do it again.
Whatever, I beleive you will learn something that will be of use
to you in the hobby.

Then after that is the next step... Designing your own.
I have been building other people's designs from scratch ,
but haven't myself stepped into the design it yourself arena
with the exception of add on circuits like t/r switches
and circuit enhancments. Some day I'll do that  too.

73 from the snowy north east.
Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 10 12:42:15 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 12:41:30 EST
From: N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1  10-Feb-1994 1232 <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Apparently-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Dumpster diving

Speaking of dumpster diving, I found some heavy duty switching power supplies
when DEC was cleaning out one of the computer rooms here. A couple are in primo
condition, all I have to do is figure out how to hook them up. A couple more
were scrap... lots of 2N4401 and 2N4403 xsistors, some voltage regulators, some big caps, some MOVs, some diodes. Lots of potted toroids too... another ham
claims I can liberate them by cooking them in the oven for a while, I say more
trouble than it's worth....
-Tom R.   N1OOQ   [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 10 22:17:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
From: Bruce Walker <[e-mail]>
    id AA11837; Thu, 10 Feb 94 22:17:17 EST
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 22:17:17 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP List now under Majordomo
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Greetings, QRPers.  I am in the process of drastically changing the way
this list is managed.  With travel, work, and vacation schedules, it has
been difficult for me to respond to QRP-Requests in a timely manner.  And,
I had been meaning to establish a digestified version of the qrp list for
some time.  So, tonight, I configured this list to be maintained by
Majordomo, an automated mailing list maintenance program.  People can now
subscribe, unsubscribe, and retrieve information files and archives by mail
without human intervention.

Also, coming your way very soon is a Digested version of the list.  For
those of you who don't want to receive each QRP message individually, you
may wish to unsubscribe to the QRP list and subscribe to the QRP-Digest
list.  Actually, you may do so now, but no guarantees that it works until
the first digest comes out!  Digests will be created nightly for now, but
if there is popular demand or low volume (now that Chuck's off the list
:-), I'll move it to weekly digests.  Opinions are welcome.

All administrative requests should now be sent to "[e-mail]";
mail sent to the QRP-Request address will cause an automatic reply from
Majordomo telling you what you should do.

If you want to unsubscribe from this list, send a message to the majordomo
address above containing only the line:

    unsubscribe qrp

If you want to get the QRP-Digest list (still considered highly
experimental!) instead of the QRP list, send a message containing these two
commands:

    unsubscribe qrp
    subscribe qrp-digest

More info on things you can do with/to majordomo can be had by sending the
command:

    help

Eventually, I will move the files which are in the QRP anonymous FTP area
into an area where they can be automaticaly retrieved by majordomo; as yet,
you'll find nothing with "index qrp".

I hope this isn't too impersonal to you, but I think we're all better off
putting things like editing names on a list in the hands of a machine,
rather than wait a week for me to get around to processing the requests!

If you still have questions or comments that require a human, send to
[e-mail], and someone will (eventually) get back to you.

73,
--Bruce Walker
  Thinking Machines Corporation, Cambridge, MA
  [e-mail]; [phone]; Aviation: PP-ASEL; Radio: WT1M

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 14:29:55 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    with ESMTP id MAA24795; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 12:52:06 -0500
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 12:49:00 -0500 (EST)
From: Rodney Clayton <[e-mail]>
Subject: Using RS DX440 as QRP RX.
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Someone recently mentioned using their DX440 as RX for qrp work. I was
hoping they could drop me a note. I would like to see what type of
antenna's they are using and how effective it is. thank's Rod


From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 14:45:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcuw20109; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:35:15 -0500
        ; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 12:35:14 -0500
    id AA16648; Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:45:12 EST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:45:12 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], uunet!CBA.Kodak.COM![e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I have never heard anyone refer to their DX40, HW100, HW9 or SB220 as being
homebrew. If you assemble a kit, that is all that you have done.

73

Ed W1AAZ

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 15:03:35 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA07871; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:03:17 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA08265; Fri, 11 Feb 94 14:03:10 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA00440; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:03:07 -0800
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:03:07 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: K5FO/M delay
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Trip to IL delayed until Wednesday or Thursday.  Details
to follow when I get loaded up.  WX is nasty in a couple
of spots and I didn't want to get snowed in, but that
wouldn't be too bad.  I'd get to do some operating.

Anyone remember if YN1CC's QSL manager is W3HKN?  I'm
doing this from memory, and I still wanna get the 3 QSO's
confirmed.  I found a bunch of cards (well a few) that I
thought I had sent out in a pile of log sheets on the desk.
So if I promised you a QSL card and you didn't get it, not
to worry.  I still have it.  :-)

If you have not sent in your subscription to QRPp, you are
making a big mistake.  March issue if 72 pages.  I just
proofed it and it took two hours!!  Lot's of good stuff.

Doug is an important stop on the super highway of information.
Uncle Al, uncle Bill, and aunt Hilary need to take lessons from
Doug.  :-)  Thinking back on the number of people who have quit
this group 'cuz of the number of mailings, they are in trouble.
The internet generates more than 150MB of info each day!!!  It's
going to get worse each week as more and more people jump on the
bandwagon.  My two cent evaluation at no extra charge.

dit dit


p.s. This is vacation.  :-)
Chuck Adams  K5FO  CP-60
[e-mail]




From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 15:42:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcvi29340; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:40:28 -0500
        ; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 15:40:29 -0500
    id AA17102; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:39:43 EST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:39:43 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], uunet!ccm.hf.intel.com![e-mail]
Subject: Re: Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

>
>Personally, I feel it's homebrew if you assembled the electrical
>components in to a something and it works :) This includes the heathkit
>HW-8s and HW-9s of yester-year.
>
Well, I guess I have to take back my earlier statement "that I never heard
anyone ever take credit for their Heatkit as homebrew equipment".

When did "connect the dots" or "paint by the numbers" art?

Shall I now call my Kenwood TS850S/AT homebrew (after all I did return a
product survey questionnaire once and therefore participated in it's design)?


Ed W1AAZ


From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 15:45:37 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pV4h9-000MNuC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:42 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pV4kh-0000dlC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:46 PST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 12:46:14 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Well all I did with my OHR-20 kit was solder it together, align it,
debug the initial faults, and get it working.

Same goes for the RadioKit QRP-17 which is a version of the MFJ
rigs by Rick Littlefield that I am currently building from a kit.

So, it appears I've broken the rules QQ has for contesting as
these rigs aren't really HB since I just assembled them. I'll
be paying more attention to my scoring next contest, and not
count myself for any extra points due to HB equipment.

I wanted clear clarification on this as I don't care to be
out of bounds with the rules.

Tnx es 73,

WO7T/QRP


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re:  Operating semantics
Author:  [e-mail] at Internet_Gateway
Date:    2/11/94 12:21 PM


I have never heard anyone refer to their DX40, HW100, HW9 or SB220 as being
homebrew. If you assemble a kit, that is all that you have done.

73

Ed W1AAZ

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 16:17:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA16122; Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:16:47 HST
    id AA20076; Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:16:32 HST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 11:16:31 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Homebrew vs. Kits
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Gang,
   It's difficult for me to accept that building a kit should be called
homebrew. The distinction is not getting the parts all at once versus
getting them one at a time; it's more like having to do some math in
determing L&C values for resonance, finding coil forms, winding your
own coils by referring to the proper formula (taking into account
wire size, radius and length of the coil), substituting a hard-to-find
capacitor with a couple in series or parallel (and having to do a
little arithmetic), determing the parts layout, then figuring out
why the whole mess doesn't work as it's supposed to.
   Sorry to go against the majority's opinion but this is how I
feel about it.

===========================================================================

Jeffrey NH6IL  [e-mail], who, in his spare time, cannibalizes
old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course).

Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc CW)

Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish
                    If you do not study you will never become anything.
===========================================================================

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 17:04:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          11 Feb 94 14:03 PST
To: Edward Pacyna <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Operating semantics
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Fri, 11 Feb 1994 11:45:12 EST."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 14:03:44 -0800
From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I have to agree with you, Ed, on your comment about "kits" not being
homebrewed.  I would feel more honest if I were to brew the board and
actually have something to do with the circuit design.  Just my two
cents.....

72

Clark
WA3JPG

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 17:09:54 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          11 Feb 94 14:09 PST
To: [e-mail]
Subject: NorCal 40 as true backpack radio?
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 14:09:32 -0800
From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Well, I have not yet built my NorCal 40 kit.  I have been busy trying
to extricate myself from the stuff I am doing, and am about to break
away and take a few months this summer backpacking up the Pacific Crest
trail or down the Appalachian Trail from Maine.  I need some time alone,
and enjoy roughing it in the wilderness.

I plan to take radio, at least for periodic checking in with my wife,
KC6TKO, who promises to have her General soon.  I used to carry my
Argonaut 505 with a lantern battery, tuner, and wire.  Honest.  It took
some space and weight, but I could still carry a good week of supplies and
go way out into the woods and set up camp with radio.  That is not a good
solution now, since I plan to take over 10 days between supplies at the
least.  I wonder about experiences with current drain on the NorCal,
and wonder about any battery combinations and thoughts.  I would naturally
go for a small AA pack with alkaline cells, and operate for a half hour
or so every 3 days or something, which I suspect would work fine.

Anyone think about this stuff?  I need to be somewhat serious, since I
may really need to call out if something goes wrong.  I will frequently
be over 100 miles from anything civilized.

72

Clark
WA3JPG

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 17:49:33 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA27342; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:49:15 MST
    id AA10197; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:49:13 MST
    id AA18664; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:49:12 MST
    id AA12945; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:06 CST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:06 CST
From: [e-mail] (Rand Gray)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Homebrew vs. Kits
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk



There is a fairly substantial tradition which categorizes a homebrew rig
as one built from 'scratch'. That is, your building instructions are mostly
a schematic diagram, a parts list, and an article which probably provides
help on electrical checkout and alignment.  It is not common to require that
the homebrewer is also the designer.

There is a strong distinction between following detailed step-by-step
Heathkit-style instructions, and building mostly from a schematic.

On the other hand, I don't think it's required to etch your own circuit board.
Remember, a circuit board is just one more component in an assembly.  The
circuit board merely reinforces the 'recipe' which the article provided.

The tradition seems to suggest that it's homebrew if:

1. You built it from plans found in the amateur literature, OR

2. You designed it yourself, frequently by deriving your design from others
   found in the amateur literature.

3. You have made significant modifications to an existing kit or finished
   assembly (particularly in the heyday of war surplus equipment).

The tradition has held that commercial kits are not homebrew, but I really
think it depends on the kit.  If the kit supplies all the parts, the circuit
board, an assembly drawing, alignment procedures, and perhaps a reprint of
the original article, it is quite far from being a Heathkit.

Perhaps the distinction comes down to the set of skills which were required:

1. Reading schematic diagrams.

2. Reading assembly drawings or circuit-board silkcreens.

3. Interpreting color codes.

etc.

I have to say that watching and participating in the homebrew scene for many
years, I have never seen a requirement that to be homebrew means you had to
perform any design tasks or mathematics.  There is great pleasure in doing
such things, but they are not at the crux of homebrewing.

Just my two cents.

73,

Rand W1GXN        [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 19:03:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17785; Fri, 11 Feb 94 15:58:33 PST
    id AA24802; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:01:54 PST
    id AA11806; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:03:07 PST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 15:51:08 -0800 (PST)
From: stark <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics
To: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.05.9402111506.A11484-a100000@nimbus>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Well gang,

I just have to go against the group. When you look at
the question, it is asking if kit building is the same
as buying a rig. Or it's asking if is the same as scratch
building.

No simple answer but I think kit building puts a person
way ahead of those who just buy. And many many kit builders
wind up doing other things on their own.

Much more ham spirit building kits than buying radios. And has
anyone put a kit together without having to solve some kind
of problem? Wrong parts, bad board, broken things etc.

So to me it sounds a bit elitist to draw that fine a line. I
think the spirit of the rules is what counts. Otherwise there
will be a lot of classes.

On the other hand, the more classes, the more winners, so maybe
that is a good answer!

Just my 2 cents worth....

Ron, KU7Y



From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 19:44:36 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pV8T7-000MOdC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:44 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pV8Wf-0000ciC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48 PST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:01 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Builders vs. Buyers.
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Text item: Text_1

OK, it appears as though there is some pretty strong opinions
on what constitutes HB. Based on responses I've seen I would
suggest their are multiple categories all possibly worth various
bonus points in contests.

 ( Me sometimes)Appliance Op  (e.g. TS-450 w/power cranked down to < 5W)
 ( Me )         Kit Builder   (e.g. Builder of HW-8, Norcal 40, OHR-40
                                   which is largely an assembly, and
                                   alignment project.
 (Not me yet)   Scratch Builder (e.g. Builds based upon own design,
                                      circuit board layout and etching
                                      parts scrounged.

Seems to me the QRP organizations (ARCI, Nor-Cal, MI-QRP, NWQRP) might
want to consider a scoring calculation accomodating the latter two. That
is to say the appliance operator gets no bonus points, the kit builder
gets some bonus points, and the scratch builder gets even more bonus
points. Sort of an incentive to move to each stage.

73 Folks,

de WO7T/QRP

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 19:49:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pV8Y7-000MOdC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:49 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pV8be-0000cgC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:53 PST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:53:10 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: auratek!auratek.com![e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Well at the age of 15 when I built my HW-8 and barely knew anything
about electronics I considered it homebrew, as I thought at the time
that homebrew meant home-built, which further meant put together in your
home.

=============================================================================

I'm not quite sure why the tone of aggravated cynicism in your last sentence.

But, if it gives you satisfaction in our hobby to call your 850S a HB rig then
so be it. I was only looking for a definitive definition on homebrew in order
to be a purist in my scoring of the contests I compete in.

Clearly, based upon the feedback acquired so far, there is no definitive
definition as best I can tell, and I somewhat regret posing the question.



de WO7T/QRP
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: Operating semantics
Author:  auratek!auratek.com![e-mail] at Internet_Gateway
Date:    2/11/94 12:46 PM


>
>Personally, I feel it's homebrew if you assembled the electrical
>components in to a something and it works :) This includes the heathkit
>HW-8s and HW-9s of yester-year.
>
Well, I guess I have to take back my earlier statement "that I never heard
anyone ever take credit for their Heatkit as homebrew equipment".

When did "connect the dots" or "paint by the numbers" art?

Shall I now call my Kenwood TS850S/AT homebrew (after all I did return a
product survey questionnaire once and therefore participated in it's design)?


Ed W1AAZ

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 21:27:17 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA06320; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:26:44 -0600 for [e-mail]
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:26:43 -0600 (CST)
From: Peter Hardie <[e-mail]>
Subject: Homebrew
To: qrp mailing list <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [e-mail]
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I found the QRP ARCI definition of homebrew in the Jan 1992 issue of QQ.
The homebrew bonus points only count for homebrew transmitters, receivers
or transceivers (i.e. a homebrew antenna tuner or QRP power meter
wouldn't count). The qualifying equipment must meet one of the following
criteria:

I quote:

1. Completely home constructed gear, original design or a copy of
another's design and not a kit.
2. "Kits" which do not include, or have available, a step-by-step
construction manual (i.e. not a Heathkit).
3. Kits (such as Heathkit) or commercial gear that contains a major
modification to improve or alter significantly its performance. Examples
include redesigned front-ends, alteration of one band for another band,
or complete repackaging and modification involving a change in use such
as home-based to portability. Completely home-built transverters used
with commercial gear also qualifies as homebrew. Cosmetic changes such as
adding dial lights, commercial filters and larger control knobs do not
qualify. A pure vanilla version of a Heathkit-type kit does not qualify.

The final decision as to homebrew qualification rests with the contest
manager.

End quote. (I hope I have caught all my typos)

If you want to disagree with their definition, take it up with the
current contest manager.

For ARCI contest entries you are required to describe your homebrew
equipment, so if you feel your rig is homebrew I think you should claim
the points, describe your rig(s) and let the contest manager decide if
you deserve the homebrew bonus.

Pete
[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 21:48:24 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00106; Fri, 11 Feb 94 16:48:02 HST
    id AA16053; Fri, 11 Feb 94 10:16:04 HST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 10:16:03 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Operating semantics
In-Reply-To: Your message of Fri, 11 Feb 1994 10:09:49 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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Brad and the Gang,
   I guess we can partition our radios into three catagories:
- Store bought
- kit
- homebrew
   - from someone else's design
   - from my own design

But from what I'm reading on rec.radio.amateur.misc to get a Ramsey radio
going it almost become a homebrew effort: supplying missing/wrong parts,
modifying to make it work.

Maybe those three catagories above aren't enough, for what if you
modify a store bought rig?  Then youve done a bit of homebrewing...
Oh well, at least I tried...

72,
Jeff
===========================================================================

Jeffrey NH6IL  [e-mail], who, in his spare time, cannibalizes
old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW, of course).

Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500 kc CW)

Vietnamese Proverb: If you study you will become what you wish
                    If you do not study you will never become anything.
===========================================================================

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 11 23:56:05 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24743; Fri, 11 Feb 94 20:54:36 PST
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 94 20:54:36 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Operating Semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

NorCal QRP Club is a large QRP club (315 members as I write this), but, we
do not have any constitution, rules, etc.  Our policy, we don't have a policy,
if you think it is homebrew, fine with us.  We respectfully decline to be
drawn in to this debate as a club with a formal policy.  So, no comment from
NorCal, 72, Doug, KI6DS

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 00:05:07 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id UAA26026; Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:56:47 -0800
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:56:47 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP shopping list, rev 2
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

On 02-08-94, [e-mail] wrote to [e-mail]:

>------------------------------------
Here's a revised flea market shopping list for the circuits in W1FB QRP
Notebook. I added a few things: chips, zeners, wire, and various types of
caps.

[etc]

Op amps:
741
747
TL081
>------------------------------------

Thanks for that handy list.

A small matter about op amps for audio use.

Even for communications, I would avoid the 741 and 747 for audio.  These
were some of the earliest op amps, and their slew rate (rise time) is real
slow.  Folks in the audio field were building up all this stuff based on
these chips, and wondering why they sounded so awful.  The reason is that
slow slew rate creates something called "transient intermodulation
distortion" -- bursts of IM distortion.  I think it was kind of discovered
with these op amps.

Sure, we're not hi-fi nuts in ham radio, but for little more you can use
better chips and remove all doubt about audio cleanliness. The nice
Signetics NE5534 (single), NE5532 (dual), or NE5514 (quad) opamps are
examples.  They are clean as a whistle, and have lots of output to boot.

John K0JD


---
 * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 00:14:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA09820; Sat, 12 Feb 94 00:14:05 -0500 (from nshore!seastar!jjw for [e-mail])
    id m0pVCcR-0002nzC; Sat, 12 Feb 94 00:10 EST
    id m0pVANe-0001BeC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 20:46 CST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (John Welch)
Subject: Homebrew or commercial?
To: [e-mail] (qrp mailing list)
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 20:46:49 -0600 (CST)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: Welch Research Laboratories
X-Location: McHenry, ILLinois  60050-1461
Operating-System: Xenix 2.3.4 SysV/386
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    Realizing that nobody gives a hoot about *my* opinions anyhow
:-) here's my $0.02:  If you designed it, it's homebrew.  If you had
to re-design it from a kit, it's what modelbuilders used to call
'kit-bashed'.  If your involvement only included knowing how to
solder, it's a kit.  If your only technical skill was to keep turning
knobs till it came on, you're an appliance operator.
    I tend to do a lot of all of the above (appliance mostly above
120MHz), so I do speak from experience ;-)  The tough call catefory is
'kit-bashed'.  Just how much bashing is needed to make it a new rig?

--
John Welch, N9JZW

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 02:59:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Fri, 11 Feb 1994 23:44:00 -0800
    id m0pV7J0-00003iC; Fri, 11 Feb 94 23:29 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Learning to Design your own...
To: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 1994 23:29:50 +0000 (GMT)
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Doug Hendricks" at Feb 11, 94 08:54:36 pm
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  A while back, somebody asked about what he should read in order
to learn to design his own QRP equipment.  People suggested things
like the ARRL Handbook,  the Solid State Design manual, a few
other things....

   I'd like to make a different suggestion.  Anybody who wants
to design their own gear needs to learn the basics of electrical
circuitry, and learn them well.  First of all, Ohms Law backwards
and forwards and around and through.  Watts Law.  Loop analysis.
Nodal analysis.  Voltage sources.  Current sources.  Thevenin's
theorem.  Norton's theorem.  Without a good solid grasp of the
basics, one can only poke in the dark at explanations of
transistor circuitry.

  I recommend getting a college text on DC & AC circuit
analysis.  The kind they train technicians with.  Avoid the
engineer books, they're too enlightened, they bring in calculus
for the fun of it :-).

I used the book by Boylestad ( nope, don't remember the name ),
and I'm sure there are other good ones.  The neat thing about
college texts, is that they have exercises.  You can actually
*learn* this stuff by doing the exercises.  It's not rocket
science, you just need highschool algebra.  The trouble with
the ham books is that they proceed more or less directly to
the ``fun'' stuff, without grounding you enough in the basics.
And they don't have exercises.

  You'd be amazed how different a lot of this stuff looks
once you've got the basics.  For example, did you know that
you can analyze AC circuits, complete with inductors and
capacitors, using Ohms Law?  You just have to use vector
algebra.  You can take something like a PI network, calculate
out the reactance of each component, figure out what it'll
do with Ohms law,  and find out interesting things like the
input impedance of the PI network, the output voltage, output
impedance, etc.  Then pick another frequency and do it all
again.  Or do like I did, write a Basic program to figure it
all out umpteen times.  I first did that with a programmable
calculator.  Made beautiful plots of output voltage versus
frequency.  Then tried sticking a resistor ( a load ) across
the output and did it again. Once you have the feel for
a circuit by playing with all the values enough, it's
almost anticlimactic to actually build the thing :-).

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

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 09:30:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Sat, 12 Feb 1994 09:32:24 -0500
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 1994 09:32:24 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Keith M. Hamilton)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Hamfest Shopping List
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk



Oh HECK!  I accidentally deleted my copy of the recent Hamfest
parts shoping list that was recently posted!

Could someone please-please-please repost or emialail me another copy?

Thank you so much!     Keith

--
Keith M. Hamilton      73 de NO8Z
[e-mail]
Youngstown, Ohio

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 11:38:54 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcyk12117; Sat, 12 Feb 94 11:38:45 -0500
        ; Sat, 12 Feb 1994 11:38:45 -0500
    id AA23792; Sat, 12 Feb 94 10:28:02 EST
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 94 10:28:02 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], uunet!uhunix.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu![e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Homebrew vs. Kits
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I think the topic deals with taking credit for something where
you have contributed substantial added value. This is vague
enough to keep everyone happy. So don't feel you need to build
each component to take credit.

If you feel that you created the Mona Lisa by connecting the
dots, putting the right colors in the numbered spaces, or using
the office copy machine; take the credit for your work, skill and
ability.

73

Ed W1AAZ



From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 11:38:54 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwcyk12114; Sat, 12 Feb 94 11:38:44 -0500
        ; Sat, 12 Feb 1994 11:38:43 -0500
    id AA23699; Sat, 12 Feb 94 08:14:31 EST
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 94 08:14:31 EST
From: [e-mail] (Edward Pacyna)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], uunet!mvubr.att.com![e-mail]
Subject: Re:  HB
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

>
>We suspect what you are doing, and know who you are !
>So cut it out, you are giving QRP an bad name.
>Everybody on Internet has commented about it (privately
>of course)......
>
Good comment Jim. Reminds me of a thread I saw a while
back where some guy worked a DX station but he could not
not copy the call letters. He posted " I worked 5?????
yesterday. Does anyone know the rest of the letters?"
He needed the call so he could ask for a QSL and hope-
fully get the rest of the information for his log book!

How is "install all the resistors" in the picture" any
different than "paint the color red in all the spaces
marked with a 1"?

I think we do a dis-service to the hobby when we do not
give credit to a kit manufacteur who brings us equipment
to build or authors who bring us articles when we do not
give them credit (and take it as our own).

Will our 40M dipoles now be homebrew?

Connect the dots and you will see the picture.

73

Ed W1AAZ


From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 12 16:31:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    Sat, 12 Feb 94 16:29 EST for Think.COM!qrp
    id m0pVRpS-0001DjC; Sat, 12 Feb 94 16:24 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Andrew Sargent N8OFS)
Subject: test, please ignore...
To: [e-mail] (QRP)
Date: Sat, 12 Feb 1994 16:24:39 -0500 (EST)
Cc: [e-mail] (Boatanchors)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
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poll 122130zFEB94

--
Mesmerized by a decade of hate,           ! AMATEUR =   N8OFS
Flowers and remorse,                      ! ARMY MARS = AAN5HJT
Fading vision lost in time,               ! CB =        THE NEON KNIGHT
Tragedy on course!!! - Frontline Assembly ! HACKER =    TH3 N30N KN16Ht

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb 13 14:03:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26546; Sun, 13 Feb 94 11:02:19 PST
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 11:02:19 PST
From: [e-mail] (Doug Hendricks)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Communications Quarterly
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Has anyone received the new issue of Communications Quarterly?  If you have,
could you tell me if there is an article by Jim Pepper, W6QIF, in it?
Thanks, Doug, KI6DS

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb 13 17:59:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA04030; Sun, 13 Feb 94 12:59:28 HST
    id AA16882; Sun, 13 Feb 94 12:59:29 HST
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 12:59:28 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: R.S. trimmers
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Gang,
   Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor
for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength
100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches.
   A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they
work okay; I'll let you know.

Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Sun Feb 13 21:15:52 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Sun, 13 Feb 1994 21:14:37 EST
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 1994 21:14:37 -0500 (EST)
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Kit Building
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: INTERNET"[e-mail]"
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
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>>From:   IN%"[e-mail]" 10-FEB-1994 08:22:28.20

>>I realize there are a lot of people that are kit builders out there
>>, and that they are haveing a lot of fun.  But I'll bet
>>with all of you kit builders that if you build from scratch
>>a transceiver like the nn1g, or the spider or something along that
>>order, and don't learn one thing from it that you find valuable,
>>then I'll buy a kit and build it myself,

>>I truely believe that by building from scratch, you will learn more
>>about circuit layout, component tolerance, construction, and the
>>circuit operation in general than you can by building a kit.

I agree with the sentiments about learning more by building from "scratch"
than by building from kits; however, I have built some kits....and rebuilt
some kits..... and redesigned some kits due to design flaws and poor
workmanship of the kits.  Most are inexpensive to begin with so some of this
is to be expected.  I guess I'm trying to say that the caliber of
some of these kits requires a minimum level of experience to negotiate these
problems and certainly offers lots of opportunities for learning.  My latest
endeavor has been apart several times and now I feel at one with the
schematic. Sort of a Zen thing.
 If only I could trade in 8 of my ten thumbs....

73 de WS8T, Pat.

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 00:52:04 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pVwDt-000MNhC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:51 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pVwHj-0000dlC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:55 PST
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:55:55 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Homebrew
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Pete:

 Thanks for clearing this up and getting the facts on the table via this
 definition.

 My initial question created a lot of conjecture and opinions that only
 an organization (like ARCI) could resolve by creating such a definition
 and driving a stake in the ground (so to speak).

73 de WO7T/QRP

______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Homebrew
Author:  [e-mail] at Internet_Gateway
Date:    2/11/94 6:54 PM


I found the QRP ARCI definition of homebrew in the Jan 1992 issue of QQ.
The homebrew bonus points only count for homebrew transmitters, receivers
or transceivers (i.e. a homebrew antenna tuner or QRP power meter
wouldn't count). The qualifying equipment must meet one of the following
criteria:

I quote:

1. Completely home constructed gear, original design or a copy of
another's design and not a kit.
2. "Kits" which do not include, or have available, a step-by-step
construction manual (i.e. not a Heathkit).
3. Kits (such as Heathkit) or commercial gear that contains a major
modification to improve or alter significantly its performance. Examples
include redesigned front-ends, alteration of one band for another band,
or complete repackaging and modification involving a change in use such
as home-based to portability. Completely home-built transverters used
with commercial gear also qualifies as homebrew. Cosmetic changes such as
adding dial lights, commercial filters and larger control knobs do not
qualify. A pure vanilla version of a Heathkit-type kit does not qualify.

The final decision as to homebrew qualification rests with the contest
manager.

End quote. (I hope I have caught all my typos)

If you want to disagree with their definition, take it up with the
current contest manager.

For ARCI contest entries you are required to describe your homebrew
equipment, so if you feel your rig is homebrew I think you should claim
the points, describe your rig(s) and let the contest manager decide if
you deserve the homebrew bonus.

Pete
[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 00:52:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pVwED-000MNhC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:52 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pVwI4-0000dlC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:56 PST
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:56:16 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP Gear For Sale
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Text item: Text_1

Am posting these here for about a week prior to
posting on larger nationwide distribution.


Ten-Tec Century 21
 - 80-10 CW Only Transceiver
 - 70W input
 - Double Direct Conversion
 - Full break-in keying
 - 3 RCV Filters (2.5khz, 1.0khz, 500hz)
 - Built-in AC Supply
 - Very Good Condition
 - Manual
 - $185

Ten-Tec Argonaut 509
 - 80-10 (5 band) CW/SSB Transceiver
 - 5W or less output per drive control
 - Superhet Receiver
 - Manual
 - Very Good Condition
Ten-Tec FR4 Matching Audio Filter (SSB->CW)
Ten-Tec 210 Matching 12V Power Supply
Ten-Tec 206A Matching Crystal calibrator
Homebrew Active CW Audio Filter (not in matching case)
Above four in good condition

All -$345

OHR-20 Transceiver
 - 20M (14.00-14.080)
 - 3W
 - Superhet Receiver
 - Built-in Wide/Narrow CW filter & RIT
 - Semi break-in keying (relay)
 - Optional RF Preamp installed
 - 2 years old
 - Manual

 $120


Call after  0130Z [phone]
           or
     before 2330Z [phone]

Can also reach me here on e-mail.

73, Mark de WO7T/QRP

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 00:55:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0pVwH5-000MO5C; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:55 PST
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #1) id m0pVwKv-0000HZC; Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:59 PST
Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 21:59:13 PST
From: Mark E Gustoff <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: QRP Gear For Sale (Phone Correction)
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Text item: Text_1

I'm posting the following here for about a week prior to posting
to a larger nationwide distribution on the net.

Ten-Tec Century 21
 - 80-10 CW Only Transceiver
 - 70W input
 - Double Direct Conversion RCV
 - 3 Built-in RCV Filters (2.5khz, 1.0khz, 500hz)
 - Built in AC->DC power supply
 - Very Good Condition
 - Manual
 - $185

Ten-Tec Argonaut 509
 - 80-10 CW/SSB Transceiver
 - 5W or less output via pot adjustment
 - Superhet Receiver
 - Full break-in keying
 - Very Good Condition
 - Manual
Ten-Tec FR4 Passive Audio Filter (SSB->CW)
Ten-Tec 210 AC->DC Power Supply
Ten-Tec 206A Matching Crystal Calibator
Home-brew Active CW FIlter

All - $345


OHR-20
 - 20M CW only (14.000-14.080)
 - Abt 3W output
 - Superhet Receiver
 - Built in wide/narrow filter & RIT
 - Optional RF preamp installed
 - Manual
 - 2 years old


$120


===============================================================
CORRECTION ON PHONE AND TIMES:

If interested please respond here on e-mail or call before
0000Z @ [phone].

===============================================================

73, Mark de WO7T/QRP

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 07:57:05 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA09651; Mon, 14 Feb 94 07:59:17 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Mon, 14 Feb 1994 07:56:07 -0500
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 07:56:07 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Operating semantics nerve
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Wow, I guess I hit a nerve with that one.  There are some pretty strong
feelings out there.  Glad to see the no comment from QRP sub p!! It kinda is
a personal thing I guess, no need to draw lines in the sand etc.

I guess that I can drop this subject now with the exception of one thing..

Jim... W1FMR, what did you mean by the comments we know who you are, we
know what you are up to , now cut it out.. We locally debated about this one,
and we couln't agree about the intent.

The options were as folows:

1.  You as a general statement that Big brother is watching you so make
    sure that you sign
    the right class with your rig.

2. You meant to tell me personally to quit stirring things up.
:-)
    If the case is 1, then I agree, it's kinda up to the person with the
    rig to be honest with themselves.

    If the case is 2, then "sorry, just be glad you don't work with me" :-)
    And, oh by the way what am I doing? I want to know.

:-)

I certainly hope nobody took offense with this series, I truely beleive we have
a common interest, goal, and I'll keep my mouth shut for a day or two.
73
Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 08:25:21 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
    id AA17258; Mon, 14 Feb 94 08:22:36 EST
    id AA23524; Mon, 14 Feb 94 08:22:33 EST
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 08:22:33 EST
Original-From: aloft!gdo (Glenn D. O'Donnell)
Message-Id: <9402141322.AA23524@dasher>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


> On Fri, 11 Feb 1994, Mark E Gustoff wrote:
>
> > Personally, I feel it's homebrew if you assembled the electrical
> > components in to a something and it works :) This includes the heathkit
> > HW-8s and HW-9s of yester-year. If you bought one already assembled, I
> > would not consider you eligible for HB bonus in contests.
>
> I vaguely remember reading in a QQ somewhere what the QRP-ARCI considers
> to be homebrew for their contests and the Heathkits were specifically
> excluded because they had extremely detailed instructions. However, if

I never really thought about it, but I use a Heathkit HW-101 (I know this is a
QRP forum ... I run an MFJ-9040 for QRP ... nice rig!).  I have never mentioned
my HW-101 as "homebrew" and I don't really consider it to be such.  When I
send "RIG IS HEATHKIT HW101" I assume they know SOMEBODY had to assemble it.
I just leave it at that and count all contacts as non-homebrew QSOs.
    73 de Glenn O'Donnell, N3BDA

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 11:28:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id IAA17723; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Bruce Toback)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: R[2]: Operating Semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics

It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies
some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building
a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide
training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take
the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's
decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical
justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance
operation. So the builder should get some credit for that.

Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real
homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally
a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna!
The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design
and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use
in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number
of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing
apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other
people's published circuits for things I don't have
the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to
mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew."

-- Bruce Toback

KN6MN

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 12:32:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29246; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:34 -0800
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:33 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
To: "[e-mail]"@EAGLE.DECNET.LOCKHEED.COM
Subject: Homebrew or commercial?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

        Intent has to be a "big" factor.  If the intent is to win,
then one criteria predominates.  If the criteria is to merely to
figure out how to submit an entry, perhaps a less agressive criteria
might apply.  For example, if I modify my TS830 to operate QRP based
on an article last year in QQ AND change the IF SSB filter to 1.8 KHz
Kenwood filter even tho Kenwood claims IT WILL NOT WORK, does that make my
modification Homebreww?  No, because I am merely utilizing the skills
the FCC thought I ought to have anyway to get my licence.  If I were to
"hire" a friend to design an RF rig for me, and then then ask somebody
else to wire it up for me, would that be "homebrew"?  Clearly there is
an ethical side to the question.  Intent is a factor, a factor which
can by-pass any rule.  We ought to go no further than formulate a rule
to help us figure out how to submit our entries.  The FCC assumes we
have a certian level of technical skill, we ought to assume that our
fellow operators have a certian level of ethics.

73, alan N2ALE/6

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 12:44:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA12891; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 12:44:56 -0500
    id AA29319; Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
To: "[e-mail]"[e-mail]
Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Bruce, KN6MN, sez:

>It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies
>some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building
>a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide
>training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take
>the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's
>decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical
>justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance
>operation. So the builder should get some credit for that.

>Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real
>homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally
>a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna!
>The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design
>and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use
>in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number
>of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing
>apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other
>people's published circuits for things I don't have
>the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to
>mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew."

I've been grappling with this issue myself lately. Suppose one purchased
NN1G bare boards from FAR circuits, purchased/scrounged the parts and during
the course of construction (or maybe assembly would be a better term)
performed modifications to a greater or lesser degree. Does this qualify
as homebrew as opposed to assembling a kit from Dan's?

Probably not, one might be tempted to say. But suppose another individual
copied the NN1G circuit verbatim but built the rig using *ugly* construction.
Does this qualify as homebrew?

Does all of the circuitry in a rig have to be an *original* design (sorry for
the excessive use of astersisks and parenthetical statements) or does it
suffice that a rig be built from the available smorgasbord of mixers, vfos,
product detectors, etc. to permit one to call a rig 'homebrew'? I realize I'm
asking more questions than providing answers, but these are the issues as I
see them. This is the fine line we tread here.

My opinion lies somewhere in the middle. If I copied the NN1G or Ugly
Weekender and built it on whatever substrate and packaged it myself, I think
it should qualify as homebrew, even if the circuit design was not original
with me. If I purchased a complete kit from, say OHR, S&S or whomever, then
what I really did was assemble a kit, not homebrew a rig.

With so many good, 'standard' circuits available, it sometimes isn't worth
the effort to come up with an original design. Let's face it, we're not all
RF designers with 20 years of experience. Perhaps the deciding factor in
whether a rig is homebrew should depend on the amount of effort placed into
the sheet metal work and circuit mods. In that case, the NN1G rig I'm working
on could be considered homebrew.

Just some thought fodder...

Bob - N3MBY


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 13:02:54 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28621; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:15 PST
    id AA28425; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:12 PST
    (1.37.109.6/16.2) id AA27773; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600
From: Randall Rhea <[e-mail]>
Posted-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST
Received-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600
Message-Id: <9402141757.AA27773@atlas>
Subject: Re: R.S. trimmers
To: [e-mail] (Jeff Herman)
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>; from "Jeff Herman" at Feb 13, 94 12:59 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Sender: [e-mail]
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=>
=>Gang,
=>   Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor
=>for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength
=>100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches.
=>   A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they
=>work okay; I'll let you know.

95 pf is pretty high for HF projects, isn't it?  How to you
get/make coils with the low mH required?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Randall Rhea                                        Informix Software, Inc.
Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems        [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 13:47:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          id AA17650; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 13:51:00 -0500
    id AA29754; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 13:50:59 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: The HomeBrew Spectrum
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 13:50:52 -0500
From: [e-mail]
X-Mts: smtp
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

   Rather than attempt to define what HomeBrew means, I am submitting this
spectrum of operator involvement with respect to equipment used for amateur
communications.

 | 1.    op buys rig and knows how to operate it
 |
 | 2.    op buys rig, learns how to operate/modify/repair it
 |
 | 3.    op buys turn-key kit, builds and operates it
 |
 | 4.    op buys turn-key kit, builds/modifies/repairs it
 |
 | 5.    op builds project from article, procures parts manually
 |
 | 6.    op designs/builds project from previous designs, procures parts, etc.
 |
 | 7.    op designs/builds project which utilizes new technology, procures
          parts, etc.

I am suggesting that as one starts at the top of the spectrum and proceeds
down, that a greater level of knowledge and pride in equipment and
abilities is attained.  I will also go so far as to say that the learning
curve is less linear and more exponential as one proceeds down the
spectrum.  I am not suggesting that a person needs to follow this progres-
sion; we all have limits to our abilities, and not everyone wants to spend
all their spare time doing ham radio activities.  Thus not everyone will
end up designing equipment which breaks new ground.  As an anology, I ran
a marathon in 4 hours and change, and believe me, I might as well have won
the NYC marathon for the feeling of accomplishment that I felt.  I had
challenged myself and won.  Yes, the "winners" of the race had long since
gone home and gotten a shower, but that didn't dilute my accomplishment.
I think those who have built equipment toward the bottom of the above
spectrum will attest, it is within the abilities of many amateurs to get
more involved with the entire building process.  But like marathon
running, having two legs is not enough, you have to be motivated.  I
think that the fun of getting more involved is what drives the amateurs
at the bottom of the spectrum to try and coax (i.e. feed them a line!)
those at the top of the spectrum.

73 All.
Gary N2JGU
[e-mail]



From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 13:43:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.65+UW94/UW-NDC Revision: 2.30 ) id AA27687; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:43:14 -0800
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 10:43:13 -0800 (PST)
From: Stephen Lee <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ten-Tec Kit Catalog
To: [e-mail]
Cc: Stephen Lee <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
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Hey gang!

The much awaited Ten-Tec kit catalogs are out...just received
mine in the mail this morning.  One item of interest is an
all-band Argonaut II rf deck for $95.00 :)  Another is a G5RV
antenna kit...$49.00....lotsa good stuff!!!

Oh Boy!!!

Stephen Lee
no-call-sign....8.5 weeks and waiting...

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 14:05:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
   with BSMTP id 2658; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:05:18 EST
 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:02:14 EDT
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:02:14 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Daniel J. Curtin" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: R.S. trimmers
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Envelope-To: [e-mail]
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        You could put one in series with a fixed value cap (NP0 perhaps for
stability) to bring down the lower value. E.g., a 100 pF cap would give a range
of about 49-80pF, if I have punched the buttons on my calculator correctly. I
have often done this to modify the range of a variable cap I have on hand. I am
sure in a very critical application this could present problems, say if the
currents were relatively high and the cap shifted due to heat.

73,
Dan, KF4AV

Daniel J. Curtin
Department of Mathematics and Computer Science
Northern Kentucky University
Highland Heights, KY 41099-1700

[e-mail]
_._ .._. ...._ ._ ..._

=>
=>Gang,
=>   Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor
=>for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength
=>100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches.
=>   A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they
=>work okay; I'll let you know.

95 pf is pretty high for HF projects, isn't it?  How to you
get/make coils with the low mH required?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Randall Rhea                                        Informix Software, Inc.
Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems        [e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 14:23:34 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (16.6/15.5+MGC-TD 2.20) id AA29458; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:21:17 -0800
    (15.11.1.6/15.5+MGC-TD 2.08) id AA18413; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:21:15 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: 14 Feb 1994 11:08:21 U
From: "Larry Mull" <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP QSO....
To: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

                        QRP QSO....                      2/14/94     10:31
AM
Last night I had my first QSO (partial) with another QRPer.  As I was
tuning around the Novice segement of 40 with all the noise and broadcast
interference, in a quiet spot I heard a faint CQ with a /QRP on the call
sign.  Normally, I won't pursue a faint station, assuming they are running
100 watts.  Everytime I've tried this, I've drawn a blank.  For this
station I thought:  If I can hear them at QRP levels, maybe they can hear
me!   I went after the call and made contact!  What great fun!  I'm in
Portland, OR, the other station was in Santa Barbara, CA.  A pretty good
distance on 2.7 watts!  Well,  after two exchanges, we got squashed by an
opera suddenly coming on, and by another station calling CQ.  I had the
NorCal front end wide open, but couldn't copy a thing.  Oh well...

I've heard many of you in this group say just send the standard 3x3 CQ,
with no /QRP.  Does this work well?  I've only had one QSO where I've
called CQ.  It seems I'm just not heard.  I imagine life is better down
below 7.1MHz, with a little less broadcast noise to deal with.

So, for a newbe who's been on the air since mid January, with only 9
contacts, all with my little NorCal40, it has not been real easy, but it
has been fun!

I'm goin for General tomorrow night!

73,
Larry, KB7ZNE



From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 14:59:29 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA09185; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:59:03 -0500
    id AA05806; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:59:35 EST
    id AA01652; Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:59:31 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: The HomeBrew Spectrum
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Mon, 14 Feb 94 13:50:52 EST."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 14:59:30 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

>    Rather than attempt to define what HomeBrew means, I am submitting this
> spectrum of operator involvement with respect to equipment used for amateur
> communications.
>  | 1.    op buys rig and knows how to operate it
>  |
>  | 2.    op buys rig, learns how to operate/modify/repair it

Actually, considering the flap some time ago about US DX hounds screwing up
their split-VFO rigs and ending up operating out of band, I think this
spectrum should start with

 | 0.    op buys rig, and doesn't know how to operate it.

:-)

John, WB7EEL


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 16:43:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id IAA17723; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 08:28:31 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Bruce Toback)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: R[2]: Operating Semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Subject: Re: Re[2]: Operating semantics

It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies
some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building
a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide
training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take
the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's
decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical
justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance
operation. So the builder should get some credit for that.

Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real
homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally
a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna!
The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design
and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use
in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number
of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing
apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other
people's published circuits for things I don't have
the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to
mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew."

-- Bruce Toback

KN6MN

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 16:48:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA29246; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:34 -0800
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 09:28:33 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
To: "[e-mail]"@EAGLE.DECNET.LOCKHEED.COM
Subject: Homebrew or commercial?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

        Intent has to be a "big" factor.  If the intent is to win,
then one criteria predominates.  If the criteria is to merely to
figure out how to submit an entry, perhaps a less agressive criteria
might apply.  For example, if I modify my TS830 to operate QRP based
on an article last year in QQ AND change the IF SSB filter to 1.8 KHz
Kenwood filter even tho Kenwood claims IT WILL NOT WORK, does that make my
modification Homebreww?  No, because I am merely utilizing the skills
the FCC thought I ought to have anyway to get my licence.  If I were to
"hire" a friend to design an RF rig for me, and then then ask somebody
else to wire it up for me, would that be "homebrew"?  Clearly there is
an ethical side to the question.  Intent is a factor, a factor which
can by-pass any rule.  We ought to go no further than formulate a rule
to help us figure out how to submit our entries.  The FCC assumes we
have a certian level of technical skill, we ought to assume that our
fellow operators have a certian level of ethics.

73, alan N2ALE/6

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 17:33:39 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28621; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:15 PST
    id AA28425; Mon, 14 Feb 94 10:02:12 PST
    (1.37.109.6/16.2) id AA27773; Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600
From: Randall Rhea <[e-mail]>
Posted-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST
Received-Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 -0600
Message-Id: <9402141757.AA27773@atlas>
Subject: Re: R.S. trimmers
To: [e-mail] (Jeff Herman)
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 11:57:39 CST
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>; from "Jeff Herman" at Feb 13, 94 12:59 pm
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

=>
=>Gang,
=>   Just for your info, Radio Shack carries a 95-420 pf trimmer capacitor
=>for $1.85 ('93 catalog). Specs: compression type, dielectric strength
=>100vdc for one minute, Q greater than 500 at 1 MHz, 7/8 x 3/8 inches.
=>   A couple of these are going into my new 30M xmtr project; hope they
=>work okay; I'll let you know.

95 pf is pretty high for HF projects, isn't it?  How to you
get/make coils with the low mH required?

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
Randall Rhea                                        Informix Software, Inc.
Project Manager, MIS Sales/Marketing Systems        [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 18:16:37 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA12891; Mon, 14 Feb 1994 12:44:56 -0500
    id AA29319; Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 12:21:36 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
To: "[e-mail]"[e-mail]
Subject: Re[2]: Operating semantics
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Bruce, KN6MN, sez:

>It would never occur to me to call my HW-8 "homebrew." That term implies
>some participation in the design, mechanical if not electronic. Building
>a kit doesn't qualify. On the other hand, building a kit _can_ provide
>training that's available in no other way, if the builder cares to take
>the time to figure out why the kit was designed the way it was. It's
>decidedly more educational, and more in keeping with the technical
>justification for ham radio (as given in Part 97) than appliance
>operation. So the builder should get some credit for that.

>Having built dozens of kits, I'm looking forward to doing some real
>homebrew as soon as we get moved into the new house -- finally
>a house with enough space for a small workshop and a real antenna!
>The Heathkits I've built have taught me something about electronic design
>and a lot about mechanical design and layout, knowledge I'll put to use
>in designing and building my own radios. (I've designed and built a number
>of digital circuits, but that's mostly just connecting the dots -- playing
>apprentice to the RF designer's sorcerer :-). I'll still use other
>people's published circuits for things I don't have
>the design skills to do myself -- high-performance front ends come to
>mind -- but IMHO the result will qualify for the label of "homebrew."

I've been grappling with this issue myself lately. Suppose one purchased
NN1G bare boards from FAR circuits, purchased/scrounged the parts and during
the course of construction (or maybe assembly would be a better term)
performed modifications to a greater or lesser degree. Does this qualify
as homebrew as opposed to assembling a kit from Dan's?

Probably not, one might be tempted to say. But suppose another individual
copied the NN1G circuit verbatim but built the rig using *ugly* construction.
Does this qualify as homebrew?

Does all of the circuitry in a rig have to be an *original* design (sorry for
the excessive use of astersisks and parenthetical statements) or does it
suffice that a rig be built from the available smorgasbord of mixers, vfos,
product detectors, etc. to permit one to call a rig 'homebrew'? I realize I'm
asking more questions than providing answers, but these are the issues as I
see them. This is the fine line we tread here.

My opinion lies somewhere in the middle. If I copied the NN1G or Ugly
Weekender and built it on whatever substrate and packaged it myself, I think
it should qualify as homebrew, even if the circuit design was not original
with me. If I purchased a complete kit from, say OHR, S&S or whomever, then
what I really did was assemble a kit, not homebrew a rig.

With so many good, 'standard' circuits available, it sometimes isn't worth
the effort to come up with an original design. Let's face it, we're not all
RF designers with 20 years of experience. Perhaps the deciding factor in
whether a rig is homebrew should depend on the amount of effort placed into
the sheet metal work and circuit mods. In that case, the NN1G rig I'm working
on could be considered homebrew.

Just some thought fodder...

Bob - N3MBY


From [e-mail]  Mon Feb 14 21:43:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01429; Mon, 14 Feb 94 16:42:46 HST
    id AA20767; Mon, 14 Feb 94 16:41:50 HST
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 94 16:41:49 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: trimmer caps
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

It was mentioned that these 90-420pf trimmers might be too high for HF
work. Here's how I'm using them:
I posted an 80M xmtr on here a couple weeks ago and I'm currently collecting
the parts for it. Three variable caps are called for, but since this xmtr is
being built around a 3579khz xtal I'm using these trimmers - I'll set them
once and that will be it (variable are too hard to come by in my `dumpster
diving', and these trimmers are cheap).
In the tank portion of the xtal osc, a 250pf cap in parallel with a
7.9uh inductor. The circuit calls for a fixed 250pf but I'll want to
tweek to perfection so I'll use a trimmer [don't sneeze while operating].
Next, a 75pf variable cap is called for to couple the xtal osc to the PA
xsistors - here I'll use one of the trimmers IN SERIES with a 45pf cap
so that the mid range of the trimmer will land at 75 pf.
Finally, the output stage calls for 2 caps in parallel: 250pf fixed
and 100pf variable (total 350pf), with these paralleled caps in series
with a 5.65uf inductor. Here I'll use just a trimmer in place of the two
paralleled caps [don't cough - you'll change the temp.]

Some will be unhappy to hear me using these trimmers in this manner,
rather than using variables, but remember - this is xtal controlled
and that xtal is fixed, and the temp here in Hawaii remains rather
stable...

72,
Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 02:53:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA08236; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 02:54:35 -0500
    id AA28841; Tue, 15 Feb 94 02:53:36 -0500
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 02:53:35 -0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: harvey::[e-mail]
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My two cents on the ``Homebrew'' discussion,

   Let's look at it from the contest organizers' point of view.  Assumably
they want to

    1) Have a  good, active contest with lots of participation.
    2) Do some ``good'' for amateur radio in general.

  Now, as we all know, the state of radio art is higher than ever before;
yet the technical competence of the average amateur is pretty low.  Suppose
that the organizers were to create a category of ``rigorous'' homebrew
(designed, built, and scrounged it yourself, no premade circuit boards or
magazine schematics)... Result?  Only one or two participants in that
category!  Not much fun.  And the people who made it into said category
would probably all be long-time homebrewers, maybe professional engineers.
Not much use, either.

  Instead, they went for a fairly lax definition; permitting more people to
use the category, and possibly prodding a few appliance ops to get their
feet wet a bit, thus tending to improve the average technical competence.
Or so one might hope.

                                      - Jerry, KF6VB

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

From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 07:13:35 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA10350; Tue, 15 Feb 94 07:15:36 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Tue, 15 Feb 1994 07:12:26 -0500
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 07:12:26 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: QRP QSO....
Sender: [e-mail]
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> I've heard many of you in this group say just send the standard 3x3 CQ,
> with no /QRP.  Does this work well?  I've only had one QSO where I've
> called CQ.  It seems I'm just not heard.  I imagine life is better down
> below 7.1MHz, with a little less broadcast noise to deal with.
>
I do this...
cq cq cq cq de wb8ygg wb8ygg wb8ygg/qrp ar k
Then I usually have to do it again to net a contact!
most of my contacts are by calling other stations
I'm using the nn1g mkII with only about .8 watts out.
40 meters is no problem during the day, but at night
when the path goes long, contacts are harder.


> So, for a newbe who's been on the air since mid January, with only 9
> contacts, all with my little NorCal40, it has not been real easy, but it
> has been fun!
>
> I'm goin for General tomorrow night!


GOOD LUCK!!


>
> 73,
> Larry, KB7ZNE
>
>
>

Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 09:23:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id HAA29964; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 07:21:42 -0700
    id AA16780; Tue, 15 Feb 94 07:23:57 -0700
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 07:23:57 -0700
From: [e-mail] (Tom J Farish)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: what is homebrew
Sender: [e-mail]
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Hi...I have often used a schematic printed in for example the QRP Notebook
and built a project.  Whether I made my own circuit boards or used a
perf board or did it 'dead bug', I consider it homebrew!

If I sent off for a ready-made board, I still might consider it homebrew.
A full kit is a slightly different manner.  I consider it a 'kit', a
different kind of homebrew.

Tom
KJ5LT, home of the amazing 9-band 2-transistor QRP transmitter(s)

From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 12:59:34 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id MAA27623; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 12:59:23 -0500
Date: 15 Feb 94 12:56:37 EST
From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <[e-mail]>
To: <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP HINTS & KINKS
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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TO: >INTERNET:[e-mail]


QRP HINTS & KINKS

Attention QRP Homebrewers and Kit Homebrewers:  If you can remember way
back when - Radio Shack used to have a number of different sizes of it's
two tone (black and unpainted) aluminum metal cabinets - now they just
have one size (3X5X5).  Sadness to us "appliance" type homebrewers who
would rather purchase than build (bend metal) an inexpensive cabinet to
"house" our/others creations.

Well I just came across a "find" in the Dec 93 issue of Nuts and Volts
magazine that unfortunately will not last long - American Electronics Inc
in Greenwood Indiana (1-800-872-1373 or 1-317-888-7265) is discontinuing
it's line of Dick Smith Electronic imported metal cabinets.  The ones of
interest (to me) are:

DSH2741   3.25 X 2.25 X 5    $3.25
DSH2742   4 X 2.5 X 4.5      $2.44
DSH2743   5.25 X 3 X 6       $5.28
DSH2744   6.25 X 3 X 7.25    $4.02

The quality is what you would expect for the price - but not bad enough
to make your PCB or "ugly" construction project look like a million
bucks (or close to that..)

The only other source of cabinets like this is the Ten Tec series which
are better quality but at least double the price.

Good luck   72

Bob WA6ERB/VE2DRB

INTERNET:[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 13:02:17 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id NAA11102; Tue, 15 Feb 1994 13:02:02 -0500
Date: 15 Feb 94 12:56:23 EST
From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <[e-mail]>
To: <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP HINTS & KINKS
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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TO: >INTERNET:[e-mail]

Info from future issue of New England QRP club newsletter "72".


QRP HINTS & KINKS

Attention QRP kit builders - After my old trusty flea market special printed
circuit board holder (Panavise clone) broke down I was at a loss for an
inexpensive PCB holder for my soldering needs.  Voila!  While strolling
through the Active Electronic Components store here in Montreal I came
across a new item by  Weller - the ESF-120 Circuit Board Vise.  This is a
fantastic unit - it's basically a PCB vise that has two adjustable side
pieces riding on two rails.  It has a spring clamp that lets you rotate the
PCB 360 degrees.  It also has an adjustable cushion grip arm that will hold
the components in place when you flip the board upside down to solder.  A
picture would be a better way to describe it :-).

I have never seen this item in the States, but from what I can tell it is
in the Active catalog so it should be available.  The price was about $44
Canadian.  Hope this helps out you kit builders (I know "real" QRP builders
only use "ugly" construction).

72, Bob WA6ERB/VE2DRB

INTERNET:[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 14:45:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24856; Tue, 15 Feb 94 09:45:08 HST
    id AA05275; Tue, 15 Feb 94 09:43:49 HST
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 9:43:48 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Ten-Tec info
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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Stephen Lee sent me the following which might be of interest to some of
you.

Jeff NH6IL
**********************************************************************
Subject: Re: Ten-Tec Kit Catalog

The All-Band Argonaut II RF Deck is Ten-Tec's T-Kit Model No. 1204.
It features 5 watts RF output with instant electronic bandswitching
on all the HAM bands between 160 and 10 meters.  An SWR bridge and
a universal VXO crystal oscillator are built-in.  In addition, it
comes with fast T-R switching and the final amplifier transistors
are fully protected.  It requires only a few milliwatts of drive
power.

The rear panel contains an SO-239 antenna connector, RCA jacks for
the receiver and RF input keying, SWR output (I think for a DC
voltmeter), and fused DC power cord (I wonder if it uses a wall wort).

The internals consist of a PA board, filter board, and control board,
all housed in a custom fitted enclosure.  All parts are warranted for
one year against manufacturing defects.

Available April 1994 :(   (well, I have a birthday in April so :) )

Ten-Tec has come up with its own QRP homebrew concept called UQS,
the Universal QRP System.  They plan to bring it out in the near
future.

For orders only call 1-800-833-7373 or FAX to 1-615-428-4483. Include
$5 for shipping on orders under $100.  For orders greater than $100,
shipping and handling is $9.  There is an information number at
1-615-453-7172.  Can you tell I'm excited about all this????????

Feel free to post to the QRP net.
Stephen Lee



From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 15:49:20 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA27954; Tue, 15 Feb 94 10:11:48 HST
    id AA03853; Tue, 15 Feb 94 09:26:26 HST
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 9:26:26 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: perspective...
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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Gang,
   Here's an interesting note I received from someone who I had asked
if he was on the QRP list. It made me realize that we shouldn't set
ourselves aside or apart from the rest of the ham community; we're just
folks who choose to turn down the power a bit. The last line of his
note is cute.

Jeff NH6IL

***********************************************************************

No, I'm not on the QRP list, but I was thinking I ought to be.
Then again, I don't think of QRP as something fringe or special
interest, 'cause it's what I've always done. Never ran more
than 3 watts out with any regularity, and even then, it was
usually 50 watts max (519 linear).

When I finally got my 'dream station' (Drake 7-line, all of it),
I still found myself twisting the drive controls down to the 25
or so watt level most of the time.

I guess if you're after DXCC or some such, you want some power,
but if you just like ol' fashion CW when the band is open, or
10 Meter SSB (when it's REALLY open), it doesn't make sense to
put out the extra QRM. Of course, when I heard Easter Island,
UP went the gain :-) Worked 'em, too.

Is that list the one where the letters fade in an out, and sometimes
you can't see them at all, but it's easy to fill in the blanks?  :-)

73,




From [e-mail]  Tue Feb 15 18:57:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28688; Tue, 15 Feb 94 13:57:17 HST
    id AA18738; Tue, 15 Feb 94 12:52:34 HST
Date: Tue, 15 Feb 94 12:52:33 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: ugly?
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

When did point-to-point wiring start getting called `ugly' construction?
I find that term offensive. Point-to-point is easier and (I'm told) more
efficient than any other scheme. Cheaper, too. Used to be that p-t-p
was THE only way to build (prior to pc) so let's give it the respect
it deserves.

Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 03:45:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA03557; Wed, 16 Feb 94 03:40:37 -0500
Mailer: WinNET Mail, v2.04
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Michael Silva)
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 00:42:44
Subject: What test equipment do you use?
From: [e-mail] (Michael Silva)
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It just occurred to me that I could finally get an answer to a
question I've wondered about for a long time, namely:

As homebrewers, what test equipment do you use in getting your
projects working?  Are you using 'scopes, freq. counters, signal
generators, sweep generators, GDO's, spectrum analysers?  Any other
obvious things I've forgotten at 1AM?  Comments?

If I get enough responses I'll tabulate them and post them.

Thanks,

Mike, KK6GM



From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 09:20:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:22:40 CST
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:22:40 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: norcal, QRPp
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
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I must be getting old, I know this has been posted, but did anyone
receive or know when the expected dates for the Norcal 40 and QRPp are?

thanks

72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 09:22:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:24:42 CST
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 08:24:42 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ten Tec Keyer
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Hi,

any of you experts have advice:  I just got hold of a 645A Ultramatic
keyer case with the twin paddles and all the controls. Everythink is
mint except there is no longer the keying circuitry. Anyone have
schematics or no whether it would be worth puruing restoring this?

thanks

72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 10:28:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA16504; Wed, 16 Feb 94 10:28:51 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:23:12 -0500
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:23:12 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Artwork Requests
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Ok, I have written authorization from Mark Wilson at the league
for scanning any of their artwork, and putting it up on think.com.

I got this authorization by sending them a copy of the postscript file
that we (N2PSH and I ) generated for the NN1G rig.

Now that they think this is acceptable quality, I am asking you all what
would you like to see as a top priority for scanning and putting the mirror
image artwork on think.com.  Any league publication artworks are now authorized
so put your thinking caps on, and let me know what you'd like to see.

73
 -----------------
|  ___  ________  |    Bradley S. Mitchell      WB8YGG
| |  / /        | |    Eastman Kodak Company
| | / /         | |    KEMD Electronic Products
| |< < K O D A K| |    Circuit Board Assembly Dept. 606 Test Engineering
| | \ \         | |    901 Elmgrove Road Rochester, N.Y. 14653-5211
| |__\ \________| |    [phone], FAX [phone]
|                 |    INTERNET:   [e-mail]
 -----------------


From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 10:49:12 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id KAA20330; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 10:48:54 -0500
Date: 16 Feb 94 10:45:49 EST
From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <[e-mail]>
To: <[e-mail]>
Subject: What test equipment do y
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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TO: >INTERNET:[e-mail]

Test Equipment for Homebrewers

Mike KK6GM made a request for what folks are using in the way of test
equipment to get their/other's projects going after they finish the
soldering.  The following is a list of some of the test equipment that I
use in my "soldering room" (as my wife calls it).  I will say that I don't
have access to lab quality test gear at work and that in general my shop
test gear is made up of things collected over the years.  Maybe what is
important is the order of priority of how I use the equipment.  Anyway here
goes:

1. Decent quality digital multimeter.  My latest acquisition is the Radio
Shack 22-175 Benchtop true RMS multimeter with frequency counter, transistor
gain and capacitance ranges.  About $100 list but usually on sale every once
in a while.  I mainly use if for the volt/ohm/ma readings.

2. FET-Input Analog Multimeter.  Again another Radio Shack unit - model
22-220 with a "jumbo" 5" analog scale.  Although I prefer the digital VOM
above for most of my big time work (ie testing battery voltages :-)) there
is nothing like watching that needle swing to a peak reading (digital bar
graphs just don't cut it).    Another good price - $50 list and usually on
sale every once in a while.

3. Digital Frequency Counter - I have an old Digimax oven temperature
stabilized 1 GHz counter.  For the price, any of the Optoelectronics /Startek
type units is a must have piece of equipment.

4. A synthesized HF rig with (if possible) the transmit enabled for all
band coverage so it can be used as piece of test equipment.  I use my
commercial rig as a piece of test equipment quite a bit - amazing what it
sounds like to be actually "heard" or "being heard" when your troubleshooting
a new project rig.

5. From this point on I have test equipment that sometimes I hardly ever use,
but like anything else is invaluable when you need it.  Randomly:
- Old B&K 5 MHz oscilloscope (wish I had a 20 MHz unit).
- Old B&K RF signal generator (my HF rig does a better job).
- Handheld Digital Capacitance tester - really comes in handy when you
become brain-dead trying to interpret what the uf,nf,pf decimal markings
really mean on a capacitor.
- Audio generator - use to have one, sold it (BIG mistake) now I need one.
- General purpose power supply - got a decent one at Dayton for good price.

6. Other goodies:  MFJ SWR digital analyzer, little kenwood 25 W dummy load.

I got the feeling I must be missing something - yea I know - an intelligent
tester behind the test equipment.  Can't vouch for that in my shop :-).

I'd also be curious what others on the QRP list use.

72, Bob VE2DRB/WA6ERB.

INTERNET:[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 12:12:36 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28998; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:09:19 EST
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:09:17 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Richard Neindorff)
X-Sender: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: norcal, QRPp
Sender: [e-mail]
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>I must be getting old, I know this has been posted, but did anyone
>receive or know when the expected dates for the Norcal 40 and QRPp are?
>
>thanks
>
>72
>
>Jeff, AC4HF

    You're not getting old, just getting like a kid at Christmas (me too!).
The last I heard, the QRPp Journal was not due out until March 1st and the
NORCAL 40 kits (phase 2) were still being put together by volunteer slave
labor.

    I too check the mailbox and look for the UPS truck everyday. (Not much
else to do in the frozen northeast.)

---Rich, WB2RAR


From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 12:21:46 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00543; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 12:21:07 -0500
    id AA19327; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:21:43 EST
    id AA20479; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:21:35 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: ugly?
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Tue, 15 Feb 94 12:52:33 -1000."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:21:34 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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> When did point-to-point wiring start getting called `ugly' construction?
> I find that term offensive. Point-to-point is easier and (I'm told) more
> efficient than any other scheme. Cheaper, too. Used to be that p-t-p
> was THE only way to build (prior to pc) so let's give it the respect
> it deserves.

Well, actually, I thought "ugly" construction was usually reserved for
"ground-plane" construction; when I hear "point-to-point construction" I
usually think of either perfboard or parts dangling from terminal strips.
While those kinds of point-to-point construction can get pretty grisly,
the perfboard at least hides the wiring from the top view, and terminal
strips do tend to impose some kind of order on the wiring.  "Ground plane",
"dead bug", or "ugly" construction has everything out in plain (and plane :-)
sight, and if you're even in the slightest hurry while working, it winds up
looking like a big ball of wire with components strewn throughout.  Of
course, if you take your time, "ground-plane" construction can even be
artistic, but let's face it, the big attraction of "ground-plane"
construction is the fact that it's real, real fast, which means that people
usually use it when they're in a hurry.

Anyway, I don't mind giving mildly pejorative labels to favorite techniques;
I'd hate to think I took this so seriously that I can't laugh at my foibles.

John, WB7EEL


From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 12:31:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00650; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 12:31:14 -0500
    id AA19388; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:31:50 EST
    id AA20699; Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:31:45 EST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] (Michael Silva)
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: What test equipment do you use?
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 16 Feb 94 00:42:44."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 12:31:45 EST
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
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From: [e-mail] (Michael Silva)

> It just occurred to me that I could finally get an answer to a
> question I've wondered about for a long time, namely:
> As homebrewers, what test equipment do you use in getting your
> projects working?  Are you using 'scopes, freq. counters, signal
> generators, sweep generators, GDO's, spectrum analysers?  Any other
> obvious things I've forgotten at 1AM?  Comments?

Let's see, I've got a digital multimeter, an RF voltage probe for same,
a 'scope (ancient beast, I should try to replace it), a frequency counter,
a capacitance meter, a signal generator, a base dip oscillator (:-),
and parts for a spectrum analyzer that I still haven't gotten around to
building.

I think that's about the order of usage, most to least.  When I finally
get around to finishing it, the spectrum analyzer will probably come after
the 'scope :-).

John, WB7EEL

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 14:25:26 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.65+UW94/UW-NDC Revision: 2.30 ) id AA18159; Wed, 16 Feb 94 11:24:49 -0800
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 11:24:47 -0800 (PST)
From: Stephen Lee <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: norcal, QRPp
To: Richard Neindorff <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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* *  *   * *  *  *   *     * *  *    *      *
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....
Just received my NorCal 40 Kit in the mail this morning, folks.
Thought y'all would like to know :)

Stephen Lee

On Wed, 16 Feb 1994, Richard Neindorff wrote:

> >I must be getting old, I know this has been posted, but did anyone
> >receive or know when the expected dates for the Norcal 40 and QRPp are?
> >
> >thanks
> >
> >72
> >
> >Jeff, AC4HF
>
>     You're not getting old, just getting like a kid at Christmas (me too!).
> The last I heard, the QRPp Journal was not due out until March 1st and the
> NORCAL 40 kits (phase 2) were still being put together by volunteer slave
> labor.
>
>     I too check the mailbox and look for the UPS truck everyday. (Not much
> else to do in the frozen northeast.)
>
> ---Rich, WB2RAR
>
>

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 15:31:10 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:22:49 CST
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:22:49 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Direct Conversion
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: QRP
X-Vms-Cc: JMG
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Been playing around with my new/old Century 22... when I first got my
Century 21.. made some contacts with it, and it confirmed past beliefs
about direct conversion receivers. I hooked up my new single paddle and
keyer to the Century 22 I recently purchased. This gave me an incentive
to REALLY try out the rig. I have been playing with it most evenings for
at least one QSO a night. I find I really enjoy the little rig. It works
great for QRP. I had an experience of getting into a nice rag chew with
a YL (one of best fists I have ever heard)... and after about 20 minutes
or so. .some idiot sends QRL? and immediately without taking a break
sends CQ (and it was on the freq we were on.. not the opposite side). I
decided to try one of the benefits of DC receivers.. I used the offset
and went to the other side.. it was clear and I was able to finish the
QSO. The built in audio filtering seems very effective.. I leave it
cranked all the way up on 40 and the receiver sounds great.

72

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 15:38:47 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:40:21 CST
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 14:40:21 -0600 (CST)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ten Tec PM2A Manual
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
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Anyone have a PM2A manual that they could copy.. I will pay copy and
shipping... hopefully will be getting one soon and already know it needs
some help.

thanks

72

Jeff,AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 16:47:51 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 13:54 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: QRP-DX
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


There is a CW DX contest coming up this weekend.
All the islands in the Caribean are being infestooned
with ham and beams, all on the air, getting ready
for the test.

DX is easy with a super QRP contest station consisting
of a NorCal-40, long wire antenna, HB swr bridge and
tuner, and Curtis keyer copied from the ARRL Handbook.

(There is no guilt using the term HB, in spite of an
Irish catholic upbringing and parochial school education)

This morning between tying shoes, and brushing teeth
I worked  DXCC country #45... Belize.




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

From [e-mail]  Wed Feb 16 20:41:29 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 20:41:19 EST
From: Mark Shelhamer <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Test Equipment
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


On the subject of what test equipment is useful, I would have to agree
that a good general coverage receiver is invaluable. I was also lucky
enough to find a spectrum analyzer for a fair price, and that's almost
equally useful. After that, of course there's the usual assortment of
oscilloscope, DVM (with L/C meter), freq counter, signal generator,
power supply, and the all-important eyes/ears/nose.

I have a question for those who use their transceiver/transmitter as an
RF generator - obviously you run it into a dummy load at low power, but
how do you pick off the RF and couple it into your circuit under test?
A high-value attenuator seems like just the thing - is that what people
are using, and do you build or buy?

Mark
WA3YNO


From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 08:00:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:41 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Cc: mvubr![e-mail] (James M Fitton)
Subject: Wish I was there
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Got a call from Calif. last night.
It was Dave, NN1G who was about to meet Wayne, N6KR  and
possibly Wes Hayward, W7ZOI for dinner.

Dave really knows how to rub it in...... Hi !

I took over as NCS in the GLN QRP net for Dave last night
(0200Z on 3.560 mHz).  VE2XLT said he entered the QCWA contest
last weekend in the brand New QRP class. He made 1800 points.

Things are really heating up on 40m in preparation for the CW
ARRL DX contest this weekend.

Many DX stations calling CQ this morning with no takers....


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

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 09:55:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17228; Thu, 17 Feb 94 09:57:12 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:52:59 -0500
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:52:59 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: QRP-DX
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


>
> DX is easy with a super QRP contest station consisting
> of a NorCal-40, long wire antenna, HB swr bridge and
> tuner, and Curtis keyer copied from the ARRL Handbook.
>
> (There is no guilt using the term HB, in spite of an
> Irish catholic upbringing and parochial school education)

I don't know guys, Jim might be unfairly advantaged technically to call this
setup homebrew.  Just look at his callsign he's been in this for a while,
I can tell.  Maybe we whould pro-rate homebrew, based on years of
experience?

That's a joke guys!!

>
> This morning between tying shoes, and brushing teeth
> I worked  DXCC country #45... Belize.

Neat!!
>
>
>
>
>   73/72   Jim Fitton, W1FMR   QRP-NE   [e-mail]
>
73 Brad
WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 09:58:21 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17276; Thu, 17 Feb 94 09:59:10 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:55:16 -0500
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 09:55:16 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Wish I was there
Cc: mvubr![e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

>
> Got a call from Calif. last night.
> It was Dave, NN1G who was about to meet Wayne, N6KR  and
> possibly Wes Hayward, W7ZOI for dinner.
>

I wonder what the napkins looked like!


> Dave really knows how to rub it in...... Hi !

>
>   73/72   Jim Fitton, W1FMR   QRP-NE   [e-mail]
>
Brad WB8YGG

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 10:33:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA02492; Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:33:16 -0800
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA01213; Thu, 17 Feb 94 09:32:39 -0600
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA07425; Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:32:37 -0800
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 07:32:37 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Charles Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: DX on 40 meters
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Gang,

In case you've been out in the boonies and haven't been paying
attention, this weekend is a BIG DX contest weekend.  In preparation
for same, there are a number of BIG GUNS and some little pistols
warming up.  That is, they're out there testing equipment, antennas,
keyers, and all kinds of jazz.  It is a CW test.

As a result, I've picked up 30 new countries on 40 meters in the
last week using only 0.95W (950 milliwatts) with a 80 meter long
wire for ears.

So, warm up the old receiver and transmitter and rack up your
count, that is if you are into such things.

HINTS:

1.  Get there before anybody else does.  I worked all the above by
    being one of the first 10 people to hear the station, and in many
    cases I was the first contact.

2.  Patience.  Remember that everyone else is using 20 to 1000 times
    the power level that QRPers use.  So walk softly and beat 'em
    with cotton ball.  :-)

3.  I'm a 40 meter freak, so I leave it as an exercise for you guys/girls
    to beat the other bands.

4.  I won't be working the test unless I stay home for the weekend and
    delay the trip.  If I do manage to get on, I'll do it late in
    the contest when the stations are hurting for contacts.  They'll
    work anybody then.

Sorry for the late posting, but the modem seemed to be busy when I
tried to dial in.  Had to go to the post office to send off all the
DX cards :-), so I dropped in to say howdy.

73 es cul,

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




From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 13:59:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA23863; Thu, 17 Feb 94 13:58:58 -0500
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4); Thu, 17 Feb 1994 13:50:51 -0500
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 13:50:51 -0500
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: R1,R2,T2 artwork
Cc: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Ok all, there were more requests for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks than
anything, but I need the following info from you so I can get the templates:

Article date, and page number
for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks.
Thanks
Brad WB8YGG



From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 16:49:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date:    Thu, 17 Feb 1994 15:49:06 -0600 (CST)
From: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Christmas
To: [e-mail]
X-Vmsmail-To: SMTP%"[e-mail]"
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Got my NORCAL 40 in the mail today.  It looks like a real nice kit.  Thanks
to all that had a hand in putting it together.

Ted
KC5CUW

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 17:17:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 14:15:49 -0800
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: Looking for a book or two
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I'd like to borrow or buy two books on QRP by Weiss, possibly titled "The
Joy of QRP" and  "A History of QRP in the United States."  My apologies if
I've got those titles way off.

I had a long talk with Wes Hayward at the wireless conference in Santa
Clara yesterday, and Wes strongly encouraged me to read these books.  How
could I turn down such advice?

Anyone got a clue?

Thanks,
Wayne
N6KR



From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 17:38:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          17 Feb 94 14:38 PST
To: [e-mail]
Subject: R2/T2 boards for sale
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 14:38:41 -0800
From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Hello all:

Anyone want the R2/T2 boards?  I have them, along with the article and
stuff, and I am going through a mid-life crises that gives no time or
energy for the project.  (Just turned 40, and I feel like I turned a BIG
corner!)

I forget what they cost, but I would be happy to sell them for that, and
include shipping.  I am not sure presently, but I think Campbell is
notoriously behind schedule in shipping these boards....you can get mine
fast!

72

Clark
WA3JPG

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 18:11:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id m0pXHrj-0002cPC; Thu, 17 Feb 94 17:10 CST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Jason Penn)
Subject: QRP mod for IC-751A
To: [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 17:10:39 CST
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Greetings. I would like to know if someone could please point me toward the
modification of an ICOM-751A HF transceiver for QRP work. Anybody
know this one off the top of their head? Thanks!

--

       Jason F. Penn N9RPT |  Persoft, Inc.  |  [e-mail]
   Whenever I want to find something, it's always in the last place I look.

From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 22:50:11 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA01984; Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:50:14 JST
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:50:14 JST
From: Bruce Walker <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: WT1M/JA
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I'm on vacation in JA, and I just stopped by our Tokyo office to catch
up on things.  The Internet is wonderful!

I went browsing Akihabara (the electronics district) the other day.  What a
contrast to the US: I went in about 10 places which sold ham gear (in
addition to everything else electronic), and I probably saw only 1% of the
stores!  One particularly interesting item not exported is 3-band SSB HT
covering 40, 15, and 6 meters with 2-3W output.  Not sure if there was an
FM mode for 6m, and not sure if there's a key input for CW; I'm going back
to look at it more closely before leaving the country.  The dollar is so
poor that prices are high here; things are cheaper in the US, so I was
mostly looking at things which aren't exported.

I also saw some nice QRO stuff, including ICOM 732 and 736 models, with
which I was unfamiliar.  There is also a low-power version of the TS-50
(max 10 watts for a couple hundred $$ less than the regular version).

I'll be back in a week.  Thanks again to Ed Parish WA2SCA for minding the
list (with the help of majordomo) while I'm gone.  This whole trip happened
on such short notice that I didn't get a chance to look in to reciprocal
operating while here.

--bruce WT1M/JA



From [e-mail]  Thu Feb 17 23:38:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
          17 Feb 94 20:37 PST
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: R2/T2 boards for sale
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 20:37:56 -0800
From: Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG <[e-mail]>
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Got a taker for the boards.  Thanks for all the inquiries.  My NorCal 40
is the only kit on the table now, and it will get built soon for my
40th year mid-life crisis 3 month walk in the woods :-).

72

Clark
WA3JPG

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 02:04:57 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA04676; Thu, 17 Feb 94 21:04:35 HST
    id AA15084; Thu, 17 Feb 94 19:38:35 HST
Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 19:38:35 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Looking for a book or two
In-Reply-To: Your message of Thu, 17 Feb 1994 14:15:49 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I can't recomment ``A History of QRP in the U.S.'' enough! I couldn't
put the book down. I found a copy in our public library; I wrote to Weiss
and he said that book is still available from:
Milliwatt Publishing
833 Duke St. #83
Vermillion, South Dakota 57069
$12 includes the first class shipping.

72,
Jeff

===============================================================================
Jeffrey Herman, NH6IL, [e-mail], who, in his spare time, cannibalizes
old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW of course).

Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500kc CW)

It is said that CW is the second most popular mode on HF, but scanning the
bands I frequently count more CW QSOs than SSB QSOs.
==============================================================================

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 07:18:59 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 94 21:42:06 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Dick G0BPS)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: homebrew Y/N Anwered from UK
X-Mailer: PCElm 1.08
Lines: 44
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


HI gang,
Firstly I must declare my interest as a kit supplier
to the UK & US market. I also supply more than 50 countries
in the world.

        OK advert over....

In the UK we define homebrew as anything made in the home.
Thus, if the maker gets the parts and makes a PCB himself
and puts it all together it is the same as buying a kit.
The buyer still buys the parts and puts it all together.
The only exception is the PCB.

Lets assume Joe Average reads an article in QST and gets the
bits at RS. but buys the PCB from ARRL. Is this Homebrew?

If Joe cannot design anything, why should he be penalised
because he gets the parts at RS and gets the PCB from a supplier?

If Joe now makes the PCB (or builds it ugly style) should he be
awarded?  Must all builders who claim "Homebrew" both design
and build their own gear. I stress the design. Because if the
design appears in QST and Joe builds that, it that homebrew?

If Joe buys the PCB from the designer, but gets the parts
from RS should he be penalised. Should we be made to
make our own transistors and resistors......

OK I am getting a little over the top perhaps, but if
we follow some of the comments made, we should make all the
components as well as the boards.

Could you make a transistor ?????

72 de Dick....


--
Dick G0BPS / G0ROO      A member of the DRAGON SLAYERS QRP Group
Kanga Products          (Remember that sometimes the Dragon wins)

[  The opinions expressed here are always that of the management, ]
[  I am the management!!           (especially when she lets me)   ]

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 07:19:46 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 20:34:23 GMT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Dick G0BPS)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: ARCI / OK / G membership
X-Mailer: PCElm 1.08
Lines: 44
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Hi all, just to save some confusion,
I handle the DX membership of the ARCI
Payment should be made in pounds sterling
(Thats British pounds Jeff) by check / cash
payable to the G-QRP club.
(just so no-one thinks I make anything!).
For the ARCI New membership costs 7
Renewal of membership costs.......6

For OK QRP club the membership is the same
Checks still payable to G-QRP club.

To join the G-QRP club ask, after the sad death
of Luke W5HKA we are looking at getting a replacement.
In the meantime Email me for info.
I am also perhaps going to handle the DX membership of the
VK club but thats in the pipeline.
Any VK amateurs in here ???

To join I need the following information...

Name,   Address,   Call,  Name used on air,
Date first licensed, Type of licence
Interests SSB / RTTY / CW / etc,
Willing to write?
Willing to serve on board?

Finally, just to keep the slate clean, I own / run Kanga Products.
This sideline is a way of promoting the hobby of low power operating.
I am an avid low power operator when I can, I just love it! I'd rather go
on the air with 1w than 1Kw, as my friends will confirm.
I have no finacial interest whatsoever in
any QRP club other than being a member much as any other, except for
the G-QRP club where I am the SSB columinst in SPRAT and also a
committee (board) member. I also write the QRP column in the British
Ham Radio Today magazine (in my fourth year now!)

I wanna promote QRP !!!!!
--
Dick G0BPS / G0ROO      A member of the DRAGON SLAYERS QRP Group
Kanga Products          (Remember that sometimes the Dragon wins)

[  The opinions expressed here are always that of the management, ]
[  I am the management!!           (especially when she lets me)   ]

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 13:00:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA03866; Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:00:21 EST
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:00:21 EST
From: [e-mail] (Melvin G. Seyle)
Message-Id: <9402181800.AA03866@super>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: NORCAL
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Watching all the mail about the NORCAL 40 has aroused my interest in NORCAL.
How can I join NORCAL?  Is it too late to get one of the NORCAL 40 kits?
Any information would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Mel
[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 13:06:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA03917; Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:06:16 EST
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:06:16 EST
From: [e-mail] (Melvin G. Seyle)
Message-Id: <9402181806.AA03917@super>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: ICOM-751A
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Jason Penn's (N9RPT) note on the ICOM-751A reminded me of something I had
been wanting to ask for a while.  Does anyone know of a way to easily mute
the ICOM-751A so that one could use it as a receiver with a QRP xmtr?

Thanks.

Mel
[e-mail]    (WA3KZR)

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 13:33:39 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26876; Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:32:16 EST
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 13:32:16 EST
From: [e-mail] (M. Squicciarini)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Homebrew
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


    Dick's, G0BPS, definition for homebrew is excellent and should
    put to rest anymore argument on the matter (dream on ;-).
    For those of you that missed it.

    Homeberew is defined as anything made in the home.

    73 -- marty -- nr3z         [e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 14:17:12 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 14:09 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: muting
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Muting an ICOM....

I dont know about muting an ICOM, but I thought of using my
Ten Tec Argosy as a receiver with a home brew transmitter
or transceiver to provide split frequency operation.
(RCV on 1 freq., XMT on another)

I would use the ARGOSY to receive and the NorCal-40 to transmit
and key both the NorCal and the Argosy at the same time.
The Argosy would be turned down to 0 watts out, and only the
NorCal would send a signal to the antenna.  Both rigs would be
connected to the same antenna.

You would be able to listen to both frequencies at the same time
but just transmit on the NorCal frequency with the key down.

I have not tried it, as the idea does not sound too sound, but what
if it works ?  The Argosy may just act like a big dummy load,
but if I had the chance to work the 3Y0 station, which was running
split, on 40 meters, I would have tried it.



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

From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 15:06:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail]
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 14:55 EST
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: NET
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


The Northeast QRP Net - NEN will be on the air tomorrow,
at 8 am  eastern,  or 1300 UTC  on 7.036  mHz
(40 meter general band), Saturday morning.

Let's see how many interneters are REAL hams......

Check in using  AA5DX/inet   inet = internet

or W1FMR/inet     K5FO/inet     etc....

I will tell the control stations to watch for us.

When I was in CA, I heard W8MVN, KI4IO and others checking
in to NEN, and if I was swift enough, would have asked them
to QSP (relay) my QNI  (check-in).

WA1JXR, or K3TKS will be the NCS (net control station)
and it is a big deal just to be able to check in.
No traffic or anything is passed, just check-in is fine.

You may even get your call published in the ARCI QRP Quarterly (QQ).


CU SN   Jim   W1FMR/QRP


From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 15:54:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA00945; Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:42:50 PST
    id AA18989; Fri, 18 Feb 1994 12:37:02 -0800
    id AA23705; Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:38:28 PST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 12:34:10 PST
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
From: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Norcal 40 does Africa - help
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Hi guys and gals,

The Africa trip is getting to be more of a reality. As I said in
an earlier post, the Norcal 40 will be going along, operated on
an intermittent schedule when slack time permits.

I want to borrow from someone a small tuner - perhaps someone
has built up a tuner in a Norcal case that they would let me use.

On a similar vein, does anyone have a very small memory keyer I
might take along? I have an Autek keyer and Vibroplex paddles
but the keyer is bigger than the Norcal and the paddles weigh
more than the radio (isn't that silly?). The overall size of
all this equipment must be kept down.

Anyone have any thoughts on suppliers of very portable dipoles?
Perhaps something from Antennas West? What are your recommendations?

I've never been dx before - this is going to be fun. Hopefully we
can take some pictures and get a Norcal article into one of the magazines.

73

Grover
WT6P

(no "72" from this Morse man; no "Morris" either;
 let's preserve the Mother Tongue.)



From [e-mail]  Fri Feb 18 23:37:21 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA24353; Fri, 18 Feb 94 18:37:01 HST
    id AA15239; Fri, 18 Feb 94 11:10:00 HST
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 94 11:09:59 HST
From: Jeff Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: homebrew Y/N Anwered from UK
In-Reply-To: Your message of Wed, 16 Feb 94 21:42:06 GMT
Cc: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Dick et al,
   To add a little fuel to the fire (but not to flame!) let's look
at an analogy: One can go to the grocery store and buy ready-made
cookie dough; once at home one can seperate the the already-sliced
dough (you don't even get to slice it yourself!) and lay the pieces
on a cookie sheet and bake until golden brown. Now, can we say that
those cookies are home-made cookies? I don't think ANYONE would take
that credit.
   I don't see what's wrong with 3 catagories of radio:
- Store bought
- Kit
- Homebrew (including winding your own coils and using some formulas,
   scronging for parts here and there and using a little math to
   make some substitutions for those impossible-to-find components;
   but NOT having to make any xsistors).
- Hmmmm, maybe a 4th class is needed: modification to the first two above

One thing I've learned on internet: it's rare that one person can ever
change another person's viewpoint!

Maybe we should just dump this thread and get on the air and have fun! I
promise I'll QSO with you no matter WHAT kind of rig you operate.

Dick, which came first the callsign or the company name? Kanga - G0ROO -
that's cute!

Oh, the folks on the boatanchor mail net have a weakly CW non-contest
on 3700kc - they call it the Friday Night Fist Fight - listen for
CQ CWist (time?). I'm too far to the left (Hawaii) to hear anything. Phooey.

72 to everyone and have a great 3-day weekend,
Jeff

===============================================================================
Jeffrey Herman, NH6IL, [e-mail], who, in his spare time, cannibalizes
old TV sets to make QRP transmitters (CW of course).

Previously: WA6QIJ, WH6AEQ, NMO (U.S. Coast Guard Radio Honolulu: 500kc CW)

It is said that CW is the second most popular mode on HF, but scanning the
bands I frequently count more CW QSOs than SSB QSOs.
==============================================================================

From [e-mail]  Sat Feb 19 02:14:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id XAA01795; Fri, 18 Feb 1994 23:04:35 -0800
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 1994 23:04:35 -0800
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail]
Subject: R1,R2,T2 artwork
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

On 02-17-94, [e-mail] wrote to [e-mail]:

>------------------------------------
Ok all, there were more requests for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks than
anything, but I need the following info from you so I can get the
templates:

Article date, and page number
for the R1, R2, and T2 artworks.
Thanks
Brad WB8YGG

>------------------------------------
R1:  "High-Performance Direct-conversion Receivers", QST, August 1992,
page 19ff

R2:  "High-Performance, Single-Signal Direct-conversion Receivers", QST,
January 1993, page 32ff

T2:  "A Multimode Phasing Exciter for 1 to 500 MHz", QST, April 1993, page
27ff.

Actually, you need the article AND the templates!  You get the templates
simply by writing with an SASE:

Technical Department Secretary
ARRL
225 Main Street
Newington, CT  06111

Just request the CAMPBELL R1 BOARD TEMPLATE, CAMPBELL R2 BOARD TEMPLATE,
or CAMPBELL T2 BOARD TEMPLATE.

I've built the R2.  Used it as a simple direct-conv. receiver at first,
and was surprisingly satisfied, so took me a while to build my first
phasing network.  Well, I did last night for 40 meters, and boy, was I
pleased.  You really have to listen hard to hear the "other side" on all
but those strong broadcast carriers.

I built it without the elaborate diplexer networks at the inputs -- I
balked a bit at the need to match those expensive inductors and
capacitors.  I used the simple diplexer from the Lewallen Optimized QRP
Transceiver -- the one he faults for not terminating the lowest
frequencies correctly.  He's probably right, but it still performs very
well with the less-elaborate circuit -- no audible overload problems to my
ear.  So save a few bucks.  (How many people can accurately measure 3.9 to
27 MILLIhenry inductors, anyway?)

I put the amplitude balance control on the front panel so I can change it
easily when I change bands.  Band changing will be a matter of neat little
circuit-board boxes with phasing networks and input lowpass filters -- all
with three carefully-spaced BNC connectors!  (I may make them 2 or 3 bands
per box -- found some neat 4PDT slide switches at our last hamfest!)

Try it.  An unusual, very clean-performing and excellent-sounding design!
Just for fun, I can switch out ALL the audio filters, and hear from about
100 Hz to 15 kHz -- true hi-fi!

John K0JD


---
 * Freddie 1.2.5 * "Aaaaaahhhhhh.........Baaaaach!" -- Radar O'Reilly