QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/files/qrp/archives/94_05_28.txt

Text File | 1994-11-27 | 171KB | 4,276 lines

Subject: Start
From [e-mail]  Sat May 21 12:06:55 1994
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Date: Sat, 21 May 1994 12:06:38 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Todd W. Carter" <[e-mail]>
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help

From [e-mail]  Sat May 21 17:28:36 1994
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Date: Fri, 20 May 94 22:58:51 GMT
From: [e-mail] (George Dobbs G3RJV)
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To: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: UK (was Seeking Foreign Ham Pubs)
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In message <[e-mail]> George Dobbs G3RJV writes:
> In message <[e-mail]> Kevin Anderson writes:
> > > Date sent:      Fri, 13 May 94 14:20:46 PST
> > > From:           [e-mail]
> > > To:             [e-mail]
> > > Subject:        Seeking Foreign Ham Pubs
> >
  BUT.....  DOES RUN A QRO COLUMN BY DICK, G0BPS, ONE
> OF OUR FELLOW TRAVELLERS IN THIS GROUP.

OOOOOOOOOOphs - FOR QRO READ QRP
Freudian Slip - or is the P key next to the O key !
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Dobbs G3RJV                  "It is vain to do with more,
G-QRP Club                           what can be done with less."
-------------------------------------------------- William of Occam (1290-1350)

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 08:38:11 1994
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   Mon, 23 May 94 08:38:06 EDT
          id 5740; Mon, 23 May 1994 08:38:10 EDT
   with TCP; Mon, 23 May 94 08:38:10 EDT
          id AA31924; Mon, 23 May 1994 08:38:02 -0400
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: TenTec DC receiver kit -- which band to build?
Reply-To: "Vinod Narayanan" <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 08:38:02 -0500
From: "Vinod Narayanan" <[e-mail]>
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I am getting a TenTec DC receiver kit. I intend to use this
to listen to the code practice session from W1AW.

I live about 40 to 50 miles from Newington, and will listen
mostly at night (either the 7pm EDT or the 10pm EDT
sessions). Given this, should I build the 40m version or the
80m version?

Thanks in advance for your advice.

--vinod
email: [e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 10:09:23 1994
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Date:         Mon, 23 May 94 10:05:13 EDT
From: Greg Buhyoff <[e-mail]>
Subject:      Large gel cell?
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I need a larger sizedc gel cell -- 50 - 100 AH -- and am looking for
a supplier on the east coast, or preferably close to Virginia (given
the shipping costs of something like that).  I bought some cells
from a place in Marietta, Georgia.  It had a name like Voltronics or
something like that.  I sure would appreciate it if anyone could help
me with the name of the place in Georgia or a another source for
high quality, new gel cells.

73, Greg

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 10:33:41 1994
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    id AA26556; Mon, 23 May 1994 10:33:06 -0400
    id AA01549; Mon, 23 May 1994 10:24:53 -0400
    id AA03563; Mon, 23 May 1994 10:24:52 -0400
From: Warren E. Lewis <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: First Sunday QSO Parties?
To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 10:24:51 -0400 (EDT)
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Are the QRP ARCI First Sunday QSO parties going to occur this
year?
                  - Warren
--
Warren E. Lewis                                 [e-mail]
Technical Support Division                    [phone] x6542
SAS Institute Inc.                                         PP-ASEL
Cary, NC                                      KD4YRN      DOD#0021

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 11:06:48 1994
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    id AA15858; Mon, 23 May 1994 11:06:22 -0400
    id AA09798; Mon, 23 May 94 11:06:54 EDT
    id AA16501; Mon, 23 May 94 11:06:52 EDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Success with NN1G
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 11:06:51 -0400
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
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At long last, I got on the air with my NN1G rig last weekend, and made exactly
one contact (this was just before I had to leave to go to a party, so it's not
so bad); W0MHS/4 in Georgia (apparently), who was apparently working some
contest or other, but he gave me a 579 report, which looks more genuine than
the typical contest report, so my 3W seems to really work.  Hurray!  (And as
soon as the landscapers finish rebuilding the garden, I'll be able to put the
antenna back up and be ready to work everyone here in the next contest :-)

(Which reminds me, how much power is everyone else getting with NN1G rigs?
I thought it was supposed to be about 1.5W, and with two power meters claiming
that I can get about 5W into a dummy load, I'm concerned that there's something
screwy going on with my rig.)

73, John, WB7EEL/1
On the air at last after over a decade.

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 11:55:10 1994
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Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 9:54:14 -0600 (MDT)
From: [e-mail]
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Subject: Beautiful Pix, Ugly Rig (160m)
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Beautiful Pix, Ugly Rig (160m)

Hello, everyone.  Several weeks ago I mentioned my HB 160m TX here
on the net, and had perhaps eight or ten requests for my write-up
plus a copy of the schematic, which I sent out via E-mail and USPS.
I also sent some photographs to Steve in Michigan, and he has very
kindly digitized them and agreed to keep them at his ftp site for
a while.  If you are interested, you can retrieve the pictures in
both gif and jpeg format from ftp.erim.org, where they are located
in subdirectory hideg.qrp.kr8l.  Picture A shows the complete rig
(minus the cover enclosure, which was cut from a K-Mart cookie
sheet); Picture B shows a close-up of the VFO, and Picture C shows
a view of the buffer, driver, PA, and Pi network.

The rig is constructed ugly-style on single-sided board that has been
divided into 3/8" squares with a Dremel-tool grinder, and the whole
thing is mounted on a 1"x6"x9" piece of pine board.  There is nothing
original about the circuit, as it is all taken from "Solid State
Design for the Radio Amateur."

I hope these pictures prove that I can build ugly-rigs, as well as
pretty kit-rigs, hi hi.  :-)  ;-)

73, Bill, KR8L/7 (DN43), M-98, NWQ-127, NorCal-??, AMSAT-8735
([e-mail])


From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 11:59:14 1994
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 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 23 May 1994 10:59:05 CDT
Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 10:59:05 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Idiom Press Keyer
To: [e-mail]
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Does anyone know the Motorola chip # that is used in the Idiom
Press Super Keyer II kits. I got parts messed up and was thinking
about updating a chip.. but need to make sure it is actually one
of theirs.

thanks

73

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 12:16:58 1994
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 <[e-mail]>; Mon, 23 May 1994 11:17:16 CDT
Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 11:17:16 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: MXM transceiver
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I have the new MXM transceiver nicely mounted in a K5FO special
aluminum case (plenty of room for keyer). I had this working well
and somehow got to messing with it to the point I "messed" it up.
The TX is till working fine, the TX/REC working, the receiver was
tuned and can hear a signal from nearby generator or when injected
into the antenna. The problem is when you hook it up on the air..
no signal getting thru..I about 99.99% sure nothing wrong with the
TX, and rec sections.. might be one of the molded chokes nearby
the antenna, or something messed up in TX/REC (transistor). I had
purchased a new meter that was suppose to be able to measure small
value inductors.. doesn't though.

I really don't feel like messing with it anymore.. have a number
of other projects to finish. Think I would be willing to let it go
fairly cheap ($60+shipping).

73

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 12:57:29 1994
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 <[e-mail]>; Tue, 24 May 1994 00:58:49 SST
Date: 24 May 1994 00:58:49 +0700 (SST)
From: [e-mail]
Subject: NN1G
To: [e-mail]
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Hi,

    I figured out my problem with the NN1G, 2 of the shunt diodes were
shorted so no signal was getting through. Now that I've fixed it, its better.
I can't say much about the sensitivity of the receiver as only the stronger
signals rise above the noise floor. In fact I'd say it was a very noisy
receiver and even my Radiokit QRP-20 has better sensitivity, although it has
lots of birdies. The NN1G is quite clean where birdies are concerned though.
I wonder if this lack of sensitivity is due to my construction or due to
inherent design shortcomings? Like I said,the internal noise is higher than
atmospheric noise as I can't hear any increase in noise when I plug on the
antenna. Wished it was more sensitive.

    The transmit side works fine and the QSK is great. It seems that my
NN1G is putting out some 7-8 watts, is this normal? I didn't think this was
possible but there it is on the meter.

    Any advise on increasing sensitivity or improving receiver performance
or signal/noise ratio will be greatly appreciated.

73,
Daniel

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 13:59:20 1994
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    id AA04159; Mon, 23 May 94 10:31:01 PDT
    id AA18091; Mon, 23 May 1994 10:29:59 -0700
    id AA21799; Mon, 23 May 94 10:29:56 PDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 10:25:12 PDT
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
From: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Please someone mail #103
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Could someone please mail to me the #103 issue of the Digest. I only got the
first page for some weird reason.

thanks and .073


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  Internet: [e-mail]     Radio: WT6P@KE6LW.#NOCAL.ca.us.na
  Voice: [phone]             DoD:7388             Fax: [phone]
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From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 14:00:06 1994
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        id AA26466 for ; Mon, 23 May 94 13:46:00 -0400
    id AA02843; Mon, 23 May 94 13:01:50 EDT
    id AA10578; Mon, 23 May 94 13:01:49 EDT
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 13:01:49 EDT
From: [e-mail] (James D. Cronin)
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Large gel cell?
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Greg,
  Are you going to tip the battery over?  If not, you could try a
ordinary car battery or marine trolling battery.  Marine trolling
batteries are said to be better in terms of withstanding deep discharges.
73...Jim  N2VNO


From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 15:54:24 1994
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Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 13:53:25 -0600 (MDT)
From: [e-mail]
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Cc: [e-mail]
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Subject: IP Address for 160m Rig Pix
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The IP address for the 160m Rig and Dayton '94 pictures is:
155.102.132.32

73 de KR8L/7

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 16:59:33 1994
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    id AA20482; Fri, 20 May 94 16:18:33 PDT
    id AA769475944 Fri, 20 May 94 16:19:04 PST
Date: Fri, 20 May 94 16:19:04 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 471 Text
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Subject: Looking for RF transistors & Rechargable Batteries
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          Does anyone know of good sources from which to buy the following
          items?

                o  RF Power transistors suitable for QRP (such
                   as those from Motorola's line, etc.).

                o  Rechargable Batteries (Gel Cell type...) - Field
                   Day is on its way!

          Thanks.

          Jeff Anderson, WA6AHL
          [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 17:39:10 1994
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  (5.67b8/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Mon, 23 May 1994 17:39:00 -0400
Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 17:39:00 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Todd W. Carter" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Questions about mw QRP'ing
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Hi.  I just joined this list and I have some questions.  I have a
technician license and I am getting motivated (again) to go for my
general.  What I've always wanted to do is CW with less than a watt.

What can I expect?  I live in Arlington, VA.  How far can I transmit?
Can I use my shortwave receiver (Realistic DX-440) as a CW receiver, and
then buy a kit for the transmitter?

What should I plan on spending?

Thanks!

Todd
N8ODP

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 18:44:27 1994
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  (5.67b8/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Mon, 23 May 1994 18:44:08 -0400
Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 18:44:08 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Todd W. Carter" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Questions about mw QRP'ing (fwd)
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On Mon, 23 May 1994, Randall Rhea wrote:

> Your best band bet is probably 30 meters.  A dipole for this band should
> be about 46 feet long, and up at least 25 feet.   There are power limitations
> on 30m and no contests, so this band is great for QRP.  The 7.0-7.1
> portion of 40 meters is also good.  (above 7.1 you get stepped on
> by broadcast stations)  10 meters is the easiest band for QRP, but with
> the low period in the sunspot cycle for the next few years, this band is
> pretty dead.

Oops.  I forgot to say that I live in an apartment, so I don't have a lot
of room for long antennas.  Any thoughts?

I sure do appreciate the info.

Todd
N8ODP


From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 18:50:01 1994
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    for <@sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail]> id PAA08175; Mon, 23 May 1994 15:49:31 -0700
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA04926; Mon, 23 May 94 17:49:27 -0500
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA02682; Mon, 23 May 94 17:49:26 -0500
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 17:49:26 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
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To: [e-mail]
Subject: KI6DS/0
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Gang,

Got phone call from Doug late last night (really
early this morning).  He was on way to KS due to
illness in the family.  He asked that I relay to
the net the fact that he will be out of touch til
the first of next week.

So, if you miss him or have sent mail to him and
not gotten reply --- he is not ignoring you, he's
in the middle US.

He has a 1W SSB QRP rig with him for 80M.  Be on
the lookout for him.

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



From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 19:28:11 1994
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    id AA17437; Mon, 23 May 94 13:20:53 HST
    id AA06430; Mon, 23 May 94 13:27:47 HST
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 13:27:47 HST
From: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Looking for RF transistors & Rechargable Batteries
In-Reply-To: Your message of Fri, 20 May 94 16:19:04 PST
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Jeff and the Gang:
   I've heard that Motorola will give you free samples of their RF devices
(small quantities) - anyone know how to go about asking?

Jeff NH6IL (ex WA6QIJ)

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 19:36:23 1994
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    id AA17983; Mon, 23 May 94 13:29:12 HST
    id AA06999; Mon, 23 May 94 13:36:06 HST
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 13:36:06 HST
From: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
To: "Todd W. Carter" <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Questions about mw QRP'ing
In-Reply-To: Your message of Mon, 23 May 1994 17:39:00 -0400 (EDT)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Todd and the Gang:
   You can go around the world with one watt! The key is putting up the
best antenna possible. Others will no doubt have lots to say about this.
   I've used an old DX-160 as a ham receiver; I'm currently using a
DX-400 as my station receiver.
   You don't need any elaborate transmitter - there are 3-transistor
xmtr circuits around you can build in one afternoon, and be on the air
that evening!
   Plan on spending as little  as  possible if  you want to build your
own xmtr; parts can come from old TV sets and junked radios (learn the
fine art of dumpster-diving).
   The kit-builders on the net will surely fill you in on what are the best
for the money.

.73,
Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 20:03:27 1994
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    id AA22988; Mon, 23 May 94 16:53:52 PDT
    id AA769737280 Mon, 23 May 94 16:54:40 PST
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 16:54:40 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 1028 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: How do I "get" files? (GRC109)
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          Majordomo has a command called "get" (syntax:  get <list>
          <filename>) that lets you get a file related to <list>.  I just
          did "index qrp" to get a list of files, and under "reviews" I saw
          the heading:  GRC109.

          I've had a GRC109 transmitter for years, and I'm just now
          thinking about putting it on the air, so I'd love to read the
          contents under this heading.

          But how do I access it?  I tried "get qrp grc109" and "get qrp
          reviews\grp109" but nothing works.  What am I doing wrong.  I
          only have an email connection to Internet.  Is this the problem?

          By the way, I'd also be interested in other's experiences with
          this transmitter/receiver (I only have the transmitter and am
          thinking about getting the receiver too...).

          Thanks.

          Jeff Anderson, WA6AHL
          [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 20:33:48 1994
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  (5.67b8/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Mon, 23 May 1994 20:33:18 -0400
Date: Mon, 23 May 1994 20:33:17 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Todd W. Carter" <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP definition
To: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
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What is the highest power level that is still considered QRP?  And what
are the frequencies I can find QRP transmissions on?

Thanks.

Todd
N8ODP

From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 23:24:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id XAA25563; Mon, 23 May 1994 23:23:14 -0400 (from [e-mail])
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: Stephen Trier <[e-mail]>
Date: 24 May 1994   03:23:06 GMT
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Looking for RF transistors & Rechargable Batteries
In-Reply-To: [e-mail]
     Fri, 20 May 94 16:19:04 PST
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Jeff Anderson, WA6AHL, asked for sources for:
>                 o  RF Power transistors suitable for QRP (such
>                    as those from Motorola's line, etc.).

I was surprised to find a number of RF power transistors in the MCM catalog,
in their Motorola section.  They are heavy on the varieties one finds in
portable phones, cellular phones and CB radios.  That sounds about right
for QRP.  :-)

The prices were surprisingly low.  I bought a pair each of MRF476s, 2N3866s
and 2N5179s and bought a handful of 8-cent 2N4401s for the junk box.

RF Parts has a wide range of power transistors.  They advertise in QST
perhaps every other month with an ad full of tube and transistor part
numbers.  The list is impressively long.

MCM is 1-800-543-4330.  I'm a satisfied customer, except for one thing:
I can't get them to ship Parcel Post.  (Grrr...)

RF Parts is 1-800-RF-PARTS (1-800-737-2787).  I have no experience with
their sales or service.

          Stephen


--
Stephen Trier    Whenever the literary German dives into a sentence, that is
[e-mail]  the last you are going to see of him until he emerges on the
KG8IH            other side of his Atlantic with his verb in his mouth.
             -- Mark Twain, "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"


From [e-mail]  Mon May 23 23:46:25 1994
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    (1.38.193.5/16.2) id AA16764; Mon, 23 May 1994 23:46:18 -0400
From: [e-mail]
X-Mailer: America Online Mailer
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To: [e-mail]
Date: Mon, 23 May 94 23:46:16 EDT
Subject: favorite circuits
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I just completed an "OXO" transmitter from an old SPRAT  article reprinted in
the St. Louis QRP Society newsletter.  Question I have is: what are favorite
simple circuits amongst the readers of the QRP mailing list??  It would be
fun to reproduce some of the spirit for which the OXO was intended--minimal
parts count with good performance.  Please post your favorites--I'm sure I'm
not the only one who would be interested, what with FD coming soon!!


72 (+/- 1), Jim N0OCT

[e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 00:14:07 1994
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    id AAA27821; Tue, 24 May 1994 00:13:38 -0400 (from [e-mail])
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: Stephen Trier <[e-mail]>
Date: 24 May 1994   04:13:28 GMT
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Questions about mw QRP'ing
In-Reply-To: [e-mail]
     Mon, 23 May 1994 17:39:00 -0400 (EDT)
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> What can I expect?  I live in Arlington, VA.  How far can I transmit?

You can go anywhere in the world on 1W.  You won't be able to do it quite
as often as the kW guys can, esp. during the down part of the sunspot cycle,
but you can do it.

> Can I use my shortwave receiver (Realistic DX-440) as a CW receiver, and
> then buy a kit for the transmitter?

If the receiver has a BFO for receiving SSB and CW, sure.  Transmitters
are easy to homebrew, and there are lots of kits out there.

> What should I plan on spending?

You can spend anywhere from nothing to $300, depending on what you decide
to build or buy.  Although some people on the list praise the virtues of
zero-budget building, I don't have the patience, the tools, or the skill
for that.

I budgeted $100 to build a transmitter and receiver and get on the air.
I can't decide whether I underspent or overspent!  In raw parts, the rigs
are about $20 each, but my overall cost was around $200.  That includes
tools, books, crystals, and other expenses that will be amortized over
future radio projects.

A kit transmitter could definitely have been cheaper.

           Stephen


--
Stephen Trier    Whenever the literary German dives into a sentence, that is
[e-mail]  the last you are going to see of him until he emerges on the
KG8IH            other side of his Atlantic with his verb in his mouth.
             -- Mark Twain, "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"


From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 09:00:20 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Tue, 24 May 1994 09:01:44 -0400
Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 09:01:44 -0400
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Keith M. Hamilton)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Key help
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk



Well I have my NorCal40 and MFJ 9040 in a nice briefcase
with a gel cell battery.  My only problem now is WEIGHT!

Most of the excess weight is my Bencher paddle with it's
very heavey base.  Does anyone know of a lighter key?

I thought of placing my bencher parts on a lighter base
and using suction cups to hold it in place on the desk.

Anyone have other ideas??????????????????

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

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 09:25:07 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA13824; Tue, 24 May 94 08:23:17 -0500
          via Charon-4.0A-VROOM with IPX id 100.940524082354.320;
          24 May 94 08:20:13 +0500
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: "Evert Halbach" <[e-mail]>
Organization:  Nicholls State University
To: [e-mail]
Date:          Tue, 24 May 1994 08:23:44 CST
Subject:       "Cut short"
Priority: normal
X-Mailer:     PMail v3.0 (R1a)
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Only got the first 5 of the 20 or so messages from the QRP Digest
this morning.  Can someone tell me what happened????  Could it be
that my mailbox was full and just stopped at that point or could
there be a problem on the other end????????

                Thanks   Evert


p.s.  This has happened before a couple of times.



        Evert R. Halbach   WA5OJI
Internet - [e-mail]
Phone    - [phone]
Snail    - P.O. Box 2168   Thibodaux, La. 70310

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 10:44:58 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for think.com!qrp); Tue, 24 May 1994 22:44:30 +0800
    id aa02282; Tue, 24 May 94 14:38:28 GMT
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #7) id m0q5wjr-000QAyC; Tue, 24 May 94 21:41 SST
    (Linux Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0q5wfI-000GuuC; Tue, 24 May 94 21:37 SST
           Tue, 24 May 1994 09:36:45 SST
Date:      Tue, 24 May 1994 09:36:44 SST
From: "W. Daniel" <pandora![e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: "W. Daniel" <[e-mail]>
To: pandora![e-mail]
Subject:   NN1G mods
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Hi Gang,

        Sometime ago there a a bunch of discussions on the NN1G on this
list, I was wondering if there is someway I could get hold of all the mods
for this little kit? Would really appreciate it.

        With reference to a message a little while back concerning NN1G
troubles, I recall the writer saying that his NN1G was putting out a hair
over 5 watts, well I've come to the conclusion that this should not be the
case although it happens.

        I got my watt meter reading almost 10 watts output from the NN1G
until I put the thing under a scope to look at the waveform. Anything over 4
watts is suspicious and you probably have a distorted waveform with lots of
spurs and harmonics. I could not lower the output so I put a 20 pF NPO
ceramic capacitor with a ferrite bead on one of the legs from the collector
of the second 2N2222 driver to ground. This cut output to about 2-3 watts
and the signal cleaned up.

        Not only that, my original intention was to correct a SWR mismatch
as I could not match the rig to the antenna which I know is resonant because
all my other rigs give a flat SWR with it. Lowering the power output solved
the SWR problem, as expected, since the output impedance is related to
output power.

        Please correct me or advise me better regarding above if anyone else
has a better way of doing it.

        I am also keen to put RIT on the NN1G and will probably start with a
audio filter and amplifier to drive a small speaker. I also would like to
put an amplifier at the output to give me switchable 10-15 watts output, if
I can figure out how to do it.

        If anyone knows how I can implement RIT, I'd be most glad. I also
welcome suggestions as to how I might increase the tuning range of the NN1G,
right now it covers about 13999 kHz to 14046 kHz (47 kHz), but I would like
to be able to tune upto 14060 kHz.

        BTW, regarding my previous complaint about the NN1G's lack of
sensitivity, well (blush), it turned out that the first transformer fused
out, probably as a result of a short circuit somewhere. Fortunately for me,
the break was near the legs and I could resolder it. Now its plenty
sensitive. And clear too. Will also check the crystals once I've built a
suitable crystal oscillator. As I said before, the good thing is that there
are almost no birdies with this rig.

72,
Daniel
--
+-------------+-------------------------------------+
| Daniel Wee  | [e-mail]             | ** Man needs more
| UUCP1.12b   | [e-mail] |  than a new start, he
| SNEWS 1.91  | csah.com!pandora!daniel             |  needs a new heart! **
+-------------+-------------------------------------+

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 10:51:55 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA23558; Tue, 24 May 94 07:42:20 PDT
    id AA769790589 Tue, 24 May 94 07:43:09 PST
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 07:43:09 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 1008 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Spy radio info
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk



> A readily available 'spy' radio is the little Special Forces radio
> offered by Fair Radio.  Basic black, power low enuf for QRP, and a neat
> little key mounted on the top.  Price $25


        Is this the T-784/GRC-109 Transmitter (A.K.A. RT-3)?  I picked up
        one of these at a flea market out here 15 years ago - there were
        none of the usual DOD markings on it (contract number, etc.), but
        it did have a sticker on its side with the words "You never know
        who's listening" under a stylized drawing of an ear.  That sticker,
        the build-in key, the lack of markings, and the very waterproof
        case immediately made me think "spy".  But I never knew for sure.

        What is the history of these radios?  When did Special Forces
        use them?

        And who sells a WORKING receiver?  Fair Radio only has "used-
        reparable" receivers!

        Thanks,

        Jeff Anderson, WA6AHL
        [e-mail]



From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 11:07:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28039; Tue, 24 May 94 08:01:38 -0700
    id AA04064; Tue, 24 May 94 11:04:01 -0400
From: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 11:04:54 EDT
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Apparently-To: [e-mail]
Subject: test - please disregard this mail
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Someone was having problems sending to this address and I am trying
to duplicate the error.

Please disregard this mail.

Thankyou.
Paul

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 11:21:01 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
        id AA18875 for [e-mail]; Tue, 24 May 94 11:20:52 -0400
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #6) id m0q5xAX-000B9kC; Tue, 24 May 94 10:09 EDT
    id AA37811 ; Tue, 24 May 94 11:08:05 GMT
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 11:10:02 GMT
Message-Id: <21495@jek>
From: [e-mail] (Jim Kearman)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Spy Sets
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I think someone here posted a request for information about
spy radios while I was unplugged and on vacation. Please
email me.

Thanks.

Jim



From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 11:55:51 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Tue, 24 May 1994 10:52:08 -0500
 id <[e-mail]>; Tue, 24 May 1994 10:55:01 CST
Date: 24 May 1994 10:55:01 -0600 (CST)
From: [e-mail]
Subject: RT3/RR3 GRC109
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Envelope-To: [e-mail]
X-Vms-To: QRP GROUP
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

From: Kana, Michael (D9CY)
Date: Tue, May 24, 1994 10:58 AM
Subject: RT3/RR3 GRC109
To: QRP Group
Howdy All

A very nice writeup on the GRC109 appeared a couple of months ago
in Electric Radio.  This has more history and technical info on the
set than I have ever seen before (which was not much).  The receiver
is a simple superhet that uses the old  1.5v/90v tubes common in
portable radios of the 40/50's.  Kind of nice but wide as a barn door as
far as selectivity goes.  When you listen to 40m, you listen to all of
it!   ;-)   There is a crystal socket on the receiver that will net to
one frequency - the tuning dial then acts as a preselector - sort of.
I think Toronto Surplus was selling the complete set for $300 NIB.
I picked my first set up from Fair then bought a second set at a
Chicago surplus dealer - it was a newer model with the facility to
hook up a high speed keyer.  All in all, really neat radios.  I would
suggest looking up the article in Electric Radio for the rest of the
story.

7.3E-3 de AA9IL
Mike Kana


From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 12:32:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA07978; Tue, 24 May 94 12:31:22 EDT
    id AA01713; Tue, 24 May 94 12:31:21 EDT
Message-Id: <9405241631.AA01713@gvlf9>
    id AA09501; Tue, 24 May 94 12:31:19 EDT
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 12:31:19 EDT
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Looking for 30 meter transmitter (or transceiver)
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I am looking to buy a 30 meter QRP transmitter [kit].  I would prefer
something with VFO control.  NO CRYSTALS!!  VXO, maybe.  At least 4-5 watts.
Adjustable power would be nice.  Built in T/R switching would also be nice.
Anyone make a kit like this?

I had an OHR Spirit for 20 meters which I liked very much and the 30 meter
version would be very nice but I don't *really* need a transceiver.

Any suggestions for a 30 meter transmitter similar to what I would get
with the OHR Spirit?

I am not that familiar with 30 meters.  Is the whole band used for CW.  I
seem to hear stuff only in about a 10 KHz window.  This would imply that
a VXO might give sufficient coverage.  True?

30 meters has me confused.  There are some evenings when it appears to be
wide open (10 MHz WWV is banging in 40 over 9) but I hear very little or no
ham activity ???   I thought it was a popular band.

=================================================================
Pete Rossi - WA3NNA                  [e-mail]

Unisys Corporation - Government Systems Group
Valley Forge Engineering Center - Paoli, Pennsylvania
=================================================================

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 12:56:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA08084; Tue, 24 May 94 12:55:57 EDT
    id AA01777; Tue, 24 May 94 12:55:55 EDT
Message-Id: <9405241655.AA01777@gvlf9>
    id AA09577; Tue, 24 May 94 12:55:54 EDT
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 12:55:54 EDT
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Can I increase sensitivity of Heathkit wattmeter?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Is there any way to easily increase the sensitivity of my Heathkit HF wattmeter.
I forget the model number.  It is the one for that had 200 watt and 2 KW scales
and covered 3-30 MHz.

Based on schematics for QRP wattmeters I have seen, it would seem to me that
adding a turn (or two) to the toroid pickup transformer would do it.  Getting
it re-calibrated might be another story though.  I am not too concerned about
100% perfectly accurate power readings.  I am more interested in something
that is sensitive enough to give a decent indication at low power levels that
can be used for tuning and SWR measurement.  My 5 watt 40 meter rig barely
tickles the meter on my old Heathkit SWR bridge that I use now.

I was considering using the carcass of this old Heathkit wattmeter (currently
not working properly, yet repairable) and use the box, meter, etc to build up
a new QRP wattmeter.  Just wondering how much of the original circuit I might
be able to salvage or work with.

Also, is it true that the lowest power Bird wattmeter slug for HF is 50 watts?

Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.

=================================================================
Pete Rossi - WA3NNA                  [e-mail]

Unisys Corporation - Government Systems Group
Valley Forge Engineering Center - Paoli, Pennsylvania
=================================================================

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 13:10:27 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA08160; Tue, 24 May 94 13:10:05 EDT
    id AA01818; Tue, 24 May 94 13:10:03 EDT
Message-Id: <9405241710.AA01818@gvlf9>
    id AA09639; Tue, 24 May 94 13:10:02 EDT
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 13:10:02 EDT
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Help! Anyone built (or building) an OHR Classic?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Anyone out there with an OHR Classic 20/40?

I just finished mine and the receiver seems to work great but the transmitter
has a really nasty chirp.  Seems to be related to the 9 MHz TX osc.  Also the
signal seems a bit broad, especially on 40 meters.  I have been in contact with
OHR but no solutions - yet - other then to send it back.

Anyone else have any problem getting their's going?

The Classic has the potential of being a *really* nice radio once I get this
chirp fixed.

=================================================================
Pete Rossi - WA3NNA                  [e-mail]

Unisys Corporation - Government Systems Group
Valley Forge Engineering Center - Paoli, Pennsylvania
=================================================================

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 13:12:37 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA23986; Tue, 24 May 94 10:03:02 PDT
    id AA769799031 Tue, 24 May 94 10:03:51 PST
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 10:03:51 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 841 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Rejuvenating Gel Cell Batteries
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


          While cleaning out my garage over the weekend I found a 12v 7
          Ahour gel cell that had been sitting on a shelf for about 8 years
          with no load.  It was almost completely discharged (its voltage
          was 0.5 v).

          What is the proper way to charge a battery that's been almost
          completely discharged?  I've had it on a current limited power
          supply for the past day or two (V = 13.8, A = 100 mA max).  The
          current started off very small (about 10 mA), but now it's at a
          healthier 90 mA with the battery voltage now at a bit more than
          11 Volts (when the charger is removed).

          Is my method OK?  Should I do something else?

          Thanks!

          Jeff, WA6AHL

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 13:40:39 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA27904; Tue, 24 May 1994 13:39:53 -0400
    id AA15708; Tue, 24 May 94 13:40:22 EDT
    id AA23373; Tue, 24 May 94 13:40:21 EDT
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 13:40:21 EDT
From: [e-mail] (John F. Woods)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Cheap oscilloscope-like displays?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I want to build a "Poor Man's Spectrum Analyzer",[1] and I would like
to find some reasonably small and cheap way to display its output.
Usually, one uses a low-bandwidth oscilloscope in X-Y mode, but I'd
like to make this thing self-contained, if I can.**  The most obvious
idea would be a handheld digital oscilloscope, but that fails the
"cheap" requirement in a really big way.  Next would be to build my
own "digital oscilloscope" using a $69 dot-addressed display being
advertised in the current All-Electronics flyer, but that requires
doing a microprocessor board with A/D interfaces, and while I
certainly *could*, I anticipate it being a royal pain (to say nothing
of the gradually mounting cost that would entail); it also has the
disadvantages of placing a strong signal source next to a highly
sensitive spectrum analyzer, and also of having poor resolution.  The
last possibility that occurs to me is to find an ancient oscilloscope
tube with maybe a 3" face, and building a low-bandwidth oscilloscope
around it (hey, I've got an old Handbook, it should be relatively easy).

So, does anyone have any experience with either of these alternatives
that they could share?  Thanks.

73, John, WB7EEL/1

[1] In fact, I've been planning this for about 4 years, ever since I got
the parts for it...

[3] EDN magazine has a historical retrospective column, and recently
printed a review they did 50 years ago of some piece of test
equipment, which included the line "There's nothing like a substantial
oak case to give a feeling of quality to a test instrument."  Because
of that, I intend to build my spectrum analyzer in a small oak case
(well, oak-faced plywood), and want to have the display inside the
case as well.


From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 13:48:43 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 13:42:48 EDT
From: N1OOQ Tom R. @ MRO1 <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Apparently-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Looking for RF transistors
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Mouser (1 800 34MOUSE) has most of the small-signal transistors used in the
common QRP circuits, pretty cheap. For RF power transistors RF parts is
probably the place to shop.
By pretty cheap I mean in the $.10-$1.00 range.
Another source of cheap parts is Circuit Specialists. I dunno if this number
is current, but: 719 542 4525.
Ckt specialists also has some toroids cheaper than Amidon, but for a full
selection Amidon is it.
-Tom R.   N1OOQ   [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 14:46:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA19389; Tue, 24 May 94 11:40:18 PDT
    id AA769804893 Tue, 24 May 94 11:41:33 PST
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 11:41:33 PST
From: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Laura builds an R1
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


     I got all energetic over the weekend and started building an R1. This
     is the most complicated device I've ever built from scratch, and I'm
     taking my time to get it right.

     Lacking a PC board layout I'm building it dead-bug, being careful
     about how I lay things out with that much gain floating around. My
     junkbox supplied all but a handful of the parts - I had to buy an
     LM387, as well as the TIP29 and TIP30 output transistors. Junk
     transistor radios and things don't use many large inductors, so I
     bought most of them. Finally, I had to buy some of the very largest
     capacitors, finding nothing bigger than 1 uF in my junkbox (except
     electrolytics). I still had to fudge those a bit - where KK7B says to
     use a 5.6 and 1.8 uF in parallel, I ended up with a 4.7 (biggest I
     could find) and a 2.2 in parallel. The local electronics place didn't
     have any 1.0 ohm resistors, so I paralleled 1.2 and 4.7, resulting in
     0.96 ohms. If that doesn't work I found all the difficult parts in my
     Digi-Key catalogue.

     To make sure that I can test things as I go I'm building from the
     audio output back, so I can test each stage as I go. I'll let folks
     know how it works when it's ready to go...Turning it into an R2 is an
     eventual plan, though I'm undecided on whether to use KK7B's active
     phase-shift network, or a polyphase network. The mixer is an SBL-1 for
     now, which will do fine for HF.

     A confession: I had to look up the multiplier band colours for the 1.0
     and 4.7 ohm resistors, having never needed anything smaller than 10
     ohms in the past.

     73 from Burnaby,
     laura VE7LDH

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 16:05:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Date: 24 May 94 19:59:00 GMT
Cc: [e-mail] (Arthur E Haley), [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail] (James M Fitton), [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail] (Michael E Dawson), [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail] (William K Mcnally), [e-mail]
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Original-Cc: mvgsd!mvaeh (Arthur E Haley), [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton), [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
    mvgpk!mvmed1 (Michael E Dawson), [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail],
    mvgpk!mvwkm (William K Mcnally), [e-mail]
Subject: AA2U & NN1G
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


If you are going to be in the Boston area on October 1, plan
on attending the ARRL convention at Boxboro MA.

Forum Speakers will be:

Famous QRP Contester and DXer; Randy Rand,  AA2U

Randy will show you how to easily work DX using QRP, and how his
modest DX station has evolved into a super QRP DX and Contest
station.

Famous QRP designer Dave Benson,  NN1G

Dave will show how he designed the simple, high performance series
of 40-40 transceiver kits for QRP-NE.  Dave will provide hot tips
for the QRP Home Brew set.

72   W1FMR

From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 16:17:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date:     Tue, 24 May 94 16:10:30 EDT
From: Clark Fishman (FSAC-FCD) <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  Oscillators
Message-Id:  <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk



For those who are homebrewing some radios you might want to try
this:  I you are building a VFO use a hunk of coax cable...
I use RG144 because it is small and easy to roll up  ...
as the inductor of the oscillator...I built a test oscillator
from an article in Aug 1980 QST ..it is a Clapp operating
at about 45 MHz....it is very stable..I rolled the coax
on an empty plastic wire spool(pretty clever uh) and held
it in place with plastic tape and a tie wrap.   Measure
the output frequency with my counter almost no shift was measured
when I put a large pair of pliers on the spool...the coax is a
quarter wave transmission line and is self shielding.....
I checked the output spectrum on my spectrum analyser
and it is as good or better then the analyser.  I will
bring it in to work and put it on a $70000 HP analyser.

Use of a high freq oscillator with a digital divider to
generate all the hf bands is easy and cheap..

I am now building a transmission line oscillator fro 146MHz.

Anybody out there play with these guys  ?????

Keep the solder flowing



From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 19:42:30 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id TAA23644; Tue, 24 May 1994 19:42:14 -0400 (from [e-mail] for <[e-mail] (John F. Woods)>)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: Stephen Trier <[e-mail]>
Date: 24 May 1994   23:42:07 GMT
To: [e-mail] (John F. Woods)
Subject: Re: Cheap oscilloscope-like displays?
In-Reply-To: [e-mail] (John F. Woods)
     Tue, 24 May 94 13:40:21 EDT
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


If you aren't too worried about resolution, how about using an LM3914 or
LM3915 for vertical and a 4017 for horizontal sweep?  That could quickly
make a little 10 by 10 oscilloscope.  Use some of those neat matrix LEDs
All Electronics sells for the output.

Resolution gets expensive fast this way because matrix LEDs aren't cheap.
I guess this approach would be effective in a couple of cases:  (1) You're
looking for small size and ruggedness above all else; (2) you want a simple
display for light duty and are willing to hook up an oscilloscope for serious
work; or (3) you are building something that doesn't require much precision,
such as a rough indicator to find the activity on a band.

The LM3915 would be useful by removing the need for a log amp.  Cascade
three and get 90 dB of dynamic range.  Come to think of it, you could make
this thing do X-Y plots by using LM3914s for the sweep instead of 4017s.

           Stephen


--
Stephen Trier    Whenever the literary German dives into a sentence, that is
[e-mail]  the last you are going to see of him until he emerges on the
KG8IH            other side of his Atlantic with his verb in his mouth.
             -- Mark Twain, "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"


From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 20:56:49 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA07047; Tue, 24 May 94 14:49:10 HST
    id AA09606; Tue, 24 May 94 14:56:29 HST
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 14:56:28 HST
From: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: RF Chokes
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Gang: I'm building an xmtr that calls for two RF chokes: 10uH and 15uH.
I've spent that last hour winding wire around the barrel of an ink pen
and calculating inductance vs # of turns vs length of coil - I've almost
gone cross-eyed.

My junk box contains a bunch of 75uH chokes.

Q: How critical are choke values? I've heard some folks say ``just use
a resistor'' while others say ``run a ferret bead over a wire'' or
``wind some wire around the body of a resistor''.

Oh, these chokes are on the output side of the PA stage; in fact, if you've
got a copy of QRP NOTEBOOK this xmtr is on page 30.

Comments?

I'm all choked up,
Jeff NH6IL


From [e-mail]  Tue May 24 21:34:11 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA11229; Tue, 24 May 94 21:37:43 -0400
Reply-To: [e-mail]
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Tue, 24 May 1994 21:33:31 -0400
Date: Tue, 24 May 1994 21:33:31 -0400
From: Brad Mitchell <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Grover and spy radios..
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Sorry about posting this to the world, but Grover was interested in Spy rad
radios, and I needed to get him the address for the antique wireless association
which on one or more occasions has had an article on these.
The AWA Joyce Peckham Box E, Breesport, NY 14816.
Yearly dues $12.00
The normal diclaimer doesn't belong here.  I am a member, and I do encourage
membership in this group. Antique radios is the hobby on the back burener.
burner that is.,.. 73 all Brad WB8YGG.

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 00:31:36 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Wed, 25 May 1994 14:27:00 +1000
    id AA00768; Wed, 25 May 94 14:26:17 EST
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 14:26:17 EST
From: [e-mail] (Richard Urmonas)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
In-Reply-To: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
       "RF Chokes" (May 24,  2:56pm)
X-Mailer: Mail User's Shell (7.2.3 5/22/91)
To: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
Subject: Re: RF Chokes
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I am not familiar with the circuit, but the inductors on the output of a
PA stage should be close to the intended values.  Changing the values
can result in poorer efficiency or worse instability within the amplifier.

Best suggestion, keep counting those turns!

73 Richard Urmonas VK3DRU.

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 01:59:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Wed, 25 May 1994 15:55:57 +1000
    id AA00415; Wed, 25 May 94 15:55:17 EST
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 15:55:17 EST
From: [e-mail] (Richard Urmonas)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Mailer: Mail User's Shell (7.2.3 5/22/91)
To: [e-mail]
Subject:  Oscillators
Sender: [e-mail]
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> Clark Fishman wrote:

>For those who are homebrewing some radios you might want to try
>this:  I you are building a VFO use a hunk of coax cable...
>I use RG144 because it is small and easy to roll up  ...
>as the inductor of the oscillator...I built a test oscillator
>from an article in Aug 1980 QST ..it is a Clapp operating
>at about 45 MHz....it is very stable..I rolled the coax
>on an empty plastic wire spool(pretty clever uh) and held
>it in place with plastic tape and a tie wrap.   Measure
>the output frequency with my counter almost no shift was measured
>when I put a large pair of pliers on the spool...the coax is a
>quarter wave transmission line and is self shielding.....
>I checked the output spectrum on my spectrum analyser
>and it is as good or better then the analyser.  I will
>bring it in to work and put it on a $70000 HP analyser.
>
(stuff deleted)
>Anybody out there play with these guys  ?????

Actually the oscillator you describe is using the coax as a parallel
resonsnt circuit.  The shorted end is transformed to on open circuit
by the quarter wave line.  For frequencies slightly off that which
is quarter wavelength the apparent impedence will be either
capacitive or inductive (depending if the frequency is above or
below "resonance"). So the coax behaves as a parallel resonant circuit.
(This is most easily seen on a Smith Chart).  The resonant point
can be shifted by paralleling capacitance (consult your Smith Chart!)
which results in the misconception that the coax is an inductor.

Transmission line oscillators are commonly used in commercial equipment
(e.g. cellular phones).  In such applications typically the transmission line
is a "ceramic resonator".  This is a coax line made from a high dielectric
ceramic, so the propogation constant is extreme and the line becomes very
short.  Another advantage is that the ceramic is mechanically very rigid
hence microphonic effects in the oscillator are minimal.

As well as the shorted quarter wave there are two other configurations
I have come across.  One involves the quarter wave line having a capacitor
at the end.  This is transformed to an inductance by the quarter wave line.
Hence the inductance is simmulated by a more mechanically stable
capacitor.

The third type uses a half wave section in the feedback loop.  This is
used with an inverting amplifier satisfying the requirements for oscillation.
This is obviously less popular due to the requirement for a half wave line.

73  Richard Urmonas  VK3DRU



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 03:30:57 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AAA01663; Wed, 25 May 1994 00:30:37 -0700
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 00:30:36 -0700 (PDT)
From: Alan Kaul <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: RF Chokes
To: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.89.9405250023.A29517-0100000@netcom8>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Hiya, Jeffrey:  Here's a possible solution.  Radio Shack catalogs list a
10uh choke.  Obviously, you can use that one where specified.  But buy a
second one, and count the turns!  Now wind half as many turns in a
similar size wire around the body of the choke -- soldering the new wire
to one end of the axial lead, and making certain you wind the new wire in
the same direction as the old winding (you want to wires to ADD, not to
subtract).  Remember, the axial lead where you soldered the new wire CAN
NOT BE THE END OF THE CHOKE THAT IS SOLDERED TO THE CIRCUIT -- you'll
have to solder to the end of the wire that you added.  The core has some
magnetic properties, so it is not easy to calculate the size of the
coil.  If there is doubt, then solder TWO 10uh chokes together (get the
windings in the same direction for phase) and make due with 20uh instead
of 15, under the theory tis better to have more than less.
Once upon a time, I built a QST 1976 rcvr project called ''THE HERRING
AID FIVE'' which was a 5-transistor, 40-M, varactor-(sort of)-tuned, DC
rcvr which used Radio Shack 10uh choke and added several turns to it for
the frequency determining coil.  It worked (I still have it--it <<almost>>
still works, only not very loud and takes a big signal to be heard!!).
GL, and 72, 73 de alan

                 [<Alan Kaul, W6RCL>] [e-mail]



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 05:50:24 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 02:49:16 -0800
To: [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: Italy QRP
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
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Doug, here's a blurb for the next QRPp if you've got space:


A Visit to Italy -- Wayne, N6KR
-------------------------------

Just got back from a vacation in Italy, and I chanced to meet with some
hams there.

Through an elaborate series of phone calls (starting with a call to Bob,
W6CYX who has many Italian contacts), I hooked up with Mauro, I1JQJ, and
his wife Valeria, also licensed.  Fortunately for me, there just happened
to be a yearly special operating event that day, from a huge basillica on a
hill overlooking Torino (Turin), so they picked me up in route.  I operated
their 500-watt station for awhile on 15m CW, then talked them into reducing
the power to 5 watts.  At that level, running on 40 meters, I worked
Germany and Croatia.  I had been real curious about what signals would
sound like from europe, and guess what?  Here were all these exotic
callsigns that sounded just like locals, as would be expected.  It was fun.

Here are some breif notes on what I learned about Italian ham radio, QRP in
particular:

In Italy, they have only one code test, at 8WPM, that gives the licensee
access to all bands.  Mauro felt that this was too slow, and that this
combined with a too-simple theory examination made for a glut of
disinterested operators and CB converts (yes, CB is a problem there, too).
He also felt that there were too few hams who had any kind of technical
proficiency.

When we got to the station, these problems were not evident, but this was
probably an exceptional crew.  The station was well-equipped and operated,
and they even had a homebrew contest with some interesting entries.  I
talked to the builder of one item, a 40-meter SSB transceiver that was a
mix of circuits from QRP Notebook and other sources, and I'll hopefully
have a photo of it for the next NorCal meeting (June).  Several of those
attending were interested in QRP and I promised some QRPp copies, etc.,
while they gave me a copy of their local and national ham publications.

There are at least two kinds of QRPers in Italy: those who think that QRP
means 100 watts, and those who susbscribe to the 5-watt definition.  This
isn't too surprising given that a debate centering on these power levels
went on for a decade or more here in the U.S. [Doug: insert reference to my
previous article in QRPP in which I talk about W7ZOI's feelings on the
topic.]

The reasons for the two levels are also similar.  The "100-watters" are
primarily interested in reducing QRM, while the "5-watters" are more likely
to be avid low-power experimenters and homebrewers.

Things go a bit deeper than this, though; many of the hams I talked to feel
that QRPers in Italy get no respect.  Here's why:  Italian ops are for the
most part occupied with DXing (I watched some great ops in action on both
CW and SSB), and it is generally felt that QRP's disadvantage in DXing
outweighs its advantage in QRM reduction.  A more subtle problem is that
when DX stations ask for "QRP stations, please," they get a lot of stations
that just turn off their amps and call again!  So the feeling goes, "Since
these ops don't play by the rules, why struggle with QRP?"  I'm not a real
DX hound, so I can't say whether this occurs with U.S. stations too, but my
guess would be that it does.  Perhaps someone can enlighten me on this.

I suggested that the Italian QRP-ers get involved with G-QRP or some other
European organization, if they aren't already, so that they can participate
in QRP-only events.  A few more subscribers to Sprat and maybe they'd spur
homebrew and really low power experimentation.  (By the way, in Italy, the
1- to 2-watt power level is called VLP for Very Low Power.)

I only had a few hours to soak up all of this info, and didn't meet with
any really serious QRP ops there, so I'm not sure that all of this is
complete or
accurate.  Italian hams: correct me where necessary and send your own
writeups to QRPp!  Overall, it was a great experience that could result in
some cross-Atlantic cross-pollination.  --Ciao




From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 06:06:28 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 03:05:08 -0800
To: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail]
From: [e-mail] (Wayne Burdick)
Subject: Gain due to mountaintop QTH?
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
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Say, gang, here's a question that's bothered me off and on for years.

We all know how much fun it is to operate outdoors, but is there any good
data available on just how much of an advantage, in dB, one typically gets
by being X feet above surrounding terrain?  My experience suggests a 1 or 2
S-unit (6 to 12 dB) advantage from a 6000-foot peak compared to a typical
100-foot elevation suburban QTH, all other things being equal.  But
wouldn't it be nice to have some more useful rules of thumb?

Particularly on Field Day, it would be helpful to know just how much oomph
per foot of altitude you're likely to get.  This is especially important if
you're lugging a car battery and a case of your favorite brew.

I know that the situation is complicated by several factors:  elevation,
ground conductivity, atmospheric density, whether there's a slope behind
you, etc.  But is there a John Muir of mountain-top propogation out there
who can quantify things for us?  In talking to Vic Black (NorCal) I found
out that he knew much more than I did about it, but even he didn't seem
real sure.

Thanks,
Wayne, N6KR



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 08:48:32 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Date: 25 May 94 12:47:00 GMT
Cc: [e-mail] (Arthur E Haley), [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail] (James M Fitton),
        [e-mail] (James M Fitton), [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail] (Michael E Dawson), [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail] (William K Mcnally), [e-mail]
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Original-Cc: mvgsd!mvaeh (Arthur E Haley), [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton),
    mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton), [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
    mvgpk!mvmed1 (Michael E Dawson), [e-mail], [e-mail],
    [e-mail], [e-mail],
    mvgpk!mvwkm (William K Mcnally), [e-mail]
Subject: 40-40 kits
Sender: [e-mail]
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Gang,
QRP-NE has sold one hundred 40-40 and 30-40, 30 and 40
meter transceiver kits.  The QRP-NE Kit Squad did a fine job
but now are tired, and are disbanding.

However, another Kit Squad may be formed at a later date,
to do more kits.

But, because the 40-40 kits are extremely popular, Dave NN1G
will start selling them on a personal basis.

Thanks - To the QRP-NE Kit Squad !
------
QRP-NE is now solvent enough to attempt some other small projects.

However.....

Kits are still available !!
         -----
To order a 40-40 kit, state 30 or 40m, send ($40 + $1.95),
  make check out to :

            Dave Benson,  NN1G
            80 E. Robbins Ave.
            Newington,   CT  06111



72  W1FMR


From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 08:48:58 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
   Wed, 25 May 94 08:48:33 EDT
          id 8439; Wed, 25 May 1994 08:48:32 EDT
   with TCP; Wed, 25 May 94 08:48:32 EDT
          id AA24041; Wed, 25 May 1994 08:48:31 -0400
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: TenTec DC receiver kit -- which band to build?
Reply-To: "Vinod Narayanan" <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 08:48:30 -0500
From: "Vinod Narayanan" <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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Thanks to everyone who replied by email to this query. The
almost unanimous vote was for 80m. Many people also
cautioned about interference from broadcast stations on 40m.

Based on all the advice I received, I have decided to build
it for 80m; now I just have to wait till it gets here..
(maybe today..)

--vinod
email: [e-mail]






From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 09:59:31 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA06400; Wed, 25 May 1994 09:58:49 -0400
    id AA22334; Wed, 25 May 94 09:59:25 EDT
    id AA17035; Wed, 25 May 94 09:59:24 EDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: Alan Kaul <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: RF Chokes
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 25 May 94 00:30:36 PDT."
             <Pine.3.89.9405250023.A29517-0100000@netcom8>
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 09:59:23 -0400
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

> Hiya, Jeffrey:  Here's a possible solution.  Radio Shack catalogs list a
> 10uh choke.
> The core has some
> magnetic properties, so it is not easy to calculate the size of the
> coil.

If the core is some kind of ferrite, then it's possible that it won't have
good Q at the operating frequency; for a "choke" (a high-impedance inductor
used to keep RF out of where it doesn't belong) that's OK, but if it's being
used as an inductor (like a tank circuit or oscillator coil) then it won't
be so good.

> Once upon a time, I built a QST 1976 rcvr project called ''THE HERRING
> AID FIVE'' which was a 5-transistor, 40-M, varactor-(sort of)-tuned, DC
> rcvr which used Radio Shack 10uh choke and added several turns to it for
> the frequency determining coil.

I remember building that.  I don't think mine ever worked, though.  I also
build the corresponding "Tuna Tin II" transmitter, but the only contact I
made with it was a local ham who spotted my S9 second harmonic first...

73, John, WB7EEL



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 10:09:57 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Wed, 25 May 1994 09:10:11 CDT
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 09:10:11 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: For Sale
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: QRP
X-Vms-Cc: JMG
Mime-Version: 1.0
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Hi,

trying to make some room in the shack:

1) 624 Kits Gary Breed 40 meter transceiver. Superhet.. puts out
about 7 watts, but can be turned down.. excellent receiver. In
case with speaker.. has S meter and fine tune.. plenty of audio..
works well.. The front of the case has a couple of scratches and
the S meter rectangle isn't perfect (for those who must have
perfect cases.. this isn't..but looks ok to decent).. all controls
and jacks labeled with labeling gun (not silked screened.. but
looks good)....  $80+ shipping.


2) Hows ATU30 antenna interface unit... super case and parts..
very heavy duty. has antenna tuner that will go from qrp to 30
watts.. will go from 1.8 to 54 MHz. SWR/power meter, built in
sidetone that will operate with any type keyer or keying system..
produces a 800 Hz tone. Kit was $146.95 (plus nice building on
this one). will sell for $75+shipping or trade for something
interesting like LCR meter that will measure small L.


Probably be cleaning some more stuff out.

I also have an original MXM superhet receiver/crystal TX in a very
small case with built in tiny speaker.. trade or sell maybe.


PS.. got my QRPp.. increcible job Doug.. came nicely wrapped in
plastic.,. started reading it at breakfast.

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 10:15:48 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA22754; Wed, 25 May 94 07:10:56 PDT
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 07:05:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: "H. Ward Silver" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Gain due to mountaintop QTH?
To: Wayne Burdick <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <Pine.3.07.9405250741.C21772-a100000@bach>
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In my experience, getting close to salt water far outdistances vertical
elevation.  Fresh water is also good.  Mountaintops offer great views, but
usually very poor ground conditions, high winds, trouble with storms and
weather, and sore legs.  On HF, unless you're blocked by a bluff or cliff,
salt water is the way to go.  I realize this doesn't help the gang in the
Midwest much...they have to worry about mosquitos and June bugs flying
into the muffin fan blowing on the operators...ick!
73, Ward N0AX

BYW - the Western Wash DX Club is operating W7FR from a New-Options Middle
School site in Seattle this year.  K7TTZ is teaching a class in Ham Radio
there and we're going to work with the kids to see how they like Field Day.



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 10:42:26 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AA21273; Wed, 25 May 94 10:42:08 -0400
        ; Wed, 25 May 1994 10:42:08 -0400
    id AA23050; Wed, 25 May 94 09:29:53 EST
From: [e-mail] ( Jim Osburn          )
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Picture Captions
To: [e-mail] (QRP Mailing List)
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 9:29:52 EST
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.3 PL11]
Sender: [e-mail]
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I've been looking at the pictures that are available FTP.
Good pictures, good work.  Do it some more.

I have an idea to make them better.
When you scan the picture, write a caption card and scan it with the picture.
That way when the picture pops up on the screen, it's easy to tell who
or what it is.

I'm thinking about taking my color notebook to the next local club meeting
and letting the pictures run as a slide show.

73,

Jim, WD9EYB

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 10:45:55 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Date: 25 May 94 14:40:00 GMT
To: "H. Ward Silver" <[e-mail]>,
        Wayne Burdick <[e-mail]>
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
Original-To: "H. Ward Silver" <att!seattleu.edu!hwardsil>,
    Wayne Burdick <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail],
        [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Gain due to mountaintop QTH?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Wayne,

Signal enhancers found in order of effectiveness ;

1. Over salt water (directional)
2. Hill Side - Near top of hill (directional)
3. Level ground, high elevation (non-directional)
4. Level ground, High support (non-directional)
5. Near salt water ( directional, evening best)
6. Hill Top  (can be very noisy)
7. Level ground, Low support (non-directional)

Low antenna at Flagstaff Ariz (elev 6000 ft.) was excellent.
QRP FD on top of hill, in shadow of yet higher hill, equivalent
   to being high on a hill side, is excellent.
Low antenna over salt water was excellent to EU.
N4BP operates a vertical while parked at salt water cove in FL,
  and does extremely well.
QRP FD on level ground at low altitude was a disaster.
Operating on a dry sandy beach near ocean was not too good.
   However, moving down to wet sand was much much better.

72   Jim,  W1FMR

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 10:48:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Wed, 25 May 1994 10:46:00 EST
Date: 25 May 1994 10:46:00 -0500 (EST)
From: "DONALD A. COLEMAN (EXT. 2850)" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Rejuvenating Gel Cell Batteries
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: IN%"[e-mail]"
X-Vms-Cc: IN%"[e-mail]"
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Just keep the charger on 'er for about a week.  The next important thing to do
will be to run the battery down by taking out of it no more than, say, half
an ampere until you observe that the battery has been *radically discharged*.

If you could charge the battery at a current of somewhere near 700 mills with a heftier current-regulated charger, the length of time required for fully
charging the battery would be about fourteen hours.  For smaller chargers, you
will have to charge for a correspondingly longer period.

72.9098838

Don Coleman, W1VOQ

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 11:11:58 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
     id IAA15552; Wed, 25 May 1994 08:11:30 -0700
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA21430; Wed, 25 May 94 10:11:24 -0500
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA05544; Wed, 25 May 94 10:11:22 -0500
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 10:11:22 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Subject: Re:  40-40 kits
Cc: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
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Gang,

Jim Fitton, W1FMR, just posted a note on the NE-QRP kit.

What timing!!  I just got mine in the mail yesterday.  It
WILL be built by Friday.  All other projects went on hold.
:-)

Looks very good.  Report to follow.

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



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 12:29:39 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for <[e-mail]>); Wed, 25 May 1994 09:29:05 -0700
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 09:29:53 -0700
To: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (Kevin Purcell)
Subject: Re: RF Chokes
Cc: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

>Gang: I'm building an xmtr that calls for two RF chokes: 10uH and 15uH.
>I've spent that last hour winding wire around the barrel of an ink pen
>and calculating inductance vs # of turns vs length of coil - I've almost
>gone cross-eyed.
>
>My junk box contains a bunch of 75uH chokes.
>
>Q: How critical are choke values?

They're not. You just want a high reactance at that frequency (to "choke"
the RF current) but a low resitance to allow DC current to flow.

The next thought is normally "so I have to make it a high reactance at the
lowest frequency -- well I'll just put 10mH chokes everywhere". This won't
work because all inductors have some self-capacitance and therefor are
resonant at some frequency. Above this frequency they will just present a
capacitive reactance. They won't "choke" the RF at all!

A good rules of thumb is use a value of a minimum of 4 times the reactance
of other paths.

>I've heard some folks say ``just use
>a resistor'' while others say ``run a ferret bead over a wire'' or
>``wind some wire around the body of a resistor''.

It all depends on the resitances and reactances (and thus the frequencies)
involved.

If the resistance is high enough (compared to other RF paths) then a
resitor will work OK. This is not the case in a PA.

The ferrite bead approach can be just considered as a single turn on a
small toroid. The resitance is low but so is the inductance. Works well at
VHF and above (very little self-capacitance).

Winding some wire around the body of the resistor is for when you need both
resitance for DC and reactance for RF or you have a lot of large resitors
an no coil formers :-) If the value of the resitor is "large" then the
resitor is just a convinient former.

>
>Oh, these chokes are on the output side of the PA stage; in fact, if you've
>got a copy of QRP NOTEBOOK this xmtr is on page 30.

Wire gauge is important here -- calculate the peak current flowing and
choose a wire gauge so that the dc power wasted in the resitance is
minimal. You can find these numbers in the ARRL Handbok (amongst others).

>
>Comments?
>
>I'm all choked up,
>Jeff NH6IL

I will be at Apple WWDC in San Jose next week. So don't expect a reply
before I get back on May 24th.

73

Kevin Purcell, N7WIM / G8UDP
[e-mail]
[phone]



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 12:30:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA15007; Wed, 25 May 94 12:29:51 EDT
    id AA03470; Wed, 25 May 94 12:29:49 EDT
Message-Id: <9405251629.AA03470@gvlf9>
    id AA11201; Wed, 25 May 94 12:29:48 EDT
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 12:29:48 EDT
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Gain due to mountaintop QTH?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

->In my experience, getting close to salt water far outdistances vertical
->elevation.  Fresh water is also good.  Mountaintops offer great views, but
->usually very poor ground conditions, high winds, trouble with storms and
->weather, and sore legs.  On HF, unless you're blocked by a bluff or cliff,
->salt water is the way to go.  I realize this doesn't help the gang in the
->Midwest much...they have to worry about mosquitos and June bugs flying
->into the muffin fan blowing on the operators...ick!
->73, Ward N0AX
->
->BYW - the Western Wash DX Club is operating W7FR from a New-Options Middle
->School site in Seattle this year.  K7TTZ is teaching a class in Ham Radio
->there and we're going to work with the kids to see how they like Field Day.
->

Well, the closest thing to a "mountain" around here is 500-600 ft... and in
southern NJ you are lucky to be above sea-level :-)

Last year I tried operating Field Day from the beach in Ocean City NJ (SNJ)
I used a kite to support a 1/2 wave wire vertical RIGHT ON THE BEACH - NOT 50
FEET FROM THE OCEAN!  Ran 5 watts with an OHR 20 meter Spirit.  Don't know if
it was conditions, the antenna, the location, or what, but it worked * GREAT *

For HF, I will take an ocean over a mountain any day.  But for VHF I might go
with the mountain top.


I plan to do the same thing again for FD this year except I will be on 20 and
40 meters with my new OHR Classic.   Look for WA3NNA/2 1B SNJ.

Re: My previous post about OHR Classic problems.  I got it working.  Found 2
electrolytic caps that somehow got installed backwards (!)  Works great now.

-----

Pete Rossi - WA3NNA
[e-mail]
Unisys Corporation - Government Systems Group
Valley Forge Engineering Center - Paoli, Pennsylvania

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 13:32:56 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26810; Wed, 25 May 94 10:10:09 PDT
    id AA23256; Wed, 25 May 1994 10:09:11 -0700
    id AA26674; Wed, 25 May 94 10:09:09 PDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 10:01:35 PDT
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
From: [e-mail] (Grover Cleveland)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Aaargh! Need a repost - spy
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I can't believe it; my mailer ate the last issue of the Digest.
In that issue someone gave me information about some "spy" radios from
Fair Radio Sales for $25. Could that person please e-mail
me directly with the information.

On another note:
Someone else posted about missing several pages from the Digest
on occasion. It has happened to me too from time to time. Once
someone remailed a copy of the Digest and the copy was also
"short" some pages. So there are at least two of us experiencing
the same truncating.

*******************************************************************************
  Grover Cleveland        Instructional Designer, The Grass Valley Group, Inc.
  Internet: [e-mail]     Radio: WT6P@KE6LW.#NOCAL.ca.us.na
  Voice: [phone]             DoD:7388             Fax: [phone]
*******************************************************************************


From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 15:00:45 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA19313; Wed, 25 May 94 13:00:17 MDT
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 12:33:27 -0600 (MDT)
From: "Michael Bendio (unix dev)" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Coherent CW
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

The February '94 issue of QEX has an interesting article titled 'A DSP
Version of Coherent CW', by Bill de Carle, VE2IQ.  I'll include the first
two paragraphs and summarize the rest.

    "Coherent CW (CCW) is an old technique for digging weak CW signals
out of the noise.  The system synchronizes the receiver to the sender's
keying.  Thereafter, due to the rules of Morse code (each "dah" equals
exactly three "dit-times" and spaces between marking elements are always an
integral multiple of one dit time) the receiver knows precisely when the
carrier is allowed to turn on or off.  This is useful information that
would otherwise have to be transmitted--at the expense of additional power
and/or bandwidth.  Of course, the sender must have an absolutely
rock-steady rhythm for the scheme to work.  For this reason, CCW stations
employ special keyers or keyboards which can generate perfectly timed code.
Traditionally, CCW uses a keying rate of 12 WPM (100 milliseconds per
dit) and a received audio tone of 800 Hz.
    "The receiver divides its time into 100-ms windows, or frames.
Once synchronized, there is complete certainty that the incoming tone is
either present or absent for the entire 100-ms window--the rules of Morse
code prevent it from switching somewhere in the middle.  This knowledge
makes it possible to use a matched filter (sometimes called an
integrate-and-dump filter) to reduce the receive bandwidth down to about 9
Hz (main lobe), eliminating most of the noise while letting the CW tone
pass through unscathed.  All coherent 800-Hz energy received during the
window is integrated (accumulated), and only at the very end of each
window does the receiver make its decision--and the question is: 'during
the previous 100 milliseconds, was the key at the transmitter up or down?'"

Bill then goes on to describe how a hardware interface (the same one he
described in "A Receiver Spectral Display using DSP," in Jan 1992 QST)
used with a PC and a program he's written can implement this
integrate-and-dump filter to give a 20 dB advantage in S/N over regular CW
as 12 WPM.  His hardware/program can track slight drift in the radio and a
slight deviation from 12 WPM.  His 'Coherent CW' software package can be
ordered for $20 from:
    Bill de Carle
    29 Sommet Vert
    St. Adolphe d'Howard, QC
    J0T 2B0 Canada
The bare circuit board for his interface is $24, and an assembled and
tested version is $95.  Prices are in US dollars.  Add $5 for airmail
shipment.

He includes an address for further info on CCW:
    CCW Interest Group
    Peter LUmb, G3IRM
    2 Briarwood Ave
    Bury St Edmunds
    Suffolk IP33 3QF
    England

I have no financial interest in any of the above (and indeed, I don't
even know the author).


Michael Bendio     WT7J       [e-mail]          801 222-5367
Opinions are my own and aren't necessarily shared by Wordperfect Corporation



From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 15:19:13 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for think.com!qrp); Thu, 26 May 1994 03:18:25 +0800
    id aa10748; Wed, 25 May 94 18:49:45 GMT
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #7) id m0q6MNr-000QAfC; Thu, 26 May 94 01:04 SST
    (Linux Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0q6MYF-000GuuC; Thu, 26 May 94 01:15 SST
           Wed, 25 May 1994 13:14:54 SST
Date:      Wed, 25 May 1994 13:14:53 SST
From: "W. Daniel" <pandora![e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: "W. Daniel" <[e-mail]>
To: pandora![e-mail]
Subject:   NN1G still troubled
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Hi Gang,

        Here's my second attempt at an appeal for help with my NN1G. Like I
said in my previous message, my rig was putting out close to 9 watts of
power (now I've managed about 11 watts). The waveform I see under a scope of
the output, is not a pure sine-wave, it is distorted. Here's what I need to
know.

1.      Am I right to assume that since the half-wave filter was designed
        with a lower power output in mind, I will now be unable to match the
        output of the filter to my antenna, taking the input impedance to
        the filter to be Vcc^2 * 2 * Po (where Po is the output power and
        Vcc is the supply rail voltage).

2.      What is the best way to reduce power to the nominal power output
        level?

3.      If everything is working properly, what should I see under the scope
        at the output? How much power should the watt-meter read typically?

4.      What steps can I take to eliminate parasitics and other spurs?

        Tks for any help.

73,
Daniel
--
+-------------+-------------------------------------+
| Daniel Wee  | [e-mail]             | ** Man needs more
| UUCP1.12b   | [e-mail] |  than a new start, he
| SNEWS 1.91  | csah.com!pandora!daniel             |  needs a new heart! **
+-------------+-------------------------------------+

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 16:16:57 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA11201; Wed, 25 May 1994 16:16:07 -0400
    id AA25353; Wed, 25 May 94 16:16:43 EDT
    id AA03090; Wed, 25 May 94 16:16:34 EDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: "W. Daniel" <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NN1G still troubled
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 25 May 94 13:14:53 +0700."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 16:16:32 -0400
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Last night, I was reading through the 1992 and 1993 collections of
QRP Quarterly, and came across a mention of this same problem for another
rig (I forget which one, I'll look it up).  Distorted waveforms cause
false readings on typical peak-reading power meters; in fact, the power
output in the case I read was quite obviously higher than was physically
possible (implied a resistance less than the emitter resistor in the
final...).  Check the waveform at the base of the final transistor; if
it's really distorted there, fussing with the final isn't likely to help.
As a wild guess (which I'll investigate on my own rig, which was happy to
put out "too much" power as well), try changing the coupling capacitor
for the VFO-to-transmitter path to 1pF instead of 5pF (or even put a 1K
resistor in series.  The NE602A is intended to amplify and mix
millivolts, not volts, and the last time I saw it used as a transmit mixer
it was WAY above the 3d-order intercept point.

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 18:05:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26766; Wed, 25 May 94 14:54:54 PDT
    id AA769902946 Wed, 25 May 94 14:55:46 PST
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 14:55:46 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 1728 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: "W. Daniel" <[e-mail]>, [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NN1G still troubled (and so is my HW-8!)
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


          Let me know what you find out.  I've had the same problem with my
          HW-8 ever since I built it, but only on 15 meters.  I've just
          recently begun investigating it again, with no results so far (I
          made a similar effort just after building the radio many years
          ago, and finally abandoned it in frustration).  However, one
          thing I have noticed is that it behaves differently depending on
          the type of antenna load it sees.

          I have alot of suspects, but no conclusions.  Such as:

                o  Perhaps the RF choke from the final's base to ground
                   has a self-resonance that's affecting operation.

                o  Perhaps the output filter is really resonanting at
                   a different frequency than 21 MHz.  Maybe it's
                   completely bunged up.

                o  Perhaps RF is feeding back to the mixer, and giving
                   products at other frequencies (the signal at the driver
                   to the final looks screwy when transmitting, but
                   maybe it's just my scope probe picking up RF).  Mixer
                   output looks fine when not transmitting.

          I don't know what it is, but I've been going in circles chasing
          it.  Maybe, when you find your problem, it will also point to the
          root cause of mine.  I'll probably post something here after the
          weekend, when I plan to spend some more time looking into it.

          Let me know how it goes, and good luck!

          Jeff Anderson, WA6AHL

From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 19:32:07 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5/CE-1.2 for <[e-mail]>); Thu, 26 May 1994 09:31:43 +1000
    id JAA19982; Thu, 26 May 1994 09:33:02 +1000
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 09:33:01 +1000 (EST)
From: Dave Horsfall <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Rejuvenating Gel Cell Batteries
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [e-mail]
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A trick I was told was to connect a power source of about 10v/cell or so
in series with a 40W lamp.  When the lamp starts to glow, the battery is
ready for charging.

--
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU)    VK2KFU @ VK2AAB.NSW.AUS.OC     PGP 2.3
[e-mail]           ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave    available


From [e-mail]  Wed May 25 22:05:22 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b8/IDA-1.5 for [e-mail]); Wed, 25 May 1994 22:04:51 -0400
Date: Wed, 25 May 1994 22:04:51 -0400 (EDT)
From: "Todd W. Carter" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Good beginners book?
To: [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
Sender: [e-mail]
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What is a good beginner's book on QRP?

I'm more interested in what to expect, technique, equipment overview,
etc., then I am in construction.  That will, hopefully, come later.

Thanks!

Todd
N8ODP

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 02:30:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17547; Wed, 25 May 94 20:21:58 HST
    id AA03838; Wed, 25 May 94 20:29:53 HST
Date: Wed, 25 May 94 20:29:53 HST
From: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: ["J. D. Delancy" <[e-mail]>: ALERT - Internet Virus]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Gang - Pulled this off of boatanchors.
Jeff NH6IL
*************************************************************
                ---------------

    id <[e-mail]>; Wed, 25 May 94 23:41:36 -0400
    id <[e-mail]>; Wed, 25 May 94 23:07:27 -0400
Date:     Wed, 25 May 1994 16:55:32 -1000
From: "J. D. Delancy" <[e-mail]>
Subject: ALERT - Internet Virus
To: laugh <[e-mail]>, drken <[e-mail]>,
        [e-mail], walt <[e-mail]>,
        [e-mail], boatanchors <[e-mail]>,
        [e-mail], [e-mail],
        Ted Starr <[e-mail]>,
        "A. Steven Anderson" <[e-mail]>,
        Richard Sedlak <[e-mail]>, haapala <[e-mail]>,
        acd <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

I cannot attest to the authenticity of this report; dont
shoot the messenger.

  jd


From:           FRANK H POTTER@G6HQTRS@MCAS CHERRY PT
Subject:        INTERNET VIRUS ALERT!
Date:           Wednesday, May 25, 1994  7:31:08 EDT

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

A Virus has been discovered on Internet that is disguised as CD-ROM shareware.

Unknown hackers have illegally put the Chinon name on a destructive
shareware file and released it on the Internet. This catastrophic virus
is named "CD-IT". -- DO NOT DOWNLOAD. IT WILL CORRUPT YOUR HARD DRIVE.
The program, allegedly a shareware PC utility that will convert an
ordinary CD-ROM drive into a CD-Recordable (CD-R) device, which is
technically impossible, instead destroys critical system files o on a
user's hard drive. The program also immediately crashes the CPU, forces
the user to reboot and stays in memory.

Widest dissemination is requested.

Frank Potter
CSSO


Internet users beware....




From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 07:02:23 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
   with BSMTP id 0855; Thu, 26 May 94 06:56:26 EXT
Message-Id:  19940526.065625.ATXR@CENVMC
Date: 26 May 94 06:56:25 EXT
From: [e-mail]
To: qrp for sending messages <[e-mail]>
Subject: transportable antennas?
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

From: Ted Rosen, Architectural Technology Department
I am thinking about the alternatives for lightweight, compact, portable
antennas to match my OHR Classic 20m/40m dual band qrp transceiver.
My guess is that the "best" choice is a simple dipole. Should I be
considering other antenna designs?

1. Simply cutting each of the two strands of parallel conductor
wire (one for each band) with a common center feed seems easiest.
What would be the parallel conductor wire of choice? zip cord?
tv antenna wire (75ohm,300ohm)? other?

2. What would be the better choice of feed line? RG58-U coax?
same wire as the dipole? other? I am assuming about 20-30 ft of
feed line would be needed.

Any comments or suggestions (reference to published articles in
ham magazines) would be greatly appreciated.

73

Ted, VA3TAR


From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 07:17:41 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for think.com!qrp); Thu, 26 May 1994 19:17:12 +0800
    id aa01163; Thu, 26 May 94 10:45:27 GMT
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #7) id m0q6cVB-000QAyC; Thu, 26 May 94 18:17 SST
    (Linux Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0q6caK-000GuuC; Thu, 26 May 94 18:22 SST
           Thu, 26 May 1994 06:21:48 SST
Date:      Thu, 26 May 1994 06:21:47 SST
From: "W. Daniel" <pandora![e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: "W. Daniel" <[e-mail]>
To: pandora![e-mail]
Subject:   NN1G trouble
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Hi Gang,

        Here's a little update on what's been going on with the NN1G
problems I've been having. It appears that the NN1G final PA and driver is a
very unstable section. Actually, not so much the PA but the driver. Often,
when aligning the TX section, you might find your output going from 5 watts
to 12 watts even, on the watt meter. This is a sign of trouble. If you are
getting more than 3-4 watts, be suspicious. Then, turn the audio volume all
the way down and key to see if you can hear sharp clicks. If you hear a
rounded keying click, then you're probably okay. But if what you hear sounds
like a dirty contact click, or a distinct clicking, or hissing, or high
pitched whistles or oscillations, then you have instability and probably
oscillation in the driver stages. You should try this across the band as the
instability may occur only in some sections and in some cases, it may not
break into oscillation on every key, only on some random key downs. DON'T do
this with a dummy load as the dummy load usually gives no problems.
Alternatively, if you key into an open circuit and hear a loud "psssssh"
hiss instead of your sidetone, you have instability.

        When I put the signal under the scope, I saw all kinds of horrible
waveforms. So after much testing and checking, the signal is a clean sine
wave now. Even when I key into an open circuit, I still hear a clean
sidetone.

        If anyone is interested in what I did to fix it, lemme know and I'll
see if I can post my fixes/mods.

        Meanwhile, can anyone tell me where I can order some of those 10.7
MHz IF transformers used in the NN1G? I think I want to make a run of about
10 NN1G kits for my club. How much are these? Tks for any info.

72,
Daniel
--
+-------------+-------------------------------------+
| Daniel Wee  | [e-mail]             | ** Man needs more
| UUCP1.12b   | [e-mail] |  than a new start, he
| SNEWS 1.91  | csah.com!pandora!daniel             |  needs a new heart! **
+-------------+-------------------------------------+

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 08:22:22 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Date: 26 May 94 12:21:00 GMT
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: 40m ant bridge
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Careful with Radio Shack power resistors.....

I built a few Tuning (~SWR) bridges  using the circuit
from page 48, of Doug DeMaw's ARRL QRP notebook #1 (blue
cover).

The resistors came from Radio Shack, and are metal
oxide type, 100 ohm, one watt,  Cat # 271-152.

Two 100 ohm resistors were wired in parallel to provide
50 ohms, at 2 watts, and were substituted for the 47 and 51
ohm values called for in the circuit.

The bridges work great up to 24 mHz, where resistor
inductance seems to prevent the bridge from completely
nulling (reading zero) with a 50 ohm dummy load connected
to the "ANT".

 I crushed one resistor and found 1 or 2 turns of a high
resistance wire as the resistance element.  This of course
has inductance.

No matter, as the tuning bridge is used with the NorCal-40,
only on 40 meters, and with the "40 Meter Transmatch" circuit
shown on page 167 of Solid State Design (ARRL).  This bridge
replaces the one shown because of the easy availability and
low cost of RS power resistors.

72   W1FMR





From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 09:20:47 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Thu, 26 May 1994 08:20:38 CDT
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 08:20:38 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: transistor replacement
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Vms-To: QRP
X-Vms-Cc: JMG
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; CHARSET=US-ASCII
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7BIT
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

I need to either buy a new MRF476 or replace with another
transistor. this is for a 40 meter qrp transmitter.. designed for
about 3.5 watts output. I noticed while crossreferencing it in the
ECG book that the 2sc1969 has almost the same specs, but collector
to base volts on the 1969 is 70 as opposed to 65, max collector
current is 8 pulse as opposed to 3 pulse, will dissipate more
watts, and the current gain is 20 as opposed to 40 on the MRF476.
The 1969 is rated at 13 watts (puts out about 25 on the Ten Tec
Century 21s).

What would the effect of putting in the 1969 be on the
ciruit..guesses anyone? will the lower current gain actually cause
a lower output, will the circuit actually work the same but put
less of a demand on the final because it was designed for more
power?

The inquiring mind wants to know.

thanks

73

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 09:50:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA17189; Thu, 26 May 1994 09:49:45 -0400
    id AA28460; Thu, 26 May 94 09:50:23 EDT
    id AA16613; Thu, 26 May 94 09:50:22 EDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NN1G still troubled (and so is my HW-8!)
In-Reply-To: Your message of "Wed, 25 May 94 14:55:46 PST."
             <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 09:50:20 -0400
From: "John F. Woods" <[e-mail]>
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I checked my pile of QQ reprints and found the article I mentioned last
night; it was about the Two-Fer, and revealed that the original pi-network
in the two-fer design wasn't enough to filter the harmonics.  The NN1G
uses a half-wave filter, which ought to do much better.  I also looked at
the NN1G schematic; it already has a 10K resistor between the VFO and the
NE602A, so the chance of overdrive is somewhat less (and the 1K resistor
I suggested won't change the drive level noticably, though changing the
5pF cap to 1pF would).

Since the output level changes radically with differing loads, it might
be that some of the components in the output network are off (since my
rig has "too much" output into a pure 50-ohm load). Also, the final seems
to be prone to wild oscillations when looking into particularly bad
mismatches, so perhaps it's *always* oscillating somewhere (it just doesn't
show up in the sidetone unless it gets near the carrier).  I guess I'll
finally have to drag the scope out and look.

73, John, WB7EEL

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 11:03:05 1994
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    id AA19163; Thu, 26 May 94 09:02:53 MDT
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 09:02:53 MDT
From: [e-mail] (Steve Kubisch)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: What's a Johnson Matchbox Worth?
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Hi,

There is a Johnson Matchbox available to me but the owner will only
entertain offers.  I don't have any idea what this is worth.  What does
the group think would be a fair price.  I haven't seen it, so can't
comment on condition, but it is supposedly OK.  The owner states that
it is for balanced and unbalanced lines and will handle 265 watts.
The matchbox I would like is the one for balanced lines that doesn't
use a balun like the one Doug Demaw recommends in "W1FB Antenna Notebook".
Is this the same unit??  Having never seen one I'm not sure.  Did johnson
make other kinds of matchboxes??

tnx es 73
Steve-WW7Y

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 11:25:10 1994
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Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 9:21:21 -0600 (MDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Regarding: Cut Short
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Hi to all.  This is an apology to the net for causing a problem, and also
a discussion of a lesson learned, with the hope that others will not repeat
my error --  I prepared a posting off line the other day, using a text editor
that automatically puts an End-of-File marker at the end of the document.
(
(Didn't realize it at the time.)  When I uploaded the file, the EoF marker
went with it.  So, if you get the qrp digest, and read it by downloading and
then running it through a text editor or viewer, most likely your editor/
viewer will see the EoF marker and cut off the file at that point.  This
should not cause a problem if you are receiving the list one item at a time,
but as I learned, it can make a mess of the digest!  Fortunately, I have not
normally used that method of preparing a posting, so I don't think it has
happened more than once or twice.  Well, live and learn...  Again, sorry for
any inconvenience.

73, Bill, KR8L, M-98, NWQ-127, NCal-454, AMSAT-8735  ([e-mail])

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 12:02:38 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Thu, 26 May 1994 11:02:42 CDT
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 11:02:42 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: 40-40
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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I can't find my posting on the 40-40.. does anyone have the
original info? I am about ready to order one (just what I need,
another kit).

thanks

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 12:23:53 1994
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  (5.67a/IDA-1.5 for think.com!qrp); Fri, 27 May 1994 00:23:15 +0800
    id aa02638; Thu, 26 May 94 15:45:23 GMT
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #7) id m0q6h03-000QB0C; Thu, 26 May 94 23:05 SST
    (Linux Smail3.1.28.1 #4) id m0q6hEY-000GuvC; Thu, 26 May 94 23:20 SST
           Thu, 26 May 1994 11:19:22 SST
Date:      Thu, 26 May 1994 11:19:21 SST
From: "W. Daniel" <pandora![e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: "W. Daniel" <[e-mail]>
To: pandora![e-mail]
Subject:   NN1G fixes
Sender: [e-mail]
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Hi Gang,

        Okay, here are the mods I did to fix the TX section for the NN1G.
There are 2 primary requirements, properly tuning the 2 IF transformers on
the TX board is critical.

        You will need:-

a)      36 pF capacitor
b)      Some ferrite beads, small ones.
c)      SWR and watt meter
d)      >20 MHz scope if you have but probably optional.

        First of all determine if you have the problem as mentioned in
previous mail. If you do, read on.

        Connect your antenna, not a dummy load, to a working rig. Tune the
antenna to resonate at 20m if its a multi-bander. Use an ATU if you have
one. Once you know your antenna is resonant AND matched at 20m, connect your
NN1G to it and note your SWR. Do not retune the ATU since it is already
resonant. If you see an SWR exceeding 2:1, then you are like to to be having
the same problems as I.

        Take the ceramic 36 pF and cut one leg to about 3 mm and tin it.
Look at the second driver transistor (2N2222), the one closest to the PA
transistor. Tin the top of the transistor after cleaning it. Solder the
shortened lead of the 36 pF capacitor to the top of the transistor. Now,
slip a couple of ferrite beads over the other lead. I noticed that I needed
a few to cut down the spurs to a reasonable level. Tin one of the corners of
the IF transformers and solder the longer lead of the capacitor to it,
effectively grounding it.

        Now, you should see a much lower power output. In my case, I cut
some tracks at the bottom of the board and put ferrite beads on the base
connections of the driver transistors' bases but I think this is unecessary.
Retune the IF transformers for a minimum SWR reading. This should take some
time.

        Then turn audio volume all the way down. There should be no more
sharp clicking when keyed. Instead, there should be a "gentle" click with no
hiss. Try this out through out the band to see if instability occurs. If it
does, retune the IF transformer for more stability.

        If you have a scope, put it to the output at the antenna. Remember,
until now, NO dummy loads. Be sure to have a flat SWR if possible, as in my
case, or at least the lowest possible. Key down and adjust the transformers
for the most sinusoidal waveform. Do not get greedy for amplitude. Go
through the band to see if the waveform is stable. You should be using a
scope of more than 20 MHz for this purpose.

        Finally, when all is set, remove scope. Remove antenna and leave the
antenna disconnected. Key down, you should hear a clean sidetone, no hissing
noise. There you have it.

        Lemme know if anyone else got a different fix. I know the problem is
NOT with the finals PA, directly, but more with the drivers. Keep leads as
short as possible at all times.

        Now, if anyone could so kindly tell me how to put RIT onto the NN1G,
I'd be most grateful for not having to reinvent the wheel. If this has not
been done before, I will try to do it. So help me. I also want to put a more
final FINAL PA with about 8 watts output to the NN1G but still keep the same
QSK, I wonder if this is possible. Could I, for example, use another
transistor for the PA and get more power output?

73,
Daniel
--
+-------------+-------------------------------------+
| Daniel Wee  | [e-mail]             | ** Man needs more
| UUCP1.12b   | [e-mail] |  than a new start, he
| SNEWS 1.91  | csah.com!pandora!daniel             |  needs a new heart! **
+-------------+-------------------------------------+

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 12:54:00 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28377; Thu, 26 May 94 09:44:17 PDT
    id AA769970709 Thu, 26 May 94 09:45:09 PST
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 09:45:09 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 129 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Where are the scanned photos?
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          Where can I find the scanned photos?

          Thanks!

          Jeff - WA6AHL

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 13:25:40 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67b/IDA-1.5 for qrp for sending messages <[e-mail]>); Thu, 26 May 1994 12:23:59 -0500
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 12:19:35 -0500 (CDT)
From: Andrew Arnett <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: transportable antennas?
To: [e-mail]
Cc: qrp for sending messages <[e-mail]>
In-Reply-To: 19940526.065625.ATXR@CENVMC
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I just looked up the losses for TV twinlead in Belden's catalog.
All types listed except for the one with a foil shield were listed at
or less than 1.4 dB / 100 ft @ 100 MHz.  3 types were listed
at or less than 1.1 dB / 100 ft @ 100 MHz.

I guess tv twinlead would only have portability as an advantage over
the open wire 450 ohm ladderline.  A disadvantage may be power handling
(if you're QRO.)

I hope to try out some twinlead feedline in the next month or two.

73
Drew kb9fko


From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 13:32:19 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA26034; Thu, 26 May 94 10:31:32 PDT
    id AA27922; Thu, 26 May 1994 10:27:01 +0800
    id AA11209; Thu, 26 May 1994 10:26:56 +0800
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 10:26:56 +0800
From: [e-mail] (Ray Anderson)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NN1G fixes
Cc: [e-mail]
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Daniel <[e-mail]> writes:

            ... stuff deleted ....


>        Take the ceramic 36 pF and cut one leg to about 3 mm and tin it.
>Look at the second driver transistor (2N2222), the one closest to the PA
>transistor. Tin the top of the transistor after cleaning it. Solder the
>shortened lead of the 36 pF capacitor to the top of the transistor. Now,
>slip a couple of ferrite beads over the other lead. I noticed that I needed
>a few to cut down the spurs to a reasonable level. Tin one of the corners of
       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>the IF transformers and solder the longer lead of the capacitor to it,
>effectively grounding it.

                          .... more stuff deleted .......


    Daniel,


    Does this mean something is still oscillating but you've
managed to attenuate the level of the oscillations reaching the output?

    Were you able to identify the frequency of the oscillations?


    Ray Anderson  WB6TPU
    [e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 13:42:35 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
     id KAA19428; Thu, 26 May 1994 10:41:37 -0700
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA28437; Thu, 26 May 94 12:41:32 -0500
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA07597; Thu, 26 May 94 12:41:31 -0500
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 12:41:31 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re:  40-40
Cc: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
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>I can't find my posting on the 40-40.. does anyone have the
>original info? I am about ready to order one (just what I need,
>another kit).
>
>thanks
>
>Jeff, AC4HF
>

The 40-40 may now be order direct from NN1G for $40 + $1.95
for postage and handling.  Jim posted the info the other day.

I got mine in the mail earlier this week.  I'll have it
going tonite and report on saturday.  Anyone wanna work
me on 40 this weekend, let me know.  Friday nite is out :-)
but saturday nite is open.  :-(

dit dit

Chuck Adams  K5FO  CP-60
[e-mail]



From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 15:12:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA19953; Thu, 26 May 94 09:08:08 HST
    id AA15542; Thu, 26 May 94 09:11:02 HST
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 9:11:01 HST
From: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: transportable antennas?
In-Reply-To: Your message of 26 May 94 06:56:25 EXT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Ted mentioned using zip cord - an older (60's) ham project book mentioned
using zip cord ( AC power cord ) as temporary antenna lead-in. Anyone know
the impedance of the stuff?

Jeff NH6IL

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 15:51:01 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA21906; Thu, 26 May 94 13:50:43 MDT
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 13:50:43 MDT
From: [e-mail] (Steve Kubisch)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: What is Johnson Matchbox worth?
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hi,

I have found a Johnson Matchbox but the owner will only accept offers.
What is one in supposedly good shape worth?  It is supposed to be for
balanced and unbalnced lines and will handle 265 watts.  Is this the
same unit recommended by Doug Demaw in his W1FB antenna notebook? I
want the one that doesn't use a balun for balanced lines to minimize
my losses at QRP levels.  The owner is on Inet so I can't see the unit.

tnx & 73
Steve-WW7Y

p.s. I sent this message to the reflector earlier but it didn't seem to
get thru????

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 16:13:10 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA12043; Thu, 26 May 94 11:13:37 -0700
    id AA28089; Thu, 26 May 94 14:08:59 -0400
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 14:09:00 EDT
From: Andrew Comas <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Apparently-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Dot Anticipator?
Sender: [e-mail]
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Does anyone know what a 'Dot Anticipator circuit' is in an
iambic keyer?

Andrew
KF2JH
[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 16:57:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28746; Thu, 26 May 94 13:47:10 PDT
    id AA769985282 Thu, 26 May 94 13:48:02 PST
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 13:48:02 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 667 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: Re: transportable antennas?
Sender: [e-mail]
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Jeff:

        Interestingly enough, Doug Demaw mentioned having good luck with
zip cord in one of his "notebooks" (either QRP, Antenna, or Design - I
always forget which, but I think it was the QRP).  However, I recently ran
across another reference to zip cord as feed line in, I think, the ARRL's
Antenna Handbook, which DID NOT recommend using it - much too lossy (again,
I'm relying on my unreliable memory).  You might want to thumb through a
copy and check it out.  If the lead-in is short, it's probably OK, but I'd
be worried if operating QRP...

        Let me know if you find anything else out.


         - Jeff, WA6AHL



From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 17:21:02 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA28762; Thu, 26 May 94 14:11:08 PDT
    id AA769986721 Thu, 26 May 94 14:12:01 PST
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 14:12:01 PST
From: [e-mail]
Encoding: 176 Text
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: transistor replacement
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        Where can I get the "ECG" book for cross-referencing 2SC...
        transistors that Jeff Gold mentions?

        Thanks & 73,

        Jeff, WA6AHL

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 18:00:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 17:59:44 -0400 (EDT)
From: Craig LaBarge <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP in Digest Form?
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Mime-Version: 1.0
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I'm fairly new to this list.  Is it possible to get this stuff in Digest
form via Email?

Any info would be appreciated.

72 Craig WB3GCK


From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 18:47:03 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA09589; Thu, 26 May 94 16:46:34 -0600
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 16:46:34 -0600
From: Mark J Schreiner <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: transportable antennas?
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
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The impedance of the zip chord depends on the physical dimensions.  You could
measure these dimensions (dia of conductors and spacing between condx) and
plug & chug them into the formulas in the handbooks to determine this.  If
you don't have a suitable handbook, here is a formula you could try:

Zo = 276/(sqrt(er)) * log (D/a)

where Zo is the impedance
D is the distance between center of the conductors
a is the radius of the conductors
er is the relative permittivity (1 for air, 0.95 for some "foam" dielectrics,
    and probably about 3 to 4 for rubber, plastic, polyvinyl or whatever
    the stuff your zipchord is made of)
sqrt is the square root

Let me know what zipchord you use and how the math works out if you compare
with test data.
Good luck,
de Mark, NK8Q

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 18:55:08 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
    (1.37.109.4/16.2) id AA09753; Thu, 26 May 94 16:54:46 -0600
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 16:54:46 -0600
From: Mark J Schreiner <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re:  Dot Anticipator?
Sender: [e-mail]
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Sounds like it could read your mind and insert the dot as required while all
you have to do is hold down the dash paddle.  If you are sending very slow
code and you are half way through a dash, you could very quickly insert the
dot while the dash is still sending.  If you release the dot paddle before
the dash is completed, the dot must be stored in memory, anticipating the
completion of the dash prior to its execution.  All this would be done
while you are holding down the dash paddle.  That is my guess as to what it
is, as I didn't invent the term.  For instance, the letter Q is
dah-dah-di-dah.  You would hold down the dash paddle for all three dah's,
insert the dot very quickly (press and release the dot paddle) after the
execution of the second dah but prior to its completion.  If this answer is
not correct, let me know.
de Mark, NK8Q/2

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 20:20:53 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Tue, 24 May 94 23:07:13 GMT
From: [e-mail] (George Dobbs G3RJV)
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: favorite circuits
X-Mailer: PCElm 1.09
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In message <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
> I just completed an "OXO" transmitter from an old SPRAT  article reprinted in
> the St. Louis QRP Society newsletter.  Question I have is: what are favorite
> simple circuits amongst the readers of the QRP mailing list??  It would be
> fun to reproduce some of the spirit for which the OXO was intended--minimal
> parts count with good performance.  Please post your favorites--I'm sure I'm
> not the only one who would be interested, what with FD coming soon!!
>
>
> 72 (+/- 1), Jim N0OCT
>
> [e-mail]

The real Classic Fun Transmitter is the ONER, also by George Burt, GM3OXX.
An easy to build TX on a one inch square PCB.  Kanga US - N8ET - do a kit
for it.  Can be used any band from 160-20m - my version gives me about 3.5w
out on 80m and about 1w out on 20m.  To change band : use appropriate xtal
and appropriate low pass filter.
72/3
--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
George Dobbs G3RJV                  "It is vain to do with more,
G-QRP Club                           what can be done with less."
-------------------------------------------------- William of Occam (1290-1350)

From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 21:12:59 1994
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    (Smail3.1.26.7 #4) id m0q6qTe-0006r5a; Thu, 26 May 94 18:12 PDT
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #2) id m0q6qEL-0000CCa; Thu, 26 May 94 17:56 PDT
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    (Smail3.1.26.7 #4) id m0q6m1t-0006r6a; Thu, 26 May 94 13:27 PDT
    id AA19953; Thu, 26 May 94 09:08:08 HST
    id AA15542; Thu, 26 May 94 09:11:02 HST
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 9:11:01 HST
From: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Subject: Re: transportable antennas?
In-Reply-To: Your message of 26 May 94 06:56:25 EXT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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Ted mentioned using zip cord - an older (60's) ham project book mentioned
using zip cord ( AC power cord ) as temporary antenna lead-in. Anyone know
the impedance of the stuff?

Jeff NH6IL


From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 22:04:44 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
  (5.67a8/IDA-1.4.4 for [e-mail]); Thu, 26 May 1994 22:02:46 -0400
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 21:55:19 -500 (EDT)
From: James Lyons <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: favorite circuits
To: George Dobbs G3RJV <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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On Tue, 24 May 1994, George Dobbs G3RJV wrote:

> In message <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
> > I just completed an "OXO" transmitter from an old SPRAT  article reprinted in
> > the St. Louis QRP Society newsletter.  Question I have is: what are favorite
> > simple circuits amongst the readers of the QRP mailing list??  It would be
> > fun to reproduce some of the spirit for which the OXO was intended--minimal
> > parts count with good performance.  Please post your favorites--I'm sure I'm
> > not the only one who would be interested, what with FD coming soon!!
> >
> >
> > 72 (+/- 1), Jim N0OCT
> >
> > [e-mail]
>
> The real Classic Fun Transmitter is the ONER, also by George Burt, GM3OXX.
> An easy to build TX on a one inch square PCB.  Kanga US - N8ET - do a kit
> for it.  Can be used any band from 160-20m - my version gives me about 3.5w
> out on 80m and about 1w out on 20m.  To change band : use appropriate xtal
> and appropriate low pass filter.
> 72/3
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> George Dobbs G3RJV                  "It is vain to do with more,
> G-QRP Club                           what can be done with less."
> -------------------------------------------------- William of Occam (1290-1350)

I agree wi,th George.  I spent my most entetaining 18 months in 43 years
of Hamming woeking ll states running 1 watt from the ONER.   In addition I
worked JA (in a contest) LONG PATH, from montreal and also worked VK.  A
really fine little rig.  I used an old Drake 2B as RX withe the Q-multiplier.

Alos ran it on 15 and 10 meters getting about 530 mW and 100 mW
respectively and got across to G several times during a Winter Sports.

All of the above was back a few years when conditions were really good and
I have a Cushcraft ATB-34 at 50 feet.

BTW George, if you are reading this, I don't sem to be able to EMAIL to
the address on your messages.  Any ideas how I should address messages to you?

Jim, VE2KN, G-QRP 1715




From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 22:51:10 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id WAA22289; Thu, 26 May 1994 22:33:08 -0400 (from [e-mail] for <[e-mail]>)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: Stephen Trier <[e-mail]>
Date: 27 May 1994   02:33:00 GMT
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Request for assistance
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk


Argh.  Although my receiver project got off to a good start with a working
VFO, it didn't last long.  :-)  It's time to find some experience out here
that can point me to what's wrong.  My tools are limited to a multimeter and
an oscilloscope.

The circuit I'm trying is on page 111 of _W1FB's Design Notebook_.

Problem 1: There is a 0.001 uF capacitor coupling the VFO output to the
mixer.  On the VFO side of the capacitor, I see a clean 2V pk-pk sine wave.
On the mixer side, I see a very dirty waveform with microvolts of amplitude
and only a hint of the VFO frequency.  I take this to mean the coupling
capacitor is shot.  Does that sound right?

Problem 2: the VFO is running way low of where it should be.  I can get it
up to a bit above 6.5 MHz by disconnecting the tuning capacitor entirely,
but I need 7 MHz if this thing is ever going to be useful.  The number of
turns on the inductor is right and the capacitor is the right size.  Is this
the oscilloscope probe skewing the results?  Is it a result of problem 1?

Problem 3: I haven't gotten far enough along in my understanding to be able
to predict whether the AF amp is going to be able to drive an earphone.
Given that this would mean 80 dB or more gain in one transistor, it seems
unlikely.  What kind of power/voltages should I be seeing from the AF output,
anyway?  Do you have any suggestions on how much gain is needed from an
external audio amp?

The goal here isn't to make a top-notch receiver.  I'm after learning.  I
guess I'm getting it, starting with a tutorial in what can go wrong.  :-)
Thanks for any help!

              Stephen


--
Stephen Trier    Whenever the literary German dives into a sentence, that is
[e-mail]  the last you are going to see of him until he emerges on the
KG8IH            other side of his Atlantic with his verb in his mouth.
             -- Mark Twain, "Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court"


From [e-mail]  Thu May 26 23:02:30 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 22:55:21 -0400 (EDT)
From: "J. D. Delancy" <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: transportable antennas?
To: Jeffrey Herman <[e-mail]>
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]>
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On Thu, 26 May 1994, Jeffrey Herman wrote:

> Ted mentioned using zip cord - an older (60's) ham project book mentioned
> using zip cord ( AC power cord ) as temporary antenna lead-in. Anyone know
> the impedance of the stuff?
>
> Jeff NH6IL

Well, no I dont, but a friend of mine, K5DCP, while stationed in
Japan and living on onbase at Misawa, make a two element quad
out of zip cord, fed it with RG58.  He had DXCC plus when he left
(but didnt apply for it) wth less than a hundred watts.

I guess one could assume that a fifty ohm match is possible.

  jd



From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 01:05:03 1994
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    id AA02550; Fri, 27 May 94 00:13:24 EDT
    by mimsy.cs.UMD.EDU (8.6.9/UMIACS-0.9/04-05-88)
    id AAA23927; Fri, 27 May 1994 00:12:52 -0400
    (5.61/UUNET-internet-primary) id AAwrqd07560; Thu, 26 May 94 21:49:30 -0400
    (Smail3.1.28.1 #5) id m0q6r3w-0001a2C; Thu, 26 May 94 21:50 EDT
    id m0q6qiu-0008XkC; Thu, 26 May 94 21:28 EDT
From: rutgers!wb3ffv.ampr.org![e-mail] (Mike Czuhajewski)
To: [e-mail]
Subject: April QRP Quarterly Does Exist
Date: Thu, 26 May 94 21:28:32 EST5EDT
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
X-Mailer: UniBoard 1.21f S/N 329931
Sender: [e-mail]
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Forgive me if this info is already on the system; the host computer has
some sort of bug tonight and tells me there is nothing in my mailbox,
and also tells me I have something in my mailbox, depending on which
menu I look at, but I can't see anything (#@#$...).  Anyhow, I received
my advance, first class issues of the APRIL Quarterly today (those of
us on the Board get first class mail instead of the bulk rate), so it
DOES exist.  I was starting to wonder if the old printer had dumped the
entire press run in the dumpster out of spite for us terminating them,
but I guess not.  And unimpeachable sources (several) tell me that we
HAVE terminated the old printer, that the April issue IS the last to be
done by the FORMER printer, that the July issue WILL be done by someone
else and probably be on time.  73...
--
Mike Czuhajewski, user of the UniBoard System @ wb3ffv.ampr.org
E-Mail: [e-mail]
The WB3FFV Amateur Radio BBS - Located in Baltimore, Maryland USA
Supporting the Amateur Radio Hobby, and TCP/IP InterNetworking

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 02:01:47 1994
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   with BSMTP id 4208; Thu, 26 May 94 23:01:21 PST
Date:    Thu, 26 May 94 23:01 PDT
To: [e-mail]
From: Michael Stein                        <[e-mail]>
Subject: Request for assistance (p 111)
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>  The circuit I'm trying is on page 111 of _W1FB's Design Notebook_.

Comments? Sure, assistance perhaps..  (I've read lots, tried
building some things -- don't have a working DC receiver...)

> Argh.  Although my receiver project got off to a good start with
> a working VFO, it didn't last long.  :-)

I've always had good luck with that style FET oscillator..

> Problem 1: There is a 0.001 uF capacitor coupling the VFO
> output to the mixer.  On the VFO side of the capacitor, I see a
> clean 2V pk-pk sine wave.  On the mixer side, I see a very
> dirty waveform with microvolts of amplitude and only a hint of
> the VFO frequency.  I take this to mean the coupling capacitor
> is shot.  Does that sound right?

Looking at the schematic I see that the .001 uF is in series with
a .01 uF to ground.  So 1/10 of the voltage should be at the
junction (mixer), assuming the diodes can be ignored.  I'm not
sure they can be.  Did you test the diodes before installing
them?  Is the .01 uF cap RF rated?  Is the RFC good?  I would
expect the diodes to clamp the junction to .5 to .7 pk-pk
assuming something else didn't limit the voltage first (like
available source power/impedance).

Anyway, the osc output is being "matched?" to a low impedance,
first the osc inductor is 32T and the output comes from a 6T link
(5.3 ratio voltage, 28 times impedance), this then feeds the .001
& .01 uF caps to ground.  I also note that the voltage at the hot
end of the osc tank should be around 10.6 V pk-pk assuming a 5.3
step up from the 2V you measured.  (You probably can't measure
this without affecting it though).  Does this 10V sound right for
an osc running on 12V?

Rambling on, the osc L is 4.8uH, Xl is then 211 ohms at 7 Mhz.
So with 10Vpk-pk (3.5V rms) on 211 ohms implies about 16 mA rms
of current here. Is that a useful number?  If the Q was about 100
then the input current would be only 160uA or so -- I wonder how
much current your VFO/FET is drawing.  Oh, the Q with the load is
probably lower so the current is higher?

> Problem 2: the VFO is running way low of where it should be.  I
> can get it up to a bit above 6.5 MHz by disconnecting the tuning
> capacitor entirely, but I need 7 MHz if this thing is ever going
> to be useful.  The number of turns on the inductor is right and
> the capacitor is the right size.  Is this the oscilloscope probe
> skewing the results?  Is it a result of problem 1?

How are you measuring the frequency?  I'd guess that the scope
moves the frequency somewhat.  LC for 7 Mhz is 517e-18, so for
L=4.8uH, then C=108pF.  Adding 10pF would shift the frequency
down to about 6.7 Mhz.  Or the L could be a bit high.  It sounds
like a 10% variation would easily result in this problem.

> Problem 3: I haven't gotten far enough along in my understanding
> to be able to predict whether the AF amp is going to be able to
> drive an earphone.  Given that this would mean 80 dB or more gain
> in one transistor, it seems unlikely.  What kind of
> power/voltages should I be seeing from the AF output, anyway?  Do
> you have any suggestions on how much gain is needed from an
> external audio amp?

The text says "two more identical stages of amplification are
necessary in order to ensure adequate weak-signal reception".

The 2N3904 base is biased at 1.8V (12V * 10K/(56K+10K)).  With
the 470 ohm emitter resistor the current would be about 2.6 mA.
So Re is about 10 ohms (someone made this easy to calc?).  Rc is
2.7K so the voltage gain (no load?) is about 270 times.  So thats
about 24dB per stage.  Three stages should be 72 dB -- does that
sound better?

(Did I get any of this right?)

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 02:06:20 1994
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  (5.65/1.35 for <[e-mail]>); Fri, 27 May 94 02:05:40 -0400
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Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail] (Michael Silva)
To: [e-mail], [e-mail]
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 22:06:54
Subject: Re: Request for assistance
From: [e-mail] (Michael Silva)
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>
>Argh.  Although my receiver project got off to a good start with a working
>VFO, it didn't last long.  :-)  It's time to find some experience out here
>that can point me to what's wrong.  My tools are limited to a multimeter and
>an oscilloscope.
>
>The circuit I'm trying is on page 111 of _W1FB's Design Notebook_.
>
>Problem 1: There is a 0.001 uF capacitor coupling the VFO output to the
>mixer.  On the VFO side of the capacitor, I see a clean 2V pk-pk sine wave.
>On the mixer side, I see a very dirty waveform with microvolts of amplitude
>and only a hint of the VFO frequency.  I take this to mean the coupling
>capacitor is shot.  Does that sound right?

Two volts on the VFO side sounds good.  Looking at the other side of
the capacitor, the circuit doesn't seem right.  It's that 0.01
capacitor that goes right to ground that bothers me.  It's part of the
low-pass filter that passes the audio and strips the RF, but it also
acts as a 10-1 divider on the VFO voltage, which makes no sense (to me,
at least!).  Try clipping out that 0.01 capacitor and see what
happens.  If still no difference, it's either a shorted diode or open
cap.  (Actually, a shorted diode should pull down the signal on the
other side of the cap as well.  Most likely the cap.)  You should see a
clipped sine wave of a little better than 1/2 volt at the diodes.  I'd
still leave out the 0.01 cap, or put in a 100-200pf.

>Problem 2: the VFO is running way low of where it should be.  I can get it
>up to a bit above 6.5 MHz by disconnecting the tuning capacitor entirely,
>but I need 7 MHz if this thing is ever going to be useful.  The number of
>turns on the inductor is right and the capacitor is the right size.  Is this
>the oscilloscope probe skewing the results?  Is it a result of problem 1?

Pulling shouldn't be a problem if you're checking signal at the
secondary of the transformer.  Are you sure you have the right size
core and the right core material?  There are both 40-turn and 32-turn
coils in the circuit.  Did you swap them?  Did you try calculating the
inductance based on the number of turns, and the resonant frequency?
Typos know no band limits!

>Problem 3: I haven't gotten far enough along in my understanding to be able
>to predict whether the AF amp is going to be able to drive an earphone.
>Given that this would mean 80 dB or more gain in one transistor, it seems
>unlikely.  What kind of power/voltages should I be seeing from the AF output,
>anyway?  Do you have any suggestions on how much gain is needed from an
>external audio amp?

I doubt you'll get more than a millivolt or so at the output.  Just
about right for driving the ever-popular LM386 amplifier.  That should
put something in your earphones.
>
>The goal here isn't to make a top-notch receiver.  I'm after learning.  I
>guess I'm getting it, starting with a tutorial in what can go wrong.  :-)
>Thanks for any help!
>

Best of luck and have fun!

73,
Mike, KK6GM



From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 03:20:02 1994
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    id m0q6uMo-0005lUC; Thu, 26 May 94 22:21 PDT
Message-Id: <m0q6uMo-0005lUC@tr2>
From: [e-mail] (Jerome Kaidor)
Subject: Re: transportable antennas?
To: [e-mail] (Jeffrey Herman)
Date: Thu, 26 May 1994 22:21:57 -0700 (PDT)
Cc: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]
In-Reply-To: <[e-mail]> from "Jeffrey Herman" at May 26, 94 09:11:01 am
X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL23]
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Jeffrey Herman wrote:
>
> Ted mentioned using zip cord - an older (60's) ham project book mentioned
> using zip cord ( AC power cord ) as temporary antenna lead-in. Anyone know
> the impedance of the stuff?

**** I believe its in the neighborhood of 75 ohms.  Just right for a
dipole.  In fact, I used to make complete dipoles out of the stuff.
Just zip apart a dipole's worth and make a knot to keep it from
unzipping more.

   Of course, the insulation Q is no great shakes.  I understand
that it works well up through 40M, fairly well on 20, and quite badly
on 15 and up.

                                          - Jerry Kaidor

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 08:15:54 1994
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Content-Identifier: Gel-Cel charger
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Subject: Gel-Cel charger
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In the July 94 Electronics Now magazine, the All Electronics Corp. ad
features a Gel Cell battery charger. Brief description:
Kintek "Intellicharger". Charges 12 volt gel cell lead-acid batteries
of 1.6 amps/hour or greater. Charger circuit regulates current, ramping
down current as battery approaches full capacity. Batteries can be left
on charger indefinately. Originally designed for a phone battery, you'll
have to change the connector for your application. Cat# CK-128  $7.50 ea.
All Electronics Corp. 1-800-826-5432.

I have no connection with All Electronics Corp., I just ordered two of
the chargers to see how well they work.

====================================================================
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]  Fri May 27 09:25:52 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id <[e-mail]>; Fri, 27 May 94 09:11:24 EST
From: "Doyle,Ron" <[e-mail]>
To: QRP <[e-mail]>
Subject: Source for TDA7000 Receiver IC
Date: Fri, 27 May 94 09:15:00 EST
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Someone asked about sources for the TDA7000 chip.  I lost the message after
carefully trying to save it.  Seems like the only messages I want to save I
delete.

In the August 92 issue of 73 the supplier is listed as:

 DC Electronics
 P.O. Box 3203
 Scottsdale AZ  85271.
 Phone: [phone] or [phone].

The price was $5.95

72 de Ron, N8VAR

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 10:25:46 1994
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Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 8:27:41 -0600 (MDT)
From: [e-mail]
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Subject: Ramsey Kits
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Anyone have any comments (good or bad) about Ramsey kits?

Thanks and 73E-2, Larry.

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 11:50:03 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
From: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Date: 27 May 94 15:48:00 GMT
Original-From: mvubr!mvjf (James M Fitton [phone])
To: [e-mail]
Subject: 40-40 & FD
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Just got a call from Dave, NN1G and he has a few 40-40
(30m & 40m) kits ready for immediate delivery.

FD.....
Does anyone want to join  QRP-NE for Field Day ?

The Zuni Loopers are importing a ringer (80 WPM) K5FO
to help them with Field Day.

That is a dirty trick...... and unfair !!!!

But, this just means that the New England QRP club FD team
will have to (fairly & squarely) look for more ways to become
even more efficient and skilled than they were last year.

And, any advice, recommendations, and help would be welcomed.

72  W1FMR

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 14:28:06 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 id <[e-mail]>; Fri, 27 May 1994 13:27:35 CDT
Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 13:27:35 -0500 (CDT)
From: Doug Heacock <[e-mail]>
Subject: Friend seeking rig
To: [e-mail]
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
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QRP folks:

A friend from the local radio club called today to ask for some help
in finding an inexpensive QRP rig so he can get back into HF (he's
been inactive there since '84).  CW is okay, but SSB would be nice.
Primary bands of interest include 40, 30 and 15.  He can't use an
outside antenna, so he'll probably be using a random-wire of some
type, and some means of matching the rig to the wire would be helpful
(simple matchbox or random wire tuner or something).

His name is James Canaday, N6YR, and since he is a grad student here
at the University, cost is an important factor.  He is also blind (I
can't recall the politically correct term), but I doubt that will
hinder him from using just about any kind of equipment.

You can contact him directly at [phone] if you have something
you think he might be interested in, or you can e-mail me, and I'll
pass the information along.

Thanks in advance for any help you can offer.  73 de aa0ms
--
=================================================================
Doug Heacock, KANREN User Services | [e-mail]
Academic Computing Services        |   [e-mail]
The University of Kansas           |       [e-mail]
Lawrence, Kansas 66045             |        Amateur radio:  AA0MS
=================================================================

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 14:45:46 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    for [e-mail] id AA18008; Fri, 27 May 94 11:45:31 -0700
    for @sgi.sgi.com,@FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA05789; Fri, 27 May 94 13:45:14 -0500
    for @FORWARDHOST.BAR.FOO.COM:[e-mail] id AA09769; Fri, 27 May 94 13:45:12 -0500
Date: Fri, 27 May 94 13:45:12 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Adams)
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail] (James M Fitton [phone])
Subject: Re:  40-40 & FD
Cc: [e-mail]
Sender: [e-mail]
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1.  I got the 40-40 from Dave, NN1G.  It's a good looking
    kit and the manual is just great.  I'll have mine on
    the air Saturday nite at 0600CDT (2300Z) looking for
    AC4HF and anyone else that wants to try.  Sorry ----
    can't make tonight.  :-)

2.  Jim notes that I have plans to work with the Zuni
    group.  My company has me planned for an offsite
    meeting in Colorado Springs CO the same weekend,
    even though I had already scheduled the CA trip.
    The jury is still out on this one, so NE-QRP es
    W1FMR may still have a chance.  :-)

3.  Watch for posting next on Sundays SPRINT.  Be there
    an be square.  VE5VA, you awake?  Pete had better
    have the antennas thawed out.   :-)  :-)  I'll take
    on all challengers for this one.  1W or less.  How
    about a NN1G vs NorCal test on this one guys.  Just
    informal.  I'll keep the stats.  After the test,
    send me your stats, rig, etc.  Pray for good condx.
    Posts to follow on the mail list.

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




From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 15:25:37 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA15267; Fri, 27 May 94 14:26:31 -0500
          27 May 94 19:23 GMT
Date: Fri, 27 May 94 14:13 EST
From: Bob Smith <[e-mail]>
To: QRP <[e-mail]>
Subject: ZIp Chord as antenna/feedline
Message-Id: <81940527191318/[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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I remember seeing a very indepth article in QST on this subject.  Said
,if I recall, that the impednce of the brand tested was variable over
a large range and should not be used as feedline.



From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 15:26:47 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id AA15302; Fri, 27 May 94 14:27:38 -0500
          27 May 94 19:24 GMT
Date: Fri, 27 May 94 14:13 EST
From: Bob Smith <[e-mail]>
To: QRP <[e-mail]>
Subject: OAK Hills Classic Size!!
Message-Id: <74940527191347/[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
Precedence: bulk

Just got the Oak hills catalogue today.  The classic is huge from what
I expeced.  I expected something about half the height.  Any other
options for a superhet that is smaller.  Sort of defeats the purpose
I think.  Or am I on another planet.



From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 15:47:09 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id PAA05322; Fri, 27 May 1994 15:46:35 -0400
Date: 27 May 94 15:43:59 EDT
From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <[e-mail]>
To: <[e-mail]>
Subject: K5FO's QRP NEWSLETTER
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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TO:  >INTERNET:[e-mail]

K5FO's QRP NEWSLETTER - Volume 1 Number 1 - May 1994
Low Power Review by Bob Gobrick VO1DRB/WA6ERB

I just had the opportunity this past weekend to pick up my mail
and lo and behold there was the inaugural issue of K5FO's QRP
Newsletter.  20 pages wrapped in an orange coloured cover with an
outline of the State of Texas, complete with key and microphone,
sorta hints of the flavour of this magazine.  And yes, this
publication does come from the big state of Texas - noted on the
second page where Chuck (Mr. K5FO) says he uses a Texas
Instrument PostScript printer and TEX public domain software.

Chuck's QRP newsletter is unique - well maybe unique is too mild
a word.  Besides the well done editorial on QRP topics and
reviews of new rigs on the market there are some new topic
headings that I've NEVER seen before in a publication of this
type - like "University - Part 1 of N" with a reading assignment
and test questions to be answered before the next issue arrives,
"Line of Sight", for measuring QRP distance records, "CW
Operation", Phillips-Adams Code (CW abbreviations) and more.
This is truly a unique QRP publication.

Complaints - well let's just say first issue misses.  Chuck
forgot to list the address and dues for the publication (maybe
he's concerned about the Feds finding out about his non-profit
business).  Looking back through the QRP Digest, you can send
letters to the editor via Twilight Publishing Co., 1301 West
Highway 407, Suite 353; Lewisville TX 75067.  Also Chuck suggests
a US reproduction of Abe Lincoln (bank note that is) to help
cover mailing costs for the publication.

And finally, one mystery uncovered in Chuck's QRP Newsletter.  Is
there a link between Chucks's discussion in his article on
"Principle of Reciprocity for QRP" and at the same time a similar
discussion in the June 1994 issue of Worldradio magazine by the
famous mystery Aerials author Kurt N. Sterba?  Could Chuck be...
or maybe Kurt N. Sterba is really.....  Naaaa - Sounds like too
much of a Texas Tall Tale.

Congratulations to Chuck on his first issue of "K5FO's QRP
NEWSLETTER" - I'll be looking forward to the future issues even
if I don't have my QRP University homework completed.....


From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 15:47:51 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
    id PAA05756; Fri, 27 May 1994 15:47:18 -0400
Date: 27 May 94 15:44:20 EDT
From: Bob Gobrick WA6ERB <[e-mail]>
To: <[e-mail]>
Subject: QRP Leader defined
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
Sender: [e-mail]
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TO:  >INTERNET:[e-mail]

What's this nonsense from our fearless QRP list administrator
Bruce WT1M saying that "he is not a leader, just a follower"
after he courageously sold off all of his QRO gear and devoting
himself exclusively to QRP.  Wooow - that sounds like a Leader to
me.

I still have withdrawals when I even think of selling off my QRO
gear.  What if we get sucked into an astronomical black hole and
the only way to communicate is with a kilowatt.  On my scout's
honour I am going to be prepared, just in case a kilowatt becomes
the next QRP standard.

By the way - thanks Bruce for inspiring us followers with your
QRO Purge and of course you administration of the QRP list ;-)

Bob VO1DRB/WA6ERB


From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 16:03:14 1994
Return-Path: <[e-mail]>
 <[e-mail]>; Fri, 27 May 1994 15:03:38 CDT
Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 15:03:38 -0500 (CDT)
From: "JEFF M. GOLD" <[e-mail]>
Subject: for sale
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I have an original MXM superhet receiver, and transmitter on 40
meters, I think the TX was about 1.5 watts. Has a VFO receiver and
a crystal TX.. with manual switch. It is in a very small case with
a speaker built in.  $40+shipping

I also still have the Howe antenna station..down to $60+shipping
or trade.

73

Jeff, AC4HF

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 16:15:12 1994
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    id AA23597; Fri, 27 May 94 13:14:54 PDT
    id AA10919; Fri, 27 May 1994 13:14:53 +0800
    id AA13496; Fri, 27 May 1994 13:14:49 +0800
Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 13:14:49 +0800
From: [e-mail] (Ray Anderson)
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Subject: Re: zip cord as feedline
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KA3LFG writes in rec.radio.amateur.antennas :

             -------- included file ---------


Jeff Herman asked about Zip cord as an antenna or transmission line.  The
1988 edition of the ARRL antenna book presented an analysis of zip cord.
I'll quote the most interesting parts.

15-2 to 15-3

as an antenna:

"This information by Jerry hall, K1TD...QST for March, 1979"
"insulation left on the wire may have some loading effect so a bit of
length trimming may be needed fro exace resonance"

"use an electrician's knot that will keep the system from unqipping itself
under the tension of dipole suspension"

"But just how efficient is a zip-cord antenna system?...zip cord looks
about like 72-ohm balanced feed line.  Does it work as well?


as a transmission line:

"100 foot roll was subjected to tests in the ARRl lab with an RF impedance
bridge"

"18 gauge, brown, plastic insulated type SPT-1".

"Characteristic impedance...107 ohms at 10 mhz, dropping in value to 105
ohms at 15 mhz and to a slightly lower value at 29 mhz.  The nominal value
is 105 ohms at HF.  The velocity factor of the line was determined to be
69.5%."

"Who needs 105 ohm line, especially to feed a dipole?  A dipole in free
space exhibits a feed-point impedance of 73 ohms, and at heights above
ground of less than 1/4 wavelength the resistance can be even lower...80
meter dipole at 35 feet over average soil...35 ohms.  Thus, for a resonant
antenna, the SWR in the zip-cord transmission line can be 105/35 or 3:1,
and maybe even higher in some installations."

"But the really bad news is still to come-line loss!"  Fig. 3...attenuation
in db per hundred feed of line versus frequency.  values based on
assumption that line is perfectly matched (sees a 105 ohm load as its
terminating impedance"

some values from the figure:
Frequency          Attenuation, db per 100 ft.

3.5                  0.75
7                    1.75
10                   2.5
14                   3.9
21                   5.6
28                   7.2

Continuing:

"Additional losses over those charted in fig. 3 will occur when standing
waves are present.  The trouble is, you can't use a 50 or 75 ohm SWR
instrument to measure the SWR in zip-cord accurately."

"In short, communications can certainly be established with a sip=-cord
antenna in a pinch on 160, 80, 40 30 and perhaps 20 meters.  For higher
frequencies...long line lengths...the efficiency of the system is so low
that its value becomes questionable."

73 Mark KA3LFG


------------------------ end of included file-------------------


Ray WB6TPU
[e-mail]

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 16:25:20 1994
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    id AA12377; Fri, 27 May 94 13:24:42 PDT
    id AA15535; Fri, 27 May 94 13:24:41 PDT
Date: Fri, 27 May 94 13:24:41 PDT
From: Roger Traylor <[e-mail]>
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Subject: address for "The Wireman"
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Gang,
    Does anybody have the address for "The Wireman".  I am about to
    buy some twinlead for my killer 40m loop antenna.

    Thanks,

    Roger Traylor WB4TPW
    [e-mail]


From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 16:44:51 1994
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    (1.38.193.5/16.2) id AA07788; Fri, 27 May 1994 16:44:13 -0400
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Date: Fri, 27 May 94 16:44:12 EDT
Subject: Field Day QRP SSB
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According to Billy Lunt at ARRL HQ, FD QRP SSB may not exceed 5 watts PEP
output.

If you are operating QRP SSB this FD,  how are you measuring your PEP output?

It seems as though this rule should be changed to a straight 5 w. output that
can be easily measured with commonly used wattmeters.

Your comments appreciated.

I'll be out of town from June 2-24.  Home just in time for FD.  The Colorado
QRP Club will be picking a call for FD very soon.  Location is set.

72,   Rich


From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 16:58:28 1994
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    id AA14111; Fri, 27 May 94 13:57:26 PDT
    id AA16334; Fri, 27 May 94 13:57:25 PDT
Date: Fri, 27 May 94 13:57:25 PDT
From: Roger Traylor <[e-mail]>
Message-Id: <[e-mail]>
To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: address for "The Wireman"
In-Reply-To: Mail from 'Gary M Diana <[e-mail]>'
      dated: Fri, 27 May 94 16:52:31 -0400
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Gary and Gang,

    Maybe somebody can help me out here.  I remember several people
    mentioning "The Wireman" here or on rec.radio.amateur.antenna.
    I seem to recall that he/they were in South Carolina.  Someone
    also said they advertise in QST but I haven't seen them in there
    for two months. If he/they are in NY, I'll take you up on your
    offer Gary.

    Thanks mucho

Roger Traylor WB4TPW
[e-mail]

------------------- included message -----------------------------

> From [e-mail] Fri May 27 13:47:26 1994
> From: Gary M Diana <[e-mail]>
> Subject: Re: address for "The Wireman"
>
> Roger -
>
>    Is this the wireman from Rome, NY?  If so, I can probably look
> up his address for you.  Another alternative would be cable
> experts, they advertise in the back of qst.
>
> 73.
>  -gary n2jgu


From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 23:44:04 1994
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    id UAA24907; Fri, 27 May 1994 20:35:59 -0700
Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 20:35:59 -0700
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Subject: Laura builds an R1
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On 05-24-94  [e-mail] wrote to  [e-mail]:

 > I got all energetic over the weekend and started building an R1.

Hooray.  Keep on going.  I've built the R2 from Rick's own circuit board
patterns, and it's worth it.

 > The mixer is an SBL-1 for now, which will do fine for HF.

And up to 500 MHz.  I happened to have SRA-1's, which are slightly better in
specs and slightly bigger.  But they both do fine up to 500 MHz.

* John Seboldt...Mpls, MN...As a ham, K0JD...as a human...well,... *
|                     [e-mail]                         |
*      J.S. Bach of Borg:  "Your style will be assimilated."       *

 -> Alice4Mac 2.3 E QWK Eval:05Mar94

From [e-mail]  Fri May 27 23:44:40 1994
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    id UAA24908; Fri, 27 May 1994 20:36:01 -0700
Date: Fri, 27 May 1994 20:36:01 -0700
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Subject: Re: Gain due to mountaint
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On 05-25-94  [e-mail] wrote to  [e-mail]:

 > In my experience, getting close to salt water far outdistances
 > vertical elevation.  Fresh water is also good.  Mountaintops offer
 > great views, but usually very poor ground conditions, high winds,
 > trouble with storms and weather, and sore legs.  On HF, unless you're
 > blocked by a bluff or cliff, salt water is the way to go.  I realize
 > this doesn't help the gang in the Midwest much...they have to worry
 > about mosquitos and June bugs flying into the muffin fan blowing on
 > the operators...ick! 73, Ward N0AX
 >
Unless you're talking about Lake Superior!  The Minnesota North Shore has
intrigued me as a possibility for antennas.  What about a sloping wire (half
wave at 160 meters) from a cliff down to the water's edge?  Haven't followed up
on this, but have seen some neat cliffs that climbers were using and wondered...


* John Seboldt...Mpls, MN...As a ham, K0JD...as a human...well,... *
|                     [e-mail]                         |
*      J.S. Bach of Borg:  "Your style will be assimilated."       *

 -> Alice4Mac 2.3 E QWK Eval:05Mar94