20100323.ba v04_n327.bam.20100323 >From ???@??? Tue Mar 23 19:26:43 2010 -0500 Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 19:26:38 CST From: Old Tube Radios To: Old Tube Radios Subject: BOATANCHORS digest 4327 Message-Id: <20100324012639.598996362C7@minime.theporch.com> BOATANCHORS Digest 4327 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) Shipping boatanchors overseas by "Tony Schroeder" 2) Re: Shipping boatanchors overseas by john 3) RE: Shipping boatanchors overseas by "Bill Hawkins" 4) Re: Shipping boatanchors overseas by WA5CAB@cs.com 5) Proof that Boatanchors like to be used by "Jim Garland" <4cx250b@muohio.edu> 6) Proof that Boatanchors like to be used by "Jim Garland" <4cx250b@muohio.edu> 7) Re: Proof that Boatanchors like to be used by Al Parker 8) Re: Proof that Boatanchors like to be used by "Arden Allen" 9) Re: n-l-n tube designators by Shriver 10) Lysco VFO by "Wilson Lamb" 11) Lysco VFO by "Wilson Lamb" 12) Re: Lysco VFO by Niel Wiegand 13) Re: Lysco VFO by Paul Beckwith 14) Ranger front panels by "RICHARD GEORGE" 15) help by "PHIL" 16) SX-62A AGC Woes by "Allan Fritsche" 17) The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins by "Paul Christensen" 18) Re: The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins by Deane McIntyre 19) Re: The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins by "Sandy" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: From: "Tony Schroeder" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Shipping boatanchors overseas Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:25:59 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0017_01CAC830.E14EE570" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01CAC830.E14EE570 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Gang, I have a handsome National RAS-5 that I've been offering for sale, and a = friendly gent in Australia would like to buy it. How should I ship it to = him, and what might it cost? I can break the set down to its component parts and ship them = individually, but would it make more sense to try and ship the thing in = a crate? I have lots of experience shipping boatanchors, but I've never tried = anything this foolhardy. :) Thanks, Tony W8HRO ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01CAC830.E14EE570 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- * * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * * Mail Lists at theporch.com only accept PLAIN TEXT * * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------=_NextPart_000_0017_01CAC830.E14EE570-- ------------------------------ Message-Id: <6.2.1.2.2.20100320150612.039ad790@pop-server.nc.rr.com> Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:07:15 -0400 To: Old Tube Radios From: john Subject: Re: Shipping boatanchors overseas Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Air freight is likely the best way and perhaps cheapest, if you can do it counter to counter. It's gonna be SPENDY John K5MO At 01:25 PM 3/20/2010, you wrote: >Hi Gang, > >I have a handsome National RAS-5 that I've been offering for sale, and a >friendly gent in Australia would like to buy it. How should I ship it to >him, and what might it cost? > >I can break the set down to its component parts and ship them >individually, but would it make more sense to try and ship the thing in a >crate? > >I have lots of experience shipping boatanchors, but I've never tried >anything this foolhardy. :) > >Thanks, > > >Tony W8HRO ------------------------------ From: "Bill Hawkins" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: RE: Shipping boatanchors overseas Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:54:23 -0500 Message-ID: <04B3A762609B4733B69C513C80403082@cyrus> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Tony, I recently shipped ~40 pounds to Italy. The USPS told me they could get it to the Italian PO for about $250. I asked my trusted local shipper about it, and learned that Italian PO to destination could take months. The recipient agreed. I let him pack and ship it via DHL on Tuesday for $395. It arrived Friday, and the recipient was very happy. No complaints about shipping costs. I learned that dimensions are as important as weight for cost, and that a carefully worded customs declaration (obsolete parts, no real value here folks, nothing to be concerned about, move along now) helps with delivery. Australia could be another thing altogether (no rabbits in the box, no worries). Bill Hawkins -----Original Message----- From: Tony Schroeder Sent: Saturday, March 20, 2010 12:26 PM To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Shipping boatanchors overseas Hi Gang, I have a handsome National RAS-5 that I've been offering for sale, and a friendly gent in Australia would like to buy it. How should I ship it to him, and what might it cost? I can break the set down to its component parts and ship them individually, but would it make more sense to try and ship the thing in a crate? I have lots of experience shipping boatanchors, but I've never tried anything this foolhardy. :) Thanks, Tony W8HRO ------------------------------ From: WA5CAB@cs.com Message-ID: <50ffa.2309a578.38d6af5b@cs.com> Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:08:11 EDT Subject: Re: Shipping boatanchors overseas To: Old Tube Radios MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="part1_50ffa.2309a578.38d6af5b_boundary" --part1_50ffa.2309a578.38d6af5b_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Australia has a rather small max package size restriction (for USPS - I don't know about other carriers). In a message dated 3/20/2010 4:54:56 PM Central Standard Time, bill@iaxs.net writes: > Australia could be another thing altogether (no rabbits in the box, no > worries). > Robert & Susan Downs - Houston wa5cab dot com (Web Store) MVPA 9480 --part1_50ffa.2309a578.38d6af5b_boundary Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- * * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * * Mail Lists at theporch.com only accept PLAIN TEXT * * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * --part1_50ffa.2309a578.38d6af5b_boundary-- ------------------------------ From: "Jim Garland" <4cx250b@muohio.edu> To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Proof that Boatanchors like to be used Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:53:37 -0600 Message-ID: <028901cac890$f2447920$bd00a8c0@Garland> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable About three years ago, I temporarily =93retired=94 my Viking Valiant to = a shelf in my station. I=92d finished installing an extensive audio mod = (W6BM=92s great ER article: =93Curing that Valiant Sound=94- July 1990) and had it = working perfectly, with full output on all bands and great audio reports. I put = it away to work on my Viking 500. =A0 A few weeks ago I lugged the Valiant off the shelf to use on Classic Exchange and found it had all kinds of troubles: (1) a loud buzz in the audio, and the modulation plate current meter pinned, (2) grid current = way too low. Couldn=92t get more than 1 mA with the drive pot all the way = up. (3) Power output only about 50 Watts; =A0(4) intermittent popping sound from = the innards, with spikey plate current readings.=20 Today, I spent several hours working on the old gal. A bit of checking showed that the HV was only about 470V, and there was 31VAC ripple on = the LV supply. Here are the fixes: (1) both 15uF LV power supply caps (two caps = in one sleeve) were bad. Measured open circuits, zero capacitance. Replaced them with new 22uF caps. (2) One 80uF HV cap was very lossy and ran hot. Replaced both with new 100uF caps. One of the filament wires from a 3B28 = HV rectifier wasn=92t soldered properly to the tube base (responsible for = the spikey plate current). While I had it open, I replaced the power cord = with a three-wire cord and mounted an 8A fuse under the chassis and swapped any electrolytics I hadn=92t already replaced.=A0 Now she works fine. What=92s interesting is that the transmitter had done nothing but sit on = a shelf. It was working fine when I put it there, but had all kinds of problems three years later. I can=92t prove it, but I suspect that had I continued to use it regularly it would have worked fine. 73, Jim W8ZR ------------------------------ From: "Jim Garland" <4cx250b@muohio.edu> To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Proof that Boatanchors like to be used Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:28:27 -0600 Message-ID: <027901cac88d$6ec700c0$bd00a8c0@Garland> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_027A_01CAC85B.242C90C0" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_027A_01CAC85B.242C90C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit About three years ago, I temporarily "retired" my Viking Valiant and set it on the shelf in my station. I'd finished installing an extensive audio mod (W6BM's great ER article: "Curing that Valiant Sound"- July 1990) and had it working perfectly, with full output on all bands and great audio reports. I put it away to work on my Viking 500. A few weeks ago I lugged the Valiant off the shelf to use on Classic Exchange and found it had all kinds of troubles: (1) a loud buzz in the audio, and the modulation plate current meter pinned, (2) grid current way too low. Couldn't get more than 1 mA with the drive pot all the way up. (3) Power output only about 50 Watts; (4) intermittent popping sound from the innards, with spikey plate current readings. Today, I spent several hours working on the old gal. A bit of checking showed that the HV was only about 470V, and there was 31VAC ripple on the LV supply. Here are the fixes: (1) both 15uF LV power supply caps (two caps in one sleeve) were bad. Measured open circuits, zero capacitance. Replaced them with new 22uF caps. (2) One 80uF HV cap was very lossy and ran hot. Replaced both with new 100uF caps. One of the filament wires from a 3B28 HV rectifier wasn't soldered properly to the tube base (responsible for the spikey plate current). While I had it open, I replaced the power cord with a three-wire cord and mounted an 8A fuse under the chassis and swapped any electrolytics I hadn't already replaced. Now she works fine. What's interesting is that the transmitter had done nothing but sit on a shelf. It was working fine when I put it there, but had all kinds of problems three years later. I can't prove it, but I suspect that had I continued to use it regularly it would have worked fine. 73, Jim W8ZR ------=_NextPart_000_027A_01CAC85B.242C90C0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- * * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * * Mail Lists at theporch.com only accept PLAIN TEXT * * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------=_NextPart_000_027A_01CAC85B.242C90C0-- ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4BA571C7.7030808@ec.rr.com> Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:09:27 -0400 From: Al Parker MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Old Tube Radios CC: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: Proof that Boatanchors like to be used Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hi Jim, et al, My theory is, if they sit there and don't get used while you're using another BA, they get jealous, and downright vengeful. They make sure that the next time you want to use them, you will have to spend extra time just "primping them", or more likely, fixing whatever they've schemed up to bother you with. It's happened here more than once, even tho' my stable is much sparser than Jim's. 73, Al, W8UT New Bern, NC www.boatanchors.org www.hammarlund.info "there is nothing -absolutely nothing- half as much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." Ratty, to Mole On 3/20/2010 8:53 PM, Jim Garland wrote: > > > > What’s interesting is that the transmitter had done nothing but sit on a > shelf. It was working fine when I put it there, but had all kinds of > problems three years later. I can’t prove it, but I suspect that had I > continued to use it regularly it would have worked fine. > 73, > Jim W8ZR > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <005d01cac897$7152d030$0f9e480c@KB6NAX> From: "Arden Allen" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: Proof that Boatanchors like to be used Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:40:01 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > About three years ago, I temporarily "retired" my Viking Valiant........ I don't recall ever reading it on the List but one of the most common failures of electrolytic capacitors is caused by internal corrosion. The capacitor opens when one of the aluminum strips, either + or -, that connects the capacitor roll to the outside world opens. The strip is eaten in two by electrolyte caused corrosion. I don't know if regularly using an electrolytic capacitor has a preventive effect. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors, having a definitive wearout mechanism, become useless by one of three conditions: open, shorted, or highly resistive. Arden Allen KB6NAX Adopt a shelter dog, save an innocent life, and make a friend forever =:-) ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4BA58AE3.2080908@comcast.net> Date: Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:56:35 -0400 From: Shriver MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: n-l-n tube designators Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The n-l-n designators were assigned by the Radio Manufacturer's Association (RMA), by the Joint Electron Tube Engineering Council (JETEC). These evolved into EIA (Electronic Industries Association) including the JEDEC (Joint Electron Device Engineering Council). JEDEC handed out 1Nnnnn diode numbers, 2Nnnnn transistor numbers, etc. Semiconductor manufacturers no longer feel it's worth the cost to register device numbers, most now use vendor-specific numbers. There may also be some costs selling a registered part, thus transistors with part numbers like PN2222 (which is a 2N2222 by any other name). On 3/20/2010 10:36 AM, HankVC wrote: > > As I recall, the shift to the n-l-n designators, such as 2A3 and 2A7 > came in 1932. Thus there are the 57/58 2.5 volt pentodes, 77/78 the > same tubes with 6.3 volt heaters, but the 6C6 and 6D6 didn't have 2.5 > volt equivalents. > > ------------------------------ Message-ID: <6E0E86EBFC434BFF8AF76A086CED664D@wilsonspc> From: "Wilson Lamb" To: Old Tube Radios Cc: Subject: Lysco VFO Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:41:48 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit As if the Signal Shifter were not enough to eat all my radio time, I have recently been blessed by the arrival of an apparently quite early Lysco VFO. The case is grey, 6.5"W X 2.25"H X 4.75"D. There is a twinlead output line and a grommet for power input and a small sliderule dial calibrated for 80/40/20/10m. There ia one slide switch on the panel, unser the dial and a knob for frequency setting. There is a label, but the model number is faded. My best guess on the number is 320. I have googled and found the 321, but it's nothing like the one I have. Anyone in BA land have any info on this?? Wilson W4BOH ------------------------------ Message-ID: <1DB8A97AE8134BCDA83533FC0AD77C70@wilsonspc> From: "Wilson Lamb" To: Old Tube Radios Cc: Subject: Lysco VFO Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:34:32 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/mixed; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0007_01CAC9A2.E09904D0" This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01CAC9A2.E09904D0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Well, I couldn't resist the magnetic pull of the little Lysco on my pliers. Here's what's inside, 6J6, 6AK5, 6AK5. I can't yet tell what the switch does. It could be off/on, or a bandswitch. It's odd if it's a bandswitch, because there are four bands and two switch positions. Maybe it multiplies in the string of tubes and puts out all bands at once! There are only two coils. One has more turns and both are connected to variable cap sections, so there's some multiplying and tracking going on. Wilson W4BOH ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01CAC9A2.E09904D0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ---REMAINDER OF MESSAGE TRUNCATED--- * * This post contains a forbidden message format * * (such as an attached file, a v-card, HTML formatting) * * Mail Lists at theporch.com only accept PLAIN TEXT * * If your postings display this message your mail program * * is not set to send PLAIN TEXT ONLY and needs adjusting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------=_NextPart_000_0007_01CAC9A2.E09904D0-- ------------------------------ Message-ID: <4BA77720.60800@aggienetwork.com> Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:56:48 -0500 From: Niel Wiegand MIME-Version: 1.0 To: Old Tube Radios CC: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: Lysco VFO Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Probably leaves it to the transmitter for the multiplication. I bet the VFO output is only on 80 and 40 meters. Niel Wilson Lamb wrote: > Well, I couldn't resist the magnetic pull of the little Lysco on my > pliers. > Here's what's inside, 6J6, 6AK5, 6AK5. > I can't yet tell what the switch does. It could be off/on, or a > bandswitch. It's odd if it's a bandswitch, because there are four > bands and two switch positions. > Maybe it multiplies in the string of tubes and puts out all bands at > once! > There are only two coils. One has more turns and both are connected > to variable cap sections, so there's some multiplying and tracking > going on. > Wilson > W4BOH > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 08:27:30 -0700 To: Old Tube Radios From: Paul Beckwith Subject: Re: Lysco VFO Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Message-Id: <20100322152743.1268110F9E2@relay02.roch.ny.frontiernet.net> To further add to the confusion, I have Models 381 and 381-R, and know nothing about them. 73's de Paul K2LMQ At 05:41 AM 3/22/2010, Wilson Lamb wrote: >As if the Signal Shifter were not enough to eat all my radio time, I >have recently been blessed by the arrival of an apparently quite >early Lysco VFO. The case is grey, 6.5"W X 2.25"H X 4.75"D. There >is a twinlead output line and a grommet for power input and a small >sliderule dial calibrated for 80/40/20/10m. There ia one slide >switch on the panel, unser the dial and a knob for frequency setting. > >There is a label, but the model number is faded. My best guess on >the number is 320. > >I have googled and found the 321, but it's nothing like the one I have. > >Anyone in BA land have any info on this?? > >Wilson >W4BOH ------------------------------ Message-ID: From: "RICHARD GEORGE" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Ranger front panels Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2010 09:40:59 -0700 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Is there anybody that repaints and silk screens Johnson Ranger Front panels. I'm redoing one and the front panel has a bad paint spot. Thanks K6KWQ Dick Amps by "MORE POWER" ------------------------------ Message-ID: <001b01caca9b$dd6dc260$089b67d0@philipphim7bll> From: "PHIL" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: help Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 10:16:49 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings. I have a long time member of the boatanchors message board. Lately I have not been able to post messages on the board. I receiver messages, but I can not post replies. Can you reenter me in your list of subscribers ? Phil McCoy signetics@netzero.com ____________________________________________________________ Love Spell Click here to light up your life with a love spell! http://thirdpartyoffers.netzero.net/TGL2241/c?cp=BVydKQ3QH52v2MQy-ywhXQAAJ1HzgWjJDeSgvRQvHWbzwZdPAAYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARwAAAAA= ------------------------------ Message-ID: <23A57D7573E64CD88EEDA92E8ED7DB86@upstairs> From: "Allan Fritsche" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: SX-62A AGC Woes Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:09:03 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi gang, after a few days of waiting for warm weather, thought I would tackle the problem this morning. Remember I had to ride the sensitivity control on the Broadcast band. I was able to more or less figure out the agc circuit and started checking resistors. About halfway through that process, I noticed a lead with a piece of very old tape on the end. How I had missed this after a total recap, I'll never know. To make a long story short, it was the lead that carried the AGC voltage to the first and second RF stages. I can only figure whoever removed it was looking for better CW reception. Man he should have got a different receiver for that. Hooked back up and all seems well now. What a deal and now to the alignment. Thanks to all that contributed to this restoration effort. Your Friend Al in now Sunny Houston. W5ADF ------------------------------ Message-ID: <027b01cacad2$71681570$1d3ca8c0@office> From: "Paul Christensen" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:47:32 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a recent on-line article by the ARRL, an interesting discussion is presented concerning A. Frederick Collins' 1922 edition of "The Radio Amateur's Handbook." http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2010/03/16/11390/?nc=1 The article also refers to a book review dating back to the February, 1923 issue of QST by S. Kruse, one of the League's early technical advisors. Judging by Kruse's 1923 review, I was expecting a very poorly written handbook. I have later editions of the Collins handbook (ca. 1970, with input I believe from Robert Hertzberg). That handbook in my opinion, is truly is a poor publication that should have never gone to print. My curiosity piqued, I was able to obtain an original 1922 edition of the Handbook, complete with nearly 90 years of mold and mildew. After browsing, it is nowhere near the piece of trash alluded to by Kruse. It's true that much emphasis is given to spark transmission, but Collins also discussed CW transmission as well as presenting a good bit of detail concerning regenerative receivers, despite Kruse's indication to the contrary. Low-loss CW tuners (e.g., 1DH, 1BGF, and Reinartz type) were just beginning to become popular at the time Collins had the book published -- so its understandable that some of the low-loss designs were not ready for discussion in print during 1922 and perhaps 1921 if his work took a year or more to complete. I think if Kruse were around today, it would be important for him to understand the difference between the content contained in a "handbook" and that of an academic textbook. Collins wrote an amateur's handbook, and not a textbook on wireless transmission. Who know what politics were occurring at that time; perhaps Kruse was a bit perturbed that in the introduction of the Handbook, Collins refers to himself as the "Inventor of the wireless telephone," a notation that appears several times in his work. One final comment: Collins dedicates the handbook to "William Marconi," inventor of the wireless telegraph. Was William the "Americanized" version of Marconi's given name? Paul, W9AC ------------------------------ Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v753.1) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed Message-Id: <77F0EB1C-B444-49BF-8DB4-0478CE6046E7@ucalgary.ca> Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit From: Deane McIntyre Subject: Re: The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 16:00:08 -0600 To: Old Tube Radios On 23-Mar-10, at 3:47 PM, Paul Christensen wrote: > > > My curiosity piqued, I was able to obtain an original 1922 edition > of the Handbook, complete with nearly 90 years of mold and mildew. > After browsing, it is nowhere near the piece of trash alluded to by > Kruse. It's true that much emphasis is given to spark > transmission, but Collins also discussed CW transmission as well as > presenting a good bit of detail concerning regenerative receivers, > despite Kruse's indication to the contrary. Low-loss CW tuners > (e.g., 1DH, 1BGF, and Reinartz type) were just beginning to become > popular at the time Collins had the book published -- so its > understandable that some of the low-loss designs were not ready for > discussion in print during 1922 and perhaps 1921 if his work took a > year or more to complete. > This edition (1922) is available online at I have several later editions of this book and agree that it is rather poorly written compared the ARRL or West Coast Handbooks. 73, Deane McIntyre VE6BPO ------------------------------ Message-ID: <8458003AB9064295AEDC74C203FA47B9@gateway> From: "Sandy" To: Old Tube Radios Subject: Re: The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins Date: Tue, 23 Mar 2010 20:12:11 -0500 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1"; reply-type=original Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Is this downloadable as one big file anywhere or must it be done "peacemeal"? 73, Sandy W5TVW ----- Original Message ----- From: "Paul Christensen" To: "Old Tube Radios" Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 4:47 PM Subject: The Radio Amateur's Handbook - A. Frederick Collins > In a recent on-line article by the ARRL, an interesting discussion is > presented concerning A. Frederick Collins' 1922 edition of "The Radio > Amateur's Handbook." > > http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2010/03/16/11390/?nc=1 > > The article also refers to a book review dating back to the February, 1923 > issue of QST by S. Kruse, one of the League's early technical advisors. > Judging by Kruse's 1923 review, I was expecting a very poorly written > handbook. I have later editions of the Collins handbook (ca. 1970, with > input I believe from Robert Hertzberg). That handbook in my opinion, is > truly is a poor publication that should have never gone to print. > > My curiosity piqued, I was able to obtain an original 1922 edition of the > Handbook, complete with nearly 90 years of mold and mildew. After > browsing, > it is nowhere near the piece of trash alluded to by Kruse. It's true that > much emphasis is given to spark transmission, but Collins also discussed > CW > transmission as well as presenting a good bit of detail concerning > regenerative receivers, despite Kruse's indication to the contrary. > Low-loss CW tuners (e.g., 1DH, 1BGF, and Reinartz type) were just > beginning > to become popular at the time Collins had the book published -- so its > understandable that some of the low-loss designs were not ready for > discussion in print during 1922 and perhaps 1921 if his work took a year > or > more to complete. > > I think if Kruse were around today, it would be important for him to > understand the difference between the content contained in a "handbook" > and > that of an academic textbook. Collins wrote an amateur's handbook, and > not > a textbook on wireless transmission. Who know what politics were > occurring > at that time; perhaps Kruse was a bit perturbed that in the introduction > of > the Handbook, Collins refers to himself as the "Inventor of the wireless > telephone," a notation that appears several times in his work. > > One final comment: Collins dedicates the handbook to "William Marconi," > inventor of the wireless telegraph. Was William the "Americanized" > version > of Marconi's given name? > > Paul, W9AC > > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 9.0.791 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2765 - Release Date: 03/23/10 02:33:00 ------------------------------ End of BOATANCHORS Digest 4327 ******************************