Article: 93993 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Tim Wescott Subject: Re: Sony kitchen radio Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 09:18:00 -0700 Message-ID: <11fpitlnandlu75@corp.supernews.com> References: jeplett wrote: > I posted this in the Antenna forum but got no replies, so I thought I'd > try posting it over here in Homebrew and see if anyone can help me. > > I have one of those white under-cabinet Sony kitchen radio / cd > players. The radio uses a digital tuner. They have notoriously poor > radio reception, and the internet is full of posts by people ranting > about how Sony could sell such a poor radio. > > I thought I'd ask you experts if there's anything that can be done to > improve the reception. I understand the power cord is used as the > antenna. I've tried stringing-up an extension cord to the power cord, > with no improved reception. Could I open it up and attach an external > antenna? If so, how would I do this? Any ideas, or experience with this > particular problem? > > Regards, > > In theory you should be able to do so -- you'd have to be able to identify the RF section of the thing and find the capacitors (or whatever) that are being used to couple to the power cord. In practice it may not be the antenna that's the limiting factor -- a crappy receiver is a crappy receiver, no matter what you do with the antenna. You might be able to go as far as putting in an external antenna with a preamp, but you may still not improve the receiver performance, and at that point you may have done enough work to have installed a _good_ receiver into a similar sized cabinet. -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Services http://www.wescottdesign.com Article: 93994 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: dplatt@radagast.org (Dave Platt) Subject: Re: Sony kitchen radio Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 18:50:34 -0000 Message-ID: <11fprrql83bgr63@corp.supernews.com> References: >I thought I'd ask you experts if there's anything that can be done to >improve the reception. I understand the power cord is used as the >antenna. I've tried stringing-up an extension cord to the power cord, >with no improved reception. Could I open it up and attach an external >antenna? If so, how would I do this? Any ideas, or experience with this >particular problem? In radios of this sort that I've seen, the tuner input circuit is usually coupled to the AC powerline in one of two ways. Sometimes, there's a small-value (picofarads or nanofarads) high-voltage capacitor between the tuner input and one side of the power line. In other cases, a wire from the tuner input is wrapped around one of the power-line wires several times (I suspect it's serving as a gimmick capacitor of a few pF). If you can identify the way in which this coupling occurs, you can probably disconnect the tuner input from the line, and bring it out to a separate jack (pin or banana) of some sort. Then, try hooking a few feet of wire to this jack, and see if you can get a stronger signal. -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! Article: 93995 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "JOE" References: <80skf1lkutq3jrc4lhogth32a13d4fptg7@4ax.com> Subject: Re: FA: Yaesu YH-55 Headphones - As New in Box Message-ID: <1123875230.3223785fea96174b8d975eecd4caebb4@meganetnews2> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:33:48 -0700 "Mike Coslo" wrote in message news:SMidnQlwxa07EWffRVn-1A@adelphia.com... > Dave wrote: >> I have this for sale on eBay: >> >> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=5796984738&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1 >> >> Thanks for looking. > > > Dave, you are spamming several newsgroups with this stuff. > FA: posts have no place in rec.radio.amateur antenna, boatanchors, misc, > or equipment. It belongs in swap only. > > Thanks. > > - Mike KB3EIA - Mike - did you just wake up from a 9 year coma or something?? YOU are spamming your hatred of Ebay just as much as he's spamming his ad! If you're so offended, learn to use kill files and you'll never even see the evil awful horrid Ebay ads. Add my name to and you'll never hear >from me again either JOE Article: 93996 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:40:07 -0700 PM: Most of that is fictional... lots of "could have", "should have", "would have" which it suggests though... Computer related hardware/software is where all of the engineers are coming from today. John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:34:33 -0700, Polymath wrote: > What is Ham Radio? > > (Nothing whatsoever to do with Mrs.Nugatory and > her infantile obsessive habits, that's for sure!) > > Ham Radio is a technical pursuit for those who > are interested in the science of radio wave > propagation and who are also interested in the > way that their radios function. It has a long-standing > tradition of providing a source of engineers who > are born naturals. > > Ham Radio awakens in its aficionados a whole-life > fascination with all things technical and gives > an all-abiding curiosity to improve one's scientific > knowledge. It's a great swimming pool, please dive in! > > This excitement causes a wish to share the experience > with ones fellow man, and shows itself in the > gentlemanly traditions of Ham Radio. > > Radio Hams are in a unique privileged position in that > they can construct and operate their own equipment! No-one > else has this privilege. Users, such as broadcasters, > the po lice and armed farces, CBers and mobile phone > users have to purchase ready-made gear. Manufacturers > are not licensed to operate their gear. Radio Hams > are qualified to design, build and then > operate their own pieces of equipment. They do this > with gusto, and also repair and modify their own > equipment. This is a privilege well worth the effort > to gain, and one to be jealously guarded. > > The excitement that drives a Radio Ham starts with > relatively simple technologies at first, perhaps making > his own Wimshurst machine and primary cells. Small pieces > of test equipment follow, possibly multimeters and signal > generators. Then comes receivers and transmitters. It is with > the latter that communication with like-minded technically > motivated people takes off. The scope for technical > development grows with the years > and now encompasses DSP and DDS. There is also a great deal > of excitement in the areas of computer programming to > be learnt and applied. > > The technical excitement motivates Radio Hams to compete > with each other to determine who has designed and manufactured > the best-quality station. This competitiveness is found in DXing, > competitions and fox-hunts. > > -----OOOOO---- > > However, beware! A Ham Radio licence is such a > desirable thing to have that there are large > numbers of people who wish to be thought of > as Radio Hams when, in fact, they are nothing > of the kind! Usually such people are a > variation of the CB Radio hobbyist; they buy their > radios off the shelf and send them back to be > repaired; they are not interested in technical discussion > and sneer at those who are; they have no idea how > their radios work inside and have no wish to find out; > they are free with rather silly personal insults; > they have not satisfied any technical qualification > and their licences prevent the use of > self-designed-and-built equipment. > > These CB types engage in the competitive activities > with their Cheque-Book-purchased off-the-shelf radios > in a forlorn effort to prove that they are Radio Hams. > > No _REAL_ Radio Hams are deceived by such people! Article: 93997 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "John Harper AE5X" References: <1122496543.189741.314810@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: *ORIGINAL* NORCAL NC-20 5-WATT QRP TRANSCEIVER (BUILT) Message-ID: Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 16:03:49 -0400 I have a review of this rig on my website: http://www.ae5x.com/kits.html It was $100 brand new. -- John Harper AE5X Portable QRP: http://www.ae5x.com Article: 93998 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Subject: Re: FA: Yaesu YH-55 Headphones - As New in Box From: Cecil Moore Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 15:52:10 -0500 Message-ID: <1123880086_11361@spool6-east.superfeed.net> References: <80skf1lkutq3jrc4lhogth32a13d4fptg7@4ax.com> <1123875230.3223785fea96174b8d975eecd4caebb4@meganetnews2> JOE wrote: > YOU are spamming your hatred of Ebay just as much as he's spamming > his ad! But hatred of Ebay is not against the usenet posting rules. :-) -- 73, Cecil http://www.qsl.net/w5dxp ----== Posted via Newsfeeds.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==---- http://www.newsfeeds.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! >100,000 Newsgroups ---= East/West-Coast Server Farms - Total Privacy via Encryption =--- Article: 93999 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:43:35 -0700 PM: No, new technology came, amateur radio was too slow to adapt, it began the way of the dodo and has progressed along that course beginning in the late 60's leading right up to today, and continuing... John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:08:30 -0700, Polymath wrote: > If you feel that it is fictional, then it is almost > certain that you are one of the latter-day recruits > whose style is that of CB Radio, the very type that > I warn against. > > Perhaps the horse has already bolted? > > John Smith wrote: >> PM: >> >> Most of that is fictional... lots of "could have", "should have", "would >> have" which it suggests though... >> >> Computer related hardware/software is where all of the engineers are >> coming from today. >> >> John >> >> On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 12:34:33 -0700, Polymath wrote: >> >> > What is Ham Radio? >> > >> > (Nothing whatsoever to do with Mrs.Nugatory and >> > her infantile obsessive habits, that's for sure!) >> > >> > Ham Radio is a technical pursuit for those who >> > are interested in the science of radio wave >> > propagation and who are also interested in the >> > way that their radios function. It has a long-standing >> > tradition of providing a source of engineers who >> > are born naturals. >> > >> > Ham Radio awakens in its aficionados a whole-life >> > fascination with all things technical and gives >> > an all-abiding curiosity to improve one's scientific >> > knowledge. It's a great swimming pool, please dive in! >> > >> > This excitement causes a wish to share the experience >> > with ones fellow man, and shows itself in the >> > gentlemanly traditions of Ham Radio. >> > >> > Radio Hams are in a unique privileged position in that >> > they can construct and operate their own equipment! No-one >> > else has this privilege. Users, such as broadcasters, >> > the po lice and armed farces, CBers and mobile phone >> > users have to purchase ready-made gear. Manufacturers >> > are not licensed to operate their gear. Radio Hams >> > are qualified to design, build and then >> > operate their own pieces of equipment. They do this >> > with gusto, and also repair and modify their own >> > equipment. This is a privilege well worth the effort >> > to gain, and one to be jealously guarded. >> > >> > The excitement that drives a Radio Ham starts with >> > relatively simple technologies at first, perhaps making >> > his own Wimshurst machine and primary cells. Small pieces >> > of test equipment follow, possibly multimeters and signal >> > generators. Then comes receivers and transmitters. It is with >> > the latter that communication with like-minded technically >> > motivated people takes off. The scope for technical >> > development grows with the years >> > and now encompasses DSP and DDS. There is also a great deal >> > of excitement in the areas of computer programming to >> > be learnt and applied. >> > >> > The technical excitement motivates Radio Hams to compete >> > with each other to determine who has designed and manufactured >> > the best-quality station. This competitiveness is found in DXing, >> > competitions and fox-hunts. >> > >> > -----OOOOO---- >> > >> > However, beware! A Ham Radio licence is such a >> > desirable thing to have that there are large >> > numbers of people who wish to be thought of >> > as Radio Hams when, in fact, they are nothing >> > of the kind! Usually such people are a >> > variation of the CB Radio hobbyist; they buy their >> > radios off the shelf and send them back to be >> > repaired; they are not interested in technical discussion >> > and sneer at those who are; they have no idea how >> > their radios work inside and have no wish to find out; >> > they are free with rather silly personal insults; >> > they have not satisfied any technical qualification >> > and their licences prevent the use of >> > self-designed-and-built equipment. >> > >> > These CB types engage in the competitive activities >> > with their Cheque-Book-purchased off-the-shelf radios >> > in a forlorn effort to prove that they are Radio Hams. >> > >> > No _REAL_ Radio Hams are deceived by such people! Article: 94000 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123879014.595584.171910@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:45:24 -0700 AOF: Who? Doctor Who? :| John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:36:54 -0700, an_old_friend wrote: > > Polymath wrote: >> Perhaps even "KB9RQZ" is a CB call sign? > > nope no call signs in CB, at least not in the US > > you are just writing bafflegab to use an expression of one of MY fav > Birtish chacters, the Doctor, of course > > >> >> an_old_friend wrote: >> > Polymath wrote: >> > > If you feel that it is fictional, then it is almost >> > > certain that you are one of the latter-day recruits >> > > whose style is that of CB Radio, the very type that >> > > I warn against. >> > >> > It is fictional as is your charge >> > >> > >> > > >> > > Perhaps the horse has already bolted? >> > > Article: 94001 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:14:52 -0700 PM: Let me give a summary of the "real world." If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware project would most likely be computer related. Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 13:27:42 -0700, Polymath wrote: > Perhaps even "KB9RQZ" is a CB call sign? > > an_old_friend wrote: >> Polymath wrote: >> > If you feel that it is fictional, then it is almost >> > certain that you are one of the latter-day recruits >> > whose style is that of CB Radio, the very type that >> > I warn against. >> >> It is fictional as is your charge >> >> >> > >> > Perhaps the horse has already bolted? >> > Article: 94002 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:43:45 -0700 Chuck: Your text reminds me of some of the "motivational speakers" on TV. I don't dispute it may well be true, for a past age, just not accurate under todays technology and the state amateur radio now exists in... ... yesterday just doesn't matter, today is only useful for being able to plan tomorrow, tomorrow is where it is at! John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:22:02 -0700, Chuck Olson wrote: > > "John Smith" wrote in message > news:pan.2005.08.12.19.40.06.528943@gmail.com... >> PM: >> >> Most of that is fictional... lots of "could have", "should have", "would >> have" which it suggests though... >> >> Computer related hardware/software is where all of the engineers are >> coming from today. >> >> John > > I guess you never put together a crystal set or a 1-tube radio, or designed > your own VFO-controlled transmitter. I did, and from those days in 7th > grade, I knew what I was going to do the rest of my life. By sophomore year > in high school I learned to send and receive Morse Code at 15 WPM so I could > be sure to meet the 13WPM requirement for my Ham license. At 21, my > Engineering education was interrupted by the draft, and I joined the Navy to > become an Electronics Technician and service radar and communications > equipment for 4 years. Resuming my education, I became an Electrical > Engineer and worked in industry for the next 38 years, continuously learning > new things as they became current technology. I was never laid off or a > victim of "reduction in force" through that entire career - - because I was > a "natural" and kept my skills up to meet the needs of my employer. Ham > radio is an excellent start for anyone who has a curiosity and fascination > about electronics, be it represented by radio communications or computers or > industrial control technology. > > I was inspired by Polymath's description of the good effects of ham radio on > its devotees. He should be congratulated on his explanation - - a very > readable and true to life presentation. > > 73, Chuck W6PKP Article: 94003 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "KØHB" References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: <299Le.5388$RS.711@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:12:14 GMT "Polymath" wrote > What is Ham Radio? This message is a VERY brief attempt to explain the hobby and give some pointers on where to get more information. Almost certainly I won't answer all your questions, so feel free to ask for help. Hams are famous for their eagerness to help newcomers. I should also point out that this explanation assumes you live in the USA. Almost every country has hams (amateur radio operators), but each has their own name for the various classes of license, and the test requirements vary from country to country. (First I have to explain something you might not have realized. In doing so, I'm going to paraphrase something written by Steve Ford, WB8IMY, in his introduction to a book entitled "The ARRL Operating Manual".) In case you didn't know, belief in magic is a necessary requirement for all Amateur Radio operators. Of course, you won't see a question concerning magic or metaphysics on the test you take to obtain your license, but in your heart you will come to believe in that powerful, intangible force. All of us in the hobby have felt its influence at one time or another. Some night when the band is dead as a doornail you'll be tuning aimlessly, not expecting to hear a single signal because NOTHING could be coming through at that hour. But then, rising out of the noise like a ghost, there will be a faint call from another stalwart explorer thousands of miles distant. You pounce, establish contact and both of you marvel at the fact that the conversation is taking place at all. A few minutes later, however, the signal vanishes as quickly as it came. Your rational mind will shrug it off as a quirk of propagation, but that little tingle in your gut will tell you otherwise. If you could travel back in time to, say, 1305 AD, you'd probably be burned at the nearest stake for even suggesting that two human beings could communicate with each other over great distances without a physical connection. No doubt they would accuse you of dabbling in magic -- and they'd be right! As Amateur Radio operators, we work feats of magic every day. Many of us have become jaded about our powers and we tend to dismiss them as commonplace. We hardly think twice when we use our equipment to sommon the elemental forces of the universe. But every so often we need to pause and remind ourselves of what we are really doing. We need to remember the essence of what drew us to our unusual avocation in the first place: the wonderful magic of wireless communications. So how can YOU become a magician? First, you need to prepare to obtain a Magicians License. The Federal Communications Commission calls them Amateur Radio Operator Licenses, and they come in 3 "classes". The Technician class license, is currently the most popular class, providing the "first taste of magic" to most new licensees. There is no Morse code examination for this license, and the written examination is not considered difficult by most applicants. The frequency bands for this license are largely "local" in nature. (You can gain access to some "long distance" bands if you pass a slow (5 words per minute) Morse examination, but this option may soon be history if a recent FCC is adopted.) The other two classes of license are General and Extra. These two classes have access to portions of all amateur bands, with progressively more difficult exams, and a requirement requirement to pass a 5 word per minute Morse code exam. To prepare for the exams you will need some study material and more information about classes, examination points (the exams are given by volunteer Hams in your community), and clubs in your area. A number of organizations will be more than willing to help. One such organization is the American Radio Relay League. They are on the Web at http://www.arrl.org. Or you can write them at: ARRL 225 Main Street Newington, CT 06111 or call them at 1-800-32NEWHAM Ask for their "Prospective Ham Package". It will include more detailed information, a list of classes and clubs in your area, and a list of scheduled examinations in your area. Include your ZIP code in your query so they can send you info tailored for your location. If you are near a Radio Shack store, go there and ask for a book entitled "Now You're Talking". This book is also available from the ARRL. It contains all the information you need, including study material and sample questions for the examination for the Technician license. Good luck, and welcome to the "magical" hobby. Regards, Hans, K0HB Article: 94004 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Trying to be a real ham! Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:18:30 GMT On 12 Aug 2005 12:34:33 -0700, "Polymath" wrote: they are nothing >of the kind! Usually such people are a >variation of the CB Radio hobbyist... Actually it was CB band competition between a friend and I combined with my desire to understand radio that turned me in to a ham. When I was back in school my friend and I started trying to see who could put out the strongest signal. His father bought him an amplifier to get over me. I was not going to ask my parents for an amplifier, and I did not have any money to buy one since I was a full time student. I had heard the phrase "Knowledge is power", so I decided if I could not buy a bigger amp to get over my friend I would have to out smart him with brain power. I went to the school library and started reading radio handbooks like Bill Orr's handbook. When a radio repair tech at the local ham store realized I truly wanted to learn the science of radio he gave me a copy of the 1983 ARRL handbook for free (it was 1984 at the time). I read that book until it fell apart. Then I bought another ARRL radio book, and then another radio book, and then another radio book. I'm still doing that all these years later. The radios I talk on (a Tempo 2020, Drake 4 B line twins, Yaesu FT-101ee, and a Midland 79-892 40 channel sideband CB) were all someone else's broken door stop. None of them worked when I bought them. I repaired them all, and I made most of my antennas. When I talk on those old radios part of me smiles, because I know the only reason those radios are still working is because I put them back on the air. Anyway after deciding to ignore all the CB radio folklore I had heard on the CB back in the 1970s and early 1980s, I learned the truth about radio from reading the ARRL handbooks. I quickly became the strongest CB station on the airways, and much of that was with self taught radio know how. A local ham noticed I was emerging from the CB pack as a potential ham, and he started talking to me about ham radio. I aced the 5 wpm Morse code test three weeks after listening to my first ARRL code tape, and I don't even like Morse code. I aced all my exams, my 13 WPM code test, and now I am an Advanced class ham. When I passed my Advanced written test a bunch old timers circled around the VE examiners desk looking for a mistake on my test, but there was none to be found. I made a perfect score, and out of all my test I only missed one question. One of the reasons I have not taken the Extra test is because the old timers spit on the new no code Extra. I'm proud of my Advanced class license, and I would not take kindly to an old timer spitting on me if I had the new no code Extra. In the past I used older equipment because I could not afford anything else. Now I can afford the best, but I find myself poking around in the old tube types and tube hybrids, because I don't know if I can service the new surface mount technology stuff. If all I could do was talk on the radio that would take all the fun out of it for me. I think the best compliment I ever received on the ham bands was when an old timer listened to all the things I was building and doing and he said; "You are a true ham". That phrase from an old timer meant more to me than any signal report or any DX contact. I am a true ham, and I started on the CB band back in the 1970s just like most other hams my age. I am not ashamed of my CB heritage. The truth is I had a blast on the CB band back then. Michael Rawls KS4HY Article: 94005 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Jason" Subject: Bigfoot sighting & photo Message-ID: Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 23:26:26 GMT Another Bigfoot sighting has been reported in Oklahoma. A newspaper business information web site has the latest photo image. See what you think. You can see it at: http://www.newspaper-info.com Click on the "Bigfoot" link. JJ Article: 94006 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 16:31:21 -0700 Michael: Thanks for your post. (A real "BLAST-FROM-THE-PAST!") Back in the 70's, on CB, some of the best radio years of my whole life where there... I miss them... (there was a "rubber duck" under every rock--we still got "mud ducks" though :) Amateur radio has changed too, the bands are not as interesting... the personalities stagnant and without humor, without fun, without excitement, without youngsters, without harmless pranks, without mystery. Bunch of old guys attempting to play "James Bond", "secret agent" and attempting more structure to communication than the NSA uses! :( I hope-against-hope the good old days of radio will return, but, I would like it to do so on new technology... some of us which remember the old CB days (days when even, good, hams had cb rigs!--or, we made do with 10 meter equip. ) are on ch. 38-39 LSB (27.385, 27.395) in the central valley of calif, we are a stagnant number, be nice to have the company. Lot of mobiles so they escape the harassment of hams still waging the "old war." If you mention your call, be prepared to take some kidding... If you ever get an opportunity--come join us! Real CB still lives in isolated pockets! John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 22:18:30 +0000, Trying to be a real ham! wrote: > On 12 Aug 2005 12:34:33 -0700, "Polymath" > wrote: > > they are nothing >>of the kind! Usually such people are a >>variation of the CB Radio hobbyist... > > Actually it was CB band competition between a friend and I combined > with my desire to understand radio that turned me in to a ham. When I > was back in school my friend and I started trying to see who could put > out the strongest signal. His father bought him an amplifier to get > over me. I was not going to ask my parents for an amplifier, and I > did not have any money to buy one since I was a full time student. I > had heard the phrase "Knowledge is power", so I decided if I could not > buy a bigger amp to get over my friend I would have to out smart him > with brain power. > I went to the school library and started reading radio handbooks > like Bill Orr's handbook. When a radio repair tech at the local ham > store realized I truly wanted to learn the science of radio he gave me > a copy of the 1983 ARRL handbook for free (it was 1984 at the time). > I read that book until it fell apart. Then I bought another ARRL > radio book, and then another radio book, and then another radio book. > I'm still doing that all these years later. The radios I talk on (a > Tempo 2020, Drake 4 B line twins, Yaesu FT-101ee, and a Midland 79-892 > 40 channel sideband CB) were all someone else's broken door stop. None > of them worked when I bought them. I repaired them all, and I made > most of my antennas. When I talk on those old radios part of me > smiles, because I know the only reason those radios are still working > is because I put them back on the air. > Anyway after deciding to ignore all the CB radio folklore I had > heard on the CB back in the 1970s and early 1980s, I learned the truth > about radio from reading the ARRL handbooks. I quickly became the > strongest CB station on the airways, and much of that was with self > taught radio know how. > A local ham noticed I was emerging from the CB pack as a potential > ham, and he started talking to me about ham radio. I aced the 5 wpm > Morse code test three weeks after listening to my first ARRL code > tape, and I don't even like Morse code. I aced all my exams, my 13 > WPM code test, and now I am an Advanced class ham. When I passed my > Advanced written test a bunch old timers circled around the VE > examiners desk looking for a mistake on my test, but there was none to > be found. I made a perfect score, and out of all my test I only missed > one question. > One of the reasons I have not taken the Extra test is because the > old timers spit on the new no code Extra. I'm proud of my Advanced > class license, and I would not take kindly to an old timer spitting on > me if I had the new no code Extra. > In the past I used older equipment because I could not afford > anything else. Now I can afford the best, but I find myself poking > around in the old tube types and tube hybrids, because I don't know if > I can service the new surface mount technology stuff. If all I could > do was talk on the radio that would take all the fun out of it for me. > I think the best compliment I ever received on the ham bands was > when an old timer listened to all the things I was building and doing > and he said; "You are a true ham". That phrase from an old timer > meant more to me than any signal report or any DX contact. I am a > true ham, and I started on the CB band back in the 1970s just like > most other hams my age. I am not ashamed of my CB heritage. The > truth is I had a blast on the CB band back then. > > Michael Rawls > KS4HY Article: 94007 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Frank" References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 01:58:12 GMT > I hope-against-hope the good old days of radio will return, but, I would > like it to do so on new technology... some of us which remember the old > CB days (days when even, good, hams had cb rigs!--or, we made do with 10 > meter equip. ) are on ch. 38-39 LSB (27.385, 27.395) in the central > valley of calif, we are a stagnant number, be nice to have the company. > Lot of mobiles so they escape the harassment of hams still waging the > "old war." If you mention your call, be prepared to take some kidding... > > If you ever get an opportunity--come join us! Real CB still lives in > isolated pockets! > > John You ever get on 40 m John? Often on Sunday evenings around 7168 +/-. 73, Frank PS I thought this was a Brit N.G. Article: 94008 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 19:19:51 -0700 Dee: You know you have won a soft-spot in my heart now, and I always wanna "take-the-gloves-off" when replying to your posts, and I would, except you would take it as an insult and never forgive me... Yes, there are people like that in the world. Indeed, the top of the bell-curve are those with an IQ of 100-110 (barely intelligent enough not to drool on their work.) If your company/corp is interning them, you really should look for a position elsewhere, but you knew that... John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 21:04:16 -0400, Dee Flint wrote: > > "John Smith" wrote in message > news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... >> PM: >> >> Let me give a summary of the "real world." >> >> If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. >> >> In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country >> and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to >> IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... >> >> By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language >> and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware >> project would most likely be computer related. >> >> Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them >> using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack >> the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by >> transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and >> you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current >> technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider >> what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... >> >> John >> > > The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they > just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. > Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for > upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware > upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" > that you seem to despise so. > > I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, > etc. > > Dee D. Flint, N8UZE Article: 94009 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Fri, 12 Aug 2005 19:31:40 -0700 Sneaky Frank: I often listen to "Bell's Bunch" on 3.840, once in a great while--bore them with comment or two of mine (I make fun of AB and Wayne Greene--but kinda like 'em both. ) I just punched ~7168 into memory of the rig and will take a peek... I think you can tell, I am an easy mark, if the conversation is provocative, interesting and civilized... maybe... that is hard to find today, yanno, good conversation... Thank you for the invitation, I am honored to be asked... John On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 01:58:12 +0000, Frank wrote: >> I hope-against-hope the good old days of radio will return, but, I would >> like it to do so on new technology... some of us which remember the old >> CB days (days when even, good, hams had cb rigs!--or, we made do with 10 >> meter equip. ) are on ch. 38-39 LSB (27.385, 27.395) in the central >> valley of calif, we are a stagnant number, be nice to have the company. >> Lot of mobiles so they escape the harassment of hams still waging the >> "old war." If you mention your call, be prepared to take some kidding... >> >> If you ever get an opportunity--come join us! Real CB still lives in >> isolated pockets! >> >> John > > You ever get on 40 m John? Often on Sunday evenings around 7168 +/-. > > 73, > > Frank > > PS I thought this was a Brit N.G. Article: 94010 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "hilbert" Subject: motormovies Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 08:59:00 +0200 Message-ID: I got a lot off motormovies online all for free come watch them on www.kawagpx.cjb.net Hilbert Article: 94011 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Jock Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 11:32:00 +0000 Message-ID: <9fmrf1d6mnnp7dpcb45kmgppggd350n77p@4ax.com> References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:14:52 -0700, John Smith wrote: >By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language >and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware >project would most likely be computer related. > >Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You don't need the internet for that; practically any butcher's shop will do. (Jewish and Muslim ones excepted). 73 de Jock. -- If the Yank religious nuts believe in intelligent creation, why George W. Bush? Article: 94012 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Frank" References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: <%flLe.133849$wr.67700@clgrps12> Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 11:58:51 GMT Ok John, most of my ham friends are in Southern CA, and some are mobile, so it is a heck of a struggle to copy them at times on 40 m. It would be nice to receive a good signal up here in Calgary. My antenna is just a low dipole, with 1.5kW, and they all seem to hear me just fine. Guess you mean Art Bell. Have not heard him (or Wayne Green -- is he in CA?) on 75, but have heard his splatter on 40m. Our sked is kind of tentative, and sometimes nobody shows up. I am usually around from about 7PM Pacific time. 73, Frank "John Smith" wrote in message news:pan.2005.08.13.02.31.37.689809@gmail.com... > Sneaky Frank: > > I often listen to "Bell's Bunch" on 3.840, once in a great while--bore > them with comment or two of mine (I make fun of AB and Wayne Greene--but > kinda like 'em both. ) I just punched ~7168 into memory of the rig > and will take a peek... > > I think you can tell, I am an easy mark, if the conversation is > provocative, interesting and civilized... maybe... that is hard to find > today, yanno, good conversation... > > Thank you for the invitation, I am honored to be asked... > > John > > On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 01:58:12 +0000, Frank wrote: > >>> I hope-against-hope the good old days of radio will return, but, I would >>> like it to do so on new technology... some of us which remember the old >>> CB days (days when even, good, hams had cb rigs!--or, we made do with 10 >>> meter equip. ) are on ch. 38-39 LSB (27.385, 27.395) in the >>> central >>> valley of calif, we are a stagnant number, be nice to have the company. >>> Lot of mobiles so they escape the harassment of hams still waging the >>> "old war." If you mention your call, be prepared to take some >>> kidding... >>> >>> If you ever get an opportunity--come join us! Real CB still lives in >>> isolated pockets! >>> >>> John >> >> You ever get on 40 m John? Often on Sunday evenings around 7168 +/-. >> >> 73, >> >> Frank >> >> PS I thought this was a Brit N.G. > Article: 94013 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Roger Leone" References: Subject: Re: Can 6146B tubes be used in GG (grounded grid)? Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 17:20:31 GMT There are several considerations when choosing a tube for grounded grid (GG) operation. One of the most important is whether all of the grid connections are available on the base of the tube. In the case of the 6146 (including the A, B, etc variations), some are not. The control and screen grids come out to pins on the base of the tube, so they could be connected to ground. But the beam forming structure (identified as grid #3 on most diagrams) is internally connected to the cathode. You cannot ground it without grounding the cathode (and vice versa). In GG configuration, the cathode gets the RF drive so it cannot also be gounded. Because of this internal connection, the 6146 is not a good candidate for GG operation. This factor also explains why you may see GG amplifiers using certain sweep tubes like the 6JB6, 6KD6, and 6LF6. They have all their grid connections available at the tube base and none are internally connected to the cathode. Other sweep tubes like the 6HF5, which have internal connections to the cathode, are not suitable for GG operations. Having said this, I should also point out that not all tubes with access to their grids at the base are good candidates for GG operation. Among other factors are the necessity for biasing. The tubes usually chosen for grounded grid operation require little or no DC bias voltage to limit plate current and set the class of operation. An example of a tube not usually seen in grounded grid configuration is the 4CX250 series. None of its grids is internally connected to the cathode, but in order to run it in grounded grid configuration, you must still supply bias and screen voltages. Which means it is no easier to make into a GG amp than a grid driven (grounded cathode) amp. One big advantage of GG amplifiers is they usually avoid the need for bias and screen supplies. Also, the class of operation, such as AB2 which you mentioned, is not limited to grounded cathode operation. You can have a GG amp running class AB2. The class of operation is determined by the portion of the RF cycle that causes the plate current of the amplifier tube to vary. For example, in a class A amplifier, plate current is always flowing; even during the most negative voltage peak of the RF cycle. The tube is conducting for the full 360 degrees of the RF cycle and is varying in accordance with the drive signal. In class C operation (used mostly for FM, CW and plate modulated AM modes), plate current flows during only the most positive peaks of the RF drive signal and is cut off during most of the RF cycle. The output of the tube is a series of pulses which are not a representation of the drive signal, so Class C is not a "linear" mode of operation. There is more to this, obviously. You should read though the "Transmitting" chapters of any copy of the Radio Amateurs Handbook. Good luck, Roger K6XQ Article: 94014 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Jeff James" Subject: Buy and Sell your Tube Gear! Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 19:34:45 -0400 You never know what you'll find.. http://www.dealamerica.com/deal/cgi-bin/ads/bcads.cgi FREE ads Dedicated to Vintage Amateur Radio... Article: 94015 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Ken Scharf Subject: Re: Can 6146B tubes be used in GG (grounded grid)? References: Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 20:45:08 -0400 Roger Leone wrote: > There are several considerations when choosing a tube for grounded grid > (GG) operation. One of the most important is whether all of the grid > connections are available on the base of the tube. In the case of the 6146 > (including the A, B, etc variations), some are not. The control and screen > grids come out to pins on the base of the tube, so they could be connected > to ground. But the beam forming structure (identified as grid #3 on most > diagrams) is internally connected to the cathode. You cannot ground it > without grounding the cathode (and vice versa). In GG configuration, the > cathode gets the RF drive so it cannot also be gounded. Because of this > internal connection, the 6146 is not a good candidate for GG operation. > > This factor also explains why you may see GG amplifiers using certain sweep > tubes like the 6JB6, 6KD6, and 6LF6. They have all their grid connections > available at the tube base and none are internally connected to the cathode. > Other sweep tubes like the 6HF5, which have internal connections to the > cathode, are not suitable for GG operations. > > Having said this, I should also point out that not all tubes with access to > their grids at the base are good candidates for GG operation. Among other > factors are the necessity for biasing. The tubes usually chosen for > grounded grid operation require little or no DC bias voltage to limit plate > current and set the class of operation. An example of a tube not usually > seen in grounded grid configuration is the 4CX250 series. None of its grids > is internally connected to the cathode, but in order to run it in grounded > grid configuration, you must still supply bias and screen voltages. Which > means it is no easier to make into a GG amp than a grid driven (grounded > cathode) amp. One big advantage of GG amplifiers is they usually avoid the > need for bias and screen supplies. > > Also, the class of operation, such as AB2 which you mentioned, is not > limited to grounded cathode operation. You can have a GG amp running class > AB2. The class of operation is determined by the portion of the RF cycle > that causes the plate current of the amplifier tube to vary. For example, > in a class A amplifier, plate current is always flowing; even during the > most negative voltage peak of the RF cycle. The tube is conducting for the > full 360 degrees of the RF cycle and is varying in accordance with the drive > signal. In class C operation (used mostly for FM, CW and plate modulated > AM modes), plate current flows during only the most positive peaks of the RF > drive signal and is cut off during most of the RF cycle. The output of the > tube is a series of pulses which are not a representation of the drive > signal, so Class C is not a "linear" mode of operation. > > There is more to this, obviously. You should read though the "Transmitting" > chapters of any copy of the Radio Amateurs Handbook. > > Good luck, > > Roger K6XQ > > One advantage of "cathode driven tetrode" (where normal grid bias and screen voltage are applied) is that you get higher power gain and usually don't need to neutralize the amplifier (technically it is IMPOSSIBLE to neutralize a ground grid amplifier anyway). Some brands of 807 and 1625 tubes had the beam deflection plates brought out via a separate wire through the glass which was connected to the cathode outside the bulb. It was possible to remove the base and then connect this lead to it's own pin (on the 1625, or on the 807 by changing the base to one with more pins), or connect it to the screen or control grid so the tube would work in GG. Thus modified the 807 / 1625 made a good gg tube. It's also possible this was true with some brands of 6L6 tubes as well. The 814 and 813 transmitting tubes also can be used in GG operation, they have the beam deflection plates brought out to it's own pin on the base. 4CX150 and 250 series tubes work VERY well in "cathode drive tetrode" operation. Too bad the price of these tubes is now so high, even in surplus. Article: 94016 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Ken Scharf Subject: Re: Qst Jan 1990 article References: <1123732461.397640.159420@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 20:52:38 -0400 Nobody wrote: > Does anyone have a copy of article in QST January 1990 titled > > CRYSTAL TESTER FOR F, Q, AND R BY W1FB? > > If so, could you scan it and email me a copy? > > Thanks, > > Tim AA6DQ > aa6dq@arrl.net > The article is available in both the QST view cd set for 1990-1994, and in the arrl periodicals cd for that year. In the former it's a bunch of .TIFF files, in the latter it's in a .pdf file. If anyone has either of these cd sets they could email it to you, you might want to buy one of those cd's if there is anything else in the collections you'd like to have. BTW I can convert the .tiff files to a .pdf file, (using open office, MS word can probably do it also) but I only own the 1914-1929 and 1930-1939 QST views at the moment. One of these days I'm going to have to get some later ones (I bought the early ones to do some radio history research). Article: 94017 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Kim" References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123975546.034763.16870@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 02:28:02 GMT wrote in message news:1123975546.034763.16870@g44g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... > Bravo Chuck. Right on! > > Harry C. > Oh...now *that* has my curiosity up... ;) Kim W5TIT Article: 94018 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Newbie Ham Subject: Radio problem Message-ID: Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 22:42:52 -0400 Hi Everybody I hope this isn't the wrong place to ask. if it is, please let me know where I should post. I have a Kenwood TS50 installed on a boat with a SGC autotuner. The tuner is grounded to a dynaplate. I also have a 2000watt inverter/charger built into the boat for ac power creation from 12v batteries. Something strange is going on and I jusr don't know where to start trouble shooting. When I transmit on frequencies like 14300MHZ usb, no problem. If I transmit on 7628 LSB 100watts the FET's in my inverter blow up! As soon as I key the mike I hear a loud pop and there goes another fet. I've changed them twice now and since the inverter is bolted into an awkward spot and weighs 70 pounds (it's all transformer), removing the inverter and changing them ain't fun. Tonight I went so far as to disconnect (as in unplug) the AC supply to the inverter and switch it completely off. As in no LEDS lit, everything off. Yet as soon as I keyed the mic, POOF. The fets just blew apart. Any thoughts as to what might be happening? FWIW, the coax from radio to tuner runs within about 2 feet of the inverter, the radio and tuner are powered from the batteries which power the inverter. So the inverter and radio share Pos. and Neg. I can only think of a few ways this might be happening: 1) Radiated signal from the coax leaking into the inverter. 2) Radiated signal passing into the inverter via the shared positive or negative feeds. 3) Some weird ground loop issue. I have no ideas as to how to diagnose this and trouble shoot it without having to replace fets everytime. And that's a big job. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Article: 94019 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Subject: Re: Radio problem From: Ed References: Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 03:12:17 GMT I can't offer much help, but I would think that you ought to try this with a dummy load instead of the antenna; Dummy load hooked directly to the radio. If nothing else, it would tell you whether you have a DC voltage/grounding problem, or an RF problem. Ed K7AAT Article: 94020 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Roy Lewallen Subject: Re: Radio problem Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 20:26:14 -0700 Message-ID: <11fteeo89s870de@corp.supernews.com> References: Here's what I think is happening. On 40 meters, the path from the tuner back along the outside of the coax to the rig is about as attractive to RF as the dynaplate, so a good fraction of the RF current being fed to the antenna goes that way. On 20 meters, the dynaplate is relatively more attractive due to a combination of the dynaplate impedance, antenna input impedance, and coax length, so more goes to the dynaplate and less along the coax. The RF current goes along the outside of the feedline to the rig, over the outside of the rig, and into your inverter via the power leads. There are a couple of ways you can reduce the problem: 1. Put one or more good current baluns (common mode chokes) in the coax feedline. If you just put one in, I'd put it at the rig, to force the current there to be minimal. 2. Put a common mode choke in the power cable to the rig. Because the wires are pretty large, it's probably not practical to wrap multiple turns around a single ferrite core. So get some large clamp-on cores you can clamp over both conductors at the same time. It's likely to take a dozen or so, or more depending on the type of ferrite. I recommend type 43, or 70-series if you can find it in clamp-on cores. 3. Apply the same kind of choke to the inverter power leads from the battery. What you're doing here is to create a high impedance to common mode current along the path from the tuner to the inverter. If you'd like a quantitative measure of how bad a problem you've got and how effective any solution is (or if this is really the problem), get a clamp-on ferrite core you can clamp over the coax line or the power leads to the rig. Wind about 10 turns to make a transformer secondary winding -- the primary will be the wire passing through the clamped core. Connect the winding through a series capacitor of around 0.001 to 0.01 uF to a shunt diode (any small signal type will do), and then to a voltmeter: ----| |----.---- cap | from winding _|_ to meter diode /\ | -----------.---- Sorry, I'm not very good with ASCII art. . . Clamp this onto the coax or over both power leads. The meter reading will be approximately proportional to the amount of RF current. The object is to minimize it. Roy Lewallen, W7EL Newbie Ham wrote: > Hi Everybody > > I hope this isn't the wrong place to ask. if it is, please let me know > where I should post. > > I have a Kenwood TS50 installed on a boat with a SGC autotuner. The > tuner is grounded to a dynaplate. > > I also have a 2000watt inverter/charger built into the boat for ac power > creation from 12v batteries. > > Something strange is going on and I jusr don't know where to start > trouble shooting. > > When I transmit on frequencies like 14300MHZ usb, no problem. > > If I transmit on 7628 LSB 100watts the FET's in my inverter blow up! As > soon as I key the mike I hear a loud pop and there goes another fet. > > I've changed them twice now and since the inverter is bolted into an > awkward spot and weighs 70 pounds (it's all transformer), removing the > inverter and changing them ain't fun. > > Tonight I went so far as to disconnect (as in unplug) the AC supply to > the inverter and switch it completely off. As in no LEDS lit, everything > off. > > Yet as soon as I keyed the mic, POOF. The fets just blew apart. > > Any thoughts as to what might be happening? > > FWIW, the coax from radio to tuner runs within about 2 feet of the > inverter, the radio and tuner are powered from the batteries which power > the inverter. So the inverter and radio share Pos. and Neg. > > I can only think of a few ways this might be happening: > > 1) Radiated signal from the coax leaking into the inverter. > 2) Radiated signal passing into the inverter via the shared positive or > negative feeds. > 3) Some weird ground loop issue. > > I have no ideas as to how to diagnose this and trouble shoot it without > having to replace fets everytime. And that's a big job. > > Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Article: 94021 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: dplatt@radagast.org (Dave Platt) Subject: Re: Radio problem Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 03:57:54 -0000 Message-ID: <11ftga2330im66c@corp.supernews.com> References: In article , Newbie Ham wrote: >1) Radiated signal from the coax leaking into the inverter. >2) Radiated signal passing into the inverter via the shared positive or >negative feeds. >3) Some weird ground loop issue. > >I have no ideas as to how to diagnose this and trouble shoot it without >having to replace fets everytime. And that's a big job. > >Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Could be any of the three paths, or more than one at once... conducted vs. radiated is an interesting question, but perhaps a bit academic. All of your equipment is going to be in the near field of the antenna/ground system, I think, and so you're going to be ending up with RF pretty much everywhere. If I had to guess, I'd guess that your inverter may have some sort of half-bridge / push-pull switching circuitry. The RF getting into the system is switching both sides of the push-pull drive into conduction at the same time (a few volts of RF on the gates of the FETs could do it) and shorting the supply through the FETs. The fact that the RF was able to blow the FETs with the inverter switched off suggests to me that it may be a fairly direct, local pickup of RF onto the gates which did the damage. With the inverter switched off, its controller wouldn't have been driving the FET(s) at all. As to how to prevent it from happening again... my guess is that your best bet is going to be to add heavy-duty RF filtering to both the DC inputs, and the AC load, and make the invert case as RF-tight as possible. I'm not sure whether it'd be possible to add snubbers, ferrites, etc. on the FET gate leads themselves to keep the RF from triggering them... the inverter design may require driving the FETs quite fast to achieve proper control of the voltage. Figuring this out would require a schematic and some study of the design. It might be worth sniffing around inside the inverter with a grid dip meter, with the power completely disconnected and everything unplugged. You might get lucky and find a portion of the circuitry that's actually resonant at around the frequency at which you're having trouble. If so, spoiling the Q of this resonance might reduce or eliminate the problem. -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! Article: 94022 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Sat, 13 Aug 2005 20:05:05 -0700 Chuck: You ask me if I ever put ham gear together from old radios, tv's and army surplus equip., Yes, gobs... my uncle had a chain of army surplus stores. Most of that equip you just took to the air... But, born right around 1950, I got in on the tail end of tubes. In the late 60's we were already attempting to run transistors with multi-parallel-push-pull circuits to get higher outputs on low HF. The 70's provided some decent high power transistors, in the 70's seen a lot of hybrid equip (tube/transistor), in the 80's-90's mainly transistors, even multi-KW linears designed around transistors. Now I awaiting the next generation equip., you see it in commercial and industrial use, but very rarely in amateur shacks. Now I play with single chip wide band oscillators... buffers, amps and finals in personal experiments, all transistor. The tube, except for greater than 2KW linears/transmitters is pretty much dead... most new homebrew amps I see are using the russian tubes, cheap if you get the right source... but the filament draw on those big amps can heat a shack! Just look at the number of hams still running the old tube equip. henry 2KW linears, drakes, heathkits, hallicrafters, gonset, johnson, etc.... although a lot of it is still in use, it isn't built anymore... some hams just haven't adapted to building with transistors... don't ask me why... What does spark-gap transmitters, crystal radios, regenerative, TRF, etc have to do with today? Collectors items? Junk sold at hamfests? Most high power stuff is custom made mosfet, or commercial adapted to amateur use--if you are into homebrew... John On Fri, 12 Aug 2005 14:22:02 -0700, Chuck Olson wrote: > > "John Smith" wrote in message > news:pan.2005.08.12.19.40.06.528943@gmail.com... >> PM: >> >> Most of that is fictional... lots of "could have", "should have", "would >> have" which it suggests though... >> >> Computer related hardware/software is where all of the engineers are >> coming from today. >> >> John > > I guess you never put together a crystal set or a 1-tube radio, or designed > your own VFO-controlled transmitter. I did, and from those days in 7th > grade, I knew what I was going to do the rest of my life. By sophomore year > in high school I learned to send and receive Morse Code at 15 WPM so I could > be sure to meet the 13WPM requirement for my Ham license. At 21, my > Engineering education was interrupted by the draft, and I joined the Navy to > become an Electronics Technician and service radar and communications > equipment for 4 years. Resuming my education, I became an Electrical > Engineer and worked in industry for the next 38 years, continuously learning > new things as they became current technology. I was never laid off or a > victim of "reduction in force" through that entire career - - because I was > a "natural" and kept my skills up to meet the needs of my employer. Ham > radio is an excellent start for anyone who has a curiosity and fascination > about electronics, be it represented by radio communications or computers or > industrial control technology. > > I was inspired by Polymath's description of the good effects of ham radio on > its devotees. He should be congratulated on his explanation - - a very > readable and true to life presentation. > > 73, Chuck W6PKP Article: 94023 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 00:19:00 -0400 From: -ex- Subject: Re: Foxhole Radio References: <1123990723.074219.104240@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Sgt. Schultz wrote: > How do you build a foxhole radio? I saw a few plans on the internet, > but I don't understand them. I have read that you can use a telephone > receiver instead of crystal earphones. Is this true? Also, is it > possible to make a version without the razor blade? Sorry if I sound > stupid here. I am not an expert with radio. Thanks in advance. > The intent of a "foxhole" radio was a real-world example of how to build a functional receiver under the worst of conditions and limitations. That implies using components that will "get by" in a pinch. Basically you're referring to a plain old crystal detector set. Yes, a 1N34A diode will work much better than a razor blade and hi-z phones will work better than a telephone headset. But they didn't have hi-z phones and 1N34A diodes available in the foxholes and prison camps of WW2 and thats the legacy of the "foxhole radio". Building one is an interesting exercise and may provide some learning experience as well as a baseline comparison for *any* other type of radio receiver. The more interesting part of such a radio is your imagination if you can imagine yourself under the same conditions totally isolated from the outside world of news and how important such a thing could be. The downside is that the old-timey razor blades are no more. Read up on the techniques to modify newer blades...heat, corrosion, etc. GL, Bill Article: 94024 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Alt Beer" References: <1123732461.397640.159420@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: Qst Jan 1990 article Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 07:34:10 GMT "Ken Scharf" wrote in message news:XzwLe.8550$Rm3.1035@bignews4.bellsouth.net... > Nobody wrote: > > Does anyone have a copy of article in QST January 1990 titled > > > > CRYSTAL TESTER FOR F, Q, AND R BY W1FB? > > > > If so, could you scan it and email me a copy? > > > > Thanks, > > > > Tim AA6DQ > > aa6dq@arrl.net The W1FB article is included as a help file in AADE's free filter design software. http://www.aade.com Article: 94025 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Reg Edwards" Subject: New Program. L-match Networks. Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 09:05:37 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: Occasionally it may be useful to deduce the value of the terminating impedance of an L-match network when only the values of the coil (uH) and capacitor (pF) and the frequency are known. Program L_NETWK does exactly that. The terminating impedance is often the input impedance of the transmission line leading to an antenna when an impedance measuring device is not available. Whereas it is possible to estimate the values of the coil and capacitor settings from a visual examination. The L and C components having been set by using the SWR meter or TLI. The program also assists with assessing the range of terminating impedances which can be accomodated by a given L-tuner. Without such assistance a considerable strain is placed on an ordinary person's imagination. Download in a few seconds program L_NETWK from the website below and run immediately. No unzipping inconvenience. ---- ........................................................... Regards from Reg, G4FGQ For Free Radio Design Software go to http://www.btinternet.com/~g4fgq.regp ........................................................... Article: 94026 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <42FF2A44.7010907@lNOSPAM.com> From: Newbie Ham Subject: Re: Radio problem References: <11fteeo89s870de@corp.supernews.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 07:25:56 -0400 Since my boat, like many is made of fiberglass, obtaining a ground/counterpoise is a tad tricky. Steel boats don't have a problem but glass boats do. So what is commonly done is a dynaplate is added to the boat. It's basically a highly conductive copper plate that is through bolted to the hull and is in contact with the sea water under the boat. There's a stud on the dynaplate to which you attach a copper foil coming from the tuner ground stud. Highland Ham wrote: >>>I have a Kenwood TS50 installed on a boat with a SGC autotuner. The tuner >>>is grounded to a dynaplate. >>> >>>I also have a 2000watt inverter/charger built into the boat for ac power >>>creation from 12v batteries. >>> >>>Something strange is going on and I jusr don't know where to start >>>trouble shooting. >>> >>>When I transmit on frequencies like 14300MHZ usb, no problem. >>> >>>If I transmit on 7628 LSB 100watts the FET's in my inverter blow up! As >>>soon as I key the mike I hear a loud pop and there goes another fet. > > ================================== > Firstly , Thank you Roy for your expert advice ; I have stored your message > for future reference. > > Secondly , (Silly me) What is a 'Dynaplate' ? I am not a > boating type of person. > > Frank GMøCSZ / KN6WH > > Article: 94027 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:12:50 +1000 From: Murray Subject: Re: Radio problem References: <11fteeo89s870de@corp.supernews.com> Message-ID: <42ff3531$0$4569$5a62ac22@per-qv1-newsreader-01.iinet.net.au> Roy Lewallen wrote: SNIP>> 2. Put a common mode choke in the power cable to the rig. Because the wires are pretty large, it's probably not practical to wrap multiple turns around a single ferrite core. So get some large clamp-on cores you can clamp over both conductors at the same time. It's likely to take a dozen or so, or more depending on the type of ferrite. I recommend type 43, or 70-series if you can find it in clamp-on cores. 3. Apply the same kind of choke to the inverter power leads from the battery. A source of supply of 'big'! toroids for this kind of suppression is the deflection coil toroid from old TV sets. Some of them are enormous! And cheap. (read - free) I use them round the shack liberally. There is enough ferrite in there to equal 10 small toroids. (by weight) Cheers. Murray vk4aok Article: 94028 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "K9YA Telegraph" Subject: K9YA Telegraph - September 2005 Issue (FREE) Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 14:53:20 GMT K9YA Telegraph - September 2005 Issue Check out the K9YA Telegraph e-Zine-a FREE monthly ham radio magazine. Each issue contains new-never before published articles, pictures and cartoons. Visit our Web site to download samples or subscribe. http://www.k9ya.org September 2005 Issue: FISTS By Philip Cala-Lazar, K9PL If I Had a Time Machine By Daniel Meloch, W1DPM My Name is Nate! By Nate Youngs, N1IDX A Real Cheesy Rig By Dick Sylvan, W9CBT Book Review By Herb Scarpelli, WK9O Mr. Murphy's Days of Glory By Rod Newkirk, VA3ZBB/W9BRD How Many Differences Can You Find? By Dick Sylvan, W9CBT Article: 94029 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> From: Dave Holford Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400 Dee Flint wrote: > "John Smith" wrote in message > news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... > > PM: > > > > Let me give a summary of the "real world." > > > > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. > > > > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country > > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to > > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... > > > > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language > > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware > > project would most likely be computer related. > > > > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them > > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack > > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by > > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and > > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current > > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider > > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... > > > > John > > > > The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they > just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. > Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for > upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware > upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" > that you seem to despise so. > > I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, > etc. > > Dee D. Flint, N8UZE Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students wouldn't understand the question. My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix trick to show off. The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards of antennas, propagation, etc. Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm not that talented. Dave VE3HLU Article: 94030 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <42FF7FCB.8D940FA2@sympatico.ca> From: Dave Holford Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:30:51 -0400 Polymath wrote: > I wonder if anyone has successfully converted a > thrown-away cell-phone into a spectrum analyser? > > We would seem to have all the necessary components > in there for free - keyboard, graphical display, > post-demodulation DSP, Frequency Synthesizer, > RF good up to 1 GHz (2G5Hz if an ex-WCDMA unit) > > Here would seem to be an opportunity to equip > all Radio Hams with a reasonably state-of-the-art > piece of test gear, that when coupled with an > IF generator would give us all a network analyser > into the bargain! Many years ago it was done with junked Video Tape Recorders and, from what I saw and read, very successfully too. Dave Article: 94031 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <42FF7FF5.6D86262F@sympatico.ca> From: Dave Holford Subject: Re: Make your own transistor? References: <1124039966.650652.57280@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:31:33 -0400 Polymath wrote: > About 40 years ago, I recall as a teenager borrowing > a book from the local library that described how to > make your own transistor radio, including the manufacture > of the transistors themselves by point-contact > techniques. ISTR that it was published in Yankland. > > Does anyone here remember this book? Don't remember the book but I do remember several good magazine arcticles on the subject. Dave Article: 94032 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Spike Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 19:17:46 +0100 Message-ID: <0f2vf1lr45ferfk2vhsvc7c8h6uandrlft@4ax.com> References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> <42FF7FCB.8D940FA2@sympatico.ca> Dave Holford wrote: >Polymouth wrote: > >> I wonder if anyone has successfully converted a >> thrown-away cell-phone into a spectrum analyser? >> >> We would seem to have all the necessary components >> in there for free - keyboard, graphical display, >> post-demodulation DSP, Frequency Synthesizer, >> RF good up to 1 GHz (2G5Hz if an ex-WCDMA unit) >> >> Here would seem to be an opportunity to equip >> all Radio Hams with a reasonably state-of-the-art >> piece of test gear, that when coupled with an >> IF generator would give us all a network analyser >> into the bargain! > >Many years ago it was done with junked Video Tape Recorders and, from >what I saw and read, very successfully too. Don't hold your breath, as there seems to be a raft of projects ahead of this one: his own XRC machine, an ATU made from discarded CDs, a DSP project using an FT-707, and of course, the mathematical basis for the Big-K approach to DSP to be proved, peer-reviewed, and then published. from Aero Spike Article: 94033 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: msix@nmia.com Subject: Re: Lattice-wound RF choke replacement, 50 years later Message-ID: <1052a$42ff8c77$402a802f$5626@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 18:24:55 +0000 Simple way. Wind a single layer 175uH choke on a ceramic form with 24-26 wire. Good for 600ma and 160-10M. I use these on all my HB from 30W to 1KW. 73 W7ZFB Article: 94034 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 11:28:26 -0700 Dave: No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all of them!) Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper software--a home security system with the proper card and related software and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future with them... John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > > > Dee Flint wrote: > >> "John Smith" wrote in message >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... >> > PM: >> > >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." >> > >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. >> > >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... >> > >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware >> > project would most likely be computer related. >> > >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... >> > >> > John >> > >> >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" >> that you seem to despise so. >> >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, >> etc. >> >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE > > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. > > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students > wouldn't understand the question. > > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. > > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix > trick to show off. > > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards > of antennas, propagation, etc. > > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm > not that talented. > > Dave > VE3HLU Article: 94035 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Bob Liesenfeld Subject: Re: Make your own transistor? Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 14:13:49 -0500 Message-ID: <42FF97ED.F562BB9@visi.com> References: <1124039966.650652.57280@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Polymath wrote: > About 40 years ago, I recall as a teenager borrowing > a book from the local library that described how to > make your own transistor radio, including the manufacture > of the transistors themselves by point-contact > techniques. ISTR that it was published in Yankland. > > Does anyone here remember this book? I don't know if it is the same book, but one currently available is "Instruments of Amplification" by H.P. Friedricchs, ISBN 0-9671905-1-7. It is available from the ARRL. Article: 94036 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Tom" References: <1123990723.074219.104240@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: Foxhole Radio Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 19:39:25 GMT Sgt. Schultz wrote in message news:1123990723.074219.104240@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com... > How do you build a foxhole radio? I saw a few plans on the internet, > but I don't understand them. I have read that you can use a telephone > receiver instead of crystal earphones. Is this true? Also, is it > possible to make a version without the razor blade? Sorry if I sound > stupid here. I am not an expert with radio. Thanks in advance. See the websites: http://www.bizarrelabs.com/foxhole.htm (Extensive detail on the Fox-hole radio; theory, construction and how-to) http://www.bizarrelabs.com/rtfox1.htm (I kept cutting my finger on the blade when I built this set back in the 60's) Tom Article: 94037 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Reg Edwards" Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:16:22 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> > some hams > just haven't adapted to building with transistors... don't ask me why... > ============================= For one thing, with advancing years, eyesight deteriorates. --- Reg. Article: 94038 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Reg Edwards" Subject: Re: Lattice-wound RF choke replacement, 50 years later Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:43:55 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1052a$42ff8c77$402a802f$5626@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com> > Simple way. Wind a single layer 175uH choke on a ceramic form > with 24-26 wire. Good for 600ma and 160-10M. > I use these on all my HB from 30W to 1KW. > 73 W7ZFB ================================= I'm interested. What is the approx diameter and length of the form and approx number of turns? ---- Reg. Article: 94039 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: sdeyoreo@hotmail.com Subject: Re: Make your own transistor? Message-ID: References: <1124039966.650652.57280@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 17:19:52 -0400 On 14 Aug 2005 10:19:26 -0700, "Polymath" wrote: >About 40 years ago, I recall as a teenager borrowing >a book from the local library that described how to >make your own transistor radio, including the manufacture >of the transistors themselves by point-contact >techniques. ISTR that it was published in Yankland. > >Does anyone here remember this book? We used to make crystal for radio by dropping sulpher in molten solder. LeadSulphide? Article: 94040 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Reg Edwards" Subject: Re: Foxhole Radio Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 21:24:53 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1123990723.074219.104240@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> These radios were secretly constructed and used by prisoners in Japanese prison-of-war camps during WW2 in circumstances where you can't pay a visit to Radio Shack and purchase the bits and pieces. The antenna also had to be hidden. But, for things to work, there had to be a friendly news-broadcasting station not too far away. Which did not occur very often. Long distance short-wave stations do not lay down particularly strong signals. However, there has been a report of prisoners in the Far East receiving news of the end of the war in Europe thus giving encouragement and hope to people who had survived for several years under the most extreme and terrible conditions. ---- Reg. Article: 94041 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Andy Ball Subject: Re: 6m or 10m CW RX Kit References: <7XbJe.2220$Wi6.1453@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net> <2K-dnQfYyI0ecWjfRVn-tg@bright.net> <2-idnUSOwM5Yc2jfRVn-gQ@bright.net> <6d-dnYSc-v9kDGXfRVn-hw@bright.net> Message-ID: <8MOLe.6174$WD.2844@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 21:32:52 GMT Hello Steve, SAL> Oops, it has been pointed out to me that TECH class > does not have access to HF. I forgot about the "new" > Tech license, being no-code and thus not having HF > priviledges. If a "new Tech" passes the code test, does he or she get Tech Plus priviliges, or are those solely for people who earned that license when it was current? - Andy, KB9YLW Article: 94042 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: msix@nmia.com Subject: Re: Lattice-wound RF choke replacement, 50 years later References: <1052a$42ff8c77$402a802f$5626@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com> Message-ID: <9b0ae$42ffc047$402a802f$7893@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:05:59 +0000 In rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Reg wrote: >> Simple way. Wind a single layer 175uH choke on a ceramic form >> with 24-26 wire. Good for 600ma and 160-10M. >> I use these on all my HB from 30W to 1KW. >> 73 W7ZFB >================================= >I'm interested. >What is the approx diameter and length of the form and approx number >of turns? >---- >Reg. ---------------------- No turns depends on dia of form but the size of the form don't matter. I use forms from fried chokes, 3/8 inch to 1 inch. With 26 wire and 3/8 dia, expect 3 inches of winding or so then use analyzer to get about 170uH and check for zeros around 23MHz and a second around 33MHz. Tweak the 170uH to get the zero at 23MHz in situ but with the PINET unhooked... GL 73 W7ZFB Article: 94043 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: dplatt@radagast.org (Dave Platt) Subject: Re: 6m or 10m CW RX Kit Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:08:27 -0000 Message-ID: <11fvjnb9efu9ue8@corp.supernews.com> References: <6d-dnYSc-v9kDGXfRVn-hw@bright.net> <8MOLe.6174$WD.2844@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net> In article <8MOLe.6174$WD.2844@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>, Andy Ball wrote: >If a "new Tech" passes the code test, does he or she get >Tech Plus priviliges, or are those solely for people who >earned that license when it was current? The former, as I read the book. Those who passed the Technician license prior to 3/21/1987, and thus passed the Element 1A (5 WPM) code test, have Novice-equivalent HF privileges as part of their Technician license. Newer Technicians, who pass the Element 1 95 WPM) code test and are given a CSCE as proof of passing, but who have not passed Element 3 (General written exam), have Novice-equivalent HF privileges indefinitely. They should retain the CSCE as proof of this since the FCC doesn't keep track of which Techs have code credit. The CSCE is valid as credit towards the General license for only one year. -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! Article: 94044 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Reg Edwards" Subject: Re: Lattice-wound RF choke replacement, 50 years later Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:09:19 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1052a$42ff8c77$402a802f$5626@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com> <9b0ae$42ffc047$402a802f$7893@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com> Thanks for info. =========================== wrote in message news:9b0ae$42ffc047$402a802f$7893@nmia.allthenewsgroups.com... > In rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Reg wrote: > > >> Simple way. Wind a single layer 175uH choke on a ceramic form > >> with 24-26 wire. Good for 600ma and 160-10M. > >> I use these on all my HB from 30W to 1KW. > >> 73 W7ZFB > >================================= > >I'm interested. > >What is the approx diameter and length of the form and approx number > >of turns? > >---- > >Reg. > ---------------------- > No turns depends on dia of form but the size of the form don't matter. > I use forms from fried chokes, 3/8 inch to 1 inch. > With 26 wire and 3/8 dia, expect 3 inches of winding or so then use > analyzer to get about 170uH and check for zeros around 23MHz and a > second around 33MHz. Tweak the 170uH to get the zero at 23MHz in > situ but with the PINET unhooked... > GL 73 W7ZFB > > Article: 94045 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Wankel Rotary Subject: Re: Make your own transistor? References: <1124039966.650652.57280@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:21:26 GMT Polymath wrote: > About 40 years ago, I recall as a teenager borrowing > a book from the local library that described how to > make your own transistor radio, including the manufacture > of the transistors themselves by point-contact > techniques. ISTR that it was published in Yankland. > > Does anyone here remember this book? No - but we do remember the one written here in the UK and published by Ladybird books written by Rev. George 'read the quote' Dobbs G3RJV. Maybe you should purchase or search for a copy from ebay or amazon - the wooden baseboard is roughly at your level of engineering (or should that be fettling) from what we read in other newsgroups! Article: 94046 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Wankel Rotary Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> <42FF7FCB.8D940FA2@sympatico.ca> <0f2vf1lr45ferfk2vhsvc7c8h6uandrlft@4ax.com> Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:24:02 GMT Spike wrote: > Don't hold your breath, as there seems to be a raft of projects ahead > of this one: his own XRC machine, an ATU made from discarded CDs, a > DSP project using an FT-707, and of course, the mathematical basis for > the Big-K approach to DSP to be proved, peer-reviewed, and then > published. You also forget the gauntlet he laid down in the newsgroups to design a transceiver that was roughly based upon re-inventing the wheel. When people took his suggestion somewhat seriously, he backed away, and, as it the case with all Bean-powered projects, let the subject die. Article: 94047 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Bill Janssen Subject: Re: Make your own transistor? References: <1124039966.650652.57280@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:29:26 GMT Polymath wrote: >About 40 years ago, I recall as a teenager borrowing >a book from the local library that described how to >make your own transistor radio, including the manufacture >of the transistors themselves by point-contact >techniques. ISTR that it was published in Yankland. > >Does anyone here remember this book? > > > Don't remember the book but I do remember instructions for taking a 1N23 or two (many available as surplus) and opening one and adding another point contact. The extra point contact could be obtained from the second 1N23. At that time the 1N23 was filled with wax so opening one up was doable. Good luck Bill K7NOM. Article: 94048 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Wankel Rotary Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 23:40:11 GMT Polymath wrote: > I wonder if anyone has successfully converted a > thrown-away cell-phone into a spectrum analyser? > > We would seem to have all the necessary components > in there for free - keyboard, graphical display, > post-demodulation DSP, Frequency Synthesizer, > RF good up to 1 GHz (2G5Hz if an ex-WCDMA unit) > > Here would seem to be an opportunity to equip > all Radio Hams with a reasonably state-of-the-art > piece of test gear, that when coupled with an > IF generator would give us all a network analyser > into the bargain! Bargain - of course - that's after the Radio Amateur has equipped his shack with a very expensive SMD rework station.... Would it not be wiser to suggest the building of an interface so the shack PC could be used to do such a task as spectrum analysis? Beanie/Polymath - Once a dumbass, always a dumbass. Article: 94049 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: fmmck@aol.com (Fred McKenzie) Subject: Re: 6m or 10m CW RX Kit Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 19:44:11 -0400 Message-ID: References: <7XbJe.2220$Wi6.1453@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net> <2K-dnQfYyI0ecWjfRVn-tg@bright.net> <2-idnUSOwM5Yc2jfRVn-gQ@bright.net> <6d-dnYSc-v9kDGXfRVn-hw@bright.net> <8MOLe.6174$WD.2844@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net> In article <8MOLe.6174$WD.2844@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net>, Andy Ball wrote: > If a "new Tech" passes the code test, does he or she get > Tech Plus priviliges, or are those solely for people who > earned that license when it was current? Andy- It doesn't work that way now. However you can probably pass the General Class test with only a little more effort than for the Technician test. Many years ago they were the same test except for code speed. Check out the practice tests at http://www.qrz.com. You may be interested to know that the FCC has issued a proposal to eliminate code from all Ham tests. It will take a while before all the comments have been submitted and resolved. If you want the HF license now without waiting, you'll need to pass the code test. 73, Fred, K4DII Article: 94050 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 14:32:28 -0700 Reg: LOL!!! Good to see you... well, that is how it looks from here... but, I imagine it might differ even in other states... You sure it isn't the same across the pond? John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:16:22 +0000, Reg Edwards wrote: >> some hams >> just haven't adapted to building with transistors... don't ask me > why... >> > ============================= > > For one thing, with advancing years, eyesight deteriorates. > --- > Reg. Article: 94051 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Caveat Lector" References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 17:16:46 -0700 Seems to me FCC Rules and Regs Part 97 defines it quite well -- CL -- I doubt, therefore I might be ! Article: 94052 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Samuel Hunt" Subject: Re: Make your own transistor? Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 00:28:40 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1124039966.650652.57280@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> I don't remember THAT book. I do remember the book though "How to kill beans in 3 easy steps" by "Moth Flutterus". Very good book, well worth the read, goes into much detail. Apparently the HQ is in Chippenham, so if any of you are out that way, stop by. I believe the road is Hardens Road or Close or something like that. I must say though, that a good old roasted coffee bean is just the thing. Tara a bit all Article: 94053 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 17:52:07 -0700 ... define what? And, how in relation to what we are discussing? John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 17:16:46 -0700, Caveat Lector wrote: > Seems to me FCC Rules and Regs Part 97 defines it quite well Article: 94054 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <42FFE7F3.CF21EB0C@sympatico.ca> From: Dave Holford Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400 (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). Got the wrong guy John. I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works and some even tinker with the hardware and software. I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them when they discuss their latest project. About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her telephone worked. But boy can they use it! My generation understood it down to the electron level. My kids understood it down to the IC level. My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't understand, or really care, how it works. Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you the part to fix your TV any more. Dave Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running on the same processor. John Smith wrote: > Dave: > > No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we > all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in > a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all > of them!) > > Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system > with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player > with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper > software--a home security system with the proper card and related software > and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper > receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) > > Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason > the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die > first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future > with them... > > John > > On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > > > > > > > Dee Flint wrote: > > > >> "John Smith" wrote in message > >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... > >> > PM: > >> > > >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." > >> > > >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. > >> > > >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country > >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to > >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... > >> > > >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language > >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware > >> > project would most likely be computer related. > >> > > >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them > >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack > >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by > >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and > >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current > >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider > >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... > >> > > >> > John > >> > > >> > >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they > >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. > >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for > >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware > >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" > >> that you seem to despise so. > >> > >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, > >> etc. > >> > >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE > > > > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question > > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. > > > > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students > > wouldn't understand the question. > > > > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, > > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their > > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my > > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - > > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me > > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. > > > > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative > > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone > > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix > > trick to show off. > > > > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone > > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards > > of antennas, propagation, etc. > > > > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail > > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a > > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made > > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do > > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm > > not that talented. > > > > Dave > > VE3HLU Article: 94055 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> <42FFE7F3.CF21EB0C@sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 18:34:20 -0700 Dave: Interesting, when I have exchanged station pics, I have never seen the new equip, other than my own... When I exchange equip descriptions, everyone is mentioning drake, henry, heathkit, etc... frankly, last months maybe a year--I gave up paying close attention... in fact, my xmitter pci card is a proto-type which an engineer made a gift of to me when I worked on some software to support it (they will actually market a USB model.) Last time I chatted with him, it was still sitting on his companies "back shelf" waiting for the market to develop... they strongly support dropping CW and expect an influx of new hams which they feel will accept the equipment and make profitable the sales. In the meantime they market to police, fire, hospitals, gov't... John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). > > Got the wrong guy John. > > I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen > or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works > and some even tinker with the hardware and software. > > I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them > when they discuss their latest project. > > About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF > sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 > to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers > controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt > pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was > working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. > > The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone > transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, > bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. > > But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting > discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my > experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation > tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her > telephone worked. But boy can they use it! > > My generation understood it down to the electron level. > My kids understood it down to the IC level. > My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't > understand, or really care, how it works. > > Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty > much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, > theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of > much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably > can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you > the part to fix your TV any more. > > Dave > Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running > on the same processor. > > > John Smith wrote: > >> Dave: >> >> No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we >> all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in >> a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all >> of them!) >> >> Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system >> with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player >> with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper >> software--a home security system with the proper card and related software >> and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper >> receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) >> >> Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason >> the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die >> first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future >> with them... >> >> John >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: >> >> > >> > >> > Dee Flint wrote: >> > >> >> "John Smith" wrote in message >> >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... >> >> > PM: >> >> > >> >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." >> >> > >> >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. >> >> > >> >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country >> >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to >> >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... >> >> > >> >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language >> >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware >> >> > project would most likely be computer related. >> >> > >> >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them >> >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack >> >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by >> >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and >> >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current >> >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider >> >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... >> >> > >> >> > John >> >> > >> >> >> >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they >> >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. >> >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for >> >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware >> >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" >> >> that you seem to despise so. >> >> >> >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, >> >> etc. >> >> >> >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE >> > >> > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question >> > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. >> > >> > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students >> > wouldn't understand the question. >> > >> > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, >> > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their >> > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my >> > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - >> > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me >> > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. >> > >> > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative >> > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone >> > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix >> > trick to show off. >> > >> > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone >> > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards >> > of antennas, propagation, etc. >> > >> > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail >> > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a >> > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made >> > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do >> > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm >> > not that talented. >> > >> > Dave >> > VE3HLU Article: 94056 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Roger Leone" References: Subject: Re: Can 6146B tubes be used in GG (grounded grid)? Message-ID: Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 02:03:08 GMT "Ken Scharf" wrote > > > One advantage of "cathode driven tetrode" (where normal grid bias and > screen voltage are applied) is that you get higher power gain and > usually don't need to neutralize the amplifier (technically it is > IMPOSSIBLE to neutralize a ground grid amplifier anyway). > Ken: I think you meant to say that cathode driven tubes have LOWER power gain. Grid driven amps can have as much as 10 dB or more gain than cathode driven (GG) amps, all other factors being equal. My Johnson Thunderbolt running a pair of grid driven 4-400's can be driven to full output with about 20 watts of RF drive (representating close to 20 dB of power gain). The same tubes in GG configuration would need close to 80 watts to drive them to full output. A grid driven 4CX250 can produce over 200 watts of output with 2 watts of drive (per the RCA manual). Because the tube isn't commonly used in GG configuration, that manual doesn't provide power gain figures for cathode driven service. My guess is you would need more like 8 to 10 watts of cathode drive to get the same 200+ watts out. The widespread use of transceivers in the 100 watt class has made GG amps popular since there is no need to attenuate the transceiver's output. With my grid driven Thunderbolt, I use a 6 dB attenuator at the amp's input to keep from overdriving it. With the right choice of tube, a GG amp can have a much simpler power supply. And since there is no need for neutralization, homebrewing a GG amp is quite appealing. Roger K6XQ Article: 94057 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <42FFFBA6.83229570@sympatico.ca> From: Dave Holford Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> <42FFE7F3.CF21EB0C@sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:19:18 -0400 Fascinating, I don't know who you talk to but I can only think of a couple of people I know using Drake stuff, and then only as collectors items or though nostalgia. Can't remember the last time I heard someone mention Henry, except in an inductor value, and one of the few pictures of Heathkit equipment I have seen in a long time was in a magazine on antique equipment a (younger) friend showed me a couple of weeks ago. I have a real hard time believing that the long overdue dropping of CW will result in much of an influx to HF. If they were interested in HF they would already be here. I've had a two hour HF swap shop running in the background and I don't think I heard anything that old being offered for sale or looked for except for a couple of antique RCA, Hammarlund and National receivers, but they were in the antiques listing. Plenty of DSP rigs and digital stuff, a few people looking for specialized digital ICs. It is quite common to hear current generation equipment being sold by very elderly hams due to deteriorating health and/or moving into nursing homes or apartments where they must give up the hobby. I'm having coffee with an 81 year old tomorrow and he has a DSP HF rig; and a software defined receiver running on his backup PC, which he also uses to watch TV and movies. He usually has at least one PC in pieces as he reconfigures it and has been inside his ICOM and Kenwood HF rigs with a soldering iron more than once, although as his age creeps up he is reducing those activities somewhat. He will probably want to discuss optimizing the data base for his SDR receiver. Not every ham over 40 is using a hand key to a crystal controlled 6L6. Dave John Smith wrote: > Dave: > > Interesting, when I have exchanged station pics, I have never seen the new > equip, other than my own... > > When I exchange equip descriptions, everyone is mentioning drake, henry, > heathkit, etc... frankly, last months maybe a year--I gave up paying close > attention... in fact, my xmitter pci card is a proto-type which an > engineer made a gift of to me when I worked on some software to support > it (they will actually market a USB model.) Last time I chatted with him, > it was still sitting on his companies "back shelf" waiting for the market > to develop... they strongly support dropping CW and expect an influx of > new hams which they feel will accept the equipment and make profitable the > sales. In the meantime they market to police, fire, hospitals, gov't... > > John > > On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > > > (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). > > > > Got the wrong guy John. > > > > I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen > > or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works > > and some even tinker with the hardware and software. > > > > I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them > > when they discuss their latest project. > > > > About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF > > sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 > > to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers > > controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt > > pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was > > working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. > > > > The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone > > transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, > > bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. > > > > But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting > > discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my > > experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation > > tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her > > telephone worked. But boy can they use it! > > > > My generation understood it down to the electron level. > > My kids understood it down to the IC level. > > My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't > > understand, or really care, how it works. > > > > Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty > > much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, > > theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of > > much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably > > can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you > > the part to fix your TV any more. > > > > Dave > > Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running > > on the same processor. > > > > > > John Smith wrote: > > > >> Dave: > >> > >> No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we > >> all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in > >> a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all > >> of them!) > >> > >> Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system > >> with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player > >> with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper > >> software--a home security system with the proper card and related software > >> and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper > >> receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) > >> > >> Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason > >> the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die > >> first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future > >> with them... > >> > >> John > >> > >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > >> > >> > > >> > > >> > Dee Flint wrote: > >> > > >> >> "John Smith" wrote in message > >> >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... > >> >> > PM: > >> >> > > >> >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." > >> >> > > >> >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. > >> >> > > >> >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country > >> >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to > >> >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... > >> >> > > >> >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language > >> >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware > >> >> > project would most likely be computer related. > >> >> > > >> >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them > >> >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack > >> >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by > >> >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and > >> >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current > >> >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider > >> >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... > >> >> > > >> >> > John > >> >> > > >> >> > >> >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they > >> >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. > >> >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for > >> >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware > >> >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" > >> >> that you seem to despise so. > >> >> > >> >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, > >> >> etc. > >> >> > >> >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE > >> > > >> > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question > >> > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. > >> > > >> > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students > >> > wouldn't understand the question. > >> > > >> > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, > >> > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their > >> > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my > >> > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - > >> > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me > >> > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. > >> > > >> > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative > >> > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone > >> > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix > >> > trick to show off. > >> > > >> > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone > >> > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards > >> > of antennas, propagation, etc. > >> > > >> > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail > >> > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a > >> > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made > >> > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do > >> > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm > >> > not that talented. > >> > > >> > Dave > >> > VE3HLU Article: 94058 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> <42FFE7F3.CF21EB0C@sympatico.ca> <42FFFBA6.83229570@sympatico.ca> Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 19:58:55 -0700 Dave: Interesting, I expect the posts on rec.radio.amateur.homebrew, rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.swap to change to reflect that any day now! John On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:19:18 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > Fascinating, I don't know who you talk to but I can only think of a couple of people I know > using Drake stuff, and then only as collectors items or though nostalgia. Can't remember the > last time I heard someone mention Henry, except in an inductor value, and one of the few > pictures of Heathkit equipment I have seen in a long time was in a magazine on antique > equipment a (younger) friend showed me a couple of weeks ago. > > I have a real hard time believing that the long overdue dropping of CW will result in much > of an influx to HF. If they were interested in HF they would already be here. > > I've had a two hour HF swap shop running in the background and I don't think I heard > anything that old being offered for sale or looked for except for a couple of antique RCA, > Hammarlund and National receivers, but they were in the antiques listing. Plenty of DSP rigs > and digital stuff, a few people looking for specialized digital ICs. It is quite common to > hear current generation equipment being sold by very elderly hams due to deteriorating > health and/or moving into nursing homes or apartments where they must give up the hobby. > > I'm having coffee with an 81 year old tomorrow and he has a DSP HF rig; and a software > defined receiver running on his backup PC, which he also uses to watch TV and movies. He > usually has at least one PC in pieces as he reconfigures it and has been inside his ICOM and > Kenwood HF rigs with a soldering iron more than once, although as his age creeps up he is > reducing those activities somewhat. He will probably want to discuss optimizing the data > base for his SDR receiver. > > Not every ham over 40 is using a hand key to a crystal controlled 6L6. > > Dave > > > John Smith wrote: > >> Dave: >> >> Interesting, when I have exchanged station pics, I have never seen the new >> equip, other than my own... >> >> When I exchange equip descriptions, everyone is mentioning drake, henry, >> heathkit, etc... frankly, last months maybe a year--I gave up paying close >> attention... in fact, my xmitter pci card is a proto-type which an >> engineer made a gift of to me when I worked on some software to support >> it (they will actually market a USB model.) Last time I chatted with him, >> it was still sitting on his companies "back shelf" waiting for the market >> to develop... they strongly support dropping CW and expect an influx of >> new hams which they feel will accept the equipment and make profitable the >> sales. In the meantime they market to police, fire, hospitals, gov't... >> >> John >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: >> >> > (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). >> > >> > Got the wrong guy John. >> > >> > I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen >> > or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works >> > and some even tinker with the hardware and software. >> > >> > I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them >> > when they discuss their latest project. >> > >> > About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF >> > sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 >> > to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers >> > controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt >> > pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was >> > working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. >> > >> > The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone >> > transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, >> > bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. >> > >> > But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting >> > discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my >> > experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation >> > tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her >> > telephone worked. But boy can they use it! >> > >> > My generation understood it down to the electron level. >> > My kids understood it down to the IC level. >> > My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't >> > understand, or really care, how it works. >> > >> > Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty >> > much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, >> > theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of >> > much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably >> > can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you >> > the part to fix your TV any more. >> > >> > Dave >> > Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running >> > on the same processor. >> > >> > >> > John Smith wrote: >> > >> >> Dave: >> >> >> >> No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we >> >> all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in >> >> a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all >> >> of them!) >> >> >> >> Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system >> >> with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player >> >> with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper >> >> software--a home security system with the proper card and related software >> >> and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper >> >> receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) >> >> >> >> Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason >> >> the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die >> >> first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future >> >> with them... >> >> >> >> John >> >> >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: >> >> >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > Dee Flint wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> "John Smith" wrote in message >> >> >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... >> >> >> > PM: >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." >> >> >> > >> >> >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country >> >> >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to >> >> >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... >> >> >> > >> >> >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language >> >> >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware >> >> >> > project would most likely be computer related. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them >> >> >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack >> >> >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by >> >> >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and >> >> >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current >> >> >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider >> >> >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... >> >> >> > >> >> >> > John >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they >> >> >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. >> >> >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for >> >> >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware >> >> >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" >> >> >> that you seem to despise so. >> >> >> >> >> >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, >> >> >> etc. >> >> >> >> >> >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE >> >> > >> >> > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question >> >> > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. >> >> > >> >> > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students >> >> > wouldn't understand the question. >> >> > >> >> > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, >> >> > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their >> >> > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my >> >> > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - >> >> > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me >> >> > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. >> >> > >> >> > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative >> >> > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone >> >> > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix >> >> > trick to show off. >> >> > >> >> > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone >> >> > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards >> >> > of antennas, propagation, etc. >> >> > >> >> > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail >> >> > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a >> >> > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made >> >> > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do >> >> > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm >> >> > not that talented. >> >> > >> >> > Dave >> >> > VE3HLU Article: 94059 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Dr. Anton T. Squeegee Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Date: Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:32:00 -0700 Message-ID: References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> In article <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com>, aiyr.r.bean@lycos.co.uk says... > I wonder if anyone has successfully converted a > thrown-away cell-phone into a spectrum analyser? What are you smoking/drinking/injecting? More importantly, why didn't you offer to share? Are you trolling, drunk, high, or actually serious? Inquiring minds want to know. -- Dr. Anton T. Squeegee, Director, Dutch Surrealist Plumbing Institute. (Known to some as Bruce Lane, ARS KC7GR, kyrrin (a/t) bluefeathertech[d=o=t]calm -- www.bluefeathertech.com "If Salvador Dali had owned a computer, would it have been equipped with surreal ports?" Article: 94060 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Paul Keinanen Subject: Re: 6m or 10m CW RX Kit Message-ID: References: Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 10:01:47 +0300 On Fri, 05 Aug 2005 06:43:34 GMT, Andy Ball wrote: >Is anyone here able to point me in the direction of a 10m or >6m CW receiver kit? I would like something that's fairly >simple to build (I don't have a lot of test equipment) but >would perform well enough to let me monitor a few beacons >and perhaps some fairly local CW activity (if there is any). Any receiver capable of receiving SSB or DSP will be able to receive CW i.e. some kind of BFO is required. I don't know any way to make a CW _receiver_ in any simpler way than a DSB receiver. Making a direct conversion receiver would be quite hard for the 10/6 m bands, since there would be a lot of problems with stability. A more practical approach would be to use a crystal controlled convert to convert the signal down to say 3.5 MHz and then use a tunable direct conversion receiver. Most simple Rx kits for 6 m are FM only (as well as some 10 m versions), which are usually not usable for CW reception. Of course if there is only a single very strong CW in the band (e.g. monitoring if a local beacon is functioning), you might take an FM kit, locate the signal strength output at the FM-detector IC and use it to key an audio oscillator :-). Replacing the ceramic filter in the last (455 kHz) IF with a narrow filter will also help, provided that the receiver is stable enough, so that the signal will remain within the narrow filter bandpass. However, such systems are useless in any crowded bands or for receiving any weak signals. Paul OH3LWR Article: 94061 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Spike Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:15:34 +0100 Message-ID: References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> <42FF7FCB.8D940FA2@sympatico.ca> <0f2vf1lr45ferfk2vhsvc7c8h6uandrlft@4ax.com> Wankel Rotary wrote: >Spike wrote: > >> Don't hold your breath, as there seems to be a raft of projects ahead >> of this one: his own XRC machine, an ATU made from discarded CDs, a >> DSP project using an FT-707, and of course, the mathematical basis for >> the Big-K approach to DSP to be proved, peer-reviewed, and then >> published. > >You also forget the gauntlet he laid down in the newsgroups to design a >transceiver that was roughly based upon re-inventing the wheel. > >When people took his suggestion somewhat seriously, he backed away, and, >as it the case with all Bean-powered projects, let the subject die. His philosophy seems to boil down to "Don't do as I do, do as I say" - the motto of the hypocrite. from Aero Spike Article: 94062 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <43008D80.C36DEAD3@sympatico.ca> From: Dave Holford Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> <42FFE7F3.CF21EB0C@sympatico.ca> <42FFFBA6.83229570@sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:41:36 -0400 It's been fun, gotta go catch an airplane - one of those new ones with no propellor. Dave John Smith wrote: > Dave: > > Interesting, I expect the posts on rec.radio.amateur.homebrew, > rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.swap to change to > reflect that any day now! > > John > > On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:19:18 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > > > Fascinating, I don't know who you talk to but I can only think of a couple of people I know > > using Drake stuff, and then only as collectors items or though nostalgia. Can't remember the > > last time I heard someone mention Henry, except in an inductor value, and one of the few > > pictures of Heathkit equipment I have seen in a long time was in a magazine on antique > > equipment a (younger) friend showed me a couple of weeks ago. > > > > I have a real hard time believing that the long overdue dropping of CW will result in much > > of an influx to HF. If they were interested in HF they would already be here. > > > > I've had a two hour HF swap shop running in the background and I don't think I heard > > anything that old being offered for sale or looked for except for a couple of antique RCA, > > Hammarlund and National receivers, but they were in the antiques listing. Plenty of DSP rigs > > and digital stuff, a few people looking for specialized digital ICs. It is quite common to > > hear current generation equipment being sold by very elderly hams due to deteriorating > > health and/or moving into nursing homes or apartments where they must give up the hobby. > > > > I'm having coffee with an 81 year old tomorrow and he has a DSP HF rig; and a software > > defined receiver running on his backup PC, which he also uses to watch TV and movies. He > > usually has at least one PC in pieces as he reconfigures it and has been inside his ICOM and > > Kenwood HF rigs with a soldering iron more than once, although as his age creeps up he is > > reducing those activities somewhat. He will probably want to discuss optimizing the data > > base for his SDR receiver. > > > > Not every ham over 40 is using a hand key to a crystal controlled 6L6. > > > > Dave > > > > > > John Smith wrote: > > > >> Dave: > >> > >> Interesting, when I have exchanged station pics, I have never seen the new > >> equip, other than my own... > >> > >> When I exchange equip descriptions, everyone is mentioning drake, henry, > >> heathkit, etc... frankly, last months maybe a year--I gave up paying close > >> attention... in fact, my xmitter pci card is a proto-type which an > >> engineer made a gift of to me when I worked on some software to support > >> it (they will actually market a USB model.) Last time I chatted with him, > >> it was still sitting on his companies "back shelf" waiting for the market > >> to develop... they strongly support dropping CW and expect an influx of > >> new hams which they feel will accept the equipment and make profitable the > >> sales. In the meantime they market to police, fire, hospitals, gov't... > >> > >> John > >> > >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > >> > >> > (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). > >> > > >> > Got the wrong guy John. > >> > > >> > I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen > >> > or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works > >> > and some even tinker with the hardware and software. > >> > > >> > I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them > >> > when they discuss their latest project. > >> > > >> > About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF > >> > sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 > >> > to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers > >> > controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt > >> > pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was > >> > working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. > >> > > >> > The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone > >> > transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, > >> > bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. > >> > > >> > But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting > >> > discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my > >> > experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation > >> > tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her > >> > telephone worked. But boy can they use it! > >> > > >> > My generation understood it down to the electron level. > >> > My kids understood it down to the IC level. > >> > My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't > >> > understand, or really care, how it works. > >> > > >> > Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty > >> > much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, > >> > theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of > >> > much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably > >> > can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you > >> > the part to fix your TV any more. > >> > > >> > Dave > >> > Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running > >> > on the same processor. > >> > > >> > > >> > John Smith wrote: > >> > > >> >> Dave: > >> >> > >> >> No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we > >> >> all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in > >> >> a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all > >> >> of them!) > >> >> > >> >> Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system > >> >> with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player > >> >> with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper > >> >> software--a home security system with the proper card and related software > >> >> and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper > >> >> receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) > >> >> > >> >> Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason > >> >> the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die > >> >> first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future > >> >> with them... > >> >> > >> >> John > >> >> > >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > >> >> > >> >> > > >> >> > > >> >> > Dee Flint wrote: > >> >> > > >> >> >> "John Smith" wrote in message > >> >> >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... > >> >> >> > PM: > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country > >> >> >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to > >> >> >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language > >> >> >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware > >> >> >> > project would most likely be computer related. > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them > >> >> >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack > >> >> >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by > >> >> >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and > >> >> >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current > >> >> >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider > >> >> >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > John > >> >> >> > > >> >> >> > >> >> >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they > >> >> >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. > >> >> >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for > >> >> >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware > >> >> >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" > >> >> >> that you seem to despise so. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, > >> >> >> etc. > >> >> >> > >> >> >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE > >> >> > > >> >> > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question > >> >> > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. > >> >> > > >> >> > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students > >> >> > wouldn't understand the question. > >> >> > > >> >> > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, > >> >> > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their > >> >> > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my > >> >> > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - > >> >> > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me > >> >> > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. > >> >> > > >> >> > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative > >> >> > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone > >> >> > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix > >> >> > trick to show off. > >> >> > > >> >> > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone > >> >> > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards > >> >> > of antennas, propagation, etc. > >> >> > > >> >> > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail > >> >> > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a > >> >> > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made > >> >> > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do > >> >> > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm > >> >> > not that talented. > >> >> > > >> >> > Dave > >> >> > VE3HLU Article: 94063 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Straydog Subject: Re: Can 6146B tubes be used in GG (grounded grid)? Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 11:04:07 -0400 Message-ID: References: On Mon, 15 Aug 2005, Roger Leone wrote: > > "Ken Scharf" wrote > > > >> One advantage of "cathode driven tetrode" (where normal grid bias and >> screen voltage are applied) is that you get higher power gain and >> usually don't need to neutralize the amplifier (technically it is >> IMPOSSIBLE to neutralize a ground grid amplifier anyway). >> > > Ken: > > I think you meant to say that cathode driven tubes have LOWER power gain. > Grid driven amps can have as much as 10 dB or more gain than cathode driven > (GG) amps, all other factors being equal. My Johnson Thunderbolt running a > pair of grid driven 4-400's can be driven to full output with about 20 watts > of RF drive (representating close to 20 dB of power gain). The same tubes > in GG configuration would need close to 80 watts to drive them to full > output. > > A grid driven 4CX250 can produce over 200 watts of output with 2 watts of > drive (per the RCA manual). Because the tube isn't commonly used in GG > configuration, that manual doesn't provide power gain figures for cathode > driven service. My guess is you would need more like 8 to 10 watts of > cathode drive to get the same 200+ watts out. > > The widespread use of transceivers in the 100 watt class has made GG amps > popular since there is no need to attenuate the transceiver's output. With > my grid driven Thunderbolt, I use a 6 dB attenuator at the amp's input to > keep from overdriving it. > > With the right choice of tube, a GG amp can have a much simpler power > supply. And since there is no need for neutralization, Often there is no need for neutralization, but depending on frequency and wiring layout, yes there is a need for neutralization. Usually its worse at higher frequencies. And, it can get very very complicated, too. I have an Ameritron 811-H (four 811s in grounded grid) and it comes from the factory with one kind of neutralization!!!! It would not be there if it were not needed. I had a thunderbolt, too. And it also had neutralization built in. I also had a Heathkit DX-40 back in my novice days and it would go into self-oscilation (big time) on ten meters if I removed the crystal or shut off the VFO. I made my own neutralization wire and fixed that. Its funny that Rangers had no built in neutralization, either. Same tube, similar (but not identical) circuit in final (6146). You don't know if you need neutralization until you do the tests (read the manuals on this). Art, W4PON homebrewing a GG amp > is quite appealing. I've built several (including a single 4-400) and I'm happy when I don't need neutralization. > Roger K6XQ > > > > Article: 94064 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:38:23 -0700 Walt: Get a decent newsreader, refer to the text at the bottom of my post you question, that is all there is... John On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 09:02:37 +0100, Walt Davidson wrote: > On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 17:52:07 -0700, John Smith > wrote: > >>... define what? And, how in relation to what we are discussing? > > To what are you referring? There is no quote preceding your remark, > so it is completely out of context. > > 73 de G3NYY Article: 94065 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1123877310.237542.294580@g47g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1123877854.406419.43270@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com> <1123878462.933154.271100@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <42FF7D46.ED7E2C8B@sympatico.ca> <42FFE7F3.CF21EB0C@sympatico.ca> <42FFFBA6.83229570@sympatico.ca> <43008D80.C36DEAD3@sympatico.ca> Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:40:34 -0700 Dave: Just be careful the rest of the plane isn't imaginary and you are actually leaping off a balcony in that dream... John On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:41:36 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: > It's been fun, gotta go catch an airplane - one of those new ones with no propellor. > > Dave > > John Smith wrote: > >> Dave: >> >> Interesting, I expect the posts on rec.radio.amateur.homebrew, >> rec.radio.amateur.equipment, rec.radio.amateur.swap to change to >> reflect that any day now! >> >> John >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 22:19:18 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: >> >> > Fascinating, I don't know who you talk to but I can only think of a couple of people I know >> > using Drake stuff, and then only as collectors items or though nostalgia. Can't remember the >> > last time I heard someone mention Henry, except in an inductor value, and one of the few >> > pictures of Heathkit equipment I have seen in a long time was in a magazine on antique >> > equipment a (younger) friend showed me a couple of weeks ago. >> > >> > I have a real hard time believing that the long overdue dropping of CW will result in much >> > of an influx to HF. If they were interested in HF they would already be here. >> > >> > I've had a two hour HF swap shop running in the background and I don't think I heard >> > anything that old being offered for sale or looked for except for a couple of antique RCA, >> > Hammarlund and National receivers, but they were in the antiques listing. Plenty of DSP rigs >> > and digital stuff, a few people looking for specialized digital ICs. It is quite common to >> > hear current generation equipment being sold by very elderly hams due to deteriorating >> > health and/or moving into nursing homes or apartments where they must give up the hobby. >> > >> > I'm having coffee with an 81 year old tomorrow and he has a DSP HF rig; and a software >> > defined receiver running on his backup PC, which he also uses to watch TV and movies. He >> > usually has at least one PC in pieces as he reconfigures it and has been inside his ICOM and >> > Kenwood HF rigs with a soldering iron more than once, although as his age creeps up he is >> > reducing those activities somewhat. He will probably want to discuss optimizing the data >> > base for his SDR receiver. >> > >> > Not every ham over 40 is using a hand key to a crystal controlled 6L6. >> > >> > Dave >> > >> > >> > John Smith wrote: >> > >> >> Dave: >> >> >> >> Interesting, when I have exchanged station pics, I have never seen the new >> >> equip, other than my own... >> >> >> >> When I exchange equip descriptions, everyone is mentioning drake, henry, >> >> heathkit, etc... frankly, last months maybe a year--I gave up paying close >> >> attention... in fact, my xmitter pci card is a proto-type which an >> >> engineer made a gift of to me when I worked on some software to support >> >> it (they will actually market a USB model.) Last time I chatted with him, >> >> it was still sitting on his companies "back shelf" waiting for the market >> >> to develop... they strongly support dropping CW and expect an influx of >> >> new hams which they feel will accept the equipment and make profitable the >> >> sales. In the meantime they market to police, fire, hospitals, gov't... >> >> >> >> John >> >> >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 20:55:15 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: >> >> >> >> > (Apologies to the top posting hater community, but I decided to follow John's lead). >> >> > >> >> > Got the wrong guy John. >> >> > >> >> > I've been using most of that stuff for quite a while, and I could point you to a dozen >> >> > or so hams well over the age of 70 who not only use it; they understand how it works >> >> > and some even tinker with the hardware and software. >> >> > >> >> > I'm not quite that old yet, but it ain't always that easy to keep up with some of them >> >> > when they discuss their latest project. >> >> > >> >> > About a quarter of a century ago, I was teaching a system using a synthesized HF >> >> > sideband transceiver, on a single PCB about 2 or 3 inches square, running from about 7 >> >> > to 10MHz and digitally controlled either locally or remotely (up to 100 transceivers >> >> > controlled from a DEC minicomputer) - would love to have slipped one in my shirt >> >> > pocket, taken it home and added a linear! Funnily enough most of the guys I was >> >> > working with have decided to become hams within the last 10 or 15 years. >> >> > >> >> > The HF receiver card in one of my PCs gets far more use than my stand-alone >> >> > transceivers with the DSP etc. the card is much more versatile - more modes, >> >> > bandwidths etc. etc.. Software defined is the way to go. >> >> > >> >> > But, and it is a fair sized but, I find I can have much more detailed and interesting >> >> > discussions of this technology with older rather than younger folks. I find (just my >> >> > experience and maybe the folks I choose to hang out with) that the younger generation >> >> > tend to be users who know no more about how it works than my granny knew about how her >> >> > telephone worked. But boy can they use it! >> >> > >> >> > My generation understood it down to the electron level. >> >> > My kids understood it down to the IC level. >> >> > My grand kids (teenagers - with a few exceptions) know how to use it but don't >> >> > understand, or really care, how it works. >> >> > >> >> > Can't blame them, it's progress. The systems have become so complex that one pretty >> >> > much has to specialize and folks with a general knowledge of hardware and software, >> >> > theory and practice of entire systems are becoming a vanishing breed. That is true of >> >> > much more than communications technology - the guy at the corner gas station probably >> >> > can't fix your anti-skid braking system any more than the local pharmacy can sell you >> >> > the part to fix your TV any more. >> >> > >> >> > Dave >> >> > Sitting at his computer listening to an HF net on his software defined radio running >> >> > on the same processor. >> >> > >> >> > >> >> > John Smith wrote: >> >> > >> >> >> Dave: >> >> >> >> >> >> No one is denying you the right to your religion of "amateur worship", we >> >> >> all need some high power to look up to. But, you must realize you are in >> >> >> a church which has a very small following (mostly other hams, and NOT all >> >> >> of them!) >> >> >> >> >> >> Fact is, the computer is a TV with a tv card inserted--a stereo system >> >> >> with a high quality audio card, tuner card inserted--a cd music player >> >> >> with cd and proper software--a dvd player with a dvd-cd and proper >> >> >> software--a home security system with the proper card and related software >> >> >> and backup-power supply--and soon to be an amateur rig with proper >> >> >> receiver card and xmitter card (some are already there!) >> >> >> >> >> >> Fact is, the computer IS amateurs future--like it or not... only reason >> >> >> the future is not here right now, old amateurs can't adapt and die >> >> >> first... and serve as a hindrance to the new minds bringing the future >> >> >> with them... >> >> >> >> >> >> John >> >> >> >> >> >> On Sun, 14 Aug 2005 13:20:06 -0400, Dave Holford wrote: >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Dee Flint wrote: >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> "John Smith" wrote in message >> >> >> >> news:pan.2005.08.12.21.14.50.207296@gmail.com... >> >> >> >> > PM: >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > Let me give a summary of the "real world." >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > If you were a child today, you would grow up with the computer. >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > In elementary school your first "pen pal" would be in a foreign country >> >> >> >> > and you would communicate with them via the internet. You would learn to >> >> >> >> > IM, IRC, EMAIL, MSN CHAT, YAHOO, WEB CAM, etc.... >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > By high school you would be picking up a computer script and/or language >> >> >> >> > and at least have a basic knowledge of programming. Your first hardware >> >> >> >> > project would most likely be computer related. >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > Somewhere along this line, you bump into a ham or a few. You look at them >> >> >> >> > using their equipment, it is apparent the internet is superior. They lack >> >> >> >> > the ability to exchange pics, apps, music, videos, documents, etc. by >> >> >> >> > transmissions taking seconds or minutes. Then, they show you a CW key and >> >> >> >> > you are dumb struck, and leave. You return to the internet and current >> >> >> >> > technology, never to stray again... you begin a web site and consider >> >> >> >> > what position you would like in the computer field, when you grow up... >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> > John >> >> >> >> > >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> The days of kids being computer gurus have already come and gone. Now they >> >> >> >> just play video games and chat. Very few get interested in programming. >> >> >> >> Very few do a hardware project. They take their computers to the shop for >> >> >> >> upgrades. They only people that I have observed doing their own hardware >> >> >> >> upgrades, rebuilding computers, etc are the middle aged and the "old farts" >> >> >> >> that you seem to despise so. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> I spend countless hours teaching our interns how to use email, spreadsheets, >> >> >> >> etc. >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> Dee D. Flint, N8UZE >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Absolutely. 25 or 30 years ago it was true. Then I could ask an exam question >> >> >> > which required writing an ISR in assembly, or even object. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Now, forget it! Such questions would never be allowed because the students >> >> >> > wouldn't understand the question. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > My grandkids live for the computer. the blackberry, cellphone and their gadgets, >> >> >> > but have no idea what goes on behind the screen, despite the fact that their >> >> >> > mother is a specialist in advanced secure systems. The kid who used to cut my >> >> >> > grass thinks he is a programmer because he can copy a script from the internet - >> >> >> > but say things like "object", "hex", "bus" and this teenage expert looks at me >> >> >> > llike I have one eye in the middle of my forehead. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > If I want to talk to people who build hardware, write efficient imaginative >> >> >> > software, and can actually do hex math I go to the QCWA breakfast; where someone >> >> >> > always has a new piece of homebrew microwave hardware or some neat little Unix >> >> >> > trick to show off. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > The last QCWA convention I attended had fascinating discussions on cell phone >> >> >> > hacking, unix programming, software defined radio along with the old standards >> >> >> > of antennas, propagation, etc. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Yes, I'm an old fart who can hand key 25wpm (but doesn't anymmore because e-mail >> >> >> > is easier, not faster), use the net, write assembly programs and even use a >> >> >> > soldering iron. I even have some idea how the telephone system works and made >> >> >> > phone calls from my HT before the cell phone was invented. And I certainly do >> >> >> > not rank myself anywhere near the experimenters and explorers in Ham Radio; I'm >> >> >> > not that talented. >> >> >> > >> >> >> > Dave >> >> >> > VE3HLU Article: 94066 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1123875273.411151.190000@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1so1g159tdeqqrc46a5c325ba67ccp9213@4ax.com> Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 11:52:21 -0700 Walt: When you recover the where-with-all to keep up, and a newsreader which is not prompting you to ask, "What is going on here?"--get back to me... John On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 19:50:38 +0100, Walt Davidson wrote: > On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 08:38:23 -0700, John Smith > wrote: > >>Walt: >> >>Get a decent newsreader, refer to the text at the bottom of my post you >>question, that is all there is... > > John: > > My newsreader is RFC-compliant. It only looks for quotes that > *precede* any new text. > > Anything that is quoted at the end of the message, trailing like a > long gray beard, is ignored. > > HTH. Article: 94067 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: What Is Ham Radio - A Weekly F.A.Q. Message-ID: References: <1so1g159tdeqqrc46a5c325ba67ccp9213@4ax.com> Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 12:05:53 -0700 Walt: John On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 20:04:32 +0100, Walt Davidson wrote: > On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 11:52:21 -0700, John Smith > wrote: > >>Walt: >> >>When you recover the where-with-all to keep up, and a newsreader which is >>not prompting you to ask, "What is going on here?"--get back to me... >> >>John > > Kill-filed for persistent, ignorant top-posting. > > Goodbye. Article: 94068 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Tom" Subject: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:15:01 GMT Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Tom Article: 94069 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: dplatt@radagast.org (Dave Platt) Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:32:36 -0000 Message-ID: <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> >Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once >again be available---no date offered but should be soon. Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality of their electronic-components rack... -- Dave Platt AE6EO Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! Article: 94070 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "clfe" References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:19:18 -1200 "Dave Platt" wrote in message news:11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com... > >Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will > >once >>again be available---no date offered but should be soon. > > Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site > search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. > > Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality > of their electronic-components rack... > > -- > Dave Platt AE6EO > Hosting the Jade Warrior home page: http://www.radagast.org/jade-warrior > I do _not_ wish to receive unsolicited commercial email, and I will > boycott any company which has the gall to send me such ads! Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it not for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me that they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, Stereos, Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't enough to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major miracle to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have nothing to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. clf Article: 94071 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "john graesser" Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:30:50 -0500 Message-ID: <11g2jd1e1amec32@corp.supernews.com> References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> "Dave Platt" wrote in message news:11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com... > >Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once > >again be available---no date offered but should be soon. > > Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site > search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. > > Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality > of their electronic-components rack... Unfortunately, all their money comes from cell phone sales. I won't be visiting them until they lose their shirt doing that and have to go back to selling components. Article: 94072 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <11g2jd1e1amec32@corp.supernews.com> Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 19:33:00 -0700 I think it is mainly the old timers which keep them in business, anyone 40 and younger will grab what they need off the internet (cell phones too) and get a much better deal... John On Mon, 15 Aug 2005 21:30:50 -0500, john graesser wrote: > > "Dave Platt" wrote in message > news:11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com... >> >Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will > once >> >again be available---no date offered but should be soon. >> >> Well, that's a step in a good direction, I suppose. Their Web-site >> search engine from Hell was really getting on my nerves. >> >> Now, if they'd just quadruple the size, selection breadth, and quality >> of their electronic-components rack... > > Unfortunately, all their money comes from cell phone sales. I won't be > visiting them until they lose their shirt doing that and have to go back to > selling components. Article: 94073 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Larry Gagnon Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Mon, 15 Aug 2005 22:48:32 -0700 Message-ID: References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> On Tue, 16 Aug 2005 00:15:01 +0000, Tom wrote: > Got the word today at the neighborhood RadioShack that a catalog will once > again be available---no date offered but should be soon. > > Tom Who cares? Their stuff has been and probably always will be a POS. I have never seen worse electronic components sold to the general public than the junk in that store. Avoid them like the plague. Larry VE7EA Article: 94074 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: gsm@mendelson.com (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 06:41:01 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> In article , clfe wrote: > Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it not > for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me that > they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics > "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, Stereos, > Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't enough > to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on > longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major miracle > to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm > lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have nothing > to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually > cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. Last night I was watching on cable a movie made in 1997 about Star Trek fans. One of the fans builds things. It showed him going into a Radio Shack store and asking for parts and electronics help (should I use a 270 oHm resistor instead of the 3k?). The back of the store was a maze of parts racks, and they guy knew the answers. As Joani Mitchell once said "you don't realize what you've lost until it's gone". Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. Article: 94075 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <430194CD.CD5517F8@earthlink.net> From: "Michael A. Terrell" Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 07:25:03 GMT wrongaddress@att.net wrote: > > I'm attempting to build a small AM broadcast superhet transistor radio > from scratch and having a problem with the three IF stages oscillating > at the IF frequency (455KHz). The IF coils are salvaged from other > radios and the ground connections are to a common bus wire that > connects all the IF coil shields. It works reasonably well around 5 > volts, but breaks into oscillation (at the IF frequency) if the supply > voltage is increased 1/2 volt and the signal drops off significantly if > the supply voltage is reduced 1/2 volt. So, it only works within a very > small supply voltage range of around 5 to 5.5 volts. The IF stages are > decoupled from the supply with a small resistor in series and bypass > cap to ground which helps, but doesn't solve the problem. I'm wondering > what can be done to stop oscillations and increase gain? > > How did they manage to avoid the oscillation problems in the old tube > radios that were hand wired without any PC board? > > -Bill Try reversing the leads to one of the IF transformer windings to stop the oscillation. -- Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted after threats were telephoned to my church. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida Article: 94076 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Howard Long" Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 11:54:11 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> Hello Polymath > I wonder if anyone has successfully converted a > thrown-away cell-phone into a spectrum analyser? > > We would seem to have all the necessary components > in there for free - keyboard, graphical display, > post-demodulation DSP, Frequency Synthesizer, > RF good up to 1 GHz (2G5Hz if an ex-WCDMA unit) > > Here would seem to be an opportunity to equip > all Radio Hams with a reasonably state-of-the-art > piece of test gear, that when coupled with an > IF generator would give us all a network analyser > into the bargain! If you have web access, I have built a scalar network analyser from one of the commonly available TV transmitters http://www.g6lvb.com/Articles/NetAn/index.htm. These TV transmitters use the SP5055 2.6GHz I2C frequency synthesisers and are easily programmed from a PIC. You could build yourself a spectrum analyser using the synthesiser as the sweep oscillator as I did. If you successfully reverse engineer a cellphone enough to be able to use any of the parts you describe I am sure that there would be a great deal of interest if you published the information for any particular model. 73, Howard G6LVB Article: 94077 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Steve Silverwood Subject: Re: Postage-stamp sized radio? Message-ID: References: <42eb6dcd_1@x-privat.org> <42eb7d75$1_3@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com> <3l1shbF10knmmU1@individual.net> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 12:10:00 GMT In article <3l1shbF10knmmU1@individual.net>, mcmlviii@comcast.net says... > Certainly many sinister reasons exist as well for such a small device. How about a radio the size of a PCMCIA card that you can slip into your notebook computer? No external box required, except possibly an amplifier if you needed it. -- -- //Steve// Steve Silverwood, KB6OJS Fountain Valley, CA Email: kb6ojs@arrl.net Article: 94078 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "clfe" References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 10:09:14 -1200 "Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message news:slrndg32go.ija.gsm@cable.mendelson.com... > In article , > clfe wrote: > >> Sadly, I think them doing that - is wishful thinking. Actually, were it >> not >> for the Cell Phones and some other miscellaneous items, it seems to me >> that >> they would be out of business in the not too distant future. Electromics >> "toys" - can be had at Wal-Mart or any other place, same with TVs, >> Stereos, >> Computers and phone accessories. The "few" scanners they sell isn't >> enough >> to hold them. I really do think they're on their last legs. IF they go on >> longer, then all the better. But I think it is going to take a major >> miracle >> to pick them up. I used to go in a RS store at least 3 times a week. I'm >> lucky if I walk in one - once every couple months. They simply have >> nothing >> to offer me anymore. I can get all they have - elsewhere, and usually >> cheaper - WITHOUT - the "Do you need a cell phone?" pitch. > > Last night I was watching on cable a movie made in 1997 about Star Trek > fans. One of the fans builds things. It showed him going into a Radio > Shack store and asking for parts and electronics help (should I use > a 270 oHm resistor instead of the 3k?). > > The back of the store was a maze of parts racks, and they guy knew the > answers. > > As Joani Mitchell once said "you don't realize what you've lost until it's > gone". > > Geoff. > > -- > Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM > IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: > 1-215-821-1838 > Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. > It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" type of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, the other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm talking the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has seriously lost its touch. clf Article: 94079 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: Postage-stamp sized radio? Message-ID: References: <42eb6dcd_1@x-privat.org> <3l2a58F10l1o7U1@individual.net> <7fucnWrYhZokkXHfUSdV9g@ptd.net> <42ec5bf9_2@x-privat.org> <3l45nsF10j9k8U2@individual.net> <42ecf2d3_1@x-privat.org> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 09:12:10 -0700 ManyMath: There are idiots, then again there are truly amazing idiots. You are amazing! John On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 16:50:12 +0100, Polymath wrote: > The remark from a Yank indicates the state of play in Britland.... > > "Allodoxaphobia" wrote in message > news:slrndepscd.kog.bit-bucket@shell.config.com... >> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005 07:34:23 -0700, Larry wrote: >>> Polymath wrote: >>>> Why the attack? >>> >>> Does it matter? Killfile them and move on; they are worth no more >>> effort or attention and are never deserved of any response. >> >> Well, certsinly killfile any crosspostings that include uk.radio.amateur. >> That seems to be where the major sewage leaks are coming from. >> >> Jonesy >> -- >> Marvin L Jones | jonz | W3DHJ | linux >> Pueblo, Colorado | @ | Jonesy | OS/2 __ >> 38.24N 104.55W | config.com | DM78rf | SK Article: 94080 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: gsm@mendelson.com (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 16:51:01 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> In article , clfe wrote: > Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS > clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" type > of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to > substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, the > other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm talking > the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has > seriously lost its touch. The manager of the Radio Shack I went to before I moved here, was a ham. All of the employes knew radio (swl or scanners), electronics or computers. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. Article: 94081 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "clfe" References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 15:59:10 -1200 "Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message news:slrndg466g.qqs.gsm@cable.mendelson.com... > In article , > clfe wrote: > >> Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS >> clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" >> type >> of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to >> substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, >> the >> other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm >> talking >> the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has >> seriously lost its touch. > > The manager of the Radio Shack I went to before I moved here, was a ham. > All of the employes knew radio (swl or scanners), electronics or > computers. > > Geoff. > > -- > Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM > IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: > 1-215-821-1838 > Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. > It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. I don't doubt that at all. "Some" did know what they were doing and/or selling. But, by and large - most didn't. I was in a store once too where a customer asked about a Public Service Scanner. The sales lady didn't know what was what with the three models they listed. I overheard them asking her about them, as they wanted to buy one. She plain said "I don't know". I asked if I may help, she said yes. I explained to them what they needed to know and they did buy "a" scanner. I told the young lady - I know it may not be required, but you should at least "try" to learn a little of what you're selling. That store wasn't a RS, but just goes to show, many sales people do not know their products. THAT can hurt them in the end. People don't want to or like to buy things they can't use. Especially now with the price of gas to return something. The Employee selling the item isn't going to look very good - whether he did it on purpose or just plain didn't know. In the end, I think the Staples, Wal-Marts, Office Maxs, (maybe Circuit Citys and so on are going to be in the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - with the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years tops. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and gone. clf Article: 94082 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "G1LVN \(for it is he\)" Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:23:25 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> "Howard Long" wrote in message news:ddsk53$aqr$1@nwrdmz01.dmz.ncs.ea.ibs-infra.bt.com... > Hello Polymath > > If you successfully reverse engineer a cellphone enough to be able to use > any of the parts you describe I am sure that there would be a great deal > of > interest if you published the information for any particular model. > Sweep oscillator on the X axis of an old junk oscilloscope and the IF stage of an old multiband radio always did the job for me, mind you that was until I went to university of course when we found a new use for the spectrum analyser - listening to Radio 1 in the lab mainly. Article: 94083 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: zzzpk_pkearn_class_a@its-as-easy-as-they-say-multi_band_cb_is_here.eircom.es.it.net (ZZZZPK ) Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:33:47 GMT Message-ID: <43024d91.3121364@news.iol.ie> References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> "G1LVN \(for it is he\)" wrote: : I went to university of course when we found a new use for the spectrum : analyser - listening to Radio 1 in the lab mainly. you mean you didnt use it to heat the place on a cold morning ? Article: 94084 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 17:19:04 -0400 From: -ex- Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Message-ID: <82ac1$4302584b$4232bdaa$20550@COQUI.NET> clfe wrote: > the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - with > the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years tops. I > hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and gone. > > clf 10 years? No way. In recent years I've had a few instances to go into a RS looking for stuff for the kids like videogame machines and just odd random non-radio related stuff. They aren't competitive with that stuff either. Seems to me that they are 'surviving' off of their convenience aspect since most of their urban stores are located in malls and many smaller towns that don't have the big box stores and malls at least have an RS franchise...but they never have a very good stock of anything. When you go into a RS and they can't fit you with a new cellphone battery whats left? My bet is that there are a lot of red ink stores in their chain and the poor franchisees are basically working only to have a job and to try and salvage their investment. I suspect if it weren't for their franchising schemes the name Radio Shack would be long gone already. -Bill M Article: 94085 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 18:45:38 -0400 From: -ex- Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <82ac1$4302584b$4232bdaa$20550@COQUI.NET> Message-ID: Dave wrote: > Well RS is doing well financially, better than the competition. As for > what they sell, well, you have to follow the money especially with the rents > so high. Cellphones, satellite service and other modern fun things is where > the money is now. Parts make up very little of the business, even though > they make a high profit on them. The do-it-yourself market is pretty lean I wasn't meaning to compare selling cellphone contracts with selling parts that nobody buys anymore. What I meant to suggest is that they are not even the best choice in the satellite tv/cellphone package market. Sure, they get bulk deals from the main providers but so do a lot of other people who don't have to pay mall-front rent prices and can undercut them at their own game. Follow the money is very appropo and will likely figure into their ultimate demise. I'll reitirate that its the franchise owners who are taking the beating, not the corporate entity. -BM Article: 94086 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "James F. Mayer" References: <1124040307.170942.41970@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> <43024d91.3121364@news.iol.ie> Subject: Re: Spectrum Analyser from Cell Phones? Message-ID: Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 23:08:32 GMT "ZZZZPK " wrote in message news:43024d91.3121364@news.iol.ie... > "G1LVN \(for it is he\)" wrote: > > : I went to university of course when we found a new use for the spectrum > : analyser - listening to Radio 1 in the lab mainly. > > you mean you didnt use it to heat the place on a cold morning ? > > That's what you use the Tektronix 555 for. Article: 94087 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: tim gorman Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 18:48:03 -0500 wrongaddress@att.net wrote: > > > I'm attempting to build a small AM broadcast superhet transistor radio > from scratch and having a problem with the three IF stages oscillating > at the IF frequency (455KHz). The IF coils are salvaged from other > radios and the ground connections are to a common bus wire that > connects all the IF coil shields. It works reasonably well around 5 > volts, but breaks into oscillation (at the IF frequency) if the supply > voltage is increased 1/2 volt and the signal drops off significantly if > the supply voltage is reduced 1/2 volt. So, it only works within a very > small supply voltage range of around 5 to 5.5 volts. The IF stages are > decoupled from the supply with a small resistor in series and bypass > cap to ground which helps, but doesn't solve the problem. I'm wondering > what can be done to stop oscillations and increase gain? > > How did they manage to avoid the oscillation problems in the old tube > radios that were hand wired without any PC board? > > -Bill If you are getting oscillations then you have a feedback loop somewhere that you don't want. What are you using for IF amplifiers? Transistors, Fet's, mmic's, or something else? How are you biasing the stages? Are all three stages oscillating or only one of them? If you are using transistors or mmic's you might be better off not even using IF cans. tim ab0wr Article: 94088 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <4302ACD0.539C9D67@earthlink.net> From: "Michael A. Terrell" Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 03:19:49 GMT Reloader wrote: > > Back in the '70 you had to demoinstrate knoweledge of electronics before > you could be hired; not an expert, but at least understand what the > customer was looking for. I worked for them until '79. Their new > slogan is "you got questions, we got insults." > > -- > Reloader You've got questions? So do we! ;-) You've got questions? Come back when you have the answers! ;-) You've got questions? Go ask someone with an IQ higher than 70! ;-) You've got questions? What do you expect from us. Answers? ;-) You've got questions? Go away, I'm trying to sell a cell phone! ;-) You've got questions? Don't we all? ;-) Anyone have any more good ones? -- Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted after threats were telephoned to my church. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida Article: 94089 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "clfe" References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <82ac1$4302584b$4232bdaa$20550@COQUI.NET> Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 23:25:58 -1200 "-ex-" wrote in message news:82ac1$4302584b$4232bdaa$20550@COQUI.NET... > clfe wrote: > >> the front. Radio Shack selling basically the same thing the others do - >> with the exception of a few things, will peter out. I give them 10 years >> tops. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt it. I think their era has come and >> gone. >> >> clf > > 10 years? No way. In recent years I've had a few instances to go into a > RS looking for stuff for the kids like videogame machines and just odd > random non-radio related stuff. They aren't competitive with that stuff > either. > > Seems to me that they are 'surviving' off of their convenience aspect > since most of their urban stores are located in malls and many smaller > towns that don't have the big box stores and malls at least have an RS > franchise...but they never have a very good stock of anything. When you > go into a RS and they can't fit you with a new cellphone battery whats > left? > > My bet is that there are a lot of red ink stores in their chain and the > poor franchisees are basically working only to have a job and to try and > salvage their investment. I suspect if it weren't for their franchising > schemes the name Radio Shack would be long gone already. > > -Bill M Bill - BILL - I was "trying" to be nice about it - be conservative - give them time to buy themselves out of this mess. If they go 5 they'll be damned lucky. As to their "Franchising" - knowing what I do, I'd be very hard pressed to want to be a part of their system. I recall a day when they wouldn't allow (at least how I recall it) a store within 10 miles of another. Now, they have stores and francised outlets squeezed in between. Maybe in the quest to try to add more stores for more sales, - they choked themselves. Seems to be a going thing today. A big store chain comes in - claims the best of the world and within a very few short years - declare bankruptcy and shut down. Whatever their problems are - Cell phone sales - TV sets, Phones, Gadgets and so on - just aren't going to cut it. They really did lose the basis of their origins. Sad but true - a sign of the times. It wouldn't surprise me if tomorrow on CNN - they came out with the announcement that RS is calling it quits. Like the death of a famous movie star or whatever you hold somewhat near and dear - it may startle the mind, but life goes on. clf Article: 94090 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: John Smith Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <4302ACD0.539C9D67@earthlink.net> Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 21:26:08 -0700 You have questions? We have puzzles, mysteries, enigmas and impossible solutions! John On Wed, 17 Aug 2005 03:19:49 +0000, Michael A. Terrell wrote: > Reloader wrote: >> >> Back in the '70 you had to demoinstrate knoweledge of electronics before >> you could be hired; not an expert, but at least understand what the >> customer was looking for. I worked for them until '79. Their new >> slogan is "you got questions, we got insults." >> >> -- >> Reloader > > You've got questions? So do we! ;-) > > You've got questions? Come back when you have the answers! ;-) > > You've got questions? Go ask someone with an IQ higher than 70! ;-) > > You've got questions? What do you expect from us. Answers? ;-) > > You've got questions? Go away, I'm trying to sell a cell phone! ;-) > > You've got questions? Don't we all? ;-) > > > Anyone have any more good ones? Article: 94091 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Pete KE9OA" References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio Message-ID: Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 09:14:03 GMT I don't know what you mean by "small resistor" in series with the V+ line. Each amplifier stage should have a series resistor of 100 ohms and a bypass capacitor of .01uF. Actually, you can bypass every other stage if you are using common emitter or common source stages, but I would do it with every amplifier stage. As far as physical distance for each stage, you should allow 1/2 inch for every 40dB of gain. You shouldn't have this type of problem. A ground plane is always a good idea, but at the very least you should have quite a bit of ground flood on the circuit board. Although it is possible if you have quite a bit of copper foil tape around the board, you can build this circuit on perfboard but you have to be very careful, as you have already discovered. I don't know if they have perfboard that has copper on only one side, but this is one solution. You had a question about the old hand-wired tubed equipment. With a metal chassis, you would keep the wiring down close to the chassis itself, which would in effect provide that ground plane. A ground is very important to provide a place for the return currents for all of the signals, whether physical wires or copper traces are used. Pete wrote in message news:1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... > I'm attempting to build a small AM broadcast superhet transistor radio > from scratch and having a problem with the three IF stages oscillating > at the IF frequency (455KHz). The IF coils are salvaged from other > radios and the ground connections are to a common bus wire that > connects all the IF coil shields. It works reasonably well around 5 > volts, but breaks into oscillation (at the IF frequency) if the supply > voltage is increased 1/2 volt and the signal drops off significantly if > the supply voltage is reduced 1/2 volt. So, it only works within a very > small supply voltage range of around 5 to 5.5 volts. The IF stages are > decoupled from the supply with a small resistor in series and bypass > cap to ground which helps, but doesn't solve the problem. I'm wondering > what can be done to stop oscillations and increase gain? > > How did they manage to avoid the oscillation problems in the old tube > radios that were hand wired without any PC board? > > -Bill > Article: 94092 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: gsm@mendelson.com (Geoffrey S. Mendelson) Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 13:51:01 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <11g2jd1e1amec32@corp.supernews.com> In article , Highland Ham wrote: > If they are reconsidering publishing a catalogue and include > electronic components ,then their marketing people and nobody else consider > this a potentially profitable move . > > They wouldn't do it just to please electronics enthousiasts (which include > some home brewing radio amateurs) No, it's the simple demographics. The parts buyers are older people with more disposable income and a technology bent. They won't sell you a cell phone, but they might get you to buy one of their big ticket items while you are there. Let's face it, if you go to a Radio Shack once a week to pick up parts, like many of us used to do in days gone by, while you are there you are more likely to buy something else than make a trip to one of the big stores especialy to buy a $20 item. I'll bet you that they make profit on that $20 item than some of the big stores make on a $100 item. Geoff. -- Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: 1-215-821-1838 Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. Article: 94093 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "RST Engineering" Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 09:22:45 -0700 Message-ID: <11g6p2pod0c39a1@corp.supernews.com> References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <4302ACD0.539C9D67@earthlink.net> <1124281764.249967.269820@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> You've got questions? We've got answers. Hell NO I don't know if they are correct. Jim "Tim Shoppa" wrote in message news:1124281764.249967.269820@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com... >> Anyone have any more good ones? > > You've got questions? We've got blank stares! > Article: 94094 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "John Ferrell" References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Message-ID: Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 17:58:03 GMT If you buy it at Radio Shack & it has a warranty, they will do their best to honor it. The new storage system for parts sure is better for us with bifocals. Their demise has been predicted for more than 30 years... Some of the store help are very knowledgeable, some are not. -- John Ferrell http://DixieNC.US "Geoffrey S. Mendelson" wrote in message news:slrndg466g.qqs.gsm@cable.mendelson.com... > In article , > clfe wrote: > >> Problem with that scenario is most and I'd dare say a majority of the RS >> clerks didn't have a clue about electronics - to be able to give "that" >> type >> of answer. They were lucky to know what a resistor was, let alone how to >> substitute one value for another. They were good when they sold parts, >> the >> other stuff was for the "other" people - not into Electronics. I'm >> talking >> the toys and gadgets. For anyone wanting to go in for parts only - it has >> seriously lost its touch. > > The manager of the Radio Shack I went to before I moved here, was a ham. > All of the employes knew radio (swl or scanners), electronics or > computers. > > Geoff. > > -- > Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@mendelson.com N3OWJ/4X1GM > IL Voice: (077)-424-1667 IL Fax: 972-2-648-1443 U.S. Voice: > 1-215-821-1838 > Support the growing boycott of Google by radio users and hobbyists. > It's starting to work, Yahoo has surpassed Google. Article: 94095 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "john graesser" Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 15:18:58 -0500 Message-ID: <11g76bkik7pa515@corp.supernews.com> References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> <82ac1$4302584b$4232bdaa$20550@COQUI.NET> "Dave" wrote in message news:wM2dnb0lctlw_Z_eRVn-rQ@comcast.com... > Well RS is doing well financially, better than the competition. As for > what they sell, well, you have to follow the money especially with the rents > so high. Cellphones, satellite service and other modern fun things is where > the money is now. Parts make up very little of the business, even though > they make a high profit on them. The do-it-yourself market is pretty lean > now a days, with college areas making up the biggest market. It is to easy > to buy a digital rig and get it up and running than a homebrew one. Even > though the homebrew one is funner to get going. I recall a UP story a couple of weeks ago that stated RS had 50 million profit off of over 1 billion in sales. So they are selling a hell of a lot but barely staying in the black. 1/2 of 1 percent profit? Even a passbook savings acct gets a better return than that. Article: 94096 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: David Winfrey Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 21:14:44 -0000 Message-ID: <11g7a64d9dekc0a@corp.supernews.com> References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> John Ferrell wrote: : : Their demise has been predicted for more than 30 years... : Some of the store help are very knowledgeable, some are not. : One of my friends once went to a Radio Shack and asked if they could special-order a vacuum tube for his guitar amplifier. The kid at the counter didn't know what a vacuum tube was, and suggested that he should try the appliance department at Sears, as they might sell parts for vacuum cleaners. David Winfrey KB3ICR Article: 94097 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: TJ Subject: Re: 73' mag article "TV/VCR TUNER APPLICATIONS by W6WTU Message-ID: References: <1124254153.950197.205050@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 17:38:17 -0500 On 16 Aug 2005 21:49:13 -0700, pdrunen@aol.com wrote: >is an exposed card with PINS in ORDER starting from the left > >BT Tuning voltage Typically 0-30VDC >GND Ground for tuning V+ Recommend a cap across BT and this ground at the pins on the tuner. >IF IF out. This freq will be different for TV or VCR tuner >AGC Automatic Gain Control You can leave this open or build a voltage divider. 2.5VDC is typical. >NC No Connection >AUDIO ??? Could be an auxiliary audio out or maybe FM radio band >NC No Connection >AFC Automatic Frequency Control It's a PIA to use this and really not required. >+B Tuner power 12VDC typical >M Mode Open=VHF 12VDC=UHF >V ??? Don't know Try with no connection >GND Tuner ground > >THE OTHER pins are under the metal can and I did not see a name of the >PCB either. > >Maybe someone can share information about the signals and possible id >the manufacturer by the line up? > >Another question, I have a UHF tuner taken from a set made in the '80 >and it has a knob to rotate to select one of 84 channels. > >Out of the tuner is two wires and a RCA jack which goes back up to the >VHF tuner. > >Can any one tell me was IF frequeny is coming out of the tuner and what >mine be the volt on the other two wires? The set was an RCA portable >unit. This an Analog tuner. IF is in 45Mhz area. The two wires are B+ and AGC. Ground is through the coax shield. B+ could be 12, 18, 20, or 24VDC. Pop the cover and check an electrolytic cap. The WDC should tell you what is OK. 16WDC = 12VDC etc.. AGC = Again, 2.5VDC is typical. CAUTION!!!! Electronic tuners are VERY sensitive to over voltage and reverse polarity. This is general info. "THINK" before applying power. If you get smoke, you have a paperweight. And last. I'm at a temp location and can't scan article. If you can't get article give me a snail mail address and I'll copy and mail. Tom WD9BMH thomasj1@arczip.com Article: 94098 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Message-ID: <4303C2BD.114C3D6A@earthlink.net> From: "Michael A. Terrell" Subject: Re: RadioShack Catalog References: <9eaMe.614039$cg1.103783@bgtnsc04-news.ops.worldnet.att.net> <11g2d14ic142b3c@corp.supernews.com> Date: Wed, 17 Aug 2005 23:06:18 GMT John Ferrell wrote: > > If you buy it at Radio Shack & it has a warranty, they will do their best to > honor it. The new storage system for parts sure is better for us with > bifocals. Its a pain in the ass for those who walk with a cane to try to bend down and look in the bottom drawers without falling, or knocking over the piles of toys they use to try to hide the cabinets. One store has them right outside the door to the office, and its dangerous trying to stand there with the droids running in and out of the office. -- Link to my "Computers for disabled Veterans" project website deleted after threats were telephoned to my church. Michael A. Terrell Central Florida Article: 94099 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "W3JDR" References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1124331183.204724.283770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio Message-ID: Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 11:36:42 GMT Bill, Transistor amplifiers with inputs and outputs tuned to the same frequency turn out to be oscillators, especially if the the tuned frequency is very low compared to the transistor's Ft. If you're using a modern transistor with an Ft of say, 800 Mhz, and you're tuning it to say, 500KHz, then you could have available gain of over 60 dB in one stage. This is a sure-bet oscillator waiting to happen. You can lower the gain by 'loading' the input and output tuned circuits with parallel resistors (try 1K for starters and work up from there if it stops the oscillation. Just remember that this technique, in addition to lowering the gain, will also load the tuned circuit and degrade selectivity. You can also try a small resistor (less than a couple hundred ohms) in series with the collector lead of the transistor, or in series with the base lead. This technique will lower the stage gain and actually increase the impedance seen by the tuned circuits, improving selectivity. Keep in mind that raising the selectivity too much can cause tuned circuit losses, just as parallel loading it will lower selectivity and increase losses. Joe W3JDR wrote in message news:1124331183.204724.283770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com... >> I don't know what you mean by "small resistor" in series with the V+ >> line. >> Each amplifier stage should have a series resistor of 100 ohms and a >> bypass >> capacitor of .01uF. > > I've tried several values, 220,330,510, ect. with 0.05uF bypass. > Doesn't make much difference. > >> As far as physical distance for each stage, you should allow 1/2 inch for >> every 40dB of gain. You shouldn't have this type of problem. A ground >> plane >> is always a good idea, > > The IF cans are spaced 1 inch apart and I disconnected the 2nd IF stage > so I only have an oscillator, mixer and single IF amp stage. Same > problem, it always oscillates when the voltage is raised to obtain > reasonable gain. > >> Although it is possible if you have quite a bit of copper foil tape >> around the >> board, you can build this circuit on perfboard but you have to be very >> careful, >> as you have already discovered. > > I took a look inside a AM/FM clock radio I have and checked the > ground connections. There are 3 RF transformers, oscillator, mixer and > single IF stage, and all of the metal shields of the transformers are > isolated. There are no physical connections between the shields of the > 3 transformers. > > Obviously, I am missing something. Grounding all the transformer > housings on a massive ground plane does not seem to be the answer. > > -Bill > Article: 94100 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: nospam@nouce.bellatlantic.net Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio Message-ID: References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1124331183.204724.283770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 12:22:31 GMT On 17 Aug 2005 19:13:03 -0700, wrongaddress@att.net wrote: >> I don't know what you mean by "small resistor" in series with the V+ line. >> Each amplifier stage should have a series resistor of 100 ohms and a bypass >> capacitor of .01uF. > >I've tried several values, 220,330,510, ect. with 0.05uF bypass. >Doesn't make much difference. > >> As far as physical distance for each stage, you should allow 1/2 inch for >> every 40dB of gain. You shouldn't have this type of problem. A ground plane >> is always a good idea, > >The IF cans are spaced 1 inch apart and I disconnected the 2nd IF stage >so I only have an oscillator, mixer and single IF amp stage. Same >problem, it always oscillates when the voltage is raised to obtain >reasonable gain. > >> Although it is possible if you have quite a bit of copper foil tape around the >> board, you can build this circuit on perfboard but you have to be very careful, >> as you have already discovered. > >I took a look inside a AM/FM clock radio I have and checked the >ground connections. There are 3 RF transformers, oscillator, mixer and >single IF stage, and all of the metal shields of the transformers are >isolated. There are no physical connections between the shields of the >3 transformers. > >Obviously, I am missing something. Grounding all the transformer >housings on a massive ground plane does not seem to be the answer. > >-Bill I will assume good wiring, lead dress and stage bypassing have been attended to as even small amounts of feedback regardless the cause will insitgate oscillation. Transistors have internal capacitance from collector to base and in high impedence RF amplifiers that serves to couple input to output and make a fine oscillator. The gain attainable before oscillation was usually listed as MUG (max usable gain) and is usually specified with a test circuit. Often that circuit was neutralized (more later) to allow best gain without oscillation. For a .455khz IF a stage gain of more than around 35DB from one transistor is begging for instability. There are several solutions for that. One is reduce the gain, not always a good solution but sometimes required. Another is to neutalize the amplifier. Neutralization is to feed back some of the signal out of phase back to the base lead to balance out the signal comming back via the collector base capacitance. Like anything enough is good too much is bad. As it turns out most ransistor radios of the 50s up till the do it all on a chip era had to cope with unintentional feedback. Most applied both of the mentioned solutions, reduce the per stage gains and apply neutralization. As to how to apply neutalization... Varies depending on circuit. Assuming your using common IF cans and generic transistor circuit it's usually easy. The output IF can has three terminals on the tuned side, one is meant for DC power, another is collector and the remaining is the out of phase feedback to the base via a capacitor in the range of 1 to 10pf. Which pin is which, depends of the can and who made it. Another way if the IF can is not tapped is to feed back some fo the secondary winding to the base. The tricky part here is if the secondary is backward it will make oscillation worse and you will have to reverse the seconday IF transformer leads. What you are shooting for is a stable amplifier. One of the side effects is that if the applied neutralization is too small the stage will have some regeneration but not oscillate and that is also unstable though a very high gain state to be in. Strive for stability. The stage should not oscillate at any reasonable voltage or tuning adjustment. All of the proceeding is predicated on the transistor stage oscillating at the IF frequency. It is possible due to various factors that the transistor is oscillation at VHF and a number of other frequencies as well. This is trickier, as you need to suppress that and then deal with the IF oscillation if still present. VHF oscillation can be killed with a 100ohm resistor in series with the collector lead. The resistor and the collector lead should be short. There is no measurable gain lost at IF frequencies to that resistor as it's size is very small compared to the load. Having built more than few radios with high gain IF stages I've had to deal with this problem more than once. Hope it helps. Allison KB1GMX Article: 94101 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Pete KE9OA" References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1124331183.204724.283770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio Message-ID: Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 13:10:46 GMT A ground plane should make the system more stable. The radios that I have been designing over the years have gains in the I.F. systems that range from 90 to 120dB, depending on the topology. You are definitely getting signal feedback through your power supply rails. 100 to 120 ohms is about as high as you want to go as far as decoupling resistor values. .05uF is too high of a value for a decoupling cap..............01uF is what you should use for local decoupling. You should also have at least one bulk decoupling cap that has a value in the range of 10 to 47uF. The larger decoupling cap cancels out the inductance of your power supply wiring while the smaller local decoupling caps cancel out the inductance of the bulk cap. Pete wrote in message news:1124331183.204724.283770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com... >> I don't know what you mean by "small resistor" in series with the V+ >> line. >> Each amplifier stage should have a series resistor of 100 ohms and a >> bypass >> capacitor of .01uF. > > I've tried several values, 220,330,510, ect. with 0.05uF bypass. > Doesn't make much difference. > >> As far as physical distance for each stage, you should allow 1/2 inch for >> every 40dB of gain. You shouldn't have this type of problem. A ground >> plane >> is always a good idea, > > The IF cans are spaced 1 inch apart and I disconnected the 2nd IF stage > so I only have an oscillator, mixer and single IF amp stage. Same > problem, it always oscillates when the voltage is raised to obtain > reasonable gain. > >> Although it is possible if you have quite a bit of copper foil tape >> around the >> board, you can build this circuit on perfboard but you have to be very >> careful, >> as you have already discovered. > > I took a look inside a AM/FM clock radio I have and checked the > ground connections. There are 3 RF transformers, oscillator, mixer and > single IF stage, and all of the metal shields of the transformers are > isolated. There are no physical connections between the shields of the > 3 transformers. > > Obviously, I am missing something. Grounding all the transformer > housings on a massive ground plane does not seem to be the answer. > > -Bill > Article: 94102 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Bruce in Alaska Subject: Re: Radio problem References: <3kv7g15l5d8sbgfqaoqu1ehdj6j4g6rhqd@4ax.com> Message-ID: Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 19:09:48 GMT In article <3kv7g15l5d8sbgfqaoqu1ehdj6j4g6rhqd@4ax.com>, Gary Schafer wrote: > You didn't say how far away from the dynaplate the tuner was? I would > bet that you have a fairly long run with your ground lead to it as > seen in most boats where the antenna system has problems. > You need to have a very short distance between the tuner and the > ground plate, not more than a few feet. Lots of people install the > tuner close to the antenna and run a long ground lead. That is the > wrong way to go as it then allows the coax and power leads that go to > the tuner to become part of the antenna system as well as the radio > itself and its power leads, which you don't want. > > Also if you operate in fresh water rather than salt water you may need > more surface area for a ground. > > Sail boat or power boat? > > 73 > Gary K4FMX > > On Sat, 13 Aug 2005 22:42:52 -0400, Newbie Ham > wrote: > > >Hi Everybody > > > >I hope this isn't the wrong place to ask. if it is, please let me know > >where I should post. > > > >I have a Kenwood TS50 installed on a boat with a SGC autotuner. The > >tuner is grounded to a dynaplate. > > > >I also have a 2000watt inverter/charger built into the boat for ac power > >creation from 12v batteries. > > > >Something strange is going on and I jusr don't know where to start > >trouble shooting. > > > >When I transmit on frequencies like 14300MHZ usb, no problem. > > > >If I transmit on 7628 LSB 100watts the FET's in my inverter blow up! As > >soon as I key the mike I hear a loud pop and there goes another fet. > > > >I've changed them twice now and since the inverter is bolted into an > >awkward spot and weighs 70 pounds (it's all transformer), removing the > >inverter and changing them ain't fun. > > > >Tonight I went so far as to disconnect (as in unplug) the AC supply to > >the inverter and switch it completely off. As in no LEDS lit, everything > >off. > > > >Yet as soon as I keyed the mic, POOF. The fets just blew apart. > > > >Any thoughts as to what might be happening? > > > >FWIW, the coax from radio to tuner runs within about 2 feet of the > >inverter, the radio and tuner are powered from the batteries which power > >the inverter. So the inverter and radio share Pos. and Neg. > > > >I can only think of a few ways this might be happening: > > > >1) Radiated signal from the coax leaking into the inverter. > >2) Radiated signal passing into the inverter via the shared positive or > >negative feeds. > >3) Some weird ground loop issue. > > > >I have no ideas as to how to diagnose this and trouble shoot it without > >having to replace fets everytime. And that's a big job. > > > >Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. > Sounds like you got this problem nailed Gary.... I would suspect that the RF Ground between the tuner and the radio is somewhere close to 1/4 Wave and is the Power wires to the inverter are also near 1/4 Wave for the 40 Meter band, or maybe 1/8 Wave. A couple of good RF Type .1 uf Caps across Inverter Power Leads, at both ends, should tame the problem, after the RF Ground is shortened up to make it a good Low Impedance, Wideband RF Ground. Bruce in alaska the Inverter -- add a <2> before @ Article: 94103 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Subject: ** FLEA at MIT ** Sunday August 21st Cambridge MA From: w1gsl@mit.edu (Steven L. Finberg) Date: 18 Aug 2005 19:53:12 GMT Message-ID: <4304e727$0$569$b45e6eb0@senator-bedfellow.mit.edu> This coming Sunday.... +++ Now even more Buyers Parking !!! Thanks to TKT we have use of their new parking lot across Albany St from the SWAPFEST !!! !! ** More Buyers PARKING is available ** for details see http://web.mit.edu/w1gsl/Public/flyer *** !!!! In our Traditional GARAGE and the adjacent lot !!!! **** so come rain or shine or super heat the Flea is on !!! ********* $1 buyers discount with hardcopy of this notice ******** COMPUTERS - ELECTRONICS - HAM RADIO - COMPUTERS - ELECTRONICS - HAM RADIO FLEA all SUMMER at MIT Sunday August 21st 2005 9AM-2PM Come to the city for a great flea - plenty of free parking. MIT's electronics and ham radio flea will take place on the third Sunday of each month this summer, April thru October. There is tailgate space for over 600 sellers and free, off-street parking for >2000 cars! Buyers admission is $5 (you get $1 off if you're lucky enough to have a copy of our ad) and sellers spaces are $20 for the first and $15 for each additional at the gate. The flea will be held at the corner of Albany and Main streets in Cambridge; right in the Kendall Square area from 9AM to 2PM, with sellers set-up time starting at 7AM. SEASON PASS + Advance Seller Discount A sellers discount season pass is available which offers a 30% discount. By prepaying you get a discount and earlier admission. See the registration form. *** Attention Sellers *** Prepaid vendors.. Season Pass or monthly, will be admitted FIRST. Separate lines will form prior to gate opening for prepaid and nonprepaid vendors !! RAIN or SHINE !! Have no fear of rain, a covered well illuminated tailgate area is available for all sellers (6'8" clearance). Talk-in: 145.23- (PL 88.5) W1BOS/R and W1XM/R-449.725/444.725 (PL 114.8/2A). Sponsors: MIT Electronics Research Society MIT UHF Repeater Association (W1XM) MIT Radio Society (W1MX) Harvard Wireless Club (W1AF) For more info / advanced reservations 617 253 3776 ********** $1 buyers discount with hard copy of this notice ************ <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< cut here >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Mail the coupon below by the 5th of the month to be a Prepaid Vendor. FLEA at MIT 2005 Rates SELLERS To use your prepaid spaces the named vendor MUST be present. Rates include one admission per space. Advance $17 First space - includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License $12 Additional Spaces Must be received by the 5th of the month. Gate Admission $20 First Space - includes $10 Cambridge Vendor License $15 Additional Spaces Admission is after the prepaid vendors Early Bird Buyer -Admission after the prepaid vendor line is admitted. ~ 7:15AM ** You may not sell. ** $15 per person at the gate. ****************************** cut here ******************************* FLEA at MIT 2005 Advance Space Application ____April ____May ____June ____ July ____Aug ___Sept ____Oct @ $17 for the first each month + $12 each additional Name ________________________ Call __________ $ Included______ Address ________________________ Phone __________ Make Check to The MIT Radio Society City ____________________ State _______ Zip _______ PO Box 397082 Cambridge MA 02139 E-mail _____________________________________________ ******************************************************************************* Steve Finberg W1GSL w1gsl@mit.edu PO Box 82 MIT Br Cambridge MA 02139-7082 617 258 3754 ******************************************************************************* Article: 94104 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Ken Scharf Subject: Re: Can 6146B tubes be used in GG (grounded grid)? References: Message-ID: Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 22:26:07 -0400 Roger Leone wrote: > "Ken Scharf" wrote > > > >>One advantage of "cathode driven tetrode" (where normal grid bias and >>screen voltage are applied) is that you get higher power gain and >>usually don't need to neutralize the amplifier (technically it is >>IMPOSSIBLE to neutralize a ground grid amplifier anyway). >> > > > Ken: > > I think you meant to say that cathode driven tubes have LOWER power gain. > Grid driven amps can have as much as 10 dB or more gain than cathode driven > (GG) amps, all other factors being equal. My Johnson Thunderbolt running a > pair of grid driven 4-400's can be driven to full output with about 20 watts > of RF drive (representating close to 20 dB of power gain). The same tubes > in GG configuration would need close to 80 watts to drive them to full > output. > Actually I meant to say that the "cathode drive tetrode" has HIGHER gain than a TRUE grounded grid amp. The only difference in gain between a grid driven amp and a cathode driven tetrode amp would be due to the driving power lost in the input circuit. But don't forget that in a cathode driven circuit, some of the input power actually feeds through and appears as part of the output, so it really isn't 'lost'. Your statement about needing 80 watts to get full output in gg would NOT be true if you ran the 4-400's in "cathode driven tetrode" service. The BIG difference is applying normal bias and screen voltage rather than grounding both grids and running in zero bias class B. I suspect you'd need less than 25-30 watts for full output in "cathode driven tetrode". BTW you'd need quite a bit LESS than 20 watts drive in grid driven service, if you ran the tubes in class AB1 where only voltage (no grid current) is required. (But it might take THREE tubes to get the same output as TWO in class B or AB2). > A grid driven 4CX250 can produce over 200 watts of output with 2 watts of > drive (per the RCA manual). Because the tube isn't commonly used in GG > configuration, that manual doesn't provide power gain figures for cathode > driven service. My guess is you would need more like 8 to 10 watts of > cathode drive to get the same 200+ watts out. > Sounds about right. Depends on how good your input matching network is. Those figures must be for class AB2 though. In class AB1 your IMD goes way down and the driving power might be only 1-2 watts in cathode drive. > The widespread use of transceivers in the 100 watt class has made GG amps > popular since there is no need to attenuate the transceiver's output. With > my grid driven Thunderbolt, I use a 6 dB attenuator at the amp's input to > keep from overdriving it. > > With the right choice of tube, a GG amp can have a much simpler power > supply. And since there is no need for neutralization, homebrewing a GG amp > is quite appealing. > A newer way is to run tetrodes in grid driven service with a 50 to 200 ohm high power non inductive swamping resistor from grid to ground. NO matching network needed, same drive requirement as grounded grid, no neutralization. Waste of power though. Many commerical amps using Sevtlana tetrodes using this circuit. Article: 94105 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Ken Scharf Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Date: Thu, 18 Aug 2005 22:30:14 -0400 wrongaddress@att.net wrote: > I'm attempting to build a small AM broadcast superhet transistor radio > from scratch and having a problem with the three IF stages oscillating > at the IF frequency (455KHz). The IF coils are salvaged from other > radios and the ground connections are to a common bus wire that > connects all the IF coil shields. It works reasonably well around 5 > volts, but breaks into oscillation (at the IF frequency) if the supply > voltage is increased 1/2 volt and the signal drops off significantly if > the supply voltage is reduced 1/2 volt. So, it only works within a very > small supply voltage range of around 5 to 5.5 volts. The IF stages are > decoupled from the supply with a small resistor in series and bypass > cap to ground which helps, but doesn't solve the problem. I'm wondering > what can be done to stop oscillations and increase gain? > > How did they manage to avoid the oscillation problems in the old tube > radios that were hand wired without any PC board? > > -Bill > As other have mentioned, those salvage if cans were meant to be used with a neutralized amplifier. You could also re-wire the if stages to be grounded base, which usually don't need neutralization. Also look for transistors with lower FT. Most transistors meant for audio frequency use will give enough gain at 455khz. Article: 94106 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 00:04:14 -0400 From: -ex- Subject: Re: Homebrew AM transistor radio References: <1124165048.522692.10360@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> <1124331183.204724.283770@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com> <1124422677.068571.201020@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: wrongaddress@att.net wrote: > > I assume this stage works ok and will investigate > number 2. > > -Bill > The thing to watch out for, and I hope this isn't too redundant, is that the perfectly working stage can start misbehaving or regenerating once the following stage is connected and activated. At least you've proven that its not self-oscillating but don't assume that it wont start regenerating afterwards due to errant coupling issues. Sounds like you're making good accurate measurements so that would reveal such a situation. -Bill #2 Article: 94107 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 02:04:34 -0400 From: -ex- Subject: Brag Page Message-ID: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos and put them on a single webpage to show off. You can see it here. Yeah, I'm kinda proud...this is a great hobby. http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/homebrew.html -Bill M Article: 94108 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 03:21:30 -0400 From: -ex- Subject: Re: Brag Page References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> <1124435417.266674.127760@g43g2000cwa.googlegroups.com> Message-ID: Jim Strickland wrote: > -ex- wrote: > >>I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos and put them on >>a single webpage to show off. You can see it here. Yeah, I'm kinda >>proud...this is a great hobby. >> >>http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/homebrew.html >> >>-Bill M > > > Wow. Are these cases home made, or made from other radios? Your > homebrew stuff is gorgeous. > > -Jim > Thank yew! Mostly homemade cases. -Bill Article: 94109 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Jeffrey D Angus Subject: Re: Brag Page References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> Message-ID: Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 07:59:30 GMT -ex- wrote: > I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos Heh, I see you have "issues" with black panels. Nice work exray. Jeff -- "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin "A life lived in fear is a life half lived." Tara Morice as Fran, from the movie "Strictly Ballroom" Article: 94110 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "John Hagman" Subject: Re: Brag Page Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 06:32:06 -0400 Message-ID: <11gbd98cputm079@corp.supernews.com> References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> WOW, Bill.... You should be getting a grant, even more so than me. Many people get less done all year at their job. You really are an impossible catagory of person to define- the Radiomaster Cracker Slacker how about :) ? Congrats, it's great to know you. John H. Article: 94111 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "benjamaniac" Subject: Re: Brag Page Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 05:10:55 -0600 Message-ID: References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> Great stuff !!!!!!!! "-ex-" wrote in message news:8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET... > I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos and put them on > a single webpage to show off. You can see it here. Yeah, I'm kinda > proud...this is a great hobby. > > http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/homebrew.html > > -Bill M Article: 94112 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: MAc Subject: Re: Brag Page Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 13:28:57 +0200 Message-ID: References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> great!!!!!!! sp9mrn Article: 94113 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "Mr Fed UP" References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> Subject: Re: Brag Page Message-ID: <8qjNe.36586$rp.16180@bignews1.bellsouth.net> Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 06:29:48 -0500 Geeeee very nice. I am an OM and hard to impress but that's gooood. BTW did you buy/refurbish any old power dams to get all them to work at the same time? hi Now to find someone qualified to give an insurance quote eh. 73 K4TWO "-ex-" wrote in message news:8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET... >I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos and put them on a >single webpage to show off. You can see it here. Yeah, I'm kinda >proud...this is a great hobby. > > http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/homebrew.html > > -Bill M Article: 94114 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: Tim Mullen Subject: Re: Brag Page Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 14:35:54 +0000 (UTC) Message-ID: References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> <11gbd98cputm079@corp.supernews.com> In <11gbd98cputm079@corp.supernews.com> "John Hagman" writes: > WOW, Bill.... >You should be getting a grant Right? I'd vote for a MacArthur. Bill, you're a one-man old-tyme radio factory! -- Tim Mullen ------------------------------------------------------------------ Am I in your basement? Looking for antique televisions, fans, etc. ------ finger this account or call anytime: (212)-463-0552 ------- Article: 94115 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "puns" References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> Subject: Re: Brag Page Message-ID: <2snNe.696$M3.404@trnddc05> Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 16:06:22 GMT Bill......I love radios with the tuning eyes! "-ex-" wrote in message news:8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET... >I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos and put them on a >single webpage to show off. You can see it here. Yeah, I'm kinda >proud...this is a great hobby. > > http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/homebrew.html > > -Bill M Article: 94116 of rec.radio.amateur.homebrew From: "xrongor" Subject: Re: Brag Page Date: Fri, 19 Aug 2005 11:27:52 -0600 Message-ID: References: <8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET> you better get all that stuff back to the museum before they find out who stole it very nice. randy "-ex-" wrote in message news:8a32d$43057675$4232bd1d$17412@COQUI.NET... >I finally gathered up my recent homebrew project photos and put them on a >single webpage to show off. You can see it here. Yeah, I'm kinda >proud...this is a great hobby. > > http://www.sparkbench.com/homebrew/homebrew.html > > -Bill M