Daily GLOWBUGS

Digest: V1 #88

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Purpose: building and operating vacuum tube-based QRP rigs

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Subject: glowbugs V1 #88
glowbugs           Saturday, August 9 1997           Volume 01 : Number 088

Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 09:24:01 -0700 (MST) From: Jeff Duntemann <jeffd@coriolis.com> Subject: Re: Dielectric Properties of Hot Melt Adhesives Barry-- At 10:04 PM 8/5/97 -0400, Barry L. Ornitz wrote: >However, the common "glue sticks" available to consumers for use with >handheld melt guns are a different composition. These are generally a >mixture of polyethylene, paraffin wax, and atactic polypropylene. This >mixture melts at a fairly low temperature but its RF losses are low.. Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for, and certainly what I was hoping. I don't usually build above 2M, so I think I'm in the clear, at least for "tacking" small coils to a board or other mount. I've seen numerous FM pocket radios (back when they first came out in the late Seventies) with the VHF coils immobilized with a glob of what sure looked like paraffin. I always wondered what that did to the radio's performance. Probably nothing--and it's a trick worth remembering. >The microwave oven test that another poster suggested is useful only for >very gross approximations. I can think of many materials that are fairly >transparent to microwaves but absorb energy at lower frequencies. I've heard this elsewhere, which is why I haven't been jumping on the microwave oven test. Actually, the experiment I need to try (and it's been on the list for a couple of years) is winding a coil of #10 copper on an old acme thread leadscrew I have, then using a propane torch to heat a bar of copper with which to push a length of thin (maybe 1/8") polystyrene rod down into the turns. Do it on both sides, let it cool, and then unscrew the assembly from the lead screw. Shazam! Instant Miniductor. It's an obvious trick, and if anyone else has tried this, I'd love to hear about your results. - --73-- - --Jeff Duntemann KG7JF Scottsdale, Arizona
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 13:57:45 -0400 From: "Ornitz, Barry" <ornitz@eastman.com> Subject: RE: Dielectric Properties of Hot Melt Adhesives Jeff Duntemann wrote: > > I don't usually build above 2M, so I think I'm in the clear, at >> least for "tacking" small coils to a board or other mount. > >A better choice, if you can wait for it to dry is polystyrene cement. It has >very low losses when dry. It is commonly known as Duco cement. > >> Actually, the experiment I need to try (and it's been on the list for a >>> couple of years) is winding a coil of #10 copper on an old acme thread >> leadscrew I have, then using a propane torch to heat a bar of copper ] >> with which to push a length of thin (maybe 1/8") polystyrene rod >> down into the turns. Do it on both sides, let it cool, and then >> unscrew the assembly from the lead screw. Shazam! Instant >> Miniductor. It's an obvious trick, and if anyone else has tried this, I'd >> love to hear about your results. > >Check out the latest issue of QST for a considerably simpler technique. I >suggest the 24 hour epoxy for a more rugged structure. It is less brittle >than the 1 hour kind. > > 73, Barry L. Ornitz WA4VZQ ornitz@tricon.net
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 14:01:13 -0400 From: "Ornitz, Barry" <ornitz@eastman.com> Subject: Microsoft Outlook '97 Outlook is the email package in Microsoft's Office '97. It stinks. Look at the formatting of my last post. Outlook wants to use Bill Gates' format and will allow NOTHING else. My apologies for posting using this software. 73, Barry L. Ornitz WA4VZQ ornitz@tricon.net
Date: Wed, 6 Aug 1997 14:52:40 -0700 (MST) From: Jeff Duntemann <jeffd@coriolis.com> Subject: Vanity Call Gate 3 (Advanced) Opens Today Hi gang-- Just a reminder: The FCC opened filing of applications for vanity callsigns in Gate 3 today, for which Advanced class licenses and above are elegible. Now, I know most of you guys are Extras, but if not, better file early. The FCC has indicated that it will give priority to applications filed electronically, via the Web, over those filed on paper through the mail. The best way to do this is start with the ARRL's vanity callsign Web page: http://www.arrl.org/fcc/vanity.html This has links to callsign lookup databases, and to the FCC's electronic filing page. Filing for a new call costs $30. I believe you pay this whether you get a call you request or not. You're allowed to submit a list of up to 25 specific calls. The first available call in this list will be assigned as your new vanity call. If none in the list is available at the time of filing, you retain your existing call. Another kicker: Starting September 15, the filing fee goes up to $50. Don't wait. The FCC does *not* have the facility to take electronic payment, so you have to print a form off the Web and mail it in with your check. Now, KG7JF is a pretty good call for a guy named Jeff (and I pulled it utterly at random, sheesh!) but there are actually two calls I'd prefer that as best we know are available. Before putting your dream call down and getting your hopes up, check one of the databases to see if it's available. As there's a latency of a week or two in even the best databases, you still might collide with another applicant and not get your choice, but hey--life, the ionosphere, and the FCC offer no guarantees. I have no idea how long it'll take to assign the new calls and send out new tickets. Doubtless, you'll hear from me on the list here if one of my two call requests comes through. - --73-- - --Jeff Duntemann KG7JF Scottsdale, Arizona
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 02:35:27 -0600 (MDT) From: Shane <toyboat@freenet.edmonton.ab.ca> Subject: test test
End of glowbugs V1 #88 **********************
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