Daily GLOWBUGS
Digest: V1 #96
via AB4EL Web Digests @ SunSITE
Purpose: building and operating vacuum tube-based QRP rigs
Subject: glowbugs V1 #96
glowbugs Monday, August 25 1997 Volume 01 : Number 096
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 09:04:13 -0700
From: "Frank A. West" <ke6vhm@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: HV Windings
Oh we are here. Lurking. hihi I got on the list because of a few pieces I
have picked up. Just don't have much to say. Hello to all.
> ADAM! Hi tere! This is amazing that this message appeared!
> This is the FIRST message I have received from GLOWBUGS in over three
> weeks!
TTFN 73 Frank KE6VHM
Grid Square DM13
CW Forever
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 09:22:53 -0700
From: "Frank A. West" <ke6vhm@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: List is alive and well
Well here goes.
KE6VHM ( Frank )
Tech + (working on speed)
Woodcrest, CA (near Riverside)
A few items of interest to this group
Working and in fair condition Hallicrafters sx101 rx
Working and in great condition Knight R-100a rx
Working in fair condition Echophone Commercial
EC-2 rx
Nothing for xmit yet, but a rice box I-COM 706 (What can
I say, my lovely wife bought it for me as incentive to upgrade.) BTW her
name is Linda ( KF6LBI )
Enjoy working on all types of electronic equipment.
Work in the control center for a Refined Petroleum
Products Pipeline.
Want to know more? Ask. Good to meet ya'll.
TTFN 73 Frank KE6VHM
Grid Square DM13
CW Forever
- ----------
> From: Conard Murray <ws4s@InfoAve.Net>
> To: glowbugs@www.atl.org
> Subject: List is alive and well
> Date: Wednesday, August 13, 1997 5:24 PM
>
> Hello All,
> Contrary to some rumors that have heard, the glowbugs list is alive and
> well.
> I can be reached at ws4s@infoave.net or cfm5723@tntech.edu if anyone has
> any questions.
> I would like to see some activity on the list soon ... why don't all of
you
> post a short personal introduction?
> Thanks,
> Conard, WS4S
> Glowbugs listowner
>
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 13:54:50 -0400 (EDT)
From: EWoodman@aol.com
Subject: Intro
Ok, I guess if you folks can do it I can too:
Eric Woodman, KA1YRV, Advanced Class, Londonderry, NH.
I've been licensed only since '91 but have been fooling around with various
electronic gizmos since I was 9 yrs old (35 years ago!). Started out with a
FT-101EE with an end fed wire and then moved on to the usual flashy,
store-bought, solid state rigs. I missed the old tube radios that I remember
as a kid so I managed to get my hands on a Hammarlund HQ-120X which needed a
bit of work. From then on I just started collecting and building.
I'm currently using the following gear:
Hammarlund HQ-120X, Homebrew 2 stage regen, Knight TX-150, Ameco TX-62,
Homebrew vfo controlled 25W 80 meter rig, 160 meter Hartley using a 6SN7,
Single tube xtal controlled rig using an old KT88 at about 12 watts.
I work for the local power company here and for the past three years have
spent a lot of time running computer powerflow simulations. Prior to that I
did mostly field work. ( They finally tracked me down and sucked me back into
the main office after 15 years!) Before that I was a full time police officer
but decided to get a "normal" job. I'm still a part-time officer but am
getting a bit old to chase all those kids!
73 Eric
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 11:28:51 -0700 (PDT)
From: tomrice@netcom.com (Tom R. Rice)
Subject: C-W Xtal Announcement
A message from John (C-W) Morris.
Please direct replies to him, not me, the mere bearer.
73 de WB6BYH
> Hi gang,
>
> I just wanted to remind everyone that there are only 7 days left in which to
> send in your order if you want to get in on the 80 meter crystal group
> offers which I'm running till the end of August.
>
> 73 John
>
>
> John Morris
> C-W CRYSTALS (Formerly Phoenix Crystals)
> 1714 NORTH ASH ST.
> NEVADA, MO 64772
>
> Phone: (417) 667-6179
> FAX: (417) 667-6169
> E-mail: phxtal@nava-link.net
>
> Supplying custom crystals for Vintage Equipment, QRP'ers, Amateurs, and
> Experimenters since 1933.
>
Be Alert! America Needs More Lerts!
- --
"Start off every day with a smile and get it over with." --W.C.Fields
Tom R. Rice
tomrice@netcom.com
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 97 13:24:01 MDT
From: "Mark Dittmar" <Mark_Dittmar@maxtor.com>
Subject: MY INTRO
Well here's my intro:
Mark Dittmar, AB0CW, Extra Class, Westminster, CO. Mainly 20
and 40 m CW, and experimentation on 1750 meters ( longwave ).
I have been a licensed ham for 20 years. My interest in radio
started at about age 9. My dad bought me one of those old Radio Shack
P-box kits, a simple SW regenerative, which I stiIl have and keep for
nostalgia purposes. I got my first license ( novice ) at the age of 11,
followed later by my GENERAL 2 years later. My first "real" rig was a
HAMMARLUND HQ-140-X with HEATH Q-multiplier and a GLOBE CHIEF 90 w/ VFO
for a transmitter. I soon after acquired a HALLICRAFTERS HT-44
transmitter. I still use the HAMMARLUND ( it is a wonderful old receiver
) and the HALLICRAFTERS as the main receiver and transmitter,
respectively, in my shack; Took a long rest from radio ( went thru
college, grad school, girl friends , and then marriage ) up until about
4 years ago, when I was finally settled down enough to get my old
equipment out of storage and set up a real shack again. Got my advanced
class last August ( KI0EC ) and a month later picked up my extra class
license ( AB0CW ).
I am mainly active on 20 and 40 m CW. I would like to be able to fire up
my old GLOBE CHIEF on TOP BAND, but I doubt that I'll put out much of a
signal with the 20 m dipole that is hidden on my roof ( neighborhood
covenents do not allow external antennas- if anybody knows of a stealth
160m antenna that also does not require any trees as supports let me know
).
I am also very active in building homebrew
receivers/transmitters/antennas in the longwave experimenters band, in
the 160 to 190 khz range.
Other interests include restoring 1920s vintage BC receivers-
there are some very unusual and clever circuit designs that were used in
some of these as a means of getting around patents of that era; they are
also neat-looking.
Here is the amateur radio - related hollow state gear that I use
or am in the process of restoring: HAMMARLUND HQ-140-X w/ HEATH
Q-multiplier, HALLICRAFTERS HT-44, HALLICRAFTERS SX101, GLOBE CHIEF 90
w/ VFO and screen modulator for AM, Knight-Kit Star-Roamer, and
RadioMarine Corporation of America AR8507 ( this is a longwave receiver ).
I have a variety of old BC receivers and test equipment, but I will spare
you the inventory list.
By profession, I am an electrical engineer for a major disk drive
manufacturer.
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 15:59:08 EDT
From: km1h@juno.com (km1h @ juno.com)
Subject: Intro
Hi; name is Carl, current call is KM1H and been a ham since 1955. Raised
on Long Island, NY and been in NH for 30 years.
After the Navy I went to work for National Radio as a bench tech. Went up
thru positions as service tech, service manager and R&D engineer before
the boom fell on National. Spent almost 7 years there.
Later worked in various tech, engr and mgmt positions at Sanders
Associates and Wang Labs.
Self employed since 1986 doing mostly ham related things.
Favorite bands: 160M CW DX and 6M DX
Also operate a fair amount of AM 160M thru 2M.
Have functional equipment from 1.8MHz thru 10GHz.
Old rigs include:
HQ120X & Viking 1
HQ129X & Viking 2
HQ140X & Viking Valiant
Also have a 51J4, a DX-35, old tube VHF converters, and a large
collection of pre 1950 auto radios.
Hobbies...not radio related:
1950's custom cars
Street Rods
1937-42 Buicks
Surf fishing
I build lots of ham projects from tubes all the way thru HEMT's at
10GHz.
73...Carl KM1H
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 14:09:39 -0700
From: Brian.Harris@sv.sc.philips.com (Brian Harris)
Subject: intro - long
Hello to all. I am new to glowbugs (08/22/97). Here's my story and I am
sticking to it!
As I recall, I received the phonetically horrible callsign of WN5UEK sometime
in early '68. My Novice code and written tests were administered, as was the
practice then, by a licensed ham, in particular K0EOO. What was unusual
about these tests was that I took them while aboard the U.S.S. Winston
(LKA-94) during my first Viet Nam cruise. A few months after receiving my
Novice license I upgraded to Advanced. At the time, you had to be a General
or Advanced for a year before taking the Extra exam, otherwise I would have
taken it then, as my code speed was up around 35 wpm. My first contact was
using a Collins URC-32 transceiver throttled down to 75 Watts input. This
was, perhaps, a violation of the FCC rules since this transceiver had a VFO.
The VFO, however, was synthesized using 'crystal control', so I rationalized
its use as OK. My first station was a used DX-40 and an SX-140 that I built
as a high school sophomore (1962).
My Advanced class license was in the ship's mail the day the Winston pulled
into Hawaii, our first stop on the way back to Viet Nam for my second
pleasure (?) cruise. Of course I was elated and immediately headed for
'Radio Central' and tuned up the URC-32 <again> to operate phone (SSB). I
became a hero when I started running phone patches to loved ones on the
mainland for what seemed like the entire ship's company. Several months
later, while on R&R in Singapore, I bought a brand new Yaesu FTDX-400 (still
have it today). Although it was against Navy regulations, I operated that
rig from the Singapore harbor and later, from the South China Sea. That
operation was curtailed when our ship's captain, who happened to be an SWL,
heard me and told me to kill it. Before being caught, I did manage to work
about fifty countries on 15 meter CW using a vertical that was about 10 to 12
feet long. Having the world's best ground plane (the ocean) was a great
help.
After four years in the Navy, I returned to college to finish my BSEE. My
studies and a new baby demanded much of my time so ham radio activity
<appropriately> suffered. I volunteerily reduced it even more when I
graduated and started working as a design engineer. I found that I didn't
want to come home and do more electronics work. By then, many ham operators
were turning into equipment operators and not builders. Although I had
purchased a few pieces of commercial equipment, I also built several homebrew
rigs and preferred the technical side of the hobby to the operational side.
It wasn't long until I found myself making only enough contacts each year to
keep my license.
That almost inactive mode continued until I bought a few boatanchors from a
friend. One thing led to another. After 3-1/2 years of collecting, I have
over 200 tube type rigs, most of which are relatively common, however, I
prefer more obscure equipment. Along with thirteen Cosmophones, I have a
very early (1931) Collins transmitter and a 1934 RME-9D receiver. Other
uncommon pieces are a Drake 1A, a B&W 6100, a Supreme AF-100 and a
Loudenboomer amp. From Johnson, I have a 6N2 Thunderbolt, an Invader 2000, a
Courier, a Desk KW and three 500's. Having an affinity for Central
Electronics gear, I also have three 100V/600L pairs.
When I am not doing equipment restoration, you can find me on 75 meter AM
(3880) or 40 meter CW (working DX in the Extra section) and I can hardly wait
until 10 meters turns around.
Very 73,
Brian Harris WA5UEK
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 17:19:37 EDT
From: km1h@juno.com (km1h @ juno.com)
Subject: Re: intro - long
On Mon, 25 Aug 1997 14:09:39 -0700 Brian.Harris@sv.sc.philips.com (Brian
Harris) writes:
>Hello to all. I am new to glowbugs (08/22/97). Here's my story and I
>am
>sticking to it!
>My Advanced class license was in the ship's mail the day the Winston
>pulled
>into Hawaii, our first stop on the way back to Viet Nam for my second
>pleasure (?) cruise. Of course I was elated and immediately headed
>for
>'Radio Central' and tuned up the URC-32 <again> to operate phone
>(SSB). I
>became a hero when I started running phone patches to loved ones on
>the
>mainland for what seemed like the entire ship's company.
Does that bring back memories! I was lead ET on a ship and had been
running clandestine messages from "Emergency Radio" which was also the ET
shack on 40M CW . The ships officers knew what was going on. I used the
TCS-13 for TX and a RAL for RX so ran full QSK with seperate antennas.
Finally Adm. Elmo Zumwalt officially opened up ham use aboard ship. The
AN/URC-32 was installed for about 2 days before I spent more time running
phone patches than the Radiomen did on SSB nets (which were still quite
rare then).
Since I was also the only one aboard trained on the '32 I never had
problems getting air time!
73...Carl KM1H ex K2QJM, K1UHY, SV0WS, KJ6CF, 5Z4KK and many others
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 18:36:56 -0400 (EDT)
From: KB9VU@aol.com
Subject: Re: intro
Hi all. Mike Stover, KB9VU here. On the road again (Columbus, OH) with no
BA's to play with. Glad to see Glowbugs back in top form.
Stats: 50+ age, 20+ years as a Ham. Advanced class. Drake C line,
DX-100/NC-300, Valiant (Yeah Conard, it still runs)/R-390A and soon to be a
CE-100V/R-388 on the air. Wish I had time to operate 8-(
CUL
Mike, KB9VU
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 18:58:45 -0700
From: Adam Liette <kb8ydx@geocities.com>
Subject: Intro from KB8YDX
Hi all. Since everyone's sending intros, so here's mine.
I'm KB8YDX, Adam in Ansonia, Ohio. I'm a 14 year old (15 Nov) Tech Plus
and hope to be a General before by next Birthday. I'm active on 2m and
440MHz local stuff and some packet, but still
love working CW with a friend's Tempo One. I'm not on CW much, but am
always looking for easy projects (tube and solid state) for Transmitters
or Receivers.
If anyone wants to work some 40m CW or 10m SSB (when 10m is open enough
for my 25w),
just e-mail me. I hope to have a 10-X number here soon for those on 10m.
If anyone knows of some SIMPLE (I mean really simple) Transmitters or
Reciever projects, or have
a large junk box to find stuff in, let me know. Thanks!!
That's about it for me in the Ham Radio area. I also play guitar. Mostly
Country 1920 to 1997.
Just depends on the song.
So, 73's to all and good luck on all the projects/upgrades.
- --
Adam T. Liette, KB8YDX
Ansonia, Ohio EN70QF
kb8ydx@geocities.com
http://www.qsl.net/kb8ydx
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 20:24:51 +0000
From: Sandy W5TVW <ebjr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: TVI/VCR troubles...
Hello gang,
I was wondering...........since basically the FCC has abrogated its
old duty of trying to resolve TVI/VCR-TVI complaints.........has anyone
out there thought about bringing a 'class action' lawsuit against the
VCR and/or TV manufacturers (maybe even include the 'cheap
electronic' telephone industry as well) for laxity in providing any safeguards
for Interference from RF energy emitting devices in other services
and other bands?
The TVI problem has been solved to some extent by cable TV and
satellite systems, but the problem with inadequate shielding is a severe
one with most VCRs and a plethora of "electronic" telephones. I know
some manufacturers are putting in "disclaimers" as to the fact that
"This device might be subject to interference...etc." Does this completely
shield them from any litigation, and allow them to leave out practically
ANY safeguards against interference from external devices?
Any lawyers out there or people with previous troubles that have any
input?
It seems everyone else is getting involved in these type of suits, why can't
the amateur fraternity?
73,
E. V. Sandy Blaize, W5TVW
"Boat Anchors collected, restored, repaired, traded and used!"
417 Ridgewood Drive,
Metairie, LA., 70001
ebjr@worldnet.att.net
**Looking for: Hallicrafters SR-75 Transceiver**
**RK-34(VT-224) tubes, Butternut HF2V antenna***
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 21:28:42 +0000
From: Sandy W5TVW <ebjr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Intro (again?)[long]
Hello Glowbuggers!
When did it start? With me, back in about 1945-46. I was ALWAYS a
reader of "The Boy Electrician" which I paid many a fine on because I would
always run it into "overdue" at the weekly Bookmobile! The Christmas of 1946,
I think, I got my first "kit" crystal set. I also got a Lionel Train set
the same year.
(The only reason for mentioning this, is that it came with a mighty nice
"transformer" with four outputs (two AC and two DC. Later to become used
in many applications requiring a "power supply"!)
I read Popular Mechanics and Popular Science faithfully, and checked
out the
"electronic and electric" features that would appear from time to time. Ads
appeared monthly for outfits like Allied Radio Corp. in Chicago willing
to send catalogs for a penny postcard request!
"Ham" radio started as a tiny spark generated by a "Captain Marvel"
comic book, where "hams" helped Capt Marvel catch the crooks. A good
friend of mine, Jim , who lived across the block has an interest in radio too.
Not knowing it was illegal, we attempted to communicate with our "Model T"
Ford spark coils across the block (without success!) Lord knows how many BC
sets we tore up doing this!
We eventually discovered the ARRL Handbook, built some simple one-tube
80 meter transmitters and started "bootlegging" about 1948 or 1949. In those
days, you had to send and receive 13 WPM to get a "Class B" license! We weren't
ANYWHERE near that speed! Ultimately, we both passed the newly created
NOVICE class license in July of 1951 (the first time it was issued). After
what seemed like a very long wait (about 2 months!), Jim was assigned WN5TOF
and a couple of weeks
later, I was assigned WN5TVW. We were legal! Early the following year, I
passed
the General and took away the hated "N" from my call sign! Now we were free to
work 80-10 on CW and 10 meter 'phone! (I had NO interest in VHF at that time!)
Being a high school kid, I didn't have a lot of money to spend. My
parents
were not overly excited about ham radio either! Most of the gear I used was
converted SCR-274N/ARC-5 stuff. The BC-454 and BC-455 were my receiver
mainstays. The 3-4 and 7-9.1 Mhz transmitters I used did a good job on 80
and 40 meters on CW. I started 'phone operation on 10 meters with a Lysco
mobile transmitter (what a TVI making machine!). Later when 75 and 40 phone
was opened up to General class, I used for many years an RCA AVT-112A
transmitter on 75 and 40. It only ran 10 watts but did a fair job during
the day
before the night-time QRM set in!
My first "commercial" receiver was a National NC-125 I bought 2nd hand
at a radio store on Canal St. (main drag in New Orleans) for $60 on "lay-away".
In the meantime, I was gathering various pieces of Heathkit test gear and began
assembling Heathkits for other hams. Ultimately, the funds generated allowed me
to buy a new Central Electronics 10B SSB/CW/AM exciter! I built a "linear
amplifier"
from four 5763 tubes "grounded grid" and stepped the output up to about 50-60
watts PEP! Later this drove a three 811A amplifier to about 300-400 watts
out PEP.
The NC-125 was still my receiver then. The ham shack was in the garage, as
my mother did not look kindy on the gear/wires etc.
I got thrown out of high school in my senior year for reading a new
Allied Radio
catalog in Physics class! (I won't give details as it is somewhat
involved!) I then
went to work for a local audio-visual aids rental/service company. My boss was
Tony Bertucci W5QPS (he is a silent key now as of last year). I left there
after a couple
of years and worked in avionics for about 8 years, eventually going into the
marine
radio field. There I stayed for about 30 years. Wound up being a jack of
all trades
there. Installed & serviced radio systems from MF to HF to VHF to satellite
stuff.
This on ships of all nationalities and in many places in the world.
In the meantime, I went thru many rigs: got a Collins R-388 to use
with my
Central Electronics stuff, then the drifty EICO 753 and Hallicrafters
HT-41 amp., then went QRP with a brand new Ten-Tec Argonaut! I went to
Dayton in '87 and bought my first Japanese sand-state rig, the ICOM-735.
The VHF bug bit and I went ape! At the zenith of my VHF operations I
had an ICOM-271 driving a pair of 4CX250B's on 2 meter SSB. Also rigs
on 6 meters and 432 Mhz. I unloaded it all one year when the old-timers
that were always on, went QRT or silent key.
I retired and got interested in "old" gear again, stuff I could
NEVER afford
when it was 'current'! I now own a Hallicrafters SR-150 xcvr., National
NC-183D,
Johnson Viking Ranger 2 and Viking 500 xmtrs., the Elmac twins: AF-67/PMR-7,
Heathkit "Novice" station HR-10B/HG-10B/DX-60B, plus other homebrewed odds
and ends. The oldest receiver I presently own is an RME-69 circa 1936. I
still have the IC-735 (it reposes in my bedroom closet!) and a Heathkit HW-9
QRP rig.
My present interest is mainly CW, some "AM" 'phone and a little SSB.
I like
160/80/40 meters best. 10 meters has always excited me, when it opens! I guess
working in shipboard communications for years on medium wave CW stuff
(400-500 khz) and HF CW/SSB/AM gear has influenced me. I wish the hams
could get
a little piece of the 400-500 Khz band once it is abandoned for CW use come
1999!
Presently enjoy working with and building 1930's technology regenerative
receivers and Hartley oscillators. (Gathering parts for a single 860
Hartley ECO
I hope to start building soon!)
See you guys on 80 this winter around 3579.5, 3560 and in the Extra
portion.
40 has become a rat race here this summer. Can't wait for cold weather!
Other hobbies: Tropical birds (one Blue-fronted Amazon parrot, two cockatiels),
model aircraft, celestial navigation, target shooting/reloading.
73,
Sandy Blaize, W5TVW
Novice in 1951,
General in '52,
Amateur Extra since '68
2nd Class Ship Radiotelegraph
and General Radiotelephone tickets
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 21:53:32 EDT
From: kb9iua@juno.com (Kevin L Anderson)
Subject: Intro/Bio -- Kevin, KB9IUA
Hi, Gang. Another bio/introduction from a lurker:
Many of you will recall me from the various incarnations of
the Boatanchors and QRP-L lists, as I've been off and on
both of those since their introductions (usings various
e-mail addresses). Currently I'm totally off the air, as all rigs
need some repair of one sort or another, plus a storm took
down my dipole and it's tree three weeks ago.
Started SWListening in the 1970s with my dad's Halli S-38C
(which I still have, but needs work). Experienced, but did
not understand, images, wideband reception, mistuned bands,
the works. Then college, graduate school, marriage, kids
and computers stopped things until about 1991. Since then
was licensed as KB9IUA (Novice, then later General) in 1993.
Acquired a Heath HW-16 and HG-10B that was my sole rig
until the electrolytics brought me an observer's report :-( (now
awaiting repair). Have also a Hammarlund HQ-110C (sans clock)
and a BC-342 (bad AVC and 11-13 Mc band), plus various Heath
test equipment (RF generator, VTVM, oscilloscope). Main rig
today is a Ten Tec Century 22 (at least it is not digital or modern).
Unfortunately priority lately is work, painting the porch, painting
the inside of the house, and other such tasks :-(.
But I keep lurking on here, Boatanchors@theporch, QRP-L, and
CW lists, and reading ER..... Cheers/73, Kevin
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kevin Anderson, KB9IUA, Rock Island IL USA
kb9iua@juno.com or Kevin.L.Anderson@usace.army.mil
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 19:03:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: tomrice@netcom.com (Tom R. Rice)
Subject: 'nother intro!
O.K., Conard, thanks for this ego-trip opportunity!
Being modest to a fault and imbued with a shy nature,
I would never have written this otherwise.
------
I started out as an SWL kid during WWII, in Walla Walla,
Warshington, with a borrowed Comet Pro. When I had to
give it back, my folks bought me a used Sky Buddy, which
I still have, and I got started in radio in earnest,
working summers at W7FDN's radio service shop. I was the
kid who had to remove all those filthy radios from the
wheat ranchers' Fords, usually to replace the OZ4 or the
vibrator (never forgetting to change the buffer condenser!).
I spent my high school days building: Geiger counters,
cloud chambers, audio and tape recording stuff. I soon
discovered that I was more of a builder than an operator,
a fault which continues today, so I actually didn't get
my ham ticket until 1976, being happy with high-end audio
and the like.
In the Army (1953-55), I serviced M-33 Radar Fire Control
Systems (all-tube), which used twin-triode op-amp circuits
in the computers!
Ten years as a toll testboardman with Ma Bell, with intense
sports-car involvement, then a move to Silicon Valley for
ITT Laboratories as an engineer, heavily into stereo
recording and music on the side; also cave communications,
filmmaking and California wimmin, until (1963) I married
a German girl from the Porsche factory who, like the
car, shows no signs of wearing out.
After 33 years in various electronic, scientific and high-
vacuum outfits, I was involuntarily retired at age 60.
Today, I live on a remote piece of ranchland, off the grid,
where I operate Holler Observatory, devoted to meteor-
scatter, ELF/VLF work and other earth sciences stuff.
Ham activities involve building more tube gear from the
Thirties-Forties (I'm blessed with an extensive junque
collection), fixing up old swap-meet rigs and an
occasional foray on the air (currently 40 CW, with AM
on 6 and 160 in the works). Station currently uses an
AR-88 and a 6T9 CW xmtr (6 RF watts out!).
Other interests: Professional-level procrastination,
Renaissance woodwinds, photography, WWII history,
schlocky old movies and the serials of the Forties,
and sports cars of yesteryear, especially Porsches and
Morgans.
73 de WB6BYH
=================================================================
Holler Observatory
Tom R. Rice WB6BYH Lat: 37d 25m 10s N
50505 Mines Road Long: 121d 30m 20s W
Livermore, CA 94550 Maidenhead Grid: CM97
=================================================================
- --
"Start off every day with a smile and get it over with." --W.C.Fields
Tom R. Rice
tomrice@netcom.com
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 19:36:56 -0700
From: Dean Norris <dnorris@k7no.com>
Subject: His-story
Howdy all
K7NO-
Started listening on old Westinghouse? console all bander. Loved to listen
to LA cops on about 160 meters from western Iowa.
First licensed as KN0DON in Sioux City, Iowa in Jan. 1956 at age fourteen.
Licenses (novice & conditional) administered by W0FNF. Early
elmers/mentors were W0DSP (Andy Woolfries, sk) and W0MHC. Also include
K0AVW. Each of these gentlemen hold a very special place in my heart and I
suspect, the hearts of many others,
First rig was S-58 and home mod Command BC-459 on 7180 KC's. Later
upgraded to Viking Ranger. Mainly interested in CW and continue in that
mode to this day. Also was addicted to DX & contests early on.
Inactive from about 1961-1963 and again from 1968-1975. Regained sanity
again in '76 and started chasing DX again. Got extra in 1977. Numerous
rigs since then.
Currently FT990/SB220, TH11 @ 56'. DX70T for spare/mobile.
Wife (same one since '62)& 2 kids. Twenty five years in semiconductor
electronics. Three years in midlife career crisis and law school. Now
practice criminal law. Also licensed Patent Attorney.
Glowbug aspirations include SX-96 restore soon to be completed. Hope to
build a 1 or 2 thermionic valve xmtr.
Hope see u all on the bands.
cdn.
C. Dean Norris, K7NO
e-mail to dnorris@k7no.com
Gambling Lesson Number 1 ---
NEVER play Blackjack with a dealer that wears an
"Employee of the Month" Badge
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 21:45:35 -0500
From: launerb@crl.com (William H. Launer)
Subject: Intro (rambling)
While I was in grade school, I was given a bunch of old Mechanix Illustrated
and Popular Science magazines by a local chiropractor (they had been in his
waiting room, so you know how old and dog-eared they were!). These served
as my introduction to radio and electronics. When I was in high school, I
built a 2-tube regenerative bc receiver (I believe the tubes were 3S4's)
from a magazine article. I modified this for "short wave" using plug-in
coils from another article. Surprisingly, it worked pretty well. My next
project was a Heathkit AR-1 receiver (still have it).
After high school, I enrolled in Electrical Engineering at the University
of Illinois (I didn't know what an engineer did, but knew that farming wasn't
for me!). While there, I went to a few UI ham club meetings, but never took
time to learn the code and get my ham ticket. I graduated in 1957 with a
BSEE, and I went to work for McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis. I worked at
McDonnell for about 36 years, until I took early retirement 3 years ago.
Although I majored in electronics, most of my work was in design of electrical
power systems for missiles and spacecraft.
One of the other engineers was a ham, and finally convinced me to get my
Novice ticket in 1970. My first rig consisted of an 80 meter ARC-5
transmitter (with an external crystal control adapter), and an ARC-5 receiver.
I think I had bought them with a bunch of other electronic "junk" for $20 or
so. The power supplies were home-brewed from old TV transformers. When I
upgraded to General, I simply unplugged the crystal adapter, and put the vfo
tube back in the transmitter. Later on, I bought a used HQ-170 receiver to
replace the ARC-5 unit. The next major step was to build a Heath SB-401
transmitter.
My present ham activity centers around cw qrp operation; but unlike most qrp
ops, I prefer using older equipment. The main rig I use is the SB-401
(turned down to 5 watts) coupled with an SP-600 receiver. The antennas are
end fed wires/counterpoise. I also have a Yaesu FT-301 and a NorCal 38 Special
for 30 meters (these don't glow, but I guess I could put a pilot light on the
38 Special!). I also do a little tcp/ip packet on 2 meters, but being
different, I use a Macintosh computer.
Most of my home-brewing has consisted of power supplies, a transmitter or two,
and antenna tuners (almost all with scrounged parts).
One of my main fetishes is the lack of front-end selectivity in the so-called
"modern" receivers. It seems that the designers have merely taken their vhf/uhf
receiver front-end designs and put them in their hf products, not realizing
that hf is a "whole 'nother world". Then they wonder why out-of-band foreign
bc signals overload their receivers!
Glad to see we have a cross-section on the list - should make for some
interesting discussions!
73, Bill wb0cld
Bill Launer
St. Charles, MO
launerb@crl.com
wb0cld@wb0cld.ampr.org [44.46.66.25]
qrp-l #279 qrp arci #3551
Grid Square EM48RT
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 19:58:49 -0800
From: herr@ridgecrest.ca.us (Michael Herr)
Subject: Another Intro
Hi there Glowbuggers! Name here is Mike. Let's see, I got interested way
back when I was about 11. My father was a ham and I guess it worn off on
me. We spent a lot of time mobiling around with the SBE-34, talking to far
off land. I wanted to do the same so the first rig was a single tube 3A4
regen out of the Boy Scout Radio merit badge book. It worked, altho I was
never quite sure where I was on the bands. I only barely understood the
priciples in action but enuf to keep the fire kindled. Later that year I
picked prunes for the summer (when kids could do that) and earned enough
for a HeathKit GR-81 receiver. What a receiver! It actually plugged into
the wall!. Next I built a 6L6 transmitterusing a tube that my father had
bought back in 1940 and still had the receipt for it. After lighting up the
dummy load got boring I picked up the Novice ticket in 1970 and promply
built a 12BY7 / 6146 rig, not believing in QRP yet and having to run the
full novice gallon.
Code speed came up and I got the general in 1971. For congrats the
folks got me another heathkit, a HW101. Great kit and rig, I even operated
a little SSB with it, ending up with a group of other young guys playing
Monopoly on 40 meters. Still I wondered back to CW. Then came college and
marriage. I still fooled around a tad with ham radio but not really untill
we settled into work and family life. Since about 1980 been doing a lot of
QRP work, homebrewing, both solid and hollow state and CW operating.
Satellite and rag chewing both hold my interest.
I really got back into glowbugging when I haulled out the GR-81 from
the folks house, fired it up and listened to the bands. i found the old 3A4
tube tucked away and built a nice little QRP rig around it. What a blast!
Now I'm spending the few hours time each week to hopping up the GR-81 into
a dynomite receiver and adding on to the little 3A4 xmtr.
During the off hours from radio called WORK, I spend my time as a
mechanical engineer doing design and development on parachute escape
systems for the space shuttle and navy aircraft. The location is out here
in the Mojave Desert at Ridgecrest, CA, next to China Lake.
73
Mike WA6ARA
BTW - I just aquired from my father the old Valiant and SX-100 ... all with
the original civil defence stickers.
Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 23:46:03 -0400
From: JMcAulay <jmc@qnet.com>
Subject: Here I am...
...reading through all the bio info on everybody. Started deleting after
reading, likely a mistake; I'll probably wish I'd saved all of 'em.
First licensed in 1951 or 2, whichever was the first year for the Novice and
Technician tickets; was W4TLB for lots of years, a Tech for all that time.
Not active much, moved to 6-land around 1967, license lapsed; talked a
friend (W6BF) into going for his Extra, he talked me into getting some kind
of license again. Thought it would be neat to have a higher class license,
got Advanced class with the present call (WA6QPL). Enjoy QRP operation,
have a few small and lower-power sandy-state widgets (Argonaut, for
instance), also some tube stuff (for example, HW-16 *AND* a newly-received
HW-100 -- thanks again, Dave!). Haven't been seriously on the air in a
while. Live on the edge of the Mojave Desert, have great wife (went
together 14 years, finally got married about a year ago) and lots of other
keen things.
Have done most everything at one time or other -- well, a lot, anyhow. In
Army (US) Signal Corps, taught how to fix M33 (marvelous Western Electric
goodie) and the dreaded T38/M38 (we called that one "Sperry's Folly").
Spent many years in Broadcasting (various positions, including station
owner), Aerospace Program and Marketing Management (mostly space computers
and other electronic stuff), now teach High School (Science). I left out a
lot of year-or-two stuff. Played radio engineer this summer in Detroit,
helping out on the Proof-of-Performance on a nine-tower AM antenna (fun!).
Just-about-only claim to fame: Designed really keen antenna around 30 years
ago: AS-1575, used ever since with Army PsyOps transportable broadcast
stations. One of these became "Voice of the Gulf" during Desert Storm,
broadcasting "newsy" items to the Iraqi troops (testimonials from captured
prisoners, exactly when the big bombs would be dropped on their positions,
how to surrender, and other neat stuff). The folks who keep track of such
things said Voice of the Gulf plus air-dropped how-to-give-up leaflets were
responsible for something like 200,000 surrenders. Anyway, it worked
pretty well. Seems like it does okay whenever they use one.
Plan to be on-air soon, with that HW-100 and its numerous thermionic valves.
Now digging a new forty-meter Dype Hole in the back yard. Acre or so of
room, so it shouldn't be much of a problem. Forty-meter SSB is the
immediate goal, with a bit of CW no doubt on the horizon. I like operating
with a straight key, preferring around 10 or 12 WPM, although I can be
coaxed higher with difficulty, lower with ease. [Fastest copy ever in my
life is about 16 WPM.]
That, surely, is enough.
Very 73 to all you guys and ladies (well, lady, anyway),
John WA6QPL@amsat.org [Oh, yeah, life member.]
\l/
(o o)
-------------------------ooO-(_)-Ooo--------------------------
*******************************************************************
* *
* Old age and treachery will always triumph over youth and skill. *
* *
*******************************************************************
Date: Tue, 26 Aug 1997 13:51:00 +1000
From: Peter Holtham <p.holtham@mailbox.uq.edu.au>
Subject: Intro
Hi,
I'm Peter Holtham
Interest in radio started with SWLing around the time of the Soviet
invasion of Czechoslovaki in 1968 using the family BC rx, I was 16 at the
time, had finished high school exams for the year and had time on my hands.
Soon heard amateurs on 40 m a.m plus some Donald Duck noises on the same
band. Then is the usual story of more interest, and then my first licence
in 1969 as G8CWV (no code VHF only). Used a homebrew 2 m am tx with an EF80
pa at about 2 watts out, converter and an old R208 rx tuning 28-30 MHz.
Did the code while at Leeds University and became G3ZXY in 1970 - a call I
still hold. Then went to Zambia and became 9J2PH for 4 years, working lots
of dx with my KW2000A transceiver and homebrew quad. Also got on Oscar 6/7
at that time using a homebrew transverter with a QQVO6-40 pa. Then 4 years
in Namibia (then SW Africa) as ZS3PN, working for de Beers (the diamond
people). Again lots of DX.
Finally I came here to Australia, first in Sydney as VK2CPH and since 1992
as VK4COZ in Brisbane. Having been herein Oz 14 yrs, looks like I am stuck.
Now mainly active on cw, especially 40 m, trying for my WAS using 100 w and
dipole (26 wkd so far) so if anyone wants a sked....
I also like building, the next project coming up is a linear using a pair
of 813s, I have most of the bits and hope to start over Christmas. I will
be using the G2DAF circuit which appears in the 4th Edn RSGB Handbook, this
circuit rectifies an bit of input rf to supply screen voltages, and appears
fairly straightforward. Hope to use microwave oven transformers to supply
the HT and the heater voltages. I have also been steadily accumulating a
box of tubes/valves for some other glowbug style projects - just really
like things that glow in the dark!
Thats about it,
73,
Peter, VK4COZ
End of glowbugs V1 #96
**********************
Created by Steve Modena, AB4EL
Comments and suggestions to modena@SunSITE.unc.edu