Subject: glowbugs V1 #141
glowbugs Thursday, October 23 1997 Volume 01 : Number 141
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Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:22:53 -0400 (EDT)
From: rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Subject: Re: SAFETY AROUND BREADBOARD RIGS
> Hi, Bob!
>
> H'mmm...I have to admit, I cathode-key rigs with 450V on the plates,
> and with the key open, that's about what's on the "hot" side.
I measured Grandma Hartley last night. She runs a TCS mg set as her power
supply from a 12V battery bus in the shack. The KEY UP voltage was 375
volts across the key contacts on the high side of the keying relay.
That is a little higher than I remembered, but it requires a relay.
I still think a keying relay of any sort well worth the protection when
those kinds of voltages could be present on the key. Almost anything
will work, even old 110vac relays with 28vdc to power them (many will work
fine at hand keying speeds dc powered at 28vdc). An auto horn relay
will work. Surplus can relays and octal relays are quite common in 12/24
vdc rating. All of them will work at the usual BA/GB QRS. You need to
hunt a bit for one that will QRQ 35 and better, though, and sometimes
resort to preloading the relay with a few ufd of capacitor across its
coil as a booster to speed it along, inertia-wise.
> Most straight keys aren't too bad--but I have to remind myself not to
> fiddle with adjustments on the bugs with the HV on!
Yes, that can zap the gemittenfingerpokins. I err on the side favoring
my hind end anymore. I got bit by Big Bertha Radiomarine, during some
initial testing about 20 years back. But for the graces and some luck
I should have been pushing up daisy flowers somewhere. I still take a
deep breath when working on her opened up when she has her 1500vdc line on.
Her keying relay has about 150 volts on it on the high side, about 3 inches
away from the HV bus. When adjusting her relay contacts for QRQ, one needs
to be real careful on the screwdriver placement and not drink too much
coffee......
> It probably is time to invest in a keying relay--hate to add one more
> power-supply to the pile, though.
Methinks around Hartleys and open breadboard sets it might be worthwhile.
> 73,
> --Bobbi
73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
p.s. I had Grandma Hartley on last night and worked some OT's up NJ way,
but nil BA/GB folks. Must be the weather..... I did hear Dennis
W5FRS on down in the bilges of the tv oscillator noise, but little
else.
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:36:49 -0400 (EDT)
From: afpgreg@state.me.us (Paul V. Gregory)
Subject: Re: SAFETY AROUND BREADBOARD RIGS
Ahoy,
I use a 12vdc octal-plugged mercury wetted relay to key my Valiant.
Driven by a wallwart, it's simple, cheap. I could french-kiss my bug is I
ever was so inclined.
--N1ZRR, Paul
ZUT
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:45:37 -0400 (EDT)
From: rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Subject: Re: '32 Detector and 2 Step --- HURRHAHHHHHH!!!!!
> I finished up my regenerator of the month yesterday, since I had to jump on
> a plane, today, for a 2 week trip to the Phillipines and China.
etc.....
> It works very, very well!
Kudos! Walt.... you have done well. I hope others will learn from your
success and wade through the junque boxen and get their gemittenfingerpokins
a'workin'.
See, there is some fine howdydoo in them thar ``ancient'' and venerable
regeneratorwhatzits.......(:+}}..... Sillysandystate move over!
Da Glowwebugges has arrived!
I sense an OT Hartley/Regenerator Friendly Fist Function Fracas in the works.
I vote the month of December. Howsabout ya'all....
73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 10:14:54 -0400 (EDT)
From: rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Subject: Thoughts on the 3579R545 QRG
I was doin' some o' that thar a'thinin' last nite, in the wee small hours,
when playin' wid Grandma Hartley, about the state of the 3579R545 QRG.
That is a fine frequency for general use, but is problematic with the
TV oscillator hash (even I have it when Ma puts her soapies an' games on
in the evening). Wid 3 tv hash generators goin' in da QTH, things get
a tad noisy. I tried the suggestion of the Computerese Ferrite Blocko
Tricko, and that worked some, but did not completely quiet things.
I was thinkin' of mebbie rubberin' down the QRG a tad so that we could
makes use of about 3578R500 to 3579R545 to edge out from under da tv hash.
Those of us wid Hartleys and otherwise erstwhile frequency agile devices
can twiddle the knob down a touch. For those wid tvrocco devices, mebbie
a tad o' capacitatories across the tvrocco would rubber it down a bit.
Food for thought.
73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
p.s. After Ma an' da kids gets ta beddiebyes, that thar tvrocco QRG
quiets down real fine like, around midnite local. All hands note
that a midnite ralleye o' da crew is perfectly acceptable, too, on
weekends an' da like whens we can plays a little later.....(:+}}.....
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 11:27:01 -0400 (EDT)
From: rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Subject: Anyone around for 3579 tonite?
I will bite the ol' leaden bullete betwixt de ol' choppers an' offer to
be on the BA/GB QRG 3579 QTR 0000/0100/0200/0300/0400/0500Z tonite an see
if anyone can hear Ol' Grandma Hartley. I will lean on the dial a tad
to slip a few hundred cycles low to get out from the tv hash. Mebbies
me gets lucky, tonite, mebbie...... 73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
Thought.... ifs me beats Grandma Hartley around 700 cycles low against
da tv hash, wilst she sound like an ol' sparker on a fine
carborundum crystal set????? (:+}}...
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:52:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ken Gordon <keng@uidaho.edu>
Subject: Re: Thoughts on the 3579R545 QRG
> makes use of about 3578R500 to 3579R545 to edge out from under da tv hash.
Actually, in my HW-16, with a TV rock, I am about 500 cps HIGHER than the
TV set garbage. And I hear several TV sets, NOT in my own house, until
quite late. I managed to (finally) pick Jack W7QQQ out from between the TV
noise one recent evening. I think he was BETWEEN the two loudest ones.
Ken
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 09:56:39 -0700 (PDT)
From: Ken Gordon <keng@uidaho.edu>
Subject: Re: Anyone around for 3579 tonite?
On Wed, 22 Oct 1997 rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu wrote:
> I will bite the ol' leaden bullete betwixt de ol' choppers an' offer to
> be on the BA/GB QRG 3579 QTR 0000/0100/0200/0300/0400/0500Z tonite an see
> if anyone can hear Ol' Grandma Hartley. I will lean on the dial a tad
> to slip a few hundred cycles low to get out from the tv hash. Mebbies
> me gets lucky, tonite, mebbie...... 73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
I'll try to see you there...
Ken
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 10:52:28 -0600 (MDT)
From: Art Winterbauer <art@comet.ucar.edu>
Subject: Re: Thoughts on the 3579R545 QRG
On Wed, 22 Oct 1997, Ken Gordon wrote:
>> makes use of about 3578R500 to 3579R545 to edge out from under da tv hash.
>
>Actually, in my HW-16, with a TV rock, I am about 500 cps HIGHER than the
>TV set garbage. And I hear several TV sets, NOT in my own house, until
>quite late. I managed to (finally) pick Jack W7QQQ out from between the TV
>noise one recent evening. I think he was BETWEEN the two loudest ones.
>
>Ken
>
On the other hand, that TV hash makes a good marker signal on my regen
until the tubes & batteries stabilize (~20 minutes). If the regen
control has to be re-adjusted (with subsequent change in signal
tuning), I just search for the hash! My neighbors must watch a lot of
TV. And it must be cable, since there've been no complains re: the
regen or the 6L6 thrasher! --Art WA5OES
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 17:09:51 +0000
From: Sandy W5TVW <ebjr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: Re: Anyone around for 3579 tonite?
At 03:27 PM 10/22/97 +0000, you wrote:
>I will bite the ol' leaden bullete betwixt de ol' choppers an' offer to
>be on the BA/GB QRG 3579 QTR 0000/0100/0200/0300/0400/0500Z tonite an see
>if anyone can hear Ol' Grandma Hartley. I will lean on the dial a tad
>to slip a few hundred cycles low to get out from the tv hash. Mebbies
>me gets lucky, tonite, mebbie...... 73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
>
>Thought.... ifs me beats Grandma Hartley around 700 cycles low against
> da tv hash, wilst she sound like an ol' sparker on a fine
> carborundum crystal set????? (:+}}...
>
>
I'll listen up a little later tonight. Remember that STANDARD time
is coming!
80 will improve more once we get rid of this Daylight time nonsense.
I agree we should maybe try 3679.0 and tune up for the rock bound
folk who can't move the 1/2 khz.
If anyone hears me batting the breeze with my neighbor, K1DW about
50 miles away, don't hesitate to "break" in!
Dallas, K1DW and I had dinner/reunion with some of our mentors who are
really in the "olde phart club". When he settles in his house in Folsom, LA
(he moved from Hartford, CT!), he plans some awesome antennas on his 5+ acres.
73,
E. V. Sandy Blaize, W5TVW
"Boat Anchors collected, restored, repaired, traded and used!"
417 Ridgewood Drive
Metairie, LA., 70001
**860 Hartley 'ECO' under construction****
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 14:39:15 -0400 (EDT)
From: EWoodman@aol.com
Subject: Re: Anyone around for 3579 tonite?
Don't know if I can hear you way up here in NH but will fire up the old
HQ-120X and listen on the hours for you tonight. Will have the 20W homebrew
807 rig on standby. (The homebrew is vfo controlled in case folks decide to
run a touch low)
73 Eric KA1YRV
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 12:02:24 -0700 (PDT)
From: Hy Chantz <chantz@well.com>
Subject: Re: High-Impedance Cans??
Hi gang, this list is great!
One question; receivers of personality all prefer high-impedance headphones;
- - their advantages are endless (one can put back-to-back diodes for audio
limiting, use them CAREFULLY for minor testing and troubleshooting,
"reasonate" 'em for CW, etc...)
My venerable Trimm Featherweight seems to be feeling a bit lonely, and I'd
like to mebbe buy one - but
Does anyone know if any manufacturer still makes high-impedance cans, or if
one can get them NOS??
Hope to meet you all on 3579,5 in the next few weeks,
73 Hy W2HY
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 12:52:28 -0700 (MST)
From: Jack Meadows <jackmead@getnet.com>
Subject: Re: Anyone around for 3579 tonite?
I will give it a try as well!
Jack W7QQQ
On Wed, 22 Oct 1997, Ken Gordon wrote:
> On Wed, 22 Oct 1997 rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu wrote:
>
> > I will bite the ol' leaden bullete betwixt de ol' choppers an' offer to
> > be on the BA/GB QRG 3579 QTR 0000/0100/0200/0300/0400/0500Z tonite an see
> > if anyone can hear Ol' Grandma Hartley. I will lean on the dial a tad
> > to slip a few hundred cycles low to get out from the tv hash. Mebbies
> > me gets lucky, tonite, mebbie...... 73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
>
> I'll try to see you there...
>
> Ken
>
>
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 16:44:36 -0400 (EDT)
From: rdkeys@csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu
Subject: Re: High-Impedance Cans??
> Hi gang, this list is great!
TNX, I agree, there are a lot of great folks here with some fine
ideas and yarns ta spin, to boot. I learn a lot from these folks.
> One question; receivers of personality all prefer high-impedance headphones;
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I like that! Well said!
> - their advantages are endless (one can put back-to-back diodes for audio
> limiting, use them CAREFULLY for minor testing and troubleshooting,
> "reasonate" 'em for CW, etc...)
Yup.....
> My venerable Trimm Featherweight seems to be feeling a bit lonely, and I'd
> like to mebbe buy one - but
I have a boxful of spare tin cans. I will see what I have and let you know.
I may have a couple of Featherweights in there. I dunno how good the
cords are, but they should be usable. If I have a spare set you are welcome.
AES or one of the other suppliers should be able to get you cords if you need
them.
> Does anyone know if any manufacturer still makes high-impedance cans, or if
> one can get them NOS??
Mostly they are a lost art form. I think you can still get lesser new ones
from AES, but I dunno of anyone making GOOD hi-z tin cans anymore. It may
be possible to special order some. I thought AES had some surplus tin cans
listed at around 15 bucks a pop..... maybe someone can fill you in on that.
If they still have them, that might be a good source.
The ones I find are all at hamfests. Good sets go for around 10 bucks mostly
and lesser ones at 5 and below. Baldies and Brandes tend to 20 bucks a pair
or sometimes more. I tend to buy too many headsets at hamfests (as the
XYL can attest). I have a hard time walking past a set of lonely Baldies
or Admirals.....(;+}}.....
You can get good telecoms quality 600 ohm headsets, but I don't personally
like them on CW. They will work well though, where 2000 ohm cans usually
are used, provided they are not put into too high a plate line if used
directly in the plate circuits. I try to keep all mine at 48 volts and
below when used directly. Cap or xfmr coupled is entirely different.
Most anything can be made to work. I find that the surplus audiovisual
teaching headsets work quite well, if you like a broadbanded response
on the average regenerator, although they don't have that ``ring'' of tin
diaphrams.
One of the BEST tin cans I have ever used is the surplus Type 19 set
tin cans. They have BIGGGGG diaphrams and LARGEEEEE magnets that
give them a very good LF tin response. I would rate them better than
Brandes Admirals and Baldies in that respect, but, not as sensitive
as the Baldies.
> Hope to meet you all on 3579,5 in the next few weeks,
Great! What with?
> 73 Hy W2HY
Welcome aboard HY (a sine from the old days?). I am hoping a lot of
the crew will be aboard the watch this winter. Sounds like they are
getting itchy and a'chompin' at the bit...... good...... (:+}}.....
I am trying to get folks interested in a December OT Firebottle Bash
or somesuch, and drum up some qso's on the BA/GB QRG.
73/ZUT DE NA4G/Bob UP
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 20:51:58 +0000
From: Sandy W5TVW <ebjr@worldnet.att.net>
Subject: FS: National SW-54
I have an SW-54, working, re-capped, with original knobs, but
rather ratty looking. (Needs a paint job!) The "National" logo is
missing. Sell for $25 plus shipping/packing.
73,
E. V. Sandy Blaize, W5TVW
"Boat Anchors collected, restored, repaired, traded and used!"
417 Ridgewood Drive
Metairie, LA., 70001
**860 Hartley 'ECO' under construction****
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 16:01:35 -0500
From: w5hvv@aeneas.net (Roderick M. Fitz-Randolph)
Subject: Re: SAFETY AROUND BREADBOARD RIGS
>Ahoy,
> I use a 12vdc octal-plugged mercury wetted relay to key my Valiant.
>Driven by a wallwart, it's simple, cheap. I could french-kiss my bug is I
>ever was so inclined.
> --N1ZRR, Paul
> ZUT
___________________________________________________________________________
Paul (and others), I even went so far as to put a 12 volt reed relay to key
the transmitter in the "Fierce 2-Watter" (117L7/M7) that is built on a plastic
chassis. The 12 volts comes from the 165 VDC plate voltage that is knocked
down to 12 VDC via 5 each 2.2K resistors in series (couldn't find an 11K
resistor at 2 watts) and a 12 volt zener. The "Chassis" (aluminum strip
underneath the plastic chassis) is at power ground potential (connected to
the ground lug on the 3 wire power cord). So the highest voltage that you
can reach above the chassis or at the key is 12 VDC. That is probably
gilding the lilly but that's whut I done!!!! It's as cute as a bug in a rug.
Regards,
Rod, N5HV
w5hvv@aeneas.net
Date: Wed, 22 Oct 1997 22:58:54 -0500 (CDT)
From: Bob Roehrig <broehrig@admin.aurora.edu>
Subject: panel finishing (kinda)
I am trying to finish my "new" Hartley rig and am working on the front
panel. I am using a piece of aluminum and don't want to paint it,
however, it has some scratches on it and so doesn't look that great.
The question is, how does one make a kind of brushed finish? In other
words, make thousands of scratches so the whole thing looks uniform?
UFO's are real! (It's the Air Force that does not exist)
E-mail broehrig@admin.aurora.edu 73 de Bob, K9EUI
CIS: Data / Telecom Aurora University, Aurora, IL
630-844-4898 Fax 630-844-5530
End of glowbugs V1 #141
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