20040221.qrp v03_n204.qrl.20040221 Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 19:03:13 EST From: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: QRP-L digest 3204 QRP-L Digest 3204 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) [168796] Items sold by John Farler 2) [168797] Re: The Truth about Yahoo by Ray Sills 3) [168798] KX1 by "Brent Sutphin WB4X" 4) [168799] Quality control in the ham radio industry by "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" 5) [168800] Re: KX1 by "Mike WA8BXN" 6) [168801] To quote Mister Bill, "Oooooh, noooooooo!" by "Andy Palm" 7) [168802] Yahoogroups by "Dave-k7prz" 8) [168803] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Karl Larsen 9) [168804] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by KD5NWA 10) [168805] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by "DTX" 11) [168806] OzarkCon Update by David Bixler 12) [168807] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Karl Larsen 13) [168808] RE: Quality control in the ham radio industry (Long) by "David Porter" 14) [168809] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by 15) [168810] RE: [qrp-l] Quality control in the ham radio industry by "Nick Kennedy" 16) [168811] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Michael Neverdosky 17) [168812] 40-9er, Batie's QRP project & small bags of parts by Nils R Young 18) [168813] OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by ARDUJENSKI@aol.com 19) [168814] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Karl Larsen 20) [168815] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by Karl Larsen 21) [168816] RE: Quality control in the ham radio industry (Long) by Lloyd Lachow 22) [168817] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by "Chris Trask" 23) [168818] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by 24) [168819] Telescopic Poles -- Another Source by John Oppenheimer 25) [168820] RE: [qrp-l] OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "Nick Kennedy" 26) [168821] Re: Thanks to Jim, N3VXI by "Tom Palmer" 27) [168822] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Brad Thompson 28) [168823] Using 16F628/648 in the PIC-EL by VA3TO 29) [168824] QRP test box, reality check by Steven Weber 30) [168825] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by "Goody K3NG" 31) [168826] Quality control in the ham radio industry by JClinton46@aol.com 32) [168827] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "Dave Martin" 33) [168828] Elecraft K2 Upgrade: Keying Bandwidth Mod and New Firmware by Wayne Burdick 34) [168829] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by Rob Matherly 35) [168830] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by ARDUJENSKI@aol.com 36) [168831] Re: [QRP test box, reality check] by Michael Goins 37) [168832] Re: Thanks to Jim, N3VXI by DYARNES@aol.com 38) [168833] Re: [Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry] by Michael Goins 39) [168834] PIC-EL: Right-angle J6 connector holds DDS Daughtercard by "George Heron N2APB" 40) [168835] Re: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "George, W5YR" 41) [168836] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "Dave Martin" 42) [168837] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by "Joseph Trombino Jr" 43) [168838] Adding CBers by PMdc361@aol.com 44) [168839] Re: [borderline OT] Emergency Field Kit by Tim Groat 45) [168840] Re: [borderline OT] Emergency Field Kit by IamSF5@aol.com 46) [168841] Fw: The future of QRP-L by "brian russell" 47) [168842] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Chuck Carpenter 48) [168843] Re: The future of QRP-L by "Rod N0RC" 49) [168844] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by Karl Larsen 50) [168845] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by John Sielke 51) [168846] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by John Sielke 52) [168847] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by John Sielke 53) [168848] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry by John Sielke 54) [168849] Re: Adding CBers by "William H. O'Hara III" 55) [168850] Re: Adding CBers by "Brian Murrey" 56) [168851] MFJ by "Bill Rowlett" 57) [168852] Enough QRM on the list. by John Oppenheimer 58) [168853] Schematic MFJ 207? by Bob KB2FEL 59) [168854] RE: Enough QRM on the list. by "Nick Kennedy" 60) [168855] Re: Enough QRM on the list. [ How Many Off Topic?] by Chuck Carpenter 61) [168856] Re: QRP test box, reality check by Karl Larsen 62) [168857] Re: [QRP-L] AD9850 sample is dead by "John J. McDonough" 63) [168858] Re: [QRP-L] AD9850 sample is dead by "Brian Riley (maillist)" 64) [168859] Re: Enough QRM on the list. [ How Many Off Topic?] by Jimmy Lee 65) [168860] RE: Enough QRM on the list. by "KennyMac" 66) [168861] Discharge testing your battery [long] by "Nick Kennedy" 67) [168862] Sunday Morning SSB/CW QRP Net by "Ken La Rose" 68) [168863] Re: Enough QRM on the list. by Karl Larsen 69) [168864] Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K2 Upgrade: Keying Bandwidth Mod and New Firmware by Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 70) [168865] How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? by "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" 71) [168866] Re: Enough QRM on the list. lets make it a contest! by Bob KB2FEL 72) [168867] Re: How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? by Dan Harriman 73) [168868] Re: The future of QRP-L by Dale Botkin 74) [168869] The new QRP-L by Jim Eshleman 75) [168870] RE: Schematic MFJ 207? by "J. Michael Thurman" 76) [168871] Re: The new QRP-L by George Fremin III 77) [168872] Re: Discharge testing your battery [long] by KD5NWA 78) [168873] Re: QRP test box, reality check by Steven Weber 79) [168874] QC by Steven Weber 80) [168875] Re: QRP test box, reality check by Karl Larsen 81) [168876] Re: QC by Karl Larsen 82) [168877] Re: Enough QRM on the list. by John Sielke 83) [168878] Re: Enough QRM on the list. by John Sielke 84) [168879] Re: How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? by John Sielke 85) [168880] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by 86) [168881] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "Richard Brummer, K2JQ" 87) [168882] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by John Sielke 88) [168883] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by 89) [168884] ESR kit, great idea, Steve by Ken 90) [168885] Re: How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? by w5xe@juno.com 91) [168886] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by Garie Halstead K8KFJ 92) [168887] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "Bill Jones" 93) [168888] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by "Richard Brummer, K2JQ" 94) [168889] Re: ESR kit, great idea, Steve by Michael Neverdosky 95) [168890] Re: Enough QRM on the list. by "Jade's Technical Services" 96) [168891] Did I mention "Check your work"? by Nils R Young 97) [168892] SOMETHING FREE REALLY! ! ! ! by "James Kelley" 98) [168893] Re: QC by Steven Weber 99) [168894] Re: Did I mention "Check your work"? by "Chris Trask" 100) [168895] Re: Schematic MFJ 207? by Al Scanandoah 101) [168896] wanted crystals for rockmite by "Brian Olson" 102) [168897] Tenna Dipper PIC Chip update by "Gene Sailsbury" 103) [168898] Fw: RX and TX oscillator settings by "Joseph Trombino Jr" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:18:56 -0500 From: John Farler To: qrp-l Subject: [168796] Items sold Message-ID: <4036A3F0.3C9CB426@peoplepc.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Rockmite and NW-80 have been spoken for. Still have crystals available as below. Thanks for all who showed an interest in the excess gear. 73, John, K4AVX For Sale.... 4, Xtals in the usual small HC-46 case for qrp rigs. >> 3686.4 Mhz........$3 each mailed, or two for $5. >> >> 73/72, John Farler K4AVX Hazard, Ky. jfarler@peoplepc.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:33:11 -0500 From: Ray Sills To: QRP list Subject: [168797] Re: The Truth about Yahoo Message-ID: <870BD3E9-6405-11D8-8692-000393D49C6C@1stconnect.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v612) Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit What Karl said is very true. I belong to a professional audio list on Yahoo, and the postings are sent as plain old text email. The only "commercial" is a line or two at the end the the email. And I have not experienced any increase in SPAM after joining that list. And that particular list -is- moderated. 73 de Ray K2ULR FN20tl On Feb 19, 2004, at 8:39 AM, Karl Larsen wrote: > > Many people on this list have expressed a real worry about the > Yahoo lists. This is un-founded. A Yahoo list can be moderated. When > you > join the list you can ask for the messages to be sent to you as > individual or a daily bunch of them. You can send a message to the list > just like you do now with QRP-L. > > Yahoo is on the Nazdac exchange and it makes money. It makes > some of it putting ads for ink and other stuff at the end of your > messages. If you choose any other list server they will either charge > you, or eat the cost themselves. Nothing is free. > > There are a lot of ham radio lists already on Yahoo and they > work just like QRP-L. So do not be afraid of Yahoo. > > -- > > - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:58:36 -0500 From: "Brent Sutphin WB4X" To: Subject: [168798] KX1 Message-ID: <004101c3f815$d65f7e50$9e6d1f18@BandE> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I just ordered my KX1 today. I also ordered the AT and 30 meter options. I did not get the paddle yet. I wanted to ask other users opinions on the KX1 paddles. Please how do you like them? Thanks Brent WB4X ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:59:19 -0500 From: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168799] Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <00c501c3f815$f1860640$64923144@aoldsl.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my soldering quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware engineering, I will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I like hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the ability, authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most basic attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free diesel-powered Cadillac? I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a few people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'm also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way I build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other industries have problems with quality control? Some examples: 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example of why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average rating only 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loose parts. 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard that the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom 706MKIIGs. Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio Shack brand products in the future. I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has reviews as good as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and built the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why doesn't MFJ ask them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre MFJ products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and the MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTec, Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is saving a little bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. Jason Hsu, AG4DG personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:11:29 -0500 (Eastern Standard Time) From: "Mike WA8BXN" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" , Subject: [168800] Re: KX1 Message-ID: <4036B041.000001.01632@compaq1500> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: Text/Plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit If you want a compact portable station, the paddles are great. They work ok for fixed station use too. No cords is nice! 73/72 - Mike WA8BXN --------------------- I just ordered my KX1 today. I also ordered the AT and 30 meter options. I did not get the paddle yet. I wanted to ask other users opinions on the KX1 paddles. Please how do you like them? Thanks Brent WB4X ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:35:14 -0600 From: "Andy Palm" To: Subject: [168801] To quote Mister Bill, "Oooooh, noooooooo!" Message-ID: <000e01c3f81a$f4a50740$3099ee42@andy> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Well, I guess everything must come to an end, but I'm sorry QRP-L in its current form is going away. I have spent many hours scouring the archives for ideas, information, web links, etc. The list and its members made a huge contribution to the construction and enjoyment of my QRP portable stations. Frankly, I didn't know who kept the list up and was also blissfully unaware of poor list behaviour. Jim, add one more "thank you" to the long list you've already received. If you had just decided you were sick and tired of the responsibility, that would have been reason enough for me. Enjoy your new freedom. Wherever this list lands (if it stays whole), I hope that it will have viewable archives available to all. Best regards, Andy Palm N1KSN Menasha, WI ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 17:34:29 -0800 From: "Dave-k7prz" To: Subject: [168802] Yahoogroups Message-ID: <004901c3f81a$dc22eb60$fa571e43@p3> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I've been moderating the "TenMeters" group on yahoogroups.com now since 2000. With about 400 members and over 10,000 messages no problems yet. Dave k7prz ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 18:47:49 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168803] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my soldering > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware engineering, I > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I like > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the ability, > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most basic > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > diesel-powered Cadillac? I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. They are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work as advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a few > people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'm > also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason > University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way I > build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. > > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other industries have > problems with quality control? Some examples: > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it > nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble > moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example of > why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average rating only > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad > solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loose > parts. > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard that > the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom 706MKIIGs. > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio > Shack brand products in the future. > > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the > company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been > reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has reviews as good > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and built > the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why doesn't MFJ ask > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre MFJ > products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and the > MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTec, > Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is saving a little > bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to > either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure > that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER > consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:11:56 -0600 From: KD5NWA To: k5di@zianet.com, "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168804] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <5.2.0.9.0.20040220195432.00b61288@127.0.0.1> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It had an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was shocked by the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered every connection I had no problem with the unit. I took another one (MFJ 901B) I had but didn't have any problems and again the solder connections were horrible, I went ahead and resoldered every joint as a preventive measure. At 07:47 PM 2/20/2004, Karl Larsen wrote: >On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > > > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen > > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my > soldering > > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware > engineering, I > > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I > like > > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the ability, > > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most > basic > > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the > > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > > diesel-powered Cadillac? > > I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. They >are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work as >advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > > > > > > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a few > > people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'm > > also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason > > University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way I > > build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. > > > > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other industries > have > > problems with quality control? Some examples: > > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it > > nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble > > moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example of > > why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average rating > only > > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad > > solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loose > > parts. > > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard that > > the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom > 706MKIIGs. > > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering > > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio > > Shack brand products in the future. > > > > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the > > company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been > > reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has reviews as > good > > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and built > > the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why doesn't > MFJ ask > > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre MFJ > > products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and the > > MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTec, > > Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is saving a little > > bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to > > either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure > > that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER > > consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > > reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > > > > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > > > > > >-- > > - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - Cecil KD5NWA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 18:23:33 -0800 From: "DTX" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168805] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <0c8801c3f821$b87b3f80$0c00a8c0@home> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit And I have a new MFJ 949E that works fine and I never took the cover off. I figure I will win some, lose some and try never to spend more $$ on toys than I could afford to throw down the drain. Gary WA6DTX ----- Original Message ----- From: "KD5NWA" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 6:11 PM Subject: Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It had > an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was shocked by > the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered every connection I > had no problem with the unit. I took another one (MFJ 901B) I had but > didn't have any problems and again the solder connections were horrible, I > went ahead and resoldered every joint as a preventive measure. > [snipped] > Cecil > KD5NWA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:28:51 -0600 From: David Bixler To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168806] OzarkCon Update Message-ID: <2004220202851.173965@XP-Computer> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Hi Gang: As Doug mentioned earlier today, OzarkCon 2004 is shaping up to be a= tremendous QRP convention! Registrations are coming in at a pretty constant stream and= so far we have folks coming from 15 states. You can see the list of who has signed up at: One announcement that I want to share is that on Saturday evening, George,= W5YR will be offering a live demonstration of various antenna analysis computer programs. This will an excellent opportunity to ask questions and see= several "what if's" by varying parameters of antennas, feedlines and tuners to come= up with an optimum configuration. You can get some ideas on how to maximize= the QRP signal at your station. We want to emphasize that family members are welcome to participate in all= of the OzarkCon activities. We have revised the pre-registration system= slightly to better accommodate the free registration of unlicensed spouses,= significant others and children of the primary paid registrant. If you have previously registered for OzarkCon, you are welcome to re-visit= the web site and pre-register your family member guests. Parts for the OzarkCon keyer kits are coming in at this time and we hope to= be shipping them in a couple of weeks. You will want to bring the completed= keyers to the Friday night open house. Full information is available at: Thanks on behalf of the Four State QRP Group! 72, Dave David Bixler W0CH http://w0ch.com http://4sqrp.com Seneca, MO ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:50:14 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: KD5NWA Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168807] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, KD5NWA wrote: > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It had > an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was shocked by > the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered every connection I > had no problem with the unit. I took another one (MFJ 901B) I had but > didn't have any problems and again the solder connections were horrible, I > went ahead and resoldered every joint as a preventive measure. You could have sent both units to MFJ for repair, even after doing your own best repair. They like you to try and fix a problem. But if that fails send it to them. I have a MFJ 969 I purchased used and have used the tuner for 5 years with zero problems. I have a VEC-584B Antenna Analyser that is a 10 pounds in a 5 pound bag. It has been working just fine for 4 years. I use it a lot! I have a really OLD MFJ-202 that is a noise bridge. I don't use it much now except to MAKE a wideband noise for receiver tuning. So Jason, either your using the devices the wrong way, or your sure un-lucky! And please also understand that MFJ products sell to individuals who are cheap and demand quality but are not going to pay for it. As for your study to be a hardware quality control person, your going to run headlong into the company that will say "yes keep up the quality, but do it quick at no cost". > > > At 07:47 PM 2/20/2004, Karl Larsen wrote: > >On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > > > > > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen > > > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my > > soldering > > > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware > > engineering, I > > > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I > > like > > > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the ability, > > > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most > > basic > > > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the > > > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > > > diesel-powered Cadillac? > > > > I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. They > >are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work as > >advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > > > > > > > > > > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a few > > > people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'm > > > also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason > > > University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way I > > > build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. > > > > > > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other industries > > have > > > problems with quality control? Some examples: > > > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it > > > nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble > > > moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example of > > > why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average rating > > only > > > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad > > > solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loose > > > parts. > > > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard that > > > the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom > > 706MKIIGs. > > > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > > > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering > > > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio > > > Shack brand products in the future. > > > > > > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the > > > company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been > > > reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has reviews as > > good > > > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and built > > > the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why doesn't > > MFJ ask > > > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre MFJ > > > products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and the > > > MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTec, > > > Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is saving a little > > > bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to > > > either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure > > > that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER > > > consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > > > reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > > > > > > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > > > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > > > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > > > > > > > > > >-- > > > > - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - > > Cecil > KD5NWA > > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:44:08 -0500 From: "David Porter" To: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168808] RE: Quality control in the ham radio industry (Long) Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I'm reminded of a story told in my Intro to Engineering class. An eager Ag Engineering student came home to his dad and told him that they, together, could apply all the good stuff he was learning to their farm and have a secure future. To which, his Dad replied, " Heck, son, I aint farming half as good as I know how right now." I thought it was a cute story, but I didn't understand its significance. After nearly 35 years to ruminate on the subject, become knowledgeable about quality science, and to become familiar with several companies, I think I can take a reasonable stab at it. The quality of a product is one of many attributes it has. Each one of its attributes must be created by the product's manufacturer. Many of these attributes are designed in using the elegant skills of all involved in the company. Some of these attributes are the result of many defaults; such as the strength that results from a part having been specified, for other reasons, to be made from steel; the likes for safety factors of the design team; the fact that there are many gallons of paint available of a particular color; that sort of thing. A few other attributes are left to chance because they are out of the ken of the design team or beyond anyone's ability to change something. Others are happy, or unhappy accidents. A product must satisfy many demands simultaneously. It must please the customer for its intended purpose. It must be manufacturable. If it is to be used for a long time, it must be repairable, or at least replaceable. In addition to this incomplete list, it must provide enough revenue to pay for its own production, pay back the research and development costs, pay the wages of all concerned with the product, and still leave enough money left over to make the owner(s) of the company think that producing it was a valuable way for them to tie up their money and energy. I will grant you that over the last few decades, emphasis seems to have drifted from the product itself to the aspects of production that accountants can best account for. The other attributes of a product besides its fitness for use and its quality have been optimized for stockholder equity, not customer satisfaction. Is this wrong? Who can tell? I think it is rather like the color of houses, or the pattern of a butterfly's wing: Some things work better than others. I have worked in industry and striven to optimize quality only to have it compromised by other factors. Would the company have been better off if they went my way? I thought so, but who knows. They could have gone out of business if they hadn't done what they did. Many go out of business anyway. Robert Frost said it best: I shall be telling this with a sigh Somewhere ages and ages hence Two roads diverged in a wood And I took the one less traveled by And that has made all the difference MFJ has chosen to put neat things in people's hands for not too much money. Likewise, NJQRP, AMQRP, and others have also put neat things in people's hands for not too much money. And that has made all the difference Dave, AA3UR > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU]On Behalf Of > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 7:59 PM > To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion > Subject: Quality control in the ham radio industry > > > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and > my soldering > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware > engineering, I > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the > reason I like > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having > the ability, > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the > most basic > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > diesel-powered Cadillac? > > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a few > people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'm > also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason > University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way I > build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. > > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other > industries have > problems with quality control? Some examples: > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it > nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble > moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example of > why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average > rating only > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad > solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loose > parts. > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard that > the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom > 706MKIIGs. > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio > Shack brand products in the future. > > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the > company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been > reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has > reviews as good > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and built > the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why > doesn't MFJ ask > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre MFJ > products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and the > MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTec, > Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is > saving a little > bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to > either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure > that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I > would NEVER > consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:51:58 -0500 (EST) From: To: Subject: [168809] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <1147.192.168.1.117.1077331918.squirrel@gateway> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Count me in as an idiot. While I actually do currently own two pieces of Mighty Fine Junk that are o.k., and also have enjoyed Marti Jue's warm personality on occasion, I can honestly say that quality control at MFJ is about as poor as I have seen for such a company. My two pieces are not typical. In fact *EVERY* tuner I have opened up in the last several years made by MFJ has been a q.c. joke. And that is quite a few, as ALL tuners and antennas our local club uses on field day go through me. And I open up ALL of the tuners. I also have been asked to work on other MFJ tuners for club members. Guess what ?, they also suffer from lousy construction practices and q.c. Sorry, but PhD or not...poorly made junk is junk. Because no matter how well designed, execution does count. Vy 72; Bob w9ya > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It > had an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was > shocked by the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered > every connection I had no problem with the unit. I took another one > (MFJ 901B) I had but didn't have any problems and again the solder > connections were horrible, I went ahead and resoldered every joint as a > preventive measure. > > > At 07:47 PM 2/20/2004, Karl Larsen wrote: >>On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: >> >> > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as >> you've seen from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP >> Meter and my >> soldering >> > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware >> engineering, I >> > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the >> reason I >> like >> > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the >> ability, authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one >> of the most >> basic >> > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features >> if the product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a >> free diesel-powered Cadillac? >> >> I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. >> They >>are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work >> as advertised. I will buy more of what they have. >> >> >> > >> > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to >> a few people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs >> first. (I'm also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at >> George Mason University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I >> build (and the way I build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else >> finds them. >> > >> > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other >> industries >> have >> > problems with quality control? Some examples: >> > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give >> it nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our >> noble moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect >> example of why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews >> (average rating >> only >> > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include >> bad solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and >> various loose parts. >> > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard >> that the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing >> Icom >> 706MKIIGs. >> > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? >> > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my >> soldering threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less >> likely to buy Radio Shack brand products in the future. >> > >> > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so >> the company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has >> been reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has >> reviews as >> good >> > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and >> built the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why >> doesn't >> MFJ ask >> > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of >> mediocre MFJ products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the >> MFJ-945E and the MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly >> regarded as Astron, TenTec, Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling >> names. What good is saving a little bit on production costs when >> you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to either debug the duds >> or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure that if I were >> unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER >> consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my >> reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. >> > >> > Jason Hsu, AG4DG >> > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com >> > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control >> > >> > >> >>-- >> >> - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - > > Cecil > KD5NWA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:56:09 -0600 From: "Nick Kennedy" To: "'Jason Hsu, AG4DG'" , "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168810] RE: [qrp-l] Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <000301c3f826$424e9dc0$0400000a@wa5bdu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The disdain many have for MFJ is similar to the way many regarded Heathkit 30+ years ago. (Now the same folks lament the passing of Heath.) MFJ is a Ford for those who can't afford or don't want to spend for a Jaguar. Let's see ... I've got an MFJ-1278 multimode digital doohickey--worked great while I used it. A super nice and compact 25 amp switching power supply ... works great. Of course everyone's Swiss Army Knife-the MFJ-259B. Love it, even though I had a couple of battery connector issues. Also an old keyer integrated with an FYO (Bencher) paddle. Works just fine. Also have a Versa Tuner II that works very well. Overall quality? Sometimes not as high as some other manufacturers. Quality & performance to dollar ratio? Very good. 72--Nick, WA5BDU ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:54:42 -0500 From: Michael Neverdosky To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168811] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <4036C872.E4F199D5@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit That is one thing I like about MFJ, they will help over the phone, online by mail or whatever. I have had more MFJ devices that worked properly than had problems but all of the ones I had trouble with were easy to fix with my own knowledge or with a quick call to MFJ. They are not the best equipment maker in Ham radio but they provide fair products for a fair price and they stand behind what they make. michael N6CHV Karl Larsen wrote: > > On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, KD5NWA wrote: > > > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It had > > an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was shocked by > > the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered every connection I > > had no problem with the unit. I took another one (MFJ 901B) I had but > > didn't have any problems and again the solder connections were horrible, I > > went ahead and resoldered every joint as a preventive measure. > > You could have sent both units to MFJ for repair, even after > doing your own best repair. They like you to try and fix a problem. But > if that fails send it to them. > ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 22:01:12 -0500 From: Nils R Young To: QRP-L@lehigh.edu Subject: [168812] 40-9er, Batie's QRP project & small bags of parts Message-ID: <20040219.220122.-380555.0.nilsbull@juno.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Gang, Don't tell me I weren't tempted. I've looked at the board drawing for Howard Batie's 40m transceiver article in the July '74 HR magazine & thinkin' that I could easy enough draw it up with ExpressPCB & get a couple three/six copies made. But then I remember that it's got two old tin-can opamps in it & some other stuff I might not be able to find any more so I give up. Well, almost . . . Batie's original board was about 1.25x3 inches. The receiver was a CA3028 & a CA3018A, product detector/mixer & AF amp. The transmitter was a HEP735 (eh?) and a 2N3866. Long-back you could get the board from MFJ for a couple bucks. I had one. I built it. It worked. I blew it up. Stupid hippies. So whaddaya got today? NE602s & LM386s. Easy enough. Only problem is I can't get my board design smaller 'n 3.25x1.75 inches. One 78L05, a 2N7000, two 2N2222s & a 2N3553/2N3866 and the two chips. And I had to get all the caps in monoliths so my monkeys would screech at 'em when they discover it in the morning. So far I've got half a dozen caps on the board, both chips & the VR & transmitter chain. I ain't got the sidetone osc parted in yet. I figure if I work at it slow, maybe I'll have it either workin' or smokin' by maybe Hamvention time. The capacitors are in little bags, 10 of each size, so I don't have to get out my kid's toy microscope to read the values. The resistors are all piled in one poke. Them I can still figure out. And somewhere around here I have a handful of crystals for 7040. Might be easier to just order more of 'em. And small diameter type 2 toroids for the Ls and Cs. One of three paint buckets & a couple boxes of junk in the attic. Right under the four element 6m. A bunch of the parts I had to order. Cores and such. What's really weird is that I got crazy & tried crammin' the 40-9er circuit on one of these tiny boards. Everything fit, too. If I'd had any brains I would'a figured out how to put a TiCK keyer chip on the board. Still ain't uploaded that one for a test run. I wanna see this project fail first. Then I'll be all inspired to check my work again. Worse yet, I figured out today (after sinkin' some cash at Roger's) that I could have bought a DSW40 for all the money I've spent so far on this project. Oh well, at least I'll prove something. Like how the meds the vet gave me to keep my hands from shakin' might just be workin'. In the meantime, I'll sit here and listen to Turkish music. Hosh! Yoldashlar! 73 Nils ---------------------------- Nils R. Bull Young -- W8IJN -- La Estancia de los Guajolotes Sonrientes -- http://w8ijn.tripod.com -- http://members.fortunecity.com/nilsbull -- "If you can see this, thank a trilobite!"" ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:05:51 EST From: ARDUJENSKI@aol.com To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168813] OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <8d.3f69976.2d68250f@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Folks, please hear me out before you burn me at the stake. I think the time has come to merge the two hobbies. This would dramatically increase the number of hams making business for the electronics folks much more viable and would keep them in business longer. Folks the industry is shrinking rather dramatically. heck we have gone to the NO CODE ENTRY LEVEL license (or soon will) why not put it to our advantage This merge would end the THEM-US problem and also there would be quite a few new prospects for QRP. Are CBers worse operators? Listen to 75m and 15m and 10m and 2m and you will be wondering who is really operating here. With more business there will be enough to allow radio companies to continue to support the QRP folks. The FCC really would like to promote infighting to help with amateur radio disintegrating so they can sell off the bands. I would not be surprised if those involved in the ill feelings on this (and others as well) are not doing it to cause the infighting. Remember the BPL issue? Well let it be a lesson to you all that govt has its mind made up BEFORE going to the public. I know after dealing with govt for over 30 years and being on both sides of the fence Remember united we stand and adding another million to the ranks could have some distinct advantages. Lets get out there and lead by example! Thanks for the bandwidth and thought I would get this in before we all scatter. 10-4 Good buddies........Alan KB7MBI ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:20:50 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: w9ya@arrl.net Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168814] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 w9ya@arrl.net wrote: > Count me in as an idiot. > > While I actually do currently own two pieces of Mighty Fine Junk that are > o.k., and also have enjoyed Marti Jue's warm personality on occasion, I > can honestly say that quality control at MFJ is about as poor as I have > seen for such a company. > > My two pieces are not typical. In fact *EVERY* tuner I have opened up in > the last several years made by MFJ has been a q.c. joke. And that is quite > a few, as ALL tuners and antennas our local club uses on field day go > through me. And I open up ALL of the tuners. I also have been asked to > work on other MFJ tuners for club members. Guess what ?, they also suffer > from lousy construction practices and q.c. Bob, have you ever wondered why there are so MANY MFJ tuners in your club? And these club members have been using them for YEARS without a problem. Then they give them to you and you find out how poor they REALLY ARE. I think your a person who has it in for MFJ. I would never let you open up my tuners. They all four work great! Have you ever seen a MFJ-4125 25 amp 13.8 volt DC switching power supply? I have one on my desk that runs my 100 watt QRO radios and my FT-817 from the low current terminals. The QC may stink but the thing works great all the time. I will never let you QC this either. > > Sorry, but PhD or not...poorly made junk is junk. Because no matter how > well designed, execution does count. > > > Vy 72; > > Bob > w9ya > > > > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It > > had an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was > > shocked by the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered > > every connection I had no problem with the unit. I took another one > > (MFJ 901B) I had but didn't have any problems and again the solder > > connections were horrible, I went ahead and resoldered every joint as a > > preventive measure. > > > > > > At 07:47 PM 2/20/2004, Karl Larsen wrote: > >>On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > >> > >> > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as > >> you've seen from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP > >> Meter and my > >> soldering > >> > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware > >> engineering, I > >> > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the > >> reason I > >> like > >> > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the > >> ability, authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one > >> of the most > >> basic > >> > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features > >> if the product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a > >> free diesel-powered Cadillac? > >> > >> I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. > >> They > >>are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work > >> as advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > >> > >> > >> > > >> > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to > >> a few people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs > >> first. (I'm also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at > >> George Mason University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I > >> build (and the way I build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else > >> finds them. > >> > > >> > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other > >> industries > >> have > >> > problems with quality control? Some examples: > >> > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give > >> it nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our > >> noble moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect > >> example of why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews > >> (average rating > >> only > >> > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include > >> bad solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and > >> various loose parts. > >> > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard > >> that the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing > >> Icom > >> 706MKIIGs. > >> > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > >> > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my > >> soldering threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less > >> likely to buy Radio Shack brand products in the future. > >> > > >> > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so > >> the company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has > >> been reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has > >> reviews as > >> good > >> > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and > >> built the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why > >> doesn't > >> MFJ ask > >> > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of > >> mediocre MFJ products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the > >> MFJ-945E and the MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly > >> regarded as Astron, TenTec, Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling > >> names. What good is saving a little bit on production costs when > >> you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to either debug the duds > >> or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure that if I were > >> unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER > >> consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > >> reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > >> > > >> > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > >> > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > >> > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > >> > > >> > > >> > >>-- > >> > >> - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - > > > > Cecil > > KD5NWA > > > > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:24:03 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: ARDUJENSKI@aol.com Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168815] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 ARDUJENSKI@aol.com wrote: > Folks, please hear me out before you burn me at the stake. I think the time > has come to merge the two hobbies. This would dramatically increase the number > of hams making business for the electronics folks much more viable and would > keep them in business longer. Folks the industry is shrinking rather > dramatically. heck we have gone to the NO CODE ENTRY LEVEL license (or soon will) why > not put it to our advantage Alan, a high percentage of the Hams today were CB operators first. Getting CB people into Ham Radio has been automatic. It will speed up when they don't need to learn morse code. > > This merge would end the THEM-US problem and also there would be quite a few > new prospects for QRP. Are CBers worse operators? Listen to 75m and 15m and > 10m and 2m and you will be wondering who is really operating here. > > With more business there will be enough to allow radio companies to continue > to support the QRP folks. The FCC really would like to promote infighting to > help with amateur radio disintegrating so they can sell off the bands. I would > not be surprised if those involved in the ill feelings on this (and others as > well) are not doing it to cause the infighting. Remember the BPL issue? Well > let it be a lesson to you all that govt has its mind made up BEFORE going to > the public. I know after dealing with govt for over 30 years and being on both > sides of the fence > > Remember united we stand and adding another million to the ranks could have > some distinct advantages. Lets get out there and lead by example! > > Thanks for the bandwidth and thought I would get this in before we all > scatter. > > 10-4 Good buddies........Alan KB7MBI > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:29:45 -0800 (PST) From: Lloyd Lachow To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168816] RE: Quality control in the ham radio industry (Long) Message-ID: <20040221032945.60636.qmail@web41015.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii David, Quoting Frost on a QRP topic - you're my hero! ...and fwiw, and to be a bit on-topic, my MFJ thingie was also a 971, and it just worked fine. --- David Porter wrote: > I shall be telling this with a sigh > Somewhere ages and ages hence > Two roads diverged in a wood > And I took the one less traveled by > And that has made all the difference LL __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:31:38 -0700 From: "Chris Trask" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168817] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <01d401c3f82b$380771c0$c6044bab@default> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > > While I actually do currently own two pieces of Mighty Fine Junk > > that are o.k., and also have enjoyed Marti Jue's warm personality > > on occasion, I can honestly say that quality control at MFJ is > > about as poor as I have seen for such a company. > > > > Sorry, but PhD or not...poorly made junk is junk. Because no matter how > > well designed, execution does count. > I had the opportunity to open up an MFJ 1KW tuner once, and was horrified at what I saw. It was a T-pad tuner, with two series variable capacitors and a shunt variable inductor. The capacitors of course are not connected to ground. The shaft of each capacitor has a brass coupling that goes to a solid brass shaft which then goes through an insulated panel bushing and then to the knob. There is no insulator between the RF and the operator except for the knob. As such, it would NEVER pass UL approval. It should have been designed with a ceramic or steatite coupling at the capacitor and then a grounded shaft to the panel and knob. Chris ,----------------------. High Performance Mixers and / What's all this \ Amplifiers for RF Communications / extinct stuff, anyhow? / \ _______,--------------' Chris Trask / N7ZWY _ |/ Principal Engineer oo\ Sonoran Radio Research (__)\ _ P.O. Box 25240 \ \ .' `. Tempe, Arizona 85285-5240 \ \ / \ \ '" \ IEEE Member #40274515 . ( ) \ '-| )__| :. \ Email: christrask@earthlink.net | | | | \ '. http://www.home.earthlink.net/~christrask c__; c__; '-..'>.__ Graphics by Loek Frederiks ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:33:01 -0500 (EST) From: To: Subject: [168818] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <1271.192.168.1.117.1077334381.squirrel@gateway> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit > On Fri, 20 Feb 2004 w9ya@arrl.net wrote: > >> Count me in as an idiot. >> >> While I actually do currently own two pieces of Mighty Fine Junk that >> are o.k., and also have enjoyed Marti Jue's warm personality on >> occasion, I can honestly say that quality control at MFJ is about as >> poor as I have seen for such a company. >> >> My two pieces are not typical. In fact *EVERY* tuner I have opened up >> in the last several years made by MFJ has been a q.c. joke. And that >> is quite a few, as ALL tuners and antennas our local club uses on >> field day go through me. And I open up ALL of the tuners. I also have >> been asked to work on other MFJ tuners for club members. Guess what ?, >> they also suffer from lousy construction practices and q.c. > > Bob, have you ever wondered why there are so MANY MFJ tuners in > your club? And these club members have been using them for YEARS without > a problem. Then they give them to you and you find out how poor they > REALLY ARE. Well Karl, the club members have problems and they know I fix such tuner problems, so they get their problems fixed by me. I suppose they could send them back to Miss. or do it themselves too. Sorry if that wasn't crystal clear. Now it should be. Besides when you pick up a tuner and it rattles because someone forgot 1/2 of the lock washers that secure the parts, it's kinda obvious that q.c. is bad. When you reach in and tug on some wires and they come off because of cold solder joints, I would humbly submit that that is due to lousy q.c too. I do agree that the prices are alluring, so I agree with other posts here that point this out as a good reason they are sold in such quantity. Vy 72 OM; Bob w9ya > > I think your a person who has it in for MFJ. I would never let > you open up my tuners. They all four work great! Have you ever seen a > MFJ-4125 25 amp 13.8 volt DC switching power supply? I have one on my > desk that runs my 100 watt QRO radios and my FT-817 from the low current > terminals. The QC may stink but the thing works great all the time. I > will never let you QC this either. > > > >> >> Sorry, but PhD or not...poorly made junk is junk. Because no matter >> how well designed, execution does count. >> >> >> Vy 72; >> >> Bob >> w9ya >> >> >> > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) >> It had an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I >> was shocked by the poor quality solder connections, after I >> resoldered every connection I had no problem with the unit. I took >> another one (MFJ 901B) I had but didn't have any problems and again >> the solder connections were horrible, I went ahead and resoldered >> every joint as a preventive measure. >> > >> > >> > At 07:47 PM 2/20/2004, Karl Larsen wrote: >> >>On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: >> >> >> >> > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as >> >> you've seen from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP >> Meter and my >> >> soldering >> >> > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware >> >> engineering, I >> >> > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the >> >> reason I >> >> like >> >> > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having >> the >> >> ability, authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one >> of the most >> >> basic >> >> > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra >> features >> >> if the product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a >> free diesel-powered Cadillac? >> >> >> >> I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. >> >> They >> >>are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all >> work >> >> as advertised. I will buy more of what they have. >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> >> > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away >> to >> >> a few people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs >> first. (I'm also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at >> George Mason University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I >> build (and the way I build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone >> else finds them. >> >> > >> >> > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other >> >> industries >> >> have >> >> > problems with quality control? Some examples: >> >> > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams >> give >> >> it nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and >> our noble moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a >> perfect example of why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net >> reviews (average rating >> >> only >> >> > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints >> include >> >> bad solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and >> various loose parts. >> >> > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've >> heard >> >> that the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing >> Icom >> >> 706MKIIGs. >> >> > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? >> >> > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my >> >> soldering threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less >> likely to buy Radio Shack brand products in the future. >> >> > >> >> > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, >> so >> >> the company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E >> has been reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 >> has reviews as >> >> good >> >> > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed >> and >> >> built the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why >> doesn't >> >> MFJ ask >> >> > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of >> >> mediocre MFJ products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as >> the MFJ-945E and the MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly >> regarded as Astron, TenTec, Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling >> names. What good is saving a little bit on production costs when >> you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to either debug the duds >> or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure that if I were >> unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER >> >> consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my >> reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. >> >> > >> >> > Jason Hsu, AG4DG >> >> > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com >> >> > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html >> >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ >> >> > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ >> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control >> >> > >> >> > >> >> >> >>-- >> >> >> >> - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - >> > >> > Cecil >> > KD5NWA >> >> >> >> > > -- > > - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:35:27 -0600 From: John Oppenheimer To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168819] Telescopic Poles -- Another Source Message-ID: <4036D1FE.327D815D@KN5L.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I received a 22 ft model this week. These are really nice! They are not rough, but include end caps for both ends of the outside piece so that it is well protected when collapsed down to the four foot length. These should make a very nice portable vertical antennas. They include a swivel on the top for a wind sock, which will need to be cut off if feeding a wire through the center is wanted. I'm not sure how I am going to use it yet, but I will!! John Chuck Carpenter wrote: > > Got the latest catalog from IntoTheWind kite folks. > > On page 72 they are showing a variety of telescopic poles in two strengths, > flexible and heavy duty. The materials are brown and black fiberglass and > collapse to about 4 ft. > > They show 4 lengths of flexible at 10, 13, 16 and 19 ft priced at $15, $18, > $20 and $26 respectively. > > The heavy duty poles are in lengths of 10, 13, 16, 19 and 22 ft priced at > $20, $25, $29, $39 and $49 respectively. > > You probably can find them on their website too -- > http://www.IntoTheWind.com > > I've experienced good service from them with web purchases of fiberglass > kite spars that I used for V/UHF quad spreaders. ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:36:43 -0600 From: "Nick Kennedy" To: , "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168820] RE: [qrp-l] OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <000601c3f82b$ecb171c0$0400000a@wa5bdu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit April 1st already? Where does the time go? 72--Nick, WA5BDU ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:43:29 -0500 From: "Tom Palmer" To: Subject: [168821] Re: Thanks to Jim, N3VXI Message-ID: <000301c3f82c$deda3e00$9b330843@swfla.rr.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I believe 99.9% of the QRP-L participants agree that Jim performed a valuable service for us. He is much appreciated. Complimenting Jim does not seem adequate to express our appreciation. JIM, THANKS! Tom, N1TP Naples, FL ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:56:45 -0500 From: Brad Thompson To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168822] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20040220225155.0219bad0@pop3.norton.antivirus> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed At 07:59 PM 02/20/2004 -0500, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: >Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control ... Hello-- I just finished swapping QA stories with someone in another thread and related the following: I once bought a surplus Kay Elemetrics sweep generator which uses a component called an Increductor to generate swept frequencies. In essence, an Increductor consists of a current-controlled inductance-- apply a ramp waveform and you get a linear change of inductance which varies the frequency. In this instance, the sweep was anything but linear. The manual's schematic showed a 6V6 [vacuum tube] coil driver for the Increductor, but the plate waveform looked ugly. The tube's cathode sat at ground, although the schematic showed a bias resistor and bypass capacitor. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that the cathode was solidly wired to ground and not the resistor and capacitor mounted on a nearby terminal board. The cathode connection-- along with every other connection in the instrument-- carried a dab of red inspection lacquer. BTW, once I fixed the wiring error, the sweep looked fine. I still have this instrument in my collection. So, QA errors can crop up anywhere, even in expensive "industrial grade" instruments. OTOH, I once got into a furious argument over a whether the company I worked for should ship a defective product. My boss replied, "It's okay to ship fecal matter if it helps the cash flow." I found another job not long after that. 73-- Brad AA1IP ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:50:53 -0500 From: VA3TO To: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168823] Using 16F628/648 in the PIC-EL Message-ID: <4036D59D.6030100@cogeco.ca> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Microchip's newer PIC16F628 and 16F648 microcontrollers have more memory (Flash, RAM and EEPROM) and peripherals (i.e. an actual UART for true serial coms) and they're considerably cheaper than the soon to be obsolete 16F84A. The 'F628 and 'F648 are backward compatible with the 16F84(A) and can, with some minor tweeks to the code, work just fine in the PIC-EL board. Just make the following changes to your source code, re-assemble and program the PIC; 1. Change the header in your original 'F84A code to look like this (but change the "_config" fuse settings according to your configuration requirements); <16F648A used here> LIST P=16F648A #INCLUDE "P16f648A.inc" __config _XT_OSC & _WDT_OFF & _PWRTE_OFF & _BODEN_OFF & _MCLRE_OFF & _LVP_OFF errorlevel -302 ; suppress message 302 from list file 2. The 'F84A internal RAM starts at address h'0C' The 'F628 and 'F648 RAM starts at address h'20' If your code defines internal RAM then make sure to change the 'CBLOCK directive from h'0C' to h'20' example; CBLOCK H'20' CNTMSEC MSGPTR TXREG_SIO RXREG ENDC 3. And lastly, unless you are using the new comparator feature on the 'F628/648 chip, you must disable it else your program may not function as expected. (This feature was not part of the 'F84A), Put the following 2 lines of code at the very start of your program (in the main body). movlw h'07' ; movwf CMCON ; Turn off Comparator That's it ! With these minor changes you can use the 16F628 or the 16F648 in your PIC-EL board. Be sure to reconfigure MPLAB for the appropriate chip and download & read read over the datasheets for these new chips just to familiarize yourself with the new features and subtle changes. JFTR, Microchip also has an even newer 16F88 with yet more memory and peripherals. With similar changes (review the datasheet), it too could be used on the PIC-EL board ! 73 de Hugh VA3TO ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 23:07:39 -0500 From: Steven Weber To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168824] QRP test box, reality check Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20040220230739.007c9590@mailhost.ncia.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" It's been interesting to find out all the features everyone wants in a RF test box. All of them are good, but many are too advanced and too expensive to be practical. After mulling over all the ideas, I think it best to stick with the basics and keep it simple and affordable. The mian piont of this test box will be to give the novice (or advanced) kit builder or homebrewer the essentual RF tools one needs. Lets not get carried away trying to duplicate 10 grand worth of lab equipment in a 50 dollar box! 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 03:51:27 -0000 From: "Goody K3NG" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168825] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <002e01c3f82e$0b905be0$0169a8c0@loyalsock> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio > Shack brand products in the future. I've got a cheapo Radio Shaft iron that I got in college when I didn't have two dimes to rub together. Now that I have a nice house, enjoy bourbon, smoke fine cigars, and enjoy the finer things in life, I decided to change over to a "superior" Weller iron. I tried it for two weeks but I was drawn back to my old Radio Shaft iron. The heat was just right, it "fits" my hand, and I'm adept with its worn bent tip. It's like an old friend. Sometimes cheap and inferior is good. :-) 72 Goody K3NG ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 23:03:43 EST From: JClinton46@aol.com To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168826] Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <2d.3a04b56f.2d68329f@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I can't speak for MFJ but in general quality problems stem from management focus and understanding. First, quality cannot be inspected into a product. No matter how good the inspection process, some bad product will get through and besides, you're still making bad product. I have seen many companies say how important quality is but let production (quantity) numbers determine raises, etc. The message is plain. Second, management controls the primary causes of poor quality. They determine the suppliers, the machinery used, the maintainance schedule and production standards. This group understands that using cheap solder, inconsistent parts, etc. create problems in the final product. Transfer that knowledge to a production environment where someone else chooses the type of solder but you get chewed out when you can't make it work. Third there is a misconception that good quality costs. With the short term focus of most American firms, anything that detracts from the bottom line, for even a moment, is dropped. What really costs is making a bad product. It is a waste of resources - labor and material - and you have to make a replacement. Cheaper to make it right the first time. I remember when the "made in Japan" label was the stamp found on the bottom of dime store junk. Today that label generally stands for the best in quality. The change came about when the "dumb" Japanese listened to an American, W. Edward Deming, and changed the processes to enable/encourage consisency and improvement. OK Enough of this diatribe. I own several MFJ products. In general I have had good service. However I know of others who have had different experiences and one of my MFJ products, a code tutor, suffered from poor assembly that resulted in breaking the volume control dial. MFJ provided a replacement but it would have been more cost effective to assemble it correctly the first time. (And I might not be writing this.) Don't get the idea I'm anti-American. I'm just pro quality. Many companies now understand the importance of quality. Thankfully our QRP folks like Elecraft, Small Wonder and QRO size Ten-Tec are amoung them. My experience comes from industry. From the production side and from teaching and leading quality improvement innitiatives. Soapbox off. Crawling back in my hole. 73, Clint Poss KE4FDT ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:25:07 -0800 From: "Dave Martin" To: "qrp-l" Subject: [168827] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <000301c3f832$b077cb80$5fcd4b43@davemartin> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Nothing but pure blasphemy and a little poppycock too. Hi Alan. Dave K2ZU ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 20:11:25 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick To: Elecraft , qrp Subject: [168828] Elecraft K2 Upgrade: Keying Bandwidth Mod and New Firmware Message-ID: <4036DA60.CC8F9A27@elecraft.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit We're pleased to announce a new upgrade to the K2 transceiver kit. The upgrade includes: * State-of-the-art CW keying envelope shaping--significantly reduces transmit bandwidth * New firmware features: KDSP2 NR/NOTCH shortcuts, instant RXANT switching, 6 transverter band displays, AF-enabled scanning, channel hopping, and more (see full list below) * Completely updated manual, making the K2 easier to build than ever These upgrades have already been incorporated into the K2 kit, starting with serial number 4060. Existing K2 owners can easily add the CW keying bandwidth mods (order #K2KEYMODKT) and new firmware (revision 2.04). IMPORTANT NOTES FOR EXISTING K2 OWNERS: 1. The new firmware is *required* if you install the keying bandwidth mods, because of slight timing changes needed. But you can install the new firmware without making the keying bandwidth mods, if you prefer. We recommend doing both to keep your K2 current. 2. If you plan to purchase the upcoming K60XV option (60 m and XVTR I/O, available in March), and you have a pre s/n 4060 K2, you will receive a *free* copy of the new K2 firmware, so you may wish to wait until then to install the keying bandwidth mods. (Or, if you buy the f/w upgrade now for a pre s/n 4060 K2, we will credit you the f/w cost when you buy the K60XV option.) NEW FIRMWARE FEATURES: * Simplified KDSP2 Use: two new key combinations turn NR and NOTCH on/off * Instant RXANT Switching: just one keypress when assigned to PF1 or PF2 (preamp/attenuator state is also now saved per RXANT setting) * AF-On Scanning: in this mode, the receiver is not muted, and scanning continues until you tap a switch; great for signal hunting on quiet bands * Channel Scanning: especially useful on 60 meters; "channel hops" manually or automatically using memories set up for the present band * More Transverter Bands: 6 fully-programmable transverter band displays * Multiple Bands per Transverter: new "ADR" field in TRNx menu entries allows multiple bands to select the same XV-series transverter * 100's of MHz digit now always displayed on transverter bands * RS232 Command Improvements: RC command now usable in TX mode; new "TQ" (transmit query) command; UP and DN now work in menu (one application for this: a utility that automates filter and BFO alignment) The remaining features require the K60XV option (shipping in March): * 60-meter Band: full 60-m coverage; channel scanning and manual hopping allows convenient tuning on this band * Low-Power Transverter I/O: 0 to 1.2 mW via POWER control; split RX/TX path; full-scale bargraph reading of 1 mW; precision ALC detector for clean SSB and CW transmission; programmable high or low power level per transverter band For additional information, see: http://www.elecraft.com/news.htm#keymd Order Page: http://www.elecraft.com/order_form_parts.htm#k2key Pricing: K2KEYMDKT $19.00 FWK2MCIO $44.00 73, Wayne, N6KR Eric, WA6HHQ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:15:01 -0600 From: Rob Matherly To: k2zu@seanet.com Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168829] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <4036DB45.5090005@jetnetinc.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dave Martin wrote: >Nothing but pure blasphemy and a little poppycock too. Hi Alan. >Dave K2ZU > > > I figured it was an attempt to start the Armageddon of all flamewars on QRP-L, given the list's eminent demise and all..... -- 72/73/oo - Rob, W0JRM - jimrob@jetnetinc.net - ARRL MEMBER FPQrp -330; QRPp-I #19; WATPK #1; SOC #442; ARS #1143 Are you a gun nut? http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gun_nut_hams http://www.robmatherly.com <--- Not ham related! ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 23:23:00 EST From: ARDUJENSKI@aol.com To: jimrob@jetnetinc.net, qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168830] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <1ca.1a31e70d.2d683724@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Rob and group I am serious and took this closing opportunity to voice what I have already passed on to ARRL. I am not looking for agreement or not but rather think about our position. Number of hams dwindling, number of active QRPers is dwindling, even the ranks of QRPers are chewing each other up. The marriage would help resolve a lot of problems, give a badly needed new infusion, and eliminate this CB-Ham battle going on. Ruling out CBers is like ruling out say all QRO operators. Just take some time to reflect on the proposal before being too quick to shoot the messenger. Alan KB7MBI ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:28:23 -0600 From: Michael Goins To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168831] Re: [QRP test box, reality check] Message-ID: <671iBueCX7344S06.1077337703@cmsweb06.cms.usa.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Thanks for the common sense approach, Steve. Can't wait. mike k5wmg Steven Weber wrote: It's been interesting to find out all the features everyone wants in a RF= test box. All of them are good, but many are too advanced and too expensi= ve to be practical. = After mulling over all the ideas, I think it best to stick with the basic= s and keep it simple and affordable. The mian piont of this test box will b= e to give the novice (or advanced) kit builder or homebrewer the essentual = RF tools one needs. Lets not get carried away trying to duplicate 10 grand worth of lab equipment in a 50 dollar box! 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 23:29:25 EST From: DYARNES@aol.com To: n1tp@swfla.rr.com, qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168832] Re: Thanks to Jim, N3VXI Message-ID: <8c.3f9942b.2d6838a5@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/20/2004 8:41:47 PM US Mountain Standard Time, n1tp@swfla.rr.com writes: I believe 99.9% of the QRP-L participants agree that Jim performed a valuable service for us. He is much appreciated. Complimenting Jim does not seem adequate to express our appreciation. JIM, THANKS! I would simply like to echo this comment. Jim did us all a GREAT service with very little thanks. Jim, you were (are) magnificent, and I greatly appreciate all of your efforts. You have many friends! Dave W7AQK ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 22:37:19 -0600 From: Michael Goins To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168833] Re: [Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry] Message-ID: <240iBuelT6160S01.1077338239@uwdvg001.cms.usa.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable With the exception of my 259, everything I have ever owned built by MFJ I= have had to fix. Poor solder joints (or non-existant soldering), etc. = And, I am no idiot. mike k5wmg Karl Larsen wrote: On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've s= een > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my soldering > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware engineeri= ng, I > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I= like > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the abil= ity, > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most basic > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if t= he > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > diesel-powered Cadillac? I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. They = are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work as = advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > = > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a f= ew > people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'= m > also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason > University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way = I > build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. > = > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other industries= have > problems with quality control? Some examples: > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it= > nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble= > moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example = of > why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average rating= only > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad > solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loo= se > parts. > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard th= at > the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom 706MKIIGs. > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my solder= ing > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Ra= dio > Shack brand products in the future. > = > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the= > company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been > reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has reviews as= good > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and bu= ilt > the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why doesn't MF= J ask > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre M= FJ > products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and th= e > MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTe= c, > Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is saving a li= ttle > bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs = to > either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty su= re > that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would N= EVER > consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > = > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > = > = -- = = - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 23:55:41 -0500 From: "George Heron N2APB" To: "NJQRP" , "QRP-L" Subject: [168834] PIC-EL: Right-angle J6 connector holds DDS Daughtercard Message-ID: <00c101c3f836$f8624ca0$6400a8c0@n2apb1> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit We found a vendor that supplies a nice right-angle connector for use as J6. It's perfect! So no longer do kit owners need to make a homebrew version of J6 to hold the DDS Daughtercard parallel to and above the main pc board. This connector will be supplied in all PIC-EL kits shipping at the end of February. Those who previously received a PIC-EL kit may purchase the connector at-cost from the AmQRP Club for $2 (for US & Canada) or $5 (for DX) ... see http://www.amqrp.org/elmer160/board/j6.html for photos and ordering details. 73, George N2APB ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 23:19:23 -0600 From: "George, W5YR" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168835] Re: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <034c01c3f83a$4df02040$0402a8c0@PS> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Posted 10 days too early, Alan . . . 73, George W5YR w5yr@att.net http://www.w5yr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 9:05 PM Subject: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:39:51 -0800 From: "Dave Martin" To: "qrp-l" Subject: [168836] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <000301c3f83d$21363500$05cd4b43@davemartin> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Which part, blasphemy or poppycock? Dave K2ZU ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 00:27:05 -0500 From: "Joseph Trombino Jr" To: Cc: "QRP-L" Subject: [168837] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <018401c3f83b$5849db20$220110ac@gateway.2wire.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Karl Larsen" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:47 PM Subject: Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry > On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > > > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen > > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my soldering > > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware engineering, I > > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I like > > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the ability, > > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most basic > > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the > > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > > diesel-powered Cadillac? > > I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. They > are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work as > advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > Here we go again with name calling. Where does anyone on this list get off with calling anyone else an idiot for not liking one product or another??? The remark "I have a PHD in EE" is interesting....does that make such a person the authority on everything related to manufacturing and quality control??? Does the title "PHD" give one the license to call someone else an idiot??? Give me a break please. I have owned several MFJ products and have had to repair wiring errors in brand new units. For my money I will try to avoid MFJ products....does that make me an idiot also?? We just got dumped from a great list server and administrator for pejorative remarks and here we go again.....will we ever learn??? Back in my hole and resume lurking.....sheeesh!! 73, Joe W2KJ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 00:43:53 -0500 From: PMdc361@aol.com To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168838] Adding CBers Message-ID: <71F109C0.6CA183E1.0017E976@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit If you listen to the bands you mentioned you are hearing what the dumbing down of amateur radio has done for our hobby. So why dont we just invite all the crude rude and verbally unacceptable ppl into our hobby so we can have more LIDS on the air. While we need to unite do we start going to prisons and recruiting HAMS? -- 73 ditdit, Dwayne YI9RVT/KE4RVT Al Kut, Iraq N33.29 E45.45 FPQRP #85 QRP-L #2201 (sk) KX1 S/N 0337 Sometimes a little brain damage can help. (George Carlin) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 00:36:31 -0700 From: Tim Groat To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168839] Re: [borderline OT] Emergency Field Kit Message-ID: <5.1.1.6.2.20040220233710.00a3d050@mail.earthlink.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed A plastic blanket (lined or unlined) is no replacement for real cold-weather gear...but it's a lot better than nothing at all. The trick is how you use it. To keep warm put the shiny side behind you, so a small fire can keep you warm (on both sides!). Think of it as a personal reflector oven. The other good use of these "blankets" is as a signal device. The large reflective surface doesn't blend in with natural terrain, so it's easily spotted by search-and-rescue teams. It may not be as visible as a good signal mirror (another important item!), but it keeps working while you're busy staying warm, gathering firewood, etc. Just some recollections from hunter safety class. 72, --Tim (KR0U) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 03:53:37 EST From: IamSF5@aol.com To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168840] Re: [borderline OT] Emergency Field Kit Message-ID: <23.3b1da1f5.2d687691@aol.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In a message dated 2/21/2004 2:37:01 AM Eastern Standard Time, tcgroat@earthlink.net writes: A plastic blanket (lined or unlined) is no replacement for real cold-weather gear...but it's a lot better than nothing at all. The trick is how you use it. To keep warm put the shiny side behind you, so a small fire can keep you I still teach Wilderness Survival skills and you would be shocked at what you can stuff into a NATO butt back. 1>Solar blanket 2.small fold down stove that fits in your shirt pocket. 3.a pack of fuel tabs. 4,Flash light. 5.knife. 6.2 road flares. 7.rope 50 feet 3/8 nylon. 8.Map of your area. 9.Compass (if you can read a map the compass is not needed.) 10 plastic spade to dig holes for a water still. 11.Plastic for the water still. 12.Several power bars and break then into 4 meals. 13.tea bags. 14.Packets of coffee,hot choclate (powdered) 15,Matches,Bic lighter,candels. 16 compact first aid kit and compact fishing kit along with a snare for catching you meal. BLEACH!! 1 Canteen cap full of bleach dumped into a canteen---(You do not drink this) This is the ratio mix and you add one cap of this mix to water you located. NEAR SALT WATER? Dig a hole 300 feet back from the Hi tide mark. Take a sip. No salt taste then it's OK. If you get a bad case of the runs then eat some charcoal from a burnt out fire. Never leave home without your meds. I could go on but there are many good books. Working in SAR I saw many who had all the latest gear and died. Your brain knows more then you do so follow your gut feelings If you have to ask what do I need then you should stay home. Bob AF2Q www.angelfire.com/nj4/rescue/ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 19:53:22 -0000 From: "brian russell" To: Subject: [168841] Fw: The future of QRP-L Message-ID: <000201c3f857$fe508980$80242850@briandlatmd1ba> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > Jim, > I feel like wrapping black crepe around my monitor, what a sad > message to read on the group. > I have not been a member that long but will treasure the knowledge that I > have learned from the members postings. > To you personally can I say a VERY BIG THANK YOU for your efforts, it must > have been a real tough decision to make but your personal life comes first > and foremost and the less hassle in it the better, least of all from sad > people with nothing better to do than spy / snitch, envy is a terrible thing > !!!! > > Best wishes, > > 72. Brian. G0NSL-QRP. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 05:29:02 -0600 From: Chuck Carpenter To: JClinton46@aol.com, "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168842] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <3.0.2.32.20040221052902.00847890@mail.9plus.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Clint, I met Dr. Deming when I was working at Xerox many years ago. He had become quite bitter about working with US companies and the short-sighted bottom line mentality. The quality of the design and the parts used also being a bottom-line influence. Even if assembled correctly the product becomes quickly defective or inoperable. At 11:03 PM 02/20/2004 EST, JClinton46@aol.com wrote: >I can't speak for MFJ but in general quality problems stem from management >focus and understanding. > >First, quality cannot be inspected into a product. No matter how good the >inspection process, some bad product will get through and besides, you're still >making bad product. I have seen many companies say how important quality is but >let production (quantity) numbers determine raises, etc. The message is plain. > >Second, management controls the primary causes of poor quality. They >determine the suppliers, the machinery used, the maintainance schedule and production >standards. This group understands that using cheap solder, inconsistent parts, >etc. create problems in the final product. Transfer that knowledge to a >production environment where someone else chooses the type of solder but you get >chewed out when you can't make it work. > >Third there is a misconception that good quality costs. With the short term >focus of most American firms, anything that detracts from the bottom line, for >even a moment, is dropped. What really costs is making a bad product. It is a >waste of resources - labor and material - and you have to make a replacement. >Cheaper to make it right the first time. > >I remember when the "made in Japan" label was the stamp found on the bottom >of dime store junk. Today that label generally stands for the best in quality. >The change came about when the "dumb" Japanese listened to an American, W. >Edward Deming, and changed the processes to enable/encourage consisency and >improvement. > >OK Enough of this diatribe. I own several MFJ products. In general I have had >good service. However I know of others who have had different experiences and >one of my MFJ products, a code tutor, suffered from poor assembly that >resulted in breaking the volume control dial. MFJ provided a replacement but it >would have been more cost effective to assemble it correctly the first time. (And >I might not be writing this.) > >Don't get the idea I'm anti-American. I'm just pro quality. Many companies >now understand the importance of quality. Thankfully our QRP folks like >Elecraft, Small Wonder and QRO size Ten-Tec are amoung them. > >My experience comes from industry. From the production side and from teaching >and leading quality improvement innitiatives. > >Soapbox off. Crawling back in my hole. > >73, >Clint Poss >KE4FDT > Chuck Carpenter, W5USJ, Point, Rains Co., TX - EM22cv, NETXQRP #1 QRP-ARCI #5422, QRP-L #1306, QRPp-I #115, ARS #1280, SOC #57 Zombie #759, COG #11, 6 Club #201, FP #601 oo http://www.netxqrp.org ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 05:53:56 -0700 From: "Rod N0RC" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168843] Re: The future of QRP-L Message-ID: <012201c3f879$c507f470$6401a8c0@greyrock> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Dale et.al. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dale Botkin" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 3:45 PM Subject: Re: The future of QRP-L > On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Rod N0RC wrote: > > > First BPL, now this. I guess it is time to give up on amateur radio > > completely. It just isn't the hobby it used to be. > > Utter nonsense, with all due respect. If you want to avoid the BS and > stuff, shut off the computer and warm up the radio. It's still radio. > It stuck me recently how mundane operating has become for me. MY NAME IS..., RST IS..., QTH IS... etc., etc. Not my cup of tea. > > Bye all. > > See you on the air. If you're really going to quit Amateur Radio > altogether, send me your gear and I'll make sure it gets put to good > use... 8-) > Not likely, anytime soon. As for equipment the first $1K gets my 746pro, Astron supply, a set of PortaPaddles and a nice RCA speaker. I'll retain a DSW-II/20 and 2 Rock-Mites, pull them out about once per year, and operate them for sentimental reasons. Who knows maybe the spark will rekindle. 73, Rod N0RC ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 06:50:15 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: KD5NWA Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168844] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, KD5NWA wrote: > I guess I must be an idiot, I have one of their QRP tuners(MFJ 971) It had Of course your not an idiot! Your young and in college and your doing well I hope. If your like me you bought that MFJ-971 used and it's always not certain what the previous owner did. But if it had bad solder joints then that's a builders problem. But that is easilly fixed and then the box will give you years of service. So far the only one I bought new, a MFJ-902 is a tiny tuner and I tested it with my 100 watt rig and it was fine. I bought it for my FT-817 when traveling. > an intermittent problem with it so I took the cover off I was shocked by > the poor quality solder connections, after I resoldered every connection I > had no problem with the unit. I took another one (MFJ 901B) I had but > didn't have any problems and again the solder connections were horrible, I > went ahead and resoldered every joint as a preventive measure. > > > At 07:47 PM 2/20/2004, Karl Larsen wrote: > >On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Jason Hsu, AG4DG wrote: > > > > > Lately, I've been having a crash course in quality control (as you've seen > > > from the threads I started on ways to improve my QROP Meter and my > > soldering > > > quality). In my future career in analog electronics hardware > > engineering, I > > > will continue to take quality control seriously. (Part of the reason I > > like > > > hardware engineering better than systems engineering is having the ability, > > > authority, and resources to fix the bugs.) Quality is one of the most > > basic > > > attributes a product can have. What good is having extra features if the > > > product keeps breaking down? How many of you would accept a free > > > diesel-powered Cadillac? > > > > I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. They > >are advertised carefully. I have a lot of MFJ tools and they all work as > >advertised. I will buy more of what they have. > > > > > > > > > > I have been meaning to build more QROP Meters and give some away to a few > > > people I owe favors to. But I would rather remedy the bugs first. (I'm > > > also busy in my last semester of earning my MSEE at George Mason > > > University.) I prefer to find bugs in the things I build (and the way I > > > build them) and remedy them BEFORE someone else finds them. > > > > > > So why do some companies in the ham radio industry and other industries > > have > > > problems with quality control? Some examples: > > > 1. MFJ-989C: Some hams call it "Mighty Fine Junk". Other hams give it > > > nicknames that I can't repeat here without getting myself and our noble > > > moderator in big trouble. This legal-limit tuner is a perfect example of > > > why so many people hate MFJ. Based on eham.net reviews (average rating > > only > > > 2.2 out of 5), I would NEVER buy the MFJ-989C. Complaints include bad > > > solder connections, a bad lamp, a flimsy plastic shaft, and various loose > > > parts. > > > 2. Yaesu FT-100D: While it's not a dud like an MFJ-989C, I've heard that > > > the Yaesu FT-100Ds have had more problems than the competing Icom > > 706MKIIGs. > > > Guess which one will be my next HF transceiver? > > > 3. Radio Shack soldering irons: We already went over this in my soldering > > > threads. This is the kind of thing that makes me less likely to buy Radio > > > Shack brand products in the future. > > > > > > I'm especially puzzled by MFJ. Some of their products are good, so the > > > company knows SOMETHING about getting it right. My MFJ-945E has been > > > reliable and has good reviews on eham.net. The MFJ-4125 has reviews as > > good > > > as those of many Astron power supplies. The people who designed and built > > > the MFJ-945E and MFJ-4125 knew what they were doing. So why doesn't > > MFJ ask > > > them train the people behind the MFJ-989C and the myriads of mediocre MFJ > > > products? If every MFJ product were as reliable as the MFJ-945E and the > > > MFJ-4125, the manufacturer would be as highly regarded as Astron, TenTec, > > > Elecraft, Heathkit, and other sterling names. What good is saving a little > > > bit on production costs when you lose myriads of customers? MFJ needs to > > > either debug the duds or eliminate them from the lineup. I'm pretty sure > > > that if I were unlucky enough to own a defective MFJ product, I would NEVER > > > consider buying an MFJ-4125 power supply as a replacement for my > > > reliable-but-bulky Kenwood PS-430. > > > > > > Jason Hsu, AG4DG > > > personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com > > > http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ > > > http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control > > > > > > > > > >-- > > > > - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - > > Cecil > KD5NWA > > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:03:03 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168845] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <40376517.5090204@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >Rob and group >I am serious and took this closing opportunity to voice what I have already >passed on to ARRL. I am not looking for agreement or not but rather think about >our position. Number of hams dwindling, number of active QRPers is dwindling, >even the ranks of QRPers are chewing each other up. The marriage would help >resolve a lot of problems, give a badly needed new infusion, and eliminate this >CB-Ham battle going on. > >Ruling out CBers is like ruling out say all QRO operators. Just take some >time to reflect on the proposal before being too quick to shoot the messenger. > >Alan KB7MBI > It's not an original idea. ARRL has been moving that way for a while. Keep the shiny side up and the dirty side down and see you on the flip. John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:05:05 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168846] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <40376591.8030207@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >I have a Phd in EE and anyone who dislikes MFJ is an idiot. > Well, you can tell Karl's back..... John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:11:52 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168847] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <40376728.2020902@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >I think your a person who has it in for MFJ. I would never let >you open up my tuners. They all four work great! Have you ever seen a >MFJ-4125 25 amp 13.8 volt DC switching power supply? I have one on my >desk that runs my 100 watt QRO radios and my FT-817 from the low current >terminals. The QC may stink but the thing works great all the time. I >will never let you QC this either. > Back when I lived in Meridian, MS I visited MFJ. Martin Jue is the nicest guy you could hope to meet. That said, I agree with W9YA. I have a couple MFJ tuners also. They INVARIABLY have at least one cold solder joint, or a joint that someone forgot to solder altogether! Sure, you can ship it back to MFJ and they will fix it, but that's a pain. When I get something by MFJ I consider it a "semi-kit." I know I am going to have to do some soldering somewhere. I will so, so far my MFJ259B hasn't needed it...yet. John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:14:14 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168848] Re: Quality control in the ham radio industry Message-ID: <403767B6.8000305@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >Of course your not an idiot! Your young and in college and your >doing well I hope > Can anyone spell "patronizing?" John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:21:28 -0500 From: "William H. O'Hara III" To: Subject: [168849] Re: Adding CBers Message-ID: <012701c3f886$962acf80$50d63f40@aaahawk.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > If you listen to the bands you mentioned you are hearing what the dumbing down of amateur radio has done >for our hobby. So why dont we just invite all the crude rude and verbally unacceptable ppl into our hobby so >we can have more LIDS on the air. While we need to unite do we start going to prisons and recruiting HAMS? Are you of the following type? if someone asked about a person's wife, someone has to get on the air and yell gabbing KB'ers. Get real. I typically can get KB calls and generals that have be in radio for 5 years or less to come volunteer in the efforts to promote amateur radio. No one else comes. I'm tired of a lot of the garbage floating around. This list is going to disappear, yet I still have hundreds of messages from several days. Most of it full of vitrol and little information relevant to me. Just keep your fingers taped up, if you are not going to talk QRP technical topics or operating practice. Bill ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:33:19 -0500 From: "Brian Murrey" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168850] Re: Adding CBers Message-ID: <002b01c3f887$a767b190$02fea8c0@bjmw2k> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit What's wrong with KB calls? 72 de KB9BVN - since 1988 ----- Original Message ----- From: "William H. O'Hara III" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 9:21 AM Subject: Re: Adding CBers > > If you listen to the bands you mentioned you are hearing what the dumbing > down of amateur radio has done >for our hobby. So why dont we just invite > all the crude rude and verbally unacceptable ppl into our hobby so > >we can have more LIDS on the air. While we need to unite do we start going > to prisons and recruiting HAMS? > > Are you of the following type? if someone asked about a person's wife, > someone has to get on the air and yell gabbing KB'ers. > > Get real. I typically can get KB calls and generals that have > be in radio for 5 years or less to come volunteer in the > efforts to promote amateur radio. No one else comes. > > I'm tired of a lot of the garbage floating around. This > list is going to disappear, yet I still have hundreds of > messages from several days. Most of it full of vitrol > and little information relevant to me. Just keep your > fingers taped up, if you are not going to talk QRP technical > topics or operating practice. > > Bill > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 14:34:54 +0000 From: "Bill Rowlett" To: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168851] MFJ Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed After a couple years of being in the retail side of this hobby, I can say that MFJ overall makes some well designed items. Most of these will work the first time and every time and there overall Q.C. is not that bad. It is the million little things that will drive you nuts. Bad connections were the biggest problems we saw on returned items. Our techs opened them up, fixed the bad joints and all was well. This could be said for most of the big three rigs which were returned for service. MFJ just makes and sells more items than anybody else each month, so it appears that there Q.C. is worse. But, a few or there items are more prone to problems than others. The MFJ items I have had and those which I have now, have been opened up and bad connections fixed. Will this keep me from buying MFJ items, no, just makes me aware of potential problems down the road. Now, can we let this one go. 73, Bill kc4atu _________________________________________________________________ Click, drag and drop. My MSN is the simple way to design your homepage. http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200364ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 08:45:47 -0600 From: John Oppenheimer To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168852] Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: <40376F1B.E46DB309@KN5L.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? Just the facts: Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" 5 From: Karl Larsen 3 From: John Sielke 2 From: KD5NWA 2 From: 1 From: Nick Kennedy 1 From: Michael Neverdosky 1 From: Michael Goins 1 From: Lloyd Lachow 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com 1 From: Goody K3NG 1 From: David Porter 1 From: DTX 1 From: Chuck Carpenter 1 From: Chris Trask 1 From: Brad Thompson Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 11:47:25 2003 292 From: Karl Larsen 205 From: John Sielke 168 From: Bruce Muscolino 157 From: George, W5YR 135 From: Ed Tanton 132 From: John J. McDonough 117 From: Lloyd Lachow 116 From: Chuck Carpenter ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 06:49:12 -0800 (PST) From: Bob KB2FEL To: Low Power Amateur Radio Subject: [168853] Schematic MFJ 207? Message-ID: <20040221144912.41309.qmail@web60510.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Hi All, Does anyone have a copy of the MFJ-207 antenna analyzer schematic. If so could you e-mail or tell me a place on the web that I could find it. I did a google search and that did not help! Its new out of the box and looks like it is not calibrated correctly. 72 Bob KB2FEL/8 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:05:02 -0600 From: "Nick Kennedy" To: , "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168854] RE: Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: <001401c3f88c$14b40d80$0400000a@wa5bdu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Not sure exactly what your point is. My post on where I think MFJ fits into the scheme of things with regard to price Vs quality did not constitute bickering, in my opinion. This post does though. (But you started it.) Is my hobby email or ham radio? I hope they're not mutually exclusive. I consider my hobbies to be the set of all the things I do for enjoyment rather than out of necessity. This morning while perusing the list, I was also checking out the DX test on 40 meters with my 3 watt homebrew rig and new end-fed half wave wire. To my amazement, I managed a QSO with Hawaii with this lashup. Fun to do. Even more fun when I get to share it with my QRP friends. (via email) 72--Nick, WA5BDU -----Original Message----- From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU] On Behalf Of John Oppenheimer I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? Just the facts: Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" 5 From: Karl Larsen 3 From: John Sielke 2 From: KD5NWA 2 From: 1 From: Nick Kennedy ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:13:49 -0600 From: Chuck Carpenter To: , John Oppenheimer Subject: [168855] Re: Enough QRM on the list. [ How Many Off Topic?] Message-ID: <3.0.2.32.20040221091349.00835e80@mail.9plus.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" The quality item, this message and very few of the others I've sent were not on topic. How about all the other 1k plus messages you've logged? How many of them were not on topic? At 08:45 AM 02/21/2004 -0600, John Oppenheimer wrote: >I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to >whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this >QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. > >A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? > >Just the facts: > >Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" > > > 5 From: Karl Larsen > 3 From: John Sielke > 2 From: KD5NWA > 2 From: > 1 From: Nick Kennedy > 1 From: Michael Neverdosky > 1 From: Michael Goins > 1 From: Lloyd Lachow > 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr > 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG > 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com > 1 From: Goody K3NG > 1 From: David Porter > 1 From: DTX > 1 From: Chuck Carpenter > 1 From: Chris Trask > 1 From: Brad Thompson > >Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 11:47:25 2003 > > 292 From: Karl Larsen > 205 From: John Sielke > 168 From: Bruce Muscolino > 157 From: George, W5YR > 135 From: Ed Tanton > 132 From: John J. McDonough > 117 From: Lloyd Lachow > 116 From: Chuck Carpenter > Chuck Carpenter, W5USJ, Point, Rains Co., TX - EM22cv, NETXQRP #1 QRP-ARCI #5422, QRP-L #1306, QRPp-I #115, ARS #1280, SOC #57 Zombie #759, COG #11, 6 Club #201, FP #601 oo http://www.netxqrp.org ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 08:29:20 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: Steven Weber Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168856] Re: QRP test box, reality check Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Fri, 20 Feb 2004, Steven Weber wrote: > It's been interesting to find out all the features everyone wants in a RF > test box. All of them are good, but many are too advanced and too expensive > to be practical. > > After mulling over all the ideas, I think it best to stick with the basics > and keep it simple and affordable. The mian piont of this test box will be > to give the novice (or advanced) kit builder or homebrewer the essentual RF > tools one needs. Lets not get carried away trying to duplicate 10 grand > worth of lab equipment in a 50 dollar box! > Steve: Will you still arrange for an "after market DDS daughter board" to be part of this kit? > > > > 72, > Steve, KD1JV > "Melt Solder" > White Mountains of New Hampshire > http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:32:06 -0500 From: "John J. McDonough" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168857] Re: [QRP-L] AD9850 sample is dead Message-ID: <01e601c3f88f$dd754dd0$080044c0@BrianBoru> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mark J. Dulcey" Subject: Re: [QRP-L] AD9850 sample is dead > The sample ordering function on the Analog Devices site doesn't seem to > work with any browser other than Internet Explorer. (And I can't even > promise that the Mac version will work.) If you're using something else, > you may have to track down a copy of IE. (And remember to complain to > the webmaster.) I think you will find this to be more the rule than the exception. As IE begins to close in on 95% penetration, it just isn't worth it for webmasters to write specific code to support the half-dozen or so 1%-ers. It doesn't help any by Mozilla and it's descendents supporting only a subset of the standard, nor Mickeysoft adding "features" (funny, a few years ago it was the other way around!) I try pretty hard to test my pages on a variety of browsers, but even keeping to a simple subset of HTML, it seems to be getting harder, rather than easier, to make pages work on Navigator, and Mozilla, and Galeon, and Konqueror, and .. and ... and... On the other hand, I just beat up on the ARCI webmaster for pages that were way more IE specific than they needed to be, so I can support both arguments. But with more and more of the authoring programs taking advantage of IE, a webmaster has to be more interested in some sort of technical purity, than in getting the business done, to pay attention to those other browsers, which are really moving to the fringe. One of those things ... not the way I would like it to be, but the way it is. 72/73 de WB8RCR http://www.qsl.net/wb8rcr didileydadidah QRP-L #1446 Code Warriors #35 ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:42:56 -0500 From: "Brian Riley (maillist)" To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168858] Re: [QRP-L] AD9850 sample is dead Message-ID: Mime-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-transfer-encoding: 7bit ... au contraire, not only does it work on the Mac's IE browser but it works just fine on the Mac Safari Web Browser ... On 2/21/04 10:32 AM, "John J. McDonough" wrote: > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Mark J. Dulcey" > Subject: Re: [QRP-L] AD9850 sample is dead > > >> The sample ordering function on the Analog Devices site doesn't seem to >> work with any browser other than Internet Explorer. (And I can't even >> promise that the Mac version will work.) If you're using something else, >> you may have to track down a copy of IE. (And remember to complain to >> the webmaster.) > > I think you will find this to be more the rule than the exception. As IE > begins to close in on 95% penetration, it just isn't worth it for webmasters > to write specific code to support the half-dozen or so 1%-ers. It doesn't > help any by Mozilla and it's descendents supporting only a subset of the > standard, nor Mickeysoft adding "features" (funny, a few years ago it was > the other way around!) > > I try pretty hard to test my pages on a variety of browsers, but even > keeping to a simple subset of HTML, it seems to be getting harder, rather > than easier, to make pages work on Navigator, and Mozilla, and Galeon, and > Konqueror, and .. and ... and... > > On the other hand, I just beat up on the ARCI webmaster for pages that were > way more IE specific than they needed to be, so I can support both > arguments. But with more and more of the authoring programs taking > advantage of IE, a webmaster has to be more interested in some sort of > technical purity, than in getting the business done, to pay attention to > those other browsers, which are really moving to the fringe. > > One of those things ... not the way I would like it to be, but the way it > is. > > 72/73 de WB8RCR http://www.qsl.net/wb8rcr > didileydadidah QRP-L #1446 Code Warriors #35 > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:03:03 -0500 From: Jimmy Lee To: w5usj@9plus.net Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168859] Re: Enough QRM on the list. [ How Many Off Topic?] Message-ID: <40378137.DF9D0B6@bellsouth.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Now boys lets play nice. Chuck Carpenter wrote: > The quality item, this message and very few of the others I've sent were > not on topic. How about all the other 1k plus messages you've logged? How > many of them were not on topic? > > At 08:45 AM 02/21/2004 -0600, John Oppenheimer wrote: > >I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to > >whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this > >QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. > > > >A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? > > > >Just the facts: > > > >Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" > > > > > > 5 From: Karl Larsen > > 3 From: John Sielke > > 2 From: KD5NWA > > 2 From: > > 1 From: Nick Kennedy > > 1 From: Michael Neverdosky > > 1 From: Michael Goins > > 1 From: Lloyd Lachow > > 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr > > 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG > > 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com > > 1 From: Goody K3NG > > 1 From: David Porter > > 1 From: DTX > > 1 From: Chuck Carpenter > > 1 From: Chris Trask > > 1 From: Brad Thompson > > > >Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 11:47:25 2003 > > > > 292 From: Karl Larsen > > 205 From: John Sielke > > 168 From: Bruce Muscolino > > 157 From: George, W5YR > > 135 From: Ed Tanton > > 132 From: John J. McDonough > > 117 From: Lloyd Lachow > > 116 From: Chuck Carpenter > > > > Chuck Carpenter, W5USJ, Point, Rains Co., TX - EM22cv, NETXQRP #1 > QRP-ARCI #5422, QRP-L #1306, QRPp-I #115, ARS #1280, SOC #57 > Zombie #759, COG #11, 6 Club #201, FP #601 oo http://www.netxqrp.org ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:52:07 -0500 From: "KennyMac" To: "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168860] RE: Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: <002b01c3f892$a99f9f30$2318b23f@toledopc.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I have personally enjoyed the posts. Isn't that what the lists are for? Just don't read the thread. Sheesh. Ken KC8YYC -----Original Message----- From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU] On Behalf Of John Oppenheimer I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? Just the facts: Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:57:06 -0600 From: "Nick Kennedy" To: "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168861] Discharge testing your battery [long] Message-ID: <001701c3f893$5adade40$0400000a@wa5bdu> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I read a lot of battery lore on the list, but never anything about testing them for capacity. That's probably because minimizing discharge cycles promotes battery life, at least for those in the lead-acid family. But hams being hams, when you look at the amp-hour rating on your little battery that you got from a surplus house, you can't help but ask, "Can it really do that?" So how do you test 'em? Well, you need a few parameters and controls. The battery will be rated for so many A-H at a certain rate. Typically, it might be 8 or 10 hours. So maybe my 2.2 A-H battery will supply 220 ma for 10 hours. What are my pass/fail criteria? The only one is terminal voltage. Typically this is 1.75 volts per cell, or 10.5 volts for a nominal 12 volt (6 cell) battery. Doing the test. The test is generally done at a constant current. You could design up a fairly simple constant current sink, use a rheostat and periodically adjust current back to spec, or just used a fixed resistive load based on the average expected voltage during the discharge. I used a nice power rheostat I happen to have in the junk box. I monitored current with an in-line DMM and used ~195 ma because the meter over-ranges at 200. ;^) I dropped in every so often during the day and logged the time and voltage in an Excel spreadsheet, and tweaked the current back to the test value. I also had Excel doing a running plot of the volts Vs elapsed time. The curve takes an immediate small drop from the battery's open circuit voltage to its initial voltage in discharge mode ... from about 12.9 to 12.7 in my case. Then there's a long stretch (most of the discharge time) of fairly linear and gentle decrease in voltage. In my case, the battery still showed 11.4 volts with 84% of its A-H rating used up. Some time after that point, the voltage begins to drop more rapidly. That's one reason you stop the test at 10.5 volts--the battery is about out of gas anyway. Another reason is that stopping at this relatively high voltage makes the risk of driving a cell into reverse polarity practically zero. But keep a close eye on it in the final part of the test, or incorporate a low voltage trip into your setup. I was kind of amazed at my results. The 2200 ma-h battery delivered 2212 ma-h when it reached 10.5 volts, or 100.5% of rated capacity. And the curve looked just like the one in the book. As an interesting side note, I have three little "gel-cells" with obscure (to me) names and model numbers, but found data for all three on the web easily with a google search. The test is over. Now what? It's important to recharge the battery promptly, as it is now in a weakened condition. I hook up a supply and bring up the voltage while keeping current from getting too high. I decided on C/2 or ~1 amp. Did that until I was in the "nominal" range of the battery, or around 12.5 volts in this case, and let it float over night. The normal float for this battery is the familiar 13.8 volts. But an equalize rate of around 14.5 volts is a good idea after bringing it up. Hold it there until current drops to a constant, low level. Then you're done. Return to float if you intend to leave it on charge. There are some other types of tests you might do. The one described verifies the full amount of amp-hours available. Maybe you want to calculate how many A-H you really need in a typical FYBO or QRPTTF and test to that value, with a little margin. The terminal voltage at the end of the test gives some idea of how much capacity was left. Or maybe your rig won't function below 11.4 volts, so you just want to test to that value. Enough for now. I've got two more batteries to test. 72--Nick, WA5BDU ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:03:48 -0500 From: "Ken La Rose" To: , "QRP-Canada" Cc: , "Tom Hamblin" , Subject: [168862] Sunday Morning SSB/CW QRP Net Message-ID: <001e01c3f894$633f7fe0$d126e2d1@D1YQV721> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Please join us if you can for another informal weekly QRP gathering on 40m around 7.067MHz, at 10:00 AM local (ET), 1500 UTC tomorrow morning. Listen for NCS VE3ELA on lower sideband, or break-in on CW/SSB if you hear a net participant, and they will QSP. All Hams within hearing range are invited to check in. Last week's net was outstanding, with good band conditions overall. Greg WN4M, in mid-Tennessee even heard us Q5 (with some QSB)! Appreciate the report, Greg - Thank you! Thanks also to Pat VE6AAN, who was visiting Ottawa last weekend and made a special effort to check in! Here's the list of participants: VE3JC John, London, ON VE3RLX Ric, Brantford, ON VE3CQV Ron, Oakville, ON (back from vacation in sunny south!) VE3OSC John (VA3JE), at ON Science Ctr., Toronto (alarm system ringing in bkgnd!) VE3FUL Ted, Belleville VE3QF Tony, Scarborough, ON (K2, dipole up 20 ft) VE3DPC Dave, Milton, ON (IC-735 @10w, 80m dipole) VE3RRQ Mike, near Lindsay, ON (5w) VE3TKF Terry, Gravenhurst, ON (IC-703 @10w) AA1MY Seab, Bethel, ME (IC-706 @ 4-5w to 186 ft doublet up 55 ft.) NA8M John, Grand Rapids, MI VE3ILE Bill, Scarborough, ON (IC-746 @4w) VE6AAN/VE3 Pat, Ottawa, ON (Small Wonder WM-40, hb PAC-12 vert) VE3ELA Ken, Midland, ON (Ten-Tec Argonaut 509, longwire) 72, de Ken VE3ELA (NCS) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 09:17:18 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: John Oppenheimer Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168863] Re: Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Sat, 21 Feb 2004, John Oppenheimer wrote: > I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to > whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this > QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. > > A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? John: Your upset because there are too many messages your not interested in. I have a solution to your problem. On Yahoo there is a list called QRP-L that gets 2-3 messages a month that is about your speed. Good luck. > > Just the facts: > > Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" > > > 5 From: Karl Larsen > 3 From: John Sielke > 2 From: KD5NWA > 2 From: > 1 From: Nick Kennedy > 1 From: Michael Neverdosky > 1 From: Michael Goins > 1 From: Lloyd Lachow > 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr > 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG > 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com > 1 From: Goody K3NG > 1 From: David Porter > 1 From: DTX > 1 From: Chuck Carpenter > 1 From: Chris Trask > 1 From: Brad Thompson > > Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 11:47:25 2003 > > 292 From: Karl Larsen > 205 From: John Sielke > 168 From: Bruce Muscolino > 157 From: George, W5YR > 135 From: Ed Tanton > 132 From: John J. McDonough > 117 From: Lloyd Lachow > 116 From: Chuck Carpenter > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:13:15 -0500 (EST) From: Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 To: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168864] Re: [Elecraft] Elecraft K2 Upgrade: Keying Bandwidth Mod and New Firmware Message-ID: <200402211613.i1LGDFN14009@panix3.panix.com> Great. I placed my order last night. Note that the Nifty Mini-Manual actually covers this upgrade, so it's not instantly obsolete. 73, doug ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:21:03 -0500 From: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168865] How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? Message-ID: <009b01c3f896$b5cb7aa0$64923144@aoldsl.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 1 to change the light bulb 14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently 10 to argue whether it's too bright 12 to say it wasn't necessary to change the light bulb because it was among the QRO lights 7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs 16 to write to the list administrator complaining about the light bulb discussion and its inappropriateness to the forum 19 to post that this list is not about light bulbs and to please take the discussion to a light bulb forum 11 to defend the posting to this list saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts **are** relevant to this mail list 15 to complain that light bulbs are being dumbed down because of the reduced Morse Code testing requirement 22 to complain that light bulbs will be dumbed down with free upgrades from Technician light bulbs to General light bulbs 12 to complain that the Novice class of light bulbs was closed off 13 to complain that the Technician class of light bulbs will be closed off 17 to explain why there should only be 3 classes of light bulbs instead of 5 18 to complain about the flame war 27 to blame Britney Spears for spreading corruption and lawlessness among light bulbs 13 to blame Christina Aguilera for encouraging light bulbs to be dirrty (no, that's NOT a typo) 15 to argue whether Britney or Christina is better at changing light bulbs 13 to blame the Bush administration 18 to blame the Clinton administration 43 to complain that wireless phones, video games, and computers have made changing light bulbs obsolete 1 to rat on the moderator to his employer and force the list to find a new home Jason Hsu, AG4DG personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 08:28:15 -0800 (PST) From: Bob KB2FEL To: k5di@zianet.com, Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168866] Re: Enough QRM on the list. lets make it a contest! Message-ID: <20040221162815.11057.qmail@web60506.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii John and List, John, I think it is great that you put the numbers together for us. I suggest we make it part of a QRP-L contests.. Hi. Perhaps it will be a good way to say goodbye to "QRP-L-Lehigh.edu" list Scoring Multipliers: Posts x1 Staying on Subject matter x2 Educational Contributions x100 Comical Contributions x20 Grammatical Error (-)x2 Anger (-)x100 Spilling Errer (-)x5 (I would lead in this one Hi) Number of times post is read x2 What Do you Think John? 72 Bob KB2FEL/8 --- John Oppenheimer wrote: > I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I > am going to move to > whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and > just don't want this > QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the > bickering. > > A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to > lists or Ham radio? > > Just the facts: > > Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham > radio industry" > > > 5 From: Karl Larsen > 3 From: John Sielke > 2 From: KD5NWA > 2 From: > 1 From: Nick Kennedy > 1 From: Michael Neverdosky > > 1 From: Michael Goins > 1 From: Lloyd Lachow > 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr > > 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG > > 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com > 1 From: Goody K3NG > 1 From: David Porter > 1 From: DTX > 1 From: Chuck Carpenter > 1 From: Chris Trask > 1 From: Brad Thompson > > > Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 > 11:47:25 2003 > > 292 From: Karl Larsen > 205 From: John Sielke > 168 From: Bruce Muscolino > 157 From: George, W5YR > 135 From: Ed Tanton > 132 From: John J. McDonough > 117 From: Lloyd Lachow > 116 From: Chuck Carpenter __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:33:54 -0600 From: Dan Harriman To: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168867] Re: How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? Message-ID: <6.0.1.1.1.20040221102938.02adc500@pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Very well put Jason! However, (here I go adding to the noise, like you mention below, HI HI) you forgot to mention that: 7 would whine about how changing the light bulb isn't fun anymore. vy 72 Dan Harriman Orange, Texas >1 to change the light bulb >14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light >bulb could have been changed differently >10 to argue whether it's too bright >12 to say it wasn't necessary to change the light bulb because it was among >the QRO lights >snip.................... >1 to rat on the moderator to his employer and force the list to find a new >home > >Jason Hsu, AG4DG ====================================================================== Proud member of QRP-ARCI # 9126; QRP-L # 431; ARS # 25; FISTS # 1572; QRPp-l # 702; 1010 Int.; FP # 555; SOC # 569; NETXQRP # 45; ARRL; ARRL-VE; AMQRP; RU-QRP # 43; MQFD # 5; grid EM30cc - If at first you don't succeed, maybe you shouldn't try sky-diving! dit dit ====================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:41:54 -0600 (CST) From: Dale Botkin To: Rod N0RC Cc: QRP list Subject: [168868] Re: The future of QRP-L Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Sat, 21 Feb 2004, Rod N0RC wrote: > Frankly Dale I find the operating side to be one of the more mundane > aspects of the hobby: MY NAME IS..., RST IS..., MY RIG IS..., etc. etc. > etc. Just don't make it for me anymore. Me neither. That's why I don't put up with many contacts like that. I ragchew, alternating with exploring new modes, new gear, new challenges. Just picked up an old moth-eaten FT-480R just to explore and see if there *IS* any fun to be had on 2M around here. If not, back up on eBay it goes. I've got a PAC-12 just waiting to be tuned so I can try seeing if that and a Rock-Mite will work while travelling on business and maybe -- just maybe -- when the wife and I take a trip this year through some part of Europe and down into Egypt. And I've got new design & build projects in progress ALL the time. Some people love short QSOs like that, I don't, but there are a thousand other parts of this hobby I do find fascinating and I'm enjoying them. But anyway, here's my point, I'm really sorry if I sounded a bit harsh. I probably should have softened it up a little, I honestly didn't mean to sound like I was directing the comment at you personally. I just see so many comments here and on the ham web forums (QRZ, Eham) about how someone's going to sell off their gear and leave the hobby because of - take your pick - reduced CW testing, no CW testing, newbies, codeless Techs, some irritating poster, QRP-L changing, ARRL conspiracies, AmQRP conspiracies, whatever. Whoops, I just called ham radio a hobby and not a service, so someone else will probably decide he's going to sell his gear and quit. Well, THAT is what I'm talking about. Saying you're getting out of radio for some reason like that is like saying you're going to go shoot your mailman because the dog bit you. One's got nothing to do with the other. Internet is NOT radio, and the people causing trouble on the Internet you either won't see on the air or you could just not talk to. If you simply find no joy in *radio* any more, then by all means sell your gear and get out, find something you DO enjoy. Take up the guitar or go camping or whatever. > As for equipment send me $1000 and I'll be happy to send you a 746pro, > Astron power supply, a set of PortaPaddles, and a nice RCA shack > speaker. Way overkill for me, thanks. I'm sure you'll find a taker though. But anyway, I do hope you decide to try something new. Find something you haven't done, or did and enjoyed. Or if you don't like operating, try building. Even RST/Name/QTH is a thrill for the first time on a new piece of gear still warm from the soldering iron, and it's a rare ham on the other end who won't start asking questions and let you brag a little when he hears RIG HR IS HB QRP, JUST FINISHED, U R MY FIRST QSO WITH IT -- HOWS IT SOUND OM? 73 & GL, Dale - n0xas --- It's a thankless job, but I've got a lot of Karma to burn off. The NEW Super PicoKeyer offers speed control by pot OR menu! Check http://www.hamgadgets.com for news. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:48:25 -0500 From: Jim Eshleman To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Cc: qrp-l@mailman.qth.net Subject: [168869] The new QRP-L Message-ID: <40378BD9.9050403@Lehigh.EDU> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Gang, Thanks for all the thanks. Not necessary but greatly appreciated. If my computer could talk it would be saying "you have mail, lots of mail" :-) I've been working my way through the mountain of email, and will hopefully be caught-up after the weekend. So if you're waiting to hear from me you should soon. It seems the new home of choice is qrp-l@mailman.qth.net. I think that's great and if anyone is waiting for me to endorse a new home, qrp-l@mailman.qth.net is my choice. I know Jim had around 800 subscription confirmations to deal with the first day, so have patience. I think my subscription took 24 hours after I replied to the email asking for name and call. Please note that the qth.net list does have digests (two kinds!), web archives, and a disable mail delivery (postpone) mode. Hopefully Mike C. will comment on the digest modes :-) I haven't checked them out yet. The server (farm) seems fast and is running much more modern list server software (mailman) than what we've been putting up with here. I do have the latest mailman software running here but never got around to migrating qrp-l to it. I think mailman will even allow multi-part (HTML) posts; it just scrubs the non-text parts. I've been asked about mass-subscribing everyone from this server to the QTH one. I have offered Jim the subscriber list broken down by normal, digest, and postponed subscribers. But there are many considerations to doing so, just some are: not everyone may want to be subscribed to the new server, I'm not sure that mailman can set digest mode for new subscribers added in this manner, there is much "dead wood" in the subscriber list (including I've always allowed addresses that bounce with "mailbox full" errors to remain) and that would subject Jim to an enormous number of bounces. So I've left the option up to Jim. I've also offered to forward qrp-l@lehigh.edu mail to the QTH list to help those who have the old address in their address book or just may just not be aware the list has moved. The subscriber count before my announcement was 1449 normal, 1194 digest, and 1935 postponed. I suspect the actual number of QRP-L people would be around 2500-3000. Many people are subscribed from multiple addresses so they can post from work, home, different ISP's, etc. If you're thinking of abandoning QRP-L I hope you'll reconsider. You can at least subscribe and set your mail delivery option to disabled. You can then browse the web archive and if you see a question you can answer or need to ask a question you'll be hooked-up and ready to go. If you've ever asked or answered even one question chances are you've helped someone else along the way. I received an amazing number of emails from folks who described themselves as "lurkers" and commented on how much QRP-L has helped them, either as an introduction or reintroduction to ham radio and/or QRP... And that is my story as well. I owe Chuck and QRP-L for getting me juiced-up again about ham radio and QRP. I could go on and on about how QRP-L is greater than the sum of its parts (contributors) and how I've gotten out at least as much as I've put in etc. but I'm not that good a writer and just this much is painful enough :-) So I'll just say thanks to everyone (QRP-L and off-list) that have helped me along the way, and hope to see you on the other side. 73 Jim N3VXI ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:51:40 -0600 From: "J. Michael Thurman" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168870] RE: Schematic MFJ 207? Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit http://www.mfjenterprises.com/manuals.php The PDF of the manual is on that page. 73, Michael WN5T -----Original Message----- From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU]On Behalf Of Bob KB2FEL Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 8:49 AM To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: Schematic MFJ 207? Hi All, Does anyone have a copy of the MFJ-207 antenna analyzer schematic. If so could you e-mail or tell me a place on the web that I could find it. I did a google search and that did not help! Its new out of the box and looks like it is not calibrated correctly. 72 Bob KB2FEL/8 __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 10:57:08 -0600 From: George Fremin III To: Jim Eshleman Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168871] Re: The new QRP-L Message-ID: <20040221165708.GE16637@kkn.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline On Sat, Feb 21, 2004 at 11:48:25AM -0500, Jim Eshleman wrote: > > It seems the new home of choice is qrp-l@mailman.qth.net. I think That seems like a good choice to me. > Please note that the qth.net list does have digests (two kinds!), web > archives, and a disable mail delivery (postpone) mode. Hopefully Mike > C. will comment on the digest modes :-) I haven't checked them out yet. I will also be keeping the QRP-L web archive up and it will start archiving the qrp-l@mailman.qth.net list soon. I know that the mailman software has an archive but it is a poor archiver for many reasons and it does not have a built in search. Speaking of searches of the QRP-L list... an aleart searcher noted that he could not find a post in my archives and after some poking around it turned out that the index was broken and had only a partial index of all of the posts to QRP-L. So, if you have tried to find something in the past and failed there was a reason - I think I have it all fixed up and reindexed. http://www.kkn.net/archives/html/QRP-L/ -- George Fremin III - K5TR geoiii@kkn.net http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:09:01 -0600 From: KD5NWA To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168872] Re: Discharge testing your battery [long] Message-ID: <6.0.3.0.0.20040221104359.022fc6a8@127.0.0.1> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Very fascinating subject, one that has always fascinated me. Fortunately nowadays there are some very good chargers and charger IC's that really take good care of your battery. I have read extensively on the subject and most small SLA batteries are rated for a 20 hour discharge, but of course they build the battery with a little extra capacity to make sure all batteries reach the rated capacity, which is very temperature dependant. Recently my son (KD5NWC), who loves to go caving a lot, was going to buy a battery pack of "D" size nickel hydride batteries for a special lamp to be used to illuminate large chambers. I got him to try a 6V 5Ah battery I have and he was delighted on how well it worked while only costing $12 instead of $72 for the nickel hydride pack, now I'm going to have to make a charger for him, I would normally use the batteries as a series pair and charge the them same way, but will be using them single battery at a time, as a 6V source. At 09:57 AM 2/21/2004, Nick Kennedy wrote: >I read a lot of battery lore on the list, but never anything about >testing them for capacity. That's probably because minimizing discharge >cycles promotes battery life, at least for those in the lead-acid >family. But hams being hams, when you look at the amp-hour rating on >your little battery that you got from a surplus house, you can't help >but ask, "Can it really do that?" > >So how do you test 'em? Well, you need a few parameters and controls. >The battery will be rated for so many A-H at a certain rate. Typically, >it might be 8 or 10 hours. So maybe my 2.2 A-H battery will supply 220 >ma for 10 hours. What are my pass/fail criteria? The only one is >terminal voltage. Typically this is 1.75 volts per cell, or 10.5 volts >for a nominal 12 volt (6 cell) battery. > >Doing the test. The test is generally done at a constant current. You >could design up a fairly simple constant current sink, use a rheostat >and periodically adjust current back to spec, or just used a fixed >resistive load based on the average expected voltage during the >discharge. I used a nice power rheostat I happen to have in the junk >box. I monitored current with an in-line DMM and used ~195 ma because >the meter over-ranges at 200. ;^) > >I dropped in every so often during the day and logged the time and >voltage in an Excel spreadsheet, and tweaked the current back to the >test value. I also had Excel doing a running plot of the volts Vs >elapsed time. The curve takes an immediate small drop from the >battery's open circuit voltage to its initial voltage in discharge mode >... from about 12.9 to 12.7 in my case. Then there's a long stretch >(most of the discharge time) of fairly linear and gentle decrease in >voltage. In my case, the battery still showed 11.4 volts with 84% of >its A-H rating used up. Some time after that point, the voltage begins >to drop more rapidly. That's one reason you stop the test at 10.5 >volts--the battery is about out of gas anyway. Another reason is that >stopping at this relatively high voltage makes the risk of driving a >cell into reverse polarity practically zero. But keep a close eye on it >in the final part of the test, or incorporate a low voltage trip into >your setup. > >I was kind of amazed at my results. The 2200 ma-h battery delivered >2212 ma-h when it reached 10.5 volts, or 100.5% of rated capacity. And >the curve looked just like the one in the book. As an interesting side >note, I have three little "gel-cells" with obscure (to me) names and >model numbers, but found data for all three on the web easily with a >google search. > >The test is over. Now what? It's important to recharge the battery >promptly, as it is now in a weakened condition. I hook up a supply and >bring up the voltage while keeping current from getting too high. I >decided on C/2 or ~1 amp. Did that until I was in the "nominal" range >of the battery, or around 12.5 volts in this case, and let it float over >night. The normal float for this battery is the familiar 13.8 volts. >But an equalize rate of around 14.5 volts is a good idea after bringing >it up. Hold it there until current drops to a constant, low level. >Then you're done. Return to float if you intend to leave it on charge. > >There are some other types of tests you might do. The one described >verifies the full amount of amp-hours available. Maybe you want to >calculate how many A-H you really need in a typical FYBO or QRPTTF and >test to that value, with a little margin. The terminal voltage at the >end of the test gives some idea of how much capacity was left. Or maybe >your rig won't function below 11.4 volts, so you just want to test to >that value. > >Enough for now. I've got two more batteries to test. > >72--Nick, WA5BDU Cecil KD5NWA ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 12:58:21 -0500 From: Steven Weber To: Karl Larsen Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168873] Re: QRP test box, reality check Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20040221125821.007c7950@mailhost.ncia.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >Steve: Will you still arrange for an "after market DDS daughter board" >to be part of this kit? > Yes. 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 12:57:08 -0500 From: Steven Weber To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168874] QC Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20040221125708.007c0810@mailhost.ncia.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" My "day" job is TV and consumer electronics repair. I'd say 80% of the problems found are bad solder connections. Usually, it's either from heat fatigue - power components heating and then the cooling of the joint causes it to fail after time- or cracks around the connections to larger componets, which is cause by vibration as the solder cools after going through the wave solder machine. If you have a RCA/Philips TV with the intergrated board tuner, everyone of these made needs to be reworked, as a metal shield was used to jumper grounds around the tuner area and the solder didn't stick well to the metal. Plus, there is a fair amount of stress on the connections. I've fixed 100's of these sets. If the problem isn't bad solder, it's often a bad aluminum electrolytic. Especially in switching power supplies. Glad I finally broke down and bought a ESR meter! Then there are those crimped in F connectors which everyone likes to rip out the back of thier TV or VCR. Can't tell you how many of those I've replaced! Finally, there is the random part failure and blown up power supplies. And stuff that gets dropped and cracks the circuit board. Modern conusmer electronics is remakably reliable for what you pay for it. Except DVD players, they have a high mortality rate. If there's one thing you should buy the extended warrenty for, it's a DVD player. No fixing them once the logic board fries! 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:06:21 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: Steven Weber Cc: Karl Larsen , Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168875] Re: QRP test box, reality check Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Sat, 21 Feb 2004, Steven Weber wrote: > >Steve: Will you still arrange for an "after market DDS daughter board" > >to be part of this kit? > > > Yes. Great! > > > 72, > Steve, KD1JV > "Melt Solder" > White Mountains of New Hampshire > http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:16:16 -0700 (MST) From: Karl Larsen To: Steven Weber Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168876] Re: QC Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Sat, 21 Feb 2004, Steven Weber wrote: > My "day" job is TV and consumer electronics repair. > > I'd say 80% of the problems found are bad solder connections. Usually, it's > either from heat fatigue - power components heating and then the cooling of > > Modern conusmer electronics is remakably reliable for what you pay for it. > Except DVD players, they have a high mortality rate. If there's one thing > you should buy the extended warrenty for, it's a DVD player. No fixing them > once the logic board fries! I will treat my DVD player with kid gloves Steve. It is the cheapest one Walmart sold 2 years ago, but I use it for CD's with my pictures on it as well as watching good movies on our 35 inch TV. > > > 72, > Steve, KD1JV > "Melt Solder" > White Mountains of New Hampshire > http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ > -- - Karl Larsen k5di Las Cruces,NM Az ScQRPions - ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:20:26 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168877] Re: Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: <4037A16A.5040606@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" > > > 5 From: Karl Larsen > > 3 From: John Sielke > > 2 From: KD5NWA > > 2 From: > > 1 From: Nick Kennedy > > 1 From: Michael Neverdosky > > 1 From: Michael Goins > > 1 From: Lloyd Lachow > > 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr > > 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG > > 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com > 1 From: Goody K3NG > > 1 From: David Porter > > 1 From: DTX > > 1 From: Chuck Carpenter > > 1 From: Chris Trask > > 1 From: Brad Thompson > > >Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 11:47:25 2003 > > 292 From: Karl Larsen > > 205 From: John Sielke > > 168 From: Bruce Muscolino > > 157 From: George, W5YR > > 135 From: Ed Tanton > > 132 From: John J. McDonough > > 117 From: Lloyd Lachow > > 116 From: Chuck Carpenter > > Speaking of having time on your hands!! ;-) I nominate John for QRP-L List Statistician. John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:23:28 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168878] Re: Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: <4037A220.6060306@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >John: Your upset because there are too many messages your not interested >in. I have a solution to your problem. > > On Yahoo there is a list called QRP-L that gets 2-3 messages a >month that is about your speed. Good luck. > Karl, For the umpteenth time, it's "You're upset...." NOT "Your upset...." I thought even EE PHDs had to take Freshman English. I mean, a typo happens to everyone, but this is ridiculous. John W2AGN > > > > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:27:39 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168879] Re: How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? Message-ID: <4037A31B.1070105@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Jason,, You DEFINITELY got the spirit of the thing down! ;-) John W2AGN How about the guy that makes accusations about who dropped the light bulb? Or the PHD in Light Bulbs that knows EVERYTHING? mmmmmm...... ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:25:33 -0500 (EST) From: To: Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168880] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII Ham radio is a service CB radio is a hobby There is no barrier to a CB hobbiest becoming an amateur radio operator. QRP has been seasonal. I've been a ham through 3 sunspot peaks. If you go back and look through the popular ham publications you'll see the degree of interest in and number of products for QRP correlate well with the cycles. I suspect the manufacturers have noticed this too and you'll not see much in the way of 'new' QRP gear from the majors until the next cycle starts to peak. -bob ah7i ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:45:55 -0500 From: "Richard Brummer, K2JQ" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168881] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <041901c3f8aa$f08b5de0$6401a8c0@mydomain.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Wrong, Batman ! It's known as the Citizen's Radio Service, though a hobby it may appear to be. 73 Dick K2JQ ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 1:25 PM Subject: Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP > Ham radio is a service > CB radio is a hobby ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:51:38 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168882] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <4037A8BA.4090207@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >Ham radio is a service >CB radio is a hobby > > > Actually, both are considered "services." From the FCC Page: Citizens Band (CB) Citizens Band (CB) Radio Service is a private two-way voice communication service for use in personal and business activities of the general public. Its communications range is from one to five miles. John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 13:50:22 -0500 (EST) From: To: "Richard Brummer, K2JQ" Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168883] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Sat, 21 Feb 2004, Richard Brummer, K2JQ wrote: > Wrong, Batman ! > > It's known as the Citizen's Radio Service, though a hobby it may appear to > be. Au contraire Robin. Read beyond the titular distinction. All BBQ is not the same. -bob ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:59:49 -0700 From: Ken To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168884] ESR kit, great idea, Steve Message-ID: <5.2.1.1.2.20040221115821.03462688@mail.commspeed.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Now that would be a great project...:)) ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 12:00:22 -0700 From: w5xe@juno.com To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168885] Re: How many QRP-L subscribers does it take to change a light bulb? Message-ID: <20040221.120022.-499593.7.w5xe@juno.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Yep and the said know it all PHD has moved over to the new location to be the Rowdy Yates wagonmaster of the Wagon Train - Enjoy the new location - all. Ray "Politicians are like nappies. Both should be changed regularly -- and for the same reason" "Scotsman - Scotsman's Diary 12/97" Ray Colbert, W5XE, OOTC#3618, SOWP#1064M SOC#78 fp #111 ARCI-5784 NCT2R El Paso,(FAR WEST) TEXAS ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:21:41 -0800 (PST) From: Garie Halstead K8KFJ To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168886] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <20040221192141.87359.qmail@web60303.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii --- ah7i@atl.org wrote: > Ham radio is a service > CB radio is a hobby Ham Radio is indeed a service. A good time to remind everyone that Public Service is the reason we have our license. I hope everyone has done a better job of that than moi (as I've been neglectful as of late with my Public Service work .. normally NTS). Something I'm not very proud to admit. 72, Gary -K8KFJ- __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 11:35:41 -0800 From: "Bill Jones" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168887] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <001d01c3f8b1$e5029f40$e9c13542@RadioRoom> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Gentlemen, gentlemen ..... don't you recognize a troll when you see one? ======================== Bill Jones KD7S <>< http://www.psnw.com/~kd7s Sanger, California ======================== ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:23 PM Subject: Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP > Rob and group > I am serious and took this closing opportunity to voice what I have already > passed on to ARRL. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 14:58:45 -0500 From: "Richard Brummer, K2JQ" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Cc: , Subject: [168888] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <049501c3f8b5$1d7b6160$6401a8c0@mydomain.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit John, W2AGN, said all that needs to be said. Dick K2JQ ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 1:50 PM Subject: Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP > > Wrong, Batman ! > > > > It's known as the Citizen's Radio Service, though a hobby it may appear to > > be. > > Au contraire Robin. > Read beyond the titular distinction. > All BBQ is not the same. > -bob > > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 15:01:28 -0500 From: Michael Neverdosky To: kloc@commspeed.net, Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168889] Re: ESR kit, great idea, Steve Message-ID: <4037B918.662FAC14@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Ken wrote: > > Now that would be a great project...:)) There are a few out there. Check out; http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrmeter.htm There is a nice comparison chart at; http://www.anatekcorp.com/testequipment/esrcompar.htm The discussion of electrolytics and their problems; http://members.ozemail.com.au/~bobpar/esrtext.htm I bought the Bob Parker/Dick Smith ESR meter kit from Anatek and am very happy with it. The Anatek site seems to be having problems right now. I also have a flyback ring tester but it rarely gets used. When I do need it, it saves me lots of time. michael N6CHV ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 15:06:53 -0800 From: "Jade's Technical Services" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168890] Re: Enough QRM on the list. Message-ID: <00e801c3f8cf$668c5f20$faa506d8@f5b7l2> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Interesting in that I have 7 of the top eight in my filters, worked great, really cuts down the qrm. jim kw3u ----- Original Message ----- From: "John Oppenheimer" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Saturday, February 21, 2004 6:45 AM Subject: Enough QRM on the list. > I really don't like sending negative e-mail, but I am going to move to > whatever QRP list becomes popular in the future and just don't want this > QRM. So, please stay on subject and just cut the bickering. > > A question to all, is you hobby sending e-mail to lists or Ham radio? > > Just the facts: > > Senders for Subject "Quality control in the ham radio industry" > > > 5 From: Karl Larsen > 3 From: John Sielke > 2 From: KD5NWA > 2 From: > 1 From: Nick Kennedy > 1 From: Michael Neverdosky > 1 From: Michael Goins > 1 From: Lloyd Lachow > 1 From: Joseph Trombino Jr > 1 From: Jason Hsu, AG4DG > 1 From: JClinton46@aol.com > 1 From: Goody K3NG > 1 From: David Porter > 1 From: DTX > 1 From: Chuck Carpenter > 1 From: Chris Trask > 1 From: Brad Thompson > > Top eight senders to QRP-L starting Sun Nov 9 11:47:25 2003 > > 292 From: Karl Larsen > 205 From: John Sielke > 168 From: Bruce Muscolino > 157 From: George, W5YR > 135 From: Ed Tanton > 132 From: John J. McDonough > 117 From: Lloyd Lachow > 116 From: Chuck Carpenter > ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 14:58:09 -0500 From: Nils R Young To: QRP-L@lehigh.edu Subject: [168891] Did I mention "Check your work"? Message-ID: <20040220.151808.-395613.0.nilsbull@juno.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Yoldashlar! Well, the Turkish music was soothing. Didn't help me find the three other places on the board where ExpressPCB had faithfully printed the boards with all my errors. Like I had the pick-up of the osc signal off of pin 6 of the NE602 instead of pin 7. And a wiring error in the RIT disable/2N7000 line that I haven't fixed yet. And something else I can't remember. But the progress so far: I can hear stuff. And there's a transmit signal, but I ain't got to the measurement point yet. The original plan was to duplicate Jeff Anderson's 9-volt battery radio (QRPp Sept 1996). But along the way I started another plan that was basically a serious squash-i-fication of the 40-9er. At which point things got interesting. Once I figured out the pin6/pin7 deal, the PA transistor cooled down big time. That & I think the PA power choke was shorted out on the board. Them tiny wires is hard to see. In the process of de-powering all of that, I modified the drive transistor circuit to match the 40-9er. It looks simpler. However, now that I've gotten this far, I'm tempted to put it back the way I had it first: a copy of Jeff's transmit line-up. Still under investigation, however, is the receive input circuit (gotta add some C, I think) & then a couple real RF connectors on it. Right now it's on 7122. I gotta get some more 7040 xtals. For which I have two boards yet even (which I have to modify the mistakes out of), leaving me the possibility of making one work on 30m. Thus far the word of today's holy gibber. Still, it's kind of a kick being able to say that I got this far with something I made up from ideas stolen from others more adept than I. Which brings up questions of generative grammar, which I'll avoid for the moment. 73 Nils . . . did I mention "Check your work"? ---------------------------- Nils R. Bull Young -- W8IJN -- La Estancia de los Guajolotes Sonrientes -- http://w8ijn.tripod.com -- http://members.fortunecity.com/nilsbull -- "If you can see this, thank a trilobite!"" ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the Internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the Web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today! ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 15:27:35 -0500 From: "James Kelley" To: "qrp-l" Subject: [168892] SOMETHING FREE REALLY! ! ! ! Message-ID: <410-220042621202735258@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII TO ALL: The first teen age ham who responds and has a need for Yaesu ADMS-1E Ver 2 software will get the copy that I have that I no longer need. . . I will even pay the postage to get it to you. I don't have any YAESU equipment any more so have no need for the software. 73 Jim K4YBB James Kelley k4ybb@earthlink.net Why Wait? Move to EarthLink. ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 15:54:39 -0500 From: Steven Weber To: Karl Larsen Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168893] Re: QC Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20040221155439.007a18a0@mailhost.ncia.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" > I will treat my DVD player with kid gloves Steve. It is the >cheapest one Walmart sold 2 years ago, but I use it for CD's with my If it's lasted that long, you must have gotten a good one. Best bet is to put a fan over the logic board to keep it cool, or at least give the box pleanty of ventilation. The high speed logic in DVD players runs hot and I belive that's what kills them. 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 14:13:19 -0700 From: "Chris Trask" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168894] Re: Did I mention "Check your work"? Message-ID: <00f501c3f8bf$891b1000$5a054bab@default> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > Well, the Turkish music was soothing. Didn't help me find the three other > places on the board where ExpressPCB had faithfully printed the boards > with all my errors. > Speaking of ExpressPCB, I want to pass along some VERY recent experiences with having PCBs made by these online quick-turn shops. I have had a very good experience with Advanced Circuits: http://www.4pcb.com/ They turned around a request for quote in less than an hour. A couple of minor problems (R274D vs. R274X aperture files) were handled with a short phone call. They are a full service, fully integrated shop with everything right there, and they can turn around an order in one day of you want to pay for it. Five day turns are a bargain, and they can do anything from two to ten layers. This very good experience took place the same day as having an awful experience with E-Teknet: http://www.e-teknet.com/ who couldn't turn around a quote in less than a day (4 hours advertised), instead giving chronic excuses of email server problems, web page server problems, and when I showed up at their door, network problems. They are simply a brokerage for a Chinese outfit. Earlier problems included the inability to use ECAM350 (a Gerber viewer and editor) and incorrect billing. With that sort of performance, they should soon be having cash flow problems. Another outfit, Futurelec: http://www.futurlec.com/PCBService.shtml didn't even respond to me for two days. Never got a quote from them. I've never used ExpressPCB as they require you to use their software for layout, which I do not believe to be compatible with the industry standard Gerber (artwork) and Excell (CNC drill) formats. Chris ,----------------------. High Performance Mixers and / What's all this \ Amplifiers for RF Communications / extinct stuff, anyhow? / \ _______,--------------' Chris Trask / N7ZWY _ |/ Principal Engineer oo\ Sonoran Radio Research (__)\ _ P.O. Box 25240 \ \ .' `. Tempe, Arizona 85285-5240 \ \ / \ \ '" \ IEEE Member #40274515 . ( ) \ '-| )__| :. \ Email: christrask@earthlink.net | | | | \ '. http://www.home.earthlink.net/~christrask c__; c__; '-..'>.__ Graphics by Loek Frederiks ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 16:43:58 -0500 From: Al Scanandoah To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168895] Re: Schematic MFJ 207? Message-ID: <4037D11E.1070902@rochester.rr.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The operating section, yes, but MFJ always removes the schematics from their online manuals. Al, K2ZN J. Michael Thurman wrote: > http://www.mfjenterprises.com/manuals.php > > The PDF of the manual is on that page. > ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 16:47:47 -0600 From: "Brian Olson" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168896] wanted crystals for rockmite Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Help. Anyone have 7.110 MHz crystals to sell or trade. HC49U case. I have extra 7040 or 7122 but would like to get on novice calling frequency. If you know of a source that's cheaper than $18 apiece let me know. I did try the usual suspects and still in shock at cost of crystals. Thank you Brian N0XFE Brian R. Olson N0XFE Bloomington, MN ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 16:50:23 -0600 From: "Gene Sailsbury" To: "QRP Group" , "Low Power" Subject: [168897] Tenna Dipper PIC Chip update Message-ID: <0a4801c3f8cd$1827c6f0$a8c03fd8@n0mq> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Anyone that received a Tenna Dipper kit after Jan 15 may have received a bad PIC Chip. If when you turn it on and hear "V2" then your chip is not correct. If you hear "TDV1" when you turn it on then that is the correct chip. I will be sending a notice to all that have received a kit after 1/15/04 on replacement of bad chip. Our programmer is gone at this time and it will be a couple of weeks until we get new chips. Any question please send email to gsailsbury@mobil1.net . Thanks. 72 Gene N0MQ ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 18:20:14 -0500 From: "Joseph Trombino Jr" To: "QRP-L QTH" , "QRP-L" Subject: [168898] Fw: RX and TX oscillator settings Message-ID: <00f801c3f8d1$42dae180$220110ac@gateway.2wire.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I sent this message earlier on the first day of the new list and didn't get any responses probably due to not evereyone being signed up yet. Here it is again...could sure use some help on this one. 73, Joe W2KJ > Howdy Gang: > > Am dual posting to both lists to see if my first message gets thru on the > new list. > > Just completed the RH-40 and RH-20 rigs and have a question about the RX and > TX oscillator frequency relationship. > > Given an IF frequency and IF crystals at 9mhz what should the appropriate RX > and TX oscillator frequencies be as read on a freq counter??? Should it be > something like TX at 9.000 mhz and RX at 8999.250 mhz??? Would this produce the correct offset for CW??? > > The RX oscillator of course being at the product detector and the TX > oscillator being at the TX mixer. > > I just aligned both rigs up by ear using my ARGO V and they sound fine. I > just want to know if such a rig can be set up by using a freq counter only. > > Thanks for any assistance that can be rendered. > > 73, Joe W2KJ > North Carolina > I QRP, therefore I am > ------------------------------ End of QRP-L Digest 3204 ************************ --------------------------------