20040223.qrp v03_n206.qrl.20040223 Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 19:03:08 EST From: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: QRP-L digest 3206 QRP-L Digest 3206 Topics covered in this issue include: 1) [168963] Fox: Announcement - N0IT Fox This Tuesday by "sjolin" 2) [168964] RE: LogBook of the World by "rattray" 3) [168965] QRP DX totals... by Michael Byrd 4) [168966] RE: More FS Kenwood HS-5 Comm Headphones by "W.D. (Doc) Lindsey" 5) [168967] Re: Amateur-radio quality issues (was: Re: MFJ gear) by Bruce Muscolino 6) [168968] DX International results.... by "George Osier" 7) [168969] Re: LogBook of the World by "Bill Rowlett" 8) [168970] My qrp stuff that I'm selling by J 9) [168971] Re: Yet more soldering questions by "Mike Yetsko" 10) [168972] DSWMULTI v0.5 is released upon the world..."DANGER, Will Robinson!"... by 11) [168973] RE: [Elmer 160] PIC El Programming Problems by "Kevin M., W8VOS" 12) [168974] Re: Yet more soldering questions by Steven Weber 13) [168975] Re: Yet more soldering questions by "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" 14) [168976] Re: Yet more soldering questions by "Mike Yetsko" 15) [168977] Re: Yet more soldering questions by "George, W5YR" 16) [168978] Re: Yet more soldering questions by Mik Ishmael 17) [168979] Funny CW Net Tricks...or what I did this weekend. by Wayne K9DI 18) [168980] Re: Yet more soldering questions by Shawn Upton 19) [168981] RE: Amateur-radio quality issues (was: Re: MFJ gear) by "J. Michael Thurman" 20) [168982] Hustler 6BVT Vertical by "Paul Mackanos" 21) [168983] Re: Yet more soldering questions by 22) [168984] Re: Yet more soldering questions by "Mike Yetsko" 23) [168985] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP by Tom Sevart 24) [168986] Re: Yet more soldering questions by "Thom R. Lacosta" 25) [168987] Re: Yet more soldering questions by 26) [168988] FS or FT Clarostat multiturn dials by "Craig A. Ferris" 27) [168989] Morse code for "@" (prosign 'AC') -- radio interview by Wayne Burdick 28) [168990] Re: QRP DX totals... by Lee Mairs 29) [168991] BUBBA contest question by "Steve w0oow" 30) [168992] RE: [Elmer 160] PIC El Programming Problems by "Craig Johnson" 31) [168993] Re: [Elecraft] Morse code for "@" (prosign 'AC') -- radio interview by Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 32) [168994] ZM-2 on 160M by Lloyd Lachow 33) [168995] Safety caution re: Yet more soldering questions by Brad Thompson 34) [168996] Re: Yet more soldering questions by Steven Weber 35) [168997] KX1 Technical Talk at Atlanticon by Wayne Burdick 36) [168998] Re: [fpqrp] ZM-2 on 160M [Lofgren's] by Chuck Carpenter 37) [168999] Re: QRP DX totals... by jsb@digistar.com 38) [169000] Re: ZM-2 on 160M by "George, W5YR" 39) [169001] Atlanticon Question by "Alexander, Paul" 40) [169002] Transparent Resistor? by "Brad Hernlem" 41) [169003] Fox: 2nd Announcement K2QO and N0IT are your foxi Tuesday by "sjolin" 42) [169004] Re: Atlanticon Question by John Sielke 43) [169005] RE: Atlanticon Question by "Michael Bower N4NMR" 44) [169006] Re: Transparent Resistor? by "Mike Yetsko" 45) [169007] RE: Safety caution re: Yet more soldering questions by "JBCrafts" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 18:20:09 -0600 From: "sjolin" To: "Qrp-l Reflector" , Subject: [168963] Fox: Announcement - N0IT Fox This Tuesday Message-ID: <08f301c3f9a2$ccd19010$78d1fea9@DaveSjolin> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings Hounds, this week K2QO (Mark in NY) and myself, N0IT (Dave in MO) will be your foxi. The FOX HUNT is Tuesday night at 2000CST. It is a two hour hunt from 0200-0400 UTC 25 February. K2QO, Mark will be near 7.038 Mhz working UP and N0IT, Dave will be near 7.042 working UP. Remember the procedure? The following is an example: Initial call at 0200 UTC CQ FOX DE N0IT N0IT FOX UP2 K Send your call once or twice (I prefer twice) around 2 Khz up....then listen. The Fox will respond to whoever he can copy...maybe K0MAX K0MAX UR 559 MO DAVE 5W K0MAX BK If K0MAX copies he answers R TU UR 559 MN MAX 5W BK If N0IT copies he acknowledges with R TU And listens to the pack for another call. OR, if necessary asks for a fill OR periodically will say R TU DE N0IT FOX UP2 For about the last 1/2 hour of the hunt or earlier if calls thin out, we will take calls near or on our freq. but initially, please use split and spread out a bit so we can make more contacts. Please be patient and have FUN. We hope to hand out a lot of pelts. BCNU in the Hunt. 73/72 Dave, N0IT ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 19:31:47 -0600 From: "rattray" To: , "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168964] RE: LogBook of the World Message-ID: <000601c3f9ac$d0f90e20$7900a8c0@Bonnie> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hello Bill - I uploaded about 6000 Qs for my ve5rc/ve5qrp calls a few weeks ago...I'm contemplating whether or not I'll upload all my calls (a lot more) for my VE3FCH call which are in manually written log books...I like the LoTW idea - 72 Bruce ve5rc/ve5qrp -----Original Message----- From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU] On Behalf Of Bill Coleman Sent: Friday, February 20, 2004 8:38 PM To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: Re: LogBook of the World On Feb 15, 2004, at 11:07 PM, Tom Mc wrote: > > Just wondering if anyone else has had any experience so far. I have 6000 Qs or so entered, and more than 1000 QSLs. All of my contacts are for contests, and all of them in the last three years. The logs I've uploaded are the ones in an easily compatable format. I have other logs in older formats, which I haven't yet converted. Eventually, I plan to have every QSO I've ever made up in LOTW. It's going to take some time, though. QSL response is pretty high for recent, domestic contests. For older, random Qs, it will be much lower. The best way to improve the situation is to encourage everyone to upload logs. The more logs, the higher the QSL percentage. Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 20:34:04 -0500 From: Michael Byrd To: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168965] QRP DX totals... Message-ID: <5D309EEA-65A0-11D8-A90C-00039359539C@verizon.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v612) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed I hope I get an email soon from the QTH list. I may be the one turning out the lights after everyone has gone. Just finished the ARRL DX contest. My total for 40 meters is 103 countries worked and 78 confirmed with 5 watts. I started out to get Worked all Continents, but I kept going and may make DXCC after all. Most of the cards I am waiting on are recently worked DX. I thought I could make it in a year, but it took 15 months of casual operating. Some months I made no contacts at all. I worked a lot of DX since November and the season isn't over yet. I have missed out on many QSOs and almost gave up last month. As you all know, confirming a QSO sometimes is harder than making the contact. I am waiting on cards from very common countries with multiple contacts. Some hams just don't exchange cards. It was very frustrating to work 5U5 through a huge pileup and get my card returned with "Not in Log". I have a collection of those too. I am up to five now. I will continue to "rework" some of the same countries until I can finish DXCC. I am getting parts together for a big rig for 40 meters. I will run up to 20 watts on CW. That should take me to the honor roll...hi. Lastly, this list was the main reason I became active again. It was great to hear about the DX just worked and the latest rig built. I hope to make it to the QTH list as soon as I get subscribed. Mike - AC4UR (looking for the light switch) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 20:22:12 -0600 From: "W.D. (Doc) Lindsey" To: "Rod N0RC" , "qrp-l reflector" Cc: "doc k0evz earthlink" Subject: [168966] RE: More FS Kenwood HS-5 Comm Headphones Message-ID: <412004212322212473@earthlink.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Rod and Gang: This is an excellent model for serious CW work. I have had mine for 7 years and still grab for them, even using a RS adaptor as needed for a particular rig or other. Highly recommended. 73, --Doc/K0EVZ > [Original Message] > From: Rod N0RC > To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion > Date: 2/22/2004 1:26:52 PM > Subject: More FS Kenwood HS-5 Comm Headphones > > Very good condition, $50 shipped CONUS > > picture at: http://users.frii.com/rwc/fs/hs5.JPG > > leather and nylon earpads included. > > Specs: > > 8 ohm impedance > 200mW Max input at 1000 Hz > 150 - 4000Hz -6db response > 2m fabric cord > > > You haven't lived until you've used REAL communication headphones. The > audio quality of CW and SSB signals is remarkable. > > 73, Rod N0RC > --- W.D. (Doc) Lindsey --- dock0evz@earthlink.net --- EarthLink: The #1 provider of the Real Internet. ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:00:56 -0500 From: Bruce Muscolino To: Brad.Thompson@VALLEY.NET Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168967] Re: Amateur-radio quality issues (was: Re: MFJ gear) Message-ID: <40396CE8.66C6BFAA@erols.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Brad, Thanks for the mention. I have probably taken more time answering Jason's questions than they deserve because I recognize some of myself 40+ years ago. Becoming a hardware engineer is not an easy task, never has been. He will have to be especially specific in detailing his goals and objectives in his job search. He will have to learn what each job title means at different companies. And it will be especially difficult for a Master's degree holder. Many companies don't want to "waste" such intellectual power on an entry level position. They want more immediate return on their investment. Beginners don't know the equipment designs and it costs money waiting for them to learn. Choice of a boss also very much influences their success. I was very lucky, most of my bosses were bright and willing to teach along with supervise. They were willing to submerge their egos and recognize the employee's contribution. They were gems. A comment on MFJ. From the problem descriptions I have read their problems are the result of a poorly trained workforce. Young engineers (and technicians) are not born with soldering or assembly skills, they have to learn them. Fortunately they are usually born bright enough to quickly learn them. Assuming that most of their employees are hired for 12 weeks or longer, and that most of them are looking forward to a career in electronics, a mandatory course in electronics assembly would be helpful. If the course looks too expensive, it can be required before employment and given at half pay. The benefits are almost immediately obvious. And once taught the employees won't have to take it again even if they take six months off. I see this course broken down somewhat like this. Since all their products require soldering, a mandatory soldering course for ALL personnel. This course, lasting two or three days, would pay for itself quickly not only in higher quality products, but also in employee satisfaction. A mandatory course in assembly techniques, concentrating on their own equipment's, lasting maybe a day or day and a half would also pay for itself quickly. Add a half day of inspection techniques would fill out the week, again, concentrating on what to look for, in their own products. Have the course taught by senior line personnel, people who should be dinged for poor quality. Add to this a system of signed QA stickers along with one or two examples of being "called on the carpet", would quickly ramp up the company's quality image. It is really a shame that such a good example of American ingenuity has such an image. (Yes, I have met Martin Jue) Oh, I almost forgot, slowly bring manufacturing documentation brought up to a higher level. Since most of the problems fall into such a narrow sphere, fixing the cause of the problems can supersede the documentation. Bruce ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:12:54 -0500 From: "George Osier" To: Subject: [168968] DX International results.... Message-ID: <002601c3f9ba$edf697a0$6801a8c0@twcny.rr.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Hi All !!!! Had a great time and a decent score I guess ..... 199 "Q"s 597 qso points 121 mults 72,237 pts Had : 10 M ..... 32 countries 15 M ..... 26 countries 20 M ..... 36 countries 40 M ..... 27 countries Rig here a Ten Tec Argo 509 , 5W and antenna a 51 ft G5RV sloper , 20 ft at the high end and 3 ft at the low end ............. 10 meters was my trusty Cushcraft AR 10 vertical at 25 ft. I was amazed that I was able to do so well on 40 meters !!!! One of my best totals ever on 40 !!! The second time I have used the Timewave DSP-9 and the K1EL keyer !!! Both were INCREDIBLE !!! The DSP 9 made the Argo into a modern transciever and the K1EL made it a 2 button job !!! All in all I had a great time !!!! 72s George Osier , N2JNZ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 03:23:08 +0000 From: "Bill Rowlett" To: aa4lr@arrl.net, qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168969] Re: LogBook of the World Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed They are electronic credits for contacts, not QSL's. They are only good for ARRL awards,and cost separate fees from that of the award. Have not and will never use it. Call them what they are. Bill kc4atu >From: Bill Coleman >Reply-To: aa4lr@arrl.net >To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" >Subject: Re: LogBook of the World >Date: Fri, 20 Feb 2004 21:37:50 -0500 > > >On Feb 15, 2004, at 11:07 PM, Tom Mc wrote: >> >>Just wondering if anyone else has had any experience so far. > >I have 6000 Qs or so entered, and more than 1000 QSLs. All of my contacts >are for contests, and all of them in the last three years. > >The logs I've uploaded are the ones in an easily compatable format. I have >other logs in older formats, which I haven't yet converted. Eventually, I >plan to have every QSO I've ever made up in LOTW. It's going to take some >time, though. > >QSL response is pretty high for recent, domestic contests. For older, >random Qs, it will be much lower. > >The best way to improve the situation is to encourage everyone to upload >logs. The more logs, the higher the QSL percentage. > >Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net >Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!" > -- Wilbur Wright, 1901 > _________________________________________________________________ Dream of owning a home? Find out how in the First-time Home Buying Guide. http://special.msn.com/home/firsthome.armx ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 19:24:32 -0800 From: J To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168970] My qrp stuff that I'm selling Message-ID: <40397270.60309@blarg.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Thanks to all who responded. Too many to individually reply to right now. Sounds like I should get some photos and prices posted asap. Will do and then announce where they are. Bye for now. .73 (73, down 20 dB) de Jim, W7LS ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:29:52 -0500 From: "Mike Yetsko" To: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168971] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <005601c3f9bd$4df8ec00$0200a8c0@charter.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit You know, it's just amazing how many people bad-mouth Radio Shack when they should be bad mouthing themselves. Do you really expect a $15 Radio Shack iron to be in the same ballpark as the $50+ models from Weller or others? Of course, some people expect the Beetle 'S' to perform like a new Porsche too... And don't forget, it never hurts to bad mouth the 'name brand' just in case someone else might be so foolish as to consider what you didn't! > Compared to the Radio Shack (aka Radio Shaft, Radio Slack, Radio Schlock, > Radio Yugo, etc.) ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:48:44 -0500 From: To: Subject: [168972] DSWMULTI v0.5 is released upon the world..."DANGER, Will Robinson!"... Message-ID: <002201c3f9bf$f0a4ae60$c726ad80@f1n5n8> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The .exe file for V0.5 of the DSWMULTI project software may be downloaded from: http://www.n4qa.com/dswmulti/dswmulti.html or http://www.qsl.net/n4qa/dswmulti/dswmulti.html You'll also need a copy of the inpout32.dll file by LOGIX4U, found elsewhere at my website. Oh, and you must also have the Visual Basic 5.0 runtime .dll file. No operating instructions posted as yet so be prepared for some head scratching. Source code not quite ready for primetime...hee hee hee 73. Bill, N4QA ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 23:21:11 -0500 From: "Kevin M., W8VOS" To: , "'Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion'" Subject: [168973] RE: [Elmer 160] PIC El Programming Problems Message-ID: <002e01c3f9c4$77e3cd30$64dc0a0a@magnus> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Craig, This might be it. I removed Q4 from the board and checked it with my DMM. It is open on all sides. Is there a suitable sub I may have in my junkbox? I have 2N3905 and 2N3906 in abundance. 73/72 - Kevin, W8VOS > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU] > On Behalf Of Craig Johnson > Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:27 PM > To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion > Subject: RE: [Elmer 160] PIC El Programming Problems > > > Kevin, > >> First, if your > >> programming clock pulse is not being generated, it would > >> exhibit this behavior. > > >This is checked with a TTL logic probe: > > O Q1-C R11 is clocked during read. > > Good. > > >When I force TD low with a jumper to ground the 11.57V > appears on the > >TP-Vpgm. When I release it it goes to 0.723V. > > OK. A bit high for a "low", but should be OK. (It is OK, > based on what you say later. ) > > >This is checked with a TTL logic probe: > > O TD does go low for the read cycle. [-10V checked with > DVM] O RTS is > >Clocked during read. O DTR is Clocked during read. > > O CTS stays low during read and program. This checked at > via by R1. > > -It seems that it is always low. > > I think we have it here. CTS needs to toggle between > approximately +4v and -4v. If it is always low, there is a > problem. First, what do you read for the "low" level? Is it > zero or below zero? > > Looks very much like Q4 is bad. If it is "open", you would > always get a low for CTS. When you ground the base of Q4, > does CTS still stay "low"? > > Of course, maybe the Q4 collector is being held low > (grounded) by a short somewhere. That's why the voltage > reading of the "low" level is particularly important. > > > Thinking back, the real "klinker" in this whole analysis is > >> that I think you said it works correctly when > >> connected to a different computer. > > >No, that wasn't me. When I use PICALL to program the pic it works. > >But that is a horse of a different color. It uses a > different program > >(picallw.exe) and the LPT1 port (parallel). > > Yes, that's a completely different animal, since the signal > levels for a parallel port are > different, and, of course, it's also different hardware > attached. I thought you said you > ran the PIC-EL from another computer and it worked. Guess > not. Glad we clarified that. > > >73/72 - Kevin, W8VOS > > 72, > -Craig, AA0ZZ > ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:23:20 -0500 From: Steven Weber To: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168974] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20040222222320.007a1cc0@mailhost.ncia.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Congats on your new iron Jason. It will make a world of difference, as you already noted. The proper way to solder is to heat both parts with the tip of the iron, then apply the solder. How long you heat the parts depends on thier mass, and how hot the iron is. Basic componet lead to a pcb track, about a second. The tip of the iron should be "reasonably" clean, but well tinned. It's okay to clean the tip before making a connection, but never after. The tip will last longer if some solder is left on it while in the holder. I never use a wet sponge to clean my iron. I just quickly (and lightely) wipe it with the tip of my fingure on the occasion it needs it. An old timer at work told me to do that and I looked at him cross eyed. Thought he was joking. But I tried it and it works well - just be quick about it. Sort of like walking on fire.... 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 23:37:52 -0500 From: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168975] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <002801c3f9c6$ce300440$64923144@aoldsl.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit < I never use a wet sponge to clean my iron. I just quickly (and lightely) wipe it with the tip of my fingure on the occasion it needs it. An old timer at work told me to do that and I looked at him cross eyed. Thought he was joking. But I tried it and it works well - just be quick about it. Sort of like walking on fire....> You mean you don't wait for the soldering iron to cool? According to eham.net surveys, soldering iron burns are among the most common injuries. I thought you're supposed to unplug everything and let it cool for a number of minutes before touching the metal parts of the soldering iron. And even then, I dip the tip into a small puddle of my spit on the table just to make sure it's cooled down. If nothing happens, then I know it's cooled off. And I still handle the metal parts gingerly. (I guess I've seen _I Know What You Did Last Summer_, _I Still Know What You Did Last Summer, and the Scream trilogy too many times.) Sure, it sounds disgusting, but the bacteria from my spit can't be any more dangerous than any residual solder left on the table. Jason Hsu, AG4DG personal AAAATTTT jasonhsu.com http://www.jasonhsu.com/ee.html http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eeham/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/resume_hyperinflation_fighters/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gmu-ece-control ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 23:51:23 -0500 From: "Mike Yetsko" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168976] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <014401c3f9c8$b1c41920$0200a8c0@charter.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > I never use a wet sponge to clean my iron. I just quickly (and lightely) > wipe it with the tip of my fingure on the occasion it needs it. An old > timer at work told me to do that and I looked at him cross eyed. Thought he > was joking. But I tried it and it works well - just be quick about it. Sort > of like walking on fire.... I think a lot of the reason people have problems with a wet sponge is it's way too wet. As soon as there's free water on the sponge, it's very difficult to use it properly. In a pinch, I've used paper towels. Wet till they are just damp on the top layer when folded over many times. A sponge should be damp to the touch, so that you can squeeze water out, but not so damp that pressing the tip (sideways) onto the sponge shows any tendency for free water to form. Better be careful here! How damp to make the sponge can cause more discussion than how to teach CW! ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 22:55:13 -0600 From: "George, W5YR" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168977] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <039301c3f9c9$45747a70$0402a8c0@PS> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Steve, I use a copper mesh pot scrubber to clean my Weller soldering station iron tips. Works very well. Important that the scrubber contain no chemicals and be made of copper to avoid fouling the tip. 73, George W5YR w5yr@att.net http://www.w5yr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Weber" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 9:23 PM Subject: Re: Yet more soldering questions > Congats on your new iron Jason. It will make a world of difference, as you > already noted. > > The proper way to solder is to heat both parts with the tip of the iron, > then apply the solder. How long you heat the parts depends on thier mass, > and how hot the iron is. Basic componet lead to a pcb track, about a second. > > The tip of the iron should be "reasonably" clean, but well tinned. It's > okay to clean the tip before making a connection, but never after. The tip > will last longer if some solder is left on it while in the holder. > > I never use a wet sponge to clean my iron. I just quickly (and lightely) > wipe it with the tip of my fingure on the occasion it needs it. An old > timer at work told me to do that and I looked at him cross eyed. Thought he > was joking. But I tried it and it works well - just be quick about it. Sort > of like walking on fire.... > > 72, > Steve, KD1JV > "Melt Solder" > White Mountains of New Hampshire > http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 22 Feb 2004 21:19:56 -0800 From: Mik Ishmael To: myetsko@insydesw.com Cc: Low Discussion Subject: [168978] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed Mime-Version: 1.0 (Apple Message framework v553) Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I think one aspect being missed is the other reason to use a sponge...temperature control. For those cheapie irons that just plug in...if it's been sitting in the holder for a while, the temperature can get to 1100 deg F. by hitting the sponge, you can get it down (and keep it) to a more manageable temp. How wet? Saturate it, wring it out, you're good for the session. On Sunday, February 22, 2004, at 08:51 PM, Mike Yetsko wrote: >> I never use a wet sponge to clean my iron. I just quickly (and >> lightely) >> wipe it with the tip of my fingure on the occasion it needs it. An old >> timer at work told me to do that and I looked at him cross eyed. >> Thought > he >> was joking. But I tried it and it works well - just be quick about it. > Sort >> of like walking on fire.... > > I think a lot of the reason people have problems with a wet sponge is > it's > way too wet. As soon as there's free water on the sponge, it's very > difficult to use it properly. > > In a pinch, I've used paper towels. Wet till they are just damp on the > top layer when folded over many times. A sponge should be damp to > the touch, so that you can squeeze water out, but not so damp that > pressing the tip (sideways) onto the sponge shows any tendency for > free water to form. > > Better be careful here! How damp to make the sponge can cause > more discussion than how to teach CW! > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:14:52 +0000 From: Wayne K9DI To: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168979] Funny CW Net Tricks...or what I did this weekend. Message-ID: <20040223101452.GA747@a.k9di.org> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Disposition: inline I posted the following to the CW forum on www.eham.net, but thought the group on this list might enjoy it...:) WMS Hi Gang, Wayne K9DI es Leader Dog Patriot here (Before the question arises, Yes, I am visually impaired and work with a service animal). The reason I am posting is to share a bit of humor with ops that might appreciate it ( I Hope)...:) I am a (somewhat) regular checkin with the Illinois Training Net, a slow speed NTS training net, and am working torwards traffic handling proficiency, although, my progress is in small baby sized steps as evidenced by what happened this weekend: Let me preface this story by saying that sometimes due to QRM/QRN ITN has to shift frequency, and that I usually just tune up or down 3 klicks until I hear the preamble and oft-times I don't quite catch the call of the NCS. Either because I'm late or the stone filter between my ears is back in place...:) My cpy skillz are still very weak, and I work on improving them everyday. I was running a bit behind on Friday evening (Saturday morning in UTC) when I tuned up Ol' Betsy my trusty TS520 and tune in what I thought was the ITN somewhere close to 3680. I am able to QNI es QNX no problem. running late again Saturday night (Sunday Morning UTC) I tune up and go through the QNI/QNX routine again no problem. Then I called Woody WD9F the NCS for ITN on Saturday and Sunday evenings and the first thing he asks me is "Where were you Wayne?" "I checked in and out no problem Woody." was my reply. "Not on ITN", Woody came back. At this point my mind starts racing "WHO did I QNI with tonight???" Woody asked me where I was when I checked into that net and taking a quick look at Ol' Betsy in low light I thought the dial was at 3685.... After I cleared off the landline with Woody I checked my email and there was an email from Cark W4EAT thanking me for checking into CSN the last two nights although they were a bit confused about what name I used when checking in. Mystery solved. Well, my curiosity woke up and I looked up Carl on the web and gave him a call on the landline. We had a nice chat the upshot of which is, upon closer inspection of Ol' Betsy in brighter light I discovered the dial was on 3695 ten klicks from where II had thought I was. Boy, was my face RED!!!! This silly episode showed me at least 3 things... 1.) Pay closer attention to where the dial on the rig is. 2.) The elmering that Bob W1ZZL and the rest of the regular ops on ITN had stuck and I was able to QNI and QNX with a complete stranger of an NCS and still aquit myself honourably. 3.) I need to REALLY, REALLY buckle down and work on my copy speed so I can obliterate the stone filter between my ear... I hope to increase my code proficiency so that I'm able to run with the BIG DAWGS on Field Day 2004!! I dedicate this story to all of the Bobs, Woody and the ITN gang with deepest thanks and best regards for putting up with me, but most especially Bob W1ZZL. P.S. Does anyone else want to share some of their "BONEHEAD" moments with the rest of us? 73 de Wayne K9DI k9di at k9di dot org ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 05:09:45 -0800 (PST) From: Shawn Upton To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168980] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <20040223130945.11952.qmail@web60402.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I typically just melt more solder onto the tip, and "flick" away impurities. For soldering through-hole pins, this works good enough. When doing work with a fine tip on SM parts, I occasionally have to clean with a sponge to get some pesky bit of junk off the tip or to get rid of excess solder that won't "flick" away. Shawn KB1CKT --- "George, W5YR" wrote: > Steve, I use a copper mesh pot scrubber to clean my > Weller soldering station > iron tips. Works very well. Important that the > scrubber contain no chemicals > and be made of copper to avoid fouling the tip. > > 73, George W5YR > w5yr@att.net > http://www.w5yr.com > ===== Shawn Upton, KB1CKT __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 07:14:39 -0600 From: "J. Michael Thurman" To: Subject: [168981] RE: Amateur-radio quality issues (was: Re: MFJ gear) Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Interestingly, I used to work for a manufacturer that had a plant in Mississippi. There so many quality issues that the company sent a couple of engineering interns (including me) to teach print reading. We were tested before being sent, BTW. We had such a difficult time teaching basic concepts ( if if says 1/4 drill - 4 places and you can only see one hole, the others are around the item at 90 degree intervals) that they instituted what is really a high school at the plant. Many employees earned GED's and did advanced coursework related to the company's business ( algebra, trig, QC/QA, computers). Quality and morale rose so much that they do the same thing at all their plants. They also pay for college/trade school courses that relate to the business. The transformation was amazing. The turnover rates also went down dramatically. What can seem like a money hole to the university-indoctrinated accountant/manager was really a high-yield investment in the company's future. I think MFJ really has quite a concern for the amateur community. After all few of us could really afford the "name brand" gadgets that MFJ has made and priced within our reach. Sure, some things are not so well designed. If they were exactly like the name brand equivalent, wouldn't they be priced the same, too? As an example of QC, they pulled their auto-tuners for debugging. The word is that they'll be available sometime between late Spring and early Fall. Even LDG shipped some duds when they introduced their high power autotuner. (One of my friends had one.) So, MFJ, pay for the employee courses. Many of the benefits will be quantifiable, but some will just be priceless. 73, Michael WN5T -----Original Message----- From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU]On Behalf Of Bruce Muscolino Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 9:01 PM To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: Re: Amateur-radio quality issues (was: Re: MFJ gear) Brad, Thanks for the mention. I have probably taken more time answering Jason's questions than they deserve because I recognize some of myself 40+ years ago. Becoming a hardware engineer is not an easy task, never has been. He will have to be especially specific in detailing his goals and objectives in his job search. He will have to learn what each job title means at different companies. And it will be especially difficult for a Master's degree holder. Many companies don't want to "waste" such intellectual power on an entry level position. They want more immediate return on their investment. Beginners don't know the equipment designs and it costs money waiting for them to learn. Choice of a boss also very much influences their success. I was very lucky, most of my bosses were bright and willing to teach along with supervise. They were willing to submerge their egos and recognize the employee's contribution. They were gems. A comment on MFJ. From the problem descriptions I have read their problems are the result of a poorly trained workforce. Young engineers (and technicians) are not born with soldering or assembly skills, they have to learn them. Fortunately they are usually born bright enough to quickly learn them. Assuming that most of their employees are hired for 12 weeks or longer, and that most of them are looking forward to a career in electronics, a mandatory course in electronics assembly would be helpful. If the course looks too expensive, it can be required before employment and given at half pay. The benefits are almost immediately obvious. And once taught the employees won't have to take it again even if they take six months off. I see this course broken down somewhat like this. Since all their products require soldering, a mandatory soldering course for ALL personnel. This course, lasting two or three days, would pay for itself quickly not only in higher quality products, but also in employee satisfaction. A mandatory course in assembly techniques, concentrating on their own equipment's, lasting maybe a day or day and a half would also pay for itself quickly. Add a half day of inspection techniques would fill out the week, again, concentrating on what to look for, in their own products. Have the course taught by senior line personnel, people who should be dinged for poor quality. Add to this a system of signed QA stickers along with one or two examples of being "called on the carpet", would quickly ramp up the company's quality image. It is really a shame that such a good example of American ingenuity has such an image. (Yes, I have met Martin Jue) Oh, I almost forgot, slowly bring manufacturing documentation brought up to a higher level. Since most of the problems fall into such a narrow sphere, fixing the cause of the problems can supersede the documentation. Bruce ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 08:52:10 -0500 From: "Paul Mackanos" To: Subject: [168982] Hustler 6BVT Vertical Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In my deed restricted environment, it looks like a Hustler 6BVT will fit the bill. Any comments from the group, and does anyone have one they want to part with ? 72 de Paul K2DB ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 09:01:11 -0500 (EST) From: To: Subject: [168983] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <2888.192.168.1.117.1077544871.squirrel@gateway> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Hey Jason and the gang; I also have been using the same technique for many decades. I sometimes run the iron through two fingers to get both sides at once. Good technique. Works well, and if you use the rosin in the solder as a cleaning agent, the iron stays right at temperature. Lingering on a wet sponge may move the operating temperature down a bit. Whether this temp change is enough of a difference depends on what you are doing with the iron. People that see me do this for the first time are always curious, but when they see that I am apparently unharmed AND that I get a lot of soldering done in a relatively shorter time, they tend appreciate what is going on. Humor part below - ignore if you want; And Jason, although it has been suggested here that I am not qualified to work on switching supplies; I used the same soldering techniques yesterday when I repaired my laptop's external power supply. The rosin and the heat cleaned up the arced and burnt areas on the switcher's pc-board. Just like it will for your iron. So definitely use Steve's suggestion of leaving the old solder on the tip when in the holder, provided it has some rosin remaining. If not, then you might want to place some new solder on the tip before you place it in the holder. Vy 72; Bob w9ya > < I never use a wet sponge to clean my iron. I just quickly (and > lightely) wipe it with the tip of my fingure on the occasion it needs > it. An old timer at work told me to do that and I looked at him cross > eyed. Thought he was joking. But I tried it and it works well - just be > quick about it. Sort of like walking on fire....> > > You mean you don't wait for the soldering iron to cool? According to > eham.net surveys, soldering iron burns are among the most common > injuries. I thought you're supposed to unplug everything and let it cool > for a number of minutes before touching the metal parts of the soldering > iron. And even then, I dip the tip into a small puddle of my spit on > the table just to make sure it's cooled down. If nothing happens, then > I know it's cooled off. And I still handle the metal parts gingerly. (I > guess I've seen _I Know What You Did Last Summer_, _I Still Know What > You Did Last Summer, and the Scream trilogy too many times.) Sure, it > sounds disgusting, but the bacteria from my spit can't be any more > dangerous than any residual solder left on the table. > > 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: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:13:05 -0500 From: "Mike Yetsko" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168984] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <002401c3fa1f$8ac36fe0$0200a8c0@charter.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > And Jason, although it has been suggested here that I am not qualified to > work on switching supplies; I used the same soldering techniques yesterday > when I repaired my laptop's external power supply. The rosin and the heat > cleaned up the arced and burnt areas on the switcher's pc-board. Just like > it will for your iron. So definitely use Steve's suggestion of leaving the > old solder on the tip when in the holder, provided it has some rosin > remaining. If not, then you might want to place some new solder on the tip > before you place it in the holder. The idea of new solder on the tip to put it back in the holder is a good idea, but it's really to make sure the solder 'wets' the entire tip. Once it's covered, then the presence of rosin isn't necessarily a good thing. When I'm about to put my iron away, I clean the tip, then blob on fresh solder. Then wait till it stops smoking (the rosin has burnt away) and THEN turn it off, letting it cool with fresh solder burnt clean wetting the tip. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 07:19:28 -0800 (PST) From: Tom Sevart To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168985] Re: OT: Merging CB and Amateur radio good for ham radio and QRP Message-ID: <20040223151928.34837.qmail@web9610.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii I'm not exactly sure what you mean by merging CB and amateur radio. Are you saying give all CBers ham licenses? If a CBer wants to take a test and get a ham license, then operate by amateur rules, I'm all for that. It can be and is being done today. And if you want to operate on CB frequencies, all you have to do is go to Walmart or Radio Shack and buy a $29.95 CB radio. As far as CB is concerned, it is not now nor ever intended to be a hobby as far as the FCC is concerned. It is a radio service for the general public. True, many CBers regard it as a hobby, but it is still regarded as a radio service as is Amateur Radio. As far as CB not being any worse that what's heard on 75 meters, two wrongs don't exactly make a right, do they? At least on 75 meters, bad operating is the exception, not the rule as it is on CB. Just read the newsgroup rec.radio.cb to see what kind of high standards they practice. They regularly operate out of band and with illegal power, and are proud of it. I don't think we need flagrant rulebreakers in the amateur radio service. Which is why I say if they want to get ham licences and operate legally, then more power to them. ===== Tom Sevart N2UHC Frontenac, KS http://www.geocities.com/n2uhc __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:28:22 -0500 (EST) From: "Thom R. Lacosta" To: Mike Yetsko Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168986] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Sun, 22 Feb 2004, Mike Yetsko wrote: > > Better be careful here! How damp to make the sponge can cause > more discussion than how to teach CW! Or the length of skirts, which IMO, is more interesting than damp sponges. Thom ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:36:00 -0500 (EST) From: To: Subject: [168987] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <3035.192.168.1.117.1077550560.squirrel@gateway> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Yeah that is much better put and what I really wanted to say. Thanxs OM ! Vy 72; Bob w9ya >> And Jason, although it has been suggested here that I am not qualified > to >> work on switching supplies; I used the same soldering techniques > yesterday >> when I repaired my laptop's external power supply. The rosin and the > heat >> cleaned up the arced and burnt areas on the switcher's pc-board. Just > like >> it will for your iron. So definitely use Steve's suggestion of leaving > the >> old solder on the tip when in the holder, provided it has some rosin >> remaining. If not, then you might want to place some new solder on the > tip >> before you place it in the holder. > > The idea of new solder on the tip to put it back in the holder is a good > idea, > but it's really to make sure the solder 'wets' the entire tip. Once > it's covered, > then the presence of rosin isn't necessarily a good thing. > > When I'm about to put my iron away, I clean the tip, then blob on fresh > solder. Then wait till it stops smoking (the rosin has burnt away) and > THEN turn it off, letting it cool with fresh solder burnt clean wetting > the > tip. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:55:02 -0500 From: "Craig A. Ferris" To: qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU Subject: [168988] FS or FT Clarostat multiturn dials Message-ID: <403A2256.9450A242@aeronix.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit new, 15 turn, 7/8" diameter with lock, for 1/4" shafts. Part # is 316-11. $8 shipped or trade for ??? Please reply direct. 72, Craig NR4E Melbourne, FL ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 09:05:16 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick To: Elecraft Cc: qrp Subject: [168989] Morse code for "@" (prosign 'AC') -- radio interview Message-ID: <403A32CA.87E0C61@elecraft.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit In case you missed it, Rick Lindquist of the ARRL was recently interviewed regarding the new prosign for "@": .--.-. ('AC') You can hear the interview at: http://www.npr.org/dmg/dmg.php?prgCode=ATC&showDate=17-Feb-2004&segNum=18&mediaPref=RM The new prosign was officially added to Morse Code some months ago, and can be substituted for the word "AT" when sending e-mail addresses. My apologies if this is already old news ;) 73, Wayne N6KR .--.-. elecraft.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 13:04:01 -0500 From: Lee Mairs To: m.byrd10@verizon.net, Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168990] Re: QRP DX totals... Message-ID: <001401c3fa37$75608170$6402a8c0@J4> MIME-version: 1.0 Content-type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT I cannot remember the DXpedition now, but it was a rare one and I needed the card. My cards, but not the $5.00 bill was returned with a note, "Sorry, NIL - KM4Y is in the log." I can't remember the DXpedition, but I can sure still remember how furious I was. 73 de Lee km4yy/8 PS: I may be around looking for the light switch also. I still haven't been accepted by the new qrp-L ----- Original Message ----- From: "Michael Byrd" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 8:34 PM Subject: QRP DX totals... > I hope I get an email soon from the QTH list. I may be the one turning > out the lights after > everyone has gone. > > Just finished the ARRL DX contest. My total for 40 meters is 103 > countries worked and > 78 confirmed with 5 watts. I started out to get Worked all Continents, > but I kept going > and may make DXCC after all. Most of the cards I am waiting on are > recently worked DX. > > I thought I could make it in a year, but it took 15 months of casual > operating. Some months > I made no contacts at all. I worked a lot of DX since November and the > season isn't over > yet. I have missed out on many QSOs and almost gave up last month. > > As you all know, confirming a QSO sometimes is harder than making the > contact. I am > waiting on cards from very common countries with multiple contacts. > Some hams just > don't exchange cards. It was very frustrating to work 5U5 through a > huge pileup and get > my card returned with "Not in Log". I have a collection of those too. I > am up to five now. > > I will continue to "rework" some of the same countries until I can > finish DXCC. I am > getting parts together for a big rig for 40 meters. I will run up to 20 > watts on CW. That > should take me to the honor roll...hi. > > Lastly, this list was the main reason I became active again. It was > great to hear about > the DX just worked and the latest rig built. I hope to make it to the > QTH list as soon as > I get subscribed. > > Mike - AC4UR (looking for the light switch) > > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 12:22:58 -0600 From: "Steve w0oow" To: , Subject: [168991] BUBBA contest question Message-ID: <002601c3fa3a$11d00b00$6401a8c0@net.alltel.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Does anyone know anything about the BUBBA contest? When it is, who sponsors it, rules, url's,. etc. Thanks, Steve ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 12:30:30 -0600 From: "Craig Johnson" To: Subject: [168992] RE: [Elmer 160] PIC El Programming Problems Message-ID: <007701c3fa3b$1e7e6440$6201a8c0@cbjp2> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Kevin, >This might be it. I removed Q4 from the board and checked it with my >DMM. It is open on all sides. >Is there a suitable sub I may have in my junkbox? >I have 2N3905 and 2N3906 in abundance. >73/72 - Kevin, W8VOS Either of those should be fine. Just an ordinary PNP. 72, -Craig, AA0ZZ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 13:32:14 -0500 (EST) From: Doug Faunt N6TQS +1-510-655-8604 To: n6kr@elecraft.com Cc: elecraft@mailman.qth.net, qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168993] Re: [Elecraft] Morse code for "@" (prosign 'AC') -- radio interview Message-ID: <200402231832.i1NIWEK25858@panix1.panix.com> Hi Wayne, I think it's old news, too, but also look at "Love on the Wire" at http://www.nextbigthing.org/archive/tnbt.html It's about a romance book set on the "Victorian Internet" in 186something, and the seques into a bit about the code and the ham who did it for the previous segement. 73, doug ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 10:40:17 -0800 (PST) From: Lloyd Lachow To: qrp-l@mailman.qth.net, qrp-l@lehigh.edu, fpqrp-l@mpna.com Subject: [168994] ZM-2 on 160M Message-ID: <20040223184017.96707.qmail@web41003.mail.yahoo.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Can anyone direct me to a source for info on how to modify a ZM-2 tuner for use on 160M, if such exists? Thanks! LL/K3ESE __________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 13:53:11 -0500 From: Brad Thompson To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [168995] Safety caution re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <5.0.2.1.2.20040223134944.01e881f0@pop3.norton.antivirus> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed Hello-- Regarding the process of using one's fingers to wipe dross away from the tip of a hot soldering iron-- contemplate the Three Rules of Professional Plumbing: 1. Water runs downhill 2. Payday is Friday 3. Never put your fingers in your mouth. If you burn your fingers while soldering, your instinctive reaction will contravene Rule 3. It's dangerous to do so because you may ingest lead along with crispy burned skin. 73-- Brad AA1IP ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:08:23 -0500 From: Steven Weber To: "Jason Hsu, AG4DG" , qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [168996] Re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: <3.0.6.32.20040223140823.007aeca0@mailhost.ncia.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >You mean you don't wait for the soldering iron to cool? Not if your cleaning the tip. For anything else, yes, let it cool before you grap tightly onto it! >According to >eham.net surveys, soldering iron burns are among the most common >injuries. When I was a lad, maybe 12-13 years old, I had a hot iron on my desk. When I got up out of my chair, my knee hooked the cord of the iron and pulled if off the desk. Having quick reflexes back then, I caught it - and put a nasy burn across the palm of my hand! Needless to say, from then on if I knocked the iron off the desk, I let it fall to the floor before picking it up! 72, Steve, KD1JV "Melt Solder" White Mountains of New Hampshire http://www.qsl.net/kd1jv/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 11:07:44 -0800 From: Wayne Burdick To: Elecraft , qrp Subject: [168997] KX1 Technical Talk at Atlanticon Message-ID: <403A4F78.A4354B73@elecraft.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I'll be doing an in-depth KX1 technical presentation at Atlanticon (March 26-27). Among the topics will be hardware/firmware integration, techniques to minimize component count, and high-density packaging design (including a discussion of how the KXAT1, KXB30, and KXPD1 fit in). Look over the schematic and bring me your toughest questions ;) The exact time of my talk isn't set, but I'll post it when I find out. Other information on Atlanticon can be found on the NJQRP site: http://www.njqrp.org/atlanticon/ I hope to meet many of you there. 73, Wayne N6KR -- http://www.elecraft.com ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 13:24:35 -0600 From: Chuck Carpenter To: Lloyd Lachow , qrp-l@mailman.qth.net, qrp-l@lehigh.edu, fpqrp-l@mpna.com Subject: [168998] Re: [fpqrp] ZM-2 on 160M [Lofgren's] Message-ID: <3.0.2.32.20040223132435.0083bb50@mail.9plus.net> Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Lloyd, I gave up on the ZM-2 not matching things I needed to and rewound / reconnected the toroid using Charlie Lofgren's (W6JJZ) design info. He has also included information on how the use his designs on 160. You will most likely have to give up the high frequencies though. http://www.njqrp.org/mbrproj/zmatch_original.html Also, some of his other notes where he discusses putting one on 160. http://www.seboldt.net/k0jd/z-match.html Charlie has an article in Antenna Compendium #5 on the z-match too including a single-band design. At 10:40 AM 02/23/2004 -0800, Lloyd Lachow wrote: > Can anyone direct me to a source for info on how to >modify a ZM-2 tuner for use on 160M, if such exists? >Thanks! > > LL/K3ESE > >__________________________________ >Do you Yahoo!? >Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. >http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools >-To unsubscribe, mail to majordomo@fpqrp.com, msg: unsubscribe fpqrp-l - > 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: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:54:39 -0500 (EST) From: jsb@digistar.com To: Lee Mairs Cc: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion Subject: [168999] Re: QRP DX totals... Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII On Mon, 23 Feb 2004, Lee Mairs wrote: > PS: I may be around looking for the light switch also. I still haven't > been accepted by the new qrp-L If you want to talk about CW come over to QRP-CW list at http://qrq.us/mailman/listinfo/qrp-cw 72 Jason N1SU ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 14:13:34 -0600 From: "George, W5YR" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [169000] Re: ZM-2 on 160M Message-ID: <017201c3fa49$a7a1c7e0$0402a8c0@PS> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit LL, contact Charles Lofgren who "invented" the Z-match. Don't remember his call but QRZ does. See you in the Pack! 73, George W5YR w5yr@att.net http://www.w5yr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Lloyd Lachow" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 12:40 PM Subject: ZM-2 on 160M > Can anyone direct me to a source for info on how to > modify a ZM-2 tuner for use on 160M, if such exists? > Thanks! > > LL/K3ESE > > __________________________________ > Do you Yahoo!? > Yahoo! Mail SpamGuard - Read only the mail you want. > http://antispam.yahoo.com/tools ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 08:07:54 -0500 From: "Alexander, Paul" To: Subject: [169001] Atlanticon Question Message-ID: <4F896CE1DE4DE24E842198BCECAA6D2102B999@useumrms2.useu.respironics.com> content-class: urn:content-classes:message MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable I would like to attend the Atlanticon meeting but am not sure if I will be able to do so because of scheduling conflicts. Can I still attend if I am not pre-registered? Are there any provisions for walk-ins? Thank-you. Paul Alexander WB9IPA =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D= =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE ---------------------- This message, together with any attachments, may be legally privileged and is confidential information intended only for the use of the individual or entity to which it is addressed. It is exempt from disclosure under applicable law including court orders. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copy of this message, or any attachment, is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the original sender and delete this message, along with any attachments, from your computer. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 21:36:13 +0000 From: "Brad Hernlem" To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [169002] Transparent Resistor? Message-ID: Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed OK, I have here a disassembled N type coaxial terminator: http://www.geocities.com/alibhernlem/Radio/Nterminator.html On examining this, I discovered that the resistive element is a clear blue (looks like sapphire rod) cylinder. You can see it in the picture. And yes, it DOES have conductivity through its surface (not just an insulator around some fine wire running down the middle or something like that). What is that stuff? Is it glass (or sapphire) with a thin surface film of the resistive material? A thin film COULD account for the color or it could actually BE sapphire (for heat dissipative excellence). A thin film like that around a cylinder makes sense for good RF properties to very high frequencies. Any of you know what is the straight dope on this? Brad P.S. the resistance is about 53 ohms. _________________________________________________________________ Say good-bye to spam, viruses and pop-ups with MSN Premium -- free trial offer! http://click.atdmt.com/AVE/go/onm00200359ave/direct/01/ ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 15:39:06 -0600 From: "sjolin" To: "Qrp-l Reflector" , "qrp-l@qth.net" Subject: [169003] Fox: 2nd Announcement K2QO and N0IT are your foxi Tuesday Message-ID: <0c3901c3fa55$775af640$78d1fea9@DaveSjolin> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Greetings Hounds, this week K2QO (Mark in NY) and myself, N0IT (Dave in MO) will be your foxi. The FOX HUNT is Tuesday night at 2000CST. It is a two hour hunt from 0200-0400 UTC 25 February. K2QO, Mark will be near 7.038 Mhz working UP and N0IT, Dave will be near 7.042 working UP. Send your call once or twice (I prefer twice, not sure about Mark) around 2 Khz up....then listen. For about the last 1/2 hour of the hunt or earlier if calls thin out, we will take calls near or on our freq. but initially, please use split and spread out a bit so we can make more contacts. Please be patient and have FUN. We hope to hand out a lot of pelts. BCNU in the Hunt. 73/72 Mark, K2QO Dave, N0IT ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 16:58:23 -0500 From: John Sielke To: qrp-l@lehigh.edu Subject: [169004] Re: Atlanticon Question Message-ID: <403A777F.6080205@pobox.com> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > > >CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE >---------------------- >This message, together with any attachments, may be legally privileged >and is confidential information intended only for the use of the >individual or entity to which it is addressed. It is exempt from >disclosure under applicable law including court orders. If you are not >the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, >dissemination, distribution or copy of this message, or any attachment, >is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, >please notify the original sender and delete this message, along with >any attachments, from your computer. > Let me guess...this guy's a lawyer. John W2AGN ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 17:53:00 -0500 From: "Michael Bower N4NMR" To: "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [169005] RE: Atlanticon Question Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Having run the check-in table for Atlanticon the past 3 years, I'll answer yet, you can walk-in. (Unless they change it on my this year (hi-hi)). Michael N4NMR > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU [mailto:owner-qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU]On Behalf Of > Alexander, Paul > Sent: Monday, February 23, 2004 8:08 AM > To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion > Subject: Atlanticon Question > > > I would like to attend the Atlanticon meeting but am not sure if I will > be able to do so because of scheduling conflicts. Can I still attend if > I am not pre-registered? Are there any provisions for walk-ins? > > Thank-you. > > Paul Alexander > WB9IPA > > ======================================================================== > CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE > ---------------------- > This message, together with any attachments, may be legally privileged > and is confidential information intended only for the use of the > individual or entity to which it is addressed. It is exempt from > disclosure under applicable law including court orders. If you are not > the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, > dissemination, distribution or copy of this message, or any attachment, > is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, > please notify the original sender and delete this message, along with > any attachments, from your computer. > > ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 17:55:53 -0500 From: "Mike Yetsko" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [169006] Re: Transparent Resistor? Message-ID: <009801c3fa60$33fc8f20$0200a8c0@charter.net> MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > OK, I have here a disassembled N type coaxial terminator: > > http://www.geocities.com/alibhernlem/Radio/Nterminator.html > > On examining this, I discovered that the resistive element is a clear blue > (looks like sapphire rod) cylinder. You can see it in the picture. And yes, > it DOES have conductivity through its surface (not just an insulator around > some fine wire running down the middle or something like that). > > What is that stuff? Is it glass (or sapphire) with a thin surface film of > the resistive material? A thin film COULD account for the color or it could > actually BE sapphire (for heat dissipative excellence). A thin film like > that around a cylinder makes sense for good RF properties to very high > frequencies. > > Any of you know what is the straight dope on this? > > Brad > > P.S. the resistance is about 53 ohms. A liquid??? But, when I look at your photo, I do see what looks like a 'lighter' colored wire through the blue. Is that just an optical effect? I wonder... How much power does that terminator dissipate? Could that be a 'fuse' with 53ohms impedance? Mike ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 23 Feb 2004 18:41:51 -0500 From: "JBCrafts" To: , "Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion" Subject: [169007] RE: Safety caution re: Yet more soldering questions Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit I spent many years as a consumers electronics bench tech, and it is second nature for me to swipe across the tip of my solder pencil with the pad on my thumb. I used to have real thick skin on my thumb, but since I don't work on the bench anymore, the thick skin is worn off, but I still have a favorite spot on my jeans that gets hit with the tip of the pencil. WARNING, do not try that with double knit pants.... yes, I forgot one day... as a side note... I used to be an instructor at Southern Ohio College, I used to drive another instructor insane... he never worked on the bench a day in his life, but he HATED it when I cleaned a solder tip the way I was used to, he used to tell his students they would get a ZERO for the day if they ever touched the hot end of the solder pencil. OO Bob K8YS ------------------------------ End of QRP-L Digest 3206 ************************ --------------------------------