[Boatanchors] troubleshooting shortcuts

[R.J. Keller]

>From time to time we all get questions from new ham operators that,
although we know the answer, we can't explain it clearly. A gentleman
asked me how the pins on tubes are numbered. Of course I said CW from
the bottom and CCW from the top. He said, "how do you know that"?. So
I broke out all the references I could think of including the several
Handbooks, E&E, Sam's, RCA RC's, electronic course books, etc. etc.
etc. Hundreds of book in my library but not one about how to count
pins.

Finally I came across a paperback that came as part of the deal with a
hardbound I had purchased in the late 70's. I had never read it, but
decided to check it as a last resort. The book is called ELECTRONIC
TECHNICIAN'S HANDBOOK OF TIME-SAVERS AND SHORTCUTS (not a short title
though) by Carl G. Grolle.

With the recent comments such as "don't have the time" and "not enough
test equipment", all you have to do is go to amazon.com and buy this
book (used) for less than $5 and you won't be able to keep your hands
off the equipment. (not so good for us with fading eye sight and
arthritic fingers though)  This guy gives so many shortcuts and ways
to troubleshoot without test equipment other than a VTVM, as well as a
wealth of simple circuits to build for testing and how to use them.

I guess what I am saying, if we can have fun and simplify some of the
gobble-de-goop that we were taught but find tough to apply sometimes,
there will be no more excuses not to be do-it-yourselfers. There are
probably other not-so-technical books out there hiding on the shelves,
ready for new or old to get the desire to dig in and have fun. Good
luck.

73, Dick KF4NS
Keep the glow!