[Boatanchors] Re: Boatanchors Digest, Vol 16, Issue 52

[Kenneth J. Fattmann]

Re: Radio Shack.

ENOUGH!!!!!


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <boatanchors-request at mailman.qth.net>
To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 3:56 PM
Subject: Boatanchors Digest, Vol 16, Issue 52


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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Tank circuits - optimum L/C ratio. (Ken Hickman)
>   2. Radio Shack (Bob Wilder)
>   3. Re: Manual for Scott SLRM Receiver (Ken Hickman)
>   4. Re: Radio Shack (Ray Friess)
>   5. Re: Re: Radio shack (Dan Arney)
>   6. RS and their failings (CLIVE COLLINS)
>   7. Re: Re: Radio shack (fkamp at comcast.net)
>   8. Hamstick question (Ray Friess)
>   9. Re: RS and their failings (Sandy)
>  10. Re: Hamstick question (John J. McDonough)
>  11. Re: RS and their failings (Bob Wilder)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 09:34:12 -0500
> From: "Ken Hickman" <n5cm at rtconline.com>
> Subject: [Boatanchors] Tank circuits - optimum L/C ratio.
> To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>, <boatanchors at theporch.com>,
> <central-electronics at mailman.qth.net>, <hammarlund at mailman.qth.net>
> Message-ID: <007001c56524$a5f12700$174e9844 at rtconline.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi Gang,
>
> Recently I asked for info on 'optimum L/C ratio" tank circuits.
> Someone listed 3 or 4 articles in QST issues. Will that person
> please repeat the QST issues that have the articles please?
> I inadvertently deleted the message! Shame on me!
> Many thanks & take care,
>
> Ken   N5CM
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 09:46:18 -0500
> From: Bob Wilder <bwils at bellsouth.net>
> Subject: [Boatanchors] Radio Shack
> To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <6.2.0.14.2.20050530092941.020ac020 at pop.bellsouth.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed;
> x-avg-checked=avg-ok-AF14C86
>
> Have been reading this thread with interest.  I think the beginning of the
> end of the "ham Radio" store started when the FCC dropped the requirements
> of drawing and labeling a schematic of a simple CW transmitter, for  the
> Class B ticket and the same with audio  for the Class S ticket. Most of 
> the
> rigs on the market were to expensive for all of us.  We could only afford
> to build our own rigs The next step was the WW2 surplus  cheap
> receivers.  WE came full circle back to the 75A, 32V, WRL, with equipment
> for the eager young ham costing too much, interest began to fall.
> I guess what I trying to say is we bought on our selves.
>
> Bob Wilder
> 6032 Idlemoore Court
> Theodore, AL 36582-4117
> 251-653-5274
> http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-af2hd [Not working]
> Asst USAF State MARS Director- Alabama
> Alabama State Training Director
> AF2HD/AFA2HD
> {Ex W2ZRX, K4FEU, KG1BW, F7CP, W1HJL, W4NVH and W4RHW}
>
> All incoming and outgoing messages are
> checked for virus using AVG version 7.0.322
> and Virus database (475) 267.0.0 updated 05/27/2005
>
> Get your copy of this excellent virus checker at
> http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.3.0 - Release Date: 5/30/2005
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 09:51:20 -0500
> From: "Ken Hickman" <n5cm at rtconline.com>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Manual for Scott SLRM Receiver
> To: "Al Klase" <skywaves at webex.net>
> Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <007501c56527$0acd8c20$174e9844 at rtconline.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Hi Al,
>
> The discussion of the Scott Receivers made me think! I was
> sailing as "sparks" during the latter part of WW2 and the
> Scott Receiver was mounted on a shelf in the Chart Room.
> It had, no doubt, a tap on the audio output transfomer
> for a "line", maybe a 600 ohm tap because it fed remoted
> speakers, one in the officers salon and one in the the crew mess.
> These remoted speakers each had an attenuator pad to adjust
> the volume separately. This may explain the a difference in at
> least one of the Scott models.
> FWIW & take care,
>
> Ken   N5CM
>
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 09:08:23 -0600
> From: Ray Friess <rayfri at highstream.net>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Radio Shack
> To: Bob Wilder <bwils at bellsouth.net>
> Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <429B2C67.40302 at highstream.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> I would wholeheartedly disagree with that assessment.   The "expensive"
> boatanchors didnt deter me or any fellow hams that I came up through the
> ranks with.   Many of us drooled over catalogs and dreamed of owning
> such rigs as those you mention... and we were often found in radio
> stores "fondling" such rigs and twisting the knobs...
>
> We couldnt afford the Collins, etc ... so we saved and begged and
> borrowed the Heathkit dx 40s, the
> Knightkit t-60s and other rigs so that we could get on the air.   Some
> of my fondest memories are from
> being a Novice and working hard for those contacts with gear such as 
> that...
>
> What has led to the current state of affairs is the FCC and its constant
> deregulating.   Downgrading requirements to get a license so that, now,
> you have to know next to nothing to get a license.   And, because you
> have to know next to nothing about theory or the code, one, naturally,
> couldnt build anything, and has no interest in building anything.   That
> is followed by the inclination to want to "plug n play" when it comes to
> getting on the air.    Go out and buy a rig, put up an antenna
> (commercially built too) and away you go.   Not to take anything away
> (not much anyway) from the new rigs .... many newbies wouldnt know how
> to tune an antenna if they had to because of the automatic tuners and
> because the new rigs dont have any way to tune the final anyway....
> TRUE "plug n play"....
>
> I detected no decline in interest because of the Collins or WRL or any
> of those rigs coming on the market.
> The REAL decline began with deregulation ... all in the name of "saving"
> the hobby.   Well, we and the FCC have almost "saved" the hobby into
> irrelevance.   We have to fight harder to get respect from public
> agencies and officials when it comes to helping in emergencies .... we
> have a MARS system made up of brass who couldnt care less about the
> system and actually wish they could find a politically acceptable way of
> killing the system (yes, I'm a member of MARS, although more and more I
> am wondering why)... and we have operators who think all they would have
> to do is "push to talk" in an emergency with no idea of what to say or
> how to say it when the time comes.
>
> Throw in the internet, cell phones and other ways of communicating that
> have added further body blows and we have what we have.   I cant even
> interest my own son or grandson in ham radio..   When I mention that I
> have talked to someone in some foreign country, their reactions are ...
> "So what.  I can do that on the internet anytime" and "dad, your
> antennas make the house look like a dumb airport control tower"... and
> they roll their eyes...
>
>
>
> Bob Wilder wrote:
>
>> Have been reading this thread with interest.  I think the beginning of
>> the end of the "ham Radio" store started when the FCC dropped the
>> requirements of drawing and labeling a schematic of a simple CW
>> transmitter, for  the Class B ticket and the same with audio  for the
>> Class S ticket. Most of the rigs on the market were to expensive for
>> all of us.  We could only afford to build our own rigs The next step
>> was the WW2 surplus  cheap receivers.  WE came full circle back to the
>> 75A, 32V, WRL, with equipment for the eager young ham costing too
>> much, interest began to fall.
>> I guess what I trying to say is we bought on our selves.
>>
>> Bob Wilder
>> 6032 Idlemoore Court
>> Theodore, AL 36582-4117
>> 251-653-5274
>> http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-af2hd [Not working]
>> Asst USAF State MARS Director- Alabama
>> Alabama State Training Director
>> AF2HD/AFA2HD
>> {Ex W2ZRX, K4FEU, KG1BW, F7CP, W1HJL, W4NVH and W4RHW}
>>
>> All incoming and outgoing messages are
>> checked for virus using AVG version 7.0.322
>> and Virus database (475) 267.0.0 updated 05/27/2005
>>
>> Get your copy of this excellent virus checker at
>> http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
>>
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 08:09:05 -0700
> From: Dan Arney <hankarn at pacbell.net>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re: Radio shack
> To: Ray Friess <rayfri at highstream.net>
> Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net, john <johnmb at nc.rr.com>,
> bell at blazenet.net
> Message-ID: <429B2C91.3080804 at pacbell.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed
>
> Boy talk about beating a dead horse to death.
> Onward and upward.
> Hank
> KN6DI
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 17:33:11 +0100 (BST)
> From: CLIVE COLLINS <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>
> Subject: [Boatanchors] RS and their failings
> To: boatanchor network <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Message-ID: <20050530163311.17740.qmail at web86311.mail.ukl.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> Good evning gentlemen,
> Forgive my intrusion into this discussion, you are very lucky to have a 
> chain like RS with their multiple outlets regardless of the quality of 
> component stocked and the quality of the employees.
>>From what has been written regarding this problem, I wonder if anyone from 
>>RS has read the traffic and thought about if they might be getting it 
>>wrong?
>
> Alternatively, why not invite them to comment on the problem?
>
> There are some problems that dont go away simply because those who can do 
> something (and should do something) dont realise that they exist.
>
> Probably because like all high profile operations the dividend to the 
> shareholder means more than what the customer thinks and says.
>
> But like all merchandising operations the customer is the source of the 
> dividend.
>
> Kindest regards,
>
> Clive GW3WEQ
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 13:30:35 -0500
> From: fkamp at comcast.net
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Re: Radio shack
> To: Ray Friess <rayfri at highstream.net>
> Cc: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net, john <johnmb at nc.rr.com>,
> bell at blazenet.net
> Message-ID: <429B5BCB.C8EA2EB9 at comcast.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
>
>
>
> Ray Friess wrote:
>>
>> It's the commission part that urkes me when I go in a RS to look for
>> something... which is hardly
>> every anymore since they did away with all the ham gear of any kind....
>>
>
> I guess you are using a fairly loose definition of
> 'ham gear'.
>
> I never considered them as a source of ham gear.
> Oh, they had some 2 meter FM equipment and a 10
> meter SSB radio that looked suspiciously like a CB
> modified (at the factory) to cover 10 meters, but
> the pricing was such that with just a little more
> money you could get something better.
>
> Not that the Realistic brand is bad stuff.  It
> just does not command much resale value.
>
> If you are looking for parts, go to a place that
> has the parts you need.  Luckily, in the Dallas
> area, there are still some electronics and
> electronics surplus parts places.  No minimum, no
> shipping.  They put the stuff in a bag and you
> take it home.
>
> RS is a good place to get batteries.  Their
> selection is almost as good as the local drug
> store but their prices are better.
>
> Regards,
> Frank Kamp
> K5DKZ
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 13:41:19 -0600
> From: Ray Friess <rayfri at highstream.net>
> Subject: [Boatanchors] Hamstick question
> To: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net, forsale-swap at mailman.qth.net
> Message-ID: <429B6C5F.5050606 at highstream.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> This is actually a technical question ... but thought someone might have
> the answer.
> I have a 20 meter hamstick that I'm getting ready to tune.  The stinger
> is presently longer
> than the stinger on the 40 meter hamstick I have been using for mobile
> operation.
>
> Does anyone have a suggestion for a good starting length for the stinger
> on the 20 meter version?
> There is no cutting chart that comes with a new Hamstick, so I thought
> I'd ask the gang here
> if anyone has experience with one....
>
> Ray  wa7itz
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 15:07:52 -0500
> From: "Sandy" <ebjr at i-55.com>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] RS and their failings
> To: "CLIVE COLLINS" <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>, "boatanchor
> network" <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Message-ID: <005301c56553$56f7d2a0$04a1cdd1 at s0023531634>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Subject: [Boatanchors] RS and their failings
>
>
> | Good evning gentlemen,
> | Forgive my intrusion into this discussion, you are very lucky to have a 
> chain like RS with their
> multiple outlets regardless of the quality of component stocked and the 
> quality of the employees.
> | >From what has been written regarding this problem, I wonder if anyone 
> from RS has read the
> traffic and thought about if they might be getting it wrong?
> |
>
>    I must agree.  When REALLY need something:  "Any port in the storm!"
>
> | Alternatively, why not invite them to comment on the problem?
>
>      Do they REALLY give a damn?  After all we are just spending a few 
> dollars on
> odds and ends they'd rather not have to inventory.
> |
> |
> | Probably because like all high profile operations the dividend to the 
> shareholder means more than
> what the customer thinks and says.
> | But like all merchandising operations the customer is the source of the 
> dividend.
>
>
>    This translates into: "Buy our crap!  Don't complain!  The stockholders 
> want BIG profits!"
>
>
>    I must say that "Rat Shack" USED to have relatively reasonable prices. 
> Now everything that
> is STILL available is EXPENSIVE for what you get.  Also the "skill level" 
> of employees
> and store/franchise owners has slipped disasterously over the past few 
> years.  Fortunately,
> I DID keep the last "catalog" they issued!  There was no more after that. 
> (The one with
> the bare midriffed teeny bopper trying to look very "with it" and sexy 
> whilst she
> holds an "Rs" neon sign!)
>    73rds,
> Sandy W5TVW
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 16:17:53 -0400
> From: "John J. McDonough" <wb8rcr at arrl.net>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] Hamstick question
> To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Cc: Ray Friess <rayfri at highstream.net>
> Message-ID: <004e01c56554$a95279a0$090044c0 at BrianBoru>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> Ray
>
> The necessary length seems to change pretty easily, probably because in 
> the
> car so many things change frequently.  You do need to be careful, though,
> not to let the whip fall too far down into the bottom of the antenna as it
> is possible to cut some internal wires.
>
> Best approach I've found is to put about 2-3" of the whip down into the
> base, then find the resonant frequency with an antenna analyzer.  If it's
> megahertz off, then I'll move it an inch or so.  When you get into the 
> band,
> though, very small changes move the resonance quite a bit (at least on my
> roller skate which doesn't provide much of a counterpoise).
>
> Until I'm pretty close, I find looking at the SWR in a few places to be
> pretty tedious.  Seems better to sweep the neighborhood with the MFJ and
> base my adjustments on the frequency of minimum SWR.
>
> I've put colored tape on the base of each of my hamsticks, and matching 
> tape
> on the whip just where I want it to be, so I can reassemble it quickly 
> after
> being stored in the trunk.  Sometimes I might need a small adjustment, but
> then I'm close enough that the SWR meter in the rig does the trick.
>
> A friend brought over some imitation hamsticks to tune, and these behaved
> quite differently than the real thing.  There are a few brands out there.
> For a while several of them called themselves hamsticks, but I think now
> there is only one ... must be the lawyers got to work.  In any event, they
> look similar but are quite different antennas.
>
> 72/73 de WB8RCR    http://www.qsl.net/wb8rcr
> didileydadidah     QRP-L #1446 Code Warriors #35
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Ray Friess" <rayfri at highstream.net>
> To: <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>; <forsale-swap at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Monday, May 30, 2005 3:41 PM
> Subject: [Boatanchors] Hamstick question
>
>
>> This is actually a technical question ... but thought someone might have
>> the answer.
>> I have a 20 meter hamstick that I'm getting ready to tune.  The stinger
>> is presently longer
>> than the stinger on the 40 meter hamstick I have been using for mobile
>> operation.
>>
>> Does anyone have a suggestion for a good starting length for the stinger
>> on the 20 meter version?
>> There is no cutting chart that comes with a new Hamstick, so I thought
>> I'd ask the gang here
>> if anyone has experience with one....
>>
>> Ray  wa7itz
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Boatanchors mailing list
>> Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
>> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
>> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
>> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
>> $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
>> http://www.w9wze.org
>>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Mon, 30 May 2005 15:45:26 -0500
> From: Bob Wilder <bwils at bellsouth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] RS and their failings
> To: "Sandy" <ebjr at i-55.com>, "CLIVE COLLINS"
> <dartaviation at btopenworld.com>, "boatanchor network"
> <boatanchors at mailman.qth.net>
> Message-ID: <6.2.0.14.2.20050530153207.020f1eb0 at pop.bellsouth.net>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed;
> x-avg-checked=avg-ok-3F6654D
>
> At 03:07 PM 5/30/2005 -0500, Sandy wrote:
>
>>Subject: [Boatanchors] RS and their failings
>>
>>
>>
>>I DID keep the last "catalog" they issued!  There was no more after
>>that.  (The one with
>>the bare midriffed teeny bopper trying to look very "with it" and sexy
>>whilst she
>>holds an "Rs" neon sign!)
>>     73rds,
>
> First off RS still has a very complete catalog, but unlike before, it is 
> on
> line.
> How many of you have purchased one of the newer VHF/UHF rigs which uses 
> the
> SMA mini connector for the rubber duck?  Try to find a SMA to BNC connect
> and the place to go is RS for their 19-043 part number.  So try
> http://www.radioshack.com
>
>>--
>>No virus found in this incoming message.
>>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
>>Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.3.0 - Release Date: 5/30/2005
>
> Bob & Carole Wilder
> 6032 Idlemoore Court
> Theodore, AL 36582-4117
> 251-653-5274
> http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-af2hd [Not working]
> Asst USAF State MARS Director- Alabama
> Alabama State Training Director
> AF2HD/AFA2HD
> {Ex W2ZRX, K4FEU, KG1BW, F7CP, W1HJL, W4NVH and W4RHW}
>
> All incoming and outgoing messages are
> checked for virus using AVG version 7.0.322
> and Virus database (475) 267.0.0 updated 05/27/2005
>
> Get your copy of this excellent virus checker at
> http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_index.php
>
>
> -- 
> No virus found in this outgoing message.
> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.
> Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 267.3.0 - Release Date: 5/30/2005
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> Boatanchors mailing list
> Boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/boatanchors
> ** List Administrator - Duane Fischer, W8DBF/W9WZE **
> ** For Assistance: dfischer at usol.com **
> $$ For vintage radio info, see the HCI web site $$
> http://www.w9wze.org
>
>
>
> End of Boatanchors Digest, Vol 16, Issue 52
> *******************************************
>