[Boatanchors] Ham Radio - Then and Now

[W4AWM at aol.com]

Hi Mark,
 
Well put.  I think many of us OTs started out the same way.  Fortunately, I 
grew up in a small town and was able to hang around 3 of the 4  local radio 
stations. I picked up a lot of knowledge from the engineers and got  into 
ham radio as well as broadcasting as a result.  Like you, I started  off 
building a few things and my first kit was an Eico VTVM followed by a Viking  II 
and VFO.
 
 I am a tube guy, too. I don't know a lot about solid state except  most of 
that stuff is a real pain to work on, even if one has the knowledge. I  can 
just imagine the fustration when some ham who owns one of those $3000.00  
solid state boxes has it die on him (her) in a few years and finds that the  
factory no longer supports it. Today's electronics are largely throw aways. 
Even  if one can troubleshoot down to the module, there is probably no way 
to fix it  so you have to get a new one if available and plug it in.
 
Some of the techs where I used to work were sent to a special school for a  
week just to learn to solder surface mount components. Imagine, a whole 
week to  learn to solder! I don't know about you but my eyes are not that good 
any more.  Fortunately the old tube stuff is still large enough to work on 
without a 50  power magnifier.
 
73 and Seasons Greetings,
 
John,  W4AWM
 
 
 
 
 
John,  W4AWM
 
 
In a message dated 12/15/2012 3:00:14 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
mharmon at att.net writes:

Hi  Folks.

I'm not one of those guys who remembers the 'really old days',  but I'm 
63 and I've been interested in electronics a lot of years.  I  grew up on 
vacuum tubes and can remember well when all the old timer  radio-TV 
service guys in my hometown folded up shop and retired when solid  state 
circuitry and printed circuit boards took over the consumer  electronics 
business.