[Elecraft] Reflector name change?

Mon Mar 29 10:32:00 2004

I do delete the message, Dan.  The problem is, it's becoming an increasing nuisance
to separate the good, Elecraft-related messages from the dissertations on solder,
antennas, etc.

Frankly, I thought Tom, N0SS, did an excellent job on his soldering tutorial that's
already on Elecraft's website.  I don't see anything wrong with steering a newcomer
to that document as a first step and inviting them to ask further questions.  Some of
you obviously feel Tom's document didn't go far enough, and I concede that for some
topics you might be correct.  But, if these topics are SO important, then why don't
all you guys get together on a DIFFERENT reflector or an email group amongst
yourselves, hammer out all the important details, write them up in a white paper or
tutorial, and then let Elecraft publish it or a link to it on their website like they
did with Tom's document?  In other word, put it in one, concise, easy-to-find
location so that someone who REALLY needs it, doesn't have to go looking through
10,000 separate messages to find the important bits and pieces.

As for antennas, I have no use for those discussions on this list unless they pertain
to how well the Elecraft tuners work (or not) with Elecraft's suggested antennas.
There are PLENTY of 'net resources devoted to this topic, enough that I won't even
try to start listing them.  Antennas are a required item for all radio stations, not
just Elecraft rigs.  (After trying several, I have finally settled on a couple other
lists devoted to backpacking stations and portable operations.)  Personally, I could
really get into a discussion on propagation, the threats from BPL, UWB, and
restrictive covenants.  I'm sure they affect some other Elecraft kit owners
someplace, but I don't see them as being any more an appropriate long-term topic on
the Elecraft list than antennas or who used to be licensed to make "Multi-core"
solder.

Questions on building, operating, modifying, troubleshooting, repairing, swapping,
selling, buying, interfacing, or meeting to talk about Elecraft rigs is fine.  But if
it's a topic that could apply to amateur radio in general (or not at all) then more
than a few messages is TOO MUCH!  (This includes this thread, too.  This will be my
last message on the topic to prevent the beginning of yet another holy war.)

Rick Hampton, WD8KEL
KX1 #358

Dan KB6NU wrote:

> What's the problem? If you're not interested in a particular discussion,
> simply delete the e-mails. This list is valuable BECAUSE we have members who
> are knowledgeable about these topics. I love these deep discussions of
> soldering/desoldering, zip cord feelines, etc., etc.  And when I've read
> enough, I simply delete the messages.
>
> 73!
>
> Dan KB6NU
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
> President, ARROW Comm. Assn. (www.w8pgw.org)
> CW Geek (FISTS #9342)
> Ham radio bookseller (www.QTB.Com/hamradio/)
> Read my ham radio blog at www.blurty.com/~kb6nu .
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Rick Hampton" <[email protected]>
> To: "Allen Ward" <[email protected]>
> Cc: "elecraft reflector" <[email protected]>
> Sent: Monday, March 29, 2004 8:35 AM
> Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Reflector name change?
>
> > AMEN!!!!
> >
> > Had I been a newcomer to kit building and read all this stuff, I would
> have scrapped
> > the idea of building a KX1, or ANY kit for that matter, figuring it
> required
> > professional training, skills, equipment, and complete devotion to the
> task at the
> > expense of everything else.
> >
> > Dissertations about solder, flux, soldering irons, high-reliability
> soldering
> > techniques, etc. have their place, but for the HOBBY of AMATEUR RADIO
> (that is why
> > we're here, right?), it is indeed overkill as Allen noted.
> >
> > And to think that KX1 #358 was built with a $10 soldering iron and solder
> purchased
> > from Radio Shack, and still has the audacity to work FLAWLESSLY!  Who
> would have
> > thought it possible?
> >
> > Rick Hampton, WD8KEL
> > KX1 #358
> >
> > Allen Ward wrote:
> >
> > > I propose that the name of this reflector be changed to
> "Solder/soldering
> > > reflector."  Since there seems to be more on these topics than anything
> else
> > > it would seem a good idea.  Having spent a lot of the last (more than
> 50)
> > > years soldering and desoldering with many types and brands of solder and
> > > soldering/desoldering equipment I believe the topic long ago reached
> > > "overkill" in the present reflector!  Eutectic is a concept that is also
> > > used in Geology and perhaps elsewhere.  There is nothing magical here it
> is
> > > simply the mix that gives the lowest melting point and the lowest
> freezing
> > > point  (this latter is often missed).  Good technique, good equipment
> and
> > > quality solder coupled with slow careful work and examination of
> completed
> > > solder joints should be enough without this constant "over"discussion of
> > > solder and soldering/desoldering.
> > > Allen KA5N
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> >
>
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