[Elecraft] Not All Hams are Technicians (WAS: Microphones)

[Mike]

I very seldom post to this list - taking up even more bandwidth doesn't seem to be what the list needs lately Hi, but this thread sparked a response so I thought I'd share it.

Although I was into CB in a big way "back in the day" (when it was as polite and compliant as we sometimes wish amateur radio was today), college, career, and family intervened until 2006 when I finally became licensed at age 44 (passed my General in 2007, shortly after rushing to pass the code before the requirement was eliminated).  At that time I was one of those "interested in operating with the best equipment my budget could allow," but I had/have no real electronics experience, other than doing all my own soldering when needed and one summer as a teenager when I worked for a neighbor who was in the process of inventing the first automated wire-wrap assembly line jig.  I still remember him trying to beat Ohm's Law into me, without much success.

Since becoming licensed, I actually find the pursuit of learning electronics more attractive than operating, most of the time.  I seem to be in love with QRP, mostly because of all the opportunities to build.  I still don't know what I'm building, but I'm doing everything I can to read, question, and study, and hoping that repetition will help!  Currently awaiting my attention at the bench are a Pixie II, a Norcal SMT dummy load, one of each of everything Hamgadgets sells, and a BLT tuner.  My goal is to use each as a learning project, taking my time with each one and understanding the purpose each component serves before moving on to the next.  The recent QST article "Building to Learn" couldn't have been more timely.  I couldn't wait to build my KX-1 last year, and it turned out great (with some help from Don on the 3080 board!), but I have to admit that my approach did not make it a learning experience.

The hurdles these days are time, and access to a willing Elmer who doesn't mind teaching stuff that he's known for 50 or more years to someone new.

--
73,
de Mike, KC0KBC

 -------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" <ron at cobi.biz>
> Agreed Dave!