[FARC] Radio Myths

[M and J Gillespie]

Talk about myths, did you see the article on microphones and all that stuff 
about polarization on sound waves and the shape of the microphone grills  in 
the April,2008, issue of QST? And, did you see the response to that in the 
May issue?  Beware of so many things you my see printed in the April issues 
of QST. The last responses hit the nail on the head.  Balderdash! Many years 
ago a fellow named Rapp would write an article in the April issue and give 
the most outlandish statements ("Rapp's Fables").  Then the responses would 
come in. ("You can't connect the B+ high voltage leads to the ground without 
blowing up the amplifier, etc."  I, myself,once read an article about 
underground antennas and how wonderful they are.  I did not believe it, but 
thought I would try it out.  Well, I took a half wave dipole for ten meters 
(about 16 feet long) and buried it in a garden hose about 1 inch below 
ground level.  Well, as you might expect,the band was wide open with 
hundreds of stations coming in.  I could not work the guy two blocks down 
the road from me. Some folks like those "myths" that appear sometimes in 
April issues of QST but I do not think it wise because sometimes someone 
could be hurt or badly misled, even if it was in fun. Oh yes, I was caught 
by one of Rapp's Fables in building an underground antenna but I did it in 
knowing I probably was suckered with that April fool article!
Have fun.
73 de
Jim, K3DQ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <kirktal7237 at msn.com>
To: "Frederick, Maryland ARC" <farc at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, May 07, 2008 6:37 PM
Subject: [FARC] Radio Myths


Well that pretty much busts Ham Radio myth number umpteen, that crossband 
repeating can damage a radio if used on high power with a single antenna. 
My first year in ham radio has been filled with these type of myths.  Thanks 
for the info guys.

73
KB3ONM
Kirk
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