[HCARC] Things a ham should be able to do: used to be NVIS - Local10 meter Propagation Test

[Kerry Sandstrom]

Fred,

Some truth to that.  the other part of the story is the design engineers 
have to know the processes so the design can actually be manufactured.  When 
I was in engineering school, for an EE degree, I had to take a machine shop 
course (required course for graduation).  We were taught how to use and got 
to use lathes, millimg machines grinders, etc.  We had to cut threads on a 
shaft, turn pulleys, tap holes, etc.  The purpose of the class was to be 
sure we understood how things were actually made so, hopefully, we wouldn't 
specify impossible tolerances and processes.  Our shop equipment, since I 
went to a state school, was US government surplus.  the machines were 
basically WW2 vintage and were large to say the least.

In the early 60's in the engineering schools in New England, it was common 
to smell in the dorms hot soldering irons and the fumes from solder as well 
as the smell of components tested to destruction, usually unintentionally! 
It was a great time to be in college.  In those days the most common 
projects were Hi Fi/stereo and radio gadgets.  Common weekend destinations 
were Meshna's, an old surplus store in Revere, and a place called Eli's in 
Boston.  Eli was an old junk guy.  No matter what it was he sold it by the 
pound.  Transistors were a great deal when he was at the store.  His sons, 
on the other hand, understood modern technology a lot better and they sold 
by the piece, no wheres near as good a deal!  Fond memories!

Kerry