[R-390] HSN Status -- and a poll

Mon Jan 24 12:09:45 EST 2005

I can't find the original post, so I'll add my 2 cents here.

Back Issues:
Put this info on CD(s), and sell the CD.  This approach has been used 
before, for example schematics for command transmitters and back posts from 
the Crystal Set Radio Club (a Yahoo group).

New Information:
Publish new articles in the Electric Radio magazine.  I'm sure a few more 
submissions would be welcome, and it's the only boatanchor magazine.

Regarding back issues, I have a complete set, or at least think I do.  The 
early issues are easy, after subscribing I bought  back issues from Ralph 
Sanserino, but I'm not so sure about the last issues when they were 
published sporadically.  I'd like to compare notes with somebody else who 
has a complete set, or at least thinks he has.
73's Jim

At 01:46 PM 1/22/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>Hi Harry & List:
>
>I'm still the editor of HSN.  Of course, that and $2 bucks will get me a
>ride on the subway. ;-)
>
>Not all that surprising, but I have encountered the same problem as the
>previous editor -- a combination of the lack of willing contributors and
>suitable material in view of the ever increasing role of the Internet.  Very
>short items are more suited for places like the reflectors with periodic
>accumulation into the "Pearls of Wisdom".  Lengthier subjects and
>construction arcticles call for more space and detailed graphics.  The
>hardcopy newsletter format is limited in terms of graphics and, almost
>always, a better presentation can be made on web pages and/or pdf files.
>
>I have tried to come up with material that would be suitable, but each idea
>vaporized into cyberspace. I have a problem publishing something that's
>already out there or pops up before the ink could dry -- doesn't make much
>sense.
>
>It may well be, as the previous editor (Reid Wheeler) concluded when he
>handed it off, that the time for a snailmail newsletter has passed us by.  I
>thought I'd give it a shot to keep it alive and did manage to get three
>issues out. There are two that have been "almost "in the can", but remain
>unfinished for a year or two now.  For a time, in the early days, a previous
>editor (Dallas) generated most of the material himself and continued to
>contribute original material.  I'm not in a position to do the same --
>unless the readership would be happy with pure fiction, some rants and an
>occasional screed. ;-).
>
>At some point, HSN included a number of very brief articles -- of a few
>lines.  Most of this kind of material is much better handled on the nets and
>it is, so I took the position of doing full issue articles.  It also used to
>carry some ads, but the lead/lag time makes it unsuitable.
>
>At one point, I had discussed this with Ralph Sanserino, the publisher,
>whether HSN was obsolete and it should fade into the past, or be adapted to
>an online version, whether by subscription or free.  It would be much easier
>to publish online in both terms of logistics and format and result in a
>better product with sharp color photos, etc.  Ralph pointed out that there
>are a number of old timers who are not wired to the Internet -- but I'm not
>sure that's a significant enough factor.
>
>Dave Wise's recent work brings up the same issues again, with an additional
>consideration.  If he had ready copy right now and photos or line drawings,
>and I jumped on it, it would still be a month or two before you'd see it --
>at best.  I would still need to fill out another 4 pages or so before the
>issue were ready.  At the moment, this becomes "Plan B".
>
>As far as money is concerned, it's not really a factor.  The subscription
>price for HSN is something like $5 or $6 for 3 issues, and set to barely
>cover the cost of printing and mailing, thus even a free website would be
>more cost-effective.  (While some of you are owed issues -- and Ralph has
>the records -- I doubt that it adds up to very much, if so can be refunded
>or whatever.)
>
>What I'm doing here is trial-ballooning -- running it up the flagpole to see
>if it gets any salutes (or generates "incoming").  Methinks it's time to go
>Web-oidal with HSN, if it is to have a future at all.  If you wish, you can
>certainly print it, three-hole punch and bind 'em.  It would also be
>practical to amend and update articles and provide a revision numbering
>scheme so you would know if you had the latest and greatest - for
>refinements such as "Well gents, I subsequently found that a 220 ohm
>resistor works much better .."  I would scan and put up all the old ones I
>can find.
>
>My thinking is to have it free and probably open access - no subscriptions,
>however might take paid advertising -- of the type that would be of
>intrinsic interest..  I'd rather not get involved in classified listings, as
>there are better, established venues for that and it creates a maintenance
>obligation.  ("It's sold, please take my ad down."  "Please change to $XXX
>or best offer.", etc.)
>
>Of course, this does not solve the lack of inflow of publishable material
>problem immediately, though it makes more types of arcticles and notes "fit
>to print" -- even if some are redundant with other sources or reflector
>archives, etc.  Increased exposure might motivate more people to contribute.
>The pieces don't have to be any particular size.
>
>As for the few who do not have Internet access, that could be on the buddy
>system -- friends can print and mail to them as a favor or in trade for a
>toob or two.
>
>So, what do you folks think?  I have a website available, and/or could get
>another going rather quickly.
>
>Barry
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: <DCrespy at aol.com>
>To: <r-390 at mailman.qth.net>
>Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 9:14 AM
>Subject: Re: [R-390] Ending The Moment Of Silence
>
>
> >
> > Dave, and all.  I should still be a subscriber and have not seen a  copy
>of
> > HSN in at least 2 years.  I think it has died a quiet death?   Please
>consider
> > some other way to make the info available?
> >
> > Harry  KG5LO
> > Saline MI:
> >
> > .
> >
> > I'm going to try to put it all into an HSN  article.
> >
> > 73,
> > Dave
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > _____________________________________________________________
> > Win a new Icom IC-756PROIII and help QSL/QTH.net
> > Details at: http://mailman.qth.net/index.html
> > _____________________________________________________________
> > R-390 mailing list
> > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
> > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
> > Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
> > Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390
> >
>
>
>_____________________________________________________________
>Win a new Icom IC-756PROIII and help QSL/QTH.net
>Details at: http://mailman.qth.net/index.html
>_____________________________________________________________
>R-390 mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/r-390
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/faq.htm
>Post: mailto:R-390 at mailman.qth.net
>Unsubscribe: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/options/r-390