[SADXA] SADXA Digest, Vol 70, Issue 5

Eric Gustafson n7cl at earthlink.net
Fri Nov 28 12:00:15 EST 2014 

AMEN! Chuck.

I can't remember where I saw this so I can't give a reference.  But 20ish years ago I ran across an account of a curious scientist who worked on PCB oil toxicity.

His curiosity had been peaked by a story out of India claiming that PCB oil had been used as a safer non-flammable cooking oil for many years without an accompanying outbreak of health problems. Non-flammable is a very good cooking oil property when you are cooking over an open fire inside a thatched hut.

He set out to discover how this could be possible since the oil had been so strongly implicated in some animal studies.

The bottom line was that the animal studies that showed high levels of toxicity all involved Rats.  After some investigation he determined that the lowly rat was one of very few mammals that have a digestive enzyme that can break down the PCB oil into several components one of which was Dioxin.  It was the Dioxin that was harming the rats.

None of this information shows up in the current Wikipedia entry for PCB oils.  And I cannot find the original source now.  So take it for what its worth.

The Wikipedia article does mention in several places how extremely stable the PCBs generally are.

73,  Eric  N7CL

-----Original Message-----
>From: Chuck Smallhouse <w7cs at theriver.com>
>Sent: Nov 26, 2014 4:49 PM
>To: sadxa at mailman.qth.net, sadxa at mailman.qth.net
>Subject: Re: [SADXA] SADXA Digest, Vol 70, Issue 5
>
>Re: Transformer Oil in a Cantenna.
>
>In the interest of Environmental Security, please don't repeat my comments !
>
>In my mind, philosophy and experience, xrmer oil PCBs, asbestos tile, 
>tefelon, and other items', "scares" and "alerts"  are just a bunch of 
>unproven malarkey, as long as you don't drink, eat or breath them in, 
>for sustained periods.  A lot of money has been made trying to 
>correct these myths.
>
>Years ago (over 55), I made my first really HV power supply using a 
>surplus  power company "Power Pig".  In order to retrieve the desired 
>transformer, I had to insert my hands, arms and wrenches down into 
>the Pigs's oil to unscrew the retaining bolts.  After draining the 
>remaining oil into a small depression in my back yard, I then baked 
>the xfrmr in the hot AZ sun for several months, and got rid of 95 % 
>of the still saturated oil, before I installed the xfrmr into the 
>PS.    In my military and aerospace carriers, I was exposed daily to 
>asbestos wall and floor tiling.  In fact our company once had a large 
>contract to carefully remove it (using hazemat equipment and attire), 
>from numerous AF satellite tracking stations. These experiences has 
>not seemed to have diminished my capability to continue to pay my 
>annual taxes !
>
>Ron, I did fill my original Cantenna with Mineral Oil, which seemed 
>to work well over many years.  It was more easily available than 
>xfrmr oil, in spite of the druggist's funny looks.  However after a 
>major spill of it (cat litter works well in soaking it up), I 
>replaced it with some modern Power Pig oil, that someone had given me.
>
>I would have no compulsions on draining a gallon of it in the back 
>forty of your lot.  It will never reach the water table.  Even our 
>bleak desert soil has amazing filtering properties.   As the saying 
>goes for those who have been accosted by, and have had to dispose of 
>a  "threatened" species :  "Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up !"
>
>Chuck,  W7CS
>
>
>
>
>At 06:51 AM 11/26/2014, sadxa-request at mailman.qth.net wrote: Send 
>SADXA mailing list submissions to sadxa at mailman.qth.net
>
>To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa or, via email, send a 
>message with subject or body 'help' to sadxa-request at mailman.qth.net
>
>You can reach the person managing the list at sadxa-owner at mailman.qth.net
>
>When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific 
>than "Re: Contents of SADXA digest..."
>
>
>Today's Topics:
>
>1. Re: SADXA Christmas Party reminder... (kd6xh) 2. Re: dummy load 
>oil?? (Ron Jones) 3. Its Thursday the 20th. (Jerry) 4. Re: Its 
>Thursday the 20th. (Richard Solomon) 5. Re: Its Thursday the 20th. 
>(Wes) 6. 9K2HN on 7017 (W6XI)
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Message: 1 Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 16:36:57 -0700 From: kd6xh 
><kd6xh at comcast.net> To: Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail Reflector 
><sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [SADXA] SADXA Christmas Party 
>reminder... Message-ID: 
><qil3k9er6s8p4fi6bnj0uaab.1416353817261 at email.android.com> 
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
>I will be in Columbus Ohio for Christmas and no able to attend the party.
>
>Kd6xh
>
>
>Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
>
>
>-------- Original message -------- From: Larry Brown 
><w7lb at earthlink.net> Date:11/18/2014  12:54  (GMT-07:00) To: 
>'Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail Reflector' <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> 
>Subject: Re: [SADXA] SADXA Christmas Party reminder...
>
>Mike,
>
>I will be out of town by the Christmas party so you and I may need to 
>make some pre-arrangement to cover the expenses of the party.    I 
>will be at Thursday's meeting and can collect payments.   I will be 
>back in Tucson by about January 10th.   If you want, we can estimate 
>the costs and I will front you the money and we can do the detail 
>settlement after I return.
>
>Larry
>
>-----Original Message----- From: SADXA 
>[mailto:sadxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Michael Casey 
>Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 9:32 AM To: Southern AZ DX 
>Association E-Mail Reflector Subject: [SADXA] SADXA Christmas Party reminder...
>
>I know that Thanksgiving hasn't even come and gone yet and here I am 
>talking about the Christmas Party BUT the November meeting is this 
>Thursday and that would be a great time to pay.  The party is 
>Friday  Dec. 19th. I look forward to seeing you there and here are the details.
>
>
>
>*?       **5:00 Social Hour ? BYOB and an appetizer to pass*
>
>*?       **Roma catered Dinner at ~6:00 pm (Italian theme with dessert)*
>
>*?       **$15 each for SADXA members, spouses and guests.  Money 
>will be collected at the Nov. meeting, checks made out to SADXA, or Cash.*
>
>*?       * *Gift Exchange Optional Hams:  White Elephant (disguised)*
>
>*?       **Spouses:  Wrapped $10 Max Christmas Gift*
>
>
>
>*Food items for Tucson Community Food Bank will be collected at the door*
>
>*RSVP by Dec 12th  to*:
>
>*Michael Casey 520 300-4661 or 1mrcasey at gmail.com 
><1mrcasey at gmail.com>* 
>______________________________________________________________ SADXA 
>Website http://www.sadxa.org
>
>SADXA mailing list Home: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa Help: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net You can support qsl.net: 
>http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>--- This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus 
>software. http://www.avast.com
>
>______________________________________________________________ SADXA 
>Website http://www.sadxa.org
>
>SADXA mailing list Home: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa Help: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net You can support qsl.net: 
>http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 2 Date: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 21:35:55 -0700 From: "Ron Jones" 
><k7rj at comcast.net> To: "'Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail 
>Reflector'" <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [SADXA] dummy load 
>oil?? Message-ID: <000f01d003b2$4fc4bd60$ef4e3820$@net> Content-Type: 
>text/plain;	charset="us-ascii"
>
>You are so right about getting rid of the PCB oil. Fortunately when I 
>replaced my original "transformer oil" I worked at the University of 
>Utah and they had a haz mat unit that took care of it for me. They 
>came in with masks and gloves hauled away my Heathkit Cantenna. A few 
>days later they brought it back, all clean and shiny. For me, it was 
>easy, but I was lucky.
>
>Ron K7RJ
>
>
>-----Original Message----- From: SADXA 
>[mailto:sadxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Carl Foster Sent: 
>Monday, November 17, 2014 9:45 PM To: 'Southern AZ DX Association 
>E-Mail Reflector' Subject: Re: [SADXA] dummy load oil??
>
>The original transformer oil is full of PCBs (polychlorinated 
>biphenyls) and getting rid of the stuff can be difficult. PCBs are 
>carcinogens and have been banned since about 1980. It is the best oil 
>to use in a dummy load, but don't let anyone know that you still have 
>some (except the guys in the DX club of course). I would keep it 
>outside to avoid inhaling the vapor.
>
>-----Original Message----- From: SADXA 
>[mailto:sadxa-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of W7EXG Sent: 
>Monday, November 17, 2014 9:26 PM To: sadxa at mailman.qth.net Subject: 
>[SADXA] dummy load oil??
>
>Hi Ron,
>
>I found my old Heath HN-31 1962 Cantenna Assembly Manual.. and on Pg. 
>9 - Final Assembly -- it states:
>
>The recommended Transformer Oil may be obtained from most any bulk 
>oil plant.. If transformer oil is NOT available, mineral oil may be 
>used, but do not use any type of Motor Oil. The Vaporizing 
>Temperature of Motor Oil is too low, and would cause excess vapor.
>
>Looks like Mineral Oil will work.  Be interesting to look up the 
>Vaporizing Temps.
>
>My HN-31 still has the original Transformer Oil.. after 52 years, and 
>has not leaked. Some vaporizing has occurred, ..since the oil level 
>is a bit low. Thus, I also should replace the oil.
>
>Best 73s,
>
>Bill Davis W7EXG
>
>______________________________________________________________ SADXA 
>Website http://www.sadxa.org
>
>SADXA mailing list Home: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa Help: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net You can support qsl.net: 
>http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 3 Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:13:57 -0700 From: Jerry 
><jdwothe at cox.net> To: SADXA Reflector <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> 
>Subject: [SADXA] Its Thursday the 20th. Message-ID: 
><546E4B85.1030308 at cox.net> Content-Type: text/plain; 
>charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>Hmmmm I wonder if we are really going to have a meeting and what 
>would the program be?
>
>W6XI
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 4 Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:17:09 -0700 From: Richard 
>Solomon <dickw1ksz at gmail.com> To: Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail 
>Reflector <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [SADXA] Its Thursday 
>the 20th. Message-ID: 
><CAC5FBO928=g-mPEqD9=9yXRvHQTw9f_w9u-Usf9Fdis_frPshg at mail.gmail.com> 
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
>
>Yes Jerry, there is a meeting. I will be showing pix of my recent 
>trip to the ARRL SW Division Convention.
>
>A real snoozefest !!
>
>HI HI
>
>73, Dick
>
>On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 1:13 PM, Jerry <jdwothe at cox.net> wrote:
>
> > Hmmmm I wonder if we are really going to have a meeting and what 
>would the > program be? > > W6XI > 
>______________________________________________________________ > 
>SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.org > > SADXA mailing list > Home: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa > Help: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: 
>mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: 
>http://www.qsl.net > You can support qsl.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 5 Date: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 13:42:09 -0700 From: Wes 
><wes at triconet.org> To: Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail Reflector 
><sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Cc: Southern AZ DX Association E-Mail 
>Reflector <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Subject: Re: [SADXA] Its Thursday 
>the 20th. Message-ID: 
><6A808EE6-1AAB-4144-8DEA-57CF9AAE10BE at triconet.org> Content-Type: 
>text/plain;	charset=us-ascii
>
>And if there's time, I'll show some pictures of the W7EXG antenna 
>raising party.
>
>On Nov 20, 2014, at 1:17 PM, Richard Solomon <dickw1ksz at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Yes Jerry, there is a meeting. I will be showing pix of my recent 
>trip > to the ARRL SW Division Convention. > > A real snoozefest 
>!! > > HI HI > > 73, Dick > > On Thu, Nov 20, 2014 at 1:13 PM, Jerry 
><jdwothe at cox.net> wrote: > >> Hmmmm I wonder if we are really going 
>to have a meeting and what would the >> program be? >> >> W6XI >> 
>______________________________________________________________ >> 
>SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.org >> >> SADXA mailing list >> Home: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa >> Help: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >> Post: 
>mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net >> >> This list hosted by: 
>http://www.qsl.net >> You can support qsl.net: 
>http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >> > 
>______________________________________________________________ > 
>SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.org > > SADXA mailing list > Home: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa > Help: 
>http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: 
>mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net > > This list hosted by: 
>http://www.qsl.net > You can support qsl.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Message: 6 Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2014 06:51:52 -0700 From: W6XI 
><w6xi at cox.net> To: SADXA Reflector <sadxa at mailman.qth.net> Subject: 
>[SADXA] 9K2HN on 7017 Message-ID: <5475DAF8.6030807 at cox.net> 
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
>They are on LP, CQn with few takers but with a big sig.
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>Subject: Digest Footer
>
>_______________________________________________ SADXA mailing list 
>SADXA at mailman.qth.net http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa
>
>
>------------------------------
>
>End of SADXA Digest, Vol 70, Issue 5 ************************************
>
>______________________________________________________________
>SADXA Website http://www.sadxa.org
>
>SADXA mailing list
>Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/sadxa
>Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
>Post: mailto:SADXA at mailman.qth.net
>
>This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
>You can support qsl.net: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

More information about the SADXA mailing list