OK, OK, I stirred up a hornets' nest. Sorry. How long before we get onto
"you're only a REAL carpenter if you hammer the nails in with your fist. Tools
are for Cissies..." illogical extension.
I think the original point was that there's a difference between those of us
who build stuff (any stuff) and what appears to be a generation of appliance
operators.
I once spoke to a guy in Ukraine - I forget his callsign - who was part of the
ongoing maintenance crew at Chernobyl (brave lad!) who, in his spare time,
built his own computer from the raw TTL, and then proceeded to write his own
operating system for it (!!!!!!!) WOW. Respect! Now THAT'S a home brewer.
I just think it's a shame that so many folks have no interest in keeping alive
what was once an essential part of ham radio, and what set us aside as a
group. Also - like those who refuse to learn/use CW (No! I don't want to start
THAT war again) I just think it's a shame that they're missing out on so much
fun, that's all.
There's something in this hobby for everyone, but I just feel that home brew
enthusiasts are a bit of a dying breed. And it's a shame.
The glimmer of hope recently has been Elecraft. I've operated PE8E's K2 from
his apartment in Vaals and the performance - not to mention his workmanship -
was truly stunning.
Oh, and please let me know if anyone wants copies of any of the old Eimac
Amateur Service Bulletins that G3RZP reminded us of. I can scan them and I'll
see if Ken wants them for the Boat Anchor Manual Archive. Eimac used to give
them out for free if you pleaded poverty convincingly enough, so I'm sure they
won't mind.
cheers
Dave G0OIL
--- On Tue, 2/12/08, Tom Haavisto <kamham69@gmail.com> wrote:
From: Tom Haavisto <kamham69@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Linear Amps
To: "EP Swynar" <gswynar@durham.net>
Cc: amps@contesting.com
Date: Tuesday, 2 December, 2008, 7:01 PM
> I was "...mentally musing" in an off-site e-mail with another Ham
about the
> fact that Ham Radio has really lost something invaluable in that we have
> seemingly NOT replaced icons like Lew McCoy, Doug DeMaw, or Bill Orr...
>
> Remember those three...?
I find in interesting how folks who cannot "roll their own amp" are
not real hams. I remember when the phrase was "folks who cannot roll
their own rig are not real hams". And yet, 30 years later, I am still
here.
Anyway - I have great respect and admiration for those who can take a
pile of parts and construct an amplifier from same. However, not all
of us have the ability or interest to do metal work, start
constructing tank coils, etc. To make it into a work of art is
nothing short of amazing. However, there is more to the hobby that
being able to build an amp from scratch. That is what makes this
hobby great - the diversity of the folks who have joined (and
hopefully, continue to join) our ranks.
As I use my new (kit) radio - a K3, I realize there is no way I could
ever construct construct such a piece of equipment from scratch. I
attended a seminar put on by Alpha, and he too commented that their
amps are now chock full of microprocessors and software - all in an
effort to save the tube. I cannot think of too many home-brewers that
have built (or could build) an amp along these lines.
I do build antennas, and various other items for the station. Some
stuff is scrounged, some stuff is bought new. As time goes on, folks
who can build stuff from scratch are slowly going away. Is the hobby
better off or worse? Am I not a real ham?
With all the new, and GREAT stuff that is now available, I feel the
future of ham radio is bright indeed. Not being able to build an amp
from scratch aside...
Now, back to sorting out what I need to make my AL-1500 QSK capable...
Tom - VE3CX
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