Thanks for the MANY INPUTS received on IC-765 mods for VBT, higher power
out, sidetone tracking, front-end upgrade, and out-of-band transmit.
Most of the mail gave moral support on whether the mods are worth the
time/trouble. That was appreciated! Cutting into $2000+ solid-state rigs is
not the same as the S-40 and DX-100 from CD Party days! I even got reading
glasses the same day tho' -- first!!
I have already sent a long version with facts on the mod's to the few that
expressed interest. If anyone else needs info, especially on the VBT, the
higher power, and the out-of-band transmit, just e-mail me direct. If
interested in the front-end upgrade or sidetone tracking, I would suggest
contacting LTA Industries and K3LR.
Best 73... Steve, W5KI/2
>From Dr. Eugene Zimmerman" <ezimmerm@DGS.dgsys.com Mon Aug 14 04:26:03 1995
From: Dr. Eugene Zimmerman" <ezimmerm@DGS.dgsys.com (Dr. Eugene Zimmerman)
Subject: return of the Octopus! Fwd: CW Radio-2 Lockout?
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.950813231137.11130D-100000@DGS>
Hi Jim
You have that story correct.
W1TX did use a mechanical octopus to prevent more than one transmitter
from transmitting at a time. It was built by John Doremus
W2ADE/W2TA/W0AW and was a fearsome looking thing with a huge aluminum box
in the middle loaded with relays and a large number of tentacles
radiating outward from the box. Sort of like a modern day Wouff Hong.
Unfortunately I do not remember what was in the box. And John is no
longer with us. You might try Roger Corey W1AX/JYH, Gary Foskett W1ECH or
Pet Chamalian W1RM/BGD - they might remember.
I adopted the operating technique you mention as a defense measure. All
of the operating at W1TX was search and pounce using the octopus to keep
you honest. My partner that year on the other end of the octopus was
Dave Sumner K1ZZ. We sat across from one another and looked at the other
guy for most of the contest. The most efficient way to operate was to
find a station to work and then press down the transmit button and gobble
like a turkey until the other guy was finished transmitting.
Little did I realize how useful that technique would be in meteor scatter
contacts where the scheduled contacts sound very much like a bunch of
turkeys or at best a used car auctioneer.
73 Gene W3ZZ
On Sun, 13 Aug 1995, James White wrote:
> ...........once again ham radio cycles through it's history.
>
> in the sixties (& early 70's I think) there was a killer device called the
> octopus which would prevent two rigs simultanesously x-mitting. It was honed
> by some of this reflector's readers. Those being the Sweepstakes' dynamic
> multi-single duo WA5LES/K5PFL (nowadays known as K5RC and K5NA)....the
> interlock would keep one from going from m-s to m-m by avoiding simultaneous
> xmitting (hmmmm - sound familiar to any refelctor readers????)
>
> I understand that K5NA is moving back to TX with KU2Q, so dunno if he is up
> and running on the reflector....and I think K5RC secretly monitors these
> posts.....
>
> If one of them would care to elucidate on their ole 'pus it would serve to
> answer todays needs of the single op two radio gang - myself included....
> after last weekend and my fingers constanly going for the ESC key to kill
> x-mitting I suspect these guys could help us keep from re-inventing the
> wheel.
>
>
> The octopus was outlawed back then, but among other things it generated some
> interesting contest-lore....I once heard tale of an operation by the
> Connecticut Wireless Association one Field Day where one of the operators
> was, Mr Voice on your CQ Loop, K1ANV (W3ZZ)...
>
> Gene was one of the 'phone ops (of course) and he would try and "capture"
> the octopus, and the opportunity to be the next to xmit, by saying over and
> over and over:
>
> doubleyou doubleyou doubleyou doubleyou doubleyou..........
> (and then when the relay would close)
> One Tango X-ray portable one. (W1TX/1)
>
> ....although it was before my time I can just imagine Gene rolling the
> doubleyous...
>
> Before we reinvent the wheel lets hear from of the ocopusses former users!
>
> Jim, zx k1zx@mcimail.com
<good stuff deleted - probably a modern way to run an octopus>
>From Charles Kraly <n0biw@solar.sky.net> Mon Aug 14 04:44:17 1995
From: Charles Kraly <n0biw@solar.sky.net> (Charles Kraly)
Subject: New contest radio?
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950813224148.4585A-100000@solar.sky.net>
Hans,
I saw the fax of the ad at Associated radio saturday morning. It is
SIMILAR in basic design to the 100d BUT, has Collins mech filters, is
limited to 150 watts, 2nd rcvr is "IN BAND" only. The quality of the fax
was rough but, I did make most of it out. I will try and contact Dan
there and see if I can get a copy and put more info out for all to see.
Chuck/N0BIW
n0biw@sky.net
>From Patrick Collins <pcollins@freenet.columbus.oh.us> Mon Aug 14 05:00:53
>1995
From: Patrick Collins <pcollins@freenet.columbus.oh.us> (Patrick Collins)
Subject: return of the Octopus! Fwd: CW Radio-2 Lockout?
Message-ID: <Pine.3.07.9508140051.A5652-8100000@acme>
The modern octopus resides in software and a couple of transistors.
______________________________________________________________________________
Pat Collins pcollins@freenet.columbus.oh.us
NZ4K
>From dbr@alumni.caltech.edu (David Brian Ritchie) Mon Aug 14 06:36:51 1995
From: dbr@alumni.caltech.edu (David Brian Ritchie) (David Brian Ritchie)
Subject: Coax in cold
Message-ID: <40mndj$o6q@gap.cco.caltech.edu>
I am considering moving to a place where it gets cold in the winter and was
considering a crank up tower
The crank up would probably have to be cycled up and down during the
winter so I was wondering what would happen to the coax (i.e. snap, crackle
and pop). I've always lived in sunny so cal so I'd appreciate a quick
primer from one of you contesters from the colder climes. Thanks & '73
Dave N6DLU
--
Dave Ritchie 818-683-8800 (w)
dbr@alumni.caltech.edu 818-683-8900 (FAX)
>From esteban@sefl.satelnet.org (Esteban J. Morao) Mon Aug 14 11:41:33 1995
From: esteban@sefl.satelnet.org (Esteban J. Morao) (Esteban J. Morao)
Subject: Any Contester/Ham in Atlanta
Message-ID: <9508141041.AA02432@prod1.satelnet.org>
Hello,
I will be in Atlanta for Labor Day weekend, and will like to meet any
contester or dxer in the Area.
73 Steve W4/YV5DTA
Steve J. Morao B.S. (W4/YV5DTA)
Systems Operator for Allders International [USA HQ]
E-mail: esteban@sefl.satelnet.org
|