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Re: [TenTec] Interfacing Computers to Rigs

To: tentec@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [TenTec] Interfacing Computers to Rigs
From: Jim Brown <k9yc@audiosystemsgroup.com>
Reply-to: k9yc@arrl.net, Discussion of Ten-Tec Equipment <tentec@contesting.com>
Date: Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:41:57 -0700
List-post: <tentec@contesting.com">mailto:tentec@contesting.com>
On 10/30/2011 10:56 AM, Casey wrote:
> My point is this: Jim wants people to stop using isolation circuits and
> his "carrot" to them is simply to tell them to do it the "right way" and
> the right way is to go study 66+ pages of technical material and to sort
> it all out for yourself.

Not true.  I specifically pointed you to two small portions of the 
tutorial, each only a few pages.

>
> I really can't understand Jim's expectations when the alternative for
> hams without an EE is to simply spend some money for the gizmo that
> provides some kind of solution. It's not very helpful or understanding
> of those hams who are not EEs to just throw a link at them. Being right
> doesn't necessarily mean anyone is going to listen to you.

I'm simply trying to help hams who are always crying "poor" to save 
their hard earned money. Nothing is free, including knowledge.  We must 
pay for it by devoting our hours and our brains to study.  It does NOT 
require an EE degree. Most guys of my generation who learned radio did 
so by studying the ARRL Handbook and the ARRL License Manual. We did 
that LONG before we finished high school.

> And, please, don't tell me that passing any multiple choice exam where
> the entire question/answer pool is public is equivalent in any way to
> real electronics knowledge.

The ARRL License manual has always included a course on electronics and 
radio fundamentals in one form or another.   If someone choses to be 
lazy and cram for the multiple choice test by memorizing answers, that's 
their choice, and if they didn't learn much in the process, that's a 
problem they made for yourself.  Those of us who passed the General exam 
in the old days had to draw schematics of fundamental circuit types!

Phil wrote:


>As someone who has written "greatly simplified instructions" to a
>class of highly trained individuals, I have discovered that about half
>of those who read my (2/3 of a page of #12 type) work are 'lost.' It's
>frustrating because it's written to a fifth grade level.
>
>
>Some thoughts:
>
>1. The simpler the better. If it's too long, it's too distracting.
>2. Technical people are the most easily confused. (They think they know??)
>3. Some people want the bottom line without any explanation and that's all.


As you noted, Phil, you were getting paid to do that, and you said you 
hated it.  I do my writing for pleasure, and to share what I've learned 
with others who want to learn. I certainly benefitted from that when I 
was starting out. That's the tradition of ham radio, what ARRL calls 
"Elmering," and what I call "giving back."  I also made my living for 
five years by teaching electronics at a technical school (DeVry). Any 
GOOD teacher will tell you that any education that does not include hard 
work by the student is a lousy education.

73, Jim Brown K9YC
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