As the author of that "harsh" criticism, I stand by it. If the guy wants to
implement a "universal" automatic antenna switch as a learning exercise, that's
fine, but should QST really spend 8 pages on a design that is:
-- unduly expensive and complex - how many potential users have all 3 major
brands of transceivers, two of which have BCD band data available on the back
panel.
-- requires polling the transceiver for frequency data, thereby probably
interfering with the use of the CAT port by other logging or transceiver
control programs.
-- Only switches 5 antennas (though you could slave 1 more of the same big,
expensive units and get 10.
I don't want more beer can or plumbing pipe antenna designs either, nor do I
care to see yet another goofy CW paddle design. I'd also just as soon never
see another Winlink/Echolink/"isn't the Internet wonderful" story. It just
seems to me that QST's editors are out of touch with a large segment of their
audience, when it comes to technical articles. And yes, I have directed such
comments to the editors, and gotten brusquely blown off.
Speaking of which, and while I'm ranting, what's with a review of so-called
"new generation" rotators (September 2005) that compares such apples and
oranges as the AlfaSpid, the Ham V (really a Ham-IV with an expensive,
older-generation digital controller), and the Yaesu G-800DXA? To frost the
cake, they didn't even address one of the most frequent issues on Towertalk,
which rotator will fit which tower; and when it came to computer control, they
ignored the availability of after-market units that will do a better job for
much less cost than the factory stuff.
All done now. 73, Pete N4ZR
At 11:20 AM 9/23/2005, Roger Parsons wrote:
>There was some fairly harsh criticism last week of the
>automatic antenna selector unit design published in
>this month's QST. I only just received my magazine so
>wasn't able to read the article until now.
>
>The author explains his reasons for using a
>microprocessor, and for not using the band information
>available from some transceivers. Whilst his
>implementation is not the way I would (have tried to)
>have done it, it seems to me that it was an infinitely
>better use of QST space than showing us another way to
>make a 2m j-pole from beer cans and coat hangers.
>
>73 Roger
>VE3ZI
>
>
>
>
>___________________________________________________________
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>See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless
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>questions and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
>
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_______________________________________________
See: http://www.mscomputer.com for "Self Supporting Towers", "Wireless Weather
Stations", and lot's more. Call Toll Free, 1-800-333-9041 with any questions
and ask for Sherman, W2FLA.
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