[Amps] Linear Amps

[kg7hf at comcast.net]

>> That's a given, but does it make a ham any better at emergency communications? 

Yes, I believe it does.    The thought processes involved in home brew (and other activities within the hobby), i.e. creative thinking, problem solving, and attention to detail all apply to any emergency situation.    Not to mention that having the ability to repair or build your own gear would be very beneficial.   Now I'm not saying that in an emergency situation I could repair a problem with my FT-100000mp super duper dsp controlled rig.   But, if it was really critical, I might be able to figure out enough about the problem to say bypass an amplifier section, or enable the rig to put out "some sort of signal on some frequency"...oh here comes the CW thing again...when all else fails.   

Not having homebrew skills doesn't make you less of a ham any more than not having setup an eme station or tried rtty, or echolink or any other different aspect of the hobby.   On the other hand, having those skills (homebrew, eme, rtty, echolink....) enhances your ham experiences and ability and makes you a more rounded operator.


A simple case:
I had a situation during field day a few years ago where the tuning knob on my rig Kenwood TS-680s  circa 1987 froze up, it would not turn, no matter how much I forced it to.   My daughter was somewhat heart broken as she was the operator.   But, i about a minute, she figured out she could use the course tuning control, and the microphone up-down buttons for fine control.    When the band she was working slowed down and she rotated to another operating position, I broke out the tool kit and dismantled the kenwood, now mind you we're in a tent with a small table.   No test equipment, and only a few simple hand tools.   After taking about a million screws out, disconnecting the wiring harness, I had access to the shaft encoder.   I ended up pulling the shaft encoder and taking it apart.   It ended up being as simple as dirt and grime over the years had worked its way in and it bound up.   I bit of cleaning and buffing, and back it went, where it is still working today.

Paul, kg7hf




Date: Wed, 3 Dec 2008 11:58:24 +0000 (GMT)
From: DAVE WHITE <mausoptik at btinternet.com>
Subject: Re: [Amps] Linear Amps
To: "Roger \(K8RI\)" <sub1 at rogerhalstead.com>
Cc: amps at contesting.com
Message-ID: <269308.83425.qm at web86301.mail.ird.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

> <snip>
>  
> 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.
>   
That's a given, but does it make a ham any better at emergency 
communications?  Does it the ham a better character?
Amateur Radio is a diverse hobby/service with a vast array of 
capabilities and services to offer the community and nation.

?Hi RogerNO! Of course not.  I merely said that there's a DIFFERENCE. I think 
it's one of mindset.  No implication of home brewersbeing superbeings or of 
superior character was intended!  :-)  That would be a ridiculous statement!Hats 
off to the folks who handle emergency traffic.  cheersDave