Tuesday, February 28, 2006


BUYERS BE ALERT / SELLERS - GET YOUR ACT TOGETHER
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[a.k.a. - "MY RADIO'S TOAST, THANKS TO PARCEL POST]
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There is a growing problem with shipping rigs lately, whether is be a cheap seller, or shipping prices so high they seem prohibitive (thanks to gas prices), or maybe a combination of both?
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Being good at selling doesn't necessarily mean that you are also good at packing and shipping, and that's where the problem comes in. Let's breakdown the sellers into 3 groups:

  1. Those who are good sellers, as well as good packers and shippers.
  2. Those who are good sellers, and really suck at packing and shipping, but know it - so they use a place like the UPS Store.
  3. Those who are good sellers, and believe that little fairies protect the marginally packed item along with pixies who sprinkle pixie dust on the shipping company so that they will handle the package like it was full of eggs.

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It could be that they aren't familiar with shipping delicate items like Ham Radio gear, or it could be they don't have many options. For instance, I've seen quite a few that only go through the U.S. Postal service and offer two options - "Priority" or "Parcel Post". Parcel Post should be the last option considered of any shipper but their prices are lower than other choices, and there are a few sellers that like to make a buck or two on the shipping charges so they'll ship it out Parcel Post.

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I haven't had much luck on receiving radios sent via parcel post, usually there is either some visible damage to the rig, or it just doesn't work. Once and a great while I get lucky. Sometimes I'm charged for UPS and surprised to find it arrive Parcel Post. To all you sellers out there: Parcel Post is good for books, magazines, catalogs, etc. NOT delicate electronics. The picture above is of a shattered final tube in an FT-101 I received. The box looked dubious at best, and the only padding protecting the rig were a few bunched up pieces of newspaper. When I moved the rig to the bendh, I heard the broken glass jingle and figured I'd just replace the tube on Monday. But the following week (and Mondays are always bad anyways) I noticed this:

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As you can see, the back/right end of the rig was smashed in, crushing the tube. Here's a little better view:

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It was "Smushed" in about 3/8" as you can tell from where the back plate mounts, to where it's pushed into. Boy, was I P.O.'d (no pun intended). Strangely enough, the last rig I had come in via Parcel Post (a beautiful International Crystal Base Station) was crushed in on the same exact spot!

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So, BUYERS, take notice of who will be transporting your rig, and is it really worth saving $20 if you get one in that's ruined? If the seller only lists Parcel Post under "Shipping", send him an e-mail and ask why? ask if it's possible to go another route, if not, ask yourself "Do I feel lucky?"

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And SELLERS, yes, we know gas prices have gone up quite a bit, but don't be cheap when it comes to how you ship or pack it (ed. - "Packing", that's a whole 'nother chapter).

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Woody

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Monday, February 27, 2006

Arrrgh....
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Ah yes, it's 5:30 a.m. and I'm listening to some fellows talk on one of the 440 repeaters and I guess there was a recent hamfest that one fellow attended and the other two were asking him questions about it, and he said that there were large groups of Hispanics buying up VHF and UHF commercial gear....and he let the repeater drop, then came back with "What REALLY irked me was the amount of CB antenna's I saw in the parking lot", and I thought to myself 'Good Grief'.
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Conversation switched to SSB and another guy started talking about some of the CB's he used years ago, when the same fellow who made the earlier statement began to tell them how he used to talk to Africa and all over the world on his CB when he owned one....
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I know what you're thinking, and you're correct - I wanted in the worst way to have that book I just reviewed materialize in this fellows hands. Yes, this flip-flop happens more often than not: Once a CBer, now a HAM, so let's fit into the crowd and knock the CBer.
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I sure hope the other hams inside the hamfest were more hospitable towards someone from the 11m crowd looking to check out the world of ham radio, rather than running into this guy....
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Woody
[CBer and Ham operator]
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Sunday, February 26, 2006


BOOK REVIEW:
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"CB'ers Guide To Ham Radio"
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I have tons of books in my collection, and thought I'd seen most of everything until I ran across this great find on EBay not too long ago!
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Sure, my intent in purchasing it was to stick it on the shelf with all of the others, for the "Collection", and perhaps to flip through it when I had some spare time. I didn't actually think I would like it, just because most books dealing with CB and HAM seem to "Moronasize" being a CBer. I'm very happy to say not so with this book! [note to self - add moronasize to my official dictionary].
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The "CB'ers Guide to Ham Radio" was written by George W. McCarthy, and published in 1979. While some of the data (dealing with FCC testing, requirements,etc) have changed, the bulk of the information is still accurate today.
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As mentioned earlier, his attitude towards CB'ers is non-combative, but that's not the only unusual aspect of the book - the entire book is written in a question/answer format which comes as close as possible to imitate an actual sit down, face-to-face conversation between a CBer and an "Elmer" Ham Operator. At first I found the format a bit strange, but after the first chapter I was "INTO" the book (much like going to see a foreign film with subtitles: at first it's weird, but before you know it, you've forgotten they were there).
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Chapters include:
  1. CBers and Hams
  2. The Numbers Game
  3. Do I really need a license?
  4. The Code Test
  5. The written exam
  6. Short history of Ham Radio
  7. Skip Propagation
  8. Various Licenses
  9. The Various Ham Bands
  10. The Cost of Equipment
  11. Antennas for Ham Radio
  12. Radio Paths

And much more!The book is 304 pages, hardcover, and to be completely honest: If Ham operators acted the way he does in his book, their numbers wouldn't be declining.

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So, to CB'ers I say: It makes good reading, and you'll probably learn more from this than if you actually came up to a Ham operator, identified yourself as a CBer and asked the same questions. To Ham operators I say: It makes good reading and might make you reflect on things you said about CB'ers, and how you can correct that path and perhaps, help in increasing the ranks of Amateur Radio Operators.

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4 out of 5 stars

Woody

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Saturday, February 25, 2006




DO WE REALLY NEED SMALL (er)...?
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It seems like as each year goes by, both radio's and HT's get smaller and smaller and I wonder how small do we really need to go? and are we too small already?
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It's pretty much a given that almost all Ham radios are bulging with Surface Mount Technology and (at least for me), that cuts out one of the funs aspects of Ham Radio - being able to repair it yourself.
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"Rat Shack" just announced the closure of 400-700 company run stores, but who will miss the capacitors, resistors, etc. when you don't really need them afterall? But I digress...Call me crazy but why do we really need a tiny HT that we have problems:
  • Pressing only ONE key at a time
  • Reading the display
  • Doing modifications without a microscope

Yes, there are benefits, like their lighter weight - you almost forget it's on your belt (which makes it easier to leave it on a desk, in a car, etc. because you don't notice the weight loss). Having said that, I must admit to owning several different models of tiny HT's, but I still fall back on my favorite, the Yaesu FT-530 which was inbetween "Large" and "Tiny". But I've covered much of this with my previous "Manly Man HT" post, so let's move on to HF rigs.

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HF rigs are now almost impossible to make modifications on your own. Sure, if you're going to do a general coverage transmit mod, it's not hard to clip, or pull off a tiny component. But, if modifications arise that make your rig better (yet aren't official manufacturer mods), it gets quite a bit tougher - even with a big-ass magnifying lens with a light on it. Believe it or not, a lot of the noise you try to get rid of via NB, DSP, etc. is created INSIDE the radio, and as I've said before - they can't even make a noise blanker as good as the ones you find in a $50 CB.

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Granted, most of today's automobiles are smaller, with less radio room and so tiny rigs can become necessary; but so far I've lucked out and still live by the creed: "Buy the car that meets the space of the radio (s) - not the radio that meets the space of the car". Moving on......

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-------------------------------

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"ADOPT A HIGHWAY PROGRAM"

No, I'm not talking about the one where you adopt a section of road and keep it clean of litter. What I'm thinking about is a program where you adopt a section of airspace to inform road travelers that channels 35-40 are what we use for SIDEBAND and that they have 34 other frequencies to choose for their AM traffic. This reminds me of another thought I had one day while passing by the local "Chicken Coop" - A lot of bleedover could be curtailed if the FCC made surprise inspections when the coop's were open and confiscated illegal radios (or legal radios with the mod limiter cut) and amplifiers (especially amplifiers). But back to my original thought - If I had the $$$ I'd have a billboard at each end of Austin County, on I-10 that said: Welcome to SIDEBAND country, Channels 35-40, SSB ONLY.

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Maybe I should have called this posting "Random Thoughts" because my thoughts are changing as quick at the DX I'm listening to right now.... Didn't there used to be something in the CB rules and reg's about speaking english? For some reason I thought there was, but I'm not sure now. Yes, I tried reading through them several times and fell asleep each time.

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WHY I'M GETTING DX

(and you might not be)



Yes, nothing like a frontal system to stir things up. This one is all rain (so far) so I can keep the rig on...uh-oh....I hear the approaching signals of some NAFTA truckers screwing with my sideband again....

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DIGITAL SONAR

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I was hoping for a better picture to show, but nonetheless you should really check out this guys auction on EBAY. I would say, this classify's as a one-of-a-kind Sonar Rig!

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Woody

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Friday, February 24, 2006





"THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HAM AND CB...."
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I've pondered on this over the years, as the ageless battle continues, wondering what the heck are we arguing about? Is this just like the movie "Highlander"?? ('There can only be one')
After all, we all like to talk on the radio, make new contacts and friends, and as I've often said, "If you take away the HAM and CB masks, what are you left with? Just plain 'ol 'Radio Operators'"
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The conflict reminds me of a Star Trek episode (original series)"Let that be your last battlefield", and I'm sure you remember that one (2 guys are all that's left from their planet, each have their faces half white and half black, just opposite sides. And even though everyone else is dead....the grudge lives on). And the HAM vs. CBer grudge seems to be similar (no end in sight, no bonding (after all, if both groups joined together we could get alot more done as far as changing regulations, and some rules really NEED to change. As we all know, everything changes and we have to deal with that - but apparently the FCC can't see the trees for the forest).
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So if I had to try to explain the biggest difference between the two I guess I'd use the analogy of a company that has an enforced dress code during the week, with the exception of "Casual Friday"...thus Ham Radio = enforced dress code while CB would be "Casual Friday". I've picked this example because why else are there so many Hams on 11meters?? Perhaps because they don't have to worry about watching the clock to ID, because they don't have to worry about some other Ham listening to them, waiting to snitch to the FCC about some minor infraction, and the biggest reason (and I've been told this by many Hams) because they can take off their shoes, kick back, and RELAX.
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Yes, I know that this is an over simplification but once again, regardless of differences it boils down to both groups sharing the tag "Radio Operators". I am both a Ham Operator and a CBer and I like both hobbies - each has something to offer. As far as complaints about language, lack of respect, hogging a frequency, or be-littling another operator, under a "Blind Taste Test" you'd find examples both on 11m and Amateur Radio.
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And then there is the double-standard: Ham Operators ragging on 11m operators about using HAM gear. Where do they think they got it? My picks -
  • Hamfests
  • Ebay

There aren't enough Amateur Radio Operators around to purchase used gear, and if a HAM wants the newest rig, he's going to sell it to the first guy who pulls out the cash - no questions asked. If it weren't for the 11m guys wanting a better rig, they'd be stuck with what they have, the new radio wouldn't be purchased, sales would be down...it's all part of the 2-way radio "food chain".

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I can find radio savvy people on Ham Radio and CB Radio, just as easy as I can find non-savvy people on Ham Radio and CB.....so, next time you hear one or the other on a verbal attack, think about that Star Trek episode, and think about what I've just said and maybe we can all learn to live together without all of the pettiness.
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FROM THE MAILBOX
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Dave H. writes in with another theory re:Line Noise
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"I've also noticed an increase in power line or otherwise generated electrical noise. It even bothers me on 6 meter FM to some degree. It would be all too easy to succumb to the BPL or other governmental conspiracy theory, but my rational side seems to dispute that explanation. I do have a theory as to why this is happening though. I believe that it's a combination of old electrical power infrastructure (Some of the lines have been there for over 50 years), which is breaking down to some degree. It's also tight budgets which discourage routine maintenance of said aging lines. We've also had some stronger than normal wind storms and other severe weather in recent times which "shake up" the lines and create little "Spark gap" transmitters. There are also many more electronic gadgets in use today, which radiate some form of RF, including computer and internet stuff, satellite dishes, X-10 and other electrical control modules, dimmers and other power line devices. But whatever the case, it is a big pain when you are straining to pull out what should normally be a perfectly copyable signal, due to high electrical noise."
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[Woody Replies: As always, thanks Dave for shooting an E-mail my way...always enjoy your thoughts and opinions!]
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'Nuff Said
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Thursday, February 23, 2006



Single Sideband

ETIQUETTE

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["THE" man on SSB: Don Stoner]
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When you first get a sideband rig some things may seem a bit differently to you. For instance, the way people talk to each other. On "AM", you'll find "Handles" (names that CBer's go by) like Two Ton, Peddler, or Powerhouse, etc. You'll also notice that the CB SLANG takes awhile to get used to, as well as the profanity that seems to slip in and out of a conversation.
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Flipping to SSB, you'll find a lack of handles because most sidebanders use numbers like 202, 357, or if they belong to a club it may be something like "Needle Bender 000". If someone asks what your handle is, the usual reply would be your first name (i.e. - "Bob"). A sideband conversation would be comparable to a phone conversation - no slang, first names used, etc.
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While there is some profanity on SSB, it's far less than what you'll hear on AM. Sideband is the place where most of us try to be polite to each other [NOTE: SSB channels are usually 35-40, and for the old timers, channel 16. This was called the "Gentleman's Agreement". Sad to say that many AMer's don't care about it and tear up the Sideband frequency's.]
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Feel free to download a Don Stoner article called "SSB ETIQUETTE"
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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

TAHITI ALLEN (499) CHANGING QTH's
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Yep, it's true, 499 from Tahiti is moving...to: FRANCE. I know that pretty much eliminates my hearing him here in Texas, and for many of you as well, but to Allen: "Good Luck", and hey, leave that antenna in Tahiti just in case you want to move back!



"IT
HAPPENS,
EVERY
SPRING.."
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Yes indeed, baseball season is almost around the corner! And while it has nothing to do with radio, I couldn't resist using this cover photo from a 70's CB Magazine!
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So, besides baseball's spring camp, what else goes on every spring??? Well, in the radio world it's nice weather to:

  • Take down that antenna and clean it up, get rid of rust, etc.
  • Check your feedlines (ed. - remember that horror film "When Cables Go Bad"??
  • If you have a device like the MFJ-259, hook it up before and after you're done just to make sure it's okay.
  • The ground is getting softer....so now that new tower you've been planning is ready to be assembled.
  • Hamfests, yard sales, etc. - time to hit the pavement while the weather is cool
  • Cleaning out the garage - Oops! Not sure how that made it on the list (XYL), disregard.

And of course....Boston Red Sox Baseball...just remember - "It happens every spring".

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FROM THE DUMB SELLER DEPT.

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Just saw an auction on EBAY for a Yaesu FT-857D, listed as new, but out of the box for pictures for $750 Buy It Now + $25 shipping. HRO sells 'em for $695 everyday with free shipping. Save yourself some bux and buy yourself a nice accessory with your savings...

[Update: The seller has now lowered his price to $700 +$25 shipping. It's still a better deal through HRO]

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Woody

Tuesday, February 21, 2006


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CARTOON RIOTS
ROCK THE WORLD!!
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UTOPIA (Rooters) Months after a Utopian newspaper printed a cartoon of Popeye the Sailorman which depicted him as a steroid-using "Landlubber", sailors and cartoonists alike from around the world have continued to turn up the heat on Utopian Embassy's around the globe. Several deaths were reported from what can only be viewed as staged riots and protests (as one unnamed world leader put it:"People who read cartoons are easily provoked into fits of fervored anger, unaware that - after all, 'it's only a cartoon'."
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Mobs of angry people gathered around various Utopian Embassy's throwing cans of spinach as well as frozen spinach packages. One Embassy employee who didn't want to give his name said "I'd rather be hit with the frozen ones, because then I'd have something cold to keep the swelling down". His words were barely heard over the crowds chanting: "We Yam what we Yam"
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The King of Utopia tried to play down the violence caused by his newspapers cartoon, via satellite television, while asking those who loved Popeye to return to their homes. This reporter noted that while he seemed earnest in his belief of little violent activity, the King was making his speech from inside a see-thru dome which is impervious to the spinach can pummeling which has been previously reported from Utopian Embassy's around the world.
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Monday, February 20, 2006

THE ANTENNA'S OF MY YOUTH
[PART TWO]
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So the Long John was long gone now, and I was back using my trusty Super Magnum, but I was still interested in getting a beam antenna, and this time I wanted it up on the top of the
roof of the house. My choice: The Mosley 3-element Mini-Beam.
As you can see, it was a trade of sorts: The only beam I could put on my roof was a small beam, and the Mosley 3-element fit my requirements. The elements were much shorter than the standard beam because of the loading coiled (as seen in the picture).
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I skipped the rotor and manually turned it by sticking my arm out the window in my shack, unscrewing a bolt and...well....just turned it in the direction I wanted it to point to!
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Sad to say, I never got it to perform well (in fact my Super Magnum did better most of the time), so I sold it to a local and considering my Super Mag had been doing it's job for awhile, purchased an Avanti Astro-Plane, which was my last antenna that I owned before leaving New England. I really enjoyed the Astroplane, and later (in Texas) the "Astro Beam" (but that's another story).
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____________________________
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OF SAD NOTE
Curt Gowdy, voice of the Red Sox, voice of the American Sportsman, etc. has passed away. As a youth, I believe it was his friendly manner when broadcasting or narrating that really made me a fan, and I don't believe he'll ever be replaced.
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'Nuff Said

Sunday, February 19, 2006


THE ANTENNA'S OF MY YOUTH...
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On this dreary and cold morning (for the Gulf Coast), I began to pull out some old dusty files in my memory about the antennas of my youth. Sitting here with my foot up in the air (shattered toe), a cold draft blowing about and nowhere to go, I thought I'd just type a few lines to keep myself and perhaps a few of you amused, especially if you are snowbound.
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My first antenna was a back-of-the-rig job from Lafayette. It came with the used Comstat 23 that my parents bought me for Christmas and I'm sure it was eagerly supplied by the seller of the rig (the "Joker") when he realised that he'd have some kid in his teens just down the road from him, and right in front of one of his radio bud's, the "Bald Eagle". Naturally, this setup didn't work well for me so I forked out some money I'd saved to buy a "Super Magnum" omni-directional antenna from Antenna Specialists.
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This worked great because our house was about 3-stories tall and it was right up on the top roof. The downfall of the omni was (of course) transmitting and receiving in all directions. While I had no issues with the transmit part, I sorely wished for something more directional to block out my less-than-1/4mile-away-nemesis, the "Bald Eagle", who aimed his Avanti Quad right down my voice-changing throat.
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Enter the Joker, once again...this time wanting to sell his Hy-Gain "Long John" 5-element beam. I suppose this where a lot of us learn diplomatic negotiations because I knew that a). he wanted to sell that antenna in the worst way to purchase a new Moonraker 6 (to outdo the Bald Eagle), but b). he didn't want to sell it to anyone really close because that Long John wouldn't do any good pointed in his direction. Lucky for me, I was smarter than I looked, and I had my Dad come along with me so that the Joker would think he was dealing with my Dad, while I'd be passing signals to him....
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The short of matter was that, after about an hour of general BS and negotiations, my Dad and I were walking down the sidewalk with a partially assembly Long John beam! All I had to do was promise not to point it in his direction (East), which was fine by me because everyone I talked to was South, West, and....heh-heh..North (Bald Eagle Land). We had to go by Bridges Lumber Yard (where the Bald Eagle worked as security) and not only could I sense his presense, but I could also catch a glint of sun off his bald head when he got too close to the window.
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I'm sure the phone wires were burning bright red that night between the Bald Eagle and the Joker - after all, I was just a kid right? What did I know about beams or proper radio protocol? The next day though he paid us a visit - make that, he paid my DAD a visit, just to get things straight with him, and enter into negotiations regarding beam direction. By the time he left, I was now restricted to West and South, but he was also restricted to only using his Beam in my direction after midnight. With all negotiations completed, it was now time to put that sucker up!
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On the garage that is. Yes, it would have been a huge monster 3 stories above the ground, but there were FCC reg's regarding how high you could have a Beam off the ground vs. an omin-directional antenna. It took my Dad, the Joker, my friend Tom, and myself....hmmm...maybe even the "Due Sender" to get this antenna up on the roof and guyed down, but when we were through it was truly a sight to see (and I regret not taking an intallation complete photo).
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So here I was, "King-of-the-under20-group", and that front-to-back rejection was great in blowing off my neighbors signal, and we only had issues Friday and Saturday nights because he'd be pointed down my throat with his beam and I'd be up until dawn or later talking with my 'buds on the radio. Shortly (with much emphasis on SHORT) this all came to an end when a strong Canadian front complete with snow, ice, and 80mph winds, came whipping into our part of New England. I was talking to Tom that night and the wind was howling. Suddenly, I heard a terrible crashing noise, while Toms signal dropped from a 20 down to a 1 or 2 at best. Looking out my window...through the blizzard, I could see mangled aircraft quality aluminum all over the place. Switching to my Omni all I could say was "Long John Down...Long John Down". My "Big Beam" days were over...
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END PART ONE
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Saturday, February 18, 2006





"BIG BUBBA"
[update]
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Well, as I reported a few posts down, apparently the Valor 1200 "Big Bubba" was no longer available. Insomnia, Kona coffee and the desire to poke around the Internet led me to Sirio, who has brought it back to life (minus the "Big Bubba" tag) with a new name: The Sirio HP4000.

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I think this will stick around for awhile with the name change, so there ya have it - an early morning update!

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FUN FACT - 1975

In the first 17 days of November, in Toledo Ohio

there were 258 CB Radios, valued at nearly $54k stolen!

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"IT's ALL ABOUT THE CLARIFIER"
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A PDF ARTICLE BY DON STONER (1976)

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Friday, February 17, 2006

IS IT JUST ME.....?
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Is it just me or has noise from power lines increased over the past few years? I remember back in the 70's-early 90's driving around town and occassionally hitting a spot where something was not quite right (transformer, etc.), but that was the exception, not the rule. Usually, if you applied enough persistent pressure on the light company they'd come out and fix it.
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Lately, in the last 5 or six years though I've noticed this problem not in older areas I travel through, but in the areas where new subdivisions are being built. To be exact - when I travel through Fort Bend County here in Texas. Some areas are so bad I just have to shut the HF rig off, while others only last for a few seconds as you pass by the noise maker. So after careful thought I've come up with a few possible answers:
  1. Cheap Chinese made electronics
  2. Zombie workers who just don't give a damn about doing it right.
  3. A plot by the Utility company to destroy any chance of picking up signals via the airwaves.
  4. Or a combination of them all

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In any case, it really gets me PO'd when I'm stopped at an intersection of a newly built area (where there wasn't anything before except a long row of power lines) and I'm looking at a noise level of 1/2 to 3/4 on my meter. I'd be interesting in hearing from you if you've run into the same thing.

------------------------------------------

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"RADIO SHACK - We had your answers..."

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RadioShack (whose chief executive recently admitted to lying on his resume) has announced that they are planning to close between 400 and 700 company-operated stores, and liquidate slow moving items in their inventory. (Ed. - Hey! Maybe we'll get some deals on resistors, capacitors and the like).

Woody

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WHEN IS A CB NOT A CB?
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When it's a "Brimstone 144" 2m

(listed under CB, and start's of with "Interesting part of CB History...." Not to mention "Rare" and "Tricked out" ). Yes...some "trick" indeed....

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Sunday, February 12, 2006

THE MANLY-MAN HT
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While the HT market is devoted to smaller, and smaller HT's (trying to lure the younger cellphone segment into the hobby), it's time for older guys (or, younger guys with big fingers) to stand up for our rights and demand a "Manly-Man" HT - Hell, it could even be called the "Manly-Man HT" - with wide open spaces between the keys, a real BNC connector for the antenna, with an optional telescoping antenna and of course, and the main requirement - BIG and HEAVY.
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I remember when I got my first HT in the 80's and stuck it on my belt and it dragged my pants down below butt crack level while people stared at me in Shock'n Awe, I'd look 'em in the eyes and give 'em a nod and wink because I was a mobile ham!!
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It took awhile to get used to those big and heavy HT's....I'd get dressed in the morning and tighten my belt up near my chest, then attach the Manly-Man HT (knowing my belt would be waist level in a few hours) but filled with the knowledge that the heavier it was...the better it was. I was a field tech in Houston at the time, and as I was walking down the sidewalk, pulling my tool cart behind me, occasionally I'd run across another Ham wearing his Manyly-Man HT. We'd do the usual Sergio Leone thing (eyeball staring with occasional glances at the other guys HT), circle each other (tripping several pedestrians in the process with our tool carts) and then slowly back off - always ending with a polite nod to the other fellow.
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Manly-Man HT's were tough too - I dropped mine plenty of times and the only thing that broke were various toes...the HT kept on working though.... I went HT shopping not too long ago and when they handed me the latest model I felt like Will Smith in the movie "Men in Black" when he's handed a tiny, tiny weapon -
"THIS is an HT??" I exclaimed. The man behind the counter (about my age) looked downward in shame as he nodded his head, for he too longed for the day of the Manly-Man HT.
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So I as sit here, typing my plea to manufacturers, I am perfectly happy with my new purchase (IC-207, with belt clip and gel-cell pack with belt clip), but I'll be waiting....because someday the Manly-Man HT will make a comeback!!
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Saturday, February 11, 2006

"TO BUY, OR NOT TO BUY"
[THAT is the question]
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Money is usually the deciding factor on whether or not you are going to purchase another radio for the shack, or perhaps for the "Collection", and it used to be the price of the rig that kept you up at night, staring at the ceiling - wondering if it was worth the price...
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Today, it's not always the price of the rig that makes it a deciding factor, rather the shipping costs related to the rig. There are variables to this shipping price factor:
  1. How accurate the sellar is on weight/box size etc.
  2. Whether or not he just "Guessed" a price
  3. Whether or not they have packing and handling fee's (you'll run across this when the seller takes it a UPS store or some place similar and at the price of the box, and packing materials to the shipping cost.
  4. And of course, the one thing no one has control over - the price of gasoline. Shipping companies adjust their rates to the rise and fall of gasoline prices.

Sometimes you'll see a rig you've always wanted for a good price, but the shipping cost makes it prohibitive. And on occasion, the shipping charge will be more than the rig itself! I can think of several instances where I had to bite on the finger that presses the "ENTER" key, because the shipping rate was so absurb. This has to affect EBAY sales to a certain degree.....makes you wonder, with all that money to spend, and companies to buy, why they haven't bought a UPS or similar company.

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The US Post Office has a pretty good deal with their priority shipping, different sized boxes, and no matter how heavy the item is, if it fits in the box, the shipping cost is the same. Of course each size box has a different price, but nonetheless I've been able to save some money on shipping going that route. Now if only they can come up with a FedEx-like tracking system......

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The decision process going into "To-BUY-OR-NOT-TO-BUY" a rig can be physically and emotionally draining....Lying awake at night, trying to picture that rig in your shack....becoming so distracted by this process, you barely function at work (much less at the dinner table) because you've assigned the left side of your brain to work full time on this decision.

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I've been there, driving home from work with every billboard calling out to "BUY IT" "BUY IT"; Telling your boss that the quarterly report he wants won't be finished until 3 days, 24minutes, and (glancing at the ebay screen) THIRTEEN seconds;juggling the budget around so that you'll have the money (who cares if you have to eat grilled cheese sandwiches every day for a month...or two). Yep, there's nothing like being a radio operator, whether it's CB or HAM, we all suffer from the same afflictions....

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Woody

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Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Digital Redux, again...
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Okay, let's try this one again, along with a background story! First, take a look at the picture below and try to see what's wrong with that picture:
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Guess you figured it out. At first I thought it was photograph that was digitally modified, but it's not - The comes straight to ya from Nomadradio, along with an inside picture as well!


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Nomad writes, "This was shot during the assembly process, before the mike socket got wired up. The digits/channel selector/synthesizer is the same one seen in the Browning transmitters I use as forum sigs. Real product, perpetually sold nearly as soon as they're made. The two circuit boards in the upper half of this pic are: left) My replacement for the Glenn 326-1 board. It converts 16.270 MHz (channel 1) from the synthesizer to 26.965, for example. And right) the smaller board is a buffer, to beef up the drive level to match the 6CL6 driver tube. That same board goes into a Mark III SSB transmitter to bring up the weak drive level of a Siltronix or Glenn slider. The result is a mono band version of the original transmitter. The VFO dial is totally decorative. The entire VFO assembly and the "multiplier" tube are gone, along with the mode switch and the band switch. AM only, and (ahem) "10" meters. An antenna transfer relay, a coax for the receiver's antenna input, and muting are added to match a Browning receiver. With an adapter plug, it'll work with a normal ham or "communications" receiver with a mute jack on the rear panel. Problem is, nobody can afford it. Hence the disclaimer "Not a real product". Neither are the crazy concept cars at the auto show. Ever try to buy one of those? But it's a real radio, not just a PhotoFake."

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He adds:

"Of course, what the first few folks who ask will get told is that this setup is still at the "prototype" stage. Normal rule is that the first two units that get done are the guinea pigs. The circuitry and component values get worked out on GP #1, until it functions as desired. GP #2 gets lead dress, layout and mounting locations optimised and cleaned up. At this stage, written instructions get edited and proofread. This forms the basis to do the same procedure to Guinea Pig number three. The instructions get proofread, yet again at each step of the procedure, and the labor documented. There's not much point in using the first two specimens to guess at the labor needed. Too much time spent "figuring out" stuff on those. Once GP #3 is proven to perform, the remaining mistakes in the directions corrected, and the labor added up, this is the first time anybody gets to hear a dollar price, or even an estimate. The unit in the pix is the current specimen. It's Guinea-Pig number two. Don't have number 3 lined up, yet. Once that third unit goes home, and performs in the owner's hands for a while, the materials and labor get added up one more time. "

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"This is the point (finally) when a price will be quoted. Even then, with a radio that's 40-plus years old, it's only a "guesstimate" until the actual unit in question gets checked out. It's not just the years, it's the miles, too. You can tell if a Valiant was built from a kit or in the EF Johnson factory. If the tube sockets are held to the chassis with machine screws and nuts, it was probably a kit. If they are riveted to the chassis deck, it's probably a factory-built unit. There may be exceptions to that rule, don't know for sure. A radio with ALL good tubes would be cheaper to convert than one with empty sockets. What I'd really like to do with that tansmitter is work up a full-coverage 160-10 digital frequency synthesizer, with 10 or 25-Hz steps. A nice, large LCD display to put behind the original half-circle dial window. That WOULD be expensive to work up build. Never mind how much the first ten guinea pigs would have to pay for it. I keep promising myself I'm gonna play with this DDS chip-eval kit. Here's a thought: Hang a string of blue LEDs across the HV rectifiers after you replace them with silicons. That way you don't lose that ghostly blue-violet flicker from inside, in step with the voice audio. Hmmmmmmm...... "

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Woody Sez....

"I think this is really cool, and Nomad (from my experience) is a decent guy (he's helped me out a couple times troubleshooting a radio. I'd say visit his site and congratulate him for this project"

'Nuff Said,

Woody

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Monday, February 06, 2006

Killdozer....
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The year was 1974, an era of classic made-for-tv movies - you know, the ones that were really cool, well written, even if the plot seemed kinda funky. This was the year that "Killdozer" came out and I'll bet many of you remember it just by the title.
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If you don't remember, perhaps this will jog your memory - Construction workers on an Island and either a comet or something just as weird brings a bulldozer to life, complete with intelligence, and one goal- kill the workers. Clint Walker was the main dude, and "What does this have to do with radio?" you ask....nothing. It was just a cool movie that came to mind last night when my wife and I were on the way home from the Houston Museum.

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Sunday, February 05, 2006

"THIS AND THAT....."
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"THE DIGITAL REDUX DEPT."
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Check out the photo in this link for a photoshopped rig:
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"BIG BUBBA" Antenna Review update!
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Well, it's been about, if not exactly 10 years since I reviewed Valor's "Big Bubba" mobile antenna. I believe at the time I was doing a review article for the Copper Electronics Catalog and they sent me one to review, for better or for worse (although I suspect if it was for worse, it never would have hit the printer). The Review was also printed in my "CB GAZETTE" (no longer with us).
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But, for those of you who missed either of those, let's re-cap: I'd been using a Wilson 1000 mag mount since the mid-80's and was perfectly satisfied with it when the BB hit my doorstep. Naturally with a name like "Big Bubba", I had the usual trepidations about it before even opening the box. You might even go so far as to say I'd already convicted and executed it before trying it out. The BB is sold by it's lonesome, with several mounts to choose (purchase). Mine came with a mag mount.
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Out of the box, it didn't appear THAT much different than my Wilson 1000, except the whip was longer (and having cut down the 1000's whip several times, I was not looking forward to it), and the coil's diameter was smaller than the 1000, but longer than the 1000. The connector of the base was PL-259, which was just like the 1000, and un-like so many of the other CB antennas. So much for out of the box....
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That evening I put the BB on the supplied Valor mag mount (about the same size as the Wilson) and found to my surprise that I didn't have to cut the whip a bit, even though it was longer than the Wilson, and it had decent SWR on 11 and 10 meters! The next morning I got up at the usual 4 a.m. timeslot and hit the road for work. It was a very foggy/damp morning and I chatted on the radio with a couple other earlybirds who made the same grueling trip into Houston each day like I did. Everything was fine until I hit 70mph and suddenly the radio went dead, and as I looked out my rearview mirror I could see sparks on the road - the magnet mount didn't hold and the tip of the whip was dragging along behind me. I still had my wilson mag mount so I pulled over and put the scarred BB antenna on it....and had no further problems.
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No one seemed to notice a drop in my signal, but the big test came the following weekend, where I had my wife sitting off I-10 while I was pulled off on the side of FM525. We were about 11 miles apart, barefoot, and I had the Wilson on the Top of the van first. We could hear each other but she kept asking me to repeat what I said, so I figured our string was about as strung out as it could get. Next, I unscrewed the Wilson 1000 from the mag mount and screwed the Big Bubba in it's place...got back into the van and while she seemed about the same on my end, my signal actually registered on her radio and she could hear me clearly. I put the Wilson back on, my signal dropped. I put the Big Bubba back on, and it went up again. That pretty much sold me on the Big Bubba (I even hate typing that name), and so at that time - I switched brands.
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TEN YEARS LATER....
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Well, it's ten years, 2 vans, and 1 car later and I'm still using the Big Bubba. I've used it on both 11 and 10 meters with great success, but with the Wilson or Diamond mag mount. This is my second BB (the first one I replaced in 1999 due to failure of the foldover feature. It would fold over just fine, but keeping it "up" was the problem. Too many UP and DOWNS from that parking garage downtown. This second one is still going strong, I just don't use that feature, have switched jobs where it's not necessary, but if an occasion calls for low overhead parking, I just unscrew it from the magmount.
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Of course, I peeled the "Big Bubba" off of this one too (although I did get quite a few chuckles when I'd pull into a tailgate sale). Then, one day last year, I started to worry..."What if they had stopped making it??". So I got online, checked around and could not find the Valor Big Bubba listed! Worry turned into fear - it's like buying a shirt that fits and feels just right and when it wears out, you can't find an exact duplicate to replace it (That's why I buy my favorite shirts in two's or three's now). So I went to Valor's website and son-of-a-gun if I didn't find it, so, even though you can't seem to find them anywhere, someone must be buying them....but even so, I bought two, and their sitting on the bench, waiting to be called up to bat one day. So there ya have it, 10 years later and still happy....BUT - after checking the web again, if you go to valcoelectronics it now sends you to "Reliant", which sells no, not the Big Bubba, but the mag mount for the BB. Good thing I put my shirt buying practice into play with this one!
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'Nuff Said,
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Saturday, February 04, 2006

Friday, February 03, 2006

FEB. 1st, 2006 'Nuff Said
(part two)
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If you're a frequent tire kicker at EBay you'll recognize this picture as it seems to be the most popular picture used from my website for other peoples auctions. If you see this picture, and it's not "TheStonerGuy" selling it, then you can assume it's not the actual photo of the rig forsale!!

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It's one thing to use one of my photo's with a disclaimer like "This isn't the actual picture of the radio for sale", but most time's they don't do it. I feel bad for the buyer....

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"FROM THE SILENT KEY DEPT."

Rumor has it that "104 North Florida" passed away. May his past transmissions live on forever.

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"PET PEEVE DEPT."

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EBay pet peeve No. 2103 - When the seller gives you a complete description of the radio forsale, complete with pictures (fuzzy focused), but doesn't tell you what the model number of the rig is....

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"FROM THE I'M Sooooooo STUPID DEPT."

Before the Federal Communications Commission Washington, D.C. 20554 In the Matter of ) ) Gene A. Fricke ) EB-04-BS-085 ) ) NAL/Acct. No. Nashua, New Hampshire ) 200632260001 ) FRN No. 0014204622

On July 6, 2005, in response to complaints regarding Fricke's CB station, agents from the Boston Office monitored CB radio operations in the Nashua, New Hampshire area.3 Using direction-finding equipment, the agents determined that a signal emitting a constant carrier on the frequency 27.195 MHz was emanating from Fricke's residence. The agents conducted an inspection of Fricke's CB station and found three CB transmitters that were set up and connected to outdoor antennas on Fricke's residence. By conducting on/off tests, the agents confirmed that one of the transmitters was emitting a one-way communication in the form of a constant carrier on the frequency 27.195 MHz, a frequency that is not authorized for use by CB stations. The agents further determined that the other two transmitters set up in Fricke's residence were capable of operating in excess of the four-watt power limitations. One measured ten watts, the other measured eight watts. (ed. - I'm surprised the locals didn't take care of this problem....)

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"THE BEATING MY HEAD AGAINST THE WALL DEPT."

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I'm going to keep bringing this up, from time-to-time, until I get a good freaking answer: Why, with 40 channels to use, do truckers jump from 19 and use channel 38?? Why can't they go down a few channels, say for instance 1-6?? Even when I drop down to AM and ask them, I get silence....are they just so freaking stupid that they can't take a hint? Or, maybe they don't hear me with their RF gain control set to Zero, their Squelch turned up, and a 400 watt amplifier keeping contact with the truck that's about 1/4 of a mile away. I'll admit, I run into a few "good guys" who, when asked, move to a lower frequency, but lately it seems to be getting worse - not better.

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My guns are now turning towards ham radio manufacturers......(Thanks to Dave H. and the fact I'm experiencing it right now), but why is it that Ham Radio Manufacturers can put the latest and greatest technology into a small box, charge $1000 (or more), yet they can't seem to come up with a decent noise blanker?? (like in a Uniden Grant or Cobra 2000).

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Some of these are halfway decent, and some are pure crap (like the Alinco DX-70, which actually adds noise when you turn the NB "ON"), but (on a receive only of course) test, the ham rig might have a 7/8 noise level, but flip on a Cobra 2000 and "Hey, it's quiet and you can actually hear people" (ed. - what a novel idea). So......ICOM, YAESU, are you listening???? How hard is it for you to do a Noise Blanker right??? and I'm not talking DSP, adjustable this and that, I'm talking about a freaking noise blanker that you just flip the switch and ----------silence. As far as Alinco goes, well, I'm not sure how they still manage to sell the overpriced HF+6 rig with noise creating noise blankers.......

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OPERATION "SUITSAT-1"

Astronauts in the International Space Station and stuffing an old space suit full of rags, etc. along with a transmitter and pushing it out the door! Ham radio operators (or anyone with a scanner for that matter) can pick up it's transmission's every day (in the U.S. between midnight and 4a.m.) on frequency 145.990. It's expected the signal will be received for several days before it re-enters the atmosphere. It's whereabouts can also be tracked on the space station website.

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"IN THE NEW RADIO DEPT."

  • Reports of a few glitches, but otherwise the Cobra 200 seems fairly reliable (3rd party sources)
  • The "Stryker" radios are now available
  • Icom IC-7000 is on the market too, and many-a-ham are walking around with erect wallets...

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Hey! I here some DX!!!!

'Nuff Said

Woody