Is a ‘Rebuilt’ SB-220 worth $1300?
The rebuilder certainly thinks so. If you go through his laundry list of repair items you will find that he does have at least $1300 tied up in the rebuilt SB-220. Unfortunately that does not answer...
View ArticleElecraft
A week ago I became the owner and user of a new KX3 transceiver. I use the KX3 in a fixed station application powering from an old reliable PS-30 power supply. I run the KX3 at maximum power and use it...
View ArticleK2 or K3 or KX3 or TS-950SD ?????
Too late for the KX3 and TS-950SD. I already have one of each. I am currently considering a K2 or a K3. Recenly I decided it would have to be a K3. In order to get the K3 I would sell the TS-950SD and...
View ArticleDo I still want a KWM2?
I recently saw a KWM2 and speaker power supply offered for sale for $1500. As little as twenty years ago I might have considered buying it. Today I would rather spend that sort of money on a KX3 and...
View ArticleKenwood TS-850
Ever since I repaired a TS-850 for a close friend I have been wanting a TS-850 of my own. I do have a TS-950 and the TS-850 appears just as good and considerably lighter in weight. On top of that I...
View ArticleSoft Key – where to install it
References to Soft Key are normally found in articles dealing with linear amplifier modifications. The Soft Key circuitry is most often installed in amplifiers whose design incorporates high voltage...
View ArticleCustom Control Console
This concerns antenna switching and SWR measurements. For convenience the switching and measuring is best done close to the operating position. Perhaps in a console located right next to the radio. We...
View ArticleKey Line Isolation
Interfacing the keying line to an amplifier used to be very simple in the old days when transceivers used a spare set of contacts in their TR relays to do that job. Today modern transceivers use solid...
View ArticleAntenna Switches
Over time I have used a number of tower based antenna switches. They all worked but were never able to select between morew than four antennas. These switches were controlled through the coax feedline...
View ArticleSolar Power
I have had a small 50 watt solar system up and running for about two years. It keeps a single 12 volt automotive 24F class battery charged. The system provides power to light and run a modest 2 meter...
View ArticleComputer Turns Itself Off
Sometimes my computer problems are software related but most often they are caused by hardware problems. Recently I experienced a problem where my desktop was turning itself off. This destop is...
View ArticleUPS or USPS which is the better shipping solution
Companies in the business of shipping do not produce anything. They merely provide a service. At best they safely deliver a customer’s goods to a destination on time and at reasonable cost. At worst...
View ArticleFACTORY RADIO REPAIR AT REASONABLE COST
You may already know that reasonable cost factory radio repair does not exist. Read on for proof. If your radio acts up or stops working and you can’t fix it yourself, your best bet is to sell it as an...
View ArticleSYLPHEED
I had been using the Thunderbird email program but recently started using sylpheed. Sylpheed loads faster and handles spam a little better than Thunderbird. Better in this case means easier with less...
View ArticleDUCKTAPE
When I was actively engaged in my engineering profession we used to speculate, ‘How many ducks does it take to make a roll of ducktape’. Or, ‘How do you make a dapterduck?’. Of course these were all...
View ArticleThe rig is so good, it is used by DXpeditions
So goes the sales pitch for a well known amateur radio manufacturer. To be fair, that radio is superior to most. It is sensitive, selective and can be used in crowded RF environments. Why it can even...
View ArticleLight/Dark Activated Switch
These are switches used to turn on lights at dusk and turn them off again at sunrise. Generally, a light sensitive device like a photocell, optical sensor of some sort is ties to an opamp comparator...
View ArticleDC Power Distribution
This device is a plug-strip to provide power to devices requiring 12 volt DC power at up to 30 amps. Such a plug-strip is available commercially but it is somewhat pricey at around $100. I had better...
View ArticleI Don’t Think
Those three words instantly disqualify the speaker from expecting any respect, credibility, or attention.
View ArticleFormating USB Memory Sticks
As delivered most USB memory is formatted to FAT32. This is done because FAT32 ensures maximum portability. FAT32 also limits file size. Try copying a 4+gig file to a FAT32 device. You will get an...
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