Subj : OK Back to HAM RADIO Talk
To   : Angus Mcleod
From : Spaceman Spiff
Date : Sat Apr 16 2005 06:19 pm

  Re: OK Back to HAM RADIO Talk
  By: Angus Mcleod to Spaceman Spiff on Thu Apr 14 2005 12:19 am

 >   Re: OK Back to HAM RADIO Talk
 >   By: Spaceman Spiff to All on Wed Apr 13 2005 19:17:00
 > 
 >  > A bout 10 of the local HAMs out here have decided to all buy these little
 >  > kit radios called the Rock Mite.
 > 
 > Interesting little rig.  I don't know the 612 mixer -- I guess it's a
 > development of the old 602.  I don't much like the built-in keyer tho,
 > becasue I use a straight pump-handle key.  One thing not obvious from the
 > makers website:  What about T/R switching?  QSK?
 > 
 >  > The kits cost around $26 plus I think $12 for the  connector hardware. We
 >  > need to mout the kit into a case of some sort. many of the guys are optin
 >  > Altoids Mints tins.
 > 
 > Building ham gear into Altoids tins has reached cult proportions.  :-)
 > 
 >  > The rigs are available in several frequencies. We all agreed on the Novic
 >  > portion of 80 meters, as several of the HAMs have not achieved General ye
 >  > 40 meters Novice 7.100-7.150 can be brutal at night.
 > 
 > Ugh!  I never operated below 40 meters because of the 75 lb. of copper
 > wire you have to lug around to make an 80M antenna.  :-/  40M at night is
 > pretty tough, what with the BC stations running megawatts...
 > 
 >  > The little Rig is rock bound to one frequency, though I have heard there 
 >  > mods for it available on the internet. Apparently it has a small followin
 >  > the HAM community and a YAHOO user group.
 > 
 > You should be able to find a VXO mod fairly easily.
 > 
 >  > At the very least there will 10 other guys in my area I could talk to, :)
 >  > brush up on my CW.
 > 
 > You can work the entire world on 500mW.  But it will be a real challenge
 > to your operating skill and your knowledge of propagation.  'Specially on
 > 80.  I like QRP (G-QRP 6941) but I've never operated below one watt.
 > 
 >  > Any kit builders out here?
 > 
 > Alas, my eyesight and dexterity aren't what they used to be.
 > 
 > 
 > 
I think that is a common problem with many hams.
One of the other local HAMs said the same thing, he said his eyes and hand
aren't what they were. He used to do a lot of Home Brew, he just works on
bigger projects now, Baluns and Antennas, he is build a big vasriable capacitor
fom scratch. Looks to be a cool project.


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