Dayton Hamfest

[Patrick Finnegan]

... is tomorrow!

Is anyone planning on going this year?

I'll be there again, in spaces 3435/3436, and have a bunch of fun old
electronic and computer crap (including a few nice, fun, big UNIX
boxes).

Pat
--
Purdue University Research Computing ---  http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/
The Computer Refuge                  ---  http://computer-refuge.org
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[Jonathan Katz-2]

On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 11:30 AM, Patrick Finnegan <pat@...>
wrote:

> ... is tomorrow!
>

I won't be there, but if you can keep an eye out for cheap aviation/GPS gear
I'd be grateful.

-Jon
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[William Enestvedt]

I would never go, but the night before last I realized the book my wife
was reading to the kids was about a child ham helping to rescue stranded
Floridians from his parent's New York apartment (in 1926), "Radio
Rescue" by Lynne Barasch:
     http://www.amazon.com/dp/0374361665

   Great fun book, and it explains Morse code with a full listing and
some examples (that also demonstrate the near-Asperger's intensity of
teaching yourself the code and practicing it everyhere), as well as
having endpapers that feature six greats of the history of wireless
broadcast technology. :7)

  Whoa, did I just hijack this thread? Sorry.

- Will
--
Will Enestvedt
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[Bill Blum]

> ... is tomorrow!
>
> Is anyone planning on going this year?
>
> I'll be there again, in spaces 3435/3436, and have a bunch of fun old
> electronic and computer crap (including a few nice, fun, big UNIX
> boxes).
>
> Pat
>

I'll be there, since I'm actually local to Dayton.



--
Bill Blum
Bill.Blum@...
"Experience is the knowledge that enables you to recognize a mistake when
you make it again."
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[Steve Hatle]

On 5/15/08 10:30 AM, "Patrick Finnegan" wrote:

> ... is tomorrow!
>
> Is anyone planning on going this year?
>
> I'll be there again, in spaces 3435/3436, and have a bunch of fun old
> electronic and computer crap (including a few nice, fun, big UNIX
> boxes).


Such as... :-)
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[Patrick Finnegan]

On Thursday 15 May 2008, Steve Hatle wrote:

> On 5/15/08 10:30 AM, "Patrick Finnegan" wrote:
> > ... is tomorrow!
> >
> > Is anyone planning on going this year?
> >
> > I'll be there again, in spaces 3435/3436, and have a bunch of fun
> > old electronic and computer crap (including a few nice, fun, big
> > UNIX boxes).
>
> Such as... :-)

Tube-based test gear

an IBM H50, F40, two 43P-150s and two H70s

White-box dual-1.2GHz 2U Athlon rackmount systems (loads)

Dell PE2650s

Whatever Ultra 5/10s I've got left

Old PPC macs and mac clones (plus a Duo w/dock).

An SGI Indy

Analog cell-tower radios

3rd party 12-slot (or so) QBUS enclosure

Random power supplies, boards, memory, cables, etc,

Aluminum relay racks

Other stuff I can't possibly remember

Pat
--
Purdue University Research Computing ---  http://www.rcac.purdue.edu/
The Computer Refuge                  ---  http://computer-refuge.org
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[Robert Darlington]

Eh, learning the code isn't hard.  They dumbed it down from something
near 30 words per minute (27? something like that) to 5 words per
minute across the board for all ham tests.  As of 2/23/07, they
completely dropped the requirement for morse code, which brings our
amateur radio exams in line with the rest of the world.  There is a
lot of drama associated with the decision to drop the code requirement
which I won't get into, but it's gone now.

Incidentally, Thailand's telegraph service just ended this month:
http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=91565

I like the idea of code, but it's 2008 and there are faster, more
reliable means of communication out there.  The ham community has
pushed to keep the requirement around for the wrong reasons (read the
FCC's report if you're interested), but that doesn't mean it didn't
have its place.

-Bob (N3XKB)



On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 9:41 AM, William Enestvedt
<William.Enestvedt@...> wrote:

> I would never go, but the night before last I realized the book my wife
> was reading to the kids was about a child ham helping to rescue stranded
> Floridians from his parent's New York apartment (in 1926), "Radio
> Rescue" by Lynne Barasch:
>     http://www.amazon.com/dp/0374361665
>
>   Great fun book, and it explains Morse code with a full listing and
> some examples (that also demonstrate the near-Asperger's intensity of
> teaching yourself the code and practicing it everyhere), as well as
> having endpapers that feature six greats of the history of wireless
> broadcast technology. :7)
>
>  Whoa, did I just hijack this thread? Sorry.
>
> - Will
> --
> Will Enestvedt
> _______________________________________________
> rescue list - http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/rescue

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[Rick Hamell]

Robert Darlington wrote:

> I like the idea of code, but it's 2008 and there are faster, more
> reliable means of communication out there.  The ham community has
> pushed to keep the requirement around for the wrong reasons (read the
> FCC's report if you're interested), but that doesn't mean it didn't
> have its place.

I'm kind of sad to see that requirement go, although it was the major
reason (even more so then a lack of interest,) that I didn't ever get my
license.

--
Rick Hamell
Tech Blog - http://www.1nova.com/blog
Pacific Northwest Photo Blog - http://www.1nova.com/photoblog
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[Robert Darlington]

I was more of the opinion that if they're going to test you on modes
of operation, then they should test on a representative sampling.  I
would like to see tests on psk31 test, AMTOR, J-Mode satellite uplink
(or whatever they call it now), voice, etc.

Either that or get rid of any requirement that tests you on mode proficiency.

The FCC shot down every argument that was made by the part of the ham
community that wanted to keep the code requirement (a vast minority,
believe it or not).  It's pretty good reading so check it out:
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-178A1.pdf


And on a more on topic subject (well, not really), I'm looking for a
plate transformer for a tube amp project.  If any of you make it out
to Dayton and find a transformer that needs rescuing that does 220 in
and roughly 3200 volts out @ about an amp, I'd gladly pay you for your
time, the cost of the transformer, and shipping charges to NM.  This
is for a general purpose HV supply that I want to use for testing
amplifier designs for hobby stuff.   I won one on eBay but the guy
died.


On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 3:26 PM, Rick Hamell <hamellr@...> wrote:

> Robert Darlington wrote:
>
>> I like the idea of code, but it's 2008 and there are faster, more
>> reliable means of communication out there.  The ham community has
>> pushed to keep the requirement around for the wrong reasons (read the
>> FCC's report if you're interested), but that doesn't mean it didn't
>> have its place.
>
> I'm kind of sad to see that requirement go, although it was the major reason
> (even more so then a lack of interest,) that I didn't ever get my license.
>
> --
> Rick Hamell
> Tech Blog - http://www.1nova.com/blog
> Pacific Northwest Photo Blog - http://www.1nova.com/photoblog
> _______________________________________________
> rescue list - http://www.sunhelp.org/mailman/listinfo/rescue

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[Lionel Peterson]

>From: Patrick Finnegan <pat@...>
>Date: 2008/05/15 Thu PM 03:29:55 EDT
>To: The Rescue List <rescue@...>
>Subject: Re: [rescue] Dayton Hamfest

<snip>

>Dell PE2650s

I recently scored a nice Dell PE 2650, it has 2x 3.066 GHz Xeons, 12 Gig (6x 2 Gig DIMMs, all DELL branded ;^), 2x 36 Gig and 3x 146 Gig HDs and a set of rack rails for just a tad over $500, but the shipper failed to properly pack it, and the chassis got munged (the system works fgine, but the chassis isn't square, and one of the PS dies in transit...

That thing is a beast ;^) I really like it.

Lionel
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[Jonathan Guthrie-3]

On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:55:07PM -0600, Robert Darlington wrote:
> Eh, learning the code isn't hard.  They dumbed it down from something
> near 30 words per minute (27? something like that) to 5 words per
> minute across the board for all ham tests.

As of 1982, when I sat for the Extra test, in the US it was 20 WPM.  At
20 WPM, it's almost getting useful.
--
Jonathan Guthrie (jguthrie@...)
Sto pro veritate
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[Bill Bradford]

On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 11:30:27AM -0400, Patrick Finnegan wrote:
> ... is tomorrow!
> Is anyone planning on going this year?
> I'll be there again, in spaces 3435/3436, and have a bunch of fun old
> electronic and computer crap (including a few nice, fun, big UNIX
> boxes).

I wish I could.  I've not even TOUCHED any of my ham gear since the stuff
that happened back in February [0].  Need to start studying again for my
General upgrade. 8-(

Bill

[0] wife in hospital for 1.5 weeks, then my dog died

--
Bill Bradford
Houston, Texas
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[wa2egp]

-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: "Robert Darlington" <rdarlington@...>
>
> Eh, learning the code isn't hard.  They dumbed it down from something
> near 30 words per minute (27? something like that) to 5 words per
> minute across the board for all ham tests.  As of 2/23/07, they
> completely dropped the requirement for morse code, which brings our
> amateur radio exams in line with the rest of the world.  There is a
> lot of drama associated with the decision to drop the code requirement
> which I won't get into, but it's gone now.

21 WPM for the Extra license in the U.S.A.  Actually, we were not too far behind some other countries.  Sometimes only a year or so.  

Code is certainly easier to generate and receive than other modes if that's of any use.  

>
> Incidentally, Thailand's telegraph service just ended this month:
> http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=91565
>
> I like the idea of code, but it's 2008 and there are faster, more
> reliable means of communication out there.  The ham community has
> pushed to keep the requirement around for the wrong reasons (read the
> FCC's report if you're interested), but that doesn't mean it didn't
> have its place.
>
> -Bob (N3XKB)

Whether the wrong reasons or not, it is gone but there are still a lot of hams that use it, some exclusively.

Bob WA2EGP
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[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

On Thu, May 15, 2008 at 02:55:07PM -0600, Robert Darlington wrote:
> Eh, learning the code isn't hard.  They dumbed it down from something
> near 30 words per minute (27? something like that) to 5 words per
> minute across the board for all ham tests.  As of 2/23/07, they
> completely dropped the requirement for morse code, which brings our
> amateur radio exams in line with the rest of the world.  There is a
> lot of drama associated with the decision to drop the code requirement
> which I won't get into, but it's gone now.

For some people it's near impossible. I spent 29 years trying. Eventually
I found a package called "Code Quick" which made it possible for me to
learn it.

At my peak, I was able to copy 35wpm.

Since then I never use it, to be honest, I hate having to spell everything
in real time.

Morse code sucks for visual thinkers.

Geoff.

--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@...  N3OWJ/4X1GM
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[Ethan O'Toole]

Anyone ever run a shortwave pirate station?

Seems like more fun than normal 2 meter repeater action.


--
05 REM Signature
10 PRINT " Ethan O'Toole "
20 PRINT " FLICKR ", " http://www.flickr.com/photos/ethanotoole "
30 PRINT " YOUTUBE ", " www.youtube.com/user/telmnstr "
40 PRINT " HOMEPAGE ", " users.757.org/~ethan "
RUN
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[James Fogg]

> The FCC shot down every argument that was made by the part of the ham
> community that wanted to keep the code requirement (a vast minority,
> believe it or not).  It's pretty good reading so check it out:
> http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-06-178A1.pdf


The real reason some wanted the code requirement is to keep out "CB'ers"
(a USA colloquialism). Unfortunately, bad operators have been a part of
HF forever. It's why the ARRL was formed. All the crap you hear on late
night 75M has been around forever. The net wars on 20M with the
Intercontinental and maritime mobile nets being harassed by the B.A.R.F.
were a disgrace.

Getting more normal people on HF will keep it cleaner.

And I'm a no-code General, soon to be Extra. I was a no-code tech 14
years ago too.
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[Geoffrey S. Mendelson]

On Fri, May 16, 2008 at 09:44:33AM -0400, James Fogg wrote:
> The real reason some wanted the code requirement is to keep out "CB'ers"
> (a USA colloquialism). Unfortunately, bad operators have been a part of
> HF forever. It's why the ARRL was formed. All the crap you hear on late
> night 75M has been around forever. The net wars on 20M with the
> Intercontinental and maritime mobile nets being harassed by the B.A.R.F.
> were a disgrace.
>
> Getting more normal people on HF will keep it cleaner.

Japan and the Soviet Union started issuing no-code HF licenses in the
1950's and neither had the problems the U.S. had. What cleaned up the
U.S. hams (as much as they were cleaned up) was appointing a ham as the
head of the enforcement beareau of the FCC. Since he was licensed he
could go on the air and politely tell offenders that he was going to
fine them and revoke their licenses if they did not follow the rules.
Several former hams ignored him. :-)


You would not believe the acrominy some "coded hams" have for no-code
generals. Recently Ten-Tec asked what people wanted in a new rig. We
discussed this on a Ten-Tec user's mailing list and I suggested a 20m
SSB rig pared down to the absolute minumum. My idea was to make it 20m
SSB only with CW and other bands as extra cost, user installable
options.

Based on my discussions with Mr. Bill and others, I wanted to hit a price
point of $200, so that hams who had no radio and not a lot of extra
cash could get back on the air.

If you are interested, you are welcome to look up the list and read the
archives. :-(

On the other hand suggestions for how to get seed funding would be gratefully
accepted.

> And I'm a no-code General, soon to be Extra. I was a no-code tech 14
> years ago too.

I'm a U.S. 13wpm Advanced and an Israel Extra. I probably won't upgrade because
Israel is one of the few countries in the world that asked the people that
run the volunteer exams for U.S. licenses not to operate here.

I was first licensed in May of 1993 as a No Code Tech.

I guess I could go to Kuait, Jordan or Egypt. :-)

Geoff.


--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson, Jerusalem, Israel gsm@...  N3OWJ/4X1GM
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[wa2egp]

> For some people it's near impossible. I spent 29 years trying. Eventually
> I found a package called "Code Quick" which made it possible for me to
> learn it.
>
> At my peak, I was able to copy 35wpm.
>
> Since then I never use it, to be honest, I hate having to spell everything
> in real time.
>
> Morse code sucks for visual thinkers.
>
> Geoff.

Try for those with anything related to dyslexia.  I got up to about 15-18 WPM.  I didn't mind having to learn it, it was just a little more difficult.  Without getting into a debate, I could have gone either way.  Whatever "they" decided, that's the way it was going to be.

Bob
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[wa2egp]

> The real reason some wanted the code requirement is to keep out "CB'ers"
> (a USA colloquialism). Unfortunately, bad operators have been a part of
> HF forever. It's why the ARRL was formed. All the crap you hear on late
> night 75M has been around forever. The net wars on 20M with the
> Intercontinental and maritime mobile nets being harassed by the B.A.R.F.
> were a disgrace.
>
> Getting more normal people on HF will keep it cleaner.
>
> And I'm a no-code General, soon to be Extra. I was a no-code tech 14
> years ago too.

Good going!  I have nothing against no-code hams.  As far as the 75M crap, I used to talk to some of those individuals.  Unfortunately, couldn't "calm" some of them down.  Oh well.  Part of the problem is the "HF police" that try to confront these people on the air.  Doesn't work. :)

Bob
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[wa2egp]

> Japan and the Soviet Union started issuing no-code HF licenses in the
> 1950's and neither had the problems the U.S. had. What cleaned up the
> U.S. hams (as much as they were cleaned up) was appointing a ham as the
> head of the enforcement beareau of the FCC. Since he was licensed he
> could go on the air and politely tell offenders that he was going to
> fine them and revoke their licenses if they did not follow the rules.
> Several former hams ignored him. :-)
>

I don't know if he actually did that but he did spread the word that he was not taking any crap from anybody and the majority of hams applauded him for that.  For a long time the FCC seemed to be large on bark and short on bite.

>
> You would not believe the acrominy some "coded hams" have for no-code
> generals. Recently Ten-Tec asked what people wanted in a new rig. We
> discussed this on a Ten-Tec user's mailing list and I suggested a 20m
> SSB rig pared down to the absolute minumum. My idea was to make it 20m
> SSB only with CW and other bands as extra cost, user installable
> options.

MFJ 9000 series of single band transceivers.  SSB and most have an optional board for CW.
They are only 20 watts but work very well.

>
> Based on my discussions with Mr. Bill and others, I wanted to hit a price
> point of $200, so that hams who had no radio and not a lot of extra
> cash could get back on the air.
>
> If you are interested, you are welcome to look up the list and read the
> archives. :-(
>
> On the other hand suggestions for how to get seed funding would be gratefully
> accepted.
>
> > And I'm a no-code General, soon to be Extra. I was a no-code tech 14
> > years ago too.
>
> I'm a U.S. 13wpm Advanced and an Israel Extra. I probably won't upgrade because
> Israel is one of the few countries in the world that asked the people that
> run the volunteer exams for U.S. licenses not to operate here.
>
> I was first licensed in May of 1993 as a No Code Tech.
>
> I guess I could go to Kuait, Jordan or Egypt. :-)
>
> Geoff.

If you look at BITX, that looks like the same idea.  The rig looks interesting.

Bob
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