|
The Wireless Connection A Reader’s Ideas, And Looking Back At An Official Government Decree by Peter J. Bertini <radioconnection@juno.com> |
 “Wow, things do really come around!”—John, KB7KBL |
||
|
|
First, a big thank you! Based on the Pop’Comm reader surveys published in December, 25 percent of you enjoy learning about and working with vintage technology. While certainly not a majority, it shows the column has good support. Your feedback is important, and although neither Harold nor I can answer every letter or follow every suggestion, constructive criticism is welcomed. For example, here are some good ideas offered by Mike Taylor in a recent e-mail:
Hi Peter, I enjoyed the
September column. Pop’Comm writers are always asking for ideas for future
columns so I thought I’d throw in my three cents worth. This is about what
I call the “No-Frills Shortwave Set.” Many of us have one. It’s the rig
that gets used away from the main shack or listening post. You’ll find it
usually on the table next to your bed, or in the den, or garage. Wherever.
No-Frills Radios have three things in common, and we can build some things
to make them more enjoyable. First, there’s no S-meter, so let’s build
one! No Frills Radios also tune only AM signals, so let’s build a crystal
controlled BFO; it could sit next to the radio and provide a beat note for
CW and SSB reception. How do you know where you are tuned on the 25-meter
band when using a slide rule dial with 1-MHz markings? Let’s build a
crystal calibrator with selectable 1-MHz and 100-kHz marker signals. We
can built these ourselves, for not much money, and we’d be able to tune
SSB/CW, watch signal levels, and know where we are tuned on the dial!
There’s some food for thought!” Thanks, Mike. I was considering doing several of the projects you suggested. In fact, I picked up a vintage Hallicrafters S-20R just to use as a guinea pig for several of the projects. An S-meter is in the works—the box and meter are on the bench. |
||