Recent content by 338_MtRushmore

What is the viewing distance like? The few cheap things I’ve tried were less than 6” focus distance. Ok for most inspection stuff, but trying to solder that close sucked.

Any idea the name or model?

What do you all use for magnification for working on through hole board type of work? Net necessarily smt type of microscope but thinking loupe glasses or something. My eyes have gotten to the point readers just don't cut it anymore.

I use a megawatt but the fan was too loud. Added 2 24v fans from the junk pile and it is silent and never given any trouble. It is kinda ugly though.

Radio arrived in perfect condition as expected. I just wonder how it was so clean and didn’t have a single spec of dust on it.

Dang, not even a ham yet and already other hams are getting grumpy. Well done! Seriously though, don’t let anyone tell you how to play radio. Digital modes have been used by amateurs since the 40’s, and even cw is technically a digital mode. I personally enjoy winlink, maybe partly because it...

Is your pc mic set to the rig blaster? Are you getting any indication on the mic test? Windows I assume?

There is a lot of overlapping material from tech to general, so once you start acing the tech practice exams, you are already half way to general. Good luck, though I doubt you’ll need it!

Thanks Jim! I guess I get to try the new wonder rig, I’m only 10 years late to the party.

I’ll take it! I’ll shoot you a message

When all that is said and done, the frequency with the lowest vswr is the most efficient. It is kind of funny watching guys detune their antennas by increasing ground loss when they move it closer to the edge of the roof.

All that matters is where the vswr dip is. Resonance is pretty easy to read at an antenna feed point, but adding a feedline adds a lot of complications.

I finally realized it is an axial component that they snip the leads off of. Makes more sense now. Thank you

Is the whole endcap the contact, or is it just the center pin? Just curious if the hole in the conductor might increase the gap and raise the voltage it takes to arc out. I’m guessing not, but I don’t really even know what it is or how it actually works.

I have begun setting up a station recently and have been digging through boxes and messes from years ago in attempt to find stuff. Today I found the polyphaser I used to use on my camper in North Dakota. This thing was installed for a few years, but not actually used much. Put a new slug in it...