Recent content by 338_MtRushmore

Unfortunately it’s kinda like asking for a fuse that will never blow. Just can’t get the protection of a soft tool with the durability of a steel tool. If I did a lot of tuning, I’d look into 3d printing them. I’d bet the right filament with maybe even a good annealing would last a decent...

I started a job in appliance repair recently, and today I was trying to read a board on a Samsung refrigerator. Even using my phone zoomed in was nearly impossible to read. The kid with me claimed there were pin numbers on the connector, but I never could even verify markings, let alone identify...

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