On Apr 26, 2006, at 10:49 AM, Phil Clements wrote:
>
>
> . My guess is the confusion
>> stems mostly from erratic editing of the Handbook. Certain chapters
>> are
>> chosen for revision and updating each year. Other chapters, even
>> though
>> they may contain known errors, are not touched. It might pay to take
>> several years' worth of Handbooks, cut them up, and reassemble them to
>> produce one relatively error-free copy!
>
>
> Amen, Jim!
>
> We have seen many examples of errors in the Handbook pointed out here
> on the
> reflector. The latest of which is the amp project in the 2006 edition,
> with
> the error in the step-start circuit.
When I was writing articles for Newington, the thorn in my side was
sincere - but somewhat electronically ignorant - employees who were
paid to make changes in manuscripts, or redraw schematic diagrams,
adding mistakes. It was as if they were worried that if they did not
make changes, their job just might be deemed unnecessary.
>
> My guess is that c. WW II, several experts took jobs at ARRL HQ at a
> pay
> rate much lower that industry standard at the time because they loved
> the
> work. We were getting more bang for our buck as members of the League.
> As
> they retired, their established standards of technical excellence
> seemed to
> fade away slowly over the years. Volunteers were recruited to serve as
> technical editors at times, but apparently a lot of errors began to
> slip
> through the cracks. Most new hams today are not too technically
> inclined,
> and only want info on which is the best performing "plug-and-play"
> equipment
> to buy and set on the desk. The few technical magazines remaining have
> changed their format from major projects to small station accessories,
> antennas, computer based, and QRP stuff. I'm not blaming anyone here,
> you
> must adjust your products to fit the desires of your subscribers, or
> go out
> of business.
>
> My suggestion to anyone undertaking a newly published project is to
> show it
> to your local "Elmer", or toss it around here on the reflector before
> you
> start drilling holes in a chassis.
>
> (((73)))
> Phil Clements, K5PC
>
>
>
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>
>
Rich Measures, 805.386.3734, AG6K, www.somis.org
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