Hi Tom,
Who said that non-homebrewers weren't real Hams...?
All I was trying to convey was the reality that those who have never tried
homebrewing may be missing a wonderful ingredient that helps make Amateur
Radio the magic that it is.
I agree that not everyone may be inclined in that direction...but if one
hasn't ever tried it, how would one ever know if there might not be a latent
talent in that regard dwelling deep inside, just waiting for the opportunity
to blossom...?
Eons ago, when I knew absolutely nothing about licensing requirements in
Canada, I wrote to the then DOT requesting a syllabus...I was absolutely
dismayed to learn that one of the essential cornerstones in becoming a Ham
here was the ability to send & receive CW at a minimum 10 WPM.
I thought I'd NEVER become an Amateur once I saw that --- and yet I studied,
I practised, I tried --- and guess what? 99.99% of my operating time here is
now on CW. I love it!
Go figure...
~73!~ Eddy VE3CUI - VE3XZ
***************************************
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom Haavisto" <kamham69@gmail.com>
To: "EP Swynar" <gswynar@durham.net>
Cc: <amps@contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 2:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Amps] Linear Amps
> > I was "...mentally musing" in an off-site e-mail with another Ham about
the
> > fact that Ham Radio has really lost something invaluable in that we have
> > seemingly NOT replaced icons like Lew McCoy, Doug DeMaw, or Bill Orr...
> >
> > Remember those three...?
>
>
> I find in interesting how folks who cannot "roll their own amp" are
> not real hams. I remember when the phrase was "folks who cannot roll
> their own rig are not real hams". And yet, 30 years later, I am still
> here.
>
> Anyway - I have great respect and admiration for those who can take a
> pile of parts and construct an amplifier from same. However, not all
> of us have the ability or interest to do metal work, start
> constructing tank coils, etc. To make it into a work of art is
> nothing short of amazing. However, there is more to the hobby that
> being able to build an amp from scratch. That is what makes this
> hobby great - the diversity of the folks who have joined (and
> hopefully, continue to join) our ranks.
>
> As I use my new (kit) radio - a K3, I realize there is no way I could
> ever construct construct such a piece of equipment from scratch. I
> attended a seminar put on by Alpha, and he too commented that their
> amps are now chock full of microprocessors and software - all in an
> effort to save the tube. I cannot think of too many home-brewers that
> have built (or could build) an amp along these lines.
>
> I do build antennas, and various other items for the station. Some
> stuff is scrounged, some stuff is bought new. As time goes on, folks
> who can build stuff from scratch are slowly going away. Is the hobby
> better off or worse? Am I not a real ham?
>
> With all the new, and GREAT stuff that is now available, I feel the
> future of ham radio is bright indeed. Not being able to build an amp
> from scratch aside...
>
> Now, back to sorting out what I need to make my AL-1500 QSK capable...
>
> Tom - VE3CX
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