I am now retired but had a career as a Sales Manager for Gilbarco. Among other
things we make service station gas pumps. Gilbarco used gold plated sockets
and plugs and we had no problems. Our competitors all used tin plated plugs
and jacks and after awhile their pumps had all kinds of problems due to bad
plugs and jacks. You can imagine outside with humidity, heat, dirt, and
vibration, what could and did happen. (Our gold plated plugs and jacks helped
us obtain 93% market share).
Lee, w0vt
----- Original Message -----
Hello Charles
In my experience all electronic equipment has failure prone elements which
become obvious as time progresses. I suppose these might be called design
flaws but they are different to the kind of design flaw which makes
equipment performance less than it should be from day 1. I agree the tin
plated connectors in the 87A can cause problems and better quality
components might have been better used. My 87A did once report excessive
filament current due to a tarnished connector in the tube deck. It gets
pretty hot in there which I guess compounds the connector problems. No
connectors in the 9500 may mean improved reliability but likely it will
also mean trickier maintenance.
Most of us in this hobby are grumpy old men these days but we've earned
it. It is our right.
Stay well.
73 Bob, 5B4AGN
On 17 August 2012 01:29, Charles Harpole <k4vud@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Hello Bob and thanks so much for your thoughtful reply. The 87a has a
> DESIGN FLAW in that the factory built it with many plugs and sockets which
> WILL fail over time and condx. My OBSERVATION has been confirmed by many
> other hams, one of which recommended servicing the failing plugs and
> sockets twice a year. This DESIGN FLAW is confirmed, in their way, by
> Alpha's advertisements for their new 9500 when their ads say that the new
> DESIGN does not have all the plugs and sockets which are prone to failure.
> Please beware of a common problem many of us have as we reach advanced
> age... it is a slight degeneration in our brains which causes us to over
> react to simple situations which send us into grumpy or hotly angry
> reactions. This condition is A FACT and one many of us, and our friends
> and families, will have to deal with as we get older. 73
>
> Charles Harpole
> k4vud@hotmail.com
> > Date: Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:10:58 +0000
> > From: bob@5b4agn.net
> > To: amps@contesting.com
> > Subject: Re: [Amps] just the facts
> >
> > There is a difference between a fault and a design flaw. Your reports of
> > design flaws lack evidence. It is eminently possible your equipment is
> > faulty or maladjusted but that is something different entirely.
> >
> > While you believe you are dealing in facts, I would say you are reporting
> > opinion as fact. This is not subtly different.
> >
> > Enough advice has been provided to help you resolve your problem, if that
> > is what you wish to do. On the other hand, if you just want something to
> > bitch about, I'll leave you to it.
> >
> > 73 Bob, 5B4AGN
> >
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > > On 8/16/2012 9:32 AM, Charles Harpole wrote:
> > > > NOTICE: When I am dealing with facts, especially about electronics
> > > matters, I report my personal observations and findings as they are,
> > > lacking sugar coating. However, for the more delicate readers, please
> > > consider the following Dear sweet lovable and smart ham friends, it has
> > > been my observation that my Alpha 87a (insert K3, if you want to)
> exhibits
> > > design and mfg flaws that are tiny in comparison to its overall
> magnificent
> > > being. I am absolutely positive that this one problem only exists in
> my
> > > humble and poorly operated shack due to my neglectful use of it and
> > > misinformation due to all of my many mistakes. I deeply regret
> reporting
> > > this tiny flaw, really a feature (not a bug), of a radio I am positive
> has
> > > performed flawlessly for all of the other owners of it, and I
> profoundly
> > > respect and admire all of you who have had the wisdom to purchase such
> a
> > > superior rig and to have run it in exactingly correct ways, thus
> having no
> > > problems as I describe for only my own miserable self.
> > > I
> > > > fully know that if you have had no problems such as I describe,
> the
> > > fault must lie with me because it is impossible for you to own any
> product
> > > that could in any way have the "features" as I have so impertinently
> > > described. I humbly apologize to any and all lovers of their rigs as
> to any
> > > and all of my misappropriations to their beloved objects.
> Respectfully, I
> > > sign,
> > > >
> > > > Charles Harpole
> > > > k4vud@hotmail.com
> > > > _______________________________________________
> > > > Amps mailing list
> > > > Amps@contesting.com
> > > > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
> > > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
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> > >
> > >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/amps
>
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