Ham Radio , 73, and older QSTs have some good construction articles.
Most newer magazines construction articles, to me, are gadgets, or QRP.
I have little to no interest in these. To me, the standard 100W rigs
are as low as I'd want to go. The same goes for SS construction. A
simpler 100W CW rig with a clean signal would be fine. SSB is nice to
have, but used to be, constructing a simple CW rig in emergency cases
was all you needed. Today, you might be hard pressed to get an an
answer to a CW plea for help.
I would add that the texts listed are good reference, but some may be
beyond the average ham.
Home building is becoming a smaller % because most of today's new Hams
have neither the knowledge or desire to build. We Hams as a whole have
always been cheap. We try to get the cheapest part without concern as
to that cheap part's limitations. There are notable exceptions to both,
but they are relatively few.
That pretty much leaves few options for homebrewing. QRP, amplifiers,
and possibly antennas.
I see SSB transmitters without CW capability as being incomplete.
The complex circuits design, sophisticated/specialized parts, and
circuit boards put all but the most simple designs beyond most potential
(those with the desire) builders. For that matter, the servicing of
most rigs requires some expensive, if not specialized test equipment.
I disagree withe the cost reasoning, Money can be saved IF the
individual has the ability to search and sort, reasonable swaps within
handy driving distance, the ability to recognize the good from junk, AND
the time and patience to slowly accumulate parts, then homebrewing can
save money (if you don't count your time and few builders do!.)
Starting with 1911 "The Handbook" has had a bit about using surplus
parts. No, things are not as plentiful, or cheap as in the 50s, 60s, and
70s when we cold purchase GOOD 813 Tetrodes for $5, (I purchased new
Eimac 8877s for $305 but some sources are "relatively" inexpensive
compared to new US made. and high power tubes are available at rather
inexpensive. E-Bay has Chinese 8877s which are good tubes. Russian
tubes are there by the bucket full. Triodes and Tetrodes to 2500 W
dissipation and beyond.. There are even glass Pentode, a pair of which
can run substantial power without forced air cooling Of course as good
tubes with easy application to Ham use tend to quickly increase in price.
Some of these tubes are available through American based distributors,
tested, however knowing the tubes are good does cost a premium, but is
usually worth the cost.
73, Roger (K8RI0)
On 1/4/2017 8:08 PM, Richard Solomon wrote:
If you are a member of the ARRL,
you have access to all the old QST's
in pdf format on the League website.
The search engine works too !!
Also, you can get the entire run of
Ham Radio Magazine in pdf format
for free on the web.
That magazine was a Home-Brewers dream.
73, Dick, W1KSZ
On Wed, Jan 4, 2017 at 6:00 PM, Rob Atkinson <ranchorobbo@gmail.com> wrote:
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