+++++++++++++++++++ Reply-To: From: "Ron D'Eau Claire" To: Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 19:34:17 -0800 Subject: [Elecraft] Affordable Test Equipment to Evaluate A K-rig Wes Hayward, W7ZOI, describes a "lab" full of homebrew test equipment in his book "Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur". It includes signal generators with calibrated outputs going down in the fractional microvolt level with suitable shielding for accurate measurements. Wes "bootstrapped" the calibration starting with simple measurement equipment that dealt with fairly large signals, and used those results to build ever more sensitive test equipment. The result was a bench of homebrew test equipment that could accurately measure a rig running a "QRP Gallon" (5 watts) down to something in the microwatt level. Building and getting the test equipment working was a real laboratory exercise in learning how to use it in testing rigs. The book has been around a while. In addition to the test equipment that Wes designed and originally presented in a series of QST articles in the 70's, it contains many homebrew rig designs and design data for the home brewer. I built most of Wes' test equipment to use when designing my own rigs back in the late 70's and to build and test a variety of crystal ladder filters of the type the Elecraft rigs use. Being 30 years old, there are some niftier chips out there than what this book shows particularly in some of the rig designs included in the book, but the theory and test equipment described is great basic stuff that is still 100% useful in today's' ham workshops. The book was co-authored by the other legendary QRPer and Homebrewer extraordinaire, Doug DeMaw, W1FB who is, sadly, now an SK. Doug founded Oak Hills Research among other companies and spent years with the ARRL. For me, "Solid State Design for the Radio Amateur" supplanted the ARRL Handbook as the most useful collection of "how to" information for designing, building and testing rigs, particularly HF band equipment. By the way, I DO have a connection with the authors, but it's one of debt, not profit. I can't tell you the number of times back in the 60's and 70's that I was scratching my head over a design problem and would run into Doug or Wes on 40 meter CW running a few milliwatts with their latest creation, tell them about my problems and receive a few days later a long, carefully-written letter outlining possible approaches and solutions. That was before e-mail. Sometimes a whole schematic or test setup would be described in great detail. They weren't interested in showing me how much they knew or pointing out what I obviously did not know. They were spending their time helping me find out for myself what I needed to know so I could learn in true "Ham" spirit. Any time I write something on this reflector that might help someone today, it's one tiny little "thank you" to a couple of great guys who spent a lot of their time with me. And I am certain that I was NOT the only one! Ron AC7AC +++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2002 00:49:00 -0500 To: From: Charles Greene Subject: Re: [Elecraft] Affordable Test Equipment to Evaluate A K-rig Cc: Ron and All, Here's a book I recently ordered from Doug concerning test equipment. I haven't received it yet so I can't attest to its value, but some others have: "Subject: Firth/Fishpool Simple Test Equipment for the QRPer Book is in Second Printing From: Doug Hendricks (ki6ds at dph.dpol.net) Date: Mon Sep 30 2002 - 14:45:39 EDT Guys, the response to the Graham Firth/Tony Fishpool book, "Simple Test Equipment for the QRPer" has been absolutely wonderful. We printed 100 copies, and those are all gone!! But don't fear, I am to pick up the second printing today after school. If you would like to order a copy of the book, please send a check or money order for $12 made out to Doug Hendricks to: Doug Hendricks ATTN: QRP Book 862 Frank Ave. Dos Palos, CA 93620" +++++++++++++++++++