OK! OK! I should have phrased it that nearly no hams build anything, anymore (one out of a hundred hams), and most hams are scared of trying to do SMT (if they even know the term). Oh yes, hams build antennas (those things out of wire) and connect radios to other accessories and plug'em in (and ask on reflectors if the red goes to red or if it goes to black). Sorry, but ham radio in 1950's was way different from what the "norm" is today. Half the hams I run into can't program their HT.
So SMT did not take it from hams - the hams took HB out of ham radio. And it is understandable since the majority are not electronic technolgist and have not had years to develop skills or keep up with the ins/outs of SMT. I get that the Elecraft "crowd" is a group that stands apart from the "masses" (all you K2 builders). The only kit I built that was close was the SB-110. BTW all the comments on Heathkit stuff reminded me of several other items I bought from them...I only have left the "Tunnel Dipper" (used a tunnel-diode oscillator). It shows some corrosion and I haven't used it in decades. I agree with the singular good thing they accomplished was establishing good procedures for building (start by reading, count and inventory, don't jump ahead, check-check-check again). Twelve years after becoming a ham building Heathkits, I was writing maint. manuals on the weapon systems in the F-14. I'm sure that early imprinting of good procedures helped. The fact that I actually knew what the component looked like and did, was a leg up on my fellow college mates that had only seen math on a chalkboard. Working as an engineering tech for 2-1/2 years before becoming an engineer, also gave me great insight into "realities"! Later, I worked another 25-years as a tech., enjoying it more than pushing paper as an "engineer". 73, Ed - KL7UW, WD2XSH/45 ====================================== BP40IQ 500 KHz - 10-GHz www.kl7uw.com EME: 50-1.1kw?, 144-1.4kw, 432-100w, 1296-60w, 3400-? DUBUS Magazine USA Rep [email protected] ====================================== ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
