On May 26, 2006, at 9:30 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Whether the rig was simple or complex, the small panel/deep
chassis idea became the most common, even for rigs that would
obviously never be
used mobile. It became electro-politically incorrect to build a ham
rig any
other way, even though the original reason for the form factor was
gone (2). That
influence continues to the present day.
Very intriguing idea. I think methods of construction may have had
some influence as well. If you consider miniature receiving tubes and
a chassis about 1 1/2" to 2" tall, you end up with a rig about 6-8"
high. Going taller doesn't help unless you rotate the tubes to the
front panel (in which case they would be horizontal, which may not be
good).
This is pretty much true of any AM table-top radio from the 40s or 50s.
If we made these old radios 10 or 12" tall, how do we effectively use
all the space in the box more than 5" above the chassis?
Seems to me the reason that radios got smaller is because components
got smaller.
Today, we're not so restricted by components, they are small and can
be placed in any orientation. In fact, there's no reason the rig has
to be rectangular.
I think you are on to something with the form factor, though. The
aspect ratios of the K2 are about the same as a Collins or old
Heathkit SB series rigs. Something like the old Drake series is much
narrower and deeper.
There's also some variations on this theme. Think of portable
receivers -- how many radios follow the same form factor of of the
Zenith Trans-Oceanic?
So, this begs this question -- what's the "right" aspect ratios for a
desktop rig?
Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
-- Wilbur Wright, 1901
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