Comet Lulin

I don't think I will be able to see this one through the bright and murky skies of Rome, but I may give it a go. Sky And Telescope Magazine has a nice write up that tells you when and where to look. The best night for seeing this one are coming up soon:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/observing/highlights/35992534.html

Armstrong's Regen (and lots more)

There it is. Howard Armstrong's regenerative receiver. Mike, KC7IT, led me to the wonderful website that has this picture, and much more. The site has all kinds of schematics and pictures and letters related to the work of radio pioneer Howard Armstrong. Check it out (you should probably take the tour by hitting the NEXT button on each page):
http://users.erols.com/oldradio/eha1.htm

I continue to work on my regen (part of the ET-1/FETer minimalist project). Jim, K9JM, says the raspy tone on CW signals is caused by FMing of the regen stage and prescribes a coil of higher Q. Thanks Jim.

SolderSmoke 101

http://www.soldersmoke.com

Superbowl Sunday in Rome. "Playing for Pizza." Spirals on the Piazza
Empire of the Air -- Gerbils Renamed
"Electrons on Parade"  Good RCA film about tubes
Minimalist Mania:
  ET-1/FETer transmitter built -- some problems
  New Minimalist Yahoo group
  AA1TJ and AA1MY make QRP History with tunnel diode rig
QRSS News:
  New beacons and grabbers in US and Canada
  K6HX and the lure of the whisperers
  Upside down FSK for VK/ZL observers?
Chip extraction tips (belated)
What "s.o.t." means.
MAILBAG:
Brad WA5PSA still jogging in Tulsa
Ted AJ8T and Paul VK5PH: Lake not named for Lee
Neil G7AQK HB mystery box
Doug WB5TKI on how to extract chips
Ron AA5RS advises Billy to stick with Linux
Bill AA0RQ uses the hard stuff
Scott on Heaviside:  Good guy or not?
Brent in Twin Cities: SWL Rockmite and SS lead to ham radio
Dan NM5DV building SDR QRSS rig
Jeff K07M listens while flying private plane
John W6TC has great article for Electronic Design
Edwin WA4YHL: Amateur Logic TV #23 is available
Dale WA5DJJ on the possible benefits of upside down FSK
Eddie G3JZO: Upside down FSK looks like laundry on the line!
Jerry NR5A has the minimalist bug

For the podcast go to:
http://www.soldersmoke.com

For the new SolderSmoke Store:
http://www.cafepress.com/SolderSmoke

Halted Specialties -- Our kind of store!

The New York Times recently ran a story about Halted Specialties, the Silicon Valley electronics store. Wow, almost makes you want to move to the area,
Here's the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/05/technology/personaltech/05basics.html?_r=1

No need to move. They do mail order:
http://www.halted.com/

Looks like they are having a Vintage Radio event on Feb 21, 2009

It's an ANALOG world, after all......

John Edwards, W6JE, has written a really great article for Electronic Design. It is about analog circuitry, and the place of skilled analog designers in our increasingly digital world. John's article is filled with references to the kinds of issues that frequently pop up in the clouds of solder smoke that we work in, things like the need for a certain intuition about circuits, the need for deep understanding of how things work and why some things work and others don't. He mentions the element of craft and even "black magic" that plays a role in analog design and construction. In short, John's article describes "The Knack." He even manages to use the word in his article, and acknowledges (in his bio) that he has been a victim of Dilbert's disease ever since a childhood encounter with a Heathkit Sixer. Check out the article:
http://electronicdesign.com/Articles/ArticleID/20562/20562.html

You should also visit John's personal web site. We're about the same age, and we are both from New York City. John's page reminded me of another factor that might have put me on the path to solder smoke and hamfests: The 1964 World's Fair. Here's John's page:
http://www.gojohnedwards.com/

Thanks John!

"Empire of the Air"

Here's the book I've been talking about. Four Solder-stars. Strong on history and biography, but a bit light in the Knack department. Still, strongly recommended.

Minimalist Mania: AA1TJ-AA1MY QSL, New Yahoo Group

Above is the very classy QSL that Mike, AA1TJ sent to Seab, AA1MY, confirming the first ever tunnel-diode skywave QSO (see below for more details). Go Mikums!

In related news, Jerry, NR5A (who has also been bitten by the minimalist bug) reports the creation of a new Minimalist Radio Yahoo group:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Minimalist_QRP_Transceivers/

(Jerry and I have been attempting to translate some technical terms found in British schematics. Even though I lived there for four years, I admit to being stumped by "s.o.t." given with values for capacitors. Could this be "subject of test"? )