[time-nuts] * * * BOB CAMP - YOUR POLLS * * *
WB6BNQ
wb6bnq at cox.net
Sat Mar 26 23:32:44 UTC 2011
Gee Bill Fite,
I am sorry to pop your bubble on my "presumed" purpose. Your
assumptions are wrong. Being 65 years old and failing eye sight, I
would most definitely prefer to have a completed, or mostly completed
board for any project.
What you and others have failed to notice is the population shift of
the list since its inception.
Those who started the list were some very high caliber individuals who
have all but disappeared. These individuals no longer provide the
insight of their vast knowledge and experience that was once available
on this list. Just a couple of few remain and seldom post or respond.
Why do you suppose that is ?
Not that they minded answering the "newbie" basic questions, no, I
suspect the reason is the quality of the general discussions have
diminished from the intent of the list. I suspect that it is from not
a few responses to a question, but the endless suggestions that seem to
go down hill as the responses continue to the original post.
Discussion of a project should be from the perspective that one is
actually going to do the project and may have some well placed
questions to help himself achieve his end goals and complete the
project. Merely to TROLL a project discussion in hopes someone else
will take up the cause is clearly out of place. That has happened on
the list.
Concerning projects, a few have been really worthwhile. However, not
much discussion about them until they were, or mostly so, completed
and sometimes offered to the list. The discussions that have happened
regarding these specific projects were not general drivel.
My interests here are not to diminish one's involvement, per se, just
to point out the reason the list seems to have lost its most valued
members and elucidative discussions. The following cliche may well
seem mean spirited and elitists, but if you think about it, it
illustrates the point of those high caliber individuals who have fallen
silent.
"It is hard to soar with the eagles when you're flying with a bunch of
turkeys."
Think of it as tough love ! Treat the list as a classroom instead of
the playground.
Bill....WB6BNQ
"William H. Fite" wrote:
The last thing I want to do is to start a flame war but I must
respectfully disagree with WB6BNQ. The volume of responses that
this poll has elicited amply demonstrates that it is of broad
interest to the membership. That, alone, justifies its existence.
What I have found when people start grumbling about the S/N ratio on
a list of this type is that usually they are unhappy because the
topic that is passingly dominating the discussion is one that holds
for them no personal interest. It is for such circumstances that
God hath given unto us, his faithful servants, the delete key...
Another Bill
On Sat, Mar 26, 2011 at 5:23 PM, WB6BNQ <[1]wb6bnq at cox.net> wrote:
Bob,
This is suppose to be a high "signal" - to - "noise" list. That
means it is not loaded with unnecessary traffic.
These polls are just that, a lot of noise. The reason is they
produce nothing of value and clog the email input of those who chose
to receive the Timenuts list messages as they are sent in.
Perhaps you could construct a web site where such polls could be
done. Please have some compassion for the original intent of the
list and a good many of us that are not interested such germane
issues that clearly spread all over the map.
thank you,
Bill....WB6BNQ
Bob Camp wrote:
> Hi
>
> Well that raises a question that I decided not to put in the
original poll. I was trying to keep things from going to many
directions at once. So here's the second poll question:
>
> On the same project ($250 to $500) / three complex chips / same
objective:
>
> If you could get it assembled as a "semi kit" for another $100 -
would you pay the money or would you build it yourself?
>
> For the sake of the poll, it's an un-tested board with all the
hard stuff (SMT) done. What's left are hand solder parts
(connectors, big regulators etc). Not quite 1950's assembly, but
certainly nothing more than your Heathkit asked you to do. Also not
a lot of it.
>
> Of course I have no idea if the $100 is the right number. It could
be high, it could be low. Since it's a short run, I suspect the "per
run" charges (machine setup and screens) will be a significant part
of what would be paid. Rather than fine tuning that number, lets
just go with it for right now.
>
> Bob
>
> On Mar 25, 2011, at 7:44 PM, Douglas H Reed wrote:
>
> > I'll chime in too.
> > I've done plenty of small SMT at work and I do have a stereo
> > microscope and suitable tools at home. I'd potentially try the
toaster
> > oven reflow technique but mainly just to see if it works. Paste
solder
> > is not my friend....
> >
> > On the other hand, I'd say it was easily worth a $50 surcharge
to have
> > a board house do it for me. As reference, the DG8SAQ VNWA was
> > originally a kit but is now only available assembled and tested,
and I
> > think that was less than $100 more. For a potentially high
volume
> > project, the FunCube dongle is professionally assembled and then
> > tested and repaired by the club volunteers before being
assembled and
> > shipped.
> >
> > If some one or a group is going to create parts kits for the
project,
> > you will find it takes a lot of time that might otherwise be
used for
> > testing the assembled boards coming back from the board house.
Please
> > note that any $$$ figures are just a guess, not from any
Purchasing
> > knowledge. I've never dealt with a board house but I know short
runs
> > will be expensive due to setup time.
> >
> > I don't want to throw cold water on the project because I think
these
> > sorts of projects are the best part of what ham radio is. I've
always
> > been a techie more than a PTT pusher.... I have a couple
SoftRock
> > kits, and I think there are a set of boards for a Scottie's
Spec-an
> > somewhere around the house.... But I bought the VNWA assembled.
> >
> > I'll certainly keep reading and will be interested to see where
the
> > project goes.
> >
> > 73, Doug Reed, N0NAS.
> >
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