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Date: | Wed, 22 Jan 2003 22:11:38 -0600 |
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Message-Id: <20030122221602.VWQR7471.imf21bis.bellsouth.net@[209.214.147.144]>
On 2003-01-22 [log in to unmask] said:
>Boy, are you right about the nuisance of having to program a radio
>via computer. I don't make a habit of carrying a laptop everywhere.
>And I agree with you that I'd opt for ruggedness over bells and
>whistles. In fact, I'd just as soon have *no* memories: if I
>can't remember frequencies, then I'd better pack it in and find
>another hobby. And I figure that if it takes me more than two or
>three keystrokes from *anywhere* in a radio's operations beyond
>those needed to enter frequencies, the radio is too complex. If I
>want to listen to something while I'm out, I'll bring a book or CD.
THere's where I am exactly. I know if I end up going with commercial
handheld radios I'd be going with mono banders, but I'd trade a little
convenience for a good bit more rugged construction.
I do a lot of things which are quite active. Back in Iowa I delivered
about 500 newspapers every morning. That's quite a pounding for an
ht. I also like to fish camp etc. tHis Kenwood is my fourth ht in
less than ten years, 5th if you count the two rat shacks, the 202 and
404 I had for coverage of both bands. I traded the 404 for a Yaesu
ft27r dual band ht, which still transmits and receives but is no
longer frequency agile. IN fact I gave it to a friend back in Iowa to
be her parked on the local 440 machine rig at home.
WE still have my xyl's Icom 02-at that we bought from a friend, and
it's had a new final transmit amplifier transistor replaced and is on
its 3rd duckie. That radio's built tough.
>And my "ruggedness test" would be to drop the radio from ten feet
>onto concrete and expect not a scratch, loose knob, intermitent in
>the circuitry or anything. and my remote microphone test would be
>to swing it around my head fifty times and expect it to work.
>Seems to me that this would be engineering time better spent than
>on frills. But this would mean real engineering time as opposed to
>jus redesigning software so guess the companies won't pay for it.
>Oh well!
SOunds like where I'd go too. I'd definitely buy a radio with less
bells and whistles but better construction to take life's pounding.
73 de nf5b
Richard Webb
Electric Spider Productions
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary
safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
--- Benjamin Franklin November 1755
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