what is the FDIM?
I know, I can google it, but a simpler explanation that doesn't require my
own efforts should suffice hi.
73
Colin, V A6BKX
----- Original Message -----
From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 8:34 PM
Subject: Re: Idea for 2012 FDIM building contest
> Oh yeah, I'm totally in, how ever they decide to do this. Kit building =
> is really one thing I would really, really like to do.
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>
>
>
> On Aug 10, 2011, at 10:21 PM, colin McDonald wrote:
>
>> this sounds like a blast.
>> The only part I would tend to agree with is the high voltage =
> thing...it's=20
>> way too easy to accidentally, or insidentally touch that high voltage =
> when=20
>> your working on something...
>> However, some basic soldering of medium to large sized components, and =
> the=20
>> tactile and a-semetrical suggestions are great.
>> I don't know what, these days, would have high voltage anyway unless =
> you are=20
>> working with big power tubes...and me thinks that unless you are =
> building a=20
>> full legal limit amplifier, you wouldn't be near voltage high enough =
> to be=20
>> dangerous anyway.
>> Even one of those QRP mono-band transceivers in a more accessible kit =
> form=20
>> would be cool.
>>=20
>> 73
>> Colin, V A6BS
>> ----- Original Message -----=20
>> From: "Buddy Brannan" <[log in to unmask]>
>> To: <[log in to unmask]>
>> Sent: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 8:12 PM
>> Subject: Fwd: Idea for 2012 FDIM building contest
>>=20
>>=20
>>> Guys,
>>>=20
>>> This sounds like an awful lot of fun. I already know some of the =3D
>>> objections some will raise to this proposal (sharp objects, =
> soldering, =3D
>>> high voltages), but bear in mind that a lot of us haven't really =
> gotten =3D
>>> to do a lot of soldering, nor have some of us played with high =
> voltages =3D
>>> directly, and the sharp objects thing is an understandable concern of =
> =3D
>>> someone who isn't very familiar with some of our methods. Still, the =
> =3D
>>> fact that Wayne is floating this idea is really exciting. I, for one, =
> am =3D
>>> totally in. All ideas and constructive feedback is, I'm sure, =
> welcome.=3D20=3D
>>>=20
>>> --
>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>>=20
>>> Begin forwarded message:
>>>=20
>>>> From: Wayne Burdick <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Subject: Idea for 2012 FDIM building contest
>>>> Date: August 10, 2011 8:40:30 PM EDT
>>>> To: Ken Evans <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> Cc: Eric Swartz <[log in to unmask]>, Buddy Brannan =3D
>>> <[log in to unmask]>
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Hi Ken,
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Hope things are going well for you this year. I'm really busy with =
> the =3D
>>> KX3 and other products, as you can imagine.
>>>> =3D20
>>>> We have a number of blind customers using K3s, etc. I was discussing =
> =3D
>>> with one of them (Buddy, copied on this) the fact that there are no =3D=
>
>>> radio or electronic kits (that we know of) that could be constructed =
> =3D
>>> entirely by a blind hobbyist. I then mentioned that I'd think about =
> how =3D
>>> to do this :)
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Then I realized this would be a novel theme for the FDIM building =3D
>>> contest in 2012, assuming it hasn't already been tried. It would be a =
> =3D
>>> challenge for both the kit designers and target builders. For best =3D
>>> results, they'd need to work together.
>>>> =3D20
>>>> The most important thing about such a kit is the sense of =
> empowerment =3D
>>> it would provide the blind builder. =3D46rom all my conversations =
> with =3D
>>> blind hams, it's clear they feel left out being unable to participate =
> in =3D
>>> some basic hands-on aspect of the hobby. I'm sure that's true of =3D
>>> would-be blind builders in other genres as well. (Buddy may have =3D
>>> thoughts on this.)
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Even a simple kit would be a challenge. Here are some potential =3D
>>> constraints (again, Buddy will know better than I):
>>>> =3D20
>>>> - probably no soldering (safety concern)
>>>> - suggest twisting component leads, or use spring terminals
>>>> - no high voltages
>>>> - all components that have the same size/shape must be carefully =3D
>>> tagged or bagged
>>>> or have a tactile label
>>>> - all components with more than two leads (e.g., a transistor) must =
> =3D
>>> have
>>>> an asymmetrical package so leads can be clearly identified; better =3D=
>
>>> yet,
>>>> one lead can be extended beyond the others
>>>> - no use of color codes (obvious!)
>>>> - nothing sharper than a component lead
>>>> - hardware should be large (#4 or larger)
>>>> - if a PCB or other substrate is provided, it should be asymmetrical =
> =3D
>>> or have
>>>> tactile guides
>>>> - if knobs are used, they should have tactile pointers
>>>> - manual either in Braille or in accessible electronic format (use =3D=
>
>>> with a PC screen reader)
>>>> =3D20
>>>> With care, one could build a simple transceiver that satisfies all =
> of =3D
>>> these constraints.
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Anyone entering such a kit into the contest should pair up with a =3D
>>> blind builder -- or try building it blindfolded -- to prove that it =3D=
>
>>> works.
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Any interest in this idea?
>>>> =3D20
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Wayne
>>>> =3D20
>>>> =3D20
>>>> =3D20
>>>> =3D20=20
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