Enhanced Apache TX-1 Audio

[BMW]

Hi Ray, et al, and Happy New Year!

While I agree that broadcast quality audio is not *needed* on the ham bands,
there is that certain thrill that comes from doing something just because it
can be done. ("Why climb a mountain?") It is also refreshing to see people
actually wanting to do some electronics tinkering today so I'd hate to
dissuade them! I think it's also possible that a lot of hams got their start
in the broadcasting arena and just can't get it out of their blood. In 1965,
at 14, I built a tube-type AM transmitter and became "The Voice of
Scottsdale, radio station KBW", with all of 100mW, broadcasting from the
entertainment room all the way to the living room and playing my Dad's
records into the mike. Then I built a GR-64 and shortly learned that I could
"broadcast" my voice all over the world with my very own high power
transmitter. A lifelong interest in ham radio and electronics ensued. And by
the way, you don't need a Sennheiser or EV mike to get good quality - Bob
Heil of Heil Sound makes some much lower priced mikes than those that sound
every bit as good, if not better.

Which reminds me, I think we could attract more hams by seeking out kids who
buy those "play disk jockey" toys or walkie-talkies. That shows a budding
interest in talking over a radio. I once sent a suggestion to one of those
companies that they put an insert about ham radio in their boxes. Doubt if
anything ever came of it, but I still think it's a good idea.

73,

Brian, W0DZ
www.dzkit.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Heathkit Owners and Collectors List
[mailto:HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV]On Behalf Of rayfri
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2006 8:18 AM
To: HEATH at LISTSERV.TEMPE.GOV
Subject: Re: [HEATH-TEMPE] Enhanced Apache TX-1 Audio


Just my two cents worth....   My own curiousity I might say ... NOT
denigrating anyone, please understand that up front.
"To each his own as Mrs. Murphy said as she kissed the cow
goodnight"....    HI HI.    Now, that said .....

I think many many many of the suggested improvements and modifications
for these older rigs are great and beneficial.   However, many times I
shake my head at what appears to be attempts now days (especially among
the NEW generation of hams who are not adverse to coming right out and
admitting it) to get "better audio," which usually translates to
something like "I want my rig to have broadcast radio or studio quality
audio."   Modifications .... use of WAY expensive Senheiser microphones
and elements, equalizers ... and other things like that, just to sound
like our local radio station  HI HI.

Some of these attempts to get studio quality audio end up costing more
than the rig did when the company first manufactured it.
I've heard price quotes for the Senheiser microphones or elements that
are more than the Apache cost when Heath first introduced it.

FOLKS ... this is HAM RADIO ... this is COMMUNICATIONS ...  this is NOT
broadcasting.   We are not broadcasting the New York Philharmonic
Orchestra.  We are having a conversation.   WHY do you want to have
studio quality audio during a communications procedure?  Personally, as
long as I can understand what  youre saying, I dont particularly care or
notice whether youre tonsils are
giving forth with that beautiful bass tonal quality or you have the
falsetto voice of a pubescent teenager...    HI HI.
And, if it's a DX or other contest, we've only said three words to each
other before we are history and a mere log entry to each other.

Again ... just my own idle curiousity...  not a complaint or criticism.
Ray  WA7ITZ

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