A Crummy Commercial

This Hint and Kink from the June 1958 issue of QST was previously mentioned here: https://wb9kzy.blogspot.com/2024/05/qst-june-1958.html I found an old Polaroid 35mm film cassette to use as a solder holder.  The end cap wasn't crimped on (it was instant slide film to be developed at home) so it worked just like the Kodak Snap Caps: It should work as well or better than my old solder holder method (solder wound on an old wine "cork"):   Previously I used empty plastic solder wick holders for solder but they don't hold that much and they melt if someone is careless :) Best Regards, Chuck, WB9KZY http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm

A review of 1958 QST ending with the December issue: smaller pdf:  https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/QST/50s/QST-1958-12.pdf online viewable or larger pdf:  https://archive.org/details/sim_qst_1958-12_42_12 items from the issue that I found interesting: the villain of the book/documentary: Empire of the Air p 10   He made it to 85 while Armstrong killed himself at 63.  Not directly related but there is no justice in this world. Working Ionospheric Scatter on 50 Mc.  p 28    Yes, that Joe Taylor, his first article published in QST Cut the guy wires and run, 50s style  p 49 There were a record 11,316 Hams on 1958 Field Day - I wonder how many participate now ? Best Regards, Chuck, WB9KZY http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm

A review of 1958 QST continuing with the November issue: smaller pdf:  https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/QST/50s/QST-1958-11.pdf online viewable or larger pdf:  https://archive.org/details/sim_qst_1958-11_42_11 items from the issue that I found interesting: Cheap and Simple RF Indicators p 16   Now we have LEDs but someone will have to pursue woofle dust Gil cartoon p 23   If we only had stores like this now :) The Knight Receiver p 45   B.G. mentions that 83YZ2726 isn't a handy name for this kit but I noticed that few of the reviews in 1958 QST actually show the front of the item being reviewed.  While there are usually pictures of the guts of the item these reviews would have been more useful for easy recognition IF the front of the rig had been shown.  Especially in this case where the 1958 catalog doesn't have the same number in the review, only this: semi-obligatory inflated prices: That's a lot of money for a single conversion general coverage receiver - th

A review of 1958 QST continuing with the October issue: smaller pdf:  https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/QST/50s/QST-1958-10.pdf online viewable or larger pdf:  https://archive.org/details/sim_qst_1958-10_42_10 items from the issue that I found interesting: Remote Control of a Grid-Dip Meter p 15   A ham takes advantage of a consumer after-market add-on remote of a TV to tune a grid dip meter, very intuitive.  This reminded me of Jack Lemmon in The Apartment (previously mentioned here: https://wb9kzy.blogspot.com/2022/06/productivity.html CC Baxter is eating his TV Dinner in front of the TV and has a remote control on the end table (so he doesn't get chicken fat on the Zenith ?) a shoot-em-up something better on ? nope, the remote also turns off the TV Simple Low-Pass Filter Design p 21  at first I thought this was for a transmitter but it was intended for audio filters - this was the heyday of the 44/88 mH telephone loading coils.  I suspect it could be scaled from baseb

A review of 1958 QST continuing with the September issue: vroom halo smaller pdf:  https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/QST/50s/QST-1958-09.pdf online viewable or larger pdf:  https://archive.org/details/sim_qst_1958-09_42_9 items from the issue that I found interesting: Part II of the SSTV introductory article, p31  The circuit details including the flying spot imager mechanical diagram: There is a fast-scan flying spot scanner within the B&K Television Analyst see this site for more info: http://labguysworld.com/BK-1077B.htm Flying spot is just so cool - it was also used for ATV before video cameras became small/inexpensive. band edge marker hint and kink, p 82    I thought this was a clever idea - now an LED would be used instead of the neon bulb but with counters and PLLs no one really needs this anymore, in addition custom crystals would be EXPENSIVE. Gil cartoon, p 71   Novice DXCC ?  Well this was during the greatest solar cycle of the radio era. Best Regards, Chuck

Ongoing review of 1958 QST with the August issue: say it with me: SSTV smaller pdf:  https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/QST/50s/QST-1958-08.pdf online viewable or larger pdf:  https://archive.org/details/sim_qst_1958-08_42_8 items from the issue that I found interesting: SSTV by Copthorne MacDonald p.11   It wasn't titled as SSTV or Slow Scan TV but that's how I knew it.  The author's name Copthorne is memorable !  And later there was the SSTV equipment vendor: Robot Research - did they ever make any robots ?  Anyway, a really clever approach which unfortunately came before the advent of cheap computation, memory and display.  I also wonder if anyone kept tape archives of old SSTV transmissions, at 6 seconds each a lot of pictures could be stored on a reel of magnetic tape.  Searching the ARRL magazine index found 157 hits for SSTV - a specialized, niche mode but popular and innovative. PRP propagation research project, part of IGY  p.42   Remotely controlled ante

Ongoing review of 1958 QST with the July issue: smaller pdf:  https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-DX/QST/50s/QST-1958-07.pdf online viewable or larger pdf:  https://archive.org/details/sim_qst_1958-07_42_7 items from the issue that I found interesting: Gil cover pictorial map of DC   Coincidentally this kind of art was also common as a premium for old time radio shows like my favorite, Vic and Sade: The Wouff Hong is mentioned on p.9 Transistorized Crystal Calibrator p 18 two transistors ! a baseball themed Gil cartoon on p.53 Gotham ad p 100  It never occurred to me until now that the testimonials in their ads were probably accurate during the GREATEST sunspot peak in modern history ! Best Regards, Chuck, WB9KZY http://wb9kzy.com/ham.htm