View Full Version : a 2 pill amp? is that Motrin powered?
or have we been invaded by CB'ers?
While attending a nice little hamfest this past weekend over in Bedford Indiana (NICE HAMFEST, smaller than I remember, but always a favorite!http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif, I ventured across only one table with CB stuff. On this table was an older CB amp (not to be confused with a quality amp, but MADE for the CB band) and asked about it... I am in the market for a small amp to supliment my QRP station. The seller started off with it is a "two pill amp"... I said "pill?" he said yes, a two pill amp with MRF455's...
OK... so now I know what the CB'ers call a TRANSISTOR, especially a POWER TRANSISTOR...
Now, today, I see an ad on QRZ.COM. The ad says (and I will paraphrase here) "a 2 pill amp"... there is that term again....
Are WE learning this from CB? Are we turning into just another CB band, filled with CB operators? HAVE WE BEEN INVADED?
flame away, but I just gotta ask.
K6UEY
10-07-2003, 08:12 PM
Slowly but consistantly comes the dawn........... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
AE6IP
10-07-2003, 08:15 PM
When all else fails, consult a reference book.
Where, among other things, you will find that pill is a common name for a particular form-factor (package) for transistors.
For an example, see this Semiconductor cross reference chart (http://www.advancedsemiconductor.com/uhf_1.html)
As an ironic aside, I find it interesting that those on this web board who are most adamently opposed to cross culture "contamination" by CB jargon are often those who use the most ham jargon here on the internet.
I take a lot of pills, but I sure wouldn't want to have to swallow one of those little satellite looking things ! OOOOh, that smarts ! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
BTW, the ones that I am looking at on that web page are probably good up into the lower ghz range! Some CB amps!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
73 from Jim AG3Y
I have been a ham for far too many years, and I had to ask what a pill is too. Guess it means that is a transistor amp as opposed to a tube type. But those Motorola final amps do look like a pill, if you have a big mouth. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
TOM K8ERV
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (AE6IP @ Oct. 06 2003,14:15)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">When all else fails, consult a reference book.
Where, among other things, you will find that pill is a common name for a particular form-factor (package) for transistors.
For an example, see this Semiconductor cross reference chart (http://www.advancedsemiconductor.com/uhf_1.html)
As an ironic aside, I find it interesting that those on this web board who are most adamently opposed to cross culture "contamination" by CB jargon are often those who use the most ham jargon here on the internet.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
interesting concept, but you know, there is something I noticed right off....
The "PILL" mount device is for 175MHz and above, it is .280 inch base. Most all below 175 MHz are stud mount or flange mount... so following this logic, the "pill amp" is really a VHF or UHF amp?
As an ironic aside, I find it interesting that those on this web board who are most adamently opposed to cross culture "contamination" by CB jargon are often those who use the most ham jargon here on the internet.
Are you saying that I have used "Ham Jargon" the most on the internet? Please explain.
K6UEY
10-07-2003, 09:17 PM
Since when is Ham Jargon out of place on a Ham Radio Forum ?? The fact that it happens to be on the internet is only happenstance. I'm sure with the world wide collection of hucksters, thieves, con-Artists,and other questionalbe Character types who dwell on the internet if another media was available it would be in preference.
The use of "pill" for a transistor only stands to reason the meaning for a transistor had already been debased when the meaning was changed to reference a transistor radio, so the original meaning has to be reassigned, next the true meaning of the word Pill will have to be reassigned, another word since that meaning is no longer valid, yes the younger generation is very progressive, you would think some one who can redefine the english language would be able to learn to copy code at 5 wpm ........ # http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
WB2WIK
10-07-2003, 10:00 PM
One pill, two pills, three pills, four....no matter how many they use, they all sound like crap on the air.
Every solid-state "CB" type amplifier I've seen is not biased for truly linear operation, and most sound much better when they're turned off.
Last weekend, I was called by a Florida station on 10m SSB who was so distorted, I couldn't even get his callsign. I asked him if he was using an amplifier, and could discern a distorted, "yes." Can you turn it OFF? I requested...and he did, and then he was crystal-clear with his FT100D.
I asked him about the amplifier, to find, with no surprise whatever, it was a "Magnum" something-or-other...CB amp. We had a little chat, and I ended it with, "Oh, by the way, you'll work a lot more stations here if you toss that amplifier in the garbage bin next time you have a chance." He replied that he wondered why people weren't answering him.
WB2WIK/6
AE6IP
10-07-2003, 11:36 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K6UEY @ Oct. 07 2003,14:17)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Since when is Ham Jargon out of place on a Ham Radio Forum ?? The fact that it happens to be on the internet is only happenstance. I'm sure with the world wide collection of hucksters, thieves, con-Artists,and other questionalbe Character types who dwell on the internet if another media was available it would be in preference.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I never said Ham Jargon is out of place on a Ham Radio forum. I also have never said that CB Jargon is out of place on a ham frequency. People use the jargon they are comfortable with.
I just think that when in Rome, do as the Romans do, is just as obsolete on the air as it is on the wire.
73,
Marty
kb9ax
10-08-2003, 12:44 AM
I have used the term pill when referring to power transistors before. Not on the ham bands, but professionally. We use hockey pucks for really big stuff, AC switching. Power Pills are another jargon thrown around by some sales reps on occasion. There are all sorts of names for these things, I remember some Motorola parts referred to as SMERFS when we looked at driver and output circuits, kind of a papa smerf baby smerf thing. I have been known on occasion to use the term thingamabob, whatchamalcalit, doohickey and a few other terms when I get really tired.
I don’t think this is worth creating another 20 page code/no code thread over or a really cool CB .vs. Ham debate.
Of course, I could be wrong
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Dan KB9AX
ai4ep
10-08-2003, 01:03 AM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif shucks I might could tolerate the cb stations a bit better ( even those out-of-band ops ) if they just used barefooted radios, and threw away or sold or used the amps for door stops, be a lot less TVI and " garbage sounding radios " out there...but nooooo they have GOT to have those amps (Leroy has one, so has Fred, so why cant I have one, also ? ) http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif
A pill is a common name for certain RF transistors, most notably MMIC's.
Looks like the guy selling the CB amp may not have been as dumb as you thought...
AE6IP
10-08-2003, 04:13 AM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (K8YS @ Oct. 07 2003,13:49)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Are you saying that I have used "Ham Jargon" the most on the internet? Please explain.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
I'm not specifying you. I should have made that clear. sorry;
73,
Marty
By the way, I looked at the Motorola data sheet for the MRF455, and they call it a "case 211-07".
Looking at the mechanical drawing it is not a pill, although it is similar.
It's rated for 60 watts output, up to 30 Mc.
ai4ep
10-08-2003, 12:29 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif +most folks ( apparently ) are NOT too concerned with transmitting a CLEAN signal ( on 11 meters ), instead it is a metter of $, the less $ spent, the better. They ( apparently ) are not too concerned if it "bleeds" all the other 39 channels for a 100 - mile radius, so long as it is cheap on the wallet.....filters in these boxes ? ( suuuure ). They get one, the neighbor down the road thinks they HAVE to get one a bit bigger, the third party down the street has to get one to at least equal the first party ( If Fred and Larry can have one , why cant Leroy ? ) ...then party a hears the bleedover from party b & c and has to get a BIGGER amp, and the cycle continues....at NO time is it mentioned that a simple set of beam antennas might solve a lot of the problem, but instead they USE BEAMS to make the problem worse, using BEAMS and an AMPLIFIER. Preferably pointed "toward" the station they want to talk to, but also ( accidentally ) on purpose pointed CLOSE to a neighbors home, so they can hear " his mighty station". and the cycle continues for years and years. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
ai4ep
10-08-2003, 12:32 PM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif gee, they dont know any better, they are just C B ers. *suuuure*
n4ems
10-08-2003, 02:40 PM
Is this what it has come down to? #Are we as hams so overwhelmed by "jargan" that we are to throw our arms up and beg for mercy from the radio gods?
Folks, get a life. #Things change. #Lingo changes. #Context changes. #Sometimes for the better - sometimes not. #
I find is rather disturbing that we in a hobby as technical (in many areas) as this cannot get past the litte bumps in the road! #My God people. #
So they called the part in question a "pill". #Whoopdi-Doo. #I mean, with an infraction of common practice THAT severe, I think we had better call the FCC, surrender our tickets and our gear and take up a new and exciting hobby -- oh, I don't know, something like, um -- underwater square dancing. #Yes, that sounds like fun. #Can't nobody make a terminology mistake in that hobby. #No Sir!
On second thought, maybe we should call Miss Manners. #She has all the scoop on the poop - I am sure she can give us remedies to this hobby crippling problem! #Maybe we can even get her to publish it in one of those leading newspapers that she writes for - you know - "The Elk Snout Enquirer - Probing Deeper Than Others Dare To Go" - That we, we can have the proper terms published and all will be right with the world!
Yes, this sounds stupid. #I am trying to prove a point.
Stay focused on the REAL issues facing us and the hobby today. #Not meaningless jargan that in all reality has no effect on anyone. #
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
n4ems
10-08-2003, 02:56 PM
Incidentally - #I am not a CB'er. #Was given once one time that was 20+ years old when I got it. #Never had an antenna for it though. #But, that is not what I wanted to yap about.
I DID make it a point to look around the web, looking at other sites in regards to CB'ers. #To my suprise, there were quite a few out there. #
What I also found the most interesting was the fact that these people actually WELCOMED new people. #They got together and participated in FUN events! #Interesting I thought.
I saw articles on how the home-do-it-yourselfer- could build his own CB antenna! #My God! #Could you imagine! #A CBer making his OWN antenna system! #
In all the BBS that I looked at did I see a post knocking hams. NOT A SINGLE ONE!#Yet, here on QRZ and sites like it - post after post after post of "hate mail" for the CBer. #I just dont get it I suppose.
Yes, I will concede, there are operators on the CB band that have practices that are, shall we say, less than acceptable. #But the same holds true here in the ham bands. #Jammers, ker-chunkers, out and out liars. #Yeah, they are here too. #Listening in on the HF ham bands is often just as bad as the CB band! #If not worse! #
So here I am, some "brainless no code tech" - mind you, I do know the code, but I digress - and am probably going to get bamboozled by the elite of the ham world (if even in there own minds) that I dont know what I am talking about, I am just some lid that should go play with my friends on the CB bands. #Yackity yackity, blah blah blah. #And thats fine. #I stated my part. #And I feel better for it!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
ke4pjw
10-08-2003, 06:10 PM
I see CBers EVERYWHERE!! There in it with the homosexuals,space aliens, computer nerds and other liberals to build gay Martian landing strips to take over the earth!
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (n4dmj @ Oct. 08 2003,07:56)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">Incidentally - I am not a CB'er. Was given once one time that was 20+ years old when I got it. Never had an antenna for it though. But, that is not what I wanted to yap about.
Listening in on the HF ham bands is often just as bad as the CB band! If not worse![/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
ai4ep
10-09-2003, 12:52 AM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif if I needed either one I might agree, but I do not so I can not http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
W5HTW
10-09-2003, 01:46 AM
'Take a couple of 2N2477s and call me in the morning.'
ai4ep
10-09-2003, 03:39 AM
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif so now, in an AMATEUR radio forum, we are discussing illegal amplifiers for the Citizen Band Radio Service...something ILLEGAL to operate with, not illegal to OWN, but illegal to USE according to the F C C rules and regulations .....I aint got no questions.... carry on http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif
n4ems
10-09-2003, 02:17 PM
</span><table border="0" align="center" width="95%" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="1"><tr><td>Quote (KC9ECI @ Oct. 08 2003,17:35)</td></tr><tr><td id="QUOTE">I should think that Viagra would make a far more powerful amp than Motrin.[/QUOTE]<span id='postcolor'>
When taken with anti-depressants, such as Wellbutrin or Xanax, the "pill" has a prolonged effect. #Imagine the contacts you could make with a set of those babies. #Woo-hoo. #However, I would recommend consulting one of the highly trained, well qualified, duly and truly prepared technicians employed at everybodies favorite one-stop-shop: Radio Shack.
On second thought, scratch that idea.
73
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif #http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif