AMATEUR stuff you have never seen

[ai4ep]

Some amateur radio operators have been around 40 - 50 years, yet even they have NOT seen all the possible ideas that some of us might have.

What ideas do you have that NO ONE makes yet ?

Idea : combo g p s unit / 2 meter handheld

ai4ep

[W0UZR]

The thing that I wish would get invented is to make a Big HF rig that has a 100 watt solid state on one side of the radio, as well as a 300 watt tube on the other side of the radio that you tune, load like the old 820 Kenwoods, or the Swan radios. Then the people that still like to tune and load their radios like in the old days, can still do that. And,,

Not only that, if the solid state puffs and goes out, there is still the tube finals that can be used and you are still on the air!

[W0UZR]

And for those of us that like,,,er,,I mean Love the old vintage radios like I do, this would be the perfect radio. You would have all the modern technology of the today's radios with all the DSP filters and you would still have all of that in the tube finals.

They would sell like pancakes!

[n2nh]

I've yet to see the Radio-Keg. It would be a large beer keg with a radio built-in, so that when the QRM is humming, you can hydrate and feed the filter between the ears. Be great for field day.

[W5HTW]

I'm waiting for a shirt-pocket sized 3KW generator. Would prefer it to run on fusion, but I guess diesel will do for now.

And a baseball cap that has a 20 meter monobander on it. With rotator, of course, so I don't have to turn my head.

What I'd like is a car that has room for a ham radio in it. Whatever happened to '56 Ford station wagons? Are they all gone? Is no one making them anymore? I had a complete Elmac mobile in mine, and still had room for a passenger in the front (bench) seat.

Ed

[ai4ep]

How about a combination 2 meter / cb rig ?

only ONE microphone

push a button to choose which band to TRANSMIT on !!

Why aint any one else thought of it ?

[kf4lne]

BAD IDEA EP! a new function for APRS to order a air-dropped keg-radio to that remote field day site, Also, a pocket sized all mode, all band with general coverage from DC to daylight, GPS, tinytrak, built in 3db gain antenna, cell phone, laptop and legal limit finals that runs from the pocket 3kw generator. A full featured radio that costs less than $100 would be really nice. As for the 2m/11m dual bander, does it include a freeband exspansion with the MARS/CAP mod or do I have to take the radio apart to make that mod?

[ai4ep]

I meant the " combo 2 meter / cb " as a joke but you do have a great point.

I apologize for the confusion... but some company MIGHT just make one ( but I doubt it ) .

[AG3Y]

I've said it before, I'll say it again. I HATE those computer-operated rigs, with the little, tiny buttons and knobs that a ham-fisted guy like myself can't get his fingers wrapped around. And now that my one hand is partially paralized because of that car accident, it is even harder to operate one of the "rice-boxes" with layer upon layer of menus !
Give me a solid state Collins 75A-4, and CE 200V , and I would be one of the happiest ham radio operators in the world !

73, Jim

[W5HTW]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ July 20 2005,17:15)]How about a combination 2 meter / cb rig ?

only ONE microphone

push a button to choose which band to TRANSMIT on !!

Why aint any one else thought of it ?
Oh? They are different bands?

[KA4DPO]

I'd like to help develop the Keg Radio, best idea in years. How about adding a coffe maker and microwave oven that doubles as a 1296 moon bounce TX.

[KM5FL]

Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ July 20 2005,19:15)]How about a combination 2 meter / cb rig ?

#only ONE microphone

push a button to choose which band to TRANSMIT on #!!

Why aint any one else thought of it ?
Because all the manufacturers understand the meaning of----

TYPE ACCEPTANCE


KM5FL

[kf4lne]

Quote[/b] (KA4DPO @ July 21 2005,06:18)]I'd like to help develop the Keg Radio, best idea in years. How about adding a coffe maker and microwave oven that doubles as a 1296 moon bounce TX.
What mode will heat my nachos more evenly, CW, SSB or PSK?

Instructions:

Tune oven to desired frequency. Place nachos in center of feed horn/oven. Select CW for single serving, SSB for 2-3 servings and ATV for chili cheese nachos

[wa4nms]

Quote[/b] (W5HTW @ July 21 2005,13:47)]Quote[/b] (ai4ep @ July 20 2005,17:15)]How about a combination 2 meter / cb rig ?

#only ONE microphone

push a button to choose which band to TRANSMIT on #!!

Why aint any one else thought of it ?
Oh? #They are different bands?
A distinction without a difference...

Dave
WA4NMS

[wa4brl]

My long standing wish is for a ham rig (HF, VHF, UHF, or whatever combination) built into a standard DIN case that will fit in the automakers' dash slot. Of course, include the FM/CD stereo in the same case. Imagine the great, low-distortion audio from the hi-fi section being fed to the vehicle's built in speakers! And programmable break-in -- signals on your favorite freq. interrupts the music, etc.

This has been possible for the past twenty years. Even if they use the DIN package face as the control head (ala CD changer) and an outboard RF deck for DC to daylight operation, this would still work for me. But a simple 2m or 70 cm FM XCVR could be built in with the stereo.

Is there enough interest out there to influence the big mfgrs?

[KF0RT]

Quote[/b] (wa4brl @ July 21 2005,18:11)]My long standing wish is for a ham rig (HF, VHF, UHF, or whatever combination) built into a standard DIN case that will fit in the automakers' dash slot. Of course, include the FM/CD stereo in the same case. Imagine the great, low-distortion audio from the hi-fi section being fed to the vehicle's built in speakers! And programmable break-in -- signals on your favorite freq. interrupts the music, etc.

This has been possible for the past twenty years. Even if they use the DIN package face as the control head (ala CD changer) and an outboard RF deck for DC to daylight operation, this would still work for me. But a simple 2m or 70 cm FM XCVR could be built in with the stereo.

Is there enough interest out there to influence the big mfgrs?
Neat idea!

This has been done with cellphone technology in the higher-end vehicles. Voice dialing, the whole nine yards. Saw it once in a Lexus years ago. (That's about as often as I get near a Lexus!)

I've got some ideas, but not necessarily ham related. Here's a gadget I'd buy tomorrow if anyone made it... I hate the telephone because nine times out of ten, when it rings, it's some BS solicitor -- forget the "no call lists" they aren't working very well. We have Caller ID, and haven't taken one of these calls in years. Call all you want, you'll get the answering machine.

But, still gotta look at the damn ID just to ignore it. The phone still rings.

So, what I want is a Caller ID box with some smarts and some memory. If I see a call from the "Lupus Foundation" I could push a button, and the next time they call, the phone won't even ring. Blacklists and whitelists (or is that too un-PC?). Don't want a computer program, just a little box.

73, Rob

[ai4ep]

How about a CW identifier ( swiped from another thread ) that would identify with YOUR unique call sign ...but if you sell the rig you would have to ERASE your call from it...but if some one stole the rig, it might help figger out where your rig went...especially with another VOICE ( the thief ) talking after the ID...some one hears it and sez " Hey, THAT aint {so & so } !! "

It could be put inside the units you carry around, the mobile units, hf rigs, the all band/all mode rigs you take camping...every unit !!

Ok I admit it, some one ELSE mentioned this idea on another thread, so let them have the credit...

ai4ep

[G0GQK]

Now that IS a good idea.! Or perhaps it could be like a contest recording,Contest ,Geezerogeequeuekay, contest, or "Is this frequency in use please ? Is this frequency in use. OK, nothing heard.:D

[kl7aj]

1) How about an S meter with a meaningful scale? After 80 years, you'd think someone would have gotten it right!

2) A standardized compression/expansion scheme for SSB would be nice. Or even a receiver that offers some sort of volume expansion...one of the most effective noise reduction devices there is!

3) A new QST cartoonist of the caliber of Phil Gildersleeve. There hasn't been anyone who comes close in 45 years!

4) The publication of actual antenna GAIN figures in QST. Years ago, gain figures were banned because of abuses...why throw the baby out with the bath water? We now have absolute standards. Let's publish them again, and hold the manufacturers accountable!

5) An interlock on a transmitter that permanently shuts the thing down if any language pertinent to medical procedures, gallstones, or prostates is detected.

6) A similar interlock for any form of "broadcasting" except for on A.M. boat anchors, where such activity is expected.

7) A self-destruct device for any DX list operator.

8) A license that expires if you fail to communicate and/or otherwise interact with another ham under the age of 20 for over a year.

9) High Power HF over Power Lines. (HPHFPL) If you can't beat em' join 'em

10) More "Numbers" stations

[K8ERV]

Companies don't like new ideas from customers, they think they are doing it right. They ignore new ideas. When was the last time your warranty card had a place to fill in suggestions? And would they be read? NO! I have a very low opinion of most companies. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

TOM K8ERV Montrose Colo

[wa4brl]

Quote[/b] ]Companies don't like new ideas from customers
Except for that on-line survey to determine customer preference amongst several HT designs (styles?). Man, most of them looked hideous! They looked like they came from the props dept. of some future-shock sci-fi set.

[kj5t]

I talked with Alinco while at HamExpo and at Ham-Com about their portable transceivers. I would like to see the credit card portable transceivers come back, and I would also like to see the slim portable transceivers. Both guys I talked to agreeed. Now, they were just salesmen, so they may not have any push at all. But, telling them, and getting the ideas out there, someone might just listen one of these days.

[ai4ep]

Hey...with cell phones so popular...how about a 2 meter handheld with a cell phone ?

Of course this can already be done, just duct tape a handheld to a cell phone back-to-back...or velcro...or a large rubber band ...guess there went my fantastically not-to-brilliant idea !! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

same with my " combo gps / 2 meter handheld " idea on another page of this thread.

friday night in July in Alabama...no where else on this planet like it is here !! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

ai4ep

[k4kyv]

How about a combination kitty-litter box / butcher block?

[KE7CWB]

Here is a more realistic idea. how about something like the old Yaesu 736. 6m, 2m, 440 all mode w/ 100w out, and keep the price reasonable. Cant say that for the old Yaesu. The bloody things still go for almost a grand. Now you are better off getting a 706 if you want to play something other than FM on 50mhz +. I ended up buying a Kenwood TR-751 for 2m SSB. For only about 100$ more I could have bought a used 706

[W0UZR]

Say, as long as quite a few people like the old Collins's and Hellicrafters radios etc,
Why hasn't someone thought of manufacturing a new line of those radios? Combine the new technology with the tube and solve the drifting problem, the DSP's could go in. And have the radio with pretty much the same look of the Collins and that.
Then the people that like the tube stuff will have new units to monkey with instead of fighting with the old rusted and corroded stuff all the time.

And brand new boat anchor AM rigs for the AMers could get built too.

I for one would buy a new old style tube radio not only because I like the tube radios and it feels more like REAL radio, but I would be able to see and work the knobs and buttons way better.

[wa4brl]

Quote[/b] ] I for one would buy a new old style tube radio not only because I like the tube radios and it feels more like REAL radio, but I would be able to see and work the knobs and buttons way better
NOW you're talkin'! #Re-issue the classic sellers with the same case and panel design but with modern electronics. #NO NEW BUTTONS OR KNOBS! #Use computer control for all "newer" functions. #Jeez, I'm drooling just thinking about it! #An HT-44 & SX-117, or the gorgeous SX-99 (those dials, THOSE DIALS!) #Anyone for the HX-50 & HQ-180? #How about the 32V1 & 51J-1?
Heck, I'd even add in the "speedboat anchors": Collins S-lines and Drakes, FT-101's and TS-520's! #There might even be enough profit in this for Heathkit (the current educational arm of the old co.) to license YaeKenIco to build new versions of THEIR classics. #Oh, the HX-10 & RX1... #ooh, ooooh, I think I'm hyperventilatinnngggggg gg g g #.... .. aaaah, aah. #There that's better. Maybe I'd better stick to a new Hot Watter 100. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

I can't wait to go to bed tonight so I can dream of my ultimate boat anchor updates. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[K3UD]

How about a simple thing like a single standardized microphone connector and standard pinouts for ground, audio, and PTT line. I have mikes with almost any kind of connector you can come up with from a 1/4 inch stereo plug to the RJ45 connector and many in between line 2, 4, 6, and 8 pin plugs.

By the way, the 2 pin mike connector was used on things like the Heath Twoer which did not use puch to talk.

73
George
K3UD

[n4tia]

It would be nice if HTs could come with a scanning mode that could follow trunked repeater systems. The HTs already cover DC to Light and do everything but change the channel, mine as well include trunking technology on the receive side.
Alexander KG4OGN

[KE7CWB]

I think it was mentioned before but 2m w/ GPS would be cool. great for APRS.

[KI4GST]

OK I know some radios already have an add on to make them tell you the frequency you are on by voice but I would like to see some more radios with that already built into them would be helpful to people like me that are basically blind as a bat.


Robert
KI4GST

[kf4lne]

Quote[/b] (KE7CWB @ July 23 2005,18:16)]I think it was mentioned before but 2m w/ GPS would be cool. great for APRS.
How about a tri-band(146, 220, 440) hand held with a GPS and a basic APRS system built in...maybe have the option for a keyboard since cellphones have great color displays so could the hand held and have options like SSTV cameras and other attachments. If I can have AOL IM installed on my cell phone then why cant i have an APRS app installed on my hand held? I can already go out and buy the parts to build a pocket sized(almost) APRS tracker using a tinytrak, gps and tiny hand held so why not pack all that into one of the brick sized hand helds with a lithium ion battery. Just a thought...