As I write this I am listening to a discussion on the radio of a group of Hams who are engaged in a radio construction project. They are actually at the design and construction phase of this work, and it is interesting to take note of the different ideas and approaches in attacking a problem or desired outcome. The particular area of their focus is in the nature of bandwidth considerations for a QRP radio, as these parameters are effected by component choices in the LC circuitry. One of the Hams just suggested, as a construction technique, that the use of several small coils in series is better than one large coil.

I am fascinated by the response of the Ham on the receiving end of this idea. He is responding to it as if that were really an ethereal or novel thing to do. I should emphasize that part of my surprise is that I know this Ham, and his technical skills are at a level where I would think that this idea would be very natural. What I am really saying is that I am surprised he had not gravitated to or latched onto this notion himself. He and I have spoken often about the idea of "circuit Q", and ways to control or deal with these situations.

The main thrust of my thinking at this point is that these sorts of conceptual thinking seem to be getting atypical or rare amongst the present nature of Ham Radio. In an earlier time a few decades ago, conversations or QSOs on the radio would be filled with conceptual constructs as compared against actual practice. Please don't misunderstand by thinking that I am chastising or denigrating the work and discussion of these Hams I mentioned earlier. I am very happy to see that they are working on the sort of project that they are engaged in, because doing such things at all these days seems to be becoming all to rare!

I am also drawn to a discussion I had earlier today with a different Ham where we were discussing the idea of circuit "Q" in an antenna. He had said that he never thought of an antenna as possessing "Q". I first responded that of course all LC circuits possess "Q". I then offered as a conceptual model that he might consider the idea of putting up a simple 40 Meter dipole in his back yard but, instead of using copper antenna wire as would probably be typical, that he consider what would happen to the antenna if he were to use steel baling wire, or maybe Silver plated wire. His response to this was that he did not want to think about that, and as strange as the reader may consider this idea, it is this response that has spurred me to write this article.

I have noted this sort of statement before from this same individual. He has said this before regarding a number of different topics that involve investigation or analysis. I am fascinated by this sort of response because, my idea of man is that that's what we are here for. Our purpose in life is to investigate, assess, and build upon our conceptual findings. That is certainly what brought Ham Radio into existence, and for that matter, all of the rest of the technology that supports our lives!

I think, and relish believing, that we in Ham radio exist as a microcosm of the greater efforts and achievements of man. Any construct that man has achieved from the wheel, to the candle, to the electric light bulb or anything else is based upon man's ability to take an idea or observation and extrapolate a new variation or construct of it. Ham Radio in its relatively short history has had a wealth of outgrowth and accomplishment based upon this understanding.

I think that it is important to hold such concepts as these near and dear. We are in the truth of things required to do this by law but, I would rather see Hams working on knowing and clarifying these concepts as a show of pride! I don't see much "pride of place" on the Ham bands these days. There are certainly many things that we should also hold dear about our avocation. I think though that our scientific heritage since the first Hams took to the air should be at the top of the list!