EMRFD Message Archive 2949

Message Date From Subject
2949 2009-04-23 21:35:07 chuck adams EMRFD 1.3 [long]
I had posted previously about the excessive number of errors
in chapter 1 of the "REVISED First Edition" (quotes to note that
this is printed on the front cover of the third printing from the
ARRL).

I took a previous copy of EMRFD and the new one (both with
the covers and binding removed) and page by page went through
them from front to back. I also had a printout of Wes's PDF with his
list of typos, etc., but mine from 3/11/2003 printing, so there
are probably more, but this is good enough.

It looks like to me, IMHO, that the only changes in the new version
are typo corrections and they missed or screwed up the ones for
p2.9, p4.4, and p4.14.

The changes that Wes noted for all the schematics for chapter 9
were pretty much ignored, i.e. part numbers for the op amps
and most of the NPN transistors were not placed in the schematics.

So, my opinion is that the new version is pretty much just a reprint
of the previous with minor changes. But the search generated some
interest on my part to go back and build some stuff that I had glanced
over previously.

The book is a first class piece of work on the part of the three authors
and their hard work is greatly appreciated by the radio amateur
community of experimenters and probably a large group of RF
designers also. Jewels everywhere in the mine between the covers.

I recommend buying it for those that do not have a copy and I suggest
you get it before it goes out of print. It is a must for anyone that wants
to build and study circuits and experiment. Owners of the previous
printings need not get a new one, just use Wes' online errata pages.

But I don't give the ARRL high marks for the work that they did. Skipped
a golden opportunity to do something right. Again, my opinion at work
here. I own a majority of everything technical that the ARRL publishes
including a brand new copy of the Handbook for every year
from 1995 to present.

I scanned my copy of EMRD into PDF format, just so I can carry it around on
a small netbook that weighs less than the book itself and at the same
time carry several thousand other books with it. Wes has a copy so
don't ask me for one. It doesn't go anywhere Wes.

FYI

chuck

P.S. I probably missed some stuff, but I pretty much got my summary
from comparing every page side-by-side. Not a quick task by the way.
But time well spent.

--
chuck adams
chuck.adams.k7qo@gmail.com
http://www.k7qo.net/
2950 2009-04-23 22:44:58 Sholto Fisher Re: EMRFD 1.3 [long]
chuck adams wrote:

>
> I recommend buying it for those that do not have a copy and I suggest
> you get it before it goes out of print. It is a must for anyone that wants
> to build and study circuits and experiment. Owners of the previous
> printings need not get a new one, just use Wes' online errata pages.
>


You're right Chuck. I'd been putting it off but reading your email made
me go to the ARRL store and buy my copy tonight.

73

Sholto
K7TMG
2951 2009-04-24 09:09:30 Donald Philbin Re: EMRFD 1.3 [long]
Chuck,

It must be a great book! It is listing for $383.00 on Amazon!

D.K. Philbin KD6TK


2952 2009-04-24 13:52:13 David Craggs Re: EMRFD 1.3 [long]
If I remember correctly SSDRA had the same problem. Incidentally that was the only book of which I've bought three copies. The third copy has fallen to bits now as well.
EMRFD is no more robust. My copy is gradually loosing pages from the front and back. The same goes for the ARRL handbooks.
I can say that the ARRL employs writers who can write English. The RSGB doesn't. The grammar in Radcom gets worse by the minute.

David G3RYP

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
2953 2009-04-25 04:27:11 w4zcb77 Re: EMRFD 1.3 [long]
> I can say that the ARRL employs writers who can write English. The RSGB doesn't. The grammar in Radcom gets worse by the minute.
>
> David G3RYP

Ah! But by and large, the content is better!

W4ZCB