AGC

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AGC

Bill Levy
I can't speak to AGC version 4.51 but as an op of 50 plus years I find in
difficult situations that I like better turning the AGC off and YES there
is an OFF button and then riding the RF gain. This I learned before we had
radios we could tweak and it still works today with software derived
systems.

As a photographer, pilot and ham with digital systems, sometimes the old
trusty proven ways are still the best. Auto, Automatic, Automatic tuning,
focusing, autopilot are simply generalized systems to help those without
cosmic understanding of the verities.

Beware of AUTO, manual operating and understanding of RF Gain, AGC and
filters will often do the trick.
Auto is for folks who don't understand manual mode.

As I play with new Nikon D800's and D4's I find I don't use Auto, Matrix or
Auto focus. In the same vane I don't find much help from AGC or Noise
Blankers or their ilk. Manual for those of us who know systems is still the
best. Experience counts.

Auto will never pull you out of an accident, bad band conditions or a lousy
picture. You need to know how to operate a camera, radio and plane.

In a plane when things get tough the rule is fly the plane. With a camera
put it on manual and find an exposure, with a radio turn off the darn AGC
and ride the RF control.

When we old timers are gone no one will remember and you will have to learn
these truths for yourselves.

73, N2WL Bill
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Re: AGC

Jim Rogers, W4ATK
Amen Bill!

Jim, W4ATK
On May 30, 2012, at 3:59 PM, William Levy wrote:

> I can't speak to AGC version 4.51 but as an op of 50 plus years I find in
> difficult situations that I like better turning the AGC off and YES there
> is an OFF button and then riding the RF gain. This I learned before we had
> radios we could tweak and it still works today with software derived
> systems.
>
> As a photographer, pilot and ham with digital systems, sometimes the old
> trusty proven ways are still the best. Auto, Automatic, Automatic tuning,
> focusing, autopilot are simply generalized systems to help those without
> cosmic understanding of the verities.
>
> Beware of AUTO, manual operating and understanding of RF Gain, AGC and
> filters will often do the trick.
> Auto is for folks who don't understand manual mode.
>
> As I play with new Nikon D800's and D4's I find I don't use Auto, Matrix or
> Auto focus. In the same vane I don't find much help from AGC or Noise
> Blankers or their ilk. Manual for those of us who know systems is still the
> best. Experience counts.
>
> Auto will never pull you out of an accident, bad band conditions or a lousy
> picture. You need to know how to operate a camera, radio and plane.
>
> In a plane when things get tough the rule is fly the plane. With a camera
> put it on manual and find an exposure, with a radio turn off the darn AGC
> and ride the RF control.
>
> When we old timers are gone no one will remember and you will have to learn
> these truths for yourselves.
>
> 73, N2WL Bill
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html

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Re: AGC

David Gilbert
In reply to this post by Bill Levy

I think that's an unwarranted generalization.   People who use automatic
systems don't necessarily do so because they don't understand what is
going on ... they may use them because they are faster, less prone to
error, or free up hands/attention for other simultaneous tasks.   AGC is
a good example of that.  If I'm operating at a high rate in a contest I
want to use my hands for typing or tuning instead of riding the RF gain
control.  Non-skid breaking systems on vehicles are an example of an
automated system that WILL save your life, especially as you get older
and slower to react.

I'm pretty old myself, and I can pretty much guarantee that the only
thing that will change when we oldtimers are gone is that another group
of folks will take our place to pontificate on how much better it was
the way they used to do it.

Dave   AB7E




On 5/30/2012 1:59 PM, William Levy wrote:

> I can't speak to AGC version 4.51 but as an op of 50 plus years I find in
> difficult situations that I like better turning the AGC off and YES there
> is an OFF button and then riding the RF gain. This I learned before we had
> radios we could tweak and it still works today with software derived
> systems.
>
> As a photographer, pilot and ham with digital systems, sometimes the old
> trusty proven ways are still the best. Auto, Automatic, Automatic tuning,
> focusing, autopilot are simply generalized systems to help those without
> cosmic understanding of the verities.
>
> Beware of AUTO, manual operating and understanding of RF Gain, AGC and
> filters will often do the trick.
> Auto is for folks who don't understand manual mode.
>
> As I play with new Nikon D800's and D4's I find I don't use Auto, Matrix or
> Auto focus. In the same vane I don't find much help from AGC or Noise
> Blankers or their ilk. Manual for those of us who know systems is still the
> best. Experience counts.
>
> Auto will never pull you out of an accident, bad band conditions or a lousy
> picture. You need to know how to operate a camera, radio and plane.
>
> In a plane when things get tough the rule is fly the plane. With a camera
> put it on manual and find an exposure, with a radio turn off the darn AGC
> and ride the RF control.
>
> When we old timers are gone no one will remember and you will have to learn
> these truths for yourselves.
>
> 73, N2WL Bill
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>
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Re: AGC

R Thompson
In reply to this post by Bill Levy
An operator for 42 years, also into aviation (avionics), a bit of
astronomy, and photography, I'd like to add that I also need and often
prefer that manual option.  

 Ron VE8RT

On Wed, 2012-05-30 at 16:59 -0400, William Levy wrote:

> I can't speak to AGC version 4.51 but as an op of 50 plus years I find in
> difficult situations that I like better turning the AGC off and YES there
> is an OFF button and then riding the RF gain. This I learned before we had
> radios we could tweak and it still works today with software derived
> systems.
>
> As a photographer, pilot and ham with digital systems, sometimes the old
> trusty proven ways are still the best. Auto, Automatic, Automatic tuning,
> focusing, autopilot are simply generalized systems to help those without
> cosmic understanding of the verities.
>
> Beware of AUTO, manual operating and understanding of RF Gain, AGC and
> filters will often do the trick.
> Auto is for folks who don't understand manual mode.
>
> As I play with new Nikon D800's and D4's I find I don't use Auto, Matrix or
> Auto focus. In the same vane I don't find much help from AGC or Noise
> Blankers or their ilk. Manual for those of us who know systems is still the
> best. Experience counts.
>
> Auto will never pull you out of an accident, bad band conditions or a lousy
> picture. You need to know how to operate a camera, radio and plane.
>
> In a plane when things get tough the rule is fly the plane. With a camera
> put it on manual and find an exposure, with a radio turn off the darn AGC
> and ride the RF control.
>
> When we old timers are gone no one will remember and you will have to learn
> these truths for yourselves.
>
> 73, N2WL Bill
> ______________________________________________________________
> Elecraft mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:[hidden email]
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html


______________________________________________________________
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Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft
Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
Post: mailto:[hidden email]

This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html