[BC] Tech. competence

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/12/2005 5:01:53 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
reader at oldradio.com writes:

> There is a big difference. Do you "believe" a transmitter is off just 
>  because the meter says there is no plate voltage? You have the faith 
>  that you can just open the door and dive in?

No. That's what the shorting stick is for. Do you have "faith" in it that it 
will ground-out the hazardous voltages before you start work?

This is not a smart-a** comment, here, this is a serious question: How the 
heck do you ever get *any* work done? Do you trust your own voltmeter? Do you 
trust the shorting stick? Do you trust the breakers in the transmitter, itself? 
Where do you draw the line, how do you draw it, and then how do you know you 
*can* work on the bloomin' thing?

As for me, I trust all of the above, and I also *use all* of them *long* 
before reaching into that cabinet.

As I said, if I were half the dolt you've made me out to be, I wouldn't be 
alive today. Not only do I deal with literally lethal voltages at work, I also 
deal with them in my Ham radio hobby here at home. *Alone.*

>  I once had to kick 
>  someone out of a power supply just barely saving his life because he 
>  believed the meters. I question (for good reason) anything I see or 
>  read. Just because the government or the bible or the plate voltmeter 
>  said it does not mean it is true. Everything should be questioned.

You are exactly correct. Nobody has ever had to do that with me, because I am 
not that stupid, thank you.

>    We would not have had any human progress if there were not people 
>  who questioned things as they were.

Yet, somehow, you've come to this conclusion that I don't logically question 
things? Interesting.

> Heck, there would be freely 
>  available bibles and we wold all be under the dictatorship of the 
>  Pope if there were not those who did not accept the status 
>  quo.

Exactly... and I am one of those who questioned it when it was presented to 
me. I have never stopped questioning it, either.

>  There those who think and question and those who don't.

Well, I can assure you that I am of the former, and *not* the latter.

This is the kind of thing that gave Matt Howell the idea that this Forum is 
"useless"... people unjustly calling one-another's competence into question and 
bickering. It really does need to end.

>  I personally don't want to deal with someone who might put me in a 
>  situation where I may have to save them from electrocution.

Neither would I... and I can assure you, I am *not* one of them. Can we move 
on, now?

Willie...
C.E. WFIF 10+ years
N1NKM Amateur Extra