text:
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SB220 Modifications for QSK and FT1000MP by AG6K (Excerpt from his Web Page)
The Heathkit SB-220, two 3-500Z, amplifier made a notable impact in the world of amateur radio. It was the first, reasonably priced, intelligently designed, SSB-CW, HF-amplifier that was sold to the amateur radio community. Unfortunately, this amplifier kit is no longer being manufactured.
The SB-220 has some excellent design features and a few design weaknesses that are easily corrected. In this article, I will discuss both topics and the cures for its weaknesses.
Power Supply
Many hams initially labeled as "inferior" the capacitor-filter fullwave-voltage-doubler rectifier circuit. They did not realize that this circuit has some advantages over the traditional, fullwave-bridge rectifier circuit. These advantages are:
1. Low ripple-voltage. This is due to the fact that, as one capacitor bank is charging, the other capacitor bank is simultaneously discharging, thus, cancelling each other's 180º out-of-phase, sawtooth waveforms.
2. It allows the transformer to have only half as many secondary turns which yields a more efficient transformer design. Here's why: Since a layer of insulating-paper is required between each layer of wires, fewer turns means fewer layers of paper. This allows the transformer to use less paper and more copper. The net result is a transformer that has a high ratio of copper to paper. This makes for a very capable transformer.
3. Excellent voltage-regulation during current-transients, due to the fact that no swinging-inductance filter is used. This is exactly what's needed for CW and SSB modes of operation.
Here's how it works: during normal operation, the anode becomes so hot that it glows a bright orange color. The surrounding objects are relatively much cooler, so the anode looses heat to the surrounding objects by radiation-cooling. Unfortunately, the anode also heats up other parts of the 3-500Z that are sensitive to heat. This includes the critical glass-to-metal seals and the solder that is used to fasten the pins to the base of the tube. These heat-sensitive parts must be cooled with forced airflow.
Heath's engineers came up with a deceptively simple method of effectively cooling the 3-500Zs. They realized that the conventional, expensive, air-system-socket / glass chimney cooling method had some serious trade-offs, such as: 1. It was difficult to force enough air through the restrictions to airflow in the "air-system" to adequately cool the filament-pins and filament-seals of the tubes. 2. The horizontal fins on the standard anode [plate]-cap coolers were obviously not designed to be cooled by the vertical airflow from the air-system chimney. 3. The restrictions to airflow with the air-system cooling method dictated that a high-pressure centrifugal blower be used. All high-pressure blowers have one thing in common: High Acoustic Noise.
What was needed was a cooling system that would quietly move high-velocity air past the hot filament-pins [1], filament-seals, the anode-seals, and the glass envelopes.
The Heath engineers knew that when horizontal air flows across vertical cylinders, such as a 3-500Z envelope and its pins, the airflow will follow the curve of the cylinders. This provides fairly uniform cooling to all areas of the cylinders, eliminating hot spots. They concluded that, with horizontal airflow, the cooling air would have a direct path the heat-sensitive parts of the tube. Horizontal airflow would also allow the anode-cap cooler's fins to lineup properly with the flow of cooling air, allowing it to function efficiently.
Since the filament-pins are below the chassis, and the filament-seals and anode-seals are above the chassis, the Heath engineers used an open-ended chassis so that a single, 15cm [6"] diameter fan blade could simultaneously blow cooling air above and below the chassis.
To position the four, hot filament-pins optimally in the under-chassis airflow, the pair of tube-sockets were mounted with the two pairs of filament-pins (#1 and #5) facing each other. This positioned the hot parts in front of the tips of the fan blades where they protruded under the chassis.
The cooling system design was brilliantly simple. It was relatively quiet and it worked well. Reports of 3-500Z-pin solder melting in SB-220 amplifiers are very rare - with the exception of cases where the fan motor bearings eventually seized because they were never oiled!
On the other hand, I have heard of many 3-500Z-pin solder melting episodes in other amplifiers that used air-system chimney/centrifugal blower cooling.
One weakness in the SB-220's cooling system was the failure to reduce the heat-reflectance of the bright aluminum surfaces that were adjacent and parallel to the anodes. This would have reduced the radiant heat that was reflected back at the hot anodes. The best color for this purpose is black. [2]
This deficiency is easily corrected: After the tubes have been removed, black, liquid shoe-polish can be applied to the vertical, aluminum surfaces, that are near the anodes. The built-in felt applicator, that is attached to the bottle cap, works well for applying the black coating.
One weakness in early models was the failure to provide oil-holes for the fan motor bearings. This problem can be corrected by drilling a small hole, no more than 1/4" [3mm] deep, above the front and above the rear oilite bearings. [3] The fan should be lubricated yearly with a thin, non-gumming [4] oil such as Hoppe's 1003. [5] / Two or three drops of oil needs to be inserted in each hole. What isn't absorbed into the felt wicks, that surround the oilite bearings, runs out the bottom. More oil is not better, just messier. The easiest way to get the desired amount of oil in the holes is to apply the oil with a disposable insulin syringe. Each "unit" on the syringe equals about one drop of oil.
Premature Filter-Capacitor Failure
The electrolytic filter-capacitors in the SB-220 are subjected to a high degree of heat during normal operation. The major source of this heat is from the eight, 30k-ohms, voltage equalizer resistors that are adjacent to the eight filter-capacitors. During transmit, a minor source of capacitor heating, results from the 60Hz ripple-current flowing through the capacitor's internal resistance.
The capacitor heating problem is compounded because cooling air does not reach the capacitors due to the molded plastic capacitor holders that surround and insulate each capacitor. In some cases, the heat present will partially melt the ends of the capacitor holders that are nearest to the 30k-ohms resistors.
The heat that is dissipated can be reduced by c.70% if 100k-ohms, 3W, metal oxide film resistors are used to replace the original 30k-ohms resistors. This simple modification will prolong the life of the (8) electrolytic filter-capacitors.
Other resistance values may be used, up to roughly 150k-ohms, provided that the resistors can withstand the voltage that is applied to them and the resistances are within ±5% of each other. I do not recommend using ancient-type 2W carbon-composition resistors for this application. They do not maintain their rated resistance tolerance with age.
Note: Increasing the equalizer resistance will also increase the capacitor bleed-down time after the amplifier is shut off.
Since this amplifier has a shorting HV-interlock, that grounds the HV positive when the perforated cover is removed, it is advisable to wait until the voltmeter indicates nearly 0V before allowing the interlock to short the HV to the chassis.
Here's why: When the HV-positive is shorted to ground, the stored energy in the filter-capacitors is applied directly to the grid-current meter shunt resistor, R3 {0.82-ohms}, which is the only HV-negative path to chassis. The peak discharge current can be substantial.
For example, if the filter-capacitors are at the 100V level when the interlock shorts, the peak-current through R3 is: I c. E/R c. 100V/0.82-ohms c.100A. If a substantial voltage exists in the filter-capacitors when the interlock shorts, R3 can be literally blown away by the discharge current-pulse. If the multimeter happens to be in the grid-current position, the meter can also be crispy-crittered.[6]
It is for this reason that I removed the interlocks from both of my Heathkit amplifiers. Another consideration was that the interlock does not prevent the operator from contacting the potentially fatal voltage from the electric-mains when the amplifier is plugged in and switched off. The interlock will not prevent the operator from being electrocuted. In other words, the safety-interlock does not make the amplifier safe.
Another advantage of removing the interlock is that it allows the perforated cover to be removed while optimizing the tuned-input circuits. This allows better access to the tuned input circuits.
>>>> There is no safe substitute for pulling the electric-mains plug before putting fingers inside any amplifier.
Intermittent Meter Readings
The other source of trouble lies inside the meters. Here's why: Different metals are used for the various parts of the meter. These parts, which conduct current to the meter armature, are fastened together with screws. Over a prolonged period of time, moisture in the air causes electrolysis to take place at the junctions of the dissimilar metals. This increases the resistance at the junctions, which causes intermittent meter indications.
This problem can be corrected by prying off the meter face, carefully removing the meter scale, and applying small dabs of conductive-paint to all of the dissimilar metal junctions that carry current to the armature.
The conductive-paint can be thinned with acetone to facilitate penetration into the narrow areas between the parts. The conductive paint should be allowed to dry around 15-minutes before the plastic meter faces are replaced.
Transceiver Relay Contact Failure
This problem can be corrected by placing a 100-ohm to 200-ohm, 1/2W resistor [to limit I] in series with the center pin [blue wire] on the Antenna Relay Jack. C52 must be connected to the blue-wire end of the resistor. See Diagram 1.
The voltage lost in this resistor will c. 5V, which is insignificant to the 110VDC relay coil.
Filament Circuit
Another theory was that the filament-to-grid shorts were caused by a "manufacturing defect". Neither theory turned out to be true, even though Eimac®, as usual, generously made good on the tube warranties.
Curiously, none of the authors, who wrote the SB-220 inrush-current limiting articles, ever bothered to measure the actual filament inrush-current. So, I decided to measure it with my trusty old HP-1706A oscilloscope. After all, my name is Measures, so why not?
Here's what I found: The maximum, peak inrush-current through the 3-500Z filaments in an SB-220 is only 60% of what Eimac® allows. This esoteric feat was accomplished by the use of a special current-limiting core in the Heathkit filament-transformer. The core is similar to the cores used in current-limiting neon-sign transformers. Externally, this core appears to be substantially different than the core used in the HV-transformer.
About a year after I measured the inrush-current, the fact that the SB-220 used a current-limiting filament-transformer, was mentioned in QST Magazine.
The actual cause of virtually all grid-to-filament shorts in the 3-500Zs was later discovered to be a very brief, and usually very noisy, VHF parasitic-oscillation at roughly 110MHz. As will be discussed later, the large grid-current-pulse, that accompanies the parasite, was creating a large magnetic-pulse inside the 3-500Zs, which pulled the hot filament-wires off-center, causing them to touch the grid wire cage.
Another interesting feature concerning the SB-220 filament circuit is the fact that they normally use a filament-voltage at the low end of the recommended voltage range; typically about 4.85V. This may not seem important, but, according to Eimac®, each 3% reduction in filament-voltage, provided that no drop in PEP output occurs, will double the life expectancy of the amplifier-tube. Thus, the amplifier-tubes in a SB-220 can be expected to last at least 4-times longer than the tubes in some other, much more costly and prestigious brands of two 3-500Z amplifiers.
Just because something costs more does not automatically mean that it is better.8
For example, the contemporary, c.4db more expensive, Henry Radio Co. 2KD-5 was generally considered to be a better designed, higher power output, and more rugged, amplifier than the SB-220, This amplifier typically had a filament-voltage of more than 5.90V with a line voltage of 240V. 5.90 volts clearly exceeds the maximum filament-voltage rating of 5.25V and reduces the useful emission life of the two 3-500Zs to only a few-percent of what could have been realized if the same tubes had been used in an SB-220.
Another example is the Trio-Kenwood TL-922. In this amplifier, about 5.3V is applied to the 3-500Z filaments when the amplifier is operated from 120V or 240V. This reduces the useful-emission life of the tubes by more than 75%. Of course, if your electric-mains voltage is 216V, the filament-voltage will be perfect.
Obviously, the filament-circuit in the SB-220 needs no stepstart circuit to limit inrush-current, but there is still a good reason to add a stepstart circuit to the SB-220.
Here's why: If the amplifier is started up when powered from a stiff, 240V source, the inrush-current, through the Power Switch and other components, is considerable. A stepstart circuit will eliminate this potential source of trouble.
An easy-to-build, stepstart circuit is shown in Diagram 2. In this circuit, the stepstart relay can close only when the filter-capacitors in the +110V and +3000V power supplies have charged up to about 2/3 of their normal voltages. If the stepstart relay closes before the HV reaches 2/3 of its normal potential, the 2k-ohms nominal-value resistance should be increased. If the relay has trouble closing, the resistance should be decreased, which will increase the current through the relay's coil. If the circuit is functioning properly, the stepstart relay will close in about one-second, as the voltmeter passes the 2000V level. The amplifier may be operated at full-throttle 1-second after the relay closes.
The two, 20-ohms, 10W, resistors and the stepstart relay can be glued directly to the bottom of the chassis, directly under the filter-capacitor bank, using silicone-rubber adhesive. [9] The resistors should be held up off of the chassis a few mm, by the silicone-rubber. This mounting method is appropriate because drilling mounting holes in this area could harm the filter-capacitors.
Since the stepstart relay adds to the current burden on the +110V power supply, it is probably a good idea to replace the stock, halfwave rectifier [D16] with a full-wave-bridge rectifier unit. Note: The grounded red-wire, on the transformer's 80VRMS winding, must be ungrounded and connected to the input of the full-wave-bridge rectifier.
A Standby-Switch
This transformer is gentle to the filaments, so the amplifier may be switched on or off as often as you like with no problem. The exception is: if you have just made a long RTTY or FM transmission, the glass-to-metal seals in the 3-500Zs should be allowed to cool down for about 1 minute before switching off .
Silicon Rectifier "Protection"
Today, silicon-rectifier manufacturing technology has improved, so that same-type rectifiers are very uniform in their parameters. Modern silicon rectifiers do not need to be equalized. Unfortunately, old habits die a slow death and many hams are still clinging onto 1960s design techniques.
Much has been written about adding "equalizing" resistor-capacitor protection networks across the rectifiers in the SB-220's HV power supply. Unfortunately, these "protection" circuits not only do not perform as advertised, they can lead to premature rectifier failure.
Here's why: The 1/2W resistors that are typically used are rated at 250V maximum. How can a 250V resistor be trusted across a 600V or a 1000V rectifier? If anything breaks down in a series-rectifier circuit, it is like dominoes falling. One resistor failure can wipe out the remaining good parts in the circuit.
The most frequent failure mode for HV power supply rectifiers is too much reverse-current. This problem can be eliminated if the total PIV capability of the series connected rectifiers substantially exceeds the peak voltage in the circuit.
In any series circuit, the current in all of the elements is exactly equal. The rectifiers are all in series. So, the reverse-current burden is exactly the same for each rectifier unit. How is it that something which is already exactly equal needs to be "equalized"?
During the half-cycle application of reverse-voltage, it is important that all of the rectifiers in a series leg have similar junction capacitances. If they don't, then the reverse-voltage across the lower capacitance rectifiers will be excessive. Here's why: in a series circuit, smaller capacitors charge-up faster, and to a higher voltage, than larger capacitors.
Approximately 10nF [0.01µF or 10,000pF] of bypass capacitance across each rectifier is probably a good idea if, for example, 1A rectifiers are placed in series with 6A rectifiers. This is the case because of the wide difference in junction capacitance between 6A and 1A rectifiers.
If all of the rectifiers in a series leg are similar, they will all have similar junction capacitances, so no external capacitors, or resistors, are needed.
Long ago, before they knew better, some commercial high-voltage silicon rectifier-stack manufacturers used "equalizer" R/C networks. These manufacturers stopped using "equalizers" for the same reasons that were previously outlined above. I don't know of any commercial HV-rectifier manufacturer who has not abandoned the malpractice.
Silicon Rectifier Failure
A much more common type of rectifier failure in early production SB-220s is rectifier-opening. This is caused by a defective spotweld inside the silicon rectifier. Eventually the weld breaks and the rectifier opens. The forward voltage jumps the gap at the open weld. When this happens, a 60Hz arc can usually be heard from inside the amplifier when current is being drawn from the HV supply. It is important to switch off the amplifier immediately when this noise is heard. Here's why: In a fullwave voltage-doubler rectifier circuit, there are two, series, filter capacitors.[10] One capacitor charges on the positive half of the cycle. The other capacitor charges on the negative half of the cycle. The two capacitors discharge in series. When current is being drawn from the supply, and if one of the filter-capacitors is not being charged by its rectifiers, the capacitor that is being charged will force reverse-polarity current through the capacitor that is not being charged. If unchecked, reverse-current will cause electrolytic capacitors to discharge their corrosive electrolyte through their safety vents. In other words, reverse-polarity current will destroy polarized electrolytic capacitors in short order.
The Antenna and Bias Relay
1. The added, reverse diode across the coil absorbs the reverse-voltage spike when current stops flowing in the coil. This prolongs the life of the coil insulation and quenches the magnetic pulse from the coil. If the magnetic pulse is unchecked, it can retrigger the transceiver's VOX circuit if a nearby, high-Z dynamic microphone is being used.
2. In its stock wiring configuration, +110V is connected to terminal #2 of the relay. During receive, the relay connects this voltage to the center-tap of the filament-transformer [terminal #8], which is the DC cathode-current path to the filaments of the 3-500Zs. The positive cathode-voltage causes the tubes to cutoff during receive. The tubes cut-off because the grids are relatively 110V more negative than the cathode's electrons. Electrons are negatively charged, and since like charges repel, no electron-current flows in the tube.
A problem arises if one of the tubes happens to develop a filament-to-grid short: Since each grid is DC-grounded, a shorted tube also short-circuits the +110V power supply. This power supply is part of the unfused filament-transformer.
Thus, if a filament-to-grid short occurs, and the amplifier is not switched off promptly, the filament-transformer will literally melt-down and short-out. The black tar that comes out of the overheating transformer makes an unpleasant mess inside the amplifier.
This potential source of grief can be eliminated if the relay is rewired as shown in Diagram 1. The new circuit uses resistor-cutoff bias, utilizing the existing 100k-ohms resistor [R27], which is rewired to relay terminal #5. The current through this resistor, during receive, is normally less than 0.25mA [P<0.007W], so the 1/2W rating is more than adequate.
3. The antenna-relay is mounted on a rubber grommet. This was intended to reduce the vibration that the relay transmits to the chassis, which acts as a sounding-board. In time, the rubber in the grommet hardens. This increases the acoustic noise that the operator hears when the relay makes or breaks.
This problem can be corrected by: removing the mounting screw and the grommet from the top of the chassis and applying a small dab of silicone-rubber adhesive through the hole.
After the silicone-rubber cures, a further noise reduction can be gained by installing U-shaped strips of thin flexible copper ribbon between the stiff wires that solder to terminal #s 4, 6, 7, and 9, and the relay terminals. The stiff wires should be shortened about 1cm before the U-links are soldered in. The flexible U-links act as shock-absorbers, and prevent the stiff copper wires from transmitting vibration from the relay to the chassis. This simple modification results in a substantial noise reduction.
4. During "barefoot" operation on 10m, when the amplifier is switched off, the bypass, or "straight-through"-SWR of the amplifier is much less than wonderful. This is due to the inductive reactance in the relay. The relay's inductive reactance [XL] can be cancelled by adding capacitive reactance [Xc] between terminal #9 of the relay and chassis-ground. The capacitance required is usually between 30pF and 43pF with a 1kV rating. Some, apparently conservatively rated, 500V micas seem to be able to handle the job. If a ceramic capacitor is to be used, the NPØ type is best, rated at 1 or 2 kV.
If you are a perfectionist, you may want to install a compression mica trimmer-capacitor, and adjust the trimmer for the lowest 10m bypass-SWR when the amplifier is connected to an accurate 50-ohms termination. The trimmer is removed, the value of capacitance measured on a C-meter, and a fixed capacitor of similar value installed permanently in the amplifier.
Some owners will take issue with this statement because many amplifiers will play for years and never exhibit any sign of a VHF parasitic-oscillation. Other amplifiers will pop, arc, or unexpectedly go bang, often eating amplifier parts. The difference between amplifiers that "take-off" and those that don't lies in the particular tubes that are installed in the amplifier. Tubes that have above-average VHF-amplification are those that are most likely to cause grief. Below-average gain tubes, or broadcast station "pulls", will probably never be able to sustain a VHF parasitic-oscillation.
A common warning sign that any amplifier is on the verge of a full-blown parasitic-oscillation is minor arcing or spitting at the tune-capacitor or the bandswitch. The full-blown parasitic-oscillation is hard to miss. It usually makes a loud bang or pop. If the amplifier is not switched off promptly after the big bang, the filament-transformer may melt down.[1]1
The reasons for this parasitic-oscillation problem are the same as the reasons for the parasitic-oscillation problem in the Trio-Kenwood TL-922 amplifier, which was discussed at length in an article that begins on page 36 in the October 1988 issue of QST Magazine.
Briefly, the heart of the parasite problem in the SB-220 lies in the use of high VHF-Q copper-conductors between the TUNE-capacitor and the anode-connections, or "plate-caps", on the 3-500Zs. The high VHF-Q parts includes the factory-stock "parasitic-suppressors" which are made with copper wire.
This problem can be easily corrected by constructing low-VHF-Q parasitic-suppressors, using VHF-lossy, nickel-chromium-iron alloy ["nichrome-60"] wire and replacing the copper-braid between the DC blocking capacitor and the top of the HV RF-choke with a pair of unequal length nichrome-60 wires.[12] Note: The importance of the double nichrome wire replacement for the copper braid should not be discounted. This double wire suppressor/conductor may look unconventional and silly, but it has a damping effect on the VHF Q of the anode-circuit. In many amplifiers, VHF stability can not be achieved with the stock, copper braid conductor between the blocking capacitor and the top of the HV RF-choke.
If you have access to a dipmeter, and you would like to observe the before and after effect of installing improved parasitic-suppressors, before any modifications are made, unplug the amplifier from the electric-mains and check the anode-circuit's VHF self-resonance. The optimum check point is at the left end of the copper-braid that connects the HV RF-choke to the DC blocking capacitor at the rear of the TUNE-capacitor. The resonant frequency is typically 110MHz ±10MHz.
The dip in factory-stock amplifiers is so sharp that it can "suck-out" the oscillator in the dipmeter. So the dipmeter must be backed away from the conductor. This indicates that the anode-circuit has a very high VHF-Q. This is not good news unless you happen to need a self-excited VHF high power-oscillator.
After installing the low VHF-Q suppressors, check the dip again. The self-resonant frequency will usually not change appreciably, but the dip should now be smooth and broad. This indicates that you were successful at substantially reducing the anode-circuit's VHF-Q, and reducing the VHF-oscillating ability of your amplifier.
During the production life of the SB-220 and its successors, Heath made two changes in the design of the amplifier that were related to its parasitic problem. One change was to increase the spacing of the TUNE-capacitor. The other change was to decrease the C of the grid-to-ground capacitors from 200pF to 115pF.
The more reactive 115pF capacitors did cancel some of the internal grid-inductance in the 3-500Zs. This increased the VHF self-resonant frequency of the grid, making the amplifier slightly more stable. Unfortunately, this fix was not a sure cure.
Judging from numerous on-the-air and telephone conversations, Heath received many complaints from SB-220 owners who reported arcing at the TUNE-capacitor. In response to these complaints, Heath increased the voltage breakdown rating of this capacitor. Increasing the spacing of the TUNE-capacitor turned out to be a serious mistake.
Here's why: The original TUNE-capacitor already had a substantial breakdown-voltage safety factor, considering that the maximum, peak (HF) RF anode-voltage in the SB-220 is c.2600v. The arcing was not being caused by normal HF RF peak-voltage. Instead, the arcing at the capacitor was being caused by intermittent c.110MHz parasitic-oscillation voltage. Increasing the voltage rating of this capacitor did stop the arcing at the capacitor, but it shifted the arcing to the output bandswitch. In other words, the parasitic-voltage was jumping across the path of least resistance. For example, if the bandswitch's contact spacing was increased to stop the bandswitch arcing, the new wide-spaced TUNE-capacitor would probably begin arcing.
Pitting on the plates of an air-variable capacitor can be cleaned up with a file, and the capacitor will be as good as new. Arcing on the fragile contacts of a bandswitch is frequently fatal to the bandswitch.
Diode Replacement
Three disadvantages of a Zener diode are: They are not adjustable, they don't like high-current pulses, and they are not inexpensive. A much cheaper and more rugged, step-adjustable replacement for a 5.1V, 10W Zener [ZD1] can be made with seven rectifiers.
The replacement circuit is shown in Diagram 3. Bias voltage can be controlled, in c.0.8V steps, by adding or subtracting diodes. This allows the operator to set the zero-signal anode-current for the two 3-500Zs. The SSB-mode current should be 160mA to 200mA for best linearity.
The diodes can be mounted on a piece of perfboard and fastened in the power supply section. Note: The polarity arrows on the forward-conducting rectifiers point opposite to the arrow on the reverse-conducting Zener diode.
Break-in [QSK] Modification
Even if you do not operate much CW-QSK, this modification is still worthwhile because it makes working SSB-VOX enjoyable - and it eliminates hotswitching. . The relays are so fast and inconspicuously quiet, it's almost like talking on the telephone, or like talking in person. This is real communication.
The QSK circuit, for the TL-922 and SB-220, was published in the March 1989 issue of Ham Radio Magazine. The article begins on page 35. The magazine article is not free from errors, but it will give a basic idea of how the QSK circuit works. (see Fig. 7 on my Web site)
One of the features of this QSK circuit is that the electronic cathode bias switch [ECBS] is always in perfect sync with the RF-relays. In other QSK circuits, this is not the case.
Here's why: In some other QSK circuits, the ECBS is RF-actuated. This may sound wonderful but it is not so because RF-actuation allows the 3-500Zs to be switched in and out of their linear bias region during and between softly spoken syllables. The net result is increased IMD, or splatter, as the bias wanders between linear and non linear operation during speech.
Making the RF-relays and the ECBS RF-actuated is not a solution because this would cause the RF-relays to hot switch every time they tried to make.
A properly designed QSK circuit puts the QSK-transceiver's amplifier-control line completely in charge of the amplifier. In this way, the 3-500Z bias will always be correct for linear operation any time that the RF-relays are actuated.
ALC, Or Not To ALC?
If your transceiver puts out less than 140W-PEP, the use of ALC with your SB-220 is of no value since it is impossible to overdrive the 3-500Zs. It is for this reason that I removed the ALC circuit from both of my Heathkit amplifiers. [14]
Operation On The 12m And 17m Bands
Here's what happens: When a HV RF-choke is operated on or near one of its self-resonant frequencies, an extremely high RF-voltage appears on the choke. The voltage can easily exceed four-times the supply voltage. This can cause the insulation on the choke's wire to break down and ignite.
To prevent choke-fires, all operating frequencies should be more than 5% away from any of the choke's self-resonant frequencies.
The SB-220 will operate well on the 12m/24.9MHz and 17m/18.1MHz bands because its HV RF-choke, RFC-1, does not have any self-resonance below 40MHz.
If a transistor-output radio will be used to drive the amplifier, the amplifier's tuned input circuits for the 10m and 15m bands should be optimized for this dual-purpose. More on that later.
The only possible problem associated with 12m and 17m band operation is the increased current burden on the output-bandswitch.
Here's why: In order for the amplifier to tune down to the new frequencies without increasing L, the TUNE-capacitor and the LOAD-capacitor must be adjusted for about 35% more capacitance. This increases the operating Q of the output pi-network by about 18%, which increases the RF-circulating-current through the bandswitch contacts by about 18%. Since Pc. I2R, the increase in contact dissipation will c. 1.18 x 1.18 x Rc. 1.39 x R. If R remains constant, this equals a 39% increase in the heat dissipated by the contacts. [15]
This is unlikely to be a problem for normal SSB operation without speech-processing. For higher duty-cycle operation, the amplifier should be switched to the lower-voltage CW/TUNE position in order to reduce the average heat dissipation on the output bandswitch contacts.
Improving Input SWR
Now days, the only type of radios that are being manufactured use transistor-output. The transistors are used in an untuned, broadband-transformer circuit. This type of amplifier will develop full power only when it is working into a nearly non-reactive load whose resistance is close to the design load of 50-ohmss. Many transistor-output radios are so fussy that they will begin to power themselves down with a reactive load whose SWR is 1.15 to 1. This means that the amplifier will not receive full drive power unless it has a very low, input SWR.. On many bands, this is the case with a stock SB-220.
Fortunately, the input-SWR of this amplifier can be easily improved if we understand what we are dealing with.
The job of the tuned-input circuit is more complicated than just matching 50-ohms to the input-resistance of the amplifier-tubes.
Here's why: The instantaneous input-resistance of a grounded-grid amplifier fluctuates wildly during the positive and negative voltage swings of the sinewave input signal.
When the input cathode-voltage swings positive, the grounded-grid looks negative with respect to the cathode, and the current is completely cut-off, making the input-resistance nearly infinite.
During the negative swing in input voltage, the grid looks more positive, and a large current flows in the tube, making the input-resistance very low.
For example: a pair of 3-500Zs. When the driving voltage is peaking at negative 117v, the anode-current is at its maximum peak, and the instantaneous anode-voltage is swinging to its lowest point of c.+250v, the total, peak cathode-current is 3.4a.16 Thus, the driving resistance at this point, Rin c. 117v/3.4a c. 34.5-ohms, and, incredibly, Ppeak c. 117v x 3.4a c. 397w.
Thus, the resistance swing is from near-infinite with positive driving voltage, all the way down to 34.5-ohms. [17] The instantaneous drive power requirement varies from 0w to 397w at the positive and negative peaks of the sinewave input voltage. This is not the type of load that makes for contented transistor-output transceivers.
During the positive swing in input voltage, there is virtually no load on the driver, so the tuned-input circuit must store the energy until it is needed the most, during the negative crest in the input voltage.
Thus, the tuned-input circuit's job is to act as a flywheel/energy storage system, and a matching transformer.
Q is like the mass of a flywheel. More Q makes for a better flywheel, which does a better job of averaging the wild swings in input-resistance, giving a lower input-SWR. The tradeoff is that more Q means less bandwidth. This means that, with a high Q, the input SWR may be near-perfect at the center of the band, but too high at the band edges. Thus, a compromise must be made.
Eimac® recommends using a Q of two for the tuned-input circuits in a grounded-grid amplifier. As I will show below, the SB-220 uses a Q of only about one. This is why the stock, input-SWR of the SB-220 is less than wonderful. Other commercial amplifiers that were also designed in the era before transistor-output transceivers used a Q of one or even less than one.
Q is defined as the ratio of the input-resistance of the tuned-input circuit, which is 50-ohms, divided by the reactance, in ohms, of the input-capacitor [XCin]. For example, in the SB-220, the 40m input-capacitor [C42] is 470pF. The reactance of C42 at 7.15MHz c. XCin c. 1÷[2¼ f C] c. 1÷[2¼ x 7.15x106Hz x 470x10-12F] c. 47.36-ohms, which is also written as minus j47.36-ohms. Thus, the Q c. 50-ohms/47.36-ohms c. 1.05.
When the Q of a tuned-input circuit is too low to start with, no amount of adjusting the inductor, L, and Cout can ever bring the SWR down to a low value.
Improving the input-SWR of an SB-220 is simple: increase the Q by decreasing the XCin in the tuned-input circuits. This means more Cin.
Since the resistance matching ratio of a tuned-input is semi-proportional to the Xc-ratio of the two capacitors, if Cin is increased, to increase Q, Cout must be increased in order to maintain the same resistance matching ratio. In this case it is 50-ohms to c.69-ohms.
Increasing both capacitances will lower the operating frequency of the tuned-input, so L must be decreased to bring the frequency back up to where it started. This can be accomplished by removing turns of wire from L, and by adjusting the inductor's tuning slug.
It is important to keep in mind that the matching ratio of a tuned input circuit can not be changed by adjusting the slug-tuned inductor alone. In order to arrive at the optimum SWR, Two components must be adjusted in order to change the matching ratio of a tuned input circuit.
Another factor that affects the input-SWR is the Q [c. XL/R(RF)] of the inductor. Any RF-resistance [R(RF)] that appears in the inductor will adversely affect the SWR. Smaller wire has more resistance than larger wire. Thus, it is important to use an adequate wire diameter.
As frequency increases, skin-effect increases, which increases the RF-resistance of the wire. To compensate for this, the wire diameter must be increased in proportion to frequency.
For example, at 1.8MHz, in a 100w tuned-input circuit, the wire diameter should be at least 0.5mm [c.#24AWG]. At 29MHz, "1.3mm [c.#16AWG] diameter wire is appropriate. You can't go wrong by choosing a larger diameter wire, unless it won't fit on the coil-form.
A Q of two is usually slightly more than optimum if you need to cover a large frequency spread with a single tuned-input circuit. Prime examples would be to cover 3.5MHz to 4MHz, and 18MHz to 21.5MHz, so that the 15m tuned-input will also cover the new 17m band. In these cases, a Q of c.1.5 should be used. This also applies to a 10m tuned-input that will be used on the 12m band.
A Q of 1.5 corresponds to a reactance of about 33.3-ohms {Xc-inc. 50-ohms/1.5 = 33.3-ohms} for Cin. At 3.75MHz this would require a 1275pF capacitor. 18 / The nearest standard value is 1300pF. Of course, capacitors can be paralleled to arrive at the desired C.
Measuring the input-SWR of an amplifier is an inexact science. For example, different models of SWR-meters will give different readings in the same circuit. Changing the distance between the SWR-meter and the amplifier can also change the indicated SWR.
Another complication is that modern transistor-output transceivers always use a set of switched, c.1.5-octave-per-filter, broadband output-filters. This is done so that their output signals will meet the FCC requirements for spectral purity.
At the extremes of an individual filter's bandpass, such as at 29MHz, the filter can introduce a reactance into the transmission line. This reactance can cause some peculiar results when you are trying to optimize the SWR of the tuned input circuits in an amplifier.
The best way to avoid this problem is to use a tube-type driver, such as a Trio-Kenwood TS-830S, when optimizing the tuned-input circuits. The driver must be tuned for maximum power into a known-to-be-accurate 50-ohms termination, and then not readjusted during the adjustment of the tuned-input's L and Cout. If the transceiver is re-tuned, it may introduce a reactance onto the transmission line that will affect the indicated SWR.
If the Q of the tuned input has been increased, by increasing Cin and decreasing L, Cout will need to be increased. The easiest way to find the new, higher, optimum value for Cout is by inserting a compression mica trimmer-capacitor in in parallel with the stock Cout.
With the maximum peak drive power applied, L and Cout are alternately adjusted for the best match at the center of the band. Cout can then be removed, its capacitance measured on a C-meter, and a fixed capacitor, of the same C, permanently installed in the amplifier.
If the amplifier is driven with a steady carrier [AØ, now called NØN], considerable stress is placed on the HV power supply and the RF-compartment will become very hot. The stress and strain can be reduced if the driver is set to the CW-mode. The driver is keyed by an electronic-keyer, set to 50 to 60 words per minute. The keyer sends a steady stream of dits, which have a 50% duty-cycle. The amplifier's current-meter readings should be approximately doubled to find the actual current.
Adjusting the tuned-inputs is much easier if the front panel is removed. The meter leads need to be lengthened to facilitate doing this. A chassis-ground wire needs to be added between the panel and the amplifier chassis if you want the multimeter to function when the panel is separated from the amplifier.
It is important, not to inadvertently contact the nearby HV feedthrough insulator while you are adjusting the tuned inputs. Doing so could result in your premature appearance in................"Silent Keys".
A reasonable procedure is to use insulated tuning tools and to stand on a plastic mat, with one hand behind your back. It is also advisable to wrap some 1" [25mm] plastic electrical tape around the nuts on the HV-feedthrough insulator, before the amplifier is plugged in.
If you would prefer not to work around lethal voltage, it is possible to adjust the tuned-inputs of the amplifier without applying high voltage to the anodes of the 3-500Zs. Here's how:
1. Make the appropriate changes in the tuned input circuits.
2. Disconnect the red, secondary wire of the HV-transformer from the rectifiers. Insulate the loose wire.
3. Re-connect the amplifier to the electric-mains, key and drive the amplifier with about 5W initially.
4. Observe the grid-current meter and apply only enough drive to obtain no more than 250mA of grid-current.
5. Adjust L and Cout for the best SWR.
This method is not as accurate as the full-power adjustment method, but it is safer.
Here are the optimum values I found for the tuned-inputs, using the full-power adjustment method:
Band - Cin pF / L turns removed / Cout pF
80m 2 x 680 / -4t / 1300
40m 820/ -4t / 680
20m 360 / -1t / 270
15m 270 / -2t / 180
10m 180 / 2t / 130 +/-
2. The amplifier was equipped with two, 10-ohms [5-ohms net] cathode resistors [Rc] These resistors increase the input-resistance of the 3-500Zs by about 8%.
3. The ALC circuit had been removed from this amplifier. This slightly reduces the load capacitance on the output of the tuned-input circuit.
4. The capacitors are mica, rated at "500v, or NPØ ceramic rated at 1kV.
Other experimenters have reported finding slightly different optimum values, so the best values for your amplifier may be different than those listed.
Removing The Tuned Input Circuit Inductors
In order to remove an inductor, both spring tabs must be compressed. The upper spring tab can be easily compressed with a screwdriver blade. The lower spring tab is difficult to reach unless a special tool is used.
I made this tool out of 1/8" diameter piano wire, which can be purchased in 36" lengths in model airplane hobby shops. Here's one method of making the tool: Using a bench grinder, cut off about 30cm [12"] of the wire. With a pencil-point flame from a propane torch, heat a spot on the wire, about 2cm [0.8"] from the end of the wire. When the metal is glowing red, grasp the end of the wire with pliers and bend a c.85º angle in the wire.
The long end of the wire-tool is the handle. The short end is hooked under the inductor base. When the handle is pulled straight-up, the lower spring tab will depress. It is much easier to remove turns from the inductors when the inductors have been removed from the amplifier.
Cabinet Removal
1. Use a book or a block of wood that is about 5-inches by 7 inches and c. 1.5-inches thick.
2. Hold the book or wood block spacer flat against the rear of the amplifier, between the air inlet screen and the right edge of the cabinet, with the c.5-inch dimension vertical.
3. Using your other hand, rock the amplifier over backwards on top of the spacer, until the amplifier is standing up. If the spacer is positioned properly, it will be supporting the full weight of the amplifier and no part of the cabinet will touch the table.
4. Remove the four screws with their rubber feet.
5. Slide the cabinet up and off.
160m Coverage
>>>>> If you have any questions or comments about this article, please feel free to telephone me at 805 386 3734.
Rich, AG6K
End Notes
1 The
filament-pins receive a considerable amount of heat through conduction from the
c.75w filament. The amount of heat present requires that continuous forced-air
cooling be directed at the filament-pins, even on standby.
This site was last updated 04/22/20


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Grant Penrod represents plaintiffs and defendants in civil litigation and appeals, with primary experience including domestic relations, consumer and commercial transactions, landlord and tenant relations, personal injury, real estate litigation, and First Amendment and media law.
Harrisonburg High School (1991, honors); James Madison University (B.A., 1995, cum laude); University of Virginia School of Law (J.D., 2003, top 25%, Mortimer Caplin Public Service Award).
Law Practice Experience
Private practice with Hoover Penrod PLC since 2008. Supervising and Staff Attorney with Blue Ridge Legal Services from 2005 to 2008. Legal Fellow with the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press from 2003 to 2005. Adjunct professor with American University in 2005. Law clerk with the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression, the Virginia Coalition for Open Government, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia. Grant has been successful in several appellate cases before Virginia appellate courts and the U. S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Professional Associations
Member of the Virginia State Bar, Harrisonburg-Rockingham Bar Association (past President), and Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. Vice-President of the Board of Directors of the Center for Marriage and Family Counseling, Harrisonburg, Virginia. President of the Board of Directors of Northfield Court Homeowners Association. Named a Virginia "Super Lawyer".
Personal Information
Grant was in restaurant management for five years before attending law school. He has recently remarried after having been a single father for many years. He is a musician and a skateboarder (and has the surgical scars to prove it).

subset: commoncrawl


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Boston week photo #16:
This is simply a photo showing part of the Boston skyline I took recently. The city is trying hard to go back to normal after the events that took place over the past 5 days. Boston and the surrounding cities are truly resilient; people are out enjoying a beautiful spring day all the while remembering those who were most deeply affected by the tragic events. We're all hoping that the nonsense has come to an end after the incredibly brave and heroic effort put forth by our local, state and federal law enforcement officers and service men and women. We do know one thing for sure – this city and the entire country will remain Boston Strong.


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Stephanie reads this passage from Luke 3:7-18 today, continuing the story of John the Baptist. Thank you, Stephanie!
Thanks to "Adventures of a Lady Esther" at BlogSpot for the charming snakes.
For friends new to this blog, "Wednesday's Word" is a weekly Bible audio clip that rotates between Genesis, Luke and Psalms. Periodically, I post "Wednesday's Word to the Wise," which is a Bible passage on what it means to be wise (in honor of Sophie Topfeather, an owl who struggles with what it means to be wise, and who is the main character of my upcoming children's series).
On Sundays, I post an article-type post on themes in the novels: faith, friendship, diversity, etc. Thanks for reading!


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While you may be seeing stories about the £999 Apple iPhone X this morning, British smartphone company Wileyfox wants to draw your attention to its much more affordable phone, and a free gift offer that's not to be sniffed at.
That's because for the first 7,000 people to purchase a Wileyfox Swift 2 X from Amazon, they will will receive an Echo Dot completely free of charge. The Swift 2 X is available for £210 and supports Amazon Alexa, as does the rest of the Swift 2 range, allowing you to ask all manner of questions and control various smart home products and other services.
By including an Echo Dot, Wileyfox opens up the controls to the entire family, as anyone can use it. It can also be plugged into a speaker or hi-fi system for voice-controlled music playback.
We've been able to get our hands on a Wileyfox Swift 2 X, and while it's not necessarily the quickest phone in the world, it provides you with an awful lot for your money.
When we last saw it, it was running the very last version of Cyanogen, but since that software no longer exists, the Swift 2 X will be able to support Android Nougat 7.1.2 out the box.
Elsewhere, the Swift 2 X has a 5.2-inch full HD display, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage and dual-SIM support. Top that off with a metal build and a form factor that's comfortable to hold in one hand, and the Wileyfox Swift 2 X suddenly becomes a tempting proposition.


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The INTINTOLI will be hauled out on Monday for an annual hull inspection and maintenance. This dry dock is expected to last one week. During this time the VALLEJO will operate in a fixed spot in the boat line-up. The VALLEJO will complete the 6:30 AM, 2:00 PM,and 4:45 PM departures from Vallejo, the 3:10 PM departure from Pier 41, and the 3:30 PM and 6:00 PM departures from the San Francisco Ferry Building. We hope to have the INTINTOLI back from the shipyard on Friday Feb 24th and back in the boat rotation on Monday March 3rd.
This update was provided by the San Francisco Bay Ferry – Vallejo


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Stephanie J. Smith
Principal Broker / Owner
Click Here to Read More About the Broker.
You may view our company and broker information below
NC Real Estate Commission website http://www.ncrec.gov/default.html
(Click on Licensee search on the left hand side and put in Smith, Stephanie J.)
SC Real Estate Commission website: https://verify.llronline.com/LicLookup/LookupMain.aspx
(and choose Real Estate Commission in the drop down menu)
Virginia Real Estate Commission website: http://www.dpor.virginia.gov/LicenseLookup/
(put in Smith, Stephanie and Check the Real Estate Individuals Box.)
Maryland Real Estate Commission website: https://www.dllr.state.md.us
(put in Smith, Stephanie)
Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission website: https://www.pals.pa.gov/#/page/search
(put in Smith, Stephanie - Lic RM423650)
Washington DC Real Estate Commission website: https://www.pulseportal.com/
(put in Smith, Stephanie)
Georgia Real Estate Commission website
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This guidance is an update of 'type 1 diabetes' (NICE guideline CG15) and replaces the guidance for adults. The recommendations are labelled according to when they were originally published (see update information for details).
Type 1 diabetes affects over 370,000 adults in the UK. It results from destruction of the cells that normally make insulin. Loss of insulin secretion results in high blood glucose and other metabolic and haematological abnormalities, which have both short‑term and long‑term adverse effects on health. Over years, type 1 diabetes causes tissue damage which, if not detected and managed early, can result in disability: blindness, kidney failure and foot ulceration leading to amputation, as well as premature heart disease, stroke and death. The risk of all of these complications is greatly reduced by treatment that keeps circulating glucose levels to as near normal as possible, reducing tissue damage. Disability from complications that are not avoided can often be prevented by early detection and active management.
Type 1 diabetes is treated by insulin replacement, supported by active management of other cardiovascular risk factors, such as hypertension and high circulating lipids. Modern insulin replacement therapy aims to recreate normal fluctuations in circulating insulin concentrations. This supports a flexible lifestyle with minimal restrictions and, properly done, can improve blood glucose levels, reducing the risk of both structural complications and episodes of hypoglycaemia. Flexible insulin therapy usually involves self‑injecting multiple daily doses of insulin, with doses adjusted based on taken or planned exercise, intended food intake and other factors, including current blood glucose, which the insulin user needs to test on a regular basis. This self‑management needs the insulin user to have the skills and confidence to manage the regimen. One of the most important roles of healthcare professionals providing diabetes care to adults with type 1 diabetes is to ensure that systems are in place to provide informed, expert support, education and training for insulin users, as well as a range of other more conventional biomedical services and interventions.
Although type 1 diabetes in adults is not rare, it is not common enough that all healthcare professionals who deal with it are able to acquire and maintain all the necessary skills for its management. The aim of this guideline is to provide evidence‑based, practical advice on supporting adults with type 1 diabetes to live full, largely unrestricted, lives and to avoid the short‑term and long‑term complications of both the disease and of its treatment.
Reasons for the update
NICE last produced a guideline on type 1 diabetes in 2004. Since then, life expectancy for adults living with type 1 diabetes has increased, but it remains significantly shorter than for people without diabetes. There remain important deficiencies in care provision, most adults with type 1 diabetes have HbA1c above target levels, and rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (the acute complication of insulin deficiency) and renal failure have increased. This update focuses on areas where new knowledge and treatment opportunities have arisen in the last decade. These include improvements in technology to support better glucose levels, that should result in improved outcomes for adults with type 1 diabetes. These changes also present more challenges in terms of the diversity and complexity of the tools that can now be provided, and this guideline describes evidence‑based best practice for their deployment.
Topics updated from the 2004 guideline include:
diagnosing type 1 diabetes
structured education programmes
insulin preparations and regimens associated with improved glucose levels
needle length for insulin injections
new technologies for glucose monitoring and insulin delivery
managing acute painful neuropathy associated with rapid blood glucose control, erectile dysfunction in men and gastroparesis
primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
The following topics were not included in 2004 and have been added:
new insulin formulations
identifying, quantifying and managing impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia
monitoring for thyroid disease
use of blood ketone measurement in preventing and monitoring diabetic ketoacidosis
carbohydrate counting and glycaemic index diets
referral criteria for transplantation therapies.
This guideline describes methods for achieving optimal outcomes for adults with type 1 diabetes and to inform service design and delivery. Its intended audience includes healthcare professionals involved in delivering services to adults with type 1 diabetes, service managers and commissioners, and adults with type 1 diabetes and their families.
The guideline will assume that prescribers will use a medicine's summary of product characteristics to inform decisions made with individual patients.
This guideline recommends some medicines for indications for which they do not have a UK marketing authorisation at the date of publication, if there is good evidence to support that use. The prescriber should follow relevant professional guidance, taking full responsibility for the decision. The patient (or those with authority to give consent on their behalf) should provide informed consent, which should be documented. See the General Medical Council's Prescribing guidance: prescribing unlicensed medicines for further information. Where recommendations have been made for the use of medicines outside their licensed indications ('off‑label use'), these medicines are marked with a footnote in the recommendations.


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on a truly excellent film:
At the Level Ground film festival the other weekend, I got to see "Desire of the Everlasting Hills," a truly moving and well-made documentary—and an example of the movement I described in my "Coming Out Christian" piece."Desire" lets three gay or same-sex attracted Catholics tell their stories. It's not confrontational or argumentative; the overall tone is tender and reflective. I saw it twice, and it evoked both laughter and sniffles from the audience.
And the stories seem perfectly crafted to disrupt conventional ideas of "ex-gay" narratives. At first Paul seems like your central-casting disco kid, who fled a life of promiscuity. Rilene's the lonely woman neglected by men, who is seduced at a low point in her life by a predatory lesbian. And Dan had a boyfriend, but began to find himself falling for a woman—his chance to have a "normal" life and a family. So far, so frustrating. But the movie is startlingly well-paced (its "plot twists" got gasps and exclamations) as we learn that these three lives are anything but pious paint-by-numbers cartoons.


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The following modules are available for all teachers, administration and/or for small groups. The duration and content of these modules is flexible.
An interactive and collaborative professional learning approach will be used in trainings. Current and authentic examples of relevant and innovative classroom practice will be used to support the modules.
This module will explore the concept of inquiry and provide educators with strategies to capture and maximize student's curiosities, to develop practices for recognizing authentic inquiry and designing learning engagements and environments which optimize inquiry. It will examine the role of student driven inquiry and how to engage students in the inquiry process.
This module will examine the pedagogy of inquiry focusing on the role of concepts in student centered learning. Participants will look at the connection between teaching conceptually and how this leads to more student driven inquiry. It will provide educators with strategies to capture and maximize student's curiosities, to develop practices for recognizing authentic conceptual inquiry by designing learning environments and engagements that optimize conceptual thinking. This module will assist participants in understanding the process of conceptual inquiry, the stages involved in student driven inquiry and how they can plan to optimize this.
This module will assist in identifying personal culture, recognizing diversity and how it can enrich the learning community. It will provide an understanding of underlying cross- cultural attitudes, values and behaviours and the significance for the classroom setting and school environment. It will provide opportunity to reflect on the culture of the school, the cultures within the community and the relationships between them. This module will provide opportunities to develop tools and strategies for effective communication across cultures.
This module will focus on how to effectively plan, teach and assess for conceptual learning. As many curriculums are moving to more a conceptually designed framework, it is important that this translated into classroom practice. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their understanding of the role of concepts by designing a unit of learning. This will be enhanced through a step by step practical planning process with a focus on concepts. A series of principles for rigorous and authentic conceptual planning, teaching and assessment will be explored.
This module will investigate the principles and practices of differentiation exploring approaches and structures to effectively cater for the diversity of students in our classrooms. An extensive tool-kit of instructional and assessment strategies to design learning to cater for student interests, abilities and approaches to learning will be explored and developed.
This module will explore a range of approaches that inform the leadership for professional growth of teachers. It will examine a range of approaches and skills required for teacher leaders to support change; which includes classroom and school improvement. A key part of the module is examining how to facilitate powerful and productive discussions about teaching, learning and thinking.
This module will inquire into how teams work in a professional learning community; how they can be structured, what the function might be, and strategies for how to support groups in becoming a collaborative team. Understanding that building a collaborative culture is a means to an end, not the end itself and seeing the connection between purposeful collaboration and improving student learning.
This module will examine current research around the significance of play in the development of young children. It will examine what play is and how it allows young children to engage, connect and make sense within their environment. It will address the role of play in building of relationships and how it is linked to children's wellbeing. There will be opportunity to explore how to promote play through the design of the learning environment and provocations.


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60844314. Sir John de Steyngrave & 60844315. Ida Wake
~1240, John born in England, s/o 121688628. Simon de Steyngreve & 121688629. Beatrice Foliot.
~1255, Ida born in England, d/o 4997404. Baron Baldwin Wake & 121688631. Ela de Beauchamp.
4/12/1263, Simon de Montfort returned to England to lead a rebellion of young barons. [John was apparently not part of the rebellion, although his daughter's father-in-law was.]
5/14/1264, King Henry captured at the battle of Lewes by the forces of Simon de Montfort.
1264, Simon de Montfort effectively ruled England.
5/30/1264, Protection and safe conduct until Michaelmas for John de Steingreve. (S) CPRs.
8/4/1265, Lord Edward defeated and killed Simon de Montfort at the battle of Evesham, ending the barons' revolt.
1267-8, John heir to his older brother Peter.
1267-8, John de Stayngreve, plaintiff, v. Richard de Breuse, as to the manor of Thurgramby. (S) Register of Walter Giffard, Brown, 1904, P43.
1267-8, John de Stayngreve, plaintiff, v. Richard de Breuse, as to the manor of Thurgramby. (S) Register of Walter Giffard, Brown, 1904, P43.
5/24/1268, Grant to John de Stayngrive that of the debts of his ancestors at the Exchequer he may pay 10 marks a year until they are paid off. (S) CPRs.
1269, John's excommunications by the Archbishop of York over the issues of Stonegrave Church brought about his submission.
11/16/1272, Edward I ascended to the throne while on crusade.
11/16/1272, Edward I ascended to the throne while on crusade.
7/10/1273, Assise of novel disseisin arraigned by John Passemer' against John de Steyngreve and others. (S) Annual Rpt. of the Dep. Keeper, V42, 1881, P630.
2/28/1275, Order to respite … the demand upon John de Steyngreve for the debts due of William de Steingreve, his late brother. (S) CCRs.
1275, Assise of novel disseisin arraigned by Ernald de Percy against John de Steingrave and others. (S) Rept. of the Dep. Keeper, V43, 1883, P151.
1276, Complaint was made that John de Stonegrave prevented the king's ministers from entering his lands for any purpose.
5/7/1277, Grant to John de Steynegryve that the may hold the manor of Staynton, which he has of the demise of Margaret de Staynton, and which is of the fee of Tickhill, for five years without challenge. (S) CPRs.
5/7/1277, Grant to John de Steynegryve that the may hold the manor of Staynton, which he has of the demise of Margaret de Staynton, and which is of the fee of Tickhill, for five years without challenge. (S) CPRs.
1277, Hugh son of Henry and Albreda his wife demand against John de Steyngreve the third part of the manor of Ffriseby, as the dower of Albreda of the dotation of one William de Steyngreve [John oldest brother], her 1st husband. (S) 46th Rept. of the Dep. Keeper, 1886, P237.
8/22/1277, Confirmation of a grant, for life, made by John le Botiller of Hokerton to John de Steyngrive of the manor of Steynton. (S) CPRs.
6/26/1278, Writ from the King … assigned … to Roger de Munbray [Mowbray], John de Steyngryve and Ida his wife, John de Horbiry and Elizabeth his wife, Michael Pihot and Joan his wife, and William de Mountchensy (de Monte Caniso) of Edwardeston and Beatrix his wife, heir of William Beauchamp (de Bello Campo) of Bedford, their reasonable shares which fell to them fro the inheritance … which Amicia, William Beauchamp's widow, lately deceased, held in dower. (S) Yorkshire Inquisitions of the Reignes of Henry III and Edward I, 1902, P10. [This William, brother of Ela de Beauchamp, died 8/1262, leaving as his heir his brother Simon, William's wife Amicia holding dower. Simon left a daughter Joan that died 1266-7. Joan having no heir, the estates were distributed under the Dictum of Kenilworth.]
1/28/1279, Grant to John de Garton … as it appears by inquisition of Geffrey Aguyllun and John de Steyngreve that he has not land to the value of 20£ a year. (S) CPRs.
3/12/1279, Commission … to distrain those who have land to the value of 20£ yearly … who have not received knighthood … Geffrey Aguillon, John de Steingrave and Ralph le Botiler in co. York. (S) CPRs.
1279, John de Steyngrave [of York] claims the manor of Thorgramby, Sussex as his right. (S) History of the Castles, Mansions, and Manors of Western Sussex, Elwes, 1876, P278.
1279-81, John asserted immemorial right to amendment of the assize of bread and ale, and claimed free warren in Stonegrave, West Ness, &c., under the charter of Henry III.
1281, John de Staingrave vs. William, abbot of Rievaulx. (S) Pubs. of the Suretees Soc., V85, 1890, P97.
1281, John de Staingrave vs. William, abbot of Rievaulx. (S) Pubs. of the Suretees Soc., V85, 1890, P97.
1/20/1283, Commission to Nicholas de Stapelton and John de Steyngreve to enquire … (S) CPRs.
1284-5, John de Steingrave held part of Linslade in right of Ida. (S) Victoria History of the County of Buckingham, V3, Page, 1969, P389.
6/4/1285, IPM of Robert de Ros of Beuveyr: … York. … Ricolf. Held by Sir John de Steyngrave, rendering 2lb pepper. (S) CIsPM.
6/8/1285, Enrolment of a release by James fitz Gilbert de Ilketeshal … Witnesses … Sir John de Steingreve, … (S) CCRs.
6/20/1285, Grant to John de Staingreve to pay off his ancestors' debts by yearly installments of 10 marks. (S) CPRs.
5/31/1287, John de Barton, subdeacon, to the church of Nonington on the pres. of Sir John de Stayngreve, knt. (S) Register of John Le Romeyn, Lord Archbishop of York, V1, 1913, P163.
7/20/1287,Protection with clause volumus, for the following going to Wales on the king's service … John de Steyngreve, until a fortnight after Michaelmas. (S) CPRs.
1/1288, IPM of John Paynel: … York. Stayngreve. Nonington and Nesse. 2.5 fees held by John de Steynreve. (S) CIsPM.
1288, Ida died before John. "Johannes tenuit per legen Angliae post mortem ejusdem Idae."
6/16/1291, Protection with clause volumus, until Christmas, for John de Steyngreve, staying in Scotland on the king's service. (S) CPRs.
5/8/1292, Sir William de Estdene, priest, to the church of Stayngreve, on the pres. of Sir John de Stayngreve, knt. (S) Register of John Le Romeyn, Lord Archbishop of York, V1, 1913, P172.
1/15/1294, Master Thomas de Suwerk', deacon, to the church of Staingreve on the pres. of Sir John de Staingreve, knt. (S) Register of John Le Romeyn, Lord Archbishop of York, V1, 1913, P181.
4/20/1294, Johannes de Steyngreve, alias Stayngrif died.
6/22/1294, A writ of summons to parliament was assigned after John had died.
(S) Calendarium Genealogicum, V2, 1865, P504. (S) Lincolnshire Notes and Queries, V9, 1907, P25. (S) History of the County of York North Riding, V1, 1914.
Family notes:
· John de Steyngreve demands against the abbey of Vaudey 108 acres … Henry de Steyngreve, kinsman of the said John, whose heir he is, … who died without heir of himself, the right descended to one William his brother and heir, to one Simon [father of John] as son and heir, to one William as son and heir [brother of John], to one Joan as daughter and heir, and from Joan to one Peter as uncle and heir, to that John who now demands as brother and heir.
· 1294, IPM of John de Steyngreve, alias Stayngrif, Isabella of the said John de Steyngreve, deft. is the nearest heir and is of the age of 24 years, of whom Simon de Patesholle has lawfully begotten offspring [IPM Essex]. … The jurors say … that the said John died on Wednesday nearest before the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, 1294, that he held the manor of Caysho in capite. Isabella daughter of the said John de Steyngreve wife of Simon de Pateshull is the nearest heir of the same John, and of the age of 22 years and more [IPM Bedford.] … [IPM Lincoln] The said John held 36.5 bovates of land … in Fryseby of Richard Folyot, which the said lands and tenements Jordan Folyot, father of Richard, gave to Simon de Seyngreve, father of the said John, in free marriage with Beatrice his daughter. … [de Inquirendo] of Isabella, … nearest heir to Ida who was the wife of the said John of lands which the said John held by the law of England after the death of the said Ida.
Child of John and Ida:
i. Isabella de Steyngreve (30422157), born 1272 in England.
2/22/1296, Order to cause Isabel, late the wife of Simon de Pateshull, to have seisin of the lands that Simon held … the king has taken her homage. Isabel, daughter of John de Steyngreve, kinswoman and third heriess of Ela, second sister and heiress of Simon de Bello Campo, tenant in chief. (S) 1288-96, GBPRO, 1904, P474. [William, oldest s/o Sir William de Beauchamp & Ida Longespee, died 1262. The next son John died 1265. The youngest son Simon died leaving sisters Maud, Ela, and Beatrice as his heirs.]


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Garage Door Repair Services in Foothill ranchIf it relates to your home the Garage area is one of the greatest essential admittance spots at your residence. Austins garage door services is working all-around ones schedule and even deliver a fantastic services with a smile. Austins garage door services offers various door and gates maintenance services and features the biggest coverage in Foothill ranch. We will repair commercial and residential doors, Garage door opener and remote control service. You may actually count on our expert and skilled technicians to present you with the most suitable job. Do not wait until your vehicle is caught in your garage since your door is out of service. Call us now at (949) 397-6329. Whatever garage door replacement you will need Austins garage door services will be ready to assist you. You may get hold of us whenever you want and so we assure you that our specialists are prepared for handling the job suitable for you within the price which will suit your budget. Services: Garage Door Extension Springs, Insulated And Non-insulated Steel Doors, Aluminum Garage Door, Garage Door Springs, Liftmaster Garage Door Opener, Broken Garage Door Rollers, Broken Springs, Repair Genie Garage Door Opener, Garage Door Repairs, Cheap Garage Door Service, Overhead Garage Door Spring Replacement, New Garage Doors, Garage Door Sensor Repair, Overhead Door Repair, Minor Garage Door Repairs, Repair Garage Door, New Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Safety Sensors, 24 Hour Emergency Garage Door Service, Repair Garage Door Spring, Cheap Garage Door, Low Rate Garage Door Service, Ornamental Iron Garage Doors, Garage Door Hardware, Garage Door Services, Fresh Garage Door Installation, Garage Door Warranty, Affordable Overhead Door, Genie Operator, Local Garage Door Companies, Electric Gate Openers, Overhead Door Installation, Broken Spring, Garage Door Off Track Repair, Garage Door Opener Installation, Replace Garage Openers, Opener Sensor Issues, Opening Systems, Automatic Door Opener Repair Door Opener, Broken Cables, Overhead Doors, Replacement Garage Door, Overhead Garage Door Spring, Door Safety Latch, Reliable Garage Door Service, Fix Garage Door Panel, Local Garage Door Installers, Garage Door Torsion Springs, Torsion Spring Replacement, Low Rate Garage Door Installation, Overhead Garage Doors, Tambour Wood Rollup Doors, Traditional Raised Panel Wood Doors, Steel Carriage House Type Doors and more.
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6 years ago
Posts from Tag: white on white trend
The second look that I shot with my friend, street style photographer Style Snooper Dan, was all about streetwise chic a la Isabel Marant. This oversized jacket is one of my favourite pieces from her current collection. It is easy to style, and I love the houndstooth check. Wear with all white like I have, or it also looks great with super skinny leather pants. To take this outfit to another level, throw in a fringed accessory.
I caught up with street style photographer, Style Snooper Dan, on the weekend to shoot this neutral look. I love the way Dan captures every detail in my outfit, she is one talented lady! I styled my simple white t-shirt and twill pants with an oversized midi-length cardigan from H&M. Be warned, this cardi can be itchy to wear, however the quality doesn't bother me at all as I absolutely adore the silhouette! Neutral accessories and a touch of leopard complete this ensemble nicely.
I had the pleasure of shooting this outfit with the talented Street Smith recently. I'm loving wearing white on white especially in winter! Textures and layers are key when styling this on-trend look in the cooler months. Invest in white denim and a white shirt, as these are staples that will take you through summer. If you don't have a white shirt already, borrow one from your husband, boyfriend, brother or dad (like I have here!). In warm weather, just add tan sandals and a tan belt, and for winter, wear a turtleneck knit or white blazer over the top.
When layered and styled properly, wearing white on white will take your outfit to new heights. Invest in a pair of white jeans, with or without rips, and wear with a crisp white shirt or a clean white tee. Team a feminine white lace skirt with a chunky roll neck knit or wear a man-style white blazer with slouchy white pants. The options are endless, since this colour is the shade of choice for many designers. For a stylish and minimalist look, always wear this trend with monochrome accessories, mainly black.


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Date : 01-11-2017
What is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine, a branch of medicine, helps in improving the athletic performance
Injury Recovery
Future injury prevention
What can sports medicine doctors do?
It is one of the fastest growing healthcare field compressing the medical professionals who are specialized in sports medicine. They are capable of helping all people and not just athlete alone.
Benefits of Sports Medicine
- Fast Recovery
- A sports medicine specialist can help for fast healing and thus reduce the risk of worsening injury.
- Reduction in Re-Injury Risks
- When the injury is healed, the risk of re-injuring reduces. It favors you to get back to your normal activities without fear.
Better Rehabilitation
The healing can be boosted with sports medicine. This is beneficial for not only your health but also for getting back to your feet in a short span of time.
When to See a Sports Medicine Specialist?
- Persistent Symptoms
- Performance is affected
- Risks the Safety of Competitors
See a sports specialist if your injury is so serious that they begin to endanger your teammates or competitors Dr. S.S.Soni is one of the Best orthopedic surgeons for managing sports injuries with help of sports medicine. He provides his services in many hospitals in Jaipur.
For more details


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As the Cowboys search for their "war daddy" at defensive end, it appears they'll be bringing one potential option in for a pre-draft visit.
A source with direct knowledge tells CowboysBlitz that Tarell Basham from Ohio will be visiting the Cowboys in the next two weeks.
CBS projects Basham as a second round pick, explaining "what Basham lacks in name recognition he more than makes up for with initial quickness, agility and motor. He may need a year or two to acclimate to the greater speed of the NFL but possesses the traits and work ethic necessary to handle the jump in competition."
Basham averaged 7.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss over his last two seasons at Ohio.


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Hey MUGZ
Our October 29th meeting (2-5 PM) will be at O'KEEFE'S, back in the gazebo area.
(331 5th Ave, Moline, Illinois 61265)
Our meeting will host our Stout Wars competition. Bring your best stout and we will be voting for the winners. Bragging rights and a gift card to the winner.
Other topics this month:
-Nominations/volunteers for club officers for 2018, we will vote at November meeting
-Review some updated MUGZ Logos for use in new banner, etc
-Land of Muddy Waters Update
-Sharing all your other great beers!
Hope to see you all there.


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Margaret A. Edwards Reading Challenge
The Margaret A. Edwards award is awarded each year to an author who makes a lasting contribution in the field of young adult literature. Instead of honoring one book, the award seeks to acknowledge a lifetime's worth of work.
For this challenge, I'm asking people to read 3-5 books by any of the award-winning authors.
2008, Orson Scott Card
2007, Lois Lowry
2006, Jacqueline Woodson
2005, Francesca Lia Block
2004, Ursula K. Le Guin
2003, Nancy Garden
2002, Paul Zindel
2001, Robert Lipsyte
2000, Chris Crutcher
1999, Anne McCaffrey
1998, Madeleine L'Engle
1997, Gary Paulsen
1996, Judy Blume
1995, Cynthia Voigt
1994, Walter Dean Myers
1993, M.E. Kerr
1992, Lois Duncan
1991, Robert Cormier
1990, Richard Peck
1988, S.E. Hinton
The time frame for this mini-challenge? February 1, 2008 - June 1, 2008.
Lists? Well, you can make a list of 'official' and 'alternate' books IF you want. Or you can just decide as you go. I know *many* people (myself included) have a hard time following lists even if we enjoy making them at the time. I also know many people rely on the library for their selections. And I *know* it is hard to predict just what will be on the shelves at your local library. So keep it simple.
I would encourage everyone to read The Giver by Lois Lowry if you haven't already done so. And of course, I'll be pushing folks to read Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. (But it is by NO means a requirement for signing up.)
There are so many great authors on this list, and so many books. If you're like me, you've probably heard of quite a few of them, but never quite found the time to read some of these.
Edited to add: As far as authors go, I don't care if you want to read three (or five) different authors to add variety. Or three (or five) books by the same author. Split up your reading list however you want. (2 by Lowry, 1 by Peck, 1 by Card for example) In other words if you wanted to make this the "read 5 Judy Blume books" challenge, you have my okay.
Edited to also add: Overlapping with other challenges is fine. I don't have a problem with it. And for the record, you could also LISTEN to audio books if you would like.
To sign up, leave a comment. I'll add you to this post as a participant. (A blog is NOT required.)


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National Hotline400-825-6657
Contacts:Mr. long
E-mail:[email protected]
Address:Shenzhen City Guanlan Street puddles Tang Qian Cun Jin Herui Industrial Park B Building 5 floor
You are here: Home > Application > Medical industry applicationMedical industry application
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Come on down and stay a while! Booking direct with us gets you the BEST PRICING
Plus avoid the service fees from large booking platforms!
Call Sherene at 435-990-5850
★Book or Inquire Now – Enter Your dates To See A Quote
(No need to put in dates to just send an inquiry.)
Be sure and select ↓ "Property" first
The Western Star Bungalow Availability and Pricing
The Star Garage Studio Availability and Pricing
The important stuff you really need to read! Really……..
- Book both units and save 10% off your total (you will need to call me for this discount)
- Prices are in US dollars. We accept checks and major credit cards through PayPal or Square invoice, and Venmo
- A 50% deposit of total (including taxes and cleaning fee) is required to secure your booking.
- Reservation is not confirmed until we receive BOTH 50% deposit AND signed rental contract. (You may view contract under "Our Contract" tab)
- The balance of 50% is due 30 days prior to check in day
- Reservations made within 6 weeks of the start of your rental period require full payment at the time of booking
- Prices include: All bedding and towels (including swimming towels), shampoo and conditioner and body soap, laundry soap. Starters of basic supplies – coffee, tea, soap, garbage bags, etc.
- Guests are asked to leave the property in a clean and tidy condition at the end of the rental period.
- Additional cleaning if needed, (including smell neutralizing, think twice you fish, curry & garlic cooks) will be charged at cost, $20 per hr.
- Late checkouts will be charged at $20 per hr (sorry, learned that one the hard way….)
- Thanksgiving and Christmas have a 5-night minimum
Cancellations –
100% refund for cancellations made at least 60 days before check-in.
50% refund for cancellations made 59 to 31 days before check-in.
No refunds for cancellations made within 30 days of check-in.
If we can rent out your canceled time, we will still refund you any of the revenue recaptured minus a 15% re-booking fee.
No refunds or chargebacks during or after your stay.


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Now look. I've been to a few bad games in my day.
I've seen them lose big, I've seen them lose pathetically, and I've seen them skate onto the ice, point directly at my chair and say, "Hold on to your hat, because we're going to break your heart tonight, Katebits". But I'm not sure I've ever seen a game that was quite that bad in terms of entertainment value. That game was a. boring, b. stupid, c. lame.
Good thing for big beers.
But the good news is, all of the miners are out of the earth (can you BELIEVE they got all of those guys out?! That is miraculous.), AND I got to sit in a suite for the third period. So, all in all, things could be worse.


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Beat the Heat
From extreme high temps & high humidity, we all get pretty "toasty". Whether you live in Florida or in another state, summer is summer and that means SUN. Beat the heat this summer with refreshing afternoon treats like homemade ice cream!
Food Network!!
For all my bakers out there, we know that the baking shows (truly any show) on the Food Network is by far one of our favorite things. From Wedding Cake Championship, to Best Baker in America and even Cupcake Wars these shows captivate my interest like no other show.
Chocolate Covered Strawberries – Do's & Don'ts
When it comes to dipping strawberries, there can be bumps in the road including the chocolate. Making chocolate covered strawberries should be an exciting and delicious experience. Even though it seems very basic, it can present many challenges.
How to Frost a Cupcake
Even though it sounds so simple, frosting a cupcake can be the most difficult part. Baking the perfect cupcake can only be followed by having a perfectly decorated one as well! Have no fear, here are 3 easy tips when it comes down to decorating those cupcakes!
Custom Birthday Cakes
Your birthday only comes once a year, so it needs to be celebrated the right way! Why not go all out with a special custom cake? Here at Artistic Confections, we specialize in turning your vision into a reality.
Decorated Cookies
Along with all of our cakes, here at Artistic Confections we can also make cookies! From birthdays, to weddings, special events, or just because, we have the cookies for you!
Specialty Cakes
Here at Artistic Confections, our baking doesn't stop at just birthday or wedding cakes. We also offer specialty cakes, which allow our customers to have their creative ideas made into a cake!
Sweets for the Summer
With Easter right around the corner, it's the perfect time to enjoy some sweet treats! These desserts are perfect basket-fillers that will make kids' taste buds go wild! Check out these treats and their recipes.
Egg-stra yummy Easter treats!
With Easter right around the corner, it's the perfect time to enjoy some sweet treats! These desserts are perfect basket-fillers that will make kids' taste buds go wild! Check out these treats and their recipes.
Fondant vs. Buttercream
When it comes to decorating a cake there are a lot of thing to consider. One of the biggest things to decide is if you are going to use fondant or buttercream frosting to decorate it. There are advantages and disadvantages to both.
Relax and Refresh
Although living in Florida has its perks, like never being too far from the beach, one downside is how hot it gets! Summers here can reach over 100 degrees. Sometimes after being out in the hot sun your sweet tooth starts hurting. However, you don't always want some heavy, rich treat. You want something lighter. Here are a few treats that will help you refresh!
Nuts for Nutella
Nutella is great because it goes with almost anything. You can use it to make a sandwich or use it as a dip for fruit. With its sweet and decadent flavor you can bet it can be used to make some extra yummy treats like these.
For the Love of Oreos
Oreo's are a staple in many households across the country, or at least it is in mine) and though they are delicious on their own, they are incredibly versatile in baking. Don't get me wrong, I love a good Oreo in its most pure form, but sometimes you want something a little more. Here are a couple of ways that you can take a favorite treat and push the boundaries while maintaining that mouth watering Oreo flavor.
Baby, It's Still Cold Outside
One of the best parts of the winter season is the sweet treats that come with it, and what better way to end your day than snuggled up on the couch with a cup of hot chocolate? This classic hot beverage is enjoyed by people of all ages, but you might not know that it can be so much more than a drink. Here are a few ways that you can turn this cold weather favorite into a delicious dessert!
Mornings Done Right
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but we neglect this morning ritual when we hit the snooze button one extra time. A quick fix for your morning routine is to prepare breakfast in advance. How? It's easy, all you have to do is whip up a pan of delicious Pecan Pie Muffins on Sunday afternoon and you will have breakfast or a sweet treat for the rest of the week!
3 Tips for Perfect Cake Pops
Unless you've been living under a rock, you may have noticed that cake pops are the latest fun way to have your dessert on a stick. Kids and adults alike love these little treats. Cake pops are now appearing at all sorts of events like birthday parties, fundraisers, weddings, at-home sports parties.
9 Tips to Consider When Shopping for Wedding Cakes
Soon you will be enjoying the happiest day of your life with the most important person in the world. You want that day to be perfect. One often overlooked vital element to the occasion is the wedding cake. Standing as the centerpiece of the celebration of the wedding, you want a cake that dazzles your guests. Here are a few tips to help you purchase the wedding cake of your dreams.
Caramel Apples Are the Perfect Fall Treat
Caramel apples are usually consumed as treats at autumn festivals, Halloween, or at bonfire gathering. In recent years, both caramel and candy apples have become more popular.
Halloween! Have you cake and eat it too!
Football season, tailgating, homegating, cooler temperatures…these are the official signs that Fall season is officially here. That means, Fall baking season has arrived and I'm excited to keep our ovens warm and your tummies happy.


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A Big Thank You!
I just wanted to send out a big thank you to everyone who stopped by the Shop Sincerely Jules events at Nordstrom this weekend. It was so great to meet each and every one of you. Thank you for your continued support. It means the world to me!


text: About Doxford Barns Doxford Farm, Chathill, AlnwickNorthumberland, NE675DY Welcome to Doxford Barns, a truly unique barn-wedding venue. Situated on a 550-acre private country estate in the heart of Northumberland and surrounded by picturesque, unspoiled countryside, our stunning venue offers complete exclusivity to you and your guests. We stray away from the 'norm' at Doxford Barns, offering both one-day and three-day wedding options. Our three-day wedding package provides you with an extended wedding celebration. This gives you the chance to relax and fully immerse yourself in the idyllic Northumberland countryside and the option for you and up to 41 guests to stay in our on-site cottage accommodation for two nights, with a full culinary experience. Our one-day wedding option gives you a more traditional choice of celebrating your wedding in a single day, for which Doxford Barns will be exclusive to you and your guests, along with the option of an overnight stay in our cottage accommodation. Our specialism lies in creating wedding experiences that are completely bespoke to you. We are focused on providing a blank canvas to help you tailor and create a personal wedding experience, which accomplishes all you need and want. Doxford Barns is characterised by grade II listed, 18th century stone and oak barns, and complemented by modern architecture. The Threshing Hall is filled with original features and festoon lighting, to create a romantic setting for ceremonies of up to 160 guests. Your guests will be in awe when they walk into the Great Barn, which is cocooned around a spectacular oak frame. The vast windows overlook the rolling countryside, creating a stunning backdrop for your wedding breakfast. The capacity of the Great Barn is 180 day guests and 250 evening guests. 3 or 1 day exclusive barn wedding venue situated amidst unspoilt countryside in the heart of coastal Northumberland. Beautiful Oak Barn seating up to 180 guests with 250 evening guests with further barns for a small ceremony. Seven cosy self-catering cottages a stones throw from the venue sleeping up to 41 people. Award Winning In house catering team with 2am alcohol and entertainment licence. Spectacular 3 acre lake and Farmhouse Lawns for spectacular photographs. Beautifully appointed Bridal Suite included with our spectacular venue. Upcoming Wedding Fairs Find out when the next Wedding Fair at Doxford Barns is


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Disclosure: I was offered product in exchange for my post, however all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love great baby products and am constantly on the lookout for local artists who make amazing baby items so I was thrilled when I stumbled across a Facebook giveaway from Salted. The owner had partnered with another local vendor to give away some handmade baby items.
In addition to some other prizes, Tyler won a really cool Patriots pacifier clip, which I'm obsessed with and perfect for the new football season that's on us.
Carla, the owner of Salted, does lots of local shows (and posts recipes and tutorials on her website!) and while at a recent show I fell in absolute love with her super soft hand printed linen blankets.
They feel like super expensive muslin blankets but they have adorable hand printed whales and crabs on them-- so precious!
Tyler loves them and thoroughly enjoys gnawing on the corners of them!
I love the prints and how organic they feel.
I love the prints and how organic they feel.
And the best part is, I'm giving away a set of hand printed blankets!
It's super easy to enter, just use the Rafflecopter below!
Contest only open to continuous US residents only, sorry!
Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to repsond or a new winner will be chosen.
Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to repsond or a new winner will be chosen.


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About ThinkTank
ThinkTank's collective intelligence platform creates exceptional outcomes from leaders and teams. Whether you are engaging your clients in a critical project, or your employees are planning and executing strategic initiatives, ThinkTank provides a structured environment that guarantees an amazing outcome. Our goal is to advance the world's understanding of technology that maximizes collective intelligence in large-scale organizations.
We had a problem
Our product team previously used several disparate systems with varying degrees of success. This included trying to use Jira to manage our roadmap and future work – which it is not made for. We came to the conclusion that we needed more transparency into our work. Other teams, including engineering and marketing, needed to see what we were working on. More importantly, they needed to understand why our work mattered to their own teams as well as the organization.
Aha! as a solution
The Ideas portals in Aha! solved our visibility problem. We can create as many ideas portals as needed and set them to public or private. Users in each portal can up-vote ideas that they want to support. And when the status of an idea changes, everyone who interacted with it receives email updates. This includes notifications when ideas are promoted to features. We all have more informed, ongoing conversations about ideas as a result.
The level of detail in Aha! is also a huge plus. The ability to track goals and initiatives down to the feature and requirements level is amazing. It gives us all a clearer picture of our product team's progress. This results in a lot less stress and fewer questions about what is being prioritized. Finally, since each goal and initiative ties back to our product strategy, there is a clearer understanding of why certain goals and initiatives are pursued over others.
Finally, Aha! met all of our security requirements (ISO, PCI, EU & US Safe Harbor, SOC1-3). This is not easy for a cloud-based tool, and speaks volumes about Aha!
Life is good
Idea management has improved by 100%. I mean this in the most literal sense, as we did not really do this prior to Aha! Now that we have a tool to manage ideas at a high level, we are able to achieve more than I ever thought possible.
This empowers us to work more lean than ever before by organizing work based on what matters most. And the increased clarity for releases is amazing. We are done managing releases in four systems. Now, we only use one tool — Aha!


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*Disclosure statement: Our visit to Branson, MO was made at the invitation of the Branson, MO Visitors Bureau as part of a familiarization trip. Our accommodations, admission tickets, and meals were complimentary in return for sharing our experience with our readers. The views and opinions expressed are purely our own. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a destination, attraction, venue, or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider, or party in question.
The Showboat Branson Belle is America's Most Entertaining Dinner Cruise


text: In preparation for TWWB, building knowledge of local routes that can help target the main elements you will need to help you complete the route is vital. This will primarily include HILLS! An understanding of pace, fuel and cycling psychology will need developing in order to build on fitness and develop a mental toughness needed to succeed and not to unclip. Trial and error is the key here, find your weaknesses and train them! I will be adding some local training routes and hopefully use the combined knowledge of the team to help develop them. #itsonlygravity