Date: Wed, 3 Nov 93 04:30:06 PST From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1305 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Wed, 3 Nov 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1305 Today's Topics: "Vanity" Call Signs (2 msgs) Daily Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for 02 November EMI/RFI from Hidden Fence (2 msgs) Installing in Isuzu Amigo Mobile Transceiver Installation Guide? Observations on Kenwood TH-78 Repeater Trivia Question. Studying in San Francisco Send Replies or notes for publication to: Send subscription requests to: Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams". We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1993 17:35:04 GMT From: agate!library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!unixg.ubc.ca!acs.ucalgary.ca!cpsc.ucalgary.ca!ajfcal!lhaven.UUmh.Ab.Ca!combdyn!lawrence@ames.arpa Subject: "Vanity" Call Signs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2a8kud$9go@vela.acs.oakland.edu> prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu (prvalko) writes: >WHOA!!!!! Hold the phone! I have been the country's leading >proponent for "Vanity" calls for years. This is action is WAY out of >line and (common for Washington) way out of touch with reality. > >First, $7 is NOTHING. My crude calculations show that the actual >goverment cost of issueing a ham licence is close to $15. The >government is actually LOSE money charging anything less. > Which is nothing compared to what us Canadians have to pay for our callsigns now. And, it doesn't matter whether you get a vanity callsign or the first available callsign. -- --EMAIL-----------------------------PHONE-----------FAX------------ | WORK: lawrence@combdyn.com | (403)529-2162 | (403)529-2516 | CallSign | HOME: dreamer@lhaven.uumh.ab.ca | (403)526-6019 | (403)529-5102 | VE6LKC ------------------------------------------------------------------- disclamer = (working_for && !representing) + (Combustion Dynamics Ltd.); ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Oct 1993 17:44:31 GMT From: agate!library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!unixg.ubc.ca!acs.ucalgary.ca!cpsc.ucalgary.ca!ajfcal!lhaven.UUmh.Ab.Ca!combdyn!lawrence@ames.arpa Subject: "Vanity" Call Signs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2a8r50$mql@jericho.mc.com> levine@mc.com writes: > >The proposal would re-issue expired US callsigns on a first-come >first-served basis. You would pick a few in order of preference >and you would get the first on on your list available. > One word of warning....if you want an expired callsign and a vanity licence plate....make sure that a licence plate hasn't already been issued for that callsign. They might not let you have it (depends on if its still being used and the state). Up here, an Amateur had to change his callsign just so he could get his callsign on his licence plate. He had previously requested his initials, which happened to be a callsign for an Amateur who went SK, his family wouldn't release the licence plate. -- --EMAIL-----------------------------PHONE-----------FAX------------ | WORK: lawrence@combdyn.com | (403)529-2162 | (403)529-2516 | CallSign | HOME: dreamer@lhaven.uumh.ab.ca | (403)526-6019 | (403)529-5102 | VE6LKC ------------------------------------------------------------------- disclamer = (working_for && !representing) + (Combustion Dynamics Ltd.); ------------------------------ Date: 3 Nov 93 03:40:58 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Daily Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for 02 November To: info-hams@ucsd.edu !!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 306, 11/02/93 10.7 FLUX=093.3 90-AVG=093 SSN=028 BKI=2111 1210 BAI=003 BGND-XRAY=B1.3 FLU1=*.*E+** FLU10=*.*E+** PKI=2121 1211 PAI=004 BOU-DEV=010,008,009,008,008,015,005,004 DEV-AVG=008 NT SWF=00:000 XRAY-MAX= C3.0 @ 0001UT XRAY-MIN= A9.1 @ 2353UT XRAY-AVG= B5.1 NEUTN-MAX= +002% @ 1635UT NEUTN-MIN= -002% @ 2225UT NEUTN-AVG= +0.0% PCA-MAX= +0.0DB @ 2340UT PCA-MIN= -0.4DB @ 2350UT PCA-AVG= -0.0DB BOUTF-MAX=55363NT @ 1337UT BOUTF-MIN=55347NT @ 1849UT BOUTF-AVG=55356NT GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT G7-AVG=+071,+000,+000 GOES6-MAX=P:+116NT@ 1644UT GOES6-MIN=N:-059NT@ 1218UT G6-AVG=+092,+015,-035 FLUXFCST=STD:090,090,090;SESC:090,090,090 BAI/PAI-FCST=010,015,030/012,015,035 KFCST=2233 3322 2344 4332 27DAY-AP=013,004 27DAY-KP=4441 1223 2110 1221 WARNINGS=*SWF ALERTS= !!END-DATA!! NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 01 NOV 93 was 35.9. The Full Kp Indices for 01 NOV 93 are: 2o 2o 2o 2- 3- 2- 3o 2- ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 14:41:33 GMT From: swrinde!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!greg@network.ucsd.edu Subject: EMI/RFI from Hidden Fence To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2558@arrl.org> ehare@arrl.org (Ed Hare - KA1CV) writes: >Info on Interference From "Hidden Fence" > >Several members have reported interference from a new product called the >"Hidden Fence." This product uses a VLF transmitter, a large perimeter >loop, a receiver on a dog collar and a shock device to help teach a dog >to remain within your property lines. (No flames, please -- I just >report 'em. I don't even have a dog! I like cats! Uh, oh -- another >flame war!) Okay, the following inference may be humorous to those out there with a bit of a sick side, but is probably worth thinking about anyway: You go in the shack, tune up into the dummy load, switch to the real antenna, find a clear spot on the band, and start sending 'CQ' You hear a yelp, and then a howl. "It's that neighbors damn mutt again," you think, and carry on. You finish transmitting and listen. Thinking "well, thank god that hell-hound has shut up," just as a choice bit of DX responds to your CQ. Thankful that you can hear yourself think, you give him a call. The yips, yelps, and howls resume, growing in intensity and trickling off to a whimper once you sign over to the DX station... Next day, you see your neighbor, wearing a long face. "This damned invisible fence is no damned good," says he. "Why, last night Rover set up a terrible fuss, just like he did the first time that collar zapped him. But then the strangest thing happened; he made a beeline across the Jones's yard, just like the fence wasn't there, yowling all the way, then he charged across the street just as Mr. Grundy was pulling out of the driveway in his 4x4 monster-truck look-alike. Poor little pup never had a chance..." Now, I *HOPE* that the receivers on the collar are very, very immune to front-end overload, etc. Either blocking or falsing could have serious results, indeed. This seems like something that would be worth a few tests. Greg ------------------------------ Date: 2 Nov 1993 16:12:49 GMT From: noc.near.net!transfer.stratus.com!sw.stratus.com!fms@uunet.uu.net Subject: EMI/RFI from Hidden Fence To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article , greg@netcom.com (Greg Bullough) writes: > > In article <2558@arrl.org> ehare@arrl.org (Ed Hare - KA1CV) writes: > >Info on Interference From "Hidden Fence" > > > >Several members have reported interference from a new product called the > >"Hidden Fence." This product uses a VLF transmitter, a large perimeter > >loop, a receiver on a dog collar and a shock device to help teach a dog > >to remain within your property lines. (No flames, please -- I just > >report 'em. I don't even have a dog! I like cats! Uh, oh -- another > >flame war!) > > [Story about Fido getting zapped by the local DXer deleted for brevity] > > Now, I *HOPE* that the receivers on the collar are very, very immune to > front-end overload, etc. Either blocking or falsing could have serious > results, indeed. This seems like something that would be worth a few > tests. > > Greg > I suspect that the collar receivers are NOT terribly immune to front-end overload. When my folks got themselves a new dog a few years ago, they had one of those invisible fences installed at the house. Duke was lying on the floor under the TV set one evening, wearing his receiver collar, when Dad turned on the TV. Poor dog went ballistic. Apparently either the TV was overloading his collar, or else the magnetic field around the TV was inducing currents in the collar, and he was getting zorched. Ever since then, my folks have only put the collar on him when he goes outside, so that nothing in the house would hurt him like that again. I'm trying to remember if Duke was outside with his collar on when Dan was working K2BSA/1 from our truck. I suspect he'd have to be fairly close to the transmitter to get zapped, but you never can tell. Gives new meaning to the term 'hot dog'... :-) 73 de Faith N1JIT -- Faith M. Senie InterNet: fms@vos.stratus.com Stratus Computer, Inc. InterNet: fms@hoop.sw.stratus.com 55 Fairbanks Blvd. Pkt Radio: n1jit@wa1phy.ma.usa.na Marlboro, MA 01752 Phone: (508)460-2632 "I'm afraid I don't know very much about Romulan Disruptor settings" --Spock ------------------------------ Date: 2 Nov 93 17:23:27 GMT From: ogicse!emory!wa4mei!kd4nc!n4tii@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Installing in Isuzu Amigo To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hi All.... I've recently bought an Isuzu Amigo, and the vehicle has little room under the dash to mount a stack of radios....(it's got plenty for ONE). Mine did not come with the center console so I was thinking of mounting a stack rack or something in the middle and put all my stuff in it...(I'll have 4 rigs, 10,2,220,440). I see no problems with that, or antenna considerations.... The question to the group is will there be any RFI problems with radios vs the motor??? Anyone else having any problems with a rig in an amigo? I've been using an HT with external antenna for some time in it for no problems, but that is only 5 watts. The dealer said (not in writing, dammit) that I will have no problems with radio installations....and there's nothing warning against it in my owner's manual.... So waddya say??? John Reed, n4tii n4tii%kd4nc.uucp@gatech.edu ------------------------------ Date: 1 Nov 1993 18:22 CST From: elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!dptspd!TAMUTS.TAMU.EDU!zeus.tamu.edu!tskloss@ames.arpa Subject: Mobile Transceiver Installation Guide? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article , pwl@tc.fluke.COM (Paul Lutt) writes... >I just purchased a 1994 Ford Ranger pickup and I want to transfer my >2-meter mobile rig to it. Does anyone know if Ford has any literature >available recommending how to install two-way radio equipment? This is >a fuel-injected vehicle, so I want to take whatever steps are necessary >to avoid upsetting the vehicle control electronics. I know I've seen >postings in the past about such literature, but I think it was for >General Motors vehicles. You should not have any problems with an installation. Just be carefull where you run the feedline and attach the antenna to the car. I found that anywhere aft of the windshield is OK for an antenna, just don't attach it to one of the front side windows. If you use good RG-58 or better with solid connections, there should be no coupling to the truck's systems. Most problems in the past have come from antennas placed in close proximity with the computer or power leads not directly attached to the battery. If you transmit more than 100 watts into a less than 2:1 SWR antenna, you could be asking for trouble. All this is IMHO...:-) -tim /------------------------------------------------------------------\ |* *(* (**)(* *)* *)*| Tim Skloss KC5DNA | |* * \/ \/ * *| Texas A&M University, Dept. of Chemistry | |* /=========\ *| College Station, TX 77843-3255 | |* | OXFORD | | LABORATORY FOR MAGNETIC RESONANCE | | | mags. | *| AND MOLECULAR SCIENCE | |* | RULE! | | voice: (409) 845-4459 | | |_________| | fax: (409) 845-4719 | | || || | Internet: TSKLOSS@venus.tamu.edu | | == == | My opinions do not reflect those of TAMU! | \------------------------------------------------------------------/ "The brain is much like a computer; therefore dumb people do not exist, just people running DOS!" PowerPC - The ULTIMATE personal computing machine. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 22:52:20 GMT From: news.cerf.net!kaiwan.com!andrew@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Observations on Kenwood TH-78 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Since there's been alot of news lately on the Kenwood TH-78 handhelds, I thought I'd post an observation that I've had for the past few months. Here in Southern California, there is a rapidly growing radio club named the 78'ers. For the most part, they all seem to worship and be very dependant on their 78's. I find it humorous that they all seem to think that just because they paid an arm and a leg for a radio that has WAY too many whistles and bells on it, that it will perform miracles for them. They seem to have a habit of not hooking the HT's up to an external antenna, so subsequently, they always sound like crap. I decided to "test-drive" a friend's 78 one day, and was truly dissappointed. On top of the disgustingly poor intermod rejection, the battery life was nil, even though it was a fresh battery that had been fully charged the day before. I think it died on me within about 4 hours, and I wasn't talking all that much. And, the damn thing is SO small, that everytime I tried pushing a button, I ended up hitting a few others in the process. So, in conclusion, finally, I think I'll stick with my Alinco 580, which was quite a bit less money, and seems to work quite a bit better than the Kenwood TH-78. Please, people, buy whatever you want, but if you're planning on using your new HT in an area with RF obstructions, buy a less expensive radio, and spend the left-overs on a decent antenna system. My $0.02. -- -------------------------------------------------------------- | Andrew Parker | KD6TGM | andrew@kaiwan.com | -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 3 Nov 93 00:55:23 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Repeater Trivia Question. To: info-hams@ucsd.edu >In article <2b3b7g$me0@gdls.gdls.com> turini@gdls.com (Bill Turini) writes: >Who put the first amateur repeater on the air? When? Where? and what band? > >No prize to the winner, only everlasting gratitude :-) > >73's > >Bill I think it was W5VPQ in San Antonio with the first one in the nation on 146.94 about 35 years ago. jd ------------------------------ Date: 2 Nov 1993 09:40:54 CST From: ftpbox!mothost!schbbs!maccvm.corp.mot.com!CSLE87@uunet.uu.net Subject: Studying in San Francisco To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I think several of us missed something in one or more segments of this thread. The frequency of the military antennas is usually 2-30 MHz, with a tuner (usually automatic) inside the vehicle. Even 12 feet of whip isn't enough to do anything serious at 2 MHz, but it beats two tin cans and miles of elastic string! On 2M, assuming FM, the smallest audible change requires a 3 dB change in signal strength. 3dB involves doubling the capture area of the antenna. The basic quarter-wave antenna is about -1.4 dBd, that is, compared to a dipole. So, to get an improvement, you must double the length. More improvement, double again. Now you are at 78 inches and 4.6 dBd. The next step takes you to 13 feet and only 7.6 dBd, which is why most folks prefer to find the gain electronically rather than using bigger antennas and trimming every low-hanging tree along the highway. ------------------------- Original Article ------------------------- Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc From: msattler@netcom.com (Michael Sattler) References: <1993Nov1.155829.8848@ke4zv.atl.ga.us> Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 04:19:01 GMT Lines: 19 Gary Coffman (gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us) wrote: : msattler@netcom.com (Michael Sattler) writes: : > : >Thanks for the reply. If what you say is true, then why do so many : >people (including the military) mount huge whip antennae with shiny : >loading coils on their bumpers? : Because if they mounted those huge whips on the top they'd hit every : highway overpass in the country. As I said, *when mechanically feasible*, : the best place to mount an antenna is in the center of the roof. I guess I'm not understanding the most basic part of this issue. How much of an advantage does a huge whip offer over, say, a Diamond roof-top (3 db gain on 2 meters, 5 db gain on 70 cm) antenna? -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Michael S. Sattler msattler@netcom.com +1 (415) 621-2903 Digital Jungle Software Encrypt now; ask me how. (finger for PGP key) All that is required for evil to triumph is for {wo}men of good will to do nothing. ------------------------------ Date: 1 Nov 93 09:18:32 GMT From: yale.edu!xlink.net!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!crcnis1.unl.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!matt.ksu.ksu.edu!news@nyu.arpa To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1993Oct15.145850.3876@lmpsbbs.comm.mot.com>, <1b.13.890.0NA996A8@bville.gts.org>, <1993Oct31.032703.1@aurora.alaska.edu>ale.edu Reply-To : steve@matt.ksu.ksu.edu (Steve Schallehn) Subject : Re: Packet fsrla@aurora.alaska.edu writes: >In article <1b.13.890.0NA996A8@bville.gts.org>, bryan.weaver@bville.gts.org (Bryan Weaver) writes: >> Like a couple of others, I've been watching all the non-activity on >> this newsgroup. One person, Joe KQ4BX, said this is an obsolete or >> abandoned newsgroup. Does anyone know what replaced it? Or what the >> mandate of this newsgroup is? >> >--------------------------------------------------------- >I believe all the activity moved to rec.radio.amateur.digital rec.ham-radio.packet has been obsolete for over 2 years and should have been RMGROUP'ed and removed from your news system. If it has not, your site/news administrator does not listen to control messages. (No surprise, my news.admin does not listen either) Move all traffic over to the new group, rec.radio.amateur.digital. -Steve Schallehn KB0AGD Kansas State University PS: All traffic has been moved off of rec.ham-radio too. Its new group is rec.radio.amateur.misc (among other rec.radio.amateur.* groups). ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1305 ****************************** ******************************