Date: Sun, 19 Dec 93 12:01:38 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 #1480 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Sun, 19 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1480 Today's Topics: 10-Codes (with 36/37 fixed) 2K Filter FT990 Alinco DJ-580T Scanning Speed (YAWN!) Anyone here familiar with extended-play recorders? Best low-cost WEFAX SW/HW FFTMORSE AUTHOR READ THIS! Help on USA Ham-prefix ! how to scare away birds from my antenna (2 msgs) Is there a RECIPROCAL OPERATING AGREEMENT with MEXICO? Needing Argument Ideas (3 msgs) Needing Argument Ideas II Soundblaster vs Hamblaster Tracking and Propagation software Where are all the young enthusiasts? (2 msgs) 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: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 20:56:44 GMT From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!olivea!news.bu.edu!wang!dbushong@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 10-Codes (with 36/37 fixed) To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Lotus_Mail_Exchange_at_702__HUB@sceng.UB.COM writes: >Brian (bmork@opus-ovh.spk.wa.us) wrote: >: Originally posted 9DEC93. This version fixes a 10-36/10-37 error. >: Source of information is an old promotional card from Electra Company. >Considering that 10-codes aren't really followed 100%, what exactly was >the error? (sorry I missed the original post--i think) It might be a good idea to post this to one of the CB newsgroups and/or scanner groups. Dave -- Dave Bushong, Wang Laboratories, Inc. Amateur Radio Callsign KZ1O Project Leader, Recognition products kz1o@n0ary.#noca.ca.na Internet: dbushong@wang.com ARRL VE // W5YI VE ------------------------------ Date: 16 Dec 93 22:00:53 GMT From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!ulowell!swlvx2!cg-atla!hajjar@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 2K Filter FT990 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu About a year ago I installed a 2K SSB filter in my Yaesu FT990. I've found that the 2K filter is a shade better than the 2.4K SSB filter that comes with the unit. A year ago I sent the 2K filter back to Yaesu and they replaced the crystal but I found no improvement. A friend of mine also has a 2K filter in his 990 and he also finds it practically useless and also views the 2K filter as a waste of money.. I thought I'd share my experience with the 2K filter in case any one on the net was thinking of purchasing one. Are there any 990 owners out there who are happy with the 2K filter ? A side note, the 2K filter in the FT1000 works great. Yaesu said the 2K filter works like a 1.8K filter because it is cascaded. ------------------------------ Date: 15 Dec 1993 22:58:16 GMT From: nntp.ucsb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!usenet.ufl.edu!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet2.scri.fsu.edu!henryf@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Alinco DJ-580T Scanning Speed (YAWN!) To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Let me know if can figure it out. It would also be neat to add memories. Seems to me that it can all be done in the rig software de n5hf ------------------------------ Date: 19 Dec 93 15:43:43 GMT From: ogicse!henson!netnews.nwnet.net!news.u.washington.edu!hardy.u.washington.edu!xile@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Anyone here familiar with extended-play recorders? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu After trying to record the audio from the last few broadcasts of shuttle-ground communications by WA3NAN, having a recorder capable of recording at a much (4 times or greater) slower speed than the usual mini-cassete standard speeds is looking like a decent option. Does anyone in the group have experiece with such recorders? Any firms dealing with such recorders? My preference is to a recorder of a walkman-type design, recording at a speed of 5 times or slower than normal (10 hours on a 120 minute tape). I have seen one similar design, but it recorded at 4X slower than normal. News on any other designs (there seems to be VERY few of them available) would be appreciated. Thanx, R. Camama ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 12:45:37 +0000 From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uknet!demon!isis.demon.co.uk!ian@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Best low-cost WEFAX SW/HW To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2eki2g$1p5@gdls.com> turini@gdls.com "Bill Turini" writes: >I'd like to explore Weather FAX at a reasonable cost. I noticed several > commercial packages around $100 or so (AEA, SSC, etc) and one shareware with a > homebrew interface. > >Does anyone have any recommendations as to the best way to go. I would like to > keep the cost less than $150, as that's all my dog has saved up for my > Christmas present :-) JVFAX with the op-amp interface is cheap shareware and works well. SSC HF-FAX is a very polished performer. They both work well but I found the the SSC offering was more convenient. The JVFAX interface works with the SSC, but not the other way round. It also works with Hamcomm (RTTY), which may be a consideration. Hamcomm is just so damned pretty ! Regards Ian -- | Ian Smith | "The Moving Finger writes; | ian@isis.demon.co.uk | and, having writ, Moves on." ------------------------------ Date: 17 Dec 1993 22:19:05 -0500 From: idacrd.ccr-p.ida.org!idacrd.ccr-p.ida.org!not-for-mail@uunet.uu.net Subject: FFTMORSE AUTHOR READ THIS! To: info-hams@ucsd.edu To the author of FFT or to anyone who can reach this person: I have made a major improvement in fftmorse which uses a radix 4 FFT, thus has MANY fewer multiplies and does a 64 pt FFT in less time than your 32 pt and I could do a 128 real FFT in almost the same time as the 64 pt using a trick. I would like to send you the code for your perusal but your mail address in canada rejects you as an unknown user even though I can get directly to the site. Sorry for imposing this on everyone else. Now, to do the same thing for sstv, fax, etc. ;-). These sound blasters are going to BURY all the DSP boxes. Bob -- Robert W. McGwier | n4hy@ccr-p.ida.org Interests: ham radio, Center for Communications Research | scouts, astronomy, golf (o yea, & math!) Princeton, N.J. 08520 | ASM Troop 5700, ACM Pack 53 Hightstown (609)-279-6240(v) (609)-924-3061(f)| I used to be a Buffalo . . . NE III-120 ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 12:49:00 GMT From: nntp.ucsb.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!news.ysu.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!ame!psl@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Help on USA Ham-prefix ! To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Jose - In article , J.FONTE (etjfonte@ci.ua.pt) writes: > Hello , tanks for reading ... Is there anyone who could explain me how >do american ham see the difference on Callsigns ??? > > For exemp.: In Spain the prefixs are given by zone > > EA1...-North West Spain > EA8...-Canary Isl. > EA9...-Ceuta & Mellila > ++++++ more ... > > QUESTION: what's the difference between prefix N0... or WA2.. > > what does the N or W or K mean ???? > >I Hope you have understand and explain me ???? > > > TNX , best 73's from CT1ENQ > > > CT1ENQ - Jose' Miguel > E-MAIL : etjfonte@ua.ci.pt > >--------------------------------------------------------------------------- The only thing that is certain is the number. It represents the area where the amateur was residing when they received their call. In the 1970's, the FCC (our regulatory agency) began to allow amateurs to keep their call when they change residence into a different area. This is why, for instance, my call is WB0FEW but I now live in the 5 call area. I originally received my call when I was residing in the 0 call area. Maps showing the areas can be found in the callbook, gotten from the ARRL, and many other amateur radio suppliers. We also have a new higherarchy in call signs. The American amateur service has different levels of licensing. Amateurs may choose to receive a new call sign representative of the license class when upgrading or renewing their license. Amateurs that have been around since before the 1980 will have a W, WA, WB, or K call (unless they have chosen to receive a new call). The W call could have 2 or 3 letters after the number, the reset would have three letters after the number. A WA or WB call usually indicated that station was a Novice class station first. Today, our call signs are still issued by area. The following shows how the new call signs are issued based on license class: Novice/Technician: KX9XXX Technician Plus/General: N9XXX Advanced: W9XXX, KX9XX Extra: W9XX, K9XX, N9XX, AX9X, KX9X, NX9X, WX9X, AX9XX (X=any character, 9=call area) There are still special prefixes for non-continental US areas such as Hawaii, Alaska, and other territories. Currently, the last call sign listed for each class above is what is being issued. The others have been used up. Also, I may have left out some. Now if this doesn't confuse you, I don't know what will! :) Hope this helps. 73, Pete, WB0FEW, Rowlett, TX, USA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 13:34:20 GMT From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!skybridge!hernix!fmsystm.telemax.com!fmsys!macy@network.ucsd.edu Subject: how to scare away birds from my antenna To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I don't know what kind of equipment or power you are running through your antenna, but I'd guess a substantial corona discharge around the antenna would discourage the birds from using it as a roost. (grins and Happy Holidays to all...) -- Macy M. Hallock, Jr. N8OBG +1.216.723.3030 macy@telemax.com macy@fms.com Telemax, Inc. - F M Systems, Inc. 152 Highland Drive Medina, OH 44256 USA ------------------------------ Date: 17 Dec 1993 04:19:08 GMT From: organpipe.uug.arizona.edu!argon!kendelm@uunet.uu.net Subject: how to scare away birds from my antenna To: info-hams@ucsd.edu The "audio annoyer" I've got in the barn works well. Maybe a little too well as I also find it very annoying. I had bought others previously that I couldn't hear, but they did nothing to get rid of the rats and birds. Maybe the emperor had no clothes? ------------------------------ Date: 15 Dec 1993 23:00:31 GMT From: nntp.ucsb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!lapin@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Is there a RECIPROCAL OPERATING AGREEMENT with MEXICO? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu The title says it all. I am going to Mexico soon. Should I bring my HT and, if so, how do I sign my call? Please respond to this newsgroup or via email Tnx es 73 Greg Lapin KD9AZ glapin@nwu.edu ------------------------------ Date: 18 Dec 1993 02:37:33 GMT From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!gatech!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Needing Argument Ideas To: info-hams@ucsd.edu -- ------------------------------ Date: 18 Dec 1993 02:43:29 GMT From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Needing Argument Ideas To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Send replies to any of the addresses listed below: T.Wright@msuacad.morehead-st.edu twright@freenet.fsu.edu ar098@yfn.ysu.edu Thanks Tim Wright KD4OVM -- ------------------------------ Date: 18 Dec 1993 02:32:56 GMT From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Needing Argument Ideas To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I have some of the QST articles but they really don't cover it like I think they should RE: Packet/internet Thanks and Wish me luck Tim Wright KD4OVM T.Wright@msuacad.morehead-st.edu <----- Main address twright@freenet.fsu.edu ar098@yfn.ysu.edu BTW The Morehead account is the University account I work for -- ------------------------------ Date: 18 Dec 1993 03:17:33 GMT From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Needing Argument Ideas II To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I am wanting to create a Amateur Radio Gateway here at the University were I work. I need Arguments/ideas/rock solid reasons why my university should support such a Gateway for Hams and Amateur Radio. Please reply to one of the following: T.Wright@msuacad.morehead-st.edu <---prefered twright@freenet.fsu.edu <----will forward to Morehead ar098@yfn.ysu.edu <---will forward also Thanks and Merry Christmas Tim Wright KD4OVM -- ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 18:44:16 GMT From: amiserv!vpnet!tellab5!jwa@uunet.uu.net Subject: Soundblaster vs Hamblaster To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Over the past few weeks I received several e-mailings from persons inquiring about the differances between the Soundblaster and the Hamblaster. The Soundblaster is a soundboard with circuitry that performs A/D and D/A functions. It also has one or two (depending on the model) FM audio synthesizer chips can be used for speech synthesis. It even has a DSP chip that's used for processing data for the MIDI and CD interface and speech recognition (the 16 ASP only). The Soundblaster uses a DMA (direct memory access) controller IC to access the PC's RAM. A DMA channel provides high speed data aquisition for sound sampling and display. One drwaback is that the DSP is not really a signal processor. It only processes the digital data from the MIDI and CD interface. To conserve disk space the Soundblaster 16 and 16 ASP has an advanced processor that performs sound compression but it can't run complex filters or perform adaptive filtering. The Soundblaster is great if your a musician or if you want to play a CD through your PC. It's not very good in Ham Radio applications where your trying to filter signals that are in the noise or decode FSK. The Hamblaster, on the other hand, uses a Texas Instruments TMS320C25 digital signal processor. I has it's own program memory that stores filter or modem programs. It runs the programs in real time and is independant of the PC of the PC memory. Data can be transfered from the DSP to the PC via the I/O port but only faster machines (like a 386-33 or 486-33) can record sound. The I/O port is also used to load filter or modem programs from a binary disk file to the DSP,s RAM. The DSP can then run the program in it's own high speed memory. The Hamblaster uses 35 ns RAM chips where a 486-33 normally uses 80 ns rams. The Hamblaster only samples 15 kHz. This may sound slow compared to the Soundblasters 22 kHz rate but radio communications only goes from 300 to 3kHz. You only need to sample twice the maximum frequency. A slower sample rate gives you more processing time. --- Jack Albert WA9FVP Fellow Radio Hacker Tele (708) 378-6201 Tellabs Operations, Inc. FAX (708) 378-4590 1000 Remington Blvd. jwa@tellabs.com Bolingbrook, IL 60440 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE BOWTIE FILTER Ongoing developments; 1 Post detection carrier detect. 2 HDL protocol decoding 3 Morse code detection/regeneration 4 Adaptive voice filter. 5 FFT analysis. 6 Sound recording. 7 DTMF & PL tone detection. --- Jack Albert Fellow Radio Hacker Tele (708) 378-6201 Tellabs Operations, Inc. FAX (708) 378-4590 1000 Remington Blvd. jwa@tellabs.com Bolingbrook, IL 60440 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE BOWTIE FILTER ------------------------------ Date: 16 Dec 1993 21:05:19 -0800 From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.kei.com!nic.hookup.net!news.sprintlink.net!news.world.net!cyberspace.com!cyberspace.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Tracking and Propagation software To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Can anybody tell me of any shareware versions of good satellite tracking and HF propagation software? Anything would help! Matthew (N7YCK) ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 05:41:46 GMT From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.kei.com!eff!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!skybridge!hernix!fmsystm.telemax.com!andrews@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Where are all the young enthusiasts? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article aj@sage.cc.purdue.edu (John Dormer) writes: > Do what I did; try to play with the cutting edge where no one else (or >at least not great numbers of "someone elses") play; digital communication >in the 902-928MHz ISM band. This is fun stuff. It's so short range I can't >really step on important communications, and it gives me design and >construction experience for those higher bands, like the 5GHz ISM band. You >can't use 28MHz construction techniquest at 5GHz, or you'll just get a >space heater. > (Hearing my cue to enter...) I'm in _full_ agreement with all of the above. Around here, there are a bunch of No-Codes (ex CB'ers), including myself, who will experement with _any_ piece of RF gear we can get our hands on for the furtherance of the hobby. > > I guess that because there are fewer of us young ones around nowadays, there >is a statistical decline in the number of motivated ones. It's the 100th >monkey theorem a lot of times; 1 starts washing its food, soon 10 do, then >over a period of time, the numbers gradually increase to about 100 doing >this in a colony of 5000. Then, suddenly, they all start doing it. > (Did you _have_ to say 'monkey'. hi hi.) Although the above seems like it will take years for _that_, we will continue our efforts. > > Now, 100 is a random number picked for illustrative purposes, but you get >the idea. > Uhhh, yea, OK... > > In an age where the 100th monkey is watching Beavis and Butthead, is it >much wonder why us geeky types concentrate on the neato stuff? > Hey, what do you have against Bevis & Butthead. Us techno-geek types have to let our brains cool off now and then... (hi hi) > > Another argument is that it takes a lot of discipline and curiosity to >get yourself up on the tech curve, so you better start young. Nowadays many >children are weaned on the front of the TV's picture tube, not on the ideas >that drive it or the circuits that empower it. > No arguement here... > >: John Dormer >: aj@sage.cc.purdue.edu > Andy N8OFS\AAN5HJT -- Mesmerized by a decade of hate, ! AMATEUR = N8OFS Flowers and remorse, ! ARMY MARS = AAN5HJT Fading vision lost in time, ! CB = THE NEON KNIGHT Tragedy on course!!! - Frontline Assembly ! HACKER = TH3 N30N KN16Ht ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 07:07:29 GMT From: netcomsv!netcom.com!msattler@decwrl.dec.com Subject: Where are all the young enthusiasts? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Drew Diamond (drew@trl.oz.au) wrote: : Is there no longer any "magic" in radio for young persons? At my radio : club, I see the same bunch of (mostly) grey and balding heads- rare to see a : young, enthusiastic person attend a meeting. And on the air- same bunch of : grey beards- not many young voices. This is certainly true of the San Francisco Amateur Radio Club. But on the airways around here (especially on the "going to work" and "going home" commuter nets) I hear my peers (30 years old). How to get the kids involved? Bring your HT to boy scout meetings, campfire girls, etc. (or the local equivalent). I use my HT, modified, for my Search and Rescue work, and the public gets to see that. What about career day? Bring your club to the local middle school and help out for any and all events; let the kiddies see and touch the radios. Gotta get some sleep. G'nite. Good luck. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 17:46:17 GMT From: netcomsv!netcom.com!wa2ise@decwrl.dec.com To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References , <1993Dec17.040303.16513@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu>, Subject : Re: Optimum call sign for CW/contests? If I was into CW, my call would be an interesting one: WA2ISE .. ... . ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1480 ****************************** ******************************