Date: Wed, 9 Nov 94 18:38:32 PST From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu Precedence: List Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #1202 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Wed, 9 Nov 94 Volume 94 : Issue 1202 Today's Topics: Boston Area Repeaters Cavities? CHIPSWITCH upgrade for HR2600 ? DIGIS IN OH(Finland) Help with Central Electronics 100V problems IPS Daily Report - 08 November 94 Maws Coad and Spelinge Mods More on logging programs non-sovereign DXCC "coountries" Power Supply Survey! Procedure for calling Mir/Shuttle help needed Tele-Path Communications Upcoming Southeastern US Hamfest?? What's your favorite key? 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: 9 Nov 1994 16:25:03 -0500 From: rbellville@aol.com (RBellville) Subject: Boston Area Repeaters In article , jtan@porgon.camb-lads.loral.com (Jamie Tan) writes: >Are there other 2-meter repeaters in Boston area (with or without >autopatch)? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I have a simplex repeater on 147.405 MHz that's located in Worcester, MA. Try it out if your in the area. - Rob, N1NTE ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 16:04:49 GMT From: gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us (Gary Coffman) Subject: Cavities? In article clay@panix.com (Clay Irving) writes: >I was in Central Park on Sat, 05 Nov 1994 to help set-up net control for the >New York City Marathon and I kept my eyes and ears open to learn something. In >one of the communication trailors there were a half dozen or so 440 >transceivers. When they tested transmission, there was severe intermod. So, one >of the volunteers trots out to his car and returns with several 'cavities' and >a piece of test equipment. I was watching from the door of the trailor and it >seems like what he did was tune the cavity to filter out the frequency from >the adjacent radio. He then installed the cavity between the antenna feed >and the transceiver. He did the same on the other transceiver. When they tested >transmission again, it was clear as could be. > >Can someone give me a more detailed explanation of what they did?... He did exactly what you thought he did. He installed notch cavities in the transmission lines of the two radios so that the cavity rejected the signals on the frequency of the other radio. A single notch cavity can attenuate the frequency to which it is tuned by 50 db or a bit more. It offers nearly no attenuation at other frequencies. By knocking down the signal from one radio trying to enter the receiver of the other, he removed the desense and intermod problems caused by the too strong signal. He could have alternately inserted *pass* cavities tuned to the frequency of the radio in whose transmission line it was inserted. This kind of cavity passes the frequency to which it is tuned with very little attenuation, but offers attenuation at all other frequencies. The problem with this solution is that it's hard to get a narrow passband with steep skirts. Ultimate rejection is rarely better than 30 db with a single cavity, and the passband is often 10% of the fundamental frequency. This wouldn't work very well for two signals closely spaced in the same band. The reason cavities are needed is that current Japanese radios aren't designed to reject off channel signals entering the RF amplifier and first mixer stages. In fact, most of them are designed deliberately to receive signals over a wide span of frequencies because hams appear to want wideband scanners that incidentally function somewhat like communications equipment on occasion. Thus the front ends of the radios don't reject off channel signals, and desense and intermod are the result. There are two ways of dealing with desense and intermod problems. One is to prevent the offending signal from entering the radio. This is what the external cavities did in this case, and is what the helical cavities built into in a well designed communications radio, like a GE Mastr II, do. Of course it doesn't have to also function as a wideband scanner, as the Japanese radios do. Though in this case since the offending signal was actually *inside* the ham band, filtering of the radio front end with bandpass circuits wouldn't have helped in any case. The second way to avoid the problem is to make the front end components "stiff" enough to not overload and distort when offending signals get in. This latter costs money and *power*. The standing current in the front end transistor would need to be 100 mA or more to prevent the bias from being shifted into the non-linear region by a strong off channel signal. This level of current would eat portable radio batteries in a hurry, and generate quite a bit of heat too. High standing currents can also add *noise* to the receiver and make it less sensitive. For out of band signals, like paging transmitters and other commercial signals, sharp steep skirted bandpass filtering in the radio front end is the best answer. For in band signals, tunable notch filters are the best solution. That's what was done here. Gary -- Gary Coffman KE4ZV | You make it, | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary Destructive Testing Systems | we break it. | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary 534 Shannon Way | Guaranteed! | gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us Lawrenceville, GA 30244 | | ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 18:45:40 GMT From: rogerv@hpsrrlv.sr.hp.com (Roger Valentine) Subject: CHIPSWITCH upgrade for HR2600 ? Roger Valentine (rogerv@hpsrrlv.sr.hp.com) wrote: : To remove the old Uniden 64 pin IC..... : Clip all 64 pins, remove the top portion of : the IC, and then solder suck each of the : pins out, one at a time. : : For information on ChipSwitch IC : : ChipSwitch : 4773 Sonoma Hwy #132 : Santa Rosa, CA 95409 : : Tech line (801) 269-013 Sorry....... (801) 269-0130 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 23:18:00 GMT From: timo.dähnrich@tdd.in-berlin.de (Timo Dähnrich) Subject: DIGIS IN OH(Finland) I need frequency lists of digipeaters in OH (Finland) with the locations of them. If you have some informations (lists/maps etc.) please e-mail me. 73 de DD6TN Internet: dd6tn@tdd.in-berlin.de AX.25 : dd6tn@db0brb --- ³ QMPro 1.53 ³ Dogs come when you call. Cats have answering machines. ------------------------------ Date: 10 Nov 94 02:26:49 GMT From: ahall@umassmed.UMMED.EDU (Art Hall) Subject: Help with Central Electronics 100V problems I just purchased a Central Electronics Transmitter model 100V. I have already come up with two problems which I am hoping someone in net land can help me. First: I need information on restringing the megacycle indicator and any information on what the pointer looked like. This unit is missing both the string and pointer. Second: I am looking for the audio limiter that goes with this unit. For some reason it was removed and a jumper was used in its place. Third: If there is someone out there that is still using or is very familar with this unit I would like to get intouch with you. I am hoping to get this unit on the air and use a Hammarlund 170A as my receiver. Thanks, Art Hall (WB3EJA) ahall@umassmed.ummed.edu ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 23:31:35 GMT From: rwc@flare.syd.ips.oz.au (Regional Warning Centre) Subject: IPS Daily Report - 08 November 94 SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT ISSUED AT 08/2330Z NOVEMBER 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY. SUMMARY FOR 08 NOVEMBER AND FORECAST FOR 09 NOVEMBER - 11 NOVEMBER ----------------------------------------------------------- 1A. SOLAR SUMMARY Activity: Low Flares: None Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 80/20 GOES satellite data for 07 Nov Daily Proton Fluence >1 MeV: 4.7E+05 Daily Proton Fluence >10 MeV: 1.8E+04 Daily Electron Fluence >2 MeV: 4.4E+07 (normal) X-ray background: A7.1 Fluence (flux accumulation over 24hrs)/ cm2-ster-day. 1B. SOLAR FORECAST 09 Nov 10 Nov 11 Nov Activity Very low Very low Very low Fadeouts None expected None expected None expected Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 09 Nov: 80/20 ----------------------------------------------------------- 2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: quiet Estimated Indices : A K Observed A Index 07 Nov Learmonth 5 2112 2112 Fredericksburg 6 8 Planetary 10 12 Observed Kp for 07 Nov: 2334 3121 2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST DATE Ap CONDITIONS 09 Nov 15 Quiet to unsettled 10 Nov 10 Quiet to unsettled 11 Nov 10 Quiet to unsettled COMMENT: High latitudes may experience isolated active conditions on 9 Nov due to a small coronal hole. ----------------------------------------------------------- 3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 08 Nov fair-normal fair-normal fair PCA Event : None. 3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 09 Nov normal normal fair-normal 10 Nov normal normal fair-normal 11 Nov normal normal normal ----------------------------------------------------------- 4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY Observed DATE T-index MUFs at Sydney 08 Nov -3 Near predicted monthly values. Sporadic E and spread F may have caused degradations from 10-16 UT. Predicted Monthly T-index for November: 15 4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST DATE T-index MUFs 09 Nov 15 Near predicted monthly values 10 Nov 20 Near predicted monthly values 11 Nov 20 Near predicted monthly values COMMENT: Townsville frequencies were depressed 20-30% from 00-08 UT then near predicted monthly values. -- IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney |IPS Radio and Space Services RWC Duty Forecaster tel: +61 2 4148329 |PO Box 5606 Recorded Message tel: +61 2 4148330 |West Chatswood NSW 2057 email: rwc@ips.oz.au fax: +61 2 4148331 |AUSTRALIA ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Nov 94 20:29:37 -0500 From: wcoyle@delphi.com Subject: Maws Coad and Spelinge The only thing that bothers me is that he comes off like he has NO pre formed ideas about anyone. If his point is to make us think about our on lack of tolerance, why does he have do demonstrate his own lack of it?? 73 Wcoyle@delphi.com N3OGH ------------------------------ Date: 9 Nov 1994 17:32:37 GMT From: Brad Herring Subject: Mods Hello All, I am looking for mods for the Cobra 148GTL and the Uniden Pro510 XL I am expecially looing for the freq. mods for the Cobra 148GTL. Any information please e-mail to : herring@nps.navy.mil Thanks in Advance Brad ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 20:49:34 GMT From: n1ist@netcom.com (Michael L. Ardai) Subject: More on logging programs Two weeks ago, I posted about my problems with the Logic logging program, and its copy protection scheme. I had asked for some suggestions for replacement programs, and got the following list: N6TR CT LOG-EQF WJ2O Master Log Hyperlog (2) LOG Plus (3) (CT and TR are both contest loggers, and I need a general logger that is set up to handle contests. I downloaded a copy of LOG-EQF, but haven't got around to looking at it yet.) Four people agreed about how rediculous the 'Insert License Disk every time the system config changes' copy protection is (after all, your name, call, and address come up whenever you start Logic), and that it is the only program that they know that has this 'feature'. Three people wondered how I could lose a disk that is needed all the time - easily. The program disks were nicely filed in the pocket in the manual. The license disk, last time I saw it, was sitting on top of the PC, left there after the last time Logic wanted it. It probably is now behind the fully loaded 6' bookcase or under the Vax. The problem (for me) has been solved, since Dennis changed his mind and sent me a replacement license disk. I thank him for his support in this matter. However, I still don't like this copy-protection scheme. That is really a shame for such a good logging program. 73, and good luck in the contests. /mike -- \|/ Michael L. Ardai N1IST Teradyne ATB, Boston MA -*- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- /|\ ardai@maven.dnet.teradyne.com n1ist@netcom.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 16:04:59 GMT From: ve8ev@gov.nt.ca (John Boudreau) Subject: non-sovereign DXCC "coountries" In article <39onpm$8v2@bashful.isi.com> jerry@bashful.isi.com (Jerry Gardner x323) writes: >In article <9411071420.ZM25088@SALCIUS2> Wayne_Estes@csg.mot.com (Wayne_Estes) writes: >>Is there a file that lists the criteria that were used to select each >>non-sovereign DXCC "country"? > > >It seems to depend more on the whims of the DXAC that anything I've >ever seen in writing. The very idea of a group of hams erecting >scaffolding on a rock barely visable at low tide in order to put a new >"country" on the air is a complete, pathetic, farce. > Everyone gets too hung up on the word "country". Perhaps they should change it to "DXCC Areas" or "DXCC entities" and there would be a lot less arguing and confusion over this issue. John - VE8EV =============================================================== John Boudreau VE8EV INTERNET: ve8ev@amsat.org Inuvik, NWT, CANADA PACKET: VE8EV@VE8YEV.#INU.NT.CAN.NOAM =============================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 18:16:39 GMT From: jdc@cci.com (James D. Cronin) Subject: Power Supply Survey! I have a home-built supply. It consists of a 36-volt 25-amp center- tapped transformer with a 7812 regulator running 8 2N3055 pass transistors. It works OK with a 30 amp load, and stays reasonably cool. I'd recommend building your own supply. It's a good educational experience, and you can find everything you need to know in the ARRL Handbook. 73...Jim N2VNO ------------------------------ Date: 8 Nov 1994 20:10:07 -0500 From: tomsunman@aol.com (TOM SUNMAN) Subject: Procedure for calling Mir/Shuttle help needed Hello. I'm a new ham and I'm VERY interested in trying to contact Mir and the shuttle (when sarex is used of coarse!). My question is, what is the PROPER procedure for calling these craft? Is it a regular call (their callsign then "this is" my callsign)? Maybe "shuttle atlantis" (or whichever) "this is my callsign"? I want to make sure I do it properly. I have an HT and I understand they can work but I may need higher power and a better antenna to increase my chances. I know the uplink is 145.550, I suppose I need to switch to the downlink after I make my call to hear their responce. What is the downlink frequency? Any help on getting me started on these contacts would be appreciated. My license should be here in about 5 weeks so I've got some time to learn what I need to know. Thanks! 73's Tom Randall ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 19:56:27 GMT From: edlawson@netcom.com (Ed Lawson) Subject: Tele-Path Communications I don't have their number but they are in Freemont (southbay SF). Call ac 415 info. Ed Lawson, KD5EZ Austin, TX (new home of GWB (Jr.)) Matthew Zilmer (&) (zilmer@jingluo.dt.wdc.com) wrote: : A few days ago, someone posted a phone number for an outfit : called Tele-Path Communications. I had it as 800-292-1700. : From here in Irvine, CA. I get a recording saying the number : cannot be reached from this area. : Does anyone have another phone number for Tele-Path? : TNX es 73 : Matt Zilmer, WA6EGJ : zilmer@dt.wdc.com -- edlawson@netcom.com KD5EZ, Austin ******************************************************************************* ------------------------------ Date: 9 Nov 1994 21:04:18 GMT From: Richard Matthews Subject: Upcoming Southeastern US Hamfest?? Is there a data base, or could someone post or E-mail to me a list of upcoming Hamfests in the Southeastern US. Large or small, I don't care. Winter and spring dates of fest would be nice. TIA Richard, WA4NWW ------------------------------ Date: 9 Nov 1994 15:21:56 -0500 From: mc@shore.net (Michael Crestohl) Subject: What's your favorite key? In article , wrote: >Hello, all: > > Since XMas is coming up (:-) I'm looking for recommendations on keys - >both paddles and bugs. Any suggestions on what your preferred key is, >for around $100.00? I'm currently using a set of cheapie MFJ paddles, >but have been looking at the Vibroplex offerings, as well as those by >Jones, etc. > >Thanks! > - Rich > The Bencher is a pretty nice piece of work, also the Vibroplex bugs and keyer paddles. 73, Michael KH6KD/W1 Election Day in Massachusetts: "Vote Early and Often!" ------------------------------ Date: 9 Nov 1994 16:06:53 GMT From: gbrown@unlinfo.unl.edu (gregory brown) References , Subject: Re: Maws Coad and Spelinge wcoyle@delphi.com wrote: : The only thing that bothers me is that he comes off like he has : NO pre formed ideas about anyone. If his point is to make us : think about our on lack of tolerance, why does he have do : demonstrate his own lack of it?? : : 73 : Wcoyle@delphi.com : N3OGH How one "comes off", like beauty, is often in the eye (or mind) of the beholder. These days, it seems, hypersensitivity is rampant. Personally, I would choose to reserve my energy for responding to those cases where the _intent_ showed malice. Taking one's self (or others, for that matter) more seriously than warranted is self destructive. Greg WB0RTK ------------------------------ Date: 8 Nov 1994 22:13:42 GMT From: Joe Herman References<784094212-0-56004@ns1.CC.Lehigh.EDU> , Reply-To: slammy@chop.isca.uiowa.edu Subject: Re: NYC MARATHON I was always under the impression that during a net - as long as you identify your callsign once every 10 mins and at the end of your QSO - you don't have to use callsigns all the time - and using tactical callsigns probably makes more sense - so that people know _who_ you are, ie. what your job is. BTW, my license came th day after the marathon - so I couldn't have participated in any nets anyway. [waiting time approx. 8 weeks BTW] 73 DE KB2SFT --- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Joseph Herman |Thought is useless unless accompanied by action- - herman@yu1.yu.edu |Action is useless unless preceeded by thought - - a196@lehigh.edu | - - slammy@chop.isca.uiowa.edu |EMT, postpunk, ham radio, fencing, 'blades - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 10 Nov 1994 01:31:43 GMT From: jgervais@weber.ucsd.edu (Joe Gervais ) References<784300462snz@microvst.demon.co.uk> , <39qoej$ic5@news.iastate.edu> Subject: Ham Licensing (was Maws Coad and Spelinge) In article <39qoej$ic5@news.iastate.edu> wjturner@iastate.edu (William J Turner) writes: >In article wcoyle@delphi.com writes: >> My ideas on Morse Code, well I think the code requirement >>is in fact, a good thing. I understand that some people do not >>desire to learn the code, but as someone further back said, I >>had no need to learn about space communications, but it was on >>the test. > >Do you believe morse code should continue to have a "veto status" over >all other modes? For instance, you did not need to learn about space >communications, even though it was on the written test. You could have >passed the tests without getting a single question about space >communications right. This is not true of morse code. Actually I always thought that a good method of licensing amateur radio operators would be to present them with a a set of components and some tools. Then have them build a small xmitter/rcvr. Nothing fancy, just a *very* basic circuit or three that would produce RF for a frequency counter, then check the signal with an oscilliscope. Wouldn't have to be perfect of course, but crudely functional. There would be dozens of possible part combinations handed out, all with the potential to build different xmit/rcv circuits. Then add in the written test and the minimum code. Could I pass this test now? No, I'm just starting in homebrewing. But we all know there's a big difference between book knowledge and applying the Smoke Test to a project. I think it would work quite well. More expensive to administrate, but worth it. I believe some countries use to do it this way, may still today. So what do you think? Should I be donning asbestos underwear? :) 73 de KD6PRD, -Joe "QRP means never having to tell the neighbors you're sorry." ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Nov 94 20:40:08 -0500 From: wcoyle@delphi.com References<39779u$9d3@geraldo.cc.utexas.edu> , <784300462snz@microvst.demon.co.uk> Subject: Re: Maws Coad and Spelinge Very good, very good. I like the fact that we could discuss Ham radio, and ONLY ham radio, not politics, well said, OM. My ideas on Morse Code, well I think the code requirement is in fact, a good thing. I understand that some people do not desire to learn the code, but as someone further back said, I had no need to learn about space communications, but it was on the test. I think that by keeping the code test in place, we expand the diversity of signal types and operations on the bands. I, like a lot of folks who had to learn code to pass anything higher than a NC tech, really HATED the code at first (and I mean I really hated it). Then, for some reason, I decided to give actual code operations a try and found I really enjoyed it. So much that most of my QSO's are code. For some reason, I feal I derive a greater sence of satisfaction from a code QSO because it takes a bit more planing and effort. I've also found that the ops are a lot less likely to be insulting and rude (it's kinda hard to be obsene using the code, unlike voice, where you tend to blurt things out). As for my thoughts on a key choice, I like an Iambic paddle. I think using a straight key is just torture. It may help to build your recognition of proper spacing, but I feal that enough copy practice can do this also. ------------------------------ Date: 9 Nov 1994 15:04:51 GMT From: wjturner@iastate.edu (William J Turner) References <784300462snz@microvst.demon.co.uk>, Subject: Re: Maws Coad and Spelinge In article wcoyle@delphi.com writes: > My ideas on Morse Code, well I think the code requirement >is in fact, a good thing. I understand that some people do not >desire to learn the code, but as someone further back said, I >had no need to learn about space communications, but it was on >the test. Do you believe morse code should continue to have a "veto status" over all other modes? For instance, you did not need to learn about space communications, even though it was on the written test. You could have passed the tests without getting a single question about space communications right. This is not true of morse code. ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #1202 ******************************