Date: Fri, 29 Apr 94 21:09:07 PDT 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 V94 #470 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Fri, 29 Apr 94 Volume 94 : Issue 470 Today's Topics: Amplifier impedance (was SWR & Powre Loss) Canadian Reciprocity FCC computers Field Day (3 msgs) FT-41R weirdness IPS Daily Report - 29 April 94 Linked repeaters from L.A. to Oregon?? monitoring CB ch 9 MT1000's that you want! RFI proofing my computer? Straight Key Night (3 msgs) TI Insight Series 10 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: Wed, 27 Apr 1994 20:46:34 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.msfc.nasa.gov!news.larc.nasa.gov!saimiri.primate.wisc.edu!news.crd.ge.com!sarah!psinntp!psinntp!arrl.org!zlau@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Amplifier impedance (was SWR & Powre Loss) To: info-hams@ucsd.edu While people are busy trying to solve Tom's problem, I thought I'd help with the following: Most commonly used amplifiers use variable resistance devices, which are obviously lossy. Which is why you need heat sinks or blowers if your amplifier handles lots of power. But, there is another type of amplifier known as the parametric amplifier. Basically, instead of variable resistors, you use lossless variable capacitors. You feed in power with a high frequency AC source. It isn't too common, since with all the power reflecting around it reportedly was quite a challenge to get working properly. But, once you got it working, it could offer very good noise figures before people figured out how to make microwave transistors. It might be interesting to see someone implement a parametric *power* amplifier. -- Zack Lau KH6CP/1 2 way QRP WAS 8 States on 10 GHz Internet: zlau@arrl.org 10 grids on 2304 MHz ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 1994 18:14:20 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!cherokee!walter!dancer.cc.bellcore.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Canadian Reciprocity To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1994Apr29.034043.3530@freenet.victoria.bc.ca>, Jay Brown wrote: > > I recently moved to Canada from Kansas, but am unsure of >the reciprocity issue. I have a General Class U.S. license (N0LKI) -- do I >have the same privileges (band and emission limits, etc) here in >Canada as I would in the states? > Thanks for any help, either posted here or e-mailed to me. > Jay Brown; un111@freenet.victoria.bc.ca Simple answer...when in Canada, do as the Canadians do. The USA/Canada arrangement is one of automatic reciprocal licensing. That is, when I go into Canada I simply operate according to all Canadian regulations using my call/VE for the province you are in. As to frequencies and limitations, you act as if (because you are) licensed as a Canadian amateur. Thus, while in Canada you can operate voice in many of the CW segments where voice is prohibited by US regs. Whenever you visit another country and you are granted reciprocol licensing privaledges (either automatically as per USA/Canada agreement or by direct application and the granting of an actual call for the country you are in), you operate under the rules of operation for the country you are in. Hope that answers the question. Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.) Morristown, NJ email via UUCP bcr!cc!whs70 201-829-2879 Weekdays email via Internet whs70@cc.bellcore.com ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 94 13:35:21 EDT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!neoucom.edu!ns.mcs.kent.edu!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!hypnos!voxbox!jgrubs@network.ucsd.edu Subject: FCC computers To: info-hams@ucsd.edu alanb@sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom) writes: > David Stockton (dstock@hpqmoca.sqf.hp.com) wrote: > : Jim Grubs, W8GRT (jgrubs@voxbox.norden1.com) wrote: > > > : : I don't know, but rumor has it the Smithsonian wants it when the > : : FCC gets a new one. :) > > : Silly question..... with 12+ week delays etc, and thinking of the > : phone bills generated by having to phone ARRL, VEC etc for permission > : before phoning the FCC, would it be worthwhile for US amateurs, VECs and > : the ARRL to raise funds for a modest PC with a moderately big disc and > : volunteer-written software, and then *GIVE* it to the FCC as a donation ? > > I wouldn't help unless we were willing to put in a major effort to re-write > the software to go with it. It's the same problem NASA has with the space > shuttle. Sure, the computer hardware is woefully out-of-date, but a new > computer would require rewriting and then re-flight-qualifying the software. > A serious software bug in the FCC's computer wouldn't be QUITE as > disasterous as one in the space shuttle, but it wouldn't be too nifty either. > > There are reliability questions as well. I'm very sensitive to this > having had a hard disc crash on my PC a few weeks ago :=( > > It still might make sense for ARRL to buy the FCC a high-reliability > computer and hire a professional programmer to write them some software. > > AL N1AL > It might make still more sense to turn the job over to the ARRL, a la the proposal for Canada. India has ALWAYS used this system, and so far as I know it has always worked well. /----------------------------------------------------------------------\ | Jim Grubs, W8GRT Voxbox Enterprises Tel.: 419/882-2697 | | jgrubs@voxbox.norden1.com 6817 Maplewood Ave. | | Fido: 1:234/1.0 Sylvania, Ohio 43560 | \-+--------------------------------------------------------------------/ ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 94 16:26:35 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!news.cac.psu.edu!news.pop.psu.edu!psuvax1!news.cc.swarthmore.edu!netnews.upenn.edu!mipg.upenn.edu!yee@@. Subject: Field Day To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I was reading the Field Day rules in this month's QST. It appears as if Field Day is theoretically open to only hams who are "members of the "ARRL/Canadian Field Organization". Does this mean that only Canadian hams and members of ARRL are (in theory) participants in Field Day? The rules specifically indicate that "Foreign stations may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to compete." I always thought that Field day was an International affair! -- Medical Image Processing Group | 73 de Conway Yee, N2JWQ 411 Blockley Hall | EMAIL : yee@mipg.upenn.edu 418 Service Drive | LANDLINE : 1 (215) 662-6780 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 (USA) | FAX : 1 (215) 898-9145 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 1994 23:32:46 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!col.hp.com!srgenprp!alanb@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Field Day To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Conway Yee (yee@mipg.upenn.edu) wrote: : I was reading the Field Day rules in this month's QST. It appears as : if Field Day is theoretically open to only hams who are "members of : the "ARRL/Canadian Field Organization". Does it really say "members of"? I believe you only have to be "located in" the ARRL field organization. : Does this mean that only : Canadian hams and members of ARRL are (in theory) participants in : Field Day? The rules specifically indicate that "Foreign stations may : be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to compete." I always : thought that Field day was an International affair! Nope, its a US/Canadian event. You can work DX stations, but they are not eligible to enter. AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 94 20:00:08 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!news.duke.edu!godot.cc.duq.edu!newsfeed.pitt.edu!dsinc!netnews.upenn.edu!mipg.upenn.edu!yee@network. Subject: Field Day To: info-hams@ucsd.edu >Does it really say "members of"? I believe you only have to be >"located in" the ARRL field organization. I'm not sure. Here it is copied from p. 132 of May's QST. I hope I don't get a letter from Mr. Imlay for this. :( 1) Eligibility: Field Day is open competitively to all amateurs in the ARRL/Canadian Field Organization (plus Yukon and NWT). Foreign stations may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to compete. ================================= Are US hams who are not ARRL members "in" the ARRL field organization? If so, wouldn't the phrase "US/Canadian" be more appropriate? It certainly appears to me as if all Canadian hams are eligible but only US hams who are ARRL members can compete. -- Medical Image Processing Group | 73 de Conway Yee, N2JWQ 411 Blockley Hall | EMAIL : yee@mipg.upenn.edu 418 Service Drive | LANDLINE : 1 (215) 662-6780 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 (USA) | FAX : 1 (215) 898-9145 ------------------------------ Date: 30 Apr 1994 01:11:38 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!kabuki.EECS.Berkeley.EDU!kennish@network.ucsd.edu Subject: FT-41R weirdness To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hi all - I just acquired a new Yaesu FT-41R, and it exhibits a very bizzare problem with a local repeater. When using the repeater, the audio drops out intermittently. The repeater output carrier stays on. Specifics: 1) The repeater needs a PL tone. 2) The audio on the input to the repeater (output of the unit) doesn't drop out, nor does the PL tone drop out as verified by my FT-530 in Tone Squelch mode. 3) The audio is "hot" on the FT-41R. 4) Unit has been checked for loose connections, weirdness like that. 5) I am hitting the repeater with a good signal -- when the audio is there, it is full quieting. My weird analysis: The "hot" audio is causing the PL tone to distort and/or get clipped by the voice, and is causing the local repeater to drop audio. (I don't know what would cause the repeater to drop audio but keep carrier -- I have asked the owner, but no reply yet....) Thus, by backing off the deviation, this should be fixed. Before I go and play around with the insides, anyone else have any other possible explanations for this weird phenomena? Thx in advance, Ken ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 1994 23:23:34 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!EU.net!sunic!trane.uninett.no!nac.no!ifi.uio.no!wabbit.cc.uow.edu.au!news.ci.com.au!metro!ipso!rwc@network.ucsd.edu Subject: IPS Daily Report - 29 April 94 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT ISSUED AT 29/2330Z APRIL 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY. SUMMARY FOR 29 APRIL AND FORECAST UP TO 2 MAY IPS Warning 12 was issued on 26 April and is still current. ----------------------------------------------------------- 1A. SOLAR SUMMARY Activity: very low Flares: none. Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 078/017 1B. SOLAR FORECAST 30 April 01 May 02 May Activity Very low Very low Very low Fadeouts None expected None expected None expected Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 077/016 1C. SOLAR COMMENT None. ----------------------------------------------------------- 2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: quiet Estimated Indices : A K Observed A Index 28 April Learmonth 04 2122 0112 Fredericksburg 07 04 Planetary 05 04 Observed Kp for 28 April: 1111 2111 2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST DATE Ap CONDITIONS 30 Apr 40 Unsettled to minor storm. 01 May 50 Active to minor storm. 02 May 50 Active to minor storm. 2C. MAGNETIC COMMENT Coronal hole disturbance expected April 30 - May 11. 3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 29 Apr normal normal normal PCA Event : None. 3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 30 Apr normal normal normal 01 May normal normal-fair fair 02 May normal normal-fair fair-poor 3C. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION COMMENT NONE. ----------------------------------------------------------- 4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY MUFs at Sydney were near predicted monthly values. Observed T index for 29 April: 45 Predicted Monthly T Index for April is 40. 4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST DATE T-index MUFs 30 Apr 45 Near predicted monthly values. 01 May 30 About 15% below predicted monthly values. 02 May 20 About 15% below predicted monthly values. 4C. AUSTRALIAN REGION COMMENT None. -- IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney |IPS Radio and Space Services email: rwc@ips.oz.au fax: +61 2 4148331 |PO Box 5606 RWC Duty Forecaster tel: +61 2 4148329 |West Chatswood NSW 2057 Recorded Message tel: +61 2 4148330 |AUSTRALIA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 1994 21:00:26 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!netline-fddi.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!news.claremont.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!parker@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Linked repeaters from L.A. to Oregon?? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu A friend of mine is moving to southern Oregon soon, and I am wondering if anyone knows of a linked repeater system (on any band) that would link from roughly Los Angeles to Ashland, Oregon. The only system that I know of is CONDOR, but I don't think it connects all the way up to Oregon. Thanks for your help. -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- | Andrew Parker | KD6TGM | parker@netcom.com | |---------------------------------------------------------------------- | This signature is extra lean. It will not contain more than 15% fat.| ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 1994 14:58:29 -0700 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!news.duke.edu!eff!news.kei.com!ssd.intel.com!chnews!ornews.intel.com!ornews.intel.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: monitoring CB ch 9 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article ed@fore.com (Ed Bathgate) writes: >I have monitored CB channel 9 for a while, and have heard several >calls to "smokey" or the police go unanswered, and started answering >them myself and forwarding info to local 911 dispatcher. > >The police used to monitor CB, even the PA state police had signs >on the turnpike that they monitored CB ch 9. Baloney! In Oregon the State Police used to have bumper stickers that say something like "Monitor CB ch. 9, 17, 19" Of these, channel 17 would be your best bet. Its the Interstate 5 truckers channel and is used on other roads as well. In the metro areas 17 is full of Mud Ducks, echo boxes, and other weirdos. I assume the truckers just turn off their radios when passing through. Out in the country its much better behaved and you will be assisted promptly if you are sincere. Nobody seems to listen to 9 because its really boring. I take a CB along when traveling away from populated areas because there are so few hams out there in the boonies that even if you can hit a repeater there won't be anyone listening. >Is there a "standard" simplex emergency freq on 2m, 220, or 440? Try 146.52, 223.50, 446.0 I can often raise someone on 146.52 while on road trips but I wouldn't count on it and certainly not the others. -- zardoz@ornews.intel.com WA7LDV ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 29 Apr 94 10:35:00 -0800 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!netline-fddi.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!news.claremont.edu!kaiwan.com!ledge!darryl.linkow@network.ucsd.edu Subject: MT1000's that you want! To: info-hams@ucsd.edu My fire department is looking for used Motorola MT1000s, which I guess have been superceded by the HT1000. We need about three of them pretty quickly. o cover 154 mHz region o 16 channel w/ scan We would also like to acquire the programming cable for these. Bill, I have five of the MT1000s that cover the 154Mhz region that you are looking for. They are 16 channel w/scan, just like you want. I also have sources for the programming cables. I can sell the MT1000's for $850 each, including shipping. If you need the rapid chargers for them, I have them for $75.00 each. These radios are in EXCELLENT, LIKE NEW condition! If interested, leave message here or call me and send check or money order to me: Darryl Linkow 4958 Marmol Drive Woodland Hills, CA 91364 (818) 346-5278 9 am - 5 pm PDT --- ³ OLX 2.2 ³ Darryl Linkow (818)346-5278 9 am - 5 pm PDT ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 30 Apr 1994 00:00:22 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!news.ucdavis.edu!dale.ucdavis.edu!ez045506@network.ucsd.edu Subject: RFI proofing my computer? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I would like to be able to use my computer along side, or in close proximity, to my HF, and VHF, equipment but have a problem with RFI (radio frequency interference). What are the most efficient methods for reducing RFI. I have 486DX2 50 MHz, Super VGA monitor, and a laser printer. All equipment is less than two years old and presumably well shielded. I'd like to be able to use my computer while I'm on the air, logging, packet, etc..., but the RFI is killing my reception on both HF and VHF. Any suggestions? Timothy McNulty N6HFS tjmcnulty@ucdavis.edu ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 1994 12:55:02 -0400 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!news.ans.net!hp81.prod.aol.net!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Straight Key Night To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1994Apr29.020402.6365@galileo.cc.rochester.edu>, bstp_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Stamp) writes: Straight key night happen every Dec 31 through Jan 1. SKN is an excellent way to spend New Year's eve if you are not into parties. -- Dave Barrows, W8IJ/3 ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 1994 20:34:18 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!bradley.bradley.edu!augustana.edu!gganderson@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Straight Key Night To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2pre56$kss@search01.news.aol.com> dobarrows@aol.com (DOBarrows) writes: >From: dobarrows@aol.com (DOBarrows) >Subject: Re: Straight Key Night >Date: 29 Apr 1994 12:55:02 -0400 >In article <1994Apr29.020402.6365@galileo.cc.rochester.edu>, >bstp_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Stamp) writes: > >Straight key night happen every Dec 31 through Jan 1. SKN is an excellent way >to spend New Year's eve if you are not into parties. -- Dave Barrows, W8IJ/3 *THE* SKN (straight key night) is New Years Eve. However, There is a newer, more frequent version of SKN that has been largely taking place every (well, maybe only 'many') Friday nights, starting variously around 0400 UTC (earlier in the winter) on 80 and 40 meters in the Novice subbands (3702 and 7102 khz). The emphasis is both to encourage the use of straight keys, and to engender interest in the use of Morse, elmering people, and the general gathering of people interested in "low-key, relaxed community" on amateur radio. Besides, why just wait until New Years Eve? Straight keys can be used more often than that! The hope is that you'll converse, tell yarns, and just sit back and enjoy (plus maybe exercise that arm). Try it. Get on and call CQ CWIST DE YOURCALL K and tell a story. 73 DE KB9IUA Kevin * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Kevin L. Anderson, Geography Dept., Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois 61201 USA phone: (309) 794-7325 e-mail: gganderson@augustana.edu or kla@helios.augustana.edu * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 1994 14:32:19 -0700 From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!news.duke.edu!eff!news.kei.com!ssd.intel.com!chnews!ornews.intel.com!ornews.intel.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Straight Key Night To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1994Apr29.020402.6365@galileo.cc.rochester.edu> bstp_ltd@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Stamp) writes: >I read an article in last months QST (April) about Straight Key Night. The >article didn't mention when this event happens or even if it still does. Does >anyone know when this event occurs, since I do like cw I would be interesting >in working people during that time. Any information is welcome. Unfortunately SKN occurs on New Year's Eve which is why I've only participated once. Any nite or day can be Straight Key for me however, since that's all I have to send with anyway. Maybe we could have SKN on Monday, Bug nite on Tuesday, Paddle nite on Wed. and Keyboard nite the rest of the week since that's what most seem to be using now. -- zardoz@ornews.intel.com WA7LDV ------------------------------ Date: 29 Apr 94 19:44:25 GMT From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail@ucbvax.berkeley.edu Subject: TI Insight Series 10 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Anyone have manuals (or set-up info) for the above mentioned terminal? Please reply to me or Dan . TIA ES 73 Peter Laws |>> University of Arkansas << n5uwy@ka5bml.#nwar.ar.usa.noam |>> Home of the NCAA Champion Razorbacks << ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #470 ******************************