17 Bit Software 3: The Continuation/17-Bit_The_Continuation_Disc.iso/arug/arug 12/newsletters/amigan_beacon_6

Text File | 1994-01-27 | 14KB | 237 lines

         January 1989       Amigan Beacon             Issue # 6

Greetings and Happy New Year: The Amigan Amateur Radio Group continues to
grow steadily, we have just over 200 names on the main list, and about 85
names on overseas lists. Welcome, newcomers!

United Kingdom: Bob, G3LMH, reports  that  the previous Amigan Beacon was
distributed throughout the  United  Kingdom.  He  has sent out his second
edition of the "Amigan Airwaves" newsletter,  which looked very good. His
mailing list currently contains about 50 names.

West Germany and Europe: Peter,  DF5ZI,  reports that distribution of the
Amigan Beacon went well last time around,  with it being posted on packet
and phone BBSs along with the print copy.

Italy: Amigan Amateurs in Italy  should  contact Renato OPPIO - I3EJ, Via
Monti Lessini 46, 37132 VERONA, ITALY.    Renato is involved with the ARI
(Italy's version  of  the  ARRL),  and  has  20  names  of Italian Amigan
Amateurs on his list already. He is helping  distribute the Amigan Beacon
throughout Italy. He sent me a copy of Amigan Amateur info which appeared
in the November  issue  of  "Radio  Rivista".  Renato  refers  to  Amigan
Amateurs as "Hamigans" !

Australia: If you're an  Amigan  Amateur  in  Australia and would like to
help out with newsletter and PD distribution there, please let me know.

Slow Scan TV and FAX: A  very  comprehensive  SSTV  and  FAX hardware and
software system called AVT  (Amiga  Video  Transceiver)  is available for
around $ 100 from: Black Belt  Systems,  398 Johnson Road, RR#1 Box 4272,
Glasgow,  Montana,  59230,  Phone:  (406)  367-5509.  Ben  Blish  - N4EJI
(formerly of SoftCircuits)  has  developed  the  project  which sends and
receives 27 modes of Slow Scan TV and  9 modes of FAX. All of the popular
B&W and color modes at different resolutions are covered. The system also
includes an oscilloscope screen display which can be used to help tune in
signals. A small 5 1/2" by 3"  demodulator  circuit  board converts audio
tones into  digital  information  which  is  fed  into  the Amiga via the
parallel port. Tones containing picture  information are Amiga generated,
so all that is needed to transmit  SSTV  and FAX is a cable from an Amiga
audio output jack  to  your  transmitter  mic  jack.  You need at least 1
Megabyte of RAM to run AVT, 12 VDC power  for the demodulator, and you'll
want a box to the put  the  demodulator  board  in if you don't intend to
install it in any existing equipment. This is the most impressive Amateur
Radio program that I've  seen  on  the  Amiga  yet.  I have heard several
stations stating that they are buying Amiga 500's because of this program
alone. Ben has released the program  for  distribution  so that folks can
get a look at the system before buying. You need to purchase the hardware
demodulator board to receive SSTV  and  FAX, but by running the software,
you can see what a major  project  this  is.  Ham PD disk # 6 has the AVT
demo program and text files with  more  details.   Ben has been on the 20
meter AmigaNET, and is often on  14.230  Mhz  to 14.235 Mhz or 28.680 Mhz
Voice and SSTV. I ordered the system 5  weeks ago, received it 1 1/2 week
later, and had it running the same day,  so I can report that this system
is for real, works very well, and is being shipped. The Amiga computer is
a natural for use  on  slow  scan  and  FAX  because  of  the  many video
accessories available such  as  digitizers,  paint  programs,  and titler
programs. I suggest any Amigan Amateurs interested in SSTV and FAX should
get in touch with Ben for more details on this system.

AmigaNETs: The 75m  and  20m  AmigaNETs  are  doing  well  since the last
newsletter.  I'm still looking for  help  in the net control area, if you
tune into a net frequency and don't  hear  anyone, please give some calls
for the AmigaNET. The 75m AmigaNET  is  every  Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM
EST (00:00 GMT) on 3882 Khz, and the 20m AmigaNET is every Sunday evening
at 6:00 PM EST (23:00 GMT) on 14.345 Mhz.
     Paul, WB5AGF, Wanda, KJ5C,  and  Mary,  WB5DVA,  have organized a 40
meter AmigaNET.  They have been  meeting  on 7.170 Mhz, Saturday mornings
at 10:00 AM Central time, 16:00  GMT.   They welcome all stations to join
them, and noted that they will  consider  changing the frequency if there
are general class stations who want to participate.
     Europeans are invited to tune in the 40m  European AmigaNET Saturday
mornings at 08:00 GMT on  7.095  Mhz.   Listen  for  Bob, G3LMH  and Pat,
ON9CBF.  G3LMH and G0EIW are also meeting Sunday mornings at 13:00 GMT at
3.77 Mhz.   All  Amateurs  interested  in  Amigas  are  welcome  to join
either schedule.  They  especially  invite  Amigan  Amateurs  on mainland
Europe - West Germany, Austria, Switzerland,  France, Holland, Spain, and
Italy. I know there  are  Amigan  Amateurs  in  these  countries,  but we
haven't heard them on the 20  meter  AmigaNET  yet,  so maybe these times
will be better for some.
     With  these  3  new  nets,  most  Amigans  will  have  access  to an
AmigaNET during  daytime  hours.   If  you  want  to  know what is new in
Amateur  Radio  related   hardware  and  software  in  the  time  between
newsletters, get  on  an  AmigaNET.  It's  good  to  see  this expansion,
although Amigans on the West Coast could consider forming a 75 meter net,
and with 10 meters perking up maybe  someone  will want to organize a net
or schedule on that band.  Several people have mentioned 10 meter nets in
the past, if you like 10 meters,  please  consider it now the the band is
open.

PD  Software:  Beginning   January  15,  1989  all  Amiga  Public  Domain
"Hamdisks" which I've compiled will  be  available for around $ 4.00 each
from the 2 following public  domain  sources:  Kinetic  Designs, P.O. Box
1646, Orange  Park,  FL,  32067-1646,  and  Comp-U-Save,  410 Maple Ave.,
Westbury, NY 11590, Phone: [phone]).  Write to Kinetic Designs or
Comp-U-Save  for  current  disk  listings,  price,  tax,   shipping,  and
ordering information.  I  think  that  many  people  will prefer paying a
reasonable fee for these disks instead of sending blank disks, envelopes,
and postage to me. Of course, this  will  benefit  me in the "spare time"
department too. So, please  send  any  Amiga  Ham  related software to me
(I'll send you a disk of PD goodies  back),  I'll  put PD disks together,
then send copies to  Kinetic  Designs  and  Comp-U-Save so that they will
have them available. I've been surprised how many Amigans do not have any
public domain disks since most  disks  sent  to me were blank.  There are
thousands of PD programs for Amigas, including  terminal programs, games,
demos,  word  processors,   databases,  ect...   These  PD  programs  are
available from BBSs and PD disk houses.  One of the best sources of Amiga
PD is the Fred Fish collection, look in the back of any Amazing Computing
Magazine for a detailed list.  Comp-U-Save  carries Fred Fish disks along
with other PD disks (now our disks too).  Kinetic Designs and Comp-U-Save
have special offers like "buy 5  PD  disks,  get  one free" sometimes, so
write for current  info.  One  fellow  at  Kinetic  designs is a licensed
Amateur Radio Operator -  Russell  Grokett,  Jr.,  WA4EFH,  so he is very
interested in our PD disks.  I  understand  that  AmigaWorld magazine may
begin listing Kinetic Designs PD disks. If this happens, our Ham PD disks
would be listed in a major Amiga  magazine  which  would make it easy for
new Amigan Amateurs to get Ham related PD and find out about our group. I
fell behind sending Ham PD disks out,  especially overseas. I should have
the  backlog  out  soon,  thanks  for  your  patience.  I  think  the new
distribution system will work out better for everyone.

                      Current Ham PD disk listings:

Amateur Radio # 1:  Morse  Code  training,  Terminal  Progs,  N3ET  PBBS,
Satellite Tracking, ACE demos, Propagation, AtoB & BtoA...

Amateur Radio # 2: Virus help,  Previews,  GIF picture transfer programs,
Pictures...

Amateur Radio # 3: removed  from  distribution  due  to virus... Access!,
CONNPlex.

Amateur Radio # 4:  Satellite  Tracking,  RTTY  for  Kantronics UTU, K7KB
Propagation, VE3AGC Beam heading prog., K7KB logging progs, Antenna calc,
Updated Morse4.0,  and  other  Morse  programs, Betterspeech, AmigaTalk,
newsletters 4-6, Amigan ham data base, ...

Amateur Radio # 5: K2TA's TA-TERM  progs  for  the AMT-1 and PK-232 (very
nice menu driven term progs with speech,  buffers, and logging built-in),
N3ET's current version of AmigaBBS for Kantronics KPC-1,-2,-4, & KAMs.
& 2 FAX pics.

Amateur Radio # 6: SSTV/FAX demo  software  from  Ben Blish - N4EJI - AVT
version 1.08 and documentation.

Write to Kinetic  Designs,  or  Comp-U-Save  for  current  disk  info and
listings.

AMTOR: Harv, N9FHO, reports  that  there  is  often  Amigans on  AMTOR at
14.078 Mhz. around 1900 GMT or so.  Harv  frequents  that spot along with
several DX and stateside Amiga  enthusiasts.  If  you're on AMTOR, you're
welcome to check it out.

Packet: The WB3JOE (MARC) PBBS on 145.09 Mhz in the Philadelphia, PA area
has an Amiga public domain files section. WB3KTW is helping upload  Amiga
PD programs to the  board.   If  you're  interested,  drop  him  a note @
WB3JOE.

      Several people have sent Mike, WA1PTC,  blank disks for his updated
CONNplex packet BBS  program.   Mike,  KJ4HN,  and  Ian, G6KHW, have been
pleased with the new version  880717,  and  have been running it at their
QTHs for awhile now. If you're interested  in Mike's CONNplex, drop him a
note for details. He is in a "beta testing" phase of development with the
program, and welcomes test sites for feedback.

Satellite TV watching:  Manuel, KP4EHE, reported on the 20m AmigaNET that
people with home satellite  receivers  can  view an Amiga 2000 at work on
satellite M2 transponder T21 which broadcasts  from Mexico using graphics
created totally on an Amiga 2000.  Speaking of Satellite TVRO, has anyone
decoded ASCII off of a TVRO Satellite using an Amiga ?

FAX: I received 2 disks  containing  very  impressive  FAX  pictures from
Leopuld Schuh (OE1-5420 SWL) that were received using commercial hardware
and software  produced by Volker  Wertich,  DF4PV, Bingerstr. 243, D-6507
INGELHEIM, Federal Republic of  Germany  (West Germany). I added Volker's
name  to  the  Amigan  Amateur  database  so  he  will  be  receiving the
newsletters. I hope he sends me some information about his  products so I
can pass details along in a future newsletter.

Speech: Amateur Radio # 4  PD  disk  has  2  public  domain programs that
improve Amiga speech pronunciation and allow the narrator to "read" aloud
anything on the screen - even  menus.  This is a big help for blind Amiga
users. These programs (AmigaTalk  and  Betterspeech) were written by Chip
Orange. There are now commercial  versions  of these programs which might
be of interest to  visually  impaired  hams.  You can get more info from:
Inspired Interfaces, phone: [phone].  A demo disk is available for
a small fee.

Disk Drives: Jack, K8JS, had some  trouble  finding  a direct replacement
for a 3.5" disk drive in his Amiga.    He finally got a NEC 1035 drive to
work in the machine.  If you are  having  trouble  with a disk drive, you
might drop Jack an SASE for the  details  on finding a replacement drive.
He said it's very easy to install.

Amigas & RF ?: A  Ham  from  Harrisburg,  PA,  has  raised an interesting
question.  Can RF in the shack erase data  on floppy and hard disks ?  It
would seem so, but how much RF at what  distance ? If anyone has had some
data erased by RF, I'd like  to  hear  about  it,  and will pass the info
along in a future newsletter.

TCP/IP: Four months ago, Craig, N3BHA,  sent me 2 disks containing TCP/IP
source code and executable programs  for  the  Amiga to run TCP/IP. Craig
stated that there  are   still  some   bugs in the software, though it is
usable. Just recently, Jerry Koniecki, WA2RKN, (@ WA2RKN) sent me 2 disks
of TCP/IP arc and source files.  I  have  not  run this software here and
would rather not  release  the  disks  until  the  code  reaches a stable
version. There are not icons with these  versions, and they appear fairly
involved to use. If you need the  TCP/IP  programs  in this current form,
send me 2 blank disks and postage.

Amigan Amateur Database: Space  doesn't  permit sending printed copies of
the Amigan Amateur mailing list.  The  newest  list is on Hamdisk # 4. If
your information is incorrect, or  incomplete  please drop me a note with
the correct data.

Welcome: Bill Petrisko, N7LWO, sent a  packet message to me reporting his
brand new callsign.  Several  years  ago  Bill  and I chatted on an Amiga
phone BBS (AmigaTalk)  when  Amigas  were  a  new  computer. I uploaded a
discription about Amateur Radio and Packet Radio to see if there were any
Amigans interested in becoming Hams, Bill was interested enough to follow
up with letters to the ARRL to find a local ham club to help him with the
tests and such.  I kept Bill on the Amigan Beacon mailing list, wondering
if he was still  interested  but  not  hearing  much  from  him, so I was
pleasantly surprised to get a packet note from him! Good job Bill!

     If you're on any telephone BBSs, consider  uploading a message about
Amateur Radio and Packet Radio.   Many  people  think of Ham radio as the
way it was 20 years ago... a roomful of  equipment, a skyful of wire, and
barely understandable SSB voices coming  through the speaker.  How things
have changed! Small VHF FM gear,  clear  voices, and a Packet BBS network
that spans the continent passing  text,  programs,  pictures, and digital
audio!  Technology has brought us a long way....

Till next time, 73 & Happy Amiga-ing...

Kathy Wehr - WB3KRN (@K3RLI for Packet mail) (CIS:71550,3507)
RD#1 Box 193
Watsontown, PA 17777