Ham Radio/Ham Radio CD-ROM (Emerald Software) (1995).ISO/news/inham01/757

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INFO-HAMS Digest            Wed, 11 Oct 89       Volume 89 : Issue 757

Today's Topics:
                      AO 13 Spacecraft Emergency
                                 ARRL
                     ARRL and User Fees (2 msgs)
                         ATV Balloon Landing
              Does It Matter How Thick Antenna Wire Is?
                     Early Radio History (2 msgs)
                            How to begin..
                             Icom IC-720
                      Mail ordering radio gear.
                           OSCAR EMERGENCY
                              TS440 MODS
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 18:19:58 GMT
From: idacrd![e-mail]  (Robert McGwier)
Subject: AO 13 Spacecraft Emergency

Thanks to Gary for bringing my message over from CIS.  I should have
already sent an update.  IMHO, a software bug was uploaded or uncovered
as we have completely regained control, and the hardware all checks out
on AO-13.  It is quite easy to leave some JUNK around on the stack by
forgetting to do some stuff.  The spacecraft runs a multitasking system
based on IPS (an extension of Forth by Karl Meinzer, DJ4ZC, see his article
on same in an old BYTE magazine article).  If you leave junk on the stack,
and it returns from a subroutine call and it blows you out into the weeds,
you could easily get the exact behavior we got.  James Miller, G3RUH,
reset the IHU easily and he, Graham Radcliff, VK4AGR, and Peter Gulzow
DB2OS, got software in, checked out the hardware, and are about ready
to let people back on.  The transponders are definitely under computer
control and OFF.  As soon as you can use them, we will issue a bulletin
to that effect.

73
Bob N4HY

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 23:42:25 GMT
From: unsvax!arrakis.nevada.edu![e-mail]  (Mike Storke N7MSD)
Subject: ARRL

  This is the first AND LAST time I do this.  I have had many messages come
to me with bad return addresses.  So, in the future, if you don't receive
replies back from me, you know what happened.  This message goes to Bob
Parnass, 73's all!  And I guess to all of you out there, too.
****************************************************************************


  Thanks for the info, but remember, I've been listening to people discontented
with it for a LONG time, I've only been on usenet about 2/3 of the time I've
been here (and that's been a month and a half).  I know quite a few people VERY
dedicated to the ARRL, and it is a good thing, but I think they are at least
STARTING do drift in other directions.  I am mainly an observer, I only throw
in my opinions when I feel it's necessary.  I'm going to stay an observer for
a while as far as the ARRL is concerned, and see what happens.  I've got a long
life ahead of me, and I'm going to use it to see what the ARRL drifts to
(EVERYTHING drifts).  73's,
*******************************************************************************
Mike P. Storke, N7MSD @ University Nevada/Las Vegas-only a student, sorry :-)
Email: [e-mail]  Packet: KF7TI @ LAS:K7WS-1 or ANGEL:K7WS-2
Snailmail: Box 462 Las Vegas, NV 89119  "I don't trust the D.O.E.-do YOU?"-ME!
Disclaimers??  You gotta be kidding, I claim everything I say!

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 20:42:37 GMT
From: mips!wyse![e-mail]  (Steve Wilson xttemp dept303)
Subject: ARRL and User Fees

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John G. De Armond) writes:
>
>Let's not be too hasty here.  None of the proposals I've seen involve a
>HUGE fee.  I personally support the concept of a license fee.  A license
>fee could do two things for us.  First, it could eliminate the excuse
>of no money for enforcement that the FCC uses for not helping us
John,

The problem with this arguement that I see is that it pre-supposes that
the money earned by the FCC would go back to the FCC.  All funds collected
by the FCC would go into the general fund, not necessarily into the FCC
operating budget.  The FCC budget is still going to be chopped every
year as a function of Graham-Rudman(sp?) just like most every other
federal agency.

>enforce our rules.  Second, we can quite legitimately state that we
>are paying a fair price for our access and therefore we cannot be
>denied access to our bands without due process.  In other words,
>we'd have a much better argument the next time someone makes a grab
>for a band.

Right now we have a VERY strong arguement to the contrary.  Thank
you Hurricane Hugo.  We've been putting in time as volunteers
both in emergencies, and preparing for same long before it became
fashionable in Washingtion to do so.  Now they are telling me I
have to pay to volunteer my time?

>As it is, the ARRL's kneejerk reaction against user fees just
>perpetuates the stereotype of hams as beggars.  I used to run into

>that stereotype when I was promoting the service to TEMA and FEMA officials.
>One comment heard over and over  was "Every time I've tried to work
>with hams, they've come running with their hands out".  Maybe we
>ought to try and mitigate this stereotype and help pay our way.

Maybe, then again, I haven't seen much useful come out of FEMA in the
last couple years at the local level either.  So we share similar
opinions of each other ;-)

As for paying my way I feel I do it in spades, both by providing MY
equipment in emergencies, and my time preparing for same.  Now
this isn't to say that I don't enjoy the time spent, but again, to
have to pay for it as well!

Steve KA6S

------------------------------

Date: 12 Oct 89 00:40:32 GMT
From: gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu![e-mail]
Subject: ARRL and User Fees

One of the reasons I joined the ARRL was the understanding that it was an
organization that (at least CAN) represent the views of ALL amateurs.

It is clear that with the cut backs in QST being grossly slanted against
certain particular areas of interest, that QST, and thus ARRL, is being an
organization that represents JUST SOME GROUPS of amateurs.  This is not what
I want to be a member of, and unless some action is taken, I, too, will not
renew my membership when renewal time comes up (9/90).  I just recently
decided to renew just because the ARRL voted to petition the FCC to create
a (not exactly perfect) no-code class of amateur license even though my own
director voted against it.  I did let them know why I renewed and I hope
they took note of it.

I will be writing to them and expressing my concern that through its main
publication QST, the ARRL is effectively becoming an organization that does
not make a committed representation of the full diversity of amateur radio.
I will of course support organizations that represent and support limited
areas of amateur radio activities THAT I AM INTERESTED IN.  I will also
support organizations that are very general purpose.  The ARRL is clearly
taking a direction away from being general purpose, and towards a direction
I happen to be not interested in.

So if QST had to cutback 25%, then why not cut 25% out of each area?
Since they did NOT do that, it's obvious they don't want to represent
all amateurs.

--Phil howard--  <[e-mail]>
-.-- . ...   - .... .. ...   .. ...   -- -.--
.-.-.- ... .. --. -. .- - ..- .-. .   ..-. .. .-.. .

------------------------------

Date: 12 Oct 89 00:40:36 GMT
From: gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu![e-mail]
Subject: ATV Balloon Landing

> ~r atv.txt

~p

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 19:23:01 GMT
From: shlump.nac.dec.com!koning.dec.com![e-mail]  (Paul Koning)
Subject: Does It Matter How Thick Antenna Wire Is?

It depends.  If you want to obey the National Electric Code, then it does.
The code has requirements on minimum wire size.  What the minimum is
depends on (a) how long the antenna is, (b) what material (copper vs.
steel (copperweld) vs. aluminum), and (c) whether it's a transmitter
or a receiver antenna.  Read the NEC.

     paul, ni1d

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 13:21:47 GMT
From: deimos.cis.ksu.edu!harris.cis.ksu.edu![e-mail]  (Myron A. Calhoun)
Subject: Early Radio History

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (4237) writes:
>I'm interested in finding other's interested in the very early history of
>radio and electronics (i.e. circa 1900).....
 [several lines deleted]
>others on the net interested in trading email on the subject.  Got any strange
>friends that babble about "coherers", "thermionic valves" or "audions?"

A couple of years ago my wife and I were visiting in The Netherlands
and toured EVOLUON, a museum-like place in Eindhoven owned by Philips
Company (they own Norelco, Signetics, and North American Philips here
in the USA).  Anyway, one of their displays is about radio, and part
of that display has a very old setup containing a coherer.  Having
tried to make one in my youth, I set about explaining how it worked to
my wife; while I was so doing an Evoluon employee overheard me, intro-
duced himself, and then activated the display for actual operation!
So I got to send some Morse code from their sparkgap transmitter to
their coherer-based receiver over a distance of at least ten feet! :-)
--Myron
--
Myron A. Calhoun, PhD EE, W0PBV, [phone] (work), 539-4448 (home).
INTERNET: [e-mail]
BITNET:   [e-mail]
UUCP:  ...{rutgers, texbell}!ksuvax1!harry!mac

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 16:21:33 GMT
From: mcsun!hp4nl!philapd!wc8![e-mail]  (Lex Wassenberg)
Subject: Early Radio History

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Myron A. Calhoun) writes:
>
>A couple of years ago my wife and I were visiting in The Netherlands
>and toured EVOLUON, a museum-like place in Eindhoven owned by Philips
>Company (they own Norelco, Signetics, and North American Philips here
>in the USA).  Anyway, one of their displays is about radio, and part
>of that display has a very old setup containing a coherer.

Should anyone be planning to come to Eindhoven to the Evoluon (possibly to
see some radio history), I must disappoint them. The Evoluon is closed and
will not be opened again, at least not as a museum of electronics.
If memory serves, it will be used by Philips as an exhibition of the history
of the company itself.

      ________________
     /  /  ___  _____/      Lex Wassenberg, Philips TDS
    /  /  /__ \/ ___/       Apeldoorn, The Netherlands
   /  /  ___/   /__         [e-mail]
  /  /  /____/\___/
 /  /____________/ It's said that only 10 people on the whole world understood
/_______________/  Einstein. I'm so brilliant that nobody understands me at all.

Disclaimer: Since nobody understands me, I speak only for myself.

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 10:43:51 GMT
From: eds1!wa3wbu!ka3adu![e-mail]  (dave hultberg)
Subject: How to begin..

Try Radio Shack for a Novice Preparation course.  It is $19.95 and includes a
book and two casette tapes.  The book has every possible question that can be
on the test, the correct answer and an explanation of the answer.  The two
tapes will teach you morse code and get your speed up to the required 5wpm.
It worked for me so well on my Novice and Technician tests that I am using
their General book and tapes to prepare for the test this coming Sunday.
73 de Dave KA3UZR



--
------------------| UUCP: uunet!wa3wbu!ka3adu!dave |-------------------
                        Dave Hultberg   KA3UZR
                           1407 Concord Rd.
                       Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 14:38:31 GMT
From: eds1!wa3wbu!ka3adu![e-mail]  (dave hultberg)
Subject: Icom IC-720

I am considering buying an Icom IC-720 hf rig from a co-worker.  This is the
original IC-720, not the 720A.  I would appreciate any information, pro or con
on this rig.  Also what caused the change from 720 to 720A?  I would hate to
spend my hard earned $$$ if some serious defect caused Icom to bring out the
720A as a replacement.  Suggestions for a fair price are also welcome.
73 de Dave KA3UZR


--
------------------| UUCP: uunet!wa3wbu!ka3adu!dave |-------------------
                        Dave Hultberg   KA3UZR
                           1407 Concord Rd.
                       Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 10:35:26 GMT
From: eds1!wa3wbu!ka3adu![e-mail]  (dave hultberg)
Subject: Mail ordering radio gear.

I have only dealt with EEB myself.  They have always filled my orders promptly
and on the one occasion where something was missing from a shipment it only
took a phone call and the missing item was on its way.  I recommend them.
73 de Dave KA3UZR



--
------------------| UUCP: uunet!wa3wbu!ka3adu!dave |-------------------
                        Dave Hultberg   KA3UZR
                           1407 Concord Rd.
                       Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055

------------------------------

Date: 10 Oct 89 18:53:23 GMT
From: gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!ginosko!cg-atla!raybed2![e-mail]  (EUGENE BALINSKI)
Subject: OSCAR EMERGENCY

#: 108861 S5/Amateur Satellites
    09-Oct-89  16:55:14
Sb: AO-13 Emergency
Fm: Bob McGwier N4HY 74615,1366
To: ALL

AMSAT has declared a spacecraft emergency. Until further
notice OSCAR-13 users are asked not to use any transponder
which might be found active from OSCAR-13.

For yet unexplained reasons, the IHU aboard OSCAR-13 crashed
sometime at or near perigee between orbits 1012 and 1013. The
crash occurred between the hours of 07:00 and 10:00 UTC
on the 9th of October according to OSCAR-13 command station
DB2OS. OSCAR-13 command stations would be interested in any
telemetry captured between those hours on the 9th of October.
Anyone who has any data captured during that time frame
should either post such material to AMSAT-DL on Telemail or
contact AMSAT president Doug Loughmiller, KO5I at (214) 784-
0194 who will make arrangements to forward it to DB2OS and
the other command stations.

Again, it is very important that all activities aboard OSCAR-
13 be suspended until the OSCAR-13 command team determines
the nature of the problem at hand. All AMSAT volunteers are
asked to help spread the word of the suspended activities in
their areas.

AMSAT will provide updated information through normal
communications channels as soon as it becomes available.

Everyone's cooperation is greatly appreciated in this matter.

73
Bob

------------------------------

Date: 11 Oct 89 19:26:42 GMT
From: shlump.nac.dec.com!koning.dec.com![e-mail]  (Paul Koning)
Subject: TS440 MODS

Re the Gordon West article about TS440 mods:

It is not necessary to Reset the processor in the TS440 after making the mods.
The TS440 reads the diodes on every powerup, not just on a processor reset.

Among other things, this means you could put a switch on the general coverage
diode, and select general coverage vs. ham-band-only transmit from the outside
of the box.  Cycling the power will cause it to take effect.  People with
transverters might want to use this property.

    paul, ni1d

------------------------------

End of INFO-HAMS Digest V89 Issue #757
**************************************