QRZ! Ham Radio 3/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 3.iso/digests/infoham/931328.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-06-04 | 25KB

Date: Tue,  9 Nov 93 15:58:43 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Reply-To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1328
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Tue,  9 Nov 93       Volume 93 : Issue 1328

Today's Topics:
                      80m on 20m dipole (2 msgs)
                     Amateur Radio Newsline #847
              Care and Feeding LARGE Gel-Cells? (2 msgs)
                       Domestic QSL Strategies
         FOR SALE: MFJ 1278 TNC (Multi mode data controller)
                       GAP Eagle DX-VI Problems
                      Installing in Isuzu Amigo
                question about Rohn 25 tower sections
                         Ten-Tec Triton IV???
                    What is the latest vers of CT?

Send Replies or notes for publication to: <[e-mail]>
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Problems you can't solve otherwise to [e-mail].

Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
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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: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 14:19:53 GMT
From: csulb.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!news.claremont.edu!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!usenet.ucs.indiana.edu![e-mail]
Subject: 80m on 20m dipole
To: [e-mail]

Actually, I've heard this quite a bit.  I also tend to believe it.


However, my 20m dipole works on 20m (I tuned for swr...no transmit, not
licensed for it) and 80m (oddly, I can't convince it to work on 10).  I've
made several qsos in the last couple days.  I am going to replace
the coax with balanced feed, though, as I'm told that will yield better
results.

73 de Dave, N9UXU

David J Adams, N9UXU  Internet: [e-mail]
Amiga User and Flow Cytometry Advocate
Looking for a mobile 2m and/or 70cm rig
Conure Society of America.  "Push the button Frank..."
--- -. .-.. -.--   .- -- .. --. .-

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 15:39:16 GMT
From: ogicse!uwm.edu!linac!att!cbnews![e-mail]
Subject: 80m on 20m dipole
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Gordon Couger) writes:
>>However, my 20m dipole works on 20m (I tuned for swr...no transmit, not
>>licensed for it) and 80m (oddly, I can't convince it to work on 10).  I've
>>made several qsos in the last couple days.  I am going to replace
  ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
>>the coax with balanced feed, though, as I'm told that will yield better
>>results.

If it's working well, why mess with it?  Yes, you will have less loss with
open-wire.  But it is a pain to route since it should be kept away from
metal, etc.  If you're making QSOs, and that's all you're after, why not
just go with it?  If you want to experiment for the fun of it, or just the
desire to make it work a little better, then go for it.

>Each side of a 20 meter dipole is a half wave on 10 meters this presents
>somthing over 2000 ohms impeadence on 10 meters resulting in a about a
>1:40 SWR. This will give you a great deal of loss in the coax if you
    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Hmmmm.  I know, I know, and you're just heating up the components in the
tuner, etc.  Must have a matched, resonant antenna for every band....  Just
tune it up and have fun.

>are able to match it. Also if you go to open line to get away from the
>loss  it is likely to put RF in the shack. The only way to fix this is
>to shorten or lengthen the antenna to an odd number of quarter wave
>length i.e. 1, 3, 5, 7 and so on.
>Gordon AB5Dg
>
>/*                          Gordon Couger                             */
>/*                Biosystems & Agricultural Engineering               */
>/*                     Oklahoma State University                      */
>/*                114 Ag Hall, Stillwater, OK  74074                  */
>/* [e-mail] 405-744-9763 day 624-2855 evenings */
>/*         I Speak only for myself and not for anyone else            */


--
   Wally Blackburn     Clinton-Gore - Socialist Leadership
   [e-mail]             for the 90s!
   Amateur Radio Station AA8DX

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 14:31:51 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!rsiatl!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: Amateur Radio Newsline #847
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mike Willis) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]>, Steve Coletti <[e-mail]> writes:
>|>  NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #97 - POSTED 11/05/93
>|>
>What 11th May ! This is old stuff, why post it now in November?

Ah, don't you just love that dry British wit?

Gary

--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |"If 10% is good enough | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems | for Jesus, it's good  | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             | enough for Uncle Sam."| emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     | -Ray Stevens          |

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 13:47:48 GMT
From: att-out!cbnewst![e-mail]
Subject: Care and Feeding LARGE Gel-Cells?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Greg Law) writes

>Somewhat along the same lines. . .
>
>I purchase two Panasonic LCR12V2.2P lead-acid batteries for use with the
>HTX-202. These are fairly nice 2.2 amp/hour batteries that are about the same
>size as my HTX-202. I've used these batteries for hours on end without
>having to recharge them -- much better than the stock NiCds. The only
>"problem" I've run into so far is charging them. I have a small lead-acid
>charger of the type you can get in the Automotive departments at Wal-Mart,
>K-Mart, Target, etc. that is settable between 2A/6A charging rates. So far
>this charger seems to be working well but it's a manual type and I'm not
>sure how long I should charge the batteries. What I've been doing is letting
>the battery drop to about 10 to 10.5 volts then throwing it on the charger
>and checking it every 30 minutes to an hour with a DMM. When the battery
>voltage increases to about 12 volts, I remove them from the charger and
>put them back in the carrying case.
>
>One thing is absolutely accurate: I could use some tips on charging lead-acid
>batteries. The particular ones I have are stamped "Constant Voltage Charge"
>with the ratings "cycle use: 14.6-15.0V and standby use: 13.6-13.8V." Inital
>charge current is rated at 0.88A.
>
> -- Greg KE4DPX

I have two lead-acid batteries: 1) a 12v QUANTUM battery I use with my HT
and 2) a 6v Powerpac+ from W&W Associates in NY (advertised in the ham mags)
I use for my camcorder.  I charge them every monthy or two, usually overnight.
I don't worry about overcharging.  The instructions for the QUANTUM advise
not to leave the battery on the charger for more than three days.  Outside
of being somewhat heavy, they really hold a charge  and they are ready to go
whenever I need them, unlike the three NiCad battery packs for my HT.  Also,
it is really nice not to have to worry about a battery going dead when I
am engaged in a day-long ham communication activity or taping something.

If I remember the instructions for both batteries, the recommendation is to
recharge them after every use, no matter how much or little they were used.



73,

John, WB9VGJ

################################################################
# John L. Broughton      snail mail: Room 1K-324               #
# AT&T                               1200 E. Warrenville Rd.   #
#                                    P.O. Box 3045             #
#                                    Naperville, IL 60566-7045 #
#                                    [phone]            #
#                            e-mail: [e-mail]  #
#                                    att!john.l.broughton      #
#                air mail (HF, VHF): WB9VGJ                    #
################################################################

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 14:42:56 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!rsiatl!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: Care and Feeding LARGE Gel-Cells?
To: [e-mail]

In article <2blvfq$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jeff Hite) writes:
>I have come into possession of 3 large 12v gell cells, manufactured by Best
>with a part# bata-048. Could someone point me to a good source for
>building/buying a charger for these. Also any specs that are available would be
>appreciated.

Try Pep Boys, or any of the other chain automotive stores. They sell a
2 amp trickle charger for $9 that would be perfect for keeping these
boys in top condition. You could also use any of their other chargers,
up to and including the monsters on wheels. Just make sure you don't
overheat the batteries. If you boil a gel cell, you can't replace the
water. (Well you sometimes can with a hypodermic needle, but it's tricky.)

Another note on lead-acid batteries. Don't store these batteries discharged.
They'll sulphate and die. Keep them charged periodically for best life.
If you're shopping at a hamfest or surplus house, bring a meter. Don't
bother with any battery that has a terminal voltage below 10.5 volts.
It *may* accept a charge, but don't count on it.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |"If 10% is good enough | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems | for Jesus, it's good  | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             | enough for Uncle Sam."| emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     | -Ray Stevens          |

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 16:33:09 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!wupost!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!news.nd.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Domestic QSL Strategies
To: [e-mail]

I am a recently-licensed radio amateur and don't have a lot of experience
with QSLing, but on the advice of a few articles I read, I sent out a bunch
of QSLs with stamped, self-addressed envelopes to increase the return rate.
I was surprised to discover that the big problem was not people who
wouldn't reply, but people with bad addresses in the call book. A major
number of QSLs have come back stamped "return to sender," "forwarding order
expired" or something similar.

Obviously, I know now to ask more consistently whether the address in the
callbook is good. But in at least one case, I have asked someone this, been
assured that the callbook address is o.k., and still had my QSL returned by
the post office. Wayne Green claims that many people in the call book are
actually dead, not merely relocated.

So here are my questions:

1. Does it help a lot to use something like the Buckmaster CD ROM in place
of a printed call book, or do a lot of addresses still turn out to be
wrong?

2. The ARRL Operating Manual says that I can't send domestic QSLs to
bureaus for incoming DX QSLs. Does the League, then, maintain a domestic
QSL bureau? Sorry if this is an ignorant question, but the Operating Manual
doesn't mention one, unless I missed something (which is entirely
possible).

3. Suppose that an amateur doesn't even know that his call book address is
invalid. How can I or anyone else let him know, if the whole problem is
that the guy can't be reached? Maybe the League should share the last known
address for ARRL members, but that sounds like a lot of work.

4. Does anyone have any golden advice about how to proceed in such
situations?

TNX DE N9SQE

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

Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 19:36:47 GMT
From: news.cerf.net!pagesat!olivea!charnel!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!darwin.sura.net!udel!gvls1![e-mail]
Subject: FOR SALE: MFJ 1278 TNC (Multi mode data controller)
To: [e-mail]

Posted for a friend - send all replies to the address below:


  FOR SALE: MFJ 1278 TNC (Multi mode data controller)

           Includes RTTY, Packet, Amtor, SSTV, Navtex, CW, FAX, more.

           List: $299.95    Now: $175.00

           Two units are available (I currently own 3 units ;-). All
           are in new condition with manuals, cables and AC adapter.

  Please contact me voice at 215-775-8352 or e-mail at rehab1![e-mail]
  (also [e-mail] will work).

  -Dan Schein

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

Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 15:20:18 GMT
From: library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!news.claremont.edu!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!gatech!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!news.ecn.bgu.edu!siemens![e-mail]
Subject: GAP Eagle DX-VI Problems
To: [e-mail]

In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jim Kurdzo) writes:

Jim

I hate to tell you this but I have an GAP DX-VI and I have the same problems
just about.  A friend for mine also has the same problems.  I have spent many
hours trying to understand the problem with my GAP and have started to make
modifications to it.  First let me give you my test results which were done
with a new MJF 249 SWR analizer.



 40M VSWR Center  7.06 MH
  Low 2:1  6.87 MH
  Hi 2:1  7.25
  2:1 endpoints 6.8 Mh - 7.2 Mh

 20 M
  14.0 Mh  1.8 SWR
  14.1  1.7
  14.2  1.7
  14.3  1.6
  14.4  1.5
  2:1 Endpoints 13.8 Mh to 18.7 MH

 17M
  18.068 Mh 1.6 SWR
  18.168  1.6

 15 M
  21.0 MH  1.2 SWR
  21.1  1.6
  21.2  1.8
  21.3  2.2
  21.4  2.5
  21.45  2.6
  2:1 Endpoints 20.5Mh to 21.2

 12 M
  24.89 MH 1.1 SWR
  24.99  1.0

 10M
  28.0 Mh  1.0 SWR
  28.1  1.1
  28.2  1.5
  28.3  1.7
  28.4  2.3
  28.5  2.5
  28.6  2.6
  28.7  2.9
  28.8  3.0
  2:1 Endpoints 27.7Mh to 28.3


I have made modifications to the 12M tunig with great results.  I have hope
for the 10 M so that I can use the total 600 kc bandwidth by tuning it a little.

For 15 meters I will start making the tuning rod shoter this weekend.

I don't know what I am going to do about 40 and 20 meters

One thing I have found is that the SWR gets prity low (less that 1.5) but that
point is not always in the ham bands.

My antenna is on a 10 foot pole in my backyard. I run 170 feet of Belden 8214 coax.

I was not expecting these problems as I though is was a plug and play antenna.  Besides
I do not have an antenna tuner.  I must say if I had to do it all over again I would
by an R7 instead.


Dave Post
WA2QIK
[e-mail]
Princeton, NJ


>    Recently I purchased a GAP Eagle DX-VI vertical HF antenna.  The
>10, 12, and 15 meter bands give very good SWR readings.  However, I'm
>having problems with 17, 20, and 40.  All three bands have unacceptably
>high SWR readings.  On 40, the GAP seems to resonate up near the top
>of the band (rather than in the middle).  On 20 and 17, the SWR doesn't
>seem to vary much with frequency.

>    I have called the guys at GAP three times now.  They have given
>me many suggestions, but none of them have worked.  I've tried the
>antenna on the ground as well as on my roof.  I've tried 3 different
>types (and lengths) of coax.  The antenna appears to work better on
>the ground, by the way.  There are no large metal objects nearby.
>They keep telling me "If it's assembled correctly, and nothing nearby
>is coupling to it, it will work".

>    Has anyone else out there bought one of these and got it to work?
>Does anyone know the theory behind this antenna?  There is a capacitor
>at the top of the antenna.  The guy at GAP said this cap could be changed
>to change the center of 40m coverage.  Has anyone else had to do this?

>    Please share any of your GAP experiences (good OR bad) with me.

>Thanks,

>--

>Jim Kurdzo   AA1GZ
>General DataComm
>Middlebury, CT  06762-1299
>[phone] x6443
>[e-mail]

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

Date: 8 Nov 1993 23:01:27 GMT
From: yeshua.marcam.com!wrdis02.robins.af.mil![e-mail]
Subject: Installing in Isuzu Amigo
To: [e-mail]

John Reed ([e-mail]) wrote:
: Hi All....

: I've recently bought an Isuzu Amigo, and the vehicle has little room under
: the dash to mount a stack of radios....(it's got plenty for ONE).  Mine did
: not come with the center console so I was thinking of mounting a stack rack
: or something in the middle and put all my stuff in it...(I'll have 4 rigs,
: 10,2,220,440).   I see no problems with that, or antenna considerations....

: The question to the group is will there be any RFI problems with radios vs
: the motor???   Anyone else having any problems with a rig in an amigo?  I've
: been using an HT with external antenna for some time in it for no problems,
: but that is only 5 watts.  The dealer said (not in writing, dammit) that I
: will have no problems with radio installations....and there's nothing warning
: against it in my owner's manual....

: So waddya say???

: John Reed, n4tii
: [e-mail]


Gee, John, I didn't know you were having PROBLEMS installing
everything in the vehicle.  I've got two suggestions:

(1)  Why don't you just trade your rigs for a real tri-bander (Kenwood
makes one, and Icom does too, and even Yaesu).

(2)  You shoulda thought about this BEFORE you bought a small
chick-magnet sporty jeep-look-alike.

Questions:

(1)  Where's the motor on this Amigo?  Under the vehicle/between the
seats?  It should not have any effect on the rigs if it's where normal
motors go (under the hood in front).  I installed my rig (gee, I only
have one in my vehicle) in my Jeep Cherokee and it has no problems.

(2)  Where do the antennae go on this rag-top?  I think it's a rag-top
at least (I don't remember).

Conclusion:

You've really got nothing to lose by trying to mount everything
wherever you wang (and it fits).  Why don't you bring the thing down
here and have us REACT members do it for you???

-- Steve KD4YLB (ALMOST at 5WPM).  ... - . ...- .

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 14:28:14 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: question about Rohn 25 tower sections
To: [e-mail]

I have the opportunity to pick up 4 10 ft sections of Rohn 25 tower for $100.
They're 25 years old, and have been sitting in a garage for the last
18 years. They spent the first 7 years in a free-standing configuration,
no house brackets, no guys. The seller told me the tower has had 2 men
on top with no problem, and it lived through 2 hurricanes during the 7
years.

My questions are:

 1. What are the chances that the bottom section, or any other
    sections were weakened enough over 7 years to yield the tower
    unsafe given the lack of secure installation?

 2. What signs can I look for that will indicate damage?

Some hints received via my local 2-mtr repeater:

 1. Rohn suggests 30 ft max for free-standing so 40 ft might
    be OK, call Rohn (which I plan on doing).

 2. Look for egg shaped bolt holes.

 3. Look for twisting.

      Thanks and 73,
      Scott, WA2CJT
--
Scott Ginsburg            Voice: 508-436-3836
Wellfleet Communications  Internet: [e-mail]
2 Federal St.             Amateur Radio: WA2CJT
Billerica, MA 01821       Packet: wa2cjt@n0ary.#nocal.ca.usa.na

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

Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 19:31:33 GMT
From: rd1.InterLan.COM!sun1.interlan.com![e-mail]
Subject: Ten-Tec Triton IV???
To: [e-mail]

If anyone knows anything about this old Ten-Tec rig ... please drop me
a line ... I have some questions about them ...

Thanks,

Victor Tavernini
Racal-Datacom, Inc.

[e-mail]

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 03:28:42 GMT
From: ogicse!uwm.edu!news.moneng.mei.com!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: What is the latest vers of CT?
To: [e-mail]

And will it work with my Kenwood TS-850 via the serial interface?

Len Popyack wf2v
[e-mail]

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 15:34:49 GMT
From: ogicse!uwm.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!yuma![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <9311081152.AA32868@swmis>, <2blsrf$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: characteristic impedance-Correction

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Galen Watts) writes:
>In article <2blsrf$[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>>[> The characteristic impedance of a line is given by the formula
>>[>  Zo = 138Log (d2/d1)
>>[> where d2/d1 is the ratio of the respective diameters of the inner and
>>[>outer
>>This formula only works for a particular dielectric.
>>73 de Jack,, K9CUN
>The particular dielectric being air.  This also only works for a coaxial
>cable.  For a twin-lead typ line, with an air dielectric,
> Zo=138 log(2S/d)
>I can't find the book right now, but I believe if you multiply the
>impedances found in these equations by the dielectric constant of whatever
>the diel. is, you'll get the impedance.
>Galen, KF0YJ

NOOOOOOOO, you divide the Zo obtained by the square root of the dielectric
constant.

I got too many books in too many places,
Galen, KF0YJ

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 14:45:10 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!concert!inxs.concert.net!elvis.concert.net![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <2b3b7g$[e-mail]>, <2b3vh2$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>s.
Subject : Re: Repeater Trivia Question.

In article <[e-mail]>,
Jeff Herman <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
>Ah yes, that was Art Gentry's repeater. I can still hear Millie's (W6MEP)
>sweet voice on the tape I.D.: ``This is the Los Angeles Repeater - K6MYK,
>Mount Lee, Hollywood'', once every 10 minutes or so.
>[...]

This reminds me...

When I was growing up in Chattanooga, TN, (early/mid '70s) I remember this
repeater ID over my dad's mobile (which I now have but doesn't work 8-( ):

"This is Ada - WB4ADA"

Totally irrelevant, it just brought back a memory...

73 de KC4WEJ,
Derrick

P.S.  That mobile is an Icom 230, and it looks like the power module's blown.
Anybody out there got one for chop that would like to part with it?

--
Limbaugh Watch for Tuesday November 09, 1993:
- Day 294 (314 if Rich/Dead) of "America Held Hostage" (aka the "Raw Deal")
- The Election was 372 days ago
- 1167 days remain

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

Date: 9 Nov 93 14:29:35 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!rsiatl!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <2blvdg$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: Radio Shack HTs

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John Reed) writes:
>[e-mail] (Gary Coffman) writes:
>>In article <2blvdg$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Matthew B Cravit) writes:
>>>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] () writes:
>>>>Possible stupid question: who makes the HTX-202?
>>Well they say "Made in Korea for Tandy Corp", so I don't think Icom
>>is involved. I heard they were made by the same company that makes
>>their scanners.
>There was a guy on here who posted a nice blurb on the radio shack HT's.
>The rig, he said, was made by Maxon for radio shack, under license and design
>of Icom....so essentially...it's an ICOM....the display, layout, battery and
>mic connections kinda imply this....

Using Icom accessories was a smart move regardless of who designed
the radio. Anyone know if Maxon is a Korean company?

>(Still got that HT?)

No John, I finally found a suck^H^H^H^H customer for it. Got the
full $15 asking price too. :-) (Working Standard 146 for those
who're wondering.)

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |"If 10% is good enough | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems | for Jesus, it's good  | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             | enough for Uncle Sam."| emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     | -Ray Stevens          |

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1328
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