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1994-06-04
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33KB
Date: Sun, 19 Dec 93 16:01:51 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu
Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu
Precedence: Bulk
Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1482
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Sun, 19 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1482
Today's Topics:
"Re: Long-play recording"
Baycom Help Please
Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 16 December
Help on USA Ham-prefix !
I'm a "young" enthusiast...
Scanner use in vehicles
Still waiting for license, much lo
subscribe
US License Examinations Scheduled 12/16/93 to 2/14/94
Where are all the young enthusiasts?
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
Send subscription requests to: <Info-Hams-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
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: 19 Dec 93 23:09:59 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: "Re: Long-play recording"
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I've been making unattended HiFi recordings of up to 8-hour duration for
some 8 years now. The secret is VHS HiFi. Just plug your audio into the
external audio input (eliminate the TVI) and you're on your way. The
cheaper VHS HiFi VCRs have automatic volume control on the audio, I got one
with manual audio gain because my application is musical recording. I
normally use T-120 cassettes at the 6-hour speed ($7.97 for 3 at Giant), but
use T-160 ($9.99 for 4 at Price Club) to get 8 hours.
73, Bob w3otc@amsat.org
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 11:40:48 +0000
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!demon!fantom.demon.co.uk!andyh@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Baycom Help Please
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hi to all you Baycom/Packet Radio Experts!,
I am new to amateur radio and have decided to have a go at packet radio.
Unfortunately I have run into some problems.
I am having trouble connecting to my local packet node (STRD21) in Stroud,
Gloucestershire, England. When I do actually manage to connect the link seems
very poor (ie dead slow to respond and unreliable). I feel that if I knew what
the codes appearing in the Baycom monitor window meant, I would be better
placed to sort out the problem.
A typical line appearing would be :
R0 STRD21>G7RKC RR0,F
It's the last bit of the lines (ie RR0,F) that confuse me. Obviously there are
many other codes appearing.
Does anybody have lists of what these codes mean. I would be very grateful
if someone could help. Other general advice would also be most welcome.
Thanking you all in anticipation!
Andy Hall
G7RKC.
andyh@fantom.demon.co.uk
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 22:01:14 MST
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!cs.ubc.ca!scapa.cs.ualberta.ca!adec23!ve6mgs!usenet@ames.arpa
Subject: Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 16 December
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY
16 DECEMBER, 1993
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
(Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data)
SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 16 DECEMBER, 1993
------------------------------------------------------------
!!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 350, 12/16/93
10.7 FLUX=084.5 90-AVG=098 SSN=029 BKI=1434 4433 BAI=019
BGND-XRAY=A4.5 FLU1=7.9E+05 FLU10=1.2E+04 PKI=1334 4434 PAI=019
BOU-DEV=007,051,024,054,056,050,029,029 DEV-AVG=037 NT SWF=00:000
XRAY-MAX= B1.0 @ 1007UT XRAY-MIN= A3.6 @ 2351UT XRAY-AVG= A6.5
NEUTN-MAX= +003% @ 0525UT NEUTN-MIN= -002% @ 2135UT NEUTN-AVG= +0.0%
PCA-MAX= +0.1DB @ 0855UT PCA-MIN= -0.4DB @ 0950UT PCA-AVG= -0.0DB
BOUTF-MAX=55359NT @ 0541UT BOUTF-MIN=55330NT @ 2123UT BOUTF-AVG=55350NT
GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT G7-AVG=+046,+000,+000
GOES6-MAX=P:+114NT@ 1333UT GOES6-MIN=N:-062NT@ 0439UT G6-AVG=+072,+027,-030
FLUXFCST=STD:087,089,090;SESC:087,089,090 BAI/PAI-FCST=012,010,020/012,010,022
KFCST=3334 2221 3333 2211 27DAY-AP=020,009 27DAY-KP=3622 3433 3411 2222
WARNINGS=
ALERTS=
!!END-DATA!!
NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 15 DEC 93 was 42.6.
The Full Kp Indices for 15 DEC 93 are: 2o 2+ 3o 3- 3o 2- 2- 1o
SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY
--------------------
Solar activity remained very low. New Region 7637
(N08W05) emerged rapidly and is now a small D-class group.
A strong arch filament system is visible there. Region 7635
(N03E51) remained stable. A recent magnetogram shows mixed
polarities in the plage field of this region.
Solar activity forecast: solar activity should be very
low. If growth continues in Region 7637, small C-class
bursts should begin to occur.
The geomagnetic field was quiet until approximately 0500Z
when a coronal hole related disturbance began. Mid-latitudes
were predominantly active after that time. Planetary indices
were also in the active category but some high latitude
stations experienced minor to major storm conditions in the
latter half of the period.
Geophysical activity forecast: the geomagnetic field
should be generally unsettled on 17 Dec with active
conditions probable during local nighttime. Mostly
unsettled levels are forecast for 18 Dec. Active conditions
are expected to return on 20 Dec as a result of the filament
disruption noted yesterday. The timing and severity of
filament related disturbances are difficult to forecast.
Event probabilities 17 dec-19 dec
Class M 05/05/05
Class X 01/01/01
Proton 01/01/01
PCAF Green
Geomagnetic activity probabilities 17 dec-19 dec
A. Middle Latitudes
Active 30/15/30
Minor Storm 20/05/20
Major-Severe Storm 05/01/05
B. High Latitudes
Active 30/15/30
Minor Storm 20/05/20
Major-Severe Storm 05/01/10
HF propagation conditions were below-normal over the high
and polar latitude paths, particularly following the arrival of
the coronal-hole related disturbance noted above. Conditions
since then have been generally poor with very poor conditions
being occasionally noted over the high and polar latitude
night-sector paths. Middle and lower latitudes have remained
near-normal. Similar conditions are expected over the next
three to four days, through 19 or 20 December.
COPIES OF JOINT USAF/NOAA SESC SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL REPORTS
========================================================
REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 16/2400Z DECEMBER
-----------------------------------------------------------
NMBR LOCATION LO AREA Z LL NN MAG TYPE
7635 N03E50 274 0050 CSO 03 003 BETA
7637 N08W06 330 0040 DSO 05 006 BETA
7632 N05W21 345 PLAGE
7636 N14W11 335 PLAGE
REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 17 DECEMBER TO 19 DECEMBER
NMBR LAT LO
7628 S21 233
LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 16 DECEMBER, 1993
-------------------------------------------------------
BEGIN MAX END RGN LOC XRAY OP 245MHZ 10CM SWEEP
NONE
POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 16 DECEMBER, 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------
BEGIN MAX END LOCATION TYPE SIZE DUR II IV
NO EVENTS OBSERVED
INFERRED CORONAL HOLES. LOCATIONS VALID AT 16/2400Z
---------------------------------------------------
ISOLATED HOLES AND POLAR EXTENSIONS
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH CAR TYPE POL AREA OBSN
53 S46W13 S50W21 S15W69 S15W69 010 ISO NEG 021 10830A
54 S16E75 S16E75 S05E64 S01E69 262 ISO POS 001 10830A
SUMMARY OF FLARE EVENTS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------
Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn 2695 MHz 8800 MHz 15.4 GHz
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ --------- --------- ---------
15 Dec: 0102 0106 0114 B3.5
0652 0701 0705 B6.5
1049 1055 1059 B2.9
REGION FLARE STATISTICS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------
C M X S 1 2 3 4 Total (%)
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- ------
Uncorrellated: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 003 (100.0)
Total Events: 003 optical and x-ray.
EVENTS WITH SWEEPS AND/OR OPTICAL PHENOMENA FOR THE LAST UTC DAY
----------------------------------------------------------------
Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn Sweeps/Optical Observations
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ ---------------------------
NO EVENTS OBSERVED.
NOTES:
All times are in Universal Time (UT). Characters preceding begin, max,
and end times are defined as: B = Before, U = Uncertain, A = After.
All times associated with x-ray flares (ex. flares which produce
associated x-ray bursts) refer to the begin, max, and end times of the
x-rays. Flares which are not associated with x-ray signatures use the
optical observations to determine the begin, max, and end times.
Acronyms used to identify sweeps and optical phenomena include:
II = Type II Sweep Frequency Event
III = Type III Sweep
IV = Type IV Sweep
V = Type V Sweep
Continuum = Continuum Radio Event
Loop = Loop Prominence System,
Spray = Limb Spray,
Surge = Bright Limb Surge,
EPL = Eruptive Prominence on the Limb.
** End of Daily Report **
------------------------------
Date: 16 Dec 1993 01:08:05 GMT
From: juniper.almaden.ibm.com!enge.almaden.ibm.com!enge@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Help on USA Ham-prefix !
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <89@ame.win.net>, Peter S. Loveall <psl@ame.win.net> wrote:
>
>Today, our call signs are still issued by area. The following
>shows how the new call signs are issued based on license class:
>
>Novice/Technician: KX9XXX
>Technician Plus/General: N9XXX
>Advanced: W9XXX, KX9XX
>Extra: W9XX, K9XX, N9XX, AX9X, KX9X, NX9X, WX9X, AX9XX
>
One slight change. When a US amateur upgrades, he/she does NOT have to
change calls to the higher class. There are Extra Class licensees in
the KX9XXX series.
Roy Engehausen, AA4RE
enge@almaden.ibm.com
------------------------------
Date: 17 Dec 1993 17:46:16 GMT
From: mel.dit.csiro.au!its.csiro.au!dmssyd.syd.dms.CSIRO.AU!dmsperth.per.dms.CSIRO.AU!uniwa!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!msuinfo!uwm.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!sdd.hp.com!col.hp@munnari.oz.au
Subject: I'm a "young" enthusiast...
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Scott Richard Rosenfeld (ham@wam.umd.edu) wrote:
: I'm 24. I just recently celebrated the 9th anniversary of getting my
: license in the mail. I was always inclined to experiment with electronics,
: and I had my shortwave when I was 12, but...
I'm 26 and celebrating my 7th anniversary. The Ham club at Cal Poly San
Luis Obispo really helped me find my way through college as well.
Don't be sad, Ham radio is not on its last legs. We will continue the
hobby!
--
*********************************************************************
* John P. Flowers _\|/_______________________ *
* johnf@scd.hp.com /|\ We can tell how *
* HP Santa Clara Division far gone you are! *
* Laser R&D *
* My aunt gave me a walkie-talkie for my birthday. She says if *
* I'm good, she'll give me the other one next year 73 de N6NQW *
*********************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: 9 Dec 93 15:46:41 GMT
From: ddsw1!indep1!clifto@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Scanner use in vehicles
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <2e684o$mkc@bambam.cts.mtu.edu> tomiii@mtu.edu (Thomas Dwyer III) writes:
>Last time I checked my local library's 1992 (or was it 1991?)
>copy of "Michigan Statutes Annotated" the law specifically
>excluded "...conditional, general, advanced, and extra" class
>licenses from the law. Hmm...conditional -- can we replace this
>word with "technician" or not?
Considering that the Conditional class license was a General class
license given to people living more than 150 miles from the nearest FCC
office (when FCC offices were the only place you could take an exam) by
volunteer examiners, it probably wouldn't be a good idea. :-)
--
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Cliff Sharp | clifto@indep1.chi.il.us OR clifto@indep1.uucp |
| WA9PDM | Use whichever one works |
+------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Date: 17 Dec 93 21:42 PST
From: sgi!cdp!corwin@ames.arpa
Subject: Still waiting for license, much lo
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
So just how long is normal license processing? I passed my no-code
technician on Oct. 16 and have heard nary a peep. Is this a normal
length of time to wait? Or should I just cool my jets?
Cheers,
Corwin Nichols
call sign pending............ nope not yet......... still waiting......
------------------------------
Date: 19 Dec 93 22:15:19 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: subscribe
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
SUBSCRIBE
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 10:43:05 MST
From: sdd.hp.com!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!cs.ubc.ca!scapa.cs.ualberta.ca!adec23!ve6mgs!usenet@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: US License Examinations Scheduled 12/16/93 to 2/14/94
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
AMATEUR RADIO EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITIES
*****************************************************************
Special Note: Amateur Radio licenses usually arrive between 8 and
10 weeks after the test session. The FCC considers their
processing time to be 90 days--from the date they receive the
application. The FCC usually receives the application one
to two weeks after the test session (once the VE Team and the
coordinating VEC have completed their processing).
Note: Codeless Technician to Technician w/HF upgraders (who pass a
Morse code test) will not receive a new license from the FCC.
The existing Technician license plus the CSCE conveying the Morse
code test credit is the only documentation issued for use of
the additional HF privileges.
*****************************************************************
The following test session information is provided by the
ARRL/VEC for the upcoming six to eight week period. For
further information, please contact the test session CONTACT
PERSON at the telephone number provided. If necessary, you
may contact the ARRL/VEC at 203-666-1541 x282 for additional
information. Electronic mail may be forwarded to the ARRL/VEC
via USENET at "bjahnke@arrl.org" or via MCI Mail to
MCI ID: 215-5052.
Although the test session information presented here does
not indicate whether walk-ins are accepted or not, most test
sessions do allow walk-ins. We encourage you, however, to
always contact the CONTACT PERSON at the telephone number
provided so that the VE Team is aware that you be attending
the test session.
STILL NEED TO PREPARE FOR YOUR EXAM?
If you would like information on how to become licensed; or
how to locate Amateur Radio clubs, instructors, licensing
classes and/or Novice examiners in your area; please contact
the ARRL Educational Activities Department (EAD) at 203-666-
1541 x219. The EAD can also provide information on
recommended study materials. Electronic mail may be forwarded
to the ARRL EAD via USENET at "rwhite@arrl.org" or via MCI Mail to
MCI ID: 215-5052.
EXAM LISTINGS - DEFINITION OF FIELDS
STATE
Test Date,VEC,City,,Contact Phone,Contact Person
The SECOND field in the following listing specifies the VEC
which is coordinating this examination. This single-character
designator denotes the VEC as defined below. An "A" (for example)
indicates that this examination is coordinated by the ARRL/VEC.
For further information on any examinations listed, or if you do not
find any examinations listed for your area, you may contact
any of the coordinating VECs below.
A = ARRL/VEC, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; (d) 203-666-1541
The 1993 Test Fee is $5.60 (1994 test fee will be $5.75).
X = Anchorage ARC, 2628 Turnagain Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99517;
(d) 907-786-8121, (n) 907-243-2221 (or) 907-276-5121
(or) 907-274-5546
C = Central Alabama VEC, 1215 Dale Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801;
205-536-3904
N = Charlotte VEC, 227 Bennett Ln, Charlotte, NC 28213;
704-596-2168
D = Great Lakes ARC VEC Inc., PO Box 273, Glenview, IL 60025;
708-486-8019
E = Golden Empire ARS, PO Box 508, Chico, CA 95927; No phone.
G = Greater Los Angeles ARG, 9737 Noble Ave, Sepulveda, CA 91343;
818-892-2068, 805-822-1473.
J = Jefferson ARC, PO Box 24368, New Orleans, LA 70184-4368; No phone
K = Koolau ARC, 45-529 Nakuluai St, Kaneohe, HI 96744;
808-235-4132
L = Laurel ARC Inc., PO Box 3039, Laurel, MD 20709-0039;
(d) 301-572-5124, 301-317-7819, (n) 301-588-3924
M = The Milwaukee RAC Inc., 1737 N 116th St, Wauwatosa, WI 53226;
414-774-6999. Test fee for 1993 is $5.00.
H = Mountain ARC, PO Box 10, Burlington, WV 26710; 304-289-3576,
301-724-0674
P = PHD ARA Inc., PO Box 11, Liberty, MO 64068; 816-781-7313
R = Sandarc-VEC, PO Box 2446, La Mesa, CA 91943-2446; 619-465-3926
S = Sunnyvale VEC ARC, PO Box 60307, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-0307;
408-255-9000
T = Triad Emergency ARC, 3504 Stonehurst Pl, High Point, NC 27265;
919-841-7576
W = Western Carolinas ARS VEC, 5833 Clinton Hwy - Suite 203,
Knoxville, TN 37912-2500; 615-688-7771.
The 1993 Test Fee is $5.60 (1994 test fee will be $5.75).
5 = W5YI-VEC, PO Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356-5101; 817-461-6443
The 1993 Test Fee is $5.60 (1994 test fee will be $5.75).
EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES:
AUSTRALIA
01/10/94,A,Alice Springs NT,,089-531-305,Maury Hatfield
BELGIUM
01/08/94,A,Stn of Heist-op-den-Berg,,32-1143-9164,Ronald Torfs
GERMANY
01/08/94,A,Wiesbaden,,49-0-67253462,Stephen Hutchins, KN6G
PAPUA NEW GUNIEA
01/23/94,A,Papua New Guinea,,,Kyle Harris KE9TZ - POB 997 - PNG
RUSSIA
01/10/94,A,Moscow,,095-450-3205,Ed Kristky
US VIRGIN ISLANDS
01/08/94,A,St Croix,,809-778-3156,Frank Jaeger
*eof
------------------------------
Date: 17 Dec 1993 11:36:33 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!zaphod.crihan.fr!jussieu.fr!univ-lyon1.fr!elendir@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Where are all the young enthusiasts?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Scott Swanson (sds@cs.brown.edu) wrote:
: I'm 20. Is that young enough to fit in with the "young enthusiast"
And I am 24.
: So why did I pick up my ticket? What's in it for me, especially since
...
: (1) Emergency service. Maybe I'm weird, but I *like* public service,
I don't think it's a weird feeling at all. I also like the idea to be
useful one way or the other. Even if it may be a stronger feeling here,
where we are only 20.000 hams...
: (2) Another place to meet interesting people. Some of the guys (and
: gals, though they are few and far between) that I've met thru
: the hobby are *really* neat and interesting, and I love the
Right. There seems to be (I'm still waiting for my ticket !) a real
nice ambiance. Mostly because everybody trusts everybody. You know the
people you are facing.
(3) Teaching other people electronics basics. Being a Ph-D student in
electronics, I have always been interested in HF. It seems magical, beyond
all the Maxwell equations. It doesn't work, you put your finger on the
transistor X, and it works, and then it stops again ; it doesn't oscillate
on the proper frequency... BF is a bit boring. HF is real fun.
The sole problem I encounter here is the cost of the hobby. HF rigs are
still very expensive, unless you make your owns. And what can a poor student
buy ? Second hand material ? (A good HF TX would cost over $3000)
I have come to the hobby because electronics is really something I *love*
and HF overall. I must almost admit that I was more interested by the pos-
sibility of building my own rigs than chatting on the air, though it's a
cheap and sympathic way to enjoy evenings and nights. There is a whole new
world to explore above the GHz limit, new antennae to design, new devices
to use, and that bandwith... Traditionnal HF is technically dead (more or
less, everything is known) but still wonderful for DXing, whereas the SHF
range is virtually unexplored and really promising. I think we, as new
young hams, have both to perpertuate the tradition, and to pioneer what
the future of radio will be "To boldly go where no man has gone before".
Now, I can seem a bit enthusiastic, and I apologize. I really can't wait
for my ticket.
Vince. (almost 3 weeks and counting - F1J... or F1K...)
------------------------------
Date: 17 Dec 1993 09:34:06 -0800
From: munnari.oz.au!mel.dit.csiro.au!its.csiro.au!dmssyd.syd.dms.CSIRO.AU!dmsperth.per.dms.CSIRO.AU!uniwa!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!msuinfo!agate!apple.com!apple.com!not-for-mail@network.
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <CI116J.M1@news.ci.ua.pt>, <1993Dec15.183758.28248@news.csuohio.edu>, <SDS.93Dec16102219@cslab9f.cs.brown.edu>AU
Subject : Re: Help on USA Ham-prefix !
sds@cs.brown.edu (Scott Swanson) writes:
>I remember it being broken into 4 groups:
>
>Class A: 1x2 and 2x1 (eg, W1AA or WA1A)
>Class B: 2x2 (eg, WA1AA)
>Class C: 1x3 (eg, W1AAA)
>Class D: 2x3 (eg, WA1AAA)
>
>Novices get class Ds, Techs and Generals get class Cs, Advanced get
>class Bs, and Extras get class As -- IF available for that area.
Hey, Derek, they keep leaving us 2x2 out! Are you sure we have
legitimate U.S. Group A calls? :-)
73,
Kok "Alfalfa Alfalfa 6" Chen, AA6TY kchen@apple.com
Apple Computer, Inc.
------------------------------
Date: 16 Dec 93 00:41:18 GMT
From: slinky.cs.nyu.edu!longlast.cs.nyu.edu!jackson@nyu.arpa
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <93342.010910DCR117@psuvm.psu.edu>, <kHXFec2w165w@p-cove.UUCP>, <gregCI2vzn.3Hs@netcom.com>u
Subject : Re: R/C Aircraft
[snip]
|> The TNCs aren't all that big, and I bet he could find a small
|> >radio...
uh oh, I knew I shouldn't have said 'packet'.
|> But the gutted laptop probably wouldn't tolerate the vibration inherent
|> in the aircraft.
why not? even with absorbing mounts? I've seen some pretty high shock
absorbtion figures for hard drives of late.
|> There should be as little behind the telemetry as possible, and it
|> ought to be sent down in as raw a form as possible, and processed
|> by a machine on the ground.
I don't really want to receive anything until the flight is complete.
I just want a motherboard, soundcard (with scsi port) and scsi-2 hard
drive hanging off the soundcard.
|>
|> In fact, why use packet at all? Why not send out a continuous telemetry
|> stream on one frequency/band and listen constantly on another frequency
|> for commands (i.e. full duplex)? Then you don't have to deal with packet
|> switching, collisions at critical moments, T/R switching or anything
|> like that.
I think the full duplex setup is the way to go.
----------------------------
I like all this follow-up discussion.. it's precisely what I was looking for.
A minor tune-up: when I mentioned packet, I should have also mentioned RTTY
or any other non-networked data transmission protocol. I am only interested
in entering commands, such as to control an on-board scanner or to start and
stop digital audio recording, and seeing command-line type output back from
the computer aboard the craft. It doesn't have to be anything complicated.
Say upon request, report how much recording time is left on the hard drive.
Suppose I type "SCAN PRG 1 PRG 155.34 ENT DLY" to run a quick DOS program called
SCAN that would chat with, say, an HF-232 installed in a PRO-2005 and cause
the scanner to monitor one frequency. I could upload an ascii delimited listing
to the craft's computer and run a DOS program to parse the list and program
the scanner. Then send "SCAN SCAN" to start the scanner scanning. Then send
"VOX ON" for obvious reasons.
I'm waiting for the source code from someone who recently wrote a program
that turns his SoundBlaster into a VOX recorder, a program I haven't been
able to find in about four months.
When the craft is on the ground, I could park it in my yard, and send the
craft a command to uuencode and dump the text (audio) to the base computer
via radio. I would obviously use very low power to avoid tying up a frequency
for long periods of time. How fast can ASCII text be sent via the different
computer modes.. a straight comparison of different modes on 2m would be
appreciated. Does the content of a data file being transmitted via
legal amateur equipment constitute illegal use if it isn't exactly related
to amateur radio? I wouldn't want to get into hot water because someone
else might uudecode what I download, even if it is scanner audio.
I just don't want to have to work out an externally accessible diskette drive
and monitor/keyboard port. Think of it as a computer with a wireless remote
keyboard and monitor.
I mentioned to someone in private email that I would be interested in flying
the craft (preferably a heli, but I hear they're really hard to fly) over a
fire or crash scene and record the audio from the on scene units. Especially
since low power xmissions don't propogate too far. I'd rather have a 20
foot antenna receiving data from a 500 foot transmitter instead of a huge,
potentially offensive tower (or driving there.. stuff goes on all around me).
I would also like to see just what else I can't pick up from the ground.
I want to hear ATIS, the tower, ground control and other airport stuff (I live
about eight minutes from EWR Newark, NJ). Also, certain PD's in my area
operate straight simplex. Their mobile units just don't make it to my
house.
Even if the video doesn't work at first, anyone can make up a timer and
tape a wire to an automatic camera and take beautiful shots from the sky.
I was also mainly interested in some type of computer mode transmissions
to get around the 1 watt maximum PEP for r/c transmitters. If the computer
could drive the flight control systems only for high-altitude maneuvering,
then 2m carries a 1500 watt maximum PEP, right? Of course, we won't get
silly and punch it up there, but it's good to know I could be pretty sure
that even if I can't see the craft, it's still taking commands.
That's where the ssb tv interests come in. I have heard in private email
that someone that someone knew has installed a small camera in the nose
of his model plane so he could fly it by looking at a monitor in his
van. With cameras becoming ever smaller, I could tuck one in the "cockpit"
of the helicopter of the size I was imagining.
I've also heard about my size questions. I certainly didn't picture anything
as big as what I've heard about. I pictured a helicopter about four to five
feet long and two feet high. Perhaps a stronger engine than a chainsaw would
be needed to get it off the ground. With a craft that big, I picture a baby
AT motherboard up against one of the outside walls unless the bottom is wide
enough to hold the board flat.
Again, this is preliminary by years..
Please, all your input is terrific. Does this sound fun to anyone yet??
--
Steven Jackson New York University
Assistant to the Chair of Comp Sci Courant Inst. of Mathematical Sciences
jackson@cs.nyu.edu, jcksnste@acfcluster 251 Mercer St, Room 411,NY 10012
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End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1482
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