QRZ! Ham Radio 3/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 3.iso/digests/infoham/931525.txt

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Date: Thu, 30 Dec 93 19:30:06 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1525
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Thu, 30 Dec 93       Volume 93 : Issue 1525

Today's Topics:
                         CW WAIVERS (2 msgs)
           Info sought on KLM Echo-70 432 ssb rig (2 msgs)
                                Novice
                        QSLROUTE ftp address?
                    VK2 Council meeting, 17 Dec 93
                   Who Makes Wideband RF Modules??

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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: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 20:48:53 GMT
From: qualcomm.com!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsrelay.iastate.edu!news.iastate.edu![e-mail]
Subject: CW WAIVERS
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (joe gregor) writes:

>There you have it 3 against 4 for code being an important part of ham radio.
>
>I believe important parts should be requirements. I realize that in America
>today everything is right given at birth but I believe that no
>accomplishment has meaning if it did not require EFFORT. Ham radio has grown
>in NUMBERS as a
>result of the no code license but how about QUALITY ?

Mostly, I agree.  Morse code is an important part of ham radio, but it isn't
*the* most important part of it.  That is why I feel the current code tests
are obsolete.  I support the idea of making it part of the written test.  Say,
the first ten questions.  (Maybe even add more regualtions and theory, too, if
you are a supporter of increased theory tests.)  Then, it would be as much of
a requirement as any of the other modes.  Also, not passing all the code
questions would not disqualify you automatically like it does now.

The specifics need to be worked out, but I think we have the start of a good
plan.  Now, we must decide how to do it, and what we want to include.  To keep
with the ITU treaty, maybe we would need to continue to keep a separate 5wpm
(or comparablly slow speed) test, but drop it when the treaty changes.  This
would keep us from breaking the treaty anymore than we are now (*sending* is
also required in the treaty), and cut down on objections.

Anything else we need?  I'd be interested in more (civil) input...

73, Will
--
Will Turner,  N0RDV      ---------------------------------------------
[e-mail]     | "Are you going to have any professionalism, |
[e-mail]    | or am I going to have to beat it into you?" |
[e-mail]    ---------------------------------------------

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

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 23:10:28 GMT
From: swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: CW WAIVERS
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (joe gregor) writes:
>>[somebody wrote]
>>>I recognize it as a nearly obsolete mode that is primarily still alive
>>>for sentimental reasons.
>>
>I have given this a great deal of thought and have formed the following
>opinion.
>
>The original purpose of Ham Radio was to provide a cadre of experienced
>radio operators to be available in times of local and/or national emergencies.
>I can envision times and situations where some crude form of code (morse)
>would be the only mode available. For this reason alone code should be a
>requirement.

I can envision times when being able to do open heart surgery might be
vital too, but the AMA doesn't require every doctor to pass a practical
test in heart surgery. In any *plausible* local emergency, FM voice will
be the primary respondent, as it has been for quite some time now. Short
of nuclear war, there's unlikely to be a *national* emergency requiring
amateur aid. Check your supplies down in the fallout shelter. :-)

>Another purpose was to promote innovation and experimentation. To forever
>write off any idea (or mode of operation) is to lose a thread that may
>someday lead to greater things.

Morse has had 146 years to be innovative. By that argument, we should
require auto manufacturers to put buggy whip holders on all their cars.
You never know when it might be innovative to hitch a pair of mules to
the old heap. :-)

Note, I'm not saying Morse is worthless. It makes a fine repeater IDer,
and knowing Morse can be *convienent* in that you don't have to write
down the dits and dahs and look them up in a chart to see who that odd
signal you just heard belongs to. But it's unlikely that Morse itself
will lead to further innovation.

>Third is enjoyment. I don't know if enjoyement is can really be considered a
>purpose but it certaily is a reason. You shouldn't force someone to enjoy a
>certain thing simply because you do, however. One against the code requirement.

Yep. Nothing wrong with enjoyment, but it's not a valid reason for a
*requirement*.

>A fourth reason, though not one you here about very much today, is to preserve
>the history of radio. In this morse code most definitely has a place.

Historic preservation is not a basis or purpose of the amateur service.
The Army doesn't require it's infantrymen to qualify with the Brown Bess
before being issued M16s just because the old musket has historic ties
to the military.

>There you have it 3 against 4 for code being an important part of ham radio.

Looks like 4 to zip against it being a requirement to me.

>I believe important parts should be requirements. I realize that in America
>today everything is right given at birth but I believe that no
>accomplishment has meaning if it did not require EFFORT. Ham radio has grown
>in NUMBERS as a
>result of the no code license but how about QUALITY ?

Well an amateur license is a permit to enter a lifelong LEARNING process.
We don't expect you to translate the Latin Bible into the vulgate before
allowing you into the language lab. But we do expect you to know enough
not to strangle yourself with the headset cord. We don't expect you to
have three Nobel Prizes in astrophysics before we let you look through
a telescope. But we do expect you to know enough not to shine a flashlight
in other people's eyes. Aside from demonstrating you know how to avoid
sticking yourself in the eye with the sharp end of the rubber ducky,
electrocuting yourself or others, or interfering with critical safety
services, entrance into the amateur radio learning environment should be
as open as possible. Tests are otherwise irrelevant. It's hoped that you'll
expend EFFORT all your life in learning new things by *doing* new things
(including learning and working CW if that strikes your fancy). That's the
only relevant test, the one you pass or fail every day of your life. If you
sit on the bottom end of 20 working CW the rest of your life, you've failed
regardless of what government tests you may have passed.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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

Date: 30 Dec 1993 22:36:12 GMT
From: europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!news.dtc.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!icon.rose.hp.com!hpchase.rose.hp.com!stan@@library.ucla.edu
Subject: Info sought on KLM Echo-70 432 ssb rig
To: [e-mail]

Does anyone know much about the above rig. A local ham has one for $150.
Physically it's in great shape but I don't kow how good a radio it is.
It appears to cover 432.0 to 432.5 and 435.0 to 435.5 from examing the
dial. Is it useable for satellite and dometic work? Does it drift much?

stan

--
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Stan Witherspoon     N6SCE                 -             Disclaimer         -
- Systems Technology Div. of Hewlett Packard - These are my personal opinions -
- 8010 Foothills Blvd.                       - and do not represent the views -
- Roseville Ca. 95678  [phone]        - of anyone or anything else.    -
- Email: ucbvax!hplabs!hprpcd!stan or [e-mail]                 -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 23:49:06 GMT
From: swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: Info sought on KLM Echo-70 432 ssb rig
To: [e-mail]

In article <2fvl4s$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Stan Witherspoon) writes:
>Does anyone know much about the above rig. A local ham has one for $150.
>Physically it's in great shape but I don't kow how good a radio it is.
>It appears to cover 432.0 to 432.5 and 435.0 to 435.5 from examing the
>dial. Is it useable for satellite and dometic work? Does it drift much?

This is a very old rig, one of the first, if not the first, solid state
70cm SSB rigs. It came out in time for the early amateur satellites. It's
not a great radio by today's standards. It does drift, and the front end
isn't that good either. Still, at $150, or less if you can talk him down,
it can serve for mode B. I don't think it would be too good for mode J or L,
but might be usable with a good preamp.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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

Date: Fri, 31 Dec 93 00:01:23 GMT
From: swrinde!sgiblab!spool.mu.edu!news.clark.edu!netnews.nwnet.net!serval!eecs.wsu.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Novice
To: [e-mail]

Hi,

I have some questions that I think some of you could answer, and I
would appreciate any help you can give me.
My wife's sister just married somebody from Norway and they are
moving there in January. Obviously, it is quite expensive to
talk vi Ma Bell, and so her family asked me to look into the
feasiblility of using shortwave to converse. Being an electrical
engineer, I am quite fascinated with the idea, however I have
no idea how to get started and if it is even workable.

Could someone let me know who feasable this is? I have done
some research into the liscensing aspects, so I am more
interested in the start-up costs, reliability and such.
Pleas feel free to email me at.

[e-mail]

Thanks

Ron Cormier






Ron Cormier
Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering - EE/ME 53
Washington State University
Pullman, WA  99163
Phone: [phone] - Office
       (509)-334-7647 - Home
[e-mail]

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

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 19:09
From: library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!MVS.OAC.UCLA.EDU![e-mail]
Subject: QSLROUTE ftp address?
To: [e-mail]

Could someone tell me the name or IP address of the German
site from which it is possible to FTP "QSLROUTE" updates.
Thanks.
  -- 73 de Chris Thomas, AA6SQ (ex-WA6HTJ) ([e-mail])

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

Date: 31 Dec 93 02:07:01 GMT
From: munnari.oz.au!metro!news.ci.com.au!eram![e-mail]
Subject: VK2 Council meeting, 17 Dec 93
To: [e-mail]

In article <2fps9h$[e-mail]>,
    [e-mail] writes:

| Sounds like the typical ham club meeting here also David,
| so don't be so amazed at the President's actions.

Except that this wasn't an ordinary "club", but a business meeting of
the WIA - Wireless Institute of Australia (NSW Division) - which is part
of Australia's national society...

--
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU)    VK2KFU @ VK2RWI.NSW.AUS.OC     PGP 2.3
[e-mail]           ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave    available

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

Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1993 02:50:32 GMT
From: usc!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!yuma![e-mail]
Subject: Who Makes Wideband RF Modules??
To: [e-mail]

Maybe I should have said '... besides Motorola.'  I have their books,
but who else makes RF amp modules working 10-500 MHz with a few watts
output, and what are their phone numbers for literature?
I got that buildin' bug agin',
Galen, KF0YJ

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

Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1993 00:03:09 GMT
From: swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <2fvl4d$[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: Ramsey kits not too good?

In article <2fvl4d$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Mark Heimmermann) writes:
>Along this same lines, I was wondering what does the ham
>community think about Hamtronics Kits.  We are considering
>them to build a repeater here.

Phptffffffftp!

Their older kits really suck. I hear their newest receivers are
much better, but the transmitters are still spur city unless tuned
*very* carefully with a spectrum analyzer. And their receive converters,
you don't want to know. You'll be happier, and save money, by converting
a Micor or GE Mastr.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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

Date: 30 Dec 1993 15:52:46 -0800
From: news.tek.com!cascade.ens.tek.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: CW WAIVERS

Hi fellow amateurs and wannabees,
 Having followed this discussion concerning morse code for a while I
feel it is time to give my two cents worth.
 The Communication Act of 1934 is what all amateur as well as commercial
radio is based off of throughout the world. It is an international treaty. In
it's beginning it stated that the airwaves were free and clear and noone had
a right to restrict anyone from listening to whatever they wanted to. Thomas
Jefferson would have loved it. Being that we needed to regulate who operated
where it was agreed to set aside certain frequencies for certain types/modes/
etc. of operation. Certain assumptions were made about certain frequencies
that have since been proven wrong. Like 40 meters being a band that you could
have amateur radio in one region and shortwave broadcast in another region
and they would not interfere. Anyone try to operate 40 meters after sundown
and try to compete with Radio Moscow, etc.
 It is my understanding that the existance of amateur radio is based on
the 1934 treaty. Yes, amateur radio came along before it but any leagle reason
for amateur radio to exist is tied to the Communications Act of 1934.
 One of the requirement set up was that any amateur radio operator had
to demonstrait a proficiency in morse code. It is my understanding that it
does not say how fast you have to copy or send. But being an old Army Security
Agency fella I know no one really know morse code as a language till they are
able to copy it above about 10 words/groups per minute. Flame all you want
but having spent a year at Fort Devens, Mass. trying to learn the code with
a couple of thousand other soldiers teaches you something about it.
 It is my belief that AT&T, Bell, Commercial Broadcasters, Shortwave
Broadcaster, etc. would like to do everything they could to get the valuable
frequency allocations now assigned to amateur radio. Does anyone want to flame
that one. The less united in a common front the amateur radio community is
the more likely that we will lose spectrum alocation to other interest.
 Have you noticed now how the Congress of the United States has passed
legislation making it illegle(sp) to monitor cellular phones. How does that
fly in the face of the act of 1934 saying the airwave are free and clear for
anyone who wants to to listen to. You can go on and cite how satilite broadcast
interest try to get legislation passed to restrict people from monitoring their
broadcast without paying for it. I am sure people in this news group can cite
more examples than I can.
 The point really is that if you want to change the spectrum alocation
of amateur radio you better come to a mutual concensis and not polarize your-
selves into procode/nocode groups because the commercial interest have the
money to exploit your devision to their advantage. How many times have we
heard(sp) it said that there probably won't be any amateur radio by the year ....
 As for me, I really don't operate morse code. I like contesting, DXing,
ragchewing with DX stations, and a few other things. I think 2 meters is mostly
a bunch of people telling eachother hi/the weather is such and such/bye. But...
that is what they like and I don't have to listen to it if I don't want to. I
can change the frequency. I might be inclined to say morse code gets too much
spectrum allocation and voice or digital modes(Pactor/RTTY/etc.) doesn't.
But I would rather the amateur radio community settle there problems within
their own community than make such a big deal that the F.C.C. or even Congress
gets in and decides for them. Has anyone seen the Federal Government do anything
right where money interest were concerned? I haven't.
 If you like to operate CW, great. Anyone who thinks you must be some
kind of defect had better take a look in the mirror. Same can be said for
the other modes of operation. I really find it incredible that normally
intelligent hams would say someone is S & M for wanting to operate morse
code. Really, get a life! Do you really believe that or are you just trying
to be a jerk?
 You know, you hear alot of bad operating practices on the airwaves
nowdays. I think it is about time we as amateur radio operators started
educating some people as to how to show courtesy and promote amateur radio
as it is suppose to be. An organization to provide emergency communication
when needed and to promote international good will. Also, to teach people
about radio and electronics. Not put someone down because they want to
work morse code, or DX, or run traffic, or whatever. I sure do miss the
way hams used to talk about their stations back in the 60's. You used
to be able to learn alot by just listening. I know, I didn't get my license
till 1977 but I listened as far back as 1964 or so.
 Well, go ahead and flame away. You got the right. It is called Freedom
of Speech. But think a minute about how it would be nice to hear something
more positive and constructive concerning how to improve amateur radio. Also,
for amateur radio to have a viable future it needs to be able to try new
modes and schemes and such.
 ...For what it is worth, my two cents worth...

KI7M
Terry Burge

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

Date: 30 Dec 1993 16:35:57 -0600
From: destroyer!news.cic.net!news.plexus.com!news.plexus.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>-m
Subject : Re: Ramsey kits not too good?

Along this same lines, I was wondering what does the ham
community think about Hamtronics Kits.  We are considering
them to build a repeater here.

73 de kf9cs...appleton,wi...

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

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 21:31:02 GMT
From: library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: UK scanner & Cops

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>> Well I have recently heard news accounts where federal agents sent announcements
>> in the mail to the last known addresses of a list of criminals saying,
>> "Congradulations, you are the lucky winner in our drawing..."  A whole swarm
>> of these guys showed up, produced ID, and were immediately handcuffed.
>>
>> There is something in all this that really bothers me about a system that
>> would allow it's police force, those we hire to enforce laws dealing with
>> honesty, to lie, to commit fraud, to do what ever beyond the law, in order
>> to catch criminals, or even to pursuade people to commit a crime so that
>> they can be arrested.
>>
>> --David C. Adams
>
>escape from justice). 4. No crime was commited by the law enforcement officers
>operating the sting as they did not force a person by use of physical threat
>to show up at the sting (the criminals made decision to be greedy, ie: obtain
>a product either by chance or pick it up in person for personal gain rather
>than coerion).

I disagree. Unless the police actually awarded prizes, they were
commiting mail fraud. As long as they awarded the prizes, I don't
have a problem with them arresting the fugitives. What I have a
problem with is the police committing crimes they would arrest
you or me for in the name of law enforcement.

It's illegal to sell drugs, but police do it. It's illegal to
buy stolen goods, but police do it. It's illegal to speed, but
police do it without the required emergency signals. It's illegal
to serve a warrant for a technical tax violation with concussion
grenades, but the BATF did it. It's illegal to murder a woman standing
in the doorway of her home holding her baby, but the FBI HRT did it.

We hire police to uphold the law, not break it. But many police
use all manner of excuses to justify being above the law. Saying
the ends justify the means just doesn't wash any more than "only
following orders" is a legitimate defense for atrocity. Failure
to obey the law makes the police just another armed gang. That
they're nominally "our" gang shouldn't make any difference.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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

Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 23:28:51 GMT
From: swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: Repeater database?

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Willie Smith) writes:
>[e-mail] (Daniel T Senie) writes:
>>The repeater directory does NOT list evrey frequency in use. Many frequencies
>>are used for other purposes than repeaters, yet are sensitive to interference.
>>When you pick a simplex frequency, please keep this in mind!
>
>Wait a minute!  You're saying that the co-ordination data isn't
>readily available, but be careful about picking simplex frequencies?
>Should I check with my local co-ordination body each time I select a
>simplex frequency?  Sure would drop the occupied bandwidth, last time
>I tried to contact the co-ordinators to figure out where to put a
>dedicated packet link they all gave me the NIMBY (Not In My Band ...)
>response.  Of course, they took the better part of a year to even
>respond...

It can get ugly can't it? Still, there are recognized bandplans.
Operating casual simplex in the link subband is anti-social even
though it's not illegal. And putting a link in the recognized
simplex operating segment is nothing short of stupid, not to mention
being impolite. I had a battle with a group who had put their two
meter split site link on the *input* frequency of my 440 repeater.
Now that was both anti-social and dumb to put a link in the middle
of a repeater input segment of a band. We don't even want to talk
about crossbanded rigs popping up everywhere without timeout timers,
IDers, or any other sense of legality.

Coordinating bodies have had a hard time figuring out what to do about
packet. It's mainly simplex users, so not their problem, yet it also
needs coordinated nodes and links, so it is their problem. What many
of the traditional coordinating bodies have done is put on their
bandplanning hats and set aside a block of spectrum for packet and
turned over the responsibility for coordinating it to a packet group.
That's worked fairly well so far.

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1525
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