QRZ! Ham Radio 3/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 3.iso/digests/infoham/940046.txt

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Date: Mon, 17 Jan 94 05:01:14 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #46
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Mon, 17 Jan 94       Volume 94 : Issue   46

Today's Topics:
              73: Solar battery charger article request
                       Advice for first rig(s)
                  Anyone know of a callsign server?
              FM broadcast (Technical aspects) (2 msgs)
                Ham Radio Stores Near NITRO, Virginia
                      MFJ-1214 multimode. Help!
                               Programs
                        Ramsey FX Transceivers
                          Short 160m Dipole
                               swapfest
                         Very Small Receivers
                 WANTED: CALL SIGN SERVER IN INTERNET

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

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: 15 Jan 1994 21:10:01 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.kei.com!bloom-beacon.mit.edu!senator-bedfellow.mit.edu!kame.media.mit.edu![e-mail]
Subject: 73: Solar battery charger article request
To: [e-mail]

I am looking for the November issue of 73, which on page 26 has an
article on building a solar charge controller.  I've looked for the
issue in the libraries in Boston, but none subscribes to 73.  If you
could mail me a copy of the article, or, if you're local, lend me the
issue, I would be most appreciative.

With all the battery powered toys I've acquired -- subnotebook
computer, cellular phone, and maybe soon a scanner and miniature tape
recorder -- I could use a low-powered (~10 watt) charger to keep them
going.  As I understand it, the article describes the construction of
a controller for a solar powered battery charger that fits my needs.

Does anyone know where to get solar panels inexpensively?  Real Goods
(800-762-7325) sells a 10-watt Solarex panel for $149 + shipping,
which seems high to me.

--
John Chang                      [e-mail]
[phone]                 When you have the advantage, get the money out.

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

Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 15:46:30 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!wa4mei.ping.com!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: Advice for first rig(s)
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (David Stockton) writes:
>
>      My answers have been a bit long-winded, and maybe a little
>opinionated, but I hope I've covered all your questions. These are just
>personal opinions, formed by acting as the local rig-fixer for a number
>of years, I hope they help a little.

I was about to post a reply that echoed yours almost word for word
David. You gave sound advice.

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: 17 Jan 94 10:57:44 GMT
From: news.sprintlink.net!crash![e-mail]
Subject: Anyone know of a callsign server?
To: [e-mail]

 Try the following:

 telnet callsign.cs.buffalo.edu port 2000

 As for how to login, I'm really not sure.  Hope this helps.

Apollyon

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

Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 12:35:03 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!nigel.msen.com!yale.edu!newsserver.jvnc.net!raffles.technet.sg!ntuix!ntuvax.ntu.ac.sg!asirene
Subject: FM broadcast (Technical aspects)
To: [e-mail]

chris andersen ([e-mail]) wrote:
: Is it possible for a person with ham or modified ham set up to broadcast
: on the 88-108 Mhz area???

 Funny how a technical question gets so many legal answers. The answer
to chris's question is of course, a yes. Any 2 meter which broadcasts in the
144 to 146 mHz FM should be convertable to broadcast FM work. There are a few
catches thouhg, that these HAM FM units normally use NBFM while broadcast FM
is usually WFM. This can be actually alleviated somewhat if the NBFM modulator
in the TX section allows the deviation to be increased. Then there is also
the output filter section which needs to be modified to accomodate the new
output frequency range which normally means having to add a few more coils to
the output PI filter sections.

 The we get to the actual frequency change part. The changing of the
frequency actually depends on what kind of frequency generation system in being
used in the XCVR. If its a fixed crystal unit such as many older rigs, then its
simply a matter of obtaining the right crystal. I suspect what Chris has in
mind is actually the PLL synthesized handhelds which are more common nowadays.
This may be a bit more complicated because the PLL frequency is often determined
by a programmable divider which is under the control of the on-board micro-
computer. To actually change the PLL section will be quite difficult but if
you really want to be adventurous, you will need to reprogram the EPROM or
microcontroller, or insert your own divider into the PLL circuitry. Another
way of achieving this is to change the crystal reference source which is
much easier but I am not too sure how feasable this is in practice because
the crystal may be used for other things. The plus side of this is that if, and
it is likely that, the RX section also derives its mixer reference from the
crystal, then you can then receive the lower band as well. Unfortunately,
in performing these mods, you lose you transmission ability on 2m.

 There is a third way about this which is to get a 2m rig with a mod
for covering the broadcast FM section (whether RX only or TX/RX mod). Usually
if such a receiver can receive on the band, it can in theory broadcast on it
too with some performance degradation however. I have seen some such mods
around. In case it only receives on the broadcast FM range but does not TX,
then just hunt around for the point to enable the TX logic section and
bypass the computer control for that XCVR and you are home free. Bear in mind
that  it will still be NBFM unless some other mods are performed.

 Another way of getting onto FM which should be possible is to get one
of the mode stable (and powerful) FM mic units and couple it to a decent
power amplifier. This should not be too hard as such an amplifier is
relatively simple to construct but the coupling may be tricky because most
of these FM mics do not have 50 ohm termination and its low output power
may require another driver stage. I suspect there may be no need for
toroids even given the high frequency and a 2N3866 should do nicely for a
driver section and maybe something else for the power section to bring the
output from 50-100 mW to maybe 1-2 watt which should be enough fun for a few
kilometers around the broadcast site. I would not go more than that (to 20-30
watts because then you're going to draw the FCC like flies to shit!

 Meanwhile if anyone can cough up such an amplifier circuit for boosting
the FM mics 15-100 mW output to something like 1-2 watts without too many
ferrite inductors, please mail it to me or post it here just so we know how
complicated such a circuit would be (or how easy). Also remember not to respond
to this with legals responses, just technical would be fine. Oh! and no flames
please. Have fun.

9VG

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

Date: 15 Jan 1994 14:51:26 GMT
From: koriel!newscast.West.Sun.COM!abyss.West.Sun.COM!sunspot![e-mail]
Subject: FM broadcast (Technical aspects)
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>chris andersen ([e-mail]) wrote:
>: Is it possible for a person with ham or modified ham set up to broadcast
>: on the 88-108 Mhz area???
>
> Funny how a technical question gets so many legal answers....

[...]

> Meanwhile if anyone can cough up such an amplifier circuit for boosting
>the FM mics 15-100 mW output to something like 1-2 watts without too many
>ferrite inductors, please mail it to me or post it here just so we know how
>complicated such a circuit would be (or how easy). Also remember not to respond
>to this with legals responses, just technical would be fine. Oh! and no flames
>please. Have fun.

This isn't a flame.  If you want to discuss pirate FM transmitters, why
don't you go to the newsgroup where people *want* to discuss such things.
The correct newsgroup is "alt.radio.pirate".  There may be a way to get
it in digest form.  Posting two pages on how to make a pirate FM
transmitter to rec.radio.amateur.misc is begging for flames regardless
of what you think.


--
 * Dana H. Myers KK6JQ, DoD 466 | Views expressed here are *
 * [phone]   | mine and do not necessarily *
 * [e-mail] | reflect those of my employer *
 * This Extra supports the abolition of the 13 and 20 WPM tests *

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

Date: 17 Jan 94 09:42:38 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Ham Radio Stores Near NITRO, Virginia
To: [e-mail]

Hi,
 Can any one recommend any stores near the above town. A friend is going
there to do some work and wants to look at used HF gear. Dave. G4UGM
<Replies by EMAIL please as I don't subscribe to this list>

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

Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 13:11:07 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!raffles.technet.sg!ntuix!ntuvax.ntu.ac.sg![e-mail]
Subject: MFJ-1214 multimode. Help!
To: [e-mail]

Hi,

 Is there anyone out there with the MFJ-1214 multi-mode computer
interface who can provide me some information on this piece. Also if
anyone knows the programming details or circuit diagram for this unit, I
would appreciate a copy.

Tks, 73 de 9VG Daniel

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

Date: Sat, 15 Jan 94 23:49:18 GMT
From: munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac.nz!gcs.co.nz!amigans![e-mail]
Subject: Programs
To: [e-mail]

       Radio Programs for Amiga..

  Could anyone help me as Im interested in working a Packet Station
  but can not find a TNC Program, Im running a Amiga A600.
  I would be very much appreciated if anyone could help,
  Also Im interested in any other programs to do with ham radio.
  Email to [e-mail]
  Thanks in advance De ZL1MY...

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

Date: 17 Jan 94 02:26:17 GMT
From: world![e-mail]
Subject: Ramsey FX Transceivers
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] writes:

>............ Personally, I got an astounding deal with
>the Norcal 40 QRP xcvr kit that I assembled a few months ago.  High
>performance, easy assembly, looks great on a spectrum analyzer, and good
>support from the distributer.  And it cost me exactly $5.00 more than
>I would have paid for the crappy Ramsey transmitter/receiver pair.

In fairness, you can't compare the prices of Ramsey and Norcal. One's a
business and the other's a non-profit club with volunteer labor.

  howie, wb2cpu

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

Date: 17 Jan 94 03:40:01 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Short 160m Dipole
To: [e-mail]

Text item: Text_1

>What I would like to do is get up a 160m dipole, SHORTENED to the length
>of, say, an 80m dipole so that I could leave it up permanantly.
>Tnx, GD DX and 73's...Peter, G4BVH.

Hi Peter, I've found from my half-vast experience that the shortest
reasonable center-fed dipole is about 3/8 wavelength. "Reasonable" means
a length that won't cause your antenna tuner to object. Here's a rule of
thumb based on the above. The minimum length of the antenna in feet is
close to the wavelength in meters, i.e. for a minimum size 160m dipole,
160 ft. is close. The antenna impedence is lowR-jhighX but not
outside the matching range of most antenna tuners... my 2 cents worth.

73, Cecil, [e-mail]  (I do not speak for Intel)

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

Date: 17 Jan 1994 01:57:16 -0500
From: newshub.nosc.mil!crash!news.sprintlink.net!clark.net!clark.net![e-mail]
Subject: swapfest
To: [e-mail]

     The Maryland Mobileers Amateur Radio Club, Inc. (MMARC) will be
holding a "POST HOLIDAY SWAPFEST" on Sunday, January 30, 1994 at
the Odenton Fire Department Hall located at 1425 Annapolis Road,
(RT-175), Odenton, MD.

     At 10:00 A.M., a Laurel V.E. Testing Session will be held by Jerry
Gavin, NU3D.  For information about the testing program and to pre-
register, please call Jerry at [phone] (anytime).

     At 12:30 P.M., a presentation on packet radio will be given by Joe
Kasser, G3ZCZ, author of several PC Software programs including
"LAN-LINK", a packet terminal program which works with some of the
most popular TNCS, and "WHATS-UP", a tool for experimeenting with
orbital dynamics, telemetry decoding, and display program for
popular amateur spacecraft.

     At 1:15 P.M., an interesting presentation and demonstration will be
given by Bob Bruninga, WB4APR on his shareware software, Automatic
Packet Reporting System (APRS).  He uses his system to track the
U.S. Naval Academy vessels as they move around the Chesapeake Bay
and beyond, and has for the past several years tracked the running
of the Navy Football on its way to the Army vs Navy football game.
APRS utilizes the governments Global Positioning System and packet
radio to bring real time tracking to the amateur radio hobbyist.

TALK-IN: WA3PJQ -- 146.205 input/146.805 output

Club tables, as well as individual tables, are available.  For
SWAPFEST information, or to make your table reservation, please
call Tom Wilkison, KA3OMU at [phone] (evenings).

73 de Bill/WA3SCW @ WB3V

ARRL MDC Bulletin Manager

Inquiries to me at my email address.
[e-mail]

                        73, Matt Roberts n3gzm


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

Date: 15 Jan 94 21:15:03 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!igor.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Very Small Receivers
To: [e-mail]

I am interested in very small receivers (may be even the size of
a coin) which could be remotely controlled over RF inside a room
(so very low power of transmission). The receiver, upon receiving
a binary code (id) would cause some simple reponse (light on,
sound). Should be powered by very small batteries (like watch
batteries).

Any idea what are the smallest available receivers and what is
the main obstacle in making them very small (i.e. why not have
them on the chip). So far the smallest I have heard about is about
4 x 1.5 inch (this is info from a Spy Store). This is way too big
- I want to get one of the size of a penny...

Any pointers greatly appreciated

Thanks

Tomasz Imielinski

[e-mail]

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

Date: 17 Jan 94 10:53:41 GMT
From: news.sprintlink.net!crash![e-mail]
Subject: WANTED: CALL SIGN SERVER IN INTERNET
To: [e-mail]

 There is an online National Radio Call Sign Index
.
 telnet callsign.cs.buffalo.edu port 2000

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

Date: 15 Jan 1994 15:31:44 -0800
From: nntp.crl.com!crl2.crl.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <2h7a43$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: why 29.94 fps?

Gary Coffman ([e-mail]) wrote:
: In article <2h7a43$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Les Reeves) writes:
: >
: >Are these frame sychronizers located in the signal path such that
: >they are always inline?  Assuming the answer is yes, this means that
: >*everything* passes through them.  What type of video codecs do these
: >devices employ?  Are their effects visible enough so that we vidiots
: >with our 32" monitors would be able to see their nasty artifact trails?
: >
: >In other words, what sort of digitization of video is going on in these
: >frame synch boxes?  As good as D2?  Almost D1?


: Yes there are frame syncs inline all the time. Sometimes there are
: multiple frame syncs in the chain. You can sometimes notice that
: lip sync is slightly off because of the multiple field delays through
: the frame syncs. The typical frame sync samples composite video with
: 8 bit samples at 4X subcarrier. There are visible artifacts in some
: pictures. D2 is no better. In fact it's usually worse because of the
: error masking it uses to make up for tape dropouts. FEC fixes a lot of
: them, but not all. D1 is considerably better because it stores component
: video streams on separate tracks, but it is confined almost exclusively
: to post rooms and the end product is transfered to composite format for
: intermediate storage and playback. Then the whole picture is crammed
: through a 10 year old transmitter with aging tubes. All your 32 inch
: monitor does is give you a *bigger* look at all the various transmission
: errors. NTSC looks best, by design, on a 19 inch screen that doesn't have
: too much resolution.
                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
                                 - Amen! -


It looks even better, perhaps best, on a properly set-up 13 inch
broadcast monitor.

I wish the folks creating the letter-box movies with the 20:5 aspect
ratio had a better understanding of what NTSC is and is not.

I see these things and think my deflection circuitry has crapped out!



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

Date: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 16:13:25 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!wa4mei.ping.com!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <2h7a43$[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: why 29.94 fps?

In article <2h7a43$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Les Reeves) writes:
>
>Are these frame sychronizers located in the signal path such that
>they are always inline?  Assuming the answer is yes, this means that
>*everything* passes through them.  What type of video codecs do these
>devices employ?  Are their effects visible enough so that we vidiots
>with our 32" monitors would be able to see their nasty artifact trails?
>
>In other words, what sort of digitization of video is going on in these
>frame synch boxes?  As good as D2?  Almost D1?


Yes there are frame syncs inline all the time. Sometimes there are
multiple frame syncs in the chain. You can sometimes notice that
lip sync is slightly off because of the multiple field delays through
the frame syncs. The typical frame sync samples composite video with
8 bit samples at 4X subcarrier. There are visible artifacts in some
pictures. D2 is no better. In fact it's usually worse because of the
error masking it uses to make up for tape dropouts. FEC fixes a lot of
them, but not all. D1 is considerably better because it stores component
video streams on separate tracks, but it is confined almost exclusively
to post rooms and the end product is transfered to composite format for
intermediate storage and playback. Then the whole picture is crammed
through a 10 year old transmitter with aging tubes. All your 32 inch
monitor does is give you a *bigger* look at all the various transmission
errors. NTSC looks best, by design, on a 19 inch screen that doesn't have
too much resolution.

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: Sat, 15 Jan 1994 17:22:55 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!wa4mei.ping.com!ke4zv![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <2guq97$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <2h6lmf$[e-mail]>
Reply-To : [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: Repeater database?

In article <2h6lmf$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (W. M Wood -- The Signal Group) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]>,
>Jay Maynard <[e-mail]> wrote:
>>
>>> I suspect less than 1% of the so called coordinated
>>>repeaters in operation today have any sort of REAL engineering
>>>study including contour maps done on them. Most have been 'coordinated
>>>' by either first come first served ---- or Good Ole Boys Network
>>>methods.
>>
>>First come first served is the only way that coordinators can operate and not
>>get their collective butts sued off.  Don't believe me? I've been there,
>>again, and so have others.  As for the kind of real engineering studies you
>>advocate, do you know how much time and effort goes into producing a contour
>>map? Multiply that by a thousand repeaters in Texas. It's prohibitive. We
>>coordinate repeaters based on 85-mile seperation, and will waive that if the
>>trustee of the existing system will agree in writing.
>>
>
>I do contour studies professionally as a communications system engineer..so
>yes I DO KNOW what is involved in doing a proper study. I also
>know that a decent one can be done in an hour or so with out
>a computer..just radial lines in a topo map. If you are just
>drawing 85 mile radius circles on a map you aren't really
>coordinating ...you are just OFFICIATING. If a job is worth
>doing it should be done right.

If you call radials on a topo map a proper study, remind me never to
hire you for a real coverage study. At one time the FCC would accept
such "studies" on construction permit filings, but their idea of close
spacing is a lot more than the 85 miles the Texas group allows. There
are computer programs using digitized terrain maps that do a fair job,
but they don't find all the holes, or spikes, in real patterns. That
takes actually going out into the field and doing the measurements.

Lat, Lon, HAAT, and ERP don't begin to tell the whole story for
*repeater* coverage. The beam tilt of the antenna is critical and
the receiver sensitivity is also important. Those are installation
dependent. And exact terrain shapes in the main beam also play a
critical role in determining shadowing and diffraction zones. You
can't determine real coverage sitting at a desk.

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     |                     |

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #46
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