QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/digests/infoham/941202.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 25.4 KB

Date: Wed,  9 Nov 94 18:38:32 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #1202
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Info-Hams Digest            Wed,  9 Nov 94       Volume 94 : Issue 1202

Today's Topics:
                        Boston Area Repeaters
                              Cavities?
                   CHIPSWITCH upgrade for HR2600 ?
                         DIGIS IN OH(Finland)
             Help with Central Electronics 100V problems
                  IPS Daily Report - 08 November 94
                        Maws Coad and Spelinge
                                 Mods
                       More on logging programs
                   non-sovereign DXCC "coountries"
                         Power Supply Survey!
            Procedure for calling Mir/Shuttle help needed
                       Tele-Path Communications
                  Upcoming Southeastern US Hamfest??
                      What's your favorite key?

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: 9 Nov 1994 16:25:03 -0500
From: [e-mail] (RBellville)
Subject: Boston Area Repeaters

In article <[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (Jamie Tan) writes:

>Are there other 2-meter repeaters in Boston area (with or without
>autopatch)?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I have a simplex repeater on 147.405 MHz that's located in Worcester, MA.
Try it out if your in the area.

- Rob, N1NTE

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

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 16:04:49 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Gary Coffman)
Subject: Cavities?

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Clay Irving) writes:
>I was in Central Park on Sat, 05 Nov 1994 to help set-up net control for the
>New York City Marathon and I kept my eyes and ears open to learn something. In
>one of the communication trailors there were a half dozen or so 440
>transceivers. When they tested transmission, there was severe intermod. So, one
>of the volunteers trots out to his car and returns with several 'cavities' and
>a piece of test equipment. I was watching from the door of the trailor and it
>seems like what he did was tune the cavity to filter out the frequency from
>the adjacent radio. He then installed the cavity between the antenna feed
>and the transceiver. He did the same on the other transceiver. When they tested
>transmission again, it was clear as could be.
>
>Can someone give me a more detailed explanation of what they did?...

He did exactly what you thought he did. He installed notch cavities in
the transmission lines of the two radios so that the cavity rejected
the signals on the frequency of the other radio. A single notch cavity
can attenuate the frequency to which it is tuned by 50 db or a bit more.
It offers nearly no attenuation at other frequencies. By knocking down the
signal from one radio trying to enter the receiver of the other, he removed
the desense and intermod problems caused by the too strong signal.

He could have alternately inserted *pass* cavities tuned to the
frequency of the radio in whose transmission line it was inserted.
This kind of cavity passes the frequency to which it is tuned with
very little attenuation, but offers attenuation at all other frequencies.
The problem with this solution is that it's hard to get a narrow passband
with steep skirts. Ultimate rejection is rarely better than 30 db with
a single cavity, and the passband is often 10% of the fundamental frequency.
This wouldn't work very well for two signals closely spaced in the same band.

The reason cavities are needed is that current Japanese radios aren't
designed to reject off channel signals entering the RF amplifier
and first mixer stages. In fact, most of them are designed deliberately
to receive signals over a wide span of frequencies because hams appear
to want wideband scanners that incidentally function somewhat like
communications equipment on occasion. Thus the front ends of the radios
don't reject off channel signals, and desense and intermod are the result.

There are two ways of dealing with desense and intermod problems. One
is to prevent the offending signal from entering the radio. This is
what the external cavities did in this case, and is what the helical
cavities built into in a well designed communications radio, like a
GE Mastr II, do. Of course it doesn't have to also function as a
wideband scanner, as the Japanese radios do. Though in this case since
the offending signal was actually *inside* the ham band, filtering of
the radio front end with bandpass circuits wouldn't have helped in
any case.

The second way to avoid the problem is to make the front end components
"stiff" enough to not overload and distort when offending signals get in.
This latter costs money and *power*. The standing current in the front
end transistor would need to be 100 mA or more to prevent the bias from
being shifted into the non-linear region by a strong off channel signal.
This level of current would eat portable radio batteries in a hurry, and
generate quite a bit of heat too. High standing currents can also add
*noise* to the receiver and make it less sensitive.

For out of band signals, like paging transmitters and other commercial
signals, sharp steep skirted bandpass filtering in the radio front end
is the best answer. For in band signals, tunable notch filters are the
best solution. That's what was done here.

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

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

Date: Mon, 7 Nov 1994 18:45:40 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Roger Valentine)
Subject: CHIPSWITCH upgrade for HR2600 ?

Roger Valentine ([e-mail]) wrote:
: To remove the old Uniden 64 pin IC.....
:   Clip all 64 pins, remove the top portion of
:   the IC, and then solder suck each of the
:   pins out, one at a time.
:
:   For information on ChipSwitch IC
:
:   ChipSwitch
:   4773 Sonoma Hwy #132
:   Santa Rosa, CA  95409
:
:   Tech line (801) 269-013

Sorry....... [phone]

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

Date: Mon,  7 Nov 1994 23:18:00 GMT
From: timo.dΣ[e-mail] (Timo DΣhnrich)
Subject: DIGIS IN OH(Finland)

I need frequency lists of digipeaters in OH (Finland) with
the locations of them. If you have some informations (lists/maps etc.)
please e-mail me.

73 de DD6TN

Internet: [e-mail]
AX.25   : dd6tn@db0brb

---
 │ QMPro 1.53 │ Dogs come when you call. Cats have answering machines.

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

Date: 10 Nov 94 02:26:49 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Art Hall)
Subject: Help with Central Electronics 100V problems

I just purchased a Central Electronics Transmitter model 100V.  I have
already come up with two problems which I am hoping someone in net land
can help me.

First:  I need information on restringing  the megacycle indicator and
        any information on what the pointer looked like.  This unit
        is missing both the string and pointer.

Second: I am looking for the audio limiter that goes with this unit. For
        some reason it was removed and a jumper was used in its place.

Third:  If there is someone out there that is still using or is very familar
        with this unit I would like to get intouch with you.  I am hoping
        to get this unit on the air and use a Hammarlund 170A as my receiver.

                                              Thanks,
                                              Art Hall (WB3EJA)
                                              [e-mail]



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

Date: Tue, 8 Nov 1994 23:31:35 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Regional Warning Centre)
Subject: IPS Daily Report - 08 November 94

SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 08/2330Z NOVEMBER 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY.
SUMMARY FOR 08 NOVEMBER AND FORECAST FOR 09 NOVEMBER - 11 NOVEMBER
-----------------------------------------------------------
1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity: Low

Flares: None

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number :  80/20

GOES satellite data for 07 Nov
       Daily Proton Fluence >1 MeV:   4.7E+05
       Daily Proton Fluence >10 MeV:  1.8E+04
       Daily Electron Fluence >2 MeV: 4.4E+07 (normal)
       X-ray background: A7.1
Fluence (flux accumulation over 24hrs)/ cm2-ster-day.

1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             09 Nov             10 Nov             11 Nov
Activity     Very low           Very low           Very low
Fadeouts     None expected      None expected      None expected

Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 09 Nov:  80/20

-----------------------------------------------------------
2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY
Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: quiet

Estimated Indices : A   K           Observed A Index 07 Nov
    Learmonth        5  2112 2112
    Fredericksburg   6                           8
    Planetary       10                          12

Observed Kp for 07 Nov: 2334 3121
2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST
DATE      Ap    CONDITIONS
09 Nov    15    Quiet to unsettled
10 Nov    10    Quiet to unsettled
11 Nov    10    Quiet to unsettled
COMMENT: High latitudes may experience isolated active conditions on
9 Nov due to a small coronal hole.
-----------------------------------------------------------
3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
08 Nov      fair-normal    fair-normal    fair
PCA Event : None.

3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
09 Nov      normal         normal         fair-normal
10 Nov      normal         normal         fair-normal
11 Nov      normal         normal         normal

-----------------------------------------------------------
4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY
       Observed
DATE   T-index  MUFs at Sydney
08 Nov    -3    Near predicted monthly values. Sporadic E and spread
                F may have caused degradations from 10-16 UT.

Predicted Monthly T-index for November: 15

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
DATE   T-index  MUFs
09 Nov    15    Near predicted monthly values
10 Nov    20    Near predicted monthly values
11 Nov    20    Near predicted monthly values
COMMENT: Townsville frequencies were depressed 20-30% from 00-08 UT
then near predicted monthly values.
--
IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney       |IPS Radio and Space Services
RWC Duty Forecaster   tel: [phone]  |PO Box 5606
Recorded Message      tel: [phone]  |West Chatswood NSW 2057
email: [e-mail]  fax: [phone]  |AUSTRALIA

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

Date: Tue, 8 Nov 94 20:29:37 -0500
From: [e-mail]
Subject: Maws Coad and Spelinge

The only thing that bothers me is that he comes off like he has
NO pre formed ideas about anyone.  If his point is to make us
think about our on lack of tolerance, why does he have do
demonstrate his own lack of it??

73
[e-mail]
N3OGH

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

Date: 9 Nov 1994 17:32:37 GMT
From: Brad Herring <[e-mail]>
Subject: Mods

Hello All,
   I am looking for mods for the Cobra 148GTL and the Uniden Pro510 XL
I am expecially looing for the freq. mods for the Cobra 148GTL. Any
information please e-mail to : [e-mail]

Thanks in Advance
Brad

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

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 20:49:34 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Michael L. Ardai)
Subject: More on logging programs

Two weeks ago, I posted about my problems with the Logic logging program,
and its copy protection scheme.  I had asked for some suggestions for
replacement programs, and got the following list:

N6TR
CT
LOG-EQF
WJ2O Master Log
Hyperlog (2)
LOG Plus (3)

(CT and TR are both contest loggers, and I need a general logger that
is set up to handle contests.  I downloaded a copy of LOG-EQF, but haven't
got around to looking at it yet.)

Four people agreed about how rediculous the 'Insert License Disk every
time the system config changes' copy protection is (after all, your name,
call, and address come up whenever you start Logic), and that it is the
only program that they know that has this 'feature'.

Three people wondered how I could lose a disk that is needed all the time -
easily.  The program disks were nicely filed in the pocket in the manual.
The license disk, last time I saw it, was sitting on top of the PC, left
there after the last time Logic wanted it.  It probably is now behind the
fully loaded 6' bookcase or under the Vax.

The problem (for me) has been solved, since Dennis changed his mind and
sent me a replacement license disk.  I thank him for his support in this
matter.  However,  I still don't like this copy-protection scheme.  That
is really a shame for such a good logging program.

73, and good luck in the contests.

/mike


--
\|/     Michael L. Ardai     N1IST             Teradyne ATB, Boston MA
-*- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
/|\     [e-mail]          [e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 16:04:59 GMT
From: [e-mail] (John Boudreau)
Subject: non-sovereign DXCC "coountries"

In article <39onpm$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jerry Gardner x323) writes:
>In article <9411071420.ZM25088@SALCIUS2> [e-mail] (Wayne_Estes) writes:
>>Is there a file that lists the criteria that were used to select each
>>non-sovereign DXCC "country"?
>
>
>It seems to depend more on the whims of the DXAC that anything I've
>ever seen in writing. The very idea of a group of hams erecting
>scaffolding on a rock barely visable at low tide in order to put a new
>"country" on the air is a complete, pathetic,  farce.
>

Everyone gets too hung up on the word "country".  Perhaps they should
change it to "DXCC Areas" or "DXCC entities" and there would be a lot
less arguing and confusion over this issue.

John - VE8EV

===============================================================
John Boudreau VE8EV     INTERNET: [e-mail]
Inuvik, NWT, CANADA       PACKET: VE8EV@VE8YEV.#INU.NT.CAN.NOAM
===============================================================

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

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 18:16:39 GMT
From: [e-mail] (James D. Cronin)
Subject: Power Supply Survey!

I have a home-built supply.  It consists of a 36-volt 25-amp center-
tapped transformer with a 7812 regulator running 8 2N3055 pass
transistors.  It works OK with a 30 amp load, and stays reasonably
cool.

I'd recommend building your own supply.  It's a good educational
experience, and you can find everything you need to know in
the ARRL Handbook.

73...Jim  N2VNO

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

Date: 8 Nov 1994 20:10:07 -0500
From: [e-mail] (TOM SUNMAN)
Subject: Procedure for calling Mir/Shuttle help needed

     Hello. I'm a new ham and I'm VERY interested in trying to contact Mir
and the shuttle (when sarex is used of coarse!).
My question is, what is the PROPER procedure for calling these craft? Is
it a regular call (their callsign then "this is" my callsign)? Maybe
"shuttle atlantis" (or whichever) "this is my callsign"? I want to make
sure I do it properly.
    I have an HT and I understand they can work but I may need higher
power and a better antenna to increase my chances. I know the uplink is
145.550, I suppose I need to switch to the downlink after I make my call
to hear their responce. What is the downlink frequency? Any help on
getting me started on these contacts would be appreciated.  My license
should be here in about 5 weeks so I've got some time to learn what I need
to know.  Thanks!

73's

Tom Randall

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

Date: Wed, 9 Nov 1994 19:56:27 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Ed Lawson)
Subject: Tele-Path Communications

I don't have their number but they are in Freemont (southbay SF). Call
ac 415 info.

Ed Lawson, KD5EZ  Austin, TX  (new home of GWB (Jr.))

Matthew Zilmer (&) ([e-mail]) wrote:


: A few days ago, someone posted a phone number for an outfit
: called Tele-Path Communications.  I had it as 800-292-1700.
: From here in Irvine, CA. I get a recording saying the number
: cannot be reached from this area.

: Does anyone have another phone number for Tele-Path?

: TNX es 73
: Matt Zilmer, WA6EGJ
: [e-mail]

--
                                             [e-mail]
                        KD5EZ, Austin

*******************************************************************************

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

Date: 9 Nov 1994 21:04:18 GMT
From: Richard Matthews <[e-mail]>
Subject: Upcoming Southeastern US Hamfest??

Is there a data base, or could someone post or E-mail to me a list of
upcoming Hamfests in the Southeastern US. Large or small, I don't
care. Winter and spring dates of fest would be nice.

TIA

Richard, WA4NWW

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

Date: 9 Nov 1994 15:21:56 -0500
From: [e-mail] (Michael Crestohl)
Subject: What's your favorite key?

In article <[e-mail]>,  <[e-mail]> wrote:
>Hello, all:
>
>   Since XMas is coming up (:-) I'm looking for recommendations on keys -
>both paddles and bugs.  Any suggestions on what your preferred key is,
>for around $100.00?  I'm currently using a set of cheapie MFJ paddles,
>but have been looking at the Vibroplex offerings, as well as those by
>Jones, etc.
>
>Thanks!
>   - Rich
>

The Bencher is a pretty nice piece of work, also the Vibroplex bugs and
keyer paddles.

73,

Michael KH6KD/W1

Election Day in Massachusetts: "Vote Early and Often!"

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

Date: 9 Nov 1994 16:06:53 GMT
From: [e-mail] (gregory brown)

References<[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Maws Coad and Spelinge

[e-mail] wrote:
: The only thing that bothers me is that he comes off like he has
: NO pre formed ideas about anyone.  If his point is to make us
: think about our on lack of tolerance, why does he have do
: demonstrate his own lack of it??
:
: 73
: [e-mail]
: N3OGH


How one "comes off", like beauty, is often in the eye (or mind) of the
beholder.  These days, it seems, hypersensitivity is rampant.
Personally, I would choose to reserve my energy for responding to those
cases where the _intent_ showed malice. Taking one's self (or others,
for that matter) more seriously than warranted is self destructive.

Greg
WB0RTK

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

Date: 8 Nov 1994 22:13:42 GMT
From: Joe Herman <[e-mail]>

References<[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Subject: Re: NYC MARATHON


I was always under the impression that during a net - as long as you identify
your callsign once every 10 mins and at the end of your QSO - you don't have
to use callsigns all the time - and using tactical callsigns probably makes
more sense - so that people know _who_ you are, ie. what your job is.

BTW, my license came th day after the marathon - so I couldn't have
participated in any nets anyway. [waiting time approx. 8 weeks BTW]

73 DE KB2SFT
---
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- Joseph Herman               |Thought is useless unless accompanied by action-
- [e-mail]           |Action  is useless unless preceeded by thought -
- [e-mail]             |                                               -
- [e-mail]  |EMT, postpunk, ham radio, fencing, 'blades     -
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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

Date: 10 Nov 1994 01:31:43 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Joe Gervais )

References<[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>, <39qoej$[e-mail]>
Subject: Ham Licensing (was Maws Coad and Spelinge)

In article <39qoej$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (William J Turner) writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>>     My ideas on Morse Code, well I think the code requirement
>>is in fact, a good thing.  I understand that some people do not
>>desire to learn the code, but as someone further back said, I
>>had no need to learn about space communications, but it was on
>>the test.
>
>Do you believe morse code should continue to have a "veto status" over
>all other modes?  For instance, you did not need to learn about space
>communications, even though it was on the written test.  You could have
>passed the tests without getting a single question about space
>communications right.  This is not true of morse code.

Actually I always thought that a good method of licensing
amateur radio operators would be to present them with a
a set of components and some tools. Then have them build
a small xmitter/rcvr. Nothing fancy, just a *very* basic
circuit or three that would produce RF for a frequency
counter, then check the signal with an oscilliscope. Wouldn't
have to be perfect of course, but crudely functional.
There would be dozens of possible part combinations
handed out, all with the potential to build different
xmit/rcv circuits.

Then add in the written test and the minimum code.

Could I pass this test now? No, I'm just starting in
homebrewing. But we all know there's a big difference
between book knowledge and applying the Smoke Test to
a project. I think it would work quite well. More
expensive to administrate, but worth it. I believe
some countries use to do it this way, may still today.

So what do you think? Should I be donning asbestos
underwear? :)

73 de KD6PRD,

-Joe

"QRP means never having to tell the neighbors you're sorry."

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

Date: Tue, 8 Nov 94 20:40:08 -0500
From: [e-mail]

References<39779u$[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Maws Coad and Spelinge

Very good, very good.  I like the fact that we could discuss
Ham radio, and ONLY ham radio,  not politics, well said, OM.

     My ideas on Morse Code, well I think the code requirement
is in fact, a good thing.  I understand that some people do not
desire to learn the code, but as someone further back said, I
had no need to learn about space communications, but it was on
the test.  I think that by keeping the code test in place, we
expand the diversity of signal types and operations on the
bands.  I, like a lot of folks who had to learn code to pass
anything higher than a NC tech, really HATED the code at first
(and I mean I really hated it).  Then, for some reason, I
decided to give actual code operations a try and found I really
enjoyed it.  So much that most of my QSO's are code.  For some
reason, I feal I derive a greater sence of satisfaction from a
code QSO because it takes a bit more planing and effort.  I've
also found that the ops are a lot less likely to be insulting
and rude (it's kinda hard to be obsene using the code, unlike
voice, where you tend to blurt things out).

  As for my thoughts on a key choice, I like an Iambic paddle.
 I think using a straight key is just torture.  It may help to
build your recognition of proper spacing, but I feal that
enough copy practice can do this also.

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

Date: 9 Nov 1994 15:04:51 GMT
From: [e-mail] (William J Turner)

References<[e-mail]> <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Maws Coad and Spelinge

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>     My ideas on Morse Code, well I think the code requirement
>is in fact, a good thing.  I understand that some people do not
>desire to learn the code, but as someone further back said, I
>had no need to learn about space communications, but it was on
>the test.

Do you believe morse code should continue to have a "veto status" over
all other modes?  For instance, you did not need to learn about space
communications, even though it was on the written test.  You could have
passed the tests without getting a single question about space
communications right.  This is not true of morse code.

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #1202
******************************