QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/940652.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 25KB

Date: Sat, 11 Jun 94 11:00:48 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #652
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Sat, 11 Jun 94       Volume 94 : Issue  652

Today's Topics:
                             2-way radio
                    France & Switzerland (2 msgs)
                       Ham license plates in WA
                           HF Loop Antennas
                              Icom R100
                IPS Daily Report - 10 June 94 (2 msgs)
                           License Renewal
               PD Super Station Master 2 meter antenna
                RB329 Declared/Undeclared Emergencies!
                       RB 330 RACES Activation
                   VHF Maritime Outrage!! (2 msgs)

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

Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
(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: 11 Jun 1994 00:42:23 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!spool.mu.edu!news.clark.edu!netnews.nwnet.net!news.u.washington.edu![e-mail]
Subject: 2-way radio
To: [e-mail]

Hi,

   Can you tell me where to mail-order some 2-way 900MHz or 800 MHz, trunk or
conventional, mobile or portable radio at a discount price?

   My local dealer can sell me some at $500 - $600, which is a little bit
too expensive for me.

   Thanks a lot.

Jun

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

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 22:22:23 GMT
From: spsgate!mogate!newsgate![e-mail]
Subject: France & Switzerland
To: [e-mail]

Help!  I am going to France and Switzerland on business soon.  If I take
my 2-meter HT in my luggage with my American license and NO reciprocal
license (there is no time!) what will happen?

Does customs really care, since this radio is used in France and
Switzerland on the same band.  Can it be contraband?  Will I be sent to
Haiti or merely caned?

Has any intrepid Ham done this, served his time in "Le Legion Etangere"
and returned able and willing to share information with me?

Before anyone asks, yes I called the French consulate in Washington and
asked.  The Attache for Customs told me "I don't know what will happen,
try it and we'll both find out."  He would not rule out that it might be
confiscated.  He also would not rule out that it might be ignored.  C'est
la vie!

Thank you for any light that you can shed on this dark corner of the
civilized world!

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

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 94 22:32:20 MST
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!eff!news.duke.edu![e-mail]
Subject: France & Switzerland
To: [e-mail]

Jim Jaskie <[e-mail]> writes:

> Help!  I am going to France and Switzerland on business soon.  If I take
> my 2-meter HT in my luggage with my American license and NO reciprocal
> license (there is no time!) what will happen?

Why are you taking your 2-meter HT if you do not have a reciprocal
license?  It's looking for problems at customs if you don't have the
appropriate paperwork if they ask.

david

---
Editor, HICNet Medical Newsletter
Internet: [e-mail]                 FAX: [phone]
Bitnet  : ATW1H@ASUACAD

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

Date: 10 Jun 94 23:44:20 GMT
From: uswnvg![e-mail]
Subject: Ham license plates in WA
To: [e-mail]

Greg Moore ([e-mail]) wrote:
: Hello all...I'll soon be moving to the Richland, Washington area
: and I was wondering if somebody could tell me what kind of damage
: my wallet is going to take if I want my call letters on my license
: plates.  Can somebody give me an idea?

It's not bad at all  ($10 one-time, then normal fees after that - be
ready for 'sticker shock' on those, the state collects a HUGE excise tax).

The fun starts when you try to transfer plates - both a friend and I
had the experience of having to explain (several times) to the agency
doing the transfer that the plates were NOT vanity plates ($35/year).

Also, at least with my truck (which has a truck license), I get strange
looks from meter maids when I park in 'Truck Load' only zones.

Finally, this last year, I went to have my truck emission tested (we have
that, too), and they couldn't make my license come up on their computer
system - it was hilarious, we had the whole testing station gathered around
one terminal, looking for my records.  The poor tester kept looking at the
plate, and asking me 'Are you sure you need an emissions test?  Are you
sure those are Washington plates". They finally put 'NQNM' on the form,
and then hand corrected it - I have no idea what the hassle was really all
about.


Welcome to Washington....

--
Clay Jackson - N7QNM
US WEST NewVector Group Inc
Bellevue, WA
uunet!uswnvg!cjackso

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

Date: Sat, 11 Jun 1994 03:32:01 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn![e-mail]
Subject: HF Loop Antennas
To: [e-mail]

Has anyone done a comparison between the MFJ Super Hi-Q Loop Antenna
and the MFJ IsoLoop antenna for ease of tuning, efficiency, etc.?

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

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 18:27:45
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!eff!news.kei.com!ssd.intel.com!chnews!ornews.intel.com!ccm.hf.intel.com![e-mail]
Subject: Icom R100
To: [e-mail]

In article <2tasos$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Adam Epstein) writes:

>  So this is a second attempt.  I'll also add that I seem to remember
>that there was a series of several Icom wideband receivers (possibly
>including the R1 and the R100) which were not too well received (no
>pun intended).  I recall hearing about problems with important
>characteristics like selectivity.  Is there any truth to this
>(specifically with respect to the R100)?

I think this scanner is not that popular because of its price/features ratio.
The specs on this unit are great, but HF coverage without SSB is of limited
interest to many.  So we are really left with a VHF/UHF scanner.  But the R100
isn't much of a scanner, its more of a comm receiver.  Programming is typical
Icom - lots of button pushing for simple operations.  If I remember correctly
there are no "banks" of channels, which is standard now for scanners.  If you
want a small comm receiver, that can scan in a pinch, then this unit is great.
 But most people opt to spend more and get the "He-Man" R7100.  I have been
tempted to get one several times, but I just don't know what I would use it
for.  Listening to satellites while mobile?


Brett Miller N7OLQ                  [e-mail]
Intel Corp.
American Fork, UT

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

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 23:16:55 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!msuinfo!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.cs.su.oz.au!metro!ipso![e-mail]
Subject: IPS Daily Report - 10 June 94
To: [e-mail]

SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 10/2330Z JUNE 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY.
SUMMARY FOR 10 JUNE AND FORECAST UP TO 13 JUNE

IPS Warning 16 was issued on 08 June and is current
for interval June 11-13 (coronal hole).
-----------------------------------------------------------

1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity: very low

Flares: none.

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 085/027

1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             11 June            12 June            13 June
Activity     Low                Low                Low
Fadeouts     None expected      None expected      None expected

Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 085/027

1C. SOLAR COMMENT
None.
-----------------------------------------------------------

2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY
Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: quiet to unsettled

Estimated Indices : A   K           Observed A Index 9 June
    Learmonth       13  2234 3323
    Fredericksburg  15                          13
    Planetary       15                          10

Observed Kp for 9 June: 2344 2122


2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST
DATE      Ap    CONDITIONS
11 Jun    20    Active.
12 Jun    25    Active.
13 Jun    20    Unsettled to active.

2C. MAGNETIC COMMENT
Geomagnetic activity is expected to increase to active levels during
the interval June 11-13. This increase in activity is expected due to
a coronal hole.

3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
10 Jun      normal         normal         poor-normal
PCA Event : None.
3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
11 Jun      normal         fair           poor
12 Jun      fair           poor           poor
13 Jun      normal         fair           poor
3C. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION COMMENT
Degraded global HF propagation conditions are expected in association
with geomagnetic activity forecast for 11-13 June. (Coronal hole).

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

4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY
MUFs at Sydney were near predicted monthly values

Observed T index for 10 June:  36

Predicted Monthly T Index for June is 30.

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
DATE   T-index  MUFs
11 Jun    30    Near predicted monthly values.
12 Jun    20    Near predicted monthly values.
13 Jun    20    Near predicted monthly values.


4C. AUSTRALIAN REGION COMMENT
Degraded HF comms expected during interval June 11-13.




--
IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney           |IPS Radio and Space Services
email: [e-mail]  fax: [phone]      |PO Box 5606
RWC Duty Forecaster   tel: [phone]      |West Chatswood NSW 2057
Recorded Message      tel: [phone]      |AUSTRALIA

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

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 23:19:01 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!msuinfo!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.cs.su.oz.au!metro!ipso![e-mail]
Subject: IPS Daily Report - 10 June 94
To: [e-mail]

SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 10/2330Z JUNE 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY.
SUMMARY FOR 10 JUNE AND FORECAST UP TO 13 JUNE

IPS Warning 16 was issued on 08 June and is current
for interval June 11-13 (coronal hole).
-----------------------------------------------------------

1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity: very low

Flares: none.

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 085/027

1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             11 June            12 June            13 June
Activity     Low                Low                Low
Fadeouts     None expected      None expected      None expected

Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 085/027

1C. SOLAR COMMENT
None.
-----------------------------------------------------------

2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY
Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: quiet to unsettled

Estimated Indices : A   K           Observed A Index 9 June
    Learmonth       13  2234 3323
    Fredericksburg  15                          13
    Planetary       15                          10

Observed Kp for 9 June: 2344 2122


2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST
DATE      Ap    CONDITIONS
11 Jun    20    Active.
12 Jun    25    Active.
13 Jun    20    Unsettled to active.

2C. MAGNETIC COMMENT
Geomagnetic activity is expected to increase to active levels during
the interval June 11-13. This increase in activity is expected due to
a coronal hole.

3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
10 Jun      normal         normal         poor-normal
PCA Event : None.
3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
11 Jun      normal         fair           poor
12 Jun      fair           poor           poor
13 Jun      normal         fair           poor
3C. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION COMMENT
Degraded global HF propagation conditions are expected in association
with geomagnetic activity forecast for 11-13 June. (Coronal hole).

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

4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY
MUFs at Sydney were near predicted monthly values

Observed T index for 10 June:  36

Predicted Monthly T Index for June is 30.

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
DATE   T-index  MUFs
11 Jun    30    Near predicted monthly values.
12 Jun    20    Near predicted monthly values.
13 Jun    20    Near predicted monthly values.


4C. AUSTRALIAN REGION COMMENT
Degraded HF comms expected during interval June 11-13.




--
IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney           |IPS Radio and Space Services
email: [e-mail]  fax: [phone]      |PO Box 5606
RWC Duty Forecaster   tel: [phone]      |West Chatswood NSW 2057
Recorded Message      tel: [phone]      |AUSTRALIA

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

Date: Sat, 11 Jun 1994 02:27:27 GMT
From: elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!doghouse![e-mail]
Subject: License Renewal
To: [e-mail]


In article <2st93f$[e-mail]>, Vincent Heuring ([e-mail]) writes:
>
>What's the current procedure for renewing my ticket? And how soon
>can I do it before the expiration date?
>

Get a copy of FCC Form 610 from the FCC, the ARRL, or your local ham
club, fill it out, attach a copy of your current license, and send it
in.  You should send it in at least 90 days prior to the expiration
date.

73...joe



----------
Joe Salemi, KR4CZ               Internet: [e-mail]
Compuserve: 72631,23   FidoNet: 1:109/136   MCI Mail: 433-3961

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

Date: Fri, 10 Jun 1994 17:59:58 GMT
From: lll-winken.llnl.gov!fnnews.fnal.gov!gw1!cbnewsm![e-mail]
Subject: PD Super Station Master 2 meter antenna
To: [e-mail]

    We have been dealing with the problems of a top mounted repeater
antenna. We have tried PD SSM, Comet antennas on top with no luck and we are
considering two side mounted PD SSM antennas. The reason for two is to try
to get around the effects of the tower.
    Questions:
    Anyone have experience doing this?
    What method did you use stacked, oppsite sides?
    How would you construct the phasing lines?

    Thanks for your help
    Jeff
    NK3O

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

Date: 11 Jun 94 16:21:46 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: RB329 Declared/Undeclared Emergencies!
To: [e-mail]

Bid: $RACESBUL.329
Subject: RB329 Declared/Undeclared Emergencies!


From: W6WWW@KD6XZ.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NOAM
To  : RACES@ALLUS

TO: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:    ALL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO:    ALL AMATEURS U.S   (@USA: INFORMATION); CAP, MARS
FROM:    CA GOVERNORS OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
         ([e-mail])            Ph: 916-262-1600
         2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA  95832
         Landline BBS  Open to All: 916-262-1657
RACESBUL.329                 RELEASE DATE: June 6, 1994

Subject: OPS- Declared & Undeclared Emergencies

Question: Is a "declared emergency" required for the RACES to be
activated?

Answer: "No, that is one of the myths about RACES, and it is NOT
true.

The "declared emergency concept" is a fifty-year old hold-over of
the long-gone idea that the RACES was to be a special service in
which Amateurs would operate in wartime, hence a "declaration" by
the president. One has only to read Section 97 to realize that
was its genesis.

Today, the understanding and use of the RACES is quite different.
It is NOT necessary that there be a declaration of an emergency
in order to activate the RACES. It is activated in countless
emergencies without a declaration having proceeded that
activation. All it takes is authorization by the person named in
the RACES plan for that purpose. A simple "can you call in some
of the RACES people" is all it takes.

A declaration, when and if utilized, is to invoke laws such as
those that provide access to state or federal funds. If there is
no need for that declaration, the agency responds anyway, and so
can the RACES. In fact, there are emergency management agencies
that activate their RACES the moment they activate any other
staff personnel; even in a potential emergency, such as a hazmat
spill of unknown materials. Nonetheless, there are still those
who carry this idea firmly entrenched in their minds as the
result of misinformation in various publications, so the
situation warrants review.

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

Date: 11 Jun 94 16:22:42 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: RB 330 RACES Activation
To: [e-mail]

Bid: $RACESBUL.330
Subject: RB 330 RACES Activation


From: W6WWW@KD6XZ.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NOAM
To  : RACES@ALLUS

TO: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO:    ALL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO:    ALL AMATEURS U.S   (@USA: INFORMATION); CAP, MARS
FROM:    CA GOVERNORS OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES
         ([e-mail])            Ph: 916-262-1600
         2800 Meadowview Rd., Sacramento, CA  95832
         Landline BBS  Open to All: 916-262-1657

RELEASE DATE: June 13, 1994

RACESBUL.330  MGT - RACES Activation

Question: How is the RACES unit activated?

That's a good question. What is an activation? Is it a "callout"
enmasse? Does it mean "all or nothing"?  Is it a fifty year old
idea of passing traffic by the basket-full? Or, could it be
different in today's world?

It could be that the idea of "all or nothing" comes from the
call-out tree as used by emergency communications units. That is
where the Radio Officer calls one to three key persons who then
call 3 to 5 people, who then call three to five people, etc. That
process works well; but it can imply a full scale callout to
those unaware that scheduling of shifts begins as soon as a need
is apparent.

Activation varies in practice. Furthermore, "activation" may not
be just for radio operations but for other tasks, such as
management, computer, phone or Public Safety system support,
equipment delivery or installation.

State OES headquarters has an alert code of colors to signify
different states of "alertness" or "activation" from an
operations standpoint. Green means situation normal; yellow means
a watch condition exists for the radio room and/or the personnel;
orange means staffed with minimum duty personnel; red means
staffed for a major incident and personnel should check in on a
special phone line with their availability status. Our callout is
always selective; that is, the talents, skills and experiences
needed vary from incident to incident. We select from our roster
database those most likely to fit the need, and then proceed to
setup schedules from the responses. Only in a major disaster does
a limited group report to the HQ facility without callout. At
State OES it can range from "we need help over here" to a written
request to the program coordinator or the chief radio officer.

How it works elsewhere depends on who has the authority to
activate, and the degree of trust that exists between the people
involved. In new units it can be very formal. In units where the
people have worked closely, it can be very informal. To
government emergency management agency staff, activation of an
EOC is turning on the lights and calling in the people. For
RACES, it will vary with the jurisdiction and the people
involved.
eom


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

RACES Bulletins are archived on the Internet at ucsd.edu in hamradio/races
or in hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming and can be retrieved using FTP.  The
opinions stated are those of the author of the bulletin and not the poster.

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

Date: Sat, 11 Jun 1994 02:02:04 GMT
From: news.claremont.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com![e-mail]
Subject: VHF Maritime Outrage!!
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jim Revkin) writes:
>I'd be interested in hearing the group's feelings about new FCC
>licensing fees for VHF maritime transceivers.  In my view this is
>an outrage.  The availablility of VHF Maritime transceivers should
>be facilitated, in my view, NOT impeded, for safety reasons.  It
>--
>James H. Revkin, M.D.     KA1QJ
>[e-mail]


This is only the latest attempt by the Administration to raise money for the
federal coffers.  The fees for other licenses have also risen.  The fee
for the commercial radio licences has risen from $35 to $105 also.  Can
charging for amateur radio licenses be far behind?  I don't think so.  I
predict that with 5 years all amateur will be paying something to
apply for/renew their license.
Jim Chandler, N0VAH/AE
[e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 11 Jun 1994 02:29:21 GMT
From: olivea!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!zip.eecs.umich.edu!umn.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com![e-mail]
Subject: VHF Maritime Outrage!!
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (James W Chandler III) writes:
> In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Jim Revkin) writes:
> > [asks for opinions on VHF maritime license fee increase]
>
> This is only the latest attempt by the Administration to raise money for the
> federal coffers.  The fees for other licenses have also risen.  The fee
> for the commercial radio licences has risen from $35 to $105 also.  Can
> charging for amateur radio licenses be far behind?  I don't think so.  I
> predict that with 5 years all amateur will be paying something to
> apply for/renew their license.
> Jim Chandler, N0VAH/AE
> [e-mail]

This is probably an unpopular sentiment, but here goes:
AFAIK the US is the ONLY nation that charges $0.00 for a life-time
amateur license.

If kicking in a pittance every year (and, face it, genetlpersons, $7
per annum is NOT a huge sum of money .. less than 2 cents per day;
heck, I lose that much behind the sofa) will warm the cockles/coffers
of our government, and maybe make them just a TEENY bit more
responsive to us, then it's a good thing.

Remember:  The amateur service is a big sink to the FCC ... we provide
nothing of significant value any more, and we're sitting on hundreds
of megahertz of valuable bandwidth.

How many licensed hams are there in the US now?  200,000 maybe?  At $7
per ham per year, we're paying merely $1,400,000 p.a. rent on a LOT of
real estate...

I'm vaguely upset that for administrative reasons they chose to charge
the ten years in advance.  I can imagine a young ham having some
difficulty scraping up that money, but if you are like me, or most of
my ham buddies, kicking in the $70 for a new ham's license would make
a great "welcome to ham radio" gift.  Go without a new doodad for a
few more weeks.

A friend of mine and I scrounge the swap-fests and pick up all of the
IC-2ATs and 4ATs that we can find.  When a young person we know gets a
license, but can't afford a radio, [s]he's given one on 'permanent
loan'.  I suppose we've spent about $700 each doing this, but I
consider it just a part of my obligation to keeping ham-radio alive.

    Scott

P.S.  This really kinda goes against my nature -- I'm usually a rabid
libertarian.

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

Date: (null)
From: (null)
-----------------

RACES Bulletins are archived on the Internet at ucsd.edu in hamradio/races
or in hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming and can be retrieved using FTP.  The
opinions stated are those of the author of the bulletin and not the poster.

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #652
******************************