Date: Sun, 13 Feb 94 04:30:17 PST From: Ham-Digital Mailing List and Newsgroup Errors-To: Ham-Digital-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Ham-Digital@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Ham-Digital Digest V94 #36 To: Ham-Digital Ham-Digital Digest Sun, 13 Feb 94 Volume 94 : Issue 36 Today's Topics: 30 meter "Band Plan" Audio Spectrum Analyser Hamblaster Update Packet BBS run off of a SUN? Packet in mexico? PK-232 vs 1278 ?? Squelch ON or OFF? (4 msgs) STS-60 QSL? TNC4 info? Where to find? Yaesu FT-470 RX Range? Yaesu FT-5100 / MFJ-1270B Send Replies or notes for publication to: Send subscription requests to: Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Ham-Digital Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-digital". 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: 12 Feb 1994 23:54:11 GMT From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!crcnis1.unl.edu!unlinfo.unl.edu!djw@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 30 meter "Band Plan" To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu Greetings Fellow Digital Enthusiasts!!! I have a question................. Is there a "gentlemen's agreement" or other such band plan for 10Mhz/30 meters. What is the cw portion? What is the packet portion? Are Amtor and Pactor and RTTY only acceptable on certian portions of this incredibly small slice of spectrum? I would appreciate knowing so as to aviod any "FAUX PAUX" in operating there. Inquiring minds want to know. Thank You............. Dan-WA0JRD djw@unlinfo.unl.edu ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 20:25:00 GMT From: lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!utnut!utcsri!newsflash.concordia.ca!pavo.concordia.ca!md_hill@seismo.css.gov Subject: Audio Spectrum Analyser To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu I seem to remember that there was an article in 73 magazine (I *think* it was 73) that had the schematics for an audio spectrum analyser. Does anyone remember what issue that was in. I am not lazy, I just don't buy 73 all that often ;-). Failing that, doen anyone know of any other source of info on the topic ? Thanks ============================================================= -Mark Hillier | Internet: MD_HILL@pavo.concordia.ca | Amateur: VE2HVW | PACKET: VE2HVW@VE2FKB ------------------------------------------------------------- " I hear, I forget. I see, I remember. I do, I understand" ------------------------------------------------------------- Message-ID: <10FEB199415252815@pavo.concordia.ca> Organization: Concordia University News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41 ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 7 Feb 1994 18:21:59 GMT From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!psinntp!psinntp!psinntp!laidbak!tellab5!jwa@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Hamblaster Update To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu The Hamblaster Update Over the past several months I posted updates about a DSP "The Hamblaster" that Will Torgrim (N9PEA) and myself are developing. We are focusing our efforts on a packet modem that allows the user to improve H.F. reception by interfacing the Ham- blaster (a PC compatable DSP sound board) to a transceiver and a packet or all mode TNC. Modems/filters for RTTY, Packtor, Amtor are also under developement and are compatable with the same control panal software. Here are the latest developements 1-31-94 1) External Power supply I think one feature that separates the Hamblaster from other sound boards is it's ability to run on an external 12 volt supply. When a filter or modem is loaded, You can turn off the computer and Hamblaster keeps on going and going and going! When it's connected to a PK-232, there's no need to keep the computer on in order to keep the DSP alive. Right now, my PK232/Hamblaster is runing and it's been operating for about 5 days 2) Adaptive (LMS) filter There's ongoing developement in this area. We are planing (I don't think this has been done before) to add controls to the LMS algorithm. 3) Soundblaster compatibility The Hamblaster IS NOT soundblaster compatible. It was designed that way so that it will run independant of other sound boards. I can still use my Soundblater to record sound, play music, load software from the CD or use the midi interface. At the same time, I can receive packets or use a DSP filter with my Ham equipment. --- Jack Albert Fellow Radio Hacker Tele (708) 378-6201 Tellabs Operations, Inc. FAX (708) 378-4590 1000 Remington Blvd. jwa@tellabs.com Bolingbrook, IL 60440 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * THE BOWTIE FILTER ------------------------------ Date: 10 Feb 94 05:14:03 GMT From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.kei.com!ub!niktow!exuco1!kjv@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Packet BBS run off of a SUN? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu In article v125pemm@ubvms.cc.buffalo.edu (TIMOTHY H. O'HARA) writes: >Hello, Greetings... > >I was wondering if anyone out there has ever run a packet BBS of of a >UNIX box like a SUN. Sun, no... SGI, yes, probably next week... HOWEVER! FTP to: ucsd.edu /pub/hamradio/packet/tcpip/wampes You will find what you require in that directory... > >Most of my experience is with DOS based machines as well as VMS and UNIX >mainframes. I've had nothing but bad experience with DOS machines. > >Is it possible to set up a SUN in a stand alone config. FTP to ucsd.edu and be enlightened... -- ------------------------+----------------------------------------------------- .signature Beta 0.25-4 | Karl J. Vesterling - N2VQM Patents Pending | kjv@exucom.com - Internet (C) 1993 | n2vqm@n2vqm.ampr.org - MailDrop ------------------------------ Date: 12 Feb 1994 02:59:24 GMT From: library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!prairienet.org!k9cw@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Packet in mexico? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu In a previous article, NORMAN.OWENS@ocr.com (norman owens) says: >I'm leaving on my boat later this year for Mexico and will have >a 2 meter and a computer on board. Does any one know if there are >packet bbs' available in Mexico, and beyond? I have the AEA Fax II >to download wefax, but haven't been able to get it to work yet. >But I'm going to buy a do-all TNC, that I can send and receive on. >I am waiting for my call letters and listening to my 2 meter before >I get into anything heavier. > >... Catch the Blue Wave! > Blue Wave/QWK v2.10 > What you should really take with you is an HF radio and an AMTOR or CLOVER interface board for your computer. Then you will will seldom be out of range of a BBS. 73 de Drew K9CW -- *-----------------------------*-------------------------------------* | Andrew B. White K9CW | internet: k9cw@prairienet.org | | ABW Associates, Ltd. | phone/fax: 217-643-7327 | *-----------------------------*-------------------------------------* ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 00:24:07 GMT From: netcomsv!netcom.com!slay@decwrl.dec.com Subject: PK-232 vs 1278 ?? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu Just for fun, here is a bulletin I received a little over a year ago from KH2D@KH2D in Guam entitled *The Ultimate PK-232*: After reading a bulletin about modifying the PK232 to perform better on AMTOR, which was a reprint of an article from QST magazine, I thought it would be a good time to distribute one more mod for the PK232. The above mentioned article stated that the "PK232 performed BETTER than COMMERCIAL AMTOR equipment". As we say on the ham bands, "hi hi ...... " The following MOD will make the PK232 work MUCH better in these areas: 1. Improve SENSITIVITY on HF and VHF. 2. Greatly improve the TUNING BAR GRAPH DISPLAY. 3. Get rid of the common RF PROBLEM in the PK232. (symptoms of this very common problem are: your PK232 sounds like a duck call on HF). 4. Make the PBBS more compatable with full service BBS's. 5. Add remote control of TNC parameters. 6. Add NODE capability. 7. Allow simultaneous use of VHF and HF ports. 8. Add AMTOR mailbox capability. 9. Add FULL DUPLEX capability. 10. Operate PROPERLY in the KISS mode. 11. Add GATEWAY capability. 12. Add SOFTWARE CARRIER DETECT. This mod can be performed by the average ham very easily with no soldering required and a minimum number of tools. Please follow these instructions CAREFULLY: 1. Power OFF the PK232. 2. Remove ALL cables connected to the PK232. 3. Grasp the PK232 FIRMLY in your RIGHT HAND (left hand is OK if you are LEFT-HANDED). 4. Carry the PK232 to the nearest trash can and hold it directly above the aforementioned trash can. 5. Drop the PK232 into the trash can. 6. In the space the PK232 used to occupy, install a KANTRONICS KAM with 5.02 (or later) firmware. (After completing this step, you will notice you have MORE SPACE on your shelf or tabletop). CONGRATULATIONS !! You have just modified your PK232 so that it is now the BEST ALL MODE DATA CONTROLLER available. An option to steps 3 thru 5 in the modification instructions would be to sell the PK232 to another ham (preferably someone who doesn't know where you live, a new novice operator, or someone you don't like). For those hams who don't have a PK232 installed at their station, skip steps 1 thru 5 in the above instructions. The above mod has been thoroughly tested at KH2D BBS and has performed FLAWLESSLY for the last 7 months (multi-user, multi-port). KH2D assumes no liability for hams who make this mod and can't hit the trash can. CAUTION: the PK232 is so BIG and CLUNKY that it can cause broken bones in your foot. Children should NOT try this modification without the assistance of a responsible adult. KH2D grants full permission to the ARRL to reprint this modification in QST. I would also like to express my sincerest thanks to the gentleman who spent his time retyping the article from QST magazine so that hams everywhere who don't receive their very own copy could enjoy it. But I would ask that for his next bulletin he chose a magazine where the tech- nical findings are not based on the amount of advertising dollars spent by the equipment manufacturer. 73, Enjoy the DIGITAL MODES, Jim KH2D @ KH2D.GUAM.USA.OC ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 9 Feb 94 21:32:50 GMT From: mnemosyne.cs.du.edu!nyx!nburnett@uunet.uu.net Subject: Squelch ON or OFF? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu In order to operate OPEN squelch you'll need to install the TAPR XR2211 DCD MOD (available from TAPR for $15, I think). This will make it so that your TNC looks for data rather than just 'anything' to do DCD. This is 'true DCD'. Hope I've been of help, 73, Nate N8MBK ------------------------------ Date: 9 Feb 94 13:11:01 -0700 From: nntp.ucsb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!destroyer!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!mala.bc.ca!wagner@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Squelch ON or OFF? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu In article <1994Feb8.201655.20182@VFL.Paramax.COM>, rossi@VFL.Paramax.COM (Pete Rossi) writes: > When operating 2 meter packet should I have the receiver squelch ON or OFF? > > Most sources indicate that the squelch can/should be turned off, however, I > find that when I do this the background noise causes the DCD light to flash. > This confuses the TNC making it think that the channel is busy when it is not. > > I am using the MJF-1270C > > ================================================================= > Pete Rossi - WA3NNA rossi@vfl.paramax.COM > > Unisys Corporation - Government Systems Group > Valley Forge Engineering Center - Paoli, Pennsylvania > ================================================================= Depends on the program and the hardware configuration. DCD (Data Carrier Detect) and CTS are usually used to sample activity (open squelch) by actually reading the presence or absence of signal. Some programs use the data itself to indicate information transfer. It is advisable for hardware sense (DCD or CTS), but in a remote node or BBS situation it is not possible to always adjust the squelch control so the actual data is monitored and the squelch is often ignored. Personally I prefer the former as it is more solid and infinately more reliable in situations where this is a lot of packet activity to be igonored. I have tried both on TPK and find the hardware (CTS and DCD) to be more reliable -- ____________ ____________ ____ _____ /_____ ____/ / _______ / / \ ,' / / / / / / / / /\ \ ,' ,'/ / / / / / / / / / \ \,' ,' / / / / / / / / / / \ ,' / / / / / /______/ / / / \,' / / /__/ /___________/ /__/ /_/ _____________________________________________________ /____________________________________________________/ Proud owner of a dog, cat, bird, old Tractor and a British Car "If Lucas Electric made guns wars wouldn't start" ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 8 Feb 1994 20:16:55 GMT From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!udel!gvls1!rossi@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Squelch ON or OFF? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu When operating 2 meter packet should I have the receiver squelch ON or OFF? Most sources indicate that the squelch can/should be turned off, however, I find that when I do this the background noise causes the DCD light to flash. This confuses the TNC making it think that the channel is busy when it is not. I am using the MJF-1270C ================================================================= Pete Rossi - WA3NNA rossi@vfl.paramax.COM Unisys Corporation - Government Systems Group Valley Forge Engineering Center - Paoli, Pennsylvania ================================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 1994 18:33:03 GMT From: sdd.hp.com!portal!combdyn!lawrence@decwrl.dec.com Subject: Squelch ON or OFF? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu In article <1994Feb8.201655.20182@VFL.Paramax.COM> rossi@VFL.Paramax.COM (Pete Rossi) writes: >When operating 2 meter packet should I have the receiver squelch ON or OFF? > >Most sources indicate that the squelch can/should be turned off, however, I >find that when I do this the background noise causes the DCD light to flash. >This confuses the TNC making it think that the channel is busy when it is not. > You can have the squelch off if you are running some kind of hardware or software carrier detect. Otherwise you need to have squelch on.....otherwise you'll never be able to TX. -- --EMAIL-----------------------------PHONE-----------FAX------------ | WORK: lawrence@combdyn.com | (403)529-2162 | (403)529-2516 | CallSign | HOME: dreamer@lhaven.uumh.ab.ca | (403)526-6019 | (403)529-5102 | VE6LKC ------------------------------------------------------------------- disclamer = (working_for && !representing) + (Combustion Dynamics Ltd.); ------------------------------ Date: 9 Feb 94 11:18:05 GMT From: ogicse!qiclab!iclnet93!psgrain!news.clark.edu!clark.edu!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: STS-60 QSL? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu I finally got a shuttle QSO number!! How do I go about getting a QSL card? Rick KB7QLY ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 10 Feb 94 14:53:50 GMT From: library.ucla.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!news.chalmers.se!etek.chalmers.se!e89_bond@network.ucsd.edu Subject: TNC4 info? Where to find? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu Hi, Where do I get information about the TNC4? I think it's designed by DG3DBI and DG9EP. (Are they reachable on the net?) (Sorry for the almost empty article.) 73 de Fredrik ----------------------------------------------------------- Chalmers I Fredrik Bonde I e-mail: e89_bond@etek.chalmers.se Tekniska I Gibraltargatan 82-149 I packet: SM6UBC @ SK6YW.O.SWE.EU H|gskola I 412 79 G|teborg I tel: +46-(0)31-20 88 76 I SWEDEN I ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 12 Feb 1994 22:38:42 GMT From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!bga.com!vern.bga.com!kbrune@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Yaesu FT-470 RX Range? To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu I recently acquired a FT-470 Yaesu radio. I opened it up turned it on an pushed a few buttons and tunned it in to 162.40MHz to hear the local weather radio station. I then set this freq as memory #1. After this I turned it off and let the battery charge. After charging I decided to clear the memory and start fresh. Well, after doing this, for the life of me I could not tune that thing above 148.00 MHz on the low band setting. I think this is some kind of undocumented feature. Anybody have any ideas? thanks Ken WL7IR ------------------------------ Date: 10 Feb 94 21:17:06 GMT From: btg!rusty@uunet.uu.net Subject: Yaesu FT-5100 / MFJ-1270B To: ham-digital@ucsd.edu In article <2j8i6u$5qo@hpcan240.mentorg.com> dave_clemans@mentorg.com writes: >plymale@myhost.subdomain.domain wrote: >: I'm trying to interface a Yaesu FT-5100 to a MFJ-1270B TNC via >: the 5100's DATA IN/OUT jack. I constructed a connector based on >: the instructions in the 5100 manual. The problem is that the >: transmit audio level out of the TNC is way too low. Adjusting >: trimpot R76 during the 1270B recalibration procedure does not help. >: Any suggestions for increasing transmit audio level are appreciated. > >: Bill Plymale - KD4CIY > >What data speed are you trying to get? >According to a Yaesu rep, for 2400 baud or less, you should not try >to use the data jack on the back. You should connect to the microphone >jack on the front. The data jack has been optimized for 9600 baud. Yes, I just got off the phone with Yaesu [Amateur] Tech Support and they indeed confirmed that 2400-baud and below goes through the microphone port. When asked if 19.2K could be sent through the data port, after explaining that "nineteen dot two" and "nineteen thousand two hundred" were greater than 2400, the "tech" replied, and I quote, "You can go that fast???" Why is it I always get the "tech"s that speak English as a third or fourth language? My friends get "tech"s that understand what's said to them. Nonetheless, hoping to get high-speed packet up and going RSN. 73 de KD4WLZ -Rusty- -- _____ Rusty Haddock ## KD4WLZ -- Weird Looking Zucchini |\/ o \ o DOMAIN: rusty@btg.com UUCP: uunet!btg!rusty | ( -< O o I planted my antenna farm and aluminum and copper poles |/\__V__/ came up. The strange thing is that I used steel seeds. ------------------------------ End of Ham-Digital Digest V94 #36 ****************************** ******************************