Date: Wed, 23 Mar 94 04:30:42 PST
From: Ham-Equip Mailing List and Newsgroup <ham-equip@ucsd.edu>
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Subject: Ham-Equip Digest V94 #75
To: Ham-Equip
Ham-Equip Digest Wed, 23 Mar 94 Volume 94 : Issue 75
Today's Topics:
2m HT recomendations ? (2 msgs)
FT-990 vs TS-850
HEATHKIT CORP!!
HTX-100 and MFJ 947D Forsale
Info on converting commercial gear
Info on Slovakian hams
Is the Atlas 310 for real?
Kenwood AT-250 and TS-440S - Question
MFJ Antenna Tuner
Need Dayton room
Yaesu
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We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1994 07:55:47 +0600
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!news.tamu.edu!idmb-secretary.tamu.edu!user@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: 2m HT recomendations ?
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
In article <2ml0k0$3b4@nntp.ucs.ubc.ca>, harland@sabre.mech.ubc.ca (Harland
MacKenzie) wrote:
> I am thinking about buying a 2m HT. I have read the glossy ads,
> in CQ and 73 but I can not come to any conclusions.
>
> Which do you use ? What are its good / bad points ?
>
> Is power important or is battery life more critical ?
>
> What features are important DTMF, CTCSS, pageing, ...
As far as power vs. battery life, it all depends on how you intend to use
it. If you're mainly going to be accessing local repeaters, then a lot of
power is not too important. If you're going to be doing a lot of simplex
operation, especially with distances involved, you want to be able to run
more power. I suggest that you make sure you get a second battery pack, so
that you can use one while charging the other. If you want to spend around
$100, you can get a 1 hour quick charge unit. Also, for mobile operation,
you can get an car adapter to plug it into the lighter, thereby giving you
full power (most battery packs that come with HT's don't put out the full 5
watts, usually only around 2.5. You have to buy an extra, larger battery
pack for the full watts output).
As far as features, you'll want CTCSS, so that you can access repeaters
that require pl tones (important in crowded areas, or for closed
repeaters). DTMF is important if you want to use autopatches. l consider
those two the minimum requirements to get. Other nice touches are battery
saver features, paging, pl tone scanning and stuff like that.
> I am looking at models from Kenwood, Yeasu, and I-COM. I am
> leaning toward the Kenwood TH-28A. I am also looking at the
> Yeasu F-11R and 411 as well as a few models from I-COM.
I have a Yaesu FT-530 (it's a 2 band, 2m and 70cm) and love it, especially
the pl tone scanning feature. I'm not up on single band units. A previous
reply to you mentioned intermod problems in large cities. I have heard
that the Radio Shack 202 model is very good about not having intermod
problems, since it is designed as ham band only. The drawback is you can't
modify it to work as a scanner, it's a little bigger than most new HT's,
not as many features, and many people are prejudiced against Radio Shack
products. However, I have found several people on here and on Genie who
are quite pleased with theirs.
Troyce
KC5CBI
--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please read THE ELEMENT OF FIRE by Martha Wells, a Tor hardback at
quality bookstores near you. I live with the author and want
to go back to Disney World this year :)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 94 08:36:49 -0700
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!hamblin.math.byu.edu!news.byu.edu!yvax.byu.edu!sandersm@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: 2m HT recomendations ?
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
In article <2ml0k0$3b4@nntp.ucs.ubc.ca>, harland@sabre.mech.ubc.ca (Harland MacKenzie) writes:
> I am thinking about buying a 2m HT. I have read the glossy ads,
> in CQ and 73 but I can not come to any conclusions.
>
> Which do you use ? What are its good / bad points ?
>
> Is power important or is battery life more critical ?
>
> What features are important DTMF, CTCSS, pageing, ...
>
Harland:
We live about 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, and have many repeaters
adorning the mountain tops all around. We have found that power is not greatly
significant unless you are in a poor location. MOst of the time we use 2.5
watts, but have the capability for 5W. DTMF - a resounding yes for the
occasional auto patch, especially for emergencies and 911 service. We don't
use CTCSS/paging, but it would be a nice feature if my wife ever decided to
get her license. Battery life is not critical as long as you have a second
battery. We have a couple of 7 amp hour gell cells that we can plug in for
longer term operation like going camping. I had a 28A and found it susceptible
to intermod, even in my distant location from the big city. It had some great
features: I especially liked the clock radio feature that would turn it on at
the time I preset, so my commute group would wake me up and get me going <HI>!
We have ended up with three Alinco DJ-180T/H. They are not fancy, but do the
job very well (3 hams in our family). I bought two of them with the 12 volt
battery, and mine has the 7.2V battery. They have DTMF, scan, and memories, as
well as out of ham band receive, but no real "frills". I am currently using
mine on my packet station until I convert over to a mobil unit.
Another recommendation is the Yaesu FT-530 dual band. It is a great radio. My
son's friend just bought one after involving us in their search, and it really
works well. My son is saving up for one (in fact he wants to sell some of my
equipment to get some money - cheeky 13 yr olds!).
Good luck,
Milt
KB7MSF
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1994 09:14:50 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!sgiblab!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!news.dtc.hp.com!hplextra!hplb!hpwin052!hpqmoea!dstock@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: FT-990 vs TS-850
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
Uri Blumenthal (uri@watson.ibm.com) wrote:
: In article <19MAR94.18754189.0121@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA>, NADO000 <NADO@UNB.CA> writes:
: > >>didn't give me a single problem, nor to anybody of my
: > >>friends, who seeing my 990 chose to buy similar rig
: > ^^^^^^^
: > I don't think one should pick a radio just on looks.
: Come on, don't you really understand, that "seeing" in the
: context meant they tested it in all the modes they wanted?
: If it was a joke - I apologize.
: (:-).
Hmm this takes me back a couple of years, the first TS850 I saw was
on a stand at a rally. There was a large crowd around it, fighting to
spin its knobs and poke its buttons. It seemed rather futile, really, as
none of the stands had any electrical power, and the set was
consequently unpowered. They must have really liked the feel of those
knobs because some people were offering to buy it there and then,
untried. One individual in my hearing offered the stall holder a premium
over the list price just to get that one, said to be the first in the
area. To fully understand the meaning of this, readers in the US must
note that in the UK, list price is strictly selling price, although you
might get them to throw in an accessory worth a few percent of the deal.
UK list price is about double the US prices seen in QST.
I was somewhat stunned by this, and have watched for the effect
recurring, which it did at another rally when the TS50 showed up.
I have witnessed people buying radios by appearance !
I just can't decide whether it is a joke or not, although P T Barnum
would have found it funny....
Cheers
David GM4ZNX
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1994 11:16:48 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!trane.uninett.no!due.uninett.no!marton.hsr.no!johanna4!staale@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: HEATHKIT CORP!!
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
hmm, i need help....
this aint the right group, but maybe someone can help me..
I have a digital weather station from Heath Comp.
But since theyre gone, where do i get some spare parts i need....
The outdoor temperature sensor is completely gone.( standin at -168 degrees
celcius)
if anyone could direct me to some complany that could help me i would be
grateful...
please respond by mail to staale@hsr.no since i dont read news that often..
LA 4 HW
Ole J. Oddsen
Skjaeveland
N-4300 SANDNES
NORWAY
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1994 15:58:44 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!pineapp@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: HTX-100 and MFJ 947D Forsale
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
I have two items forsale.
1) Radio Shack HTX-100 10 meter mobile radio. Asking
$150.00 or best offer.
2) MFJ 947D Antenna Tuner. Asking $80.00
This does not include COD and shipping.
If interested please reply via e-mail.
--
.----------------------------------------------+--------------------------.
| INTERNET: pineapp@netcom.com (DC436) | Daniel Curry WB6STW |
| AMPRNET : dan@wb6stw.ampr.org [44.4.20.144] | E-:-) Ham Radio Operator |
| AX.25 : wb6stw@n0ary.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA | Redwood City, CA USA |
'----------------------------------------------+--------------------------'
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1994 17:18:49 GMT
From: olivea!sgigate.sgi.com!sgiblab!darwin.sura.net!rsg1.er.usgs.gov!dgg.cr.usgs.gov!bodoh@ames.arpa
Subject: Info on converting commercial gear
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
I just invested $8 at a swap meet for two mobile VHF tranceivers. They are
set for the 150-151 Mhz range, and I would like to see if I can get them set
up for repeater/packet use. The manufacturer is 'General Aviation
Electronics' and the model is 'Genave Mobiline I'. The seller (of course)
claims they work and put out about 20W. I can probably get crystals from
Jan, but I would appreciate any info I can get on converting these. Thanks...
--
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Tom Bodoh - Sr. systems software engineer, Hughes STX, N0YGT +
+ USGS/EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA 57198 (605) 594-6830 +
+ Internet; bodoh@dgg.cr.usgs.gov (152.61.192.66) +
+ "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!" EL&P +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------------------------------
Date: 23 Mar 94 05:18:27 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!news.cac.psu.edu!news.pop.psu.edu!ctc.com!birdie-blue.cis.pitt.edu!godot.cc.duq.edu!toads.pgh.pa.us!w2xo!durham@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Info on Slovakian hams
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
I include packet mail from a local ham who is looking for info
on Slovakian ham radio...
>From N3JHA%K3OIW.#WPA.PA.USA.NA@w2xo.pgh.pa.us Tue Mar 22 22:40:32 1994
>To : W2XO@W2XO.#SWPA.PA.USA.NOAM
>Hi Jim,
>Last Tuesday, Bud WA3JPJ visited my shack and after telling him of my troubles
>contacting the Slovak Republic. He thought of you and we sent a message from my
>machine to you asking for information in contacting Slovakia. Since then,
>the home board K3OIW has been up and down, so I'm not sure if you received
>the original message, or if maybe your reply was lost so I am sending
>a follow-up. My wife is from what is now Slovakia, OM3 land and we will
>be visiting there this summer. I am taking a HF station for my brother-
>in-law and need to find out if I can buy a Power Supply there or if I
>need to take one. Thanks in advance for your help.
>73 Duffy N3JHA @ K3OIW.WPA.PA.USA.NA
>sk
If you can help him, you can mail to him as
N3JHA%K3OIW.#WPA.PA.USA.NA@w2xo.pgh.pa.us .
This will gateway it through to packet.
Thanks,
Jim Durham, W2XO
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1994 10:35:09 CST
From: elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!uicvm.uic.edu!u40241@ames.arpa
Subject: Is the Atlas 310 for real?
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
Atlas radio has been advertising the 310 model since Nov. 1992 and collecting
half-payment for early orders. They don't seem to be answering the phone and
product development time seems to be getting out-of-hand. Does anyone have
inside information on the status of this cute little photo of a radio?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 1994 13:36:50 -0500
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!ftpbox!mothost!lmpsbbs!NewsWatcher!user@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Kenwood AT-250 and TS-440S - Question
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
In article <ojg.79.0036DE35@tis.inel.gov>, ojg@tis.inel.gov (Jay C.
Greenberg) wrote:
> I have recently aquired a Kenwood AT-250 and I already had a TS-440S.
> In the manual for the 440S, it lists the AT-250 as optional equipment.
> I got the manual for the AT-250, but it does not address how to
> interface it to the 440S. Anyone know how???
Jay, I looked high and low for a smiley face in your article and
didn't see any, so here goes:
It interfaces exactly the same as it did on the TS-430. Connect the
antenna jack of the rig to the radio input on the tuner, using an
appropriate cable such as RG-8/U.
> Please help! the AT-250 works (tried it out on a 430.)
Congratulations, you already had the answer and didn't know it.
The AT-250 came out before the TS-440 transceiver, which is why
it is not mentioned in the AT-250 manual.
I sure hope you didn't think the AT-250 would be like the fully
automatic internal antenna tuner of the TS-440S/AT. You still must
perform all tuning adjustments manually, using the "tune" button on
the radio to key with only 3 watts output. Higher power tuning into
high VSWR (VSWR>7:1) can DEFINITELY cause component failures in the
TS440. Replacement of the PA transistors is not a cheap repair.
>
> Thanks!
>
> Jay - WA4VRV
>
>
> For all email, write to:
>
> ojg@tis.inel.gov or GREENBJC@inel.gov
>
> 73's
--
Karl Beckman, P.E. < STUPIDITY is an elemental force for which >
Motorola Comm - Fixed Data < no earthquake is a match. -- Karl Kraus >
The statements and opinions expressed here are not those of Motorola Inc.
Motorola paid a marketing firm a huge sum of money to get their opinions;
they have made it clear that they do not wish to share those of employees.
Amateur radio WA8NVW @ K8MR.NEOH.USA.NA NavyMARS VBH @ NOGBN.NOASI
------------------------------
Date: 21 Mar 94 17:12:27 GMT
From: ncrgw2.ncr.com!ncrhub2!tdbunews!copsw61!gr5@uunet.uu.net
Subject: MFJ Antenna Tuner
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
I have a MFJ 986 and I am really happy with the way that
it works. I find the two knob tuning system to be a lot
easier for me to use than the three knob tuning on the
989C.
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1994 23:09:44 -0500
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!udel!news.udel.edu!brahms.udel.edu!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Need Dayton room
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
Please forgive the cross posting if you will.
I need a room for two for Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at Dayton.
We have one room at the Hampton House with the FRC, and want one more
closeby if possible.
CU at contest forum and dinner, FRC suite, hamfest etc.
Tnx Bob
--
Bob Penneys, WN3K Frankford Radio Club Internet: penneys@pecan.cns.udel.edu
Work: Ham Radio Outlet (Delaware) (800) 644-4476; fax (302) 322-8808
Mail at home: 12 East Mill Station Drive Newark, DE 19711 USA
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 21 Mar 94 14:47:00 +0100
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!seunet!seunet!cindy!uugate@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Yaesu
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
CAN ANYONE HELP ME WITH SOME MODS FOR A YAESU FT-33R ?
... "Scotty, beam me up another Blue Wave message."
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
------------------------------
Date: 22 Mar 1994 15:28:45 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!ux2.cso.uiuc.edu!ignacy@network.ucsd.edu
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
References <2mfkd6$8p4@apple.com>, <19MAR94.18754189.0121@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA>, <2ml9q1$25h@hplvec.lvld.hp.com>
Subject : RF and AF speech processors. Was: FT-990 vs TS-850
It seems that the SSB quality depends on 3 factors:
1. Passband characteristics of the AF chain (including the microphone),
2. IMD of the PA,
3. Type of processing, audio or RF?
I am wondering why the QST reviews do not mention the type of processing,
which has a large effect on signal quality. Signals with audio processing
have higher content of AF harmonics, and are subsequently less efficient
(3db?) and more difficult to tune. All cheaper rigs such as IC 725-737,
FT 747-757, TS 430-450 use AF processing. IC 751-, FT990-, TS 830-
use RF processing. I am not sure about the rest.
Ignacy Misztal, NO9E, SP8FWB
University of Illinois
ignacy@uiuc.edu
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 22 Mar 1994 14:49:14 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!col.hp.com!fc.hp.com!jayk@network.ucsd.edu
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
References <2mfkd6$8p4@apple.com>, <19MAR94.18754189.0121@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA>, <2ml9q1$25h@hplvec.lvld.hp.com>
Reply-To : jayk@fc.hp.com
Subject : Re: FT-990 vs TS-850
Scott Turner (scott@lvld.hp.com) wrote:
: How do these rigs sound on the air! At the risk of starting a flame
: war, I'll venture the opinion that, in general, I find Kenwoods putting
: out among the best sounding signals on the air.
: Scott Turner N0VRF scott@hpisla.LVLD.HP.COM
As I remember from the 850 review in QST sometime back they didn't like
the 850 at near full output on SSB. They claimed it got a bit dirty (wide)
I think. Maybe someone with the article handy can give the exact quote.
73, Jay K0GU jayk@fc.hp.com
------------------------------
Date: 21 Mar 1994 09:17:08 -0800
From: olivea!apple.com!apple.com!not-for-mail@ames.arpa
To: ham-equip@ucsd.edu
References <2m58sq$12hg@watnews1.watson.ibm.com>, <2mfkd6$8p4@apple.com>, <19MAR94.18754189.0121@UNBVM1.CSD.UNB.CA>
Subject : Re: FT-990 vs TS-850
NADO000 <NADO@UNB.CA> writes:
>In article <2mfkd6$8p4@apple.com> kchen@apple.com (Kok Chen) writes:
>>>didn't give me a single problem, nor to anybody of my
>>>friends, who seeing my 990 chose to buy similar rig
> ^^^^^^^^^^
>I don't think one should pick a radio just on looks.
QRZ, QRZ. That ain't me who said that!
I also own a Ten-Tec rig. Have you ever seen a Ten-Tec rig that
looks good? :-) :-). Moreover, I drive a Saab and I get taunted
all the time for uglifying the parking lot.
Vote for best looking rig: the National HRO-500.
73,
Kok Chen, AA6TY kchen@apple.com
Apple Computer, Inc.
------------------------------
End of Ham-Equip Digest V94 #75
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