Date: Tue, 26 Oct 93 04:30:09 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1268
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Tue, 26 Oct 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1268
Today's Topics:
(none)
Best way to learn code?
CQWW: Animal Farm > Ant Farm
Future Handhelds ??
HT recommendation
Looking for TH-78A mods
Need Help with TNC connection
New in Fairbanks, needs help...thanks.. (3 msgs)
RFC Docs wanted
Shuttle visible from Earth
Yaesu FT-990 Comments...
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
Send subscription requests to: <Info-Hams-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu.
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: 25 Oct 93 16:26:18 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: (none)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
VE3ONT EME Operation
November, 1993 Announcement
The Toronto VHF Society plans to continue its EME (Moonbounce) tests
using the 46-meter (150') dish at the Algonquin Provincial Park, Ontario.
Operation will be as follows:
Date VE3ONT Approx.
(UTC) TX Freq RX Freq time (UTC)
Saturday, Nov. 6 432.050 432.050-060 0405-1645
Sunday, Nov. 7 1296.050 1296.050-060 0515-1715
The dish can be lowered to about 9 degrees elevation. This decreases
our operating time by almost an hour at Moon rise and set. It also
limits our ability to work local horizon-only stations.
Equipment: Our 432 MHz setup will be significantly better than October's.
We have fixed the receive problem that gave all signals a 120 Hz buzz, and
we will have about 1 dB more antenna gain due to a redesigned feed helix.
On 1296, we will be running about 150 watts output. The feed will be
LHCP/RHCP switchable so we ought to be able to work linear and circular
polarization stations.
We anticipate being able to work stations running 50-100 watts to a long
yagi on 432 or 1296. OSCAR-class stations are especially encouraged to try.
Operating suggestions:
Doppler shift will move the apparent VE3ONT frequency a bit. This will
make VE3ONT seem to be a little "off frequency," so tune around. Our
Moon echos will seem to be somewhat high (in frequency) at Moonrise and
low at Moonset. We will, however, always transmit on .050.
Note that we will be operating "split" so please spread out. In the October
operation, some stations were frustrated due to calling us on our own
frequency, where we weren't listening. Try to use good split-frequency
HF DXing technique: listen for the stations that VE3ONT is calling and
transmit near their frequency when VE3ONT stands by.
Please avoid duplicate QSOs. Our goal is to be "first EME" for as many small
stations as possible. "Calling again to say Hi" hurts small stations'
chances of making a QSO.
VE3ONT will be operating in "contest" mode. We discovered last month that
sequenced operation was not fruitful. We will make every effort to work
small and horizon-only stations but we will not accept skeds.
HF Liaison: HF propagation from the park is extremely poor. We will try
to check in to the 20-meter (14.345) EME Net during the day and the 75-
meter VHF nets (3.818 & 3.843) at night. Previous attempts to do so were
not successful, so don't expect much from us on HF.
QSL information: QSL to VE3ONT ('93 Callbook address ONLY!) or to Dennis
Mungham (VE3ASO), R.R. 3, Mountain, Ontario, Canada K0E 1S0. Color photo
QSLs are being prepared.
Michael Owen, W9IP
MOWE@SLUMUS
Fax: (315) 379-5804
Dennis Mungham, VE3ASO
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 93 05:14:59 GMT
From: news.service.uci.edu!paris.ics.uci.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!a3bee2.radnet.com!cyphyn!randy@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Best way to learn code?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Jeff Herman (jherman@uhunix3.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu) wrote:
: In article <jdm-300993102247@158.140.20.177> jdm@cadence.com (Joe Mastroianni) writes:
: >
: >Code is everyone's biggest stumbling block. Soon we'll be adding
: >proficiency in native American languages and ability to run a mile in
: >under 6 minutes as upgrade criteria, so be happy all you have to do is
: >learn code.
:
: I know that code is A1, but what are the other two `modes' you mention above?
American Lang. L1 (if cw) L3 (if AM) L3AJ(if ssb) LF3(if fm)
Run a mile M1 (if cw) M3 (if AM) M3AJ(if ssb) MF3(if fm) :)
:
: >
: >The key is to remember that all CW conversations (except between two people
: >who actually DO KNOW code) are identical. You need only be able to
: >recognize your call. As long as you can recognize your own call in CW, your
: >in like bacteria on a decaying piece of lamb.
The above is true when contesting, or when struggling to copy someone who's
going too fast...(sometimes it's a way to 'wing it' thru a QSO).
When ya get good at it, you can start doing conversations (like what we are
doing here) and it becomes interesting.
Below (here) is a good 'wing it' QSO (even I use it)
: >
: >All CW conversations go like this:
: >
: >DE (fillin blank)
: >TNX FER UR CALL OM (I use OK. TNX FER CALL.)
: >UR SIG 599 599 (I use SIG IS --9. )
: >NAME HERE (fill in blank) (I use NAME RANDY RANDY.)
: >QTH (fill in the blank) (I use QTH WALLINGFORD-CT.)
--- ( OK? BK --- DE KA1UNW K )
(2nd go around now)
( OK [his name]- OK ALL.)
: >RIG IS ICOM 751A (I use RIG IS COLLINS KWM-2. 25W.)
: >ANT 4 EL YAGI (I use ANT IS 63 FT WIRE 20 FT UP.)
: >WX SUNNY TEMPS ABOUT 20 DEG C (I somtimes skip this and follow
what the other guy talking about)
: >SO HW OM? ( I use OK? BK [his name] DE KA1UNW )
: >DE (fillin blank)
: >
: >Then he'll say some stuff you can ignore until you hear your call.
:
NO! THAT's the QSO part!, the 'formality's' being done, you can begin
talking about somthing!
>
: ... ( contester instructions now given, below)
:
: >You don't have to copy a single letter the other guy sends except for your
: >call. If a QSL card comes, you can figure out who you were talking to.
: >Otherwise, who cares?
: >
: >If you do this 20 times a day you'll eventually get into the prediction
: >mode--which is what copying CW is all about anyway. What? You don't get
: >it?
:
.....which can help you get around QRM or a deep fade...just remember to
copy every letter you DO get...leave air space for missed letters and then
you can piece it all together later.
>
: >It's like this: Most of copying CW has to do with knowing what the guy is
: >going to say next. Once you realize that, your CW speed will increase.
: >
:
: Wow Joe, sorry to hear that your QSO's are so boring. I've always had very
: pleasurable conversations on CW (except when constesting, but even that's
: fun). Rather than refusing to have a real conversation why not practice a
: bit, and ask the other guy some questions concerning his career, what got
: him started in ham radio, or carry out experiments such as trying different
: antennas, or each of you taking turns decreasing power output over
: several exchanges just to see how little is really needed to carry on a
: QSO; gee, there's hundreds of topics you could discuss - no need to be
: such a bore!
I couldn't resist adding my 2c worth ! Enjoy!
--
Randy KA1UNW If you get a shock while
servicing your equipment, "Works for me!"
randy@192.153.4.200 DON'T JUMP! -Peter Keyes
You might break an expensive tube!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 02:54:00 GMT
From: munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac.nz!frc!news@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: CQWW: Animal Farm > Ant Farm
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
CQWW-Phone 1993, 30-31 Oct:
Once again will the Animal Farm be miraculously transformed into an
Antenna Farm (gales permitting). The sheep chased out of the woolshed,
their beeeeh-ing replaced by the soft humming of linears, the smell of
smoking RF chokes mixing with the waft of burning Contest Macaroni,
outside the sound of gumboots sloshing in the mud...
Yes, it is that time again. The Kiwi Contest Group will be taking
part, signing ZL2K (we missed out on the ZM prefix this time) on all
bands (multi-multi). Anticipated alloy forest: 7, 5, 3, 2 element
monoband yagis for 10,15,20,40 and long wires for 80 and 160. Looking
forward to hearing you there...
Cheers, Wilbert ZL2BSJ.
--
Wilbert Knol MAFFISH Marine Research, POBox 297 Wellington, New Zealand.
------------------------------
Date: 26 Oct 93 08:52:33 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Future Handhelds ??
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
How far ahead is the communications industry beyond Amateur Radio
Technology ? Looks like wireless modems will make their way
into the industry in a big way in the near future. They are full
duplex, transparent networking devices that mainly work on
spread spectrum technology.
I recently saw two seperate ads in the same trade magazine
(Electronic Design - Oct. '93) From 'Sharp' and 'Philips' that
showed a picture of a prototype "do-everything" handheld cellular
phone/PC/mini CD drive/fax/e-mail/voice-mail -
I wonder if anyone on the net saw these ads and how far off
are devices like this from actual production ?
Dick Tracey would be impressed !
73,
Rich
WB2JBS
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 02:58:46 GMT
From: paris.ics.uci.edu!csulb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!emory!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!ukma!eng.ufl.edu!usenet.ufl.edu!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!freenet.scri.fsu@news.service.uci.edu
Subject: HT recommendation
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
No-Codes are not authorized to use the 10 meter band.
Only in a life threatening emergency, then anyone reporting the
emergency can use 10 meters.
Tim Wright KD4OVM
--
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 01:07:24 GMT
From: news.kpc.com!amd!netcomsv!netcom.com!wd6cmu@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Looking for TH-78A mods
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I'm looking for a mod for my Kenwood TH-78A dual-band HT that will
allow me to receive out-of-band UHF signals. Please reply via email.
Thanks and 73.
--
Eric Williams | Vincent: MC (B+S)t G+Y 1.1 Y L++ C+ T+ I+++ H+ S++ V+ F++
wd6cmu@netcom.com | Murphy: DS W+(B+R)t+R Y 1.2 Y L C+ T- I+++ H+ A+ F+ B--
WD6CMU@WD6CMU.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1993 21:58:24 GMT
From: news.kpc.com!amd!netcomsv!netcom.com!btoback@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Need Help with TNC connection
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Help!
I'm trying to interface a Kantronics KPC-3 to a Yaesu FT-208R, a 2m HT
that I was hoping to put permanently on packet. Unlike most HTs, this
one has separate PTT and mic lines, so I thought it would be easy.
Not so. The earphone jack is hot -- both sides! The "audio" line is at
+12vdc, and the "ground" is at +11.5vdc. Both the mic and PTT lines are
referenced to ground, so connecting speaker audio would mean grounding
a line that's at 11.5 volts. I don't think the radio will appreciate this.
I don't have a scope, so I can't tell if placing the 11.5vdc line at
audio ground via a capacitor will cause too much distortion for reliable
operation of the TNC. I was thinking of some kind of transformer coupling,
but I was hoping that someone else would have a better solution -- or at
least would be able to tell me what kind of transformer to use.
Thanks,
-- Bruce Toback
KN6MN, would-be packeteer
------------------------------
Date: 26 Oct 93 03:18:49 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: New in Fairbanks, needs help...thanks..
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
>I was wondering if anyone could tell
>me the local repeater Frequencies in Fairbanks rirb wq
>Alaska. Also, what seem to be the popular simplex
>frequencies.
>I'm also interested in finding out the local clubs
>and groups if any around here. Please e-mail me!!!!!!
>Thanks for your time!!!!! d
>---------------------------------------------------
>FSRLA@AURORA.ALASKA.EDU WL7NT >A:
>Roger Asbuy
>errrr....try again.....Roger Asbury.....I hate this computer....
>
Well, when I was in Alaska (Anchorage anyways), the Squarebanks
repeaters where on 146.88, 146.94 and 147.09. Then there
was the Squarebanks link to Anchorage via Minchimina <?sp> Lake
on 146.01/147.96 (Ice Worm net is what it was called then).
Cant help much with the clubs, might try to contact KL7IKX or
KL7ITI, or KL7HFQ in Anchorage, they're "big wigs" in the AARC
and probably could give you better information than I remember.
jd--k1zat
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1993 21:45:37 GMT
From: news.kpc.com!amd!netcomsv!netcom.com!jfh@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: New in Fairbanks, needs help...thanks..
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
fsrla@aurora.alaska.edu wrote:
>Hello, I just recievedgo my license abvout
>a week ago.
>I was wondering if anyone could tell
>me the local repeater Frequencies in Fairbanks
>Alaska. Also, what seem to be the popular simplex
>frequencies.
>I'm also interested in finding out the local clubs
>and groups if any around here. Please e-mail me!!!!!!
>Thanks for your time!!!!!
This is almost a complete change of subject, but I read recently in
WorldRadio that car registration if free in Alaska for cars equipped with
HF gear. How popular are HF, VFH, and UFH in Alaska?
--
----------------------------------------------------
Jack Hamilton POB 281107 SF CA 94128 USA
jfh@netcom.com kd6ttl@w6pw.#nocal.ca.us.na
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 01:44:23 GMT
From: news.kpc.com!amd!netcomsv!netcom.com!jfh@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: New in Fairbanks, needs help...thanks..
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
fsrla@aurora.alaska.edu wrote:
>Hello, I just recievedgo my license abvout
>a week ago.
>I was wondering if anyone could tell
>me the local repeater Frequencies in Fairbanks rirb wq
>Alaska. Also, what seem to be the popular simplex
>frequencies.
Here's the listing for Alaska from the ARRL's net directory:
LOCAL UTC
NET NAME FREQUENCY DAYS TIME DAYS TIME NOTE COVERAGE MANAGER
(year around) (in winter)
ALASKA
Anchorage ARES Net 147.30 + Th 8:00 P F 0500 Anchorage vicinity NL7DY
Juneau ARES Net 147.30 + as needed as needed Juneau vicinity KL7HFI
Kodiak ARES Net 146.88 - as needed as needed Kodiak City/Island KL7JBV
Tanana Valley Preparedness Net 146.79 - S 7:00 P Sn 0400 E Fairbanks North Star Borough AL7MI
Alaska Bush Net 7091 Dy 8:00 P Dy 0500 T Alaska-Canada AL7LX
Alaska Longwire Net 1846 F 10:00 P S 0700 Alaska AL7MX
Alaska Snipers Net 3920 Dy 6:00 P Dy 0300 ET Alaska, Yukon, BC Canada KL7GG
Earthquake/Tsunami/ARES Net 3920 when needed Alaska KL7GID
& 14290 AL7LX
Motely Group 3933 Dy 9:00 P Dy 0600 ETW Alaska, Yukon KL7GID
North Slope Borough ARES Net 7097 M 7:30 P T 0430 North Slope Borough WA6PGP
--
----------------------------------------------------
Jack Hamilton POB 281107 SF CA 94128 USA
jfh@netcom.com kd6ttl@w6pw.#nocal.ca.us.na
------------------------------
Date: 23 Oct 93 18:22:54 EST
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!bgsuvax!uoft02.utoledo.edu!aschlie@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: RFC Docs wanted
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I am looking for the RFC docs for NOS. I am told that they are available for
ftp, but no address was given. Can anyone help me out??
Thanks, 73's
Tony
+-----------------------------------------------+
|Tony Schliesser, N8XJA |
|Internet: ASCHLIE@UOFT02.UTOLEDO.EDU |
| AMPRNET: N8XJA@N8ACV.AMPR.ORG |
+-----------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 25 Oct 1993 21:26:52 GMT
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!caen!usenet.cis.ufl.edu!usenet.ufl.edu!mailer.cc.fsu.edu!freenet.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Shuttle visible from Earth
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
------------------------------
Date: 26 Oct 93 08:44:27 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Yaesu FT-990 Comments...
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hi Gary,
I'm posting this to the net since my mail bounced.
Regarding a recent posting to "Info-Hams"...
> We are looking at an 990' for a new radio for our shack. I was wondering i
>f there were any opinions or impressions about this rig...Any input would be ap
>preciaated....Gary KE9MI Southern Illinois University ARC
>packet: ke9mi@kd9sg.#sil.il.usa.na
>inter net: st1860@siucvmb.siu.edu
A good place for comments regarding the FT-990 is the Product Review
in QST - (March 1991 ?).
I own a Yaesu FT-990 that I purchased at Portland, H.R.O. in April.
It was a toss up between the '990 and the Kenwood TS-850. I had actually
planned to buy the '850 but when I set up the two side-by-side, I decided
on the '990. To begin with, it's a solidly build radio with a feel of quality and
craftsmanship. The VFO knob is silky smooth as are all the other controls of the
radio. I felt Kenwood's last radio of top quality construction was the TS-940.
After that model they went to plastic molds and less than top quality components.
Having always owned Kenwood in the past, I felt that after the '940, they
decided to invest in technology and less in quality. They will probably be
the first with DSP filtering at the IF stage something I'm sure will be a milestone
in our hobby. This is my personal opinion.
Back to the '990, I do have several complaints about the radio but I'd buy it again
all things considered.
To begin with, I use the '990 with the AEA HamLink (a device that allows me to
call in on the telephone and completely control the radio remotely. BTW, I
modified my HamLink to also function as a "RadioLink" so I can control it
using a dual band handy as well). The problem is that the CAT interface
is S L O W W. It takes 4 seconds to respond to a command and this makes
using the '990 with computer interfaces sluggish. With the HamLink, I wait
4 seconds after the #93# command to get the voice synthesized feedback
of freq. and mode. The Kenwood xcvrs do it almost instantly.
My 2nd major complaint (the rest are all minor) is the fact that the '990
has no 'RF monitor' switch. The only way I can hear if there's distortion
on my signal is listening with another receiver. You would expect a $2K radio
to have this feature. (Any mods for this out there ??). You can only use
the lower sideband position for packet (although you can use USB without
the internal filtering). There is no scan mode to allow scanning
from a lower limit to a higher limit. I can't understand why Yaesu doesn't
include this in any of their radios when the others manufacturers do. (This is
another feature that would have been great to have when using HamLink).
If you will be using the radio for AM broadcast reception, it suffers from
overload. AM just doesn't sound good on the radio even with the attenuator
in. There is only one PL for FM operation (88.5) - again, it would have been
nice to see the others. I bought the MD-1 mike, if I could do it again I'd
go for the new 'Heil' headset instead.
I didn't buy the 250 Hz CW filter or the 2K SSB filter because they were way
overpriced. (I built the W9GR DSP filter instead).
The optional TCXO and DVR are expensive.
The internal PS is good. The DC model suffers from major problems when the
DCV falls below 13.8.
Read the manual well. There are things that can really help you operate the
radio that one can only know by reading the manual.
All of the positive points of the '990 are covered in the QST Product Review
(and there are a lot) so I won't go into this here.
Good luck,
73,
Rich
WB2JBS
--------------------------------------
Disclaimer: My employer is not responsible for my mental noise or opinions...
------------------------------
Date: (null)
From: (null)
Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Shuttle visible from Earth: Americans as far north as Chicago and
Providence, R.I. will have rare opportunities to see a space shuttle
flying overhead next week. The shuttle will be visible in Kentucky
above the western horizon at 7:53 am Saturday, at 6:51 am Sunday, and
at 6:48 am Nov.1. From the ground, Columbia will resemble a tiny,
swiftly moving star as it orbits 178 miles high.
end of article
Maybe some of us will have a better chance at connecting up with
the Hams on board the shuttle.
Tim Wright KD4OVM
--
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 26 Oct 1993 02:50:12 GMT
From: usc!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!news.unomaha.edu!cwis!pschleck@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <4724@eram.esi.COM.AU>, <2agaqq$1fv@bigboote.WPI.EDU>, <2ahec9INN6se@abyss.West.Sun.COM>
Subject : Re: Bird watt-meters can't be exported?
In <2ahec9INN6se@abyss.West.Sun.COM> myers@sunspot.West.Sun.COM (Dana Myers ) writes:
>In article <2agaqq$1fv@bigboote.WPI.EDU> gkd@wpi.WPI.EDU (Gregory K Doerschler) writes:
>>In article <4724@eram.esi.COM.AU> dave@esi.COM.AU (Dave Horsfall) writes:
>>>So, what's with the "Not available for export" notation across the
>>>photo of the Bird meter in the Barry ads? Too delicate? Upsets
>>>someone's monopoly? Munitions? Classified equipment?
>>
>>The meter would have to be recalibrated to read foreign watts.
>>
>> Greg
>Don't be silly. There is no such thing as foreign watts.
>For export, you need to recalibrate the Bird wattmeters to read
>in voltage watts, not current watts.
Ya know, someone is going to come along and take you guys seriously,
much like the ongoing "Was Grease in the Village People?" thread in
alt.fan.greaseman.
I suspect the no-export rule is internal corporate policy because they
don't want to bother with export rules, duties, customs, etc. Their
loss, particularly after NAFTA (now there's a good off-subject thread
for everyone! :-).
73, Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU
pschleck@unomaha.edu
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1268
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