Date: Fri, 5 Nov 93 00:01:34 PST From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu> Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu Precedence: Bulk Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1311 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Fri, 5 Nov 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1311 Today's Topics: 3V8AS, anywone else? 811A Recommendations From KB7 to KC7 prefix ? Homosaturation Kenwood IF-232 Observations on Kenwood TH-78 (2 msgs) PC ham station software, info Q codes Radio Shack HTs (2 msgs) SAREX KEPS & UPDATE 10/28 SAREX STS-58 QSL Cards Swan 350 Info wanted We've lost him, Jim! (2 msgs) 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: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 21:16:39 GMT From: spsgate!mogate!newsgate!sauron!smith@uunet.uu.net Subject: 3V8AS, anywone else? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I worked him last year on 10m and received my QSL ok via the IK manager now waiting for my 17m QSL to arrive. Only problem is that he has not submitted documentation to the mighty all seeing all knowing ARRL DX committee. 8^) He is in 3V8 land and DK2WV has met him. 73 Trevor G3WQO AB5EU still exiled in Texas. ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 23:22:43 GMT From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!portal.austin.ibm.com!awdprime.austin.ibm.com!woody@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 811A Recommendations To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Apologies for the previous post with the deleted text. My old news reader has served me well, but here goes another try with an alternate. I need to purchase 4 811A's to install vertically in a homebrew PA. RCA, Penta Labs, and "house brand" (Soviet?) are options so far. If anyone in netland has any recommendations, caveats, and/or other information, please let me know. I'm back into the hobby after a 27 year absence and miss the warm glow of tubes (W* callsign also). Thanks, Woody Lemcke (KB5YKK) ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 03 Nov 1993 09:06:16 -0700 From: orca.es.com!cnn.sim.es.com!msanders.sim.es.com!user@uunet.uu.net Subject: From KB7 to KC7 prefix ? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <CFu19K.JoM@hpcvsnz.cv.hp.com>, davidc@lsid.hp.com (David Cook) wrote: > When region 7 runs out of KB7 prefix call signs what does the KC7 batch start > at? KC7AA ? KC7AAA ? > > Inquiring minds want to know. Well, at least mine does. > > Dave, KB7QCL Dave: My boys just got their licenses two days ago, KB7ZIU and KB7ZIV, so it is getting close. My 12 year old was glad that he missed getting KB7ZIT (but it was close!) A teenager with ZITs would not like that. My opinion says that KC7AAA will be the first KC7 call, but who cares about my opinion? Anyway, the "General" calls in region 7 are exhausted, so Novice through General in Region 7 have been getting 2 x 3 calls. The Advanced calls have been coming in as KI7xx in 2 x 2 format. Milt -- ========================================================================= Opinions, thoughts, &cetera are my own (when I can remember them). "He flies the sky KB7MSF/AG Like an Eagle in the eye Amateur Radio of a hurricane that's abandoned." "Sandman" Utah America ------------------------------ Date: 5 Nov 93 04:34:31 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Homosaturation To: info-hams@ucsd.edu >Support immorality or we will sue you, this seems to be the gay's message. Hey guys, could we change this thread to talk about Hams with bipolar personalities who ride Harleys and are members of Mensa? That would be a lot more interesting to me. 73, Cecil, kg7bk@indirect.com (I do not speak for Intel on Internet) ------------------------------ Date: 4 Nov 93 23:44:34 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Kenwood IF-232 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Someone asked: | I am trying to use software called KTWIN to control a Kenwood TS140S | transceiver. However an interface from the receiver to the PC serial | port is required. Kenwood produce one called an IF 232 but is quite | expensive. I understand that is possible to "home brew" such an | interface. Does anyone know if a circuit is available of an | equivalent or if if a circuit is stored at an FTP site? | Thanks. I have a long answer and no address to send it to. Please EMail me and I will reply. Lowell Brunson (503) 681-0417 Rosenet: lbrunson@roland.co.jp Internet: lbrunson@rodgers.rain.com (preferred) lowell@techbook.com Packet Radio: KC7DX@K7IQI.OR.USA.NA ------------------------------ Date: 4 Nov 93 22:36:17 GMT From: news.encore.com!wizard!slightbo@uunet.uu.net Subject: Observations on Kenwood TH-78 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <CFvzJ8.KDt@kaiwan.com>, andrew@kaiwan.com (Andrew Parker) writes: > Since there's been alot of news lately on the Kenwood TH-78 handhelds, > I thought I'd post an observation that I've had for the past few months. > Here in Southern California, there is a rapidly growing radio club > named the 78'ers. For the most part, they all seem to worship and > be very dependant on their 78's. I find it humorous that they all > seem to think that just because they paid an arm and a leg for a > radio that has WAY too many whistles and bells on it, that it will > perform miracles for them. They seem to have a habit of not hooking > the HT's up to an external antenna, so subsequently, they always > sound like crap. > > I decided to "test-drive" a friend's 78 one day, and was truly > dissappointed. On top of the disgustingly poor intermod rejection, > the battery life was nil, even though it was a fresh battery that > had been fully charged the day before. I think it died on me within > about 4 hours, and I wasn't talking all that much. And, the damn thing > is SO small, that everytime I tried pushing a button, I ended up hitting > a few others in the process. > > So, in conclusion, finally, I think I'll stick with my Alinco 580, > which was quite a bit less money, and seems to work quite a bit better > than the Kenwood TH-78. Please, people, buy whatever you want, but > if you're planning on using your new HT in an area with RF obstructions, > buy a less expensive radio, and spend the left-overs on a decent antenna > system. My $0.02. > What about the Yaesu FT-530. Whould that be a comparable rig? Better? or Worse? Has anyone used the FT-530. Can it be modified? Does the rx range go below 130 MHz. I listen to the aircraft band and the FT-530 has features for Ham radio that I like. Any comments? ====================================================================== ,---------------. Sam Lightbourne, KI4JJ ,-+-------------. | Encore Computer Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL | | E N C O R E | | slightbo@.encore.com | `-------------+-' `---------------' ======================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 4 Nov 1993 22:50:43 GMT From: news.cerf.net!kaiwan.com!andrew@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Observations on Kenwood TH-78 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In <2b9q50$5du@cnn.sim.es.com> FORRELL@130.187.198.34 (FORRELL) writes: >I find it hard to run mine down! I have the 1100 ma extended battery pack >and it never seems to go down. I have owned several HT's and the TH-78 >Fred Orrell >WB5NOE I think anything with an 1100 ma battery is going to last forever, no matter how much the radio's consumption is. But, I guess it is quite possible that the particular radio I tested was draining the battery especially fast, maybe due to the relatively high amounts of taffic on the repeaters in this area. It had to receive a signal continuously without a break. That eats up some battery power. -- -------------------------------------------------------------- | Andrew Parker | KD6TGM | andrew@kaiwan.com | -------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 4 Nov 93 23:18:22 GMT From: ogicse!emory!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!darwin.sura.net!news.lsu.edu!unix1.sncc.lsu.edu!xp2770@network.ucsd.edu Subject: PC ham station software, info To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hello all! I'm looking for a computer program (DOS, I guess, or Windows) called "Ham Windows" (?) by Kenwood. One of my friends in India, VU2IJ, wants to have this for his shack. It seems to be some kind of all- singing, all-dancing log + rotor control + keyer software. What does it really do? And, how much does it cost? Most importantly, is there any good public-domain equivalent for DOS/Windows available from any ftp site? Please help; reply directly to pdastoor@gumbo.age.lsu.edu. Thanks. Phiroze Dastoor (ex-VU2SAS; soon to have a W/K call...) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 2 Nov 1993 19:32:06 GMT From: munnari.oz.au!spool.mu.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!convex!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!nrtpa038!brtph560!brtph87!tcain@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Q codes To: info-hams@ucsd.edu > QPP: I have to go to the bathroom. ^^^ And I always thought it was...\ QTJ: Quick Trip to the John -- Tom Cain WB8OUE tcain@bnr.ca disclaimer: i don't speak for nobody! ------------------------------ Date: 5 Nov 93 03:05:50 GMT From: ogicse!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!odin!trier@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Radio Shack HTs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2bbr07$673@jericho.mc.com>, Bob Levine <levine@mc.com> wrote: >I haven't heard a bit of intermod from my FT530. I can't remember >hearing any from my W2A or my 32AT in normal every day use. One thing to keep in mind is that when someone says "intermod", they may mean intermodulation, front-end overload, or any other sort of spurious reception. My $0.02: Be careful to control for differences in the antenna or the location when comparing two HTs. It can make all the difference. Anyway, I agree, some good lab measurements of HT resistance to interference would make interesting reading. It would be interesting to quantify what is so far a strictly qualitative debate. Stephen -- Stephen Trier KB8PWA "[I]t's time to put your power supply under the Work: trier@ins.cwru.edu cardboard pyramid in the fridge with the oranges Home: sct@po.cwru.edu and razor blades under it." - jangus@skyld.tele.com ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1993 00:59:36 GMT From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!news.uiowa.edu!icaen!drenze@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Radio Shack HTs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu levine@mc.com (Bob Levine) writes: >In article GREGL@delphi.com, Greg Law <GREGL@delphi.com> () writes: >-->Several people in the area (including myself) use the Realistic HTX-202 >-->and are very pleased with them. They are rugged and dependable units (I've >-->dropped mine on concrete and it still keeps ticking), come with everything >-->you need, and have have a very tight front-end. Of course this means that >-->the HTX-202 isn't nearly as prone to intermod as some of the others. What >-->I particularly like about Radio Shack is that they sell the HTX-202 and >-->HTX-404 with everything -- DTMF encode and decode, CTCSS encode and decode, >-->auto-dial, etc. -- whereas most other companies sell the bare-bones HT >-->and make everything else optional, extra-cost items. Quite frankly, I'm >-->amazed some of the others actually include a rubber duck antenna as standard >-->equipment when they could sell them as a $30 to $50 add-on. :-) >--> >--> -- Greg KE4DPX I'll second all this. I've knocked mine from 5' on to concrete. Didn't even fracture the case. Is an excellent buy for the $$$, IMHO. >Actually most HT's these days include all that standard. Why spend $250 for >a 2m mono band RS HT and then another $250 (?) for a monband 440 RS HT when >for way less that $500 you can get quality dual banders? My FT530 has no >optional extras and the total price was $429. All of those features you >mention plus a hell of a lot more are included. Problem is, all the dual-banders/expanded coverage HT's I've run across seem to have nasty intermod probs. I haven't had any regrets about buying the '202. Now, if somebody would come out with a narrow bandpass filter kit to replace the tight front-end that these HTs *should* have, then I might agree with what you've got to say about buying a dual-bander... -- __ /| | Douglas J Renze, N0YVW | \'o.O' | +1 319 337 4664 | IN GOD WE TRUST =(___)= | drenze@icaen.uiowa.edu | All Others Pay Cash U | Douglas-Renze@uiowa.edu | ------------------------------ Date: 4 Nov 93 19:34:25 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: SAREX KEPS & UPDATE 10/28 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu R:931104/1650Z @:VK4DGQ.QLD.AUS.OC [Brisbane] #:36660 $:931028050312 R:931103/0148Z @:VK1KCM.ACT.AUS.OC [Canberra, ACT] $:931028050312 R:931102/1100Z @:OH3RBR.#TRE.FIN.EU [Tampere] #:72363 Z:33720 $:931028050312 R:931102/0852Z @:OH6RBV.#VAA.FIN.EU [Vaasa] #:104613 FBB5.15 Bid:931028050312 R:931102/0835Z @:F6CNB.#SETX.TX.USA.NA [SugarLand] #:60679 Z:77478 R:931031/1459Z @:KB2EAR.NJ.USA.NA $:931028050312 #:3519 Z:08824 FBB5.15 R:931031/1418z @:W2XO.#SWPA.PA.USA.NOAM [Pittsburgh] O:ABFHB #:85467 Z:15044 R:931031/1219Z @:KA3RWP.#WPA.PA.USA.NA [VERONA,PA] #:52995 Z:15147 FBB5.15 R:931031/1112Z @:K3OIW.#WPA.PA.USA.NA [Independence Twp] #:54151 Z:15001 FBB5.1 R:931031/1004z @:K8LG.WV.USA.NOAM #:51657 R:931031/0935z @:WA8OMR.#NWV.WV.USA.NOAM Glendale, Wv. #:836 B:931028050312 R:931031/0539z 54955@WB8CQV.WV.USA.NA R:931030/1600z 34858@KA8DRR.#SEOH.OH.USA.NA R:931030/1552Z @:WA8GUG.OH.USA.NA Chillicothe #:23176 Z:45601 R:931030/1514Z @:N8GTC.#CIN.IN.USA.NOAM Brookville #:47346 Z:47012 R:931030/0718z 29215@W9OJ.IN.USA.NA R:931030/0652z 22073@N5CEC.IN.USA.NA R:931030/0540Z @:KK9G.#CEIN.IN.USA.NA [Indianapolis,In.] #:21727 R:931030/0537Z @:N5AAA.#CEIN.IN.USA.NA [Noblesville] #:35453 R:931029/1256Z @:KD9LP.#NCIN.IN.USA.NA [Amboy] #:26400 Z:46911 FBB5.15 R:931029/0636Z @:NU9H.#NWIN.IN.USA.NA [MIDWEST SATGATE] #:15967 R:931028/1900z @:WA8URE.#SWMI.MI.USA.NA Grand Rapids #:36038 Z:49508 SB SAREX @ AMSAT $STS-58.025 SAREX Keps & Update: 10/28 Thursday 10/28/93 @ 08:00 UTC The last school group contact was completed yesterday. The Portsmouth HS in Portsmouth, New Hampshire had a telebridge contact using stations in California (Ralph Warner, N6MNN) and Texas (Bob Douglas, W5GEL). The students asked 5 questions during this bridge contact. Hams across the U.S. and around the world continue to work the Shuttle Columbia on both voice and packet. Moreover, the completion of school group contacts has cleared several school backup passes for possible general QSO opportunities. While the SAREX Working Group cannot fully guarantee availability, there is a high probability that the STS-58 crew will be ready to take general calls over the continental U.S. on these passes. Two of these "scheduled" passes remain. These include orbit 178 at MET 11 days 1 hour 42 minutes (10/29 at 16:35 UTC) and orbit 192 at MET 11 days 22 hours and 29 minutes (10/30 at 13:22 UTC). Please note that the astronauts operated voice during yesterday's "scheduled" pass which occurred on 10/27 at 14:59 UTC (Orbit 145). Also note that hams on the ground heard or worked the Shuttle Columbia crew on several other orbits yesterday. Element set GSFC-031, generated by Ron Parise, WA4SIR, is the official SAREX set for today. Please note that there is only a six second difference between element set GSFC-025 (released two days ago) and element set GSFC- 031. STS-58 1 22869U 93065A 93300.17699070 0.00133671 99048-5 24183-3 0 318 2 22869 39.0252 71.9896 0012817 34.2105 325.9529 16.00500857 1383 Satellite: STS-58 Catalog number: 22869 Epoch time: 93300.17699070 (27 OCT 93 04:14:51.** UTC) Element set: GSFC-031 Inclination: 39.0252 deg RA of node: 71.9896 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-58 Eccentricity: 0.0012817 Keplerian Elements Arg of perigee: 34.2105 deg Mean anomaly: 325.9529 deg Mean motion: 16.00500857 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6651.1630 Km Decay rate: 0.13E-02 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 281.30 Km Epoch rev: 138 Perigee Alt: 264.25 Km NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 031. The spacecraft has been propagated to the next ascending node, and the orbit number has been adjusted to bring it into agreement with the NASA numbering convention. Submitted by Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO for the SAREX Working Group ------------------------------ Date: 4 Nov 93 14:17:53 EST From: psinntp!arrl.org@uunet.uu.net Subject: SAREX STS-58 QSL Cards To: info-hams@ucsd.edu STS-58 QSL cards should be sent to ARRL, SAREX STS-58 QSL, 225 Main Street, Newington, CT 06111. To receive a QSL, include the QSO information (e.g. date, time in UTC, frequency, mode) which documents the contact or listener report. In addition you must also include a SASE using a large (9 x 4), business sized envelope if you wish to receive a card. No cards will be distributed without the proper postage affixed or sufficient IRCs included. Please expect a lengthy (6-10 month) wait after the mission to receive your QSL card. Development of a SAREX QSL card can be a very lengthy process. Congratulations on working (or hearing) Space Shuttle Columbia and the astronaut-crew during STS-58! Posted by: Robert J Inderbitzen, NQ1R | voice: (203) 666-1541 X213 Educational Activities Department | fax: (203) 665-7531 American Radio Relay League | email: rinderbi@arrl.org 225 Main Street | ARRL BBS: (203) 666-0578 Newington, CT 06111 USA | CompuServe: 70007,3373. ------------------------------ Date: 5 Nov 93 02:09:00 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Swan 350 Info wanted To: info-hams@ucsd.edu > >I have a chance to buy a Swan 350 in "excellent" condition. I know nothing >about this rig other than that it puts out 300 W and is probably old. >Anyone have one or know how they do? Are they tube or solid state, analog >frequency display, modes, bands covered, general coverage receiver, built >in filters, suitable for HF packet? Also, what would be a good price? The >owner is asking $325, including speaker and power supply. > >Mark KA3LFG > Swan 350's and 500's came about in the late 60's. They have tubes and some transistors. Five bands, 80-10 on both receiver and transmitter. No general coverage receive capability. Analog dial/display, were for CW, SSB, and a form of AM. $325 if it truly is "excellent" is probably a fair price for the whole thing. ------------------------------ Date: 3 Nov 1993 09:26:46 -0600 From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!hermes.chpc.utexas.edu!news.utdallas.edu!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!kharker@network.ucsd.edu Subject: We've lost him, Jim! To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <2b8dvg$7j6@oak.oakland.edu>, prvalko@vela.acs.oakland.edu (prvalko) writes: |> I thing one of the TOP TEN "big ham radio lies" is that you can work an |> orbiting object with an HT. OSCAR 21 is supposedly one such satelite |> and from my experience you need several dozen watts and a yagi which can |> be pointed at the "bird" as it fly overhead. |> |> Verticals have too low an angle of radiation to work a satelite which is |> higher than 30 degree or so above the horizon. |> |> On the bright side, you can HEAR many of these satelites with even a |> cheap scanner. Try it! |> |> paul wb8zjl |> Well, what if you had a 5W to 60W 2m amp and the appropriate antenna system? Would it work then? Granted, if you were going to spend $400 on an amp and antenna, in my mind you might want to go all the way and buy a VHF/UHF rig meant for this stuff, but what if you already had the amp, and you could afford the antenna system, but not the $1000 rig? (This is all conjecture for me, as I am finding it difficult to justify the money for an HT, personally - much less anything more expensive than that...) -- ====================================================================== Kenneth E. Harker BNR "Any opinions expressed kharker@bnr.ca Richardson, Texas, USA are solely mine and do N1PVB (214) 684-5115 not represent BNR" ====================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 3 Nov 1993 16:20:55 GMT From: utcsri!utnut!torn!csd.unb.ca!UPEI.CA!seeler@uunet.uu.net Subject: We've lost him, Jim! To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <msattlerCFwMLx.9sD@netcom.com> msattler@netcom.com (Michael Sattler) writes: >Subject: We've lost him, Jim! >I've heard it said that it's possible to hear MIR, the Space Shuttle, >OSCAR, etc. with an HT and position-plotting software, tables, etc. > >Is it possible (or likely or routine) to speak with orbitals via a >5-watt HT and a rubber duck or mobile antenna (like a Diamond >3-5 db gain model)? >-- > >----------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Michael S. Sattler msattler@netcom.com +1 (415) 621-2903 I do not know if it is common - but a fellow Charlottetowner (VY2BP) here on PEI had an unexpected - but pleasent QSO with a previous shuttle mission using a hand held - at less than 5 watts. It was heard by a number of VY2s in the area. Dave VY2DCS ------------------------------ Date: 5 Nov 93 03:47:11 GMT From: noc.near.net!news.delphi.com!usenet@uunet.uu.net To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <CFzCLI.7Lq@cbnews.cb.att.com>, <CFzDws.Fpv@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>, <wb9omc.752453941@dynamo.ecn.purdue.edu> Subject : Re: 10m Mobile Dave, I would suggest you keep your 10 meter mobile gear, as there are at least two easy-to-work Russian satellites that can be heard on 29 mhz. One uses 2 meter SSB/CW (RS-10) and the other uses 15 meter SSB/CW (RS-12.) Both probably pass over your QTH about 5 or 6 times a day, with passes ranging up to about 17 minutes in length. If the band is completly dead, and you're totally bored, listen on 29.357 for the CW beacon of RS-10. Once you hear the beacon, start scanning between 29.360 and 29.400 for the live users. You may hear stations thousands of miles away. RS-12 is very similar; its beacon is on 29.408, with the transponder output between 29.410 and 29.450. I've worked RS-10 with just 10 watts of 2 meter SSB into a mobile mag-mount, and listened to the "downlink" on just a CB whip. 73 from Leigh Marrin/KM6JE in Santa Barbara. (And a dirty little secret.... most of the current 10 meter mobile rigs can be easily expanded to cover CB and a little below. With the moronic mind-set of most CBers it may not be worth the trouble, however.) ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1311 ****************************** ******************************