Date: Mon, 8 Nov 93 06:36:00 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 #1322
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Mon, 8 Nov 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1322
Today's Topics:
Amateur Radio Newsline #847
BAUD vs. BAUDS
Kenwood TM-742 remote control?
rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1 of 3)
Stolen ICOM 2-meter
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
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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: Sat, 6 Nov 1993 21:24:17 MST
From: agate!library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!unixg.ubc.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!nebulus!ve6mgs!usenet@ames.arpa
Subject: Amateur Radio Newsline #847
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The electronic edition of Amateur Radio Newsline is transcribed from source
material by Dale Cary. Newsline is reprinted here courtesy of Bill
Pasternak, WA6ITF, Editor of Newsline. Editorial comment should be
E-mailed to newsline@mcimail.com or B.PASTERNAK@genie.geis.com. Voice or
FAX to +1 805-296-7180.
NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #97 - POSTED 11/05/93
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The following is late news about Amateur Radio for Radio
Amateurs as prepared from NEWSLINE RADIO scripts by the staff of
the AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE, INC. -- formerly the WESTLINK RADIO
NETWORK. The electronic version of newsline is posted on this
CBBS twice monthly. For current information updates, please call
(213) 462-0008, (407) 259-4479, (708) 289-0423, (513) 275-9991,
or (718) 353-2801. For the latest breaking info call the Instant
Update Line at (805) 296-2407. To provide information please
call (805) 296-7180. This line answers automatically and will
accept up to 30 minutes of material.
Check with your local amateur radio club to see if NEWSLINE
can be heard weekly on the air in your area.
Articles may be reproduced if printed in their entirety and
credit is given to AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE as being the source.
For further information about the AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE,
please write to us with an SASE at P.O. Box 463, Pasadena, CA
91102.
Thank You
NEWSLINE
*****************************************************************
Some of the hams of NEWSLINE RADIO...
WA6ITF WB6MQV WB6FDF K6DUE W6RCL N6AHU N6AWE N6TCQ K6PGX N6PNY
KU8R N8DTN W9JUV KC9RP K9XI KB5KCH KC5UD KC0HF G8AUU WD0AKO DJ0QN
and many others in the United States and around the globe!!!
*****************************************************************
[847]
* * * * C L O S E D C I R C U I T A D V I S O R Y * * * *
* *
* The following is a closed circuit advisory and NOT for *
* retransmission on amateur radio. According to Dr. Norm *
* Chalfin, K6PGX, Newsline is once again very broke. Simply *
* said, we need the assistance of every listener who *
* appreciates Newsline to help to keep it on the air. The *
* Newsline Support Fund is separate from the service itself *
* and exists for the purpose of channeling donations directly *
* to the those providing services to the Newsline *
* organization. *
* *
* The address for the Newsline Support Fund is Post Office *
* Box number 463, Pasadena, California 91102. As always, we *
* thank you for your support. *
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
REPEATER FINED
A repeater owner has been fined five thousand dollars because
the FCC says that his system was heard transmitting on a
frequency in an aeronautical communications band. The case
involves William A. Krause, WA2HDE of Ceder Grove, New Jersey.
The FCC says that on August the 30th, its New York City Field
Office received a complaint from the FAA about a signal on 243
Mhz that had appeared on receivers at two airports over the
previous five days.
The FCC says that the next day it used its direction finding
equipment to trace the signal to a ham radio repeater installed
atop a building at 2 Penn Plaza in Manhattan, New York.
Subsequent investigation by the FCC determined that the repeater
was being operated by WA2HDE. The commission says that the
repeater transmitter was either operating off of its coordinated
frequency of 224.66 MHz or that it had developed a high level
spurious emission at 243 Mhz.
According to the commission, 243 MHz is designated as the
international emergency and distress channel to be used by radio
beacons in the Marine and Aeronautical Radio Service. 243 MHz is
automatically monitored by a set of low earth orbiting satellites
called Sarsat Cospas. These birds are routinely used in search
and rescue operations and are maintained as a joint venture
between the United States, Canada and Russia.
The FCC contends that during the time that Krause repeater
transmitter was operating on 243 MHz it had the potential to
block emergency radio communications over a very large geographic
area. Because of this the FCC says it took the action to issue
the five thousand dollar fine as a part of its continuing effort
to preserve the integrity of this important aeronautical radio
system hat they say pilots depend on for safety while in flight.
WA2HDE was given thirty days to file an appeal.
******
TV STATIONS FINED FOR KID ADS
The Federal Communications Commission has also notified four
television stations they will be fined for exceeding limits on
commercials aired during children's shows. A 1990 law forbids
stations from broadcasting more than ten and one half minutes of
commercial material an hour during children's programming on
weekends, or more than twelve minutes per hour on weekdays.
According to the published news reports, the agency issued a
Notice of Apparent Liability to Monetary Forfeiture against the
licensee of KPLR-TV in St Louis and said it intends to impose a
$30,000 fine. KXRM-TV in Colorado Springs will be fined $25,000,
while the licensee for KTTM-TV in Huron, S.D. and KTTW-TV in
Sioux Falls, S.D. will be fined $27,500.
The license holders have the customary 30 days to respond to
the violation notices but it may be hard for any of them to find
an excuse for their actions. It seems that the stations
themselves admitted to the violations when they supplied the FCC
with the data required for license renewals.
*****
SENATE & HOUSE SUPPORT GROWS
Ninety seven members of the United States House of
Representatives and fifteen US Senators have now become
co-sponsors of the Amateur Radio Service Joint Resolution which
was introduced into both houses of congress last May. At its
meeting last January, the ARRL's Board of Directors paved the way
for the joint resolution with a resolution sponsored by New
England Division Director Bill Burden, WB1BRE. Based on the
Burden motion, the Board voted to instruct its Washington
representatives to seek formal recognition from the 103rd
congress of the role played by the Amateur Radio Service. This,
as a national resource in preparation of and relief from
disasters and in helping to foster technical progress in
electronics.
Representative Mike Kreidler of Washington State was an
original co-sponsor of the House version of the resolution and he
has some strong words of support for the Amateur Radio service.
According to Kreidler, it is about time for Congress to recognize
the achievements of our nations hams. He says that with the
service approaching 600,000 licensed radio amateurs in the United
States, he is certain that every member of the house has had
similarly favorable experiences with the amateur community and
will also support this resolution. So far, 97 of his fellow
congressmen and women have followed his lead.
*****
ARRL ELECTIONS
While there are elections taking place in several ARRL
divisions this fall, none is more contested than the race for the
seat of Director for the Southeastern Division. There, an
incumbent with more than a decade in office has a lot of
competition at the ballot box. Three amateurs are challenging
incumbent Frank Butler, W4RH, of Florida.
Amateurs in the Southeastern Division have a choice: Go with
a familiar name -- or choose change. Incumbent Frank Butler has
held the office for 13 years. Butler sez he's always available
to assist League members with problems. But others say it's time
for a new face to lead the Division. Georgia resident David
Shiplett, AC4MU, sez the League needs to get back in step with
the amateur community. Shiplett is joined in the race by Rudy
Hubbard, WA4PUP, currently ARRL's Section Manager for Northern
Florida. Hubbard has heavy involvement in emergency
communications. Also in the race is Florida resident Alan Page,
KE4WO. Page sez he'll keep amateur radio moving in an upward
direction. November 19th is the day all 4 candidates anxiously
await -- that's when the ballots will be counted.
In addition to the Southeast, ARRL elections are being held in
the Delta, Dakota, Midwest and Pacific Divisions as well. The
Director's elected later this month will serve a 2-year term
that starts January first of 1994.
*****
SAREX - STS 58
STS-58, the latest in the series of Shuttle Amateur Radio
EXperiments called SAREX, was a tremendous success. The fourth
and final flight of 1993 racked up near-perfect contacts with 17
school groups ... many reporting full quieting contacts with the
spacecraft from horizon to horizon. An outstanding one took
place on October 21st, when the Lycee Gaston Febus school, in
Pau, France, had a telebridge contact with the astronaut. Jean
Marc Dumont, the French school coordinator, reports that over 10
thousand students in France listened to the conversation through
a national repeater!
Hundreds of school children in the United States were thrilled
by direct talks with the STS-58 astronauts and thousands more
listened in.
The general ham population also had a great time. This was
the longest shuttle mission to date ... 14 days ... and the crew
dedicated much of their second week in orbit to general QSOs ...
several hundred of them ... and packet, with well over 800 packet
contacts reported at this time. During the flight, Bill
McArthur, KC5ACR, radioed back ... "Thanks for all the great
QSO's. KC5AXA ... Marty Fettman ... KC5CKM, Rick Searfoss, and I
love them. We're doing human metabolic and cardiovascular
experiments in the lab today."
The SAREX Working Group, in charge of the flight, said "This
was a testament to the outstanding support and preparation by the
astronauts on-orbit and the SAREX team on the ground and in
Mission Control."
QSL information for STS-58 ... send cards to ARRL, STS-58 QSL,
225 Main Street, Newington, Connecticut 06111. Allow six to 10
months for a reply.
*****
SAREX 10TH ANNIVERSARY
This marks the 12th time SAREX, the Shuttle Amateur Radio
EXperiment, has flown ... and it's the last SAREX mission for
this year. Next up, in December, will be a shuttle flight
dedicated entirely to the task of repairing the Hubble Telescope.
Next year, two SAREX flights are scheduled at this writing.
STS-60, in January, with astronaut Charles Bolden and Cosmonaut
Sergei Krikalev ... and STS-59, in April, with Jay Apt and Linda
Godwin.
If you would like to know more about the history of SAREX,
there's a story in the November issue of QST magazine ...
commemorating the tenth anniversary. That's right, Owen Garriott
led the parade in November, 1983!
*****
INDIA QUAKE
News stories are applauding the work of ham radio operators
relief efforts to the survivors of the recent earthquake in
India. The press services have reported that twenty six ham
radio operators have set up a network to help coordinate relief
efforts to the 120,000 people that were left homeless by the
September 30th trembler.
According to Sirama Suri VU2MY, in rural India telephones can
be as much as 25 miles away. There he says, it has been Amateur
Radio operators that have been the ones who have put together a
communications network to aid these earthquake victims.
*****
DXCC UPDATE
In DX, the ARRL's DXCC desk says that it has received 1330
applications for new awards and endorsements. That's a mega
total of 95,212 individual QSL cards which maker it the largest
number of cards received in any single month since September of
1990.
*****
BURUNDI
Famed DXer Baldur Drobnica, DJ6SI, is reportedly active as
9U5DX. He was heard on 24.892 MHz at 14:13 UTC, 14.025 MHz at
20:50 UTC and 18.081 MHz at 20:57 UTC. The length of his stay in
Burundi is unknown. QSL direct to DJ6SI at his Callbook address.
*****
THP LEAVES U.S. MARKET
The worsening international monetary condition has now
directly affected Amateur Radio. This, with the announcement by
Tokyo Hy-Power Labs Inc. that it will terminate export sales from
Japan to the United States.
Tokyo Hy-Power manufactures a wide variety of ham radio
related equipment including six meter transverters, 2 meter and
70 centimeter power amplifiers and the worlds only tri band hand
held radio. A hand held that operates on both HF and VHF.
For the past several years Tokyo Hy-Power has been represented
in the United States by Orion Business International of Fresno,
California. According to a FAX from Loren Pleet of Orion, the
President of Tokyo Hy-Power Labs cited the abnormally high Dollar
to Yen exchange rate and the severely depressed economy of Japan
as the major factors in reaching this decision. Pleet said that
Orion Business International was shocked when it heard of the
decision by Tokyo Hy-Power to abandon the United States market.
He says that despite Orion's efforts to try and continue the flow
of equipment from Tokyo Hy-Power Labs the decision made in Japan
appears to be irreversible.
Tokyo Hy-Power was never one of the heavyweights in the US
marketing arena, but it is far from a tiny operation. In fact,
its products were well known worldwide before they were ever seen
by hams in the United States. Even though the United States is
considered the strongest amateur equipment market in the world,
the dollar to yen exchange rate is making it harder and harder
for all Pacific Rim nations to turn a profit selling their goods
to us.
*****
That's all from the Amateur Radio Newsline. You can write to
us at Post Office Box 463 in Pasadena, California 91102.
* * * Newsline Copyright 1993 all rights are reserved. * * *
------------------------------
Date: 8 Nov 93 14:24:10 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: BAUD vs. BAUDS
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The singular for DATA is DATUM, and in fact according to Merriam-Webster, datums
is acceptable as plural.
Regarding baud here is the definition from the New Penguin Dictionary of
Electronics:
"baud A unit of telegraph signalling speed equal to one unit element per
second. Thus if the duration of the unit element is 1/n seconds then the speed
of transmission of successive signals is n bauds."
=
--
Stephen P. Baker phone: (508) 856-2625
Lecturer in Biostatistics (508) 856-3131 fax
Department of Academic Computing (413) 253-3923 home
University of Massachusetts Medical School e-mail: sbaker@umassmed.ummed.edu
55 Lake Avenue North -.- -.. .---- .--. ..-.
Worcester, MA 01655
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1993 23:53:30 GMT
From: concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!msc.edu!cdsmail!bml4380.cpg.cdc.com!molson@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Kenwood TM-742 remote control?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I have been told that the Kenwood TM-742 can be used for remote
control operations. However, the manual that I have for mine only
details the remote control that is accessed by the DTMF microphone.
Is there a way to enable remote control from a remote transciever?
I've looked at the "mod" BBS's that I know about but information
on the 742 is scarce. I have a feeling that there is an undocumented
function sequence that enables this, but I have been unable so far
to find it. Anyone have information about this?
Thanks in advance!
Mark Olson AA0MH
------------------------------
Date: Sun, 7 Nov 1993 20:13:02 GMT
From: pacbell.com!rtech!amdahl!thunder!ikluft@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1 of 3)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Posted-By: auto-faq 3.0
Archive-name: radio/ham-radio/faq/part1
Revision: 3.0 1993/11/07 18:38:38
Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions
Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is a regular posting of frequently-asked questions (FAQ) about Amateur
Radio, also known as Ham Radio. It is intended to summarize some common
questions on the rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup and Info-Hams mail list
as well as to help beginners get started.
Please provide a copy of the FAQ to any new or soon-to-be Hams you know.
Regular FAQ postings can help save network bandwidth and maintain a good
signal-to-noise ratio in the newsgroup. However, they can't do it alone - you,
the reader, have to use them. If you are a new user, please print and review
the FAQ articles and look at the instructions in the news.announce.newusers
newsgroup before posting any articles. If you are an experienced user, please
help by refraining from answering frequently-asked questions on the newsgroup
if they are already answered by the FAQ articles. Instead, send e-mail to the
user who asked the question. (It will be helpful if you include the part of
the FAQ that answers their question, but not the whole thing.)
The FAQ cannot always prevent people from posting repetitive questions. But
even if hundreds of questions get posted, it saves you from having to answer
them hundreds of times. Also, a friendly pointer to the FAQ in your first
answer can help that person refer to the FAQ in the future. That is when we
can begin to get a real savings of network bandwidth.
To reduce the size of each article, the FAQ information is posted in 3 parts:
Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio
Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources
Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions
Table of Contents
-----------------
Dates indicate last modification.
Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio
** Table of Contents (6/93)
** Introduction to the FAQ (11/92)
* How to Contribute to the FAQ Articles (6/93)
* Acknowledgements (6/93)
* Notes on "Netiquette" (1/93)
** What is Amateur Radio? (11/92)
** Who can become a ham? (6/93)
** Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio? (9/93)
** How much does it cost? (9/92)
** Where can I take the tests? (9/93)
** What are the tests like? (6/93)
** What can I do with a ham radio license? (5/92)
** What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license? (pre-4/92)
** I'm interested, who will help me? (11/92)
** Should I build my own equipment or antenna? (11/92)
Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources
** Where can I find Ham Radio information with a computer? (11/92)
* The rec.radio.* newsgroups (6/93)
* The ARRL e-mail server (1/93)
* The KA6ETB e-mail "HAM-server" (new 9/93)
* The Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) (9/93)
* Access to FTP archives via electronic mail (1/93)
* The Ham-Radio mail list: rec.radio.amateur.misc by mail (9/93)
* Telephone BBS's with Ham-related information (9/93)
* Callsign servers and geographical name servers (11/92)
* FTP access to FCC Part 97 and FCC Amateur Radio question pools (9/93)
* Lists of radio modifications and extensions (11/92)
** Can I send ARRL or W5YI electronic mail? (11/92)
** "Why doesn't the ARRL do...?" (11/92)
** What magazines are available for Ham Radio? (pre-4/92)
** How do I use the incoming and outgoing QSL bureau? (11/92)
** Are there any news groups for CAP? (11/92)
** What's the name of the QRP club that issues QRP numbers? (9/93)
** How do I become a 10-10 member? (9/93)
** How do I join MARS? (9/93)
** How do I join RACES? (pre-4/92)
** What organizations are available to help handicapped hams? (pre-4/92)
** I am looking for a specific ham, can anyone help me find him? (6/93)
** Can I post my neat new ham related program on rec.radio.amateur.misc?
(pre-4/92)
** Where can I get ham radio software for my computer? (9/93)
** Are there Dialup News services or BBSs for Amateur Radio? (4/92)
** Where can I find VE sessions in my local area? (9/93)
** Why isn't XXX available electronically? (4/92)
Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions
** What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?
(pre-4/92)
** What is the best way to learn Morse Code? (10/92)
** What is the standard for measuring Morse code speed? (pre-4/92)
** What is the standard phonetic alphabet? (new 9/93)
** I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean??? (6/93)
** What do all those "tones" mean? (pre-4/92)
** Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio if I live outside the US?
(9/93)
** How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another
country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another
country (on vacation)? (9/93)
** My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what
do I do? (9/93)
** I got TVI...HELP!!! (9/93)
** Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham? (pre-4/92)
** On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio?
(10/92)
** Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission
of the captain? (4/92)
** How do I modify my current Amateur license? (9/93)
** I'm confused about XXX, should I ask the FCC? (9/93)
** Is there any information on antique radios? (pre-4/92)
** Where can I buy vacuum tubes? (9/93)
** What do I need to get started in packet radio? (9/93)
** What do I need to get started in satellite communications? (9/93)
** What is available to get started in ATV, SSTV and WEFAX? (9/93)
** What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate? (9/93)
--Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions------------------Part 1--
** Introduction to the FAQ
* How to Contribute to the FAQ Articles
We accept suggestions from the Amateur Radio community. Please
consider that all new contributions need to be SHORT and concise
in order to be included. If a contribution is too long, the FAQ
editors can help you find a more appropriate FTP archive or mail
server for your article.
We always accept corrections. Please allow some time (often not
the next issue of the FAQ) because the FAQ maintainers do this as
volunteers so each must give higher priority to their employers.
Send correspondence to hamradio-faq@amdahl.com so that it will
reach all the FAQ coordinators: (listed in alphabetical order)
Ed Hare KA1CV ehare@arrl.org (Newington, CT, USA)
Jack GF Hill W4PPT root@jackatak.raider.net(Brentwood, TN, USA)
Ian Kluft KD6EUI ikluft@uts.amdahl.com (Santa Clara, CA, USA)
Michael Larish KD6CTZ nomad@ecst.csuchico.edu (Chico, CA, USA)
Paul Schleck KD3FU pschleck@unomaha.edu (Omaha, NE, USA)
Chris Swartout N6WCP cas30@uts.amdahl.com (San Jose, CA, USA)
Steve Watt KD6GGD steve@wattres.sj.ca.us (San Jose, CA, USA)
Rosalie White WA1STO rwhite@arrl.org (Newington, CT, USA)
Derek Wills AA5BT oo7@astro.as.utexas.edu (Austin, TX, USA)
* Acknowledgements
All questions listed as modified "pre-4/92" are entirely Diana
Carlson KC1SP's work or her editing of a contributor's work. Diana
established this FAQ and credit is due to her for founding this
project.
Thanks to Devon Bowen KA2NRC for accepting this FAQ in e-mail every
month to keep the FTP archive at ftp.cs.buffalo.edu up-to-date.
* Notes on "Netiquette"
The rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup and Info-Hams mail list have a
large daily volume of traffic. They can operate more efficiently if
the following netiquette guidelines are followed. Please take them
seriously.
* If you are new to UseNet, the introductory articles in
news.announce.newusers are required reading. Go to that newsgroup
now. Definitely, read the instructions there before posting
anything. Other rec.radio.amateur.* readers will appreciate it!
* Pick the right newsgroup. Use only the most specific newsgroup
for your subject. For example, a question about a homebrew antenna
only needs to be posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna. Also, don't
post to rec.radio.amateur.misc when the subject can go in another
rec.radio.amateur.* newsgroup. So, when there is a more specific
newsgroup, that's the one you want.
* When posting a followup article, ALWAYS try to minimize the number
of lines of quoted material from the original article.
* As a general rule when you try to determine whether to reply to
someone by e-mail or with a followup article, remember to "praise in
public, criticize in private." It's OK to disagree technically but
be careful not to attack the person with whom you disagree. Also,
be careful with your use of the word "you" when posting a follow-up
article. Many unnecessary flame wars have started that way.
* Use a descriptive subject. For example, a message subject of "Ham
Radio" tells the reader NOTHING about the contents of your article
since the whole newsgroup is about Ham Radio. Other examples of
subjects which are so broad that they become useless could include,
"Help," "A Question," "Antennas," or "Frequencies." Maybe "Books on
Antennas?" or "Where can I find Repeater Frequencies?" would be
better, for example. Remember, in a busy newsgroup a lot of users
decide which articles to read from the subject line alone. If you
post, don't deprive yourself of an audience!
* Before answering a question, check if the FAQ adequately answers it
or if someone else already answered it. If you have more to add,
make sure to reference either the FAQ or the related articles.
* If a user posts a question which is directly answered by the FAQ,
there is no need to post an answer - the information is already
available on the newsgroup. Instead, just send an e-mail message
which politely explains where to find the FAQ. They will probably
appreciate it if you include the answer to their question. (Don't
send a "nastygram" - that would just discourage future participa-
tion.)
* Pay attention to the size of your audience - use the "Distribution:"
header. If you leave it blank, your message will go to every civ-
ilized country in the world and occupy disk space in all news sys-
tems in all those places. If that's what you intend, that's fine
but make sure your article is relevant outside your country. (In
particular, Hams should already know there is more to the world than
just their own country.)
* If you have an item for sale, please limit the distribution area so
that, for example, an article about a radio for sale in New Jersey
won't get to California or Europe. If you wish, you may cross-post
your for-sale article to rec.radio.swap.
* Software sources should be posted to either alt.sources,
comp.sources.misc, or comp.sources.* for a specific machine type.
Software binaries should be posted to the appropriate subgroup of
comp.binaries.
** What is Amateur Radio?
Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service whose
primary aims are public service, technical training and experimenta-
tion, and communication between private persons. Amateur Radio opera-
tors are commonly called hams. Hams often communicate with each other
recreationally but also provide communications for others at public
events or in times of emergency or disaster.
** Who can become a ham?
The answer to this question differs in every country.
The answer for the USA is listed below. If your country has
a newsgroup specifically for it (i.e. UK, Australia, Germany)
the most accurate answers can be found there. See Part 2 for
the list of region-specific newsgroups.
If that doesn't help, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)
may be able to help because they communicate with similar
organizations in other countries, probably including yours.
They can be reached by electronic mail or surface mail (see
Part 2.)
In the USA, anyone who is not a representative of a foreign
government can be an Amateur Radio operator. There are tests
that you must pass to get a license, however the tests are not
insurmountable. On that general level, the requirements are
probably similar in almost every country.
For more information on becoming a Ham in the USA, the ARRL
has a toll-free number where you can request information:
1-800-32-NEW-HAM (don't worry about the number being one digit
too long - the phone system ignores it.) Other information
can also be obtained from the ARRL e-mail information server in
the file called PROSPECT. Details on the server are in Part 2.
** Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio?
Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio
license books. Books can also be obtained through the mail
from ham radio organizations, such as ARRL in Newington, CT
(203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594). There
may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (ie,
within 50 miles). Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio
Communications.
For the Novice license, get a Novice License manual, plus 5-word-per-
minute Morse code tapes, costing around $25. For the Technician lic-
ense, get a combined Novice and Technician License manual, and an FCC
Rules manual, costing around $32. The FCC Rules manual is a good idea
for Novice also, but not necessary, since the Novice License manual
contains all the FCC Rules that are required for the Novice License.
The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs to
help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started. Ask for a
"New prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ,
Educational Activities Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
Information on Ham Radio can also be obtained with your computer.
Part 2 of this FAQ contains a significant amount of material on
that subject.
** How much does it cost?
To take the tests for any class of amateur radio license, there is
a small charge (around $5-$6 currently) to cover copying costs and
running the testing sessions. (Due to changes in 1993, Novice tests
are under same procedures as the others.) The cost of a radio is
really dependent on what you want to do. You can make your own radio
and antenna for under $150. You can buy a used single-band radio for
$150-$300. Or you can buy a new multi-band multi-mode radio with all
the doodads for $300-$3000. I'd suggest you learn more about ham
radio, talk to local hams, find out what you want to do with ham
radio first.
** Where can I take the tests?
The Novice tests Used to be given by any two qualified hams of General
class license or above. Now all the license tests are given by
three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who volunteer their time.
To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can contact
ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282.
See also the section "Where can I find VE sessions in my local area?"
in Part 2 because more information is available via UseNet.
** What are the tests like?
First off, come prepared to VE sessions. Bring: TWO forms of ID,
one of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen
and two pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $5-$6 for
1993); the original AND a copy of your current Amateur Radio license
(if you have one); the original AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests
you've already passed (if you have any).
Each of the written tests (Novice, Technician, General, Advanced,
and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one-
tenth of the question pool. For example, if the question pool is
approximately 300 questions, then the test will be a 30-question
test. You need to get 75% correct to pass. Note that they truncate
to determine the correct number of questions. That means for a 30
question test, you need to get 22 right, which is actually only 73.3%.
Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it costs
no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the
next more advanced test until you fail. If you pass the written
but not the Morse code (or vice versa) for a specific class license,
you have up to one year to take the other test before you would have
to retake the written test again. Note that some VEs will not allow
you to take the written test unless you've first taken the Morse code
test.
The Morse code test is a receiving test only. The test run 5 to 7
minutes. After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice
or fill-in-the-blank test. Passing grade is 7 or more. If you fail
the 10-question test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet
to see if you have 1 minute of solid copy with no errors. For 5 wpm,
that's 25 characters, for 13 wpm, that's 65 characters, for 20 wpm,
that's 100 characters. If they can find 1 minute solid copy, you've
still passed.
Hints on Morse code tests: Generally, it will be a standard QSO
(conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the
following:
26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant or
slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of
message prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK).
The letters count as one character, all others count as two
characters. There are a couple other prosigns which are worth
knowing, but will not be on the test, like "I'm done talking, next"
is K, "I'm done talking, back to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS.
** What can I do with a ham radio license?
There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but
here's some ideas:
* Talk to people in foreign countries.
* Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work.
* Help in emergencies by providing communications.
* Provide communications in parades or walkathons.
* Help other people become hams.
* Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers.
* Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the
United States and foreign countries and receive awards.
* Participate in contests or Field Day events.
* Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization
thru ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio Amateur
Civil Emergency Service).
* Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate
Radio System).
* Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own
direction-finding equipment.
* Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home.
* Receive weather pictures via satellites.
* Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory.
* Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals
back to people on the Earth.
* Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send
still-frame pictures by facsimile.
* Experiment with amateur satellite communications.
** What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license?
The most important thing you can't do is transact business of any
kind over ham radio. Interference to other hams or services, as
well as obscene, profane or indecent language is not tolerated and
is illegal. Music and broadcasting are not allowed on ham radio.
Some personal conversations may not be appropriate to Amateur Radio.
Do you really want the whole world to hear about Aunt Mabel's
hemorrhoids?
** I'm interested, who will help me?
There are hams who are willing to become "Elmers" (mentors, helpers)
in your local area. Look around and ask local hams. Search out local
radio clubs. As well, some people have volunteered to be an Elmer
over the Usenet. A list of UseNet Elmers and their e-mail addresses
is posted to the newsgroup monthly. If anyone wants to be an Elmer,
send e-mail to
elmers-request@unomaha.edu
There is also a lot to be said for exploring on your own. Take a
look around the FTP archives and e-mail servers listed in Part 2.
There's so much out there on UseNet, you'll find plenty of things
you're interested in.
** Should I build my own equipment or antenna?
[see also rec.radio.amateur.homebrew and rec.radio.amateur.antenna]
"Homebrewing" is a fun and educational part of ham radio. It is a
thrill to build your own transmitter and put it on the air. However,
building your own receiver can be quite complicated; if you don't have
electronics experience, you may want to buy a receiver instead. Most
homebrew transmitters are QRP (transmit very low power). That's fine
for an experienced ham with a very good antenna, but a Novice ham will
just get frustrated. Your first rig, therefore should NOT be a home-
brew.
Antennas can be much simpler projects than the transceiver, though
some types are also quite involved. Most hams build their own anten-
nas for base station use and buy antennas for mobile (car) use. Most
beginner ham books describe how to build different types of antennas.
Order of difficulty, from easiest to more difficult, for some common
antennas are: wire dipole, Zepp, Yagi, Quad, and Log-Periodic. Books
from many sources, including ARRL and several Hams, discuss antennas
in depth.
When building or even understanding antennas, it is good to know the
relationship between the antenna element length and the frequency or
wavelength it is designed for. An antenna performs best at multiples
of 1/4 of that wavelength, though 5/8 wave also has beneficial qualit-
ies. The wavelength is related to the frequency with the following
formula:
wavelength (in meters) = 300 / frequency (in megahertz)
You do not need a huge antenna or tower like ones you may see around
your neighborhood. Large beam antennas and 40-foot towers are very
expensive. As a beginner, a simple dipole antenna is perfectly
adequate. As you gain experience (and money :-), you may want to
invest in something bigger.
If you can afford new rigs and antennas, there are many mail order
stores that advertise in ham radio magazines. If you want to buy a
used rig, the best place is at a "hamfest" (ham flea market). You
should take along an experienced ham, since some of the used equipment
may be inoperative, overpriced or poor quality. You can also answer
ads in ham magazines or posted at ham radio stores, although often, by
the time you call, the equipment has already been sold.
------------------------------
Date: 5 Nov 93 19:33:05 -0800
From: morrow.stanford.edu!ssrl01.slac.stanford.edu!haggart@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Stolen ICOM 2-meter
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
A 2-meter HT was stolen from my car last weekend in Sunnyvale, California.
It is distinctive in that it has a no-name 12V battery that makes this
normally tiny radio very tall. (The thieves left behind the small plastic
cover that goes on the bottom of the radio when the external battery
pack is removed.)
ICOM 2 SAT, serial number 4220
If someone tries to sell you this radio, please contact me or the
Sunnyvale Police.
Thank you!
Craig Haggart, KC6VHO
(408)739-1904
posted to:
rec.radio.amateur.equipment
rec.radio.amateur.misc
rec.radio.scanner
rec.radio.swap
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1322
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