Date: Mon, 13 Dec 93 07:29:18 PST
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1458
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Mon, 13 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1458
Today's Topics:
6-m Transverters **** SUNDAY SKED *****
Amateur Radio Newsline #852 10 Dec 93
CA Ham License Plates
CENSORSHIP WARNING
Dentron MLA-2500B Linear sale
Help with HW101
HF Propagation Programs (IONCAP)
Was: 6-m Transceivers
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
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Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available
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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: Sun, 12 Dec 1993 16:16:14 GMT
From: yuma!galen@purdue.edu
Subject: 6-m Transverters **** SUNDAY SKED *****
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The weather systems look interesting for Sunday, so anybody with 6m
should look around 50.130 +/- 10kc, I'll be there.
Galen, KF0YJ, DN70
------------------------------
Date: 13 Dec 1993 06:08:15 GMT
From: library.ucla.edu!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!darwin.sura.net!udel!news.sprintlink.net!news.dorsai.org!dorsai!bigsteve@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Amateur Radio Newsline #852 10 Dec 93
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The electronic publication of the Amateur Radio Newsline is distributed
with the permission of Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, President and Editor of
Newsline. The text is transcribed from the audio service by Dale Cary and
is first published on Genie.
Editorial comment or news items should be E-mailed to 3241437@mcimail.com
or B.PASTERNAK@genie.geis.com. Voice or FAX to +1 805-296-7180.
All other information and disclaimers are in the text header below.
- - - - -
NEWSLINE RADIO - CBBS EDITION #102 - POSTED 12/10/93
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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
Los Angeles............................ (213) 462-0008
Los Angeles (Instant Update Line)...... (805) 296-2407
Seattle................................ (206) 368-3969
Seattle................................ (206) 281-8455
Tacoma................................. (206) 927-7373
Louisville............................. (502) 894-8559
Dayton................................. (513) 275-9991
Chicago................................ (708) 289-0423
New York City.......................... (718) 353-2801
Melbourne, FL.......................... (407) 259-4479
For the latest breaking info call the Instant Update Line listed
above. 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!!!
*****************************************************************
[852]
* * * * 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 is NOT *
* for air on amateur radio. Repeat, not for broadcast. This *
* is just a reminder that the address for the Newsline Support *
* Fund is Newsline, in care of Dr. Norm Chalfin, K6PGX, Post *
* Office Box 463, Pasadena, CA 91102. Again, and as always, *
* we thank you. That ends the closed circuit with Newsline *
* report number 852 for release on Friday, December 10, 1993. *
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* *
* The following is a QST *
* *
* Ham radio leads seventeen Cuban exiles to freedom in the *
* United States and a New York suburb says it has the same *
* power as the FCC. Hempstead New York has ordered a ham to *
* take down his antenna because of TVI. These stories and *
* more on Newsline report number 852 coming your way. *
* *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
CUBAN HAM RADIO ESCAPE
Ramon Batista, CO8BA, and sixteen other Cuban exiles are now
free of dictator Fidel Castro thanks to the efforts of the
Florida based Sociedad Internacional de Radio Aficionados --
SIRA. The story of Batista's escape began several weeks ago when
he started to hold discrete contacts with stateside SIRA members.
During these short QSO's he indicated his plans and requested
information on frequencies used by maritime services. SIRA's
President, Rafael Estevez, WA4ZZG picks up the story from here.
"He left on the Monday morning, early morning hours of that
particular Monday. It was a row boat, there were two row boats,
14 feet each one. Two of those carrying 17 persons including one
five year old girl. They rowed and when they thought they were
far away from Cuba, ten international miles, actually they were
about twenty to twenty two miles more or less. Then he prepared
a small amateur radio rig with ten watts and a special antenna
that he designed. With that antenna he called CQ, SOS, Mayday
whatever you call in Spanish. Then Edilberto Salas, WA2HNO who
was living down here in south Florida picked up the signals and
he called the Coast Guard. Then the Coast Guard got into
communications on that particular frequency. He finally was
picked up by a Panamanian freighter who was advised by the Coast
Guard to pick them up. Those two boats and they were taken to
Jacksonville. In Jacksonville they were processed there then the
day before Thanksgiving Day. Last Friday he arrived here in
Miami. He is now today in the process to ask for political
asylum."
Batista's heroic escape from Cuba is only part of the story.
When he arrived, he brought with him some bad news about the fate
of many radio amateurs still in Cuba. That story, next week.
*****
LOS ANGELES TEST IRREGULARITIES
The FCC has ordered the suspension of the accreditation of
several Volunteer Examiners and has also invalidated the amateur
licenses and license upgrades of twenty-one people. This, after
a three month joint investigation of alleged irregularities at
four VE administered test sessions here in Southern California.
The tests in question occurred in the Los Angeles area in June
and August of 1993 and involved both the ARRL and W5YI VEC's.
As we go to air, the ARRL VEC says that it has, at the
request of the government, suspended the right to test of four
Volunteer Examiners. It has also unilaterally suspended the
accreditation of another three VE's involved in another test
session after finding other alleged irregularities in the records
of the examinations administered at that test.
Neither the FCC nor the VEC's assisting in the investigation
have released the names of the testing applicants or the
Volunteer Examiners under scrutiny, but the FCC has publicly
thanked the ARRL and W5YI VEC's for their assistance in the
continuing investigation.
The FCC has stopped short of calling this a case of all-out
license testing fraud, but Washington sources have indicated to
Newsline that the results of the investigation may be turned over
to the Department of Justice for further inquiry. Should the
Justice Department find that fraud is indicated and if it seeks
seeks prosecution, a lot of want to be hams and those who tested
them could face an unexpected fines and imprisonment.
More on this breaking story next week.
*****
LONG ISLAND ANTENNA DEFENSE FUND
Amateur radio operators out on New York's Long Island are
seeking national support to fight the local zoning board within
the Town of Hempstead. On October 6th the Zoning Board of
Appeals denied amateur radio operator Mark Nadel, NK2T the right
to maintain his 55 foot radio tower. The reason for the denial
was based on two neighbors had filed complaints about radio
frequency interference to their home entertainment equipment. In
other words, the town of Hempstead is saying that it is taking on
the jurisdiction of the FCC and the townships lawyers add that
they have the right to do just that. This, even if it means
openly challenging the federal government and its communications
control agency, the FCC.
The decision against Nadel is precedent setting and reads in
part as follows. We quote:
"The board finds that the proposed and existing height of 55'
has had a devastating effect on several of the residents. The
transmission of applicants come over the telephone, television
and electronic equipment of the neighbors and interfere
substantially with those neighbors use of such facilities. The
Board has weighed the benefit to the applicant as against the
detriment to the neighbors, and finds that the detriment far
outweighs any benefit to the applicant." -- end quote.
Word is that Hempstead is prepared to spend any amount of
money to argue this case in all jurisdictions including the
United States Supreme Court. As a result, it now appears as if
the only way that Nadel can have this decision overturned is to
take it to court himself. He and other hams in Hempstead have
been given no other choice than to fight.
In order to help NK2T overcome this unacceptable decision an
organization has been formed know as RADIO. This is an acronym
for the Radio Amateur Defense & Information Organization. Its
sole purpose is that of helping amateur radio operators in their
fights with town zoning problems. Regardless of the final
outcome, this will be a precedent setting case. Perhaps the most
important legal battle in the history of the United States
Amateur Radio Service.
For this reason it is very important to support NK2T in this
oncoming battle through the courts. The findings may well
determine weather or not you can have a ham transmitter and an
antenna, no matter where in the nation you may live.
The address for contributions is RADIO, in care of N2FF,
Post Office Box 343, Williston Park, New York 11596.
*****
NOVICE PRIVILEGES AND NEW 222 MHZ RESTRICTIONS ON REPEATERS
The FCC has acted to expand privileges for Novice class
licensees on the 222 MHz band as well as to create a subband
protected for weak signal operators using the band. The changes
enacted under the Report Order in PR Docket 92-289 are very wide
in their scope and include allowing Novice operation in the
entire 222-225 MHz band.
Novices currently have access to 222.10-223.91 MHz. In making
the privilege expansion proposal the American Radio Relay League
said that improving the scope of Novice privileges to include the
entire 1.25 meter band made sense. This because Novices already
are permitted to use SSB and CW on portions of the HF bands.
But the FCC has denied another proposal to allow Novices to
be licensees and control operators of repeaters on both the 222
and 1240 MHz bands. The Commission had in fact proposed such
privileges in an Notice of Proposed Rule Making back in 1992. At
that time the ARRL argued against the idea. It said that these
privileges were not justified by the level technical proficiency
demonstrated by Novices on their examinations. The ARRL also
argued that giving Novices the right to hold license to repeaters
would blur the distinctions between the Novice and Technician
class licenses.
Finally, the ARRL and weak-signal advocates have been
successful in gaining a special subband established on the low
end of the 222 MHz band. The League had proposed that a weak
signal protected band segment be established from 222.0 to 222.15
MHz, similar to what previously existed at 222.00 to 222.50 MHz.
They said that a weak-signal subband, which could not be enforced
through voluntary agreements or formalized band-planning by
amateurs, was necessary to allow amateurs to carry on experiments
in propagation and operating techniques.
The FCC agreed that this proposal had merit and acted to
codify it but in reality their action may have come to late. In
some cities, so called un-coordinated "pirate" repeaters are
already setting up operations in this spectrum. This, as it is
vacated by coordinated systems that have been relocated elsewhere
in the 1.25 meter band. While the number of these uncoordinated
systems is still small it will be a problem that the FCC rather
than the Amateur Radio community will have to handle. This is
because those hams who have no respect for "gentlemen agreements"
on band utilization are bound to ignore the FCC regulations as
well.
At airtime, no effective date for these new regulations to
take effect has been announced.
*****
NEW YORK CABS GET CELLULAR TELEPHONES
The alleged need for two meter radios in New York City taxis
seems to have disappeared as a results of a plan to install
cellular phones in may of the city's cabs. According to a press
release from Nynex, Mobile Communications, one of the city's
cellular suppliers, some two hundred medallion taxi cabs have
embarked on a three month pilot program to test the feasibility
of having cellular pay-phones in the rider compartments of these
vehicles. Passengers are able to use these cel-tels for regular
phone calls, and taxi drivers have a special push-button that
allows instant access to police through the city's 911 emergency
access number.
As reported a few months ago, a small number of New York City
taxi drivers had petitioned the Taxi and Limousine Commission to
have two meter radios installed in every cab. The commission
turned the drivers down. The new Nynex system seems to nullify
the need for two meter radios to be installed in the city's cabs,
while giving the drivers a better sense of security than any ham
system could offer.
*****
CHINA ON THE HAM SATELLITES
In news about ham radio space operations, word that the
Tsinghua University Amateur Radio Club of Beijing, China has
announced that the Chinese Radio Sports Association has provided
them with some OSCAR satellite ground station equipment. The
Radio Club says that it plans to use the gear for approximately 6
months in an effort to become active on amateur satellites.
The equipment consists of a Yaesu FT-726 dual-band
transceiver, a circularly polarized crossed Yagi antenna, a 70cm
amplifier, a receive preamplifier, and the elevation/azimuth
rotor system. OE2CAL, an Austrian amateur noted in Europe for
his VHF and UHF activities, and DJ7BU are scheduled to join the
radio club in their efforts to the antenna system which has been
delayed due to snowy weather. Both men are currently working in
Beijing.
*****
ST LOUIS RADIO HISTORY
Closer to home comes this item from the world of broadcast
band DXing. Word that a piece of radio history has returned to
the radio dial in St. Louis. E.B. Stevenson, N0UIH has the
story and the background on why it all came about.
"The first weekend in October brought a major shock to
listeners of St. Louis radio station KUSA. Listeners expecting
to hear the station at 550 on the AM dial with its CNN Headline
News feed, instead were informed they were listening to KSD AM.
The reversion to the KSD callsign was as a result of sale of the
station along with classic rock formatted KSD FM 93.7 Mhz by
Gannet Radio Division to EZ Communications, owners of KYKY 98.1
Mhz with runs an adult top 40 format. Gannet purchased KSD AM
then the local NBC Radio Network Affiliate and what was then
beautiful music formatted KCFM in 1979. The FM adopted the KSD
FM callsign in 1980, the same year KSD AM ended its 54 year
affiliation with NBC. The KSD calls were dropped from the AM on
March 19th 1984 after being on the 550 spot since 1922. KUSA was
originally going to be adopted by what was then KPRZ in Los
Angeles, now KIIS 1150 on the AM dial earlier in 1984, but
Gannet ended up transferring the calls to their St. Louis AM
property which was then running the country and western music
format. The KUSA call still reside on its television property in
Denver, Colorado. A piece of St. Louis radio history is back."
Confusing yes, but talk about radio history repeating itself.
*****
XMAS TV
The television program titled There Really Is A Santa Claus
will air on Saturday December 11th on the Discovery Channel cable
television network. There Really is a Santa Claus includes
exclusive footage of the North Pole Network that each year
permits hospital confined children to talk directly to old St.
Nick thru the magic of ham radio an amateur radio TV. The
segment showing hams in action was filmed at the St. Judes
Hospital Center in Fullerton, California and shows Rehab Radio
Station WD6BPT in action. Look for There Really is a Santa Claus
at 4 PM eastern and pacific. Consult your local cable company
about finding the Discovery Channel on your cable box or TV dial.
*****
COUNTRY MUSIC HAM
You fans of country music know that entertainer Patty
Loveless produces chart-topping hits. But now it can also now be
told that Patty can also hold her own in a morse-code roundtable
QSO. This is according to QST Magazine that reports the Kentucky
born songstress is now the holder of the Amateur Radio call sign
KD4WUJ.
QST says that Patty, a cousin of singer Loretta Lynn is
is married to Emory Gordy Jr., W4WRO and it was Gordy that got
his wife interested in the two way hobby communications. The
Gordy's make their home in Dallas Georgia where Patty is
reportedly active on 40 meter CW.
Newsline knows that you join in welcoming Patty Loveless
KD4WUJ to our world of Amateur Radio.
*****
* * * Newsline Copyright 1993 all rights are reserved. * * *
------------
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1993 21:46:50 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!msattler@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: CA Ham License Plates
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
How do you get custom license plates with your ham call letters? Well, in
the state of California you visit the Divison of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and
fill out a form 583, show them your ticket pony up $21, and surrender your
current license plates. You'll get a temporary permit and the plates in
the mail.
The following is the relevant portion of the DMV operations manual as
photocopied for me on 10 Dec 1993.
----------------------------------------------------------
4.130 Amateur Radio Call Letter (VC 5005)
Persons holding an unexpired amateur radio station license issued by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC), may apply for special call letter
plate for one:
* commercial vehicle OR
* passenger motor vehicle OR
* motorcycle
The vehicle must be registered to the licensee.
The plate cannot be issued for trailers.
Amateur radio plates that the station's call letters may be issued to
operators of novice amateur radio stations.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS ARE:
* Appropriate registration documents in the name shown on
the application for call letter plates.
* Application for Amateur Radio Plates (REG 583). Inspect
the valid FCC license or FCC Certificate for renewal for
class of operator.
The technician [DMV employee] must check the call letters
on the FCC license and the call letters entered on the
(REG 583). If the application is properly completed, the
technician must sign the verification portion of the form
or attach a photocopy of the FCC license.
* Pick up the plates on the vehicle. [Surrender your plates.]
Reference: 1.505
* Collect all fees due plus fee for amateur radio plate
application [$21]. DO NOT prorate the radio call letter
plate fee.
* Issue 60-day Temporary Operating Permit (REG 19). Metal
"weight fee" tabs will be issued only if the vehicle is
a station wagon with commercial registration.
Key: Appropriate TTC suspense to SPU.
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael S. Sattler msattler@netcom.com +1 (415) 621-2903
Digital Jungle Software Encrypt now; ask me how. (finger for PGP key)
All that is required for evil to triumph is
for {wo}men of good will to do nothing.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 08 Dec 1993 10:13:31 -0500
From: newsflash.concordia.ca!sifon!mcrcim.mcgill.edu!Nyongwa.CAM.ORG!mtlnet!mtlnet.gateway@uunet.uu.net
Subject: CENSORSHIP WARNING
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Quoting [Tony] to [All] Subject: [CENSORSHIP WARNING]
> One person has done this to me [re: BARF = Bestiality Amateur Radio
> Fraternity, which was my tongue-in-check response to the Lambda
> gay radio club {BTW, my postmaster thought the BARF article was funny}];
>
TP> Come on over to the SBS folks. We have a bulletproof feed. People can
TP> bitch, whine and complain about things you post to no avail.
TP> And if someone doesn't like that... awwwww... too bad.
Tony, good for you and MEGGADITTOS.
Mike VE3TPH
___ MikeZap V1.10 Send mail to Utopia.subspace.net.org ATTN:Mike Bracci
... Packet: ve3tph@ve3rzr.#scon.on.can.na
~~~ ReneWave v1.00 Beta-01
------------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Dec 1993 17:52:42 EST
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!newsserver.jvnc.net!news.cac.psu.edu!psuvm!dcr117@ames.arpa
Subject: Dentron MLA-2500B Linear sale
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hello all,
The Pennsylvania State University Amateur Radio Club is looking to sell off
a Dentron MLA-2500B 2kW Linear Amplifier. The reason we are selling it is
because with two HF stations, we only need two HF Linears. We are doing it
in an attempt to raise some funds to purchase some new equpiment.
The amplifier works very well, and has nothing wrong with it... The tubes
are not new, but they have MANY MANY hours of life left to them.
We are trying to feel the market out right now. Please make us an offer.
Do it via internet or packet, through jmr@ruth.ece.psu.edu or
N3HQD@W3YA.PA.USA.NOAM. These people (Joe and John, respectively) will
handle your offer and be in contact with you. Thanks!
73, Dan Raneri (N2OQN)
-The Penn State ARC
University Park, PA
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 10 Dec 1993 21:56:43 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!msattler@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Help with HW101
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
david jerome adams (djadams@silver.ucs.indiana.edu) wrote:
: Greetings! My HW-101 is giving me some troubles and I was hoping
: there might be a few heathkit gurus on the net. It has the following
: symptoms.
Oh! I thougth you were talking about Hwy 101, which gives
all of us who drive it, esp. between San Francisco and San
Jose, trouble. And there doesn't seem to be a lot anyone
can do about it :-)
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael S. Sattler msattler@netcom.com +1 (415) 621-2903
Digital Jungle Software Encrypt now; ask me how. (finger for PGP key)
All that is required for evil to triumph is
for {wo}men of good will to do nothing.
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1993 01:08:21 GMT
From: olivea!apple.com!gallant.apple.com!kip-107.apple.com!user@uunet.uu.net
Subject: HF Propagation Programs (IONCAP)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I'm looking for public domain programs to predict HP propagation,
preferable for the Mac, but source code or PC versions are also ok. From
what I read in the AARL Handbook, it sounds like IONCAP is what I want, but
I could not find it anyplace on internet using archie. Is source code
available or do I have to run the PC version?
phil sohn
sohn@apple.com
------------------------------
Date: 13 Dec 93 12:50:56 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Was: 6-m Transceivers
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
John Welch, N9JZW, takes me to task for recommending 100 W plus to get full
enjoyment from 6-m SSB/CW. He says (partial quote):
> Seriously, when 6 is open 10 watts will do *very* well, and
> when it's closed 10kw won't make a dent in things. Where more power
> will help is when it's starting to collaps, then *maybe* you can get
> in a final 73, but 6 tends to close rather fast so it's iffy even
> then.
wrong, Wrong, WRONG !!!!! With 10 kW, SIX WOULDN'T CLOSE. You could work
ionoscatter about 24 hours a day with a 6- or 6-over-6 element antenna.
Troposcatter would be breeze out to the point that ionoscatter became louder.
You could work EME most of the time you could see the Moon, using a BIG
antenna, say 16 6-element Yagis. QRP is fine for toying with a band, but
QRO can change the whole picture. (and I didn't really mean TVI!)
You apparently don't remember the Big Signal from Cedar Rapids on 49.8 MHz.
They had a 10 kW xmtr and were audible ALL THE TIME here in the DC area with
the crummy receivers of the day and a 5-element Yagi. Their 300-meter-long
rhombic didn't hurt. The NBS field station near the present Dulles airport
had a similar antenna and could light a 60-mA pilot lamp from it during Es.
I have had exactly ONE (1) TVI complaint in my last 30 years on 6 meters. It
was from the neighbors who have the Emerson VCR. They also radiate cable
sigs badly (have they extended their cable connection with zip-cord?).
73, Bob w3otc@amsat.org
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1458
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