Date: Sat, 18 Dec 93 21:30:51 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1476
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Sat, 18 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1476
Today's Topics:
AEA question
ARLB116 Pick your call sign
chirping oscillator (2 msgs)
Comments on logging programs solicited!
Heathkit user's nets?
how to scare away birds from my antenna (2 msgs)
Kraco SSB CB Information Please
Mail to ARRL HQ
Need info on building IF-232 for Knwd TS-850S
Program to control Icom R-7100???
RACES Bulletin #305
SWR tweeking: Details, details...
Where are all the young enthusiasts?
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: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 21:39:30 GMT
From: news2.uunet.ca!iceonline!icebox!janc@uunet.uu.net
Subject: AEA question
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Just a quick question for someone who may be in the know..
I've been somewhat out of the hobby for the last few months since I'd returned
to school to furthur my education, so when the notice went out, I didn't hear
about it at all. I've been told that AEA is no longer producing Amateur Radio
oriented products - is this fact or fiction? It it's true, does anyone know
what the reasons behind this decision were, and who, if anyone, will continue
product support for such things as the TNC's?
Jan Chojnacki
VE7FJC
*** ICE Online, Canada's COOLEST online service! ***
Opinions expressed in this article are not necessarilly those of ICE Online.
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 93 11:11:12 EST
From: nntp.ucsb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!eff!news.kei.com!world!ksr!jfw@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: ARLB116 Pick your call sign
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
md@maxcy2.maxcy.brown.edu (Michael P. Deignan) writes:
>In article <$arlb116.1993@ampr.org>, marcbg@netcom.com (MB Grant) writes:
>|> The FCC today proposed that amateurs be able to choose their own
>|> call signs, once a new automated processing system is in place at
>|> the Commission's Private Radio Bureau.
>I would think that the FCC should be more concerned with reducing the
>lag time it takes to process amateur radio licenses in general (something
>that would benefit all amateurs) rather than something silly like
>"vanity callsigns"
"Once a new automated processing system is in place at the Commission's
Private Radio Bureau", the lag time ought to go WAY down, and they'll be
able to offer "vanity callsigns" without any extra effort. I think the
FCC has shown absolutely no inclination whatsoever to *increase* their
workload above what it is now, so I don't think "vanity callsigns" are
their first priority. If you've got to assume the FCC are a bunch of
idiots, at least give them credit for being lazy idiots. :-)
------------------------------
Date: 17 Dec 93 16:12:07 EST
From: titan.ksc.nasa.gov!k4dii.ksc.nasa.gov!user@ames.arpa
Subject: chirping oscillator
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1993Dec16.213126.9152@cactus.org>, majec@cactus.org (Majec
Systems) wrote:
> The Sad Tale of a Musical Oscillator, Or how I'll spend my Xmas vacation
> Well, what that silly first line was meant to allude to was the fact that
> I have a chirping, whooping, and generally being anything but, stable
> oscillator.
Ed-
I'm not familiar with the Ten-Tec, but other chirping oscillators have
problems with voltage regulation, and unstable loads.
Aside from improving the voltage regulation, you might try leaving the
oscillator on continuously during transmit, and keying a subsequent stage.
In the latter days of vacuum tube transmitters, "grid-block" keying was
used to accomplish that. Earlier transmitters put the key in the cathode
of one of the later stages.
Other QRP transceivers have a circuit to slightly change the frequency of
the VFO, to provide approximately 800 Hz offset between transmit and
receive frequencies. If yours does this (and it probably does), that
offset circuit may be contributing to the chirp.
ARRL has published a couple of volumes, containing summaries of QST Hints &
Kinks related to problems with QRP rigs. If you have access to a store
that carries them, you might take a look for your Ten-Tec.
73, Fred, K4DII
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 21:31:26 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!cactus.org!majec@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: chirping oscillator
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The Sad Tale of a Musical Oscillator, Or how I'll spend my Xmas vacation
Well, what that silly first line was meant to allude to was the fact that
I have a chirping, whooping, and generally being anything but, stable
oscillator.
As CW is my preferred form of rf emission this chirping oscillator just
won't cut it.
Here are the specifics.
The rig is a TEN-TEC pm2 (early 70's qrp rig) It's a direct conversion
style transceiver. "The oscillator used for receiving operates directly at
the frequency being received. This allows the same oscillator to be used for
transmitting. When the XTAL/VFO switch is placed in the VFO position,
it connects the receiving oscillator output in place of the crystal."
This is a fairly crude design in my opinion.The DPDT switch has single
conductor hookup wire going from the switch to the board (six of them)
about 2.5 inches long. The switch selects between 80m and 40m lc circuits
which feed the base of the bipolar transistor, the oscillator.
The oscillator is followed by a buffer and then the XTAL/VFO switch.
After the XTAL/VFO switch is the driver stage and the final.
That's it on the radio
Soooo, what how about suggestions on improving the stability of the
oscillator. By the way there is no shielding around the transistor section
of the oscillator, the inductor is in a metal can but that's it.
Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am going camping down into Mexico
and want to use my new (to me) VFO capable radio as opposed to my MXM
rock bound QRP rig.
Thanks in advance.
Ed Guinn
kb5ruf
majec@cactus.org
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 17:08:58 GMT
From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uknet!EU.net!news.inesc.pt!animal.inescn.pt!ciup2.ncc.up.pt!news.ci.ua.pt!etjfonte@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Comments on logging programs solicited!
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hello Lee , You have the same problem that I had months ago...
I don't know many loggers but I used some like :
- K1EA CT. (this for contesting ... excelent )
- SWISSLOG (also very good w/propagation charts ...but not user friendly)
- SWISSLOG CT. (for contesting....)
At the moment I'm using TOPLOG (from I4UFH) , it's an excelent logger...
it gives you your results for Awards (WPX,DXCC,IOTA,WAS,WAZ,counties,OBLAST...)
And the best thing is that the program is free . IF you want it send $3 (USd.)
to I4UFH and we will send the program (the software is maybe available in a
local HAM BBS)...
73's and good DXing........CT1ENQ (sk)
Lee Reynolds (lee@tosspot.sv.com) wrote:
: I'm looking for a good logging program. It doesn't have to be contest
: oriented, I'm looking for something that has useful features and
: capabilities.
: Logic and CT come to mind as possibly the two top candidates.
: Anyone out there have any comments on those (or any other) programs?
: Thanks,
: Lee KD1SQ
: (Please email comments to me directly as well as
: to the group, thanks. lee@tosspot.sv.com)
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 21:40:21 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!cass.ma02.bull.com!petra!zds-oem!news@network.ucsd.edu (Earl Morse)
Subject: Heathkit user's nets?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Is anybody aware of any Nets that meet for the purpose of discussing
the repair, restoration, modification, and collecting of Heathkit
equipment?
Earl Morse
KZ8E
e.morse@zds.com
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 1993 21:26:54 GMT
From: library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!lerc.nasa.gov!news.larc.nasa.gov!grissom.larc.nasa.gov!kludge@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: how to scare away birds from my antenna
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <9312151601.AA00556@ganges.agro.nl> G.POLDER@CPRO.AGRO.NL writes:
>I'm thinking of scaring away birds from my antenna
>using ultrasound. I ever heard about people doing it,
>but don't know what frequency to use, or which
>output power.
Why bother? With something like a yagi, they might affect the antenna
pattern a bit, but as soon as you put the key down, they aren't going to
stay there for very long. With a dipole they'll just affect the tuning
a little bit, and again they will quickly decide to move when you apply
power.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 18:19:07 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!cass.ma02.bull.com!petra!zds-oem!news@network.ucsd.edu (Earl Morse)
Subject: how to scare away birds from my antenna
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <9312151601.AA00556@ganges.agro.nl> G.POLDER@CPRO.AGRO.NL writes:
>I'm thinking of scaring away birds from my antenna
>using ultrasound. I ever heard about people doing it,
>but don't know what frequency to use, or which
>output power.
>
>Does anybody have experiance with this?
>
>Gerrit, PA3BYA.
>g.polder@cpro.agro.nl
I've heard of some of the audio bird repellers, I found them to be
kind of annoying. A guy around here hung an owl decoy from his antenna.
It was one of the cheap semi inflatable kite type and it worked very well.
Earl Morse
KZ8E
e.morse@zds.com
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1993 22:08:26 GMT
From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!eff!news.kei.com!nic.hookup.net!ukma!rsg1.er.usgs.gov!dgg.cr.usgs.gov!bodoh@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Kraco SSB CB Information Please
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <2er28k$9mm@cyberspace.com>, jrw@cyberspace.com (John Russell Woodman) writes:
|> I have a Kraco 23-channel single sideband base station CB, model KB-2355.
|> The manufacture date is June, 1976. The radio works fine, and I just put
|> an Antron 99 with it, so it works that much better. However, meters tell
|> me that, while the match is 1:1 across the frequency spectrum, it's not
|> putting out the full 4 watts AM and 12 PEP sideband. Could someone tell me
|> how to peak this radio up so I can get maximum output on it? If possible,
|> please supply information on peaking tx power, tx modulation and rx sens-
|> itivity. Any information on how to get this radio to perform to optimum
|> capacity would be appreciated. Please respond in mail rather than posting.
|>
Posting this here is like walking into a cop bar and asking directions to
the local crack house...
--
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+ Tom Bodoh - Sr. systems software engineer, Hughes STX, N0YGT +
+ USGS/EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD, USA 57198 (605) 594-6830 +
+ Internet; bodoh@dgg.cr.usgs.gov (152.61.192.66) +
+ "Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends!" EL&P +
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
------------------------------
Date: 11 Dec 93 17:03:11 EST
From: sdd.hp.com!ncr-sd!ncrhub2!ncrgw2.ncr.com!psinntp!arrl.org@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Mail to ARRL HQ
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
We've changed our Internet connection here, and that has resulted in
some bounced mail to arrl.org. While we're settling into our new
system, please be patient with us! If a message you sent got bounced,
try resending it. Chances are the problem was only temporary.
Jon "I hate computers" Bloom, KE3Z
------
Jon Bloom, KE3Z | jbloom@arrl.org
American Radio Relay League |
225 Main St., Newington CT 06111 |
------------------------------
Date: 15 Dec 1993 19:58:36 GMT
From: nntp.ucsb.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!hal!rab@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Need info on building IF-232 for Knwd TS-850S
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CI39xz.A5M@cbnews.cb.att.com> wrb@cbnews.cb.att.com (wallace.r.blackburn) writes:
>
>I wrote an article that appeared in the Feb. '93 issue of QST that tells
>exactly what you want to know. You shouldn't have any problem finding that
>issue at a library, but if you do then let me know and maybe I can mail a
>copy to you.
>
>I also offer kits/PC boards for the interfaces described in the article.
>I'M NOT TRYING TO SELL YOU ANYTHING - the parts are readily available and
>ARRL has the PCB layouts.
Thanks for the information, Wally. Also, thanks to John K4BNC for a
reference to an article in the September 1991 issue of QST (with a
correction in the December 1991 issue) and to W7KPZ for a reference
to a June 1992 QST article on pp23ff. These came via e-mail.
>Looks like we must have upgraded at the same time (AA8DX).
Yep... wanna trade? :)
73, Roger AA8DV
--
Roger Bielefeld Dept of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Assistant Professor Case Western Reserve University
rab@hal.cwru.edu Cleveland, Ohio USA
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 1993 21:31:51 GMT
From: wyvern!jwhite@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Program to control Icom R-7100???
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
A friend recently purchased an Icom R-7100. It is a very nice unit and they
have purchased the Icom CT-17 option which allows communication between the
computers serial port (in this case com-2) and the radios CI-V interface.
The problem is that the Icom documentation included with the radio and the
CT-17 does not offer the best information as to how to use this interface to
it's fullest capabilitys. They offer several programs which are written in
Basic that will preform basic functions, but the programs appear to be
poorly commented and will require modification to run on their particular
version of Basic.
I have located several programs which appear to be able to drive this radio
namely Autolog4 and Icom.c. But, these programs are specifically designed
with transcievers in mind. Does anyone have any knowledge of a good program
that will exercise all the capabilities of this radio? If so please eMail me
some info. You can even UUencode the program and eMail it to me if you have
one. My friend is an Extra Class ham, but not a computer guru. So something
to the point would be far more enjoyable for them. Certainly someone has
gone to the trouble to write a Windows application for this purpose???
Please eMail any comments if possible so I'll be sure not to miss them.
Thanks in advance,
N4IFC
--
From: John L. White Phone: (804) 422-2042
Beach Trading Corporation Fax: (804) 437-0045
P.O. Box 65054
Virginia Beach, VA 23464 eMail: jwhite@wyvern.com
------------------------------
Date: 19 Dec 93 01:20:22 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: RACES Bulletin #305
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Bid : $RACESBUL.305
TO: ALL ES, CD, AND PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTORS VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO: ALL RACES OPERATORS IN CALIFORNIA
INFO: ALL AMATEUR RADIO OPERATORS
FROM: CA STATE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY SERVICES (W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA)
2800 MEADOWVIEW RD., SACRAMENTO, CA 95832 916-262-1600
LANDLINE BBS OPEN TO ALL 916-262-1657
RACESBUL 305 December 20, l993
Subject: MGT Observations 1/3
Bulletins 305, 306 and 307 resulted from a five-state RACES tour in
September by Stan Harter, State ACS Coordinator:
When I started this tour I had in mind the comment we sometimes hear
from out-of-state that "the RACES Bulletins don't apply to us because
nothing ever happens around here. Or because everything always happens
out there in California".
Driving along the highway's I found myself musing, "it's no different
in California. Throw a dart at the map of California and it's safe to
say that somewhere that is a jurisdiction that says that hardly
anything ever happens here, too. Given the variety of state, county
and municipal governments there is bound to be somewhere that events
seem to skip by and officials consider it unnecessary to plan for
communications emergencies. Not all of the hundreds of jurisdictions
in California have a RACES program if they feel that they cannot
justify the use of the RACES and other volunteers in government
service.
Fortunately, there is a work-a-round in an emergency for which they
are unprepared. What then happens is that they reap the benefits of
mutual aid, neighboring governments helping neighbor governments;
which includes paid and volunteer staff ready, willing and able to
work in other jurisdictions than their own when requested and
authorized.
Even so, however, there are places where neighbor helping neighbor
seems to fall down. In one area I was appalled to learn from a deputy
sheriff search and rescue coordinator that he is subject to arrest if
he sets foot in a particular neighboring county on a SAR mission. In
any language, that's hard to take. To a lesser degree one occasionally
hears something similar in communications, where more enlightened and
intelligent volunteers suffer such restraints and sometimes throw up
their hands in disgust and take there desire to serve elsewhere.
-----------------
RACES Bulletins are archived on the Internet at ucsd.edu in hamradio/races
and can be retrieved using FTP.
------------------------------
Date: 16 Dec 1993 18:11:42 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!spool.mu.edu!umn.edu!lynx.unm.edu!dns1.NMSU.Edu!gereiswi@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: SWR tweeking: Details, details...
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
A question for all you techno-whizzes out there: When measuring
the SWR with (guess what) an SWR meter, is it really crucial to place the
meter between the feed line and the antenna, or can you put it between the
transmitter and the feed line? Would the latter yield spurious readings?
Thanks for the help, and Merry Christmas!
------------------------------
Date: 19 Dec 93 01:59:09 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Where are all the young enthusiasts?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
>I've just finished reading a slew of messages on this subject, but there's a
>perspective that they all seem to have missed. I read disappointment that we
>can't get young folks interested in building radios, and lack of surprise at
>this given today's market.
Maybe it's because if you really have an interest in building radios, you go
to school, get the degree and end up working at some place like Collins or
Harris and get paid (well, i'm told it's just as good as money) for it.
Radios are NOT designed by seat of the pants techniques if at all possible.
having a "Gut Feeling" helps, but you usually don't get paid for using only
that technique.
What's really sad is the folks dreaming of the romance of the crystal set.
Yeah, it's neat, but when did Armstrong come up with regeneration or the
superhet? (start planning that 75th anniversary today...) Maybe the crystal
radio set diagram should be stricken from "Now You're Talking" ...
Yeah, it's neat to do a "no power" radio or one run by potatoes, but once
you've seen it done, that's it. It's a curiosity in itself. All the other
radio equipment the modern homeowner has is superhet (well, maybe not the
Garage Door Opener...8) ).
What's missing is:
it's fun and you can have fun doing it. did i forget to mention
that amateur radio is fun?
telling folks that dabbling around in something related to what
you are interested in can help later come job time...it's usually
a good thing to hear that a prospective employee is into something
like building up his own stereo or is an amateur radio operator
or works on his cars rather than just a guy that did the time in
school and got the grades. and it's fun.
letting the kids get involved. this is basically stop treating them
as kids. kid's got an Extra and has the time to be the net manager
and seems to want to do it and do it right, let him. we have to
shake out people that want to keep trying to set an age=experience
rule for amateur radio...it's more like time in service=experience
but many with the time also think other they meet that are the same
age have the lifelong involvement with radio they had themselves.
Just the other day a guy with probably 30-40 years under his belt was
complaining about the other silver-haired folks in his radio club
didn't know some archaic bit of trivia from the 1950s. but the folks
he was complaining about, while probably totalling a couple of
centuries of experience in age, don't even make QCWA if you doubled
their radio license time. but he's not having fun...
the adults have to be able to tolerate the kids. I can, but i've
heard some of the grumpy old men carry on about people half their
age (like 35...) and that's a turn off. kids can do lots of things
and one thing on the list not to do is anything where people complain
about you showing up. Hey! No problem. we'll hang at the mall where
we only have to worry about the Mall Rat Removal Service...and it's
fun avoiding the security forces.
Once you get a kid involved, you have to get him doing things.
It is a concern if the people getting licensed never get on the air
or active in the hobby. this is a flaw with the "get all the oldsters
since they have time" campaign. did they get into it to do something
or were looking for something to do and would just as well be out
boating or bowling instead?
how's that?
bill wb9ivr
------------------------------
Date: 18 Dec 93 10:35:20 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!cbr600@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <CI3G07.1Cv@news.udel.edu>, <CI3KDB.CK2@srgenprp.sr.hp.com>, <93350.161620WKOEHLER@ESOC.BITNET>
Subject : Re: Optimum call sign for CW/contests?
In article <93350.161620WKOEHLER@ESOC.BITNET>, WOLF KOEHLER <WKOEHLER@ESOC.BITNET> writes:
> The fastest, i.e. shortest,good callsignfor CW contesting would
> certainly be N5EA.
>
> Wolf.
Way too many dit's in a row. It would be awkward as hell to key. :)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jeremy L. Utley | jlu@cygnus.cis.ksu.edu
Computing & Infomation Sciences | cbr600@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
Student | cbr600@ksuvm.bitnet
Kansas State University | bxth85a (Prodigy)
A.S. Comp. Sci. & Acctg. | N0YAX@N0OER.#NEKS.KS.USA.NA (Packet Radio)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1476
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