Date: Wed, 22 Dec 93 06:35:24 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1495
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Wed, 22 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1495
Today's Topics:
Bravo, Bravo +, etc. pager options and programming ?
Coax recommendations?
Designations for microwave bands?
Don't try this at home
DX Activity
Ham Shops in Washington DC area?
November 1981 QST
R/C Aircraft (2 msgs)
SoundBlaster Voice Keyer?
what frequencies are marine band?
Where are all the young enthusiasts?
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: 22 Dec 93 13:17:21 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Bravo, Bravo +, etc. pager options and programming ?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
>>The paging company I use (SkyTel, aka National Satellite Paging) offers a
>>time-of-day page. You tell the terminal (via touch-tone input) the date
>and
>>time you want a page, and it pages you within a minute or two of that
>time.
>>Excellent for creating socially-acceptable excuses to leave meetings,
>>parties, visits with the in-laws, etc.
>>
>>It seems to me there may be a market for a stand-alone device of this
>type.
>>
>>-- Bruce Toback
>
>I carry an advisor by Motorola. It will display text messages also. It
>can be purchased with nat'l service or local service. It has an alarm
>built in to help you remember that important meeting or to get out of it.
> I have carried the "bravo" pager also and like both. Some options for
>the type of alert....ramp to full volume, short tones, vibration....ect.
>Battery life is about 3weeks, and I leave my pager on 100% of the time.
>The advisor uses a AAA and the bravo uses a AA.
>I hope this helps
>
>Just for the record, to use the text feature of the advisor the paging
>person in most cases must leave the page with an operator who transcribes
>it and sends it out. Software is avail. to send text pages via a
>computer and a modem.
>
>Rick Aldom
I am also attached to SkyTel's Skyword service and I have found it to be an
excellent notification system. I am carrying a NEC FactsProvider which is
an interesting pager. I have used the Motorola as well and both units have
features in their favor. I have found the NEC to be a little easier to use but
it doesn't track the date like the Motorola and there are no user programmable
alert options. The NEC has an automatic backlight versus a manual one the
Motorola.
As for SkyTel computer access, in addition to the touch-tone method, there are
two other ways of contacting the system via modem. First, you can call
1-800-SKY-WORD from a dumb terminal/terminal program and enter text directly to
the pager and perform all of the other functions as such as time-of-day.
Second, you can call 1-800-SKY-MEMO and connect via a protocol known as TAP
(Telelocator Alphanumeric Protocol). This protocol was designed to enable
computers to talk to paging systems without having to deal with menu's and all
the other nonsense a human would use. I got involved with alphanumeric
pagers though a midnight engineering project to tie my E-Mail system into
pager's to provide wireless notification. I have a 'C' source code provided
by SkyTel which implements TAP. It is a good example of how to use TAP.
Robert de N2JTX
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
| Robert G. Schaffrath, N2JTX | Internet: rgs%wpmax2%gfimda@uunet.uu.net |
| Systems Engineer | CompuServe: 76330,1057 |
| Maxwell House Coffee Company | Phone: 914-335-2777 |
| Kraft General Foods Corp. | Slogan: "ervice is ur mott" |
+-------------------------------+--------------------------------------------+
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1993 20:08:54 GMT
From: pacbell.com!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!paladin.american.edu!darwin.sura.net!fconvx.ncifcrf.gov!mack@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Coax recommendations?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CICME7.8BJ@ncifcrf.gov> mack@ncifcrf.gov (Joe Mack) writes:
>In article <2f4hvmINNa6r@cronkite.Central.Sun.COM> doc@webrider.central.sun.com writes:
>>Greetings -
>>
>>minimum
>>size/grade of coax for 2m/50 ft.
>It's got to be RG8 style or thicker - there's a flexi replacement for
>9913 (which replaced 213 as the best for 2m) - I get mine at the RF connection
>(301)-840-5477 in Maryland. I don't know the number for the new flexi cable.
>
>
>>I'm also considering how
>>best to handle the possibility of running multiple cables for up
>>to 3 antennas. Would multiple cables with a switch box on the
>>control end be best, or is there another method that wouldn't
>>require total duplication of cables (remote switching?)?
>>
>it's the simplest - all the things that can go wrong are in front of you ratherthan in the attic.
>Joe NA3T
>mack@ncifcrf.gov
PS - make sure the insulation in your attic isn't aluminium backed
Joe NA3T
>
>
>
>
------------------------------
Date: 21 Dec 1993 09:16:35 GMT
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!xlink.net!zib-berlin.de!netmbx.de!Germany.EU.net!EU.net!news.funet.fi!cs.joensuu.fi!news.csc.fi!funic!nokia.fi!davies@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Designations for microwave bands?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Bruce Toback (btoback@netcom.com) wrote:
> I've looked everywhere but in the right place, and I can't find a list of
> the alphabetic designations for microwave bands and the frequencies they
> represent (e.g., Ku-band, C-band, etc.).
Various publications have such lists, but be wary that there is not always
agreement on which letter should be used. Some are pretty standard, like
X-band (amateur 10GHz band, actually means something like 8.2 to 12.4GHz),
and K-band (amateur 24GHz, actually means 18.0 to 26.5GHz). But for some
bands, several letters have been used. Hewlett-Packard seemed to have their
own set of letters which deviated (from normal UK usage) in places.
I think there is a table in the RSGB Microwave Handbook Vol 2 which, if I
remember correctly, was supposed to include these different letter usages,
plus the waveguide sizes. A HP catalog will mention some under the Microwave
Test Accessories, but nowadays the letters only tend to be used for higher
bands, eg 8GHz up.
I'll try and dig out a table, I think I even have an ASCII tabular version
with all the waveguide sizes etc.
Steve Davies, davies@mobira.nmp.nokia.com, G4KNZ.
------------------------------
Date: 22 Dec 93 10:52:43 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Don't try this at home
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Speaking of annoying line noise/RFI, the security system in our house
is like a mini all-band transmitter and makes a real mess of
SW listening from 2mhz to about 10mhz. It's the digital pulses coursing
thru the wires throughout the house that does it. Bad buzz. You can tell
when someone activates a sensor or opens a doors since you hear the
warble change. Fascinating, but a real pain. Tried pulling the
powersupply out of wall in basement for the security sys, but it is
backed up by a batt. Anyone tried a ferrite choke on the lines
coming out of security sys to try to trap this rf junk?
Thanks,
Mike
--
___---^^^---___---^^^---___---^^^---___---^^^--- Catch The WAVE ---___
Michael Mayer, Senior Technical Support Engineer
Visual Numerics, Inc. 32915 Aurora Rd. Suite # 160, Solon, OH, 44139 USA
Email: mayer@pvi.com Human: 216/248-4900 Fax: 216-248-2733
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1993 19:34:13 GMT
From: pacbell.com!att-out!cbfsb!cbnews!bigtop!longs!n2ic@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: DX Activity
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
------------------------------
Date: 22 Dec 93 12:57:43 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!wb2ekk@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Ham Shops in Washington DC area?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Steve Bunis SE Southwest Chicago (doc@webrider.central.sun.com) wrote:
: Greetings -
: I'm going to be in the Washington DC area over Christmas. I'd
: be very interested in recommendations for Ham Stores in that
: area. I'll be visiting relatives in Springfield (about 10 mi.
: south of DC) but would be willing to drive some for a good store
: (read great selection/prices :).
There are two good ham stores in Northern VA: EEB on Mill Street in
Vienna, and HRO in Woodbridge. EEB is bigger and has more stuff on
display, HRO is often cheaper. Look in any issue of QST for their
addresses, or call 411 information, or get on the 146.91 repeater
for directions.
John WB2EKK
------------------------------
Date: 22 Dec 93 13:43:09 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: November 1981 QST
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I'm toying with the idea of building the "High Performance Communications
Receiver" presented in chapter 30 of the 1994 Handbook. I haven't really
checked for parts availability yet, so I don't know if that'll be a
problem. The article begins by saying that this project was originally
presented in QST, November 1981. It also says the project was "progressive",
so I don't know if that means it spans several issues. Anyway, I'm making
a short story long here. What I'm after is back issues of QST (the articles
at least). I've checked at the public library here, but they don't subscribe.
They told me it could take 4 weeks or more via inter-library loan because of t
the holidays and staffing etc. If anyone could help, I'd be glad to mail a
large SASE plus a couple of bucks for photocopying.
Please respond to lee@hvsun40.mdc.com
Thanks. (6 1/2 weeks and still waiting)
Tom
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1993 13:16:53 -0700
From: orca.es.com!cnn.sim.es.com!msanders.sim.es.com!user@uunet.uu.net
Subject: R/C Aircraft
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1993Dec20.135830.2042@brtph560.bnr.ca>,
jwittich@b4pph107.bnr.ca (Jeffrey Wittich) wrote:
>
> Greg says:
>
> > Bear in mind, when you think about flying it anywhere, that you have
> > a liability problem. You can't fly R/C, and be insured, except at an
> > AMA sanctioned field.
>
> No such thing as an AMA sanctioned field. There are AMA Chartered
> clubs, and AMA sanctioned events, but no AMA sanctioned fields.
>
> > I'd hope that if you're a ham you'd make use of your license and use
> > the 50Mhz band.
>
> But PLEASE when you want to upgrade your radio, DO NOT put it up
> for sale on consignment in a local hobby shop. The hobby dealer
> (unless he is a ham) does not care who buys it, ham or not.
> Not long ago at our local field, there was a new fellow flying
> the coveted black flag on his antenna (ham band xmitter). I strolled
> over to have a closer look and identify myself to the new flyer.
> After asking a few questions and discovering that not only was the
> fellow not a ham, but also did not know he was on a ham band. I
> mentioned that he should probably should not be using that radio
> and may want to return it. Well, I found out what TEMPER really
> can be. I dont think Ill do that again!
>
> C ya. Jeff AC4ZO.
Jeff:
Technically you are correct. However, AMA clubs can insure for liability
at their flying fields. If, during an AMA sanctioned event, someone falls
off a bleacher, trips and breaks an ankle, etc., the club is insured to
cover that accident even though it was not caused by a model. The clubs
can also have the owner of the field covered by AMA insurance. We have
presented certificates of insurance to farmers located within reasonable
flight patterns of our flying field.
And Jeff: you performed a great service in informing the non-ham that he
needed a license. It is a hard thing to do, often causes bad feelings, but
I would hope that you will do it the next time too. You have my vote!! We
had a run-in with a flier who came out on the field during a fun fly, and
during a lull, he warned us that he was using the "old' frequencies ( i.e.
72.140 - red/white, etc.) Our club president walked over and told him he
could not fly with those frequencies and got the same kind of treatment you
did. The rest of us backed up the club president and the flier went away
mad, but went away knowing that we would not tolerate his disregard of the
law. Bravo for you Jeff!!
Milt
--
=========================================================================
Opinions, thoughts, &cetera are my own (when I can remember them).
"He flies the sky KB7MSF
Like an Eagle in the eye UTAH
of a hurricane that's abandoned."
America
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1993 13:24:33 -0700
From: orca.es.com!cnn.sim.es.com!msanders.sim.es.com!user@uunet.uu.net
Subject: R/C Aircraft
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1993Dec20.135830.2042@brtph560.bnr.ca>,
jwittich@b4pph107.bnr.ca (Jeffrey Wittich) wrote:
>
> Greg says:
>
>
> But PLEASE when you want to upgrade your radio, DO NOT put it up
> for sale on consignment in a local hobby shop. The hobby dealer
> (unless he is a ham) does not care who buys it, ham or not.
>
> C ya. Jeff AC4ZO.
Right on Jeff!!
Many hobby dealers, or at least some of their staff have no clue. One
store manager sold a guy a regular 4 channel airplane radio to fly his new
helicopter, and didn't know the difference. Yes, there is a big
difference!! The heli radio has electronically coupled
throttle/collective, has automatic tail rotor inputs for increase/decrease
collective, has throttle hold functions which uncouple the throttle and
collective for practicing power off landings (autorotations), etc. etc.
etc.
This same store manager had purchased a heli radio without knowing it, was
flying his airplane with it (yes it works fine for that), but hit a switch
to raise his landing gear. This switch was the "invert" switch which puts
some of the control functions backwards for flying a helicopter upside
down. The guy pulled back on the stick to raise the nose of the airplane,
and it went nose down and destroyed itself as it impacted the runway. He
didn't know what he had, refused to read the instructions, and was upset at
the radio for doing just what it was designed to do. Yet, he is a hobby
shop store manager. Watch out for the lids guys.
Milt
--
=========================================================================
Opinions, thoughts, &cetera are my own (when I can remember them).
"He flies the sky KB7MSF
Like an Eagle in the eye UTAH
of a hurricane that's abandoned."
America
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 20 Dec 1993 18:17:16 GMT
From: psinntp!relay1!ecdcsvr!klf@uunet.uu.net
Subject: SoundBlaster Voice Keyer?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hi all, I'm sure this subject has been hit B4, but is there any software
available to run a soundblaster or equivalant card as a voice
keyer? I'd prefer a Windows program. Just thought I'd test the waters
B4 I'd try to roll my own. 73 and Tnks.....
De Ken KA3PLS...
klf@ecdcsvr.tredydev.unisys.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 19:47:04 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!csc.ti.com!tilde.csc.ti.com!cauldron!ra.csc.ti.com!fstop.csc.ti.com!linnig@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: what frequencies are marine band?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Here is a list of VHF marine frequencies that I got off the net...
156.275 MC <65> (port operations) 156.300 MS <6> (intership saftey)
156.325 MC <66> (port operations) 156.350 MC <7> (commercial)
156.375 MC <67> (commercial) 156.400 MC <8> (commercial)
156.425 MC <68> (non-commercial) 156.450 MC <9> (commercial)
156.475 MC <69> (non-commercial) 156.500 MC <10> (commercial)
156.525 MS <70> (non-commercial) 156.550 MC <11> (commercial)
156.575 MC <71> (non-commercial) 156.600 MC <12> (port operations)
156.625 MS <72> (non-commercial) 156.650 MC <13> (navigational)
156.675 MC <73> (port operations) 156.700 MC <14> (port operations)
156.725 MC <74> (port operations) 156.750 MC <15> (environmental)
156.800 MC <16> (calling/distress) 156.850 MC <17> (state control)
156.875 MS <77> (commercial) 156.900 MC <18> (commercial)
156.925 MC <78> (non-commercial) 156.950 MC <19> (commercial)
156.975 MC <79> (commercial) 157.000 MC <20> (port operations)
157.025 MC <80> (commercial) 157.050 MG <21>
157.075 MG <81> 157.100 MG <22>
157.125 MG <82> 157.150 MG <23>
157.175 MG <83> 157.200 MP <24> (ship)
157.225 MP <84> (ship) 157.250 MP <25> (ship)
157.275 MP <85> (ship) 157.300 MP <26> (ship)
157.325 MP <86> (ship) 157.350 MP <27> (ship)
157.375 MP <87> (ship) 157.400 MP <28> (ship)
157.425 MS <88> (commercial)
-- Mike, N5QAW
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - +
Mike Linnig, Texas Instruments Inc. | 97.43% of all statistics are made |
Phone: (214) 575-3597 | up; most of them (83.6 percent) |
Internet: mike.linnig@dseg.ti.com | are wrong. |
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 21 Dec 1993 21:48:27 GMT
From: olivea!news.bu.edu!news.bbn.com!petra!zds-oem!news@uunet.uu.net (Earl Morse)
Subject: Where are all the young enthusiasts?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CIEC97.F6x@cbnewsi.cb.att.com> warnergt@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (george.t.warner) writes:
>
>>Where are all the young enthusiasts?
>
>They are waiting for the obsolete code requirements to be eliminated.
>
Enjoy the wait.
------------------------------
Date: 21 Dec 1993 16:40:41 -0600
From: swrinde!gatech!concert!corpgate!crchh327.bnr.ca!kharker@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <CIEC97.F6x@cbnewsi.cb.att.com>, <msanders-211293114849@msanders.sim.es.com>, <CIEH0B.2wB@news.iastate.edu>
Subject : Re: Where are all the young enthusiasts?
Oh great. Another worthwhile thread ruined by this insidious code/no-code
debate. Sorry guys, but this is another one going into my kill file...
_ken/n1pvb
"I do not speak for BNR"
------------------------------
Date: (null)
From: (null)
Hmmm, you didn't mention an important piece of information - what time are
you listening on 20 meters ?
If you are listening at night, then I understand your problem. We are
about 2/3 of the way down the sunspot cycle. Combine that with winter
time (i.e. not too many hours to ionize the F-layer), and you have a dead
band from 2 hours after sunset until an hour before sunrise. For Europe
on 20 meters from North America, your best bet is from local sunrise until about
1800Z (i.e. 2 hours after Europe sunset).
On the more positive side, no, you won't have to wait until the year 2002.
Summertime will provide those EU openings that you know and love !
Steve, N2IC/0
------------------------------
Date: 21 Dec 1993 02:46:53 -0600
From: usc!yeshua.marcam.com!zip.eecs.umich.edu!umn.edu!news.d.umn.edu!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <CI3KDB.CK2@srgenprp.sr.hp.com>, <93350.161620WKOEHLER@ESOC.BITNET>, <CICJFH.8wp@wang.com>
Subject : Re: Optimum call sign for CW/contests?
>>The fastest, i.e. shortest,good callsignfor CW contesting would
>>certainly be N5EA.
>
>No. The best callsign for CW contesting would be KZ1O.
Just for an interesting tidbit, we have a local radio station (as in
music) thats call letters are KZIO.
QUESTION: Does anyone know how I would find a packet address for
someone, if I know there call?
Jeremy KB0JBZ /KT
--
Jeremy Remer |jremer@ub.d.umn.edu | - _____ -
Computer Science Major |jremer@oldub.d.umn.edu | |/|_____|\|
University of Minnesota, Duluth. |jremer@nyx.cs.du.edu | __|/| |\|__
------------------------------
Date: 21 Dec 1993 21:41:52 GMT
From: slinky.cs.nyu.edu!longlast.cs.nyu.edu!jackson@nyu.arpa
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <1993Dec20.164130.9865@n5ial.mythical.com>, <CIEC97.F6x@cbnewsi.cb.att.com>, <msanders-211293114849@msanders.sim.es.com>
Subject : Re: Where are all the young enthusiasts?
Why am I interested?
Profile: 23 years old, train commuter to NYC weekdays, car commuter to Phila.
weekends. Computer enthusiast for ~12 years. Scanner enthusiast for 8 years.
Part-time SWL'r for 2 years.
I have a scanner and a CB in my car. When I drive, I monitor 9 most of the
time for people who need help. I call on 9 anytime I see people stranded in
an area that I've been able to make contact in the past, or have a feeling
someone is listening (can see the State Police Barracks from the road).
I listen to the scanner to plan traffic routes (and to know to pull over a
few seconds before a high speed chase comes up my back!). I used to have a
bad problem of falling asleep at the wheel. 19 has come to my rescue by
keeping me up and talking more than once. More and more often, lately,
I've been finding just a bunch of undesirables (undesired by me, at least)
ruining the conversation after one or two comebacks. Not my cup of tea.
If OT's are welcoming, I know I'll hear nicer hams on the nets.
My primary interests are packet comms, VHF/UHF voice, and DX CW. I love PC
networking and am very interested in learning lots about amateur radio
networking.
As for voice, I read once that you can't go anywhere without being covered by
a 2m repeater somewhere (obviously proved wrong by the guy who ended up
having to call the sheriff on an admin freq). All too often have I come
across someone that needs SOME kind of help and 19 and 9 are dead and useless.
I'm sure I could join a net somewhere between Philadelphia and New York where
I would be able to autopatch to police/fire/rescue. I would even be interested
in setting up a repeater ONLY for emergency communications, since I have a
feeling the NYC metro area is pretty much saturated with 2m repeaters.
How did I become interested?
2 years ago Saturday (hint-hint), my parents gave me an analog shortwave
radio from Sharper Image. The kind that has modern electronics inside, but
is a replica of a fifties style radio on the outside. The dial has pointers
to different countries/cities on its face. However, at around 150MHz, it
has PAGERS written on it! Of course its true, but it's also supposed to be
a replica from forty years ago! I was amazed at how many stations I could
pick up with that longwire antenna. Just tape it all the way around the
room where the walls meet the ceiling and turn the radio on.. had me hooked
the first day. I even took Japanese lessons ;-) Now I can order a table for
two in a non-smoking section of a restaurant.
In addition, listening to public service on the scanner may bore some people,
but I love it. I can't walk very well some days, so instead of being an EMT
or a firefighter, I am more interested in being just another pair of eyes on
the road for the respective agencies.
I guess I'm most interested in exchanging public service frequency information
and monitoring tips with people around the country and helping to provide
communications to agencies of an emerging situation when it seems to have
gone unnoticed. I never did get a chance to thank the ham that autopatched
to Lawrence Twp PD when I came across the four car smashup and no one was
monitoring 9 (including him).
And finally, a few years ago, I saw an NBC Nightly News special about the war
in the former Yugoslavia. They showed a shack and opened a sentence with,
"according to ham radio operators here who have been in contact with the
locals..." Boy did that get my ears perked! I really want to know CW since
it's supposed to be the best for the absolute worst case scenario. (I mean
worst!)
Unsolicited, but hey..
--
Steven Jackson New York University
Assistant to the Chair of Comp Sci Courant Inst. of Mathematical Sciences
jackson@cs.nyu.edu, jcksnste@acfcluster 251 Mercer St, Room 411,NY 10012
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1495
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