Date: Thu, 30 Dec 93 04:30:05 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1523
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Thu, 30 Dec 93 Volume 93 : Issue 1523
Today's Topics:
Balloon to launch carrying amateur radio
Cell phones & hearing aids
childish stuff
cw waivers
Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 29 December
Free Tailgate Party - Orlando, FL
RACES Bulletin #306
RFI into telephones
TM732A
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----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 07:45:11 GMT
From: swrinde!sgiblab!a2i!gsmith@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Balloon to launch carrying amateur radio
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Superpressure Balloon Launch
A cooperative group from Utah State University, Logan, Utah,
members of the amateur radio community, and Winzen International
plan on launching SuperBall 1-94 at approximately 10:00 A.M. MST
(17:00 UTC) on January 5, 1994 from the Logan Municipal Airport.
The nylon superpressure balloon for this flight is 76 feet in
diameter. It was manufactured and donated by Winzen
International of San Antonio, Texas. The expected daytime float
altitude of this helium filled balloon will be 120,000 ft (36,660
meters), some loss of altitude is expected at night.
Theoretically the technology is capable of maintaining a payload
at altitude for long periods of time, potentially years.
The initial track of SuperBall will depend on upper air conditions
at the time of launch, but is expected to be in the semicircle east
from Utah. Possible scenarios might then take it over the Atlantic
Ocean or into the polar regions within a few days.
The payload will be limited to a gross weight of 4 kilograms, or
8.8 pounds. It will consist of the following subsystems:
1. An instrument package containing a five channel Magellan GPS
receiver, an external air temperature sensor, an internal payload
temperature sensor, a battery voltage sensor, and a differential
pressure gauge.
2. A 1/2-watt VHF MCW beacon operating on 145.871 MHz with the
callsign N7YTK. Every minute it will transmit data from
instruments listed above. (This transmitter will also operate
through the Russian RS-10 amateur satellite, which has a downlink
frequency 29.371 MHz, plus or minus Doppler.)
3. A one-watt CW 15-meter beacon operating on 21.229 MHz with a
call sign of WB8ELK. Every five minutes it will transmit data
identical to that sent on the 145.871 MHz beacon. (This signal will
also be relayed through the Russian RS-12 amateur satellite, which
has a downlink frequency of 29.429 MHz, plus or minus Doppler.)
4. An ATV system consisting of a black-and-white CCD camera and
associated one-watt transmitter operating on 434.00 MHz in
continuous bursts on command.
5. A cutdown package containing a VHF command receiver, DTMF
decoder and barometric switch, and
6. Several Lithium battery packs.
Depending on weight availability, two additional beacons are
possible:
7. A one-watt VHF AFSK beacon transmitting ASCII data at 1200 baud
on 145.968 MHz every two minutes in alteration with the beacon in
(2) above, with the call sign of WB8ELK (also operating through the
Japanese FO-20 satellite, which has a downlink frequency of 435.832
MHz), and
8. A 60-milliwatt 10-meter CW beacon operating on 28.322 MHz every
minute, with a call sign of WB8ELK, transmitting pressure altitude,
internal temperature, external temperature and battery voltage. Item
(8) will contain either a 9-volt lithium pack that should last a
month, or a 9-volt, 150 ma solar panel, lasting indefinitely.
The purpose of the SuperBall 1-94 mission is to certify this
superpressure balloon technology for long-duration flight and to
test our ability to control and receive data from a high-altitude
research balloon for an extended period of time.
Our first plateau of success will be achieved if we operate
through a complete sunset/sunrise cycle at a constant pressure
altitude. Our second plateau will be a flight lasting a week.
Our third plateau will be a complete circumnavigation of the
globe. Anything after that is gravy.
The float path of the balloon is very difficult to predict since
the polar breakout usually occurs is this time of year frequently
resulting in strong north-south currents.
Observers from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Martin Marietta and
Utah State University's Space Dynamics Laboratory will be present
at the launch. These people are potential users of the
superpressure balloon for a Martian mission.
An HF net will be conducted by John Luker, WB7QBC, (Internet
WB7QBC@uugate.aim.utah.edu) on the day of the launch and
subsequent days on 7230 KHz +-QRM. This net will alert
interested hams downrange of the balloon's path, and coordinate
the collection of telemetry. The Utah Balloon Team would
appreciate the forwarding of any telemetry copied to John's
address along with pertinent information, including the receiving
station's location, UTC date and time, signal report, and
receiving equipment. Video tapes of any received ATV
transmissions from the balloon would also be appreciated. At
this point we only anticipate turning the camera on during the
first two days.
Questions can be directed to Bruce Bergen, KI7OM, through
Internet at KI7OM@uugate.aim.utah.edu
--
Gordon R. Smith, K7HFV gsmith@rahul.net
Salt Lake City, Utah
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 07:47:57 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!msattler@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Cell phones & hearing aids
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Fellow hams,
Could one of you please explain the alleged interaction (interference)
between cellular telephones and FM hearing aids for hard-of-hearing
people?
I'll summarize and post back here and the deaf mailing list.
Thx. :-) M
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Esther A. Paris (esther@DEMAND.ED.RAY.COM) wrote:
: Can someone kindly explain to me why/how the cell phones are
: causing problems for FM users?
: My husband (a follower of telecom news) couldn't explain to me
: why cell phones interfere with the FM systems for deaf/HoH people.
: He also had this to say:
: (begin fragment from note Esther's husband sent)
: *I don't know what cell phones have to do with FM hearing aid
: *systems. I'll be surprised to hear that they use the same
: *frequencies.
: *
: *Even if there is some kind of interference problem, the situation
: *should start improving over the next several years. The new
: *system for cellular telephony will probably be CDMA (Code Division
: *Multiple Access) and it uses a spread-spectrum communications
: *system. Spread-spectrum should not interfere with any FM based
: *system. Of course, it'll take a while before the old system
: *is completely phased out....
: (end fragment from note Esther's husband sent)
: Please let me know! Curious to the extreme, Esther Paris
--
------------------------+------------------------+---------------------------
Michael Sattler, KE6DZF | All that is required | Encrypt now; ask me how.
Digital Jungle Software | for evil to triumph | Finger for PGP key.
msattler@jungle.com | is for {wo}men of good | GCSy+n+f+g+t+d--p--c++u+
+1.415.621.2903 | will to do nothing. | e+m++s++/rhw!l
------------------------------
Date: 30 Dec 1993 04:30:08 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu!oo7@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: childish stuff
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us (Gary Coffman) drones on and on and on:
(someone else said)
>>Oh yes, you do understand that DXing and contesting are two very
>>different things, right? Your original post seemed somewhat confused
>>about that.
Gary says:
>They're both compulsive activities done for score. Contests are usually
>shorter and with different ways of counting points. DXing is postal card
>collecting with a masochistic twist, and a maximum score of 319. It's an
>obsessive compulsive behavior.
Gary, old chap - please make a 1994 resolution to grow up. You have
made your points that (a) you don't like CW, and (b) you don't like
the ARRL. Not once but several hundred times. I'm sure I don't like
some of the things that you like doing, but I don't keep posting stuff
here saying that they are worthless pursuits. In areas where you seem
to know what you are talking about, I will respect your knowledge and
advice. But as another poster said, please stick to the things that
you do understand.
I have no idea where your number 319 comes from - my "score" is more
than that, and I certainly haven't worked every country on the current
DXCC list.
Derek Wills (AA5BT, G3NMX)
Department of Astronomy, University of Texas,
Austin TX 78712. (512-471-1392)
oo7@astro.as.utexas.edu
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 93 07:18:30 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcomsv!bongo!skyld!jangus@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: cw waivers
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1993Dec28.170536.5721@rchland.ibm.com> xzs1947@rchland.vnet.ibm.com writes:
> Actually since W is not needed and it not any kind fo a reliable indicator
> of technical or operating comptetance I say hurray. CW as a requirement
> should be eliminated. It is an outmoded method of communication and is
> wrothwhile only as a fun test of a particular skill. TI has no relavanve
> whatsoever to competance in any other phase of the hobby. I say that it
> is jsut taking up too much of the ham bands. MUCH more space should be
> allocated to the efficient digital modes such as pactor and more communi-
> cation could be carried out. Even hf packet would be much better if all
> were not forced to operate on a very narrow range of frequencies. Come
> out of the dark ages and into the light.
Lucky for you that typing skills aren't what is required for a license....
Amateur: WA6FWI@WA6FWI.#SOCA.CA.USA.NA | "It is difficult to imagine our
Internet: jangus@skyld.tele.com | universe run by a single omni-
US Mail: PO Box 4425 Carson, CA 90749 | potent god. I see it more as a
Phone: 1 (310) 324-6080 | badly run corporation."
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1993 22:29:03 MST
From: galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!nebulus!ve6mgs!usenet@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 29 December
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY
29 DECEMBER, 1993
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
(Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data)
SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 29 DECEMBER, 1993
------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: The Aleutian high has intensified over the last several days. New
stratospheric warming is also being observed over eastern Siberia.
!!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 363, 12/29/93
10.7 FLUX=128.7 90-AVG=099 SSN=112 BKI=0110 0000 BAI=000
BGND-XRAY=B6.7 FLU1=6.6E+05 FLU10=1.1E+04 PKI=1110 1111 PAI=003
BOU-DEV=004,005,006,004,004,004,003,002 DEV-AVG=004 NT SWF=00:000
XRAY-MAX= C9.4 @ 1549UT XRAY-MIN= B5.9 @ 1926UT XRAY-AVG= B9.7
NEUTN-MAX= +002% @ 0610UT NEUTN-MIN= -002% @ 1000UT NEUTN-AVG= +0.0%
PCA-MAX= +0.1DB @ 1935UT PCA-MIN= -0.4DB @ 1840UT PCA-AVG= -0.0DB
BOUTF-MAX=55352NT @ 1426UT BOUTF-MIN=55333NT @ 1846UT BOUTF-AVG=55346NT
GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT G7-AVG=+069,+000,+000
GOES6-MAX=P:+124NT@ 1704UT GOES6-MIN=N:-054NT@ 0938UT G6-AVG=+093,+029,-037
FLUXFCST=STD:135,130,125;SESC:135,130,125 BAI/PAI-FCST=025,030,020/025,035,020
KFCST=3334 5444 4445 5544 27DAY-AP=039,037 27DAY-KP=4555 4455 6565 4332
WARNINGS=*SWF;*MAJFLR
ALERTS=
!!END-DATA!!
NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 28 DEC 93 was 56.0.
The Full Kp Indices for 28 DEC 93 are: 0o 1- 0+ 0o 1- 1o 2o 2-
SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY
--------------------
Solar activity was low. Region 7640 (N09W52) produced
only three C-class flares this period, the largest being a
C9/SF flare at 29/1549UT. This region retained its magnetic
complexity and has begun to show penumbral growth again. New
Region 7646 (S10E69), numbered early in the period, produced a
single C-class flare. Region 7645 (N11E67) was also numbered
this period.
Solar activity forecast: solar activity is expected to be
low to moderate. Region 7640 still has a fair chance of an
occasional M-class flare and an outside chance of an isolated
X-class flare. Regions 7645 and 7646 both have a chance of an
isolated M-class flare.
The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels for
the past 24 hours.
Geophysical activity forecast: the geomagnetic field is
expected to be quiet to active owing to a favorably positioned
coronal hole.
Event probabilities 30 dec-01 jan
Class M 60/60/60
Class X 05/05/05
Proton 05/05/05
PCAF Green
Geomagnetic activity probabilities 30 dec-01 jan
A. Middle Latitudes
Active 25/30/30
Minor Storm 20/30/30
Major-Severe Storm 05/10/10
B. High Latitudes
Active 30/30/30
Minor Storm 25/30/30
Major-Severe Storm 15/15/15
HF propagation conditions were normal over all regions.
Conditions are expected to become degraded on 30 or 31 December
due to coronal hole effects. Poor to very poor propagation
should dominate over the high and polar latitude paths if the
disturbance materializes. Middle latitudes should see mostly
good to occasionally fair propagation, with poorest propagation
occuring over all regions during the night sector periods.
COPIES OF JOINT USAF/NOAA SESC SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL REPORTS
========================================================
REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 29/2400Z DECEMBER
-----------------------------------------------------------
NMBR LOCATION LO AREA Z LL NN MAG TYPE
7640 N09W52 205 0740 FKI 17 036 BETA-GAMMA-DELTA
7641 N05W47 200 0090 HSX 02 001 ALPHA
7644 N10W39 192 0040 CRO 06 008 BETA
7645 N11E67 086 0430 DAO 08 011 BETA
7646 S10E69 084 0170 DAO 08 006 BETA
7643 S18E03 150 PLAGE
REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 30 DECEMBER TO 01 JANUARY
NMBR LAT LO
NONE
LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 29 DECEMBER, 1993
-------------------------------------------------------
BEGIN MAX END RGN LOC XRAY OP 245MHZ 10CM SWEEP
NONE
POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 29 DECEMBER, 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------
BEGIN MAX END LOCATION TYPE SIZE DUR II IV
29/A0949 B2320 S05E31 DSF
INFERRED CORONAL HOLES. LOCATIONS VALID AT 29/2400Z
---------------------------------------------------
ISOLATED HOLES AND POLAR EXTENSIONS
EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH CAR TYPE POL AREA OBSN
55 N59E38 S13W24 N30W45 N59W22 170 EXT POS 058 10830A
SUMMARY OF FLARE EVENTS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------
Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn 2695 MHz 8800 MHz 15.4 GHz
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ --------- --------- ---------
28 Dec: 0022 0027 0031 C1.7
0152 0157 0207 SF 7640 N07W25
0245 0254 0306 C8.4 SF 7640 N09W24
0240 0243 0258 SF 7644 N10W15
0530 0534 0537 C2.6
0648 0652 0656 C3.0 SF 7644 N11W16
0756 0803 0816 SF 7640 N05W33
0833 0836 0846 SF 7640 N04W35
0857 0904 0910 C2.7 SF 7640 N06W34 29 21
1013 1015 1026 SF 7644 N11W18
1059 1104 1108 C2.1
1205 1210 1214 C4.6 130 25
1310 1315 1329 C1.7
1530 1534 1538 SF 7640 N08W36
1609 1613 1616 C2.6 SF 7644 N13W19
2002 2005 2018 SF 7640 N08W35
2138 2143 2150 C1.1
2153 2157 2206 SF 7640 N07W39
2220 2221 2224 SF 7640 N06W42
2244 2307 2322 C5.0
REGION FLARE STATISTICS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------
C M X S 1 2 3 4 Total (%)
-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- ------
Region 7640: 2 1 0 9 1 0 0 0 010 (47.6)
Region 7644: 2 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 004 (19.0)
Uncorrellated: 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 007 (33.3)
Total Events: 021 optical and x-ray.
EVENTS WITH SWEEPS AND/OR OPTICAL PHENOMENA FOR THE LAST UTC DAY
----------------------------------------------------------------
Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn Sweeps/Optical Observations
------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ ---------------------------
28 Dec: 2244 2307 2322 C5.0 III
NOTES:
All times are in Universal Time (UT). Characters preceding begin, max,
and end times are defined as: B = Before, U = Uncertain, A = After.
All times associated with x-ray flares (ex. flares which produce
associated x-ray bursts) refer to the begin, max, and end times of the
x-rays. Flares which are not associated with x-ray signatures use the
optical observations to determine the begin, max, and end times.
Acronyms used to identify sweeps and optical phenomena include:
II = Type II Sweep Frequency Event
III = Type III Sweep
IV = Type IV Sweep
V = Type V Sweep
Continuum = Continuum Radio Event
Loop = Loop Prominence System,
Spray = Limb Spray,
Surge = Bright Limb Surge,
EPL = Eruptive Prominence on the Limb.
** End of Daily Report **
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 1993 14:13:06 EDT
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!news.ecn.bgu.edu!psuvax1!psuvm!ucf1vm!jmeaker@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Free Tailgate Party - Orlando, FL
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The University of Central Florida will hold a free Tailgate Party
at the main campus of UCF near Orlando, FL on January 8, 1994 from
7:00 AM until NOON. This event is sponsored by the UCF-ARC and has free
admission as well as free tailgating. There will be no food or drinks
available so you will have to bring your own.
We usually have about 70 - 100 tailgaters and several hundred hams
show up for this event, so it is a good palce to get together and swap
ham stories and ham gear. Everyone is welcome.
I hope to see many hams there.
Sincerely,
John - kr4ah.
DISCLAIMER - I am not responsible for the actions of any Alpha-Hotels
other than myself.
------------------------------
Date: 30 Dec 93 04:19:37 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: RACES Bulletin #306
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Bid: $RACESBUL.306
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.306 RELEASE DATE: December 27th, 1993
SUBJECT: MGT - Observations - Part 2/3
I don't wish to imply that our RACES and other volunteer
government communications programs were not free of this in California
before the State Legislature undertook to turn this around. Following
authorizing legislation the State Office of Emergency Services
initiated a fulltime volunteer communications coordination effort in
1985 that has paid dividends ever since.
Our State cannot tell the counties what do any more than counties
can dictate to cities. Therefore it is important for state government
to maintain a fulltime leadership role to maximize the positive and
productive use of unpaid communications professionals in government
service. It is such commitment to a program that makes ACS, RACES or
similar communications reserve a success --- not disasters.
On the same multi-state RACES program trip I had the opportunity
to talk with and meet several county radio officers. Almost all of
them receive the RACES Bulletins by packet radio, by mail, and/or by
computer disk. They had established successful programs under their
emergency management officials. Some called it RACES. Others called it
the Auxiliary Communications Service, the Sheriff's Communications
Reserve and by other names. All agreed that their programs either
always or finally succeeded for several reasons, as given in the next
Bulletin.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!
-----------------
RACES Bulletins are archived on the Internet at ucsd.edu in hamradio/races
and can be retrieved using FTP.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 29 Dec 93 23:24:03 MST
From: swrinde!gatech!asuvax!ennews!stat!david@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: RFI into telephones
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
dadams@cray.com (David Adams) writes:
> |places from my telephone wiring. This causes RFI into my telephone
> |system.
> |
> |Any suggestions on minimizing this?
> Move the phone?
>
> Ok, Move the antenna?
Not possible in either situation ... I am one of those unfortunate that
live in an area with CC&R. Luckily, when my house was being built, the
electrician for the builder and I installed my G5RV antenna in the attic
and crawl space. The phone company laid its cables later ... No way to
move either.
david
---
Editor, HICNet Medical Newsletter
Internet: david@stat.com FAX: +1 (602) 451-6135
Bitnet : ATW1H@ASUACAD
------------------------------
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 1993 02:53:25 GMT
From: library.ucla.edu!agate!iat.holonet.net!takeone!sylvain.chartrand@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: TM732A
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hi Corey,
I saw your message about the 732. And i was just wondering
if you had any trouble with it. Ex the power output, its receving
sensibility or anything like that.
Cause my father had alot of trouble with his, while my 732
works fine.
Anyways if you do get an answer on how to make a packet cable
or buying on can you let me know. My father wants to do packet.
73's
sylvain
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1523
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