Date: Sun,  2 Jan 94 17:02:48 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu
Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu
Precedence: Bulk
Subject: Info-Hams Digest V93 #1534
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Sun,  2 Jan 94       Volume 93 : Issue 1534

Today's Topics:
                         ANS Bulletin 001.01
                              cw waivers
      Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 01 January
                 Finally got my license in the mail!
                         TS-850 & ICOM SM-8 
                UK scanner listeners arrested; called
                            why 29.94 fps?

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: 2 Jan 94 21:02:34 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: ANS Bulletin 001.01
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 001.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD January 1, 1994    
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
BID: $ANS-001.01

A number of messages have recently been posted to the AMSAT BBS
concerning the schedules for the various satellites and how they
are arrived at.  In the case of OSCAR-13, the schedule is
determined by the AO-13 Command Team consisting of James Miller
G3RUH, Peter Guelzow DB2OS and Graham Ratcliff VK5AGR.  As to how
these volunteers determine the schedule, a very fine set of
comments was posted by Paul Beckmann WA0RSE Internet address
wa0rse@amsat.org.  The AMSAT News Service thanks Paul for his well-
put comments and has taken the liberty of extracting them for this
bulletin.

Paul begins by asking himself: What determines the mode schedule
for a satellite? He says thae he found an answer in the very
clearly written piece in the 1993 Space Symposium Proceedings by,
you guessed it, James, G3RUH.  

In his attempt to put the article by James in terms that may not be
obvious to new to satellites as well as many not so new
"bird-watchers", Paul offers a list of some of the important
considerations:

1. All modern satellites are battery-powered with solar cell
recharging systems. In order to work, the batteries must stay
charged.

2. Most satellites do not have solar cells covering their entire
surface.  This means the attitude of the satellite with relation to
the sun must be managed to keep the batteries charged.

3. The antennas are fixed to the satellite, not steerable, and
necessarily "go along for the ride" when accomplishing Item 2.)

4. Each mode involves a receiver, a transmitter, and a pair of
antennas.  The receivers vary in sensitivity, the transmitters in
power, and the antennas in gain and beamwidth.

5. Because of Item 3, the characteristics of item 4 allow
transponder operation only in particular modes, when the distances
and spacecraft attitudes are within certain limits.  For example,
a narrowbeam antenna pointing away from the Earth will not support
communications.  If a particular mode requires the use of that
antenna, it would not do any good to place the satellite in that
mode, no matter how badly it was desired.  To change the attitude
of the spacecraft to point the antenna at the Earth could very well 
compromise solar cell illumination, hence battery charge, hence
spacecraft operation - and possibly even its life expectancy.

6. Because some modes draw more power than others, the battery
power must be budgeted. This also constrains how long the satellite
can operate in any particular mode.

Paul admits to possibly missing some other major points, but he
believes that these demonstrate to him, at least, that the mode
schedule on AO-13, or any other bird, is not a self-serving
decision made by some "elite superclass" who treat the bird as a
"toy", but are considered decisions, constrained by the physics of
the orbit, solar cells, batteries, equipment aboard, antennas,
etc., designed to offer the best long-term schedule of transponder
operation and to further the state-of-the-art for the next birds'
designs.

WA0RSE strongly suggests reading the article by James in the
Proceedings.  He says that he was amazed at the number of
specialized programs that had been written, complete with graphical
output, to aid in the decision-making process to keep the AO-13
satellite operational.  He expressed his opinion that 
James, and others like him, should be thanked for bringing clear
explanations like these to the rest of us and for fostering
experimentation in modes that have proven to provide better two-way
satellite communications for our fellow hams across the globe.  

Paul sums up his message by saying that we need everyone interested
in AMSAT, with their opinions, tempers, passions, talents, and good
humor.  He also wishes all a Happy New Year. Peace on Earth. Good
will toward all.

Information on ordering a copy of the Space Symposium Proceedings,
which contains James Miller's article can be found on page 12 of
the Nov/Dec AMSAT Journal.

/EX

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 02 Jan 94 12:20:51 EST
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!emory!slammer!info-gw!aragorn@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: cw waivers
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

> |> 
> |> 
> |> 
> |> Thanks & 73                   |"Get your facts first, and then you can
> |> Tom WI3P                      | distort them as much as you please."
> |> collinst@esvax.dnet.dupont.com| Mark Twain
> |> *** MY EMPLOYER DOESN'T SPEAK FOR ME NOR I FOR THEM  ****
> 
> 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 b
> eliminated. It is an outmoded method of communication and is wrothwhile only 
> fun test of a particular skill. TI has no relavanve whatsoever to competance 
> any other phase of the hobby. I say that it is jsut taking up too much of the
> bands. MUCH more space should be allocated to the efficient digital modes suc
> pactor and more communication could be carried out. Even hf packet would be m
> better if all were not forced to operate on a very narrow range of frequencie
> Come out of the dark ages and into the light.
> 
> 
> gilbaronw0mn@delphi.com     for e mail
> "Bailar es vivir"
> 
> RAISING FLAME SHIELDS NOW

So, what are you suggesting?? That there be no test at all??? If so, just 
go to CB and use it. 11 meters is HF after all! I'm not about to tell you 
that allocating more space to efficent digital methods is a bad 
suggestion, actually that's the only constructive piece I saw in your 
message, but doing away with testing would destroy amateur radio once and 
for all.
                        Chris Craig
                                     KD4HDE
\s


-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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------------------------------

Date: Sun, 2 Jan 1994 10:08:05 MST
From: library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!unixg.ubc.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!ugc!nebulus!ve6mgs!usenet@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 01 January
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

                /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                 DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY

                                01 JANUARY, 1994

                /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

                  (Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data)


SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 01 JANUARY, 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------

NOTE: Intense stratospheric warming is persisting over central and
      northeastern Siberia, Alaska, and the Siberian and Canadian Arctic.
      Warming is slowly weakening.  Temperature gradient is reversed
      between 60N and the pole in the middle and upper stratosphere from
      30 HPA upwards.

!!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 001, 01/01/94
10.7 FLUX=148.3  90-AVG=100        SSN=130      BKI=3234 3311  BAI=012
BGND-XRAY=B7.9     FLU1=3.0E+05  FLU10=1.1E+04  PKI=3345 4322  PAI=022
  BOU-DEV=038,019,035,054,023,028,008,009   DEV-AVG=026 NT     SWF=00:000
 XRAY-MAX= C4.4   @ 1745UT    XRAY-MIN= B6.4   @ 1210UT   XRAY-AVG= C1.1
NEUTN-MAX= +002%  @ 2335UT   NEUTN-MIN= -002%  @ 2340UT  NEUTN-AVG= +0.0%
  PCA-MAX= +0.1DB @ 0850UT     PCA-MIN= -0.9DB @ 2255UT    PCA-AVG= -0.2DB
BOUTF-MAX=55352NT @ 0003UT   BOUTF-MIN=55326NT @ 1044UT  BOUTF-AVG=55341NT
GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT   GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT  G7-AVG=+042,+000,+000
GOES6-MAX=P:+120NT@ 1527UT   GOES6-MIN=N:-105NT@ 0647UT  G6-AVG=+068,+035,-043
 FLUXFCST=STD:145,140,135;SESC:145,140,135 BAI/PAI-FCST=010,010,005/012,012,008
    KFCST=0223 4322 1223 4321  27DAY-AP=009,006   27DAY-KP=2123 3232 2112 2221
 WARNINGS=*SWF;*MAJFLR
   ALERTS=
!!END-DATA!!

NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 31 DEC 93 is not available.
      The Full Kp Indices for 31 DEC 93 are: 1o 3o 5o 5-   3- 3- 2- 2+


SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY
--------------------

             Solar activity was low. Small flares and weak surging
       accompanied the limb transit of Region 7640 (N10W93).
       Occasional C-class flares occurred from Regions 7645 (N13E30),
       7646 (S08E27), and 7647 (S14E20), as the focus of activity now
       shifts to the eastern hemisphere. Region 7645 is the largest
       and most complex spot group on the disk.

            Solar activity forecast:  solar activity is expected to be
       low to moderate.

            The geomagnetic field was predominantly unsettled at mid-
       latitudes. High latitudes had stints of minor storm conditions
       during local nighttime hours.

            Geophysical activity forecast:  the geomagnetic field is
       expected to be unsettled to mildly active the next 48 hours.
       Quiet to unsettled conditions should end the interval.

            Event probabilities 02 jan-04 jan

                             Class M    50/50/50
                             Class X    05/05/05
                             Proton     05/05/05
                             PCAF       Green

            Geomagnetic activity probabilities 02 jan-04 jan

                        A.  Middle Latitudes
                        Active                20/25/20
                        Minor Storm           20/10/10
                        Major-Severe Storm    01/01/01

                        B.  High Latitudes
                        Active                20/20/20
                        Minor Storm           30/30/20
                        Major-Severe Storm    01/01/01

            HF propagation conditions were near-normal to slightly
       below-normal for the first 3/4 of the UTC day over the low and
       middle latitude regions.  Minor signal degradation was observed
       during the local night hours due to enhanced geomagnetic and
       auroral activity.  Conditions were poor to occasionally very
       poor over the high and polar latitude paths, again attributed
       to the elevated levels of geophysical activity.  Conditions
       over all regions recovered relatively quickly when geomagnetic
       and auroral activity subsided to quieter levels by the end of
       the day.  Near-normal conditions should return to all regions
       on 02 and 03 January, with above-normal propagation possible
       over the lower and some middle latitude regions.  Openings on
       higher bands near (or above) 10 meters should be observed for
       greater periods of time as the current level of solar flux
       continues to strengthen the ionosphere.


COPIES OF JOINT USAF/NOAA SESC SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL REPORTS
========================================================

REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 01/2400Z JANUARY
----------------------------------------------------------
NMBR LOCATION  LO  AREA  Z   LL   NN MAG TYPE
7640  N10W93  207  0400 EKI  14  008 BETA-GAMMA
7641  N06W88  202  0050 HSX  02  001 ALPHA
7644  N12W83  197  0070 DSO  07  003 BETA
7645  N13E30  084  0720 EKI  15  030 BETA-GAMMA-DELTA
7646  S08E27  087  0430 DKI  10  022 BETA
7647  S14E20  094  0080 CSO  06  006 BETA
REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 02 JANUARY TO 04 JANUARY
NMBR LAT    LO
NONE


LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 01 JANUARY, 1994
------------------------------------------------------
BEGIN  MAX  END  RGN   LOC   XRAY  OP 245MHZ 10CM   SWEEP
 1834 1834 1835                          110



POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 01 JANUARY, 1994
----------------------------------------------------------
 BEGIN        MAX      END     LOCATION   TYPE   SIZE  DUR  II IV
01/ 0016     0158     0208                LDE    C2.8  112
01/ 1540     1609     1649                LDE    C2.0   69


INFERRED CORONAL HOLES. LOCATIONS VALID AT 01/2400Z
---------------------------------------------------
               ISOLATED HOLES AND POLAR EXTENSIONS
      EAST   SOUTH  WEST   NORTH  CAR  TYPE  POL  AREA   OBSN
                 NO DATA AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS


SUMMARY OF FLARE EVENTS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------

 Date   Begin  Max   End  Xray  Op Region  Locn    2695 MHz  8800 MHz  15.4 GHz
------  ----  ----  ----  ----  -- ------ ------  --------- --------- ---------
31 Dec: 0041  0049  0051  C2.5  SF  7645  N13E49                       
        0145  0149  0152        SF  7646  S09E55                       
        0223  0229  0235  C2.1                                         
        0402  0407  0414        SF  7645  N11E45                       
        0415  0420  0423  C4.8                                         
        0440  0449  0451  C4.0  1N  7645  N11E45                       
        0515  0538  0551  C2.8  SF  7640  N08W70                       
        0526  0536  0559        SF  7644  N12W54                       
        0621  0626  0629  C3.2  SF  7645  N11E52                       
        0632  0647  0653  C4.1  SF  7644  N12W55                       
        0633  0638  0646        SF  7640  N07W70                       
        0818  0820  0827        SF  7645  N12E47                       
        0903  0905  0911        SF  7646  S08E50                       
        1115  1122  1126  C2.1  SF  7640  N09W62                       
        1138  1139  1146        SF  7645  N12E44                       
        1439  1443  1445  C2.0  SF  7640  N09W69                       
        1802  1804  1807        SF  7646  S10E44                       
        1933  1939  1946  C1.7  SF  7640  N09W78                       
        2232  2236  2238  C1.8  SF  7645  N12E40                       
        2311  2311  2313        SF  7644  N10W81                       
        2312  2313 A2325        SF  7640  N10W80                       


REGION FLARE STATISTICS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY
------------------------------------------------

                C   M   X     S   1   2   3   4   Total   (%)
               --  --  --    --  --  --  --  --    ---  ------
  Region 7640:  4   0   0     6   0   0   0   0    006  (28.6)
  Region 7644:  1   0   0     3   0   0   0   0    003  (14.3)
  Region 7645:  4   0   0     6   1   0   0   0    007  (33.3)
  Region 7646:  0   0   0     3   0   0   0   0    003  (14.3)
Uncorrellated: 2   0   0     0   0   0   0   0    002  ( 9.5)

 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
------  ----  ----  ----  ----  -- ------ ------   ---------------------------
31 Dec: 0041  0049  0051  C2.5  SF  7645  N13E49   III
        1115  1122  1126  C2.1  SF  7640  N09W62   Continuum

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: 2 Jan 1994 21:35:50 GMT
From: swrinde!gatech!usenet.ufl.edu!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet2.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Finally got my license in the mail!
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

<SUSEEA@MAINE.MAINE.EDU> writes:
> Took the Tech test and 5wpm code on OCT. 20, 1993 and recieved
> the license on Dec. 24, 1993.  Nice Christmas present I thought.
> Just thought some of you out there would like to know the waiting
> time.
> Alan
> N1QWT
> 
> *** My son, 11 years old also passed his Tech with 5 wpm code.  He
> recieved his ticket the same day as me. N1QWV
> 
> Now there are 3 generations of HAMS in this family.
Man, that sure is a lot of bacon. 8-)  
Congrats to you and the Kid.

Tim Wright KD4OVM
-- 

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 02 Jan 94 17:40:50 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcomsv!bongo!skyld!jangus@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: TS-850 & ICOM SM-8 
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <6A231941C0E00911@snypotvx.bitnet> COLERK%snypotvx.BITNET@CUNYVM.CUNY.EDU writes:

  > Greetings....I've been using the SM-8 microphone with my 850 for some time
  > now and really like how well it works..however, they "up/down" feature does
  > not work.  I can get it to either go Up or Down but not both...cany anyone
  > help me?  Keep it simple please, I'm no technician but I haven't blown my
  > self up yet either.  73....Roger

  Call Icom on the phone and request the schematic to the SM-8. This will
  show you the pin connections on the 8-pin connectors and the up/down
  buttons.

  Call Kenwood on the phone and request the schematic for their Microphone.
  This will show you how the Up/Down function is implimented on their radio.

  I assume you are asking because you do not have any documentation on either
  the radio or the microphone.

  The Operators Manual for the TS-850 will cost about $25. This beats the
  repair bill that will result from killing something inside the radio.

  The Icom achieves up/down by pulling a single pin on the mic. connector
  either to ground or to ground hrough a 470 ohm resistor. The Kenwood uses
  2 separate pins to select up or down.

  73 es GM from Jeff




 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: 2 Jan 1994 20:52:34 GMT
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!usenet.ufl.edu!mailer.acns.fsu.edu!freenet2.scri.fsu.edu!twright@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: UK scanner listeners arrested; called
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

jmaynard@nyx10.cs.du.edu (Jay Maynard) writes:
> In article <1993Dec29.131133.17917@hemlock.cray.com>,
> David Adams <dadams@cray.com> wrote:
> >There is something in all this that really bothers me about a system that 
> >would allow it's police force, those we hire to enforce laws dealing with
> >honesty, to lie, to commit fraud, to do what ever beyond the law, in order
> >to catch criminals,
> 
> I don't have a problem with luring a fugitive in with whatever means, fair or 
> foul, they can come up with. Otherwise, we simply allow someone to evade 
> capture.
> 
> > or even to pursuade people to commit a crime so that 
> >they can be arrested.
> 
> This is entrapment, and I have real problems with that.
> 
> >Sourdough and Ham  AA0PV
> >  Cray Research Inc.    packet:    kg0io@tcman.#msp.mn.usa.noam
> 
> Congratulations on the new call...now, shouldn't you reprogram your TNC? :-)
> --
> Jay Maynard, EMT-P, K5ZC, PP-ASEL | Never ascribe to malice that which can
> jmaynard@oac.hsc.uth.tmc.edu      | adequately be explained by stupidity.
>         "A good flame is fuel to warm the soul." -- Karl Denninger

Folks, its called a STING operation.  No one told those people to show
up.

Tim Wright KD4OVM
MSU Police
-- 

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 2 Jan 1994 05:29:12 GMT
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!sgiblab!cs.uoregon.edu!efn!matt@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: why 29.94 fps?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In <2fta02$92e@crl2.crl.com> lreeves@crl.com (Les Reeves) writes:


>Okay.

>3.5795454545 MegaHertz is the colorburst frequency.  It was defined in the
>original design for "compatable color" and is cast in stone.

>So:

>3.5795454545 megaHertz  / 455   =   7.867132866 kHz  / 262.5  =  29.97003

I find it interesting that this colourburst frequency of 3.5795
MHz is right smack in the amateur radio 80 meter band.  It seems
that any and all ham operators can legally send morse code at that
frequency at the legal power limit of 1 killowat output and screw up all of
the colour tvs in the cities.  How come this doesn't appear to be
such a problem?

matt@efn.org  n0gth

------------------------------

Date: 2 Jan 1994 21:39:22 GMT
From: swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!news.larc.nasa.gov!grissom.larc.nasa.gov!kludge@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

References <05FB8239@rhosoft.com>, <2fta02$92e@crl2.crl.com>, <CIzLwp.7zJ@efn.org>m
Subject : Re: why 29.94 fps?

In article <CIzLwp.7zJ@efn.org> matt@efn.org (M G Laubach) writes:
>>3.5795454545 megaHertz  / 455   =   7.867132866 kHz  / 262.5  =  29.97003
>
>I find it interesting that this colourburst frequency of 3.5795
>MHz is right smack in the amateur radio 80 meter band.  It seems
>that any and all ham operators can legally send morse code at that
>frequency at the legal power limit of 1 killowat output and screw up all of
>the colour tvs in the cities.  How come this doesn't appear to be
>such a problem?

Primarily because there are so many TV sets spewing garbage out on that
frequency that nobody would ever be heard if they were to use it.  The
advantage, though, is that you can tear the colorburst oscillator out of
a TV set, and skew it a little bit up or down the band and have a nice
QRP rig.
--scott
-- 
"C'est un Nagra.  C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 2 Jan 1994 17:42:20 GMT
From: swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

References <757355523snx@skyld.tele.com>, <2g4blqINNs9j@network.ucsd.edu>, <1994Jan1.222239.629@bongo.tele.com>
Reply-To : gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us (Gary Coffman)
Subject : Re: Looking for information

In article <1994Jan1.222239.629@bongo.tele.com> julian@bongo.tele.com (Julian Macassey) writes:
>In article <2g4blqINNs9j@network.ucsd.edu> brian@nothing.ucsd.edu (Brian Kantor) writes:
>>No, Jeff, most hams don't go to libraries or read books.
>>Few of the public do either, whether hams or not.
>
> I once heard that 3% of the population had library cards. Then
>I read the 5% of the public buys books. 

By and large they aren't the same people. Harold Robbins, Howard Stern,
and Madonna capture most of the book buyers who aren't science fiction
readers (the largest book purchase category). BTW the newspaper with
the highest circulation isn't McPaper (USA Today), it's the National
Enquirer. In essence, you can't underestimate the intelligence of the
average reader; you can't imagine IQ numbers that low. But we know
they can read, we can see their lips moving in the checkout line.

> I wonder what perecentage have VCRs and video rental cards.

Most of them have a VCR, but it always flashes 12:00, 12:00, 12:00
unless they have a child in the house who can set it for them. Thus
we have VCR+ where you have to input an arbitrary sequence of digits
instead of simply inputting that you want to record Ch 2 at 8pm.
Not that it's going to work anyway, unless that child cabled it up
for them.

> I know that many homes I visit have few or no books. I am alos
>stunned by the number of radio amateurs that do not have any manuals
>or handbooks on their favourite hobby.

Ah, you just hang out with the wrong class of people. Why I know
*several* Hell's Angels with great (comic) book collections, and
tons of motorcycle magazines. It must be true that radio amateurs
don't read much, however, since QST, 73, and CQ don't have circulation
figures of more than a fraction of licensed amateurs.

> Could the lack of literacy be related to the falling numbers
>involved in participatory activities?

I don't know, can bowlers read?

Gary
-- 
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary 
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     | 

------------------------------

Date: 2 Jan 1994 16:33:42 -0800
From: nntp.crl.com!crl2.crl.com!not-for-mail@decwrl.dec.com
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

References <2fta02$92e@crl2.crl.com>, <CIzLwp.7zJ@efn.org>, <2g7eua$epl@reznor.larc.nasa.gov>com
Subject : Re: why 29.94 fps?

Scott Dorsey (kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov) wrote:
: In article <CIzLwp.7zJ@efn.org> matt@efn.org (M G Laubach) writes:
: >>3.5795454545 megaHertz  / 455   =   7.867132866 kHz  / 262.5  =  29.97003
: >
: >I find it interesting that this colourburst frequency of 3.5795
: >MHz is right smack in the amateur radio 80 meter band.  It seems
: >that any and all ham operators can legally send morse code at that
: >frequency at the legal power limit of 1 killowat output and screw up all of
: >the colour tvs in the cities.  How come this doesn't appear to be
: >such a problem?

: Primarily because there are so many TV sets spewing garbage out on that
: frequency that nobody would ever be heard if they were to use it.  The
: advantage, though, is that you can tear the colorburst oscillator out of
: a TV set, and skew it a little bit up or down the band and have a nice
: QRP rig.

Actually, I have found just the opposite to be true.

The colorburst frequency is not only cast in stone-it is extremely accurate.
It is more accurate as a frequency reference than WWV.  This is provided 
that you are tuned to a network-supplied program.

If you try to receive 3.57954545 mHz near a TV, you will hear almost nothing.
In fact, the only way to take advantge of the precision of the colorburst is
to lock an oscillator to the 7.867 kHz signal radiated by the very strong 
magnetic deflection circuit.

I know about this first hand.  I wish their *were* a bit of 3.57954545 mHz
leakage from a TV; it would make calibrating a lot easier.

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End of Info-Hams Digest V93 #1534
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