Date: Sat,  8 Jan 94 12:39:36 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 V94 #14
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Sat,  8 Jan 94       Volume 94 : Issue   14

Today's Topics:
                        Cordless phone freqs?
     Daily Summary of Solar & Geophysical Activity for 05 January
                   Got my expiration date - thanx!
                           Kits and quality
                       Need U.K. Admin Address
                           Opening ICOM-R1
                      Phonecalls from 20,000 fe
     Ramsey kits not too good -- what about Down East Microwave?
      Theft/vandalism at radio sites (was Re: Repeater database?
                         TOYOTAS AND HAM RIGS
       Vanity Callsign Notice of Propsed Rulemaking (PR93-305)
                     When will my license expire?

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: Fri, 7 Jan 1994 18:42:16 GMT
From: spsgate!mogate!newsgate!hawk!hawk@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Cordless phone freqs?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <2gjt2c$5uj@mailhost.interaccess.com> msf@interaccess.com (MSF) writes:
>
>Could someone send me a list of the 10 most common base
>frequencies, or an ftp site for these freqs? 
>
>Thanks
>

46610 46630 46710 46730 46770 46810 46830 46870 46930 46970

regards,
George Hawkins KI5X
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
George Hawkins                      Internet: hawk@hawk.sps.mot.com
Motorola Digital Signal Processors  UUCP: cs.utexas.edu!oakhill!hawk!hawk
Semiconductor Products Sector       Motorola Internal Email - R12137 
6501 William Cannon Drive West      Phone (512) 891-4543 
Austin Texas 78735-8598             FAX   (512) 891-2947
------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

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

Date: Thu, 6 Jan 1994 23:50:34 MST
From: destroyer!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!nebulus!ve6mgs!usenet@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Daily Summary of Solar & Geophysical Activity for 05 January
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

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

                 DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY

                                05 JANUARY, 1994

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

                  (Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data)


SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 05 JANUARY, 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------

!!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 005, 01/05/94
10.7 FLUX=136.9  90-AVG=101        SSN=154      BKI=0111 1002  BAI=002
BGND-XRAY=B4.9     FLU1=6.5E+05  FLU10=1.1E+04  PKI=1112 2212  PAI=005
  BOU-DEV=000,006,005,007,005,004,004,018   DEV-AVG=006 NT     SWF=02:003
 XRAY-MAX= M1.0   @ 0704UT    XRAY-MIN= B3.5   @ 0242UT   XRAY-AVG= C1.0
NEUTN-MAX= +002%  @ 2350UT   NEUTN-MIN= -002%  @ 2230UT  NEUTN-AVG= -0.0%
  PCA-MAX= +0.1DB @ 2310UT     PCA-MIN= -0.7DB @ 0005UT    PCA-AVG= -0.0DB
BOUTF-MAX=55350NT @ 2323UT   BOUTF-MIN=55327NT @ 1859UT  BOUTF-AVG=55343NT
GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT   GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT  G7-AVG=+078,+000,+000
GOES6-MAX=P:+131NT@ 2053UT   GOES6-MIN=N:-057NT@ 0901UT  G6-AVG=+100,+024,-027
 FLUXFCST=STD:130,130,125;SESC:130,130,125 BAI/PAI-FCST=005,010,010/008,010,015
    KFCST=1112 3111 1112 3111  27DAY-AP=006,007   27DAY-KP=2212 2212 2223 3221
 WARNINGS=*MAJFLR;*SWF
   ALERTS=**MINFLR:M1.0/1N@0704,S13W23(7647);**SWEEP:II=2@0710-0723UTC
!!END-DATA!!

NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 04 JAN 94 was  67.1.
      The Full Kp Indices for 04 JAN 94 are: 1+ 3o 2- 2o   2o 1+ 1o 0+ 


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

             Solar activity was moderate. Region 7646 (S08W26) and
       Region 7647 (S16W35) combined to produce an M1/1N long duration
       flare at 05/0704Z. Solar observers detected a Type II radio
       sweep during this flare. Region 7648 (N06E42) grew larger and
       produced a C1/SN flare at 05/1545Z.

            Solar activity forecast:  solar activity is expected to be
       low to moderate. Regions 7646 and 7648 are growing and becoming
       more active.

            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 unsettled. The long duration M-class
       flare may disturb the field beginning late on day two.

            Event probabilities 06 jan-08 jan

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

            Geomagnetic activity probabilities 06 jan-08 jan

                        A.  Middle Latitudes
                        Active                10/15/15
                        Minor Storm           05/05/05
                        Major-Severe Storm    01/01/01

                        B.  High Latitudes
                        Active                10/15/15
                        Minor Storm           05/05/05
                        Major-Severe Storm    01/01/01

            HF propagation conditions were generally near-normal over
       all regions.  High latitude paths saw periods of minor signal
       degradation during the local night hours, with enhanced noise
       levels also reported in conjunction with this activity.
       Conditions are expected to remain stable on 06 and 07 January,
       and become slightly degraded over high latitude paths on 08
       January in response to the above-noted flare-related
       disturbance.  If it fails to arrive, near-normal conditions
       will persist.


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

REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 05/2400Z JANUARY
----------------------------------------------------------
NMBR LOCATION  LO  AREA  Z   LL   NN MAG TYPE
7645  N12W22  083  0290 FSI  18  048 BETA-GAMMA
7646  S08W26  087  0610 EKI  12  045 BETA-GAMMA
7647  S16W35  096  0090 ESO  11  005 BETA
7648  N06E42  019  0290 DAO  09  016 BETA
7649  S12W14  075                    PLAGE
REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 06 JANUARY TO 08 JANUARY
NMBR LAT    LO
NONE


LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 05 JANUARY, 1994
------------------------------------------------------
BEGIN  MAX  END  RGN   LOC   XRAY  OP 245MHZ 10CM   SWEEP
 0343 0344 0345                          150
 0558 0600 0601                          830
 0645 0704 0725 7647  S13W23 M1.0  1N     54   36    II
 0743 0743 0746 7646  S09W15       SF   2300
 0823 0828 0838 7645  N17W08 C2.8  SF    550
 0858 0903 0909 7646  S11W21 C1.9  SF    260
 1106 1106 1107                          260
 1321 1329 1332 7648  N04E49 C1.8  SF    300
 1359 1407 1420 7645  N16W11 C1.9  SF    270   38
 1656 1657 1702 7648  N02E47       SF    110
 1754 1801 1803 7646  S10W24 C2.8  1N    140
 2155 2156 2159                          430


POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 05 JANUARY, 1994
----------------------------------------------------------
 BEGIN        MAX      END     LOCATION   TYPE   SIZE  DUR  II IV
05/0710               0723      S13W23     RSP   M1.0   40  2


POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 05 JANUARY, 1994
----------------------------------------------------------
               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
------  ----  ----  ----  ----  -- ------ ------  --------- --------- ---------
04 Jan: 0021  0025  0029  B7.5                                         
        0059  0119  0150  C1.2  SF  7649  S10E14                       
        0302  0310  0316  C2.4  SF  7645  N14E08                       
        0442  0448  0451  C1.0                                         
        0448  0450  0453        SF  7645  N15E09                       
        0629  0639  0655  C1.0  SF  7648  N06E68                       
        0630  0631  0649        SF  7645  N13W05                       
        0633  0633  0643        SF  7648  N06E65                       
        0644  0646  0711        SF  7648  N06E65                       
        0715  0752  0852        SF  7648  N06E65                       
        0743  0747  0816        SF  7645  N12W05                       
        0927  0931  0946        SF  7648  N07E65                       
        1258  1305  1341        SF  7648  N03E63                       
        1531  1533  1540        SF  7648  N06E62                       
        1617  1619  1625        SF  7648  N03E61                       
        1923  1924  1935        SF  7645  N15W00                       
        1957  2000  2005  B6.0                                         
        2057  2058  2102        SF  7645  N14E02                       
        2203  2212  2228  B6.5                                         


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

                C   M   X     S   1   2   3   4   Total   (%)
               --  --  --    --  --  --  --  --    ---  ------
  Region 7645:  1   0   0     6   0   0   0   0    006  (31.6)
  Region 7648:  1   0   0     8   0   0   0   0    008  (42.1)
  Region 7649:  1   0   0     1   0   0   0   0    001  ( 5.3)
Uncorrellated: 1   0   0     0   0   0   0   0    004  (21.1)

 Total Events: 019 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
------  ----  ----  ----  ----  -- ------ ------   ---------------------------
04 Jan: 0021  0025  0029  B7.5                     III
        0059  0119  0150  C1.2  SF  7649  S10E14   III
        0302  0310  0316  C2.4  SF  7645  N14E08   III
        0442  0448  0451  C1.0                     III
        0629  0639  0655  C1.0  SF  7648  N06E68   III
        0715  0752  0852        SF  7648  N06E65   III
        1923  1924  1935        SF  7645  N15W00   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: Sat, 8 Jan 1994 17:39:54 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!dgf@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Got my expiration date - thanx!
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

It turns out this kind of data is available on the internet, and I have
had several kind replies extracting the data I need (I'm alive until
April, 1997 it turns out).

Anyway, thanx to the helpful people replying and I have learned something
new!

73 Dave WB0GAZ

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

Date: Sat, 8 Jan 1994 14:59:52 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Kits and quality
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <9401070753.ZM8853@SALCIUS2> scottm@SALCIUS2.csg.mot.com (Scott F. Migaldi) writes:
>>People, you get what you pay for. As a very good friend of mine once
>>said; "Pay shit. Get shit."
>
>This attitude amazes me! I can only wonder when the people who have
>attitudes like this will have their jobs move to Osaka! If a customer pays
>money they should get the best that they are paying for. I am amazed at
>what type of crap Americans will put up with from a manufacturer. I deal in
>the international markets and let me tell you my customers demand the very
>best and will not except an excuse when something does not work properly.

When there's a 10 to 1 price range, and the customer is paying the bottom
price, they'd better expect bottom performance. If they expect the very
best, then they'd better expect to pay the premium that requires. I think
that's all the poster is saying. It's been my experience that that's a truism,
even with Motorola. You people make some very nice, very expensive radios,
and you also make some cheap junk.

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: Fri, 7 Jan 1994 23:45:35 GMT
From: metro!basser.cs.su.oz.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!eff!news.umbc.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!uknet!cix.@@munnari.oz.au
Subject: Need U.K. Admin Address
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

The UK Licensing is now handled by an independent company on behlaf of 
the Radiocommunications authority.

My License tells me to notify Changes of Address to:
The Radio Licensing Centre
SSL
PO BOX 884
Bristol BS99 5LF

alternatively why not ask the RSGB ( equvlt to ARRL )at
Lambda House
Cranbourne Road
Potters Bar
Herts, EN6  3JE
Telephone: 0707 59015
Fax:       0707 45105
Telex:     9312130923 Ansback RSG

John Newgas      G7LTQ in UK / N2UYI in USA
Packet Address   G7LTQ@GB7XDD.#32.GBR.EU
Internet Address jnewgas@cix,compulink.co.uk

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

Date: Sat, 8 Jan 1994 01:58:18 GMT
From: metro!basser.cs.su.oz.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!uhog.mit.edu!news.@munnari.oz.au
Subject: Opening ICOM-R1
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

Anyone know how to take bottom bqattery cover off an R1.  Mine is
"inert" so I suspect that the Nicad battery has expired.  I removed
all visible screws, and the case opens at the top, but the botton
won't let go.  Any ideas?  There is a latch at the bottom that doesn't
seem to do anything...

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

Date: Sat,  8 Jan 1994 00:09:14 GMT
From: munnari.oz.au!metro!basser.cs.su.oz.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!yeshua.marcam.com!usc!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!csn!springsboard!alex.lane@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Phonecalls from 20,000 fe
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

Chris Magnuson writes:
-> .... it is possible to make phone calls from way up high by radio
-> (check on the kids, etc.).  Is this possible to do via a portable
-> radio?

A number of 2-meter repeaters offer users a phone patch that allows you
to make phone calls through the repeater.  Long-distance calls are
generally not permitted, although some repeaters will let you dial an
800 number, which'll let you get to a long-distance company.

Of course, this pre-supposes you're a licensed ham with a 2-meter rig.

Cheers...
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The SpringsBoard BBS              |  "You *can* get here from there."
Pagosa Springs, Colorado          |
Alex Lane  (303) 264-2339         |
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Date: 8 Jan 94 14:54:08 GMT
From: ogicse!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Ramsey kits not too good -- what about Down East Microwave?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <1994Jan7.140535.5582@mnemosyne.cs.du.edu> lkollar@nyx10.cs.du.edu (Larry Kollar) writes:
>
>OK, everybody and his dog has run down Ramsey kits.  I also heard some
>unfavorable comments about Hamtronics and their downconverter kits.  What
>about Down East Microwave?  They have downconverters in kit form -- has
>anyone tried tackling one of those?

I've built their 902 MHz transverter, and their 2304 downconverter. They
work, but they aren't Heathkits.  The LOs are built dead bug style, and 
the docs aren't very clear at all. I needed the photos in the QST article
to figure out parts placement for the transverter. But they did work first 
time, and no special test equipment was required for tuneup. Of course 
the transverter is milliwatt power level, and there isn't enough selectivity 
in the receive front end, but a helical filtered preamp can fix the latter 
problem, and they sell a power brick that'll fix the low power problem. The
2304 downconverter also needs a preamp. I'd give them an Ok, but note that 
delivery on the transverter was not prompt. I ordered one at Dayton, and 
didn't get it until the next Dayton (after I danced on their heads a bit).
Their loop yagis are good, but one of the 4 902 MHz ones I've assembled was 
missing a loop. I made my own out of some stock I had on hand rather than
fighting with them to get the missing part.

A couple of notes on Ramsey and Hamtronics. Ramsey has greatly improved
their 2 meter and 70 cm transceivers from the original models, but they
aren't bargains. Converting commercial surplus will still give you a better
radio for less money. Hamtronics has a line of helical filtered preamps
that are *excellent* for repeater use. Buy assembled and tuned though
because they're nontrival to get to work right without a good SINADer. 
On the other hand, their converters suck bigtime. It's nearly impossible 
to get the LO to both be clean and to start reliably. And after you do, 
the noise figure is poor. Their transmitting converters are better, but 
not great. Their receivers and transmitters used to be *horrible* with 
spurs and drift problems. I hear the new models are better, but you still 
better have a spectrum analyzer at hand when you do the tuneup. I'd say 
that anything that requires an oscillator should be avoided since Hamtronics 
doesn't seem to know how to design good ones.

I'd say that if you need a reliable high performance preamp, converter,
or transverter, you're best off buying from ARR or SSB Electronics. They're 
expensive, but they work really well. The ARR preamps have *no* protection,
so you'll lose one ocasionally, but the performance is superb for a $70 unit. 
And SSB Electronics transverters can't be beat. (At $750 a pop they'd *better*
be good.)

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: 8 Jan 1994 00:12:02 GMT
From: koriel!newscast.West.Sun.COM!abyss.West.Sun.COM!sunspot!myers@ames.arpa
Subject: Theft/vandalism at radio sites (was Re: Repeater database?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article 2gksi7INNb6r@network.ucsd.edu, brian@nothing.ucsd.edu (Brian Kantor) writes:
>Some years ago, one of our repeaters stopped working.  When we got up on
>the the mountain, we found out why:
>
>Someone had torched the door off the building, stolen all the Motorola
>and GE repeaters out of the building (demonstrating good taste, they
>left the RCA repeaters alone).  On their way out, just for good
>measure, they cut the guy wires on the tower.  When the storm hit a few
>days later, 70 feet of H-frame tower blew over the side of the mountain
>to the desert floor below, taking our antennas and a good portion of
>our coax with it.  The solar panels were smashed beyond repair.
>
>Want to know where our repeaters are now?  NOYGDB!
> - Brian

Certainly this can be a problem, but it isn't necessarily limited to
amateur repeaters.  A buddy of mine owns several mountain-top sites and
manages several more in Southern Cal.  He's got a list of tales of mayhem
and larceny that has been performed on his sites, often by other commercial
radio operators, sometimes even by tenants in his site.  A few weeks ago
we drove up to up one site 'cause the alarm company called to say the
alarm hadn't been set all day. When we got there we discovered that someone
had attempted to force their way into one of his buildings.  Without
revealing too much, I'll say that it is fairly certain it was one of the
tenants in the other building in his compound.

---
 * Dana H. Myers KK6JQ, DoD 466 | Views expressed here are *
 * (310) 348-6043   | mine and do not necessarily *
 * Dana.Myers@West.Sun.Com | reflect those of my employer *
 * This Extra supports the abolition of the 13 and 20 WPM tests *

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

Date: Sat, 8 Jan 1994 15:30:04 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!swrinde!emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: TOYOTAS AND HAM RIGS
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <2gk163$ku@news.acns.nwu.edu> lapin@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Gregory Lapin) writes:
>In article <9401071154.AA11626@cmr.ncsl.nist.gov>,
>Robert Carpenter <rc@cmr.ncsl.NIst.GOV> wrote:
>>Number 1 on their list of requirements for installation of rigs in Toyotas,
>>in order for the warrantee to continue is:
>>   "The rig must be FCC Type Approved."
>>
>>WHERE DO I BUY FCC TYPE APPROVED HAM GEAR ????????
>>
>>I thought that ham gear was specifically NOT type approved.  But then again I
>>don't intend to buy a Toyota, so it's all academic.
>
>All commercial ham gear must be FCC type approved (that's a rule that was
>changed from when I started in ham radio).

NO, NO, NO. Type approval is very strict, and no ham gear must be 
type approved. External power amplifiers below 144 MHz must be type 
*accepted*, and commercial ham gear must be type *certified*, that's 
just a manufacturer's affidavit, there may also be a Part 15 certification 
required if there's a microprocessor on board, but no ham gear has to pass 
type approval. As far as I know, only certain broadcast equipment must meet 
type approval regulations. It's very expensive and time consuming.

So Toyota is saying that only broadcast transmitters are permitted.
Heh, I'd like to see our 100 kW Harris fit in a Camry. :-)

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: 7 Jan 94 16:42:01 -0600
From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!engr.uark.edu!news.ualr.edu!eieio.ualr.edu!gdm@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Vanity Callsign Notice of Propsed Rulemaking (PR93-305)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

[said NPRM included herein by reference]

     A few things perhaps worth noting:

 1.  They are proposing to charge you $7.00 per year for the rest of your
life for their having issued you a specific callsign.  I'd feel a lot better
about a one-time charge, even at my age.

 2.  If your list of ten specific callsigns is exhausted by the time
your application makes it through the mill, your existing callsign becomes
the eleventh choice and you will be charged $7.00 per year for the rest of
your life for the privilege of continuing to use your old callsign.

 3.  Opinion: what does "vanity" have to do with requesting a specific 
callsign?  Commercial broadcasters do it all the time.  These specific ham 
callsigns will still have to follow the present formats for the various
license classes, unlike the completely free form of so-called "vanity" car 
tags.  I suspect the "vanity car tag" expression was originated by some
media type.  I don't see the parallel between Lawrence Welk requesting
"A1ANA2" for his car and my trying to get, say, K5EE, the shortest (in CW)
callsign in the United States.

   When I finally became an old-enough timer (at 27) to request a specific
callsign all those years ago, I tried to get K5DM or K5GM or some others
I can't remember, but the closest they could get was K5DH.  If they could
set up this new system to be less risky and less costly, I might try again,
otherwise "thanks but no, thanks." 

73, 
Doug K5DH
--
- - - -  Doug Mauldin  - - - - -  University of Arkansas at Little Rock  - -
      gdmauldin@ualr.edu     |        Graduate Institute of Technology 
  standard disclaimers apply | Department of Electronics and Instrumentation
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 

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

Date: Sat, 8 Jan 1994 16:57:15 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!dgf@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: When will my license expire?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

I have one of those 10 year licenses, and I can't find the orig., and
I have the feeling that it will expire before too long. How can I find
my expiration date? I realize this sounds like an obvious question, but
after 23 years in ham radio I guess I'm getting senile!

73 Dave WB0GAZ dgf@netcom.com

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End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #14
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