Date: Mon, 10 Jan 94 12:08:53 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 #19
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Mon, 10 Jan 94 Volume 94 : Issue 19
Today's Topics:
Houston Amateur Helpline
Mobile antenna question
Morse Code (2 msgs)
On a positive note- (was: Re: RAMSEY KITS NOT TOO GOOD)
q code qhh is quh
RAMSEY KITS NOT TOO G
REQUESTED QSL INFO
RF Site/Region Modelling
WANTED:Synchronous Detector Schematic
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
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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: 10 Jan 94 12:40:42 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Houston Amateur Helpline
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The Houston Amateur Radio Helpline, a telephone, touch-tone activated
service for Amateur Radio operators in the Houston area is back on line
again after a major hard drive crash.
This service is over 2 years old, receives around 700 calls per month.
We try to keep up to date with all the VE sessions, clubs, club activities,
special FCC and ARRL happenings, Classes,etc.
If you are in the Houston Texas area please give it a call. If you have
information which needs to be posted please use the 04 option from the
main menu to leave the information in 'your' voice. We need input as well
as people using the output :)
The Houston Amateur Radio Helpline 713-488-4HAM 713-488-4426
73 de Bob KA5GLX biekert@vnet.ibm.com
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 11:24:06 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!tcj@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Mobile antenna question
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Michael Barts (mbarts@vt.edu) wrote:
> A friend just recently purchased an Acura Integra and is trying to
> figure out how to mount a two meter antenna on it. He hasn't
> reconciled himself to getting out the big drill just yet and is
> considering a glass mount antenna
I used a glass-mount antenna for a while and was extrememly unhappy with its
performance. If your friend can't bring himself to get out the drill, you
might suggest he try a trunk lip mount and snake the cables into the cab
though the back seat.
And if his concern about drilling a hole for a proper roof mount is resale
value, remind him that he can advertise the car as "cellular-ready." ;-)
Todd, KB6JXT
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 11:44:36 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!tcj@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Morse Code
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Bill Peter (peter@bohm.eecs.berkeley.edu) writes:
> does anyone have a copy of Morse code in ASCII they could e-mail me
> or tell me how to ftp or finger so I can learn it?
Be forewarned that learning the code as visual of dots and dashes is not a
particularly good idea, as it introduces an additional level of translation
(aural to visual) that you will probably find puts an upper limit on the speed
at which you will be able to copy. Ideally, you want to "hear" the
characters, not "see" them in your head.
You would probably be better off visiting your local purveyor of ham goodies
and investing in a cassette training course, or using a computer-based
trainer. A good FTP site for the latter is "ucsd.edu" under "pub/hamradio"
(if I'm not mistaken.) SuperMorse for DOS is dandy (look for "sm###" where
"###' is a version number), and I'm sure you'll find some UNIX-based software
there as well if that's better suited to your environment.
Todd, KB6JXT
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 1994 13:45:34 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!destroyer!news1.oakland.edu!vela.acs.oakland.edu!prvalko@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Morse Code
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
For what it's worth, DITTOES.
Do NOT even attempt to learn the code by looking at dots and dashes.
Get SuperMorse, it works.
paul wb8zjl
dah dah di di dit
di di di dah dah
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 13:30:43 GMT
From: sgiblab!darwin.sura.net!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!greg@ames.arpa
Subject: On a positive note- (was: Re: RAMSEY KITS NOT TOO GOOD)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CJBuG3.Bp6@hawnews.watson.ibm.com> sehneg@austin.ibm.com (Sehne) writes:
>
>I've built several Ramsey kits, QRP receiver (40m) and several QRP XMTRS (40&20m)
>plus keyer & FM stereo transmitter.
>
>I'll concede that the early assembly manuals
>were nothing more than a photocopy sheet, but they really redid their manuals
>recently & they look close to the Heathkit quality.(XRAY drawings & tutorials)
>
>
>I've batted 1.000 with their
>kits, although I had to mess around with the 40m receiver a bit to stabilize
>the thermal drift & make the receiver a little more selective. I've not had
>a bad part in the bunch.
>If you haven't tried them recently, you may be surprised.
So, rather than warning one another off constantly, though I guess it's
good to know what you're in for, how do we encourage Ramsey to continue
taking steps in the right direction, rather than driving them from the
business?
Heath is gone, and with it THE major source of economical amateur
radio gear, and 'on the job' training.
I've seen some of the first of the Heath ham gear, and it was probably
in the category of 'not too good,' too. They were selling oscillator-only
transmitters when such things were kind of marginal as state-of-the-art.
And I'll bet their manuals didn't start out perfect.
Goodness knows Knight-Kit had its problems, though they went to school
pretty well on Heath. Eico didn't go to school as well, and produced
some real losers, along with a few winners.
And some people don't realize that that mainstay of 1950's and 1960's
ham hear, E.F. Johnson, produced some of their more basic gear in kit
form. If we'd known that buying them would have ensured us easy access
to transimitting variables for life, we probably would have made the
investment :-)
Anyway, I'm glad Ramsay and some of the others are around. But since
they're really start-ups, they're going to have problems. The question
is, how do we help them improve?
Greg
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 1994 13:27:48 GMT
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!concert!bigblue.oit.unc.edu!samba.oit.unc.edu!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: q code qhh is quh
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The question about QHH caused me to go into the library and find my 5th
Edition Radio Operators License Q & A Guide (RIDER 1955) by Kaufman...
QUH= Will you give me the present barometric pressure at sea level?
= The present barometric pressure at sea level is ...(units)
It lists four pages of different q codes....
If any one would like a copy, drop a SASE to AB4VJ POB61971 Durham NC 27705
QUQ terry
--
The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
internet: laUNChpad.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 14:05:11 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcom.com!greg@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: RAMSEY KITS NOT TOO G
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <9401091132.A6377wk@support.com> steven.rosenberg@support.com writes:
>
>YES! That's a better idea. Get one of Doug de Maw's QRP books and start
>collecting the parts.
...or buy a kit of parts for one of those same projects from a
supplier of parts who expects you to work from the construction
article.
Personally, the part I *hate* is collecting the parts. After all,
in single-unit quantities they get to be expensive. Not to mention
the time and gas expended. 'Twas easier when I lived in silicone
valley, because I could get most things at Halted, two minutes from
work. (They also have Ramsey kits at discount prices, BTW)
Certain simple projects, like power-supplies, can be built from
Radio Shlock stock. But not many things.
These mini-suppliers seem to be the ARRL's answer to the complaint
voiced by many a dozen or so years ago that the QST projects were
fine if you had the ARRL Hq. lab's junk-box at your disposal. They
amount to a 'group buy,' with a little fee for the trouble of the
guy who puts it all in a bag.
The one that always tickles me is crystal controlled QRP transmiters.
They're usually designed and written by guys who must have a whole
box of surplus crystals. Buying crystals is now very expensive, and
the quality can be real iffy. VXO rigs are a bit better, but a
decent, basic, VFO is an experimenter's friend.
BTW, I believe that Doug DeMaw is a saint, as is Lew McCoy. These
folks, from the days of the 'Novice Transmitter Using Parts Gleaned
from Two Dead TV Sets' to the days of 'Tuna-Tin Two,' have always
shown what can be done with making lots of fun out of little money.
Another deity has to be Wes Hayward.
Their are a couple of heirs apparent, but they haven't come into
their own, just yet.
By the way (ARRL, are you listening), guys like these probably have
done more to increase the ranks of membership than all of the Civics
Book rhetoric about representation combined.
Greg
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 94 17:39:09 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: REQUESTED QSL INFO
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
------------------------------
Date: 6 Jan 1994 16:44:52 -0400
From: newsflash.concordia.ca!nstn.ns.ca!halifax-ts2-11.nstn.ns.ca!smarsden@uunet.uu.net
Subject: callbook help?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Sorry to be a mooch, but callbooks haven't found their way into
my budget recently, and the latest set I have is 1989. I also have a few
cards piling up that I would like to get off. Could somebody with a 93 or
94 callbook, a few minutes to spare, and a generous nature please provide me
with addresses for the following calls?? Reply by E-Mail please.
PZ1DYX
YU1AVQ
YU2DW
KM6ON
Thanks a lot in advance.
Steve VE1YB smarsden@fox.nstn.ns.ca
------------------------------
Hi Steve: Here is the qsl info you requested and is from my 94
Callbook.. I tried QSL'ng you direct via "SMARDSEN@FOX.NSTN..NS.CA
but it came back "USER UNKNOWN". Hope this routing works.
Good Luck!
PZ1DYX No listing given. Suggest recheck callsign as most of the call signs
were only 2 X 2 calls.
YU1AVQ Radio Club Zemun
Cara Dusana 57
Box 73
11080 Zemun
Serbia - Europe
YU2DW Zyonko Ljutic
Skurinjskih Zrtava 28
5100 Rijeka
Croatia - Europe
KM6ON Mike Jakiela
P.O.B. 286
Poway Ca.
92074 - U.S.A.
73 & Gud Dx.
De K1JKR - Ken
ATKINS_K%ATHENA@LEIA.POLAROID.COM
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 94 16:50:33 GMT
From: ogicse!uwm.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!darwin.sura.net!perot.mtsu.edu!ggjns@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: RF Site/Region Modelling
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Hello there folks. I am looking for information, pointers, etc.
on doing some terrain analysis with respect to radio signal (RF)
coverage modeling. I know that commercial consultants to broadcast
outfits use something along those lines, but (A) I've never really done
any serious elevation-dataset work, (B) I'm an ham who works with GIS,
(C) I can't afford the commercial rates for site modeling, and (D) I
have the data in hand in terms of ham radio repeater site locations, i.e.,
antenna height, effective radiated power, and the USGS Digital Elevation Maps
from resdgs1.er.usgs.gov for my area of interest (State of Tennessee, USA).
I am seeking any experiences from those of you who might have worked with
this application. I have access to GRASS 4.1 and AGIS/MAPIX GIS packages
for full treatment of DEMs, site modelling, etc. so that might suffice
rather than recommending I go buy a multi-hundred$ analysis package, or
paying similar consultant fees.
Doing RF modeling is not exactly on a line-of-sight basis, although
that's a good base to work out from in the beginning. Depending on
frequency there's a bit of bending that would influence signals in
valleys, etc. I plan on investigating those factors carefully from
other references. We are planning a packet-radio network that would
eventually span our state for message passing, hobby traffic, etc. and
good site planning is essential to our effort. Funding is out of our
back pockets which have more change than greenback, but there is a
wealth of raw materials out there (DEMs, GIS software, site info) which
give us a healthy start and will allow us to plan wisely. My lack of
personal experience in 3-D modeling leaves me with knowledge gaps on how
best to proceed.
Your input is appreciated; I would prefer responses directly to my mail
address (ggjns@knuth.mtsu.edu); if desired by anyone I can easily repost
a summary of responses. Yes, I've cross-posted this to relevant groups
in the GIS world, so apologies for its verbosity on basic stuff. PS,
GIS means Geographic Information System.
--
John N Schmidt KD4EAI, Lab Director + 615-898-5561 phone or 615-898-5592 FAX
Middle Tennessee State University ++ ggjns@knuth.mtsu.edu by Internet Email
1500 Greenland Drive, PO Box 135 +++ MTSU Center for Remote Sensing and GIS
Murfreesboro, TN 37132-0135 USA ++++ Department of Geography and Geology
---- 35d 50m 22s North Latitude, 86d 22m 00s West Longitude, 640 ft MSL ----
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 10:07:24 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!hplextra!hplb!hpwin052!hpqmoea!dstock@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: WANTED:Synchronous Detector Schematic
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Greg Chartrand (Greg@epitome.er.doe.gov) wrote:
: I've looked all over and only found an old Signetics application book
: which used a phased locked loop chip that is no longer manufactured. I
: have been told that Motorola makes a quad. detector that can be used as
: a synchronous detector, but I have not been able to find an application
: note to that effect. Please help me if you know where I can get a
: schematic.
: 73's,
: Greg
: WA9EYY
There was a constructional article for a synchronous demodulator
intended for receivers with 455 kHz IF published in
ELECTRONICS and WIRELESS WORLD (british magazine, used to be called
"Wireless World"
I think it was a few years ago. You could try a library search knowing
the publication and the key word.
Cheers
David
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 13:12:26 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!concert!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!greg@ames.arpa
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <2gi3tr$oe6@crcnis1.unl.edu>, <gregCJ9M8u.9tv@netcom.com>, <1994Jan7.222334.10011@TorreyPinesCA.ncr.com>s.edu
Subject : Re: Where's my QST?
In article <1994Jan7.222334.10011@TorreyPinesCA.ncr.com> kevin@TorreyPinesCA.ncr.com (Kevin Sanders) writes:
>In article <gregCJ9M8u.9tv@netcom.com> greg@netcom.com (Greg Bullough) writes:
>>
>>This solid technical content was selected by the same editorial staff
>>(at the member's expense) which no doubt smugly belittles W2NSD's monthly
>>ramblings in '73.'
>>
>>We can't cover Lambda, but choo-choos and stamps are relevant, eh guys?
>>
>
>Jeez, Greg, get a life. I see no smiley here, I guess you are just
>dying to open up that flame-bait can again. Sorry, you'll receive no
>help from me.
>
No, it's a straight (*ahem*) question.
It seems to me that the excuses for not covering Lambda are the
same as for not covering philatelists and train-spotters. Or
the reasons.
And, frankly, I'd prefer to see QST cover neither philately, train-spotting,
nor buggery.
Now that I've said that admittedly inflammatory thing, let me say that
ALL of these folks are legitimately hams, who inter-weave other key aspects
of their lives with ham radio. Be it stamps, trains, or what they point
their genitals at.
However, it seems to me that the 'angles' are irrelevant, and QST has
recently had the annoying tendency to show the cub-reporter's need for
an 'angle' story in order to fill up space.
The technical content of our journal has, in recent months, really
stunk. Oddly, some of the best technical material has been in the
'Beginner and Newcomer' section; perhaps in counting types of articles
for editorial purposes, these have counted as, and hence displaced,
more technical topics for more advanced hams.
I wouldn't mind the occasional article on "Hams Who Use Their HT's While
Bungee Jumping," if I didn't find that, by the time I wade through all
the ARRL and FCC news, and the semi-irrelevant "Human Interest" fluff,
I don't often seem to learn anything solid from QST. I'm better off
finding a back-issue and re-reading something by Lew McCoy or Doug
DeMaw.
Greg
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 10 Jan 1994 11:11:17 GMT
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!news-feed-2.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!tcj@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <2gp56q$b92@w8hd.w8hd.org>, <POPOVICH.94Jan9214010@prince.cs.columbia.edu>, <9JAN199422161744@erich.triumf.ca>
Subject : Re: Phonecalls from 20,000 feet?!...
P.Bennett (bennett@erich.triumf.ca) writes:
> amateur repeaters rarely (if ever) permit long distance calls, so
> you could only phone someone in a city you were flying over, while
> within range of the local repeater. It would not be possible to
> contact either your origin or desination while in mid-flight.
Assuming that you're on a private plane and transmitting with the consent of
the pilot....
You might try an HF/SSB HT and look for someone to set up a collect patch.
Although I've never used one of these little beasties and have no idea how
well they work, AEA used to offer a 10M model, and that I believe J-Com still
carries them under its own label and offers models for several different bands
including 10M, 20M (hah!), and 40M.
Todd, KB6JXT
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 1994 13:15:46 -0500
From: gulfaero.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <2gp56q$b92@w8hd.w8hd.org>, <POPOVICH.94Jan9214010@prince.cs.columbia.edu>, <2grm83INNluk@sweetpea.genrad.com>
Subject : Re: Phonecalls from 20,000 feet?!...
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?
Alex Lane responds:
-> A number of 2-meter repeaters offer users a phone patch that allows you
-> to make phone calls through the repeater. ...
-> Of course, this pre-supposes you're a licensed ham with a 2-meter rig.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here's a consideration in airborne operation: please be mindful of
your "advantage". Under nominal conditions your "footprint" is going
to extend over a 200 mile radius when transmitting from FL200. That
covers a _lot_ of repeaters. Before I transmit within the repeater
input segment of the band, I do extensive homework in the repeater
directory on the ground and monitoring in the air before trying to
hit a "specific" repeater. I would discourage spur-of-the-moment
repeater work from high altitude.
Don't get me wrong. I _love_ airborne operation on 2 meters and 70cm.
There's nothing like getting a report of full quieting from 275 miles
away when your putting out 2.5 watts from an HT. I'd encourage anyone
who gets the chance to try it (legally). But it involves more than just
walking on board and keying up.
BTW, for the home-grown lawyers out there, my operations were fully
compliant with Combined Federal Regulations, Part 97, paragraph 97.101
and Federal Aviation Regulations, Part 91, paragraph 91.21.
================================================================================
John N. Gladin Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation
Flight Dynamics Group Fax: (912) 965-4812
Internet: gladin@gulfaero.com Vox: (912) 965-4939
================================================================================
I don't speak for GAC on such matters.
------------------------------
Date: 10 Jan 1994 08:46:43 -0500
From: ucsnews!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!genrad.com!genrad.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <2gkha4$n2l@hp-col.col.hp.com>, <2gp56q$b92@w8hd.w8hd.org>, <POPOVICH.94Jan9214010@prince.cs.columbia.edu>not-fo
Subject : Re: Phonecalls from 20,000 feet?!...
In article <POPOVICH.94Jan9214010@prince.cs.columbia.edu> popovich@prince.cs.columbia.edu (Steve Popovich) writes:
>This is probably all the response that's necessary, however, it is
>just barely possible that the original inquirer may be a pilot, or
>somebody else who's planning to fly up there in a small private plane,
>rather than on an airliner. These generally don't have Airfones,
>although the use of cellular phones from one is still illegal because
>they activate too many different cells on the ground. In this case,
>it's the pilot's decision as to what radios may be used in flight, and
>it might be possible for the original inquirer to check for RFI
>himself, or to ask the pilot about doing so. If no RFI is observed
>(and you're DAMN sure there isn't any, because it's your skin on the
>line), or if the calls are made while flying VFR by pilotage, where no
>other radios may be needed at the time, then the question becomes
>reasonable. Not every flight needs radio navigation, or even radio
>communication. I don't know what such a person would do, unless they
>knew about a particular station in the area that they were flying over
>that had a phone patch available, and had arranged to use it. Does
>anybody have any ideas for this unlikely case?
This subject has gone around so many times it's almost laughable. Anyway,
the bottom line is this:
1. Most airlines specifically prohibit radios (and other electronics)
during flight; there is an FAR on this.
2. On non-airline flights, it is the pilot's responsibility to determine
if he/she wishes to allow the transmissions, with ONE exception:
3. Radio transmission during IMC operations is specifically prohibited
by FAR.
I am a pilot, I am a ham....unfortunately, I find the two don't mix very
well (when I'm piloting, I'm too busy hamming). However, I have no objection
to another ham transmitting while I fly. I have never had any trouble with
any ham radios in my airplanes. Note that the airline FAR is a precaution...
and when you're talking about the lives of hundreds of persons, I can
certainly understand why this precaution is taken so seriously.
Cheers!
Diana
TLC's (Three Letter Acronyms):
FAR Federal Aviation Regulations (laws of flying)
IMC Instrument Meteriological Conditions (ie, flying thru clouds)
VFR Visual Flight Rules (ie, flying not in clouds on nice days)
RFI Radio Frequency Interference
--
->Diana L. Carlson dls@genrad.com Ham: KC1SP (Sweet Pea) <-
->I'D RATHER BE FLYING! P-ASEL, INST CAP: CPT, Freedom 690M, MAWG<-
->GenRad, 300 Baker Ave MS/1, Concord, MA 01742 (508)369-4400 x2459 <-
------------------------------
Date: 9 Jan 1994 22:16 PST
From: library.ucla.edu!news.mic.ucla.edu!unixg.ubc.ca!erich.triumf.ca!bennett@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <2gkha4$n2l@hp-col.col.hp.com>, <2gp56q$b92@w8hd.w8hd.org>, <POPOVICH.94Jan9214010@prince.cs.columbia.edu> p
Subject : Re: Phonecalls from 20,000 feet?!...
In article <POPOVICH.94Jan9214010@prince.cs.columbia.edu>, popovich@prince.cs.columbia.edu (Steve Popovich) writes...
>> Use the phone in the plane. It is not only against most airline rules to
>> use your own radio equipment on a commercial aircraft, it is unsafe.
>>
>> There is no safe method for you to insure that your equipment is not
>> interfering with the aircraft's communication and navigation equipment.
>>
>communication. I don't know what such a person would do, unless they
>knew about a particular station in the area that they were flying over
>that had a phone patch available, and had arranged to use it. Does
>anybody have any ideas for this unlikely case?
> -Steve
I recall once making a patch for someone flying over (presumably not on a
commercial airliner)
If you do want to try this, remember that amateur repeaters rarely (if ever)
permit long distance calls, so you could only phone someone in a city you were
flying over, while within range of the local repeater. It would not be
possible to contact either your origin or desination while in mid-flight.
Peter Bennett VE7CEI | Vessels shall be deemed to be in sight
Internet: bennett@erich.triumf.ca | of one another only when one can be
Bitnet: bennett@triumfer | observed visually from the other
TRIUMF, Vancouver, B.C., Canada | ColRegs 3(k)
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #19
******************************
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