Date: Thu, 17 Feb 94 01:12:36 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 #164 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Thu, 17 Feb 94 Volume 94 : Issue 164 Today's Topics: call book typo... sorry Copying High-Speed CW: Print or Script? DSPs are hot Guide to the Personal Rad HAMBLASTER INCORRECT STATEMENTS Hamblaster update Help: QSL Printer Keyboards at testing sessions MAJOR NEW HF RADIO PROPAGATION SOFTWARE ANNOUNCEMENT Nashvill --> Knoxville 2m? Nude amateur radio clubs 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: 16 Feb 1994 04:14:59 GMT From: ucsnews!newshub.sdsu.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!odin!trier@network.ucsd.edu Subject: call book typo... sorry To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1994Feb3.082750.23616@usl.edu>, Morrison Charles F <cfm1471@ucs.usl.edu> wrote: >>cs.buffalo.edu 2000 or 128.205.32.2 >> >>again, the word 'callsign' was not needed here. sorry for the trouble. If they recommend using the word "callsign", I'd use it. There is no guarantee cs.buffalo.edu and callsign.cs.buffalo.edu will be the same computer in the future. Likewise, there is no guarantee it will retain the IP address you list above. In general, when there is a special alias created for a service, it's wise not to defeat the purpose of the alias by using an alternate name. Stephen -- Stephen Trier KB8PWA Dave: [H]as anyone ever met a Zamboni driver? Other: trier@ins.cwru.edu Mike: The next version of OS/2 will include a Home: sct@po.cwru.edu Zamboni driver. Let's see Microsoft top that! (dave@cs.arizona.edu & miked@vnet.ibm.com) ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 00:25:58 -0800 From: ucsnews!newshub.sdsu.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!mcws!FUsenetToss@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Copying High-Speed CW: Print or Script? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hey, it says here that you are a saxophone student. Tell me more! I play jazz... Just to stay on topic, I discovered the problem with rf feedback in my hf setup; the TNC was picking it up and sending distorted audio to the rig. That didn't happen before the earthquake, so I'm trying to figure it out. 73 DE K6DDX ------------------------------ Date: 16 Feb 1994 04:08:44 GMT From: ucsnews!newshub.sdsu.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!odin!trier@network.ucsd.edu Subject: DSPs are hot To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <CKK8Lz.3zG@news.direct.net>, Cecil Moore <kg7bk@indirect.com> wrote: >Because none of the programming is hardwired in, DSP-based products >are infinitely upgradable. ... Just download a new version of the code >to the DSP from a BBS or a floppy disk. Sometimes I wonder just how PC Magazine manages to survive. This is an over-simplification. _Some_ DSP-based products keep their software in RAM or EEPROM. Many use EPROM, and some use mask-programmed ROM. Stephen -- Stephen Trier KB8PWA Dave: [H]as anyone ever met a Zamboni driver? Other: trier@ins.cwru.edu Mike: The next version of OS/2 will include a Home: sct@po.cwru.edu Zamboni driver. Let's see Microsoft top that! (dave@cs.arizona.edu & miked@vnet.ibm.com) ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 17 Feb 1994 03:15:00 GMT From: ax!sec21!gerson.rissin@uunet.uu.net Subject: Guide to the Personal Rad To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Dear Sirs, Archive-name: radio/ham-radio/archives I'm interested in the following files listed below: How can I get them? antenna_refs - references for articles about antenna designs arrl_fo_jobs - descriptions of some ARRL Field Organization jobs carpet.loop.2 - Antenna for apartments and small spaces comb6.zip - HF Propagation Predication program dxcc-k2di - ARRL DXCC country list dx_w2iol.dat - data for all country prefix, position, etc dx_w2iol.doc - documentation for the above database florida_antenna - Florida State antenna law info hams_on_usenet - list of ham operators and e-mail addresses on the ne hf_rigs - QST reviews of available HF rigs mail_order - a database of electronic mail order shops manufacturers - names and addresses of ham gear manufacturers newcomers - tips and hints for those new to amateur radio pio_handbook - ARRL Public Information Officer's Handbook qsl_bureau1 - information about the ARRL QSL bureau qsl_bureau2 - "what should I do if" list for the QSL bureau qst_prodrev - index of ARRL product reviews in QST Thank you for any help! 73, Gerson Rissin - PY1APS & PY7APS ############################ Super Tag ############################# # # # [] Gerson Rissin - Rio de Janeiro, RJ. - BRASIL # # ------------------------------ Date: 14 Feb 94 14:43:21 GMT From: psinntp!psinntp!laidbak!tellab5!jwa@rutgers.rutgers.edu Subject: HAMBLASTER INCORRECT STATEMENTS To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <N4HY.94Feb9140932@harder.ccr-p.ida.org> n4hy@harder.ccr-p.ida.org (Bob McGwier) writes: > I had some errors in my last post I didn,t want to get into a "Point/Counterpoint" rebutal but I was convinced by others to do so. JWA= Jack Albert RWM= Robert W. McGwier -------------------------- RWM Howdy: In a recent spate of messages, we have been told of the capabilities of the hamblaster. It sounds rudimentary so far but I am sure that over time the capabilities (new software development) will proceed and its capabilities will be enhanced and it will make a very interesting tool for amateur radio communications, experimentation, and learning DSP. There will be alternatives as you will now be told. JWA For future expansion, the Hamblaster has an expansion connector. Several add-ons will include, a better A/D-D/A, Packet switch, real time tuning scope display driver and a microprocessor. RWM In other messages, John Alberts has told us of the lack of capabilities of the Sound Blaster 16 with ASP. He is WRONG. JWA Not really, because I own one, I was refering to the Soundblaster Pro. Any referances to the ASP version was based on information from the "Ultimate Soundblaster Book" that I purchased from a local book store. I was unaware and the book didn't mention it's programming capabilities. I believe my actual words where "Im not shure but" . RWM I received my Sound Blaster developers kit via UPS yesterday at last. It is easy to see how John could have made the mistake he made. The manuals received in the kit describe two distinct pieces of processing hardware. One is called the DSP and the other is the ASP. The DSP has all the limitations mentioned by John in his statements concerning the capabilities of the Sound Blaster card (or lack thereof). It is a proprietary gate array surrounding masks from other chip developers to do stuff like DMA blocks of samples in and out, to convert PCM to u-LAW, 2 or 4 bit ADPCM, CVSD, etc. It directs the flow of MIDI commands, etc. It is a pretty neat thing in and of itself but it is NOT what we want. We want a full blown DSP chip, with a modified Harvard architecture and at least 16 by 16 bit -> 32 multiply, accumulate, read new coefficient and data in one instruction time. THE ASP is a real DSP chip and has all this. It is 512 words of off chip program memory, 512 words of off chip data ram, 192 words of X RAM on chip,128 words of Y ram on chip. JWA The Hamblaster comes with 32K of program/data memory. It will be expandable to 32k of program and 32k of data memory with a total os 64k words. More than you'll ever need! Our packet modem software is 3K. It just won't fit in the Soundblaster ASP 16. RWM X ram is program and sample data, Y RAM would be used for filter coefficients. THIS IS A FULL BLOWN DSP CHIP. It does NOT have the limitations John has told us the hamblaster overcomes. Indeed, on the A/D, D/A front, it is quite clear that the under $300 SB16-ASP is quite a bit MORE CAPABLE than hamblaster. JWA New information places the Hamblaster at about $275.00 RWM It has two channels (16 bits each), D/A, and A/D. The sample rate is completely controllable by uploading a divisor to the control register. The lowest available rate is 5 Khz and the highest is 44.1 Khz. The processor runs at 12 MIPS so filters would execute at around 25 MIPS. This is because it has the typical DSP feature of multiply two numbers, read the next two, and accumulate the last result while shifting the pointers in two instruction times. JWA That's great for HiFi work but for Ham use you only need an 8kHz sample rate and an 8 bit D/A-A/D. If you consider pipe- lining the C25 also about runs 25 MIPS. RWM That is plenty fast. I will be able to do dual channel modems for this card. Since the thing does not also have a UART, or SIO, we will have to the HDLC and UART functions on the chip when required. Other DSP developers have done this all on chip (Finland DSP development group on the Motorola DSP56001). We will be able to do a lot. John should be more careful when he makes flat statements about commercially available products. If he were a `real competitor' of Creative Labs, he could get into a bit of a hassle. JWA There's no way that a product made for Ham Radio will compete with a product that will sell in the millions. In the Ham market there just aren't enough sales to generate a reasonable profit! You'll never get rich selling to Hams. RWM I told John in a reply to his mail that I doubted the accuracy of his statements on the Sound Blaster16 with ASP. I was correct. JWA Not really. Because of the proprietary nature, I can't disclose the full picture. When it's released, A complete package update will be available. RWM The Sound Blaster 16 with ASP is available from many places for under $300. The developers kit is $99, available only from Creative Labs. JWA I think the Hamblaster's price will be competative! They will offer help to third party programmers. RWM I will be writing programs for the ASP and giving them away on your favorite ftp sites and through the ARRL download request service. These programs will be the basis of articles for QEX describing the algorithms and the operation of the sound blaster card in amateur radio applications. Phil Karn has devised a new link layer for packet, with FEC, etc. and I will be providing modems that use the ASP. I believe I can provide what the latest hamblaster announcements state and more in short order after I get the assembler for the ASP. I will do this as quickly as possible. I am a bit miffed that I stopped developing the Windows and DOS front ends and display stuff for the SB16 ASP after John's note because I thought the SB16 was too limited. Now it is full steam ahead. JWA Good Luck! Programs for the Hamblaster will also be available on public domain disk or BBS's. --- Jack Albert WA9FVP Fellow Radio Hacker Tele (708) 378-6201 Tellabs Operations, Inc. FAX (708) 378-6721 1000 Remington Blvd. jwa@tellabs.com Bolingbrook, IL 60440 "I'm a half breed" "I can only breed through on side of my nose!" Eddie Kantor ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 15 Feb 1994 21:37:52 GMT From: catfish!cscsun!dtiller@uunet.uu.net Subject: Hamblaster update To: info-hams@ucsd.edu John W. Albert (jwa@tellabs.com) wrote: : The Hamblaster Update : Over the past several months I posted updates about a : DSP "The Hamblaster" that Will Torgrim (N9PEA) and myself : are developing. : : Several weeks ago I mentioned that the projected cost for : the board would be about $350.00. It was just a : "guessestmate". It looks like it will be more in the $275.00 : range and could be as low as $250.00. This may still sound : high compared to the Soundblaster or other sound cards, but : you have to remember that it's made exclusivly for Ham Radio : and it won't have the volume (sales) of other sound cards. Is it just me, or is anyone else wondering why we're being continually bombarded with a blatantly commercial posting? I'm glad they've taken the initiative to make a new piece of hardware for hams, but I don't think this is the proper forum for their continous ads disguised as status reports. -- David Tiller | Network Administrator | Voice: (804) 752-7373 | dtiller@rmc.edu | Randolph-Macon College| Fax: (804) 752-7231 | n2kau@wa4ong.va.usa.na | P.O. Box 5005 | ICBM: 37d 42' 43.75" N | +++Arch-Conservative+++ | Ashland, Va 23005 | 77d 31' 32.19" W | ------------------------------ Date: 17 Feb 1994 07:06:03 GMT From: library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!crcnis1.unl.edu!unlinfo.unl.edu!mcduffie@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Help: QSL Printer To: info-hams@ucsd.edu This may seem like a strange request, but here goes... Several years ago, I stumbled onto a specific QSL design that I liked very much. It was a card I received from someone else. The card had no markings from the printer, so I called the sender and asked for the information. Luckily, he still had it. It's now 13 years later, I've reordered from them once, moved once, and yes, lost the address. I would like to describe the card and see if anyone recognizes the design. It is a thick card stock, flat-not shiney, is yellow at the top, gradually fading/transforming to redish-orange on the bottom. The printer was in PA (I think), and possibly had a name resembling RAU. If anyone can supply me with the printer's name/address/phone, I would really appreciate it. I'd like to order some new cards from him as soon as possible. Thank you for any help you might be able to provide. 73, Gary ------------------------------ Date: 16 Feb 94 17:04:14 GMT From: nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!sdd.hp.com!sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!server!stortek.com!patrick_tatro@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Keyboards at testing sessions To: info-hams@ucsd.edu When practicing for my code test I use the Morse Academy software on my computer. I'm finding my keyboard code speed is now 14wpm but my paper code speed is still at about 10 to 11wpm. Would the VEC's kick me out if I brought a laptop to a code test session or should I wait until my paper speed catches up to my keyboard speed? Opinions requested. 73's Patrick Tatro N0WCG ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 14 Feb 1994 14:22:32 MST From: sgiblab!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cyber2.cyberstore.ca!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!ve6mgs!usenet@ames.arpa Subject: MAJOR NEW HF RADIO PROPAGATION SOFTWARE ANNOUNCEMENT To: info-hams@ucsd.edu bid: $STBL4045A NEW HF PROPAGATION SOFTWARE PACKET RADIO REPORT SOLAR TERRESTRIAL DISPATCH (PACKET: VE6MGS@VE6MC.#EDM.AB.CAN.NOAM) (INTERNET: COLER@SOLAR.STANFORD.EDU) The Solar Terrestrial Dispatch Ionospheric Support Branch Proudly Releases S K Y C O M V e r s i o n 1 . 0 High Frequency Ionospheric Signal Analyst A New Standard in Radio Communications Software This significant software package is designed for high frequency (HF) and very high frequency (VHF) radio communicators and/or listeners. This is the ONLY major ionospheric software package we are aware of for personal computers to thoroughly examine (in accurate detail) practically every ionospheric parameter relavent to radio communications. It is a "MUST-HAVE" for anyone involved in HF or refractive-VHF radio communications and will almost certainly improve the productivity of all broadcasters. Essentially, this software can be used as an ionospheric laboratory for determining the effects of radio signals under a wide variety of solar and geophysical conditions. It is very useful as a teaching tool, as well as an analytical and predictive tool. A complex dynamic model of the ionosphere is used to generate exceptionally useful and accurate information regarding global ionospheric conditions. Based on a corrected version of the most recent International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model - which produces realistic ionospheric electron density profiles, SKYCOM dynamically alters the ionospheric profile characteristics to more closely resemble profiles observed under actual conditions. This software has been a long time coming. We're pleased to announce a few of the more significant features below: * RAY TRACE SIGNALS THROUGH THE IONOSPHERE BET ON THE EARTH. * Learn the behavior of radio signals and see where and how signals are refracted in the ionosphere. * Visually study the effects of sporadic-E on radio signals. Observe how signals are refracted by sporadic-E. * Simultaneously observe changes in the electron density as the signals are traced and refracted from one point to another. * Examine the effects of signal convergence and divergence caused by ionospheric refraction. * Study the behavior of signals as they penetrate into the various ionospheric layers (D, E, sporadic-E, F1, and F2 layers are all supported as well as TOP-SIDE ionospheric profiles up to 1000 km). * Estimate effects of solar flares (minor or major) on the ionosphere and signals traversing the daylit sides of the ionosphere. * Estimate the quality of any signal transmitted between any two points, under almost any set of circumstances. Quality figures are derived through the use of models that estimate the effects of: Geomagnetic Activity, SWFs, Sporadic-E, the Equatorial Anomaly, Regular Non-Deviative Absorption, the Winter Anomaly, Polar Cap Absorption, Deviative Auroral Absorption, etc. * Determine circumstances which may result in very good, good, fair, poor, very poor, or even radio blackout conditions for any given path and for any given geophysical event. * Determine accurate, rigorously ray-traced Maximum Usable Frequencies for practically any path. * PRODUCE EXCEPTIONALLY DET Determine exactly where your transmissions can be received on the Earth and the relative strength or quality of the received signals. * PRODUCE IN-DEPTH COMPLEX GLOBAL MAPS OF IONOSPHERIC CHARACTERISTICS These maps are similar to weather maps used by meteorologists and provide a wealth of information regarding the state of the ionosphere at any given date or time. * Compute global maps of maximum usable frequencies for any time of day. * Display global maps of ionospheric M-factors for 3000 km distances. * Generate global maps of critical E or F2 layer frequencies. * Display maps of solar zenith angles (elevation of the Sun). * Generate global maps showing the maximum height of the F2 layer electron density. * Produce unique transverse CROSS-SECTIONS of the ionosphere for any given path. * Generate maps showing the geomagnetic DIP or inclination angles throughout the world. * Display maps of the Total Field Intensity of the geomagnetic field. * Also produce maps of Magnetic Latitude or Modified DIP angles. * MIX AND MAT SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS: - IBM or compatible computer system (386 or better recommended). - Math Coprocessor recommended, although not required. - MSDOS 3.3 or higher. - VGA graphics capabilities required. All graphics are VGA quality. - 512 to 640 K of free memory. FOR PRICING INFORMATION, CALL THE RECORDED MESSAGE (APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES) BY DIALING: 403 756-2386. A SPECIAL LIMITED TIME INT AVAILABLE *ONLY* THROUGH 31 MARCH 1994. ** END OF PACKET BULLETIN ** ------------------------------ Date: Sat, 12 Feb 1994 23:04:33 GMT From: hearst.acc.Virginia.EDU!murdoch!faraday.clas.Virginia.EDU!wlp2y@uunet.uu.net Subject: Nashvill --> Knoxville 2m? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Howdy. Here's a question for anyone who lives in central or east Tennessee. Are there any 2m repeater links between Nashville and Knoxville, TN? Or any strategically replaced repeaters (with good reach) between them that would allow a conversation? How much power would be required for the second of the above two possibilities? Will Phillips KE4ALY leroy@virginia.edu -- ** * *** * * Wm. L. Phillips ------------------------------ Date: 14 Feb 94 13:42:33 GMT From: psinntp!psinntp!laidbak!tellab5!jwa@rutgers.rutgers.edu Subject: Nude amateur radio clubs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1994Feb10.171218.7423@dtint.dtint.com> Allen Wallace <allen@dtint.dtint.com> writes: >In article <gdavis.760825204@griffin> Gary Davis, gdavis@griffin.uvm.edu >writes: >> I heard a strange story on the CBC last evening. The report was on >>the increasing interest in nudism in the Winter months. To promote >>this festive and relaxing activity additional interests where specified. >> >>There is, according to the CBC, a nudist amateur radio club. >> >>I am wondering where, how many members? Anybody know anything about this? > I wonder if nudest Hams use "rubber ducks"? --- Jack Albert WA9FVP Fellow Radio Hacker Tele (708) 378-6201 Tellabs Operations, Inc. FAX (708) 378-6721 1000 Remington Blvd. jwa@tellabs.com Bolingbrook, IL 60440 "I'm a half breed" "I can only breed through on side of my nose!" Eddie Kantor ------------------------------ Date: 16 Feb 94 17:38:21 GMT From: news.tek.com!cascade.ens.tek.com!not-for-mail@uunet.uu.net To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <9402152045.AA03433@rodgers.rain.com>, <CLAFwp.J8C@cup.hp.com>, <2jrovm$qss@reznor.larc.nasa.gov>texas.e Subject : Re: Nude QSL cards > >him a non-nude QSL. If you're doing serious DX and you don't have time >to inform anyone of this, you ought to either slow down and do some >ragchewing or send a non-nude one out by default. Sheesh. This is a >non-issue that isn't worth debating here. >--scott Do you suppose this might be away of increasing percentage of QSL returns? I suppose if all else fails, you might try it! (smiley) Terry, KI7M ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 16 Feb 1994 06:50:19 GMT From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!crash!beacons!kevin@network.ucsd.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1994Feb11.001239.2842@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>, <39@swan.ukc.ac.uk>, <1994Feb13.144554.14280@ke4zv.atl.ga.us> Subject : Re: 40 meter QRP (cw or ssb) In article <1994Feb13.144554.14280@ke4zv.atl.ga.us> gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us (Gary Coffman) writes: > >OK, Alan, I understand what you're saying. My mental "FIFO", however, >is 3 characters or less deep. And that doesn't matter whether the >characters are input via aural Morse, visual flash cards, or spoken >phonetics. Once the depth exceeds 3, the oldest character is gone off >the stack. Attention span deficit, poor short term pattern memory, >or something. The depth of my "mental FIFO" seems to be related more to time than to the number of state changes. That is, the faster the CW, the further behind I can recollect, or "play back", in my head. I can notice improvements in this ability after merely finding some 35 wpm folks on 40 meters and listening to them while I do other things. It is your subconscious mind which must keep the FIFO full, while your conscious mind pieces the words together. Boy I hope the folks in sci.cognitive or whatever don't read this thread! ObDisclaimer: This is my own personal observation about what my own brain seems to do. >...my natural text reading speed has been around 1000 WPM since first >grade. Slow is just no go for me, my mind races so far ahead considering >contextual pathways that I lose the thread of meaning if the input is >less than about 120 WPM. Well Gary, it sounds like SHSM is the answer for you ;-) (Super High Speed Morse for those who didn't guess it) _____________ | ___ | Kevin Sanders, KN6FQ | o o \_/ o o | Try Boatanchors kevin@beacons.cts.com | o o @ o o | For A Real Lift |_____________| ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #164 ****************************** ******************************