Date: Sat, 5 Mar 94 12:41:16 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 #246 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Sat, 5 Mar 94 Volume 94 : Issue 246 Today's Topics: 5 by 5... first letter Ham Radio areas on Prodigy, CServe, etc? IPS Daily Report 02 03 94 JARGON (2 msgs) Mod for TS-830 NACEC - DISASTER VOLUNTEER Info. Nude Radio Amateurs On-line Repeater Directory (2 msgs) Question about AZDEN PCS5000 Status of Online Repeater Directory Project.... 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: 4 Mar 94 02:11:12 GMT From: nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!srgenprp!alanb@network.ucsd.edu Subject: 5 by 5... To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Joe Gregg (gregg@plains.nodak.edu) wrote: : Ok, here's a trivial question that I don't know the answer to: : Where did the phrase, "I read you five by five." come from and what does it : mean. I know it means good copy, but what specifically does it mean? Does it : come from the early days of radar, of ham radio, of military aviation or what? I believe it comes from the old days before the RST system was invented. The Q-signal QSA was a signal strength scale that went from 1-5 (versus 1-9 for the "S" in RST). So a signal report of 5x5 means you are very readable and very loud. AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 94 05:57:26 GMT From: news.Hawaii.Edu!uhunix3.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu!jherman@ames.arpa Subject: first letter To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <YEE.94Mar3190731@mipgsun.mipg.upenn.edu> yee@mipg.upenn.edu (Conway Yee) writes: >This is a (hopefully accurate) transcription of the first letter that >was sent to me. Any typographical errors not noted below are my own. >These are not my words and are the words of the ARRL. The use of the >symbol "$" is in lieu of a non printable symbol in the letter. > >Conway Yee, N2JWQ/AA > >=================== begin letter ================================= > > January 28, 1994 > >Mr. Conway Yee N2JWQ >2144 East 21 Street >Brooklyn, NY 11229 > >Dear Mr. Yee: > > This office represents the American Radio Relay League, >Incorporated. I have been referred an Internet message posted by you >concerning the publication of a repeater database on line. While the >League does not wish to be uncooperative, and is in fact supportive of >volunteer efforts to provide information to radio amateurs, it is >unfortunately obligated to enforce its copyrights, or lose the ability >to do so. Your use of the Repeater Directory, and its format, as the >basis for your on-line database is an infringement of the League's >copyright. We are compelled to request that you cease any use of it >in putting together any repeater database. <remainder of thoughtful letter deleted> Conway: Too bad you didn't post this a month ago; the long, drawout thread concerning the ARRL wouldn't have been necessary. I see no problem at all with the ARRL's stance in this matter. 73, Jeff NH6IL P.S. `cannot' was properly spelled and used correctly; `apologise' is also correct (British) spelling (similar to the British spelling of `realise'). ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 94 04:36:42 GMT From: nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!wy1z@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Ham Radio areas on Prodigy, CServe, etc? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I am in search of the people in charge of the Ham Radio areas (conferencing, files), on the popular commercial services: CompuServe Prodigy America Online (I have this already) GEnie Delphi any others I am missing Any information people can provide would be most helpful. Thanks much! 73, Scott -- =============================================================================== | Scott Ehrlich Amateur Radio: wy1z AMPRnet: wy1z@wa1phy.ampr.org | | Internet: wy1z@neu.edu BITnet: wy1z@NUHUB AX.25: wy1z@wa1phy.ma.usa.na | |-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Maintainer of the Boston Amateur Radio Club hamradio FTP area on | | the World - ftp.std.com pub/hamradio | =============================================================================== ------------------------------ Date: Wed, 2 Mar 1994 23:29:38 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!pravda.sdsc.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!csus.edu!wupost!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!sgiblab!munnari.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!sserve!usage!metro!ipso!rwc@network.ucsd.edu Subject: IPS Daily Report 02 03 94 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES AUSTRALIA Daily Solar And Geophysical Report Issued at 2330 UT 2 March 1994 Summary for 2 March and Forecast up to 5 March IPS Warning 07 was issued on 02 March and is current for period 03-09 March. ----------------------------------------------------------- 1A. SOLAR SUMMARY Activity: Low Flares: None Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 98/45 1B. SOLAR FORECAST 03 March 04 March 05 March Activity Low Low Low Fadeouts None expected None expected None expected Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 100/48 1C. SOLAR COMMENT None. ----------------------------------------------------------- 2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY Geomagnetic field at Learmonth : quiet to unsettled Estimated Indices : A K Observed A Index 1 March Learmonth 12 2323 3233 Fredericksburg 12 10 Planetary 10 10 2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST DATE Ap CONDITIONS 03 Mar 20 Unsettled. 04 Mar 30 Active. 05 Mar 35 Active to minor storm. 2C. MAGNETIC COMMENT Geomagnetic activity is expected to increase over the next few days due to a coronal hole. 3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 02 Mar normal normal normal PCA Event : None. 3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 03 Mar normal fair poor 04 Mar fair poor poor 05 Mar fair poor poor 3C. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION COMMENT Degraded HF comms are expected over the next few days. ----------------------------------------------------------- 4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY MUFs at Sydney were 10 to 15% above predicted monthly values T index: 73 4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST DATE T-index MUFs 03 Mar 60 About 15% above predicted monthly values. 04 Mar 30 Near predicted monthly values. 05 Mar 10 10 to 20% below predicted monthly values. Predicted Monthly T Index for March is 40. 4C. AUSTRALIAN REGION COMMENT Communications are expected to become degraded over the next few days. -- IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney |IPS Radio and Space Services email: rwc@ips.oz.au |PO Box 5606 tel: +61 2 4148329 |West Chatswood NSW 2057 fax: +61 2 4148331 |AUSTRALIA ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Mar 1994 17:09:59 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!news.msfc.nasa.gov!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!csus.edu!netcom.com!slay@network. Subject: JARGON To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Jeffrey Wittich (jwittich@b4pph107.bnr.ca) wrote: : Tin cans is another good one. Maybe not as colorful as XYL, : but should help with the project. For the new fellows, tin : cans is an OF word for headphones. Ya don't hear it much : any more. I guess everybody uses speakers now. Well - I am not so sure about the *tin* part - but "cans* is definitely one of the terms used. Even recently, I recall asking for some *cans* while visiting another OF [OF being a relative new term]. : 73. In a private reply, I mentioned the term 73 and its orgin. As I recall reading someplace - the term came from old [REALLY OFs] time land line telegraphers in the 1800s. As a way of signing off - they would use 73 to mean something to the effect that if/when they died - they would *will* their Winchester 73 rifle to the fellow on the other end of the line. Cheers de Sandy WA6BXH/7J1ABV slay@netcom.com ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 1994 17:13:43 GMT From: yale.edu!noc.near.net!transfer.stratus.com!hoop.sw.stratus.com!northup@yale.arpa Subject: JARGON To: info-hams@ucsd.edu jlw3@cec3.wustl.edu (Jesse L Wei) writes: : Now this is my question: do hams *ever* talk about anything besides what : kind of rig (s)he's got, ham problems, ham equipment, etc? As a waiting : (as in for my ticket) prospective, I've liistened to the local repeaters, : and personally, the conversations seem pretty boring if that's all you : ever talk about. Have I missed anything? or something? Is the purpose : of ham radio to talk about the technicalities of it? I know that the : whole nature of it requires technicality, but isn't there more to : it than that? : : --jesse (still waiting) Congratulations on getting into Amateur radio. A non-ham friend described amateur radio to me the following way - "You spend LOTS of money on real nice equipment so that you can talk all over the world to tell everyone that you spent LOTS of money to buy real nice equipment." I have had my VHF radio for less than a week and have found that there are some good and some boring conversations. What I have found is that when I am at home I keep turning off the VHF and leaving the HF radio on because I have been finding many interesting people and conversations there. Keep looking around, amateur radio is many things to many people. -- -- Bill Northup PHONE: (508) 460-2085 Stratus Computer Inc. INTERNET: northup@sw.stratus.com 55 Fairbanks Boulevard OR: northup@Vos.Stratus.com Marlboro, MA 01752 Amateur Radio: n1qpr/aa ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 4 Mar 1994 13:01:06 GMT From: mvb.saic.com!unogate!news.service.uci.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!news.msfc.nasa.gov!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!sdd.hp.com!caen!@@ihnp4.ucsd.edu Subject: Mod for TS-830 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I am looking for a mod that corrects a frequency drift problem. It has something to do with adding a "star" washer to create a better connection to a circuit board. thanks, Ken ------------------------------ Date: 2 Mar 94 16:48:32 GMT From: ncrgw2.ncr.com!ncrhub2!tdbunews!nsc32!wps@uunet.uu.net Subject: NACEC - DISASTER VOLUNTEER Info. To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article 94Mar1072619@turquoise.usafa.af.mil, jcmiller@turquoise.usafa.af.mil (Jeff Miller, Homer Simpson's alter ego) writes: -->In article <1994Feb28.120042.22852@walter.cray.com> rps@cray.com (Russell P. Starksen) writes: --> --> ===================== cut here ======================= --> INTERNET.TST --> FEBRUARY 14, 1994 --> ATTN: DISASTER VOLUNTEERS & MILITARY FAMILIES!!! --> --> Our group is looking for volunteers to help expand our project --> nationwide! I have heard many things about Internet and have --> posted this message to see if there is anyone on the system that --> wants to help.. Please take a few minutes and read this bulletin. --> If you would like more information or wish to help, get in touch --> with me. I hope you find these 3 pages of information of interest. --> --> Mr. Edward E. Addy --> President, NACEC --> --> W H A T I S N A C E C ? --> --> NACEC is an acronym for "The North American Center for Emergency --> Communications". NACEC is not a radio club. It is a hybrid non- --> profit humanitarian organization. It was started under the name --> "Global Voices Project" on July 9th of 1992 and incorporated in --> Minnesota on January 8th 1993 for the purpose of improving the --> efficiency of other non-profit humanitarian organizations during --> their disaster aid and relief operations, throughout North America. --> NACEC also provides health and welfare communications assistance --> between members of the U.S. Armed Forces serving overseas and their --> families here at home. --> --> The projects name was changed to The North American Center for --> Emergency Communications, (NACEC) by unanimous vote of The Board of --> Directors in August of 1993 to more closely reflect the projects --> mission and purpose. --> --> W H Y W A S N A C E C F O R M E D ? --> NACEC's mission is to provide communications support to aid --> disaster victims and Military Families. NACEC was formed for one --> basic purpose "To reduce deaths and the amount of human suffering, --> through the development and implementation of an organization which --> can rapidly provide emergency communications. --> --> -->(much deleted) --> --> -->This is very interesting. Sounds like a mirror image of MARS, ARES, RACES, -->and NTS rolled into one. I wonder what functions those organizations fail -->to fulfill that this new organization seeks to do. --> -->I also find it curious that Mr. Addy makes no mention of a callsign. --> -->73 from sunny (truly!) Colorado Springs, --> -->Jeff --> --> -->-- -->Jeff Miller, NH6ZW/N0, AFA1HE/5 (for now) (ex WD6CQV, AFA8JM, AFA1DO) -->USAFAnet Manager and General Troubleshooter [jcmiller@gems.usafa.af.mil] or -->HQ USAF/DFYC, USAF Academy, CO 80840 [millerjc%dfyc@dfmail.usafa.af.mil] -->55: It's not a good idea, it's just the law. E-mail for NMA info. Could this be Mr. Addy? Call-Sign: KE0EG Class: ADVANCED Previously: KA0TOG Class: GENERAL Real Name: EDWARD E ADDY Birthday: JUL 9, 1953 Mailing Address: 3875 DODD RD, EAGAN, MN 55123 Valid From: MAR 11, 1986 To: MAR 11, 1996 --- ----------------------------------------------------------------- Bill Starkgraf wps@ElSegundoCA.ncr.com AT&T Global Information Solutions (310) 524-5754 El Segundo, CA (800) 222-6245 x5754 Call: KD6UQB Simi Settlers ARC Simi Valley, CA ----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 1994 17:20:29 GMT From: yale.edu!noc.near.net!transfer.stratus.com!hoop.sw.stratus.com!northup@yale.arpa Subject: Nude Radio Amateurs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Is it time to get into ATV ? -- -- Bill Northup PHONE: (508) 460-2085 Stratus Computer Inc. INTERNET: northup@sw.stratus.com 55 Fairbanks Boulevard OR: northup@Vos.Stratus.com Marlboro, MA 01752 Amateur Radio: n1qpr/aa ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 94 00:45:11 GMT From: nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!ccnet.com!ccnet.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu Subject: On-line Repeater Directory To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Todd Jonz (tcj@netcom.com) after my extensive editing, wrote: : Bravo! Perhaps some of the other coordinating bodies will follow T-MARC's : example. There are a handful of repeaters listed for my area that I've never : heard a peep out of since I bought my first HT in '85. When I hear that there : are long waiting lists in my area for a coordinated pair on 2M or 75cm, I : often wonder if these phantom allocations are preventing someone else from : getting a machine on the air, or whether they are merely bits of dross at the : bottom of the files that nobody has ever bothered to clean up. Any thoughts, : anyone? : Todd, KB6JXT Most coordinating bodies have a difficult time De-coordinating a former useful repeater. What is the process that your local coordinator uses? How long can a repeater frequency remain inactive before the frequency is recoordinated? Can some one buy or sell a coordination or does the frequency go to the next applicant waiting in line? Have you ever contacted your local coordinator and pointed out these inaccuracies? The southern california 220 spectrum management association must have a difficult task ahead, as they must de-coordinate several repeaters to accomodate the new fcc band plan for 222.000 - 222.150 MHz. Bob -- Bob Wilkins bwilkins@cave.org ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 94 09:05:52 GMT From: nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!msuinfo!netnews.upenn.edu!mipg.upenn.edu!yee@network.ucsd.edu Subject: On-line Repeater Directory To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Gary Coffman (gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us) wrote: : That's right on, good mind reading. While I think the ARRL position is : shaky at best here, I don't want to see tanks rumbling down Main St. : in Newington either. The BATF and FBI death squads are already bad Jon Bloom KE3Z (jbloom@arrl.org), a ARRL HQ staffer, follows up with: >I dunno. Might be entertaining. Well, if ARRL HQ wants to be the recipient of our federal goon squad's attentions and the taxpayer has no objections, I see absolutely no reason whatsoever why the ARRL's preference for entertainment can not be accomodated. -- Medical Image Processing Group | Conway Yee, N2JWQ 411 Blockley Hall | EMAIL : yee@mipg.upenn.edu 418 Service Drive | VOICE : 1 (215) 662-6780 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 (USA) | FAX : 1 (215) 898-9145 ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 1994 12:19:53 -0500 From: yale.edu!noc.near.net!genrad.com!genrad.com!not-for-mail@yale.arpa Subject: Question about AZDEN PCS5000 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Does anybody know how you find/replace the memory backup battery on the AZDEN PCS5000 2 meter FM xcvr? Thanks in advance. Bill Ledder wal@genrad.com ------------------------------ Date: 4 Mar 94 03:05:39 GMT From: nprdc!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!msuinfo!netnews.upenn.edu!mipg.upenn.edu!yee@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Status of Online Repeater Directory Project.... To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In the subsequent two posts, I enclose copies of the two letters that the ARRL has or will send me. The second letter has not yet been received so I am unable to verify the accuracy of the email version compared to the printed version but I have no reason to believe that there will be any differences. In response to the two written letters as well as a telephone conversation that I had with Mr. Imlay, the author of the letters, I state below the current aims of the project, the objections that the ARRL has with the existing database as I understand the situation, and the current ideas to work around the restrictions imposed on the project. The list of ARRL objections stems from both the two letters posted and the telephone conversation I had with Mr. Imlay. It is my current plan to give the project one last try before giving up. =================================================================== GOAL The creation of an online database of amateur repeaters. The advantage of an online database is obvious since it allows arbitrary user searches. This is far less restrictive than what is currently available. An online repeater directory is more easily updated to correct for errors, new repeaters, repeaters that no longer exist and changes in repeater status. It is my hope that the ARRL will not turn around and publish a online directory of their own as this would make my efforts a waste. I am more than willing to let the ARRL carry the ball if they so desire. If so, I can fold up shop, consider the project a success and get on with my life; I have plenty of other interesting projects in the back burner. ARRL OBJECTIONS The ARRL objects to the geographic descriptions used in the current database. Specifically, they object to the middle location descriptor between State and immediate location. The ARRL objects to the contents of the comments field. The use of ARRL abbreviations (e.g. o for open, etc) will not be permitted if it can be construed to be coming from the ARRL repeater directory. The ARRL will not give permission to use the data in the repeater directory in any form. Any data present in the online directory must not have its source from the ARRL directory. PLANS FOR THE PROJECT The parts of the ARRL database not subject to copyright will be extracted and used as a starting point for a new directory. Given my understanding of the ARRL's restrictions, I believe that I can restart the online directory project without making the current data format obsolete. The definitions for the fields that the ARRL objects to will be clarified and any extensions will make use of some of the reserved fields. This way, existing software that has been written to use the database will not have to be rewritten. The comments field will use only English words. This plan may have to change if it turns out that this unduly burdens any software that is written to access the data. The middle geographic descriptor (field 11, minor region designation) will be revised. From what I understand, field 10 (major region designation in which we generally put the State) and field 12 (immediate location) is not under dispute. Since we may have problems with using the designations North, East, West, South, etc. since the ARRL uses these designations sporadically in the directory, I am hoping to use nearest major city or some other landmark that would be familiar to a traveller NOT living in the area. For example, a repeater in Hell's Kitchen in NYC would be designated as being in New York City in field 11. I have heard opinions that say that the data is not subject to copyright (one such opinion motivated me to start this entire thing) and others which say that it is. Ultimately, I do not care one way or another. I prefer to avoid the threat of legal action in the first place. Given this, I plan to comply with the ARRL requirement not to use the directory as a source of information. The revised project will take input primarily from users with coordinator input where this is possible. From what I understand, some coordinating bodies are likely to refuse to cooperate. We will consider coordinating body data to be the "icing on the cake." I have received flames to the effect that any repeater directory must contain totally accurate information and that allowing a measure of inaccuracy defeats any benefit whatsoever. I note, however, that no totally accurate database exists anywhere. All the databases currently available contain numerous errors and all are a crude approximation of reality. While accuracy would be nice, the online database will probably not be able to achieve the level of accuracy that some would like; it simply is not practical at all. The online directory project will rely on the honesty and the good faith of its users. In effect this is the same trust that is relied upon by every repeater database. While accuracy is appreciated, it will not be allowed to overburden the data collection. The renewed project will require a great deal of manpower which I or the number of volunteers currently available can devote. I am hoping divide the workload in some way. User data will hopefully be collected already in the format that I described previously so that the collector will not have to do this. Since I hope to not make the current file format obsolete, data collection from users can proceed immediately even before the next version of the format has been decided upon. I am hoping to use some of the reserved fields to indicate linked repeater systems. While I have no particular desire to copyright the collected data, a number of volunteers expressed the interest to prevent the data from being "stolen". Thus, this will be done in all likelihood. -- Medical Image Processing Group | Conway Yee, N2JWQ 411 Blockley Hall | EMAIL : yee@mipg.upenn.edu 418 Service Drive | VOICE : 1 (215) 662-6780 Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021 (USA) | FAX : 1 (215) 898-9145 ------------------------------ Date: 3 Mar 94 02:24:45 GMT From: news.cerf.net!pravda.sdsc.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!csus.edu!wupost!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!sgiblab!munnari.oz.au!newshost.anu.edu.au!sserve!usage!metro!news.ci.com.au!eram!@@ihnp4.ucsd.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1994Feb21.104420.14516@mel.dit.csiro.au>, <Z7mbtAdCBh107h@active.asstdc.com.au>, <gradyCLxxqM.IID@netcom.com>sw Subject : Re: personal communication Australia <-> USA In article <gradyCLxxqM.IID@netcom.com>, grady@netcom.com (Grady Ward) writes: | But PGP key exchange by radio is perfectly OK. I guess that this would be a poor time to comment that if it were not for the headers that scream out "Look at me! I'm a PGP message!" it would be indistinguishable from 7PLUS, or R95, or UUENCODE, etc... -- Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU) VK2KFU @ VK2OP.NSW.AUS.OC PGP 2.3 dave@esi.COM.AU ...munnari!esi.COM.AU!dave available ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #246 ****************************** ******************************