Date: Wed, 9 Mar 94 11:29:34 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #267
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Wed, 9 Mar 94 Volume 94 : Issue 267
Today's Topics:
Chest Harness for HT?
CW speed standard
CW Test questions
Directory changes on World
Guy Tower with Phillistran Non-metallic ? (2 msgs)
help indentifying a tube
Honda ignition recall - now NOISE!!
HT use on Cruise to Mexico
JARGON
need list-serve for rec.radio.swap
Sound Blaster stupidity (2 msgs)
Ten-Tec question
Tracking info.
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: Tue, 8 Mar 1994 21:33:04 GMT
From: telesoft!garym@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Chest Harness for HT?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In <8454@gold.gvg.tek.com> groverc@gvgadg.gvg.tek.com writes:
>I had one made for me by a fellow locally. The cost was $25. It includes
>a harness, radio pocket, battery pocket, flashlight loop (mini), and map
>pocket. Call me if you like. I'm very pleased with mine.
>> The harness seemed to be made out of neoprene or nylon and was black in
>> color. I want one. It would be terrific for cross-country skiing,
>> because if you fall, you don't fall on your radio. Even if you
>> don't fall, it makes the radio easier to use because you can simply
>> press the ptt switch without removing the radio from the harness.
Funny this comes up today. Last night at our RACES Strike Team meeting
one of the members mentions she has found this radio harness used by Ski
Patrol groups in this Ski patrol catalog. If we can make a minimum order
of 10 units, we can get them for about $15 each. These are black nylon
harnesses that hold the radio to your chest at an angle so the antenna
doesn't go in your face. They looked really nice and sounds exactly like
what you are looking for. Maybe you want to join our group order for a
discount? Send email if interested.
--Garym
--
Gary Morris KK6YB Internet: garym@alsys.com
San Diego, CA USA Phone: +1 619-457-2700 x128 (work)
------------------------------
Date: 9 Mar 94 18:34:43 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: CW speed standard
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CMD7Gw.2wo@usenet.ucs.indiana.edu>, Laurence Gene Battin (battin@cyclops.iucf.indiana.edu) writes:
>I am writing a code-practice program for my Amiga computer, and
>I wonder if anyone can give me a definitive answer to exactly
>how many milliseconds long a dit at 18 wpm is supposed to be?
>
>So, just what _is_ the _exact_ standard? (Assuming that there _is_ one.)
>
>
Looking in the ARRL Handbook I see that "they" have determined that the
average English plain language word is 50 units (dit lengths) long. It
also says that the word PARIS exactly matches this length. The
formulas they give are: wpm = ( dots / min ) / 25, = 2.4 * dots / sec.
73,
Mike, KK6GM
------------------------------
Date: 8 Mar 94 23:31:51 GMT
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!unet!gratton!johng@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: CW Test questions
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
The thing that has me interested in Amateur Radio is long range,
voice communications. Therefore my goal is to gain at least a general class
license.
I've been working to get to 13 wpm. I started out using a MAC
(Morse Mania) set for a 18 wpm beat. Mainly because the 'Now Your Talking'
book says "We use an 18 WPM character speed at ARRL" Pg 11-5.
Then I thought I should expand my experience by getting some tapes.
I bought the Gordon West tapes produced by Radio Shack and found these are
running at 15 WPM beat.
Now, I know I should be able to copy eather beat.
That is to say, if I can really copy 13 wpm, 15 or 18 wpm beat 'should'
make no difference. But I would really like to optimize my training toward
passing the test.
Additionally, I find the tape's tone quality (or lack of)
distracting. The dits and dahs are harsh and sound more like _D_it and
_D_ah (heavy emphasis on the beginning of the tone). I can copy much
more relaxed from the computer.
So here's my questions:
1) What will the beat speed be during the test? Does ARRL provide
guidelines for the VEs regarding this or is it up to the testing
team's discretion?
2) Will it be a taped test? Should I get used to tape hiss and
heavy bumps at the front of the tones.
I also realize that there is a quick way to answer these questions;
Take a test! But my schedule is very tight. Free days to go take a test
a few and far between.
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
johng
--
John Gratton | johng@net.com
Hans Christian 33 "Nakia" | (415)780-5774
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 1994 13:50:43 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!csus.edu!netcom.com!wy1z@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Directory changes on World
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I have made some small changes to the directory structore on World
(ftp.std.com).
The following directories have been renamed as follows:
pub/hamradio/ARRL => pub/hamradio/arrl
pub/hamradio/BARC => pub/hamradio/barc
pub/hamradio/Incoming => pub/hamradio/incoming
pub/hamradio/General_Info => pub/hamradio/general-info
As a side note, there is now an satellite tracking program available for
Atari users. Check out pub/hamradio/atari/satellite/atari_sat-tracker.lzh
If you have any questions, comments, problems, or anything else, please
let me know.
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, 9 Mar 1994 14:29:37 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!att-out!cbfsb!cbnewsg.cb.att.com!wstrahl@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Guy Tower with Phillistran Non-metallic ?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I am posting this query for a friend who is considering guying his
Rohn 60' fold-over tower with Phillistran non-metallic guy cable in
order to reduce interaction with his low-band slopers and Mosley
PRO-57A that is mounted on it. He presently has unbroken lengths
of steel guy cable and feels that his slopers are being adversely
affected and that his yagi F/B ratio is rather poor on some bands.
I use small Phillistran to support the boom on my KT-34XA and to
me it seems to be quite adequate/durable as long as you avoid any
abrasive connections. I personally would consider using it if my
tower required guying. I figured if he used Phillistran and then
steel guy down at ladder/tampering level he would have an adequate
mechanically sound installation without too much risk of things
coming down.
Does anyone out there use the Phillistran guy material and can
relate their experiences ?
All comments appreciated. Thanks & 73,
Wayne Strahl - W9II wstrahl@cbnewsg.att.com
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 1994 16:27:52 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!col.hp.com!fc.hp.com!jayk@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Guy Tower with Phillistran Non-metallic ?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
wayne.a.strahl (wstrahl@cbnewsg.cb.att.com) wrote:
: Does anyone out there use the Phillistran guy material and can
: relate their experiences ?
: Wayne Strahl - W9II wstrahl@cbnewsg.att.com
I've been using it for about 10 years. Had a 120' Rohn 55 tower guyed
with Philly. Now have a 55' Rohn 45 tower using it for guys. I wouldn't
use anything else.
Just make sure you use the right Philly for the tower and follow the
instructions. Use some steel guy wire on the lower ends to prevent
vandalism, fire damage, etc. The main difference I find is that
Philly can be cut (its not easy, but it can be cut). So you need to
be a bit more carefully when installing antennas, cranking over the
tower, etc.
73, Jay K0GU jayk@fc.hp.com
------------------------------
Date: 9 Mar 94 15:49:39 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: help indentifying a tube
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
To check on the tube characteristics I'd call EIMAC at 1-800-414-
8823. It's a 20,000 watt plate dissapation power grid tube, possibly
water cooled. It probably has an enormous filament power requirement
too. I'd say that the only use would be in broadcast or experimental
use. BTW, when u call EIMAC, they can send u a data sheet.
ST KC2WE
------------------------------
Date: 8 Mar 94 17:50:59 GMT
From: hobbes!earth.armory.com!dev@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Honda ignition recall - now NOISE!!
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
i have an '86 Honda Accord, and get ignition noise up
the wazoo on my HT in the car. i've tried replacing the
"spec. condenser" which goes from the battery (one lead)
and then to the ignition coil (another lead), but this
didn't help a lot. it did help reduce the noise, but not
greatly. the local folks at HRO suggested replacing the
spark-plug cables. from the sounds of postings here,
however, it seems like the problem may be the distributor.
sometimes the noise is overpowering, and sometime it's
barely audible. no clue as to why. perhaps it's cold/hot?
orientation of it with the earth's magnetic field?
btw, i also get this noise when listening to AM radio,
but not FM.
my Accord is not fuel injected. just a regular DX (carburetor).
i've kinda held off on gettin a mobile rig becuase of this.
--
David Vangerov, KD6WXQ
dev@deeptht.armory.com
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 8 Mar 1994 23:24:27 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!ftpbox!mothost!schbbs!NewsWatcher!user@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: HT use on Cruise to Mexico
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <tjf-080394103349@mamie.lanl.gov>, tjf@beta.lanl.gov (Thomas J.
Farish) wrote:
> OK mea culpa! I didn't pay much attention to the posts about
> reciprocal licenses, etc when on a cruise.
>
> Looks like I'll be able to cruise to Mexico on a Norwegian ship
> registered in the Bahamas. I'd like to take my HT along for
> jollies. Along with getting permission from the cruise line (and
> the captain?), do I need to contact a Bahamian consulate? How
> 'bout Mexican authorities?
You will need reciprocal licenses from all three! Norway for "high seas"
operation, and the respective countries for operation in their waters.
> Thanks for your help! I've got about a month's lead time here, so
> any info would be appreciated!
A month may well be too little time. Contact ARRL's FAQ on the subject
(help@arrl.org) to get the basic information you will need and use airmail!
Be sure you specify the time of your cruise so the license will be issued
for the correct time.
--
Phooey on it all - I'm going sailing for a year or two!!!
------------------------------
Date: 8 Mar 94 21:25:25 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!sdd.hp.com!nigel.msen.com!ilium!rcsuna.gmr.com!rcsuna.gmr.com!vbreault@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: JARGON
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <slayCM9r8M.G0o@netcom.com> slay@netcom.com (Sandy Lynch) writes:
Well - I am not sure if others do use SASE although I often here the
SASE (pronounced sassy) is used in the antique car circles too.
("Send $1 and SASE for photos.")
--
Val Breault - N8OEF - vbreault@gmr.com \ /|
Instrumentation dept GM NAO R&D Center \ / |
My opinions are not necessarily those of \ /__|
GMR nor of the General Motors Corporation \/ |___
------------------------------
Date: 9 Mar 94 16:05:10 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: need list-serve for rec.radio.swap
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Thank you to all who enlightened me on the proper venue for swapping radio gear
- namely rec.radio.swap. My question now is: my only access to this and other
user groups is via list-serve. Does anyone know a list-serve for rec.radio.sw
ap, to which I can have my local server (mainframe) subscribe (or to which I ca
n subscribe)?
Thanks again, Brian, WY2G.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 09 Mar 94 14:55:35 GMT
From: netcomsv!netcomsv!skyld!jangus@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Sound Blaster stupidity
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CMDwLt.Au6@news.Hawaii.Edu> jherman@uhunix3.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu writes:
[ yapp yapp yapp ]
> Jeff NH6IL
Following up to your own postings now eh?
Nice try, get hammered on a post and then follow up with the standard usenet
lame excuse of "I was only joking".
Amateur: WA6FWI@WA6FWI.#SOCA.CA.USA.NA | "You have a flair for adding
Internet: jangus@skyld.grendel.com | a fanciful dimension to any
US Mail: PO Box 4425 Carson, CA 90749 | story."
Phone: 1 (310) 324-6080 | Peking Noodle Co.
------------------------------
Date: Wed, 9 Mar 1994 16:38:02 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!news.ucdavis.edu!chip.ucdavis.edu!ez006683@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Sound Blaster stupidity
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Jeffrey D. Angus (jangus@skyld.grendel.com) wrote:
: Following up to your own postings now eh?
: Nice try, get hammered on a post and then follow up with the standard usenet
: lame excuse of "I was only joking".
uhh... Jeff, I wasn''t trying to hammer The other Jeff for his posting,
He has been on Alpert a number of times about the hambluster, I just
wanted to know what others thought about the argument. I liked Rajiv's
answer :-). Don't use gear packaged in yellow styrofoam.
cheers,
Dan
--
*---------------------------------------------------------------------*
* Daniel D. Todd Packet: KC6UUD@KE6LW.#nocal.ca.usa *
* Internet: ddtodd@ucdavis.edu *
* Snail Mail: 1750 Hanover #102 *
* Davis CA 95616 *
*---------------------------------------------------------------------*
* All opinions expressed herein are completely ficticious any *
* resemblence to actual opinions of persons living or dead is *
* completely coincidental. *
*---------------------------------------------------------------------*
------------------------------
Date: 9 Mar 1994 13:40:58 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!emory!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!concert!ecsgate!bruce.uncg.edu!mosier.uncg.edu!mosier@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Ten-Tec question
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1994Mar8.174004.7646@rsg1.er.usgs.gov>
junger@rsg1.er.usgs.gov (John Unger) writes:
>>better use with SSB. By virtue of its name I would say the blanker
>>reduces the background static. Am I far wrong and is this a useful
>>feature on this rig?
>
>I have a TenTec Corsair II with a noise blanker and have yet to find
>any conditions where it has been helpful to reduce general static-type
Ditto for the noise blanker on my TenTec OMNI VI.
steve
mosier@fagan.uncg.edu
------------------------------
Date: 8 Mar 94 17:52:46 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!darwin.sura.net!uchdcc!tunga!ce2usm@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: Tracking info.
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
'lo all.
I'm working in a project tracking some satellites.... I've been
using some progs (SIMTEL20 :), but now I need the info to update
the information about each sattelite orbit.
Where can I find a file with this information????
I hope there is a site where anyone can get this kind of data
'cause is very important to me to update this in order to have
the program working properly.
Please any reply to this not to news but to my presonal e-mail
address: rrodrigu@loa.disca.utfsm.cl
Thanks in advance for any help.
Rodrigo E. Rodriguez (ROD)
CE 6 NUG
rrodrigu@loa.disca.utfsm.cl
------------------------------
Date: 8 Mar 94 19:12:13 GMT
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!apple.com!apple.com!not-for-mail@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <2ksunm$hmo@news.iastate.edu>, <2ktv3r$h6t@crcnis1.unl.edu>, <1994Mar2.173952.3499@n5ial.mythical.com>
Subject : Re: Jerk on 20 mtrs
jim@n5ial.mythical.com (Jim Graham) writes:
>>kenman@iastate.edu (Kenneth D Anderson) writes:
>>>Is this guy a fixture on 20 meters, or did I just get lucky?
>.... I've never worked RTTY, but I'm guessing that it's
>basically like AMTOR/PacTOR---basically free of the lids, and loaded with
>lots of good folks.
I second Jim's recommendations. The RTTY subbands are indeed very
polite places to hang around in. Sure, there are people who tailgate
just to get a DX contact and people who must add a time stamp for
each turnover, but that is about the extent of lid-ness.
People actually use "PSE K" because they mean it. You commonly find
folks exchanging hellos even in the middle of heated contests or
DXpeditions. Anyone working Nellie, XE1CI, during the XF4CI DXpedition
would have witnessed her patiently typing a new year's greeting to everyone
she worked (no, they were not canned "tapes", either). That was a lot of
new year's greetings!!!
Strangers help you debug your problems. I still remember a ZL putting a
'scope on my signal in the middle of a contest and told me one of my FSK
tones is missing (RFI problem). With the more complex PACTOR mode,
you quite often hear on-the-air debugging in the unproto ("FEC") mode.
Even though I am no young puppy myself, I still find that the majority
of the people I talk to on RTTY to be older than I am. I wonder if that
has anything to do with it being a especially "gentlemanly" (no gender-bias
intended) environment.
PACTOR seems to have inherited the demeanor of RTTY. It is an especially
great mode for a DX ragchew since you don't have to constantly watch out
for QSB or QRM (or, your teleprinter going into numerical shift :-). Lucky
for those of us who really enjoy the mode, PACTOR activity seems to be on
the increase, too (for the longest time, I could not find JA PACTOR to
work; they are there in larger numbers now, even the perennial RTTY nut,
JA3DLE/1, has recently gotten himself a PK-900 :-).
I used to think you need a kilowatt-alley signal to get on RTTY, and,
for a long time, that kept me from trying the mode out. If that is keeping
anyone else from trying it -- don't. I have lots of fun on 20m with 30 to
50 watts into a 4 meter whip from an apartment. I am think of restricting
myself to below 25 watts on PACTOR :-) :-).
73,
Kok Chen, AA6TY kchen@apple.com
Apple Computer, Inc.
P.S. Does anybody know if PacTOR is a PacComm trademark? I notice that
the early German PACTOR articles in QEX capitalised the entire word.
But, I have seen lots of people write it as PacTOR the way Jim
did.
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 08 Mar 1994 17:13:50 -0600
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!ftpbox!mothost!lmpsbbs!johng.comm.mot.com!user@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <CM1nqJ.MBx@srgenprp.sr.hp.com>, <2l63bh$5k2@network.ucsd.edu>, <1994Mar4.141341.9861@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>
Subject : Re: Medium range point-to-point digital links
In article <1994Mar4.141341.9861@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>, gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us
(Gary Coffman) wrote:
> It's hard to beat a stationwagon full of mag tapes for throughput. :-)
I see Gary read Tannenbaum's text on data communications.
--
John Gilbert johng@ecs.comm.mot.com
------------------------------
Date: 8 Mar 94 17:06:42 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!ftpbox!mothost!schbbs!NewsWatcher!user@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <rohvm1.mah48d-280294100619@136.141.220.39>, <2MAR199408091550@nssdca.gsfc.nasa.gov>, <2lg5vo$err@news.delphi.com>
Subject : Re: Keyboards at testing sessions
In article <2lg5vo$err@news.delphi.com>, mahjmac@news.delphi.com
(MAHJMAC@DELPHI.COM) wrote:
> But, you bring up an even different point. If the only goal is to make
> certain people are proficient in code, no matter what the means, then why
> couldn't a decoding device that takes audible morse and converts it into
> text be allowed. In under a week I could develop a program for the Sound
> Blaster or other audio cards that could do exactly that.
>
> It would be no different than a person who can only decode morse if they have
> a typewriter or other keyboard device available. It seems to me that in this
> day and age, it is so easy to develop inexpensive devices that could decode
> morse, that the only reason to keep the test is to be certain people are
> proficient in reading and writing without devices to assist them.
I think you make a good point, althogh this probably belongs in the r.r.a.p
CW flame war. IMHO, one of the problems with the current CW tests is that
there is no well defined purpose for them any more, as a result they are
given in an arbitrary way with essentially arbitrary requirements, i.e.
"because the rules say you must ..."
A "real man's" CW test would include a sending test, something on the
history and traditions of Morse operating as well as CW operating practices
and procedures.
For example, none of the "CW tests are the lifeblood of ham radio" crowd
even knew about "BEST BENT WIRE" - something *every* WW II radio op knew!
--
Phooey on it all - I'm going sailing for a year or two!!!
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #267
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