Date: Wed, 30 Mar 94 07:42:17 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 #346
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Wed, 30 Mar 94 Volume 94 : Issue 346
Today's Topics:
2m awards
But Seriously
CD-ROM QRZ! vs Buckmaster
DSP Filter Information Plz
HELP! The FCC will not issue me a ham license (2 msgs)
Index file for BARC FTP area now available
Is 10M Dead?!
Kill That Intermod!
Plain old repeaters (2 msgs)
Relm WHS-150
reward notice
special event
Supermorse under windows.?
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
(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: 29 Mar 1994 19:40:18 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu!oo7@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: 2m awards
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
ehare@arrl.org (Ed Hare (KA1CV)) says:
>>Rev. Michael P. Deignan (kd1hz@anomaly.sbs.com) wrote:
>>: In this age of political correctness, its unfair that we have a "DXCC"
>>: award for HF operators, but nothing that a no-code tech can aspire to
>>: achieve by yacking on two meters.
>>
>In spite of the uselessness of the rest of the post, this concept has
>some merit. Any ideas for good ways to do this?
I have in front of me the invaluable ARRL Operating Manual and in
the chapter on Operating Awards, the first one mentioned is the Rag
Chewers' Club certificate. It says here this is "often the first
award a new ham aims for.....Chew the rag over the air for at least
a solid half hour". This certificate is "a free ARRL service to
all amateur licensees". Sounds ideal for anyone who just wants to
"yack on two meters".
Personally, I don't think the ARRL should waste its money this way
and encourage new hams to tie up a frequency for a solid half-hour,
but I accept that some people think it is to be encouraged.
Derek Wills (AA5BT, G3NMX)
Department of Astronomy, University of Texas,
Austin TX 78712. (512-471-1392)
oo7@astro.as.utexas.edu
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 1994 19:19:24 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!pravda.sdsc.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.net.csuchico.edu!charnel!olivea!sgigate.sgi.com!sgiblab!pacbell.com!uop!csus.edu!netcom.com!greg@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: But Seriously
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Since Ed's decided to take this one seriously, I've altered the subject
line so that those who may have dumped the original in their kill files
have the opportunity to participate:
In article <1994Mar29.124149.4266@arrl.org> ehare@arrl.org (Ed Hare (KA1CV)) writes:
>
> [counter-inflammation deleted] this concept has
>some merit. Any ideas for good ways to do this?
The subject is 'what kind of award makes sense for no-code techs?'
At risk of sounding a bit patronizing, I'd look really hard at the
Boy Scout merit-badge and ranking model.
It is set up to encourage the participant to try new things, and to
gain some mastry of them. The result of each of these class of things
is a 'merit badge.' After so many merit badges, in a number of categories
(we want to be well-rounded), the participant is eligable for an award
(i.e. the next level of rank).
So, we can start by listing some things that are worth-while for the
new ham to try, by which s/he'll learn. And some categories to put
those things in (e.g. Technical, Operational, Experimental, Organizational).
And yes, I think a couple of repeater contacts ought to be worth something,
but not in and of itself. Here's a partial list of things that might
score points toward the, Personal Frontiers award:
1. Technical
a. Complete a home-brew antenna project
b. Install a mobile rig in your car
c. Find a cable-TV leak
d. Build a code-practice oscillator
e. Build an HF receiver kit
2. Operational
a. Complete a VHF or UHF simplex QSO of more than
<pick a figure> miles
b. Complete a VHF or UHF QSO on SSB or CW
c. Participate in a fox-hunt
d. Check into a VHF or UHF traffic net
e. Handle a piece of traffic from a PBBS
f. Sign up for an upgrade class
g. Get up to 5 words per minute.
3. Organizational
a. Attend a meeting of a local ham club
b. Provide amateur radio communications at a public event,
under sponsorship of a local amateur radio group
c. Participate in RACES or ARES activities during
an emergency
d. Attend a ham-fest...
I'm sure there are more that can be added. The idea is to figure out the things
that new hams can be doing to grow and develop in the hobby/service and
both suggest them and recognize an effort towards giving them a try. The list
of items has to be big enough so that the issue of 'but we haven't had a
natural disaster this year' doesn't really hamper getting a certificate.
I'd limit the award to the first couple of years after licensing, and
also to Novice and Technician classes. The idea is to get NEW hams expanding
their horizons, trying new things, and into the various organizations.
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 28 Mar 1994 21:45:43 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ennews!anasaz!john@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: CD-ROM QRZ! vs Buckmaster
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
ken@boxhill.com (Ken Stamm) writes:
>I have the QRZ! CDROM, and bought it specifically because the callsign
>databases inside were not encrypted in any way.
>The callsign databases are simply comma-separated one-line-per-call
>text records.
We did that on purpose, so people could do their own processing against
the database. The comma separation was there so PC Basic could be used.
--
John Moore Scottsdale, AZ 85253 USA (602-951-9326) Std Disclaimer Applies!
john@anasazi.com Amateur call:NJ7E Civil Air Patrol:Thunderbird 381
- - Gun Control Means Hitting What You are Aiming At! - -
- - - "It is better to be judged by twelve, than carried by six." - - -
------------------------------
Date: 27 Mar 94 03:35:02 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!reuter.cse.ogi.edu!netnews.nwnet.net!bach.seattleu.edu!quick!ole!ssc!fylz!eskimo!wrt@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: DSP Filter Information Plz
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1994Mar26.162218.1@acad2.alaska.edu>,
<auchd@acad2.alaska.edu> wrote:
>Has anyone had any experience with DSP noise filters and line noise or
>oscilation. I was looking at a couple in the AES catalog and was
wondering if
>they were as good as the price suggests - $300.00
DSPs are proving to be peculiar creatures. Some people like them and
some don't. I found out for $359.00 that I'm one of the ones that
don't. I never could get used to the sound. Yes, they do reduce white
noise and ARE extremely effective on heterodynes, but they add a strange
digital ringing kind of sound of their own.
The best thing is to listen verrry carefully to one before you buy.
Don't even think of buying one un-listened to unless you have $$ to
throw away.
W7LZP
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1994 18:36:34 GMT
From: news.bu.edu!transfer.stratus.com!sw.stratus.com!fms@purdue.edu
Subject: HELP! The FCC will not issue me a ham license
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
jwh7k@galen.med.Virginia.EDU (John W. Holman) writes:
>
> On December 18, 1993, I took an ARRL test session and earned a Technician w/HF
> license. During the week of February 20th, other people that were at the
> December 18th test session were receiving their new licenses. Not me!
> After waiting a week, I called the ARRL to see what was going on.
> They had received my paper work and sent it on to the FCC on January 6th.
> The gentleman I talked at the ARRL said that licenses from the same test
> session are not always issued together. After waiting another week, I talked
> to some experienced local hams and was told to call the FCC. On March 3th, I
> called the FCC and asked the status of my license. The person I talked to
> said they have received the paper work from the ARRL, but mine was pulled for
> some problem. I could not get an answer as to what the problem was with my
> application. After I reported this information to the local hams, they said
> to wait and hope the FCC will sort it out. Well, I have waited and no license.
> It will be 90 days on April 6th since the FCC has had my application. This is
> my first ham license, I have _not_ had a ham license canceled by the FCC. Does
> anyone have any ideas what I can do to resolve this problem and finally get
> a license?
I would suggest that you get back on the phone to the ARRL. They have had lots
of practice dealing with the FCC on such matters. Let them know exactly what
the FCC folks said to you, and ask if they would please give you a hand in finding
out what's going on. They are very good at clearing up things like this.
Good luck, and let us know how things work out!
73 de Faith N1JIT
--
Faith M. Senie InterNet: fms@vos.stratus.com
Stratus Computer, Inc. InterNet: fms@hoop.sw.stratus.com
55 Fairbanks Blvd. Pkt Radio: n1jit@wa1phy.ma.usa.na
Marlboro, MA 01752 Phone: (508)460-2632
Curiosity doesn't flourish among the burned-out...
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1994 14:11:02 -0500
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.ans.net!hp81.prod.aol.net!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: HELP! The FCC will not issue me a ham license
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CnFn7H.L2t@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU>, jwh7k@galen.med.Virginia.EDU
(John W. Holman) writes:
The best way to get a quick response is to call your Congressman and ask that
person for help. A Congressional aid can usually call the government agency in
question and get a quick response. This will probably be the best course of
action. Remember, the FCC counts on the Congress for funding. They like to
keep Congresspersons happy. Good Luck!
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 1994 18:45:55 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!csus.edu!netcom.com!wy1z@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Index file for BARC FTP area now available
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I finally finished the Index file for the Boston ARC's hamradio
section on Oakland University's anonymous FTP site oak.oakland.edu
The file is called 00-Index.txt, and is located in the /pub/hamradio
directory.
The format of this file is:
/name of directory/
files a one-line description of each file
within
the
directory
I know this project has been long overdue, but the inclusion of the
archives on the QRZ CD-ROM was just the insentive I needed.
If you do not have direct FTP capability, and would like a copy of the
file, please let me know.
73,
Scott, WY1Z
--
===============================================================================
| 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 |
| oak.oakland.edu:/pub/hamradio |
===============================================================================
------------------------------
Date: 27 Mar 94 15:23:27 GMT
From: agate!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!pineapp@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: Is 10M Dead?!
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <Jk1MhuV.jokent@delphi.com> John Kent <jokent@delphi.com> writes:
>Steven Q. Stultz <sqstultz@delphi.com> writes:
>
>>For some reason, there doesn't seem to be much activity at all across the band.
>>Are we in the low part of the cycle? Or are gremlins inside my radio?
>
You should have been on Saturday 1800 UTC. The band was wide open.
I had six 59's from Mass., Maryland, Miss., El Salvador, Brazil , and
Argentina. This was using Radio Shack HTX 100 from the car. Just
straight 25 watts.
--
.----------------------------------------------+--------------------------.
| INTERNET: pineapp@netcom.com (DC436) | Daniel Curry WB6STW |
| AMPRNET : dan@wb6stw.ampr.org [44.4.20.144] | E-:-) Ham Radio Operator |
| AX.25 : wb6stw@n0ary.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA | Redwood City, CA USA |
'----------------------------------------------+--------------------------'
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 94 06:56:28 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!udel!news.sprintlink.net!connected.com!beauty!rwing!eskimo!wrt@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Kill That Intermod!
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I keep seeing complaints of intermod on vhf rigs, but little or nothing
about how to cure it. Years ago I had a 2 meter rig (the company is now
defunct for good reason!) with horrendous intermod from fm broadcast
stations. I cured it by placing a 1/2 wave trap in the coax from the
antenna to the rig. If you recall your transmission line theory, a 1/2
wave piece of transmission line looks like an open when the far end
is open, and a short circuit when the far end is shorted. Here we will
use the open-ended case. Just install a T-fitting somewhere in the
coax, or even right at the input to the rig. Then prepare a 1/2 wave
piece of coax (allowing for velocity factor) and plug it into the T.
Make it a little long to allow for trimming. What you want to do is
trim it so that at mid-band, it has no effect on SWR or power output as
read on the meter of the rig. In other words, with the 1/2 wave section
unplugged, take a close look at the power out/SWR reading. Then plug it
in and cut off about 1/8 inch at a time until the reading returns to the
exact same as before. You now have a high-Q trap which looks like an
open circuit at your chosen frequency, and various degrees of
off-resonant load at other frequencies.
I'm not saying this will cure all intermod problems, but it worked for
me and won't cost more than a few pennies to try. Granted, it's not
too cool for HTs, but for mobiles and bases, it just might be all
you need.
73 es gl
Bill, W7LZP
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1994 18:51:36 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!netline-fddi.jpl.nasa.gov!sec396-news.jpl.nasa.gov!news@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Plain old repeaters
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <bote.764957247@access1> bote@access1.digex.net (John Boteler) writes:
>hammock@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov (Randy Hammock) writes:
>>In fact, if you don't like hearing the beeps on our machines, all you
>>have to do is turn on your CTCSS as our repeaters encode PL on their
>>outputs ONLY when they are receiving a signal in the input. Except for
>
>We tried something similar to this for a while.
>
>We repeated the PL of users, so that some of us
> only heard certain users who transmitted the
>PL for which we were listening.
>
>When we went to multiple sites that became problematic,
>so we have reverted to the transmitter sending
>PL full time.
I can understand the problems with that. Here in So. Ca. the 220 band is so
congested, the coordinateing body requires that ALL repeaters be PLed. So it
is not a question of allowing a user to select a PL that only his friends will
hear him. Using CTCSS allows you listen to the users of your machine but not
hear all the rubbish coming from a co-channeled machine.
Actually, we regenerate the PL not just pass it through. Another side benefit
of this scheme is that those who use a dual-band mobile as an extender for their
hand-helds don't have to wait for the repeater to drop carrier so that their
"link" will turn around. We use this system to link two of our repeater together
which are close together in frequency allowing the link repeater use a single set
of cans and antenna. The linking repeater scans between the outputs of the two
repeaters. When it sees a carrier with a PL, it locks on that frequncy and brings
up the tansmitter (with PL) to the other repeater. When the person talking quits,
the PL on the first repeater is reverse phase keyed causeing the link repeater to
imediately reverse pahse key it's PL and resume scanning giving very fast link turn
around. While the link is only half duplex, it does have the advantage of not
needing any additional link frequencies (a rare commodity in So. Ca.). Our club
actually received a citation (commendation) from the FCC for this link system and
it's efficeint use of frequency spectrum.
Basically, you could say, we all use what works for us. Different systems have
different needs.
Rnady Hammock KC6HUR
hammock@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1994 12:44:38 -0800
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!ccnet.com!ccnet.com!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Plain old repeaters
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Randy Hammock (hammock@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov) wrote:
: hear him. Using CTCSS allows you listen to the users of your machine but not
: hear all the rubbish coming from a co-channeled machine.
^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^
: " We use this system to link two of our repeater together
: which are close together in frequency allowing the link repeater use a single set
: of cans and antenna. The linking repeater scans between the outputs of the two
: repeaters. When it sees a carrier with a PL, it locks on that frequncy and brings
: up the tansmitter (with PL) to the other repeater. When the person talking quits,
: the PL on the first repeater is reverse phase keyed causeing the link repeater to
: imediately reverse pahse key it's PL and resume scanning giving very fast link turn
: around. While the link is only half duplex, it does have the advantage of not
: needing any additional link frequencies (a rare commodity in So. Ca.). Our club
: actually received a citation (commendation) from the FCC for this link system and
^^^^^^^^
: it's efficeint use of frequency spectrum.
: Basically, you could say, we all use what works for us. Different systems have
: different needs.
I sure hope that your effecient use of spectrum with on channel
half-duplex links does not cause any interference to the receivers of
your co-channel repeaters. While there may be no auxiliary links
available in the 222 MHz band, there are available links in the uhf and
shf amateur bands. Most coordinating bodies in crowded spectrum areas
such as yours, are no longer coordinating on channel linking between
repeaters. Two repeaters linked together in the same area is efficient
use of spectrum?
I am curious, did the co-channel rubbish generate the citation? Tell us more!
: Rnady Hammock KC6HUR
: hammock@kelvin.jpl.nasa.gov
Bob
--
Bob Wilkins work bwilkins@cave.org
Berkeley, California home rwilkins@ccnet.com
94701-0710 play n6fri@n6eeg.#nocal.ca.us.noam
------------------------------
Date: 29 Mar 1994 18:51:24 GMT
From: mozz.unh.edu!christa.unh.edu!ckf@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Relm WHS-150
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I just purchased a new Relm WHS-150 portable two way for my job on my
hometown ambulance. I was wondering if anyone has any info on it so I can
be prepaired when it arrives (sometime this month). It's a sixteen
chanell, scan, l/o, priority, etc., blah, blah. I've posted this to
rec.radio.scanner, but I thought this newsgroup would help to. Reply here
or on my E-mail. Thank you
Chris Fowler
------------------------------
Date: 30 Mar 94 15:09:06 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: reward notice
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
[Unsigned Public Notice]
A reward is offered for information leading to the arrest of EDDY
CURRENT, charged with induction of an 18-year-old coil, named MILLI
HENRY, who was found half choked. CURRENT escaped Weston Primary Cell
and was missing since Faraday.
Noted in The mini-Journal of Irreproducible Results ("mini-JIR")
This is reprinted with permission. You do NOT have permission to copy
this document for commercial purposes.
For subscription information, send e-mail to: jir@mit.edu
------------------------------
Date: 30 Mar 94 14:03:15 GMT
From: dog.ee.lbl.gov!ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!not-for-mail@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: special event
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
TTARS, The Tennessee Technological Univeristy Amateur Radio
Society is proud to announce a Special Events station. The
station will be tested on Friday April 15 and be on the air
Saturday April 16 and Sunday April 17. The purpose of the
special events station is to demonstrate the effectiveness
of low power HF communications on both SSB and CW.
The event will take place in remote sections of Fall Creek
Falls state park in Tennessee. We will be testing out the
new MFJ 20 meters SSB travel radio, some new QRP CW
transceivers and hopefully some other new toys.
For a nice certificate send a 9X12 SASE with QSL card and
contact number to:
TTARS
Tennessee Tech. U.
Box 5262
Cookeville, TN 38505
*probably start afternoon of Friday April 15.
Sat. April 16 and Sunday April 17
----------------------------------
14:00-16:00Z (7.250-2.270)
(7.055-7.065)
16:00-17:00Z (14.250-14.265)
(14.055-14.065)* if enough ops
17:00-18:00Z (28.350-28.365)
18:00-20:00Z (21.250-21.265)
(21.050-21.065)*
20:00-22:00Z (14.250-14.265)
(10.110-10.115)*
22:00-24:00Z (7.250-7.270)
00:00-02:00Z (3.900-3.915) or
(7.250-7.270)
=======================================================
* we will operate on whichever band has best propogation. We
will attempt to stay with the above frequencies as much as
possible. The way conditions have been lately, 20 meters
will most likely be our main backup band.
thanks
73
Jeff, AC4HF
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 29 Mar 94 19:51:20 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!news.intercon.com!uhog.mit.edu!xn.ll.mit.edu!ll.mit.edu!fcr@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Supermorse under windows.?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
I am in the process of trying to configure an IBM compatible PC for my
parents to use. My folks are computer illiterate, so I am trying to make
it as easy as possible for them. My dad, N0OWI, is a no-code tech and
is trying to learn the code, so I put supermorse on the system. I
would like for my dad to be able to call it up under windows, but
no matter what I change in the PIF, I get stutters and missing characters.
Has anybody been successful in getting supermorse to run under windows?
If so, I would appreciate any help that you could give me.
Thanks,
Frank C. Robey N1PKT
fcr@ll.mit.edu
MIT Lincoln Laboratory
------------------------------
End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #346
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