HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, stickler@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Patric M Stickler) writes:

>Does the ground socket of an electrical outlet provide a good (or at 
>least reasonable) path to earth ground? I.e. would I be able to hook
>up a three prong grounded plug with the two hot prongs removed in
>order to connect my rig to earth ground via the electrical outlet?

It depends on what you want the ground for.  If it's for a safety ground,
this would work.  (Although a better solution would be to replace the
radio's line cord with a 3-wire type with 3-prong plug.)

If you have a problem with "RF in the shack" and need an RF ground, using
the power ground is probably not a good idea.  All you'll do is pump
RF into your house wiring, possible causing RFI problems.

To cure "RF in the shack," eliminate feedline common-mode currents 
(that is, currrents on the outside of the coax shield.)  Balanced 
antennas, baluns, running feedline at right angles to a dipole, etc
are some of the solutions.  Another "brute force" solution is to add
a 1/4-wave counterpoise wire (like a radial on a 2 meter ground plane)
to the ground terminal of the transmitter.  You need one wire for each
band that gives you a problem.

AL N1AL
From: jim@n5ial.mythical.com (Jim Graham)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: HTs at Disneyland 
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 93 14:52:45 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Me? Organized? Hah! :-)

In article <HIDEG.93Jan19185621@spsd630a.erim.org> hideg@spsd630a.erim.org
writes:

[regarding Disney World (In Florida)]

> I went there about 3 years ago. The one time I tried to bring my HT in,
> the moron at the gate *yelled* at me that I cannot bring a radio into
> the park.

the solution to this is fairly simple, *IF* you have one of the newer,
smaller HTs (e.g., my Kenwood TH-26AT), and not an older boat anchor
(e.g., my Kenwood TR-2400).  basically, they're small enough to put in
your wife's purse, one of those fanny-pack things, a small backpack,
a camera bag, etc....

then, if questioned while using the HT inside, you just pull out the
copy of your license that you're required to have on you anyways, and
explain their error to them (politely).

   --jim

--
#include <std_disclaimer.h>                                 73 DE N5IAL (/4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET: jim@n5ial.mythical.com  |  grahj@valinor.mythical.com
          j.graham@ieee.org       (OLD): jim@n5ial.chi.il.us
AMATEUR RADIO: n5ial@w4zbb        AMTOR SELCAL: NIAL       ICBM: 30.23N 86.32W
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: phr@telebit.com (Paul Rubin)
Subject: Re: New Products
Organization: Telebit Corporation; Sunnyvale, CA, USA
	<1993Jan28.164634.26299@Csli.Stanford.EDU>
Date: Fri, 29 Jan 1993 02:14:23 GMT

Geez, Azden is making HT's again?  I hope they are better than the
last batch.  I have one of their old 2 meter units and it is awful.
It's no surprise that they stopped selling HT's in the US after
turkeys like that.  Maybe they're better now.

I thought the construction quality was ok--even tank-like--but the
design stunk: no removable battery pack; needed to scan up and down
for the frequency you wanted despite having a keypad, etc.
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: ag821@yfn.ysu.edu (Jeff Gold)
Subject: Re: Experience with MFJ 9020?
Reply-To: ag821@yfn.ysu.edu (Jeff Gold)
Organization: St. Elizabeth Hospital, Youngstown, OH
Date: Wed, 27 Jan 1993 19:33:56 GMT


In a previous article, sk7897@sarah.albany.edu (KRUMKE SVEN O) says:

>Hi, my question is simple and short:
>
>Is there anybody who has made experience with the MFJ9020 QRP rig?
>
>Having thought about buying one, I would appreciate any comment
>very much.
>
>Thanks and 73 de Sven
>
Hi,

I have used the 9020 backpacking, mobile, and at my home QTH.

 I liked it so much I wrote an article for QST about 
some of my experiences with it (FEB QST 1993..new section).

The filtering is great, the rig continually gets me good
reports from other stations. I have worked all over the
world and the country with it on a portable dipole.  Very small
rugged, and very easy to use. No problem plugging it into a 
cigarrette lighter and using it mobile with a Hustler vertical.

I had one of the earlier rigs. The audio was  a little weak, 
and after I had it out in the car for a few months during very
cold WX, the sidetone went a little crazy and it drifted.  I sent
it back to MFJ the week before christmas. shortly after I got 
a note saying it had been received, and it could take up to 
4 weeks to return to me.  the week after Christmas my rig was
returned (about 7 days) They had changed out a number of components
put in a bigger speaker and new top case. I figured that they 
must have updated mine.  It has been working great since 
I got it back. I was very pleased with the warranty service.

I added the internal keyer and it works very well.  The audio isn't 
real strong, but certainly acceptable.

This little rig is one of my favorite toys. I have it sittintg
next to my Yaesu 757 which can do QRP and works great.  Most
nights I use the MFJ.. I picked up a mini straight key at the 
last ham fest and can leave the paddles (homemade) and the 
straight key hooked in all the time.

I love it.  I feel it was certainly worth the money.
73s

Jeff, AC4HF
-- 
Jeff M. Gold, AC4HF
Manager, Academic Computing Support
Tennessee Technological University
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: jab0684@usl.edu (Boudreaux Jean A)
Subject: Re: Through-the-glass antennas
Organization: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 10:49:41 GMT

Speaking of Larsen antennas, I was the proud owner of a larsen KG 2/70
on glass dual bander.  After carefully cleaning my outside glass, and 
mounting the whip.  I was impressed with it's performance, repeater's I 
couldn't hit with 5 watts out of my ht's rubber duck, were fully quieted
with only 220 milliwats.  I gave the antenna all day to sit/set before
driving off.  Well my love affair was very short lived.  After
driving about 1 minute at just under 60 mph., the whip promptly flew 
off of the car and with a clang apparently bounced into a large
ditch, covered with 2 foot weeds and night.  Now this antenna was bought
from a friend who never used it, after he called the supplier they
wouldn't refund cause it had been too long since purchase.
Larsen would not help, they say no one else has had this problem.
But as post 30627 shows, they are LYING.  I recommend avoiding this antenna
and all other Larsen on glass products, because if it fails they will 
probably stick you as well.

Ah, I feel much better after getting that off my chest, if they won't 
refund my $$, at least maybe I can cost them a little 
8)


73's DE kb5udf
s
From: lkay@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu (leonard kay)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Endurance
Date: 26 Jan 93 21:23:27 GMT
Organization: Northeastern University

Hmmm.... Here's something about 'Endurance' no one's mentioned yet.
Seemed completely incongruous to me....

It's the illustrations. In the first picture,
Cullin is holding his mike OUT of its desk stand. DOes anybody 
ever take their mike out? (I own a D-104, so I woudn't know)

Second, the ham in the second illustration (with the wife & kid
in the back) is NOT the same ham as the first picture. If he is,
then this whole ephereal encounter seems to have aged him about
30 years.  (Maybe it did......)

BTW, the article itself was wonderful! The pictures just do not jive
well. I have a manuscript on Mark Wilson's desk right now and
if it's accepted I will pay close attention to illustrations....

Len


-------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Dr. Leonard Kay, KB2R               | "But we are not dealing with the
 Electrical and Computer Engineering |  normal world. We are chasing DX."
 Northeastern University, Boston     |    -- W9KNI, 'The Complete DXer'
 NU ARC: W1KBN 145.31(-)             |
 Packet: KB2R@K1EA                   | #include <disclaimer.h> 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: pdu@unixa.nerc-barry.ac.UK (Paul Jimbo Duncan GW7KES)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: G0BSX Mk II TNC, Micropolis 1375 SCSI Hard Disk
Date: 27 Jan 93 14:29:38 GMT
Organization: ucsd usenet gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

Hi there,

	I have recently completed building a BSX TNC, unfortunately it doesn't
work. The symptoms are the that three of the lights, Power, Connect and Status
stay on all the time, and occaisonally the DCD LED lights as well. I've 
checked that the clock is working OK, the power supply to the chips is ok. I've
made sure that none of the Z80's data or address lines are being shorted to
Earth (Ground). I have also checked that none of the Z80's pins is being shorted
to either of its neighbours. Does anyone know where to go next? 

I've also recently bought a second hand Micropolis 1375 SCSI hard disk.
Unfortunately I can't get that to work reliably with Future Domain TMC-885
host adapter. Does anyone know which newsgroup to post a request for help
on, together with the E-mail address to mail to,

73,

Paul, GW7KES    pdu@ua.nrb.ac.uk :-(
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: whs70@dancer.cc.bellcore.com (sohl,william h)
Subject: Re: HTs at Disneyland
Organization: Bellcore, Livingston, NJ
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 93 14:22:30 GMT

In article <1993Jan21.205816.29124@crash> skipsand@crash.cts.com (Skip Sanders) writes:
>Perhaps the SIMPLEST way to deal with a gate guard who YELLS at you is to,
>VERY politely, get out a notepad, and ask for his name.  Disney, while
>hardassed as all get out about any rule they have set up, is nevertheless
>DEATH on rudeness to a guest.  They are supposed to POLITELY inform you of
>rules, and politely (if you refuse to obey) escort you out of the park.
>
>A guard who yells at you about something, without provocation from you, is 
>headed for BIG trouble with THIER boss, if reported.

Well said, and how about this:

I seem to recall a post the other day from someone who is involved
with the Disney Ham Club and repeater.  He (she) stated they 
encourage the use of their repeater by guests, etc.  If that person
reads this, perhaps they can look into exactly what specific
Disney rules the guards are trying to enforce AND then discuss with
the Disney management that the rule of no radios is at exact
odds with the goals and encouragement of the Disney Ham Club.

Then, perhaps, the Disney rule may be changed, modified, eleiminated,
etc.  Another good point would be the impracticality of total
enforcement in light of today's very samll HT's.  Surely they would
be on shaky ground trying to expel someone that had an HT after
they were insde the park.  They can claim anything they want about
their rules, but if the rule in question isn't readily visable
to all who enter then they can't really enforce it after the fact.

Standard Disclaimer- Any opinions, etc. are mine and NOT my employer's.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill Sohl (K2UNK) BELLCORE (Bell Communications Research, Inc.)
Morristown, NJ             email via UUCP      bcr!cc!whs70
201-829-2879 Weekdays      email via Internet  whs70@cc.bellcore.com
From: jerry@isi.com (Jerry Gardner)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: AEA PKT-1 tnc ???
Date: 27 Jan 93 20:48:58 GMT
Organization: Integrated Systems, Inc.
NNTP-Posting-Host: bashful.isi.com

In article <2442@sousa.tay.dec.com> segrest@bobseg.enet.dec.com writes:
>
>Greetings,
>
>A fellow ham just dug an AEA PKT-1 tnc out of his used equipment box and asked
>if it will get him up and on the air with our local bbs.  Can anyone tell me
>about this tnc?  I would like to know if it will do KISS mode operations and or
>if it is TAPR TNC-2 compatible.
>
>Anyone familiar with this beast?


Yes, I have one. It's a clone of the TAPR TNC-1 and as such is not TNC-2
compatible. There should be a set of KISS ROMs for it; try posting on 
rec.radio.amateur.packet.

I replaced the standard ROMs with the WA8DED ROMs, which are a definite
improvement.



-- 
Jerry Gardner (jerry@isi.com)    |	"Violence is the last refuge of
Integrated Systems, Inc.         |	the incompetant" - Isaac Asimov
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: marcbg@feenix.metronet.com (M Grant)
Subject: Re: help needed
Organization: Tx Metronet Communications Services, Dallas Tx
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1993 03:35:57 GMT

In article <1jig0iINNgl@slab.mtholyoke.edu> wvogel@MtHolyoke.edu (keeper of the tone) writes:
>
>i recently purchased a YAESU FYG-3U uhf ht but unfortunatly it came without
>any paperwork or a charger
>can anyone on the net help me with any info for this radio?
>anything anyone would have would be greatly appreciated
>
>will gladly pay copying and mailing costs if any involved
>
>wvogel@mtholyoke.edu

A VERY good place (and they are not very expensive) is Yeasu parts, at
310-404-2700.

Marc Grant
N5MEI
marcbg@feenix.metronet.com

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: miles@ms.uky.edu (Stephen D. Grant)
Subject: Re: ?? TH78 or C558 ???
Organization: University of Kentucky, USA. -5 GMT
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 19:54:00 GMT

marcbg@feenix.metronet.com (Marc Grant) writes:

>I don't know if you can purchase the Yeasu FT-530 there, but it is a
>better value than the TH-78.  It has excellent sensitivity and the speaker
>audio is much clearer than the TH-78. It can also receive the 900 MHz band
>with a simple modification.
>73
>Marc Grant                                                 Amateur Call: N5MEI

   And speaking of value, the Alinco DJ580T beats em both.
   I am quite pleased with mine. Small, loaded with features
   and priced right.
   Does the TH78 have a backlit keypad? The DJ580 does.
   I paid $360 for mine.


Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman)
Subject: Re: HTs at Disneyland
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Organization: Destructive Testing Systems
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 15:06:01 GMT

In article <1993Jan23.070314.20547@kumr.lns.com> pozar@kumr.lns.com (Tim Pozar) writes:
>
>   FYI...
>   To the Secret Service's credit, when Mandella and Yeslin came to town,
>(San Francisco) they did coordinate freqs with the local Broadcasters Freq 
>committee.

I'm surprised. In Atlanta they have their own permanent repeater, and
their radios generally don't use RPU frequencies anyway. The normally
operate in the 470 MHz range.

Gary

-- 
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary      
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |
From: vbreault@rinhp750.gmr.com (Val Breault)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: New Ham! Need Radio!
Date: 22 Jan 93 18:38:43 GMT
Organization: General Motors Research Labs
In-reply-to: gary@ke4zv.uucp's message of 22 Jan 93 15:20:07 GMT

In article <1993Jan22.152007.15010@ke4zv.uucp> gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman) writes:

   In article <1993Jan21.152246.1@levy.fnal.gov> levy@levy.fnal.gov writes:
   >Well, my license showed up yesterday (N9RXF), and I'm in need of a radio (I've
   >been lurking on the local repeaters with my scanner, I didn't see any point in
   >spending money on a xmitter until I could use it).  I would like, to start out,
   >a dual-band HT covering 2 & 10 meters.  Any good (but not necessarily 
   >expensive) suggestions?

   Congratulations on the license Mark. 

I second that!  Welcome to the hobby.

<stuff deleted>
                                                   Probably the best
   bet for a 10 meter rig is the Radio Shack unit now on closeout for
   $199, but it's a mobile/base type radio and not a belt dragger.

The closeout price is something like $150-$160, if my sieve-like
memory is working today.  Anyway, it's a lot less than $200.
It does 25 Watts CW or USB.  Model  HTX-100

<stuff deleted>
--
-val-

Val Breault - GM Research - vbreault@gmr.com - N8OEF            \      /|
Instrumentation dept., 30500 Mound Rd., Warren, MI 48090-9055    \    / |
The opinions expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect   \  /__|
those of GMR or those of the General Motors Corporation.           \/   |___
 

From: alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom)
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 20:00:34 GMT
Subject: Re: running 300-ohm twinlead thru wood
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, tonyp@convex.com (honey bunny) writes:

>You can run coax cable pretty much anywhere you like.
>What about 300-ohm twinlead?

>  There are wooden French doors from the shack to the outside world.
>  The twinlead would fit between them and would require no modification
>  to the wood (read: drilling). 

>How is the wave-flow going to be affected at the point when the feed
>goes thru the door - like a kink in a garden hose?

At HF frequencies, I would expect negligible effect on the wave flow.
Even at VHF, I doubt you would see any appreciable effect.

The only possible problem would be arcing if you run high power and
the wood were conductive (e.g. wet).  If you are worried about this,
you could cut the twin lead and insert a short section made up of two
lengths of high-voltage insulated wire (such as that used for 
voltmeter probes, or the center conductor of RG-8 coax, non-foam type.)  
I used this method once to run open-wire feedline under a wooden 
casement window.

AL N1AL
From: bobw@col.hp.com (Bob Witte)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: TM-732 Intermod (was:Kenwood tm-732 mod/functions)
Date: 27 Jan 1993 16:27:56 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division
NNTP-Posting-Host: la.col.hp.com

Here's the letter I send to Kenwood concerning the problems with the
TM-732. I'm not sure that the Call Channel/DTMF Squelch problem
has been discussed here on the net. Apparently, Kenwood does have
a fix for it (a new uProc chip). The unit has been sent in under 
warranty. Stand by for further developments.

-----------------
Kenwood U.S.A.
Service Department
P.O. Box 22745
Long Beach, CA  90801

Dear Sir:

In early December, I purchase a Kenwood TM-732A from Ross Distributing. On
or about December 15, 1992 I contacted your service department concerning a
problem I am having with my just-out-of-the-box transceiver (S/N 30900108).
The first time I called I talked with Ken Riley. The second time I
discussed the situation with someone identified as "Bob".

The problem I am experiencing is quite strange, but Bob was able to
duplicate the problem on a unit at your service center. The problem is as
follows: If the CALL channel is programmed with a frequency that has an
EVEN digit in the "MHz" position, the DTSS feature does not work properly.
For example, programming the call frequency with 146.52 MHz (the MHz digit
is 6, even), switching to a memory channel and enabling the DTSS will
result in the radio NOT responding to the appropriate 3 digit DTMF code. On
the other hand, if the call frequency is changed to 145.52 MHz (with a 5 in
the MHz position), the DTSS feature works as advertised.

This sounds like a design flaw which needs to be fixed by the appropriate
design engineer. Bob said he would check into the matter and get back to
me, but I have heard nothing.

A second problem has now become apparent. The UHF receiver is very
susceptible to interference from a local pager transmitter. I am familiar
with the problems of pager interference, but other radios that I have do
not exhibit this problem anywhere near to the degree that the TM-732A does.
That is, when driving through certain geographical areas the other radios
remain quiet while the TM-732A's squelch opens and annoying audio is heard.
This makes the radio almost useless in many locations. I believe the paging
transmitter giving me the most problem is on 462.875 MHz.

Both of these problems make me extremely disappointed with the quality of
the Kenwood TM-732A.  Please advise me as soon as possible as to how
Kenwood will correct this situation. I can be reached at (719) 590-3230
during normal business hours (Colorado time).


                                             Regards,



                                             Bob Witte


From: alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom)
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 20:53:59 GMT
Subject: Re: Three Minute Morse (Re: writing out -- --- .-. ... . in order to pass)
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, awpaeth@watpix.uwaterloo.ca (Alan Wm Paeth) writes:

>This is not hard to do at 5wpm. Here is the crib I devised a few years back...
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                              Three Minute Morse
>                         by Alan W Paeth KD3XG/VE3AWP
[details omitted]

Is this really significantly easier to learn than to just learn the sound
for each letter?  (Which allows you to copy in real time.)

AL N1AL
From: jim@n5ial.mythical.com (Jim Graham)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Real NoCodes 
Date: Tue, 26 Jan 93 13:26:32 GMT
Distribution: world
Organization: Me? Organized? Hah! :-)

this is really about callsigns, and what they *DON'T* tell you.  my news
software doesn't allow me access to the subject line like trn does
(anyone feel like porting trn to dog...I mean, dos...systems?).  :-(

In article <C1Fn0M.4tF@anomaly.sbs.com> kd1hz@anomaly.sbs.com writes:

[someone else wrote]:
>>  Your previous call, N1LMB, looks suspiciously like calls that have
>> been issued to No-Code Technicians that I know.

> One reason I got rid of it is that N#xxx=No-code.
                                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^^
since when?  my call is N5IAL, and I'm a General.  in fact, I've had
my General-class ticket since before there was even such a thing as a
no-code technician ticket.  are you trying to tell me that I'm not
allowed to work any HF?  gee, all those other 1x3 calls I've worked on
AMTOR must also be illegal, no?

don't forget, 1x3 calls are issued to technician *AND* general class
folks, and some of those techs were once novices.  the callsign doesn't
tell you anything about the code/no-code status of the licensee.

in fact, until I get around to upgrading to extra and getting a 1x2 or
2x1, I will most likely keep my current call.  I happen to like my call
as it is, and have no desire to change it, EXCEPT for that 1x2 or 2x1.
btw, do any of those still exist?  did the FCC ever decide to recycle
old ones?

I've even known some folks who were advanced/extra and still had a 2x3
call.  just so happens that they had a really cool novice call, and
didn't want to let go of it, or whatever.  either way, they had their
reasons.  they've run into the same stupid assumption...people assume
that since they have a 2x3 call, that they shouldn't be in the lower
sub-bands.  should we take away their licenses just because they didn't
change calls when they upgraded?

you know what they say about assuming....
   --jim

--
#include <std_disclaimer.h>                                 73 DE N5IAL (/4)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNET: jim@n5ial.mythical.com  |  grahj@valinor.mythical.com
          j.graham@ieee.org       (OLD): jim@n5ial.chi.il.us
AMATEUR RADIO: n5ial@w4zbb        AMTOR SELCAL: NIAL       ICBM: 30.23N 86.32W
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc