HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: sknapp@iastate.edu (Steven M. Knapp)
Subject: Re: On the durability of ham HT's and commercial HT's
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames IA
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1992 06:25:21 GMT

In digest <9204050317.A18086@sceng.ub.com> Postmaster@sceng.UB.COM writes:

>In article <72453@netnews.upenn.edu> yee@mipgsun.mipg.upenn.edu (Conway Yee)
>writes:
>>It is well known that commercial HT's (e.g. Motorola) are much sturdier
>>than ham HT's (e.g. Yaesu, ICOM).  My question is why?
>Because commercial users buy radios for hard headed business reasons.
>They don't care about wideband scanning, playing tunes, or tucking them
>inside their wristwatches. They just want rugged radios that work and
>work for years and years. Hams want the sizzle while business users insist
>on the steak. Icom makes very competitive business HTs as well as their
>ham sizzlers. If you want one, buy an Icom G series ham HT. You'll pay
>more for fewer features, but it'll work and work and work....

After seeing a friends 2SRA fall about 15ft from a tower, bounce off of a vent
through the roof (6ft from the ground), then bounce off something else on the
way down, hit the ground, only to be found in perfet condition. Battery
intact, BOTH antennas undamaged. It was in a soft case w/ a BP90 on the
bottom. It still scans, wideband recieves, plays music (when tuned to radio
stations). NOT TOO BAD HUH?!?! After seeing that my image of new HT's changed
drastically. I am shure it could have landed differently and broken. ON THE
OTHER HAND anything but my 2SAT (or equivelent dinky radio) would not have fit
IN my jeans pocket and would have been beaten to hell up on the tower... Just
something to consider when making the size/durability decision!

Just an obversation...my first rough duty for my new HT. It preformed BEYOND
my expectations. 

Just defending dinky radios...
Steve KA9QOA

________________________________________________________________________ 
Steven M. Knapp		   	        	   Computer Engineering@
Friley 2298 Stanton			           Iowa State University
Campus Phone: 4-2950			    	    		Ames, IA
From: lhurder%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu (Luck Hurder KY1T)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: ARLX013 - WA1URA earns award
Date: 9 Apr 92 17:36:14 GMT
Article-I.D.: arrlhq.553
Organization: American Radio Relay League

ZCZC AX73
QST de W1AW  
Special Bulletin 13  ARLX013
From ARRL Headquarters  
Newington CT  April 9, 1992
To all radio amateurs 

SB SPCL ARL ARLX013
ARLX013 Documentary award

Television station WANE TV in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, has won 
a national Headliner Award in the category of outstanding 
television documentary or editorial from the press club of 
Atlantic City.  The film, Last Voice from Kuwait, produced 
by WANE president and general manager Frank Moore, WA1URA, 
concerns Amateur Radio activity from Kuwait during its 
occupation by Iraq in 1990 and 1991.  Headliner Award 
winners include major market newspapers and network 
broadcasters as well as small circulation periodicals and 
individual broadcasting stations, according to a WANE news 
release.  The film's producer and writer was WANE News 
Anchor Joe Gregory.  A story by the same name and on the 
same subject appeared in QST for May, 1991.
NNNN

|       |   |         Deputy Manager, Field Services, ARRL.
|       |___|         The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the ARRL
| uck   |   |urder    National Traffic System, The Amateur Auxiliary to
------  |   |         the FCC's Field Operations Bureau, the ARRL
     KY1T             Field Organization and the ARRL Monitoring System.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
lhurder%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu   Prodigy - MGTS39A,  BIX - ARRL,
   MCI Mail - RPALM, MCI Mail - ARRL HQ, America On Line - ARRL HQ
From: nbb@crosfield.co.uk (nick bristow)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Boycott Icom (fwd)
Date: 15 Apr 92 08:25:12 GMT
Reply-To: nbb@crosfield.co.uk (nick bristow)
Followup-To: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Organization: Crosfield Electronics, Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom.

In article <32920083@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM> jpotts@hpspdla.spd.HP.COM (John Potts) writes:
>I agree with the previous posting.  We are lucky that Icom 
>supports it this long.  Most companies support a product
>for only 5yrs after it has been obsoleted, a very few
>support it after that.  Some don't even support things
>that long.  Considering the tax they have to pay on 
>inventory (that includes new products plus parts
>to build and support them plus inventory for parts of
>obsoleted products for support), companies try to keep
>inventories low.  Try buying parts for a computer more 
>than a few yrs old.  Of course if someone wants to sell
>me some of thier 10 yr old equipment at a good price I
>wont complain.
>
>John Potts, kb6wgl
24;1H
I too feel that I have to agree that ten years is about the maximum amount of
time that you can really expect to get all parts for a piece of electronic
equipment. It may not be Icoms fault that they cannot get the CPU required. 
I suspect that the manufacturer just will not make the part in the volumes 
required by Icom at a reasonable price. So you may ask why don't they keep 
at least N years stock of X part for just this type of problem? It's not a 
matter of space more a matter of cost if you make for example 20 models each 
with 5 custom components in they they have to stock 100 different items for 
up to what 10, 20, 30? Years, what would you call a reasonable amount of 
time? And how do you accurately judge the volumes that should be held in 
stock?
	I really do not think that the car spares situation is at all 
analogous to the spares relating to any form of electronic unit (except 
military equipment). I suggest that you try to replace that 20mB full height
hard disk drive in your old XT with an exact copy new device and see where 
it gets you.
	I think that if you really want a device which you can support 
of >15 years then build your own and buy two sets of spares whilst you are 
at it. You have to remember that what you have bought is a piece of "home" 
equipment and it is supported (or not) as such buy the manufacturer. Although 
you may think that your radio is in a different league to your Japanese built 
microwave oven or hi fi I believe that in the manufacturers eyes it is not.

			73's de G1LYX.


******************************************************************************
*       Nick Bristow G1LYX                  *   Crosfield Electronics Ltd    *
*                                           *   Three Cherry Trees Lane      *
*       nbb@crosfield.co.uk                 *   Hemel Hempsted               *
*  or   nbristow@cix.compulink.co.uk        *   Herts                        *
*       G1LYX @ GB7BEN                      *   England.                      *
******************************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: rdewan@casbah.acns.nwu.edu (Rajiv Dewan)
Subject: Re: How to store NiCd batteries?
Organization: Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 16 Apr 1992 20:44:18 GMT

In article <1992Apr16.181620.14966@panix.com> schuster@panix.com (Michael Schuster) writes:
>In article <18229@oasys.dt.navy.mil> kstuart@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Kenneth Stuart) writes:
>>
>>Bert, about the only thing that you can do, other than giving the batteries
>>an hour or two of charge once every few weeks, is to fully charge the
>>batteries, remove them from the H/T, and place 'em in the freezer section
>>of your refrigerator.  This will slow down the self-discharge rate of
>>the cells.  The self-discharge won't be completely stopped, since the
>>potassium hydroxide electrolyte won't freeze at the temperature of the
>>average freezer.
>
>I'd always been told that you should not freeze batteries because the
>expansion of the electrolyte will break internal seals, if not crack the
>battery case itself. I always refrigerate my unused batteries, but
>is it really safe to freeze them?
>
I used to store fresh cells in the freezer until I discovered
a D size alkaline that had burst.  The seals had busted and the 
plastic envelope broken off.  The plastic envelope holds the anode 
terminal to the battery.  So now I do not freeze any cells.  
May be that Ni Cads are different.

Rajiv 
aa9ch
r-dewan@nwu.edu
From: Mike_Whalen@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Mike Whalen)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Company sponsored/allowed Ham Radio Clubs
Date: 11 Apr 92 17:02:21 GMT
Article-I.D.: agwbbs.Mike_Whalen.0bri
Organization: The Amiga GateWay BBS * New Orleans, La.

In a message dated Fri 10 Apr 92 09:18, Cellis%brockvma.bitnet@cunyvm.cuny.
wrote:

 C> request both certificates.  I won't go into it but why don't some of
 C> you
 C> crumudgeons crawl back under your rock and go back to 14.313 Mhz. 
 C> Forbid any
 C> body should enjoy a hobby - sorry we can't all be pseudo lawyers and
 C> pseudo
 C> repeater cops.  Get a life (I hate that phrase but it really applies
 C> here)!
 C> Please, don't respond because they will only be trashed and unread.

  You know (being that this won't be read by "Carty", I shall address it to
all).. reading this just makes me want to jump up and get interested in the
hobby. I mean.. the love.. the affection.. the joy of the hobby just speaks
volumes in this message. 

  I suppose that since I am not actually a ham YET, I am in this "Get a
Life" category.

 C> Carty  KA2Y  (Licensed since 1958 - extra since 1979)  and proud of
 C> it!

  You should be. Guess I can't be proud of it should I ever get that far
(sniff sniff).. because I am a Get a Lifer. Excuse me while I cry. Waaah. 

  Geez, you know I really am interested in this and I am glad to be getting
back into it... but why must people be so bitter to each other..?


-- Via DLG Pro v0.991

Yet another fine quality message from.. Mike Whalen Brand Message Prod.
If you like it.. you like it.. if not... FNORD!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
InterNet:                  Mike_Whalen@agwbbs.new-orleans.la.us
UUCP:                             rex!agwbbs!Mike_Whalen
From: depolo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu (Jeff DePolo)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Ever break the ferrite slug?
Date: 8 Apr 92 19:34:59 GMT
Organization: University of Pennsylvania

In article <9204081044.aa02400@Paris.ics.uci.edu> turner@safety.ICS.UCI.EDU (Clark Savage Turner WA3JPG) writes:
>More TS 520 fun.  I have a cracked ferrite slug inside the tuning coil
>of the mix coil unit.  It won't turn and hasn't really "broken", fallen
>inside or come out or anything.  Has anyone faced this one with success ?

The easiest and cheapest way is to chip the old slug apart.  You can use
an exacto knife (if it's a large enough coil), a small jewler's screwdriver,
or a very small drill bit.  Once you get it cracked, it's pretty easy to
get it to come out piece by piece.

For a replacement, Radio Shack sells an inductor and choke assortment.  You
will probably find one the right size somewhere in the pile.  Or, look
through some old radios to find one that will fit.  As a last resort,
you can get slugs from Amidon or Kenwood directly.

I wouldn't try gluing the slug - you'll end up gluing it to the inside
of the form, making it permanently adjustment-proof.

								--- Jeff
--
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
 Jeff DePolo  WN3A              Twisted Pair: (215) 386-7199                  
 depolo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu    RF: 444.250+ (no, we're not moving)
 University of Pennsylvania     Carrier Pigeon: 420 S. 42nd St. Phila PA 19104
From: rlt@cbnewsl.cb.att.com (R.L.Taylor KB2OOA)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: License exam anecdote
Date: 16 Apr 92 11:31:01 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: AT&T

In article <14570359@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com> alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom) writes:

>- Realize that every number, letter, punctuation mark, and prosign is used
>at least once.  If you got the callsign as "N?AL", check the rest of the
>text to see if any of the numbers 0-9 are missing.

>- Both callsigns are sent twice, once at the beginning and once at the end.  
>You get two chances to get these right.

It's funny - when I took the 13wpm, I only got part of each callsign, but
the test was multiple choice, and I was able to figure out the callsigns
correctly.  Last Saturday, when I attempted the 20wpm, I got both calls -
but they weren't on the test! :-(

>- When done copying, go back and fill in anything you missed -- guess if
>necessary.  If you fail to get 75% of the questions, the examiners will
>check your copy to see if you got 1 minute without errors.

I surprised myself when I got 1 minute at 13wpm.  I'm a slow writer!
so it takes a lot of guessing. :-) But, hey, I'll try anything...

>- Concentrate on the numbers:  Many of the questions are about RST,
>transmitter power, etc.  Also, numbers count as 2 characters when 
>computing the "1 minute solid copy".

They must be on to this;  the only questiosn involving numbers were RST
and temperature.  They came up with some weird stuff, like the person's
occupation, or his dog's name, or something like that.  (Hey, I don't
want to be giving away the actual questions, in case anybody else gets
this particular test.)  Naturally, I was concentrating on names, calls,
rig...  *They* told *me* what the rig was, and asked something else about
it (I got that one right, anyway!)

>- Don't leave any questions blank on the test sheet.  Wrong guesses don't
>count against you.

Sigh....even my guessing needs practice!  But I am going to pass this thing
if it kills me!  What's more, I'm going to (eventually) actually be able to
copy well at 20wpm, not just pass the test.  Sheer bull-headedness got me
this far, it will carry me through to Extra!

Thanks for the suggestions.  I'm saving them all, so keep 'em coming!

Roberta
KB2OOA/AA (and a half)
From: ronaldw@sco.COM (ronald wong)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: How do I feed 2 antennas (2m + 70cm)?
Keywords: antenna dual-band
Date: Tue, 07 Apr 92 00:49:00 GMT
Followup-To: ronaldw@sco.COM
Distribution: usa
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.


With all of the dual-band receivers out there today, and
the interest in external antennas, I'm surprised this hasn't
been asked yet...(at least within the past six months)

Any ideas/suggestions on how to connect two antennas (a 2m
and a 70cm) to a dual-band VHF/UHF unit (an HT in this 
case)?  I know a 1/4 wave 2m ground plane works as a dual
band antenna, but I'm thinking of moving to 5/8 wave or
J-poles (or maybe even beams?).

Do I:

A.  Run two lines down from the antennas and use a
    selector switch in the shack?

B.  Use a T-connector up on the mast?

C.  Use a duplexor somewhere?

D.  Should I use N-connectors for the 70cm line instead
    of SO/PL-239 connectors?

Feel free to either post or email responses, I'll post a
summary if there's enough interest.

Thanks in advance!

Ron Wong
KD6AWA



----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Wong            The Santa Cruz Operation             408-427-7128
Net & Comm          400 Encinal Street, PO Box 1900      FAX: 425-3544
Segment Mgr         Santa Cruz, CA  95061-1900           
E-mail:   ...uunet!sco!ronaldw      ronaldw@sco.COM     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ron Wong            The Santa Cruz Operation             408-427-7128
Net & Comm          400 Encinal Street, PO Box 1900      FAX: 425-3544
Segment Mgr         Santa Cruz, CA  95061-1900           
E-mail:   ...uunet!sco!ronaldw      ronaldw@sco.COM     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Mike_Whalen@agwbbs.new-orleans.LA.US (Mike Whalen)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Story on National Weather Service Problems on NBC
Date: 8 Apr 92 14:07:53 GMT
Article-I.D.: agwbbs.Mike_Whalen.0ble
Organization: The Amiga GateWay BBS * New Orleans, La.

In a message dated Wed  8 Apr 92 06:22, Pschleck@odin.unomaha.edu (paul W S
wrote:

 PWS> Tonight, on Jane Pauley's pseudo-news magazine show (the exact title
 PWS> escapes me title), there was a story on the National Weather
 PWS> Service, and how
 PWS> budget cuts, cost overruns from Unisys on a doppler radar contract,
 PWS> and
 PWS> general mismanagement has caused the NWS to put lives needlessly in
 PWS> danger through inaccurate weather reporting.

  I really would hate to see you guys get all up in arms about this. There
has been so much talk recently about how the media just creates problems
rather than helps it. 

  I didn't see the story... but I feel that it should have been mentioned
that HAMs volunteer their time to bee severe weather spotters. But that
wasn't the story was it.

  The story, or how Ms. Pauley wanted it to seem, was the NWS was an evil
entity hell-bent on destroying human lives.. and we must do something to
stop it before it kills someone.

  Sensationalism.. gotta love it.


-- Via DLG Pro v0.991

  /-----  /\     /\    /      Fandom Activity Network Magazine
 /---    /--\   /  \  /    1384 Sigur Ave. Metairie, La.  70005
/       /    \ /    \/             Editor : Mike Whalen
                     For the BEST in Science Fiction/Fantasy FANDOM!
                               Voice Phone: (504)/837-5037
------------------------------------------------------------------------
InterNet:                  Mike_Whalen@agwbbs.new-orleans.la.us
UUCP:                             rex!agwbbs!Mike_Whalen
From: 0004788818@mcimail.com (Jeff L. Meyers)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: HTX-202 Mod Retraction
Date: 6 Apr 92 17:04:18 GMT
Article-I.D.: mcimail.70920406162307.0004788818NA2EM
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu

I must apologize and retract the "April Fools" post I made about the Radio
Shack HTX-202 mods.  My post just showed up on packet with the last line
deleted: the line that identifies it as an April Fools post. 

The morality of posting such material is another matter.  Maybe I shouldn't
have given people what they were so hungry for...  Anyway, I figured that
anyone who might attempt the fake mod would realize it *was* fake: removing 24
resistors? a mod to light the display when you transmit? 118-227 MHz receive on
an HT that's not modifiable? 

If anyone is gullable <sp?> enough to try this.  They will find that the
descriptions of the insides don't match at all --> I haven't even opened the
case! 

The bad news is: the packet message I read orignated in New York.  I.E. it's
spread all over before it got to me... 

flame me, shame me, make me feel like a dog...
From: lhurder%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu (Luck Hurder KY1T)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: ARRL Freebies
Summary: ARRL Freebies
Keywords: Yup; we still gottem
Date: 17 Apr 92 16:43:24 GMT
Article-I.D.: arrlhq.575
Organization: American Radio Relay League


A reminder to all that the American Radio Relay League 
continues to make available to Amateur Radio Operators and 
non-amateurs alike a wide variety of free materials and 
services.  Of particular interest to the not-yet-licensed 
individual would be the ARRL Prospective Ham Package.  In 
the PHP, one would find:
.-
1.  Printouts of Volunteer Examination session opportunities 
in his/her area.
.-
2.  Listings of Amateur Radio clubs in his location.
.-
3.  Helpful promotional material about the Amateur Radio 
Service.
.-
The already-licensed individual might well be interested in 
another free ARRL publication, the ARRL Public Service 
Communications Manual. The PSCM represents the "bible" of 
public service communications, and clearly/concisely points 
out how the ARRL National Traffic System and the ARRL 
Amateur Radio Emergency Service function as a cohesive unit
to provide the maximum support to the public both in times 
of disaster as well as "normal" times.
.-
To obtain either of these free ARRL services, please provide 
me with:
.-
A.  Your name
B.  Your mailing address
C.  A Specific request for either of the two services above.
.-
Best 73!
.-
Luck Hurder, KY1T
225 Main St.
Newington CT. 06111
203 666 1541


|       |   |         Deputy Manager, Field Services, ARRL.
|       |___|         The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service, the ARRL
| uck   |   |urder    National Traffic System, The Amateur Auxiliary to
------  |   |         the FCC's Field Operations Bureau, the ARRL
     KY1T             Field Organization and the ARRL Monitoring System.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
lhurder%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu   Prodigy - MGTS39A,  BIX - ARRL,
   MCI Mail - RPALM, MCI Mail - ARRL HQ, America On Line - ARRL HQ
From: ehare%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu (Ed Hare KA1CV)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Wanted:  Heathkit HW-16 Schematics
Date: 14 Apr 1992 18:02:29 GMT
Organization: American Radio Relay League

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (chuck adams) writes:

>I am interested in getting a set of schematics for the old
>Heathkit HW-16 cw rig.  I had one at one time, but sold it
>sometime ago with the HG-10B VFO.

HI Manuals, POB 802, Council Bluffs IA 51502, no phone (mail order only)
has a large selection of manual copies available. They are quite rigid
in their ordering policies. You can only order from their catalog information. 
Send them $2.00 and ask for their latest catalog. The prices cited include 
shipping - if you want it to be sent insured, add $0.25 for each $10.00
of value.

The good news is that the ARRL has a copy of the HI catalog. If you want
to know if HI has a manual, send email to our Technical Department
Secretary bdicosim%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu. Bridget will look
it up and send you the exact model number and pricing information. That
way you can just send HI an order and a check (don't forget to add $2.00
so you can get your own catalog). You should then get the manual in a few
weeks.

The ARRL doesn't want to be in the manual-copy business, but if HI doesn't
have one and we DO, we will make a copy for a reasonable charge. 

BTW - the HW-16 is listed in HI. The model is HW-16 and the cost is $16.50.
The Heath manuals are quite large so the cost is higher than some of the
smaller manuals. 73, Ed

-----
Ed Hare, KA1CV                  | ehare%arrlhq.UUCP@uhasun.hartford.edu
American Radio Relay League     | uhasun!arrlhq!ehare
225 Main St.                    |
Newington, CT  06111            | There is no limit to what you can 
(203) 666-1541 - voice          | accomplish if you don't care who
Senior ARRL Laboratory Engineer | gets the credit. - Harry S.Truman
RFI, xmtr and rcvr testing      |  
-----
From: sking@wattres.San-Jose.CA.US (Steve King)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: FAQ on FAX & RTTY available?
Date: 9 Apr 92 17:30:34 GMT
Distribution: alt.radio.amateur.misc,alt.radio.amateur.packet
Organization: Steven Watt, Consultant   San Jose, CA, USA


Does anybody know if there is a FAQ on FAX and RTTY available?  I'm
borrowing a friends decoder and using the programs "PC HF FAX 4.0" and
"Ham Comm RTTY" for IBM.   Any suggestions for a beginner in these
modes?  Also, will a program to decode CW work with this same
(hardware) decoder?  Any suggestions for software?  Thanks in advance.

Steve


-- 
Steve King       Domain:  SKing@Wattres.SJ.CA.US
                 Packet:  KC6WCH @ N6LDL.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA
KC6WCH          "Dammit, Jim!  I'm a meteorologist, not a forecaster!"
               "Climate is what you expect.  Weather is what you get."
Xref: sparky rec.radio.amateur.misc:7461 rec.radio.swap:1178