HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: derry@NeXTwork.Rose-Hulman.Edu (John Derry)
Subject: more about ham legends
Keywords: n-conn PL-259 UHF
Organization: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 15:31:46 GMT


In article <715449442snx@skyld.UUCP>  writes:
> 
> In article <1992Sep1.192708.22577@news.acns.nwu.edu>  
rdewan@casbah.acns.nwu.edu writes:
> 
>   >    Now construct a circle on a Smith Chart centered at 50 ohms and 
>   >    plot the impedance B on it.  Move along the constant SWR circle
>   >    (a strong magnifying glass and 0.1mm pencil lead might be useful
>   >    in this excercise) and you have the horrible mismatch at A.
> 
>   About time somebody pointed out the obvious. HAM's can be such anal-
>   retentives about technology they only half understand.
> 
>   A couple of other MYTHS:
> 
>         1. Antenna and feedlines HAVE to be perfectly matched.
>         2. Antenna towers 70 ft up for EMERGENCY use.
>         3. Solid communications requires 5KW RF out.
> 
>    A couple of non-technical issues just for balance:
> 
>         1. EVERYONE knows the secret local repeater frequency and PL.
>         2. Profanity and "59 Los Angeles" spreads international  
goodwill.
>         3. A belt-clipped HT is equivalent to a year in the police  
academy.
> 
>    And my favorite:
> 
>         My chosen mode of communication is the only one true mode.
> 
>         (Hint: CW, AM, SSB, FM, RTTY, AMTOR, SSTV, FSTV, PACKET etc.)
> 
> xenon!skyld!jangus   < This space left blank intentionally. >
> J Angus, PO Box 4425, Carson CA 90749-4425 voice (310) 324-6080

==================================================

Add my favorites:

1.  An antenna must be "resonant".
2.  High VSWR causes TVI.
3.  You can match a non 50-Ohm load to fifty Ohms with a finite length 
    of 50-Ohm transmission line.
4.  If you set a car battery on concrete it will discharge it much
    faster than if you set it on wood.
5.  I stitch in time saves nine.

   ...and many more...


73 de Jack, K9CUN
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: galen@gandalf.UMCS.Maine.EDU (Galen M. Barnaby)
Subject: W6AAQ mobile antenna
Organization: University of Maine Department of Computer Science
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 00:31:19 GMT

Does anyone here have any experience with the W6AAQ antenna?
 
The antenna has a 4 ft mast 2 in diameter with a 15 in coil 
(10 turns per inch) wound on 1 1/2 in pvc topped with a 60 in
steel whip. The coil is connected with threaded rod to a 
cordless screwdriver (that is nolonger cordless since the 
batteries are removed to run the screwdriver from car batery)
mounted inside the mast.  The screwdriver adjusts the amount
of exposed coil for operation from 3.5 to 30 MHz continuous.

I like the continuous tuning, but I need to be transmitting to 
tune it in to the desired frequency. I compared it to my 
Canadian Specialist Spider on 20 and 80 meters and find the 
W6AAQ to be better.    73 de NY1T    Newport,Maine
From: jfw@ksr.com (John F. Woods)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Cellular Frequencies
Date: 23 Aug 92 20:52:51 EDT

jab0684@usl.edu (Boudreaux Jean A) writes:
>P. Comm. also mentions proposed legal changes 
>which would limit the ability of police to tape cellular communications
>.  This would give them the same status as landline phones
>in terms of getting permission to 'tap' them and use them as evidence, but
>only as far as police are concerned.

If that is *exactly* what Pop. Comm. said, they are confused -- *current*
law grants cellular communications the same status as landlines.  It was
*cordless* phones that the Supreme Court ruled had no more expectation of
privacy than a walkie-talkie; I don't know if there's any move to change
their legal status (and would doubt it).

>As far tas the morality of listening to these calls goes, that's something
>that you'll have to decide for yourself.  But, remember that these
>people are transmitting their calls to the world everytime they 
>pick up the phone.  If they are unaware of this, it is due to their
>own neglegence/stupidty.

In the case of cellular phones, they have usually been assured by salesmen
that it is *both* impossible and illegal to listen in on cellular 
communications; those without the technical knowledge to see through this,
or the time to investigate it, are not necessarily negligent or stupid.
Also note that many cordless phones are advertised as having voice scrambling
when all they have is a digital security code to determine whether or not
a remote unit can access a given base unit (see a recent discussion in
misc.consumers.house).  (Some cordless phones actually have "frequency
inversion" scrambling, and Radio Shack now apparently has a spread-spectrum
cordless phone).
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: kenw@col.hp.com (Ken Wyatt)
Subject: Re: Mobile Dual Bander Suggestions
Date: Tue, 25 Aug 1992 23:29:13 GMT
Organization: HP Colorado Springs Division

I just tested the scan rate of the TM-741A (big brother to 731) and it 
came in at a womping 4 ch/sec.  Let's see, three bands of 100 channels,
each, divided by 4 ch/sec = 75 sec (!).  :-)
From: Marc_North@mindlink.bc.ca (Marc North)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Stories.
Date: 3 Sep 92 23:18:29 GMT
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Distribution: world

Hello all,

I'm interested in hearing from any of you who have interesting stories to tell
about any QSO's that stand out in your mind. Perhaps a really distant contact,
or someone famous or anything at all that you remember as being outstanding.

Me? I'm yet to get my license! :) But I'm studying my code and I hope (pray) to
be licensed soon. I'm just curious to know what your favourite experiences have
been.

If there is interest, I'd be more than happy to compile the replies into an
indexed file. I suspect that there are a few of you out there with really
incredible stories to tell a newcomer like myself.

73's to all.

Marc


--
Marc North  --  The Lanceholder's Group
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: markz@ssc.wa.com (Mark Zenier)
Subject: Re: Installing 2m rig in 92 Toyota truck.
Organization: SSC, Inc.,  Seattle, WA
Date: Thu, 03 Sep 1992 18:28:37 GMT
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL3

ehare@arrl.org (Ed Hare - KA1CV) writes:
: In rec.radio.amateur.misc, thorn@wam.umd.edu (Greg Thornwall) writes:
: >Is anyone on the net using a 2m rig in a 1992 Toyota truck? 
: 
: >(d) Do not equip your vehicle with a powerful mobile radio system.
: 
: I *guess* that this means >10 watts, but they are quite vague in their
: description.

Since some of the local suburban police departments run 150 watts
at 155 (or thereabouts) MHz, I'd think there wouldn't be much
difference between 10 watts in the car and 150 watts from the
one next to you at a stop light.   Anybody have Toyota that
goes dead every time a cop car comes near?

Mark Zenier  markz@ssc.wa.com
From: greg@sscvx1.ssc.gov (Greg Chartrand)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Excellent customer service story
Date: 27 Aug 92 16:50:13 GMT
Organization: Superconducting Super Collider Laboratory

I have had excellent service from Cushcraft over the years. My AP-8 
vertical developed two problems which the Cushcraft service dpt. handled 
wonderfully. Several years ago I purchased an A-4 which was missing some 
hardware. The service dpt. overnight mailed the missing hardware to me. 
Nice to see a company can consistantly deliver good service.

Greg
WA9EYY
From: nagle@netcom.com (John Nagle)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Storing cells in the refrigerator
Date: 27 Aug 92 17:33:01 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest)

Hugh_E._Wells.El_Segundo@xerox.COM writes:

>I've been storing various cells (dry and alkaline) in the refrigerator for some
>30 years.  Although I've not done any comparative testing on the life
>expectancy due to cold vs warm storage.  I believe the cold has worked as I've
>used cells stored 5-6 years and received what appeared to be full life from the
>cell.

        Cold storage is valuable for carbon-zinc chemistry cells, but 
doesn't make much difference for alkaline ones, which have a much longer
shelf life.   (This is why more products are coming with batteries included.)

					John Nagle
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,rec.radio.swap
From: rpadawer@utkvx3.utk.edu (Padawer, Justin Randall)
Subject: YAESU FT-767 with 2m & 6m units FOR SALE
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Organization: University of Tennessee Computing Center
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 1992 05:05:00 GMT

One excellent Yaesu FT-767GX transceiver, general coverage 160-10
meters, with 6 meters and 2 meters transceive units.  First
$1200 shipped.

Randy Padawer
WA4FJF
RPADAWER@UTKVX.UTK.EDU
(615) 637-7263
From: Kirk.Smith@bbs.oit.unc.edu (Kirk Smith)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Bendix/King Info sought
Date: 24 Aug 92 00:36:33 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Extended Bulletin Board Service

I'm considering the purchase of a new land-mobile handie, and am strongly
considering Bendix/King radios.  They pack a LOT of features for the buck,
much more than the Icom (I own a U16 currently).

I'm wondering if anyone is using these for amateur activities?  I'm still
planning to get an amateur license, and hope these work down into the 2m band.
I'm also interested in knowing if the new "E-Series" radios can be 
programmed via the keyboard like the "L-Series" radios could (ie: by shorting
the contacts in the accessory plug and entering the "secret" code).  If
so, can you enter the alphanumeric channel ID stuff this way too, or must you 
use a PC to program it?

These really seem like great radios and I'm especially interested in a 210
channel metal case intrinsically safe radio.  Yow!

Please followup via email and I'll summarize to the net if I get any
interest.

-Kirk J. Smith, EMT-P

--
   The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the University of
     North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the Campus Office for Information
        Technology, or the Experimental Bulletin Board Service.
           internet:  bbs.oit.unc.edu or 152.2.22.80
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: eri316@tijc02.uucp (Ed Ingraham         )
Subject: Hurricane Publicity
Organization: Siemens Industrial Automation, Johnson City TN
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 92 12:56:32 GMT

I noticed a short article about an amateur operator (Olie) working
with hurricane disaster communications. It included a brief quote
from Luck Hurder as ARRL spokesman. This was an AP story in our
local newspaper.

No callsigns, but good PR.

Ed Ingraham, WX4S
Johnson City, Tennessee
tijc02!eri316@uunet.uu.net
From: brian@ucsd.edu (Brian Kantor)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Did this guy really sit *4 YEARS* in Prison ??
Date: 2 Sep 92 12:22:57 GMT
Organization: The Avant-Garde of the Now, Ltd.
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu

The claim being made on local repeaters where friends and defenders
of Richard Burton are to be heard is that the hearings were held in
Washington with no change of venue offered - and that Mr. Burton's
health (a heart condition?) prevented him from attending.  The further
claim is that this constituted, in effect, a trial in absentia.

I cannot vouch for any of those claims.
	- Brian
From: jhays@boi.hp.com (John D. Hays)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Most fitting commercial callsigns
Date: 2 Sep 92 15:40:22 GMT
Organization: Hewlett Packard - Boise Printer Division (LAFS)

KIVI Channel 6 --- Boise, Idaho (K - Idaho - VI [6]  --- I think)
-- 
John D. Hays [KD7UW]           |Email: [UUCP]          ...!hplabs!hpdmd48!jhays
Firmware Engineer              |       [INTERNET]              jhays@boi.hp.com
Boise Printer Division         |       [GEnie]                             HAYS
Boise, Idaho                   |       [Compu$erve]                   72725,424
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: maynard@groo.msc.cornell.edu (Maynard J. Handley)
Subject: Re: Cellular Frequencies
Organization: Cornell-Materials-Science-Center
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 03:17:55 GMT

Sorry to appear a complete bozo, but what exactly do people mean when they
say TV's can intercept these frequencies? As I understand TV, the audio and
visual signals go out at two separate frequencies. So are we saying that
the TV receives the cellular signal at the audio frequency and simply plays
it as a sound? Doesn't it care that there is no video present? Is cellular
communication by simple FM (that TV audio uses) and not an AM signal (that
would use less bandwidth).

Maynard Handley
From: alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom)
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 19:08:56 GMT
Subject: Re: Morse Code Question
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, Marc_North@mindlink.bc.ca (Marc North) writes:

>I'm just starting to learn Morse code, and I wondered how easy it becomes?

>I mean, right now I have to really concentrate on what I'm listening to
>understand what's what. I'm wondering if some of you old-timers can just listen
>to it, almost like a background conversation, and still comprehend what is
>being sent? Or, is it always an exercise in concentrated listening?

It's much easier as you get into the higher speeds.  I have to really
concentrate to receive 5 wpm, because I tend to forget the first few
letters of a word by the time the last letter is sent.  At 30+ wpm,
you can carry on a casual conversation without strain.

AL N1AL
From: rja@batcomfs.Eng.Sun.COM (rja@sun.com)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Kenwood TS440 vco5 problem
Keywords: ts440
Date: 26 Aug 92 22:36:08 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: batcomfs


In article <1992Aug26.201246.5638@gvl.unisys.com> hugh@ivy.unisys.com (Hugh Pepper) writes:
>Due to the recent thread about Kenwood Service, (or lack therof) I'm 
>almost afraid to ask for some help with a TS-440s which I recently 
>aquired...

	Abridged phone conversation follows.
> 
>Chuck: Common problem,  Turn around time here for repair is long, and we 
>	can't even look at the radio for 3 weeks from the time it arrives.
>
>Me:	Well if this is such a known problem, is there something that I can 
>	do, without sending it in?
>
>Chuck:	Well, maybe....
>
>	Call Kenwood in California and ask for VCO GLUE MOD/FIX/Bulletin 5,
>	But I have to warn you, the glue is hard to get off of the board, and
>	you have to promise me, that if you attempt this repair, and it doesn't 
>	work, I don't want to see the radio here for repairs..
>
	End Abridged phone conversation.
>
>	So, so far, they seem to be fairly willing to lend assistance, I guess
>	the only time there is trouble, is if you have to send a radio
>	in to them, as I guess that 2 factory service centers are fairly 
>	swamped with all of the US repairs..

    While I'm glad that you've had good luck, so far, in getting
    information, I think you've given an excellent demonstration
    of why Kenwood service has some problems:

    1) Known problems aren't fixed quickly.

    2) Turn around time is abysmal.  This means one of several things,
       with the two most likely being:

       i. Kenwood sells so many crappy radios that they are swamped
	  with repairs.

      ii. Kenwood service sucks so bad that it takes forever to get
	  a radio serviced.

    3) crappy glue being used in products????
--
Robert Allen, rja@sun.com		DISCLAIMER: I said it, not my company.

		    Samuel Addams: Brewer, Patriot.
Xref: sparky rec.radio.amateur.misc:14524 alt.folklore.urban:22155
From: alexa@county.lmt.mn.org (Dave Alexander)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,alt.folklore.urban
Subject: Re: Cellular Frequencies
Date: 26 Aug 92 13:45:24 GMT
Organization: LaserMaster Technologies, Minneapolis, MN

In article <1992Aug25.180033.1049@bnlux1.bnl.gov>, schroede@bnlux1.bnl.gov (gary l. schroeder) writes:
> 
> 
> Interestingly enough, I just heard a bit about this on TV last week
> (Good Morning America, of all places).  A communications "expert" told
> Joan Lunden that it was illegal to intercept conversations taking place
> over traditional "corded" phones and cellular phones, but that there are
> currently no laws against recieving converstaions broadcast by home
> cordless telephones. 
> 

Actually the truth is that it is illegal for *law enforcement agents* to tap
a corded phone without a warrant and *use the evidence in court,* but it is
legal for them to listen in on the airwaves to a cordless phone signal and
use the evidence in court.

-- Alex --
From: taber@ultnix.mro1.dec.com (Patrick St. Joseph Teahan Taber)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Best way to leard Morse code?
Date: 25 Aug 92 17:15:40 GMT
Reply-To: taber@ultnix.mro1.dec.com (Patrick St. Joseph Teahan Taber)
Organization: KC1TD@KB4N.NH.USA.NA.EARTH.SOLAR_SYSTEM.UNIVERSE.MIND_OF_GOD.01463


In article <BtJKv1.1nL@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, rtaylor@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Roger Taylor) writes:
|>
|>	Anything is better than learning di's and dah's.  However, this  
|>	still sounds like hearing with one side of the brain and
|>	doing the pattern recognition with the other across the very
|>	slow center connections.  Read Wayne Green's editorial in the
|>	latest (?) 73 about how to learn the code.  Sure he's contraversial 
|>	but he knows what he is talking about  in this area. 
|>

Then one has to ask why he's only got an Advanced license and why he 
continually asserts that high speed code rots the brain?




--
                                             >>>==>PStJTT
                                     Patrick St. Joseph Teahan Taber, KC1TD

I never knew I was a Republican
Until I married into a family of Democrats.
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov ( Scott Dorsey)
Subject: Re: Japanese communication; Re: Kenwood Service SUCKS!!!
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center and Reptile Farm
Date: Thu, 27 Aug 1992 19:50:29 GMT

In article <Aug.27.15.32.07.1992.12023@pilot.njin.net> ron@pilot.njin.net (Ron Natalie) writes:
>
>> One might add that in many countries (including Japan and Great Britain),
>> If you give 'em h..., you look like a nut, and are not taken very seriously.

No, in the US, if you jump up and down and scream incoherently, threatening
terrible disasters, they just elect you president.
--scott
From: jon@Turing.ORG (Jon Gefaell (KD4CQY))
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Speaking Of Q-Codes...
Date: 31 Aug 92 03:18:16 GMT
Organization: The Turing Project, Charlottesville Virginia.

In article <ledger.715227199@rat> ledger@rat.cica.indiana.edu (Ledger Heavilon) writes:
>In <1992Aug24.160800.18930@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> jon@Turing.ORG (Jon Gefaell (KD4CQY)) writes:

>Where might one find a list of Pro-words?  Indeed, what is the origen
>of the term "Pro-word"?

I posted what you quoted, so I'll note.. Pro-Word, proword, PROWORD, etc...
Any spelling or capitalization is purely my whimsy. Sorry. I wonder what the
right and real name is... I've got the appropriate texts right next to me,
but I'm too bushed to care...

>
>Thank you,
>--
>Ledger Heavilon  N9OTK                  ledger@cica.indiana.edu
>UCS LAN Group				CIS: 73427,534
>Indiana University                      317/541-8119
>
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: jhays@boi.hp.com (John D. Hays)
Subject: Re: Vertical antenna for a covenant-restricted lot?
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 17:21:04 GMT
Organization: Hewlett Packard - Boise Printer Division (LAFS)

Of course you could always do a flag-pole vertical.
-- 
John D. Hays [KD7UW]           |Email: [UUCP]          ...!hplabs!hpdmd48!jhays
Firmware Engineer              |       [INTERNET]              jhays@boi.hp.com
Boise Printer Division         |       [GEnie]                             HAYS
Boise, Idaho                   |       [Compu$erve]                   72725,424
From: jjw@precipice.chi.il.us (John Welch)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Emergency power recommendations?
Keywords: Deep Cycle, solar, rotor
Date: Sat, 22 Aug 92 11:18:13 CDT
Organization: Welch Research

seanp@undr.org (Sean Petty) writes:
>         I am in need of some help with an emergency power source for a
>         rig I am using at home (FT-2400).. In the event of a power
>         failure, I'd like to be using my radio for possible emergency
>         comms, but I need a source.  Granted, I could use the old car
>         battery, or even a UPS, but I'd like to cull the creative wisdom
>         of fellow amateurs and see if there is a better/cheaper way to
>         do what I need.  I would only need the power for say, 6 hours,
>         80% of which would be monitoring (2 Amps) and the other 20%
>         transmitting (16 Amps)..

     We are using a Marine Deep-Cycle battery (105 Amp-Hours) with a
pair of hmoe-built solar arrays (approx 4 amp @ 16.5 volt) for charge
if the wall socket's dead.  We run the radio from the battery at all
times, and have a decent charger on a timer to keep from frying the
radio.
     We also have an antenna rotor (from K-Mart) that runs from 12V DC
(but that rotor alas was the EL rotor for the sat array, not the AZ
rotor).  The rotor was for TVs and required better bypassing to work
well for 2m, but the price was great (<$50).
From: jordan@ll.mit.edu (Mike Jordan)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: 240v AC -> 12v DC 5amp PSU required
Date: 2 Sep 92 17:15:34 GMT
Reply-To: jordan@ll.mit.edu (Mike Jordan)
Organization: MIT Lincoln Laboratory

I have a friend who makes frequent trips to the UK.  While there, he needs to be
 able to run a 12v TV and Camcorder in the house, not just in the car.  He needs
 something that will supply at least 3.5 amps.  I think 5 amps would be a
 comfortable margin.  He is not really technical enough to build one, especially
 to withstand the rigours of travel.
Looking round the Ham stores here, I've seen various switching supplies, by
 Astron and others, that will do the job for about $40-50 - from 110v ac.  The
 cheapest for a 240v model is $90, and is beefier than he needs - 12amps.
What do hams in the UK do for medium-duty power supplies?
If anyone can give me pointers to stores and/or prices in the UK for this stuff,
 I would be very grateful.
Please reply by E-mail directly to JORDAN @ LL.MIT.EDU
Thanks
Mike Jordan     G4ASQ/KC1RP
From: jdelancy@tecnet1.jcte.jcs.mil
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Swan FM-2XA
Date: 30 Aug 1992 18:57:30 -0700
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu

Has anyone successfully modified a Swan FM-2XA (two meter
crystal controlled FM rig produced about 1973) receiver
section for the current 15 or 20 Khz splits?  If so, how
did you do it?

jd--K1ZAT
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc