From: ikluft@uts.amdahl.com (Ian Kluft)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc,news.answers
Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 3 of 3)
Date: 7 Jan 93 11:09:05 GMT
Expires: 9 Feb 93 08:00:00 GMT
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Revision: 3.1 11/01/92 05:00:49

Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions
Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions discussed in Part 3: (dates indicate last modification)
**  What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?
    (pre-4/92)
**  What is the best way to learn Morse Code? (10/92)
**  What is the standard for measuring Morse code speed? (pre-4/92)
**  I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean??? (5/92)
**  What do all those "tones" mean? (pre-4/92)
**  Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio if I live outside the US?
    (4/92)
**  How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another
    country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another
    country (on vacation)? (11/92)
**  My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what
    do I do? (pre-4/92)
**  I got TVI...HELP!!! (pre-4/92)
**  Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham? (pre-4/92)
**  On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio?
    (10/92)
**  Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission
    of the captain? (4/92)
**  How do I modify my current Amateur license? (4/92)
**  I'm confused about XXX, should I ask the FCC? (4/92)
**  Is there any information on antique radios? (pre-4/92)
**  Where can I buy vacuum tubes? (pre-4/92)
**  What do I need to get started in packet radio? (5/92)
**  What do I need to get started in satellite communications? (pre-4/92)
**  What is available to get started in ATV, SSTV and WEFAX? (5/92)
**  What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate? (7/92)

--Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions------------------Part 3--

**  What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?
	Novice - has CW (Morse code) privileges on 4 HF bands (80, 40, 15,
	    and 10 meter), Voice privileges on 10 meters, and privileges 
	    on 2 VHF/UHF bands (220 MHz and 1290 MHz).
	    Required are 5 wpm Morse code test and 30-question Novice test.
	Technician - has full privileges on all VHF/UHF bands above 30 MHz.
	    Required are Novice test and 25-question Tech test.
	    Technician may access Novice HF bands by passing the 5 wpm Morse
	    code test.
	General - has all Technician privileges, plus larger access to more
	    HF bands, including CW and Voice on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15,
	    12, and 10 meter bands.  A General class amateur can give Novice 
	    tests.
	    Required are 13 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech and 25-question
	    General test.
	Advanced - has all General privileges, plus wider band access on 80,
	    40, 20, and 15 meter bands.  An Advanced class amateur can
	    also become a VE and give tests to Novice and Tech tests.
	    Required are 13 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech, General and
	    50-question Advanced test.  The Advanced test is the most difficult
	    of the five written tests.
	Amateur Extra - has full privileges on all amateur bands.  An Extra
	    can become a VE and give all amateur tests.
	    Required are 20 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech, General,
	    Advanced and 40-question Extra test.

**  What is the best way to learn Morse Code?
	This is becoming an increasingly common question as many "no-code"
	Technicians realize they can add more privileges to their license if
	they learn Morse Code.  The following list of suggestions should
	be helpful in finding ways to approach the effort.

	* Listen to code at a rate faster than you can copy.
	* Participate in Novice-Roundup and/or Field Day.  Practice whenever
	  you get the chance!
	* Avoid the "deciphering" plateau around 5 WPM and and character
	  plateau at 10 WPM by listening to the fast Farnsworth-paced
	  "beat" of each letter and the "beat" of common words.  (See the
	  question on Morse code speed for more information on Farnsworth
	  pacing.)
	* Practice to develop a "copy buffer" so you copy about 5 characters
	  behind.  (This is not easy but it's how the higher speeds are done.)
	* Practice both with headphones and "open-air" copy as the code test
	  may be in either format.  (If you only practice one, you may fumble
	  on the other.)
	* Most of all, don't give up!  Recognize when you reach plateaus
	  and keep trying until you break through them.

**  What is the standard for measuring Morse code speed?
	The word PARIS was chosen as the standard length for CW code speed.
	Each dit counts for one count, each dash counts for three counts, 
	intra-character spacing is one count, inter-character spacing is three
	counts and inter-word spacing is seven counts, so the word PARIS is
	exactly 50 counts:

        PPPPPPPPPPPPP     AAAAA     RRRRRRRRR     IIIII     SSSSSSSSS
	.   -   -   .     .   -     .   -   .     .   .     .   .   .
	1 1 3 1 3 1 1  3  1 1 3  3  1 1 3 1 1  3  1 1 1  3  1 1 1 1 1  7 = 50
          ^                      ^                                     ^
          ^Intra-character       ^Inter-character            Inter-word^

	So 5 words-per-minute = 250 counts-per-minute / 50 counts-per-word or
	one count every 240 milliseconds.  13 words-per-minute is one count
	every ~92.3 milliseconds.   This method of sending code is sometimes
	called "Slow Code", because at 5 wpm it sounds VERY SLOW.  

	The "Farnsworth" method is accomplished by sending the dits and dashes 
	and intra-character spacing at a higher speed, then increasing the 
	inter-character and inter-word spacing to slow the sending speed down 
	to the desired speed.  For example, to send at 5 wpm with 13 wpm 
	characters in Farnsworth method, the dits and intra-character spacing
	would be 92.3 milliseconds, the dash would be 276.9 milliseconds, the
	inter-character spacing would be 1.443 seconds and inter-word spacing 
	would be 3.367 seconds.

**  I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean???
	AM	Amplitude Modulation
	AMSAT	Amateur Satellite Corporation
	AMTOR	Amateur Teleprinter Over Radio.  A more sophisticated version 
		of RTTY.  Also used commercially as SITOR (Simplex Teleprinter
		Over Radio).
	ARRL	American Radio Relay League
	ATV	Amateur Television - a way to see who you're talking to!
	CAP	Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization that searches for
		downed aircraft and missing kids and uses frequencies just 
		outside of the ham bands and often uses modified Amateur radios
	CB	Citizen's Band radio, this is NOT part of Amateur Radio and
		does not require any license to operate
	CQ	An on-the-air request for a conversation with anyone
	"dupes"	A dupe sheet is a duplicate check sheet, in matrix format, used
		to quickly check that you have not had a "duplicate" contact
		with someone (on a specific band or mode) in a contest
	Elmer	An amateur radio mentor, or "Master Craftsman" to a new ham.
		Could refer to anyone, regardless of age or gender.
	FCC	Federal Communications Commission, the "law enforcers"
	FM	Frequency Modulation
	FieldDay A June activity to practice emergency communications for
		24 hours....wives call it 'an exercise in male bonding' :-).
	HF	High Frequency - 3 MHz to 30 MHz
	HT	Handy-Talky, a shorthand for "hand held radio"
	LF	Low Frequency - 30 kHz to 3 MHz
	MARS	Military Affiliate Radio System, military affiliated Amateurs
		who provide free communications for overseas GIs and other
		Federal services.  MARS operators are licensed under DoD 
		instead of FCC.
	NTS	National Traffic System, a way to send radiograms
	OF	Old Friend, or Old F#$%, used to denote an older ham
	OM	Old Man, refers to any ham, including female hams
	packet	computer bulletin boards/electronic mail via Amateur Radio
	PRB	Private Radio Bureau, administers Amateur and CB services
	QSO	One of the Q signals used in Morse code to mean "conversation"
	QCWA	Quarter Century Wireless Association, membership means you've
		been a ham for more than 25 years
	RTTY	Radio Teletype - older form of computer communications on HF
	SAREX	In Amateur Radio talk, Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment, a
		chance to talk to astronauts in space.  In CAP talk, Search
		and Rescue EXercise, practicing for the real thing.
	SK	Silent Key, a nice polite way  to say a ham has passed on "to
		that great antenna farm in the sky"
	SSB	Single Side Band - need less band width than AM or FM
	SSTV	Slow Scan TeleVision - REALLY slow, low data rate, typically
		used on the lower frequency bands
	UHF	Ultra High Frequency - 300 MHz and above
	ULF	Ultra Low Frequency - 30 Hz to 300 Hz
	VHF	Very High Frequency - 30 MHz to 300 MHz
	VLF	Very Low Frequency - 300 Hz to 30 kHz, audio frequencies
	WARC	World Administrative Radio Conference, a summit meeting that
		occurs every few years, required by international treaty to
		determine how the spectrum get sliced up to all vying
		communications services (last one was in 1992)
	XYL	eX-Young Lady, or wife
	YL	Young Lady, non-ham girlfriend or female ham
	2m	Shorthand for "2 meters" (144-147.995 MHz), which is a
		reference to the wavelength of a common Amateur frequency
		band used for local communications

**  What do all those "tones" mean?
	Sub-Audible Tone:  A low tone that you're not supposed to be able to
	hear.  It's used as a "PL Tone."  PL is "Private Line", a trademark
	of Motorola for their implementation of CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded
	Squelch System).  Basically, the transmitter sends the signal with
	the Sub-Audible tone and the receiver only opens when it hears signals
	with that tone.  Signals without the proper tone are ignored.  This
	is useful for "closed" repeaters, or for repeaters on the same 
	frequency that have overlapping geographic areas.
	Tone encode refers to the feature of providing the tone on transmit.
	Tone decode refers to the feature of responding to the tone on receive.
	Tone squelch refers to all of the above.  DTMF refers to Dual Tone 
	Multi-Frequency, or "Touch Tone" which is a trademark of AT&T.  DTSS
	probably means Dual Tone Squelch System and refers to the feature of
	providing a predefined sequence of Touch Tone digits to open the
	repeater for transmit.  DTSS is an alternate method from CTCSS, which
	provides a way to use a "closed" repeater even if your radio doesn't
	do Sub-Audible Tones.

**  Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio if I live outside the US?
	Write to the ARRL and ask.  They can usually tell you how to get a
	license in your country.

	If you know of any location where this information is available
	electronically, whether by an e-mail server, anonymous FTP, or a
	contact person, please mail it to us so we can include it here.  Send
	it to hamradio-faq@uts.amdahl.com.

**  How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another
**  country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another 
**  country (on vacation)?

	Editor's note (11/92): the regulations affecting this question are
	being changed.  Contact your local Volunteer Examiner (VE) and ask
	about a VE 60-day pass.  More details will be included in future
	revisions of the FAQ.

	This paragraph is soon to be obsolete:

	You need to submit a FCC Form 610-A to the FCC, PO Box 1020, 
	Gettysburg, PA 17326.  They will then send you a reciprocal permit 
	for alien amateur licensee (FCC Form 610-AL).  You must be a citizen 
	of a country with which the United States has arrangements to grant 
	reciprocal operating permits to visiting alien Amateur operators.

	This information is still current:

	For FCC licensed hams operating abroad, the following guidelines
	apply:
	* A reciprocal license is required in all foreign countries (that have
	  a reciprocal operating agreement with the US), except Canada, where
	  the FCC license is automatically valid.
	* Send a SASE to ARRL Regulatory Information Branch, telling them
	  which country you are going to visit and they will send you the
	  info and an application form.  Foreign hams can likewise request
	  information from their national Amateur radio society.
	* Submit your application with a certified copy of your Amateur 
	  license (ie, notarized copy), and fee if applicable (use a bank draft
	  of a bank that does business in that country) to the appropriate 
	  licensing administration of the foreign country.  Processing may
	  take 30 to 90 days.
	* If less than one month, you could try sending the application and
	  pick up the permit upon arrival in that country.
	* Most countries will not allow you to bring communications equipment
	  into their country without a license or permit.  If you applied, but
	  haven't received the permit yet, show the copy and your FCC license
	  to the customs officer, however, the equipment may still be held at
	  customs until your departure.
	* Be sure to use only those frequencies covered by your FCC license
	  which are also used in the foreign country, unless otherwise
	  authorized.

**  My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what
     do I do?
	First of all, don't despair.  Many hams have similar problems.  Many
	books offer advice for the growing group of hams that cannot put up
	antennas.  Some options are:
	* Install an "invisible" antenna made of magnet wire.
	* Disguise an antenna as a flag pole.
	* Install an antenna in the attic.
	* ASK the apartment manager.  You may find they will let you put up
	  something as long as it "is invisible" or "doesn't disturb your
	  neighbors" or "doesn't attract lightning".
	* Operate primarily from your car.
	* If the restriction is due to local ordinance, you may have relief 
	  via PRB-1.  Meet with the local government and seek an informal
	  compromise.  It is possible to win in court...but it's expensive and
	  time consuming.
	* If you are restricted by "covenants" attached to the deed of your 
	  home, your options are severely limited.  Covenants are considered
	  to be private, voluntary contracts between individuals and are 
	  outside of the intended application of PRB-1.  In many cases, you
	  can petition the Homeowner's Association for an exception.  Sometimes
	  you can win in court on the basis that other violations of the 
	  covenants by others without action taken constitutes abandonment
	  of the agreement.
	* For further information, contact the General Consel's office of the
	  ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

**  I got TVI...HELP!!!
	Here's some hints on Television interference, but this is not a
	complete list.  There are also books on the subject available from
	ARRL.
	* If cable TV is an underground feed, look for central distribution 
	  box.  Check for a grounding rod.
	* Try installing torroids on the cable TV cable close to the TV, and
	  maybe torroids on the AC cord as well.
	* VCRs are notorious for RF leakers, try disconnecting the VCR.
	* Check to see if interference is better or worse when cable is
	  disconnected and you use rabbit ears instead.  It could be the
	  cable company's problem!
	* Calling the cable company may get results, since they are also
	  responsible for RF leakage from their equipment.  However, they
	  are very often obstinate.  Good luck!  Try some or all of these
	  suggestions before calling the cable company:
	  1.  Log the interference, noting geographical location, frequency,
	      and characteristics.
	  2.  Bring it to the cable company's attention in writing, preferably
	      addressed to "Chief Engineer", or "Technical Staff".
	  3.  Don't be accusatory, instead ask for assistance in resolving
	      the problem.  Try to work it out with someone technically
	      knowledgeable.
	  4.  Do mention your "licensed radio system", but try not to be too
	      specific about "ham" or "CB" unless requested.
	* Try moving the radio antenna further away from the TV sets.  Make
	  sure the SWR is LOW.

**  Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham?
	It's true!  You can receive up to 14 credits in electronics and
	engineering thru placement tests for CLEP (College Level Entrance
	Placement) exams and DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional
	Educational Support) exams if you have an Advanced or Extra class 
	Amateur license.  For more information, ask your campus education 
	office or (for DANTES) your military education office.

**  On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio?
	Station  VHF     10m     15m     20m     40m     80m     Video
	WA3NAN   147.45  28.650  21.395  14.295  7.185   3.860
	W6VIO    224.04          21.280  14.282  7.165
	K6MF     145.585                         7.165   3.840
	W5RRR    146.64  28.495  21.350  14.280  7.227   3.850
	W6FXN    145.46
	KA9SZX   146.88                                          426.25
	K4GCC    146.94
	WA4VME   145.17

	All frequencies are in MHz.  Use FM on VHF, USB on 10-20m, LSB on
	40-80m.
	WA3NAN - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD
	W6VIO  - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA
	K6MF   - NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, CA
	W5RRR  - NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
	W6FXN  - Los Angeles, CA
	KA9SZX - Champaign-Urbana, IL
	K4GCC  - Titusville, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)
	WA4VME - Melbourne, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)

**  Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission
    of the captain?

	Technically, maybe.  But don't count on it.  In general, you can't use
	a radio or scanner on an airline (or charter) *unless* the airline
	allows it and the pilot-in-command (PIC) determines that it will not
	interfere with the instruments and radios on that specific aircraft.
	Very few US airlines allow passengers to use radios so be ready to
	disconnect the antenna when you ask.  (Don't even ask to transmit.)
	For reference (in the US) the pertinent portion of the Federal Aviation
	Regulations (FARs) is Part 91, paragraph 91.21.

	Due to airport security, you may have a little difficulty carrying the
	HT (or any electronic equipment) onto the airplane.  Generally, you 
	can appease the security guards, simply by showing that the unit is 
	operational and doesn't have a bomb inside.  For a radio, just turning
	it on and opening the squelch satisfies them.  Expect more difficulty
	during periods of increased security.

	On a private airplane, it is legal to operate an amateur radio if you
	have the permission of the PIC.  It is still possible for the radio to
	interfere with the plane's navigation or communication equipment, so
	be sure to ask first.  Always obey the requests of the PIC.  He knows
	his airplane and radios better than you do.

** How do I modify my current Amateur license?
	To modify your license (change of address, change of station location,
	change of name, renewal, or even change of callsign), submit an FCC
	Form 610 to the FCC.  Forms are available from the FCC or ARRL or a
	local VE session or ham radio store.  Do NOT use a photocopy.  Check
	off the appropriate boxes, fill in the new/changed information, SIGN
	THE FORM, and attach a copy of your current license (or a brief letter
	of explanation for its absence, ie, "my dog ate it").  NOTE:  If you
	check the box to change your callsign, YOU WILL GET A NEW CALLSIGN,
	even if all you wanted was to supply a new address; if you want to keep
	your callsign, DON'T CHECK THAT BOX.  Send the form to FCC, POB 1020,
	Gettysburg, PA 17326.  Turnaround time (for CURRENT licensees only)
	is about 2-4 weeks.

	ANY ham can apply for a new callsign (this is different from the past
	where you can only get a new callsign if you move or upgrade).  You 
	can't specify WHICH ONE you want, a new one comes from the same pool
	as new licensees for that class of license.  The callsign is based on
	your mailing address.  For overseas military and civilians, be sure to
	specify a station location that is within FCC jurisdiction.

	New licenses are for 10-year terms.  If you apply for renewal before
	its expiration date, the expired license is valid for 60 days after
	expiration to allow for the new license to arrive.  You have up to
	2 years after expiration (5 years for an old 5-year license) to renew
	before re-examination is required (but you can't operate with an 
	expired license).  You will lose your current callsign after 1 year 
	after expiration if you don't renew.

**  I'm confused about XXX, should I ask the FCC?
	Whatever "XXX" is in this case, the overwhelming ARRL and net opinion
	is a resounding "NO!", at least not as a first step.  Amateurs are
	generally very law-abiding people and have historically written the
	FCC asking for clarification on some operating practice or another.
	This is a very dangerous practice, for several reasons.

	Most amateur radio regulations (contained in Part 97) are generally
	very loosely-worded, so as not to restrict experimentation and new
	techniques.  But asking the FCC for a clarification will set in motion
	the process of "clarifying" it for everyone (i.e. new rulemaking.)

	Examples of such restrictive rulings include varying topics like when
	Hams can help non-profit agencies or effectively forcing packet BBS
	sysops to screen messages before forwarding them.  They were the result
	of well-intentioned questions by Hams that forced the FCC to make a
	ruling where they previously allowed the amateur radio community to
	police itself.

	Under all circumstances, it is better to first read the rules yourself.
	Then, if there's a problem, ask your national amateur radio organiza-
	tion (such as the ARRL in the US) which can give qualified advice about
	interpretation of FCC regulations.  Organizations like the ARRL also
	have the influence to ask the FCC informally, without forcing a ruling.

	Even if asking the FCC doesn't result in a restrictive ruling, it is
	generally a good idea to not overburden an under-staffed and under-
	funded government agency with a lot of correspondence.  The Amateur
	Radio Service has traditionally been a low-workload "hands-off"
	service, and has enjoyed a wide latitude from the FCC.  Please don't
	ruin this image for your fellow amateurs.

**  Is there any information on antique radios?
	Antique radio classifieds:  ARC, PO Box 802-B6, Carlisle, MA 01741 - 
		old radios, TVs, ham equipment, 40s and 50s radios, 
		telegraph, books, etc.
	Hallicrafter Service manuals:  Ardco Electronics, PO Box 95, Dept Q,
		Berwyn, IL  60402
	Antique Wireless Association, Bruce Kelley, W2ICE, Route 3, Holcomb,
		NY 14469 - sponsors the Wireless Museum

**  Where can I buy vacuum tubes?
	Kirby, 298 West Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032 (1-317-843-2212)
	Antique Electronic Supply, Box 1810, Tempe, AZ 85281 (1-602-894-9503)
	Fair Radio Sales, Box 1105, Lima OH 45802
	Fala Electronics, Box 1376-1 Milwaukee, WI 53201
	Southern Radio Supply, 1909 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112 
		(10504-524-2343)

**  What do I need to get started in packet radio?
	Packet radio is a digital form of communication using radios.  There
	are OTHER digital forms, as well, like CW, RTTY and AMTOR.  To use
	packet radio, you'll need a radio (2 meters and 70 centimeters are
	most popular), a box that converts radio signals to digital signals
	that a computer can understand (called a TNC or terminal node control-
	ler) and a computer or terminal.  For some computers or TNCs you may
	need special software as well.  However, most TNCs and computers get
	along quite well with just a terminal emulator software package.  Most
	personal computers can be interfaced to use with packet radio.  Since
	there are many digipeaters, generally even an HT will work with
	packet radio.

	Your first source of information on Packet Radio should be the
	rec.radio.amateur.packet newsgroup.  It has its own regularly-posted
	FAQ that goes into much more depth on the subject than this one can.
	See also the mailing list and archives info in Part 2.

	For more information on packet radio, you might try TAPR (Tucson 
	Amateur Packet Radio), PO Box 12925, Tucson, AZ 85732 (602-749-9479).

**  What do I need to get started in satellite communications?
	For more information about Amateur Satellite Communications, try
	AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation), PO Box 27, Washington,
	DC 20044 (301-589-6062).  They also have an international net on 
	Sundays on 14.282 MHz at 1900Z.

**  What is available to get started in ATV, SSTV and WEFAX?
	This is a large subject area in itself.  Amateur Television (ATV),
	Slow-scan TV (SSTV), and Weather FAX (WEFAX) all deal with transmitted
	pictures.  (ATV includes moving pictures and audio just like your
	household TV.)

	Equipment is available to interface to most common microcomputers
	including PC clones, Amigas (which are prominent in most video
	applications anyway), Atari ST, and others.  (At last check, we didn't
	see Macintosh on the list.)  There are also a handful of publications
	on the subject.

	All this information is available via FTP in the /pub/ham-radio
	directory at ftp.cs.buffalo.edu.  (See Part 2 for more information
	on FTP.)  The file called sstv_wefax_info is maintained by John
	Langner WB2OSZ (johnl@avs.com).

	The ARRL e-mail server contains an introduction to SSTV in the
	file sstv-info.  (See Part 2 for more information on the ARRL e-mail
	server.)

	Another resource is the regularly-posted UseNet Elmers Directory.
	The list contains a volunteer Elmer who can help with ATV, SSTV, and
	WEFAX questions.

**  What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate?

	Dozens of contests are held each year, usually at weekends, and can
	provide useful operating experience.  They typically last for 24 or 48
	hrs, and are usually on SSB or CW only (the Russian CQ-Mir contest is
	on both modes at the same time).  You can participate by making one
	QSO or several thousands.  In most contests you send a signal report
	(traditionally 59 or 599) followed by a number that is different for
	different contests - the most common one is a serial number (so you
	send 599 001 for your first QSO, then 599 002 etc).  The exchange may,
	however, be your age (All Asian contests), your CQ or ITU zone (CQWW
	and IARU contests, respectively), your state (ARRL contests) or
	something else.  Read "Contest Corral" in QST for the rules for all
	major contests - the more serious contester may wish to subscribe to
	the National Contest Journal, or join the e-mail contest mailing group
	(write to Trey, WN4KKN, at garlough@tgv.com).   Knowing the rules can
	prevent embarrassment - you will get a cool reception if you are a W
	or VE and call a W/VE in the ARRL contests, since they can only work
	non-W/VE stations.   Otherwise, QSOs made in contests are just as
	valid for DXCC (DX Century Club - more than 100 contacts), WAS (worked
	all states) and other awards as are 30-minute ragchews.  Although not
	strictly a contest, the annual Field Day provides very useful operating
	experience under less than optimal conditions and is highly recommended
	for new operators - check with your local club for their Field Day
	plans some weeks before the (late June) event.
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc