HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov (Scott Dorsey)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Need a 3rd hand for Soldering!?
Date: 5 Jan 1993 00:19:05 GMT
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center and Reptile Farm
NNTP-Posting-Host: grissom.larc.nasa.gov
Keywords: question

In article <1993Jan4.222522.20042@news.columbia.edu> hyx1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Harry Y Xu) writes:
>I always feel like my 2 hands are not enough when soldering.
>1 hand holds the soldering iron;
>1 holds the solder;
>another hand is needed to hold the component, or the pliers that hold the
>component to prevent over-heating.

1. Use a plastic tube of solder and hold it in your mouth.
    Don't ever put the metal itself in your mouth, though.

2. Use a hemostat instead of pliers to hold the component.

3. Use an alligator clip as a heatsink instead of the pliers.

4. Solder with a friend.
--scott
From: root@jackatak.raider.NET (Jack GF Hill - Sysop [HOME])
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: 2-meter FM repeaters in Nashville TN
Date: 12 Jan 93 13:58:39 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu


<Tim Kallio (long hard to dechiper address) writes:>

> I am interested in finding 2-meter repeater and packet frequencies for 
> the Nashville, TN or central TN area.  Any help would be greatly 
> appreciated.

Some basics for the area:
145.23-  (North Rutherford County nr Smyrna)
145.49-  (Short Mountain)
146.67-  (West Nashville)
146.76-  (RATS - Nashville)
146.79-  (Music City ARA)
146.88-  (N4TK)
146.91-  (Short Mountain)
146.94-  (West Nashville)
147.015+ (Nashville)
147.15+  (Dickson -- west about 40 miles)
147.30+  (Gallatin -- north but covers anyway)

For more packet data (there is a digipeater on 145 but I am not sure of 
the freq) best bet is to ask K4ABT, Buck Rogers, on the 147.30+ machine)
Hope this helps...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Jack GF Hill       Voice: (615)459-2636   root@jackatak.raidernet.com |
| P. O. Box 1685     modem: (615)377-5980           Compu$erve 76427,31 |
| Brentwood, TN  37024   Bicycling and SCUBA Diving     Ham Call: W4PPT |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: harp@bnr.ca (Alan Harp)
Subject: Re: License Delays
Organization: Bell-Northern Research, Research Triangle Park, NC
Date: Mon, 11 Jan 1993 13:58:04 GMT

In article <Pine.3.05.9301101152.A27815-9100000@uafhp.uark.edu> plaws@uafhp.uark.edu (Peter Laws) writes:
>Ya know, maybe if we paid more than $0.56/yr for our licenses...

>BUT WAIT!  
>The FCC doesn't even get that!!!!!!!  That goes to the _volunteer_
>examiners.  The _paid_ FCC gets NOTHING.  Nothing but headaches from WHINY
>hams.  

>It's a wonder we get any allocations.

>Here's to a $50, 10 year ticket...

>Peter

>Peter Laws|GEnie:P.LAWS1|"The '90s are gonna make the '60s|plaws@uafhp.uark.edu
>n5uwy@ka5bml.ar.usa.noam| look like the '50s"  --D. Hopper|plaws@uafsysb.bitnet


WAAAAITAAAAAMIIINUTTTEEE!
The FCC gets paid.  Paid very well.   If not by money we pay in taxes
then by money that is borrowed that we pay the interest on.  Government
agencies like the FCC can't operate on fees they charge.  Cheesh don't
tell me the FCC doesn't get paid.  Just remember that some of what is
being taken out of your pay check goes to them regardless of there doing
any service for you.

****************************************************************************
* Alan Harp K4PB     *     Bell-Northern Research      *   CW FOREVER      *
* mail: harp@bnr.ca  *   Research Triangle Park, NC    *                   *
****************************************************************************
From: tskelton@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Tom Skelton)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: DXCC Status of Czech and Slovakia?
Date: 8 Jan 93 14:28:20 GMT
Reply-To: tskelton@ncrclm.ClemsonSC.NCR.COM (Tom Skelton)
Distribution: world
Organization: NCR E&M CLEMSON Liberty, SC

It was reported in the news that as of 1 January 1993, Czechoslavakia
had agreed to split into two countries:  Czech and Slovakia.  Does
anyone have info as to whether the DARC has acted to add these to the
WAE list?  Also, anyone have any idea when the DXAC will add this to 
their agenda?
It seems clear, from a DXCC standpoint, we will have 1 deletion and
2 new countries.I hope the DXAC and ARRL Awards Committee act soon...
Thanks in advance for any updates.  73, Tom WB4IUX

--
From: flloyd@l1-a.West.Sun.COM (Fred Lloyd [Phoenix SE])
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: ICOM W2A Battery rails
Date: 5 Jan 1993 21:12:00 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Phoenix, AZ
NNTP-Posting-Host: l1-a.west.sun.com

In article <C0E8n4.KBp@icon.rose.hp.com> bparrish@rose.hp.com (Bill Parrish) writes:
>I had one of the rails on my ICOM W2A battery break about a month ago (radio
>is about a year old).  Could someone pass me along the information about
>ICOM's fix for this (was it a fix to the RADIO, or to the BATTERY, and 
>were they extending warranty on it?)  It was one of the rails on the
>BATTERY that broke, but the ones on the radio look about as susceptable
>as those on the battery.  So far, I've put it back together with 
>cyanoacrilate, and it holds together for a while... I guess I need to 
>get a new battery eventually anyway, but I'm curious what ICOM was
>doing about the problem... I only have vague recollection that there was
>a fix.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Bill Parrish (bparrish@hprfes.rose.hp.com)
>KM6KV


If the radio is over a year old then it looks like you're SOL unless
you can write a good heart wrenching sob story in a letter to Icom.
My dealer (HRO), replaced my W2A battery TWICE, across the counter, no
questions asked, during the first year.  (not coincidentally I've spent
several $$$'s with them in the last year)  Luckily, I haven't broken
another since the warranty ran out.

There's no fix to the radio or the battery that I know of.  I suspect
that Icom merely chaulked it up to experience and now takes it into
consideration when designing new ones.  There was a rumor that the
subesquent batteries had a teeny bit more plastic in the rail, but
it's not something that could be easily fixed anyway.

By the way, how did you drop your W2?  

Both times my battery broke, it was the result of a dropping.  Once on
the pavement and once on a table top.  I'm sure glad I bought the
nauga-case.

-fred

-- 
[ Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ                             Fred.Lloyd@West.Sun.COM ]
[ Sun Microsystems,           Southwest Area Solaris Transition Manager ]
[ Phoenix, AZ                                            (602) 275-4242 ]
From: johnr@agnostic.UUCP
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: (none)
Date: 4 Jan 93 21:59:39 GMT
Organization: Agnostic - The Unknown
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

sigoff info-hams
off info-hams
From: terry@red.uucp (Terrence R. Redding)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Atari Computer Ham Radio Nets
Summary: Sunday 1600 UTC 14.325 Mhz and 2030 UTC 28.480 Mhz
Keywords: Atari Computer Nets
Date: Sat, 02 Jan 1993 11:47:32 -0500
Reply-To: terry%red@lawton.lonestar.org
Organization: R & R Advantage.  Education and Marketing.  SDL spoken here!
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.03 Rev. Apr 14 1992

Two amateur radio nets exist for Atari computer users.  The first and oldest 
is the Atari Micro Computer Net, Sundays at 10:00 CST on 14.325 Mhz.  This 
net has been in operation since about 1982 and is associated with a formal 
group of Atari Computer enthusiast.

The second and newer net is on 28.480 Mhz at 2:30 CST each Sunday aftrnoon.
It is just starting and is oriented on Atari computers and internet/uucp
Atari appilications.

All are welcome to join.  Regards, Terry.
  
-- 
DOMAIN: terry%red@lawton.lonestar.org (Terrence R. Redding)
UUCP:   . . . !rwsys!lawton!red!terry (Terrence R. Redding)
PACKET:  WB5LMJ @ WB5MJS.OK.USA.NA
Voice 405 536-8822, Ben's Place (Benjamin Franklin) BBS 536-6988 9p to 6a
PhD candidate, University of Oklahoma in Adult and Higher Education
Educational Advisor, American Radio Relay League
221 SW Crystal Hills Drive, Lawton, Oklahoma 73505
From: sream@pica.army.mil (Scott Ream, FSAC-PMD)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: (none)
Date: 7 Jan 93 16:52:53 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

My name is Scott Ream. My calls are KB2HKR
I am a Tech. Operator and planning to up grade to the General
some time this year..............




     73 for now           DE  KB2HKR
From: eac@world.std.com (Eric A Cottrell)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: 1200Mhz is not a microwave band?
Date: 10 Jan 93 00:27:56 GMT
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA

In <fred-mckenzie-060193180152@k4dii.ksc.nasa.gov> fred-mckenzie@ksc.nasa.gov (Fred McKenzie) writes:

>By the way, these letter designations were apparently originated by the old
>Sperry Electronic Tube division, when they arbitrarily chose them to
>indicate the frequency range of their microwave tubes.  This was probably

I heard the designations originated with the British military while doing
Radar research during WWII. They jumbled up the letter sequence to confuse
the Germans.
73 Eric. eac@world.std.com
From: rossi@gvlf9-q.gvl.unisys.com (Pete Rossi)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Any comments about "Public" Field Day locations
Date: 12 Jan 93 20:56:05 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Paramax Systems Corp (A Unisys Company), Great Valley Labs, PA

With Field Day only about 5 months away I have begun to make some
preliminary plans.  I was thinking of going for the extra bonus points
and organizing a FD operation from "public" place.  Looking for comments
from anyone (or group) that has done this.

Anyone else ever do this?

Was it worth the extra problems?

Did having lots of people running around tend to cause problems or did
most of them tend to ignore you?

Any security problems?  Stuff walking away etc?

Was the "management" of the area generally receptive to your request
to operate FD there or did they need a lot of convincing?

Problems setting up antennas?

Interference problems?

Other comments?

In general, how receptive are most places (parks, etc,) to Field Day.
With all of the Field Days I have been on I never got involved with that
part of the planning.  Do most places tend to cooperate once they
understand what you are trying to do?

I can't decide if I *really* want to do this or just go off in the
woods somewhere by myself :-)

=================================================================
Pete Rossi - WA3NNA                  rossi@VFL.Paramax.COM

Paramax Systems Corporation - a Unisys Company
Electronic Systems - Valley Forge Labs - Paoli, Pennsylvania
=================================================================
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: sbooth@lonestar.utsa.edu (Simon E. Booth)
Subject: Ham transmissions-a hypothetical situation
Organization: University of Texas at San Antonio
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 08:53:12 GMT


Here's a hypothetical situation I've been wondering about:

Say I'm a ham operator (hopefully in the next few months!) and I have a
favorite frequency (not claiming it of course) that I like to conduct
QSO's on.  My friends have shortwave receivers and I tell them to tune
to that frequency if they want to hear me on the radio.

My transmissions are not meant to be one way, for them, so does this
violate the no one-way broadcasting rule?

I'm conducting normal QSO's in this situation, not acknowelding that
my friends are listening (saying hello to them, etc.).

Is this legal??


Which takes me to another more unsusual question:

Have amateur operators ever receiver reception reports from regular
shortwave listeners?

A long time ago I was actually tempted to do this (send a reception report
to a ham I heard on the air) but the signal faded before I could hear
the address he was giving.


I know these questions are a bit strange but I thought this group could
use something to liven things up- the 430 Mhz/repeater debate thread was
starting to wear thin. :-)


Simon
From: David_Havens.wbst129@xerox.COM
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Grove 800 number
Date: 11 Jan 93 13:48:02 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
Reply-To: dmh.wbst129@xerox.com
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu




Anyone know the 800 number for Grove Enterprises?  Thanks!

Dave
N2RTU
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman)
Subject: Re: CTCSS vs. DSQ: What's the difference?
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Organization: Destructive Testing Systems
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 13:52:15 GMT

In article <1993Jan11.162858.12996@shearson.com> mjohnsto@jenny.shearson.com (Mike Johnston) writes:
>
>I'm a little confused over the precise uses for the subaudible tones
>verses digital squelch. As I understand it:
>
>	- CTCSS Tones are generally used to access repeaters that use them.
>	- DSQ is used to open the squelch on radios that support it.
>
>This seems pretty cut and dried. However, I noticed in my Alinco manual that
>it appears both could really be used for the same thing IE paging a specific
>ham or group of hams that have their radios properly configured, in addition
>to opening up a repeater that requires CTCSS tones or Touch-Tone access.
>
>Since I don't have my ticket yet I haven't been able to do any experimenting
>or talking with local hams about the regional uses of this, so I must ask
>the net-at-large: Which of these is the more commonly accepted method
>of paging another ham? Do people actually use it frequently or is it too
>new to have widespread usage?

The problem with CTCSS through repeaters is that most repeaters won't
*pass* the tones. Therefore you can use them to signal the repeater,
but not a listener of the repeater. In band signalling, either DSQ or
TT, is what's usually used for paging. Some repeaters also mute TT,
so DSQ is the real way to go.

>One last question. While listening to the local repeaters this weekend, I 
>noticed that ocassionally a ham would break into a conversation to 'make
>a call'. Generally they'd give their call sign and that of the person
>they were trying to call. They'd do this twice if the person didn't
>answer the first time. Now, I know the other ham could be just listening
>to his radio and waiting for someone to shout his call, but it seems to
>me that this would be an ideal use for CTCSS tones IE his squelch opens
>and he can then hear his buddy calling.
>
>Since I can't hear the tones (by definition they're subaudible) I have
>no way of knowing whether they're using it or not. Is this common or
>are people just spending their entire days listening to repeaters, or are
>they using CTCSS tones?

People *really* do spend their days listening to the repeater. Or more
likely, they agree in advance to listen for their friends at certain
times. Paging is not widely accepted yet in the amateur ranks. Having
a dead speaker when the S meter is pegged makes some people nervous.
They're sure that they are missing something important. It also 
encourages people to transmit at inappropriate times. That's not as
bad as sitting on the mike while having an argument with your wife,
but it can be annoying to others.

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     |                     | emory!ke4zv!gary@gatech.edu
From: taylor@tix.timeplex.COM (Seth Taylor)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: 1200Mhz is not a microwave band!
Date: 5 Jan 93 14:54:20 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

Since so called "microwave ovens" operate in the UHF designation
frequency range why don't we call them a "UHF" ? Think about that
one.

Seth T. KC2WE
From: taylor@tix.timeplex.COM (Seth Taylor)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Aluminum tubing in Bay Area
Date: 6 Jan 93 14:28:32 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu


Be careful about electrical aluminum conduit. Aluminum conduit so
called "trade size", e.g. 1" is actually 1.31" nominal o.d. and is
physically similar to schedule 40 iron pipe. The diameter designations
of "pipe" sizes are i.d, not o.d. . Also, since aluminum conduit
is used for electrical applications, it bends more readily than
"tubing" and is almost never seamless which contributes
to its less than desireable physical strength per pound of
material. Stick with seamless tubing for max. strength, esp.
when using aluminum (or any other tubing) for an antenna boom.
In the electrical trade, I don't know of any "tubing" sizes that
exist made of aluminum. So called "Intermediate" metal
conduit, if available in aluminum would still have a larger o.d. 
than its size designation. It would probably bend like a champ
(after all that's what electricians do with this conduit stuff
anyway). In summary, i would stick to tubing.

KC2WE  Seth T.

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: wtm@uhura.neoucom.edu (Bill Mayhew)
Subject: Re: Yaesu FT530 HT first impressions
Organization: Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine
Distribution: usa
Date: Wed, 06 Jan 1993 14:35:29 GMT

I called Yaesu to get some info in the 530.  The number is
310-404-27400.  There is a voicemail system that gets you to
technical support rather easilty.  Ask for Winston when you get
tech support; he's very helpful.  Winston faxed me the expanded
receive for the 530 and the 5100.  The 530 is pretty easy to open
up for expanded recieve.  There are two jumper pads in a goup of
12 on the lower right in the back of the unit that need to be
unsoldered.  With a small low watt iron, it is very easy.  Turn the
unit back on while holding the arrow keys and you've got up to 500
MHz.  While undocumented, I found that the unit would take direct
keyboard entries in the 880-900 MHz band.  Sensitivity is quite
good.  -- I don't advocate use in the high range; that's up to you
if you want to listen to that stuff.

My only objection is that the 530 really gets intermoded awfully by
UHF pagers.  There is a nearby pager system on 454.100 MHz that
pounds across the entire 430-450 MHz band.  Ouch!  My Icon 24AT and
my buddy's W2 don't get hit by that pager.  Sticking with the
stubby duck that comes with the unit helps avoid intermod on 70 cm,
but a better antenna is needed for 2m xmit.  I guess you trade
intermod susceptibility for having such a hot reciever front end.
I'd like to be able to use something like a Larsen dual band duck
so I don't have to switch antennas every time I want to use a
different band.

The ergonomics of the 530 are fantastic.  If something could be
done to get rid of the 70 cm intermod, I'd buy one today.


-- 
Bill Mayhew      NEOUCOM Computer Services Department
Rootstown, OH  44272-9995  USA    phone: 216-325-2511
wtm@uhura.neoucom.edu (140.220.1.1)    146.580: N8WED
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: jreese@NeoSoft.com (Jim Reese)
Subject: Re: On private repeaters
Organization: NeoSoft Communications Services -- (713) 684-5900
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 04:04:20 GMT

In article <1993Jan11.170139.26743@eng.umd.edu> chuck@eng.umd.edu (Chuck Harris - WA3UQV) writes:
>BZZZZZZT! Wrong answer!  Have you checked your ARRL band plan lately?  The
>sections of 3/4m below 440 are set aside for modes like TV, and weak signal
>work, and EME, OSCAR, and CW, ...  If you want to see some hams really get
>honked off, try running FM in the weak signal, SSB or CW areas!

Oh, so it's OK to operate simplex on someone's repeater input, but not in the
SSB and CW bands...I get it...

Fortunately, Texas has the good sense not to use the ARRL band plans in most
cases.

>The area from 440-442 is setaside for ATV, 442-445 are for FM repeaters, 
>and from 445-447 are control links and repeaters, and 447-450 are repeaters,
>leaving 446.0 as the sole and only FM simplex frequency allowed for in the
>ARRL band plan for 3/4 meters!

This is a demonstration of the poor quality of the ARRL UHF band plan.  This
is why we don't use it in Texas.

>Secondly, ICOM 4ATs only cover 10MHz of the band.  It's all I have.  I would
>gladly upgrade if your would give me your commercial version of the 04AT, or
>maybe your Porche ;-)

If you're interested, I have information on how to make the IC-4AT cover an 
additional 10 MHz.  I also have the crystal formulas for the IC-4AT to make
it work on any 20 MHz range in the 406-512 MHz band.  A good radio...I used
one for many years.  I still have a IC-U12 that operates from 441-451.  I 
use it on towers so I don't drop my Standard.



-- 
     Jim Reese, WD5IYT            | "Real Texans never refer to trouble
  jreese@sugar.neosoft.com        |  as deep doo-doo"  --Molly Ivins
From: miles@emx.cc.utexas.edu (Miles Abernathy)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: BIG Balloon TX -> FL, Jan. 11
Date: 7 Jan 93 02:08:47 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Univ. of Texas
X-UserAgent: Nuntius v1.1.1d10
X-XXMessage-ID: <A770EC97FE01CC6D@slip-109.ots.utexas.edu>
X-XXDate: Wed, 6 Jan 93 20:07:51 GMT

Forwarded from packet:

From: WA5ZIB@FE6CNB.#SETX.TX.USA.NA
To  : ALL@TEXAS

Utah comes to Texas to launch a BIG one!

The scientific/education balloon group from Utah State University
will arrive in Houston on Saturday January 9, 1993.  The group
from Logan, Utah, will be in town to launch a 50-lb payload using
a super-pressure nylon balloon (230,000 cu. ft.).  The mission
plans are to fly the package across the Gulf at 110,000 feet.
The group coordinator is Gil Moore N7YTK.  Launch is scheduled
for 7 AM on Monday January 10th from the League City South Shore
Harbor Resort and Convention Center.

The package carries several experimental payloads including a four-
channel UV ozone radiometer, an aircraft radar transponder (1130-
1190 MHz), temperature sensors and a GPS receiver.  Ham frequency
beacons include HF at 28.322 (250 mW by WB8ELK) and VHF at 144.28
and 144.30 MHz.  Packet telemetry will be sent on 145.75 MHz and
video from the on-board camera will be sent on 434 MHz.

Predictions currently call for 60-70 knot winds at 110,000 feet
from the west to the east.  Several stations in Florida are prepared
to send cut-down commands to the package.  The group from Utah has
been able to cut down payloads over Wyoming with 100 yard target
accuracy (GPS helps!).

HF nets will occur on one of three frequencies depending on the band
conditions.  Check 3858, 7258 and 14258 kHz the morning of the launch.
The Utah chase van (TX to FL) will use one of these frequencies and
the callsign W7LPH.

Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to see a BIG ham balloon go up!

de Andy WA5ZIB
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc