HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jahern@geohub.gcn.uoknor.edu (Jud Ahern)
Subject: Re: I PASSED!!! (was Format of Code Exams?)
Originator: usenet@essex.ecn.uoknor.edu
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 17:03:45 GMT
Reply-To: jahern@geohub.gcn.uoknor.edu
Organization: School of Geology and Geophysics, University of Oklahoma


In article <14570594@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com> donrm@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Don Montgomery) writes:
>In rec.radio.amateur.misc, jahern@geohub.gcn.uoknor.edu (Jud Ahern) writes:
> 
>			       [...]
>>     tricky, like: His QTH was Mississipi (T/F?) Answer: False, it was
>>     Mississippi).  I got all 10 right, but the 10th was a lucky guess.
>
>Geez, are the exam architects still doing stupid stuff like this?  If
>they're looking for exact spelling, why don't they give the code test
>in five-letter groups like they used to do in the military practice ses-
>sions?
>
>I was amazed when I took my last FCC exam -- I should've brought along a
>Philadelphia Corporation Lawyer to aid deciphering the double negatives,
>trick questions,  etc...
>
>Don Montgomery K6LTS
>donrm@sr.hp.com

Sorry, I guess I didn't make myself very clear. The Mississippi case
was just an example of how a T/F could be very difficult. I don't
know what questions they actually used, since the next month, when
I took my exam, they had gone back to multiple choice. Some of these
were quite easy (choices like: Susan, Bob, Ralph, George); One of
the callsign questions was difficult (but fair enough): KA9GQ, KA9QG,
KA4GQ, KA4QG. I'm sure some people transpose letters and/or mix up
4s and 9s.  All in all, the W5YI VEs who gave my test did a very
good job of running it: They made sure there was little or no chance
for cheating, but the atmosphere was as relaxed as possible! My 
thanks to Kathy and Bob DeGraffenried (sp?) and the other two who
assisted at the session. And obviously I'm not trying to butter
them up, because, like our college students say after their
last final exam: I'M DONE!!  I'M DONE!! (:>)
 
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Jud Ahern KC5RI               Bitnet: jahern@uokgcn.bitnet         |
| Geology & Geophysics        Internet: jahern@geohub.gcn.uoknor.edu |
| University of Oklahoma  "Opinions expressed here reflect the entire|     
| Norman, OK  73019        University, in one convenient location."  |
+--------------------------------------------------------------------+
From: zlau@arrl.org (Zack Lau)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Transmitting 50-178 & 300-512?
Date: 26 Jan 93 09:22:17 EST
Organization: American Radio Relay League

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, jones@sj.ate.slb.com (Clark Jones) writes:
>Willie Smith (wpns@miki.pictel.com) wrote:
>: Can you even build a PLL that works over more than an octave without
>: resorting to esoteric tricks that are unlikely to be found in
>: commercially available radios?

A simple solution is to down convert an PLL oscillator and low pass
filter.  For instance, a 1.1 to 1.2 GHz PLL can be mixed down to
cover almost DC to 100 MHz.  I believe some very high quality sine wave
oscillators for audio use a similar technique.

Zack Lau  KH6CP/1

Internet: zlau@arrl.org           "Working" on 24 GHz SSB/CW gear     
			          Operating Interests: 10 GHz CW/SSB/FM
US Mail: c/o ARRL Lab				       80/40/20 CW
	225 Main Street		  Station capability: QRP, 1.8 MHz to 10 GHz
	Newington CT  06111	               modes: CW/SSB/FM/packet
						      amtor/baudot
Phone (if you really have to): 203-666-1541
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: ham@wam.umd.edu (Scott Richard Rosenfeld)
Subject: Re: Ham Radio Causes Cancer!
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 19:19:29 GMT

What we have here is a real problem - we are afraid that the general public
will become totally paranoid about radio.  The problem is the public is, as
usual, uneducated about things like radio.  So what have we got?

A public that panics whenever it hears that something that is so widely used
can make you really sick - or even die.  Does the general public have any
idea what a Megahertz is?  Or what frequency is?  Or what different frequen-
cies are used for?  And of what each frequency range can do to you?

How many people know what's inside a microwave oven, or what the 101 on the
FM radio or 1450 on the AM radio mean?  How many people know what frequency
channel 6 uses?  How many people (besides hams and comm. engineers) care?

The problem is that these devices (TV, Radio, Microwave oven, etc.) are used
by millions of people as a part of everyday life, totally unaware of how 
and why they work the way they do, and how each could potentially injure you
if misused.

We hams know that the president of Motorola, upon giving his speech, "Cellular
phones are totally safe...", was simply stating in his own way that no
CONCLUSIVE evidence pertaining to the safety of 800 MHz RF at a distance of
2 inches from the head has ever been found.  Not that some of us don't know
better - it's taught in the NOVICE/TECHNICIAN manuals to keep the rubber 
duck as far from the head as possible, even at 2 meters.  I would never use
one of those Cell phones, nor would I comfortably use 440 MHz, 1200 MHz, or
above without an antenna far, far away from my body.  HF is a different story.
Limit exposure as much as possible, although the lower energy of HF, compared
to VHF/UHF and above, while safer, may still be somewhat dangerous.
It's our job to help those who question the safety of RF to set the record
straight.  Some frequencies are more dangerous than others.

73, hope I didn't offend anyone,

Scott NF3I

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: gw214790@LANCE.ColoState.Edu (Galen Watts)
Subject: Re: 160 ant help!
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 16:12:35 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Colorado 

In article <1993Jan25.132445.4552@udel.edu> penneys@pecan.cns.udel.edu (robert penneys) writes:
>Need to put up simple 160 meter ant. Have about 30' up, 50 to 80' across.
>Want to bring it into shack with coax, so as not to radiate into computers,
>etc.
>Tnx   Bob WN3K   FRC

Check the Feb 93 issue of 73 magazine.  They have a 160m antenna that uses
300 ohm twinlead with an 85 foot section of RG-11 for matching.
73
Galen, KF0YJ
From: chuck@eng.umd.edu (Chuck Harris - WA3UQV)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Transmit Power with Nicads vs. Alkaline
Date: 27 Jan 1993 19:45:13 GMT
Organization: University of Maryland, Department of Electrical Engineering
NNTP-Posting-Host: bree.eng.umd.edu

In article <20360123@hplsla.hp.com> davidc@hplsla.hp.com (David Cook) writes:
>I recently purchased a Standard C168A 2 meter HT and according to the
>specifications in the operating manual it transmits at 2.8 watts with
>the 7.2 volt nicad battery that is shipped with it. I also purchased
>the dry cell battery case which holds 5 AA's. 5 alkaline batteries
>would supply 7.5 volts and yet the specifications say that when using
>the dry cell case output power is only 1 watt. What gives here? Is 
>this an error or are nicad's really able to supply that much more
>current than alkaline batteries?

Yep!  AA Nicads can supply so much current, that in a short circuit
condition, they can quite easily set the battery pack on fire.  Something
that wouldn't usually happen with AA alkalines.

The Nicads will sustain a voltage >1.2v per cell until almost all of the
charge is exhausted, then drop rapidly.  The alkalines, on the otherhand,
will slowly drop in voltage thru out the discharge.

73,

Chuck Harris - WA3UQV
chuck@eng.umd.edu
From: adams@chuck.dallas.sgi.com (Charles Adams)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: OHR QRP followup [short - maybe]
Date: 22 Jan 93 20:28:38 GMT
Organization: Silicon Graphics, Inc.

Gang,

just a quick followup to the net and i'll get off this topic.

the OHR QRP Spirit rig is doing great.  set it for two watts out
on 40 meters (four watts was too easy).  in two nights i have worked:

TX, OK, CA, FL, NY, MO, NC, NJ, OH, MD, AZ  (let's see 11 down 39 to go)

VE6, XE1, CM2, and YN1 (Venzuela)... 5 down (USA counts) 320+ to go

YN1, caracas, venz. is 3976 miles/2 watts = 1,988 miles per watt

QSK on this rig great, selectivity great and sensitivity great.

BTW, above qso's except YN1 were not quick exchanges, but qso's of 15 to
45 minutes at 20 to 50 wpm.  most at 20-25 wpm.  one at 13 wpm.  i clock this
junk in my logbook just for the heck of it.  :-)  i do QRS.  i don't need the
practice.

rig on 80 mtr long wire up 10 mtrs.  450 ohm twin plastic ladder line
end fed with mfj 941c tuner (you should here it arc when i forget to
short input to ground and storm comes up  ;-0 !!  ;-(  )
this wire tunes from 160-10mtrs with 1:1 swr with mfj tuner.  not that the
tuner is that great, it's just the way it is.  450 ohm line is about 70 ft
through attic and ceiling in closet.  no arcing to wood with 5watts or less  ;-)

either rig and antenna is doing good job or i'm just a hot operator.  ;-)
you don't see me in the QST listings do you?  tried SS with 25 watts and
dipole ONCE.  i am educated beyond my intelligence now.  :-)

thanks for the email guys.  

still a satisified customer.  any questions to adams@sgi.com

de k5fo  chuck   CP-60   was 40 cw qrp,  DXCC 40cw in progress (5 and counting)

my opinions only...........
From: Peter.Rojsel@maxlab.lu.SE (Peter Rojsel)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Microwave tube data
Date: 28 Jan 93 16:03:45 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

Thanks all who answered. Now I have found the tube data in an old Philips 
tube data book from 1963. Yes it is sometimes good to save old books. 
The tube data has the date 5 may 1957 on it.

The 'microwave tube data' hunt is hereby called off. The tube I have is a 
JAN-725A magnetron. The 'civilian' type number is 725A (surprise!) and it is 
for 9345 to 9405 MHz. The tube is for pulsed service with a duty factor of 
0.0012 (0.12%) and the pulsed input power is maximum 230 kW in maximum 2.5 
microseconds. With an efficiency of 40% the output is about 90 kW. The 
recommended output power is however 'only' 50 kW with a pulse length of 
1 microsecond. There is no means for tuning the frequeny of the tube.

73's Peter, SM7LEK, <Peter@maxlab.lu.se>
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: ws1c@rocky.ndhm.gtegsc.com (Andrea Preciado)
Subject: Question on ft-207R ht
Organization: Cockaroach
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL7]
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 02:49:05 GMT

I know someone who is thinking of buying an ft-207r ht and was told
by someone that there is a drop in power supply that was sold for that
radio and could be used without the battery pack in place.  Does 
anyone know of that item and if so any ideas on where to find it?  What
is the model number??

Also, anyone know if pl tones are used on any of the packet nodes and
tcp/ip repeaters in the San Diego area??

Thanks,

-Andrea
From: alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom)
Date: Mon, 25 Jan 1993 21:03:14 GMT
Subject: Re: Real Hams...  ALL!
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, kb7uv@panix.com (Andrew Funk) writes:

>And the license is the Technician class license, *not* the "no-code
>Technician" license!  Let's drop the pejoritive terms, please.

I agree with most of Andy's posting, but I don't understand why people
get upset with the term "no-code Technician."  There are times when you
need to make the distinction between the two types of Tech license.
If you say "Technicians may transmit on 2 meters," then you don't need
to make the distinction, but if you say "No-code Technicians may not
operate on 10 metser," then you gotta use the "C" word.

By the way, despite the flames from a couple of incorrigibles on the net,
the vast majority of hams I deal with have welcomed the no-code 
Technicians with open arms!

AL N1AL

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: kawai@Csli.Stanford.EDU (goh kawai - n6uok)
Subject: Re: New Products
Organization: speech research program, sri international
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 16:46:34 GMT

Brian McMinn (N5PSS) reports:

  | In the Feb 93 QST, I saw the following new products that looked
  | interesting.
  |
  | Azden AX-21A, AZ-11, and AZ-61
  | 6m and 10m HTs!  (FM only) Azden is now in the HT business and
  | their first three offerings are HT's for 2m, 6m and 10m.

Azden has been marketing these HTs in Japan for quite some time now.  Azden
has a reputation for heavy-duty equipment.  Their HTs are neither
lightweight nor small, but they do stand up to more abuse than their
competition.  They are also water-resistant (you cannot drop them in a
swimming pool, but you can use them in rain or snow).  If you remember the
way Icom 32ATs were built, you can imagine how the Azdens look like.

When buying one, be sure to check for availability of PL tones (not just
88.5 Hz but all the other tones as well), and repeater offset capability.
These features are not standard for the models marketed within Japan,
because in Japan, there are no repeaters below 430 MHz.

-goh-

----------------- Speech Research Program, SRI, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3493 USA
--- Goh Kawai --- work:(415)859-2231   fax:(415)859-5984   home:(415)323-7214
----------------- internet: kawai@speech.sri.com      radio: n6uok and 7l1fqe
From: alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom)
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 20:35:09 GMT
Subject: Re: Coax voltage - How to computer?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, hgpeach@ms.uky.edu (Harold G. Peach, Jr.) writes:

>A recent posting regarding voltage on twin-lead prompted me to ask
>a question I have had for some length of time:  How do you compute
>the transmitted voltage on a coax, given the power?  You have
>the impedance of the coax to work with, but some ham friends have
>told me SQRT(RP) adjusted for RMS does not yield an accurate transmitted
>voltage or current.

Assuming you are using an antenna tuner or other means of matching the
SWR at the transmitter end of the coax, the maximum RMS voltage 
(at the peak of the standing wave) is:

     SQRT (R * P * SWR)

The peak voltage is 1.4 times this.

AL N1AL
From: dbillon@stein.u.washington.edu (Damien Billon)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: ANTENNA HANDBOOK
Date: 23 Jan 1993 08:42:43 GMT
Organization: University of Washington, Seattle
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: stein.u.washington.edu


  I am looking for a good antenna handbook describing how to build HF, VHF,
UHF... antennas. Any idea ?

73, damien, FC1PLI, dbillon@u.washington.edu
From: klaudon@pica.army.mil
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: 6BQ5 data wanted
Date: 25 Jan 93 20:13:48 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

Dear OMs:

I am seeking the tech data on the 6BQ5, including characteristic curves. 
6BQ5 was fairly modern and did not appear in many older manuals.  This is
a fairly unusual request in that I do not need the data for my own use, but
rather, as a request from a person who is putting together some sort of 
technical exhibit as a retirement project.  The exhibit will feature this
this tube and other items, perhaps as components of some system that
contained them.  For this reason, a high quality xerox (suitable for 
reproduction and mounting) of the data and/or curves is desireable.

Please reply to my e-mail as this will have to be handled by surface mail.
Of course I'll be glad to supply postage, etc.

While you are looking through your tube manuals, there is one (I think the
RCA manual of around 1970) which also contained a series of schematics of 
tube audio amplifier circuits, along with discussion and component lists.
My dad asked me to look for these at the same time (it's his friend who
is doing the exhibit).  My dad developed some very unusual designs of his
own as a young man that were way ahead of their time for his own audio hobby.
These were balanced, fully DC coupled tube audio amps that sounded great.
The biasing schemes were very innovative, as I recall.

BTW, thanks to all who responded regarding restoring my SB-100.  Happily,
my retired dad seems to getting interested in his old hobby again in
response to my renewed interest in ham radio.  I sense that this tube
info will give him even more encouragement (needed!) to pack up my old 
station and ship it to me, so please get out your manuals and help me
out OMs!

One last item - anybody have a callbook listing of W2VXL from the 30s/40s?
This was my dad's call in the 30s/40s and I'm sure he would enjoy seeing a
xerox if anyone could make one, or even just transcribing the info.

73,

K. Laudon, WD6CZI
<klaudon@pica.army.mil>
From: kfeeney@KLONDIKE.CIT.CORNELL.EDU
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: FT736
Date: 22 Jan 93 22:52:45 GMT
Organization: UCSD Usenet Gateway
NNTP-Posting-Host: ucsd.edu
Originator: daemon@ucsd.edu

hi,. 
I also have a 736R and use it on the satellite and like it quite a bit. The 
tracking functions are very handy and pretty intuitive to use. The memory
management is a little complicated, but having 100 memories is nice for FM
work. There is a simple mod that has been on here before that allows the 736
to tune a little higher and lower in the band, with some special manipulation
of the controls - but the range is limited. It doesn't go down to the 136-137
satellite range, and it ends up around 154 - so I haven't bothered yet. But 
it's as simple as stuffing a diode down a connector to make contact with the
pins. 

Operating on the Oscar satellites, it's the rig I most often find on the 
other end. The 'standard' american satellite setup seems to be FT736R, Mirage
D1010 amp, and KLM 14C and 44CX antennas. (I use a homebrewed helix on uplink
myself). 

The receiver is fairly sensitive. I can hear a lot of stuff without a pre-amp,
but the S-meter will never get off the pin. I operated most of a year that 
way until I could get a pre-amp out on the antennna. With an ARR gasfet preamp
and a 5 element quagi (horizontal) I managed to copy z8 level in the ZRO test. 
I think I will need a good audio filter for Z9 :)

I'm told that in hi-rf areas that the receiver can be crunched. I'm lucky and
live out in the boonies so that isn't much of a problem. there is a 20 kw 
FM transmitter about a mile away, but I see no difficulties. 

On 440 mhz I hear pretty well with my helix and no preamp. (I don't do as much
mode J work, so I haven't invested in the second on the pole preamp). Z5 or so
in the ZRO test as I recall. 

25 watts is adequate for CW on mode B and J with good antennas and for a lot of
phone work. Having 100 watts does help when the squint angle isn't good. 

I have had problem with the relays in the power amp and sequencing. When you
key the rig, a scope shows that RF is at the output within a millisecond. That
is faster than a following RF switched amp can switch, so the transmitter sees
an open while the relay flops. That may have killed the 440 transmit module on
my first unit. For Oscar work I lock the amp in TX mode and just key the 
exciter (doesnt bother the receive path because that's on another band). For
FM, I don't run the amp until I build some sort of sequencer. 

All in all a good radio. I have fun with mine. :-)

Kevin - WB2EMS
--------------------------------------------------------.
From: jones@sj.ate.slb.com (Clark Jones)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Transmitting 50-178 & 300-512?
Date: 26 Jan 93 18:17:40 GMT
Organization: Schlumberger ATE, San Jose
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5

Willie Smith (wpns@miki.pictel.com) wrote:
: Can you even build a PLL that works over more than an octave without
: resorting to esoteric tricks that are unlikely to be found in
: commercially available radios?

I'd suggest that you read the Motorolla Apps Note on the subject.  (Sorry,
I don't have the number at the office, as my copy is at home.)  There's a
"block diagram" in there using 2 MC145145's and a single 10.01 MHz xtal
(if memory serves) that can cover the spectrum from below the bottom of
the AM broadcast band (which, to remind you, is ~0.6MHz) up through 30MHz,
all in 100 Hz steps.  If my arithmetic is correct, this is only about 5.5
octaves.

BTW, there are several commercially available recievers that use PLLs for
the LO and cover from ~0.1MHz to ~30MHz.  That's >8 octaves...

--
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are mine and not those of Schlumberger
because they are NOT covered by the patent agreement!

Alternate reply path:  jones@sjs.sj.ate.slb.com
Phone: (602) 345-3638
Snail: Clark Jones, Schlumberger Technologies, 7855 S. River Pkwy #116, Tempe,
       AZ  85284-1825
From: flloyd@l1-a.West.Sun.COM (Fred Lloyd [Phoenix SE])
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Burglars are brighter than you might think!
Date: 27 Jan 1993 16:17:24 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Phoenix, AZ
NNTP-Posting-Host: l1-a.west.sun.com

In article <63757@mimsy.umd.edu> furuta@cs.umd.edu (Richard Furuta) writes:
>This snippet from the February Auto-Call gave me a bit of a pause.  I
>thought the warning might be of interest to others as well:
>
>	Beware of the Eavesdroppers
>
>	Last summer I discussed over a local repeater my plans for a trip
>	to Florida with my family.  When we returned, our home had been
>	burglarized.  ..........


Very good subject.  I don't think that this can be understated.  I make
it a personal practice NEVER to discuss vacation plans over the air.
It doesn't matter if my ham friends are wondering why I'm not checking
in on the local repeater.  Whenever I go on vacation, I am simply MIA
from the local ham scene as far as everyone knows.  I sometimes tell my 
close friends, in private and off the air, but I ask them to please
not talk about me while I'm away.


It's pretty scary really.  I don't even like to mention the fact that
my wife is in the car with me (meaning that the house is empty), even
though we may just be out on a Sunday afternoon drive.  On the other
hand, the XYL would rather I talked to her anyway :-) :-)


-fred

-- 
[ Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ                             Fred.Lloyd@West.Sun.COM ]
[ Sun Microsystems,           Southwest Area Solaris Transition Manager ]
[ Phoenix, AZ                                            (602) 275-4242 ]
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: jab0684@usl.edu (Boudreaux Jean A)
Subject: Re: Through-the-glass antennas
Organization: University of Southwestern Louisiana
Date: Sun, 24 Jan 1993 17:41:49 GMT

Gary mentions concerns about cleaning and glue application.  I can assure
you the glass was thoroughly cleaned with ammonia based cleaner.  The
method of applying the antenna, was real simple, no extra glue, just rmove
the protective plastic film and apply.  So I repeat my warning, avoid this antenna.
Organization: Penn State University
Date: Fri, 22 Jan 1993 10:51:55 EST
From: <PJC130@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Mods available via FTP?

I'm looking for an up to date set of mods; are there any systems that have
the database available for anonymous ftp?


          *************************************************
          **  Regardless of what the above address says, **
          **      my address is paul@n3eop.pgh.pa.us     **
          *************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc