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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V92 #1307
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Info-Hams Digest            Sun, 13 Dec 92       Volume 92 : Issue 1307

Today's Topics:
                           2m rig in Europe
                         Call Type? (3 msgs)
       Code Programs for DECstations or C source code (2 msgs)
                         Crystal Radio Kits?
     HAM CONNECTION-RE_THOUGHT DECISION NOT TO SHUT DOWN (2 msgs)
             Info on Granger Assoiciates repeater needed
                         Morse code upgrading
                    PL... ham vs. commercial rigs
               RAE pass mark                           
                   Voice question: advice requested

Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
Send subscription requests to: <Info-Hams-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu.

Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available 
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams".

We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text
herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official
policies or positions of any party.  Your mileage may vary.  So there.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: 13 Dec 92 16:35:55 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: 2m rig in Europe
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

Looks like I missed the original post of this ... but ...

>More of a problem is getting 1750Hz toneburst for European repeaters
>(nobody uses CTSCS over there).

Not true, on _BOTH_ counts! 1750Hz isn't a problem; there are no longer any
timeout timers that neet to be periodically reset; only required for intial
access to the machine. Most everyone can manage a whistle for 500mS :-). And
again, most machines will activate if the see a carrier on the input frequency
while ident is running.

Not only do we have a _PLAN_ for CTCSS (rather than CTSCS, as someone had
mentioned :-), but we also now have (some) equipment which actually uses 'PL'.
I like 'PL' better than CTCSS - less to type, and less chance of getting it
wrong!

73     -     Iain
G8SJP/G0RDI/C30DLA/AA2??

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 13:34:37 GMT
From: europa.asd.contel.com!emory!wa4mei!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@uunet.uu.net
Subject: Call Type?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <NDuLVB1w165w@unkaphaed.gbdata.com> coolguy@unkaphaed.gbdata.com (Guy Shechter) writes:
>What is this call?  KKN50

It has the form of a broadcast STL link callsign.

Gary KE4ZV

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 15:43:54 GMT
From: pa.dec.com!decabo.abo.dec.com!anarky.enet.dec.com!brewer@decwrl.dec.com
Subject: Call Type?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <1992Dec13.133437.7518@ke4zv.uucp>, gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman) writes...
>In article <NDuLVB1w165w@unkaphaed.gbdata.com> coolguy@unkaphaed.gbdata.com (Guy Shechter) writes:
>>What is this call?  KKN50
> 
>It has the form of a broadcast STL link callsign.
> 
>Gary KE4ZV
>

	In this case though, I believe it's embassy or FEMA. This station
	is relatively famous in the swl arena as somewhat of an enigma.
	/john

      -------------------------------------------------------
      | John Brewer | Internet: brewer@anarky.enet.dec.com  |
      |   wb5oau    | Packet  | wb5oau@wb2ars               |
      -------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 19:55:16 GMT
From: uw-coco!nwnexus!ole!ssc!markz@beaver.cs.washington.edu
Subject: Call Type?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

Gary Coffman (gary@ke4zv.uucp) wrote:
: In article <NDuLVB1w165w@unkaphaed.gbdata.com> coolguy@unkaphaed.gbdata.com (Guy Shechter) writes:
: >What is this call?  KKN50
: 
: It has the form of a broadcast STL link callsign.

Looking in 47 CFR 2.302 where all the callsign formats are
defined, it looks to either be Fixed or Costal Telephone (in Alaska).

Mark Zenier  markz@ssc.wa.com  

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 13:11:18 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!news.iastate.edu!sknapp@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: Code Programs for DECstations or C source code
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

I was looking for a program to help learn CW that would run on a DECstation.

C code would work, or the program compiled.

The system is running Xwindows, if that matters.

If you have any leads on this, please let me know!
Thanks!
________________________________________________________________________ 
Steven M. Knapp		                    Computer Engineering Student
sknapp@iastate.edu	            President Cyclone Amateur Radio Club
Iowa State University; Ames, IA; USA      Durham Center Operations Staff

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 23:00:07 GMT
From: usc!wupost!spool.mu.edu!agate!stanford.edu!CSD-NewsHost.Stanford.EDU!seligman@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: Code Programs for DECstations or C source code
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <Bz78Mv.GEJ@news.iastate.edu> sknapp@iastate.edu (Steven M. Knapp) writes:
> 
> I was looking for a program to help learn CW that would run on a DECstation.
> C code would work, or the program compiled.
> The system is running Xwindows, if that matters.

FTP to hanauma.stanford.edu and look in the directory /pub/SuperiorMorse4Unix.
Since your system runs X11, you shouldn't have any trouble using it.
Here's an excerpt from the README file.

	"superiormorse", when unshar'ed, is a generic UNIX program for helping
	teach morse code. It currently supports X11, Sun4, and HP; adding new
	devices should be trivial. Hope you enjoy it!

	Sat Nov 28 17:07:27 PST 1992
	joe@montebello.soest.hawaii.edu



Scott Seligman

Internet:  seligman@CS.Stanford.EDU
UUCP:      {uunet,decwrl,sun}!cs.stanford.edu!seligman
Packet:    kc6ock @ n0ary.#nocal.ca.usa.na

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 21:26:53 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!milo.mcs.anl.gov!pepper.ra.anl.gov!sofu@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: Crystal Radio Kits?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

You may purchase crystal-radio kit from Heathkit suppliers.
Call 800 directory for order phone # in your area.

------------------------------

Date: 10 Dec 92 22:09:36 +1700
From: newsfeed.rice.edu!lub001.lamar.edu!lairdpg@beaver.cs.washington.edu
Subject: HAM CONNECTION-RE_THOUGHT DECISION NOT TO SHUT DOWN
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

I've recieved an overwhelming number of responses to my post about shutting
down the HAM Connection BBS.  I have to frankly agree with the majority -
why let one person ruin it and why shut it down?  That's right, I'll just have
to deal with that person and make sure that person knows that it isn't 
acceptable to admonish people who try to help others.  That I can accomplish
with his System Admin. if need arises.  I can very well take constructive
criticism, but not the un-constructive type I was used to receiving every time
I mentioned the availability of the HAM Connection BBS.  I will not mention
that persons' name on the net, but I hope he is well aware that his posting
will not continue like in the past.

This is like a see-saw, but the HAM Connection BBS will not be shutting down.
I am perfectly within the guideline of USENET with my posts - it is non-
commercial and of interest to ham radio operators.  I just thank all those
who responded and gave advice.  I was suprised, really suprised.
  
The HAM Connection BBS will stay Online as advertised earlier and not shut
down.  

Happy Holidays all and 73,

N5UYH Grady

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 18:56:13 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!wupost!crcnis1.unl.edu!news.unomaha.edu!cwis!pschleck@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: HAM CONNECTION-RE_THOUGHT DECISION NOT TO SHUT DOWN
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

lairdpg@lub001.lamar.edu writes:

>I've recieved an overwhelming number of responses to my post about shutting
>down the HAM Connection BBS.  I have to frankly agree with the majority -
>why let one person ruin it and why shut it down?  That's right, I'll just have
>to deal with that person and make sure that person knows that it isn't 
>acceptable to admonish people who try to help others.  That I can accomplish
>with his System Admin. if need arises.  I can very well take constructive
>criticism, but not the un-constructive type I was used to receiving every time
>I mentioned the availability of the HAM Connection BBS.  I will not mention
>that persons' name on the net, but I hope he is well aware that his posting
>will not continue like in the past.

If you won't mention his name, I will :-).  Let me introduce myself to
the net, I am Paul Schleck, the accused.  My sysadmin is a busy type
who, in the absence of any illegal action or use in conflict with UNO
and NSF guidelines, will generally say, "Fight your own litle turf
battles."  Suffice to say, I won't be sending Grady any more E-mail.
What I have to say on the net is quite another matter.

>This is like a see-saw, but the HAM Connection BBS will not be shutting down.
>I am perfectly within the guideline of USENET with my posts - it is non-
>commercial and of interest to ham radio operators.  I just thank all those
>who responded and gave advice.  I was suprised, really suprised.
>  
>The HAM Connection BBS will stay Online as advertised earlier and not shut
>down.  

>Happy Holidays all and 73,

>N5UYH Grady

Thanks for continuing to provide the services that you do.  I'd really
like to try out your BBS and see for myself, unfortunately anyone
attempting to register as "PAUL SCHLECK" gets a nasty message and a
disconnect.

73, Paul W. Schleck, KD3FU

pschleck@unomaha.edu

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 13:42:38 GMT
From: swrinde!emory!wa4mei!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: Info on Granger Assoiciates repeater needed
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

I've come across a 928.6625 MHz data repeater made by Granger Associates.
It's 1200 baud FSK using a single crystal oscillator chain, a 10.7 MHz
IF on receive, and a 24 MHz transmit offset. It puts out 3.9 watts from
a monolithic chip amp, and has AC power supply and 6 cavity duplexer in
a white fiberglass outdoor enclosure.

Has anyone seen these things before? Or do you know anything about
Granger Associates? Any info or leads appreciated. This thing looks
like it could be used as either a voice repeater or a link or in it's
current form for data duties.

Gary KE4ZV

------------------------------

Date: 11 Dec 92 19:32:33 GMT
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!spool.mu.edu!hri.com!noc.near.net!nic.umass.edu!m2c!crackers!transfer.stratus.com!necis!rbono@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: Morse code upgrading
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

In article <1992Dec10.050057.16749@panix.com>, oppedahl@panix.com (Carl Oppedahl) wrote:
> In <9212081901.AA18926@icarus.weber.edu> jhigbee@icarus.weber.EDU (Jonathan C. Higbee) writes:
> 
>>Is anyone aware of a proven system for increasing CW reception speed ability going
>>all the way from 0-22 wpm?
> 
>>I have some MSDOS based Morse Code trainers, but none seems to describe a good
>>proven mothodology for positive progress - they make suggestions, but whether their
>>suggestions will pan out is unknown.
> 
>>I realize that one problem with pre-recorded cassettes is that you can start
>>to memorize them after a while. I don't have access to an HF rig so can't spend
>>hours doing listening to CW qusos. 
> 
>>Is a shareware program available with a proven method as indicated?
> 
> I recommend Super Morse, which is shareware at $15.  It is what got me to
> my Extra class.


  Or a copy of AutoCW... it is absolutely FREE. ;-)
  And, it took my wife from 0 to passing her Extra!!


  I have the following methodology to offer.  It *will* work, but as with
most things in life, it may not work for everyone.

1) Your progress is directly porportional to the amount of practice that
   you put in.  Two practice sessions a DAY of about 15-30 minutes each
   will go a long way (one in the morning, and one in the evening).  If
   you can practice more, while still making progress, than that is fine.

2) During practice, it is of prime importance to write what you copy.  This
   assumes that you are trying to pass a Morse exam.  If you can copy in
   your head, and make notes of every fact that you hear, then you can
   resort to simply writing these facts.  But *most* people can't do this
   without a *lot* of practice and experience.  So if you want to pass the
   exam, you must write down the code as you hear it.

3) Practice missing characters.  This sounds strange, but you must not
   worry about copying every character.  What usually happens is that you
   hear some code that you don't immediately recognize, then you start to
   think about it.  By the time that you make up your mind on what you have
   heard two to ten characters have gone by, and you entirely MISSED these!!
   So you must practice the following technique:  If you don't immediatly
   recognize the Morse character that you just heard, clear your mind and
   get ready for the next one.  This will keep you from missing several
   characters because you were straining to remember one.
 
4) Use the so called "Farnsworth" code spacing.  This is what the ARRL uses
   for their VE Morse exams.  For the 5 and 13 word per minute exams, the
   speed of each character is sent at 18 words per minute.  The spacing
   between characters is increased to create an overall rate of 5 or 13 WPM.
   The 20 WPM code exam is sent at a 'straight' 20 WPM rate (where both
   the characters and the space between them are a constant 20 WPM). 

   This will keep you from experiencing the so-called "humps" or barriers
   that seem to occur as the speed is increased.  It *REALLY* works!

5) Use a minimum of code tapes to practice.  People really do memorize
   these things, without even realizing it.  I have seen many people who
   think that they have learned to copy 20 WPM Morse code because they can
   copy their tapes.  But if they are required to copy something that they
   are NOT familliar with, they can barely copy any of it.
   Use either a computer program that can provide you with endless text to
   copy, or get some on-the-air practice.

6) When operating on the air... don't just have contacts with people that
   you know.  Have contacts with a *lot* of random stations.  This will
   help you by assuring you don't get used to your friends sending style.

7) Spend a significant amount of time copying code that is too FAST for
   you to get 100% copy.  Remember, most people are trying to INCREASE
   your copying speed.  Don't simply practice with 5, 13, or 20 WPM rates.
   Even practice copying code where you only get about 10%.  This will help
   you in many area's... including 'missing characters' (see #3 above).


  Well, this is getting long....

 Good luck,

  Rich 
-- 
 /**************************************************************************\
 * Rich Bono                     IMRICH         UUCP:rbono@necis.ma.nec.com * 
 * (508) 635-6300                 NM1D          AMPR: nm1d@nm1d.nh.usa.noam * 
 \**************************************************************************/

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 17:23:46 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!cs.utexas.edu!qt.cs.utexas.edu!yale.edu!spool.mu.edu!agate!iat.holonet.net!bwilkins@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: PL... ham vs. commercial rigs
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

tstader@aol.COM writes:
: I ran across an interesting situation last night on our local 440 repeater
: 
: 
: Our repeater might have to have the squelch adjusted a little tighter because
: we are getting a noise/squelch burst after one lets off of their mike key. We
: have a PL board installed and activated.
: 
Terry 
  You dont say what kind of pl decoder your repeater uses. You will get a
squelch crash every time if it uses reeds, as the reeds take time to come
to rest. It is durring this time that unsquelched audio is allowed to be
repeated. In other words the pl indicate is slow to reset with reeds. Most
repeaters are driven by this pl indicate line. Our repeater uses several
pl reeds as there are many talk groups that have their own pl encode
decode. We have installed a Motorola squelch chip from a micor in the
repeater to drive the audio gate. No more loud squelch tails. In fact one
could leave the squelch setting open. We dont as it is sometimes
desireable to operate in carrier squlch. The micor squelch chip is a dual
level squelch...strong signals will clamp the squelch tail and weak or
fluctuating signals will give a vary short burst of unsquelched audio. The
users love it as they know they are in a weak area and can find a better
location if they want to function the various services with a good signal.

Please dont ask the users to change their radios .. when you can do it
better on the hill.

Why several PLs ?

emergency groups can monitor with out hearing the normal chit chat.

Dont throw off the new hams .... put them on their own pl talk group !
 
Have fun   bob n6fri  berkeley,ca

-- 
Bob Wilkins    n6fri          voice 440.250+ 100pl san francisco bay area
bwilkins@holonet.net          packet n6fri @ w6pw.#nocal.ca.us
 

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 20:13:00 +0000
From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!agate!doc.ic.ac.uk!warwick!pipex!demon!cix.compulink.co.uk!dplumb@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: RAE pass mark                           
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

> (a) What is the average pass mark for each paper, and 
I don't think they state a pass mark, but there certainly is one, they said 
about the may exam last year a higher percentage than usual passed. 
 
> (b) How long do the results usually take to be published? 
Absolutely bloody ages! I took the exam on May 10th, and it wasn't until 
 
I received the results in the middle of July. It doesn't seem like a lot when 
said that way, but it really seems like an eternity at the time. 
 
You have to consider you take the RAE well before all the other academics 
take theirs through City & Guilds. The next six or so weeks are spent with 
the full and part time students taking their exams. All the results are sent 
to C&G for marking (by computer) and then the results are sent out in the 
post. Finally when you receive confirmation, you have to collect the 
certificates from the College, and send them off to SSL who issue the 
licences proper. 
 
During the time I waited, I collected details of callsigns issued from April 
1991 onwards, to see when the main ones were issued. For the may exam it 
peaks around the last week in July, but goes on increasing until September. 
For the December exam, the results come quicker, around the second week in 
February. 
 
You will see from this data how the licences faired for last Mays exam: 
 
Date   FulA FulB NovA NovB 
Jul 19 G0SB G7MD 20AC 21AV  0 
Jul 26 G0SD G7MN 20AC 21AV  10 260    The last figures relate to an 
Aug  2 G0SE G7MW 20AC 21AW  9  234    approximate number of "B" class 
Aug  9 G0SF G7NB 20AD 21AX  5  130    licences issued, firstly, the increase 
Aug 16 G0SH G7NI 20AD 21AZ  7  182    in letters of the alphabet, and then 
Aug 23 G0SH G7NK 20AD 21AZ  2  52     that figure * 26. 
Aug 30 G0SI G7NO 20AD 21BA  4  104 
Sep  6 G0SJ G7NP 20AD 21BB  1  26 
Sep 13 G0SJ G7NP 20AD 21BB  0 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
Dave Plumb   |   Internet: dplumb@cix.compulink.co.uk   |  Fidonet: 2:252/140 
London, UK   |   Packet  : G7MIL @ GB7HSN.#32.GBR.EU    | 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

------------------------------

Date: Mon, 7 Dec 1992 16:47:40 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!hplextra!hpcc05!hpldsla!brunob@network.UCSD.EDU
Subject: Voice question: advice requested
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

Excluding the thchnical chalange, you will be better of and make arangments
with MaBell or ATT, since the amount of money you will spend will pay the 
bill for your mom for next 5 yrs at least. 

from the log of AA6AD

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 21:56:43 GMT
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!gumby!destroyer!news.iastate.edu!bryanw@network.UCSD.EDU
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

References <1992Dec10.204035.95992@watson.ibm.com>, <2B2A4B74.14715@ics.uci.edu>, <1992Dec13.205911.3069@unixland.natick.ma.us>
Subject : Car Antenna - Mag or glass?


I have a small hatchback and would like to rig up my DJ-580T to work in the 
car.  I borrowed a friend's magmount antenna and got good results.  Then he 
told me that the length of cable can greatly degrade the signal.  I don't 
want to install a permanent mount, so my question is this:

Which is better: A glass mount with no rear ground plane (since there's 
nothing behind my back window on my hatchback) or
		 a mag mount antenna, with about 6 feet of extra cable?

I like the glass mount better myself, and from what I've heard, with either
choice I'll go for a Larson Antenna.

Any opinions will be greatly appreciated.

-Bryan
-- 
Bryan Welch	N0SFG
Center for Nondestructive Evaluation
Internet: bryanw@iastate.edu, bwelch@cnde.iastate.edu 

------------------------------

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1992 20:59:11 GMT
From: sdd.hp.com!think.com!unixland!sharon@network.UCSD.EDU
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu

References <2B265291.15586@ics.uci.edu>, <1992Dec10.204035.95992@watson.ibm.com>, <2B2A4B74.14715@ics.uci.edu>
Subject : Re: DX Etiquette (an oxymoron)

turner@safety.ics.uci.edu (Clark Savage Turner) writes:

>If two hams want
>to talk on 2 meters from a distance of 20 miles for several hours,
>do you really think this is wrong?  If two hams want to talk on 20
>meters from a distance of 20 miles for several hours, what business
>is it of ours????  

Of course, I presume you are referring to a simplex 2m QSO. I would have
a problem with those two people tying up a *repeater* for several hours,
unless the repeater happens to be owned and maintained solely by 1 or
both of the guys in the conversation.

The question that you answered, raised by someone else, is an interesting
one: If you just want to chat with a friend of yours, why not use the
telephone?

Well, first of all, it's hard to *make* new friends in other countries by
using your telephone. What do you suggest: We sit here at home and dial
phone numbers overseas at random, hoping to find someone who will engage
us in a pleasant conversation? 

OK, given that this is not practical, I guess once we find our friends,
we should move from the radio to the telephone? Even though we share a
hobby we both enjoy, we shouldn't be using the airwaves to talk to
each other because we might be taking precious bandwidth away from people
who collect cards and awards? 

I don't mean to belittle those who enjoy radiosport -- I enjoy it from
time to time myself. Yes, I have even qualified for DXCC (I'm part of
the infamous 7-year backlog, or whatever it is these days). However,
I find it a little disturbing that there are people who truly believe
their hobby collecting cards is WITHOUT QUESTION more important than
communications among FRIENDS. COMMUNICATION means more to some of us than
just exchanging information about signal strength and where to get a card.  

As for the possibility of using the telephone as an alternative ...
I would guess that the person suggesting this has not recently had a
20- or 30-minute chat with a friend overseas and subsequently paid the
phone bill, or he wouldn't be quite so glib about suggesting it. In
addition, not all my ham friends in the ex-USSR, for ex., have private telephones,
even though there is, technically, phone service there. 

I actually once heard a guy make a snide remark about this "not being a
telephone service" when I was having a lengthy QSO with someone. Gee,
what an awful thing, wanting to make friends instead of collecting
more cards and seeking more awards for my wall. ...

Sharon KC1YR 
-- 
Sharon Machlis Gartenberg
Framingham, MA  USA
email: sharon@unixland.natick.ma.us   or   uunet!think.com!unixland!sharon

------------------------------

End of Info-Hams Digest V92 #1307
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Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc