HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: gws
Subject: DX Bulletin 61  ARLD061
Organization: HAM BBS, 614-895-2553 
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 92 22:41:33 GMT


============================================================== 
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ZCZC AE24
QST de W1AW
DX Bulletin 61  ARLD061
>From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT
December 18, 1992
Relayed by KB8NW/OBS & BARF-80 BBS
To all radio amateurs

SB DX ARL ARLD061
ARLD061 DX news

Thanks to Bob, W5KNE, QRZ DX, Chod, VX2ML, The DX Bulletin and the
Yankee Clipper Contest Club PacketCluster network for the following
DX information.

MACAO.  G3GAF and G4TNB have requested the call signs XX9TAF and
XX9TNB for an operation slated for December 30 through January 2.
The host station for this operation will be XX9AW.

EUROPA ISLAND.  Look for FR5AI/E to start up any day now.

GREECE.  John, SV3AQR, has received special permission to operate
160 meters starting around December 25.  A commercial broadcast
tower will serve as the antenna.  Also listen for the new six watt
beacon on 28265 kHz.

SOMALIA.  T5CB has been worked on 10, 15 and 20 meters.  Other T5
stations associated with Operation Restore Hope are expected on the
air soon.

ANGOLA.  Elliot, N6QHO/D2 operates from the Angolan enclave of
Cabinda.  Check 28485, 28475 and 21345 kHz around 14, 16 and 1900z,
respectively.  QSL via N6QHO.

MARSHALL ISLANDS.  Look for George, AD1S, and Darrell, AH9B, to sign
V73S and V73B during the second week of January 1993.  This all band
effort will be on CW, SSB and RTTY.  Their sunrise is at 1945z and
sunset at 0810z.  QSL via OKDXA, PO Box 88, Wellston OK 74881.

MADAGASCAR.  Look for 5R8GW and 5R8DG around 21260 kHz at 1700z.

WALLIS AND FUTUNA ISLANDS.  FW/Y58IO and FW/Y31XO have been spotted
on 15, 17, 30 and 40 meters.  They should be active through the end
of the year.

UPCOMING CONTESTS AND OPERATING EVENTS.
December 31/January 1  Straight Key Night
January 2 and 3        ARRL RTTY Roundup
January 8, 9 and 10    Japan Low Band CW Text
January 16 and 17      HA DX Contest
January 29, 30 and 31  CQ World Wide 160 Meter DX Contest
January 30 and 31      Belgium SSB Contest
NNNN

Good Luck on DX de KB8NW/OBS
From: miles@ms.uky.edu (Stephen D. Grant)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: writing out -- --- .-. ... . in order to pass your exam
Date: 20 Dec 92 18:46:00 GMT
    <1992Dec20.20549.6534@ms.uky.edu> <1992Dec20.155429.1005@wam.umd.edu>
Organization: University of Kentucky, USA. -5 GMT

ham@wam.umd.edu (Scott Richard Rosenfeld) writes:

>>i was going to use this "cheat" method myself. is it legal or not?
>>i'm confused.

>I myself am a W5YI and Laurel VEC volunteer examiner, and I have given probably
>1000 code tests over the past 6 years.  This is a very gray area, although 
>the general belief here:
>It's a matter or interpretation, I say "NO."
>Scott NF3I

 Well, maybe you can point out this "grey area" to the propper authorities and
let them deal with it. I know at least two of the other 4 guys that took the
code at the same time she did, flunked. I would be pissed if I was no allowed
to use the same method as she used.
From: alanb@hpnmdla.sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom)
Date: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 20:16:34 GMT
Subject: Re: End fed 1/4 wave 80 meter antenna
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Rosa, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, jeffj@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (jeffrey.n.jones) writes:

>I want to get onto 80 meters and I seemed to remember somewhere
>about using a end fed 1/4 wave fed by coax. However, I don't remember
>if this was really possible or if you had to ground the shield that
>was right at the antenna. Could someone help me out here? Thanks and
>73!

You'll need to decouple the station ground.  Either use a good earth
ground with a VERY short ground wire (a few feet) or use a quarter-
wave counterpoise wire attached to the station ground terminal.  (The
other end of the counterpoise is unconnected.)  A quarter-wave
end-fed antenna with a quarter-wave counterpoise is basically a half-
wave dipole antenna with the feedpoint at ground level.

If you have the room, a half-wave end-fed antenna is better because
1) It gets the high-current (max radiation) part of the antenna higher
in the air, and 2) the feedpoint-current is much lower making grounding
easier.

AL N1AL
From: ron@topaz.bds.com (Ron Natalie)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: FCC woes, what can be done?
Date: 18 Dec 1992 16:23:16 GMT
Organization: BDS Systems
Distribution: usa
NNTP-Posting-Host: topaz.bds.com
Keywords: FCC

> Why not establish a computerized data-base that could electronically issue
> the license upon passing the test? Have the VEC enter the data from the exam
> site. Sounds possible to me.

It wouldn't even take that.  All it would take is to allocate some temporary
callsigns on the CSCE's.  For example they could be preprinted with something
like KZ4T001, KZ4T002... and let these serve as temporary permits for 90
days or something.  Yes, you'll have to still stand the suspense to get your
permanent call sign.  The VEC's could set up a database for the temporary
certificates similar to what they do now for Tech Pluses.

_Ron
From: larryj@countach.telcom.tek.com (Larry Johnson)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: ACC List for RC-850, etc.
Date: 11 Dec 92 19:59:09 GMT
Reply-To: larryj@countach.telcom.tek.com (Larry Johnson)
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.

In article <9212100947.tn03012@aol.com> tstader@aol.COM writes:
>> In article <9212071424.tn47538@aol.com>, tstader@aol.COM wrote:
>>>Mike,
>
>> I have been looking for a repeater controller that has a built
>> in auto-patch that costs $250 or LESS.  The RC-85 would fit the 
>>bill if it were $250  (with a phone-patch).
>
> I don't know of anything with phone patch that is THAT cheap! That would be
> great... but don't count on it. Unless you roll your own.

I just purchased a used RC-1000 Repeater Controller which is made by
Micro Computer Concepts in Dayton, Ohio. There are ads in QST and 73
Magazine. The wired and tested unit price is $239.95 - if you want their
enclosure which is a box, rack panel, switch and power-on indicator, it's
about another $60-70. It has the "normal repeater functions" such as 
touchtone remote programming, touchtone muting, external PL decoder on/off,
timers, ID'er, control receiver input, autopatch, and a one-band remote base
(such as 29.6, 52.525, etc.) The autopatch also has reverse patch, Dial 9
with dialing, long-distance enable/lockout, */# or special user code up/down
commands, etc. etc

The manual is available separately for $9.95 and can be applied to a future
purchase of the controller. 

Micro Computer Concepts also makes a less expensive controller - the model
RC-100 which has repeater control, DTMF, etc. but no autopatch. It does,
however have a remote-base interface for one band, and gives BCD synthesizer
control with 13 of its' 15 outputs. The wired/tested price is $139.95 with
a manual. The manual is available separately for $4.95.

I have my RC-1000 installed on a 2-meter repeater here in Portland, Oregon,
and the remote base port is tied to a 100 Watt Motorola MICOR on 29.6 MHz.
I'm very pleased with the controller, and I also use the autopatch.

Note also that a partial kit is available for the RC-1000 - the blank circuit
board, the pre-programmed  Intel 8751 microcomputer, the EEPROM, and manual
for somewhere around $120. I called the company and was told that I could
also get the Touchtone decoder chip (a G8880PI) for an additional $10.
The rest of the parts in the list appeared to be pretty "standard" parts,
and all the sources such as Jameco, Digi-key, were shown for each part in
the parts list.

I also have an ACC RC-850 and a SM-100 "Shackmaster". I replaced the RC-850
on the 2-meter repeater with another used controller (an S-COM 5K), and now
with the RC-1000 so we can have autopatch and 10-meters.

I have no connection with Micro Computer Concepts - I'm passing along my
experiences since there have been several requests for info for less
expensive repeater controllers here on the net lately.

73,

Larry Johnson  K7LJ
City of Portland Electronics Svcs.

FAX: (503) 823-4185
WORK:(503) 823-4577
HOME:(503) 246-5645
Internet: larryj@countach.telcom.tek.com
From: kludge@grissom.larc.nasa.gov (Scott Dorsey)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: Military method for CW proficiency and learning???
Date: 17 Dec 1992 18:05:31 GMT
Organization: NASA Langley Research Center and Reptile Farm
NNTP-Posting-Host: grissom.larc.nasa.gov

jhigbee@icarus.weber.EDU (Jonathan C. Higbee) writes:
I've received several replies about increasing CW proficiency and
>am now curious to learn how the US military currently teaches
>communications officers CW and how they have them increase their
>receiving speed.

May I point out that the possibility of being transferred to a combat
unit is amazing motivation for one to learn the code accurately and
swiftly?
--scott
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: ham@wam.umd.edu (Scott Richard Rosenfeld)
Subject: Re: FCC woes, what can be done?
Organization: University of Maryland, College Park
Date: Sat, 19 Dec 1992 13:38:36 GMT

In article <1824367298@cpe> stevedak@cpe.UUCP writes:
>
>I'm not sure whats "acceptable", but consider this:  when I passed my
>checkride for private pilot, the FAA took almost four months to process
>the paperwork and get my certificate to me.  Considering the volume
>of applications and the lack of funds for proper staffing, its amazing
>that the FCC doesn't do worse.  Count your blessings.
>

I guess what I'm saying is that the FCC doesn't even have to GIVE the exams
anymore.  We do the exams in a professional, timely manner - all they have to 
do is PRINT THEM UP.

How difficult can this be?  Giving this to the amateur service would cut
times down to 4 weeks, maximum, because that's ALL that we'd have to do.

Ham radio doesn't bring any money into the FCC, so what incentive do they
have to get us through the system, while commercial licensees must pay
the FCC in order to get licenses...

We are willing to volunteer our time for ourselves, right?  Seriously, let's
all go to the FCC and volunteer to helpout on a Saturday.  Help ourselves!

Scott NF3I  Tired of this stuff...
:wq
From: ant-vent@precipice.chi.il.us (Paul Graham)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: /Dimmer interference (LDI)
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 92 01:32:05 CST
Organization: Welch Research, McHenry IL, USA

This is a common occurance with some lamp (usually) older lamp dimmers
and is not unique to "Halogen" lamps.  The problem is CEMI (Conducted
Electromagnetic Interference).  The stand-alone dimmers currently being
sold are required to be free of CEMI.  There is a standard for maximum
levels of EMC, and it appears that those dimmers in your lamps don't
meet that standard.  Some manufactures think they are exempt from those
standards, but they are not!  They will continue to build and market
illegal (part 15, FCC rules) equipment until they get caught.  Sometimes
they figure that the fines that are imposed on them will be less than the
cost of the parts required to make a decent product.

If the lamp manufacturer will not repair those lamps (free - even if 
warantee has expired) try ferrite beads on ALL leads going to the dimmer.
This may (80% confidence) cure your problem.  Good Luck.....
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: little@nuts2u.enet.dec.com (nuts2u::little)
Subject: Re: HELP working AO-21
Organization: Digital Equipment Corporation
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 09:44:15 GMT
X-Posted-Via: NEWS-NOTES gateway (a hack!)

labelle@hfglobe.intel.com (George La Belle) writes:

>	I hear the satellite at full quieting thru 80% of the pass using a
>	discone. I'm running 40 watts up with a TS-790, is this sufficient?
>	If not, why not?

40 watts into a discone is probably not sufficient power on the uplink.  I
barely make it sometimes with around 100 watts into an 18 element KLM
crossed yagi pointed at the bird.  Although you hear mobiles occassionally
getting in, they are generally weak and would be running around what you're
running, so its marginal at best.

AO-21 apparently has a switchable attenuator that is normally switched in
causing it to not hear very well.  Whereas the downlink is putting out
quite a bit of power (forgotten the transponder specs on that bird.)

Also, try about 8-10 Khz below the passband frequency on approach of the bird
dropping to 8-10 Khz above as the bird moves away from you.  I've found that
it is fairly fussy about the uplink frequency.

-tl
From: retzer@convex.csd.uwm.edu (Joe J Retzer)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Microphone Connection
Date: 20 Dec 1992 17:34:19 GMT
Organization: University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
Reply-To: retzer@convex.csd.uwm.edu
NNTP-Posting-Host: 129.89.7.30
Originator: retzer@convex.csd.uwm.edu

I have a yaesu memorizer 2m that I set up at home as a base radio. I also
have a Kenwood mc-50 base microphone that I'd like to use with the radio.
(as opposed to the handheld that came with it) Both have a four pin
hook up but the wiring is not the same. My question is if there is a 
cable I might buy or some sort of transfer box that would take care of 
the problem. I hate to re-wire the cord since I also have a Kenwood HF
rig that the mic works with now. 
				   Many Thanks in Advance,
				            Joe
					    N9QXL
From: wvogel@MtHolyoke.edu (keeper of the tone)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: radio range
Date: 21 Dec 92 04:14:27 GMT
Organization: Mount Holyoke College
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL5


can anyone give me an idea what kind of range a 6 mtr radio would have?

given 75 - 150 watts and a decent antenna using fm

tnx and 3's de wayne
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: rerickso@cwis.unomaha.edu (Ronald D. Erickson)
Subject: TVI solution?:
Organization: University of Nebraska at Omaha
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 18:22:45 GMT


Has anyone who has had TVI problems obtained a TV and/or
radio translator license which would eliminate the neighbor's
complaint of poor TV or FM reception in a Grade B UHF coverage
area?

I have a neighboring family who I have bent over backwards
in giving them technical information to clear up their
TVI problems with my two meter operation.  They are using
a Radio Shack TV pre-amp on a VHF antenna so they can pick
up a UHF channel.  Telling them they need a UHF antenna with
their VHF antenna has fallen on deaf ears.  I do not need a
pre-amp to get good UHF signals with my TVs so I do not see
why they do.  I know if I obtained a translator license they
would need to clean house as I would have their UHF channel
being rebroadcast to them from next door.  If I do so, I wonder
how practical it is to get some 100-watts of AC off of the sun?
If I would keep the electricity to a minimum, it would not
be too expensive. 

Replys can be sent to:  rerickso@cwis.unomaha.edu  .

73,

Ron
AK0N

Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: sharon@unixland.natick.ma.us (Sharon Machlis Gartenberg)
Subject: Re: Postage for Russian QSLs: Help!
Organization: Unixland Public Access Unix  (508) 655-3848
Date: Tue, 15 Dec 1992 14:57:41 GMT

lkay@lynx.dac.northeastern.edu (leonard kay) writes:

>Can anyone who has sent direct QSLs lately to anywhere in the former
>USSR tell me what they used for return postage (if anything)?
>I haven't sent a direct QSL there in about a year and recently 
>worked a UF8 and a 4K2 both with UA9 managers.

>I've heard rumours from friends ranging from 'everything gets 
>opened up and pilfered' to 'direct works OK, just don't
>trust the buros'.

>Anyone wanna please give me some hard facts?

Several friends of mine in Russia have said that the bureau is not
working very well these days. One ham told me he no longer receives
any cards from the bureau.

The problem with the buro is that the government no longer funds it,
and there is no alternative source of funding at the moment. Meanwhile,
the cost of postage (like everything else over there) has gone up
ASTRONOMICALLY -- overseas letters that used to be 50 kopeks (half a ruble)
are, last I received a letter from Russia, now *125 rubles.*

Yes, you can expect that virtually *every* piece of mail from the West
into Russia will be opened, and valuables stolen. If you want the card
very much, you might consider trying a registered letter with IRCs inside;
I don't know if that will work or not. A good approach is to wait until
you know someone going over there, and ask him/her to mail your card
in a Russian envelope from Russia. Such a letter is much less likely to
be opened and inspected for valuables, although you still risk the
general inefficiency of the Russian postal system.

IRCs just put in a regular letter and mailed from the West are very
likely to get stolen.

73, Sharon KC1YR  

-- 
Sharon Machlis Gartenberg
Framingham, MA  USA
email: sharon@unixland.natick.ma.us   or   uunet!think.com!unixland!sharon
From: spikes@hpscit.sc.hp.com (Bill Spikes)
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1992 16:30:16 GMT
Subject: 6 Meter Radio Shack HTs!
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Santa Clara, CA
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc

Long post about modifying Radio Shack TRC-503 and TRC-505 walkie talkies
to 6 meters.

Just got a couple of Radio Shack's walkie talkies (or HT's) last night.
Since I'm a jerk and refuse to go 'shopping' (YAWN!) with my wife on her
forays into the 'mauls', I usually wait in the car, reading, playing with 
radio, watching TV, counting clouds, etc. If she doesn't know where the  
car is parked, I have to keep checking to see if she is outside yet, waiting 
for some lowlife to grab her purse. So, we needed a beep-the-husband-to-
bring-the-limo-up scheme. (I think I've been in N. CA too long.....)
The main requirements were long range and tiny transmitter. The xmtr has
to fit into her purse (brick) that already has as much stuff in it as the
Smithsonian archives. Doesn't anyone make a simple 2 meter, xtal controlled,
9 volt, SMALL xmtr strip? All it has to do is beep. This is where the 49 Mhz
R.S. HTs come in.

Took them apart as soon as we got home. The 5 channel one is synthesized
and dual conversion! I couldn't tell for sure if the xtal controlled
single channel one was dual conv. or not. It had enough cans. Also about
10 transistors and 3 ICs. They both have squelch, although the control
is NOT brought out of the case. Neither 'manual' has a schematic in it
but they may be available, according to the salescritter.

These GOTTA be modifiable to 6 meters. The output power should be raised
up a bit too. Somebody on the net has already posted about this a few moons
ago, and there must be others that have tried this. Any help, pointers to
someone, or stories would be appreciated. A 6 meter HT for 25 bucks! (or 40)
I hope to learn from somebody elses mistakes here before I butcher her radios.
>:-)

 
Thanks,

Bill
wb6rzg 
(Oh yeah, that's 'rotten zucchini garden', not just 'romeo-zulu-golf'  :-) )


Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
From: greg@monty.b17b.ingr.com (Greg Montllor)
Subject: Re: Worked All States blues...
Keywords: WAS
Organization: Intergraph
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 14:00:57 GMT

In article <1992Dec17.204119.26157@wam.umd.edu>, ham@wam.umd.edu (Scott Richard Rosenfeld) writes:
|> 
|> I have finally done it!  After six years of operating, I have gotten cards
|> from 49 states, with one more in the mail.  The two big thorns in my side
|> were Delaware and West Virginia.  However, I thought I had it licked when 
|> my fiancee and I went up to her parents' house in NE Pennsylvania, and I
|> brought my HF rig.  Many QSOs, INCLUDING WV and DE.
|> 
|> So today I'm looking at the WAS application rules, trying to find out costs, 
|> where to send stuff, etc., and what do I read?  
|> 
|>   "All QSOs must be made from the same location, or such that any two 
|> operating locations are a maximum of 50 miles apart."
|> 
|> Chris' parents' house is 200 miles from here, and I have never even heard a
|> West Virginia or Delaware station from here in Maryland.  Too far for ground-
|> wave, too close for skip.

Depending upon band requirements and propagation at any one time, your final
summary is true.  But it can be overcome in various ways.

You fail to tell us what bands you are using, are you trying to do it all on
one band? 

I suspect that on 40 and/or 80 meters you should easily work WV and DE.  

On 20 meters, where I've spent 12 years trying to work all 3076 counties, the
ground wave zone is usually in the 10 mile range.  But the minimum skip distance
varies widely, both during the sunspot cycle and during the day.  When it is
nice and short (good for county hunting) you can make contacts inside 100 miles.
But it can lengthen out over 1000 miles, as it normally does at night and during
sunspot minima.

A low mounted dipole (or other horizontially polarized antenna) for a high
radition angle is what you need for these short contacts.

73 es good hunting,
Greg  AC4WF (ex-N5FSW)

-- 
 Gregory Montllor   Mapping Sciences / System Integration & Implementation    
 mailstop IW17B4    Intergraph Corp.  Huntsville, Alabama  35894-0001 
 (205) 730-7249     greg@monty.b17b.ingr.com    or   ingr!b17b!monty!greg
From: gary@ke4zv.uucp (Gary Coffman)
Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc
Subject: Re: 2 m range
Date: 15 Dec 92 14:10:31 GMT
Reply-To: gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman)
Organization: Gannett Technologies Group

In article <1992Dec14.200026.13802@nntpd2.cxo.dec.com> little@nuts2u.enet.dec.com (nuts2u::little) writes:
>"dwilson@s850.mwc.EDU (David L. Wilson)" writes:
>
>>In actuality, the line-of-sight horizon in miles is about 1.22
>>times the square root of the height in feet.  This was used to
>
>Well I know that is the textbook answer, but it's not very close to
>reality.  Given a little power and some beam antennas, it's pretty easy to
>work distances out to 250 miles or more with great regularity at antenna
>heights much less than the table predicts.  

Yes, this is forward scatter, and on some occasions tropo ducting.
Forward scatter is very reliable if you have enough power, and
ducts are very common in some locations. Pure LOS will perform
nicely with low powered stations, even rubber ducky equipped HTs.
To do forward scatter, you need some real ERP, 1000 watts or better
for most paths. That's a 100 watt amp and a 10 db or better beam. 
I work into NC and FLA routinely with a D1010 and a KLM40CX at
70 feet on the 432.090 MHz East Coast Net. That's a span of over
350 miles about my location. Now the signals are often weak but
copyable.

On the other hand, during a good two meter duct opening, I worked
over 800 miles with a 10 watt FM rig and a 1/4 wave vertical at
40 feet. I worked stations in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Kansas City
from my location in Kentucky. Most of the stations I contacted 
thought I was a local with full scale signals.

Now the best LOS I work is between two TV transmitter sites, one
in Atlanta Georgia where our repeater is located, and the other on a
mountaintop north of Montgomery Alabama. The transmitter engineer at 
that site runs low power, but his vertical is mounted near the top
of the tower at about 3100 MSL. He's full quieting into the repeater 
on our tower located at 1970 MSL. That's over 100 miles. Theory says
that 122 miles is maximum LOS between the two sites. Note that tower
height, or AGL height, is important, but HAAT, Height Above Average
Terrain, is the real criteria. So if you're on a mountaintop, your
tower doesn't have to be as tall.

Gary KE4ZV