    Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1 of 3)

Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4
Archive-name: radio/ham-radio/faq/part1
Revision: 3.7 02/19/93 17:18:18

Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions
Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This is a regular posting of frequently-asked questions (FAQ) about Amateur
Radio, also known as Ham Radio.  It is intended to summarize some common
questions on the rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup and Info-Hams mail list
as well as to help beginners get started.

Please provide a copy of the FAQ to any new or soon-to-be Hams you know.

Regular FAQ postings can help save network bandwidth and maintain a good
signal-to-noise ratio in the newsgroup.  However, they can't do it alone - you,
the reader, have to use them.  If you are a new user, please print and review
the FAQ articles and look at the instructions in the news.newusers newsgroup
before posting any articles.  If you are an experienced user, please help by
refraining from answering frequently-asked questions on the newsgroup if they
are already answered by the FAQ articles.  Instead, send e-mail to the user who
asked the question.  (It will be helpful if you include the part of the FAQ
that answers their question, but not the whole thing.)

The FAQ cannot always prevent people from posting repetitive questions.  But
even if hundreds of questions get posted, it saves you from having to answer
them hundreds of times.  Also, a friendly pointer to the FAQ in your first
answer can help that person refer to the FAQ in the future.  That is when we
can begin to get a real savings of network bandwidth.

To reduce the size of each article, the FAQ information is posted in 3 parts:
Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio
Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources
Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions


Table of Contents
-----------------
Dates indicate last modification.

Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio
**  Table of Contents (1/93)
**  Introduction to the FAQ (11/92)
    * How to Contribute to the FAQ Articles (1/93)
    * Acknowledgements (7/92)
    * Notes on "Netiquette" (1/93)
**  What is Amateur Radio? (11/92)
**  Who can become a ham in the United States? (11/92)
**  Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio? (4/92)
**  How much does it cost? (4/92)
**  Where can I take the tests? (pre-4/92)
**  What are the tests like? (4/92)
**  What can I do with a ham radio license? (5/92)
**  What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license? (pre-4/92)
**  I'm interested, who will help me? (11/92)
**  Should I build my own equipment or antenna? (11/92)

Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources
**  Where can I find Ham Radio information with a computer? (11/92)
    * The rec.radio.* newsgroups (new 1/93)
    * The ARRL e-mail server (1/93)
    * The Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) (1/93)
    * Access to FTP archives via electronic mail (1/93)
    * The Info-Hams mail list: rec.radio.amateur.misc by mail (1/93)
    * Telephone BBS's with Ham-related information (11/92)
    * Callsign servers and geographical name servers (11/92)
    * FTP access to FCC Part 97 and FCC Amateur Radio question pools (11/92)
    * Lists of radio modifications and extensions (11/92)
**  Can I send ARRL or W5YI electronic mail? (11/92)
**  "Why doesn't the ARRL do...?" (11/92)
**  What magazines are available for Ham Radio? (pre-4/92)
**  How do I use the incoming and outgoing QSL bureau? (11/92)
**  Are there any news groups for CAP? (11/92)
**  What's the name of the QRP club that issues QRP numbers? (pre-4/92)
**  How do I become a 10-10 member? (pre-4/92)
**  How do I join MARS? (1/93)
**  How do I join RACES? (pre-4/92)
**  What organizations are available to help handicapped hams? (pre-4/92)
**  I am looking for a specific ham, can anyone help me find him? (pre-4/92)
**  Can I post my neat new ham related program on rec.radio.amateur.misc?
    (pre-4/92)
**  Where can I get ham radio software for my computer? (4/92)
**  Are there Dialup News services or BBSs for Amateur Radio? (4/92)
**  Where can I find VE sessions in my local area? (6/92)
**  Why isn't XXX available electronically? (4/92)

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


--Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions------------------Part 1--

**  Introduction to the FAQ

    * How to Contribute to the FAQ Articles

	We accept suggestions from the Amateur Radio community.  Please
	consider the following criteria:
	- is it a commonly asked question?
	- will its inclusion help reduce the usage of network bandwidth?
	- how useful is it to beginning Hams or to the majority of Hams?
	Contributions don't have to meet all of these but the minimum is one.
	We actually only ask that you consider these before contributing.

	We can't necessarily include every question or every topic - the
	network simply doesn't have enough bandwidth to carry that much
	information.  Besides, the point is that we're trying to conserve
	network bandwidth.  You can find the locations of much more informa-
	tion by referring to the "Index to the rec.radio.amateur.* Supple-
	mental Archives" posted monthly by Paul Schleck KD3FU.

	If you suggest a question for this FAQ, please include the answer.
	You'll get credit for your contribution and you'll speed up the pro-
	cess of getting the information ready for distribution.

	If you feel your contribution is sufficient to meet the considerations
	shown above, send it to  hamradio-faq@amdahl.com  so that it will
	reach all the FAQ coordinators: (listed in alphabetical order)

	Diana L Carlson    KC1SP   dls@genrad.com          (Hudson, NH, USA)
	Ed Hare	           KA1CV   ehare@arrl.org          (Newington, CT, USA)
	Ian Kluft (editor) KD6EUI  ikluft@uts.amdahl.com   (San Jose, CA, USA)
	Michael Larish     KD6CTZ  nomad@ecst.csuchico.edu (Chico, CA, USA)
	Paul Schleck       KD3FU   pschleck@unomaha.edu    (Omaha, NE, USA)
	Chris Swartout     N6WCP   cas30@uts.amdahl.com    (San Jose, CA, USA)
	Rosalie White      WA1STO  rwhite@arrl.org         (Newington, CT, USA)
	Derek Wills        AA5BT   oo7@astro.as.utexas.edu (Austin, TX, USA)

    * Acknowledgements

	All questions listed as modified "pre-4/92" are entirely Diana
	Carlson's work or her editing of a contributor's work.  Diana estab-
	lished this FAQ.  She is now one of the larger group that maintains it
	but we didn't want her effort to be lost in the crowd.

    * Notes on "Netiquette"

	The rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup and Info-Hams mail list have a
	large daily volume of traffic.  They can operate more efficiently if
	the following netiquette guidelines are followed.  Please take them
	seriously.
	* If you are new to UseNet, the introductory articles in
	  news.announce.newusers are required reading.  Go to that newsgroup
	  now.
	* When posting a followup article, ALWAYS try to minimize the number
	  of lines of quoted material from the original article.
	* As a general rule when you try to determine whether to reply to
	  someone by e-mail or with a followup article, remember to "praise in
	  public, criticize in private."  It's OK to disagree technically but
	  be careful not to attack the person with whom you disagree.  Also,
	  be careful with your use of the word "you" when posting a follow-up
	  article.  Many unnecessary flame wars have started that way.
	* Use a descriptive subject.  For example, a message subject of "Ham
	  Radio" tells the reader NOTHING about the contents of your article
	  since the whole newsgroup is about Ham Radio.  Other examples of
	  subjects which are so broad that they become useless could include,
	  "Help," "A Question," "Antennas," or "Frequencies."  Maybe "Books on
	  Antennas?" or "Where can I find Repeater Frequencies?" would be
	  better, for example.  Remember, in a busy newsgroup a lot of users
	  decide which articles to read from the subject line alone.  If you
	  post, don't deprive yourself of an audience!
	* Before answering a question, check if the FAQ adequately answers it
	  or if someone else already answered it.  If you have more to add,

	  make sure to reference either the FAQ or the related articles.
	* If a user posts a question which is directly answered by the FAQ,
	  there is no need to post an answer - the information is already
	  available on the newsgroup.  Instead, just send an e-mail message
	  which politely explains where to find the FAQ.  They will probably
	  appreciate it if you include the answer to their question.  (Don't
	  send a "nastygram" - that would just discourage future participa-
	  tion.)
	* Pay attention to the size of your audience - use the "Distribution:"
	  header.  If you leave it blank, your message will go to every civ-
	  ilized country in the world and occupy disk space in all news sys-
	  tems in all those places.  If that's what you intend, that's fine
	  but make sure your article is relevant outside your country.  (In
	  particular, Hams should already know there is more to the world than
	  just their own country.)
	* If you have an item for sale, please limit the distribution area so
	  that, for example, an article about a radio for sale in New Jersey
	  won't get to California or Europe.  If you wish, you may cross-post
	  your for-sale article to rec.radio.swap.
	* Software sources should be posted to either alt.sources,
	  comp.sources.misc, or comp.sources.* for a specific machine type.
	  Software binaries should be posted to the appropriate subgroup of
	  comp.binaries.

**  What is Amateur Radio?
	Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service whose
	primary aims are public service, technical training and experimenta-
	tion, and communication between private persons.  Amateur Radio opera-
	tors are commonly called hams.  Hams often communicate with each other
	recreationally but also provide communications for others at public
	events or in times of emergency or disaster.

**  Who can become a ham in the United States?
	Anyone who is not a representative of a foreign government can
	be an Amateur Radio operator in the USA.  There are tests that
	you must pass to get a license, however the tests are not
	insurmountable.

**  Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio?
	Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio
	license books.  Books can also be obtained through the mail
	from ham radio organizations, such as ARRL in Newington, CT
	(203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594).  There
	may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (ie,
	within 50 miles).  Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio
	Communications.

	For the Novice license, get a Novice License manual, plus 5-word-per-
	minute Morse code tapes, costing around $25.  For the Technician lic-
	ense, get a combined Novice and Technician License manual, and an FCC
	Rules manual, costing around $32.  The FCC Rules manual is a good idea
	for Novice also, but not necessary, since the Novice License manual
	contains all the FCC Rules that are required for the Novice License.

	The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs to
	help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started.  Ask for a
	"New prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ,
	Educational Activities Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.

**  How much does it cost?
	To take the Novice tests, it's free.  To take the Technician or
	higher class tests, there is a small charge (around $5-$6 currently)
	to cover copying costs and running the testing sessions.  The cost
	of a radio is really dependent on what you want to do.  You can
	make your own radio and antenna for under $150.  You can buy a used
	single-band radio for $150-$300.  Or you can buy a new multi-band
	multi-mode radio with all the doodads for $300-$3000.  I'd suggest
	you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what
	you want to do with ham radio first.

**  Where can I take the tests?
	The Novice tests can be given by any two qualified hams of General
	class license or above.  The Technician tests and all higher class
	license tests are given by three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs)
	who volunteer their time.

	To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can contact
	ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282.
	
**  What are the tests like?
	First off, come prepared to VE sessions.  Bring:  TWO forms of ID,
	one of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen
	and two pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $5-$6 for
	1992); the original AND a copy of your current Amateur Radio license
	(if you have one); the original AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests
	you've already passed (if you have any).

	Each of the written tests (Novice, Technician, General, Advanced,
	and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one-
	tenth of the question pool.  For example, if the question pool is
	approximately 300 questions, then the test will be a 30-question
	test.  You need to get 75% correct to pass.  Note that they truncate
	to determine the correct number of questions.  That means for a 30
	question test, you need to get 22 right, which is actually only 73.3%.

	Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it costs
	no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the
	next more advanced test until you fail.  If you pass the written
	but not the Morse code (or vice versa) for a specific class license,
	you have up to one year to take the other test before you would have
	to retake the written test again.  Note that some VEs will not allow
	you to take the written test unless you've first taken the Morse code
	test.

	The Morse code test is a receiving test only.  The test run 5 to 7
	minutes.  After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice
	or fill-in-the-blank test.  Passing grade is 7 or more.  If you fail
	the 10-question test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet
	to see if you have 1 minute of solid copy with no errors.  For 5 wpm,
	that's 25 characters, for 13 wpm, that's 65 characters, for 20 wpm,
	that's 100 characters.  If they can find 1 minute solid copy, you've
	still passed.

	Hints on Morse code tests:  Generally, it will be a standard QSO
	(conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the
	following:
	26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant or
	slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of
	message prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK).
	The letters count as one character, all others count as two
	characters.  There are a couple other prosigns which are worth
	knowing, but will not be on the test, like "I'm done talking, next"
	is K, "I'm done talking, back to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS.

**  What can I do with a ham radio license?
	There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but
	here's some ideas:
	* Talk to people in foreign countries.
	* Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work.
	* Help in emergencies by providing communications.
	* Provide communications in parades or walkathons.
	* Help other people become hams.
	* Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers.
	* Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the
	  United States and foreign countries and receive awards.
	* Participate in contests or Field Day events.
	* Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization
	  thru ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio Amateur
	  Civil Emergency Service).
	* Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate
	  Radio System).
	* Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own
	  direction-finding equipment.
	* Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home.
	* Receive weather pictures via satellites.
	* Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory.
	* Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals
	  back to people on the Earth.
	* Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send
	  still-frame pictures by facsimile.
	* Experiment with amateur satellite communications.

**  What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license?
	The most important thing you can't do is transact business of any
	kind over ham radio.  Interference to other hams or services, as
	well as obscene, profane or indecent language is not tolerated and
	is illegal.  Music and broadcasting are not allowed on ham radio.
	Some personal conversations may not be appropriate to Amateur Radio.
	Do you really want the whole world to hear about Aunt Mabel's
	hemorrhoids?

**  I'm interested, who will help me?
	There are hams who are willing to become "Elmers" (mentors, helpers)
	in your local area.  Look around and ask local hams.  Search out local
	radio clubs.  As well, some people have volunteered to be an Elmer
	over the Usenet.  A list of UseNet Elmers and their e-mail addresses
	is posted to the newsgroup monthly.  If anyone wants to be an Elmer,
	send e-mail to
		elmers-request@unomaha.edu

**  Should I build my own equipment or antenna?
	"Homebrewing" is a fun and educational part of ham radio.  It is a
	thrill to build your own transmitter and put it on the air.  However,
	building your own receiver can be quite complicated; if you don't have
	electronics experience, you may want to buy a receiver instead.  Most
	homebrew transmitters are QRP (transmit very low power).  That's fine
	for an experienced ham with a very good antenna, but a Novice ham will
	just get frustrated.  Your first rig, therefore should NOT be a home-
	brew.

	Antennas can be much simpler projects than the transceiver, though
	some types are also quite involved.  Most hams build their own anten-
	nas for base station use and buy antennas for mobile (car) use.  Most
	beginner ham books describe how to build different types of antennas.
	Order of difficulty, from easiest to more difficult, for some common
	antennas are:  wire dipole, Zepp, Yagi, Quad, and Log-Periodic.  Books
	from many sources, including ARRL and several Hams, discuss antennas
	in depth.

	When building or even understanding antennas, it is good to know the

	relationship between the antenna element length and the frequency or
	wavelength it is designed for.  An antenna performs best at multiples
	of 1/4 of that wavelength, though 5/8 wave also has beneficial qualit-
	ies.  The wavelength is related to the frequency with the following
	formula:

	wavelength (in meters) = 300 / frequency (in megahertz)

	You do not need a huge antenna or tower like ones you may see around
	your neighborhood.  Large beam antennas and 40-foot towers are very
	expensive.  As a beginner, a simple dipole antenna is perfectly
	adequate.  As you gain experience (and money :-), you may want to
	invest in something bigger.

	If you can afford new rigs and antennas, there are many mail order
	stores that advertise in ham radio magazines.  If you want to buy a
	used rig, the best place is at a "hamfest" (ham flea market).  You
	should take along an experienced ham, since some of the used equipment
	may be inoperative, overpriced or poor quality.  You can also answer
	ads in ham magazines or posted at ham radio stores, although often, by
	the time you call, the equipment has already been sold.
=========================================================================
    Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 2 of 3)

Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4
Archive-name: radio/ham-radio/faq/part2
Revision: 3.7 02/19/93 17:49:15

Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions
Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Questions discussed in Part 2: (dates indicate last modification)
**  Where can I find Ham Radio information with a computer? (11/92)
    * The rec.radio.* newsgroups (new 1/93)
    * The ARRL e-mail server (1/93)
    * The Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) (1/93)
    * Access to FTP archives via electronic mail (1/93)
    * The Info-Hams mail list: rec.radio.amateur.misc by mail (1/93)
    * Telephone BBS's with Ham-related information (11/92)
    * Callsign servers and geographical name servers (11/92)
    * FTP access to FCC Part 97 and FCC Amateur Radio question pools (11/92)
    * Lists of radio modifications and extensions (11/92)
**  Can I send ARRL or W5YI electronic mail? (11/92)
**  "Why doesn't the ARRL do...?" (11/92)
**  What magazines are available for Ham Radio? (pre-4/92)
**  How do I use the incoming and outgoing QSL bureau? (11/92)
**  Are there any news groups for CAP? (11/92)
**  What's the name of the QRP club that issues QRP numbers? (pre-4/92)
**  How do I become a 10-10 member? (pre-4/92)
**  How do I join MARS? (1/93)
**  How do I join RACES? (pre-4/92)
**  What organizations are available to help handicapped hams? (pre-4/92)
**  I am looking for a specific ham, can anyone help me find him? (pre-4/92)
**  Can I post my neat new ham related program on rec.radio.amateur.misc?
    (pre-4/92)
**  Where can I get ham radio software for my computer? (4/92)
**  Are there Dialup News services or BBSs for Amateur Radio? (4/92)
**  Where can I find VE sessions in my local area? (6/92)
**  Why isn't XXX available electronically? (4/92)

--Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions------------------Part 2--

**  Where can I find Ham Radio information with a computer?
	This question has many answers spanning several electronic media
	including UseNet, electronic mail, the Internet, dialup bulletin board
	systems (BBS) and others.  Various electronic information sources are
	summarized under the subheadings that follow.

	All electronic mail addresses listed are in Internet format.  If your
	site is not connected to the Internet and does not support Internet-
	style mail addresses, you will need to contact either your system
	administrators or a local "guru" to find out how or if you can send
	mail to the sites listed.  Ask them, "how can I get mail to the
	Internet?" and show them the address you're interested in.

    * The rec.radio.* newsgroups
	The primary distribution mechanism for this FAQ is UseNet.  There
	are several newsgroups dealing with Amateur Radio and other aspects
	of radio.  The full list is as follows:

	rec.radio.amateur.misc (*)   Ham Radio - misc/general topics
	rec.radio.amateur.packet     Ham Radio - computer/packet radio
	rec.radio.amateur.policy     Ham Radio - policy & regulation
	rec.radio.broadcasting       public broadcast radio
	rec.radio.cb                 Citizens' Band Radio
	rec.radio.info (*)           periodic info from all rec.radio groups
	rec.radio.noncomm            misc non-commercial radio topics
	rec.radio.shortwave          Shortwave Radio
	rec.radio.swap               radio equipment wanted and for sale

	This FAQ is cross-posted to the newsgroups marked with asterisks (*).
	It is also cross-posted to rec.answers (the archive for FAQs in the
	rec.* newsgroups) and to news.answers (UseNet's general repository for
	FAQs.)  These should be the first places to look for new current
	copies of the FAQ.

	Most of the rec.radio newsgroups have their own FAQs as well.

    * The ARRL e-mail server
	ARRL is the American Radio Relay League, representing and promoting
	Amateur Radio in the USA.  They have established an automated file
	server which responds to information requests via electronic mail.
	To use the server, send mail to info@arrl.org with any number of
	one-line commands in your message.  Valid commands are as follows:

	help        sends more detailed instructions about the e-mail server
	index       sends a list of the files currently available
	send file   sends a file (replace "file" with the file's name)
		    several files are referenced by name in parts of this FAQ
	quit        ends command processing - use it if a signature will be
		    appended to your message

	The server program will respond to the commands, each in a separate
	message.  Among many other informative files, a current copy of the
	FAQ (updated monthly) can be obtained from the ARRL e-mail server.

    * The Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
	Sites connected to the Internet can access large amounts of data
	almost anywhere in the world, often at high speeds.  One common way
	to transfer the data you want is FTP.  Some sites offer a service
	called "anonymous FTP" which allows remote users to access a set of
	public files without requiring a password.

	Tom Czarnik coordinates a fairly definitive list of anonymous FTP
	sites, their IP numbers, time zones, general contents, and access
	policies which he posts to the comp.misc, comp.sources.wanted,
	alt.sources.wanted, and news.answers newsgroups.  It is itself
	available via anonymous FTP (how about that?? :-) from (among other
	places) rtfm.mit.edu (18.172.1.27) under directory
	/pub/usenet/news.answers/ftp-list.

	For specific information about exact locations of files by name,
	the Archie database server may be of help.  First check if anyone has
	installed the "archie" program on your machine and use it.  Archie may
	also be accessed by telnetting to one of the following sites (use the
	one closest to you):

	Finland/Europe: archie.funet.fi (128.215.6.100)
	Canada: archie.mcgill.ca (132.206.2.3)
	Australia/New Zealand: archie.au (128.184.1.4)
	Israel: cs.huji.ac.il (132.65.6.5)
	UK/Ireland: raquel.doc.ic.ac.uk (146.169.11.3)
	USA (Maryland): archie.sura.net (128.167.254.179)
	USA (Nebraska): archie.unl.edu (129.93.1.14)
	USA (New York): archie.ans.net (147.225.1.2)
	USA (New Jersey): archie.rutgers.edu (128.6.18.15)

	Login is archie.  Type "help" at the prompt for a description of all
	server commands.

	For those without telnet capability, the database may be accessed non-
	interactively via mail server.  Send E-mail with the word "help" to
	archie@host where host is one of the Archie sites above.

	The above two resources (the FTP list and the Archie server) are
	extremely powerful tools for finding out "what's out there" at various
	FTP sites around the world.  *PLEASE* exhaust their capabilities
	before posting requests to the net.

	The following is a brief summary of major ham-related FTP sites and
	places where you can obtain a current copy of this FAQ:

	ftp.cs.buffalo.edu (128.205.32.9)
		(submissions to this ftp site should be made to
		bowen@cs.buffalo.edu) - contains many ham radio files,
		including the FAQs, Elmer list, SWL and scanner info, Packet
		FAQ, examination opportunities, information on various
		regulations, information on commercial radios (i.e. GE or
		Motorola), SSTV (slow-scan TV), HTs (handheld transceivers)
		and the KA2UGQ worldwide BBS list.  See ~pub/ham-radio.  This
		FAQ is updated monthly here.
	wsmr-simtel20.army.mil (192.88.110.20)
		Keith Peterson, W8SDZ, has apparently returned as the
		maintainer of this huge repository of ham-radio (software and
		modifications), MS-DOS, and CP/M files.  To find out how
		to submit files to this archive, please read his informational
		posts to the comp.binaries.ibm.pc.archives newsgroup. If you
		cannot directly FTP from wsmr-simtel20, there is a mail server
		that can help.  Send mail with the text "help" to
		listserv@vm.ecs.rpi.edu (128.113.5.11).
	wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)
		A "mirror" of the files available on Simtel20, plus a *LOT*
		more.  A more user-friendly Unix environment (plus a faster
		net connection) makes this site preferred over Simtel20.
		If you are on a Unix box locally, see if your system
		administrator will "NFS-mount" these files for faster/easier
		access.
	ucsd.edu (128.54.16.1)
		The "home" site (with the most recent versions for the largest
		number of different computer platforms) of the KA9Q TCP/IP
		Network Operating System (NOS), other ham-related software,
		and the archives for the Info-Hams, Packet-Radio, Ham-Policy,
		Radio-Info and TCP-Group digests.
	uxc.cso.uiuc.edu (128.174.5.50)
		cd pub/ham-radio - This site contains the HyperCard Hamstacks
		written by Diana Syriac as well as ASCII readable ham radio
		question pools.
	ftp.apple.com (130.43.2.3)
		cd pub/ham-radio - Ham software and information, especially
		Macintosh software
	ftp.uu.net (137.39.1.9)
	wuarchive.wustl.edu (128.252.135.4)
	wolfen.cc.uow.edu.au (130.130.68.4)
	athene.uni-paderborn.de (131.234.2.32)
	nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100)
		ham radio files and software for the Amiga computer system
	rtfm.mit.edu (18.172.1.27) also called pit-manager.mit.edu
		cd pub/usenet/news.answers - all participating FAQs and
		periodic informational postings are archived here, including
		those from the rec.radio.* newsgroups which can be found in
		pub/usenet/news.answers/radio.  Participating FAQs are
		automatically archived here when they are posted on UseNet.
	uts.mcc.ac.uk (130.88.200.3)

		cd gopher-data/justforfun/faq/recreation - see *radio* for
		radio-related FAQs.  This site is located in the UK and is
		a good place to obtain the FAQ from the UK and the European
		mainland.
	ftp.amdahl.com (129.212.11.1) also called charon.amdahl.com
		cd pub/radio/amateur - the most up-to-date copy of the FAQ
		(updated nightly when changes are made)

	If you experience difficulty connecting to the above FTP sites, some
	troubleshooting hints are shown below.  The unfortunate situation here
	is that Netnews is far more prevalent than direct Internet hookups,
	accurate name servers, smart mailers and routers, and of course,
	telnet and FTP client services.  What this means is that your trouble
	may be caused by MANY factors.

	Here's some hints to check what's wrong:
	* It may very well be that your newsfeed and email are via dialup line
	  and UUCP (Unix-to-Unix copy) in the wee hours of the morning.  If
	  this is the case, then you have no direct connection to the Internet
	  and thus cannot use real-time interactive services like FTP and
	  telnet.
	* If you are at a college or university, your host (ie, the computer
	  you are logged onto) may be on the Bitnet network, which has an
	  email gateway to the Internet, but no direct connect capability.
	* If you do have a direct connection to the Internet, does your host
	  have telnet and/or FTP client programs?  (ie, if you type "ftp" or
	  "telnet" at your command prompt, do you get anything?)  Many hosts,
	  particularly IBM mainframes not running Unix, do not support these
	  services!
	* Can you telnet to other hosts and get a login prompt?
	  It may very well be that some hosts are "not recognized" due to
	  misconfigured connections and inaccurate host tables/name servers
	  (*.mil computers are *NOTORIOUS* for this!)
	* If you get "host not in host table" or "host unknown" or similar
	  error, try telnetting via the IP number, a set of four 1-3-digit
	  numbers separated by periods (eg, 137.48.1.1).  The exact IP number
	  for the site can be obtained via the nslookup utility, if your
	  computer supports it....or check the FAQs.  Your host may not
	  recognize the "fully-qualified domain name" (like
	  callsign.cs.buffalo.edu), but it should ALWAYS recognize an IP
	  number if their network is reachable from yours.
	* If you get "network unreachable" check with some more knowledgeable
	  users if your site is actually connected to the Internet.  If it is,
	  a link in the network may be temporarily disconnected for maintenance
	  (or by accident.)
	* In the case of telnetting to a non-default port (as in the case
	  with the callbook servers), if telnet <host> <port#> doesn't work,
	  but you can telnet to the default login port (ie, no qualifiers),
	  then the manner at which the port qualifier is entered may be
	  system dependent.
	* Syntax for telnetting from different operating systems differ.
	  Some common command syntaxes are:  (angle brackets are for
	  readability, do not type these in literally)
	  Berkeley Unix or VMS with Wollongong TCP/IP uses syntax:
		telnet <host> <socket#>
	  Other possibilities to try:
		telnet console <host> (for 2000 port)
		telnet <CR> open <host>:<port#>
		telnet <host>/<port#>
		telnet <host>/port=<port#> (for Multinet on VMS)
	* Compression techniques are different for different operating systems.
	  However, these hints should help: foo.sit needs MacIntosh UnStuffit
	  to unstuff; foo.hqx needs MacIntosh BinHex to uncompress; foo.Z
	  needs Unix 'uncompress' to uncompress or VMX compress_vms.exe (on
	  gatekeeper.dec.com) will work too.  If more than one method was used,
	  like for foo.hqx.Z, start at the outside and work in (so uncompress
	  on Unix with 'uncompress' first, transfer to MacIntosh, then
	  uncompress with BinHex to get uncompressed file).
	* There is an excellent introduction to FTP and archiving software
	  regularly posted to comp.binaries.ibm.pc and news.answers.
	* If all else fails, ASK your system administrator or check system
	  documentation.

    * Access to FTP archives via electronic mail
	ANY BITNET, EARN, or NorthNET site can access the Princeton mail
	server.  It will be most efficient if you know the complete path
	and filename for anything you wish to transfer, but you can use
	'cd' and 'ls -l' commands to move about and browse the remote site's
	directories.  The Archie database server may also be useful to search
	for files and their directory locations on FTP sites around the world
	(see below).  Please be patient when using non-interactive mail
	servers such as BITFTP as each request may take several hours (or
	longer) to be fulfilled.

	For access to the FTP server, send email to bitftp@pucc.bitnet (for
	BITNET, EARN and NorthNET users ONLY!).  Subject doesn't matter.
	The text of the email is the FTP commands one after another.  For
	example, suppose you wanted to access the FTP site lcs.mit.edu:
	    FTP lcs.mit.edu
	    USER anonymous
	    PASS yourname@yoursite	(not required)
	    ASCII
	    CD telecom-archives
	    GET filenames
	    BYE
	A help file is available giving detailed instructions by putting
	the single word HELP into the text of the email.

	For nonBITNET users, there is also a FTPMAIL server at
	ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com (16.1.0.1).  Commands include:  REPLY
	<mailaddr>, CONNECT [HOST [user [pass]]], ASCII, BINARY, COMPRESS,
	COMPACT, UUENCODE, BTOA, LS <directory>, DIR <directory>, GET <file>,
	QUIT, HELP.  Get the help file for more information by sending mail
	with the single line "help".  The ftpmail site may complain if you try
	try to get more than 1 file per email request.  Here is an example of
	a request:
	    reply your_name@your_site
	    connect uxc.cso.uiuc.edu
	    binary
	    uuencode
	    get pub/ham-radio/Tech.v3.3.sit.hqx.Z
	    quit

	A note on the use of FTP mailservers:  If you want to use FTP
	mailservers, like FTPMAIL, please be considerate of any systems that
	your mail must pass through.  The quickest way to find yourself cut
	off from the world is to make the admins of sites that pass your mail
	pass 60Mb of X11 graphics system source.  If you need large amounts
	of information from a mailserver, contact your admin for help -- it
	may already be available, or he may know a better way to get it.

    * The Info-Hams mail list: rec.radio.amateur.misc by mail
	You can use rec.radio.amateur.misc even if your site has no NetNews
	feed.  To subscribe to rec.radio.amateur.misc, send email to:
		Info-Hams-Request@ucsd.edu
	In the body of the message, write:
		subscribe Info-Hams
	If your local e-mail software does not provide a valid return address
	(i.e. Bitnet, many Milnet sites, and many non-Unix e-mail packages)
	you can provide your return address between the "subscribe" and the
	name of the mailing list (i.e. "subscribe myname@here.org Info-Hams".)

	Similarly, to subscribe to some other rec.radio.* newsgroups, use
	the following directions:
	* To subscribe to rec.radio.amateur.packet, send email to
	  Packet-Radio-Request@ucsd.edu, message is "subscribe Packet-Radio"
	* To subscribe to rec.radio.amateur.policy, send email to
	  Ham-Policy-Request@ucsd.edu, message is "subscribe Ham-Policy"
	* To subscribe to rec.radio.info, send email to
	  Radio-Info-Request@ucsd.edu, message is "subscribe Radio-Info"
	* To subscribe to rec.radio.shortwave, send email to
	  listserv@cuvma.columbia.edu, message is "subscribe swl-l (your name)"

	TO UNSUBSCRIBE, follow directions above, changing the command word
	"subscribe" to "unsubscribe"
	   DON'T POST TO THE NEWSGROUP ITSELF!  USE THE REQUEST ADDRESS!
	Help is available by using the command word "help".  Note that command
	words MUST be the first word on each line of the message.

	You can post to rec.radio.amateur.{misc,packet,policy} by sending
	your posting email to Info-Hams, Packet-Radio, or Ham-Policy, all at
	ucsd.edu.  Since rec.radio.info is a moderated newsgroup, requests
	to post to it may be sent to Radio-Info but they will be mailed to
	the moderator, rec-radio-info@ve6mgs.ampr.ab.ca, for posting.
	
	All of the Amateur radio newsgroups are archived for FTP on ucsd.edu
	under subdirectory mailarchives/{Ham-Policy, Info-Hams,Packet-Radio}.
	Radio-Info is not archived at UCSD.  (See the news.answers archives
	at rtfm.mit.edu.)

    * Telephone BBS's with Ham-related information
	WB3FFV has one, phones are 301-625-0817 or 301-625-9482 or
	301-625-9663.  Data settings are 8 bits, NO parity, 1 stop bit.
	Login is bbs, no password.
	This BBS is also available via UUCP, login is uucpanon, no password.
	For a listing of available archived, try:
	uucp wb3ffv!~/FILES /usr/spool/uucppublic

	Another one is N8EMR at phone 614-895-2553, login hbbs.  Data settings
	are 8 bits, NO parity, 1 stop bit.  N8EMR has a comprehensive list of
	other ham-related BBS's on-line.

    * Callsign servers and geographical name servers
	If you are at an Internet site you can connect using telnet to one
	of the two primary servers:

	callsign.cs.buffalo.edu (currently 128.205.32.2)
	ham.njit.edu		(currently 128.235.1.10)

	There is also a general geographical name server at:

	martini.eecs.umich.edu (currently 141.212.100.9)

	The callbook servers sit on port number 2000 and the geographical
	name server sits on port 3000.  These are different port numbers
	than what telnet usually defaults to. So if you just telnet to these
	machines, you will get a login prompt instead of the server. How you
	tell your telnet program to connect to port 2000 or 3000 instead of
	the default port is operating system dependent but it is usually done
	with a line like


	telnet callsign.cs.Buffalo.EDU 2000

	If this doesn't work, check the telnet/FTP troubleshooting hints
	above or consult your local systems guru for the proper command string.

	The interactive servers are designed to be somewhat self-explanatory
	and they support fairly detailed help facilities. The first command
	you should execute when connecting to one of these servers is "info".
	This will list general info about that server and how to use it. You
	should then type "help" to list the various commands available.
	Typing "help" followed by a command name will give you a little more
	detail about that command. Servers allow searches by call, last name,
	zip code or city and also provide regular expression filters to trim
	your searches so you get a reasonable amount of output.

	Both these servers are built from a database distributed by Rusty
	Carruth, N7IKQ. This database currently contains US and Canadian
	callsigns and it does not contain club calls. A new version of the
	database is sent around approximately once a year.
	
	There is also an email callsign server at callbook@sat.datapoint.com
	(The UUCP address is ...!uunet!dptspd!callbook).  In the body of the
	text, say "lookup" followed by callsigns you want to look up.  If
	your mailer appends signature files, you should put a line "quit" at
	the end of your request (before the signature file).  If you want
	help, put the word "help" on a line by itself.  Here is what a
	request might look like:
		help
		lookup kc1sp wn4bbj
		lookup n0fzd
		quit

	There is another email callsign server at callbook@n8emr.cmhnet.org.
	The subject line is the list of callsigns to lookup.  All other lines
	are ignored.  This same callsign server can be accessed with packet
	radio via cbook@n8jyv.#cmh.oh.usa.na.  The body of the message should
	include "REPLY n8jyv!HOME_BBS!CALL" (where HOME_BBS is YOUR home BBS,
	and CALL is YOUR callsign), carriage return, "CALL call1 call2 ..."
	(where call1 call2 .... is space separated list of callsigns you want
	to lookup).

	If you are a packet radio station, callserver data is available from
	REQQTH@WA4ONG.VA.USA.NA, subject line should be up to 5 US callsigns,
	separated by spaces.  For Canadian calls, use the callserver at
	REQQTH@VE3JF.ON.CAN.  Body of message is ignored.  The server is an
	OS interface to the MBL packet BBS using the Buckmaster CD-ROM
	callsign database.

	The REQQTH address is for the AX.25 radio-linked amateur packet
	network, *NOT* the Internet.  If you attempt to send Internet mail to
	this address, and use the old .NA suffix instead of the new .NOAM
	suffix, it will get routed to Nimibia (Internet suffix .na) which is
	currently paying a lot of money for misdirected ham mail.  Help
	maintain a positive example for amateur radio and please do not
	attempt this!

	The FCC "call sign hotline" at 717-337-1212 is available for those
	who wish to listen to the call signs allocated in each group for each
	district.  This requires only a touch-tone telephone to use.

    * FTP access to FCC Part 97 and FCC Amateur Radio question pools
	Part 97 is part of the FCC regulations and only applies to the USA.

	The text to part 97 is available by ftp from several locations:
	Western US
	   ftp.amdahl.com              /pub/radio/amateur/part97.txt.Z
	Central US
	   pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu  /msdos/ham/part97.arc
	Eastern US
	   gandalf.umcs.maine.edu      /pub/ham-radio/part97.txt
	   ftp.uu.net                  /networking/ka9q/part97.arc
	The *.arc files are MSDOS ARC files with the same ASCII text.
	
	An ASCII copy of the question pools are available by ftp from
	uxc.cso.uiuc.edu (128.174.5.50) in /pub/ham-radio/<class>-pool.txt.Z,
	where <class> is novice, technician, general, advanced or extra.

    * Lists of radio modifications and extensions
	Some mods can be found on wsmr-simtel20.army.mil or
	the Simtel20 mirror directories on wuarchive.wustl.edu.

	There is a new server at pcserver@novell.business.uwo.ca.  Some
	examples of main body email requests are as follows:
		HELP
		SENDME RADIO MODS
		SENDME TH215 MODS
		SENDME ALLBAND MODS

	There is a packet radio Mods Server.  To get the directories, send
	a packet as follows:
		SP REQFIL@N2IMC.NJ.USA.NA
		Subject:  MODS\Dir.1
		/EX
	To get the mod, send to same place, with Subject MODS\Filename.ext.

	REMEMBER that any modification is likely to void your warranty and
	that these mods are NOT guaranteed to work.  This list is supplied
	here because it is sometimes a frequent question on the newsgroup.

**  Can I send ARRL or W5YI electronic mail?
	Several ARRL HQ staffers can be contacted via the net.  Their e-mail
	addresses are available from the ARRL e-mail file server in the
	file called "email".  See above for more information on the ARRL
	e-mail server.

        ARRL requests that you include your postal address (the slow kind) in
        case they need to send you nonelectronic material in answer to your
        request.

        W5YI, a large VEC, can be reached at the following address:
	Fred Maia, W5YI                               3511297@mcimail.com

**  "Why doesn't the ARRL do...?"
	If you want the ARRL to do something, tell them!  Direct input from a
	concerned member (or, actually, any concerned Ham) carries a lot more
	weight than hearsay from any source.  Their e-mail addresses are
	available from the ARRL e-mail file server (see above).  They want
	direct input - that's why those addresses are available.

**  What magazines are available for Ham Radio?
	Your local ham store may have some, but here's some popular ones
	(this is NOT a complete list!):
	QST, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 - basic projects and
		contesting
	CQ The Radio Amateur's Journal, 76 North Broadway, Hicksville, NY
		11801 - beginner ham radio articles
	73 Amateur Radio Today, WGE Center, Forect Rd, Hancock, NH 03449,
		FAX (603) 525-4423, email: COMPUSERVE 70310,775 or Internet
		70310.775@compuserve.com - more technical ham radio articles
	QEX, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 - more technical projects
	WorldRadio, 2120 28th St, Sacramento, CA 95818, (916) 457-3655.
		Subscriptions to 201 Lathrop Way, Ste D, Sacramento, CA 95815,
		(800) 365-SUBS - lots of special interest columns, like QRP,
		ATV, YL, etc.
	W5YI Report, PO Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356, 1-800-669-9594 -
		up-to-date information on Amateur Radio happenings, including
		VE information and statistics

**  How do I use the incoming and outgoing QSL bureau?
	To use the outgoing QSL bureau, you must be a member of ARRL.  In
	general, you send a bundle of foreign (not States!) QSL cards to
	the outgoing bureau in Newington, Connecticut, along with a label
	off of your QST magazine (which shows ARRL membership), along with
	$2 per pound of cards (approximately 150 cards) or $1 for 10 cards
	or less.

	To use the incoming QSL bureau, you do NOT have to be a member of
	ARRL.  Send one or more Self-Addressed Stamped Envelopes (size 5x7
	or 6x9, NO BIGGER, NO SMALLER) with one ounce of postage attached
	and with your callsign in 3/4" letters in top left hand corner where
	the return address label would go.  If you expect a large quantity
	of foreign QSL cards, attach extra money or postage with a paper
	clip; do NOT affix extra postage to envelope.  Send the envelopes to
	the QSL bureau for your callsign area.	If your callsign is xx3xxx/5,
	you would send it to the 3rd call area, NOT the 5th call area.
	Addresses for QSL bureaus are listed in QST and on the ARRL e-mail
	server (see below); if you don't have access to a QST magazine, ask
	another ham.  IMPORTANT:  BE PATIENT!  Turnaround time for a US QSL
	bureau, not considering foreign QSL bureaus, is about 3 months.
	Foreign QSL bureaus and hams can be as fast as 2 months or as slow as
	TEN YEARS, while average is about 6-12 months.

	Addresses for the US incoming and outgoing QSL Bureaus are available
	from the ARRL e-mail server in the files called "qsl-in" and "qsl-out".
	See the question above

**  Are there any news groups for CAP?
	There is no news group just for Civil Air Patrol discussions.  However,
	rec.aviation.misc is appropriate for CAP aviation discussions and for
	CAP radio information, these rec.radio.amateur.* groups are available.
	CAP-related files are also stored on the FTP site
	sunburn.cps.udayton.edu in pub/capital.

**  What's the name of the QRP club that issues QRP numbers?
	QRP Amateur Radio Club International, c/o Bill Harding K4AHK,
	10923 Carters Oak Way, Burke, VA 22015.

**  How do I become a 10-10 member?
	10-10 is simply an organization to sponsor the use of the 10 meter
	band.  It was first conceived when propagation was poor on 10 meters,
	as a method to get more hams to use 10 meters.  The past few years
	have been great for 10 meters worldwide.  However, "the bands are
	closing down" again, and 10 meters will once again be limited more
	for local communications, except for sporadic band openings, until
	the next sunspot cycle.

	To join 10-10, work ten 10-10 members and LOG each 10-10 number, call
	sign, operator's name and location.  Send the list to your numeric
	call sign or DX area manager (as shown below), with $5.00 U.S. new

	membership registration fee ($6.00 for foreign addresses).

	10-10 International Area Managers:
	USA 1 - Al Kaiser N1API,       194 Glen Hills Rd, Meriden,     CT 06450
	USA 2 - Larry Berger WA2SUH,   9 Nancy Blvd,      Merrick,     NY 11566
	USA 3 - Chester Gardner N3GZE, 9028 Overhill Dr,  Ellicott Cty,MD 21042
	USA 4 - KY, TN, FL, VA, NC, SC only
		Rick Roberts N4KCC,    7106 Ridgestone Dr,Ooltewah,    TN 37363
	USA 4 - GA, AL, Puerto Rico only
	        Jim Beswick W4YHF,     112 Owl Town Farm, Ellijay,     GA 30540
	USA 5 - Grace Dunlap K5MRU,*   Box 445,           LaFeria,     TX 78559
	        *summer addr Jun-Oct   Box 13,            Rand,        CO 80473
	USA 6 - Dick Rauschler W6ANK,  4371 Cambria St,   Fremont,     CA 94538
	USA 7 - Willie Madison WB7VZI, 10512 W Butler Dr, Peoria,      AZ 85345
	USA 8 - John Hugentober N3FU,  4441 Andreas Ave,  Cincinatti,  OH 45211
	USA 9 - Jim Williams N9HHU,    240 Park Rd,       Creve Coeur, IL 61611
	USA 0 - Debbie Peterson KF0NV, RR 1 Box 35,       Duncombe,    IA 50532
	All DX- Carol Hugentober K8DHK,4441 Andreas Ave,  Cincinatti,  OH 45211

**  How do I join MARS?
	To join MARS, you have to be 14 years or older (parental consent
	required under age 17), be a US citizen or resident alien, possess a
	valid Amateur Radio license, possess a station capable of operating
	on MARS HF frequencies, and be able to operate the minimum amount
	of time for each quarter (12 hours for Army and Air Force; 18 hours
	for Navy-Marines).  Novices must upgrade to Technician within 6
	months, else be dropped from MARS.  No-Code Techs can apply, provided
	they have transmit and receive HF capability for MARS frequencies
	(they don't need transmit capability for Amateur HF frequencies).  For
	application forms contact:

	Chief, Air Force MARS
	HQ AFCC/SYXR (MARS)
	203 W. Losey St.   Room 1020
	Scott AFB, IL 62225-5219
	(618)256-5552   Fax:  (618) 256-5126

	Chief, Army MARS
	HQ, US Army Information Systems Command
	ATTN: AS-OPS-OA
	Fort Huachuca, AZ  85613-5000

	Chief, Navy-Marine Corps MARS
	Naval Communication Unit
	Washington, DC   20397-5161

**  How do I join RACES?
	Contact your nearest Civil Defense or Emergency Management Agency.
	The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service is a part of a municipal,
	county, or state government.  This does not mean, however, that
	every such government has a RACES program.  If your government does
	not have a RACES, ask them to refer you to the nearest jurisdiction
	that does have a RACES program.

**  What organizations are available to help handicapped hams?
		Courage Center
		Handihams
		2915 Golden Valley Rd
		Golden Valley, MN  55422
		(612) 520-0515
	ARRL has a Handihams information package (get it by requesting it
	thru 2155052@mcimail.com) and a book called "The ARRL Plan for the
	Disabled", available at no charge from the ARRL Regulatory
	Information Branch.

**  I am looking for a specific ham, can anyone help me find him?
	Rather than sending out a message on Usenet, you might first try
	directory assistance from the phone company or the locator service
	provided by the Salvation Army.  A Salvation Army post in your
	local area may be able to help you.  If you have his/her callsign
	or name, you might also try one of the on-line callservers shown
	above.  Also, the Quarter-Century Wireless Assn maintains a collection
	of callbooks going back to "the beginning of time".  Their address
	is: 1409 Cooper Drive, Irving, TX 75061.  Also, the Callbook has a
	dial-in line for accessing new ham callsigns.  Try (1-708-234-8011)
	at 2400 baud.

**  Can I post my neat new ham related program on rec.radio.amateur.misc?
	This is really not a good idea, since many of the readers receive
	these newsgroups as mail digests.  Posting is also a one-shot thing.
	If you post and someone missed it, it is gone.  A better way would be
	to announce the existence of your program here, along with
	information on how to obtain a copy of your program.  You can also
	submit it to one of the FTP archive sites, which will allow the world
	to access it without you having to mail it to each requestor.  If you
	just GOTTA post it somewhere, post it to more appropriate groups,
	like comp.sources.unix or alt.sources or comp.binaries.ibm.pc.

** Where can I get ham radio software for my computer?
	Atari:	John Adams KC5FW, 17106 Happy Hollow, San Antonio, TX 78232
		"or tune into the weekly net Sundays 1600 UTC on 14.325 MHz".
	MacIntosh:  MacNet, John Seney WD1V 144 Pepperidge Dr, Manchester,
		NH 03103 (sent 2 800k FORMATTED diskettes, one of which
		contains a TEXT file containing your name, address, home PBBS,
		your radio & computer interests and equipment).

	(See also the information about Anonymous FTP and ham-related
	telephone BBS's above.)

**  Are there Dialup News services or BBSs for Amateur Radio?
	There are two major news services for ham radio.  Both are run by
	volunteer hams and provide bulletins of specific interest to amateurs,
	hence they are perfectly legal to rebroadcast on ham bands according
	to FCC Regulation 97.111B(6).  To lessen the load on the dialup lines,
	consider getting your local repeater operator to rebroadcast it, or
	tape record it to play at your favorite HF net.

	RAIN (Radio Amateur Information Network) is produced by Hap Holly,
	KC9RP, located in Illinois.  The news is typically updated 8am CST
	Fridays.  Phone numbers are 1-708-299-INFO (299-4636) and
	1-708-827-RAIN (827-7246).

	NEWSLINE is another, produced by Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF.  Donations
	for NEWSLINE are accepted at Newsline Support Fund, c/o Dr. Norm
	Chalfin K6PGX, Pasadena, CA 91102.  Phone numbers are:
		Chicago		1-708-289-0423
		N.Florida	1-407-259-4479
		West Palm Beach	1-407-965-1234
		Los Angeles	1-805-296-2407 (Instant Update Line)
		Los Angeles	1-213-462-0008
		NYC		1-718-353-2801
		Ohio		1-513-275-9991
		Seattle		1-206-368-3969

**  Where can I find VE sessions in my local area?
	VE sessions are often announced in the local newspapers, but more
	often, they are announced by local radio bulletin boards.  The
	local packet BBS will most likely have a monthly updated schedule
	for VE sessions.  ARRL or W5YI can generally be called and asked for
	local VE sessions as well.  Don't forget that you will need the
	following when you go in for an upgrade:  a copy of your current
	Amateur license; your original Amateur license; any CSCEs (duplicate
	not required), if applicable and less than a year old; a picture ID,
	preferably a driver's license, passport or visa; and the VE test
	fee (approximately $5 right now).

	Bart Jahnke, KB9NM, the ARRL VEC Manager (bjahnke@arrl.org) posts a
	definitive listing of VE exams indexed by state (and some overseas
	sites, usually at embassies and military bases) to the net every 6
	weeks or so.

**  Why isn't XXX available electronically?
        This is a theme for a lot of common questions.  For the "XXX" above,
        substitute any of the following:
           Callbooks
           DX QSL Lists
           Radio station lists
           ARRL publications (i.e. conference proceedings, repeater directory)
           and more...

        Except for the Callbook (via callsign servers), these are not available
        because of any of several reasons.  Either there are copyright restric-
        tions, royalty fees, or the source just may not have done the work.
        Also, not everyone that has information has reliable UseNet access.

        In one example of someone's effort to bridge the information gap, there
	is a new repeater-mapping project which can automatically accept
	entries via e-mail.  If you can get enough details about a repeater
	for a complete listing, you may want to help by submitting an entry.
	For more information, use the following e-mail addresses:

	repeaters@wattres.sj.ca.us
		Just send a message with only the word "help" in the message
		body.  The project's software will reply with instructions.
	steve@wattres.sj.ca.us
		For other questions (Steve Watt KD6GGD)

	As soon as the list is big enough to be useful, the project will make
	it available electronically.  That will mean one less "why isn't it
	available electronically" question for the net.
=========================================================================
    Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 3 of 3)

Posted-By: auto-faq 2.4
Archive-name: radio/ham-radio/faq/part3
Revision: 3.2 01/27/93 23:07:48

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	repeater for transmit.  DTSS is an alternate method from CTCSS, which
	provides a way to use a "closed" repeater even if your radio doesn't
	do Sub-Audible Tones.

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

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

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

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

	This paragraph is soon to be obsolete:

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

	This information is still current:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

	New licenses are for 10-year terms.  If you apply for renewal before
	its expiration date, the expired license is valid for 60 days after

	expiration to allow for the new license to arrive.  You have up to
	2 years after expiration (5 years for an old 5-year license) to renew
	before re-examination is required (but you can't operate with an
	expired license).  You will lose your current callsign after 1 year
	after expiration if you don't renew.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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