From wang!elf.wang.com!ucsd.edu!info-hams-relay Sun Mar 24 19:40:39 1991 remote from tosspot Received: by tosspot (1.64/waf) via UUCP; Sun, 24 Mar 91 18:09:56 EST for lee Received: from somewhere by elf.wang.com id aa15220; Sun, 24 Mar 91 19:40:38 GMT Received: from ucsd.edu by relay1.UU.NET with SMTP (5.61/UUNET-shadow-mx) id AA26974; Sun, 24 Mar 91 11:08:12 -0500 Received: by ucsd.edu; id AA05085 sendmail 5.64/UCSD-2.1-sun Sun, 24 Mar 91 04:30:33 -0800 for brian Received: by ucsd.edu; id AA05080 sendmail 5.64/UCSD-2.1-sun Sun, 24 Mar 91 04:30:28 -0800 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oc -odb -oQ/var/spool/lqueue -oi -finfo-hams-relay info-hams-list Message-Id: <9103241230.AA05080@ucsd.edu> Date: Sun, 24 Mar 91 04:30:26 PST From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup Reply-To: Info-Hams@ucsd.edu Subject: Info-Hams Digest V91 #235 To: Info-Hams@ucsd.edu Info-Hams Digest Sun, 24 Mar 91 Volume 91 : Issue 235 Today's Topics: !! ALERT -- MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM HAS BEGUN (24 MARCH) !! Appartment Antenna Suggestions? CQ WW Date? Dayton (2 msgs) Ham interference on Cable TV? Modifying CB Radio mods for HR2600 More beginner's questions New 2M/70CM mobile from Standard? Radio Mods Re: LSB vs USB ad infinitum reading odd components Sony 2001 What is a "Sideswiper" CW Key? Send Replies or notes for publication to: Send subscription requests to: Problems you can't solve otherwise to brian@ucsd.edu. Archives of past issues of the Info-Hams Digest are available (by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/info-hams". We trust that readers are intelligent enough to realize that all text herein consists of personal comments and does not represent the official policies or positions of any party. Your mileage may vary. So there. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 24 Mar 91 04:44:37 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: !! ALERT -- MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM HAS BEGUN (24 MARCH) !! To: info-hams@ucsd.edu /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ ALERT! MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM ALERT ALERT! /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ Issued: 04:00 UT, 24 March Major Geomagnetic Storm Alert Major Auroral Storm Warning ------------- ATTENTION: The interplanetary shock arrived at approximately 03:41 UT on 24 March. The magnetosphere compression has produced a strong magnetic Sudden Storm Commencement signature over middle latitudes. The disturbance surpassed 200 nT (gammas) locally. Minor storm level fluctuations are expected for the next several hours, followed by storm intensification to major or severe storm levels with the arrival of the main phase. There is a good possibility for severe magnetic storming over middle and high latitudes. This shock translates to a velocity of approximately 1,400 km/s (which is significant). A major auroral storm is expected to begin between 05:00 UT and 10:00 UT on 24 March. LOW LATITUDE AURORAL ACTIVITY COULD BE POSSIBLE OVER THE NEXT 24 HOURS. High to very high auroral activity is expected for high and middle latitudes. Significant activity is likely. Major HF propagation disruptions are possible. The shock has produced significant increases in noise, absorption and fading over middle latitudes. Strong degradation in HF signal propagation is expected to begin anytime now and intensify between 05:00 UT and 10:00 UT on 24 March. Widespread VHF auroral backscatter communications will be possible over middle and high latitudes. Low latitude auroral backscatter will be possible as well, but not quite as widespread as middle and high latitudes. Electrical induction by intense geomagnetic perturbations are likely with this storm. Severe storm periods with intense magnetic fluctuations are possible. The following alerts are in progress: - MAJOR GEOMAGNETIC STORM ALERT (24 MARCH) - MAJOR AURORAL STORM ALERT (24 MARCH) - ELECTRICAL GEOMAGNETIC STORM INDUCTION ALERT (24 MARCH) - MAJOR PROTON FLARE ALERT - SATELLITE PROTON EVENT ALERT - POLAR CAP ABSORPTION EVENT ALERT The storm is expected to last at least 12 to 24 hours. Strong post-storm activity is possible. PLEASE REPORT ANY REPORTS OF AURORAL ACTIVITY, HF DEGRADATION, VHF AURORAL BACKSCATTER COMMUNICATIONS OR OTHER UNUSUAL ANOMALIES TO: OLER@HG.ULETH.CA. PLEASE INCLUDE THE DATE AND TIME OF OBSERVATION (BOTH UT AND LOCAL TIME), LOCATION OF OBSERVATION (LATITUDE/LONGITUDE) AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHENOMENA OBSERVED. ** End of Alert ** ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 17:08:16 GMT From: deccrl!news.crl.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!riscy.enet.dec.com!nikos.nyo.dec.com!yannios@decwrl.dec.com Subject: Appartment Antenna Suggestions? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I'm looking for antenna recommendations for use in a high-rise appartment building in New York City (32nd floor) . Unfortunately, the building management does not allow anyone to put antennas on the roof and we do not have balconies. Therefore, I'm constrained to having the antenna in my appartment . As a new Tech+, I would like work 10 and 15 meters and maybe 40 and 80 with an ICOM-735. Thanks! Nick ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 14:23:41 GMT From: deccrl!news.crl.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!engage!mast.enet.dec.com!reisert@decwrl.dec.com Subject: CQ WW Date? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu The ARRL sent out a bulletin announcing the date is really March 30/31. - Jim AD1C =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= "The opinions expressed here in no way represent the views of Digital Equipment Corporation." James J. Reisert Internet: reisert@mast.enet.dec.com Digital Equipment Corp. UUCP: ...decwrl!mast.enet!reisert 146 Main Street Voice: 508-493-5293 Maynard, MA 01754 FAX: 508-493-???? ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 20:33:48 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: Dayton To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hopefully someone more knowledgable will also reply. In rec.radio.amateur.misc, anachem@silver.ucs.indiana.edu (|mehcana| (undersampled)) writes: > I think that I have finally kept the weekend of the > Dayton Hamvention open. I have heard about it for > years - and now live close enough to attend. > Now I need some details: > Where in Dayton is the hamfest? Last I heard, it is still at the Hara Arena (like a county fairgrounds / conference complex.) > Is there an entrance fee / how much ? Yes. Don't know. > Is there a place nearby for camping or RV hookups? Accomodations are always a problem. I suggest you make your reservations right away. Parking at the arena is also a problem. If you stay at the hotel, you can take the shuttle bus. Otherwise, try to car pool, and plan to arrive very early to get a parking space. AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 24 Mar 91 01:03:17 GMT From: sdd.hp.com!cs.utexas.edu!asuvax!ncar!news.miami.edu!mthvax!wb8foz@ucsd.edu Subject: Dayton To: info-hams@ucsd.edu >> Where in Dayton is the hamfest? >> Is there an entrance fee / how much ? >> Is there a place nearby for camping or RV hookups? The Hamvention is at Hara Arena. This is much nearer to the intersection of I-70 and I-75 then to Dayton. It is a few miles SW of that point, on Shiloh {sp?} Springs Road. Note that SS road also has several other names just to confuse you. In any case, Hara is just east of Salem Mall. The admission is $ 10.50 in advance/ 13.00 at the door, if I have my numbers correct. Note that e v e r y o n e {adult} needs a ticket. The ticket is good for all three days. You can park at the Vocational school if you are 100% self-contained. Call for details. There is also a KOA, but I doubt it will have room. A free bus will take you to/from the school, and I think the KOA. Call first for all details. Alas, I do NOT have the general # handy. Does anyone else? Plan on doing LOTS of walking. There are about two thousand spaces in the flea market. The mfg displays occupy about the same amount of ft^2. See you there! {professional Dayton goer, for longer than I care to admit} -- A host is a host from coast to coast.....wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu & no one will talk to a host that's close............(305) 255-RTFM Unless the host (that isn't close)......................pob 570-335 is busy, hung or dead....................................33257-0335 ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 00:33:30 GMT From: asylum!fantasia.UUCP!tenney@decwrl.dec.com Subject: Ham interference on Cable TV? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Where I live, we too have cable leakage problems. The TCP/IP frequency just happens to wipe out Cinemax, so I haven't been able to use TCP/IP in order to keep the family peace. Do note that when there is leakage INTO a cable system that there is also leakage OUT of the cable system. Assuming that the ham transmitters are being operated correctly, then there MUST be a cable leak. Since the leak goes both ways, it is very likely that the cable system is causing interference to the ham community (and maybe the FAA too). I suggest taking a rig around town and just monitor various frequencies (oh, 145.23 .25, .75, etc.) Just see what the backgound level is. I did that and found that near the cable tv cables it was full scale S meter readings. I wrote a simple letter to the local FCC office telling them that with an uncalibrated rig I found specific locations with such S meter readings that were causing interference to me. The FCC (some long time later) sent a person out who made calibrated measurements, and sure enough the cable system wasn't up to FCC spec. The cable system finally had to pay $2000, and claimed to fix it, but that's another story... (in other words, it's time to write the FCC again since the problem is still there...). Remember that the hams are legally authorized to transmit in the open on certain frequencies, while the cable companies are explicitly not authorized to radiate, beyond a specific amount, on those same frequencies. Glenn Tenney AA6ER tenney@fantasia%asylum.sf.ca.us ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Glenn Tenney ------------------------------ Date: 24 Mar 91 02:43:23 GMT From: swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!ut-emx!ccwf.cc.utexas.edu@ucsd.edu Subject: Modifying CB Radio To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hi again. I've figured out how the crystals in that Realistic "Navaho" go together. Here's the skinny: There are three crystal sets, with the following frequencies: Group 1: 14.95, 14.96, 14.97, 14.99 Group 2: 23.29, 23.34, 23.39, 23.44, 23.49, 23.54 Group 3: 11.275 I haven't checked each and every channel, but it looks like the following formula generates the 23 original CB channels: Frequency = (Group 1 frequency) + (Group 2 frequency) - 11.275 I'll check this Monday morning; that's where my ARRL handbook with the frequency list is. So it looks like I can change the 11.275 crystal to something a bit lower and move the whole channel set up into the 10 meter band. Of course, I'll have to figure out how to align the thing at that frequency, and how to hook up a key, but hey, what's a hobby for if it's not having fun? Later gang, Kip Ingram N5RYK ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 20:35:01 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: mods for HR2600 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In rec.radio.amateur.misc, faunt@CISCO.COM (Doug Faunt N6TQS 415-688-8269) writes: >Look in the April 1991 issue of 73, page 59, middle of right hand >side. ChipSwitch, 4773 Sonoma Hwy., Suite 132, Santa Rosa CA >95409-4269, is selling a replacement CPU for 2510's and 2600's for >$60. I don't know if they're real or not. Maybe one of the >info-hams/rec.ham-radio readers can check the location out for you. >73, doug Yes, they're real. One of the engineers here is the brother of the fellow who is selling the chip. AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 20:25:50 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: More beginner's questions To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In rec.radio.amateur.misc, heacock@kuhub.cc.ukans.edu (Doug Heacock) writes: >1. I bought a Sangean 803A shortwave receiver a while back, and as it > covers 150-29999 kHz and has a BFO, I have been using it to > monitor the HF amateur bands (in search of CW slow enough for me > to copy). So far, so good; I have even been able to copy a few > folks in the novice bands. But it seems that most of the time I > hear more than one signal at a time on a given frequency, > sometimes three or four, which makes it hard to copy the one I > want to hear (the slowest one!). My question is this: Is this > the normal state of affairs, or does my receiver lack adequate > selectivity, or what? Are "real" HF receivers or transceivers > any better? I assume the Sangean was designed to receive AM shortwave broadcast stations. This means the selectivity is 5 to 10 kHz wide or more. A good CW receiver has a filter 1/2 kHz wide or less. Many Amateur SSB (voice) transceivers come with a standard 2 or 2.5 kHz filter with optional CW (code) filter around .5 kHz. Experienced CW operators are able to get by with wide filters by using their "mental filter", but beginners need a good receiver even more than the experienced ops. >2. I would like to hear more discussion about antennas for apartment- > dwellers. ... I've heard of people using rain gutters, bedsprings > and the like...any suggestions? A good antenna is much more important for transmitting than for receiving. Indoor antennas WILL work, but not as well as a good outdoor dipole, up high and clear of nearby metallic objects. Another point to consiser: Indoor antennas are more likely to cause interference to stereos, TV's etc. in the building. >3. I want to build my own gear, or at least some of it. The thought > occurred to me that maybe I could get on the air by building a > simple CW transmitter and using the Sangean for my receiver. Is > this feasible? I recommend that newcomers buy a decent rig to start. Something like a Heathkit HW-16 with HG-10 VFO would make a perfectly good CW station (80, 40, 15, 10 meters only), and can be had for around $100. Or one of the older sideband rigs with CW filter for maybe $300. This way you can be on the air and have fun operating while you are also having fun building equipment. 73 AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 24 Mar 91 03:19:05 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: New 2M/70CM mobile from Standard? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I understand that Standard is coming out with a new, very hot, dual band (2M/70CM) mobile that will be similar to the HW-24 they manufactured for Heath. Anyone heard anything about it? Availability? Cost? Features? Tnx! / Rick Patterson BITNET: rpatters@kentvm P O Box 911 MCI: 3372908 Kent, OH 44240-0911 ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 20:12:33 GMT From: vsi1!daver!ditka!zinn!ubbs-nh!noel@ames.arpa Subject: Radio Mods To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I am looking for a source of mods for various radio equipment. I know for example that they can be obtained by packet from KJ6FY's server in California, however, that seems to be stretching it a bit. He alludes to the existence of other "local" servers in one of his messages, but no further info is given, and I haven't been able to find one as yet in New England. Additonally, it might be more "efficient" to snarf the files I want via e-mail... so I have a two part question: 1. Does anyone know of any packet mod servers in the Nashua, NH area? Or even in New England. 2. Does anyone know of any mail servers where I can snarf these files. Thanks! Noel -- Noel B. Del More KC1RB | decvax!ubbs-nh!noel 17 Meredith Drive | noel@ubbs-nh.mv.com Nashua, New Hampshire 03063 | It's unix me son! `taint spozed tah make cents ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 20:38:13 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: Re: LSB vs USB ad infinitum To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In rec.radio.amateur.misc, macmillan@iccgcc.decnet.ab.com writes: >In the never ending saga of LSB-USB I may have missed this item, but >just in case.... >The dividing line between common use of LSB and USB seems to be 9 MHz. >If you were home brewing an SSB exciter you could get a two band >transmitter or tranceiver with a 9 MHz USB IF and a 5.0-5.5 MHz VFO. >Add the two and USB appears from 14.0-14.5 MHz. Subtract and you will >get 4.0-3.5 MHz. The subtraction process has also inverted the sideband >and it is now LSB. >Simplicity and two DX bands in one box. Actually, the VFO must be around 9 MHz with the IF at 5+ MHz for the sidebands to come out opposite sign. This was the design for the old Central Electronics SSB exciter that started the SSB revolution back in the early 60's. AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 22 Mar 91 20:39:52 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: reading odd components To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In rec.radio.amateur.misc, dadams@cherry10.cray.com (David Adams) writes: >Given a spool of unlabeled enameled magnet wire can someone >come up with a good algoithm for determining awg >size? I.e. if I wrap 100 turns around a pencil >and the coil on the pencil is 5 mm long then the >awg is x? (what would x be?) >Is there some nicer way? Look in the ARRL Handbook (any edition back to 1922!). There is a wire table in it that gives the diameter and number of turns per inch for both bare and enamelled wire. AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 24 Mar 91 00:30:18 GMT From: usc!apple!portal!cup.portal.com!HAVANAMOON@ucsd.edu Subject: Sony 2001 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu As a "one-time" Sony 2001 owner, I believe there were no "mods" available. The reason -I hope I remember correctly- was due to lack of room inside the case for a higher grade filter. The 2010 is a vastly superior radio. The addition of a tuning knob along with wide/narrow selectivity was a *BIG* improvement. 73s HM ------------------------------ Date: 24 Mar 91 04:13:51 GMT From: w8grt!jim.grubs@uunet.uu.net Subject: What is a "Sideswiper" CW Key? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu > From: hpb@hpb.cis.pitt.edu (Harry Bloomberg) > Date: 22 Mar 91 21:19:59 GMT > Organization: Univ. of Pittsburgh -- Panther Amateur Radio Club > Message-ID: <106470@unix.cis.pitt.edu> > Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.misc > > > That was a big mistake. He spent the next 10 minutes attempting to > explain to me exactly what a sideswiper was and how it was not a bug. > He said that it was 70 years old and was originally installed on > a 2KW spark transmitter on a ship that sailed the Atlantic Ocean. > > The explination was not terribly clear. So my question to the net is > "What exactly is a sideswiper?" It is rather similar to a 'bug' except there is no vibrating reed on the dot side. Call it a horizontal, SPDT straight key. Regards, Jim Grubs QRV de W8GRT --- * Origin: QRV de W8GRT (1:234/1) -- Jim Grubs - via FidoNet node 1:234/1 UUCP: ...!uunet!w8grt!jim.grubs INTERNET: jim.grubs@w8grt.fidonet.org ------------------------------ Date: 24 Mar 91 05:42:06 GMT From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!ncar!news.miami.edu!mthvax!wb8foz@ucsd.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1991Mar20.192302.18725@bronze.ucs.indiana.edu>, <14570019@hpnmdla.hp.com>, <1991Mar24.010317.24819@mthvax.cs.miami.edu> Reply-To : wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher) Subject : Re: Dayton I lied! I do have the general information number: 513 433-7720 Note that this is from last year's literature, but I THINK this is the office, and should be unchanged. -- A host is a host from coast to coast.....wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu & no one will talk to a host that's close............(305) 255-RTFM Unless the host (that isn't close)......................pob 570-335 is busy, hung or dead....................................33257-0335 ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest ******************************