From wang!elf.wang.com!ucsd.edu!info-hams-relay Thu Apr 4 01:33:12 1991 remote from tosspot Received: by tosspot (1.64/waf) via UUCP; Wed, 03 Apr 91 22:13:44 EST for lee Received: from somewhere by elf.wang.com id aa00655; Thu, 4 Apr 91 1:33:11 GMT Received: from ucsd.edu by news.UU.NET with SMTP (5.61/UUNET-shadow-mx) id AA19367; Wed, 3 Apr 91 19:11:36 -0500 Received: by ucsd.edu; id AA24895 sendmail 5.64/UCSD-2.1-sun Wed, 3 Apr 91 14:24:43 -0800 for brian Received: by ucsd.edu; id AA24848 sendmail 5.64/UCSD-2.1-sun Wed, 3 Apr 91 14:24:29 -0800 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oc -odb -oQ/var/spool/lqueue -oi -finfo-hams-relay info-hams-list Message-Id: <9104032224.AA24848@ucsd.edu> Date: Wed, 3 Apr 91 14:24:26 PST From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup Reply-To: Info-Hams@ucsd.edu Subject: Info-Hams Digest V91 #263 To: Info-Hams@ucsd.edu Info-Hams Digest Wed, 3 Apr 91 Volume 91 : Issue 263 Today's Topics: [chuck: a few fundamental questions about RF signals] Antenna matching problem for novice Building Transmatch - should I use a Ferrite or Iron Powder? frequency standards IAMBIC keyer - What does IAMBIC mean? KB6MT code tapes laptop terms large 110->220 transformers Large 110->220 Transformers. Looking for info on a specific freq. band MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT Nissan Cherry '85 - RFI on 145.750 from clock? (2 msgs) No-Code Testing Questions RG8U (2 msgs) Scanner ban - here are the FACTS the Freeband below 10 meters Vacuum tube question/quest (Attn: OOTs & gov't surplus fans) Volunteer SW Monitors needed in Caribbean, Central and South America 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: 1 Apr 91 20:46:14 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: [chuck: a few fundamental questions about RF signals] To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In rec.radio.amateur.misc, mig@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Meir) writes: >What about putting a transformer and an audio transducer on an HF or MF or LF >rig? Could we have QSOs using ultrasonics? Interesting. The wavelength of a 1 kHz audio signal in air is about 1 foot, versus about 300 kilometers as a radio signal! So if you connected up your 80 meter (3500 kHz) transmitter to a VERY high-speed "audio" transducer, the wavelength would theoretically be only 1/3500 foot, or about 100 microns. Somehow I suspect that air won't support a wavelength that short. Anybody know for sure? AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 17:12:21 GMT From: ksr!jfw@uunet.uu.net Subject: Antenna matching problem for novice To: info-hams@ucsd.edu landolt@yunexus.YorkU.CA (Paul Landolt) writes: >I am having trouble with matching an antenna and would like a bit of help. >I am studying for my amateur license, and so I am just trying to get a handle >on these things. First, I'd like to second the recommendation floating around for the book "Reflections" by Maxwell, available from the ARRL and finer electronics shops. You'll also want the ARRL Antenna Book, and the ARRL Radio Amateur's Handbook (if you don't have it already (does the CRRL publish an equivalent?)). If the 10 feet of cable is 50 ohms, it isn't performing any useful matching function. If the antenna itself is presenting a 50 ohm load, any length of cable can be used. A matching network (inductors and capacitors) can be used either at the transmitter end to present a pure 50 ohm load to the transmitter, or at the antenna end (be sure to waterproof it, and make sure it won't come loose, and so on... considering that the SWR of a whip antenna tends to be about 3:1 or so anyway (from poor memory: 1 ohm of radiation resistance, 8 ohms of ground resistance, 9 ohms of wire resistance, grand total of 18 ohms of antenna resistance (only one of which does you any good, note)), the loss due to attenuating the reflected power in 15 feet of cable is maybe 1%. Put the matching network at the transmitter, snug and warm). >Do I need to get a SWR meter and a matching box? Definitely, but the SWR meter is most useful for the forward power setting; check out all of the above references to learn just how senseless it is to worry about SWR on 15 feet of decent coax. Solid state transmitters are definitely happiest looking into a 50 ohm load, and that's what a matchbox will present when properly tuned. >Add some Impedence matching resistors to the line? (Radio Shack sold an 8hm, >20W one). Well, adding appropriate resistors to the line is one way to guarantee the transmitter sees a near-50 ohm load, but if you just want to heat your car, turn on the heater. The Radio Shack 8ohm resistor, by the way, is useless for RF: it is a big coil of high-resistance wire, and would present some godawful complex impedance rather than a straight 8 ohms (probably capacitive, since you're likely well over the self-resonant frequency of the coil at 27MHz). >Is there a set formula for calculating the resitance needed to re-match >the line? Lots of them. Get some good reference books. And don't believe a lot of what you hear on the air, either in the CB bands or in the amateur bands (or, in fact, what I've said above, other than: get some *good* reference books). ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 19:37:33 GMT From: sdd.hp.com!news.cs.indiana.edu!msi.umn.edu!cs.umn.edu!talon.UCS.ORST.EDU!usenet!@ucsd.edu Subject: Building Transmatch - should I use a Ferrite or Iron Powder? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hello, I'm building a transmatch for use on the HF bands and I would like to make the inductor using a toriodal core of Feritte or Iron Powder. I have a catalog from Amidon Associates and they offer both types. Can anyone tell me the advantages and disadvantages of Iron Powder verses Ferrite material for inductor cores? Is one more efficient, takes fewer turn of wire, handle more power? Also, what inductance value is commonly used in HF transmatch boxes? Dean Youngquist youngqd@jacobs.cs.orst.edu 428 NW 9th St. Amateur Radio Operator N7LPE Corvallis, Oregon 97330 Tel. (503) 753-7646 or 757-0335 ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 22:08:59 GMT From: usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!news.cs.indiana.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!phil@ucsd.edu Subject: frequency standards To: info-hams@ucsd.edu gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) writes: >I commented on this in another post. The use of frame syncronizers at >TV stations and the use of live satellite broadcasts by the networks >have made this technique obsolete. The signal you receive from your >local station, even during a network program, has passed through one >or more frame syncronizers before being aired. This changes whatever >accuracy the original signal may have had to the accuracy of the local >station's sync generator. Usually these are simple crystal controlled >generators with no more accuracy than your home counter. Gary is correct. An FCC in part 73 (I forget which one) specifies that the accuracy of the color burst frequency be within 10 Hz. That is actually plenty easy enough to do these days without even using an oven that I suspect it is quite common. Home computers don't have to have this much accuray, though, and might not. BTW, the frequency is also specified as "5 MHz times 63 divided by 88" which comes out to: 3579545.454545..... Hz and the legals stations are using anything within 10 Hz of that. I am interested in learning about experiences in using other frequency reference sources, particularly WWVB (60 kHz). For other sources, I'd like to know what actual levels of phase jitter and path jumping are actually experienced. -- /***************************************************************************\ / Phil Howard -- KA9WGN -- phil@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu \ \ Lietuva laisva -- Brivu Latviju -- Eesti vabaks / \***************************************************************************/ ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 19:22:14 GMT From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!wuarchive!uwm.edu!bionet!agate!eos!aio!lark.jsc.nasa.gov!kell@ucsd.edu Subject: IAMBIC keyer - What does IAMBIC mean? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu The subject tells it all. Ted Kell kell@lark.jsc.nasa.gov ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 17:06:36 GMT From: sbi!pivot-nj!canada!jerrys@uunet.uu.net Subject: KB6MT code tapes To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hi out there in network land. I am considering the purchase of a set of high speed learning tapes from KB6MT - Jerry Zilliak of Fullerton California. Has anyone on the net used these tapes ?? Are they any good ?? If you like answer, by email and I'll report back to the net or else, just post a reply. Jerry Simonowits Salomon Technology Services, Inc. New York Network Services Internetwork Design and Planning Phone: 201-896-7330 Email: jerrys@canada.sbi.com (KB2GCG) ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 04:05:20 GMT From: sdd.hp.com!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!lavaca.uh.edu!menudo.uh.edu!lobster!urchin!f8324.n106.z1.fidonet.org!Ros.Stjohn@ucsd.edu Subject: laptop terms To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Do you see a bargain here? Here is the deal: As of 02-22-1991, I have seven portable, laptop, Texas Instruments Silent 700 data terminals left. These units have a built in modem and printer. They are ideal for sysops or other folk who wish to call back in to their computer for file retrieval. Imagine that you are out of town and can get any data that is on your home computer with just a phone call. I believe these units cost about $1700.00 new but they are used and you can have one for $99.00. Limit one per person please. Call Ros at 713/975-0909. -------------------------------------------------------- P.S. I also have (2): 12" by 12" Summagraphics Bit Pad digitizing tablets. -------------------------------------------------------- I need cartridge fonts for an IBM QUIETWRITER. anyone have one or more? Thanks ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 14:50:00 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: large 110->220 transformers To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I was asked to post this note from the company internal mail system: ---- There is no problem in getting 110-220 autotransformers here in Spain. Even more, I have two heavy duty of them that I'll give like a present to the guy that is coming to Spain. My phone is 96 2471981. 73, EA5ACF, Antonio. Valencia ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 15:06:23 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Large 110->220 Transformers. To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Are these really necessary? Most of my gear has appropriate transformer taps for 110/220/240 volts (usually connects the 2 transformer windings in parallel for 110V and series-aiding for 220/240). Sometimes when using 110V-only portable generators, I have to remember to flick the switch to the '110' position on the radios (or you can wait for an infinitely long time for the nicads to recharge.......) Also remember that much of Europe uses 240/250 volts, NOT 220V! This may result in the smoothing caps of a '220 volt' device being put under outside-design-limits voltages and shorten equipment life. Check with a meter first if you want to play safe. Pete Lucas PJML@UK.AC.NWL.IA G6WBJ@GB7SDN.GBR.EU ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 14:49:26 GMT From: swrinde!mips!apple!uokmax!d.cs.okstate.edu!unx2.ucc.okstate.edu!uccxmgm@ucsd.edu Subject: Looking for info on a specific freq. band To: info-hams@ucsd.edu The frequency range is occupied by TV channels 7, 8, 9, and 10. If one of those channels in your area is not used, then frequencies in that range would be the safest to use. channel 7 174-180MHZ channel 8 180-186MHZ channel 9 186-192MHZ channel 10 192-198MHZ ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 08:18:20 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT To: info-hams@ucsd.edu -- MAJOR SOLAR FLARE ALERT -- APRIL 02, 1991 Flare Event Summary Potential Impact Assessment -------- MAJOR ENERGETIC EVENT SUMMARY A major class M6.1/2B flare erupted from Region 6562 today at a location of N14E01. The event was of long duration (100 minutes). It began at 22:55 UT on 02 April, peaked at 23:27 UT on 02 April and ended at 00:35 UT on 03 April. It was associated with a moderate intensity Type IV emission and may have ejected protons (too early to tell presently). This event was accompanied by a moderate intensity SID/SWF over sunlit areas. Region 6562 (N14E02) is a moderately complex region of moderate size and moderate magnetic complexity (beta-gamma type). There are no exceptionally large spots in this region, although the spot count is fairly high (50). This region had previously only produced sporadic low-level subflares and weak C-class flares and was not expected to produce any major activity. POTENTIAL TERRESTRIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT A firm prediction regarding this latest event is not yet available since we are waiting to see if this flare will generate any protons. We are currently experiencing a proton enhancement at geosynchronous altitudes (which began earlier on 02 April from an unknown source). The present proton count is at near 5 p.f.u. at greater than 10 MeV as of 07:30 UT on 03 April. There is an estimated 60% to 70% chance that this latest flare could push the proton levels above event thresholds. Current projected proton levels are estimated to reach near 50 p.f.u. at greater than 10 MeV, if this flare indeed ejected protons. A PCA event could materialize if protons do impact with the Earth from this latest flare. Polar regions should be on the alert for possible increases in ionospheric absorption, and accompanying degradation in HF radio propagation over (or through) these regions. Protons are expected to arrive within the next four to six hours (if they arrive at all), between 08:00 UT and anytime near or after 12:00 UT. A more definitive terrestrial impact forecast will be issued later this UT day. However, preliminary analysis suggests there is a low to moderate probability for a terrestrial impact from this latest flare. We are waiting to see if any protons arrive before giving possible quantitative figures regarding potential terrestrial impacts. A bulletin stating the forecast will be released around 18:00 UT on 03 April. It should be noted that this flare was not particularly powerful and was not really associated with any strong radio bursts. The integrated x-ray flux was also relatively low (0.180 J/m^2). If any terrestrial impacts do occur, they will likely be rather low. But a determination of this is somewhat dependent upon the possible arrival of protons. Due to the recent major flare, the following warnings have been re-issued: - POTENTIAL SATELLITE PROTON EVENT WARNING - POTENTIAL POLAR CAP ABSORPTION EVENT WARNING - POTENTIAL POLAR LATITUDE RADIO SIGNAL BLACKOUT WARNING The following warnings have been extended and remain IN PROGRESS: - POTENTIAL MAJOR SOLAR FLARE WARNING - POTENTIAL PROTON FLARE WARNING Additional notes: Geomagnetic activity has been at unsettled to active levels for the past 24 hours. Some brief periods of high latitude minor storming have been observed, although nothing significant has been reported. The coronal hole which was previously forecasted to affect the Earth later this week has expanded in size and is now expected to begin affecting the Earth within the next 24 hours. Activity should remain generally unsettled to active with possible isolated periods of minor storming, particularly over the higher latitudes. Activity is expected to remain below storm thresholds over middle and low latitudes. The activity will likely persist for the next three to five days at these elevated levels (A-indices near 20). High latitude auroral activity should increase on 04 April. Northerly middle latitudes should witness periods of low to moderate auroral activity on 04 April as well. No low latitude auroral activity is expected. ** End of Alert ** ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 14:24:55 GMT From: bloom-beacon!eru!hagbard!sunic!news.funet.fi!tut!jt63597@ucbvax.berkeley.edu Subject: Nissan Cherry '85 - RFI on 145.750 from clock? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Anybody else noticed this? Found a cure? 73 de Wes OH3NWQ -- --Disclaimer:-Tampere-a-place-in-Finland-where-everything-gets-tampered-- jt63597@ee.tut.fi why use a telephone when you can mail me oh3nwq@nic.funet.fi Radioamat||ritekniikan seuran ohjelmapankki OH3NWQ@OH3RBR.FIN.EU Also Santa Claus sends packets ... ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 15:36:30 GMT From: usc!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!bloom-beacon!eru!hagbard!sunic!news.funet.fi!ousrvr!ousrvr!luru@ucsd.edu Subject: Nissan Cherry '85 - RFI on 145.750 from clock? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article jt63597@ee.tut.fi (Tervo Vesa (OH3NWQ)) writes: > Anybody else noticed this? Noticed, yes. A fellow ham OH8WM has the same problem. > Found a cure? Found a cure, no. Add to your list for buying a car. Luru -- /// o-o Ham Radio Operators Do It In Higher Frequency o ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 19:28:27 GMT From: pa.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!koning.enet.dec.com@decwrl.dec.com Subject: No-Code Testing Questions To: info-hams@ucsd.edu |>... |> The FCC is soliciting informal comments on names for the new license. |>"Tech Lite" has been suggested. |> |> John Nagle |> Huh? Where? I read the entire Report&Order; it says nothing along those lines. What the FCC did is to CHANGE the requirements for the Technician class license, so it's hard to imagine why they would want to create a new name. The existing name ("Technician") will do just fine. paul, ni1d ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 16:06:14 GMT From: usc!apple!olivea!bu.edu!transfer!lectroid!jjmhome!km3t@ucsd.edu Subject: RG8U To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <3742@jethro.Corp.Sun.COM>, tjonz@caliban.Sun.COM (Todd Jonz, KB6JXT) writes: > Did anyone manage to work Belden, RG8U, during his DXpedition to the Coaxial > Islands on April 1? Funny, RG8U really did call me in the WPX contest last weekend....I think it was on 20m on Friday night. I didn't log it....would have been a nice prefix to work though! -- Dave Pascoe | Internet: km3t@jjmhome.m2c.org or dhp1@gte.com KM3T | UUCP: km3t@jjmhome.UUCP ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 19:42:46 GMT From: mnemosyne.cs.du.edu!isis.cs.du.edu!whester@uunet.uu.net Subject: RG8U To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <3742@jethro.Corp.Sun.COM> tjonz@Corp.Sun.COM writes: >Did anyone manage to work Belden, RG8U, during his DXpedition to the Coaxial >Islands on April 1? > > >Todd, KB6JXT Wow Todd, I sure did! I assume we can all route QSL cards thru you? -- Bill Hester, Ham Radio N0LAJ, Denver CO., USA | N0LAJ @ W0LJF.CO.USA.NA Please route replies to: whester@nyx.cs.du.edu or uunet!nyx!whester Public Access Unix @ University of Denver, Denver Colorado USA (no official affiliation with the above university) ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 14:18:00 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Scanner ban - here are the FACTS To: info-hams@ucsd.edu John gives us very good advice about dealing with the FCC (and federal agencies in general) - be reasonable, low-key, informed - do not be "off the wall." But then John makes an off-the-wall general statement using what appears to me (even though I really don't know what it means) to be an offensive term: > I wonder if one reason that ham radio has fallen into disrepute with the > FCC is because HAMs are so analy-retentive and reactionary? I wonder how ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ If you want the amateur public to take you seriously, John, you need to apply the same principles to us that you're asking us to apply to the FCC. Or do you really want us to write the FCC a letter and refer in it to someone or some group as "analy-retentive?" Name-calling is name-calling, and it never adds a single objective FACT to a discussion. steve - W3GRG (in the business of dealing with the public AND the federal government) ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 16:51:53 GMT From: swrinde!mips!apple!veritas!amdcad!dvorak.amd.com!nucleus!brian@ucsd.edu Subject: the Freeband below 10 meters To: info-hams@ucsd.edu dave@mgc.UUCP (Dave Lockwood) writes: > One way we solved a local problem (a local enthusiastic "skip talker" whose > enthusiasm extended all the way up to 28.5 on occasions) was like this: > > [pin his coax repeatedly...] > > Final: Ad in local paper advertising CB gear for sale; never heard > on 10m since. Sounds kinda hazardous to me.... So was this guy so stupid that he didn't realize why his coax was dying or so nice that he didn't wait for you with a shotgun on the third coax pinning expedition? -- Brian McMinn brian@amd.com Advanced Micro Devices N5PSS Austin, Texas 1-(512)-462-5389 "Sometimes the best feature of a CB is the switch position marked OFF." ------------------------------ Date: 1 Apr 91 20:16:43 GMT From: hpl-opus!hpnmdla!alanb@hplabs.hpl.hp.com Subject: Vacuum tube question/quest (Attn: OOTs & gov't surplus fans) To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In rec.radio.amateur.misc, zateslo@geomag.gly.fsu.edu (Ted Zateslo) writes: ... >-Ted Zateslo, W1XO, tube lover (I like CMOS too) Square-law devices forever! AL N1AL ------------------------------ Date: 2 Apr 91 14:40:21 GMT From: wshb!cee@uunet.uu.net Subject: Volunteer SW Monitors needed in Caribbean, Central and South America To: info-hams@ucsd.edu The WORLD SERVICE of The Christian Science Monitor is searching for volunteer Shortwave Monitors for our broadcasts into the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. We will provide the Monitor with program/frequency schedules, QSL cards and bumper stickers ( and other station souvenirs), and will re-pay the Monitor for postal costs. If anyone is interested, or if you know of someone in that region who may be interested, please contact me at cee@wshb.csms.com or write to WHSB Rt. 2, Box 107-A Pineland, South Carolina 29934 USA Thank you. -- ***************************************************************************** C. Ed Evans, Senior Station Manager, CSMS * cee@wshb.csms.com (803)625-4880 WSHB, Cypress Creek, SC * WCSN, Scotts Corner, ME * KHBI, Saipan, Mariana I. ***************************************************************************** ------------------------------ Date: 2 Apr 91 22:59:31 GMT From: agate!apple!mips!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!emory!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary@ucbvax.berkeley.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1c4iZ2w163w@w8grt.fidonet.org>, <2651@ke4zv.UUCP>, <1991Apr1.140508.18658@cbnewse.att.com>v Reply-To : gary@ke4zv.UUCP (Gary Coffman) Subject : Re: Newer HF rigs In article <1991Apr1.140508.18658@cbnewse.att.com> parnass@cbnewse.att.com (Bob Parnass, AJ9S) writes: > >The low phase noise level in the Drake gear was an advantage, but >one drawback to the internal Drake PTO was that it drifted. >My TR7, TR7A, and two R-7s all required a few hours warmup >before settling down for CW use. You mean you turn your radios off? Radios, computers, and stereos never get turned off around here except when they need repair. My McIntosh stereo was on continously from April 1967 until last fall when I sold it to a collector. It was only switched off twice for tube changes and once for a filter capacitor replacement in all that time. They last longer if you aren't constantly switching them on and off. Gary KE4ZV ------------------------------ Date: 3 Apr 91 20:28:16 GMT From: pa.dec.com!rust.zso.dec.com!stoppani@decwrl.dec.com To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <5588@vela.acs.oakland.edu>, <23994@well.sf.ca.us>, <21707@shlump.nac.dec.com>w Subject : Re: No-Code Testing Questions In article <21707@shlump.nac.dec.com>, koning@koning.enet.dec.com (Paul Koning) writes: Regarding the name "Tech-Lite" for the new no-code license: >.... > > What the FCC did is to CHANGE the requirements for the Technician class > license, so it's hard to imagine why they would want to create a new > name. The existing name ("Technician") will do just fine. > > paul, ni1d My understanding is that there are in fact two Technician licenses: Technician no-code (new no-code license) Technician + code (same as old Technician) So it seems reasonable to me that there should be two names. I've read that they are simply called "Technician" and "Technician Plus Code". -- | Pete Stoppani | stoppani@decwet.dec.com | | DECwest Engineering | decwrl!fungus.enet!stoppani | | Bellevue, WA | stoppani@fungus.zso.dec.com | | "The wise learn more from fools than fools learn from the wise." | ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest ******************************