From wang!elf.wang.com!ucsd.edu!info-hams-relay Thu Apr 11 15:50:57 1991 remote from tosspot Received: by tosspot (1.64/waf) via UUCP; Thu, 11 Apr 91 21:46:42 EST for lee Received: from somewhere by elf.wang.com id aa25233; Thu, 11 Apr 91 15:50:56 GMT Received: from ucsd.edu by relay1.UU.NET with SMTP (5.61/UUNET-shadow-mx) id AA05578; Thu, 11 Apr 91 11:20:21 -0400 Received: by ucsd.edu; id AA13560 sendmail 5.64/UCSD-2.1-sun Thu, 11 Apr 91 04:30:47 -0700 for nixbur!schroeder.pad Received: by ucsd.edu; id AA13531 sendmail 5.64/UCSD-2.1-sun Thu, 11 Apr 91 04:30:36 -0700 for /usr/lib/sendmail -oc -odb -oQ/var/spool/lqueue -oi -finfo-hams-relay info-hams-list Message-Id: <9104111130.AA13531@ucsd.edu> Date: Thu, 11 Apr 91 04:30:34 PDT From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup Reply-To: Info-Hams@ucsd.edu Subject: Info-Hams Digest V91 #287 To: Info-Hams@ucsd.edu Info-Hams Digest Thu, 11 Apr 91 Volume 91 : Issue 287 Today's Topics: 50 to 75 ohm transformer??? Amateur activity in the National Parks (Yellowstone) ATV: what about PM? Dayton frequencies Explanation of Shuttle Packet Problems IRV HOFF DEAD Mods for TM241 Most Offensive Scanner (2 msgs) Request for info on Yaesu FT-727R SAREX to continue? (3 msgs) SB-1000 The first No-Code Ham is........(DRUMROLL)..... TRF Receiver 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: 10 Apr 91 20:00:10 GMT From: panix!joseph@NYU.EDU Subject: 50 to 75 ohm transformer??? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I have at my disposal 3/4 inch hardline (about 2000 feet of it) and would love to put it to good use. The problem is, it's 75 ohm stuff. So, my question is: Are matching transformers made which match 50 to 75 ohms and can handle substantial power (100 watts) at UHF frequencies? If someone would point me in the right direction to solve this problem I'd be thankful. Joseph R. Skoler UUCP: cmcl2!panix!joseph BITNET: skohc@cunyvm.bitnet INTERNET: ak526@cleveland.freenet.edu AMPR NET: kc2yu@kc2yu.ampr.org [44.68.32.56] PBBS: kc2yu@nn2z.nj.usa.na ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 19:29:51 GMT From: usc!sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!aero-c!Aero.org!obrien@ucsd.edu Subject: Amateur activity in the National Parks (Yellowstone) To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I'm headed for Yellowstone later on this summer. I was wondering what sort of activity I should be listening for. Of course there's HF, if I care to search out a hilltop. But I was wondering about VHF and UHF as well. Are there any amateur repeaters in Yellowstone, or any of the other national parks? Do people commonly listen to any of the ARRL "national calling frequencies"? Or do most people tend to leave the radios home (fat chance)? -- Mike O'Brien obrien@aerospace.aero.org ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 20:33:33 GMT From: pa.dec.com!shlump.nac.dec.com!sousa.ltn.dec.com!sndpit.enet.dec.com!smith@decwrl.dec.com Subject: ATV: what about PM? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1991Apr8.030053.2727@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>, phil@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Phil Howard KA9WGN) writes... >What about the possibility of using PHASE modulation for ATV (or just TV)? I'm just reading a Xerox of a text someone gave me (not sure what text it's from), and it turns out that FM with pre-emphasis gives you the best of both worlds, the low frequencies are as noise-free as FM and the high frequencies have a fixed amount of noise (like PM). To quote the text: "Thus FM with preemphasis-deemphasis is actually a combination of FM and PM." >I am still interested in finding ways to enhance received TV signals by >using a frame (or field) averager. This would be for signals that appear >to be under the noise level as conventionally received. Since what you want to do will effectively lower the frame rate, why not digitize the image and send it (with the appropriate ECC/FEC) digitally. There are a number of algorythms that will increase the detail of a picture the more time you allow to go by. (Sorta like a GIF file in 'interlaced' mode...) Or do you just want to build a better receiver? Willie Smith smith@sndpit.enet.dec.com smith%sndpit.enet.dec.com@decwrl.dec.com {Usenet!Backbone}!decwrl!sndpit.enet.dec.com!smith ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 21:01:19 GMT From: sdd.hp.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken!iggy.GW.Vitalink.COM!widener!netnews.upenn.edu!eniac.seas.upenn.edu!depolo@ucsd.edu Subject: Dayton frequencies To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Last year those of you that were going to Dayton had picked a few simplex frequencies - how did it work out? Having never been there, I can only imagine the chaos on VHF and UHF FM in the area, but if anybody wants to pick frequencies (I guess 220 and 440 would be best), I'd be interested in meeting some of the Usenet personalities (not all, mind you, but maybe some :-) --- Jeff -- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Jeff DePolo N3HBZ/AE Twisted Pair: (215) 386-7199 depolo@eniac.seas.upenn.edu RF: 146.685- 442.70+ 144.455s (Philadelphia) University of Pennsylvania Carrier Pigeon: 420 S. 42nd St. Phila PA 19104 ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 17:51:30 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Explanation of Shuttle Packet Problems To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I received the following timely response from Gerry Creager, N5JXS, regarding my message about the lack of SAREX Packet Robot activity. He fully explains what happened. In my message I said I felt sorry for anyone at W5RRR (the Johnson Space Center ham club) who worked on the packet gear and then saw it go unused. It sounds like Gerry is the one I should sympathize with. Thanks to several others who replied. Some had heard about the hardware problem and others were wondering like I was. One of them asked what tracking software I use. He said he had 5 tracking programs running on his 386 PC and his Sun and he got no less than 5 different answers. It reminds me of the old saw that goes soething like: "The man with one clock always knows what time it is, but the man with two is never sure...". Let me put in a plug for InstantTrack. It runs on PCs and compatibles but requires an EGA or better if you want the fantastic graphics. It's available from AMSAT. Franklin Antonio has written the best tracking program I've ever seen. A real bargain for $50, and the money goes to AMSAT, not Franklin. I hate double indenting, so the indented stuff is from my original message and the un-indented stuff is Gerry's reply. Randy Cole KN6W cole@babette.isi.edu Here is Gerry's reply: In message <671238770.0.COLE@babette.isi.edu> you write: >I read N6SJD's message about shuttle SSTV with interest. I've >been wondering what the !@#$ happened to the shuttle packet >stuff. I listened for a few orbits Saturday and Sunday -- Sorry about that...We had 2 things to contend with. First, we had to contend with the fact that most of the ROBOT Packet passes were not over the continental US. The crew set up packet at "night", and "night" was mostly over water, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Second, that all didn't matter. Because we had a hardware failure. I can't tell you what failed until I get the hardware back, but I'll drop you a note then, if you like. I had some updates going out to the AMSAT Info Service, but I FUBAR'd the addressing in the haste accompanying the mission. Sorry about that. That was to be the primary distribution system, and when we got it right, it worked a little better. >not a peep on any of the frequencies. On Saturday I heard >voice that sounded like them, and was Doppler-shifted >like the real thing, but nary a packet. > >Then I got smarter and read the shuttle activity schedule. I >found "Unscheduled SSTV and Packet Activity" scheduled for four >orbits Monday morning. Aha, you silly fool, shame on you for >wasting your time. OK, OK, OK...Sorry...The hams on-board decided that "unscheduled" meant that they could play Ham! So they played with FSTV for a couple of REVs. We don't get on the voice loops too much at the Mission Control, because, after all, we are a SECONDARY payload, and they took better care of us than we have ever gotten before. So, we try to roll with the flow. [Soap-box on] I WANTED THE DAMN' "free-fer-all" passes. We advertised 'em, we should have done a few. I think we did more FSTV than we needed. BTW: As I write this, it looks like we are not coming home today. Look for VOICE activity today... [Soap-box off] Also, the SSTV uplink suffered in the failure that got packet. Simply put, we were not getting audio into the equipment. I personally suspect a damaged cable, but, again, I'll let you know what we find. >So I gave up a few hours sleep and tried again on a couple of >orbits Monday morning. Nothing but white noise and a >few other crazies sending connect messages on the uplink. Sorry...I spent 40 hrs at MCC between 1630 loal on Friday and 1400 Sunday when I drove 60 miles to see my girlfriend... >... >stupid. Maybe that still was the case. Nope...Still trying to get it right. >However, I think I can fairly safely conclude that the >much hyped shuttle packet was a no-show. Does anyone know >why?. The EVA Monday was in progress during that time. >Did that preclude packet? Yes it did, because the plan was to show EVA SSTV video. KB5AWP and N5QWL wanted to do that, and they have the final authority. After all, they're there. I can't just change the stuff they've punched up on the box from down here, and KB5AWP was too busy to do more than configure for an auto mode and go back to work. We did get some DYNAMITE SSTV pix of EVA once he had time to set it up, though. >I'm not gonna complain too loudly because I only lost a >few hours sleep. But I do resent all the trees that died, >all the bits on all the BBS disks that are only good for the >bit bucket, all the wasted bandwidth explaining how to set >FRACK and DWAIT and FULLDUP OFF. If we say we're gonna do >it, guys and gals, then let's do it and not just jerk a >bunch of people around. I really feel sorry for anyone at >W5RRR who worked on the packet stuff and saw it go unused. FYI: I have a soft spot in my [head/heart] for the packet stuff. I repackaged and tested it. I feel real bad that it died, and I have to trouble shoot it. I also spent 36 hours doing ground-based testing and writing In-Flight Maintenance procedures, a task I'd never done before. Now, I have to develop an IFM book on SAREX with Lou, W5DID. Also: Keep those BBS files. I don't intend to send the stuff out again, and Gary Morris ain't here no more! >To add insult to injury, at one point I tuned across 145.55 >and what to my wondering eyes appeared but a storm of >packets to and from U2MIR! Wish Atlantis had had packet working. We would have had a shot at talking to U2MIR. As it was, on the best pass, Musa was calling them, and they were so interested in _LOOKING_ at Mir, they forgot to call! It was an impressive sight, tho'. They also forgot about a scheduled pass for talking to their families. >Can anyone explain what happened? How'd I do, Ma? >Randy Cole >KN6W >cole@babette.isi.edu Gerry Creager N5JXS SAREX Co-Investigator SAREX Operations [YAWN!] ------- ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 18:43:09 GMT From: astroatc!niemi@rsch.wisc.edu Subject: IRV HOFF DEAD To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1679@doitcr.doit.sub.org> jungkunz@doitcr.doit.sub.org (Helmut Jungkunz) writes: >We, the AMSTRAD CPC USER GROUP Munich, would like to state our participation >in the sorrow on the death of IRV HOFF, according to John Deakins's mail. >May he rest in peace. And may he be enabled to lead some software developers >into sane fields again! A lot of work has inspired programmers all over the >world. May he be never forgotten! > >Helmut Jungkunz >Chairman Prior to the advent of personal computing, Irv Hoff was active in amateur radio RTTY, and made as many contributions to furtherance of that art as he made to PC software. I am not particularly well read in either field, but I recall seeing Irv's name often; I suspect a list of his accomplishments would be too long to post. I personally benefited from his disk utility (I think it was DU), for the Osborne 1. I had the pleasure of but one RTTY QSO with Irv in the mid-to-late 60's. His spirit and energy will be hard to replace. Cross posted to amateur radio news group. Bob Niemi, W9FNJ, Astronautics, Madison, WI ..uwvax!astroatc!niemi ------------------------------ Date: 9 Apr 91 18:48:20 GMT From: usc!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!bloom-beacon!eru!hagbard!sunic!mcsun!ukc!tcdcs!swift.cs.tcd.ie!ul.ie!8909296@ucsd.edu Subject: Mods for TM241 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hi Does anybody know where I could get mods for the TM241 ???? There always seems to be alot of mods/discussion in this newsgroup about the HT's and not so much the other rigs....... Any help would be welcome.... John ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 11:30:53 GMT From: usc!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!emory!dixie.com!nanovx!msa3b!kevin@ucsd.edu Subject: Most Offensive Scanner To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Many (misguided) public officials and citizens would like to make scanner coverage of certain frequencies illegal. (i.e. public service bands, cellular phones, etc.) Now I'm not really interested in listening in on Joe Salesman phoning in his orders, but I'd like to preserve my ability to receive these bands -- especially if some joker might make it illegal. I'm now in the market for a scanner covering as much of the "offensive" spectrum as possible; ideally I'd get a scanner which covered the frequencies that are most likely to be restricted. I don't mind making mods if I have to, but I can't handle anything really complex. Any suggested models? (When scanners are outlawed, only outlaws will be informed.) -- Kevin Kleinfelter @ Dun and Bradstreet Software, Inc (404) 239-2347 ...gatech!nanovx!msa3b!kevin Warning: There seem to be multiple 'msa3b' nodes on Usenet, and it is nanoVX, not nanovAx. ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 20:40:49 GMT From: usc!wuarchive!udel!brahms.udel.edu!skymaste@ucsd.edu Subject: Most Offensive Scanner To: info-hams@ucsd.edu > >I'm now in the market for a scanner covering as much of the "offensive" >spectrum as possible; ideally I'd get a scanner which covered the I was going to wait untill I have enough money to buy one, but I would be interested in the names of models that still receive these frequencies. Paul -- "Let there be light" -- Bomb #20 -- Starship Dark Star Paul Masters N3IRU (The ham license arived 12/04/90) ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 17:55:53 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: Request for info on Yaesu FT-727R To: info-hams@ucsd.edu I am looking for information on how to use the Computer Aided Tuning (CAT) feature of the Yaesu FT-727R, specifically the codes. The users manual says that it can be done, but requires another booklet or information sheet. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Don, KC6OKU ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 17:07:53 GMT From: usc!samsung!news.cs.indiana.edu!ariel.unm.edu!hydra.unm.edu!ollie@ucsd.edu Subject: SAREX to continue? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Keep listening for the shuttle. From the bits and pieces I've heard over NASA Select, it looks like the crew will be playing with the ham gear until they're ready to come home. I guess there was some delay with coming home (rain at Edwards?) so SAREX is on the agenda. 73 -- Ollie Eisman (N6LTJ) ollie@hydra.unm.edu (505)277-4845 3505 Lafayette Rd. NE #3, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 18:51:13 GMT From: usc!cs.utexas.edu!bcm!lib!thesis1.med.uth.tmc.edu@ucsd.edu Subject: SAREX to continue? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1991Apr10.170753.29931@ariel.unm.edu> ollie@hydra.unm.edu (Ollie) writes: >Keep listening for the shuttle. From the bits and pieces I've heard >over NASA Select, it looks like the crew will be playing with the ham >gear until they're ready to come home. I guess there was some delay with >coming home (rain at Edwards?) so SAREX is on the agenda. Yup. I talked to Gerry, N5JXS, on the local repeater this morning; instead of being on the way to work, he had gotten a phone call. Seems he was told to get his posterior and his computer over to JSC to support further SAREX ops. -- Jay Maynard, EMT-P, K5ZC, PP-ASEL | Never ascribe to malice that which can jmaynard@thesis1.med.uth.tmc.edu | adequately be explained by stupidity. "If God hadn't meant for man to fly, he wouldn't have given Clyde Cessna office space." -- Allan Dianic, allan@hal.css.gov ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 21:49:42 GMT From: swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!turnkey!orchard.la.locus.com!prodnet.la.locus.com!dana@ucsd.edu Subject: SAREX to continue? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1991Apr10.170753.29931@ariel.unm.edu> ollie@hydra.unm.edu (Ollie) writes: > >Keep listening for the shuttle. From the bits and pieces I've heard >over NASA Select, it looks like the crew will be playing with the ham >gear until they're ready to come home. I guess there was some delay with >coming home (rain at Edwards?) so SAREX is on the agenda. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ How I wish it were so. It was high winds. Blowing sand. Typical Antelope Valley conditions. I even drove 5 minutes towards Edwards before I got on the radio and asked the locals if the shuttle was on schedule. When I heard it was delayed an orbit, I turned around and went home... then found out the landing is scrubbed. No biggee... I live only about 30 minutes from Edwards. Anyway, if any of you folks can make it to the landing site (presumably still Edwards), the double boom up close is nothing like the wimpy little thump-thump heard from a distance. You don't ask yourself "Is that the shuttle?". You ask yourself "Which country is bombing the US?" We hear sonic booms all the time near Edwards, but nothing like the shuttle. -- * Dana H. Myers KK6JQ | Views expressed here are * * (213) 337-5136 | mine and do not necessarily * * dana@locus.com | reflect those of my employer * ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 23:54:42 GMT From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu Subject: SB-1000 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Before I rush out and buy one of the discounted Heath SB-1000 is there anyone who can possibly give a report on the quality of the amp? I understand that Heath used to be very good, of course the person who puts the kit together will have a lot of INPUT on the quality of that part of it. Thanks KA2RC ps CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY EVERYTIME I TRY TO PUT MY PACKET ADDRESS ON A MSG I GET THE BAD NOTE AFTER THE AT SIGN? KA2RC at KJ6WO.SUBIC.PHL.OC ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 18:00:27 GMT From: idacrd!mac@princeton.edu Subject: The first No-Code Ham is........(DRUMROLL)..... To: info-hams@ucsd.edu > In article <8819@gollum.twg.com>, sawyer@twg.com (Bruce B. Sawyer) writes... > >Give me a break. Congratulations for NOT knowing something? If I'd come in >by this back door route I sure wouldn't be out advertising it in public. Let >the guy take his rightful place next to the mail-order Ph.D's. > AA6KX > Rarely have I been so angered by a note in rec.anything. Your attitude is appalling. It is here, it is not going away, and the best thing to do is to welcome the newcomers and if you wish for some of them to learn code, TEACH THEM? How many novice exams have you conducted lately? Bob -- ____________________________________________________________________________ My opinions are my own no matter | Robert W. McGwier, N4HY who I work for! ;-) | CCR, AMSAT, etc. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 19:19:37 GMT From: usc!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!caen!stealth@ucsd.edu Subject: TRF Receiver To: info-hams@ucsd.edu In article <1991Apr9.220744.4049@milton.u.washington.edu> whit@milton.u.washington.edu (John Whitmore) writes: >In article <1991Apr9.124118.27031@mlb.semi.harris.com> rps@sunman.mlb.semi.harris.com (Ray Sumperyl) writes: > >> Can anybody supply me with a schematic for a tube TRF receiver? > > No such devices have been built by THAT name in most of [...] Could you, Mr. Whitmore, please refrain from crossposting your article to all of rec.radio, and could you, Mr. Sumperyl, take a look at what groups you`re following up to and modify them so that they're appropriate? I mean really, who in rec.radio.cb would have a schematic for a tube TRF reciever? And why in misc.forsale, let alone rec.radio.cb?? -- Mike Pelletier | The University of Michigan's | [this section intentionally] Computer Aided Engineering Network | [ left blank ] Usenet, UUCP, IRC and mail admin | ------------------------------ Date: 11 Apr 91 00:41:35 GMT From: swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!crisp@ucsd.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1991Apr9.124118.27031@mlb.semi.harris.com>, <1991Apr9.220744.4049@milton.u.washington.edu>, <1991Apr10.191937.3857@engin.umich.edu> Subject : Re: TRF Receiver In article <1991Apr10.191937.3857@engin.umich.edu> stealth@caen.engin.umich.edu (Mike Pelletier) writes: >In article <1991Apr9.220744.4049@milton.u.washington.edu> > whit@milton.u.washington.edu (John Whitmore) writes: >>In article <1991Apr9.124118.27031@mlb.semi.harris.com> > rps@sunman.mlb.semi.harris.com (Ray Sumperyl) writes: >> >>> Can anybody supply me with a schematic for a tube TRF receiver? >> >> No such devices have been built by THAT name in most of > [...] > In the text book "Communications Receivers Design and Principles" by Ulrich Rohde you will find a sample TRF schematic. In effect it is a multi stage tube type RF amplifier that is capacitively tuned. After three stages of RF amplification, the signal is rectified and the RF comp component bypassed to ground resulting in the AM signal being successfully amplified, detected, and demodulated. This technique was popular in the early days of radio before the superheterodyne radio was invented. It was cumbersome to tune because each stage had to be tuned (they later invented ganged capacitors to help solve that problem) and the radio was prone to spurious emissions if not properly shielded. This question evoked some very pleasant memories of my initial exposure to electronics when I was in high school. We learned about TRF radios, followed by superhet radios. We all were amazed that Major Edwin Armstrong had been such a prolific inventor (he was an amazing fellow). Thanks for asking a question that dug up such plesant memories! -- Richard Crisp crisp@mips.com MIPS Computer Systems !decwrl!mips!crisp 928 Arques MS 5-07 (408) 524-7250 Sunnyvale, Ca 94086 ------------------------------ Date: 10 Apr 91 16:38:09 GMT From: swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!grian!puffin!pete@ucsd.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <1991Apr9.124118.27031@mlb.semi.harris.com>, <1991Apr9.220744.4049@milton.u.washington.edu>, <31586@ucsd.Edu> Subject : Re: TRF Receiver In article <31586@ucsd.Edu> brian@ucsd.Edu (Brian Kantor) writes: >In article <1991Apr9.220744.4049@milton.u.washington.edu> whit@milton.u.washington.edu (John Whitmore) writes: >> No such devices have been built by THAT name in most of >>a century. >I beg to differ, grasshopper. I built a TRF in junior high school, the >Philco and Atwater-Kent radios were TRFs for a while, and even old Well, a few years ago, the "True-Time" WWVB receivers were TRF-type (i.e. straight-through amplification with no conversion). There were tuning adjustments but, of course, they weren't tuned by a knob on the front since they were fixed at 60khz. I've seen an old Atwater-Kent TRF rcvr (great boat-anchor - weighed many pounds). Hard to get the right tubes for now... -- Pete K6JRR (...!{elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!grian | hacgate}!puffin!pete ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest ******************************