QRZ! Ham Radio 4/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 4.iso/digests/equip/940210.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-14 | 18KB

Date: Thu, 30 Jun 94 04:30:21 PDT
From: Ham-Equip Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Ham-Equip Digest V94 #210
To: Ham-Equip


Ham-Equip Digest            Thu, 30 Jun 94       Volume 94 : Issue  210

Today's Topics:
  : Mobile VHF rigs: Best for VHF packet? Should I buy new or used?
                    How much does a repeater cost?
                      Info on the Kenwood TH-78A
                    Kenwood mic free for good home
                        Opinions on batteries?
                       Radio Shack 6 Meter Rig?
                             Timewave DSP
          Who makes largest capacity nicad AA cell? (2 msgs)
                         Yaesu FT-470 Clone?

Send Replies or notes for publication to: <[e-mail]>
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Problems you can't solve otherwise to [e-mail].

Archives of past issues of the Ham-Equip Digest are available
(by FTP only) from UCSD.Edu in directory "mailarchives/ham-equip".

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: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 00:44:18 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!spool.mu.edu!news.clark.edu!netnews.nwnet.net!serval.net.wsu.edu!spookey![e-mail]
Subject: : Mobile VHF rigs: Best for VHF packet? Should I buy new or used?
To: [e-mail]

As a service to myself and others using this newsgroup I have kindly
volunteered myself for the following task:

I am interested in getting into VHF packet radio as well as having a VHF rig
I can take in my car. I am a fairly poor graduate student, so I am looking
for the best buy/most features/for low $. (Thats what everyone wants right?!)

I feel that there are others like me that read this newsgroup as well, so,
to conserve bandwidth, I am volunteering to compile the answers to the
following questions and post them back here in this forum for all to read.

So email me your thoughts, flames, kudos, ( mobile VHF radios (Hee... Hee...
I am kidding!  (message required for the humor impaired :) :) :) etc...
on the following questions and on July 15, I'll compile/summarize your
responses and post them back to the net.

*** I will acknowledge contributers in the summary unless requested not to ***

Questions:

1) Should I totally avoid mobile VHF rigs because they are cursed and evil?

2) Should I bite a bullet and buy a new VHF mobile rig? If so, who do you think
   is the best mail order company to buy from?

3) Should I look around for a used rig?

4) Should I buy a used rig from a commercial company like AES?

5) What do you think is the best value VHF mobile rig?

6) What do you think is the best VHF mobile rig?


Thanks for your input and time... Be looking for a response on July 15!

Kent Jones
KC7BCU
[e-mail]

------------------------------

Date: 30 Jun 94 01:47:53 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!news.delphi.com!BIX.com![e-mail]
Subject: How much does a repeater cost?
To: [e-mail]

File this under, "I'm just curious."

I know all the major vendors like Icom make repeaters, but they
aren't usually listed in the various ham catalogs, leading me to
suspect (clever fellow that I am :-) that they must be pretty
darned expensive.

But how expensive?  And are features like voice synthesis (or is
it just electronically stored) messages telling the callsign or
that you've just timed out the repeater extra-cost add-ons?

I've heard that with only 600KHz difference between input and output,
the filtering to allow simultaneous transmit and receive is also
quite typically _very_ expensive.  One friend tells me that mechanical
filters the size of an oil drum are sometimes used!

Some of you, I know, have set up some pretty sophisticated repeaters.
Can you share some of your experience, please?  What sort of costs
were involved?  Where'd you buy your equipment and how'd you choose
it?  How much power are these things typically running?  Obviously,
location is important, but just how important does it tend to be
in practice?  What'd you do about coordinating your frequency?  Any
sort of ole war stories would be most appreciated.

Regards,
Doug Hamilton    KD1UJ    [e-mail]    Ph 508-358-5715
Hamilton Laboratories, 13 Old Farm Road, Wayland, MA  01778-3117, USA

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 15:39:35 -1000
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!netline-fddi.jpl.nasa.gov!nntp-server.caltech.edu!mustang.mst6.lanl.gov!newshost.lanl.gov!transitory14.lanl.gov![e-mail]
Subject: Info on the Kenwood TH-78A
To: [e-mail]

My son is thinking about buying a new Kenwood TH-78A handheld.  I would
appretiate any information anyone could send me. Thanks.  My E-Mail address
is [e-mail]
                                                                                                                                                                                    Thanks again, Dave

------------------------------

Date: Wed, 29 Jun 1994 22:01:22 -0400
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!news.duke.edu!godot.cc.duq.edu!nntp.club.cc.cmu.edu!cantaloupe.srv.cs.cmu.edu!bb3.andrew.cmu.edu!andrew.cmu.edu!postman+@network.
Subject: Kenwood mic free for good home
To: [e-mail]

I have a hand microphone for Kenwood HF rigs in excellent condition
(from the days when I used to own Kenwood).

It is available for the asking.  Please e-mail me and I will send it
to you.  You can send me whatever postage stamps you see on the
envelope because that what I will have paid to mail man.  If I recieve
more then I request, I will do e-nee-mee-nee.... :-).

Also because of my SO (who else has the power get away with such
darstic restrictions :-), I probably am getting out of ham-radio for
few years (I just got rid of my FT1000D) so expect more goodies for
free or nominal price in future.

Keep that my Kenwood is better then your Yaesu is better then
your Icom war going :-).

Tanvir
WN1P/3

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 00:48:48 GMT
From: rit!isc-newsserver!ultb![e-mail]
Subject: Opinions on batteries?
To: [e-mail]

>In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (hamilton on BIX) writes:
>
> Also, I notice there are folks listed in, e.g., the HRO catalog that
> offer big shoulder-strapped sealed lead-acid batteries with really
> large capacity (well, compared to a regular NiCd).  Anyone bought one
> and got some opinions?  They look kind of neat but I suspect the weight
> might get old pretty quick...
>
> Regards,
> Doug Hamilton    KD1UJ    [e-mail]    Ph 508-358-5715
> Hamilton Laboratories, 13 Old Farm Road, Wayland, MA  01778-3117, USA

Pick up a couple of 4 amp-hour 6-volt gel-cells at the next
hamfest, and a small camera bag.  Works great, and the price
is right.

73...Jim  N2VNO

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jun 94 22:52:00 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!babbage.ece.uc.edu!cccbbs![e-mail]
Subject: Radio Shack 6 Meter Rig?
To: [e-mail]

TO: [e-mail]

J>.@SUBJECT:Radio Shack 6 Meter Rig?
J>.@N FROM   :[e-mail]
J>.@N MSGID  :<2updk8$[e-mail]>
J>N From: [e-mail] (JDuffy)
J>Newsgroups: rec.radio.amateur.equipment
J>Subject: Radio Shack 6 Meter Rig?
J>Date: 28 Jun 1994 10:55:04 -0400
J>Message-ID: <2updk8$[e-mail]>

J>Heard a rumor that the Rat Shack was going to be introducing a 6
J>meter rig very shortly.  Has anyone else heard this?  Most of all,
J>is the rumor the truth?

Hey there!!

If you find out about it, let me know too...

How 'ya doin?

73's Scott

+---------------------------------------------------+
| Internet:  [e-mail]  |
|   Packet:  wd8cab@wd8buy.#cin.oh.usa.na           |
|Compuserv:  74676,112                              |
+---------------------------------------------------+
---
. CmpQwk 1.40m #963 . Nobody ever forgets where he buried the hatchet.

------------------------------

Date: 30 Jun 1994 01:52:18 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!news.ysu.edu!yfn.ysu.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Timewave DSP
To: [e-mail]

In a previous article, [e-mail] (Robert Wood) says:

>OK, Anyone have comments on the DSP units by
>Timewave, and did QST ever carry a write up on them???
>73's  Robert [e-mail]

I have a Timewave DSP-9+ and I love it.  Unlike the
Radio Shack (albeit less expensive) unit, this random
noise reduction REALLY works!  Things are much quieter.
I think the May or June CQ did a review (I can't
remember which month), and the reviewer said the only
strange thing about it was getting used to the sound
of nothingness on CW and then hearing a signal whoop
out of nowhere.  As the reviewer said, and I agree,
this makes weak signals sound like s9+.  The
bandwidth filters work nicely too, as do the
heterodyne (noise reduction TONE) filters.  The
neat thing about the Timewave filters is that you can
use more than one of them at once.  For example,
on SSB, you can use noise reduction, heterodyne
zapping (for getting the tuner-uppers, several at a
time even), and bandwidth too...with minimal
DSP-type distortion!  I don't work for Timewave,
by the way, just a very very satisfied customer.
I think I'd like to upgrade, though, to their
DSP-59+ unit, which does continuously adjustable
threshholds on the filtering  options.
--Randy Padawer, WA4FJF


--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Randy Padawer, P.O. Box 1167, Knoxville, TN  37901-1167  U.S.of A
Internet:   [e-mail]        America Online:   GwRepRandy
Telephone: [phone]   Ham Radio op: WA4FJF  & a groovy guy.

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 00:44:02 GMT
From: rit!isc-newsserver!ultb![e-mail]
Subject: Who makes largest capacity nicad AA cell?
To: [e-mail]

I'm looking to replace the cells in a worn-out battery pack.
Are there any nicad AA cells with a capacity of more than
600 ma-hours?  And who distributes them?

Thanks...Jim N2VNO

------------------------------

Date: 30 Jun 1994 06:36:32 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate![e-mail]
Subject: Who makes largest capacity nicad AA cell?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>,
J.D. Cronin <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
>I'm looking to replace the cells in a worn-out battery pack.
>Are there any nicad AA cells with a capacity of more than
>600 ma-hours?  And who distributes them?
>

The current winner is:

Panasonic 900 mAh AA cell,

followed closely by:

Gold Peak GP850AA 850mAh AA cells.

BUT, both of those above are foam electrodes which have
higher internal impedance, and may not perform as well
as sintered plate electrodes under high drain (>1A) conditions.

The champ of sintered plate is:

Sanyo KR-800AAE 800 mAh cells.

Sanyo is in the process of marketing a 950 mAh foam cell.

I don't have distributors in front of me.  Try
Alexander Batteries -- try the 1-800-555-1212 directory.

                    -Ken

------------------------------

Date: 30 Jun 1994 05:44:50 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!umn.edu!mr.net!tccn.com!suzie![e-mail]
Subject: Yaesu FT-470 Clone?
To: [e-mail]

Greetings again...

Has anyone out there sucessfully done a clone of a 470's memory?  I'm looking
for any information regarding either dumping the data to another 470, or
(preferably) building an interface to dump the memories and settings to a
PC.  I've seen all of the mod sheets for it, and many people indicate that it
can be done, but I've got nothing indicating anyone has been sucessful yet.

Tnx & 73 de Jim
----
Jim Henderson - W0/KD4LDO     Internet:    [e-mail]
Crystal, Minnesota  USA                    [e-mail]
NetWire Forum SysOp (NETW4X)  CompuServe:  76702,1452

"OK, so the guy is cool, but...I mean own up, this is barking time, this is
 major lunch, this is stool approaching critical mass, this is...this is...
 total vocabulary failure!" - Zaphod Beeblebrox's Left Head

#include <disclaimer.h>

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jun 1994 23:04:47 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <2usdrb$[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: [Long] Battery mah measurements & W&W (Was: Opinions on batteries?)

In article <2usdrb$[e-mail]>,
Ken A. Nishimura <[e-mail]> wrote:
>
>
>Well, you want to stop when the cells get to 1.0V each, or 12V
                                                            ^^^
>for the pack.  Anything after that and you risk cell reversal.

I have just been notified that I was asleep at the wheel.  The
battery in question is a 10-cell (12.0V) and thus, you want to stop
when it goes to 10.0V, not 12.0V.  Whoops!

>
>it will get cycled.  But, I would be curious to see what your
>results would be if you repeated the experiment.  Go to 12.0V
                             ^^^^
>only, the rest is bad for your cells.  Do what you did, but just
>integrate current over time, and not worry about the terminal voltage
>as long as it is above 12.0V.  I would guess that the second time
            ^^^^^
>you'll get more capacity.

Same problem.  Substitute 10.0V for 12.0V.
Gotta get a new CPU for the space above the shoulders.


                        -Ken

p.s.  for you electrochemically inclined, the reason you need to charge
to such a high terminal voltage and evolve oxygen at the positive electrode
to achieve full charge is that the equilibrium potential for the
Ni(3+)/Ni(2+) combination is 1.33V ref. hydrogen electrode in KOH, while
it only takes 1.23V to split water.  So, in order to run at equilibrium,
you are already getting oxygen evolution.  You need an overvoltage to
overcome polarization and kinetic effects.

------------------------------

Date: 29 Jun 1994 21:24:54 GMT
From: pendragon!lfhs2![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>░
Subject : Re: 94 Ford Explorer

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (John Minger) writes:
>>In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Macy Hallock) writes:
>>
>>> For power, put in a pair of 8 AWG lines going straight from the battery
>>> to the rear.
>>
>>Hope you included a fuse or breaker at the battery.  Things could
>>get pretty hot if those 8 AWG lines got together, or touched the
>>vehicle frame (for example, in an otherwise minor fender-bender).
>
> [SNIP.. SNIP]
>
>None of the grounds are fused.
>
>I've seen the results of vehicle electrical fires, and have
>a healthy respect for the power contained in a lead acid battery.
>

I usually fuse the ground at the battery too... The reason? If you have a
battery ground wire fail (the bolt falls out..etc.) The truck tries to ground
itself through the radio.. Instant smoked radio!

Steve

73's de N5WHW

------------------------------

Date: Thu, 30 Jun 1994 02:59:09 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!mixcom.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <2u9tnc$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>π
Subject : Re: Kenwood TH-78A

In <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:

>Alfred Lee <[e-mail]> writes:
>
>>A ham equiptment shop salesman told me that the TH-78A "is the best on
>>the market and there is nothing come even close to it."

Interesting.  Maybe he was overstocked?? :-))

>The Standard dualies (so many...) are great rigs, rather pricey and no
>alpha-numerics.  But, definitely a toss-up if bucks are not limiting
>your decision.  You will be using the rig ALOT, so make a good choice.

The Standards have far better intermod rejection, IMO, then any dual-band
HTs from Alinco, Yaesu or Kenwood.  They also appear less suseptible to
desense.

>The Alinco seems to be serviceable, but so many owners bash them
>in these usenet forums that something MUST be up with them.  Mostly
>the probs seem to be reliability and intermod rejection.

My Alinco DR600T dual-band mobile has had a few problems.  Nothing
too serious though.  My Alinco DJ580T has been a FLAWLESS performer.
It does have a bit of an intermod problem when connected to a mobile
whip antenna, but only in certain areas of downtown Milwaukee.  I
once had a Kenwood TH28A.  It was useless in ALL areas, and that
was with the duck!  Terrible intermod problems.  If the TH78 is
anything like the TH28, I'd avoid it.  Just my $.02.  73.

--
  /`-_           [e-mail]  |  Vote Libertarian!
 {     }/                                 |
  \    /      N9SQB, ARRL, Amateur Radio  |  Call 1-800-682-1776
   |__*|   N9SQB @ WA9POV.#MKE.WI.USA.NA  |  for more information.

------------------------------

End of Ham-Equip Digest V94 #210
******************************