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1994-11-13
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Date: Sat, 9 Apr 94 13:09:37 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <info-hams@ucsd.edu>
Errors-To: Info-Hams-Errors@UCSD.Edu
Reply-To: Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu
Precedence: Bulk
Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #395
To: Info-Hams
Info-Hams Digest Sat, 9 Apr 94 Volume 94 : Issue 395
Today's Topics:
6m Equipment/T-T XVTR KIT
Commercial Service in 10M Band?
Delivery Failure Report
DX reflector?
GB2ATG (April 1994)
how's FM broadcast for freq. standard?
How phasing SSB Exciters Work (Was: RF and AF speech processors)
Modem throughput with Analog Cellular
rb321 Who makes the decision
SB320 Direction Finding in RACES
technology transfer opportunity
Send Replies or notes for publication to: <Info-Hams@UCSD.Edu>
Send subscription requests to: <Info-Hams-REQUEST@UCSD.Edu>
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: 8 Apr 94 16:52:51 GMT
From: yuma!galen@purdue.edu
Subject: 6m Equipment/T-T XVTR KIT
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <765648032.AA04784@psybbs.durham.nc.us> Dave.Hockaday%f160.n151.z1@psybbs.durham.nc.us (Dave Hockaday) writes:
>PR>If you have an HF rig, check out Ten Tec's new 6 meter transverter kit
>PR>for $99!
>PR>73 paul wb8zjl
>Paul, is there transverter a kit or a finished product?? Do you know the
>IF (28 mhz maybe??)...Hmmm....I wonder about it's application on other
>rigs, like the uniden 2510's and such (or converted SSB CB rigs for
>that matter...). Very interested, tell me more...:-). 73 de WB4IUY
It's a kit, the IF is 14 MHz. (from a phone call to Ten-Tec.)
Galen, KF0YJ
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 1994 23:08:14 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!pacbell.com!unet!loren!larson@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Commercial Service in 10M Band?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <1994Apr5.185809.10525@worldbank.org> dearnshaw@worldbank.org (Darrell Earnshaw) writes:
>While reading this week's copy of Network World (dated March 28th), I noticed
>on page 58 a table showing the comparisons between the various proposals for
>global satellite communications. One which caught my eye was the proposal by
>Bill Gates (a'ka Mr. Microsoft) and McCaw to use 840 (yep, 840) low-orbit
>satellites using frequencies in the 28mHz range. This compared to Irridium (66
>satellies in the 1.6 Ghz range), and Globestar (48 satellites in the 1.6 Ghz
>range). Interesting proposal... but I doubt whether it would get approved by
>the WARC.
Somehow, I suspect this was actually 28 GHz. The system was claimed to provide
data rates that would have been awfully fast for a narrow slice of HF.
Alan
------------------------------
Date: 9 Apr 94 14:41:25 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: Delivery Failure Report
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
From: NAME: Mail Postmaster
FUNC:
TEL: <POSTMASTER AT A1 AT ANDV02>
To: net%"Info-Hams@UCSD.EDU"@RCVAX@MRGATE
ALL-IN-1 was unable to deliver your message dated to
ADAMS,SE - no such ALL-IN-1 account
on node ANDV02
The subject of the message was :
Info-Hams Digest V94 #394
------------------------------
Date: 8 Apr 1994 17:32:58 -0700
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!unbc.edu!unbc.edu!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: DX reflector?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
cchris@f40.n382.z1.fidonet.org (cchris) writes:
>I just read in 'THE DX BULLETIN" about subscribing to something called the DX
>reflector. The administrator's address was given as dx-REQUEST@unbc.edu but
>this does not appear to work. Does anyone know anything about this or how to
>get a message to the administrator? If so, I would appreciate some info via
>E-mail. Thanks.
The address works fine. The subscription list is maintained manually. When
I'm out of town (as I am right now) these requests can be delayed. I will
catch up on the backlog (currently about 10 requests) when I get back to
work on Monday.
FYI here is a copy of the mailing list FAQ. I expect posting this will
generate a flood of subscription requests which will slow things down
even more :-)
--lyndon
The Internet DX Mailing List
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Sheet
Lyndon Nerenberg VE7TCP/VE6BBM
(Last Changed: 930906)
What is the Internet DX Mailing List?
It is an electronic mailing list dedicated to the dis-
cussion of Amateur Radio DXing. This is the place to
exchange tips and techniques, discuss hardware (rigs,
antennas, DSP add-ons), awards, announce upcoming DXpe-
ditions, etc. Anything and everything pertaining to DX
is fair game, with the following exceptions:
* Don't send requests for QSL info to the list. (If
someone wants to coordinate a list of current QSL
routes and post that on a periodic basis please
get in touch with me.)
* Don't send lists of QSL routes to the list. (See
above.)
* Discussion about contests and contesting should be
kept to a minimum. The CQ-Contest list already
provides an excellent forum for contest related
discussions. (To subscribe to CQ-Contest, send an
e-mail request to cq-contest-request@tgv.com)
How do I join the list?
To subscribe, send an e-mail request to
dx-REQUEST@unbc.edu
asking to be added. If you are not directly connected
to the Internet you must provide an address relative to
an Internet site. (We are not connected to BITNET or
the UUCP network.) If you are not sure if you are an
Internet site, ask your local system administrator.
Requests to be dropped from the list, change of address
requests, or any other administrative mail should also
be sent to the above address. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
should administrative requests be send to the general
-2-
submission address!
Is the mailing list archived?
In a word, no.
How do I send a message to the list?
It's easy! Just send an e-mail message to:
dx@unbc.edu
Your message will be automatically resent to all the
mailing list subscribers. Depending on the load on our
mail system this could take anywhere from a few minutes
to several hours. If you don't see your message within
a day or so, send a message to the request address
above (NOT the general submission address) and we will
look into the problem.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when sending a
message to the list. If everyone follows these guide-
lines it will help the list operate smoothly.
* Make sure your subject line is appropriate. If a
conversation wanders off the original topic,
change the subject line to reflect the new line of
discussion.
* Proofread your message before sending it! Spelling
mistakes and poor formatting do nothing to help
you get your message across.
* Keep it short! Many subscribers pay for their e-
mail access. Don't include 100 lines of the mes-
sage you're replying to and then add a three line
contribution. Only include as much text as is nec-
essary to establish the context for your reply.
* Watch your language! This list is gatewayed onto
packet radio. Don't say anything that you wouldn't
(or shouldn't) say over the air. Anyone violating
this rule will be dropped from the list *immedi-
ately*!
* If someone asks a question, send your answer to
them directly. The person asking the question
should collect the responses, then send a summary
to the list. This helps cut down on unnecessary
-3-
list traffic.
* Eschew flamage. If someone sends a flame to the
list and you can't bite your tongue, send your
flaming reply directly back to the flaming indi-
vidual, not back to the list. No one wants to pay
$1.00 to read these messages (the original flame +
your reply). Treat flamers the way you would two-
meter repeater jammers - ignore them.
* Make sure there is something of value in each mes-
sage you send to the list.
When I reply to a message using my mailer's REPLY command I
never see a copy of the message come back from the
list. Why?
There are two possible causes. One is that your mailer
sends the reply only to the originator of the message.
In this case you will have to manually CC the mailing
list. The second possibility is that your mail reader
is so ancient and broken that it sends replies to the
``envelope'' from address instead of the From: or
Reply-To: header values. If your mailer sends replies
to dx-request@unbc.edu you are running broken software.
If you are in the att.com or microsoft.com domains you
want to double check for this second problem. Note that
replies sent to dx-request get filed in the bit bucket.
Where can I obtain back issues of the various DX bulletins?
An incomplete archive of various Amateur Radio related
bulletins is available via anonymous FTP from
unbc.edu:/ampr/bulletins/. I add back issues as I come
across them - feel free to contact me if you can help
fill in the holes. Some time this fall I will be set-
ting up a WAIS server that will include all the online
bulletin files. WWW and Gopher interfaces to this data
are also in the works.
If you have any suggestions or additions for this document,
please e-mail them to: lyndon@unbc.edu
------------------------------
Date: 8 Apr 94 14:29:00 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!ve6mgs!usenet@ucbvax.berkeley.edu
Subject: GB2ATG (April 1994)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
BARTG * GB2ATG * NEWS * BARTG * NEWS * GB2ATG * BARTG
This is the - British Amateur Radio Teledata Group - News Broadcast Service
for all Amateurs and Short Wave Listeners interested in RTTY Amtor, Pactor
and Packet Radio.
This news is broadcast during the first full week commencing Monday each
month, to the following schedule..
Evening transmissions at 1930 GMT. on 3.584 MHz. Mark. +/- for QRM.
RTTY on Monday-AFSK, Wednesday-AFSK and Friday-FSK
Pactor-FEC on Tuesday.
Amtor-FEC on Thursday and Saturday.
Morning transmission at 1000 GMT. on 7.041 MHz. Mark. +/- for QRM.
RTTY on Sunday-AFSK.
An edited version of this bulletin is available on the Packet network as a
BARTG at GBR. file thanks to: Andy (G3ZYP) at GB7MXM.#36.GBR.EU.
It is also posted on the "INTERNET" system via the INFO-HAMS list on UCSD.EDU.
thanks to Iain (G6ARO) who is available on the "JANET" network as
Iain@HUMBER.AC.UK
News for April 1994. Bulletin No. 016. (all times are GMT).
BARTG Information.
British summer time started on Sunday March 27th but remember the BARTG VHF
RTTY contest starts at 1000 GMT on Sunday 10th April. Eleven o'clock wrist
watch time.
RTTY DX Activity.
3.5 MHz.
OH0/SK4BX 0300, K1IU 0400, ES7FU 0600, GI4SRQ 1830, EI3GZ 2030,
9H1EL and UZ9CWA 2100, RA2FB, OM3CPS and UN5PR 2200, YO3FRI 2300.
14 MHZ.
V5JC 0030, VK3DLL, 4Z85TA and WL7EF 0730, ZL3AFT 0800, T30CC 1000,
9N1AA 1030, YI1AL and OD5SK 1130, HK0DPA 1300, 4Z4TL 1330,
A45XC 1400, 9K2USA and 9M2MW 1500, OH0/SK4BX 1530. ZS6BOK 1700,
9K2OZ 1800, FH/DJ2BW 1830, S92ZM and PJ9JT 1900, A22BW 1930,
9I2Z and J88BS 2000, CO2KG 2030,
21 MHz.
A71CW and FR5ZU 1400, FH/DJ2BW 1430, J28JJ 1530, 5Z4FM 1600,
KG4CB 1700, ZD7DP 1900,
Pactor DX:
21 MHz.
VS6FN 1230,
QSL Information.
KG4CB via WD9APE. J28JJ via F6HGO. T30CC via JR2KDN.
YI1AL at P.O. BOX 140, Swelish, Jordan. FR5ZU via VE2NW.
4Z85TA via 4X6LM. J88BS via WA4WIP. 9I2Z via DL7VRO.
FH/DJ2BW to home call. 9K2USA via K8EFS. OD5SK via KB5RA.
Contests.
The Alessandro Volta RTTY DX contest starts 1200 Saturday May 14th until 1200
Sunday may 15 (always the second full week-end in May). All 5 HF bands from 80
through 10 metres.
Classes:
A1 - Simgle operator all bands.
A2/XX - Single operator single band (XX= 10, 15, 20, 40, 80)
B - Multi-operator, single transmitter (list names and
callsigns of all operators).
C - S.W.L.
Exchange message:
To consist of - RST - QSO serial number - your CQ Zone number.
Contacts:
Stations can be worked only once for each band. Additional contacts may be
made with the same station if a different band is used.
Scoring:
All two way RTTY contacts will score in accordance with the exchange points
table. Contacts between stations within the same country will not be valid.
e.g.: A W2 station can work a W1, W3, W4 etc., but not W2. Contacts made
outside one's own continent on 3.5 or 28 MHz are worth double points.
Multipliers:
A multiplier of 1 is given for each country contacted. The same country may be
claimed again if a different band is used. An additional multiplier is given
for each intercontinental country worked on at least 4 bands. A contact with a
station which would count as a multiplier will only be valid if the station
appears in at least 4 other logs, or a contest log is received from that
station.
Countries:
ARRL country list plus each call area in Australia, Canada and the U.S.A. will
be counted as a separate country.
Do not count the general country multiplier (VE-VK-W); count each call-area
(VE1..0, VK1..0, W1..0).
Scoring:
Total exchange points multiplied by the total number of multipliers multiplied
by the total number of QSO's.
(Points X Multipliers X QSO's = final score).
SWL:
The same scoring rules will apply but be based on stations and messages
copied.
Awards:
A special trophy will be awarded to the top stations in each class.
In addition a certificate with a special sticker to all entrants.
Log and Scoring sheets:
Use one log per band. Logs must contain: Band, Date, Time GMT, Callsign of
station worked, Message sent, Message received, Points and multipliers. A
summary score sheet is required with a list of multipliers worked in each band.
Comments will also be very much appreciated.
Logs must be received by 31st July 1994 to qualify. Send logs to:
I2DMI - Francesco di Michele - P.O. Box 55 - 22063 Cantu, Italy.
Copies of the rules and scoring table are available from the editor.
Please enclose a SASE.
Notes of interest.
HK0DPA is Hector on San Andres Isl.
Minoru JA3MNP is expected to return to Mount Athos in April and return the
RTTY equipment following repairs in Japan. We should then see SV2ASP/A or a
similar call return to the HF screen. An earlier report suggested Doc JA3PFZ
had been invited to visit Mount Athos as a guest operator with the intention of
working Europe on RTTY. KYFC.
BARTG caters for all DATA interests with information-components-kits -ready
built units and software from experts. Members receive a 120 page quarterly
journal devoted to data modes. Beginners guides for most data modes are
available. The group sponsors HF and VHF RTTY contests, administers its own DX
and members award scheme and runs an annual rally.
This copy of BARTG News is posted by Iain Kendall (G6ARO) who can be contacted
via Internet e-mail at.. iain@humber.ac.uk Items for inclusion in the
broadcast may also be mailed to this address, as well as any queries regarding
membership or services offered by BARTG.
GB2ATG editor (for Alessandro Volta RTTY DX contest rules and scoring table)
Bob Canning (G0ARF) QTHR. Telephone - 0544 388350.
Amtor/Pactor mail at GB7SCA. Amtor mail at GB7SIG.
Copy of the news as distributed by G0ARF 940329.
------------------------------
Date: 8 Apr 1994 20:29:22 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!news.kei.com!yeshua.marcam.com!insosf1.infonet.net!usenet@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: how's FM broadcast for freq. standard?
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CnyGzK.7o8@srgenprp.sr.hp.com>, alanb@sr.hp.com (Alan Bloom) writes:
>Tom Randolph (randolph@est.enet.dec.com) wrote:
>
>: I just acquired one of the Optoelectronics 1200 MHz handheld freq counters. In
>: looking for a simple, cheap way to calibrate it, I note that it picks up the
>: nearby FM broadcast station as 107.2999 MHz when I connect a rubber duck... how
>: close can I assume those guys are? The way the counter is set up, the higher
>: the standard freq, the better your calibration. Zero-beating WWV won't get me
>: as close as something less definitive at 100 MHz or higher.
>: -Tom R. N1OOQ randolph@est.enet.dec.com
>
>Why not call up the broadcast station and ask them? Ask to speak to the
>chief engineer.
>
>AL N1AL
>
An additional note from another Al KA0IES
The standard for FM Broadcast is a fairly wide standard. If you want to use
something for a standard try an AM broadcast station. They are required to be
inside of 20 Hz limits above and below their assigned channel. I believe the
FM stations are allowed several Kilohertz of deviation.
AL KA0IES Hi Al
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 1994 23:05:04 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!news.cic.net!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!csn!col.hp.com!fc.hp.com!wayne@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: How phasing SSB Exciters Work (Was: RF and AF speech processors)
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
> So long as the additional filtering is done to both channels identically,
> the phase and amplitude matching between the two channels is not afffected.
^^^^^^^^
> AL N1AL
Umm... true. But the overall group delay is affected. There is an offline
discussion going on on this. The essence of it is that the finite zeros out
of the passband by themselves don't affect the phase (certainly true) but
the somewhat different pole positions have an effect of to-be-determined
significance. Stand by.
Wayne
------------------------------
Date: Fri, 8 Apr 1994 18:56:40 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!mixcom.com!kevin.jessup@network.ucsd.edu
Subject: Modem throughput with Analog Cellular
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
A question for anyone running an analog V.32bis modem (14,1400 baud)
into an analog cellular phone.
What is the effective baud rate when all is said and done?
Does your file transfer protocol indicate many errors?
I am considering a PCMCIA 14,400 baud modem for my palmtop
that will then connect to my analog cellular phone. I don't
want to waste money on the high speed modem if effective
throughput is 2400 baud or less. Thanks.
--
/`-_ kevin.jessup@mixcom.com
{ }/ Marquette Electronics, Inc
\ / N9SQB, ARRL, Amateur Radio
|__*| N9SQB @ WD9ANY.#MKE.WI.USA.NA
------------------------------
Date: 9 Apr 94 16:20:26 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: rb321 Who makes the decision
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
Bid: $RACESBUL.321
RB321 Who Makes the Decision
TO: ALL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCIES VIA AMATEUR RADIO
INFO: ALL COMMUNICATIONS VOLUNTEERS IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE
INFO: ALL AMATEURS U.S (@USA: INFORMATION), CAP, MARS FROM: CA GOVERNORS OF
(W6SIG@WA6NWE.CA) Ph: 916-262-1600 2800 Meadowview Rd.,
Landline BBS Open to All: 916-262-1657
RACESBUL.321 RELEASE DATE: April 11, 1994
OPS - Training - who makes the decision
The following was from a concerned FCC Amateur licensee:
"Who makes the decision to mobilize? Does RACES wait for a
request from the emergency management agency, or do you or
another RACES officer decide? The reason I ask is that hams tend
(in my opinion) to be arguable and over-react in an
emergency-type situation. Please don't take this personally. You
may be perfectly calm and level-headed, but I have seen all too
many minor incidents escalated to "emergencies" by over-eager
hams on the repeaters. I would insist upon interposing my own
judgment as to the need for my services."
Comments. That observation is accurate as to over-eager
response. It is a fact of life, just as to those who
complain of the "ponderous movement" of government, although that
has its purpose. Non-RACES units have been known to
"self-activate" sometimes with beneficial results, and at other
times with devastating consequences.
As to interposing one's own judgment; that is valid and is
understood by most people. Still, since it is a personal decision
and mind-set, there are those who are prepared to respond when
officially called without regard to personal sacrifice; examples
being Search and Rescue or Drowning Accident Recovery Teams. As
dedicated unpaid professionals they serve when and where needed.
Even so, they do NOT self activate or respond to an "over the
air" request unless assigned and trained as a strike team which
is purposely structured to respond in that manner.
Any government communications reserve, such as an Auxiliary
Communications Service, RACES, or other designation, is activated
by official authority, which can be accomplished in ways so as
not to lose valuable response time. Ideally, it is at least
partially activated whenever the agency prepares for a potential
emergency or responds to an ensuing emergency. Whatever that
procedure, it must be followed, just as with any other public
safety response. In California and other states where a specified
government response program exists, self activation can lead to
serious consequences, ranging from interference and delay to loss
of confidence in the very people that self-responded. Even so,
there are those who argue for "self activation"; but in my
experience it is usually from their own ego-need basis, not that
of the local situation.
s/s Cary Mangum, LLB., J.D., W6WWW, State Chief Radio Officer.
EOM
-----------------
RACES Bulletins are archived on the Internet at ucsd.edu in hamradio/races
or in hamradio/packet/tcpip/incoming and can be retrieved using FTP. The
opinions stated are those of the author of the bulletin and not the poster.
------------------------------
Date: 9 Apr 94 01:36:49 GMT
From: juniper.almaden.ibm.com!enge.almaden.ibm.com!enge@uunet.uu.net
Subject: SB320 Direction Finding in RACES
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
In article <CntxxG.8Dt@news.hawaii.edu>,
Jeffrey Herman <jherman@uhunix3.uhcc.Hawaii.Edu> wrote:
>....
>
>Gosh, Roy - that's a little strong, isn't it?
>
>Jeff NH6IL
>
I am innocent..... I only post it for the California RACES people.
Please don't shoot the messenger :-) When will I learn not to
volunteer?
Roy Engehausen, AA4RE
enge@almaden.ibm.com
P.S. Strong or not, it certainly got a reaction from a bunch of people.
Glad to see somebody is reading it.
------------------------------
Date: 9 Apr 94 17:06:23 GMT
From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
Subject: technology transfer opportunity
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
RETRIEVE
INTERNATIONAL BOOKDEALERS
PO BOX 5224
ARLINGTON ,VA 22205
fax : ( 703) 533-3811
We would like to communiwith anyone outside of the U.S.
interested in starting their own home-based business at virtually no
cost,save their own energy . The right person would
have very strong english-language skills, an earity with the world of books and libraries, and be
comfortable calling on university, corporate and hospital
librarians,booovide a fax number, if
possible.
Dr. Samuel Berner
President
------------------------------
Date: 8 Apr 1994 14:22:06 -0400
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!gatech!prism!prism!not-for-mail@network.ucsd.edu
To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
References <1994Apr6.081311.29757@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>, <1994Apr6.170059.16110@rsg1.er.usgs.gov>, <1994Apr7.160216.6509@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>│╟
Subject : Re: [News] NOAA/NWS To Expand Weather Radio Coverage
gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us (Gary Coffman) writes:
>radio. And we can put SSC bulletins direct to air as soon as they come in
>thanks to our First Alert computer system. It superposes a storm alert
>symbol automatically on our transmitted picture showing the counties affected
>by the alert, and we can crawl the actual warning text across the screen
>with the click of a mouse.
Speaking also as a person who lives in the area affected by the storms a
couple of weeks ago, I found this information extremely useful! It was nice to
be able to continue watching the program that was on the air at the time, but
still be able to get the relevant storm information without having to listen
to some air head weather person blathering on trying to sensationalize the
storms into being more than they really were. Just present the needed info and
then shut up. :)
Our radar is also sent out full time on local
>cable channels so viewers can watch the storm's progress themselves.
Well, at least for the cable system I am on; it might as well not be there
any longer. :-( They used to have WXIA's weather radar on a channel 24 hours a
day, along with the audio from the local NOAA station. That was great during
thunderstorm season! I could get all the info I needed from one channel.
Now, the morons that run this cable system have the weather radar in a box
that is about 1/4 the size it used to be; and on a channel that is shared with
ordering information for the Pay Per View channels! The radar 'box' is so
small that it is almost useless, even on my 24 inch television.
I've very grateful to WXIA for making their weather radar available to the
cable systems, and I've told them so a couple of times over the past few
years. I just wish the cable system would have left it alone so it would be
more useful than it currently is. :-(
>The problem is the "cry wolf" syndrome. There are so many alerts, we
>often get 10 or 12 a day at the station when there's no really threatening
>*local* weather in evidence, that people begin to ignore the warnings. I
>don't know how to solve that problem. Failure to pass along warnings when in
>fact a tornado does result would be negligence. But the fact is that there
>are too many warnings and too few tornados that strike in a particular
>location. People's immediate concerns are local. When the warnings are
>"cry wolf" for their specific locations too many times, they stop listening.
I agree with Gary here. In the Atlanta area, there are a tremendous number of
'severe weather alerts' issued during the prime spring/summer thunderstorm
season. People really do get tired of seeing them and since they are often
not affected by these 'warnings', they start to ignore them since they never
seem to be affected by the storms that they are being 'alerted' to in the
first place.
>That's because the forcasts they hear on weather radio are so often at
>variance with what they can see out their windows. They don't realize
>that the forcast may be originating thousands of miles away in Kansas
>City. As local broadcasters, we try to give a more local and tailored
>forcast than that. We sometimes succeed.
I quit counting the number of times I look at the "local forcast" on
The Weather Channel (tm) and see that it says "partly cloudy", only to turn
and look out the window to see it raining so hard that I can't see the street
from my living room window. That's not exactly my definition of "partly cloudy"
nor do I think it is the NWS's.
I'm not knocking TWC here. I've got a few friends who work there. I'm mearly
trying to give supporting examples of not enough >real< *accurate* local
weather info... Especially in times of possibly life threatening storms.
--
Monte Freeman -- Operations Department / Information Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta Georgia, 30332
Internet: ccoprfm@prism.gatech.edu
Bitnet: ccoprfm@gitvm1.bitnet
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End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #395
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