QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/940527.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 24.7 KB

Date: Sun, 15 May 94 04:30:06 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #527
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Sun, 15 May 94       Volume 94 : Issue  527

Today's Topics:
                            DX Frequencies
                  FCC/VE exams overseas - problems?
     GOPHER archives for rec.radio.amateur.[antenna|homebrew],QRP
                     IPS Daily Report - 14 May 94
                      Needed BIG Amplifier parts
                             sacred freqs
                            WWW and Radio

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

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: 14 May 1994 09:21:04 -0400
From: mary.iia.org!mary.iia.org![e-mail]
Subject: DX Frequencies
To: [e-mail]

BR>The "standard" DX frequencies are well known to all serious DXers,
...
BR>There are also standard calling frequencies for "Ten-ten Inter-
BR>natioal," for the County Hunters, for the IOTA fans, for the Marine
BR>Nets, for QRP and SSTV, for 6 meter DXers, and so on.  These are
BR>also widely circulated.

These standard freqs are widely circulated?  I bet if someone is looking
for a particular standard freq because they are interested in
participating (fans) they will find it.  For instance, I easily 'found'
out where the SSTV freq 14.230 was, because I was *looking* for it.

How bout including in your message the other widely published freqs that
I might not be looking for but would rather not step on?

Thanks in advance.

KE4IRV  -  Tom Dengler
[e-mail]

 * SLMR 2.1a *


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

Date: Sun, 15 May 1994 09:52:32 +0000
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!doc.ic.ac.uk!uknet!demon!g8sjp.demon.co.uk![e-mail]
Subject: FCC/VE exams overseas - problems?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] "Sandy Lynch" writes:

> Potential flaws in the VE Exam system??
>
> A question was raised recently as to whether or not non-citizens of
> the USA are eligible for US ham licenses; they are.  The question
> reminded me of one of the peculiarities of the current VE system.
> The bottom line is that it seems possible for the following to occur:
>
>    1.  US exam sessions can and do occur outside of the USA.
>           (i.e. out of direct US legal jurisdiction)

Actually, I don't see any (particular) relevance to *who's* legal jurisdiction
a VE session is held under. In the final analysis, the VE's are directly
answerable to their VEC, and also by definition to the FCC. Geography isn't
an issue.

>    2.  The "question pool" can (I think) be translated into a foreign
>        language (i.e. non-English). I see no requirement that says
>        the language of the exam MUST be English, nor that any translation
>        MUST be certified or accredited by the VECs or the FCC.  The
>        requirement "may" exist, but I haven't seen it, yet.

Like yourself, I see no requirement for the exam to be in English. If that
*were* the case, all the question pools would be invalid :-)

>    3.  "Accredited" VEs can be non-US citizens/permanent residents.

True. What of it?

>    4.  Applicants can be non-US citizens/permanent residents.

True. What of it? Perhaps we should examine the motivation behind an
an application by a non-US citizen for an FCC Amateur license. It is my
understanding that a large number of these are, in fact, British. And the
profile of these applicants is interesting, too.

On the whole, they will have already qualified (some time ago) for either a
U.K. Amateur Licence 'A' or 'B' - with 'A' being roughly equivalent to
General, but also including a 12 WPM code sending test. The 'B' licence
requires the same passes in the written papers, but does not include any
code requirements. Nearly the same as a Technician, but not quite :-)

As you will know, on an annual basis, the U.K. exports quite a lot of a)
money and b) tourists to Florida and California (plus some other places),
and a number of these will be amateur radio enthusiasts, who would find the
availability of a dual band HT an useful asset on their trip(s) to the U.S.

All these folks have to do is to file a Form 610A and apply for a reciprocal
permit (actually, it says an Alien permit, but we're fresh out of UFO's
right now ...). The *problem* with that strategy is this: that permit is
valid for one (rather than ten) year, and allows the operator privileges
which he *would* have on his home soil, where these are less than or equal
to those privileges available to an equivalent U.S. license class. For U.K.
amateurs this means: 50-52MHz, 144-146MHz, *no* 220MHz, 430-431MHz, 432-440
MHz. I'm sure if you consider what these allocations mean, you'll realise
that a reciprocal permit is in fact less than useful to a British amateur.

>    5.  Successful applicants can receive US licenses without ever once
>        setting foot on US soil; that is, being directly subject to US
>        legal jurisdiction.

Yes, that can happen. but *why* would it happen? Let's assume that I have a
desire to spend 3 months travelling the U.S. for a vacation. When I arrive,
I'd like to buy an R.V. and install a mobile rig in order to chat to local
folks whilst on my travels. Given the frequency restrictions (necessarily)
imposed by the reciprocal permit, it would be really useful if I had a
"proper" FCC license when I arrived on U.S. soil. Yes - I *know* that there
are frequent walk-in testing sessions, but with the turn-around time at the
VEC/FCC, and the fact that I'm (notionally) planning to be on the move the
whole time, how do I obtain a license if I don't arrive with it already in
my possesion?

> Question:  How many other countries in the world would permit foreign
> nationals, on foreign soil, to administer exams for amateur licenses
> (or any other license) in, potentially, a foreign language without
> the requirement to have "approved" translations?  Think of it.  There
> is absolutely nothing that the FCC nor the US law enforcement or judicial
> system can do .... except maybe revoke somebody's license.  No penalties,
> no potential jail terms, etc.

Well ... there is an interesting, if not contentious question! I can't speak
meaningfully about the licensing strategy of countries other than the U.S.
and the U.K., but .... The U.K. Radiocommunications Agency (FCC-equivalent)
grants franchises for amateur licensing testing to "appropriate applicants".
This is proably effectively an identical strategy to that employed by the
FCC, who have seen fit (under their rule making processes) to grant a
number of franchises to various VEC organizations. Here in the U.K., there
are only two such organizations - the R.S.G.B. have the franchise for
supplying Morse code testing, while the City and Guilds of London Institute
have the franchise for the written testing. The result? On almost any given
day, you could go somewhere in the U.K. and take a code test, with the
proviso that you would *usually* be expected to book in advance (around one
month). The written tests are a different, sad story. You'll need to book
many months in advance, for one of only *two* (or is it three??) dates in
the year, for a test at a restricted number of sites.

What would make life fun would be this: when the C&G's franchise expires, the
ARRL (and possibly W5YI) ought to apply to take it over. As I understand it,
the decision criteria is based only upon the suitablity of the examination
syllabus. It is my belief that, on the basis of the VEC program's success,
that the U.K. authorities might well be persuaded to adopt this approach.

> Discussion:
> BEFORE anybody gets excited and thinks I am xenophobic on this, I'm just
> raising the subject as a matter of "potential" abuse.  I have coordinated
> quite a number of ARRL/VEC test sessions in Japan - and yes - I've also
> used a Japanese VE.  (Never mind that this fellow is/was also instrumental
> in facilitating "reciprocal licenses").  And, my XYL took the exam (not
> from me) even though she was/is not a US citizen nor permanent resident.

Well, a story with a happy ending :-) I'm not a U.S. citizen. I am an ARRL
accredited Extra Class VE. I took my tests in Rochester, NY. What is it about
that you think could bring abuse into any test sessions at which I serve? In
any case, I'm sure that the immigration folks whould take me to one side and
attempt to hold a deep and meaningful discussion on the subject of any
misdemeanours I may be accused of upon my arrival in the U.S. for one of my
frequent business trips :-)

> I am also aware that in Europe CEPT licenses are available to citizens
> (and maybe others?) of the European Community to operate thruout the EC.
> That's NOT exactly the same as having Germans giving exams in Germans
> for individuals to receive FRENCH operator/station licenses, is it?

Actually, a CEPT license is more of a "reciprocal without paperwork" than
what you've imagined. A few extracts from the rules, as applied to U.K.
licensees:
    "CEPT Amateurs shall comply with the terms of their CEPT equivalent
    licence, unless such compliance would result in a breach of the
    requirements of the United Kingdom."
  and
       "CEPT Amateurs who possess the equivalent of a CEPT Class 2 licence
    shall use only those frequencies above 144MHz ....."
  and
       "The licensee shall be a temporary visitor and non-resident in the
    host country ..."

I've already discussed the U.K. franchise situation. Let's put the boot on
the other foot for a few moments. Here, the code tests are organized by the
R.S.G.B., who have appointed a number of Senior Morse Examiners - one for
each county (London is an exception - it is further divided into North and
South). These folks are described as "Senior County Morse Examiners". The
qualifications necessary for this "job" (it's a volunteer position ...)
are simple: 100% copy of 5 minutes at minimum 20 WPM. 100% sending for 5
minutes at 12 WPM on a straight key. Applicants must have a suitable
disposition towards their task and the test candidates. Morse examiners are
not required to be British citizens. Morse examiners are not required to be
British residents. Morse examiners are not required to hold an amateur radio
license of *any* description. Morse examiners are not required to be members
of the R.S.G.B. Simple.

Thereafter, it is the responsibility of the Senior County Morse Examiner to
recruit and select appropriate "County Morse Examiners", according to
identical selection criteria. In order to gain a "pass" for the U.K. code
test, there have two be two examiners present, who must agree that you "made
the grade". A simple, effective process. As you can see, the Senior County
Examiner has a lot of latitude to abuse the testing process if he/she should
desire to.

So ... where's this all lead? Up until a few weeks ago, one of our Senior
Morse Examiners was an American citizen. He's now finished his assignment
here in the U.K. and returned home. How do you suppose, in the event that
we discover he had abused our system, we could hold him accountable? Well,
we couldn't - simple as that. I'm not bothered, either. And I'm not bothered
for these reasons:
    * I can read and send Morse code far in excess of the requirements
          to be a U.K. Senior Morse Examiner
    * I *am* a U.K. Senior Morse Examiner (adjoining county)
    * I personally knew this chap, and trusted his integrity

> Another point is that in some countries (i.e. Japan), a Japanese citizen
> with an Extra Class license from the USA will be automatically eligible
> to receive a 1st Class Japanese license ..... even though the Japanese
> exam is considerably more difficult from both the technical AND CW
> requirement perspective.  So,  a situation can/may develop whereby
> JA operators (among the finest in the world, I might add), may flock to
> VE sessions in Japan and sign up for calls in KH6, KH0, KH2, etc.  This
> is not altogether bad ..... but there has been some discussion of late
> concerning "Vanity Calls" in the USA and how residents of Hawaii have
> discovered that all the "prime" extra class calls have been allocated ...
> ... and many of those to non-Hawaii residents (mainlanders and foreigners).

But where are they going to use these KHx calls? I have zero idea of the
license regulations in JA-land. But I do know that if I attempted to sign
G/N2TLY, it wouldn't be long before the radio police jumped on me, asking
to see my reciprocal permit. Of course, they will *not* issue reciprocal
permits to British citizens ...

> My personal perspective is that reciprocal licensing should be made as
> "universal" as possible.  I would much rather be JA1/WA6BXH rather than
> the fairly unique 7J1ABV - which also is distinctive to foreign hams only.
> However, there is a certain amount of appeal and prestige felt by many
> hams overseas (this I KNOW) who take great pride in collecting the
> wallpaper (foreign license) that they will never actuallyl use.

I agree with your perspective. However, we are not even off of the starting
grid yet .... CEPT, as I have demonstrated, is a paperwork reduction
excercise rather than a universal license. I have a number of calls for
different parts of the world. Each call I hold has been activated (at some
time or other) in the country it was issued for. I wouldn't have it any other
way - the associated paperwork and processes are just too difficult otherwise!

> Is this a problem?  Should anything be done about it?
> I raise the issue simply as a discussion topic.  I am not necessarily
> advocating a particular position, nor am I offering a solution (yet).
> I am just curious to see if there is any interest in the topic.

In my opinion, no, and no.

--
Iain Philipps

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

Date: 14 May 1994 23:54:52 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!gatech!concert!bigblue.oit.unc.edu!sunSITE![e-mail]
Subject: GOPHER archives for rec.radio.amateur.[antenna|homebrew],QRP
To: [e-mail]

Advisory on GOPHER-accessible archives of:

         rec.radio.amateur.antenna

         rec.radio.amateur.homebrew

         [e-mail]

Subject-threaded articles from the above mentioned topics can be read
via GOPHER (and presumably MOSIAC and WWW).  Individual articles can
be retrieved via the built-in email mailer (press 'm' to pop the menu).

One can assess these archives in one of two ways:

        1.  Via your local GOPHER client

        2.  Telnet to the public GOPHER server at SunSITE.

At the present time, simple FTP access to these archives is not possible.


1.  Use the following profile to point your local GOPHER client to
    the appropraite part of sunsite.unc.edu:

+----------------------------------------------------------------------+
#
Type=1+
Name=Electronics & Computers
Path=1/../.pub/academic/agriculture/agronomy/electronics+computers
Host=calypso-2.oit.unc.edu.
Port=70
Admin=Jonathan Magid and Simon Spero, 919-962-9107 <[e-mail]>
ModDate=Sat May 14 16:54:22 1994 <19940514165422>
URL: gopher://calypso-2.oit.unc.edu.:70/11/../.pub/academic/agriculture/
      agronomy/electronics+computers
+----------------------------------------------------------------------+

NOTE: The URL: line was too long to send on Usenet.  Join the line
subsequent to the URL: line back to the URL: line before putting the
profile item in your .link file.

The GOPHER directory will look like this:

                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
                           Electronics & Computers

      1.  Ham Radio Callbook Server - SUNY at Buffalo <TEL>
 ---> 2.  Archives of rec.amateur.radio.ANTENNAS   /
      3.  Archives of rec.radio.amateur.HOMEBREW   /
      4.  Archives of QRP ... threaded from Think.com   /
      5.  Archives of sci.ELECTRONICS   /
      6.  . . . . other HAM RADIO related items   /
      7.  OS2: an FAQ, the IBM Gopher and other trivia   /
      8.  COLEM   /
      9.  NEC   /




2. TELNET to a GOPHER server  (an example session)

   >telnet sunsite.unc.edu
   Trying 198.86.40.81 ...
   Connected to sunsite.unc.edu.
   Escape character is '^]'.
   ***************** Welcome to SunSITE.unc.edu *****************
   SunSITE offers several public services via login. These include:

   For a simple gopher client,                     login as gopher
   .....

                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
                       Root gopher server: gopher.unc.edu

   -->  5.  Worlds of SunSITE -- by Subject/

   .....

                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
                        Worlds of SunSITE -- by Subject

   -->  3.  Browse All Sunsite Archives/

   .....

                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
                          Browse All Sunsite Archives

   -->  8.  academic   software written by researchers in different disci.../


   .....

                     Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
         academic   software written by researchers in different disciplines

   -->  3.  agriculture   information about scientific farming, horti.../

   .....

                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11

agriculture   information about scientific farming, horticulture, and .../


   -->  3.  agronomy/

   .....

                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
                                    agronomy

   -->  8.  Electronics & Computers   /

   .....
                  Internet Gopher Information Client 2.0 pl11
                           Electronics & Computers

      1.  Ham Radio Callbook Server - SUNY at Buffalo <TEL>
 -->  2.  Archives of rec.amateur.radio.ANTENNAS   /
      3.  Archives of rec.radio.amateur.HOMEBREW   /
      4.  Archives of QRP ... threaded from Think.com   /
      5.  Archives of sci.ELECTRONICS   /
      6.  . . . . other HAM RADIO related items   /
      7.  OS2: an FAQ, the IBM Gopher and other trivia   /
      8.  COLEM   /
      9.  NEC   /


--
73/Steve Modena/AB4EL  [e-mail]

ham-radio gopher advisory/version 1.0.0/14 May 94

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

Date: Sat, 14 May 1994 23:20:28 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!sunic!trane.uninett.no!nac.no!ifi.uio.no!wabbit.cc.uow.edu.au!metro!ipso![e-mail]
Subject: IPS Daily Report - 14 May 94
To: [e-mail]

SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 14/2330Z MAY 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY.
SUMMARY FOR 14 MAY AND FORECAST UP TO 17 MAY

IPS Warning 13 was issued on 09 May and is still current.
-----------------------------------------------------------

1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity: low

Flares: none.

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 090/034

1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             15 May             16 May             17 May
Activity     Low                Low                Low
Fadeouts     None expected      None expected      None expected

Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 090/034

1C. SOLAR COMMENT
None.
-----------------------------------------------------------

2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY
Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: quiet to unsettled

Estimated Indices : A   K           Observed A Index 13 May
    Learmonth       13  3333 3223
    Fredericksburg  15                          08
    Planetary       20                          09

Observed Kp for 13 May: 3322 1223


2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST
DATE      Ap    CONDITIONS
15 May    25    Unsettled to active, with isolated minor storm
                periods.
16 May    20    Unsettled to active.
17 May    15    Unsettled.

2C. MAGNETIC COMMENT
None.
3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
14 May      normal         normal         normal
PCA Event : None.
3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
15 May      normal         normal         fair
16 May      normal         fair           poor-fair
17 May      normal         fair           poor-fair
3C. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION COMMENT
NONE.

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

4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY
MUFs at Sydney were near predicted monthly values, with 20%
enhanced 07-08UT and 20% depressed 19-20UT.

Observed T index for 14 May:  36

Predicted Monthly T Index for May is 30.

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
DATE   T-index  MUFs
15 May    25    Near predicted monthly values.
16 May    15    Near predicted to 15% depressed.
17 May    20    Near predicted to 10% depressed.


4C. AUSTRALIAN REGION COMMENT
None.




--
IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney           |IPS Radio and Space Services
email: [e-mail]  fax: [phone]      |PO Box 5606
RWC Duty Forecaster   tel: [phone]      |West Chatswood NSW 2057
Recorded Message      tel: [phone]      |AUSTRALIA

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

Date: 13 May 94 19:03:00 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!netcomsv!eabbs![e-mail]
Subject: Needed BIG Amplifier parts
To: [e-mail]

If anyone has any of the following that you are will to part with,
please drop me a line.

* Chimney for a 4-1000A.  Eimac SK-506

* Vacuum variable capacitor.  250 pF max @ 5kV

* Cardwell or simular air dielectric variable capacitor
1000 pF @ > 2kV

Thanks.....Don Turner WA6WRX

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

Date: 14 May 1994 22:28:59 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: sacred freqs
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] says:

>>It's a little over the top to expect everyone to know all the net
>>frequencies in use by every group on the air, obscure or not. A little
>>courtesy goes a long way.

   The point of my original posting was nothing to do with nets,
   obscure or not.   I merely pointed out that 14195, 21295 and
   28495 are internationally-recognized spots for DXers to gather.
   Major (and minor) DXpeditions regularly use those frequencies,
   and if you are going to call "CQ Ragchew" somewhere between
   14190 and 14200 I am suggesting that you don't do it on 14195
   unless you are being perverse.  If a DXpedition comes on and
   asks you to move, you have two choices - you can refuse to
   because you were there first, or you can be friendly and move.
   If you start a ragchew on 14192 you are not likely to be asked
   to move, but if you start one on 14195 there is a bigger chance
   that you will be, so why not recognize that 14192 is a better
   place to start out?

   I know about two net frequencies on 20m, I rarely use them, I
   don't care for nets.   But I would never start up a QSO on one
   of their frequencies even if they are not operating right then.
   This is what I would call courtesy before the fact.  I suppose
   my point is that once one has been told that 14195 is a DX
   gathering frequency worldwide, it is combative to start a QSO
   right there when there are other frequencies available.

   Personally, I stay down in the cw bands most of the time and
   avoid all this stuff.


Derek Wills (AA5BT, G3NMX)
Department of Astronomy, University of Texas,
Austin TX 78712.  (512-471-1392)
[e-mail]

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

Date: Sat, 14 May 1994 19:21:11 GMT
From: tqmcomms.co.uk![e-mail]
Subject: WWW and Radio
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>,  <[e-mail]> wrote:
>Does anyone know of any web resources covering Radio related topics?

Back issues of AM/FM, a monthly newsletter which reports on broadcast
radio in the United Kingdom, is available at

    <http://www.tecc.co.uk/public/tqm/amfm/>.

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #527
******************************