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- Date: Fri, 15 Jul 94 07:37:43 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 #795
- To: Info-Hams
-
-
- Info-Hams Digest Fri, 15 Jul 94 Volume 94 : Issue 795
-
- Today's Topics:
- 2M opening to Hawaii de CA.
- CW - THE ONLY MODE!
- Enough already
- FCC accepts no data entry volunteers?
- HTX202/404 Mods? (2 msgs)
- Learning the dreaded CODE! (2 msgs)
- Letter to Washington about FCC delays
- Please read: Ham Radio Bootcamp (Long)
- SAREX Keps 7/15
- Tech Plus?
- th78e and antenna tv !!!
-
- 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: Thu, 14 Jul 94 14:18:19 PDT
- From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!gatech!ncar!noao!asuvax!chnews!news@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: 2M opening to Hawaii de CA.
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- When I lived in Ohio (ex: WA8NSH) 20 some years ago, I worked W1AW on
- two meter FM through a Pittsburg, PA repeater. I know I could of just
- pick up the phone and called W1AW, however its fun to play with radios
- when you get conditions which are unexpected. That's what the hobby is
- all about, playing and having fun!!!
-
- Tom WB7ASR...
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 21:51:14 GMT
- From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!emory!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!osuunx.ucc.okstate.edu!olesun!gcouger@network.ucsd.edu
- Subject: CW - THE ONLY MODE!
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <30494e$29u@news.csus.edu>, Dan Brown <dbrown@CSUS.EDU> wrote:
- >In article <940713173256988@michaelr.com>, Ray Wade (ray.wade@michaelr.com) wrote:
- >: On 07-11-94 STEVEN JACKSON wrote to ALL...
- >
- >: SJ> breaking into the tv programs, the local tv station played ---.. at
- >
- >: Its a morse oh (letter "O") so maybe it means "oh, s**t" as in watch
- >
- > --- is the letter O, but I think ---.. represents the numeral 8
- >instead. No idea what it'd mean, of course...
- >
- One of our tv stations send WX in Morse before weather advisories.
- Gordon AB5DG
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 22:45:47 GMT
- From: news.Hawaii.Edu!kahuna!jeffrey@ames.arpa
- Subject: Enough already
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <303g7b$81o@news.iastate.edu> twp77@isuvax.iastate.edu writes:
- >Jeff,
- >It seems to me you were the only person saying -40F=-40C meant
- >that you could cancel the -40s. Everyone else seemed to realize
- >that since you can't put a degree sign in a usenet post, it was
- >just deleted.
- >
- >Sheesh
-
- Read the portion you deleted! He said something like:
-
- `` -40F = -40C would mean F = C ....''.
-
- That's why certain portions of previously posted articles are
- included - the followup refers to the included text. You've got
- to read the included text to understand the followup.
-
- Sheesh.
-
- Jeff NH6IL
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 94 11:36:40 EDT
- From: psinntp!main03!landisj@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: FCC accepts no data entry volunteers?
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <3010g1$94s@cville-srv.wam.umd.edu>, ham@wam.umd.edu (Scott Richard Rosenfeld) writes:
- > Apparently, there's a clause in somebody's law book that prohibits the
- > FCC from accepting volunteer help in doing data entry. Apparently the
- > Gettysburg people would love the help, but CAN'T accept it. Looks like
- > well, I don't know what it looks like...
- Probably union rules.
- > Purdy ridiculous, eh?
- Yes they are.
- --
- Joe Landis - System & Network Mgr. - North American Drager Co. Telford, PA
- landisj@drager.com | uupsi5!main03!landisj | AA3GN@WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA
- Opinions are mine only, and do not reflect those of my employer.
- ...Munging Until No Good...
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 94 11:38:49 EDT
- From: psinntp!main03!landisj@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: HTX202/404 Mods?
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <2vo9a2$83t@freenet3.scri.fsu.edu>, chuck62@freenet3.scri.fsu.edu (Charles Richards) writes:
- > Does anybody have, or know where I can get plans for modifications
- > (freq. expanding, etc.) for the HTX202 or HTX404? And is it possible to
- > get the 404 up to 462.675(React)?
- > Thanks,
- >
- > chuck62@freenet.fsu.edu
- > (waitin' for that ticket)
- >
- They're arent any, and no. Thats why the reciever performs so well in them.
- --
- Joe Landis - System & Network Mgr. - North American Drager Co. Telford, PA
- landisj@drager.com | uupsi5!main03!landisj | AA3GN@WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA
- Opinions are mine only, and do not reflect those of my employer.
- ...Munging Until No Good...
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 1994 21:12:02 -0400
- From: newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: HTX202/404 Mods?
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <302v3o$f3g@freenet3.scri.fsu.edu>,
- chuck62@freenet3.scri.fsu.edu (Charles Richards) writes:
-
- >The HTX-202, for the most part, is a nice, simple, design.
-
- : Rumor has it that Maxon builds them. Really!
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
- Maxon DOES build them and very well at that. The reason these little
- radios have good receivers is because of their limited bandwidth. There is
- always a compromise when they add extra coverage.
-
- - Rob, N1NTE
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 94 09:52:13 EDT
- From: psinntp!main03!landisj@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: Learning the dreaded CODE!
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- [Erich Stocker wrote]
- ...
- > For the past year I have been trying to get up to 13wpm. I practice
- > every day for at least 30min and many days twice for 30min. I can,
- > with 90% accuracy, take 5, 6 or 7 character random code groups (on
- > my computer not with pencil) at 18wpm. However, when I shift to
- > random length code groups, I have trouble even getting 10 wpm at a
- > less than 90% accuracy rate.
- >
- ...
- > After a close to a year of being able to take fixed length random
- > code groups at 18wpm and still not being able to complete 13 wpm
- > transmission rate, I'm fairly bored with the entire process. Beeping
- > away is not my idea of fun or challenge. Quite honestly, its just a
- > big bore.
- >
- > Erich
- >
- Erich, have you TRIED the take the exam yet? Why not give it a shot? You don't
- NEED to copy 100%. And if you take it with ARRL VE's, it's multiple choice.
- 100% copy comes with lots of time and practice. Doesn't happen in real QSO's
- either. You have to "fill in the blanks" based on context. Go for it anyway!
- You may be pleasantly surprised. Worst that can happen is that you're out $5.60.
-
- Joe - AA3GN (ARRL VE)
- --
- Joe Landis - System & Network Mgr. - North American Drager Co. Telford, PA
- landisj@drager.com | uupsi5!main03!landisj | AA3GN@WB3JOE.#EPA.PA.USA
- Opinions are mine only, and do not reflect those of my employer.
- ...Munging Until No Good...
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 1994 19:33:21 GMT
- From: pacbell.com!sgiblab!sgigate.sgi.com!olivea!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsrelay.iastate.edu!news.iastate.edu!@@ihnp4.ucsd.edu
- Subject: Learning the dreaded CODE!
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <1994Jul14.095213.107@drager.com>, landisj@drager.com (Joe Landis - System & Network Mgr) writes:
- >Erich, have you TRIED the take the exam yet? Why not give it a shot? You don't
- >NEED to copy 100%. And if you take it with ARRL VE's, it's multiple choice.
- >100% copy comes with lots of time and practice. Doesn't happen in real QSO's
- >either. You have to "fill in the blanks" based on context. Go for it anyway!
- >You may be pleasantly surprised. Worst that can happen is that you're out $5.60.
-
- Acutally, it's $5.75 for 1994. (At least for ARRL VEs.)
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 12:57:58 GMT
- From: lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!doghouse!jsalemi@purdue.edu
- Subject: Letter to Washington about FCC delays
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
-
- In article <301c1d$1lb@src-news.pa.dec.com>, Ira Machefsky (ira@src.dec.com) writes:
- >If our congressional representatives cut the budget without forseeing this
- >difficulty, then they bungled, not the FCC. If the ARRL opposed license fees
- >(which I understand they did), then they bungled. No one is doing me a service
- >by saving me 10 bucks and making me wait 17 weeks.
- >
-
- The opposition to license fees is based on the fact that under the
- current system, any fees paid go into the general fund, and NOT to the
- agency actually issuing the license. The only way I'd pay a fee is if
- I was absolutely sure it went to the FCC, and not to the Department of
- Investigating Nose-picking.
-
- 73...joe
-
-
-
- ----------
- Joe Salemi, KR4CZ Internet: jsalemi@doghouse.win.net
- Compuserve: 72631,23 FidoNet: 1:109/136 MCI Mail: 433-3961
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 1994 21:09:06 -0400
- From: newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com!not-for-mail@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: Please read: Ham Radio Bootcamp (Long)
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <199407141551.IAA03314@ucsd.edu>,
- William=E.=Newkirk%Pubs%GenAv.Mlb@ns14.cca.CR.rockwell.COM writes:
-
- >i think the CB bands around here have been picked clean as far as finding
-
- people interested in getting into amateur radio or those needing things
- like
- GMRS or cell radiophones.
-
- ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
-
- This may be true in some parts of the country but I've heard otherwise
- about other parts. There is a lot of mis-information in radio land
- regarding ham radio and I think its a matter of setting the record
- straight. A lot of operators would enjoy becoming hams if they knew more
- about it.
-
- My comments in my mini-article may not apply in all circumstances but I
- think, judging by the replies I've received that an overwhelming amount of
- hams consider CB to still have some potential.
-
- I am taking my own advice by getting my CB up and running and searching
- for "fresh game".
-
- - Rob, N1NTE
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 15 Jul 94 13:28:41 GMT
- From: news-mail-gateway@ucsd.edu
- Subject: SAREX Keps 7/15
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- SB SAREX @ AMSAT $STS-65.010
- SAREX Keps 7/15 at 13:30 UTC
-
- Greenbelt, MD 7/15 at 13:30 UTC
-
- At this time, the official SAREX Orbital element set for the STS-65 Space
- Shuttle Mission is set GSFC-023a with the NORAD drag values corrected by
- Gil Carman, WA5NOM. This set was generated by Ron Parise, WA4SIR at the
- Goddard Space Flight Center.
-
- STS-65
- 1 23173U 94039A 94196.27214970 0.00067371 00000-0 20209-3 0 230
- 2 23173 28.4690 318.5489 0002791 13.8590 346.2097 15.90733062 1064
-
- Satellite: STS-65
- Catalog number: 23173
- Epoch time: 94196.27214970 (15 JUL 94 06:31:53.74 UTC)
- Element set: GSFC-023a
- Inclination: 28.4690 deg
- RA of node: 318.5489 deg Space Shuttle Flight STS-65
- Eccentricity: 0.0002791 Keplerian Elements
- Arg of perigee: 13.8590 deg
- Mean anomaly: 346.2097 deg
- Mean motion: 15.90733062 rev/day Semi-major Axis: 6678.3626 Km
- Decay rate: 6.7371E-04 rev/day*2 Apogee Alt: 301.84 Km
- Epoch rev: 106 Perigee Alt: 298.11 Km
-
- NOTE - This element set is based on NORAD element set # 023.
- The spacecraft has been propagated to the next ascending
- node, and the orbit number has been adjusted to bring it
- into agreement with the NASA numbering convention.
-
-
- Submitted by Frank H. Bauer, KA3HDO for the SAREX Working Group
-
- /EX
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 12:59:57 GMT
- From: lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!doghouse!jsalemi@purdue.edu
- Subject: Tech Plus?
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
-
- In article <301obd$jjv@charm.magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>, Steve Bertsch (sbertsch@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu) writes:
- >OK, I've been out of touch for a while.* Be gentle. What is this tech+
- >license I keep hearing about? A new class, or simply code credit to work
- >the HF novice bands? If the former, how do privileges differ from a plain
- >tech?
- >
-
- Tech Plus is a Tech who's passed the 5wpm code test. A Tech Plus has
- all technician privileges (everything above 30MHz), as well as Novice
- HF privileges.
-
- 73...joe
-
-
-
- ----------
- Joe Salemi, KR4CZ Internet: jsalemi@doghouse.win.net
- Compuserve: 72631,23 FidoNet: 1:109/136 MCI Mail: 433-3961
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Wed, 13 Jul 1994 00:04:59 GMT
- From: tandem!pacbell.com!pb2esac!jaminge@uunet.uu.net
- Subject: th78e and antenna tv !!!
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- In article <2vtfp5$q3f@chnews.intel.com>, CecilMoore@delpi.com writes:
- > In article <2vqss5$2st@c700-2.sm.dsi.unimi.it>,
- > Fabio MUCINGHIA II Morandi <morandi@c700-2.sm.dsi.unimi.it> wrote:
- > >i have a problem !!!
- > >a man that live near my house, say that, when i tal with my radio, him
- > >tv is disturb !!!! is it possible ???? Fabio (IW2HNP)
- >
- > Hi Fabio, is his TV FCC approved?... just kidding. You did not say what
- > frequency you are on but if you are on HF, get a low-pass filter for you
- > and a high-pass filter for him. It is possible that the design of his TV
- > is so bad, nothing you can do can help. I wait until all my neighbors go
- > to sleep and then work DX.
- >
- > Good Luck and 73, KG7BK, CecilMoore@delphi.com
- >
- >
-
- Isn't the TH-78E the European version of the TH-78A 2M/440
- hand-held? I don't know what frequencies are used for TV
- in Europe, but I've never seen my TH-78A affect anyone's TV
- at all. In fact, my J-Pole is on the same mast as my TV
- antenna, just above it.
-
- There are frequencies used inside cable TV systems that fall
- in the 2 meter range, though. In some communities, 145.250 is
- totally un-usable because of all the leakage caused by poor
- cable hardware (or is it cable piracy causing the radiation?).
-
- Just my .02 Lira worth... ;-)
-
-
- --
- John Minger KE6DTC "Society is like a stew. If you
- Glendale, CA don't keep it stirred up, you get a
- <jaminge@PacBell.COM> lot of scum on top." -Edward Abbey
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 12:49:48 GMT
- From: lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!doghouse!jsalemi@purdue.edu
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- References <377@doghouse.win.net><2vpr3g$ac4@cat.cis.Brown.EDU>, <381@doghouse.win.net><2vu2d0$if7@cat.cis.Brown.EDU>, <387@doghouse.win.net><300mv7$rib@cat.cis.Brown.EDU>ue
- Reply-To : jsalemi@doghouse.win.net (Joe Salemi)
- Subject : Re: The Amateur Radio Service is a Joke
-
-
- In article <300mv7$rib@cat.cis.Brown.EDU>, Michael P. Deignan (md@pstc3.pstc.brown.edu) writes:
- >If you have a person jamming your repeater today, you can't get the FCC to
- >lift a finger. Numerous cases have been cited here about troublemakers whom,
- >even after you've caught and they've admitted to it, continue to cause
- >problems. A troublemaker has to interfere with other services before the
- >FCC even takes notice. The net result will be more lawsuits and guerilla
- >warfare as the only way to fight the RF terrorist will become lowering
- >yourself to their level. Someone in this very newsgroup posted how they
- >planted a white-noise generator near a repeater to wreck havoc and get it
- >off the air.
-
- Which completely ignores the list the FCC publishes every month of
- NAL's that were issued, including quite a few to hams.
-
- >
- >We've got a testing system that is a joke. People selling ham licenses,
- >those willing to "study" simply have to memorize the published question
- >pool. I wonder how my students would do on their exams if I gave them
- >the questions and answers before the examination.
-
- Which is the same test system used for pilot licenses, drivers
- licenses, and most other licenses that exist today. If someone can
- memorize the answers to 600 questions, they probably deserve a license
- -- not to mention that if they memorize the answers, they've learned
- the information anyway, becase most learning consists of memorization
- anyway. Or did you figure out the multiplication tables on your own?
-
- >You're deluding yourself if you think you're going to be the instrument of
- >change. Amateur radio today is CB radio of the 1970's. Get used to it,
- >its here to stay.
- >
-
-
- Well, it's obvious we're not going to agree. Enjoy yourself bitching
- about how bad things are -- I'm too busy helping to teach
- amateur radio classes, running ARES events, and working at VE sessions
- to have time to do it. We'll let time see who has the greater effect
- on the service.
-
-
-
- ----------
- Joe Salemi, KR4CZ Internet: jsalemi@doghouse.win.net
- Compuserve: 72631,23 FidoNet: 1:109/136 MCI Mail: 433-3961
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 12:41:47 GMT
- From: lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!doghouse!jsalemi@purdue.edu
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- References <CstyJ4.Ctp@sword.eng.hou.compaq.com>, <Csu72u.69H@nntpa.cb.att.com>, <3000gt$eds@gap.cco.caltech.edu><300ick$pr1@paperboy.gsfc.nasa.gov>.edu
- Reply-To : jsalemi@doghouse.win.net (Joe Salemi)
- Subject : Re: Lack of professional consideration for HAM operators
-
-
- In article <AA4946F2D40214D6@trmmstocker.gsfc.nasa.gov>, Erich Franz Stocker (stocker@spsosun.gsfc.nasa.gov) writes:
- >Well while I know the frustrations of waiting for the ticket, I have to
- >say that the FCC has larger fish to fry than Ham radio. Also, the amateur
- >service has no RESPONSIBILITY for emergency radio service. Hams provide
- >such services but there is no legal expectation or requirement for it.
- >
-
- Suggest you read Part 97 (you DO have a copy, right?) -- right in the
- first section you'll find the following:
-
- "97.1 The rules and regulations in this Part are designed to provide an
- amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose expressed in the
- following principles:
-
- (a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to
- the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service,
- particularly with respect to providing emergency communications."
-
- There are four other purposes listed, but emergency communications is
- the first. So there certainly IS a responsibility and legal
- expectation for hams providing emergency communications.
-
- 73...joe
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
- ----------
- Joe Salemi, KR4CZ Internet: jsalemi@doghouse.win.net
- Compuserve: 72631,23 FidoNet: 1:109/136 MCI Mail: 433-3961
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: Thu, 14 Jul 1994 12:55:44 GMT
- From: lerc.nasa.gov!kira.cc.uakron.edu!malgudi.oar.net!witch!doghouse!jsalemi@purdue.edu
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- References <2vrslk$s5d@news1.hh.ab.com>, <2vs5rm$rfm@cville-srv.wam.umd.edu>, <385@doghouse.win.net><gregCsvu05.7K0@netcom.com>kei.
- Reply-To : jsalemi@doghouse.win.net (Joe Salemi)
- Subject : Re: IARU Contest
-
-
- In article <gregCsvu05.7K0@netcom.com>, Greg Bullough (greg@netcom.com) writes:
- >Funny how impressions differ. I jumped in around 2300Z, just to see
- >what could be done with 20m. With the TR7 barefoot and a 90-foot wire
- >on an SGC-230, I worked 'em as fast as I could tune 'em. Only one or
- >two state-side stations. I did just about 30 countries in 4+ hours,
- >all on 20. Mostly worked stations on the second or third call.
- >
-
- Where are you located? Early indications from scores on posted on the
- local packet cluster seemed to indicate that the propagation to some
- areas was much better than others. Around here, it looked like
- Pennsylvania to the North was hopping, while the D.C. Metro area was a
- black hole as far as most signals were concerned...
-
- 73...joe
-
-
-
- ----------
- Joe Salemi, KR4CZ Internet: jsalemi@doghouse.win.net
- Compuserve: 72631,23 FidoNet: 1:109/136 MCI Mail: 433-3961
-
- ------------------------------
-
- Date: 14 Jul 1994 23:29:10 GMT
- From: news.cerf.net!gopher.sdsc.edu!news.tc.cornell.edu!travelers.mail.cornell.edu!news.kei.com!yeshua.marcam.com!zip.eecs.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!gatech!swrinde!sdd.@@ihnp4.ucsd.edu
- To: info-hams@ucsd.edu
-
- References <2vuena$3mk@network.ucsd.edu>, <2vv0vl$198@hplvec.lvld.hp.com>, <1994Jul13.221526.6932@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>m
- Subject : Re: which Ringo do I buy?
-
- Gary Coffman (gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us) wrote:
- : In article <2vv0vl$198@hplvec.lvld.hp.com> scott@lvld.hp.com (Scott Turner) writes:
- : >I just love the net. Everything tends to take on a binary nature, as
- : >though the 0's and 1's from the computer were permeating the thoughts
- : >and ideas of those using it. Everything is either great or it's junk
- : >with nothing in between.
-
- : >Scott - singing the praises of mediocrity :-)
-
- : Ah, well, that says it all. :-)
-
- : It's true that even a wet string will radiate after a fashion. I've
- : even made fairly distant contacts using a lightbulb dummy load. And
- : we all know how good rubber duckies are, but we still use them.
-
- Doggone it Gary, that's exactly what I was referring to! We agree that
- Diamond and Comet make superior antennas, but I can't agree with
- comparisons to wet strings, lightbulbs and grounding rods. That's just
- not fair to readers looking for information. Ringos work. Other, more
- expensive antennas work better. Wet strings are wet strings.
-
- : It just seems odd to me that people, who will spend *thousands* on radio
- : equipment, balk at spending a few extra dollars for a good antenna system.
- : A better antenna is almost always more cost effective than a better radio.
-
- Again agreed. It's really a case, though, of when enough is enough. A
- while back, I was talking to a friend who was up in the mountains with a
- portable 2 meter beam doing a little mountaintopping and looking for fm
- contacts. He was continuously frustrated because, as we talked, folks
- kept jumping into the QSO calling *me* because of my big signal.
- Several folks that day almost refused to believe my location as they'd
- never worked FM simplex that far before. It works because the
- combination of antenna mast and house location yield a good HAAT. A
- better omni antenna is simply not going to improve things much. Nor is
- it going to help the hapless individual stuck in a hole.
-
- BTW, like many (maybe even most) hams, when I originally put the Ringo
- up it was hooked to a very marginal radio and money most certainly *was*
- an issue. Even now the radio that drives it is hardly worth thousands.
- Neither, I would guess, are most ham's VHF rigs, particularly those
- hooked to omni antennas. If you're talking about a quality all-mode VHF/UHF
- rig then certainly it's poor economy to scrimp on antennas. I don't
- think that's what the original poster was doing. I don't think that's
- what most people are doing. A Ringo is a decent, cost-effective way to
- hook up a VHF mobile or HT in a house to work repeaters and a bit of
- simplex.
-
- There's really no point in paying Ferrari prices to drive 2 miles through
- city traffic to commute to work. I like having the best too. When
- there's a point to it.
-
-
- Scott Turner KG0MR scott@hpisla.LVLD.HP.COM
-
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- End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #795
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