QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/940875.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 22.6 KB

Date: Thu,  4 Aug 94 16:09:06 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #875
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Thu,  4 Aug 94       Volume 94 : Issue  875

Today's Topics:
                                <None>
                      Amiga, baycomm and amicom
                      Car warrantee and 2m radio
                DX packet cluster access via internet?
                              Ham humor
                        Ham Software Pirates?
                            Houston-Dallas
                     INFO WANTED:  Alinco DJ-580T
                Interference to X-10 home automation?
                           Kenwood TS-520S
                      Light bulbs and elephants
               Mobile Radio in Dodge Caravan? (2 msgs)
                 REQUEST: Help finding WWV receiver!
                    Summer 1994 QRZ CDROM is here!
                          Who stole my book?

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: 3 Aug 94 22:58:18 -0800
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!library.ucla.edu!psgrain!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!vax.sonoma.edu![e-mail]
Subject: <None>
To: [e-mail]

I am looking for Mac software that will allow CAT computer control
of a Yaesu FT-990 for controling the rig, packet tracking and posting,
logging, etc.  Can anyone steer me toward something, either public
domain or commercial?  Any experience using the Mac for this would
be appreciated.  Thanks.

David AB6XR
[e-mail]

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 17:25:25 -0500
From: cs.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Amiga, baycomm and amicom
To: [e-mail]

Has anyone out there used the amicom_v2.0 to run packet on an amiga
with a baycom modem?  I'd like to know how well it works before
buying a baycomm.

Dave

Also, has anyone gotten a baycom working with amiganos?  I'm told it
can be done, but that it's a bear.

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 11:09:43 -0400
From: lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!news.duke.edu!eff!cs.umd.edu!dtix.dt.navy.mil!oasys.dt.navy.mil![e-mail]
Subject: Car warrantee and 2m radio
To: [e-mail]

In rec.radio.amateur.misc, [e-mail] (David Gagnon) writes:
>I am in the process of looking for a new car and someone brought up the
>possibility that installing a 2m rig might void a new car warrantee.  His
>thought was that the radio might do damage to the cars computer and that
>having the radio might invalidate a provision of the warrantee.
>
>I guess there are two questions here: "Is there a chance of causing damage?"
>and "Am I in trouble just by putting it in the car?"
>
>BTW I'm looking at the 94 Accord, Mazda 626, Mitsubishi Gallant, Taurus,
>Subaru Legacy, and Camry.
>

There has been a number of problems with the installation of ham radio
in the newer automobiles.

One of the known offenders is the Toyota Camry.  One poor guy reported
that the engine computer in his Camry was blown when he transmitted.
The repair WAS NOT covered under his new car warranty, since there was
a caveat in the owner's manual.  The bill was about $1200 for the
computer plus labor for installation (OUCH!).

Recently, I purchased a new Subaru Impreza.  I specifically asked the
salesman and the service manager whether there was any known problem
with transmitter installation in the car, before I signed the deal.
Both assured me that there would be no problem.  I took delivery of
the car.  Searched the owner's manual.  Found (almost hidden) words
to the effect that installation of any transmitter must follow Subaru
guidelines.  Got the service manager to contact the factory rep in the
U.S.  After several weeks, I got a reply stating that I could install
my 2-meter rig, but that all wiring must be located on the side of the
engine compartment away from all engine wiring.  I haven't done the
installation yet.

The basic advice I can give is that the current breed of cars with
engine computers are possibly susceptable to damage from RF radiation.
Talk to the service manager at your preferred dealership before buying.
Demand to be allowed to read the owner's manual before you buy.  If
you really like a certain car and there is any suspicion in your mind
that you could have a problem, get the dealership to contact the
factory rep to get answers.  Finally, try to get the dealership to
sign a note of responsibility stating that they will eat any repair
costs in the event of failure (good luck on THAT!).

Otherwise, use good electrical practice for installation.  Run power
leads directly from the battery, preferably with capacitive bypassing
to the car frame at the battery posts.  Be sure that the rig is
WELL grounded inside the car (almost impossible on today's plastic
dashboards).  Stripping the braid off an old piece of coax and slipping
it over the rig's power leads is highly recommended, with the braid
bonded to the car frame.  Also, keep the antenna feed coax away from
anything electrical in the car.

I really think that the problems which have been reported on the nets
might have been caused by poor installation practices such as plugging
the rig into the cigarette lighter, lack of rig grounding, and so forth.

Best of luck with the new wheels!!


Ken Stuart, W3VVN
[e-mail]

p.s. - The Navy had no input to this discourse, and doesn't believe
half of what I say anyway.

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 19:38:08 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.msfc.nasa.gov!news.larc.nasa.gov!eos1.larc.nasa.gov![e-mail]
Subject: DX packet cluster access via internet?
To: [e-mail]

  Recently, a Spanish-language FAQ was posted with a lot of interesting
information that I'd never seen before (in English!).  There appeared
to be mention of a DX packet cluster (W5/F6CNB?) that is available via
telnet access.  Does anyone have information on whether this or
any other DX packet cluster is actually available via the internet.

Richard Eckman  KO4MR
NASA Langley Research Center
Hampton, VA

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 14:27:27 GMT
From: lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!pstc3![e-mail]
Subject: Ham humor
To: [e-mail]

Actually, I think its those "spurious emissions" that cause
"harmonics".

MD
--
--   The best way for Bill Clinton to keep his
--   legal fees down is to keep his zipper up.
--

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 14:25:40 GMT
From: lll-winken.llnl.gov!overload.lbl.gov!agate!cat.cis.Brown.EDU!pstc3![e-mail]
Subject: Ham Software Pirates?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>,
   [e-mail] (Gary Coffman) writes:

|> I think it's fair to say that hams *are* more experimentally inclined
|> than the general population, most of the general population are still
|> staring at the 12:00 flashing on their VCRs.


Hey, wait a minute! I resemble that remark!

I simply am too lazy to reset it each time I have to throw the big
red "***EMERGENCY AMPERAGE CUT-OFF***" switch in the basement.


MD
--
--   The best way for Bill Clinton to keep his
--   legal fees down is to keep his zipper up.
--

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

Date: Thu, 04 Aug 94 00:43:09 PDT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!cs.utexas.edu!convex!news.onramp.net![e-mail]
Subject: Houston-Dallas
To: [e-mail]

Greetings:

I was talking to a guy that did not want to become a HAM because
he fears that he can not talk to his brother in Dallas while he lives
in Houston.  He told me that it is to close for a skip and to close for
line of sight and no repeaters around.  Because I'm not from Texas,
I have no clue what I can recommend to that poor guy.

Is there some kind Texan soul that can give me some ideas on how this
can be done?

BTW, I'll be around the Austin area by the end of this year, how's the 2meter
activity around town??



--
Luis Roberto Anaya              [e-mail]
A True PL/1 Hacker              [e-mail]
Bellcore, NJ                    Ham: N2ZXE



This guy sounds like he has spent too much time on CB. Houston-Dallas can be
done regularly, without problem on any of the following bands:160, 80, or 40
during the bdaytime.

Austin has some 2 meter activity.

-George Csahanin WB2DYB/5 Dallas/Ft. Worth

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 19:35:29 GMT
From: news.acns.nwu.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!travelers.mail.cornell.edu![e-mail]
Subject: INFO WANTED:  Alinco DJ-580T
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> Dave Parker, [e-mail]
writes:
>
>I hated mine and sold it within 6 months.
>
>Intermod was horriable, scanning was real slow, too small for
>big fingers, gets hot fast. Should I go on?
>
>Dave
>
>

And I've had mine for over two years and love it. Intermod is a problem
with all the dinky HT's, as is heating on high power. Little radios have
little buttons. When I want to have a big solid radio with a pretty
crunchproof front end I use the IC32AT with it's big buttons and all. But
day to day I carry the DJ580. It depends on what you want, need, how big
you and your fingers are, and where you live.

 Dave is right, there is an intermod problem on all the little HT's,
including the DJ580 - if you live in an urban area, or one with lots of
RF, none of them might be a good choice for you. Alinco did do a mod
partway through the production to reduce the intermod, someone probably
has the details. I live in the boonies of upstate ny, not a problem here
(yet!)

It's not a scanner, 3-4 channels per second max, but that's enough to
find out what's going on when the fire whistle blows or a prowl car goes
by with lights on. The software is easy to use, and pretty similar to the
ICOM's if you have any experience with them. I don't have to carry the
manual. :-)  The audio is good, being able to monitor two bands at once
is good, etc. It's compatible with ICOM accessories using the more
standard keying scheme.  I'd  definatley buy another.

YMMV

73 de Kevin, WB2EMS

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 20:31:42 GMT
From: meaddata![e-mail]
Subject: Interference to X-10 home automation?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Daniel T Senie) writes:
|> I'd like to hear of experiences any hams have with the X-10 home
|> automation systems, and whether they operated correctly in the
|> presence of RF (160 meters through microwaves will be used near them
|> if I use the X-10 stuff at all), and whether the X10 stuff caused
|> any interference to any ham bands.
|>
--
I have been using the x-10 for a few years and am active on 40 through 10
meters, 2-meters, and UHF.  I run up to a KW and have had no problems with
the X-10s and RF.  I do have some problems communicating with the modules
that are on the other side of the distribution panel when my PC is on.  The
PC generates noise on the AC line that prevents some of my modules upstairs
from activating.  My X-10 computer interface is plugged in the same branch
circuit as the PC.  BTW, don't plug your X-10s into a multiple outlet strip
that contains interference protection.  It will attenuate the 120 KHz signal!
Found that out the hard way.  I might solve my PC interference problem by
plugging the PC into an outlet strip that contains RFI protection so that
noise is blocked from getting into the AC lines.

You can also get device that installs in the distribution panel that will
bridge the signals between the two hot busses.

These modules are great when used with a computer interface.   I get
the most use out of mine at Christmas when the wife puts out all of the
lighted gizmos and wants me to turn them all off before retiring for the
evening.

Home Automation Labs sells more X-10 stuff than anyone else I have come
across.  I don't have their address with me at the moment or I would
post it.

Mike Suhar  WB8GXB
[e-mail]


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

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 16:07:45 GMT
From: news.acns.nwu.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com![e-mail]
Subject: Kenwood TS-520S
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>,
Neil D. Friedman  <[e-mail]> wrote:
>Scott Sidener <[e-mail]> writes:
>
>>    Does anyone know how much a used Kenwood TS-520S HF rig is worth?
>
>I'd say about $350 in nice condition.  Try to find one with the CW filter
>installed.  They're nice radios, if you don't mind tuning up the tube-
>finals of the transmitter.  I operated one for years at a club station
>with no problems.
>
>..Neil, N3DF


The 520S is a good, stable rig, sutiable for both fixed and bovile
operation.  I used one for years.   You should be able to get one for
about $300.
There are ony 3 tubes in it, a pair of 6146Bs and a driver.
Tuning them up is no big deal and you can run them at up to a 3:1  SWR
with no problem.

Good luck.

73, John
AE7P

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 20:10:26 GMT
From: cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Light bulbs and elephants
To: [e-mail]

[e-mail] (Dana Myers ) reports:

>I was chatting on 10m with my friend Kent back in 1979.  A few miles
>apart, he was using a light bulb (his dummy load) as an antenna.
>We were both located in Pleasant Hill, about 30miles from San
>Francisco.  A station from Kentucky broke in, and gave us both
>excellent signal reports.

  So where was the light bulb installed relative to the radio?
  If it's screwed right on the chassis I'm impressed, but if it's
  connected by a few feet of wire, I'm less impressed.  You can
  take a 100ft wire that has an elephant attached to the other
  end, and work Japan on 160m with it, but you haven't really
  worked Japan with an elephant.


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

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 19:47:10 GMT
From: news.acns.nwu.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com![e-mail]
Subject: Mobile Radio in Dodge Caravan?
To: [e-mail]

In article <31oebn$[e-mail]> Larry Novak, [e-mail]
writes:
>I'm about to install my 2 meter mobile in my Dodge Caravan and would
>like to hear what others have done. Offhand, no outstanding location for
>mounting it is leaping out at me.
>
>Thanks,
>Larry, K3TLX

 I built a little 2 level stand to hold my hf and two meter below the car
radio in front of the shifter. Got power off the cigarette lighter for
the 2 /440 rig, then went to the battery when I added the HF. Antennas
are mag mount on the roof. No problems so far in an '85 with 2.2L
standard. YMMV

73 de Kevin, WB2EMS

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

Date: Wed, 03 Aug 94 10:13:43 PDT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!gatech!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!ssd.intel.com!chnews![e-mail]
Subject: Mobile Radio in Dodge Caravan?
To: [e-mail]

In article <31oebn$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]> writes:

> I'm about to install my 2 meter mobile in my Dodge Caravan and would
> like to hear what others have done. Offhand, no outstanding location for
> mounting it is leaping out at me.
>
> Thanks,
> Larry, K3TLX
>

One thing you should always do, is wire the DC power lines from your mobile
radio directly to the car's battery. However I like it when I turn on/off the
car's ignition, that the mobile radio turns on/off also. The way I have
accomplish this is to place a 12vdc relay in circuit. The relay coil goes to a
low current ignition switched dc power circuit and the relay contacts go in
series with the radio's DC power line connected to the car's battery. You can
acquire a 12vdc relay with 15-20 amp contacts from any Radio Shack.

Tom WB7ASR...

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

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 13:54:54 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!swrinde!gatech!news-feed-1.peachnet.edu!darwin.sura.net!wa4mei!ke4zv![e-mail]
Subject: REQUEST: Help finding WWV receiver!
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] writes:
>Sorry for being a dumbo - my interest has being raised! What is WWV?
>Is this a North American only broadcast or can it be received
>in Europe? The reason I ask is that I have tuned a short wave radio
>in to the bands given and dont hear anything. I am ready to be
>laughed off this group !!

WWV is the US National Institute of Standards and Technology's shortwave
time and frequency station. (NIST used to be NBS, the National Bureau of
Standards.) It broadcasts from Fort Collins Colorado.  There is also a
WWVH in Hawaii sharing the same frequencies. WWV has a male voice while
WWVH has a female voice. You can sometimes hear both. Neither runs at the
power level of international broadcasters, so you may have difficulty
receiving them in Europe without a good receiver and antenna (and having
the propagation gods smiling on you).

Gary
--
Gary Coffman KE4ZV          |    You make it,     | gatech!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary
Destructive Testing Systems |    we break it.     | uunet!rsiatl!ke4zv!gary
534 Shannon Way             |    Guaranteed!      | emory!kd4nc!ke4zv!gary
Lawrenceville, GA 30244     |                     |

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

Date: 2 Aug 1994 20:38:20 -0700
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!emory!nntp.msstate.edu!ukma!asuvax!pinyon.libre.com![e-mail]
Subject: Summer 1994 QRZ CDROM is here!
To: [e-mail]

QRZ Ham Radio CDROM V3 (Summer 1994) Now Available

Well, it's finally ready and there are several new developments on
this latest edition.  There's a completely new Windows interface
program with tons of new features, Canada, US, UK and Italy callsigns,
lots of new shareware files, OS/2, AIX, and SunOS callbook executables,
and a new BEST OF DX QSL CARD contest where we'll be accepting cards
from around the world to be included in the next editon.

The latest May 10, 1994 FCC database is here which includes over 643,000
US callsigns.  In all, over 750,000 callsigns are now on the disc.

And also for the first time, a fully documented Windows .DLL library
interface which allows custom callbook application development in both
C and in Visual Basic - with extensive help files.

The price remains unchanged and available to all internet readers
direct from the author.

For an automatic reply of ordering information send e-mail to:

                      [e-mail]

-fred

--
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
| Fred Lloyd, AA7BQ                                       [e-mail] |
| Scottsdale, Arizona  USA                  Editor, QRZ! Ham Radio CDROM |
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 12:32:37 -0700
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.acns.nwu.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!ctp.org![e-mail]
Subject: Who stole my book?
To: [e-mail]

This is a true story, happened today.

My brother was going to return my two year old copy of "Now Your
talking", so I could inturn give it to another friend of mine.

My wife was taking care of her brothers jewlery store while he was on
vacation.  So my brother takes the book to the store and leaves it for my
wife to bring home.

My wife calls me just know and says that somebody stole the book!

Some guy comes into the store and is looking around.  She had the book on
a counter.  She went into the back and when she returned the man and the
book were gone.  She went back to the video tape and replayed it to see
what happend.  The man took a piece of paper from the book, then just
picked up the book and walked out, taking nothing else.

I never thought that book was that important.  Do you really think the
guy will read the book and become a ham??

Steven Adams
 [e-mail]


--

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 17:18:38 -0700
From: news.tek.com!news.cna.tek.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <31ori1$[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: INFO WANTED:  Alinco DJ-580T


In article <[e-mail]> Dave Parker, [e-mail]
writes:
>
>I hated mine and sold it within 6 months.
>
>Intermod was horriable, scanning was real slow, too small for
>big fingers, gets hot fast. Should I go on?
>
>Dave

Speaking of problems with the 580 I have one to report.  It seems that
switching between my rubberduck and my J-pole too often has loosened the
BNC(? connecters aren't my specialty).  Has anyone else had this problem?
Is there any way to fix it besides paying big bucks to send it back?

I have a limited budget because I am still a teenager.

Thanks,

Brandon DuRette  KB7USE

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #875
******************************