QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/940877.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 25.3 KB

Date: Fri,  5 Aug 94 00:09:08 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
Errors-To: [e-mail]
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #877
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Fri,  5 Aug 94       Volume 94 : Issue  877

Today's Topics:
                      Car warrantee and 2m radio
                   CWIST gettogether if interested
                 Eimac 60th Anniversary Special Event
                       From Dallas to Houston..
                            Houston-Dallas
                     INFO WANTED:  Alinco DJ-580T
          Kenwood TM-733A surprise features and bugs [LONG].
                      Model rocket telemetry...
                       S. California Repeaters
                      Thanks from the NOVICE!!!
                       Yaesu ft530 vco tune up

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: 4 Aug 1994 11:15:53 -0400
From: news1.digex.net!digex.net![e-mail]
Subject: Car warrantee and 2m radio
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, Val Breault wrote:

> It's not a problem with GM products.  They even publish a nice pamphlet
> describing how you ought to go about installing the radio for least
> interference.  GM has provided vehicles for mobile communications
> activities for as long as I can remember and doesn't want to loose that
> business.
>
That's not what an Old's delaer told me, they should get their policies
in sync.

Andy N3LCW

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 20:00:35 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!zip.eecs.umich.edu!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!gatech!taco.cc.ncsu.edu!csemail.cropsci.ncsu.edu!rdkeys@network.
Subject: CWIST gettogether if interested
To: [e-mail]

OK, folks, here is the weekly posting for the CWISTS.....

This week I will continue with a very rudimentary attempt at stringing it
along somewhat like an informal net, so that we can maximize the number of
folks wanting to join in in some 'semblance of an ordered sort of manner.

Bob
NA4G

************************************************************************

QST QST QST CQ CQ CQ DE NA4G NA4G NA4G BT
031518UTC AUG 94
FM NA4G
TO ALL CW OPS WORLDWIDE BT
CWIST FRIDAY NIGHT FIST FUNCTION.
ALL HANDS QSW/QSX 3702.5/7102.5KHZ 0400UTC 06 AUGUST 1994.
GET ON THE AIR AND ENJOY A PLAIN CW EVENING ON THE 40/80 METER BANDS.
USE A REAL HAND KEY (A STRAIGHT SENDING IRON OR BUG IS ENCOURAGED).
A VERY SIMPLE NET STYLE FORMAT WILL BE UTILIZED.
WHEN THE CONTROL STATION INVITES CHECKINS, CALL CWIST DE YOURCALL K.
YOU WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND PLACED IN LINE FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
ENJOY OLD-TIME AMATEUR RADIO AND TRY SOME FRIENDLY BRASS POUNDING.
EXCHANGE MORE THAN RST QTH NAME HELLO AND GOODBYE.
HELP ALONG THE NEW HAMS ON CW TO GET THEIR SPEED UP.
TELL A FAIR YARN OR TWO AMONG FELLOW CWISTS AND RAGCHEW A WHILE.
TELL SOME HISTORY ABOUT THE OLD-TIME DAYS AND YOUR EXPERIENCES IN RADIO.
IF YOU ARE AN OLD TIMER PLEASE JOIN IN AND SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES.
IF YOU WERE EVER A PROFESSIONAL PLEASE JOIN IN AND SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES.
USE BOATANCHOR GEAR IF YOU HAVE IT AVAILABLE OR WHATEVER YOU HAVE.
SEE YOU THERE OM/YL.
73 TU SU DE NA4G BOB AR




Greetings CWISTS, Boatanchorites, Fellow Hams, et al:

I will be on again at 0400UTC for the continuing saga of the Sacred and
Most Honorable Friendly Society of Brass Pounding Fist Functioning CWISTS.

Last Friday Night, there were six fine stations that checked in.
The first lowly attempt at a strictly informal ``net'' type format
worked rather well, and all stations were able to get some time.
Some were QRO, some were QRP, some were modern gear and some were
boatanchormen.  We batted things about for a good solid hour, and
all had a good time.

I did not hear anyone on 40 meters (someone scout out a good 40 meter
QRG in the novice band).

There has been a lot of interest on the rec.amateur.radio newsgroups
on sending CW and the general poor quality of many fists these days.
Let us do a little to promote, not only the art of receiving CW
radiotelegraphic communication, but also the art of ...sending... good
CW radiotelegraphic communication.  It is perfectly fine to have an
individualized fist, and it is often easy to tell who is aboard on watch
at the key, just by the first few characters received, but it ...should...
be a point of pride and operating skill to be able to manually send
characters of sufficient integrity as to be readily received by all who
might be in a position to hear same.

So, let us all see who will be on watch this coming friday night
(saturday morn 0400UTC).  Run your treasured boatanchor if you can, or
even that newfangled rice box supreme, or even that fine homebrew QRP rig.


Definition:  A CWIST is a person with an active interest in the PRACTICE
             and USE of continuous wave radiotelegraphy as directly is
             appliccable to amateur radio.  Such PRACTICE and USE may
             take the form of learning about radiotelegraphy and its
             history in amateur/commercial areas, its application to radio
             telecommunication, the practicing of the art and craft of
             radiotelegraphy, and the refining and developing of the
             technology of radiotelegraphy.


The general information is:

   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
   +                 CWISTS Friday Night Fist Function                   +
   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
   +                                                                     +
   +  Standard time:  Friday Nights at 0400UTC (Saturday morning)        +
   +                                                                     +
   +  Standard freq:  80 meters --- 3702.5 khz for all hands.            +
   +                  40 meters --- 7102.5 khz alternate, for all hands  +
   +                                (between the heterodynes)            +
   +                                (someone scout out a better QRG)     +
   +                                   ___                               +
   +  Standard calling signal:   CWIST IMI DE <yourcall> K  (if there    +
   +                             are no control stations calling for     +
   +                             you to check in), or,                   +
   +                             CWIST DE <yourcall> K  (if there is a   +
   +                             control station inviting checkins)      +
   +                                                                     +
   +  Note:  A simple informal net style protocol will generally be      +
   +         used, unless no control station assumes control for the     +
   +         evening, in which case it is an open roundtable format      +
   +         discussion group.                                           +
   +                                                                     +
   +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Let us all work together to continue to advance and promote the friendly
use of CW on the amateur radio bands.

Let us continue to assist and help the newcomers and slowspeeds who
are trying to get their CW going.

Let us to continue to promote the use of whatever gear you have up
and available, be it the newest of sorts or the oldest boatanchor.
Remember, CW generation has not changed since the days of arcs,
Alexanderson alternators, and Pliotrons.

Let us continue to promote the sharing and fellowship of the history
and traditions of amateur radio (this includes all you OTs out there
that have all sorts of goodly tidbits of history to relate to the young
squirts on the block, and it includes all you young squirts on the block
who, even though a bit new at CW and radio are the future of the service
or hobby or profession).

Let us continue to promote the ``elmering'' of all of our new folks
by the old timers aboard, in any way that we can.  We should not be
out to convert the brethren to CW, but should be there to elmer them
and assist them in learning/practicing their skills, if possible.

So, OTs aboard, young squirts in the wings, high-speed afficionados of
the art, and slow-speed ragchewers, join in on the fun.  If your
equipment is old boatanchor, so what.  If your signal is a bit weak or
chirpy, so what.  If your antenna is just a mere piece of wire up into
the trees, so what.  YOU can still join in and participate.
YOU are the folks who will make it what it can be, a goodly learning
time and an enjoyable evening for all.

See You There OM/YL.....

73 TU SU SK DE NA4G
Bob

**************************************************************************
*  May you have fair winds and following seas on your watch at the key.  *
**************************************************************************

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

Date: 4 Aug 1994 20:49:31 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!barrnet.net!varian.com![e-mail]
Subject: Eimac 60th Anniversary Special Event
To: [e-mail]

                        Varian Associates, Inc.
                        Power Grid Tube Products
                        301 Industrial Way
                        San Carlos, CA  94070

               Varian Celebrates 60th Eimac Anniversary
             W6AY Special Event Operation, September 1994

For Immediate Release
Thursday, August 04, 1994

Contact:  Ken Peterson, N6CHO
          Varian PGTP
          415 594-4000 (phone); 415 592-9988 (Fax)

          San Carlos - The members of W6AY, the Eimac Radio Club,
will operate 1600Z to 2400Z, Saturday, September 17 to commemorate 60
years of Eimac power grid tube products.  Operation will be in the
general portion of the 40, 20, and 6 meter bands as well as locally on
2 meters, 145.60 MHz simplex.  For a certificate, send QSL and 9X12
SASE to Varian PGTP, W6AY, 301 Industrial Way, San Carlos, CA
94070-2682.

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

Date: 4 Aug 1994 15:40:43 GMT
From: athos.cc.bellcore.com!briscas.gamekeeper.bellcore.com![e-mail]
Subject: From Dallas to Houston..
To: [e-mail]

Greetings:

I want to acknowledge the following people that answered my question.  Thank
you very much.

Tom Baltz, KC5HEG
Tiffany KJ5GU
Jeff Kilgore KC1MK
Wayne Estes WD5FFH

'73
--
Luis Roberto Anaya-Rivera       [e-mail]
A True PL/1 Hacker              [e-mail]
Bellcore, NJ                    Ham: N2ZXE

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

Date: 4 Aug 1994 18:13:59 GMT
From: iphase.com![e-mail]
Subject: Houston-Dallas
To: [e-mail]

Houston to Dallas is an easy hoop for 2 meter SSB.  In fact 222, 432,
and 1296 SSB is also easy.  The problem is not he cant talk to his
brother, its is just to lazy to study for a test.  At one time
the complaint was "i have to learn code"  now it is I have to take a
test.  Every body wants  everything for nothing.


Wes

WA5TKU

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

Date: Thu, 4 Aug 1994 16:39:42 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!newshub.sdsu.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!usc!sdd.hp.com!col.hp.com!news.dtc.hp.com!hpscit.sc.hp.com!icon![e-mail]
Subject: INFO WANTED:  Alinco DJ-580T
To: [e-mail]

Brandon DuRette-Student ([e-mail]) wrote:
:
: 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?
:

Yes, I did it myself.  You need some small screwdrivers, a fairly small
soldering iron (25w pencil tip type), a bit of patience, and no coffee for
about 3 days prior to trying it.  The problem is that the center conductor
of the BNC is soldered to a post on one of the PC boards.  Any movement will
crack the solder.  There is also a wire that is soldered to the *threads* of
of the connector, and it is tack-soldered to the same PC board.  Both
connections were broken on mine by the time I got to fixing it.  And, of course,
since the threads are all gooped up with solder, you can't tighten the nut
holding the connector in place, so after re-soldering the mess, be sure to
apply some epoxy to keep the connector from moving.

The whole procedure took an hour or two.  The connector is located under about
2 or 3 layers of other PC boards, so the general procedure is to open the
radio up (it opens like a book if you do it right), and unscrew each layer
of PC board until you get to the bottom.  DON'T FORCE ANYTHING.  If something
isn't moving, look around for a nut or screw you missed, for example, the
ring-like nuts that hold the volume/squelch pots in place.

I wrote the whole procedure up after I did it, and posted it here, but
of course I didn't save a copy :-(.  Did anyone else save it?

Good luck,

Greg  KD6KGW

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

Date: Fri, 5 Aug 1994 03:50:51 GMT
From: vigra.com!news.vigra.com![e-mail]
Subject: Kenwood TM-733A surprise features and bugs [LONG].
To: [e-mail]

I just put power to my new Kenwood TM-733A, made the first pass
through the manual and tinkered with the controls.  I've found some
pretty interesting features and bugs, and got a few questions.  Please
post any responses (especially answers) to r.r.a.equipment, or e-mail
me and I'll summarize.  Thanks!

Here goes!

#
The radio is fully *DTMF REMOTABLE*!  This one really surprised me.  I
was considering the Alinco 600T just because of this feature, so it's
nice to find that the 733A can do it too.  I'm suprised they don't
advertise it.

The manual says this:
"... the TH-7 Dual Bander can be used as the controller in place of a
keypad-equipped microphone.  The TH-7 is a compact, handy FM
transceiver available in the General market only."

Well, I've never seen a TH-7, but my Yaesu FT-530 can control it just
fine.  The DTMF control keys are exactly as shown on page 81 of the
manual.  Note that the microphone is *active* all the time, so any
ambient DTMF tones near your mic will also change rig settings.  This
includes tones coming in on the other band and out the speaker!  The
mic is sensitive; I would disconnect it if you intend to run
remote-controlled for any length of time.

#
Cross-band repeat isn't documented.  (Why do manufactures insist on
hiding this one?)  I've learned how to enable CBR, but only via the
remote control/mic (sequence is "D,C").  Anyone know a front-panel key
sequence?  To get full-duplex cross-banding, enable the Automatic Band
Change (A.B.C) first.

#
The DTMF Paging & DTMF Squelch protocol (AAA*BBB) is compatible with
my Yaesu 530.  This is good, especially for low-power extender
applications.  Is this a common standard?

#
The Automatic Simplex Checker (ASC) (p. 60) is a complete joke.  I
don't know who designed this one, but they must have had a clear view
of their colon at the time.  It breaks your reception every two
seconds or so to check if the input channel is receivable.  The break
is *very* noticable, and often deletes whole words.  I think it's
equivalent to using the Scan mode between the input and output
repeater frequency.  I can't believe they boast this as a feature in
all their literature.  Am I missing something?

#
There are some serious bugs in the "DTMF Monitor" feature (Page 63:
[PTT] + [DWN] + Power On).  This feature supposedly lets you hear the
DTMF tones you are transmitting.  The first problem is that it only
gives you a short tone from the internal speaker.  This is not true to
the transmitted tone that lasts as long as you hold the key.  The much
bigger problem is that it *mangles* the start of the transmitted DTMF
tone.  I have no idea why, but most repeaters interpreted it as
multiple tones.  It sounds like the short monitor tone is being mixed
in and transmitted.  It's definately broken.  Has anyone else heard
this?

#
There are two undocumented icons on the display; one is the "heart"
symbol.  Anyone know what that's for?  It could just be a spare.  I
noticed they used the odd "spade" symbol to indicate AM receive, so
maybe these were last minute extras.  Dunno..

The other symbol is the graphic "X" for the far right button under one
of the F-shifted menus.  It seems to do something, but I can't figure
out what.  Any ideas?

#

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

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 17:29:52 GMT
From: hplntx!hpcc01![e-mail]
Subject: Model rocket telemetry...
To: [e-mail]

Use 555 timerin astable mode.
Re: Electronics, Sept.19,74
    The 555timer applications sourcebook w/experiments
    by Howard M. Berlin 1978


Varactor or Varicaps are diodes whouse  reactance or capacitance depends
on voltage/charge across their depletion layers.
In simple words instea of using variable capacitor in osc. or tuned
cirquit and rotate it mechanicly, you can use diode ( Varactor) and by
changing voltage on it you will tune osc.

How about doing yourself a birthday present and buy:
The ARRL Handbook for the radio amateurs, one if not the only one
book who made me what I am today.

from the log of AA6AD

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 22:29:53 GMT
From: koriel!newsworthy.West.Sun.COM!abyss.West.Sun.COM![e-mail]
Subject: S. California Repeaters
To: [e-mail]

In article [e-mail],  [e-mail] (Brian Webb) writes:
>I'm trying to program my HT with the best line up of 2-meter repeaters
>that I can. What I'd like to know is which repeaters in the southern
>third of California (San Luis Obispo to San Diego and the coast to the
>eastern stateline) have the following characteristics:
>
>1. Wide coverage
>
>2. Are heavily used
>
>3. Are open
>
>Our problem in southern California is that we have over 200 2-meter
>repeaters but most of them have limited coverage or are hardly ever
>used.
>
>Does anybody have any info?

Goodness, yes.  The 147.435 repeater on Saddle Peak meets all of
your requirements.  In fact, it is so heavily used it is often useless.
Nonetheless, the input is 146.400 and the PL is 103.5 Hz.

I normally use "the Duck",  147.24MHz (+600k), usually no PL.

---
 * Dana H. Myers KK6JQ, DoD#: j    | Views expressed here are    *
 * [phone]         | mine and do not necessarily    *
 * [e-mail]    | reflect those of my employer    *
 * "Sir, over there.... is that a man?"                         *

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

Date: Wed, 3 Aug 1994 16:19:43 GMT
From: hplntx!hpwrce![e-mail]
Subject: Thanks from the NOVICE!!!
To: [e-mail]

Thanks to all off you who emailed me the answers to my questions on
the difference between no-code and Tech Plus.

*never* have I received such prompt and courteous help...this bodes well for my
re-entry to amateur radio.

Thanks

Lou

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

Date: Thu, 04 Aug 1994 11:11:12 -0500
From: newsflash.concordia.ca!altitude!interso.hip.cam.org![e-mail]
Subject: Yaesu ft530 vco tune up
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] wrote:

> Anyone out there had any luck in increasing the transmit range on uhf on their
> yaesu 530? It stops just shy of what I need. I'd appreciate a copy of the vco
> tuning procedure if anyone has it.
>
> thanks,
> ryan
> kr4oq@bbs.k4ry.#cenal.al.usa
> [e-mail]

Contact [e-mail].

They have the mods you need for.

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 23:34:19 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!ucsnews!newshub.sdsu.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!ssd.intel.com!chnews!scorpion.ch.intel.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <[e-mail]>, <31mhat$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>m.com
Subject : Re: Ramsey SlyFox

In article <[e-mail]>, Greg Bullough <[e-mail]> wrote:

>Mis-representation 1: Your reference to  a 'pre-publication leak.'
>I get my copy of 73 just like a lot of other people: when it arrives
>in my mailbox. Period.

Hi again, Greg. Are you paranoid or what? I don't think you wrote the
posting to which I was referring. I certainly didn't say you wrote it.
I was talking about a posting so long ago that it had to be a pre-
publication leak. You probably missed it and made a rash assumption.
I was not quoting you... go find another windmill. :-)

I inferred from Joe's posting about his review, that about half the
responders to the review thought that he had been too hard on Ramsey.
I am one of those many.

>Why should manufacturers be offered the chance to quietly fix problems
>found in reviews...

The purpose of a kit review should be to help the kit-builder create
something of value of which he can be proud and satisfied, not to rob
him of the joy of kit-building.

>But the initial problem still needs to be called out! And there
>is no a priori obligation to give a manufacturer the 'second chance' to
>get it right prior to publication.

(1) Find the problems. (2) Publish the problems. (3) Fix the problems.
No company is perfect. Heathkit got a lot of "second chances". I am not
advocating a coverup but we don't need a 'Ham National Enquirer'.

73, Cecil, KG7BK, OOTC  (Not speaking for Intel)

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

Date: 3 Aug 1994 17:05:52 -0700
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!bengal.oxy.edu!acsc.com!wp-sp.nba.trw.com!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!lll-winken.llnl.gov!apple.com!apple.com![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <318hra$[e-mail]>, <318p62$[e-mail]>, <31ds68$[e-mail]>v
Subject : Re: ham humor

[e-mail] (Randy Stegemeyer) writes:

>Paul (Cliffy) Palmer ([e-mail]) wrote:
>: In article [e-mail], [e-mail] (Jerry B Altzman) writes:
>: >In article <[e-mail]>,
>: >Steven L Goldstein <[e-mail]> wrote:
>: >
>: >>I was explaining to my wife last night that some hams refer to their
>: >>children as harmonics.
>: >
>: >Unless you're into parthenogenesis, why not refer to them as intermods? You
>: >need two signals for that...
>: >
>
>How about *Hetrodynes* ?


Nah.  They're more like Q-R-Mary.


73

Kok Chen, AA6TY                [e-mail]
Apple Computer, Inc.

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

Date: (null)
From: (null)
#
I've heard that this radio can be fixed for extended receive,
including the Forbidden Band.  I can't find any 800 MHz mods on the
regular ftp sites, probably because this radio is pretty new.  Has
anyone found one?

#
You can't have two useful keys on the handset at once.  Namely, the
"Open Squelch" feature and the "Direct Entry" feature.  Both of these
want to be on the PF key *only*.  Is there any way to put either of
these on the other programmable keys?  I wouldn't mind giving up the
Call key for Open Squelch, but there's no way I'm giving up Direct
Entry.

#
The "musical" frequency readback (p. 77) is pretty useless (for me
anyway).  It plays the digits as musical tones, which you are supposed
to recognize and associate with digits.  Hmm.. I'd rather have morse
code readout or just a simple tone count.  This would be especially
useful for remote control.

#
Exactly what is the difference between Noise and S-Meter squelch?  As
near as I can tell, one has a digital level indicator, and the other
doesn't.  Is there some environment where the difference shows?

#
The whole front-panel is connected to the rig by *four* wires (yep,
including the volume/squelch pots.)  According to the schematic, these
are: power, ground, data in, and data out.  I'm wondering how hard it
would be to make a PC interface for this thing and replace the whole
display and controls with a full-screen version.  It wouldn't surprise
me if many of the programming limits were also imposed by the
front-panel, and not the unit.


Overall, I've very happy with this radio.  The remote mount kit gives
me some really nice installation options, and the quick-detach panel
is super theft protection.  it's loaded with bells and whistles, and
seems to perform well so far.  I'm anxious to hear how others like
this radio.

Happy Hacking!
-Steve

Steve Haehnichen                 Vigra, Inc.  San Diego, CA
[e-mail]                  [phone] x116   Fax: [phone]

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #877
******************************