QRZ! Ham Radio 5

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Date: Sun, 21 Aug 94 23:00:54 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 #943 To: Info-Hams Info-Hams Digest Sun, 21 Aug 94 Volume 94 : Issue 943 Today's Topics: Canadian or Mexican Scanner Laws? Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 20 August FCC license renewal processing time data point IPS Daily Report - 21 August 94 learning CW Mobile Radio Theft Insurance? Mods for Standard C228A? Radio Interface to Internet? rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1 of 3) Shuttle Freqs TEK 486 300Mhz Oscilloscope Sale/Swap Whence QST? Which group for BBC? 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: 22 Aug 1994 03:38:35 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!nic-nac.CSU.net!g9153402@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Canadian or Mexican Scanner Laws? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Does anyone know of the laws in Canada or Mexico about stores being able to sell radio scanners that are modifiable to scan the cellular spectrum? I'm curious here. Is it as tough as the U.S. law, which I now think makes it illegal to sell this product as of April, 1994, once all existing stock is depleted. Would anyone think U.S. Customs would confiscate such a device, if one was to try to bring one back that they purchased? Does customs go about confiscating radios? In my experience in traveling to Canada, I've never had a problem coming back to the U.S. I've been through Vancouver & Toronto airports, and each time U.S. Customs seems to just wave me by, sometimes not even wanting to see my ID or airplane ticket. Any answers? ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 16:49:30 MDT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!gumby!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!nntp.cs.ubc.ca!alberta!ve6mgs!usenet@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Daily Summary of Solar Geophysical Activity for 20 August To: info-hams@ucsd.edu /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ DAILY SUMMARY OF SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY 20 AUGUST, 1994 /\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\ (Based In-Part On SESC Observational Data) SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL ACTIVITY INDICES FOR 20 AUGUST, 1994 ---------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Energetic electron fluence at greater than 2 MeV continues at moderate levels. !!BEGIN!! (1.0) S.T.D. Solar Geophysical Data Broadcast for DAY 232, 08/20/94 10.7 FLUX=072.3 90-AVG=078 SSN=058 BKI=1232 1112 BAI=006 BGND-XRAY=A3.0 FLU1=7.2E+05 FLU10=1.3E+04 PKI=1332 2222 PAI=007 BOU-DEV=005,015,021,013,005,008,008,018 DEV-AVG=011 NT SWF=00:000 XRAY-MAX= B1.1 @ 1348UT XRAY-MIN= A2.0 @ 2109UT XRAY-AVG= A3.7 NEUTN-MAX= +003% @ 0845UT NEUTN-MIN= -001% @ 2310UT NEUTN-AVG= +0.3% PCA-MAX= +0.2DB @ 1705UT PCA-MIN= -0.3DB @ 1955UT PCA-AVG= +0.0DB BOUTF-MAX=55224NT @ 2358UT BOUTF-MIN=55191NT @ 1738UT BOUTF-AVG=55213NT GOES7-MAX=P:+000NT@ 0000UT GOES7-MIN=N:+000NT@ 0000UT G7-AVG=+081,+000,+000 GOES6-MAX=P:+140NT@ 2038UT GOES6-MIN=N:-022NT@ 2256UT G6-AVG=+109,+030,-006 FLUXFCST=STD:070,070,070;SESC:075,075,075 BAI/PAI-FCST=005,005,005/007,007,012 KFCST=1213 3112 1213 3112 27DAY-AP=007,009 27DAY-KP=2221 2233 3222 3223 WARNINGS= ALERTS= !!END-DATA!! NOTE: The Effective Sunspot Number for 19 AUG 94 was 25.0. The Full Kp Indices for 19 AUG 94 are: 2- 2o 1+ 1+ 1+ 2- 2- 2- The 3-Hr Ap Indices for 19 AUG 94 are: 6 8 5 5 5 6 7 6 Greater than 2 MeV Electron Fluence for 20 AUG is: 1.4E+08 SYNOPSIS OF ACTIVITY -------------------- Solar activity was at very low levels. Solar activity forecast: solar activity is expected to be at very low levels. Region 7767 is the most probable region to produce a C class event. The geomagnetic field has been at mostly quiet levels for the past 24 hours. Geophysical activity forecast: the geomagnetic field is expected to be at mostly quiet levels. Event probabilities 21 aug-23 aug Class M 10/05/01 Class X 01/01/01 Proton 01/01/01 PCAF Green Geomagnetic activity probabilities 21 aug-23 aug A. Middle Latitudes Active 15/15/15 Minor Storm 10/10/10 Major-Severe Storm 01/01/01 B. High Latitudes Active 20/20/20 Minor Storm 10/10/10 Major-Severe Storm 05/05/05 HF propagation conditions were normal over all regions. No changes are expected over the next 72 hours. The threat for flare-related short wave fadeouts is only slight as Region 7765 spends the next 24 hours rotating behind the west solar limb. Near-normal propagation will continue over the next 72 hours, through 23 August inclusive. COPIES OF JOINT USAF/NOAA SESC SOLAR GEOPHYSICAL REPORTS ======================================================== REGIONS WITH SUNSPOTS. LOCATIONS VALID AT 20/2400Z AUGUST --------------------------------------------------------- NMBR LOCATION LO AREA Z LL NN MAG TYPE 7764 S06W55 358 0020 HRX 01 003 ALPHA 7765 S13W90 033 0050 AXX 01 002 ALPHA 7767 S13W08 311 0070 DAO 07 010 BETA 7768 S13E01 302 0010 BXO 03 003 BETA 7766 N09W35 338 PLAGE REGIONS DUE TO RETURN 21 AUGUST TO 23 AUGUST NMBR LAT LO NONE LISTING OF SOLAR ENERGETIC EVENTS FOR 20 AUGUST, 1994 ----------------------------------------------------- BEGIN MAX END RGN LOC XRAY OP 245MHZ 10CM SWEEP NONE POSSIBLE CORONAL MASS EJECTION EVENTS FOR 20 AUGUST, 1994 --------------------------------------------------------- BEGIN MAX END LOCATION TYPE SIZE DUR II IV NO EVENTS OBSERVED INFERRED CORONAL HOLES. LOCATIONS VALID AT 20/2400Z --------------------------------------------------- ISOLATED HOLES AND POLAR EXTENSIONS EAST SOUTH WEST NORTH CAR TYPE POL AREA OBSN NO DATA AVAILABLE FOR ANALYSIS SUMMARY OF FLARE EVENTS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY ------------------------------------------------ Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn 2695 MHz 8800 MHz 15.4 GHz ------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ --------- --------- --------- 19 Aug: 0026 0031 0036 B4.8 SF 7765 S09W70 0200 0258 0300 M1.6 SF 7765 S09W67 0446 0456 0502 B4.7 0928 0936 0944 B1.9 1555 1559 1601 B1.2 2036 2040 2043 B1.1 2148 2152 2156 B7.6 2258 2301 2303 B4.8 REGION FLARE STATISTICS FOR THE PREVIOUS UTC DAY ------------------------------------------------ C M X S 1 2 3 4 Total (%) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --- ------ Region 7765: 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 002 (25.0) Uncorrellated: 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 006 (75.0) Total Events: 008 optical and x-ray. EVENTS WITH SWEEPS AND/OR OPTICAL PHENOMENA FOR THE LAST UTC DAY ---------------------------------------------------------------- Date Begin Max End Xray Op Region Locn Sweeps/Optical Observations ------ ---- ---- ---- ---- -- ------ ------ --------------------------- NO EVENTS OBSERVED. NOTES: All times are in Universal Time (UT). Characters preceding begin, max, and end times are defined as: B = Before, U = Uncertain, A = After. All times associated with x-ray flares (ex. flares which produce associated x-ray bursts) refer to the begin, max, and end times of the x-rays. Flares which are not associated with x-ray signatures use the optical observations to determine the begin, max, and end times. Acronyms used to identify sweeps and optical phenomena include: II = Type II Sweep Frequency Event III = Type III Sweep IV = Type IV Sweep V = Type V Sweep Continuum = Continuum Radio Event Loop = Loop Prominence System, Spray = Limb Spray, Surge = Bright Limb Surge, EPL = Eruptive Prominence on the Limb. ** End of Daily Report ** ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 1994 02:20:13 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!usc!howland.reston.ans.net!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!newsfeed.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!wizard.uark.edu!comp!plaws@network.ucsd.edu Subject: FCC license renewal processing time data point To: info-hams@ucsd.edu vaughnwt@olympus.net (Bill Vaughn) writes: >MY last HAM class all recieved there license in four weeks. This was at the >time everyone here was screaming about a 17 week delay. I never saw it. The >FCC seems to be in gear now and working pretty smooth. Now is a good time to >send a letter to the FCC recognizing good work. Or we could just be a bunch of >whiners that only squawk when things aren't going just right. My letter is in >the e- mail. You never saw it because your class lucked out. Details were posted here several weeks ago, to paraphrase: Once the FCC's new license processing system went on line, they brought in temps. At first the temps were not informed of the FIFO policy. They just went at it! That situation was quickly rectified, but in the meantime, a whole bunch of folks got their tickets in <7 weeks. There are still hundreds (thousands?) that have been waiting mu-u-uch longer. One of my friends passed Tech at the Tulsa hamfest on 21 May and has yet to receive his license. That's 91 days today. ARRL VEC, are you listening? Peter Laws<plaws@comp.uark.edu>|"Suppose you were a politician. Now suppose you n5uwy@ka5bml.#nwar.ar.usa.noam |were an idiot. Ah, but I repeat myself."-Twain ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 21 Aug 1994 23:39:59 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!agate!msuinfo!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.cs.su.oz.au!metro!ipso!rwc@network.ucsd.edu Subject: IPS Daily Report - 21 August 94 To: info-hams@ucsd.edu SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT ISSUED AT 21/2330Z AUGUST 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY. SUMMARY FOR 21 AUGUST AND FORECAST FOR 22 AUGUST - 24 AUGUST ----------------------------------------------------------- 1A. SOLAR SUMMARY Activity: low Flares: none. Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number : 71/6 GOES satellite data for 20 Aug Daily Proton Fluence >1 MeV: 7.2E+05 Daily Proton Fluence >10 MeV: 1.3E+04 Daily Electron Fluence >2 MeV: 1.4E+08 X-ray background: A3.0 Fluence (flux accumulation over 24hrs)/ cm2-ster-day. 1B. SOLAR FORECAST 22 Aug 23 Aug 24 Aug Activity Very low Very low Very low Fadeouts None expected None expected None expected Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 22 Aug: 70/5 ----------------------------------------------------------- 2A. MAGNETIC SUMMARY Geomagnetic field at Learmonth: no data is available. Estimated Indices : A K Observed A Index 20 Aug Learmonth -- ---- ---- Fredericksburg 7 8 Planetary 8 7 Observed Kp for 20 Aug: 1332 2222 2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST DATE Ap CONDITIONS 22 Aug 10 Quiet to unsettled 23 Aug 12 Unsettled 24 Aug 15 Unsettled to active ----------------------------------------------------------- 3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 21 Aug normal normal normal PCA Event : None. 3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST LATITUDE BAND DATE LOW MIDDLE HIGH 22 Aug normal normal normal-fair 23 Aug normal normal normal-fair 24 Aug normal normal normal-fair ----------------------------------------------------------- 4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY Observed DATE T-index MUFs at Canberra 21 Aug 26 near predicted monthly values Predicted Monthly T-index for August: 20 4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST DATE T-index MUFs 22 Aug 20 Near predicted monthly values 23 Aug 20 Near predicted monthly values 24 Aug 20 Near predicted monthly values -- IPS Regional Warning Centre, Sydney |IPS Radio and Space Services RWC Duty Forecaster tel: +61 2 4148329 |PO Box 5606 Recorded Message tel: +61 2 4148330 |West Chatswood NSW 2057 email: rwc@ips.oz.au fax: +61 2 4148331 |AUSTRALIA ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 1994 03:52:19 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!cs.utexas.edu!geraldo.cc.utexas.edu!astro.as.utexas.edu!oo7@network.ucsd.edu Subject: learning CW To: info-hams@ucsd.edu We see a lot of requests here for computer programs by people interested in learning "the code". Some of us real oldies who were born before there were such things as computers learned our CW by listening on the air to real people sending real code, and perhaps some people still learn it that way these days. I'm curious to know whether those who learn it from computer programs that send perfect code in a quiet room find it a shock once they get on the air and have to contend with real people sending code, fading signals, QRM, all that stuff? Is it easy to make the transition to the real world? Perhaps it helps to learn the code without the distractions, but it must be a shock to some people - does this turn people off using it even after they have passed a code test? I realize that computer programs can tell you the speed at which you are copying, and can be programmed to send other than the standard ham QSO material that you hear on the air all the time and which is not always the most exciting text to copy, and I suppose a compromise is the W1AW code practise sessions (which I used so as to figure out my code copying speed). Anyone have any real data on this? Do people who teach the code ever use real radios in class, and do teachers even have students send code? Derek Wills (AA5BT, G3NMX) Department of Astronomy, University of Texas, Austin TX 78712. (512-471-1392) oo7@astro.as.utexas.edu ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 02:11:29 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!carreiro@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Mobile Radio Theft Insurance? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Macy Hallock (macy@telemax.com) wrote: : Don't know if this is useful to you in your case. You might also want : to ask about such coverage as an adjunct to your homeowners insurance. : It's not the much different than fine art or jewelry coverage. The : issues are the cost per $100, the deductible, and claims procedures. On that note, I'd like to caution everyone who thinks that their homeowner's insurance policy "personal property" coverage will cover mobile gear. I had assumed that my Allstate coverage, which covered personal property outside the home (up to 10% of the personal property value, ie: $50,000 personal property coverage yields $5,000 coverage for property outside the home), would cover my mobile radio gear. Unfortunately I had a chance to test out that policy early this year. 4 rigs, antennas and a scanner taken. I went though the entire process of making a claim, providing receipts, serial numbers and pictures. Thoughout the process I was given the impression that there would be no problem. Then, right when I thought I would receive my settlement, they came up with a clause in the policy that said something to the effect that they do not cover any equipment that gets its power from the car battery and reproduces audio. They directed me to my auto insurance which to no suprise said if it was not previously declared on the policy, they would not cover it. My point: I would have attained other insurance if I had known that my personal property coverage did not cover "gear that gets its power from the car's battery, and reproduces audio". Don't fall into that gap! Hopeing your mobiles are safe, secure and insured (as mine now are!).... 73 for now. Paul N6HCS -- carreiro@netcom.com N6HCS@N0ARY.#NOCAL.CA.USA.NA ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 1994 02:13:48 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!library.ucla.edu!ucsbuxb.ucsb.edu!mcl!uznerk@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Mods for Standard C228A? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Subject says it all. I just picked up a Standard C228A 2m/220 HT and I'm wondering if there are any mods available. I've seen mods for the sister HT C528A but not for the 228. Thanks in advance! Andy -- Andrew Krenz KE6BIP | Warning: This signature file has been determined uznerk@mcl.ucsb.edu | to cause cancer in laboratory animals. ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 02:33:08 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!howland.reston.ans.net!agate!library.ucla.edu!csulb.edu!csus.edu!netcom.com!sethr@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Radio Interface to Internet? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Ok this might be a really dumb question - but I am going to ask it anyway. If one needed to download truly large files from the Internet (say in the range of 100 files of 50 megs each every day) - then the first thing that jumps to mind is - direct connect and bring in a T1 trunk from the *phone company* and lease it for about $900 per month - right? Is this actually the most economical way to do it? Couldn't an enterprising network provider who is already hooked up to the net just interface with a radio transmitter that could put data on the air waves and allow anyone with a receiver/modem to pick it up for the cost of the equipment and the cost to the network provider? Hey I told you it was a dumb question before you started reading! ***************************************************************** Click-On-Us (tm) Voice: 206.235.6119 The Print Broker of the Internet Fax: 206.227.6608 Email: sethr@netcom.com Addr: Renton, Washington Find "The World List of Desktop Publishers" on the Web URL=ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/conus/click.html ***************************************************************** ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 05:12:02 GMT From: amd!amdahl!amdahl.uts.amdahl.com!netnews@decwrl.dec.com Subject: rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions (Part 1 of 3) To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Posted-By: auto-faq 3.1.1.4 Archive-name: radio/ham-radio/faq/part1 Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This is a regular posting of frequently-asked questions (FAQ) about Amateur Radio, also known as Ham Radio. It is intended to summarize some common questions on the rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup and Info-Hams mail list as well as to help beginners get started. Please provide a copy of the FAQ to any new or soon-to-be Hams you know. Regular FAQ postings can help save network bandwidth and maintain a good signal-to-noise ratio in the newsgroup. However, they can't do it alone - you, the reader, have to use them. * If you are a new user, please print and review the FAQ articles and look at the instructions in the news.announce.newusers newsgroup before posting any articles. If you don't find the answer in the FAQ and you have tried elsewhere, then you have "done your homework" and it is acceptable to ask the question on the UseNet newsgroups. Along with your question, please state where else you have looked for the answer so others also know that you have done your homework. * If you are an experienced user, please help by refraining from answering frequently-asked questions on the newsgroup if they are already answered by the FAQ articles. Instead, send e-mail to the user who asked the question. (It will be helpful if you include the part of the FAQ that answers their question, but not the whole thing.) The FAQ cannot always prevent people from posting repetitive questions. But even if hundreds of questions get posted, it saves you from having to answer them hundreds of times. Also, a friendly pointer to the FAQ in your first answer can help that person refer to the FAQ in the future. That is when we can begin to get a real savings of network bandwidth. To reduce the size of each article, the FAQ information is posted in 3 parts: Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions Table of Contents ----------------- Dates indicate last modification. Part 1 - Introduction to the FAQ and Amateur Radio ** Table of Contents (6/93) ** Introduction to the FAQ (11/92) * How to Contribute to the FAQ Articles (6/93) * Do Not Ask Questions of the Editors (8/94) * Acknowledgements (6/93) * Notes on "Netiquette" (1/93) ** What is Amateur Radio? (11/92) ** Who can become a ham? (6/93) ** Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio? (9/93) ** How much does it cost? (9/92) ** Where can I take the tests? (9/93) ** What are the tests like? (6/93) ** What can I do with a ham radio license? (5/92) ** What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license? (pre-4/92) ** I'm interested, who will help me? (11/92) ** Should I build my own equipment or antenna? (11/92) Part 2 - Amateur Radio Organizations, Services, and Information Sources ** Where can I find Ham Radio information with a computer? (8/94) * Mosaic, World-Wide Web, Gopher, and WAIS (8/94) * The rec.radio.* newsgroups (2/94) * The ARRL e-mail server (1/93) * The KA6ETB e-mail "HAM-server" (2/94) * The Internet File Transfer Protocol (FTP) (2/94) * Access to FTP archives via electronic mail (1/93) * The Ham-Radio mail list: rec.radio.amateur.misc by mail (9/93) * Telephone BBS's with Ham-related information (9/93) * Callsign servers and geographical name servers (1/94) * FTP access to FCC Part 97 and FCC Amateur Radio question pools (1/94) * Lists of radio modifications and extensions (2/94) ** Can I send ARRL or W5YI electronic mail? (11/92) ** "Why doesn't the ARRL do...?" (11/92) ** What magazines are available for Ham Radio? (pre-4/92) ** How do I use the incoming and outgoing QSL bureau? (11/92) ** Are there any news groups for CAP? (11/92) ** What's the name of the QRP club that issues QRP numbers? (9/93) ** How do I become a 10-10 member? (9/93) ** How do I join MARS? (9/93) ** How do I join RACES? (pre-4/92) ** What organizations are available to help handicapped hams? (pre-4/92) ** I am looking for a specific ham, can anyone help me find him? (6/93) ** Can I post my neat new ham related program on rec.radio.amateur.misc? (pre-4/92) ** Where can I get ham radio software for my computer? (9/93) ** Are there Dialup News services or BBSs for Amateur Radio? (4/92) ** Where can I find VE sessions in my local area? (9/93) ** Why isn't XXX available electronically? (1/94) ** I'd like to volunteer to help ham radio through electronic information services like those mentioned in this FAQ list. Where should I start? (2/94) Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions ** What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do? (pre-4/92) ** What is the best way to learn Morse Code? (10/92) ** What is the standard for measuring Morse code speed? (pre-4/92) ** What is the standard phonetic alphabet? (new 9/93) ** I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean??? (6/93) ** What do all those "tones" mean? (pre-4/92) ** Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio if I live outside the US? (9/93) ** How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another country (on vacation)? (9/93) ** My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what do I do? (9/93) ** I got TVI...HELP!!! (9/93) ** Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham? (pre-4/92) ** On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio? (10/92) ** Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission of the captain? (4/92) ** How do I modify my current Amateur license? (9/93) ** I'm confused about XXX, should I ask the FCC? (9/93) ** Is there any information on antique radios? (pre-4/92) ** Where can I buy vacuum tubes? (9/93) ** What do I need to get started in packet radio? (9/93) ** What do I need to get started in satellite communications? (9/93) ** What is available to get started in ATV, SSTV and WEFAX? (9/93) ** What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate? (9/93) --Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions------------------Part 1-- ** Introduction to the FAQ * How to Contribute to the FAQ Articles We accept suggestions from the Amateur Radio community. Please consider that all new contributions need to be SHORT and concise in order to be included. If a contribution is too long, the FAQ editors can help you find a more appropriate FTP archive or mail server for your article. We always accept corrections. Please allow some time (often not the next issue of the FAQ) because the FAQ maintainers do this as volunteers so each must give higher priority to their employers. Send correspondence to hamradio-faq@amdahl.com so that it will reach all the FAQ coordinators: (listed in alphabetical order) Ed Hare KA1CV ehare@arrl.org (Newington, CT, USA) Jack GF Hill W4PPT root@jackatak.raider.net(Brentwood, TN, USA) Ian Kluft KD6EUI ikluft@oes.amdahl.com (Santa Clara, CA, USA) Paul Schleck KD3FU pschleck@gonix.com (Omaha, NE, USA) Chris Swartout N6WCP cas30@uts.amdahl.com (San Jose, CA, USA) Steve Watt KD6GGD steve@wattres.sj.ca.us (San Jose, CA, USA) Rosalie White WA1STO rwhite@arrl.org (Newington, CT, USA) Derek Wills AA5BT oo7@astro.as.utexas.edu (Austin, TX, USA) * Do Not Ask Questions of the Editors We wish it wasn't necessary to say this. Please don't send questions to the editors (unless you are sending an answer with it as a submission for the FAQ.) The proper procedure for questions on UseNet is 1) Read the FAQ, 2) if it isn't there, check other sources, and 3) post on the newsgroup. The Internet has become an atmoshpere where questions are asked of everyone as if they have an infinite amount of time to help. The volunteers who maintain the FAQ do not have time to answer questions. Some FAQ maintainers on the Net have been led to believe that no good deed goes unpunished - let's avoid bringing the same end to this effort. * Acknowledgements All questions listed as modified "pre-4/92" are entirely Diana Carlson KC1SP's work or her editing of a contributor's work. Diana established this FAQ and credit is due to her for founding this project. Thanks to Devon Bowen KA2NRC for accepting this FAQ in e-mail every month to keep the FTP archive at ftp.cs.buffalo.edu up-to-date. * Notes on "Netiquette" The rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup and Info-Hams mail list have a large daily volume of traffic. They can operate more efficiently if the following netiquette guidelines are followed. Please take them seriously. * If you are new to UseNet, the introductory articles in news.announce.newusers are required reading. Go to that newsgroup now. Definitely, read the instructions there before posting anything. Other rec.radio.amateur.* readers will appreciate it! * Pick the right newsgroup. Use only the most specific newsgroup for your subject. For example, a question about a homebrew antenna only needs to be posted to rec.radio.amateur.antenna. Also, don't post to rec.radio.amateur.misc when the subject can go in another rec.radio.amateur.* newsgroup. So, when there is a more specific newsgroup, that's the one you want. * When posting a followup article, ALWAYS try to minimize the number of lines of quoted material from the original article. * As a general rule when you try to determine whether to reply to someone by e-mail or with a followup article, remember to "praise in public, criticize in private." It's OK to disagree technically but be careful not to attack the person with whom you disagree. Also, be careful with your use of the word "you" when posting a follow-up article. Many unnecessary flame wars have started that way. * Use a descriptive subject. For example, a message subject of "Ham Radio" tells the reader NOTHING about the contents of your article since the whole newsgroup is about Ham Radio. Other examples of subjects which are so broad that they become useless could include, "Help," "A Question," "Antennas," or "Frequencies." Maybe "Books on Antennas?" or "Where can I find Repeater Frequencies?" would be better, for example. Remember, in a busy newsgroup a lot of users decide which articles to read from the subject line alone. If you post, don't deprive yourself of an audience! * Before answering a question, check if the FAQ adequately answers it or if someone else already answered it. If you have more to add, make sure to reference either the FAQ or the related articles. * If a user posts a question which is directly answered by the FAQ, there is no need to post an answer - the information is already available on the newsgroup. Instead, just send an e-mail message which politely explains where to find the FAQ. They will probably appreciate it if you include the answer to their question. (Don't send a "nastygram" - that would just discourage future participa- tion.) * Pay attention to the size of your audience - use the "Distribution:" header. If you leave it blank, your message will go to every civ- ilized country in the world and occupy disk space in all news sys- tems in all those places. If that's what you intend, that's fine but make sure your article is relevant outside your country. (In particular, Hams should already know there is more to the world than just their own country.) * If you have an item for sale, please limit the distribution area so that, for example, an article about a radio for sale in New Jersey won't get to California or Europe. If you wish, you may cross-post your for-sale article to rec.radio.swap. * Software sources should be posted to either alt.sources, comp.sources.misc, or comp.sources.* for a specific machine type. Software binaries should be posted to the appropriate subgroup of comp.binaries. ** What is Amateur Radio? Amateur Radio is a non-commercial radio communication service whose primary aims are public service, technical training and experimenta- tion, and communication between private persons. Amateur Radio opera- tors are commonly called hams. Hams often communicate with each other recreationally but also provide communications for others at public events or in times of emergency or disaster. ** Who can become a ham? The answer to this question differs in every country. The answer for the USA is listed below. If your country has a newsgroup specifically for it (i.e. UK, Australia, Germany) the most accurate answers can be found there. See Part 2 for the list of region-specific newsgroups. If that doesn't help, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) may be able to help because they communicate with similar organizations in other countries, probably including yours. They can be reached by electronic mail or surface mail (see Part 2.) In the USA, anyone who is not a representative of a foreign government can be an Amateur Radio operator. There are tests that you must pass to get a license, however the tests are not insurmountable. On that general level, the requirements are probably similar in almost every country. For more information on becoming a Ham in the USA, the ARRL has a toll-free number where you can request information: 1-800-32-NEW-HAM (don't worry about the number being one digit too long - the phone system ignores it.) Other information can also be obtained from the ARRL e-mail information server in the file called PROSPECT. Details on the server are in Part 2. ** Where can I locate information and books on Amateur Radio? Your local Radio Shack sells some ham radios and Amateur Radio license books. Books can also be obtained through the mail from ham radio organizations, such as ARRL in Newington, CT (203-666-1541) and W5YI in Dallas, TX (1-800-669-9594). There may be one or two ham radio stores in the local area (ie, within 50 miles). Try looking in the Yellow Pages under Radio Communications. For the Novice license, get a Novice License manual, plus 5-word-per- minute Morse code tapes, costing around $25. For the Technician lic- ense, get a combined Novice and Technician License manual, and an FCC Rules manual, costing around $32. The FCC Rules manual is a good idea for Novice also, but not necessary, since the Novice License manual contains all the FCC Rules that are required for the Novice License. The ARRL Education Activities Department has several programs to help amateurs (or prospective amateurs) to get started. Ask for a "New prospect package" available free of charge, from ARRL HQ, Educational Activities Department, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Information on Ham Radio can also be obtained with your computer. Part 2 of this FAQ contains a significant amount of material on that subject. ** How much does it cost? To take the tests for any class of amateur radio license, there is a small charge (around $5-$6 currently) to cover copying costs and running the testing sessions. (Due to changes in 1993, Novice tests are under same procedures as the others.) The cost of a radio is really dependent on what you want to do. You can make your own radio and antenna for under $150. You can buy a used single-band radio for $150-$300. Or you can buy a new multi-band multi-mode radio with all the doodads for $300-$3000. I'd suggest you learn more about ham radio, talk to local hams, find out what you want to do with ham radio first. ** Where can I take the tests? The Novice tests Used to be given by any two qualified hams of General class license or above. Now all the license tests are given by three qualified Volunteer Examiners (VEs) who volunteer their time. To locate an ARRL testing session in your area, you can contact ARRL at 203-666-1541 x282. See also the section "Where can I find VE sessions in my local area?" in Part 2 because more information is available via UseNet. ** What are the tests like? First off, come prepared to VE sessions. Bring: TWO forms of ID, one of which has a picture on it; a calculator (if necessary); a pen and two pencils; the applicable examination fee (around $5-$6 for 1993); the original AND a copy of your current Amateur Radio license (if you have one); the original AND a copy of any CSCEs for tests you've already passed (if you have any). Each of the written tests (Novice, Technician, General, Advanced, and Extra) are generally a multiple choice test of approximately one- tenth of the question pool. For example, if the question pool is approximately 300 questions, then the test will be a 30-question test. You need to get 75% correct to pass. Note that they truncate to determine the correct number of questions. That means for a 30 question test, you need to get 22 right, which is actually only 73.3%. Once you've paid the small fee for Technician-Extra tests, it costs no extra to take another test, so I'd suggest you keep taking the next more advanced test until you fail. If you pass the written but not the Morse code (or vice versa) for a specific class license, you have up to one year to take the other test before you would have to retake the written test again. Note that some VEs will not allow you to take the written test unless you've first taken the Morse code test. The Morse code test is a receiving test only. The test run 5 to 7 minutes. After the test, you are given a 10-question multiple-choice or fill-in-the-blank test. Passing grade is 7 or more. If you fail the 10-question test, the examiner team will examine your copy sheet to see if you have 1 minute of solid copy with no errors. For 5 wpm, that's 25 characters, for 13 wpm, that's 65 characters, for 20 wpm, that's 100 characters. If they can find 1 minute solid copy, you've still passed. Hints on Morse code tests: Generally, it will be a standard QSO (conversation), and it MUST contain at least one of each of the following: 26 letters A-Z, 10 numbers 0-9, comma (,), period (.), slant or slash (/), question mark (?), double dash prosign (BT), end of message prosign (AR), end of contact prosign (SK). The letters count as one character, all others count as two characters. There are a couple other prosigns which are worth knowing, but will not be on the test, like "I'm done talking, next" is K, "I'm done talking, back to you" is KN, "Please wait" is AS. ** What can I do with a ham radio license? There are so many things, it's a difficult question to answer, but here's some ideas: * Talk to people in foreign countries. * Talk to people (both local and far away) on your drive to work. * Help in emergencies by providing communications. * Provide communications in parades or walkathons. * Help other people become hams. * Hook your computer to your radio and communicate by computers. * Collect QSL cards (cards from other hams) from all over the United States and foreign countries and receive awards. * Participate in contests or Field Day events. * Provide radio services to your local Civil Defense organization thru ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) or RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service). * Aid members of the US military by joining MARS (Military Affiliate Radio System). * Participate in transmitter hunt games and maybe build your own direction-finding equipment. * Have someone to talk to on those sleepless nights at home. * Receive weather pictures via satellites. * Build radios, antennas, learn some electronics and radio theory. * Talk to astronauts in space, or use the moon to bounce signals back to people on the Earth. * Experiment with Amateur TV (ATV), Slow-Scan TV (SSTV), or send still-frame pictures by facsimile. * Experiment with amateur satellite communications. ** What can't I do with an Amateur Radio license? The most important thing you can't do is transact business of any kind over ham radio. Interference to other hams or services, as well as obscene, profane or indecent language is not tolerated and is illegal. Music and broadcasting are not allowed on ham radio. Some personal conversations may not be appropriate to Amateur Radio. Do you really want the whole world to hear about Aunt Mabel's hemorrhoids? ** I'm interested, who will help me? There are hams who are willing to become "Elmers" (mentors, helpers) in your local area. Look around and ask local hams. Search out local radio clubs. As well, some people have volunteered to be an Elmer over the Usenet. A list of UseNet Elmers and their e-mail addresses is posted to the newsgroup monthly. If anyone wants to be an Elmer, send e-mail to elmers-request@unomaha.edu There is also a lot to be said for exploring on your own. Take a look around the FTP archives and e-mail servers listed in Part 2. There's so much out there on UseNet, you'll find plenty of things you're interested in. ** Should I build my own equipment or antenna? [see also rec.radio.amateur.homebrew and rec.radio.amateur.antenna] "Homebrewing" is a fun and educational part of ham radio. It is a thrill to build your own transmitter and put it on the air. However, building your own receiver can be quite complicated; if you don't have electronics experience, you may want to buy a receiver instead. Most homebrew transmitters are QRP (transmit very low power). That's fine for an experienced ham with a very good antenna, but a Novice ham will just get frustrated. Your first rig, therefore should NOT be a home- brew. Antennas can be much simpler projects than the transceiver, though some types are also quite involved. Most hams build their own anten- nas for base station use and buy antennas for mobile (car) use. Most beginner ham books describe how to build different types of antennas. Order of difficulty, from easiest to more difficult, for some common antennas are: wire dipole, Zepp, Yagi, Quad, and Log-Periodic. Books from many sources, including ARRL and several Hams, discuss antennas in depth. When building or even understanding antennas, it is good to know the relationship between the antenna element length and the frequency or wavelength it is designed for. An antenna performs best at multiples of 1/4 of that wavelength, though 5/8 wave also has beneficial qualit- ies. The wavelength is related to the frequency with the following formula: wavelength (in meters) = 300 / frequency (in megahertz) You do not need a huge antenna or tower like ones you may see around your neighborhood. Large beam antennas and 40-foot towers are very expensive. As a beginner, a simple dipole antenna is perfectly adequate. As you gain experience (and money :-), you may want to invest in something bigger. If you can afford new rigs and antennas, there are many mail order stores that advertise in ham radio magazines. If you want to buy a used rig, the best place is at a "hamfest" (ham flea market). You should take along an experienced ham, since some of the used equipment may be inoperative, overpriced or poor quality. You can also answer ads in ham magazines or posted at ham radio stores, although often, by the time you call, the equipment has already been sold. ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 1994 03:16:19 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!math.ohio-state.edu!magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu!afabro@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Shuttle Freqs To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Hello, Was wondering if anyone knows the frequencies that the shuttle uses for communications to earth or for other uses. I have a friend who wants to try to listen even though he doesn't have much in the way of a radio and antenna to listen with. Sorry if this is in a FAQ somewhere. Thanks Tony N8RRB afabro@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu ------------------------------ Date: 21 Aug 1994 20:04:32 -0400 From: news1.digex.net!digex.net!not-for-mail@uunet.uu.net Subject: TEK 486 300Mhz Oscilloscope Sale/Swap To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Selling Tek 485 O'scope. Dual channel. The 300 Mhz range does not work but all other ranges work up to 150Mhz. Tektronix tells me it's a switch contact. Asking $350 or will swap for Pro-43 scanner or AOR1000 (Any handheld scanner w/UHF Air). I prefer interested parties to be in the Maryland area so those interested can come by to check out the scope in person if they wish. E-mail me if interested. Andy N3LCW ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 19 Aug 94 13:56:25 GMT From: news2.new-york.net!starcomm.overleaf.com!n2ayj!n2ayj@uunet.uu.net Subject: Whence QST? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu A while ago, the question arose about QST (the signal). I related that it was a Made-in-Newington Q code because that was what I was told. Then I received the following. I pass it along in the interest of accuracy, and because I found it mondo interesting. +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ ------------------------------ Date: 22 Aug 1994 00:42:29 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!munnari.oz.au!comp.vuw.ac.nz!connolly@network.ucsd.edu Subject: Which group for BBC? To: info-hams@ucsd.edu Apologies in advance if this is the wrong group, but..... I am trying to find the e-mail address for the BBC. This seems to be the most appropriate group, but it's not quite it. If anyone knows, I'd be grateful. I'll even accept abuse for using the wrong group if you can tell me where I should have looked, Ta, Patrick ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 01:44:57 GMT From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!swrinde!emory!wa4mei!ke4zv!gary@network.ucsd.edu To: info-hams@ucsd.edu References <332quu$l1h@ornews.intel.com>, <1994Aug20.174007.11384@ke4zv.atl.ga.us>, <777510136snz@arkas.demon.co.uk> Reply-To : gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us (Gary Coffman) Subject : Re: Does 73 Magazine have In article <777510136snz@arkas.demon.co.uk> Michael@arkas.demon.co.uk writes: >Ham Radio magazine. Haven't picked up a copy for years. Is it still published? Sadly, no. CQ bought it and closed it. All they wanted was to assume the subscriber list to temporarily boost their circulation figures and enhance ad revenue. I suspect few _Ham Radio_ subscribers renewed CQ after their subscriptions ran out. CQ did throw us a sop though. They publish _Communications Quarterly_. As the name suggests, it comes out 4 times a year, and it's of moderately good technical quality. About the best US amateur publication still in print as a matter of fact. Of course the $9.95 cover price is somewhat off putting. If your interest in radio is even moderately technical, your best bet is to subscribe to the RSGB magazine, or if you read Japanese, to the Japanese _Ham Radio_ magazine. Both are much superior to any of the remaining US publications. That leads me to a question for our non-US readers. What is the best amateur radio magazine in the world? Capsule reviews of non-US magazines would be most welcome. 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 | | gary@ke4zv.atl.ga.us ------------------------------ Date: (null) From: (null) QST is a standardized Q signal from the International Conventions dating from around 1910 or maybe the 1912 conventions. It is used as: QST "A general call to all stations" QST IMI "Have you received the general call to all stations?" It was widely used in the maritime services until the middle to late 1920's, but for some reason it is not listed in any manuals after about 1927. It is listed in Irwin's RADIO from 1922, and in the US Army Training Circular No. 522(?) of 1922, as an international Q signal QST was borrowed by the ARRL as its logo for the magazine in 1915, starting with the first issue, since it was the ham equivalent of a "general call to all stations", in print. I have been unable to find out why it is discontinued from the published lists after about 1927. Bob NA4G +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Bob notes that Morse [VAIL!] has been in his family for over 100 years. I believe he is telling the truth :-) Cool beans, Bob. TU ES 73 -- Stan Olochwoszcz, N2AYJ - n2ayj@n2ayj.overleaf.com "If tin whistles are made of tin, what do they make foghorns out of?" - Lonnie Donnegan and his Skiffle Group. And the song was...? ------------------------------ End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #943 ******************************