QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/940951.txt

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Date: Tue, 23 Aug 94 09:31:00 PDT
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
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Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #951
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Tue, 23 Aug 94       Volume 94 : Issue  951

Today's Topics:
                   Can you 6M U.S. coast to coast?
                            FLAME the FCC
                          GB2RS News format
                   Help please identifying a signal
                   IPS Daily Report - 22 August 94
                         Learning CW (2 msgs)
     pcfans.zip - Network survey & summaries of keeping PCs cool
                  Ragchewing conversational protocol
                         Rat Shat Scanner Ban
                         Slow Code idea by Wa
                         U QSL buros - hwsat?
                     WANTED: OLD MORSE CODE KEYS
                XYL Reactions (snicker- Kodak moment)

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: 22 Aug 1994 23:46:02 -0400
From: newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com![e-mail]
Subject: Can you 6M U.S. coast to coast?
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (Steve Phillips) writes:

>Can you 6M U.S. coast to coast?
>If so, how much power and what antenna type is best?

When there are no propagation enhancements going on, you'll have local
communications with considerably better coverage than the higher VHF
bands.  When the band is open due to Sporadic-E propagation, which can
happen anytime, you'll cover about half of the US.  When the band is open
due to F2 propagation, which happens at peaks of the sunspot-cycle, you
can cover the world.

My experience has been with relatively low power 6 meter stations with
modest antennas.  I've run 1 to 50 watts into dipoles, verticals, and
three-element yagis, at heights of usually about 20-30 feet.  And I've had
a ball on six meters!  I monitor FM almost all the time (52.525 MHz
simplex) and tune the SSB/CW part of the band whenever the mode strikes or
I hear longer-than-usual-ranged activity on FM.  All else equal, SSB and
CW will outperform FM.  But once the band opens, anything goes.

Steve  WD8DAS    [e-mail]

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 09:04:06 -0400
From: newstf01.cr1.aol.com!search01.news.aol.com![e-mail]
Subject: FLAME the FCC
To: [e-mail]

..In article <33b9mv$[e-mail]>,
[e-mail] (William J. G. Frey) writes:

..My son and I took our no code tech exam on MAY 15 this year. My son
..is 17 years and was all hyped up about the exam. He wanted to pass
..badly. Well, he did, he passed both parts with 100%. I did not as
..but passed anyway.

..Now, 14 weeks later we still do not have our licenses. Vacation passed
..where we could have used our radios, other times passed, but still no
..license. A call to the ARRL only confirmed that they sent the results
..to the FCC. Otherwise they do not do anything for your dues.

..What is taking the FCC so long? Anyone else any good ideas to fire up
..some action from those lazy bastards? But like they say, government
..workers (an oxymoron) are the lowest of all.

..Had to get this of my (mild mannered otherwise) chest.

--
..Bill and Tim  . . . .  Father and Son
..Hard core railfans and photographers
..No track is safe from us, anywhere, anytime.



Have you by chance called the FCC license bureau in Gettysburg, Penn.  The
number is 1-717-337-1212.  Maybe there was a mistake.  And, what did you
expect the ARRL to do?

Jeff, KE4AUT

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

Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 12:49:42 +0000
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!emory!metro.atlanta.com!mhv.net!news.sprintlink.net!demon!llondel.demon.co.uk![e-mail]
Subject: GB2RS News format
To: [e-mail]

I have received various requests from non-UK amateurs for copies of the
GB2RS news to be sent to them so they can upload it onto their local
packet system. On that basis, I am considering changing the format of
what appears on Usenet to be the file I use for import to my packet BBS,
with all the 'SB NEWS @ GBR' etc headers, complete with BIDs. It will
break the news up a bit but it will make it easier for those wanting to
put it on their local network.

Anyone got any comments or preferences?

One small point - please *do not* do something daft like send it @WW
because that will cause me to revert to the current format. Weekly news
is totally unsuited to such a distribution, based the amount of WW junk
which arrives here at least a week after it was originally posted.

Dave
--

*****************************************************************************
* G4WRW @ GB7WRW.#41.GBR.EU AX25     *                                      *
* [e-mail]  Internet *  Stop the World! I want to get off!  *
* [e-mail]      Amprnet  *                                      *
*****************************************************************************

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

Date: 23 Aug 94 08:41:49 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!howland.reston.ans.net!pipex!bt!sol![e-mail]
Subject: Help please identifying a signal
To: [e-mail]

In article [e-mail], [e-mail] (Richard Lamont) writes:
> [e-mail] (Allan Bell) writes:
>
>
> >Can anyone help me identify a signal please. During a meteor watch
> >on 144.975 MHz I picked up two long bursts of an FSK morse signal
> >between 19:39 UT and 19:42 UT Friday 12 August. It was 2 to 3 KHz
> >high of my listening frequency. The signal consisted of 5 character
> >groups of what appeared to be random letters. The data rate is quite
> >high, much higher than normal practice transmissions.
>
>
> What are these characters then?
>

If you read the original post, I believe he said "random letters".

Francis

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

Date: Mon, 22 Aug 1994 23:15:57 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!galaxy.ucr.edu!library.ucla.edu!agate!msuinfo!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!news.cs.su.oz.au!metro!ipso![e-mail]
Subject: IPS Daily Report - 22 August 94
To: [e-mail]

SUBJ: IPS DAILY SOLAR AND GEOPHYSICAL REPORT
ISSUED AT 22/2330Z AUGUST 1994 BY IPS RADIO AND SPACE SERVICES
FROM THE REGIONAL WARNING CENTRE (RWC), SYDNEY.
SUMMARY FOR 22 AUGUST AND FORECAST FOR 23 AUGUST - 25 AUGUST
-----------------------------------------------------------
1A. SOLAR SUMMARY
Activity: very low

Flares: none.

Observed 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number :  71/6

GOES satellite data for 21 Aug
       Daily Proton Fluence >1 MeV:   5.4E+05
       Daily Proton Fluence >10 MeV:  1.3E+04
       Daily Electron Fluence >2 MeV: 1.0E+07
       X-ray background: A2.0
Fluence (flux accumulation over 24hrs)/ cm2-ster-day.

1B. SOLAR FORECAST
             23 Aug             24 Aug             25 Aug
Activity     Very low           Very low           Very low
Fadeouts     None expected      None expected      None expected

Forecast 10.7 cm flux/Equivalent Sunspot Number for 23 Aug:  70/5

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

Estimated Indices : A   K           Observed A Index 21 Aug
    Learmonth        7  2122 2223
    Fredericksburg   7                           8
    Planetary        7                           8

Observed Kp for 21 Aug: 3211 3321
2B. MAGNETIC FORECAST
DATE      Ap    CONDITIONS
23 Aug    10    Quiet to unsettled
24 Aug    15    Unsettled to active
25 Aug    10    Quiet to unsettled
COMMENT: Brief active periods are possible on 23-25 Aug.
-----------------------------------------------------------
3A. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION SUMMARY
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
22 Aug      normal         normal         normal
PCA Event : None.

3B. GLOBAL HF PROPAGATION FORECAST
                LATITUDE BAND
DATE        LOW            MIDDLE         HIGH
23 Aug      normal         normal         normal
24 Aug      normal         normal         normal-fair
25 Aug      normal         normal         normal-fair

-----------------------------------------------------------
4A. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC SUMMARY
       Observed
DATE   T-index  MUFs at Sydney
22 Aug    22    near predicted monthly values

Predicted Monthly T-index for August: 20

4B. AUSTRALIAN REGION IONOSPHERIC FORECAST
DATE   T-index  MUFs
23 Aug    20    Near predicted monthly values
24 Aug    20    Near predicted monthly values
25 Aug    18    Near predicted monthly values

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

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 01:47:58 -0500
From: cs.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Learning CW
To: [e-mail]

Learning CW with a computer is just fine.
But: Don't trust your computer/program blindly. Let an experienced CW op
check your program running on your computer. I've heard terrible CW made
by PCs and other computers.

I was infortunate enough to start learning from a set of tapes...
That's hard cuz u learn the texts by heart after a few repititions.
(But it's still better than poor code if there's something wrong with
ur computer.)

Anyway, I found it a relief to switch from the tapes to a computer.

The transition to the real world did not seem to be a real problem.
After all, you don't start QSOing with hard-to-read DX or QRP stns.
Problems arise most of all from the fact that the station you want
to copy is not necessarily on the freq where u expect it.
It's like driving a car, if you're not used to do it you think
you have to do so many things at the same time.
- searching the right qrg
- identifying the station
- writing down the code
- writing the data in the log
- thinking about what u wanna reply...

But everybody can manage this after a little while. Perseverance
is the key word. IT'S WORTH IT.

73 de Martin, [e-mail]

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 01:38:12 -0500
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!news.cerf.net!nntp-server.caltech.edu!news.claremont.edu!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!cs.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: Learning CW
To: [e-mail]

Learning CW with a computer is just fine.
But: Don't trust your computer/program blindly. Let an experienced CW op
check your program running on your computer. I've heard terrible CW made
by PCs and other computers.

I was infortunate enough to start learning from a set of tapes...
That's hard cuz u learn the texts by heart after a few reptitions.

So I found it a relief to switch over to a computer...

The transition to the real world did not seem to be a real problem.

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

Date: Tue, 23 Aug 1994 01:26:50 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!mvb.saic.com!MathWorks.Com!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!howland.reston.ans.net!wupost!simtel.coast.net![e-mail]
Subject: pcfans.zip - Network survey & summaries of keeping PCs cool
To: [e-mail]

I have uploaded to the SimTel Software Repository (available by anonymous
ftp from the primary mirror site OAK.Oakland.Edu and its mirrors):

SimTel/misc/info/
pcfans.zip      Network survey & summaries of keeping PCs cool

PCFANS.ZIP is an 85+ response survey about PC fan designs and success or
failure at keeping one's PC cool.  Respondent messages and two summaries
(one technical and one highlighting network ops) are included.  All
solicitations and collection were done over the Amateur packet radio
network and the study gives an interesting numerical analysis of network
response time.

FreeText.  Uploaded by the author.

Brian Mork
[e-mail]
ka9snf@ka7fvv.#ewa.wa.usa
USMail 6006-B Eaker, Fairchild, WA 99O11
V:509-244-3764  D:509-244-9260

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

Date: 22 Aug 94 15:14:50 EDT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!dog.ee.lbl.gov!agate!library.ucla.edu!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!emory!dragon!indigo!hayes![e-mail]
Subject: Ragchewing conversational protocol
To: [e-mail]

In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Gary Coffman) writes:
>
> Ah, but you *can* remain silent if you have nothing to contribute.
> That happens all the time on our repeater. We may have a dozen
> stations in QSO, and none may have anything of interest to say at a
> particular moment, so we all remain silent. Sooner or later, someone
> will have something to say and conversation will pick back up hot and
> heavy. We eschew strict rotation format because that does tend to lead
> to banal comments and stilted conversation.

True. But the only down side to this method of repeater use is the incredible
number of doubles. (or even Triples!) Then everyone wastes more time repeating
what they just said, or sending transmissions to ensure that what they said
got through.

Once you get used to it, it is kinda nice not having to wait around for
your turn in the rotation. And if you are feeling introspective, you can
not say anything, or quitely signoff.

> Well of course contests remove the problem by removing the necessity
> of having *content* in the conversation. It's just a meaningless
> formalized exchange, over quickly, and on to the next station so the
> same contentless exchange can be repeated ad infinitum, ad nauesam.

Oh, come on, Gary. The best part of contests is the fun, not the exchange.
And even in the hottest 'tests, even the best contest ops take a few minutes
to toss off a quick comment on occasion. It isn't all meaningless
exchanges.

Contests may not be for everyone, but they can be fun for a lot of folks.

--
Bill Coleman, AA4LR                ! Internet: [e-mail]
Principal Software Engineer        ! AppleLink: D1958
Hayes Microcomputer Products, Inc. ! CIS: 76067,2327
POB 105203 Atlanta, GA 30348 USA   !
Disclaimer: "My employer doesn't pay me to have opinions."
Quote: "The same light shines on vineyards that makes deserts." -Steve Hackett.

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 03:50:50 GMT
From: ihnp4.ucsd.edu!munnari.oz.au!yarrina.connect.com.au!harbinger.cc.monash.edu.au!yeshua.marcam.com!charnel.ecst.csuchico.edu!nic-nac.CSU.net![e-mail]
Subject: Rat Shat Scanner Ban
To: [e-mail]

David Harpe ([e-mail]) wrote:

> The ECPA makes using the gear illegal.  This is impossible to enforce
> widespread, and the legal folks know it.  So they took the next logical
> step:  Cut it off at the source.  They made it illegal to MANUFACTURE
> equipment which is capable of receiving the forbidden bands.  So most
> manufacturers modified their scanners so that reception could be enabled
> or disabled by adding or cutting a simple jumper.  It was cheap, and it
> followed the letter of the law.  (I'm one of those who thinks that the
> manufacturers used this method because it was the most cost effective
> solution to an engineering problem...NOT to protect scanner enthusiasts).
> But the legal guys didn't like what was happening.  They saw just as many
> scanners being used, and an entirely new market being created for
> modifications.  Not only that, scanner usage might actually have
> INCREASED.   Some people probably got a kick out of it more since they
> had to pop the thing open and cut a "secret wire" (sort of like the bozos
> who used CB radios with Linears).
> So, the legal folks made it illegal to manufacture equipment which is
> "EASILY MODIFIABLE" to receive the forbidden frequencies.  So now the
> manufacturers have to design their units so that they are practically
> destroyed if you try to modify them.  They do this by sealing key chips
> in epoxy, blasting new ROMs, etc.
  *** Stuff Deleted ***

I agree with you 100%.  What you got is a law that's unenforceable.  Sort
of like a law that L.A. County has had for a few months, making it illegal
to be on a street corner trying to solicit work (day laborers) in
unincorporated areas.  The L.A. County DA's office absolutely refuses
to even file charges against these day laborers.  They just don't
have the resources, or even the will, to do it.  It's just that the
County Board of Supervisors gave in to a rich group of homeowners who
claimed the gathering of day laborers lowered their property values.

But here with cell phones, the cell phone industry got these laws
passed, claiming it was an invasion of privacy.  Then those air-head
bureaucrats in Washington agreed, when they suddenly find out that
their own cell phones weren't private, as they once thought, so lets
make a law.  Where have these bone-heads been all their lives?  Didn't
they realize a cell phone is just a sophisticated two-way radio, and
anyone who tuned into the right frequency in the area where one is
operating can hear it.  Passing laws just won't do a thing about it.
There are already millions of scanners and other radio receivers
out there that can receive this stuff.  Passing a law ain't going
to help one bit.  I feel absolutely no pitty for the cell phone
industry.  If they really wanted a reasonably secure cell phone
network, the networks would be 100% digital by now.  Instead, they
lobby to have laws passed to cover their own mistakes.  It's enough
to make me throw-up...

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

Date: Mon, 22 Aug 94 15:55:00 -0500
From: elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!emory!metro.atlanta.com!mhv.net!news.sprintlink.net!news.infi.net!exchange![e-mail]
Subject: Slow Code idea by Wa
To: [e-mail]

Al "[e-mail]"

>The problem is that the tougher theory test just won't happen.  It is muc
>more politically palatable to make exams easier.  The no-code Technician
>is a good example:  not only was the code test deleted but the written te
>was actually made simpler.  (In the old days, the Tech and General writte
>exams were the same.)

>AL N1AL


Al,
   In the "old days" for which you pine, the Tech wasn't an entry-level
license, most hams weren't doing packet, FSTV or facsimile.  Dr. Debakey
hadn't done the first heart transplant and we were smack dab in the midst
of a cold war with a rival superpower.  Nobody had computers in their
homes, so there wasn't fidonet, usenet or internet.  Gallstones had to
be removed with surgery (instead of ultrasonics), the use of lasers in
surgery was unheard of and there were a lot of things we have now which
improve our quality of life which didn't exist back then.
   The no-code license wasn't available when I got my license either.  It
is now.  Welcome the newcomers, otherwise there won't be a hobby to pass
on when you assume "room temperature."

John, N4XAN (adv. class - learned 13 wpm for the license in 1990, haven't
             used it 3 times since)



---
 * WR  # 365 * Alas, poor tagline.  I wrote it well.....

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 01:30:52 -0500
From: cs.utexas.edu![e-mail]
Subject: U QSL buros - hwsat?
To: [e-mail]

Hello there,

Is there anybody out there who has an idea about the present
state of the QSL bureaus in UA/UR/EU/EY/4L/UN etc.

Hams in these areas give contradictory indications.
Some say: QSL SURE = PSE QSL
Others say: QSL ONLY DIRECT

The Italian ARI journal RR claims that last month 10 kgs of QSLs
have been send to the Ucrainian QSL bureau.
However, my response rate of QSLs to UA and UR dropped to almost zero.

What are your experiences? Which bureaus are non-active?

Ciao de IK2RMZ, Martin, [e-mail]

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 02:09:26 GMT
From: agate!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!news.umbc.edu!eff!wariat.org!malgudi.oar.net!news.ysu.edu!yfn.ysu.edu![e-mail]
Subject: WANTED: OLD MORSE CODE KEYS
To: [e-mail]

I'm looking to buy old Morse Code keys.  Email with what you've got.

Thanks and "73"...

Randy Padawer
--
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Randy Padawer, P.O. Box 1167, Knoxville, TN  37901-1167  U.S.of A
Internet:   [e-mail]        America Online:   GwRepRandy
Telephone: [phone]   Ham Radio op: WA4FJF  & a groovy guy.

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

Date: 23 Aug 94 15:14:43 GMT
From: [e-mail]
Subject: XYL Reactions (snicker- Kodak moment)
To: [e-mail]

>I would be very hesitant to put any electronic equipment in a dishwasher.
>Don't forget that
>it is assembled with lead solder. I imagine that you will end up with
>measurable amounts of
>lead on your next load of dishes.
>Steven Hunter KC6RKV

lets see, the solder melts around 370 deg or so.  there might be some pieces
that break off and there probably are more soluable things in a piece of gear.

All the water goes down the drain, so what leaches out is disposed of, if any.

If you run the washer through a few cycles of fill/drain, that should do it
(assuming that you start with fresh water everytime.)

I'd probably worry more about the Jet-Dry

bill wb9ivr

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

Date: 22 Aug 1994 13:08:24 -0700
From: usc!howland.reston.ans.net!europa.eng.gtefsd.com!newsxfer.itd.umich.edu!zip.eecs.umich.edu!yeshua.marcam.com!news.kei.com!ssd.intel.com!chnews!ornews.intel.com!ornews.@@ihnp4.ucsd.edu
To: [e-mail]

References <32uh3q$[e-mail]>, <3303i4$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>s.umich
Subject : Re: VHF: non-FM

In article <[e-mail]> [e-mail] (James W Chandler III) writes:

> ...  I have an IC-211 that I
>got less than 6 months ago and it cost me $225 and it is in great shape.
>It only puts out 10 Watts but a linear will take care of that problem.
>Look around, there are good deals to be had if you know where to look!
>73 and see you on VHF SB.

Now there's a rare rig.  I have an Icom 211 also.  Very keen green and orange
multi-concentric dial with 2 speed control knob.  But mine had all kinds of
bad solder joints on the motherboard that were very difficult to find and fix.
I have a hardly readable blueprint schematic but no location references for
parts.  Icom is no help.  I've fixed most problems and it works okay but
probably needs alignment of the approximately 100 pots, coils, and caps.
I was told that I have one of only two IC-211's sold in the NorthWest.
I can't find any ads for it in my collection of Early 70's magazines.
Oh, I beat you on price.  I paid $35 for mine.




--
[e-mail]  WA7LDV               Leave it to the BEAVER state
I speak only for myself.                            <<< OREGON >>>

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

Date: 23 Aug 1994 15:59:18 GMT
From: nothing.ucsd.edu![e-mail]
To: [e-mail]

References <3303i4$[e-mail]>, <[e-mail]>, <33b0k9$[e-mail]>
Subject : Re: VHF: non-FM

In the early days of the Japanese-built ham 2m radios, bad solder joints
were very common causes of rigs showing up on the warrantee repair bench
I used to run.

After the pattern became obvious, I began resoldering the entire board
with a small propane torch.  Radios worked fine and few of them ever had
to be repaired again.
    - Brian

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #951
******************************