QRZ! Ham Radio 5/QRZ Ham Radio Callsign Database - Volume 5.iso/digests/infoham/941186.txt

Internet Message Format | 1994-11-13 | 27.4 KB

Date: Thu,  3 Nov 94 09:31:34 PST
From: Info-Hams Mailing List and Newsgroup <[e-mail]>
Errors-To: [e-mail]
Reply-To: [e-mail]
Precedence: List
Subject: Info-Hams Digest V94 #1186
To: Info-Hams


Info-Hams Digest            Thu,  3 Nov 94       Volume 94 : Issue 1186

Today's Topics:
                              0 to Extra
                      FW: Falkland Is. Shipping
                             Help Please!
              KENWOOD TS50S vs YAESU FT-900 HEAD TO HEAD
                 NoCal OO goes after Packet BULLetins
                  No License to Extra Leap? (2 msgs)
                         Power Supply Survey!
                    repeaters and intermodulation
                    Subject: W1AW steps on others?
                          Syntor Interests?
                                Thanks
  US License Examination Opportunities Scheduled 11/1/94 to 1/31/95
                     Warning - PDA Logic problems

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: Wed,  2 Nov 1994 14:11:43 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Dale Piedfort)
Subject: 0 to Extra

Steve Griggs now AC6CF took all the written and 20 wpm exams at one
sitting.  Missed a total of 3 questions, also had straight copy on
the code, sure gave us a lot to talk about.
KB7UB (eye witness)

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

Date: 3 Nov 94 14:31:00 GMT
From: [e-mail] (VEKINIS Peter)
Subject: FW: Falkland Is. Shipping

 ----------
From: VEKINIS Peter
To: dx-request
Subject: RE: Falkland Is. Shipping
Date: Thursday, November 03, 1994 3:28PM

You send via Argentina. Call the british embassy or consulate or better
still, I have uploaded your message to info-hams area.
Peter, KC1QF

 ----------
From: dx-request
To: dx
Subject: Falkland Is. Shipping
Date: Wednesday, November 02, 1994 5:56AM

I am trying to purchase and send a 20 mtr monobander for shipment to the
Falkland Islands.  The vendor does not know how to ship to the Falklands
(neither do I).  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Jim - W4MWT    [e-mail]

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

Date: Tue, 01 Nov 1994 09:10:13 -0800
From: [e-mail] (Scott Darragh)
Subject: Help Please!

I need help!  I am trying to build a multiband QRP rig.  I would like to
cover the following bands: 80,40,30,20,15,10.  Or at the very least
80,40,15,10(novice bands.)  I would like to try and get min 3w and max 5w
per band. I would like it to operate on a 12-13.8 power source either
battery or supply. By the way JUST CW.  I figure it may be to hard to
incorporate a SSB for now.

Questions:

#1 Anyone know of any plans for such a beast?
#2 Can I use the same dial to tune all the bands or will I need to
incorporate many tuning knobs?

Scott



--
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott R. Darragh    (KE6MGW)           On Planet Reebok, you punish their
3535 Garrett Dr                            rusher, stick the receivers,
Sant Clara, Ca 95054                    intimidate their quarterback, and
(408)-526-7173                       walk off the field with the
cheerleaders.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Date: 3 Nov 94 09:00:00 GMT
From: [e-mail] (VEKINIS Peter)
Subject: KENWOOD TS50S vs YAESU FT-900 HEAD TO HEAD

I really love small radios. I have a Mizuho 20m HT (2W from 7 AA batteries -
remember the 6m handies AEA was selling a few years back? it's just like
those). Thus when the 50S came out I got one of the very first HRO was
carrying. I have tuned the memories to my favorite broadcast station
frequencies and use VFO-A and VFO-B for ham action. As I operate 20m mobile,
VFO-A is on 20m while VFO-B floats about.

Thus I got interested in expanding my collection of mobiles when the Yaesu
900 made its mark on the back cover spread of QST. It looked great. I got
interested in buying one. In fact, I started with Yaesu in 1975 (when I
bought an FL-50 and an FR-50 - both tube TX and RX rigs) although after an
absence of a few years I returned to the fold with a Kenwood 140S - I
suppose similarly with many folks, I just like the 'consumer' appeal of
Kenwood. Finally I dipped in and ordered the 900 (without the tuner).

The following are personal observations. But anyone would noticed them:

 - The TS-50S is small. It's a great package, has very few buttons, and an
easy to read display. You can buy a lap top carrier case, put it in, add a
flat PS, tuner (I have the MFJ 949D mobile tuner), dipole and cabling and
your are all set. It's the future and I presume that in about 6 years, when
Kenwood introduces a new mobile rig, the new one would be even smaller that
the 50S. However, the lack of buttons means that if you dont like what you
are getting, you cant really adjust much. It doesnt even have an SWR
indicator (pity 'cause the circuitry is all there to protect the final, so
why couldnt they include it in the display?). It doesnt have VOX ( big
problem for me). The programmable mike is fine too as is the digital power
change. I used the 50S extensively during field day, connected to a 10A
battery (bought from Ham Contact) connected to a regulator, connected to 82W
solar cells. The manual is great to read ( see Nov QST, page 13).

 - The 900 is bigger, much bigger than the 50S. In fact if it didnt have the
remote panel, I woulnd have bought it. Thus the cost is the basic price
$1274 + $50 for the remote kit (compare that with $990 for the 50S). It has
an SWR indicator. It has VOX. Voice Processor. a variable power control down
to 5W. The manual, although it has many drawings and illustrations, fails to
point out things like the reset switch in the back of the front panel and it
fails to talk about the panel as a separate entity.

Operating them both, they have the same amount of memories (100), they both
have very good noise blankers and they both have good audio(the 50S is more
noisy however) that can be tailored to your voice characteristics. However:

 - The 900 had the stupid system in that, when you save to memory and read
from memory you use both VFOs. Thus if you want to read memory location 10,
and you are currently using VFO-A you also update (read:alter) VFO-B. There
goes my use for VFO-B as a marker for specific frequencies. This should have
been a choice.

 - The 900 needs plenty of cabling (power, antenna, front panel) from the
back to the front dash. You must turn off the panel speaker to use the jack
on the back of the front panel  with a manual switch(took me long to find
out about this jack - it's not labeled on the back of the front panel). Why
cant the computer of the front panel tell the main unit, via the serial
intereface, that there is a speaker connected to the front panel therefore
turn off the main speaker?

 - The 900 uses an RJ-45 connector for the microphone. This is an 8 pin
connector normally used for twisted pair local area networks (these are
called 10Base-T). Without a special crimping tool you cant use one. But they
are dirt cheap (5c in qualtities). For me with all the tools available here,
the 45 is great. But for 99.9% of the hams it would be a pain to work with.

 - The 900 VOX switch is on the main panel. Thus to operate VOX, you must
stop the car, get out, go to the back, turn VOX on by pressing the VOX
switch, close the doors carefully not to make too much noise. and repeat
such operation to turn it off. This is pathetic. Why couldnt Yaesu control
the VOX with the computer through the remotable front panel? The processor
switch (which is in the front panel)  should be changed with the VOX switch.


 - The 900 has SUPERIOR AUDIO. As soon as I turn it on, the 900 exhibits
beautiful audio with very good noise characteristics. In fact I thought
there was a problem with the antenna, but it's just that noise is very low.

 - The 900 has an SWR meter and ALC indicator. And a great to read display.
However, in a difference from the past, pressing the GEN button turns on the
GEN light on the LCD which in the days of the 747 would mean that GENERAL
coverage during transmit is enabled - not the same meaning here.

 - Tuning facilities, the 50S beats the 900 easily. You can prpogram the
tuning steps for either SSB or AM/FM for the up/down buttons in various
steps (50Hz, 100Hz, 1KHz, 5KHz in SSB) or (1KHz, 5KHz, 10KHz in AM/FM). The
900 has no such options. You use the UP/DOWN switches in combination with
the FASTand GEN buttons to go up and down (in SSB its 2.5KHz steps - not
much good in trying to listen for activity - I prefer the %)s 1KHz step). I
suppose its just different.

 - Using the 900 for the first time, I am not going to give ("I worked a
station in Ulan Butor with a coat hanger and 100mw on AM voice just as soon
as I turned it on") replies because they mean nothing. Suffice to say that
the tramsmitter works great; great radios mean great receivers. Most
tramsmitter as basically the same.

I plan to use the 900 in the car every day, as I have done with the 50S. I
am daily on 14.280-14.290 at either 0620Z and 1600Z for about 10 minutes on
the ride to and from work. If you want to try and meet me there you would be
welcome. Then I would see how well the tranmitter works on a DX path.

I must admit that  if the TS50S had the receiver of the 900 it would be the
best radio ever. As it is, they are both good radios. I am glad I have them
both (so does my credit card company).

If you have a TS50S or a 900 drop me a line and we can start an informal
meet.

Peter Vekinis, KC1QF/ON9CGV
[e-mail]

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

Date: 3 Nov 1994 19:08:54 +1100
From: [e-mail] (Dave Horsfall)
Subject: NoCal OO goes after Packet BULLetins

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

| All bulletins are broadcasting.  They are sent in many directions.  When being
| forwarded, the receiving station did not ask for them.  The sending station
| has no expectation that the receiving BBS will read or reply to them.

Dunno about your neck of the woods, mate, but here down under the sender
presents a brief list of bulletins, and the receiver is invited to
accept or reject them...

--
Dave Horsfall (VK2KFU) | [e-mail] | VK2KFU @ VK2AAB.NSW.AUS.OC | PGP 2.6
Opinions expressed are mine. | E7 FE 97 88 E5 02 3C AE  9C 8C 54 5B 9A D4 A0 CD

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

Date: 2 Nov 1994 05:16:16 GMT
From: [e-mail] (kim g helliwell)
Subject: No License to Extra Leap?

[e-mail] (Arthur Chandler) writes:

> Has there ever been anyone who walked into a licensing examination with
>no license at all, passed everything, and walked out amateur extra? If
>not, what's the biggest leap anyone has heard of? I took someone to an
>exam site, and he went from Tech + to Advanced in one leap -- passed the
>13 wpm, general, advanced, and even the extra exam. Couldn't quite handle
>the 20 wpm, however.

Well, I almost did it.  I took all the theory tests last Jan and passed them
all, then passed the 13 WPM to get my advanced.

Took me till Sept to get ready to pass the 20 WPM, but I did it.

(Sorry, I can't resist bragging about it!  But I'm sure the whole thing has
been done in one sitting by others.)

Kim Helliwell, KN6YU

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

Date: Wed,  2 Nov 1994 14:05:52 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Dale Piedfort)
Subject: No License to Extra Leap?

We teach a class for the No-Code Technician at our Store, and four
months ago a gentlemen by the name of Steve Griggs came in as a walk
in for testing and took Novice, Tech, General, Advanced and Extra
written and the 20 wpm code and passed then all with flying colors.
He missed one question on the advanced and two on the Extra, passed
the code both ways, with straight copy and all questions correct.
His call is now AC6CF.
I only remember only one other case, and that was in l977 in Long
Beach when I was taking my Advanced that some one did the same thing,
it sure impressed those of us who were there, gave us a lot to talk
about after the test sesstion
73 KB7UB

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

Date: Wed,  2 Nov 1994 14:24:37 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Dale Piedfort)
Subject: Power Supply Survey!

I have two power supplies they are:
1.  Astron RS-35M (35 amp supply with meters)  (11 years old)
    25 amp constant with 35 amp surge
2.  Astron RS-35A (35 amp supply with no metets)  (5 years old)
    25 amp constant with 35 amp surge

I have owned Astron Supplies since the late 70's and find them to
be of the highest quality, My first Astron was recommended to me
by another Ham.

I recommend Astron Supplies to everyone who comes into the store
looking for a good performing High Quality Supply.

Astron backs their supplies extremely well, and I have only heard
of a few failing in the first year.  Most of the time for those of
us who live in SoCal and are close to Astron have taken them over
to the Service center and had them repaired while we wait.

Astron is a Company who prides themselves on their product and stands
behind them 100%...

I doubt if I would ever own anything else......

In closing we have a very large linked repeater system and we use
the Astron 50 and 60 amp supplies on, we have never had a power
supply failure on a single on, one of the supplies is on a 6000 ft
site and the other on a 8500 ft site and the temp at times is brutal
yet they have never failed.  At both of these sites the buildings are
not heated....  ASTRON IS # 1 in our book.
73 KB7UB

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

Date: Tue, 1 Nov 94 17:55:51 GMT
From: Allen Wallace <[e-mail]>
Subject: repeaters and intermodulation

One of my repeaters I help with just got a bad case of intermodulation.
It appears that the repeater's own transmitter contributes to the problem
somewhat, as the reciver only hears it when the transmitter is keyed.

Didn't I read an intermodulation artical in a QST a few years back? Does
anyone have any good references or suggestions?

73,    Allen Wallace N7CGH
Allen Wallace                            [e-mail]
Digital Technology Int.                [phone]
500 W. 1200 South, Orem UT, 84058      FAX [phone]

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

Date: Thu, 3 Nov 1994 10:07:01 GMT
From: [e-mail] (David Stockton)
Subject: Subject: W1AW steps on others?

Zack Lau (KH6CP) ([e-mail]) wrote:


: Thanks for the info.  I've always wondered whether QST should
: reject articles that advocate "transmit only" satellite
: capability on certain bands.  I'm sure I'll see more of these
: if we get another satellite with a 1269 MHz uplink.


  Rejecting may be a bit strong, but a good strong warning attached to
each article would be appropriate, I suppose.

  My UK licence requires me to have means of receiving on all
frequencies that I transmit on. Is there anything similar in the US? it
seems a sensible requirement.

  I used to think that the British licence was far more restrictive than
the US one, but now, after reading all the interpretations about packet
content and legal penalties for repeating stations, I begin to wonder.

  Cheers
          David  GM4ZNX

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

Date: 2 Nov 94 16:53:41 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Chuck Hawley)
Subject: Syntor Interests?

[e-mail] (Matthew Zilmer (&)) writes:

>Sorry, but my address shows incorrectly in the article about the Motorola
>Syntor Frequency Control Head.  It should be [e-mail].  Please
>send private email there. If you don't mind posting publicly, this newsgroup
>is fine too.

>Matt Zilmer, WA6EGJ


I don't know if my reply was received, so....I am interested. Please let me
know what's available. Thanks.



Chuck Hawley, KE9UW in Urbana, Illinois
[e-mail]
School of Chemical Sciences, Electronic Services
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

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

Date: 3 Nov 94 13:11:00 GMT
From: [e-mail] (VEKINIS Peter)
Subject: Thanks

Thanks to all of you who wrtote to me to tell me about the photo in QST. I
get QST here at the end of the month, instead of the middle of the previous
month (I have been told that QST comes out middle of previous month).
I had sent QST three pics; the one published, the one with my daughter Naomi
hoding a rather big sea snake we had for dinner (yam, yam) and a general
picture of the area in the north western part of Greece. Thanks again!
Peter Vekinis, KC1QF/ON9CGV
.

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

Date: Tue, 01 Nov 94 15:30:00 EST
From: "Jahnke, Bart,  KB9NM" <[e-mail]>
Subject: US License Examination Opportunities Scheduled 11/1/94 to 1/31/95

[[ EXAMNT11.01W : 3936 in EXAMNT11.01W ]]



AMATEUR RADIO EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITIES

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

Special Note: Amateur Radio licenses usually arrive between 8 and
    10 weeks after the test session.  The FCC recently has been taking
    this amount of time, or less.

    The FCC considers their processing time to be 90 days--from the date
    they receive the application.  The FCC usually receives the application
    one to two weeks after the test session (once the VE Team and the
    coordinating VEC have completed their processing).


Note: Codeless Technician to Technician w/HF upgraders (who pass a
    Morse code test) will effective 6/8/94 receive a new license from
    the FCC that reads "TECH PLUS."  Such upgrades before that date
    would not receive a new license but would need to retain the
    existing Technician license plus the CSCE conveying the Morse
    code test credit as the only documentation issued for use of
    the additional HF privileges.

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

The following test session information is provided by the
ARRL/VEC for the upcoming eight to twelve week period.  For
further information, please contact the test session CONTACT
PERSON at the telephone number provided.  If necessary, you
may contact the ARRL/VEC at 203-666-1541 x282 for additional
information.  Electronic mail may be forwarded to the ARRL/VEC
via USENET at "[e-mail]" or via MCI Mail to
MCI ID: 653-2312 or 215-5052.

Although the test session information presented here does
not indicate whether walk-ins are accepted or not, most test
sessions do allow walk-ins.  We encourage you, however, to
always contact the CONTACT PERSON at the telephone number
provided so that the VE Team is aware that you be attending
the test session.



STILL NEED TO PREPARE FOR YOUR EXAM?

If you would like information on how to become licensed; or
how to locate Amateur Radio clubs, instructors, licensing
classes and/or Novice examiners in your area; please contact
the ARRL Educational Activities Department (EAD) at 203-666-
1541 x219.  The EAD can also provide information on
recommended study materials.  Electronic mail may be forwarded
to the ARRL EAD via USENET at "[e-mail]" or via MCI Mail to
MCI ID: 215-5052.


EXAM LISTINGS - DEFINITION OF FIELDS

STATE
Test Date,VEC,City,,Contact Phone,Contact Person

The SECOND field in the following listing specifies the VEC
which is coordinating this examination.  This single-character
designator denotes the VEC as defined below.  An "A" (for example)
indicates that this examination is coordinated by the ARRL/VEC.

For further information on any examinations listed, or if you do not
find any examinations listed for your area, you may contact
any of the coordinating VECs below.


A = ARRL/VEC, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111; (d) 203-666-1541
    The 1994 test fee is $5.75.  The 1995 test fee is $5.90.

X = Anchorage ARC, 2628 Turnagain Parkway, Anchorage, AK 99517;
    (d) 907-786-8121, (n) 907-243-2221 (or) 907-276-5121
    (or) 907-274-5546

C = Central Alabama VEC, 1215 Dale Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35801;
    205-536-3904

N = Charlotte VEC, 227 Bennett Ln, Charlotte, NC 28213;
    704-596-2168

D = Great Lakes ARC VEC Inc., 3040 Harrison St, Glenview, IL 60025;
    708-486-8019

E = Golden Empire ARS, PO Box 508, Chico, CA 95927; No phone.

G = Greater Los Angeles ARG, 9737 Noble Ave, Sepulveda, CA 91343;
    818-892-2068, 805-822-1473.

J = Jefferson ARC, PO Box 24368, New Orleans, LA 70184-4368;
    504-737-2315.  Test fee for 1994 is $5.00.

K = Koolau ARC, 45-529 Nakuluai St, Kaneohe, HI 96744;
    808-235-4132

L = Laurel ARC Inc., PO Box 3039, Laurel, MD 20709-0039;
    (d) 301-572-5124, 301-317-7819, (n) 301-588-3924

M = The Milwaukee RAC Inc., 1737 N 116th St, Wauwatosa, WI 53226;
    414-774-6999. Test fee for 1994 is $5.00.

H = Mountain ARC, PO Box 10, Burlington, WV 26710; 304-289-3576,
    301-724-0674

P = PHD ARA Inc., PO Box 11, Liberty, MO 64068; 816-781-7313

R = Sandarc-VEC, PO Box 2446, La Mesa, CA 91943-2446; 619-465-3926

S = Sunnyvale VEC ARC, PO Box 60307, Sunnyvale, CA 94088-0307;
    408-255-9000

T = Triad Emergency ARC, 3504 Stonehurst Pl, High Point, NC 27265;
    919-841-7576

W = Western Carolinas ARS VEC, 5833 Clinton Hwy - Suite 203,
    Knoxville, TN 37912-2500; 615-688-7771.
    The 1994 test fee is $5.75.

5 = W5YI-VEC, PO Box 565101, Dallas, TX 75356-5101; 817-461-6443
    The 1994 test fee is $5.75.



EXAMINATION OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES:

12/03/94,A,England,,081-902-5995,Yves Remedios
12/11/94,A,Guam,,627-646-7611,Harry Y Taguchi
11/26/94,A,Puerto Rico,,809-789-4998,Victor Madero
12/17/94,A,Puerto Rico,,809-789-4998,Victor Madero
11/12/94,A,US Virgin Islands,,809-774-4740,Ronald A Hall Sr

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

Date: Wed, 2 Nov 1994 05:18:07 GMT
From: [e-mail] (Michael L. Ardai)
Subject: Warning - PDA Logic problems

In article <396hqa$[e-mail]> [e-mail] (Todd Little) writes:
-
-In article <[e-mail]>, [e-mail] (Michael L. Ardai) writes:
-- [Logic needs license disk after DOS upgrade/different EMS/mouse etc]
-
-I was under the impression that Dennis had resolved most of the licensing
-problems regarding repeated license disk insertions, etc.

Maybe in Logic 4.01.  I am running straight Logic 4, but Logic 3 has the
same misfeature.

-One thing I find
-strange though, is that if you needed to insert this disk so often, how did
-you misplace it?  I generally find it much more difficult to locate things
-I don't use very often versus things I use often.

Easy.  The regular Logic disks were in the disk file.  Disks that are often
used usually end up on top of the computer, and then behind the computer, and
then under the computer, and then... :-)  You know how ham shacks are.

My complaints ar ethe stupid copy protection scheme, and the fact that his
first (and only) assumption is that I, having already paid $150 for the
software and upgrades, am asking for a replacement license disk to steal
a copy, rather than I want to use what I have purchased.

Now, I have useless software, no logbook, and I am out quite a bit of
money.  Does anyone have any info on how to bypass the copy protection
so I can continue to use my software?

/mike
--
\|/     Michael L. Ardai     N1IST             Teradyne ATB, Boston MA
-*- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
/|\     [e-mail]          [e-mail]

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

Date: Wed, 2 Nov 94 11:52:18 -0500
From: Ed Ellers <[e-mail]>

References<38d4fr$[e-mail]> <38hmm7$[e-mail]>, <38jegg$[e-mail]>
Subject: Re: Spectrum analyzer as a TV receiver...

<[e-mail]> writes:

>When I first read this thread, I thought it was a typo,
>because converting a TV to a spectrum analyser seems
>more of a usefull home brew project..

I've heard of using a TV *tuner* as a spectrum analyzer -- you'd use a
voltage-tuned job, preferably cable-ready (so it wouldn't have a gap between
88 and 174 MHz), with the AGC line fed a fixed bias and the output fed into a
narrow IF and detector at about 46 MHz.  Feed a voltage sweep into the control
line and sync the scope to it, and you get a spectral display.

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

End of Info-Hams Digest V94 #1186
******************************