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DIGEST OF ARTICLES -- QST, September, 1993 Following are digests of articles printed in the September, 1993 issue of QST. Such digests are being prepared for each issue of QST, and posted periodically. Subsequent issues will be posted one per week until they "catch up" to the current date in mid-1994, thereafter monthly. It is hoped that other hams will volunteer to post similar digests of the other ham technical publications such as QEX, CQ, 73, COMMUNICATIONS QUARTERLY, RTTY JOURNAL, et al. Especially desirable would be digests of publications in other countries, such as the RSGB RADIO COMMUNICA- TIONS and ham magazines in Europe, Japan, Australia, and other countries around the world. We English speakers would especially enjoy them if they were translated into our language, but they would also be valuable additions to the world's knowledge if they were posted in the language of origin. Who knows? Some bi-lingual ham somewhere might translate them into English and re-post them. Worldwide communications are getting better and better. The time has come to make the world's ham press available to all hams throughout the world! The major value of digests is to give readers sufficient information to decide whether to obtain a copy of the full text. If any U.S. reader wants a copy of an article in QST, please inquire of other hams in your own neighborhood. Many have collections of back issues. Anyone who is unsuccessful in finding a fellow ham with a collection should try every library in the area, especially those at universities and technical colleges. If all else fails, a copy can be obtained from the ARRL Technical Department, 225 Main St., Newington, CT 06111-1494 USA for a fee of $3.00 per copy. Remember, it is both cheaper and quicker to obtain one locally. Readers in most other countries can obtain copies from their own national ham organizations, sometimes translated into their own languages. --------------------------------CUT HERE-------------------------------- COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Copyright to all the following material from QST Magazine is held by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), effective on the date of issue. Permission is granted for redistribution of the following in its entirety, or in part, provided that this copyright notice is not removed or altered and that proper attribution is made to ARRL as publisher of QST, to the authors of the original articles, and to W. E. "Van" Van Horne, W8UOF, author of this compilation. _________ TABLE OF CONTENTS (line number in parentheses - counting from CUT HERE line) TECHNICAL ARTICLES (TA) TA1:A Long-Haul Battery System (61) TA2:A Simple Broadband Dipole for Eighty Meters (108) TA3:The Contest Card (150) TA4:The 1/3 Wavelength Multi-Band Dipole (188) TA5:Under the Hood (276) PRODUCT REVIEWS (PR) PR1:Kenwood TS-50S MF/HF Transceiver (276) PR2:M-Squared Enterprises EB-144 Eggbeater Antenna (314) HINTS AND KINKS (HK) HK1:Steel-Wool Baluns? (359) TECHNICAL CORRESPONDENCE (TC) TC1:The REAL Si8901 Story (394) TC2:High-Dynamic-Range Receiver Elicits Comment (408) TC3:Don't Forget ICP2! (444) NEW HAM COMPANION (NHC) NHC1:You CAN Copy 30 Words Per Minute! (473) NHC2:How Much Will It Cost? (481) NHC3:The Joy of Building (495) NHC4:The Doctor is IN (503) NHC5:Annie Get Your Gunn-plexer! (516) RADIO TIPS (RT) RT1:Are You Overdeviating? (558) GENERAL INTEREST ARTICLES GI1:Pactor Phone Home: Mobile from the Australian Outback (558) GI2:PSE QSL for 5BWAS! (611) GI3:Reflected Waves (626) GI4:First Contact and the Unpaid Debt (641) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ TECHNICAL ARTICLES _________ Title>TA1:A Long-Haul H-T Battery System Author>Smithey, Thurman - N6QX Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 23-26 Abstract>Construction of a relatively heavy-duty battery power supply, including recharger, for use with hand-held transceivers. Digest>The author observes that VHF and UHF hand-held transceivers are commonly used for many different purposes but, sometimes, their utility is limited by their short-duration batteries. To overcome that limitation he developed a portable, heavy-duty H-T power source that can be carried comfortably in a relatively small bag slung from a shoulder strap. The system is designed to meet the following requirements: 1. It must be chargeable from any 10- to 15-volt d.c. source. 2. It must shut off automatically when the battery is completely charged, and must indicate when charging is complete. 3. It must provide an accurate means of indicating the discharge level of the battery as it is being used. 4. The battery output voltage must be regulated to suit the requirements of any H-T. For reliability, he chose two 6-volt sealed, paste-electrolyte, lead-acid batteries. They are charged in parallel and connected in series to provide the necessary 12 volts. The article contains wiring diagrams, parts lists including suggested sources, and full construction information. A footnote indicates that a pc board and parts overlay are available from FAR Circuits, 18N640 Field Court, Dundee, IL 60118. The board template and parts overlay are available free of charge from the ARRL Technical Department Secretary for a No. 10 SASE with a request for the "Smithey Long-Haul H-T Battery System PC Board Template Package". A side-bar with the article discusses reconditioning used small lead-acid batteries which are stated to be frequently available for low cost at surplus outlets and hamfests. The author reports success at reconditioning batteries that were seemingly dead to a state of usability, although he has never been successful in restoring above 60 percent of the battery's original capacity. _________ Title>TA2:A Simple Broadband Dipole for Eighty Meters Author>Witt, Frank - AI1H pp. 27-30 Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 27-30 Abstract>Describes a dipole with two matching-sections of coax in the feed line that provides low SWR over most of the 75/80 meter band. The author observes that a conventional center-fed half-wave dipole cannot provide a low standing wave ratio over the entire 80-meter band. Those who want to use both the low end c.w. band and the high end phone band must use an antenna tuner or some other means of obtaining low SWR if they want to use solid state rigs. Mr. Witt shows a broad-banding system which obtains a low SWR over almost the entire band. Measurements were made on a test antenna and a curve of SWR vs. frequency plotted. It shows two minima at about 3.6 and 3.9 MHz. respectively, rising to 1.8 at mid-band (3.75 MHz.), about 2.25 at the low end (3.5 MHz.) and 2.0 at the high end (4.0 MHz.) He obtains these results through a simple modification of the conventional coax feed line. At the feedpoint (center) of the antenna a one-wavelength piece of RG-213 (50-ohm) cable is connected; the requisite number of ferrite beads are slipped over the first few inches to form a 1:1 balun. At the lower end of the RG-213 a quarter-wavelength piece of RG-11 (75-ohm) cable is attached. At the other end of that cable, 50-ohm cable is connected to run the rest of the way to the transmitter. In a sidebar with this article, the author explains the operation his feed system. Assuming a 50-ohm transmitter output impedance, the quarter-wave piece of 75-ohm cable operates as a "Q-Section" that transforms the 50 ohms to 112.5 ohms. The half-wavelength of 50-ohm coax that connects to the antenna feedpoint acts as a "lossy resonator". He states that the technical details of the "lossy resonator" were covered by the same author in an article titled "Optimum Lossy Broad-band Matching Networks for Resonant Antennas" in R. F. DESIGN, April, 1990, pp. 44-51 and July, 1990, p. 10. Finally, he discusses other variations of the same antenna drive system for use in lower power applications as well as in multi-band antennas. _________ Title>TA3:The Contest Card Author>Sutcliffe, Gary C. - W9XT Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 31-32 Abstract>Describes a computer plug-in card for use by operators in phone contests. It provides up to 4 recorded messages, totaling 16 seconds. Digest>This article is a description of a plug-in card for PC compatible computers that the author has designed in the form of a kit for assembly by the buyer. His stated design goal is to put all of the accessories needed by serious contest operators inside the computer. Hence, it contains a voice recorder and c.w. interface, it is software compatible with the most popular logging programs, and can be built for less than the cost of most stand-alone voice recorders. The circuit utilizes the Information Storage Devices ISD-1016A and stores up to 16 seconds of audio. It supports up to four messages such as: CQ, contest report, QRZ?, and call sign. Recording is done using the same station microphone that is used in the rest of the QSO to avoid confusion caused if the voice should change between the CQ and the body of the QSO. On c.w. the card uses a relay to key the transmitter to allow operation with either positive or negative keyed rigs. Detailed construction information, including schematics and software listings are available from the ARRL Technical Department Secretary. Ask for the "September, 1993 QST Sutcliffe Information Package" and include a large SASE with your request. Source code listings of the software are available from the ARRL telephone BBS under the file name W9XT.ZIP. A complete kit of all parts except for interface cable but including software is available from Unified Microsystems, P.O. Box 133, Slinger, WI 53086. Interface cables for most popular transceivers can be obtained from LTA Industries, P.O. Box 77, New Bedford, PA 16140. _________ Title>TA4:The 1/3 Wavelength Multi-Band Dipole Author>Griffith, Andrew S. - W4ULD Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 33-35 Abstract>Construction information for a multi-band dipole with a custom-built matching section that shows fairly low SWR on up to 7 different bands. Digest>This article describes a multi-band dipole that is said to show a standing wave ratio of less than 2.3:1 at its feed point near the center of the 7, 14, 18, 21, 24, and 28 MHz. bands. On 80 meters, at the low band edge the SWR is more nearly 5:1 and a tuner is required. Any rig that uses a vacuum tube output stage can probably operate the largest parts of all seven bands without a tuner, but a tuner may be required on some if a solid-state rig is in use. The antenna is a conventional wire dipole, 92' 0" long, fed in the center with an unususal kind of ladder line of 350 to 380 ohm characteristic impedance. Its length is 39' 8-1/2" long from the center of the antenna to a DPDT knife switch which is used to insert or remove a quarter-wavelength impedance transformer for 15 meters. This is simply a 10' 10-3/4" length of 450-ohm ladder line. Below the knife switch is a 1:1 bead balun and 50-ohm coax to the shack. Mr. Griffith explains how to make the 350- to 380- ohm line from a length of 450-ohm line by bending the plastic between the "windows" so as to move the two wires closer together. He describes a forming jig made from a wooden plank a few feet long. He sets his saw-blade at a 75-degree angle from the horizontal and cuts two longitudinal grooves 1/4" deep so that they are 1/2" apart at the bottoms of the grooves, less at the tops. To shape the plastic, he bends the plastic webbing into an inverted "U" shape and inserts one wire into each of the grooves, pushing it down until it bottoms at the base of the groove. This holds the plastic in place while he uses a propane torch to heat it. When the plastic gets soft, it releases the stresses that were caused by the deformation. After it cools, it maintains the bent shape holding the wires closer together and forming the lower impedance line. Graphs are shown plotting the measured SWR on each band from 10 to 40 meters: BAND Freq. SWR 40 7.0 1.5 7.3 1.8 20 14.0 2.0 14.25 1.1 14.35 1.5 17 whole 1.6 to 1.8 15 21.0 2.0 21.2 1.2 21.45 2.4 12 whole 1.4 to 1.5 10 28.0 3.0 28.8 1.2 29.2 2.8 The author further stated that, if the builder would prefer 30 meters over 15, the quarter-wave matching section could be cut for that band, instead. _________ Title>TA5:Under the Hood Author>Newkirk, David - WJ1Z Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 36-38 Abstract>Encourages amateurs to look inside their commercially-built rigs, and describes what they will see. The author has written an article to encourage amateurs to open the cabinets of any commercially-built gear that they may have, and inspect the construction. This assumes that it is meant to be opened by users. Apparently many HTs are sealed, not to be opened except by the manufacturer's trained repair workers. Mr. Newkirk gives certain guidelines to help the user to identify what he is seeing. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRODUCT REVIEWS (PR) _________ Title>PR1:Kenwood TS-50S MF/HF Transceiver Author>Healy, Rus - NJ2L Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 71-74 Abstract>Specifications and performance review of Kenwood's newest and smallest HF transceiver. The Kenwood TS-50S is a new 100-watt transceiver designed for the mobile market and is the smallest such unit produced today. It is only 10.6 inches (27 cms.) wide, 7.1 inches (18 cms.) deep, and 2.7 inches (6.9 cms.) high; it weighs 6.4 pounds (2.9 kgs.) It contains many, if not most, of the features common to its "big brothers", such as general coverage reception, dual VFO and split frequency operation, AM, CW, FM, and SSB capability, band-stacking registers, QSK and semi-break-in CW, IF shift, multiple scanning modes, 100 memories, 20 db. attenuator, and "advanced intercept point", a technique first used in the TS-950S. The TS-50S also supports multiple menu control features such as CW normal and reverse (that is, CW reception on your choice of upper or lower sideband, CW offset from 400 hz. to 1 khz. in 50 hz. steps, various tuning step sizes, display backlight intensity, and selectable RIT range (1.1 or 2.2 khz.). Options include a 500 hz. CW filter, two external antenna tuners, temperature compensated reference oscillator, computer interface, quick-release mounting bracket, and various desk mikes, speakers, and power supplies. The ARRL laboratory made many tests to verify the manufacturer's claimed specifications and found most of them to be met in all respects. The reviewer found that the performance in use on the ham bands is very good in most respects and reasonably good in the rest. In his final summary he states that "the TS-50S packs an almost incredible amount of features and good performance in a package that fits inside a brief case. With few and minor exceptions it executes its functions well and gives no hint to your contacts that it is such a diminutive radio." _________ Title>PR2:M-Squared Enterprises EB-144 Eggbeater Antenna Author>Ford, Steve - WB8IMY Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 75-76 Abstract>Description and performance review of a 2-meter, crossed-loop antenna. It provides excellent performance in satellite operations. The Eggbeater antenna is a 2-meter, crossed-loop omnidirectional antenna. It is made of two stainless steel wire loops about 34 inches in diameter, mounted orthogonally on a vertical fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) rod which is in turn mounted on a Delrin base. It produces an omnidirectional pattern that is horizontally polarized at the horizon, but above the horizon the pattern becomes right-hand circularly polarized (just what is needed for satellite operations). The manufacturer's instructions state that if the Eggbeater is mounted ten to twelve inches above a metal ground plane, the circularly polarized lobe will be significantly increased; raising it to 40 inches above the ground plane will make a similar improvement in the horizontally polarized lobe. In operation, the reviewer found that the Eggbeater made "a world of difference" in contrast to the vertical ground plane used previously. During a pass over by satellite RS-10, as it reached 10 degrees above the horizon, he was able to access it and hold its signal continuously until the end of the pass. Using his previous antenna he had always suffered deep signal fades at several points in a typical pass, especially when the satellite was directly overhead. During a VHF QSO party, he again found the performance to be drastically better. In his summary, he recommended the Eggbeater as "an attractive alternative to a steerable beam antenna for 2 meters for anyone who does not have the room or the budget for the beam; in addition, it is the ideal antenna for a satellite beginner." M-Squared Enterprises also makes Eggbeater antennas for other bands, including 70 centimeters. The company is located at 7560 North Delmar, Fresno, CA 93711. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ HINTS and KINKS (HK) Conducted by: David Newkirk - WJ1Z Senior Assistant Technical Editor _________ Title>HK1:Steel-Wool Baluns? Author>Maxwell, Walt - W2DU Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 77-78 Abstract>Baluns made of steel wool, as per QST Nov 92, do not work as reported. Digest>The Hints and Kinks column in QST, November, 1992, reported on construction of 1:1 baluns made of nothing more than steel wool packed around a length of coax cable in a manner similar to the way ferrite beads are strung. In this article, Mr. Maxwell reports on tests he made comparing steel wool with ferrite beads. Appended to the article is a description of a jig used to test the effectiveness of beads of unknown material, written by David Newkirk, WJ1Z, conductor of the Hints and Kinks column. Mr. Maxwell found that the author of the original design report had made measurement errors and that the steel wool has no measurable effect at all in blocking antenna current from flowing on the outer shield of the coax. In other words, steel wool is no replacement for ferrite beads. This finding does not negate the effectiveness of the steel-wool-on- unjacketed-coax device described in the ARRL Handbook as used in reducing r.f. radiation from coax lines due to conducted chassis radiation. In that case the steel wool is simply absorbing and dissipating the r.f., and there is no attempt to use it to isolate electrically the outside of the transmission line from the load being driven. ________________________________________________________________________ TECHNICAL CORRESPONDENCE (TC) conductor: Paul Pagel, N1FB Associate Technical Editor _________ Title>TC1:The REAL Si8901 Story Author>Zavrel, Bob - W7SX Source>QST Sep 93, p. 79 Abstract>Identifies the true designer of the Si8901 mixer IC. Digest:The writer comments about the article: "A High-Dynamic Range Receiver Front End", by Jacob Makhinson, N6NWP in QST, February, 1993. In it, it was stated that the Siliconix Si8901 mixer IC was designed by Ed Oxner, KB6QJ. Mr. Zavrel corrects this by stating that he was the designer. Mr. Oxner performed most of the applications engineering on the chip, however. _________ Title>TC2:High-Dynamic-Range Receiver Elicits Comment Author>Crawford, Mal - K1MC Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 79-80 Abstract>Tests of the Makhinson High-Dynamic-Range Receiver described in QST Feb 93 find it to give the highest performance of any radio ever tested by the author. Also describes an improved test criterion for evaluating receiver performance, the "Receiver Factor". Digest>In this letter, Mr. Crawford reports his findings about the performance of the receiver front end designed by Mr. Makhinson, referred to above. He finds that its performance is higher than that of ANY receiver he has ever tested. To emphasize and explain his findings, he describes a new criterion of receiver performance that has been devised. It is called "receiver factor" (RF). It is calculated by subtractiing the noise figure from the input third-order intercept (TOI). This criterion overcomes the limitations of using TOI alone, which are severe, as he points out. Using this new factor, he compares Mr. Makhinson's front end with the best commercial receiver yet tested, a modified Ten-Tec Argosy. The Argosy's RF was measured at +7.5 dB. whereas the Makhinson unit measures +26.4 dB! The author goes on to say that the Makhinson design should be modified to add some protection for the crystal filter to protect it from damage to excessive input-signal power delivered by the post-mixer amplifier. He describes suitable protection and specifies at what point in the circuit it should be inserted. In his last paragraph, the author states flatly: "The performance of Makhinson's receiver front end is unmatched by any commercially available Amateur Radio receiver or transceiver." _________ Title>TC3:Don't Forget ICP2! Author>Wraight, Denzil Source>QST Abstract>Comments regarding the Makhinson High-Dynamic-Range receiver front end described in QST Feb 92. Shows that it requires careful balancing of the push-pull amplifiers. Digest>This letter, like the previous ones, also comments about the Makhinson receiver article. The author refers to the fact that Mr. Makhinson used push-pull amplifiers, but did not make clear why they are balanced. Mr. Wraight points out that the push-pull configuration reduces second-order intermodulation distortion (IMD2) by up to 40 dB., but only if the transistors are carefully balanced. With low IMD2, the second-order intercept point (ICP2) can be expected to reach as high as 120 dBm. With signal strengths high enough to justify striving to get the very high third-order intercept that Makhinson achieved, careful balance in the amplifiers is essential. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ NEW HAM COMPANION (NHC) This is a regular section of QST, devoted to articles of primary interest to newcomers to amateur radio. _________ Title>NHC1:You CAN Copy 30 Words Per Minute Author>Aurick, Lee - W1SE Source>QST Sep 93, p. 60 Abstract>Amateurs can increase their code speed by: (1) Get on the air! and (2) Practice, practice, practice. _________ Title>NHC2:How Much Will It Cost? Author>Ford, Steve - WB8IMY Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 61-63 Abstract>The cost of equipment required to become active in any of the common specialties of amateur radio. Digest>"Ham radio" is a catch-all description of many different hobbies, including HF CW/SSB, 2-Meter FM, Packet Radio, Satellite Operations, and others. The author answers the frequently-asked question: "How much will it cost?" to set up an average operating station for each of the specialties of ham radio, using all new gear. _________ Title>NHC3:The Joy of Building Author>Gold, Jeff - AC4HF Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 64-66 Abstract>The author's experiences, and pleasure, in building and operating several types of gear using kits. _________ Title>NHC4:The Doctor is IN Author>Various Source>QST Sep 93, p. 67 Abstract>Questions and answers of interest to newcomers to ham radio. Digest>This is a regular monthly feature that answers questions frequently asked by newcomers. This month's column answers questions about packet bulletin boards; a problem of "jitter" in the image on a computer monitor; and whether music heard in the background while a ham is speaking into his microphone is a violation of the law. _________ Title>NHC5:Annie Get Your Gunn-plexer! Author>Lau, Zack - KH6CP Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 68-70 Abstract>Activities on the 10-GHz. (microwave) band. Digest>This is a description of ham operations on the 10-GHz. (microwave) band which allows reliable communications over line-of-sight paths with relatively low cost, low power stations. The author describes a number of uses that hams are making of this band, including very high-speed data transmission, integrating separate repeaters over a wide area into one system, remote control of HF stations, and other activities. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ RADIO TIPS (RT) These are short items, scattered among the articles in the NEW HAM COMPANION section. _________ Title>Are You Overdeviating? Author>Ford, Steve - WB8IMY Source>QST Sep 93, p. 63 Abstract>FM operators must be careful to avoid overdeviating when transmitting. When operating FM, the loudness of the audio modulation is represented by the bandwidth of the r.f. signal. Receivers are all designed to capture bandwidths up to 5.0 KHz., and reject frequencies outside that band. So if a rig is transmitting a signal wider than that, the peaks of the audio will be cut off, resulting in severe distortion. In this tip, all FM operators are cautioned to be careful not to overdeviate, or else they may find it impossible to work through certain repeaters, and be told in direct QSOs that their audio is garbled. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ GENERAL INTEREST ARTICLES (GI) _________ Title>GI1:Pactor Phone Home: Mobile from the Australian Outback Author>Mehaffey, Joe - K4IHP Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 20-22 Abstract>A travelling ham reports his success in maintaining radio contact with home, using Pactor with a portable/mobile rig, while visiting Pacific islands and Australia. Digest>This article reports the author's success in maintaining daily communications with his home station in Atlanta, Georgia, during the several week trip he and his wife took to two Pacific islands and Australia. His home station is equipped with a 100-watt transceiver, TNC, computer, and a Yagi antenna on a 70-foot tower. With him on his trip, he carried a 100-watt transceiver, power supply, TNC, a rolled-up, multi-band trap antenna, a disassembled mobile antenna in sections, a VOM, and a set of hand tools, all packed in one side of a 27-inch suitcase! Each member of his family left back in Atlanta has an amateur radio license. They, and some of his friends, were able to access the author's station equipment by a telephone link from their own home through a computer and modem. The station transceiver was programmed to switch automatically to 15 or 20 meters on a scheduled basis to coincide with forecast propagation changes. The antenna was left pointing toward Fiji Island during the entire duration of the trip. The Mehaffeys stopped for several days at both Fiji and Raratonga Islands, where he operated as 3D2ME and ZK1IHP, respectively. Then they flew to Australia where they obtained a Holden station wagon and drove 2500 miles through the eastern part of the continent, including parts of the Outback. His call in Australia was VK2GRJ. He was able to maintain reliable communications for up to eight hours per day almost every day from the islands and from the hotel where they first stayed in Australia, using the wire antenna which was put up in tall palm trees by nimble young hotel employees. More surprisingly, he found he could obtain nearly equal results while driving across the country using his mobile antenna. Mr. Mehaffey credits his use of Pactor as his primary communications mode for much of the success of his links due to its ability to maintain reliable contact in the face of weak signals. His attempts at SSB contacts were not nearly as successful. Clearly, K4IHP demonstrated that remarkably reliable communications were possible with only 100 watts at both ends and a good antenna at only one end, under the propagation conditions that prevailed at the time. The article does not state the dates of his trip, but presumably it was sometime in 1992 when HF propagation was still very good for long periods between the USA and Oceania/Australia. _________ Title>GI2:PSE QSL for 5BWAS! Author>Kay, Leonard - p. 39 Source>QST Sep 93, p. 39 Abstract>How to achieve 5-band WAS. The author specializes in contest operations and going for awards in his ham activities. The most elusive award given by the ARRL (measured by the relatively small number of hams who have earned it) is the 5-Band Worked All States award. Mr. Kay tells of his problems in earning it. He found that working nearby states on the higher bands is more difficult than getting the most distant states on the low bands. Sporadic-E propagation finally provided the solution. _________ Title>GI3:Reflected Waves Author>Hanson, John - W9NBI Source>QST Sep 93, pp. 42-43 Abstract>Ham radio in the immediate aftermath of World War II. The writer was a GI in WW2 and ended the war in Saipan. He remained on duty there long enough to experience the return of U.S. amateurs to the air and used surplus equipment to open contact with stateside hams. When the time came for him to be returned for discharge, he found that he would travel on a merchant vessel. He was able to obtain permission to carry a ham rig aboard, and operate maritime mobile during the ocean crossing. This article recounts his experiences. _________ Title>GI4:First Contact and the Unpaid Debt Author>Elliott, Jock - KB2GOM Source>QST Sep 93, p. 44 Abstract>Helping newcomers get started with QSOs. Digest>The author recounts his trepidation over his first contacts after receiving his license. He feels that he owes a debt to the kind consideration he received from the hams who were patient in "working" him and overlooking his clumsiness. Now he repays that debt by treating newcomers that he meets in the same manner. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- 73, Van - W8UOF wvanho@infinet.com