A
*
|
B^Bi^^^^n^^^mm |
|
|
j febri \ay iw H ISSUE #401 L$A $2M |
* * |
|
CAS $195 mA WGI PuhlieatiOfj Internatimuif Edition |
i i |
f
§
V.
I
■ »
Bounce Your Signal Off a Star!
• *
• •
Standardize Your Microphones
••
*
Build a Portable 2m Quad
* *■
■ •
» *
I
U
73 Reviews
Kenwood TH-28A HT
XPERTEK Digital Voice Malf
i* -_/-i •*-
037
02
^"""
ICOM's IC-2GMT . . . Powerful Versatility In A Rugged, User-Friendly Handheld.
The IC-2GXAT offers
surprisingly simple operation with the features and perform mance amateurs have come io expect from Icom products. Whether >oure a beginner or a seasoned veteran, you'll quickly fall in love with this 2 meter handheld
IC-2GXAT
2 Meter
FM Transceiver
1C-MXAT
ICOM FM TRANSCEIVER
|
DUP SCAN |
1 ISh tu i^3 |
1 |
|
Aw/aw |
Ifl-aup wmm&iswrf&M |
|
|
k |
||
|
PGR/csoi- n**w= an |
||
|
B/^.y 1 |
J ■' |
1 |
|
^ -- |
||
|
4 |
■ 1 1 1 L |
|
|
m |
■i m m |
|
|
— B ■ |
■ |
MUM FWCWOtV DEW* BATTERY P*CK BF-160
SIMPLE OPERATION
Channel Operation - display can be set to indicate memory channel numbers only This keeps frequencies secret, restricts operating frequencies or simplifies operation for an unfamiliar user
CH-HO
Auto Repeater Operation - automatically activates the correct duplex direction when the receiver frequency tuned is within die repealer output frequency range.
Tone Scan - scans for, detects and his the subaudible tone frequency to enable communication with another station that is using subaudible tones.
DTMF Redial- for quick and easy access to autopatches.
User Friendly Keyboard - uncluttered, user-friendly design for ease of operation.
ADVANCED FEATURES
Power Saver - reduces the current drain to 35 mA (avg, Rx) for battery conservation and ex!ended operating time.
Low Power Option - switch to I W output power to extend your operating Lime when high power isnTl required-
40 Memory Channels - store all repeater information independently
Memory Transfer - the contems of a memory channel are transferred into VFO, and the WO mode is automatically selected, to assure quick and easy QSVing.
5 DTMF Auto Dial Memories - for quick and easy autopatching to frequently used telephone numbers.
Selectable DTMF Autodial Digit Duration - adjust your DTMF speed io the decode capabilities of the repealer
more information? Call our brochure hotline: (206)450-6088
MAXIMUM POWER
7 W Output Power - one of the highest powers available in a handheld (nominal with 13-5 V DC or the optional BP-132A battery pack). The BP-I52A battery pack provides more than enough power to reach those fringe areas, and a long lasting 600 mAh too!
DURABLE CONSTRUCTION
Die-cast Aluminum Rear Case - will with- stand the demands of rugged outdoor use.
Splash Resistant Body - maintains perfor- mance in harsh outdoor environments.
Rated ]IS it fur splash resistance. ihelC-2GXiT is huiff to withstand rugged tmidmr use.
OTHER GREAT FEATURES
• High Sensitivity. 0, 1& pV for H dB SIMU)
■ Multiple Scan Modes
• Monitor Function
* SET mode to customize transceiver operation
* Display Lighting widi > second timer
■ Subaudible tow encoder, lonr sqMch and pocket beep
■ Optional pager and code squelch
• BIM60 (3 W, 700 mAh) batten pack, *al] charger, belt clip and hand strap come standard
• 8 tuning steps <5. 10. 12.5, 15. 20. 25, 30 or 50 kKi)
* Call Channel
* I com cwnpaiihk accessories
o
km ui i^ im 1 14* w u,
UKOdi
KUfllttT
Kl
CIRCLE 179 ON HEADER SERVICE CAH D
OM
INTERNATIONAL INC.
FIND FREQUENCIES FAST
With the new, high sensitivity, ultra-fast, Auto Trigger & Hold Startek frequency counters. Increase readability distance with the new Band Pass Filters. All products made in USA,
T7M
RAN
5 YEARS all parts 1 YEAR
AL
UYIMiial
HP40Q Band Pass Fitter
r*RT*>|
••P *C0
1-1500 MHZ
AUTO TRIGGER fi HOLD
Now, for the first time, available on
inexpensive, portable counters with our new ATH ™ Series. This feature is the most significant improvement ever made to the pocket sized counters! It allows "Hands Free'1 operation to auto- matically read & hold a signal as quick as 80ms or 8% of a second.
ATH-3Q
1-2800 MHZ One-Shot Feature
iMmt fUtte-urc
AtHXWUI ft
50(200000
Auto TboaBt i ft&p- 2J arc CotrtTBi
S0000000
*T>#*
15to*tt/
Cdiwiets
(nfoSeifl
Scrmm}
ATM"
'■Vi.'5
COUNT
Hi W|Ht
W»M
Ultra Bri
Display
|
PC 3 |
|
|
C* " TB^P- ^ |
|
|
fcj^jfl |
|
|
■nvnp |
|
|
ir- ^JH^ |
|
|
■TARTE«lT«?r^ |
counting & false readings with the ATH * Series
TA-90 Antenna
[priced separately)
ATH-50
5 H? to 2800 MHZ One-Shot Feature
klHHUT RAttQE-MHff
***** hMe 10-aoo
S Hz b 2-BGhz FnctXftfKY Qouwtbi
S0000000
ATH-5D
«»* iui
erflnw^M
UNT •
Signal
Strength
Bar Graph
Works on Every
Range
Low Battery
Indicator
ATH SERIES FEATURES INCLUDE,
• Easy to use - simple controls
• Ultra fast response time
• Extra BRIGHT LEO digits
• 3-5 hour battery operation
• Automatic clean dropout
• Maximized sensitivity, <1mU typical
• Signal strength Bar Graph
• S ranges - 6 fast gate times
• 9-1 2 V auto-polarity power jack
• StarCab" aluminum cabinet
Factory Direct Order Lines SAME DAY SHIPMENT
Orders Only Orders & information
800-638-8050 305-561-221 1
FAX 305-561-91 33
EiKTi-% ifTJJ*-*j'.-l.»i
1350
^-1300 MHZ
HVTEFTMATiDftiAL. ttUC.
398 NE 38th St.. Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33334
^rf *Ev*\
and A/C Charger
INCLUDED with ALL Models
ATMS ATH-30 ATH-50 HST-15
M 500 MHZ High speed $199.
900WZsHgh^fflri.oni#u 359.
5 Hz to 2BO0 MHZ, crest** 389.
Optional 0.2 PPM TCXO 100.
High Accuracy Timebase [installed]
350 1-1300 MHZ, 10 HZ Res.
3 gate times, Hold swiich *? IB.
and Pass Fitters
. range or distance from a transmitter with a ass fiber <1 dB pass band insertion loss. MO DO60 MHZ Usage
fA4O0 40Q1 500 MHZ Usage
tP-800 80Q2G00 MHZ Usage tP-3 Above 3 lifters (SAVE $30) *1 77
IPSO
HP*4QQ HPSOQ 8P-3
A CCSQ B T&3Q C TA-9(K 0 RD-150 E RD-2750
G M2Q7-IC H F-H0 J LP-2P
Case for all models Telescope BNC antenna Telescope elbow antenna 1 50 MHZ rubber duck 37-50 MHZ rubber duck BOD MHZ rubber duck Interface cable for MFJ-PQ7 200 MHZ, 1x. lOxprafoe La-Pass, audio usage probe Drrect 50 OHM probe
Terms: Ship/Hand charges tot US & Can SW, others add 15%. R residents add tax. COD $5 VISA, MCf Discover accepted. Price* and specifications sutpct Co change ikhout nooce or obtptui.
CIRCLE 247 OH READER SERVICE CARD
ur microprocessor controlled interconnects patch your FM base station radio to your phone line and allow you to initiate and receive phone calls in your mobile or HT without assistance.
Only CSI interconnects offer Important user friendly features such as Memory Speed-dialing, Last Number Redial and a buiit-in Programming keyboard with com- panion digital display which makes user set-up quick, easy and positive..*
All features are fully user programmable: ■ Speed- dial memories * Single or multi-digit access code. ■ Secret toll override access code • Toil restrict numbers and sequences * Regenerated tone or pulse dialout
• Ringout on 1-9 ring • Line in use detect ■ Call waiting
* CW ID • Hookflash • Activity & Timeout timers... And More f
CSI has been the leading producer of interconnect prod- ucts for over eleven years. All products are made in the U.S. A, and come with a one year limited warranty.
To get the complete story Celt or Fax today tor product information and dealer fisting.
Connect Systems /nc.
2259 Portola Rd. Ventura, CA. 93003 Tod fre*
(800) 545-1349
Phone (805) 642-7184 FAX (805) 642-7271
Private Patch V
Private Patch V is a multi- mode interconnect that offers four user selectable modes: 1. Enhanced Sampling 2. VOX Simplex 3. Semi-Duplex ^Rep- eater Maker. A 90 memory speed-dialer and remote base mode are also included. Can be connected to the Mic and speaker jacks of any simplex transceiver when used in VOX simplex. Fully FCC and DOC approved. No other patch offers as many modes and features.
CS-900 Control Station Interconnect
The CS-900 is VOX act- uated and can be used simplex or Inrough any remotely located repeater The standard 1/2 Second Electronic Voice Delay to- tally eliminates syllable or word clipping and results in unsurpassed simplex performance, A 90 memory speed-dialer and Remote base mode are also included. The only required connections are to the Mic and Speaker lacks of your simplex transceiver. Fully FCC and DOC approved. This is the best deal going in a simplex patch!
CS-800 Full Duplex Interconnect
The CS*B00 will operate i^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Full or Semi duplex and also has a built-in Re- peater Maker, The only required connections are to the Mic and Speaker jacks of your dual band transceiver. A 9 memory Speed-dialer is standard. Fully FCC and DOC approved, This is your best choice in a Full Duplex Interconnect with built-in Repeater Controlled
CS-700 Intelligent Interconnect
|
• |
MHMmm^^^^^.^^ |
||
|
K |
The CS-700 is for simplex operation and offers sel- ectable VOX Enhanced or VOX Controlled Sampling Sampling alfows the mobile operator to have positive control at all times. The CS-700 requires an internal connection to the discnmmator of your simplex transceiver. A 9 memory Speed dialer is standard. This ts the best sampling patch in the business!
CD-1 Communications Decoder Unit
Decodes and displays all
50 CTCSS tones, 104 DCS
codes and all 16 DTMF
digits when connected to
any scanner, receiver or
service monitor Extremely
useful for service work or
determining the correct
codes to operate open repeaters and autopatches. DTMF sequences are
displayed a second time, sfowty just in case the real time digits were loo fast to
comprehend,
CSI fta registered Trnacmarh or Correct Syitarns Inc.
CIRCLE 12 ON READER SERVICE CARD
THE TEAM
PUBLISHER/EDITOR
Wayne Green W2NSD/1
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER/EDITOR
David Cassidy NtGPH
■
MANAGING EDITOR Hope Currier
SENIOR/TECHNICAL EDITOR Charles Warrington WA1RZW
EDnORIAL ASSOCIATES Sue Jewell Joyce Sawtelle
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS
Bill Brown WB3ELK Mike Bryce WB8VGE Joseph E. Carr K4IPV David Co whis WA1LBP Michael GeiefKBIUM Jim Gray W1XU/7 Chuck Houghton WB61GP Amie Johnson NtBAC Dr. Marc Leavey WA3AJR Andy WacAllister WA52IB Joe MoelJ K0OV Carole Perry WB2MGP Jeffrey Sloman N1 EWO
ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER
Dan Harper
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Judy Walker 1-603-924-0058 1-800-274*7373 FAX: 1-603-924-9327
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Suzanne Setf
GRAPHIC SERVICES Rim Works, I no, Hancock NH
TYPESETTING Linda Drew
CIRCULATION MANAGER
Harvey Chandler
To subscribe: 1-800-289^0388
WAYNE GREEN, INC.
Editorial Offices
70 Route 202N Peterborough NH 03458 1-603-924-0058; FAX: 1-603-924-9327
Subscription Services
1^600-289-0368
Foreign Subscribers t-609-461-8432
Jg Amateur
Radio Today
February 1994 Issue #401
TABLE OF CONTENTS
10 VHF Meteor Scatter Propagation
Bounce your signal beyond the horizon „ WB2WIK/6
18 Using the World's Most Accurate Frequency Standard, Part 2
Building a digital phase comparator. K9EUI
26 Computer Control for Your Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) VFO Free yourself of the hassles of generating an accurate and stable sinusoidal signal — and moreL, „._.,. ....VE1ABC
36 ASCM-to-Morse-Code Interface
Let your keyboard do the work. ...
44 Standardize Your Microphone Connectors A one-plug-fits-all solution you can easily build. WB9YBM
46 Folding Three-Element 2 Meter Quad Finds fox, folds, fits in trunk ..WX8G
REVIEWS
'---»"---*»««-"*¥¥ + --W*»»W--T+T«T--*#l'**'--l
KD1JV
ft
Audit Bureau
of Circulations
Member
Reprints: S3 00 per article.
Back issues $4,00 each.
Wr lie to 73 Amateur Radio Today, Reprints,
70 Route 202N, Peterborough. NH QMSS.
Printed In tiie U.S.A. by Quad Graphics, Thomaston, Georgia,
DEPARTMENTS
74 Above and Beyond 81 Ad Index 78 Ask Kaboom 89 Barter V Buy 62 Carr's Corner 88 Dealer Directory 17 Feedback index SO Ham Help 68 Hams with Class 65 Homing In
6 Letters
4 Never Say Die 86 New Products 72 Packet & Computers 88 Propagation 70 QRP
8 QRX
96 Random Output
60 RTTY Loop
80 73 International
84 Special Events 94 Uncle Wayne's Bookshelf
Build this portable 2 meter quad . . . see page 46,
FEEDBACK- FEEDBACK!
It's like being ihcrc— rip hi here in our offices! How? Ju-M lake advantage of our FEEDBACK card on page 1 7. You'll noiice p feed buck number at the beginning of each article and column. We'd like you to rate what you read so that we can print what types of things you like best. And then we wilt draw one Feedback card each month for a free subscription to 73,
52 The Kenwood TH-28A 2 meter hand-held transceiver. ..WB2WIK/6
56 TheXPERTEK D VMS/1 +
Digital voice mail system for repeaters.. .WA4TEM
On the coven Bounce your signal off a shooting start Learn all about VHF meteor scatter propagation . . . see page to. Star photo courtesy of the National Optical Astronomy Observatories. Antenna photo courtesy of Rutland Arrays.
Manuscripts Contributions in the form of manuscripts with drawings and/or photographs are welcome and will be considered for possible publication We can assume no responsibility for loss or damage to any materia I. Please enclose a stamped, self -addressed envelope with each submission Payment for the use of any unsolicit- ed material will be made upon publication. A premium wilt be paid for accepted articles that have been submitted electron realty (CompuServe ppn 70310,775 or MCI Mail "WGEPUB" or GEnie address "MAG73") or on disk as an IBM-compatiote ASCII hie. You can also contact us at the 73 BBS at (603) 904-9343, 300—2400 baud. S data bits, no parity, one stop brt. All contributions should be directed to the 73 editorial offices "How to Write for 7T guidelines are available upon request. US citizens must include their Social Security number with submitted manuscripts.
73 Amateur Radio Today (ISSN 1052-2522) is published month fy by Wayne Green Inc.. 70 Route 202 North. Peterborough NH 03456 Entire contents £-1993 by Wayne Green Inc, No part of this publication may be repro- duced without written permisson of the publisher For Subscription Services, write lo 73 Amateur Radio Today P.O. Box 7693, Rtverton NJ 08077-7693, or call 1-BOO-289'O380> The subscription rate is: one year $24.97, two years £39.97; Canada: S34.2J for one year. $57.75 for two years, including postage and 7% GST. Foreign postage: Si 9 00 surface or $42 00 airmail additional per year. All foreign orders must be accompanied by pay- ment in US funds. Second class postage paid at Peterborough, NH. and at additional mailing offices; Canadian second class mail registration #176101. Canadian GST registration #126333314. Microfilm Edition — University Microfilm, Ann Arbor Ml 4|MQ0- POSTMASTER: Send address changes lo 73 Amateur Radio Today, P.O. Box 7693. Rtverton NJ 08077-7693
Contract: By casting your eyes upon this issue of 73. you have become obligated to invest in the future of ham radio. Introduce o youngster to our hobby and help amateur radio grow.
Editorial Offices
70 Route 202N
Peterborough NH 03458
phone: 603-924-0058
Advertising Offices
70 Route 202N
Peterborough NH 03458
phone: 800-274^7373
Circulation Offices
70 Route 202N
PetertM rough NH 0345S
phone 603-924-0058
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 3
Number 1 on your Feedback card
N
EVER BAY DIB
Wayne Green W2NSD/1
Uncle Wayne's Caribbean Adventures
The downside of the laplop comput- er is how easy it makes it lor people to write. People like meH for instance. Nat- urally I had my little Mac Power Book with me when I made my 11 -island 21- day Caribbean ham -music-diving 71st birthday celebration safari in Septem- ber. In between mini-ham tests, scuba diving, flying from island to island, and reading a pile of books I'd brought along. I somehow managed to write a blow by-blow travelogue o! the adven- ture.
Any seasoned reader of my editori- als will not be surprised that it quickly assumed epic proportions. It started as a simple letter to my Aunt Kitty In Jofiet. but it grew legs. By the time I got the whole thing together it ran a Reader's Digest- sized 40 pages. Then I added a story from my 1992 visit to Dominica, where I almost got skewered by a thrashing diving ladder, Say, why not in- clude a hilarious story t did about my diving cruise on the Ocean Quest a couple years back? And a couple other Caribbean diving vacations?
I somehow couldn't help myself from sending a letter to the dive operators on the islands I'd visited, telling them now to improve their product. I added that to the saga. And being into economic de- velopment here in New Hampshire, I saw lots of opportunities for the island leaders to a (tract more tourists and de- velop industries to pull their countries out of poverty. And most of them are deeply embedded in poverty, t added that to the saga too. I'll send the Setters to the leaders, knowing they probably won't bother to read them.
Though these were malnfy scuba diving trips, and thus you. as a mono* interest person, totally dedicated to toy sing up what Shreds we have left o! what was once a glorious hobby proba- bly could care less about the adven- tures of frugal septuagenarian Uncle Wayne. Worse, the writing, according to my critics, is vintage Green. Pity. Weli, anyone who reads this pile will certainly know Uncle Wayne better. Maybe I should start billing myself as Grandpa Wayne. Gramps* Grumpy Gramps. Gimpy, grumpy G ramps, honoring my gimpy left knee.
When I get finished with the saga it'll
probably run 80*100 pages. It'll cost something to print, so I cant just give Ft away free. How about S5? Postpaid? For $10 I could include pictures, but finding a ham With a spare $10 bill is so unlikely that I didn't even con-sider that Maybe, instead of buying popcorn and a drink at the movies next time, you could spring for my Adventures? It's amusing stuff.
But then you haven't bothered to send for my work of sheer (thin) genius, We the People Declare War On Our Lousy Government, wherein 1 present you with the keys to solving most of our more serious social, economic, political, and ecological problems. Oh. a few readers have read it and I appreciate their enthusiastic letters. HI feet even better in see some of them deciding to actually do something about cleaning up Congress, cutting crime, and im- proving our miserable school system. Politically I'm not ultra-right or ultra- left— maybe Tm ultra -center. No* I'm pragmaltc, wherever that fits.
My enemies will love my Adven- tures. So will my friends— both of them< Everyone else wilt, as usual, sigh, turn Ihe page and forget all about il. Of course, if I can get you honked, i might be able to foist of! the 20 issues of my Declare War Update . reports These beauts run 16 pages each. One of these days Til edit em. toning down some of my perhaps too clearly ex- pressed frustration with Ihe political baloney here in New Hampshire, and print the reports as another book. There's a ton oi good ideas in em Check Uncle Wayne s Bookshelf and see if we've managed to list thfs stuff there. Then send money. Or call our 800 number,
OK, You Electronic Experts
I've just heard from a second 73 reader who says, "I don't care what some loony researcher has shown, I know that all this stuff about 60 Hz magnetic fields hurting people is bunk." I asked both if they'd read anything about the research. They hadn't, be- cause they knew it was baloney, so why waste their time?
This reaction is one scientists should appreciate, because this same ap- proach is endemic in the scientific com- munity. It's dandy retribution when II happens to them. In the science busi-
ness the deck is slacked against re- search in any new field, A scientist's success is measured by the number of papers published. The more papers, the easier it is to get research grants. But the scientific journals are reluctant to publish papers which challenge or- thodoxy, thus making sure that re- search projects are not challenging, The result is that today science has lost its spirit of adventure.
In the past scientists have held on to their beliefs tenaciously, and only reluc- tantly accepted new ideas when there was no other refuge. Let me quote Max Planck, the pioneer in quantum physics: "A new scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and mak- ing them see the light, but rather be- cause its opponents eventually die and a new generation grows up thai is famil- iar with it."
Quantum physics really shook up the scientific world. It answered some questions, but in the process it opened up many more that scientists are stilt struggling with. It's fun to read about all this. I've read several fascinating books recently on this subject I really should review them tor you and see if I can get you to read them. There's 7"ne Hoto- graphic Universe by Michael Talbot, and Parallel Universes by Fred Wolf.
As usual, I digress. Well, there are so many interesting things to talk and write about that my taffcs and writing seem to mainly be a long series of di- gressions. Perhaps my recognizing in is has contributed to my cutting way back on the number of talks I've been giving at hamfests and conventions. About the only hamfest where IVe been speaking lately is at Dayton. I've been thinking of Stopping that loo. There are just too many exciting things to talk about and too little time,
Electromedicine
Now, un digressing, and getting hack to btc electromagnetics and bioelecri- city, 1 read a book while on my birthday Caribbean tour that I just have to tell you about. It's Cross Currents by Robert Becker. The subtitle is: "The perils of electropolution and the promise of electromedicine — a slarlling look at the effects of electromagnetic radiation on your health." This book really kept my highlighter busy. It was exciting to read.
Not only will the research that has been done in this field fascinate you. it may well get you to thinking about set- ting up a little lab and investigating some areas wheie there's still a need for basic research — research which is within your ability to do.
The more you read about life and the cells which make up life, the better you understand that life can be seen as fields within fields within fields. And this is helping to bring about a revolution in medicine. We know now that chemicals and surgery aren't the only possible ways of curing illnesses We know that the mind can influence the body, and that the body has a powerful innate self -healing system. So we're seeing a growing interest in "unscientific" ap- proaches such as acupuncture, place- bos, visualization, homeopathy, hypno- sis, healing, foods, herbs, meditation, and electromedicine. Are there more productive approaches to tackling ill- nesses such as diabetes. AIDS, chron- ic-fatigue syndrome. Alzheimer's, autism, and even cancer? Is it possible that a physicist who is an ex-ham really has a little simpte-to-make electrical gadget that can cure AIDS? HI tell you more about mat further on is this edito- rial He also has an electronic gadget that stops drug addiction in its tracks.
Now. back to Becker's book. He starts out with the history of medicine, explaining how it has evolved. You're probably familiar with the story of how Lister discovered germs, how physi- cians refused to believe himr and con- tinued 10 kill most of their surgery pa- tients through infection tor many more years. Becker didn'l mention that, but it makes a good point.
Scientists have found that our bod- ies work on an incredibly complex com- bination of both chemical and electric actions. So Becker got interested in how salamanders are able to regener- ate arms, legs, and tails. Maybe, if we understand how they do ft, we might be able to regrow human arms and legs. He discovered that very minule electri- cal currents controlled the regrowth phenomenon. Minute being billionths of an ampere'
You II read about how he applied his new understanding to the regrowth of leg parts in rats, and in helping speed bone fracture healing. You're not going to like this, but researchers have found an amazing correlation between the voltage points on the body and the acupuncture points of ancient Chinese medicine.
Becker traces the history of cancer research and the changing medical be- liefs about it. The newest research indi- cates there is an electronic biological control system involved. This would help explain spontaneous remissions, the placebo effect, and so on.
Our Microcurrent Analog System
Our body works much like a comput- er, using digital communications for all our senses— sight, hearing, taste, smefl. touch. But beneath that more re-
Continued on page 85
4 73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994
1
1
I
I
No matter what your frequency requirements (2, 6, 10, 220P 4^0), when you buy a mono-bander factory-direct from Azdenf you'll enjoy these five great advantages:
POWER: Handhelds-5 watts, Mobiles- 50 watts, (25w on 220MHzt and 35w on
•HOMHz.) Standard!
FACTORY-DIRECT SERYICI ND TECHNICAL SUPPORT: Factory engineers
and technicians perform all service, and our sales stall are hams, with years of experience.
RELIABILITY: All Azden radios are heavy-duty commercial grade (designed to MIL-STD-810),and are virtually "maintenance free".
FLEXIBILITY We go the extra step, like CAP and .WARS mods at no charge, with proper documentation*
TWO YEARjAYARRAXTV I The only manufacturer confident enough to offer this* everything is covered lor the first year, and we only charee tor labor in the second year.
So whether you're buying a mobile, handheld radio or communications headset, come to Azden. __ We understand. -
COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION
f«
MOBILES
PCS-700011
2 Mel its
|
PCS-7200 |
220 MHz |
|
|
FCS-750OH |
440 MMi |
|
|
PCS-75Q0H |
6 Meter* |
|
|
PCS-7800H |
10 Meters |
|
|
HANDHEI DS |
||
|
A2-II |
L0 Meters |
|
|
AZ-61 |
6 Meiers |
|
|
AZ-21A |
2 Meters |
HEADPHONES
HS-Uo
DM- 10
W ixh Boom Mic
Without Mic
*p»'
*T*
— — •— . t -i
*k -
J ■•
»W'll9»(
«H »1i KWW
<™
**»*», «.
F J \>\
***J*lfl»»
** k»u
iHxh
»
**fcQl
■«li
'^■^fc-m.
**DEH
p*s-™
***H
*■«*
TO PLACE
ORDERS (ONLY) -,.,.., _
GAL! -800-6-13-766 ^ ^T ,„ *****
For literature, prices, and service call (516) 328-7501, Fax: (516) 328-7506, orVrrte tQjj0j(**x^ AZDEN CORPORATION. 147 New Hyde Park Road, Franklin Square, New York HMO. "
CIRCLE 92 ON READER SERVICE CARD
VfSA
Letters
Number 2 on your Feedback card
Randy Crase KB7UIT, Woodland WA Wayne, I just finished writfng out my check lo renew my 73 subscrip- tion, and also reading your editorial in the September '93 issue, Great job, Wayne. Actually, I have read many of your editorials in the two years IVe been licensed. One theme stays con- stant: I fully support your views on the ARRL and do not belong to the organs ration or subscribe to OST. In your last editorial you again brought up the fiasco of CW. You also stated that the ham population should circumvent the ARRL in proposed new rule changes to the FCC, How does one go about proposing rule changes?
I am a No-Code Tech and, fike many, do not care to spend the time learning code at 13 wpm lo get a Gen- eral Class license. Supposedly, by ITU convention ail HF privileges are to be allowed upon passing a lest for CW. However, there is no requirement about speed. What I woutd tike to see is a 5 wpm requirement (or all license Classes, or elimination ol CW as a re- quirement, I Know that Ihe "live and die by CW" group will throw fits and keys at this proposal; that's OK. The majority of hams now are No -Code Techs, and the number is increasing. Most of these people are not "glorified appliance operators." I have talked to many very intelligent No-Code Techs — doctors, engineers, program- mers, etc. These people could pass just about any theory test you could loss them, yet they are still No-Code Techs. They do not upgrade because Ihey don't want to "waste the time" on an "ancient form ol communication." I have absolutely no problem with re- quiring a theory test for various class- es of licenses.
If No-Code Techs are "glorified CBers* then more power to us. All I need do is turn on my VHF equipment and listen to very little garbage, or turn on HF to 14,313 or 40 meters and lis- ten to some of our "superiors" trash the band^
Wayne, keep on pushing the ARRL it's now time to get nd of the code re- quirement, or at least make it so easy that it's just a nuisance,
Wetf. gee. t dunno . . . Wayne
George M. Badger ML San Jose CA Wayne, you certainly are an EE (Eclectic Editorialist) if I ever saw one. And at my age I have seen more than four. Your October '93 editorial brought up a very good point: The majority of nam QSOs are very boring and very often pedantic. It seems that quite a few of the hams on the air are old. un- happy and definitely righl*of -center, Getting order has its rewards, one of which is that we alt have a larger cross
From the Hamshack
section of experiences to draw upon and therefore we should have more to talk about. Nope, it doesn't seem to work that way. I don't know why peo- ple are not excited about their lives and want to learn more about others' lives and therefore enrich their own* From my small outpost tn the world, the loudest compteiners are generally a small minority who are "control freaks" afraid of CHANGE! They go out and spend for targe signets so they can attempt to prevent others from having their own experiences. They are often accompanied by labels so they will be able to identify their own "tribe." Or is It diatribe?
Wayne, you are correct. Life Is not a spectator sport. If you are not part ol the solution, you are definitely part of the problem. Anybody can sit back and point out how something may not work, but it takes a real person to stand up, join \n and make things hap- pen. Hey, tell them mis: "If you don'l (ike Hie news, go out and make your own,"
Thank you for the features on QRP. I am in the process of co-writing a book on QRP and equipment modifi- cations that should be out mid- 1994, I'm an ex-ham who has missed ham- ming and am in the process of retriev- ing my ticket. Solar QRP DX is my bag,
Good grief, another troublemaker . . . Wayne
Ed Eggert W3HIKP Fair Haven NJ Just a quick note to let you know how pleased ! am with the Packet Mac mo- dem out of your October 1992 issue. Dexter Francis of Sigma Associates is a delight to do business with. He was kind enough to answer all my ques- tions about the modem before I or- dered one.
I had purchased a commercial TNC to use with my Mac and after three months of taxing back and forth I still could not get it work. Try as they could, they admitted that they did not have a Mac to test it with.
The Packet Mac. along with Savant software, worked without a hitch. If you have a Mac. it's the only way to go. Now, if we can convince Dexter to design a regular modem with fax for the Mac we will have it made.
Thanks for running the article,
Harry M. Johnson NV7K,
Kalispell MT t just finished reading the December 1993 "Never Say Die" and I feel I must write lo you. I've recently purchased some new items that I feel motivated to report on as per your request. I generally use boat- anchoMype equipment thai i acquire and then restore to working condition.
but occasionally t feel Ihe time is right to purchase some type of new gear,
I would like to review a new book I have purchased (new to me, that is): Solid State Design for the Radio Ama- teur by Hayward W7ZOI and DeMaw W1FB. It is published by the ARRL and the price is $12. I have an aca- demic background in the biological sciences and education and have a solid foundation in physics and math, but I need references when I want to build certain types of circuits. While building an oscillator, filter, etc.. it Is very nice to be able to look up a circuit and quickly determine component val- ues without having to do it by thai and error. I have sought out this type of reference work on many occasions and have really never found one to do the job. until this one. Some represen- tative chapter headings are: "Semi- conductors and the Amateur/ Basics of Transmitter Design," "Power Ampli- fiers and Matching Networks/ "Re- ceiver Design Bastes/ and *Tesf Equipment and Accessories."
I live in a rather isolated area with respect to rel ail amateur radio dealers. I can order by phone or fax or USPS, but sometimes you just can't beat hands-on shopping, A few weeks ago, while visiting my uncle. YV7GBI. and his family, we had occasion to visit one of the Ham Radio Outlet retail stores. While browsing over the book shelves, 1 spotted Hayward and De- Maw's book and knew then and there that it was what f was looking for. I know it is not a new title, but I had not seen it before and It really meets a need for me,
Another new item 1 would like to share is an ICOM IC-2iA 2 meter handie-talkie. We were looking for a very small, uncomplicated HT While at the same HRO store, we looked at and got the feel of all the mini HTs. The IC-2iA is definitely the smallest and has the fewest external controls. The neat part is that by using the few controls on the outside in various com- binations and permutations one can program onto the CPU all of the oper- ating parameters used by your aver- age 2 meter repeater user. Clock set- ting, power on and off times, CTCSS tones, DTMF automating, paging, and power levels can be preprogrammed In and then actuated with a few well* cnosen keystrokes (two or three in all cases). The radio has two levels of programming: the basic for everyday functions used most often, and an ad- vanced mode with the more complex levels of operation available. There Is even an Al mode in which ihe HT learns which functions you use most often and expands the programming to suit what It perceives as your needs.
Wayne, no doubt about it, you are a windbag, but I guess I, and your other faithfui readers, wouldn't have it any other way. I do find 73 to be the most interesting of the "Big 3" not only be- cause of your editorials but also be- cause of the general content and the
types of articles and regular columns that you include. Thanks for a good job and I won't worry about you be- coming complacent and resting on your laurels because of too much praise.
Me a windbag? Harrumph . ■ , Wayne
Tom Tobiassen NOBZ. Aurora CO Wayne, in response to your De- cember 1993 editorial, 1 would like to give you my rating of a ham product,
I would rate my Kenwood TS-S0S HF transceiver as a "9.* t purchased this radio last spring and I've been very happy with it. I have always been interested In operating HF from the car while traveling and IVe dreamed of operating HF while on vacation. This radio has given me the opportunity to do both this past summer. While On vacation at Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, in July, I operated 20, 15 and 10 meter S3B while in the car chatting with folks all over the U.S. I operated 40 and 15 meter CW from the rented cabin using a dipote, chat- ting with other hams all around the world, I really enjoy this radio,
Ed Maikranz KG5UN, Abilene TX Wayne, greetings from West Texas, I work as a firefighter-EMT here. I have been a ham sfnee 1988. I also spent eight years in the army as an HF HT- TY operator.
I want to lell you about the two lat- est additions to my shack, The first was an ICOM IC-729 HF and 6 meter rig. This is a nice, compact, easy-to- use radio; not too complicated It has simple controls and comes with good instructions. I have been using it for a tittle over a year and am very pleased. It works great in all modes, Shortwave listening In AM sounds very nice, The noise blanker and preamp are both very effective. It handles RTTY, AM* TOR* FACTOR and packet with no problem. The radio works like a champ on 6 meters also, lis a good receiver for weak signals, and does a fine job with FM simple* and repeaters as wefL Ail it needs is transverter con- nections on it.
A few weeks ago I picked up an MFJ 1278B muftimode data controller. This is a very versatile unit. On packet it works great and has a nice built-in mailbox. RTTY, CW and AMTOR are easy to use and do very well. PACTOR is a nice mode and this unit supports it very well I have copied color slow-scan pictures with good re- sults and also copied a lot of fax pic* tures with very good resutts* This was a good value tor my money.
My radio interests are quite varied. I like chewing the rag on HF, mainly on 17 meters. I enjoy all of the HF digital modes as well. I also enjoy weak- sig- nal VHF work, currently on 2 and 6 meters. I have done a lot of meteor scatter work as well, and have made contacts on the RS satellites. I hope to get on the OSCAR birds soon, as well as doing UHF weak Signal wont.
6 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
Low Cost GaAsFET
PREAMPS
LNG-C)
ONLY $59
FEATURES:
« Very low noise: 0.7dB vhf, Q.SdB uhf
* High gain: 13-20dB, depends on freq
* Wide dynamic range * resist overload
• Stable: low-feedback dual-gate FET
"Specify tuning range: 26-30. 46-56. 1 37-152.
LNW-O
MINIATURE PREAMP
only $29 kit, $44 nt im^Mnn
* GaAs FET Preamp similar to LHG, ex- cept designed for low cost & small size Only 5/8-W x 1-5/8T x 3/4"H. Easty mounts in many radios,
'Specify tuning range: 25-35, 35-55, 56-90. SCM20, ?20-?Wr 150-200, 200-2730, 400-500 MHfc.
LNS-f)
IN-LINE PREAMP
ONL Y $ 89 wn$11 9 «* edited
• GaAs FET Preamp with features similar to LNG series, except automatically switches out of line during transmit. Use with base or mobile transceivers up to 25W. Tower mounting brackets md
•Tuning fang* 120- f7$ 200-240. ot 400-500.
HELICAL RESONATOR PREAMPS
• GaAs FET preamps with 3 or 4 section helical resonators reduce intormod & crass-band interference in critical applications MODEL HRG-( * }, $80 vhff $110 uhf. "Specfly tuning range
HE 750, ISO- J6Z 162-174. 2 13-233, 420-470
RECEIVING CONVERTERS
Low noise converters to receive vhf and uhf bands on a 10M receiver.
• Kit less case $43, kli w/case A BNC jacks $74, w&t in case 539.
• Input ranges avaf: 50-52, 136-138, 144-146, 145-147, 146-148, 220-222, 222-224 MHzd 432-434, 435-437, 435,5-437,5, and 439.25 {to Chan 3).
TRANSMITTING CONVERTERS
XV2forvrrtandXV4foruhf. Models to convert 10M ssbT cw, frn, etc. to 2M, 230, 222, 432, 435, and atv. 1 W Output. Kit onfy $89. PAs up to 45 W available.
ACCESSORIES
Versatile DVR-1 DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER Module As a voice ID'erfor repeaters records your voice using me built-in microphone or external mic Use with almost any repeater COR module May aiso be used as a contest calter to play back one or more messages through your transmitter at the press of a switch. Used as a radio notepad, ii can record the audio output of a receiver - up to 20 sec. of any- thing you might want to recall later. Play back as many times as you Hoe through a small external speaker Extensive man- ual telts how to use multiple messages and adapt for many applications.
..kit $59, w&t $99
IIIHt'-* I— t
TD^t SELECTIVE CALLING Mod* Versatile dtmf controller with 1 latching output Mutes speaker until someone calls by sending your 4-digFi ft code Or use it with a long tt zero digit to alert anyone in club Also may be used to control autopatch or other device kit $49, w&t $79
COR-3 REPEATER CONTROLLER. Features adjustable tail and time-out tuners, solid-state relay, courtesy beep and local speaker amplifier kit $39
CWID. Diode programmable any time in the field, adjustable tone, speed, and
LI II I El . ithrHtth--' ..hhI.j:...........(ii iRH f v9
COR-4. Complete COR and CWID all on one board CMOS logic for low power consumption EPROM program- med; specify call. kit $79. w&t $12?
COR-6. COR & Real- Zoic e ID on one board Digital ic records up to 20 seconds of your voice,
using built-in or ext mic. Can record multiple id messages. Taif and time-out timers, courtesy beep, sol id -slate relay to key transmitter kil $99, w&t $149
TD-2 DTMF DECODER/CON- TROLLER. 16 digits, toll-call restnct- or, programmable Can turn 5 functions on/off kit $79, wired & tested $139
AP-3 AUTOPATCH. Use with above for repeater autopatch Reverse patch and phone line remote control are std ..kit S79. wired & tested SI 39
AP-2 SIMPLEX ALTTOPATCH Timing Board Use with above for simplex operation using a transceiver kit $39
TD-3 SUBAUDIBLE TONE DE- CODER/ENCODER. Adjustable for any tone. Especially for repeaters, with remote control activate/deactivate provisions kit $29, wired & tested $59
MQ-202 FSK DATA MODULATOR & DE-2G2 FSK DEMODULATOR- Run up to 1200 baud digital signals through any fm transmitter & receiver with full handshakes. Radio -I ink computers, telemetry, etc ... kit ea $39, w&t ea $69
9600 BAUD DIGITAL RF LINKS. Low-cost packet networking system, consisting of MG-96 Modem and special versions of our 144. 220, or 450MHz FM Transmitters s~3 Receivers Interface directly with most TNC's Fast, diode- switched PA's output 1 5 or 50W
Buy at low, factory-direct net prices and save! For complete info, call or write for free catalog.
Send S2 for overseas air ma//.
Order by mail, fax, or phone (9-i2AM,i-5piweaaieftitim*,)
Min. S5 S&H Charge for first pound plus add I weight & insurance
Use VISA, Mastercard, check, or UPS C.O.D,
REP-200 REPEATER
A fully microprocessor-controlled repeater with autopatch and many versatile dtmf control features at less than you might pay for a bare-bones repeater or controller alone!
We don't skimp on rf modules, either! Check the features on B144 Receiver below, for instance: GaAs FET front-end, helical resona- tors, sharp crystal filters, hysteresis squelch.
Kit $1095; w&t only $12951
(90QMH2 units siigfitty higher)
• Available for the 50-54, 143-174, 213- 233, 420-475, 902 928 MHz oandS-
■ FCC type accepted for commercial service (150 & 450).
• Power Out 20W 50-54MHz; 25W 143- 174MHz; 15W 213-233 MHz. 10W uhf; 1QW902-928MHZ
• Available add-on PAs up to 100W
• Six courtesy beep types including two pleasant multi-tone bursts,
• Open or closed access autopatch, toll-call restrict, auto-disconnect.
• Reverse Autopatch, two types,
• DTMF CONTROL: over 45 functions can be controlled by 4-dic/t dtmf command, via radio or telephone.
• Owner can inhibit autopatch or re- peater, enable either open or dosed access for repeater or autopatch, and enable toil calls, reverse patch, ker- chunk filter, site alarm, aux rcvr
• Cw speed and tone, beep delay, tail timer, and courtesy beep type can be changed at any time by owner pass- word protected dtmf commands.
• Auxiliary receiver input for control or cross linking repeaters
• Color coded LEDs indicate status of all major functions,
•3V6 inch aluminum rack panel, finished in eggsheH white and black.
REP-2Q0T Voice Message Repeater As above except
includes Digital Votce Recorder Allows message up to 20 sec to be remotely recorded off the air and played back at user request by DTMF command, or as a periodical voice id, or both kit $ 1 145, w&t only $1395
REP*200C Economy Repeater. Like rep-200, except uses
COR-6 GorttroSer {no DTMF control or autopatch). Features real-voice id recorded with built -in microphone Krt only $795, wit $1 095
REP-2QGN Repeater. Want to use your ACC controller, etc? No problem" Well make you a repeater with rf modules only . ... Ktt only $695, w&t $995
XMTRS & RCVRS FOR REPEATERS, AUDIO & DIGITAL LINKS, TELEMETRY, ETC.
Also available in rf*rlgirt enclosures, and with data modems.
FM EXCITERS; 2W continuous duty. TCXO & xtal oven options FCC type accepted for com'/ high band & uhf.
TAS1: 50-54, 143-1 74e 213-233
MHz kit $109. w&t $189
TA451 420-475 MHz
...kit $109. w&t 1189
TA901 902-926MHZL
(0 5W out), w&t $219.
VHF & UHF AMPLIFIERS.
For fm, ssb, atv Output levels f
lOWtolOOW. Several models
FM RECEIVERS:
* R144/R220 FM RECEIVERS for 143-174 or 21 3-233 MHz GaAs FET front end, 0.1 5uV sensitivity ' Both crystal & ceramic if filters plus helical resonator front end for exceptional selectivity: MOQdB at ±12kHz (best available anywhere!) Flutter-proof hysteresis squelch; afc tracks drift. ...kil $149, w&t$219.
* R451 FM RCVR, for 420-475 MHz. Similar to above .„kit $149, w&t $219.
* R901 FM RCVR, for 902928MHz Triple-con version, GaAs FET front end. ...$169. w&t $249
. R76 ECONOMY FM RCVR for 26-30. 50-54, 75-76, 143-174, 21 £-233 MHz,
w/o helical res or afc Kits Si 29. w&t $219. . R137 WEATHER SATELLITE RCVR for 137 MHz Kit $129. w&t $219
Our 320d Year!
amironics, inc.
65-D MOUL RD. — HILTON NY 14468-9535 Phone 716-392-9430 — fax ne^92-942o
I{ll/1 ■ ■ ■
Number 3 on your Feedback card
Radio Operators Behind Bars
Three young residents of the California
Youth Authority's Camp Fenner recently re- ceived their amateur radio licenses after a long period of study. The idea was formulated by Parole Agent Bill Goff KI6DJt with assis- tance from Teacher Ed Griffith KC6WCT. All three wards were first carefully screened for the proper levels of ability, motivation, and re* habitation.
Organizers say ham radio teaches disci- pline, coope ration p and geography — not to mention electronics. For some youthful of- fenders, this is their first experience being co- operative or successful. The program is be- lieved to be the first of its kind. Anyone with experience using amateur radio to rehabili- tate young men should contact Ed Griffith KC6WCT. RQ. Box 30275, Stockton, CA 95213-0275; (209) 825-9458. TNX KC6WCZ
Wanted: Young Hams
Once again, Carole Perry WB2MGP is looking for articulate, active amateur radio youngsters up to age 18 to be interviewed for possible participation in the Dayton 1994 Youth Forum. This year's forum will be bigger and better than ever. Please contact Carole at P.O. Box 131646, Staten Island, NY 10313-0006, or telephone her at (716) 983- 1416- TNXWB2MGR
Huge Cable
A private venture with financial backing In the United States, Japan, and the Middle East, is planning to construct the world's longest under-sea fiber-optic cable, linking Europe, the Middle East, and Asia through 13 landing points. The new cable will join exist- ing undersea links to open up broad band- width international multimedia services by 1 996.
The Fiberoptic Link Around the Globe (FLAG) will cover 18,000 miles, from Britain through the Mediterranean Sea and Indian Ocean to Japan. FLAG is expected to com- plete the first global high-capacity fiber-optic highway of great capacity. The link would support 600,000 conversations simultaneous- ly and support teleconferencing and enter- tainment video too. The huge cable would likely compete with satellites for business. TNX Electronic Engineering Times, Decem- bers, 1993.
Semiconductors: A Girl's Best Friend?
With financial backing from the White House. Russian and American scientists are beginning collaborations to develop new semiconductor technologies based on dia- mond films. The Clinton Administration has allocated fundfng to support the work of 20 Russian scientists for a year,
8 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994
Russian diamond technology first came to light in 1977. Reports were largely ignored in the U.S. but were pursued in Japan. Now the University of Missouri has established the in- ternational Diamond Research Institute where researchers will work with the Labora- tory of Diamond Film Crystallization at the In- stitute of Physical Chemistry in Moscow,
A primary goal of the new institute is to de- velop reproducible n-type and p-type dia- mond films that are more rugged than silicon for a new generation of semiconductor de- vices. TNX Electronic Engineering Times, December 6t 1993,
Boyer Wants His HT Back
According to newspaper accounts, Chris Boyer KC6UQG, who accessed a sheriffs department radio frequency to summon medi- cal help for an injured friend, now wants his portable radio back. Reportedly, Boyer first tried to get help via amateur radio, business band, and cellular phone, but to no avail.
Boyer contends that he made a responsi- ble decision to use the Sheriff's frequency on- ly after exhausting all other communications options. His friend had been hurt in a moun- tain bike accident and was bleeding. Two weeks after the incident Boyer was called in- to a meeting with FCC and sheriff's depart- ment officials, where he surrendered his ra- dio. It is not clear whether the radio was actu- ally conff seated, or if it was volunteered in lieu of prosecution. TNX Westtink Report, No. 662, November 26t 1993; W5YI Report, issue #23t December 1, 1993; The San Diego Union Tribune.
Form 610 is New
A totally new FCC Form 610 is on its way into ham radio as a resuft of a new computer at the Federal Communications Commission, The venerable old 610 will soon fade into his- tory as a resuft
The new form is streamlined, u does away with all of the boxes previously contained in the administering VE's report. The report it- self has been relocated to the bottom front of the form, right above the VE certification area. The administering VE will now only need to indicate which one of six classes the applicant is qualified for. The sixth category is "Technician Plus" and its inclusion on the new form indicates the commission wants to care- fully track the popularity of this category.
Sections to report current station location and change of station have been eliminated. The new 610 still has a Physician's Certifi- cate of Disability for those exempt from the code tests due to physical disability. This new form replaces the March 1992 version which carries a February 1995 expiration date, but whhch can no longer be used once the new form is in the hands of the public, TNX West- tink Report, No. 662 ', November 26, 1993; Newsline; W5Y1»VEC
Hams Cool Under Fire
Hams did more than iust talk at the scene of the recent wildfires in Southern California. They put their lives on the line staffing the DCS22 Mobile Communications Van at Pep- perdine University at the height of the fire threat. Hams also handled the fire hoses as flames assaulted the Malibu Sheriff's Station.
After 108 hours of continuous operation, Scott KD6NEA dosed down the emergency operation by saying; *The cooperation of all amateurs in clearing the frequency for this net has been greatly appreciated. The fre- quency is now clear at 1800 hours/ F8 to all who pitched in. TNX Westtink Report No. 662w November 26, 1993.
Cuba Incommunicado
Third-party message privileges with Cu- ba— previous]y authorized— are no longer ap- proved. According to Rafael Estevez WA4ZZG of Hialea, Florida, when Hurricane Andrew demolished much of the public com- munications capability between Cuba and Florida, the Cubans resorted heavily to ama- teur radio.
The pro-Castro Cuban American Radio Federation has taken a renewed position that Cuban amateurs should not communicate with the "enemy," meaning Florida amateurs of Cuban descent. Rafael says that Cuban amateurs are getting their licenses suspended from three mon!hs to a year for passing such innocent non -political health -and -welfare traf- fic as *. . . appealing for aspirin and insulin."
CG2QQ advised Rafael on the air recently that the United States and Cuba no longer have a third-party agreement. Information is now moving in and out of Cuba with great dif- ficulty since AT&T's over~the~horizon commu- nication system was damaged by Andrew. TNX W5YI Report, Issue 23. December 7, 1993.
Power Stream
Three men claim they have invented a bat- tery which is powered by a plentiful natural substance available at low cost— urine- Many scientists are highly skeptical of the inventors' claims, especially without an explanation of the battery's purported chemical reactions and construction.
The urine battery's inventors, Nelson E+ Camus, Edgar Aguayo, and Ismael Valle, are partners in an electronics company called Nel Nithiurn Electronics. They say their informa- tion is a secret they are not about to share.
The men are looking for investors with $5 million. They claim their home power plants will be cheaper and smaller than existing power sources, are environmentally sound, and will boost the economy. They estimate the cost to perpetually power an average home to be around $500. TNX Associated Press; San Maeto Times; and Palo Afto Ama- teur Radio Association PAARA Graphs, De- cember 1993.
Now You
■■r
*
*Mj
HamUnk
RadioUnk
%mmu
OOEH Pi
rt/ir handheld
No longer are you tied lo your shack when you want the power of a base station. Now you can control your loom, Kenwood^ or Yaesu radio with a computer port using a telephone, handheld, or mobile radio. Operate SSB. FM, AM, and even CW from your car your office, or on vaca- tion— anywhere you go,
You can change bands, frequency, and mode with HamLink or RadioLink, Just in case you lose track of your frequency or mode, we've
included a voice synthesizer to remind you. Optional plug- in cables make set-up a snap. Both units have outputs for control [in £ other accessories.
Don i take our word for it — try it yourself! Call our literature line at (8(X)) 432-8873 for a brochure listing the
phone number and commands for our demon- stration unit. You can also call us direct at (206) 774-5554, See your favorite amateur radio equipment dealer for best pricing
(Zonnect
Number 4 on your Feedback card
VHF Meteor Scatter
Propagation
Bounce your signal beyond the horizon.
by Steve Katz WB2WIK/6
I'm writing this after returning home only hours ago from a little expedition to a lo- cal moLintaiutop to work the 1993 Perseids meteor shower, which was supposed to have "peaked" at OIOOZ on August 12. Wayne Overbeck N6NB (well-known for his VHF- UHF exploits, as well as for designing the popular "QuagP antenna) and 1 headed up to his new mountaintop VHF contesting site at 6,800 feet above sea level in the Tehachapi Mountains, about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles, to "work*' the shower on 50, 144, and 222 MHz. We had some success, but not as much as we had hoped for.
The 1993 Perseids shower was hyped as the biggest news for astronomers, meteorol- ogists and VHFers alike since the return of Halley's comet. Like all meteor showers, this one occurs when bits of debris left by passing comets come close enough to our planet to be pulled in by the earth's gravita- tional field. Cyclic in nature, meteor show- ers recur every year at about the same time and there are many showers each year. But this one was supposed to be the "big one," with hundreds of meteors falling each hour. It should have had a major impact on VHF propagation and been a wonderful sight to behold, with "shooting stars" filling the sky.
Well, as of today, the shower wasn't what it was hyped to be, and the number of mete- ors we worked and saw were not all that un- usual But maybe we missed the peak, and the 1993 Perseids may turn out to be all the wonderful things the astronomers said. Ei- ther way, it's still fresh in my mind that a lot of hams, newcomers and old-timers alike, don't seem to know much about meteor scatter, and that's the subject of this article.
Working Meteor Scatter
Meteor scatter propagation occurs when signals are reflected off the ionized trails which follow meteors as they enter our at- mosphere. In deep space, bodies traveling very fast don't generate any heat to speak of, since they encounter no friction in their trav- el. But meteors and other bodies entering our atmosphere generate considerable heat as the density of our atmosphere creates fric- tion to their travel. Since our atmosphere contains gasses prone to ionization and even ignition, the meteors literally "burn up" on
10 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994
entry, and most are extinguished before they reach the surface of our planet. Occasional- ly, a larger meteor makes it all the way down to earth and plunges into the ground, ocean, or some other obstacle. When a meteor suc- cessful ly reaches the planet, it becomes known as a meteorite.
The ionization of gasses behind the mete- or as it plunges towards earth is highly re- flective to radio frequency signals and al- lows brief reception of distant signals not normally workable on the VHF bands. Ran- dom meteors, not members of a known "shower," are workable frequently on 50 MHz year-round, if well-equipped and trained operators are at both ends of the cir- cuit. The meteor scatter signals reflected by a random meteor path may only be present for a few seconds, and another meteor may not come along for a long while, Thus, to complete a contact (or QSO) via a random meteor requires considerable skill on the parts of both operators involved, since all in-
formation must be exchanged in a very short period of time. Signals are typically weak and "peaky," and to successfully work ran- dom meteors, high power levels and high gain antennas are usually employed. At higher frequencies like 1 44 or 222 MHz, even greater skill and better equipment is re- quired because the signals tend to be even weaker (due to path loss, which is related to the number of wavelengths the signals must travel). At 432 MHz, meteor scatter work is rare indeed, although it has been performed.
Think of the ionized trait left by a meteor as a reflector in the sky. Its shape is long and skinny, and it is literally a moving target. It would be impossible to "track" a meteor's path through the heavens, as these bodies are traveling much too fast to steer antennas at them as they travel. And their flight pattern is quite unpredictable. So, to work meteor scatter, most folks find it best to just aim an- tennas directly towards the station they are trying to contact, keep them fixed on the
Photo A. Dr. Wayne Overbeck N6NB, who owns the moimtaintop operating site used for Per- seids 1993. He is leaning on a 50-foot tower erected during the ope ration {!); a 70-footer to go alongside this one is planned.
MFJ HF/VHF
IU
lyzer
TM
. . . Read your antenna SWRfrom 1.8 to 170 MHz continuously . . . built-in 10 digit LCD frequency counter. * . smooth vernier tuning * . .
MFJ-249 handheld JJJJ Univeral SWR Analyzed "^ lets you read your antenna SWR from 1,8 to 170 MHz quickly and easily without any other equipment!
Has built-in 10 digit LCD frequency counter and smooth vernier tuning. You get three instruments in one . , >
MFJ-949E 300 W Tuner
high accuracy frequency counter . . , RF signal generator . . > SWR Analyzer™. Measure antenna resonant
frequencies and 2: 1 SWR band widths, Adjust mobile antennas, antenna tuners and matching networks in seconds.
Measure feedpoinl resistance, inductance, capacitance, resonant frequency of tuned circuits,
MFJ-1278B Multi-Mode Data Controller
Use this
MFJ-949E World's most popular $149M anlenna tuner covers 1.8-30
MHz, has lighted peak! jverage Cross- Needle SWR/ wattmeter, 4: 1 halun for balanced lines uid full size 300 watt dummy load.
Versatile 8 position antenna switch lets you prt'tUne MFJ-9491i into dummy load to minimize QRM.
Custom inductor switch was :arefully engineered to withstand extreme voltages and currents.
Cabinet is chemically etched to VlFJ's bond touch baked-on paint.
VHF/HF Packet TNCs
IFJ-1270B
MFJ-1270B super TAHL TNC
:lone has a world wide reputation as he mast reliable packet TNC in the vortd — many work 24 hours a day for /ears without a single failure!
Fully TAPR TNC-2 compatible, ^HF and HI ■' operation,//-^ AC power supply, new enchanced mailbox expandable to 5 12K with auto/reverse nail forwarding, WeFAX mode lets /ou print weather maps, optional >lug-in 2400/9600 baud modems, <JSS interface. MFJ Host mode.
MFJ TNC/Mk Switch
FM272B
Switch he iween your TNC or nicrophone by pushing a button!
Just plug prewired cables into 'our rig's mic connector and TNC.
Plug-in jumpers let you use nearly my rig with 8 pin mic connector. riFJ-1272B» $34.95 /MFJ/TAPR TNC2 clones; MFJ-1272BX/PK-232; 4FJ-I272BYV/K AM VI II 7KPC3; blFJ-1272BYH/KAM HF Port; 4FJ-I272BZ/PK-88, $39.95 each. 7or 8 pin RJ45 modular phone jack re- place B with M in model number above.
Regenerative RCVR Kit
4FJ-SI00K
S9**kit
vtFJ^lOOW 79** wired Build this regenera- ive shortwave receiver kit and listen to hortwave signals from all over the vorld with just a 10 foot wire antenna.
Has RF stage, vernier reduction I rive, smooth regeneration, five bands.
MFJ-1278B
MFJ- 1278B, your transceiver and
computer to transmit and receive digital communications! You'll discover a whole new world of ham radio and communicate in ways you never knew existed on our ham bands.
The world class MFJ-I278B Multi-Mode and MultiCom™ software is packed with features no other multi-mode gives you-
You get 10 digital modes , . , Packet, AMTOR, PACTOR (at no extra cost), RTTY, ASCII, Navtex, Color SSTVt 16 Gray Level FAX, CW and Memory Keyer plus an enchanced 32K Mailbox.
You'll have fun joining worldwide packet networks and exchanging color SSTV pictures with your buddies around the world. You'll marvel at/«// color FAX news photos as they come to life on your screen. You'll see weather changes on highy detailed weather maps in all 16 gray levels. You'll eavesdrop on late breaking news as it happens on RTTY. Youll enjoy error free HF QSOs on PACTOR and AMTOR and receiving packet mail in an enchanced 32K mailbox, Want to copy some CW? Just watch your screen.
MFJ- 1289, $59.95, MultiCom™ software and cables.
transmission line velocity factor/ impedance/ loss. Test RF chokes,
transformers, baluns.
Use 8 AA cells or 1 10 VAC with MFJ-1312B, $12.95. 4x2'/2x61/s inches.
MFJ-209, $109.95, same as MFJ- 249 less frequency counter.
See free MFJ catalog for complete line of MFJ SWR Analyzers™.
Super Hl-G loop Antenna
MFJ- 1786 ^>£Bh^
!
•
MFJ half wave vortical Antenna
6 bands: 40, 20, 15, 10f 6, 2 Meters ...No mdkds or ground needed!
Operate 6 bands - 40. 20, 1 5, 1 0, 6 MFJ* 17% and 2 Meters -with this MFJ- 1796 '199"
ground independent halfwave vertical antenna! No radials or ground ever needed!
It's only 12 feet high and has a tiny 24 inch footprint! You can mount it anywhere from ground level to the top of a tower - on apartments, condos, small lots, even on motorhomes. Perfect for vacations, field day, DX- pedition, camping.
Frequency selection is fully automatic - all you do is transmit. Its low angle of radiation really reachs out and brings in DX. Omni-directionaL 1500 watts PER
Efficient endlosding, no lossy traps. Entire length is always radiating. Full size halfwave on 2 and 6 Meters. High power air-wound choke balun eliminates feedline radiation. Adjusting one band has minimum effect on other bands. Add $20 s/h.
r~
n
Easy to assemble - you'll have it on the air in an afternoon.
MFJ's world famous 3 KW Vena funer V
Here's why the MFJ- MFJ-989C 989C is the finest 3 KW ,349*i antenna tuner money can buy . . .
Two massive 250 pf transmitting variable capacitors can handle amps of RF current and 6000 RF volts. Logging scales. _ _
Precision ball bearing roller inductor, three digit turns counter and spinner knob give you exact inductance control for minimum SWR.
Lighted /?edfc/average Cross-Needle SWR/Wattmeier has 200/2000 watt ranges. Super heavy duly current balun has two giant 2V:* inch powder iron toroid cores wound with Teflon® wire.
Six position ceramic antenna switch has extra large contacts. Flip stand, dummy load, one year unconditional guarantee, aluminum cab- inet, tough baked-on paint, locking compound on nuts/bolts, handles 3 KW PER IQ'fortValS in. Meter lamp needs 1 2 volts. Add $13 s/h.
MFJ No Matter What Guarantee
MFJ's famous one year No Matter What" unconditional guarantee means we will repair or replace (at our option) your MFJ product sold in this ad no matter what for a full year,
CIRCLE 6G ON READER SERVICE CARD
liny 36 inch diameter high efficiency loop antenna covers 10-30 MHz continuously with low SWR. Handles 150 watts.
Ideal for home installations where space is limited-- apartments, condos, small lots. Take on trips.
All welded construction.
Remote control has Automatic Band Selection™, Cross- Needle SWR/ Wattmeter. No control cable needed. Use batteries or 1 10 VAC. Add$20 s/h.
No ground or tuner needed
MFJ-1782, $269.95, like MFJ- 1786 but remote control has only slow/fast tune buttons.
Dual Band Mobile Ant*
Mobile Antenna for 144/440 MHz MFJ dual ,--.«
band magnet MJJ'lJjJB Tnou n t mobi le ^ *■ antenna for 144/440 MHz has 19 inch stainless steel radiator, low SWR. For mobile rigs with SO-239 UHF connector and handie-talkies with included BNC adapter.
5/8 Wove Mobile Ant.
Maximum MFJ-172S/B Gam" 5/8 *24"
Wave 2 Meter
magnet mount mobile anten- na has stainless steel radia- tor, 1 2 ft coax, low SWR. UHF mobile (MFJ- 1728) or BNC handie-talkie (MFJ-1728B) connector
5/8 Wove Ground Plane
$19.95 Rets WJJ150 you a 2 Meter 5/8 **•" wave ground plane home sta lion antenna! You get the highest gain of any single element antenna, shunt fed matching, ceramic insulators. MFJ-1752, $1!M>5, for 220 MHz,
^
1
Free MFJ Catalog
Write or cqll - - , MMK647-I800 *"
Nearest Dealer/Orders: 800-647-1800 Technical Help: 800-647-TECH (8324)
• 1 year unconditional guarantee • 30 day money back guarantee (less s/h) on onlers from MFJ * Free catalog
MFJ ENTERPRISES, DSC
Box 494, Miss, State, MS 39762 (601) 323-5869; 84:30 CST, MorvFri. FAX: {60 J ) 323-655 1 ; Add $6 s/h
MFJ . . . making quality affordable
I'rkxji liivd specitkaliuns siily^'l h> ftmtj(e 42 I ■#* MFJ Fnterpfisek. Irn:
Photo B. "Antetmas-eye" view from the tneteor*scatier operating perch in the mountains at 6.800 feet. The valley floor below the antennas is 3 ,000 feet lower, and the nearest obstacle of significant elevation is more than 200 miles away.
horizon in that direction, and hope for the best. In this case, hoping for the best is es- seni tally wishing for a meteor to fall be- tween your location and the location of the station you arc trying to contact, and for that meteor to be low enough on the horizon that its ionized trait will be a useful reflector. It's actually quite a lot to hope for!
But during a major meteor "shower," when meteors fall at a reasonably fast rate (60 per hour is not unusual), ihe probability of making contacts by using their reflective "tails" is dramatically increased, to the point where modestly-equipped stations with a small degree of training and skill mighi suc- cessfully complete a few contacts. What is really required?
First, realize that meteor scatter {m.s.) sig- nals are weak and ''peaky" in nature. By "peaky" I mean they change in strength from literally zero to some workable level and then back to zero again in a very short time, ranging from less than a second to maybe a few seconds. A "zinger" (huge me- teor with a long "bum" time) might allow a "burst" that lasts several seconds, but when its gone, signals will typically fall back to zero again. For these reasons, only "weak signal" modes like SSB and CW have been used effectively for itls. propagation. Wide- band modes like FM are not successfully used, although if tried with a tremendous amount of power and antenna gain. I sup- pose it might be possible. But remember, signals are typically weak, and CW has a 20 dB signal-to-noise ratio advantage over FM- and that's a whale of a lot. If FM could be used to make the grade at 1,500 watts output power, then just 15 watts would do it on CW. Normally, 15 watt stations are not suc- cessful in m,s. work.
So, if you wani to expand your horizons on VHE stick with SSB or CW. (CW was once used almost exclusively for very long DX work on VHF-UHF, including meteor scatter, aurora, moonbounce, etc. But with higher antenna gains, receiver improvements and so forth, SSB is now quite effective and is often faster for making contacts.)
Second, understand thai to have any real success in "over-thc-horizon" type VHF- UHF work, be it nxs. or normal tropospheric propagation, it pays to have a zero degree or below zero degree horizon in the direction you want to make contacts. If you put your eye at your antenna level and appear to be looking upwards, above level, at the sur- rounding terrain, you will not be terribly successful at making contacts in those direc- tions where you have this "positive hori- zon/* If you have a "negative horizon" in any direction that might be useful in making contacts, use that direction for your m.s. work. If your location is such that you have a '"positive horizon" all the way around you, it would be wise lo pack up the station and go hilltopping (portable from a mountain- top) instead. You4 1 1 be much more success- ful than working from home.
Third, because m.s. path losses are very high and signals are weak* it pays to run as much power as possible. Meteor scatter has been successfully worked with lower power (like 100 watts) but a kilowatt or more sun? helps. Keep feedline losses to a minimum and use antennas that have some real gain. Bui too much antenna gain can sometimes be a hindrance, because a tot of gain means a very narrowly-focused antenna system with a sharp front "lobe," and using such a system can make you miss ihe meteor trails you want to work. Probably 13-15 dB anten-
na gain is the suggested range for most m.s. work, as it is sufficient to make contacts but not so much that an extremely sharp pattern will result.
Fourth, and maybe most important, is op- erating procedure. Meteor scatter operators must be quickl A good "burn" might propa- gate signals for several seconds. If you oper- ate well and have lightning-fasi reflexes, you can complete an entire contact in that time. For a QSO to count, it is usually deemed that exchange of two pieces of in- formation is required. Many years ago, those two pieces of information were a callsign and signal report, Since meteor scatter sig- nals come and go rapidly and it is common to copy only portions of a transmission, an m.s. signal reporting system was established, using the letter i4S" followed by a number which indicated how much of the other sta- tion's transmission you heard. For example* "S2" meant "I've heard your complete call- sign. Now send me something else." It did not mean the other station was indicating "32* on your receiver's S-meicr!
Nowadays, with modern equipment, big amplifiers, high-gain antennas, low-loss feedHnes, mast-mounicd receiver preampli- fiers, digital signal processors, etc., I think the old "S" reporting system will be going away. Instead, it would be prudent for sta- tions to exchange callsigns and a grid loca- tor. Grid locators are alphanumeric codes used to indicate any station's location with some precision and are internationally rcc-
|
JK |
Photo C The author atop N6NB s van, lo the rear of which is permanently mounted a 30- foot telescoping, rotating mast with a HAM- M rotor at the bottom. Portable antennas were simple: five elements on 50 MHz. and eight elements an 144 and 222 MHz. To min- imize ground influences, the lowest-frequen* cy antenna goes at the top, highest up.
1 2 73 Amateur Radio Today • Feb ruary, 1 994
p
90&r
2 Day
Delivery
800-426-2891
Fax (612) 786-6513
*Up lo 12 lbs. in Continental USA
Call for Catalog Ask for Ext. 22
Phone Hours
1-800-426-2891
M-F 8 am- 8 pm
Sat 10 am -5 pm
CST
.MaslfrrCaid
VISA
* Yaesu ha* extend ^r
their coupons until ^T
January 31, 1SQ4
These two radios have very special prices! Supplies limited
FT-840
.-- .
FT-736R
Fun's tun, bd > ■ : i i can be vety seriotrs with trws heavy duly cpmpetrtof , Dual recovers. 200 wan output, 09 memories and 106 dB dynamic range gives you the performance edge.
;3899
95
this new transceiver delivers the Fun and performance you're tanking for whrie staying on a budget! It has fgo watt output. ioo marnones, DOS, IF Shift FET front end and a general coverage receiver.
s799
95
Satellite and all-mode 2rrv 70cm work gets everting with this futf-featiffe transceiver Many features pfua room for 2 more bonds gives value and performance. Save
s171995 ~lter
FT-470
Hioh tech performance is u*e name erf the game ttrth t> - featured dudf-band handheld The durable COOSthjcHon lets you lake i! anywhere and enjoy rentable operation The umi equipped y/iih CTCSS, A2 memories 4 VFOs and 10 auto dialer memories
FT-416G
Supplies limited.
S33606
Save
m Moffit
ThisVHF handheld transceiver provides the latesi features - auto tone search, automatic battery =rL automatic power oft, 41 myinories, CTCSS cncod6.decodef DTMF paging, bacfcfrt keypad and: display and a choice of two colors (black or gray i FT-816UHF version available Supplies Timited
s221
42
FT-890
A bJ$nd of high performance features ooff owed from the FT TCNXi ramify are combined in
this attardaoin transceiver. Pass band tuning, variable notch Si Iter yariaoto noise 5 .VOX and anlenna tuner are "^ducted
This duaj band mobile features TOO memones. cross band repeat, lighted keypad. butil-tn dupfexJer and a small roo^rtj Dual watch capability rounds out 1hl5 50/35 watt VHF/UHF transceiver Packet ready.
Save
520<
Uv&
m- S FT-2200
rVtonr'
FT-2400
..:■■•:_-:: •:.•'*
$131995*
*lcoro may extend §? their coupons on a limited basis.
s599
95
Save
ICOM
The f emovablG iron! panel lets this dual bander Ik any <nstaHanon It features 5&h out on 2 meters, 3Sw,out on 70
centimeters. 32 memories. CTCSS encode and PAGE modu.
s62995
IJhis compact, lull- featured mobile comes with 49 memones, 1C DTMF autodial memories. A.RS, CTCSS encode, digital squelch and lighted keypad are slandard features
369
N
MM
T ris rugged military -grade 2 meter mobiJe provides wide band receive. 3 power output levels, a
lighleti keypad and 26 memories . Join the fun1 FT-7400 UHF model available.
S3499S -
Save
*15"
More!
Services you need... at the right price!
KENWOOD
Price Setter
dynamic
1 S*VE
*100'
32995 * Mow1
ptrs compact transceiver is loaded with many functions lor complete dual band capability, including cross band repeat I unction, 36 memories, DTMF memory micfophone & 3 power ~ tevels ^
Sccc33 fcMoRE
-2GXAT
High power & compact design set a new performance pace Trv new HT o J tors 40 memories. Die cast ca*
CTCSS. Its fresh arid ejecitjngtrom
ni 'IC P.GX wllh out key pad
■-• -■.■• --.
s294
95 V
New
R100
STOP
IC-707
Rj«io> Pack!
Kenwood & technology endows the TS-850S^T with specs that place it at ttie top ot amateur radio equipment Automatic antenna tuner, 100 mnmories, three scan modes. DOS, digital PLL system plus more _
1729" xca*°^ 1-751
— i ■
r
TS-50S
Enjoy high performance cornmuntcations plus go- anywhere converHence with
the world's smallest lOOw mobile HF transceiver All modes and all hands compiele this package Limited friirmiflt.
989 TS-73!
95 -'
-22-
Check
for ccA&om
SmrJiJ jus- go! smaWer Kermocd s new TH-22AT is in a cateoory all its own, This nowFM! transceiver features long batterv liie. ' DTMF ceypad. u&tjf-fnerKPy menu system, scan Functions, ■IT memo rips, CTCSS encode, DTSS. and much more
'55 f?DO*]«5
^^pp
H-78A
B M
VHF.
emeroency and more in your vehicle Covers 500 k\-\s \ U GH7 range, S679 95"
[*IC"R1 HTsimaarto above S4fi935
I » JC^R710Q Base anwlar to above StJ8^
i .i . jil?ibil •■[■f or ih&^.i ■ Nal respons* !c ten lypoyaohjca errors
Here's 9 pounds of fun with a display that s easy to see a front panel that's easy to work and
. performanofi to spare; Features Include a noise blanker, preamo 100
: . 12 memo and great senstfwtty.
s839
95
S«ve 'V Mope!
2 mi
. atoned for mawrn.uiTi:
v'jiiI -it in ft '.e
paMof yt
hand. Rttn ft or*
t2VDCfora
fuit s watts of
oulput
CTCSS. 48
memories DTMF, scan.
wide band receive, difoct
frequency input and
much mor^f s*vt
s20
SOQQ&3 V MobeI
To meet the ever- gn&wingd'
mode operations on the move, Kenwood nas developed a compact, IjohtWQlgtit hi i-i node VHF transceiver that performs wrth pfottoency
Check:
\coyfOt»Sj
Attuned to the fast- moving wo#Hj of mcbiip communscations. this dual- band transceiver
ofFora many teature^ including a detachable Iront panel in a compact
62995
s599
CpfECX
ton 95 ^coukw
Compact and confident, this ■ dual band HT sets e.v
new standards to* portaok! oommunca- tiens by combihipg Simplicity ol operation with a mi/thpIicitY of features
Cmesk
|95 C&JPQHS
s439!
2663 County Road I, Mounds View. MN 55112
Metro; (61 2\ 786-4475 • Mat! Watts: 1-800-426-2891 • FAX: (612) 786-6513
Store Hours: M-Ff 10:00 am- 8:00 pm, Sat, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Phone Hours: M-Ft 8:00 am - 8:00 pm. Sat, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Expires February, 1994
Prices subject
to change without notice
CIRCLE 153 ON READER SERVICE CARD
M
Photo D. The author, at the controls ofN6NB's contesting van, which contains KW stations for 3.5 through 432 MHz. and a gasoline generator to run it all Almost like home!
ognizcd as a standard for VHF-UHF station
location information. A four-digit code will indicate your location to within one degree of latitude and two degrees of longitude. Be- cause the earth is an oddly-shaped spheroid (sort of a round ball with a bulging middle)* these grids will change in area from point to point on the globe, Grids are not all the same size. They are smallest at the poles, and largest at the equator. But the system is bet- ter than nothing, and at least it's a standard. And the ARRL offers VUCC (VHF-UHF Century Club) awards for confirming con- tacts with numbers of grids (contact the League for more information) and the grid locator number is the standard exchange for mosi VHF-UHF contests now. Because the grids arc fairly large, knowing another sta- tion's grid won't help you much if he is close by. but the information is valuable when making distant contacts, say a few hundred miles or more away, for beam- heading directions.
So, I propose (and 1 see many operators are already doing this) that instead of ex- changing meaningless "S" reports, we just exchange calbigns and grid numbers to complete meteor scatter contacts. I tike change, and I've been working meteor scat- ter since about 1966; if 1 can adapt, so can anybody.
Making the Contact
How does one make a meteor scatter con- tact? There are two ways: "Random," or un- scheduled QSOs, and "skeds," or scheduled QSOs. To make a random m,s. contact, somebody has to call CQ! A typical CQ for m,s. work would be something like this:
CQ WB2W1K CQ WB2WIK CQ WB2WIK CQ WB2WIK CQ WB2WIK
CQ WB2WIK CQ WB2WIK CQ WB2WIK CQ WB2WIK BREAK
Note that this is quite different from an ordinary CQ* I've only used two "words": "CQ" and my caltsign, AH other information
is extraneous and unnecessary- No reason to use words like, *This is ..." or *1n Los An- geles, California" or whatever. All that ex- tra information takes up valuable time and the point in meteor scatter work is to get just the information that is absolutely required across to the other party. If someone heard my CQ, he would likely hear just a little por- tion of it. Hopefully* he might hear both "CQ" and "WB2W1K/* and that's all he needs to know. If he were to answer me, he'd transmit something like this:
WB2WIK W7HAH WB2W1K W7HAH WB2WIK W7HAH WB2WIK W7HAH WB2WIK W7HAH WB2W1K W7HAH WB2WIK W7HAH BREAK
This is all he needed to say. It told me he was calling me, and it told me who he was. Nothing more is required. If 1 caught a mete- or during his transmission, I probably would have heard some portion of this transmis- sion. If I did, then I'd transmit:
W7HAH DM04 W7HAH DM04 W7HAH DM04W7HAH DM04 W7HAH
DM04 W7HAH DM04 W7HAH DM04 W7HAH DM04 BREAK
This would tell Shep (W7HAH, who is in- deed a VHF "meteor jockey") that I heard him, and Vm giving him my grid square. You can't assume anyone is where you think they should be, and the grid square data is pretty important. For example, in my case, I have a 2-land callsign and lived in grid FN20 in New Jersey for 30-plus years. But I'm not there now! Also, although my li- cense reads "Chatsworth, CAT" which any- one can look up to see is in grid DM04, I might have been operating portable some- where else. The grid is important
If Shep heard me, he'd probably respond:
WB2WIK DN26 WB2W1K DN26 WB2W1K DN26 . . . etc. or he might just respond with:
QSL DN26 QSL DN26 QSL DN26 QSL DN26 QSL DN26 QSL DN26 QSL DN26 . , . etc.. which would indicate he received
my report and is now sending me his.
My last transmission to him, assuming I heard the above, would be;
QSL 73 QSL 73 QSL 73 QSL 73 ■ . . etc., which would indicate I received his report and am saying good-bye,
You see, simply sending a report on mete- or scatter is absolutely no assurance that the other station heard it; thus, the "QSL"* or "Confirm" or something should also be ex- changed to indicate that the stations really heard each other and got everything they needed to make a complete QSO,
In real life, especially in the absence of a major meteor shower, it is common for a complete QSO to take a very long time, be- cause each transmission as outlined might need to be made several times. Typical dura- lion of an m.s. transmission is 15 seconds. Tafkyotf, and you can say quite a lot In that 1 5 seconds.
Now, what about if you catch a real "zingcr" with a long '"bunt" and you hear the other station's entire exchange in one burst? Do you go into your 15-second routine? Not at all! If 1 had heard several successive sec- onds of W7HAH*s exchange and he stopped transmitting, Vd immediately reply with:
QSL ALL 73 73 WB2WIK WB2WIK QRZ? BREAK
or something like that. I could say all this in less than five seconds and maybe get it all across in one shot, and possibly even stir up another meteor contact in the process. The point is, "make hay while the sun shines/1 to use a worn-out phrase; that is, take advan- tage of the meteor for as long as possible and do not waste time with a lot of repeating what the other station has probably already copied.
Often, especially for "skeds," or sched- uled contacts, transmissions are sequenced with station clocks set precisely to WWV, Each station takes a 15-second "turn" at transmitting, and who transmits first is pre- arranged. For example, say it is agreed that the station who is farther west will transmit the first and third 15 seconds of each minute, while the station farther east will transmit the second and fourth 15 seconds of each minute. Of course, both stations must have their clocks set to the second by WWV, and this should be checked just prior to the "sked" time to make sure the clocks are ac- curately set. The advantage of sequencing is to avoid stations transmitting at the same time, which makes it impossible for them to hear each other*
How Far, and What Direction?
How far can you expect to work with me- teor scatter? Much farther than with normal tropospheric propagation! Contacts to 1,500 miles or so are possible, although most will be closer, in the range of 500 to 1 ,000 miles. Still, this is quite an improvement over what can normally be worked on VHE Sporadic- E skip, quite common on 50 MHz. often makes only "pockets** workable, and those "pockets" tend to be pretty far away. Very short "E-skip" usually lands at 500 miles or
14 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
A NEW CONCEPT IN HF TRANSCEIVER DESIGN
J
■*Vf **V i
Patent
w*
patriot
no *
•
&#££*■•
■ . ■- 1
1
1
,*>
Patriot Comnrn Technotogy introduces the PC-1 61 0™a full fea- tured HF transceiver with buift-in keyboard inter- face. Rug a standard IBM XT* compatible keyboard into a PC-1 610 and instantly enjoy keyboard CW, RTTY (BAUDOT and ASCII) data communications. Incoming morse & RTTY data is decoded and dis- played on the built-in LCD display. The PC-1 610 offers the following features:
■ Buift-in XT keyboard interface (keyboard optional)
■ 1 60-1 OM ham band coverage
■ USB/LSB/CW/FSK modes
■ 75W output power
■ Built in digital power/SWR meter
■ DDS VFO with 1Hz step size
■ Selectable variabte speed/fixed 10Hz step VFO tuning
■ Built-in 24hr clock
■ 90 tunable memories
■ 1 scratchpad memory
■ 9 {256 character) keyboard data buffers
■ Built-in 5-75 wpm IAMBIC keyer
■ Built-in 2.4KHzr 1 .8KHz, 500Hz, 200 Hz & RTTY filters
■ Notch filter
■ Select 1 of 3 antennas from front panel
Specifications are subject to change without notice. * IBM XT te a registered trademark of the IBM Corporation.
Basic display lets you know exactly where you are.
H 03510 -T H. 03510 -R
0930
nooo
Standard Display shows HXrtX VFO freq's, time and current memory
Send & Receive In:
CW / RTTY(BAUDOT) / ASCII
Incoming data
Outgoing data appears here
Store up to nine 256 character messages.
M.035IO-T 0930
3> cnnriED ns
U
Messages can be: edited, sent & appended to out- going message
Format & Edit
stored MSG's here
PC-1610 =
HF XCVR
The PC-1610 Performs the functions of an HF Trans- ceiver, Computer, Data Controller and Control Software all in one package.
DATA CNTLR
The PC-1610 has too many features to adequately describe in one ad... cail or write for a detailed brochure— Major Credit Cards Accepted.
patriot
Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A. Phone: (516) 862-651 2 ■ Fax: [5161 862-6529 7 Flowerfield Ml 00, St. James NY 11780
CIRCLE 3Z1 ON READER SERVICE CARD
more, and longer skip arrives from points out to 1*200-1.300 miles. ("Doubte-hop" E- skip occurs on 50 MHz, allowing double these distances to be covered; combinations of propagation also occur on 6 meters, which allows contacts of almost any dis- tance, but these are rare.) If you are trying to work as many grids or states as possible, re- lying on E-skip alone can be frustrating. For one thing, E-skip is most prevalent in the June-July timeframe (in the northern hemi- sphere) and much of the calendar is devoid of E-skip activity. For another, E-skip at fre- quencies higher than 50 MHz is rare, Tropo- spheric "dueling" can allow extended-range contacts at 144t 222, 432 MHz and higher, but when the ducts occur, they are often quite narrow with regard to height and width and allow contacts only along a limited path.
Meteor scatter can allow contacts in any direction, at a variety of distances, and is a flexible mode of propagation that is highly useful for filling in those vacant spots on your "Worked All Whatever" map,
You will never forgei your first meteor
scatter contact. I've made hundreds over al- most 30 years, and I still remember mine: It was with K8MMM in Ohio, when I lived in New Jersey, 1 was running 100 watts PEP output to a little five-element beam on 6 me- ters, and working Ohio seemed an impossi- ble feat at the time. The distance (500 miles) was too far for normal "trope," and too close for E-skip, The only way to do it was via meteor scatter. When I made this first m.s. contact, I felt like I invented this new mode. In fact, it had existed for many years and m.s. work was quite common even prior to I960. I just didn't know. But t know now, and now you know, too.
Try it — you Ml like it. But please follow the guidelines for operating listed here. If you don't, your success will be limited and it is easy to become discouraged. If you know a local, highly successful "meteor jockey" (operator who works a lot of meteor scatter), ask him for advice, He should be able to guide you through your first few m,s, contacts.
Oht by the way: In our Pcrseids 1993 me-
teor scatter expedition discussed in the opening paragraph and shown in the pho- tographs, we had at least some success. I made 32 scatter contacts on 50 MHz, and four on 144 MHz, in about four hours of op- erating time. Not too shabby, but not as good as we expected, 1 think we missed the peak propagation, which likely occurred af- ter we shut down and left the operating site. The best DX on 144 MHz was DM79 in Colorado, about 1,000 miles or so away. We completed QSOs with Indiana and else- where east of the Mississippi via meteor-en- hanced E-skip (on 50 MHz) and worked DO20 in Alberta, Canada, on 6 meter m.s. without skip. All this, using only small beam antennas (14-foot-long booms) at about 30 feet above ground. But we did run 1,000 watts output on each band, and our location was 3,000 feet above the Mohave Desert floor* which extended in front of us for about 100 miles, so this was a great location!
Good luck and let me know how you make out.
Sell Your Product in 73 Amateur Radio Today.
Call Dan Harper at (800) 274-7373.
_i
jxso:
BUY DIRECT FROM US, THE MANUFACTURER!
YAESU/MAXON
FN&-2 FNB^3A
FNB-4A 'FNB-1G(S) FNB^12<S)
10 8v # 9 6v #
12v @
12v @ 7.2v @
12v ©
600 1200
750 1000 115Q
600
oquw lo FNEM 1 {-■*" sbcfi&r)
FW\? 7_2v @ 600
'Sams size case as FN0-12
"FNB-25 12x m 600
FNB-26 7.2V © 1000
"FNB-26-S /.2v @ 15O0
'FNB-26A 9.6v © 800
*Sama ttn m fnb-i<s case
FNB27 12v @ 600
"FNB-27S 12v & 800
*"(!C1ong&r than FNB27)
MAH
MAH MAH MAH MAH MAH
MAH
MAH MAH MAH MAH
MAH
MAH
NYS residents add B I /4% sates tax. Add $4.00 fOf postage and handling-
FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY
MASTERCH
lARGJER f& II
AAA. '
Replacement Batteries
CNB-160(6V@ 300MAH) CNB-161 (7.2V @ 800MAH) CNB-162(12V@600MAH) CNB-163(7.2V© 1100MAH)
LOOK FOR MARCH S SPECIAL OF THE MONTH
MONTHLY DISCOUNTS APPLICABLE TO END^USERS ONLY
By simply changing adapter cups the
MASTERCHARGER® wi/i charge any Yaesut
Motorola, Icom Kenwood, Alinco etc.
2-Way Radio Battery
Prices .and specrftcaiious subject to change without notice
W & W ASSOCIATES
800 South Broadway, Hicksville, N.Y. 11301
WORLD WIDE DISTRIBUTORSHIPS AVAILABLE PLEASE INQUIRE
MADE IN THE U.S.A.
SEND FOR FREE CATALOG AND PRICE LIST
In U.S. & Canada Call Toll Free (800) 221- 0732 • In NYS (516) 942-0011 • FAX: (516) 942-1944
CIRCLE 191 ON READER SERVICE CARD
1 6 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
The FLYTECRAfT" SFX Line of Morion and Vertical HF Antennas
For those who demand a hlgH- cfTkicncy interim where height and apace are critical factory the FLYTECRAFT" SFX line ii ideal.
• & u niquc models Tor SO, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15. 12 A IOmeter*. Eich only 9 fL tail (10 meter ii ilightiy shorter.) • Precision- wound full length Mix give* incredible DX performance. * Unobtrusive - Perfect for antenna restricted areas • InsLtnl set-up and tear down, or leave up permanently, •Top whip tdjusu far lev SWR potnL * Uses 2 shortened tuned radii Is with fLYTECAAFT* EAMALCCHLS -(10 meter u«i 3).
FLITTECXATT^SFX Mo*ob*»4ef4
■re in daily ur ■ ruund tkt world-
Built with pruJa & sold worldwide * FtrTECflAFT*uSA
SFX80~$7».95 40,30.20,17,15, 12- $*9,?5«l 10 ~ $59,95 Add S6.50 s/h, Com, U.S.
Satiifiction Guarmiced
VISA/MC PHONE ORDERS
800-456-1273
M-F9A-SP (FT) 805-583^*173
Send Check/ $ Order uk FLYTECRAFT-
P.O,Bo*3141 Simi Valley CA 93093
CIRCLE 1 18 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Slow Scan Television
doesn't have to be expensive anymore
Quality Go tor SSTV is easy and affordable with Pasokon TV.
Fasokon TV $229.95
Send and receive all popular modes. Hardware interlace fits inside computer
New- SSTV Explorer $94.95
Small receive-onJy interface plugs info serial port. 6.-^ ra*M* is*.* ^aT:- om^Uk SM « Mm PftU odb WW
tJtspUy MS-OOS Pncet include free shipping to Ii 5 A Wrle or cal f Of complete details
Absolute Value Systems J 15 5tedmafiSL #7 Chelmsford, MA 0 1 824- 1 823 (508) 256-6907
CIRCLE 351 ON READER SERVICE CARD
?COM® SPECIALIST
SALES AND SERVICE
Technician for 17 years with ICOM can revitalize your old equipment or trade-in on new.
-*** SERVICE: $50 per hour *** ** NO MINIMUM * FAST TURNAROUND **
ITECH
Lewisville West Center
701 S.I-35E. Suite 115
Lewtsviile. TX 75067
Phone: (214 J21 9-1 490
WA5WZD Fred
Bea WB5QCY
2Meter, 5 element beam, NBS formula, no cutting required, 2# S40.00 plus S&hL.AIso 440 and 432 MHz 6 element beams, 2M SSB "Big Wheel" Call for details.
CIRCLE 295 ON READER SERVICE CARD
MAKE CIRCUIT BOARDS THE NEW, EASY WAY
WITH TEC-200 FILM
JCJST 3 EASY STEPS:
• Copy circuit pattern on TEC-200 film using any pJain paper copier
• Iron film on to copper clad board
• Peel off film and etch
convenient 8'^ x 11 size With Complete Instructions
SATISFACTION* GUARANTEED
5 Sheets for $4<9S 10 Sheets only $6.95
add $1 .50 postage NY Res. add sates tax
The MEADOWLAKE Corp,
Dcpt. LJ P.O. Box 497 Northport, New York I 1768
Is Your Shack Grounded?
1/8" X 1/2' TfO Copper
Ground It •«
Solid Copper Buss Stainless Steel Hardware
Grounding Stud Every 6 inches
Top or Back Installation
Ground alt of your equipment chassis s to a
single earth ground in one easy installation*
Money back guarantee, if not satisfied!
Add $3 UPS shipping Mail check/money order to:
J.M.S.
35 Hilltop Ave,. Dept 7 I, CT 06907
2 ft $11,95
3 ft $16.95
4 a $21.95
Custom Lengths
Available
J. Martin Systems
CIRCLE 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD
KaGOLD for Kanfronks w/V5 rom PkGOlD for AEA PK-88,232,2232
Invest in the GOLD standard today! Easy operation with incredible power!
* Conferencing * Background File Transfers
* Robot CQs • Logging • Macro Files
* Automatic GTH/G5L Exchange
• Advanced Text Handling
• 95 page Manual
* Extensive Help System
* Quick Reference Guide
• Nothing Else Conies Close • Only S79.95 plus $5 s/h
Inter flex, m Systems
Box 6418
... -:N - CA 92607
JJ
MasterCard
OM Or *rte today o rnce doton/
Phone 714 496-6639
Feedback
In our conlinufng effort to present the best in ama- teur radio features and columns, we recognize the need lo go directly to the source— you, the reader Arti- cles and columns are assigned feedback numbers, which appear on each article/column and are aJso list- ed hem These numbers correspond to those on the feedback card opposide this page. On the card, please check the box which honestly represents your opinion of each article or column.
Do we really read the feedback cards? You bet! The results are labulated each month, and the editors take a good, hard look at whai you do and don't like. To show our appreciation, we draw one feedback card each month and award the lucky winner a free one- yeaf subscription (or extension) lo 73.
To save on postage, why not fill out the Product Re- port card and the Feedback card and put them in an envelope? Toss in a damning or prajsing tetter to the editor while you're at it. All for the low, low price of 29 cents!
1 Never Say Die
2 Letters
3 ORX
4 WF Meteor Scatter Propagation
5 Using the World's Most Accurate Frequency Standard, Pan 2
6 Computer Conirol for Your DDS VFO
7 ASCf Mo -Morse-Code Interface
8 Sta nd a rdize You r M ic rop hone Con n odors
9 Folding Three-Element 2 Meter Quad
1 0 Review: Kenwood TH-28A
11 Review: The XPERTEK DVMS/1+
12 RTTY Loop
13 Ham Help
14 Can's Corner
15 Homing In
16 Hams with Class
17 QRP
1 8 Pack et & Compu le rs
1 9 Above and Beyond
20 Ask K a boom
21 73 International
22 Special Events
23 New Products
24 Dealer Directory
25 Propagation
26 Barter 'rV Buy
27 Random Output
FIELD DAY KIT
CIRCLE 77 ON READER SERVICE CARD
AR 155 MAST KIT with eight self-stacking 66T_x1 & dia aluminum MS-44 mast sections to make 40 ft mast. AJso four each rope guy lengths 31, 40. & 50 ft with clips; five guy rings, swivel base, six 15' stakes, and 2 lb hammer. 70 lbs sh. USED ptf .199.50
TRIPOD ADAPTER, allows three M$-44"$ as legs to
free-stand mast to 24 ft; 4 lbs sh.
#TR(-AB155 $15 w/AB 155 purchase
M97AJ BANDPASS FILTER for 205-225 Mhz band; twin gold- plated tunable cavities each with N-con- nectioru 7x2.5x9.5, 8 lbs sh. UNUSED $30
M93/U FILTER, like above but 12M42 MHz; with conversion info for 2 Meters $24
Prices fMJL Unit. 0* VISA, MASTERCARD Accepted.
Allow lor snipping • Write tor Ettesi Catalog
ArtmsDtfll 73 » Phone 41 9/227 8573 • F« 419/227-1313
FAIR RADIO SALES
1016 E. EUREKA • Box 1105 • LIMA, OHIO • 45802
CIRCLE 75 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994 1 7
Number 5 on your Feedback card
Using the World's Most Accurate Frequency Standard, Part 2
Building a digital ph
comparator
by Bob Roehrlg K9EUI
(Editor's Note: This month's installment
of this three -pan series includes the PC hoard layout and parts placement diagram for the circuits described in Part I . pub- lished last month. See Figure J, page 22-23,}
Part S oT this three-part scries described the construction of a receiver for WW VB to be used for calibrating your local frequency standard. If you don't have a good local standard, it's easy to build one that can
■
provide 0.00 1 part per million accuracy* Such an oscillator will be described in the fi- nal article in this series.
A standard with 0*001 ppm accuracy has a drift of less than one cycle in 20 minutes. Even an oscillator with 0*01 ppm accuracy, which I consider to be minimum for a decent standard* must be observed for at least two minutes to determine its drift rate. Clearly, this cannot be done by listening for an audi- ble beat note by ear The only way to check such a standard is visually.
The simple method of comparison in- volves using a scope to compare the re- ceived signal against the local standard* This meihod was discussed in Part 1 ,
A far belter method of comparison uses a digital phase comparator* Just what is a phase comparator? Well* the usual forms of detection involve either rectification (to get audio from an IF stage in an AM or FM re- ceiver) or a mixer (in the case of a product detector for SSB or CW). The normal forms of detectors are fine for signals in the audio ranee, down as low* as we can hear, but what
J
about signals that are less than 1 Hz?
The phase detector is used to compare two signals that are almost exactly on the same frequency. In a way, it is a form of mixer and it works down to fractions of a Hertz (DC actually).
The digital comparator has many advan- tages over the scope method* It is a much smaller unit than a scope, requires much less power, and is quite easy to build, It also has the capability of feeding a chart recorder or a computer via an A-D converter. The disad- vantage in using the comparator is that your input signals must be much cleaner than for a scope.
The basic circuit is nothing more than an edge-triggered set-reset flip-Hop. A simple version is shown in Figure 2. Each lime a positive-going wave edge is applied to either input A or B* that stage turns on. which turns the opposite stage ofK The two signals (A and B) shown in Figure 1 represent two signals that are on the same frequency but A is 90 degrees ahead of B. If these two sig- nals arc applied to the circuit shown in Fig- ure 2r the output at point C will be that shown in the bottom line of Figure I. The output at E will be the DC average of the du- ty cycle of the signal at C. Since A leads B by 90 degrees, the resulting DC voltage at E will be about 1.25 volts.
If the B waveform shifts to the right so it lags A by 270 degrees, then the voltage at C will be high 75 percent of the time so the av- erage at E will be 3.75 volts. So you can see that as B drifts, compared to A, the average DC output at E will vary between 0 and 5
volts, which represents a 0 to 360 degree phase difference between the two wave- forms*
If the DC voltage at E is used to control the frequency of the signal A oscillator* that oscillator will lock to oscillator B* This is a simple form of a phase-locked loop.
Figure 3 shows the real phase detector system. Actually, there are two comparators in this unit. First* a 6 MHz crystal oscillator is divided down to 60 kHz with a pair of decade counters, IC4 and 5. This signal is fed into comparator IC6. The 60 kHz from the receiver is also fed into this comparator. The DC output from the comparator is fed back to Dlt which is a variable capacitance diode that adjusts the frequency of the 6 MHz oscillator. In this way, the 6 MHz oscil- lator is phase- locked to the received signal and has the same accuracy as the WWVB signal
1C2 and 3 divide the 6 MHz by 6 to gel 1 MHz and again by 10 to get 100 kHz, Either one of these is fed into the second phase comparator, 1C7. The local oscillator to be checked is also fed into this comparator, In this wray we can compare our local 100 kHz or 1 MHz oscillator asainst WWVB.
The only adjustment to be made is the coarse frequency adjustment, CI on the 6 MHz oscillator* Connect the 60 kHz output of the WWVB receiver to J2 via coaxial ca- ble. Observe the TP1 signal with a scope. Adjust CI until an approximate 50 percent duty cycle waveform is observed. Discon- nect the receiver signal momentarily, then reconnect it. The 6 MHz oscillator should
B
Figure I. Comparator waveforms. 18 73 Amateur Radio Today* February* 1994
Figure Z Basic comparator circuit*
KITTY SAYS: WE ARE OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Saturday 10-5pm/Sunday 11-4 pm Monday-Friday 9 to 6:00 PM Come to Barry's for the best buys in town
For the best buys in town call: 21 2-925 7000
Los Precios Mas Bajos en Nueva Yortc
WE SHIP WORLDWIDE!
Export orders expedited.
IC-R71 A, R72A, R1QQ, R70OOA, R71G0A, R9000A, IC-725, 728t 729, 735, 737, 765, 781. IC229Ht IC3230A, tC901AK GPS Receiver: GP-22
Wherever I go, I take my radio.
Specialist in RADIOS;
Business marine aviation,
ham radios and scanners.
fir CONTACTUSFOfUHt LAS TEST IN BUSINESS AND KA1I ftAWOS, SHOflTWAVE RECBVEHS 4 SCANNEAS. MOTOROLA, YAESU.
tOOH, KENWOOD, AUNCO,
^TANDAflOrllAXO#l. HELM. BEHDGC
Kl NC. SONY. &AHGEAN
Ll'
a
YAESU Ham and Business Radios"
KENWOOD
FT-767GX, FT-890, FT-747GX, FT-990, FRG-W00, FRG-1008 FT-736R, FT-1Q0QD, FT-416/616, FT-530, FT-5200, FT-2400t FT-470, FT-530- FT-41 IE
* * " =f% =»r
ICOM
ANTENNAS
AS, AES, Coshcrafi Hy Ga*n,
HuslleT.KLM.METZ. Urban. MODUBLQX. TONNA. Bufiemui MutTi-Band
YAESU
FT-23R/26/7B
FT411E-S1 1-911
FTH20G8/7D09
-TS-50S"T TS450S/AT, R-SG00, TS-flSOS. TM 241/A/441A, TR-7S1 A+ Kenwood Service Repair. TS14QS, TS690S, R2-1, T&^790A. TS950SD, TH-78A, TH2S/4BA, TM-941 AT 7M-741A, TM-732At TM-641A, TW-74JA.
MARINE RADIOS ICOM M7, Ml 1, M56, M700TT, MSQQ
AVIATION PORTABLE ICOM A-21 MOTOROLA MARINE KING KX 99
SCANNERS
AOR:
900, 1000,
150CL29HL
2S0O, 3000A
ICOM;
H^,B100h
XftKWTlA,
R7D00,
RSQ00 Bearcat
Budvrig ANT, Products
FIWCE 77, 13, t5. 1? Huntfneten
ICOM
&C2/3MSAT
IC02AT/2SRA
JC2/4GAT/24AT
IC-A21/U16
Linear Amplifier Amerium jcom. Kenv/ood. Vbesu
ICW2A W2IAT
P2ATWAT
JC-H16/U1& IC21A
Lnndmotiile NT's
ICOM LP16, H16, V1C0, IKKJ
MAXON. MOTOROLA.
YAESU FTH20Q&ftOQ8
UMJDEN. REGENCY KING
MARINE ICOM M7 Wb6 V7QQ
AVFATONKX3M A21 A200HT TAD
J ir
Telephone Autopatch
Patches telephone calls from your radio to phone tine. Great for mak- ing and receiving phone calls where there are no phone lines. Simple to use. Write or fax for inquires,
Simplex, semi-duplex, full duplex. CES A CSI Models stocked: SDI- 50. PPV. CS7QQ/80Q/900 etc. Our service Lab will wife in systems for you if requested.
Save money on batteries. Ask for Special Prices,
Shortwave Receivers
• SONY • GRUNDIG
• SANGEAN • ICOM
Call 212-925-7000
Satellite tefGphone in subcase for worldwide use. WRITE,
MOTOROLA RADIUS
cometoAi radios
TH-78A
FT-B30
Computer Interfaces Stocked: MRM270B. MFJM274, MFJ-1224, AEA PK-ae, MFJ-1278T, PK-900, PK-232 MBX VWFAX, DRSI PRODUCTS DSP 2232
Antenna Tuners:
MFJ, AEA AT-300T
ICOM, KENWOOD,
YAESU.
COMMERCIAL
4 HAM
REPEATEflS
STOCKED.
WRITE FOR
QUOTES
Itartronics
KAM PLUS, KPC 2/3T4, KPC2400. SUPER FAX H. KPC IV Date Engine D4- TO, <rtc
MFJ-989C 8L8H, AT3O0, etc.
Covercraft Coaiseal Stocked
SHORTWAVE RECEIVERS STOCKED
AL1NCO DJ580T, 120T, 162T, 460T, 180T, F1TH, DR570T, etc.
Wide selection ol SW & Amaieur Putrficahorts
MOTOROLA AUTHORIZED DEALER
KACHINA COMMUNICATIONS DEALER
AUTHORIZED amplifiers DEALER stocked
TeJeptaj ne scram biers
lor cellular and regular
pt>orws. $299. °° each
CAR %lmtwO with
Shortw**fl
Phdfcp* DC-777 « £491*1
in stock
BIRD WflttrttCferS & Elements In Stock
MTTEMU5:
AEA.AlphgOeJ'J.
ANU, Antenrw
5pwaltm, Barfcw I
Willi am sor>.
ComflLCushwrdt,
Di4irn5ndFGAP.
Hy-Gain, Kusl er,
Lareefl, lit.
(144, 220, 440 MHz), fsoloop.
EJMAC 3-5002 572B, 6JS6C 12BY7A& 6146B
BIRD
Wattmeters &
Elements
In Stock
RF Concepts Mirage
hortwawe Radios Stocked1^5^1**71* DIGITAL FREQUENCY COUNTERS
OPTOELECTRONICS model 1300 M/A, CM300MHz
2300. 2210 H, 0-2200 MHz. 2600H. UTC-3000. 26t0
Radios for Business, Gov't, 2-way, etc. Stocked & Serviced,
Call for Great Prices!
OOlClAlfTDiUS ST0QCEC
HE1L
EQUIPMENT IN STOCK
Long-range Wireless Tefe phone for export in stock
BENCHER PADDLES
BALUNS. LOW PASS FILTERS
IN STOCK
MIRAGE/RFC Amplifiers
ASTRON POWER SUPPLIES
Belden Wire & Cable, tnfl Wire
OPTO KEYERS STOCKED
Hy-G am Towers will be shipped direct to you FREE of shipping cost
JRC Short-wave radios
JST135, NRO*535D
Ameritron Amplifiers
MAIL AU ORDERS TO: BARRY ELECTRONICS CORP.. 51 2 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY, NY iro^itmBLaKmnHOFcm^
New York City's
LARGEST STOCKING MAM OEALEA COMPLETE REPAJR LAB ON PREMISES
^Aqul Se Habla Eapanol"
BARRY INTERNATIONAL
FAX 212-925-7001 Phone 21 2-925-7000
Monday-Friday 9 A M ro 6 00 P.M. Saturday 10- 5pm /Sunday 1 1- 2pm
IflT/LEX^'Spring St, Station*'. Subways: 9MT- "PrinceSt, Station" !Nf>"F" Train-Bwy Station" Bus: Broadway #6 to Spring St. Path-9th SU6th Ava Station.
COMMERCIAL RADIOS STOCKED: ICOM. Motoro- la maxon. Standard, Yaesu. We serve munici- palities, businesses. Civil Defense, etc Portables, mobiles, bases, re-
PvAlWi ■ i
ALL
We slock: AEA. Afifico. Ameco, Arneritnori, Antenna Specialist, ARRL. Astatic, Astron, B&K, Belden, Bencher, Bird. Butternut, CES, Cushcraft, Oaiwa, Efmac, Henry, Hell, Hustfer, Hy-Gain^ Icon. KLMP Kantronics, Kenwood, Larsen, Maxon, MFJ. Mirage, Motorola. Nye. Palomar, RF Products, Shure. Standard, TUBES. Uniden, Yaesu, Vlbroflex, Duplexers, Repeaters, Scanners, Radio Publications
WE MOW STOCK COMMERCIAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS HAM DEALER INQUIRES INVITED PHONE IN YOUR ORDER A BE REIMBURSED COMMERCIAL RADIOS ftt*cfc»d A ••nrlc*d on pr«mt*#«.
Amateur Radio Courses Given On Our Premises, Call
Export Orders Shipped Immediately.
FINAL
Technical help offered upon purchase
FAX: 212-925-7001
CIRCLE 41 ON HEAOEft SERVICE CARD
lock on in jusi a few seconds. If ihc meter is switched to 'INTERNAL." ii should read about half-scale.
Even though the crystal oscillator is locked on frequency by the comparator, the
board should be in a location where the tem- perature is fairly constant. To prevent the high-level 60 kHz signals from being picked up by the receiver input, the board should be mounted in a shielded enclosure.
The meter can be switched to monitor ci- ther the 6 MHz oscillator lock voltage (IN* TERNAL) or the phase difference between the comparator and your local standard (EX- TERNAL). The same meter can also be
] MHl
« R3
10 pF 10Qk
Dl ai
C4 47
R4 10 k
H~lu
IC2
F
IT
lu In
■fr +5
!C3
QXF
fh /77 fh
12
lOOkMr G
0
I 51
r
JT^f
n 14
IC4
50 p. A Ml
fh fh fh
-£-cio ( — ,
■O+S
14
12 1
K
o-
+ 5
J
1C5
fh fh fh
\z
B INTERNAL 0
SZ^D
C EXTERNAL
HJ—
LOCAL STANDARD .
lOOkHl OR 1MH* R9 Eii
D 1.5k
— o —
J
o-
C9 47
i
GOhHi
FROM
RCVR
J
I IB
U
M
Figure J. Digital phase comparator schematic*
10 kHz
100 kH2
1 MHz
10 MHZ
100
ElAPSEO TIME U)
Figure 4, Phase measurement than.
20 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994
&
C ORPO
9 Autry
Irvine, CA 92718 RAT ION (714) 458-7277 * FAX (714) 458-0826
MODEL VS-50NI
ASTRON POWER SUPPLIES
HEAVY DUTY • HIGH QUALITY • RUGGED • RELIABLE
SPECIAL FEATURES
• SOUO STATE ELECTRONICALLY REGULATED
• FOLD-BACK CURRENT LIMITING Protects Power Supply from excessive current & continuous shorted output
• CROWBAR OVER VOLTAGE PROTECTION mi ail Models u«pt AS-3A. ftS4A, RS^SA. RS4L. BS-5L
• MAINTAIN REGULATION & LOW RIPPLE at low line input Voltage
• HEAVY DUTY HEAT SINK • CHASSIS MOUNT FUSE
• THREE CONDUCTOR POWER CORD except for RS-3A
• ONE YEAR WARRANTY * MADE JN US A
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS
• INPUT VOLTAGE: 105-125 VAC
• OUTPUT VOLTAGE: 13,8 VDC t 0.05 volts (Internally Adjustable: 11 15 VDC}
• RIPPLE Less than 5mv peak to peak (lull load & Tow line)
• All units available in 220 VAC input voltage (except for SL-11A)
SLSE
• LOW PROFILE POWER SUPPLY
MODEL
SL-11A SL-11R SL-11S SL-11R-RA
Colors Continuous
Gray Black Duty (Amps)
7 7 7
7
ics*
lAmpsI
11 11 11 11
Size UK) H*W*0
2¥» * 1\ * 9ft 2%*7 *9ft 2%*7H*9ft 4ft « 7 *9ft
Shipping WLlL.1
12 12
12 13
RS-L SERIES
* POWER SUPPLIES WITH BUILT IN CIGARETTE LIGHTER RECEPTACLE
MODEL
RS-4L RS-5L
Continuous Duty [Amps)
3 4
ICS*
(Amps)
4 5
Size UN! H * W - 0
Hh * 6ft « Tk
3ft * 6ft * Vk
Shipping Wt (lbs]
6 7
RM SERIES
19" RACK MOUNT POWER SUPPLIES
MODEL RM-35M
MODEL
RM-12A
RM-35A
RM-50A
RM-60A
Separate Volt and Amp Meters
RM-12M
HM~iWm
RM MM RM-60M
Continuous Duty (Amps)
9
25 37 50
9
25 37 50
ICS* [Amps)
12
35
50
55
12 35 SO
Size II Nl
H* WxO
5% x 19 x 8Vt
5% x 19 x 12%
5% x 19 x 12ft
7 x 19 x12V?
51Ax19x8Vj
5% x 19 x 12ft
5% x 19 x 12ft
7 x 19 x 12ft
Shipping WL (lbs]
16 36 50 60
16
3a
50
60
RS-A SERIES
MODEL RS JA
MODEL
RS-3A
RS-4A
RS-5A
RS-7A
RS-7B
RS-10A
RS^12A
RS-I2B
RS-20A
RS-35A
RS^SOA RS-70A
Colors
Gray Black
«
*
« •
Ciiliiuim Duty | Amps)
2.5
3
4
5
5
7.5
9
9
16
25
37 57
ICS'
|A»PS) 3 4
5 7
7
10
12
12
20
35
50
70
Size |IH) H x W x D
3 X 4ft x 5ft 3* X 6ft X 9
3ft x 6ft x 7% 3ft x 6ft x 9
4 x 7ft X 10ft 4 X 7ft X 10ft
4ft x 8 x 9
4 x 7ft x 10ft
5 x 9 x 10^
5 x 11 x 11
6x133* x 11
6 x 13V* x 12V
Siippiif Wt. [Ibi.|
4
5
7
9
10
11
13
13
18
27
46
48
RS-M SERIES
MODEL RS-35M
MODEL
• SwTtchaWe volt and Amp meter RS-12M
• Separate volt and Amp meters RS-2QM
RS-35M RS-50M RS-70M
Ciiliiuiii
Dily (Aspi)
9
16
25
37 57
res-
12
20
35
50
70
Size [IN| K x W x D
4ft xSx9
5 X 9 X 10ft
5X 11 X 11
6 x 13ft X11 6 x 13V* x n\
ShlppiMi
wt. pit.)
19
18
27
46 48
VS-M AND VRM-M SERIES
-
MODEL VS-35M
Separate Volt and Amp Meters * Output Voltage adjustable from 2-15 volts * Current limit adjustable from 1.5 amps
to Full Load MODEL
VS-12M VS-20M VS-35AA VS-50M
Clltliiiii
Dllf [Ampsl
@13.8VDC @10VDC @5VDC
9 5 2
16 9 4
25 15 7
37 22 10
ICS*
IA-MI
@13.8V
12
20
variable rack mount power supplies VRA^35M 25 15
VRW-5QM 37 22
7
10
50
35
50
Size (IN] H x W x D
4ft X 8 X 9
5 x 9 X 10ft
5x11 XII
6 x 13ft x t1
5ft x 19 X 12ft 5% x 19 x 12ft
Shipping Wl. flitj
13
46
RS-S SERIES
L
MODEL RS-12S
Built in speaker
MODEL
RS-7S RS-10S RS-12S RS^20S
SL-11S
Colors Gray Black
Caitliioit
Duty [Anps| 5
7,5 9 16
7
ICS* Anpi
7 10 12
20
11
Size (IN)
H x W X D
4 X 7ft X 10ft
4 X 7ft X f Oft
4ft X 6 X 9
5 X 9 X 10ft
2ft x m x 9ft
8bippii|
Wl. (lb*.) 10 12 13 16
12
HCS— Intermittent Communication Service (50% Duty Cycle 5mm on 5 mm. off)
CIRCLE 16 ON REAPER SERVICE CARD
Courteous Service . Discount Prices . Fast Shipping
5 WAY MULTI-POINT TEST LEADS
High qualify, flexible, ctotf* coveted red and triad* test leads with telecom industry standard 5 way mulii point test clips on one end and spade lugs on the orner end. 5 ways to connect dips; 1) U-shaped nose far qc lenrunals; 2) Notched jaw for gripping screws, wires or terminate: 3) Serrat- ed teeth for threaded or wire wrap terminals: 4} Clus- ter of small needles for p*e*ong small gauge wires: 5) Large piercing needle for piercing larger wires 4 test long. At one end of the cord is a 1 500 ohm resistor that can be switched in and out o! circuit
$3.50
CAT* TL-200
per set
SUPER SPECIAL!
11 Vdc, 500 ma.
WALL TRANSFORMER
White- UL listed wal transformer It Vdc. 500 ma. output to a 21 mm co-ax plug with center positive.
CAT# OCTX-1 1 5
$2*00 each
100 for $175.00
10 BUTTON MEMBRANE KEYPAD
»iaiii nnnuM
& Sj£*Ss
1 0 button, matrix encoded Keypad Peel ■ and-stick backing for easy mounting Origi- nally designed for use on a safeJMe TV tun er. I he keys have sateiine names and related text on them In addition lo numerals 0 through 9, Overall dimensions are 9" X 1.625", but halt of the strip can be cut off with a knife or scissors, leaving a self sticking keypad of 43' X 1 .625" Stver keys with charcoal numerals and background 6.5' flexible ribbon cable, terminated wrth 7 prn socket connector - 0,1 " spacing.
CAT* KPM-10
$ »a3 each
ORDER TOLL FREE
1-800-826-5432
charge ORDERS lo Visa. MusierCaid or Discover
rfcHMS Mininni-Ti ureter S 10. GOShipping and hanging Inr in* *B r:cnitfiMUl USA UODiwardmr Am CJITuht inaudtiig A*C Ml, PH 0* Cwutia nut ptlf Ul Et^KQ M
Write For A Free
64 Page
CATALOG
Oulsido'
MAIL ORDERS TOr
ALL ELECTRONICS
CORPORATION
P.O. Box 567
Van Nuyst
California
91 408
FAX {818) 781-2653
CIRCLE 194 ON READER SERVICE CARD
22 73 Amateur Radio Today' February, 1994
switched to be used as l he receiver S-meier.
When making phase comparisons, re- member that one zero- to-full-scale travel of the meter (360 degrees! is a one-cycle drift. Figure 4 is a phase measurement chart to aid
in determining ihe accuracy of your local standard. The phase difference, or compari- son frequency* is plotted against elapsed time to show the accuracy of your standard. For example, if a 1 MHz oscillator drifts one
r
GNT/P 8EGMP K9EUI
Figure 5. PC board partem and pans placement
Fig in? 6. PC board pattern and parts placement
cycle in 20 minutes. Ihe accuracy of that os- cillator is one part in 10\ or 0.001 ppm. If this oscillator is used as a counter time base, your measurement of a 450 MHz. signal will be accurate to within 0,45 Hz!
The best limes for signal comparison arc mid-morning to mid-afternoon and within several hours before and after midnight. During the period of an hour or so before and after sunrise and sunset there is a phe-
forthe WWVB Receiver (Pan L).
0 JU3 -Q*E>
&
xi
M m
i
IC7
C7
D.
Kt>
L
2
h -nmy -rw> -rwv (
i
Rl
9
E D
-$J
for the Digital Phase Compatator.
TIRED OF PLAYING GAMES?
Finaly, a practical use for your sound card.
Passband monitoring
Signal identification and tuning
Notch fitter adjustment
Analysis of filter character- istics
3-D surface plots and
COiof
ram
allow
tracking of
frequency
changes
over time
Multiple open _ windows
Spectra Vision - $89.00
Real-time audio spectrum analyzer Full control over FFT size, sampling rate, scaling, gain, and averaging. Requires 386. Windows 3. 1 and any Windows compatible 8 or 16 bit soundcard.
Spectra Phis -$179
All of the above plus data record/playback, post- processing, and more! "A stroke of brilliance... a groundbreaking program'- Monitoring Times
800-401-3472 faxNome 206-697-3472 Visa, MasterCard, Check or Money Order
Pioneer Hill Software
24460 Mason Rd.t Pouisbo, WA 98370 S&M included, foretgn delivery add $t0 00 Demo disk $4 00 (credit toward purchase)
CIRCLE 31t ON READER SERVICE CAflO
73 Amateur Radio Today • February. 1 994 23
FOXHUNT HEADQUARTERS
Locale hidden or unknown transmitter last. The Foxhound direction Itnder connects lo 1he antenna and speaker jack on any radio receiver, AM or FM from 1 MHz to \ GHz. The antenna (a pair of dipole tefescopc whips) is rotated unrt the Nul meter shows a mnwium A pair of LEDs refceate to turn Left or Right The Foxhound s ideal to use *rth a wataeiafcie if you wish to transmit, go ahead, a ouit-m T R s*nch senses any transmitted RF and swlches riserf out ol circul while von lalk It doesn't get any easserthan ihis! Wo provide alt parts- except tor a lew leel of MZ inch PVC pipe abatable at any hardwar e store for a dollar or Iwo. Add our matching case set !or a compreto finished unit. Be the one with the answers, wm those transmitler hunts'and Hack down
Ihose jammers, you \\ do i an with your Foxhound
Add some run to your duo events by navmg a iransrnrter hunt' Foxhunting is a craze saeepng the nat en but many dubs are musing out on the action because they tack the expertise or bme to deretap their own fcuhum transmitter We set one ol our meet devious and sneaky engineers to the lash ol designing an easy to rxnM and use. yet highly capable Foxhunt transmrtter. A snazzy microprocessor controller has bolh presel and programmable transmission characteristics allowing you to easily set (he difficulty level from "beginner" to "know-it -aPP The SlyFox . FHT-1. is crystal controlled in the 2 meter band (crystal lor 1 46 52 included) with a power outpul of 5 waits that is adjustable by the conuoBer The transmitter is programmed to TD in CW of add our voice Option if you reatJy want to aggravate the troops - "Ha ha you cant find mer Join the tun, get nd of those stuffy old meetmgs and penes have a foxhunt'
OF-1 Foxhound direction finder tot S59.95 CDF Malchinocase set tor DF 1 Si 2.95
FHT-1 SryfOK Foxhunt transmitter tot ,5129,95 FHID-1 Voice (D option S3 9.95
CFHT Heavy duly metal matching case se| tor FH T-1 „.■>.»„„ .,.„.♦..,>„»>■ $23.95
TOUCH -TONE DECODER
Grab Touch-Tone numbers nght off the air. phone Of tape. A simple hook-up to any radio speaker or phone fine s al that is requred to irstanthr- aeosher touch-tone phone numbers or codes A 2So dig* memory stores decoded numbers and keeps rts memory even ii the even! at power toss. An 8 digit LEO display attows you to scroll through the memory bank to examine numbers To make ii easy to pick cut number groups or codes, a 'dash" is inserted between sets or digits that were decoded more than 2 seconds apart. A "een!ral-ofliceH qualrty crystal controlled decoder Is used allowing rapid arid reliable detection of numbers at up to 20 digits per second1 For a professbnaMy finished look, add our matching case set. Stan cracking those secret codes tomorrow with the Tone Grabber!
TG-1 Tone Grabber kit S99.9S CTG Matching case set S12.95
JG-iWT Futry assembled TG-1 and case ...... ,..„,.. TT..„,.,r$1*9L95
TOUCH TONE REMOTE CONTROL
Control virtually anything by Touch-Tone remote control The URC-t has 16 switched outputs. 4 adjustable voltage outputs (20 mV steps 0 To 5 VDC). two 1QK digital pots (for volume squelch. etc.) and 3 irniers adjusfabfe from to rnS to 4Q hours! Two level password control aflows secure control and rnufli-ievei access 5a digit LED display shows currentfy entered codes and a crystal controled touch-tone decoder provides ratable operation There's nothing else hke this umt. be in ccTTplete control of remote radios thermostats hrlTs homes or even ketones wth the UfiC-1 . Add our matching case set lor a handsome finish
URC-1 Remote controf kit £129,95 CURC Matching case set 512,95
UFIC-1 WT Fully assembled URC-1 and case ..... , .5189.95
DIGITAL VOICE RECOROEH
Chaiierbo* digital voce storage um mi record your message of up to 20 seconds Time is soft up into tour S second blocks mnich can be pferyed separately or cascaded for longer messages. An LED display shows message location and current mode for easy operation Nitty burn -in interfaces alow simple connecton to transmitters tor automatic keying when the PTT ts nitialty closed or after it is released You can even loop your rig's mike through the Chatterbox. For contest or tun use. (he C 3- 1 can drive an external speaker. Includes & built-in electret mike. For that finishing touch add our matching case set
CB-1 Voice recorder M S59.95 CCS Match*™ case set 512.95
FM SUBCARRlER DECODER
Tap into the world ol commeicai*tree mussc and data that is carried over many standard FM broadcast radio stations Decoder hooks to the demodulator of FM radio and tunes the 50-100 KHz SCA subcarrler band Many radios have a demod output, but if your radio doesn't, it's easy to locate. Of use our FR-1 FM receiver kit which ts a complete FM radio with a demod jack built-in These hidden" subcarrters carry fots of neat progfantming ■ from stock quotes lo news 10 music. m^roi*ioe^i$ierung~3ricomrne^ Hear whaiyotiNe been missmgwthifieSCA-1.
SCA-1 Oecoderkrt _ 524,95 CSCA Matching case set S1Z.95
FR-1 FM receiver krt $19.95 CRR Matching case for FFt-1 512,95
SCANNER CONVERTER
Tune in on the 800-950 MHi action using your existing scanner. Frequencies are converted with crystal referenced stabiKy to ihe 400-55-G MHz range. Instructions are even included on building high performance 900 MHz antennas Welt designed circuit features extensive filtering and oanwnieot oiK>Wbypass swtch Easy one hour assembly or available tuty assembled Add our matching case set for a pro'essjonal took
SCN-1 Scanner convener krt $49.95 SCN Matching case set 512.95
SCN-iVyT Assembled SCN 1 and case &B9.95
STEREO PEAK MOID BARGRAPH
Finally a dual LED bar graph with a peak hold display' Bar graph displays are neat and eye catching but their speed is their downfall ■ they just cant capture the peaks. Our tut is tike two uncs in one a last display to show me signal arid a tone, persistence display to capture peaks. sr-^r uruts 30 to* burnetii * tacto! Mvdt* I mttl : i^var fa pane A use. sWiog bi audo VU meters and Log for power dtsptays Dual ■ tor stereo! - 10 segment muti-cotored LED display lor snazzy, eye grabbing disptay and easily set ranges for virtually any signals, from voltmeters to audio VU meters to audio power amps lo SWR meters. Complete intrusions for easy hook-up lo most any device. Add our maiching case set tor a sharp looking unit
PH-H Dual Linear bargraoh kit 539.95 PH- 15 Dual Log cargraph kit S39-95
PH 16 Dual Semi- log barnraph krt,. S39.9S CPH Matelwg case sel 512.95
SURROUND SO UND/REVERB
Add concert hafl reaksm to your stereo TV or even 2-way radio? Easdy syfhesize a stereo effect from mono sources or nchty enliven regular muse Add a big -voice reverb lo your radio voice that others wit! envyf Our reverb/surround sound kit uses a Bucko! Brigade IC Device lor reliabfe solid- slate performance Adjustable reverb, delay and mi* controls lo customize your sound Easify connected to radios stereos CB's and TVs. Plenty of audio to drive a small speaker for stand- alone operation too Experiercnce Ihe fun and realism that surround sound provides ' without spendn9 hundreds' Add our case set for a neat, pro Jook
RV-1 SurrourwJ Sounctftarefb W. 559.95 CRV Match mrj case set 512.95
RV-1WT Assembled RV_1 and case 599.95
£
SPEED RADAR
New low-cost microwave : Dopplcr radar kit 'clocks' cars planes, boats, horses. bikes or any large moving object Operates at 2.6 GHz with up to MA mile range LED digital readout displays speed in miles per hour, tatometers per hour or leel per second1 Earphone output alows lor fcstening to actuaf Doopter shA Uses two t-Dcoflee cans tor antenna j not inrJudeolandrunson 12 VDC Easy to buib— all microwave cirtuiry s PC stnpline. ABS pfestic case wrth speedy graphics tar a professional took. Avery uselut and FutFoMun krt. SG-7 Complete kit SG9.95
FM RECEtVERS & TRANSMI
Keep an ear on the beat repeater poke weather or just tune around These sensitive superfiet receivers are fun to build and use Tunes any 5 MHz portion of the band and have smooth varador turwg wrth AFC. dual converse*?, ceramic filtering, squelch and plenty of speaker vofume. Complete manual details how the rigs work and applications- iw FM transmitter has 5W RF out. crystal control 1146 52 included], pro-specs and daiamike inputs, Add our case sots for a nice finish
FM Receiver km Sjusofytartd- fr^js^M rb^ [aj^. fr to l1&wjlfr-S20(22cmhi) _.._ S29.95
CFH Matching case set SI 3-95 FT- 146 Two Meter ™ transmitter ta1___579,9S
2D METER SSB/CW TRANSCEIVER DDS - DUAL VFO * BUILT-IN KEYER
Imagine takmg Ihts cute little 20 Meter SSBi'ClrV rig on business trips or vacations, there's feature galore with this beauty ! A DDS (Owed Digital Synthesis) synthesizer tunes in 10 Hz steps, two VFO with memory and djgtaj RlT »iiji h^ dtspi^ Cmvcniert features ike a chat tot burton alows you to hop arouvj (he band and dual setectabte AGC aiowsujmiuitaWe operating Instant, one-touch WWV reception for quick band condition checks and mcropfocessor control wUh buiflnn Iambic CW keyer that has digital readout ol speed! Perky 10 wait RF output (only 1 1/2 S units below irjrj waits) can bo turned down lor ORP Includes hand mike with handy Up/Down buttons for easy remote tuning. This rig's a joy to operate, with performance equal to units costing hundreds of dollars more and with some features not
found on arty rig at any price! Covers the 20 M band 14 -14 5 MHz plus ft MHz WWV Our easy to toflow nstructens have you
assemble Ihe k4 in s#nple "We-sued" sections that are tested as you buftd. assuring you ol a ng that works first time
Experience the pleasure of saying the rig here s home-brew! Available ii ki or fcdy wved.
SX-20 SSB/CW transceiver kit „ $349.95 SX-20WT Fulfy assembled SX-20 „rfS429.95
FANTASTIC FM TRANSCEIVERS SYNTHESlZED-NO CRVSTALS
Ramsey breaks ihe price barrier on FM rigs! The FX is ideal for shack, portable or mobile The wide frequency coverage and programmable repeater splits makes the FX the perfect rig lor Amateur, CAP or MAPS appfecations Packeteers reaty appreciate the dedicated packet port, "TRUE'FM" signal and almost instant T A swrtchmg. High speed packet? ...No problem Tweke diode programmed channels 5W RF outpul, sensitrve dual conversion receiver and proven EASY assembly, Why pay more lor a used foreign rig when you can have one AMERICAN MADE (by you) for less Comes complete less case and speaker mike. Croer our matching case and knob set for that pro look
FX-SOkine Meters, >„-Sl 49.95 FX-146k4(2M«ensK„_™ $149.95
FX-223kitO 1/4 Meiers)... Si 49,95 FX-440ktt{l4MeiefSl 5169-96
a
2 MTR tt 220 BOOSTER AMP
Here's a greal booster for any Z meter or 220 MHz hand -held unit. These power boosters deliver over 30 walls of output, af lowing you to hii Ihe repeater's full quieting while the low raise preamp remarkably improves reception. Ramsey Electronics has soft thousands of 2 meter amp kits but new we offer completely vmm and tested 2 meter, as wei as 220 MHj unfls. Both have all the features of The higtvpriced boosters at a fraction ol the cost PA-iO 2 MTfl POWER BOOSTER (10 X power gam)
Putty wired A tested ._..... SB9.9S
PA-20 220 MHz POWER BOOSTER (B X power gain)
Fully wired &. tested
...LI! ,
«■■! * hi ■-* ■ ■ ■
■ B4*l h + J ""J- -- H h h-
sag.95
STEREO FM TRANSMITTED
Run your own Stereo FM radio station?
Transmits a stable signal in the BB-iDB
MH2 FM broadcast band up to 1 mile.
Detailed manual provides helpful into on
FCC regs. antenna ideas and range to
eapoct Latest design lealures ad|usiable
line level mpuls. pre-cmphasis and
crystal controlled subcenier. Connects lo
any CO Of tape player, mike mwar or
radio, includes free tuning loot too1 For a
pro look add our matching case set with on-ooard whip antenna
FM-10A Stereo transmitter kit SM.9S CFMCase.whip am set.. $12.95
FM WIRELESS MIKES
Pick the unt that s nght lor you Alt uruis transmit a stable signal m the 8S-108 MHz FM band w to 3O0 except tor H^h power FfUMand PSrt Pfxinebug!halpjoupio1,2mde,
FM-l Basic unrt ,...„ $5.95
FM-2, as above out with added mike pre amp 57.95
FM-4, tong range with very sensitive audio pickup ..S 14.95 Pfi-1, Phone bug needs no battery, hooks t o phone lnno.$14.95 MC-1. Micro size sensitive mika cartridge
for FM-1 P 4 «?bc
SPEECH SCRAMBLER
Desaamble most scramble systems heard on your scanner radio or sei up your own scarnbJed communication system over the phone or radio. Latest 3rd generation (C Is used for fantastic audio quality - equivalent to over 30 op-amps and mixers' Crystal controlled for crystal ctear sound with a bu*-ln 2 watl audio amp for direct radio hook-up. For scramble systems, each user has a unit for tuft duplex operation. Communicate in privacy with Ihe $$- 70- Add our case set for a hoe professional finish.
SS-70 Scrambler /descramblerkit , S29.9S
CSSD matching case set S12.9S
SS'70WT Assembled SS-70 and case sol 569,95
aircraft receivffs
Hear exciting aircraft communications— pick up planes up to 100 miles away1 Receives 110-136 MHz AM air band, smooth varacior tuning supcrhet with AGC. ceramic filter, adjustable squelch. excellent sensAwfy end Jots of speaker volume Rims on &V battery Great lor air shows or kist hangng around the aiport1 Mew 30-page manual detafls P*a tatk. too Add case set for -pro" look
AIM kit S24.95
Matching case set, CAR , .„.„ si 2.95
AM TRANS MtTTER
High quality true AM broadcast band transmitter « desigried exactly lite me big cornmerciai rigs Power of 100 mW, legal range of up to 1/4 mile Accepts Irne level inputs fern tape and CD prayers and mike mixers, tunable 550-1750 KHz Complete manual explains circuitry, help wrth FCC fogs and even antenna ideas Be your own Rush Limbaugh or Rick Dees with Ihe AM- t! Add our case set for a true station look,
AM'l Transmitter kit _ , $24,95
CAM Matching case set 512.95
MICRO MIKE
World's s ma I re st FM wireless mike. Smaller than a sugur cube - including battery and mike Two sets of SMT parts supplied in case you are clumsy! Terrific audio pick-up (pin drop at 5 ft) and transml range of 300 I We indude the battery {watch style), electret mike and even a tuning tool! Be a James Bond and learn SMT too! FlvT-5 Micro mike kit 519.95
CRYSTAL RADIO
Relive ihe radio past with a crystal set like your grandfather bu* Uses genuine Catena crystaJ and catwhisker Several different types of radios are built, including, standard AM broadcast, shortwave and even WW II foxhole style To compare modem semiconductor detectors, we include a diode for comparison. No s ordering required and we even give antenna ideas Radio for tree get it now before Cimori taxes * CS-1 Crystat sal kit S19.95
SHORTWAVE RECEIVER
Faniaslic receiver that captures Ihe world w*i just a \T antenna1 Can receive any 2 MHj podon from J-n MHi True supertter. has smooth varador lunmg AGC ftF jarv control plenty of speaker vohjme and runs on a 9V battery Fascrnalmd Scout school or club project, provides hours of fun tor even the most serious DXer For the car, consider our shortwave converter. Two switchable bands (In 3 21 MHi range), each 1 MHz wxje— tunable on your car radio dial. Add some nterest to your dnve home!
Shortwave recewef M. SRI .. .$29,95
Shortwave converter krt. SCI . , S27.95
Watching case set for SFti. CSR 312,95
Maichmgcaso set for SCI. CSC S12.95
QRP TRANSMITTERS RECEIVERS LINEAR AMPLIFIERS
30, 30. 40, 80M CW TRArNSMfTTERS Jv the Ka or. ORP* Tfieusaros o* ?«se p»> ngs tssvH been sou and ccrs of DX comacti ^ave been made. Imagine wanting £a^em
Eurcpe with a £30 trans .miller— lhars hsm rarTin a: its bcsl" thnsa CW ugs are iflear males lo the r«ewers at ngjhi. Thiy have two- positron vsn^iie crystal comwi (one rraputar ORP XTAL included i. one watt oubL-t and Du4-rr 5.-t«rvti swicft. Ru» On 1JVDC. Add our making case and kreo Set for a twidsoffto tAShed ijok Your chocc of bandsfSpecafy oara QRP-
20. 30. 40. or 801 - ».».-$Z9,99<
Malchmgcase
knob set. CORP w 512.95
20, 10. 40, BOM All Mode RECEIVERS Build your own mini ham station Sen- Srtrve afl-rnode AM CW $S3 receivers use direct conversion design with NEKE, IC as leatured in OSTand ARRL handbooks, Very sensitive varactor tuned over entire band Plenty ot speaker volume Runs on 9V battery Very EASY to build, lots of tun and educabonaF— ideal lor beginner or oW pro. New 30- page manual Add the case set for wefl- frtted professional took, (Speciry band. HR-2a HR-30, HR-40.
HR-SOJ , , $29.95
Orft, Matchtng case $12.95
QAMP
For a slick bttte QRP boost, use one of Ihe 20 Wart amplifiers Needs onfy 1/2-2 watts of drive lor fuN output, linear for SS3. AM or CW operation, power MOSFETs for high etlieciency and multistage low pass filter lor a clean signal Buifl-tn T/R relay for automatic switching runs on 12-15 VDC at 2-4 amps. Add our matching case set for a complete station look
Your choice of bands S49.95
SfjpOify bnhd- {QAMP-ad. 30. ^0. Bp)
CQAMP Matching. case set S12.95
ic ■'
ORDERS CALL 1 -gQO-4 HOBBY KITS (446-2295)
ITECrVORDEfl/INFO (716)924-4580 FAX {716*924-4555
TERMS: Salnloction rjuarantB€<J Eiamme lor 10 ctay5 M nod pleased relum m Oh^lnn] Form f&r rafund.
I Add S3.9S tor shipping, handling undj infuninca. For foreign orrtrrs add ?□>"■ Far Mirfjire mm I COO {U.S. anlv) *»dd S5.Q0. Ortfer» under SZ0 add £3,00 WV reeld»nt« add ?% Sfilee tair 50 day pans warranty on kit part* l-yeof 03*14 S labor wnrranEy on wrrvd uniti
RAMSEY ELECTRONICS, INC 793 CANNING PARKWAY VICTOR NY 145S4
DRCLE 34 ON READER SEVlCE CARD
2WAY RADIO SERVICE MOW (TOR
C0NN3. the world's mosl popular fow-co&l service monitor. For shops big or small, Ihe COM -3 delivers advanced capabilities tor a fantastic prce — and our new lease program atows you to own a COM -3 for less than S3 00 a day Feafcres - Direct entry keyboard with programmable memory • Auo>o & iransmittef frequency counter ■ LED bar graph frequency/error deviation display • 0.1-10.0^0 |jV output revels * High recewo sensitivity, less than 5 uV • 100 kHz lo 999,9995 MHi ■ Continuous frequency coverage » Transmit protecuon up to 100 walls* CTS lone encoder * 1 KHz and etiernaJ moduiatior COM 3 2 Way Radio Service Monitor £2995.00
SYNTHESIZED SIGNAL GENERATOR
Finafty, a tow-cost lab quality signal
oenerai or— a true alternative to the
S7.0QQ generators. The RSG-tO is a
hard working, bul easy to uso
generator ideal lor the lab as weU as
for production test Lease * lor less
than $300 a day Features • 100
KHz to 999 MHz * 100 Hi resolution to 500 MHz. 200 Hz above*
-130IO lOdBmompul range *0 1 dB outpul resobuon ■ AM and FM
modulation • 20 programmable memories * Output selection ii «3*s,
dfl d&m wcth instant conversion between units • RF outpul reverse
power protected » LEO display of all parameters— no analog
guesswork!
HSG-10 Synthesized Signal Generator.,, $2495.00
*&h
SYNTHESIZED AUDJO GENERATOR
m\ /^ DDS (Direct Oigdat Synthesis t / 1 / technotogy brings you a Terrific audio V w generator al a fantastic price? Generates from □. 0T Hz to 5& KHz wilh trve droil LEO display ol frequency Sine and square wave output adjustable 0 1 volt p-p Fre- quency selected by direct keyboard entry and with handy continuous tune turwig knob Crystal controlled accuracy ol to ppm and two memories fcr rapid frequency charges Retire thai jury-rigged old rjetwatoi and treat yoursef to the pleasure of using a new stale of theart SG-55D! SG-SSOKit SI 6995 „,SG-550WT assembled $229,95
DIGITAL CODE SYNTHESIZER
Generate all popular signaling
codes used in paging, and two- — * " ^'*' — * II I II
way radio Generate DTWF II F.
UTS. WTS Single.
tone remote, DPI GOLAY and NEC synthesizers with 0.1 Hz resolution
and programmable duration, spacing and oulpulsing Both 600 ohm and TTL outputs for easy connection lo any RF generalor or service monitor. Gel in on the profitable- pager repair market with the COM-6 universal synthesiser Fully assembled with 1 year warranty COM-6 Code Synthesizer S895.00
ra?e DTMF. MF.
e.Oogj seione f\ AAA
l*»L POCSAG. — ' II 1/ |
EC Twn audio v v V V
MOTOR CONTROLLER
Control ihe speed and cfreden d any motor. Use our 5MD-f for those nice steppers you see surplus, and
our M5C*1 for DC motors The stepper driver features variable speed, half step rotation, direciion and powoj down mode, can drive most any stepper motor. Our DC driver leatures pulse width modulation control aUowtig lull motor torque even al km speeds and can drive motors up to W VDC § 10 Amps! Add our case set for a professional assembly
SMf>1 Stepper M $24.95 MSC -t DC motor fc i 524.95
CSMO SMD-t case S12.9S CMSCMSC-1 case $12.95
L C METER
Mfid-ju-e ir.ct.-UQK from 10 uH lOmH and cspadlors Irom 2 pF*2uF wih high Accuracy by connecling the LC-1 to any digital mullirnoior. Two pushbuiton ranges for high resolution readings and we even give you calibration components lo assure proper accuracy ol your km Actwe filters and switching supp&es require crueal values, no one should be without an accurate LC meter. For a pro look, add our matching case set I_C1 LC meter kit S34.95 CLC case set SI 2.95
MINI KITS
Ramsey carries a complete Jmo of low cost easy lo build, easy to use Junctional kits that can be used alone or as building blocks in larger more complex designs Mini-kiis include audio amps, tone decoders. VOX switches, limers. audio alarms, noise makers and even dhoctoo, lis! CaH tor our free catalogue1
PACKET RADIO
Two new versens are available tor the Comrnodsre 64 (p~64A) or the IBM PC (P-13M) Easy assemOiy NO TUNING Induces FfiEE disk
software. PC Board and Full Documeniatcn. Kit form
P-64A S59.95 P-lGM S59.95 CASECPK.. S12,95
ACTIVE ANTENNA
Cramped for space? Get longwire performance w4h this desktop antenna Property designed urn has dual hf and VHP drouMry and butt-in whip antenna, as wei as external jack. RF gam control anrj 9V operation makes unt deat tof SWLs. travehng hams or scanner buffs who need hotter reception The matching case and knob set gives the unit a hundred dollar look! AA-7Kit S24.95 Matching case * knobset, CAA.S12.95
cw KEYEfl
Send perlecl CW Microprocessor <eyer features * programmable memories d up to 26 wonfc each tamfcc keymg dot-dash memory, vanarie speed trom 3-60 WPW adfustaMt Mfebra. teyraj to any ng and Uty RR proof EAftGM memory keeps messages up lo 1 00 years ■ you R go sient betore me *eyf Inctudes byiH-tfi touch padrJes or use your own. Easy assembly and matchug case set available tor a nee station look.
CW^0uMicrokoyorkit.S69.95 CMK Matching case set. .S 12.95 CvV"700WT Assembled CW-700and case...... S99.95
Photo A, Rack-mounted prototypes: Top unit is the 60 kHz WWVB receiver, center mii is the
phase campariroK and the bottom unit is a digital clock.
nomenon called diurnal shift when the "E" layer comes and goes. No serious measure- ments should be made al [his time. At cer- tain distances from WWVB, the sky wave and ground-wave signals can cancel each other at this time, making the signal disap- pear Remember thai at 1 0 minutes past the hour the phase of the WWVB carrier is ad- vanced 45 degrees* and at 15 minutes past ihe hour ihe phase is relumed to its original value.
The comparator could have been made simpler by just dividing both the 60 kHz re- ceived carrier and the local I MHz oscillator down to ihe common frequency of 10 kHz.
However, the observation period for the same accuracy would be 100 times as long. For this reason the synthesizcr/PLL circuit using the 6 Mil/ oscillator was chosen.
After observing the phase comparator in action, it will soon become apparent why the WWVB signal cannot toe used directly as a lime base for a counter You will notice the shon-tcrm jitter [hat would make frequency measurements unreliable.
The third and final part of this scries dealing with using WWVB will detail the construction of a stable precision 1 MHz crvsiai oscillator for use as a local standard
|
Digital Phase Comparator |
Parts List |
|||
|
(All resistors 1/4 watt) |
||||
|
Oesig. |
Value |
Digt-Key # |
||
|
Rt„2 |
820 ohms |
|||
|
R3J6.17 |
1O0k |
|||
|
R4.5P10.11P12 |
10k |
|||
|
R6,8,91l3r14 |
1.5k |
|||
|
R7f15 |
220 ohms |
|||
|
C1 |
3-40 pF trimmer |
SG3008 |
||
|
C2 |
22 pF |
P4841 |
||
|
C3. 10,11 |
O.t jiF |
P4525 |
||
|
C4,7,9 |
47 uF |
P810 |
||
|
C5,8 |
470 pF |
P460S |
||
|
G6 |
0.01 ijF |
P4513 |
||
|
ICt |
74LS04 |
OM74LS04N^ND |
||
|
IG2-5 |
74LS90 |
DM74LS90N-ND |
||
|
tC6,7 |
74LS74 |
DM74LS74N-ND |
||
|
IC sockets |
14-pin DIP |
AES914 |
||
|
D1 |
1N4001 |
|||
|
02 |
tN914or1N4148 |
|||
|
Q1 |
2N2222 or equiv. |
|||
|
X1 |
6 MHz parallel load 32 pF XTAL |
X413 |
||
|
A drifted and etched PC board for this project is available for $4.50 plus |
Si .50 S4H from FAR Circuits. |
|||
|
ieN640 Field Ct.. |
Dundee fL 601 18, |
CIRCLE 34 ON READER SEVtCE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 25
Number 6 on your Feedback card
Computer Control for Your Direct Digital Synthesis
VFO
Free yourself of the hassles of generating an accurate
an* stole sinusoida! sL^JSmcm
by Victor MorinVEl ABC
4<TT row!" 1 exclaimed as I began rcad- W ing John Welch NMZW's article "The Techno-Whizzy 1, Pan 1 " (page 8 in the December 1992 issue of 73 Amateur Ra- dio Today), N9JZW's anicle describes how to build a modular muliiband CW low pow- er (QRP) transmitter that uses a new Direct Digital Synthesis (DDS) chip. Why all the excitement? Read oni
Over the years I have constructed a num- ber of home-built rigs (both receivers and transmitters) that have one thing in com- mon: a variable frequency oscillator (VFO). Most receivers need VFOs to generate a lo- cal oscillator (LO) signal and transmitters need them to be freed from crystal control of a single output frequency,
The VFO designs that I used in these pro- jects were all lank^tuned with a combination of inductors (coils) and variable capacitors, either mechanical or varactor diodes. Those of you who have also gone this route know that there are certain inherent problems with this design: temperature drift, nonlinear tun- ing, difficulty in eliminating the mechanical backlash in the frequency-control element, frequency pulling when a load is placed on
the VFO, and the list goes on . . . For me, at least, this type of VFO design has been a royal pain!
I knew that there were alternatives* known as frequency synthesizers, to this tra- ditional VFO construction and my interest focused on two genera! types: phase-locked loop and direct digital synthesis. Looking over some phase-locked loop synthesizer designs convinced me that it would proba- bly be more of the same: LC tank circuits are used at very high frequencies and are varactor-controlled. Frequencies are regulat- ed using phase detectors, thus generating phase noise, etc. Please don't get me wrong — I'm not saying that phase-locked loop synthesizers should be avoided — Pm simply saying that for me they didn't seem to be the way to go.
That left the direct digital synthesis ap- proach. [ read all t could on the topic and probably the best anicle I found is "A Di- rect Frequency Synthesizer" by Fred Williams in the April 1984 issue of QST, Surprised? This concept has been around for a long time! If you* re interested in the theory behind the direct digital synthesizer,
Photo A, The DDS is the top board. The interface is on the bottom. 26 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
I highly recommend Mr Williams' article, in which he provides DDS theory and de- scribes how to build a DDS using standard TTL IC chips* a read-only memory (ROM) and a digitaMo-analog convener (DAC).
This is the exciting part. When I read the "Techno-Whizzy 1" article, 1 knew it was the answer to my dreams! You see, I had ac- tually begun building the Williams DDS and was contemplating building a ROM burner for it when Techno-Whizzy came on the scene— and there was a full kit available. No more chasing after parts; no more burn- ing bits into a ROM. I could get right down to business! I ordered the DDS right away, explaining to my wife that *it would be my Christmas present from mc to me."
What's So Great About a DDS?
A lot! Precise frequency control, frequen- cy stability, no phase noise, the ability to change frequency very rapidly (frequency hop), etc. What's the price you have to pay for all this? In a nutshell, you have to be able to provide the DDS with a digital (bina- ry) value that is proportional to the frequen- cy of the sinusoidal signal you want your DDS to generate. To me this meant comput- er control, although there are other means, as demonstrated in the Techno-Whizzy I ar- ticle where a diode matrix and switches are used.
I own an IBM -compatible AT clone com- puter. While waiting for my DDS kit to be delivered in the mail, I decided to design and build a hardware interface that would control the DDS from my computer and, just as important, the software driver routine that would make the DDS perform as I wanted-
The Design
I decided to use the printer interface port of my IBM-compatible to control the inter- face and I chose tu use the simplest alterna- tive in order to maximize my chances of success. That's why I elected to use what is in fact a parallel port as a serial port! Why?
COMMUNICATIONS
ELECTRONICS INC. Emergency Operations Center
We're introducing new Uniden Bearcat scan- ners that are just what you've been searching for. Order your Bearcat scanner today.
25th Anniversary Special
[Save $10.00;
ion Bearcat® 8500XLT| ■or 760XLT scanners, i
■ Celebrate our 25th annivm&ry with special uvingi on th* radios lisicd*
I in this coupon. Thii coupon must be included with your prepaid order. ■ Credit cards and quantity discounts arc excluded from ibis offer. DiTerl valid only on onltrs mailed directly to CofnmunidUcnis Electronics I Inc.. P G. Box imj- Drpt. 730194. Arm Arbor, Michigan 48tft6-ll>*5| I U.S.A. Coupon eipir« February 28 , 1 994. Coupon may rut be used in I -conjunction with anv other offer. Coupon may be photocopied. Add- I S3 5. 00 for shipping in ihe continental United S talcs of America.
■h ^nm ■■■ bh mmm m^m ^h ^h ^n ^h am hb
Bearcat® 2500XLT-H
List price S649.95/CE price $5J9,?5/SPBC1A1 400 Channels • 20 Banks * Turbo Scan Rotary tuner feature * Auto Store • Auto Sort Size: 2-J/4* Wide x ] 1/2" Deep x 74/2" High FtvqvftttjCeverage: 25.OOOO - 54?,9950, 7600000 - S23 9950, 849 0125 - 868.9950, 894 0125 - 1,300-0000 MHz.
Signal intelligence experts, public safety agencies and people with inquiring minds that want to know, have asked us for a world class handheld scanner that can intercept just about any radio transmission. The new Bearcat 25O0XLT has what you want, You can prog/am frequencies such as police, fire, emergency, race cars, marine, military aircraft, weather, and other broadcasts into 20 banks of 20 channels each. The new rotary tuner feature enables rapid and easy selection of channels and frequencies. With the AUTO STORE feature, you can automatically program any channel. You can also scan all 400 channels at 100 channels* per second speed because the Bearcat 250OXLT has TURBO SCAN built-in. To make this scanner even better, the BC250QXLT has AUTO SORT - an automatic frequency sorting feature for faster scanning within each bant Order your scanner from CEI.
For more information on Bearcat radio scanners or 10 join the Bearcat Radio Club, call Mr Scanner at 1-800- 423-1 33 1. To order any Bearcat radio product from Communications Electronics Inc. call 1-800-USA-SCAN-
Great Deals on
Bearcat 8500XLT-H base/mobile $369.9 5 Bearcat 890XLTH base/mobile. $244.95 Bearcat 2500XLT-H handheld ,..$33995
Bearcat 855XLT-H base $149*95
Bearcat 760XLT H base/mobile. $199-95 Bearcat 700AH info mobile „_ $149*95 Bearcat 56OXU-H base/mobile ... $84.95 Bearcat 350A-H info mobile „.„, $104.95
Bearcat 200XLT-H handheld $19995
Bearcat 148XLT-H base $88.95
Bearcat 100XLT-H handheld $149.95
Bearcat BCT2-H info mobile „„..$ 139-95
New FCC Rules Mean Last Buying Opportunity for Radio Scanners
On April 19, W5f the FCC amended Parts 2 and 15 of Its rules to prohibit the manufacture and importation of scanning radios capable of intercepting the 800 MHz, cellubir telephone service, Supplies of full coverage 800 MHi, scanners are in very short supply. If you need technical assistance or recommendations to locate a spe- cial scanner or solve a communications problem, call the Communications Electronics Inc. technical support hotline for $2,00 per minute at 1-900-5 5 5- SCAN.
Bearcat® 8500XLT H
List price 1689-95/CB price $ 3*9-9 5/SFECIA1 500 Channels • 20 banks - Alphanumeric display Turbo Scan • VF0 Control * Priority channels Auto Store - Auto Recording « Reception counter Frequency step resolution % 12.5, 25 & 50 KHz. Size: 10-1/2" Wide x 7-1/2" Deep x M/S1' High Frequency Coverage:
25.OO0 - 28993 MB* (AM), 29.000 - 54000 MHz. (NFMX 54.000 - 71-995 MHi (VFM), 72000 ■ 75995 MHz. (NFM)T 76.OO0 ■ 107-995 MHz. (WFM), J08OQ0 - 136.995 MHz. (AM) 137.000 - 173995 MHz. (NRM), 174000 ■ 215,995 MHz, (WFM), 216000 - 224.995 MHz. (NFM)« 225.000 - 399 995 MHz. (AM) 400,000 - Sit. 995 MHi (NFM), 512.000 549,995 MHt (WFM) 76O.OOO - 823.?£75 MHs!<NFM), 8490125 - &>8.9875 MHz<NKM) 5940125 - 1,300.000 MHz. (NFM).
The Dew Bcarrat 85O0XLT gives you pure scanning satisfaction with amazing features like Turbo Stun. This lightning fast tech noldgy featuring a triple conversion RF system, enables Uniden's besl scanner lo scan and search up to 100 channels per second. Because the frequency coverage i* so larget a very fast scanning system is essential to keep up with the action. Other Features include VFO Control - (Variable Frequency Oscillator) which allows you to adjust the large rotary tuner to select the desired frequency or channel Counter Display - Lets you count and record each channel while scanning. Auto Store - Automati- cally stores all active frequencies within the specified hank(s). Auto Recording - This feature kit you record channel activity from the scanner onto 1 tape recorder You can even get an op ubn aJ CltSS Ten e Board (Co n u nuous Tone Control Squelch System) which allows the squelch to be broken during scanning only when a correct CTCSS (one is received. 20 banks - Each bank con ta ins 2 5 channel s, useful for storing sins liar freq uencies in order bo maintain faster scanning cycles. For maximum scanning enjoyment, order (he following optional accessories: PSO01 Cigarette lighter power cord for temporary operation from your vehicle's dgarette lighter 114.95; PS002 DC power cord - enables permanent operation from your vehicle's fuse box £14,95; MB001 Mobile mounting bracket I l4.95;BCOO 5 GPCSS Tone Board * 5 4.9 5; EX 71 1 External speaker with mounting bracket 4 10 feet of cable with plug attached $19.95. The BC85O0XLT conies with AC adapter, telescopic antenna, owner's manual and one year limited warranty from Uniden. Order your BC8500XLT from Com munica tons Electronics Inc, today.
^^^
□ CO
The Uniden GMR1C0 Is a handheld GMRS U11F 2-way radio transceiver that has these eight frequencies installed: 4 62. 5 50t
462.725,462.5875,462.6.125,462.6375,461675,462.6625 and 462.6875 MIEz. This one watt radio comes with flexible rubber antenna, rechargeable ni-cad battery, AC adapter/ charger, belt dip, FCC license application and more.
Uniden GMR100-H GMRS Handheld ...$169.95 Uniden WASHINGTON H SSB CB Base $18995 Uniden GRANTXL-H SSB CB Mobile .._ $149*9$
Uniden PC66XL-H CB Mobile.,. ...$78.95
Uniden PC76XL-H CB Mobile .„ $99-95
Uniden PC122XL-H SSB CB Mobile $107.95
Uniden PR0510XL-H CB Mobile $36,95
Uniden PRO520XL-H CB Mobile , $49*95
Uniden PR0538W-H CB & Weather $69,95
CIRCLE 356 ON READER SERVICE CARD
ICOM Kl-H ultra compact handheld wideband receiver $4ti9-95
ICOM RLOHZ mobile 500 klfe.-l.fl GFfe/121 memory W8M
ICOM R71A H 100 kHi-30 MHi. bee (add 139 00 shipping) $1,029-95 ICOM R72A-II 100 IH1.-30 MHi- base (add $3900 shipping) ...*95i95 ICOM R7000-H base with 99 memory (add $ 49 00 ship pin g) . $ 1 249-95 ICOM R7 100-H base with 900 memory (add $49.00 shipping) $ ] .289-95 ICOM R900041 base 30 Hfe.-2 GHz. (add M 49*00 shjppinp) f 4,999-95
ICOM AH700&H super wideband discooe type antenna H„ (10995
GruodtB Saieilit 70aH pondik with 512 memory 4AC adapter 5 449 95 Grundy Saieilit 500-H pwiaile wiib 4^ memory & AC adapter $34995 Grundig Co&nopoliUH wjtb integrated mloRassetle recorder ...$179-95
Gmndia Yacht Boy 230H portable shortwave *..... $13995
GmmJIg Traveller 2-H portable siiQrtwave ,„.„„„„ 179,95
Sangeaz) AT520241 ultra compact 20 memory shortwave ............. J 79 95
Saiige&n ATS606-H ultra compact 45 memory shortwave ^ $149-95
Sangean ATS606P-H shortwave with antenna & AC adapter (169.95
Sangean ATSftOO-H portable 20 memory shortwave - ., $79,95
Sangean ATS8fJ.U-tt portable with SSB reception ft AC adapter J 1 59 95
Sangean ATS80SH portable 45 memory shortwave ™ $15935
5angean ATS818-H portable without cassette recorder „...jl§995
Saxigean ATS8I8GS-H wild cassette recorder $20995
Sangeafl A\760fl portable sbtartwave antenna ,..„.. (9.95
Public safety agencies responding to hazardous material tnctdents must have accurate, up-to-date weather Information, The Davis Weather Monitor J I is our topor-the line weaiher station whkh combines essen^ Ual weather monitoring functions into one incredible package, Glance at the display, and see wind direction and wind speed on the compass nose, Check the barometric trend arrow to see If the pressure is rising or falling. Our package deal includes the new h Igh resolution 1/ 1 00 inch rain collector part #7*52-11, and the external temperature/humidity sensor, part #7859-H. The package deal Is order #&AV1-H for 15ZA35 plus $1500 shipping. If you have a personal com outer, when yon order the optional weatherlink computer software for $ 149.95, you'll have a powerful computerized weather station at an Incredible price. For the IBM PC or equivalent orde r part #7«62-H- for Apple M *c Phis or higher Including Quadra or PtiwerBook, order part #7B66-H.
Cobra CP9 IfrH 900 Mliz. spread specuum cordkss phone ... $2999 5
ICOM GP22-H handhetd g]ohai positioning system $69995
VH200-11 weather radio with storm alert .„ $39-95
HELM WHSI50-H VRF bindhekl 5 watt, t^ch. transceiver .... $34995
RELM RH256N&H VHF 3 J wattsynthesl»d transceiver $209 95
Ranger RCI295MI 25 watt 10 meter ham radio $244.95
Ranger RCI297aH LOO waU 10 meter ham radio S 369.95
In Men LRD9000W1 H Super wldeoand lastr/radar Detector $169.95
PW^H Passport to Worldoaiwi Radio by IBS * „ $10.95
POL1-H Police CaU for CT, MEr MAP NHt NY, Rl, yT , $595
POUH Polfce f^l for DE, MDr NJr PA $5.95
POL34I Police Call for Michigan & Ohio $5 95
P0L4H Police CaD for IL, IN, KYr W! _.. $5.95
P0L5 -H Police Call for I A, KS, MS, MO, NE, .VDh SB „ $5.95
POLo^H Police Call for DC, FU CA, PIC, PRr SC, VA, V\' . ,., 1595
POL7 H Police Call for AL AR, LA, MS, OK, TN, TX $595
POIAH Police Call for AZ, CO, IDr MT, NM, NVr ITT, WY $5.95
POL9-H Police Call for California, Oregon & Washington S$$$
USAMMBNOH magnet motuit scanner antenna with BNC .,, $299 5
USAK-H VII F scanner/YHF iransmitun^ antenna wlih PL259 ... $2995 L1SASCMBNCH glass mount scanner ant with &NC connector . $299 5 rSASGMM-ll glass mount scanner antenna with Motorola Jack $29 95
[Buy with confidence]
It's easy to order from CEI. Mail orders to: Communica- tions Electronics Inc., Emergency Opera lions Center, P.O. Box 1045, Ann Arbor. Michigan 4S106 U.S.A. Add JlfOO per radio for U.P*$. ground snipping and handling in the conti- nental U.S. A unless otherwise slated. Add $8,00 shipping for all accessories and publications. Add $8.00 shipping per antenna. For Canada, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Alaska, P.O. Box, or APO/FPO delivery, shipping charges are two times conti- nental U.S. rales. Michigan residents add state sales tax. No COD's, 10% surcharge for net 10 billing to qualified accounts. All sales are subject to availability, acceptance and verifica- tion. Prices; terms and specifications are subject to change without notice. We welcome your Discover, Visah American Express or MasterCard. Call 1 -SGOUSA-SCAN to order toll- free. Call 3t 3-99^8*8 if outside the U.S A FAX any lime, dial 313-663-8888. Order your new electronic equipment from Communications Electronics Inc. today.
ScflfVKr BiwItHiltai CtfiKr md CO kwn nr Indemnity of Commuriiislions HertronJfi Inc
For credit card orders call
1 80(HJSA-SCAN
Communications Electronics Inc. Emergency Operations Center
r\0, Box 1045, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106-1045 USA For information call 313 99^^888 or FAX 31 3^5 8888
00
2
3D to
a
£
CD
7-pin DIN Plug
To 5 V Power Supply
l>3
Vcc
10 uF/13 V
'Scope trigger
To 'Scope Trigger Input
36-pin Centronics-type Printer Cable Panel Receptacle
7-pin DIN Panel Receptacle
v«
0
OjOI
14
ry
8
*t
n ft
Vfl
O
I
rr-v
74LS 1 64 8-bit Serial-in
Parallel -out Shift Register
u
it
Vcc
001
!_—
^
10
12
17
11
10
14 IS
"1
3
rrt
ftAl
14
Vcc
Q
%
Vcc Q
rT7
74LS 1 64 8 -bit Serial-in
Parallel-out Shift Register
la
ii
74LS374
Tri-state Octal-D
Flip Flop
IV
M
is
iz
Voc
0.01
20
10
rr^i
11
17
II
M
10
II
r
0A1
14
Vcc
0
s
74LS164
8-bit Serial -in
Parallel-out Shift Register
13
ii
74LS374
Tri-atate Octal-D
Flip Flop
IV
i*
IS
12
&
Vcc
.
6i S
Vcc OjOI
ii rri
10
/~r~7
\i
17
11
H
to
13
74LS374
Tri-state Octal-D
Hip Flop
»
16
15
[2
66666666 66666 666666
o o
44 46
f\ iif iif isf iTfivf a^a^^f2^! 2*l,4 3^wT^»T^iT^T^4'[4*T
Load
Serial Data
Clock
II
660600000000000006 OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
m
19
36
m
0JDI
Vcc
r~M
14
ft
10, 12
74LS14 Schmitt Inverter
u
1
25 X 2 Header to TW1 DDS
r-t~?
11
is
4 v»
Photo B. The test jig.
Photo G The from panel.
Because 1 wanted lo ensure that most of the
computer output lines would not be used in solely controlling the interface (I may want to simultaneously control other devices with the computer in the future). T knew that the serial approach would slow down communi- cations with the interface but I was willing to pay the price.
The software design was more complex
than the hardware. Here is what T wanted to be able to do:
a) Enter a decimal frequency value in the computer keyboard and have the DDS gen- erate that particular frequency (0 Hz to 22 MHz with 3 Hz resolution);
b) Have the frequency go up or down by a particular increment whenever the opera- tor presses the up-arrow key or the down-ar-
TWl DDS Control
Key In frequency and press ENTER, or;
■+• To Change Frequency Increment
"+■ To Increase Frequency by Value of Frequency Increment nin To Decrease Frequency by Value of Frequency Increment *** To Enter Scan Hode
Hum Lock must always be ON, Caps Lock and Scroll Lock must always be OFF otherwise the program does not run properly.
Press any key to continue. . .
Figure 2. The instruction screen.
^^=
TWl DDS Control
Encer Frequency in Hz: ?
Current Frequency in Hz: 3,606,400
Frequency Increment in Hs: 200
Figure 3. The control screen.
TWl DDS Control Enter Frequency in Hz^ Current Frequency in Hz: 6,240,000
Frequency Increment in Hz:
5,000
Scaa Low Frequency in Hz: 5,000*000 Scan High Frequency in Hz: 6,500,000 Triangle (T) or Sawtooth IS) : T Press Any Key to Start Scan Mode, ■ ENTER- to Exit Scan Mode
Figure 4. Scan mode for the DDS.
row key:
c) Scan a particular range of frequencies with the frequency increment determined by the operator; and scan in cither triangle mode (scan up to the highest specified fre- quency and then suddenly return lo the low- est specified frequency for another scan) or saw-toothed mode (scan up to the highest specified frequency and then, at the same frequency interval, return to the lowest specified frequency for another scan);
d) Generate a trigger signal for an oscillo- scope at the beginning of each triangle mode sweep.
Thus, i wanted it all — a VFO plus a sweep generator with trigger output. An in- strument that is accurate and stable, with its output variable from DC to approximately 22 MHz. Yes, you can use the DDS to gen- erate audio frequencies. It's like having a very expensive lab-quality instrument at a very inexpensive price I
The Hardware Interface
Figure 1 is a schematic of the hardware interface. It is straightforward and based on the Williams design. As expected, the com- puter software has to do all the work in driving the interface. Here is how it works: The computer generates a 23-bit binary number {representative of the frequency) that is to be presented to the DDS, This 23- bit number is sent to the DDS interface through the printer interface port and printer cable, bit by bit in serial fashion, beginning with the most-significant biiT on the serial data line. While the serial data bit is stable* the computer strobes the dock signal line, which accepts and shifts each data bit into three cascaded 74LS164 serial-in parallel- out shift registers. This is done 23 limes, until all three shift registers have been load- ed. The load line is then strobed, which pre- sents the 23 bits, in parallel fashion, from the 74LS374 Tri -State Octal-D lip- flops to the DDS. The DDS then takes over and gen- erates ihe required frequency. Piece of cake (son of)! The trick is to generate the correct 23-bit binary number, and this is where the software provides all ihe functionality.
73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994 29
You will note that the load, serial data, and clock lines are "snapped up" through a 74LSI4 Schmidt inverter to ensure thai the leading and trailing edges of the pulses are sharply defined and jitter-free. Because the serial data pulses arc inverted as a result, ihe software generates the Ts complement of ihe required 23-bit data word (every bit is "flipped" — Lc, a I becomes a 0 and a 0 be- comes a I ).
The Software Driver Routine
The only software-generating tool avail- able to me was Microsoft QBASIC so I didn't have much choice! I've annotated al- most every line of code tn the DDS. B AS program to give you an idea of what is go- ing on in case you'd like to change things and experiment,
The mainline section of the routine begins with the usual housekeeping chores, after which the instruction screen is drawn (Fig- ure 2h An initial frequency is sent to I he DDS (I chose 0 Hz but you can change this to any frequency you like). Figure 3 shows the lavout of the control screen. Two subrou- lines are used to generate the required 23-bit data word thai is sent to the DDS — Convert- ToBinary and Serin ITo Parallel.
ConvertToBinary accepts a decimal fre- quency value and converts it to binary in Vs complement form (see above). It uses the age-old venerable "divide-by-lwo'* algo- rithm that vou mav have learned in school to convert from the decimal system to bina- ry notation,
ScrialToParallel performs three chores: It scales the frequency value, calls ConvertTo- Binary. and pumps out the 23-bit data word to the DDS interface. Why scale the fre- quency value? Without going into a lot of technical details, the DDS will generate a frequency that depends not only on the 23- bit data word that is presented to it but also on its on-board clock frequency. The on- board clock chip that comes with the DDS kit has a frequency of 55 MHz, and what you have to do is scale the frequency value so that ihe DDS will generate the exact cor- responding frequency.
Back to the mainline section of the rou- tine. The computer sits there and waits for you lo do one of a number of things:
Press the *V* key. This selects the next frequency-increment value that is contained in the frequency increment table in round- robin fashion (i.e. you return to the first fre- quency increment after having gone past the last). The frequency-increment value deter- mines how much the frequency will jump when you press the up-arrow key, the down- arrow key* or while you are in scanning mode (see below).
Enter a frequency and press the enter key. The DDS generates Lhe corresponding fre- quency.
Scan mode (Figure 4), Enter a scan-low frequency, a scan-high frequency and deter- mine whether you want a saw-toothed scan or a triangle scan. The DDS generates fre- quencies beginning ai the scan-low frcquen-
eyjumping by the frequency-increment val- ue (see above). When the scan-high fre- quency is reached, the DDS cither jumps back to the scan-low frequency (triangle mode) or proceeds downward, at the same rate, toward the scan-low frequency (saw- toothed mode). At the beginning of each tri- angle-mode cycle, a scope trigger signal is generated in case you'd like to trigger the sweep of your scope externally The whole thing happens over and over until you de- cide to exit scan mode.
Press either the up-arrow key or the down-arrow key and the frequency will change upward or downward, depending on the key you pressed, by a value correspond-
j7 <m * di i»J <n 4) m vw
nun jl
*| i| ■! i,l *| *| H H H
74LS244 OciaJ Buffer ■ Line Privet
1
IX IB
Figure 5. DDS computer interface test jig.
ing to frequency-increment Hold your fin- ger down on either key and the DDS will
obooooooooooooooooooooo
0O00O00O000000O0
TW-1 COMPUTER
INTER FRCE by
rflR CIRCUITS
*
000000000000000000000 )Q000000O0O0000t &0Oi
+5V GND
♦
♦
GKD U7
♦
Figure 6. PC board pattern and parts placement diagram.
30 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
CABLE X-PERTS, INC.
coax loon/up
FLEXIBLE 9913 DIRECT BURIAL JACKET 62/11
Ml 3 EQUAL UV RESISTANT JACKET ...... #4/11
RG J13/U MIL-SPEC DIRECT BURIAL JACKET .^..34/fl
RG 8/U FOAM W# ........u ,,..30/Tl
RG MINI &X BLK OR CLR UV JACKET 16/fl
RG 11U FOAM MIL-SPEC. , , ri11TTI-1TTrT,TTTrrTITTr-M- r- um
HW m TVU Wl!y_.-&r^l*» P. , iit,Hi^i hhi nin 1 1 1 lj . r..Jn.L*.+JM.l .3wll
HG-142AJ— MIL-SPEC »w~*..m... , »».. »~~1 »Wft
«OTO« CA«Lt
C4060 STTJ DUTY 2ne-©fe* UV JACKET _ , __20m
C4090 HVY DUTY 2/16-6*20 UV JACKET 34*
18GA 4/C GRAY JACKET ^_^ . _15/H
tSGA 7rC GRAY JACKET . 11/H
ANTIHNA Will 14GA ISO STR SUPER FLEX UNINSULATED. ... .,12/ft
t4GA 7122 H.DS.C UNINSULATED. JMffl
t4GA SOLID ^COPPERWELD' UWWSULATED 07/1!
12GA 10 STR FLEXIBLE BC UNINSULATED — _11fl
lAiUNl
W2AU U1 BLHI.ft^DMMiTRNSFRMi
W2DU 1:1 RLN 1 .S 300MNi CftRNT .„ — -
W1AU 1:1~fl BLN BUD VER TRNSFRM
W2DU-HF-B 10-40 MTR BUD CflRNT
40 METER 7.150WHJ REYCO COILS
401110 METER ANTENNA KIT
500 FT Ji7m ■4Q/T1 ,J2/T1
,2am
.14/1
,40flt 1-Mffl
i.iorn
,iem lam
iom x>?m joem Mint
PRICE
_$25.95/h rS22 5Qfea
— — -
S2S »«
S429Vpt
s;og^M
MORE fTEMS STOCKED INCLUOrNG COWNECTORS A ANTENNAS CABLE A WffE CUT TO YOUR SPECIFIC LENGTH
ORDERS ONLY: 800-828-3340
TECH INFO: 703-506-1866
113 McHenry Rd .. Suite 240
Buffalo Grove. IL 60099^1797
ntA.
For Complete LiMsatufV Mail 54 SF
Drcws"
THIS MONTH'S GOODIfc TROM IHE CANDY STOf KENWOOO TH-WAT UNDER S290 QO
Rnc
Sjfnilar Savings on Iconi. A Aran. ym%v,
hv G*n Aimco etc All L-T.O.
Kenwood TS-OSOSO 52995 00
To save you bme and m&n«r rwv* your cafl sign
manufacturer and rnocki nutrtm iq* yoMf araot o# p#ee quote
LDtA-rvj For Somethmg Noi Leted" C*i o* Writ*
Call Today (208) 852-0630
ROSS (KSTHieuTlNG COMPANY
7B S. Slat? Si reel. Preston. 14 aaztia
Hours Tub. -FH 9-6 - 9-? Monday* Closed Sal A Sun
CIRCLE 254 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD
Say You Saw It In
73 Amateur Radio Today
"FIBERWHIPS"
Mobile HF Antennas
ASA
MODEUMTR MHZ
HFA 6 HFA1Q HFA12 HFA1&
HFA17 HFA20 HFA30 HFA40 HFAT5
SO 0-54 0 290-297 24 89-24.9* 21. 0-2 1. 45 10 1-16 8 14 0-14 39
10.1-10.15 7.0-7.3
3M.0
EACH
+ S5 00 SAH (SC RwrdentK Add
5% Sales Ta« i
Cheek *i Advene*
Of COD
HEAVY-GAUGE NICKEL CHROME BRASS FITTINGS 130 WATTS POtVER APPROX.SUWGTh AVAIL iN BLACK
ASA
PO Box 3461 Myrtle Beach, SC
1 - 800 - 722 -
7S »0
29578
2681
CIRCLE IB ON REA0ER SERVICE CARD
RF POWER
TRANSISTORS AND TUBES
RF PARTS BRAND PREMIUM GRADE POWER TUBES
100% POWER TESTED • 2 VEAR LIMITED WARRANTY • BEST VALUE
|
572B |
3-500Z |
3-50QZG/GRAPHrTE |
|||||
|
MATCHED SE1 |
$109 95 |
SOCIAL PRICE MATCHED SET/2 lONAL TRANSM |
i |
99.95 SPECIAL PR 04 95 MATCHED S TUBE VALUES |
ICE $109.95 |
||
|
HUTCHED SET/4 |
$21990 |
$2 |
ET./2 $219.95 |
||||
|
ADDITl |
fTTEH |
||||||
|
811 A RFP |
3-SOOZ EIMAC |
3-500Z AMPEREX |
6146BGE |
||||
|
HATCHED SET2 $33.40 SP€CIAL PRICE 5143 313 |
SPECIAL PRICE $143.30 SPECIAL PRICE $29 95 |
||||||
|
MATCHED SET/3 153 35 |
(UiIPtic* .1133 .Oflf |
(List Prtw. $183 001 HATCHED SET/2 $68 95 |
|||||
|
PARTIAL LISTING OF POPULAR TUBES AMD TRANSISTORS IN STOCK |
|||||||
|
MGF1382 |
$7.95 |
MHF479 |
$1500 |
2N6CS0 |
$1295 |
2SC2904 $34.95 |
M67749M $44.40 |
|
MRF134 |
1MB |
MRF485K£N |
CALL |
2N6081 |
12.96 |
2SC2905 4143 |
PFW11 6995 |
|
NRF136 |
21.06 |
MRF492 |
14.95 |
2M6082 |
1435 |
2SC3101 9.95 |
MHW SERIES CALL |
|
MRF137 |
24 00 |
MR f 497 |
1496 |
?N^083 |
14.3S |
3SK121Y 3.95 |
IC0M SC SERIES CALL |
|
MRF140 |
59.00 |
WRF515 |
2.90 |
2H6034 |
1435 |
3SK174 4.23 |
Over I5.DO0 RF |
|
WRF141 |
54.50 |
MRF555 |
3.50 |
2SA1012 |
130 |
MB3719 6.35 |
Mockie& in stoek. Gift |
|
MAF141G |
172.70 |
MRF559 |
L2S |
2S3754 |
ZW |
NE502 5.50 |
if PM not shown. |
|
MRF150 |
S3 .75 |
MRF536 |
1.95 |
2SC730 |
4 50 |
PLL02A 11J5 |
POPULAR TUBES |
|
MAF151G |
153.50 |
MRF629 |
4.25 |
2SC741 |
190 |
TA7205AP 2J5 |
12BY7 $13 95 |
|
MRF174 |
6990 |
MR F 630 |
425 |
2SC1307 |
CALL |
TA7222AP 2^0 |
5728 ft*»Mt 45,00 |
|
MRF224 |
17.75 |
MRF641 |
19.95 |
2SC1419 |
2.% |
MP=TestiH Matched Pt |
807 19,95 |
|
MRF237 |
4l« |
MRF644 |
Z30Q |
2SC1729 |
17.95 |
OUTPUT MODULES |
810 99.50 |
|
MHF240,A |
16.50 |
MRF646 |
2475 |
2SC1445 |
6,35 |
SAU4 $49.90 |
811AHFP 15 95 |
|
MRF245 |
32 00 |
MRF64I |
29.95 |
2SC1946.A |
19.95 |
SAV6 39.95 |
311 A RCA CALL |
|
MRF247 |
2fi.95 |
MRF550 |
30.00 |
2SC1947 |
5.75 |
SAV7 39.9S |
813 RFP 37.95 |
|
MRF260 |
11.50 |
MRF652 |
11.50 |
2SC1955 |
900 |
SAV17 69.70 |
833A. 833C 89.95 |
|
MRF262 |
12.75 |
MRF653 |
19.95 |
2SC1969 |
2.65 |
M57710A 49.90 |
61469 15.95 |
|
MRF264 |
13.45 |
MR F 846 |
36 90 |
2SC1970 |
2.45 |
M 577 14 54.50 |
7289/2C39B I 69.90 |
|
MHF317 |
57.7Q |
MR F 847 |
39.70 |
2SC1971 |
4.30 |
M57719N 54.95 |
7360 RCA 39.95 |
|
MRF327 |
62.00 |
MRF901 |
1 50 |
2SC2029 |
3.50 |
tf 57726 67.95 |
3560A MCT0 124.95 |
|
MRF329 |
69.90 |
MRF966 |
4.75 |
25C2075 |
243 |
M57727 69.95 |
6560AS El CALL |
|
MHF33B |
5395 |
MRF1946 |
1500 |
2SC2D94 |
15.95 |
W57729 79 .95 |
3-500C PL.-Prifle 105.00 |
|
MRF340 |
3.50 |
MRF1946A |
15.50 |
2SC2097MP«Dii 61.90 |
H57732L 32.95 |
4-400A/CA3 CALL |
|
|
MRF392 |
107.70 |
MRF2628 |
1000 |
2SC2166C |
175 |
M57735 69.95 |
4 1Q00A EL CALL |
|
MRF421 |
22.95 |
SRF2072 |
13.75 |
2SC2221 |
6.25 |
M57737 49.95 |
4PR1000AEI CALL |
|
MRF422 |
38.00 |
SRF374I |
CALL |
2SC2237 |
9.30 |
M57739C 53.25 |
3CJC400A7 El CALL |
|
MHF4Z2MPKEN 35.00 |
SRF7000 |
CALL |
2SC2289 |
11.95 |
M57741 L.M.H 57.70 |
3CK400U7 El CALL |
|
|
MRF427MP |
40.00 |
2N3055 |
1.45 |
25C2290 |
14J5 |
M57762 79.95 |
3CX8D0A7EI CALL |
|
MRF433MP |
32.00 |
2N3553 |
2.95 |
2SC2290MP |
35.95 |
M577B5M 62.95 |
3CX120QA7/D7 El CALL |
|
MRF450 |
13.50 |
2N3771 |
3,35 |
2SC2312C |
4.95 |
M57737 59.95 |
3CX1500A7EI CALL |
|
MRF454 |
13.95 |
2N38C6 |
1.25 |
2SC2509MPKEN 37.70 |
M57791 34.95 |
3CX3D00A7 El CALL |
|
|
MHF455 |
10.95 |
2N4043 |
16.95 |
2SC2630 |
24.95 |
M57792 39.80 |
4CX250B special 89.95 |
|
MHF455A |
11,95 |
2hf4427 |
125 |
2SC2G40 |
21.90 |
M57796MA 34.95 |
4CX350APF El/SVT CALL |
|
MRF458 |
17.95 |
2N51D4 |
176 |
2SC2732 |
34.75 |
M67705M 47.90 |
4CX5000AII #1095.00 |
|
MRF475 |
9,25 |
2N5179 |
125 |
2SC2783 |
54.95 |
MG7715 59.95 |
Wo ha ire large tirwanlaries |
|
MRF476 |
5,00 |
2N5591 |
1450 |
2SC2A79 |
16.95 |
M67742 10935 |
al new EIMAC lubes Call |
|
MRF477 |
11.95 |
2N5946 |
15.00 |
2SC2B79MP |
42.95 |
M6774SH, L 39.90 |
for numbers noUliriwri |
MIN. ORDER $20
Mtgr El = Etmac, PL - Penta Labs RFP = RF PARTS CO.
Note: (#) = Industrial Boxed Eimac/Amp«W
Price & availability subject to change without notice • Quantity Pricing Available
SHIPPING METHOD 4 CHARGES;
BEST WAY: UPS. ORDERS RECEIVED BEFORE 4 p m PST
[7 p m. EST| SHIPPED SAME DAY St UPS.
FeOEral Express I Airborne ( DHL / USPS are also available GROUND SERVICE; 3-7 wonting days (max.) depending on destination
$4.50 mm mum Add S.50 per pound above 2 pounds 3-DAY SELECT GROUND SERVICE: UPS ORANGE , $5 50 minimum
Add S 75 Mr pound above 2 M. 2 DAY AIR SERVICE: UPS BLUE, $7 00 minimum Add $1 00 per pound
above 2 pounds. Federal Express also available at same ti-.atge NEXT MY DELIVERY: UPS RED Si 5. 50 minimum AiX lorshirjpmfl
cto'ges above l lb For Saiurday deliverv aft $10 00 CANADA: £5.50 minimum snipping 'nandiing charge up n 1 lb, lor
postal DPS avaiiaoie. call tor cnarats CALIFORNIA: Res. Bents aM approo^aia sates lav
PAYMENT METHOD:
PREPAID witti checker money order. PersonaJ checks must haw
reprinted address and are limited to$40.QC.
Any Dverpaymem will be returned V ISrVMASTERCARD accepted C.D.D.: Add $4,50 UPS charge Cas^ Cash ers Check. Money Onto, or
Pre*approvEd Corr.oany uhec^f only,
No C 0 D 30 Alaska / Hawaii .' P^rto Rjcn / Canana
FOREIGN, Bank chec^ D rawn on U.S. Bank, or VISA / M C
WIRE TRANSFER: Gonial us for account rnlof mation OPEN ACCOUNT: Ht: 30 tn firms wnose cretit has been prr -approved. FOREIGN: irsurante RegislTalion is otten available Advise if Etesired
SHALL PACKET: loteal Ajr shjpmEnt for small omers of parts
$10.00 up to 8 qi. 4 Jb. -rax. &*$?& box
AM PARCEL POST/FED EX/DflLAJPS is avafefjle
V7S4
Monday - Friday 7:00 am- 5 p.m. PST/ 10:00 a.m. -8 p.m. EST EXPORT *0.E.M. -SERVICE ■ H&D •AMATEUR * MARINE
ORDERS ONLY
1 -800 -RF- PARTS 1 400-737-2787
NO TECHNICAL
MAIN ORDER LINE 61 9-744-070© DELIVERY INFORMATION
3
CUSTOMER SERV 619-744-0750 TECHNICALS. OR WARRANTY (10 a.m. -4 p.m. only) APPLICATIONS
FAX 619-744-1943 FAX
73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994 31
I_
Photo D. The completed unit in its enclosure.
scan up or down as long as the key is pressed.
Construction
I decided to build the prototype interface on a printed circuit board that is exactly the same size as the TW1 DDS, This would af- ford a couple of advantages: The DDS
board could be mounted on top of the inter- face board or vice versa, and the 25 X 2 headers could be made to line up exactly one on top of the other. I would simply wire one header to the other, ladder fashion and each wire perpendicular to the boards (Pho- to A), Because my skills at designing and build-
ing two-sided printed circuit board are lim- ited ( non-ex tstent would be a better choice of words), I built a one -sided board where most of the signal lines would be intercon- nected using 30-gauge insulated wire. If you choose to go this route, be prepared for a lot of drilling and a lot of precise soldering! Perhaps a better way to go would be to use a drilled and etched PC board available for $6.50 plus 51 30 S&H from FAR Circuits, I8N640 Held Cu Dundee IL 601 18.
If you decide to make your own board, first etch the printed circuit and drill alt the required holes. Install IC sockets! This will help you immensely if you have problems and have to iroubleshoot in the future* Inter- connect all the sisnal lines usins Figure I as a guide. Install the 0.01 bypass capacitors as weH as the 10 jiP electrolytic capacitor. Don't put. in the IC chips in their sockets yet! Check each and every interconnection with an ohmmeter looking for "opens" and pin-io-pin shorts. Only proceed to the next step once you are satisfied that the assembled printed circuit board checks out perfectly!
Cheek-Out
Temporarily connect the clock, serial da- ta, and load signal lines to pins I, 2„ and 3
of the 36-pin Centronics-style printer cable panel receptacle. Temporarily connect a wire from pin 18 of the printer cable rccep-
3 to 12 dB MORE FROM YOUR DIPOLE, VEE OR LONGWIRE BASE STATION ANTENNA!
SGC's SG-230 computer controlled coupler works with any radio and any antenna system -fixed or mobile, marine or aircraft.
Dipole or Inverted Vee Antennas!
Vee Antennas
Cat Whisker Resonant or Nonresonant
SGC's SG*230 Smartuner" will outperform any built-in antenna coupler on any radio. The reason? The SG-230 mounts AT THE ANTENNA! This means you're matching the precise condition of the antenna - not just loading up a feedline and shunting power to ground. Ask any Smart uner user - this unit delivers great performance on any frequency from L8 to 30 MHz. Call for a free package of information from SGC, 1-800-259-7331 or circle our Reader Service number.
SG-230 SMARTUNER
P.O. Box 3526 Bellevue, WA 98009 USA Tel: 206-746-6310 Fax: 206-746-6384
CIFILCLE 188 ON READER SERVICE CARD
32 73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994
taclc to a suitable grounding point on the in- terface board. Plug the printer end of your printer cable (36-pin) into the receptacle leaving the other end (25-pin) unconnected from the parallel port of your computer. Check for the following continuity: pin 1 of the printer cable {25-pin end) with pin 3 of the 74LS14 chip* pin 2 of the printer cable (25-pin end) with pin 1 of the 74LSI4 chip, pin 3 of the printer cable (25-pin end) with pin 5 of the 74LS14 chip, pin 18 of the printer cable (25-pin end) with ground on the interface board. Don't proceed any fur- ther unless you are convinced thai the above checks out .
Next, load the DDS.BAS program into your computer. Access the SerialTbParuHcl subroutine and disable the HoidFreq& = CLNG(CDBL(Freq&) * .3050398*) line by commenting it out with a single apostrophe at the beginning of the line. This disables scaling for the time being. Enable Ihc state- ment immediately after the line that you have just disabled (HoidFreq& = Freq&). To provide display of the 23-bit data word on your monitor screen, access the Convert- ToBinary subroutine and enable the follow- ing line:
LOCATE 23, 1 : FOR i% = 22 to 0 STEP - 1 : PRINT Binary Value(i%);:NEXT i%.
This causes the 23-bit word to be dis- played in binary at the bottom of the screen.
Remember that this is the Vs complement of the number entered, however.
You aie now going to check out your unit by using eight LEDs to ensure the correct bit pattern is being generated by the inter- face. (You could use 23 LEDs at once, if you like)* Build a test jig based on Figure 5. I used an 1C proto board because the test jig is only used once for check-out purposes (Photo B). Temporarily connect the eight test jig inputs to the eight least-si gnificant- bit outputs of the interface (outputs 32 to 46 to inputs d7 to dO),
Populate your printed circuit board with its ICs. Connect the computer printer cable to the parallel port on the primer. Provide 5 volts to the interface board and the test jig. Run the DDS.BAS routine and key in a fre- quency of zero Hz. All eight LEDs on the test jig should be out. All the bits at the bot- tom of the screen should be Is, Now key in a frequency of 255 Hz. The inverse should happen and all eight LEDs should be lit, the eight least significant bits on the screen should all be 0s.
Next, unsolder the eight test jig inputs and temporarily solder ihem lo outputs 16 to 30 of the interface (30 to dO. 28 to dl, etc). Key in a frequency of 65,536 Hz. All eight LEDs should be lit. Key in a frequency of zero Hz. All eight LEDs should be out. En- ter other values to sec the generated bit pal-
terns.
Finally, disconnect the input leads to the test jig and re-connect the seven least signif- icant test-jig inputs to the seven most-sig- nificant-bit outputs of the interface (2 to d6, 4 to d5, etc.) Leave d7 unconnected and ig- nore the left- most LED, Key in a frequency of zero Hz. All seven LEDs should be out. Key in a frequency of 8,388,607 Hz. All seven LEDs should be lit. You will notice that the bits displayed at the bottom of the screen always show the inverse of the bits represented by the LEDs,
If things don't check out, the particular bit(s) that is (are) not functioning properly will give you a hint as to where the trouble might be on the interface. Use your analyti- cal skills to zero in and determine where the problem lies. Once everything is OK, dis- connect the test jig.
Final Assembly
I assume that you've constructed and checked out your TWl DDS board before proceeding to this point. Mount the DDS board on top of the interface board using half-inch threaded spacers (photo A). Solder the 23 signal tines (outputs 2 to 46) from the interface board to the DDS board and check the continuity of the 23 lines from one board to the other, Use 22 gauge hook-up wire to provide Ycc and ground to the DDS
Serving The LORD Since 1987
THE POWER STATION
The POWER STATION is a 12V x 6.5 AmpHr gel-cell battery complete with voltmeter, wall charger and a cord for charging via automobiles. It will power most HTs at 5 Watts for 2-4 weeks (depending upon how long-winded you are). Also VHF, UHF. QRP, or HF mobiles such as the KENWOOD TS-50 (at 50W). There are no hidden costs, all you need is your mobile, HT power cord or cigarette lighter adapter
The POWER STATION provides 12V from a cigarette plug and has two recessed terminals for hardwiring, A mini-phone jack with regulated 3V, 6V, or 9V output can be used separately for CD players, Walkmans, etc. THE POWER STATION can be charged in an automobile in only 3 hours, or in the home in 8 hours. The charger will automatically shut off when the battery is completely charged, so you can charge it even when it has only been slightly discharged, (unlike Ni-Cads that have memory). Our charg- ing circuit uses voltage sensing circuitry, other brands are timed chargers which always charge the battery a full cycle, this damages their battery and shortens its' life if ft only needs a partial charge. The POWER STATION has a voltmeter that shows the exact state of charge of the battery, not worthless idiot lights that tell you "YOUR BATTERY IS NOW DEAD." The voltmeter can even be used to measure voltages of other sources.
To order, send check or money order for $49.95 + $8.50 for shipping, along with your shipping address and telephone number to:
Joe Brancato
THE HAM CONTACT
P.O. Box 3624, Dept 73 Long Beach, CA 90803.
CjA Residents Add 6 \I4% Sales Tax Candran Resident Please Send U S Money Q refer £ St?, to Shipping
If you wish man? [nlarmnlwn please send a SA3E lo (he above- Address Far COD
orders, call (310) 433 SS60. outside of CA Orders Only call (8G0)933-HAM4 and Teave a message
CIRCLE 3*4 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 33
board. Next, attach the combined units, us- ing two small-angle brackets* to a front pan- el My front panel holds a seven-pin DIN round receptacle, a 36~pin Centronics-type printer cable receptacle, and a BNC single- hole-mount chassis jack (Photo C). Solder the three signal wires leading from the printer cable receptacle to the interface board. I use the seven-pin DIN receptacle to provide power to the unit and to provide the scope trigger signal to the outside world. Solder the scope trigger line from pin 4 or the primer cable receptacle 10 an unused pin on the DIN receptacle. Connect the BNC jack to the DDS output with a short length of miniature 50 ohm cable. You may wish to build an enclosure for the unit in order to provide shielding. I built mine using dou- ble-sided printed-eircuit board (Photo D).
Calibration
Calibration? But there aren*t any trim- mer capacitors! Do you remember the scal- ing factor in the software routine that I mentioned earlier? Well, it's now time to "tweak" the scaling factor to your on-board DDS clock. Go back lo the DDS.BAS pro- gram and disable the program lines that you used for checkout purposes. Also re- move the single apostrophe in front of the following line: HoldFreq& = CLNG(CD- BLfFrcq&) * 3050398#). Now connect a frequency counter to the output of the DDS, connect the unit to a 5 vok power supply, connect the printer cable between your computer and the DDS, and fire ev- erything up. Begin by keying frequencies that are multiples of I MHz, and observe the values on the frequency counter, If you have an oscilloscope, you may also want to view the purity of your sinusoidal signaL Assuming there are no problems in your soldering and wiring job, you should get frequencies that are close to those being keyed in and that have a very high degree
Parts Information
A copy of the DDS.BAS driver routine software written in GBASlC can be downloaded free from the 73 BBS at {603} 924-9343. Tbe DDS VFO module kit is available from Bktronics, 12536 T.R, 77, Rndlay OH 45840;
(419)422-8206.
The receptacles, capacitors, \C chips and sockets for the computer interface are all avail- able from Digi-Key at (800) 344-4339. or from other major distributors.
The eight LEDs used in the test jig can be any LEDs that you have in your funk box.
The use of a manufactured computer cable is not mandatory— you can build your own cable using receptacles of your choice.
Drilled and etched PC boards are available for S6.50 plus $1.50 S&H from FAR Circufts, 18M640 Field Ct, Dundee IL 60118,
of purity. Once you've gone up to 22 MHz and everything looks OK. play with the unit by entering oddball frequencies. The DDS should react accordingly and this should be reflected on your frequency counter
The adjustment of the scaling factor should now be obvious. If your input fre- quency is consistently high compared to the frequency counter, reduce the scaling factor, and vice versa. By how much? I don't know. [ just did mine by trial and error until the frequency counter read dcad-on and then 1 built a direct conver- sion receiver using the DDS as the LO to zero- beat it ugainst WWV. I think the accu- racy of my unit is within 50 Hz. if not better
Operation
I tried to make operation of the unit as intuitive as possible and I hope that the instruction screen (Figure 2) is self-explana- tory. Those of you who are accustomed to Windows -based applications won't find this very fancy but. in my defense, all I can say is that the proof is in the puddin\ Speaking of Windows, you will find that the scanning process is slowed if the software is run in a Windows environment. If you want maximum scanning speed from your
computer* run DDS.BAS in an MS-DOS environment.
What Next?
1 encourage those of you who are inter- ested in software design to combine forces with the hardware types, and vice versa. The software that I have developed is first- generation and I have placed it in the public domain. Play with it. Change it for the bet- ter! A machine-language routine to speed up the scanning process might be interest- ing. The hardware interface is nothing fan- cy. How about someone developing a true parallel interface, or using adder chips on the interface board again to speed up the scanning process? How about frequency hopping or spread-spectrum applications? The sky's the limit!
As for me, I'm going to continue my quest for the Holy Grail: building an up- converting general-coverage HF receiver (with FM, of course) using the TWI DDS as one of the fundamental building blocks. Hmm ... I wonder If cheap HF crystals can be used at their third overtone to build a lad- der filter at approximately 45 MHz? The TWI DDS in scanning mode, heterodyned to VHFT will help me find out. I hope I have as much success with thai project as I did with this one.
Bench notes from John Welch N9JZW, designer of the TW-1 DDS rig.
Since I built the TW-K people have been asking me why I didn't make it computer- controllable. Frankly, I didn't want to. given my other plans for expansion. However. there fa a need, and this hoard fills it well,
I buili ihe project on a PC board, which is shown in the adjacent photo. It went together smoothly, taking about an evening's work to assemble. There are a lot of jumpers, but ilicy arc plainly marked and should cause you liltlc Iroublc* Do socket all the chips, us I had one bad chip which kept mine from working the first time, A quick change took care of that, though, and it has worked since then,
Be careful about soldering, and make sure you have the chips inserted the right way. The parallel port on an IBM PC isn't pro- tected, and it is possible to blow up a chip if you get some wires crossed, Just be sure to double-check your wiring, as the article says.
The program will only work if you use a parallel port at address 3F8 (hex). The port on an old monochrome video board is not at this address, but for most computers this is LPT1 and should cause no problem.
There is an easier and faster way to cali- brate the frequency. You'll need a calculator and a frequency counter that can handle 55 MHz signals. Measure tfie frequency of your TW-l's oscillator (it's available on the jumper on ihe DDS VFO board). The "fudge factor" should be 1 6777216 / (your oscillator frequency in hertz).
My oscillator runs at 55000230 Hz, so my value is 16777216 / 55000230 = 0.3050390153. This should put you dead on frequency the first time you run the program.
If you don* I have a frequency counter, don't worry — the 55 MHz oscillators are very accurate and stable, and you'll be no more than about 50 Hz away from where you think you are over almost all bands.
There is an enhancement I'm working on for the TW-1 that will increase your upper range from 2L5 MHz to slightly over 30 MHz. This will require a small change to the program, and another jumper to be added to this board. FAR Circuits is adding a pad on pin 4H of the header for this.
When I get this board functional. HI aJso let you know what to jumper and what to change in the program. Til then, hope you have fun with your TW-1 Direct Digital Synthesized rig. 73 de N9JZW.
34 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
FREE 1994 CATALOG
SAVE MONEY- HIGH QUALITY. FAST DELIVERY
General Communication • Industry
Marine VHF * Scanners • Amateur Bands
CB Standard * CB Special • Microprocessor
CALL TOLL FREE: 1-80MAN-XTAL
P.O. BOX 6001 7 • Fort Myers. Honda 33906 (813) 936-2397
L. *
CIRCLE 240 ON READER SERVICE CAHD
Join the FUN on the
SATELLITES
! Anyone with a Technician Class license or higher can work the
via the
OSCARs
Learn how: Join AMSAT today!
For a limited time, new members receive:
ORBtTs - Tracking software for IBM compatable computers by WOSL
How to Use the Amateur Satellites - A great book by KB1SF
write or call
AMSAT
PO BOX 27 Washington, DC 20044
301-589-6062
CIRCLE 110 ON READEfl SERVICE CARD
Dealer Booth
INFORMATION
Debbie Starling
N4YUQ
Ken Boyd
WA4UNZ (704) 377-8873
1994 Charlotte
HAMFEST AND COMPUTERFAIR
March 12 & 13, 1994 - Charlotte Merchandise Mart, - Charlotte, NC
Over 180 commercial exhibit booths
All major manufacturers will be
here
Over 500 swap tables by pre-
registration only
1 04,000 sq. ft. of indoor space
Parking for 3,500 cars
Largest indoor HAMFEST in the
Southeast
For more ticket information, write to: Charlotte Hamfest and Computerfair
P. O. BOX 221 136, CHARLOTTE, NC 28222-1 136
Or call: {704) 841 -HAMS
73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994 35
Number 7 on your Feedback card
ASCII-to-Morse-Code Interface
Let your keyboard do the work.
Do you have a computer in your shack and only use it to log QSOs, send pack- ct or play games? This simple weekend pro- ject will allow you 10 send and receive Morse code with your computer as well It will not decode Morse code for you (thafs cheating!), but your fingers will never have to leave the keyboard.
Packed Full of Features!
The ASCII-to-Morse-code Interface (or A.MCX) will convert ASCII characters into Morse code at the speeds of 10, 13, 15, 17 or 20 wpm, as selected from the keyboard. It has a 30-character input buffer, a message memory of 50 characters and it even has a built-in electronic keyer function so you can use your paddle instead of ihe keyboard, should you desire.
Operation
When first powered up, the A.M.CL gen- erates a short beep and outputs the message "***RECEIVE***" to your computer screen. It is now in the receive echo mode. Whatever you type on your keyboard will be echoed back to the screen.
When you type the the character "+ft the A.M.CL switches into the transmit mode and outputs the message "***TRANS- MIT***10 WPM***" to the screen. What you now type is echoed back to the screen and then convened into Morse code. The A.M.CL recognizes letters (upper or lower case), the numbers 0-9, and the punctuation marks: period, comma, dash, and question mark. Any character not in the Morse look* up table will simply be echoed back to the screen. The code speed is selected with the charac- ters #(10 wpm), S ( 1 3 wpm), % ( 1 5 wpm), A { 1 7 wpm) and & (20 wpm). The selected speed is out- puted to the screen as a message, i.e. "***|7 WPM***," The speed can be changed ai any time in the transmit mode. Typing "[" doubles the spacing between let- ters and words. Typing "]" re- turns the spacing to normal, This provides an easy way or slowing down ihe code speed when nec- essary because of QRM. The character *f* toggles the A.M.CL back into the receive mode. The ENTER key gener- ates a carriage return and line- feed response to the screen. The space key will generate the prop- er inter-word spacing.
You may want to make a lem-
36 73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994
by Steven Weber KD1 JV
plate for your keyboard to label the function keys until you've got them down pat.
The A.M.CL has a 30-character input buffer. The characters are echoed back to the screen as you type. If you are a good typist there is a possibility you will fill up the buffer. The A.M.CL will not allow you to overwrite the buffer. Your computer's bell will sound if the buffer is full, informing you to slop typing for a minute and lei the buffer send out some characters. It is best to type only a few words ahead and then pause for a few moments before continuing.
Message Storage
The A.M.CL can store a message of up to 50 characters in length. Spaces count as characters. Typically you would use this to store a "CQ" message, but of course you can put whatever you want there. To store a message, type "V The message "TYPE MESSAGE 50 CHRS MAX" will then ap- pear on your screen. Now type in your mes- sage. Mistakes can be corrected by using the backspace key. If you enter in too many characters,, the message U**BUFFER FULL**" will appear on the screen and re- turn you back to the "type message" mes- sage. Enter a "!** as your last character. The A.M.CL will then respond with the message "** END OF MESSAGE**" to the screen and exit back to the receive mode.
To output the message, enter "@." The A.M.CL will now output the message at the code speed currently selected. The charac- ters of the message are written back to the screen one at a time as they are sent. You
Photo A. Under the hood of the A.M. C.L
can send the message in cither the receive mode or the transmit mode and you will re- turn to the mode that you were in when the message output was selected. This allows you to send the CQ message while in the re- ceive mode and return there automatically to copy an answering call. Or you can use the message to send your name and QTH while in the transmit mode and then continue send- ing when the message is finished.
The Electronic Keyer Function
The electronic keyer is active at all times in the transmit mode. Its speed is the same as that currently selected from the keyboard. It has dot and dash memory, sensed at the end of the dot or dash and before the space. This makes for glitch-free operation. If both pad* dies are squeezed together at Lhe same time it will send a dot-dash string that starts with whatever made contact first, the dot or the dash.
As an option you can add an N.O. push- button switch and five LEDs on your front panel. If you hold in the PB switch (which 1 labeled "KYR SPD"), then turn the power on, you will now be in a stand-alone keyer mode. This allows you to use the keyer func- tion without having to turn on your computer first.
The LEDs indicate the speed thai the key- er ts set to. Pushing the PB momentarily will advance the keyer speed. This function oper- ates only in the stand-alone keyer mode, but the LEDs will also indicate the speed that the A.M.CL is set to during normal keyboard operation.
CPU port bit Pl.4 (pin 5) is set low in the stand-alone mode. You can add another LED (with a 330 ohm scries resistor) to the front panel to indicate this mode if you want to.
The Circuit
The heart of the A.M.CL is an 8031 microcontroller. The 8031 has been an industry standard for some time now and is still used in many products. The 8031 is an 8- bit device that has a built-in serial port, 128 bytes of internal user RAM, 128 bytes of internal func- tion registers, two timers, a Boolean processor, 16 I/O ports, and can address up to 64K of pro- gram memory and 64 K of exter- nal RAM. The instruction set is designed so that the program code is very efficient. The program for this project is a little over 1.5K
[JRC|
Fully Automatic MOSFET
HF LINEAR AMPLIFIER
• 1 kW No-Tune Power Amplifier
• 48 MOSFETs Single Ended Push-Pull (SEPP) Design
• Built-In Automatic Antenna Tuner
• High-Efficiency Switching Power Supply
The JRL 2000F is the world's first MOSFET HF linear amplifier, designed using the same high tech- nology found in JRC's professional high-power radio transmitters. Featuring a heavy-duty power amp that incorporates 48 RF power MOS- FETs to ensure low distortion and clean output up to 1,000 watts (100% duty cycle, 24 hour) SSB/CWT plus a
high-speed automatic antenf with memory capacity of 1820 chal nels for instant QSY, Plus a high efficiency switching power supply (80V-264V) with power factor cor- rection to supress AC line currents, an automatic antenna selector for up to four antennas and a wireless remote control unit.
JRC| 0apan Radio Co., lid.
430 Park Ave, 2nd Floor New York. NY 10022
Phone: (212)355-1180 Fax; (212)319-5227
Telex ; 961114 JAPAN RADIO NYK
CIRCLE 1 59 ON REAOER SERVICE CARD
Co Co
a
ST
&. o
s1
I
CD
cr
5
5
CO CO
3
ft
3
to
n
(ft
St
SI
SI0ET0NE
ON/OFF
LED1 KEYING
MORSE
OUT
06
1N4148
R7 +*
230 f
07
1N4148
03
2N3904
PADDLE DOT KEY INPUT OASH )— I
J2
330 LED4
OK-
KYR MOOE
>+
C1B
0.1
8
T
C19
0.1
+ 5
C6 10MF
I
J I
DB9-F
RXO
C? -T^ 4.7^F
2 - 6
CIS
Ttto)3 (T0lm 7
GND / ' •
16
XC
IC4
MAX232 OR TPC232
22pF
5 9
C8 4.7/* F
IN
10
10
OUT
11
R3
10 k
02
2N3906
LED5 10 *vi 12
12
Pt^
14
I
C5 Z5V
iV1
LED9
40
P1,0 PI J
Pl.t
PL 3 PI .4
PI*
PI .7
P2.4
P2.3
P22
PM
P2,0
IC1 8031
CPU
A 07
AD6
ADS AD4
A 03
ADZ A 01
AOO
ALE
RX (P3.0J TX (Pl.11
P3.2
P3-3
P3.4
P3.5
P3.€
RST
EA
29
25
14
23
23
21
22
24
21
25
♦ 5
t
C13 O.I
33 2
33 \ 3
35
36
37
31
39
30
6
9
II
| 20
*i
vcc
IC2 74LS573
ADDRESS LATCH
LE
OE
19 3
18
17
16
15
14
13
9
12
10
En
20
27 US
A12
All
A10
A9
AS
CE OE
IC3 2754
PROGRAM ROM
A7
A6
AS A4 A3 A2 Al AO
00 Dl D2 03 04 D5 D6 D7
¥
1
11
12
1
11
z
35
2
16
17
18
2
ih
C12 0.1
14
19
OATA BUSS
31
n
9
3:
TIP42 Tl°^F ^ +5
C20 #*TvlO/uF
J725V
+ 1 CI
^ps lOOOjiF 01 I Z5V
1N4001/77
C17 DC IN
ri Toi *llv
330 PWR LED ' *
12V
1/4 A
117V AC
Q
117V AC
* /77
<
Ameritron no tune Solid State FET Amplifier
No tuning, no fuss, no worries —just turn on and operate . . . Incredibly low $1299 includes AC power supply, 700 Watts output, continuous 1.5-22 MHz coverage, instant bandswitch- ing, no warm up, no tubes to baby, fully SWR protected, extemely quiet, very compact
Amerif roll's revolutionary ALS-600 is amateur radio's only
linear amplifier that uses four nigged TMOS RF power FETs —
gives unequaled no tune solid state performance
$1299 includes Ameritron' s no tune FET Amplifier al§ ^00
and a 1 20/220 VAC, 50/60 Hz AC power $ - #HM*
supply for home operation I 299
Instant bandswitchinc;, no tuning, no warm Suggested Retail
up —just turn on and operate (includes ac
* Output Power -- 700 Watts PEP, 500 Watts CW Power SlwW
Continuous Coverage -- 1.5 to 22 MHz; 10/12 Meters with
easy-to- install optional kit
SWR Protection — prevents amplifier damage if you switch to
wrong band, use wrong antenna or have high SWR
Over Power Protection — if output forward power or reflected
power exceeds safe level, output power is automatical ly reduced
to prevent amplifier damage by controlling ALC to exciter
Extremely quiet — low speed, low volume fan is so quiet you* 11
hardly know it' s there, unlike noisy blowers used in other amps
Very Compact -- 6 x 972x12 inch amplifier takes up less
desktop space than your transceiver and weighs about the same
— only 1 2 lh pounds
Illuminated Cross-Needle SWRAVatt meter -- lets you read
SWR, forward and re fleeted peak power simultaneously
Operate/Standby Switch -- lets you run "barefoot", but you
can instantly switch to full power if you need it
Front Panel ALC Control -- exclusive Ameritron feature ~
convenient front panel control lets you adjust your output power
Transmit, ALCt SWR LED indicators — keeps you informed
U*44
l.S-tJ-
144-TI4
I1-* *0
FftfQ MHz
Solid State no tune
FET Amplifier
ALS M>0
ALS-600PS Heavy Duty Power Supply
ALS-60QPS power supply included with ALS-600 amplifier
• Massive choke input filter greatly improves voltage regulation and reduces peak AC line current * Ameritron1 s exclusive Multi-Voltage Power Transformer lets you compensate for stressful high line voltage and performance robbing low line voltage • Step-Start Inrush Protection™ stops damaging inrush currents and extends life of power supply
components • Illuminated Cross-Needle Meter monitors voltage 12VDC output jack -lets you power low current accessories and current of 50 VDC line • Extremely quiet fan • Very Separate ALS-600PS power supply (included) can be placed compact 6 x 9 V2 xl2 inches -- can be placed conveniently out-of-way conveniently out of the way and plugged into your nearest 120 • wired for 120 VAC, supplies 50 VDC at 25 amps to ALS-600
amplifier • Also use on 100-1 30 VAC and 220-250 VAC, 50/60 Hz • Draws less than 12 amps at 100 VAC and less than 6 amps at 230 VAC • Includes prewired cable to plug into ALS-600
Made in USA
VAC outlet — no special wiring needed
Made in USA
Enjoy 700 Watts of no tune solid state power. Call your
favorite dealer for your best price and order your ALS-600 with amplifier
power supply today
Ameritron Mobile no tune Solid State Amplifier
Ideal mobile amplifier — uses 13.8 VDC mobile electrical system, very compact 3^2x9x15 inches, extremely quiet, 600 Watts output, continuous 1.5-22 MHz coverage, instant bandswitehing, no tuning, no warm up, SWR protected
amplifier if temperature is excessively high; automatically
ALS-500M
$799
Suggested Retail
I ■ r
• l mi
tmtid Stair no tunt
* Mobile no tune Solid State Amplifer ~ uses four rugged 2SC2879 high power linear RF power transistors
> Instant bandswitehing, no tuning, no warm up —just turn on and operate — makes mobile QSOs safer
> Very Compact —just 3Vzx9xl5 inches -- fits in nearly any mobile installation; weighs only 7 pounds, thatrs less than
some mobile HF transceivers
» Lxtremcly quiet —quiet low speed, low volume fan stays off and silent until temperature rises
» Output Power « 600 Watts PEP, 400 Watts CW
' Continuous Coverage » L5 to 22 MHz; 10/12 Meters with easy-to-install optional kit
1 Load Fault Protection ~ disables and bypasses amplifier if antenna has excessively high reflected power or if bandswitch is set lower than exciter frequency -- virtually eliminates damage because of operating error; has Load Fault LED indicator
h Thermal Overload Protection - disables and bypasses
Exact power output of amplifiers may vary on each band.
resets when temperature drops to safe level; has Thermal
Overload LED indicator
Excellent harmonic suppression -- multiple section output
network md push-pull output circuit gives excellent harmonic suppression
DC current meter lets you monitor collector current ON/OFF Switch— bypasses amplifier for "barefoot" operation without having to disconnect high current power supply cables Remote ON/OFF Control - lets you remotely control ON/ OFF function for out-of-the-way mounting of amplifier Exciter Drive — less than 100 watts input gives full output Power Supply Requirements — requires 13.8 VDC at 80 amperes peak current for PA transistors and seperate line for 12-15 VDC at 4 amperes for control and bias circuits Made in USA
Call you favorite dealer for your best price and order your ALS-500M today
. . . the high power specialist
921 Louisville Rd. * StarkvilJe, MS 39759
(601) 323 S2II FAX: {601) 321-655! Free Catalog/Nearest Dealer 800-647-1800
8 ».m, - 4:30 p.m CST, MamU^-Friday Prices ind spec i fications subject to- change G 199 J Ammtrxm
CIRCLE 148 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Photo B. The completed project.
byies long, much of which is the Morse look-up table and ASCII jump tabic.
The 8031 multiplexes the lower eight ad- dress bits out on the data bus, A 74LS573 is used to latch this address information. A MAX 232 IC (or TPC232) is used to inter- face the RS-232 input and output to the 8031 serial port. The MAX 232 has a built-in voltage doubler and inverter to generate the + 10 and * 10 volts required by RS-232 ports. The CPU's clock is 1 1.0592 MHz, This fre- quency was chosen by the 8031 developers so that standard baud rates can be easily generated with the 803 1 's internal timers.
The power supply, power control circuit, a
piezo beeper, a number of LEDs and transmit- ter keying transistors complete the circuit. The keying circuit is designed for solid-state rigs. If you have a tube transmitter, try using an optoisolator to drive a high voltage power transistor, or add a re- lay to key your rig.
The power supply for the A.M.C.L is on all the time. Power to the main circuits is turned on and off using a simple PNP transistor switch. When power is turned off, another PNP transistor is turned on to supply power to the RST pin of the CPU. This keeps the internal RAM alive so that your stored message doesn't have to be entered every time the unit is turned on. The capacitors C3 and C6 keep their associ- ated transistor turned on when Ihe power switch is thrown long enough to ensure proper power down, power up reset of the CPU.
If you don't mind entering the message every time you turn the unit on, these pans can be eliminated and the AC line switched on and off. If you go this way, a 2,2 pp cap
must be installed between +5 and pin 9 (re- set) on the CPU.
Communicating to the Interface
The serial port of the A.M.CI. is set to 1200 baud, 8 bits, no parity and 2 stop bits (1200,8,1^,2) and it recognizes standard ASCII, To talk to the A.M.CI, you must have a communications program of one sort or another installed in your computer. The TELECOM program that came with my TANDY laptop works just fine. Other pro- grams such as PC TALK, PROCOM, and the like will also work, As long as you can make a direct connection to your serial comm port you will be alt set. By using one of these communications programs you can also save your QSOs as a file on disk or floppy. For those of you who don't already have a communications program, a public domain program that emulates a dumb ter- minal will be supplied along with the source code for this project.
Construction
There are three ways you can build this project:
First, you can "prototype it" using the perf board and wire wrap method.
Second, you can buy an SBC (Single Board Computer) kit from Suncoast Tech- nologies {see the Parts List). The kit comes
PAY TV AND SATFIUTE DESCRAMBUNG OURBESTYET 19W ...OUR BEST YET
Wwte m bfcsl out in Hd vtmt \ PIUS. 64AAC( fas Lots a sctem*** and eft* Ms <Jl n*wi, &*«*. EOT *. etc, 0NLV 1 1 5 % . Our ted y*L OttmPtf
TV MttJDnt whim* V5 iall difltorerttj. $15.95 each. TTuCmnplglii mnartyfli ELUSJillUflB. 51b !3b Sati;JlUS_5«lfilIH_UfldtLtfiSD. $12.95. WlTfilHK-ErtlC HlSftlU. S12.9B. HJCkur Vtffeo. 419.95 Any 3*3 JJ 95 or 5/552 95 Scram Bl In p HUU men Wily. 129.95 Stfunallitp Mewi Tilt Qm (176 tfQtti. 539 96 Ewrythifig lidcd fcfta and mm J 123 95 includes al out mfcjrmaben Catalog ft 00 C 0 D * ct OK. add S&.0Q.
SCRAMBLING NEWS
155? Herte' Ave.. H21 Buffalo , NY 14216 Vosce/FAX (716JB74 2088
CIRCLE 3e ON READER SERVICE CARD
* Unobtrusive * Easily Concealed
* Snaps on Handheld
* Weloha only 1 J oi Add4 No Bulk Of He4ght
arftre UT
1 / See &rtd Hear the Difference
Range Extender for 2 mtttr Handhelds
* Booeb Signal tram Flat* 4 i 4 wave Antennas
■ Lo**r» Radiation Angle
• improves both R*c#iwe and Transmit
■ Raiata lo* Pc*a* P*rf0rmanO9
Qtdet Haoin* 1-300-926-7373* — &s
CIRCLE 107 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Dish SyiTem
LIFETT«E~ WARRANTY
Quality Microwave TV Antennas
WIRELESS CASLE ■ IFTS * MUDS ■ Amateur TV Ultra High Gaii Mh*^J * Tuneable 1.5 to 2 7 GHz
• 55-Ghannei Dish System $199.95 ■ 36-ChanneJ Dish System $149.95
* 20-Channel Dish System S 124.95
• Otldonal Comnwrei* Grid ftmaiiru mo! 5^owi! Add S50 DO
• Yap AnCEnnas Components. Cuuorn Tinmg ** diUtxe
• Cat Or w* (SASTl tor -FKE ' Caaoc
PABm
A2 8S252
Credn all pttone m iters)
* COD i • Eaaatrfp hruig
CIRCLE 249 ON READER SERVICE CARD
BAnERIES
Nickel -Cadmium, Alkaline, Lithium, Sealed Lead Acid For Radios, Computers, Etc. And All Portable Equipment
YOU NEED BATTERIES? WE'VE GOT BATTERIES!
CALL US FOR FREE CATALOG
E.H.YOST & CO
7344 TETIVA RO. SAUK CITY, Wt 53583
(608)643-3194 FAX 608-643-4439
■
i
I I
I I ■
I I I ■ 1
Factory Ajthorized Deater & Service For
KENWOG YAESU ICOM
Call Us For Great Price* A Great Service
TOLL FREE ORDER LIKE 1-R0D-M4-3144
Continental US A T«J*
the HAM
ban wcmnBTfrvs
CENTER
CIRCLE 1 14 ON READER SERVICE CARD
\U- AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
5730MoOuo SanArt«irfi.TXTB?3» (512) 680**1 10 FAX (S1 2} 647-800?
I I I I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
■
I
I
■
■
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
lUUL CATALOG
i Communications Receivers
Portable Receivers
Scanners } Amateur HF Transceivers
VHF-UHF Transceivers
HT's and Mobiles • Amateur and SWL Antennas
Accessories and Parts
RTTY and FAX Equipment > Books and Manuals
This c&talog includes prices!
Send S1 to
K3T
Universal Radio
6830 Americana Pkwy. 73 Reynoldsburg, OH 43068
Tel. 614 866-4267
40 73 Amateur Radio Today • February. 1 994
with the basic computer pans, i.e. CPU, latch, RS232 chip, crystal, caps, sockets, and PC board. The PC board has enough room on it to mount the power supply and I/O pans. Also, as a bonus, you get a disk with id I the programs you need lo write your own 803 1 programs. That is how this project was developed.
Finally, you can use the PC board de- signed for this project. The boani is single- sided, making it possible lo home-brew should you desire. AH the pans can be found between JDR Microdeviccs and Radio Shack.
Piea&c note that IC2 and IC3 have pin 1 facing "down" and thai there are 16 wire jumpers on the board. Use #24 stranded wire to connect the various switches and jacks to the board, If possible, use 1/8 watt resistors as they will fit the board better than 1/4 watt.
|
Sum |
mary of Keyboard Commands |
|
+ |
Go to transmit |
|
I |
Go to receive |
|
■ |
Enter message mode |
|
@ |
Transmit message |
|
# |
Set 10 wpm speed |
|
$ |
Set 1 3 wpm speed |
|
% |
Set 15 wpm speed |
|
A |
Set 17 wpm speed |
|
& |
Set 20 wpm speed |
|
I |
Doubles code spacing |
|
Resets to normal spacing |
|
Parts List |
||
|
* ici |
8031 |
8-btl controller |
|
* IC2 |
74LS573 |
Octal bus latch |
|
1 IC3 |
2764 |
8K EPROM |
|
* IC4 |
MAX232 or TPC232 |
RS232 interface |
|
* IC5 |
7805 Heat sink for regulator |
SV-to-220 voltage regulator |
|
! Q1 |
T1P42 |
TO-220 PNP power transistor |
|
02.4 |
2N3906 |
PNP small signal transistor |
|
03 |
2N3904 |
NPN smalt signal transistor |
|
Dl-5 |
1N4001 |
1 amp rectifier diodes |
|
LED 1-9 |
Red LED |
|
|
D6,7 |
1N4148 |
Small signal silicon diode |
|
* XTAL |
11.0592 MHz |
M lc roprocessor c lock c rystal |
|
C1 |
1 ,000 uF/25V |
Aluminum electro cap |
|
02,012-19 |
0,1 uF/5QV Mono ceramic cap |
|
|
C3 |
47 uR25V |
Aluminum electro cap |
|
• C4,6T9£0 tO|iR25V |
Aluminum electro cap |
|
|
C5 |
1 nF/25V |
Aluminum electro cap |
|
* 07,8 |
4.7uF\25V |
Aluminum electro cap |
|
* C10P11 |
22 pF |
Ceramic disk |
|
RlT6-9 |
330ohrn1V8W |
Carbon film resistor |
|
R2 |
1k1\8W |
Carbon film resistor |
|
R3-5 |
10k1\8W |
Carbon film resistor |
|
S1,2 |
DPDT toggle switch |
|
|
S3 |
N.CL |
Push-button switch |
|
T1 |
115V TO 12.6 VAC 300 mA |
Transformer (Radio Shack #273-1385) |
|
J1 |
lU-inch |
Open circuit phone jack |
|
J2 |
1V4-inch |
Open circuit stereo phone jack |
|
J3 |
DBG |
9-pin female D jack |
|
M |
Power jack |
|
|
BP1 |
Piezo beeper |
i Radio Shack #273-065) |
|
F1 |
1V4A |
Fast blow fuse and holder |
|
* PC board: A drilled and etched PC board is available from the author at RO. Box 140P Gorham, NH 03531 |
||
|
for $11 ppd. |
||
|
Box |
Radio Shack #270-253 |
|
|
(4J |
11 MB41 Standoffs |
Radio Snack #276-195 |
|
* Pari of Suncoast Technologies Kit #706910. $27 + 2.90 S+H. P.O. Box 5635, Spring Hill FL 346D6; |
||
|
TeL (904) 569-7599. |
||
|
JDR Microdevices. 2233 Samaritan Drive, San Jose GA 95124; Tel. (800) 538-5000 |
Mk?o RC"1 000
Computer REPEATER
Concepts CONTROLLER
• Autopatch* Reverse Aulopatch
• User Programmable CW ID, Control & User Codes & Timeouts
Manual with schematics • 90-Day Warranty Wired & Tested w/ manual ,.„ $239.95
Micro Computer Concepts
8849 Gum Tree Ave.
New Port Richey, FL 34653
1-376-6575
160 ON READER SERVICE CARD
RC-99
REPEATER/REMOTE
CONTROLLER
FEATURES INCLUDE: • No hang-up design with UPS • Fully Programmable • Password Pro- gramming • Band Module programming * In- itial/Normal ID'S ■ Power Failure Input * Selective Muting » All Subtone Modes * Small Size - Molex Plug Connector * All Socketed IC Design * COS Polarities on each Receive* • Remote Audio and Gating Built in * Repeater/Remote Courtesy Tones * TeJemetry Response * Auxiliary Outputs • Dual Repeater Mode * Adjustable Key Delays ■ Easy to Program * Programmable Potenionmeter Board_
" $1 49.00 Assembled and Tested PLUS TEN
1067 E. Main St EfrkJge NY 13060-11 57 (31 5) 689-6655
.w=sa*.
■'<'■■ ■-.■■■.;. -
V/SA
— !
You'll be amazed
with what you can do with Quickyagi
Fll
■
II
II
1
t
A
* — ^^. — <| 5-
■-■■■
♦-■
■I
-
■'■
— .-
r**
T
a
W
Id)
ITJ
14b IX IB
La
*
M»l
IJbl JiH
I II I I Iff I
I D4 I
mil I IHI in"!
i i1 i
at
V
/
y
/
m »i
1»- * ^ M > II
J
This high speed, easy-tous* yagi software features auto- desigrt, auto optimize and performance aoafysys It will accurately calculate up to 17 elements to 1 Ghz with boom and tapered element compensations, a folded dipde optK>n and prints all files, charts and graphs includes both co-processor & no co-processor versions
For XT /AT • / «4Q * RAM VGA EGA CGA. Hk vk3 DOS 3 or .
HOT! NEW VERSION 3.0 upgrade
Upgrade from any antem Buiwve tar on*y
Quickyagi 1 cf —
Add 13.00 s*h of IS 00 for non-USA wrier* - Ind. Calteign w/wtkar S«nrJ SASE far complete info * US Check or lN*miH Mar** orter AnxomcRtanadtf 5.5% state tax ■ Soecrfy 3 5" or 5 25" floppy 4«*
RAI Enterprises (602} S43-9755
| 4506 N. 48th Dr. Phoenix. AZ 35031
Pt&EONAt. COMPUTE R£P£ ATE ft CONTROLLER
ti>
Sfi&z&i fim *?£&€££
/ Full Duplex Autopalch J%&& af^J
/ 91 1 Emergency Access / Reverse Autopalch •'Toll Restriction
/ Voice Mail /Voice IDs / BSR X10 /Volce/Tone/DTMF Paging / Scheduler /Links /Programmable Courtesy Tones j /Hardware Logic I/O /HF Remote Conlrol '/Morse Code Practice /Remole Base
PCRC/2 Combines the power of your XT/AT platform with a high quality play and record voice digitizer creating the ultimate repeater controller. Jk&m $6$5
516-563-4715 r
Fax:563-4716 BBS: 266- 15 18
CIRCLE 198 ON READER SERVICE CARD
* * * * PRESENTING * * * *
CABLE TV EQUIPMENT
***♦* STARRING *****
JHtROLD, HAMLIN, OAK
AAIO OTHER FAMOUS «AJVUfACTUft£RS ■ FINEST WAflfrAATTV PROGRAM AVAll^ASLE
• LOWEST HfTAJU WHOLESALE PRICES *JM US
• ORDERS SHIPPED FROM STOCK wrfHW 24 HRS •ALL MAJOR CREDrr CARDS ACCEPTED
FOR FREE CATALOG, ORDER* L INFORMATION
1-800-345-8927
CIRCLE 396 ON READER SERVICE CARD
PACIFIC CABLE CO., INC.,
7325 T/2 Reseda Blvd,. Dept 1871
Reseda. CA 91335
CIRCLE t78 ON READER SERVICE CARO
73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1994 41
The 7805 voltage regulator requires a small heal sink.
As this is a digital device, it should be mounted in a mcial box and bypass caps added at all the input and out- put jacks, This keeps RF1 from your transmitter from getting into the A.M.C.I. and RFI from getting out of it. 1 built mine into a Radio Shack #270-253 box.
If you add the speed-indicating LEDs it would be a good idea to mount them on a small strip of perf board.
You can build in an AC supply like 1 did or use one of the 9 VDC, 500 mA wall-mount plug-in type supplies that are so common today. Don't forget to jumper pins 4^ 6. and 8 together on ihc DB9 jack. If you don't, your computer will not recognize that there is a device connected to it I mounted the DB9 jack on the back of the box and used a shielded femalc-io-male DB9 extension cable between my computer and the A.M.CX
The front panel artwork was created on my computer and copied onto Graphic Applique film, using a tech- nique described by Marion Kitchens K4GOK in the May 1993 issue of 73.
If you don't need the sidetone you might want to add a switch to switch in or out the beeper. This way you can use the A.M.C.L as a code practice genera- tor. Just about anyone can send code to you using the keyboard, A good two- finger hunt-and-peck typist will have no problem even at 20 wpm. Or you can record the code on a tape recorder for practice later.
Getting the Program Code
One of the problems with building a computer project like this one is getting the program code, [t is not practical to publish the program code in the maga* zine, so you will just have to send away for it or download it with your modem from the 73 BBS (603-924-9343).
A 3-1V2" disk with the assembly source code listing, INTEL HEX file, binary flic and the dumb terminal pro- gram called THE TERMINAL" is available from me for S3 postpaid (Box 140, Gorham NH 03581). If you can't blast your own ROMs, I can also sup- ply a preprogrammed 27C64 EPROM along with the disk for $10.
Last Words
Since the only mode I work is CW. this project has been very handy. No longer do I use up reams of paper, and my fingers don't gel numb from having a death grip on the pencil I hope this project helps you to get more use out of your computer and enjoy CW more of- ten. So if you've never had anyone tell you "great fist — pleasure to copy," this project is perfect for you! Let's all help keep CW alive and well.
ASCII ymoRsE
31, + C3>_
Figure 2. PC board foil patient and parts placement diagram*
42 73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994
uitim ate modification bible
MOST COMPLETE,
GREATEST IN ITS TIME ! ! !
OVEH eoo uXke wrftnias ch, ham.
OTEH ISO MOD. HAM RADIOS
OV£H SO CQUFLKlt CRYSTAL CHA37S.
07ER 20 MOD CBTSTAL CHARTS.
CWKH 15 STATfireh MOD
TUT METER RADIO MOD.
tIKEAft COAX. AFT. tM?0
("IV EE SOU PAQffl OF INFO.
K DC SOUND 1-SQ0-256-9895
5 PINE MEADOW S 29.95
CONSOE. TX 77302
# ULTIMATE *
^r.
0 BIBLE p
L *KiiiT;HiniH'
.nmurnT;i If p t;nf
CIRCLE 151 ON flEADEH SERVICE CARD
NO TUNERS
NOHADIALS
NO HESI STOPS
NO COMPROMISE
FIVE EXCELLENT REVIEWS JUST
DON'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE CALL US FOR A FREE CATALOG,
Jci. T J. «M 'Smpt. rS. 1M5 March 73. 1986 CQ. Dat IN Mr W.R.91
BILAL COMPANY
1 37 Manchester Drl w
Flortsaani, Colorado £0816
(719)687-0650
I
MS*
^mmmf
Mii-^l'-Cu'd
VOICE KEYER & CW INTERFACE
RIGHT IN YOUR PC!
he Contest Card
This plug-in board turns vour P€ into a high-powered contest machine.
Record your call CQsr contest repon*, etc. foe play back under control of your Ft — both phone and CW! Works with XT4SS PCs, does not use up valuable disk space storing audio. Compatible with CT" & NA" contesl software. See theSept.^QSTmagMine article (pg.31) on the Contest Card.
ASSEMBLED S TESTED SI79.95. KIT 5119.95
(CaNr am ndudnf) IS.WSAH ptf ankt . Ml add S* iris i*l S«Mlch^wmWeyorderto: yjpg MICROSYSTEMS
(414) B44-9Q3B sunukk wi swbb
V/SA
SLOW SCAN TV with the Sound Blaster!
New! Copy M2.24,M »c. B*W, 4 72 $ic. Color fin 8*W), Stqrry 1 a 2 fin BAW) wrttt your Sound 8 Titter com pj Tib le sound card
RequirssVGA &40jU*0 2S6 color*
ONi.Yt4tr.flD - Shipping 55
Illinois r?Sidunl& add $2.50 lax
h«1 an Technology 815^393^26^3 15931 Alma Dr. ■ RocJrtDid, Illinois 611OT
CIRCLE 137 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CIRCLE 317 ON READER SERVICE CARD
4309 Northern Pike Blva\
Monroeville, PA 15146
{412)374-9744
FOR QRQERS QNL Y CALL
(8ooj es4-oats
SPECKLING IN PREOWNED AMATEUR AND SHORTWAVE EQUIPMENT
BUY * SELL * LOVE TO TRADE
We Carry AIJ Major Brands Of New Equipment
CWCUE 42 ON READER SERVICE CARD
& CGUNTERSURVEILLANCE Electronic Devices
Rugging/Phone Tapping Detoctore • Caller Sis * Covert Video
* Phone Scram tilers * Voice Changers * Shotgun Mies Vehicle Tracking • Tra ******* Kits * Locksmithtog • Mil MORE!
QUICK, EASY, & COMPACT
Flash cards 'NOVICE thai EXTRA" ihedry Key words
Ttiepban* Recording St stems
Bisguts* iftdeo
i Mi:
FOR CATAIQG SEND $5.00 TO... P.O. Box337, fcrffato. NY 1*B6 (71Q691-3476
uodecfifi&d- Over 4000 sets in use! For beginner. QMs.
XYLs & krds.
NOTICE
TECKIQAN
GENEfUt
AOVAMCH3
EMTRAt
L
tnwi
r-*»*Hi^l «
ry
JdHnqrt
m.tft
110*5
MUM MMM
,*£* VIS STUDY CARDS s*» P.O. BOX 17377
Order Today* from
HM.J
dun discounts
HATTIESBURG, MS 39404
CIRCLE 104 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CIRCLE 329 ON READER SERVICE CARD
NEW ONLINE CALL DIRECTORY
Our new HAMCALL service gives you 494,1 14+ Hams, via your computer. $29.95 per year — unlimited use?
BUCKMASTER PUBLISHING
Route 4, Box 1630 Mineral, VA 23117
703:894-5777 800:282-5628
CIRCLE 7 ON READER SERVrCE CARD
Sell your product in 73 Amateur Radio Today Call Dan Harper today! 1-800-274-7373
RUT SOME EXCITEMENT BACK INTO YOUR HOBBY!
J3 Amateur
No other magazine brings you the exciting world of amateur radio like 73 Amateur Radio Today.
• Equipment reviews you can use,
• Construction projects for all abilities.
• Mure antenna articles than any other magazine.
• Monthly columns covering the exciting worlds of RTTY, ATVt microwaves, QRP, DX foxhunting and more.
• "Never Say Die;' Wayne Green's monthly view of the world of amateur radio.
To subscribe by phone
Call: 1-800-289-0388
Radio Today
- 12 issues for $19.97 -
That's a 43% savings off the newsstand price!
I
I I
I
%£ Amateur Radio Today
70 Route 202 North
Peterborough, IMH 03458
(603) 924-0058
Fax (603) 924-9327
Li YES! I want some excitement in my hobby.
Send me 12 issues of 7$ Amateur Radio Today for only S19.97.
I I
I
( NAME
I
CALL
I ADDRESS I
CITY
I I I
I _^___ Card Number
Payment Enclosed
STATE
Charge my:
ZIP
MC
VISA
AMEX
Exp. Date
Newsstand Rate $35.40. Basic Subscription rate $24.97. Allow 4-6 weeks for firs! issue. Canada add $7.00 plus $1,40 GST. Foreign add $19 surfaca/$42 airmail.
I
B9402G88-3
73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994 43
Number 8 on your Feedback card
Standardize Your Microphone Connectors
A one-plug-fits-ali solution you can easily build.
by Klaus Spies WB9YBM
My initial reason for standardizing the microphone connectors on all of my transceivers was to allow interchangeability of home-brew station accessories among my radios. It also occurred to me that, in the event of a microphone failure during emer- gency communications, being able to grab
MIC SMUTCH
CVft pTT">
Figure L Typical microphone switch in a CB transceiver.
si
MIC PTT
*:<*iwu
rrn>
Figure 2. Microphone PTT switch for most ham transceivers.
the nearest convenient microphone (and having it work right away) would also be a big advantage.
A Look at Connectors
Older radios in my shack had three-pin
connectors, while the majority of more mod- em radios have four pins, with the fourth pin being unused. Standardizing to the more modern four-pin connector made I he most sense, since the older three-pin connectors are not commonly available. The four-pin connectors can be found at most pans stores, humfests. and the like.
Having the fourth pin unused turned out to be a blessing in disguise. When requiring a signal from the squelch to trigger a tape recorder (for logging), or to enable the PTT of another transceiver in a link, it was very easy to build and install an interface circuit right inside of the radio (see page 27 of the December 1988 issue of 73). That signal could be conveniently brought out through pin four.
A Look at Wiring
Deciding beforehand on the wiring
Si
MIC PTT
2N2222
■ffiH>
— 2-EC35a3SZE>
€2Z>
«-g.r>
U1B
4Q69
Figure 3, With a standard microphone switch, this circuit will interface to most CB transceivers.
44 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
scheme is helpful In my case, the determin- ing factor was my HF rig; because it seems like the most complex rig in my shack, it was the transceiver 1 was least likely to open up and modify. Using pins one through three as ground, audio, and PTT, leaves pin four open for accessories, putting the least impor- tant function last. The order of the other three is not really important as long as there's consistency in the entire hamshuck.
The only fly in the ointment is with con- verted CB transceivers. Even those that work with the microphone removed (some older ones do not) had microphone switches that were DPDT, one side toggling the PTT to ground, the other toggling some point in the transceiver between the microphone and the receiver circuit (Figure i shows the typical cxampie of this). By comparison, the stan- dard switching of amateur gear is a bit more straightforward (see Figure 2).
Figure 3 shows how a CB can be made to operate with a typical ham microphone. If the"RCVR ENABLE* of Figure 1 (the N,C on Figure 3) is connected to anywhere but ground, connect pin 4 of Ul there, instead of ground (the same holds true for RCVR DIS- ABLE on Figure 1 and N.O. and pin I ! on Figure 3).
Unused gates of the ICs should be con- nected to +12V or ground, as convenient, I installed the circuits 1 built right into my transceivers, as far as possible from the transmitters7 final amplifier. This ensures good shielding of the circuits from the RF in the hamshack, and avoids the high RF in the rigs1 PA.
|
406* |
|||
|
U1D |
3 |
4063 |
|
|
8 1 |
r^40I6_ |
9 |
|
|
4. |
|||
|
ft |
4 0&9 rS>cA2_ |
||
|
p'OMimi PIN 14 5 -1-12V PIM 7 = CHD "== OOTH I. c.o |
4069 |
Figure 4. Unused gates should be connected to +721/ or ground.
I
I
I
I
1
I
I
4
DESIGNED FOR ONE REASON ... TO HAVE FUN!
AND BOY DOES IT DEUVERH!
i I . ' I . •: 1
-.•**' W I %.■!.'■■%•■ w*,:A -
■I h^rss
iTi ^HH #-. i -/r-
rsSMALL
Makes mobib or portable fun for more hams than ever before.
Fits almost any car, even compacts, Measuring only 2.5" X 7,25"
X 9.75", this five lb. travel companion tucb in a briefcase with
plenty of room k> spare. ..
B'sHOT
Receiver runs circles around rigs at twice the price, 90 cfB
dynamic range, low phase noise design lets you hear the
weak ones even on crowded bands. iFs no fun if you can't
hear em!
MADE IN USA
IKsSIMPlf
Just sit down and operate. Master every feature in minutes - no modern rig is as easy to use. Change band modules in a flash to work 1 60-1 0 meters including WARC
Patented "Jones" Filter provides variable bandwidth 9 pole crystal filter - 500 Hz to 2.5 kHz. The right filter for every condition at the touch of o knob.
"SYNCHRO-LOCK" software keeps VFO virtu ally drift free regardless of temperature variations.
Optional Noise Blanker
S$B and CW 50 Watts Output Adjustable To 5 Watts
Runs Off 12-14 VOC
TX 10 Amps, RX -.6 Amps
Receive Offset Tuning
Built-in Iambic Keyer with Legendary QSK\ Speed adjustable on front arid shown in display,
Includes one band module of your choice
$25* Each additional hand module
SCOUT ACCESSORIES:
MODEL PRICE*
r s AFFORDABLE At $495, it's half the price of the closes competition. No other rig packs so muc performance at so low a price. Have fu on HF without spending a fortune.
IKsNOTATOr
Crystal mixing (no synthesizer) coupled with meticulous circuri design yieUs spanning clean receive audio. And you'll marvel at the un- solicited complements on transmit audio.
MobHe Bracket Noise Blanker 11 Amp Power Supply Tiny Switch inq Supply
Hand Mi fee * Weighted Key Paddle Antenna Tuner
MC, DISCOVER
*F}u$ shipping and' handling; call toll-free for charges, 1
$15.00 $19,50 $79,0ti $95.00
$39,95 $39.00 $89.00
CALL 1 800-833 7373
Telephone Hours:
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Eastern
...America's Best!
irar
TEN-TEC
1 165 Dolly Psrton Parkway Sflvterville, TN 37662 USA Office: (615)453-7172 Fax; (515)428-4483 Repair Dept: {61 5) 428-0364
Number 9 on your Feedback card
Folding Three-Element
2 Meter Quad
Finds fox, folds, fits in trunk.
by John E. Myers WX8G
I've been interested in radio direction find- ing for about six years and I've always had good results with my home-brew five-ele- ment yagL Its shortcoming, however, was that it was loo big to fit into the trunk of our car, Td been reading about the quad vs. yagi debate (73 Magazine, January 1989: "Quads vs. Yagis for Fox Hunting"; by Joe Moell RE., K0OV) and had decided to try a quad. I knew lhat it would work well for radio di- rection finding, but it wouldn't fit in our car So, I figured that with a little extra effort, a folding quad would not be too difficult to build.
The folding three-element quad is de- signed to work well across the entire 2 meter band, and has excellent gain and froni-io- back ratio, as well as good side rejection. It is also easily folded, and unfolds in a matter of seconds. Yes, I said seconds. The secret to the folding quad is a notch in the boom which the driven element drops into when unfolded. The driven element is mounted to the boom with a spring- loaded bolt (see Fig- ure 3) which holds it firmly in position. To fold the quad, you simply hold the boom with your hand while pushing up with your thumb. When the support for the driven ele- ment clears the notch, you simply fold it up. The elements are connected together with a tie rod which keeps them parallel to one an- other. In its folded position, the folding quad easily fits into the trunk of the average com- pact car, which makes it ideal for fox hunt-
Phoio A, Pant NHIAK shows her pleasure with the folding quad.
ing. You should have no trouble building this antenna in just a few evenings, for less than $20.
Using the dimensions shown in Figures I and 2, I cut all the supports and the boom from a piece of construction-grade southern pine. The notch in the boom is very impor- tant. When not folded, the support for the
driven element rests in this notch. I recom- mend cutting the support for the driven ele- ment, and finishing it first. Then, using it as a cutting guide, make the notch in the boom. The fit should be as close as possible, with- out being too tight when the quad is unfold- ed. After the pieces are cut and drilled, sand them smooth and finish them with at least two coats of varnish.
The elements are made of 1/8" brazing rod. It is readily available, rigid, and easily bent — with the help of a propane torch. I used eight 36" lengths to complete this pro- ject (if brazing rod is too expensive or hard Lo find, try 12-gauge aluminum ground wire. It's cheaper and easier to work with, but not as rigid). To bend the brazing rod. clamp it into a vise, heat it until if s almost red hot (a propane torch will do fine), and bend it v-e- r-y gently, Take your time, practice on some scrap rod first, and remember: measure twice, bend once.
Refer to Figure 2 for the dimensions of each element. 1 found it easiest to make my first bend before inserting the rod through the hole in the support. Since it takes a little more than two rods for each element, you'll need a union to join the rods to one another. I use a union thaL 1 made from some small- diameter copper tubing lhat I bought at my local auto parts store. With pipe cutters, I cut off a piece about an inch long and drilled it large enough to accept the brazing rod. To
Continued on page 50
- 11,5"
11.5"
[| J3/4
25"
u
10
I \o 0/ I
9'
5/8"
|
A |
B |
|
|
Reflector 10-7/8' |
21-3/4" |
|
|
Driven element |
10-5/16' |
20-5/8" |
|
Director 9-13/16* |
19-5/8" |
Make each support about 7 inch longer than the B measurement. Make the holes large enough that the brazing rod fits snugly, and can be pushed through with just a liffle effort.
Figure L The boom: Cut and drill as shown. 46 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
Figure 2. Dimension table for the quad.
fti~. .*
.V/v?
'&* ! BULLETIN:
February, 1994
182 North Maple P.O. Box 73
Watertown, SD 57201
The what you say is what you gtt state"
SINCE 1937...
Tour Most RELIABLE Dealer
tt
HOURS: HON. - FRI. 0-5 p.m.;
SAT. 9-1 p.m. CLOSED SUNDAYS/HOLIDAYS
~!
VfSA
Write for our current bulletin
and used equipment list.
tfautfW*
intance
5fcntf
<bt fats0*";
SELECTION
SfRVIW
and
SATISFACTION!
|
Happy New Year |
|
|
from All the Gang |
|
|
Stan |
W0rT |
|
Jim |
WB0MJY |
|
DarreH |
WD0GDF |
|
Jason |
KSOIUS |
|
Marty |
KB0IOW |
|
Tim |
WD0FKC |
|
David |
KA0JDN |
|
Slave |
Shipping |
|
Loria |
Bookkeeping |
|
Sharon |
Receptionist |
"■ '■*» him, It
<&to
YOUR AULD AQUAINTANCES
L TO R: Jim Smith, President, with Stan Burghardt, founder.
adj. able
tfftv-- ■■'■■■ ■:■
upon;
able to place one's complete confidence in for all your ham
•::.-;v,-. *S«t::: rvx* .vXv.v:::v : .-.-.-.■ *^
:^::::;^:::;; ::;::-::'-iii: *- *-:::'::::x::-:v< • ■■ — ■:■■■■•■ i '•'• ■%■'■"■■■ : : :::'i:::,.::-.:::,-: A-:'\-^-^ry}:'.\- :::;:-: .•:•:■■/. ^ ■•:•: :■;■>:■;■ :-:^-:':v;':rgv;-:-;-: ■■ ■_ ,• •■:■:■ :i**ii::;:'::: ::':-::: ;:;?:;;?
CALL US TODAY!
reliable staff — most of
our staff has been here at least 15 years. Stan's been here for 57 years.
reliable service — fully
authorized Icom, Yaesu and Kenwood service center.
W^®$$P
1
Sales Order Line 800-927-H AM 1(4261)
For Teehnical & Info.
(605) 886-7314 FAX (605) 886-3444
FAX PRODUCT INFO
Call US TODAY!
■ reliable equipment —
we have all the brands you want.
reliable used gear —
fully reconditioned and guar- anteed. We take trades. If we don't have what you want, get on our want list
i i i i i
i
*g*4*8WP
I N
THE
WORLD
0 F
1
Fur #iter *
Model 3000A $329.
Worlds most highly advanced hand held counter
• Digital Fitter; Reduces false counts - no loss of Sensitivity
• Digital Auto Capture - auto hold & store; works even near strong RF Fields
• Stores and recalfs frequencies
• 5-6 hour battery operation
• Fast * 250 million counts per second for high resolution - 250 MHz direct count
• 10 Hz to 3 GHz
• Ultra sensitive bargraph w/ 16 segment display
• Multi-Function Counter with Frequency, Period, Ratio and Time Interval
• Optional ± 9 PPM TCXO $100,
Model M1
$229,
Full Range Pocket Sized Counter
• Digital Filter
• Digital Auto Capture - Auto Hold
• Stores & Recalls Frequencies
• 4-5 hr. battery operation
• 10 Hz to 2.8 GHz
• 10 digit LCD with EL backlight
Model 8040 $679.
Multt- Function Bench/Portable Counter Measures Frequency Period, Ratio, Time Interval and Average,
* Digital Filtering to eliminate false counts
* Auto Capture/Auto Hold
* 16 Segment Signal Strength Bargrgph
* Dual 50 OHm and 1 Me3 OHm input amplifiers with AC/DC Coupling,
+ Polarity, Triggers Level Adj., Low Pass Filter and Attenuator
* .05PPM, 0-50*C Ovensized Time Base Option
* Internal/External Clock fnput
* R5-232 Serial Computer Interface
5 9 1
(305) 771-2050 • FAX (305) 771-2052 • 5821 NE 14th Ave, Ft. Lauderdale FL 33334
CIRCLE 172 ON READER SERVICE CARD
■
Model DC440 Decoder
$259
• 50 Sub-Audible (CTCSS)tones
• 106 Digital (DCS) Codes
• 16 Touch Tone (DTAAF) chara- ters/126 character recall
• Serial Data Interface
• Update older service monitors
• Ideal for testing two way radios
• Tone 1 03 software available
• Exceptional 2x16 character backlit display
• Small size - 1 .8* x 4.5* x 4' deep
Model CF-802 $149.
835 MHz ± 10 MHz filter/amplifier. 10 times the pick-up dis- tance when used with our counters or IMO.
$359.
Model R-10
The R-TO is a unique FM Communication Test Receiver with secu- rity and surveillance applications. 30 MHz to 2 GHz. Measures deviation and relative signal strength. Demodulates FM
Model APS1 04 $995
Tunable band pass filter covers 10 MHz to 1,000 MHz. Tunes continuously over more than 5 octaves. Increase pickup dis- tance 10 times. Ultimate Security Sweeper.
MADE IN THE U.S.A
Model 3300 MiniCounter $ 1 29.
• Super Compact
* 10 dgit LCD - longer battery tife
• 1 MHz to 250 MHz direct count for high resolution (1 Hz/Second)
* Maximized Sensitivity
* Hold Switch to lock display
• Ni-Cad plugs into board - no soldering to change outpadc
5% Ship/Handling (Max $10) U.S. & Canada. 15% out- side continental u.'S. Visa Master Caed, C.O.D., Cash or Money Orders only. All specifications and prices are subject to change without notice or obligation.
CIRCLE 172 ON READi* SERVICE CARD
Folding Three-Element 2 meter Quad continued /mm page 46
Bolt
n— n
Washer
Spring
Washer
Nuts
Tie Rod
Boom
*C
11.5"
11*5*
2511
Figure 4, Top view of the folding quad. The spacing shown is 0. 15 wavelength
Figute 3. Close-up of the spring loaded bolt which makes up the pivot point of the quad.
|
Elements Attach Here i |
|||
|
Mounting Holes ^ |
o O O o |
0 O o o o |
|
|
1 ^ Bend 1 Elements Attach Here |
Here |
Figure 5. He rod— this is made from a thin piece of wood. The only
dimension that is important is the one listed, Its purpose is to tie Figure & Feed-point bracket. Mount $0-239 on the right side. Mount
the elements together, and keep them in alignment, while folded and to the face of the bracket, using 6-32" x 3/8" holts, attached from
unfolded. behind. Run jumpers from SO-239 to the elements (see text).
join the rods, shine up the ends with steel wool. Insert the rods into the ends of the union and solder them in place. You can use a torch for this, but I've had better results with a high-wattage soldering gun.
The construction of the driven element is just a little different from the others. First* remember not to close the loop on the driven element. Leave it open at the feed-point bracket. The feed-point bracket is pretty simple. I look a piece of scrap plastic (1.5" x 4" x 3/16" thick), warmed it until it was pliable, and bent it at a 90-degree anele. Then I drilled as shown in Figure 5, mount- ed the SO-239* and mounted the assembly to the support, using screws. The driven ele- ment is attached lo the Feed-point bracket with nuts and bolts. 1 soldered electrical crimp-type ring connectors to the ends of the elements to make a cleaner connection. An- other way would be to bend ends into a loop bis enoueh to insert a bolt through.
Insert the bolt through the center of the support, and, using a bit of RTV compound, or cpoxy, glue the bolt to the support.
Now that the elements are finished, it's time to assemble the quad. First, using Fig- ure 4 as a guide, attach the elements to the boom, paying special attention to the spring and washer placement on the driven ele-
ment. Next, attach the tie rod. This should comptetc the mechanical assembly of the folding quad. After the matching is done. and you're satisfied with the operation, ap- ply a bit of RTV 10 the end of all the bolts to keep the nuts from coming undone.
1 had very little trouble matching the quad. I took all my measurements outdoors, using an HT and a VHF SWR meter. To match the quad. I simply varied the length of the jumper wires between the ends of the driven element and the SO-239 connector Once matched, the SWR was acceptable across the whole band 1 found that a differ- ence of only a half inch can be significant. The trick that worked best for me was to make the jumper about 4" long, then attach one end to the SO-239 and an alligator clip to the other end. I then attached the alligator clip to the element and. using trial and error, slid the clip back and forth along the ele- ment until I found the perfect match. When you find this point* measure the length of the element between the clip and the point where the element attaches to the feed- point bracket. Subtract this from the length of your jumper wire. The result will give you the length of your jumper wire between the mounting bracket and the SO-239.
All done? Great! Now, insert the U-bolts
through the boom, then insert the mast. Now you're ready for the next fox hunt.
Field tests were encouraging, and wherev- er I go the folding quad generates a lot of questions. So far the quad has been used in enough hunts to tell me that I probably won't go back to a yagi anytime soon.
Parts List
1 Z x 4' x BA pine stud 8 36" brazing rods
1 foot copper tubing (see text)
2 U bolts
1 broom handle (mast)
1 1 .5" x 4" piec9 of plastic for the feed point
1 SO-239 (Radio Shack part #278-199)
2 10-24x2.5" screws
3 10-24 x 1.25* screws
1 1/4x4-1/2" screw 6 6-32 x 3/8" screws
2 4x1/2" wood screws 5 #10 washers
2 1/4* washers
5 1 0-24 nuts
2 1/4x20 nuts
1 spring (available at your local home center)
2 6-32 nuts
5 Ring terminals
50 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
Chassis Kits Cabinet Kits
Assembled Cabinets
Slope Box Kits
UHF & VHF Antenna Power DMder Kits
Rack Shelves
Rack Equipment Cabinet
Antenna Grounding Kits
Tower Mounted Box Kits Dipoie Hangers
Other encJoeures
Small sheets Aluminum and Brass
Charles Byers K3IWK
5120 Harmony Grove Road, Dovert PA 17315
Phone 717-292-4901
Between 6PM end 9:30PM EST. "Distributorship Available
i
ORCLE 222 Oft READOt SERVKt CARD
CB-TO-10 METERS
We specialize in CB radio modification plans and Hardware, Frequency and FM conversion kits, repair books, plans, high- performance accessories. Thousands of satisfied customers since 1976! Catalog $2.
CBC INTERNATIONAL
LOU FRANKLIN K6NH - Owner P O BOX 31500X, PHOENIX, AZ 85046
B
!@IW CALL "SIGNS"
fluf NEON bUng (nth ch*™ct*» <"Hi]"W| ' Hand crihvd, lavtf far yamm i Th» uHmmM In "Shock- dvoer
• ArpUvfcte hi ME OH rrd.
'1
JTMCpir* »
Complete custom anil, tHtod and daftvrnwf: 5225,00.
JUST NEON H Cohen WAZTVE
#09 Jamas Sfrwf. UUca, N*w York 13501
(315)724-9150 M31 5)792-9032 FAX
N Y Slates fl«jdf?/iii Adb Sates Tar
The 10 meter test had started, and I expected the band to open about the time I armed ai the motel Rig and gel cell were in the trunk, Maxi-J was ri^ht beside, rolled up inside the launcher pail. Roonfwith a view. Maxi takes oft from the balcony sloping dowu to a Lrcc. His tail slips under the door. And I'm 59 in Japan. T f
J-10 j-15 J-17 J-20 J-30 J-40 F?
$S9 S42 $47 $49 $59 $69 |j Add S6 Ibst & Handling USA & Canada S14 olhers
AntCnnasWeSt Order Hotline:
Box 500G2-S. Pmvo LT &4605 800-926-7373
CIRCLE 132 ON READER SERVICE CARD
THEKIFO 12 ELEMENT 144 MHz YAGl
ELECTMCM SPtaRCATMIS;
.12.4 i J7*?q
m E-Plar* SWR ....
. i*dB
-15 dB.
I.taiiype**
...... 22 dB
Wanmmfl pC*W .,. tonp*J*anGe
r — MM wmi
_™u— ., 5Di*hm
MECHANICAL SPECIFCATCINS?
Unqlln ..^,.„..,„„„,„..,17 IH »
Boam . . . . . \ .175" 6061 T^ Alurmnurni
£ lamnnf p 1 H" Al jT.if.um *j-J
W>ndiuivNri 120+ MPM
Mam ■ 141 lo 2 iinilx
Dotm* muMon B«* Daum
Atf SUnkt * i 5kral £lMUTII HMftMfl
Cut CMtnadar ■
.lib
At50*V«*J*te
RA4-M. HA7-40, RAB-2UWB. FOI 2-l*d, TO 1 2- 1 47, FOt5J4f*
f0 16-222. F022-432, F022-ATV, F02S-43Z. FOXM32. FOI 1-440
POWER DTOTDenS _ _ST*0ONG FRAMES
In yjcrv :*iovc »*-2 id '-^
14' D***i nmn StO «.«
Add! S UPS S H to
PA
oi
RUTLAND ARRAYS
1703 Warden SL ' N*w Cumtwlanc PA *~370
PHQNEFAX Pnto f?T7| 774-3570 - Qnfers [800 1 536-3266
PEdiEP INQUIRIES APE INlVTTED Mo pm EST
CALL OR WRIFE f'Ofl OLR VKW CATALOG!
CIRCLE 71 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Wayne is mad as hell ...
...and he doesn't want you to take it anymore!
Declare War !
On Our Lousy Government
Fed up with the mess in Washington?
The mess in your state capital? Poverty, crime, our failing schools? Wayne Green has solutions. Clever solutions.
li'e tk
■ peopfe
Wayne Green's unique reasoning is in- triguing — even delightful. Whether you are horrified by his proposals or you embrace them, it is impossible lo ignore the basic les- son he presents: It is time to bring logic — not emotions — to bear on America's dilem- mas. His spin on America in the 90's helps us to understand how simple the seemingly complex issues are. All it takes is looking at them from an entirely new viewpoint.
Now available in one complete volume, Declare War! is full of thought provoking ideas and solutions to some of the most diffi- cult problems facing our country today.
On Our Lousy Gove
mment
Wayne Green
A Guem'rta Handbook For
**^«uf i
■""""•"filiflUciK^^
,£aJfiT,5Pwn>c*s.4w.,..i ..!_.. .
Regular price: $12.95
Special For 73 Readers Only— $10.00
(plus S3 .50 shipping &hand ling)
Order Toil-Free: 800-234-8458
$489!!
$295!!
2MT440HT
repealer memories miempnoae mduded
Options; EJBU DTMF Decoder EDC-19 9-F1 Remote Kit
DR-592T DUAL BAND MOBILE
45 Watts/2M (Rx 137-173/Tx 144-148). 35 Wans/440 (Rx 410-47CVTx 440-450). Head can be remoied up to 16 feet from radio wilh optional EDC- 20. Cross-Band Repeater, can be lumed on and off remoiety. frequencies can be changed, all from your HT (DR-592T requires EJ-8U for HT Remote Control) 30 Memories + 10 additional automatic + 2 call channels. Tone Enoode, remote control/DTlVtF encode
543,95 S36-95
EJ7-U Tone Squelch EDC-20 16=R Remote KH
S62.S5 S39.95
LK
DJ-560T Dual Band HT DJ-1 62TD 2 Meter HT
t^~
2M (Rx 130"l74fTa|W*l4a). 440 (Bx *~2^^Lm n\"n)
le^rficode and rDTMF Encode and Paging & Scanning Functions, Auto Power Off
2M (Rx 137-174/T* W-14S). 20 Memories + Call channel. OTMF Encode and Decode. Tone En- code (Decode W/&J6U). Paging functions. Scanning, elc Comes witn AA Cell Battery case, see below for Nicad Packs/Chargers
ji i » #
Sfrr^tf fcei&M&ice tut
Opiional Baltery Packs lor OJ-5€0 & DJ1G2-TQ EBP* ION 7^V.v'?0QMAH Onty S2S.00!!
EDP-1 QNA'12NA Csh t» ussd Vtfrlh Hie EDC37 Smart Charger or wall chfltgare EBP-tONA 7^V k 700MAH only S4S,9S EBPrl^NA "12V k 700MAH ortly SS&.S5 EDC-17 ch^rgej lod- EBP-ION^JAot EEJC-lSwsll chargpr Im £BF- I^A 51 5.95
Those aro some of Ihe twsl dcfttJ* ol e<l time, inhere can you find n brand new 2MM40 Mobile lor under S50O 00 with oil thews leaturca, Puat I3and HT tor Hno^f S30D. or 2 Meter HT for undur $200?
To order send check or money order wiin S8.50 for shipping, along wifri yogr shipping address (sony no U.S. Posi Office Boxes, UP5 wili not deKver} and Telephone numoer lo
Joe Brancato
THE HAM CONTACT
PO Box 3624, Dept 73 Long Beach, CA 90803
CA Regents- Add fiif4%5iliiTit Cawfen Residents f4o*M«ndU S fctoney Ofifef * Si7 wiot st^spng
H you wish nw fnformatkm plwse send a SASE (c I hi? aJWvc address Fer COO orderi call ?310J433 S960. oijts^e ol CA call (BQ0)933-HAM't and leave a message
CIRCLE 3S4 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994 51
73 Review
Number 10 on your F
05 -d
by Steve Katz WB2WIK/6
The Kenwood TH-28A
Kenwood Communications Corporation Amateur Radio Products Group 2201 E. Dominguez Street Long Beach, CA 90801 -5745 Telephone:(3TQ) 639-4200 Price Class; $399
2 meter hand-held transceiver.
Kenwood has done it again by producing a tinyP lightweight and affordable VHF handheld that seems to do everything welL The TH-28A is a 5-1/8" x 2-1/8* x 1-3/8" {H x W x D) do-eve rything handie-talkie that weighs in at only 12 ounces, including its PB-13 standard nickel-cadmium battery pack. It contains some interesting features not previously available in "mini" HTs«
For example, in addition to covering the 2 meter amateur band (144-148 MHz) with 2 watts of transmitter power (using the normal- ly-supplied 7.2V, 700 mAH battery pack), the TH-28A also receives the public service VHF band (136.000 to 173,995 MHz) FM as well as the VHF aviation band (118.000 to 136.000 MH2) AM, and is capable of storing these frequencies In memory or scanning through them, fust like a high-priced "scan- ner." In addition, it contains a "suboand" re- ceiver which tunes 438 000 to 449.995 MHz, thus covering the entire 70 cm amateur FM subband (for reception only).
Unlike many earlier-generation HTst the TH-28A can be charged during operation, as plugging in a battery-charging source does not disable the little rig. And it can be operated directly from a 13.8 VDC power source, including the optional PB-14 battery pack, or your automobile's cigar lighter, or a base-station power supply; and if operated at this higher voltage, the tiny radio pro- duces 5 watts power outputl
Other interesting features include:
•40 programmable memories, easily pro- grammed with very user-friendly instruc- tions, Once youVe done it the first time, you won't have to refer to the instruction manual again!
■A well-written 63-page instruction manu- al to get you going.
•Built-in DTMF tone pad and CTCSS "PL" tones (39 CTCSS tones total) are standard.
•CTCSS ("PL1*) tones as well as TX/RX frequency offsets are all stored in each memory for quick and convenient QSY.
•The transmitter can operate at any of four power levels, from full power down to 20 mW for line-of-sight work and extended battery life.
•DTMF memories (10 total, storing 15 digits each) allow full "autodial* operation lor telephone patching.
•Programmable TX delay time to prevent
52 73 Amateur Radio Today ■ February, 1 994
TX unkeying during autopatch or control system dialing.
•Dual-tone squelch system is standard in U.S. models, allowing DTSS "paging" with prearranged signals.
DTMF (touch-tone) paging is also de- signed into the TH- 28A, allowing pro- grammable paging codes to Identify the calling party.
•Built-in 24~hour clock, accessible any- time you wish by pressing F+9 on the front-panet keypad.
•To supplement the
clock function, it also has a built-in electron- ic timer and alarm— you can literally use the HT as an alarm clock if you wish!
•Crossband operation, transmitting on 144-147.995 MHz while receiving on 438- 449.995 MHz, is possible by pressing the F+BAIMD keys.
•A large (3/16" alphanumeric) display which indicates RX frequency on receive and TX frequency on transmit, including a full-sized M5" digit, with back illumination available by depressing the "LAMP" button, is easy to read day or night.
■In the VFO mode, any frequency within its coverage range may be programmed di- rectly using the front panel keypad, (For ex- ample, to dial up y 146.520" MHz, you'd sim- ply push the "VFO" button, followed by 4-6- 5-2-0 and you're there!)
•Battery voltage ts monitored and dis- played every time you transmit, so charge state can be determined in advance of the unit "running out of gas,"
•With its Battery Saver function on (this is a default), battery life is incredibly long: The standard PB-13 seems to last more than 24 hours (RX only) or eight hours of TX/RX in the "low* power mode (500 mW output) with 50% duty cycle; it Easts about five hours in "high" power (2 watts output) with 50% duty cycle. This is long enough for almost any- body. The rig gives you sufficient warning that the battery is running down so you can switch to a charged spare.
That's Not All
Sound like enough features? There's more. The TH-28A's "on/off power switch is electronic, and is a recessed press-switch which is not easily depressed accidentally; but even if it were momentarily depressed, this would not turn the unit on, as the button must be depressed for more than one full second before it functions. This is a good feature — it saves the battery pack from in- advertent tum-ons. You can switch memory channels (in the "MR*1 memory mode) or VFO channels (in the 'VFO" mode) using ei- ther the front-panel keypad or a continuous- fy rotatable switch mounted atop the unit. If you need to hear a station too weak to break the TH-28A's squelch setting, or one lacking the proper CTCSS tone if your unit is set in the PL RX mode, rather than ad-
THE FAMED 2 METER
Also the ultimate for scanners bcb to 1300 MHz.
a. s. a. 9209
+9 db Co-Linear "MultiWave" Base Station Doubfe 5/8 over 1/4 wave delivers up to +9 db gain. All fiberglass & solid aluminum construction. Fits masts up to 1-1/2V 2 Meter Base Station 10' length.
$36.73
+ S5.0QS&H
(SC RES 5% SALES TAX)
CHECK IN ADVANCE OR C-O.D.
ALSO AVAILABLE IN 220 & 440
ASA
/f\
Model 9209 +9db
'Smvcbjs tfw Reason For Our Success*
Tflt{U3£93-7U8 PC Bo* 3*51
Wat* 1-W0-J72 ?681 %rt* Beach . SC 2957S
CIRCLE 18 ON READER SERVICE CARD
ONV SAFETY BELT CO.
P.O. Sox 404 • Ramsey, NJ 07446
800-345-5634
Phone & FAX 201 3272462
ONV Safety Belt With Seat Harness
ir** OSHA
We Ship
Worldwide
Order Desk Open
7 Days/Week
ONV Tool Pouch $15.95 Add $4.00 For Handling VISA M/G CHECK
ONV Belt W/O Seat Harness $74.95
CIRCLE 102 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Say You Saw It In
73 Amateur Radio Today
TAFRMem
If youVc ever used packei radio, then you've already connected to TAPR Join and teoorre part of the largest packet radio group in the mild. TAPR is a non-profit amateur radio organization thai develops new communications technology, provides iLscful/afibcdabfe kits, and promotes the advancement di the amateur art thRHij^pubticaiioas.m^^ Membership
includes a subscription tothe TA PR PocketStotus Register quarterly newsletter, which provides up-to-date news and usetftechnica] inforrnadorL Annua] membership US $15t Ckiadaftkxko S1& and outside North America $25. Look for our dassihed ad for FREE booklet offer! Contact TAPR fur brochure on kits and services.
TAPR • P.O. Box 12925 • Tucson. Az • 85732
Office (817) 382-2825
TAPR is a Non^Profit fi&D Corporation
CIRCLE 327 ON READER SERVICE CAHD
renewed y.^ mrm benhip wnh purchase}
The WB20PA LogMaster Plus/Plus
Simply Jfry*btf/>c9/rt/AII Band All Mode lagging System for IBM PC Compslibles
* Highly Acclaimed CLEAR, UNCiUIIEREO Uw 5rr##r.i * Ui*d By The GORDON WEST Rwtlo School.
* Fiilnt Data Retrieval erf ANY Logging Sdrh***e # Workt wflh ANT IBM PC fBOftfl Ihm BO40S)
♦ Advtmced PACKET CLU81 ER/GSY Support t FRF F UNLIMI T ED UPGRADES I
♦ Support k* All Major CALL SIGN DATABASES. ♦ 100 Pnge Manual +■ 74 Houf Cuatoma' AoaJalance
$89.95 Complete Download Demo From Our Free BBS (908) 787 2982
Sensible Solutions (800) 538-0001
PO. Bo* 474, Middtelc*vn, NJ 07748, U.S. A.
Outsida Of US. And Canada fB06) 495-5008 VISA And MasterCard Accepted 10 Day Money Back Guarantee
Sell your product in 73 Amateur Radio Today Call Dan Harper today. . . 1 -800-274-7373
24 HOUR ELENCO • HITACHI • B&K PRODUCTS cauSF™
SHIPPING
GUARANTEED LOWEST PRICES
1-8D0-292-771 1 1-S0O-44SQ201 (Con.)
AFFORDABLE ■ HIGH QUALITY 2 YEAR WARRANTY
ELENCO OSCILLOSCOPES Hitachi Compact Series Scopes
STANDARD SERIES S-1325 25MHz $349 5-1340 40MHz $495 5-1365 60MHz $&49
■ H^n Lwnsna 0* Sift ■ TV 5*nt
■ lrnVSrarAf M2 il.iiO
■ X-Y Operate* ■ Cvnpiti
■ "fcagr Tit», . fregjancyJaVi us di^aiapad on CflT thm m* tot ct arson jS- 1 365 ontfl
DELUXE SERIES
S-1330 25MHz $449
5-1345 40MHz $575
S-1360 60MHz $77$ FMWtC
■ i_^|-jT' Ei£T -" :*
■ CAn limn ■■■■ -racc_j§
■ EL C- n C snoc-er Taji
■ ^_s * iiu tfa^rtt ol me ^croatit* mw
V-2T2 - 2CUHI C'jai "rats v-52; - SZMrn Cursors _ V-523 - 50MHI VS22
V-422
V-Z22 - 20MHI
V-660-SOMHr. Dua.
V-46SA - SOWHi.DT. w'curset.
V-1040 - l00Uh£. DttS Trace
V-10O5A - 100MH2L JT. «fiHW . V-'fflS^ tMUHtQT.««wwr_ V-H0QA- tCQMHl. Oua(iTaca_ V 1 1 53 - t MMHt. Quad Traca
Dalayea 3*e*p_
30MH*. DC Orfsar
*0MHt, DC OKser .
DC Ofisol
race
_ S399 _ SMS
_ S9*9 _S89S _ $7^5 _ S6-*3 .$1*148 .SU25
.ST.Q49
.13.395
■ DuaJ!mttea
B&K OSCILLOSCOPES
2t20 - 20MH2 Dual Trace *3*9
2 1 25 - 2DUIHI Dfflltyati S*#op $539
1 541 B - *0Whj DliB.' Tro»_ 5595
2150 - SOUHr 3uai Trm^e. Dolayvd 5*&«
Dual Tptite Sese 5^9
Z1» - lOQUHs ■'■tww Trac* Dv* Tim 3*».
^hiaraQ«
f575
(Digital Capacitonc« Meter
CM 15508
byElenco
553,95
ta^SjOOOfait
Digital LCR Meter LCiMi
S125
C«Mt(iH4aH
by Eier.ce-
Digital Triple Power Supply
Efenco KP-755
$289
«-aov a ia
ShCr1arDttfpr»SeOedinaiSBH|eaeMI. *** KP-GG0 «eai Anstog Mrtvt |l*5
Digital
Multimeter 0VU-53B
$39.95
V^eo Head Tester Etenco NT 200
$44.95
T|''| you il
VMS **ad
sdeidn
9 aom
5w««p Function Generator itHn Frtq. Courtiar
$239
Elenco ModetGF^S026
S*ne Squve, Tnangia 'ulsa Ra^u>
:-!^p: F^eqC*ume* ("jUHi
Utan4 Lmur l lagc S*rf :
Learn to BuiW ana Program Computers wim ttils Kit
"■tflirfi- U Pirt. Au^we^f Jt4 .him Hrj
ModeJ
$129.00
by Elsnco
PfW 1|1WF1 OW ■WOT fenj ■> rt* *» R*US
fO% Aid rjfii 1 HU fflfflWWHWi1. *^.<h usbi Mtiiir i-ijsnir* ivrnndB w iBU "C
Function Generator 9loi
by Etenco
$28.95
V'Snati ink* mito^lf ^ujri K,1 «w* li** *Hi M 1 MKr
£26.95 a*'*™^*^^
Elenco Wids Band Stcnal GenerotofS
$119
RF Fnq '00* J SC MNj ^ v UcAm^ 3M«f istKi Van** ^ at*J
SG-9SMI * Oigmi Disc lav A ■SQHHz buEll-in counter S239
FLUKE MULTIMETERS
Scopamaltr* (AH Models Avoilaoia Colli
$1 _5*i 00 S1.7350C
i*otto7T;i a*«wT?ri
565 A) 5t*9 0C $10900
5295,'X
Digital Mullimiter w Inductance & Capacllance
$75,00
LCM ISM
by Etenca
Color Convergence Generator Elena SG 250
$89,95
Kit $69.95
F "wfl v\ the induslfr
MiidrjleeiVpelani
3F l»deow>r
XK-500 Digital Analog Trainer
4 nneiete nnnhBib tor btntdjig, ieit»ng, prtirj^ping analog and digital rircorti
£'MCQ & 0iqir*L.'*r-4lgg '"aine* s ■ju*:i*h cesqnwl W «fioC pr0|Kl3 «m S EwQ^m jW*" uppliaS.. Inclbdil 1 tiiOW^flnwriW wilTi ;onnr;DU5lf v>«iviWh. 5'p*. Winfluiar. -wrjar* #■>* ^ihic. All pEwd' lupph&s art ruguntld art prat€ciri qQiinit sh^r^
Ppwt-r SuppUif ■ KM »<• tj*+i 5umn* a .' := j -. -^
.- ;* =iVOv • ■ Art*]
- -2 BumcetMi
Anatog - 5«cihhi
■ Piin^^n Q#tHifiuiir Sirv 'lait^j'jr ^D^n wi4 I4<l*)t
■ h'*-qi^tfiuv >1|n Jiafcii ji iivfl rjngca r»DPi * 10 llXlKhlt
■ F iiw inqL-Mii:? Mi\ up
■ :-C tfik«1
■ w^at #■•■'• r" ■"*»
ttata) - Sf<ti0*
Br»*tf*sarai SIW95
Assembled
Z *ri»Tl1*flt V^^i (SVifiifi
5T25.&S Kit
WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD C&S SALES INC
UP5SM.PP,NG; « STATES 5% OTHERS CAU 124b RostWOOO, DEERRELD, IL 60D15 LSL^^J?. ' I" » ,™ F«: T0S-52IW)0S5 - (708) S4HJ™
s
IS DAY MONEY BACK GU Aft AM TEE FULL FACTORY WAflflANTY WRITE FOR FREE CATALOG
CIRCLE 1B4 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1994 53
justing the squelch or reprogramming the rig you may simply press the "MONT button, which immediately breaks the receiver squelch and lets anything on frequency come pouring right through. Nice!
The TH-28A's 16-digit front-pane t keypad may be a bit smalt, but the buttons are clearly labeled, and spaced adequately for my blundering touch, Possibly a man with really huge hands would have some difficul- ty, but he'd be the exception. The most-used controls, like "POWER," "MR," "VFO" and "VOL.1" are quite large and easy to handle for just about anyone.
The rig's frequency steps are pro- grammable from 5 to 25 kHz/step. Every single memory (00-39, a total of 40 are standard) is capable of storing every piece of information that could possibly be need- ed, and alt will accommodate "odd splits* (i.e., TX/RX frequency offsets that are not standard). Even some higher-priced, much larger mobile rigs can't do that. Also, the MEM memory expansion option will fit the TH-28A to add 200 more memory channels to the unit, for a whopping 240 memories, I can't think of anyone who could possibly fill alt those up with anything useful, but it might be fun to try,
ff you'd prefer to display information other than the memory channel frequencies, the
TH-28A is capable of displaying anything up to six characters long for each memory channel. These notations can include the numerals 0-9 as well as the letters A~Z. SoH if you'd rather remember your favorite local repeater as "BOZO" instead of 147.885
"The TH-28A's 16-digit
front-panel keypad
may be a bit small, but
the buttons are clearly
labeled, and spaced
adequately for my
blundering touch.
ft
MHz, the rig can be programmed to display the name instead of the frequency, This function is addressed by one of the many "power up" commands; in this case, it's MR + POWER that selects the alphanumeric menu.
The TH-28A's scanning functions can be either time-operated or carrier-operated, and it's capable of scanning memories: memories excluding "locked out" ones; an
Table 1. Performance Measurements vs. Specifications Kenwood TH-28A 2 Meter Hand-Held Transceiver
Transmitter
Output power with standard PS- 13 12 v 700 mAH battery pack: Specified Hkjh 2W Measured 2.6W
Med N/A ?1W
Low 0.5W 0.45W
EL O02W 0.02W
Receiver
Sensitivity:
Specified
Less than 0,1 jiV squelch threshold Less than 0.18 ^V for 12 dB SJNAD
0£ fiV @ 146.000 MHz 0*3 \N © 146,000 MHz
Other characteristics are unspecified, but we measured as follows:
20 dB quieting sensitivity
*DFQ" sensitivity (no discernible noise)
Aircraft band performance: AM mode 12dBSlNAD
0.35 hV® 146.000 MHz 0,35 jaV@ 138.000 MHz 1.05 uV @ 173.995 MHz 3.00 ^iV & 146.000 MHz 3.25 fiV 9 138.000MHZ 8.75 mV © 173.995 MHz
1,80 mV @ 118.000 MHz 0.45 uV @ 136.000 MHz
Subband band performance: 433-450 MHz FM
1 2 dB SINAD 1 .05 ^V © 438,000 MHz
1.20 gV ©449.995 MHz Receiver limiting: Excellent. 50% AM modulation at 400 Hz modulation fate produces zero discernible demodulation, even down to squelch threshold. Adjacent channel rejection:
For 1 dB desensitjzation 48 dB © 15 kHz, 146,01 5 MHz
Out-of-band desense 114 dB @ 10 MHz, 156.000 MHz
Notation: TH-28A RX "S" meter is a seven-segment LCD bargraph; segments 1, 2 and 3 illuminate in- dividually, but then segments four and five illuminate together and segments Six and seven illuminate together. Thus, the "seven-unit display* realty only displays five increments or incremental changes.
General
Frequency accuracy: Unspecified. Measured to be +800 Hz @ 146.000 MHz, The "offset" fs precise; thus any offset frequency is also +800 Hz. This is bound to vary a bit from unit to unit and will be affected by ambient temperature and age of the unit,
entire band; a portion of an entire ban* a 1 MHz range of your choice; a combination of the VFO and the last-used memory channel; a combination of the VFO and the CALL channel (more on this later); VFO + last memory used + CALL channel; and it's ca- pable of scanning either "'up" or "down" the band, with reversal of the direction driven by a single click of the tuning control Whew!
The CALL channel, which would normally be your favorite one, is programmed using the M + CALL keys, and then recalled with a single touch of the CALL key thereafter. This allows you "instant QSY" to the CALL channel in memory, any time you wish, by pressing a singlB, large, front-panel key
The unit's TX frequency offset is pro- grammed per the ARBL Band Plan for 2 meters, and This is the normal default How- ever, the preprogrammed offset can be overridden with another "power up" function, in this case CALL + POWER. Any offset from 0 to 99,9 MHz in 100 kHz increments may be selected manually and retained in memory for continuous use if you wish.
As with most modern handie-talkies, the TH-28A comes equipped with a "LOCK* function {in this case, a slide switch) which turns off all controls except LAMP, MON! and PTT to prevent inadvertent reprogram- ming or GSY It also comes standard wfth an AOpowered "wall charger" (15 hours to fufly recharge a depleted battery pack), a belt clip (removable), carrying strap, flexible "rubber duckie" antenna, and a standard nickel-cadmium rechargeable battery pack.
The antenna connector is a standard BNC receptacle (thank goodness— no weirdo plugs required), and even with the flexible antenna installed the overall height of the TH-28A comes to nine inches: Still a "pocket rocket*4 to be sure. Optional acces- sories available (but not normally supplied with the radio) include: a speaker mike SMC-33 which features remote program- ming functions; the memory expansion unit ME-1 discussed earlier; a battery case BT-8 to hold alkaline batteries; a 12 volt nickel- cadmium battery pack, PB-14, rated at 300 mAH, which allows 5 watt operation (but not for long!); a clip microphone with earphone, EMC-1 ; a full-blown headset with VOX or PTT for transmit control, Model HMC-2; a base-stand rapid charger BC-15, which will recharge the NiCd battery packs in only one hour; a water-resistant bag WR~2 to alfow operation in the swamps(J); a choice of soft cases. SC-33 for the PB-13 standard bat- tery pack or SC-34 to accommodate the taller PB-14 pack; a filtered cigar lighter plug and cable, PG-3F; a fused power cord and connector for use with external 7,2 to 13.8 VDC power supplies, Model PG-2W; and even a * swivel mount* for using the talkie as a mobile rig, Model BH-6. Good grief — no end of accessories for this little unit.
Performance
OK, OK already — how does the darned thing work? Like a charm! Its tiny speaker produces room-fifitng volume, although lack-
54 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1 994
ing great fidelity (an external speaker is a must for serious mobile work), and its inter- nal microphone brings on reports of "won- derluf and natural-sounding modulation from nearly everyone contacted. Once pro- grammed with active, local channels, the lit- tle radio is a real pleasure to use, I keep one memory programmed for the local NOAA weather station on 162.550 MHz (available in most parts of the country) and get my WX reports even before the local news stations. Around here, they even re- port local surfing conditions, real handy for those so inclined. I use another memory set to a CHP (highway patrol) frequency to lis- ten for reports of traffic accidents and routes best avoided until they're cleaned up. (Note: In some states it is a violation of local laws to have a receiver capable of monitoring po- lice frequencies in your car. These "scanner laws* are thankfully being abolished in some states that had them for years, but check to see if it's OK to use a scanning receiver in your area. If it's not and you're caught using one, the rig might be confiscated' Unbeliev- able, but ifs happened.)
Most modern transceivers for VHF-FM (handhelds and mobiles alike) are highly sensitive, but not terribly selective against adjacent-channel or out-of-band interfer- ence. This is especially true of those rigs which have wide-coverage receivers that tune beyond the ham-band limits, like the TH-28A. This usually doesn't present a problem when the "talkie" is used with a less-than-zero gain "rubber duckie" anten- na, as received signals will never be all that strong, but it can be a pain when such re- ceivers are used with gam antenna systems on the car or at home. As such, I thought it would be important to make some bench tests on the TH-28A to determine just how much rejection it offers to adjacent chan- nels, distant channels, and out-of-band sig- nals. This data is reported, along with other measurements I made, in Table 1 ♦
All Things Considered
It should be noted, and I've written this many times, that portable hand-held transceivers were intended to be used that way and not as permanent mobile or base stations. It is impossible to squeeze full- scale performance into a 1 5-cubic-inch ra- dio, especially considering that 4-1/2 cubic inches of that radio are consumed by the battery pack, and another 3-1/2 cubic inch- es are consumed by packaging (case and knobs). This leaves exactly 7 cubic inches for all the radio circuitry! To put this in per- spective, a pack of cigarettes has about the same volume (7 cubic inches). Consider that the HT's electronic "works" must all fit completely inside a pack of regular (not ex- tra long, or "100 mm") cigarettes. This in- cludes the frequency synthesizer; memory module; all receiver preamp, mixer and dis- criminator functions; all transmitter buffer, multiplier, driver and final amplifiers and heat sink; a powerful audio amplifier, speak- er and microphone; Interconnections; T/R
switching; J/O ports; and controls. 1tfs quite a lot to jam into a pack of cigarettes, and doesn't leave much room for such frills as narrowband helical resonators in the receiv- er front end, muUipole crystal filters in the receiver IF, multiple receive conversion
" . , It's hard to beat a
"handle" for portable/field
work, hikes in the woods,
camping, biking, skiing,
boating and similar
temporary exercises,
or carrying around at the
local swap meet
stages with "up conversion" to help reduce spurious responses and images, and so forth.
The TH-2SA, like most small HTs, gets quite warm during extended transmission periods, running at its normal power level of 2 watts output. It gets bloody uncomfort- able when running 5 watts output, and makes me wonder how long it can really last at this power level without failure. HTs were not designed to support long "rag- chews," with stations transmitting for 10 minutes at a time, nor were they designed to replace dedicated mobile units, If your
primary use for a 2 meter rig is mobile operation, then by all means buy a mobile rig. If you want a base station rig for perma- nent home use, there are plenty on the market to choose from (base rigs are iden- tifiable by their built-in AC power supplies). But it's hard to beat a "handle" for portable/field work, hikes in the woods, camping, biking, skiing, boating and similar temporary exercises, or carrying around at the local swap meet And they make good temporary mobile rigs in a pinch. (I use an HT in rental cars when t travel out of town. With 2 watts and a umag-mounr antenna, it's amazing what can be worked.) But just as magnetic-mount antennas are intended for temporary installations, so are handie- talkies. You cannot expect mobile rig or base station performance from a 12-ounce transceiver! If you do, you're bound to be disappointed.
In ail, I love the TH-28A, No, it's not per- fect. I wish it had fewer high-tech features and more old-fashioned RF performance; but then, I wish the same of every HT I've used. I'd gladly trade 240 memories for some front-end filtering, and Td be willing to accept a portable that's 25% larger in trade for a triple-conversion receiver with a 1 6- pole IF filter. But Kenwood knows what they're doing and enjoys a huge worldwide market success. They're appealing to the largest cross section of users, and the TH- 28 A has a tot of appeal. Not only that, but even my XYL (not a ham, not even close) thinks it's "cute." Can't ask for much more than that
Choosing a Handheld
If you're in the market for a handhheld, consider these factors:
• All the modern "talkies" have good transmitters, ranging in output power from 1-1/2 watts to about 7 watts. They sound good on the air. Power output has more to do with battery power available than any other factor, and most HTs will vary in out- put depending on the battery pack used. In general, the lower voltage but higher current packs will last much longer be- tween charges than the higher voltage, lower current packs will. The difference between 2 watts and S watts output is al- most inconsequential, so I'd almost al- ways recommend running lower power and using the highest-capacity (ampere- hour rating) pack available. The TH-28A comes standard with the PB-13 pack, rat- ed at 700 mAH, and Is an excellent com- promise between output power and oper- ating life.
* The primary differences among the various HTs on the market can be found in their receiver performance, features, "standard" accessories, frequency cover- age, and ruggedness and reliability. The TH-28A's receive performance is very good, but the 'talkies" that cover only the
2 meter ham band and have no extended range (frequency) coverage can be a bit better, since they are more optimized for the 4 MHz they cover. Unfortunately, this trade-off is technology-driven and we can't do much about ft without greatly in- creasing size, weight and price of the equipment.
• I may be crazy, but to test the rugged- ness of the TH-28A I put it through a short series of environmental stress tests (which may void the warranty, so I don't recommend you do the same). I have ac- cess to mechanical shock and vibration testers, and also 85/85 environmental stress chambers (i.e., 85% relative humid- ity at 85 degrees C ambient temperature), at my work location. I subjected the TH* 28A to shock and vibration as follows: 50g mechanical shock in all three axes with a 10 mS shock pulse width; 50g vibration with rotating polarity; and 85/85 RH/temp testing for 24 hours. The HT worked OK after such stress testing, which is quite severe for consumer electronic equip- ment, but I had to let it cool down and dry off after the 85/85 test because it wouldn't power up at first. The TH-28A is a rugged piece of gear indeed!
73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994 55
73 Review
Number 11 on your Feedback card
by Robin Rum bolt WA4TEM
The
DVMS/1+
Digital voice mail system for repeaters,
XPERTEK Electronics
RQ. Box 768
Lockport NY 14095
716-434-3008
Price Class; $349
Adding real voice ID messages, voice mail, bulletins, and sound effects to repeaters has been possible lor several years now by using circuits and modules that digitize voice and store it in RAM. The only problem has been thai either massive amounts of RAM were required, or the message length had to be kept short. Well, the folks at XPERTEK Electronics have changed all that with the new DVMS/1+ Digital Voice Mail System for re* peaters.
This system stores digitized voice informa- tion on a computer's hard disk at a sysop-se- lectable rate, thus allowing a tremendous amount of recording time, limited only by the size of your hard disk. A hard drive with 20 meg of free space can hold more than 30 min- utes of messages (that's minutes, not sec- onds!), which is more than enough to hold Westiink or a bunch of ID messages. With hard drive capacities now in the gigabyte range, it's hard to imagine not having enough room for all the ID messages anyone would ever want.
Features include time and date voice read- out user-to-user voice mail, a genera! bulletin announcement system, a DTMF checker, a
scheduler, a BBS system, and a signal check feature which lets users hear a short playback of their last transmission. Also provided are ro- tating ID capabilities and an access-codetess autopatch dialing system.
In addition, the DVMS/1+ can interface with the popular RC series controllers from ACC, allowing the repeater controller to trigger vari- ous messages and respond to various com- mands from the voice mail system.
The Hardware
The XPERTEK system is composed of an interface card kit, a few connectors and ca- bles, software on 11 floppy disks, and a manu- al* It is not a complete system in itself. The us* er must supply the following;
1. IBM-compatible computer (80286 CPU or higher is recommended) with at least a 20 meg hard drive, 640K of RAM, an onboard re- al-time clock, and a 360K floppy drive. A serial port is required to interface with ACC con* trailers. A modem is needed as well if the BBS features of the DVMS/1 + are to be used.
2, A Soundblaster (trademark of Creative Labs, Inc.) 8-bit audio I/O card.
The DVMSH+ board serves as the interface
between the PC and the repeater system. It has an on-board DTMF decoder, a multiport interface to the PC bus, four relays for various output functions, and some op amps and transfer gates for audio I/O interface.
Although this is a kit, a complete schematic is not provided; only a partial schematic of the audio input stage is included in the manual. I found this to be such a great shortcoming dur- ing installation that I invested the time to trace out the schematic myself. XPERTEK would not provide a schematic.
Construction and Installation
Construction of the board is straightforward. The board is well-made and silk-screened. The manual provides guidance on which parts to install in which order It took me only a cou- ple of hours to complete the board, and it worked the first time.
Installation was a bft more difficult. It took a few trips to Ihe repeater site and several calls to XPERTEK to get it right. Taking advantage of all the features of the DVMS/1 + requires making audio and logic connections to inputs and outputs of our RC-850 controller, connec- tions to the main and control receivers and the
56 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
The XPERTEK DVSM/1+ digital voicg maii system.
HAM
National Talk
Show With Len Winkler, KB7LPW
America's Only
Ham Radio Show On The
r
V
Sundays
6:00 pm EST
Weekly Co-Host, John Moore, NJ7E Weekly DX Update With Lee Finkel, KY7M
Sponsored in part by Antique Electronic Supply and 73 Amateur Radio Today.
Tune in each week for national ham radio news, FCC news,
weekly guests from the amateur radio community, ham trivia contests, prizes, listener call-in and more!
Find out what radio station airs "Ham Radio & More " in your focal area by calling the originating station, KFNN, at G02-24 1-1S10.
For sponsorship information contact Ron Cohen at G02-241 -04S2.
transmitter, and connections to the Sound- blaster board and the computer's serial I/O card.
The DVMSH+ manual attempts to tell you what each I/O pin connects to, but some of the descriptions are ambiguous, not really telling if the pin is an input or output. It was here that my traced-out schematic was invaluable. 1 even found some non-fatal design errors on the PC board whicti XPERTEK said would be corrected in its next generation of boards.
Software installation was quick and pain- free. Although there are 11 diskettes full of software to be loaded, the "Install" program makes it quick work. The software takes up about 10 meg of space on the hard drive.
Operation
All operations of the DVMS/1+ are prompt- ed by a pleasant female voice, which I under- stand belongs to a lady named Kathy from up- stale New York. She asks for user numbers and passwords, and even directs you when to talk.
The voice mail system accommodates up to 1,024 users, each with a unique user number and a user-configurable password. User ac- cess can be individually enabled and disabled for maximum control The system works fine, but takes many digits to operate. On our re- peater it takes at least eight digits just to tum on the voice mail system. Then the user must enter commands for the functions he wishes to activate.
These lengthy codes are only needed for voice mail and bulletin functions. All other
functions are lumped into what is called "Di- rect Access,* meaning that no lengthy access code or password is required. The sysop does have the option, however, to impose password protection on any function.
One really nice sysop feature of this system is the ability to make the access and com- mand codes anything the sysop wants them to be. There are no preprogrammed prefixes that are cast \n concrete. The system comes with default codes for everything, but they are easi- ly changed. That's really nice.
The general announcement system is avail- able to all users so that anyone can post an announcement for all to hear,
The DTMF checker and time and date func- tions are standard fare on repeater controllers nowadays, but it's really nice when (he voice gives you the day of the week and the name of the month as well. There are several op- tions available to customize these readouts,
A feature that has proven most popular on our repeater is the signal check feature. This allows users to replay a few seconds of their last transmission to hear the quality of their signat info the repeater.
The scheduler makes it possible for the sys- tem to send control codes to itsetf and to the repeater controller at preset times, it adds ca- pabilities not available on the RC-850 sched- uler We can even use it to dial the telephone automatically and download data.
The BBS system aflows limited control of the PC via modern, including reading directo- ries and file manipulations. All functions of the DVMS system can be accessed via the mo-
dem. Messages and files can be uploaded via modem to avoid squelch tails and radio noise. You can even send commands to your re- peater controller via modem and the DVMS/1 + system.
The access -code less autopatch dialer sys- tem enables the sysop to build a file of permit- ted telephone prefixes. Then when a user wants to make a call he simply dials the phone number desired. The DVMS/1+ checks the prefix. If acceptable, it sends the correct autopatch "ON" code and telephone number to the repeater controller, commencing the call,
This system was harder to install than necessary due to difficulty with the manual and the Initial lack of a schematic.
We experienced some crosstalk problems due to running various audio signals through the same mulliconductor cable supplied with the kit. but this was easily solved by running separate cables.
When the computer first boots up, the DVMS/1+ holds the transmitter on the air until Its hardware initialization program is success- fully run. If it doesn't run successfully, your transmitter is locked on the air!
The DTMF decoder on board the DVMS/1 + has different characteristics from the decoders in our RC-850, even when fed from the same audio source. Consequently, we had to do some audio level and frequency response tai- loring to get \\ to decode as well as the RC- 850.
This system will work with an old XT com- puter (80286 and above is recommended) , but
^ornerBeam?
S WR < Li I across the band
Gam of a 15 ft Yagi
No dinicmion uvtt 7 ft
40 dB Rddi*io Back Ratio
60* Harf-powcr Beamwidth
Mounts directly to oust
Vertical or Horizontal PnlarLcanun
2mctcrs £145, 220 MH2 5145, 70 cm Si 15, Duat 146/440 S 165
Weighs only 10 lb*. Add Sll Shipping & Handling. Into Si.
V
ArUennasWesi
Boa 5006: Provn UT S46XJ5
Order Hot Line 80 1 373 3425
CIRCLE 3BC ON READER SERVICE CARD
SCARED OF THE CODE?
irS A SNAP WrTH THE ELEGANTLY SIMPLE MORSE TUTOR ADVANCED EDITION FOR BEGINNERS TO EXPERTS— AND BEYOND
Morse Code leaching soft were from GGTE le the most popular In the world — and lor good reason. You'll learn quickest with the most modem teaching methods — including Farns worth or standard code, on-screen f lash-cards, random characters, words and billions oi conversations guaranteed to contain every required character every tim» — in 12 easy lessons.
Sneak through bothersome plateaus in one tenth of • word per minute steps, Or, create your own drills and play them, print them and save them 10 disk. Import, analyze and convert text to code lor addition- al drills.
Get the software the ARRL sella and uses 1o create their practice and test tapes. Morse Tutor Advanced Edition is approved (or VE exams at all levels. Morse Tutor is great— Morse Tutor Advanced Edition is even better— and it's in user selectable color. Order yours today.
all MS4JOS computers (including laptops}.
Available at dealers, thru OSTor 73 or send $29.95
► S3 SAH (CA residents add 7.75* tax ) to:
GGTE, P.O Sox 3405, Dept, MS,
Newport Beach. CA 9? 659
Specify 514 or 314 Inch disk
(price Includes 1 year of free upgrades)
73
*»\G -^c^V ONLV *S0!
Have your own repeater or link system!
Ljsj rLrpca[L'i mmup ** LiJioui moiiifivaiMft if your radio £C«r. dimply ptuti in and fsft*. I sled forcmcrgirnu) or portablc/iimlyilc repealers,! The BR 1-2 uorkK tttlh ANY receiver (flf waimcrj and ANY Ira™- miner. Super senaltkc VOX npcrjiirm makes setup quick. Includes Hjii^ jihJ limitHJl limcrv Plosive judio interlace Icirck'an judin Onh ■; *' i *? \ 1.5" unKhouxoTl^ vdC or HV bitten, 1 please *pwily *hffl orcfcrinf 1 ORDER BR I -1 MU.
FIELD STRENGTH METER
r« tt-AnxTrtuI tato c4« ** Bit l-CMML ittam>«hi <a«QEfc fl&t-J &V*t 1«
QUEER BR! 2 ft* tH
*m *•; g#
«• m*
MANY MOMF frftOPUCTS, CALL •« RITE FOB IM'O! ELECTRON PROCESSING, INC
ro bo\ 6* c"FD*r, mi m:i
plR-tp* »dd 16 ttiij?,'hlfld| US JH C*n».1* *K,HI ML. NY «*!:! ..It, Ik. il|0
{616) 228-7020
tat you worried about electromagnetic radiation, TV coat distribution toss, poor antenna performance, or E.WIV RFI? The DIGIFIELD field strength m eta r wi II pui y ou ai ease , With ds frequency reipoise of DC up to 12 GHZr it readity detscte poientiaJ etectromagnebc radia- boil hazards h is an excellent tool for measuring TV coax distribution loss. In addition DIGI-RELD can aaafy find 6Q-Hz AC4ne interference . as well as RFVEMl insuumentabofi tfsnipt- »ng sei-ups. Sensrtrvity G 100 MH* Model' A" 150 new Waits. Model" 3" 2 nano watts.
Pi cis SSSQ s/h 1
To order call - (800) FIELD 58 (343-5358)
I.C Engineering isasovemoraBivd.
Suite 135, Encino, CA 91436 PH. (01 8) 3454692 * 81S-345-0Sl7Fai
P-7V
CIRCLE 293 ON READER SERVICE CARD
ADTMF/st eel keys!
1 ' sealed gold contacts!
• COLOR: All keyboards come in BLACK.. OPTIONAL: Specify DARK BROWN « Contacts are: WATER PROOF/DUST PROOF - Completely setf contained * NO RFL * Simple 3-wire connection Output levet ad] + Wide operattng range 4 to 16 VDC • Wide lempefature range -22 to +1.fiO"F * Supplied wrtti enstruciions, ^ctiemaiic, template & harthvare.
X
\^-q.2ut
H*
: 50"«
P-7V12KFYVEFIT P^7H 12 KEY HOfilZ P-6V16KEYVEBT.
Esa
$63
CALL OR WRfTE FOR FREE CATALOG
■ Request quantity pricing
Mail Order
CIRCLE 1 93 ON READER SERVICE CARD
*pipo Communications
Emphasis is on Quality & Reliability
P.O. Box 2020
Pollock Pines. California 95726
(916) 344-5444
Fax (916)644 PIPO
SH 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
CIRCLE 66 ON READER SERVICE CARD
it will be too slow to be useful. We recently up- graded from a 286 1 2 MHz system which ex- hibited short (less than one second) delays, to a 33 MHz 386 SX system. Changing the moth- erboard did not make that big a difference. However, changing from a 20 meg 65 ms hard disk to a 50 meg 20 ms hard disk made a tremendous difference. Responses are now instantaneous,
Do not add this system to your repeater un- less you have a way to remotely control power to the PC! This is an absolute must!
Although a watchdog timer pulse train has been provided in the most recent software up- grade, implementation of the watchdog timer hardware is still left to the user, A future hard- ware release will no doubt incorporate a watchdog timer circuit, but al this time it is not avaiEable.
XPERTEK is a garage-shop operation. Its proprietor, Andy Mill, onty wears his XPERTEK hat on nights and weekends. If you call, chances are you'll almost always get his an- swering machine or his "secretary." Funny, but he doesn't use a voice mail answering system!
On the Plus Side
There have been several software up- grades since we purchased the system which have virtually eliminated all software bugs, and have made some of the features easier to use.
Despite initial misgivings about having a PC at a remote mountaintop site, we have gone through one cold winter, one lightning season, and one very hot summer with few PC-related
problems. The only lightning -related PC dam- age has been to the modem, resulting from a direct hit which severely damaged much of the rest of the equipment. The DVMS/1+ was not affected.
The DVM3/1+ creates a daily date-trme stamp log of all DTMF tones il decodes, which is more versatile in some ways than the same
"These things have made our
repeater the one to listen to in
our area. Membership in our
repeater club has jumped
substantially since the
system was added. "
RC-850 function. It will store every digit it de- codes, not just the ones that activate func- tions, although it does also show which func- tions have been adivated.
While I mentioned that telephone support was intermittent, t must also say that when you do make contact with Andy Mill, he'll go the extra mile to help work out problems. He has spent a great amount of time on the phone helping to get our system operational.
If you want to customize some of the sys- tem's prompting messages, that is easily done, too. We have Jack Nicholson doing some of our prompts now!
Conclusion
The DVMS/1 + affords us (he capability of having a great variety of ID messages, sound
effects, and humorous one-liners that pop up unexpectedly at the most opportune moments, all without worrying about how much memory is left. We have used the system for meetings, hamfests, and net announcements. Various users have posted "equipment for sale" and "equipment wanted" announcements. Local PC user's group and astronomy club mem- bers, who are atso hams, have posted their meeting announcements. We occasionally run an announcement inviting non-hams interest- ed in becoming hams to call a certain phone number for information on how to get into am- ateur radio, and we've received many calls from scanner listeners as a result. We have posted "Elmer bulletins to help new hams as welL Any repeater club member can post a bulletin without control op assistance.
These things have made our repeater the one to listen to m our area. Membership in our repeater club has jumped substantially since the system was added. I believe that soon no advanced repeater will be without such a sys- tem— and this one is reasonably priced!
A future software release will allow the scheduler to execute script files, which will al- low such things as middle-of-the-night auto- matic dial up and recording of West fink for us- er-requested playback at a future time. This software has been under development for some time and may be ready for release by the time this review is published.
After working on and with the DVMS/1 + system for a year nowT would I buy it again? In a heartbeat? I can't imagine our repeater with- out the capabilities this system affords.
MORSE CODE MUSIC!
SENSATIONAL NEW WAV TO LEARN
CODE— Do Aerobics, Sing, Jog, or Drive while learning code! A fun & easy way to learn or retain Morse Code skills. Now the secret is yours with this amazing syncronked breakthrough! Great for Novice, Technician or the classroom. Order
"THE RHYTHM OF THE CODE"
Version 2 cassette today!
Senrf $9, 95 and we 'ti pay the shipping to:
KAWA RECORDS
P.O. Box319-ST
Weymouth, MA 02188
Check or money order only We sfiip all orders withm 5 days.
Overseas please add S2.0Q for air maiL
MA residents add 5% sales la*.
CIRCLE 2 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD
■ More power with much less cut
■ Driver* for LCH,DTJVlFTmore
•External power supply for 24 hnur i day operation
• Runs indeprtidently of PC
■ Venn tile Interfile Adapter i>n (Board, simple ex pan von
* Board resident Forth option
* Use d.i programmable PC card
• All source is included, Kernal, Forth* PC Debugger a.nd Assembler
■ Cable, Breadboard, Priw er su n p ly
P*m*r SupfT *«t *tifflM*
si 955*5
Highlands LkctFPBics
13" 10 LikeShore Drive
ClnrLake, €A 95423
Plume 707 VM-IV24
las 707 994-5823
«Ui
*!i*
Object Oriented Hardware
ited
SAM
AMATEUR RADIO CALLSIGN DATABASE
1994
Look up by CALL, NAME, City, State and Zip Code Edit or Add Entries. Print Lists or Labels Comment field for personal notes
Direct interface to many popular logging and BBS programs Requires MS-DOS, 1 7MB actual free hard disk, and High Density floppy for install.
SAM 1994 coming in December,
'94 VERSION ONLY $39.95
Semi-Annual Subscription $55.00 Quarterly Subscription S BO.00
RT SYSTEMS, INC. FOB 6. L^CEYS SPRING, AL 35754 1 -800-723-6922
_ — __....-_
■
£129 95 5299 95
_ ...cai
.527 50
rz ru COMMODORE/AMIGA ^a^
* Commodore CS4 cawiajtfer wib power =*W*Y
rgtUTD4n£a) .*."-
* A5QO moihcrbaard {rav 5 4 up). New *ilh l MB
Aprtue & 1.3 ROM „„,..,, ,..,...
* A2QQQ mother board: RHurtxshed Wlh l MB Agnus
Jt iqj POM, „ ,, -. .....
* A30QQ Mofrwrboard ;_,..., , r
* ASOO keyboard [newt ■■■ ■
* A2QO0 fceytxtitd l»Wr
* ASM power supply (nwir)
* A2000 power supply (n#*j ....
* C64 repairable 1.8 atrip. power supply (new) .. -S24 95
* A5O0 internal L380K drive. New. e&ncl replacement..., S59.95
* A59& hard drive (20 megs): RefurtwMwd. w*h
corf rotor & RlS.., « — ^. , . ...^...^ ,S74 00
* *9«io irtMiwJ 4w (new) ^.Sn »
JB050
511995 .594 50 .827 95
.,.$25.95 $36 35
™,3» 40
* 1541-U nnpiet? S«d along floppy *** •** P/Slnew)
_, .._
* 1571 complete stand along nappy dnve |ne*|
* 1591 dnve ^new^cprr^ilple) _,.,
•2,05/S.M ROM (new operating system) .,
■ B373 Supcf Denise ,
* 9372/6375 1 MB Agnus upgrade kit *B5CTClA(2torSie50}
......ILIJIIIIIIIIIIII
■■ ppW**lli++U*
• ADVANCED AMIGA ANALYZER •
A complete diagnostic hardware and software analyzer tor al Amigas Gives display status ol an data transmtsaon/siQnais, the ability to lest iho tniegnty of any disk drive, checks alt ports, buffer chips, alignment and joystick/mouse. Software automatically tells what errors are found and the chips responsible. 65% to 90% ot Iho problems presented to service center are found wrih this analyjer. Simply plug the cables into my Amiga port This « a sophisticated diagnostic unit used by Amiga repair centers worldwide - — 569.96
• ALL COMMODORE & AMIGA CHIPS AVAILABLE AT VERY LOW PRICES •
Send SASE tor complete list ol Commodore surplus merchandise at fanlaslic savings.
K1 THE GRAPEVINE GROUP INC. T&* 3 Chestnut Street, Suffnen. NY 109Q1 ^^
ORDE RUNE1 ^00-192-7445 G|t^ft.
CUSTOM SERVICE: 914 368-4243
91 4-357-2424 Hours 9-6 6T M -F F#H! 9 1 4-357-6243
I w* Ship Worldwide 15% Res locking Pr>ce* Subject to Changes
CIRCLE 192 ON RE ADEH SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February 1994 59
Rtty loop
Number 12 on your Feedback card
Marc I Leavey, M.D.. WA3AJR 6 Jenny Lane Baltimore MD 21203
Here in Baltimore it's cold, snowing, and not reafly a nice day to be outside. So, if it s nasty where you are too, why not look at some of the things you can do over a wami radio? Over Ihe recent past, I have been offering several disks of RTTY programs. Many of you have requested more information on these collections. This month, lets have a look at Disfc #4 of the "RTTY Loop* Software Collection.
Before we delve into the programs, a word about shareware, freeware, public domain, and the like. Except lor the first term In that list, many such programs are free and in the public domain. This means that you may feet free to use them, or throw them away, or modify them, at your pleasure- Many ot the "free" programs carry a copyrighl notice, which means that you cannot claim authorship or nomi- nally incorporate them into a work which you then call your own, but at least the price is right
Shareware Is a different story.
Amateur Radio Teletype
When you acquire a shareware pro- gram by downloading it from a bulletin board, getting it on a disk from a soft- ware vendor, or receiving it as part of the "RTTY Loop" Software Collection, you have not bought the program, You have obtained a copy to try out and, if you like it, you are requested to send the author the remuneration requested in the documentation. This honor sys- tem, "try before you buy" software, works quite well, and is the preferred system of distribution for many fine amateur radio products.
Ail that aside, there are seven pro- grams in the current edition of Disk #4. They encompass a wide range of RTTY. DX, packet, and AMTOR capa- bilities. A brief synopsis of each pro- gram may help bring this into focus.
DXER13^1P
Written by WA6JOO to gain experi- ence in QuickBasic programming, DX* er is a versatile amateur radio pro- gram primarily of interest to the HF DX operator
As he puts it, the DXer concen* trates several functions of interest to the serious DXer into one (hopefully)
- Packet Radio -
Portable & Affordable!
TV
BayPac
.■MJ^MPMV
*ui m
I
Model BP-1 Packet Modem Made in U.SA.
• Simple Installation
• No External Power
• Smart Dog™ Timer
• Perfect For Portable
• Assembled & Tested
• VHF.UHF.HFnoM)
Whether you* re an experienced packeteer or a newcomer wanting to explore packet for the first lime, itus is what you've been waiting for! Thanks lo a breakthrough in digital signal processing, we have developed a liny; full-featured, packer modem at an unprecedented low price. The BayPac Model BP-1 transforms your PC-compatible computer into a powerful Packci TNCt capable of supporting sophisticated features like dtgipeating, file transfers, and remote terminal access- NOW is the time for YOU to join the PACKET REVOLUTION!
400 Daily Lane
P.O.Box 5210
Grants Pass. OR
97527
1-800-8BAYPAC
Sg
1-&0Q- 822-9722 (503)474-6700
CIRCLE 269 ON READER
60 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
CARD
easy-to-use program:
•Bearing and distance from trans- mitter to receiver, Path ends may be selected by latitude-longitude, grid square, prefix, or by browsing through the data base
•Sunrise and sunset limes for any location.
•Maximum usable Frequency and frequency ot optimum traffic between any two locations.
•A listing of all locations sharing a common terminator line (Gray Line).
•Custom piinitng of bearing/dis- tance charts for any location,
*A grid locator function using either six-digit or four-digit coordinate sys- tem.
•A complete data base of all ARRL cou nines, as well as other locations around the world. The data base shows latitude, longitude, continent and CQ zone of each location. Entries may be easily added, deleted or edit- ed.
The program is released for per- sonal use, and a contribution of 510 to the author is requested, if you feel it is of use to you+
FAXFRQ-ZtP
This is an informational file, with lists of HF frequencies of news and WE FAX stations monilored. tt was accurate when compiled, but this infor- mation is always changing. However, it's a good starting point for monitoring.
PHS300-ZIP
PHS, Version 3.00, is a host mode server program for the PK-232 written by Peter H. Heinrich HB9CW. It pro- vides a variety of features, including;
•Support of packet, AMTOR, RTTY ASCII. Morse and signal modes.
•User configurable conrvpoit colors and texts.
•Split-screen operation,
•Command and parameter entry in mode sensitive dialog windows.
•Extended help functions.
•Review of received text (backscrolling).
•Printing and snapshooting the re- view-buffer.
•Logging (capturing) to fife.
•Online printer support.
•Send text from file.
•Binary file transfer using YAPP protocol (packet mode).
•Multi-channel operation (packet mode).
•Heard Jist showing the path (pack- el mode).
•NetfROM frames are decoded (packet mode).
•Word-wrapping is available (pack- et mode).
•Temporary exit to DOS.
♦BuilNn message editor
•Support for screens up to 00*60,
♦16550A chip support with FIFO.
The program *s free; the author re- quests only your comments on his work. This is a comprehensive pro-
Ham help
Number 13 on your Feedback card
We are happy to provide Ham Help listings free on a space available basts. To make our pb easier and to ensure thai your fisting is correct, please type or print your request clear* fy. double spaced, on a full (8 1/2m x tV) sheet ot paper. You may also upload a ftsttng as E-mail to Sysop lo the 73 BBS /Special Events Message Area #11. (2400 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit (€03) 924-9343). Please indicate if it is for publication. Use upper- and tower-case tetters where appropriate. Also* print numbers cere fully — a 1. for example, can be misread as the letters 1 or i, or even the number 7. Specifically mention that your message is for the Ham Help Column. Please remember to acknowledge responses to your requests. Thank you for your cooperation.
Where can J send to get an "Opera- tional Manual" for my HALLI- CRAFTERS Model SX99 Receiver? The manual is very important to my op- erating and maintaining mis equip- ment. Frank W. Arnold, 1215 Sullivan Ln.f fi82Br Sparks NV 89431.
I am looking for info regarding the SBE (Sideband Engineers) Model 33 80-15 meter transceiver; operation and service manuals, mike wiring dfagram, and modifications, Thanks I David Cot- burn AA 1FA, 130 Essex SL S. Hamil- ton MA 01982. Jet. (508) 468-2199, Ext 328; or packet © K1UGM.
RADIO Lost or Stolen in the US Mail: A 2 meter ICOM Model IC-2SRA Transceiver; Serial #03304. Marked wfth call K1UXD. A well-marked priority package has not arrived at its intended destination, Reward for return. Thank you. Paul E Ketiy, 135 East Main SLt #V8. Weslborough MA 01581-2741 USA. Tel. (50$) 896-3202.
NEEDED: The schematic for a HAL- LICRAFTERS HT-32 transmitter, about 1958 vintage, I'm anxious to get it back on the air. Al Smiley K8NOV, 9970 Page fld.. Martette Ml 48453
NEEDED: Information on schemat- ics, programming, and re-tuning of KENWOOD TK-801S down to 440-450 MHz, A Esq looking for 6m SSB/FM and other VHF/UHF equip- ment and KENWOOD TR-751A acces- sories to Swap for computer parts and equipment. Thanks. Rob Betlvitte N1NTE. RO, Box 892. NorthbOTQ MA 01532.
I am a newly licensed Technician and am interested in obtaining informa- tion about usfng Repealers in my area, Ray Chase NiQFFw ML Peg Rd, Woodstock VT 05O91. Tel {802} 457* 4084; FAX; (802) 457-4517,
WANTED: Schematic and/or manu- al for PRECISION Apparatus Model E* 2O0-C Signal/Marking Generator (copies ok); RCA Receiving Tube Man- ual (preferably late 60s-70's edition), Chet Smith WB2LUQ, R.D, #1 Box 30* Verona NY 13478,
WANTED; Manual or copy of HP1707B HEWLETT PACKARD 75 meg scope, I will pay copying fees els Mike N4BME. (804) 564*8821.
gram, which has been ported to OS/2 as well, and seems quite capable.
PKTGOLD-ZIP
PktGOLD is another multimode controller for AEA TNCs, This is a lest drive of InterHex Systems Design Corporations versatile control pro- gram. It enables control of packet. RT- TY. AMTOR, and other modes of the AEA series of controllers.
The test drive is functional, but it comes with minimal documentation. It is free, and may be circulated at will. Full commercial versions of the pro- gram are available from the authors for $79.75 for the Enhanced version, and $59.95 for the Multimode version.
PKTWINT1ZIP
Written by Paul M. Hounslow. PktWin is a Windows-based con- troller for packet controllers. The controller is connected through the computer's com port, and modes and features configured via the pro- gram.
With many of the switches set in an INI file, this is an economical, versatile program. No payment is requested by the author.
TUWIN.ZIP
Discussed fast June. TUWIN was written by Wayne E. Wright W5XO, and destgned as an accessory to the WriteCog Windows logging program to
aflow Windows-based foggtng and HT- TY for contesting, as well as general operations, TUWIN works with old- style RTTY terminal units, like the HD- 3030, MFJ-1229, or HAL ST-6. that do not do internal Baudot-to-ASCIi con- version. It thus should not be used with multimode controllers like the PK- 232 or KAM. With a split-screen dis- play, text to be transmitted is entered into the lower window, received text is displayed in the upper window,
The program uses the DTR and RTS lines on the serial port to indicate "transmit with the lines being keyed
designed to reduce the overall "learn- ing curve" normally associated with this type of product.
XPCOM was written originally for the MFJ-1278; however, it has also been structured to work with ihe AEA PK-232. Operation of the PK-232 has been optimized to use AEA's HOST mode.
XPCOM offers the following fea- tures to simpfify operation for the user:
■Pull-down menus,
•Custom operation with the AEA PK-232 and MFJ-1278,
•Dual-TNC support
"Overall, this Is a neat, if bare-hones, approach to using an older terminal unit on RTTY, with a spiffy Windows display/
about 500 mSec before the first char- acter is sent, and continuing until about 500 m Sec after the last ,
Overall, this is a neat, if bare* bones, approach to using an older ter- minal unit on RTTYT with a spiffy Win- dows display. Again, this is a freebie!
XPCOM 1, ZIP
Gary Johnson KF7XP has his name on XPCOM. a program written to fill a void thai has existed in com- mercial software for digital communi- cations. The user interface has been
•Mouse compatibility.
•One-key brag file and text opera* Bon.
•External interfacing to the user's favorite text editor.
•Offers full packet, AMTOR, FEC, FACTOR, BAUDOT and CW modes.
•Full use of the HOST mode for the AEA-PK232.
•Simplified command structure for the MFJ-1278,
•Multi-connect operation with XP Windows.
•Intuitive on-Tine help system.
•Quik-connect feature for packet,
•Auto -route capable through brag text,
•Real-time and background printer support,
•Multiple ASCti file transfer in pack- et mode (AEA only),
•Built-in logging, with AutoSearch.
•Macro support,
XPCOM is classic shareware, with the author requesting that if, after try- ing the program lor no more than 30 days, you choose to use the program, you register it with him for the sum of $39, Still, this is quite a bargain.
Sot these are the programs in the "RTTY Loop" Software Collection, Disk #4, If you would like to obtain a list of programs included in these col- lections, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to me at the above address, or Email on CompuServe (75036,2501), Delphi (MarcWA3AJR), or America Online (MarcWA3AJR). The collections themselves may be had by sending a 3.5" high density (1 ,44 Mb) disk, or equivalent capacity in smaller disks, for each collection; a stamped return mailer; and $2 for each disk to be filled, to the address at the top of this column.
Next month we'll take a look at what some of you have had to say lately. Who knows, if you write today, it just might make it into the column be- fore summer! Stay warm, and see you next month.
1691 MHz Weather Satellite System
1691 MHzHemtPre-amp. model TS-1691-P. Amp
1691 MHz Receiver model TS-1 691 -Recvr
Decoder Board & Software model TS-VGA-SAT4
$250
$450
S349
Low Loss (microwave) Coaxial Cable (65ft) with connectors.
model 1691 -coax assV $65
Track II Satellite Orbital Program. Tracks ALL satellites, world map, print out $99
1691 MHz Loop Yagi Antenna
moden691-LY{N} $99
1691 MHz Loop-Yagi Extension model 1 691 -LY-XTN
$85
Demonstration Disc {IBM-PC VGA compatible) of signals recorded from WX-SAT system. $3
Shipping: FOB Concord, Mass. Prices subject to change without notice.
SI
SPECTRUM INTERNATIONAL, INC. Post Office Box 1084, Dent. S Concord, Mass. 01742, U.S.A. Phone: (508)263-2145 Fax: (508)263-7008
BUY AMERICAN, BETTER PRICE AND QUALITY
The SG2MC MF Transceiver is rype accepted for commerce and marine service made with traditional U,S. commerc^-il radio quality (and ol course rtcan be used on the ham bands also). While the Japanese radios have 2 final transistors that si rain lo put out tOQ watts on the low bands and only 75-&S walls on ten meters, t tin SG20G.Q has <t large transistors that loaf along at ISO watls on ALL the BANDS INCLUDING 10 METERS! Some ot (he SGSQOti laaluros are: 1} A control head rempfab-le (no special ki( necessary} up to 150/ away from the rig, perfect for automobiles and boals. Up to 8 heads can be uliii/od and used as intercoms also. 2\ The largest display of any MF transceiver. 3) 644 pre- programmed memones and 100 user programmable memories. A) operable from -50F H15C) to 1&5F (*fl5C| You want quality right? Here IS what EVERY SG20Q0 must endure before they're shipped from me factory: "*) They're factory aligned. £} EVERY SG2QO0 is keyed down at ftfl power (CW f 50 Walts) into an open antenna lor about 10 seconds, then connecied to a shofled antenna and keyed down for an additional 10 seconds. 3) EVERY SG20O0 is put in the -BURN-IN" rack and keyed down for 24 tours non-slop al fufl power CW. Don't try thai with the foreign radios. 4} EVERY SG20GG is Then le-checked tor atyncm and put w the TORTURE RACtC where they are keyed on and ofl every 10 seconds tor 24 rxwrs. 5) The 5G2D0G is men re-evatusted and as control functions are verified to ensue thai me microprocessor rs up to spec, then and ONtV THEN tS THE SG2QQQ ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE FACTORY.
The bottom ine is price, you know how expensive commefciat rigs am normally, until DEC 3? we are seflng me SG2M0 BELOW DEALER COST at only Si ,585.00 each* That's a $400 00 savings' We guarantee me best price.
The 5G230 SMART- TunER is the best HF autotuner ai any price, and to promote a product tftat is made in the USA, were olfenng <t at the guaranteed best price of only $449,0011 WHY THE SG2307 BECAUSE Wh<jn you lune an antenna at its base you are resonating the antenna, instead of lust matching me coax to the radio as wtlh other tuners such as the ATS0. etc The result YOUR SIGNAL GETS OUT MUCH BETTER. The Kenwood AT50. AT450 and other Similar tuners can only match 3:1 mismatches (YES only 3;1) so Tqrgel matching anything but a fairly decent antenna, The SG230 can match Irom 0.5 Ohm to 1Q Nlohm antennas (up lo a 200 l1 mismatch), so it can easily match random wires, diodes, rain- gutters, shopping carts, etc. The msull MORE POWER.
Td order send check or money order with S8.50 lor shipping, along wih your shjppmg address, (sorry no US Post Otfc? Boxes, UPS will not deliver) and Telephone number v..
Joe Brancato
THE HAM CONTACT
PO Box 3624, Dept 73 Long Beach, CA 90803
CA Residents Add a 1/4% Sales Tax. Canacfan Reorients ptaaatetnd US. Mane* Order * Si7 TO tor sttoppmg.
If y<HJ wish more information ptease serrd a SASE to the above address, for COO orders, call (310)433-5660, outside of CA Orders Only an (800}933-HAM4 and teavc a message.
i
Serving The LORD Since 1987
CIRCLE 183 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CIRCLE 384 ON READER SEHVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994 61
14 on your Feedback card
S CORNER
Joseph 1 CarrKdlPV
RO. Box 1099
Falls Church VA 2204 1
Some Miscellanea
Every now and then I like to take a few potshots at those topics that read- er mall Indicate are of interest to you, but thai requires Jess than a whole col- umn's worth of discussion. This month we will take a look at a couple of cir- cuits that fall into that category. You mfgh! find them interesting.
Before going on, however, let me reiterate that my printed circuit boards for the MAR-1 preamplifier are still available for $7. You can get them ei- ther from me directly (P.O.Box 1099. Falls Church VA 22041) or from FAR Circuits (18N640 Field Court. Dundee IL 601 18}. FAR makes boards for most 73 projects, I also have some MAR-1 chips left, which sell for $4.95 each, or alternatively, I'll send you both the MAR-1 and the printed circuit board, plus eElher 100 pF or 1,000 pF chip capacitors, for a total of $10. I'll keep the offer open while supplies last.
Let s take a quick look at two differ- ent circuits; first, an active bridge am- plifier for Wheatstone bridges and dif- ferential output RF bridges; and sec- ond, an audio notch filter.
Bridge Amplifier
Many bridge and other measure- ment circuits have balanced or differ- ential outputs. That is. the output is not single-ended, which is a voltage measured with respect to ground, but is floating. A differential output has two floating lines, and the output voltage is proportional to the difference between the voltage appearing between each line and ground.
Rgure i shows a circuit for an out- put meter that will serve as the output for such a bridge. Amplifier A1 is an operational amplifier connected in the DC differential amplifier confJgu ration. Provided that R1 = R2, and R3 = (R4 + R5)T the output of this circui! is;
Vo=V2-V1(-M-)
In the specific configuration shown in Rgure 1, the gain (R3/R1) is unity (1), so the circuit is relatively insensi- tive, By increasing R3. R4 and R5 by a factor of 10, you can get a gain of 10, or increase the components by 100 and the gain goes to 100.
A signal output voltage is provided to the "rest of the world" through J 1 \r most cases, J1 will be an RCA phono jack or a BNC chassis-mounted *RP style connector. The alternate output is a zero center iGO \iA (up to 1 mA
Photo A. Oscilloscope trace showing input and output of the notch fil- ter (49 dB attenuation).
can be used) DC microammeter. Po- tentiometer R6 is a sensitivity control that permits adjusting the deflection of M1 without varying the bridge circuit
Amplifier A2 Is a buffer amplifier to isolate the light emitting diodes, or LEDs (D1 and D2). that serve as a vi- sual output indicator. Two LEDs are selected that have approximately equal output levels. To select, connect both diodes such that each is in series with an 820 or 1 ,000 ohm resistor Connect them across a 12 volt DC
power supply so that both are illumi- nated. If both diodes are approximate- ly the same brightness, then use them. Otherwise, swap out one of the diodes with others (LEDs can be bought In bulk) until a match fs found.
When connected Into the bridge amplifier circuit, D1 and D2 are oppo- site in polarity. Diode D1 will light up when the output of A2 is positive, and D2 will light up when the output of A2 is negative. When the voltage is zero, neither lamp is lit. As a result of this
High Performance PacTOR / AMTOR
Use an ordinary RTTY terminal unit such as CP-1, CP-100, TU-170, ST-6, ST-5000, ST-6000, etc. with G4BMK's BNIK-MULTY software running in your IBM-PC or compatible, A TNC is not needed! (but we do have an adapter for PK232). Version 3 now available.
Detailed literature upon request, Prices: Base communications package with AMTOR, RTTY, CW and QSO/callsign logging database $95. Base + Pactor $145. Extended audio package adds Audio Spectrum Analyzer, HF WE FAX and SSTV reception. Base + Extended $140. Base + Pactor + Extended $175. Pactor alone $50, PK232 Adapter $49, Shipping $3. VISA/MasterCard accepted.
Amateur catlsign required with order. Please state 3V2 or 5Va inch disk preference.
Schnedler Systems AC4IW P.O. Box 5964 Ashevitle, NC 28813 (704) 274*4646
AMATEUR TELEVISION
TVC-4G
Made in USA onW $89
SEE THE SPACE SHUTTLE VIDEO
Many ATV repeaters and individuals are retransmitting Space Shuttle Video & Audio from their TVRO's tuned to Satcom F2-R transponder 13 or weather radar during significant storms, as well as home camcorder video. If it Is being done in your area on 70 CM - check page 461 in the 93-94 ARRL Repeater Directory or call us, ATV repeaters are springing up all over * all you need is one of the TVG-4G ATV 420-450 MHz downconveters, add any TV set to ch 2t 3 or 4 and a 70 CM antenna. We also have downconverters, antennas, transmitters and amplifiers for the 400, 900 and 1200 MHz bands. In fact we are your one stop for all your ATV needs and info. Hams, call now for our complete ATV catalogue! We ship most items within 24 hours after you call.
(81 8) 447-4565 m-f 8am-5:30pm psi. Visa, MC, COD
RC. ELECTRONICS Tom (w&org)
2522 Paxson Ln Arcadia CA 91007 Maryann (WB6Y5S)
62 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
feature, the illumination will \el you know when the bridge supplying the input signal to A1 is in balance {V2 - Vi = 0), or in which direction tt is un- balanced,
I've used this circuit on a number of Instruments and found that It works welL The illumination of the LEDs drops off smoothly until a pom! very close to null is reached. However don't even think about using it in sun- light. Under outdoor conditions you probably won't see the LEDs when they are fully lit (remember those mid- 1970s calculators and digital watches with the LED readouts?).
The active devices are operational amplifiers. I've used 741, 1458. CA- 3140 and CA-3240 devices for this cir- cuit. The 1458 and OA-324Q devices are dual op amps, so only one is needed to accommodate both A1 and A2.
The DC power supply connections are not shown, but each device needs V- and V+ DC power supplies {unless a dual op amp is used, in which case only one connection is needed for each V- and V+),
Audio Notch Filter
A notch filter is a band reject filter i.e. it rejects a narrow band of frequen- cies around the center frequency. Sev- eral uses are made of the notch filter. CW buffs sometimes build two types of filters, A high-Q band pass filler will pass onfy the 400 to 1,200 Hz signal
V1
GND °~ V2 °-
R1
10K
y\AAA,
R2
10K
yvwv
R3
10K
yvwv
3«
R6
Sensitivity
t
M1
100 - 0 - 100 MA
Figune I. Bridge null voltmeter/amplifier.
that you desire to copy. A notch filter, on the other hand, will reject the de- sign frequency, so it can be used to eliminate unwanted interfering signals. For example, you might design a
bandpass filter to pass, say, BOO Hz (or whatever is comfortable for you), and a notch filter to take out 600 or 1,000 Hz. Interfering signals could then be attenuated even further than
the slope of the bandpass fitter indi- cates.
Another use tor the notch filler is to reduce the 60 and 120 Hz hum in the output of audio amplifier circuits. You
PC HF FASCIMILE 7.0 $99
jj-(.tiuf |jmif." _ \\ m\ jjrtil i. " ],,» ^ iv
frlp
l |i>:n \ ' < I I
r hit Llililii^J
tit II HL J t
p ikfttK
S wr.
l:
TTeI
*
A —
hilt* I
V
w - -J&
Now under Windows or DOS
PC HF Facsimio s a sample, yef eomprahensive sHc^**™ tec tyslem fur rfi* IBM PC and companies II in- cludes an FSK daroodiJarar; advanced signal processing sorfwani. miaciaJ cafisane, and cornptata reference manual Wfth your PC and S58 revaivflr gening fax 4 a snap Here are Jtwt «oma oi (he femam
Mouaa or Many Driven
DnaTlondiMj Operftlron
Eaay Tuning Oscilloicop*
Start 'Slop Torw RacognriJon
Up to *W Laves*
Smglc Scan per Line with EMS Memory
PrDgrarnmabi* CofortzatiOri
Bnghtnm and Contrast Control
Tran»ma Ogikan Available
inaof Zoom, Scroll. Pan. Rotation
Grayaca le on all Popular Primart worldwide Broadoairl Schedule Worldwide Frequency Listing CGA.HGA.EGA,VGA A Super VGA Time Lapse Frame Looping SBda Shows
ProgrmmmabJa IOC A Line Rata* image Cropping Automatic Radio Control NAVTEXT*
Cal or wrrte for our free catalog of product!. Yiaa 1 MaHarCard
61 5 S. El Camino Real, San Clemente, CA 92672 Tel.(714) 498-5784 Fax.(714) 498-0568
CIRCLE 2SD ON READER SERVICE CAUD
2 Additional RS-252 Forts for
Ham Windows™ !
• Two RS-252 Forts ivith full Modem Control Signals
• Individually Selectable Address and Interrupt (2-5, 10, 11, 12 and 15)
• FREE Technical Support
• 16550s Standard
• MasterCard, VISA and COD accepted!
• Next Day Service available!
• 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
• Part #30S>6 PRICE: $59,00
SEALEVEL SYSTEMS INCORPORATED P.O, BOX 330 102 W. MAIN ST.
AAA5EALEVEL LIH!mr sc 29657
COMMUNICATIDNB fi. I/O
(SOS) 643-4343 FAX (603) 643-3067
CIRCLE 364 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 63
may find that long leads, noise from the power supply, or other defects cause an unwanted amount of hum in either your transmitter or receiver. I built an active notch filter lo eliminate the hum frequently heard in direct con- version receivers that are powered from the AC power mains. The notch fHter is placed in the signal line be- tween the output Of me detector/mixer of Ihe direcl conversion receiver and the input of the audio amplifier
Rgure 2 shows the circuit for a sim- ple notch filler that is tunable. There are other designs, but they require du- et potentiometers or dual capacitors to tune them over even a small range of frequencies.
The active devices are operational amplifiers. You can use any op amp that will work at the frequency range you need. For communications purpos- es (F less than 3,000 Hz}, a 741 is suf- ficient; a 1458 will suffice for boih A1 and A2 because It is a dual op amp. For higher frequency ranges use CA- 3140 or CA-3240, or any other device with a high gain bandwidth product.
The input and feedback resistors are not too critical, but 2501c ohms to 2.2 megoghms are recommended. What is necessary, however, is to
make Rl = R2 and R3 =
R1
The notch frequency is found from:
o -
I
2k jRaRbCaCb
For a 60 Hz notch niter, good val- ues to start with are 124k ohm for Ra and RbT 1,500 pF variable for Ca and 1 uF forCb. Scale these values down- wards for higher frequencies, using the above equation as a guide.
Photo A shows an oscilloscope pre-
sentation of the input and output sig- nal from the filter at resonance (I.e. when the Input frequency is at the notch frequency) In the filter used for this test I used the 60 Hz version and the values described above. The Input signal (upper trace) was a 1 volt p-p, 60 Hz signal from my function genera- tor, white the output signal (tower trace) was barely visible at the same scale on the oscilloscope vertical in- put, When the vertical input was ex- panded, it was shown that the notch filter produced an attenuation of 49 dB at the notch frequency, plus or minus the measurement error of my equip- ment.
NiCd Battery Charging from DC Power Supplies
A reader wrote to me and asked if it is possible to charge hand-held transceiver nickel-cadmium batteries from +6 or +12 volt DC bench power supplies. The answer is an unequivo- cal yes and no. If the DC power supply has a current llmiter control as well as a voftage output control, then yes; if not. then no * . . don't try it without special knowledge. The procedure is simple:
1. With the current limiter all the way on (zero output current), and the voltage set lo about a third of the bat- tery terminal voltage, short-circuit the output ot the supply and then slowly increase the current to a level that is 1/10 of the ampere-hour rating of the NiCd battery; La if you use 500 mAH batteries, then set the short -circuit out- put current of the supply to 50 mA
2. Remove the short circuit, and in- crease the voltage output of the DC power supply to the exact potential of a fully charged battery (see instruc-
v in
Figure 2, Audio notch filter circuit.
tions for the particular battery pack).
3. Connect the battery to the sup- ply, being careful to observe polarity. Charge at 1/10 level for 14 hours.
The battery can blow up if charged too rapidly, or if too high a voltage is
used. That's why the current limiter and output voltage adjust controls are needed, I prefer to place the battery in a small wooden box to prevent "shrap- nel" in case the battery does blow up. Good luck and wortc safe.
Fast & Fun G5RV QuicKits
crraleii bu^ilmnoi tt'epj Dh IQtMlS. Prow. UT S4&OS
TM
• Fail-Su* visual imtrudkHu
• So measuring or cutting
• ETCTfthfaf hnrtudrd
• Finish wteMt to Orate*
■ PTtsoldcrtd Stive* FfeMigs
• Ktofcpcpoj 0"'rt Hei v ut
• Fully Hisuldrd. wi tcakd,
Ts» All Bud» Inrl WARE
Hktf rttiu. hmrn fcplrt
Offer TccfaXotc f LM-D BH.ffi ppd Il&ft
- Double Size GSRV S50.&5
3W IL IflMD Dkplulr
• Fufl Ui£ G5KV 44M5
■IUU Site G5RV Si ft. 40.10 <
iii ft sun [Xpok
*H«nJ,S'.«>=I[llftC5«V iMrft
• JW ["knnn 2SM Rlw- 111,95
Dtdcri Hoi Um: M4 U F*W 1 -80 1-373- JM2B
UHF REPEATER
Make high quality UHF repeaters from GE Master II mobiles!
40 Watt Mobtte- Radio Duplexing arc! tuning information 1 MuMtfDon without ratio
S199
S12 $40
— ■
CIRCLE 296 ON READER SERVICE CARD
HamCall
CDROM
QRZ NEW $24.95
Search calls by name,city,state ect. Plus
hundreds of PC compatable programs
Radio MODS, TCP/I P.USENET Ham
Radio Archives, FCC Rules & Regs.
Exam Question Pools + Canadian Calls
$17. CICA WINDOWS SHAREWARE
$17. GIFS GALORE 5000 GIFS!
517. OS/2 SHAREWARE
$19, GIGA GAMES (NEW CDROM)
$25. INFORM AC 10r000 MAC FILES
$29. LINUX ON CDROM (UNIX CLONE)
VISA MC-7 DAYS 24 HOURS RON'S CDROMS (408) 241-7376
CIRCLE 377 ON READER SERVICE CARD
64 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
Versatel Communications
Order* 1-600-456-5548 For info, 307-266-1700
P.O. Box 4012 • Casper, Wyoming 82604
CIRCLE 259 ON READER SERVICE CARD
JT MA V BE WINTER IN MONTANA BUT OUR PRICES ARE STZZUNGU
Wolfe Communications
1 1 13 Central Ave
Billings. MT59L02
406-252-9220 FAX: 406-252-9617
Call or write for our current flyer
BUY — SELL — TRADE
CIRCLE 20 ON READER SERVICE CARD
RACK AND CHASSIS BOXES
RAf^K CHASSIS
DtSOWTIOH PfllCI
T9 i Sx t 71 1*1 7 I 1.71 It i 10* l 79
1fli 10m Lt
1ft a J* B^* 1ft i 7 % 8 .»
» m
»10
n.to
17 -W 41 .ftO
« TO 4«M
|
m i-: |
1 AL OABIIN |
fins |
|
noon |
KKflaFTlON Kl0lH{lfL| |
#*»« i |
|
MClA «CIA UC-3A MC-** UG-9A uc-e*. WC-?A MC-B* MC-ftA |
UK! 1 1 1 * z liliZ Il*l3 Ii1i3 Ittil 4lTx4 «iTi4 tx 7a* |
ii.7» "175 WW £M9 MM 23.18 2S7S |
mm
A
USA AND CANADA ORDERS £0Q 634-3457 FAK OflOCRS tWXh 531 ■??« SESCOH, DC, Siq? WARO 0F»VE HENDERSON. NEVADA gaol S USA
j'n I--.
CJRCLE 167 ON READER SERVICE CARD
SPY ON THE EARTH
See live on
your PC
what
satellites in orbit see
Capture live breathtaking tmages o! trie Earth for fun gt prolil Zoom in up to 20X Send S39 check or M.0. {S45 airf S50 overseas} for our fantastic 12 diskette set of proiessional quality copynghted programs (IBM type) that does satellite tracing, image acquisition image processing, 3 D projections and more, Direct reception from the satellites guaranteed worldwide without a satellite dish. Schematics included lor interface, For FREE inlormation Jog on io our bulletin board anytime ai: (718} 740 391 1
VANGUARD Electronic Labs
DepL A, 196-23 Jamaica Ave, Hollis, NY 11423 TeL71 8-468-2720
Homing in
Number 15 cm your Feedback card
Joe Moall RE. K0OV P.O. Box 2508 Fulferton CA 92633
Texas T-Hunters Trap Teen Thief
"Every ham needs a basic under- standing of the principles of transmitter hunting." Tnafs what 1 tell ham dubs and convention forums in my talks on radio direction finding (RDF). Of course I hope that when I'm finished, everyone in the audience will want to try friendly RDF competitions (usually cailed foxhunts or T-hunts). These events add to the camaraderie of our hobby while teaching useful propaga- tion and electronics skills.
Bui even if you never set out to find a radio foxr you will probabfy find RDF techniques useful in your future ham experiences. Perhaps you*!! want to join a chase team for a high altitude ham balloon launch, or find an annoy- ing source of interference, such as a noisy thermostat or cable TV leakage.
Dallas DF Detectives
When someone's transceiver Is Stolen or there is a stuck carrier on your local repeater input, you'll be
Radio Direction Finding
ahead of the game if you have already assembled and installed some mobile RDF gear, You will be even better off if you have accumulated some T-hunt experience. Tom Lewis AB5CK proved ttits a few months ago when he used his RDF skills to foil a young radio thief.
AB5CK regularly goes T-hunting in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. "My friend Randy Hariin AA5WJ teaches music at a middle school,* says Tom. "He is ah so the owner and operator of a 2 meter repeater, which he likes to monitor with a dual-band handheld at work. One day the HT was stolen off his desktop. The taker apparently had little knowl- edge of ham radio and was unaware of how to change frequencies. Before long, there was a rash of profanity over Randy's repeater. He called me that evening.
"We speculated that the unlicensed profane operator was the student/ thief," Tom continued, "and we guessed that he might make additional transmissions the following day after school. To speed up the process, I asked Randy who coutd have done it I got the names and addresses of his primary suspects, then centrally locat-
ed myself In my car outfitted with T* hunting gear."
Sure enough, the profane transmis- sions started again shortly after school let out. Tom quickly got a bearing. "Bin- go! From the bearing, ! knew it was probably one kid, so I drove straight to his apartment building. I drove around the property while he was cussing, and the RDF antenna just kept pointing right at one window. He was using a subdued voice so family members would not hear Ihe profanity.*
Luckily. Tom was not spotted by his target as he circled the area. Once he was sure that he had the right resi- dence, he made a transmission saying that he was out front and that the radio must be returned. To our surprise, the thief complied," says AB5CK. "This eliminated the need to have the au- thorities search his home, We couldn't have been luckier!"
So AASWJ's rig was quickly recov- ered. Tom left disciplinary action to the school, but he is sure that the incident was not treated ligmty, Of course, sto- ries such as this don't always have a happy ending, but it pays to be ready, Plan now. as there is no time to build your gear once a bootlegger or stuck carrier is on the air.
An Improved Bug Buster
Regular readers will remember an LED-readout "sniffer" project in the Jury and August 1990 Homing In" in- stallments. This hand-held field-
|
J |
* |
PhOtO A. A14.V X 2.4" X 0.8't the Op- toefectmntcs model R20 fletd-slrength meter fits into a shirt pocket
strength meter (FSM) detects and shows the level of nearby RF from 10 to 2500 MHz. Teamed with a beam or quad for the frequency of the hunt, it will guide you on foot to a concealed fox, once you get close enough to pick up a few millivolts of signal.
That 1990 project uses the circuit board from the Optoelectronics Model CCB "bug detector," which features a pair of monolithic wideband RF ampli-
PCB and SCHEMATIC CAD.
EASY-PC
Runs on
PC/XT/AT/286/386 with Here, CGA, EGA, VGA. Design Single sided, Double sided and Multilayer boards. Provides Surface Mount support.
Standard output includes Dot Matrix / Laser / Inkjet Printers, Pen Plotters, Photo-plotter and N.C. Drill.
Award Winning EASY-PC is now in use in over 17,000 Installations in 70 Countries World-wide.
Much easier than Lightbox and tapes. SUPERBLY EASY TO LEARM AND USE. Not Copy Protected.
Options:- 1000 piece symbol library $75.00, Surface Mount library $112, Gerber Import facility $195.00
BRITISH
jQEaflH.
AWARD
For full info', write, fax, call or use Inquiry #
Number One Systems
REFr 73AR, 1795 Granger Avenue, Los Aftos, CA 94024
Telephone: Fax:
USA: (415) 966 9306 USA: (415) 968 9306 VISA and
Intnl:- +44*430461778 Intnl:- +44-480-494042 MasterCard
UK :- 0480 461778 UK :- 0480 494042 Welcome
OAK HILLS RESEARCH
QRP Headquarters
QRP
SPIRIT
CW
TRANSCEIVER
• Single band transcerver Kit offered on 80, 40, 30, 20. & 15 meters
• Iambic keyer included using latest Curtis Keyer Chip 8044ABM
• Superhet receiver design with diode ring mixer & RF pre-amp
• 4 poTe crystal ladder filter followed by an on board audio filter
• S wit enable HP AGC circuit with manual RF gain control
• 2 watts of audio output w/externai speaker jack
• Vfo tuning with 0:1 vernier dial covering 100 KHz and RIT
• Sinewave sidelone oscillator w/frequency & level controls
• Silky smooth OSK circuit
• Full 5 wafts of RF output on aiJ bands ♦12VDC operation
• Measures (HWD): 4" * 6 1/4" x 6 7/8" and weighs 47 oi
• 100J% complete kit including cabinet, all components and instructions All coils are pre-wound. PC boards are quality double-sided with plated-thru holes (except keyer board} and component screen,
• Previous bu]ldmg experience desirable
CAT #SrM /BAND
(Please specify band)
219.95
9AM to 6 PM
Mon,-Fri.
EST.
OAK HILLS RESEARCH
20879 Madison Street Big Rapids. Ml 49307
plus $4.$Q S&H
Michigan
Re±h}efiti
Add J
513:? 5.? as Tm
CIRCLE 1 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Fa*: {616) 796-6633 Orders 61 6-796-1460 Tech. Info (616) 796-0920
CIRCLE 82 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* Feforuaiy, 1094 65
-s -
I
1 -20 ii.
E
£5 •
-30 ■
35
...
I
5 I
LEDs uruminjred
9
10
40
1 -10
ft
£ -5 -
0 5
-■ CCB
-O R£0
10
100
— I—
Frequency (MH?)
Figure 1. Measurements by KOOV of input RF levels for each of the 10 LEDs at 2 meters for both the CCB sniffer kit and the factory adjusted R20. The -29 dBm R20 threshold cor- responds to 8000 microvolts across 50 ohms.
Figure 2* Measurements by KOOV of sensitivity versus frequency for the CCB and R20 at 146 MHz, The -36 dBm input level at HF and low VHF corresponds to 3500 microvolts across 50 ohms.
tiers and a bar graph display. With an upgraded voltage regulator and en do- sure, the project cost about $70 to buRd
Recently. Optoelectronics Engineer- ing Manager Bill Owen KD4HGT en- hanced the COB circuit, shrunk it to pager size, added amplitude modula- tion detection, and renamed it the R20 AM Interceptor, shown in Photo A, With surface-mount technology and chip components, it has a dramatic im- provement in UHF and microwave sensitivity.
An LM3915 logarithmic bar graph IC drives the display, so each succes- sive LED represents approximately a 2 dB increase in signal strength (Figure
1). This helps you guess your distance from the transmitter. If you don'i like the factory settings for zero and full- scale RF levels, you can modify them by tweaking two internal controls.
Using the supplied non-resonant R20 antenna, my 1/2 watt 2 meter fox transmitter with 19" whip was detected (one LED) 140 feet away. AH 10 LEDs were on at 45 feet. On the other hand, a very low power transmitter (49 MHz cordless phone handset) did not light any LEDs on the R20 until it was 13 inches away.
With a f our -element 2 meter quad connected to the bare R2Q circuit beard, detection range of typical 1 watt foxes will be several hundred feet. Of
course, as In the car commercials, your results may differ, depending on transmitter power, antenna, multipath. and effects o! other RF sources <n the area.
As Figure 2 shows, the R20 is sEightly less sensitive than the CCB on the 2 meter and 125 cm bands, but It Is more sensitive elsewhere in the spec- trum, particularly at UHF and above. The R20 showed the normal leakage from my microwave oven (2400 MHz) at ha If -scale indication, compared to quarter-scale on the CCB.
Coupling capacitors tr\ the CCB and R20 are selected to roll off response below 4 MHz. I OOtiJd not hear audio of a 50,000 watt AM station with it until I
was a block away, The display read only half-scale when I was too feel from the towed So don't try to use the R20 to hunt signals on 160 through 40 meters or in the AM broadcast band. This rolloff was designed in deliberate- ly, Without it, sniffed-out VHF signals would be QRMed by local AM broad- casters and covered by 60 Hz hum from nearby power wiring.
Supply current drain is 25 mtl- liamperes with no LEDs on and 84 mA with all 10 lit. There are no indicators for power on or low battery. Specified life of the standard 9-volt battery is three hours minimum, but this is very conservative. I measured full sensftrvt- ty operation down to 6 1 volts, thanks
ID-8 Automatic Morse Station Identifier
Compatible with Commercial. Public Safely, and Amateur Radio applications. Uses include Repeater Identifiers, Base Station Identifiers. Beacons, CW Memory Keyers, etc Great for F.C.C. ID Compliance.
Miniature In size. 1.85** 112 "xQ,3Vr
totally RF immune.
All connections made w«fr microminiature pKig and socket wrlh tola* codec wires attached
CMOS microprocessor tor low railage, low current operation 6lo20V0C unregulated ac fima
Low distort™, low impedance adjustable sinewave output 0 to d vans peak to peak
Crystal contraHeti fcr high accuracy
frartsmrtter PIT output j to toy transmitter white ID is being stnt). is tr open ccJeODr
transistor that mil handle 80 VOC * 380ma
f*W programmafate utfi SUPPLY 0 kaytartl
Confirmation lone to mdett accepted patnsm&zr, phis tones to inefcate prqjjiwuwB em*
Al progranvTvog is stored n a non-ttttie EEPROM when may pt jflovd ai any tune
Message ierajttr ever ?Q0 character long
liQQer 10 Kitfi active nigh o' low
InhrtNl ID with active tap* d* low Will hold ott m unfit channel is dear at traffic
Generates repealer courtesy tone al end of user transmission ■■ enabled
Double sided lape ana mounting hardware supplied lor quick mounting
Operating lemrjeralune rsnge. - 30 degfees C to 4 65 degrees C
Full one year warranty when returned (0 the factory lor repair
Immediate one day delivery
Programmable Features
• Blgftt programmable, ssfectible messages
• CW speett from t to 99 WPM
• ID interval timer from 1-99 minutes
• to now oft tuner from 0-99 seconds
• CW me frequency from WO to to 3OO0 m
• Fmnt porch delay interval from Q to 9 9 seenrxfe
• CW m UCW operation
$89,95 each
programming keyboard included
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALISTS, INC.
*42G VvtSl TAF I AVENUB • QRANGi CA 92665 4295 (7t4}99S JQ21 • ,MJ( \714)9743420 Entire U.S.A. (600} S54 0547 » FAX (800} 424 3420
PUBLICATION TO MAKE WIO FUN
<m HAM ATLAS!
■■■■■■■■■■■!■
INCLUDES
RADIO
INFORMATION
TOR EVERY
couxmn
^^^^ yiAKESQS&S
**• * IwTERESTTWG,'
R£P€Am MAP8 OOK
NEW! 1994-95
new WORLDWIDE RADIO ATLAS will help moke your QSO's more fun and interesting. When you talk to an overseas ham you will know more about Ns country. Includes radio and geographical information for over 320 countries. More than 325 pages? .
ffif $19.95
NOW INCLUDES AUTOPATCH
INCLUDES: 10M.S
220 Ml
<mmi<mt me*mmpGvws
SETS AVAILABLE #1- AJT WA, CAX ID. MTP NV
1.2 GHz
Our quality Repeater Map* are now available in book form! Thai's right, our new book include* al U.S. States, afl Canadian Provinces, Mexico, Central America and the Carribbean! Maps show city location, repeaters, highways, ham dealers, and tourtel information! PERFECT FOR TRAVEL! More than 175
ORDER TODAY! $9,95
A whole new way to enjoy our map cards! The regional guide Includes Six laminated store cards, spiral bound tor easy use. Very handy, and super for regional trover! A_ _ Pius ».oo s/hQQ Q*V
92- A2, CA, HI, NM, NV, TX *1* CO, MT, HO, SO. U\, W¥ #4- IA, KS. MN. MO, N£, OK *5- AL AR. LA. MS, MO, OK •6- AL GK FU IA, PWS. IN •7- KYf MD. NC. SC, \A, WV tft-JUIN.KY.Ml.OH.W] W- DE. MO, Mi. NY. OH, Wk
• IH-TT MT MA MM Dl VT
FBenterprises
23801 NW 1st Ave.
Ridgefield, WA 98642-8830
REPEAmMAPS
Repeater maps for every state, plus Canada. Maps are full color, and laminated in plastic. Shows 2m, 220, 440, 900, and 1.2 GHz. Newly Updated!
CATALOG $2
PEf UNDID WITH PURCHASE
INDIVIDUAL MAPS ADO 50* SHIPPING
CALL TODAY! 1(800) 377-2339
D&oior Inquiries Welcome
CIRCLE 10 ON READER SERVICE CARD
BOOK ORDERS ADD &00 SHIPPfNG
CIRCLE 33 ON READER SERVICE CARD
66 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994
to a low-dropout LM2931 regulator in- side. Besides, you can sniff out the T in less than three hours, right?
The supplied whip antenna conve- niently telescopes down to fit entirely in the R2D case, but it is only 12 inch- es fong when extended. No external antenna jack or RF ground return con- nection is provided. That's fine for quick checks of your 2 meter handheld or for listening to the local airport tower as you sit in the terminal, but for bear- ings with your directional antenna, you will need to make some modifications.
For serious T-hunt work, consider removing the 2 ,6" x 2.1" circuit board from Its plastic case and mounting it in- to a small metal box with a BNC or UHF connector for your RDF antenna, I suggest you choose a box big enough for two batteries and a selector switch. With a spare, you can qwckly recover from "battery death" in the middle of sniffing out the hidden X
While the R20 does a good job of receiving nearby AM-mode aircraft band transmissions, KD4HGT of Opto- electronics warns against using it on your next flight. Even though it has no escalators to interfere with communica- tions or navigation systems, he says it Is illegal to operate it on a commercial aircraft,
FM signals cannot be demodulated by the R20 under normal circum- stances, but they "quiet" the back- ground hiss. This phenomenon can help identify FM emitters. Occasionally,
the audio of an FM transmitter is read- able if multipath (signal reflections from buildings, walls, etc.) causes two or more signal components to arrive at the R20 antenna at approximately equal levels but with time/phase differ- ences.
If demodulating near-field FM sig- nals of unknown frequency is impor- tant to you, consider upgrading to the larger and more expensive ($359) Op- toelectronics R10 FM Communications Interceptor,
The R20 has no volume control I found that earphone volume on 100 percent modulated VHF AM signals is comfortable, but might be inadequate in places with nearby loud noise. In any case, you should have no problem figuring out whether the AM signal you're tracking is CB, aircraft, ELT, am- ateur, or something else.
Unlike the CCB, the R20 is not sold in kit form. The suggested retail price for an assembled/tested unit is $119. It is available from the manufacturer and some ham radio dealers. For more in- formation, write Optoelectronics, 5821 North East 14th Avenue, Fort Laud- erdale FL 33334 or phone (305) 771- 2050.
Computerized Display Update
A lot of hams are also digital enthu- siasts, so It's no surprise that interest remains high in computerized systems for mobile RDF bearing taking and pro- cessing. Jerry Boyd WB8WFK recently
DON'T MISS THIS ONE!
GREATER BALTIMORE HAM BO REE AND
COmPUTERFEST
HOST TO THE
ARRL MD STATE CONVENTION
MARCH 26 & 27, 1994
Maryland State Fair Grounds Timonium, Maryland
THE LARGEST SHOW OF ITS KIND IN THE MID-ATLANTIC AREA
ARRL Forums & Programs • Banquet 10 Acres of Indoor and Outdoor Sales
3 Buildings • 1,100 Indoor Spaces
Buildings for Dealers & Manufacturers
Indoor Fleamarket • Outdoor Tailgate
FCC Exams • Acres of Parking
Over 16,000 Attended Last Year!
VENDORS: All spaces by advance sale! Register NOW! Call: 410-HAM-FEST Write: G.B.H.& C.
Or: 1-800-HAM-FEST Post Office Box 95
Anytime, for Voice or FAX Info Timonium, MD 21 094
reported his progress in upgrading his setup, which was described In "Hom- ing In" for January and February 1993.
Jerry uses a manually-rotated 2 me- ter beam with the mast angle (azimuth) and signal strength sensed, digitized, and plotted by a laptop computer. Re- cently, he replaced the analog poten- tiometer azimuth sensor with a Hewlett-Packard 10- bit shaft encoder. The encoder works great, much better than the analog pot" Jerry told me. '1 got a James Millen gearbox, so I have the analog pot and the encoder on the same shaft"
Much of Jerry's effort has been to- ward speeding up the system. As de- scribed last year, it took data for 25 seconds, then pEotted 256 bearing points and calculated azimuth of the best bearing. 'The original 1f>per-sec- ond sample rate was not fast enough," WB8WFK says. "The data between points was real ragged. Now I have so many points that you can see the shape. Even on a noFsy signal that barely raises the S-meter, you can ac- tually see the shape of the lobe."
WBSWFK's new laptop computer has a 386 CPU running 25 MHz with a VGA liquid crystal display, This allows him to eliminate the external Mioromint ZS board. Azimuth and signal strength data from the analog-to-digital convert- er unit now goes directly into the com- puter through the parallel port at much higher speed.
Jerry's new plotting software is writ-
ten in C language. ul have two new trigger modes to start data taking. I can trigger on antenna rotation or sig- nal strength. Usually, I wait for the car- rier to come on, then start spinning the antenna. When it detects motion, it starts acquiring data at 200 times per second, then automatically plots.
'Also, I have an overplot mode, sim- ilar to a storage oscilloscope. If I start turning again, It takes data again with- out erasing the previous plot, so two plots are now visible, I can save data to disk, but only data from the most re- cent sweep, The software also pro- vides correction for vehicte heading. When you enter in the reading from my car compass, the software corrects the display to be relative to true north."
Jerry is a regular participant in Albu- querque T-h lints, which begin at 9 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of ev- ery month. The starting point is on the University of New Mexico campus and the frequency is 146.565 MHz simplex.
WB8WFK would like to compare notes with others who are experiment- ing with computerized bearing displays for rotating VHF yagis and quads. You can write to him at his Callbook ad- dress. Of course1 I'm eager to hear of your new RDF ideas and devices, too. Write to the address at the top of thfs column or send e-mail to JoeMoetl@cup-poJlaLcom (Internet) or 75236,2165 (CompuServe). My packet address is K0OV@WB6YMH.#SO- CA.CA.USA.NOAM.
l'b j'l'k'i V j ■ l'i . i - i .
:3;1 0 .§afMc* ;St. Suite |^PC3 Box 2749 €p^ra/ Oregon; 97402 j
■M" ji-'-i i"- ■"■ ■ . -;..-■-■-;- . - 1 ■;_ i iV iV- 1 ■»„■>>■/;-"■"•!-.■>;■> ■/.-■ ■'.- •'.• -. -.- ■.!-_■■.;■!-_ ■.-■.'-_■■. '.
..■.■_" „■*• _ ■ *Va i ■ j i iVi'V-' " ■■"■'i v-.c. ■.■■.-.-■■- ■* pjMv,«|y.,Ai.,/.-ii,i ■.■.'. 'i'i'1//!"-"! ■ "r-v-j-1- ■
K
H
z
3
i ■ t *• ■ #■
it- + 1- r *■
, . r n
" " "
.m , i -i- |
.■ii i .
. _ _ _ _ j
Thte fe o n ;e£6jal F jrigjsr Pri n^ ^ptu red . by ;#*£ Txlp:. l...v_
FM/flAA raclio tra nsm titers Nave a U0iqu<e frequency versus tlfrie start-up ^Qrocteristk^eVerT radios of the sornc mate ond mo^ con be
captured^ stored %id onotyzed; Our exclusive TxlD Software and the patented techno looy of the TxlD-1 IBM/Compdtibfe Circuit! board con help you identify the abusers cm your repeater* Or help you keep track of fhelnurirtber of radios per account on comrriercfol repeaters, CTCSS tind DTMif de tpct ingv as ujel I bs SpettrtifiV Occupancy tfrid Deviation impdsur^menit features further enhance the system;
^^^gi^siiMHKlOT^I Ixodiure tultfi full details^ addf tidrial examples, ohd tedinkal sped f katlons.
.Xv!
TxlD-1 with Software
.00
Sh1ppJn^andllr>g UPS Grotmd USft S8.00. : ; ; j ; :: , \ftooifNC and ftMGC accepted, COO on <ash or Money Order basis on*y .
<3cv^rnmefltPiH,<ba^<^e^Qc<epte<l. -;K: $4W-
0 Oniem (800) 338^58 #-
,# : lnfo^503) 68^2118 Fax: (503) 6S?|^a^r
CIRCLE 248 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 67
Number 16 on your Feedback card
■ ■ wumoer id on your r&eo
Hams with class
Carole Perry WB2MGP
Media Mentors. Inc.
RO. Box t3164€
Staien Island NY f0313-OOO6
Payload Packaging
Twice a year my school district in Stolen Island, New York, has a profes- sional growih day for the teachers. Various workshops are offered for teachers to get enrichment and to ex- pand their expertise and teaching tech- niques. In November I was fortunate enough to get into one of the NASA workshops, along with 200 other teachers in the district. The NASA workshops were so popular that they had to run five o( them simultaneously.
The seminar ran all day, and each NASA instructor covered a great deal of information. They each emphasised their own area of specialization, such as chemistry, physics, or aviation. You should have seen grown-up people who happen Id be teachers making pa- per airplanes and flying them around the room. At most NASA educational workshops tons of material is distrtout- ed. At the "paper airplane* session I got a wonderful activity book called Sky School. There are at least live lessons in this book that would be an excellent addition to the curriculum of a ham radio program.
When I do a unit on space travel and communications with my sixth, seventh and eighth grade ham radio classes, I like to Include something new every term. There is a plethora of
charts, maps, photos, books, and pam- phlets available from the NASA Teach- er Resource Centers across the coun- try. Some of the materials are free most of the others are inexpensive. I've included a very useful address for teachers a! the end of this column.
Any instructor who uses SAREX lesson plans and activities in the class- room wili find the Tayload Packaging" lesson to be a terrific experience to add to your repertoire. The topic areas are: a. Prelection from vibration, accel- eration and deceleration; and b, Shock absorption.
The materials required per student are one raw egg and one container wilh the following restrictions: no larger than 6' x 6" x 6*; must weigh at least one pound (total weight with egg). Oth- er materials include assorted packing materials, cups for the eggs, a trash can to dispose of the packaging, targe trash bags, triple beam balance (espe- cially if density calculations are used), a ruler for volume measurements, a stopwatch for drop times, and newspa- pers.
Trie Lesson
Pivotal question: Can an egg be packaged in a container so that it re- mains unharmed alter being dropped from a height of at least 30 feet?
Background Information: Although shock absorption is an important part of aeronautical engineering, this activi- ty emphasizes creativity In design, A background discussion should solicit
Photo A, The NASA enrichment lessons expose youngsters to career opportuni- ties and introduce them to new interest areas tor hobbies.
the many commonplace uses of cush- ioning. Examples might include (he evolution of tires, padded rails on school buses, rides in amusement parks, baby car seat requirements, and food packaging.
Suggestions: Prepare the class for this activity at least one day ahead of time. Suggest ideas for the variety of packaging materials students can try for packaging the egg, (You might want to add the restriction that no money be spent on this assignment). Provide
Photo B. Ham radio classes love to do enrichment activities from the NASA educational programs, in this photo, students brainstorm tor the "Pay/dad Packaging" fesson.
SB 73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994
newspapers to cover tables for the egg-drop. Be prepared for a mess when some of the eggs break. Stu- dents should package the eggs at home. Prepare a "cut away" package for display.
Procedure
1 . Assign the students to prepare a container with the above mentioned re- strictions, in which they have pack- aged a raw egg. Encourage students to package their eggs with materials they believe will prevent It from break- ing after being dropped from a mini- mum height of 30 feet.
2. Have students bring in their box- es. Provide arrangements to verify size and weight. Provide labels for students to write their name on for the boxes.
3. Have students complete handout, "Payload Package Drop."
4. Go around the room and have each child describe what materials he or she used to package the egg. List the items on the board. Have the stu- dents predict which eggs wHl make it in five categories: a. Survival in good health; b. Living . . . but with cracked Skull; c. Unconscious, with brain dam- age; d. Total scramble; e* Missing in action,
5. Drop the egg packages, one at a time, from a height of at least 30 feet
6. Bring the "dropped" packages back into the classroom, where stu- dents open them.
7. After everyone has checked their eggs, count up the number of eggs in each of the categories and. as a class, record the results,
6. Discuss results of egg-drop activ- ity. Assess and rank-order the quality of materials for shock aosorbency. Highlight possible modifications in de- sign for packages with eggs that did
not survive Interpret Ihe usefulness of shock absorbency to areas other than flight.
Review of what the students will do: They witt discuss payload packaging. Students will design a "Blueprint" for the design 0/ a package for the raw
Patterson Biggs. Aerospace Educa- tion Services Project, NASA Head- quarters, Code XEO Washington, D.C. 20546; and Debi Dyer at Science In- structional Specialist, Virginia Beach City Public Schools. Virginia Beach, VA 23456.
"Any instructor who uses SAREX lesson plans and activities in the classroom will find the 'Pay load Packaging' lesson to be a terrific
experience to add to your repertoire. "
egg, They will construct a container to protect a raw egg. They will record and discuss data and results.
Follow-Up
Here are some good suggestions for follow-up activities:
1. Provide awards in various cate- gories—best decorated package, most colorful package, most unique pack- age, most lifcety to scramble, survival of the fittest, and messiest.
2. Have ihe students drop the box- es with a homemade parachute, bal- loon, or other air-drag device.
3. Package multiple eggs.
4. Investigate existing designs in running shoes.
Information Sources
The Sky School instructors are
NASA's Central Operation of Re- sources tor Educators is known as CORE. It was established for the inter- national and national distribution of NASA -produced educational materials in audio- visual format. Educational ma- terials include videotape programs, computer software . and slide and film- strip programs that chronicle NASA's state-of-the-art research and technolo- gy. To apply for the CORE catalog, contact: CORE Lorain Coynty JVS 15181, Route 58, South Oberlin OH 44074; phone: (216)774^1051 Ext 293 or 294.
For more information about how 1o get your school Involved with the SAREX (Shuttle Amateur Radio Exper- iment}, write to: Educational Activities Department. ARRL, 225 Main Street, NewingtonCT 06111.
AMATEUR TELEVISION
GET THE ATV BUG 'Tgg^
New 10 Watt
• • »
Transceiver
Only $499
a ©
o 0
Made in USA Value + Quality
from over 25years in ATV...W60RG
Snow free line of sight DX is 90 miles - assuming 14 dBd antennas at both ends, 10 Watts in this one box may be all you need for local simplex or repeater ATV, Use any home TV camera or camcorder by plugging the composite video and audio into the front phono jacks. Add 70cm antenna, coax, 13,8 Vdc @ 3 Amps, TV set and you're on the air - it's that easy!
TC70-1 0 has adjustable >1 0 Watt p. ©.p. with one xtal on 439,25, 434.0 or 426,25 MHz & properly matches RF Concepts 4-110 or Mirage D1010N-ATV for 100 Watts. Hot GaAsfet downcon verier varicap tunes whole 420-450 MHz band to your TV ch3. 7.5x7,5x2.7" aluminum box.
Transmitters sold only to licensed amateurs ( for legal purposes, verified in the latest Callbook or send copy of new license.
Call or write now for our complete ATV catalog including downconverters, transmitters, linear amps, and antennas for the 400, 900 & 1200 MHz bands.
L
(818) 447-4565 nvt B*rn-5:30pm p*t
P.C. ELECTRONICS
2S22 Paxson Une Arcadia CA 91007
Visa, UG, COD
Tom (W60RG) Maryinn (WB6YSS)
"ITC" The Only Affordable Spectrum Analyzer
THREE FULL FUNCTION ANALYZERS TO CHOOSE FROM 600 MHz - 1000 MHz - 1800 MHz
80 dB 0H SCREEN DYNAMIC I
With ITCs Exclusive EFPLA Log Amp. (paLpend)
SPAN WIDTHS. ITC Analyzers have -110 dBm ,7uv. sensitivity at all Resolution Band & Scan widths.
- J r ! I ^ r - - - i i ■■ I - i » - ■ - M l ■ « ! H ■ » ^ * M H M l ' M ' ■ « ■ !
. 1 . I _ . L ■ L_|II_B I ■ ■ II L J I ■ I ■ J - 1 11 I » I II II IB ■ ■ I L ■ > J I.
a i i i l a l a ■ r ■ i ■■■■■■■■■rii 11 iiji-tir--'<iiiririiBi i ■ I I
HIGH STABILITY (<lKHz per Hr
after warm up)
FEATURES Baseline Clipper, Video Filteiv 5*CRTf Praw* ^variable Dispersion settings from 0-50 Mhz pertfiv, 100:1 tuning ratio for easy : Center Frequency selection, & More.
. . ■:■ .-_^^^4^^
. — .,
- —
■.♦.v-y.'.' ■
. i. t. i. ...... . . ^ . i
PRICES START AT
A MUST FOR:
T = ivi~
SSS-AM-FM-flTTY-TV-MCXET TWO WAY RADIO SERVICE
CHECK FCC REqUREMBHS TUNE CAVITIES, FLIERS CHECK RF CABLES, MIPS
EVALUATE ALL RF SYSTEMS
FALL DEMONSTRATOR SALE Like New One Full Year Warrantee
SA1800A Opts 1,3,5,6 $1895.00 - SA1000A Opts 1,3,5,6, $1495.00 Limited to Stock on Hand - These Are Current Production Models - SAVE UP TO $1075.00
L
ITC INSTRUMENTS
9222 Chesapeake Eh". Suite A San Diego Ca, 92123 USA
MADE IN THE USA
TERMS: M/C. VISA AE, CHECK. MOp COD. P,0, (OACD
SA600A 600 MHz $1295.00 OpLl 50 MHz marker $200.00
SA1000A 1000 MHz $1595.00 OpLl +/- 5 KHz Filter $350.00
SA1800A 1 800 MHz $1895.00 Opt 5 Tracking Gen. $250.00
Opt 6 Center Frequency Display $275.00
FOR MORE INFORMATION & SPECIAL SALE PRICES CALL 1-800-232-3501 619-277-4619 FAX-277-6736
ITC Analyzers are the perfect low cost choice for All AM4 FM, SSB VHF, UHF, TV, PAN ADAPTER HAM RADIO NEEDS. You will save time & money with an ITC low cost Spectrum. Analyzer.
CIRCLE 112 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 69
Qrp
Humber 1 7 on your Feedback card
Michael Bryce WBBVGE 2225 Mayflower NW Massiiion OH 44&4B
The Argosy, Continued
The original Argosy, the model 525, was introduced in the summer of 1981, The basic rig went for $549. The 525 was discontinued in the summer of 1983 to coincide with the arrival of the Argosy II. the model 5250, The base price for this rig was S599. The Argosy 1/ was discontirv ued early In 1988 at a price of S745. Many thanks for Tom Saliveiti of Ten- Tec for digging up those details from the Ten-Tec archives.
The Argosy and the Argosy II have been in demand ever since they were introduced back in 1981. So, it's not surprising lo see hams making modi- fications to these rigs.
In an issue of (the now defunct) Ham Radio magazine several years back, an article appeared on modify- ing the Argosy, For the life of me, I cannol locate the issue or identify the author of the work, 1 do know it was quite extensive and included a digilal readout lor the Argosy I. In fact, I've been told, some of the receiver modi- fications were included in the Argosy
Low Power Operation
11 by Ten*T©c, If my memory serves me. the modifications were rather heavy-duty. They were definitely not beginner mods you would make in an afternoon soldering session. If you know the name and call of the author, and the month and year of the article, how about dropping me a line? Id like lo tell others about this piece,
RF Gain Control Mod
One of the most common com- plaints about the Argosy is the lack of an RF gain control. The modification I'm describing requires you to do some soldering directly to the PC board of the Argosy. If you don't feel comfortable doing this, then don't! The modification is simple, requiring only a potentiometer, a diode, a re- sistor and a soldering iron. This RF gain control modification is by Ten- Tec from their QTC bulletin TN2-525.
You'll need a dual concentric 10k potentiometer. Remove the audio gain potent romeler Connect the orig- inal audio control wires to the center potentiometer Refer to the schematic in Figure 1 . Connect the rear section of the potentiometer as shown. With that done, you now have a variable RF gain control and audio gain on the same potentiometer. But, youll
Photo A. The two crystal fitters are dearly shown in the Argosy if. The 100 watt in* put PA is hidden under the shield.
end up losing the power switch, You must then either Turn off Ihe power supply to Ihe Argosy or use the mag- netic cfrcuil breaker if you're working from a 12 volt battery supply. I don't know if Ihis modification will work with the Argosy II— I havenl tried iL
To eliminate the dual pot for the above modification, wire in the noise blanker so it's on all the lime. This frees up the noise blanker switch. You can use the noise blanker switch to turn on the above circuit. A small VQk trimmer would repEace the panef- mognted potentiometer. You end up
12V
1N414S
10K
4
>
To Junction Of 09 and D10 Cathodes On IF/AF Board 60785
10K
Figure 1. Schematic for the RFgain control modification to the Argosy.
with a fixed attenuation pad of say 10 to 20 dB- A hunk of perf board would hold the parts inside the rig.
Dial Light Mod
Another popular modif teat ion cen- ters on the dial light for the meter, In the Argosy II, you can turn off the LED display, but the meter light still remains On, The modification is Sim* pfe; You just rewire the meter light so it is controlled by the same switch as the display. So, when you turn off the display, the meter light goes out, too. This really saves the juice when working from a battery supply.
More Goodies
Since you can have your choice of crystal fillers with either model, some of you may not know that Ihe basic four-pole 2,5 kHz filter may be swapped oul for a narrower filter, an eight-pole with a 2,4 kHz bandpass. It's a Model 220 filter. Most of the crystal filters are stifl available from Ten -Tec. The same goes for instruc- tion manuals and most of the parts making up the Argosy series,
Another little-known fact about the Argosy is its ability to drive an ampli-
lambic Keyer
Low Cost - Low Power - CMOS
Feature ■: Dot & Dash Memory, Low Level Audio Sid stone Generator with on board audio transducer. NPN open collector kayed output and HIGH and LOW speed range WiH operate on less than 5V and up to 20V BuiH on a 3 00 X 2 00 dcubte sided, plated through, soider masked & character screened circuit board Designed to Ml inlo Our QRP Transcerver
Complete Kit Only ....$29.95
Assembled & Tasted *„»»....*« ...m.....„,.,S39 ^5
CA residents add 7 75% sates tax, SW $4 50 {tns&ed}
Foreign orders add 20%. For more mh or catalog.
send legal sue SASE (S2c) to:
A&A Engineering ^
2521 W La Fa I ma tK » Anaheim, CA 92801 • 714-9&2-2114
BayCom Modem
Low Cost Packet for PC / Clones
Features; Software-based PACKET that makes your computer emulate a TNC. Modem connects from senai p0ff i0 rig. Watchdog timer & reed relay PTT standard. Operates from T2VOCir lOOma, wall power supply included. Uses crystal controlled 7910 chip. VHP and KF. Lock & TX LEO indicators Free copy of Version 1.40 English software included.
Kit $59.95 Enclosure $10
Assembled & Tested Board $79.95
Assembled & Tested in Box *•>♦•**, $09,95
CA Restaeflts add 7 75 ■•& sates tax S&H S5 00
(insured^ Foreign orders add 20% for mora info
or catalog; send legs! size SASE (52c) to:
**■»»**-«•*
A&A Engineering
b 2521 W. LaPilma fK • Anaheim. CA 92S01 • ?14 9S2-21H —I
r
HamCaU CD-ROM
ILS. and International Call sign Lookup
Nearly 1,000.000 Listings Thousands of Public Domain Programs
IlLunCaJl\ Includes Clubs flt Military SU11 $50, + S5 Shipping & Handling per Order Works on PC and Mac
Buckmaslers HamCall CD-ROM looks up c^Jls in seconds- U,5> taJIs can be searched by any element, including name. city, stale, etc. A TSR Is included to look up rallslgns from almost any text application. Prints tone Is. No hard disk required, everything Is on one CD-ROM! New CD-ROM disc every April and October, with updated listings and dozens of new programs!
BuCKMAfTER
Publishing
Rt 4, Box 1630-Mlncral. VA 231 17
703:§94 5777 800:282-5638
L _ J
CI RL CLE 56 ON READER SERVICE CARD
70 73 Amateur Radio Today ■ February. 1 994
Photo B. These two trimmer pots set the ALC for high power and tow power.
Photo C. The meter tamp can be easily turned off with the LED display.
fier. Granted, the SO waits of RF out- put won't drive your Heath kit SB200 full blast, but you can make it work. Randy KD8JN drives his Heath am- plifier with an Argonaut 509. He won't say how much he gets out. though,
Ten-Tec made a small PC board which would fix inside either Argosy. Tneir part number for this module is 80853. This module would provide a delay break -in to control an external amplifier, It's a rare find, it you want- ed to, you could easily make your own control board to do the same function as the 80853 board.
There are two more easy-to-do modifications for the Argosy II. They involve the setting of the ALC trim- mers. There are two trimmers on the
80784 D board. One sets the high limit for the high power position white the other will control the low power position. If you're are a real QRP nut, then 5 watts output Is way too much
my power supply is my battery bank, its nominal voltage is 12.5 volts , so I have the ALC set for high power at 40 watts RF output. Higher output power is possible, but the ALC LEO
'Like I said, You'll have to pry my cold dead fingers off of my Argosy II."
power. By adjusting the ALC trimmer, you can have the power level you want and still have fuN ALC control. This is something the original Argosy did not provide. I have the ALC set for my QRP position at 2 watts. Since
won't light when operating on the bat- tery supply,
If you have a dead transmitter on an Argosy I, Y\\ put my money on a blown driver transistor on the RF/mix- er board #80784. Its Q3, the one
with the small heat sink It seems if you switch from high to low power white transmitting, youll popQ3,
If your Model 525 will not read for- ward RF power, check diodes D6. D7. and D8- Also check for continuity on L15. It has a tendency to become open. All these parts are located on the SVWlGw-pass filter board #80805.
Even I ho ugh they are no longer made, both the Argosy t and Argosy II can still be heard on the ham bands. It's really rare not lo hear one during a QRP contest. At Dayton, it's very common to see a sign on some- one's back reading, Want to buy Argosy ! or IL Like I said, You'll have to pry my cold dead fingers off of my Argosy IL
Walking-Stick Yagi?
Hold il in your hnrn1 — tl's a wulkini; filit'k m ride ttl iilLiimnuiii wilh r uMhi l' mis. Mill in- side; art1 all Lhc elcmenl.soJJi 4t 1riiu'=n yugi il i kjoca inucthur in. 2 niruii-N. Rriuly lei iJk' T-
Hurl, Etfjitfy logci jour sipuil citH Offl hoM
Ink) l he rqieaier. No lit
simiii Jt- hits
Lo d-iop jinrf i|c*l
Ionl fivL*ij£l]iiriu: Ills ctenn iiihI rijjil urul imiyh. W* cm £'14. Weighs anly I Ih,
2mcu;rs S79
Add Sri Shipping A lUiuHiiur
AntennakWe&t
Hon 5l)()f>2'S I'row) HT Wfid.^
litlnJI,
Order ItolLinc 801 373 8425
CIRCLE 324 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Subscribe to
73 Amateur Radio Today
Call 800-289-0388
VHF UHF MICROWAVE
Transverters:
6M.2 M, 222 hAHl, 70 cm. 902, 1296. 2304. 3456. 5760 MHz. 10 GHr
Receiving Converters:
1691 MHz 2400 MHz
Antennas:
Loop *agis 902 - 3456 MHz Rutland Arrays Yagts; 6M ■ 70 cm
Low Noise Preamps and Kits:
144 MHi- 10 GHz
Linear Power Amps:
70 cm - 2304 MHz
Components. CaQfe. Antenna Re jays FREE Catalog Available
DOWN EAST MICROWAVE
Bill Otson W3HQT
RR 1, Box 2310
Troy. ME 04987^9721 USA
Phone 12071948-3741
Fa* (207)9485157
V^-£
Amateur Radio Language Guide
* Hundreds of phrases, especially for the ham radio operator
- VdI, 1 - French. Spanish, German, Japanese, Polish
* Vol. 2 - Swedish, Italian, Portugese, Croatian, Norwegian ■ Vet. 3 - Russian, Danish, Czech, Korean, Hawaiian
* Vol. 4 - Chinese, Duictit Finish, Romanian, Vietnamese
- Vol, 5 - Hungarian, Arabic, PhiHipino. Turkish, Indonesian Send $10. per volume U.S,, S12 ouiside U.S. to:
ROSE, P.O. Box 796, Mundateln, II 60060-0796
Speak To The World
CfRCLE 134 ON READER SERVICE CARD
ARK3Q
SYNTHESIZED QRP CW TRANSCEIVER KIT
Get VojseJf the BEST Kit!
* Cofc & Transamrs Pre- wound
* ML Quaty SAsznewA PC81
* CaTjjtet&Kl irf118 P Mauri
The BEST Receiver
• GUARAHTEEDTOWORK 7?» BEST Trsnscerver
- SuperM &igte Signal RCVR • lOOmftwattstoS Wout
• Sertstoty 0 3ffir lOdb (S+N|/N • FULLO&buJUiqMtar
' Tune 100 Hz steps RfT+t- 500 Hz • tavnedalfl Rkcmtv AGC
— RAVE REVIEWS ^
. . MMjy grade said *73* Magazine
. , . stood up to Fcti Da* cenribns . . *Wortt Rate*
• The kJeai Trowkt's rig - just add Key. Ptmr & Antenna •
20, 30, or 40 METER KIT *2*9.§5
Qpterd**. Speed KeyerKl _ _ ._.. S 39.K
*l4lt-*f*1
Tc Order CaJ
S & S ENGMEERtNG
pr«Bc*ir<yp
ff AX) ttl 4l4-»W
GIVE YOUR
HR-2510 HR-2600
fire-1 stitn? features us the
"BIG RIGS"
CHIPSWITCH
4773 Sonoma Hwy, Suite 132 Santa Rosa, CA 954094269
Write or nil (Tfl7) 539-05 fZ for FREE LnFurmaliDii
CIRCLE 265 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Say You Saw It In
73 Amateur Radio Today
Handheld Power Amplifier Kits
Ultra compact 2 meter linear
amplifier kits. 12-14 volt
operation, high gain with
TR switching
CIRCLE 294 ON READER SERVICE CARD
15 watt (14.5 dB gain) $60 30 watt (10 dB gain) $70
(510)644-3779
FRB, 1442 Walnut St. #406 Berkeley, C A 94710
CIRCLE 253 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 71
Number 18 on your Feedback card
Number le on your heecmacK ca
Packet & computers
—
Jeffrey Sloman N1EWO P.O. Box 636 Franklin IN 46131
Getting Started with TCP/IP, Part 5: AUTOEXEC.NOS
[This column is Part 5 in a series on using amateur TCP/IP. In this series we are using KA9Q NOS in the form of JNOS (WG7J) version 1.07b or 1.08c. The software is available in the "Packet & Computers" area of the 73 BBS; (603) 924-9343, 300-2400 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, one stop bit.}
The primary configuration file for NOS is AUTOEXEC, NOS, Thts file functions much like DOS's AUTOEXEC.BAT Entries in it are exe- cuted as if typed in at the JNOS com- mand prompt. JNOS also offers a fa- cility to include other files in AUTOEXEC.NOS by reference.
Some entries in AUTO EXECNOS are position-dependent — that is, certain statements must pre- cede them to get the expected result. For the most part, though, the order in which statements appear in the fiEe is arbitrary. In order to easily learn about
Digital Amateur Radio
the AUTOEXEC.NOS file, we'll divide it into logical sections. These sections are not enforced by JNOS — they are a convenience for us,
Let's take a look at the conventions used in the AUTOEXEC.NOS lite. Be- low is a typical entry:
isat
yes
# 286/336 ciock
"isat" is the parameter that we are set- ting (this tells JNOS that you are using a 286 or better clock). Separated by an arbitrary white space — spaces or tabs— is. In this case, a binary switch. It is called "binary* because it is either on or off. Most JNOS commands that use binary switches accept a variety of values; y, yes, true, on, 1, set, enable (to turn a feature on); and n, no, false, off, 0, clear, disable (to turn one off). The ri#a precedes a comment. Whatev- er follows a # on the line will be ig- nored by JNOS as it processes the file.
Creating a Working AUTOEXEC.NOS
Let's start our look at the entries that are necessary to produce a work- ing JNOS station. These are the en-
tries that create a basic configuration which will let you get your JNOS sta- tion on the air.
DOMAIN
The domain command sets or dis- plays parameters related to mapping between names (e.g.: nlewo.ampr. org) to numerical (e.g.; 44,48.70.21) addresses, and provides a way to add DNSs (Domain Name Servers) to your configuration.
This translation service is very im- portant. To understand why, let's take a look at the two types of addressing. Numerical addressing is the '"native" way that TCP/IP determines how to find a device on a network. Here's how it works: Each numerical Internet address consists of four bytes. Each byte — eight bits of information — can have one of 256 values. When an in- ternet address is written it is usually done by writing the value of each byte (in decimal notation — that is base 10 or "normal11) separated by a dot (.), In- ternet addresses come in three class- es—A, Bf and C, Class A addressing uses just the first byte to distinguish the network; the fasl three bytes are for the "host1' or device version. This sort of addressing is used when there are few networks and lots of devices connected. Class B uses the first two bytes for the network, which balances the number of available network and device address. Class C (you guessed
it!) uses the first three bytes for the network address, the last byte for de- vice addresses.
The most common addressing class used in the amateur TCP/IP world is C. Amateur addresses always start with 44. This is the address for the domain AMPR.ORG; the name amp l org amps to the addresses that lie in the 44.xx.xx.xx address space. All amateur addresses assigned by IP coordinators are sent to a host at the University of California at San Diego called mirrorshades,ucsd,edu+ This host acts as a router. This means that any time there is traffic anywhere On the Internet that starts with 44, it is sent to mirrorshades, which looks at the address and sends it on its way to the correct gateway.
The second byte in an amateur In* ternet address points to a particular region of the world. For example, 44. 48. xx. xx is somewhere in Indiana, because of the 48. The 48, in this case, is the Indiana subnet. How the next two bytes are used is up to the lo- cal IP coordination mechanism. Here in Indiana, we have regional subnets (yes, you can have subnets in sub- nets). I am located in subnet 70. This makes my first three bytes: 44.48.70; add 21 to this and you have my com- plete address: 44.48.70.21. 21 is the host (I also call this "device," since ft could be any sort of networked hard- ware) portion of the address- There
A NO-RADIAL VERTICAL THAT COVERS 80 OR 75 METERS?
THERE'S ONE NOW!
No, we won't insult your intelligence by telling you that it's a "halfwave" or that ANY vertical will operate more efficiently without a good radial system than with one; it certainly won't! If you want expensive fairy tales talk to our competitors! If, however, you've no room for even the smallest radial system Just install the most efficient multiband vertical in the business, the HF9V-X, over our counterpoise kit, You'll not only save a tidy sum but you'll work DX that the shorter and more lossy no-radial "halfwaves" can't touch because both the HF6V*X and HF9V-X use longer active element lengths for higher radiation resistance and greater efficiency on more bands than any of the so-calfed halfwaves. Ask for our free brochure for complete specs on all Butternut models and receive technical note DLS-1 "Dirty Little Secrets from the Antenna Designer's Notebook") that shows you how to calculate the probable efficiency of any vertical antenna using the manufacturer's own specs so you won't have to learn the truth the hard way*
Model HF9V-X (shown to the left) for 80^75, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10 and 6 meters.
Model CPX counterpoise kit for Butternut models HF9V-X, HF6V, and HFGV-X; substitutes for ground or elevated radials. Self-supporting tubing bolts onto base of antenna. Mast not provided.
BUTTERNUT ELECTRONICS GO.
P.O. Box 1234, Olmito, TX 78575 (210)350-5711
fKMMNSBl
Technologies
A DIVISION OF LJ ELECTRONIC INDUSTRIES 123 East South Street * Harveysburg, Ohio 45032
1 (800) B29 83Z1
0
Model TSC1
Transef Suction Cup Mounting Kit
12
95
Model TDC1
Transel Heavy-Duty Hat Clip
$
12
95
Model TWM
Transel Slim Line Window Mojrtt Kit
$
24
95
Model T 144-10
Transel Modified Gain Quarter Wave Antenna
s
14
95
Write for a Full Line Antenna Catalog at No Cost!
-DEALERS WELCOME -
Made In The USA ..Because ll Matters!
CIRCLE 11 ON READER SERVICE CARD
72 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
are up to 255 devices on the 70 sub- net. Why not 256? Because, by con- vention, hosts are never assigned 0 addresses: these are reserved for networks. The address 44,0.0.0. (or example, addresses the traffic to the ampr network.
OK, so now you have some idea of what the numerical address is and how to read it. What about the name stuff? Obviously the numerical ad- dress is not particularly user friendly. It is also absolute — thai is, always points to the same machine or device. Names get around both of these things. First, it Is a lot easier to re- member ntewo.amprorg than 44.46.70.21. The first part is my call; the second is the name of the amateur Internet subnet. This formula works for mast amateurs on Internet — though some use SSIDs (Secondary Station Identifiers, e.g.: N1EWO-1) or other names.
The other advantage of names is that where they map can change arbi- trarily. For example, a while ago. in this column, I reported on K9IU and its Internet*:— >ampmet gateway In the piece 1 specified K 91 Li's numeric (In- ternet) address. Because of mis, when the sysops of K91U had to make changes to their hardware confrgura- Con. which moved the gateway to a new Internet address, they had to do a bunch of fancy footwork. Had I instead Just told you about K9IU.AMPR.ORG,
it would have been a simple matter for the sysops to tell mirrorshades that this name now mapped to the new ad- dress.
So this domain stuff is pretty impor- tant Most of your domain name ser- vices will come from looking at a local file called DOMAIN.TXT— this tile con- tains names and their associated In- temet addresses. To do this name-to- address mapping, JNOS looks in the DOMAIN,TXT file and finds the entry that matches the name it is working with. This means opening the file, and parsing (reading and interpreting) it— a very (time-) costfy operation. A TCP/IP conversation involves lots of packets . each with a header that might require this translation. Because of this, set- ting up the domain services can have an effect on performance.
The first setting well look at is the cache size. A cache is a space in memory which is sat aside to store some particular sort of memory ob- ject— in this case, a name* — >ad- dress mapping. When JNOS needs to make a translation it will first took in the cache (much faster than opening and reading a file) and use what it finds there. If you have recently com- municated with a station this informa- tion may reside in the cache and speed things up. Trie cache size is set with the command:
domain cache size <n>
where domain is the command, cache size is the subcommand, and <n> is the number of entries to be cached. The limit Is based on avail- able memory and the default is 5. You should set this parameter to a number large enough so that you usually don't have to open your DOMAIN. TXT file. You can tell if this Is happening by watching for disk activity when your station tries to resolves name.
The next domain subcommand of interest is "translate." This subcom- mand determines if JNOS will try to convert numerical addresses to names whenever it displays them (in trace mode, for example), This can be a real CPU hog. so unless you really need it, turning it off is a good idea. To do this, the entry should be:
domain translate off
The last domain subcommand for the AUTOEXEC, NGS needs some ex- planation. It involves the use of a Do- main Name Server, or DNS. If you live within radio earshot of a real internet gateway this may be of use to you. A DNS is a machine that has a compre- hensive DQMAIN,TXT file. When you try to use a name that does not ap- pear in your own DOMAfN.TXT file, JNOS will contact a DNS that you have specified. If the DNS has the name you are looking for. JNOS will add it to your DOMAfN.TXT This is a great service It you can take advan-
tage of It. The command looks like this;
domain addserver<host> <time out>
where domain is the command, addserver is the subcommand. <host> Is the host ID of the DNS. and ctimeout> is an optional timeout in seconds.
You can control whether your sta- tion updates the local DOmain.TXT based on the DNS server response with:
domain update <boolean>
where 'domain" is the command, "up- date" is the subcommand, and "<boolean>* is on, off or one of the equivalents mentioned earlier.
Finally, you can turn your own sta- tion into a DNS using the command:
domain dnson
where "domain" is the command, "dns* is the subcommand, and "on" enables the DNS server built into JNOS— the default is off+
Next month we'll continue with AUTO EXEC. N OS, taking a look at in- terface configuration. (NOTE: A work- ing JNOS AUTOEXEC. NOS file is available on the 73 BBS in tfie 'Packet & Computers' file area. The fife is named: JNOSAUTOTXT.)
Why buy a TNC?
PC HF FAX + PC SWL $179.00
SPECIAL COMBINATION OFFER
For a limited lime. ■! you order PC HF FAX £99 (see our other ad m this issue}, you can add Our new and improved PC SWL 3 0 for $80 00 instead ol our regular low price of
$99 00
PC SWL contains tne hardware, software instructions and frequency lists needed to allow you to receive a vast variety of dig rial broadcasts transmitted over shortwave radio AM you need is any IBM PC or compatible computer and an SSB shortwave receiver The product consists ot Demodulator
Digital Signal Processing Software 200 Page Tutorial Reference Manual World wide Utility Frequency Ust Tutorial Audio Cassette with Samples PC SWL automat «ca% decodes Morse code HTTY AMTOR SITOR NAVTEX and ASCI*
PC SWL lets you tune m on wood press services meteorological broadcasts, ham rad*o operators coastal shore stations, avtaHon teJev and mucn more digital action on the shortwave bands wny pay for another e*pensrve bo* when a simple interface and your PC can do me job? ADVANCED FEATURES: Turing Qse '-oseope- Dgrtai Waveform Presentations Auto Ca*braton and Code Recogrutcr Continuously Tunable F*ef Frequencies Vanaote Shift
Adjustable Cw F«ner Sensrtivty Unattended Capture and Pnn«ng integrated Text Ed tcf
Integrated Log and DataBase
She* to DOS appkeaoens
Seamless Irgayabon wrtfi PC HF Facamie Call or write for our complete catalog of products. Visa & MasterCard welcome.
Software Systems Consulting
61 5 S. El Camino Real. San Clemefiie, CA 92672 Tel:(71 4)498-5784 Fax: (7 14)498-0568
CIRCLE 244 ON READER SERVICE CARD
/
,lMllft !!«'■■
Grounds
l-foiyf5"^
Lightning and EMP Protection
SECOND EDITION
A comprehensive hands-on guide to proper grounding installation, measurement and maintenance for direct lightning strike survival. Over 100 pages with new informative "how-to" charts, graphs and pictorials. From high rise to mountain top, for radio sites and computer LANs, this is a must read book. (
Only $22.95 (includes first class postage). '
VISA
[Ws 1 1 •'Cora
CORPORATION 'i
(800)325-7170 ■ (702)782-2511 ■ FAX: (702) 782-4476 2225 Park Place ■ P.O. Box 9000 ■ Minden, NV 89423-9000
CIRCLE 49 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February. 1994 73
Number 19 on your Feedback card
Number la on your hi
Above & beyond
VHF and Above Operation
C. L Houghton WBBfGP San Diego Microwave Group 6345 Badger Lake Ave. San Diego CA 92119
The winter weather and all of its ill effects should keep you indoors awhile, leaving you more time for in- house construction projects. Continu- ing along with that theme, this month I would like to cover a few little gems to keep you and your soldering iron busy. Let's consider construction of pream- plifiers for the low VHF range. This month Til cover component selection and parts substitution, and how to modify circuits accordingly. The prima- ry goal is to use components you have on hand. Consider a dual -gate MOS- FET preamp for 30 MHz. See Figure 1 for the schematic details.
The amplifier shown in Figure 1 can work well over the frequency range of 10 to 50 MHz. The 40673 duahgate MOSFET is capable of higher frequen- cy operation; however, there are better devices today for those applications. If you want to build this circuit it will work; however, it is primarily used for component selection examples. With the schematic diagram (Figure 1) in mindP lets go shopping for parts. Don't
go and purchase everything brand- new — a lot of retailers would appreci- ate that, but rather see what compo- nents you have on hand that can fill the bill to hold down costs and keep the project in a "hobby" realm.
Use the design in Figure 1 as a guide. It need not be followed exactly; most component values can be varied about 10% without changing the circuit performance. You do not have to use the exact material specified for the res- onant elements (tuned circuits). Changing these components can be very cost-effective if you can use something you have on hand.
Let's take a closer look at the reso- nant elements, the inductors and the capacitors that form this part of the cir- cuit. The inductors used in this circuit are two variable 2.1 microhenry {\i\-\) coils and two 25 uH inductors* What do we go shopping for in the coil de- partment? Two or three RFCs whose value is 25 u\H and two 2.1 jdH induc- tors for the resonant elements. The 25 \xH RFCs role on the input is not very apparent This RFC provides a ground return for both the input tuned circuit to the ampfifier and a DC path for the de- tector diode to ground. See Figure 4. It also matches the diode's higher
impedance. (Here is my chance to slip in some microwave activity), Thts preamplifier is normally used in WBFM applications for a diode detector in a microwave cavity. For 10 GHzd this is a section of waveguide, and for lower frequencies it could be a tin can called a polapiexer It's basically a tin can or waveguide whose size/opening is the right dimension for the frequency of use. For 10 GHz, a copper pipe 1" in diameter is about right. For 1296 MHz, a one -pound coffee can is perfect. The diode detector is placed 1/4 wave- length at frequency from the back of the can and at 90 degrees in reference to the diode orientation. There are sev- eral ways this same coupling can be done but this is the most inexpensive method. Such a detector diode has an impedance of about 200 to 400 ohms, and when coupled to a preamplifier it will deflver maximum when the amplifi- er input circuitry is matched to this same impedance range, hence the in- put circuitry.
The output inductor (RFC) is used to separate RF and DC, It drives up DC power from the output coax and powers the amplifier for operation in a remote location from the main station equip- ment. The other two coils comprise the tuned circuit and are shown as variable coils. They can be fixed if we wish to make the capacitor (15 pF) variable. The circuit will work well either way with variable coils or variable capacitors. This is one of the cost-effective choices to make by using your "junk box.*
What form can the inductor take to make the circuit work? As an example, take a toroid that is capable of working at 30 MHz. Look at Table 1 . Looking at toroid cores from Amidon Associates, a popular amateur parts supplier, we determine that a T-XX-6 or T-XX-12 core is suitable.
At this point the -6 (yeiiow core) is the most important ingredient. The table states that a -6 core is good for 10 to 90 MHz use. A red core -2 could be used, but the frequency stated is not suitable; it's good from 1 to 14 MHz max. Alternately, a -12 core (green and white) would work, but that's kind of overkill; put this idea in the "might use" category. A -6 (yeElowJ core would be an easier core to locate In the junk box as it is very popular, more so than a -1 2. In either case, let's use the -6 yeliow core and proceed to wind a 2.1 u.H inductor.
The Amidon charts ilst the toroid cores by core size (the XX above) and type (-2 or -6 or -12, etc.). Amidon has published a numerical value called "ALH or hiH per 100 turns}. With this UAI_" value for a selected core Size we can compute the exact number of turns for our 2.1 pH inductor, Let's se- lect a T-25-6 core. By the way, the "25" of the part identification number refers to the size of the outer diameter of the core, in this case 1/4V In comparison, a T-37-X would be a core with a 0.37O" diameter. Now, looking at Table 1, the UAL" value for the T-25-6 core is 27 T That means that for 100 turns on a T-
COMPONENTS
Whether you order 1 part or all 42,738.,, MOUSER stocks and. ..ships same day!!
^(800) 992-9943 for your
CATALOG
3**A2401 Hwy. 287 N. Mansfield, TX 76063
MOUSER
ELECTRONICS
Sales & Stocking Locations Nationwide
KITS!
KITS!
KITS!
No. 1 in High Quality Educational Kits
• FM Transmitter, 3v supply, range 400 yards «..„.♦.,... $19.95
* 2 Stage FM Transmitter, our most powerful to date , $24.95
• Sound activated switch for tape recorder...... , $19,95
* FM Telephone Transmitter, range 200 yards „„„ $19,95
• LM3H6 Audio Amplifier, variable gain „ . ,„4 $14,95
* DTMF Decoder/Panel Meter, 1 6 digit LCD display .„ $54,95
•68HC705K1 Micro-controller Kit .,,,,,, $49.95
1 I 1 f I Pit '^" d^'P** Jli"> l«ti?d nintl ^imnLiitccJ tn work.
■ lY |l . qj 5^ Excellent cIocuiik motion with schematic in expfain hnw it woifcfr PC Boards
J U nOWuru Mreei have .silk screen overlay (Ma the mp lor coutponeni pigment
B%,fi\>w^M4io06 ORDER YOUR KIT TODAY!
{ / I O )Sr)_-U44 ) pj^ ^|lt] $ , m rur t.ump|ctc jjj,,^ nf 0ver M> Kks or
FA X 1 7 1 6 )H 52-5042 s.s.oo n»r t \m* item* t SurivNtonuc^iniiifer Sui>$ttM$i €aia!g&
Heterodyne Headache #14.226.5
Get fast relief with a
magic V Hatch
automatic notch audio til ter
Magically removes all
heterodynes caused by tuners, carriers, CWt computer RFI and other similar QRM!
Why listen to carriers? The MagicNofcli filter:
■ is lull v automatic. N-o Inning is necessary*
• easily in «,Li IK between l he rig and an external speaker or titiacluhnnuv
• can be left tmuU the time while operating SSI].
* .shfiivs niter operation with its 2 color LED.
■ all ow s you to work an s4 SS H s ignal u ml 1 1 a 2(1 over ^ carrier*
* r CO,U i res 1 2 V DC — Usual ly avuila bk fro m the accessory jack on ynur rig.
$10995«
Shipping & handling $5.00 Foreign orders $10.00
j'Com 793 Canning Pkwy - Victor NY 14564 (716) 924-0422 FAX (716) 924-4555
CIRCLE 64 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CIRCLE 55 ON READER SERVICE CARD
74 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1 994
25-6 core the inductance would be 27 pit (Note: We might not be abte to get 100 turns on this size core, but this is a figure used for calculations only and not actual windlngj. To determine what 2.1 uH would be, a littte math is need- eo\
Table 1 shows inductance if you were able to wind 100 turns on various type cores. On some smaller cores it is impossible to wind 100 turns so this number is imaginary but it is used in calculating the required inductance from that "AL* number.
The formula to determine the turns required is as follows: turns = 100 times the square root of the required nductance. A required inductance of 2.1 \*H divided by an AL of 27 equals 0.07777777. The square root of
0.07777777 is 0.278886675, and that times 100 equals 27.388. So we need 28 turns of wire on our T2S-6 core for an inductance of 2.1 ^R For this appli- cation, a wire size o( #28 to »30 gauge enameled wire woufd be used. Bene- fits from this selection are that the in- put and output toroidal coils would not couple between each other, minimizing a condition called talking or crosstalk. That's oscillation when the input of an amplifier finds the output.
Toroid cores maintain the magnetic field within the core structure and mini- mize external fiefafs. You can verify resonance of your loroid and its capac- itor combination by using an instru- ment catted a grid -dip meter. Toriod cores are difficult to grid-dip without some external coupling added for test
purposes, To grid-dip a toroid tuned circuit, put a turn or two on the core and make an external two-turn coii with a short section of wire. Couple the dip meter to the external temporary coil and you will read the actual toroid resonant frequency directly on the grid-dip meter. Adjust accordingly to meet your parameters. Add or remove turns or vary capacitance values to suit your requirements. Trying to do this without the link coil for testing is very difficult, See Figure 3 for this method of grid -dipping a toroid core.
An alternate to the toroid coil would be a small 1/8* or so diameter slug- tuned coil form. This fomi could be tak- en from an old TV set IF amp circuit or similar circuitry from a junk PC board. Remove the coil form and any wind-
Pi
RF Input Zo = 200
P2
L2 2.1u H
mm
L4 2pH
rprrL
C5 .01
-II-
25uH
R4 100
CO .01
Li
25 a H (Optional)
CO
^mLm> ■■ *
C7
.01
1
.Optional)
Figure 1. 30 MHz IF preamplifier schematic diagram.
ings on the form. For aiF coil form (slug-tuned), 12 to 14 turns of #24 wire have worked well for me. You can ex- periment with the wire gauge and par- allel capacitor using the same old grid- dip meter for testing before placing the coil and required capacitor in the cir- cuit, I am trying to remember— I be- lieve that I used a 25 to 40 pF capaci- tor to resonate the circuit at 30 MHz, A factor in this case was that the coil form I used had a ground shield around the coil form and this affected the entire circuit Also, using a selec- tion from the junk box can lead to some uncertainly on what you have form* wise, but verification with the grid-dip meter will remove all doubt.
Remember to measure everything so it will properly fit in the circuit. Also, placing shielding in close proximity to the coit form can detune the circuit; keep this in mind when placing shielding. If you do not use a shield cover (can), there could be sub- stantial coupling between input and output and oth- er shielding techniques need to be employed. Give different methods a try as not much is at risk here. The benefit from this construction Is cost because you are more likely to find junk coil forms than toroids. Check out stability and add
— zo = so
+12 v
INDIANA HAMFEST
& COMPUTER SHOW
SUNDAY, MARCH 13, 1994
Indiana State Fairgrounds
Indianapolis, Indiana
Open at 8:00 A.M.
• All Indoors • Free Parking - Paved Lots * Ladies Programs • Forums - Many Nationally Advertised Commercial Dealers • Flea Market* Over 500 Tables
Talk-in on the "Mighty 525" (2.1 KW out) - 145-25 MHz
COME & ENJOY A SHOW BY OUR "QUALITY" DEALERS!
For Tables: SASE To: Atleen Scales KC9YA, 3142 Market Place, Bloomington, IN 47403, 812-339 4446
■V*.
■
Get on Packet Radio . . .
. . . Fast and Easy . . .
With the "PC Packet Station"
By PKT Electronics, Inc Mo/e than jtist a TNC. the "PC Packet Station s a compete packet radio station for the IBM PC inckrtfing:
-> VHF Radio Transceiver by Motorola <- •>1200 baud modem <- ->TNC Software <-
You just plug the PC Packet station into a half slol In your PC, plug in your VHF antenna Into the caro\ load the software and you're on packet, if s just that easy! PC Packet Stations are S419 and up.
Tired of your low speed 1200 & 2400 baud telecom modem and wanl a new high speed modem? But, do you buy a 14.400 now, or wait for 19 £00 to stabilize? We have a better solution, a Digicom Software upgradable internal modem. It is based on Digicom's Sottmodem ' Technology, which allows I he modem to be upgraded jusl by downloading new software Suggested list 5258 our Price $18$,
VISA, Mastercard and Personal Checks gladly accepted. Dealer inquiries welcome. PKT Electronics. Inc. 2668 Haverstraw Ave. Dayton, OH 45414 (51 3)454-0242 Voice and Fax
*
CIRCLE 394 ON READER SERVICE CARD
PO B<»U6K
East HA**«t*AP NH 03824-0348
I
N T 1 O
U
i
N
C
Highly Portable Twin-lead 2 m j-pole amenna
GftEATfrOlt Al*Arr«^^DWELLl£JtSW/r> CTACEFDRAN WrnXK*<*SJTEHNA ONUf 60 IS I I '-Ml MHKED CttBULlXTlOW
Cohcs mni hawmed SO-239 Coax cosmllt™. MiUASOASsunur' iouaiv
JAD* POL*
-»A«
JADEFOll
l*(i«!llk AKTEHHA
SO- 7*
FUN-KIT LME
TYW-LEADWARCQW
TfcBflO LEMJTH & AW) COAX 5|*J*1SlTtUK80MD*OLE.
T^S»n&1U4A, Max hn 700 W' 30 O
AN-01 LttME1TO11OTK-|*EADANTKNNA ..^ _S3f.«
AN-02 ftO METER TWTN-tlUD ANTENNA $34.93
BCD1 BATTERY CHARGER KIT {LliAD-AnliCh-L CT] | U-j.i lit UC39CH5 JLC COULDCJTY, EEEFM* ATH *> CHAINED. Hj«H QUALITY COMPO**J«i*lt!irn PCB fcMUHIED l»** WW. KMI L**. RJ Mil. jWUHO, ENUXjDSfclS * AS** MANUAL, fc*. I 2V AjOTCU A{ lilfIX ME 1 K\
FioauUMAiu. km <m«t VDLHE& 1 1 Q720 VAC, W50 HZ- - &9M
BC02 Battery Charger Module bcoi :»aE«i!Hjn,
KMlFUEl ftKA HMyTKTMQIWIiWWW *M.*S
6003 Battery Charger Module bctc less
TlJriHUEL >*i!Al6-:i VAC 5Ofi0 1© AT I I
u*.«
EK01, Ex percenter's Kir
S39.95
PtoroTYPttJG ur km t-Aino LsctunES PCJi, NK602AN, MCI 49G»
LM3S6pTiXM J*} *. »>«I.JJS-lJltf WTTIIkAlUJWAM ANP ACT MANWA1,
KMMO01 ExrauM-NTi.it'HKTB , (12.93
U -00001 CinpSifi'f NTitiOZAN, MCI 496v U13H6) , $ fcQQ
31-00003 [iNCIjCrti iHJfc 7 *XB.^X3.5'(H/W Aa&wmawuaU...,-,,. $33*5
45-00001 NE602AN Ma^x*.yKE.uam.tll^tJim G k*. - Si 000
4SOOO0!2MCH<fcii. MpOJt ----- f 300
4 MMO03 UC5 9fitk HaI ii*y c^mmim* % 1.50
45^00004 NE«MAN U -UM-PHASE LTKfTC^ * i.00
4S40009S044ABMOtebKeyeiC^ 111j»
' -i.
CCMTU
4CCE7H3> OUlULKBCIIt
IK1 ISTt IKII MFC«EA ACC7LI1M
CIRCLE 1 33 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1994 75
Figure 2. Drilled and etched PC hoards (or the 30 MHz iFpreamp are available for $4 plus $1.50 S&H per order from FAR Circuits, 1BN64Q Field Court, Dundee, tL 60t1S.
shielding if needed to make the circuit an amplifier instead of an oscillator.
Another consideration for the reso- nant circuit is to put a capacitor of 60% or so of total value in trie circuit and use a small- value variable to make fur- ther adjustments. This can be a real benefit towards expert mentation, I am not going to get inlo other considera- tions such as device substitution for the 40673 duaf-gate MOSFET
The tuned circuits that are used in ttie input and output circuit can take many different forms and the results will be nearly the same. Some experi- ence can be beneficial but you aren't dealing with a high dollar amount so you can experiment and learn a ioj through what I call the "Edison Effect* That's the procedure used by the renowned inventor Thomas Edison who. through many failures, created devices of excellence.
What I mean is that you should feel free to use a substitution component in different circuits and sea what the re- sults are. They might not all work well but I assure you that with a few tries success will be yours. If the design used fixed capacitors and toroid- wound inductors to a specific induc- tance, be assured thai the creator of this circuit used an impedance bridge.
or Amidon's coil chart, to determine the number of turns required. In either case, ine exact component does not need to be used. Improvise something and try it out. What do you have to lose but time and a component you have on hand? Even if it does not work you have gained something from the school of hard knocks, Most of the lime a substituted component wiJI work and do it well.
One other thing to remember is that any coil you wind will vary from a stock circuit. Using Amidon's chart tor the to raids they sell will result in a coil very near the inductance you desire. But, as with all things, it depends on how you distribute the wire turns on the core, Toroid cores wound for maximum efficiency have their wire spread or distributed over at least 80% of the core- Slug-Tuned Coil Forms
You can replace toroid cores with s ma i [-diameter coll forms and fixed or adjustable capacitors and the results will be the same as long as coupling between the different coils is not great. Coils and capacitors can be preset be- fore mounting to a circuit by checking with a grid dip meter. This is actually an oscillator with an indicator and will
indicate resonance in tuned circuits— a very handy instrument on the work bench, f have had several of them over the years and the grid- dipper I now use is a James Mill en solid-state unit. There are many different models and they all are quite good. I have even seen some in military surplus for under $50.
Well, that's all I have to contribute on ihe selection of the components that seem to be most troublesome. The other components for capacitor values and resistor values need not be difficult and 10% or more tolerance components work out well. The only consideration here is in the capacitors that will carry RF; they should be se- lected from disc ceratntc or mica types for good low-loss capabilities. If the frequency of the amplifier is increased to. say. over a GHz, then chip capaci- tors would be a better choice. Stan- dard chip capacitors or surface-mount chip capacitors exhibit low inductance as they have no leads to hook them In- to a circuit. They are essentially lead- fess.
As you increase frequency again, from higher in the GHz range to over 3
GHz. special low- loss chip-type capac- itors need to be used. These capaci- tors are stilt chip-type capacitors bul are constructed out of special low* loss materials such as porcelain for a very high dielectric and low-loss character- istics at higher frequency microwave work, Each one of these levels in com- ponent parts represents a price in- crease for increased quality of the component. Disc capacitors are about a dime each, mica caps are 30 to 50 cents each, surface- mount capacitors are about 50 cents each, and high- grade low-loss HP types for microwave run from 50 cents to a dollar each. Just as frequency increases, so does the price and quality.
I hope I have given you some basic considerations for amplifier construc- tion and when and what parts to try and select. I heartily suggest starting a junk box of components from scrap PC boards and old TVs and radios and whatever components you happen to locate at flea markets and swap meets. 1 have resisted the urge to pick up only what I want when I am shop- ping for components and IF the pnce is right, I usually purchase far more that I will ever use, All these parts are stored away lor "that day" and then I don't have to run off shopping and can use the time constructing on the work bench.
Mailbox
Raymond Eisner of Littleton, Col- orado, writes, "Do you still have any of the 10 MHz frequency standards avail- able?" (Model T-424, rrom 73, August 1992-) Well, I'm sorry to say. no, They were an item thai I picked up and when \ offered them I did not know that they would be so hot. I did pick up all that the locals did not and made them available, However, now they are gone. If I ever locate some more I will let everyone know.
Arthur WtPXL is looking for a noise bridge for 144 MHz. He is trying to construct one. I saw a unit that was good to uHF in the RSG8 Hand&oofc and recommend the circuit to Arthur, I have never used a noise bridge as J am blessed with an HP-250 impedance meter that I use for anten- na measurements, It is another way to verify antenna Impedance. The HP- 250 was more sophisticated In that you could determine at exactly what fre- quency from 30 to 500 MHz the resis- tive and capacrtive components of the impedance product were. You could
Toroid Coil With Two Turn Te*1 Unk
Plug-In Coll
Q CO
hi
I
Hh
/
2.1|i H
Grid Dip Meier
ISpF
\
:
/
]
IH23
Diode
Coax Cable
Z.lj/H
Capacitor Part Of Diode Mount (Low Value)
2 5uH RFC
To Gate 4067 3 MOSFET
15pF
■±^ RFC DC Return For Detector Diode And High Impedance Match Network Of About 200 Ohms
Figure 3. Method of grid-dipping toroid cores. 76 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
Rgure 4, Microwave diode detectors matching circuit
set an antenna to 50 ohms on the hatr- line. The long and short of St is that I have done just as well with a simple SWR bridge that was home-construct- ed. I guess it demonstrates just how well you want to match something or how accurate you need to be. The HP- 250 worked great but, as with all large devices, it went out the door, replaced by something smalfer. If anyone can hefp further, contact Arthur at 6453 31st Avenue North1 St. Petersburg, Florida 33710.
Thomas KD4UIX is interested in an ail-mode 2 meter radio at affordable prices. Well, Thomas, that is not the way most new radios are going today, it seems that the cry for more belfs and whistles is being met by most manu- facturers today and there is not an in- expensive 2 meter multErnode unit on
the market . The most inexpensive rigs I have seen are priced near $700. Next month, in response to this letter, I plan to cover a conversion approach (or a microwave IF using a low-band SSB transceiver for obviously SSB genera- tion, covering modifications needed. Later I will detail a simple 2 meter con- verter to tie the package together. There are several possible rigs that can fill the bill for inexpensive SSB ra- dios such as the Radio Shack 10 me- ter SSB rig or other similar units.
Well, that's it for this month. Next month I will expand on the conver- sion of SSB rigs for microwave SSB use. As always, I will be glad to answer questions about this and simi- lar subjects. Please send an SASE for a prompt response. 73 Chuck WB6IGP.
Core
Type
T-20Q
T-130
T-50
T-44
T-37
T-25
T-16
RED -2 120 110 50 57 42 34 22
Table 1- AL Values (jaH/100 Turns)
MHz BLK GRN&WH R£D = 1 to 14
-10 -12
YEL -6 105 96 40 42 30 27 19
RED
YEL = 3 to 21
BLK =10 to 80
GRN/WH = 50 to 200
31 33 25 19 13
ts
15
13
6
ATVTHANSMnTERSTOCM
10 WATTS PEP
AT V TRANSCEIVER 70CM
PCMTV-4
$293.00 $399.00
PD-ATV-50
70 GU ATV Trnsmitlor50 wail output
Transmitter housed in a 7 3/fi" X 7 && diecast bo* Sizo 61^X7")!1 W&" h#at sink (15 (ins). Meter included for monUorlng power output. Sampler (3 slacjes) output has a BNC jack For eccpe and viu. monlcoring. SwHch selection of Z froquancies 439.?5 and 4-34.00. Y&u can order frequencies other than (hose listed. Hea^y duly "QFF-ON" ISA swrLeri. A red led "TRANSMIT Ngrit erietmisldr protected Video and auaio leYsl central on front panel. An "N" connector toi anEertna and a BNC for receiving or down C&nvefter. Sub- carrier sound. Power module "BRtCK" (M 67 726) 50 walls
*** ™,ce*579.00 video line samplers
$68 - $72 - $81
ATV FILTERS 7 POLE 70CM ANTENNAS ToCM
WRITE OR CALL
(Core type and data courtesy of Amidon Associates, 12033 Ostego St, North Hollywood CA 91607.)
ATV - SSB PD-144N
P f>1 44-3
PO-144N-2FM
PO-220N
PCM40N
PD^40N
PD-440N-1
PD-440N-1
PD-440W-2
PD-44CH-SR
PD-440N-3
PM40NM
PD-440NM
PD-SO0N
P0-9ODN
PD-33LHP
PP^33LHP
FD-33LP
PD^33HP
PD-33VLP-1
PCKJ3VLP
PD-33 Double*
PD-33 Doubter
PD-12Q0N
PO-1£00N'2
PD-1Z0QN-3
PD-120QN-1
FM - CW
144-1 43 Mhz 144-144 Mb? 144-148 Mhz 222 Mhz 420-45Q Mhz 420^450 Khz
POWER AMPLIFIER
- PACKET - REPEATER/ 2 METERS
Prc-ump P re-amp Preamp
902-928 Mhz
«^-92& Mh£
902-92&Mh?
502-928 Mhz
70cm = 33 cm 70cm ■ 33 cm 1.2Ghz 1.2Ghz 1 .2Ghz 1.2Ghz
Preamp
Preamplifiers: 2 mtrs.
FM 4-5 WATTS = 3SW
Linear 4^5 WATTS = 35W
FM 4^5 WATTB - 60W
FM 4-5 WATTS = 3SW
Linear 1^2 OR 4-5W - tSW
1/2 OR 4^SW = «W
1ttOR4-SW = 35W
1^0R4-5W = 3SW
1/2 or 4-sw = eow
3-4W ■ GOW 3-4W^60W
1/2W = 10W 1/2W-10W 1W = 1«W 1W = 1«W 1W*«JSW CW a 1 sw Cmw=«W 1fiW = 1.£W 1/2W = 1/2W 1/2W-10W NO ' 1W = 1SW
NO " 1W = 16VJ
YfcS - 1W = 16W
NO aw = 36W
- 2.3 Ghz. $25,00 - $1?9.0G
l-ci fuel YES NO NO YES NO YES NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO
FM
FM
Linear
Hybrid Linear
1 .2 Ghz
T/fl $129 tm 139 T7R 175 T/R 119 T/R 119 T7R 143 T/R 1SS T/R 179 T/ft 285
199
Tffl 23G
75
T/R 113
G5
T/R 90
265 T/R 299
119
125
123 59 65 85
149 T/R 205 T/R 299
2B5
VH r-UlF Pnnsmpiifitrt / F&rtt Amptifan
210UticaSt.,
Tonawanda, NY 14150
(716)692 5451
ASSOCJAfES
Look What You Could Be Missing...
Multiple Heterodynes White/Pink Noise Power Line Noise And More . . .
DSP Noise Reduction Products From J PS
NRF-7 General Purpose Noise Remover and Filter Unit
Only $249.95
The NRF-7 reduces atmospheric noise through dynamic peak ing. Removes rrm Itinle tones from voice signals. High performance CW and Voice Filters. CW filters have selectable center frequency. State-of-the Art Digital Signal Processing.
IMIR-10 Noise/Interference Reduction Unit
Only $349.95
The NIR-10 allows reception of difficult to read signal and reduces listener fatigue. Operates on radio receiver audio outputs, NIR mode reduces or eliminates heterodynes, white/ignition noise, R'lTY interference, and power line noise. PEAK function reduces wfiite noise interference, The Notch Filter mode removes multiple heterodynes and acts in 3 milliseconds, Band Pass mode is continuously adjustable center frequency.
NTR-1 Wide Band Noise and Tone Remover
Only $169.95
The NTR- 1 provides wide band operation for AM or FM reception. Narrow band operation for SSB, CW or data reception. State-of-the- ArtSignal Processing in "Real Time.,T Rapidly removes multiple tones from voice signals and operates on receiver audio output
JPS Communications. Inc.
P.O. Box 97757, Raleigh, NC 27624 (919)790-101 1 FAX:(91 9)790-1456 TECH: (9 19)790- 1048
TOLL FREE ORDER LINE: 800-533-3819
We accept Mastercard, VISA( checks, money orders in US$ Free shipping within the continental U.S.
CtHCLE 235 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 77
Ask kab
$i$
Number 20 on your Feedback card
M
Micnaet J. Geier KB f UM &q 73 Magazine 70 Route 202 North Peterborough NH 03458
It Hertz So Good
As t wrfte this, we are in the midst of the holiday season. For most peo- ple, visions of Thanksgiving turkeys and Christmas presents have filled the relaxed. Idle moments. For a techie like met though, those mus- ings mingle with such delicacies as frequency counters and resonant cir- cuits. This month, lets take a look at frequency- related Issues.
Count 'Em Up
What's the difference between fre- quency counters? What makes a good one or a bad one? The most obvious difference is in the maximum frequency the unit can count. Is faster necessarily better? In this case, pretty much. At least up to a point, anyway. If you never use any- thing higher than 2 meters, you prob- ably don't need a 2 GHz counter, al- though it would pay to have one that goes to at feast 250 MHz. jus! in case you need to count a focal oscil- lator of something that goes above the band. But. there's more to a good counter than its frequency re- sponse.
Your Tech Answer Man
Exactly
How precise is the counter? And how accurate is it? Those are not the same, If it tells you that your frequen- cy is 14.208758423 MHz, that's pretty darned precise! But. if it's off by 300 Hz. that ain't very accurate. Con- versely, il it tells you that the frequen- cy is 14.2 MHz when it's really t4+2G8, that's quite accurate but not very precise. Generally, today's In- struments have more precision than accuracy, and it can be quite hard to look at all those lovefy numbers and riot believe Ihem. I see lots of coun- ters on the market which have eight or even 10 digits, but I doubt many of them have the basic accuracy to back Ihose numbers up. (By the way, that's true of some 3-1/2 and 4-1/2 digit DMMs. too.} To be sure, take a look at the specs and you should find some statement of basic accuracy, such as +/- 10 ppm or +/- 300 Hz al- ter warm-up. The Hz statement is pretty obvious, but what the heck is ppm? That refers to " parts per mil- lion/ in the case of a +/- 10 ppm counter, it means that, if your measured frequency is 14 MHz, the counter could be off by as much as 140 Hz in either direction, because ti can be off by 10 Hz for every million Hz you're counting. So. just multiply 10 (the number of ppm) times the number of megahertz and you know
what the true accuracy limits are. And even if the display shows digits right to the single Hz, those numbers may be lying if the accuracy isn'l high enough. Of course, you have no way to tell for sure, and many instruments pefform considerably better than their worst-ease specs. The morat here, though, is not to go tweaking your ra- dio down to the last Hz just because your counter says to, because it could be the counter that's wrong.
Check. Please
Is there a way to know when your counter is right or wrong? Some- times. Luckily, digital counters have no "slippage" of any kind between their reference oscillators and every- thing else. In other words, the counter's accuracy depends entirely on the reference's accuracy. If that reference happens to be at some multiple of 5 MHz, as many are, you can check it by listening Lo it with a shortwave receiver or HF rig. Just put the radio in AM mode and tune in WWV. Ideally, the counter's signal and WWV will zero-beat, meaning that your counter is dead on frequen- cy. In the real world, though, it never happens. If the oscillator's adjustable, you can set it right on frequency, en- suring, for a while at least, that your counts will be correct. If it's not ad- justable, try counting the beats. Once you know them, you can calculate the ppm of the counter. If you hear three beats per second, and you're tuned to 10 MHz, then you know your counter is good to 0.3 ppmT which is pretty good! The receiver's stability, luektly, doesn't play a part because, In AM
reception, the carrier (which is what you're beating against) is provided by the broadcast station (WWV). not the radio. By the way, this method works well for normal, home-type counters, but it isn't accurate enough for ex- tremely accurate laboratory counters, because me atmospheric fading and random changes in ihe length of the signal path cause even WWVs earn- er frequency to shift by tiny, random amounts. But we re talking pretty small shifts here.
Ring Out!
Resonance is a topic that seems to confuse many people. Articles at- tempting to explain it often resort to mathematical formulae and state- ments like "resonance occurs when the capacitive reactance exactly equals, and balances, the inductive reactance/' That's completely true, but it doesn't tell you a thing about whai resonance actually is. The phenomenon of resonance is at the very heart of radio communi- cation, so let's lake a look at il
Boiling
If youVe ever played with a "Stinky" (and who hasn'l?). you al- most certainly can remember stretch- ing it out and then flicking your end. The energy you imparted to it visibly deformed it in a moving wave down Ihe spring until it reached the other end. It looked pretty cool, right? But what happened then? If you had the other end held rigidly to, say, a chair, the wave came right back at you, right? To me, that was always the niftiest part. Actually it is exadiy the
Subscribe to 73 Amateur Radio Today
by calling (800) 289-0388.
-T 1-
*K
T,
EC TOR riNDER
ZERO-IN THE SIGNAL!
HAND-HELD
PHASE SENSE
ANTENNAS FOR
VHF DIRECTION
FINDING, USES
ANY FN XCVR.
COMPASS GIVES
DIRECTION. ARMS FOLD FOR STORAGE, TYPE VF-14 2 COVERS BOTH 2-MTRS & 220MHZ. OTHER MODELS AVAILABLE, WRITE OR CALL FOR MORE INFO. $3.50 SHIPPING & TYPE VF-142
CA# ADD TAX) $139.95 619-
RADIO ENGINEERS 565-1319
\
3941 Ml. BRUNDAGE AVE. SAN DtEGO CA.92111
PC PO WER FOR YOUR SHACK
I C\C* ir*1"1 ^ ™* uftfmnfe in mmateur n- LVVilU &tlio mtnsgement *aftw&rw! Complete \og^ng-Hfi VHF, satellite..., online tracking for any award, QSL management w/ QSL route facility, radio interfacing controls rig and logs VFO data, antenna rotor control, data terminal for all digital modes, uneo.ua led packet spotting for OXCC plus zones, prefixes, arvd more, contesting with user- specified contest rules, full mouse support, windowed interface (Windows not required), customizable screens and reports, superb documentation and tech support, gray line propagation chart interface to callbook databases, and much more. Specs: IBM 386SX, 2mb RAM, LOGic 3 Is $79, LOGic Jr. is $39. Hard drive required, QSL route list and radio interface hardware available sepa- rately fro m P D A . Visa/ M C< F ree I n f o p akl
Personal Dal a base Applications,
Dept 7, 2616 Meadow Ridge DrT
Pululri, GA 30136. Ph 404-242-
08 B7, Fax 404-449-6667. Tech
»upp 404-417-1 B9SL Hours 8 am -
6 pm M^TTi, a - 12 FrL
VOX CONTROLLER
SECOND GENERATION
next generation VOX controller with adj vox sensitivity, timers and CWID Operate VOX with no internal connections to your radios or COR for mare danandmg systems
B02I w / CWID & enclosure $89,95
Add DTMF mil control, patch and outputs to control other equipment lo the DC-21, BC-2R adds nnt Ctrl and patch.... $79.95
DTMF decoder Boards for every need
HTP-8C has S latched, rmL loil-reslriction,
LiTZ, IC sockets* more JKJS 95
BTD-8M Niom^iteuy output*.,, + $79.95
BTD-8A....S69.95 Qrig HCM ,,,,$34,95
Bui Products, Lie Orders 81M-854-2426 PO I Jox 57 Into 90 1 -968-54 1 6
Lexington. IN 38351 add S4.CX) S & II
CIRCLE 55 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CIRCLE 137 ON READER SERVICE CARD
78 73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994
same phenomenon as a bouncing ball; the energy is reflected by the rigid boundary.
The lime it takes tor the energy wave to make one compleie round trip ts caNed the period, and repre- sents one complete cyde. If you mea- sure that period in seconds, and then divide one by it. you'll get the fre- quency In cyctes per second h or Hz, of the round- trip time. So. if you get a period ol 0.8 seconds, your frequency is 1.25 Hz. And, in case you're won- dering, no matter how hard you Hick the spring, the frequency will be ex- act Ey the same. The wave will be big- ger but not faster, because the transit time Is not determined by the amount of energy thrown in.
By What( Then?
The time it takes for ihe wave to traverse the spring is determined by the length of ihe spring, its tension and the slrtfness of the material from which it's made. Try stretching the string tighter: the wave's speed will increase. And. of course, if you short- en the spring, the energy has less distance to travel, so. even though its speed is not increased, it takes less time to make the trip.
Let £r Rip
Let's say you flick the spring, and then you Hick it again at exact ty the moment the reflected energy returns. What happens? The reflected energy.
which is going to reflect ye! again to- wards the other end, adds to the new energy pulse, making it bigger, it you keep doing it. the wave will get abso- lutely huge. And that gentle readers, is resonance.
Electrically Speaking
In an electrical system, energy travels through a wire at approximate- ly the speed of light. That may seem
effect on the electrons* speed. But, there are other factors. Specifically, there are capacitive and inductive re- actances. Notice I didn't mention re- sistance here; resistance makes the energy weaker by dissipating some of it as heal, but it doesn't slow it down. II it did, we could make delay lines and information storage devices out of resistors, and it would take mea- surably longer for energy to reach the
"One very useful device in which ihe mechanical and electrical systems
meet is the crystal. "
awfully fast, but It really isn't when you want to make mil Irons or even bit- lions of round trips per second, But Ihe idea is the same— electrons have a fixed speed, and the length of the wire determines the transit lime. But, you may be asking, why does the en- ergy reflect back from the end of the wire at all? Well, the end of Ihe wire represents an impedance boundary in much the same way as the spring's end represents a mechanical one. There's no place else for the elec- trons' energy to go, so it comes back at 'chat
Reactance
Unlike in a mechanical system, though, the tension in the wire has no
SO Tutor®
Study Aid for Ihe Amateur Radio Exams
tfo-Code Tech!
Pack
*£c - $39,95
Mac
Now A rat (able. New No -Code Question Pool
»HU JWtt| i|.
"here
f;
ft un$ on IBM com ji;i I r hies \a M -^ i n t n*. ht i
* Programs are availuhlc for Novice,
Tec link' tun, No-Cotfi' I cehnkiun, One rat* Advanced und Kxtra Amateur cluss tviams as well as CoTnmcrelpI R ad inH-lc phone and Com mc* rial Radar Fndorsemcnl. Each program sold vrparaleh-
* W i*rk wllh? ihe emir? i\ uestion pout&, or st ud> questions au in matiralh selected b* ttte program I'm in >ntir weakt'sl an-as.
* Questions current as »f Jnl.v l'**M
■ In chides full screen graph ir,s explanations an appropriate questions' and, on Ihe 1 It M YcrsHtn, a pup-up L'atculaLor.
■Logs ma hi pie stud* sessions and allows resuming ml a later time. Returns to reviev* missed questions if desired,
* Create* randomly generated sample tests on-line or primed wilh graphics on Epson/IBM or Macintosh printers.
■ Public Domain Mors*' code lul«r is' included on request a l no e^tra charge.
iii
M,*/|i| "fr" **«*■« fe run ,
$29.95
SSs^sa •"«■»■«—
* Call rtr lfM'r|j ** > GA ""I* ►
"— *"*— $99.95
PA rL-\nkmu aid ti*.>
NbnCC tttrv Ettf* and Cotnm. Radar
fthE inctiMlo sht|ip)l|.
$39. 95
QSO Software
20K Partridge Way
Kennel t Square. PA 19348 2l5-.V|*.:iW»tVciic«iirrA3Cl
per eiMaa for Mo-Code Teen, {Novice and Tcctr pfcgtAma) and Commateiat Radiotttfcpiwne
CIRCLE 145 ON READER SERVICE CARD
other end of a 1 megohm resistor tfwi il would for it to traverse a 1k re- sistor It's a neat idea, bui il just doesn't work.
By storing voftags charges in ca- pacitance and current in inductance, though, we can, LndeedH control the speed of the energy. And its true, when the two kinds of reactance ex- actly equal each other in a parallel tuned circuit, they will cancel each other out. leaving only resistance, but with an overall slowdown of the ener- gy. The result is resonance at a fre- quency determined by the sizes of the capacitors and inductors.
The Twain Meet
One very useful device in which
the mechanical and electrical sys- tems meet is the crystal. Crystals ac- tually do vibrate, but only very slight- ly. In doing so, though. Ihey excite their atoms to produce electrical en- ergy at the frequency of vibration, That frequency rs determined by the physical charade ri sties t such as the size and type of cuit of the crystal Because quartz (Ihe most commonly used crystal material) has a molecu- lar structure which Is very dimension* ally stable with respect to tempera- ture, the frequency doesn'i drill much. So, if we put a crystal in a cir- cuit which causes it to excile itself ai its resonant frequency, we've got one heck of a stable oscillator. In fact, without the stability of quart? crystals, electronics as we know it today wouldn't exist.
Skyhooks
Antennas are another resonant phenomenon. They're essentially the electrical equivalent of springs. The longer the wire, the more time it takes for the energy to make (he round trip and the lower the resonant frequency- And, it we excite the an- tenna with energy that is nor at ils resonanl frequency, the returning en- ergy will interfere witht and partially cancel. Ihe applied energy, resulting in an energy fig hi, We call that a "bad SWR!"
See you alt next time. 73 de KB1UM.
QUALITY THAT'S AFFORDABLE
Tri-Ex is pleased to announce the reduction in price on the most popular models of quality Tri-Ex towers for the Amateur radio enthusiast. The overhelming acceptance of the listed models has made it possible for Tr>Ex to pass on substantial savings to our valued customers.
I M /1 7 A WAS NOW1
LIVl-4 / U $3,945 $3,658
Was Now WT-51 $1,245 $1,050
LM-354 $1,865 $1,300
The LM-354 issuppteti wtfi a band inch braKe system The LM-470 is motorized
|
VtSA |
TO ORDER CALL _d I 800-326-2393 |
||
|
TECH SUPPORT 209-651 -7859 |
|||
|
FAX 209-651-5157 |
All towers are complete with rigid concrete base mount and rotator mounfrng plate. Tn-Ex prints and calculations provided with lower are compliant with 1991 Uniform Building Code (U.B.C.J Engineering designed to 1991 LLB.C. - 70 MPH
ri-Ex
®
TOWER CORPORATION
71 82 Rasmussen Ave. * VisaJta, CA 93291 Unsurpassed Quality since 1954
CIRCLE 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 79
Number 21 on your Feedback card
m ^m Number zi on your Feeoaa
73 INTERNATIONAL
Amie Johnson N18AC 43 Old Homestead Hwy N. Swanzey NH 0343 f
Notes from FN42
/ received a phone calf from Richard Sears KCdfBC this past week. He was looking for some infor- mation on Taiwan which 1 was not able to supply to him. but he is going to he there for some time, and he promised to send us some noteworthy information about the happenings on Taiwan white he is there, f hope that he has a chance to chat with our Hambassador to Taiwan, Tim Chen BV2A.
tf any of you have decided to travel around this great world of ours in 1994, you might want to read the let- ter from Nat VU2NTA in India and Hams 9M6HF in Malaysia. Nat is a tour guide and Malaysia has declared 1994 the "Visit Malaysia Year. " Con- tact Wayne and teif him where you think he shoutd go on his wide travels this year and ask him to take you too. 1 must admit that I keep telling him to take me along but he wants me to pay for it. f would think that he would want to pay my way just because I'm such great company but, of course, that's just my opinion. I do know that he and Sherry would love to become your tour directors.
t was sure glad to hear from Harris Abduflah 9M6HF after a several-year "dry" period.
That's enough from me for this month. As usual many great reports from other hams and your Hambas- sadors follow, if you hke what they are reporting to ust tet them know* if you want something else, tet them know! If you have some new information, let them know! They are only as good as
those who provide them with informa- tion.—73( Arnie NWAG.
Roundup
Egypt This is just another reminder that Egypt ts hosting TELECOM 94, 25-29 April in Cairo, which will focus on the African region. Africa TELE- COM 94, which follows in the foot- steps of Africa TELECOM 90 In Harare, will continue the dialogue generated by those events. The Inter- national Telecommunications Union (ITU) will once again provide a plat- form for continued discussion and presentation of the latest concepts for the development of telecommunica- tions in the region. This event will bring together high-level personalities from the academic and industrial world and will thus be a unique oppor- tunity for all the countries to meet with partners with an interest in the devel- opment of telecommunications.
The exhibitors will be displaying a range of advanced and high -quality items of telecommunications equip* ment and related services. The Fo- rum, a cornerstone of TELECOM, will bring together top government offi- cials and policy makers from around the world. This event is thus of vital importance from the point of view of broadening the participation of coun- tries in development activities.
For further information, contact Mr Tom Dahl -Hansen, Executive Oi rector, or Ms. Suzan Hee-SooK Lee, Project Manager ETUH Place des Nations, CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland, Tel: +41 22 730 5811 or Fax: +41 22 730 6444 of Telex: +412 000 UtT CH, or the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt contact person: Mr Ismail Out, Chairman, Cairo International Conference Centre, Nasr Road, Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, Tel: +202 263
4637/16 Or Telefax: +202 263 46 40.
India Letter from Nataraj v., VU2NTA: Greetings from India. I have always enjoyed reading your "73 In- ternational* column as it gives us an idea of what amateur radfo is doing in other countries. [Thanks. Natl— Amie) In India, amateur radio Is growing by leaps and bounds. From less than 1,500 amateurs in 1979 to around 7,500 in 1993. it has been a big growth. But most licenses exist on pa- per as many amateurs find it difficult to get a decent station on the air due to the high cost Involved. The cheap- est transceivers available to the Indi- an amateur is the FT-840, which costs around Rs. 45,000. i.e. about $1,500 U.S. This works out to be an average family's income for two years.
This has led to a huge effort In home-brewing, and many kits and ideas float around the popular bands in India — 40m (7-7.1 MHz) and 20m. In South India. AM and CW have be* come very popular for home-brewers on 40m and SSB for those on 20m.
In spite ol all this, what has gained popularity all over the country is 2m FM activity, 144-146 MHz is allocated to amateurs in India and major cities are seeing a spurt not only in 2m ac- tivity but 2m repealers also.
Bangalore, In |he south, was in 1987 the first 2m repeater in India open to all amateurs, followed by a second repeater in 1990, Next to foi* low was Madras with two repeaters. One repeater in each city is installed such that DX on 2m FM is possible and the other one is for use within the city. A third city to have two repealers is Coimbatore in South India. Bom- bay, on the west coast, and Ko- daikanal. a hill resort in South India, have one repealer each.
All this activity on 2m led to the starting of T-hunts (Fox Hunts, as they are known here). The first Fox Hunt in India was held on March 11, 1989. The Fox was Ganesh VU2TS, This hunt was won by Les VU2AKT Chan- dfu VU2RCR. and Bhat VU2IFX, in a time of 45 minutes. There have been
Photo A: Part of the gathering at one of the Indian Fox Hunts. Photo by VU2NTA. 80 73 Ama teur Radio Today • February, 1 994
seven Fox Hunts so far, the last one on September 5. Prizes for winners have ranged from storage water heaters for the bathroom to wait clocks, wristwalches. Walkman-type audio cassette players, and certifi- cates lor all the part ici pants. All prizes have, so far, been sponsored by radio amateurs, Including fellowship and lunch after the conclusion of the hunt.
The other cities that have had Fox Hunts are Madras and Coimbatore. Fox Hunts are the times when you find that all participants are crazy.
All sorts of antennae can be found during the Hunt. Unlike in most coun- tries, hunts here have more partici- pants on motorcycles than in ears or station wagons. One will find three- to five-element yagis, quads, loop yagis, phased verticals, and the latest was a half-wave dipole with a corner reflec- tor on a 250 cc. motorcycle -side car combination by Poru VU2GGM,
Bangalore was also the first city In India in 1986 to have a multiple hill* topping expedition on 2m. As many as six hilltops in South India were activat- ed.
I win try to make further information available to all. If anybody has specif- ic questions, please drop me a line along with an SASE.
I wish all a Merry Christmas and a happy, prosperous and peaceful 1994. 73. Nat VU2NTA. (Nataraj V., 8, 100 Ft Rd; BSK 3rd Stage. 2nd Phase; 7th Bfock; Bangalore 560085, India.}
[Nat also wrote a letter to Wayne to discuss Wayne's travels. Following is that fetter and Wayne's response, — Amie}
Dear Wayne,
Over the years of reading 73 Mag- azine, I have found you travel around the world a lot along with your friends. How is it that you have not made a full-time tour to India? Is it that you could not find anyone to coordinate here For you or that you are not inter- ested?
f have started a lour service for for- eign groups and escort them myself. The tours in South India are by luxury coaches and have twin sharing ac- commodation at the best available ho lets. For tours to North India, I do the ground handling but do not escort groups.
South India is vastly different. Ev- ery temple, fort, and palace is differ- ent, as is the culture, traditions, cus- toms and life style in every village.
Do let me know if you would be in- terested so lhat I can customize an itinerary for you. South India is per- haps the most enchanting spot tn In- dia. The south includes the states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Goa. Kamataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Laccadive Islands.
Unlike your other trips, it is not pos- sible to get a reciprocal license to op- erate amateur radio but opportunities to meet radio amateurs and visit shacks will be arranged.
I look forward to hearing from you.
With warm regards, Nat VU2NTA.
Continued on page 82
A
DVERTISERS
RSJ
page
* A & A Engineering 70
• A $ A Engineering tma ..„„„„„,. .70
18 A,S,A . 53
18 A>SA,.+,„ 31
351 Absolute Va rue Systems **,17
164 Ace Communications of
Indianapolis ,♦ .♦♦. ♦.♦ 91
* Advanced Electronic Applications ...9*
281 Agrelo Engineering 91
194 All Electronics Corporation k.....™,„22
• Alpha Jab . „...—mmmm^„ ., . ^.90
76 Amateur Networking Supply B4
148 Amerit/on .39
113 Amsofi _~ .92
107 Antennas Wesl .40
132 Antennas Wesl 51
380 Antennas Wesl ..58
324 Antennas West ........f. ...... ,t+^.*.+71
340 Antennas West 90
135 Antennas West 91
315 Antennas West .,.♦,.. + .r„..92
16 Astron Corporation , .....21
92 Aaden Corporatton...M4„..^.tt+ . S
£ I DO 1—3 II IV - ■ T r n rri* p ■ i !#*+*+( I Ht*t + t -t ■ 1-^ +*fi r?\^
41 Barry Etectronics Corporation ......... 19
42 B4al Company , „ 43
137 Box Products ,..78
56 Bucfcmaster Publishing „„, w70*
7 Bucfcmaster PubJtshtng.... 43*
168 Buck master Puohshing. „.„..,..., 92*
* r m m m m i fJJll
page
93
■ ■ ■ ■ ■ d q^T \#
74 71
■ ■ ■ ■ q r n ■ h ■ ■
Burghardf Amateur Radio.... ..47
Butternut Elear0nics.,+«.^+++Mw.......72
222 Byers Chassis Kils.»w .....51
184 C & S Sales, mc ...S3
• Cable X -perls «. ....... 31
• CBCily International.... ...51
• Charlotte Hamfesl , <»„35
265 Chipswitch ,. . ,71
99 Common tcation Concepts, Inc.. 92
10 Communications Specialists. Inc... 66* 356 Communications Electronics ......... .27
12 Connect Systems,. *««««*«. ,2,
R.S.#
146 Creative Control Products
Lb" r\^Pl"Cu| ,. » m a - a i ikup mid **+ Niivi
• Down East Microwave
114 E H Yosi 40
• Eavesdropping Detection,,,,, 43
• Electron Processing .♦ 58"
75 Fair Radio Sates .17
33 FB Enterprises ♦.....♦♦«... ... .......+.66
118 Flylecrafl 17
251 Flytecfaft ....B4
329 For Hams Only. „_«*. ,43
253 Free Radio Tech- Berkeley (FRB) ...71
169 G & G Electronics . 86
■ Gap Antenna Products ™„„+„„+_92
■ *!* " "k_J\_* I J"_. * __-jj >■ > »i.iu4Mitt* + f « *-t* + «■ «-vrV
192 Grapevine Group .59
• Greater Baltimore Hamboree..,...^*67
• Ham Radio & More ,♦♦„ .„...„57
■ HamtronicSH Inc , +7
187 Harlan Technologies 43
187 Harlan Technologies ♦ 91
• Highlands Electronics. , 59
293 IC Engineering ..,„ „.,* *....,.*.J>8
17Q i^rwn ' CVP*
• Indiana Hamlest.. ....75
77 Interflex Systems.. ..17
42 Isotron ™™... ...... ..43
■I I J— II V "*»|imillllHIIWTI»"-"' in*i*m*ni ■ ■ u.y p m+ m tW?
295 Itech 17
175 J-Com („„„W)W,„M.^.„., — „....,. ........ .83
39 J-Com ,.90
>KV V l^\^l I I Ttt ■ H ■ 1+ + + + fc I I 1 "- + + -P I ■ I *+ + +++-■ i*l t + + + +* I + + + « K «■ * T
133 Jade Products ........75
240 Jan Crystals . ,+^35
159 Japan Radio 37
26 J.M.S , 17
285 J PS Com muntoat Ions ♦ 77
• Just Neon . .' , *S1
2 Kawa Productions... .59
• K-Comm ........... *40
» Kenwood U S A Corporation . , ~™ .CV4
234 Lentins Communicaiions .89
243 Luke Company , .84
• Moadowlake Corporal ion 17
86 MFJ Enterprises t 11
160 Micro Computer Concepts ««.. ...,41
144 Micro Control Specialties 87
30 Micro Video Products ...89
114 Mf Nicad 40
248 MoTron Electronics....... „ ..67
64 Mouse r Electronics «*«««*♦*♦. ......74
1 Number One Systems Ud. t..55
82 Oak Hiils Research 65
102 ONV Salety Bert 53
172 OpIoelectroniCS ..■■■■ .48-49
- RC Etectrgnics„.„ ^ ......62*
• PC. Electronks 69*
t78 Pacific Cable Company, Inc* .*♦♦♦. ...^i 321 Patrioi Communications. .15
• Pauldon... .77
68 Periphea. 83
198 Personal Computer Repeater
Conlrolter „ 41
• Personal Database *** *..k..78
249 Phillips Industries, Inc 40
311 Pioneer Hill Software. _23
66 Pipo Communications,- .58
394 PKT EteciioniCS .— .....75
396 Plus Ten , ^^M....»..4.1
49 Poryphaser,^.„.^... ,.,....+ 72
145 OSO Software „....79
110 RadK? Amateur Satellite ....35
153 Radw City..... ^ 13*
5B Radbo Engineeis ........ ♦♦.♦♦.,„ +++++*78
• Radio Fun ....._+...„.„„**„... ..,..81
ri r\\ EL 1 1 LCI L/l IjUj ■ ■ ■■■ ■■■■■<■■>■■■■■■■-■ ■•■ * ■ ■ >t* •« **? f
34 Pamsey Electronics ^ 24-25*
171 RF Enterprises ♦„..*<*.*. -.91
• RF Parts Company ,.*... ♦.♦♦,31
377 Flons CDROMS 64
134 Hose .71
254 Hoss Distnbuting .......31
* H I OyStemS ■ rr " r~ r'TiiTiinininiTTrninT^™
71 Rutland Arrays ..„.„.. ...*.....„*♦.« — ...51
R.S.#
page
4 ?" wO *3 t-i iy it tttr 1 1 1 iy ++hhf-#++4-+-h+%*-«»-**-*+-ha-^*+->-/ I
* SAMS 59
* Schnedler Syslems 62
36 Scrambling News.. 40
364 Sea Level Systems „„„ 63
• Sensible Sofutions^.. 53
167 Sescom, Inc 64
• 73 Amateur Radio To<Say 43
168 SGC Inc ♦ 32
250 Software Systems. ....«■■. ,......,.68
244 Software Syslems. ......73
1 83 Spectrum tnternalionat,. .............61
247 Stanek ^ ».... ,„1
• Ten-Tec 45
* The Ham Cenler ♦«*~-«.,^*„.«,40
0*0^ I i w ■■«' r I wUf »l vm ■ --- -■ t+* r **+++ 1 "W
364 The Ham Contact ~— ,51
3B4 The Ham Contad. ..........61
269 Tigertronics ...........60
299 Town send Electronics 82
11 Transel Technologies, .♦>,.. ,„„.♦„.,., .72
22 Tri-Ex 79
327 Tucson Amateur Packet Radio
I VlP%l T"| ■"! i -i xr r ■■■*•*+ t B ■ I * + + *■■ P 1 ■■* J-** ■■■■■*■■■»■**■■■■ »"
121 U.S. Cable TV Inc 93
* Uncle Wayne's Bookshetf ...94-95
317 Unified Microsystems .....43
* Universal Radio ......... 40"
* Vanguard Labs... .......™.. .„....♦. .64
259 Versatel Communications.. 64
104 Vrs Slitdy Guides. Inc ..,.,,43
191 W & W Associaies 10
20 Wolfe Communications ..... ......64
At/%1 l CIV ■ ■ ■ -r-m ■ ■ ■ ■ ■V»i4*tl MimttfrH"H% ■ P ■ ■ I 1 T-P-Pf - "SrV
* Yaesu Eleclronics Coqsoration..,..CV3
Bold listings are 73 s new advertisers this month.
•Advertisers who have contributed to the National Advisory Committee (NIAC}.
<u
The
Radio Fun \s packed full of
information 10 help you get more fun out of amateur radio. Basic "how-to" articles will get you up and running on packet, ATV, RTTY, DXing, and the dozens of other activities that make amateur radio such a great hobby. You HI get equipment reviews geared toward the newcomer. We'll help you upgrade to a higher class license with monthly columns designed to teach yon what you need to know in a fun and exciting way. You'll find it allt and more, in the pages of Radio Fun.
Don't wait another minute. Subscribe today for only $12.97 for one year. That's 12 issues of the only ham radio magazine that is geared especially for the newcomer, or any ham who wants to get more fun and excitement out of amateur radio— /frw/i<? Fun !
12 issues for only $12.97 1-800-257-2346
beginner's guide to the exciting world of amateur radio."
^^^_ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^_ ^^^m ^^^^m ^^^m ^""""""B """"""""■ ^"""""H
I — I vrci -i ■ -2 *ssues of Radio Fun
LJ YJib! Sign me up right now! for $12.97.
1 1
1
NAME
CALL
ADDRESS
I I
I
I
CITY
Check
STATE
ZIP
MC
Visa
CARD-
I Class License
■ Q57 subscriber
Year licensed
EXPIRES
73 Subscriber
l
CQ Subscriber
Mail to: Radio Fun, P.O. Box 4926, Manchester, KH 03108 | [Or call 800-257-2346 (in NH call 625- 1 163), FAX: 603-669-2835]
C*fi*ia Hid ST 00 p*ui 70 GST Foreign *M £32 00 swi*x. S3* 00 umuil . Newsstm' Rue SJ8 00. Basic 114 .91. 07P
I
L5«fcftcr**ton !-*: 1 14 97 kJf r
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 81
73 International
Continued from page 60
Nat - , . Been traveling — Caribbean islands, San Francisco, Munich, Beritn, New York, etc Vrn off to Hawaii this afternoon [26 Nov 93] for two weeks. Cofd fusion conference.
South India, eh? Wail, dunno—i've done the New Delhi- Agra toil, com- plete with forts. What might be inter- esting to a ham group? I've taken ham tour groups to Europe and Asia (Japan-Korea-Taiwan-Hong Kong- China), but what would we have to of- fer them in Southern tndia? And how many do t need to round up tor Sherry and Itobe tour directors? Presumably costs are tow in India as compared to here, so what do you estimate for the cost of a 10-day tour?
No chance for licenses, eh? We shouldn't bring our HTs?
t organized a ham tour many years ago that included Lebanon. Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, tndia. Nepal, Burma, Thailand* Singapore, Aus- tralia, New Zealand. New Caledonia, Fiji. Western Samoa, American Samoa, and Tahiti Great tour! That would be fun to do again, but t haven't got the time these days. Next month I'm starting stilt another magazine. So what can you do in to days in India?
Best regards. Wayne.
Israel The Israel Amaleur Radio Club invites ail radio amateurs and SWLs to participate in (ha Holyland
DX Contest on the 2nd and 3rd of April 1994.
The object of the contest is to con- lad as many different Israeli amateur radio stations on as many bands and from as many areas as possible. It be- gins at 1 BOO UTC on the 2nd and ends at 1800 UTC on the 3rd. Each station may be contacted on both CW and SSB on the same band, which makes it possible to make up to 12 valid QSOs with the same station,
For further Information contact Shalom Beftcher 4Z4UX IARC, PO Box 17600, Tel Aviv 61176, Israel (SASE please). [I wiff also try to get the entire rules on the 73 BBS in the "73 InternationaT area (12). 603-924- 9343. 300*2400 bps, 8N1.—Amie]
CANARY ISLANDS SPAIN
Woodson Gannaway N5KVB/EA8
Apartado 11
35430 Sta Marie de Quia (GC)
tsias Canarias
Espana
The NW Radio Club (our zone Guta, Gaidar, etc) is having its sec- ond annual Fox Hunt but they changed the name to "Treasure Hunt.* Fox Hunt might not have gone over too well here as the word wfox" in Spain has some questionable conno- tations. It's nice to see a little more activity up this way. And maybe the club on the next Island (Tenerife) will Start sending me some news. I hope
so. News from mainland Spain has dried up for now it seems. Maybe somebody there will take the "hint"
Most of you probably know that Eu- rope depends heavily on bus trans* portation even though the number of cars is increasing rapidly. On the con- tinent they also have trains, but we don't have any in the Canaries. The upshot of this is that I take the bus al- most everywhere. Over the years this has led to some interesting events and conclusions, like about the char- acter of different makes of busses.
In 1987, the only ones on the Inter- city line up here were Pegaso (Pega- sus), old and tired, but still stout and willing. The terrain is mountainous and steep because the mountains are relatively recent and sharp-edged. Thai, plus frequent stops and starts, added to people with an impatient temperament, means thai missed shifts and loose steering can be inter- esting. We have some pretty good grades and one approaches the sec- ond highest bridge in Europe (105 meters, 346 feet). Pve watched drivers playing the loose steering on those bridges in a strong gusty crosswind and keeping well within their lane, This is doing more than it seems be- cause everything is much closer and more critical in European driving than in ihe LLS. After six-plus years here I still have a tremendous admiration tor their skill.
I also remember being in an old
Pegaso grinding up the approach to the bridges, standing In the aisle {58 seated, 30 standing) when it came time to downshift. No way; it just wouldn't go m, even wttfi repeated try- ing. Meantime, the bus had really slowed down, but the only gear it would go into was the original one (fourth, J think). So we caught fourth but at a really slow speed, and went on up, even picked up a little speed 1 1 watched several of the older passen- gers exchange knowing glances. It wasn't the first time they'd seen that happen. Those busses are tough, and still running after who knows how many years and probably millions of miles, because they're still used as spares.
Another time, we goi stopped on the same hi if — bad dies el fuel. It was just sprinkling rain, and I started talk* mg to the driver about the rain. He sard that with the older busses they had a lot of problems with the roofs leaking during the infrequent rain here. He said that at times he had to tell the people getting on and dosing their umbrellas as they did, to leave them open because the roof leaked so badly!
This same driver saved my bacon one day. I had bought four heavy met- al industrial shelves to take home on the bus. As 1 struggled up to the bus stop, there was (he bus about to leave, across the very busy street. I'm pretty good at getting across busy Las
luMUHH
P.O. Box 415, Pierceton, IN 46562 219-594-3661
TRANSCEIVER KITS & RADIO MOUNTS
80 or 40 meter, 5 Watt, HOWES
CW transceiver Only. $164.95
160 Meter DSB Phone XCVR, 3
to 10 Watts PER $134.95
80 meter SSB transceiver, 10 to
35 Watts PER $239.95
80/40/20 TRl-BAND SSB XCVR. 12 to 40 Watts„$399,95 Digital readout kit for any superhet or DC receiver or
transceiver.......... .$1 16.95
This is just a sample listing of the gear we have for you to BUILD for your shack.
Send $1.00 to address above for our newest catalog!
Complete transceiver for all HF Amateur Bands. Digital readout kits for all receivers and transceivers. Professional looking gear for your shack that you can use. We carry kits from CM. Howes, Walford Electronics AND we carry the entire TEJAS RF TECHNOLOGY line.
Heavy Duty HT Mounts will mount any Hand Held in
almost any vehicle $29.95
Mobile radio mounts for heavier mobile rigs ,.,,$39,95 Mounts for multiple rigs starting at $49.95
CIRCLE 299 ON READER SERVICE CARD
82 73 Amateur Radio Today ■ February, 1 994
Palmas sleets when l need to, bul not wilh a cumbersome load like that. But I looked up and there was Marco at the wheel, so I caJl. "Marco!" He looked up. *Wait for me.* And he set- tled back into the seat, ready to wait as long as it look me to get across. This would never happen on Ihe line that serves the south, the tourist part of the island. I*m sure glad J Jive in the north*
Unlil next limef 73. Woodson
N5KVB/EA8,
MALAYSIA
Harris Abdullah 9M6HF
PO Box 13329
83837 Kota Ktnabatu
Sabah
Malaysia
I operated a BBS station On 2m for a month last April with a high expecta- tion of getting others to try out this mode, but ! managed to gel only two amateurs interested. In the daytime, the BBS was on HF and downloading bulletins and mail from YB5Q2 BBS on 20m, and in the evenings it was on 2m. But it was fun, and the experience gained will be put to good use when a BBS runs full-time here in the future.
The next project is the setting up of a PC cluster here. JH1ROJ/9M6RO has contributed the software and TNC (DRSJ-2). I will be operating the dus- ter and hopefully this new project will attract the o I hers to go into the packet mode.
The 73 H ambas- sador from Hong Kong, Phil VS6CT, made a short visit here last April and was kept busy by the locaJ hams, Phil made several pre- sentations to vari- ous groups on his specialty- Maritime Distress and Safety Systems.
VS6CT is always
on 21 .227 MHz dai- ly from 2300 UTC. Sometimes he is joined by HL9KT, BV2FA, KA6V (Phil's QSL manag- er), WB2KXA (from New Jersey), and myself. HL9KT and myself have a regu- lar sked on 14.195MHz at 0900 UTC. tf any of you wtsh to join in, please do so when you hear our sig- nals.
Two new operators, Din 9M6LS and Armstrong 9M6BZ. check in regu- larly with the W7PHO Family Hour Net on 14.226 MHz. So does Johnny 9M6DB located in Mia Sarawak.
JA9AG. a JARL Director fof the "9" call area in Japan, came twice:
Photo B: Hambassador Phil Weaver VS6CT while visiting Hambassador Harm Abdullah 9M6HE
November 1992 and February 1993. He operated 9M6/JA9AG at a place called Seaside Resort about 20 km from Kola Kinabatu.
1994 has been declared "Visit Malaysia Year." Those who have not made their holiday plans yet may con-
sider a visit here- Temporary operat- ing permits could be arranged if you desire to operate from here. Let me know via Packet Mail ® JI3ZAG in Os- aka, Japan, or drop me a line at my address .
73 from Malaysia!
W9GR DSP FILTER
1 1 Switch Selectable Filters in One
iiwww.iifci i'i Mailin Bun him m—itim ii liTm—
tlWP [VSP IF Audio 1 1 l-.-p
v:r
HPUTirWl
Just turn (he switch to select one of: 4 Filters which enhance SSB signals by reducing hiss, static, ignition, and powcrline noise with no perceptible time dela\ combined with Multiple Automatic Notch ft Iters to remove heterodynes instantly. |
4 "Brick-wall" CW Filters with bandwidths of 50 Hz to 200 Hz. 3 unique linear phase bandpass filters for RTTY, HF Packet, and SSTV.
Installs easily between the receiver and external speaker or headphones.
W9GR DSP Filter $299.95
12 VDC Power Supply $11.95
Shipping and Handling US 55, avtrseas $15
*rs*
50 dav mofiej back guarantee W dtiv part* vV lufair warrant?.
To Charge
You Up...
(■Com 7*>3 Canning I'kwy Victor NY 14564 (716) 924-0422 FAX (716) 924-4555
CIRCLE 175 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Power Packsfor LongerQSO Time
mpkcmients for re^dar price
FN&12 YAJESC 60Gma $ 54.50
BP^fi KOM MOOtea $63.00
FB43S KENWOOD 1300taa $4975
EBP-24S aijnco isootaa $62.00
Now Qnty *40 Eadi
Bit}* ymtr xadb
from tiw manufacturer.
Buy tfr today pack
from Peripliex— nte batteries
aie (M only business!
One Year Warranty Matched cell construction Case re-build service Long life, extended operating time Made for HAMS, by HAMS
Add S4.00 Stopping & Handlipg far first battery 5100 tm each adtff battery - UA only Qmnedkut resident add 6% tax.
jii ill
rill
Available from wur kiler„.
P0HMPHOX inc
the only thing low about our charge is the cost. .
1-80(^634^132
115 IB Hurley Road • Oxford, CT 06478 • (203) 264-3985 » FAX (2()3) 262-6943
CIRCLE 68 ON READER SEflVlCE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994 83
Number 22 on your Feedback card
Humoer *^£ on you
Special events
Ham Doings Around the World
FEB 5
CHARLESTON, SC The 21st annual Charleston Ha mtestf Computer Show will be hosted by the Charleston ARS at Chariestowne Landing Stale Park from 8:30 AM-4 PM. Talk-in on 146.79- or 145-25-. VE Exams at 12 noon - Tatk-in on 145.25- lo get tocalion. Walk-ins ortfy. For Exams, contact Ed KC400Z, ($03) 671-4366; or Warren W4ZYZ. (803) 572- 1164. Flea Market Contact; Jenny Myers WA4NGV> 2630 Dellwood Avetl Charleston SC 29405-6614.
FEB 13
MANSFIELD, OH The Mansfield Mid* Winter HamiestfComputer Show will be held at the Richland County Fair- grounds beginning at 7 AM, Talk- in on 146.34/.94 (W8WE), For tickets/Into contact Pat Akerman N8YOB. 63 N. Illi- nois Ave., Mansfield OH 44905, Tef, (419) 569-7133 after 4 PM EST. Send SASE with payments or Inquiries by mail.
VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA The Burnaby ARC will host their annual Flea Market at the Westminster Armouries, 6th St. at Queens, New Westminster BC Doors open for sellers at 0900 hrs; buyers 1000-1400 hrs. Talk in on 145.35 (VE7HBY). or 442.85. For info, contact the dob net. Monday nights at 2000 fo- cal time on 145.35; or write Burnaby ARC, 6ox 72012, 4429 Ktngsway Burn- aby B.C. V5H4P9, Canada.
FEB 19
SALEM, OR The Salem and Oregon Coasl Emergency Repealer Assns. will CO- sponsor the 1994 HAM FAIR, begin- ning at 9 AM at the Polk County Fair- grounds. Talk-in on 146.26/86. For info write (with SASE) to Salem Repeater Assoc.. PC Box 784, Salem OR 97308.
FEB 20
BRIGHTON, CO The Aurora Repeatef Assn. will hofd its 12th annual Swapfest at the Adams County Fairgrounds at 9755 Henderson Rd, Irom B:30 AM-2 PM. Contact Judi WDOHNP (303) 450- 6910, or Jan KA7TYU. (303} 699-1944;
or write (with SASE) to Aurora Repeater Assn., PO Box 39666. Denver CO
B0239
CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH SL Vincent's Bingo Hail. 3479 State Rd., is the site for a HAMFEST being sponsored by the Cuyahoga Falls ARC. Contact (216) 929-4267. Or Carol Hervol N8JLQ, 11192 Cottmgham Circle NW. Uniontown OH 44685. Tel (216) 497-7047
FEB 26
BISMARCK, ND The Centra! Dakota ARC will hold its annual Hamfest at the Radisson Inn, 800 South Third St., from 8 AM-4 PM. Tatk-in on 146.85/.25. VE Exams. Ham/Computer Swapmeet Get details from Tim N0SDB, (701) 663- 6620; or Chris NQPOK (70 1) 663- 1324. JENSEN BEACH, FL The Stuart Out- door H amies!, sponsored by Martin County ARA4 will be held at Langford Park, S.R. 707, at The Arch," from 0800 UTC-1500 UTC. Talk-in on 147.060 (+600 MHz). Packet Demo ARRL VE Exams begin at 9:30 AM (courtesy of Ft. Pierce ARC). Sign in at 9 AM. Contact MCARA. P.O. Box 1901, Stuart FL 34995[ or Bob Hess KA3EDL, (407) 546-4353.
FEB 26-27
CINCINNATI, OH The ARRL Great Lakes Div, Convention 1994 will be held at the Cincinnati Gardens Exhibition Center, 2250 Seymour Ave, Exhibits open at 8:30 AM Sat and Sun. Com- mercial vendors and Flea Marketeers are welcome. Convention Chairman: Stan Cohen WD8QDQ, 2301 Royal Oak Ct.t Cincinnati OH 45237; (513) 531* 1011. Vendor Chairman; Joe Halpin W8JDU, 11615 Geneva Rd.. Cincinnati OH 45240; (513)851-1056.
FEB 27
DEARBORN, ML The Livonia ARC will hold its 24th annuat Swap'n Shop from 8 AM-4 PM. a I the Dearborn Civic Center. Talk-in on 144.75/5.35 and 146.52 sim- plex. VE Exams will be given in the af- ternoon of the Swap. For mlor send 4x9
Listings are free of charge as space permits. Please sand us your Special Event two months in advance of the issue you want it to appear fa For example, if you want it to appear in the January issue, we should receive it by December 31. Pro- vide a dear, concise summary of the essential details about your Special Event Check Special Events Fife Area #t? on our BBS (603-924-9343). for listings that were too late to get into publication.
SASE to Nell Coffin WA8GWL Livonia ARC, P.O. Box 21 ft, Livonia Ml 48151. Tef. (313) 427-3905,
MARCH 5
ABSECON. NJ The Shore Points ARC will sponsor its 12th annual hamfest, ^Springiest *94", at Holy Spirit H.S.. Rte 9, l/2-mi, south of Rte 30. Doors open at 9 AM (7 AM for sellers). Talk-in on 146.385/985. Contact SPARC, P.O. Box 142, AbseconNJ 08201, DENVILLE, NJ The annual North Jer- sey Hamfest, sponsored by Split RocWWest Morris, wili be held on Morris Ave. starting at 8 AM (sellers 6 AM). VE Exams at 9 AM sharp. Sign up by 9 AM. Talk-in on 146-9&5 and 223.86. Contact Bernie WB2YQKi P.O. Box 251, Flan- ders NJ 07836; (201) 584-4423,
MARCH 6
NORTHAMPTON, MA The Smith Voca- tional School on Rte. 9 has been choosen as the site for the 10lh Annual MTARA Amateur Radio Flea Market. This event will be presented by the Mt. Tom Amateur Repeater Assn. Inc,t start* ing al 9 AM (8 AM lor vendors). ARRL VE Exams at 10 AM. Vendor Reserva- tion Contaci: Jim K1MEA, (413) 527- 3199 eves, before 2200 EST. VE Exam Registration: Jim WA1ZUH, (413) 245- 3228; or & MTMBBS via packet. Ad- vanced registration strongly recom- mended.
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS
FEB 12-13
EUGENE, OR A CW QSO Party will be held by the Quarter Century Wireless Assoc, Inc. from 0000 UTC Sat.^2400 UTC Sun. Frequencies: 30 kHz inside the CW bands. Regular call Signs will be used for all contacts. Send logs to Bob Reed WB2DIN, 597 Brewers Bridge Rd,t Jackson NJ 06527. For more info, con- tact Bill Miller K2GCE, Activities Manag* ert 217 Porterfield PI., Freeport NY 11520.
EVANSTON, WY The Uinta County ARC will operate MW7H 1S00Z-240OZ to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Phone 10X on 28.395. 24.945. 21.325. 18.140. 14.245 For a certificate, send OSL with a 9x12 SASE to Vranish, PO. Box 2048, Evanston WY 82931 -2048,
FEB 12-14
CLAREMONT, NH The 1994 New Hampshire QSO Party, sponsored by the NH ARA, will take place on Feb. 12ih from 1900 UTC-Q70G UTC; Feb. 13thT from 1400 UTC-0200 UTC Feb. 14th. Open to al! dasses. Techs w/o HF prrvitedges are invited to join on simplex above 50 MHz. Operating frequencies: CW— 1810. 3535, 7035, 14035, 21035, 28035. SS&— 1875, 3935. 7235. 14280, 213BOf 28320. 50115, 144205. FM— 29.610. 52.540, 146.550. 223.500. 446.000, 902,100, 1296.100. There will be a 75 meler phone linale Sun. on 3950 +/- QRM. Logs must be post- marked by March 31, 1994. Contact Conrad Ekstrom WB1GXM. PO. Box 1076, Claremont NH 03743-1076. Please send SASE,
FEB 16-20
MARQUETTE, Ml The Hiawatha ARA will operate NBGBA 17002 Feb. 18th- 1700Z Feb. 201h. to honor the Up 200 Sled Dog Championship. The Lower end of the 10, 15, 20 and 40 meter phone bands will be used. For a certificate, send a large SASE with 2 stamps to Richard Schwenke NBGBA, 21 Smith Lane, Marquette Ml 49855,
FEB 19*20
MOUNT VERNON, VA The Mount Ver- non ARC wiii operate Station N4BV dur- ing the hours Of 1600Z-2000Z on 19-20 Feb*, to commemorate George Wash- ington's brrthday. Operalions will take place from George Wash ing Ion's home. Frequencies: The lower General 80m- 15m subbands, and on the Novice 10m subband. For a certificate, send QSL with a 9x10 #10 SASE to Steve Schnei- der WB4EE A. 8602 Cushman Place, Alexandria VA 22308.
Now! A full-size antenna with low SWR from 50 to 1300 Mhz. The FLYTECRAFT™ Model KFN
i Model KFN features low- angle radiation and tow SWR across the full range. i Large capture area - antenna is 6 ft tall and 54 in, across.
► Heavy-duty construction, yet light in weight and wind load ing.
> Rated 500 waits, 50 ohm input impedance, S0239 connector, type N optional
» Quick assembly, ideal for indoor and outside use, \ Futuristic appearance.
Based on the design of our popular CFN,
In use the world over.
Built wrth pride & sold worldwide - FLVTECRAFT^us*
FLYTECRAFT" Model KFN - 599.95
Seed Cluck o« S Order kk FLYTECRAFT " P.O. Boi 3141 Simf VftllejCA *K>93 - 5 hipping Addition*;
VISA/MC PHONE ORDERS
StLilficliun, GU4T,
800-456-1273 M-F9A-5P(PT) 80S- 5K3-S173
CIRCLE 2St ON READER SERVICE CARD
84 73 Amat&ur Radio Today* February, 1994
A PIE YOU BUILDING A
« <911PVh
Packet Network?
Join ttie latest Packet Radio excitement - building the networks that make ft all possibte. Using ordinary Packet TNCs and network software, you too can ex- pand the existing network, or start your own' ANS has the hard-to-find parts that bring It all together:
rto-\KTR!\ [)»•.**: Mxn r - ml mini TT i IngrlhfT Id fui a MtiwuJc wmiMB^ nodt. »fcCTC
amBiOE'VFcaneaacvtteikknnraKi^ afcfe& Kf *atu **Ji IteNET and KUSfc i
LXLSlcTMhITNCindllySLMi
The WirrModrm \ ri*[rtcr Sri i^nnctrt> H* TNC4 tu%e thcr vjj |hrir i
disconnect iic*lcii. sA high >pred UscJ jI k rc-li&Nc, ComfHrtc \n n... lading 'A iil-Ljji rn.iim .H«l MS WircMudcllLV $32.95.
Lhe ANS 1*iiw*t Ptatrthutinn FkMrd in i\n ob&y
way imbsLrihuu: LXT powtj- hi TNCs otuUict toi* cunuikufc vices. Ftghl TNC &tyk* pnww pudts. final rev. piibtfuy pnolcaeii I iill lur pows/HiTun fuse. Mauris wiiri vclcru i* view*. Orty $ M 9* audPtfnL susi as i kk 24 uidi prrwia eonl IM.'ptagai£kcbakL i2*t cactv
We aiso offer
J dtk K.^MO f l..«t bupftr w.W c*^-
fc* JbeSUT ± SLOSL - Wrot jo*
Pieasc write tot our free catalog. To order. &end check m
MO. add S3 S/H. NJ address adtf 6% tax. ah orders snipped
via 2-Day air! Your Satisfaction is Fully Guaranteed.
Amateur Networking Supply
Post Office Box 219. MonLvale New Jersey 07645 -0219
CIRCLE 76 ON READER SERVICE CARD
LUKE POWER SUPPLIES
CONTIMUQUS mJTT AMFFHE RATINGS
S40-40AMP-13 8V .. S5^55 AMP- 13.8V.. S80-dOAMP-13.8 SlOO-100AMP-13.dV. S35H-35AMP-28V ,
S275 S310 S540 $585 S445
S55H-5SAMP28V.... 5540
S25VH-P5AMP-5QV per quota
S55VH-55AMP-5QV,, +,.» ...per quote
OPTIONAL RACK MOUNT $75
OPTIONAL LCD METER S75
Elecliijnie Heiju(di*ii Fuid litl Diirenl liinit CiTMrfar Prvitcbaa Ihrtf Timj Munition
Untttm bwMSwft
lC0V4tiA»p ir ■ lisaiif Mi
Sari siaft an mast modiis
Mate .4 u S * Qn-; ftV Win inlf
ftact Mo**t Optfan
'~t\mbtt \*4K9tV 12Ktt> all mottit
mUS k
(vIsaI
LUKE CO.
7! 1 3 NtFihS"Wili
, NW4M5I
CIRCLE 243 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Never Say Die s:
Continued from page 4 centfy evofved system they've found a much more primitive analog communi- cations system which is still with us. This involves communications about damage to the body and operates on micro -currents, lis a fascinating detec- tive myslery, where Becker has dug out past research data which didn't make sense at the lime and put the puzzfe to- gether.
Then he gets into how all life has evolved in (he Earth's magnetic field and how magnetic fields Influence every celt. The micropulsa lions in the Earth's magnetic field are strongest at 10 Hz, the frequency at which many of our brain functions occur. Becker shows how electromagnetic energy systems within the body control growth and heal- ing, regurate the level of activity of the brain, and produce vitaliy important bio- logical cycles by deriving timing infor- mation from the natural electromagnetic environment of the Earth, He shows that there is a relationship between the Earth's geomagnetic field and human behavior. Further, it's been shown that the conscious mind can control the level of activity in the body's DC control sys- tems. This helps with our understanding of how changes can be brought about by the use of visualization, hypnosis, meditation, biofeedback, suggestion, placebo, and religious experiences.
Some yogis are good at this, but more research is needed before ihe rest of us will be able to use this enormous power. II the placebo effect could be bottled it would be worth billions. Place- bos have been shown to be able to work in 60% of clinical cases, so we're not talking chopped liver
How do healers work? It isn't the placebo effect because they're able to be as successful with animals as peo- ple. So what then? And how can those super-diluted homeopathic remedies possibly work? Scientific orthodoxy says its impossible, so the scientists get all upset every time a double-btind re- search project shows success, Lfs im- possible, so they don't wan I to even know aboul it. They argue that there must be some fault in the research. But then other labs come along and report the same findings.
We're dealing with extremely sensr- tive biological chemical and electromag- netic systems. For instance, a male moth sensing one single molecule of a female pheromone will fly toward her. This process involves the transfer of but a single electron!
and magnetic fields to help bones mend. These same currents can cause cancer cells to have explosive growth. In 1880 a doctor reported that a patient with cancer of the lip and chin had been struck by lightning and his cancers dis- appeared within a few weeks, nor did they return during the following 10 years. That treatment is a little rough, so perhaps its lime to see just what it does take. Becker reports on the recent re- search in Lhis field, showing that even at very low power, microwave energy can have a number of extremely undesirable effects.
How about the Amazon Indians who treat snakebite by touching ft with a wire from the spark plug of an outboard mo- tor, giving it a low-current, high-voltage zap? This seems to inactivate the toxin. Otherwise- fatal bites are survivable with this technique.
Becker shows how solar Hares affect the Earth's magnetic field and how this correlates with mental hospital admis- sions. He wonders if it is just a coinci- dence that past species extinctions co- incided with gravity field reversals.
Then he gels into man-made fields and their effect on all life— including us. Doctors in Houston found that the chil- dren of falhers who'd been exposed to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) at work had an increased risk of having children with brain cancer before the age of Iwo, Exposure to microwaves and any other man-made electromagnetic fields (such as 60 Hz) produces stress, a decline in the immune system, and changes in the genetic system (none beneficial^
Zapping Drug Addictions
A small voltage stimulation unit is popular for sports medicine and is even being used by jet-fighter pilots to pre- vent backache from their cramped cock- pits. Another has been amazingly suc- cessful in helping people cure drug habits— without withdrawal symptoms. Further, the people had a personality change from an addictive to a non- addictive type.
Then there's the use of small volt-
Can Our PL Tones Cause Genetic Changes?
The body is quite capable of demod- ulating radio signals of any frequency and the biological effect is the same as those produced by low frequencies— just in case you haven't been concerned about what those handie-talkie PL tones may be doing to you, Becker quotes one of the leading researchers in this field. Ross Aoey K6UJ.
There is a good reason to suspect that the virtual explosion of cancer in the last two decades may be due to EMFs, Since 1975 lymphoma, myelo- ma, and melanoma have increased by 100%. breast cancer by 31%. testicular cancers by 97%. kidney cancer by 142%, colon cancer by 63%, and so on. Is that enough 1o make someone think?
Work is just Starting in the extremely low frequency (ELF) field. It turns out that the brain is extraordinarily sensitive to very low levels of ELF. The govern- ment has discounted the emerging re- search reports because they simply can't be true,
We're using nuclear magnetic reso- nance (WMR) units in hundreds of hos- pitals, yel yeast ceils exposed to NMR multiply at twice their normal rate and their offspring are half as large as nor- mal?
We know that ail substances are magnetic to some extent, because the spin of the electrons around the nucleus produces a magnetic field. Some people are so sensitive to magnetic fields that
just being near a TV or computer termi- naf causes their skin to turn red and brings on flu-like symptoms. Are the rest of us totally immune? Mot bloody likely.
The power companies, appliance manufacturers, broadcast stations, and the military have enormous vested inter- ests in the public not finding out aboul how thefr fields are affecting us. Scien- tists who have persisted in publicly rais- ing the issue of harmful effects from any portion of the magnetic spectrum ha we been discredited and their research grants taken away. Paul Brodeur's books on the subject have documented this, even citing how much some named scientists were paid by the power com- panies to testify on their behalf when questions were raised. It almost re- minds one of the tobacco and asbestos denials.
I think you'll enjoy the book, lfs writ- ten so you won't have any problem un- derstanding it and it goes into a lot of fascinating detail I don t think you'll al- low any family member to use an elec- tric blanket again, and you may decide to move your linear amplifier across the room where it isn't as close to where you operate.
Now do you see why 1 found this book so interesting and am trying to get you to read it? It will open a whole new world for you — starting you looking for more information and perhaps even get- ting you interested in doing some re- search yourself.
Next I want to review a book by T Snnrvasan, an interesting chap I met re- cenity at a Subtle Energies Conference in Monterey. This is a collection of 28 papers presented a I Ihe 1987 Energy Medicine Conference in Madras, India, I'm encouraging Srini to bring out a new edition, but with the material presented in a more reader- friendly form. Scientific papers are usually very difficult to fol- low, and it's a shame for this important material to be buried for the lack of a simple English translation.
Then there's The Secret Life of Plants, by Tomkins and Bird, which rais- es a whole bunch more questions. And have you read Electromagnetic Man by Smith and Best yet? Tsk! Your rmnd enl much good to you if you don't give it da- la to work with, and that garbage on TV you've probably been wasting your time on doesn't count for much as data. We'll have a tot more lo talk about on the air if you've read some books. Then you won't have to depend on ignorance to guide you, like the two hams I cited,
A Cure for AIDS?
The way the Lambda homosexual ham club has been spitting in my face, so to speak, and apparently doing their best to hurt 73 ad sales, IVe had a short wrestling match with myself over this HIV virus thing. They're mad at me be- cause a militant opportunist in their group has latohed onto a flimsy pretext to bring what I consider a frivolous surt against the ARRL for refusing to run their ads in QSTT and rm vigorously op- posed to bringing lawyers and lawsuits into ham doings. The last I heard, mag- azine publishers are permitted to refuse
any ads for any reasons, stated or un- stated.
Now, I'm not suggesting for one minute that all homosexuals are pe- dophiles, but we've had more than enough of them preying on young hams and the children of hams without open- ing the door further. Indeed, two very weli- known hams have been arrested and convicted of this. Well, enough of my grousing about child molestation. I'd probably shut up if Mike Kelly, the stri- dent voice of Lambda, would stop doing his best to give me free publicity for my opposition to his stupid lawsuits.
Yes, I've said and written that I con- sider any ham scum who resorts to law- suits in our hobby. This is supposed to be a hobby, and it's supposed to be fun. When hams get so wrapped up in the hobby that they start lawsuits, their per- spective is awack. Kelly can unscum himself, at least to my satisfaction, by dropping the Lambda fawsuit against the ARRL and reimbursing the League for the money (our money, by the way- money that comes from our member- ship dues) that he's wasted for us with his push to get his homosexual ads in QS T and, of course, personal promotion for himself.
Now. about AIDS which, if you've read much about it. is almost totally a homosexual problem. The good news is that there seems to be a simple cure for Ihe HIV virus. The even better news Is that we hams are in a wonderful posi- tion to help. I'm not sure why news of this incredible breakthrough hasn't been a cover feature on Time and Newsweek, but I expect it will be, once a lew journalists finally realize what's been just recently discovered.
I've an advantage in this case be- cause of my interest in the research into Ihe effects of low level electromagnetic, radio, and electric fields on cellsh and their connection to cancer and a wide variety of other illnesses. Then there's the amazing research which has been done by Robert Becker in Cross Cur- rents. He explains how currents in the microampere range can have powerful effects on cells.
Having recent read Energy Medicine and Vibrational Medtcine, I was not sur- prised to read that some researchers at the Albert Einstein School of Medicine in New York have discovered thai a cur- rent of about 50 microamperes can alter the outer protein layers of the HIV virus and thus prevent its subsequent attach- ment lo receptor sftes. This was report- ed in Science News, March 1991, page 207, Well, if you've done any reading at all in molecular biology, you know this is the breakthrough we need to start get- ting rid of HIV,
In my review of Cross Currents J mentioned that Amazonian Indians have been able to detoxify deadly snake bites by zapping the bate with a wire from their outboard motor spark plug. The HIV vims can be similarty zapped and the equipment needed to do this is something any ham should be able to build.
Further, if you've been paying alten- Continued on page 87
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1 994 85
■ Numoer * j on j
AfEIV products
Number 23 on your Feedback card
Compiled by Charles Warrington WA1RZW
G4ZPY PADDLE KEYS INTERNATIONAL
switch over to a twin lever, there is a jack socket fitted to enable another keyer to use the same iambic elec- tronic keyer.
The new combo may be purchased in lour different finishes, and all are fitted with keydown switches. This brings the G42PY collection to so keyers — the largest selection in the worid!
All keyers are handcrafted, so they tafce longer to produce. For more infor- mation, send an SASE (UK) or two IRCs to G4ZPYr 41 Mitt Dam Lane, Burscough. Ormskirk Lanes., England L4Q 7TG; TeVFax 44 (0) 704 $94299, Or circle Reader Service No. 201.
The first commercially produced singJe-tever combo keyer has been in- troduced by G4ZPY Paddle Keys In* lemationaL Tnis new beauty has a lit- tle something extra — if you get tired of using the single fever and want to
S & S ENGINEERING
The newest in the ARK Series of synthesized QRP transceivers, the ARK 20, is a rugged unit perfect for Field Day, DXpedilions, camping trips, busi- ness trips, or the home shack. Lightweight and portable, the unit mea- sures 2-3/4" x 5-1 /2]t x a", weighs less than four pounds, and comes with a tilt- up handle-bail.
The transceiver covers the CW portion of the 20 meter band and tunes in 100 Hz steps, RIT and a 200-Hz-wide audio filter are also selectable from the front panel.
The kit is complete with all parts, si ik- screened front and rear panels, and an extruded, anotfized aluminum case. The transceiver operates from 1t to 1 3.6 VDC and provides 3 to 4 watts of RF power. The output power is adjustable to the milliwatt lev- el. Breadboard area on the transceiver PCB makes adding your own favorite optional circuits easy.
The ARK 20 kit price is $269,95, For more information or to order contact S & S Engineering, 141 02 Brown road, Smtthsburg, MD 21783; (301} 416- 06$f. Or circle Reader Service No. 204.
AMECO CORPORATION
All the latest changes in FCC ama- teur radio test preparation requirements are incorporated into the new, revised editions of Ameco's popular license manuals. Separate manuals are avail- able lor the Novice Class (Cat. 827-01 }, the Technician Class {Cat. A28-01), and the new No-Code Technician Class (Cat. #78-01).
Each book covers all the FCC examination questions for each class, with corre^ spending muHiple-choice an- swers. There is a clear, con- cise explanation for each cor- rect answer which helps l he reader fully understand the theory and concept behind the question. All questions and answers are conveniently ar-
ranged to minimize flipping pages.
These books are by Mr. Martin Schwartz, who has over 40 years expe- rience writing amateur radio license in- struction materials. You can purchase the Ameeo books from your local ham radio deader, or contact Ameco Corpo- ration, 224 East Second Street, Mtneo- ta> NY 11 501; (516) 741-5030. Fax (516) 741-5031. Or circle Reader Ser- vice No, 206.
|
i^ — ^"1 |
||||
|
■ |
_ 1 OnOOXCTWOMO — |
|||
|
I |
H |
^1 |
- |
|
|
i |
L |
m |
OPTOELECTRONICS
A new tow-cost communications de- coder with advanced features has been announced by Optoelectronics. The Model DC440 reads 50 subaudible iCTCSS) tones. 106 digital (DCS) codes, and 16 touch-tone (DTMF) char- acters simultaneously! Applications in- elude: two-way communications testing, repeater monitoring, and security and
TRIPP LITE
Tripp Lite has introduced a new product that is perfect for ham shacks equipped with PCs and PC clones. The new Power Miser combination screen monitor and surge suppressor saves electricity by automatically turn- ing off power-hungry computer moni- tors. Keyboard activity instantly re- stores the monitor to fts prior screen.
The Power Miser is also a high- quality lour-oultet surge suppressor with superior spike and noise line fil- tering for connected equipment. It pro-
surveillance monitoring. It can also be used to update older service monitors and to enhance recreational monitoring.
The DC440 displays decoded Infor- mation on a two- line alphanumeric liq- uid crystal display. Unique to the DC440 is the serial data jack that permits con- nection to a PC serial port using the model CX12 RS-232C interface. There is a complete set ol control codes to permit remote operation from a PC. Op- tional NiCd batteries provide up to five hours of portable operation.
The price for the OC440 is S2S9. For product assistance, further information, or to order, contact Optoelectronics Inc.. 5821 NE 14th Avenue, Ft Laud- erdaJB, FL 33334; (800) 327-5912, Fax (305) 771-2052. Or circte Reader Ser- vice Mo. 202.
vides 720 joules of surge sup- pression and ex- cellent RFI and EMI noise rejec- tion.
The Power Miser has a retail price of $99.95 and can provide savings of up to $T90 a year. For fur- ther information contact Tripp Lite, 500 N. Oneanst Chicago, JL 60610-4136; (312) 329-1777, Fax (312) 644-6505. Or circle Reader Service No. 203.
HAMBREW
Hambrew, a new magazine devoted to amateur radio builders and designers,
Is now being pub* Hshed quarterly for hams around the world. The focus ranges from be- ginner-level kit building to more advanced RF de- sign, with some theory sprinkled in, Articles in the Inaugural Autumn
FB ENTERPRISES
FB Enterprises is now offering the 1994/95 edition of their popular "Re- peater Maps/1 These maps are avail- able tor all US states, Canadian provinces. Central American countries, and Caribbean islands. (California is split into Northern and Southern Calrfor* nia. so please specify when ordering.)
The updated maps show 2 meter re- peaters in futl color on the front of the card, and the bands between 220 MHz and 1 2 GHz are in black and white on me back. They include autopatch infor- mation and CTCSS tones for those re- peaters which usb mem.
The maps are 5*1/2" X 8-1/2* and
1993 issue included a Ramsey 30 meter transmitter review, constructing loam* core panel cases and cabinets, the NorthWest QRP 30-30 Transmitter, and decoupling loops for dipoles with a dis- cussion of counterpoise.
Classified ads are free to both com- mercial and non-commercial sub- scribers. Subscriptions are $2Q/yr, do- mestic, $30/yr. Canada and Mexico, and $35/yr. elsewhere. For more information contact Hambmwt F,0. Box 260083, Lakewood, CO 80226 0083; (800) 5-HAMR1G. Or circle Reader Service No. 205,
fflfjCK - N- EASY ■: '■ ' ■ ■,-
W'Mwmwji
are laminated in clear plastic. They retail for $3*95 and are available at your ham radio dealer or directly by mail order. Catalogs are available for S2 (re- funded with purchase). For more infor- mation contact FB Enterprises. 23801 NW 1st Ave,, Ridgefieid, WA 98642- 8830; Voice/FAX (800) 377*2339. Or circle Reader Service No. 207.
MICRO-OHM MEASUREMENTS
Micro-Ohm Measurements has an- nounced the new Ohm Extender — a device that will give your DMM a new depth of operation. The Ohm Extender is a portable battery-operated adjunct which uses your digital multimeter as a readout.
The Ohm Extender gives you the
equivaleni of an expensive mini- and micro-ohm meter, which would cost 10 limes as much. You can actually mea- sure shunt resistors; precisely mea- sure wire length; verify circuit board trace resist a nee; read motor, trans- former, and choke values; and check switch and relay contacts.
All components are of the finest quality and there is a one-year limited warranty. Trie price is $161 ppd. For more information contact Micro- Ohm Measurements, P.O. Box 460, Brookshire, Texas 77423; (713} 934- 4659, Or circle Reader Service No. 208.
86 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994
Never Say Die
Continued from page 85
tion to the news, you know that some German blood banks have been care- less ami allowed HIV virus to get into their supplies. Now we know how to easily and quickly cleanse any blood of the virus.
A physicist friend of mine gave a lecture on this new procedure lo a group of doctors at a recent sympo- sium and they gave him a standing ovation. Bui I suspect the pharmaceuti- cal companies are going to be ex- tremely upset over this development There are no drugs involved. The drug companies have been investing mil- lions in search of a magic drug to counter HIV — and have gotten nowhere. It's probably fitting, in a way, that the solution to thts scourge can be cured by some electronic equipment which costs well under $100 to make. Simple stuff.
The normal medical electronic in- dustry approach would be to put the simple circuits involved into an impres- sive box, add a bunch of meters, and charge $10,000, And it would be worth it. The tact is that there's nothing more required than parts you can get at almost any radio parts store
What aboul side effects? There aren't any. As far as 1 can see. this ap- proach should be able to eliminate the HIV virus wrthin a few days for anyone infected with a simple and completely noninvasive treatment. Of course.
since the equipment involved is not FDA approved, you canl make it and sell it to doctors. If they bought it, they wouldn't be allowed to use it. But you are allowed lo experiment with it, even on friends. And doctors are allowed to do research with it, as long as they've built the equipment themselves- Thus there is going to be one heck of a mar- ket for HeathkiHike kits For experi- menters and doctors.
There are two pieces of equipment involved, One passes a microampere current through the vascular system, cleaning out Ihe HIV virus in the blood. The other generates a short and very powerful magnetic field to flush the virus out of the lymph glands, where it tends to hide, and into the vascular sys- tem, where it can then be eliminated.
If you've done any homework on how cells work and the effects of mi- crocurrents on them, you'll understand the beauty of this approach — and why researchers have failed to discover it for so long. The labs, largely funded by pharmaceutical companies, have been looking for a chemical cure — one they can sell. There's been little funcfing for non traditional approaches. Indeed, the orthodox scientific community routinely suppresses research like this and does its best to cut off alt possible funding sources. In this case an it took was one non 'traditional physicist to see the im- plications of the Albert Einstein College discovery and develop the hardware needed. He used to be a hamr but got so involved with research that he let his
license lapse.
What happens is that when a small current flows through the vascular sys- tem it hits the HIV virus and causes it to lose its ability to make an en2yme crucial to *ts reproduction. Then the white cells can no longer dump togeth- er, and the virus Is terminated. Using this approach it will a (so be simple to quickly cleanse infected blood banks, thus preventing further HiV infections from transfusions.
If there is any real 73 reader interest in this Ml consider printing the circuit di- agrams of the two simple units, along with detailed instructions on their use. If I get less than a thousand requests, I won't bother I certainty don't want to take up valuable space in 73 for non- ham -oriented construction articles thai not many readers want to read about. That wouldn't be fair to the other read- ers. Mind you, if I do print the construc- tion plans, I'm not making any medical claims. I don't need to have the FDA or any other government agents making my life miserable. Anything you build is completely between you and yourself. And anything you Ob with it is strictly experimental. Tm just a journalist re- porting what I've heard and read.
Experimenters have shown that it takes about three weeks, using Ihe equipment a few minutes a day, for a complete HIV remission.
Will we be seeing headlines about this? Eventually, but you read it here first.
So what's next? How about a simple
electronic approach to drug addictions? Any interest? NoT probably not. I ex- pect I'll get the usual letters asking me to Stop writing about Stuff like this and stick to ham radio topics in a ham radio magazine. Like QST does. But yes, there is good reason lo believe that an- other fairly easily -omit piece of elec- tronic equipment could zap even the most vicious of drug habits.
Religious fanatics may be upset with me over all this. fve talked with several on the air who are absolutely con- vinced that AIDS has been sen I as a curse by God as retribution for the ho- mosexual lifestyle. Unfortunately they haven't convinced me that their pipeline to God is any better than mine. And I wonder how much Kelly is con- sidering the rights of homophobes as he pursues his own demons and his personal quest for power via gay mili- tancy.
It doesn't seem to have occurred to Kelly that anyone who is not stridently pushing for gay rights can be anything but a homophobe. Go back into the closet, Kelly, and shut the padded door behind you.
Ordering Books and CDs
{Editor's Note: Wayne often refer- ences books and CDs in his editorials. The books are often avaitabte from Uncfe Wayne's Bookshelf; the CDs from IMPS by Mail, Both can be ordered by telephoning (BOO) 234-8458 or (603) 924-4 196, or by faxtng (603) 924-8613.}
here is the next generation Repeater
MAR K 4CR
The only repeaters and controllers with REAL SPEECH!
No other repeaters or controllers match Mark 4 in capability and features. That's why Mark 4 is the performance leader at amateur and commercial repeater sites around the world. Only Mark 4 gives you Message Masters real speech • voice readout ol received signal strength, deviation, and frequency error • 4- channel receiver voting • clock time announcements and function control • 7- helical filter receiver • extensive phone patch functions. Unlike others, Mark 4 even includes power supply and a handsome cabinet.
Call or write for specifications on the repeater, controller, and receiver winners.
Phone; #(508) 372-3442 FAX: #(508) 373-7304
Create messages j ust by tal ki ng . Speak any ph rases or words in any languages or dialect and your own voice is stored instantly in solid-state memory. Perfect for emergency warnings, club news bulletins, and DX alerts- Create unique ID and tail messages, and the ultimate in a real speech user mailbox — onty with a Mark 4.
MICRO CONTROL SPECIALTIES
Division of Kendecom Inc, 23 Elm Park, Grov eland, MA 01834
2 meters 220 440
CIRCLE 144 ON HEADER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994 87
Amateur Software
and Hardware for
the Commodore User
RRT-1
ART-1 : A complete interface system forsertd and receive on CW, PITTY (Baudot & ASCII) and AMTOR, for use with the Commodore 64/12B
computer. Operating program on disk included.
$199.00
AIR-1 : A complete interface system for send and receive on CW, RTTY {Baudot & ASCII) and AMTQR, for use with Commodore VIC-ED. Operating program in ROM.
^33 ii75
SWL ; A receive only cartridge for CW, RTTY [Baudot & ASCII) for use with Commodore 64/ 126. Operating program in ROM.
$69.95
AIRDISK: An AFFM type op- erating program for use with your interface hardware. Both VEC-20 and 064/128 programs on one disk $39.95
AIR-ROM: Cartridge version Of AIRDISK for C64/1 29 only.
MORSE COACH
MORSE COACH: A complete teaching and testing program for learning the Morse code in a cartridge.
For C64 or CI 28. $49.95
VEC SPECIAL $39.95
G and G ELECTRONICS
OF MARYLAND
8524 DAKOTA DRIVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877
(301) 258-7373
\ v /
CIRCLE 169 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Number 24 on your Feedback card
Number 24 on your peedoec
Dealer directory
DELAWARE
New Castle Factory authorized dealer! Yacsu, ICOM, Kenwood. Ten -Tec, AEA, Kant rentes, DRSI Mfg.. Ameritrcn, Cushcrah, HyGainh Heil
Sound. Standard Amateur Radio, MFJ, Hus- tler, Diamond, BullernuL Astron, Lars en, and much more. DELAWARE AMATEUR SUP- PLY* 71 Meadow Road, New Castle DE 19720.(302)328-7728.
NEW JERSEY Lodt North Jersey's newest Two Way Radio and Electronics. Dealer is now open. Sales of Ham, Business, Marine and CB. two way equipment as well as Scanners. Shortwave, Electronic Kils, Antennas, Books. Cable Box- es and more. Friendly service and low prices. Advanced Specialties, 114 Essex Street, Lodi NJ 07644. (201) VHF-2M7.
NEW JERSEY Park Ridge North jersey's oldest and finest Shortwave and Ham Radio Dealer. Three minutes from Garden State Pkwy and NY Thru way. Autho- rized Dealers tor AEA, Alpha Delta, Dia- mond, ICOM, Japan Radio Company, Kenwood, Vectroniqs, Yae- su. Ham Sales, Lee WK2T. GILFER SHORTWAVE, 52 Park Aven Park Ridge NJ 07656. (201 ) 391 -7887,
NEW YORK
Manhattan
Manhattan's Eargest and only ham Radio
Store, also full line of Busfness, Marine, Avi- ation t Shortwave Radios and Scanners, and Cellular Phones and Beepers. Large selec- tion of Books, Antennas, Test Equipment, coaxial cable and parts. Full Service Repair
Lab on premises. Our 44th Year . . . We car- ry all major lines: MOTOROLA, ICOM, KEN- WOOD, YAESU, BENDIX-KING, ASTRON. AEA. SONY, PANASONIC. MFJ. CCTV CAMERAS AND MONITORS. BIRD WATTMETERS, FREQUENCY COUNTERS, SCANNERS, HYGAIN, VIBROPLEX, HEIL. CALLBOOK, ARRL, OTHER PUBLICA- TIONS. Open 7 days M-F, 9-S p.m.; Sat., 10-5 p,m. Sun. 11-4 p.m. We ship World- wide. Call, Fax, or write for information and prices. Your one Source for HAM and Busi- ness Radios . . . BARRY ELECTRONICS, 512 Broadway, New York NY 10012. (212) 92S.70UU FAX (212) 925-7001.
QHN3
Columbus Central Ohio's full-line authorized dealer for Kenwood, !COWI1 Yaesu, Alinco, Japan Ra- dio, Standard, AEA, Cusbcraft, Hustler, Dia- mond and MFJ. New and used equipment on display and operational fn our new 10,000 sq. ft. facility. Large SWL Department, too. UNIVERSAL RADEO, 6830 Americana Pkwy,, Reynoldsburg (Columbus) OH 43068. (814) 806-4267.
PENNSYLVANIA Trevose Authorized factory sales and service . KEN- WOOD, ICOM, YAESU, featuring AMER^ ITRON, B£W, MFJ. HYGAIN. KLM, CUSHCRAFT. HUSTLER. KANTRONICS. VIBROPLEX, HEIL, CALLBOOK, ARRL Publications, and much more. HAMTRQN- ICS, INC., 4033 Brownsville Road, Trevose PA 19047, (215) 357-1400, FAX (215} 355-8958. Sales Order 1-600-426* 2820* Circle Reader Service 293 for more in- formation.
DEALERS: Yoyr cempany name and message can contan up to 50 words for as little as W2Q yearly (prepaid] , or 52 to in SiX months (p/epflidj. No mention of mail-order business please, Directory text and payment mi/sl reach us 60 days in advance of publication. For example, advertising for tJhe April '92 issuo must be in our hinds by February 1st. Mail lo 73 Amateur flar/io Today, 70 Rte. 202 N. Peterborough, NH Q^SB.
88 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
Propagation
Number 25 on your Feedback card
Jim Gray W1XU 2 W Chateau Circle Payson AZ 85541
This month is considered an "in-be- tween" month and exhibits some winter and some spring "conditions" on the HF bands. Although 1 994 will be a year of fewer sunspots than the past eight or nine years, it will stili permit excellent DX propagation on the days marked "G" on the calendar but, as usual, this will de- pend on \ he band you choose. Winter conditions of low noise and good night- time propagation on 80 and 160 meters will continue this month, but atmospheric noise will increase as the equinox in late March approaches. The poorest days for DX are fikeiy to be those surrounding the 8th and 21st of the month. The best days for DX will likely be those marked with a "G" (Good) and "P (Fair), or trending be- tween F and G. On the Poor days keep an eye on other geophysical conditions, such as storms and high winds with much snow in the north and rain or sleet in the south. Geological disturbances are more fikeiy on or near the T" days, if they appear at all. Stations with better antennas and receivers are Eikely to fare better In times of low sunspot ac- tivity as the maximum useful fre- quencies also decline, and hours of good DX are shorter than ev- er. Some F2 openings may last for only an hour or so on the 10 and 12 meter bands as the MUF rises above 28 MHz. Choose the riG" days for your best opportuni- ties. Short skip will prevail on the days these bands are open.
On the 15 and 17 meter bands, you may find DX opportu- nities quite good with afternoon (local time) hours being better than morning hours, and short skip should continue during most daylight hours, but the band will close around dark,
The 20 meter band is always our most reliable DX band, and is even more so during times of low solar activity. Peak condi- tions occur shortly after sunrise, and again in the late afternoon, and should provide the best sig~ rials to distant locations. Short skip will prevail during daylight hours out to about 2,000 miles or so. North-south paths will open shortly after dark, as well, with excellent propagation on Good days.
The 30 meter band exhibits some of the behavior of 20 and 40 meters. You can work DX on many days around sunrise and sunset, with short skip prevailing
Jim Gray W1XU
during daylight hours. Although the band "dies" an hour or two after local sunset, these hours may be the very best for DX and grey-line propagation along the day/dark terminator.
The 40 meter band tends to "peak" for DX toward Europe and Africa in the late afternoon and early evening, and to- ward the Pacific in the morning around sunrise. This band will stay open long after dark for short skip, which usually prevails during daylight hours.
The SO meter band may be your best lower HF band for DX between sunset and sunrise, peaking around midnight (local time) and again around sunrise. Noise ievels should remain low until late in the month when springtime storms oc- cur more frequently. Short-skip condi- tions at night will open out to 2,000 miles or so.
The 160 meter band will not be open during daytime, but will be very good af- ter dark, and DX ought to peak around midnight local time. Short skip at night during early evening hours will be quite good out to lt500 miles or so- Look for DX also around, or just before, local sunrise, toward the west, south and other directions.
|
EASTERN UNITED STATES TO: j |
||||||||||||
|
UMi M 02 04 0B 03 10 12 1* IB It) 2" .22 |
||||||||||||
|
ALASKA |
15 |
20 |
3* |
15 |
||||||||
|
AGENT1NA |
33 |
15 |
19 |
|||||||||
|
AUSTRALIA |
30 |
<0 |
JO |
.■:•' |
20 15 ' |
1S 11 |
||||||
|
CANAL ZONE |
40 |
40 |
so |
15 |
15 |
15 |
||||||
|
ENGLAND |
44 |
40 |
40 1 |
to |
M |
30 |
II |
15 |
15 |
23 |
||
|
HAWAII |
2D |
4 |
a |
:'■:; |
15 |
15 |
||||||
|
1HDIA |
20 |
go |
•^ |
|||||||||
|
JAPAN |
IS |
20 |
20 |
|||||||||
|
MEXrCG |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
4C |
1 ■.' |
15 \i |
It |
15 |
15 |
20 |
|
PHILir^NES |
||||||||||||
|
.PUERTO nrco |
JO |
JO |
JO |
10 |
JO |
JO |
in |
15 |
15 |
■5rt |
||
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
iiif, |
40 |
15 |
15 |
23 |
|||||||
|
U S.-S.B. |
JO |
IE |
15 |
33 |
||||||||
|
WE5TGQA5T |
15 |
SO |
JO |
40 |
JO |
o |
*GA |
2:;* |
IS |
15 |
15 |
15 |
|
CENTRAL UNITED STATES TO: |
||||||||||||
|
ALASKA |
33 |
4 |
40 |
20 |
2D |
20 ! |
||||||
|
ARGENTINA |
H |
40 |
43 |
40 |
IS |
iS |
3BA |
|||||
|
AUSTRALIA |
15 |
40 |
£0 |
EC |
20 |
15 |
15 |
|||||
|
CANAL ZONE |
33 |
40 |
to |
43 |
20 |
IS |
15 |
IS |
IS |
|||
|
ENGLAND |
4) |
H |
H |
« |
U |
IS |
15 |
30 |
||||
|
HAWAII |
20 |
2D |
fid |
40 |
20 |
K |
» |
15 |
ISA |
'■>: |
||
|
INDIA |
2D |
|||||||||||
|
JAPAN |
20 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
2D ' |
20 |
||||||
|
MEXICO |
20 |
IS |
JQ |
40 |
20 |
11 |
15 |
Tt |
16 |
|||
|
PHILIPPINES |
24 |
20 |
20 |
|||||||||
|
PUERTO nica |
ZD |
43 |
4C |
40 |
20 |
IS |
« |
IS |
IS |
|||
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
2C |
40 |
40 |
II, |
1^ |
IS. |
20 |
|||||
|
U ti S R |
40 |
40 |
-;- |
-: |
20 |
|||||||
|
WESTERN UNITED STATES TO: |
||||||||||||
|
ALASKA |
IS |
IS |
K) |
40 |
40 |
40 |
20 |
|||||
|
AHGENTINA |
20 |
20 |
10 |
•m |
15. |
14 |
||||||
|
AUSTRALIA |
15 |
15 |
23 |
40 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
IS |
||||
|
CANAL ZONE |
20 |
» |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
■& |
IS |
15 |
l: |
|
|
ENGLAND |
■-"J |
■".:: |
2CA |
Xfl |
||||||||
|
HAWAII |
is |
ii' |
B |
+3 |
+3 |
U |
15 |
|||||
|
INDIA |
Zt |
20 |
||||||||||
|
JAPAN |
It |
15 |
2D |
40 |
43 |
40 |
20 |
|||||
|
MCKICQ |
a |
30 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
-:. |
IS |
||||
|
PHILIPPINES |
pftjfc |
23 |
20 |
|||||||||
|
PUERTO RiCO |
23 |
2D |
.■3 |
i3 |
..:j |
-t |
■IS |
IE |
||||
|
SOUTH AFRICA |
20 |
3D |
IS |
It |
is |
*L |
||||||
|
USSR |
20 |
30 |
20 |
20 |
||||||||
|
EAST COAST |
tg |
3D |
43 |
JC |
40 |
4C |
:■■- |
20A |
■E |
■= |
'5 |
■■i |
A?N«xl tugfter rrequsney may arso Eh used.
|
SUN |
MON |
FEBRUARY 1994 TUE WED THU |
FRI |
SAT |
||
|
1 G-F |
2 G-F |
3 G-F |
4 G-F |
5 F |
||
|
6 F-P |
7 P |
8 P |
9 P |
10 F-G |
11 G-F |
12 F-P |
|
13 P |
14 P-F |
15 F |
16 F-G |
17 G |
IS G |
19 G-F |
|
20 F-P |
21 P |
22 P*F |
23 F-G |
24 G |
25 G-F |
26 F |
|
27 F-G |
28 G |
pn| Number 26 on \
Barter w buy
Number 26 on your Feedback card
Turn your old ham and computer gear into cash now. Sure, you can wait for a ham- test to try and dump it, but you know you'll get a far more realistic price if you have it out where 100,000 active ham potential buyers can see it than the few hundred local hams who come by a flea maricet table. Check your attic, garage, ceflar and closet shelves and gel cash tor your ham and computer gear before it's too old to sell. You know you're not going to use it again, so why leave it for your widow to throw out? That stuff isn't getting any younger!
The 73 Flea Market, Barter 'n' Buy, costs you peanuts (almost)— comes to 35 cents a word for individual (noncommercial) ads and S1.00 a word for commerciaf ads. Donl plan on telling a long story. Use abbreviations, cram it in. But be honest. There are plenty of hams who love to fix things, so if it doesn't work, say so.
Make your list, count the words, including your call, address and phone number. In- clude a check or your credit card number and expiration, if you1 re placing a commercial ad1 include an additional phone number, separate from your ad.
This is a monthly magazine, not a daily newspaper so figure a couple months before the action starts; then be prepared. Ef you get too many calls, you priced it low. If you don't get many calls, too high.
So gel busy. Blow the dust off, check everything out, make sure it still works right and maybe you can help make a ham sure it still works right and maybe you can help make a ham newcomer or retired old timer happy with that rig you're not using now. Or you might get busy on your computer and put together a list of small gear/parts to send to those in- terested?
Send your ads and payment to the Barter n' Buy. Judy Walker, 70 Rt. 202N, Peter- borough NH 03458 and get set tor the phone calls.
The deadline for the March classified ad section is January 6, 1 994.
ALL ABOUT CRYSTAL SETS. Theory and construction of crystal set radios, $7.95 each, ppd USA. Send to: AL- LABOUT BOOKS, Dept. S, P.O. Box 22366, San Diego CA 92 1 92. BNB200
CUSTOM MADE-HAND TOOLED leather products with your initial name, call letters. Photo's & estimates avail- able. Key rings, wallets, belts, purses, hanging signs, specialty items. GREAT GIFT. LEATHER & WEST, 67 Causeway Rd, West Swanzey NH 03469. (603)352-6256. 9-4 pm. M-F EL
BNB215
SUPERFAST MORSE CODE SU- PEREASY, Subliminal cassette. $12, LEARN MORSE CODE IN 1 HOUR. Amazing supereasy technique, $12. Both $20. Moneyback guarantee. Free catalog: SASE. BAHR-T1. 150 Greenfield. Bloomingdale IL 60108.
BNB221
VACUUM VARIABLES AND VACUUM RELAYS. Lowest prices. SASE for list, BOND, 221 Greencrest Marietta GA 3006B-3825. BNB260
QSL SAMPLES- 50 cents. SAMCARDS, 48 Monte Carlo Dr., Pittsburgh PA 15239. BNB275
COLLINS 32V* 1 SERIAL #1 A.M. trans- mitter, mfg, appx 1946. Cash only offers solicited. A set of 6 professional color photos wilt be sent upon the receipt of $6. refundable. Contact Bob Travis Kea- gle, KB4NG2, 5929 Antilia Dr., Orlando FL 32809, Phone (407)351-5939. BNB280
COMMODORE 64 REPAIR. Fast turn around. SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGIES AMATEUR RADIO, 10715 SW 190th Street #9T Miami FL 33157. (305)238- 3327, BNB295
RADIO RUBBER STAMPS free brochure. REID ASSOCIATES, 6680
Mellow Wood, West Bioomfieid MI
48322. 61MS297
KENWOOD AUTHORIZED REPAIR. Al- so ICON, Yaesu. GROTON ELEC^ TROMCS, Box 379T Groton MA 01450, (508)448-3322, BNB310
RCI-2950 OWNERS: New modification manual including Power increase. Clari ti- er modification. Modulation increase. Op- erating hints, and more. Parts included. Only $20.00 ppd in U.S. (Missouri resi- dents add $1.15 tax). SCOTT, P.O. Box 510408, St.h Louis MO 63151-0408. (314)846-0252, Money Orders or C.O.D.
BNB340
KIT BUILDERS! Complete list of 155+ ktt vendors. #10 SASE + $3.00 USD to: RUTENBER ENGINEERING, 38045 10th St. E #H75-ARr Palmdale CA 93550. BNB365
QSL CARDS — Standard and custom. Your ideas or ours. Excellent quality Foil stamping available. Many designs and type styles. Catalog and samples $1.00 refundable. WILKINS, Dept. A, Box 787, Atascadero CA 93423. BNS370
20 METER SUPERHET C.W. TRANSCEIVERS KIT, $49,95 plus $375 shipping. Check/MO. 1994 Catalog for 2 Stamps. DAN'S SMALL PARTS A KrTS, 1935 South 3rd West #1d Missoula MT 59801. BNB335
SERVICE MONITORS WANTED. Any late model test equipment. (408)241- 7376+ BNB39G
CHRISTIAN-THEME QSLs, "Let your light so shine before men...'4 JUST,..QSLsT 21645 E. 9 Mile Rd., St. Clair Shores Ml 48080. BNB395
BROWNIES QSL CARDS SINCE 1939, Catalog & samples $1 (refundable with order). 3035 Lehigh Street, Altentown PA 18103, BNB430
HIGH QUALITY PERSONAL QSL's in- sure greater returns! Customize one of 26 standard formats, or your own unique design. FREE info-packet (75 cent stamp appreciated). CHESTER QSL's, Dept. A, 2 S. Commercial, Emporia KS 66801. {316)342-8792, FAX (316)342-4705.
BNB434
ICOM-781 RAFFLE; One hundred tick- ets ONLY at $100 a piece. Drawing to be held at 3pm on June 24 at the RC of JHS 22 in NYC. Tickets/Quesiions-RC of JHS 22, POB 1052, New York NY 10002. Phone (516)674-4072, FAX (516)674- 9600. BNB455
TOLL FREE
1 -800-666-0908 52S8S 3KP,
KENWOOD
TK-78A TH PSA
NEW
T5.45DAT rS-R50AT T£h£90
TS^95tiSDX
TS-MS
CALL FOR ALL KENWOOD
YAESU
FT-BB0AT FT 990 FT-1DDD
FT-S30 HF.W*
u^w:
FT-2<MH
FT-212RH FT-290FJ H
FT-51DO FT- 5200
CALL FOR ALL YAESU RADIOS <£ ACCESSORIES
D.i '.-4:r
A UNCO
CALL
FOR
ALL
AUNCO
DJ-iaOT DJF1T
.V'-IV
ICOM
IC-736
CALL FOR ALL (COM
IC-WE1AT E-2IA
C55BA. C228A
"!'?AA §
STANDARD
C186A
CALL FOR ALL STANDARD
AEA • ASTRON • AZDEN ■ COMET - CUSHCRAFT- DIAMOND « KANTRONICS MFJ * SANGEAN * SONY SHORTWAVE ■ DRAKE ■ MANY MORE,..
NEW EQUIPMENT PRICING AND ORDERS 1 400>«S6-O4ttt OUT OF STATE TECHNICAL, USED GEAHd INFO 203-666-6227 24HR. FAX 203-667-3561
LENTINi COMMUNICATIONS INC.
21 GARFIELD STREET, NEWINGTON, CT06111
Hours: M-F 10-6, SAT. 1 0-4
C.O.D.S Same Day OK Shipping
CIRCLE 234 ON READER SERVICE CARD
VIDEO SYSTEMS
MINI CAMERA
Size: lxtx2int Weight: 2,5 02, Power: 7-14V/80mA. Sens: 2 lux @ fh8 Lens: 3mm>4mm. Output: NTSC @ IV. The camera has been used in: ATV, Security and Surveillance, R/C airplanes and Robots! $269 +s/h
TRANSMITTER, 434MHz.
ATVM-70, a 80m W. Mini-size 1x1.3 in., 2.5 oz Power: 7-9.6V/80mA.
$129+s/h
Satisfaction Guaranteed/
DOWN-CONVERTER
For 434 MHz. Low noise MOSFET front-end for greater sensitivity. Output on TV channels 3-4. $89 +s/h
Order Now, from stock! (800) 473-0538
or (714) 957-9268 for technical information.
MICRO VIDEO PRODUCTS
1334 S.Shawnee Drive, Dept H Santa Ana, CA 92704-2433
CIRCLE 30 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today • February, 1 994 89
^ackPack Solar?
10 wail DesenSiorm panel is size of open 73 magazine, weighs lib, and delivers GOOmA for L2? charging or direct operation. Tough.
Solid, with nti glass to break. So
rugged Uncle Sam used this for
spotter communications and portable
repealers in Desert Storm,
Ready to use. 3169. Add S5 S&H, Info Si,
"S
AtttentwsWext
Box 50062 Pruvu UT 84605
Order Hot Line
801 373 S425
CIRCLE 340 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CABLE T.V. CONVERTERS
JerToltf*, Oak, Scientific Atlantic. Zenith, & many others. "New" MTS stereo add-on: mute & volume. Ideal for 400 & 450 owners.
1-800-826-7623
B&BINC. ■
3584 Kennebec, Eagan MN 55122
CIRCLE 21 ON READER SERVICE CARD
T ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELD METER
Reduce exposure to potentially harmful electromagnetic fields. AlphaLab's handheld TriFieid™ Meter measures AC electric fields, AC magnetic fields and radio/microwave power density. Find ground faults, AC current wires or measure high-field generators with the Magnetic setting (,2 - 100 milligauss, 60 Hz); identify poorly grounded or shielded equipment, high VOX or fluorescent light fields, distinguish hot vs. ground wires with Electric setting (.5 - 100 kV/m, 60 Hz); measure antenna radiation patterns, leaky microwave ovens, etc. on RF/microwave setting (50 MHz to 3 GHz, .01 to 1 mW/cm2),
Electric and magnetic settings are omnidirectional, measuring full magnitude of fields without the need to reorient the meter. Price of $145 includes delivery and one-year warranty.
AlphaLab, 1272 Alameda Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84102 Call (801) 532-6604 for speedier service or free literature on electromagnetic radiation health risks.
Sell Your New & Used Gear In BARTER 'N' BUY
Classified Ads Work! Call Judy Walker today. 1 -800-274-7373
Personal Autopatch
Make and receive telephone calls from your mobile or HT with your own personal autopatch. Connect to phone line and transceiver microphone, PTT, and speaker jacks.
NEW! Mow with memory backup.
■ Full duplex or simplex with courtesy beeps.
• Programmable local and long distance codes. - Automatic CW identification.
• Microprocessor controlled timeout protection.
• Controlled by VOX or carrier detect.
• Regenerated DTMF or pulse dialing.
• Separate external remote control output.
• 1.5"Hx4.6"Wx5.05"D shielded metal cabinet.
Personal Autopatch SDP-600.... $249.95 HVolr power adapter , ,., 11,95
Shipping and handling $5 in USt $15 foreign.
||] M\ day mnnev hufk guarsinlee. 9(1 day warranty.
j-Coni 793 Canning Pkwy Victor, NY 14564 (716) 924-0422 - Fax (716) 924-4555
CIRCLE 39 ON READER SERVICE CARD
90 73 Amateur Radio Today February, 1994
ATTENTION ACC OWNERS!
AM> ALL OTHER KEPKATKK CONTROLLER OWNERS!
I'p^raik your re poller without replacing the controller! By lidding the DVMS/1+ to your repeater, you can more ihun double tliu number nf fissures, us well as siive it n completely new personality. MyouVe tired of being restricted u> the limited vocabulary of ROMEO & JULIET, and don' I warn in pay die &I&K) for a 2 minute PVR to match vour ACC controller, this one is lor you! The DVMS/I+ is a PC based ACC compatible DVR_ Just sonic of I he bene Ills are:
• Creme a 1024 user voice trail system — fully prompted unci password protectable.
• Add user recordable announcements — great for ha m test directions <fc Want ads.
• Signal check ■ — Now you can actually hear hnw you're hilling I he repealer!
• Use* a Sound lilavier card — Allows for hish quality voice recording und use of many ,voe 111 tf s and editors! (Built in BBS allows remoie upload/download!
• Storage limited only by hard disk sb.e — (40 Meg yields 1/2 hour ul 12KH/, nue)
• Real voice clock/ealeEidar/scheduler — (you don't need V3.I EPROM for your controller! Sorry if you already spent your Si 2,^0,,,}
• Available in an easy assemble kil wiih a high quality PCB!
The DVMS/I + as reviewed in the February 73 Magazine is available for S349 PPD/CQPI Mention the review and reeehe free UPS blue (2nd day I delivery I
{716)434-3008
XPERTEK ELECTRONICS
P.O. BOX 768
LOCKPORT, NEW YORK 14095
INTERESTED IN PUBLIC SERVICE? Join REACT TODAY! For information write, KA3PDQ, do REACT P.O. Box 8797r Alleotown PA 1 8105, BNB465
QSL SAMPLES send $1 (refundable). Bud Smith, Box 1948, Blaine WA 98231 . BNB475
BEAM HEADINGS-YOUR QTH AND THEIRS $5.95. KB7HM, 4204 Fox Point Drive, Las Vegas NV 891 08,
BNB505
CRYSTALS: High quality for your VHF/UHF and SHF transverter projects, SASE. WA3IAC, 7148 Montague St., Philadelphia PA 19135. BNB515
CDROM Ham Radio Callsign Database with hundreds of PC Compatible programs, radio mods, TCP/IP Usenet, Ham Radio Archives, FCC Rules & Regula- tions, current exam question pools, and Canadian Call Signs. Only $25.00. Includes shipping! Send check to: RONS CDROMS, 2348 Karen Dr., #6n Santa CEara CA 95050 or call (408)241-7376 with your Visa or MC.
BNB540
WANTED- Manual for old Hallicrafters SX99. Frank Arnold, 1215 Sullivan Lru 82B, Sparks NV 89431 .
BNB555
DACRON ROPE, WHY RISK ANTENNA SUPPORT FAILURES?? Mil Type, black, strong, high UV/stretch resistant 3/32": $.06/ft.t 3/16" (770 lb. test): $.11/ft., 5/16": $.16/ft IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT DAVIS RF CO, 24 HOUR ORDERS: (800)484-4002, CODE 1356,
BNB557
LEARN TO EARN COURSES: Electronics, robot, ra- dio, others. Free Catalog. AAA PRODUCTS, Rt 1 Box 482-L, Rockdale TX 76567. BNB56Q
WANTED-Plug in synthesizer for a Drake TR-33C. Don Nappo, P.O. Box 123, Stanton NJ 08885. BNB585
DON'T BUY QSL CARDS UNTIL YOU SEE MY FREE SAMPLES. Also I specialize in custom cards and QSL business cards. Write or call for free samples and cus- tom card ordering information. LITTLE PRINT SHOP, Box 1160, Pflugervllle TX 78660. (512)990-1192, Mas- tercard and Visa now accepted. BNB595
WANTED: Western Electric and other vintage audio equipment. (800)251-5454. BNB615
DUPLEXER TUNING GUIDE. A complete booklet Showing step-by-step instructions on tuning all types of duplexers. Included is theory of operation, detailed dia- grams and much more. Send $9,95 plus $2,50 3&h to RGM PUBLICATIONS, 533 Main Street, Hillsboro NM 88042. For faster service using a major credit card call (505)695-5333 and order today, 30 day money back guarantee, BNB635
SATELLITE EQUIPMENT AT 40% TO 50% OFF. Drake, Toshiba, HTS. Gl, 25° LNS, $67.95; ,7n Ku, $89.00. Call (800)851-6534 for wholesale price list. SATELLITE WAREHOUSE, TuCSOn AZ. Fax (602)624- 1629. BNB640
UNIVERSAL PROGRAMMERS Data \0, XELTEK, Logic Devices, Magic IO, EETools, Need hams, from $399,00, EPROM programmers from $117. Call for free catalog. (406)241-7376. BNB645
MACRO SURFACE-MOUNT Breadboard 3" X 5" sam- ple kit as seen in 73 for 12/93. $4,00 ppd. Brad Thomp- son, NUtJ, 100 Powdermill Rd., BX-233, Acton MA 01720, 8NB650
VHF-UHF-SHF Large SASE. VHFer, P,0, Box 685, Holbrook AZ 86025, BNB660
FOR SALE-Kenwood TS-440S/AT with CW fllter/mic. Orig. Box/manual $900.00; Cushcraft R5 vertical with box/manual $200,00; Cushcraft 224WB 4 element 220 Yagi $40.00; Astron R3-35A power supply $110.00; MFJ-422BX keyer with bencher by-1 paddle $110.00; 50 Ft. Belden 8267 (RG213U) wiih PL259 $30,00. All mint condition. Paul, N1HOL, 14 Summer St., Marble- head MA 01945. (617)631-2810. BNB665
ELEGANT QSL CARDS AT LOW PRICES. Samples $1 (refundable with order). AACO, Dept. S42, 1639 Fordham Way, Mountain View CA 94040, BNB670
CONCENTRATOR SOLOR CELLS. High efficiency cells rated ai 20ma or 40ma 555rnv in direct sunlight will output up to several amps at dose to one volt per cell when used with magnifying lens and a good heat sink. Data sheet included S1 25 and $2 50 each. $5,00 minimum SASE to: James Carter* P.O. Sox 23243T San Jose CA 95193. (408)729-3131 , BNB695
HAM RADIO REPAIR- Afl makes and models. Fast Professional Service. AFFORDABLE ELECTRONIC REPAIR, 7110 E. Thomas Rd^ Scottedale AZ 8525 J. (602)945-3908. BNB700
9 1/2 INCH UTC WALL CLOCK- $26,50 ppd. GABAY TOOL CO., RO. Box 68. Necedah Wl 54646.
BNB705
ROSS $$$$ NEW FEBRUARY (ONLY) SAVE TIME AND MONEY HAVE MODEL NUMBER AND MANU- FACTURER READY WHEN YOU CALL OR WRITE. KENWOOD, TH-2BA, $310.00; TH-78A. $438.00: TM- 241A. $348.50; TS-50S, $990.00; AEA. PK-232MBX, $31000; PK-BS. $128.50. ALINCO, D^BSOT, $391.00; YAESU. FT-530. $430,00; FT-24Q0H. $348-00P FT- 736R. $1700.00; ICOM, IC-72S. $1000.00; fC-737. $1305.00: ASTRON, RS-20AP $87.90, RS-35A. $140.00: MFJ, 81 5B, $62.50, 949E. $135,00; 259. S205-00. 1702B, $21 m ALL LIMITED TIME OF- FERS, OVER 9035 ham-related items in stock for im- mediate shipment. Mention ad. Prices cash. F.O B. Preston. HOURS TUESDAY-FRIDAY 9:00 TO 6:00, 9:00-2:00 P.M. MONDAYS. CLOSED SATURDAY & SUNDAY. ROSS DISTRIBUTING COMPANY, 78 SOUTH STATE, PRESTON ID B3263. (208)852-0830.
BNB707
GIANT SOLAR PANELS $44,00 EACH! Excellent Prices/Solar Equipment/Accessories, Free Informa- tion/Send Stamped Envelope, Catalog $3.00. To: QUAD ENERGY, P.O. Box 690073, Houston TX 772S9. (7 1 3)893-0313, BNB7 1 5
ELECTRON TUBES: All types and sizes. Transmitting, receiving, microwave . . . Large inventory = same day Shipping DAILY ELECTRONICS, 10914 NE 39th ST. Suite B-6. Vancouver, WA 98682. (800)346-6667 or (206)896-8856. BNB719
MINIATURE POLICE RADAR TRANSMITTER One mile range, $41 assembled, S3 1. 00 kit, (219)439-1711, RO. Box B0096, Fort Wayne IN 4669B. BNB725
NEW EQUIPMENT SPECIALS; ALINCO DJ-560T deluxe 2m/440 handholds, $297,95. BENCHER 1.5 KW tow pass filters, $47.95. ZA-1A balurrs, $29.95. Best prices on a complete selection of keyers and keys. ASTRON RS-35M power supplies. $167.95. ALL ASTRON products competitively priced. PL-259 silver/tellon connectors, $1,25 each or 10 for $10.00, Type N connectors, 52^75 each or 10 for $25-00. Cus- tom built BELDEN coa* cables to your specs. Call or write for catalog. R. C. KONTES, 465 Croft. Idaho Falls ID 83401 or (208)522-2839. BNB730
ICOM WJ1AT DUAL BAND HT, AC Battery charger, DC power cord, factory mod for MARS/CAP $475. Keister Whitt Route 1. Box 25, Ringgold VA 24586, (804)822-7005. BNB745
HAM RADIO REPAIR— Prompt service. ROBERT HALL ELECTRONICS, 1660 McKee ft6.< Suite A, San Jose CA 951 1 6. (408)729-8200. BNB751
JOIN TAPR-TUCSON AMATEUR PACKET RADIO (non-profit developers of the TNG), Membership benefits Incfude: supporting the development of new communications technology, quarterly newsletter, low- priced software/shareware, 10% discount on kits and publications. $i5/year US and possessions, $l&year Canada and Mexico. $25 elsewhere. US funds. Visa/MC accepted. Bonus: Mention 73. receive TAPR Packet Radio General Info booklet (57 value)! PO. Box 12925. Tucson AZ 85732.
BNB765
SOLAR POWERED HAMS! The Sunswitch is a Charge controller to protect your batteries from over charge. Power MOSFETs are used, no relaysf Assem- bled tuned and tested. Now with Wall Mount Case. $55,00 plus $300 shipping. SUNLIGHT ENERGY SYSTEMS, 2225 Mayflower NWP Massillon OH 44647,
BNB774
Audio Analyzer
for the Sound Blaster!
M»wt Analyze mose audio wgnjjs (hil you bear, such « SSTV. RTTY, Arntar. and Pzc kel wrlft your Sound
Biltster compatible sound card.
Requires VGA display ONLY139 W ■
Snipping &£ - Oversea! 110
Hiiro;-: residents add $2.50 tii
H»rtin T«hnclog*i t15-3SS-26K) 5931 Alma Dr. - RoeWcwo, llhnoct 61108
All Band
Field Day Antenna
TNT is No4utw on 80 cw, 40. 30. 2D. 10 W*wt other bind* w/
Endudc*. station tufixn JkWU fOb
The modmt atj-jri
ZTTyMHUfthciUii*
oft-cattirt' fed ttfndom rfrii hi rti Tin if*
limine, ?tabicfe>lntwntt.
Antennas West
DX it Gain rrtc w / f metier*) roof No Trap* or Senator*
Wn-Seatad r^ul j1«1 in 30QTJ V
Lpw Now fUfttf 500 Wart*
TNT
Wmtiom
TNT/2
Wintiom
$89."
J .15/1 ittrtg
S79*
P4H
CIRCLE 187 ON READER SERVICE CARD
362S, Prove, U 505 ^Uv BO'
CIRCLE 135 ON READER SERVICE CARD
SELL YOUR PRODUCT IN 73 MAGAZINE
CALL DAN HARPER 800-274-7373
Small Talk
MICRO I.I &2.I VOICE RECORDER IDENTIFIERS
FULLY ASSEHBLfD (NOT A HI), INCLUDING MICROPHONE, SWITCHES AHD FUU DOCUMENTATION
K TOUR VOICE - NATURAL VOCE RECORDING
DURING A CONTEST - lOKHz SAMPLE RATE
60 OR 1 6 SECOND - MS VOLT OPE RfflON
VERSIONS AVAILABLE - INFINATE RECORDING (EEPftOH)
STATION I.D. - 8 OHM SPEAKER OUIPuT
1 00 If EM H EMORY - GREAT FOR BEACON OR WITHOUT POm FOX HUNTING
HICRO I . I ffllMJDUCTOIff PRKE 95-16 SECOND 60 SEC ..J79.M
iWLLSE
MICRO 2. 1 INTRODUCTORY PRICE 95-16 SECOND MSEC- SI IMS
Sm
145 VOW PWET SCHfHCHDF, NT 12103
2-l:*l>Dm0rttLfEATUHES
C<* 01 VNLUH HIED - WW1 10 T1HES. fe 01 M M - MUttlCra OTMTQtE I * VtfilDK
II: IT I \r
QRfleS ONir: CALL I-MU300 S RS""
CHI r pw« at nh • M liA
DRIB
CIRCLE 2S1 ON READER SERVICE CARD
A 8 1 '500 500KHZ TO 1300 MHZ. WITH BFO
AR1500 A 1000
Channel Scanner with
SOOKHz to 1300 MHz
coverage, & no cutouts.
10 search, 10 scan banks
lockout on search &
search&store. VFO tuning
with AM/FM/ WFM modes.
With Ni-Cad batteries, Chgr,
VHF Ant., and long wire
antenna, case & belt clip. Limited time offer,
not valid with any other specials. Only 5.95
shipping & handling anywhere m the 48
states. Call toll free and order this new unit!
RF ENTERPRISES
TO ORDER: 1-800-233-2482
Service & Into: 218-765-325^ Fax:21fW6!j-330a
Complete Inventory
ANTENNAS
TELEX/hy-gain
CUSHCRAFT DIAMOND
TOWERS
ROHN
HY-GAIN ACCESSORIES
YAESU ICOM MFJ AEA
fo7)
COMMUNICATIONS
Call ** ^
— - - J -800-445- 771 7 l^ 1^m
6975 Hillsdale Ct, Indianapolis IN 46250 317-842-7115 Fax 1-800-448-1084
CIRCLE 164 ON READER SERVICE CARD
BELDEN COAX: 9913
Lnrbss. 50tf¥n.
RG-213/U
JB26T) » Ohm UHpQC
RG-8/U
[B2371 SO ohm
RG-8AJ
(8214) 50 ohm. Foam.
RG-8X
•;925S) 90 ohm loam Don't settle tat faltha* th« be?1
ASTRON POWER
SUPPLIES
RS4A RS-TA RS-12A
RS-20A FS-35A RS-50A
RS-20M RS-35M RS-50M
VS-20M VS-35M VS-50M
CALL US FOR YOURS!
COPPERWELD ANTENNA WIRE:
SoTtf: ta 9a. Solkt 14 sja.: & Stranded f 4 ga. Cut K> your specs.
ROTOR CABLE:
Standaid (6-22. 2- 1 fl) HewyOily(fl-ia.2l6)
We stwrli Amph*nol Connectors
InstvOed! Jumpers A custom c&bta sss^mMies.
Gafor wnf« today? ttfe S*& mx**nti*
VISA Mastercard
Pica fcepflfcdN»||i *#wU K*a.
ReCkriK stAipa to Wi H*sa.wg lee N& mKoni w iw WWW..
RF ENTERPRISES
MemrieU. MN 56*65
CIRCLE 171 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today* February. 1994 91
Beam in the Briefcase?
T]K kiflil of Uisincss I rip* I Like, you gfslLa hftVc u IXMtm
ld »et a s-i^iuil back home. LhiE J he horcls. dou'i go for
aluminum nrttkr* on lilt roof, No problem wtlri my j^b
old HalfSqu: in?*. ThuyW wiwHcr ihnn ft hook in 1lic
bficf^se. acid ifvconFipicuaiis when iLicv'rc hEmjrcn^ uo (
I Lie window to a EdiC- l™t th^-v tin |3J£ job hare Cool \v«Lh
ow. iflisifls an 4V*Ltrt>iiV. A<ld S5 PAH lo your bpitf. ^^* '■'-.' ■ ' v'"jft
SJ9.95 $44.95 $49,95 $69,95 ■-K^tfSfc'.itf iirafeWflflSWfesf Ordw Hot Lirair "■* ^*i*
Bo>; r>0062F, Pmvc^. UT 84<i(if> S01-373-&425 ■
Build your Ofrn from M;ratdi %vilh TediNtnc flfi22A S.i.95 ppd U5y
CIRCLE 315 ON READER SERVICE CARD
The World of Ham Radio and CALLSIGOatabase
IHe fcirLd or Kan Rwlto Ql-KH iMuU if WIUWl tfi awcur r*dLa
spit™™, Rif IncliElm IAk FOC umCuur mil yiji'i dllJbJSC. Sc«1 «»b- Kti.iM US licenin rcccicdc In sacands witS CAlLSICN. Ynu will "timo* :rt Ijccst reissues Ln tun radi? software fnai a] J -Tver rhu *ic|d it yixtf fii^tcLjii, tiling. HM1EH ba sf**1 >mi thecujp ijrtr 7,000 raH fllfli, mr !,db£j ranlc nude, jed tharandn nf Wl rrHi^HiuLii. ktiy Kuic diir L'i^r. get the beet for 1«e tp.le.v- LKA. MiippLre (1 lull, ftrefgn Ur-mil aMcfiufi IS rash- fcfinFT H) Boh H*, tfcu [SrtKrLnnd , FA 17Q7O-06M IS*, Fm 7L7-93fl-67tf
AMSoft 717-938-8249
CIRCLE 113 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CD-RDM
|
VtSA | |
ATV CONVERTERS • HF LINEAR AMPLIFIERS
DISCOVER THE WORLD Of FAST SCAN /A. .TELEVISION
FOCM
Hf AMPLtRERS in MOTOROLA RUUETWS
Comahu P.m LA.i far HF^ftjwplUl'r. Oti*ttibmt intKi MOTOROLA Bulletini,
UNIVERSAL DIGITAL FREQUENCY READOUT TK-i (Wlr*d/t#BL«d) 114g.tS
31 CM
AMATEUR TELEVISION CONVERTERS
ATVJ 4JD -ISO I 44.95 Kll
A TVS 42D-450 (C«AS-FETl I 4V « Kit
ATV* H3-«t GaAS-FET I SB.QS Kit
ANT5«300W 1160-70 AN 76 2 140VY 1 93.23 AN77AL 20W t S2.76 AN77AH I0W 1 03. 10 AR313 300 W *4fl 3.00
EE161 14QW I 11.65 E027A3B0W 1130 20 EB1B* fQfiW M4*.1S AR305 300W 13§3 42
AUDIO SQUELCH CONTROL f«r ATV
™ 1 'r ■ •• -r— I rr-i i 1 1 in i i iiij i i ihiii bit i i iu i i i i t 1 J Tn V & T% I E
JTERVHF AMPLIFIERS
I'i Will M«dd 33SA ._ I 70.05 Kit
15 Will M«d«l «7!A ......1119.0$ Kit
Available in Vit V winrf/ttlttd
NEW II IK WATT J- SC M Hi Amplili^
POWER SPLITTERS and COMBINERS
2-3QMMZ 600 W*tt P^P^pQrt (*O.0S
iooo wtu pEP2-p<rt ; • ro,os
1M0 W«it PEP l-Pflrt „..,,! n,15
108 WATT 42&-450 MHt PUSH-PULL LINEAR AMPLIFIER - SSB-FM^ATV
R.EBGJ— ^KlKill il&9.3$
PlEae7-^CB4PCBA*Kd!< \ Ift.OO
HEb«7^14Mmu#I| % 5.00
HEAT SINK MATERIAL
M°d*l 90 H» i Sinarft.5E12jil.C|
CHS-* Copper Sprc*dtr(«xbi:l/4} .
W« ■(■« Hk It Hnd-lo—FMid p*rt«
• 2200 I U 00
CHIP CAPS-KEm»t/ATC
METALCLAD MICA CAPS-Unftkfl/£«™»
AT POWgR TRANSISTORS
MINI-CIRCUIT MIXERS
SHL-1 l-500Mz) ,. f %M
$0L-1X llO-lOHMil t 7.05
ARCO TRIMMER CAPACITORS
VK200-7Q/4B RF CK.lt* I 1,30
56-500-&5-3a Fnrfit.a..d | .30
Broadband HF Transformer!
Add I 3.50 t*r aftippim »n(f nindllnf j
fur d*iail*rf mfgrmati^n md pficii, ctll «r write far our frit eitalof.
Hro
**«J
rttf
VISA
cci
Communication loncepts Inc.
508 M ilia ton* Drive " Xcnia, Ohio 45115 * (5111 426— 1600 FAX 513-429-381 1
$& X&
o*
^
CIRCLE 99 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Sell Your New & Used Gear In BARTER 'N' BUY
Classified Ads Work! Call Judy Walker today. 1 -800-274-7373
TH£ ANSWER IS GAP TECHNOLOGY •THE ANSWER IS GAP TECHNOLOGY
An Antenna with No Earth Loss?
reS. . * the answer is GAP'S revolutionary technology.
If yrjy'r& looking tor an anten- na that can djI perform the others and give you the adger you're looking for a GAP, The Chaltsnger DX-VIU is the revolutionary design that answers your demands for multi-band operation and unequaled efficiency with low noise. This is the technology that eliminates Earth Loss. GAP delivers from an elevated feeds your power doesn't disappear into the ground, Put it up. Turn it on. No tuning. No frustration, GAP delivers everything but the hassles. And — GAP delivers at a fraction of Ihe cost of the "so-called" competition,
COMPLETELY
PRECI1PQN
PrrlTUNEf>
MO TJr*,PS
MPUNT5 BACKWARD
Off Rdrtf
ELEVATED CAP FEED •CO-MaLTESi W&Th LOS1
H BANnS
The Challenger DX-VIII
BUtrn 40itt 20m 15m l?m iOm M im
Psrt. PRnd.
All out
BfflGlMGIr. All nit lerforttiiitce.
BAP gets It
ill BUl.
ANTENNA PRODUCTS..
6010 BWg, 8 N. Old Dixie Hwy, Vero Beittti. FL 32967
(407) 77B-372a
■TMt ANSWER IS GAP TECHNOLOGY* THE ANSWER IS GAP TECHNOLOGY
EVERY ISSUE Of 73
on microfiche!
The entire run of 73 from October, 1960 through last year is available.
You can have access to the treasures of 73 without several hundred pounds of bulky back issues. Our 24x fiche have 98 pages each and will fit in a card file on your desk.
We offer a battery operated hand held viewer for $75, and a desk model for $220. Libraries have these readers.
The collection of over 600 microfiche, is available as an entire set, (no partial sets) for $265 pfus $5 for shipping CUSA). Annual updates available for $1 0.
Your full satisfaction is guaranteed or your money back. Visa/MC accepted.
BUCKMASTER PUBLISHING
"Whitehall"
Route 4, Box 1 630 Mineral, VA 23117
703-894-5777
800-282-5628
CIRCLE 168 ON READER SERVICE CARD
WANTED: HAM EQUIPMENT AND OTHER PROP- ERTY. The Radio Club of Junior High School 22 NYC, Inc, is not only the Big Apple's largest Ham club but al- so the nation's only full time, non-profit organization, working to get Ham Radio into schools around the country as a theme for teaching using our EDUCOM- Education Thru Communication-program. Send your radio to school. Your donated amateur or related prop- erty, which will be picked up or shipping arranged, means a tax deduction to the full extent of the law for you as we are an IRS 501 (c) (3) charity in our four- teenth year of service. Your help will ateo mean a whole new world of educational opportunity for children around the country. Radios you can write off, kids you can't. Start the new year off helping someone else and yourself. Please, write-phone-or FAX the WB2JKJ "22 Crewp today: The RC of JHS 22, P.O. Box 1052n New York NY 10002. Telephone (516)674-4072 or FAX (516)674-9600. Young people, nationwide, can get high on Ham Radio with your help. Meet us on the WB2JKJ CLASSROOM NET: 7.238 MHz, 1200-1330 UTC and 2 1 .395 MHz. 1 400-2000 daily. BNB762
AGGRESSIVE SALES REPRESENTATIVE seeking additional employment Would tike to sell amateur ra- dio equipment. (910)299-1298. SNB800
R-390A COVER SET, New $55 each. Ballast tubes, $25. (ppd) PO Box 3541 , Toledo OH 436GB. BNB813
FREE SHAREWARE AND HAM CATALOG for IBM or COCO. Morse code Computer interfaces $49.95. NEW TWO METER Mobile Antenna Switcher $42.95. DY- NAMIC ELECTRONICS, Box 896, Hartselle AL 35640. (205)773-2758. FAX-773-7295.
BNB815
SENSATIONAL NEW WAY TO LEARN CODE-Do Aerobics, Sing, Jog, or Drive while learning code! Now the secret is yours! Order THE RHYTHM OF
THE CODE-Morse code music cassette today! $9.55 ppd KAWA RECORDS RO, Box 319-S, Weymouth, MA 02188, The HIT of the 1993 Dayton Hamventionf
BNB824
DIGITAL SWR and POWER METER, Assemble, Kit,
or Plans, with Alarm and Set Points. FREE informa- tion. RUPP ELECTRONICS, 5403 Westbreeze, Fort
Wayne IN 46804, (219)432-3049. BNBB31
FCC COMMERCIAL LICENSE PREPARATION RADIOTELEPHONE-RADIOTELEGRAPH. Latest home study fast easy audio video. Q & A pool disks, FREE details WPT PUBLICATIONS (800)800-7588.
BNB840
ELECTRONICS GRAB BAG! 500 pieces of new com- ponents; inductors, capacitors, diodes, resistors. $5.00 postpaid, ALLTRONICS, 2300 Zanker Rd„ San Jose CA 95131. BNB855
WANTED: COLLINS ANTIQUES, anything old from, speakers, receivers, transmitters, and all accessories, any condition. Top $$$ paid. Rick. (800)462-2972 any- time. BNB865
RF ENGINEERS WANTED SGC, a world leader in HF SSB equipment is seeking experienced RF Engineers, Experience in transmitter and receiver design, A/D converters, digital voice processing, and low noise os- cillators is required. Preference to licensed amateurs. SGC, INC., PO Box 3526. Bellevue WA 98009. Princi- pals Only. BNB880
FIBERGLASS: Solid rod, round tube, square tube, quad spreaders. Any quantity- SASE for list. MAX* GAIN SYSTEMS, 221 Greencrest, Marietta GA 30068- 3825. BNB890
SCHEMATIC DESIGN PROGRAM. Free brochure, write Dept. 7, SCHEME-ADDICT, 8622 West 44th Place, Wheat Ridge CO 80033. BNB905
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS for 73, QSTt etc. Club orders welcome. US orders deduct 20%. Free list. B-C-D ELECTRONICS, Box 20304, 858 Upper James St, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L9C 7M5.
BNB910
WANTED: BUY & SELL All types of Electron Tubes. Call (612)429-9397, Fax (612)429-0929. C & N ELECTRONICS, Harold Bramstedt, 6104 Egg Lake Road, Hugo MN 5503S. B N B9 1 5
92 73 Amateur Radio Today * February, 1 994
COMMODORE €4 HAM PROGRAMS-8 disk sides over 200 Ham programs $1&95J$,29 stamp gets un- usual software catalog of Utilities, Games, Adult and British Disks. HOME-SPUN SOFTWARE, Box 1064- BB. Estero FL 33928. BNB91 7
INEXPENSIVE HAM RADIO EQUIPMENT. Send postage stamp for list, Jim Brady WA4QSO, 3037 Au- drey DR., Gastonia NC 28054. BN8927
USED AND NEW AMATEUR RADIO, SWLS AND SCANNERS. We buy, sell, consign and trade used equipment. Thirty day warranty. Western Pennsylva- nias1 newest Amateur Radio supplier. We also offer comptete repairs on most types of equipment- Call for quotes. FOR HAMS ONLY, INC, INFO (412)374^9744. ORDERS ONLY (600)854-0615. ROBB KE3EB
BNB929
RADIO REPAIR Amateur and commercial, profession- al work, Fred Fisher WF9Q, 6866 W. River Rd., South Whitley IN 46787. {21 9)723-4435. BNB930
ALMOST FREE! Hundreds of pieces of surplus test equipment and thousands of components at deep dis- count prices. Send stamped self addressed envelope to ISA, 24801 Crown Royafe, Laguna Niguef CA 92656 for curre nt fists of eq u ip ment B N B935
SEIZED GOODS, radios, stereos, computers, and more by FBI, IRS1 DEA, Available in your area now. Call (800)436-4363 Ext. 06223. BNB940
FREE HAM GOSPEL TRACTS. SASE, N3FTT. 5133 Gramercy, Clifton Heights PA 19018. BNB960
QRP KITS & COMPONENTS only 2 stamps for cata- log. DAN'S SMALL PARTS & KITS, 1935 South 3rd West #1T Missoula MT 59801. BNB964
AMIGA, MACINTOSH, ATARI XLVXE/ST Amateur Ra- dio & Electronics PD/shareware software $4.00 per disk. Two stamp SASE brings catalog. Specify which computed KD-WARE, Box 1646, Orange Park FL 32067-1646. BNB965
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS for projects in 73, Ham Radio, QST, ARRL Handbook. List SASE. FAR CIR* CUITSS T8N640 Field Ct.H Dundee IL 60118,
BNB966
AZOEN SERV(CE by former factory technician. SOUTHERN TECHNOLOGIES AMATEUR RADIO, INC, 10715 SW 190 St. #9, Miami FL 33157. (305)238-3327. BNB979
I BUY ELECTRON {VACUUM) TUBES Magnetrons, Klystrons^ Planar Triodes, etc ... Jeremy Madvin at the VACUUM TUBE EXCHANGE. (800}995-TUBE or fax at (800)995-6851. BNB987
PICTURE QSL CARDS of your shack, etc., from your photo or black ink artwork. 500 $28,00, 1,000 $44,50. Also non-picture cards. Custom printed cards, send specifications for estimate. Send 2 stamps for illustrat- ed literature. Generous sample kit $2.00, half pound of samples $3,00, RAUM'S, 8617 Orchard Road, Coop- ersburg PA 18036. Fax or Phone (215)679-7236.
BNB98B
ROTOR PARTS ROTOR SERVICE, ROTOR acces- sories: Brak-D-Lays, Quik-Connects, Pre-Set mods NEW models for sale. Free catalog. C.A.T.S,, 7368 State Road 105, Pern bervi tie OH 43450. BNB99S
IMPROVE YOUR DX SUCCESS RATE Listen to DX spots IN VOICE on your handheld or mobile rig. You all know that one of the best ways to increase your OXCC country total fs to connect to your local Packet Cluster tor DX Spots. The problem is that you have to sit by your computer to get the information. Now, just carry your handheld around your house, yard or town to find out that E35X is on 14.197 MHz. The DX Spots are an- nounced IN VOICE and transmitted from your base 2 meter rig or repeater. The DCI-100 Voice Mail System listens to the ASCII stream from TNC and phonetically speaks the required characters from the Packet Clus- ter. Call DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. for a complete info package. Toll Free (800)563-5351 (Voice or Fax ) from all U.S. locations. Direct (306)781-4551 (Voice or Fax). BNB995
UAI-10 AND UAI-20
UNIVERSAL REPEATER/LINK
AUDIO INTERFACE
Detailed application manual
Low power operation, 19 ma @ 12v
CTCSS decoder on the UAi-20 only
Assembled, tested, one year warranty
Link monitor-mi W monitor mute control
Adjustable repeate//link/DTMF audio outputs
Selectable DTMF mute on repealer and Jink audio
Repeater, link, auxiliary and control audio inputs
UAI-10
$44.00
UAI-20
$89.00
CREATIVE CONTROL PRODUCTS
3 185 Bunting Avenue
Grand Junction, CO 31504
(303) 434-9405
CABLE TV
DECODERS
Best Prices in the U.S.A.! Guaranteed to Work!
WE WILL BEAT ANY PRICE!
CIRCLE 149 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Sell your product in
73 Amateur Radio Today
Call Dan Harper today . . .
1 -800-274-7373
JERROLD PANASONIC SCIENTIFIC ATLANTA PIONEER
The Newest & the Latest
DWITB-A - all Jerrold Impulse &
Starcom series
SA3-DFA - all Scientific Atlantas
including 8536, 8536+, 8580, Drop-field
PN-3A - all Pioneer systems
ALSO
FTB3, SA3, TZPC145G
24 HOUR SHIPMENTS
30 DAY MONEY BACK GUARANTEE
FREE CATALOGS. INFORMATION
1-800-772-6244
JVl-F: 9-SEST
U.S. Cable TV, Inc. Dept: K73024
41Q0 N, Powerline Rd, Bldg. F-4 Pom pa no Beach FL 33D73 NO FLORIDA SALES!
CIRCLE 121 ON READER SERVICE CARD
BARTER N' SUIT Classified Ads
73 Amateur Radio Today, 70 Route 202 North, Peterborough, NH 03458
If your product or service is of interest to radio amateursrspread the word!
For instant classified ad orders call Judy Walker
Orders only 1 -800-274-7373
Information (603) 924-0058 Fax: (603) 924-9327
RATES: Individual (private for sale or wanted) $,35 per word Commercial (for prof it for sale) $1.00 per word
YOUR AD: i.
5.
9.
13.
17.
3_
4.
a.
10.
11-
12.
14.
15__
18.
19.
16.
20.
First and last name (1 word). Street (1 word), Crty (1 word). State and Zip (1 word)
|
Name |
|||||
|
Address |
|||||
|
Ctly |
Stale |
Zip |
|||
|
Telephone Payment |
rhork |
MC |
Vl£A |
AMF* |
Card# I
Expiration Date
Please make checks payable to 73 Amatuer Radio Today,
73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994 93
Uncle Wayne's Bookshelf
20N102 Practical Digital Electronics Handbook to UiU Tiw- lev &4 Cutiian^ nine Ji£iu»l um e ear projects- Di£*ul ci rcifflv loe ie ejies. hisiaWcs ami utikix, trnvropntcccsorv meowy and input/output device* $l45i
20N^03 Electronic Power Supply Handbook to hui J?. Siik fair Cover* many type* of supplies — balletic*, simple AC supplies. s»hch mode supplies and imfrtf^. SI 6-15
20N104 Electronic Test Equipment Handbook for Sine \ftm- *r A cubit lo electronic (cm euuipmcni fur the tn^inccr. icwtmiciai, Mutkrtti jttd home enihuMasj SIS. 00
20N105 Digital Logic Gates and Flip-Ftops fo ten R. Smrtuir A (Inn foundation in digital eJecironic* Treat* the topic* of £3»r* and flip-flop* ihurougfily ami from ihc bee in nine I1S.0O
01 C60 Master Handbook of 1001 Practical Electronic Ci rcuits Tried and pro ven *olid *tate ci icuit * $ 1 9.95
01P68 Pirate Radio Stations in Andre* iWr Tuning in to underground hrumkjsi*. $12,95
0ITQ! Transmitter Hunting fri /mrp* M.*-// W n^«wi Curie* Radm directum undine stmpiificvi $19.95
03R02 Rtty Today to /Arw totfruii* Modem funic to amateur nmltrtclci) pe $830
0SEO3 Ftrst Book of Modem Electronics I mquc projects mat J7K money *a%ing. $12,95
09022 The World Him Wet Directory a? *Ui Ifttfemati New -ml edition tnxroUuce* the special imcnrsi hum rjdin network* ami *hnw*. > m when and where you can lone them in S9.50
09P33 Pirate Radio Directory to Getrnt* Zeiier Where in tunc in an secret cnicrtainmcni station*. $7,95
1QFQ93 1993 International CSllbook The new iwi fmmn tiunal CallbooL lisis MHl.tMK)* licensed radio amateur* in the coi, nines outside Nonh America. In cuter* South America. Europe. Africa. A-*! j, mid ilie Pacific area levclusne of Hawaii ami ihc L/^ posses- sion,,!. $29.95
100093 1993 North American Calf book The 1 99.* North American Callbook lisis the calk rume*. and address minimal wo fur ftlUJMh- li- censed radii} amateur* in all countries al Nonh America. $29.95
05H24 Radio Handbook. 23rd Ed At Wittmm I Ort \\*SAt X4f) paces of ctcrtltiine yuu wanted \w know jIhjui r.iJiu evpnirnurticiiiiuri $39,95
02B10 Heath Nostalgia to rrcrv JWur Ifff/* 134 pa^ illustrated history of ihc Heath Company. Includes iti.my fund memiirie^ Ciimnhuicd by long-time HeailiLit employee s. $930
10DF92 1993 Call book Supplement An upd^ie to the I W2 lincnvaimnjl and American callbooi^- $10.1X1
12E7$ Basic Electronics Prtptirtdbx the Hweau of Smut PerMumtt Co%^fs me important aNpects of applied dectruaici and electron k> cornrnunicaiioo^ $ J 0,95
I2E41 Second Level Basic Eleclronica Prepared hy the Hnmzit r *i \intii Per v ttinr I Sequel to EUt> k Oecim«iic%. ihtir i tuch treamvEU of the rrae advanced kvcK of applied elect raaicv $9.95
01D45 The Illustrated Dictionary of Electronics. 5Eti Ed to /frifrt P. Turner and Stan ijihfUvu An eUun»iive l« ol abbre* v ucton^ and appendices packed with schenucic ijmtvil* and eon- ^trswQ uble> $2ft.9S
20N091 Most-Often-Needed Radio Diagrams and Servic- ing Information, 1926>1938. Volume One nmpdcJfr\ MS lUuman An ins jiiuMc reference hn aniivnc m^ohed in Vintage Rjtiio revkjejtHHj. $1 1.95
20N096 How To Read Schematics (4th Ed.) M /A«u<4 £ Wrrrwvft* Wrinen- for the he*mner in eWvtronicv but it aho eon- tairw information vahiahhr in the hdbhyht and engineering! techni- cian. $14.95
2t3N097 Radio Operator's World Atlas to Waft Stimum. WtiCP This ti a compact i5\lh detailed, and comprehend* c fewfcj jiI^ de>i^ned to be a coihianl dcrvL top companion li>r radio operators, $17.95
20N020 Secrets ol RF Circuit Design to j»*epk J. Cart Wntten in clear non-technical lan^ua^e. co^erv eveTjthin^ irom amernia^io transiMors- $19,50
30N109 73 Magazine Index 196^1990
A complete index io e^ery ;iriEc1e puhli^hcJ in 7Jf \ftiKn:t'n
Ihruu^h I'MI RwL S I ?.00 IBM software Specify lypej $20,00
20Nt10 Product Reviews Since 194S Contains an index to ,1.41 SU prtHkici revjewji ihat have appeared in QST, CQ, MR, 7 J umi Utidaim. Book $12.95 IBM Software .125 $10,00
SHORTWAVE
SOFTWARE
\*
06357 1993 Passpori lo World Band Radio by Internal taunt Bmadvtuting SrtiUi'x, Ltd Yihi'U get ihc luttjsi Mution uik! time yrivk $ln.50
03S11 Shortwave Receivers Past and Present edited by Fred J. (.httrnuut Guide in 2WH dtorjw-jive receivers mamilac lured In the Ja^t 2li year*, Tlie Blue &?>ok ol shortwave radio value. $11.95
07R25 Tha RTTY Listener to Fred Oxter* Nam New and expanded, Tliis specialised hnnk eimipilo i*vuc% I thfimjih 25 **f ihc RTTY tjtfenrr tftirxl?iirt; C<inta(n> up^li>-daic- JianJ' iii-lind inform at inn on advanced RTTY and FAX rtiiiriitttring techfii(|ueK and frequencies $19.95
03C0S Shortwave Clandestine Conf=den- tiai to Gerr\ L th'iter Coven all cbnUe^ime hftuuVaMint!. citutitry-hy-cuumry; lelK trcqoen- dCH. i*thcf tinpuhiohvd inlnrmjiKm; spy, insur- ££«in. freeidom Ti^hterv rehel. anarchm radm. seem radm. $1L50
03M221 US Military Communications (Pawl 1) US Military ounmun nation channeU ml >h<m*jTe Covers freiiucncie^. hjckcnmnd on pomi in- pm nt frequencies for the Ftiiltp- pmc\. Japan and Korea. Indun and Pacific (Kc juv and more $1 2,95
03M222 US Military Communications (Part2) Coicrt US Coaal Guard. NASA, CAR HA A. Dept of Knerpv, Federal Emer- gency ManaseiiKni Apency. Dtuster Commu- mcaiiorw- PCC. l>rpt of justice. From 14 KC lu 9073 KC. $12.95
03M223 US Military Communication! (Part 3} Complete t the *a.M overait rreojuency Ms* of L'S Milium xrr^Ko, front 8993 KC to 27.944 KC.SI19S
21 ^ /V ^
Q9S42 The Scanner Listener's Handbook to Ed^rard Srwmre N2BFF Get the most out of your scunner radio. $14.95
HT66 Tune in on Telephone Calls by Tarn Knvitti K2AES Fcirm;uted as a trequency lisi willi deiiiiled descripiion of each service and its Ituation in RF jipectrum. $12,95
0JK205 Guide to Radioteletype (R'l T Y) Stations to J, KlitixettjUzs Llpdaied honk pavers all RTTY stations from 3MHz-.%MHr, Press. MiEiiary. Com medial. Meteo. PTTs, em- hassies+arhj more. $12,95
11 AS 10 Air Scan Guide to Aeronautical Communications (5th Ed.) to Tern AWnr/ K2AES Most eonipretiensj* e fiiide to moujior- in^ US jL-riHuuiii.-al communicatiitns. Covers ail Canadian bnd airpons and ^capbne hasev plu^ liMines u*r Central America, ihc Carthhean. Nonh Ail am it-, and the Pacific Terri lyrics. $14.95
07A66 Aeronautical Communications Handbook fry Ruben £. £Va#jv E\hauHtive+ schobrij treatment of shonvtaw aeronautical liMenin^ $19.95
1tRF13Tlie *Top Secn»tM Registry of US Government Radio Frequencies (7tfi Ed.) at 7tHir tCnettel K2AFS Thi^ ■*n.-aimer directory h^s hevi^nc ihc standard reference sfur^e lor frequency and other importaia tnfomiaiiOfi relat- ing in the cummunicaikms of federal aeenciev $19,95
I1F52 Ferrall's Confidential Frequency List. New Revised Edition *ompiteJ to .4 G HtitUxcy All fre\|ucnctc> from 4 MH/- 2HMHV covettnj shtp. em hiss j . areo. Vulrnet. Inicrpo], n movers. Air Furce One/T»o. more.
15A002 Scanner and Shortwave Answer
BOOk to Bifb Crtne Mral frequently aiked que-aiorb hy hobo>i>L*. SIA,9f
11SR9? national Directory Of Survival Radio Frequencies to Tom Kmitet K2AES Hundy and concise reference jtuide in high huer- esi coiiimunkuiions frequencies required by sur-
viva! isis SM.9?
HSM11 Scanner Modification Hand- book, Vol. 1 to Hitt Ctwk ptmvidav sirai^hi-
fnrward siep4iy.*tep iusiruelioiis for eipjudin;! (he ajltfRtlina capahilitacs of VHF scunners. $17.95
11EE0G Guide to Embassy Espionage Communications to Tom Km mi K2AES Caudkl .tn J probing c^ ami nation of worldwide embassy audi latJctcdl cspitmace cotnniunica- LiLiii-, systems and iietwoiiv $1».95
20r4094 A Flick of the Switcti. 1930-1950 to Mm/tan f: XttMitttttn Discover the fa^t- j:r"*oi£ luihhs nl r.altiicnllci.ljnf. $8.95
07R26 World Wida Aeronautical Commu- nications to Rt*h?rt £, Eu»t> Aircraft/ Air Iratfic Ci«A(m|. Airvrarti^Contpany Or*eraiion>. Aiiation Weather Bmadcasi^. Aemnauhcal Flight Te^ls. Worldwide Military Air Force*. Acio Search A Rescue. Aero La* Enforcement. NASA Ri|!hc Support, Aero Terms & Abhre>ia- nons and Aefo Tactical kfemd'ier\ $6.95
11TB9 Scanner Modification Handbook Vol- Z to Hifl Crtei Here il is^ — a cnmpani<iin w V\il I. In f»1+ Vol 2 has a sec lion ihar pn»- vide* tmpruxed jppnuvhes ^nd updated tech- niques for ihe rrHkls m Vol 1. There* IK ne%v CAvittne ni i id if teal ions for popular scanners S 17.95
Q3RQ1 World Press Services Frequen- cies (RTTY} New 5th Ed A comprehensive manual cnveritif radioteletype news, monitne- m^ Aiintain* all informatMKi — antenna, recciv- uijf . termtnal una-*, plus mree e^tenuse irequen- cyliMs $*v95
04M54 GGTE Horse Tutor Itolu hej; inner io lixcm class in easy seti-p.ucJ fcemoat, Code speeds from 1 to over KM) wnrtto per mmuie. SunJ-ird tir Furnswonh m<Hic, Atlju.sw.hle lone frequency. Creole >our own drills, practice or jciU'il cxjiiis, Ea^jiu auifurm to ITC retiuirenicm^ 5 1/4™ llsippy lor IBM FX\ XT. AT. PS^waimpaiiWeH.SI9:in
04M55 Advanced Edition $29,95
20N021 No Code Ham Radio Education Pack age Coinpuier sottwarc packjyc. Iikluik'v cuinpunri aided msirucEidii *oflwnnc (WM aHnparnhkl. 2CX> fK^c Ham Rjjrt> HjjuJhodL. ^2JL95
2 ON C 22 Ham Operator Education Package Coni|Hiier HJliw^re QOtitim Ine ]HM uunpuiihlc disc* widi all qunlions for all iitensc classy, plus '"\lor*c Academy" code leachinc vcTJiware thai lakes ytm irotu n^)*pmSIK.9?
Larue Code Programs — (Available on 5 1M" disk.) Inevpemoc complete >iud> ^-umJc iftk pro- «;rm^ few hofh (he CtU/l^ CommoJuffi and ihc IBM comfuitiNe^. Pnjyranis include upjaied H V quest* riv multipte choice iibwcr*, fornubx M.henutM, synihiJs. diapams, and stmulatcd i VEt *amnle im
|
IBM Pin* CommtidoTe Pan# |
"tote |
|
|
Nome 10 Villi |
COM! II |
114.95 |
|
Tec* IBM02 |
COM02 |
SI4.95 |
|
General IBMiH |
COMU.l |
SI495 |
|
AJ^juee IBMUl |
COMW |
S19.95 |
|
fctua iNew Pooh IBMlr5 |
COMU5 |
S 19,95 |
161*06. COM06 IBII/Commodora Tech No Cooe — Lanza Code Program C'onusns ill the aiMhunA-J FCC quooonv and jns«er s u<ii m irauie Ibnnubs. s^hemaiK. s^mhok. dafnm^- anJ Minple le*l for passing ihe nc* Technician So Code license. 124,95
IBM97 Amafev Radio Part 97 Rules tk^L cnmptelc fC"C nues. 59.00
New Fd«.
|
VIS Study Cards LWfoct, up-n-da»e 1 |
Lfsh I jfd* |
|
|
Kith Key W«i0\ |
Underlined. Qua on hacL. Formulas |
|
|
worked out. Sc |
hematic it ^our Iin^enin*. L ni |
|
|
SLCCFA5TCLLY by aejes n *» S 1 : |
||
|
NOVICE |
VISUI |
SI 1.95 |
|
TECH |
VIS02 |
10.95 |
|
GE\EK,\L |
VISuJ |
im |
|
AD\ iVNCED |
VI5U4 |
15.95 |
|
IATRA |
VIS05 |
1445 |
FjfB* -,
ARRL BOOKS
AR1994 ARAL 1994 Handbook (71st Ed.) Fea* lurcv ^hktcJ DSP. improved treairoeni of Pi and Pi-L. all new ;il!-di£i{sLl-k)i:ic.pEiH litis more. $2S.UU
ART 993 ARRL 1993 Handbook {7Gth Ed.) }9 dttipicrii* featuring 2. 1 Of.) Libles. figures and duns. Comprehensive, ^ell : orjninnxcl and affordable $25.00
AR1QEG-4 ARRL Operating Manual (4th Ed.) Inform j] ion on how uj make the he&i use of ynur sti- liun, inukuJitip: iaTcn%ing home computers. OSCAR. VHFdJHF.sili.lW
AR0194 Antenna Compendium Vol. 1 MsiierialH m HrftiLulN. quads. Iwips, )^B. reduced size antennas, hilunv .Smith Churls anienna potari/aitoti. $10.00
AR2545 Antenna Compendium Vol, 2 Covers
verticals, vagk. quadiu muLrihund and broiidtmnd sys- lemii, antenna m; tea kin. $12.00
AR4D17 Antenna Compendium Vol. 3 More *er- lii^iEs. ya^jSi £|Lii)ds, pfus Loops, arrays, motile, direc- lion finding, cum rolled currem^ coinpuinri/ed* instal- lation, o^tffcttd^ plus 40 new articles for beginner's; 10 advanced, S14,«U
AR262S Companion Software for Antenna Compendium VoL 2 5 EM MS-DOS flnppy.
ARG48S WIFE'S Antenna Notebook fr> Wotjjj DfWtfsi' IVJF/f Gel life besl perfOrinLtncc nu( of unuh- irusive wire imteiirtLiN and venicals. Build tuners and. SWR bridge;;. 59,50
AR034B QRP Notebook by Dmi$ DrMm WfFR Present eon^iruriion projects for The QRP operator.
A R 41 41 W1 FBs Design Notebook hyDfn^De^ Mmt WIFH Filled wish simple praciieai projects, ihuc urn he bud I u^iiii! readily mailable eoniponetiis. :ind coitimon hand look S 10.00
AR22Q0 Antenna Impedance Matching hy Wil- fred H. Canm Most co]]ipreficnsive book written on us- uif Siiinli Chum in -.olvin^j impedance Hutching pnAh lemv.$2IMM>
AR0402 Solid State Design CiowL hasic- informa- tion. cirLLir) de*ijfn\ and applications; descriptions of recekerv iraiiMiiiuers. power supplies, and (est pu.Lrip-
AR3193 Weather Satellite Handbook (4th Ed.)
hy f)r, Hiitpti Talari WEHDQi Expanded and revised to reflect twlav's weudier-fax. satellite icfhnoltj^y, S2IUKI
AR329D Companion Software for Weather Satellite Handbook 5 I AT MS-DOS Floppy, SIU.IM)
AR3291 Now You're Talking! All You Need To Get Your First Ham Radio License (2nd Edi- tion) A complete study guide for ihc Technicaii and Novice written e^ant, Practical informal ton every be- ginner need* is urjfien clearly and % imply and in small
&&*>,. $mm
AR3292 Your Introduction to Morse Code: Practice Cassettes Kit includes two 9H minute cassetic tapes. Prepares you Uw the 5 WPM Morse code exam to earn your Novice license or inkl high-fmjuen- cy worldwide eoiuiTiunicatiuns privileges to voirr code- free Technician license, SI (MM)
AR0437 ARRL Repeater Directory 1993-1994
I9.0W14 listings with dijipeaiers. hand plaits. CTCSS (PLfTMn lone than, frequency cswrdinators, ARRL special seriiee ctubs. arid beacon listing from f4 MHk
AR1033 The DXCC Companion M- Jim Keurman KRIS Spelts out in simple, strai^htforwjird terms wltal you need to be a successful DXer. H.flfl
AH 1250 Log 8ook— Spiral S3.5U
ARA34T Interference Handbook RFE sleuih"s ex- penence in solving intcrt'ercnee problems, SU.OO
AR2 197 ARRL Data Book Valuable aid lo the RF
design engineer, technician, radio iiinuLeur, and experi- menter. SU+O0
AR2960 Transmission Line Transformers (2nd Ed.) hy Or Jtrry Seiiik WIFMt Patctical tSbtfgns
and specific information on coiMruciion techniques and sources of material, ^2tLEKI
AR0410 Yagi Antenna Design A Ham Rmiia st~ ries polished ^nd expanded by Dr. La^-son. S JS.tMJ
AR2171 Hints and Kinks Ideas for setting up your geai forct^nlortable. eftlcieni operation. $S.tl(i
AR31 69 Q RP Classics Cornpi kfa m of AR RL puh- liealioits on buildiiiji receivers, I runs mi tiers, irans-
ceivers. !3ccessH.)ries, $12.00
ARRL License Manuals Complete FCT question pools With answers.
AR2375 Technician Class AR2383 General Class AR01G6 Advanced Class AR2391 Extra Class
SWHJ
SSXHS S1O0
ANTENNAS
£0N10a The Easy Wire Antenna Handbook by
i)wt lM>rw?} K-fTWJ. Gi\es you ail of the needed di- mensions for a itfll nmjie of easy to hurld urnJ erect Sky wires ' S9.5H
"E0A343 All About Cubical Quad Antennas hy WHiiion Off und Siimrt Cflwan "The Classic" on Quad design, theory, construe tioii. opennion, New
feed and maccftint systems. New daia. %U&$
01A70 Practical Antenna Handbook hy Jtr\fftirJr Qtrr |)f\i:iti, buiUh PJiodiiy. and install your own mitcnnas, $21.95
UHF/VHF/PACKET\
01P22-2 The Packet Radio Handbook (2nd Ed.) hy JiHWfhtiti L Mtsyt) KR.lT'\..t\\c detniitive pintle to Li i mil cur paekci operation." Gwyn Reedy \Vt BEL Only $16^5
20N013 U.S. Repeater Mapbook Av 8$&t
(Martin The Guide for traveling radio Jimatenrs.
10A342 All About Verttcle Antennas hy William Orr CoiLjprehensi^e coverage of amaleur comtnuttiea- tions. J1D.W
10A345 Beam Antenna Handbook hy William
Orr ami Siwtrt Oman Ewviiiiny ywu nee<l to know aliout beam design, eonstruction. and operation. St L95
10A346 Simple, Low-Cost Wire Antennas For Radio Amateurs hy William Orr and Smart Ctman
Ail New* Low-cosL mulrhhand Lintennas; inexpensive beams. "hivi.sibJc" aniennas fijf hams in "touith" facar itons! New data. ST LV5
09V11 The Basic Guide to VHF/UHF Ham Radio hy Edward M. Nott Provides a ftrst Rite
introduction to I he 2. ft nnd |*25 meter bands as well us 2&. i X and m-m. $fi.5tf
03R02 RTTY Today hy /J^or tk^m MTiW
Most comprehensive RTTY pjUh ewr publislvd, $K.5(I
BOOKS FOR BEGINNERS
02D42 Digital Novice fry Jim Gmbfrs Geared.
to fiiuke you a Jiiore knowledgable panicipurit.
05C25 Basic A,C. Circuits a siep-b>'Siep
approach loi' the he^inninj: student- S-4,5(l
20 NO 13 Technician Class License Manual: New Mo-Code hy GurAon \\t.si Tliis book COV-
eiN everything you need to become a Techniciim Class Haiti. Every question atid answer on ifie $%* aminniiniih, is found in this one book. FCC Form
nln application. $9,95
2GmQ2 The Wonderful World of Ham Radio hy Richard Skotaik, KH-fLCS Simple,
ck:ar- and fun. Introduces youny. people lo amateur fi*}\o. $7,95
01AB7 Shortwave Listener's Antenna Handbook Primer antenna theory. $13<J9JS
20 Ml 00 Electronics Build and Learn {2nd
Ed J\ hy HA Faifttld Com nines theory and pcae* tice ,^o that you can "learn by doing," $12>54l
20N099 Digital Electronics Projects for Be- ginners by Own Hislmp Contain* 12 digital
electronics projects suitable for the beginner to build wilEi the minimum of equipment, $12.50
AR2S71 WIFB's Help for New Hams hy Dtttif; DvMtm \\ IFH Ctjmplele for the newcomer.
Pnl logetlier a slat km and ge* on the air, IID.OO
AH2236 First Steps in Radio by Ehijig QeMw »7f/f Serie* of ysr articles %SM
AR31Q5The Satellite Experimenters Hand- book, {2nd Ed.) by Martin Dm-idaff K2UBC bepanded and revised- Focusing on satelines buiji hy and for the international rudrtf amateur conununitv.
AR2456 FCC Rule Book (9th Ed) A must for
every active radio amateur. S9.00
AR2030 Your Gateway to Packet Radio (2nd Ed.) Tells everything you need to know aboul rhis popular new mode, 5(1*00
AR2103 Satellite Anthology The iaicst informa- tion on OSCARk y through \S as well as the RS saicl- Eiles, the use of digital modes, tracking antennas^ KLfDAK, microcompuier, and more! $5^00
AR2083 Complete DXer (2nd Ed.} by Rob h,d- tr U'VA'AV Learn how [o hunt DX and obtain hard-|r> !;eiqSLcardsrSI2.tM}
CODE TAPES =
73T05 "Genesis" S5.9S
5 wpra — This hey inning tape, takes you through
the 2ft letter, in numbers, and necessary punc- tuation^ compter witli practice uvery step of the wav.
73T06 "The Stickler" $5.95
(i+ wpm — This h the practice tape for those who sur- vived the- 5 w-pnt tape, and it's also the tape for the Novice an J Technician licen^,s. It is comprised of one jolid hour of code. Characters. Lire sei al 1 3 wpm and spaced at 5 wpm.
WAYNE'S PICKS-
SSS756 Warning! The Electricity Around You May Be Hazardous To Your Health in Ellen Sitxtirwtin An in valuable ^uide to the risks of electromagnetic fields, and steps you can Take to protect yourself am! your family, St J*0fl
"We The People" Declare War! On Our Lousy Government, hy Wayne Green A "must read" for every ameriean taxpayer. Solutions to everv problem facing Our government today. U1S5 '
AR2065 ARRL Antenna Book The new I6ih Edi- tion representt the best and most highly regarded infor- mation on antenna fundamentals, transmission lines.
de-si £it. and construct ion of wire antennas, SIOjQti
AR289S Space Almanac by AnOwny R. Curtis KJKXK Receni news fre>m spaeii. $2IMH}
AFI3293 Morse Code: The Essential Language by L feut Carmn Jr. WSDKl Expanded and. revised in iis 2nd edition. How to handle distress calls heard not only on the hjimhands but on iretritime and; aircraft frequencies. %M
A R 41 14 Low Profile Amateur Radio For the
Ham whej lives where antenna^ are frowned upon. Frotu hiding your antenna to operating wilh k>w pow- er. This bibik tells you how to eet on the air usin^ these techniques — and oihers — without calling attention lo >oursclf. $HJM*
73T13 "Back Breaker" $5.»5
1J+ wpm Code groups a^uin, at a brisk 1?+
wpm so you'll he really at en.se when you sit down in front of a iteely-eyed volunteer examiner who starts sending you plain hm^ua^e code at only 33 per.
73T20 hlCoufageous '* $5.95
20+ vipm Congraiuhitions? Okay, ihc chnllen^e of code is svhiu s toiten you this far, *o dont quit now. On for die exira class license. We send ihe
code faster than 20 per.
EDB6751 Dumbing Us Down: The Hidden Curriculum Of Compulsory Schooling, by Jfthn OtUttt If you enjoyed "Decfare War", you'll en- joy this also. A Wayne Green reeom mended
reading. OS..
73572 How to Teach School Real Good hy Dhii Guilford GchhJ refill;:. A true insist on tlve
school system. What our teachers teach, how and why they teach. You will not tie Libte to put this one down. A Wayne Green recommended reudin^. Lim- ited Quantity, While supplies last. £10.1)0
AR3878 Your VHF Companion Explore the
fascinating activities on the VHF hands: FM and repeater packet, CW & SSB, Satellites, ATV,
transmitter hunting and nuire. $X.I>II
NEW STUFF ^=
AR37&2 Your QRP Operating Companion Ho special ri^s or expensive equipment to enjoy the ex- riiertlenl and chullenjie oi low-power operating. $^.0(1
AR3959YOUF Packet Companion Perfect for the packei newcomer. $8.1)0
I Uncle Wayne's Bookshelf Order Form I
I You may order by mail, telephone, or fax. All payments arc to be in US luuds. Allow 3 weeks for delivery.
i I i I i i i I I I i
- Telephone: (603) 924 4196 (800) 234-8458 | FAX: (603) 924-8613
LMail: Uncle Wayne's Bookshelf, 70 Route 202N, Peterborough, NH 03458
|
Item |
Titfe |
Qty, |
Price |
Total |
|
Shfpplna: All US-'Canada orders ado S6.00 sbioDina. U.S. SHIPPING orders shipped UPS. {Please provide s)ree5 adtfr-ess.'f I Alaska & Hawaii shaped via mail.) Airmail to Canada by jaji ■ actual weight UJAL |
||||
Make checks payable to "Uncle Wayne's Bookshelf*
Foreign Orders: Shipping crsarge-S by aclu^t weighl. Surface or Airmail
{Surface cfefivery rray lake 2 10 3 months,)
Name Street City _
State
Zip
TOTALS
Q AE □ MC Card #
UCheck/Money Order
QVISA
Expiration Date
UW0294
>9^J
JZam
# §
Number 27 on your Feedback card
M OUTPUT
David Cassidy N1GPH
Enough!
Polly Klaas was a beautiful 12- year-old girl. Last year, on October 1 , she was having a slumber party with a few of her friends. Her mother slept downstairs while the girls stayed up and discussed things of monumental importance to 12-year-old girls. A knife-wielding thug broke Into the house, tied up the girts* took Polly and left.
Despite a monumental publicity and search effort by the citizens of Polly's home town, this beautiful little girl's body was found two months lat- er. The man who murdered her had been confronted by police twice dur- ing those two months, the first being less than two hours after the kidnap- ping. He has a record ot arrests and convictions for abductions and other violent crimes going back almost 20 years. He has served time in prison tor these crimes, and yet he was free to walk the streets of California just like you and me.
In the last two weeks, authorities in St. Louis have had to inform two sets of parents that their children won't be coming home — ever. They were both littie girts. One was 9 and the other was 1 0,
If you live in a small, rural commu- nity, and you think this kind of heinous crime cant happen to you— think again. Ten days after Polly Klaas disappeared, Stephanie Crane was abducted from her small Idaho town — population 700.
Are you mad yet? Have you had enough of this? Are you going to con- tinue to allow the scum of our society to get away with this? Are you going to continue to elect local, state and federal politicians who are afraid to make the hard choices of taking away the rights of convicted criminals in order to protect the rights and lives of the law-abiding? How many more beautiful 12-year-old girls are going to have to die horrible and lonely deaths before the people of America wake up and demand a criminal jus- tice system that deals with crime and the punishing of criminals? Over 500 children were abducted las l year, and that's 500 more than we should toler- ate. Today, as you read this, another child is being taken — another child that we'll never find. I gotta' tell ya' folks, I am beside myself with anger over this. 1 can barely type these words. 1 have had enough,
Amateur Radio Can Be Part of the Solution
The common response to this type of situation is: "What can { possibly do?" Aside from electing people carefully and supporting spending for more cops, bigger prisons, longer sentences and abolishing the parole
96 73 Amateur Radio Today* February, 1994
system, what can the average person do?
We may not feel like we have con- trol over courts, prisons and parole boards, but we can do something. We can say enough is enough. We can say that the next time a child turns up missing we wilt be prepared. Not prepared to help tomorrow or next week — we can be prepared to help right now.
When a small plane crashes (or is only thought to have crashed), there are systems and volunteer organiza- tions in place to search for and come to the aid of the crash victims, As a Private Pilot I am thankful to always know that should the unthinkable happen, I won't be left to die on the craggy slopes of a windswept New Hampshire mountain because there wasn1t a system in place to come find me. Within hours of my late arrival there will be dozens of people and aircraft searching for me.
set up to assist in finding children. How many days go by? How many nights? Will you ever see your child again?
What would have happened to Polly Klaas if, within an hour of the local police department's call to an amateur radio search coordinator there were several dozen trained hams searching in an ever-widening pattern, alt coordinated with a net control station at the police depart- ment? What if another dozen teams were searching in automobiles, checking all available modes of es- cape out of the area, driving the roads and stopping at stores and gas stations and asking questions? What if the eyewitness's description of the kidnapper was transmitted via packet to the local search teams in sur- rounding communitites or neigh bor- ing states, not days but minutes after it was available? What if all of this happened within one hour of the ini- tial call to local police?
It doesn't matter if the child is real- ly missing, or if he just went some- where without telling his parents. Ev- ery second of doubt is an eternity of anguish for parents who don't know where their child is. How would you feel ff you were the ham who could
Over 500 children were abducted
last year, and that's 500 more
than we should tolerate. "
Couldn't we do the same for the children of America, and isn't the am- ateur radio community ideally suited to form the core of such a system?
Even with the best efforts of law enforcement, it can be several hours between the time a parent reports a missing child and when any kind of an organized search begins. Think about it It's six o'clock. You just got home from work, and your 12-year- old isn't there. He was supposed to be home after schoolt by three o'clock at the latest, You call your neighbors, and they haven't seen him. You calf his school friends, but none of them know where he is. You call the police, and they send some- one out to your house to ask some questions, while alerting their patrol officers of a possible missing child. You provide police with a description and a picture. While talking with the police officer, you remember the name of another of your child's friends. You call and he tells you that he saw your son get into a blue car driven by a tall man with a beard, This information is immediately trans- mitted to local law enforcement. What time is it now? How long has your child been missing? How far away could the kidnapper have trav- eled in that amount of time?
Over the next few days, volunteer search teams are set up. Posters are distributed over an ever-widening area, The FBI gets involved, as do several of the national organizations
transmit to net control "I found him. He's OK."?
I'm not talking about a bunch of fat guys with HTs on their belts and a Rambo complex. I'm talking about an organization that sets up systems with the aid and backing of local and national law enforcement agencies before they are needed- I'm talking about a national organization, with state and local chapters, that continu- ously trains and prepares for the day when they have to — within 60 min- utes— mobilize to search for a miss- ing child with the same thoroughness of the Civil Air Patrol's search for a missing pilot.
Amateur Radio Child Search
I propose the founding of an orga- nization called Amateur Radio Child Search (ARCS). To assist in getting this started, Wayne Green has pledged the financial and logistical support of 73 and the entire Wayne Green, Incorporated organization. I am looking for amateur radio opera- tors in alt 50 states to assist in devel- oping this organization. I will listen to anyone and everyone who is will- ing to help {I'm not saying that 111 take your advice, just that Til listen to it). I mean it. I would welcome the participation of the ARRL or any oth- er amateur radio company or group. This is above the petty squab blings of amateur radio (and amateur radio magazines). This is above your ani- mosity towards Wayne Green, me or
73 magazine, I am looking for fund- ing avenues to aid in forming this national organization. If you have ex- perience in areas such as grant writing, your help would be most welcome, If you are already involved in search and rescue, whether pro- fessionally or as a volunteer, I'd like to hear from you.
The plan is to have local groups in every state, all coordinated by a na- tional organization, to assist law en- forcement in the immediate search for missing children. If you're a paramilitary, soldier of fortune, cop wanna- be type of nut, please do me a favor and stay away. We1 re not talk- ing about chasing bad guys, Alt we want to do is find missing kids.
The state coordinators, all select- ed by the national office, will oversee the operation and training of their lo- cal team leaders. Team leaders, se- lected by state coordinators with the approval of the national office, will be responsible for the training of their lo- cal chapter, as well as building and maintaining relationships with local law enforcement agencies. Chapter members will be responsible for stay- ing current in their training and being available to assist in the search for a missing child within one hourot notifi- cation. Everyone involved in this or- ganization will be screened and reg- istered by the national office.
Amateur radio desperately needs to justify its existence. We no longer advance the state of the art, we are not needed as a trained pool of quali- fied radio operators, and there ain't a whole helluva lot of international goodwill generated by the average DX contact How about if we decided that one of the reasons for our exis- tence should be to use our communi- cations skills and networks to come to the aid of missing children? There are well over 250.000 active amateur radio operators in this country. Could the combined efforts of a quarter mil- lion people, united for the single pur- pose of protecting the lives of our children, make a difference? Is there any more important use of our time and talents?
I may be setting myself up for a big disapointment by announcing this before the logistics are worked outT but if there is one thing I have learned from Wayne Green in the last four years It's that the only way to get someting done is to just do it. Talking about it doesn't get it done. It will take several months to find out if starting an organization such as I've described is even possible. I'll be meeting with attorneys and accountants to set up the paperwork. I need the help of every interested person. If nothing else, send me your name, address and phone number so I can put you on the list for when your state and local chapter gets started. If you can do more, let me know that too.
Inquiries should be sent to my at- tention at 73 Amateur Radio Today 70 Route 202 N, Peterborough, NH 03458.
FT-11 RAH R
2m/70cm Handhelds
Frequency Coverage; Wide Receiver Coverage: FT-11: 110-1 80 MHz FIX, 144-148 MHz TX FT-41: 430-450 MHz FWTX Sefectabfe Alpha Numeric Display
New Compact Battery Design 4 8V produces 1 .5 Watts 9.6V produces Full 5 Watts 150 Memory Channels (75 when Alpha Numeric) AM "Aircraft" Receive (110-136 MHz) Small Compact Size w/ Easy Operation (measures only: 4"H x 2//W x ID) Rx/Tx Battery Savers High-etficiency MOS FET Power Module
Large Sack-Lit Keypad and Display
Up/Down Volume/Squelch Controls
Built-in DTMF Paging/Coded Squelch
Automatic Power Oft (APO) Accessories:
FNB-31 4 6V, 600 mAft Battery FN B -33 4 8V 1 200 m Ah Battery FNB-38 9 6V, 600 m Ah Battery FBA-14 6 AA Size Battery Case FTS-Zfi CTCSS Decode Unit NC-50 Dual Slot 1 -Hour Desk
Charger CA-10 Charge Adapter
(required w/ NC-50) Contact your Dealer fof full details.
Took, alphanumeric
•IkUlkvMifiGM^tiYi
battery. Terrific! "
4fc
"Small and thin -
with a full sized keypad!
Howti they do that? !*
hr/
"Yaesu did it again!"
vM*
&B&
I
flTKJ U I t\
|
oru |
C4W
* 0.
1
^&
to**
%ri~l
v;. ■■-
S1tp
*&
NEW Alphanumeric Display
First time for Yaesu HT Full function LCD combines letters and numbers.
NEW Up/Down
Thumb Control
with Volume and
Squelch Bar Graph.
No other radio has this. Back lit, too!
y NEW Compact Battery Design
4.8V gets you 1.5 Watts. A first for amateur radio.
\
World's smallest size HT with a full sized keypad
Measures only: 4"H x 2!4"W x 1"D
S
Omair is relative, isn't it? It could mean size - which in this case it dues. And, it could mean ^reduced" which it doesn't! Nothing missing from the hot new FT-11 R ITT from Yaesu except bulk! YouYe going to wonder just how all the features of this full-function radio fit in. Until you remember Yaesu pioneered i 2-way radio micro technology
To see what this really means to you,
check out all the new features. Like the alphanumeric display. This Yaesu HT first, lets you tag your favorite frequency by name, call sign or number. Or, the new "voltage stingy" battery It's an industry first for amateur radio. Smaller and com- pact, the 4.8V battery gives you 1,5 watts on IX And, if that's not enough, there's an optional drop in, dash mount battery charger.
You see it's not a small time performer Just small sized. The FT-11 R. Another small example of Yaesu superiority See your dealer today!
YAESU
Performance without compromise"
€ !993 VaesQ USA, 17210 Edwartfs Road Cemtos, CA 90701 (310) 404-2700 Specf-calior5 subittt to change wtfiout notice Specif>cai!0"s gjarameed onty wfhm amateur bands Some accessory aniL'ar options are stardarti in certain areas Chech, with your Ideal Yaesu dealer fur specific details
;,
tte
v
I
•
I
I
I
mic performance plus handheld convenience— from Kenwood
j*
KENWOOD COMM AMATEUR RADIO PRO P.O BOX 22745, 2201 E Long Beach. CA 90801*5
KENWOOD ELECTHOL 6070 Kestrel Road. MtssiSs Ontario. Canada L5T 1S8
93-ARD-0596
T IONS CORPORATION S GROUP Tunguez Str
^ CANADA fNC.
KENWOOD
...pacesetter in Amateur Radio
To get the most out of handheld communications, choose Kenwood's TH-78A (144MHz/440MHz) which offers all the latest features. Or Hie TH-28A (144MHz) and TH-48A (440MHz) single-band transceivers, which are equally impressive. All three represent a winning com- bination of top-flight technology and ergonomic design.
• Alphanumeric memory
Alphanumeric data (max, 6 characters) can be entered directly into memory,
• Alphanumeric message paging
tn addition to standard DTSS and paging functions, alphanumeric messages can be stored in memory lor immediate transmission.
• Dual-frequency receive
In addition fo full-duplex cross-band operation, the TH*78A is equipped to receive two frequencies simultaneously, even on the same bond. There's also independent double-band scan and ABC (automatic band change}. The TH-28A and TH-48A feature dual-band receive capability, enabling semi-duplex cross- band operations (TH-28— TH-48A),
• Frequency coverage
TH-2BA: 118-173.995 MHz, sub RX: 438-449.995 MHz; TH-48A: 438-449.995 MHz, sub RX: 136-173.995 MHz; TH-78A: 118-173.995,438-449,995 MHz. Transmit an Amateur bands only. (MARS/CAP modifiable, permits required).
■ 2 . 5 W power with supplied battery pack
5W with 12 VDC power source (PB-U, PB-17, or external DC).
• Non-volatile memory
The TH-78A has 50 memory channels (expandable to 250 wrth the ME-1 option), while the TH-28A and TH-48A have 40 channels (expandable to 240 with the ME-1 option).
TH-78A/28A/48A
FM Handheld Transceivers