DECEMBER 1998
ISSUE #459
USA $3.95
CANADA S4.95
Get more features for your dollar with our
REP-200 REPEATER
A niicmproces£Qr-cQntTo||ed repeater with full auto- patch and many versatile dtmf remote control fea- tures at iess than you might pay for a bare bones
repeater or control ler alone!
' flE'Vatw K&SAna
• kit smonty $1095
• f3 ctory assembfed s till only $ 1295
50^54, 143^174, ?13-23-a. 420-475- MHz. ^902-925 MHz sr-o^ily higher.) **■ FCC lypB acceptgd forcQinniciciat scrvece hi 15fl i 450 MHi bands.
Digital Voice Recorder Option, Allows message up to 20 sec. to be remotely recorded off the air. Play back at user request by DTMF command, or as a periodical voice id^ or both. Great for making club anriouncements! .../only $100.
REP-20QC Economy Repeater. Real-voice ID, no dtmf or autopatch Kit only $795, w&t$1195,
REP-200 N Repeater. Without controller so you can use your own .i^^n^^. Kit only $695, w&t $995.
You'll KICK Yourself
If You Build a Repeater
Without Checking Out Our Catalog Fir$t1
Hamtronics has the world's most complete line of modules for making repeaters. In addition to exciters J pa's, and receivers, we offer the following controllers,
COR-3. Inexpensive, fiexibJe COR moduSe with timers, courtesy beep, audio mixer. ,,... only $4S/kit, $79 wit
CWID. Traditional diode matrix iD'er kit or^ly $59.
CWID-2. Eprom-controlted IDer only $54/hit, $79 w/t.
DVR-1. Record your own voice up to 20 sec. For voice id or playing ciub announcements. ., $59/kit, $99 w/t.
COR-4. Cornpiete COR and CWID all on one board. ID in eprom. Low power CI\^OS only $99/kit, $149 w/t.
COR -6. COR with real- voice id. Low power CMOS, non- yolatiie memory kit only $99^ w/t only $149.
COR -5. |jP controller with autopatch, reverse ap, phone remote control, lots of DTMF control functions, all on one board, as used in REP-200 Repeater $379 w/t.
AP'vi. Repeater autopatch, reverse autopatch, phone line remote control. Use with TlD-2. ......kit $&9.
TD-2. Four-dtgit DTMF decoder/controfler. Five tatching on-off functions, toll calf restrictor. .kit $79,
TD-4. DTMF controller es above except one on-off function and no toll call re stricter Can also use for selective cailing; mute speaker until someone pag^s you. , ,....klt$49.
SUBAUDIBLE TONE ENCODERiDECODER
Access all your favorite closed repeatersf
* Encodes all standard CTCSS tones wUh crystal accuracy and convenient DIP switch selection
* Comprehensrue rnanual aiso shows how you can set up
a front panel swjtch to select tones for several repeaters.
* Decoder can be used to mute receive audio and is optimized for installation in repeaters to provide closed access. High pass filter gets rid of annoying buzz in receiver © ISiew low prices I
-TD-5 CTCSS Encoder/Decoder Kit now only $29
* TD-5 CTCSS Encoder/Decoder Wired /tested .,$49
LOW NOISE RECEIVER PREAMPS
LNG-{ ) GaAs FET PREAWIP STILL ONLY $59, wired/tested
• Make your fhends sick with envy? Work stations they don't
even know are there.
• Install one at the antenna and overcome coax losses.
• AvaHable for 28-30, 46-56, 137-152, 152-172,210- 230, 400-470, and 800-960 MHz bands.
LNW«( ) ECONOMY PREAMP
ONLY $24/kit
• Miniature MOSFET Preamp
• Solder terminals allow easy connection inside radios.
Avaiiable for 25^35, 35-55,, 55-90, 90-120, 120-150, 150-200, 200-270, and 400-500 MHz bands.
TRANSMITTING & RECEIVING CONVERTERS
No need to spend thousands on new transceivers for each band!
• Convert vhf and uhf signals to & from 1 0M.
• Even if you don't have a 1 0M rig, you can pick up very good used xmtrs & rcvrs for next to nothing.
■ Receiving converters (shown above) available for various segments of BM, 2M, 220, and 432 MHz.
■ Rcvg Conv Kits from $49. wired/tested units only $99.
Transmitting converters for 2M, 432 MHz.
Kits only £39 vhf or $99 uhf. Power amplifiers up to SOW output.
|HM>-K WfilTMIP HF^T'IVT''
WEATHER ALERT RECEIVER
A sensitive and selective professional grade receiver to monitor critlcai NOAA weather broadcasts. Good reception
even at distances of 70 miles or more with suitable antenna. No comparison with ordinary consumer radios!
Automatic mode provides stomn watch, alearting you by unmuting receiver and providing an output to trip remote equipment when an alert tone is broadcast. Crystal controlled for accuracy; all 7 channels {162.40 to 162.55).
Buy just the receiver pcb module in kit form or buy the kit with an attractive metal cabinet. AC power adapter, and built-in speaker. Also available factory wired and tested.
RWX Rcvrkit.. PCB only $79
RWX Rcvrkit with cabinet, speaker, &AC adapter $99
RWX Rcvrwireditested in cabinet with speaker S adapter $139
WEATHER FAX RECEIVER
R1 afe ivea fhep- fajh mcei ve;^
V
Join the fun. Get striking Images directly from the wsath&r satellites]
A very sensitive wideband fm receiver optimised for NOAA APT & Russian Meteor weather fax on the l37MHz band.
Designed from the start for optimum satellite reception; not just an off-the-shelf scanner with a shorted-out IF filter E
Covers all 5 sateElite channels. Scanner circuit & recorder control aliow yoij to automatiGally capture signals as satellites pass overhead, even while away from home.
• R139 Receiver Kitless case , $159
• R139 Receiver Kit with case and AC power adapter $189 » R1 39 Receiver w/t in case with AC power adapter ...$239
• Internal PC Demodulator Board & Imaging Software $289
Turnstile Antenna .,..
<4-)-l-iH-i4+4-ll-*-ni-B--i^-l-«-l^->l-<
.S119
- Weather Satellite Handbook ,.„, 520
SYNTHESIZED FM
EXCITER & RECEIVER MODULES
NEW
We recently Introduced new vhf fm exciters and receivers which do not require channel crystals. NOW,., uhf modules are also available!
Exciters and Receivers provide high quality nbfm and f sk opera t io n . Fea tu r es i rrcl ude:
• Dip switch frequency sefection.
• Exc&ptianBt modulation for voice and ctcss.
• Very iow noise syn th esizer for repeater s erv/ce.
• Direct fm for data up to 960Q baud,
• TCXO for tigiit frequency accuracy in wide range of environmentai conditions.
• Next day shipping. No wait for crystafs.
EXCITERS:
Rated for continuous duty, 2-3W output.
T301 VHF Exciter; for various bands l39-174MHz*. 216-226 MH2.
• Kit (ham band5onfy) ...$109 (TCXO OpliOn ^40)
• Wired/tested, ind TCXO... $189
T304 UHF Exciter: various
bands 400-470 MHz*.
• Kit (440-450 hajm ba im only)
IncI TCXO ...$149
• Wired/tested... $1S9
■ (Or g<jv'l &, export use.
RECEIVERS:
R301 VHF Receiver: various bands 139-174MHz*, 216-226 MHz.
• Kit (hamtandsorly) ...Only $139 (TCXO OptiOP $40)
• Wired/tested $209 (includes TCXO)
R304 UHF Receiver, various M
bands 400-470 MHz*,
• Kit (440-450 ham bflnd ctr^ly}
inci TCXO. $179
• Wired/tested,.. $209
TRADITIOniAL CRYSTAL-COAITROLLED VHF & UHF FM EXCITERS & RECEIVERS
FM EXCfTERS; 2W output coritinuou'S duty.
• TAS1: foreM, 2M, 220 MHz „._.„.kit S99, w/t S169
• TA451; for 420-475 MHz. kit $99, w/t Si 69
• TA90t: for 902-926 MHz, (0.5W out) w/t S1B9
VHF & UHF POWER AMPLIFiERS.
Output tevelsfrom 10Wto 100W Starting at $99
FM RECEIVERS:
Very sensitive - 0.1 SpV Superb selectivity, >100 dB down at ±12 kHz. best
available anywhere, flutter-proof squeEch. For 46-54, 72-76, 140-175, or 216-225 MHz. ... kit $129, w/t $189 • R144 RCVR. Lil<e RlOO, for 2M, with helical
resonator in front end kit $159., w/t $219
. R4S1 FM RCVR, for 420-475 MHz. Similar to RlOO
above, kit $129, w/t $189 - R9D1 FMRCVR,902'928MHz $159, w/t $219
WWV RECEIVER
Get time & frequency checks
without buying multiband hf
rcvr. Hear solar activity reports
affecting radb propagation.
Very sensitive and selective
cr/stal controlled superiiet. dedicated to iistening to WWV
on 1 0 MHz. Performance rivals the most expensive rcvrs.
- RWVW Rcvr kit, PCB only $59
, RWWV Rcvrkit with tabl. spkr,^ 12Vck adapter $89
SI 29
RWWV Rcvr w/t In cab! witln spkr & adapter
Buy at low, factory-direct net prices and save!
For complete info, call or write for complete catalog.
Order by mail, fax, email, or phone 0-12, 1-5 eastern timeK
Min* $€ S&H charge fof I" lb. plu^ add'l wetght & insurance.
Use Visa, MC, Discover, check, or UPS C.O,D.
See SPECIAL OFFERS and view complete catalog on our web site:
www.hamtronias.com
tmail: Jv@hanntronics.coni
Our 36'^ Year
ronics, inc
6S-D Moul Rd; Hilton NY 14468-9535 Phone 716-392-9430 (fax -9421})
4'
&
ASTRON
CORPORATION
9Autry
Irvine, CA 9261 8
(949) 458-7277 * Fax (949) 458-0826 www^astroncorp.com
SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES
CONT. ICS WT,(LBS)
SS 10 7 10 3 2
SS-12 10 12 a4
SS-18 15 18 3 6
SS-25 20 25 4.2
SS-30 25 30 5.0
SS-25M With volt t amp meters SS'30M With volt & amp meters
ASTRON POWER SUPPLIES
HEAVY DUTY • HIGH QUALITY • RUGGED * RELIABLE
SPECIAL FEATURES
• SOCIO STATt ELECTRONICALLY HEGULATH)
• FOLO-BACK CURRENT LIM|T^NG Protects RM«r Supply from excessive current & contrnuQUS sh^^rted output
• CROWBAR OVER VOLTAfiE PROTECTION on all Models !j(cipl RS-3*, RS-4A. flS-SA. RS4L RS-SL
• MAINTAIN REGULATION & LOW RIPPLE at low Tlrte input Votage
• HEAVY DUTY HEAT SINK • CHASSIS MOUNT RJ^
• TWREE CONDUCTOR POWER CORD except for RS-3A
• ONE YEAR WARRAI^TV • MADE tN U.S A
PERfORMANCE SPECIFrCATlONS
• INPUT VOLTAGE 105-125 VAC
• OUTPUT VOLTAGE: tlB VOC + 0.05 volts (Intefnally Adjystatle: 11-15 VDC)
• RIPPLE L&ss tt^an 5mv peak to peak (fuN load & low line)
• All units available in 220 VAC input voltage (except for SL-11A)
SLSE
• LOW PROFILE POWER SUPPLY
|
MODEL |
Coloft Sny BliGk |
Continuaus Duty [Amps] |
fCS* (Amps) |
|
SL'IIA SL^IIR SL-11S SL-11R'RA |
• • |
7 7 7 7 |
11 11 11 11 |
|
Size (IN) |
Shloplflo |
|
^v. * m X ¥h |
12 |
|
2%^? "W |
12 |
|
m =< Tk X 9V< |
12 |
|
A^k'l "9^4 |
13 |
RS-L SERIES
• POWER SUPPLIES WITH BUILT IN CIGARETTE LIGHTER RECEPTACLE
ConllnttDU£ ICS* Size (IKl
Duly |Amp«| (Anpt) H ^^ W ^ 13
Shipping Wi [lbi!l
RS-4L RS^SL
T^-^Vk^l
M.
6
7
m SERIES
Duty jAmpf)
9
25
37
MODEL ftM-35M
19" RACK MOUNT POWER SUPPLIES
Continuaus
mm.
RM'12A
RM-35A
RM'SOA
RM^&OA
Separate Volt arrd Amp Meters
RM-12M 9
RM'36M 25
RM-50M 37
RM^eOM 50
ICS-
lAnpt]
12
35
50 55
12
50 56
Size (Ml
NxWxD
5'A X 19 K e%
b% X 19 X 12^6
5Vi X 19 X Wh
7x19x12^^
S'A>cl9x8^A
5Vi X 19 X 12%
5^Ax 19x12%
7xl9x12'A
SMpjinn
WL mx
% 3S 50 60
16
3a
50
60
RS-A SERIES
MODEL ftS-7A
MODEL
RS-3A
RS-4A
RS-5A
FIS-7A
RS-10A
RS'12A
RS'12B
RS-20A
FtS-35A
RS-50A RS'70A
Colors Qriy Black
«
* ■
CHliiitii
PUT (A-Ml
23
3 4
5
7.5 9
16
25
37 57
ICS'
3 4 5
7
10
12
12
20
35
50 70
Sill tmi
N X W X B 3 X 4^/4 X 5^ 3^* X 6V3 X 9
Z\k x6Vfi X 7V4 3^/4 X 6^/? X 9
4x Vh X ^Q% 4^y^ X 8 X 9
A X Tk X Wk
5 X 9 X 10V?
5x 11 X 11
6x 13^^ X 11 fi X WA X 12*4
Sltippini WL (titj
4
S
7
B
11
13
13
IB
n
t
RS-M SERIES
MODEL RS'35M
MOQEL
Switcliable vdt ifid Amp meier
RS^I^
Separate vott and Amp meters
RS-aOiWI
RS^aSM
RS-50M fiS-70M
Clitiiiftut fiiltf [Aapsj
9
16 25
37 57
ICS* |Al|t)
12
20 35
50
70
Ski IIH) IxWxl
41i X fl X 9
5 X 9 X TO^ 5 X 11 X 11
6x 13^ X 11
6 * 13V* X 12\
5bip|ih| HfL |Jlt.|
13
18 Z7
48
VS-M AND VRM-M SERIES
Separate Volt and Amp Meters • Output Voitage adjustable from 2-15 volts * Current limit adjustable from 1.5 amps
MODEL VS-35M
t€ RjII Load
MODEL
VS-T2M VS-20M VS-35M
VS'7DM
Variable rack mount power supplies
VRM-35M 25
VRM-50M 37
Ctilinion
Dtly |Ari$|
#13 8VDC @10VDC @5VDC
9
16
25
37 17
5
9
15
22
34
IS 22
2 4
7 10 IS
7 10
ICS*
@13.8V
12
20
35
50 70
35 50
Si2i (IMI IX Wx II
4'j^ X 8 X 9
5 X 9 x 10^^ 5x 11 X It
6 X 13^ x t1 6ic13'^^x12';
5Vi X 19x Wk 5V4 X 19 X IZVi
Sli|pli|
WL [III]
13
20 29 46 49
38 50
RS-S SERIES
MODEL RS-12S
Built in speaker
MODEL
RS-7S
ftS-lOS
RS-12S
RS^20S
SL'IIS
Calors Gray Slack
•
Cinllniiii Dtjly [Aapi]
5
73
B
16
7
Ampt 7 10 12 20
11
Size |1N| H X W X D
4 X 7^^ X 10'^
4x7'hx WA
4'k X 8 X 9
5 X 9 X Wk
2=^ X 7^-i X 9%
Shijlplil WL [llr|
10
12
13
18
12
«C&— Intermitttnl Commtjnicaliofi S^v^ce (50% Oirty Cycle 5<tiin on 5 mi n, off)
CIRCLE 16 ON DEADER SQ1VICE QAFID
J
World's ' Smallest
Transmitlers
WecalUhemlhe^Cubes'.,
Perfect video transmission
from a transmitter
you can hide under
a Quarter and only
as \h\Crk as a stacl<
of four pennies-
ttiafs a nicl^el in
the picture!
Transmtis color or B&W with Fantastic quality - aJmost like a direct
wtred connection to any TV tuned to cable channel 69, Ciyslal
controlled tor no frequency drift with performance that equals law
enforcement models that cost hundreds more! Basic 20 mW
model Lransmits up to 300' while the high power 100 mW unit
goes up to 1/4 mile. Audio units Incfude sound using a sensitive
built-in mike that will hear a whisper 15 feet away! Units mn on 9
volts and hook-yp to most any CCD camera. Any of our can^eras
have been tested to mate perfectfy with our Cubes and work
gr&at. Fully assemblect - just hook-up power and you're on the air!
C-2000, Basic Video Transmitter Cube, ...,.., „ $89-95
C-3000, Basic Video and Audio Transmitter Cube ,„,.S149.95
C-2001, High Power Video Transmitter Cube .-$179.95
C'3001, High Power Video and Audio Transmitter Cube $229.95
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Super Pro FM Stereo Radio Transmitter
A truly profes- sional frequen- cy synthesized FM Stereo transmitter sta- tion in one easy to use, handsome cab- inet. Most radb stations require a whde equipment mck to hold all the features we've packed into the FM-IOO. Set frequency easily with the Up/Down ireq buttons and the big LED digitaJ display, Plus there's input low pass fiftering that gives great sound no matter what the source (no more squeals or swishing sounds from cheap CD player inputs!) Peak I im iters for maximum 'punch' in your audio - with- out over modulation, LED bargraph meters for easy setting of audio levels and a built-in mixer with mike and line level inputs. Churches, drive-ins, schools and coiieges find the FM-100 to be the answer to their transmitting needs, you will too, No one offers aJI these features at this price! M includes cabinet, whip antenna and 120 VAC supply.
We also offer a high f^ow&r export versiOQ of the FM-IQO that's My assembled with one watt of RF power, for mites of program covemge. The export version can oniy be stiipped outside the USA, or within the US if accotnpariied by a sigr^ed statement that the mit wiiS bs exported.
FM-IOfl, Professional F!lil Stereo Transmitter Kit $299,95
FH-IOOWT, Fully Wired High Povifer FMTransinitter 5429.95
AM Band
Radio
Transmitter
Tl'T^
Ramsey AM radio transmitters operate in the standard AM broad- cast band and are easity set to any clear channel in your area. Our AM'25, 'pro' version, Jully synthesized transmitter features easy frequency setting DSP switches for stable, no-drift frequency control^ while beinq jumper setable for higher power output where regulations allow. The entry-level AM-1 uses a tunable transmit oscillator and runs the niaxtmum 100 miiiiwatts of power. Mo FCC license is required, expected range is up to 1/4 mile depending upon antenna and conditions, Transffiitters accept standard line- level inputs from tape decks, CD players or mike mixers, and run on 12 volts DC, The Pro AM-25 comes complets with AC power adapter, matching case set and bottom loaded wire antenna, Our ent[)^-level AM-I nas an available matching case and knob set lor a finished, professional look.
AHil-25, Professional AM Transmitter Kit S129.95
AM-1 1 Entry feve[ Aim Radio Transmitter Kit $29.95
CAM. Matching Case Set for AM^I , ,..S14,95
CCD Video Cameras
P^"^IP™P^P^^"^"^^"^^^^i^^ilP^^^^^^^P^W
B&W Camera
ife
It you're looking for a good quality CCD board camera, stop right here! Our cameras use top quality Japanese Class VV CCD arrays with over 440 line line resolution, not the oft- spec arrays that are found on many other cameras. You see, the Japanese suppliers grade the CCDs at manufac- ture and some manufacturers end up with the off-grade chips due to either cost constraints or lack of buying 'clout'. Also, a new strain of CMOS single chip carneras are enter- ing the market, those units have about 1 /2 the resoiulion and draw over twice the current that these cameras do - don't be fooled! Our cameras have nice clean iields and excellenl iight sensEtivity, you'll really see the difference, and it you want to see in the dark, the black & white mod- els are super IR (Infra-Red} sensitive. Our IR-1 Illuminator kit is invisible to the human eye, but liglits the scene like a flashlight at night! Color camera has Auto White Balance, Auto Gain, Back Light Compensation and DSPt Avaiiable with Wide-angle (30^1 or super slim Pin- hole style lens. They run on 9 VDC and produce standard 1 volt p-p video. Add one of our transmitter un^ts for wireless transmission to any TV set, or add our IB-1 interface board for audio sound pick-up and super easy direct wire hook-up connection to any Video monitor, VCR or TV with video/audio input jacks. Cameras fully assembled, including pre- wired connector.
CCD\'VA-2, B&W CCD Camera, wide-angle lens. S99.95
CCDPH-2, BSW CCD Camera, slim fit pin-liole len......S99.95
CCDPH^a, Color CCD Camera, wide-angle lens $149.95
If^-l IR Illuminator Kit for S&W cameras...... $24.95
IS-1, Interface Board Kit., ......424&5
FIM Stereo Radio Transmitters .
:,:.^^,^^:^^y^.^^:,.«^^
Microprocessor controlled foreasy frequency pro- gramming using DIP switches, no drift, your sig- nal Is rock solid all the time - just like the com- mercial stations. Audio quality is exceElent, connect to the line output of any CD player, tape deck or mike mixer and you're on-1he-air. Foreign buyers will appreciate the high power output capability of the FM-25; many Caribbean folks use a sin- gie FM-25 to cover tfie whole island! New, improved, clean and hum-fr^e runs on either 12 VDC or 120 VAC. Kit comes complete with case set whip antanna, 120 VAC power adapter - easy one evening assembly.
FM-25^ SyntiiesLzed FM Stereo Transmitter Kit ...$129.95
A lower cost alternative to our
high perfonnance transmitters.
Offers great value, tunable over
the S8-10B MHz FM broadcast
band, plenty of power and our ,
manual goes into great detail '
outlining aspects of antennas,
transmitting range and the FCC
rules and regulations. Connects to any cassette deck. CD
player or mixer and you're on-the-air, youll be amazed at
the exceptional audio quail tyf Runs on internal 9V battery
or external power from 5 to"i5 VDC, Add our matching
case and whip antenna set for a nice finished look,
FM-IOA, Tunable FM Stereo Transmitter Kit .$34.95
CFi, Matching Case and Antenna Set,..., $14.95
AC12-5, 12 Volt DC Wall Plug Adapter. $9.95
Add some serious muscle to your signal, boost power up to 1 watt over a frequency range of 100 KHz to over 1000 MHz! Use as a lab amp for signal generators, plus many foreign users employ the LPA-1 to boost the power of their FM Stereo transmitters, providing radio sen/ioe through an entire town, Runs on 12 VDC. For a neat, professionally fin- ished bok, add the optional matching case set,
LPA-1 Power Booster Amplifier Kit „ $39.95
CLPA, Matching Case Set for LPA-1 Kit „ .......$14,95
LPA-1WT, Fully Wired LPA-1 witfi Case $99.95
*. ^
S^-w-
Treasure Finder Kit
J Search for buried treasure at I the beach, backyard or park, TTiis professional quality kit can detect metai at a depth of up to 6 inches. Easy to use, just lis- ^ .-^^ ten for the change in tone as ' "^ you 'sweep' the unit across the surface - the larger the tone change - the larger the object.
Has built-in speaker or earphone connection, runs on stan- darel 9 vott battery. Complete kit includes handsome case, rugged PVC handle assembly that 'breaks down' for easy transportation and shielded Faraday search coil Easy one evening assembly. This nifty kit will literally pay for itself! That guy in the picture looks like he founci something - what do you think it is - gold, silver. Rogaine, Viagra? You' I have tun with this krt.
TF-1, Treasure Finder Krt. „ , S39.95
Binocular Special
We came across these
nice binoculars in an
importers close-out deal.
Not some cheap in-Eine
lens jobs, these beauties
have roof prisms, a super
nice rubber armored
housing over light weight
aluminum. 10 x 25 fxjwer with fully coated optics. Includes
lens cleaner cloth, neck lanyard and nice carry case. For
extra demanding use in bright sun, choose the EX module
with ruby coated Objective lens. First quality at a close-out
phcel WeVe seen the exact same units with the 'Bushnell'
name on them being sold for $3D more!
BNO-1, Binoculars and case $24.95
5N0-1€X, Ruby Coated Lens Sinooulars and case $29.95
Speech Descrambler
Decode all that gibberishJ This is the popular descrambler / scrambler that youVe read about in all the Scanner and Electronic magazines. Speech inversion technology is used, which Is compatible with most cordless phones and many police department systems, hook it up to your scanner speaker lemninals and you're in business. Easily configured for any use: mike, line level and speaker oulput'inputs are provided. Also communicate in total privacy over telephone or radio, full duplex opera- tion ' scramble and unscramble at the same time. Easy to build, all complex cimuitry contained in new custom ASIC chip for clear, clean audio. Runs on 9 to 15VDC. Our matching case sel adds a professional look to your kit.
SS-70A, Speech Desc rambler/Scram bier Kit S39.95
CSS, Custom Matching Case and Knob Set... * S14,95
SS-70AWT, Fully Wired SS-70A with Case ,.S79.95
AC12-S, 12 Volt DC Wall Plug Adapter........... S9 .95
Call for our Free Catalog !
See our complete catalog and order on-line with our secure server at:
WWW. ramseyelectronics. com
RAMSEY ELECTRONICS, INC.
793 Canning Parkway Victor, NY 14564
Order Toll-free: 800-446-2295
Sorry, no tech info, order status at this number
Technical Info, Order Status
[mmszMMAiMmjfiimMmiy^muim
Fax: 716-324-4555
DIJCWVER
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THE TEAM
El Supremo & Founder Wayne Green W2NSD/1
Associate Publisher
R I, Marion
Associate Technical Editor
Larry Antanuk WB9RRT
Nitty Gritty Stuff
J, Clayton Burnett
Priscilla Gauvin >
Joyce Sawielle
Contributing Culprits
Bill Brown WB8ELK Mtke Bryne WBSVGE Joseph E. CarrK4IPV Michael GeierKBIUIVT Jim Gray WlXU/7 Jack Heller KB7N0 Chucl< Houghton WB6IGF Dr. Marc Leavey WA3AJR Andy lyiacAllister W5ACI\^ DaveMiiierNZ9E Joe Moell K0OV Steve Nowak KE8YN/5 Carole Perry WB2MGP
Advertising Sales
Frances Hyvarinen Roger Smith 603-924-0058 800-274-7373 Fax: 603-924-8613
Circulation Linda Coughlan
Data Entry & Other Stuff Christine Aubert Norrnan Marion
Business Office
Editoriat - Advertising - CIrcuiatton
Feedback - Product Reviews
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possible publication are most welcome. Well do the best we can to return anything you request, but we assume no responsibility for k>ss or damage. Payment for submitted articies will t^ made after publication. Please submit both a disk arvJ a hard copy of your article [iBM (ok) or Mac (prefenred) formats]^ carefully checked drawings and schematics^ and the clearest, best focused and lighted photos you can manage. "How to write for 73" guidelines are available on request, US citizens, please include your Social Security numt^er with submitted manuscripts so we can SLfomIt it to you know who.
DECEMBER 1998
ISSUE #459
Amateur Radio Today
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
DEPAFITMENTS
10 Probing Auto Electronics — W6WTU
Help your neighbor identity his car's problem and be an electronlo's hero!
14 Announcing the QRFeanut — N5GZH
Here's a compact QRP transmatch you can build
for next 10 nothing.
17 Keys to Better Operating — W6BNB Yes. much otitis common sense ...
27 Electronic Bug Emulator — W4LJD Put some personality back into your CW.
31 Low- Voltage Detector - W6WTU
... k>r a number of uses,
32 George's XE-lent Adventure - WB2AQC
Part 2: Days 10-18.
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WB6IGP |
39 |
AtMve 8l Beyond |
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49 |
Ad Index |
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64 |
Barter 'n' Buy |
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K4IPV |
42 |
Carr's Corner |
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KB7N0 |
45 |
The Digital Port |
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W5ACM |
45 |
Hamsats |
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NZ9E |
43 |
Ham to Ham |
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6 |
Letters |
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W2NSD/1 |
4 |
Never Say Die |
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46 |
New Products |
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KE8YN/4 |
47 |
On the Go |
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W1XU/7 |
62 |
Propagation |
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8 |
QRX |
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6,8, |
2a |
Radio Bookshop |
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62, |
63 |
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39 |
Special Events |
REVIEWS
24 A Real Handful - VE3EGA
Inside Alinco's DJ-C5 dual-band transceiver.
29 Seeing Drts and Dahs — N1FN
The K2659 Morse Decoder Kit from Velleman Electronics.
52 The Drake TR Series; No Introduction Needed - W2BLC
,.. but here's the skinny on some of the best vintage equipment available today
On the cover: And how many hams out there have visions of these two sugarplums dancing in their heads? Photo of ICOM's IC-Q7Aand IC-T8A handheld FM transceivers by Norman Marion, Happy Holidays to all!
Feedback: Any circuit works better with feedback, so please lake the time to report on how much you like, hate, or don't care one way or the other about the articles and columns in this issue. G = great!, O = okay, and U = ugh. The G*s and O's will be continued. Enough U's and it's Silent Keysville. Hey, this is your communications medium, so don't just sit there scratching your.. .er,.. head. FYI: Feedback ^'number" is usually the page number on which the article or column starts.
73 Amateur Radio Today (ISSN 1052-2522) fs published monthly by 73 Magazine, 70 N202, Peterborough NH 03458-1107. The entire contents ©1998 by 73 Magazine. No part of this publication December be reproduced without written permission of the publisher, which is not ail that drfficuit to get. The subscription rate ia: one year $24.97, two years $44.97; Canada: one year $34,21, two years $57.75, including postage and 7% GST Foreign postage: $19 surface, $42 airmail additional per year, payable in US funds on a US bank. Secor^d class postage is paid at Peterborough, NH, and at additional mailing offices, Canadian second class mall registration #178101. Canadian GST registration #125393314. Microfilm edition: University Microfilm, Ann Arbor Ml 48106. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to 73 Amateur Radio Today, 70 N202, Peterborough NH 03458-1107. 73 Amateur Radio Today is owned by Shabromat Way Ltd. of Hancock NH.
Contract: By being so nosey as to read this fine print, you have just entered into a binding agreement with 73 Amateur Radio Today. You are hereby obligated to do something nice for a ham friend— buy him a subscription to 73. What? A!l or your ham friends are already subscribers? Donate a subscription to your local school libraryl
Number 1 on your Feedl^scH csrct
NeUER SnV DIE
Wayne Green W2NSD/1
JYl
I was discouraged to read that His Majesty JYl was back at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and still '*fighting" cancer. The normal treat'- nicnts for cancer are legalized torture, with chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. I wish there was some way to (a) get word to him and (b) convince him that he doesn't have to be tortured and then die. Even at this stage, which obviously is very far along, if he'd read the book by Dr. Bruno Comby (Maximize Immunity), which I've been recommending for several years as a book "you're crazy if you don't read," Fm convinced he could be totally well now, complete with a full head of hair instead of totally bald.
We get cancer for one reason only: We've compromised otir unmune system. Our bodies generate tiny cancers con- tinually, but our immune sys- tem cleans them up for us. Then, when we weaken our immune system enough, it isn't long before a cancer somewhere is going to win and then we're in deep doo- doo. That's when we hear the two words from our doctor that we never want to hear; "Uh-oh,"
The National Cancer Insti- tute and the American Cancer Society have been doing ev- erything they can, with the help of the AMA and FDA, to make sure that alternatives to chemotherapy, surgery and radiation are stopped from being developed or known. Hey, if we stop making our- selves sick we could stop spending a trillion and a half dollars a year — ihal's one
4 73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998
and a half thousand billion dollar a year we're costing ourselves. Of course, that would put thousands of hospitals and tens of thousands of doctors out of work, and virtually wipe out the pharmaceutical and insurance industries.
Gee, lough.
So don't upset things by changing your habits and take your chemo torture like a man. Chemo and radiation both wipe out your immune system, so your first and last lines of de- fense against cancer are gone. Yes, the last stages of cancer can be extremely painful, but the doctors won't give you the painkillers you need for fear of losing their Hcenses. The needed narcotics can be addictive, you know, so the medical review boards are al- ways on the lookout for any doctors who are prescribing narcotics, and never mind if there are good reasons.
In 1996 the Federation of State Medical Boards met in Chicago and agreed to coor- dinate a national network to punish any doctors who used alternative methods. For in- stance, there was Dr. Glen Warner, who had been using the required cancer therapies for more than 20 years at one of Seattle's largest hospitals. He left and started his own cancer institute and, using al- ternative therapies, had one of the best records for success of any doctor in the country. They revoked his license.
Dn Warner said, "We have a multi-billion dollar industry that is killing people, right and left, just for financial gain .. . doctors, oncologists, they don't want chemotherapy to be disproved. That is where their money is,"
From John Robbin*s book Reclaiming Our Health: '\.. the vast majority of studies show that radiation cannot cure cancer, and that it can rarely extend life for people with the disease ... the truth is that, for more than 90% of people with cancer, chemo- therapy had next to nothing to offer ... oncologists say that they would not allow chemo- therapy to be given to them- selves or their families .., oncologists characteristically downplay the level of suffer- ing involved with chemo- therapy-
The chief chemotherapist at the Mayo Clinic admitted in a published paper that he gave chemotherapy to cancer patients which he knew would not help them, right up to their deaths, in order to keep them from trying alternative therapies.
No, it is not easy to change a lifetime of eating habits, but as you eat you should be aware of what's ahead. And not even the wealth and power of a king will be able to save you from what you've done to yourself.
Hear Wayne Talk!
On my way to a short As- pen ski vacation Til be stop- ping off in Denver to give a talk, 1 hope you can make it. ItMl be at the Airport Em- bassy Suites, January 5lh at 7 pm. Yes, it's free. So what' 11 1 be talking about? The same things I write about in my editorials — amateur radio, your health, how to make money, and so on. Or, for that matter, anything you ask about, This Ml give me an opportu- nity to meet you personally,
and maybe answer some questions for you.
At the recent Peoria hamfest one chap asked me if the uni- verse is expanding or not. The preponderance of evidence in- dicates that it isn't, that it's a steady-state universe.
If you're planning to come it would be most helpful if you'd let me know so I won't try to fit a hundred people in a 20-person meeting room.
How About Skiing?
ril be skiing at Aspen January 6-1 1 and I really hate to ski alone. It's a lot more fun to be with some others on those chair rides, and to share the incredible excitement of whooshing down the slopes at breakneck speed. I love it. The English language is the pits when it comes to explaining emotions like that-
And it's fun to go to the many superb Aspen restau- rants with friends. And lalk. If you can get away for a few days, this is the low season time at Aspen, right after the New Year's holidays, so the slopes are relatively open and the lift lines normally zilch. I hope the weather cooperates. Last year it snowed all but one day during my visit, which took the fun out of it, reducing the visibility to inches- 1 like to see where I'm going and get there fast rather than feeling my way along.
Yes, of course FU have an HT in my pocket tuned to the local repeater.
Scramble
The Kachina, featured on our August cover, seems to have left the rest of the ham industry in the dust, scram- bling to catch up. I think we*ve now seen a good pre- view of what our top 21st century ham rigs will look like. Well, it only makes sense Lo marry our rigs and comput- ers. After all, our rigs have been increasingly computer- ized with frequency synthe- sizers and digital signal pro- cessing, so the move to a knobless rig that's 100% com- puter-controlled is an obvious next step.
I'll bet the engineers in To-
kyo and Osaka are working overtime to catch up with this American- made evolutionary producL
If you're fortunate enough to get a Kachina, let's hear how it's doing for you. With the sunspots perking away, opening our DX bands for more and more hours a day, let me know what goodies you've dug out of the pileups. Oh yes, if you luck into a truly interesting contact, please make a note of it and let mc know the details. I keep fan- tasizing that such a thing is possible, but I need some sort of evidence to prove this isn't just another W2NSD/] fantasy.
Skills
Talk about fuzzy thinking! The FCC believes we should have several license classes to "to encourage amateur opera- tors to advance their skills/' Skills have never been devel- oped by memorizing a Q&A manual — they're built by doing, so the whole idea thai different classes of licenses will build skills is really dumb. It's a crock.
If you want to build your packet skills you get involved with packet. Ditto satellite communications, fox hunting, and all of the other fun facets of our hobby. Unless you're too damned lazy.
Which is why 1 think that having more than one license class is a holdover from the pre-war ham days when a Class A license permitted you to operate in the two narrow phone bands on 75 and 20m. In those AM days there was room for about nine round tables and that was that, so it was necessary to make it more difficult to get the privi- lege. Well, that was 1940 and now we're going on 2{XX), and it's about time our regulations were tailored to meet today*s world instead of one a few old-dmcrs like me remember.
It's nice that the ARRL grudgingly has proposed that we cut back to only four li- cense classes. Only? Lordy!
rd like to see this whole class business junked. Then Fd like to see a lot more articles telling our somnolent brelh-
' ren how much fun you're having on 6m, with slow scan, and so on. Fan the flames of interest. Tell 'em what fun you're having on our ham satellites. Show us some of the stuff you're doing on slow scan.
How about getting your club to start putdng together some videos showing what can be done with moon- bounce, with fox hunting, and so on. I'll be glad to help make copies for other clubs to show at their club meet- ings. We desperately need to get some life into club meet- ings. So how about producing some 20-minute or half-hour ham videos which will help get a few hams off dead center?
What's happening down on 160m these days? Do a video. Next summer, how about a video of your club's Field Day effort? Don't tell me your members don*t have video cameras — so get busy. You could do some great vid- eos of fox hunts. How about one on getting on RTTY?
Clubs go on DXpeditions every now and then. So when's the last dme you saw a video report made available for other clubs to enjoy? A video could in- clude both video and slides.
We build our skills by doing things, so iei's get rid of our many classes and get busy encouraging hams to get involved with new modes and bands, which really will help build their skills.
Unlimited Memory
Yes, I know, I've written about memory before, but since (a) there are some new readers and (b) your memory of what Tve writ- ten is probably approach- ing zilch, let's walk through all this again.
Firstly, scientists don't know where our memory is stored. Oh, they know if they poke an electrode into the brain about here they can stimulate a spe- cific memory. But that's like sncking a test prod into a telephone switch- board.
If you've read much about the brain you know that we have had people who've sur- vived accidents which de- stroyed around 90% of their brain with no loss of their memory or other functions. Worse, other people have also lost 90% of their brains, but another 90%, and they're do- ing just fine, too. We don't seem to have any limit to how much we can learn. Our memory, unlike that of our computers^ seems completely unlimited. Not that possible memory limitations are much of a potential problem for most people. They read (but not much) and they forget most of what they We read.
Inputting Data
Reading makes it possible
for you to gel your informa- tion from the most knowl- edgeable people in the world. It's a direct line. It's also an excellent source of strongly held, but unfounded, opin- ions, so you have to be picky
about what you accept as valid data.
Most of us are taught to read in school. But just barely. A growing percentage of our graduates, even from college, are virtually illiter- ate. Lordy, I wish you could see some of the letters I get!
Reading is a skill and as such it can be improved by you forcing yourself to read faster and faster. But yoy have to push. It's the same as with running or swimming. You get better at skills by pushing yourself and then pushing harder. The really great thing about reading faster is that the faster you read, the more you retain of what you've read.
Undl, with your help, I can get our educational establish- ment to start producing out- standing educational videos that will teach all of the K-12 subjects in a fraction of the usual time, and make the ma- terial available anywhere the
ContUiued on page 57
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73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 5
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From the Ham Shack
Richard Tlninipsiw; Abi- indusiry ai ihis lime and who
lene TX. I'm hoping ihaf the Raders of 73 Magazine can liclp me with some research ihal
I'm carrying oui. Vm ^u^rking on a btKJk on ihe devefopmeni of quarlz-cryslal -control led coinniunicationb during World War n.
As Vm sure many of you know, the Army waited until 1940 to decide to su iich lo crys- tal-controlled radios. At the lime, they feU thai *;ince we weren't in a war, the handful of companies manufacturing quartz crystal unii!> (QCUs) could handle the demand. WelK in another year, we were in the war. the demand for QCUs was far beyond what they'd esii- mated, and diere was no way that the cuircni crystal industry could luuidlc I he job.
The response by the Army was 10 form ilic Quari/ Crystal Section, under the Signal Corpus, whose job it was to develt>p mass production lechniqucs for QCUs anil ihen in find I he manufaciurcrs lu prod tic c ihem. A small yrtHip of civilians (ge- ologists, engineers, and physi- cists) liierally created an industry from scraich. A scci>nd problem thai develojied afier the indusirv came on line was the "aging" problem with crystals: a niystcrinus increase in the natural oscillating frequency after a shon time in the field. The physicists at the Signal Corps Lab in Fl. Monmouth. New Jersey, were called on to find the reasim behind this prob- lem and develop a solution. which ihey did.
For my boi>k,rm kxiking for first-person accounts uf ihesc events. Tm interested in two major areas: L I would like to make coniacl with anyone who may have worked in the crvstal
would know something of what i[ took for this industrv^ to be created, or a ham who might
know snniething about the state of ihe an in crystals at the bc- sinnins of the war: and 2. Anv military veterans (especially Army .-\ir Corp^) who might re- member tlie efiecLs on commu- nications of firsL the shortage of cnstal units at thebesinnins of the wan and second, ihe prob- lems caused by the aging prob- lem (one of my sources who worked in the Quartz Crystal Section speaks of an urgent tele- gram to ihe Pentagon from Gen. Eaker of the Hth Air Force complaining of a serious problem with communications and sia>iig[y urging that a solution be found).
Any B-I7 radiomen out there? I would love to hear what you have to say. I can be con- tacted at the following address: Dr. Richard J. Thompson. Jr McMuiiy University McM Station, Box 38 Abilene TX 79697 Phone: (915) 793-3875 E-mail: [rihompson@mcm. edu]
How aboui ir? Lefs dim off some memories! — Eif.
John G. Boles KA6LWC, I would like to comment on a re- cent "QRX" article in the Octo- ber 1998 issue of 73 Amaieur Radio Today, "What to Do About YourTechnician Accenr bv Bill Smith N2SZW.
In the second paragraph, he mentions not to use the word "clear" when nobody replies to the announcement one is on fre- quency. This ts a "lerri tonal** issue, because in many areas, it indicates that the operator is leaving the locaJ frequency and is
not monitoring Ihe repeater. (Iius ending liis cuiiimunicatiuns or attempted commimicalions. Tn the second paragraph from the bot- tom, beginning "Avoid endless .,,," he proceeds lo state that the use of "clear** is acceptable to end a con>municalion. This appears to be a contradiction because when one ]e^ve% the local frequency, there\s an end lo communicaiions and monitoring.
Another issue: The letters PTT have often been used to indicate Pnsh To Talk, If vou think about it, it really means Push Think Talk. The Ihink de- lay'* allows transmitter^ auJ re- peaters time 10 get into the transmit nuKle so thai the first worIs ane not cut off.
1 notice that "QRX*' has no E- mail address for respt>nses, nor is there any E-mail address for 73 Magazine. It would be help- ful to note any E-mail addresses available on a separate eolumn/ masthead.
Aciuallw 73*5 E-mail address is on ihe '"Table of Contents** poi^c a /id is (he same for all Depanmenis : {design 7S@aoL comf. — Ed.
Ned Stevens K7ELP, Murray UT. I really enjoyed the urliclc "WhaTs the Scoop on the Lazy ljK>p?"; by WA2UGT ill the September 1998 issue. Besides being very interesting to me it was timely as 1 was in the process of deciding what low- band antennas to install at this QTH. It sure proves the more wire you have in ihe air the belter you will do.
This article reminded me of an experience 1 had some 30 years or so ago. I was on active duly with the US Coasi Guard, stationed at Lualualei, Hawaii (northwest section of the island ofOahu, a lew miles from Ho- nolulu). 1 was in charge of a conuiiunications station trans- mitter site. We were having some difficultN in communicat- ing with our ships in the nonh- west Pacific Ocean, At the time all our transmitting uniennas were either conical monopc>Ies or an occasional quarter-wave
wire vertical. The conical mnno- poles were broadbanded, as I recall. They were operated from about 4 MHz to 16 MH/, The site had enough space for a longwire antenna so we built a horizontal V antenna, with Uae vertex poind ng to the location of the ships. Wc made each leg four wavelengths Ions at the 16 MHz frequency. We used a small ham CW transmitter tuned to 16 MHz to tune the antenna. As 1 recall, the transmitter was an ATL We were fonunate, as the feedpoint of the antenna turned out to be 200 ohms. We then made aquaner-wave batun out of the large coaxial cable we used for transmission One. The coax was 5\J ohm but about one inch in diameter. This aiuenna improved the signal to the ships by a iremendouN amount as the communications went from mar- ginal to 05 at tx>ih ends. Some- thing in my memory tells me that we designed the V antenna for the radiation angle fur the distance that we wea^ transmitting.
Rich Mollentine WA0KKC
Shawnee Mission KS. Ham ra- dio is a hobby, but on occasion sotnc take it as an obsession — lu the detriment of 1 heir family and friends. It's like anylhing else: ll shoutd lie baktiiccd with the other things of life. Many an XYL will question why we spend 24 hours straight in a con- tesl talking to strangers in Borneo or Pago Pago but have no time for rhem.
Balance your hobby with your other family oblifiations.
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6 73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998
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Who's Your Hero?
Each year the ARRL honors four dedicated
ham radio instructors, teachers, and recruiters. Clubs or individuals are asked 1o complete a romination form for the nominees, More infor- mation about the awards can be found at [htip;// www.arrl.org/ead/award/). If you do not have internet access and would like a nomination form, please contact Jean Wolfgang WB3I0S at (860) 594-0219, in the ARRL Educational Activities Department.
• Nomination forms must then be sent to your ARRL Section Manager before January 31 , 1 999. A list of ARRL Section Managers is available at [http://www,arrl.org/field/org/srTilist.html] or can be found on page 12 of any QST.
Ham Astronomer Honored
James Moran K1AKE, of Concord, Massachu- setts, has been elected to the prestigious National Academy of Sciences, one of 60 new members announced last April 28. Moran is a radio astrono- mer at the Harvard-Smitiisontan Center for Astro- physics and a professor at Han/ard University, He is best known for his application of the techniques of Very Long Baseline Interferometry to the study of astronomical masers.
From the ARRL, via Newsline, Bill Pasternak WA51TF, editor.
Hams Serve in Times of ISIatura! Disaster
Ham radio was en the scene as flash flooding hit Mexico City on Monday, September 28th. Five people died and thousands were left homeless af- ter mudslides unleashed by weeks of heavy rain buried homes in the Mexican capital and left entire suburbs underwater.
The storms and mudslides knocked out utilities and telephone service to the affected parts of the city. According to news reports, ham radio opera- tors stepped in to provide lines of communications forsearch-and-rescue groups and relief authorities. They also worked at warning the people of the dan- gers in the area and gave basic recommendations to avoid danger.
Ham radio operators in the Balkans were also on the spot with reports as a tremor rocked Belgrade and central Serbia. The quake, which measured 5.4 on the Richter scale, rocked the area
8 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
early on Wednesday, September 30th. ft caused minor damage in the center of Belgrade, knock- ing out power and telephone service in parts of the city.
Reports from amateur radio operators said people in the area had run from their homes in their nightclothes. clutching their children. The reports said that rubble from one building did crash into a city street, but nobody was injured. A ham in the town of Valjevo reported slight damage there, as well.
From VHF Reflector, published news reports, via Newsline, Bill Pasternak WA6ITF, editor-
Yet Another Visit from You Know Who
Twas the night before Christmas, and all through two meters. Not a signal was keying up any repeaters. The antennas reached up from the tower, quite
To catch the weak signals that bounced from
the sky. The children, Tech^Pluses, took their HTs to bed, And dreamed of the day they'd be Extras instead. Mom put on her headphones, I plugged in the
key, And we tuned 40 meters for that rare ZK3, When the meter was pegged by a signal with
power. It smoked a small diode, and, I swear, shook
the tower. Mom yanked off her phones, and with all she
could muster
Logged a spot of the signal on the DX Packet
Cluster, While \ ran to the window and peered up at
the sky To see what could generate RF that high. It was 'way in the distance, but th e moon made
it gleam— A flying sleigh, with an eight-element beam, And a little old driver who looked sNghtly
mean- So I thought for a moment it might be Wayne
Green!
But no, it was Santa, the Santa of hams, On a mission, this Christmas, to clean up the
bands.
He circled the tower, then stopped In his track, And he slid down the coax, right into the shack. While Mom and I hid behind stacks of CO, This Santa of hamming knew just what to do. He cleared off the shack desk of paper and
parts,
And filled out all my late QSLs for a start.
He ran copper braid, took a steel rod and pounded
It into the earth, till the station was grounded.
He tightened loose fittings, resoldered connec- tions,
Cranked down modulation, installed lightning protection.
He neutralized tubes in my linear amp—
Mever worked right before— now it works like a champ!
A new low-pass filter cleaned up the TV;
He corrected the settings in my TNG,
He repaired the computer that would not com- pute.
And he backed up the hard drive and got it to boot.
Then he reached really deep in the bag that he brought
And he pulled out a big box. ''A new rig?" 1 thought.
'A new Kenwood? An ICOM? A Yaesu, for me?!"
(If he thought Td been bad it might be QRPI)
Yes! The Ultimate Station! How could I deserve this?
Could it be all those hours that I worked Public Service?
He hooked it all up, and in record time quickly
Worked 100 countries, all down on 160.
I should have been happy— it was my call he sent,
But the cards and the postage will cost two months' rent!
He made final adjustments, and left a card by the key:
'To Gary, from Santa Claus. Seventy-three;'
Then he grabbed his HT, looked me straight in the eye,
Punched a code on the pad, and was gone— no good-bye.
I ran back to the station, and the pileup was big,
But a card from St. Nick would be worth my new hg.
Oh, too late— for his final came over the air.
It was copied all over It was heard everywhere.
The ham's Santa exclaimed what a ham might expect;
''Merry Christmas to all and to all, good DXI"
From Squeich Tale, Dec. 1996, newsletter of the Chicago FM Club, Inc., Timothy M, Garrity WD9DZV. editor,
Sorry, but we don't have a clue who Gary is (assun}ing Gary is the author of this year's parody), or we'd definitely have given hjm credit— Ed
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Probing Auto Electronics
Help your neighbor identify his car's problem and lye an electronics hero}
Hugli Wells W5WTU
1411 18th Street
Manhattan Beach CA 90266-4025
Being a ham. youVe expected lo know everything about elec* tronics regard le^*^ of ihe appli- cation. So have vou ever had some neighbors drop over and indicate thai they needed your help with their car? Chances are, ihcv've indicated thai it won't sLarl or runs poorly, or that the battery is dead.
In most casesi, the symptoms de- scrihed seldom fit the actual situatit>n. Bui because you're a ham, you re looked upon to be "the neighhorho*xi electron- ics resource." So how do you approach Ihe problem?
Do you agree lo lake a look? Or do you shine ihcm on and suggest ihat they go see the local mechanic? Let's assume that you're at least willing to take a look at the problem Lo help sort out the details, which may lead lo a so- lution if the problem is electrical. And if it's mechanical you may have lo suesest the mechanic after all.
Electrical problems and solutions in older cars were usually easy to sort out, but the compulers used in modern cars make Uie problems more difficuU for a ham to diaiznose. In fact, the things thai one might be able to do are limited to only a few things, but thoj^e
10 73 Amateur Radio Todsy * December 1998
could have an ideniitlable solution within your grasp.
Three situations are discussed here that can help solve many aggravating problems that cars experience and are not under computer control. These situations involve the spaj^k plugs and HV wiring, alternator and baUery. and curi'ent leakage paths that run a battery down unexpectedly. The test equipment for troubleshooting these three situations is typically available on a ham's work- bench: oscillosci^pe: digital %ollmeter/ animeien and #1 157 (ot#1034) taillight bulb. So there is ver\' little financial in* vestment required, beyond whal a ham normally has available.
Most hams have had some exposure to Ohm's law problems as part of their electronics training. The logic and cir- cuitry involved in Ohm's law problems is exactly the same as that required for solving electrical problems in a car*s electrical system. Troubleshooting then becomes a matter of developing a plan or procedure lo follow in sorting out ilie various measurements and symptoms.
Spark plugs
Being able lo diagnose a problem in an automobile's hish voUatic i*inition
ik^ ■_- c^
system is both interesting and satisfy- ing. Because of the pulse nature of the system, it can be analyzed dynami- cally. Using an oscilloscope provides a means of looking at the HV pulses for one or all of the cylinders. Observed conditions can be related to inequality of spark, weak spark, shorted spark plug, dereclive plug wiring, or intermittent plug firing.
In the case of a standard ignition sys- tem (ptmils and capacitor), the point's dwell time can also be obser\ ed to deter- mine if coil saturation is being achieved. Dwell time is not a factor in electronic is2niiit>n s\ stems. The oscil- loscope display can be focused for de- tailed analysis on one or all of the spark plugs to help sort out differences between them.
To make up an engine analy/.er using an oscilloscope, it will be necessary to make up a couple of interface boards 10 be used as scope probes as shown in Figs, 1 and 2. S}iic tor the horizontal of the scope is obtained from the high volt- age using the circuit shown in Fig- 1 . A wire cuff or broadfaccd spring clip is used to provide a capacitive coupling to the HV wire, as a direct eonneclion is not desirable. The circuit integrates the HV pulse to create a single con-
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slant amplitude (a zener diode is used as an amplitude li miter) trigger pulse suitable for synching the scope.
The HV pulse train to be analyzed is obtained from ihe primary side of the ignition coil using the circuit shown in Fig, 2 and is applied to the vertical in- put of the scope. All HV sensing is done in the primary of the coil, not in the actual HV circuit. All of the system's performance is viewable in the primary more so than in the sec- ondary, or HV side, of the coiL A small amount of integration is performed by the interface board, but only enough to make the pulse visible on the screen.
The amplitude pot is used to bring the vertical signal amplitude within the control range of the scope*s input al- lenuator. The poi remains fixed after the iniiial adjustment. In modem en- gines, there is a separate ignition coil for each pair of cylinders. Therefore, it will be necessary to move the vertical scope probe from one coil to another to view the next pair of cylinders.
Construction of the probes indicated m Figs. 1 and 2 is not critical* Some shielding is recommended io keep stray signals from entering the scope, but even unshielded boards have been used suc- cessfiilly, TTie minimum construction should entail placing each circuit within a plastic box to prevent the circuit from shorting to an engine component- Test preparation includes connecting the interface circuits to and starting the engine, and runninji the engine at idle. In operation, the scope sweep is ad- justed to approximately 20 ms/cm when displaying all of the plugs at once. Attaching the HV pickup (sync) to plug #1 will allow all of the plugs to be viewed in the order in which they fire (only when one coil is used for all of the cylinders).
Adjust the sweep timing to display four, six, or eight pulse sequences as
tsii
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73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998 11
i
_ i
+12V
TRfGGER CIRCUIT
10 K
■it — /W^^
05 j 600V
11,
^1 — I
COAX
TO
VERTICAL
INPUT
) — o— ►
100 '500 K LEVaSET
^
Fig. 2, Piihe ininu cinwi m wrrical anrpliffer,
determined by ihe number of cylinders present (only two cylinders at a lime can be viewed when an ignition coil is provided lor each pairulcyhnder^j. To ^lew a single plog, attach the HV pickup to ihe plug to be viewed and adjust the sweep to approximate!) 1 ms/cm or until one pulse scL|uence is observed. Move the HV pickup Ironi one plug wire to another to make pulse comparisons.
Typical waveforms suitable for com- parison are shown in Fig, 3. Because the wavef[*rms obtained vary some- what from one engine to another, it is necessary to identify a "norm" wave- form for the engine being analyzed. A norm can be deier mined by looking first at all pfugs firing (typical sweep of 20 ms/cm) and observ inn the simi- larity as a norm. Then note any differ- ences in the plug patterns observed for a poieniial problem. Obtain a closer
NORMAL PATTiRN
analysis of individual plugs using a sweep of about 1 ms/cm to provide clues as to the health of the ignition system.
To aid in the analysts, look for the series of HV pulses thai occurs during a plug firing, then look for the short delay before the next tiring- The right- hand end of the delav indicates the be-
■if
ginning of the firing cycle and the left-hand end of the next delay indi- cates the completion of the firing cycle.
The pulse waveform between the de- lay periods provides the clues for com- parison to the examples shown, A shorted plug wire can be .simulated by holding a screwdriver between the en- gine block and the top of a spark plug while ohser\ing the waveform. It is not recommended, however, to simii- laie an open HV wire by removing a plug wire — as electronic ignition sys- tems are !;ubject to damage when an open HV wire occurs.
Alternator and battery
Troubleshooting a battery and/or al- ternator problem is fairly easy with a digital voltmeter, and the short lime that it takes could satisfy your neigh- bors and make you a hcni. The use of a digital voitmeter is prefeiTed. bui an analog volimeier will work with a little less satisfaction in determining spe- cific voltage values. But the general function of "what's happening^ can be displayed with an analog voltmeten
COIL SATURATIOiS
I*— T1W£
STANDARD IGNmON
]r~
OPEN PLUG WIRE
DEFECTIVE COIL OR CAPACITOR
SHORTED PLUG
Fig. 5. Typical igmhn wave panems exhlbuing specific conditiom. Dwell rime pattern is specific ia a siandard ignition system,
12 73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998
Test condiiii>ns involve the logic of what happens during static and dy- namic conditions where static condi- tions occur when the cneinc is turned off. During this period both loaded and unk^aded tests can be performed on the battery to clclcrminc \\^ ptcscnl health regarding being charged or discharged.
What you may not know at this time is whether the battery has been charged rcccnih or disclursed due to an inadvertent current leakage path. But the first test involves performing a load lest v^hich begins by placing the voltmeter across the hailery terminals and noting the vintage indication, which should be approximately 1 3.5 V. While observing the meter, the head- lights are turned on. Typically, if the batter) is heallhyv the voltage indica- tion will remain above 12.6 V and the lights will be fairly bright. The small voltage drop between the load and no- load test indicates the battery to be healthy, If the battery has not becji charged recently, perhaps if the alter- nator has Tailed, then the voltage dif- ferential would be hiiiher — makine the battery suspect. But before installing another battery, the alicmator will re- quire testing. Because the battery and alternator together make up ihe power system for the automobile, they must be tested as a system,
Test conditions
LA. To determine if « battery is ca- pable of starling the engine, you need only to engage the starter. Assume first
that the solenoid just clicks, with the starter failing to turn. This indicates one of three conditions:
1 . The battery charge is low.
2. TliL^ battery is dolective.
3. The starter is defective.
B. Two tests are required for an evaluation of the batterv, because if the battery is good and the solenoid still just clicks, then the starter is suspect. The starter and solenoid are both sus- pect if Ihe battery is fully charged and the solenoid fails to click. The first test of die battery involves measuring the ter- minal \oltagc under k>ad (headligliLs on) with the engine ojf. Record the voltage readings. Tlien, after char^inn the bat- ter>'. the load/m>load tests ;ire repealed and the voltage salucs compamd.
C, Expected results:
L ir the battery will retain a charge, the lenninal voltatje will he ahtjve 12.6 V for bdlh K)ad and no-load tests,
2. ir the batlerv terminal voltaiie is below 12,6 V after beioe charued, then the battery is susjpccl, as it ma) be defective.
ILA. Deierminin«i the status of an alternator is much easier and consider- ably faster than testing a battery. Alterna- tor testiniz is alwavs done witli the engine running. With one exception, the engine bhimld not be running when checking for alternator diode leakage.
1 , Tti perform a diode leakage test on an alternator, the following procedure is used. With engine off, the hatler>' cable is removed from the aUernalor and a voltmeter is placed between the terminal and the cable. Because of the high reverse resistance of the dindes. a voltage indication of less than 12.8 V should he expected. If the leakage is more than might he expected, a #1 157 (or #1034) light bulb with pigtails al- tached to one filament may be placed between the cable and terminal as an additional test method. The light bulb should not exhibil any fiUuncnt glow. If the bulh filament does glow, then suspect leaky diodes in the altemaLot; Another symploni of a bad alteniatoiV regulator (particuUirly if the filament gkmrs during the light bulb lest) will be a dead battery after a lew hours of non-use,
2. Dynamic tests on the alternator will also check the regulator, brushes, and diode conductitMi. The terminal voiiage across the battery vulh the en- sine runnimi at or above idle should
VOLTAGE
CONDITION
15.2 13.2 -14 J
13.0
12.7
11.5
Overcharging
Normal Range
Not Charging
Possible OpenyDefective Diode
Low Battery
Table i. Expected battery lermmai volt- age values based upon typical system cotiditkms.
yield a voltage between 1 3.2 and 14.7 V The voltage value should remain ap- proximately the same whether or not the headlights are turned on.
B. Expected results:
1. If the terminal voltage remains fairly constant at a value between 13.2-14J V with or without a load, then the alternator and regulator are functioning OK.
2. If the terminal voliase is at 12.8 V or below with or without a U>ad, sus- pect the alternator/regulator as being defective.
i. If the voltage appears to he regu- lated but hangs at about 12.7 V, then suspect an open diode in the alternaHir
C. Table 1 provides a guide for mak- ing diagnostic decisions regarding an automobile^s electrical system. Be- cause of the cost factor of replacing a battery or alternator replacement deci- sions should be based upon as many symptoms and available lest data re- sults as possible. It is best to perform aU of the tests and compare the results of each to identrfy the bad component.
IlLA, One of the most dilTicull electrical problems to diagnose is a current leakage path that Lends to run down the battery during a short pe- riod of unuse — 24-48 hours, perhaps. Because of the elusivencss of llic prob- lem, only a few hints can be provided as to how you would go about solving it. Hams have a solution for almost all electronic problems, even those in- volving cars. The best suggestion is to consider the car's electrical system as an Ohm\s law problem in which there is one voltage source feeding a great number of parallel current paths, U will then be necessar\ to deicmiine the current flow in each path when each is intended to be open circuited.
B. Before starting a troubleshooting process, make sure that all lights in- eluding the glove box, irimk, engine compartment, map light, etc., are turned off. It may be necessary to tem- porarily remov e them from their sockets to niaJ^e sure they are compleieiy tunn^ off. It's also a good idea to remove the cisarette lighter from its socket. It tiiu^i be recognized that the clock and com- puter will draw some current, but the value should be relatively small in
comparison to what a glove box light might draw.
C. The first step in chasing a leakage problem is to determine the magnitude of ihe leakage path. This can he done by removing the battery cable from the battery. This operation can wipe out the theft code on some electrical de* vices, such as the radio, within the ve- hicle, so you must be prepared lo re-enter the proper codes following the troublcNhouting i^rocess. Otherwise, do not remove the battery cable fi"om the battery.
D. Assuming that the above items have been accounted for and fotind to not be a problem, a DVM and a #1 157 (or #1034) light bulb can be used as diasinostic tools for tmcins currenl paths.
I* Remove the battery cable and place the light bulb between the cable and batter\' terminal. If the bulb fila- ment glow s, then take note of the bril- liance ^i> a reference for later measure- ments. Place a DVM set on the amps scale and measure the current value, Anvihins greater than about 50 mA is considered suspect. The measured value is essentiallv the current value that must be traced to the suspected branch circuit causing the leakage path. It is assumed here that the alternator and regulator have been found to be OK and checked as in step number II above.
2. Circuits Ihai do not normally go through the fuse block are the head- lights, cornputer, transmission shift in- dicator, temperature sensors, starter, alternator, etc. If no problem is found in the fuse block test (below), then each of these circuits will require an examination. Each of the circuil> listed will have a switch or relay that pro- vides power to the circuit. It will be necessarv to examine each. i 3. Reconnect the batterj^ cable to the battery and move to the fuse block. Each fuse is to be remo\ ed, one at a lime, and the current measured in that path. Either the light bulb or ammeter may be used as a current indicator.
E. Expected results: L The current in each circuit path
should be zero if the circuit is open, 2. The circuit containing the high
Continued on page 23 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 13
NtimJwr 14 on your Fwiil>ack cartt
Announcing the QRPeanut
Here's a compact QRP transmatch you can build for next to nothing.
James R Fisher N5GZH
RO. Box 856 Kyle TX 78640
When I was faced with the need tor a cheap and com- pact matching unit for por- table. lo\\ -power operation, ii soon be- came clear that my options were limited. Available units. I found, were larger than I needed for QRP. And be- sides, who needs an ATU ruled at 200 watts when yoif re camping or back- packing on batteries al only five? Enter the foriiivinii bcaulv of QRP and a simple solution! Low voltages encoun- tered at QRP pDw er levels make ATUs easv to home-brew. And as Ihev say about traveling, "Gettin" iherc is half the fmi." Hence the QRPeanut.
Design and building details
Design of the QRPeanut is a sU"aight- forward adaptation of the classic T net- work as described by Doug DeMaw and others. The chief advantage of this design is its obvious simplicity (see Fig, 1). On the dow n side, it has a "high- pass characteristic," which means that it wonl liltcr oui spurious haniionics. However, if your QRP signal is dean to begin with, this shouldn*t matter much.
1 made LI, L2. and L3 from #22 enamel wire wound on loroids (Am- 14 73 Amateur Radio today • Decembef 1998
idon T8()"2 for LI and L2, TKO-6 for L3), chosen for low loss and compact- ness. (Toroids are easy. I would rather wind 10 of them than one of those cy- lindrical things.) The coils arc center- tapped and mounted on a "one size fits air' type of circuit board from Radio Shack. After soldering, it's not a bad idea to check connec lions for DC con- tinuitv, since residual amounts of the wire's enamel coating wiU sometimes produce a bad solder joint.
Size and type of enclosure are mostly up to the builder, but the from panel should be nonmetallic for rea- sous I will explain later I boil I mine in a Rve-inch by two-and-a-half-inch by two-inch ABS plastic box (Radio Shack 270-1803). Important tip: Un- less you have the hands of a neurosur- geon and tlie paiicnce of Job, wijing the rotaty switch in place with a box this size will be nearly impossible. If compactness is your goal, consider wirins the loroid board to the rotarv switch on a simple "jig" (see Photo A). Radio Shack was kind enough to package this line of enclosures with both a plastic lid and one made of alu- minum sheet. I made my jig by drilling mounting holes for CI, C2, and the
rotary switch and I hen adding a right angle bend roughly one-hall-inch wide for a foot. This a! loured me to nnumt the jig on a small block of wood with screws, formins a stable base on w hich to work. The compleied assembly was then removed from the jig and eased into the enclosure with a little wire bending wliere appropriate.
The stiffness of the wiring is prob- ably enough to hold the board in place. 1 used a lump of Coax Seal - as addi- tional insurance. An inductance meter is also handy for checking to be sure
Cofi tinned on page 16
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Photo A. The wired ATV on the assembly jig,
the rotary switch and toroids are wired correctly.
Since the affordable, air-spaced vari- able capacitor seems to be going the way of the dinosaur, I chose to use a lype of mica compression trimmer having a boill-in shaft (ARCO S463). There are tradeoffs. The S463 is a bit quirky; operation is not linear, and the metal shaft is electrically common with one side of the capacitor. Do not attempt to use these capacitors mounted directly to a conductive paneL They seem to work fine mounted on plastic and with plastic
|
ri flt |
||
Photo B; Top view,
knobs. Since the single mounting screw is also '*hot,'' use nylon hard- ware or simply tape over it, (Did I mention the beauty of QRP?) All in all, a small price to pay for components that are compact and cheap.
Choose your favorite flavor of co- axial connector, but since the chassis is plastic, it's a good idea to strap the ground sides together with a bus, I used SO-239s for universality. You may want to build even smaller
A couple of la.st tips about those cheap but quirky capacitors. For reasons un- knowTi» shaft diameters arc a hair larger
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16 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
Photo C From view,
Chan one*quarter inch, so it may be nec- essary to drill the knob collars to a slightly larger size; 17/64-inch is about right Hold them for drilling by mak- ing a hole in a piece of wood in which the knob will fit snugly. Also, giving the adjuslmenl screws al the back of the ca- pacitors a squirt of contact lubricant (1 used Caig DeOxit®) makes operation smoother and should improve service life. Remember when operating that most of the range of the capacitors is in the last two clockwise turns. Other than that the QRPeanut works like any other transmatch.
C1,C2 L1
L2
L3
Rotary
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Toroidal cores
Circuit
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Parts List
ARCO S463*
28 turns #22 enameted wire on Amidon T80-2 core, center-tapped
24 turns #22 enameled wire on Amidon T80-2 core, center-tapped
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Table 1. Parts list.
Number 17 on your Feedback card
4
Keys to Better Operating
Yes, much of it is common sense . , .
Bob Shrader W6BNB
1911 Barnett Valley Road
Sebastopol CA 95472
[w6bnb@aol.com]
There is a proper way of operat- ing radio transmitters on the air to produce the most eflicienl and interesting cohimiimcatTons. The basic rules arc reasonably simple. They arc things with which you will probably agree if they are considered a bit. The undesirable operating iteni& discussed here have aJI been heard recently on the ham bands. Let's not be the ones who operate that way.
It might be said that the cardinal requirement in any communicating, whether by telephone, by computer, by RTTY, by SSB/AM/FM radiotcleplione, or by radiotelcgraphic CW, is to make sure that ah of the information trans- mitted is received by the receiving op- erator. Actually it is up to both the receiving operator and the transmitting operator to do everything possible to ensure that this cardinal requirement is met.
The emphasis here will be on phone and CW operating. One of the things that can interfere most with receiving all of the infomiation sent is speed. If transmission speed is faster than can be received correctly, regardless of the ineans used to do the communicating.
all of tile desired infonnation will not get through.
Radiotelephone operating
The basic theory behind calling an- other station is to attract the attention of the station to be contacted (usually by calling CQ) and then advise who is doing the calling. Using voice com- munications, if two stations know each other wcif the desired station's callsign can be transmittedp fi>llowed by 'This is/' then the callsign of the calling sta- tion, piobably transmitted only once.
When stations are not known to each other too well, if at all, the called station's callsign can be sent once (maybe twice), then "This is/' and then the calliniJ station's callsisn, first with regular spoken letters and then re- peated phonetically. If conditions are not good, callsigns may have to be re- peated more than this.
There have been many different * 'pho- netic alphabets" used in amateur radio. Some used names, some used cities, some used .states or countries, and some were just supposed to be witty. Today the generally accepted international phonedc alphabet is:
|
A fa |
1 1 November |
|
Bravo |
Oscar .... ...... |
|
Charie |
Papa |
|
Deta |
Quebec |
|
Echo |
Romeo |
|
Foxtrot |
Sierra |
|
Got |
Tango |
|
Hote |
Uniform |
|
India |
Victor |
|
Ju iett |
Whiskey |
|
Kio |
X-ray |
|
Lima |
Yankee ; |
|
Mike |
Zulu |
73
Table 1. hitenmrionaUy recognized "phonetic* alphabet.
Amateur Radio Today * December 199S 17
A suggested protitinciaiioii of the 1 0
nuiiibc!> k^ make tliem more distin- guishable when spoken mighi be:
1
i
8
Wun-uh
Too-uh
Thu-ree
Fo-wer
Fy-yiv
Sicks
Seven
Ale
M Ny-yun or Nine-er 0 Zee-row (not "Oh^
Table 2. Promnmve the fnimerals so there
urn be iiuli' possibifify- ofcvnjimon.
As an example of the use of phonei- icH, suppose you warn to call an ama- leer station with a call such as ''VESBCG." Since Lhis call is made up of all *'ccc** sounding letters and num- bers, unless very carefully eiuiiiciated, some of the letters could easily be mis- undcrsluud, U" spoken as "Viclor Echo Thu-ree Bravo Charlie Golf," there is little chance of receiving the letters incorrectly,
Claritv
Clarity is one of the things which can interfere with the cardinal require- ment of phone-lypc operation. Received signals may not be understandable if the transmitting operator is not using the microphone properly, if the modula- tion circuits are not functioning prop- erly, if the microphone gain control is not set properly, if words are mispro- nounced, or if the person doing the talking does not enunciate clearly.
Microphones can be misused. There is always a certain amount of noise generated in audio circuits, hut the mi- crophone signal should be about 30 dB above that. If this value of signal is used, your contact is likely to be successfui- 18 73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998
This value can be found by on-lhe-air tests to determine how close the mouth should be to the microphone, and llie point where the audio gain control should be set Since most amateur ra- dio station rooms are not sound- proofed, if the moulh-to-mike distance is more than perhaps four or five inches, the mike sain may have to be raised to w here room echoes begin to be picked up and transmitted. I have a wire guard on my microphone that ex- tends out tw^o inches. If the guard wire is held to the upper lip the modulation will be kept reasonably constant.
It would be nice to be able to set the mike on the desk, lean back two or three (eel from it and talk (in sound- proofed rooms at broadcast stations, this is possible and is what tliey often do).
If amateurs speak too far from the microphone, room noise and echoes will usually become annovin<r to lis- leners and can interfere with under- standiuii. Wiih ttx) hish a sain scrtini^, if a telephone rings, or another receiver in the room sounds off^ or people are talk- ing nearby, or dogs are barking outside, all of these will create interfering out- put sounds from the transmitter If the speaker is too close to a microphone^ aspirant letters such as B, R S, T and X tuay produce a puff of air or a hissing that hits the diaphragm and causes a distorted output signal. Rubber foam, cemented over the microphone front, may reduce this effect. If the operator speaks across the microphone from a distance of about an inch, rather than directly into it, the unwanted aspirant effect will be lessened. A person who speaks in u loud voice can be farther aw ay from the microphone tlian some- one who has a more subdued voice. All of these items must be considered when setting the microphone gain con- trol. The best way to determine gain settings is to check with some other ham on the air.
Pronunciation, the proper sounding of letters and syllables in words, is im- portant. Foreign amateurs, not skilled in speaking your language, are often unable to pronounce even some fairly common words, When speaking to these people, slow your speech materi- ally, clearly enunciate all words and
pronounce them carefully and prop- erly. Think of yourself as helping to teach foreign hams the proper u>e of your language.
Enunciation is improved by using the lips, tongue and jaw to altow^ all of the syllables of all words to be pro- duced properly. This is very important when speaking into a microphone. When you speak face to face with someone, their lip movements are seen as their voice is heard. When a microphone alone is being used, the assistance of reading the lips and facia! expressions is gone, It is therefore more dilficult to understand what is being said. InsulTi- cicnt movements of the lips can result in mumblinii. which interferes with com- prehension. Keep those lips nioving!
CalUtig and an5\veri|||
When calling CQ on phone, listen first on what is apparently a clear fre- quency for a while. Make sure your transmitter is on the same frequency to which your receiver is tuned by turn- ing off the RIT control nn newer equipment. If the frequency appears not to be in use, and if tuning is neces- sary, tune up on the tVeqiicncy as rap- idly as possible and ask, "Is this frequency in use?" If there is no an- swer, after a few seconds, call ''CQ'' a couple of times, sign once a little slower than normal, using plain letters, then repeat the callsign phonetically, ending with, '^Over,'' or perhaps, "Standing by." If no one answers it probably means no one happened to be tuned to and lislcninn on thai fre- quency. A single short "CQ" only pro- duces results if someone happened to have his receiver mned to that fre- quency. The chances arc poor that someone will happen to tune across your frequency, let alone zero in on it precisely during the few seconds that a short CQ takes. Look al it as if you w^ere Ushing. You would not throw a line out and then in 10 seconds pull it back in again and quit llshing for the day. After about 1 5 seconds try another CQ to try to catch someone tuning around. This time call ''CQ" four or five times and sign once. Repeat this two or three times so anyone tuning across your frequency will have time
to zero in on your frequency. After ihe last CQ, sign once using plain letters and then phonetically, followed by an 'Over" It is not good to string a long, long series of CQs together that lake up a minute or more* Use 20- to 30- second CQs. If no one answers, iry again after 10 or 15 seconds. Unless you are after DX contacts, don't an- swer the CQ of a station you cannot hear well, particularly if you are using low power
Remember, when using SSB there is essentially no carrier being transmitted that a receiving operator can hear. Many times a u-ansmitiing operator hesitates at the end of a sentence and the other operator starts talking, think* ing it has been turned over. Unfortu- nately at Ihe same instant the first operator may resume speaking. The resulting "doubling" results in neither operator's hearing the other. Always try to use an "Over," or the other operator's name with a rising inflection, or your callsign at the end of transmissions, to indicate you want the other operator to start talking. When listening, wait for some kind of indication that the other operator is expecting an answer
To check into an SSB net, if trans- mitter carrier and antenna tuneup is necessary, either zcro»beat the fre- quency of the station transmitting to do your tuning, or move to a clear fre- quency three or more kilohertz away. In the laiter case, when tuned, shift to the net frequency and wait for the transmitting station to turn it over to the next station. If the net is operating properly, the next station should not start transmitting for a second or so, to give any station wanting to break in a ct^jice to do so, A break-in station should say, "Break,*' or perhaps "Here is XXXXX'^ (your callsign). The net control should step in, recognize the new station, and advise the proper ac- tion to be taken. Always allow the net- control station to handle break-in stations. If two or more stations try to handle a break-in station there will be confusion on the frequency.
Any time a u^ansmitier emits a signal on the air the FCC requires it to be identified by callsign. At the end of a tuning session always transmit your
callsign. Station identification is also required every 10 minutes during QSOs. It is not necessary to continu- ally identify if making short back and forth transmissions which require only a few seconds to a minute or so. Keep track of ID times with all QSOs. A wind-up timer works nicely for this. Whenever you transmit your station callsign set the timer to 10 minutes. When it rings it is an indication that it is time lo send your callsign again as soon as it is possible. Tt is wise to ID at the beginning of any transmission. If one of your transmissions lasts more than 10 minutes, at the bell, stop at the end of a sentence, sign your call and then continue with the transmission. Most phone QSO transmissions do not take 10 minutes, but each lime you sign over to another station your callsign should be given and the timer set. Station ID is always required when a station makes a final sign-off. There
Continued on page 20
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Keys to Better Operating
cant it luedj'rom page 19
is apparently oo requiremeiu thai ihe ! other siaiion's calls isn must be sent, bui il seems only proper courtesy lo sejid il ai Icust when signing olT.
CW operating
The term **CW' means "Continuous Wave," a diflerent kind of a wave ihan the original spark-type emissions used
in ihc early days oramaieur radio code irtmsmissions. Spark tranKmitters pro- duced waves Ihai varied up and down at sonic audio rate. U was Lhc varia- tions that the old receivers delected. When vacuum tubes were developed and were used in RF oscillalors, ihcv produced a consiaul-ampHludc wave output, thus the term CW. WTien spark Ifaa^niiltcrs were outlawed on the ham bands in the late 1920s the tenn CW continued on as meant ne Morse code radio iransniissions.
Radio code operating has many well estahiishcd and excellent communicat- ine rules first developed by commer- cial railroad Morse operators and then seagoing and point-to-point radio op- erators. Such jobs depended on mak- ing perfect copy of all Lransmissjons. Over the vears thcv ironed out all of the undesirable methods of sending CW on die air. It is from their basic rules that our modern CW und even most of the phone transmission recom- mendations above were developed.
The basic caUing procedure with CW is to caTI a station hv sendins its catlsign. then "DE" (meaning "tVooi"), and then sendinii the calliniz station's callsign. If conditions are good and the two stations know^ each other well. sending the calls only once may be ad- equate, hi many cases in amateur ra- dio» two stations will not know^ each other well. When answering a CQ. v\'ilh nrodern equipment, probably one transmission of the calling station's callsian is suincienl but after the DE the answering station should always send ihe answering siutioii's call at least twice. Even if the path is good, fur a variety of reasons an answering station should repeat his/her callsign two or three times. It is not often that , 73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998
the called stadon's cfttlsign must be re- peated— that station can recognize its own callsign quite easily, even through QRM and QRN. An exception would be when the answering station is not on the frequency of the calling station. In this case it may be necessary' to transmit the CQing station's call sev- eral times. WTien an answering station does not answer very close to the caU- ing station's frequency, troubles may develop.
Obviously, if an operator sends too fast to another operator, time is being wasted. Only minimal information will be received. Tf an operator can only receive at 13 words per minute, it will be Liseless to send at 20 wpni. On the other hand, ii 30-wpni operator can slow to 13 wpm v\iih no trouble. If CW operators try to send faster than they can copy well, there is htUe chance that the higher-speed transmis- sion will be ton readable. (Of course, if a keyboard is used, sending speed \\ ill only depend on the nping abilit)^ of the person at the kc) board,) Try to de- termine the other operator's highest correct receiving speed as soon as pos- sible. Whenc\cr quesiions are asked but arc not answered, the sending speed is probably too fast, assuming the sendinc is faultless. If break-in keying is being used and there are loo many breaks being made, slow the sending- It may not be poor sending at the sending end. nor poor copying at the receiving end; it may be QRN crashes or QRM signals which may be unheard at the sending end that are in- lerfering with the copy. Do not hesitate lo use "QRS " (send slower) when con- ditions are poor. When QRN is bad. al- ways reduce sending speed. The longer doLs and dashes of slower send- ing extend the time of each letter, causing only part of a letter lo be bro- ken rather than possibly two or more letters by a static crash. One broken letter can usually be guessed, but two or more may cause confusion at the receiving end.
If sending CW with a keyboard, de- termine what speed a receiving opera- tor who is not using a machine can copy adequately. Do not exceed that speed. If an operator is hand-sending
at 20 wpm and it is being diij^Myed oil a monitor fairly welL send no faster than that when answering. If answered on a keyboard at 25 wpm, ihe sending operator will probably try to speed up, may make a nic:^^ of il, and the car- dinal communications requirement is defeated.
When an operator is sending by hand to a computer keyboard monitor- ing station, the operator musi send only up lo the speed at which letters and spacing are error-tree. Machines can only copy Morse code letters which are made within certain lime limits. The dots must be close to one- third the length of the dashes, and the space times between dot and dashes must he equal to the length of a dot. Spaces between words must be more than those between letters. Letters must not be split. Diditdahdii is F, but (Hdif dahdit is IN. It ma> ^ound almost the same to the ear, but ihe machine is not fooled! When there is QRN at one or both ends, slow down, even when using a machine.
Splittini! letters or mnnins two let- tcrs or words together when sending Morse code is easy lo do, hut can be very confusing lo the receiving opera- lor. If GT. MA. TK. or Q is sent, but the word MET is wha( was supposed lo have been sent, the receiving opera- tor can get confused. When an L is sup- pcjscd 10 be U"ansmitted hut il comes out ''dhlahdii dit:' that is RE. which re- sults in a misspelled word and possible confusion. Make sure there is spacing in between all letters, but no added spacing in between the dots and dashes of letters. Furthermore, ihere should be more space between two sentences than between two words. If "deter mine*' is sent, does it mean that or was it supposed lo mean 'deiemiine?"
While it is quite proper to use key- board*iype punctuation marks on the air, such as a period at the end of sen- tences and commas, amateur opera- tions have come down through ihe decades with the general character "BT'' used to mean the end of a sen- tence, or end of a paragraph, or just a means of stalling while thinking about what is eoin^ to be transmitted next. It is noi required to send a 'KA" at the
start of operations, nor is anylhing other than a K needed to turn over to another station in most cases. In DX operations the use of KN is OK as it indicates *1 am not finished talking to this station; please do not break in." Never use KN after a CQ!
A hard and fast CW sending rule is: "If an error is made while sending a word, slop, send an error sign, go back to the beginning of the word, then resend the whole word." Never stop and send only the mis-sent letter cor- rectly. Worse yet, do not add a missing dot which was supposed to have been the last pan of the previous letter! Send only whole letters, never broken letters. Send only whole words, never broken words. The correcting rule can be expanded to:
•When an error is made in sending the first letter of a word, stop* send an error sign, go back and resend the whole word before the improperly sent letter and continue on.
This is absoltitely necessary when handling traffic messages.
How is an error sign made? Interna- tionally it is eight dots, although "?" or **??** may be used, and sometimes "SN" is used. Whatever error sign is used. It really only has to be something that cannot be copied as a letter, num- ber, or a misplaced punctuation mark. It has to be something that stops the re- ceiving operator's copying.
As with phone communications, af- ter 10 minutes of operating, a station is required to send its callsign. End all five- to lO-tninute transmissions with your callsign and a K. If a short answer is required, after sending the question, end with the question mark and a K. With such short transmissions do not bother with callsigns. Wait for the 10- minute period to come up. Operators often use "BK," apparently meaning, "Back to you." The letters ^^BTU" mean the same thing.
It is standard procediu^e in DX pile- ups to call the DX station with jusl the callsign of the calling station once or twice, close to the DX station's fre- quency, or on any frequency to which it indicates it is listening. The loudest station being heard by the DX station will be the first worked, of course. But
keep trying every time the station signs clear. However, do not use this procedure when answering non-DX CQs — it may sound to the CQing sta- tion like some statiijii is ending a test, or some station is being improperly called, A CQing station wants to know that whoever is answering is actually calUng the CQing station. In many cases the CQing station may not be tuned to the answering station*s fre* quency for some reason and may not hear the first part of the answering call.
The Q signals
When calUng CQ on CW the proce- dure is very similar to that discussed for phone. With CW you should nor- mally send at the speed at which you want the answering station to use. Don't be afraid to answer a 30-wpm CQ call at 20 wpra. Most of the better operators are quite willing to work at somewhat slower speeds, but it is gen- erally not a good idea to answer a 30-
wpm CQ with a 5- or lO-wpm reply. If band conditions are bad, due to QSB or QRN, always call and operate at slower than normal speeds.
Using CW, before calling "CQ" on a frequency, use the Q-signal, QRL?, which means, "is this frequency in use?" Do not send "QRL'^ before a CQ because it means, 'This frequency is in use^ please do not use it.'* QRL alone indicates someone is replying to a "QRL?" call of a station which the lis- tening station may not he able to hear. If someone sends QRL? on a fre- quency you and another station are us- ing, answer this question with the statement, "QRL/' or possibly, "Yes," Always remember, the station you are copying may be in the skip zone of the station sending the QRL?,
There are over 50 intcmaticinally used CW Q'Signals. Those that ama- teurs are most likely to use are shown here in table form.
Coniiniwd on page 22
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73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 21
ORG
QRK
QRL
QRM
QRO
QRP
QRQ
QRS
QRT
QRU
QRV '
QRX
QRZ
The frequency is .-.
Your readability is ... (1 - 5) (See QSA also)
Tilts frequency is in use; please do not interfere
Interfering stations
Increasing to ...; or using higher power
Decreasing to ,„; or using low power
Send faster
Send slower
Stop sending
1 have nothing for you
am ready; start sending
Wart: I will call you shortly
You are being called by
Table 3. Handy reference fo tlw mosi commonly used *'Q" codes.
|
QSA |
Your signal strength is ... (1 - 5) |
|
QSB |
Your signals are fading |
|
QSD |
Your keying is defect ve |
|
QSK |
1 can hear you between my signals (1 am using break-in) , |
|
QSL |
1 acknowedge or confirm receiving „. |
|
QSO |
1 can conimunicate with you ... |
|
QSP |
Re ay a message to .., |
Keys to Better Operating
€:ontinuedJrofn page 21
IMien followed by a question mark, any Q-signal asks a question. For ex- ample, QRG? means. ^^Whai is my (or your) frequency?" QRZ? means, **By whom am 1 being called?" While there may be amateurs who discourage the use of Q-signals wiLh radiotciephune CTmrnunications, some Q-si^nals fit in very nicely with such operating. As examples. QRM QRN. QRR QRX.
22 73 Amateuf Radio Today • December 1998
QSB. QSO. QSL (also a continuation card for amateurs) and QSO are ollen heard. On phone. "Use VOX" (Abice Operated Xmissions) means the same as "QSK'* does with CW, The use of QSK and VOX helps greatly in QSOs and nets on Lhe amatenr bands and should always he used if possible.
Tuning
Tuning a transceiver exactly to an- ■ other station's frequency with CW is \
more difficult to do than with SSB. With SSB, il the receiving operator's RIT control is off, when a station is tuned in so the voice sounds most natu- ral, the listener's transmitter should be exactly «vii the oilier station's I'requcncy, This is known as ''zero- healing" the two U^ansmitter frequencies.
When tuning in a CW station using a transceiver, and again, providing the RTF conu^l is oil; the receiving operator *s transmitter will be set to something be- tween perhaps 300 and 1000 Hz from the transmitting station's frequency when il is tuned in. With most trans- ceivers, whatever beat-Lone frequency is produced by a received signal, if the tone heard when the key is pressed is the same, the transmitter sisnal will be very^ close to zero-bcai with the re- ceived signal, ir the kcx-doun and the beat-tone frequencies arc different by 500 H?,, then the receiving operator's transmitter will be 500 Hz away from the other station's carrier frequency. If a receiver uses a 250-Hz wide CW IF niten signals 500 Hz or more away may never be heard. It is very impor- lani when answering a general type of CQ to answer as close to the calling station s frequency as possible. In DX pileups if there are many signals on the DX station's frequency, il may pay to detune a few hundred hcrt/ to answer lhe DX station.
In older-type equipment, where the transmitter and the receiver are sepai ate urats, if you want to call '*CQ'' it is nec- essary^ to learn how^ lo tune tlie transmit- ter to a desired clear spot in the hand Eidier lum ulT the final amplifier stage, or use a duinmy load on the transmilten or mm the transmitter's output power down Lo miuimum before tunin^j it across the band until the transmitter's signal is heard in the receiver as a lone of aboul 700 Hz. A CQ can now be called on this frequency after an unan- swered QRL? is transmitted. Unless you are aller DX contacts, do not an- swer the CQ of a station whose signals are poor due to band conditions.
Zero-beating
To zero-beat a received sisnal. sucb as a CQing station, with a separate transmitter and receiver, tune the
transmitter's oscillator until its tone in the receiver exactly matches thai of the tone of the CQing station. Many trans- mitters have a "Calibrate" or 'Test*' switch or button which only activates the transmitter's oscillator to allow zero-bealing the local transmitter to a received frequeiKry. It provides a weak transmitter oscillator signal for the re- ceiver but produces no radiated signal dudng the zero-beating process. When using more advanced transceivers, with their RIT control off, when the frequency check switch is on, the tone heard must match that of the beat- signal tone of the received transmitter signal to ensure zero-beat operation.
How close to zero-beat should sta- tions be? If they are on exactly the same frequency that is as good as it can get. In the case of CW stations, they probably should be within 1 00 Hz of each other or they may be taking up bK> much of the band. Vacuum-tube transmitters wiih VFOs almost always drift. They may have to be checked for zero-beat operation every few minules while the other station is transmitting, particularly if they have not been wanned up for 30 to 60 minutes.
Stations operating several hundred hertz apan are just asking for interfer- ence troubles. While one of the sta- tions is transmitting the other station's frequency is not being used. It may be selected as a good spot for a QSO by two other stations, or a good spot for a CQ. If a QRL? on that frequency gets no answer from the transmitting opera- tor, there is no reason why that fre- quency should not be used for a CQ or QSO. It will then be up to the transmit- ting operator to advise the other opera- tor with whom he is in QSO to zero-beat with his/her frequency. If the transmitting station was using QSK, the QRL? call would probably have been heard and an answering QRL could have been sent to stop the CW or QSO on that frequency.
It should be meniioned thai there are procedures used by the various armed services which may vary from interna- tional operating procedures. Those procedures were developed to fit the needs of their particular services. Ra- dio amateurs have always used the
procedures which are in general use all over the world, those which have been explained here. Communications will be much more pleasurable if all ama- teurs use the same basic time-tested procedures.
It is unfortunate that thousands of well-meaning amateur radio Elmers are either ex-mihtary people or are mostly phone operators and do not know the proper international proce- dures for amateur CW operating. The result is many poorly trained new ama- teur radio operators on our bands to- day. Poor operating takes much of the fun out of both phone and CW operat- ing. Hopefully this inlbrmation will get to some of those Elmers and to those they are helping so much.
Probing Auto ElectronFcs
continued from f>age 13
leakage path should exhibit a current value similar to the value determined as a reference at the battery terminal.
E Taking note of the circuit and the current measured at each ^e position (circuit branch) will provide a clue as to which circuit contains the excessive leakage path.
There is an alternate test method that may be used when two people are available, one to perform the test and the other lo watch the light bulb. If the light buib filameni glows when con- nected between the battery terminal and cable, then leave tfie bulb con- nected and open each fuse circuit and potential circuit path. The light bulb will cease to glow when the leakage path has been opened.
Following the logic of an Ohm's law problem analysis will provide the clues necessary to diagnose automo- tive electrical systems. Help your neighbor identify his automobile's electrical problem and he a hero I
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73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1 998 23
Number 24 on your feedback card
73 Review
A Real Handful
Inside Alinco's DJ-CS dual-band transceiver.
Terry Bennett VE3EG A
PO Box 293
Markham ON L3P 3J7 Canada
[tebenne@ibnn.netl
A credit card-si/cd iwo-mcler + 70 I cm transceiver small enough to reuUy go in >uur shirt pockei was loo much for this minialiire -radio lover to resist — I had to get me one of those babies! As an Alincu DJI-FT owner. I was familiar with the company "s atten- tion to detail and ihe general reliability of their prodticls. A qtiick look at the Q5\ .specifications convinced me that the DJ-C5 had a lot uoijii! for it.
1 had heard thai the new Alinco DJ- C5 radio was going to be available al Dayton, so as soon as the main arena opened I was chcckini; out prices {the Dayton piice was just under S20()). I had previously checked the DJ-C5 specifications, so my justification was Simply this — T needed a radio that was versatile, easy to use straight from the bo?£. and small enough to can-y just about everywhere ( WHD = 56 mm x 94 mm x 10,6 mm. 2.2 inches x 3.7 inches x 0.417 inch). What s more, the DJ-C5 weiizhs in at a mere 80 irrams (2.82 oz.) and operates off a 3,8 VDC lithium-ion battery.
Out of the box and on the air!
On unpacking the radio (al the HamvenLion'j I was delighted to find that It actually did work straight from 24 73 AmalGur Radio Today * December 1998
the box — no battery charging — as the iniemal lithium -ion battery was aUve and well! I tjuickly set up a simplex frequency in VFO mode and was in QSO within lU minutes of purchasing the radio — not many handheld manu* tacturers can guarantee this kind of quick setup! The radio is housed in an aluminum case and all functions are keypad-controlled except for the on/ off switch and PTT. The radit> comes complete w iih a charger and clear plas- dc {1 didn't like this!) carrying case. The C5's transmitter is 3(X) mW — enoush fbr litie of siuht working, but within buildings (Hara .Arena) sometimes hit- and-miss. On nonrepeater channels. QRP usually needs unobstructed RF takeoff! Higher-powered radios also had their share of probletiis (due to high RF noise and obstructions), so I was not unduly concerned.
The radio's audio output level (60 mW) was, unrorlunatcly, not high enouszh to overcome the extremely hii»h ambient noise le\ el at Davton, and even an addniomd purchase of the liny EME-49 speaker/mike did little to im- prove matters. I initially solved the problem by initiating the Bell feature on the radio, which gave me a pleasant alert tone when someone called on the frequency! However, T did make a
mental ntvte of a neat solution for fu- ture Ilea markets, so watch out for a future article!
First repeater contact
Later that day and back at my hotel, I was able to find the local (Piqua) re- peater and exchanged reports with a couple t>f hams who gave the radio an excellent audio report. My Dayton friends challenged my wisdom in pur- chasing a 3(K) mW radio instead of a topical higher powered unit (I was ready for this one!) I explained that with two meters and 70 cm on hoard. I will always be in range of at least one repeater practically everywhere I might visit in the USA or Canada. With dU memories to play with, life will never be dull!
iTie skeptics were still unconvinced, hugging their brick-sized radios, their speaker- microphones hanging from dieir collars like sleeping bats, as they mumbled thimss about needins lots of power. In the meantime, I simply popped the C5 in my shirt pix-kei and off I went to load more repeaters into the radio's memor\. Riuht now^ (davs after Dayton). I am at the office, C5 in my shirt pocket and ready for more lunchtime QSOs — V\\ lake a bet that
their radios sit at home in their shacks until the next hamfesi.
Plamitng
A word of caution! Loading 50 memories needs some careful plan- ning— 1 suggest thinking carefully about future trips and your general ham radio activities. Enter frequencies according to your own personal re- quirements! Adding and deleting fre- quencies is, however, very simple with the C5, and a few minutes with the manual will get you started.
I set up my C5 so that the first 10 memories would be two^meter local repeaters, the next 10 would be the major two- meter metropolitan area (in my case, Toronto) repeaters, and the next 10 would be oul-of-lown ones. UHF repeaters were programmed from #30-45, leaving room for five simplex or "scratchpad" channels as required! The two-meter calling channel of 146.520 MHz was programmed into the VHF call memory. I didn't bother pfOgramming a UHF call frequency due to low activity on UHF simplex in my area*
Operating and programmins the C5
I have noticed that most small radios have comprehensive manuals thai re- quire you to sit quietly for an hour or two in deep concenlration studying the intricacies of the radio. Not the case with the C5, The folks at Alinco man- aged to condense theirs into an easy- to-understand (and remember!) 20 pages — which can also fit in a shirt pocket if necessary!
Programming the radio was a piece of cake. Simply select the desired memory channel number (using up/ down buttons); return to VFO mode (VM/MW button); use the up/down buttons to select the desired frequency^ press function (F); and hit the VM/ MW button to store! This procedure is all that is required to change a stored frequency. The range of repeater off- sets can be set between zero and 99.995 MH7., Once the offset is pro- grammed, pressing Monitor allows you to monitor the repealer-input frequency. Pressing Monitor again returns the radio to normal operation.
A neat feature of the C5 is the inclu- sion of the aircraft band and of Auto- matic AM Receive^ — ^gieat for checking out the action at local air shows!
The DJ-C5 has CTCSS built in for both TX and RX (as required); select- ing from 26 standard tones will give you all the regular tones in use. The C5 will automatically activate the encoder with the same decode tone when set!
The C5 features Automatic Power Off, Key Lock, Adjustable Frequency Step, Channel Scan, Battery Saver, Bell and (for those of you who are overseas Uavclers) Eurt>pcan Tone Burst. As a general rule of thumb, I find that the C5 will access local VHF/UHF repeat- ers that are within an eight- to 10-miIe radius of my QTH and that the com- munications capability is somewhat more efficient at UHF as the antenna is much closer to one-quarter-wave- length long. Walking around my town, I found that the audio level (range is 1 - 8) was most comfortable at level 7, even with vehicular QRN. I find that I am now taking a radio to places where
I would previously wouldn't have. If you arc part of an ARES group or local Emergency Service, this nexibility may help you to avoid missing a callout message. I am even consider- ing putting a DJ-C5 on my Yorkshire
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73 Amateur Ractio Today * December 1998 25
Photo A, Alinco's DJ-C5. actual slze^
tBfiier to avoid f^houting! The possi- hi lilies are endless with such a liny, liLihtweiuhl radio.
Battery charging
The DJ-C5 charger operates by dropping the radio on its hack into the charger (a realK neat unit thai holdi the radio in place). A gneen LED indi* caiefi charging and extinguishes after charging is complete. Maximum charge time is two hours. A great thing about lithium-ion batteries is ihev do not develop a memory (unlike nickel- cadmium) and therefore uill offer much longer periods of operation per charge! The manual suggests that they arc good for 500 charges, so I strongly recommend charging huh its diffeienl from those used for nickel-cadmium baticiics. For example. If the radio works, the battery dott^t need charg- ing! The reason? It has a straight-curve discharge (think of your car's gas
26 73 Amateur RadfO Today * December 1998
tank!). Using this think- ing, you will be sure to get the maximum ben- efit from your liiliium- ion battery technology!
Removing the screws on the rear of the radio accesses the C5's bai- terv (if this is ever re- quired!). Gently lift off the back cover and set it aside. I recommend purchasing a new set of tiny Phillips screwdriv- ers fRadib Shack®) prior to attempting this, as the screws are tightly fitted and there is alwavs the danger of damaue to the screw head! The battery takes up about one third of the total size of the ra- dio. To remo\e the bat- tery, simply ease it out and unplug its connec- tor. Replacement bat- teries are available (at this time) from Alinco. priced at approximately
Specificatlotis
The DJ-C5 (out ol' the hoK) covetl 118-173.995 MHz R\ (118-135.995 AM Rx) and 420-449.995 MHz, Tx coverage is 144-147.995 and 420^ 449,995 in two bands.
A MARS/CAP modification is avail- able (simple) that will extend the Tx from 136-173.995 MHz and 380- 472,995 MHz faircratt band is unaf- fected).
The radio's sensitivity is excellent, even with the supplied 4.5-inch llex- ible antenna. 1 receive the weather radio stations quite well (gocxl sensitivity test for Rx and antennas!).
I have not tried an alternative an- tenna on the radio, as I felt this uould compromise the threaded con- nector, but the radio may accept a modified antenna for balloonist or similar operation.
As I pre\iously mentioned, the Rx audio (60 mW) is not as high as with
'^brick" HTs, but it is more than suffi- cient for nonnal personal outdoor US© in parks or streets. An audio accessory is recommended for Ilea markets or ar- eas where the ambient noise is likely to be high. This is a miniulure (2.5 mm) stereo-type jack soclcet on the lop of the radio that accepts remote mike/ audio accessories.
To date there is a gotxl range of Alinco accessories that can be used with the DJ-C5. 1 purchased the minia- ture speaker/mike {model EMS 49) and 1 will ultimately add an ear mike (and dark glasses!),
A word of advice: Stibminiature stereo jacks are hard to find. Those of you who want to add your own mike/audio I/O (e.g., packet) won't find them at Radio Shack — ^youMI need to check out Mouser or a similar supplier.
Conclusion
I love radios that arc easy to under- stand, program, and operate. And I hate hunting for the manual and rel- evant sections every time I want to chani^e something. For these reasons alone, the C5 is the perfect partner for the user who wants a less conipli- catcd radio, yet still needs to retain commonly-used features such as in- put-frnqtiency monitoring, channel scan, and quick frequency entry. Plus, the DJ-C5 has dual-band versatility, loo!
Wilt 1 sell mine at the next Ilea market and get something with more power? No and no, Fll keep this rig, thank vou — well done. Alinco!
Sources
The Alinco DJ-C5 dual -band trans- ceiver is available from:
Alinco USA
438 Amapola Ave. Suite 1 30
Torrance C A 90501 Tel: (310) 618-8616
Further inlbnnatibn is also available JVom Alinco al [www.alincoxoni]. And you might he interested in my own Web page lwww.angcinrc.com/ biz/cqradio], where there is also an Alinco link (a linko?). Have fun!
-•i
Number 27 on your Feedback card
Electronic Bug Emulator
Put some personality back intoyour CW.
J. Frank Brumbaugh W4LJD
RO. Box 30— c/o Defendini
Salinas PR 00751 -0030
How niiiny of us initially suc- cumbed to ihe lure of an elec- ironic keyer and sold our bugs, only to become dissalisfied at the lack of personality in our CW? Or made keying errors with the new gadgets and wished we had our old bugs back? Yes, you and me and loLs ul oltiers. With this article. I hope to Lake many o^ us fomard to the past.
New standard Vihrople3C*l5«igs cost SI 60. and the price rises rapidly for the fancier models. This is a cost most of us cannot afford to pay. But all is not lost. Described here is a very simple, cheap, and easy way to put the feel of a bug back into our operating, and it can be dune for less than five dollai-s!
However before \vc spend that five dollars there is a minor problem to solve. Some of us already have single- lever paddles, which is what is needed to complete the electronic bug. As far as I know, all such paddles have grounded wipers. This circuit requires that the paddle have all three coniacis floating — dot, dash, and wiper. Unless an existing paddle can be modified, it may be necessary to home-brew a single-lever paddle in order to take advantage of this project.
Fig. 1 illustrates the simple clec- trnntc portion of the single paddle bug.
!
Stalled with a portion of a 25-year-old design by W7Z01 and made some
The circuit is not original with me. I j mudiftcations to gel the results I
RIO WEIGHT
+12^
DOT DASH
KEYING Q2 UNE
t
Fig, L Schenuaii of spaced dots generator.
73 AmaWur Radio Today • December 1998 27
FROM 02 COLLECTOR
TO KEY UNE
+12VT0S1
CONNECT WITH
AAALE-MALE STEREO
CABLE
FROM +T2V
KEYER
RIG
Fig. 2. Power and keying wiring,
needed. The original circuit was more complex and did things not needed in this final design.
Both timers in Ul together produce perfect dots and spaces, the speed of which is controlled by the weight po- tentiometer, RIO, which serves the same purpose as moving the weight on a bug. When the paddle is pressed for dots, a stream of perfectly spaced dots is generated and keys the rig through Q2, the Iceying transistor. Dot speed is adjustable, as on a Vibroplex, from ap- proximately three to 25 dots per sec- ond— equivalent to a keying speed range of seven to 60 wpm.
When the paddle is pressed for flashes, this is a "key down" condition exactly as in a bug, allowing the opera- tor to make his own dashes and bring- ing back the familiar bug "feel." In addition, the dash side of the paddle can be tapped just as if it were a hand key for those times when it is necessary to key
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very slowly. Also, this function is re- tained even if the circuit is not powered.
Construction
The spaced dot generator can be constructed on a small piece of perfboard or a general-purpose printed circuit board, or you can use the *yead bug" style of ugly construction on a small piece of unetched printed circuit board. Parts placement and lead lengths are not critical It can be mounted in a small enclosure, or possi- bly right on or inside the base of the paddle.
To reduce clutter, it will be prefer- able to solder three jumpers on the bot- tom of Ul before mounting it, whether a socket is used or noL Strip the insula- tion from a short length of stranded wire and separate the strands. Solder one strand between pins 4 and 10 on the bottom of the chip, making the sol- dered connections high on the pins of the chip, and clip off any extra lead lengths. Solder another jumper be- tween pin 3 and pin 11. Place a small piece of cellophane tape on the bottom of the chip covering these two jumpers as insulation. Now solder a final jumper between pin 10 and pin 14 as before.
Power can be supplied by an internal battery or by taking operating voltage from the rig it will be used with. Fig. 1 includes an optional On/Ofif switch and LED if an internal battery is used. In this case, you may or may not want to include the voltage regulator U2,
If taking power from the rig for op- erating this unit, a stereo jack must be added to the rig. It will carry +12 V, ground, and the keying line through a connecting cable. The ring carries the
C1,C5
C2, C3, C4
D1, D2
D3
Q1,Q2
R1. R8
Parts Lrst
1 jiFlO V
0.1 iiF disc or monolithic
1N4148, 1N914, or equivalent
LED
NPN bipolar transistor (2N3904, 2N4400, 2N2222i etc.)
33 k 5% 1/4 W
R2, R5, R9 47 K 5% 1/4 W
R3, R6
R4
R7
RIO
R11 SI
Ul
U2
100 5% 1/4 W 10 k 5% 1/4 W 2.2 k 5% 1/4 W
10k linear potentiometer
2.4 k 5% 1/4 W
SPST toggle or stide
switch
556 dual timer iC 78L05 regulator
Table 1* Parts list.
keying line, the tip carries +12 V, and the sleeve is common ground. Fig, 2 il- lustrates using a stereo jack on both the dot maker and the rig, and connect- ing the two through a three-wire cable with stereo plugs on each end. How- ever, the cable can be hard-wired into the electronic circuit and the stereo plug on the other end plugged into the new jack on the rig.
This circuit draws only about 10 mA with U2 installed. If you wish to have audio monitoring of your keying, per- haps for practice sessions, a smaU pi- ezoelectric alarm can be connected directly between the +5 volt bus and the collector of Q2. This will add about 10 more milliamps to the total drain with key down.
Forward to the past
Now that you have your new elec- tronic bug emulator, no one you QSO with will have any idea you aren't using a Vibroplex!
28 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
73 Review
Number 29 on your Feedback c^rd
Seeing Dits and Dahs
The K2659 Morse Decoder Kit from Velleman Electronics
Marshall G, Emm N1FN 2460 S. Moline Way Aurora CO 80014 [n1fn@Mp.rs.eX.coml
AS one whose ham activities are 95% HF C W, I hiivc long held the view that when It comes to copying code, the human ear will beat a com- puter every time. An experienced CW operator can copy code that is barely audible^ signals plagued with QRM, QRN, and QSB.
Computers need a good solid sig- nal with a high signal-to-noise ratio. And when conditions are sood enough for compulers to copy Morse, there are far more efficient modes available io them. The Velleman Morse Decoder has done nothing to change my opinion, but it was fun to build and does indeed have some practical applications.
I saw the decoder kit at Tech America® where some 30 different Velleman Icits are Svdilable (Velleman makes about 150 different kits), along with kits from several other suppliers. The Velleman kits are made in Bel- gium, and reflect an unusually high standard of packaging — the kits are in plastic boxes, which are useful for sorting parts during inventory and construction.
In many cases the box can be used as a permanent enclosure for the completed project.
How it works
The Morse Decoder kit includes a small microphone, which is placed near the speaker of a radio receiving a Morse code signal. The audio from the microphone goes through an A/D con- verter, which passes a digital signal to a microprocessor.
When the unit is correctly tuned, die digital signal is either on or off de- pending on whether a tone is being sent. Three pots are used to process the audio signal before conversion. They control the audio bandwidth, the center frequency of the audio bandwidth, and the sensitivity of the microphone. An LED is used in tuning, and blinks in time with the Morse signal when die unit is properly adjusted.
The processor analyzes the pattern of dots and dashes and inteiprets them as characters which are scrolled along a 16-charactcr LCD display. The de- coder recognizes the alphabetical char- acters, numbers 0-9, and most of the prosigns ordinarily used in CW traffic. The manual says the unit will read code at ' 'almost any speed/' and that^s pretty much true.
How well it does ail this is a matter of judgment, but Til save my comments on performance for later.
I
73
Construction
The decoder kit was relatively easy to build, with step-by-step instructions in the manual. It took me about an hour to put the kit together As is my usual practice, I installed the IC sockets first, even diough the instructions don't have you do them until aftej' the resistors and diodes. With nothing else on the board, so it will Ue Hat on the tahle. the sockets ai^e a. lot easier to manage,
The PC board was of very high qual- ity, sillc-screened with component lay- out on one side and solder-masked on the other. Generally I found the com- ponents to be of high quality and easy to identify, with ihe exception that some of the terms used for component types were not what I am used to in kits from US manufacturers. For ex- ample, there was one capacitor de- scribed as "100 nF MKM" and three described as '"sibattit." Fortunately, the pans count was low enough that these were quickly idendfied, even though the MKM proved to require the tail end of the process of elimination. Last one left? Fits the spot? Must be it!
All of the axial-lead components CTlaf' resistors, diodes, etc.) were supplied mounted on a single ''ammo strip,'' and — ^get this — they were on Amateur Radio Today * December 1998 29
L.£ NIRN m\
*/1
Photo A, Test-dn'ving the \sencr seiup.
the strip in the order m which they were called for in constiuction. That lit^ made it a lot easier to find the components when they were needed!
The installation of the LCD disp[ay was a bit tricky, as was llie LED. The display is mounted above the main board on metal stand-offs, and is con- nected by 14 plain wires (supplied on the ammo strip!) which go through a hole in the display and then through a hole in the circuit hoard, and are sol- dered in both places. I discovered that the spacing of the wires on the ammo strip was sucli that every other wire matched a pair of holes, so I cut them apart, leaving seven wires still at- tached by one side of the ammo strip. I fed them through the odd holes Th the display and down through the circuit hoai'd, and the remaining piece of ammo strip tape held them in place while I sol- dered Uicm on the circuit boai\i. Then it was a simple process of trimming the
leads above the LCD display and sol- dering that end. and finally repeating the process lor the remaining seven wires in the even holes.
The instructions for the LED read, "The upper side of the LED should slightly overlap the display." That took me a minute or two to figure out, but what it means is that the LEDs ai^e in- serted only a little way into the holes so that the top of the LED is flush with or a little higher than the top surface of the display. Now that I think about it, Lm not sure how I would have described it myself!
The instructions tell you to connect the microphone using a '^ screened cable/' but the manuars illustration shows the microphone soldered direct
30 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
to its connecting pins on the front side of the circuit board. It seemed reason- able to me that you would w^ant to put the display between yourself and the audio source, so a microphone on the back of the unit would make more sense than on the front. I used shielded audio cable long enough to locate the microphone at the back of the reader.
No real problems were encountered in construction, but I mention the com- ponent ID and documentation situa- tions because I can imagine that these could be serious problems in a more complex kit.
The smoke test
The power supply for the decoder kit can be either a small transformer pro- viding 7-8 VAC at 250 mA (there is a rectifier circuit on board) or DC at 9- 12 V. The circuit includes a voltage regulator, so I connected my 13.8 WDC shack supply without further consideration. Actually, there was a little consideration necessary because they tell you to connect power, but not exactly where. TTiere are three pins, marked VA, VB, and a symbol. A quick look at the board and the sche- matic should tell you that the symbol indicates the common or ground termi- nal, the VA and VB pins are both used if you are connecting an AC supply, and +DC can be connected to either VA or VB. There is no on/off switch. As soon as power is connecledj the display reads ^'VELLEMAN KIT^ and you can use a small trimpot to ad- just the contrast. At that point you are ready to place the microphone neai' your radio and start to copy code.
The Morse Decoder in operation
Aeain. the documentation is rudi- mentarv at best. Which is unfortunate, because the decoder is not particularly easy to use. They give you starting set- tings for the three controls, and then have you adjust them until the LED flashes and the decoded text is dis- played. The adjustment can take a few attempts but you get used to doing it with a Uttle practice.
There are some things they could tell you that would make life a lot easier. For example:
•A character is not displayed until the following character has been sent, or after about tlu:ee seconds of silence.
•The unit takes a considerable amount of time to synchronize to the speed of the received code. When the speed changes, meaningless characters will be displayed for several seconds until the decoder can re-synch. This seems to be less of a problem w^hen speed is increased. When the speed is decreased, you will often see the indi- vidual elements of characters sent as an endless stream of Es and Ts. Some- times, in fact, it seems the unit will never re-synch unless you disconnect the power and let the processor start over.
There is nothing in tlie documcnta^ tion to indicate how non- alphanumeric characters and punctuation (periods, commas, and question marks) will be displayed. An unrecognized character will be displayed as an asterisk. For the record, here's the list, as far as I was able to determine from trial and em)r:
|
Sign |
Displayed As |
|
BT |
— |
|
HH |
% (error sign) |
|
CT |
I |
|
AR |
m 1 |
|
f 1.' AS |
|
|
KN |
|
|
SOS |
i |
Table I. Key to the signs thai appear in the display.
•I was abfe to verify correct code reading at speeds from 7 wpm to around 50 wpm, using the sidetone on my electronic keyerand a test message sent repetitively from the kcyer's memory. At the upper end of that range, an increase in sending speed re- quired two or three repetitions of the message before the decoder would synchronize, A reduction in speed
Coatinued on page 56
Number 31 on your Feedback card
Low- Voltage Detector
, . ,for a number causes.
Hugh Wells W6WTU
1411 18th Street
Manhattan Beach CA 90266-4025
Recently, a friend asked me to assist him in developing a cir- cuit thai he could use on a car haltery-powered system that he has in- stalled in his ham shack. The battery operation, in his specific application, provides power to his electric door locks, alarm system, enunciatpr, ham gear a:nd other iterns. The 12 volts from the car battery is bused through- out his house and shop. Because the battery is the central power source foi' a multitude of critical systems, die health of the battery is extremely im- portani. Under most circumstances car batteries and chargers arc quite reli- able, but there are occasions when a power failure may occun Dislodging the charger's powder cord or having a commercial power loss happens more often than we'd like to admit. Also, car batteries fail upon occasion — and seldom give any warning.
My friend asked if a project could be developed to provide a warning because his system did fail when the charger became unplugged, The problem went undetected until everything failed, in- cluding his door lock control. After studying the variables involved in a bat- tery-operated system, we determined
that the most predominant failure mode is a loss of terminal voltage, which is easily detected. Because my friend's 12- volt system is bused every- where, wamins detectors could be placed in strategic locations where at least one would be observed, should a failure occur
The devised circuit is simply a voltage comparator driving an LED- What could be simpler? During the
development of the circuit, many threshold detector designs were con- sidered and all would have worked well. The design selected for my friend's apphcation is shown in Fig, L The criteria used for selecting the cir- cuit required a variable threshold ad- justment and a circuit that would drive an LED. The use of an audible alarm
Contmued on pc^e 38
SOURCE +11-15 V
Fig. 1. Low battery voltage detector.
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1 998 31
George's XE-lent
Part 2: Days 10-18
Number 32 on your Feedback card
George Palaki WB2AQC
84-47 Kendrick Place
Jamaica NY 11432
iiesday. The Radio Club Azteca doesn't have its own place, so it holds its meetings twice a month at fhe Federation. Not having ils own place, it doesn't have a station, but it does have a beatitiful QSL card: XE 1 RCA. However, this does not com- pensate 1 or those XEs who have stations. do operate, and promise QSL cards — when they don't even have one.
iP6unded in 1932, Azteca is the old- est amateur radio club in Mexico City, presently having about 30 members. Once a year, the club organizes a na- tional contest, Theodoro XEIYQQ and Rosa XEIYQR drove me to the Fed- eration in the evcnins. There I met Memo XEINJ, the director of lARU region 2, area C, and the executive sec- of the Federation. Memo, a
Photo A, Ai the XEILM chih station, stanJing, left to right: Efraim XEIJGM, Manuel XEIJRL Artnro XEINAD, Carlos XEIEOX. Smin^, left to right: Felipe XEIMHF, Jean- Pierre XEI YVE, Emir XEIPAR.
32 73 Amateur Radio Today ■ December 1998
buildinjj adniTnistrator, was licensed in 1978; he is a DXer with 317 countries conllrmed, and works only SSB on 10- 15-20 meters. His wife Rebeca is XEI RUN and she is active. His son Memo Jr is XEiOJ, and his daughter Ady is XEJ NG — both arc inactive.
In 1985, Memo participated in the DXpedition to Reviilagigedo when the XF4MDX call was used.
Wc met some of the members of the Azteca radio club (Photo A). First to arrive was Arturo XEINAD, the club's president (Photo B), Every year they have an election for president and you can be re-elected just once. 1 visited his station the next day.
I also met Felipe XEIMHF. He works in the printing industry, w^as li- censed in 1990, and operates only on SSB, mostly on two meters. His wife Olga XEI XZT was licensed in 1 996.
Jean-Pierre XEIYVE is a French- born electronics engineer, licensed in 1988; Emir XEI PAR is a retired doc- tor who — despite his name — does not have a harem, I visited Emir three days later.
Manuel XEIJRI sells and installs computers, and trains the users, I saw him and his family of amateurs the fol- lowing Saturday.
i
Photo B. Armro XEI NAD, president of the Radio Club Azteca, is active on satellites en 144/432 MHz and on 6 m with a rotas- able dipole.
Carlos XEIFOX is assistant director of lARU, region 2, area C, and also di- rector of the Federation. Carlos works in advertising. He is a DXer, works only SSB, and has over 200 countries conliimed.
Efiraim XEl JGM, is a past president of the club; I had visited him three days earlier,
I took some group photos at the XEILM club station (the one that seems not to have QSL cards), said '*Hasta la vista^** and returned to my hotel.
Wednesday
In the morning, AfiMIO XEINAD, the president of the Radio Club Azteca, picked me up from the hotel and took me to see his station, Arturo, a physi- cist, is the system manager for Penoles, the world's largest silver- mining company, Arturo is very enthu- siastic about amateur radio and has plenty of excellent equipment. He was licensed in 1994; operates SSB, RTTY and satellites; and has a nice QSL card* He has a 40-foot tower on the roof, 120 feet from the ground On that lower, Arturo has a three-element
Photo C. Lorenzo XEIU has two great sta- tions: one in Mexico City, the other in Tepottotlun.
monobander for 1 0 meters; a three-ele- ment TH3-Jr that is a three-element yagi for 10-15-20 meters; and a two- clement yagi for 40 meters. He also has a roiatable dipole for 17 meters and a rotatable dipole for six meters. Furthermore, a G5RV is used for 10 to 80 meters and, with a luner^ for 160 meters.
Arturo is working satellites on two meters and 70 cm, in the B mode, and is planning a setup with a L2 GH/ for uplink and a 24 GHz for downlink, operating on S mode. Arturo XEINAD is a contester; he created his own con- test computer program. In his car, he has a duaiband mobile rig for 144 MHz and 432 MHz. Arturo is also an excellent amateur photographer, and in martial arts he has a black belt, second dan. His E-mail address is: [arturo_ enriquez@penolesxom.mx].
Arturo look me to the office of Luis XEIL, in a beautiful Spanish-style building surrounded by tail office buildings. Tt is easy lo find Luis' builri- ing because it has a tower with a large yagi on the top.
Luis took me to see Lorenzo XEIU, who has a Ph.D. in civil engineering but works in insurance as the vice president of La LatinoAmericana (Photo C). Lorenzo is fluent in En- glish^ French, and Italian, and besides
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73 Amateur Radio Today • December1998 33
thoto D. Keytui XEILMV tiiul her iiiofher, Olga XEINBJ.
Spanish, he also speaks u dialed used in the Canary Islands. Licensed in 1969, Lorenzo has a Iremendous sta- tion, but is nol a DXcr: he works only SSB mostly with tVicnds, His Lower is 66 leel from ihe roof, 90 feet from the ground. On the lower Lorenzo has a 30-elcnient. veriically-ptjlari/ed yagi for two meters: a TA-33-40 yagi for 10- 1 5-20-40 nicteni: a wire dipole for 40 and 80 meters: and three verlicats for 144 Mil/, 432 MH/. and 1 .2 GH/. He likes 40-nieter SSB. And lo lop ii all off, he has a separate room just for consimcting.
In Tepotzotlan, he has a second house with a complete station; an 82- foot tower with a 30-elemenl yagi for two metecs; a TH7DX type of antenna which is a seven-element yagi for 10* 15-20 meters: a two-element yagi for 40 meters: and an 1 8HTS vertical from Hy~Gain for 10 to 160 meters, Lorcn/o XEl U has a nice, colorful QSL card.
Thursday
For this day I had scheduled a visit
with a ham who did not show up and did not even catl to cancel the appoint- ment. I went people-walching, and again [o the two large artisans' mar- kets. I prefer lo shop where there are
Photo E. Mux XEIXA. wiih his antennax
for safellire and EME ioiuffumhaiious.
fixed prices; 1 really don't like hag- gling. As a dilettante in bargaining, I am no match for the professionals. No matter how much time 1 spend check- ing out prices and trying to push them down, after making the purchase, I al- waj s Inid heiter buys. That is the rea- son I prefer to do my shopping on the last day of my trip — at least then 1 don't see that I have made bad deals.
Some merchants spoke some En- glish, but many of them, even after dealing for years with foreign— mostly American — -tourists, knew very little. When asked abcmt prices, they showed them to mc on their calculators.
Friday
Today Emir XEl PAR came to the hotel and took me to his house- Emir is a retired medical doctor who worked as a hospital adminisiraion He was li- censed in 1984. His daughten Maria* Eugenia XEl PAT, is an architect living in Leon Guanahuato: they have QSOs every day on 40-meter phone.
Rmir has a 40-root tower on his root which itself is 33 feet from the iiround. His antennas are: a six-element yagi for 10-15-20 meters; a Ringo for two meters: a Diamond for two meters and 70 cm: and a wire dipole with traps for 40 and 80 meters.
Emir XE [ PAR has a second house in the state of Morelos. where he takes his Kenwood TS'440 or his Drake TR- 3 lo use with a wire dipole, Emtr has QSL cards.
In the afternoon, I took a taxi to sefe Nellie XEICL who lives in a very high-class section of the town. The taxi driver stopped four times to ask for directions: twice he w^as scnl the wroni! wav. To enter the buildinq. I had lo pass two security checks. When I got to the lobby and entered the eleva- tor and pushed the button for tiie filth (NcUie's) floor, the ele%'ator went dow n instead of up because the lobby is on the eighth floon That really can contiise aburslar!
If you talk about Mexican YLs or Mexican DXpcditioners. then you talk about Nellie XEICI. She was licensed in 1 968: her late husband Max XE 1 TX was also a very active amateur. Her three daughters and their husbands are
also hams: Patricia XEITX , who got her lather's call; Dcbora XEIXYZ; and Lorena XEIXYW, Thev are nol as active as Nellie XEICL but who is?
Nellie's tower is 165 feet trom the ground and has a 30- foot mast. She has the following antennas: an omnidirec- tional two-meter vertical on the top; a 12- or 24-element (she did nol remem- ber exactly) vertically-polarized yagi lor two meters; a THI IDX vasi from Hv-Oain for 10-12-15-17-20-30 meters; a Cushcraft two-element yagi for 40 meters; and an inverted-V wire dipole for 80 meters, Nellie XEICI works on SSB. RTTY and satellite. She is on the No, 1 Honor Roll and has the SB WAS with YLs only.
In Nellie's radio room, among aTI kinds of interesting ham memorabilia, I saw a dedicated photograph of JYl, King Hussein of Jordan.
Nellie has operated in many DX- pcdiiions and from many locations, such as Easter Island XR0Y; Rcvil- lagigedo XF4CI; Jordan YJ8XE; Israel 4X/XE1CI: Guantanamo Bay KG4CI; Puerto Rico XH1CI/KP4: Belize V31CK; Grenada J37NL; St. Pierre FP/XEICI; British Virgin Islands VP2V/XE1CI; as well as in Venezuela: German v: Sweden; Hilton Head Island IOTA NA-I 10; Isla del Carmen in XE3; etc., etc. Her E-mail address is: [xelci@ mail internei.com. nix].
Saturday
Manuel XEIJRL whom 1 had just met at the Radio Club Azteca meeting, came to get me and take me to his house, where I met his spouse Olga
XEINBJ, and their pretty daughter
Photo F, Vic XEIViC is on the Honor Rolls for Phone and Mixed, No. I Honor Roll. 5BWAZ, 58 WAS. etc.
34 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1 398
Reyna XEILMV, who was just finish- ing college (Photo D). All three were licensed in 1992.
Manuel XEIJRI is the most active ham in the family; Olga XEINBJ is mike-shy and Reyna is busy with her studies. They have a small station and a wire dipole for 40 and 80 meters, but no QSL cards. Their QSOs are virtu- ally only with Mexican stations. The standard excuse for not working DX is that they do not speak a foreign lan- guage. This may be so in the case of Olga, but Manuel speaks enough En- glish to be able to use it in QSOs, and Reyna's English is even better Be- sides, there are a great number of countries in Central and South America where the hams do speak Spanish, so I wish the Mexican amateurs would get over this presumed language barrier and start to talk with the world,
Manuel XEIJRI is active in public service communications; he relayed messages after various hurricanes de- stroyed part of the public communica- tions system. The Mexican amateurs have drills preparing them for poten- tial disasters created by earthquakes, hurricanes, and the possible eruption of the Popocatepetl volcano. Once a year, Manuel participates in the Boy Scouts Jamboree demonstrating ama- teur radio communications to children.
We agreed to meet with Max XE1XA (Photo E) in a restaurant, halfway between Manuel's and Max's houses. They had never met before, but hams can always find each other So we met, and I went with Max. First, we went to the house of Vic XEIVIC (Photo F). Vic is an accountant; he was licensed in 1978 and is one of Mexico's Big Guns. He has a very big station with lots of equipment. His tower is 75 feet high from the roof, 95 feet from the ground. It supports a TH7DX which is a seven-element yagi for 10-15-20 meters; a two-element yagi for 40 meters from Cushcraft; a G5RV for 10 to 80 meters; a Butternut vertical for 40-80- 160 meters; a short- ened wire dipole for 160 meters; and an inverted-L for 160 meters. He can also resonate his tower on 160 meters. No w^onder he has over 100 countries worked on this band. Vic has a nice
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Photo G, Marisa XEIIRF and her da tighter, MarizaXEIJVK
QSL card. What was suiprising is that Vic does not use computers — he does noi like tbem.
A member of the Mexico DX Asso- ciation and Mexico DX Club, Vic XEIVIC is on the No. 1 Honor Roll has both Phone and Mixed, and has 5BWAZ, 5BWAS, 160WAS, and scores of other awards difficult to ob- tain. He has twice gone on DXped- itions — ^to XF4 Revillagigedo and to 4J1 Malyj Vysolskij,
I saw that Vic's house, Uke many Mhers in upper class neighborhoods, is protected by pulsating high voltage, among other devices. I wonder if that creates any radio noise.
After finishing at Vic's place, we went to see the staUon of Max XEIXA, Born in Italy, Max came to Mexico for a visit and then decided to slay. He manufactures medical equip- ment and various electronic parts and assemblies.
His tower is 40 (eel from the roof, and 53 feet horn the ground. It has an eight-element yagi for two meters and a TA33, a three-element yagi for 10- 15-20 meters. His claim to fame is his satelUte activities: he has made thon- sands of QSOs with over 100 countries using a 16-elemenl cross-yagi for two meters, and a 40-elemcnt cross-yagi for 70 cm. Furthermore, Max XEIXA is known for his EME work. With his home-made dish. J6J feet in diameter with a 24 dB gain on 70 cm. Max has made hundreds ol' QSOs with 28 dif- ferent countries. He has been a mem- ber of AM SAT since 1974, and has had articles published in the AMSAT Jour- naL His main interest is buildino equipment for vei7 low level signals. Max has a nice QSL card.
36 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1'998
In April 1989, Max XEIXA made the first satellite operation from Revillagigedo, making 52! contacts. He also operated via satellite during the Easter Island XR0Y DXpedition, making 43] QSOs with 41 countries, uphnk 70 cm, downUnk two meters. He was pan of the group who made the first six-meter EME contact from Easter Island.
Max's E-mail address is: [coramexsa @ supernct.com.mx],
I returned to my hotel to rest but then I got a call from Manuel XEIJRI that he had found some more hams willing to be photographed. I could not miss the opportunity, Manuel came over and drove me to the Tioine of Roberto XEINDN, an oithopedist. A family of four, all hams! Roberto XEINDN was licensed in 1990; his wife Maris a XEIIRK a kindergarten teacher, hcensed in 1992; his daughter Mariza XEIJVF, a university student studying business administration, li- censed in 1992 (Photo G); and son Roberto XRl JRS, a salesman, Hcensed also in 1992, 1 have noticed the tendency in many families to give tlie children the same fu^st names the parents have,
Roberto XEINDN was saying that he has to have three jobs to suppt>n his family. I told him that in the US medi- cal doctors make quite a iol of money, and the best season for orthopedists is winter, when people slip and fall on ice, and break some bones. In Mexico* there is httle chance for ice. "Oh/' said Roberto, "Santa Palineta takes care of us orthopedists!" He was referring to accidents caused bv children on roller skates.
Here I found hams acting more like CBers: no logs; no QSLs; only short distance contacts, mostly with friends, w^ithout trying to extend their radio coimmuni cations to faraway places in other countries. Again, the unjustified excuse was that they don't speak for- eign languages. Roberto XEINDN has a computer, T>ut does not use it to its full capabilities, for example, to log his QSOs. After taking their pictures I returned to mv hotel wishing I could go home — but according to my sched- ule and airline tickets I had two more days to stay.
Sunday
In the moniine I went with Tlieodoro XEl YQQ and Rosa XEIYQR to a big market which had two distinct sec- tions: one with the usual new clothing; and the other one. a real Ilea market with genuine antiques which I have rarely seen in other places. I did not buy anything, but it was fun to foolc at them.
In the afternoon, all three of us went to Palacio de Bellas Aries, a few blocks from my hotels and saw tbur very well executed and imaginative modern dances presented by the Cam- pania Ncicional dc DanzcL 1 especially liked the ballet created to the music by Georges Bizet, on the theme of Carmen. It was fantastic. The best seat in the house costs about 14 dollars.
The Palace of Fine Arts, an architec- tural masterpiece, had a painting exhi- bition with the works of Diego Rivera, his wife Frida Kahlo, Siqucros, Orozco, and other great Mexican artists.
Monday
The end of my trip was approaching, [ did the last-minute shopping and I took everything I bought to Theodoro's hardware store, where they packed it in two cardboard boxes that were later taken to my hotel.
During the last few days, I had got- ten .sick of the spaghetti I had eaten almost daily. I had not wanted to ad- venture in typical Mexican food, so I had bought in the market the bread, cheese J and tomatoes that T would eat three times a day.
I noticed some peculiarities in Mexico City. The subway, which has a very extensive network, is very cheap: 1 ,5 pesos, which conies to 18 cents. However, the highway tolls are much too expensive. Going to Cuernavaca we paid 50 pesos each way for about an hour's drive.
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ihelr piridng garages. The letter E stands for estacionamiento.
Buses and minibuses often have a man standing in the open front dotir yelling out the route and invidng passengers to gel on.
The traffic is tremendous and noisy, with impatient drivers blasting their ftoms, cops blowing their whistles, and scores of cars tTOssing the intersections after the lights turn red.
Tuesday
I look a whole-day tour going to Puebla and the pyramid of Cholula. Pucbla has 3,000,000 inhabitants. There we visited the Hidden Convent of Santa Monica, filled to the brim with religious paintings and car\ings. Just on the two lours alone that I have tiiketi, I have been to so many churches, chapels, and convents, and bowed my head in from of so many crosses and various saints, that I now believe I have earned my place in Heaven.
As usual the guide took us to a "fac* tory," this dme to a TTalavera ceramic factory." During my travels, when I took tours I was taken to many, many *Tac lories'* but never saw a worker; the **faclories" were just stores only for foreign tourists^ where the guide gels a commission on everything his group buys, and that makes the prices higher than if you shop by yourself.
Another bit of information: For ab- solulely the same tour, various travel agencies charge different prices. For example, I found three brochures from
three agencies asking for the above lour $35, $43, and $46. Why do I say that it is the same tour? Because in- stead of sending three buses with three drivers and three guides, they combine everybody in a single bus, no matter where you booked the tour and how much you paid. I paid $43 (silly me) and a guy sitting near me paid $35. So, collect all the tour brochures you can Tmd, decide on a lour, and book the cheapest one.
Wednesday
1 had return tickets for an afternoon flight, but I went to the airport early in the morning and changed my tickets for an earlier flight I had kind of fm- ished my job and run out of money, and il was very hot, I was anxious to gel home.
At the Dallas/Ft Worth airport, I had to pass immigration and customs and change planes. I was the lucky winner of perhaps a random selection by the customs officials and they checked not only all three pieces of my luggage, but also I had to hand them my Jacket for inspection. They examined it care- fully, even the books I was carrying: DX-Aku, Messages from the Easier Is- land Expedition\ and VK0IR; both by KK6EK, received as gifts from Luis XEIL.
I believe it was not a routine customs inspection. Initially I had had the in- tention of taking a side irip to Cuba to visit some hams, and that is forbidden because of the embargo, I had told this
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Amateur Rad/o Today • December 1998 37
I J
to a couple of people. Perhaps word got around and the authorities were waiting for me. I certainly do not match the profile of a smuggler, and they could have brought their sniffing dogs to check me out. But the dogs wouldn't find any proof that I was in a forbidden place. For that, sniffing people were needed. Let me express my restrained opinion about the em- bargo: it is completely useless, and is restricting the freedom of US citizens to travel wherever they want,
I truly enjoyed the trip, despite the unusually hot weather I met really nice amateurs and non-amateurs alike. Mexico has everything — and even more than you could expect on a vaca- tion. And you don*t even have to cross the pond to get there; it is right in our own backyard I
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CIRCLE 351 ON flEADER SERVICE CARD
Low-Voltage Detector
continued from pv^e 31
sQunder was rejected in this application even though die circuit is capable of driving a Sonalert'^^ or similar sounder
An LM741 op amp was chosen to be used as the detector because of its avail- ability and low cost, not for any specific technical reason. Yes, a voltage com- parator, which was designed for the pur- pose, would work equally as well in this application. As a matter of fact, if you decided to use a voltage comparator, there would be no changes to the circuit except for the device pin numbers.
A zener diode is used to establish a stable voltage reference at a convenient voltage level between 4.5 V and 8 V and is connected to pin 3 of the LM741. Also, the voltage at pin 2 of the LM741 must be adjustable above and below the zeher value in order to achieve a detec- tion threshold level. The voltage value on pin 2 normally remains higher than the voltage on pin 3, and as long as it is higher, the output ai pin 6 will remain low. Potentiometer R2 is adjusted to allow the voltage at pin 6 to rise when the supply voltage falls to and/or be- low a selected leveL In my friend's situation the threshold voltage was set for 11 volts. At that value his critical functions would still continue to oper- ate while the flashing LED would pro- vide a warning of a potential failure.
Although turning on a light is a warning, a steady glow might not be noticed. A flashing light has a much better chance of attracting attention to a potential problem. To make a flash- ing light, a 555 IC was used as a low- frequency oscillator for controlling the LED on/off function. An LED with a built-in flasher would perform just as well in this application, and would sim- plify the circuit by eliminating the 555. The actual flash rate is not critical as long as it attracts attention.
There is nothing critical in the con- struction of the low voltage detector Ad- justment of the threshold is performed by attaching the detector to a variable voltage power supply. The output of the supply is adjusted to the desired detec- tion voltage threshold value. Then, R2 on the detector is adjusted until the LED
Parts List
R1 1k 1/4 W resistor Jameco #29663
R2 10 k pot
Jameco #43001
Hosfelt #38-120, #38-145,
#38-192
R3 4.7 k 1/4 W resistor Jameco #31 026
R4 1 00 k 1/4 W resistor Jameco #29997
R5 33 k 1/4 W resistor Jameco #30841
R6 330 1 /4 W resistor ' Jameco #30867
CI 1 jmF 50 V radial cap Jameco #29831 Hosfelt #15-550
Zener 1 N4734 {4.5-8 V) Jameco #36118 NTE#5013A
Ul LM741 op amp
Jameco #24539 Hosfelt#LM741CN RS #276-007
U2 555 timer
Jameco #27422 Hosfelt #NE555
LED red LED
Jameco #9451 1 , #94529,
#1 04248
Hosfelt #L01, #25-307,
#25-325
RS #276-041
Table h Parts list for the low battery volt- age detector^ including part numbers of suppliers.
begins to flash. The correct setting is then verified by raising the supply volt- age sUghtly above the threshold until the LED stops flashing. The supply voltage is then lowered until the LED starts flashing again.
The low voltage detector can be used for a wide variety of applica- tions— you are limited only by your imagination. It's suitable for use on any battery-operated system subject to a voltage loss situation, including an automobile. Build the circuit and try it out on your 12- volt battery and/or power supply system.
38 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
Number 33 titi your Few^tMCk cttd
Specirl euents
Listings are free of charge as space permits. Please send us your Special Event two monttis in advance of the issue you want it to appear in. For example, if you want it to appear in the March *99 issue, we should receive it by December 31. Provide a clear, concise summary of the essential details about your Special Event
JAN 2
MORRtSTOWN, TN The Lakeway ARC will host a Hamfest and Computer Show on Jan. 2, 1999, attheTaliey Ward Rec. building in Monrislown TN. For info please contact Perry Henstey N4PH, (423) 826-4848, E-mail [n4pt}@ juno.com}; Kemp Lawson KF4AGB, (423) 587-3320, E-mail [kemp- lawson@aol.com}: or write to Lakeway ARC KF4JJJ, P.O. Box BBS, Talbott TN 37877-0985. Talk- in on 147.030(+) and 53,03O(-)-
JAN 16
ST. JOSEPH, MO The Missouri Valley ARC and Ray-Clay ARC will hold their 9th annual Northwest Missouri Winter Ham* test 8 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Ramada lnn» 1*29 and Frederick Ave. {Exrt 47 on h29), in St. Joseph UO. There will be special room rates for hamfest participants. VE exams, major exhibitors and flea market all indoors. Free parking. Advance tickets $2 each or 3 for $5; at the door $3 each or 2 for $5, Pre-registration requests received after Jan. 5, 1 999, will be held at the door. Dealers: Swap tables $10 each for the first two tables. Commercial exhibitors welcome, write for details: Northwest fi/tfssouri Winter Ham- fest, c/o Gayten Pearson WB0W, P,0, Box 1533, St. Joseph MO 64502, or E-mail IWB0W@ IBM. Neil
JAN 17
HAZEL PARK, Ml The Hazel Park
ARC will hold its 33rd Annual Swap & Shop on Jan. 17, 1999, at the Hazel Pad^ High School, 23400 Hughes St. Hazel Park Ml. The pubfic is welcome 8 a.m.- 2 p.m. General admission is S5 in advance or at the door. Plenty of free parking. Tables $14; reservations for tables must be
received with a check. No reservations by phone. Talk-in on 146.64(-), the DART rptr. For info atx)ut the swap, tickets, or table reservations, mail to HPARC, RO, Box 368, Hazel Park Ml 48030.
SPECIAL EVENT STATIONS
DEC 13
AURORA, CO The Second First Annual Great Colorado Snowshoe Run, sponsored by the Colorado QRP Club, will be on the air 03002-05002 December 13th,
1998. This equals Dec. 12th in tfie following time zones: 7 p.m.-9 p,m. Pacific; 8 p.m. -10 p.m. Mountain: 9 p.m -1 1 p.m. Central; 10 p.m -12 midnight Eastern. 40 meter CW only. 7.040+. Power: 5 watts maxrmum for all entrants, but QRO stations can be worked for credit. CertHicates will be awarded to the highest scohng Station in each antenna class, and the highest scoring station in each SPC. Full details are on the CQC Web site at [http://www.cqc,ofg], or E-mail [cqccx@cqc.org]. Up lo three contacts with the same station are allowed, 30 minutes apart. Logs must be postmarked or E-mailed no later than 30 days after the event. Mail to Colorado QRP Club, Inc., P.O. Box 37 1 B83. Denver CO 80237-1 883, or E-mail (ASCII text files only) to: [cqccx@cqc,org].
JAN 26-27
ST. LOUIS, MO All Amateur Radio Clubs of St Louis MO wiJI sponsor Special Event Station WOK during Ihe papal visit of Pope John Paul M, Jan. 26-27,
1999, Operations from the Monsanto Amateur Radk) Assn. shack will be on 1 0-80 meters, 24 hours per day. QSL with #10 SASE via Rev. Mike Dieckmann KAOIAR^ 703 Third Sf., HIHsboro MO 63050 USA.
Hboue & Bevond
Number 3B on ytwr F^Mlhack card
VHF and Above Operation
C. L. Houghton WB6I6P San Diego Microwave Group 6345 Badger Lake Ave. San Diego CA 9211 9 [dhough@pacbelLnet]
HP power meters and thermistor mounts: Evaluating surplus material
Due to several requests for an overview covering Hewleii- Packard and similarmicrowave power meters, I will re-explore
power meters and how to evalu- ate them at a swap meet to at- tempt lo avoid spending big bucks on a defective unit. Most important is the evaluation of the power head, as this is the most important piece of equip- ment in the evaluation equation.
There are several tricks of the trade that can he brought ro t>ear to eva]uate surplus niaierial "on the fly" at swap meets and other events we micro waven delight in. For one thing, 1 usually cany (in the glovebox of the car) a suiiablc set of simple tools lo help in testing should the opportunity present itself*
The first item I want to cover is just what to pay for surplus power meters and — most impor- tant— the RF head and connect- ing cables. Other questions to answer include what conditions
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CmCLE 13 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 39
to expect and huw you know if scaitething is in working condi- fibn. I know wc need a sc[ nltL^si parameiers ihrtnigh which lo pul a device lo avoid the purchase of another doors tup. Well. I can'i guumnicc you thai these pointers will be 100% perfect, btit perhaps they will help lo iiiininTi/e aiiv a*;i!ravatioiL
1 am basing my observations here on ihc Hewlett-Packard 431-type power meter with matching RF cable and 478-iype power meter head, which is the most common. There are several other typos of meters, such as those by General Instruments. I picked the Hewlett-Packard 43 1 because it is an inexpensive sur* plus meter thai seems lo be prevalent on I he surj^lus market.
When you happen upon a power meter at a sw ap meet or flea market, its kind of hard to really evaluate it in its opera- tional Slate unless \ t>u have AC
■r
power and a source of RF to fullv lest it. However, there are some basic operations you may perform nn the unit liulclcniiine ifit is indeed "alive/*
In this example, our HP-431/ HP-47S system should he able to measure freipiencies from 10 MHz to over 12.4 GHi with ease and accuracy using the "N" coaxial connector of the 478A power head. Oilier heads are available wilh waveguide in- stead of coaxial input cnnncc- tors. The 478A coaxial head is the must popular, us it has I he most comnion frcqtiency range of use. However \ i ) and 1 8 GH/ waveguide heads are \ cry goud also.
The division of cost can be split up into the three compo- nents of the HP'43! power meter system. First, the meier itself is valued at $25 to $40: it is readily avatlahle as a stand- alone device — but it Is useless wtlhoui the control cable and power head i478A|, which are the two more cxpcnsi\ c pans of the systems. The RF head cable is valued at S40 and the power head type 478 A. slightly higher at $50, making a package price in the S]5i) range somewhat common. I have seen meters
with cables and 4fS ft^3s priced at over $200. but ihey sti II reappear month after month with no one purchasing them at swap tiicets here.
Don't rush to pick up a meter. First gel a cable, and if you w ant lo check it, a simple ohmmcter check of continuity will do tlie job. 1 have never found a surplus cable defective — just ver>^ dirty, and sometimes with cracked cable covering (fixable with a little black electrical tape). Didn't look ven swift, but it
m
functioned well. If you're a pur- ist, get some gray electrical tape and do the best you can.
Recently I evaluated three |K)wer heads with a wa\ eguide input for the frequency range of 12.4 lo 18 GHz and lound unly one suitable for purchase. I also applied the same techniques to evaluate seven coaxial General Microwave power heads and tbund them all defective. They all carried sticker prices of S40 each^ — not too bad for a door- stop. Jusi don't ict your pick- il-up'itis get in the way of reason — evaluate what you are con tempi all ng purchasing.
The cosl of a complete powder tneter package with cord and themiistor mouni should be less than S200. A setup like this can measure power from 10 MHz to over 12.4 Gil/ with ease and accuracy, using a terminating *'N " ccaxia] con nee Lor. T have also seen systems go for a lot less, with $125 or so being more commonplace. Remem- ber, there are a lot more 431- typc meiers around than cords and the scarce thermistor heads. Thermistor heads can go for S8() to $ 100 each depending on con- dition (appearance). If youTe desperate and have a batikrolf well, judge it for yourself. I would purchase a lower-priced head providing I couid test ii with an ohmmeter Used, gotxl. chec ked-oul'b ul'-gru ngy -appear- ancL' h jads demand the lower fig- uie. while new checked-out heads command the top price at swap meets. This is somewhat back- ward from a calibration stand- point, which would make more sense to me.
Bvaluaiion at swap meets can be difficuh, hut if there is AC power you can plug in the mclcr and see if you can make DC bal- ance wilh I he RF head attached. (Set the meter's resistance switch on the front panel to 2(M) ohms when usinii the 478 A RF head.) Adjust the meter balance controls for zero indication us- ing both the coarse and fine bal- ance pntcntiomelers. Usually, if a power meter will balance, it's in reasonable condition.
While in the AC p*)wer mode, pull out your little RF test gen- erator to make an on*scale read- ing. It's a single TTL high frequency crystal oscillator module and its 9 V transistor radio butterv. Tlie unit t built is quite small, and only uses eight components, including a crystal oscillator module, a nine- volt battery, five-voll zener with load resistor, and three resistors in the output attenuator circuit to limit output to zero dBm or so.
If .^C power is not available, you can still confirm several good test conditions to deter- mine if il indeed is a bargain. What you want to detennine is whether the RF therm islor head is "alive." To accomplish this, wc make a DC resistance check of the thentiistors in the 478A thermislor mtuinL For these me as LI re men Is, yini need an older-style POVM— that's a Plain Old Volt Meter, or more exactly a VOM, analog- or digi- tal-type. The new digital types work, hut with autorangingyou don't get repcatablc results. What is desirable is a range sel- ling like xlO that does not pro- vide high current output like the xl scale, or the higher voltages
Si- ■■-
used w^hen in ihc megohm ranges. The times ten scale of an analog resistance meter (VOMj isperfcei.
Make a DC resistance check between the shell i ground) of the HP-478A thermistor head and the pins that would connect to ilie meter's cortl. You will find one pin open and three pins con- nected to ground. The remain- ing two pins are direct connections to the thermistor leads. Pins 1 and 3 are the
ihermistorVs to-eround. Pins 2, 4. and 6 are grounds. Pin 5 is open. One of the thcnnistors is the actual RF thermistor that responds to RF power, and the other is isolated and is used to provide temperature stability bal- ance lo the hridee circuit. Both thermistors must be matched to balance the power meter bridge circuit. I measured on my bench this way and got 3.22 k ohms on pin 1 and 3.75 k ohms on pin 3. This unit just would not bal- ance on the power meter. A bel- ter head measured 2.96 ohms on pin 1 and 3.01 ohms on pin 3 and balanced perfecdy w iih lots of balanced range.
In desperation, heads can be fixed by adding some extra bal- anced resistance lo the pan of the thermislor circuit thai is un- balanced rinstde the 43 1 meter). Of course, catibralion will be affected but you get a balanced unit when there is no other pos- sible fix available. It's not too bad, considering the alternative without any meter at all This is a drastic last step to tide you over until you can get a good balanced head — one that will give you some service until that time. Just remember that if the difference is loo great, the unit will not balance on the HP-431 power meter.
Now, what follows is not a Hewlett-Packard thermislor se- lection process but rather a simple, quick, and casy4o*per- fonn DC resistance check. The resistances of the thermistors should be quite close in relation- ship U> each other. Nomiiiatly, I have made readinss near the 3000-ohm area using a 1000- ohm-per-volt VOM a Radio Shack SIC special. The specific resistance is not important — just thai the ihemitsiors are in the range and close to each other. What is critical is the match between the two thermistors.
I have observed some power head thermistors read 2.758 ohms and 2.786 ohms, 1 320 ohms and 1285 ohms, 3.956 ohms and 3-984 ohms. Others 1 have tested all showed being in the vicinity of each other (let\ sav to less than 5wf or so). If this match is
40 73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998
quite close, the head should worL Out of 25 or so heads veri- fied in this manner, only two
showed problems. One was tcm- peramental in that it showed in- siabilities like a microphonic connection, and the other one was 5 dB off in calibration and not linear. The other unitji evalu- ated out of a batch of some 75 heads considered over many years were not suitable for fur- ther evaluation. Most had one thermistor open or the match was quite bad.
Examples of bad thermistor heads
A bad or defective thermistor head is one that has one ther- mistor open, usually the RF detection thermistor In an HP- 478 A mount the maximum RF power to be detected is 10 mW. I usually suspect that 10 watts or some excessive power above 10 mW caused the themitstor to go up in smoke .,. Usually the RF head will handle an over- range input of +20 mW for a short dme, but you are '*tickling the tail of a dragon'" if you try.
Over-range input power also has caused matched thermistors to heat up excessively and change their resistance values, rendering a previously matched set of thermistors unmatched due to excessive RF healing. The result is a head that will not zero-calibrate and is considered smoked just as much as one that is open for all practical pur- poses. When this happens, you will not be able to balance the meter, rendering the RF head useless.
Checking the themiislor heads in this case, you might obtain DC resistance readings that vary according to the Lype of meter you use. Just be sure that the two thermistors are somewhat close to each other and you should be OK. 200 ohms imbalance should be OK, but as it gets higher, suspect trouble* If the price is low, give it a try. If the price is quite high* I would avoid heads that are over ihc 200-ohm range unless you can test ihem on a workbench or gel a return
guarantee. The resistance must be less than 200 ohms difference to be able to bring die HP-431 power meter to balance. 100 ohms on the HP-432 proved to be OK, but 1 could not find any over 200 ohms to test on my bench meters to confirm my resistance speculation.
The pinout is the sam^;lbr many different manufacturers besides Hewlett-Packard that also make the 43 1 -type power meters. I suspect most are au- thorized duplications made un- der contract to HP but carry other designations and are physically identical to the HP- 478A thermistor heads. Most were manufactuied by Struthers and other manufacturers. Re- cently I picked up an 18 GHz waveguide head that was manu- factured by PRD. It was strik- ingly similar to the HP types. Even the connector seemed identical, so I tried the old POVM meter I carried in the car glovebox and put it to a test. Out of three tested, only one proved to be any good in matched thennistors,
T\vo other units tested with both thermistors showing con- tinuity, but their resistance read- ings seemed at the edge of my tolerances. I talked the surplus store into letting me take the two heads on credit, to be returned that day, if a home test proved them not compatible with the HP meter system. WcIK I am happy to report that the one PRD head that tested within close tol- erance balanced and reads quite accurately. The other two heads that seemed to be at the edge of my tolerances would not bal- ance and were returned to the surplus store. Did not wunl to make a costly mistake again.
Terminations and RF attenuators
The other components needed to make good power measure- ments into the microwave region are a good set of various attenu- ator values. Usually a set in- cludes 3, 6. 10, 20, and 30 dB two- watt attenuators or, as more commonly called, pads. Two
things are important in selecting or paying a price for a pad. Pads are rated in frequency and at* tenuation. If you intend to use a pad at 10 OH/., make sure that it is rated for operation at this frequency.
Usually; the auenuation and frequency characteristics are printed on most pads. If it is not, you are on your own as far as frequency is concemed. I have had some very high quality pads that looked top of the line, but as far as perfonnance was con- cemed, they became screwball and nonlinear as to attenuation when the frequency increased beyond 6 GHz.
At 10 GHz, diis particular pad exhibited some 35 dB of loss; at 8 GHz, loss was 32.4 dB; and at 6 GHz. it measured 30 dB. Decreasing frequency, the 30 dB loss maintained stable. This showed that this pad was not designed for operation at all
above 6 GHz, By the way, it did not have any frequency marking or rating on it. I have tested HP pads that are rated to 1 2 4 GHz; they are quite good even far above their 1 2.4 GHz frequency limits.
The other rating that is impor- tant is the loss value of the pad. Here we can make some deter- mination just if the pad is OK. Enter the handy VOM again. An attenuator or pad is usually con- structed in a '*T' fashion, giv- ing equal resistance to both the input and output coaxial con- nectors with respect to ground. Ustial construction comes in the form of a small cylindrical in- put and output resistor fonning the center conductor of the "T' pad. The shunt or center resis* tance to ground is a very large diameter resistor coihill kd at its center to die two input/output re- sistors. Being circular in design, its outer edges are connected to
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aRCLE 22 ON READER SERVICE CARD
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 41
Chrr's corner
Number 42 on your Feedback catd
Joseph J. Carr K4IPV
P.O. Box 1099
Falls Church VA 22041-0099
[carij||@aoLcom]
Hyhrid couplers are an mlcr-
esliiig class of devices. Tlie must inlercRling property is thai they wilt split an input power two ways. Each of those outputs re- ceives -3 lIB of the input power {i.e., a two-way split). Some hybrids produce in-phase oui- puts, olliers (called "quadiiuure" hybrids) produce *>0-degree out- put?v. and oiherK pR^duce 180- degree (out of phase) oulpuUv. There are a number of devices that are useful, but among those thai 1 find most inleresling are the Magic^T device.^. In this month*s column we will take a look at the lascinatins Mai!ie- T. The Magic-T produces 180- degree out of pha.se outputs.
The Magic-T transformer
Fig, I shows the Magic-T iruasibnner hyhrid. Ii consists of one centeM lipped winding and one non-lapped winding. Which of those windings will be used ;\s llie input or output de- pends on the applicalion. The re- hnionship of the impedances is shown in Fig. 1. The system impedance. R^, appears ai the ends of the center-tapped wind- ing tPun'2 and Pon-3i, while !he impedaiiLC at the lap (Port- 4 J IS R /2. The impedance ai [i\c unerounded end of the non- tapped winding ( Pon-1 ) is 2R^,
Let's take a look at two situa- tions. First, a signal is applied
ground and it acts as a shield between Lhe input and output at the pad.
Well. 1 hope I have given you some good information with which 10 evaluate power meters and power meter heads. Good hunting at yournext swap meeU 73.Chuck\vB61GR
' lo PonK If Ports 2 and 3 arc
I properly terminated in the sys- tem impedance, then the power wit! split 3 dB to each port, but the voltage appearing at the twt^ ports is ISCroul of phase. Port- 3 is thus 180^' with respect to Port -2. Both Porl-2 and Port- 3 are -3 dB with respect to the in- put level. Because Port-4 is the common between pori^ 2 and 3, lhe vol I age is zero, so Port-4 is the isolated port.
The next case would be a sig- nal applied lo Pon-4. This sig- nal is split l^^o ways, -3 dB each 10 Port- 2 and Port-3. The signal at Pon-1 will be zero because equal bui opposite currents from Port- 1 /Pon-2 and Port- i/Pon-3 are induced into the untapped winding* thus canceling each olher.
Practical 50-ohm example
The comhiner/splitter shown in Fig- 2 is designed to 50-ohm systems, so the tap is terminated in a 25-ohin noninUuclive resist- lor The input is the non-iapped winding. In order to reduce die 100-ohm impedance ihat one vv ould expect from the previous ease* where the turns ratio is 1 : 1 , the turns ratio is adjusted lo 1 .4 14: i . although in practice a 1.5:1 ratio is normally used. This tratisforms the impedance to close to 50 ohms.
Transformer matched
Magic-T
A different approach to input impedance transformation is shown in Fig, 3. The circuit is otherwise similar to the previ- ous circuit, except that the trans- former turns rado is the same as the straight Magic-X i.e., 1: 1 . A second transformer, T2. is used
10 transform the 100 ohm im- pedance reflected from the tapped winding lo 50 ohms. Transformer T2 is an auiotmns' former, a transformer made with a single tapped winding rather than I wo windings The lap is placed at the two-thirds point from gn>und.
Construction
The Magic-T can be built for
any power level using appropri- ate toroidal ferrite or powdered iron cores for transformer TL Vov receive-only Magic-Ts you cnn use cores such as the T-50- 2andT-50-6inthe I to 30 MHz high frequency (HF) region, orT- 30-15 in the 100 kHz lo 15 MHz medium wave region. For re- ceiver applications use #24AWG or #26 AW G enameled wire.
For QRP transmitters, you can use a core of lhe same ma- terial (the^'dash number" in the type numbers abtive), hut you should increase the size to something between ihe HK) ( l- inch) and 240 (2.4-inch) sizes. Use wire of #22 AWG to # 1 8 AWG, or larger if power levels are more than a few w^atis.
If you build one for transmit- ting at higher power, then you will need lo use one of the larger hybrids commonly found on high power balun transformers. Also, scale the wire si/.e up ac- cording to the power level used.
One of the applications of this type of coupler is to combine the signals from two antennas. Al- though any type of antenna can be used, let's consider the case of the quaner-wavelcngth vcr* deal spaced a half-wavelengih apart. These can be fed either in- phase or 180 degrees out of phase, depending on the direc- tion that you want to squirt sig- nal. A high power Magic-T and some switching can be used for feeding the antenna.
Why? One fellow told me that he would simply use a half- wavelength extra of coax to the IKO-degree antenna, and that would take care of the phase shin. Yes. it would, but it also distorts the pattern. Loss in lhe coaxial cable means that the two
Fig. 1.
hybrid.
Magic-T inmsjormer
antennas will receive different currents, and thai messes up the radiation pattern. By using the Magic-T device you can use equal lengths of identical coaxial cable lo the two antctiuas. If you want to feed them in-phase. then don't use the Magic-T But i f you want to feed them out of phase con- nect the Magic-T into the circuit such that Port-2 and Pon-3 go to the two antennas, and Port- 1 goes to the transmitter*
Other matters „.
Several readers over Uie past year have asked me about the avaihibility of small parts. Too many distributors rcituire a high minimum order or won't deal with amateurs at alL The list be- low is compiled from the infor- mation I have available of ouUlts that .sell small quantities of small parts at reasonable prices. Con- tact me if you know of others.
Parts suppliers
Small Wonder Dave Benson NN 1 G
1
M
■^WV-
/
t
ism,ri"
mo DftUS
/77
^?7
Fig. 2. Cotubiner/splitier,
42 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
Hrm to hrm
Humter 43 on y&ar W^^Oback card
Your Input Welcome Here
Dave Miller N29E 7462 Lawler Avenue NilesIL 60714-3108 [dmillerl 4 @ juno.coni]
High-tech cleanup
Here's a Iiajidy little gadget thai I ran across recently at the hardware store. It's called a PrepPen*. and it's made by Pro Molar Car Products of Clear- waien Florida, The intention of the maiuifac Hirer is that the PrepPen be primarily used for line-detail standing, such as those hard-io-get-ai contours in fancy miiiwork, or the *iniall re- cesses in nicta! castings that are otherwise inaccessible to normal sandpaper and other grit-based materials.
In fact. Pro Motor Car Prod- ucts bills its PrcpPen as "The
Hieh-Tech Sandina Tool," While cleaning wire ends prior to soldering is mentioned on the package, Fvc found that the PrepPen can be us^ for all man* net of electronic cleaning jobs around the shop. In addition to sprucing up highly corroded wire ends, it's also handy for burnishing terminal connec- tions, PC board solder pads, corroded portable-equipment battery contacts, soldering-iron lips, and anything else that needs fine touch-up cleaning prior to use. While the PrepPen will reniove some of the softer enamel-wire finishes, h won*! w-'ork (by itself) on Fornivar*^'
and others that are extreniely lough. They'll still need to scraped. It can, however, be used for the final, just-before- tinning, cleanup.
Physically, the PrepPen is about ihe diameter of a husky marking pen, which makes it easy to handle and control. Its plastic pen-shaped body houses a bundle of 20,000 very fine strands of glass fibers (each Fmcr than a human hair), at- tached to a screw-thread feeder cartridge. You can adjust the length of the fibers exposed from the wurking end of the "^pen'* by simply turning the adjusting post al the far end.
Fig, 1(a) shows the overall concept of the PrepPen. and (b) how the glass-fiber replaceable cartridge iabi^ui an ei*2hth of an inch in diameter) itself looks- Some of the other jobs that the manufacturer mentions tin ad- dition to cleaning ends of elec- trical wires) are removing cor- rosion from plumbing parts; brushing rust from small areas
GL6SS
FIBER TIP
PEN BODY
WCOMI
END POST
{TURN TO ADJUST
I
t
4-3/4'
M-3/T6H
t\
Fig. /- The PrepPen^ by Pro Motor Car Products features a
rephiteahle sflass-fiber car- trid^e ami can be med jbr a number of fine'demil cleaning jobs on your ham radio work- bench ,
of chipped paint prior to touch- up (such as on an automobile); sanding hard-to-get-at recesses j prior to painting; preparing parts for gluing til dulls a shiny tin- ish nicely); and cleaning battery contacts,
[We recently had occasion to u\ to remove some silk-screen- ing fmm the fn>nt of an older rig, in order to change it according
«QNMl
i
1
1 iHigT
nrmmi
Fig, J* A differed approach,
80 East Robbins Ave. Newington CT 061 1 1 [bensondj@aol.coml
Dan*s Small Parts and Kits
Bo.\ 3634
Missoula MT 59806-3634
Phone or FAX (406* 258- 2782
f h 1 1 p : / / w w w , f i X . n e t / dans, html J
Buckeye Electronics 10213 Columbus Grove Rd.
Bluffton OH 45817 [buckeye@alpha.wcoiLcumJ
S & S Eneineerine 14102 Brown Road
SmithsburgMD 21783 Phone: (301)416-0661
FAX: (301) 4 16-0963
Milestone Technologies, Inc* 3140 S. Peoria St, Unit Ki56 Aurora CO 80014-3155 (303)752-3382
(800) 238-8205
Kanga Products Sea view House Crete Road East Folkestone CT18 7EG, En- gland UK Tel/FAX (44) 01303^891106 [sales # kanga.demon.eo*uk]
Reading list
Another tftftig people ask me about is books on RF and related topics (such as antennas). I im- modestly recommend a couple of ray own. but the Ltst is below. Use it for what it's worth,
L hiirodKcin^ QRP: Dick Pascoe G0BPS. £6.95, USS15.
2. Pascite Is Penm Pinchers: Dick Pascoe GOBPS, £4.95. US$8.
3. QRP Notebook: WIFB (ARRI.).
4. WIFB s Design Notebook: fARRL).
5. WiFB's QRP Notebook:
(ARRLK
6. Your QRP Operating Com- panion: KR7L*
7. flow to Get Srartciiin QRP: K4TWL
9. The Joy of QRP: WORSR
10. Practical Antenna Hand- book, 3rd Edition: Carr, Joseph J. McGraw-Hill. New York (1998).
1 1 . Microwave and Wireless Comnnm ications Technology: Carr. Joseph J. New nes. Boston (1997).
12. Secrets ofRF Circitir De- sign, 2nd Edition: Carr. Joseph J. McGraw-Hill, New York i 1996).
13. Radio- Frequency Elec- tronics: Circuits and Applica- tions: Hagen, Jon B. Cambridge Univ. Press, Cambridge, UK ( 1996).
14. High Frequency Circuit Design: Hardy, James. Reston
Publishing Co. (Olvision of Ptentice-Hall ). Reston V^ i 1979), !5. Standard Radio Conmnt- nica lions Mauuoh with Jnstrn- mentation and Testitig Tech- niques: Kinley. R. Harolds Prentice-Hal L Englewood Clilfs NJi:i985).
16. Practical Microwaves: Laverghetta, Thomas S. Howard W. Sams, Indianapolis IN 0984).
17. Microwave Devices £ Circuits: Liao, Samuel Y. Prentice- HalK Fngtewood Cliffs
NJ(I9y0X
18. HF Radio Systems & Cir- cuits. 2nd Edition: Sabin« Will- iam E. and Schoenike. Edgar O., editors. Noble Publishin|, At- lanta GA (1998),
19. Electronic Communica- tion, 3rd Edition: Shrader. Rob- ert L, McGraw-HilL New York (1975).
20. RF Design Guide: VizmuUer, Peter. Artech House, Boston/London (1995).
^ 2i,AUoftheARRLsbooks.
I
I
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 43
SW-1
TRAVELER A
SW-2
I
0AD(g7
TRAVELER B
I HOT
^
NEUTRAt
I 120 V
AC
(al
TRAVELER A
SW-1
SW-3
TRAVELER 8
TRAVELER C
\
SW-2
J
TRAVELER D
10 A
C— -^ 1 t hot'\
C ^ } 120 VAC
lb)
TRAVELER A
TRAVELER C
SW-1
SW-3
TRAVELER B |
SW-4
TRAVELER E SW-2
TRAVELER 0
TRAVELER F
I
OAD (C
HOT N
NEUTRAL ^
120 VAC
Ic)
Fig, 2, ia\ Well-known rhree-way s^iiehmg configitrathn. (b) Four-M'ay smTching configuration allow ing On/Off ionirot from three distinct locations, (c) four-way invitching configuration allow- ing OnlOffcoumi! from four, fivt\ six or more distinct locations. Note: 'Travelers'' are defined as conductors benveen switches.
to a mod we had done. Some slv
Hi
testine showed ihat nothing — including rubbing compounds and soft abrasives — seemed lo work wiihout atlcciing and mar- ring, however slightly, the un- derlying finish. Nothing, thai is, until retired Grumman Corp- icchnician Stan lev Rasanen of Nesconset NY pulled an ancient fiberglass penoiuof his JLiiiktx>x, hoarded ^^ince die '60s, and sug- gested using it as an eraser Same idea as llie PrepPcn, and workcai gfeat for this. — Ed J
The Prep Pen measures four and tliree-quarters inches long and is about nine-sixteenths inches in diameter at its widesf points. The giass41ber cartridge is one and three-sixteenths inches long. and. of course.
wears down as the tool is used, but it still should last a reason- able amount of lime before needing replacement. With my PrepPen, the manufacturer had thoughtfully packaged one spare cartridge in the hollow of the rear adjusting post Uhe unit eas- ily comes apart for cartridge m- placemenl). The PrepPen is available at most automotive, hardware, and home -center stores nationwide. — de NZ9E.
Analyzing .„ the problem!
From Stephen Reynolds NOPOU; A word ivt se^'eral) of caution: "Using an RF antenna
analyzer to determine the accu- racy of the match for an HF antenna am sometimes be mis-
leading ... especially if a strong local broadcast station is on the air in the area. Strong RF fields can tliruw die analyzer off be- cause it can't distinguish between locally strong uut-of-band sig- nals and the signal that the analyzer itself is developing " Interesting point, Stephen also mentioned that you must be very careful when connecting the coax connector onto the Autek RF Analyst^: Any twist- ing of the connector's center pin. during inslallaiion or re- moval, can break connections on the inside of the unit, neces- sitating time-consuming (and perhaps costly) repairs, His an- sw^er to the problem was to permanently install a UHF right-angle adapter onto the AuLek's UHF fitting, and only install the coax cable connector to that right-angle adapter, thus absolutely avoiding an\ twisting of the instrument's buili-in coax fitting during normal usage* Good lip. Stephen,
Stay in control
From Jim Kncsis WA9PYH: How lo control just about any- thing that you*d like to turn on and off. from as many locations
as you can imagine: '*Tf you need to control a circuit from several different locations, then this mav be just the thing vou've been looking for! Using two SPDT switches to control a cir- cuit from two distinctive loca- tions is no big secret „. so-called three-way circuit switching has been used for years in the elec- trical trade and it's likely that you now have one or two light- ing circuits in your home con- trolled by three-way electrical switches. Fig, 2(a) shows how the circuit is wired, and of course it's used to turn the same lights on or off from two differ- ent places. But what if you want to have more than two diflerent conuol locations?
"Eleelricians use four- way switches (DPDT switches that are crosswired internally so that only four of the six lemiinals are brought outside) to accomplish just I hat task. Fig, 2{b) shows
how it's done. SW-l and SW-3
are SPDT three- way switches and SW-^2 is a DPDT internally cross wired four- way switch. No matter what position any of the switches ends up being left in, at any of the locatiuns, the cir- cuit can be turned on or off from any other location.
"Now take a look at Fig. 2(c). Here we see two SPDT three- way switches and two DPDT crosswii'ed lour-way switches* This combination allows us to control our circuit from ari> of four distinct locations, again, regardless of what position any of the switches is left in ai any of the other locations. In fact, just by adding more DPDT crosswired four-way switches, you can control the circuit from as many positions as you wish (jusi remember that you need to end up ^a ith the SPDT four- way switches ai each end of the circuit as shown),
'in addition to using this scheme to cunirol a lighting cir- cuit, yuu can use it to turn on or off anvthrne vou*d like, such as a whole-house speaker audio feed from vour ham shack! Just use miniature SPDT and DPDT toggle switches, capable of han- dling the voltage and current of the circuit that you wish to con- trol, and wired as shown in Fig. 2(cK Of course, if you're con- trolling a 120 volt AC circuit, use only UL-approved three- way and four-way electrical power switches and wiring spe- cifically manufactured for that purpose/*
Why ane they called Jiree-way switches when they are installed in two dilTensnl locations? Only Edison know s for sure, but the best answer is that * thrcc-way*' refers to three different modes of operation. In Fig. 2tii), the lamp can be turned on and off from SW- 1 . on and offfnom SW- 2, or on fmm one switch iind off from the other— three distinct ways that die circuit can operate.
Pot luck!
From Herb Foster AD4UA: *The MFJ-418 Pocket Morse Code Tutor is a realty handy
44 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
lilUe device and trulv does lit easily in jus! ahaiit any pocket. The e;irphonc opt ion is p^micu- larly nice, sparing innocent by- standers from the pain and miseiy of the Morse code disci- ptine! Since I use mv 418 datlv lo keep my CW speed up to par, 11 eventually developed a scratchy volume control, appar- ently just froiii plain wear. The obvious fix was to replace the control en (i rely; it's a 10 k pot Willi a switch, and is available from MFJ i(601) 323-5869 for credit card orders] for $3.48. including sliipping.
''Here are a few lips to make replacing the 4 I8's vnlume con- trol a hit easier: Be sure to use care when opening the case. since there's a flat ribbon cable that connects the board lo the LCD display. Try to disturb this cable as little as possible. The old pot comes oul easily by us- ing a pair of niinialure side -cut- ters to cut the five connecting straps that connect the pot to the board. Then, a fast touch w ith a fine- tip iron will remove the stubs of these straps. Save the knob, as the replacement pot/ switch doesn't cojik with one. After you*ve soldered ihe con- nect! jig straps lo Uie new pol Jusl drop it in. solder down the five conned ioj)s to the board, and in- stall the (^Id knob (ii rakes a mi- cro-tipped Phillips screwdriver).
**When tlie nine-voli battery gels weak, you'll notice the LCD display blinking in time with the transmitted code. This is a gotxl indication that it's time for a new battery,
**I feel thai MFJ mav have slipped on one small point in the design of the 4 18, If you like to be able to observe die LCD dis- play as you use the Morse Tu- tor in your CW practice, the natural tendency is to lav ii down on a desktop with ihe LCD display facing upward, UnforiLMiately. this also puts the speaker facing downward to- ward the desktop, and the sound becotiies muffied.
*The fix to this is to buy a package oi rubber bumper feet, available widetv from hardware
stores and supennarkets, and cut oul small pieces about three- eighths of an inch square. Put these at the four comers (on ifie underside), where the speaker grill is located. Two of them %vifl end up lui the comers of the bat- tery cover. Now you should be able to put your 418 on a desk- top with the display upw ard^ and hear the code audio loud and cicarf
"By tlie way, use the MFM18 in the practice QSO mode, and after a few exchanges, die cull- ing station will say that he must QRT for a variety of reasons — the most imaginative one being lo change the baby! These are the ^ 90s. aren^t they r
Murphy's Corollary: A "fail- safe' circuit w ill usually destroy the circuit tfs protecting!
As always, our thanks go out to those who've contributed their ideas to this month's column, including:
Stephen Reynolds N0POU 510 S. 130th Sl Omaha XE 68154
Jim Kocsis WA9PYH 53 1 80 Flicker Ln,
South Bend IN 46637
Herbert L, Foster AD4U A M)2ii Pennsylvania St, Melbourne FL 32904-9063
If you're missing any past columns, you can probably find thetn at 7i*s **Ham To Ham" column home page (with special ^ thanks to Mark Bohnhoff V\ ayUOMK on the World Wide Web, at: [hup ://w\vw.rrs ia.com/ hih].
Note: The ideas ami sugges- tions contributed to this column by its readers have not necessar- ilv been tested bv die column's moderator nor by the staff of 73 ^ta:^azif7t\ and thus no guaran- tee of operational success is implied. Always use your own best judgnieiU before modifying any electronic item from the origi- nal equipment manufacturer's speci n caiions. No responsibi 1 ity is ijnplietl b\ ihe moderator or 73 Magazine for any equipment , dantage or malfunction resulting
Hrmsats
Number 45 an your Feedback c&rd
Amateur Radio Via Satellites
Andy MacAliister W5ACM 14714 Knights Way Drive Houston TX 77083
If youVe wailing expectantly
for Ihe launch of Phase 3D, don* I, Once a launch opportu- nity is announced, it wil! still be a while before the actual event. But, with the addition of two new digital satellites, TMSAT- 0 SCAR -3 1 and Cfunvin-OS- CAR-32 (Techsai-Ifi}, and tnore hamsats on the way. there are plenty of exciting opporlunitit-^ coming soon.
TMSATI (T0'3l} from Thai- land and the University of Sur- rey should be ready for general use by the time you read this. Although there is some concern about the transmitter output level on 436,923 MHz dropping from 1 .8 W to 0.9 W, the other onboard systems are work! tig very w^ell. Many excellent pic- tures ha\ e been taken by the sal- elliie and can be downloaded directly from the saiellile or viewed via the Intemel on the AMSAT Web page at Ihtlp:// www.amsat,org]. Just look lor the links to TMSAT The direct URL (Universal Resource Loca- tor) to TMSAT is: [http://www. ee.surrey.ac.uk/EE/CSER/ UOSAT/amateur/lmsal/].
Although T-0-31 h capable of running 9600 baud, it is ex- pected that 38.4 kbps (kilobits per second) wiil become a stan- dard downlink speed due lo the large size {33 Mb) of tlie Earth- imaeimi pictures the satellite is producing. The compressed im- aees available via the Internet arc over 5(K) K each, JPEG format,
I so there is some minor image quality loss. For the multi-spec- tral images, data irom the Nar- row Angle Camera, sensing in the green, red, and near-IR spec- tra, is processed to create an image 1 020 x 1 020 pixels, cov- ering an area of 100 x 100 km at a mean ground resolution of 98 melers/pixel. The T-O-JJ picture of San Francisco shows excellent dctiiil w iih many easily recognizable areas.
Informaiion has been a bit slow about activities surround- ing the new Israeli hamsat Gnrwin-OSCAR-32. The pri- mary dow^nlink has been on 435.225 MHz 19600 baud*, but the sateUite can also transmit on 435.325 MHz. During ihe test- ing phase, a three-second burst of daia could be heard once ev- ery 30 seconds, but while the satellite is in nomial operation, signals can be contiiuioLis. espe- cially during picture downloads, G-0-32 has already taken sev- eral pictures from space. Like the ones taken by 7-0-31. the Techsai ioKtges can be found on the Internet, To find out the lat- est informaiion and look for Eanh-imaging pictures, check iheL^L: [hllp://lechsat. intemet- zahev.oet/].
New signals from space
There's more on the way! The SEDSAT-1 satellite project has been moving slowly forward for nearly a decade^ and launch is imminent. Another exciting
from information supplied in this culunuL
Please send any ideas that you would like to see included in this column to the address at top. We will make every attempt lo re-
spond to all legitimate ideas in a tiniely mannen but please send any specific quesdons, on any par- ticular lip. to the originator of ifie idea, not to this column's mod- erator nor to 73 Mamzine.
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1 998 45
Phofo A, TMSAi OSCAR-31
rook rhi\ shot of the San Fran- cisco Bar urea.
progriun is ARISS (Amateur Ruclio on ihe International Space Station h
SEDS slands for Small Ex- peiidahle Do plover System. A 2()-km tether is used to deploy a small satellite uui lo a higher orbit froiii a larger mass while both are connected together via a cord or lether. The satellite^ SEDSAT' L has three basic pay- loads, incUtJini! SEASIS (SEDS, Earth, AuuoJiphere and Space Imaging System ). TAS (Three- Axis Acceleration Measurement System), and ihe ham-radio pay- load.
SEASIS wilt provide some scientirie experimciii^ and allow
for unique pictures from space. The CCD camera systems use a lelephoto lens and also a PAL (Panoramic Angular Lens J that will pnn ide 360-degree pictures.
The TAS unit is pan of the dala coltectiofi system to study the dynamics of a mass { the sat- ellite) deployed with a leiher. After the initial tether experi- ments are complete, the amateur- radio pay load will be available for use.
The ham radio, analog Mcxle- A transponder has an uplink pass- hand from 145.915 to 145»75 Mik coupled to a downlink iTom 29 350 lo 29.410 MHz. It's the firsl American-made, Mode- A linear transponder in many years.
The digital communications system uses a 1268.213 MH? uplink with a 70-cm downlink on 437,907 MHx. It is capable of 96(K) band like the current high-speed digital satetlites. Other experimental digital modes and higher speeds can he sup- ported. Check the SEDS AT Web page at [htip://www* seds.org/ scdsat/I and the AMSAT Weh page at: [hiip://www: ambat.org].
ARISS
Manned-space ham acrivities will experience a quantum leap
Photo C* SEDSAT-1 is ^mier comtntcikm in Himts\ilh\ Alabama ,
Shunle Anmlcur Radio Fxpcri- ment. was delivered lo orbit with STS-9 on November 28, I9S3. The small Motorola two- meter HT and window-mounted antenna systems have done ex- tremely well lor over a decade and have been enhanced with SSTV (Slow-Scan Television), packet, and FSTV (Fast-Scan Television) gear As NASA Principal Investigator until his retirement just a few years ago, L4)u McFadin W5DID supponed the effort from its inception. Since then. Matt Bordelon KC5BTL has taken over to pro- vide continuity for the program, AMSAT Vice Presiiloni of Manned Space AcliviUes Frank Bauer KA3HD0 is the designer
with the full implementation o ARISS. or Amateur Radio on the InLernalional Space Station. White the advances of voice and packet operations on MIR have pnn ed to be incredibly valuable for educational and recreational activities, they will be viewed as only a step on the path to a rather significant, full-featured ham station in orbit, in just a few years.
While a very simple amateur- radio pay load was propiised for Owen Garrioit'sSlT/ai? mission in 1973. it would be 10 years later w hen Owen finally got to operate from space. NASA did not approve she Sky la h ham stu- lion due to time constraints and olher factors, but SAREX, Ihe
PhoioB, This view of Earth wm taken from Gyr\\in-OSC^VR-32. 4S 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
Photo D, ARISS Coonlmator and AMSAT VP Manned Space Ac* mities Frank Bauer KAMiDO sh(>i\*s off the insiife of an ISS fmHfule mockup.
On the Go
Numt^f 47 on your Feedback card
Mobile, Portable and Emergency Operation
Steve Nowak KE8YN/4 1011 Peacock Ave. NE Palm Bay FL 32907-1371 [keSyn @ juno comi
Up, up, and away
Part of the run of opcnuing jnohilc or poriahle is ihc actual operation, whj le an equal pari is the location or condi lions under \^hjcli you operate. Nol every mobile operation is in a car. and some vehicies are more chal- lenging than others. Although wc arc licens^ed to operate our iransmiriin^ eguipmeni, ^ome- limes that alone is not sufficient to permit ike uperatiun of a transinitier. In some operating postttons there are others v^ho can dictate as to whether or not a station may he operated. Two classic cases are on board a boat or ship and aboard an aircrafL Botli situations are similar be- cause ihe master of the vessel. whether a ship's captain or the pilot in command of an aircraft, must give permission before someone may operate a station i)n hoard.
Operating aeronautical mobile can be a lot of fun. bui a number of factors must be considered.
J^irst* it cannot be done on a commercial scheduled Hight, since all airlines nor only pro- hibit the operation of transmit- ters by passengers, but also die operation of radio receivers. This is because there are con- cerns that electronic equipment may interfere w'tth the aircraft's electronic eciuipmenl. which provides bulh communications and navigation support. Virtu- ally all commercial flights are operated in controlled airspace under instrument flight rules which require frequent coiurnu- nieation w rih air trafFic control. Transmissiims which occur within the skin of the aircraft may create inierlerence lo the navigation equipment There are even concerns that receivers can cause interference because of the intermediate frequencies which they produce. Given some of the interference we hams have seen with cnnsimicr electronics, this is not an idle concern. How^ manv times have
■r
you heard of RFl problems with
electric organs, inexpensive telephones, or even doorbells? On some aireraft radio opera- tjon may he possible, "Aiirraft"
may mean a hnl air balloon » a glider or sailplane, a blimp, or a private plane. While radio op- eration may be possible on a helicopter most helicopters pro- duce enough noise to make it impractical.
Of all of the t^ptions, the one you may have the greatest op- pori unity to try is on a private plane. Once again, remember this is subject to the approval of the pilot in command. Courtesy and curiosity should dictate be- ing aware of the pilot's radio equipment belbre considering die addition t>r amateur commu- nications. Navigation is gener- ally between 108 and 1 18 MHz. Communicaiions among aircraft or beiv^een aircraft and the gRiund are generally conducted between 118 to 137 MHz. These fi^quenctes use amplitude m(x!u- lation, wliich is not as commnidy used as either FM or single side- band> Tve read \arious anicles which Slate dial this is because there is too much old equipment to convert to FM. but there is also another explanation which nuiv be more accurate. FM receiv- ers capture the stronger of two signals, whereas AM allows two signals to bodi be heard to some degi^ee. With AM, if an aircraft were to make an etnergencv call
while another aircraft were
transmitting, the emergency call could be heard. Some aire rait may have other navigational tc- ceivcrs (ox nondirectional radio beacons (NDB) or for the glo- bal pusitioning satellite system. Interestingly, aircraft are not re- quired to have radio equipment if not flown in an area which is under air traffic control, al- though iiTosi do have several ra- dios, often backed up by an aviation hand handie-talkie.
An aircrai't with radio equip- ment operating in most areas will he in communication with some form of air traffic controL Tliis mav t>e a tower of a center. If no traffic control is available, a common frequency will be used as a unicujn or cojiuiiun traffic advisory frequency for a panicularairlleld. Many aircraft will use a second radio to moni- tor the emergency frequency of 121 J MHz, which is used both to request ass [stance and by emergency locator beacons.
Naturally, operating as an aeronautical ninbile amateur ra- dio station will have cenatn re- strictions based on room for a rig and an antenna UTtile exter- nal antennas can be configured from many frequencies, the an- tenna creates drag on the air- craft, which mav affect its performance. A vertical antenna
C^yniinued on page 50
and chief organ tzer of ARISS. His three-stage plan to make a permanent place for ham radio on the buernational Space Sta- tion has required many hours of dedicated effort.
The first stage of Frank's plan calls for two-meter and 70-cm FM capabiUty with an external antenna. In addition in voice, an automatic packet BFiS (bulletin- board system) would be in- cluded. The radios would be imrinsically-safe commercial HTs from Ericsson. Thev are simple to operate, include screen displays for frequency and other data, and cdi\ be eas- ily reprogrammed in orbit via
the laptop computers carried on the ISS. The TNC, or Terminal Node Controller, for packet op- eration is to be a PicoPacket unit from PacComm. It should func- tion in a very similar fashion to the uniicurrenilv on MIR^
The second stage of the project, in about five years, is to arrange for space on an Express Pallet. This is an externaily motmted experiment container tiv^i ean be loaded with ham gear that can emulate a ham-radio satellite and attached to the ISS. The contents are not brought aboard the station, but are pow- ered from the ISS and can be controlled from the statinn or
from the gromrd. A repeater or OSCARlike linear transponder system could he built into die con- lainer. complete with external antennas.
The third and final currently- plaimed stage of the >VRJSS pro- e;ram includes ham near in permanent rack space in the habitation module of the space siaiion. The proposal has been approved and the gear is in development.
Goals for the svstem include voice, packet, satellite and ATV (Amateur Television J concur- rent operation. Based on the goals, the envisioned hardware would require 24 inches of rack
space and would draw 200 watts, Multiple transceivers would be used to cover 10 meters, two meters, 70 cm, 23 cm and higher bands. Power output will be five to 25 watts except on ATV, where lOU watts is more appropriate. External onvni antennas would be incor- porated except for gain antennas Un satellite uJid liigh-daia-rate disital communicaiions.
The ARISS program is pn> gressing verv^ well with partners from tnany countries. You can study the details tor yourself via the Internet. Start at the URL lhltp://garc,gsfc,nasa,go_v/ -ariss/].
1
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 47
New Products
NumbBr 4& on your fsedbsQk cBrd
\
I
\
3 El 6 m Yagi from MFJ
A direcljonal anlciina is es* sentLiI lor long-disiance VHF communication. B> linjusing transmitter power onto ihe ho- rizon in a single dircLtioii. MFFs three-element six-meier yagi. Ihe new MFJ- 1 762, qtm- drtiples effective radiated power over a half- wave dipole,
Al the same time, the sensi* liviiy toward ilie front of the anicnim is greatly improved, while unwarned noise and in- terference are minimi/ed.
Snip, Snap
did you last replace your wire cuuers? Wouldn't it be nice lo make effortless flush cuts on copper, annealed steel, and allowed wires — ^clean. squaie cuts? \ou bcL So check out Xurnn Corptvra!ion\ l.X
Series Micro-Shear^ Hush cut* ters, They nestle tuiiiforlably in your hand and the patented Light Touch^^^* return spring needs just that. Millions of beautiful cuts for $13.00 — or S 14.00, if you go for the ta- pered LXT version* or the LXF. wiih ji5 facior> installed lead retainer to prevent flying leads. For more information, contact Xuron Corporation. 60 hiduitrial Park Road, Saco ME 04072; call (207) 283-1401: FAX 1207) 283-0594: or Ujok around where you buy better tools.
Two MFJ- 1 762s can be slacked to double the transmitter FRP and the received signal over a ' single anienna. Stacked anten- nas have greater capture area, which can improve reception even more*
The MFJ' 1 762 is an excellent choice for six-meter portable or rover operation because of its compact size (six-foot boomK light weight (two pounds), and easily removed elements. It's bargain-priced atS69.95^and of course it*s covered by MFJ *s Af« Maner Whai™ one-vear unconditianal warrant v. See your dealer or call (800) 647- 1 800 to order. You can FAX (601 ) 323-6551 : or write to MFJ Enterprises, Inc.. 300 IndusOia) Park Road Staikville MS 39759.
We Could Show You the Photo ...
... but then we'd have lu kill you. You know, those covert- action agency guys lake ihese Lintennas very seriously. So can you — aiiiennas designed Wrv the FBI, US Marshalls, DBA. ei al., are now avaihibk' on ham. SWL, and scanner frequencies!
If you need slcakh antennas for HF, VHF. or UHF, or if you need high-pcrlonnaiice, low-cosi invisible antennas, you should be browsing Ihrougli Hamco's new catalog of covert antennas. It\s packed wilh infornialioii about hidden antennas, and all you need to get one is $2.00 for shipping ik handling. Send the two bucks to: FlilCK. Sie. f239193, 3590 RcmndboLlotii Road. Cin- cinnati OH 45244-3026, [uid request the Hidden Antennas cata- log. You dun' I even have to give a password.
I
I
Code Practice for Your Connmute
Buckmaster's Copy This and Paxs^^^ audio CD collection wi give you something to do besides cuss at the Dodge that just cut you off — ^or you can listen and learn in the (less sU-essful) coni- fon of your home (or office, or the park, or the beach ... well, you get the idea). The 5 wpm disc teaches the code with left- channel voice assist. The 13 wpm atid 20 wprti discs build profi- cieiicy and skill in higher-speed operadon.
Each CD is 74 minutes of near-perfect computer-generated. DSP-filtered InteriKiiiunal Morse code audio practice. Youll learn letters, numbers, punctuation, groups, words, and prosigns. Printed answer keys are included with each CD, sti you can check the ones you weren't sure about, and you can varv the practice selection with the random or mix feamre on your CD player.
Each Copy This ami Pass audio CD is S 1 0.LHJ, or get all three for S25.00 {plus S5.00 s&h per order). Call (800) 282 562H and use your Mastercard, Visa, or Discover card, or send check or MO to Buckmasten 6196 Jefferson Highway. Mineral V:a231 17.
Keys of the (United) Kingdom
Gordon Cnou hurst G4ZPY, as aficionados are awafe, has long been handcrafting premiumqualily keys and paddles. The straight keys range from simple brass keys on stone bases to the Sovereign presentation key; with engraved plaque. British gold half-sovereign inlaid in the top of the knoK and a glass cabinet wilh iiold-nlaied edirins.
Paddles range from the postage slamp-sized ihree-in-one to the VVi> High Speed Paddle (rated at 60 wpm), available in solid gold with jewels. Each key is assembled by hand Lind adjusted personally by G4ZPY before shipment to the US.
Huir can I ^ei one'/ you ask excitedly. Well, through your source for all things Morse, of course! Credit card orders can be placed by calling Morse Express al (800) 238-8205; or you can use the secure order page at the Morse Express Web site: f http: //www.MorseX.comj.
To request a catalog or lor more infomiation about the G4ZPY keys, call Marshall Emm at {303) 752-3382: Emiai] him at [ info Cs^ MorscX.com J; or write to Morse Express, 3140 Peoria St, Unit K- 156, Aurora CO 800 14^3 1 55.
Better Late than New Year
Svetlana Electron Devices, Inc., of St* Petersburg, Russia, has released its I99H Audio Tnhe Catalog. Svetlana has been manuracturfng vacuum
tubes since 1928. and is one of the largest iiueniational suppli- ers of atidio tubes to OC^I^. Svetlana' s extensive variety of audio iul>cs are designed and built with exceptional quality and sonic performance charac- teristics. Catalogs are built with bureaucratic perfomiaiice characteristics. Never mind. Get a 199S one anvwav. from Svetlana Electron Devices, Inc., 3000 Alpine Road, Poriola Valley CA 94028; check the Web site at |www. sveilana.com].
48 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
Rduertisers' Indek
351 Absolute \felue Systems ... 38
68 Advanced BaAery Systems 1 6
• All Electronics Corp. ■,.. 23
• Antennas & More 59
16 Astron COTpora!ion 1
il Barry Electronics Cojp 37
^ Bilai Company €1
168 Buckmasier Publishing „,. 19
Hi Buckmaster Publishing 54
222 Byers Chassis Kits 61
184 C d S Sales, Inc. .............. 35
186 Coaxial Dynamics ..-...-. 25
99 Communicalbn Concepts 11
to Communications Speciajists35
13 Doppler Systems „. 39
114 EH. Yost ..
75 Fair Radio Sales
193 GGTE
page
19
57
7a Hamsure «. _ .., 33
• Hamtronics, Inc. CV2
* iCOM America. Pnc .-.„... 7
42 isotfon 61
243 Jan Crystals ..,„„„«..«....... 59
156 Japan Racflo Co. ............ CVS
KachJna CommuriicationsCV4
275 Lake view Company Inc. ... 11
150 Llttllte ,....37
335 Menu Plus 5
96 MFJ Enterprises...... »*.„*&
150 Mtcrp Compyter Concepts €1
B.S.# page
136 Milestone Technologies .... 33
136 Morse Express ,,.. 33
193 Morse Tutor GoW ..»»..,..... 25
246 Molron Electronics *,.« 57
64 Mouser Electronics , 53
114 Mr. isiicd
...19
page
• MultlFAX .................,....„,_ 55
64 NCG »„.«33
• OCENS ..49
• Omega Sales 49
« PC Electronics .,.,..„,... 61
• Peel Bros .„., ,„ 21
66 Perlphex 16
• Radio Book Shop 6
« Radio Book Shop .„,„„,..„„. 6
B.S.#
• Fladio Book Shop , 23
• Radio Book Shop ............. 62
• Radio Book Shop 63
34 Ramsey Etecimnics ,»„„„„, 2
• RF Pans ,.„ $i
254 Ross Distribuling . 54
36 ScrambHng News 38
241 Season Connpary ..,.„.. 54
167 Sescom, Inc. ..,,...„„„.„ 59
141 The Nicad Lady 11
• Thomas Miller.. 26
22 Tri-Ex Tower Corp ., 41
• Universal Radio .53
• Wm. M. Nye Co. .,♦.....- 59
When you buy products from these adverttsef, please tell them that you saw their ads In 73.
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73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998 49
Number 50 on your i^eedback card
The Digitrl Port
Jack Heller KB7NO P.O. Box 1792 712 Highland Street Carson Cily NV 89703 [iheH6r@sierra.net]
^fon may have read or heard ,€ii0iments about the stale of amateur radio and how wc need to get off our duffs and gei back lo culliag-edge lechnology. Tlial is, wc need lo gel beyond the work! ol rag-chewing on repeal- ers and SSB. There are commer- cial out fits out there who are wiOing lo push hams right off the spectrum map so they can purchase, uitli^e and make bucks using the frequencies wc lake tor granted.
Additionally, these capitalists justify their right to purchase **Oiir air space" by taking the position that ham radio has ceased to contribute to the de* velopmcnt of the an of commu- nication and is merely Following its lead. If that isn't enough, many Incni government emer- guncy coordinators are not st^kl i m the value of ham radio in an emcr- gcncy and choose to rely on ihcir own sophisticated syslems.
While pondering these vicw- points» I reviewed a recent letter from Bob W6EUZ concerning his experiences with SSTV. He wrote because he had read t>f some of my experiences and felt he could help mc "gel a grip" (my phrase — not Bob's) on re- ality about HF SSTV in the western stales.
Bob was not having the in- stant success I had promised and expressed some needs for pos- sible organization of 40> and 80- meter SSTV activitv out west. The more I ilioughi about ihib, the more sense il made. Experi- ence had taught that it is diffi- cult at best to work the folks in the east on 14.230 \vithoul an amplifier (At this writing. I am Slid without the amplincr that smoked during a reccnl RTTY session.)
As the above two facts chewed on my senses tor a few days, it became obvious that
something more in-depth than the return letter to Bob was justified. He hadn't left his phone number, so 1 started tracking it duw n. This was a little comicaL My first at- fempt was to look in the Internet *%hite pages" listings.
There was one listing that al- most fit Bob's description, and 1 called hoping it was a relative. No, there are just a lot of list- ings with the same lirsi and last name. But I had the area code now. Still il would seem that one of fhe on-line databases should come through* I was be- gii^ning to think he was unlisted.
One more try. Dialed inlor- tnation on the otd-fashioned land fine and ... Bingo! I had a number The lesson? Those da- tabases on the Net are not com- plete. Enough of that. I could have saved 45 minutes, but you know the male ego when it comes to slopping to ask for directions.
Bob had some interesting in- put. He. like most of us* at- tempts to be a frugal ham, SSTV can be done on a budget, as I have demonstrated, but filings go wrong. He told me of a nifty new unit by Kenwood that 1 had noi heard about. I looked up a description of il. U appears to be a digital camera that nut only interfaces to the computer hut also to Kenwood radioes, it is model VC-Hl.
Ttiai sounds very inno\ ative and should be an ideal setup. He says il works great interfaced to his Kenwood HT for VHF as well as to his Kenwood HF rig, but that the compan> ib still workjno out the details (cables) to work with other rigs. I found the scam details listed on the Kenwood Web siie. but Bob*s info filled in ihc chinks. The little camera should be a great addition to anyone's array of Kenwood gear and other lines as cables are made available.
Bob and 1 arranged to meet on 40 meters ihe next day to see what conditions were like, They sounded good* so wc made tin attempt on the next weekday morning to try a litllc SSTV operation. It looked good at about 7 J 65 and I sent him an image which was recognizable on his screen— far from first rate but, nevertheless, a workable image.
This was without the help of an amplifier or any fancy an- tenna at either end. What was suiprising to mc was that there was something close to that fre- quency that was cutting up Bob's SSB signal badly, yet the audio carrying Ihe image still worked. At least we came uway assured that low^ power was not
Continued on page 5 1
On The Go
continued from page 47
will be limited to VHF or UHF
frequencies, while an HF antenna would create a greater chal- lenge* It is possible to run a wire from the tail of the plane to the fuselage, or to trail a wire, but these arc not practical for most applications. Fortunately, a hnndie-ialkie with a rubber duck can produce some interesting results, so we'll stick to UHF or VHP frequencies.
VHF transmissions are lim- ited U\ line of sight, which is one of the reasons that effective ra- diated power ( ERP) is a func- tion of output power and the height of the antenna. A few
milliwatts can be quite efifective at 7500 feet above ground level. This is one of the reasons that it is considered very bad form to ever use a repeater from an aero- nautical mobile unless it is an emergency. An HT in an air- plane can bring up every re- peater on a given frequency for hundreds of miles, which is not appreciated by the other users of those repeaters. Incidentally, this is another reason that cellu- lar telephones arc not permitted lo be used on aircraft Since each cellular phone is low power, the expectation is that il will reach only a few cell tow- ers and the computer can pick the strongest signal: from an air- craft the cellular telephone
would sin^iiliifteously affect many cells over a wide area, ere- atjng problems for the network. Simplex frequencies are the way to go for aen)nauiical mo- bile operations, although a few^ more caveats are in order. First, never forget tJiat the pilot is in full command. If things get busy in the cockpit and he or she tells you to cease transmissitm, you must comply. Second, remem- ber thai some simplex frcqucn' cies have designated purposes. The standard two-meter calling fi-equency of 146.52 is also used as the wilderness protocol fre- quency, with priority the tlrst five minutes past the hour from 7:00 a,m. until 10:05 p.m. This is why it may be inten^^stin*! to lake an
^ HT along on a prixate plane even if you do not expect to transmit. If the pilot in command allows you to at least monitor, you may be surprised by what you hear from that aliiiudc. Besides, one more working radio is good in- surance in any cockpit.
What's the most interesting place you operated a station, ei- ther mobile or portable? What's the most interestini: ihinc ihat has happened lo you when op- erating? What wt>uld von like to do. do again, or do differcnl? Let mc know, either by E-tnail or snail-mail to the address at the lop of the column. I hear a lot of mobile and portable stations out tlicre. Why not share your experience?
50 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1 998
a hindrance to working slow scan on 40 meters*
What IS needed is u clear fre- quency ai the righl time of day. In ihe eastern pari of ihe coun- try, the recommended frequency is 7. 1 7 1 . However, neither of us had heard a 40-mclcr slow scan signal from this end of the coun- try and there is an apparent broadcast signal close by.
We decided to meet as often as we could in the early pan of the aflemoon ai 7.100, a.^ ihat sounded like it had the least in- terference. Bob was in a iransi- tinn between rigs and 1 had to be out of town, so it was a week or so befon^ we gin our schedule together.
Incidentallv. iher^ is SSTV
activity oii3 J85, 1 ran aonoss it one evening. An anempt to copy failed due to the splauer from an adjacent (about 3 kHz away) ham engaged in ensuring he could he heard in the next counly. Been ihal way ever since I can recall on 75 meters. Tliere must be some simple justifica- tion lor the California Kilowatt, hut I have never heard iL
What does this mean fur 40- meter SSTV in the w est? If vou arc like nianv of us who feel it
■V'
shouldn* t take a megabuck/- watt
station to play with SSTV. lis- ten around 7.190 at approxi- niaiely 1 to 1:30 p.m. Pacific lime. If you cnrne by when ihcrc is no activity, give a call. There may be someone just like you listening for an organized net, A net it is not. It is just a place to meet to uy t>ut some of this fun stuff and exchange ideas.
As I was talking to Boh, sev- eral ideas came to mind. The first was establishing a place and time to play. Another was the fact that most folks who would like to get involved don't know where to stan and soon discover a lot of the ad \ ice falls short or just plain misses the mark.
Don't let it get confusing
Many of today's digital modes require a relatively small invest- ment- especially when com- pared with a few years back when the approach was expensive hardware. Computers have made a huge difference.
To get started in SSTV, 1 tell people thai with a good com- puter ihc} can get their feet wet for under $50. One method in- cludes using free soHware (EZ SSTV from Pasokon) and build- ing a serial modem as described on the Pasokon Web site (see Table I) plus cables, If you ap- proach it this way. you witi have a lot of fun watchine somethine work thai vou have built from scratch. This is DOS program- ming and it works. If you like what you see, they have upgrades for exU^a bucks and you can en- joy U'uly great perlbruiajiceH
There is another way that is even more painless in the pock- etbook for a budget introduction to SSTV. This one uses the soundboard in your PC. w i th no modem to build, and no hard- ware except a few cables. Con- nect vour transceiver to vour PC. and you are in business. The initial otUlav? Tlie cost of the cables. I used some old audio cable v^ ith a few new plugs and eot the svstem workine for un- der Slot Check out ChromaPIX in Table L
There is a slight catch, but it
is not reaOv anno^in^. This is shareware — a lot of work went into it, and the authors deserve to be paid if the program works for you. The program is not crippled and you can use it for- ever without registering, but it will only run for 30 minutes at a time until you pay your dues. You will find that is enough lime, if you plan your sessions wiseh , to get a g(x>d feel for this excellent program and decide if it is for you.
Help for your soundcard SSTV operation
One of the problems when using a soundcard for digital coiiununications r^ that there is no way for the soundcard to au- tomatically operate the pushto- talk (PTT) on the transceiver. When I first tested the Cliroma- PIX program I found that Uic method to tniliate the transmis- sion of an image was to manu- ally place my rig in transmit
Cordinued on page 56
|
Current Web Addresses |
|
|
Source for: |
Web address (URL) |
|
HF seria modem plans + software |
http://www,accessone.com/-tmayhanyindex.him |
|
PCFlexnetcomiTiunications free programs |
http://d10td,afthd.tb-darmstadt,de/-f!exnet/index.html |
|
Tom Sailer's info on PCRexnet - i |
http:>/www.ife.ee.ethz.ch/-^sailer/pcf/ |
SV2AGW free Win95 programs
http :// w WW. f 0 rth net . g r/s v 2a g w/
Bay Com - German site
http://www,baycom.de/
Pasokon SSTV programs & hardware
ht1p://www.uHranet.Gom/-'Sstv/lite.htmf
Winpack shareware for Windows
http://www.duGkles.demon.co;uk/ham/wp.htm
Baycom 1 ,5 and Manual.zip in English
Source for BayPac BP-2M
Tucson Amateur Packet Radio — where packet started — new
modes on the way
http:y/w wwxs.wvu.edu/-acm/gopher/SoftwarejTjayconi/
htlpiy/www.tigertronics.conn/
' TIMC to radio wiring help
http:y/wwwJapr org
http://prairie.lakes.com/--meclcalf/ztx/wire/
ChromaPIX & W95SSTV
http://www.silicQnpixels.com/
Timewave DSP & former AEA prod
http://www,ti mewave.com
VHF packet serial modem kit
http://wwwJdgetectrQnics.CQm
Table L Current Web addresses. All of ihe above were cm and parted direaly from rhe Web page fo avoid the inevitable errors h Aeif copying. If you encounter a problem \\ith a European address, the netivork is often at fault. Try again later.
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 51
73 VINTAGE REVIEW
Numtysr 52 on your F^tdtsck c^rd
The Drake TR Series: No Introduction Needed
.,buf here^s the skinny on some of the best vintage equipment available today.
BiU Clarke W2BLC
764 Altamont-Voorhaesville Road
Altamom NY 12009
[BillClarke@bigfoot.com]
In ihc early 1960s, ihe R.L. Drake Company introduced a very suc- cessful line ofSSB ham cqaipmcnl. As a resull. Drake equipmenl became tnown for its high quality and high dollar \aiue. Tt>day, Drake equipment is again becominj; pupuLir, as \ image equfpment^rcpnesenting an era of ham radio '^5 past
Capability- wise, Ihe Drake TR se- ries ol HF uranscei\ ers o Iters good sia- i biliiy, has excellent receivers with great selectivity, and can do better than 200 wutl5 outpul. Another real positive feature Is that they are supported by a company thai is still in business.
The TR-3
The Drake TR-3, introduced in
1963. was Drake's first HF transceiver,
r
Photo A, The face phte, with dials in dunwd good shape, of rhe TR-4C. Phoms by Joel Thitndl KSPSV.
52 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
It was to become the basis for the TR'4 series thai followed.
The TR-3 used three lubes in the final RF amplirier, as do aJI the TR series ifaiisceiveiTi. unlike its contemporaries from CoUias. HalUcrdJteni. and National
The chassis of the TR-3 is copper- plated, although most units you will see today have some xuhi showing through. The IVont pinel is labeled by reverse engraving (brushed meiu! thai
is sliiihth hiiiher than the painted
■b- » ^> i^
background). There is very little in the
TR-3 ihul is solid state,
A new^ TR-3 sold for $550, Accesso- ries were priced at: AC supply $79.95, MS 3 speaker SI 9.95, RV-3 remote VFO $79.95. In 1 998 dollars the entire station would ha\c cost about $35U0,
SpecifiLations for the TR-3
GENERAL
•Frequency coverage; 10-80 meters in seven 600 kHz ranses
•Modes: LSB, USB. CW, and AM
•Built-in sidctone
•Automatic T/R switching on CW
•30 lubes and semiconductors
•VFO with I kHz dial divisions (on the VFO knob skin)
•Dimensions: 5-1/2 inches high, 10- 3/4 inches wide, 14-3/8 inches deep
•Weight: 16 lbs.
TRANSMIT
•Input pi>wer: SSB 300 watts PEP •AM 260 waits PEP controlled carrier •CW 260 w alts •Adju stable pi -network •VOX or PTT
RECEIVE
•Scnsitiviiy: >]/2 (.iVfor lOdB S/N •IF selectivity: 2 J kHz @ 6dB •3.6 kHz m 60 dB
•AGC (fast attack, slow release in high noise) ,
•RF izain control •Noise blanker •Diode detector lor AM lipcpiion
ACCESSORIES •MS-3 Mytching speaker •RV-3 Remote VFO (XMIT/RX or split operation) •AC-3 Power supply (120 VAC) •DC-3 Power supply (12 VDC)
#
The TR-4 series
Progressing from the TR-3 into the TR-4 series, the early TR-4 transceiv- ers had a TR-3-stvlc main tuning knob (kHz. markings on the VFO knob
Phoia B. Rear view.
skirt). The 9 MHz sideband filters used in early TR^s are four poles and are enclosed in sealed boxes. The tubular capacitors used in the radio are white in color and were manufactured by CD. No noise blanker control is oa the front panel and there are no provisions for its installation (no receptacle) on the chassis.
Late TR^ transceivers have the TR- 4C style main tuning knob (1 kHz divi- sions on the dial), a VFO "in use" indicator (used in conjunction with a remote VFO), and some front panel markings different in color from the early units. The 9 MHz filters have eight poles. Internally, the tubular ca- pacitors are yellow in color and manu- factured by CDE. There is a noise blanker control on the front panel and provisions for its installation on the chassis.
As with the TR-3, the TR-4 series chassis was copper-plated until the TR-4C came along. After that time, it was no longer plated.
The TR4CW/R1T was the final model in ihe Drake TR scries. Appear- ance-wise, it has the RJT control posi- tioned tn the lower right-hand comer where the noise blanker control was on earlier models. Two push switches on the lower front of the panel turn the RTT and noise blanker functions on/off.
Photo C\ The top view of the interior. Note the noise blanker.
By the time the series had worked its way through to the TR-4CW/R1T, the following features had been added:
•CW sidetone •Optional noise blanker •Receiver incremental tuning (RIT) •Selectable 500 Hz CW filter •Redesigned dial showing 1 kH?
calibration points •Redesigned main tuning knob •Relative RF power output monitor •Changed final tubes from 1 2JB6s to
6JB6S •Solid stale FIX) (permeability-tuned
oscillator) •Fully silk-screened front pan^l
Overall, the TR-3 and TR-4 series of transceivers saw few major changes externally and only what amounted to upgrades internally. Also, some bells and whistles were added along the way, such as the noise blanker, op- tional filters, and RIT
Drake made a 15-year run of this se- ries before moving on to fully solid state equipment, and then slipping into obscurity in the ham radio field.
Specifications for the TR-4 ($599v95 in 1965, less power supply)
GENERAL
•All amateur bands 10-80 meters in seven 600 kHz ranges
•Solid state VFO with 1 kHz dial di- visions
•Modes: LSB, USB, CW, and AM
♦Built-in sidetone and automatic T/R switching on CW
•30 tubes and semiconductors
•Solid state VFO with 1 kHz dial di- visions (on the VFO knob skirt)
•Dimensions: 5-1/2 inches high, 10- 3/4 inches wide, 14-3/8 inches deep
•Weight: 16 lbs.
TRANSMIT
•VOX or PTT on SSB or AM •Input power: SSB 300 watts PEP •AM 260 watts PEP controlled carrier •CW 260 watts •Adjustable pi-network
RECEIVE
•Sensitivity: >l/2 jiV for 10 dB S/N
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73 Amateur Radio Today * December 1998 53
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•IF selectivity: 2.1 kHz @ 6 dB
•3.6 kHz @ 60 dB •AGC full on receive modes •Variable with RF gain control •Fast attack, slow release with noise pulse suppression •Diode detector for AM reception
ACCESSORIES •MMK-3 Mobile mounting kit •MS-4 Matching speaker •AC-4, DC -4 Power supplies •RV_4 Remote VFO (includes five- inch speaker) and space for AC supply •34-NB Noise blanker
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The TR-4C sold for $599.99 in 1972 (less power supply). Here's how it compared:
GENERAL
•All amateur bands 10^80 meters in seven 600 kHz ranges
•500 MHz CW filter on CW models
•Solid state VFO with 1 kHz dial divisions
•RIT (receive incremental tuning) on CW/RIT model
•Modes: LSB, USB, CW, and AM
•Built-in sidetorie and automatic T/R switching on CW
•30 tubes and semiconductors
•Dimensions: 5-1/2 iiK;hcs high, 103/4 inches wide, 14-3/8 inches deep
•Weight: 16 lbs.
TRANSMIT
•VOX or PTT on SSB or AM
•Input power: SSB 300 watts PEP
•AM 260 watts PEP controlled carrier
•CW 260 watts
•Adjustable pi-network
RECEIVE
•Sensitivity: >l/2 ^V for 10 dB S/N •IF selectivity: 2 J kHz @ 6 dB •3,6 kHz @ 60 dB •AGC full on receive modes ■Viuriable with RF gain control •Fast attack, slow release with noise pulse suppression •Diode detector for AM reception
ACCESSORIES
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.AC-4, DC-4 Power supplies •FF-1 Fixed freqiiehcy adapter (two fixed channels)
•34-PNB Noise blanker
Getting older
Interested in getting a vintage Drake rig? When purchasing, owning, or using any older ham gear, lake note: Age will lake its toll. Below is a list of several common age-related problems associ- ated with Drake equipment:
MECHANICAL
•PTO end play needs adjustment
•PTO lubricant dried out
•Vernier drives wear, dry out, and become stiff
•Switch and control shafts dry out and become stiff
•Switch contacts wear out, corrode, or get dirty
•Dirt, dust, and rust on chassis
ELECTRONIC
•Electrolytics dry out (particularly in power supplies)
•Small parts such as resistors and ceramic caps fry •AC line cords need replacing •Tubes become weak with use •Alignment is required annually •Unknown and undocumented modifi- cations by past owners
APPEARANCE •Blemishes on case/face plate •Lost or incorrect screws •Control knobs missing, damaged, or discolored •Front panel spacers missing •Dial plates scraped or discolored •Clear plastics are scratched •Blue filters wash out
Maintenance hints
This recommendation is not just for Drake owners, or even vintage equipment owners; it applies to all of us. Start and maintain a logbook for each major piece of equipment you own (transmitters, receivers, transceiv- ers, amplifiers, computers, etc,)^ A single logbook will suffice for all the small stuff, such as tuners, filters, scopes, switching systems^ and anten-
Photo D. Bottom view,
nas. Don't use a segmented logbook, as you wiU one day have to remove some of it (when you sell or trade a piece of equipment). A loose-leaf binder with dividers, however, would be quite appropriate.
In these logbooks, enter information about the equipment, including its his- tory, source, past owners, price, serial numbers (for insurance purposes), date of purchase, when it was placed into service, and other comments* Every time you perform maintenance, do an alignment, make a modification, etc., make a logbook enliy describing what work was done. These entries can prove invaluable as dme passes — and you for- get what you have di>ne to the rig. Re- vere engineering of past mods is not
A complete logbook will also help a new owner in understanding the equip- ment and anything unusual about it (such as old modifications).
Owaiag a vintage Drake
A vintage piece of Drake equipment is a piece of history. It is also a rugged unit designed to be used and enjoyed. Do just that! Get it on the air and have a balK Of course, seeing that the rig is probably 20 to 30 years old, a little care should be taken. No doubt some servicing will be necessary before you place the rig on the air, unless you got really lucky and found a top-notch one. However, at someiime in the fu- ture you will be servicing it.
Service your Drake
Finil and foremost— get a manual for the rig (original or copy). An "owner's" manual will normally suffice, as back when these rigs were built, most hams
serviced and aligned their own equip- mcnl^ — hence instructions for this work were a pan of the manual.
These Drake transceivers, like other equipment of ihc time, did not use PLLs, digital systems, elecU"onic switching, or logic circuits. Everything was ana- log^very straightforward and easy to understand from a schematic diagram.
With some good common sense, the ability to read schematic diagrams and understand cincuitiy, and armed with a minimum of equipment and tools, most hams should be capable of maintaining this equipment.
WARNING: Unlike modem solid Slate ham equipment using 12 VDC, tube equipment uses voltages that can be considered lethal. Know what you are doing BEFORE you venture inside these rigs.
Hints to help
Controls {potentiometers) that sound noisy (cause crackling to be heard) should be cleaned chemically If this does not correci the problem, the offend- ing control wiU require replacement
Switch contacts can become inter- mittent or nonconduclive. Use chemi- cal cleaners to correct the problem or replace the switch, switch wafer, or individual contact
Lubrication can be made easier by using a medical-type hypodermic sy- ringe to inject lubricant into hard to reach and tight areas.
Only use plastic or nylon tools for alignment work. They w ill not damage the fragile slugs.
Over the years I have found it better to replace relays than to repair them. Che mica] cleaning may help; however, burnishing them is only very tempo- rary in effect, with failure assured to happen again.
Pull each tube from its socket, cli^k the socket, clean it and the tube's pins chemically, and reinsert the tube,
WARNING; Chemical cleaners are not friendly to the user or to the environ- ment. Use only according to directions.
A prime cause of intermittent prob- lems is terminal strips which are at- tached to the chassis with a single screw, nut and bolt, or rivet. It is a good idea to go over the entire rig and
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73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 55
tighten each lermtnal >irip. If rivets are cnctninlered, yt)ii can drill ihem out and replace them vviih nuls and bulls, when necessary- Cases and hardware can be cleaned us'm^z LiLiloniotive materials such as waxes and bulTcrs. From panels are another slory. If there is significant damage or wear to the tronl paneK yi>u may have to hire the work out. In many cases it is nearly impossible for an individual lo do the work and set it 10 look like new.
Use hint
With all those vacuum lubes (glow- bugs) packed into a relatively smaU cabinet Drake iran^^ceivers make great heaters — and they get even warmer when transmitting,
1 reci>mmend vou use a muffin fan
over the filial lubes to provide cooling.
In the past. 1 have put rubber feel on the mutlin tans and just set them on the top cm en This works and doesn't call for drilling or cutting holes in an} thing.
Drake coiiipany
Drake still offers factory support for their equipmcnL c\en iliimgh some rigs are over 30 years old. For more in- ibrniaiion, contact the l^l.L. Drake Company at (513) 746-6990, by FAX at (5 1 3) 743*4576 or by E-mail (service related onlyj at [hin_frosl@rldnike, com]. The Drake list home page at [www,min-nci/%7Ethom/drakclisl/ index.html] is the single best source of Drake inlbniialion thai 1 have found on the Internet. The Web page is main- tained by Thorn LaCosia K3HRN, Be sure to visit tlie section about modifies-
I tions lo the various Drake rigs by Wayne Montague VE3EFJ: it is very complete and cxlrcmely interesting (you could and should spend hours reading this). Thorn also maintains the Drake Mailing List, which you can learn more about by sending an E- mail to [drakcli-St-rcijuestt^'hallimorcmd. cxmh] with a subject of [helpl* The list- server will reiuni a message lo you with finlhcr instructions.
A special thanks lo Joel Thurlell K8PSV for the photos used in this ar- ticle, Joel is a specialty radio dealer and operates The Radio Finder, a Web site fi^r the buying, trading, and selling of lube- type amateur and military ra- dio equipment. The address of The Ra- dio Finder is [wuvvradiotlnderxom] or you may contact him at 11803 Priscilla. Plymouth MI 48 1 70,
Seeing Dits & Dahs
continued from page 30
(from any starling point) most often resulted in a scries ofTs and Es being displayed for 30 seconds or so, and someiimcs retiuired a ^'hard vcseC by turning the unit oiX and then on again. Often it seemed that the decoder could correctly interpret characters, but could m)l quile figure oul ihe breaks between words.
The decoder requires a very steady signal, so using it to receive off the air is dilTiLuh imless you are trying to copy a WIAW bulletin or something
similar, cbnsisting of perfect code with astiong signal.
But the Velleman Morse Decoder is very good at one application, and that is in evaluating hand- sent code. Since I had a straight key hooked up to my keyen il was simply a matter of switch- ing over 10 the key to determine \\ hether I can send, by hand, Morse code that a machine can read- The answer was .., yes. with a bit of praclicel I Ihoughl my fist was better tlian iliat but it didn't take Ions lo coord inaie sending and readins* SO that I CiJulU adjust my sending to what must be darned near periccl spacing and speed consistency.
As a training aid for sendina* Ihc de- coder has considerable potential and could be worth the S89.95 price tag.
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I
The Digitrl Port
continut^d/ront page 51
I^Dde, then lell the program lo transmit the image.
Thn! works pLN-rccily well, hut How ynu Will find iwo eircaiis delBiled on ihe ChromaPK Web sile that facilitate simultaneous automaiiu keying of the trans- ceiver an J iransmiiuil of the image.
I opted to build ihe simpler circuit, as pieturcd in Photo A» Lo bring one-handed push-but- 1011 operation inio the shack. 56 7B Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
So ,„ what are w^e going to do to attract youth to the ham ranks? What do kids do loday ihal is similar lo what we thought was cuuiiig-edge when TV was black and while? (Oops, revealed my age.) All right — lei's look Qi when I was a kid for a minute, 1 had pui together a short w^ave radio trom a kit (Knight. I think — probably about S20 woithj and listened to the most fascinating signals imaginable. Ordinary people were talking lo each other from all over ihe counU^y and some-
limes from other countries. They were having tun anil I wanted Ki be a part ut iL
Today s youth are caughi up in the IiilemeU satellite TV', hLUidhcld games, cell phones, pagers and so many gadgcis and toys that w ere nearly inconceivable just a few years back except for readers of **Buck Rogers'* comic strips. Thai is quite a load of technology to compete w idi, and 1 doubt ll can be done by making hain repealer access available to the masses. If that is alt ham radio has to otter, we lose— big lime.
Ask yourself: What holds my interest in ham radio*^ W'hv am I reading this maeazmc? You know the answers. There are still rrontieis to explore via ham radio that simply are not avail- able by purchasing a few toys at the local electronics discount emporium and plugging them in.
Those toys are good antl u.^e= fuK but ihey don't make the user different. He cannot express himself any dilTerently than ev- eryone else who made the same purchase* He can't modify and inipruve. There are no contests
Neuer shv die
continued from page 5
student is, your best bet for learning is reading books. The trick is to find books that are both easy to read and reliable. I've made a stab at this wiLh my Secret Guide to Wisdom review of around a hundred outstanding books. But I keep asking my readers and listeners to keep their minds peeled for outstanding books. And Fve been keeping Barnes & Noble busy trying lo get ihem for me.
Improving Your Memory
You can retain virtually everything you've read if you take a little time to re- fresh your memory. This is a secret tech- nique that I've never seen mentioned by anyone, and it is simple.
This is best done with the help of someone else. Someone with patience. They're going to sit down with you and help you refresh your memory. What you do, just after you've finished read- ing a book, is to sit or lie down and get comfortable. Close your eyes and go through the book, from beginning to end in your mind, remembering every detail you can. Your helper will stop you every now and then, asking you where you are and what you are remembering. Then you'll continue scanning the book. When you get to the end, go back and start all over again, remembering every detail from the first scan, and adding other
parts that you missed the first time through, as they come to mind. You'll find you can scan the first run through in a fraction of the time, but without skip- ping anything. When you are stopped you* 11 be able to say right where you are tn the booL By the fourth scan of the book you'll take just seconds to cover every detail of the whole book.
Every couple of months you'll want lo refresh your recall of the details, so scan the book again in your mind a couple of times to get back up to speed. In this way you'll be able to keep the details of hundreds of books right fresh in your mind.
Like any muscle or (^mr fuiKJtion of the body, the more you use your mind, tlie more powerful it will get, They say we*m using about 2% of our brains. I sus- pect Ihafs a serious understatement. It*s probably more like 0,1 % of its real poten- tial. Alas, laziness being what it is, many (most?) of us tend to avoid thinking as much as possible. And exercising, too. Thus many of us end up doddering, hunch- backed geezers who haven't thought an original thought in years.
Spirit Memories
When we are able to contact departed spirits via psychics, Ouija, tape recorders, near-death experiences, etc., we find that the spirits seem to still have all of the memories they had when they were ahve. If our memories aren't electrically
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for proficiency — only the day- to-day repetitive use. Curious people demand more.
There lies one of the great secrets. Pique a man's curiosity and soon there will be no holding him back. He will move moun- tains to satisfy his desire to know and do more. You know ihere are hams working at culdng-edge in- novations for communications and we have mentioned them and their waj^s in this column. Take a look at the Web sites in Table 1 for some ideas. Look closely at the TAPR Web site. We hams have a lot lo offer.
If we take advantage of what is available, use it frequently, invite the young people in our Uves to observe what they can do, and give a hint where it is going, we just may convey to the up-and-coming generation that there is something beyond the horizon. If these things couJd be introduced to school groups
and Scouts, the kids just might take the ball and run. If they do, they will become the greatest asset ham radio has. It is up to us to stimulate that appetite.
Apology for missing last month's issue
I had a great project going last month, but it just wouldn't pan out. I had worked several days past deadline time with nothing to show for it and no backup plan, I was quite disturbed and embarrassed by the time I called in to the 73 office to say I wasn't making it for November.
I enjoy the feedback from this column and realize there are fatth- fill readers. If you will accept my apology, I will attempt to not let that happen in the futttre. And please keep those cards and let- ters (E-mail responses are very appropriate) coming. You give me a lot of great ideas.
If you have questions or comments about this column, E-mail me at [j heller @ sierra, net] and/or CompuServe
[72 1 30 J 352]. I will gladly share what I know or find a re- source for you. For now, 73^ Jack KB7NO.
Fhoto A. To add to the collection of dedicated cables and little black boxes, this is my version of the PTT circuit when using the soundcardfor SSTV, The circuit is available from the ChromaPIX site. The size of the box is overkill for the few components, but it was what 1 had on hand and keeps it neat. The computer cable connects to the serial port. The audio cable connects the soundcard Lineout to the accessory jack on the back of the ICOM 735,
73 Amateur Radio Today * D9cember1998 57
or cheinically stoneii in our brains, hui in stniic oiher me- dium which we don't yei underslaml, thai could help explain how wc can have un limited memory storage.
This isn't cxaellv a new idea — ! wrote ahoul Ihis al leasi 30 vears a 20. Blu, vtm know, in spite ot the many books Tve read on ihe hruin and the mind, I dotil reeall anyone else propi)sing such a controversial concept. But thai might help explain why people who have lost lar^e parts of ihe brains in acci- dents still have all of iheir memories.
We mav be dotn!: well w ith otir electronic lechnolagy, bui when it conies to conscious- ness, we* re still in the Middle Ages, We know plants can communicate with each other, and with us. We kntm we can also communicate with any living thing, but we have few dues as to how it works. We know our cells are able 10 stay in instant communication w^ith u^, nn matter hou far remo\ ed. Again, no clue iis to how;
Tliere are still [itnvcrlul bar- rier:^ preventing research into this area. Barriers of disbe- lief, kept in place by a refusal to look at the data. Barriers of a lack o\' funding. After all. even if it's all true, where are the bucks to be made from funding consciousness sttidics?
Ice Age?
Looking at the temperature data across the nt^rthern tier states from Washington to North Dakota, temperatures since 194Q have fallen lower now than they were in 1890, when they had the Little Ice Age. This agrees with the similar decline in temperature since 1940 in every Scan- dinavia countrv. also with ris- ing precipitation. This agrees with tlie declining tempera- tures reported by satellites and balloon radiosonde data. It also agrees with tree ring data from weslem and snuth- em L'S and Europe, with the temperature high ariiund 1940,
The US Dept. of AgricuL lure Plant Hardiness Zone Map shows a southern tlellec- tion of one zone or ID F be- tween their I960 and 1990
maps. This strongly affects plants.
In New Hanrtpshire, Vermont and Ltpstate New York we're secina a migration of moose coming dow n from Canada, so perhaps Robert Felix is right in his predictions in his book^ Not By Fire, But By Ice. So much for slobal warmins. eh?
American researchers al the South Pole, who have been keeping accurate records for over 40 years* reported that Jul} 1 997 was the coldest month on record.
Yes. I know about the Ant- arctic ice pack starting to melt and a lump the size of Connecticut calving off So what's reallv soina on here? Come on. fellas, vou can't hu\ e it both ways. Are we i20- ing to need heavier parkas or more bathing suits and sun screen?
Child Psychology
It's been a while since 1 pushed you to subscribe to The Nen' Yorker, so 1 can un- derstand if you missed the great article in the August 1 7th issue about child behav- ior. Too bad. for it was an amazing article.
It turns out that child psy- chologists and behavior ex- perts have had it wrong about the influence that parents have on the development of their children. It seems, on the nui^- ture side, thai parents have far less of an impact on their kids' behavior than do their peers. Kids don't v^^ant to be like adults, they want to be like other kids. So they dress like the other kids, talk like the other kids, and act like the other kids.
It's pertinent that the kids of recent immigrants almost never retain iheir parents" ac- cents. And that the children of deaf parents learn how to speak as well as those with normal parents. It also turns out that it doesn't make any* where near as much differ- ence as supposed if there is one parent or two.
Thi^ goes counter to Freud and the teachings of profes- sional psychotherapists, but is in line with the results of recent research aimed at find- ing correlations between par-
ents and how thctr children turn out. The Newsweek edi- tors apparently read The New Yorker, because the Septem- ber 7th isstie had the report as the cover fcaiure.
Serendipity
Do you believe in reincar- nation and i>ur having past lives? My first introduction to past lives surprised me. Oh, rd read a little about 'em, and then there was the fa- mous Bridey Murphy case, but that, I thought, had been explained a\va>'. Then one day I was regressing a patient un- der hypnosis- trying to find the rtH)t of a problem that had been making his life miser- able. We went back and re- lived several relevant earlier traumas, removing their im- pact on his life for him. Then 1 asked him 10 go to an earlier event which was connected to his problem and suddenly he was telling me alx>ut some- thing which had happened in an earlier life.
I didnM know if it was real or not, so 1 had him reli\c the traumatic event just as if it were one fixim his present life, and he was never bothered by this problem again. Hnnii. It didn't make any difference to me whether it was real as long as decnnditioning the iramna did the job.
After several more patients had nipped into past lives, and more often, past traumatic deaths, the rcalitv that these
w
weren't just the mind's way of handling a current life painful event, but were some sort of past life memories, I began to help my patients ex- plore and retTiember more of their past lives, I found that they ctmld recall pet)ple. places, and events with a remarkable degree of detail and that iliese memories could be tied to historical records.
That realitv took some get- tins used to. The rami Ilea- tions look even more getting used to, and got me to ques- tioning the accepted beliefs in HeaN'en, Hell, Gtxl, Satan, and so on. It got me to reading to see what other people had discox crcd or thought.
If you don't believe in past lives and reincarnation, it's
because you haven't ix^ad very much about it. There are sev- eral books reviewed in my Se- cret Guide to Wisiiom which wall help fill in this neglected pan of your education,
Sunday school teaches you about heaven, but the "real world" teaches that w hen you die, that's it. and never mind all that Bible baloney.
Tve told this storv before, but knowing how short your memory is> TU repeat it. It has to do with how I discov- ered a book that I recommend anyone read who wants to know about death. It's a great book forcomfoninsj someone with a recent loss.
My mother had always been sensitive to things- Us- ing a Oiiija board, she found out that her uncle would be return in u from France after WWl, and was able to de- scribe his cabin and exactly when he would land and call. One time, when I was in the middle of the most upsetting moment of my lite, she called and asked what was wrong. Thai was the only time she c\erdid that.
One day, a ct^uple of years after her nmihen Net la. had died, mother was washing the dishes and one of the elastic straps holding her stretch pants down suddenly broke. She thought, "Oh. darnl Fm going to have to drive down 10 Littleton atid get a new elastic,"
When she finished the dishes she sat down to rest and read a little. But it was kind of cooU so she decided to go out to the barn and see if she could find a shawl in Neita's clothes trunk. She dug down into the trunk and found the shawL When she shook it out, an elastic strap fell to the floor, "Hmm/" she said. "Neita, are you trying to tell me something?"
She went back to the house and sat down again to read. But none of the magazines kx)ked interesting. She sud- denly got the notion to go back out to the barn and pick out a btx)k at random from the old books in one of the cow stalls. These were books from her father-in-law's es- tate w hich had been moved lo the bam and just left there.
58 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
She picked oul a book with no title showing on the spine and went back to the house to read. The book turned out to be a 1920 book. Neither Dead Nor Sleeping, by Mae Sewail, with an intro- duction by Booth Tarkington. The story it told gave my mother the answer to her queslion.
Mae Sewall, who was a world famous wonfian of her time in the woman's rights field, told about how her husband, after he'd died, contacted her to help her find several missing papers she needed. He then went on to set up a communications system and did cxperimenis with his friend on the other side, the pianist Amir Rubensiein, It's a fascinating story and one of the best Tve found about communi- cating with the dead. But it's obviously long out of print.
A few years ago I attended a lecture , by Dr. Hal Huggins, the dentist who has been fighdog the ADA over the use of amalgam fillings. I read his book, Ifs All In Your Head, and included it in my Guide to Books. Huggins had proven that the mercury from our fillings was poi- soning us. Then I found Dr. Judd's Goad Teeth, Birth to Deaths which also damned mercury and the illnesses it causes.
The next step was when 1 was being interviewed by An Bell on his talk show a couple years ago and I pointed out that good health depends a good deal on our not pt>isoning our bodies with stuff like mercury. An got all upset. His dentist had assured him that amalgam fillings were harmless and he believed hen Ser- endipity stepped in when two dentists called the show, both confirming what I was saying.
More serendipity when a btxik arrived in the mail from Dn Lydia Bronte. The Mercury In Your Mouth. This, too, im- mediately was added to my Guide to Books, I sent Lydia a copy of my Guide to Books and she called to say that some- one sure ought to get busy and reprint some of the seriously out of print books rd reviewed. I agreed, but said I just didn't have the time. Further, if I both recommended a bm>k and sold it, that would be a confiici of interest. She said okay, sheM do it, which book would I recommend to start with. I looked through my Guide and decided the Sewall book would be the one which might do the most gtHxl for people.
I sent her a copy, she had it set in type, and printed up a short run to see how much interest there might be. When it*s finished being bound it'll be $15, plus $3 s/h, from Quicksilver Press, 10 E. 87th, NYC 10128, 1 guarantee that this is a book that you* 11 treasure, plus be buy- ing copies for any friends who have suf- fered a loss.
In the Sewall book, every^ time Artur Rubcnstein needed her to make a major
expenditure for his experiment, those on '*lhe other side'' arranged in some way for her to gel a well-paying lecture lour.
How much of u hat we think of as seren- dipity actually has been organized by those on '"the other side"? There are a couple of books reviewed in my Guide to Books which cite some incredible "coinci- dences." Things which have no logical expl^mation.
Reports from "the other side" try to explain to us that ttine is different there. Il isn't linear as we experience it, so they're somehow able to arrange things so they'll happen in our time stream for us. Our past, present and future are just another dimension for them — which puts a different aspect on our birth and death.
When something serendipitous hap- pens, try not to ignore it. Follow it up and take advantage of the serendipity.
The Raw Facts
iferc I go, talking about health again. Well, I keep seeing that long list of Si- lent Key awards in 25r every month and Vm now convinced that virtually every one of those guys would slilt be alive and polluting our bands with vacuous nonsense if only Td managed to get through to them.
This conviction was reinforced by the arrival of a book from two of the authors of Nature*s First Law: The Raw*Food Diet. Having already been convinced of the power of raw food to cure almost anything by Dr. Bruno Comby and his Maximize Immunity, plus the writings of Dn Henry Beier, this new book just fur- ther reinforced my conviction. Plus, the whole concept makes perfect sense. I like it when theories make sense.
What aJ! these experts are saying is that if you change to eating all raw food you're going to get over any illnesses you have. You won't get any new ill- nesses. And you'll be able to live in ex- cellent health to 1 20 and even 1 50 years.
How come? Just think about it. Our bodies were developed millions of years ago when all everyone ate was raw food. Il wasn't until we invented cooking that we began to gel sick and die early.
Dr. Comby has been nescuing his pa- tients from near death due to cancer, AIDS, and so forth JiLst by changing their diet to all raw tlxxl. The Natures Lmv guys have a similar string of successes.
This is a tough change to consider. Sure, there's lots of raw food available. But darned few restaurants serve much, so if you go out to eat very often you are going to have a major problem.
Eating bananas, oranges, apples, grapes, melons, grapefruit, cherries, and so on is easy. Raw vegetables are more of a problem. Salads arc easy. Tve been
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73 Amateur RadfO Today * December 1998 59
eaitns a bis bowl of salad for boih lunch and dinner lor a long time now. Spinach, beet greens, watercress, bean, clo- ver and alllilla sprouts, with a few raisins make a yreai salad.
I've (bund ihal when I chop up ra\% broccoli, caiiliHower and carrois thai the mixture, with a tittle coleslaw sauce on it, is rine. Raw cabbai];e with the sauce on ills good, too,
Bui after have eaten cot^ked fotnl for a lifetime, ifs dim- cult lo jusi Slop, You see, there's ihis liitle Chinese res- tail rant in Hillshoro with a Tabulous biiircl lunch. Sigh, And a slice of pizza now and then? The ads for the Taco Bell pocket sandwiches Itxiked so inviting on TV, but when we tried a couple one even ins, what we eoi looked aothin^i like the ads. Ugh. Tbose bi^ ovcrslulTed TV sandwiches had \erv little in them when the real world struck. The onlv thins that was the same was the price.
Instead of a howl of hoi ce- real for breakfast, now Vm eating three bananas tir three oranges. For lunch a tomato, a big bowl o( salad, and a bovvlolchuppcd raw veggies. Dinner is about the same as lunch. But Sherry stilt wants to go out and eat. There isn"t any way to get her to eat raw stuff. Or even fruit or veg- etables, for thai matter. Fll bet I'll have the same success with you. Sigh. You'd rather die than change your diet. So who wants to live to 150 any- way? My bet is that you'll continue to cat what tastes got>d and go to the dtKlor for repairs when your body starts breaking down — lumine the responsibilit) (v\ertohim.
When you go raw you'll find that you can eat all you wan I and vour bit: fat eul will gradually go away, replaced by muscles. You'll automatically get down to your normal hvdy weight, Sluhlike asthma, arthritis, diabetes, allcrsies, and so on will blow^ away. Yoifll find vi>ur body rebuild- ing itself, atid you'll be full of energ\ and enthusiasm. Or you can continue yourpnesent slide into the obits and a Silent Key me.
I've been promised an uncock biKJk thalMI explain how I can enjoy raw potatoes, beets, onions, and other such vegetables. Tvc always pre- lerrcd my cooked \cggies al ticfUe, so now Fll chanae to super al dvniL\
If you're game to expose yourself to a powerful po- emic — verbal overkill on
the subject — invest $15, plus $3 s/h, for d copy of The Raw FfHHi DieL sent to Nature's First L^w, Box 900202, San Diego CA92190, or call 800^205^2350. If you can read Ihis book and not change your diet, you've got niiuc resistance lo common sense than L
Small Biz
New^ small businesses are thriving in Europe, helping to reduce iheir serious unem- jiloyment situation, and bring- ing new life to their economics. While the targe businesses have been cutting payrolls by 4^ a year, these new small businesses have been adding employees at the rate of 16%.
I wish 1 had the time lo or- ganize a lecture tour of Eu- rope, including visits to their heads ol state, so I could ex- plain the benefits of setting up my new style oT business incubau^rs. Fve written about this in my past editorials, and my system is explained in de- tail in my book 24 lltvyv lo Improve State Government ($5). This tells how business incubators can be set up in any town wl^ich will help fund and cuide the ojowih of new small businesses.
Large businesses are mo\ - ins their manufac luring to the least expensive countries and replacing much of their middle management with infomiatinn systems ([Lk.a. ci>jTiputers}. so we can'l look for job growth there for either blue or white collar workers. Worse, large businesses tend to be preda- tory, looking always tor growth by swallowing up smaller busi- nesses, and to have the political clout to get away widi almost anything they want.
The health of anv counirv increasingly is dependent on the growth of entrepreneurial
businesses — and mv incubator svstem makes their successful startup simple.
Our states and other cnun- tries could do worse (anti will) than sci aside a fund lor busi- ness incubators to draw on. It would be a profit- making no-lose fund and would result in more jobs and increased business revenues.
Funny Coincidence
A number of scientists have
been claiming thai nuclear bomb lesLs, even when under- 2n>und. can have some Ions: range effects. In mid-May In- dia tested five nukes. A few davs later a killer heat wave hit India and Pakistan, killinsz scores, A few davs later the high pressure bkxrkage of winds over India brought mas- sive Hooding to Cliina, killing I2S.
The next dav Pakistan tested five nukes. The dav af- ter that 366 died from the most devastating heal wave that had hit India in vears. And the day after that an earthquake hit nearby Af- shanistan. killiniz 2.500. The nexi day another heat wave hit India, killing 100 more.
Four days later the heai waves in India and Pakistan had killed over 1,300 people, The same day tornadoes hit all across the USA. iiic hiding one in Antrim NH. just a couple miles from where 1 li\c.
A week later the India/Pa- kistan heal death toll was up to 2.500. with still more Hooding in China.
In some way the glolxd weather patterns seem lo haxe been affected by the nuclear tests. So much tor messing with Mother Nature.
Hcadstart
The governor of New Hamp- shire has been pushing hard to ha\e all NH schools stan with kindergarten when kids are five years old. She was pushing this agenda when she and I were on the Economic Development Commission Education Subcommittee a few years ago, and she was as impervious to facts then as she is now. Her mind is
made up and facts are only a nuisance.
As Thomas Sou ell says, "It*s ama/ing how much time and ingenuity people w^ill put into defending some idea that they never bothered to think through al (he outsell
Headstart was supposed to give disadvantaged kids a bet- ter chance of geuing an educa- tion. With 2000 agencies and 36,000 cias.srooms, it's been an expensive expcritnenL The k>ng-lemi effects nl Headstart have been carefullv nsscarclied. They found no long-lasting ef- t'ects on IQ. teen pregnancy, welfare, crime, later eco- nomic success, etc. The only people who benefited were the HeadsLtri employees and adminisirators,
WTien the National Resejirch Council of the National Acad- emy ot Sciences reviewed ev- ery post-secondary training prograjii of the last 20 years they found that none of the programs worked. Billions of vour money have been wasted.
More Headstart programs? More social spending? I sure hope ycHJ'll do your best to slop these wastes ol' money.
The Swedish, whose stu- dents outperform ours by a w idc niiirgin. don'i start schiiol until they are seven yeiirs old.
Nursing Homes
Did you bother to read some of I he horror stories in the news media citin*! recent Studies of nursing homes? It makes grim reading. w4rh beating, malnutriiion. dehy- dration and neulecl bein^i more the rule than ihe excep- tion. The nursing home in* dustry is powerful and seems to have control over the state overseers, according lo a Ttme maga/ine Aug. 3id issue reptm im Calilomia lionies. What I hey found was just awful. Yet, that's where a high pcr- centasc of vou are headed un- less you change your diet.
Indians
The Indians have been do- ing w^ll by setting up casinos on their rcscrA at ions, I'm see- ing more and more ads on TV by these casinos, so it's obvi- ously a thrivinii business. Take
60 73 AmatBui Radio Today • December 1 998
the Foxwood Casino in Conncdleii Less than 15 years ago there were only three people Uving on the re&ervaiioo. Now they've got gaming revenues of over a bil- lion dollars and the tribe has expanded to 260.
The Indians arc complaining that the Europeans came in with higher technol- ogy and look their country away. WeJL iteyYe right, that's what happened. But the same thing has been happening all through history. The guys with the big- ger and better clubs win and take over. The Jews did it when ihey pushed the Arabs aside and formed Israel. Israel then took the West Bank away from Jordan with their army; they've kept it, and don*i seem to be much interested in giving it back.
It was their higher technology that al- lowed the European countries to take over mosi of Africa and big lumps of Asia. Through massive mismanagement they've managed to lose most of ii. They did the same thing in the Caribbean, with En- gland controlling mosl of the islands, the French a few, and the Dutch a few. Spain was doing fine until the US shoved *em out*
All the people who are begging for peace should take a good long look at history and see if they can find any in- stance where might didn't make right. When you lay your weapons down ycm are doing it to grab for a yoke to wear. And today, technology is providing us with the bigger club.
Schools
A review of a book by Fred Holden had this quote: "Our system of education teaches just about everything except the three things that matter most — How to make a hving, how to live, and how to un- derstand life, especially in areas of eco* nomics and politics,"
Since, if our schools did teach these ba- sic concepts, our counU7 and our lives might be vastly different, 1 woiKfer if the neglect of these subjects is entirely acci- dental. These are exacily the things F ve been writing about, but 1 should be writ- ing for kids instead of old people whose minds are so closed thai the light of reason is unable to penetrate the gloom. Well, 1 may be exaggeruiing, but that's the impression I get much of the time.
As far as living successfully and mak- ing a gtx>d living are concerned, around 90% of the stuff that is ^laughi" in high school and 100% of college is a waste of time. That was my experience, and things were supposedly a whole lot better those days than now.
Most of what I was taught in science classes has subsequently been proven wrong. Mosi of the math I suffered through has never been of any real use.
and Fve been involved with a lot of dif- ferent businesses* The English literature classes were a huge waste of time. And so it went. Humbug!
Wagging the Dog
It's my fault. I haven't been ragging you lately to subscribe to The New Yorker so you wouldn*t miss the out- standing articles they manage to come up with. Like the one in the October 1 2th issue, The Missiles of August, sub- titled, "The Annals of National Secu- rity/* It had to do with the missile attack, just three days after Clinton's grand jury testimony about his affair with Monica Lewinsky; on the pharmaceutical factt)ry in Sudan, The attack was claimed to be in retaliation for the truck bombings of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The article quoted American business- man Bobby May, who was in Khartoum at the time of the attack. He was very surprised because he and Bishop Brookings (from Nashville) had just vis- ited the factory a few days before and had been shown every part of the opera- lion. The place was a showplace, where kids routinely toured the plant, and not, as the White House spokesman claimed, a heavily guarded chemical factory.
The net result of the use of $60 million of Tomahawk missiles was the destruc- tion of a badly needed pharmaceutical factory in Khartoum, a mess in Afghani- stan, no one important killed, and an entirmous buildup of resentment through the whole Arab world. Well, it did keep Monica out of the headlines for a few days, so perhaps the White House strate- gists felt it was worth the expense.
By the way, as you read the article, you'll see that the Joint Chiefs were not consulted before the attack. You'll also probably not be particularly surprised that the intelligence reports which were cited by tte White House as an excuse for the attack were of the usual low grade in accuracy*
A propos, Vm enjoying a discounted book (S8) published by Barnes & Noble, Senseless Secrets, by Lt. Col. Michael Lanning — subtitled, 'The Failures of US Military Intelligence irom Geoi^e Wash- ington to the Present/' You no doubt have suspected that, being government agen- cies, our intelligence departments were probably bungling almost everything they've been doing. What 1 doubt you've suspecced is the extremes that this bun- gling has often reached. Pester B&N and spend the $8. You're going to be highlight- ing the hell out of the book and reading sections to anyone who will listen. The author said he'd spent several years as an
Continued on page 64
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73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 61
Proprghtion
Numi)^ 62 Oft your Feedback CMtd
Jim Gray W1XU/7 210 E Chateau Circle Payson AZ 85541 Qimpeg ^^ netzone.com]
The HJ-' bands in AugU!ii and September were quite good at
times, with DX rolling in on Ire- queticies in the bands between
40 and U) meters. At one point the solar ilux ruse to 176 — tliL* highest I've seen it since Cycl
e
22 — which h a ^uod sign, but requires a word of caution.
Cycle 23 is likeK lo provide the lowest peak solar flux value of the last feu cycles. One fore- caster predicts that the peak will occur in 1999, which 1 believe is a year or two early, if every- thing proceeds nnrmally. But nothing about Cycle 23 has been **normaL" so it's possible he could be right. WeM! just have to wait and see.
Propagalion this month is likely to be irref^ular because December is traditional ly a month when HF propagation is seasonally low, and we huven^l yet seen consistently high solar flux values durine this cvcle. Therefore, use the calendar to pick ihe best days (G) for your effons, but alwavs tisien and make a few calls into the void on other days, uio, bee li use the universe is full ul surprises,
10-12 meters
Possible opcnitigs to Europe
in the morning, midday openings to Africa and South America, and late afternonn openings to Ausinilasiaand the South Pacific, Daytime short-skip openings
between 1000 and 2000-f miles arc likely as well,
15-17 meters
Worldwide DX possible during daylight hours, peaking loward turot>e ajid the east in eariy mom- ina. loward the southern hemi- sphere in the aftemooc, and toward the west. South Pacific and Australasia in the late after- noon, with daytime short skip from lOOO to over 2000 miles.
20-30 meters
Openings to Europe and the east during late aftemoon hours,
with the bands remaining open tu various areas of the world during hours of darkness until shorth afler sunrise. Dav light short skip lo 1000 miles and 2()00 rnikN or so ai night
40 meters
Generally low^ noise prevails. and openings toward Europe and the ejst beginning in laie afternoon, with the band re- maining open all night until nf- Ilt sunrise to various areas of the world. Daytime short skip lo about 1 000 miles and over 1000 miles at nighL This could be your best DX hand this moaih!
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December 1998 |
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and east around midniizht, and to other directions jusi before
dawn. Daydmc short skip to 500 miles attd nightiime openings to 2000 miles or so.
160 meters
DX possible during WtMy evening and hours of darkness. No daytime short skip, hut ex- cellent possibilities ai night from 500 to about 1500 miles.
Don't forget to work the dark- ness path (±30 minutes around load sunset).
Check the bands \xbo\c Liiid below the suggested ones for possible DX surprises. It's of- len a goixl idea to park your re- ceiver on a seeminslv unused frequency and just wait ADX station is very likely to pop up before any one else hears him, and you can snas a good catch, 73/W1XU/7.
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62 73 Amateur Radio Today ' December 1998
Here are *^)me of the book;fi Wa^ne has wrjtl4?n. Some tan chiinge yuur life, if you11 ki them. If thv idea, iif being healthv, wealthy unci wKo is of interest toyoii.^tart reading, Yes» you can ht all thai, hul (snly when you know the sec re Is which Wayne has spent a lifetime uncovering.
The Secret Guide to Health: Yes, there really is aseoet to regaining your health and adding 30 to 60 years of heaJthy living to your life* The aiHwer is simple, but it means making litMiie ven dirncuh changes. Will you be 'ikiing the ii lopes of Aspen with me w ht?n you're 90 or diKktcring around a nuTiing home? Or pushing up dai- sies? No, f m nor setting any health products. %5 iH»
The Secret Guide to Wealth: Just as with health, youll find thai you have been brainwashed by "the system^ into a pattern of life that will Iceep you from ever making much money and having the freedom lo (ravel and do what you want. I explain how an\ one can get a dream job with no coJlcgc, no fi^sume. and even w ilhoul any ex- perience. 1 expJain how you can get someone to happily pay you to learn what you need to know to sian your own business. S5 (Mj The Secret Guide to W'i«idom: This is a review of around a hundretl books that will help you change your life, No, I don't sell these hooks They're
■9
on a wide range of subjects and will help to make you a very inieresting person. Wail' 11 you see some of I he gems you've missed reading. S5 (B) Cold Fusion Overview: This is both a brief history of cold fusion, which I predict will tie one of the InrgesI in- dustries in the world In the 2 ] si ten^ tury. plus a si nip II L'^pluniitinn dIIiovv and why it works. This new field is going to generate a whole new bunch of billionaires, just as the personal computer industry did- $5 (C) The BJoelectrifier Hand hook: This explains how to binJil or buy a little electrical gadgei that can help clean the blood of any virus, tnicrobe, para- site, fungus or yeast. The prtKess was discovered by scie mists at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, pat- ented and then hushed up Jt's curing AIDS, hepatitis C, and a bunch of other serious ilhiesses. The circuit can be built for under S2() from the in- structions in ihe biKik. $10 tA^ Moondoggte: After reading Renews book- iVi45.A Mooned America. \ read everything I could find on our Mixm landings, t watched ihe \ rdcos. looked carefully at the photos, read the asfronaughts' biogmphies. and talked with some of my readers w*ho worited for NASA. This book cites 25 s!i>od reasons I believe Ihe wtiote Apotlo pio- gfam had to have been faked S5 iD^ Mankind's Extinction Predictinns: If an\ one of the experts who have written liooks predicting a soon-to- (
Radio Bookshop
come catastrophe which will virtually
wipe us all out are right, weVe in
trouble. In this book I explain about
the various disaster scenarios, from
Nostradamus, who says the poles will
soon shift, wiping out 97% of man- kind, fo Sai Baba, who has recently
warned his followers to gel out of Ja- pan and .Australia before December
6th ihis year. The woi^t part of these
predictions is the accuracy record of
some of the experts. WitI ii be a pole
shift, a new ice age, a massive solar
Hare* a comei or asteroid, or even
Y2K? I'm getting ready, how alxjut
you? $5 (E|
WayneN Sobmarine .Vd^entnres In
WA^ II: Ves. I spent from 1943-1945 on a submarine, right in the middle of ihe war w ith Japan. We almost gol sunk several times, and twice 1 was in die right place at the right time to save ihc boat, Whai's it realJy like to bt depth charged? .And what^s the doily life aboard a submarine like? There are some ver\' funny stories. If you're near Mobile, please visit the brum. S5 (Si
Improvini^ State Government: Here are 24 wa> s that aLnost any si ate gov- ernment can cut expenses enor- mously, while providing far better ser- vices. I explain how any government bureau or department can be gotten to cut its expenses by at least 50% in three years and do it cooperatively and emhusiastically. I explain how, by applying a new technology, the state can make it possible to provide all needed services without havinc to levy any taxes at all? Read the book, run for your legislature, and let's get busy making this country work like its founders wanted it to. Dont leave this for 'someone else*^ to do. S5 (L) Travel Diaries; You can travel amaz- ingly ine?t pensively - once you know the ropes. Enjoy Sherrv^ and my bud- get visits to Europe, Russia, and a bunch of other interesting places. How about a first class flight to Munich, a rented Audi* driving to visit Vienna* Krakow in Poland (and the famous salt iiiincs^. Prague, back to Munich, and the tlrst class fhght home for two, all for under SLOOO, Yes, when you knou how you can ttavel | -^^"'^ incsipensjvely, and srill stay in first 1 class hoiels. S5 \T} .
Wayne's Caribbean Adveniures: ' More budgei travel siories ~ w here I | City-State*Zip . V i s i I the hams and sc uba di ve most of ■ ^^^ onfcieii ■ use k the islands of the Caribbean. Like the special tJai fare w hich allowed u^ to visit 1 1 countries in 21 da vs. with me dtvtng all bui one of ihe islands, Guadeloupe, where ttie hams kept me so busy with panics I didn^t have time to dive, S5 (U>
Silver W'ire: With two 3** pieces of heavy pure silver wire + three W bat- teries you can ntake a thousand dol- lars wonh of silver colloid. Wtiai do you do with it? Ii does what the anti- biotics do, but germs can't adapt to it. Use il 10 get rid of germs on food^ for skin fungus, wans, and e\cn to drink. Read some botjks on ihe uses of ^d\ er colloid. it*s like inagic. S15 t Yj CJas.sical Music Guide: A list of tOO CDs which wilt provide you with an outstanding colleciion of the finest classical mu^ic ever written. This is what you need lo help you reduce stress. Classical music also raises youngsters* IQs, helps plants grow faster, and \ull make you healthjen Just watt' II you hear some of Gotschalk^s fabulous music! $5 iZ) Reprints of .M> EditariaK Srmn 73, Grist t: 50 of my best ncm-ham oriented editorials from before 1997. $5 tF» Grist 11: 50 more choice non-ham editorials from before 1997. S5 (G^
1997 Editorials: 240 pages. 216 edi- torials discussing health, ideas for new businesses, exciting new books Tve discovered, ways to cure our country's more serious problems, night KOO, the nkbhoina City bomb- ing, more Moort mutlness, and so on. In ihrce S5 volumes. S15 (O)
1998 Jan- Aug Editorials: 1 8B pages in two S5 volumes, Tiringing you up In date. S 10 (Pi
Hum-to-Ilum: 45 of my ham -ori- ented editoriids. These will help you bone up on ham history. Great stuff for hum club newsk'ticr flUer Yes, of course ihe^c arc controversial. $5 (Q) %y Million Sales Video: How to gen- erate extra million in sales using PR. This will be one of the best invest- merits yoLir business ever made, $45 (V) One Hour CW: Using this sneaky method even yo/i can leani the ^torse Code in one hour and pass that dumb 5wpm Tech-Plus ham lest. $5. (C W) CfKle Tape (T5i" Ttiis tape will teach you the letters, numbers and punctua-
>
tion you need to know if you are go- ing on to learn the code at 13 wpm or 20 wpm. S5 (T5)
Cade Tape (T13): Once you know the code for the letters (TS) you can go immediately to copying 1 3 wpm code fusing my system). This should only take two or three days. S5 ^Tl 3J Code Tape (TlOj: Stiirt right out at 20 wpm and master it in a weekend for yoiu-Extru Class license. S5 (T20) Code Tape (T25) Same deaf It docsn*l take any longer to handle 25 wpm as il does 13. Or use the ARRL system &. take six monihs-S5 <T25) Wayne Talks at Dayton: This isa90' minute tape of the talk f'd have given at the I>ayton, if ins iied. S5 ( W U \\ ayne Talks at Tampa: This is Ihe talk 1 ^ave ai the Tampa Global Sci- ences conference. I cover cold fusion, amateur radio, health, books you should read, and so on. $5 f W2> Stuff I didn't write, hut \iMi need: NASA Mooned America: Rene makes an air-tight case that NASA faked the Moon landings. This book wilt convince even you. $25 (Rl > Last Skeptic of Science: This is Rene's book u here he debunks a bunch of accepted scientific beliefs -* such as the ice ages, the Earth being a magnet, the Moon causing Ihe tides, andetc. S25(R2)
Elemental Energy Subscription: t predict this is going to be ihc tnrgest indusiU} m ihe world in aboui 20 30 years. They laughed at me when I pre- dicted the personal computer growth in l^J75. PCs arc now the third larg- esi industry in the world. The elcmcn- luiJ cticrgy grojnd Hoor is still wide open, but then that might mean giv- ing up watching ball games and talk shows on the boob tube. S30 for six issues. (EE). A sample issue is !)j 10. Three Gatto Talks: A prize-winning teacher explain.s what's wrong with American schools and why our kids are not being educated. Why are Swedish youngsters, whosiari school at 7 years of aee, leaving our kids in the dusr^* Our kids are intentionally being dumbed down by our school system — die least effective and most expensive in the world. S5 (K>
Radio Bookshop
70 Hancock Road, Peterbaroueh, NH 03458
Call
phone
,Addpess
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I Foreign LSS44 b> sea, USS67 b\ air Whew!
73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998 63
Barter 'n' Buy
Turn your old ham and computer gear into cash now. Sure, you can wait for a hamfest 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 po- tential buyers can see it. rather than the tew hundred local hams who come by a flea market table. Check your attic, garage, cellar and closet shelves and get cash for your ham and computer gear before It's too old to sell. You know you're not going lo use it again, so why leave It for your widow to throw out? That stuff lsn*t getting any younger!
The 73 Flea Market, Barter 'n' Buy, costs you peanuts (almost)— comes to 35 cents a word tor individual (noncomnnerciall) ads and S1.00 a word for commercial ads. Don't 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, ir>clude a check or your credit card number and expiration. If you're placing a commercial ad, include an additional phone number I separate from your ad- This is a monthly magazine, not a daily newspaper, so figure a coyple months before the action starts; then be prepared. If you get too many calls, you priced it low. If you don't gel many calls, too high. So get busy. Blow the dust off. check everything out. make sure it still works right and maybe you can help make a ham newcomer or re- tired 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 interested?
Send your ^As and payment ta; 73 Magazine^ Barter "n' Buy, 70 Re, 202N, Peterborough NH 03458 and get set for tht phone calls* The deadline for the MiirLli 1999 classitlcd ad I section is Januar>- 10, 1999_
I
SELL QRP++ (UPGRADED). MANUAL. POWER CABLE. HAND AND DESK MIKES. EXCELLENT RIG. $400 MONEY ORDER. SHIP- PING INCLUDED. W4LJD, BOX 30, SALINAS PR 00751-0030,
BNB340
BIOELECTRfFfiRT'^ 5 Hz micro current supply for plant and animal research. Semi-Kit S38.00. As- sembled complete with batteries and silver electrodes $89.50. Add S2.50 postage, Thomas MJder, 314 South 9th Street. Richmond IN 47374.
BNB343
RF TRANSISTORS TUBES
2SC2879, 2SC1971, 2SC1972, MRF247. MRF455. MB8719. 2SC1307. 2SC2029. MRF454. 2SC3133, 4CX250B, 12DQ6. 6KG6A. etc. WESTGATE, 1 (800) 213-4563, , BNB6000
Cash for ColDns: Buy any Coilins Equipment- Leo KJ6H1. Tei./FAX (310) 670-6969. [radioleo^earlh- Irnk.nel] BNB425
MAHLON LOQMIS. fNVENTOR OF RADIO, by Thomas Appleby (copy* right 1967), S€H:ond printing avail- abie from JOHAN K.V. SVANHOLM N3RF, SVANHOLM RESEARCH LABORATORIES. P.O. Box 81, Washington DC 20044. Please send $25,00 donation with $5.00 for S&H.
BNB420
METHOD TO LEARN MORSE CODE FAST AND WITHOUT
HANGUPS Johan N3RF, Send Si .00 & SASE. SVANHOLM RE- SEARCH LABORATORIES, RO. Box 81 , Washington DC 20044 USA,
BNB421
WWII MILITARY TELEVISION WANTED: Army /Navy SCR, AT J, ATK. ARK. ARJ, CEK, CRV, Receiv- ers, cameras, monitor, transmitters, dynamotors. Maurice Schechter 590 Willis Ave., Williston Park NY 11596. P/F (516) 294-4416.
BNB69
OSL CARDS. Basic Styles: Black an6 While and CoJor Picture Cards; Custom Printed. Send 2 stamps for samples and literature. RAUMS, 8617 Orchard Rd., Coopersburg PA 18036. Phone or FAX (215) 679- 7238. BNBSig
WANTED; High capacity 12 volt solar panels for repeater. [kk4ww@tairs. org] or (340) 763-2321 . BNB2630
COLLOIDAL SILVER GENERA- TOR! Why buy a "box of batteries" iOT hundreds of dollars? Current regulated. AC powered. luMy as- sembled with ?^12 AWG silver elec- trodes, S74.50. Same, but DC powered. S54,50, Add $2,50 ship- ping. Thomas Miller. 314 South 9th Street. Richmond IN 47374.
BNB342
Number $4 on your Feedback C9rd
Presider^t Clinton probably doesn't have a copy of Tormef 's Electronics Bench Reference but you stiould, Check it out at [www.ohio.net/ -^rtormet/index. htm]— over 100 pages of circuits, tables, RF design information, sources, etc.
BNB530
Orlando HamCatlon™ and Com- puter Show Feb. 12-14, Central Florida Fairgrounds. ARRL North Florida Section. Commercial areas feature over 200 vendors, and swap area includes over 400 tables. Tail- gating, forums, testing. Overnight HV parking witti electric and water. Com- mercial Information. Tim Stair. (407} 850-9258. E-mail ;AE4NJ'gaoLcomj. vfsrt our Web page at [WWW. OARC.ORG] or ser^d SASE tO: Or- lando HamCatlon™. PC Box 547811 , Ortando PL 32S54.
BNB213
VisualRadio'^ Is a powerful control
software tor AOR, ICOIVI, Kenwood, JRC, YAESU and more. Starting at USS 122. Download demo: [http:// oufworld.compuserve.com/ homepages Visualfadio]. For fnfo^or- der: Cord Schuette St. Johns Ml. TEL/FAX: (517) 224 1791. E-mail: ISc^uette ^ email.mintCftv.coml.
BNB601
WANTED: NYE VIKING STATION MONITOR RFM-003. RFM-005. Paying S600, Randy Ballard N5WV, (903)687-3002. [TMTtgPrysm.netl-
BNB5001
ASTRON power supply, brand-new w/warranty, RS20M S99. RS35M $145, RS50M S209, RS70M $249, AVT. Call for other models. (626) 286-0118 BNB411
TELEGRAPH COLLECTOR-S PRICE GUIDE: 250 pictures pnces. $1 2 post- paid ARTIFAX BOOKS Box 88, Maynard MA 01754. Telegraph Mu- seum: [httpy/wltp.comJ. BNB 1 1 3
HEATH COMPANY is seJHng photO- copies of most Heathkit manuals Only authorized source for copyright manuals. Phone: (616} 925-5899. 8-4 ET BNB964
Neuer srv oie
continued from page 61
officer during ihe \\ ar in Viei- nam and had never gotten one useful piece of information
from anv of the inlelliiiciice age nc ies . Amiy In Le I i igenL c uii iy is aaintradiction of terms.
%o bad if you missed the New Yorker article. This was the masazinc ihat forced the
AM A lo admit I hat ulcers are caused by the Heliotobaaer Pylori germ and could be cured quickly uiih antibioi- ics, newh thai has cosi ihe medical eslahtishment billions of dollars in endless doctor visits tbr ihe uld ineffective ulcer treatments. On the posi- tive side, a recent survey showed that thousands of doc- tors are still happily unaware of the new ireaimcni — and probably inicnU lu stay un- aw are of it*
Sporadic E
A note from Neil Spokes AB4YK points out Ihal spo- radic E is anything but spo* radic, in the sen^e of being non-predictabie. These events I'cpeat every year, over and oven on the same days. Thus ihey must be lied into W'here the Earth is in its orbit, going through something — perhaps a comeiaiy effect.
My Ballot
The Oftlcial ARRL Balldt allowing me to vole for ihe
Vice Director, arrived. Appar- ently no one wa.s interested enoueh in the job to run for Director, ^o our old used Di- rector is holding down the spot for two more years. I looked o\er the promi>iions for the two contestants for Director of Vice. One was Andrea Parker KIWLX. Her promotion told all about her niar\elous ac- complishmenLv bui said noth- ing about bow I or even the hobbv iru^ht benefil from her imporiani self being elected. Also, she was not smiling in her phott>. Her look said to me that she's very, very important and I'm an insignillcant some- ihing that probably stuck to iiumeone's shoe.
The opponcni in the elec- tion was Michael Raisbeck KITWR His piece was al- most all about the Ihings he wanted lo do to make Uie hobby better, with just a short paragraph at ihe end about himself. And he was smilinu in his photo.
Cane tu guess who I voted for? Mtikeawild.stah.
64 73 Amateur Radio Today • December 1998
JRC]
160-10 Meters PLUS 6 Meter Transceiver
Fifteen reasons y\fhy your next HF transceiver should be a JST'245. . ,
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
All-Mode Operation (SSB.CW.AM.AFSK.FM) on all HF amateur bands and 6 me!ers, JST-145, same as JST-245 but withCKJl 6 meters and builHn antenna tuner.
ir JST-145 COMING SOON •
MOSFET POWER AMPLIFIER - Final PA utilizes RF MOSFETs to achieve low distortion and high durability. Rated output is 10 to 150 watts on afi bands including 6 meters.
AUTOMATIC ANTENNA TUNER • Auto tuner included as standard equipment. Tuner settings are automatically stored in memory for fast QSY,
MULTIPLE ANTENNA SELECTION • Three antenna connec- tions are user selectable from front panel Antenna selection can be stored in memory.
GENERAL COVERAGE RECEIVER • 100 kHz-30 MHz, plus 48- 54 MHz receiver, EJectronically tuned front-end filtering, quad- FET mixer and quadnjple conversion system {triple conversion forFM} results *n excellent dynamic range (>100dB) and 3rd order ICP of +20dBm.
IF BANDWIDTH FLEXIBILITY • Standard 2.4 kHz filter can be narrowed continuously to 800 Hz with variable Bandwidth Control (BWC). Narrow SSB and CW lifters for 2nd and 3rd IF optional.
QRM SUPPRESSION • Other interference rejection features include Passband Shift (PBS), dual noise bianker. 3-step RF atten- uation, fF notch filter, selectabie AGO and all-mode squeldi.
8 NOTCH TRACKING • Once tuned, the IF notch filter will track the offending heterodyne ( - 10 Khz) if the VFO frequency is changed.
9 DDS PHASE LOCK LOOP SYSTEM • A single-crystal Direct Digital Synthesis system is utilized for very low phase noise.
I 0 CW FEATURES • Full break- in operation, variable CW pitch, built
in electronic l<eyer up to 60 wpm.
I I DUAL VFOs • Two separate VFOs for split-frequency operation. Memory registers store mosl recent VFO frequency, mode, band- width and other important parameters for each band.
1 2 200 MEMORIES * Uemoty capacity of 200 channels, each of which store frequency^ mode. AGC and bandwidth.
1 3 COMPUTER INTERFACE • Built-in RS-232C interface for advanced computer applications,
1 4 ERGONOM I C LAYOUT * Front panel features easy to read color LCD display and thoughtful placement of controls for ease of oper- ation.
1 5 HEAVY-DUTY POWER SUPPLY • Built-in switching power suppfy with 'silent" cooling system designed for continuous transmission at maximim output.
JRC| 0apan Radio Co.,Xid,
430 Park Ave,, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10022 Phone; (212) 355-1 180 Fax: (212) 319-5227
CIRCLE 159 ON READER SERVICE CARD
M£3Il}l^ ^^
|
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^'^ ^p^ *ippi jLa i^ i-' ' ' f ,
'Ji. '^ ^ Cl^ r*^ #te ^_ '^ ^- /*■
— ^^ ^"^ JtoMi ^^^ J '^^n»*xv ^^
PC not induded
The Kachina 505DSP the-art DSP
Computer Controlled HP processing p
Transceiver After twenty years capabilities c
of buitding commercial ^^^^ wondei
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new approach to amateur radio, when your a
The Kachina 505DSP ts nothing s^rnuitaneoui
short of a revolution in HF aclivity. antei
transceivers. ^^^^ ^'^'^ '^^
forward and/
Why Use Knobs If You Have and a host o Windows? The old-fashioned
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Kachina's 505DSP transceiver Kachina 505
connects to your computer's exceptional
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away from your computer '^^ in-band
Imagine combining a state-of- signaMo-noi
Windows /s s trademark of Microsoft Corp.
Specifications and feafur^s subject to char^ge wiihout notice.
the-art DSP transceiver with the processing power and graphics capabilities of your PC and you II soon wonder why all radios aren't designed this way Why settle for a tiny LCD display when your computer monitor can simultaneously show band aclivity antenna impedance, heat sink temperature, SWR, forward and/or reflected power and a host of other information?
16/24 Bit DSP/DDS Performance In addition to 100% computer control, the Kachina 505DSP offers exceptional 16/24 bit DSP/DDS performance. IF stage DSP, "brick-wair digital filtering, adaptive notch filters and digital noise reduction, combined with low in-band IMP and high signaHo-noise ratio, produce an
excellent sounding receiver. Sophisticated DSP technology achieves performance levels unimaginable in the analog world. The transmitter also benefits from precise 16/24 bit processing. Excellent carrier and opposite-sideband suppression is obtained using superior phasing -method algorithms. The RF compressor will add lots of punch to your transmitted signal without adding tots of bandwidth, and the TX equalizer will allow you to tailor your transmitted audio for more highs or lows.
The Kachina •505DSP Computer Controlled Transceiver
I eatures:
Works with any Computer Running Windows 3.1, 95 or NT
Covers all Amateur HF Bands plus General Coverage Receiver
IF Stage 16/24 Bit Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
J II DSP Bandpass Filter Widths from too Hz to 3.5 kHz (6 kHz in AM Mode)
Band Activity Display with Toint and Click" frequency Tuning
I On-screen Antenna ^ "Smith" Chart. Logging Software and Help Menus
~ Automatic Frequency Calibration from WWV or Other External Standard
"Snapshot** Keys for instant Reca I of Frequencies and Settings
Optional Internal Antenna Tuner
Seeing is Believing
American-made and designed, and able to stand on its own against the wor Id^s best, the 505DSP is bound to set the standard for all that follow. But don*t take our word for it Visit our website at http://www,kachina-az.corfi for detailed specifications, to download a demo version of our control software, or to see a current list of Kachina deaiers displaying demonstration models in their showrooms.
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
P.O. Box 1949, Cottonwood, Arizona 86326. U.S.A. Fax: (520J 634-8053, Tel: (520) 634-7828 E-Mail: sales@kachina-az.com