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| Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest - For up to date HAM/PACKET info |
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Fidonet is a registered trademark of Tom Jennings, Box 77731
San Francisco, California 94107
3. ARTICLES
Noth Pole Expedition F6CIU/VE8 .......................... 5
K2BSA Boy Scout Jamboree news release ................... 7
CASEY STATION ANTARCTICA ................................ 8
Tips for the Hamfester! ................................. 11
ATHENS HAMFEST -- SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989 ................ 14
PROJECT DOVE NEWSLETTER ................................. 15
QT 4.0 TO BE RELEASED AT DAYTON ........................ 16
SHORT BURSTS ............................................ 18
U4MIR/U5MIR GOES QRT .................................... 19
BIS Survey Results for May 3, 1989 ...................... 20
News Nuggets from Newington - 5/4/89 .................... 21
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page i
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
====================================================================
E D I T O R I A L S
====================================================================
This is the third issue of my bi-weekly Ham and Packet related
newsletter. Once again I would like to thank all of you that
contributed to this newsletter.
One article this month has a special meaning to me personally,
that is the article about the Boy Scout station. If we are to
keep our hobby alive, it has been said that we need to find a
good source of young blood. What better source is there than
the Boy Scouts? Being a Scout leader (Cubmaster Pack 169) I
know that there are many times when some of our leaders would
welcome an amateur to stop by on a meeting night and talk about
the benefits of being a "ham" and all the fun that goes along
with it. Have you got an old rig collecting dust in the attic
or garage? Why not contact your local BSA HQ and see which
troop in the area would be interested in borrowing it. Then
show them how to use it.
Brian Murrey - Editor KB9BVN
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 1
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
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B U L L E T I N S
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QST DE W1AW
HR ARRL BULLETIN NR 21 ARLB021
FROM ARRL HEADQUARTERS
NEWINGTON, CT MAY 12, 1989
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
ARRL REPRESENTATIVES TESTIFIED YESTERDAY IN A THREE HOUR HEARING
OF THE GOVERNMENT INFORMATION, JUSTICE AND AGRICULTURE
SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS.
APPEARING IN A ROOM PACKED WITH AMATEURS AND PRESS, THE ARRL
PANEL AND A WITNESS ON BEHALF OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
OBJECTED TO THE PROCEDURES FOLLOWED BY THE FCC IN DECIDING TO
TERMINATE ACCESS BY RADIO AMATEURS TO THE FREQUENCIES BETWEEN
220 AND 222 MHZ.
NOTING THAT AMATEUR RADIO WAS ONE OF THE THOUSAND POINTS OF
LIGHT WHOSE VOLUNTEER EFFORTS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, AND NOT
DISCOURAGED BY THE GOVERNMENT, SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REP BOB
WISE OF WEST VIRGINIA PRAISED AMATEURS AND THEIR ROLE IN
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS. WEST VIRGINIA SECTION MANAGER KARL
THOMPSON, K8KT, LED THE ARRL TESTIMONY BY ADDRESSING THE
VOLUNTEER NATURE OF AMATEUR RADIO EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND
PARTICULARLY ITS SIGNIFICANCE TO HIS STATE. HE UNDERLINED THE
IMPORTANCE OF THE THREATENED BAND SEGMENT TO REPEATER LINKING
AND PACKET RADIO DEVELOPMENT.
ARRL EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT SUMNER, K1ZZ, TESTIFIED THAT THE
PROCESS USED BY THE FCC IN DECIDING TO REALLOCATE THE BOTTOM TWO
MHZ OF THE 220 MHZ AMATEUR RADIO BAND TO LAND MOBILE USE HAD
FAILED TO TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE COMMENTS OF INDIVIDUAL AMATEURS
WHICH DOCUMENTED BOTH ITS IMPORTANCE TO PUBLIC SERVICE AND
EXPERIMENTAL COMMUNICATION, AND THE GREAT COST TO AMATEURS AND
TO THE PUBLIC IF THESE OPERATIONS HAD TO BE MOVED ELSEWHERE OR
ABANDONED FOR LACK OF SPACE. HE CITED ALTERNATIVES TO THE
REALLOCATION AND WHICH HAD NOT BEEN ADEQUATELY CONSIDERED IN THE
PROCEEDING.
RICHARD RUDMAN, W6TIA, CHAIRMAN OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY
EMERGENCY PUBLIC INFORMATION ADVISORY GROUP, DESCRIBED THE
CROWDED CONDITIONS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IN THE ENTIRE 220 MHZ
BAND AND THE TREMENDOUS IMPACT OF THE FCC DECISION ON PACKET
RADIO DEVELOPMENT. HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF AMATEUR RADIO
IN EMERGENCY PLANNING.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 2
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
FCC CHIEF ENGINEER DR THOMAS P. STANELY, UNITED PARCEL SERVICE
STRATEGIC PLANNING MANAGER GENE HUGHES AND DR DENNIS BODSON OF
THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM ALSO GAVE TESTIMONY. IN
RESPONSE TO QUESTIONS FROM THE SUBCOMMITTEE, DR STANLEY
CONCEDED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE REDUCTION IN THE SIZE OF
THE BAND WAS A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF AMATEUR CAPABILITY THAT WAS
NOT OFFSET BY THE GRANTING OF PRIMARY STATUS IN THE REMAINDER OF
THE BAND. THE SUBCOMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE RECORD OF THE
HEARING TO DETERMINE THE APPROPRIATE COURSE OF ACTION AR
Copied from W1AW by Tad, KT7H @ WS7M.
Copied from Packet by Mike, VE7BOI @ VE7KIT
Copied from Fidonet by Brian, KB9BVN
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 3
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
The R.A.I.N. Dialup Service (R.D.S) provides programming for
both hams and communications devotees. Produced by R.A.I.N.,
the Radio Amateur Information Network Foundation, the R.D.S.
updates Fridays at (312) 299-INFO from Des Plaines, IL. $P The
current edition will be on line from May 5-11, 1989, and
contains the following: the I.A.R.N. (International Amateur
Radio Network) ,soviet delegation was scheduled to attend the
Dayton Hamvention, Apr. 28th; the trip was cancelled on the
21st. You'll find out why. And "220 Notes Newsletter" editor,
Art Reis, K9XI, reviews the 220 scene at Dayton.--14 minutes of
quality ham radio programming that can be broadcast via Amateur
Radio as authorized by FCC regulation 97.113-D(2) GIVE THE
R.D.S. A TRY!
Additional R.A.I.N. programming can be heard on the HF ham
bands: The i.A.R.N., International Amateur Radio Network, airs a
45-minute program 5 times each day simultaneously on 3975 KHz
(LSB); 14275, and 28475 KHz (USB) at these UTC times: 1100,
1300, 1700, 2100, and 0000. When the I.A.R.N. is activated on
14.275 (3975 and 28475 are unaffected.) Often there is a live
"net" on 14.275 following the broadcasts. There are two
additional Sunday transmissions: on 3890 KHz (AM) at 2200, and
7290 KHz (AM) at 2300. The IARN program is transmitted by Glenn
Baxter, K1MAN, from Belgrade Lakes, ME. (207) 495-2215
The GATEWAY RADIO NEWS LETTER is transmitted by Vern Jackson,
WA0RCR, from Wentzville, MO. It typically lasts an hour and can
be heard on 1860 KHz (AM) on the 160-meter band at these UTC
times: Sat.-Thurs. at 2200; Sundays at 1200, and 1900; Tue. at
0930; and Thurs. (combined with a live "net") at 0100. If you
know of other HF ham radio programs, let me know, that I may
update this list.
FREE HAM RADIO PROGRAMMING. if you are looking for ham radio
programming on cassette for use on a local net, or for your own
information, The RP REPORT is now available FREE of charge.
Simply send a blank C90 cassette along with an SASE and enough
postage for 2 ounces for each month you wish to receive this
program service. There are 4 RP REPORTS per cassette, one
cassette per month. Produced by Hap Holly, KC9RP, the RP REPORT
is Available from the R.a.i.n. Foundation, P.O. Box 2565, Des
Plaines, IL. 60017.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 4
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
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A R T I C L E S
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Noth Pole Expedition F6CIU/VE8
FRENCH-KOREAN EXPEDITION TO THE NORTH MAGNETIC POLE
---------------------------------------------------
This expedition is going to run during a month a group of five
youngs of 20 years old in average, to the NORTH MAGNETIC POLE.
Before all, the aim of this expedition is to discover this
region and to make a big report about a unknown wild region.
The vehicules to move will be the snow mobils and the seldges.
The progression on the ice field will be done from a village
called RESOLUTE BAY and situated on CORNNALLIS ISLAND.
PROGRAM :
15th May: Departure from PARIS and SEOUL of two groupes for
MONTREAL.
19th May: Departure from MONTREAL of the expedition for RESOLUTE
BAY.
25th May: Departure from RESOLUTE BAY for the POLE.
13th June: Departure from RESOLUTE BAY for of the Whole groupe
for MONTREAL.
16th June: Departure for PARIS and SEOUL
One activ station will be staying at RESOLUTE BAY during the end
of expedition It will be activ on the bands under indicative
F6CIU/VE8. It will be operated by an OM (Principally F6IGQ)
which will look after the group for the news , security and
emergency. Time after time, on the ice field F6CIU will
operate, which will depend on the conditions of the batteries,
but will stop for the DX hunters. In fact a lot of Islands will
be on the route.
LITTLE CORNWALLIS ISLAND.
BATHURST ISLAND.
KING CHISTIAN ISLAND.
Indicative will be F6CIU/m/VE8 followed from the name of Island.
Besides the participing 5 youngs, three Koreans and two Frenchs
the expedition will be composed by :
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 5
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
- MAURICE UGUEN, F6CIU, Producer for the French and Korean TV
chanels and also the responsible of the expedition.
- PHILIPPE CHABAUD LATOUR, Sound Engineer
- MARK BATARD, Mountain Guide, responsable of technical
appearance.
- A Cameraman of TF1 and a techicien at RESOLUTE BAY principally
F6IGQ
A contest will be organised for the OM the more faithfuls during
the expedition. Actually we are studing the rules, but will be
very simple. Maximum contacts every day, with a maximum of one
at a time on each band.
VE2KD will be the correspond privileged, he is present every day
on 14.116 around 12h00 gmt. A special QSL will be published and
a certificate will be delivered for the participent of the
contest.
For more info: MAURICE UGUEN F 72210 ROEZE/SARTHE
Ph: 33 43 77 21 81
or at @F6CIU-1....Link via FC1GHV-1.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 6
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
K2BSA Boy Scout Jamboree news release
May 15, 1989 For more info contact: Rosalie White, WA1STO
Tel: 203-666-1541
Radio Scouting at the 1989 National Scout Jamboree
Amateur Radio operators will showcase their hobby at the 1989
National Boy Scout Jamboree between August 2nd and 8th. Hams
will use the Boy Scouts of America's Amateur Radio call sign,
K2BSA, to demonstrate Amateur Radio at Fort A. P. Hill,
Virginia, to 34,000 Scouts and leaders. Stationed near the
Merit Badge Midway, hams will teach radio skills to Scouts and
provide for them a shortwave listening post. In addition,
message-traffic-handling services will be provided to Jamboree
participants. Most of the traffic will be routed in and out of
the Jamboree site via packet radio, an accurate, high-speed
digital-communications mode. Handling several thousand
messages--to and from all states--will provide a real challenge
for Jamboree staff and local traffic handlers. Two on-site
repeaters (144.57/145.17 and 223.00/224.60 MHz) will be set up
and monitored during the Jamboree by the K2BSA staff.
Major equipment manufacturers have loaned almost all the
equipment necessary to put K2BSA on the air at the Jamboree, to
show their support for Scouting's role in the growth of Amateur
Radio, and in providing America's youth with important knowledge
and skills.
K2BSA will be active for the entire Jamboree period, on all
bands and modes. You can earn a special QSL card for contacting
K2BSA on the air, or stop in and sign the log. You should
realize K2BSA's first priority is to handle message- traffic and
that the staff has a limited number of operators, so monitor the
frequencies for congestion prior to calling. Agreed World Scout
Frequencies (MHz) include CW: 3.590, 7.030, 14.070, 21.140,
28.190, and SSB: 3.740, 3.940, 7.090 (outside US), 7.290 (in
US), 14.290, 28.350 and 28.990.
A staff of 40 licensed hams include coordinator Lary Eichel,
K2NA, traffic-handling station supervisor Bob Johnson, K3RC,
Radio Merit Badge instruction and kit-building post leader Bill
Free, W3FTG, logistics and support team chief Mike Brown,
WB2JWD, BSA HQ Liaison Ray Moyer, WD8JKV and ARRL Liaison Rus
Healy, NJ2L.
Radio scouting brings Amateur Radio to America's youth--and
Scouting provides tomorrow's leaders in business, industry and
government. As the Jamboree slogan so aptly states: The
Adventure begins . . . with America's Youth!
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 7
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
CASEY STATION ANTARCTICA
THE CONTINENT OF ANTARCTICA LIES ALMOST ENTIRELY WITHIN THE
ANTARCTIC CIRCLE (66.33S). IT IS COVERED BY 90 PERCENT OF THE
WORLD'S ICE WHICH HAS AN AVERAGE THICKNESS OF ABOUT 2000 METRES.
SCARCELY 5 PERCENT OF THIS LAND MASS IS WITHOUT PERMANENT ICE OR
SNOW, AND ONLY THE COASTAL ROCK OUTCROPS AND HIGHEST MOUNTAIN
PEAKS PROJECT THROUGH THE ICE SHEET.
THE CLIMATE FOR MOST OF ANTARCTICA IS THAT OF A COLD DESERT. IN
THE REGION OF THE SOUTH POLE ABOUT 7 CENTIMETRES OF SNOW
ACCUMULATES ANNUALLY AND IT HAS AN ANNUAL MEAN TEMPERATURE OF
-49 DEGREES C. AS THE ICE SHEET REFLECTS MOST OF THE SUN'S HEAT
BACK INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, IT COLLECTS ALMOST NO HEAT AND
SIGNIFICANTLY INFLUENCES WORLD WEATHER PATTERNS. IN MAY 1983
THE WORLD'S LOWEST TEMPERATURE (-89.6C) WAS RECORDED AT VOSTOK
IN THE AUSTRALIAN ANTARCTIC TERRITORY.
CASEY STATION (66.17S 110.32E) LIES ON THE COAST OF WILKES LAND
SOME 3800 KM DUE SOUTH OF PERTH. IT IS SITUATED IN AN AREA OF
LOW ROCKY ISLANDS AND PENINSULAS, THE LATTER RUNNING A SHORT
DISTANCE INLAND TO THE EDGE OF THE ANTARCTIC PLATEAU. ABOUT 25
PERSONNEL USUALLY WINTER AT CASEY BUT THERE ARE MANY MORE IN
SUMMER TO ASSIST WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM.
CASEY, DAVIS AND MAWSON STATIONS ARE CURRENTLY BEING REBUILT.
THE REBUILDING PROGRAM, WHICH COMMENCED IN 1978, IS EXPECTED TO
TAKE UNTIL 1991 TO COMPLETE, AND INCLUDES THE PROGRESSIVE
REPLACEMENT OF ALL EXISTING FACILITIES AT THE STATIONS.
PLANS FOR THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE THREE CONTINENTAL STATIONS
ARE SIMILAR AND FEATURE GREATLY IMPROVED2W\ANDARDS OF LIVING FOR
EXPEDITIONERS. INTERRELATED ACTIVITIES HAVE BEEN GROUPED INTO
LARGER BUILDINGS AND PLANS WERE DEVELOPED TO AVOID THE PROBLEMS
THAT EXIST AT THE PRESENT STATIONS. BUILDINGS ARE ORIENTATED IN
A COMMON DIRECTION INTO THE PREVAILING WIND THUS ALLOWING SNOW
DRIFTS TO FORM PLANNED PATTERNS AND NOT TO BURY BUILDINGS
ERECTED DOWN WIND.
REDEVELOPMENT PLANS ARE MADE UP OF THE BASIC SUPPORT BUILDINGS:
LIVING QUARTERS, SLEEPING AND MEDICAL, TWO POWERHOUSES,
WORKSHOPS, STORES, OFFICE BUILDIz=KEATION BUILDING, AND SERVICES
BUILDING. ADDITIONALLY THERE ARE SPECIAL PURPOSE SCIENTIFIC
LABORATORIES AND REMOTE BUILDINGS FOR RADIO TRANSMITTERS,
EMERGENCY STORES AND INFLAMMABLE STORES AS REQUIRED.
THE LIVING QUARTERS BUILDING HOUSE THE KITCHEN AND MESS, GENERAL
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 8
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
LIVING AREAS, LIBRARY, CINEMA, MUSIC ROOMS, MEDICAL SECTION AND
PHOTOGRAPHIC DARKROOM.
CASEY WAS CONSTRUCTED BETWEEN JANUARY 1965 AND FEBRUARY 1969,
THE FIRST FULL WINTERING PARTY BEING THAT OF 1969. THE NEW
CASEY STATION LIVING QUARTERS WERE COMPLETED LAST YEAR AND I AM
FORTUNATE TO BE 1 OF THE FIRST 23 WINTERING PERSONNEL IN THE NEW
STATION.
RADIO VNJ (CASEY) IS NOW CONTAINED WITHIN A MAJOR BUILDING
SHARED BY THE BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY AND THE RADIO TECHNICAL
OFFICERS. VNJ IS EQUIPPED WITH 3 PRIMARY TRANSMITTERS 2 OF
WHICH ARE RATED AT 1KW WITH THE 3RD AT 10KW. THERE ARE A
FURTHER 2 10KW STANDBY TRANSMITTERS AND 2 100W HF TRANSCEIVERS
USED MAINLY FOR FIELD PARTIES AND INTER STATION COMMUNICATIONS.
THREE RECEIVERS WITH DEDICATED RECEIVE ANTENNEA ARE USED FOR THE
STATIONS SKEDS WITH OTHER MAJOR ANTARCTIC STATIONS TWO OF WHICH
ARE DUMONT D'URVILLE (FRENCH) AND MCMURDO (U.S.A.). BOTH THE
TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE ANTENNEA ARE LOCATED ABOUT 1 KM FROM THE
STATION IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS WITH THE SITES BEING CONNECTED TO
VNJ VIA HIGH SPEED DATA CIRCUITS. THE ANTENNEA, RHOMBICS AND
VERTICAL LOG PERIODICS ARE ALL CONSTRUCTED FROM WIRE AS THE
MAXIMUM WIND GUSTS ENSURE BEAMS OF OTHER MATERIALS ARE
SHORTLIVED.
CASEY STATION HAS 4 RADIO AMATEURS THIS YEAR WITH 2 SHACKS. I
HAVE SET UP MY EQUIPMENT WITHIN A 20 FOOT SHIPPING CONTAINER AND
WITH HELP FROM BRENTON (VK0KBJ) ERECTED A 430 MTR LONGWIRE
DIRECTED TRUE NORTH FROM CASEY. BRENTON IS ONE OF THE TWO RADIO
TECHNICAL OFFICERS AND REMAINS MODERATLY ACTIVE ON 15 MTRS. THE
MAINTENANCE PLUMBER, JOHN VK0JV HAS SET UP HIS EQUIPMENT WITHIN
HIS WORKSHOP AND ENJOYS WORKING PHONE ON 15 MTRS. THE FOURTH IS
OWEN VK0LH WHO HAS REMAINED VERY BUSY ON STATION AS THE UPPER
ATMOSPHERIC PHYSICIST ENGINEER. I AM FAIRLY ACTIVE ON 20 MTRS
MAINLY DURING THE PERIOD 1200 - 1500 UTC ON 14005 CW OR 14155
USB. UNFORTUNATLY I WORK SHIFTS AND CANNOT MAKE DEFINATE SKED
TIMES ON THE HAM BANDS.
MY EQUIPMENT CONSISTS OF A TS-440S WITH A PK-232 USED IN
CONJUNCTION WITH AN AMIGA 500. THE ANTENNA IS FED THROUGH AN
EAT-300 TUNNER AND PERFORMS WELL ON ALL BANDS. I REGULARLY PASS
QSL INFORMATION BACK TO MY MANAGER, GIL VK6AGC BY AMTOR VIA
HERVE' VK6YM IN PERTH. GIL RUNS THE PACKET BBS WHICH HAS A
PACKET LINK TO HERVE'S APLINK BBS AND QSL DATA IS PASSED VERY
EFFICIENTLY. IN ADDITION TO THIS GIL AND I HAVE VOICE SKEDS
EACH SATURDAY EVENING FOR A GENERAL CHAT.
REGARDS, ROMAN VK0MP
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 9
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
CASEY STATION ANTARCTICA
NOTE. SECTIONS OF THE BULLETIN ARE TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE
ANARE (AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL ANTARCTIC RESEARCH EXPEDITIONS)
HANDBOOK.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 10
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
Tips for the Hamfester!
Thought this article was worth sharing. Excerpted from the
Chenango Valley ARA newsletter the "Bullthistle Bugle" May 1989
issue. de WB2ACV @ WB2ACV
TEC TOPICS: by Don Russ, N2CZL
There are many reasons to go to a hamfest. The origin of the
hamfest was to get hams together to swap rigs, parts and money.
Lately thou there are many more reasons to go. There are
lectures, presentations, manufacturers representatives, retail
sales, auctions, contests, licence tests, ARRL booths, club
booths, ECT. I have even witnessed people leaving without
buying anything but the admission and a burger! But I'm a
purist. None of that before 10 O'clock. I'm there for serious
reasons. I have made it best known talent. To get that
bargain! And there are a lot to be found.
The best way to get the bargains is to have a plan of attack.
The most vulnerable time for a person selling junk, I mean
equipment, is when he is unloading it from the car. Then he is
busy, distracted, and anxious to make the first sale. In many
cases he hasn't thought of what he wants to ask for the thing in
your hand and will take an off the cuff offer. This means you
should be there first in line. This also guarantees that you
get the "I have no idea what this thing-a-ma-jig is so it's
fifty cents" type of bargains before someone else does. I have
bought fifty dollar tools and parts that way. The best plan of
attack is to skim the tables for this type of deal first. Most
of my real buys occur an hour before the official start time.
Ignore the tables with established parts inventories and 100
pieces of each part, they will be there later. Concentrate on
the newcomers and the small tables first and then clean up the
rest later.
After the tables have been scanned go back for the "truffles"
run. This is where you rout through every box and bag of junk
on the site. Look through the 10 cents each box (Molex
extractor $25.00, alignment tool $5.00) and the old junk boxes.
(6CW4 new in box, variable caps for antenna tuner.) Look for
small things under or in larger things. (4 voltage switching
supply in old computer cabinet for $1.00, SSI204 touch tone
decoder with crystals and a Z-8 controller in a dirty, scuffed
cabinet, $50.00 dollar value for $5.00) Look at everything and
never ask the question "What do I need this for?", ask "What can
I use this in?" These seem to be the same questions but they are
totally different. Also go back to the area where the
latecomers are to catch the stuff coming out of the trunk.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 11
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
Around 10 O'clock you can take it easy and catch some of the
other events and displays. Look at the parts tables and
professional tables around the fest. Also grab some of the free
literature and advice that you can get form the league and other
organizations. Grab a burger and seltzer and then do the
clean-up round.
The clean-up round involves going to the tables that are packing
up and giving the last minute offers. I got a great letter
quality printer for my computer buy holding a conversation with
the guy while he was in the process of putting it into his
trunk. About the time he was about to herniate or burst a
vessel he dropped the price to $25.00 and dropped it in my arms
as he collapsed. The last minuet deal is the best time for the
higher priced items. Some guys are counting on selling a rig to
buy a new one at the retailers booth. They might make up the
difference out of pocket. Never under-estimate the urge to
fiddle with a new piece of equipment. This is also a good time
to get free junk. Some people drop the prices to zero just so
they don't have to look at it again. Bring a set of tools and
scrap it there! Look in the garbage cas. You'll find that some
junk was just plain thrown out. Cut out the resistors and caps,
remove the switches and knobs and leave the carcasses behind.
When you are in the process of making a deal ask questions, "Are
there any minor problems?", "Has it ever been repaired?", "Why
are you selling it?", "Where are the manuals?", "What is your
call?" If you catch him in even a minor slip of the lip don't
trust him. I have been given some real strange stories. If you
have his call or address you can get in touch with him later.
Get his address from the call book and then ask directory
assistance for his number. If you can try it out, do it! Go
inside and get 110 AC. If it's a rig you should hear signals if
you touch the antenna connector. Try transmitting into nothing
for a second. If the rig is any good it'll try to put out
power. If it's a 12 volt rig pop your hood and tie it in!
Computer gear should give a raster on the screen at least. I
tried a LASER that was supposed to work and it didn't. The guy
knocked the price to $15.00 and I found a new tube for $20.00.
The original price was $50.00.
Homemade equipment has a wealth of parts. This area has a lot
of industry that dabbles in computers and such so you sometimes
see the prototypes at the fest. These are great for parts and
such. Grab a box and sit in front of your TV while un-wrapping
some wire wrap. One $1.00 box can give you : 35 wire-wrap
sockets at $0.50 each, a proto board for $17.00, a power supply,
BNC connectors, caps and resistors, standoffs, cabinet,
switches, lamps, IC's and such. If you were to buy these
separately it would cost hundreds! Home-made parts are usually
the kind of parts you want anyway, so these are the best sort of
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 12
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
things to buy for parts.
But the most important thing to remember is to
have fun!
See you at the Fest!
1928z, 603 msgs, #28620 last @KD6TH-4 MailBox>
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 13
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
ATHENS HAMFEST -- SATURDAY, JUNE 3, 1989
The Athens Radio Club invites ham radio and electronics
enthusiasts to its annual HAMFEST and FLEA MARKET.
-- Saturday, June 3, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
-- Location: Athens Tech (Hwy. 129 N, Athens, Georgia).
Monitor 146.745(-) for directions.
-- Free admission
-- Free flea market space
-- Food available (hot dogs, at least)
-- Ham license exams 10 a.m. -- 12 noon
(no appointment needed)
-- Information: Don Bullard (WA4IML), 404-742-7261
For those not familiar with hamfests, let me add a personal
word. The flea market is fascinating and is a good source of
electronic bargains ($30 oscilloscopes, 25-cent tuning
capacitors, and antique radios side-by-side with the newest
computer peripherals).
What's more, you'll meet the members of the Athens Radio Club
and find out more about the exciting world of amateur radio. --
Posted by Michael Covington (N4TMI)
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 14
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 108.01 FROM AMSAT HQ SILVER
SPRING, MD APRIL 16, 1989 TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
N8IWJ To Publish Monthly PROJECT DOVE PRE-LAUNCH NEWSLETTER
Rich Ensign, AMSAT-NA Science Education Advisor, wants to remind
amateurs that the BRAMSAT MICROSAT known as DOVE (Digital
Orbiting Voice Encoder), is a unique tool to be used by
educators in classrooms all over the world. It's globe-circling
nature will enable it, once launched, to be used in many areas
of the curriculum. DOVE's first activity, dubbed Language Arts
Project 1, has students creating messages of peace in many
languages to share with each other around the world. DOVE's
speech transmissions with a power of up to 4 watts on a
frequency of 145.970 MHz should be easily picked up on the
ground by basic receivers and scanners. If you are an educator
or a radio amateur who is interested in getting a school in your
area involved with PROJECT DOVE, there is now available a
monthly "PROJECT DOVE PRE-LAUNCH NEWSLETTER" free for the
asking. Rich reports that close to 200 educators are currently
receiving this publication. The newsletter is written with the
"layman" in mind. It will allow educators who are not radio
amateurs or even space science buffs to stay up-to-date with
PROJECT DOVE as the satellite progresses toward launch. Rich is
also working on a comprehensive teacher's guide to DOVE for
release at launch time. Why not help a school in your area
become involved with this exciting experiment in orbit. To get
your target school and teacher on the newsletter mailing list
write:
PROJECT DOVE
Rich Ensign, N8IWJ
421 N. Military
Dearborn, MI 48124
USA
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 15
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
QT 4.0 TO BE RELEASED AT DAYTON
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
QUIKTRAK 4.0 Will Be Ready For Release For The Dayton Hamvention
AMSAT-NA is pleased to announce that QUIKTRAK version 4.0 (QT
4.0) will be ready for release on April 28, 1989. Those who
will be attending the Dayton Hamvention will be able to obtain
the first available copies of QT 4.0 at the AMSAT booth during
the three days of the Dayton Hamvention. After Dayton it will
be available from AMSAT-NA Headquarters. This "new" version of
Bob McGwier's (N4HY) "premier" satellite tracking program not
only retains many of the fine features of QT 3.2 but also allows
the user more "flexibility" with the addition of several new
features. For example, the number of satellites in which
Keplerian data can be maintained has be increased to 100, up
from the fourteen which QT 3.2 allowed; also, QTH data can now
be kept for over 100 different cities. For those who have
auto-tracking capability incorporated into their OSCAR station,
with the up-graded "auto-track- ing" capability added to QT 4.0,
you can now designate up to fourteen different satellites to be
"tracked" by your "auto-tracker" in the order of their
appearance at your QTH. For OSCAR users who "hate to enter
data," a new "full-screen editor" has been added to ease the
"data entry" process. If you enjoy watching the position of the
satellites being displayed on maps, QT 4.0 now supports EGA
graphics; it continues to support CGA graphics with the user
choosing between the two graphics modes by a simple entry in
your QTH data file. And for those who enjoy making "visual"
contacts with space objects, N4HY has not forgotten you! Bob
has added a new feature which will inform you whether it will be
possible to visually observe a satellite from your QTH for a
given time-of-day and sunlight condition. And finally, the
feature in which Bob McGwier is particulary pleased with is the
"mutual visibility window" option. Have you ever wanted to set
up schedule with another station on an OSCAR satellite but
didn't want to have to run your tracking program for both QTHs?
With this added "mutual visibility" option you will get a
tabular listing of AOS, LOS, MA count, and duration for all
"windows of mutual visibility" between your QTH and any of the
cities you have entered in your QTH database. Also, for AO-13
users, QT 4.0 will give you the time of "minimum-squint- angle"
between you and a selected city. For other satellites, for
example, RS 10/11, this feature will give you the
"time-of-minimum range" between your QTH and the city you
select. So if you are looking for that "rare DX station," this
new option in QT 4.0 will definitely take the guess work out of
the problem. AMSAT-NA has adopted a new policy on up-grades to
QT 4.0 for those individuals who hold valid copies of older
versions of the QUIKTRAK program. If you would like more
information about this new "update" policy, please call Martha
at AMSAT-NA HQ's at (301) 589-6062. [For owners of QUIKTRAK of
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 16
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
3.2 and earlier versions who will be attending the Dayton
Hamvention, you will be able to "upgrade" instantaneously to QT
4.0 at the AMSAT booth. Just bring your original disk to the
AMSAT-NA booth and it can be done on the spot.]
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 17
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
SHORT BURSTS
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 112.03 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD APRIL 22, 1989
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
Short Bursts
AMSAT-NA's VP of Field Operations, Jack Crabtree, (AA0P) would
like to announce the following appointments of new AMSAT Area
Coordinators:
Vinnie Banville, WB2YGA, Waymart, PA
Dick Campbell, N3FKV, Annapolis, MD
Roy Robinson, K4EDU, Augusta, GA
Dick Schiller, K4BQH, Crestwood, KY
Each of these appointees has been highly recommended by their
respective AMSAT-NA Regional Coordinator. AMSAT-NA extends a
hearty welcome to each of these new Area Coodinators to the
Field Operations Team.
For those OSCAR satellite enthusiasts who subscribe to QST, in
the May issue please take special note of the front cover.
There you will find an artist conception of what the AMSAT-NA
Phase IV geostationary satellite will look like as part of the
ARRL's 75 Diamond Jubilee QSL card. Also, on page 37 of this
May issue of QST, you will find the first of a two-part series
on the MICROSATs. This article by Doug Lougmiller (KO5I) and
Bob McGwier (N4HY) is only part of the MICROSAT "media blitz"
which will be going on for several months to come.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 18
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
U4MIR/U5MIR GOES QRT
HR AMSAT NEWS SERVICE BULLETIN 116.01 FROM AMSAT HQ
SILVER SPRING, MD APRIL 25, 1989
TO ALL RADIO AMATEURS BT
Mir Cosmonauts Are Scheduled To Return To Earth On April 27,
1989
According to Ron Broadbent, G3AAJ, European Mir "watchers" have
been monitoring the increasing voice "traffic" between the
Cosmonauts aboard Mir Space Station and ground-stations in the
Soviet Union on a frequen- cy of 121.750 MHz. From all
indications, the Cosmonauts aboard Mir are planning to return to
earth on April 27th at approximently 02:30 UTC. One of the last
tasks to be performed by the crew of Mir is to boost the Space
Station into a "parking" orbit which will put Mir at an altitude
of 500 km. Because of the change in the orbit, predictions
based on NASA Element Set #795 [Epoch 89 108.17258843] will be
"late" by about 3 minutes/day starting from April 20th. Thus by
April 25th, Mir will be showing up 15 minutes later that your
tracking program predicts. It has also been reported by
"Aviation Week & Space Technology" [the April 17th issue] that
because of a problem in the Electrical Power Subsystem, there
will be no follow-up crew aboard Mir for several months; Mir
will be empty until a repair team can return to fix the problem.
So on Thursday April 27th, Cosmonauts Alexander Volkov, Serge
Krikalev, and Valeriy Polyakov will cease their amateur radio
operations from Mir. U4MIR and U5MIR will go QRT.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 19
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
BIS Survey Results for May 3, 1989
The results of the Chicago-based BEAR Information Service (BIS)
survey appears on this BBS weekly. The survey is conducted
during check-in periods Wed. evenings starting at 7:30 on the
BEAR (Broadcast Employees Amateur Repeater), 145.15 MHz from
Schaumburg, IL. These surveys are conducted to both provide
information, and to stimulate dialogue among hams, as well as
between users of telephone BBS's. The May 3, 1989, survey
results are as follows:
Most of us have heard about or experienced buying new ham gear
that was defective in design. Do equipment manufacturers
adequately field test their new transceivers before introducing
them to the amateur market?
24-Yes
42-No
Check-in total, 95.
If you have an idea for a survey question, forward it to the
N3AIA packet BBS on 145.05, or 145.07 MHz in Schaumburg, IL.; my
packet maildrop in Des Plaines, IL on 144.95 MHz; on the SAMSON
telephone BBS in Arlington Hghts, IL, (312) (394-0071; or on the
BEAR hotline, (312) 827-BEAR. Since these surveys have been
taken since mid 1986, your question may have been used already;
however, if it hasn't, you will receive credit here. Credit
this week goes to Larry, KD9OF.
If YOU have a strong opinion about this week's survey, write
down your thoughts; then phone them in to and record them on the
BEAR hotline, (312) 827-BEAR, for possible airing ON the
biweekly "90-second soundoff," as a guest editorial on the B.I.S
and even on the RAIN Dialup Service nationally, (312) 299-INFO.
73, from Hap, KC9RP, B.I.S. producer.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 20
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
News Nuggets from Newington - 5/4/89
June 24-25 is Field Day! Get your Field Day publicity package
while there's still time. Send your 9 X 12-inch SASE containing
4 units of first class postage to ARRL HQ, Special Requests, 225
Main St., Newington, CT 06111. Complete rules appear in May
QST.
The Technical Department at HQ is looking for a Laboratory
Technician or Laboratory Engineer. We are looking for a
licensed amateur who is ambitious, dedicated and creative. A
BSEE or ASEE (or equivalent) with experience in digital and/or
RF is required. Starting salary is $22,000 to $26,000. For
further information, contact Jon Bloom, KE3Z, or Chuck
Hutchinson, K8CH, at HQ.
The ARRL Outgoing QSL Bureau at HQ sorted and mailed nearly a
million cards to foreign QSL bureaus during the first quarter of
1989.
There is still time to contact your ARRL Director concerning the
the report of the committee to examine a possible codefree
license. The report appears on page 56 of May QST. The ARRL
Board of Directors will be considering at its meeting in July
whether the report, with or without modification, will become
League policy. Contact your Director and let your voice be
heard.
ARRL HQ will be open Sunday, June 11 from 10 AM to 4 PM for an
open house. If your club would like to schedule a visit, please
contact Membership Communications Services at HQ.
BBC is off 17 meters! The good news for 17-meter fans is that
BBC has vacated its 18.080 MHz broadcasting frequency when it
shifted to the spring schedule. David Evans, G3OUF, Secretary
of the Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB), contacted BBC at
the ARRL's request and reports that the move is intended to be
permanent.
The Digital Orbiting Voice Encoder (DOVE) Microsat will be
launched from French Guyana in the Fall of 1989 by the European
Space Agency (ESA) aboard an Ariane 4 launch vehicle. DOVE is
sponsored by AMSAT's Brazilian counterpart, BRAMSAT, and its
sunsynchronous orbit will allow ground stations to hear two
morning passes transmitting on 145.970 MHz. For further
information, contact Rich Ensign, N8IWJ, 421 N. Military,
Dearborn, MI 48124.
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 21
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
The 1989-1990 Repeater Directory is hot off the presses with
over 13,000 listings including over 1,400 digipeater listings
and new beacon listings! Get `em while they're hot!
Three new ARRL publications have been announced! The ARRL Data
Book is back by popular demand! Doug DeMaw, W1FB has expanded
and completely revised the material in this handy reference for
the RF design engineer, technician, radio amateur and
experimenter. The new edition of Hints and Kinks for the Radio
Amateur is out! This is the 12th of a series of the most
popular QST "Hints and Kinks." Murder By QRM is the sixth and
final ham radio adventure by Walker Tompkins, K6ATX, now a
Silent Key.
More than 30,000 amateurs attended the 38th annual Dayton
HamVention April 28-30 representing more than 20 countries at
the largest ham radio convention in the world. Three awards
were presented at the convention banquet. The Amateur of the
Year award went to Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. Phil Karn, KA9Q
received the Special Achievement Award. The Technical
Excellence Award was given to former ARRL HQ staffer Byron
Goodman, W1DX.
Nuggets from Newington - May 17
Rumors have been circulating in Europe for some time to the
effect that the International Frequency Registration Board
(IFRB), one of the permanent organs of the ITU, had been unable
to reacommodate Fixed Services stations previously registered in
the 18.068 - 18.168 and 24.890 - 24.990 MHz bands, and that the
IFRB therefore would be proposing an extension of the July 1,
1989, date for the transfer of the band to exclusive Amateur
use.
On May 10, the IFRB laid those fears to rest. In a telex to
IARU President Baldwin, the Chairman of the IFRB stated:
"1. The Board successfully completed the process of selection
of replacement frequencies for all Fixed Service assignments in
the bands 18,068 - 18,168kHz and 24,890 - 24,990 kHz and
proposed the same to the concerned administrations by its
circular letter no. 652 dated 11 April 1986.
"2. Furthermore, all the administrations concerned were
requested by the Board's letter ... dated 23 March 1989 to
effect the changeover of old frequency assignments in these
bands to the new frequencies by not later than 30 June 1989 so
as to enable the Amateur Service to start utilizing them from 1
July 1989 in accordance with Resolution No. 8. The attention
of the administrations was specifically drawn to the fact that
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 22
Volume 1, Number 3 May 21, 1989
said bands would stand automatically allocated to the Amateur
Service from that date.
"3. In the light of the above the Board has completed all its
obligations within the specified time limits, and provided that
administrations vacate the bands and authorize amateur stations
to operate therein, the Board is of the opinion that there
should be no difficulty for amateurs to start using the
respective bands from 1 July 1989."
Fidonet HAM/PACKET Digest Page 23
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