73 Magazine (January 1992)

92 Pages·31.9 MB·English

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ClarkJ.Evans,Sr.,used amateur radio sociate ourselves with others who
we
operators around the world to trace agree with only us, who think like
LETTERS
where the width (4'8'11") 01 the United do? I believe iI's time tor amateurs
Slates Irain tracks came from, Clar1r. to work together, to C09Kist, afMt to
gol Interested in track gauge through show the " newcomers" that we really
From the Hamshack his father, John T. Evans, Sr., who are a fraternity dedicated 10 the conlin
worked lor Ihe Pennsylvania railroad uatiOn and eJllension of our unique
lor 47 yeari. h tool<; over sill years 01 ability to enhance goodwill, locally
Ronald SChmidt WASOBA, Gart.lnd joined OMIK this year and went to its research to trace where standard AND internationally. When thaI day
ceo
TX Back in 1973, I paid S73 10r a life convention in Charleslon, South gauge (4 '8"11")carne from. comes, we wilt no longer have need of
time subscription to 73 Magazine.That Iina. 1have participated in a number 01' The United States got the gauge all the repeaters that are in ecsteoce
was one 01 the best investments Ihave Boy SC:oul activities with myson, wtlich from England because they built the ""'y.
_ made, 'Nuff said. I never took the time to do before. I first stearn engine. England got it lrom
havegoneout and bought fishinggear, the Roman chariOt. The Romans gel it
James Dillon NIKWA, RIopel CIty SO
Ma. Holland W4MEA. Hillson TN 1 which is something I always wantecllO from the Celts. The Celts gel it from Couk:l you please announce in 73that I
really like l\amlests. The first one I at do, and would you believe thaI I am common horse sense. h is the width of am trying 10 start a net related to as
new
tended looll: place in 1955 in Oaylon. writing this leiter witha computer. two horse rumps standing side by side
tronomy wtlere Iellow hams could dis
Ohio, in the halls and lobby ol lhe Bill· Three weeks ago, Wayne, 1 did no! pulling a cart, wagon, or chariot. You
cuss the lechnical afMt obsefYalional
1TlOf8 Hotel. Leo Meyerson 01 Wortd knowwhat DOSwas;100II at me now, a always made the wagon, cart, or chafi.
aspects ofastronomy? 1thInk that such
Radio laboratoty played the elaetric: 386 with the wor1(s! 01 a little smaller so it wouldn't get
a net could help make lor some inter
organ for entertainment. stuck in a narTOW opening,
esting OSOs and teach amateur as
181(800 approximately 10 hamlests Dennis D. Spreng KBtllRY, Lake Thanks to IKBHEP (Italy), IKBOXX
tronomers about ham radio.My packet
per year. Sometimes ' have found Cryslsl MN I wrote 10 you several (Italy), IKBBOE (Italy), IKBBLM (Ilaly),
address is N0KWA @ WIIBLK.SO, My
some feal bargains. Most 01 the bar months ago about how I was dissatis and GW0MAW (Wales). Thanks also to
home address is 801 East Ohio Street,
gains are products manufactured by fied with my job at the post ollice, and Joan and Betty Ruck 01Altoona, penn srrut.
Rapid City SO
the AS IS Company. As an example: how your editorials had convinced me sylvania.
AI the Dayton Ham!esl I brought. to change. For starters, Ienrolled in an
Larry Junltrom KN4UB, Jackson"
receiver thaI was clearly marked AS electronic communications course, InSuk J, Granholm KA7TAG, Monett
ville FL t have slarted a Celebrity and
IS. I only paid $2.00 lor it, II didn't passed my Novice exam. and staned MO You write wonderfut and enthusi
Entertainers Net, and the response
work, and some of the components my own communications business. I astic editorials! I especially enjoyed
has been quite good, but l leEt! it needs
looked burned, but il was a real bar. am still working at the posl office for your information on Amelia Earhart. Al·
additional publicity. I am wondering il
gain. AI another namtest I bought now while I gat things rolling_ lhough I have had my Novice license
you could put a plug in lor the net.
an AS IS printer IOf $5.00. When I This has no! been easy lor me to do. since 1984, I have made just one con
There are quite a 1_ hams in Ihe en
goC home, it didn't worll: either. I be I am Iyping this at 3:00 e.m. after 1aCI. I goI the license because I hap
tertainment business, al'lCll would like
lieve Icoold fi): most 01 these things if working eight houri at the post OffiCe, pened to Ieam the code with my hus
to get them together.
I had the techniCal manuals. Does I have spent money to get started, but band who was studying for his Novice
The net meelS on Mondays and
anyone know the address of the AS IS I believe it is worth it. You ara eK' license. Not being technically minded,
Thursdays at 2300Z on 14.265 MHz,
eomoony? aetly right about heM' making money much of the ham magazinel do not
a
means changing, and _ ara al basi make sense to me. ~QRM. I travel quile bit with my
band, but there ara other guys who
Klint C. B.bcock, Arcadia MI I'm , tin c_ally laZ.y and begrudge those IIItho do Since I started reading my hus·
win act as net control in my absence.
a no-eal , as I'm waiting lor the study work hard. People at work give me a bafMt's 73 Magazine, your editoriall
The net is run in a civilized and gen
materials I ordered Irom 73. In the hard time about !his, but !hal il lheir have me fired up, and I intend 10stlKly
meantime, I'm listening to hams on a and upgrade and become active. Uke tlemanly manner so as not 10 invade
the privacy of any truly lamous per.
couple of communications receivers, My business is just gelting started. you, I have numerous projecls going
sonalities.
and I must admit to being somewtlal I am planning a direct maWprogram on. I have started writing and hope
surprised al what I'm hearing, mostly lor later this month. I am a dealer lor 10 be published again. I have also
anc
on14.313MHz.Ihope lean be assured several antenna radio lines. I also begun a book about my adoption and Gary N. Babco<:k WASBMN In re
thai the ",ast majority 01 hams are 81 carry emergency vehicle products. I lile in Korea and inAmerica. Thank you sponse to the letter submilted by
oMended by this juvenile foolishnesl am even considering advartising in 731 lor sharing your enthusiasm. May )'Ol.l AA9AN in the October issue 01 73 , re
al l am. I am working ha rd at this career live another 30 years 10 continue garding conlesting on the amaleur ra
This bfings me to my point. As a Change, and your editorials ara what sharing it. dio frequencies, Ifind his point 01view
CBer, I have never heard enything got me started. I hope in a few yeaI'! very parallel to mine. This contesting
worse on27 MHz than some ofthecrap you can put my success story in your Staphan 0, Goff N8IVX, Bellevue OH has gone to the point 01 making the
I've heard from supposedly legitimate column. This is in reference 10 a letter in the amateur bands useless during many 01
amateur radio operators. Wayne, keep November 1991 issue by Mr, Bovee these marathon QAM sessions. I have
that rolled-up newspaper handy and Jarry Watzel W3DMB, Butler PA I about repeater coordination. Firsl and otten wondered what the outcome
conlinue to swaf those holier-than-thou have read your editorialSsince the ear' foremost, the FCC DOES NOT assign would be il another San Francisco
hams who insist on calling CBers Iy 19505, so I have a general idea oJ repeater Irequencies. They also 00 earthquake were 10 occur at the exact
names over the back fence. )'Ol.lr opinions as they have evolved NOT initiate nor approve band plans. momenl that the lamous SWEEP·
• You also have my promise that when over the years. Do you " worry" if any They authorile amateurIrequencies in STAKES contest begins. I can assure
I do get my tceose I will do my best 10 onedoesn't agree with whal you write? blocks, afMt it is the responsibility 01 you it woulcl not be lor the benelil of
uphold the standards of good amateur (Fal chance!) Recently, the following amateurs 10 govern themselves in this mankind, judging by what Ihave heard
condUC1 on my part first and then worry editorial policy appeared in !ha local regard. In Ohio, the recognized Ira during conlesting operation over the
about the practices of others. club newsletter. quency coordinalion organization f0l 3O-pIus years that I have been in this
"It is very difficult lor an editor to lows the AARL approved bafMt plan. hobby.
Tholl'llls E. Durfee. Jr., WI8W, ~ print any news it he is alraid of having No!: all states lollow this same band In regards to the editorial respons.e
RIopels IiII I really enjoy reading 73, someone disagree with his editorials. plan, and unfortunatelyfor Mr. Bovee's given to AA9AH not to complain to the
and I find that Wayne Green hits it right Therefore, in the M ure, any BCARA group, neighbors of Ohiodo not loIlow FCC, I can assure you that conlaCling
onthe twtacI when it comes to telling it member IIItho disagrees or is upset by the same bal'lCl plan, which renders the contest organizers will get you
like it is. He keeps telling me to get Off anylhing that is in the TeII-A-Ham can useless many pairs Ihat would be nowhere last. I have contacted many
my 0uII and write something, and by bring hislher copy to the neJrt regular otherwise available. Dillerant geo 01 these organizers over the years to
God that'l just what I'm gonna do. meeting. The editor will have a pair of graphical areas require (or desire) suggesl a sensible method of con
Keep up the good work. SCissors and wilt cut out the Offensive different uses of the available spec. testing that the general amateur pap
artiCle from that person's copy 01 the trum. The siluation that Mr. Bovee's ulation could live wilh, and I have
Charlie N4TDY, Raleigh NC I decided Tell-A-Ham." group has encountered is purely geo been told everything !rOm " Mind your
10 lake some of your advice al'lCl do At 73, would you rather people who graphiC. The thoughl 01 one pair per own business" 10 " Don't complain to
something new and differant lor a disagree cancel subscnptsona. write a band per individuallclub has merit, us, we aren't Ihe problem." II Ihe
change over Ihe past year.I have been letter, or just steam (assuming they with one excepron: as more special organizers are not Ihe problem, it
reading 73 for about four years, and won't change their mind)? interest groups are lormed and wanl seems to me that some sort 01 FCC
me
I've only been a ham for three years their "own" pair, will idea of one regulation may be necessary 10 correct
and lour months, ... write,giving seme ralional reasons pair per band PER CITY/AREA crop tha problem of totally obscuring the
uret
My license was the Tech, and it tor disagrB6ing. I do my homework be up? The question will ultimately arise amateur frequencies with thia sense
took me about a year and a couple 01 !ore writing, so why shouldn't people as to why one city or area needs dupli less CRM. If seems Ihal the amateur
months to upgrade to EKtra. Hey, who disagrBB do theirs, too? I'm el· cate coverage on one band. Who gets community is unable to regulate itself
would you believe I am yet to make a ways open to new data and able to to stay, and who goes? Should we ask in this area. Perhaps the involvement
code conrect. Bet you the old-timers cfJan(Jf1 my opiniOns if the data ac the FCC to sell spectrum to us so only 01lhe FCC is the answer many01us are
hated 10hear that statement. tates. Wayne the groups with lots 01 member! can looking lor. I welcome any comments
Wayne. this is lhe first time I've writ have repeaters? Irom other amateurs who would like 10
ten any known public media. Iam now C1ar1l J, Evans WA4DLL, Tampa FL Why 00 we need so many re use IheirradiO equipment on lhe week
also taking a Spanish class, and I WA4DLL asks us foprint fhe ~kJwing: peater!? Is it because we can only as- ends again.
2 73Amateur Radio Today . January, 1992
JANUARY 1992
A m a t e u r
THETEAM
Issue #376
PU8USHERJEDITOR
WayneGroonW2NSDll
ASSOCIATEPUBUSHER
R a d i o T o d a y
DavidCassidyN1GPH
MANAGING EDITOR
Bill BrownWBeELK TABLE OF CONTENTS
PRODUCTION EDITOR
Hope correr
SENIOREDITOR
UndaReneau KAlUKM 42 Use Those Surplus Meters
FEATURES DEPARTMENTS
Find out what's inside that meter,
ASSOClATE EDITOR
and how it can be used. . . KB4ZGC
Joyce Sawtelle
8 The Dual-Combo Field-Strength
76 Above and Beyond
CDNTRIBUTIMG EDITORS
and Source Dip Meter 72 Ad Index
Mike BryceWBSVGE REVIEWS
Versatile test instruments for all SO Ask Kaboom
David CowhigWAllBP
your RF projects WB0ESV 58ATV
MiCtlaelGeierKB1UM
24 The 200-Channel Standard
JimGrayW1XU17 18 Safety Power Breaker lor the 78 Bartef -n' Buy
C16BA Handheld
ChuckHoughlon WB6IGP
Test Bench 63 Dealer Directory
AmieJohnson N1BAC Lots of options in a sm all, small
Avoid a shocking experience. 17 Feedback Index
Or.Marc Leavey WA3AJA package WB6NOA
46 Hams with Class
.... .. " " WA1FHB
Andy MacAllisterWA5ZIB
Joe MoellKIDV 22 An Improved Crystal Tester 32 The Ventenna 48 Homing In
BillPaslemakWA61Tf The "no antennas" antenna. 2 Letters
Check out those surplus crystals
CarolePerry WB2MGP . . .. .. . .. . , , , , , N1GPH 74 looking West
with this portable circuit. . . . . KA4J
4 Never Say Ole
28 Build a Function Generator
BOOK REVIEW 70 New Products
ADVERTISING SALES
An inexpensive way to generate
REPRESENTATlVES 84 Propagation
useful waveforms, KB4ZGC
OanHarper 62 QRP
LouiseO'Sullivan 34 One Desert Storm MARS 7 QRX
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Experience 84 Random Output
MARS readiness and support
SueColbert 54 73 International
needed! " NX7T Cover:Associate PublisherDavid
52 Special Events
1-603-525-4201
CassidyNtGPH destroys another
38 A Dlrect·Readlng Linear 86 Uncle Wayne's
1-800-225-5083
perfectlygoodcircuit board.
FAX[phone] Inductance Meter Bookshe"
Cover design: David Cassidy, LarryDunn
Check out your coils with a digital 59 Updates
vortmeter.. , W8VWX Coverphoto: Larry Dunn 84 1991 Annual Index
PRODUCTION MANAGER
WilliamHeydolph
ARTDIRECTOR FEEDBACK •••
A1iCll SCofield
FEEDBACK!
TYPESETTlNGlPAGINATION
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lindaOrew he~inouroffices! How?
Ruth BenediCt
Justtakeoovanlage ofour
Sleve J~tl
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73 Amateur Radio » January,1992 3
Number 2on yourFeedback card
able togo full duplex. even when we're
In contact with someone onexactly the
same frequency. WJlh digitized voice
and a multiplex system, six I\ams win
be able to talk wiltt each OCher in fuM
dupleX, all on one channel.
Perhaps, if we're all 100 old and 100
tired to even lry 10 de.elop the equip.
we'a
ment, be able loge! theJapanese
NEVER SA Y DIE to do it tor us. We're nol talking about
anythiog lerribly compliCated here. . .
certainty noItting a clever 14-year~
Wayne Green W2NSOIl ham couldn't whip togelher after
~hool.
How much would such a technology
be worth if someonebothered to deve1
op it?Something like that is all it would
lake for anentrepreneer to build a p-et
ty big business. Motorola S8yt1 lhey'U
ask if anyone is there. And no, il isn'l in what it does. It's got some fine have it available commercially in an
Repeater Guides
that thay don't want to lalk wllh rna in awards-like tha OXHonor Roll, which other year, so in a few years wa'il be
Unless you've got moss growing on particular. I'd say that meybe 10% of has rorcec most amateurs from rare able 10 put a dollar tigure on the devel
your back, you at laastoccasionally get the hams Icontact aver connectmycall countries off the air. And Ihere's lIs opment. If it's worth less Ihan a few
away from your home town-in which and name with rna. fantastic traffic handling svetemwhich tene ot millions, I'll be surpriSed,
case you'll wanl to know what repeat As I've mantiooed in tha past, I find shuttles thousands of completely use
Uars Figuring Again
ers are where. Well, having a list with it irritating to call and get no answer, lass CW messages around the coun
pceese
you beats the hell out of kerchunking then, seconds later I hear someone try, Ioslog a rew in the and The Gettysburg licensing figures
all possible frequency pairs 10 see call a friend to see if he's listening, just deliveriog lhe rest late.l say give credit can be interpreted to show a huge
what's around-particularly if you're to let me know that visiiors eren't where credit is due. growth in new lieenses as a result of
driving from one repeater area to an welcome on this repeater. If you aren'l Andwhat OChernatiOnalorganization no-code. Alas, I suggest you view
OCher. And let's see, are they using 15 • paid-up member, keep the hell off do we have to represent us et lTV c0n those who do this as charlalans . ..or
or 20 kHz spacing between channels our channel. I guess that's the "good ferences?Ofcourse they haven'l b0th dummies.
re-eeee
around here? new" ham spirit-as differentiated ered to do theirhomelIIork,but then it's The lidle! has boosted Mw
Whefl I1"'llSbusy in the 19105 trying from the "good old" ham spirit. Alas, a r'IDni>fOfit organizatiOn, so _ can'l Tech licenses 10 a feirty steady aver
to get repeal8f'S goiog, I used to pub I'm $lin $luck in the past when amaleur realty expect it to be very effective, age of 2,800 a month VI. a tenth that
a
liSh $5 Wend Repeater Atlas. It sold radio used to be like a fratemity and right? in previous )'!tars. Wow! A ten-times
welland did the job. h hada listof every lri&ndIiness was the rule, not the rare The part I liked the most was when growth! Awesome. We're packing
known repeaterwith itS inloutputs, plus exception. the League killed oft 85llt1 01 our ham 'em in.
state maps showing the transmitter ~ Speaking of friendliness, I was sicees and 95lMl at our Americall ham Well. sure, but when we look at
caliOns. We also had a cross-index by amused to see thaI one of the Loa manufac1ur8f'S, thus opening our mer what's happened to the Novice Mw
frequency. By 1980theAttasran to27-4 Angeles repeaters finally made the ket 10 Asia. h was hilarious as Halli· licensees we see they've dropped an
pages. newspaper headlines lor being SO out crallers, Hammarlund, National, Mil average of 500amonth.Thatdropsour
Then Ihe League started handing standingly awful. I'll bet I could do • len, Johnson, Centra EleClronics, overall gains a tad.
out repeater lists for free at hamfests. good business selling tapes of our Goosal, B&W, Multi-Elmac, Thordar The bottom line Is thaI according to
They weren't nearly as complela, but cesspool to CBers to show them how son, UTC, Lakeshore, Webster, SSE, the FCC's figures we've gained about
they almost stopped my Atlas sales, good thaCB channels are compared to World Radio and olhers paid the 7.7% in total licensees since this time
forcing it to 00 dlscontinued-whare amateur radio thase days. I've got l eague millions whila it killed their last year. The eentsy problem with this
catecee.
upon the League started charging for some interesting but nothing companies. is Ittat tor the last three years the FCC
Iheirs. It's 56 today. has only the re approaching what wa hams have been Ah, but that was a long lima ago, has stopped daleting deceaseds and
peater listings and no maps. and able to produce. Righi now L.A.Iseven back in the 19605 with another bunch non-renewals. This has given us a
doesn't cover hundreds of repeaters beating out New York for repealer 0b of directors, now dead, far's I know. great-looking boost in our numbers.. .
nose.
In Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceana. scenity, but It's by a Bul the loyal ARRL members, despile kinda like a Chicago election, with vol
Theirlist is handy if you know where all But what about the FCC, you ask? anything I and other ham journalists iog gravestones.
eee
the little towns are-which you proba Ott, come on. They've several could write explaining whal was hap Thus, the apparent 7.7lMI growth is
blydon't-and don't travel abroad. tems-tike we're su~sed to be self pening, supported them to the hilt, re obviously somewhat inflated. Looking
This need lor maps got Bill Smith regulating--4ikathe FCC is underenor electing them like c:Iockwor1t. A recenl at the FCC's figures for earlier )'!tars
N6MOS Dosywith his Macintosh. He's mous pressure from industry and Wf1S(Jink editorial called these loyalists suggests this is adding about 5~ 01
a
publishing U.S. Repeater AIapbooII. lobbyists to take away our frequencies " League Lemmings." 1kinde like thai. statistical bloat. The apparent growth
(see the " New Products" sectiOn in and put them to better use--like the lor the last two years was 6.1~, so
this issue of 73)whiet1 sells lor $10.h'. FCC's shortage of funds for It'ying 10 Time Multlpktx we've at least progres.sed 1.~ due to
got the 50 state maps (plus Canada) cope with our seeminglyunlimited sup. How many years have I been sug. fiO"COdels.
with the repeater output frequencies plyof weekes (an excellent CW cos.by gestlng (pleading?) tor some I\am ex, I know the League Lemming hordes
shown. The larger cities have separate the way). The FCC seems to feel thai perimenters to laCkle time multipleX won't forgive me for " Trashing lhe
boxed listings.h's a good book to keep II's our responsibility to police our technology? And howabout mytouting League" by bringiog this up, but our
in your glove compartment, orto pack bands, not lheirs, so where's our na digital voice communicatiOns? Wen, real growth from 1946-1963 was an
when you're flyil"lQ somewhere. tional organizatioo which should be wouldn't you know that Motorola has amazingly steady 11~ per year. ThaI
me
I've got the cutest little quarter-wave dealing with Ihis mess? And why do put the two together, calling II Time was before the ARRL's Incentive LJ
tel&&coping magnetiC mount antenna League dlreclors remind me so much DiviSiOn Multiple Access (TDMA). This censing debacle almost killed the
Ihat 1usa on rental cars. Picked it up at of Congress? Well, I don'l blame Ihem will make it possible to slack up to hobby. ..and did virtually kill the ham
Dayton from me folks at Cellular secu for ignoring our messes. I blame you six conversations, all on the same industry.
rityGroup. lt sure beats trying rouse an for 1'101cleaning house at election time. Channel. The no-code license has Increased
HT In the car. We also need to do some house clean Well, we can do that tool Tha next our growth ...about doubted it from
The frustrating part for travelers is ing in Washington .. . end eenete lime you hear anyone whining about an actual 1.6% to 3.2%, and thaI's
the lack of response when we call in on claanlng too. But lor some reason you aRM, just keep in mind Ihat the main good stuff. But we'ra still creeping
repeaters as visitors. I joIIe that we a.p. blindly re-elect the same do-nothing reason we haveORMis becausawe're whan wa should be running. If your
pear 10 have finally accomplished the tur1<eys every two years. 30 years behind In technology, not be club hasn't set up classes lor newcom
ultimate- </Oe repeater for each 2m There I go bad-word processing the causa we have(a)too manyhamsor (b) ers, if you don'l have a team scouring
ham. The sad facl is thai in manycities League again? No, I'm PlJtting you 100few frequencies. the CB channels lor youngstars, if
I'm able to raise several repeat8f'5. but down lor not cleaning up the ARAL As a matler cttect, il_ can change you're not sending club members into
saldom able to gel any answer when I al election time. The League is fine to digital voice transmissions we'. be Contifll18donpage80
4 73AmateurRadio Today. January, 1992

• Cross band repeat function. • Supplied accessories:
TH-77A
• Dual Tone Squelch System (DTSS). Flex antenna, PB-6 battery pack
Uses standard DTMF to open (7.2 V, 600 mAH), wall charger, belt
squelch. hook, wrist strap, keyboard cover.
Compact 2m170cm Dual
• CTCSS encode/decode built-In. Optionalaccesson.s:
BandHT • Forty-two memory channels. • BC-10: Compact charger . Bc-11: Rapid
All channels odd split capable. charger . BH·6: Swivel mount . BT-6:AAA
Here's a radio that deserves 8 battery case . DC-1/PG-2V: DC adapter
• DTMF memory/autodialer.
double-takelThe TH-77A Is a • DC-4: Mobile charger for PB·10 • DC-S:
Ten 15-digit codes can be stored.
feature-packed dual band radio Mobile charger for PB-6, 7, 9 . PB-S: 7.2 V,
• Direct keyboard frequency entry.
200 mAh NiCd pack to( 2.5 W output
compressed into an HT package.
The rotary dial can also be used
• PB-8: 7.2 V, 600 mAh NiCd pack . PB-7:
The accessories are compatible
to select memory, frequency,
7.2 V, 1100 mAh NiCd pack . PB-8: 12 V,
with ourTH·75,TH-25,andTH-26
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600 mM NiCd for 5 W output . PB-9:
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base users will appreciate the DTMF
• Multi-function, dual scanning. Time • PB-11: 12V, 600 mAh OR 6 V, 1200 mAh,
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or carrier operated channel or band
DTMF characters (*, #,A, B, C, and D) VOXand PIT . PG-2W: DC cable w/fuse
scanning.
that are usually required for • PG-3F: DC cable with fitter and cigarette
• Frequency step selectable for
repeater functlonsl lighter plug . SC·28, 29: Soft case
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• SMC-30/ 31: Speaker mlce.e SMC-33:
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Speaker mic.w/remote control . WR-1:
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118-136] MHz after modification)and supplied battery pack. Five watts
KENWOOD U.S.A. CORPORATION
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modifiable for MARS/CAP. Permits • DC direct-In operation from 6.3-16 Long Beach.CA90801-5745
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external speaker. function, and economy power mode.
Complere service manuels are aveilable for allKenwood rranscelvers and mostaccessories. ... pacesetterin Amateur Radio
Speclfieations andfeatures are subject to change wlthournotice or obligallon.
Number 3 on your r .. ,.,.. • e8l'd
• •
EDITED BYLINDA RENEAUKAIUKM
of existing two-way services. At a time when sis.There had been concern among amateurs
Spectrum Use Today
spectrum availability is very scarce in the in Regions 2 and 3 that the LEO proposal for
large metropolilan areas, we have great 148.0-149.9 MHz would drop below 148.0
new
Private Radio Bureau Chief Haller 0' hopes that this service at 220 MHz is MHz.
the FCC spoke at the Spectrum Summit going to provide an expansion area for The FCC has withdrawn its preliminary
lor Emerging Technologln In Washington systems." proposal to allocate 420-421 MHz to LEO
last November. The W5YI Report printed Regarding Haller's speech at the ARAL satellite systems a secondary basis. This
00
excerpts transcribed from on-sue recordings. National Convention in Saginaw, Michigan, is welcome news to amateurs in Australia,
Haller: "The demand for spectrum is unpar reported in last month's " OAX," Haller Jamaica, the Philippines, and the U.S., who
alleled. Since 1968, there's been over a 400% said that he was not sure il he used the have secondary status at 420- 430 MHz.
increase in the number 01 licensed land words "excess capacity," but he does not The FCC proposal would allocate 2390
mobile transmitters in this count'Y. Thai is a have a problem with that term. "Excess 2430 MHz to the Mobile Satellite Service
on an
10% annual growth rate. In the last six years capacity means you can do something (MSS) a primary basis, for use as uplink
alone, the toter number 01 transmitters below more, and still get your basic communi to MSS geostationary satellites. Amateurs
470 MHz has increased from 7.5 million to cations through. In my mind, excess capacity would retain their current secondary alloca
11.5 million. And if that weren't enough. the is not a spectrum term. It doesn't mean tion at 2300-2430 MHz in all three regions. (In
traditional users of land mobile radio are an 'too much spectrum.' It means you have Australia. Papua, and the U.S., 2310-2390
ticipating even more advanced kinds of set capacity enough to do the basic commu MHz is reserved for aeronautical telemetry.)
vices. More remote control. More digital. More nications and something else." As to chang The future of the amateur satellite program is
automation. AUcrtrese things place a heavy ing FCC Aule 97.113 on " Prohibited Trans limked to the continued availability of the seg.
demand on the spectrum. missions": "I have serious concerns about ment2400-245O MHz.
.. . . .1 don 't know how to provide those opening up the Amateur Radio Service to Broack:asting Satellite Service: The FCC is
additional channels without some very diffi such an extent that it becomes a substitute not nearty as definitive in its proposal for allo
curt and pernape expensive Changes in the lor other services. And yet, I think there are cation to digital audio broadcasting (DAB).
way that we do our processes at the Com things that can be done beyond what the cur Some spectrum would come from the 1429
mission, and the types of systems we license. rent rules permit that do not compromise the 1525 MHz segment. In the U.S., this would
II's a tough balancing act. and one that's Amateur Radio Service." TNX W5 YI. For require moving aeronautical mobile test
not going to get easie r for the govern more details, see Vol. 13, Issue #22 of the telemetry to other bands, possibly to 2310
ment generally or for the FCC in particular. W5YI Report. 2390 MHz. Further, the FCC proposal would
The tight budget under which our agency is allocate spectrum for DAB from the 2300
forced to operate this fiscal year, and next 2390 MHz segment, most of which iscurrently
WAHC·92
fiscal year, will require us to do more with dedicated to aeronautical telemetry. This pr0
less, notwithstanding the explosive use of posal does not completely appeal to anyone,
spectrum today. The FCC has released the U.S. proposals and further consultations are scheduled. TNX
" As a federal regulator . . . I think 01 myself lor WARe-92. Those with a possible impact Wsstlink Report, No. 613.
as sort of an acrobat on the high wire. On the on amateur radio are: HF Broadcasting and
one hand, I'm charged with trying to ensure as 4OM: The FCC recommends that 1325 kHz of
SAHEl ST8-45 Hams
tar as possible that new technologies can spectrum be reallocated from the Fixed and
come on line and have a place, a home in the Mobile Service to broadcaSting. The new
spectrum. Then on the other hand, with the bands would become available on June 30, Ham astronauts Brian Duffy N5WQW
I
number 01 transmitters I've told you about, 2007. By this same date, broadcasting would David C. Leutma N5WQC. and Dirk
there is a tremendous existing investment out have to be fully converted to Reduced Carrier Frlmout ON1 AFD of Belgium are scheduled
there. So we have to be careful that changes Single Sideband (RSSB). to fly on the STs.45 flight 01 the Atlantis
we implement don't, overnight, wipe out that In the 40m band, the Amateur Radio Ser this coming May 1992. Duffy will pilot the
existing investment. vice would be allocated 6.9 to 7.2 MHz world Atlantis on the seven-crew, eight-day mission.
"It also means lelling people try, so lar as wide. At 6.9-7.0 MHz, amateurs would share They will fly a high inclination orbit, much like
possible, to bring new applications into the spectrum with Land Mobile, amateurs the those flown by Owen Garriott and Tony Eng
marketplace. Section 7 01 the Communica primary users, and Land Mobile, secondary. land (57 degrees, rather than the usual 28.5),
tions Act requires the Commission to encour At 7.0-7.2 MHz, amateurs would have exclu theretoee passing over most of the populated
age the provision of new technologies and sive access. Region 2 broadcasters would areas 01 the wor1d, giving good coverage to
on
services to the public. One of the problems is gain exclusive access to 7.2-7.3 MHz, w0rld hams all continents. Altitude will be 160
that we have no way of knowing what those wide. Other proposed, new HFBC allocations miles. The astronaut hams will be restricted
technologies are going to be. So very often our (worldwide, non-shared. all adjacent to exist to battery powered FM voice operation on
rules are way behind the industry. A new idea ing allocations) are: 5.900- 5.950, 7.300 2 meters.
is presented to us, and we have to go through 7.525,9.350-9.500, 11.550-11 .650, 13.800 As planned, this will be a CO mission,
a lengthy rulemaking process to get that tech 13.900, 15.600-15.700, 17.450-17.550, and meaning that there will be several attempts
as
nology on the air. By the time we've gone 18.900-19.300 MHz. to worX as many stations possible. Some
through the process, the poor entrepreneur is Mobile Satsflits Service: The U.S. proposes school contacts will be arranged, too. The
bankrupt and the technology goes away, and that the 137-138, 148.0-149.9, and 400.15 SAREX WOrXing Group plans 10 release the
we never see it. 401.00 MHz bands be shared between low timetable and frequencies as soon as they
., ... the Commission recently adopted earth orbit satellite systems and other users. are available. The mission's prime cojecwe
rules to release the 220-222 MHz band IOf The LEOs and as many as three other ser will be to use an Atmospheric Lab for Applica
narrowband technology. This provides lor the vices would all have primary status in these tions and Science that will be carried in an
first time a home lor very spectrum-efficient bands. A 150 kHz segment at each edge01 the igloo in th e payload bay. TNX Westlink
narrowband voice and digital technology, us 137-138 MHz band is proposed for the Meteo Report, No. 610, and the OSCAR Satellite
ing about one-fifth to one-sixth the spectrum rological Satellite Service on a secondary ba- Report, No. 232.
73AmateurRadio Today . January,1992 7
Hum,*,ofon your FeedbKac.rd
T h e D u a l - C o m b o
F i el d - St r en gt h a n d
S o u r c e D i p M e t e r
Versatile t est instruments fo r all your RF projects.
by Mart in Beck WB0ESV
M ost field-strength meters described in
ham literature are coil-capacitor tanks
with a diode and a meter. These FSMs are
useful, but not sensitive enough for many
jobs where the RF is not vel)' strong. I fre
quently need something better, so I designed
the device described here.
The most notable feature ofthis FSM isthat
instead of a DC amplifier, it uses an RF
amplifier: a grounded-gate FET. After RF
amplification, the signal is capacitively cou
pled to a diode voltage doubler whose OUtput
is fed to a 200 ~ meter. For those who want
the ultimate in sensitivity, a simple bipolar
DC amplifier can follow the diode doubler.
More than 20 years ago I used such a sys
tem, but it was all bipolar. I took it to the
annual Field Day operation of the W6LIE
radio d ub. During a break in operation, I
noted that my FSM's meter was reading up
and down, but no local signal was being
generated. I determined that the FSM was
reading IS meter received energy being re Photo A. Thefield-strength ~tn (left) and the source dip meter (right).
radiated from a IS meter yagi at about 40 or
50 feet up!
well as S2, are mounted on a plastic strip. work. Other options are the use ofa friend's
Construction Details
This is because these phone jacks must have dipper or, if you want only the amateur
The device shown in Figure I uses three both " sides" (i.e., both sheath and center bands, transmit into a dummy load and hold
" tricks." First, the FSM uses the same plug pin) above ground. The plastic strip is bolted the field-strength meter nearby. As a last
incoils as the source dipper described later in to the inside ofthe metal face plate and 0.37S resort, you can wind a second set of plug-in
this article. Second, the dipper uses the inch holes are punched in the face plate to coils for the FSM and calibrate it with the
FSM's meter. Third, switch SI not only completely d ear the phone jacks. The switch source dipper.
switches the meter from the FSM to the dip just went along for the ride, as it could have Since both the source dipper and the FSM
per, but also turns on the power for the been mounted onthe metal face plate. use the same meter, I opted for a 200 ~job.
FSM's FET when inthe FSM meter position. Except for the meter, CI, and the RF Youcan use a Radio Shack50 ~ meter (now
The FSM uses two extra plug-in hairpin loop choke, I bought all the parts at Radio Shack. discontinued), but it is so highly damped that
coils to extend its range a little bit. The RF choke came out of an AM radio. its response is too slow to suit me when using
Note that in Figure I the 365 pFair variable Anything from I to 2.S ntH will do. The it with the dipper. It does work. but a less
capacitor C I is not shown. This was for the chassis box is known to Radio Shack as a highly damped 200 ~ meter is better.
sake of clanty. C I is on the opposite side of " project box," and is about 7Yz " L x4 ',4 " W Note that most of the circuit is built using
the board. Two bolts hold itto the board. Any x2.37S'" deep. A metal chassis boxcouldalso phenolic terminal strips. A printed circuit
broadcast capacitor willdo (from a "junker" be used, The entire FSM is built on the metal could be equally good.
AM radio, for example)-just use one sec face plate. Simply tum the plate upside down In Figure I youcansee that there are botha
n
tion. It does not have to be bolted to the on the box and you will have a convenient low band (J2 coil and antenna) and a high
board , but a short heavy lead should be run holder while youdo the work. band OS coil and J4 antenna). Since brass
from its frame to the board . A thin brass strip For a dial, I used a piece of typing paper strips are used in conjunction with J4-J5, the
lA-inch or wider is good for this. You can held down by a piece of thin, clear plastic. inductance is lower, andthe FSM's range can
often drill and tap a couple of holes for Since the FSM uses the source dipper's plug be extended. Only the two hairpin loops are
mounting it to the board . in coils, you need an RF source for calibrat used in the high band section. Either antenna
n,
Note that in Figure I, J2, J4, and JS, as ing the dial. Some signal generators will can be a two-to-three-foot "spike."
8 73 AmateurRadio Today · January, 1992