DOUGLAS COUNTY AMATEUR RADIO CLUB NEWSLETTER
VOL. 31, N0. 1, JANUARY 2001
Articles and information for the Newsletter may be submitted up to the 25th of the month before the next meeting.
Ken Blair, KC0GL, Editor
1711 West 19th Terrace Phone: 843-8826
Lawrence, KS 66046 e-mail: kc0gl@arrl.net
This Newsletter is published monthly by the Douglas County Amateur Radio Club (DCARC). Reprint permission is granted to other Amateur Radio-oriented publications (expept for copyrighted material as noted) provided that credit is given to the author and source. Opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the club or its officers.
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Will Shockley, KB0WDW, Nominating Committee Chair
President: Dan Gravatt, N2PRC
Vice President/Activities: Vince Francisco, KC0DLP
Secretary/Treasurer: Rex Lockwood, W0FOG
Newsletter: Ken Blair, KC0GL
Programs: Jim Canaday, N6YR
Training: Bob Drake, N0TFU
Emergency Coordinator: Will Shockley, KB0WDW
Repeaters: Will Shockley, WD0WDW 146.760 / Bud Waugh, N0APJ 147.030
As you will notice we combined a couple of the offices for efficiency and due to a lack of folks willing to assume the position.
The office of Information Manager was eliminated. It was noticed that anytime one of the officers needed press coverage, that person would take the responsibility to get that information out to the Club members and to the general public.
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The January meeting program will focus on PSK31. The presenter will provide a brief overview, history, and description of how one can set up a radio station to communicate using this mode. This fairly non-technical presentation will include a demonstration in the meeting room. Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to see different PSK31 computer programs in operation. Participants will be amazed and amused.
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The Field Day CW Station, W0GI, placed 7th in the nation out of 62 stations in the 1A Battery category. The operators were Dave Fayman/W0GI, Bob Rainbolt/WB0AUQ, Wes Unruh/N0WU and Gordon Fitch/N0AB.
They made 561 QSOs with total points of 5,610.
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Bob Drake, N0TFU
I was at the Lawrence Public Library the other day looking at the CD titles that they have there. They have a large section of computer programs on CD for both Windows and MAC machines. One of the titles that caught my eye was "Ham Radio 2000, Ham radio and Electronics software". This CD contains "over 10,000 files in 934 directories".
The files are broken down into catagories, such as: Antennas, Exams, HF, Logs, Morse, Scanner, VHF, and several others. Some of the programs included are: ELNEC V3.0 antenna modeling, J-pole design program; Hamlog V3.1, Write log for windows; several frequency lists; mods for Icom, Yaesu, Kenwood, and Alinco radios; Ham clipart; Morse code practice and reading programs; and Satellite Tracker for Windows; just to name a few. There are also several license exam programs and the entire question pool for all ham exams, but this is all outdated due to the restructuring of the amateur radio license classes last spring.
Several of the programs are DOS based and there are several text files that can easily be saved on a disk or printed out. However, there are a fair number of programs that require the CD to be inserted to run them, which does limit their usefulness since the CD can be checked out of the library for only 4 weeks at a time. Many of the programs are shareware or demo versions that have either time or feature limitations on them.
Another strange thing is that even though the title of the CD is Ham Radio 2000, the CD has a copyright date of 1997 on it and some of the programs are obviously somewhat older than that.
If you want to see some of the computer software that is available to hams, this CD is a good way to check it out....73, Bob Drake
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We have calmly and quietly slipped into the true new Millennium Year of 2001.
Our Club offers up a fine menu of activities and programs. Our activities include Field Day and our Special Events Station at Nowhere, Kansas, helping out with communications at several local organizations walk-a-thons, and the weekly meetings at the DQ on Massachusetts Street for lunch (Tuesdays) and at the HyVee on Sixth Street for breakfast or coffee (Saturdays).
Another activity is the Local Club Net each Tuesday evening at 8:00 p.m. on the Club's repeater, W0UK at 146.16+. The Net Control is usually Ken Olson, AF3RM (Radio Man) ex K0TLQ.
When the Net Control asks for check ins just give your call. He will then go down the list of check ins and ask for any comments. Ken's sense of humor adds to the interest of the net. Information about our Club, announcements and other little tid bits may be made during the net. It's amazing the things we can find out about other members and some nonmembers on this net. So charge up your HT and check in often.
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Bob Rainbolt, WB0AUQ
Well, guess I need to start off the 2001 Newsletter correctly so here's a few sites:
Trying to interpret a cryptic ID tag from a piece of military equipment? http://www.hazegray.org/faq/designat.htm
A (partial) unpublished manuscript of radio history, plus other neat historical links: http://www.scotweb.co.uk/ns1398/roscoedx.html
A published (1881) book on Practical Use of the Electric Telegraph: http://sd.znet.com/~cdk14568/mpet/contents.html
The first "Walkman", plus other not-so-successful inventions: http://www.dself.demon.co.uk/failproj.htm
A nice Vintage Radio and Program site, with links: http://www.compusmart.ab.ca/agirard/VINTAGE.HTM
Need data for an old vacuum tube? It's here: http://www.nmr.mgh.harvard.edu/~reese/RC10/
And finally, although not radio-related, for those who find Windows95/98 somewhat annoying, this site has many neat suggestions for customizing: http://www.annoyances.org/win95/
Hope all are enroute to a happy '01.
Bob/WB0AUQ
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Our Club Attorney, Bill Pendleton, N0KRI, petitioned the Kansas High Court for an opinion and clarification concerning the DCARC Officers and Managers. The High Court ruled (5 to 4) that indeed the DCARC Revised Constitution of 2000 did allow Club members in good standing to hold more than one office simultaneously.
Thus, after several months delay, the way was paved to proceed with the election of Officers and Managers for the DCARC.
The elections were conducted at the Club's Annual Christmas Party held this year at the DQ. Upon counting the votes it was discovered that there were more votes than members present and that evidently some guests had voted.
It was moved and seconded and passed that a recount be made and that invalid votes should be discarded. To oversee this investigation Wes Unruh, N0WU was selected to represent the CW Group and Jerry Vogel, WA0OWH was selected to represent the Phone Group. Upon investigation it was deemed impossible to know which votes were valid and which ones were not within the allotted time of 15 minutes. As a result the entire election was declared null and void. The CW Group then invoked the Freedom-of-information Act to gain access to the ballots so that the true winners could be determined at some future time.
At this point several members had to return to their jobs as the hour was running late. So a motion was made that the first name appearing for each Officer and Manager as presented by the Nominating Committee be accepted and that a unanimous vote be cast for the entire slate. The motion was seconded and without any further discussion passed 4 to 3.
Our President-elect, Dan Gravatt, N2PRC then gave a few words as follows: "My fellow hams, I promise to try and do my best to promote good will and camaraderie between all factions within the Club, including CW, Phone, PSK31, Packet, Moon Bounce, Contesters and those that do mostly construction projects. I also promise there will be no increase in dues during 2001. Thank you."
Even though the elections were delayed for over two months, they were done just in time for the January 10 meeting.
If anyone has questions concerning the 2001 elections, apparently, due to the overall confusion, there is no one available to supply answers.
Now, with the elections behind us, let us look forward to a great 2001 in the DCARC.
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Chuck Miller, WA0KUH, PHD News
Best way to describe Amateur Restructuring is it takes a "Philadelphia Lawyer" to understand the changes.
The FCC is forced to accept renewal and change of address by mail but only if you do it their way. First you must file your SS# on a Form 606 and the FCC will assign you a L#. Check "QRZ.com" for number. After you file Form 606, the FCC will accept your SS# or your L#. The FCC calls your SS# a "TIN#."
Technicians licensed before 3/21/87 will be upgraded to General Class by appearing before a VE team with proof of date license was issued. Novice License have lifetime 5 WPM code credit, even if expired.
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ARRL Bulletin 48, 07 December 2000
The FCC has proposed requiring everyone it does business with obtain and use an FCC Registration Number--or FRN. Many amateurs registered with the Universal Licensing System already have been assigned a 10-digit FRN by the Commission Registration System--or CORES. The FCC has not made its use mandatory, however.
The FCC says requiring individuals and entities to obtain an FRN will help it to better track and manage the collection of fees. The FCC proposes requiring that FRNs be provided with any filings that require payment of a fee, such as the vanity fee for amateurs. FCC Form 159 has been modified to accommodate this requirement, the FCC says.
The FCC is proposing to reject filings requiring an FRN that do not include the number. "These proposed rules would make the use of the FRN mandatory in certain circumstances so that anyone not yet assigned an FRN or who has not yet obtained one must obtain one," the FCC said in its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (MD Docket 00-205), released December 1.
An individual does not have to hold an FCC license to obtain an FRN. The FCC says the information collected by CORES includes the "entity name and type," Taxpayer Identification Number or TIN--typically a Social Security Number for an individual, contact address and e-mail address. CORES information is not made public.
Comments on the FCC rulemaking notice are due 30 days from the date of publication in The Federal Register. Reply comments are due by 45 days from the date of publication.
The FCC began implementing CORES earlier this year. CORES registration eventually will replace Universal Licensing System, or ULS, registration. More information on CORES is available by visiting the FCC Web site, http://www.fcc.gov/ and clicking on the CORES registration link.
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Bob Raker, W0BR
While some of you may have "sticker shock" when perusing new equipment, I claim today's amateur radio equipment is a real bargain.
Let me explain what I mean. From my perspective, having been first licensed in the mid-seventies, the price for today's equipment is cheap compared to midseventies'prices--adjusted for the effects of inflation, that is.
Compared to 1977, my current income is about six times what it was then. I now live in a house that is worth about seven times that of my 1977 house. (Of course, gas is only about twice the cost now what it was in 1977ùbut we won't go there for this discussion.)
In 1977, the very popular Kenwood basic transceiver, the TS-520, sold for about $600. Today, the basic TS-570 from Kenwood costs only about twice that.
In 1977, 1 built my Heathkit synthesized, 10 watt, two meter transceiver--it cost me $300. 1 just recently acquired a Yaesu dual band, 50 watt transceiver, with 100 memories, scanning, tone decode, etc. for only about $400. As far as I'm concerned, this new rig is a bargain.
While you're doing your ham shopping, don't forget our local dealer. While I was living in Cincinnati, I witnessed the local dealer fold. It's too easy to take a local dealer for granted until they're gone.
--Johnson County Radio Amateurs Club, Inc., "Feedback," Bill Epperson, WB0CEF, Editor
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Don Reamer, KA3JWE
As we look back on the last one hundred years, you must admit that they have really been amazing. We have progressed from spark-gap transmitters to frequency synthesized digital signal processed transceivers that fit into your shirt pocket. The "Dick Tracy" wrist radio is no longer a gadget of science fiction.
So, what's in store for us in the next century? Science fiction is becoming reality almost as fast as we can dream it up. New gadgets and technology are hitting the market so fast that we can barely keep track of it all. And we, as hams, can't get enough. We just have to take the covers off and peek inside. We marvel at the miniaturization and beauty of design. We still have to see what makes these gadgets tick.
The new millennium holds a lot of promise for advances in amateur radio and technology as well as some ominous signs of things to come. We are already feeling increased pressure from new technologies to use the portions of spectrum that we have enjoyed for so long. TV commercials are predicting wearable computers with displays that project, images directly into your eye. These and other devices will be extremely limited if they cannot be linked into a network and wireless will be their mode of choice.
Will amateur radio be able to evolve to keep up with the rapidly changing times or will it fade into oblivion as newer technologies take over? Only time will tell.
--W3OK Corral Newsletter, Clarence Snyder, W3PYF, Editor
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Gene Shirapo, W0DLQ
New digital techniques on transceivers offer serious improvement for reception under crowded band conditions.
Still, there are thousands of older transceivers which could benefit from add-on designs, without a lot of extra costs.
Such is now available FREE on the internet. Click on www.siliconpixels.com and select Amateur (HAM) from another list and then click on a colored icon marked "Chromasound" and down-load it.
You then need only to add a plug from any transceiver audio out into your computer and the system is visible there with adjustments to suit the desired receiving condition.
And it does work, I have it installed. Try it, you'll like it. Then pass the information along.
--Johnson County Radio Amateurs Club., Inc, "Feedback," Bill Epperson, W0CEF, Editor
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Ken Blair KC0GL
If you are looking for a good weather web page here is one that gives pretty accurate WX conditions for Lawrence, KS: http://www.wunderground.com/.
Just insert your zip code and you will have your local weather conditions and forecast for the next seven days. The current conditions seem fairly close to the readings of my weather instruments
One of the many features allows you to sign up (free) to receive wireless or e-mail weather alerts.
--Ken Blair KC0GL
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Charles Giannetta, WA3RSQ
Astronomical winter arrives on or about December 21 in the Northern Hemisphere. This is when the sun is located directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, located at 23 degrees 27 minutes south latitude in the Southern Hemisphere.
Meteorological winter usually lags behind about 25 to 30 days, resulting in the coldest time of the year to be around the last week in January. When it is winter in the Northern Hemisphere, it will be summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
It takes 365.25 days for the Earth to make one complete revolution around the Sun. The earth's orbit around the sun is slightly elliptical, with the earth closest to the sun on or about January 3, (Perihelion), 91 million miles. The earth is farthest from the sun on or about July 4th, (Aphelion), 94 million miles.
The earth is tilted on its axis of 23 degrees 27 minutes. The seasons are attributed to this tilt as the earth orbits the sun.
In winter the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the sun, therefore the nighttime hours are longer than the daytime hours. As the earth continues its trip around the sun, the sun will appear higher in the sky each day. The days will begin to become longer until on March 20, the sun will be directly over the equator, (Vernal Equinox). At this time the day and nighttime hours are each 12 hours long throughout the world. It will then be spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
--W3OK Corral Newsletter, Clarence Snyder, W3PYF Editor
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Taking a new direction in a power-line interference case, the FCC has contacted a West Coast power company to remind the utility of its obligation to fix equipment problems that cause harmful radio interference. The case involved longstanding complaints by several northern California amateurs to Pacific Gas & Electric Company regarding severe power line noise on the ham bands.
On November 22, the FCC's Consumer Center wrote PG&E Senior VP James K. Randolph, who's also General Manager of Distribution and Customer Service requesting the company to correct the problem "within a reasonable time."
"It is a little bit unusual, but it had been ongoing for quite a while, and I had talked with the power company," said Special Counsel for Amateur Radio Enforcement Riley Hollingsworth. He said the situation involved "a long history of non-response" by PG&E. "They've shown a lot of patience," he said of the amateurs who had complained, adding that he'd spoken to some of them during a West Coast visit earlier this year.
"The FCC has the responsibility to require that utility companies rectify such problems within a reasonable time if the interference is caused by faulty power utility equipment," the Commission's letter said.
Under FCC Part 15, utilities and others that fall under its provisions are obliged to not cause harmful interference to licensed services and to cease operating a device that's causing harmful interference upon FCC notification. The FCC said that while it remains confident that utilities can resolve such interference issues voluntarily, its letter was intended as a reminder that the unresolved interrerence problem "may be a violation of FCC rules and could result in a monetary forfeiture for each occurrence."
The FCC letter points out that the FCC encourages parties to resolve such problems "without FCC intervention" but says the FCC will step in when necessary. In this particular case, Hollingsworth said, the amateurs "had worked diligently with the power company and with the League, and we thought it appropriate for us to send a letter reminding them of what the Commission's rules and policies are."
Hollingsworth and ARRL Lab Supervisor, Ed Hare, W1RFI "the League's point man for interference-related issues" say that, before contacting the FCC to intervene as it did with the PG&E situation, affected amateurs first should attempt to work patiently with the utility and should contact the League for assistance.
The ARRL Technical Information Service has prepared a Web page, "RFI --Electrical and Power Line," at http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/rfi-elec.html. Amateurs suffering from interference believed to be emanating from power generation or transmission facilities also may contact Ed Hare, W1RFI, 860-594-0318; rfi@arrl.org.
--The ARRL letter via W3OK Corral Newsletter, Clarence Snyder, W3PYF, Editor
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Supplied by Robert L. Huntley, W2DH
Psychiatrists now believe that to be healthy mentally and physically we need to be "connected" emotionally with other people, concepts, and places in our lives. We have a tendency to do business through e-mall, letters, and other "non-connected" means of communication.
Interpersonal relationships at work tend to be "glancing," or quick, shallow connections with very little personal meaning. Connection is sharing thoughts and feelings on a personal level, and building deep relationships and a sense of belonging. Hams are in a unique position to be some of the most connected people in the world. We have the ARRL and local clubs to belong to. Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) and other comunity service activities, hamfests, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and many other opportunities also can help to build lasting interpersonal connections. Amateur Radio community service is a great way to build quality connections and a sense of accomplishment at helping people as well.
Hams involved in ARES and RACES groups will have similar interests to yours, and many lasting friendships can be made. A sense of personal satisfaction that comes from helping others strengthens connections as well. Clubs offer a variety of ways to build connections.
Board membership, technical help with repeaters and other equipment, helping at hamfests, writing the club's newsletter, or serving as the membership officer, are ways to build connections with other club members with similar interests. DX contacts also offer a good way to learn more about other people as well as to build connections. Lowband late night DX is less hectic than the "5/9 QRZ" 20-meter daytime activity. Many DX stations are willing to share information on their homeland. They are eager to learn about the U.S. from a real citizen rather than the processed news service information. I've spent from 20 minutes to an hour on 40 meters chatting with DX stations at three and four o'clock in the morning. A round table discussion of five or more hams often develops. I've gained some insight into how other people view us, and a more rounded world perspective. Daytime DX on the WARC bands can be more casual if you're lucky enough to be among the first contacts. Many stations will spend a few minutes talking about their QTH or country before the pile builds. Schedules can often be made for more extended conversations. Stalling a pile-up to chat is inconsiderate and frustrating for those waiting and for the DX station.
But the next time when you hear a foreign station calling CQ when the band is quiet, spend a minute getting aquainted. You'll be an ambassador of international good will, and may build lasting friendships that will help you become healthier.
--W3OK Corral Newsletter, Clarence Snyder, W3PYF, Editor
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Bill Pendleton, N0KRI
The Financial Report for the Club as of December 26, 2000 is as follows:
Repeater Fund ......... $301.90
General..................... 461.18
Total ...................... $763.08
John Halladay, KA0JMO, made a contribution of $25.00 to the Repeater Fund and Wes Unruh, N0WU, made a contribution of $36.00 to the General Fund.
The insurance premium in the amount of $111.00 was due in December, so I paid it.
Dues for 2001 have been paid by 21 members.
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January 20, 2001--Missouri Valley & Ray-Clay ARCs St. Joseph, MO Contact: Carlene Makawski, KA0IKS 3704 Meadow Oak Lane St. Joseph, MO 64503 Phone 816-279-3406 Email: nem3238@ccp.com http://www.kc.net/~oconnor
February, 2001--LaCygne Hamfest Mine Creek Amateur Radio Club in the LaCygne Community Building on Broadway. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Free admission, Tables $10 Coffee and Doughnuts. Hourly Prizes (Tickets $1 ea. Or 6 for $5). For more Information contact Ron (913) 757-4455 e-mail kb0dti@arrl.net or Mike (913) 898-4695 e-mail w0xm@arrl.net Talk-in Frequency 147.285+
May 18-20, 2001--Dayton Hamvention Dayton Ohio http://www.hamvention.com/
August 19, 2001--ARRL State Convention at Salina's Bicentenial Center.
Ron Tremblay
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Once again the DCARC will offer a 10-week course in Amateur Radio for the Technician License. The first part of the class will be instructions in code followed by theory.
If you know of someone who may be interested or if further details are needed please contact Bob Drake, N0TFU, 842-5961 or bobd@falcon.cc.ukans.edu
Further details will appear in the February Newsletter.
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The ARRL now requires that all electronic logs be filed in the "Cabrillo" format. What in the world is the "Cabrillo" format?
The November 2000 issue of QST, page 45, has an article entitled "Coping with Cabrillo" by Dave Pruett, K8CC. The article explains that a computer professional Trey Garkough, N5KO worked with many of the major developers of Amateur Radio logging software to develop a standardized electronic contest entry specification for ARRL. The result was the Cabrillo File Format Specification, which was adopted by ARRL in late 1999. All ARRL contest logs that are electronically generated must now be filed in the Cabrillo file format.
Check out the article to find out how your particular contest software program can generate a Cabrillo file.
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Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi
2000 pounds of Chinese soup: Won ton
Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement: 1 bananosecond
Weight an evangelist carries with God: 1 billigram
Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon
1000 aches: 1 kilohurtz
Basic unit of laryngitis: 1 hoarsepower
1 million microphones: 1 megaphone
2000 mockingbirds: two kilomockingbirds (work on it....)
52 cards: 1 decacards
3 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University Hospital: 1 I.V. League
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THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE: 1) You believe in Santa Claus. 2) You don't believe in Santa Claus. 3) You are Santa Claus. 4) You look like Santa Claus.
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