While at Visalia-DX I picked up a brouchure on the Watkins-Johnson
DSP receiver. The unit outside of first mixer converts, mixes, detects,
filters, and selectivities are all determined by DSP. With shape factors of
1.5 to 1 and 3rd order IMD of +30dbm it would appear impressive to say the
least. Has anyone out there had hands on a full DSP receiver?
I would also be interested in comments re: Timewave DSP-59, DSP-9plus,
and DSP-9 units. I have used DSP-9 without latest firmware upgrade, and had
mixed feelings about it's AGC action on SSB. Please direct comments to
Bob KG7d.
internet"rkile@delphi.com"
>From robert penneys <penneys@freezer.cns.udel.edu> Sun Apr 24 20:31:14 1994
From: robert penneys <penneys@freezer.cns.udel.edu> (robert penneys)
Subject: Paper on ham radio (long)
Message-ID: <9404241931.AA10923@freezer.cns.udel.edu>
I am doing a paper on ham radio for a class. Although it is not about
contesting, I thought that some of you might be interested to participate.
I welcome your response.
Thanks and CU at Dayton!! Bob
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am soliciting input for a paper I am writing. Pardon its simplistic stage.
I would be most grateful for any comments, reflections, additions, reference
to sources, etc. All sources will be credited.
I will be at Dayton Thursday til Sunday at the Hampton Inn in Englewood with
the Frankford Radio Club contingent, and evenings at our contest hospitality
suite at Stouffer's. I would love to interview anyone interested.
Thanks. Bob
Bob Penneys WN3K Frankford Radio Club N.E.R.D.S.
Internet: penneys@pecan.cns.udel.edu Fax: (302) 322-7092
Mail: 12 East Mill Station Drive Newark, DE 19711
--------------------------cut
here-----------------------------------------------
Evolution of Postwar Amateur Radio in the United States
Bob Penneys, WN3K
copyright 1994, all rights reserved
The purpose of this paper is to describe development of amateur radio
in the postwar United States.
Overview of history of amateur radio and licensing since
inception
Traditional raison d'etre of amateur radio - Technical expertise,
pool of operators, emergency and public service communication
World War II-
Individuals learn radio in the service
Legendary feats of wartime radio operators; radio critical
element in victory
Eager and knowlegeable veterans return from war with expertise in
radio communication
Rise of amateur radio in US
Great availability of inexpensive surplus equipment
Tradition of amateurs of inventors - FM, RTTY, moonbounce, etc.
Necessity of technical skills to modify surplus
Elmering of youngsters
Economy and satisfaction of kit building
Proliferation of manufacturers and radio stores
Inexpensive tube rigs, easy to build, align, repair
Hands on culture
Peak of ham radio in late 50s
Contests, Field Day
Emergence of SSB
Sputnik- increase of focus on science, technology
IGY
HF only link with South Pole, etc.
Amateur satellites - OSCAR
Public listens to Sputnik, satellites through amateur radio
Advent of CB- easy inexpensive communication
Legal, no license
Abuse of CB, channel 19, etc.
Change from tube to semiconductor technology
Beginning of gradual shift of r and d, manufacturing, of
technology offshore (Japan), continuing to present
Decline of kits, components, surplus, mods, elmers, radio mfrs,
stores, number of amateurs in 60s and 70s
Viet Nam use of radio - phone patches, MARS
Transition from rf to digital world in starting in 70s
Incentive licensing in 1968- anger, resistance, withdrawal of
amateurs
Loss of frequencies by General Classs
Disappearance of old guard - Hallicrafters, Hammarlund, National,
Collins, Gonset, Heath
Gradual disappearance of national marketers such as Lafayette and
Allied from amateur radio
Emergence of Radio Shack and electronics in popular culture
Emergence of major Japanese manufacturers - Kenwood, Icom, Yaesu
also TenTec in US
Decrease of homebrewing
Decline of user maintainable and easily modifiable radios
Decrease in need for technical skills, building, repair, design
of radios
Emergence of two meter FM and repeaters - easier local
communication
Emergence of autopatch
Emergence of digital modes - packet, Amtor, etc
Rise of "appliance operators"
Trend of buying rather than building a high tech radio
Rise of QRP, digital modes, foxhunting, satellite, ATV, slow
scan, EME as areas of expertise
Debate of no code license - demise of old guard of CW ops
Migration from RF to computer communications
Digital, satellite communications replaces HF as most dependable
link for long distance
PCs dominate business and culture in 80s
New kind of person interested in technology - computer user
Emergence of cellular phones - personal wireless communications
shifts from exotic to familiar
Aging of Morse code operators -
Success of no code license - inflow of new amateurs
Shift from Novice to Technician as entrance license
New style of operator - wants to communicate, not necessarily old
kind of technical hobbyist, wants radio and license for spouse,
children
Wireless radio operators become less "nerdy," more mainstream
Migration from HF to VHF and UHF as new modes need increased
bandwith for greater throughput; new modes less susceptible to
vicissitudes of propagation than HF; HF moves down "food chain"
Current scene-
Increase in dollar value of spectrum; loss of 220MHz, competition
and auction for spectrum
HF still best link in most emergencies - Russia "White House",
Sarajevo, hurricanes
Tradition of amateur as contributor, inventor, necessary link in
emergencies called into question
Two meter mobile and portable FM still supreme
Ease in DXing
Great hobby and mode of communication for handicapped
Trends in Scouts, school programs for teaching radio
Use of autopatch, reporting of accidents, emergencies
Migration of frontier to digital and UHF- SHF world
New trends - full duplex phone
Future of amateur radio-
Obsolescence of raison d'etre of amateurs?
New modes, equipment, market?
Summary and conclusion
>From AGDM25A@prodigy.com ( KEVIN - WA8ZDT) Sun Apr 24 22:00:41 1994
From: AGDM25A@prodigy.com ( KEVIN - WA8ZDT) ( KEVIN - WA8ZDT)
Subject: SS WRITE-UP
Message-ID: <013.00637326.AGDM25A@prodigy.com>
The divisional contest listings are a big step forward. They put the
results in perspective. And breaking down listing by class allows the
reader to quickly identify the serious competitors in each class.
Two complaints are no recognition for section winners, and difficulty
finding states among the section listings.
SUGGEST - Print section winners in bold type, or italics, or an asterisk
- List scores by call district instead of ARRL divisions.
The ARRL divisions are an arcane 50 year old political invention
of the League. They're only purpose is for internal ARRL
administration. Most hams don't know (or care) what division
they're in!
73 ... Kevin, WA8ZDT
>From James White <0006492564@mcimail.com> Mon Apr 25 02:27:00 1994
From: James White <0006492564@mcimail.com> (James White)
Subject: Rooming @ Stouffers Thursday Night
Message-ID: <02940425012720/0006492564PK2EM@mcimail.com>
HELP.............or.............Don't you hate Stouffers, too! I now have
joined the ranks of those shafted by Stouffers. The conversations I have had
over the past few days really have astounded me, these people have nothing
short of world class brass ones. And at a world class room rate, too. I very
STRONGLY RECOMMEND everyone reaffirm their reservations at Stouffers...if it
weren't for a little voice beckoning me on Friday, I would have shown up
there on Thursday with a worthless piece of paper in my hand............my
room reservation confirmation!
Three hams from the ARRL Southeastern Division need a room for Thursday
night at the Stouffers....or hopefully one close by.
Luckily another ham's wife just had a baby, opening up a room for Friday and
Saturday night - which I quickly seized. Now, we just need a home for
Thursday night.
...worst case, are there three of you out there who could each host one of
us Thursday night?
We are devo, oops, we are: K1ZX/Jim
WC4E/Jeff
NP4Z/Filipe
........................I will try and let y'all know if things get handled
so as to avoid clutter on the reflector. Thanks, 73
Jim, K1ZX k1zx@mcimail.com
........come next Sprint I think I'll use the name "HOMELESS"
>From Peter Reed <P.L.Reed@sussex.ac.uk> Mon Apr 25 08:52:38 1994
From: Peter Reed <P.L.Reed@sussex.ac.uk> (Peter Reed)
Subject: N6TR - LOG
Message-ID: <4853.199404250752@solx1>
Hi all. I believe that a version of the N6TR LOG program is available
via FTP. If so, is anyone able to tell me where it is located, please?
A friend is interested in trying it out and would like to try a
"freebie" version before buying the latest.
Many thanks...Peter, G4BVH.
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