Hi contest operators !
I just want to inform all of you that T9DX QSL's are received from
printer and that I will serve as QSL manager. All direct requests will
be answered during first week of February.
Outgoing bureau in T9 is not working yet, and bureau cards will be sent
periodicaly every couple of months.
Also please be informed that correct addrress (not T93M's nor my home
address) for direct sending is :
Sarajevo Contest Group - T9DX
p.o.box 61
71000 Sarajevo
Bosnia and Herzegovina
or send your card via the Bureau.
Best Regards and see you in Contests during 1997.
Boris T93Y
>From headrick@radar.nrl.navy.mil (Jim Headrick) Wed Jan 29 14:37:29 1997
From: headrick@radar.nrl.navy.mil (Jim Headrick) (Jim Headrick)
Subject: Don Lucas, W0OMI, In Memory of
Message-ID: <v01530504af1503a16d71@[132.250.182.180]>
This is a sad message. Don Lucas, w0omi, died on 15 January. Don was
responsible for development of the CAPMAN HF propagation program used by
many contesters (and DXers). CAPMAN a 'ham-friendly' desendant of IONCAP,
I believe to be the base for the QST HF predictions. Don was an early and
continuing worker in applying digital computers to radiowave propagation
and was an author of many Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
publications. In recent years he was associated with LUCAS Consulting. He
was a former Navy Radioman and a long time active Ham with emphasis on 160
meters. It was my privledge to work with Don for many years on HF radar
performance modeling. Don will be missed.
******************************************************************
* Jim Headrick (W3CP) ---> headrick@radar.nrl.navy.mil *
******************************************************************
>From cooper@gmpvt.com (Tom Cooper) Wed Jan 29 15:35:03 1997
From: cooper@gmpvt.com (Tom Cooper) (Tom Cooper)
Subject: antenna-free CQ WW 160
Message-ID: <199701291535.KAA20570@web.gmpvt.com>
Yo to everybody!
In the CQWW 160 contest my tuner settings were all wrong and
the band seemed kind of dead, so I decided to run 100W and try to
work someone. I figured the ice and snow must have goofed my antenna.
I made about 100 qso's, including a couple of DX, but it
was rough going with lots of repeats and no answer to my CQ's.
Then I pushed the meter back-light button on the tuner and got
nothing. Just my luck, the bulb was burned out. Then it hit me,
duuhhh, that maybe there was no power to the tuner, which means
no power to the antenna relay box out on the side of the garage,
which means no antennas. Wiggle the 12V cable. No lights. Change
the 12V cable for another one. Lights on, loud signals, lots of
answers to my CQ's.
So, I worked the CQWW 160 with 90' of RG-8X, unterminated, laying
on the ground. But, it's a great location.
Tom W1EAT (ex WA1GUV)
>From floydjr@Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd) Wed Jan 29 15:26:24 1997
From: floydjr@Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd) (Jimmy R. Floyd)
Subject: CQ 160 CW 97 Scores III
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970129152624.24c7bfda@interpath.com>
1997 CQ 160 METER CW CONTEST
Raw Scores
Compiled by WA4ZXA
<floydjr@interpath.com)
Date Posted 01/29/97
CALL HRS SCORE Q'S PTS ST/VE DX
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SOP/QRP
N1TM 13 19,240 230 520 34 3
N4CM 13 13,024 160 34 3
K3WWP 8 6,300 117 252 25
N3ADL 2 2,596 53 22 0
KD1IA 7 1,768 74 168 73 1
SOP/HP
P40WA 28 1,050,000 980 56 66
OT7T 934,500 1119 49 76
GM3YOR 20 742,176 988 6872 47 61
OK5W 526,932 820 4879 38 70
G0IVZ 22 508,434 812 5034 43 58
LY2ZZ (LY2BTA) 33 506,979 856 32 67
VE9AA 24 455,712 784 4512 54 47
JY9QJ 193,050 392 3575 2 52
LA9GX 10 166,026 458 2478 9 58
PA3DMH 9 67,536 222 1206 8 48
W3LPL (W4ZV) 34 513,798 1182 4507 56 58
K8CC (W8MJ) 38 451,215 1119 4065 56 55
N5JA 31 402,708 1055 3628 57 54
AA1K 38 390,276 1034 3516 57 54
W9RE 18 280,908 900 2754 57 45
K2WK 10 267,500 631 2675 52 48
WS9V 266,272 798 2512 57 49
AA8U 254,600 815 2546 56 44
K5ZD 10 246,574 590 2542 52 45
KM3T 22 243,360 702 2535 54 42
NI8L 16 201,388 710 2189 54 38
WF3T 175,648 677 56 32
W8CAR 25 160,689 695 1847 55 32
KW9KW 18 148,785 611 1635 57 34
K4ZA 20 145,770 691 56 30
W8GN 136,890 669 1690 54 27
W7GG 132,000 614 55 18
N6ZZ 131,887 567 1589 54 29
K3JT 14 123,570 459 55 35
WI9WI 16 122,213 607 1547 56 23
K3SV 16 118,607 501 1429 50 33
N5UL 21 87,975 463 54 21
K9MA 5 81,510 352 1045 51 27
K2ONP 59,283 281 941 43 20
N4BP 16 57,980 376 892 65
K2BM 56,137 225 769 43 30
N5LZ 10 51,430 223 695 49 25
K7OX 11 32,648 238 583 45 11
WJ2O 2 6,188 78 33 1
SOP/LP
VE3CSK 34 155,844 388 1998 52 26
VE3KZ 15 133,980 380 1914 53 17
S50U 96,606 362 1789 0 54
S56A 10 54,537 231 1113 0 49
VE3OSZ 17 53,784 99 662 50 32
UR5IBG 12 39,732 190 924 0 43
TF3KX 10 15,352 77 404 5 33
N8EA 90,885 353 1095 51 32
K2KQ 27 81,326 419 1099 49 25
AB1U 12 80,676 314 996 49 32
WO1N 18 62,766 350 45 21
K0RC 10 58,149 405 923 56 7
WA2DFI 29 49,029 353 831 52 7
KJ9C 12 48,739 339 799 49 12
K9WIE 8 45,506 305 746 51 10
WA8YRS 16 45,468 389 842 54
W0VU 36,336 318 757 41 7
WA0X 33,609 310 659 51 0
KN4QV 7 25,312 184 452 47 9
WO4O 9 21,887 237 509 40 3
N0HF 21,372 177 411 46 6
N2BIM 5 18,081 198 40 1
W3CP 8 17,466 193 426 39 2
KG8W 5 13,502 137 314 39 4
WA7UQV 8,052 102 33
N6HC 5 5,945 101 27 2
K1EP 4 3,496 76 152 23 0
W0MU 705 22 15 0
MultiOP/HP
JH9VSF/9 438 16 3 3
W2GD 42 696,000 1391 5568 57 68
N1BB 555,960 1080 54 59
K3WW 25 406,339 1045 3628 56 56
NU8Z 371,742 1055 3507 57 49
N3OC 361,140 991 57 53
W0CD 29 297,648 930 2862 57 47
AA0RS 265,000 802 57 41
W3GH 249,736 827 2356 57 49
N0NI 249,504 957 96
NQ4I 26 241,800 820 2418 57 43
N7JW 239,372 852 2884 56 27
NM9H 24 230,454 859 57 36
NA5B 23 227,766 885 2618 56 31
AA4V 201,500 710 57 43
K9BG 18 175,400 560 57 40
AA3B 143,376 627 1648 55 32
K4OJ 139,026 501 94
WC7M 137,385 814 55 16
KO7X 16 71,568 481 1136 53 10
MultiOP/LP
AB5SE 17 51,420 383 857 53 7
KK5GT 11 24,429 208 479 47 4
Multi Opertor List
K40J N0AX,WC4E,W1CW,W1YL
AA4V AA4V,N4SF
N0NI N0NI,N0AC,W0FLS
NQ4I NQ4I,K4BAI,K2UFT
N1BB W1FJ,W1KM,NB1B,WT1O,N1BB
KO7X W7CT,KO7X
N7JW N7JW,K7CA
NU8Z NU8Z,N8CC,K8AQM,K8KS,KG8CO,K8AEM,W8MC
WC7M WC7M,W7GS,WU7Y
N3OC N3OC,KE3Q,WV3B
W0CD K8GG,W8UVZ,W0CD
NM9H NM9H,KX9X
W2GD N2AA,K2SQ,KU2C,W2GD,W2NO,K2TW
W3GH W3GH,W9XR
W8BAR AA4VV,W1TO,W8WEJ,W8VVE
AA0RS AA0RS,K0RF
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
NO ATTACHEMENTS !!!! I will not post attached scores.
Do not post any scores to the Contest Reflector, only to me direct or to
the 3830 reflector.
These are NOT OFFICIAL SCORES so do not send me logs or anything like a
log. I am on affilated with the CQ Mag or the contest committee.
Remember if I get any scores with only Single Op or no class on it I will
put you in Single Op High Power.
I realize there is not such class as MultiOP/LP. It is only for the guys
who want to see how they placed against each other.
73 Jim
**********************************************************
* Jimmy R. Floyd (Jim) Thomasville, NC *
* *
* Amateur Call: >> WA4ZXA << *
* Internet Address: >> floydjr@interpath.com << *
**********************************************************
>From broz@csn.net (John Brosnahan) Wed Jan 29 16:14:26 1997
From: broz@csn.net (John Brosnahan) (John Brosnahan)
Subject: Fiber-Optic Computer Links
Message-ID: <199701291614.AA21188@ns-1.csn.net>
Thanks to everyone who pointed me to Richard, K5NA, as the
source of the original work -- too many responses to thank everyone
individually. I am somewhat embarrassed that I didn't remember
it was him, since I had planned to visit him in Austin at New Years
but was forced to postpone the trip.
I received a number of requests to post any information that I
might learn so I have included a compilation of the exchanges
with K5NA--who still has some of the units left for sale.
I also received some responses about networking with Ethernet
and these responses were beyond the scope of my inquiry.
The current logging programs do not support ethernet and
my main goal was to eliminate the electrical connection
between the different computers, which is only possible with
fiber optics.
Hope the info is useful--73 John W0UN
-----------------------
>A few years ago, at Dayton, I believe, someone talked about networking
>computers in a multi-op situation with fiber optic links. And I believe
>that the networking components were offered for sale.
Hi John. That was me. I had been having trouble with near-field RF from the
80M and 160M antennas locking up computers running CT while doing multi-op
efforts. I determined that the RF was getting into the systems from the null
modem cables between the operating position computers and/or the
PacketCluster computer. I even tried null modem cables with separate
shielded wires to no avail. So I started looking at fiber optics and
experimenting.
The results were terrific. We operated the 1991 CQWW CW contest as a
multi-single using four stations/computers networked together with the
PacketCluster and all our computer problems seemed solved. We even won the
M/S category that year.
>Does anyone know:
>1) Who was responsible for the design and marketing?
I think there are a lot of comparable units out there. What I used was
Thomas & Betts multiplexers that are about the size of a DB25 connector.
They plug directly into the back of the computer into the COM port. If your
COM port was 9 pin, a 9 to 25 pin adapter could be used.
>2) If they are still available?
I think you can stll buy them through Allied, Newark, or some of the big
electronic supply places. I sold them for a couple of years while I was
living in New York, but I have since quit trying. My mark-up was low and
amateur radio operators hate to spend money so it wasn't a worthwhile thing
for me to continue to do. I still have a bunch of them as a result of
over-enthusiast stocking. I occasionally sell a link to old customers or a
friend, but I am really not in business anymore.
>3) How they have performed?
Just terrific. It took care of almost all my computer hangs due to RF
environment.
>Any information--especially technical details-- would be appreciated.
Let's see. They operate at DC to 19.2 KB/Sec. Full duplex using duplex
plastic fiber optic cable. The plastic fiber is 1mm in diameter and the
connectors are easier to align than the glass fibers. It was fairly easy for
me to cut a length to order and attach the connectors. Downside is that the
plastic is limited to 200 feet maximum length, while the glass is good to
5000 meters.
The multiplexers requires 9 to 12.5V DC, both plus and minus (I also sold a
little wall transformer that took care of this). But you could wire the
power requirements to the COM port pins from the computer's PS if you were
so inclined to do so. I also sold a mini-din, if you wanted to use your own
external PS for it.
The units multiplexed TX data, RX data, RTS, CTS, DSR, DTR, and a couple of
others that I can't remember. The light source was an LED.
If you have any other questions, just ask. I have the data sheets for the
multiplexers out in the storage shed and I will dig one out if necessary.
Expect to pay about $50 to $70 per unit for the multiplexers and $0.40 to
$1.00 per foot for fiber optic cable from a retailer. The price range is
dependant on whether you are buying plastic or glass fiber and the speed of
the multiplexers. My guess at prices is based on my research of products
from 3 or 4 years ago. (I think the fiber optic cable may be somewhat
cheaper now. --- W0UN)
I forgot to mention cable connectors above (usually ST-type). They can be
from $5 to $10 apiece. If you are using a duplex cable system as I am, four
connectors are required for each cable.
>Richard--one more thing. Your system was designed to support
>the first CT interface where two serial ports were used on each
>computer, I believe? And they were rigged in a single line.
I didn't design the system to support CT. I just found the multiplexer
devices and applied them for use with the program. Originally for CT, each
single computer link required a serial port connection at both ends. The
first and last computers could have only one port (being at the ends of the
string) but all the computers in between had to have two. Another way was to
have some computers with four port COM boards and you could "star" out the
links from there to computers with one COM port. But I think you know what I
mean. Standard CT networking setup.
>Later CT was able to use one serial port with RX of one computer's
>serial port was hooked to TX of the next computer's port until the
>system was in a daisy-chained complete loop.
Yes, this was added later by K1EA. I believe it was called "loop" mode. I
know it can be done with the stuff I sold because I sold a number of links
to Paul Young (K1XM) of the YCCC for his DXpeditions (J39A, etc). He ran
loop mode and I believe he built a junction box to jumper the TX Data lines
to the RX data lines while running three or more computers that had only one
COM port each.
The plastic cable is duplex cable with separate connectors on each end (4
total connectors) and there is no reason you can't peal the duplex cables
apart and run the single cable from TX Data port of one computer to the RX
data port of the next computer. That way you could loop any number of
computers using only one COM port, with one multplexer per computer, and
about half as many cables as the other configuration. The only problem would
be that all your duplex cables would be split if you wanted to use them
later in the conventional way.
>Is it true then that yur system requires two of T&B units per computer?
>So the price per system might run from $100-$140 plus fiber and use
>up two ports? Any thoughts on implementing the newer system
>that only uses one serial and needs seperate Tx and RX fiber?
I think I kinda answered that above. If you are only using two computers,
you only need one complete link (one cable and two multiplexers). If you use
three computers in the original fashion, you need two complete links (two
cables and 4 multiplexers). However, If you use the loop mode with three
computers, then I suppose you would only need three multiplexers and 1.5
cables (three halves of dulpex cable). I have never tried that configuration
myself, but I think it should work.
I have been selling my stuff at cost lately. That means I would sell a 20
foot link of duplex cable with four installed connectors, two multiplexers,
and two wall PS units for about $125. I usually got $172 for that package.
BTW there are two types of the multiplexer available. One for
computer/terminal connection (DTE type) and another for modem/tnc connection
(DCE type). I don't know if you are familar with these communications terms
but it simply means that the TX Data and RX Data are on different pins
depending on the type of computer equipment you are connecting to. They are
functionally the same and by using a Radio Shack null modem adapter, you can
use any type of the multiplexers anywhere.
73, Richard
K5NA@BGA.COM
http://www.realtime.net/~k5na
John Brosnahan
La Salle Research Corp.
24115 County Road 40
La Salle, CO 80645 USA
voice 970-284-6602
fax 970-284-0979
email broz@csn.net
>From n1jm@dreamscape.com (John Merrill) Wed Jan 29 16:29:51 1997
From: n1jm@dreamscape.com (John Merrill) (John Merrill)
Subject: Icom IC-756
References:
<06F0832EEB91D03E*/c=us/admd=attmail/prmd=tci/o=mailhub/ou=msmaildos/s=Fatchett/g=Mike/@MHS>
Message-ID: <32EF7AFF.3C2D@dreamscape.com>
Fatchett, Mike wrote:
>
> I just spoke with Gary at Icom. He told me that the IC-756 is a
> quadruple conversion receiver, DSP counting for one of the stages.
> Apparently you can put one filter in the 455 and the 8.3 stages. I
> guess you will be a code person or a phone person. The DSP is always on.
> He mentioned that the 775 has more flexibility in the DSP area.
>
> A small number of units have shipped with more expected very soon.
>
> Mike
> W0MU
Someone told me the DSP is not in the AGC loop. Therefore the notch is
also not in the AGC loop even though it is at IF.
>From kiddi@marel.is (Kristinn Andersen) Wed Jan 29 16:52:34 1997
From: kiddi@marel.is (Kristinn Andersen) (Kristinn Andersen)
Subject: Inverted-L, feeding from top?
Message-ID: <2.2.32.19970129165234.0068f570@marel.is>
My short/low horizontal wire didn=B4t do a great job
during the CQ 160/CW last weekend. My next plan was
to put up a half wave horizontal wire at 15m/50ft
for the upcoming topband/SSB and the ARRL DX contests.
Several of you guys have advised me against a
horizontal-only antenna for 160 and suggested an
inverted-L. Now, the only practical way for me to
feed the inverted-L from my attic shack location
is into the horizontal part (the very end or
somewhere off the end). I would appreciate any
comments on this, including the questions:
1. Has anyone you know done this?
2. What do I do with the bottom end of the vertical
part? I would think it should be connected
directly to the radial wires I would bury in the
ground. An alternative is leaving the wire just
suspended a little above the ground, but I suspect
this will give me low current in the vertical
section - and correspondingly low radiation there.
3. Any comments on how to feed the horizontal part?
Tuning out reactances, etc.
4. Any comments on the desired length of each
section? I guess most would say "the longer the
vertical part, the better". I would be stuck with
about 15m/50ft vertical and approx. 25m/82ft
horizontal to my shack window.
5. I have space to add another top section of almost
any length, resulting in a "T" rather than the
inverted "L". Both US/VE and EU would be broadside
to this "T" (or the horizontal part of the "L").
Any opinions on the performance of "T" vs. "L"?
Again, any length suggestions for that one?
6. And finally there is one thing that concerns me a lot.
Is there an RF hazard with the inverted-L? I can=B4t
see the vertical leg from my shack and there is no
way to guarantee that kids won=B4t be curious and tug
the wire. I would assume that if I can guarantee that
the part of the wire that is within reach is at
maximum current, the voltage will be minimal and
probably harmless. I could also insulate the wire
and hope it holds during wet weather conditions, etc.
Now, I hope I=B4m still within the purpose of the reflectors
with this (both words TOPBAND and CONTEST are used)!
I will summarize the answers to the lists if there is
interest.
Thanks and appreciations - 73 de Kristinn, TF3KX
>From N6NT@worldnet.att.net (Bruce Sawyer) Wed Jan 29 16:00:08 1997
From: N6NT@worldnet.att.net (Bruce Sawyer) (Bruce Sawyer)
Subject: Any Contest Stations in Panama?
Message-ID: <19970129160006.AAA1038@LOCALNAME>
I find I have to be in Panama City by February 23, and am planning on going
down a week early just to knock around and see what can be seen. Looking at
the calendar, though, I realize that if I leave just a few days earlier I
can be there in time to operate the ARRL DX contest. Does anybody know of
any friendly station owners anywhere in Panama who might be willing to
share? Any leads would be very much appreciated. I'll have my own rig
along, since I'm taking off /MM on the 23rd. Even a dinky tribander already
installed would be a big leg up over a wire dangling out a hotel room
window. Is there maybe a MARS station down there I could wiggle into?
Thanks in advance for any info.
Bruce, N6NT
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