Free Near-Field Analysis Software

[JimW9WU at aol.com]

In a message dated 96-08-09 18:15:09 EDT, Brian, K6STI wrote::

<< 
 As a result of the recent FCC ruling that mandates RF-exposure limits for
 amateur stations beginning January 1, 1997, I'm making available at no cost
 a special version of AO Antenna Optimizer software that calculates electric
 and magnetic near fields.  NF.EXE requires a 386 or better, math
 coprocessor, VGA, and DOS 3.0 or later.
 
 You can download the 245K NF.ZIP file from ftp://n6nd.nosc.mil.  You may
 copy this free software for others as long as no charge is involved and the
 software is used for amateur purposes only.
  >>

Brian is to be congratulated for taking the time to help us all.
Unfortunately, I'm
unable to access the ftp://n6nd.nosc.mil site to download the software. I
have 
visions of the Navy's west coast underwater submarine detection system being
ground to a halt because of the demand for this software.  Visions of YI/EP
subs sneeking up on California aren't pleasant!!  

73, Jim W9WU  (ARRL Volunteer Counsel--and I'm keeping track of all those
defaming us attorney's for when you need our help to keep it up.)

>From aa1jm at SNET.Net (David John Twiggs)  Sun Aug 11 02:19:37 1996
From: aa1jm at SNET.Net (David John Twiggs) (David John Twiggs)
Date: Sat, 10 Aug 1996 20:19:37 -0500
Subject: | X |  Pse QSL ???
Message-ID: <9608102346.AA70888 at CT1.SNET.Net>

Brian -- I couldn't agree with you more!  I am a small gun, (pea shooter),
but enjoy chasing the various awards.  In the 9 years of hamming I have seen
what was about an 90% return to my postcard QSLs sent to USA stations drop
to about 30%.  I went to sending an SASE for all cards I need for awards.
Can you believe I am only running about 75%!  I guess it's too hard to fill
out qsl info on the back of napkin or something for some folks.  I guess the
next step is to start sending "reply cards" like the county hunters do.  BTW
I get my qsls printed by a local printer for about $40 per 1000.  I get an
unsolicated QSL for about every 100 QSOs.  Finally, I always return as quick
as possible.  My thanks to those of you who do too!
73 de Dave AA1JM

At 02:17 PM 8/9/96 +-100, you wrote:
>I would prefer this not become a fray, but I do have a
>serious question. 
>
>I am a very small player in the contest world, but even
>so I seem to get quite a number of QSLs following each
>event I participate in (Podunk QSO Party etc...).  It has
>become an issue of STATE, PREFIX, GRID, COUNTY, etc.
>
>Most QSL cards arrive "post card style."  Now I don't mind
>springing for the lousy 20 cents, but I must admit that the
>cards with SASE's do get sent first (expediency).
>
>Occasionally, due to participation in other events or illness
>or whatever, unfortunately I get behind on the post cards and
>my filing (by necessity) gets ahead of my mailing.  This is not
>a conspiracy as some beleive...
>
>With the advent of "label-printing" logging programs and callbook
>databases it is quite easy to mass mail a large number of QSL's.
>I did this just this (postcard style) one SS season for both SSB
>and CW (both clean sweeps BTW).  My return rate was quite low.
>I am not talking about DX.
>
>Finally, the question: How do you big players handle what must be
>a monumental task?  What is the protocol these days?
>
>I know I just received a QSL card for a state I needed on 160m
>over a year and a half after sending a QSL with SASE (thanks BTW
>I still needed it, hadn't been on the band since).
>
>Some folks have taken it poorly, but observation wrt QSL'ing is:
>1) "postcards" are worst
>2) a simple return address label is as good as an SASE (to me)
>3) an SASE is as good as it gets and is easier than sending two
>   cards, the second complaining about the first, followed by a
>   huffy letter and 2 dimes taped inside when the card is received
>   with a short message saying those with SASEs get returned quickest
>
>I know I have to use an SASE to get returns on those I need and I
>really DO enjoy collecting/sending QSL cards.
>
>Some have emphatically told me "ham radio didn't use to be this way."
>
>I sincerely appreciate every QSO and QSL, de Brian ke7gh at primenet.com
>
>
>