T9DX QSL cards

Boris Knezovic T93Y bknezovi at utic.net.ba
Wed Jan 29 13:40:13 EST 1997


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 at radar.nrl.navy.mil (Jim Headrick)  Wed Jan 29 14:37:29 1997
From: headrick at radar.nrl.navy.mil (Jim Headrick) (Jim Headrick)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 09:37:29 -0500
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 at radar.nrl.navy.mil    *
******************************************************************



>From cooper at gmpvt.com (Tom Cooper)  Wed Jan 29 15:35:03 1997
From: cooper at gmpvt.com (Tom Cooper) (Tom Cooper)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 10:35:03 -0500
Subject: antenna-free CQ WW 160
Message-ID: <199701291535.KAA20570 at 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 at Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd)  Wed Jan 29 15:26:24 1997
From: floydjr at Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd) (Jimmy R. Floyd)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 11:26:24 -0400
Subject: CQ 160 CW 97 Scores III
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970129152624.24c7bfda at interpath.com>

1997 CQ 160 METER CW CONTEST
Raw Scores

Compiled by WA4ZXA
<floydjr at 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 at interpath.com << *
           **********************************************************


>From broz at csn.net (John Brosnahan)  Wed Jan 29 16:14:26 1997
From: broz at csn.net (John Brosnahan) (John Brosnahan)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 09:14:26 -0700
Subject: Fiber-Optic Computer Links
Message-ID: <199701291614.AA21188 at 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 at 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 at csn.net


>From n1jm at dreamscape.com (John Merrill)  Wed Jan 29 16:29:51 1997
From: n1jm at dreamscape.com (John Merrill) (John Merrill)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 11:29:51 -0500
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 at 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 at marel.is (Kristinn Andersen)  Wed Jan 29 16:52:34 1997
From: kiddi at marel.is (Kristinn Andersen) (Kristinn Andersen)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 16:52:34 +0000
Subject: Inverted-L, feeding from top?
Message-ID: <2.2.32.19970129165234.0068f570 at 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 at worldnet.att.net (Bruce Sawyer)  Wed Jan 29 16:00:08 1997
From: N6NT at worldnet.att.net (Bruce Sawyer) (Bruce Sawyer)
Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 16:00:08 +0000
Subject: Any Contest Stations in Panama?
Message-ID: <19970129160006.AAA1038 at 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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