Locked out of the Action? I I I 117 O 3 932 6 8
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Volume 14, Number 7 July 1995 U.S. $3.95 Can. $6.25 Printed in the United States \ 1 DD SPECIAL REPORT: Radio FD o After the OKC Bomb A Publication of Boss on Grove Enterprises, Inc. Air Wheels: Have Tower will Travel Will Your Scanner Be Locked Out of the Action? i i i 117 o 3 932 6 8 www.americanradiohistory.com You Miss a Thing With SCOUT'" The SCOUT" Has Taken Tuning Your Receiver To a New Dimension Featuring Automatic Tuning of your AR8000 and AR2700 with the Optoelectronics Exclusive, Reaction Tune (rat.Pend). Any frequen- cy captured by the Scout will instantly tune the receiver. Imagine the possibilities! End the frus- tration of seeing two -way communications with- out being able to pick up the frequency on your portable scanner. Attach the Scout and AR8000/2700 to your belt and capture up to 400 frequencies and 255 hits per frequency. Or mount the Scout and AR8000/2700 in your car and cruise your way into the future of scan A simple interface cable will connect u to a whole new dimension of scanning. The Scout's unique Memory Tune (Pat.Pend.) 'Scanner not included feature allows you to capture frequencies, log into memory and tune your AR8000 /2700 at a Features later time. A distinctive double beep will inform Automatically tunes these receivers with Reaction Tune you when the Scout has captured a new frequen- (Pat Pend .)CI -V receivers (ICOM's R7000, R7100, and R9000), (Pro 2005/2006 equipped with OS456, Pro 2035 cy, while a single beep indicates a frequency that equipped with 0S535) or AOR models (AR2700 and been recorded. For discreet monitor- AR8000). has already Records and saves 400 unique frequencies ing, a pager style vibrator will inform you of any Records 255 hits on each frequency in memory Digital Filter and AutoCapture (Pet Pend.( hits the Scout captures. 10MHz- 1.4GHz single frequency range The Scout will also Reaction Tune and View frequencies in RECALL mode 10 digit LCD with EL Backlight Memory Tune Icom CI -V receivers: (R7000, 16 Segment RF signal strength bargraph R7100, and R9000) and (Pro 2005/6 equipped CX -12AR Computer Interface (optional) PC Utility Disk for downloading memory to PC with 0S456, Pro 2035 equipped with 0S535). Rapid charge NiCads with 10 hour discharge time Download the Scout frequencies to a PC with the Scout Spectrum CD- ROM /PerCon FCC database (optional) AC Adaptor/Charger Scout Utility Disk and CX -12AR (optional), then DB 32 VHF /UHF mini-antenna shown with Scout (optional) compare them to the Spectum CD- ROM/PerCon Distinctive BeeperNibrator indicate frequency hits FCC Database (optional). with CLIPMATErM Act Now!! Let the Scout Reaction Tune At right: Scout shown A handy windshield mount for Scout, you into The World of Scanning for quick access and visibility. scour- $449 CLIPMATETM $25.00 410114krirriellkIPME 1111M41m1V9A11k 110111111.1 ORDER LINE 800.327.5912 VM IILI`NI6A61 1\4161 r %.a TeI:305/ 771 -2050 5821 NE 14th Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334 Fax:305/ 771 -2052 Contact Factory for shipping prices. Visa, Master Card, & C.O.D.(cash or money order only) All prices and specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation MADE IN THE U.S.A. www.americanradiohistory.com C O N T E N T S nitoring Times TM Vol. 14, No.7 July 1995 Air Boss: Control Tower on Wheels 16 By Patrick Griffith While scanning at an air show, the author was surprised to hear someone called "Air Boss" controlling all aircraft instead of the local tower. Curiosity led him to this very unique, traveling control tower. Keep an ear cocked at your local air show-you never know where "Air Boss" may make his next appearance. Medumwave Mini-DXpeditions 20 By Mark Connelly Not all DXpeditions have to in- volve a weekend camp out to some remote beach location; quite impres- sive long- distance catches are possible Cover Story even from the car radio on your way Project 25: Will home from work. But will you be ready? Here is some advice from an expert on Scanners be Locked how to be prepared for the "mini - Out of the Action? DXpedition"! By Kirk Kleinschmidt OKC: The Radio Aftermath 26 Project 25 is a proposed set of By Glenn Hauser standards for government and pub- lic safety communications radios. MT's shortwave expert and Oklahoma resident reports on the media's APCO, the Association of Public - coverage of the Oklahoma City bombing and the sudden media interest in the Safety Communications Officials, anti -government programming by Intl, is the prime mover behind aired some shortwave stations. this effort to set common standards and increase the flexibility of com- munications systems. As the po- Russians in the Savannah 28 tential for Project 25's adoption By Mikhail Timofeyev draws closer, scanner manufactur- ers and hobbyists are watching to During the Cold War, the Soviet Union see whether the public will be given access to unscrambled digital com- aided many countries in the construction of munications, or if this means a broadcasting facilities in an effort to spread gradual end to scanning as we know their influence. Those aging facilities are to- it. day in dire need of maintenance. This is the For more background on this story of Engineer Vladimir Rogal's successful reju- important story, turn to page 9. Cover background photo by Garry venation of one station -Radio Conakry. Watts. Digital composite by John Bailey. www.americanradiohistory.com Leroy Schum: DEPARTMENTS Homefront Hero Letters 4 On the Ham Bands 90 with Story by Barbara Blossom. Armed Communications 6 Older Gear; Digifield FS Meter only a shortwave radio, and with the Utility World 32 Outer Limits 92 unwitting aid of Axis Sally, Schum (and The British Royal Air Force What's New 94 many others like him) brought a little Scanning Report 36 Scanner Equipment 100 comfort to the families of soldiers missing Computerized Scanning PRO -2037 in action. See page 30. Beginner's Corner 40 Magne Tests 102 Reviews Last- Chance QSL's JRC NRD -93 Shortwave Broadcasting 42 Computers & Radio 104 Radio Shack The new PRO -2037 from QSL Report 46 Copycat Pro; Hoka Code 3 could be described as a desk -top version of Shortwave Guide 47 DeMaw's Workbench 106 the PRO -62 scanner. A full review can be Propagation Charts 76 for Parts? found on page Looking Digital Digest 78 100. Always on Experimenter's Workshop 108 the prowl for Worldwide Ute News Club Meters; Zeromatic Mod new, interesting, American Bandscan 80 Antenna Topics 110 and helpful International DX Upgrade Your Handheld's Performance products, our writers report this month on Federal File 82 Ask Bob 112 receiver, Metex JRC's NRD -93 shortwave FEMA and BATF Cable and Adaptor Losses and Radio Shack interfaceable multimeters, High Seas 84 Club Circuit 116 the DigiField field strength meter. several E -mail by Radio Special Events 117 types of software including K &L TV 86 DX Tests 117 Technology's Message Tracker, Computer Satellite 118 Aided Technologies' CopyPro, Hoka Code Peaking Your Dish Stock Exchange 120 3, and more! Below 500 kHz 88 Closing Comments Summer Strategy Musings with an Old Friend MONITORING TIMES(ISSN: 0889 -5341) is published monthly Subscription Rates: $23.95 in US; $34.95 Canada; and by Grove Enterprises, Inc., Brasstown, North Carolina, USA. $53.95 elsewhere, US funds. Label indicates last issue of Copyright © 1995. Second class postage paid at Brasstown, NC, subscription and additional mailing offices. Short excerpts may be reprinted with appropriate credit. Complete articles may not be reproduced Postmaster without permission. Send address changes to Monitoring Times, P.O. Box 98, Brasstown, NC 28902 -0098. Address: P.O. Box 98, 300 S. Highway 64 West, Brasstown, NC 28902 -0098 Disclaimer: makes an effort to ensure the information it Telephone (704) 837-9200 While Monitoring Times publishes is accurate, it cannot be held liable for the contents. The reader -2216 (24 hours) Fax: (704) 837 assumes any risk for performing modification or construction projects BBS: (704) 837-9200, -7081, -5957, -5183 published in Monitoring Times. Opinion or conclusions expressed are not (M -F 5:30 pm -8 am; 24 hours on weekends) necessarily the view of Monitoring Times or Grove Enterprises. Unsolic- ited manuscripts are accepted. SASE if material is to be returned. Owners Editorial Staff Bob and Judy Grove Frequency Manager .. Gayle Van Horn Communications .. Larry Miller . .. Larry Miller Publisher Frequency Monitors .. David Datko What's New? .. Scanning Equipment . .. Bob Parnass, AJ9S Bob Grove, WA4PYQ Program Manager Jim Frimmel . .. Ken Reitz, Beginner's Corner .. T.J. Arey, WB2GHA Satellite TV KC4GQA . W. Clem Small, KR6A Editor Plane Talk .. Jean Baker, KIN9DD Antenna Topics . .. W9WI Computers and Radio .. John Catalano American Bandscan Doug Smith, Rachel Baughn, KE4OPD . .. Below 500 kHz .. Kevin Carey, WB2QMY SW Broadcast Logs Gayle Van Horn Art Director . .. Experimenter's Wkshp .. Bill Cheek QSL Corner Gayle Van Horn 1 . .. Van Horn, N5FPW John Bailey DeMaw's Workbench . .. Doug DeMaw, W FB Utility World Larry . .. Zeller Design Assistant Federal File . .. John Fulford, WA4VPY Outer Limits George Digital Digest . .. Bob Evans Melody Adams Ham DX Tips . .. Rob Gerardi, N9LAG Advertising Svcs. SW Broadcasting . .. Glenn Hauser Beth Leinbach High Seas . .. James R. Hay Correspondence to columnists should . .. Times. Any (704) 389 -4007 Scanning Report Bob Kay be mailed c/o Monitoring On the Ham Bands . Ike Kerschner, N3IK request for a personal reply should be Business Manager Propagation . .. Jacques d'Avignon accompanied by an SASE. Kelly Davis, KE4TAM Magne Tests . .. Lawrence Magne www.americanradiohistory.com Ours can. It seems good hardware is becoming an endangered PK- 232MBX for superior HF performance.