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.0.0.'s OK AME DAY 21 Garfield St:CLE1Newington, CT 06111DEP - HIPPING POPULAR OMMUNICATIONS November 1998 VOLUME 17, NUMBER 3 FEATURES DXing From Sarawak - Land Of The Hornbills 8 Lush rainforests and the jungle's symphony of birds and insects are etched in your memory. By Bob Padula
Everybody Wanted To Get Into The Act! 12 In broadcasting's early years, unwanted intruders filled the band!
By Alice Brannigan Radio Resources: Scanning For Meteor Signals 24 page 20 Test your "rock" knowledge. By Gordon West The Old CB Shack: Checking Out The Poly Comm 23 And SR 23 49 Broadcast DXing: Tales Of 2,500 QSLs 52 Spotlight: PerCon's New Spectrum Database And C. Crane's CCRadio 60 The Listening Post: Armed Forces Radio On Shortwave? 63 Communications Confidential: More On Scope Command And Return Of AFRTS 68 The Loose Connection: Me, A Radioman? 80
DEPAR'1'1VIENTS
Tuning In: Time To Budget: Do You Buy A New Car, Put page 63 APop'Comm New Roof On The House, Or Replace Your AncientP.O.6 TVs? 4 How I Got Started: Congratulations To Lawrence Paola COLUMNS Of Upstate New York 23 Product Parade: Future Scanning Systems Upgrades The Radio Connection: The Shop That Time Forgot 20 RadioMax, MFJ New Deluxe ClearTonelm Amplified Antennas & Things: The Dipole Blossom Antenna 30 Communications Speaker, and Patrick Technologies, Inc. 's ScanTech: New Life For The PRO -2006! 33 SolarVerter'm Panel -12 The Pirate's Den: Good Audio, Bad Audio, And Even A Readers' Market 78 Rock Version Of The National Anthem 38 World Band Tuning Tips: Navigating International ON THE COVER: This 1,390 -foot tower in California supplies Shortwave Broadcast Bands The Easy Way 40 TV, FM, and public service for San Francisco. The FM broadcast band from 88 to /08 MHz is an ideal listening post for meteor scat- The Ham Column: Climb The Ladder To Antenna Success' 44 ter signals. To find out more, check out this month's "Radio CB Scene: Let's Talk: Planning For Success 46 Resources" column on page 24. (Photo by Larry Mulvehill)
2 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE QUALITY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT SINCE 1942
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VISIT UNIVERSAL RADIO ON THE INTERNET sr 800 431-3939 Orders & Prices www.universal-radio.com 614 866-4267 Information Visa Prices and specs. are subject to change. a 614 866-2339 FAX Line MasterCard Returns subject to a 15% restocking fee. 2 dx@universa -radio.com Discover Used equipment list available on request. BY HAROLD ORT, N2RLL, SSB-596 POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS Tuning In EDITORIAL STAFF Harold Ort, N2RLL, SSB-596, Editor AN EDITORIAL (Internet e-mail:[email protected]) Tom Kneitel, K2AES/SSB-13, Senior Editor (Internet e-mail: K2AESajuno.com) Edith Lennon, N2ZRW, Managing Editor Time To Budget: Do You Buy A New Car, Alycia Nicholsen, Assistant Editor Richard S. Moseson, W2VU, Online Coordinator Put A New Roof On The House, Or (Internet e-mail:W2VUTamsat.org) Replace Your Ancient TVs? CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Richard "RD" Baker, Utility Communications Ed Ramat, TCA-44, CB SSB Nothing lasts forever, or so they Peter J. Bertini, KlZJH, Restoration/Electronics say. Take for example that new"The next step in the process Joe Carr, K4IPV, Antennas TV that mom just picked up ainvolves the public. They must go Bruce Conti, AM/FM Broadcasts couple of months ago for about $180. Notout and buy a new television set." Joseph Cooper, Projects and Broadcast Band a bad price, I thought. And this marvel of Gerry L. Dexter, Shortwave Broadcast modern technology has everything from Jock Elliott, SSB-734, Citizens Band Bob Evans, ACARS a sleep timer to automatic channel pro-system to a digital system. A portion of Ed Griffin, Computer -Aided Radio gramming at the push of a remote button. the process involves providing each Chuck Gysi, N2DUP, Scanning Trouble is, in a couple of years - and no,existing station a new spectrum alloca- Kirk Kleinschmidt, NTBZ, Amateur Radio I didn't tell mom - it will be obsolete. tion because the laws of physics prevents Pat Murphy, Pirate Radio I'd love to be an observer in these high- the transmission of both an analog and a Don Patrick, CB Restoration Bill Price, N3AVY, Humor/Communications powered water cooler meetings where the digital signal on the same frequency." It Ken Reiss, Technical/Scanning suits concoct all sorts of schemes. High -continued, "The next step in the process Edward Teach, Pirate and Alternative Radio Definition TV ( HDTV) is just such a deal! involves the public. They must go out J.T. Ward, Scanning While the new HDTV supposedly and buy a new television set. It will take Gordon West, WB6NOA, Radio Resource, boasts CD -quality sound and a vastlytime for both the public and the stations improved high -resolution picture, whatto make their purchases (I'll say!) so a BUSINESS STAFF you probably haven't been told is thatperiod of time is necessary for two -fre- Richard A. Ross, K2MGA, Publisher Donald R. Allen, W9CW, AdvertisingMgr. using a converter with your analog setquency transmission to avoid disrup- Emily Leary, Sales Assistant won't give you any better picture or audio tions. When the process is complete, the Sal Del Grosso, Accounting Manager than you already get. Hmmm, do youTV station will return the analog fre- Ann Marie DeMeo, Accounting Department smell something burning? Sure enough,quency assignment to the government Catherine Ross, Circulation Manager it's your wallet! for auction or reallocation. There is no Melissa Kehrwieder, Operations Manager Jean Sawchuk, Data Processing And now for more strange news in thisgive away. The government through its Denise Kells, Customer Service convoluted mess. I'll bet you also didn't public policy is requiring the conversion know that in all likelihood your cable TVto digital and this in turn requires each PRODUCTION STAFF company isn't anywhere near ready to gostation to spend millions. And when the Elizabeth Ryan, Art Director digital. Most of the USA's nearly 70 mil-conversion is complete the station will Barbara McGowan, Associate Art Director lion cable TV subscribers will be required Edmond Pesonen, Electronic Comp. Mgr. actually be using a smaller segment of Dorothy Kehrwieder, Production Manager to use an old-fashioned rooftop antennathe spectrum's frequency." Emily Leary, Assistant Production Manager or rabbit ears to receive the new digital Beginning this month, the CBS Televi- Pat Le Blanc, Phototypographer signals. Hmmm. That smell is gettingsion Network isscheduled to begin Hal Keith, Technical Illustrator more intense. broadcasting about five hours of HDTV Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI, Photographer Nearly a year ago, I wrote to Senateprogramming weekly. Apparently the A publicationof Majority Leader Trent Lott's office about reason is to gauge consumer reaction. But CO Communications, Inc. the Billy Tauzin fiasco and H.R. 2369. it seems to me this whole HDTV thing 25 Newbridge Road Hicksville, NY 11801-2953 USA The letter, on Pop'Conn letterhead has a snowball's chance in hell of pass- 1:1 Offices: 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY 11801. Telephone didn't discuss HDTV. But my response ing muster with John Q. Public who isn't (516) 681-2922. FAX (516) 681-2926. Web Site:
4 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE Black Box .144, *CPA'. LOCK withBipi 4 Periormai
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0.-ngomfgols,uPpSpGh'err wtcsoonfttiwneanteillAlmtnon:ly w NW.optoelectronics.corn & Cables. Operates under Windows 1 3.I I, 95. and 98 CIRCLE 131 ON READER SERVICE CARD This des co has not been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. This device may not be sold, or offered for sale, until the approvalof FCC has been obtained. Poptomm P.O. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ham license are developed. Some peoplequirement. I am currently studying to get Each month, we select representative just want a license without having a has- my license and I agree that the code is a reader letters for our "Pop'Comm P.O." sle, a sort of instant gratification if you column. We reserve the right to condense large pain. But, on the other hand, I am lengthy letters for space reasons and to will. I think there is a place in ham radioplanning on using it when Iget my edit to conform to style. All letters sub- for everyone, after all isn't that why thelicense, and it is possible that I might mitted must be signed and show a return hobby appeals to so many people from soenjoy it. I don't think we ought to get rid mailing address or valid E-mail address. many walks of life? If you just love CW,of the code frequencies and we ought to Upon request, we will withhold a sender's use it. If you hate it, don't use it. use these frequencies. One of course must name if the letter is used in "Pop'Comm The International Amateur Radioknow the code and pass a test for the P.O." Address letters to: Harold Ort, Union will eventually get rid of thesame. Also, it should be that with every N2RI.1 SSB-596, Editor, Popular Com- requirement, and then so will the United hobby there is something you must learn munications, 25 Newbridge Road, Hicks- States and other countries as well. Some that may not be fun to learn, but you might ville, NY 11801-2909, or send E-mail via the Internet to
6 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE Only Sony can turn your PC into a watchdog of the airwaves with the Sony Radio Frequency Scanner and CD-ROM frequency database. Use the Sony Radio Frequency Scanner with PC Interface and be forewarned about approaching weather systems, traffic conditions and emergency situations. You can even get inside information at some of your favorite sporting events. The Sony CD-ROM gives you easy access to listings of 3 million U.S. frequencies. It makes scanning fast-and easy. A unique bi-directional PC interface lets you use your PC to control all the Sony Radio Frequency Scanner's standard functions, as well as its special features, including: 20 programmable Scanning Ranges. Virtually unlimited Memory and Skip Preference Files. Data Import and Export between Scanner and PG A searchable CD-ROM database of over 3 million U.S. frequencies. Performance you can rely on The Sony Radio Frequency Scanner with PC Interface is a powerful hand-held scanner with the latest scanning circuitry for top performance. It features the full range of functions and features scanner 3 million enthusiasts want: 25MHz to 1,300MHz Frequency Scanning 300 -Channel Memory for personal customization. frequencies Public Service Scan of 9 pre-programmed bands, including police, air, fire/emergency, weather, marine, FM, and TV. only he Intelligent Active Memory that saves the 10 most recently received canhear. frequencies for convenient recall. AM and Narrow and Wide FM Reception $349.95* Back- lit Display Includes ICF-SCIPC Compatible with Scanner, CD-ROM Windows' 95 and interface cable. To place an order or to locate a dealer near you, call 1 -888 -633 -SONY The Sony Radio Scanner with
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Lush Rainforests And The Jungle's Symphony Of Birds And Insects Are Etched In Your Memory...
By Bob Padula
Itis11 a.m. in mid -June, and I am standing on a plankway in the Borneo jungle, Bako National Park, 35 km north of Kuching, Sarawak. Here on one oohs of the two eastern states of Malaysia, it's wool 35 degrees Celsius and the humidity is 90 11010111 percent. I know that there are countless I UMW ears and eyes listening and watching from the thick foliage, but all I see are large colorful butterflies, exotic birds, a giant lizard in the river, and some playful long- tailed macaque monkeys. In my backpack I have my Sangean ATS-808 radio, my notebook, ahalf -emptybottleof "Borneo" mineral water, my swimming gear, passport, travel documents, money, and my Canon Sureshot Owl camera. My T-shirt, cap, and shorts are soaked with perspiration. I am a couple of minutes ahead of other trekkers who will catch up with me shortly. I photograph them as they come 'round the bend towards me. So, welcome to Borneo, a total contrast Radio TV Malaysia, Sarawak Headquarters in Kuching. to the mid -winter Australia that I had left behind two days previously! Sarawakand the northern Malay State of Sabah.an eight -hour all-night flight, then to State still evokes romance rather thanThere's not much in between except jun- Kuching across the South China Sea in a reality, conjuring up old memories ofgle, rivers, mountains, and logging trails! 737. My base is the luxurious Santabong white Rajahs and headhunters. It occupies Sarawak's population is estimated to be Resort hotel at Damai Beach, 39 km north about 125,000 square km of hills, jungle, 1.7 million. The Ibans and Chinese makeof Kuching. Occupancy at all Damai and swampland just north of the Equator. up almost equal numbers, contributing tohotels is very low, with only nine guests Since 1963, Sarawak has been a mem- about a third of the total. The Malays are staying at Santabong - factors cited are ber of the Federation of Malaysia and isabout another third, followed by the the World Cup, disinterest by tourists, and undergoing dramatic change. The end ofBidayuhs, the Melanaus, and the Orang the poor Malaysian economy. I meet sev- colonialism marked the acceleration ofUlus. The other group - Indians,eral Australians working in the region as the oil industry, the beginning of logging Eurasians, Javanese, and Europeans make part of their "Australian Volunteers disputes, and its ventures into tourism. up the balance. The Orang Ulu is the col- Abroad" assignments. It is an hour into One travels in Sarawak mainly by boat, lective name given to 21 groups of upriv- town by shuttle bus, operated by the canoe or small aircraft. A road has been er people living in the interior, mainly the Holiday Inn group, costing 10 Ringgits built between the State capital Kuching,Kayans, Kenyahs, and Kelabits. each way (about $3 U.S.), which leaves and Sibu, some 400 km to the north, but every two hours. it's much faster to travel by express boat Getting There From My week in Sarawak includes over- or by plane. It's about 1000 km from one Australia night bungalow -accommodated trips to end of the State to the other - Kuching the Bako National Park (35 km north of is located at the southern tip; at the very I had flown from Melbourne to Kuala Kuching) and to the spectacularly rugged north lies the town of Miri, near Brunei Lumpur in a Malaysian Airlines Jumbo, Mulu Caves' National Park (in the far
8 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE north), close to Brunei. Wild pigs forage under the Bako bungalow at night! Shortwave From Kuching I travel by boat, canoe, plane, off -road vehicle, bus, and foot - and fall off a jun- 4895 kHz - 2200-0100 UTC and 0800-1000 UTC Iban; 0100-0300 UTC Iban gle plankway and gash my leg, am bitten Schools; 0800-1000 UTC Kayan/Kenyah by large red ants and the mosquitoes take 5030 kHz - 2200-0100 UTC and 1000-1500 UTC Bidayuh large pieces out of me. At the end, my 7130 kHz - 0100-0300 UTC Iban Schools; 0400-0600 UTC Bidayuh backpack rots due to the humidity - my notebooks are waterlogged and my gym 7270 kHz - 2200-0100 UTC, 0300-0500 UTC and 1000-1500 Iban; 0100-0300 shoes are in tatters! UTC Bisayah; 0500-1000 UTC Kayan/Kenyah Broadcasting In Sarawak
Radio TV Malaysia (RTVM) operates a complex network of medium wave, VHF - FM, shortwave, and TV services, head- quartered from Kuching. There are six radio networks: Radio I - Malay Kuala Lumpur News (24 hours), Radio 2 - Musik, Radio 3 - Local Programs, Radio 4 - English Kuala Lumpur, Radio 5 - Chinese Kuala Lumpur and Radio 6 - Iban/Bidayuh/Kayan/Kenyah. FM pro- gramming is available from 16 locations, most of which offer all six networks. Mediumwave services operate from Kuching, Miri, Sibu, Limbang, and Sri Aman. In Kuching, a commercial FM net- work "Cats Radio" offers programming World's Most Powerful CB in English, Chinese, Malay, and Iban. "Kuching" is broadly translated as "cat" and Amateur Mobile Antenna ;n Malay, and Kuching is dominated by many splendid statues of cats of all shapes Lockheed Corp. Test Shows Guaranteed To Transmit and Receive ii0S0111000 CB Antenna Has Farther Than Any Other Mobile and sizes! 58% More Gain Than The CB Antenna or Your Money Back** K40 Antenna (on channel 40). New Design Intestsconducted byLockheed Corporation,one of The Wilson 1000 higher gain performance is a result of new Shortwave Broadcasting the world's largest Aerospace Companies, at their Rye Canyon design developments that bring you the most powerful CB base Laboratory and Antenna Test Range, the Wilson 1000 was found loaded antenna available. Over the past two years, SW broadcasts to have 58% more power gain than the K40 Electronics Com- Why Wilson 1000 Performs Better pany, K40 CB Antenna. This means that the Wilson 1000 gives Many CB antennas lose more than 50% of the power put into from Kuching have been substantially you 58% more gain on both transmit and receive. Now you can them. The power is wasted as heat loss in the plastic inside the reduced, due to technical breakdowns of instantly increase your operating range by using a Wilson 1000. coil form and not radiated as radio waves. We have designed a new coil form which suspends transmitters which are decades old. At Lockheed - California Company the coil in air and still retains the rigidity needed for A 01Asion ot Lockheed Corporation support.Ills new design eliminates 95% of the present, only three transmitters are in use, Bubonic California 91520 dielectric losses. We feel that this new design is so between 2200-1500 UTC on 4895 kHz, unique that we have filed a patent application on it. Witten Antenna Company Inc. In addition, we use 10 Ga. silver plated wire to 5030 kHz, 7130 kHz, and 7270 kHz. 3 Sunset WayUnit A-10 Green PaleyCOMTISM,Certer reduce resistive losses to a minimum. Operations on 4835 kHz, 7145 kHz, and Henderson. Newel.89015 In order to handle higher power for amateur use, SuCtect Comparative Gain Testing ol Citizen's Band Antennas we used the more efficient direct coupling method of 7160 kHz have been phased out. A new Ref: Rye Canyon Antenna Lab File 4670529 matching, rather than the lossy capacitor coupling. 100 kW transmitterisin storage at We have completed relative gain measurements ot your model 1000 antenna twine the K-40 antenna as the With this method the Wilson 1000 will handle 3000 Kuching, but antennas are not available reference The test was conducted with the antennae watts of power. mounted011 a16' ground plane with a separation al for it! (See "Shortwave from Kuching.") greater than 300' between the transmit and test antennas. The Best You Can Buy The antennae were tuned by the standard VSW11 method. The So far you have read about why the Wilson 1000 Regional SW transmitters are at Miri reeults of the test we tabulated below: performs better, but it is also one of the most rugged (6060 kHz) and Sibu (5005 kHz and 6050 FREQUENCY (MHZ) RELATIVE GAIN (dB) RELATIVE POWER GAIN (%) antennas you can buy. It is made from high impact 26.965 1.33 35 thermoplasticswithultravioletprotection. The 27.015 1.30 35 kHz), operating generally from 2200- 2 7.065 1.45 40 threaded body mount and coil threads are stainless 1300 UTC, offering local and Kuching 27.115 1.60 45 steel; the whip is tapered 17-7 ph. stainless steel. All 27.1135 1.50 41 Its,016;e. p06 of these reasons are why it is the best CB antenna on programming. There are no longer any 27.215 1.8.3 45 27.265 1/5 50 ..'efiA the market today, and we guarantee to you that it will vais las 41VSt outperform any CB antenna (K40, Formula I, you Malay, English and Chinese services on 2.00 0 ' - kS . 27505 5577 name it) or your money back! shortwave. The State is well served by an 22.405 2.00 SI Vt"*10 *Inductively base loaded antennas extensive network of microwave links, Individual test results may vary upon actual use. **Call for details. operated by Malaysia Telekom, allowing Roof Top Mount 5995Little Wil 2995 interconnection of MW, SW, VHF-FM, CALL TODAY TOLL FREE: 1-800-5416116 Trunk Lip Mount 6995Wilson 2000 Trucker 3995Wilson and TV services, supplemented by satel- FOR YOUR NEAREST DEALER Magnetic Mount 7995Wilson 5000 Thicker .7995 ANTENNA INC. lite delivered feeds. A feature of broad- NONE011 1000 500 Magnetic Mount 3995 Call About Fiberglass!!! 1181 GRIER DR., STE . A casting is the daily evening news relay in DEALERS Exclusive dealer areas still open Wilson 5000 Baseload- NOW MAILABLE! LAS VEGAS, NV 89119
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 9 Malay from Kuala Lumpur, which is heard tremendous variety of Asian transmitters, on all stations - MW, SW, and FM at with a multitude of Chinese regionals as 1300-1310 UTC, known as "Berita Radio early as 1000 UTC (6 p.m.) Vietnamese Satu." All services include local news seg- stations are heard at their sign -on at 2200 ments - "Berita" - for various commu- UTC (6 a.m.) on 4960 KHz, 5035 kHz, nities throughout the day as well as exten- 5925 kHz and 6165 kHz. sive telephone call -in features, such as in My small radio survives the heat, the Iban network where they are known as humidity, trekking and monkeys and "Titbits/Phone-in/Lagu-lagu." operates well with only a 5 -meter anten- The School's Broadcasts are vital seg- na, using the same set of six "AA" alka- ments of programming, on the air each line cells, from diverse localities, whether morning from 0100-0300 UTC, Mon- forest, jungle, beach, canoe, or town! days to Saturdays on MW, SW, and FM. Sarawak schools open from 7:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays. Packing Up Reception Patterns This was truly an adventure, to a coun- try which is "off the beaten track" and not Put frankly, Sarawak would appear to a high priority for visitors from Australia, be a DXers paradise! Sunrise in June in most of whom prefer the bright lights and Kuching is at about 2200 UTC and sun- glitzof Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or set is at 1100 UTC (6 a.m. and 7 p.m. Malacca. Sarawak is a region where large respectively). About 1000 km to the north tracts of virgin rain -forest remain, with is Vietnam, and the southern region of the strenuous efforts being made to preserve Philippines is some 60 km to the north this heritage within the complex of east of Miri. Miri itself is about 800 km The author with his trusty Sangean ATS-808 National Parks. The travelling required north of Kuching. To the west of Kuching getting ready for some great DXing, 35 km reasonable fitness, an ability to get along is Singapore (about 600 km) and to the north of Kuching at Bako Beach. with people, the need to be resourceful, South is Kalamintan (Indonesia). and the capacity to "rough it" in rudi- At around local noon in Kuching, mentary, overnight lodges and to assist in (0400 UTC) signals on the 60 meter band and 2130-2230 UTC. The 60 -meter band carrying provisions and preparing meals. include Bangkok 4831 kHz, 4845 kHz outlet of 4970 kHz wasn't heard at any It was a tremendous experience, but NOT KualaLumpur,4765kHzUjung time, and it is presumed to have beenrecommended for those who prefer 5 -Star Pandang, 4870 kHz Colombo, 4960 kHz closed down. hotels, air-conditioned coaches, cabin Hanoi and 5005 kHz Sibu. During the late Evening reception on the medium cruisers and hot showers! Salamat pagi, afternoon period, Indian regional stations wave and LF SW bands is marked by asalamat datang, and salamat malam! broadcasting their midday services fade- in on 7 MHz, at around 0630 UTC (4.30 p.m.) including Kurseong 7230 kHz, Imphal 7150 kHz, Port Blair 7115 kHz, and Chennai 7160 kHz. Indian signals are also audible at their morning sign -on at around 0030 UTC (8.30 a.m.) on 4760 kHz and 4940 kHz. The Radio Republik Indonesia region- al outlet on 3385 kHz at Kupang is heard throughout the day and evening, and this is often mistaken for the inoperative Sarawak service listed on the same fre- quency from Miri. The morning English news from RRI Yogyakarta is well heard at 0030-0045 UTC on 7100 kHz. Inter- estingly, Brazilian signals are audible in the period 2200-2300 UTC on 4985 kHz, 6000 kHz, 6010 kHz, 6020 kHz, 6170 kHz and 6135 kHz, carrying the network program "A Voz do Brazil." European signals are very strong on 6, 7, and 9 MHz in the period 2100-0000 UTC (5 a.m.- 8 a.m.). RTVM Sabah also gives good reception on its single SW frequency 5980 kHz, from 0400-0700, 0800-1600 Bob leaves Mulu for the caves.
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R.L. Drake Company 230 Industrial Dr. Franklin, OH 45005 U.S.A. phone 513-746-4556 fax 513-743-4510 on-line www.rldrake.com Everybody Wanted To Get Into The Act! In Broadcasting's Early Years, Unwanted Intruders Filled The Band!
By Alice Brannigan
Radiobroadcasting in the U.S. was Oh, yes, on November 4, 1920, exper- largely experimental until the fall "During the 1920s and much ofimental station 8XK had election results, of 1921. Until then, there were a the early '30s, it almost seemed running 100 watts power. By August of number of individuals, colleges, andas if there were nearly as many 1921, the station was using 500 watts, and companies experimenting with radio in October it went to 1 kW. This station telephony in 1920 and 1921, but rela- intruders operating in the later became licensed commercially as tively few members of the general pub- mediumwave band as there KDKA. Other very early broadcasters lic had receivers. In September of 1921, were broadcasters." that had first operated with Experimental WBZ in Springfield, Mass., and WJZ in Radio Service call letters included KQW, Newark, N.J.of the Westinghouse November saw broadcast licenses issuedWHA, and WGY. Company, WDY in Roselle Park, N.J. ofto Westinghouse's KDKA in Pittsburgh In December of 1921, 16 stations RCA, and WCJ, New Haven, Conn. ofand KYW in Chicago. By December, five received commercial broadcast licenses. the A.C. Gilbert Company, were the firstregularly licensed commercial broad- By 1922, the race was on, and, by April, broadcasters licensed. casters were on the air, all using 360there were 200 stations licensed, and a WJZ was opened on October 12, 1921, meters (833 kHz) without interference.400 -meter wavelength (750 kHz) was and the radio boom began. In October,With special permission, some stations added for use by the "better" stations. But WBL was licensed in Detroit, WJX wascould occasionally use 485 meters (619crowded 833 kHz, where most stations licensed in the Bronx, N.Y., and KQL kHz), but usually only for weather, mar- operated, was beginning to feel the pinch received a licensein Los Angeles. ket, and other reports. as broadcasters and listeners alike corn-
'41- Ships at sea commonly used 1000 kHz for telegraphy long before broadcasting began, and continued to use it forseveral years afterwards.
Every lighthouse along the North American coast had long used fre- quencies in the broadcasting band to transmit fog warnings to ships. This continued after broadcasting began. 1y
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Everyone called upon the government to Frequency 1040 kHz was eventually find a solution. opened to broadcasters in late 1924, and by 1925 the entire spectrum of 550-1500 WHITES Patchwork Quilt kHz had finally been designated for broadcasters. In late 1941, in an effort to By 1923, when there were 500 stations bring order to the chaos on the broad- RADIO LOG in the U.S., a new plan was announced in casting channels, the NARBA agreement Washington fortherapidly growingexpanded the band from 540-1600 kHz. broadcast service. Obviously, more fre-The band is presently in the process of quencies were needed for broadcasters,being extended to 1700 kHz (officially, BROADCASTING but they couldn't simply be created at will. 1705 kHz). STATIONS That's because frequencies we now know OF THE Yet, it was one thing to make such des- UNITED STATES as the mediumwave broadcasting band ignations, and quite another to actually CANADA - (535-1705 kHz) were in use by other ser- reserve the specified frequencies exclu- MEXICO vices long before broadcasting began. sively for broadcasters. Notwithstanding ALSO CUBA So, in 1923, the U.S. Department ofthat, until 1925, broadcast listeners had to SHORT WAVE RELAY STATIONS 'TELEVISION STATIONS Commerce announced a plan of 10 kHz put up with unwanted maritime CW chat- AIR LINE DISTANCES channel separation for the broadcast ser- ter every time they tuned past 1000 kHz. TIME ZONE MAP vice, and this band was to extended from It's interesting to note that, in fact, for 550-1350 kHz. Some stations began years there were many intruders, squatters, Popular radio station directories published shifting from 833 kHz to other frequen- and mystery stations occupying broadcast for early DXers never listed any of the hun- cies. There was a slight hitch: broadcast-frequencies. Moreover, even the most dreds of intruder stations that could also be ers were not authorized between 980 and comprehensive official broadcast station heard on the band. 1040 kHz. That was because 1000 kHz listings published didn't list them! was still a very active frequency used for The Federal Radio Commission (FRC)cast service. In 1927, there were 733 sta- telegraph communications between shipswas created in 1927, as an effort to reor- tions licensed, all elbowing their way onto and hundreds of commercial and military ganize, standardize, and bring under con-the 90 available channels without regard coastal stations. The fact was that 630 andtrol the chaos that had become the broad- or coordination as to limitations on power, and hours of operation, frequency coordi- radio laws of the U.S. were formulated. many ham stations sent out QSL's veri- nation. Even published and frequency list- On July 23 and August 13 of 1912, andfying their operations on unauthorized ings weren't very useful because the FRCJuly 8 of 1913, the laws governing radio frequencies below 1500 kHz. Our April, found that at least 129 licensed broadcast were passed. One of the clear stipulations 20, 1922, QSL from station 9YAJ, oper- stations were operating on illegal split fre- in those laws was that amateur operatorsated by the Dept. of Physics at St. Olaf quencies between the authorized chan-were not permitted to operate on wave-College, Northfield, Minn. notes that it nels. Some were still on the long -discon- lengths above 200 meters (that is to say,could operate with 20 watts of voice on tinued 833 kHz "360 meter common frequencies below 1500 kHz). 800 kHz. Only a few days later, on May wavelength." Another 41 stations were However, there have always been6, 1922, 9YAJ received a broadcasting either on, or bleeding over into, the six scores of commercial broadcasters who license as WCAL on 833 kHz. channels reserved for exclusive Canadianproudly trace their roots back to their But some hams never even bothered to use. Other stations had simply selected afounders' ham stations that started out by seek broadcast licenses. Long before any channel of their own preference andbroadcasting music, etc. The presumption broadcaster was licensed in his home assigned it to themselves, though theiris that in order to be received by the pub- town, Joe Fairhall, 9VV, of South Gilbert licenses showed them authorized else- lic, such ham transmissions may well have St., Danville. Ill., was reported in his local where. Several competing local stationsbeen on unauthorized frequencies below newspaper as "occasionally broadcasting were battling it out on frequencies sepa- 1500 kHz. Many heirs to those early ham music." Our January, 1922, QSL from rated by as little as 2 to 5 kHz. Between broadcasters remain in operation today asRolandAnderson,9DUP,Wahoo, this and the intruders, in some areas itsuccessful commercial stations. Nebraska, goes 9VV even better. Ander- meant a cacophony of interference. Some of the early broadcasters thatson's 10 -watt ham station on 1333 kHz In November of 1927, the FRC madebegan as ham radio operations include boldly states right on the QSL card that the first of its many attempts at cleaning(to cite just a relative few) IZE/WBBG, 9DUP was scheduled to "transmit music up and reorganizing the broadcasting2EL/WGBB, 2IA/WNO, 5RK/WREC, every evening from 8:15 until 10:00." band. But they never got rid of all 6ADZ/KNX, 6ZW/KFWO, 8CR/WLW, Of course, in Canada, amateur broad- the intruders. 8AQO/WMAC/WSYR, 8M K/WBL/casters were sanctioned by the govern- WWJ, 8ZAE/KQV, 9APK/WTAP/ment and received special licenses. More An Intruders' Who's Who WHBF, 9DFC/WBBM, 9BY/WOC, than a dozen of them flourished, running 9YA/ WSUI, 9YB/ WBAA, 9YD/WCAJ, low power on 1200 kHz. For the most Prior to June 24, 1910, there were no9YK/WEW, and 9ZAF/ KLZ. part, by the early 1930s these stations had regulations governing radio communica- Curiously, ham broadcasters didn't evolved into commercial stations running tioris in the U.S. On that date, the firstappear to upset anyone at the time and higher power. In any event, broadcast sta- SONY EXTRA T STRENG Lister to late -breaking world events at their source. Tune ii to major sporting events, and cheer on your favorite team. Brush up on your French...or your Arabic...or your Chinese. Sony Wil"e Radios bring the world in loud and clear-wherever you are-with the latest in
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Actua dealer prices may vary. 1998Sony Electronics Inc. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. All rights reserved. Sony and World Band Receiver are trademarks ofSony. DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS ST. OLAF COLLEGE 9YAI Member A. R. R. L Northfield, Minn. Radio. Your..C.4.4..i ....signalsheardIsere ÷(A4-414.04 ...<091-."17,0. Audibility.. Char .. ..Was.c.. TRANS9 K nchrous spark s. .If and 375M K ynchronousr.. t. 200M Watt and Fon ,tt75M RECEIVER-r.c.i.n S. W 3 ste at : ...... r..kiiam i.tr. -r, 2 ge radio- freque a,,iffier-of h asused. ANTENN fan ugh, .s poise.
REMARKS : ... . at ..c."..4c.e...... ,,,,,_ cr)n.I.,, A-47ttt ....elk .. AllirvirIVIA,. .,Aldekk.. 9-4111' Pse QSL WL QSR any trite.Station manned 10:30-12:00 nightly. CUL-73's. HECTOR SKIFTER,-YS" Nottais GI.ASOE, "AG" PAUL OVREBO, JO" SIGMUND HAMMER,"H" LLOYD SEILSET,"L" ....-...... -...-...... -...... s,...... - --,-,...--...... -s...... ,,...t
Amateur station 9YAJ had a 20 -watt transmitter for unauthorized operation on 800 kHz, accord ing to this QSL. Amateurs were not allowed to operate below 1500 kHz. Yet, a few days after this QSL was issued, 9YAJ received its commercial broadcast license. tion directories didn't list American orto be the 50 -watt station at the Regional Canadian amateur broadcasters, althoughHeadquarters,119thFieldArtillery, they were plentiful. Lansing, Mich. Station EW7 was the UtitTzr STATE RADIO 3TATIV 119thFieldArtillery,Headquarters To ktlY111. Government Intruders Battery, 2nd Battalion, at Jackson, Mich., The U.S. Navy's powerful station NAA, near also running 50 -watts. Washington, D.C., sent out daily time signals Perhaps the most well-known non - in the broadcast band well into the 1930s. broadcast intruder in the broadcast band was the U.S. Navy's powerful station Intruders With Licenses NAA, Washington, D.C. Operating on a 5kW Experimental license (W2XB) for 690 kHz several times daily, NAA trans- In 1924, government records showed710, 860, and 1000 kHz. mitted voice weather forecasts, also pre- an active license on 666 kHz for station In1930, the Los Angeles County cise Naval Observatory time pips. PriorKUVS, operated by the New York CityDepartmentofForestry'sstation, to NAA going online on 690 kHz, lowerPolice Dept. There was a license on theW6XBO, was authorized to operate on powered NAL, at the Washington Navy same frequency for coastal telegraph sta- any frequency between 1200-1500 kHz. Yard, sent out similar broadcasts on 690tion WAX, Miami, Fla. The C.E. Davis None of these stations appeared in the kHz. NAL transmissions were ongoing at Packing Co., Fairport, Va. was licensedusual broadcast station directories. least as early as 1930, and NAA contin-there, too, using the call letters KDAH. ued until June, 1936. Over on 1050 kHz, the Pennsylvania Intruders Without Licenses As late as 1930, the U.S. Department ofState Police were operating stations WBR Lighthouses' Crescent City Light Station, in Butler, and WBAK in Harrisburg. The 1920s and 1930s saw many unli- Calif., was operating station KCH on 561 By 1928, these stations had beencensed broadcasters, or, as they were com- kHz. What was that all about? moved out of the band. Yet governmentmonly calledatthe time, "outlaws." Odd military stations also kept popping records still revealed a few non -broad-Outlaws were not satirical in nature, as are up in the band, too. Like WUCN, at Fort cast commercial land stations authorized so many of today's entertaining shortwave Rodman, Massachusetts. In 1924, thison 733 kHz. These included KUXM inpirates, nor were they motivated by polit- U.S. Army station was operating on 560 Cheboygan, Michigan, KUVQ in Johns - ical or social considerations, like modern kHz. DXers of 1932 reported tuning pastwood, Michigan. unlicensed FM microcasters. Old-time both 640 and 1275 kHz and hearing live As late as 1931, the 50kW WGY onoutlaws were, more or less, counterfeit band music coming from a station GZ7.790 kHz, GE's pioneerstationin broadcasters. Most often, they sought to This turned out to be the 182nd FieldSchenectady, N.Y. retained its old 10kW represent themselves as licensed stations. Artilleryof theMichigan. National Experimental authorization on 790 kHzVery often they succeeded, even though Guard, broadcasting from the armory atwith the call letters W2XI. More than they usually ran low power. They operat- Brush and Lamed Streets, Detroit. that, under the Experimental service called in the open, announced their phone In 1937, DXers reported hearing sta- letters W2XAG, they were also autho-numbers and actual locations over the air, tions EQ7 and EW7 contacting one rized to operate using a withering 200 kWsent QSLs, ran contests, and attracted another by voice several times each dayon 550, 660, 790, 1150, and 1500 kHz! local advertisers. and night on 750 kHz. EQ7 was revealed Bell Labs in New York City, in 1930, had Outlaw station RXKR, which appeared
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Shortwave "Hot Line" Toll Free 1-888-SANGEAN 19/4to191 1996f7 6830 Americana Pkwy Reynoldsburg, OH 43068 www.sangean.com e-mail:[email protected] (800) 431-3939 Tech (614) 866-4267 CIRCLE 157 ON READE R Si RVICF CARD Fax (614) 866-2339 www.universal-radio.com in 1933, had a powerful 500 -watt signal on 815 kHz. The station was located Wahoo, Nebrrska, /) aboard a gambling ship, the S/S City of DEAR SIR: Panama, which was operating in Santa Received your (WER) 0. K. and thanks very much for the report"{ Monica Bay, California. The station gen- reception of our (P"MOD. We transmit music every evening fromi erated enormous interference and its pres- 8:15 until ence offshore created a number of diplo- Spar t co scillationn maticproblemsasour government Trans., ThI.Co 7._rneters. frantically attempted to get it silenced. Outlaw station WGM was operated on 840 kHz by Lee Elton Spencer of circuit. W Jeanette, Pa. A radio publication of 193I Recei noted that it had been on the air "for Wave Tu fier, Magna oud years." Many listeners thought WGM Aerial, inverted L, 4 wires separated 2 ft, 67 ft. long, -70 ft. high'at was a licensed station. In 1930, Spencer one end and 60 ft. at the other.Counterpoise ground. was charged for operating WGM and Will appreciate any suggestions that you may offer. released on $2,500 bond. But the station AND ADIO STATIC) remained in operation. WGM's final broadcast was on February 17,1932. Soon after, Spencer was convicted and Roland Anderson's ham station, 9DUP, clearly stated on its 1922 QSL that the station put on probation for two years. broadcast nearly two hours of music every night with 10 watts on /333 kHz. Outlaw WJM was operated in 1933 by Ray Wilson and E.C. Whitney from the Lincoln Hotel, Massillon, Ohio. It kepttimes by the FCC but somehow alwaysThat only served to lend an extra dash of skipping around between 830-860 kHz,managed to survive the ordeal. The adventure, mystery, and interference to the and ran about 10 watts. Widely reported,WUMS transmitter was rumored to havehobby every time a DXer sat down. the station played records and held dailyeventually been donated to a museum. Please pass along your old radio station auditions for local talent. The station had These are just a couple of examples ofphotos, picture postcards showing radio previously operated from New Philadel- the dozens of so-called outlaw stations thatstations, old radio QSLs (good photo- phia, Ohio, under the call letters WAIR. packed the mediumwave band, but also copies are fine), station directory listings, Outlaw WDMC was operated in 1933 never appeared in station directories. news clippings, anecdotes, memories, and by Willard G. Demuth of the Demuth When it came right down to it, during comments. Our mailing address is in care Music Store, Uhrichsville, Ohio. The 7.5 - the 1920s and much of the early '30s, itof Pop'Comm, and you're welcome to watt station was quick to send QSLs. almost seemed as if there were nearly asE-mail any comments or column ideas Demuth eventually applied to the FRC for many intruders operating in the medium - directly to me at
18 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS /November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE RR 8200B Wide Range Receiver The AR 8200B is an all -new receiver, not an update of a previous model. AOR introduces Advanced Technology Receivers'" 500 KHz-2040 MHz *coverage
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Large display includes A and B VFO ar ROB Advanced frequencies and signal strength meter
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4 AA Ni-Cd batteries supplied, also fighter aticraft as an "airplane." uses standard AA dry cells BNC antenna connector AOR has long )eei at the forefront of rec3iver :ethnology. Wide choice of accessories Tie iew AR 8:00B, and the forthccming AR 16 Wide Ranger and the These are but a few of the features of editionPR 7000B DSP Wide Range Receiver are new concepts the new AR 8200B. Visit your dealer ti at redefine win: is possible in wide-ba d multimode receivers. or the AOR web site for more information! %cover AOR, Whe serious choice in Advincecr T3chnology Recenyers.;"
'Cellular frequencies blocked in compliance with USA regulations. Continuous coverage model available for authorized users/agencies, documentation required. AOR CIRCLE 1.3159N READER SERVICE engages in ongoing efforts to improve its products. As such. 111111 U.S.R.. Inc. design and performance parameters may change without notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer and/or 211C S S. Western Ave.. Suite 112 Torrance. CR 90601 distributor(s). 111.1111130111Ed.tom 30-787-8615 Phone 310-787-0619 Fax BY PETER J. BERTINI
Every collector dreams of the "Bigthe building was torn down. The ownerthose old heavy consoles up those stairs. Score" - uncovering a large stashmoved his business to the family farm, We entered the shop. There were many of old radios, parts and tubesand continued operating it there for aold John E Rider Trouble Shooter man- untouched and forgotten by time. Since number of years. During this time, he pur- uals, early ARRL ham publications, and the early1960s,many old one -ownersued his interest and education in elec-even hand-written and unsent bills in radio repair shops have folded up as tube tronics, as evident by the many old radioenvelopes. I carefully removed an old technology waned. Often the contents ofcourses and textbooks found in the shop. yellowed "Authorized Philco Service" the old shops were stored away, and are He eventually struck out for California tocertificate from the wall, and also dis- relied on by today's collectors as a source work for a large company, and I'm toldcovered some early Philco service bul- of tubes, Rider manuals, and vintage he often came back to the farm during the letins. Being a Philco buff, I was thrilled radio parts. summers and for visits. He passed awayat finding these! Imagine a long -abandoned radio shopin California, and since then the farm has We found large numbers of old tubes, forgotten and suspended in time. It sits as gone unattended, and was left to the ele-components and box after box of care- its owner left it. Imagine further that this ments and time. fully stored items. There were some old old shop is on the second floor of an old My wife and I decided to explore theAtwater Kent radios, still in nice shape, farmhouse, on a windswept and desolate place. The farm is now rather run down. and some even older appearing RCA Minnesota prairie.It has been there,We found that most of the original furni- RADA and Freshman Masterpiece bat- unmolested and untouched, for over halfture and farm equipment was still there. tery sets. I started digging into the boxes a century. Here is the story behind a veryThe farmhouse window glass is longand jars, and immediately uncovered a unusual find, as told by Pop'Comm read- gone, and because of its age one has to be stash of vintage wood knobs, just like er Gerry VanLoh. careful while inside. What was life likethose on some the of the early1930s "My longtime interest in radio wasback then, during those long and lonely radios I've managed to collect recently. piqued when I learned of an old radio shop prairie winters and hot summers? Several Time slipped by far too fast. Before dark- in an abandoned farmhouse nearby. old wood stoves supplied heat, but there ness fell, I managed to shoot a number of Curiosity brought me to investigate. Iwas little, if any, insulation in the walls.photos and haul out a few of the boxes. became fascinated with the history of the Water was drawn from a hand -pumped A few weeks later, we returned to old place and what I could imagine of the well outside of the building. The radioexplore further and salvage what we radio business in the'30sand '40s. shop was the center of activity and wascould. More Zenith and AK radios were I learned that the farmhouse was builton the upper level. The stairway going uncovered. We found more old tubes still during the1930s.The radio shop was in there is very steep and creaky, as they usu- in boxes, some with names I had never existence during those early years, but itally are in these old farmhouses. I won-heard of. Some of the items have been was doing business in a nearby town until dered how someone managed to carry exposed to the prairie elements for many
Life on the farm in the 1930s must have been a hard and lonely expe- rience. Neighbors were miles away, and prairie winters could be long and harsh. Note the hand -operated water pump in front ofThe visual imagery of the farm's old grain building. It is slowly giving the farmhouse. way to timeless winds and the prairie elements.
20 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS /November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE attached to those old sets that are now dis- played in my collection." STOP! LOOK & Gerry supplied us with over 20 photos, far too many for this column. Choosing Listen to This! which photos to run was a difficult task. Alinco DJ-X1OT - So many interesting finds, so little room. We've reinvented the Many of the items shown span a time from multichannel receiver! the 1920s, and judging by the 829 RF tube 1200 memories and other items which are of WWII sur- plus twoVFOs plus vintage, the shop probably was 100 KHz -2 GHz active until at least the late 1940s or early coverage* 1950s. That's almost half a century ago. WFM, NFM,AM, USB, LSB and CW modes Imagine a similar situation existing in any Alphanumeric channel urban area of America in these times! designations - Alas, it's not very likely. up to 3 lines Until rural electrification in the '40s, Multi -function Channel most farm families used battery sets, and Scope' display often wind generators for charging. Radio Internal "help" function listening time was doled out sparingly to PC programmable preserve battery life. The typical farm bat- Beginner and Expert operating modes tery set of the '30s and '40s relied on a 6 - Automatic Memory volt storage battery. The battery supplied Write Feature the filament voltage, and a vibrator power Auto timer on/off, This gorgeous Atwater Kent tombstone man- pack supplied the high B+ plate voltages. internal clock aged to withstand the ravages of time. Synchronous vibrators eliminated the Backlit display and keys need for rectifiers. Early farm battery sets are deemed to be less desirable by many The Alinco DJ -546 FRS radio years and were damaged, but many some-collectors because of the difficulty in pow- will have YOU talking! how managed to survive in nice shape. ering them. I feel they represent an impor- While staring out of the old shop window, tant era of American farm life. For many at the same fields and distant farms, I wasfarm families, the parlor radio was their back in time listening to those old radioslink to the outside world. I only have one sputtering back to life. It was time to leave farm set in my collection and it is almost for the last time. The prairie owns thetotally destroyed. I will try to feature it as house now, but I feel I know the old radioa restoration project in a future column. repairman, and I am somehow more Little of the cabinet remains, and the chas-
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CIRCLE 26 ON READER SERVICE CARD 21 The radio shop was on the second floor, and was the center of activity in This early Freshman Masterpiece 1920s vintage battery, set sport the old farmstead. These steep and rickety steps lead the way, and must ed an internal horn speaker. This was a TRF design and is a fain have been a challenge for those carrying up larger console sets. common item. Atop the Masterpiece is the rarer and much more valuable two-piece RADA 1920s battery set. sis is in very poor shape. It will be a major umn. I am 77 years old, and started playing with sets. Atwater Kents were plentiful, some in undertaking. You may view more photos radios in 1934.1 had an uncle who liked to tin- almost mint condition. Also, there were various and find more information at Gerry's ker with many things, and one time while I was types of batteries. 1-1/2 volt telephone batteries, Website,
when I think of all the great old sets thatI destroyed, but it did provide me with a good hobby and later with a good job. Keep up the good work."
Harley Ryan Whitehall, Ohio
Harley, thank you for your letter.I enjoy hearing from "old timers" who were around in radios heyday, perhaps more so than any other letters I receive. The town I grew up in was still somewhat rural back in the late '50s. Several fami- lies shared a dump in a back field, and I remember pulling a few AKs out of the pile when I was very young. We will be doing crystal set construction and some simple one and two -tube radio construc- tion projects, and early battery set restora- tions in far future columns. Perhaps it will be the impetus for some other youngster to start a career in electronics. We can only hope so. I have so much material and plans, and yet so little space and time. Radio chassis, boxes of vintage tubes, and parts were spread throughout the shop. Until next month, 73!
22 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS /November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE HowI Got Started Congratulations To Lawrence Paola Of New York!
popular Communications invites you to submit in about 150 words how you got started in the com- munications hobby. Entries should be typewritten, or otherwise easily readable. If possible, your photo (no Polaroids, please) should be included. Each month we'll select one entry and publish it here. Submit your entry only once; we'll keep it on file. All submis- sions become the property of Popular Communications, and nonewillbe acknowledged or returned. Entries will be selected taking into consideration the story they relate, and if it is especially interesting, unusual or even humorous. We reserve the right to edit all submitted material for length and grammar, and to improve style. The person whose entry is selected will receive a one-year gift subscription (or one-yearsubscriptionextension)to Popular Communications. Address all entries to: How I Got Started, Popular Lawrence Paola in upstate New York. Communications, 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY 11801 or E-mail your entry to
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 23 BY GORDON WEST, WB6NOA Radio Resources
INTERESTING THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FOR ENJOYING THE HOBBY Scanning For Meteor Signals
Two major meteor showers are just weeks away. These showers will enable hobby radio listeners like you and me to tune in VHF stations nor- mally well beyond normal reception range. You might even log some com- mercial FM and TV stations up to 1,000 miles away! But the signals won't last long! On a good "burn," you may get FM radio reception and a distant TV signal on chan- nels 2, 3, and 4 up to a half -minute. That would be a good burn. And many times all you might hear will be two or three seconds of an incoming signal. And if you are standing outside listening to your Try channel 11 on CB for meteor reflections. scanner, you may even have the opportu- nity of seeing the same meteor that'sa meteor storm posing a serious threat to bringing you reflected signals from hun-orbiting satellites. dreds of miles away. The Geminids meteor shower is the biggie - beginning December 7, peak- How's Your Rock ing on December 14th, and then quickly Knowledge? fading away on December 15th. Astron- omy experts are also waiting for the There are seven relatively good mete-November Leonids, to maybe pack a ter- The beam on the bottom is set for 50 MHz or showers every year. There are as many rific punch this year, and, more than like- and TV channel 2 for meteor reflections. as 12 more that can be counted on if we lym, next year. In fact, the little Leonids are real patient. Sometimes the showers meteor shower could actually erupt into B. Heavenly Watch exceed expectations, and astronomers, as a huge meteor storm. We haven't had a C. Star Power well as radio operators, get more than meteor storm in years! D. Deep Impact what was expected. And sometimes a Q. Which shower will probably bring Probably the most quoted and respect- shower may come and go without almostbetter radio "catches"? ed magazine that publishes monthly arti- anything being seen or heard. A. Leonids cles about everything above is Sky & Q. What two upcoming meteor B. Geminids Telescope. You should be able to locate it showers will occur in mid -November C. They will probably be equal. at your favorite bookstore. Chances are and early December? Unless Leonids turns into a storm, wetheir current issues are carrying all sorts A. Perseids and Quadrantids suspect that Geminids will give us theof viewing tips on how to see the best B. Lyrids and Perseids most bang for the incoming buck. Mete- meteor shower in your life. C. Leonids and Geminids ors coming in at an incredible rate of 35 D. Aquarids and Perseids kilometers a second should be visible at You should have answered C, Leonidsthe rate of about one a minute during the The Radio Connection and Geminids. If you went for Perseids, peak of activity. But you better get tooth- that fabulous meteor shower already took picks for your eyes - some of the best When meteor debris enters the Earth's place a couple of months ago in August. viewing times are extremely late at night,atmosphere, friction will heat it to incan- The Leonids meteor shower is rated or very early in the morning. We expect descence, giving us the view of a "falling good, and begins on November 15,Leonids to give us a good "zinger" about star." The term "meteor" technically peaks on the 17th, and then dies out onone every five minutes. refers to the streak of light, not to the actu- the 19th. Best viewing time is bright and Q. What magazine can I buy at a al particle itself. early in the morning just before sun up.bookstore that will really give me the Q. At what altitude do most meteors During the day on November 17, wescoop on the upcoming showers? burn up? expect the Leonids to peak, possibly into A. Sky & Telescope A. Deep space
24 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE hear you with about the same intensity. Q. What are the best radio bands to receive reflections from meteor trails? A. AM broadcast band B. 10 MHz WWV C. FM broadcast band D. TV Channels 7 through 14 Some of the best reception reported by shortwave listeners and scanner radio enthusiasts occurs between 25 and 163 MHz. Great reception of radio signals depends mostly on how much power the transmitting radio system is running and their duty cycle. It has been found that 100 watts or more is about the minimum power required for scanner enthusiasts to reliably receive a signal with an outdoor multi -band ground plane antenna. If you have a bigger antenna system, chances are you may hear stronger signals. The Cubex quad on the right was tuned to TV channels 2 and 3, and the one on the left was The FM broadcast band from 88 MHz tuned to TV channels 7 and 8. to 108 MHz is an ideal listening post for meteor scatter signals. But you need to choose a frequency that is unused in your B.100 miles up Not many trails can produce reliablelocal area. Hopefully, you will choose one C. 5,000 feet radio reception. The meteor trail shouldthat is anywhere from 400 to 700 miles Incoming meteors entering our atmos- be perpendicular to the path of the signal, away for best reception. And, while you phere begin to streak visibly at about 100 and must be at an angle where natural may think that tuning around the FM dial miles up. Meteors coming in from deepreflection will take place between yourmight be a good way to grab a signal, it space are not troubled by atmosphericreceiving antenna and the distant trans- generally is not. Your best bet for meteor friction, so they approach "cold" and can mitting station. scatter reception is to buy an FM radio only be spotted with a powerful telescope. Andfor ham operatorsactuallyatlas, study frequency of Incidentally, these two meteor showers exchanging communications off of thea distant FM station, and then punch that always cause satellite system providers to short-lived meteor trail, it's a two-way frequency into your wideband FM scan- lose a lot of sleep. It has been reported path: if you can hear another station hun-ner for possible reception. that the typical incoming meteor may be dreds of miles away on a spectacular On television, you need the TV set as small as a grain of sand, but can punch meteor burn, then chances are they shouldhooked up to an outside antenna which a hole in any satellite in its path as if it were a bullet coming out of a 22 -caliber gun. Meteors and ultraviolet radiation from the sun are some of the biggest con- Order your cerns for space agencies keeping track of Learn their "birds" in the sky. from theK1 Books Q. What is the typical length of the Se:noprdaegrefiNn ionized and incandescent trail that experts. Today! might be capable of returning VHF radio signals? A. 50 feet B. 500 feet C. 5,000 feet We Have Scanners with 800MHz Coverage! D. 10 miles plus ICOM R9000, R8500, PCR1000, R100, R10, R2 WS 2000 It takes a long, fat meteor trail to cre- Yupiteru MVT-9000, MVT-7100, MVT-8000 9) ate enough ionization to reflect VHF AOR AR -5000, AR -5000+3, AR -3000, AR -8200 0 OPTOELECTRONICS Xplorer, R11(Nearfield Receivers) radio signals back to Earth for a period (Da of more than a few seconds. It's not WiNRADiO WR-1000i, WR-1500i/e, WR-3000DSP uncommon that a good radio -reflecting New Icom R-10 Wide Range Receiver meteor trail might be as long as five or 500KHz-1300MHz coverage AM/NFM/WFM/USB/LSB/CW 1000 Memory Channels (18 x 50 and 1 x 100) 10 miles. Computer Interface Selectable Step Size Q.. Any trail seen can reliably pro- >. duce reflected radio reception, provid- ATLANTIC HAM RADIO LTD Welz/Standard WS2000 ing it is at least 10 miles long. (416) 636-3636 [email protected] 368 Wilson Ave .5-1300MHz 800 Memories A. True (416) 631-0747 fax Downsview, ONT Almost the size of a Pager Amazingly Low Price. B. False www.interlog.com/-ahr/scan.htm Canada M3H 1S9
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 /POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 27 should be beamed in the general direc- About every minute or so, a good mete- tion of the visible meteor activity in the or shower should produce at least one or sky. Remember that you are not receiv- two syllables. If you get more than a word ing the incoming signal directly, but up at 162 MHz, consider yourself lucky! rather as a reflection. Aiming a direc- Down on the FM broadcast band, you tional TV antenna squarely at the distant may be tuned into an unused FM station station you are trying to receive via mete- frequency where that station is located or scatter normally won't achieve the 600 miles away. Your antenna might be best results. crossed dipoles in the attic. All you hear Q. To get guaranteed success on a is background hiss: "... ear in Milwaukee, first attempt, are there any tricks in the weatherman says we can expect dialing into a specific frequency? morning temperatures to...." That was it. A. No tricks, it's pure luck One broadband VHF/UHF antenna might Out of the noise comes a strong signal B. Lots of tricks! serve both a TV and scanner for reception with about five to 10 clearly spoken Since you're getting up before dawn to using this duplexer. words. On FM reception, the signals will get your best reception of the upcoming instantly appear, and then slowly die off meteor showers, you better choose some D. They won't exceed the maximumas the meteor trail dissipates. Up on the frequencies that you know are constant-useable frequency. weather channels, it is instant on and ly on the air, with activity that you can The higher you go in frequency, theinstant off with maybe just a couple of immediately identify as a bonafide mete-tougher it will be to capture an incomingsyllables recovered. But those syllables or reflection. reflection. Ham radio operators favor the are extremely strong. If you're into shortwave listening with 6 -meter band at 50 MHz for relatively easy Q. Where should I look in the sky a big long wire, try WWV or WWVHreception of incoming meteor scatter sig- for meteors? (Colorado and Hawaii) at 20 MHz. Whennals that may last up to 20 or 30 seconds. A. It's random - take your pick. you dial into 20 MHz, tune it in double If you have a 10 -meter ham station at 28 B. Get yourself the latest issue of Sky sideband, or, if you have the capability, MHz, or a CB station on 27 MHz, you have & Telescope. single sideband - upper or lower, it an even greater chance to hear some excit- C. Meteors will always come in from doesn't make a difference. Ideally, youing incoming meteor scatter signals thatthe north. won't hear anything in the early morningcould last for up to 30 seconds or more. D. Meteors will always come in from hours on WWV and WWVH on 20 MHz. That's right. The CB band is a good spotthe south. And then all of a sudden, there it is, loud to look, providing there is somebody at the Count on seeing the visible meteor and clear, for about 10 to 15 seconds. You you can just scored your first meteor reception. time of a long meteor trail. see clearly. The darker the sky, the better. Do you live within a couple hundred Q. If a big meteor creates a reflection City lights will occlude all but the very miles of a major airport? If you do, see if that causes radio signals to be receivedbiggestof incomingmeteortrails. your scanner will tune in 75 MHz, either for 30 total seconds at 50 MHz, how Luckily, lights around you have no effect AM or FM. Right on 75 MHz are aero- long might that same trail reflect aon the radio reception. weather station at 162.55 MHz? Astronomers will actually tell you nautical beacons which transmit straight A. Same amount of time what time of the night and early morning up to approaching aircraft that are ready B. Much longer hours to focus your attention. Don't try to land. You won't hear voices on it, but C. A little shorter binoculars because your field of view will rather a data -type signal. Once you hear D. Maybe two or three seconds be much too narrow. Just find a dark spot, it, you won't mistake it. While your little Trying to tune in the 162.550, 162.400, and look up. Experts will tell you specif- omnidirectional groundplanecould and 162.475 MHz weather signals via ic times and directions, but I can usually achieve results, you may wish to hook into meteor scatter is only suggested if youfigure that out myself by going out and a coax -fed, 75 -ohm TV antenna, aimed have an outside beam antenna. Even a 2 - seeing where most of the activity is in the toward the distant airport. A simple TVmeter ham radio beam will work OK upsky. Make sure you have good visibility antenna temporarily hooked into your 75 - at this higher frequency. down to the horizon - sometimes the MHz capable scanner could result in some How long will reception last on weath-activity may only be 20 or 30 degrees off terrific beacon reception that might laster channel frequencies when you have of the "deck." for as long as 10 or 15 seconds. about a 30 -second burn on 50 MHz? You But don't despair if you live in a val- Your little antenna doesn't need to bemight get a couple of syllables! That's ley. All of a sudden you'll watch an over- high - after all, you are picking up sig- right. When you exceed 100 MHz, reflect- head screamer that comes and goes with nals from the sky. And don't worry abouted signals don't last very long. If you DOthe blink of an eye. the mismatch of 50 ohms to 75 ohmshave a good VHF weather reception sys- Got your radio ready? These two because most scanners and shortwave tem, turn off the squelch, and listen to the upcoming meteor showers should pro- receivers with a 50 -ohm input can work secondary channel that has no activity in vide visual "wows" plus some short- nicely from 30 ohms to 80 ohms. your area. Just keep listening, and belived S-9 and full -quieting scanner Q. The higher you go in frequency,patient. Every so often, you might detectreports. So give it a try and add one new what happens to reception capabilities? a single syllable. "UR" might be all you'll dimension to your radio hobby. Remem- A. Reflected signals are stronger. hear from the word "pressure." "ABLE" ber, the better your outside antenna, the B. Reflected signals are weaker. might be the next syllable you hear five stronger and longer you're going to hear
C. Frequency makes no difference. minutes later from the word "variable." meteor reflections.
28 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE OU CAN'T P WITH E CONVERSATION."
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ne of my early antenna installa tions at my ham shack was a pair 0of half -wavelength dipolesat right angles to each other, connected together at the feedpoint. Figure 1 shows the basic configuration in an oblique view. This view would look like a pair of right angle "vees" if viewed directly from above. Only one center insulator and one feedline are needed for this antenna.
I recall that the Blossom (as my buddy called it) had a little odd azimuthal hori- zontal pattern, and a very low angle of radiation. Whether you are receiving or transmitting, the angle of radiation deter- mines the skip distance. A low angle of radiation produces very long skip, while a high angle of radiation produces short skip. The normal horizontal dipole's Figure I. Basic configuration in an oblique view. angle of radiation varies with the height of the antenna above ground. When I was recently reminded of this antenna I decided to model it to see if it was as I remembered (when you get to my age the first thing to go is the memory, and I can't forget which is the second thing to go). I use the Nittany-Scientific Nec-Win Basic antenna modeling software. It is based on the NEC -x numerical electro- magnetic computation (which is where "NEC") comes from) calculation engine. The Model
The antenna I modeled was a 10 -MHz horizontal dipole. Each quarter wave- length element was 24 feet long, and the antenna was mounted 48 feet above ground (which is about half -wavelength). I chose the "average" Somerfield ground to get a good view. Figure 2 shows the azimuthal or hori- zontal pattern. At first I expected the pat- tern to be four -lobed or quasi -omnidirec- tional, as might be expected when one combines two antennas that each have a figure -8 bidirectional pattern. The results in Figure 2, however, show something I had not anticipated, but did confirm the "odd" part of my recollection. The nor- mal figure -8 azimuthal pattern for a dipole is perpendicular to the run of the wire. In Figure 2 the wire runs from 0 Figure 2. Azimuthal or horizontal pattern.
30 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE degrees to 180 degrees, so the two main lobes for an ordinary dipole would be expected at 90 degrees and 270 degrees (the nulls would be at 0/180 degrees). In Figure 2 the pattern is still a figure - 8, but the main lobes are canted at a 45 - degree angle off the expected direction for a dipole. If this antenna were installed in the north -south direction (0 -to -180 degree wire run), then it would be most sensitive in the northwest and southeast directions, and least sensitive in the north- east and southwest directions. The vertical or "elevation" dimension (Figure 3) also showed a bit of a surprise. In a regular dipole at half -wavelength above ground, the pattern has a relative- ly high angle of radiation. In terms of Figure 3, that means more of the energy is distributed in the straight up direction (0 degrees elevation). In this antenna, however, the useless "straight up" portion of the elevation pattern is pinched in, and the lobes along the horizon are pushed out. That means the antenna has a rela- tively low angle of radiation, similar to some vertical antennas I've seen. The impedance of this antenna is lower than an ordinary dipole, so people using transmitters might want to use some impedance matching scheme. In the old Figure 3. Here, the vertical or "elevation" dimension also showed a bit of a surprise.
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32 CIRCLE 36 ON READER SERVICE CARD THE MONITORING MAGAZINE BY KEN REISS
TRUNKING, TIPS, TECHNIQUES, AND MODS
New Life For The PRO -2006!
The RadioShack PRO -2006 and its older brother the 2005 are long gone, much to the dismay of many scanning enthusiasts. While they have been replaced with newer, high-tech receivers (which were also discontin- ued), there are many who believe the 2006 was the most bang for the buck scanner ever built. I'm not sure I could argue that, although the recent arrival of scanners with cool features like trunk- ing, has made me slightly less addicted to the 2006. Computer -controlledscanninghas been with us for a long time, really since the mid '80s when Yaesu introduced the FRG -9600 and ICOM the R-7000, which had computer interfaces available. The FRG -9600 almost required computer control to be useful as a scanner. Several of the early AOR base units The interface board before installation. Note the wires off the right side that must be soldered also had computer interfaces. The prob-for signal strength and tone decoding on the standard installation. Note that the Optoscan lem is that all of these units were expen- LITE does not have these features, and therefore no soldering is required. sive, and the interface required addition- al hardware to operate. And, there wasn't much choice in software. There were acomputer control has earned, there areoffer computer control. You can not few pioneers who made the effort to pro- still a lot of questions out there. About reprogram the radio with these interfaces. gram commercial quality stuff, but there one-third of the letters I receive are relat- It also turns out that soldering is high- wasn't much. The reality was that the ed to computer -controlled scanners andly recommended, but only in a couple of software didn't offer all that much that equipment. It seems like we're just begin-points for the full installation. While it is you couldn't do with the stock scanner. ning to realize the potential of this won- still technically possible to do a solder - In some cases, it just did it faster, and in derfultool.Ihave received severalless installation, even Optoelectronics others it just tied up a computer while you requests for details on what's required inhas revised their recommendations. If were using the radio. the radio to make a computer -control sys- you're not comfortable with a small Several months back, we defined thetem work. So, without further adieu, amount of soldering, you should look at difference between computerassistance because I don't believe any further adieuthe new OS -456 LITE interface. It can be and computercontrol.Up until recently, is coming, here's an overview of the installed without any soldering, although that wasn't much of an issue, becauserequirements and installation procedure you'll have to destroy your battery cover most computer interfaces and software for one system. to do this. We'll talk more about this later. were really designed for computer assis- In 1994, Optoelectronics announced a Actually, there is a good chance that by tance; uploading and downloading mem- computer control interface for the PRO - the time you read this, the OS -456 inter- ories, scanning lists of channels and other2005 and 2006. And what an interface it face will no longer be available in its full things that the radio will do, which the was.No -solderinstallationswere configuration. The chip that does the tone computer makes easier. Not to play that promised in the early marketing informa- decoding and signal strength measure- down - quite the contrary, that's a verytion! Even if you didn't have the radio, ments is no longer manufactured, so the convenient feature. Being able to repro-and had to start from scratch, here was original OS -456 will not be able to have gram a receiver in two or three minutes computer control for under $1000! A these features, which is what the solder- - most of that time is lost hooking thebreakthrough. And itis true computering is all about. Rest assured that there thing up - is very desirable. More andcontrol. It turns out that the OS -456 and are still plenty of advantages to having a more scanners are appearing on the mar- it's newer cousin the OS -535 for the PRO - computer interface with the OS -456 ket with this feature. 2035 and 2042 scanners do not interface LITE if you own one of these radios, or Even with the long track record that with the scanner's processor, and so only you can look to the newer scanners (PRO -
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 /POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 33 -4- One of the most frequent causes of installation problems is the cable connections that must be made between the board and the radio. Also note the DIP switches above which control the speed of data transmission and CI -V settings. Most users can use the factory settings without further adjustment.
The installed board fits nicely around the existing board on the bot- tom section of the radio. Also note the transformer which must be removed during installation.
2042 and PRO -2035) with the OS -535 uncomfortable. If, after reading this arti-456 just passes the signals through to the interface which has the full feature setcle, you don't feel comfortable and con- scanner's controller and the radio oper- because a different chip was used. fident that you can make the installation ates like normal. However, when the If you own an ICOM or AOR scanner, yourself, don't. There's no sense in mess- computer comes along and says it wants sit tight - we'll talk about interfacinging up a perfectly good day by ruiningcontrol, the OS -456 interrupts the scan- those units in an upcoming column! your scanner. There are lots of folks ner controller and takes over. Because of around who will do the installation forthis, there is no way for the controller/ Getting The Interface you, if you prefer. computer combination to communicate Installed Another word of warning is also in directly with the scanner controller, and order here. Because you'll be removing therefore you cannot use the 456 interface You should find an owner's/installa-the cables from the internal controller,to upload/download memories. We'll tion manual with the OS -456 box. It'sand plugging them into the Optoscaninstall this new controller, and then patch beyond the scope of this article to giveinterface, it is very likely that you will it in to the circuit at appropriate places. you step-by-step instructions - besides, lose the memories programmed into your The first step in installationisto the instruction manual is fairly well writ- scanner. Take a few minutes and write remove the covers from both the top and ten. Read it completely before you eventhem down, if you don't already havebottom of the scanner. This is fairly start to take the parts out of the box. them stored somewhere. straightforward - after the removal of The first step in getting ready to install As you remove the pieces from the box,the four screws watch out for the speak- the interface is to remove it from the box, let's take a minute to identify them, ander wire attached to the top cover. If you and get your scanner to a convenient set them out of harm's way for a while.follow it along, you'll find it is simply position. Just unplug the scanner and takeWe'll be coming back to all of themplugged into a connector on the board, it to the kitchen table or workbench, before too long, but we have a few otherand is very easy to remove. because you'll need the space to spreadthings to accomplish first, and it's frus- Now, here's the first decision you'll out. Trust me. Of course, no matter what trating to lose a cable or screw right away. have to make. The instructions call for you do, make sure you don't work on a removing the battery compartment from plugged -in scanner. It could really mess An Overview Of The the radio (it will be replaced by the up your scanner and spoil your whole day Process Optoscan cover) by punching a larger if you get zapped by the household volt- hole in it, or by cutting the hole larger with age that's present in the radio. In fact, dur- The OS -456 replaces the controllercutters. In either case, you will ruin the ing the installation, you have to removeelectronics in your scanner with an inter- cover. This is fine, if you don't think the transformer. face to allow the computer to take control you'll ever want to remove the Optoscan And as always, don't do this if you'reof the scanner. When not in use, the OS -unit from the radio, but if you do, you'll
34 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE The best situation is to have a completely free serial port that you can dedicate to your radio.
After you get the battery compartment removed, the instructions recommend that you relocate the battery inside the scanner with Velcro on one of the walls. I decided that !didn't want to have to open the scanner up every time the battery went dead (OK, it's only once a year, but still) and that I didn't want to have to find a new Velcro strip every time either. So, I used a RadioShack 9V battery holder (part number 270-326) and attached the battery to the outside of the radio after the procedure was completed. There is just enough room around the Optoscan cover, that goes where the battery compartment door used to be, to make the wires come Rather than the recommended Velcro inside the radio, I chose to mount the battery on a clipout without having to drill anything. Of outside the radio for convenience. course, the choice is yours. The spot where the battery compartment was locat- want to save that cover. You'll have to sol-which wire goes to which pad and then ed is replaced with the OS -456 panel. der to make this happen, but if you fol-unsolder them. Remove the cover fromOnce installed, it looks pretty much like low the wires attached to the battery,that end, and then resolder the battery the factory put it there. ycu' 11 find they are relatively easy to wires back on to the board. Make sure to Following the mounting of a few unsolder momentarily. Make a note ofget the polarity right! screws and brackets to hold the new inter - We don't make SCANNERS or the ICOM IC -R8500 RECEIVER -We make them better - DELTACOMM 1-8500 Communication Manager forthe ICOMIC -R8500 CB'ers. communication receiver. With speed as a design goal DELTACOMM s QUICK LOG function willlog signal level, frequency. mode, date. time and optional Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates at speeds in excess of What do YOU need? 2400 channels per minute.Here are a few examples of the many advanced features DELTACOMM 1-8500 has to offer. Load 40 channels of information including ALPHA NUMERICS into one of the R8500's memory banks in 3 seconds. A CHOICE! Separate volume level, resume scan delay and maximum monitor delay plus 40 character information field for each scan channel. Six Antenna lengths up to 7 feet. Priority channel operation samples at 2.5 second intervals. Multi -receiver control will hand off active frequency to next receiver on line. Able to control up to 125 ICOM receivers (optional). Compact cellular -look -a -likes. Traditional scanning is a thing of the past with our CYBERSCAN feature, used to track systems employing frequency hopping. No -Ground -Plane RV antennas Activity log function automatically records and calculates total spectrum usage time. The bare -hands tunable tip Unique search operation stores all frequencies found active and then automatically skips those frequencies during the remaining ElSuper -flexible off -road whips search cycles. This feature eliminates redundant logging.
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CIRCLE 34 ON READER SERVICE CARD CIRCLE 35 ON READER SERVICE CARD THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 /POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 35 face, the next major hurdle is to get the transformer out. I have installed three OS - 456 units and the transformer removal has always been the hardest part. Some of the transformer's mounting hardware may have a sealant on it, which makes getting the bolts to turn without also turning other things, difficult. This is compounded by the fact that you can't get a straight angle for the screwdriver that needs a firm hold on the bolts. On the first unit I installed, I spent nearly an hour just getting this done. It was downhill after that! It can be done, but may take some persistence. Now we're ready to actually install the The completed installation is very professional, except for that battery hanging out of the back. When the computer is disconnected, the scanner functions as normal. board. The only hassle with this is to take care with the transformer wires that you just finished removing. The rest of this There are several ways to make theseputer this will be a 9 -pin jack, but some process is very easy. connections. The manual calls for them of the older machines have a 25 -pin jack, This is followed by wiring the interface to be soldered onto the appropriate spots,or one of each. You may need an adapter into the scanner. Again, this is not a par- which is probably the most reliable andif this is the case. If your computer uses ticularly difficult process, but you dolong term solution. However, if you have a serial port for the mouse, check to see have to keep the cables straight. You'lla complete aversion to soldering, you if you have a second port free, or if you note there are three cables that have to be canpurchasemini -testclipsfrom should consider adding a serial interface disconnected and reconnected. The 15 -RadioShack and attach them to the end ofcard to the computer. It's not going to be pin is the toughest, just because it has the the wires. In the case of the analog wire,convenient to have to switch a major most friction on the connector and it's that may be the easiest way to make thedevice like the mouse in and out of your hard to work out. The directions suggest connection. It's a tight connection for sol-system in order to use the radio. The best that you use a small screwdriver arounddering. Take your time and determinesituation is to have a completely free ser- the edges to help pry it loose. This iswhat's going to work best for you. ial port that you can dedicate to your radio. exactly what I did, and it worked just fine, That'sit! Check your connections Also, keep in mind that if you have an folks tell me internal modem, it too is considered a ser- Also note that the other two cables are that the biggest cause of failure in theial port by the computer, which is why not exactly the same size. One of them is installations is poor cable connections.)some of the newer machines label them a 10 -pin and the other an eight. Keep themOnce you're satisfied that everything is A and B. If your modem is considered separate. Plugging the cables back intocorrect, and connected firmly, you're COM I, then the B serial port is COM 2, the sockets is a main source of trouble ready to reassemble the scanner. Put the and the A serial port is probably COM 3. with this installation. The connectors sup-covers back on and plug it in! In this situation, your modem and COM plied on the cables are just a little tight The first thing that you should check is 3 likely share an IRQ setting. (If you don't going into the sockets. Also, the cablesthat the radio is functioning normally. know what this is, don't panic. It may not supplied in the kit use all white wires You'll probably have to reprogram a fewmatter because you won't likely be using except for pin one which is designatedmemories to make sure that it's scanning the modem and the radio at the same time. with a black wire. The cables used in theproperly, and that it receives a signalIf you are, then you'll get what's called manufacture of the radio are colored, withappropriately. I usedtheNational an IRQ conflict, in which case you'll get a brown wire on the end on the two small- Weather Service broadcast in one of my a quick education on what IRQs are as er cables, and a pink one on the larger one. test channels to make sure that it wouldyou try to resolve that problem. You'll This makes for a nice consistent colorstop during the scan. Of course, you can need to be able to tell the software which code - not! Just check and recheck all reprogram the original channels that were COM port to go looking for a radio. your connections. there, or you may decide to take the In theory, hooking up to the computer If you are installing a full OS -456 unit, opportunity to have a special "non -com-should be the easiest part, but in practice the next step involves some soldering. Ifputer" mixture of memories. After all, it can prove to be the most frustrating, for you are installing an Optoscan LITE, you you'll be doing most of your scanningtwo reasons. First, software vendors tell won't have these wires to worry about. with the computer attached from now on. me that a lot of the calls they get for sup- There are two wires which come out of port are related to cables - the comput- the interface and are passed through to the Testing The Waters er to scanner connection. It's just a serial other side of the scanner. One is used for port, but some computers have software discriminator audio, so that the unit can The next step is to hook the new inter-hidden in there that doesn't let the serial decode CTCSS (tone squelch), DCS (dig-face to a computer, and see if it does itsport behave the way it should. It's also ital code squelch) and DTMF (touchstuff. You'll need an open serial or compossible that you can have driver prob- tones). The second, called the "analog port on your computer, and you'll need to lems with software. Or you think it's wire" is used to read the signal strength ofknow which port that is. Most of the time COM 1, but it's really COMM 3, as you the received signal and pass it on to the,they are labeled COM 1 and COM 2, orcan see by the example above. software running the interface. sometimes A and B. On any new corn- The second reason for the frustration is
36 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE the software itself. There is a learning curve with any new piece of software thatI have installed three OS -456 units and the transformer has always you might decide to use. Take your time been the hardest part.... The rest of this process is very easy. and walk through the manual. If the man- ual has a "getting started" section, or something similar, you might want to read once you learn how to navigate. It does, The Uniden BC -895 is slightly larger than through that before you even install the however, require a fair amount of horse- the 2050, has a computer interface and S - interface. Just being able to enter a few power from the computer to be able to meter functions. frequencies, and get the radio scanning run, and the desire to have a full time scan- Charles also asks us "What plans are fora test ,can be a challenge if you haven't ner/computer combination is what keeps there to make future models of the Trunk worked with scanning software. me from using ScanStar more. Infor- Tracker by Uniden and RadioShack easi- Choosing software is a lot like buyingmation on ScanStar is available from er to use for blind persons such as myself?" gloves. What fits perfectly for one person
Good Audio, Bad Audio, And Even A Rock Version Of The National Anthem
The regular mail has been a little0258 to 0316 with music; calling "Jo WOO screwy over the past month so weMamma" and "Shadow." Announced the don't have the full complement ofProvidence mail drop. (Silvi, OH) WE LovE INTERVALSIGNALS reports from the usual suspects this time. WUNH, 6955 SSB at 0152 with '40s This verifies your reception of WLIS on kiloHertz on Thank goodness for E-mail! So here aremusic, sitar music, Elvis -style and '50s UTC. this month's pirate loggings. rock. Sudden fade at 0227. Announced You have received QSL thProvidenc address. Also heard at 0123 with music and ID. Off at 0132. (Dave 73s and 88s to lan McFarland Radio Clandestine, 6954.25 USB at Jeffery, NY) Heard with ID at 0400. (Tim Charles Poltz-Chiet Verification Signer 0231 with nice -sounding audio and a pro-Taylor, PA) gram featuring many canned IDs. Strong. Radio Butterfly, 6955 SSB at 0234 (Al Quaglieri, NC) with rock and ID. (Jeffery, NY) Rock Radio, 6954.96 USB at 0446, The Real Radio Three, 6950 at 0216 heard well with inane drivel and bad with hard rock and ID as "The Real Radio audio. (Quaglieri, NC) Three - we don't play that Barney crap!" Echo Alpha, 6955.02 USB at 0213 to They requested that log reports be sent to 0223 with incredibly stupid program with the ACE club's newsletter. Off at 0240.
annoying voice extolling the virtues of(Jeffery, NY) O....SIGN .3. Ian ro..-rne Echo Alpha. (Quaglieri, NC) Reefer Madness Radio, 6955 SSB at Radio Metallica Worldwide, 6955,0133 with reggae music, ID, with talk WLIS must be one of the longer -running with King Crimson and Pink Floyd pro- about drug use in Canada and funny anti- pirates. This QSL is a few years old . gram with Dr. T and Sandman heard on drug messages. They also had a parody various occasions, i.e. 2250 to 2315 sign -about pot smoking and another one about off; 0140 to 0205 sign -off; 1305 to past the U.S. Army (Jeffery, NY) Unidentified, 6955 at 0005 to 0039 1336 and also around 1955. Still another WREC - Radio Free East Coast,close. Many, many station IDs spliced time heard at 0035 to past 0115 with what6955 SSB at 0144 with rock music and together,including WFIM, WXYZ, may have been a repeat program. (Leefunny commercials. Off at 0150. AlsoKFBQ, WKBC and many others, fol- Silvi, OH) heard at 0232 with rock, including a rocklowed by a couple of songs until sign -off. Up Against the Wall Radio, 6955 atversion of the national anthem, ID, then (Silvi, OH) 0021 with an old program. Gave the off at 0251 after announcing the Belfast Unidentified station on 6955 heard at Wellsville address. (Silvi, OH) and Blue Ridge Summit addresses. 2230 with non-stop Beach Boys music. Jerry Rigged Radio, 6957 at 0145 to(Jeffery, NY) Off suddenly at 2232 with no announce- 0203 with Louis Armstrong, Glenn Take It Easy Radio, 6955 SSB at 0311 ments. A similar thing heard at 2335 with Miller and others. (Silvi, OH) with a number by the Talking Headssurfer and reggae music. No announcer Radio Animal (tentative) on 6955 at("Slippery People"), another tune "I'm or ID. (Jeffery, NY) 2313. Believe I heard Radio Animal ID. Already Gone" and sign -off at 0317. (Tim Unidentified, 6955 USB at 1408 with Started out strong but then severe fading. Taylor, PA) continuous hard rock. Gone by 1413. (Silvi, OH) Mystery Radio, 6955 SSB with sign - (Jeffery, NY) Radio Nonsense, 6955 at 0004 to 0030 off around 0337. (Taylor, PA) I haven't listed a few other unidenti- with their usual format. (Silvi, OH) WLIS, 6955 SSB - I heard a hamfieds because there wasn't enough pro- Radio Amazonia, 6955 at 0049 tomention (at 2052) that WLIS had been on gram content to do any good. 0145 -a relay broadcast. (Silvi, OH) earlier, so I just missed this one on a That's it for this go -round. Hey, don't Voice of the Runaway Maharishi, Sunday afternoon. (Taylor, PA) let up on your time at the radio - there's 6951 (approximate), heard at 0035 to WLIQ, 6955 SSB, ID and Providencelots of pirate activity going on! I always 0045. Hard to pinpoint the frequency address given at 2141. Then Beatles tuneappreciate your reports so keep 'em com- which might have been as low as 6949. "Don't Want to Leave Her Now." Thening. I'd also appreciate receiving copies (Silvi, OH) "Over the Rainbow, an Elton John num-of your pirate QSLs for use as illustra-
Free Dylan Experience, 6955 USB atber, more addresses and off at 2207. tions in the column.
38 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS/ November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE Tap into secretShortwave Signals Turn mysterious signals into exciting text messages withthis new MFJ MultiReader. Copy RTTY weather stations from Antarctica, improves copy on CW and other modes. Mali, Congo and many others. Listen to military Easy to use, tune and read RTTY passing traffic from Panama, Cyprus, Peru, Capetown, London and others. Listen to hams, diplo- It's easy to use -- just push a button to select modes and features from a menu. matic, research, commercial and maritime RTTY. It's easy to tune -- a precision tuning indicator Listen to maritime users, diplomats and makes tuning your receiver easy for best copy. amateurs send and receive error free messages It's easy to read -- the 2 line 16 character LCD using various forms of TOR (Telex -Over -Radio).display with contrast adjustment is mounted on a Monitor Morse code from hams, military, sloped front panel for easy reading. commercial, aeronautical, diplomatic, maritime -- Copies most standard shifts and speeds. Has MFJ-462B Plug this self-contained MFJ from all over the world -- Australia, Russia, HongMFJ AutoTrak"' Morse code speed tracking. MultiReader' into your shortwave Kong, Japan, Egypt, Norway, Israel, Africa. Use 12 VDC or use 110 VAC with MFJ-1312B $17995receiver's earphone jack. Printer Monitors 24 Hours a Day AC adapter, $12.95. 5'/.4x21/2x51/4 inches. Then watch mysterious chrips, whistles and buzzing sounds of RTTY, ASCII, CW and MFJ's exclusive TelePrinterPort" lets you No Matter What Warranty AMTOR(FEC) turn into exciting text messages asmonitor any station 24 hours a day by printing their You get MFJ's famous one yearNo Matter they scroll across your easy -to -read LCD display.transmissions on your Epson compatible printer. What"unconditional warranty. That means we You'll read interesting commerical, military, Printer cable, MFJ-5412, $9.95. will repair or replace yourMFJ MultiReader'"(at diplomatic, weather, aeronautical, maritime and MFJ MessageSaverm our option) no matter what for a full year. amateur traffic . .. traffic your friends can't read You can save several pages of text in 8K of Try it for 30 Days -- unless they have a decoder. memory for re -reading or later review . Order an MFJ-462B MultiReader'' from MFJ and try it in your own setup -- compare it to any Eavesdrop on the World High Performance Modem other product on the market regardless of price. Eavesdrop on the world's press agencies MFJ's high performance phaselock loop Then if you're not completely satisfied, transmitting unedited late breaking news in modem consistently gives you solid copy -- evensimply return it within 30 days for a prompt and English -- China News in Taiwan, Tanjug PreS with weak signals buried in noise. New thresholdcourteous refund (less shipping). in Serbia, Iraqui News in Iraq -- all on RTTY. control minimizes noise interference -- greatly Order today and try it -- you'll be glad you did. Super Active Antenna Hindate power line noise! Receive CW, RTTY, ASCII, MFJ 12/24 Hour LCD Clocks "World Radio TV Handbook" says M j _1026Weather Maps, News Photos MI.1-10713 $995 MFJ-1024 is a "first rate easy -to -operate $16995 MFJ-1214PC active antenna ... quiet ... excellent dynamic range ... good gain ... low $14999 MFJ-108B MFJ-105C Now,Completely eliminate Use your computer and radio to noise . broad frequency coverage." power line noise, lightning crashes Mount it outdoors away from elec- receive and display brilliant full $19" $19" and interference before they get into trical noise for maximum signal, mini- color FAX news photos and MFJ-108B, dual clock displays mum noise. Covers 50 KHz to 30 MHz.your receiver! Works on all modes incredible WeFAX weather maps. 24 UTC and 12 hour local time simultaneously. MFJ-107B, single Receives strong, clear signals from SSB, AM, CW, FM, data -- and onAlso RTTY, ASCII and Morse code. all shortwave hands. Plugs between Animate weather maps. Displayclock shows you 24 hour UTC time. all over the world. 20dB 3 star ratedby Passport to World attenuator, gain control, ONmain external antenna and receiver. 10 global pictures simultaneously. Zoom any part of picture or map. Band Radio! LED. Switch two receivers Built-in active antenna picks up Frequency manager lists over 900 MFJ-105C, accurate 24 hour and aux. or active ant risi. power line noise and cancels un- FAX stations. Automatic picture saver.UTC quartz wall clock with large 10 6x3x5 in. remote has inchdesirable noise from main antenna. Includes interface, easy -to -use inch face. whip, 50 ft. t..x Also makes excellent active antenna.menu driven software, cables, power MFJ Antenna Switches 3x2x4 in. 12 V Or MFJ Antenna Matcher supply, comprehensive manual and 110 VAC with MFJ-959B Jump -Start"' guide. Requires 286 or MFJ-1704 MFJ-1702C *129" mEt-1024 MFJ-1312, $195. $9995 better computer with VGA monitor. $5995 $21" Indoor Active High -Q Passive Preselecter Matches your antenna to your MFJ-1704 heavy duty antenna ME1-1020B MFJ-956 switch lets you select 4 antennas or $7995 receiver so you get maximum signal $3995 and minimum loss. ground them for static and lightning Preamp with gain control boosts protection. Unused antennas automa- The MFJ-956 is ahigh -Qpassivetically grounded. Replaceable lightn- outside long wires with this tuned weak stations 10 times. 20 dB LC preselector that lets you boost ing surge protection device. Good to indoor active antenna. "World Radio TVattenuator prevents overload. your favorite stations while rejecting500 MHz. 60dB isolation at 30 MHz. Handbook" says MFJ-1020 is a "fine Pushbuttons let you select 2 antennas images, intermod and other phantom MFJ-1702C for 2 antennas. valise ... fair price ... best offering to and 2 receivers. Cover 1.6-30 MHz. signals. Covers 1.5-30 MHz. Has date ... performs very well Mdeed." 9x2x6 inches. Use 9-18 VDC or 110 World Band Radio Kit preselector bypass and receiver circuitry minit4, zes inter - VAC with MFJ-1312, $12.95. MFJ-8100K Tuned grounded pos. 2x3x4 inches. mod, improves selectivit).4 reduces Dual $59fiskir uperPassive Pr selector MFJ-8100W noise outside tuned band.Ise as MFJ-752 to preselector with external ntenna. $7995wired r!" - 4!) MFJ-I046 Covers 0.3-30 MHz. Has une, Band, $9995 0.0* ow $9995 Build this regenerative shortwave Own, On/Off/Bypass Co rols. De- Two sep teiy tunable titters let S receiver kit and listen to shortwave tachable telescoping whi5x2x6 in. you peak desired signals and notch Nowt Improves any receiver! signals from all over the world with just Use 9 volt battery, 9-18 or 110 out interference at the same time. YouSuppresses strong out -of -band signals a 10 foot wire antenna. VAC with MFJ-1312, $1 .95. can peak, notch, low or high pass that cause intermod, blocking, cross Has RF stage, vernier reduction Compact Active signals to eliminate heterodynes and modulation and phantom signals. drive, smooth regeneration, five bands. interference. Plugs between radio MFJ-1022 Unique Hi -Q series tuned circuit adds $3995 and s eaker or phones. 10x2x6 in. super sharp front-end selectivity with Free MFJ Catalo Preselector excellent stopband attenuation and very Write or Call tollfree ...800-647-189 Plug this new MFJ-1045C low passband loss. Air variable compact MFJ all band active antenna $69" I*tit 'W capacitor with vernier. 1.6-33 MHz. Orders/Nearest Dealers: 800-647-1800 into your general coverage receiver Easy -Up Antennas Book Technical Help: 601-323-0549 and you'll hear strong clear signals High -gain, high -Q receiver preselector covers 1.8-54 MHz. How to MFJ-38 1 year No Matter What' limited warranty .30 day from all over the world from 300 KHz build and put $16" money back guarantee (less s/h) on orders from MFJ to 200 MHz -- including low, Boost weak signals 10 times with low noise dual gate MOSFET. Reject up inexpens- J49E4NsissRsPtaRteITEES,39IN76C2. SNI medium, shortwave and VHF bands. ive, fully tested wire Also improves scanner radio out -of -band signals and images with FBoxMF high -Q tuned circuits. Pushbuttons antennas using readily (601) 323-5869; 1-4:30 CST. Mon. -Fri. reception on VHF high and low bands. available parts that'll Detachable 20 in. telescoping an- let you select 2 antennas and 2 FAX: (601) 323-6551; Add s/h receivers. Dual coax and phono bring signals in like you've never tenna. 9 volt battery or 110 VAC with heard before. Antennas from WEB:http://www.mfienterprises.com MFJ-1312B, $12.95. 3i/xxl'14x4 in. connectors. Use 9-18VDC or 110 MF. . the world leader in shortwaveaccessories VAC with MFJ-1312, $12.95. 100 KHz to 1000 MHz. Prices and specifications abject to change 01998 MFJEnterprises, Inc.
CIRCLE 120 ON READER SERVICE CARD Pop'Comm's World Band Tuning Tips November 1998
This listing is designed to help you hear more shortwave broadcasting stations. The list includes a variety of stations includ- ing international broadcasters beaming programs to North America, others to other parts of the world, as well as local and regional shortwave stations. Many of the transmissions listed here are not in English. Your ability to receive these stations will depend on time of day, time of year, your geographic location, highly variable propagation conditions, and the receiving equipment used. AA, FF, SS, GG, etc. are abbreviations for languages (Arabic, French, Spanish, German). Times given are in UTC, which is five hours ahead of EST, i.e. 0000 UTC equals 7 p.m. EST, 6 p.m. CST, 4 p.m. PST.
UTCFreq.Station/Country Notes UTC Freq.Station/Country Notes 00005770Radio Miskut, Nicaragua SS 0300 3300 Radio Cultural, Guatemala SS 00009580 Radio Yugoslavia 03004835 Radio Tezulutlan, Guatemala SS 00009810 Radio Budapest, Hungary 03004980 Ecos del Torbes, Venezuela SS 000011815 Radio Gaucha, Brazil PP 03005975 BBC, via Antigua 00305950 Radio Vilnius, Lithuania, 03006260 Voice of Greece Gieck/EE via Germany 03007110 Radio Ethiopia Amharic 00306055 VOIRI, Iran 03009345 Radio Prague, Czech Republic 00306725 Radio Satelite, Peru SSW 03009655 Voice of Turkey 00307115 Radio Yugoslavia 03009690 China Radio Int'l via Spain 00307345 Radio Prague, Czech Republic SS/EE 03009745 HCJB, Ecuador 00309855 Radio Vilnius, Lithuania, 030011665 Radio Sweden Swedish via Germany 030011785 Radio Iraq Int'l EE 00506010 RAI, Italy 030017705 Voice of Turkey 01005637 Radio Peru SS 030017780 KWHR, Hawaii 01005930 Radio Slovakia Int'l, Slovak Rep. 030017825 Radio Japan 01009580 Radio Budapest, Hungary 03304828 Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation 0100 9615 Voice of Islamic Republic of Iran 03304960 Radio Cima, Dominican Republic SS 01009737 Radio Nacional, Paraguay SS 03307250 Voice of Vietnam, via Russia 010011710 RAE, Argentina 03307500 Radio Moldova Int'l, via Romania 010011780 Radio Nacional do Amazonia, PP 0330 9475 Radio Sweden Brazil 03309820 Far East Bdcstg. Assn., Seychelles var. langs. 010017675 Radio New Zealand Int'l 033011675 Radio Kuwait AA 0130 6212 Radio Tirana, Albania 033015240 Radio Australia 01307160Radio Tirana, Albania 033015615 Reshet Bet home service, Israel HH 014511910 Vatican Radio SS 033015635 Australian Defence Forces Radio 02004819 La Voz Evangelica, Honduras SS 04004919 Radio Quito, Ecuador SS 02004885 Radio Clube do Para, Brazil PP 04004930 Radio Internacional, Honduras SS 02004940Radio Amazonas, Venezuela SS 0400 6265 Zambia Nationala Broadcasting Corp 0200 5010 Esculas Radiofonicas Populares, 0400 9435 Kol Israel Ecuador SS 04009730 China Radio Intl, via French Guiana 0200 6155 Radio Romania Int'l 0430 6115 Radio Union, Peru SS 02007450 Voice of Greece GG/EE 05004850 RTV Cameroon FF 02007465 Radio Norway Int'l NN/EE 05005030Adventist World Radio, Costa Rica 02009780 YLE - Radio Finland 0500 5077 Caracol, Colombia SS 020011720 Radio Bulgaria 0500 7255 Voice of Nigeria 02309605 Vatican Radio FF 05007270RTV Gabonaise, Gabon FF 02309655 Radio Austria Intl 05007520Radio Bulgaria 02309765 RDP, Portugal PP 0500 7645 Kol Israel 023015140 HCJB, Ecuador SS 05009525 Channel Africa 023015380 Radio Romania Intl 05009790 Radio France Int'l FF
40 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE UTC Freq.Station/Country Notes UTC Freq. Station/Country Notes 05307155 La Voix du Sahel, Niger FF 1230 9885 Radio Thailand 0530 11900Channel Africa 1230 15185 Voice of Turkey 0600 5025 Radio Rebelde, Cuba SS 1230 17630 Africa Number One, Gabon FF 0600 5047 RT Togolaise, Togo FF 11300 11705 Radio Japan/NHK JJ 0600 11860Swiss Radio Intl 1300 11745 Radio Taipei Int'l CC; via 0600 12005 RTV Tunisienne, Tunisia AA WYFR 06303290 Guyana Broadcasting Corp. 1300 17745 Radio Romania lnt'I 06306015 Radio Austria Int'1, via Canada 1330 5930 Radio Netherlands via Russia DD 07006070 CFRX/CFRB, Canada 1330 9840 Voice of Vietnam 0700 11625Radio Norway Int'l 1330 11690 Radio Jordan 08005865 HCJB, Ecuador 1330 15395 UAE Radio, Dubai, UAE 0800 11880 Radio Australia 1330 17775 Radio Tashkent, Uzbekistan 09004765 Radio Rural, Brazil PP 1400 11600 Far East Broadcasting Assn., Seychelles 09004890 NBC, Papua New Guinea 1400 13580 Radio Prague, Czech Republic 0900 6185 Radio Educacion, Mexico SS/EE 1400 21645 Radio France Int'l SS 09009580 Radio Australia 1420 15125 Radio Republik Indonesia II 0900 11890 Voz Cristiana, Chile SS/EE 14309520 Radio Veritas Asia, Philippines 09304875 Radio Roraima, Brazil PP 1430 15160 Broadcasting Svc. of Kingdom AA 09309700 Radio New Zealand of Saudi Arabia 09309710 Radio Australia Pidgin 1500 10330 All India Radio Hindi 09309809 Radio Kiribati Ee/vern. 1500 21551 Radio Vision Cristina, Chile EE/SS 0930 11635 Far Fast Broadcasting Corp., 1600 11570 Radio Pakistan Philippines 1600 12125 Voice of Hope, via Georgia Republic 10003220 HCJB, Ecuador SS 1630 11805 Radio Oman AA Quechua 1630 11815 Radio Exterior de Espana SS 10004824 La Voz de la Selva, Peru SS 1630 13675 UAE Radio. Dubai, UAE 1000 4830 Radio Tachira, Venezuela SS 1700 12135 Adventist World Radio, Af. langs. 1000 4995 Radio Andina, Peru SS via S. Africa 1000 6130 CHNX, Canada 1700 15084 VOIRI, Iran Farsi 000 6937 Yunan People's Bc Station various 1730 15475 Africa Number One, Gabon FF China langs. 1730 15570 Vatican Radio 1000 9475 Far East Broadcasting Corp., 1800 11625 Vatican Radio unk. lang. Philippines CC 1800 11990 Radio Kuwait 10009795 Radio New Zealand 1800 15345 RTV Morocaine, Morocco AA 1000 9865 Trans World Radio, Guam 1830 12050Radio Ukraine Int'l 10303280 La Voz del Napo, Ecuador SS 1900 11734 Radio Tanzania -Zanzibar Swahili 10304748 Radio Huanta 2000, Peru SS 1900 13690 Merlin Network One, England 10304779 Radio Oriental, Ecuador SS 1900 15120 Voice of Nigeria various 10304790 Radio Atlantida, Peru SS langs. 1030 5020 Solomon Is. Broadcasting Corp. 1900 17860Deutsche Welle, Germany, GG 1030 7935 CPBS-1, China CC via Rwanda 1030 11715 Radio Korea Int'l 1930 11402 Icelandic National Bdcstg. Service Icelandic 1100 3260 Radio Madang, Papua New Guinea Pidgin 2000 11590Merlin Network One, England 1100 3325 Radio Maya Barillas, Guatemala vern 2000 11715Radio Algiers Intl, Algeria 1100 5055 Faro del Caribe, Costa Rica SS 2000 17735 HCJB, Ecuador 1100 5522 Radio Sudamerica, Peru SS 20306285 Voice of Hope, via Georgia Republic 1100 5981 Radio Chasqui, Peru SS 20309770 UAE Radio. Dubai, UAE 1100 6120 Radio Japan, via Canada 2030 13715 Radio Havana Cuba 1100 6150 KNLS, Alaska RR 2030 15415 Radio Jamahiriya, Libya AA 1100 9385 KHBI, Saipan 21009855 Radio Kuwait AA 1100 9515 Radio Novas de Paz, Brazil PP 21306035 Voice of America via Sao Tome 1100 9540 Radio Nacional, Venezuela SS 22007170 Radio TV du Senegal FF 1100 9865 Radio Sweden 22007225 RTT, Tunisia AA 1100 11660 KCBS, North Korea KK 2200 13760 Radio Pyongyang, North Korea 1100 11760 Radio Republik Indonesia II 2200 15600Radio Taipei Intl, via WYFR 11304000 Radio Republik Indonesia, Sualwesi II 22157105 Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation weekends 1130 9845 Voice of Russia Mongolian 22309650 Rdif. Guineenne, Guinea FF 12009495 KWHR, Hawaii 23006135 Voice of Turkey 1200 9760 Voice of America via Philippines 23009485 Radio Bulgaria 1200 12085 Voice of Mongolia EE/others 23009725 Adventist World Radio, Costa Rica 12306150 Radio Singapore Int'l 2300 13680 Radio Havana Cuba 1230 7130 Radio Taipei Int'l 23306020 Radio Netherlands 1230 9640 Radio Canada Int'l 23309925 Croatian Radio via Germany
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 41 BY HAROLD ORT Product Parade AND-R.L. SLATTERY
REVIEW OF NEW, INTERESTING AND USEFUL PRODUCTS
Future Scanning Systems information,callFutureScanning Upgrades RadioMax Systems at 918-335-3318 or write to them at 6105 SE Nowata Road, Bartlesville, Future Scanning Systems' Windows'OK 74006. More information, and a func- based software allowing PCs to control tional evaluation version of the software receivers,scannersandaudiotape is available on their Website at
DEDICATED TO TilWAVIROVIVOliiTP PREVItioT SOFTWARE! Only I 1 $99.95 SPECTRUM ANALYSIS ON YOUR PC .050
With the addition of AOR's SDU-5000 Spectrum Analyzer ar this NEW Windows Software any radio that has a 10.7MHz IF "The Standard Against Which All Future Decoders Will Be Compared" output roll give you full computer contro"able spectrum analysis. - Many radio amateurs and SWLs are puzzled! Just what are all those strange Plus, with the listed radios below, you can have a complete - computerized control of receive frequency, direct frequency readout, and a spectrum bandwidthsignals you can hear but nit identify on the Short Wave Bands? A few of them (ramble from 500KHz to 10 MHz). such as CW, RTTY, Packet and Amtor you'll know - but what about the many N Just use your mouse to "arm char the controls. Never touch Ore radio once the software n running. other signals? Supports There are some well known CW/RTTY Decoders but then there is CODE -3. It's up AR3000A. 5000 R7000, R7100 ICOM Most ICOMs with 10.7MHz IF to you to make the choice, but it will be easy once you see CODE -3. CODE -3 has Features 'Indicates for above listed radios only. an exclusive auto -classification module that tells YOU what you're listening to AND *Venable bandwidth. up Save Spectrum data to disk Vanable Peak Readout automatically sets you up to start decoding. No other decoder can do this on ALL the modes listed below - and most more expensive decoders have no means of identi- to 10.7 MHz.' Playback of Recorded THREE different graph cal fying ANY received SignalS! Why spend more money for other decoders with FEWER *Instant Readout of Frequency Spectrum data from disk. analys.s modes. any place on the PC's Dian'iaY*Signal Averaging, PLUS our features? CODE -3 works on any IBM-compatible computer with MS-DOS with at Instant change of center Downioad our demo for least 640kb of RAM, and a CGA monitor. CODE -3 includes software, a complete Elmwood spout Nallt11110111.411 Module exclusve "VARI-COLOR" lest drive. fregaency with a simple Analysis. audio to digital FSK converter with built -In 115V ac power supply. and a RS -232 cable, ready to use. mouse eick. CODE -3 is the most sophisticated decoder available for ANY amount of money. Minimum Requirements IBM PC 8 meg ram Windo 3.1 or later 8 meg Hard Drive 26 Modes Included In PROFESSIONAL package include: EXTRA OPTIONS Morse * TDM342/ARQ-M2/4 REG. elerCIOPACiftregaospi RTTY/Baudot/Murray * ARQ6-90/98 FEC-A FEC100A/FEC101 PRICE The ONLY Commercially Available Computer Control Program for the Sitor CCIR 625/476-4 SI-ARCVARO-S FEC-S FEC1000 Simplex Piccolo $85 00 ARO - Navtex * SWED-ARO-ARQ-SWE Sports info 300 baud ASCII Coquelet. .$85 00 Universal P1-7000 & P1-8000. Also, AEA's PK-232 and the MFJ-1278 AX25 Packet * ARQ-E/AR01000 Duplex Hellscreter-Synch/Asynch *4 special ARO & COPY -CAT PRO 32K incomng text butler Facsimile all RPM (up to 16 ARQ-N-AR01000 Duplex Sitor RAW (Normal Sitor FEC systems. Runs on any 840K PC-Commtible gray shades at 1024 x 768 Variant FEATURES -1111. but without Synch TORG-10/11, Control BOTH you TNC and ratio Simuitaneouslyi pixels * ARQ-E3-CCIR519 Variant AR06-70 ROU-FEC, RUM-FEC, Muiliple pop-up windows for HELP, frequency f es, and text oltor. Autospec - Mk's I and II POL-ARO 100 Baud Baudot F788N HC-ARO ((CRC) and Supports ALL SCANCAT f ies. DUPARQ Artrac Duplex ARC) Pastor * HNG-FEC Download our demo for test dine. $115.00 Twinplex TDM242/ARO-M2/4-242 WEFAX * SYNOP decoder $85.00 Discover our revoiutionaly COMPUTER CONTROL PROGRAM for the M-7000, M-8000, PK-232. All modes in typical baud rates with possibility of changing to any desired value of speed and shift. end MFJ-1278. Let COPYCAT -PRO free you FOREVER from remembenng El those buttons and keys. COPYCAT -PRO does 4 aSimple "PULL -DOWN" menus control all functions. Fully editable User can save incoming data to disk in either ASCII or raw bit form. text buffer, 20 PROGRAMMABLE" menus and much more. PROFESSIONAL CODE -3 DECODER CODE 3 GOLD VHF/SW DECODER COPYCAT -PRO $79.95, UPGRADES $24.95 SIN $5.00 ($7.50 Foreign) !ally wired cable for the AI -7000/8000 $24.95 $595.00 + S & H S425.00 ±s& H -',ACioitTelW,H1610E:Raws, Includes: ALL Modes, Plus Oscilloscope*, includes POCSAG & ACARS ASCII Storage, Auto Classify*, and TIRED OF YOUR HANDHELD SCANNER FALLING OVER? Plus * Modes/Options Try our unique. swivel base, telescopic scanner antenna. CAT -WHISKER lets PACTOR* Options you lay your handheld scanner on its back and still keep the antenna vertical Swivels to ANY angle. adjusts to any length. with ALL EXTRA OPTIONS S795.00S&H with ALL EXTRA MODES/OPTIONS S595.00 S&H Fits ANY scanner with a BNC antenna connector CAT -WHISKER IN (5 to 23 inches)...$19.95 ALSO AVAILABLE - HOKA CODE -30 DSP-based Professional Decoder - CALL FOR PRICE CAT -WHISKER #2 (5 to 35 inches)...$24.95 2 a (INTERNET WEB ADDRESS- http://www.scancat.com WEB E-MAIL -scancat@scancatcom)(S & H$10 US, $15 Foreign)
Order direct or contact your COMPUTER AIDED TECHNOLOGIES Toll -Free Orders favorite dealer P.O. Box 18285 Shreveport, LA 71138 Phone/Orders: (318) 687.4444 FAX: (318) 686-0449 888-SCANCAT FREE DEMOS ON THE WEB P7 -.- L A Info/Tech Support: (318) 687-2555 (9 am -1 pm Central M -F) 888.722.6228
42 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE 9 -volt battery (not included) or 110 Vacavailable only as built-in parts or in the with the optional MFJ-1312B ($12.95). form of large fixed panels. SolarVerterTM The new Deluxe ClearTone m speakerputs this innovative space age technolo- frola MFJ costs $39.95 and is availablegy into the hands of business users and from MFJ by calling 800-647-1800 orconsumers in a portable, versatile way faxing 601-323-6551. You can also E- like never before." The company's news
mailthemat
DBE''ICATED`I 1'01 THIRSMINNA1010(01,101AIVREMUNATIPAROMININ JUST SOFTWARE!
895 SCANCAT ICOM ICPCR1000 Since 1989, The Rec="wognize.LierrirtoWC-oniffire"."." (incl. Al EbsaundFTs.c8047) Once you use SCANCAT with YOUR radio, you'll NEVER use your radio again WITHOUT S CA . SCANC:.T supports almost ALL computer controlled radios by: AOR, DRAKE, KENWOOD, ICOM, YAESU and JRC (NRD) Plus PRO -2005/6/35/42 (with 0S456/535), Lowe HF-t50, and Watkins-Johnson . SCANCAT GOLD FOR WINDOWS "SE" FEATURES Selective Sound Recording using PC -compatible sound card. Exclusive "MACRO" control by frequency of Dwell. Hang. Resume. "Point 8 Shoot" playback by individual hits. Sig. Treshhold and even 6 separate programmable, audible alarms. Demographic search for frequency co-ordination and 2 -way Usage Analysis. Command line options for TIMED ON/OFF (Unattended) logging/searches Run as many as 6 different CI -V addressable radios as ''Master/Slave Detailed logging to ASCII type files with DATE, TIME, Sig Sir, Air Tim, UNLIMITED file sizes with our exclusive SCANCAT filing method. SEVERAL GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS MODES AVAILABLE With Scancal Gold for Windows 'SE.' your spectrum never looked so good! Load virtually ''any" database and Scancat "SE" will examine your database. plot each and every frequency, no matter what the range...and "paint" the entire analysis on your screen. By Signal Strength per frequency in a 'histograph". IF THAT ISN'T ENOUGH, try this...Multicolored, 3-0 By Signal Strength plotted in individual dots "Spatial/Landscape" (Depicted at left). By Number of hits per frequency -in a "histograph"
SCANCAT GOLD "SE" $159.95 + s & H' UPGRADE SCANCAT GOLD FOR WINDOWS "SE".. $59.95 + S & H' SY5*-055F0jRSEIGN 111111110 SCANCAT'S WINDOWS FEATURES INCLUDES several large shortwave and Search by CTCSS S DCS tones Scen VHF & HF Icom's Simultaneously. Unattended Logging of trequencies Supports PerCon, Mr. Scanner. VHF/UHF databases with 0S456/535 or DC440 Scan Iream Disk Files. and Betty Bearcal CD Roms. MULTIPLE search filters for Diskfile (ICOM only). Spech rm Analysis to Screen OR Printer. LINK up to 100 Disk files or ranges. Scanning. All the features you EXPECT from a true Windows application such as: UNIQUE database management system with moveable columns. Even SPLIT columns into doubles or triples for VERSATILE "Functional" spectrum analysis. NOT just a "pretty face" Spectrum is held in memory for long term easy v =wing of ALL important data on one screen. accumulation. Simply "mouse over" to read frequency of spectrum location. "CLICK" to immediately tune your receiver. You can even accumulate a spectrum from scanning DISKFILES of random frequencies, Exclusive 'SLIDE RULE' tuner. Click or 'skate' your mouse over our Slide -Tuner to change frequencies effort- lesslyi OR use our graphical tuning knob. DIRECT scanning of most DBASE, FOXPRO, ACCESS, BTRIEVE files WITHOUT "importing" SCANCAT GOLD FOR WINDOWS (NON- SE".) $99.95 + S & H' UPGRADE $29.95 + s & H* .55 U.S. S7.50 FOREIGN f1102114Eq,Si 441411111NIMI iTtEiFIVACE AILANITOPIMwiP.Ms Limited Time Thrti 1001/98 Supports ICOM/IC-R10, AR8000, YAESU and SCOUT. PUT SO:AEORDER If You're Not Using MAGIC, MAGIC FOR WINDOWS iN SC UR LIR! PACKAGE Comes with 6 FOOT cable, and adapters to fit all units within NOW You're Only Enjoying Half The Hobby. Ps/chaseMAGIC few WINDOWS a single package (Must Specify Yaesu) )) Magic is a super conversion utility that will read and write to aver 10 database formats (Retail 034.511 Unlike "single radio" adapters, can be used with ANY radio
41 E.- Creates databases from plain ASCII text. MAGIC forwin a* of our software programs supported, simply change the adapter, then "Plug and Play" and receive a 1110 discount freer STOCKIN Finds single or multiple frequencies located anywhere in Windows your total pinches* price. Expandable in future with a simple add on adapter. source files and creates perfectly aligned database files. e34.95 Ph" you will also receive our DiskFall No external power required. Draws power from computer. Converts SCANCAT, ASCII text, comma delimited, HTML, of Frequencies (Retell VIMEfiff,1 "Reaction Tune" scout with NO modifications to radio. DEALER (plus $5.00 s & H) DBase, ScanStar, RadioManager and ScannerWear. Emmjightindommur CAT -232C "UNIVERSATILE INTERFACE" $99.95 + s & h INQUIRIES NEW WiNRADIO. "WRM" files and PCR1000 ".MCH" files. INTERNETWEB ADDRESS - http://www.scancat.comWEB E-MAIL - [email protected] INVITED direct or contact your COMPUTER AIDED TECHNOLOGIES P.O. Box 18285 Shreveport,LA71138 Toll -Free Orders favorite dealer Phone/Orders: (318) 687-4444 FAX: (318) 686-0449 888-SCANCAT OE 140S ON THE WEB , Info/Tech Support: (318) 687-2555 (9 am -1 pm Central M -F) 888-722-6228
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 43 BY KIRK KLEINSCHMIDT, NTOZ The Ham Column
GETTING STARTED AS A RADIO AMATEUR Climb The Ladder To Antenna Success!
Beginning hams often dream of huge antenna farms and acres of sky-hightowersspikedwith beams, quads and a few non -rotating, yet awe-inspiring fixed antennas for the low bands. These dream stations almost always have their own Caribbean islands, and enough RF hardware to make their own propagationiftheionosphere doesn't cooperate.Reality, however, often presents a different picture - and a different operating environment. Most hams live in average -size houses on too - small city lots. No beams, no towers, no runs, hits or errors! If we're lucky, we have a couple of well -placed trees to serve as reasonable skyhooks. If not, a vertical, sometimes known as an antenna that performs equally poorly in all direc- tions, may be our only option. Usually, however, some type of multi - band wire antenna goes up as a compro- mise. They've been used for years and everyone seems to have at least one, right? Some swear by them, while others swear at them. Their performance is real- Our center -fed dipole uses two equal -length elements (wires) fed with 450 -ohm ladder line. ly up and down, but it's hard to argue with A plexiglass center insulator provides extra support for the feed point and the ladder line; tradition. Or is it? which might break without reinforcement. This is one multiband antenna that can really put out a healthy signal. It's worth a second look! See the text for details. The traditional multiband dipole is fed with a random length of 50 -ohm coax that's tweaked into submission by an40 through 10 meters. Tuning on somegreat match, and the antenna system antenna tuner. Conventional wisdomham bands will be touchy, but youcan wastes only about 0.2 dB. Not bad! On says to put up as much wire as possible,work stations, DX included. 15 meters, an odd harmonic of 40 meters, and let the tuner worry about matching But how much power is being wastedthe match is also pretty good, sporting an the load on various bands. Even on bands because of high SWR? The manufactur-acceptable 0.8 dB loss. On 80 meters, where the antenna's SWR is quite high,er's data sheet says our cable has 1.5 dB however, feedline losses approach 14 and a lot of energy is reflected back and of loss per 100 feet at 100 MHz (lossdB. And on 160 meters, losses total a forth between the tuner and the antenna,increases with cable length and frequen- staggering 27 dB! If we start with a typ- someRF energywillberadiated. cy). We're using only 50 feet with an ical 100 W output, we'll radiate about 3 Gooch's Paradox, explained to me by for- upper frequency limit of 30 MHz, so our W on 80 meters and less than a half a watt mer ARRL staffer and "Ham Column" losses due to SWR mismatches should be on 160! No wonder your actual mileage author Dave Newkirk, simply states, minimal, right? Wrong. Those loss fig- may vary! "RF's gotta go somewhere." And indeed, ures are for matched, resonant antennas. One way to reduce the feedline losses it does. But it doesn't have to goanywhere With high SWR values, a lot of powerexperienced while using multiband, non - in an elegant and useful fashion! In the(sometimes most of your power), can be resonant antennas is to ditch our "tradi- high SWR conditions often found in typ-lost between your antenna and tuner -tional" coaxial feed line and replace it icalmultiband,tuner -feddipoles,even with a low SWR between your rig with ladder line, which is even more tra- Gooch's Paradox might as well read, and tuner. As we'll see, losses increase in ditional! As shown in the figure, 450 - "RF's gotta heat the feed line!" For exam- proportion to SWR, too. A 3 -dB loss rep- ohm ladder line - parallel conductors sep- ple, a 66 -foot non -resonant dipole fedresents a 50 percent reduction in trans- arated by a plastic, ladder -like insulating with 50 feet of high -quality, low -loss mitted signal strength! material replaces the coax we previously coaxial cable will tune up on all bands, On 40 meters, our 66 -foot dipole is a used to feed our dipole. Ladder line, also
44 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS /November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE known as "450 -ohm balanced line," was between convenience and cost. Simply scopic). With a decent tuner (the beefier the norm in the days before coaxial cableinstall the longest center -fed dipole that's the better), you'll put out a good signal (an unbalanced line). It may not be as con- practical, (make each side the sameon a variety of bands. Go to it! venient as coaxial cable, but when usedlength) and feed it with enough ladder line Send your questions, comments and with an antenna tuner designed to handleto comfortably reach your station. AndQSLs to me at "The Ham Column," ladder line (most are), feedline losses for don't worry about feed line length. Some Popular Communications, 25 Newbridge our 66 -foot dipole stay blissfully below hams use 500 -foot runs of 450 -ohm line Road, Hicksville, NY 11801. And send 0.3 dB on all bands, 40 through 10 meters! and laugh at the losses (which, whenalong your photo while you're at it. See
On 80 and 160 meters - big trouble spots installed correctly, are practically micro- you next month! 73. when fed with coax - losses total 1.5 and 8.5 dB, respectively. That's a really tremendous improvement! Details
If ladder line was a magic cure-all, of course, we'd never use coax. For best overall performance, a few ladder line tips are in order. When attaching balanced feeders to houses, structures and towers, be sure to keep the ladder line several inches away from metal (or metal -containing) objects. Be sure your antenna tuner has a suf- When ficient voltage rating. Tuning antennas with high feedline SWRs can create very seconds high RF voltages inside your tuner. Resulting arcs and sparks can damage count, expensive equipment (especially on bands with the highest SWRs). REACT© needs you...
If arcing occurs, reduce your trans- ...to summon help for an injured motorists, an elderly woman trapped in a fire, mitter power output, or get a tuner with a trucker stranded in a blizzard, a drowning child! beefy components. Using a 1 kW tuner (with balanced feeder outputs) with your As a REACT volunteer CB radio monitor you may be the only communications 100 W transceiver isn't excessive. life -line for someone in serious trouble. You relay messages from those Water, ice and snow can affect (unbal- desperate for help to police or other emergency services. ance) ladder line. Keep things clear for best results. Your REACT Team will also use CB and other radio services to provide safety communications for events like parades, marathons and even balloon races. If left flapping in the breeze, the sol- The fellowship with other REACT members at Team meetings and annual dered connection between your ladder conventions is an added bonus. line feeders, and your dipole wires will probably fatigue and break rather quick- Volunteer. Join Today! ly. Be sure to reinforce the junction with electrical tape, etc. Ladder line can be hard to find. If your Add a New, Exciting local ham store doesn't stock it, check the Challenge to Your Life. ham magazines for wire and cable sup- pliers. Some ops - especially QRPers - Help Save Lives sometimes use 300 -ohm TV twin -lead and Property! instead of 450 -ohm line. It's a true bal- anced line, but reduced feeder spacing and lower -capacity insulation doesn't REACT® International, Inc. always produce acceptable results. Tel (301) 316-2900 The Bottom Line FAX (301) 316-2903 5210 Auth Road, Suite 403, Suitland, MD 20746 Ifyou'resuffering from antenna restrictions of any type, a balanced feed -
line can provide an excellent compromise CIRCLE 40 ON READER SERVICE CARD
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 45 BY ED BARNAT
Ahhh, November. The days are turning cooler and the nights are growing longer. Fall and winter are typically the best times of the year to enjoy talking on our radios. It doesn't Mark your calendar for matter if your "base station" setup is in the house or out in the mobile, you and Saturday night, November 24 your on -air neighbors will have more from 9 to 10 p.m., on channels time to snuggle up to that ol' CB and 35 AM and 36 LSB. make a few contacts. So, to help ensure a season full of good contacts and better conversations, let's make a date. We'll call it a mixer. Let's have a planned day, time, and channel where folks who want to make some new contacts and renew a few old ones can meet on the radio. Mark yourcalendarforSaturdaynight, November 24 from 9 to 10 p.m., on chan- nels 35 AM and 36 LSB. Plan on being there, and plan on succeeding! "In order to communicate, two or more operators have to be in range, they have to be on the radio at the same time, they have to be on the same channel, and each has to know the other is there."
What Is Success?
Let's face it, the real measure of a suc- checks) really want to know if their rigsconversations with his dog! I don't know cessful operators is not how loud his sta- and clocks are working, do you? Heck no!about you, but I am not ready for that, at tion is, or how much it cost, or how high Most of them just want to talk to some-least not yet. That's why I am planning the antenna is, or how far he can trans- body but don't know how to find anybodyon doing something about it, and so mit. All those things are just easy copor what to say once they do. They don't should you. outs! They are just cheap substitutes forhave a plan (some of them don't have a true radio success. No, there are only two clue), but on November 24, we do! It Why Plan? real measures of success on the radio: thedoesn't matter if you are a novice or a sea- number of people you talk with and howsoned operator. Most of us find it diffi- When you think about it, the problems well you converse with them. cult to find new people to talk to on thewe face are few, actually- just two. First What's that, you say? You can't findradio. Sure, some people can talk to any-is finding someone to talk to and second, anyone to talk to? And even if you could, one, anytime, about anything for hours.finding something to talk about. The first, you wouldn't know what to talk about? If you listen around the band longfinding someone to talk to, is the easiest Well guess what, you are not alone. enough, you are sure to find a few whoto solve. The second, finding something Actually, most of us have the very same can talk to nobody about absolutely noth-to talk about, is a little tougher. In both problem. That is why we need a plan. ing forever! cases, a little advanced planning can help. You don't think that all the folks look- Occasionally, one of my neighbors can Planning your radio contacts helps ing for "radio checks" and "10-36s" (timebe heard on the radio having prolongedovercome four major obstacles: space,
46 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE time, frequency, and awareness. In order to communicate, two or more operators 4091 Viscount Street have to be in range, they have to be on the Memphis. TN 38118 radio at the same time, they have to be on (901 ) 794-9494 the same channel, and each has to know the other is there. Now I know that sounds Fax: (901) 366-5736 pretty obvious, butIpoint them out www.maiestic-comm.com/maco because all four conditions have to be met if our attempt to connect is to be suc- ANTENNAS POWER SUPPLIES ('ABLE ASSEMBLIES cessful. When you consider how easy it HIGHPERFORMANCE and MADE IN U.S.A. is for any one of these conditions to be ALL MACO BASE STATION ANTENNAS are made of aircraft alloy 6063-T5 off, even just a little, it is easy to see why aluminum tubing-.050 wall. Elements are made of harder 6005 alloy. itis so hard to connect. By working NOTE! To prevent fatigue failure, no holes are made in any boom or element. planned contacts, you can increase the number of operators on a specified chan- Comet nel at a specific time, thereby increasing Specifications: everyone's chances to succeed. Boom Length 11.5' Boom OD 1.5" So, starting a little before 9 p.m. on Number Elements 6 Saturday November 24, go to channel 35 Longest Radius 17.5' AM, and, if you have a sideband rig, the A long-distance Turn Radius 10.5' lower side of channel 36. Listen to see if space saving Surface the channel is in use. If it is, get a break Area 4 (sq. ft.) and explain to them that you will be lis- base station. Wind Survival 90 mph Gain 12.5 dB tening and why. Next, especially if the Power channel you'll be listening to is busy, do a Optional 5KW and 1 OW Gamma Matches available Multiplication 21X little band scanning. Try to find a couple CBBASE STATION YAGIANTENNAS Front -to -Back of quiet channels that you can move to if Separation 34 dB are available in 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 elements you connect and want to talk to your con- Weight 21 lbs tact. If the activity on 35 or 36 is "less than for CB or 10 meters; vertical or horizontal. Ship by UPS friendly" you may need to find a suitable alternate channel for your entire operation. Call or write for free catalog and name of reseller near you. CIRCLE 37 ON READER SERVICE CARD Quiet Channels *ATOMIC TIME Time Pieces Synchronized to the US Atomic Cock Starting at 9 p.m. sharp, if the channel Z -E IT is not in use, key up and say something Accurate to ten billionth of a Second! like "C.Q. Mixer," or "(Your name, han- Youcannow have the world's most accurate time 24 hours a day. These smart clocks tune into the radio signal emitted by the US Atomic Clock in Colorado, which deviates dle or callsign) listening" or "Hello, is less then 1 second over amillion year period. They synchronize themselves anyone there?" automatically to the precise time and adjust for daylight savings. These precision ZEIT The idea is to make your presence timepieces are engineered in Germany and are easy to use using known. If you don't say anything, nobody the latest in radio -controlled technology. Just set the time will know you are listening. Listen for a zone and thebuilt-inmicrochip does therest. couple of minutes. If you don't hear any- "ZEIT Atomic Time" Precise, Reliable, Convenient one, repeat your call every couple of min- ZEIT Atomic Dual Alarm & ZEIT Atomic PC utes until you do or till 10 p.m., whichev- Sleek European design with large 2 line LCD display er comes first. If your radio is sideband with exact time in hours, minutes, seconds, month and date, or equipped, call alternately on both 35 AM any two US and world times. At 8oz. ideal for travel; incl. dual and 36 LSB. Be patient, be polite, and alarm with nighttime illumination, time zones and lithium battery backup. Super sensitive built-in receiver. 2AA. incl. Black or Silver arch SALE 369.95 above all, be persistent. design at 5"x4"x2 1/2"sate! $69.95.Buy any two Clocks Et get 20% off 2nd. ZEIT PC with serial cable and software for WIN. Also shows UTC lime in 24 hrs mode. Sale! $99.95 Busy Channels ZEIT Atomic Wall Clock ZEIT Atomic Watches are the world's most with regular or Roman accurate watches. Shock -resistant polymer case What if channel 35 AM or 36 LSB is numerals. For home with built-in receiver, hardened or office. One AA mineral lens, water resistant. busy in your area that night? Maybe it is Battery. Large 12" Black or white dial Et leather an active home channel or there is already Only $79.95 band. Only $149.95 a planned activity, such as a net already ($99.95 in wood) NEW ZEIT Digital Atomic going on. First, let them know that you're Sports watch with UTC etc. there and why. Invite them to participate. Just $99.95 If they accept the invitation, great! You Call for full line of atomic clocks ff watches have made a few instant contacts and THE FUTURE IN TIME KEEPING allies in your quest for new ones! Credit Card Orders call toll free 800-339-5901 24hrs What if they don't want to participate? send checks money orders for the total amount lnd. S 8 H$7.00 to: ATOMIC TIME, INC. 10526 W. Cermark Suite 300 West Chester, IL 60154 - Please mention promotional Code 8484 when ordering Fax. 708.236.1205 http://www.atontietinte.com CIRCLE 25 ON READER SERVICE CARD 47 I 11
Pick another channel. If you had planned conversation clean and be prepared to dis- on working channel 35, find a quiet or agree agreeably. INI's 2 Way cooperative one below, and as close as Beyond that, anything goes. Let us do CB Radio Equipment possible to 35. If you were planning toaway with the old taboos. Let's get real work 36 LSB, find a quiet or cooperative and interesting. I was always told that we uniden KENWOOD RELM FREE LSB channel above, and as close as pos- shouldn't talk about politics or religion, it R( ,A i i r3' bra maxonCATALOG! sible to 36. the two most influential areas of life. As "We are the DISCOUNT LEADER in sales of scanners, FRS, CB, If the folks on your original channel (35a result, most radio conversations have GMRS radios and accessories." or 36 LSB) were friendly, but just unwill- evolved to revolve around sex and radios. ing or unable to participate, ask them toNeither of which makes for very good - J 0-21 0 _f_L) direct anyone else looking for the mixerconversations, at least not for long. Bill's CB & 2 -Way Radio Service to your alternate. When the topic gets stuck on radios, I PO Box 306, Morgan Hill, CA 95038-0306 Tech Line: (408) 782.0064 FAX: (408) 782-2985 quickly get bored, then drowsy, and, e-mail:[email protected] Hostile Channels before long, I shut off the radio and head Website: http://www.bills2way.com for the bedroom. Same thing happens CIRCLE 27 ON READER SERVICE CARD when sex is the main topic, well at least No doubt, some of us will find that sort of. If I don't immediately get offend- either or both channels 35 and 36 LSB are ed and turn the radio off, I eventually get busy the night of November 24. A few excited, turn the radio off and head for the might even find their occupants not only bedroom. Either way, the conversations uncooperative, but down right hostile. Inend with me turning off the radio and those cases, they are best avoided. Find a going to bed. suitable nearby alternate frequency and work it instead. It's Sunday, November 25 - Success? If you're planning a move in the near future, don't risk Contact! missing an issue of Popular Communications Please give us 6-8 weeks notice if you're planning on changing your Well, how did you do? Make any new address. Just write your new address and mail it, WITH With any luck at all, some of us are YOUR SUBSCRIPTION MAILING LABEL, to: going to connect! When you do, log yourcontacts? Renew any old ones? Have any good conversations? Get in more trouble POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS contacts. This will give you something to 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY 11801 start a conversation with and a few notes than you care to admit? Whatever the out- to help make future connections. Includecome, if you participated in the mixer, I their ID, location, time and channel wherewould like to know how you did. Drop youAIN'T contact was made, as well as their usualme a note or E-mail. Tell me about your time and channel of operation. experience, how many contacts you made HEARD If the channel was busy, or becomesand what you talked about. I'll be issuing busy, temporarily move to a suitable near- up to 10 (suitable for filing) certificates NOTHIN'.. by frequency. Check the original channel(drawn at random) to qualified partici- occasionally for new arrivals. As youpants. So, be sure to include your snail talk, be sure to leave a short pause, saymail address. two to three seconds, between transmis- Since 1967, CRB Research Legislative Update has been the world's sions. This not only provides a convenient leading publisher and place for others wishing to use the chan- supplier of unique hobby nel to ask for it, but will also encourage As I write this column in mid -August, and professional books others to join your conversation. Congress has already adjourned for the and information including: summer. Legislation that would allow Scanner Frequency Guide, local enforcement of certain FCC CB Shortwave Frequency Guides What To Talk About regulations has passed the Senate. Similar Military/Federal legislation, HR 2612, is pending in the Communications After your initial contact, radio check, House. It could become an amendment to Undercover Communications Survival Communications and log questions, what should you talkHR 3888 (anti -slamming bill). HR 3888 & Other Related Topics! about? There is no easy answer, but here was worked on and amended on August New titles are constantly being added to are a few thoughts to consider. The key 6. So far, there's no mention of CB radio. our exciting catalog.If it's interesting to being a good conversationalist is being We will have to be very vigilant when and unusual, we've got it. You'll see. a good listener. Ask questions. Do youCongress reconvenes for the fall session Ask For Big Free Catalog have a computer? Ever seen a UFO? Doon September 9, about the time you you think that there is life after death?receive this issue of Pop'Comm! Who did you vote for in the last election? Well, that's it from here. Thanks for CRB RESEARCH Keep in mind that you are talking in a pub-writing me here at the magazine or via the P.O. Box 56, Commack, NY 11725 lic area. Picture a town meeting, churchInternet where my address is
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 49 able to receive the channel you are tuned to and not the channel on either side of it. It is easy to do either one well, but it is very difficult to do both at the same time. Polytronics Labs spared no expense in design or quality of components to achieve this goal. They eliminated image interference by using dual conversion with a 6 MHz first IF and 455 kHz sec- ond IF. The receiver has 16 tuned stages, and, when all was said and done, it was able to pick out just one channel to the exclusion of those on either side far bet- ter than any other radio on the market. One factor that limits the ability of any receiver to hear a weak signal is the noise generated within its own RF amplifier The meter socket and Poly Call output terminals. and mixer stages, generally called ther- er until a signal is received which has aIf you had the circuit in the off position, mal noise, or hiss. One of thelast advancements made in tubes was thecertain special, very low frequency and the radio was just a normal CB and would low-level tone along with the voice. An development of the "nuvistor." When you receive any CB signal or noise. If the cir- first see one, you will not think it is a tubeincoming signal with that special tonecuit was on, it had to receive whichever opens up the receiver and is heard. The since it is made of metal, not glass. It is tone you were using for two or three sec- exact system cannot be used on a CB radio also very small! I mean really small, about onds before tripping the relay and open- because CB uses AM (amplitude modu- one-half of the size of a sewing thimble. ing up to let the call come through. Once lation) instead of FM (frequency modu- The Poly 23 used two of them in its receiv- tripped, it stayed open for the whole call lation). But with skip signals plus local er as the RF amplifier and the first mixer until you reset it. So you had a radio that stage. This enabled them to make atraffic, we get a lot of unwanted noise andserved a dual purpose. During the day it conversations over our radios. sat quiet until a member of your family receiver with unheard of sensitivity due A user trying to listen for a family to such a low noise figure in the front end or one of your service trucks opened it up, member or trying to use the CB in his of the receiver. and at night you could use it as an ordi- business had to put up with a lot of noise If you can't hear them, you cannot talk nary CB and talk to whomever. The Poly betweendesiredtraffic.Polytronics to them no matter how good your trans- Call circuit also had other features - devised a system that would work with a mitter or the other person's transmitter. such as a set of relay contacts that you CB radio as an add-on to the mobile units You and the station you are trying to talk could wire to a light or buzzer to alert you with might be using beams and illegaland built into the SR 23. Instead of sub - to a call if you were outside the building. audible, it used tones within normal hear- power levels, and talking 30 miles apart, Polytronics included some other useful ing range which worked on an AM radio. but when the fellow three houses away on features in the Poly Comm 23 such as the next channel comes on, and he drowns out your other station with what we call "bleed -over." Even if you don't have 37.600 MC CHANNELS someone nearby, you do get skip interfer- -101-0I -4 ence on your channel and those on either 37.650 MC side. With many radios of yesteryear and 40-1 0 1-0 5-8 today, you are receiving three channels at the same time (the one you want and the MC CHANNELS 37.700 MC ones on either side). Two of the most pop- -4.640351-0 1.5.9 .15,17 .21 *---i a 1---09-12 ular units made were very poor in selec- 4.625 37.750 MC tivity: the Johnson Messenger I and the 2.6.10.14.16.22 --1 0 F-0 13 -16 General series of units. There were others just as bad, but these were the most popu- 4.615 MC 37.800 MC lar. We called them "catfish radios," all 5.7.11,15.19.22A ----113 I-0 17-20 mouth and no ears! 4.595 MC The Poly 23 and SR 23 were the same 4.8.12,16.20.23 37.850 MC 21-23 unit except that the SR 23 had the Poly 6-101 04 *---i 0 1 04 Call system built in - commercial two- way radio and CB share each channel with other users. In an office, you cannot have a radio making noise with other CHANNEL SWITCH companies communications coming over it, disrupting your business. So business FM radios use a special continuous sub audible tone system to turn off the receiv- The crystal system for 23 channels.
50 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS /November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE .3.11 MEOW IIi3b. 1..5. 47.511 71.5.11
The Poly Call controls and early model meter switching.
Delta tune, PA, and RF/MOD metering. Radios in the 1960s did not stay on frequency like today's PLL units. With Delta tune, your receiver could be shifted up or down 3 kHz to compensate. The unit shown in the photo above is an early model SR 23 as Track sun -shine, clouds, local storms, hurricanes on revealed by the two slide switches just to the right of the meter. your IBM-PC style computer. Predict your weather. Later models (and most manufactured) replaced these with a High Quality, Low Cost Systems, from TIMESTEP. four -position rotary switch. This was better, plus it allowed Systems include antenna, pre -amp, coax, receiver, Polytronics room to move the Poly Call volume and sensitivity decoder card & software adjustment control from the back of the radio to the front panel. 137MHz NOAA 1691 MHz GOES PROsat for WINDOWS Systemsfrom$888.00 from$1074.00 The Days Before PLL PROsat for DOS Systems from$788.00 from$974.00 The Poly Comm 23 was Polytronic's first venture into a radio Systems for METEOSAT and GMS satellites. with more than eight channels and those with crystals per chan- Advanced High Resolution HRPT and PDUS systems. nel. These were the days before PLL (Phased Locked Loop) All systems FCC Class B approved circuits which generate all the necessary signals to develop 23 Many options available. Write for details. or 40 channels. Polytronics used a total of 10 crystals to syn- thesize all 23 receive channels. For the sake of this explana- elk Shipping FOB Concord MA tion, I am going to drop the numbers to the right of the deci- Prices Subject To Change Without Notice mal point. Keep in mind that the receiver used a 6 MHz first IF, so to receive any given channel, a signal 6 MHz above your channel was needed. They had six crystals in the 37 -MHz range SPECTRUM INTERNATIONAL, INC.
connected to one switch section, and four crystals in the 4 MHz P.O. Box 1084, Dept. P range to another section. Your CB channels are in the 27 MHz SI Concord, MA 01742 USA area. Therefore, you have one crystal running at 37 MHz and another running at 4 MHz which is subtracted from the first Phone 978-263-2145 (37 -4 = 33 MHz). This 33 MHz is 6 MHz above your 27 MHz Fax 978-263-7008 channel and gives you the signal you need to receive that chan- nel To transmit on that channel, the 33 MHz signal is com- CIRCLE 42 ON READER SERVICE CARD bined with one crystal that subtracts six from it, giving you the "on channel" signal that you need. It sounds complicated, but it is really simple as you can see if you examine the illustration on page 50. It shows that the first Complete your collection today. crystal is used for channels 1 through 4 and from the crystal bank to the left, the first crystal is used for channel 1, the second crys- tal for channel 2, and so forth. It enabled them to generate 46 Check, MO, Mastercard, signals (23 receive and 23 transmit) with only 11 crystals. This VISA, Discover and AMEX was better than 46 crystals! accepted Next issue, we will start the check-out and tune-up of this unit. If you have questions on old CB radios, you can send them by E-mail:
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 51 BY BRUCE CONTI
Tales Of 2,500 QSLs
The mediumwave DX season is well
under way. Regular "Broadcast PLACE DXing" contributor Patrick Martin STAMP ; celebrated the arrival of the new season NATIONAL BROADCASTING HEPE after receiving his 2,500th mediumwave AUTHORITY (Research Wing) QSL. Patrick DXes from Oregon along (74NBA HOUSE, SHAHABAG AVENUE the Pacific coast, currently using the DHAKA, BANGLADESH. Drake R8 receiver and a multitude of Dear. Beverage antennas. Patrick shares some Mr.Patrick Martin TO of his more memorable catches. Thank you very much for your reception report MR.PATRICK MARTIN 13i 08.09.9yre are pleased to confirm that the- - I lived in Seward, Alaska in the mid -'60s. station you heard is Radio Bangladesh, operating on I started QSLing in 1965, when I logged HSK9 558 KHz. timel345_1356 UTC. Thailand with 10 kW. In those days, I used to hear all types of Asian stations across the dial, especially during the winter months when it Your Sincerely was dark much of the time. One of the thrills of my life was the year I
. : Se or Engineer bought the Drake R8. It was in 1992. This was . ( Research Wing ) the first time I had a receiver that tuned ECSS. . r ' To Those who laid down lives for Mother Tongue My old Hammarlund SP -600 JX17 is a great (or a Tribute to Martyersr receiver, but lacks a lot of the good bells and whistles. The fall of '92 was unbelievable, highlighted by reception of India on medi- Here's a QSL card from Bangladesh on 558 kHz. umwave. One morning, the dial sounded weird, as allI was hearing were southern Nepal, not far from Pakistan. Both stations run music. I was quite excited hearing a 5 W sta- Asians. Philippine stations were all over the 100 W, which is needed to cover the moun- tion on a U.S. channel from the Cook Islands! dial. Then, after 1300 UTC, it even got more tainous region. As always, I record everything I hear. Off went strange. I started hearing Thai on 891 kHz Another one of my thrills was logging a taped report, and back came the QSL card. In (Thailand runs 1000 kW). 585 kHz had some Bangladesh, and receiving a reply to a recep- the meantime, I received a bulletin from the weird language which I never figured out. I tion report, as I hear that they are very poor New Zealand Radio DX League, which I was landed on 864 kHz at 1350 UTC and heard QSLers. It was the fall of 1994 when I logged a member in those days, reporting that the Cook some sub -continental music with a strange another sub -continental language during a Islands had experienced a very bad storm language. I taped the signal and sent a copy ofmorning DX session. By that time, I had an knocking out the local radio station. They came the tape to a friend who teaches at a college. idea of what I had logged, so off went a taped back on the air with only 500 watts. When I One of his students from eastern India identi- report. The language was Bangla. They were received the QSL card, it indicated 500 watts, fied the language as a Hindi/Burmese hill lan- running 100 kW on 558 kHz from the one of my best Pacific catches! guage. I then sent a taped reception report to Bangladesh coast, near Calcutta, India. Congratulations, Patrick, for reaching All India Radio. In three months, I received a I also enjoy DXing the South Pacific. Living this QSL milestone, and thanks for the full detail QSL. on the Pacific coast (one mile away), I hear look back at some of your best transpa- Two Nepal stations were even more of a many Pacific stations. Hawaiian stations are cific catches. For those of you living west surprise in I993. Just after the start of the sea- very strong much of the time. Back in 1982, of the Rockies, expect transpacific DX to son in September, I was tuning around one there were strong auroral conditions blocking morning and landed on 792 kHz. I heard this many of the signals from the north and east. improve as the peak of sunspot cycle 23 weird, almost haunting music, that sounded Even the 50 kW Seattle stations 125 miles to approaches, perhaps producing equally Hindi, but not quite. Then, I heard a woman the northeast were about gone. On one day in impressive catches. At the same time, in English say, "This is Radio Nepal." I about particular, there was a 2.5 kW station on 630 DXers across North America will be fell out of the chair, knowing that Nepal on kHz from Edmonds, WA, just north of Seattle, chasingdeepLatinAmericanand shortwave israre enough, but on medi- that was heard in the morning. Otherwise for Caribbean stations, and those along the umwave? Later that season, I logged my sec- most of the night, the channel was dead. Then east coast will be listening for African and ond Nepal catch on 576 kHz, identified with at around 0700 UTC, I started hearing this very sub -continental Asian stations. Auroral the help of another DXer. A woman announc- weak island music. Then, I heard a man in conditions produced by increased solar er in English was heard saying, "You're tuned English say, "Radio Cook Islands," followed activity enhance DX from southern lati- to Radio Surhet." Surhet is a town in western by an announcement about a birthday andtudes, by subduing skywave from stations
52 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE Applied for Permits to Construct New FM OK Pocola 88.1 MHz Stations OR La Pine 89.9 MHz OR Sisters 89.3 MHz AZ Kingman 91.9 MHz 40 kW PA Coatesville 89.3 MHz CA Firebaugh 90.5 MHz PA Morgantown 89.7 MHz CA Lafayette 102.1 MHz (KDFC-FM booster) PA Nanty Glo 90.7 MHz CA Lompoc 91.5 MHz 1 kW PA Patton 91.1 MHz CA Pleasanton 101.3 MHz (K-101 booster) TX Brownfield 89.5 MHz CA Redwood Valley88.1 MHz 1.35 kW TX College Station 91.9 MHz CA West Point 400 watts 89.1 MHz TX Cuero 89.9 MHz FL Cape Canaveral 88.7 MHz TX Kiel 91.3 MHz FL Deltona 89.5 MHz TX Mineral Wells 88.5 MHz FL Pierson 88.9 MHz VA Spotsylvania 89.5 MHz IN 91.1 MHz Chesterton VT St. Johnsbury 88.5 MHz 280 watts IN Columbus 91.1 MHz WA Asotin 88.1 MHz 440 watts IN Michigan City 88.5 MHz WI Fond du Lac 91.3 MHz IN South Haven 91.1 MHz WI Plymouth 91.3 MHz IN Valparaiso 91.1 MHz WV So. Charleston 89.5 MHz 150 watts KY Lerose 88.3 MHz 100 watts WY Casper 89.3 MHz 450 watts LA Bunkie 89.5 MHz MI Freeland 90.9 MHz Granted Permits to Construct New FM MI Gagetown 88.5 MHz MI Riverside 88.7 MHz Stations Rogers Hts. 88.1 MHz AR Harrison 91.9 MHz MT Butte 90.5 MHz GA Cuthbert 100.7 MHz NC Pinehurst 90.3 MHz 400 watts LA Grand Isle 104.5 MHz NE Grand Island 91.5 MHz MI Bear Creek Twp.89.3 MHz NE Hastings 91.7 MHz NY Fenner 90.5 MHz NV Lund 88.7 MHz 3 kW OH Rushville 88.5 MHz OH Norwalk 90.7 MHz OR Florence 88.1 MHz
inside the auroral dome. Signals at greattions to WMMB Melbourne, FL on 1240 thelackof availabletower space. distances from the south will arrive at low celebrating 50 years of broadcasting with Although a developer is considering con- angles, slipping underneath the edges ofsister stations WMMV 1350, Classicstruction of a skyscraper that will reclaim the dome. Rock WBVD 95.1, Lite Rock WLQRthe title of World's Tallest Building, 99.3, and Country WHKR 102.7. broadcasters are discussing the possibil- WPGS Takes The Heat ity of a 2,000 -foot antenna tower to Spanish Is Hot In NYC address their needs. Television stations Remember the wildfires in Florida over that want to begin digital broadcasting in the summer? It's certainly something res- Spanish -language radio has made his- 1999 are faced with finding appropriate idents of Brevard County will never for-tory in New York City, with WSKQ La transmission sites, as antenna masts on get. Thankfully, one local radio station Nueva Mega 97.9 in a tie for first place both the Sears and Hancock buildings are braved the firestorm to keep listeners with WLTW Lite 106.7 in the overall rat- filled to capacity. A stand-alone antenna updated. As thousands were forced toings. This marks the first time a Spanish tower would also free some broadcasters evacuate, normally daytime -only WPGS station has been rated the most listened to from the exceedingly high rental costs for on 840 AM remained on the air 24 hours in the Big Apple. But Howard Stern, onspace on the top of the two buildings. during the emergency, relying on a gas WXRK K -Rock 92.3, still holds the lead generator, when electricity was cut off.in the morning drive race. And WSKQ QSL Information Fire sightings and progress reports were now has some direct competition, as phoned in by listeners. WPGS was theWCAA Caliente 105.9 tries to take a 891 4TAB Townsville, Queensland, only link for many evacuated residents,piece of the pie. Australia, received partial -data letter in who listened as lists of damaged or In Los Angeles, where Hispanic radio 11 days for taped report, signed Van destroyed addresses were read on the air.has long been the dominant force on the Richards -Smith (CE). Address: P.O. Box At one point, 60 -foot flames completely air,Spanish romantic music station, 275,Albion, Q 4010,Australia. surrounded the transmitter site. WPGS -KLVE 107.5, tops the overall ratings, Australian QSL #206. (Martin -OR) proving once again that hometown radio while Mexican music KSCA 101.9, is is alive and well. number one during morning drive. Also in Brevard County, congratula- The debate continues in Chicago over (Continued on page 58)
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 53 Building and Using 33 Simple Weekend The Quad Antenna The VHF Baluns and Ununs Projects 33 Sunni, by Bob Haviland, W4MB "How -To" by Jerry Sevick, W2FMI by Dave Ingram, Second Printing Book An authoritative This volume is the source for K4TWJ reldQuadAntennaAtellareppe at Ottan omaennas book on the by Joe Lynch, the latest Do-it-yourself elec- design, N6CL information and E-3u14,1q :In,*Using tronics projects from construction, This book is designs on R.11.1,7 .1,,,IUituns the most basic to the characteristics the perfect transmission line fairly sophisticated. operating guide transformer You'll find: station and applications of quad for the new and experienced theory. Discover accessories for VHF VHF enthusiast. new applications FMing, working OSCAR satellites, antennas. for dipoles, yagis, Order No. BVHF $/5.95 fun on HF, trying CW, building sim- Order No. QUAD $/5.9$ log periodics, ple antennas, even a complete work- beverages, anten- ing HF station you can build for$100. na tuners, and countless other Also includes practical tips and tech- McCoy on Antennas CQ Amateur examples. niques on how to create your own by Lew McCoy, Radio Order No. BALUN...$/9.9$ electronic projects. W1 ICP Lew McCoy Almanac Unlike many On Antennas Pull Up A Gnat, AP. by Doug Grant, Order No.33PROJ....$15.9$ Learn Front the Mester The Vertical Antenna technical K1DG W6SAI HF Antenna publications, Filled with over Handbook THE DUMB RUM Lew presents his 600 pages of ham by Paul Lee,N6PL VERTICAL RATERAR Handbook invaluable anten- radio facts, figures Edited By Dos, Grant. IS I MG by Bill Orr, W6SAI Learn basic na information in and information. Inexpensive, theory and a casual, non - 1997 edition,next practical antenna practice of the intimidating volume won't be projects that work! vertical antenna. way for anyone! published until 1999 Discover easy -to - Guides you Order No. MCCOY....$15,9$ Order No. BALM97490 build construction through the projects. building of wire, $15.95 loop, Yagi and vertical antennas Order No. VAH Order No. HFANT $19. Amateur Radio Equipment Buyer's Guide This New 144 -page book is your single source - akAmateur Radio Keys, Keys, Keys The NEW Shortwave for detailed information on practically every piece EQUIPMENT BUYER'S GUIDE by Dave Ingram, K4TWJ Propagation Handbook of Amateur Radio equipment and every accessory You'll enjoy by W3ASK, N4XX & K6GKU item currently offered for sale in the United States. nostalgia with From the biggest HF transceiver to Ham computer A comprehensiveTne NEW this visual source of HF shortwave software, it's in the CQ Guide, complete with specs celebration of and prices. Over 2100 product listings (3100 propagation prin- Handbook n amateur radio's ciples, sunspots. including transceiver accessories!). favorite accesso- ionospheric pre- Also includes the most comprehensive directory ry. This book is dictions, with pho- anywhere of Ham product manufacturers and deal- full of pictures tography. charts ers in the USA, complete with phone and FAX numbers, web sites, and historical and tables galore! and E-mail addresses, with 475 dealers and manufacturers listed. insight. $9.95 Order No. EBG $15.95 Order No. KEYS Order No. SWP $19.9$
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Applied for Permit to Construct New AM KBFH Moose Lake, MN Station KBFJ Mountain Home, AR KBFQ Aberdeen, SD MS Jackson 1260 kHz (exper. Synchr, Stn.) KBFP La Monte, MO KPFN Seward, AL KB KK Pillager, MN Granted Permit to Construct New AM Station KCML St. Joseph, MO KFRZ Green River, WY HI Honolulu 1130 kHz KHIX Ely, NV KJJM Baker, MT Cancelled KLSI Hutchinson, KS KMAP-FM Castana, IA WADW Pickford, MI 105.5 MHz 6 kW KOTT Otterville, MO KPRU Delta, CO KQKK Walker, MN Changed AM Facilities KQTY-FM Borger, TX KRKH Harwood, ND WFLA Tampa, FL 970 kHz Changed power KVTY Lewiston, ID WJCM Sebring. FL 960 kHz Changed power, frequency KXKK Park Rapids, MN WAXK Jewitt, NY WORL Titusville, FL 650 kHz Moved to Altamonte WHLH Port St. Lucie, FL Springs. 660 kHz 5/1 kW WNPA Barnesboro, PA WNJV Jonesville, VA Seeking FM Frequency Change WNBQ Mansfield, PA WTRT Benton, KY KSFH Mountain View, CA 90.5 MHz Seeks 87.9 MHz WXXC Truxton, NY WZEN Farmington, NH Changed FM Facilities Pending FM Call Letter Change KLUESoledad, CA 106.3 MHz Moved to 105.7 MHz New Old WWXM Garden City, SC97.7 MHz Changed community WVJZ WVGN Charlotte Amalie, VI
New AM Call Letters Issued ChangedFM Call Letters New Old KBEGClovis, CA KIKN-FM KIKN Salem. SD KBFQ Enid, OK KIST KLDZ-FM Santa Barbara, CA WBAH Elizabeth, NJ KKID KMMC Salem, MO WBDIHighland, IL KKSD KPHR Milbank, SD WCGR Canandaigua, NY KLTW-FM KSIG-FM Rayne, LA KSLI WQPM-FM Princeton, MN KYLA KZXB Homer, LA Pending AM Call Letter Change WAHI-FM WAHI Augusta, IL WCAA WNWK Newark, NJ New Old WCLU-FM WMCC Munfordville, KY WLSG WNVL Nicholasville, KY WCRQ WHRR Dennysville, ME WCTD WDLS Dallas, PA WCTP WSGD-FM Carbondale, PA Changed AM Call Letters WHGN WAVQ Inglis, FL New Old WJNI WRLO Ladson, SC KIKN KKNW Port Angeles, WA WKQY WTZE-FM Tazewell, VA WAHI WDMF Knoxville, TN WMPS WJOI Tunica, MS WDZK WRDM Bloomfield, CT WMHX WSJW Louisville, KY WNRQ WLAC-FM Nashville, TN WOCE WBIN-FM Benton, TN New FM Call Letters Issued WRSR WAHV Owosso, MI WSKY-FM WRRX Micanopy, FL KAFC Anchorage, AK WWKZ WWZQ-FM Aberdeen, MS KBFE Grand Junction, CO WWVV WIJY Bluffton, SC KBFF Gallup, NM WWYY WRNJ-FM Belvidere, NJ
58 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE set fade -up, then at 0025 now loud with N-11 PILGRIMS ARTCARD PlI_GRIM171:Xtr HOUSE KATI iMANIX/ Tel 4 f:""."...."...."4"."7" Koranic -style vocal, then Arabic dia- Radio Broadcasting Service EPA # # logue or preaching. (Connelly -MA) This RADIO, DMPAL one is typically best during local sunset, P. O. Eibk K/di iMANDU / NEPAL, with RSR Switzerland dominant later at night. (Conti -NH) gs1,7yENF,TAtIoN-cmp t 801 2RF Gosford, Australia, fair with Dear..P.0,triCk...M4.4 in 11111101 Italianprograminsplashat1312. (Martin -OR) We are very pleased to confirm your reception report of our transmission, which is in accordance with our schedule. 891 5AN Adelaide, Australia, very PO.+ri cK Markin Date : good signal most of the morning near local sunrise with discussion program. Frequency (KHZ) (Martin -OR) Time (UTC) : ,N.:111/ - 018 We thank you for your report, we will be pleased to hear 1050 XEQOO R. Pirata del Caribe,
from you again . With best wishes from Nepal. Cancun, Mexico.InSpanishwith RS aCk I Mexican pop music and salsa, very good Broadcast Hours: 00:1 5-1 7:15 HRS (UTC) Signature reception many nights. (Willis -FL) FREQUENCIES: 5005.716513230. 1143. 810. 792. 684. 646.576 (KHZ-) vkl DeJletsank-wth lamrsiarvIrnah widgarl'onywhhwe-Illw eas.ehati 1060 CMKS network, Baracoa, Cuba, 0400 sign -off with Guantanamera Radio Surmet, Nepal on 576 kHz issued this card. theme and anthem, over/under KYW. (Conti -NH)
1360 KZTS Tacoma, WA, Letter in 36 1590 WPSL Port St. Lucie, FL, Letter 1089 Durres, Albania, tentative, at days from Dick Harris -Corporate Eng. in 238 days, signed Greg Wyatt -GM.0220 with classical music over Talk for tapedreport.Address:SalemAddress: 8245 Business Park Drive, Port Radio -UK. (Conti -NH) Communications, 2815 Second Avenue St. Lucie FL 34952. (Martin -OR) #550, Seattle WA 98121. Call letters now have gone back to KKMO. (Martin -OR) 1610 "WKPW" Maine Turnpike 1089 Talk Radio synchros, United Authority TIS, Address: Margaret A.Kingdom. At 0120 talk show host said, 1575 Clandestine, The Voice of theTrueworthy, Director of Public Safety & "Let's go to Blackpool. Albert, you're on Military Forces and the InternalSpecial Services, 430 RiversideSt., Talk Radio." Fair to good signal with Security Forces. I sent a reception reportPortland, ME 04103. (Provencher-ME) WBAL phased. (Connelly -MA) and a cassette tape to the Iraqi National Accord office in London. I received a 1700 KDSX Denison -Sherman, TX, 1314 NRK Kvitsoy, Norway at 0135 hand-written letter 26 days later from Full -data letter in 90 days for taped report,with English/American pop and Mr. H. Hmoud that said: "We 'Iraqi signedHubert(Hue)Beavers -Chief Norwegian vocals, good steady signal. National Accord,' received with thanksOperator KPLX/KLIF. Power used was (Conti -NH) your letter dated 9 July, 1998, concern- 750 watts. Address: 3632 Blossom Tree, ing 'Voice of the Military Forces and the Plano TX 75074. (Martin -OR) 1690 WMDM Lexington Park, MD, Internal Security Forces.' The Iraqi heard well during the nighttime hours 1700 WCMQ Miami Springs, FL,with "Bay Talk" IDs, ABC news, and National Accord for years has its broad- Letter received in six months, signed mentions of WPTX 920. (Renner -PA) casting station 'Al Mustaqbal,' which Ralph Chambers, Director of Engineer- means 'The Future,' and it broadcasts ing, with apologies for the delay, citing directly to inside Iraq. Our friends and 49 KPXB Houston, TX, ex-KTHT, is an overwhelming response fromall on the Paxnet TV network. Add to the colleagues inside Iraq who are listening over the globe. Address: 1001 Ponce de Paxnetlisting in the September to Al Mustaqbal broadcasting mention Leon Blvd., Coral Gables, FL 33134. Pop'Comm. (Branch -TX) thatthey monitored'Voice of the (Provencher-ME) Military Forces and the Internal Security Thanks to Greg Branch, Jean Burnell, Forces.' But our movement, the Iraqi Broadcast Loggings Mark Connelly, Bob Gilbert, William National Accord, has nothing to do with -745,..-.011.11111MOIN Hassig, Patrick Martin, Edouard it, and unfortunately we have no idea All times are UTC. Provencher, Alan Renner, Edwin who is responsible for such a Voice." Tulowitzki, and Keith Willis for another (Burnell -NF) 640 R. Progreso, Cuba, at 0850 this interesting and informative column. Do R. Progreso outlet noted running R. Relojyou have some DX fish tales to share, 1590 WVNA Tuscumbia, AL, Letterovernight. (Conti -NH) QSLs or loggings to report? Send them in 245 days, signed Chuck Miller -CE. here to Broadcast DXing so we can all Address: 509 N. Main, Tuscumbia AL 765 RTS Dakar, Senegal at 0005, fastlearn from your experiences. Until next 35674 (Martin -OR) excited AA talk by man; fair at pre -sun- time, 73.
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 59 BY KEN REISS Product Spotlight POP'COMM REVIEWS PRODUCTS OF INTEREST Searching With Spectrum!
Most folks who have been around the scanner world for any length ®SPECTRUM - Frequency Database by PerCon ERN of time will know that the Fed- File Seafctii Screen Mode0 oloelectionici,, Codes Help eral Communications Commission is in charge of issuing licenses to most users Frequency 154.84 pectrum of the two-way radio spectrum that we 154.845:. listen to on our scanners (federal and avi- 1548.4 Frequency:, 154.845' ation users are the most notable excep- DBA Name. tions). And most folks will also be famil- 154.845 154.845 City: iar with the name PerCon when it comes 154 84 to FCC databases that are available to 154 845 County: 154.84 radio hobbyists. Latitude: 154.84 PerCon has recently released the 1998 154.84 S Code:: Spectrum collection. This is the summer edition, and Spectrum is generally con- 54.645 CS Code] sidered the most suitable for hobbyists. 154.845 Portable: 154.845 It's relatively inexpensive ($37.45 from Marine: PerCon, includes shipping) and contains data for the entire country. PerCon's more Vehicle expensive product, the Regional series, each only covers a portion of the coun- try, but does include more detail on each frequency record. The information in Go to first record C Spectrum is more than adequate for most hobbyist needs. Spectrum's 16 -bit application was used for this search of 154.845 in Missouri. The results were returned to the screen fairly quickly, and as you can see, there is lots of data to check out. Startup
One great option is that the program can be run entirely from the CD without SPECTRUM - Frequency Database by PerCon - SPECTRUM Browse Window - Frequency ems® installing to your hard drive. While it does ft FileSearchScreen Mode OptoefecyonicsLodesHelp Browse run a bit slower, if you have a Pentium Frequency Company Name I Consign IRS Code ICS Code I City ICot 154.84500000i,WORTH, COUNTY OF ; KAE 782 :PP ;MO processor or better, I don't think you'll t notice too much, and the hard drive space 154.84500000iCEDAR, COUNTY OF I KAH291 1PP MO 154.84500000; RAY, COUNTY OF KNAP205 !PP IMO can be conserved, or if you'd like to run it 154.845000001MONITEAU, COUNTY OF WNVJ502IPP IMO MO from your laptop from time to time, you 154.84500000i SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF I KAA519 !PP 1FBT ST can do this without installing the program. 154.84500000 SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF K05414 , PP MO ST You have the option of running either 154 84500000 KAA519 1PP 1FB AFFTON ST 154 84500000i SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF KAA519 I PP !FR ALLENTON ST the Windows version or a DOS version. PP FR CALIFORNIA !MO You'll have to make sure you get the right 154.84500000i MONITEAU, COUNTY OF !WNVJ502 PP FE:2 CALIFORNIA 1 MO version if you're not installing the pro- 154 84500000;MONITEAU. COUNTY OF IWNVJ502 PP FB CALIFORNIA 'MO 154.84500000, SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF IKAA519 PP FE: CHESTERFIELD ST gram to your hard drive. The setup pro- 154.84500000: SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF IWNFX701 PP FR CHESTERFIELD !ST gram is used to install the 32 -bit version 154.845000001SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF i KAA519 FP FE CLAYTON ST for Windows 95/98. It is, however, con- 154.84500000: HENRY COUNTY JOINT COMMUNI6KAA540 PP.FAO CLINTON HE venient to still have the DOS version 154.84500000; SAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF iKA4519 FP i FR FLORISSANT ST 154.84500000: GAINSVILLE, CITY OF ;WPKF695 FP IFS GAINSVILLE ;OZ available for older computers, and the 16 - 154.84500000IGAINSVILLE, CITY OF IWPKF695 PP IMO 'GAINSVILLE 107E bit version runs well under both Windows 154.845000001HOLLIS TER, CITY OF WQI480 PP IMO HOLLISTER I TAt 3.1 and 95. 154.845000001HOLLIST ER, CITY OF WQ1480 !PP FI3 HOLLISTER 1TAf Upon running either the DOS version 154.84500000ISAINT LOUIS, COUNTY OF i KAA519 :PP FR MANCHESTER ; ST 154.845000001 MARYVILLE , CITY OF I KXC920 FE FB mAFN,..,ILLE No or the 16 -bit program, you're presented C 4 elLAC(kArkelel%" A /A IT I rni inrrks no- v wrtn nr. with a menu of choices for how to search III the data. The options include frequency, Go to first record. Ins Hum Caps callsign, company, city, Radio Service Here's the detailed view of a record. Lots of information is presented here in an easy -to -read code,frequencyrange,andcounty. form. The data is also shown in the table view, but requires quite a bit of scrolling, or a very Several options, such as frequency, also large monitor.
60 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE have a second screen to help narrow your Each record in Spectrum contains a fair that I preferred using my own database search to a more manageable level, suchamount of data. There is a "full screen"software and working with just the as "frequency" in a city, frequency in amode that will allow you to view the datarecords from Missouri, rather than the county, frequency in a state, etc. There isfor just one record all at once, or you canentire database with the limitations of the also a convenient Radio Service Listscroll back and forth in a table view and PerCon software. Because of this, I didn't report and a Class of Station (CS) list that look at the columns. Included in each spend a lot of time with the 32 -bit version can be displayed or printed for help inrecord is information on the frequency, of the program, and downloaded the interpreting the data that is included withcallsign. DBA Name, City, State, County, update too late for this review. each record. Latitude and. Longitude (in a DDDMMSS If you don't have an FCC data collec- I was impressed by how quickly I wasformat), Radio Service code, Class oftion, you probably should. It's a wonder- able to retrieve the 27 records for 154.845 Station code, and the number of unitsful resource for finding unknown fre- in Missouri, my local police channel. licensed as base, vehicle, marine, air, andquencies, and for helping to identify There are approximately 65,000 records pager. Not all records contain completeunknown stations that might pop up in a for the state of Missouri, and that does not data, as it's from the FCC and the datasearch, or via tropospheric ducting some include licenses that are nationwide -may not have been available at the timeevening. The PerCon data is excellent as there's no shortage of information. of entry. (Note: This is a function of the FCC data goes, and their software is usable Once the query is entered, you thengovernment data, not PerCon's or anyon almost any platform if you choose. I specify where you want the output direct- other FCC data vendor's fault.) know that a lot of folks use the export ed. Your choices are to the screen, an 80 The 32 -bit application that requiresUFDBF function to build search files for column report, a 132 -column report, or to installation to your hard disk looks to betheir scanner control software. Check it export to a UFDBF file for use by manyquite a bit more powerful an implemen- out - you may find a useful new tool for computer control programs. This option tation. You can browse through the entire your scanning arsenal. also allows you to export the records fordatabase if you choose in this program. It For additional information on their use with other database software if you has options for much more "database -frequency databases, contact PerCon choose. All of the PerCon software like" queries, including a query by exam- Corporation,4906 MapleSprings/ appears to run with a Foxpro engine; how- ple function and a query editor. Be sure Ellery Road, Bemus Point, NY 14712; ever Access, Filemaker Pro and almost to check their Website for information on phone 716-386-6015 or by fax at 716- any other data manager can read the updates to this version, as the one on the 386-6013. Or check out their Website, UFDBF files if you'd prefer to developCD has a few reported problems atwhich can be found at
The CCRadio represents years offirm tactile feedback and click whenalarm, and a sleep timer to turn off the development by C. Crane Com-engaged. A generous size, custom LCD radio after 90, 60, 30, or 15 minutes. Five pany and Sangean Electronicsdisplay indicates time and frequency ormemory push buttons are located on the engineers, culminating in the design of achannel number with large easy -to -readtop for easy access to favorite stations. superior portable AM radio in its pricenumerals visible over a wide viewing Five stations can be stored on each of the range for broadcast listening. In additionangle. The display is backlit with twofour bands, simply by pressing and hold- to great AM performance, this receivergreen LEDs. Backlighting can be turneding of a memory button after tuning in the includes FM broadcast, VHF TV audio,off with a dedicated front panel push but-desired station, similar to car radio push and weather radio. This is the first radio ton switch to conserve battery power.button programming. Large power and to carry the C. Crane name in their 22 -Time is displayed in hours and minutes alarm push buttons are also located on the year history. with AM and PM indication. Seconds aretop. Time is displayed when power is off. I was intrigued by the introduction ofindicated with smaller numerals in the Separate bass and treble knobs with a cen- this new receiver, simply because it'supper right corner of the display. TVter detente are located on the front, and unusual to find a manufacturer interestedchannels 2 through 13 and weather fre- the volume knob is on the right side. A in providing for high -quality AM radioquencies are displayed by channel num- 3.5mm lug accepts mono or stereo head- reception these days. ber. Seven standard NOA A weatherphones, although audio is only in mono. channels are preset for 162.400 throughA 20 -inch telescopic whip for FM/TV/ 162.550 MHz at 25 kHz intervals. weather reception completely collapses Initial Observations Tuning is accomplished either viato protect against damage. A lockout independent front panel up and downswitch disables functionality of all con- Upon opening the box, initial impres-buttons, or an encoder knob on the right trols in the power on or off modes. This sions are of a well -designed, portable side. The up/down buttons step in 10kHzis especially handy when the receiver is receiver. The chassis feels substantial and increments while the knob tunes in lkHz in transport or packed away in luggage, solid. It measures 11 x 6.5 x 4 (HWD)increments covering 520 to 1710 on AM. preventing accidental power -on or loss of inches. The overall industrial design isFM tuning is in 0.1 MHz increments time settings. high-tech but not overwhelming. Sim-from 87.5 to 108.0 MHz. Press and hold It runs on four D -cell batteries, or nom- plicity of operation is emphasized, withan up or down button to auto scan for inal 120 Vac with a detachable line cord. dedicated knobs and push buttons forstrong signals. Battery life is expected to be over 200 each function. The push buttons provide The receiver also features a snoozehours. The receiver carries the C -UL
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 /POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 61 mark indicating that it meets the require- ments of Canadian and U.S. standards for safety. The instruction manual is thor- ough and includes a list of possible solu- tions for AM radio noise problems. Further Investigation
OK, the initial inspection shows good attention to detail, but how does it per- form? The FM, TV, and weather radio reception are about as good as can be expected for a receiver of this caliber. Weather radio reception is typically for up to 50 miles from transmitting stations, but, of course, will vary based on loca- tion. A weather alert mode activates a siren and/or flashing light upon recep- tion of an NOAA emergency alert tone. C. Crane's new CCRadio with Loco The DX Cat, Loco. Overall FM and TV reception is good. I was able to receive all the local stations without difficulty using the telescopic whip. Reception is only in mono in order Further inside inspection reveals a mix makes the CCRadio a good domestic DX to hear weak FM signals with less noise. of through -hole and surface -mount com- receiver. However, when I hooked up a The CCRadio is primarily designed forponents. An MC3361 and 455 -kHz and 100 -footexternalwire antenna and long-distance AM radio listening. AM 10.7 -MHz filters in a shielded enclosure ground, the receiver produced extraneous reception is via an internal 7.8 -inch long appear to form the AM and FM IF sec- tones at the low end of the AM band when ferrite rod antenna. An external AMtions. The front panel microprocessortuned off of 10kHz domestic frequencies, antenna and ground can be hooked up via control board is shielded from the receiv- not attributable to hets caused by over- screw terminals on the rear panel, but theer circuitry by a metal plate. A 6 -watt, seas 9kHz signals. Otherwise no evidence internal ferrite rod cannot be defeated. 5 -inch speaker with a magnet of healthy of overload issues from local stations was size and weight provide plenty of audioexhibited when hooked up to the external output, specified at 2 watts when plugged antenna, although strong local stations into 110V power. could be heard on adjacent frequencies where no useable signal was present dur- Quality Microwave TV Systems AM SPECIFICATIONS ing the day. I was able to detect ZIZ Radio WIRELESS CABLE - IFTS - MMDS Tuning Range: 520-1710 kHz. from St. Kitts on 555 kHz at night, and ATV - INTERNATIONAL - DIGITAL Amplifiers Antennas Books Components Usable Sensitivity: S/N ratio = 20 dB; on -channel reception was excellent. RF Frequency 21002700 MHz SASE For "FREE" Catalog or Send $1 @ 600 kHz -41 dBu/m, @ 1000 kHz - PHILLIPS -TECH ELECTRONICS 38 dBu/m, & @ 1400 kHz -37 dBu/m. P.O. Box 13074 Scottsdale, AZ 85267-3074 Final Comments CATALOG/INFO: 602-947-7700 Image Rejection: S/N ratio = 6 dB; ORDER LINE: 800-880-MMDS CHALLENGER SYSTEM FAX LINE: 602-947-7799 @ 1400 kHz -48 dB. Overall, the CCRadio is a keeper. 3OtherChannel Com Apvailablelete$240 WEBSITE: Systems www.phillips-tech.com 5 Year Warrant, E-MAIL: [email protected] Selectivity: > 60 dB. Nighttime AM reception of clear channel FREE SHIPPING Visa WC AmEx Orscovery Coos Ouant, Bandwidth: 4.5 kHz @ -6 dB. stations is reminiscent of the old days CIRCLE 39 ON READER SERVICE CARD when all home stereos and car radios Tuning across the AM band, I found the used to have a good AM front end. The internal ferrite to be more than adequate receiver and alarm functions are intu- for good reception of clear channel sig- itively easy to operate, and its audio per- FREE nals. There were no problems with splash formance is enjoyable. The CCRadio SAMPLE from adjacent frequencies. For example,would make an ideal travel companion, I could listen to KDKA on 1020 kHz orsuperbly designed for tuning in your COPY! WHO on 1040 kHz comfortably withoutfavorite sports and talk programs while ANTIQUE RADIO CLASSIFIED significant interference from local WBZyou're away from home. It would be a on 1030. The AGC seemed smooth, good candidate for replacing a tired bed- Antique Radio's Largest -Circulation adding to the level of comfortable listen-side clock radio, too. In addition, at Monthly Magazine ing to distant signals. Reorienting the $159.95, it's a great radio to have on hand Articles - Classifieds - Ads for Parts & Services Also: Early TV, Ham Equip., Books, receiver to take advantage of the direc-for emergencies, and would be a good Telegraph, 40's & 50's Radios & more... tional capability of the internal ferriteentry-level receiver for domestic and Free 20 -word ad each month. Don't miss out! enhanced desired signals. Pan-American AM broadcast DXing. C. rilyr1 -Year: $40.95 ($57.95 by 1st Class) Specifications indicate a 4.5kHz AMCrane Company offers a variety of radios -- 6 Month Trial - $20.95. Foreign - Write.fr A.R.C., P.O. Box 802-T13, Carlisle, MA 01741 bandwidth, which although not great forand accessories. Call 1-800-522-8863 Phone: (978) 371-0512; Fax: (978) 371-7129 music, does result in optimal reception offor a catalog, or visit their Website at Web: www.antiqueradio.com news, sports, and talk programs. This also
62 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE BY GERRY L. DEXTER The Listening Post
WHAT'S HAPPENING: INTERNATIONAL SHORTWAVE BROADCASTING BANDS Armed Forces Radio On Shortwave? /t 's been a very long time since we've been able to hear U.S. Armed Forces Radio on shortwave. But, atthe moment, that's what's happening. For some reason, broadcasts of American Forces Network have been appearing on 4278.5 and 12689.5 (both upper side - band), airing play-by-play sports, CNN and AP news, Rush Limbaugh, and pro- grams from NPR and Public Radio Inter- national. This appears to be some sort of feeder, rather than something intended for the general public, so it may or may not be considered a "countable" log by purists. And, as we said, it may well be a very temporary thing, so check it out now. There's a new one on shortwave from Peru - two, in fact. Radio Regional in the city of Celendin is operating on 5500. "Listening Post" reporter Marty Foss visited Singapore recently. Here he is in front of the Neither the power (sure to be not very entrance to Radio Singapore International. much) nor the exact schedule is known so far, but check in the very early morn- So, the Electra was put on the block in a island will become a bird sanctuary). The ings (0900 and on) and early eveningsU.S. Marshal'ssaleand reportedly new facility will operate from the main- (0100). The second one is called Radiobrought $35,000, though it's not knownland and beam programs largely to the Power on 5775, on theair fromwho opened his checkbook. However, Mideast and the subcontinent. Moyobamba. This one must have been it's reasonable to assume that a fully The Colombian Radio Nacional, on named with tongue in cheek as it is sup- equipped radio broadcasting ship wasn't4955, now has an English program seg- posedly using only a few watts. purchased for big game fishing! ment called "On Line," aired from 0200 The rarely reported LRA36 - Radio There will be a new BBC relay sta- to 0300, Tuesday through Saturday. Nacional Arcangel San Gabriel, fromtion in Oman in a couple of years, at With a civil war under its belt just a year Argentina's Antarctic base has a newwhich time the current facility on or so back, the Democratic Republic of the schedule. It's now on the air Mondays, Masirah Island will be closed down (the Congo (ex -Zaire) was experiencing a new Tuesdays, and Fridays from1230to 1430. Chile'sstillsomewhat new Voz Cristiana has been employing more fre- quencies, including 11890 and 15375, in addition to 21500 and 21550, which were the first to come on line. Other frequen- cies in use at times are 9635 and 17680. Three or four of these may be in use at any one time, although which ones and when hasn't yet been sorted out. Broad- casts start as early as 0800 and run as late as 2100. It looks like the attempt to launch a commercial shortwave station broadcast- ing from a ship has sunk. The ship (actu- ally a remodeled tug), called the Electra, reportedly ran into another vessel on its way to Georgia. This, naturally, generat- ed lawsuits. To top it off, the preacher Here's the English staff of Radio Singapore International. (Left to right): Genevieve Koh, who was putting up the money pulled out. Denise Chong, Belinda Yeo, ( gentleman unidentified) and Sakuntala Gupta, Department head.
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 63 Reloj, Radio Relogio Federal (4905), is CHILE - Voz Cristiana, 21549.95 at 1645 all through broadcasting time checks to past 2000, still testing with EE and SS IDs every minute (between music and com- and contemporary Christian music in SS. mercials). It has been purchased by a reli- (Alexander, PA) CHINA - China Radio Int'l, 9575 at 0422 gious group and now airs programming with story about a curfew on airline flights from the "Church of the New Life." because of airport neighbors complaining Remember that we always welcome about the noise. (Taylor, PA) 9690 via Spain your informational input. Log reports at 0301 with news and ID. (Jeffery, NY) Did should be listed by country, double- some checking between 1043 and 1055 to see spaced between items, and tagged withhow many of each of the CPBS services I your last name and state abbreviation. could hear.Results: CPBS I (at1047) Besides your loggings, we're always in 7503.98, 7935, 9290, 9340, 11825, 11960, need of such things as info about station 15390, 15550,17605. CPBS 2 (at 1043) 7770, address changes or QSL policies, pho- 9064.04, 11039.98, 11505, 11800. Taiwan 1 (at 1051) 11100, 11935 Taiwan 2 (at 1052) tographs of shortwave stations or per- 10999.96, 15879.89 Voice of Pujiang (at sonalities, photos of you and your shack 1054) 9705. Also noted English from China (or, if you're the shy type, just your Radio Int' 1 during the same time frame on shack), spare/sample QSL cards, station 9785, and 11755. (Quaglieri, NY) brochures, schedules and any other infor- COSTA RICA - RFPI, 10505 heard at 0150. mative or illustrative items you care to (Jeffery, NY) Adventist World Radio -A part with. Thanks so much for your con-QSL received notes the verie signer, Mrs. Longtime Pop' Comm reader Many Foss with tinued interest and support! Mariam Pottinger, will be leaving the station a couple of friends - two engineers at Radio Here are this month's logs. All times because her husband has been transferred. Singapore International. are in UTC, which is five hours ahead of (Silvi, OH) EST, i.e. 0000 UTC equals 7 p.m. EST, 6 CUBA - Radio Havana Cuba, 6000 heard at p.m. CST, 5 p.m. MST and 4 p.m. PST. 0240 with news items and guitar music. rebellion as this was written. As of now, Double capital letters are language abbre- (Jeffery, NY) Also at 0500 with ID, announc- the government station continues active,viations (FF = French, AA = Arabic, SS ing 9550 (clipped audio), 9820 and 9830 SSB albeit weakly, on 15244, variable, appar- = Spanish, etc.). If no language abbrevi- (not there). (Quaglieri, NY) 9820 at 0503. ently running through much or all of ouration is included the broadcast is assumed (Foss, AK) 12000 (2nd harmonic of 6000) at day and evening periods. Broadcasts are to have been in English. 0210. (Alexander, PA) ECUADOR - HCJB, 9745 AT 0511. (Foss, in French. Try for this one and hope it's ALASKA - KNLS monitored on 6150 at AK) Radio Quito 4919, heard at 0545 with not too late. 1107 with woman talking in RR. (Foss, AK) Latin pops, recorded live. (Foss, AK) Alan Weiner's new station in Maine,ANTIGUA - Deutsche Welle relay, 6185 at ENGLAND - BBC via USA, 6175 heard at WBCQ ("The Planet"), should be in reg- 0704 with news in GG. (Barton, AZ) BBC 0517. (Foss, AK) Merlin Network One, 13690 ular operation on 7415 by now. And it relay, 5975 at 0200 and 17840 at1757. at 1925 with "Media Zoo." (Jeffery, NY) sounds like the content is going to be a (Jeffery, NY) 15590 at 2025 with info on UK radio scene. constant stream of pirate -type program-ASCENSION ISLAND - BBC relay to //13690. (Alexander, PA). ming, produced not only by station prin- Africa, 11835 at 2000 and 17830 at 1956. EQUATORIAL GUINEA - Radio Africa, cipals but also by outside pirate operators (Jeffery, NY) 15184.82 monitored at 2125 to 2300 close. EE and wannabes. AUSTRALIA - Radio Australia on 6020 religious program. Off with usual long nation- Brazil's answer to Costa Rica's Radio and 6165 heard at 1147 with various features. al anthem. "Australia Talks Back" at 1205. (Taylor, PA) ETHIOPIA - Radio Ethiopia, 7110, 0255 17750 at 0339 with talk of the rise of the One with open carrier, no IS until 0300 and then Abbreviations Used in Listening Post Nation party in Australia. (Foss, AK) only once quickly, then anthem, Amharic ID. AUSTRIA - Radio Austria Intl, 13730 at(Quaglieri, NC) Voice of Peace, 11800 -a AA Arabic BC Broadcasting 2231 in FF. (Foss, AK) struggle to hear a quickie ID at 1100 and CC Chinese BENIN - ORTB, Cotonou, presumed, 7210 quickly into local language. It was under dom- EE English in FF at 0613 with announcer, music, possi- inant AA stationon samefrequency. FF French ble mention of Cotonou passing ID at 0618. (Quaglieri, NC) GG German FINLAND - Radio Finland, 11900 at 0207 ID Identification (Quaglieri, NC) IS Interval Signal BRAZIL -Radio Gaucha, 11915 with sports with Finnish and European news. (Foss, AK) JJ Japanese commentary in PP at 0236. (Paszkiewicz, FRANCE - Radio France Int'l, 9790 at mx Music WI)R. Dif. Pocos de Caldas, 4945 at 0202 with 0506. (Foss, AK) NA North America GABON - RTV Gabonaise, on 7270 heard nx News talk on phone, mention of Brazil, ID, echo OM Male announcements, theme from "Love Story." at 0513 in FF with woman hosting a program pgm Program (Paszkiewicz, WI) of Afro music. ID as "Radio Gabonaise." PP Portuguese BULGARIA - Radio Bulgaria, 9485 heard (Quaglieri, NC) RR Russian GUAM - Trans World Radio/KTWR, 9865 rx Religion/ious at 0240 with mailbag, ID at 0240. (Taylor, PA) SA South America/1i CANADA - CKZN, St. John's, Newfound- at 1011 with religious programming, music, SS Spanish land, 6160 at 0312 with classical music. IDs. (Jeffery, NY) UTC Coordinated Universal Time (ex -GMT) (Paszkiewicz, WI) CKZU, Vancouver, 6160 GUINEA - RTV Guineenne, 7125 in FF Frequency varies heard at 0558 with usual sign -on routine. w/ With heard at 0614 with music. (Foss, AK) Radio WX Weather Canada Int'l, 13670 at 2244 with radio drama. (Quaglieri, NC) YL Female (Foss, AK) BBC relay via Sackville, 9515 at HONDURAS - RadioInternacional, // Parallel Frequencies 1255. (Jeffery, NY) 4930.62 at 0412 in SS with music, canned IDs
64 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE 0°AiireiesS
Installation made easy! Davis' wire- less Weather Monitor II" and 111 Weather Wizard IIP stationsuse our new SensorLink" to transmit data to the display console up to 400' away! Each station comes completely pre -assem- bled and includes sensors, a radiation shield, a weather - tight shelter, and a display con- sole with receiver. All withoutrun- ning wires! Nashville shortwave station WWCR (World-wide Christian Radio) operates out of this Or try our new radio transmission solutions - building, along with its domestic outlet, WNQM. Spread -Spectrum Radio Modem, UHF Radio Modem & Cellular Phone Modem. They work with all of our stations to provide data transmis- as "FM Internacional," long ad block at 0423. LIBYA - Radio Jamahiriya, 15415 at 0225 sion from virtually anywhere. (Quaglieri, NC) in AA with Mideast music, talk by man and INDIA - All India Radio at Bangalore, woman. (Jeffery, NY) Davis Wireless Weather 11620 at 1927 in EE. (Jeffery, NY) MEXICO - Radio Educacion, 6185 heard Stations Feature INDONESIA - RRI Nacional Program, on at 0218 in SS with music of northern Mexico. Inside and Outside 9565 inII with excellent signal at 0930. (Barton, AZ) Temperature, Wind Speed (Quaglieri, NC) MOROCCO - Voice of America relay, and Direction, Barometric Pressure IRAQ - Radio Iraq Int' I, 11785 at 0300 to 7195 at 0625. (Barton, AZ) 15410 monitored and Trend, Wind Chill, Dew Point, Daily past 0340. EE news to 0303, Mideast music, at2007 with"Africa World Tonight." and Yearly Rainfall, Inside and Outside Humidity, Time and Date, Highs and Lows, Alarms. EE comment, ID and letters/reception report (Jeffery, NY) POC 1198 prcgram at 0315. Surprisingly good, clear MOZAMBIQUE - Radio Mozambique, For a FREE catalog, call aucio. Still had hum, but was perfectly read- tentative, 9619.42, at 0446 with lots of talk, able with no distortion. Weak co -channel distorted audio, possible local news. Tough to 1-800-678-3669 QRM from station with Koran and talk in hear with Spain on 9620. Noted again at 0320 One-year warranty 30 -day money -back guarantee uniientified language. (Quaglieri, NC) with Koran. (Quaglieri, NC) Davis instruments 7165 Nablo Are. Hayward, CA 94545-2779 ITALY - Radio Due (presumed) 7175NETHERLANDS - Radio Netherlands, 15101 732-9229 FAX 15101 732-9168 salesedavisnel com warn darisnet.com heard at 0610 inIIwith radio drama. 6020 and 6165 (Bonaire) at 0046 with various CIRCLE 32 ON READER SERVICE CARD (Quaglieri, NC) programs and features. (Taylor, PA) SIGNAL JA PAN - Radio Japan, 17810 heard at 0101 NETHERLANDS ANTILLES - Radio wits news. (Foss, AK) 17825 heard at 0309 Netherlands via Bonaire, on 17605 heard at SEE,NGI NfERING'S with news of Japan and Asia. (Hill, ID) 1844 with "Newsline," ID, frequency info, High Performance CB & KIRIBATI - Radio Kiribati, 9809.95, ten- etc. (Jeffery, NY) 10 Meter Antennas tati ve, 0935 in local language with odd reg- NEW ZEALAND - NationalRadio SUPERHAWK gae/cowboy/religious tunes hosted bya (RNZI), 17675 at 0105 with detailed forecasts Goldenrod woman. Possible ID heard at 0950. Poor. of weather all around the country. (Foss, AK) 45 Spyder A+ (QLaglieri, NC) 0106 with weather, "Cadenza." (Jeffery, NY) Broadband Hi powered MOBILE THUNDER 8 WHITE LIGHTNING THE Four Element Hi Gain Antenna Bi-Directional OMNI Electronically Steerable And, also, NEW QUAD LIGHTNING 8 THE most POWERFUL CB base in the world today!
ALL SE PATENTED rotary beams are true quads and OUTPERFORM their counterparts (quad/yagl types). SE's patented SFS matching system makes SE QUADS the most technologically advanced antennas in the world today. If your dealer doesn't have SIGNAL ENGINEERING, write or call for full specs. DEALER inquiries invited. MasterCard, VISA, AMEX, Discover SIGNAL ENGINEERING This strikingly modern building is home to YLE- Radio Finland International. 1172 Aster Avenue, #E, Sunnyvale. CA 94086 Phone: (408) 247-2300 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 65 NICARAGUA - Radio Miskut, 5770 heard at 0215 to 0314 sign off. Suppressed carrier- USB. Woman announcer in SS, some U.S. pops but most SS pops. Off with national anthem. (Alexander, PA) NIGER - La Voix du Sahel, 7155.01 heard at 0528 with traditional vocal music. Man with ID at 0530 (very low modulation), back to music. Much earlier than scheduled here. (Quaglieri, NC) NORTH KOREA - Radio Pyongyang, 13760 at 2227 with woman and many slow, moody vocals. (Foss, AK) PERU - Radio Union, 6115 in SS heard at 0557 with great salsa. (Foss, AK) Radio Villa Rica, 4886.75 at 0240 to 0306 close, with SS announcements, ID, SS pops, sign -off with national anthem. (Alexander, PA) Radio Sudamerica, 5522.23 heard at 0215 to 0232 close with SS announcements, Peruvian folk music, ID. No anthem heard at sign -off. (Alexander, PA) PHILIPPINES - Radio Veritas Asia, 9520 at 1456 with ID by woman and sign -off. (Barton, AZ) Far East Broadcasting Corp., 9474.94 at 0955 with IS, alternating with CC Part of the HF antenna array used at the Radio Netherlands Bonaire relay in the Netherlands ID. (Quaglieri, NC) Voice of America relay, Antilles. The station is a staple on shortwave. 9760 at 1210 with news. Heard on 15160 at 1225 with news. (Jeffery, NY) 11870 at 2110 with interview. (Foss, AK) AZ) Voice of the Mediterranean (Malta - 1329 with pretty IS, woman at 1330 with ROMANIA - Radio Romania Intl, 15380based) via Russia on 12060 at 1900-2000 with "Radio Tashkent calling," music, and ID. at 0230 with EE ID, news. (Jeffery, NY) EE news, features and ID. EE is on Saturday (Quaglieri, NC) RUSSIA - Voice of Russia, 11500 in EE toThursdayonly.Into AA at2000. VATICAN CITY - Vatican Radio, 7335 at with RR language lesson at 1536. (Barton, (Alexander, PA) 0050 to 0200 sign -off, announced as a broad- SAUDI ARABIA - BSKSA Holy Korancast to South Asia. Heard quite well over usu- Service, presumed, 15161.79 with time pips ally strong CHU. English from 0140 to 0200 at 1430, man in AA and into recitations. Very with many mentions of and IDs as "Vatican YOUAIN'T HEARD NOTHIN' YET low modulationontheannouncement. Radio, broadcasting to South Asia" and many Since 1967, CRS Research has been the world's (Quaglieri, NC) mentions of India. Unidentified language at leading publisher and supplier of unique hobby and professional books and information including: 04.sago' SINGAPORE - Radio Singapore Intl, 0050 changed to another language at 0100 and Scanner Freq. Guides Military/ Federal Comm. again at 0200. (Quaglieri, NC) On new 11910 Broadcast Station Undercover 6150 at 1245 with "industrial" music. (Barton, Registries Communications AZ) at 0143 with IS, SS programming at 0145 with Shortwave Freq. Guides 8 Other Related Topics! SOUTH AFRICA - Channel Africa, 11900 ID, religious talk. Ex -5945. Parallel 9605// Ask for CRB RESEARCH at 0609 with news of South Africa. (Foss, AK) 7305. But EE only heard on 7305 and 9605 our latest P.O. Box 56, Commack, NY 11725 FREE Ph: (516) 543-9169 FAX: (516) 543-7486 SOUTH KOREA - Radio Korea Int'l, monitored at 0250 to 0309. (Alexander, PA) catalog. [email protected] www.crbbooks.com 11715, closing at 1059. (Taylor, PA) VIETNAM - Voice of Vietnam, 9839.84 at SRI LANKA - Sri Lanka Broadcasting 1012 with commentary about regional peace Corp., 11835 at 1030 in EE with excellent sig- and prosperity. Fair, stronger on 12019.56 nal. Also heard on 11904.8 at 0152 with (Quaglieri, NC) orchestral music and woman announcer. YUGOSLAVIA - Radio Yugoslavia, 9580 15425 at 0215 with EE program on fusion at 0441 with sports, then talk about Croatian research. (Quaglieri, NC) government. (Taylor, PA) SWITZERLAND - Swiss Radio Int' I ZANZIBAR (Tanzania) - Radio Tanzania, coriisEcnErs 11860, at 0556 with music, ID, music box IS Zanzibar, 11734.1 at 1907 in Swahili. Man Where The Internet Means Business at 0559, ID in EE. (Foss, AK) with datelined news, ID at 1910, into music. THAILAND - Radio Thailand, 9885 at (Quaglieri, NC) Web Site Hosting 1251, good with piano music. Parallel fre- quencies inaudible. (Quaglieri, NC) And that's it for this time! A rip-roar- Your Own Domain TOGO - Radio Togolaise, 7265, atoping resounding round of applause to all Probably Cost Less Sudwestfunk, Germany, at 0605. News in FF the faithful this month: Marty Foss, by man and woman. (Quaglieri, NC) Talkeetna, AK; Al Quaglieri, Albany, Than Your Yellow Pages Ad TURKEY - Voice of Turkey, 9655 at 2158 in EE with IS, ID, frequency info, news.NY, DXing from NC; Lee Silvi, Mentor, (Jeffery, NY) OH; Sheryl Paszkiewicz, Manitowoc, Call Now UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - UAEWI; Brian Alexander, Mechanicsburg, Radio, Dubai, 15395 at 1330 with ID, fre-PA; Dave Jeffery, Niagara Falls, NY; Rick 800-341-6419 quency info, world news, Dubai weather.Barton, Phoenix, AZ, and Tim Taylor, (Jeffery, NY) Erie, PA. Thanks to each one of you.
UZBEKISTAN - Radio Tashkent, 17775 at CIRCLE 30 ON READER SERVICE CARD Until next month, good listening!
66 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE C. CRANE
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Asmentioned in the August 1997 capability to dial a Defense Switching column, the U.S. Air Force will be Network (DSN) phone number and re- gradually phasing in new HF radio motely connect to the Scope Command equipment as part of a new system called ALE system. Conceivably, someone sit- Scope Command. Scope Command will ting at their desk at Tinker AFB, Ok., combine several existing USAF HF sys- could pick up the phone, dial a DSN num- tems: Global High Frequency System ber, enter a code and make their own (GHFS), Mystic Star (Presidential flight phone patch to an aircraft. support and other key users), SITFAA During early 1998. listeners world- (Information and Telecommunications wide monitored a great many tests by sta- System of the American Air Forces, a tions ID'ing as "Scope Command Cell" bilingual Spanish/English, high frequen- and others. Frequencies used and associ- cy voice and data network), and Defense ated with this project include: 3059.0, Communications System (DCS) HF 3137.0,4721.0,5708.0, 6715.0, 6721.0, Entry. DCS provides HF communications 7632.0,8965.0,9025.0,9057.0,11226.0, services for tactical units in areas of the 11250.0, 13215.0, 15043.0, 18003.0, world where DCS connectivity is unavail- 20631.0, 23337.0, and 27870.0 kHz. able or insufficient. The primary contractor is Rockwell - The Return Of AFRTS Collins Communications Systems Di- vision. The new system, as currently Many readers around the world have planned, will consist of 14 worldwide HF reported hearing transmissions of the ground stations interconnected through Armed Forces Radio and Television various transmission mediums. The 14 Service (AFRTS) on 4278.5, 6458.5, and stations will be: Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; 12689.5 kHz in USB. These transmis- McClellan AFB,Calif.(listedas sions are apparently being made from the "Sacramento" or "West Coast"as U.S. Navy communications station NAR McClellan is scheduled to close in the in Key West, Florida, according to a next couple years); Offutt AFB, Ne.; release by the U.S. Navy. AFRTS is once Andrews AFB, Md.; Salinas, PR (a pre- again on HF thanks to a faulty satellite sent Mystic Star site); Thule, Greenland; Alan Gale, UK, sent along this photo show- link. I'm undecided if this is a "broad- Lajes Island, Azores; Ascension Island; ing the "island" ofHMS Ark Royalwhich cast" station or a "utility" station. Al- Croughton, England; Incirlik, Turkey; was taken during "Navy Day" in Portsmouth, though broadcast "feeders" are under the Diego Garcia; Andersen, Guam; Yokota, England, a few years back. ute umbrella, this is a direct broadcast Japan; and Hickam AFB, Hawaii. except it is in upper sideband. When one looks at the above list of sta- Major equipment being installed in- The U.S. Navy commissioned the tions, the reason for the recent closing ofclude operator consoles, circuit switch-world's newest and most advanced air- MacDill Global becomes apparent. In ing equipment, HF radios, RF matrixes,craft carrier, the USS Harry S. Truman fact, other locations may go silent as theyand antennas. Each station will consist of(CVN-75), on July 25 at Norfolk Naval are converted to "lights out" or unmannedpersonal computer workstations, Rock- Base. The carrier is named in honor of locations. Scope Command will utilize awell's Communications Control andHarry S. Truman. 33rd President of the "central dispatch" concept using a net con- Management System (CCMS) and audioUnited States. She is the eighth of 10 trol station and remotely operated capableinterfaces. The HF radio equipment in-Nimitz-class carriers currently autho- antenna sites. Andrews AFB, Md. will beclude Rockwell's Spectrum DSP RT- rized by Congress. The carrier will join theCentralized Net ControlStation 2200 receiver/exciters. These radios havethe U.S. Atlantic Fleet. No word yet on a (CNCS) while all planned 14 ground sta-automatic link establishment (ALE) and callsign, but in what had become pretty tions will allow remote or local operatorlink quality analysis (LQA) capability. much a Navy tradition look for a play of selection of operating frequencies, side - ALE is initially being installed at the the ships name, like NHST or NTRU. band selection, transmitter power, anten- behest of Air Mobility Command (AMC) While on the subject of the USN, many na selection, and azimuth selection forwho will have ALE -capable radios HFreaders have indicated they were able to directional antennas, half- or full -duplex radios for their fleet of aircraft. Base and hear related comms from RIMPAC-98. operation, and initiation of an Automatic wing command posts with HF capabilityNearly 100 commands, 50 ships, 200 air- Link Establishment (ALE) sequence. will also have ALE capability and thecraft and more than 25,000 Sailors,
68 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS/ November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE Earth crosses the path of the comethere. John uses a Lowe 150 and a NTR- Temple -Tuttle. As the Earth passes 1 DSP unit on the audio plus for decod- through the debris trail from this comet, ing digital signals he uses John Hoot's the Leonid meteor shower occurs which HFFAX and SWL 3.0 in a 386. John normally results in about 15 meteors per recently added an ICOM PCR-1000 run- hour entering the Earth's atmosphere. ning on a P166. But, on certain occasions the meteor John publishes a periodic positions list activity can reach "storm" levels, with of all "Foreign Flagged Vessels in the St. thousands of meteors observed per hour. Lawrence River and Seaway, and Great The comet's orbital period is approxi- Lakes" at the Great Lakes Vessel Pas- mately 33 years. This year and next, will sage page at
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 69 up but several numbers slipped out. At 0454 stations,military & commercial aircraft Abbreviations Used For Intercepts "Attencion" call-up, then two -number slip around the UK and Europe, from their stand out, at 0500 broadcast starts as normal. (RC) at the show - Ed.) AM Amplitude Modulation mode 4168: Italian Navy Augusta, I at 2259 in USB 5275: ALPHA 8 HOTEL with DELTA BC Broadcast CW Morse Code mode (1) ABJ w/ICB in USB, 75 bd RTTY on 4169 ROMEO YANKEE, ALPHA NOVEMBER 3 EE English kHz. (AB) & 95 INDIA at 0610 in USB for radio checks, GG German 4213.5: At 0705, NOJ, USCG Kodiak, Alaska also asked units if they were using dipoles or ID Identification/led/location w/sitor free CW marker. (MS) whips, mentioned something about deploy- LSB Lower Sideband mode OM Male operator 4232.5: At 1227, VRX, Hong Kong Radio ment & some units were mobile. Also gave out PP Portuguese w/CW station marker. (EW) CH# SIERRA OSCAR ALPHA & PAPA 4 SS Spanish 4254: NATO 2400 baud PSK signal heard at LIMA. At 0720 INDIA clg ALPHA 8 HOTEL tfc Traffic 0515. (TS) no joy, QSY CH# INDIA ZULU 4. (IJ) USB Upper Sideband mode w/ With 4426: NMC, USCG Point Reyes, at 10475277: PANTHER at 0521 in USB wkg wx Weather report/forecast w/wx forecasts for Calif. coast in USB. (EW)SHARK 29 req. Shark look for vsl Marita. YL Female operator 4483: Westernport Safety Council, Australia (RC)(Shark 29 is USCG cutter, probably 4F 4 -figure coded groups (i.e. 5739) at 0650 in USB clg VJ4626, vslAttila II,wino USCGC Decisive WMEC-629 - Ed.) 5F 5 -figure coded groups 5L 5 -letter coded groups (i.e.IGRXJ) joy. (SD) 5335: ZERO ALPHA & 10 New Zealand 4501: Unid at 2118 in CW, transmits time in Army net at 2100 in USB mentioned about hh.mm format UTC+4. (AB) getting in contact w/the STARLIGHT ele- Ops. Alan also reports that 5680 has been 4506: Unid in CW at 0100 (Enigma M08) ment.(IJ) very busy with record numbers of SAR w/5L cut numbers. (RC) 5365: Russian Man, RUS at 2100 in AM operations being flown. 4574: X-RAY 41 clg HOTEL YANKEE 5 at w/826 00000. (AB) Al Marote (FL) dropped me a note 0720 in USB no joy, contacting HOTEL5383: ZKCT, Civil Defence, Palmerston, YANKEE 5, going through a list of CH# des- North Central Zone HQ, New Zealand at 2115 quoting a Aircraft Owners and Pilots ignator's mentioned 26 ALPHA & SIERRA in USB w/ann that national telephone system Association (AOPA) release that indi- CHARLIE TANGO. (IJ) had failed for Southwest region of the Lower cates the FAA, the U.S. Coast Guard and 4625: Cuban (tent) CW net at 1200 on w/hand- North Island & emergency calls were also the Department of Transportation have keyed tfc, 5MGs incl n -tilde character, two affected. (11) decided the Loran -C navigation system stations. (AWH) 5421: "English man and Family" in AM at should continue operation beyond the 4663: Khabarovsk Volmet, Russia, w/avn wx 0300, YL/EE w/5Fx2. (RC) year 2000. While no new termination report in EE in USB at 1305 1/10090. (TY) 5422: Lincolnshire Poacher lady passes 5F in date was set, the AOPA has learned the 4905: Numbers station (Enigma M I A) at USB at 2200 //6485// 8464. (TY) Coast Guard is planning to operate Loran 2000 w/CW id 025. Unexpected end of the 5427: VJQ727, Capricornian School of through 2008. The decision still requires month transmission. (AB) Distance Education, Emerald Qld, Australia at 0209 in USB w/YL conducting grammar the approval of the Secretary of Trans- 5038: FDY, FAF Orleans, F at 2205 in RTTY 50 bd Test tape. (AB) lesson. (SD) portation. DOT had previously planned 5091: YL/EE, ULX, Mossad, Israel, hrd in 5436: 7 UNIFORM PAPA & QUEBEC on shutting down Loran on December 31, USB at 1600. Used to be JSR on this freq. (TY) ROMEO at 0835 in USB comms were a mix- 2000. Stay tuned! 5096: Cuba? CW, SS plain text briefly at 1520 ture of EE & Fijian w/msg re discontent had We have folks from eight countries then off, hand -keyed. (AWH) broken out between local & college students who sent logs this month that I'm sure you 5178: Backward Music station at 2257, same about school maintenance, also mentioned will enjoy. Now, on with the show ... signal strength as 6753 kHz. (AB) about sending msgs to station commander. 5201: Unid Cuban net at 1905. OM/SS sud-Could be Army/Military Police units or poss denly on w/long counts, "comienzo,- into tfc Fijian National police units as have been get- UTE Loggings - consisting several 5 -char mixed alfa-num ting some similar comms on 5400. (IJ) SSB/CW/DIGITAL groups, whole msg twice, "final" & off. (AWH) 5472: Numbers station (Enigma M45) at 5202: Unid tactical comms at 1407 in USB, 1703 in CW w/074 (R4) 296 296 296 46 46 356: SJ, San Angelo, TX at 1119 in CW. (DW) BULLDOG MAJOR wkg MARCH ENER- == 5F. (AB) 365: FT, Fort Worth, monitored TX at 1117 GY, DANGEROUS DAN, latter req VHF5598: Gander Radio, Canada w/aero wx in in CW. (DW) radio check. Southern US accents. (AWH) USB at 0253 wkg various a/c w/posn rpts, sel- 2182: S/V Romeo at 0130 wkg USCG Group 5227: VLH, School of Distance Education, cal cks, etc. (MS) Mayport (Fl) re collision w/submerged ship- Charters Towers Qld, Australia at 2306 in 5643: Qantas 42 at 0211 in USB wkg Brisbane wreck, S/V has minor damage. At 0300, M/V USB w/YL reading "Goldilocks and the Three w/posn report & advised to contact Auckland Parrot wkg Mayport re finding drifting raft Bears." (SD) at Ogibo. (SD) w/3 deceased people aboard. Both in USB. 5230: YL/EE, MIW2, Mossad, Israel, hrd in 5680: Kinloss Rescue, G at 0640 w/Alpine 24 (RK) 2670: NMQ27, USCG Group Los USB at 1715 also on 6745 kHz. Another day re wx. (AB) Four Oscar Alpha Zero Five at Angeles, at 0503 in USB w/MIB. (DW) 3410: KPA2, Mossad, Israel, hrd at 1615. also noted 1411, a Puma helo, 5 pob enrt from EGOV Unid numbers station (Enigma M17) at 2030 on 4665 kHz. (TY) (RAF Valley) to (EGAA) RAF Aldergrove, in CW, 66128 dots 27 27 = 5FG VA. (AB) 5245: MRV92, Royal Tournament London, G req listening watch. Pave Maintenance at 1230 Unid fishing boats at 0430 in USB talk of fish- at 1946 w/MRU18, MRA01, MRQ30, anoth- in rdo/ck w/Kinloss, this was a U.S. station, ing, boats & employees. (DB) er day wkg at 1924 w/AMM (Air 2000), G- believed to be a US 'Jolly Green Giant helo 3740: XSF34, Lianyugang Radio, China, OBWE (BWA), & MRL47. MRC01, RAF from Mildenhall. Yankee 64 at 1124 in rdo/ck w/CQ mkr in Hand -sent CW at 1040. (TY) Cadets, G at 1004 w/stations on-line: MRBOI , w/Sweden Air Rescue. SRG 32 at 2112 in 4015: Unid numbers stn (Enigma M08) in CW MRC01, MRV20, MRH19, MRC28, rdo/ck w/Kinloss, airborne from St. Mawgan, at 0400 w/5L cut numbers. (RC) MRU18, MRL47, MRV92 (maintaining 6 pob, enrt to Falmouth Bay. Bodo (Norway) 4028: YL/SS 5FG "Attencion" stn at 0450 in flight watch for RT98) all in USB. (AB)(The at 2119 wkg Sabre 33. Unk (Canadian?) stn at AM, these stations are very good about start- Royal Tournament is a yearly semi -military 2137 asking what sounded like US fishermen ing right cn the top of the hour, but today the exhibition. The Air Training Corps (ATC) use to move off 5680 as it was a SAR freq. DRGI broadcast started early. No "Attencion" call- their HF freqs to communicate w/other ATC (FGS Frauenlob M2658) at 1150 in r/check
70 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS /November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE wiGlucksburg Rescue (D). DRFL (FGS assigned operation Bahamas & Turks drug Siegburg M1098) at 1157 in rdo/ck w/same. interdiction. (MF) illeWERPoRr Mission 4868 at 1203 in rdo/ck w/same. (AG) 5853: VLH, School of Distance Education, Taupo Search Base, New Zealand w/Team I Charters Towers, Qld, Australia at 2306 in thru 11 at 2230 carrying out a grid search, try- USB w/YL conducting dental hygiene les- ing to home into a volley of signal shots from son. (SD) a pair of missing hunters in the bush, later 5880: Unid numbers stn in CW heard at 0400 Team 11 located them & req helo to ferry them w/5L. (RC) out. (IJ) All in USB. 6215: NEA Artakiat 0729 in USB clg 5692: RESCUE 2140, USCG HU-25 Falcon Melbourne Radio (VIM), adv departed from at 0144 in USB wkg CAMSLANT w/pp St Helens, Tasmania w/2 pax on board. (SD) District 7 Op's, inbound w/1 survivor re crash 6264.5: NRCB, USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) at PP73 of Army UH-60 assigned operation Bahamas 0355 in ARQ, USCG training three -masted Run three radios & Turks drug interdiction, D-7 adv 2140 to "barque," "America's Tall Ship" wkg CAM - at the same time land at Miami Inel customs ramp & ambu- SLANT, NMN, w/request they send nx items at the next ARES lance will be waiting. (Ed.) by sitor. (Ed.) or SAR event or when 5715: YL/North Korean nbrs in powerful 6283: Numbers station (MIB) at 1723 in CW civil emergency calls for the real AM at 1400. This stn starts w/martial music w/382 (R4) 214 214 44 44 == 5F. (AB) thing! Also great for packet/laptop/ then into nbrs at 1403. Similar but non -par- 6462: At 1235, monitored FUM, French radio combinations. Rechargeable allel activities hrd on 4770, 5782 kHz at this Navy, Tahiti in 75/425 RTTY w/de fum 7 amp hour battery with triple time. (TY) ryryryryryryryry. (EW) DC outlets comes with 5804: VJQ727, Capricornian School of 6496.4: CFH, Halifax CA. Canadian Military fully automatic charger Distance Education, Emerald Qld, Australia w/continuous RTTY & FAX, also heard on and padded nylon bag. Your at 0214 in USB w/YL conducting geometry 10536 kHz. (JW) radios can be clipped to the lesson. (SD) 6526:Unid,Jamaica?Heardat0222 sides of the bag for a sturdy, 5806.6:ZLKF, AucklandMeteo, New w/LDOC-type serviceherenightlybut fully portable command center. Zealand at 2230 in CW w/WX Synopsis & haven't caught an ID, Caribbean accents, so CUTTING EDGE ENTERPRISES gale warnings. (II) maybe Kingston. (AWH)(Both Air Jamaica. 1803 MISSION #546 SANTA CRUZ CA 95060 5841: 93 ALPHA, 04 CHARLIE, & 39 Kingston and Caribbean Bridgetown have ORDERS 800: 206-0115
CHARLIE at 2335 in USB coord crash recov- LDOCs here-Ed.) START $120 $77 $170 ery op w/PANTHER. Medical personnel, 6658: YL/EE, VLB2, Mossad, Israel, hrd in AT Ps Soo Jaw -of -Life, & injured being transported, later USB at 1545. Another day MIW2, Mossad )PP50 PP 73 RF 35 JR PANTHER 400 in net assisting as other assets hrd at 1515. Both unable to find parallel t-0501$160PP JR $60 $185eW,1$190 Peerahom -a-, joi-t effort. Was re crash of Army UH-60 freq. (TY) PP 149 k1IPP259 RF 35
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USA 60173 Fax: 949/498-0568 1-800-259-0959 [email protected] Visit us on the Web: http://www.wirelessmarketing.com htt ://www.ssccor com CIRCLE 55 ON READER SERVICE CARD CIRCLE 41 ON READER SERVICE CARD 71 6693: 4 ALPHA MIKE & 1 MIKE CHAR- LIE, U.S. Military at 0520 in USB mentioned getting authorization (audio was too distort- Global DCS HF Entry Mystic Star SITFAA ed). (IJ) Mission Mission Mission Mission 6695: Backward Music station at 2255 very strong (+20 db). (AB) 6745: NATO 2400 baud PSK signal here at 0555. (TS) 6768: "Attenc ion" numbers stn at 0100 in AM w/YL/SS w/5F, background of SS broadcast later whistling. (RC) 6899: Unid unit heard at 0345 in USB, ads was changing to CH# Alpha Zero Golf. (IJ) 6900: Lincolnshire Poacher, CYP at 2000 in USB, Id 89125. (AB) 6962: Strong ANDVT signal (s9+40 with 30dB att) at 0346 in USB. (RC) 7377: Cuba, unid 2100 to 2111 in RTTY 50/500, sounds like same tx previously & occ noted on 6868, op chat incl "DIME COMO ME COPIASTES" & ments ADT ckt, so maybe link to Managua. However, brief check of 13857 packet ADT link showed nothing. (AWH) 7450: Cuba? Unid CW at 1457 to 1552 on. hand -keyed "KNA KNA KNA 23939 23939 23939" repeated once ea minute for a while. 1505 "NIL NIL SK" (very SVR-ish), then back The planned locations of Scope Command transmit sites located on the Rockwell Scope again a few minutes later w/same format call- Command World Wide Web page. ups w/24142, 22690, 24182, cut 0 = T. (AWH) 7475: VLT, School of Distance Education, Charters Towers, Qld, Australia at 2306 in 8145: Unid in 50/850 RTTY at 0224 w/RYs 0637 in ARQ testing HF gear w/GKE login USB w/YL conducting lesson. (SD) de eiaayhyx. (MS) (This isEIP,Shannon Air, 70418 C6NR7. (HOOD) 7484: YL/EE, Cherry Ripe nbr stn, MI6, hrdIreland - Ed.) 8388.5: KRPB, MN Oocl Inspiration at 0554 in USB at 1300, also noted on 11570, 13866 8157: Cuba, SVR at 1415 to 1800 range almost in ARQ w/AMVER msg. 59,810 DWT con- kHz. (TY) daily weekdays lately, mostly FSK/500 Morse tainer ship. (DW) 7485: "Attencion" stn at 0400 in AM, YL/SS but occasional RTTY 100/500 "RYRY." The8406.5: UHEL, BMRT Kazan tuned at 0735 w/5F, lots of QRM from adj RTTY stn. (RC) "RYRY" on autokey morse occ also, but most- in RTTY 50/170 crew TGs to UIW. (HOOD) 7535: Hrd during the month wkg SESEF ly "Lenin School" hand -keying wNs & what 8418: LSD836, Argentina Radio heard at Norfolk: NJJC, USS Clark (FFG-11) at 1730, sounds like "EEFX7" or "IFX7" repeated fre- 0731 w/sitor free signal, CW marker. (MS) Oliver Hazard Perry -class frigate w/start of quently, not sure what it means. Hand -key "989 8505: UCW4, St. Petersburg Radio heard at HF xmitter testing; PCU Connecticut (SSN- 989" noted some also, trademark SVR test pro- 1819 in CW w/msg to R/Officer on UAQN: 22) at 1420, pre -commissioned Seawolf-class cedure. Sometimes it will break tx & return Kapitan Plakhin (ice -breaker). (HOOD) submarine w/HF testing; NIEY, USNS Bold after a while also. Some SVR voice numbers 8506: XSX, Keelung radio, Taiwan at 1058 (T-AGOS-12) at 1305, Stalwart -class ocean tests have been noted around this freq previ- w/CW tfc list marker. (EW) surveillance ship w/FSK tests for 2 xmitters; ously. (AWH) 8574: LGB, Rogaland radio, Norway at 0201 NKZI, USS Pensacola (LSD -38) at 1332, 8255: 9HNU3, MN Slovejna heard at 0506 in in CW w/cq/de tape. (JW) Anchorage -class Dock, Landing Ship w/HF USB clg Valparaiso Playa Ancha Radio. (DW) 8685: IRM, Rome, Italy, at 0208 in CW, testing. (Ed.) 8273: Unid stns heard at 0229 in USB, sounds Medical Services Tape & ID. (JW) 7635: Texas Civil Air Patrol at 0030 in USB like military coms. "Papa & Kilo re correct8743: HSA, Bangkok R, Thailand, w/wx in wkg Net Roll Call. (DW) mode 2, scrambled coms. (MS) (Sounds like EE and USB at 1305. (TY) 7983.7: RFTJ, French Forces, Senegal, heard USN Link -11 coordination - Ed.) 8828: At 0923 Auckland Meteo, New Zealand at 0228 in ARQ-E3 48/400, no ID but pre- 8297: ZLM, RNZN Auckland at 0937 in USB, w/volmet info, wx for Pago Pago etc FIR sumed ckt TJF. Return link JFJ on 7783.7 at YL & OM/EE w/MIB. (DW) reports. At 0926, monitored Honolulu Radio same time. (AWH) 8331.5: GYA, Royal Navy, in FAX 120/576 w/wx for Anchorage, Elmendorf, etc. Both in 8014: The CIA Counting stn w/YL/EE w/chart. (DW) USB. (EW) w/3+2Fs in AM at 1500. Unable to find out a 8346: UONZ, TKH Volga 4006 monitored 8846: New York ATC (CAR -B MWARA) at parallel frequency. (TY) at 0728 in CW clg RUA8, Petrozavodsk 0210 in USB selcal' ing Air France flt, adv 8035: VHA, School of the Air, Alice Springs, Radio. (HOOD) come up 5550 or 6586. (MT) NT, Australia at 0148 in USB w/YL conduct- 8359.1: UYHH, TKH Volga at 0823 in RTTY 8861: Khabarovsk Volmet at 0947 in USB, ing lesson. (SD) 50/170 msgs to Belgrade & Bucharest re YL/RR w/aviation wx. (DW) 8040: GFA23, Bracknell Meteo, UK at 0116 tourist company passengers from master Km 8968: BOLAR 80 at 0120 in USB wkg unid in FAX 120/576 w/wxfax. (JW) Zhurba to USO5 (a Danube cruiser). (HOOD) global w/pp Dover base op's. (RK) 8050.3: RFQP, French Forces Djibouti tuned 8375: "New Star" Broadcaster, Taiwan, 8971: FLYING TIGER 751 at 1749 wkg 4BM at 2232 in ARQ-M2 200/200 idling. (EW) CC/YL w/4Fs in powerful AM at1400. w/spare group message. (MF) BLUESTAR at 8063: Two Letter German numbers station at Similar but non -parallel transmission heard on 0230 clg BEAR 03 then other units. OMAHA 0034 in USB w/electric tones, YL/GG, caught 8300, 9725,11430, 13750, 15388 kHz at same 95 req if BEAR 03 has radar contact on the "Achtung," and into groups which seemed to time. (TY) Tango Oscar India (T01 or Target Of Interest be x 2, very weak. (Ed.) 8377: C6NR7, M/T Petrojarl Foinaven at - Ed), 03 adv neg, last porn passed is just south
72 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE of Port au Prince. (RC) GOLDEN GOOSE, 04:06. "Attencion 974 01" call up msg 01 45 11041: XPH Polytone stn at 0620 w/Tones, C4Y, BLUESTAR, others at 2030 in usual then went into 5FG at 0408 finale X2 0412. long msg ea 5 mins. (AB) ANDVT/voice net. Later BIONIC 06 wkg This one seems to be short every week. (RC) 11069: NNNOMBE USN Mars San Antonio GASPIPE ck' ing into the playground. (RK) 9441: XPH Polytone station, at 0600, tones TX at 0415 in ARQ w/MARSGRAMS. (I.1) WRANGLER 05at 1140 clg BLUESTAR who null message. (AB) 11093: WOODPECKER at 0254 in USB has him LC & req he go green. After a few 10045: 4XZ, Haifa in CW w/maritime wx rpts wkg unid units re bogies for next sorti will ANDVT bursts both stns return to voice & QSY at 0058. (MS) be in test procedure, then ROMEO clg to UNIFORM (UHF). (SD) All in USB. 10051: New York Volmet at 0241 in USB SIERRA MIKE, & refto"theplay- 8978.5: Reykjavik Air, ISL at 2215 in ACARS w/aviation wx for Philadelphia, Washington ground" & tracks, also hrd BULLKNIGHT, 1200bd w/HF Datalink squitter. (AB) & Baltimore. (DB) BOUNCER & other SLCS stns. (DB) (Link - 8983: CAMSLANT at 2304 wkg Air Force 10066: Ankara Aeradio, Turkey, wkg various 11 coordination net, possibly an Air Defense Rescue 232 (HH-60G) enrt to support USCG a/c in EE & USB at 1440. (TY) Warning net - Ed.) SAR. CG Rescue 1719 is flying cover over 10197: DRET, FGS Rottweil (M-1061) at 11123.6: USN Link -11 Coordination Net at area w/at least one 41' USCG boat in the area. 1725 in USB, German Navy minesweeper 0250 in USB for Pacific Rim Joint Fleet At 2325, 1719 reports one lost diver recovered wkg DHJ59, Wilhelmshaven Naval w/RTTY Exercise, w/PAPA, TANGO, KF, DH, JM, by 41' boat w/second diver recovered by the coordination tfc. (Ed.) others. (MT) HH-60G & enrt to Crystal River (Fl.) airport. 10263: CIA Counting Station at 2120 in USB 11175: DOOM 80 at 0119 w/pp via Thule to (DW) NCF, USCG Group Miami, Fl, USA at YL w/numbers. (11) Flight Bug? Command Post, not able to make 2352 clg CG RESCUE 6002 who was on - 10298.5: HSW62, Bangkok Meteo, Thailand low-level flight India Romeo 177 would like scene at the M/S Ecstasy fire off Port ofmonitored at 1220 in RTTY 50/170 wx info to resked low level fit to IR178-M. (RC) Miami. (Ed.) Both in USB. for Thai & other asian locations. (EW) (DOOM is a B -52G of 96th Bomb Sqd, 2nd 9023: SIDECAR, Canadian NORAD Region 10536: CFH, Canadian Forces Halifax, NS, Bomb Wing, Barksdale AFB, La; MUDBUG (CANR) East/West Sector Op Control Center, Canada in RTTY 75/850 at 2237 w/coded CONTROL is the command post from the 2nd CFB North Bay, Ontario at 1752 in USB wkg WX. (TS) BW - Ed.) ZAPER 26 at 1200 in USB w/pp FALCON 02 w/rdo ck. (Ed.) 10820: CIO2, Mossad, at 0247 in USB, to RAYMOND 09 for landing info. (RK) (EA - 9031: ARCHITECT, RAF London at 0336 in YL/EE repeating "CIO2." (DB) 6B of VAQ-I 30 "Zappers," NAS Whidbey USB w/special Meteo actual for Akrotiri, 10848.6: FOXTROT WHISKEY, Air De- Island, WA - Ed.) Both in USB mode. Cyprus. (SD) fense Warning (ADW) net for Pacific Rim 11181: TROUT 99 at 1530 in USB wkg 9041: 5YE, Nairobi Meteo, Kenya at 0420 in JointFleetExerciseat0436in USB Andrews w/landing info, also had 4 inert RTTY 100/850 w/RYRY, CQ CQ & then into w/DELTA, others. (Ed.) devices on board. (RK) WX synopsis. (IJ) 10954.7: RFTJF, French Forces, Port Bouet 11214: Trenton Military in USB at 1838 wkg 9130: YL/EE, EZI2 Mossad bcst in USB at(assumed) heard at 2314 in ARQ-E 48/760 `RAZOR 22' w/pp. (TS) 1400. (TY) idling. (DW) 11220: SAM 27000 in USB at 1819 wkg 9154: D4B, Sal Air, Cape Verde at 0302 in 11022: NATO 2400 baud PSK signal here at Andrews' w/equipment write-ups, & later pp 50/750 RTTY w/D4B testing & RY's. (MS) 1758. (TS) to Andrews Meteo. (TS) 9215: Argentine Federal Police net at 0325 in RadioMax - receiver control software USB, OM in SS w/ advisories, often would Monitor what's happening in real time. Search, sort, scan WORLD FAMOUS!! repeat the word Solicitor Commisario & giv- by freqs, comments, hits, etc. etc. PC can even speak the ing out the names of people. (IJ) freq. / hit time! Ascii and DBF file support. Tape recorder "TINY-TENNA" controls, alarms, logging, many new features. Automate Indoor Amplified Shortwave Antenna 9219: The CIA Counting stn, YL/EE w/3+2Fs that receiver! Just $45 inc. S/H. in US. More information Great for apartment condo, traveling, camping! in AM at 1500 //10247 kHz. Similar but non- or download the evaluation program with 1000's of (requires 9V battery or AC adapter -not included) parallel transmission heard on 7600 // 10597 interesting freqs. fromwww.futurescanning.com credit card orders welcome at: FJTURE SCANNING SYSTEMS $19.95 454 58,1.. kHz at same time. (TY) 6105 SE Nowata Road #6, Bartlesville OK 74006 1 -5 17-563-2613 9220: VZQ, Dept. of Primary Industry, Call today! 918-335-3318 FAX 918-335-3328 website:http://www.glr.com/dwm Brisbane, QLD, Australia, Stock Inspectors heard at 0715 in USB with a OM & YL try- CANADIANS ONLY! YOU AIN'T HEARD NOTHIN'... YET We have great selection of full -coverage scanners includ- ing to selcal a mobile unit & mentioned about Since 1967, CRB Research has been the world's ing AOR, Bearcat, Welz, and Yupiteru. We also carry scan- closing up the office. (II) leading publisherand supplierof unique hobbyand -17.ircoot ner interfaces for the ultimate in scanning experience. professional books and Information including: Continuous coverage from 5306110 to 2040MHz AOR 9238: Attencion stn in AM at 0600, YL/SS Scanner Freq. Guides Military/ Federal Comm. Modes: WFM, NFM, SNFM. AM, USB, LSB & CW Broadcast Station Undercover Large back -lit LCD display with contrast control AR8200 w/5F. (RC) Registries Communications User defined memory bank layout Shortwave Freq. Guides 8 Other Related Topics! Extensive search & scan facilities 9250.7: Antarctica, Dista Terre Adelie pre- PC Programmable Ask for CRB RESEARCH sumed, monitored at 1145 in ARQ-E3 96/400 our latest P.O. Box 56, Commack, NY 11725 Durham Radio Sales & Service, Inc. 350 Wentworth St. E., Oshawa, Ont. Ll H 7R7 FREE Ph: (516)543-9169 FAX: (516)543-7486 idle. (AWH) Ph: (905)436-2100 Fax: 436-3231 catalog. e-maiksales,sitibbooks.com www.crbbooks.com 9263: Cherry Ripe Numbers Station at 1100 Web: http://www.durharmadio.come-mail: [email protected] in AM w/interval signal & header (32455). //13866//. (DW) HF-VHF-UHF Receiver Multicouplers & Preamplifiers 9367: Russian Man (S7), RUS heard at 0520 Are you using several HF radios or VHF/UHF scanners at your monitoring site?? in AM Repeat of 0500 transmission. (AB) ....consider including a multicoupler or a preamplifier to your system. 9415: Cuban Bored Man spook at 1413-1435, SS/OM "R290" msg, //6868//4106. Another day at 1400 w/R290 again. (AWH) Attenc ion SWL/Scanning - Radio Surveillance- News Rooms stn in AM in 0355, YL/SS w/5F, broadcast Both our Passive and Active Multicouplers are commercial grade specially designed for demand- started early w/Attencion x4, then a pause ing monitoring applications with multiple radios. Our 2 and 4 port couplers are 50 ohms units with "Attencion, Attencion 974 011111111111 ..." better than 24 dB of port -to -port isolation. Active couplers features wide -band Low -Noise distribu- etc.. the computer got stuck on uno & repeat- tion amplifiers with High-Pass/Low-Pass filtered inputs, BNC connectors standard. ed it many times. Op realizes it & beeps hrd Price range: $70 to $150 depending on model from someone resetting the computer. At 0400 Give us a call for data sheet, application and ordering information. Mt broadcast starts as normal "Attencion 974 01" STRIDSBERG ENGINEERING, INC. call up msg 01 45 then into 5FG finale X2 P.O. Box 5040 Phone: (318) 861-0660 Shreveport, LA 71135-5040, USA. Fax: (318) 861-7068 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 /POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 73 11232: HUNT 60 (C-141) monitored at 1515 12245: WBZ7735, Sailing -sloop Retriever at w/msg to Pacship Panama via WLO. (MS) w/pp McGuire Op's relandinginfo. 1933 in USB wkg WOM, AT&T High Seas 12495: UBEZ, TK Orion 1 at 0713 at ARQ GASPIPE 07 at 1545 clg 'any stn this net,' Radio Miamiw/ship-shorepp.duplex w/crew TG to UFN (3123dwt sea/river GAMBIT answers, then into ANDVT. Both w/13092. (DW) tanker). (HOOD) in USB. (RK) 12425: Unid stn in Cuba in CW passing 12561.5: UCZV, TSM Ostrovets heard at 11345: Stockholm Radio at 1415 in USB clg telegrams in Russian at 2211. Probably a0708 in RTTY 50/170 admin from KM United 911. (PP) Russian ship. (TS) Safanov to UIW, K -grad Radio, is ex UNDE. 11387: Sydney Volmet at 0931 in USB w/avi- 12462: UOZR, TK Volgoneft 146 at 0656 in UHFC, Karacharovo (TSM 8375) at 0750 in ation wx. //6676. (DW) CW w/admin from Km Sobolev to UJE (ITU RTTY 50/170 admin from Km Sokolov to 11466: SAM 201, C -20B tail No.86-0201 at is now UABY but used old c/s). (HOOD) UIW. (HOOD) 0402 in USB wkg Andrews w/pp tfc. (MT) 12479: At 0422 unid ship monitored in ARQ 12579.5: YLQ, Riga Radio monitored at 1515
TABLE 1. XU7 Call List from Robin Hood, UK as of July 1998
Callsign Ship/Remarks Callsign Ship/Remarks
XU7AA UN BONG gen cargo 1992 9798dwt XU7GH FIDDLER gen cargo 1991 3866dwt (ex Kirzach, XU7AB KWANG MYONG gen cargo 1990 9750dwt UIVI) XU7AC CHONG GEN gen cargo 1991 9430dwt XU7GN MCL TRADER gen cargo 1990 3866dwt (ex Pizhma, XU7AF MUN SU BONG gen cargo 1969 UCSC) XU7AX KANGSON gen cargo 1970 (vsl rptd unk??) XU7GX ORCA gen cargo 1968 5935dwt (ex Isakogora, XU7BA FORTUNA 1 gen cargo 1992 2060dwt (ex 8IF9) UUKC) XU7BD HELENA 1 gen cargo 1970 3950dwt (ex us- XU7HA SILVA gen cargo 1971 2230dwt (Russian) Khrustalnyy) XU7HJ SOYANA gen cargo 1969 2485dwt (exAleksandr XU7BE ALEXSANDRE gen cargo 1965 3434dwt Pankratov) XU7BL GLENCORA bulker(ex Sovetskiy Khudozhnik, XU7HP NORLAND gen cargo 1975 11341dwt (ex UICD) Petrodvorets, USFK) XU7BM LAGOON bulker 1972 32404dwt (ex Filipp XU7HR SVET gen cargo 1970 13728dwt (ex Makharadze, UBOU) Svetlogorsk, UTYO) XU7BN CLAIRE gen cargo 1963 3468dwt (ex Izhorales) XU7JC JEANNE gen cargo 1968 12707dwt (ex Jeanne XU7BQ RAYNA bulker 1973 31923dwt Labourbe) XU7BS JINAN ro-ro 1968 3485dwt (ex Irismed) XU7JF BAMA gen cargo 1976 1335dwt (ex Erminia) XU7BT LUCKYMAR gen cargo 1966 2121dwt XU7JS KENGMA gen cargo 1977 2077dwt XU7BU DIBSON I gen cargo 1964 3434dwt (ex Kamales, XU7JT ELENA 2 type unknown (ex Blue Sky/Dongnama UENY) Inchon) XU7BX LEJYA gen cargo 1970 3050dwt (Russian) XU7KD NOOR ALHASAN gen cargo 1968 3680dwt (ex XU7CA LIDIYA gen cargo 1967 3930dwt (Russian) Krasnoarmaysk, URHL) XU7CJ KEYSI 1 reefer 1960 1363dwt (Turkish owners) XU7KF BIG DREAM sea -river cargo 1967 1821dwt (ex Geroi XU7CL WASSIM gen cargo 1962 (ex Paldiski, UCJG) Naumov) XU7CN WATERLOO sea -river cargo 1972 3180dwt (ex XU7KG BLUE OCEAN gen cargo 1979 20914dwt (ex Topaz) Volgo-Balt 167) XU7KK HIGH MOUNTAIN bulker 1972 32628dwt (ex XU7CS LEVENT bulker 1972 32404dwt Nopeunidas/Buffalo) XU7CU ALBATROS ro-ro 1971 1542dwt (ex Nikolas) XU7KM unid in UFN tfc list May 1998 XU7DQ BARAKA gen cargo 1970 2035 ldwt XU7KN unid calling UAT November 1997 XU7DR AHMED gen cargo 1972 4211dwt XU7KP ALPHA LIVESTOCK 19 livestock XU7DU IBRAHIM R gen cargo 1969 6035dwt (ex Penn, carrier 1970 2008dwt (ex Chabaa) UCNU) XU7KQ BETA LIVESTOCK 17 live stock XU7DV ANIVA factort trawler 1990 1810dwt (ex Ivan carrier 1971 1881dwt Korobkin) XU7KX KAROLINA gen cargo 1969 12707dwt XU7DW ALEXANDER K type unknown 395dwt (ex Kapitan (ex Karl Libnekht, UWPR) Ukhovtsev) XU7MD VICTORIA gen cargo 1968 12730dwt (ex stochnyy) XU7DY MAHER gen cargo 1972 4631dwt XU7MH unid in IAR tfc list April 1998 XU7EJ unid heard in VRX tfc list Oct 1997 XU7MK MEKONG ore carrier 1963 9995dwt XU7EL OCEAN FALCON gen cargo 1970 13150dwt (ex Ilya (ex Dneprodzerzhinsk) Ulyanov, UQRT) XU7MN SOFIA gen cargo 1970 2230dwt (ex Evgeniy XU7EZ WHESTGATE gen cargo 1965 1691dwt Onufriev) gen cargo 1962 2579dwt (ex Tartous 2) XU7FD SEACROSS cont carrier 1971 3089dwt XU7MQ LALUNA DEL MAR XU7FH ACRIS type unknown 1867dwt XU7MSBANIAS 1 gen cargo 1969 1082dwt unid possible "Sibirsk" working USU XU7FK ELENA sea -river cargo 1984 2150dwt (ex XU7MY Omskiy 117) June 1998 gen cargo 1967 14390dwt (ex Nikolay XU7FM AYATT cont carrier 1972 4244dwt XU7NE NIKA Dobrolyubov) XU7FR SALIMA gen cargo 1965 3317dwt (ex Nivin Junior) XU7NJ AMANDA gen cargo 1968 12640dwt (ex Inessa 74 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE in FEC w/tfc list (names, not calls) wx in EE 13846.7: RFQP, FF Djibouti at 0612 in ARQ- 16688.5: OXWW2, M/V Meibridge Force for Riga & QSS as 2460/8432/12579.5/ E3 100/425, idling then controle de voie at monitored heard at 1834 in ARQ w/AMVER 16955. (HOOD) 0618. (EW) msg. (DW) 12580: GKE5, Portishead Radio, UK at 0430 13927: AFA5OA, USAF MARS, Utah at 16711.5: P3JV4, M/V Seahope 2 at 0811 in in ARQ w/sitor free signal, CW marker. (MS) 2212 in USB attempting to enter the MARS ARQ msg to Thenamaris, Athens via SAB (a 12587.5: LZW, Varna Radio, Bulgarianet. AFA18N, Net Control, reports that 29107dwt bulker).(HOOD) monitored at 0437 w/sitor free signal and AFA5OA is not on the list, & that net is a 16785: UAYP, Leonid Ivanov, hull ID MB - marker. (MS) closed net. Adv net is the USAF Atlantic/ 0018, at 1243 in RTTY 50/170 w/crew TGs 12593: ESA, Tallinn Radio, Estonia at 1530 Central America/South America -area phone to UDK2. (HOOD) in FEC w/tfc list. (HOOD) Same at 0452 in patch net. (DW) 16804: UBXS, RTMKS Aleksandr Kosarev ARQ w/sitor free signal, CW marker. (MS) 13953: P6Z, French MFA, Paris, F at 0458 in at 0753 in RTTY 50/170 w/crew TGs to 12607.5: WNU, Slidell Radio at 1856 in FEC FEC-A 192/357 wkg unid stn w/5L's. (Ed.) UDK2. (HOOD) w/tfc list. (DW) 13958: Unid USN(?) Net heard at 2212 in 16812.5: Heard t 0629 NRV, Apra Harbour, 12610.5: VCT, somewhere in Canada at 0540 USB w/YY, 7J, K9G, I2A, X7A, others,Guam monitored w/sitor free signal, CW in ARQ w/sitor free signal, cw marker. (MS) active. (DW) marker. (MS) (Tors Cove Radio, NFLD, Canada a Globe 14487: Lincolnshire Poacher, CYP at 1200 in 16927: UIW, Kaliningrad Radio at 1533 in Wireless station - Ed.) USB, Id 47658. //15682//16084 kHz. All freqs RTTY 50/170 w/msg to UDAR, SRTM Ulan. 12615: USU, Mariupol Radio, UKR at 0550 heavily jammed by a pulse jammer. (AB) At 1040 w/msgs to UHDK, MTR Kvartsevyy, in ARQ w/sitor free signal. CW marker. (MS) 14686: U.S. Customs at 1426 in USB, ATLAS UHRN, TR Khrustalnyy Bereg, P3FZ6, TR 12750: NMF, USCG Boston at 1904 in FAX wkg 411 20 minutes out of Panther 400. At Motovskiy Zaliv, ELQZ9, TR Frost 5 (ex 120/576 w/fax schedule. (DW) 1535 ATLAS wkg 112, req confirm his tail Baltiyskiye Gory), 3FKX4, TR Ref Star (ex 12753.5: OXS, Lyngby Radio, Denmark at number as did not come up in database, then Kaliningradskiy Bereg), later to ELQZ6, TR 0657 in CW w/channel marker. (EW) into parkhill scrambling. (RC) Frost 2 (ex Primorskiy Bereg). (HOOD) 12853.4: GKB5, Portishead Radio moni- 14732: RFVI, FF Reunion Island monitored 17022.5: WLO in FEC at 1837 w/tfc list. (TS) tored at 1020 w/CW msg to 9HZU3, MN at 0341 in ARQ-E 96/425 idling w/good clear 17169: A9M, Hamala Radio, Bahrain at 0857 PO. (HOOD) signal. (EW) w/CW marker. (EW) 12857: 6W W, French Navy, Dakar at 0232 in 14902: Louisiana CAP 30 heard at 0041 in 17521.6: HSW61, Bangkok Meteo, Thailand 75/750 RTTY w/"ceci est le testing de la sta- USB wkg Night Time Communicators Net, at 0735 in RTTY 50/850 wx info for many tion six whiskey whiskey voyez le brick que units included Yosemite 184: Calif. CAP, Hill Asian locations. (EW) j examine prez du grand wharf,- then RY's. Cap 49: W. Virginia CAP. (DW) 17904: Seoul radio, S. Korea, wkg Korean Air (MS) (commonly called "le brick's," this is 14931: 8BY in CW at 1852 rpting VVV mark- 907 in EE, Korean & USB at 0300. (TY) the French equivalent to the English "Quick er & two 3F grps. (TS) 18280: At 1730 Piccolo mode, been here for Brown Fox" test tape - Ed.) 15016: DOOM 80 at 0148 in USB w/pp to more than 24 hours but no ID seen. (JD) 12887.5: EAD3, Madrid Radio at 1927 in CW 781-DSN through Thule. QSY from 11175 no 18879: At 1730 Piccolo mode, no ID seen but w/call tape. (DW) joy. (RC) MTS wkg MKK listed here. (JD) 12950: YL/EE, C102 Mossad bcst in USB at 15624: YL/EE, Cherry Ripe nbr stn heard in 19145.7: At 1700, RFTJ, FF Dakar in ARQ- 1245. (TY) powerful USB at 1000 //10452 //17499. This E3 200 bd to RFQP cct DKJ. (JD) 13022: SPB, Szczenin Radio, Poland w/ is a new Cherry Ripe freq first found Mar. 19696.5: 8P0, Barbados Radio, Barbados, Polish plain text in ARQ at 1849. Up in FEC 1998. (TY) wkg unid ship in ARQ at 1802. (TS) at 1900 w/tfc list. (TS) 15735: New logging for The Counting Station 21811: YL/EE, the Counting nbr station heard 13060: UFJ, Rostov Radio at 1030 in CW tfc at 1235 in AM w/3/2F. (CT) at 1100 in AM, also on 16086 kHz. (TY) list. (HOOD) 16000: VNG Australia at 0618 in AM w/ 22890: At 1730 Piccolo mode, no ID seen, but 13069.5: JOS, Nagasaki Radio at 1932 in CW strong time pips. (MS) MKK wkg MTS listed here. (JD) w/call tape. (DW) 16011.7: Egyptian diplo stn in ARQ at 1958 23461: YL/EE, Cherry Ripe nbr stn, MI6, hrd 13077: KMI, AT&T Coastal Station, Calif., w/Egyptian plain text. (TS) in USB at 2300, also noted on 17499, 20474 at 0232 in USB wkg vsl Aleutian Spray 16050: The Counting Stn (V05) in AM at kHz. (TY) w/radiotelephone tfc. (DB) 0100, YL/SS 3+2F. (RC) 13113: HLS, Seoul Radio, South Korea, 16080: Unid military exercise stn heard in AM Rptng short melody mirror between phone at 2015 w/repeating traffic. Possible SIGINT patches at 0700, similar activity hrd on 13161 collection training. (TS) This months contributors: (AB) Ary kHz. (TY) 16086: YL/EE, the Counting nbr stn moni- Boender, The Netherlands; (AG) Alan 13171.7: TSBN, the Tunisian Navy Tazarka- tored at 1100 in AM, was able to find parallel Gale, UK; (AWH) Albert W. Hussein, FL; class (lead ship) Small Patrol Boat "Tazarka" freq (21811 kHz), tonight it's easy to confirm (P-205) at 0158 in ARQ w/several non -clas- a parallel CH at the test tone transmission (CT) Clarence Thompson, TX; (DB) sified msgs in FF after selcal QCQT. (Ed.) before nbrs. Far away more than 5 MHz sep- Dean Burgess, MA; (DW) David C. 13200: REACH 507 no joy w/Andrews at aration! (TY) Wright,TX;(EW)EddyWaters, 1912 in USB. (MF) 16087.7: RFVI, FF Le Port at 1705 in ARQ- Australia; (HOOD) Robin Hood, UK; (IJ) 13282: Auckland Volmet, NZ at 0751 w/avi- E3 100 bd tfc to station "Paris" cct REI. (JD) Ian Julian, New Zealand; (JD) John Doe, ation wx. //8828//6679. At 0735 Honolulu 16193.2: RFQP, FF Djibouti heard at 1715 in UK; (JW) John Whitehead, Canada; Volmet w/same, at 0741 Tokyo Volmet ARQ-M2 200 bd tfc to "Paris" ccts QPF & (MF) Mike Fink, FL; (MS) Mike Scott, w/same. (DW) At 0240 Honolulu Volmet QRG. (JD) NJ; (MT) Matt Thompson, PA; (PP) w/wx, 1st of anything hrd in the Pacific. (RC) 16324.7: RFTJD, FF Gabon all day lately, Patrice Privat, Northern France; (RC) All in USB. ARQ-E3 192/400, occ garbled CdVs men- 13368.5: Unid in CW at 0245 w/5F, s/off tioning RFTJ, should be ckt JDJ but no con- "RC" in TX; (RK) Rich Klingman, NY; @0251 w/73 873 052 152 tttt. (MS)(The "Ts" firmation seen, lots of dropouts. Definitely (SD) Simon Denneen, Australia; (TS) are actually "cut zeros," where the T is sent isn't resurrected UGI. (AWH) Tom Sevart, KS; (TY)Takashi in place of the 0, it's a form of CW shorthand 16409: NATO 2400 baud PSK signal here at Yamaguchi, Japan; and (Ed.) ye editor in as letters are quicker to send - Ed.) 1852. (TS) Ohio. Thanks to all. THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 75 Tuning In (from page 4) today, giving consumers a higher resolu- Where can people dispose of sets tion picture and wide-screen presenta-that are beyond repair? tion. It will require a new television A: "Procedures for the disposal of receiver and broadcast facilities. Thistelevisions that are no longer function- truth about HDTV. We've waded through changeover from analog to digital will being vary by locality, and include curb- the piles of news releases, poured over the a gradual one, taking place over severalside drop-off, special pick-up or collec- hype from the industry and here's whatyears. CEMA says, "Thus, currentlytion days or drop-off at a centralized we found. Confusion. Buzz words. Hype. available analog TVs will provide yearspoint. Consumers should contact their And more confusion. of use and enjoyment." city or county authorities to obtain And of course the National Association information on the appropriate proce- of Broadcasters is absolutely rabid about DBS is a high-powered, high -banddures in their locality." HDTV. They want to get those digitally - digital satellite TV transmission system Kind of reminds us of when folks were transmitted signals out there because of that uses a home receiving dish 18 inch- getting rid of their large multi -band problems with analog signals that, with es in diameter. You can get up to 200 chan- receivers by dumping them at the curb. distance, slowly degrade into snowy pic- nels of digital video and audio program-Today some of those antiques are worth tures. And to make matters worse, theming with what CEMA says is "superior 10 times what grandma paid. whole digital transmission of both video picture and CD -quality sound." DBS was CEMA goes on to say that one out of and audio is a pretty complicated process the first product to bring digital video to four families buys a TV set every year which translates into cost, which further the living room. anyway, and that the year 2006 is a target translates into the usual "who's going to date for implementation of HDTV. They pay for this?" Who do you think? HDTV is "the centerpiece of digitalsay, "In reality few people believe that Uncle Sam has told broadcasters that DTV penetration by 2005 will allow the TV" and provides, according to CEMA, - also in the interest ofmoneymaking shutting -down of the analog signals by spectrum auctions - they need to com- "about five times more picture informa- tion (picture elements or pixels) than con- 2006." But that's what the FCC has man- pletely switch to digital transmissions by dated. Come hell or high water, in 2006 2006 when the current analog channelsventional television, creating unprece- dented clarity and wide-screen per-analog TV transmissions stop, digital will generate nearly $6 billion for Uncle begins. And what they don't talk about is spective." CEMA says, "HDTV will ulti- Sam. That's a lot of moola. But if you about the other three families like you and think that's a bundle, try to comprehendmately allow for the presentation of an entire football game using a single cam- me who buy a $400 TV set and expect it the more than $25 billion, which is how to last a few years. And just how many of much Uncle counts on raising from allera, providing users with a view similar to that seen from seats on the 50 -yard line."us regular folks really have room for a these spectrum auctions. large -screen TV in our already cramped We sniffed the money trail right to the CEMA's packet includes a Digital TV Q&A portion titled, "What You Alwayshomes? Visit some of those high -cost doors of equipment manufacturers and metro areas - New York, Chicago, Los the FCC. Several manufacturers haveWantedToKnowAboutDigital Television But Were Afraid To Ask."Angeles - I'll bet my keyboard that the come on board with converters that will majorityofviewersarewatching allow us to watch these new HDTV sig-Perhaps with good reason. Here are the salientpointstakendirectlyfrom"Jeopardy" on a 19 -inch or smaller nals on our current TVs - for about $200 screen. OK, it's true that large -screen pro- CEMA's packet: to 500. So what does Congress, the White jection TV sales are rising every year, and House and the industry think the millions the computer -TV "interactive" revolu- of folks on fixed incomes will do when Why would I buy a regular TV settion is in full swing, but the trend is still the broadcasting industry makes the dig- with HDTV coming? gradual. No one has been given a specif- ital switch? Few of these folks can afford A: "These sets will work forever withic year when they'll have to run out and to run out and buy the converter. Can you? everything but broadcast. For broadcastbuy a computer -TV combination or get Heck, most of us think long and hardsignals they will work until at least 2006their TV wired to the Internet. before plunking down that kind of moneyand then low cost converters will be avail- Interestingly,the media coverage on a new rig, let alone a converter, when able. Even if the broadcast analog signal about HDTV rarely brings up these and the darned TV probably cost under $300is ended in 2006, a $1,000 set bought inother points. I would imagine that's in the first place. Do you ever wonder 1997 would cost about three cents a minute because they're the ones that, in the long what the folks in politics and industryof average use for the next 10 years." term, stand to benefit from the new TV who come up with hairbrained schemes standards. What TV station or network eat, drink or smoke that makes them think When the analog signal shuts off, would dare step on its own coax by pub- in riddles? I have some ideas, but they'rewill people throw out obsolete sets? licizingthe down side of HDTV? better left out of print. A: "Sets won't be obsolete. First, the TVAccording to an information packet from Let's clear the air on the differences sets will work with cable, home satellite, the Consumer Electronics Manufactur- betweenDigitalTelevision(DTV),VCRs, DVD and other products. Second,ers Association (CEMA), " ... some Direct Broadcast System (DBS) and High for broadcast television, we expect lowestimates are that [new TVs] will cost as Definition Television (HDTV), courtesycost (under $150) converters to be avail- much as $2,000 to 5,000 more than CEMA's publicity. able when digital signals replace analogtoday's sets, while others estimate costs signals. As soon as the transition to digi-will range from $8,000 to $11,000 ... DTV is a new broadcast standard that tal begins, current sets can receive both thebut as mass production occurs in future will eventually replace the standard ana- analog and digital broadcasts with the years, prices will drop, making this tech- log television broadcast signal we receiveaddition of a set -top box." nology affordable." 76 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE ing room - you'll be spending a mini-Mark Chalkley's superb program. Well, "ill bet you also didn't know mum of $500 for analog -to -digital con-enter the gremlins. The review didn't end that in all likelihood your cable verter boxes. Or you can go all out and abruptly on page 61, it continued onto the TV company isn't anywhere buy three new TVs. You'll be plunkingright column of the next page adjacerlt to down a minimum of $6,000! That's pro-the "How I Got Started" story. near ready to go digital." vided prices come down a bit. You can get more information about the Think about the revenue that will fillFirstRate software by contacting Mark at the pockets of folks building and selling INTELLIGENCE AND NEWSGATHERING AGENCIES SUBSCRIBE...SHOULDN'T YOU? EVERY MONTH Monitoring Times offers the latest in: Shortwave and longwave DXing News -breaking articles Scanners Exclusive interviews International broadcasting program schedules Insights from the experts )- Frequency lists New product tests and Utility monitoring reviews Listening tips )- Electronic projects Satellite sleuthing )- Reader questions and answers Packed with up-to-date information concisely written by top writers in the field, Monitoring Times is considered indispensable reading by top government and newsgathering agencies. 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THE MONITORING MAGAZINE November 1998 /POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 77 RF TRANSISTORS AND TUBES2SC879, MRF454, MRF422,2SC1969,MRF492, 2SB754,SD1446, MRF247, MRF317, 2SC2166, 3-500ZG, 2CX300A7, 4CX250B, 7580W/4CX250R. WESTGATE 800-213- 4563. ReadersMarne START YOUR OWN COMMERCIAL RADIO STATION WITH ONLY $5000 OR LESS! Yes it's pos- sible & legal. Part 15 of FCC rules allows low power AM radio stations to operated without a license!! Cover an Advertising Rates: Non-commercial ads are 30 cents per word, including abbreviations and entire town & bill $1500 a month!! It has been done!! Order addresses; minimum charge $6.00 per issue. Ads from firms offering commercial products or the newsletter booklet that tells you all you need to know to get started for $29.99. Send check or money order services are $1.00 per word; minimum charge $20.00 per issue. Boldface words are $1.20 each payable to: WCTD AM 1620, 4 Canal St., Westerly RI (specify which words). Leading key words set in all caps at no additional charge. All ads must 02891 or call 401-348-9222 for information. be prepaid in full at time of insertion; a 5% discount is offered for prepaid 6 time insertions. All ads must be typewritten double spaced. FOR SALE: Terminal Node Controller (TNC) AEA PakRatt PK232 MB X. $200.00. Contact R. O'Donnell, Approval: All ad copy is subject to Publisher's approval and may be modified to eliminate ref- 314-296-4673 erences to equipment and practices which are either illegal or otherwise not within the spirit or coverage scope of the magazine. PRC-74BMilitary radio - 2 to 18 MHz USB 25 watt trans- Closing Date: The 10th day in the third month preceding date of publication. Because the adver- mitter, outstanding receiver - unit powered by 12 volts DC - manual, spare modules and spare parts available -serious tisers and equipment contained in Readers' Market have not been investigated, the Publisher inquiries only at FAX 512-857-0066. of Popular Communications cannot vouch for the merchandise listed therein. Direct all corre- spondence and ad copy to: PC Readers' Market, 25 Newbridge Rd., Hicksville, NY 11801. TrunktrackerOwners! Get our new booklet "Under- standing Trunktracker." Easy to read and understand, it helps explain how to set up and get the most from your new radio. Completely illustrated to make operation a snap. $14 includes s/h. ACS Press, 9051 Watson Rd., #309, St. Louis, WANTED: EARLY MILITARY RADARS. Aviation, CB and 10 METER equipment: Ranger, Galaxy, Mirage, MO 63126. marine, fire control, bombing, missile. Also parts, training Super Star, and Much More! Send 3 stamps to EDS, P.O. courses, TM's. RADAR: Box 10215, Bloomfield, PA Box 343, Howell, NJ 07731. RADIO STUFFSALE: Books, magazines, club bulletins, 15232. radio station items, old time radio & more. $1 for list. G. DX TOOLSfor the serious radio listener. Quantum Loops, Dexter, 213 Forest St., Lake Geneva, WI 53147. LEARN CODE BY HYPNOSIS - 78 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE Advertisers Index Cu1999c42000 AOR USA, INC. 19 Alinco 21 Antique Radio Classified 62 ith Atlantic Ham Radio 27 Atomic Time, Inc. 47 Only ?.t licA Bill's CB & 2 -Way Radio Service 48 $9.95 ea. C. Crane Company 67 42 s/h A-p'e 1-11M C & S Sales, Inc. 31 OA\ CQ Amateur Radio Calendars 79 of off the presses, our widely acclaimed cal ar series is back with CO's new 1999 editions. CQ Holiday Special 54,57 You'll re o your CQ calendar time after time as you search CRB Research 48,66,73 for the edules of upcoming ham events and conventions. Citizens's Band Review 48 Public h ays and valuable astronomical information will be COMSEC.NET 66 right by your side, too! Computer Aided Technologies 42,43 Cutting Edge Enterprises 71 Enjoy 15 nths of use (January 1999 through March 2000) with t year's editions. Each month you'll be treated to DWM Communications 73 some he greatest photography in all of amateur radio. Davis Instruments 65 Delphi Internet 37 Availa directly from CQ and from your local dealer! Delta Research 35 Drake, R.L. Company 11 RadioCIA..uiqsCalendar CQ Amateur Radio Durham Radio Sales & Service, Inc 73 Ca Calendar Firestik Antenna Company 35 Future Scanning Systems 73 Grove Enterprises, Inc 32 ICOM America, Inc Coy II Jo Gunn Enterprises 31 Lentini Communications, Inc 1 15 Month 1999/2000Calendar 15 Month 1999/2000 MACO Mfg. /Majestic Comm. 47 Calendar MFJ Enterprises, Inc. 39 The 1999-2000 CO Radio Classics The 1999-2000 Amateur Radio Calendar-Is there a ham anywhere Calendar- no ham should be MetroWest Inc. 37 who can resist the allure of a classic without at least one! Features15 piece of ham equipment? You'll be Monitoring Times 77 professional color photographs of transported back to a simpler time with some of the most unusual stations. Optoelectronics, Inc. 5,13,Cov IV these 15 magnificent images of some biggest antenna systems. and dramatic of the finest in state-of-the-art ham and beautiful operating locations in Phillips -Tech Electronics 62 gear, vintage 1923-1980. Collins, North America displayed on your wall! REACT International, Inc. 45 Hammarlund, Hallicrafters, National. From a cozy shack in the garage to Barker & Williamson, Globe, Central desert sunsets, every month brings RadioShack 29 Electronics and more. Don't miss new inspiration to the shack, this great collectible calendar. SONY 7,14,15 Sangean America, Inc 17 VII Signal Engineering 65 Please rush me my calendar(s) today. Software Systems Consulting 71 Name Spectrum International, Inc 51 Address Stridsberg Engineering 73 City State Zip Universal Radio, Inc 3 ( )Check( ) MasterCard () VISAAmok Viking International 23 V/ "M"Ess Wilson Antenna, Inc 9 ( ) AMEX () Discover Wireless Marketing Corp. 71 Card No. Expires Yaesu U.S.A Coy. III Signature Reach this dynamic audience with Fog' Z@MD9 gag your advertising message, contact Don Allen, W9CW at 217-344-8653, 77-600-£302-0707 Obr CVS-68V FAX217-344-8656,ore-mail: [email protected] CO COMMUND,kfrOYD09 01100. Nowbolcigs mbicovilog, VVDOV BY BILL PRICE, N3AVY The Loose Connection RADIO COMMUNICATIONS HUMOR Me, A Radioman? in my single -digit years, I longed for a U.S. Coast Guard, so I never got to use national security. I was taught encryption '32 Ford roadster, a Harley-Davidsonthem very much. secrets (don't even ask) and granted neat motorcycle, all kinds of guns (includ- After 13 weeks of boot camp, my hopes clearance which authorized me to hide ing a bazooka and a cannon), and a short- of pursuing the rate ofJournalistwere out in the crypto-shack and play with the wave radio. In his wisdom, my dad got me dashed (they only had about 12, and there neat gadgets. I learned to drop the power a shortwave radio. He also let me have a was a waiting list), and the one openingon our commercial frequency transmit- BB -gun, but my mother's frequent admo- forParachute Riggerwas filled, ourters and ask passing freighters.and pas- nitionsabout shooting my eye outboot -camp career advisor told me that I senger ships to mail postcards home from crimped my enjoyment of the thing. scored high in my Sonar Pitch Memory their next port of call. In the months leading up to a ChristmasTest, and my Morse code Recognition Sometime during my four-year hitch, I in the Fifties, I longed for the Hallicrafters test. If I wanted to get into a school, I'd learned that my dad had nudged me, S38 -D, which had a control panel thathave to pick between Sonarman School cajoled me, steered me into joining the looked as if it belonged in a B-17 bomber.and Radioman School or end up chippingCoast Guard, preventing my Uncle Sam I wore out that page in myAlliedcatalog. paint on an icebreaker somewhere. With from drafting me into the jungles of My dad opted for the improved S38 -E apologies toall my ping jockeyfriends, Isoutheast Asia. He helped me learn to with its all -glass front panel, not know- was not about to give up the chance to usesave lives and use that radio transmitter ing I'd have traded performance fora transmitter just to chase submarines and I'd longed for. looks. It wasn't much past noon thatlaunch depth charges. Radioman it was. On my first North Atlantic Patrol, I Christmas day that I decided I wanted a I'd like to pause here to discuss the one copied an SOS with the Captain standing transmitter. I wanted something to deci- thing that keeps the world going 'round: behind me, looking over my shoulder. As pher Morse code for me too, but not so Motivation. Without motivation, we just for becoming a journalist, I did publish a badly as I wanted a transmitter. don't get out of bed, we don't go to work, ship's underground - no, that would be License? Study? Test? Code? Naaaah, we don't shower. The Coast Guard (and underwaternewspaper. Never did learn I don't want a big powerful transmitter-other fine branches of the military) has how to rig a parachute. People serving in just something to get me around theplenty of motivation to handle getting up, the Coast Guard just didn't jump out of neighborhood - well, maybe down into working, and showering. To my surprise, many planes. Philadelphia. My dad, who usually didthey had a great motivational system in During my stint in the Coast Guard, I know best, bought me an ARRL licenseplace for learning to copy Morse code atgot to ride a Harley, fire a five -inch gun manual and novice study guide on thea minimum of 20 wpm, learning to touch-(just once), shoot a .45 Automatic, and very next business day after Christmastype at a minimum of 60 wpm, and learn- march with an M I Carbine dangling from that year. "Study, pass your test, get youring the other fine points of military andmy right thumb. I have never owned my amateur license," he said, "and I'll get commercial communication procedure. own bazooka or cannon, but a neighbor you a small transmitter." Before we attended a single class inhere in the Old Dominion has a lovely I had an "Elmer" nearby, but I neverGroton, Connecticut, we ate breakfast. Itcollection of civil war cannons which he spent time with him asking questionswas good chow, as chow goes, and it wasfires for us each Fourth of July. He is for- about things I didn't u*erstand. Andserved by those who did not live up to thetunate that he owns enough land to drop there was the code. I spentltau...rs eachexpectation of Coast Guard Radiomana croquet -ball into his own cornfield with week devising ways not to spendours School and the other schools locateda one -pound charge. each week actually studying and learning there. Since we students got up very early, They don't use Morse code anymore in the code. I probably spent eight or 10those who fed us breakfast got upvery, the Coast Guard, and there's no threat (not years of my life looking for a way to use veryearly, and were required to be polite today, anyway) of being drafted into jun- a powerful radio transmitter without get- to those of us still making the grade. Igle warfare, but if you can get in, it's a ting a license. I would see ads for CB never once had to be reminded to study. clean place to grow up, learn something, radios, but they were koond my savings After six months in Groton, I wasand put away a few bucks for an educa- account balance, which was usually agranted the authority to use BIG RADIO tion. My N3AVY amateur callsign is quarter (there were no minimum balances TRANSMITTERS! I sent official com-rather ironic for an ex-Coastie, but I'd then). Eventually, my dad got a pair of munication of great importance some- have had to be Russian to get U3SCG. CB radios just about the time I joined the times life or death, sometimes matters ofSemper Paratus. 80 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / November 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE "VHF UHF, AM, FM, Air Band, Police, Fire-TV" too? Wow" "The VX-IR is smaller than most pagers!" "Over /9 hours* of use from the rechargahle lithium ion battery!" "Looks like Yaesu did it again!" VX-1 R Ultra -Compact Dual -Band Handheld Features Frequency Coverage Wide Multi -Band Receive RX: 76 -999 MHz** TX:144-148,430-450 MHz AM/FM/TV Broadcast Receive AM Aircraft/Public Safety Receive CTCSS Encode/Decode DCS Encode/Decode CTCSSIDCS Tone Search Dual Watch SmartSearchTM Auto Range Transpond System"' (ARTSTm) Priority Channel Alarm ADMS-1D Windows"' Programmable 1 Watt External Power Supply 80 Minute Rapid Charger Flexible Antenna, Belt Clip, Hand Strap -Cellular blocked 'Battery Life: 5-5-90 duty cycle. The world's smallest HT with all the high-tech features Dick Tracy could ever want! The ultra -compact size of the VX-1R shows 6 -character alphanumeric capa- VX-1R is the world's smallestt dual - Dual -Band is the first thing you notice bility; backlit keypad makes operation band HT, you get over 19 hours* of as you cradle it in your palm. But the easy in dim light. And, although the use with just a 1 hour recharge from high-tech features make this radio one its long-lasting lithium ion battery! you must have now! Simple combi- Big features, small size-the most sat- nations, using seven buttons and one isfying combination in the world! See knob, control this marvel of engineer- it at your Yaesu dealer today! ing. One soft key touch, and wide receive VHF/ UHF -76-999 MHz RX (except cellular); 144-148, 430-450 MHz TX, or AM/FM Broadcast, YAE SU Aircraft, Police, Fire-even TV, spring to life! Touch again for Yaesu-exclu- ...leading the way SM sives, SmartSearchTM and ARTSTM, or For the latest Yaesu news; hottest products, Priority Channel Alarm. Built-in visit us on the Internet! http://www.yaesu.com CTCSS and DCS Encode/Decode for 2m/440 amateur bands, CTCSS/DCS ©1998 Yaesu USA, 17210 Edwards Road, Tone Search, and Dual Watch, are Cerritos, CA 90703, (562) 404-2700 included along with 291 Memory FT-50RD FT -51R Specifications subject to change without notice. Specifications MIL-SPEC,Heavy Dual -Band with guaranteed only within amateur bands. So me accessories Channels in 9 banks with 500 mW Duty, Dual -Band Dual Receive and andior options are standard in certain areas. Check with your power output. Backlit LCD Display Handheld Help Menu Function local Yaesu dealer for specific details. /Smallest HT as of Jan. 1998 ofit kb. OptoSpot Hits The XPLORER .10MHz - 1.4GHz .30MHz - 2GHz wide band .30MHz - 2GHz (Cellular Blocked) *Stores 400 frequencies in memory receiver (Cellular Blocked) Two line LCD frequency display *Reaction Tune the ICOM *Built-in speaker for instant Decode CTCSS, DCS, and R7000, R7100, R8500, R9000, R10, audio demodulation DTMF AOR 8000, AOR 8200, and Opto R11 LED frequency range indi- 500 memories *10 digit LCD with signal strength bar - cation display 1000 frequency lockout graph *Reaction Tune with Scout Built-in PC interlace *Vibrator and hooper alert mode Capture 5 watt UHF signal *Capture 5 watt UHF signal from from 500 feet 800 feet .1000 frequency lockout SAVE SAVE $100 $100 $799 $299 TA100S Antenna Included TA100S Antenna Included DB32 Antenna Sold Separately (529) theSpotlight Special Prices are rt for a Limited Time Only!! CUF COUNTERS Handheld frequency counters, all incorporating patentedDigital Filter and Digital Auto Capture. All counters come with initial accuracy of an 1ppm. High impedance amplifiers standard on M1 and 3000APlus. Call for additional features on all three counters. M1 CUB $149 SAVE $50 on the 3000A+ mi $199 M1 & 3000A+ OPTOCOM Computer Not toduded 3000A+ $299 GRE receiver *Store & Scan. download up to 28 different frequencies or one talk group ID for scanning without computer control Antennas Sold Separately - raci, Motorola 400. 500. 800. and 900MHz systems Decode CTCSS. DCS, LTR, DTMF. and Motorola talk group IDs *Supplied with the all new Trakkstar software Scan trunked and conventional frequencies simultaneously Trunk Track LTR systems *Reaction Tune with Scout Frequency Recorder *Scans conventional frequencies from 25-250. 760-823.995. *Software Controlled volume & squelch for remote control operation 849.005-868.995, 894 005-1300MHz (Cellular frequencies blocked) Micro Counter Micro TECHTOYZ OPTOTRAIOtER DTMF Decodes CTCSS, DCS, LTR. Computer control scan- Micro Test equipment in Motorola Type I and II, and DTMF ning interface board for pager style cases featuring a 2000 char- Scan multiple trunked systems the popular RadioShack acter DTMF decoder. at the same time under computer Pro 2005/6 (OSLite) a Frequency Counter Control and Pro 2035/42 All tusked frequency bands sup- (0S535). withthree memory ported, including 400MHz, Decode CTCSS, DCS, hold,and an RF 500MHz. 800MHz and 900MHz and DTMF with 0S535 Detector with setable thresholdalarm. Built-in Data Slicer Circuit only Pass through technology requires only Supported by popular third Micro one com port parry software RF Detector MicroCounter $99 Includes SAVE Software Purchase all $299 $24 three for MicroDTMF $99 Receivers supported under computer cortrol, $175 $299 Icon, R7000, R7100, R8500, R9000 and R10, AOR AR8000, OS456Lite: S99 MicroRF Detector $149 AR3000A, AR5000, and Pro 2005/6 with 08456/051A°, Pro Save $48 2035/42 with 0S535 TMC100 Antenna Sold Separately ($9) FACTORY DIRECT ORDER LINE 800-327-5912 Made in the ORIIIITOW10. Mme'N'el1916/111 ION!" 0 .5. %ONII %NramImIllmivitim I I \ III 11,16... 5821 N.E. 14th Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334 www.optoelectronics.com Telephone: (954).771.2050Fax: (950771.2052 [email protected] Prites and Specifications iqy subject to change without notice or obligation The OptoCom has not been approved by the Federal Communications Commission. This device may not be sold or offered for sale until the approval ofFCC has been obtained. Contact Optoelectronics for information on evade. Optoelectromcs, ScanStar. Motorola. EF Johnson LTR and Microsoft Windows are all registered trademarks. Scout, 3000A, R11. Xplorer, MicroCounter. Ml. Cub are covered by U.S. PatentNo. 5.471,402. CIRCLE 132 ON READER SERVICE CARD