£3.50 £3.50 .Dt February 1998 1998 February JOURNAL OF THE RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN BRITAIN GREAT OF SOCIETY RADIO THE OF JOURNAL Volume 74 No 2 • • 2 No 74 Volume Project: Measuring Rho Rho Measuring Project: Results: RSGB SSB Field Day Day Field SSB RSGB Results: gazine in Radio and Electronics Electronics and Radio in gazine Review: DJ-C1 & C4 Handhelds Handhelds C4 & DJ-C1 Review: L91 L91 RRDIO RRDIO YEARS OF RIIRTEUR RIIRTEUR http://ww w. rsgb. o rg rg o rsgb. w. http://ww

' T IE il k R AO D B I i O 3 4F.I AY Í I R E S Makinga_cheap dual-banderrsn't difficult. 'Making it a Kenwood was.

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'Impossible' you say. 'They've left something out.'

On the contrary. Check out the specification and you'll discover that there's an illuminated keypad and display - as well as 200 memory channels, sophisticated scan functions and even PC link-up. Hardly the result of skimping.

In fact, the only way we could bring you the TH-G71E for so little money was through our continued investment in advanced manufacturing techniques. Ring your local Kenwood dealer for details, or contact Kerivvm.)d direct oi (01923 655284.; [email protected] o FM dual-bander (VHF/UHF) handheld transceiver • High-performance antenna provides up to 6 watts of RF output C' Lightweight, compact design - tough and water resistant to MIL-STD Illuminated keypad and backlit display C , 200 memory channels PC interface Multiple scan functions, including useful resume modes Memory alpha-tag facility -- Built-in CTCSS encoder/decoder DTMF remote control Expandable frequency coverage

KEN WOOD COVER PICTURE: Managing Editor Young A mateur of the Year Em ma Mike Dennison, G3XDV Constantine, 2E1BVJ, prepares for her

Production Editor live interview on BBC TV's Blue Peter. Jennifer Crocker, 2E lENT Story: page 9.

Technical Editor Steve White, G3ZV W RadCom News Editor Radio Co m munication Stephen Telenius-Lowe, G4JVG Features Editor R E G U L A R S Deniz Huseyin, 2E1EJQ N E W S A N D R E P O R T S

Technical Illustrator Bob Ryan, 2E1EKS • 8 THE RADCOM LEADER 45 OLD TIMERS' Production Assistant 'Forefront of Technology' by Peter Kirby, GOTW W, General Manager. Wai-Yee Man _ HONOUR ROLL Editorial Secretary 9 RADCOM NEWS Samantha Ralph National Media Splash for Amateur Radio • Operate Onboard QE2 • 65 HF All contributions and IARC 50 Years • Clubs in Fund Raising Drive • Keeping an Eye on correspondence concerning the Standards • ARRL DXCC Checks in UK • Raynet in Derail Drama • content of Radio Communication 66 PROPAGATION SSTL Wins NASA Contract • AMSAT-UK Contact • Licence Re- should be posted to: voked by RA • Thinking Day • HE Committee Vacancy • National The Editor 68 VHF/UHF Radio Communication Novice Contest • New BARTG Officer. Lambda House, Cranborne Road Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JE AMATEUR RADIO AND WRC 97 70 ERIC

Tel: 01707 659015 Tim Hughes, G3GVV, reports on the World Radio Conference. Fax: 01707 645105 BREAKING NEW GROUND: AN SWL WORLD RECORD 72 DATA EliLEAD RadCom Advisory Panel FEATURE Bob Treacher, BRS32525, charts the feats of the SWL Challenge team, Peter Kirby, GOT W W which set a new listener's record during the CQ W W SSB Contest. 73 GIRP General Manager 81 SSB FIELD DAY 1997 Mike Dennison, G3XDV 74 SWL Managing Editor Chris Burbanks, G3SJJ, Chairman of the RSGB HE Contests Commit- tee, reports on last year's IARU Region 1 SSB field day. John Forward, G3HTA 75 OSL T I 'Smudge' Lundegard, G3GJW T E C H NI C A L F E A T U R E S Dick Biddulph, G8DPS IARU Chairman, Technical and 76 Publications Advisory Committee 23 MEASURING RHO - THE ALTERNATIVE TO SWR Malcolm Taylor, GOUCX 77 HELPLINES Advertising Agent Bob Pearson, G4FHU, describes an instrument which not only indicates antenna efficiency, but how far out it is from the design impedance and Marcia Brimson, 2E1DAY 77 'TEST' Marketing Manager in which direction. ADVERTISING 32 MMIC PREAMP FOR 'DC TO DAYLIGHT' 83 CONTEST All display and classified Edited from an original article in QST, November 1997 by William A advertising enquiries (excepting CLASSIFIED Members' Ads) should be directed Parmley, KR8L. to our advertisement agents: 34 THE REFLEX BEAM HF ANTENNA 88 MEMBERS' ADS Malcolm Taylor Associates The concluding part of Tony Preedy's, G3LNP, feature. PO Box 3241 Bournemouth 90 CONGRATULATIONS BH8 8WT 36 TECHNICAL FEEDBACK Tel: 01202 777 852 Solar Data Explained • Antenna Bridge. Fax: 01202 317 902 90 SILENT KEYS 56 IN PRACTICE RadCom is published by the Ian White, G3SEK answers readers' letters: Radio Society of Great Britain as 90 RALLIES AND its official journal on the first day PCB Crimp Terminals • IGBTS • `J' Notation - Simple! of the relevant month and is sent EVENTS free and post paid to all members 58 EUROTEK of the Society. In CQ-DL 11/97 Hans-Joachim Brandt, DJ1ZB, tells how he traced and 92 RSGB BOOK SHOP cured spurious radiation from a domestic fax switch. Translated and Closing date for contributions, edited by Erwin David, G4LQI. unless otherwise notified, is five 94 GB CALLS weeks prior to publication date. 59 TECHNICAL TOPICS All material in RadCom is subject to 250W Broadband MOSFET Amplifier for 136kHz • G3PLX's DSP 95 THE LAST WORD editing for length, clarity, style, Echo-detection System • PAOKSB Endorses 'Fast' Huff & Puff • punctuation, grammar, legality and Broadband HE Impedance-loaded Kite Antennas • Voltage Reflection P R O D U C T S taste. Coefficient • Tuned Transmitting Loops Controversy • Here and There. No responsibility can be assumed for the return of unsolicited material 47 PRODUCT NEWS (if in doubt, call us first!) D O W N T O E A R T H Newsfromthe amateur radio trade. 0 Radio Society of Great Britain 1998 37 NEWS FROM AMATEUR RADIO'S NEWCOMERS 53 EQUIPMENT REVIEW Articles are accepted on the strict Compiled by Esde Tyler, GOAEC. In colour. RSGB HQ staff take a look at understanding that they are not the Alinco DJ-C1 and DJ-C4 currently on offer to any other 38 QSLING FOR BEGINNERS publication. Unless otherwise 144MHz and 432MHz micro • If you are newly licensed and want to start sending or receiving QSL indicated the RSGB has purchased hand-helds. all rights to published articles. • cards, read this feature to find out all you need to know. Filmset by JJ Typographies Ltd, Southend, Essex. 40 PHASE LOCKED LOOP BASICS

Printed by Southemprint (Web Ian Poole, G3Y WX, describes the fundamental principles of a technique WIN Offset) Ltd, Poole, Dorset. used in a variety of radio-related applications. • A FREE TRIP TO RSGB membership at 30 April 1997: 28, 221 • • 42 AN AMPLIFIED RF PROBE FRIEDRICHSHAFEN ISSN No: 0033-7803 Build this simple instrument, which detects RF signals and indicates their relative strength. Steve Ortmayer, G4RA W, describes how. SEE PAGE 94

RadCom • February 1998 3 o o o o 1COM 1COM 100M ICOM koin IC £1695 Now available from stock! £27.84 DEPOSIT & 42 x £50 p.m. •

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,70 SPECIFICATIONS X9 X7 Frequency Coverage (Meters) 10, 15, 20 10, 15, 20 Total number of Elements 9 7 Maximum Gain (dB) 20M 13.0 @ 14 deg 12.5 @ 14 deg One Wavelength 15M 13.9 @ 12 deg 13.0 @ 12 deg 10M 14.0 0 15 deg 12.9 @ 14 deg Typical radiation patterns. Maximum Front to Back Ratio (dB) 30 30 Height: One wavelength. Frequency: 20 M Number of Elements per Band 4 3 VSWR Minimum 1.1:1 1.1:1 Elevation VSWR 1.5:1 Bandwidth (KHz) 20M 350 600 15M 450 750 10M 1500 1700 Longest Element, ft (m) 36.5 (11.12) 37.2 (11.33) Turning Radius, ft (m) 21.7 (6.61) 20.0 (6.09) Boom Length, ft (m) 28 (8.53) 18 (5.49) Boom Diameter, in (cm) 2-1/2 (6.35) 2-1/2 (6.35) Maximum Mast Diameter OD, in (cm) 2-1/2 (6.35) 2-1/2 (6.35) F ligi ll Maximum Wind Survival, mph (kph) >100 (>161) >100 (>161) Maximum Wind Surface Area, ft2 (m 2) 9.9 (.92) 7.9 (.73) CUSHCRAFT Windload 80 mph, lb (kg) 255 (116) 202 (92) ___.... 41)) COMMUNICATIONS ANTENNAS Maximum Power Handling (KW) 2 2 0 Weight, lb. (kg) 85 (38.5) 60 (27.2) 48 Perimeter Rd, Manchester, NH, USA 03103 • 01-603-627-7877 • FAX: 01-603-627-1764 List Price $995 $675 Email: [email protected] • World Wide Web: http://www.cushcraft.com LO W E Lowe Elec o Fantastic Value PlIEW: FROM ICO M £119.95 plus FREE p&p C-408 UHF 430MHz HORA Super Mini Amateur Transceiver

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NEW SERVICE OUT NO W...OUT NO W... Lowe Electronics Catalogue This month we would like to introduce a new service to customers from Lowe. Our FREE! Plymouth branch which has been run very ably for some years now by FREE! Robin G4XZS and Derek G7ESZ is actually part of a much larger computer business. FREE!

They specialise in building and configuring PCs to order, and supply them to many local users and FREE! businesses all over the West of England. We are now pleased to be able to offer custom made computers at FREE! excellent prices through our Plymouth shop to all our customers. Just give them a ring on the special Lowe 80 pages of of exciting products covering- order line. • Communications • Amateur Radio 01752 776641 • GPS Navigation • Short Wave Listening and they will be happy to quote for your exact IT • Airband & Scanning requirements, be it a simple PC for data decoding or a • Security full radio ready multimedia unit • Weather Monitoring Don't miss out - just send four first class stamps to receive your own catalogue! With the great reception th have had for our first ever catalogue, we a esting in an expansion of our mail department (run by Lowe Electronics Ltd the hard wkingflav G BJ) to cope with the extra busin' you haie t had a look at Chesterfield Road, Matlock the cata1ogu p. , le e do senckef f onc and if Derbyshire, DE4 5LE you like as ch we think'Sfou MII, return Telephone (General Enquiries) 01629 580800, Fax 01629 580020 the card(insi I t a w can put yo bon our databas to rec5; ve news f exciting new' Orders FREEPHONE 0800 174749 products f e et io the magazine Email: [email protected] URRL: http://www.lowe.co.uk That's t th i)nth ou a vert in the next issu be "s roo" to quote the Showroom opening hours are 9.30am to 5pm Mon-Fri and 10am to 4pm on Sat, but check with our local branches as times may vary al words o our der Bill L we many ago. Branches Bristol & Wales, 79 Gloucester Road, Patchway, Bristol B512 5W, Tel 0117 931 5263 Fox 0117 931 5270 North East, Unit 18B, Airport Industrial Estate, Newcastle, NE3 2EF, Tel 0191 214 5424, Fax 0191 214 0761 Best regar - South West, 117 Beaumont Road, St Judes, Plymouth PL4 9EF Richard C530QT Tel 01752 257224 Fox 01752 257225 THE RA D C O M LEA DE R RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN

THE NATIONAL SOCIETY WHICH REPRESENTS UK RADIO AMATEURS Forefront of

Founded in 1913 incorporated 1926. Limited by guarantee Member society of the International Amateur Radio Union

PATRON: HRH PRINCE PHILIP, DUKE OF EDINBURGH, KG, KT Membership is open to all those with an active interest in radio Technology experimentation and communication as a hobby. Applications for membership should be made to the Subscriptions Department from which full details of Society services may also be obtained. TOWARDS THE END OF each year that passes, one has a Headquarters and registered office: Lambda House, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, Hens EN6 3JE tendency to look back over the past twelve months, to review Telephone: 01707 659015 - Members Hotline and book orders Fax: 01707 645105. Web Site: http://www.rsgb.org what has, or has not, been achieved. If you turn on your television E-mail addresses: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; RadCom @rsgb.org.uk; [email protected]; or radio in the week between Christmas and the New Year you IOTA.HQ @rsgb.org.uk; [email protected] are inundated with programmes reviewing the news of the year. General Manager and Company Secretary: Peter Kirby, MIMgt, MISM, GOTW W As the new millennium approaches this type of review is going Treasurer: Ken Ashcroft, FCA, FCMA, G3MSW to become most fashionable. I have no doubt that the 20th COUNCIL OF THE SOCIETY PRESIDENT: I J Kyle, GI8AYZ, MIOAYZ century will go down in history for the technological advances EXECUTIVE VICE-PRESIDENT: Post Vacant that have been made. ORDINARY ME MBERS OF COUNCIL R H Biddulph, MA PhD, CChem, CEng, FRSC, MIM, G8DPS Radio amateurs have always been at the forefront of techno- M H Claytonsmith, G4JKS logical advances in radio communication. I was reminded just J Greenwell, AMIEE, G3AEZ D F Beattie, BSc (Eng),CIPD, F Inst. D, FRSA, G3OZF the other day of how radio amateurs have led the field in teaching P E Chadwick, G3RZP G W Dover, G4AFJ new innovations to seasoned professionals. I received a letter I D Suart, GM4AUP from a former colleague with whom I served in the Royal Navy ZONAL ME MBERS OF COUNCIL in the mid-60s. This chap was much older than me. He was a Zone A: G L Adams, G3LEQ Zone B: D Whalley, G4EIX 'Chief Sparker', I a mere Junior Radio Operator. The ship we Zone C: F C Stewart, GOCSF Zone D: J N Gannaway, G3YGF were on had that new- fangled SSB - new to the Navy that is. But Zone E: E P Essery, GW3KFE Chiefy' was a radio amateur, and SSB was not new to him. In Zone F: J T Barnes, GI3USS Zone G: T W G Menzies, GM1GEQ fact he was the expert compared with the rest of us. Details cf the Society's volunteer cJicers can be found in the RSGB We all went through the mill. Chief explained SSB to one and Yearbook 1998. all, from the Captain down to the lowly Junior Radio Operator. Where would we have been without the Chiefs amateur radio A N N U A L S U B S C RI P TI O N R A T E S background and experience? All at sea I expect! Ho me Corporate: £36.00

Overseas Corporate: £36.00

Corporate (Senior Citizens): £27.00 Get Out of the Shack (Applications should provide proof of age at last renewal date) AS 1997 DREW TO a close, I had the privilege of being in the Corporate after 50 years me mbership: 50% DISCOUNT company of Emma Constantine, 2E1BVJ, the 1997 Young Corporate after 60 years me mbership: FREE

Family me mber: £12.00 Amateur of the Year. Vibrant, fresh and enthusiastic, Emma is a (Must reside with existing member. Does not include Radio Communication) great credit to young people involved in amateur radio today. At Student Me mbers: £22.00 (Applications should include evidence of full-time student status) the Society's AGM, Emma gave a short speech, the theme of

Affiliated Societies (UK or Overseas): £20.00 which was to 'Get Out of the Shack' and pass on your skills to the (including Radio Communication) next generation of radio amateurs. Junior (HamClub) under 18: £12.00 How true this is. Throughout the 20th century, radio amateurs (Subscriptions include VAT where applicable.) Special arrangements exist for blind and disabled persons. Details are available from have led the way. Inventing, testing and teaching. As the year RSGB HQ. Membership application forms are available from RSGB HQ. 2000 approaches, let us take up Emma's clarion call. Let our resolution for the coming years be to do just that: get out of the RSGB Main Switchboard: shack and pass on our skills. We have a duty to do so, if radio 01707-659015 amateurs are to continue their pioneering role at the forefront of technology in the next century. 1E2101707-645105 Peter A Kirby, GOTWW General Manager

8 RadCom • February 1998 R adCom RSGB Members Attract Positive Press and TV Coverage NEWS National Media Splash Operate Onboard QE2 A COMPLETE TS-50 station, for Amateur Radio donated by Kenwood, has been installed on the QE2 for the use of licensed passengers. Jim Barlow, MATEUR RADIO re- ceived good publicity G3VOU [pictured below], Chief Radio Officer on the cruise liner, Atwice within a few said the station is located in a part days thanks to the endeavours of the radio room for passenger of a clutch of enterprising use. "We have had quite a few RSGB members. Young Ama- passengers using the station since teur of the Year, Emma it was installed," he said. Constantine, 2E1BVJ, featured 'live' on BBC TV's Blue Pe- • CO-FOUNDER of the Sony ter in December. Meanwhile, Corporation of Japan, Masaru also in December, a group of Ibuka, died on 9 December aged 89. He was an enthusiastic radio amateurs set up special event amateur from an early age. Under station GB100IO W to link with Ibuka's technical guidance, Sony the Royal Yacht Britannia for introduced the first transistor tel- what was Britannia's final HF

evision set in 1959 and the first radio transmission. Young Amateur of the Year Emma Constantine, 2E1BVJ, and runner-up Mark solid-state videotape recorder in Haynes, 2E0APH, in the Blue Peter studio with presenters (from left) Stuart Miles, Richard Bacon and Konnie Hug. 1961. Emma Flies Flag she urged all radio amateurs to sage, "V V V Orange Orange SIXTEE N-YE AR-OLD • MID SUSSEX Amateur Ra- support the Novice programme Orange", was picked up byBri- dio Society took steps to promote Emma was interviewed by Blue and the work of the RSGB and tannia on the 80 metre band. amateur radio recently when they Peter presenter Richard Ba- the STELAR organisation. She The Royal Yacht then re- paid for an advert to be aired on con, then made contacts with said that she was disappointed sponded on SSB using its own Mid Downs Radio, 107FM. The 2E1B00 and 2E0APH on 70- that, even after more years than callsign, Golf Quebec X-Ray ad mentioned digital transmissions centimetres. A special event via computer, amateur television she had lived, the public per- Charlie. The Commodore of callsign, GBOBP, was organ- and local repeater networks and ception of amateur radio was the Royal Yacht sent a greet- ized to allow the presenter to gave details of where and when still firmly rooted in the Tony ings message to GB100I0 W, pass a greetings message to the the club met. It was played three Hancock mould. To warm ap- stating that after 43 years of stations contacted. The station times during peak times with the plause, she then pleaded with operational service Britannia was supervised - just off cam- final one aired on Christmas Day. all amateurs to 'come out of was shortly to be de-commis- era - by David Wilkins, G5HY. their shacks' and actively pass sioned and that this was the During the interview, Emma on their knowledge to the next final radio transmission to be pointed out that amateur radio generation of radio amateurs. made from the Royal Yacht. equipment need not be expen- Special permission had been sive, and demonstrated a £5 Marconi obtained from the RA for crystal set and a25 transceiver GB10 OIO W to contact stations kit. The programme was made THIS VIEW WAS echoed by other than those in the Amateur possible thanks to the loan of those involved with Service. equipment by Kenwood (UK) GB100I0 W. The special event The station also made con- and Waters & Stanton PLC. station was on the air from the tact with IIMS Brave, Notting- Isle of Wight to celebrate the ham and Illustrious. Good Feedback 100th anniversary of Marco- The Isle of Wight Marconi ni's establishment of the centenary celebrations received SINCE THE BROADCAST, world's first permanent radio a lot ofmedia attention, includ- the RSGB has received more station at Alum Bay. ing news items in The Times than 70 enquiries from young- At 150OUTC on 6 Decem- and The Guardian. The organ- sters and their parents who want ber, Jim Barlow, G3VOU, the izer of the event, Ben Clegg, to find out more about amateur QE2 's Chief Radio Officer, re- G7RER, was interviewed on Jim Barlow, G3VOU, the QE2's Chief radio. transmitted from GB100IO W Radio Officer (seated), makes the final several national BBC radio transmission to the Royal Yacht And at the RSGB's AGM on the first message sent by Mar- Britanniafrom GB1 0010 W while event 6 of December, Emma made a coni from the same site exactly organizer Ben Clegg, G7RER, looks Turn to Page 10 on. speech to the meeting in which 100 years earlier. The CW me s-

RadCom • February 1998 9 — RadCom —

N EWS

From Page 9 Clubs in Fund Raising Drive ARRL DXCC Checks in UK news broadcasts and viewers THE RSGB IS taking part in trials of the national BBC1 Late involving the checking of QSL Evening News that night saw cards for the ARRL DXCC award. John Francis, G3L WI - RSGB Until recently all QSL cards sub- Senior Morse Examiner for the mitted for the award had to be sent Isle of Wight - using CW, and to the ARRL HQ in the USA for Dennis Goodwin, G4SOT, of checking. This recent development Icom (UK) transmitting on SSB is the result of successful visits to the RSGB's HF Convention by from GB100I0W. members of the ARRL's DXCC staff. IARC 50 Years THE ARRL has selected 250 Members of Wisbech Amateur Radio and Electronics Club with the BBCTVfilm ISRAEL AMATEUR Radio Club countries from the full DXCC crew which arrived by helicopter to cover the club's fund raising SES GB2DM. celebrates its 50th anniversary on country list and QSLs from these 18 February. A gathering has been WISBECH AMATEUR Radio and Electronics Club raised £500 for countries only may be field planned to take place at the Golda BBC TV's Children in Need appeal and, in the process, generated good checked. Cards from countries Meir Center for Arts. Among the publicity for amateur radio. other than those selected will be invited guests, including many The club ran special event station GB2D M from Denver Windmill in returned and not checked. This list eminent amateurs, will be Israel's Norfolk and during the second day of operation, on 21 November, they can be obtained by sending an Minister of Communications. were visited by a BBC TV film crew who arrived by helicopter. They SASE to Fred Handscombe, filmed events organizer Bill Felton, G3XZE, calling, "CQ Denver G4B WP, QTHR. Colorado from Denver Norfolk". The item was featured later that night The approved DXCC Field • THE MARCHRADCOMwill on BBC regional TV. In addition the event was reported in three local include a free 48 page MFJ cata- Checkers for the UK are Jim newspapers and there were two interviews on local radio. GB2D M logue courtesy of Waters & Kellaway, G3RTE; Rob Ferguson, made 99 QS0s including three with Denver, Colorado. Stanton PLC. It will include de- GM3YTS and Fred, G4B WP. De- Worthing and District Amateur Radio Club also operated a special tails of Vectronics, Mirage and tails appear in January's IIF col- event station to raise money for the Children in Need appeal. GB2KIN Ameritron products along with umn. raised money through sponsorship of the number of contacts made. A discount vouchers. To receive the DXCC certifi- total of 327 contacts resulted in £253 going to the charity appeal. cate, you need to confirm contacts The Worthing club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and • A POLISH NOVICE licence members will be activating the club call GX3WOR throughout the year. with 100 countries, the award can was introduced last year. The fre- A Golden Jubilee Dinner is scheduled for October. then be endorsed as further coun- quencies permitted are 3550 - tries are confirmed up to the cur- 3750, 28050 - 28500kHz and 144 rent total of 329 countries. Sepa- - 146MHz, with a 5WPM Morse Keeping an Eye on Standards rate awards are available fro CW, test required to operate on the two RSGB PAST president, Peter Chadwick, G3RZP, has been appointed by SSC, RTTY as well as single band HF bands. A number of modes RSGB Council to co-ordinate Society activities relating to national and awards for the 160, 80, 40 and 6 can be used including AM, FM, international regulations, directives, orders and standards, some of metre bands. SSB and CW, and the maximum which affect amateur radio. Those members who attend any relevant ARRL has also introduced new power output is 15W. Callsigns committee (eg BS, CEN, CENELEC, ETSI etc) and are willing to pass fees for DXCC as from the start of have the prefix SQ, a digit 1 - 9, on details of possible standards which may affect amateur radio should this year. All DXCC programme followed by three letters. [Source: contact G3RZP, who is QTHR. His telephone number is 01666 860423 participants are now charged a fee. SSA QTC.] and his e-mail is peter.chadwick @gpsemi.com Fees for cards checked in the UK This will enable the setting up should be sent in pounds sterling of a register of areas where the (cheques preferred) with your ap- RSGB can keep an eye on matters plications. Full details of these which could have an impact on new fees appear in this month's amateur radio. IIF column.

Raynet® in Derail Drama

SOUTH GLAMORGAN Raynet South Glamorgan Raynet would responded swiftly to calls for help like to thank all those radio ama- from the County Emergency Plan- teurs who helped and those who ning officer following the derail- switched off their packet stations ment of a tanker train in Barry on for the duration of the incident. 27 December. The tanker was car- rying poly vinyl mondimer. Some • SSL HAS INFORMED the Members of the Cockenzie and Port Seton Amateur Radio Club present a 1000 local residents were evacu- RSGB that, as of 7 January, the cheque for £1190 to the British Heart Foundation. The club raised the cash over ated and the group set up stations latest callsigns issued were in the the past year. From left: Colin Smith, GMOCLN; Bob Glasgow, GM4UYZ; Wallace Moodie, MMOAMV; Heather Gregory, area organizer for the British at the control and evacuation cen- M*OBM*, M*1CJ*, 2*OAR* and Heart Foundation; and Ron Brown, GM4IKU. tres during the two day operation. 2*1GG* series.

10 RadCom • February 1998 —RadCom— N EWS

SSTL Wins Thinking Day NASA Contract THE ANNUAL GUIDES SURREY SATELLITE Technol- Thinking Day on the Air ogy Ltd (SSTL) has been selected (TDOTA) takes place over as the only non-US supplier for the weekend of 21 / 22 Febru- NASA contracts over the next three ary. A pack is available from years. SSTL' s Chief Executive RSGB HQ consisting of a list Officer, Prof Martin Sweeting, of participating special event G3YJO, said; "That a small, non- stations and details of the US company is listed alongside countries which permit third the US industry giants reflects the party Greetings Messages novel and successful nature of our during the event. Groups us- work at the Surrey Space Centre." ing a GX or similar prefix SSTL is a University of Surrey instead of a GB call are asked company and manufacturer of the to inform HQ. UoSAT series of amateur satel- If your TDOTA group would like a pack, please send lites. an SASE (A4 size with 38p in John Baker, GOMTQ, with members of the Eighth Cockermouth Girl Guides stamps) as soon as possible to during preparations for last year's Thinking Day on the Air. This year's event AMSAT-UK Jenny Ward at RSGB HQ. takes place over the weekend of 21/ 22 February. Contact HF Committee National Novice Contest ALL ENQUIRIES concerning AMSAT-UK should now be di- Vacancy THE POOLE RADIO Society has Graham Westwood, 2E1FDP/P, rected to new secretary Fred THERE IS A vacancy on the RSGB released the results of their Novice operating from Kent, improving Southwell, G6ZRU, QTHR. His HF Committee. The ideal candi- contest. Entries were slightly down his tally to move from second place telephone number is 01273 495733 date should be active on the HF this year: several previous entrants last year to win the band and the and his fax number is 01273 bands and have a good knowledge have now passed the RAE and contest overall, with Bill Harrison, 492927. Fred has taken over from of HF bandplans, modes, and op- have let their Novice calls lapse. 2E1FMD/P, in Hampshire and Ron Broadbent MBE, G3AAJ, erating procedures. Project man- Activity was nevertheless good, Graham Barlow, 2E1BVG/P, in who retired at the end of last year agement, course organisation or with several stations making more Dorset coming joint second. contacts than in previous years on Cups go to the band winners (see the Space column in the Janu- training experience would be use- 70cm, and the first entry was re- and certificates to all entrants who ary 98 RadCom). ful. There is likely to be some ceived from the Channel Islands. enclosed an SAE. The 1998 6m involvement with the organisation Logging standards were generally and 70cm contest has provision- of this year's RSGB International Licence Revoked high, although some discrepan- ally been pencilled in for Sunday HF and IOTA Convention. cies in the reports logged were 20 September. by RA Volunteers should please con- noted during the cross checking. tact the Chairman of the HF Com- 6m RESULTS THE RADIOCO M MUNI- Stations entering the contest are Callsign QS0sPoints QTH CATIONS Agency has revoked mittee, Neville Cheadle, G3NUG, reminded that whilst assistance is the amateur radio licence of Mr J Further Felden, Longcroft Lane, permitted, the actual operation of 1 2E0APD/P 7 21 London C A Websdale, MOAKO. No Felden, Hemel Hempstead HP3 the station should be by the Nov- 2 2E1AQS 4 12 London further information was made OBN or by e-mail to ice licence holder. 3 2E1EHZ 1 3 Norwich available. [email protected] There is interest in a Novice contest on the HF bands. With the 70cm RESULTS ever-increasing number of 2*0 Callsign QS0sPoints QTH calls, this now looks worth trying, 1 2E1FDP/P 26 78 Kent

7 SIR EDWARD and we will be trying to formulate 2= 2E1FMD/P 17 51 Hampshire APPLIMON some rules over the next few u muer 2= 2E1BVG/P 17 51 Dorset LIM 1%5 months. Suggestions for bands, nosenra RADIO 4 2E1AJS/P 14 42 Somerset A M, M'ACE modes, dates and times would be DISCO,T UIII1/ TM' meows». gratefully received. 5 2E1FEJ 13 39 Hampshire , ifil - Igo - On the 6m band, new entrant 6= 2E0APU 8 24 Bournemouth Andy Hosking, 2E0APD/P, won 6= 2E1AQS 8 24 London by a substantial margin from 8 2E1CG W/P 5 15 Leicester Margaret Snary, 2E 1 AQS, in En- field, who again came second. 9 2E1EHZ 3 9 Norwich Most activity was on 70cm, with 10 2U1F0A 2 6 Guernsey

New BARTG Officer Astronomer Royal Sir Bernard Lovell unveils a plague in memory of the pioneering physicist Sir Edward Appleton at the Bradford and Ilkley Community THE BRITISH Amateur Radio Teledata Group has a new Public College. Appleton was born in Bradford in 1892. From humble beginnings he Relations Officer. He is Peter Finbow, GODEH (QTHR), who can also went on to receive the Nobel Prize for physics in 1947, following his work which be contacted by packet radio: GODEH @GB7DE0.#32.GBR.EU or showed the existence of the ionosphere in the upper atmosphere. He discovered several additional layers which are collectively known as 'The Appleton Layer'. e-mail: [email protected]

RadCom • February 1998 11 Amateur Radio and WRC 97

OME 1600 delegates from 140 countries attended Special Report by Tim Hughes, G3GVV ; rai l SWRC 97, the four-week long World Radio Conference, held in Geneva last November. 3) Threat to amateur allocations ture, so that the concerns of Strong IARU representation en- from the Earth Exploration amateurs will continue to be sured that matters related to ama- Satellites. The Netherlands taken into account. teur radio were brought to the at- proposed an allocation of 432 7) Disaster communication. The tention of the Conference. There to 438MHz for the synthetic ITU Secretary General sub- were four full-time delegates: Jim aperture radar. No allocation mitted a paper calling for the Dean, VE3IQ; Keigo Komuro, was made. The matter has been study of whether a specific placed on the Agenda for WRC frequency should be set aside JA1KAB; Paul Renaldo, W4RJ; Pedro Seidemann, YV5BPG. and David Wardlaw, VK3AD W. 99 to "consider the provision within amateur bands for dis- For part of the time, the Korean ofup to 6MHz of the frequency aster communications. A reso- would possibly have to be set Amateur Radio League were able spectrum to the earth explora- lution was adopted which back to the year 2003. tion satellite service (active) commends a new draft Con- to send Dr Joong-Geun Rhee, 10) The new Recommendation on in the frequency band 420- vention on Disaster Commu- HL1AQQ ; and Young-Soon Park, Spurious Emissions developed 470MHz band in accordance nications, scheduled to be con- HL1IFM. in ITU-R TG 1.3 was adopted with the Resolution Com 5- sidered at an intergovernmen- Pedro Siedemann, YV5BPG, and incorporated, by refer- 13". Resolution 5-13 was tal conference in Finland in was also present. The core delega- ence, into the Radio Regula- adopted at the Conference and 1998. The Resolution was co- tion consisted of: Wojciech tions; this applies to all radio calls for urgent studies to de- sponsored by a number of Nietyksza, SP5FM, (Vice Chair- services. Through the com- termine sharing possibilities. countries from all parts of the man IARU Region 1); Michael bined work of JARL and 4) Threat to amateur allocations world, and specifically men- Owen, VK3KI (Vice President ARRL, the amateur service re- at 2m and 70cm for MSS serv- tions amateur radio as a re- IARU); and Larry Price, W4RA ceived a concession of 20dB ice links (Little LEO satellites). source for disaster communi- (Secretary IARU), assisted on a in our spurious limit, as com- These satellites received a cations. In the process of adop- part-time basis by Eduardo pared with most other serv- Estrada, HC2EE (Region 2); and small allocation at 400MHz, tion of this new Resolution, 150MHz and 454MHz, the lat- the ITU suppressed former ices. Work on the general sub- Tafa Diop, 6W6KI (Region 1). ter primarily inNorthAmerica. Resolution 640 which, since ject continues in TG 1.5 deal- The main topics and proposals WARC 79, has provided for ing with out-of-band emis- are: No allocation was made in any sions. IARU and key national 1) Article S-25 has been moved amateur band. Several new most amateur frequencies to societies will have become in- from the preliminary 1999 studies were ordered to deter- serve as a spectrum reserve for volved in this work during the Agenda to WRC 2001. mine which services they emergency communications. next study cycle beginning in 2) The IARU proposal for con- could share, for 7 to 10MHz of This is unlikely to make much 1998. sideration of the alignment of additional spectrum, placing difference since it is rarely in- Whilst some of the topics and the 7MHz band was supported in jeopardy both 2m and 70cm. voked by governments to per- references may seem bureaucratic, by HF broadcasting interests, This is an Agenda item for mit non-amateurs to use our and remote from amateur radio, and was placed on the same WRC 99. bands. they all impinge on our interests. It preliminary Agenda, ie WRC 5) Wind profiler radar. These de- 8) Footnotes. The Democratic is only by representation, vigi- 2001. vices operate in the People's Republic of Korea radiolocation bands and are proposed several additions to lance, reasoned argument, and therefore not a new radio serv- the footnotes, which would active participation in World ice but a type of system. The have had an adverse effect on Radio Conferences that amateur table of allocations will be the amateur service. These radio can be preserved and pro- modified. National implemen- were withdrawn by DPRK fol- tected. • tation of the exact frequency lowing intensive discussions bands in which these devices led by Japan. operate is expected to cause 9) The Agenda refers to WRC 99 little harmful interference to and WRC 2001, but there is a amateurs, though in some growing feeling that the inter- cases co-operation and flex- val between WRCs is now too ibility will be the hallmark of short, and that May 2000 continued harmony. would be a better time for 6) Adaptive MF/HF. They will holding WRC '99'. notbe assigned to bands where If that is done, then the the amateur service is primary scheduling of WRC or co-primary. This limits the 2001 (where we sharing possibilities for these have two items operations. More studies will on the prelimi- be done by ITU-R in the fu- nary agenda)

Left: Keigo Komuro, JA1KAB; Right: Tim Hughes, G3GVV. MIEN? Saturday MARCH 7th Sunday MARCH 8th

WHERE? Lee Valley Leisure Centre Picketts Lock Lane Edmonton London N9 OAS

HOW MUCH? For the latest - list of exhibitors, detailed diredions on how to get there etc, visit our website www.radiosport.co.uk 110W 00 1 F1N0 IT? By car on the Al 05 Follow the signs from ¡unction 25 of the M25. By public transport bus W8 from Edmonton Green B.R. Station

1998 will be the ninth year at Picketts Lock for the London Amateur Radio and Computer Show. A traditional event with bargains galore. Again, a two day event with over 100 trade stands including the special events section, with our huge BRING AND BUY stand looking just like Aladdin's Cave. Also disabled facilities, bars and restaurants.

It's the event with something of interest to every radio and \( \ computer enthusiast! As those of you who have been to PICKETTS LOCK before o know, there's something about the events which take place here that just feel good. IF YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO ONE SHOW THIS SPRING, MAKE SURE IT IS THIS ONE. 0-04

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Riicir—ni • Fobruary lq98 Breaking New Ground: An SWL World Record

by Bob Treacher, BRS32525*

, Ce4

The SWL Challenge team which set a new listener's world record during the CQ Worldwide SSB contest weekend in October. From left: SWL Simon Treacher; Bob Treacher, BRS32525; Clare Treacher, RS102891; Bob Mersh, G8JNZ; Paul Lethbridge, G3SXE; Mick Toms, BRS31976.

INCE 1991, I have organised the annual Europe - there was welcome publicity in the NZ simply the total number of different DXCC SWL Challenge which takes place over _DX Times, LX Ontario and JA _DX News . countries on each band multiplied by the total Sthe CQ Worldwide SSB contest week- The aim of the Challenge is to log just one number of points from the stations heard. end in October. The Challenge was designed to station from each country on each band. Some allow listeners to take part in a world-wide listeners have asked for the rules to be changed, DOING MULTI-MULTI competition during arguably the biggest and but the Challenge is designed to make listeners THE DECISION to undertake a serious entry most important HE contest in the calendar. By more aware of band conditions and HE propa- from my QTH in the multi-multi category was taking part in the Challenge, listeners are able gation. Some planning is therefore required if taken soon after the 1996 Challenge following to monitor the amateur bands for much of the a serious entry or a high score is sought. SWLs discussions with Mick Toms, BRS31976, and weekend, and log many of the DXpeditions need to decide when each band is likely to Paul Lethbridge, G3SXE (ex VP5PLX, ZB2CV which are always active during the contest, and provide propagation to the different parts of and 6Y5PL). My two children - Clare, hear some new DXCC countries in the process. the world, and ensure that as many countries RS102891, and Simon - wanted to be involved, Last year, a CW section was added, as well are logged from that area before propagation too. With five people keen to participate, the as multi-operator categories. Every year the changes. decision to proceed was easy. Challenge gets a good deal of publicity and this A good example is to plan to be on 7MHz in We had our first planning meeting one idyl- year - as well as RadCom,CQ Contest, LANM, mid-afternoon for the greyline' opening to the lic July evening in the garden of my QTH. It Chiltern _DX Club Newsletter, G4NJH's SWL Far East. As far as points scoring is concerned, was agreed that we would run five stations, web page and numerous publications around stations from your own continent count as one which meant an extra receiver would be re-

'Bob Treacher, 93 Elibank Road, Eltham, SE9 1QT. point, while stations outside your own conti- quired. Mick volunteered his Kenwood R5000 E-Mail: [email protected] nent count as five points. The final score is to add to my R5000, 2 x Icom IC-R70 and Icom

RadCom • February 1998 17 BREA KING NE W GR O U ND

IC740. Two Datong FL3 audio filters were so that our progress towards a new world After a brief lunch, at which tactics and available as well as countless other accesso- record could be properly charted. Their final Challenge paperwork were discussed, the af- ries. graph is shown in Fig 1(on page 19). ternoon was spent ensuring that the five sta- As most of the antennas were already in Lastly, it was agreed to also put an entry into tions were performing properly, and the guest place, decisions centred on how many addi- the multi operator-single receiver category of listeners got used to the receivers and the tional ones would be needed. It was decided the Challenge. This would be done simply to antennas. that Mick would provide a Jaybeam TV3 ver- show what could be achieved with a simple I had booked a table at a local restaurant so tical for 14, 21 and 28MHz to supplement the long wire antenna, and also to evaluate the new that all the team had a good meal before the existing 'antenna farm' of 2 x full wave EasiCQ W W computer software which Don, Challenge started and also so that the guest switchable 7MHz slopers (one firing to JA, the GOMDO, had written at my suggestion. listeners could get to know their other team other to the Caribbean); 2 xhalfwave switchable members better. Once we returned home, there 3.5MHz slopers (one firing to JA, the other to 14 HOURS TO GO . . . were still last minute tasks to do, including the States); and a quarter wave inverted vee for assessing the compatibility of the Compaq APART FROM Clare and Simon, who were at laptop computer with the NRD525. We need 1.8MHz (running North - South). school, the rest of the team took a day's leave not have worried; they were perfectly compat- A good deal of thought was given to the on the Friday to ensure that the stations were ible. All the shack clocks were set according to listening aids which would be required: log set up and ready for the 000OUTC start. The MSF and we were all ready to embark on our sheets; DXCC country list; prefix list; world main task was to assemble and erect the TV3 World Record breaking attempt. Zone map; 28MHz Beacon list; DX-edge for vertical. Additional morning tasks were to free 'grey-line' propagation; scrap paper; pens etc. the end of one of the half wave 3.5MHz slopers READY, STEADY, GO! Perhaps the most important part of the plan- from some dense plant foliage and to erect a ning was to draw up an operating rota. Mick 30ft mast to support the long wire for the multi- HALF AN HOUR before the Challenge, Mick volunteered for this unenviable task, and it was single station. was assessing conditions on 7MHz, Paul was circulated to the group for comment. In study- Left:Concentrating ing it, I saw some gaps hard, Clare Treacher, RS102891, attempts to which we needed to find a new country cover in order to max- multiplier on 14MHz.

imise our effort. It was Below:SimonTreacher clear that we needed a tries to find new multipliers on 7MHz sixth SWL in the team. during daylight hours. Following a lecture at the Cray Valley Radio Society about the Chal- lenge, Bob Mersh, G8JNZ, volunteered to join the team. Although licensed, he is very much an SWL at heart specialising in LF and Medium Wave DXing. He volunteered his NRD525 receiver and another FL3 audio fil ter. As a result of adding a sixth person to the team, we were able to plan to monitor the bands for a much greater proportion of the Challenge - this, we hoped, would improve our chances of setting a new world multi-multi record, which stood at 720,057 points set by the French team of Yan F-11556 and John F-16156 in 1996. Their countrymultiplier total was 52 on 28MHz, 115 on 21MHz, 102 on 14MHz, 101 on 7MHz, 64 on 3.5MHz and 47 on 1.8MHz. With all the talk of setting a new world record - we had set ourselves a target of one million points - another important part of the planning was ensuring that the team were able to get meals without leaving the shack. Clare volunteered to look after this aspect of the plan. A sleeping rota was also arranged. Simon and Clare volunteered to update the Freelance Graphics computer software every three hours

18 RadCom • February 1998 BREAKING NEW GROUND

Fig 1(left): BRS32525 new multipliers were becoming harder to find 60 multi-multi CQWW SWL even though the team were monitoring all Challenge DX CC bands from 28MHz through to 3.5MHz. Band 50 countries per continent per band. conditions on 7MHz were disappointing - the 40 only DX multipliers heard between 1500 and Fig 2 (below): CQW W SWL Challenge - SS B 180OUTC were JA, YB, 4L and OD5, but we 30 1996/1997 multi-multi were going well on 14MHz and Clare logged category comparison. our one hundredth country - OD5 - at 2042UTC. 20 As the team entered their second night, new

10 multipliers were even harder to find. Sunrise

Countries heard (in each continent) continent) each (in heard Countries failed to provide any new DX multipliers on o 1.8MHz; even 7MHz was hard work as six new 1.8MHz 3.5MHz 7MHz 14MHz 21MHz 28MH z multipliers in 3.5 hours proved. We realised Europe • - -• that the second day on HF would be as diffi- N America 600 Asia cult; no new multipliers on 14MHz between S America • -• 1105 and 1759 certainly proved that. News of Africa • - -• 500 Pacific • - -• a major atmospheric disturbance provided an Antartica 400 explanation of why so few new multipliers •3 were found on the second day, but we bettered E 300 the 1996 winning score around lunch-time on delighted that 14MHz ?_^ day two. was still open, and I had 2 200 o Conditions on 7MHz before sunset on the decided to start on Sunday afternoon were excellent as I logged 1.8MHz so I could get 100 BY4RSA, VR97BG, KHOA, P29AS, 9V1RH 20 Europeans in the log o and NH2C between 1423UTC and 1507UTC. in the first 20 minutes 0000 0600 1200 1800 2400 0600 1200 1800 2400 0300 0900 1500 2100 0300 0900 1500 2100 The one million target we had set ourselves and then switch to Time Top 1996 score was finally achieved during the last three hours 3.5MHz and do the same 1 million pts target of the Challenge. Fig 2 shows the number of there. O RSGB RC1673 Actual score countries heard by continent on each band. We knew from the Our final country multiplier total was: 84 on Internet that the SFI was 28MHz; 104 on 21MHz; 119 on 14MHz; 114 80, that the A-Index was 5 and that the K was HC8N (Galapagos Is) at 0407 on 7MHz; LT1F on 7MHz; 88 on 3.5MHz and 60 on 1.8MHz. 3. From this information, we thought that con- (Argentina) at 0134, HP1XBI at 0139 and The team knows that the World Record would ditions on the low bands would only be aver- HK6KKK at 0536 on 3.5MHz; and V26B not have been achieved had we not been so well age, but that HF conditions might prove better (0544), YV2IF (0602), V47KP (0605) and FP/ fed by Clare, nor if Simon and Clare had not than we had hoped.(I am not an expert on SFI, KG8C0 (0613) on 1.8MHz. diligently produced their three hourly 'state of A and K numbers but they are largely theory. With 21MHz in reasonable shape and 14MHz play' progress reports. It is interesting, however, to compare your log providing much European traffic, and 28MHz book and actual DX happenings to see how bursting into life at 083OUTC, the countries LOG CHECKING close theory and reality compare. The Solar total reached 354 by 120OUTC. By 150OUTC, MICK, PAUL, Bob and I spent all our waking Flux Index is an indication of how good (or 400 country multipliers had been logged and bad) band conditions might be - remember for hours logging for the multi-multi station, so the the few months before the contest, figures of 70 multi-single station was operated entirely by were not uncommon, as I write this the figure 14-year-old Clare and 10-year-old Simon be- is 110 and at the peak of Cycle 23 it will be in tween their various tasks on behalf of the the 200s. However, the peaking and dipping of multi-multi station. They logged 151 country the solar flux is not the sole criteria of good and multipliers for a checked score of 54,209 using bad conditions. The A-index is a measure of the NRD525 receiver and 90ft long wire. geomagnetic activity and how noisy the bands As with any contest, the most important might be, while the K-index is a measure of aspect is to check and double check the log for variations in the earth's magnetic field and errors, duplicates, etc. I spent some hours check- provides an indication of changes taking place ing our logs and, not surprisingly, with six at that time, and tends to be used as an indicator different operators, there were a few entries of how good conditions will be at LF - for which I had to delete. David Whitaker, example a '0' might mean that DX conditions BRS25429, scrutinised our entry, checking for on 1.8MHz might be OK). mis -logged callsigns, etc. I am happy to say All the clocks clicked over to 0000 and we that he only found two entries from 569 loggings were off. In the first hour, we logged 107 which he queried. countrymultipliers: 13 on 14MHz; 38 on7MHz; After checking, our score was still in excess 33 on 3.5MHz and 23 on 1.8MHz. Steady of the one million target and we had easily progress was made during darkness hours and surpassed the 1996 multi-multi world record. by sunrise the country multiplier total had risen A new target has therefore been set for other to 215. Highlights of the first night included: multi-multi SWL groups to aim for in future ZM7A on Chatham Island at 0339 on 14MHz; years. Who knows, we might even try to beat Bob Treacher, BRS32525, looking fatigued but ZXOF (Fernando da Norohna Is) at 0400 and determined, at the 7MH z station. our own score this October! •

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22 RadCom • February 1998 Measuring Rho -The

Alternative to SWR leOglq00.1. entleed

by Bob Pearson, G4FHU*

bt is easy to make a reflectometer (or SWR meter) for the HF bands, lut the resulting instrument may disappoint if it does not register a minimum reflected signal when con- nected to a good quality dummy load of the chosen design resistance. A minimum other than zero may be tolerable, but what is not is a mini- mum that occurs with anything other than the correct load. Such problems are most likely to arise when working at the low- est or highest frequency bands. After studying and building a number of traditional designs and testing out some error cal- culations via practical meas- urements, it was concluded that to avoid disappointment one re- ally has to take quite a bit of trouble, both in the essential design, in the layout and in the final adjustment. The instrument described here includes compensation for the most common frequency An earlier RadCom article [1] showed some they actually measure is the magnitude of the dependent errors. It also includes a remarkably of the undesirable effects of an incorrect load 'Reflection Coefficient'. This is the ratio of simple but useful way of testing whether a load impedance on a transmitter and gave reasons the amplitude of the reflected wave (Vr) di- impedance magnitude is higher or lower than it for wanting to know more about that imped- vided by the amplitude of the incident or should be, which is something a conventional ance than is revealed by the Standing Wave forward wave (Vf) at an interface or other SWR meter cannot do. Ratio alone. Also, when adjusting and devel- discontinuity (such as that at the connection oping antenna systems (ie antennas, feeders between a transmitter and the antenna system *13 Mill Drove, Bourne, Lincs PE10 9BX and tuning units) it is useful to be able to it feeds). The shorthand for reflection coeffi- monitor how impedance magnitude varies with cient is often the Greek letter ' p ' (pronounced 10001°/0 SWR SWR 10001 % frequency. 'Rho ' ). Its magnitude (ie after discarding any 0 1.000 1.00 0.00 An ordinary SWR meter shows when the information about its phase) is represented by 2 1.041 1.10 4.76 impedance of a load is a resistance of the `Ipr . This contains exactly the same informa- 5 1.015 1.20 9.09 10 1.222 1.30 13.04 required design value, (usually 50Q). If there tion as SWR because of the following simple 15 1.353 1.40 16.67 is a mismatch it does not reveal whether the relationships: 20 1.500 1.50 20.00 load impedance is too high, too low, or a (i) P = 1Vrr 25 1.667 1.60 23.08 mixture of the wrong magnitude and phase. 30 1.857 1.70 25.93 (ii) SWR = (1 --p) I (1 - 11)1) or conversely, 35 2.077 1.80 28.57 For example, an SWR of 2.0 might be the 40 2.333 1.90 31.04 result of a 100Q or a 25S1 resistive load. (iii) P = (SWR - 1) / (SWR + 1) 45 2.636 2.00 33.33 Equally it could be the result of any one of an For most amateur radio checks, a measured 50 3.000 2.50 42.86 infinite number of other impedances that are SWR figure is noted with interest, but not used 55 3.444 3.00 50.00 60 4.000 3.50 55.56 not purely resistive. in further calculations. For practical purposes 65 4.714 4.00 60.00 The design shown can be switched to act as it is just as useful to know p as it is to know 70 5.667 4.50 63.64 voltmeter and ammeter. From this the load SWR. If this seems unfamiliar at first, the user 80 9.000 5.00 66.67 impedance magnitude can be estimated as the may refer to the conversion chart shown in 90 19.000 10.00 81.82 ratio of 1V1 / I. Table 1 or make a calculation using equation 100 infinity infinity 100 Traditional SWR meters, like the design (ii). Table 1: Conversion of Ipl to SWR and SWR to 'pl. shown, do not measure SWR directly. What As far as the home constructor is con-

RadCom • February 1998 23 M EAS URING RH O - THE ALTER NATIVE TO SWR

and cheaply available are often ill matched and get worse with wear. However, for use with a transmitter that has no panel control for adjusting power output, the traditional ar- rangement of Fig 3 would have to be em- ployed instead of that of Fig 2. In such an event, the V and I ranges will have to remain uncalibrated. When 51 is in the other position (labelled V, I), D1 derives its input only from the current transformer secondary, so meter M1 now indicates load current instead of reflected wave amplitude. D2 receives an input only from the potential divider, so meter M2 shows the load voltage instead of forward wave amplitude. The magnitude of the load impedance (ie the antenna system impedance) can be calcu- lated by dividing the voltage indication by the

Fig 1: RF Section circuit diagram. current indication. If the actual 0-100 meter scale readings are used, rather than convert- cerned, an important practical advantage of only about 1 pF it consists simply of a pair of ing them to volts and amps, simply multiply indicating 1p rather than SWR is elimination well insulated stiff wires hooked over each the result by Zo (which is 50S1 resistive in the of the tedious and risky procedure of opening- other for a distance of about 5mm. present design). If the antenna system imped- up a meter and trying to add the non-linear When switch 51 is in the 'Rho' position, ance magnitude happens to be precisely Zo, SWR scale. After all, it takes only one slip of voltages proportional to load current and to then the V and I meters show the same angular the fingers or one dropped scrap of iron or load voltage are combined in series so that deflection (see Table 2). steel to ruin a moving coil meter. Diode D1 detects their difference, represent- As in all passive SWR meters, needing no ing the reflected amplitude Vr1 and diode D2 power supply and containing no complex elec- CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION detects their sum which represents the for- tronic circuitry, the accuracy deteriorates at ward (incident) wave amplitude 1Vf1. The ra- low powers due to the significant forward THE RF PART of the circuit is shown in Fig tio IVr1/1Vf1 is the reflection coefficient mag- voltage drop of the diodes and, to a lesser 1. R1 and R3 form a potential divider, and Tl nitude, 1p 1, as mentioned earlier. This can extent, by mismatch between the two diodes. is a current transformer with R2 as the low conveniently be read directly as a percentage, Nominal voltage and current ranges (ie calcu- resistance 'burden' on its secondary, L2. R2 is if the forward amplitude is set to indicate lated neglecting these errors) are shown in also arranged to provide a centre tap, to avoid 100%. Table 3, but in practice the meters will indi- having to make L2 a bifilar winding. To ob- The 100µA FSD moving coil meters re- cate less. Nevertheless, the much sought after tain satisfactory HF performance with ad- ceive the rectified currents from the diodes via and critical indication of minimum Vf and equate power and voltage ratings from readily close tolerance fixed resistors, selected in therefore p, showing that the load is close to available and cheap, close-tolerance resis- pairs by S2, as shown in Fig 2. This unusual 50S1 and zero phase, is more reliable than for tors, R1 consists of three resistors and R2, four arrangement avoids the errors and irritations some other designs owing to the compensa- resistors. that arise with the use of continuously vari- tion techniques used here. Also the ratio Z=1V1/ In most traditional designs it is difficult to able potentiometers, as shown in Fig 3. The is much more reliable than the indications make transformer T1 work well over the whole frequency range. If L2 is large enough to only ganged pairs of potentiometers readily for 1V1 and I separately. minimise low frequency phase shifts, the ex- cessive number of turns and consequent inter- turn capacitance spoils the high frequency performance. In the design shown, fewer than usual turns are used to make L2, but the consequent low frequency phase shift is compensated for by adding inductor L3 to the potential divider. With careful choice of values, the resulting low frequency phase shift in the potential divider can be made to compensate for the phase shift in the current transformer Tl. This results in good accuracy, even on the 1.8-2.0 MHz band. L3 also serves usefully as a DC path for rectifier currents. Another weakness of some designs is the lack of provision for high frequency compen- sation of the potential divider. In the design shown this is achieved by adding a tiny ca- pacitor across Rl. Since the requirement is for Fig 2: Sensitivity switch and meters.

24 RadCom • February 1998 MEASURING RH O - THE ALTER NATIVE TO SWR

Switch range 1 2 3 4 5 6 100% Vrms 400 200 100 50 20 10 100% I rms 8 4 2 1 0.4 0.2

Table 3: Nominal voltage and current ranges for each position of the range switch S2.

wire. The compensating inductor L3 has 30 turns of enamelled wire of any convenient gauge, such as 24 SWG or 0.5mm diameter (or thinner). L2 and L3 are wound so that the turns uniformly occupy nearly the whole cir- cumference of the ring core. The specified number of turns and core type should be sufficient to define essential parameters, but if Fig 3: Alternative sensitivity control. you have access to an inductance bridge and wish to make a further check, then the nomi- nal specification of L2 is 9.70-1 and L3 is 5241. In the unlikely event that L2 requires adjustment, do this by altering the spacing of the turns, rather than by changing the number of them (and thus the turns ratio of T1). L3 can have any number of turns, so long as the inductance is correct. It is vital to obtain the right kind of core (see component list), other- wise results will be disappointing. L3 is mounted on the side of the box with rubber grommets and/or insulating washers to keep it clear of the metal box and the securing nut. Note the dot convention for transformer Ti in Fig 1. The dot-marked ends of Li and L2 indicate relative winding directions. Arbitrar- Fig 4: RF wiring layout (shown flat). ily choose one end of L2 to be the 'dot' or 'start' of the winding. That end must emerge C O NSTR U CTIO N together, allowing just enough room to permit from the ring core on the same side as the convenient connection of external leads and transmitter end of the piece of coaxial cable RF CONNECTIONS NEED to be short and to accommodate a short, straight piece of serving as Ll. Incidentally, there is no need to direct. This is more important than elegance. coaxial cable, threaded through the current bother about this formality if the layout of Fig Switch 51 must not introduce long paths inter- transformer ring core to serve as the one turn 4 is followed. nally. A common type of slider switch is shown, primary, Ll. The use of coaxial cable is not, as R3a should be a good quality, small, 5 or 10 but push button and small wafer switches were sometimes claimed, to prevent a discontinuity turn pre-set potentiometer, mounted on the used equally successfully in earlier versions. in the characteristic impedance. It should be side of the box. Preferably it should be held The prototype layout is shown in Fig 4. For earthed at only one end (the transmitter end). clear by a few millimetres, so that the adjuster clarity, the wiring is shown laid out flat and It is just a convenient and practical method of is conveniently accessible via a small hole in tidy, in the style of a circuit diagram; but in supporting the ring core and providing an the face of the box. It should be pre-set to practice most routes can be shorter. The resis- electrostatic screen between L 1 and L2. It about 120Q before connection, to minimise tors connected to the sensitivity switch can be should not be longer than necessary, because the need for further adjustment later. Ri a, wired directly or on strip-board. The solder it adds shunt capacitance to the effective trans- Rib and Rlc should be suspended in the clear, blobs in Fig 4 refer to connections made on mitter load. to minimise stray capacitance to earth and to small stand-off insulators or insulated solder The secondary of the current transformer, other components. One or two small stand-off tags. The large black circles refer to earth L2, comprises 13 turns of insulated 'hook-up' insulators should suffice. Do not mount these connections to the box. If these are made via solder-tags fixed by bolts, it is convenient to join them by some plain copper wire to form a MATHEMATICAL EXAMPLE network of places where one can make an earth Set to sensitivity range 2, suppose the following figures are obtained: connection. Alternatively, to avoid drilling the S1 set to "Rho" Vf set to 100% on meter M2 by adjusting transmitter output, box for earth tags and stand-offs, glue some Vr indicates 30% on meter M1 copper-clad board inside the box, to allow S2 set to 'V, I' V indicates 26% on meter M2 soldering directly to an earth plane at any point I indicates 68% on meter M1 required. In that case, mount the stand-offs on Calculate as follows . the board first. Connect the copper foil to the Reflection coefficient magnitude e = 30 / 100 = 30% or 0.3 box, preferably at or very near to the transmit- Standing Wave Ratio SWR = (1+0.3) / (1-0.3) = 1.3 / 0.7 = 1.86 ter connection socket. Load impedance magnitude A = 50 x 26/68 = 50 x 0.382 = 19.15-2 BNC sockets would be more elegant, but Approximate load voltage and current Vrms = 26% of 200 = 52 crude and robust S0239 sockets were used to Irms = 68% of 4 = 2.72 withstand the many prototype rebuilds during development. They should be located close Table 2: Calculating Reflection Coefficient Ipl from meter readings.

RadCom • February 1998 25 MEASURING RH O - THE ALTER NATIVE TO SWR

resistors on a neat printed circuit board, as this would add stray capacitance. Similarly, the COMPONENTS four resistors comprising R2 can be supported All fixed resistors are metal film 0.5W Miscellaneous 1% tolerance. Tl, L3 Each on a Philips 4322097180 ring on three stand-off insulators, though they are core (type RCC14/5, violet colour Resistors less likely to be upset by stray capacitance to ferrite, Grade 4C65, AL=55 ±25%). Rla, b, c 2k2 Order Code 180-008 from Farnell earth. Further stand-off insulators may be R2 a, b, c, d 47R [2]. See text for winding details. used for the components in Fig 2, but in the R3a 2k0 or 2k2 or 2k5 pre-set m ature, D1, D2 0A91 prototype the alternative method of using the 5 or 10 turn potentiometer Ml, M2 Moving-coil meter, 100µA full scale, R3b 120R bypass capacitors as connection points was scaled 0 to 100 R4a, b 100k preferred. Si Two-pole two-way, break-before- R5a, b 100k make, slide, push button or rotary. It may surprise those who have built such R6a, b 47k S2 Two-pole six-way, break-before- instruments before to see the potential divider R7a, b 22k make, rotary. R8a, b 6k8 wired to the transmitter side of the Sockets To suit R9a, b 2k2 reflectometer. This means that its loading Knob(s) To suit effect on the transmitter is not indicated by the Capacitors Case Die-cast (or other metal) box. Proto- Cl See text type size was ample at 170 x 120 x instrument. The effect of this is rather small, C2 to C7 1 OnF ceramic, 20% tolerance 50mm. about 1% when using a well matched load, and even this is partially offset by a smaller opposite error introduced by the effective the transmitter power so that meter M2 If the minimum reading is higher than 3 or primary impedance of the current transformer. reads a forward wave amplitude of 100% 4%, go back to step 7 and make further adjustment to Cl. It may require some The important practical reason for this con- (ie full scale). patience to achieve really good error com- figuration is that when testing or setting-up 5. Minimise the Iplreading on M1 by adjust- pensation, and it is best to make only very the instrument on a high quality dummy load, ing R3a. It should be possible to get this to small changes between trials. it is much more convenient to set up the below 10% of full scale, even if the instrument for minimum reflected reading inductors are not quite correct. (Note: Even than to try and set the correct offset. For the quite expensive dummy loads are not per- OPERATION same reason, the coaxial screen should be fect. Neither are connecting cables, plugs THE PROTOTYPE MODEL was intended connected to the transmitter side earth, so that and sockets.) for use with power outputs from about 20 to the slight error caused at HE by its shunt 6. Check at the very lowest frequency to be 150W. As when using any similar meter, it used, and readjust R3a if necessary. If this capacitance is also excluded from the set-up should be kept in mind that a poorly matched upsets the 7 or 10MHz zeroing, choose a procedure. load can cause excessive voltage to arise in compromise setting. If all is well and the some circumstances and excessive current in diodes are well matched, the 'V, I' mode SETTING-UP others. Consequently you should always be- should show almost identical meter de- 1. Connect the transmitter to the 'Tx' side gin with the sensitivity set to minimum (ie flections for voltage and current. and a 50S1 dummy load in place of the Range 1, using the highest resistance in series 7. If the results are disappointing, ie it is not antenna system on the 'Ant' side. Use a with each meter). Never apply full power until possible to get below say 5% for the re- good quality load and good quality 50S1 load matching adjustments have proved satis- flected amplitude, add home made capaci- cable. factory at low power levels. tance Cl and adjust the amount of overlap 2. Select a frequency, preferably in either the between the wires. Use wires with good 7MHz or 10MHz band, but lower if neces- REFERENCES sary. insulation to withstand the full antenna [1] How Big is a Bad SWR, RadCom March 3. Adjust the transmitter power level and system voltage. DO NOT attempt to adjust 1993 and April 1993. meter sensitivity for convenient operation the wires or poke about inside the box well within the capabilities of the transmit- while the Tx is on. Only make adjustments [2] Farnell Electronic Components, Canal ter and the dummy load. between trials, with the Tx off. Road, Leeds LS12 2TU. Tel: 0113 263 4. Switch the meter to 'Rho' mode and adjust 8. Check what happens on the 28MHz band. 6311. •

Kits as listed below are available. JAB's aim is to have kits available off the shelf; sometimes Author Date Kit Contents Price Notes especially following publication demand is unknown when you are advised to check G4PMK 1 1 /89 Spectrum Analyser 1+3 65.55 availability. G4PMK 1 1 /89 Spectrum Analyser 2 (Set of 3) 17.75 Kit contents vary, the contents are given, ie 1+2 means that PCB parts and PCBs are supplied. G4SGF 04/92 A Novice ATU (New) 1+2+3+4 24.95 Contents and exclusions are made up from the chart right. The price shown is the price you G4ENA 05/92 QRP+QSK Tx/Rx 1+2+3+4 54.60 ST pay except if the order value is under E15.00, then we ask you to add E1.00 towards P&P. G7IXK 11/92 Wobbulator 1+2+3+4 24.40 Export P&P is at cost. Individual parts are listed in our 1998 catalogue. 6 First Class stamps G3R00 04/93 6m Converter 1+2 11.85 SF or 3 IRCs. 09/93 A Simple BFO 1+2+3+5 9.95 Contents Codes: Exclusion Codes: G3YMP 01/94 Yearling Receiver 1+2+3+4 42.50 1 = PCB Mounted Parts Only A = Air Spaced Variable G3YMP 08/94 Ferret Audio Filter 1+2+3 28.30 2 = PCB Only B = Crystals G8NKA 11/94 Auto Ni -Cad Charger 1+2+3 35.95 3 = Case Mounted Parts C = Display G3RJV 07/97 Epiphyte Transceiver (inc LPF) 1+3+5 80.05 4 = Ready Punched Case Notes: G4SPL 09/95 Key Calibrator 1+2+3+5 10.95 5 = Case Un -Punched SF = State Frequency or Band G3LUB 03/97 Synthesised VFO POA Please enquire about types not listed or if you wish to vary contents, eg if you wish to purchase G4ENA 05/93 160m DF Rx 1+2 35.00 just the PCB mounted parts and the whole kit is in the list price. G4ENA 05/93 160m DF Tx 1 +2-B 25.30

AVAILABLE FRO M: JAB ELECTRONIC CO MPONENTS, BOX 5774, GREAT BARR, BIRMINGHAM B44 8PJ. TEL: 0121 682 7045

26 RadCom • February 1998 RADIO WORLD (WESTMIDLANDS)

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RadCom • February 1998 2 i FREE-PHONE ORDER LINE

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• Oil cooled design MFJ-462B • / e11 5 ▪ SO-239 socket Vectronics 2.5kW Load ' Ideal for linears • 1MHz to 400MHz ;060 —.4014 DL-2500 1.8 -170MHz Ant. Analyser ' Decodes CW. RTTY, ASCII. AMTOR FEC ' LCD 2 x 16 characters ' 8000 character RAM £229 ' Key input for CW practice ' Epson compatible printer port • 1.8 - 30MHz with roller coaster •Requires 12V at 300mA DC • Cross needle VSWR & PEP ' 1.8MHz - 170MHz • Connects to receiver phone socket • "T" network with 4:1 balun ' Deal Readout ' 2.5kW min) 50 Ohm Load • Long wire, coax and balanced feed • Resonance • 500W Continuous (50% cycle) • By-pass and Antenna select switch • VSWR MFJ- 901B HF Atu • DC - 150MHz ' 270 x 375 x 115mm • Impedance ' Fan cooled (AC adaptor included) • AA batteries or £69.95 Auto ATU Matcher • 12v external 200W Low Pass Filter The World's Lets your Auto Best Seller ATU match any coax aerial. ' 1.8 - 30MHz 200W MFJ-702 Connect to aerial or coax and adjust it in ' Long wire. balanced & coax Exlencler seconds. Turns hours into minutes and • 1.8 - 30MHz 200W PEP Connect between transceiver and antenna - ideas into antennas! Give your antenna If you are looking for something that will • 50 Ohms impedance no more problems with G5RVs and all those system a complete check out. Over 500 match almost anything at a price that will • 50dB 50MHz 0.5dB at 30MHz • SO-239 connectors difficult antennas - 160 to 10 metres sold so far! A great piece of kit. please almost everybody - here it is! 16fflf.1 Base Antennas UlA' ON £12.95 ushcraft W-2000 6m - 70cm £89.95 Combined quick ntennas (2/6.2/8.4dB 25m long) release spring clip WfirsON Whet_theinegssayl W-30 2m/70cm £39.95 and bell loop. (3/6dB 1.15m long) Self adjusting, fits Practice' Wireless: LLIR'eti Lapel Talker W-50 2m/70cm £54.95 all handys. Keeps £24.95 (4.5f7.2dB 1.8m long) your handy handy! -An excellent DX W-300 2m/70cm £69.95 Exclusive Watson antenna - Extremely è Earpiece with lapel mie. (6.5/9d8 3.1m long) design impressed with cib . and PTT Models for all standard of work- makes including WiTsON Nloy Antenna Wire £12.95 manship and ease Motorola. " - All aerials have SO-239 of erection sockets, mounting hard- Exclusive to W&S, each lielz%0N QS-110 Speaker Mic £14.95 ware for masts up to 62cm reel contains 55ft of diameter and three radials. 3.5mm alloy wire (ideal for G5RVs etc.) fladCont Available in versions to All tuned for UK bands. "%dear sruitoun jotle match all models. Just Its ultra light - 55ft reel tell us which transceiver weighs 400 grams! This alloy wire will not smagade- na investrnent whet% you have. Ii tarnish like copper and its lighter weight Mobile Whips means safer aerials. lasts" 1 Stainless Steel 1.1.1fes0N WA 'ON Mobile Whips with DC Mobile Leads WEP-400 Earpiece £6.95 ' 7 Bands 40-10m £14.95 hinged bases. • Power 1.5kW PEP Pre-tuned. Standard 1 connector lead e!-- Deluxe earpiece has remov- ' Height 73m (24ft) able pad and soft ear grip. k e.; used by all modern rigs. W-285 2m whip £15.95 • 7 x 49 inch radials Extremely comfortable - 8 W-770HB 2m/70cm £24,95 15A dual fused, 1.9m long. Self-supporting. eOhms and 3.5mm plug. r F,T5LIM W-PL70 Patch Leads W-7900 Super gainer £6.95 WfilreN WSM-270 Mag. Ant ME QS-400 Mount £9.95 £24.95 I Best value in high quality antenna design we have A 66cm long PL-259 patch • Dual: Band 2m/70cms Clip onto dash grill and sim- ever seen! A super anten- • Mini Magnetic design ply push handheld or GPS lead using semi-stiff cable na at a very special price! that stays put. A smart idea! ▪ Super strong magnet in between sprung fingers. • Base just 29mm diameter ' 144 & 430MHz Another great idea from ' Pre-tuned for 2m & 70cm UK 5dB 2m / 7.6dB 70cm WfVzON WIX-7000 2rn170cm whip Watson! ' Low Profile whip L 1.58m Power: 150W 2.75m of mini coax - BNC PL-259 connecto W-7900 - - £34.95 Power rating 50W max. QS-200 Mount £4.95 • Dual band "Gainer" whip 2m / 70cm WRIsON FC-130 Counter EfEa W-3CK Cable Kit • 21cms long fitted BNC connector. £79.95 Price Down 50%! £18.95 QS-300 Handy Mount Now being shipped to Dash mount for handles. A 5m long £19.95 UK Gov. departments. mobile cable kit Fits on dash grill vent using 5D-BD cable Mounts your handheld on • 1MHz - 2.8GHz the desk. Includes ' LCD Display WFIWN ' BNC Whip Antenna WM-308 Base Mic BNC/SO-239 socket and is £59.95 uosoN W-31-1M Hatch Mount ' Very sensitive "off air' completely adjustable. £14.95 ' Ni-cads and Charger Superb audio quality. Can be powered from Matching hatch mount with WR

Here's a 500 Watt output solid state linear Just feed with RF. £499.00 Carriage is charged at cost - Phone fax or e-mail for total cost. that will operate between 1.6 - 30MHz. Multimode Modem Input of 50-90W is Probably the ulti- Free -Phone required and the DC 1 0500 mate modem. supply needs 10 - 18V Almost like having a Fast Order W 40A (SSB). PTT or programmable computer inside your RF sensing modem. Send for full specification Line 73 73 88 £989.00 £599.00 Enquiries: Tel. 01702 206835 / 204965 Fax. 01702 205843 22, Main Road, Hockley, Essex SS5 4QS Waters & Stanton E-mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.waters-and-stanton.co.uk Technical Feature mercial communication services into the preamplifier. CYOUR 1 FIRST and REACTION C2 are to simply a four-terminal dc block-required to make themrange work! of The DCmanufactured to basic 2000 MHz con- (2GHz), by Mini-Circuitsmonitoring a noise you the will Labs downlinks [1]. end uphigher The from withme, amateur a frequencies you neat have radio little a growing and perhaps "dc curiosity to a day- desire about to the aroundlight" yourin pre-amplifier shack,about thethat microwaveoperate not the you the construction may that there least want regiononegigahertz to will to someday, of try. (at argue which techniques havetainly Besides and I with many isactive have beyond usesdirection the learning agree a that in little 1GHz), "frequency" the with are and amateur the used project frequency". "direction" part. satellite If, Those part like program of of cer- use this who are 32 e -ma4540 i l 1 S.Ammon ,8 1@amthrough sa Rd, ting .o Idaho rg . capacitors. the Falls,a look output Idaholike 83406, atdevice Y lead Fig USA. this: 1, via withCI RCUIT DESCRIPTI which "Let's N a O two resistor grounds isthis see, theer may and projectfrom schematic ground, 's betechniques something Manualcept ground, are for forand readily that theis the only signaling that I pre-amplifierand three available featureusedfigure in, of output to or the Device of build four of from impedancesMAR-6 four MIC M 3dB, and (SMD) is sources devices external it terminals, thelithic a a with four were gainthat of construction an like terminal, gleaned 50Q. components operating Microwave of I recently the two up The to are MAR-6 Integrated most Surface are frequency 20dB, for built amaz- and Mount ground, input Circuit using the (M MIC) MAR-6 Mono- such as Ocean State Electronics [3] s a tell ites . statement. Given the steady progress of com- signal out . . . Hey! Where does D I have heard it said that "The future is The subject of this article is a preamplifier The ARRL UHF/ Microwave Experiment- Edited from an original article in both bands -and then some. "DC toDaylight" or0 maybe YOU NEED 432 a MHz? pre-amp This one for covers 28 MHz, MMIC Preamp for bands, it would be difficult for any- [2]. The parts and PCB material in e , connects to the device V e , go?" Take up, RF in

power supply. The recommendedwithply combined apower I680Q, use supply,needs providesvalue. a down The about toreplaced MAR-6 3.5V. 14.6V, drawsuse C The the about 1 so power and preamplifier I 16mA, C2 ended sup- with andpreamplifier 1nF up disc at 29 ceramic MHz for for use downlink at 432 MHz, which is a only0.3 a inches.winding28S WG enamelled mandrel!) (Removeimpedance wire thedata I ofgreater around drillleft sheet; L 1output. the and this bit, itisolates than R1 shanka helps is value 3.5V 50Q. Since or at of isolate course; the power L least of the a 1 power Licalculateis supply MIC M 500Q. the it's supply output listed MIC M and I and from impedance omit thecapacitors as the Rl. necessary optional MIC M is Don't! (X,from on voltage R1ceramic = my the 5.5Q lites. junkdownlink drop at capacitors box. 29 So,example, MHz). from I frequencyat I subsequently your selected (X, I the originallyand = lowest for 1.6S1 discussare a many decided constructedcouple atchoke signal amateur the 435 how MHz) of (R1 bypass to I frequencycomponents my satel- 220selected and pF capacitors are L1). disc only of the The employed interest. values. only on if the the other preamp For is components 3/16 inch328S1selected drill at 435 bit, MHz). a value The spaced50Q, inductor of R1 for about 's resistance a is 0.12mH total 8 turns for length should Li of of be considerablysignals from Russians RS-series satellites.being So de-sensitisedFig I 1: The DC to by daylight a nearby Preamp. transmitter. The dotted The power supply voltage determines R1Cl 's Let's take a look at each of the components and C2 should present a low impedance V QST e , of about 3.5V. Use Ohm's Law to 1 / 2 W resistor. It's tempting to use November 1997, by William A. Parmley, KR8L. V e , lead.

( X L = p er imen ter ' s Manua l . resonantpass capacitors.use frequencies the preamplifier Because (resulting capacitors at from lower unavoid- frequencies. have self- youboard like.with ifunwanted a The you 100 single W prefer, copper soldering areas mounting orplane gun. use whilepedance. any pad on You heating 0.0625-inch-thick otherboard was could A "etched" 0.1-inch-wide them thickness method etch the and G-10 line board form and dielectric amaterial the 50S1 groundwith material suited a constant thickness forwant is microwave a to of double-sided, 0.0625 study use. inches,reasons (The glass-epoxymight for known boardniques, perform undertaking as board even satisfactorily "dead this bug" project style. up was through to Such the a circuit t idescribe sa tics. ion" .circuit L2 under feedthrough and the C3 boardit are title,able is ground capacitor optional a inductances common plane. "Preventing practice components that Thein 1 in place passes Desensi-OnF to the that and use even through devices capacitors are though the and eventually of their leads), I decided to thetraces copperinput foil withtransmission and a with outputmachinist'determine a knife line, impedance.conductingline: the and s which liftedrule. microstrip's a surfaces. matches conductorof Then offRockford, the the I the -I characteristic above Ed). board,cut used MIC' M FR-4 is or The Illinois). s through and a line between or product all G-10. width, im- extended the of Notice This GC Electronics bottom I is diddescribe that of thetechniques, it. the most in least board, For here. of432 a MHz the expensive deeper that I'll band. topcuit However, is understanding, explain IT board the using ISCI since RCUIT CTI U N O NSTR approach O CERTAINLY C what conventional one I possible you ofdid I the mayused and construction to why and build will this tech- cir- several different values. My design uses a 1nF serve as circuit ground. study and practice microwave construction `microstrip'. (That is a strip-type transmission 100nF capacitors (C4 and C5) are disc ceram- The remaining three essential parts are by- I fabricated my board by laying-outThe the signal-conducting partFig of 2 the shows circuit the circuit-board is a layout. The The /Microwave ARRL Ex- RadCom • February 1998 M MIC PREA MP FOR "DC TO DAYLIGHT"

by grinding away the copper around it with a soldered them to each side of the board. (A 'Z there is about 40ft between my 144 and 28MHz hand-held grinder. wire' is a short, small-gauge, solid copper wire, antennas. The MMIC is tiny. Connect it to the traces bent at 90°, inserted through the hole and then The situation on Mode J was quite different, with the shortest possible distances between bent at 90° again). however. My 144 and 432MHz antennas are the traces and the body. (I managed to achieve I mounted inductor L 1 for minimum lead only about 8ft apart, and the 144MHz signal about 0.03 inch). Also, the device leads are length. One lead connects to the microstrip and completely blocked the pre-amplifier, just as I very delicate; if possible, do not bend them at the other to the square pad. The resistor con- anticipated. Out of curiosity, one evening I all. To fit the MMIC leads flat on the PC-board nects from the pad to the feedthrough capaci- installed a series-resonant circuit (L2 and C3 traces without bending, I ground a small de- tor, and the other two bypass capacitors con- on the schematic) on the pre-amplifier's input. pression in the board dielectric for the MMIC nect from the feed-through to the ground foil. I drilled a hole in the board and mounted a5-i5 body. Alternatively you could drill a hole com- pF piston trimmer capacitor, then wound an- pletely through the board, but I believe my HOOKUP AND OPERATION other inductor identical to Ll. I installed these method provides better mechanical support for parts on the board and connected the amplifier FOR THE BASIC pre-amplifier design there is the device. Remember that the coloured dot between my 432MHz antenna and my rig. To nothing to align or adjust. Simply connect it (white on the MAR-6) on the body marks pin adjust the tuned circuit, I used the local oscil- between your antenna and receiver, then apply 1, which is the input lead. lator of my scanner to generate a signal on Mount the blocking capacitors as close to power. If you connect the pre-amp to a trans- 435.850MHz. This signal registered about S5 the board as possible. To do this, I cut the ceiver, take precautions to prevent transmit- on my S meter, and disappeared completely capacitor leads to about 1/16 inch long. Then I ting through it! I think you will find this pre- into the noise when I keyed my 144MHz Tx. tinned both the capacitor leads and the circuit amplifier very handy for many uses: adding As I tweaked the trimmer capacitor, I was traces and soldered the capacitors in place. gain to an older 28MHz receiver or scanner, pleasantly surprised to hear the receiver noise This method of mounting minimises lead in- boosting signal-generator output, or for casual decrease and the signal from the scanner's ductances. monitoring of the amateur radio satellites on local oscillator become audible and return to Because I intend to use my preamplifier at 29, 144 and 432MHz. I leave the choice of its former S5 level. UHF, I installed N connectors. To achieve a cabinetry up to you. A commercial metal box, Even with this modification, I found that the zero lead length, I notched the ends of my home-made printed circuit board or thin pre-amplifier is not yet entirely suitable for board to suit the profile of the connectors, then sheetmetal boxes are suitable. full-duplex operation on Mode J. Some combi- installed the connectors directly onto the board. Armed with the experience gained from this nations of uplink and downlink frequencies are I laid the centre pin on top of the microstrip and project, a copy of The ARRL /Microwave entirely clear. Others suffer from interference soldered it, then soldered the connector body to Experimenter 's Manual and perhaps a copy of to varying degrees, which appears to be mixing the ground foil in four places (two on the top of The ARRL /Microwave Prcjects Manual products - probably generated in the MAR-6 - the board and two on the bottom). An alterna- [4], you will be ready to continue your journey in the presence of my uplink signal. Although tive very good technique for fitting the connec- to 1GHz and beyond. this use is beyond my original intent for this tors is to drill a hole in the microstrip and insert pre-amplifier, I plan to continue experiment- the centre pin from the bottom of the board. ing with additional filters to see if I can make PREVENTING The centre pin is then soldered to the microstrip the pre-amp usable for full-duplex operation. and the body soldered to the ground foil or DESENSITISATION The series tuned circuit makes the pre-ampli- mounted with machine screws. (If you do this, THE ORIGINAL GOALS for this project were fier unusable for AO-10's Mode-B 2metre be sure to remove a little foil from around the very modest: (1) develop a simple, low cost downlink. In my case this is not a problem, hole on the bottom of the voard, so the centre pre-amplifier that could be easily constructed since I already have a commercial preamplifier pin doesn't short to ground). The latter ap- for anyone interested in casual monitoring of for that band. proach is much better if you want to mount the amateur radio satellites using simple antennas; preamplifier into a box, as you can mount the and (2) educate myself and others in circuit board on the inside of the lid with the connec- NOTES construction techniques for 1GHz and beyond. tors projecting through. [1] Mini-Circuits Laboratory, PO Box 350166, I fully anticipated that this simple pre-am- It is important that all portions of the ground Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003. Data sheets for plifier would not function in the presence of foil be at equal potential, particularly near the the MAR-6 and countless other MCL prod- my 100W, 144MHz uplink signal for Mode A M MIC and the board edges. To achieve this, I ucts are available at http://www.mini- and Mode J satellites. I also realised that the wrapped the long edges of the board with circuits.com. Noise Figure of 3dB is far from optimum, but pieces of thin brass and soldered them on both [2] The ARRL UHF/Microwave Experiment- I assumed that it would not be a problem at top and bottom. I also drilled two small holes er's Manual (Newington: ARRL, 1990) is 28MHz, where natural and man-made noise is on either side of each MMIC ground lead, ARRL order No 3126. ARRL publications fairly strong. It would also be acceptable at installed a small 'Z wire' in each hole and are available from your local ARRL dealer 432MHz, because the FO-20, FO-29 and AO- or directly from ARRL. Mail orders to Pub 27 downlinks are rela- Sales Dept, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, tively strong and I CT 06111-1494. You can call us toll-free at only have 35ft of Flexi 1-800-277-5289; fax your order to 860- 4XL coax between 594-0303; or send e-mail to my antenna and rig. [email protected]. Check out the full ARRL A quick test of the publications line on the World Wide Web at pre-amplifier on RS- http://www.arrLorg/catalog. 15's 29MHz down- [3] Ocean State Electronics, PO Box 1458, link confirmed very Westerly, RI 028911; information 401-596- goodreceive perform- 3080, orders 800-866-6626. ance. I was pleased to [4] The ARRL UHF/Microwave Projects find that my uplink Manual (Newington: ARRL, 1994-96) is signal did not effect Fig 2: Physical layout (on double sided PCB). Note the location of the holes for ARRL Order No 4491. See Note 2 for the wires', which are used to linkthe upper and lower ground planestogether. it, probably because purchasing information. •

RadCom • February 1998 33 The Reflex Beam HF Antenna

The second of two parts by Tony Preedy, C Eng, FIEE, A45ZZ, G3LNP*

n Part One we saw how a TH6 Yagi was end of the path. Similar tests progressively modified into the Reflex between Majorca and south- /Beam. This month a custom built Reflex ern England resulted in ad- Beam with a shorter boom is described. vantages of 6 to 8 dB for a Gain is 1 to 1.5 dB less with the smaller height increase from 30 to version shown in Fig 6 and detailed in Table 1, 60ft, (9 to 18m). In each case but the front-to-back ratio is considerably im- the 14MHz band was used. proved. My argument at the time was that the Presumably, if the antennas smaller antenna could not only be remotely at both ends could have been rotated, but also safely mounted at a greater lifted by identical amounts, height if the opportunity arose, where the re- the gain would have been duced gain would be more than compensated doubled. Height is obvi- for by the reduction in take-off angle. ously a far more important

This was soon confirmed by experiments factor than boom length on The 10 to 30MHz driven element, complete with remote tuner, suitable for coax feeder. The tuner made over the indirect (south polar) path be- long and moderate distance radio circuits. uses a parallel L/C circuit with link coupling. Vacuum tween Muscat and California, which showed The initial reaction to an inspection of Fig 6 relays select the coil taps and the capacitor is an increase in signal strength of 8 to 9dB when must be that the boom is overloaded with driven by a servo motor. Settings for each band are stored and selected from the operating position. switching between identical antennas installed elements, but think what it would look like at heights of 30ft (9m) and 90ft (27m) at one with all 15 elements traditionally necessary for three element performance on 5 bands!

*7 Station Road, Ting, Herts HP23 5NG. One attractive feature of the reflex antenna Freq Gain F/B 30011 Direction is that it can be (MHz) (dBi) (dB) VSWR

adapted to comply 14.2 (complete) 12.1 23 15 Normal with the physical or 4 long elements 14.2 (short) 11.1 12 12 Normal (1, 4, 6, 7) planning constraints 18.1 12.5 22 11 Reverse taper 32 to 12mm of the site, simply by 21.2 12.3 26 9 Normal 3 short elements omitting the longer 24.95 12.6 16 15 Reverse (2, 3, 5) taper 22 to 12mm elements and their 28.5 12.0 22 6 Normal Maximum gain, at the expense of directivity, 13dBi. Boom 16ft (4.88m) long associated portion of 2in diameter, 16 gauge the boom. Many may Table 1: Characteristics of the short Reflex Beam find the long 14MHz antenna reflector an embar- rassment, in which omitted completely the boom length can be case just remove it reduced to only lift (3.35m), but the 18MHz and reduce the boom band then loses a reflector. length to 13ft (4m). However, because the reflector for the low- After all, this was the est frequency band is never required to func- least important ele- tion as a director on another band, it is possible ment because it only to reduce the length of this otherwise longest functioned on one element by inductive or linear loading (see band. The penalties photo opposite). are approximately It is inadvisable to extend the antenna to 1 dB less gain and a include a full size element for the 10MHz band, 10dB reduction in because of the third harmonic situation re- back radiation pro- ferred to previously. A shortened loaded ele- tection on that band. ment is practical for 10MHz because, by virtue If the 14MHz band is of the loading reactance, it cannot be simulta- neously resonant at its third harmonic. An Fig 6: Shortened Reflex element for 10MHz will not be effective at Beam, which provides less gain but a better 14MHz because the frequency ratio is far too back-to-front ratio. great. Loaded elements are more effective as

34 RadCom • February 1998 THE REFLEX BEAM HF ANTENNA

reflectors because close spaced directors have ELNEC by adjusting from the length of typical Freq = 21.2MHz ELNEC 3.03 both very high current and high Q, which Yagi directors. Obviously they could be found combine to produce significant loss in the experimentally if required, as with my TH6 loading reactance and a narrow bandwidth. modification, but the ELNEC figures (includ- If the longer parasitic elements are removed ing the effect of taper) worked. If in doubt it is it is permissable to reduce the length of the safest to make them a little short, as a short driven element, because there is little point in director will be a better reflector on the next it being longer than the parasitic elements. higher band, etc. Increased gain and an improved directional radiation pattern can be achieved by extending CONSTRUCTION the boom and adding more parasitic directors, Outer ring = 12-300dBi Elevation plot THE BEST SOURCE of construction materi- but this is only practicable on the 28 and Max gain = 12.300 dBi Azimuth angle = 0.0 deg als for HE antennas is those discarded by other 24MHz bands. For example, the gain on these RSGB RC1593 people! Usually it is not only cheaper but less bands will typically be increased by 1.7dB if a Fig 7: Reflex beam vertical radiation pattern. effort to buy concentric-fitting aluminium tub- second 28MHz director 15.4ft (4.7m) long is ing of the correct alloy, plus other antenna placed 10.5ft (3.2m) from the driven element. need to drill holes is preferred, as this will hardware this way, than to buy new. Fre- Similarly, for 24MHz, with a director 17.7ft avoid weakening the insulator. All of these quently, antennas are discarded because of (5.4m) long, 13ft (3.4m) away on the opposite materials require that precautions are taken resonator (trap) failure (not a problem in this side. This brings the boom length to 24ft (7.3m). against inhaling dust when cutting. Suppliers, case) or planning rejection. The reason so Further directors, a few centimetres shorter, who use special dust extraction equipment, many traps fail, if not due to water causing can be added at 0.2 wavelength spacing if you will usually cut the material if required. oxide formation which shorts the turns of the really must have the ultimate multi element The length given should result in the ele- aluminium wire coils, is presumably because antenna, but I would rather devote effort and ment resonating in the full-wave mode in or of a misunderstanding of ratings. An antenna resources to increasing the height because this near the 28MHz band when the effect of typi- will benefit all bands and is therefore likely to cal insulator capacitance is considered. This which handles 400W PEP of SSB will typi- be more cost effective. will result in a lower feeder VSWR on this cally have the same amount of heat dissipated These possibilities are mentioned to give band, where losses might otherwise be signifi- in the traps when handling 40W of FM, RTTY, some idea of how the reflex antenna can be cant. If you wish you can experiment with the or data. The Reflex Antenna has no compara- adapted to suit individual requirements. I in- length to obtain minimum VSWR in the 28MHz ble power limitation and can safely be used tend to describe only the standard version here, band after adjusting the directors, but it will with a power amplifier when using any permit- and leave the reader to make whatever changes never approach unity because this is a point of ted mode. he believes will make the antenna acceptable high impedance. Incidentally, the easiest As already stated, the boom length required in his own environment. method of doing this is to use a 300 to 50S1 for satisfactory performance on the five bands Referring to Fig 3 (in Part One), the driven balun and measure VSWR on the 50S1 side. is 16ft (4.87m). This is a popular size for element is not critical, except that it needs to be Element spacing is based on the k value for commercially made amateur antennas, because well insulated at the feed point. The insulators the mean inter-band design frequency ratio of it allows components to be shipped within a used by Hy-gain which are integral with the 1.19. Spacing factor d is 0.1 wavelength, which limit of 8ft. If using a trapped antenna as the element-to-boom clamp are, in my experience, is 3.5ft (1.067m) at 28.5MHz. base, some of the elements required here can the best from a mechanical point of view, I found no reliable means of calculating the be made by removing traps and the others from although they introduce considerable capaci- parasitic element lengths with sufficient accu- sections of tubing tapering from 32 to 12mm or tance. The resin bonded glass tube type used by racy to guarantee best performance, so the 22 to 12mm as appropriate. Cushcraft are better electrically in this applica- dimensions in Fig 3 were obtained using A safe antenna should result if the construe- tion. Jaybeam use a plastic saddle type within an aluminium channel which provides a good Glass laminate element insulator, in compromise between strength, capacitance and this case the longest reflector. A loading wind loading. In the past I have made my own, coil is located in the plastic box. using clamps fabricated from an epoxy resin bonded glass sheet material, known as Ashlam G46, on an aluminium angle frame. This mate- rial, having the desirable properties of low power factor at RF, high tensile strength, ultra- violet resistance and low water absorption, is also available in tubular form as Lamalac GE1/ T. Other alternatives suitable for exposed con- ditions are melamine glass laminate G34 and silicone resin glass laminate G5. The last known source for these and similar materials was Mica and Micanite, Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland. Tubular insulation is by far the easiest home construction method, requiring only that the outside diameter fits tightly into the largest tube and that the wall thickness for materials like those above is at least 8mm. The isolation path needs to be at least 20mm. A clamp which attaches the insulator to the boom without the

RadCom • February 1998 35 THE REFLE X BEA M HF ANTE N NA

tion methods used in the base antenna are TRANSMISSION LINE maintained when adding the extra elements. USING BALANCED WIRE transmission line Based on experience I recommend undoing all with a rotary antenna introduces some poten- the joints in the tubing of old antennas and tial difficulty, because it must be kept clear of thoroughly cleaning the surfaces before start- the mast or tower and other conductors. 300Q ing construction. Out of interest, try measuring ribbon or 450Q slotted line can be used if the the resistance of the joints before you separate section which by-passes the rotator is con- them. tained within flexible plastic conduit of the You will need to allow for the effect of the type which does not have steel in the helix. additional wind loading on both the support Alternatively, the technique I chose was to use structure and rotator, if adapting your existing two lengths of low loss coaxial cable, as short antenna. This is essentially the sum of the and as high impedance as possible. This forms longitudinal cross sectional areas of all the a binocular screened feeder in the critical loca- tubular components of the antenna multiplied tion, the rest of the run being of 600Q balanced by 0.6, plus the actual cross sectional areas of twin. The twin coaxial feeders will look like a rectangular components such as clamps. An capacitor across the wire feeder, but the VSWR additional allowance of say lOmm in diameter effect of this and the capacitance of the insula- should be allowed for ice in areas where this tor at the driven element can be minimised if occurs. Fig 8: Reflex beam horizontal radiation pattern. the length of balanced feeder between them is made an electrical 1/4 wavelength at the high- FINE TUNING any band, start at the 14MHz reflector and est working frequency. For example, 2.2m of NORMALLY THERE IS no requirement to work through to 28MHz by carefully trim- twin wire feeder will transform the insulator make any adjustments to this antenna, provid- ming the length of the appropriate director. capacitance to an equivalent inductance at the ing the director lengths are correct. The corre- Once all the directors are confirmed as close rotator at 29.7MHz. sponding reflector tuning is incidental to ad- enough to their required lengths to give at justment on the next band. There is one excep- least 10dB (about 2 ' S ' points) front-to-back PERFORMANCE tion in that the whole of the 28 to 29.7MHz ratio, one can subsequently fine tune on a band cannot be covered efficiently with one specific band without any significant effect THE FIGURES IN Table 1 were given by setting. You must decide where you want the on another one. ELNEC at the design frequencies for the an- best performance and make pro-rata adjust- Generally, when the parasitic elements are tenna as described, when mounted at a height ment to the length of the shortest element working as reflectors, they are longer than of 20m. (which I have set for 28.5MHz to allow opera- optimum because our bands are ' too far apart'. Typical radiation patterns are shown for the tion in the most popular lower third of the The advantage of having long reflectors is that antenna in Fig 7 and Fig 8, modelled at a band). The driven element is tuned with your they provide directivity without requiring criti- height of 20m. ASTU from the operating position. cal adjustment. The disadvantage is that they After some initial frustration I am sure you If you suspect the performance of your provide less than optimum gain. To put this in will get used to rotating the antenna 180° as version of the antenna is inadequate or you perspective, the lost dB or so can be equated part of the band changing procedure, just as I want the reassurance of optimising front-to- to the width of the pointer on the average ' S ' did. In my case it was even more inconvenient back ratio on specific frequencies in each or meter. without the assistance of a rotator. •

T E C H NI C A L FE E D B A C K

SOLAR DATA EXPLAINED

RADCOM NOVEMBER 1997 ANTENNA BRIDGE

A LETTER FROM C.G. Bennett, a retired RADCOM JULY 1997

chartered physicist, alerted us to a couple of IN DEALING WITH a query from Doug anomalies in this feature. Topping, I unearthed a subtlety which re- It was suggested that auroras caused untold quires a small correction to my article. power outages and pipeline corrosion. In fact Since my bridge was designed to operate auroras are" . . . just one effect of the intense with an external source with a 5011 output geomagnetic activity, caused by solar out- bursts from the sun. - G2FKZ" "Other effects impedance, I should have included an addi- of geomagnetic activity are radio communica- tional 5112. resistor as in Fig 1. The conse- tion problems, problems with electric utilities, quence of not doing so is that the meter long distance pipelines, synchronous space- readings for an open and a short differ craft, etc. - C.G. Bennett" "Dst does not denote slightly, whereas they should be the same. a ring current, it is an index . . . (which) . . . In the first paragraph of the feature 3mW continuously summarises a complex measure- should read 3µW. Also, in Fig 2 an addi- ment. - C.G. Bennett", a point with which tional 5112. resistor should be included, to G2FKZ agrees. The letters 'ID; should be link the left side of Cl to the left side of C2. deleted from the captions of Fig 2 and Fig 3. Finally, B denotes Magnetic Flux Density, not Ian Braithwaite, G4COL Fig 1: Input section of the SWR bridge. Magnetic Flux Field.

36 RadCom • February 1998 DOWN TO EARit Amateur Radio from the Ground Up

Ilavsandeomments angforgeginners Phasedlockedloogises Ameed1117Probe

NEWS ITEM from Some 930 candidates attempted Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, paper 1 with 686 (73.8%) being Athe Senior RSGB Nov- successful - a few with distinction. 11 ice Instructor for Cheshire, may These results were considered a be of interest to Class 'A' Novices little better than average. Candi- or perhaps anyone who wants to dates' inexperience with some of listen to improve their Morse re- the practical aspects of amateur ceiving skills. radio was felt to be a reason for On the 80 metre band, Ameri- some of the questions being badly can and Canadian Novices have answered. an allocation for CW operating Meanwhile, 983 candidates at- between 3700 and 3750kHz and tempted paper 2 with 669 (68.1%) they would be delighted to receive of these, successful - again, there listener cards from anyone who were a few distinctions. The over- hears them. They would be even all results on this paper were felt to more delighted if anyone could A Novice class, organised by the Kuwait Amateur Radio Society, in join them. progress. If any Class 'A' Novice wants liewsdnaomment from and to make a contact, there is a way; Section 2 (3) of your licence per- tion of highest placed Novice - mits split frequency working. You for Amateur ilewcomers and has a Certificate of Merit to listen to their transmission and in adorn the wall of her shack. This your reply, you transmit in your Compiled by esde Tyler MC* was achieved using SSB. section of the band. This obvi- She also gained second place in ously has to be arranged in ad- the Poole Novice Contest, and this be approximately average when with the attendant personal study vance. After listening for regular was achieved using FM and the compared with previous papers. carried out when time was avail- users of the band, a contact could Piccolo transceiver - designed by With the end of the RAE exam in able. be arranged and set up by post or John Badger, G4YZO, and built its present form, statistics have I cannot give the exact number on the Internet. Access to the North by her son Robert, G4OBE. reached me concerning the per- of successful examinees on both American Radio Amateur With band conditions improv- papers as the results are given for Ca//book could be useful to get formance of candidates dating ing, I hope to report spectacular each paper, but the global picture addresses. I am sure you would back to 1990. contacts on this band next year. is of something in the region of find willing contacts. Between December '90 and almost 10,000 new amateurs who You could also listen on May '92, there were 4,040 suc- A NEW MAGAZINE have joined our ranks in those 3330kHz after midnight to the cessful candidates out of 5900 sit- SINCE THE DEMISE of D-i-Y ting the exam showing a success seven years. Canadian time signal station, Radio, newly licensed amateurs rate of around 66.4%. The overall I find this number quite stagger- callsign CHU, to find out when the and Novices have lacked the more pass rate varied between 55.4% ing - I wonder if they are all active path is open to make the chance of basic approaches to the hobby. (December '90) and 81.2% (May and enjoying themselves. I would success much higher. If you While there is plenty of informa- '92) with the number of entrants appreciate letters from some of achieved this with only 3 watts, tion in the pages ofRadCom for all for each full exam varying be- you telling me of your amateur you would certainly have the right interests, perhaps some younger tween under 900 to more than radio experiences. to boast of your DX contact! I entrants to the hobby feel a little 2000. After this, the results be- would love to hear about your ef- inadequate because they lack the A 50MHz TRIUMPH forts in this field. come more detailed. level of previous knowledge and Every year shows that a lower NEWS OF ANOTHER Novice experience needed to use the given RAE REPORT number sat the December exam who has enjoyed success in 6m information fully. as, presumably, most of the De- contesting has reached me (Down DETAILS OF the May '97 exam A new publication - Radio Ac- cember entrants were re-sitting at to Earth, November 1997). results have been published. The tive - is on the market to help. Or least one of the papers. Margaret Snary, 2E1AQS, entered full report can be obtained by send- rather, it is a new look to an older Since December 1990, more the RSGB 50MHz Trophy contest ing an SASE to Lynnette Ranger, publication which has been com- than 16,000 would-be amateurs pitting her 3 watts against the 2E1EKT, at RSGB HQ. pletely reviewed and offers a great have completed the papers after higher power of other contestants. deal to think about. Previously almost a year of study, usually at First place was obviously ambi- * 43 Nest Estate, Mytholmroyd, Hebden Bridge, aimed solely at Citizen's W Yorks IIX7 5BH an evening class after a busy day, tious but she did achieve the posi- Band enthusiasts, it is now

RadCom • February 1998 37 DOWN TO EARTH M 2- =1::Ell1312311a QSLing For Beginners

HEY SAY IN certain cir- pose of any that appear to be un- cles, "The job's not fin- Hyouneedtobowtogetstarted wanted (they are alleged to make Tished until the paperwork excellent compost). Equally, ifyou is done". That applies to amateur do not wish to receive cards, it is helpful to inform your QSL Sub radio too, but luckily the sending cause QSL cards can be handed RECEIVING CARDS Manager, so that time and space is and receiving of QSL cards can be in to the RSGB stand at any ama- ALTHOUGH YOU ARE bound not wasted looking after any. one of the hobby's great joys. teur radio event the Society at- to receive QSL cards direct through Not everyone will respond to A QSL - a typical example is tends (such as the HE Conven- the post on occasion, most QSLs QSL cards which you send out. shown opposite - is a written con- tion). arrive in bundles from 'The Bu- This is an unfortunate fact of life, firmation that a contact (QSO) took For reasons of economy it's best reau'. and one which seems to be exacer- place, sent from one operator to to wait until you have a number of QSL cards from overseas bu- bated by your desire to receive a another. It is a kind of final cour- cards to send, then place them all reaux arriving in Britain do so at particular card. Sometimes the tesy, if you like. Nearly all QSLs in one envelope, but stop!, here's RSGB HQ. There they are pre- wheels can be 'oiled' by sending take the form of a postcard sized an important point to remember. sorted and forwarded to the QSL the distant station a stamped ad- pre-printed card. To save an enormous amount of Sub Managers. All the Sub Man- dressed envelope direct, an Inter- time and effort by the QSL bureau agers - some 90 in all - are volun- national Reply Coupon (which can SENDING CARDS staff, you need to sort your outgo- teers. In order to receive any cards be traded-in at any post office in AS AN RSGB member, you are ing cards before sending them. sent to you, you must send stamped the world for a surface rate stamp allowed to send as many QSL cards Cards for the UK should be sepa- self-addressed envelopes to your to anywhere else in the world), or as you like to anywhere in the rated from those destined for other Sub Manager. Anyone can receive a US$1 bill (the so-called 'Green world via the RSGB QSL bureau. countries. Cards for the USA QSLs from the RSGB bureau, but Stamp'). The illustration opposite shows should be sorted by call area, and only RSGB members can send Here are some tips to make life how the system operates. The only cards for other countries should be cards via the RSGB bureau. easier not just for yourself, but thing it will cost you - apart from sorted by prefix. Cards for other People who do not lodge enve- your QSL Sub Manager. the cost of the cards themselves - countries are mailed to RSGB's lopes with their QSL Sub Man- 1. Send several envelopes, each is the price of the stamp to send sister societies abroad. ager are not forwarded any QSL of them numbered (eg 1 of 6,2 them to RSGB HQ. In fact it Some other UK national socie- cards. Sub Managers normally of 6, etc.). needn't even cost you that, be- ties offer outgoing QSL services. hold cards for a while, then dis- 2. Some people send their Sub

aimed at all those who see on the sun cycle. Amateurs are radio communications, in involved in the production and any form, of interest. This covers write some of the articles, so there CB, amateur radio and comput- is something of interest for many ing for starters. of us. It is immensely readable Some of the topics covered in and is produced on quality paper. the first edition in the new format It appears for sale at many ma- are: the solar cycle - explaining jor outlets on the third Friday of what it is and how it affects com- each month and costs £1.95. The munications; the meaning of distributors are USM Distribution VSWR and why it is important to and, in case of difficulty, I am keep it at as low a value as possi- sure your newsagent will get a ble; lightning - its causes and ef- copy for you to examine. fects; abuse on the bands and suggestions of how to tackle the FOR THE RECORD problem it poses for you; and a THE PHOTOGRAPH OF Daniel description of some of the work Wilby apparently using a solder- Senior RSGB Novice Instructor for Cheshire Gordon Adams, G3LEQ, done by the Radiocom- ing iron without suitable protec- congratulates 15-year-old Tom Sherratt on earning the callsign 2E1FUE. munications Agency in relation tion (Down to Earth, July, Octo- to CB radio - which has applica- ber, December 1997) raised a great not sufficiently mindful of the the record straight before finally tions for amateurs too. There is a deal of comment and criticism. possible dangers and that, by im- closing the subject. feature on the SAREX (Shuttle As pointed out in subsequent col- plication, their teacher was not I must add that one of the Nov- Amateur Radio Experiment) op- umns, the iron was not plugged in supervising adequately. With the ices from Rishworth School, erations telling how you can tune and goggles were not worn so that high number of successful stu- Emma Constantine, 2E1BVJ, was in and listen - or even make con- Daniel's face could be seen in the dents in both the NRAE (almost elected Young Amateur of the tact with the shuttle while it is in photo. 40) and subsequently, the RAE, Year (see RadCom, October 1997, orbit. When these comments were re- currently eight - with two of those p9) and has also recently pro- Future articles include: radia- ported, the students at Rishworth going on to study Communica- moted amateur radio on BBCTV' s tion patterns; Marine radio; School felt that the general im- tions at higher level - they feel Blue Peter (see this month' s news 49MHz transmission and more pression given was that they were that this is unjust and ask me to set pages). •

38 RadCom • February 1998 DOWN TO EARTH M: =11:9111111211:113.

worked (written on both sides tograph, etc). Frivilliga Radio Organisationen of the card). • Use of colour. • The date and time (UTC/ • Consider a double sided card. GMT) of the contact. These days, plenty of people 8SOFR • The frequency band in use. have the facility to design and print Stockhohne Sons FRO4trets. Box 27803.S11593 STOCKHOLM • Mode of operation. their own QSLs. An A4 sheet of • The signal report you sent. card (coloured?), printed with a • Your country. modern laser or ink jet printer, Conftrms0S0 vath C) - 15,2 then guillotined as appropriate, can DATE • The 'magic' words "Confirm- Day I Mo I Year UT MHz M AY IWO ing our QSO", or something produce QSLs which look really oq o(t I 96 11 ?-• -e 14, o eg e2 similar. good. The recommended size is Stockholm Lan AB FOrsiParlsh) A 109 In addition, a number of op- 3.5in x 5.5in. Alternatively, look ORA JO 99 AH through the adverts at the back of Op 74.4-Si•t-t..... tional items of information might STOCKHOLM WATER FESTIVAL ost via SSA be useful. They are: RadCom for the commercial pro- AUGUST 2-10. 1996 or doted tSASE 911) Own cali .01 itie '2' ducers, then obtain samples. — • Details of your station (trans- An attractive single-sided QSL card, received as the result of a GB2RS News mitter, receiver, antenna, Tx broadcast. power, etc). WHAT ARE QSLS

Manager envelopes with priced tion which are essential. This ap- • Your county/region. GOOD FOR? • Your WAB area (and book stamps, plus a buffer stock of plies irrespective of whether you APART FROM MAKING the number(s)). 1p stamps, which will be used buy blank QSLs on which you shack look pretty, what can you do • Your Locator. as/when postage rates rise. have to write all your own details, with the QSL cards you receive? • The names of any clubs/socie- Other people send envelopes select one from a swatch provided Claiming operating awards is ties you belong to. the most obvious answer to that with class-category stamps (so by a QSL printer and have it cus- • ITU zone number. question. There are many awards when postage rates rise, the tomised, or design and print your • Propagation at the time of the available, some local, some na- envelope is still properly own from scratch. contact. tional, some international. Many - stamped). A QSL card without all of the • Comments, or any other rel- but not all - require the operator to following might cause the station evant information. substantiate the contacts valid for YOUR OWN QSL who receives it confusion or frus- • Your name. the award by sending QSLs with CARD tration. They are: Finally, to make your card attrac- the application. The KIBVAwards WHEN IT COMES to a QSL card, • Your callsign. tive: Directory, available from RSGB, there are certain items of informa- • The callsign of the station you • Artwork (map, cartoon, pho- details over 2000 of them. •

------I 5"->

= o QS0

" r member RSGB UK posts QSL cards UK amateur lodges Cards posted to amateurs when IARU overseas SASEs with the sub maximum weight for bureaus post manager relevant to l his callsign envelope reached their G cards in RSGBi HQ bulk to RSGB PO Box 1773

Computer Cards posted membership 11-1' Pre-sort Secondary in bulk every check sort few weeks

Volunteer RSGB Cards sorted, QSL sub managers. stored and Each one looks after packed into a small range of supplied How the G4 I callsigns eg GOAs, envelopes by sub manager RSGB GOBs etc.

QSL other G I Bureau 40 +1 11 111› REF Operates 0+11 RI Cards for overseas amateurs sent to sister Foreign ARRL - W1 IARU societies who ARRL - W2 then sort and collate 41.1 others cards for their country's amateurs RSGB RC1679

RadCom • February 1998 39 DOWN TO EARTH Amateur Aadmfram the Ground Op Phase Locked Loop Basics

HASE LOCKED LOOPS duces the phase difference and (PLLs) are an essential part by Ion Poole, ffleer hence the frequency difference pof radio technology today. between the two signals. Eventu- They are used in a variety of appli- ally a point is reached where the cations, to enable receivers and phase difference cannot be reduced involves the use of a circle. Pro- the difference between the two is transmitters to achieve the flex- any further and there is a small, gression through the waveform can the phase difference. It can also be ibility and performance required steady error voltage, indicating a be compared to a point moving seen that if the phase difference is with today's band conditions. small and constant phase differ- around a circle, as shown in Fig 2. constant, then the two waveforms Although the idea of a PLL has ence. The fact that the phase dif- As the waveform moves through must be varying at the same rate been around for many years, it was ference is constant means that the its cycle, so an equivalent point and must therefore be on exactly not widely used until integrated loop is 'in lock' and the frequency can be viewed moving clockwise the same frequency. It is this con- circuits were available. Once these of the VCO is exactly the same as around the circle. If the circle has cept which is at the very heart of became available in the early the reference. its radius equal to the peak ampli- the Phase Locked Loop. 1970s, the use of PLLs increased tude of the waveform, then the sharply and they started to be found OSCILLATOR amplitude of the waveform is that BASIC LOOP in many applications. Now they given by the vertical displacement A WIDE VARIETY of oscilla- are very well established and found THE BASIC Phase Locked Loop of the point on the circle above or tors can be used. For many ama- in virtually every new receiver or consists of three building blocks: below the zero line. teur radio applications, versions transceiver for amateur use. the 'Phase Comparator'; the 'Volt- Using the circle it is possible to of the familiar Colpitts oscillator age Controlled Oscillator' (VCO), define every point on the wave- are quite popular. Essentially, and the 'Loop Filter'. The 'Refer- WHAT IS PHASE? form, simply by using its angle. In all that is required is an oscillator ence' is sometimes included in THE OPERATION OF a PLL is this way the first peak can be said which can be tuned by varying the diagrams, but although a refer- based upon the idea of phase and to be 90° along the waveform, the voltage on a control terminal. In ence signal is needed for the loop phase difference. The signal shown point where it crosses the zero line the Colpitts configuration, this can to operate, it is not strictly part of in Fig 1 is a sine wave, which is a 180°, and so forth. Similarly, the be achieved by replacing the vari- the loop. repetitive waveform (although angles can be measured in radians, able capacitor with Varactor In the loop shown in Fig 4, the only one complete cycle is shown where 27c is one complete cycle. (Varicap) diodes. Normally they incoming reference signal from an in the diagram). are placed in a back-to-back con- external source enters the phase It is possible to define a position figuration, as shown in Fig 5. This PHASE DIFFERENCE comparator. Here an error voltage within the cycle and this is effec- prevents them from becoming for- THE IDEA OF PHASE can be is produced, which is proportional tively the phase. The easiest points ward biased by the oscillator sig- applied to measure the difference to the phase difference between to define are the positive and nega- nal itself. between two waveforms. Looking the two signals. tive peaks, and possibly the points at the two signals shown in Fig 3, This signal is passed through where the waveform passes it can be seen that at any given the loop filter. This determines PHASE DETECTOR through the zero line. However, it time they are at a different position many of the loop characteristics, THE PHASE DETECTOR can be is often necessary to define points on the waveform. This is known as as will be seen later. Finally, the made from a variety of different between these. the phase difference between them. error voltage is applied to the con- types of circuit. The simplest is a A convenient method for this If the phase of the two wave- trol terminal of the VCO. The sense double balanced mixer. When Meadway, Staines, Middx TW18 2PW forms is measured at any instant, of the voltage is such that it re- there is a frequency difference, the

Fig 1 (left): A sine wave.

Fig 2 (bottom left): Representing phase as an angle.

Fig 3 (right): Phase difference between two signals.

Fig 4 (bottom right): The basic Phase Locked Loop.

Voltage I Reference Phase 14 controlled Output detector oscillator

Loop filter

RSGB RC1653

40 RadCom • February 1998 DOWN TO EARTH MC =1"

Input from IF stages

Voltage ABBREVIATIONS Phase ] controlled detector oscillator AND SYMBOLS

Amp AC Alternating Current Loop filter CB Citizens' Band

CW Continuous Wave Demodulated output (used for Morse) eRSGB PC1656 DC Direct Current Fig5:AColpittsoscillatorasaVoltageControlledOscillator. Fig 7: Using a PLL as an FM demodulator. DX Distant station sum and difference frequencies are particularly importantwhen a PLL trol voltage must vary to enable FET Field Effect Transis- produced as normal, and when 'in is being used in a frequency the VCO to move to the correct tor lock' a DC voltage proportional to synthesiser. instantaneous frequency. In this the phase difference is produced. The loop filter has to be de- way the VCO control voltage fol- FM Frequency Modula- The problem with this type of de- signed very carefully. Certain pa- lows the audio modulation. When tion used as an FM demodulator or tector is that when the loop is out rameters must be met, otherwise Hertz (or Hz) Unit of fre- of lock an AC signal is produced the whole loop can become unsta- detector, this signal is passed quency with a frequency equal to the fre- ble. When this happens the control through a buffer amplifier and then quency difference. If the frequency voltage will appear to oscillate and passed to the external circuitry for HF High Frequency (3- of this signal is above the cut-off the VCO will be swept over the audio amplification before being 30MHz) frequency for the loop filter, it will operating range of the loop. Natu- passed to the loudspeakers or head- IC Integrated Circuit not appear at the input to the VCO rally, this must be avoided at all phones. ITU International Tel- and the loop will not lock. costs! Phase Locked Loops are a very ecommunicationUn- There are also a number of dig- convenient and cost effective way ion (of the United ital circuits which can be used as USE AS AN FM of demodulating FM. They have the advantage that the circuitry Nations) phase detectors, like the dual D- DE M O DULAT OR type circuit shown in Fig 6. These can be contained in one IC and IF Intermediate Fre- ONE MAJOR AREA in which have the advantage that when the only a few external components PLLs are used is in the demodula- quency loop is out of lock a steady voltage are required. Another advantage tion of FM. Here they can give Multiply by 1,000 is produced. As there is no AC is that they do not need the coil extremely high degrees of linear- component, the signal will pass which is required in many other Multiply by ity. As a result of this they are through the loop filter and enable FM demodulator circuits. For the 1,000,000 widely used in hi-fi tuners. The the loop to lock (provided it is equipment manufacturer this is a way in which they operate in this Pi pi = approx 3.142 within the tracking range of the distinct advantage, because coils function is quite straightforward. PLL Phase Locked Loop VCO). Digital detectors of this are costly and bulky. Neither are The incoming FM signal from nature are more widely used be- coils as easy to handle and fit to QSL Confirmation of a the IF is connected to the refer- printed circuit boards, especially cause they enable the loop to lock contact, usually by ence input of the phase detector, as when most components these days more easily than mixer types. postcard shown in Fig 7. The loop will lock are surface mounted and placed to this signal. In order to be able to by machine. QS° Contact LO OP FILTER achieve this a certain voltage is RAE Radio Amateurs Ex- ALTHOUGH THE LOOP filter required on the control input to the SYNTHESISERS amination may only consist of a few compo- VCO. As the FM signal moves up THE OTHER MAJOR USE for nents, its design is critical to op- RF Radio Frequency and down in frequency in sympa- Phase Locked Loops is within eration of the PLL. Its parameters SASE Self-Addressed thy with the modulation, the loop frequency synthesisers. Virtu- will determine many of the critical remains in lock, with the VCO ally every radio with a digital Stamped Envelope elements of performance. How- following the instantaneous fre- frequency readout uses a PLL- SSB Single SideBand ever, these are often conflicting, quency of the incoming signal. based frequency synthesiser. UTC Universal Time so the choice of values in the filter In order to achieve this the con- From car radios to World Band Clock, (the same as is usually a careful com- radios, hi-fi tuners and promise between these re- amateur radio gear, PLLs GMT) quirements. are used as the basis for Varicap Diode used as a vari- The filter performs a frequency synthesisers. able capacitor number of functions. The The way in which they VCO Voltage Controlled prime function is to remove operate is described next the components of the in- month. It will show how Oscillator put signal to the phase de- PLLs can be converted VSWR Voltage Standing tector. If these were left on into basic frequency Wave Ratio they would modulate the synthesisers and how fur- WAB Worked All Britain VCO, giving spurious sig- ther loops can be added nals at the output. Suppres- to provide improved lev- (award scheme)

sion of input signal is Fig 6: A dual D-type phase detector. els of performance. •

RadCom • February 1998 41 11 Li 1\1 0 m1=1 = An Amplified HF Probe

MIL hen constructing radio- related projects, an RF Basicgacbccilliddio COMPONENTS probe is an item of W Resistors equipment which is very useful to BySteveetmagefellille R1 1 MO, /14 W metal film have around. It is also something VR1 10k simple to build. VR2 50k pre-set

This RF probe employs a Field Capacitors eRSGB RC1668 Effect Transistor amplifier, to in- M1 Cl 1nF crease its sensitivity. I-1—• — o —o +9V Semiconductors RV2 S1 TR1 200µ A 50k TR1 2N3819 2N3819 (range) BACKGROUND CI d D1 0A91 (or similar) Probe 1000p RV1 RF probes are often built to be tip 0 - 11 (zero) Miscellaneous — 10k used in conjunction with a Si Single pole (may be D1 — RI part of VR1) multimeter. This ties-up the 0A91 A IMO M1 200pA (or similar) multimeter, which cannot then be o ve Battery PP3 used to make other measurements Crocodile — FE]- Battery clip at the same time. This simple clip Hook-up wire project, shown in Fig 1, adds a 0A91 d g s Crocodile clip 2N3819 base FET amplifier to the basic probe. Case to suit The whole project is housed in a Tag strip Fig 1: The Amplified RF Probe uses 131 to rectify an RF signal, TRI to amplify small metal box, complete with it, then IVI1 to display it. 9V battery. The meter required is not criti- just above the zero mark. With the 0111. cal in nature. In my case it was a In use, attach the crocodile probe touching an RF signal scrap item from a tape deck, which clip to the ground (earth) source, you should see the meter of the equipment you are had a Full Scale Deflection of checking. needle rise. VR2 is used to control 200µA. the sensitivity of it. Although it would be possible CONSTRUCTION to calibrate the RF probe against a COMPONENTS ARE wired up known millivolt meter, in most point to point, as shown in Fig 2. instances it is only required to ei- The probe is soldered to the tag ther see whether a signal is present strip, the insulation on it keeping it or not, or to adjust a circuit to peak clear of the metal case. a signal. In my version, the on-off switch is part of a switched potentiometer NOTE (VR1), but you could just as easily [1] See the Simple Signal Injector use a toggle (or other kind of) project by Robert Snary, switch. G4OBE, RadCom Jan 98 for The probe itself is made from details. • stiff copper wire. This needs to be covered with sleeving along most of its length[1], especially where Stiff wire probe it passes through the hole in the with insulated sleeve box. Tag strip Diode D1 can be any small, Germanium, point contact diode, but a Schottky type would make

the unit more sensitive. PP3 battery

OPERATION Switch the probe on, then adjust Aluminium box 9 x 4x 3cm VR1 so that, with no signal present Earth wire on the input, the needle of M1 is (to solder tag) and crocodile clip

RSGB RC1669

*14 Ihe Crescent, Hipperholme, Hal/ax 11X3 8NQ Fig 2: Physical layout. Note the insulation on the probe, where it passes through the metal box.

42 RadCom • February 1998 VALVES WANTED e, TOP PRICES PAID FOR NEW BOXED VALVES

A2900 GEC £4.00 L63 GEC £3.00 PX650 £45.00 AC044 Mullard £10.00 LP4 Ferranti £20.00 RS237 European £35.00 DA100 GEC £150.00 LS6A £10.00 RV218 European £20.00 DA30 GEC £100.00 MZ1-100 Mullard £50.00 RV239 European £20.00 DA60 GEC £150.00 MZ1-70 Mullard £25.00 V503 £50.00 DET25 £35.00 MZ1-75 Mullard £25.00 VR40 £60.00 0025 Mullard £50.00 MZ05-50 Mullard £10.00 VT1 £10.00 0026 Mullard £100.00 MZ05-60 Mullard £20.00 VT2 £20.00 0060 Mullard £150.00 NR47 £100.00 VT25 £35.00 E8OCC Mullard £4.00 NR56 £30.00 VT4C £25.00 E88CC Mullard £2.00 NT18 £30.00 VT75 £30.00 ECC32 Mullard £3.00 NT36 £30.00 2A3 £5.00 ECC33 Mullard £4.00 NT40 £60.00 4XP Cossor £30.00 ECC82 Mullard £2.00 P12-250 £10.00 6B4G USA £8.00 ECC83 Milliard £3.00 P15-250 £10.00 6L6G USA £8.00 EF86 GEC £3.00 P25-500 £30.00 203A USA £10.00 EF86 Mullard £3.00 P27-500 Mazda £35.00 205A USA £20.00 EL34 Mullard £15.00 P5-400 Mazda £35.00 (211) USA £25.00 EL37 Mullard £15.00 P625 Mazda £10.00 3006 STC £150.00 EMI Mullard £5.00 P650 Mazda £20.00 300B USA £150.00 EM34 Mullard £5.00 PA20 Ediswan £20.00 845 USA £25.00 EM4 Mullard £5.00 PA40 £20.00 4212E STC £150.00 GZ32 Mullard £4.00 PP3-250 Mazda £50.00 4242A STC £40.00 GZ34 Mullard £4.00 PP5-400 £45.00 4274A West. Elec. £25.00 KT61 GEC £5.00 PT25H £15.00 4300A STC £60.00 KT66 GEC/Osram £40.00 PX25 Marconi £110.00 4300B STC £60.00 KT66 Marconi £30.00 PX25 Osram £110.00 (6550) USA £10.00 KT77 GEC £12.00 PX4 Marconi £60.00 6550A USA £10.00 KT88 GEC £60.00 PX4 Osram £60.00

AVO VALVE TESTERS TEST EQUIPMEN1 TRANSFORMERS CT160 £40 each R & S Polyskops, swab 1 or 2 £20 each Oil filled or potted transformers and Marconi TF801D £15 each chokes by Parmeko, Gresham, Gardners, etc. VCM Mk 3 £50 each Solartron HT PSU Mk 4 £80 each Model SRS 151 } Radio spares, mains transformers and SRS 152 POA chokes, audio output transformers by VCM 163 £270 SRS 153 Partridge, Wooden, Parmeko, etc.. POA

CAPACITORS

Oil filled block paper or axial by TCC, Plessey, Dubilier, etc POA

TANNOY

1. ALL 15" TANNOY DUAL CONCENTRIC LOUDSPEAKER DRIVE UNITS M ADE BET WEEN 1947 AND 1974 INCLUSIVE. We will buy singly or in pairs and pay very high prices indeed for these - i.e. typically up to £450 per pair for 15" Golds, up to £500 per pair for red and silver. We can only offer top price for those units still with Tannoy labels attached and drivers M UST BE CO MPLETE WITH ORIGINAL TANNOY CROSSOVERS.

2. TANNOY 12" LSU UNITS. We offer up to £60 per unit with Tannoy crossover.

3. AUTOGRAPH with 15" LSU DRIVE UNITS We offer up to £1,500 a pair.

4. CORNER GRF with 15" LSU DRIVE UNITS We offer up to £850 a pair.

5. RECTANGULAR GRF with 15" LSU DRIVE UNIT We offer up to £600 a pair.

6. CORNER YORK with 15" LSU DRIVE UNITS. We offer up to £750 a pair.

7. RECTANGULAR YORK with 15" LSU DRIVE UNITS We offer up to £850 a pair.

8. LANCASTER with 15" LSU DRIVE UNITS We offer up to £500 a pair.

9. IIILZ (3LZ) with IIILZ drive units We offer up to £150 a pair.

10. TANNOY 15' DUAL CONCENTRIC LSU CROSSOVERS We offer £35 each.

13 STATION ROAD, HORSHAM, WEST SUSSEX RH13 5EZ SUSSEX SURPLUS Tel: (01403) 240257 Fax: (01403) 270339 Lreq•eq, t,ev.e,r,ev-..MeVe'v, RadCom • February 1998 43 Products from our range designed to increase your range....

()al' superb Alpha N M! From "I I. Systems, a series or Ilie highest-quality amplifiers need no Ville/UHF amplifiers. These all have GaAsFET preamps as intmducticm! With standard. with RI, VOX. or vrr switching. Here is just some an easy L5kW out. - •• - - _ - I these loaf along at 'beep ... _ -1 of T F's range -

the UK limit. See Feb 97 7,-, 7 1 ' RadCom review by Peter Hart for an - _ ...., Band P In P Out £ Band P In P Out £ 6m 10 170 319 2m 25 350 509 independent verification (if their- • -- ' e - '1'' quality. We reproduce his verdict on _ . 6m 10 375 499 2m 80 350 459 the 91b manual-tuning amplifier 6m 25 375 459 70cm 10 100 359 (£2.199) 2m 2 150 319 70cm 10 185 569 "An excellent amplifier in all respect's". and he called the no-tune 87A 2m 10 200 329 70cm 25 185 529 (£5.295) "The Rolls-Royce of all amplIfiers". As the 87A interfaces with all brands of HF radio (unlike other "no-une" amplifiers). you can change your For VHF Antennas, who has got more to offer than we have? rid is s to any make without losing amplifier compatibility. We represent M-Squared and KLM in the UK. and also offer you Eagle Antennas? What a ehoice. from HyClain. Cusherall. KLM. M-squared. Force Antenna and CushCraft. We particularly recommend Eagle. and sonic of the 12 and GeinQuad. In stock now, the amazing C4SXL (£795) 1rom Force 12. Eagle range are listed below. You'll find cheaper. but not better ... . This antenna implements 40-20-15- 10 yagis on one 2411 boom and weighs only 48Ibs. For those who would like to have as super signal on 20 through 10m. Band/ di-id Boom £ Band dltd Boom £ including the 17 and 12sn bands. the GemQuad is an excellent choice. For only eles (in) /eles (nt) £380. the WA RC version of the Gem takes a lot of beating. We have tots of 6/3 7.0 2.3 79 2/15 14.2 8.3 149 others. and as we list everything front 10111 verticals to a 4 ele 80m yagi. we 6/4 8.0 3.6 95 2/18 15.0 10.5 169 have something for you! 6/5 9.0 5.2 115 70/15 14.0 2.9 55 Rotators? Rotators 'r us! Call us l'or the latest and best. 4/3 7.0 1.7 75 70/26 17.0 5.9 139 Planning Probs? They can't touch you 1or this one! The atomizing Force 12 ZR- 4/5 8.0 3.7 99 23/25 16.1 1.9 75 3 triband vertical dipole (£449) is less than 6fi high. yet retains good bandwidth 2/9 11.5 3.4 59 23/4(1 18.7 3.2 99 and high efficiency. on 20-15-10m with no tuning. • 2/10 12.4 4.99 105 23/60 20.0 5.2 165 .... And specials?.. We have good stocks of baluns. cable. wire, remote antenna switches. tribander stacking units. "Ibur-square" vertical phasing As well as VHF amcnnas, we can provide stacking frames, power splitters. systems. and (nice one this) an antenna switch that can be driven by any "band harnesses, indeed all you need to implement an excellent system. data output" Yaesu or ICOM transceiver. or From your PC 1:11' port (with Our opening hours are 9am to lOpm. Monday to Saturday. We welcome appropriate software) to change up to six antennas automatically, triggered by a personal callers. but by appointment only please. hand eltange on the radio.

Vine Antenna Products -The Vine, Llandrinio, Powys, SY22 6SH.Tel 01691 831111, fax 01691 831386. Email [email protected]

Mail Order to: Eydon, Daventry, C.M.HO WES Northants. NN11 3PT ammumi CO M MUNICATIONS VISA 01327 260178 www.howes-comms.demon.co.uk

HO WES DC2000

A mateur SSB/C W Receiver Kit - £22.90 Tile ease of construction combined with excellent performance make this a MuItibcmd SSR Receiver great project for both the beginner and the experienced operator. Plug-in DXR20. Covers SSB and LW on 20.40 & SOM bands as • built in 11:1221? hardware oprimi band modules (one included) give flexible frequency coverage. There is a full standard. Optional extra plug-in band modules available. range of matching accessories including transmitters, so you can expand Can link to TX2000 or AT160 for transceive (by adding DC2000 electronics kit: £22.90 your receiver into a transceiver as you build up your station! There have LM2000 linking module). Versatile & great performance! (Extra band module kits: £7.90 each). been excellent reviews in many radio magazines, (RadCom induded). Use the DXR20 Kit: £39.90. DCS2 'S meter" Kit: £10.90. HA22R Hardware (case etc.): £18.90 DC2000 on any band from I 60 to 10M. Enjoyable to build, with great results! HA2OR hardware pack: £28.90

Enjoy home construction with a top class Winter Project from HO WES!

ACCESSORY KITS A51.5 $SB and CW AF external filler £15.90 DFDS Digital Frequenc-y Counter/Readout £54.90 ASU8 RX Antenna Selector/Attenuator £27.90 MM Microphone preamp and filter £6.20 C514 internal $SB á CW Filter for our RXs £10.50 $72 Morse Side-tone/Practice Oscillator £9.80 U MW 13CS2 "S Meter" for direct conversion RXs £10.90 $WB30 SWR/Power Indicator. 30W 1-200MHz £13.90 IX20041and 11122k •0761 , A itiA4 iii / MY « luéldware C8A2 Counter Buffer (fit to Rx to feed 1'005) £5.90 XMI Crystal Calibrate 8 intervals + ident £16.90 DF04 Add-on Digital Readout for superficie £49.90 (optional ha oleatri• packs are available to wit most tLit.) TRANSMITTERS AT160 10W AM/DSB/CW 80 & 160M.Kil: £39.90 HAl 6OR I iardware for ATI 60: £22.90 Transmitting ATUs TX2000 SW LW. Plug-in band filter. Kit: £24.90 HA23R Hardware for TX2000: £16.90 Neat "T match" HF Al Lis with air-spaced Jackson tun- LM2000 Links the above transmitters to DC2000 or DXR20 for transceive. 16t: £16.30 tat ing capacitors and switched inductor. All parts mounted on PCB. 30 or Receiving ATVs Plea ,te add P.90 l'& l', or £1.50 P&P far electronics kits without hardware. 150W versions. Additional crtia (pictured). Covers 500kHz to 30MHz, with 4:1 baton & 50MHz cover- S0239 sockets for coax fed antennas, or long wires - HO WES KITS contain good quality printed circuit boards with screen printed parts age on CTU30. matches almost anything! locations, full, clear instructions and all board mounted components. Sales, constructional CTU30 kit: £39.90. • Built: £49.90. Kit (inc. h/ware): £29.90 and technical advice are available by phone during office hours. Please send an SAE for our HA3OR hardware: £17.90 free catalogue and specific product data sheets, or you can browse this information on our All the features of the CTU8 plus 4:1 halan, CTU150 kit: £49.90. cru9. bypass switch and terminal posts. Internet Website (address at lop). UK delivery is normally within seven days. ((Al SOR h/ware: £16.90 Built: £69.90. Kit (inc. h/ware): £39.90 73 from Dave G4KQH, Technical Manager. l (50 in 11,1150R...tie

44 RadCom • February 1998 THE RSGB OLD TIMERS' HONOUR ROLL

71 YEARS RS10548 Mr JB Gurney G5RV Mr R L Varney The RSGB has subscription concessions to reward loyal service of many years - at the RS10817 Mr R J Baker RS17973 Mr JA Lake G5YN Sir Evan Nepean start of 1998 the following had been members of the society for more than 50 years. RS2627 Mr VV S Eadie RS20428 Mr ARA Bunnage RS9475 Mr J Smith RS9710 Mr F W Adderley 70 YEARS G2DJK Mr J H Palmer G6QI Mr R Walker G3BPM Mr PJH Matthews G2LVV Mr F H Lawrence VK5CE Mr C Taylor G2DOH Mr RFH Nicholson GM3AKM Mr L R Richardson G3CAQ Mr VV Moorwood VV2CIH Mr NA Champness G2VVQ Mr A Brown G2JR Mr H B Burton GM3AVA Mr VV VV Peat G3CBVV Mr H Walker GM6FT Mr R T Frost G3HB Mr G L Benbow GM3AVVF Mr DF Craig G3CXP Mr R A Gill 51 YEARS G3HN Col JVVVV Cock GVV2FLZ Mr B H Green G3DVVS Mr VV E Massingham 69 YEARS 5Z4DV Mr T H Hutchinson G3LD Mr FVV Foster GVV2HCJ Mr R C Taylor G3ENB Mr W E Gates Mr V E Heard G3AZ Mr J J Hunter G3VA Mr J P Hawker GVV3CF Mr FGH Jones G3FUH Mr M Taylor GOTTG Mr M VVarriner G4BU Mr R H Draper GVV3ZV Mr J Banner G3GHS Mr J G Holland G2ACZ Mr G Whitehead 68 YEARS G4DV Mr E B Gant RS3580 Mr 1 M Gaye G3HKJ Mr CF Page G2AFV Mr P Carbutt GOBXB Mr R E Wilkinson G5BM Mr F H Watts RS37399 Mr D H Tomlin G3IGM Mr R G Hindes G2AHC Mr R W Bishop G2BY Mr H E Whatley G5BR Mr G F Mason 57 YEARS G3LIA Mr R J Rogers G2ALN Mr E W Taylor G3KP Mr VVR Smith G5KS Mr A C Bevington G2AMG H W Mitchell G8JD Mr F L Firth G2CHI Mr W G Bailey G6JP Mr G R Jessop G5QK Southend & DRC G2BLA M A Pyle RS6181 Mr RP Hope G2CKQ Mr R S Trevelyan RS3520 Mr SVV Malin G8DT Mr F N Bedwell G2CBH Mr W W Turner RS6464 Mr E Valentine G2CQX Mr P V Pugh G8FC RAF Amateur RS G2DVA Mr D R Bradley RS7455 Mr E C Newstead G2CXR Mr E M Challons 67 YEARS G8GD Mr H E VVard G2FZU Mr S Eyre VK5Z0 Mr D Clift G2DQVV Mr A Williams G6HL Mr 1 E Hill G8JR Mr NP Haskins G3AAE Mr JD Kay G2DXK Mr L Knight G6MB Mr F Hicks-Arnold G8VL Mr J 1 Sinclair G3AJP Mr J D Baker 53 YEARS G2DZF Mr J H English GM3GG Mr G Mortimer G3DKR Mr K E Roberts HB9T Dr R Stuber GORVQ Mr AJVV Harrison G2FCA Mr A E Burnard GM8SQ Mr G Proctor G3DVV Mr J 0 Brown G2AAN Mr J H Clarke G2FKZ Mr C E Newton GVV3SB Mr T C Bryant G3GRO Mr D Atter 66 YEARS G2CAZ Mr MS Ellis G2FQD Mr A L Rogers RS2692 Mr E M Frost GDOGBA Mr J G Carroll G2JL Mr R V Allbright G2DGB Mr AG Short G2FSA Mr R L Harvey ZL1AH Mr J D VVightman GM3BGB Mr S B Jagger G5VQ EVV Taylor G2DQX Mr R J VVoodroffe G2FTK Mr F A Noakes GVV2H IY Mr E M Davies G6HD Mr TL Herdman G2DVV Dr B F Wickham G2FUM Mr H Hunt G6NA Mr H C Spencer 60 YEARS GVV3ARS Mr J Sagar G2FQP Mr L J Avory G2HFVV Mr E G Anthoney G6QY Cdr VV B Brown G2AKK Mr VV Lishman GVV4NZ Mr S Roberts G2FUD Mr A VV Owen G2HJD Mr M F Cockroft G8SC Mr C Collins G2BMI Mr J Bramhill RS3805 Mr R A Coates G3AAJ Mr RJC Broadbent MBE G2MJ Mr R T Hunt GI5SJ Mr S N Johnson G2BTO Mr G Openshaw G3ADQ Mr A VV VValmsley G2PU Mr SRR Kharbanda G2CDT Mr F H Martin 56 YEARS G3ATH Mr H Pain G3ABA Mr L J Kennard 65 YEARS G2CVV Mr FC Ward AB4SVV Mr 1 T Haynes G3BVU C J Beanland G3AFK Mr V A Bagnall G2KI Mr G A Spencer G2DSP Mr R Allen El4L Mr J E Scanlon G3CJD Mr LFL Allen G3AGF Mr R L Edginton G2QT Mr F H Cooper G2DTQ Mr A Goode G2BDV Mr 1 D Brotherton G3CVVVV Mr AVVVV Timme G3A10 Mr S Fenwick G3CJ Mr E H Heaton-Jones G2HJP Mr 1 A Hennell G2BPVV Mr IVVK Smith G3EKL Maj R A Webb G3AIU Mr

RadCom • February 1998 45 Keen on Amateur Radio? Want to start off in the hobby? Want to read on the main aspects of the fascinating pastime? Well...Practical wire 1 o Wireless (PW to its friends world-wide) is just the magazine for you! Throughout the magazine's 65 years it has served the radio enthusiast and nowadays concentrates on Amateur Radio. With its informative, friendly and informal approach P W provides the latest ideas with reviews and features on 'state-of-the- art' equipment while also providing fascinating articles from the 'valve & vintage' equipment scene. Read the latest from the exciting world of v.h.f.., Amateur TV, Computing in Radio, 'com municating around the globe' by short wave radio, build construction projects, read the latest news and views and make friends with the essential monthly companion - Practical Wireless. Practical Wireless is packed throughout with everything for the Radio Amateur - so you can't afford to miss it each month. Join the PW 'reader's team' make it part of your 'voice' and get really switched on!

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J. BIR(ET T 25 The Strait, Lincoln LN2 1JF HATELY ANTENNA (Partners, J. H. Blrholt. J. L. Eltrhetl) Tel: (01522) 520767 TECHNOLOGY GR/13HAT

SMALL POWERFUL MULTWOLE 24 VOLT DC MOTOR SPARES ter Rebecca MKS for laming 1 Kentiold Place. ABERDEEN A815 7U 1/1 Tel & Fax: 01224 316 004 variable capacitor, works from 4 to 24 volt e £1.95. 50 ASSORTED VARI-CAP DIODES C 75p, HF PIN DIODES low power 50 for 80p. MAINS POWER SUPPLY for use In ground testing ARC52 etc, output 27 volt DC 15-17-20 amps 0 EMDR ANTENNAS £35 (p&p £10). These are universal HF antennas in which a shmt deiay-lec is made to radiate at any frequency. We RF POWER TRANSISTORS 175MHz 24 volt 2N5841 C £7. 2N5643 ie £14. BLY92A 0 £8. have called he process POYNTING VECTOR SYNTHESIS. The principle is the manufacture of radio EX-MOD BAROMETRIC ALTIMETERS removed from Sea Vixen 0 £75 (p&p £5). Canberra g £75 wave from an RF electric field cutting across an RF Magnetic field, both fields being In synchronism (p&p £5), Harrier GR3 C £75 (p&p £5). cabin altimeters ex-Canberra C £15, cabin altimeters MK24 around a THREE WIRE CABLE. new te £75. electrical-barometric type e £15 (Sp £5). 220 VOLT AC MECHANICAL DIGITAL CLOCK ASSEMBLY C £1.50. The current led to one wire originates the E field: the current to the second cam:Meer creates the H leta: at the lar end the currents are added and return along the third wire. In order to produce FIELD MULLARD TUNER MODULE 88 to 108MHz. 10.7MHz out, Type LP 1179 te 10 for £5. 16 PIN OIL RELAYS 4 :o 48 volt coil assorted 0 SO int £5. SYNCHRONISM, the two prime currents have to be a quarter of a cycle out of phase. The phase MOD KIT WITH CAV 60460 AMPMETER. toggle switch. MES lamphoter. connectors etc 0 £5.95 difference is set-up at the source by dividing the transmit power into two halves and separately phasing the currents by plus and minus 45 degrees. At the remote end of the delay-line, the 90 (P&P £2). AMIDON DUST IRON RINGS T50-28 e 8 for £1, T80-25 0 5 for £1, T108-52 C 4 for £1.1130-52 e degrees phase relationship Is maintained by lumped reactances in the current summation box ahead 3 for £1. T130-1613 e 3 for £1,1141-6030 3 lor £1, 1151-52 B 2 for £1.50, T200-40 e £1. T250-52 al the return wire. C £1.30. T3C0-40 0 £1.50. The cable can radiate arty HF carrier from 1.8 to 30 MHz. Because the ELECTROMAGNETIC SURPLUS DIE CAST BOXES approx size 3in x tv,in x lin e £1. 4in x 3in x e £1.95. Tin x 4in a DELAY-LINE RADIATOR is non-resonant, il can be placed anywhere e.g. on the rcof tiles ol a house 2M e £4.50. 7in X dir. x 3MC £4.75. or taped along the balcony of an apartment The EMDR antenna can be the solution to Me NO NEW RF POWER MODULE with 4CX150 # £10 (p&p £3). RF DRIVER VHF-UHF le £10 (p&p £3). GARDEN or NO MAST problem of the modern city dweller. Access. Switch. Barclay card and American Express cards accepted. P&P £2 under £10, Over Free. The EMDR 1 is 8.5 in long and costs £218 inc. The EMDR 2 is 15.5 m long and costs £230 inc. Unless otherwise staled. C.M. HOWES KITS Available by post and for callers.

PC KITS and PC BITS From a 486SX Barebone up to a 300Mhz Dual CPU Pentium Il system our PC Kits and Barebones (case, power supply and motherboard) come with step by step assembly instructions and we are happy to tailor the configuration to meet a specific upgrade requirement, to fit in with parts you may have or would prefer to buy from someone else.

A FE W of OUR BITS: - Motherboards - 33 different motherboards (ISA. E1SA. VI. bus and PCI) from 386SX to 300M1Iz Pentium It Cases- 14 different cases in our range from £50 including series of fully R.F. suppressed cases and PSt's up to 10 bay tower with 300W PSI! riWir Supplies - 15 different power supplies to fit most types of cases, from £35. If we can't supply one we can normally repair your's Display Adaptors- MGA/CGA/EGA and 16 different VGA cards Re all bus types. from 256K ISA VGA up to 8Mb PC1 inc range of economical cards. Controllers and I/0 - 30 different types of controllers and I/O card for all types of bus (8-bit, I6-bit. VI.. EISA, PCI ) for just about every sort of device and most I/O requirements irte special serial cards to use IRO 10-15. high speed serial and parallel ports and many, many other items.

Prim Cute& VAT and Delivery. Credit Cards and riddle Sector P.O.s accepted (credit cards ont charged till dispatch of goods). nedcrs subject tom! Lid conditions of sac So if you are thinking about building or enhancing your own machine, then for a brochure, price lists, spec lists etc. contact:- 3T H Ltd, 48 Huteheomb Rd Oxford OX2 9HL Tel 01865 791452 Fax 01865 794267

46 RadCom • February 1998 P R O D U C T N E W S

MFJ Accessories Matchbox Power A FEATHER WEIGHT earphone/microphone, the MFJ-292, has been MERLIN EQUIPMENT launched by MFJ Enterprises of Mississippi, USA. It consists of an in- manufacture a range of DC to ear earphone, plus a thumb-sized electret mi- AC inverters, with units capa- crophone and a PTT button built into the ble or providing up to 2500 lead. Available with suitable connec- Watts. Known as the PROwatt tors for all the major brands of trans- range, the NOTEpower 75i is the ceiver (MFJ-292I for Icom, Yaesu, newest (and smallest) to be added Alinco, Standard, ADI; MFJ-292K to it. The NOTEpower75i is de- for Kenwood), the whole unit weighs signed primarily to permit the run- just 30g. It is priced in the UK at ning and re-charging of notebook £19.95 PCs, camcorders, etc, but could be A JUMBO LCD ham station used with any other device requiring a clock, the MFJ-118, has also been similar amount of AC power. It is fitted with a cigar lighter plug for connection to a vehicle's battery, plus a standard AC outlet. It is fully launched. It features 1/14 in high overload and overheat protected, over 90% efficient, and even switches contrast digits, 12/24-hour itself off if it detects that the vehicle battery's voltage is falling too low selectability, a built-in 100-year to permit restarting of the engine. calendar, a flip stand, mounting Merlin Equipment, Unit 1, Hithercroft Court, Lupton Rd, Hither- holes, plus the option to display croft Ind Est, Wallington, Oxon OX10 9BT; tel: 01491 824333. day of the week in English, Ger- man, French and Spanish. It is JAB Catalogue priced in the UK at £28.95 THE 1998 J.A.B. electronic components catalogue (price £1) features MFJ equipment is im- 55 pages of useful components for the radio amateur, including a range ported and distrib- of ferrites, crystal, helical and ceramic filters, surface mount devices, uted in the UK by and Toko inductors. It also features Hands Electronics kits, and kits for Waters and Radcom, PW, DIY Radio, and IIRT projects. Stanton PLC, Spa J.A.B. Electronic Components. PO Box 5774, Great Barr, Bir- House, Main mingham B44 8PJ; tel: 0121 682 7045; fax; 0121 681 1329. Road, Hockley, Essex SS5 4QS; tel: 01702 206835; fax: 01702 205843.

Yaesu Rotators YAESU HAVE INTRODUCED two new antenna rotators, the G-450C and G-650C, both of which fully comply with EEC standards. These rotators were developed on the specification of the G-450XL and G-650XL. Also new to the Yaesu range are the GA2500 and GA3000 Absorber Joints for Yaesu rotators. These are designed to install inside the tower, between the rotator and the tower mounting plate. A unique pivoting design allows the rotator base to com- pensate for up to 2° of offset from the vertical, reducing the chance of binding and significantly reducing stress on the rotator gears. High-density polyproylene cushions absorb the shock of starting and stopping rotation, and sudden gusts of wind. Yaesu UK Ltd, Unit 2, Maple Grove Business Centre, Lawrence Road, Hounslow, Middx TW4 6DR; tel: 0181 814 2001; fax: 0181 814 2002. Hot on the heels of the highly successful IC-706 and IC-706 MkII, Procom 70cm antennas IC OMs new all-mode transceiver, the IC-746, boasts 100 Watts output on all amateur bands from 1.8MHz to 144MHz. Marketed as a high- Procom of Denmark produce a range of base station and marine performance mid-range transceiver, the IC-746 also features twin band antennas, with models providing up to 8dBd gain. Mast passband tuning, DSP, automatic antenna tuner with preset memories, mounting and screw mounting models are available, each of a digital multi-function meter, tone squelch, band scope and a multi- which is housed in a fully weather-proofed fibreglass tube. function dot matrix screen. Procom AIS. Vinkelvaenget 21-29, DK-3330 Gorlose, Icom (UK) Ltd. Sea Street, Herne Bay, Kent CT6 8LD; tel: 01227 Denmark; tel: 0045 48 27 84 84; fax: 0045 48 27 85 48. 741741; fax: 01227 741742.

Note: Product news is compiled from press releases sent in by the manufacturers and distributors concerned. Details are published in good faith but Radio Communication cannot be held responsible for false or exaggerated claims made in the source material.

RadCom • February 1998 47 Ifiallf J/#11 SUNDA Y 10.30A M TO 5.00P M

111/11/01.- Convention and Exhibition £3.00 Concessions £1.50 Under 14 (accompanied by an adult) FREE

• RSGB Book Stand • Specialist RSGB Committees • Lecture Streams • Specialist Groups CO N VE N TI O N • Morse Tests on demand • Presentation of Trophies • Comprehensive Trade Exhibition • Hotel Accommodation (call Marcia Brimson on 01707 659015)

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Time Stream A - Claremont Suite A Microwave Lecture 1200 - 1250 ARDF on VHF in the UK and Europe Stream may be run but de- 1300 - 1325 Opening Ceremony tails were not available at 1325 - 1450 VHF Contests Committee Awards and Forum the time cf going to press. 1500 - 1600 Portable Contesting - How to Take Part For further Mformation, call Marcia at RSGB HQ on 01707695015, see our Time Stream B - Ardross Suite Web site www.rsgb.orgl 1200 - 1250 6 Metre Group AGM newslevents.htm# «cony, or listen to the 1400 - 1500 4L6PA / YM7PA Expeditions GB2RS News Service. 1500 - 1600 Europe from Down Under - VK3OT VHF Conver4698

Visit the RSGB Book Stand for Specialist VHF/UHF/Microwave Publications Microwave newsletter The VHF/UHI- , edited by Peter Day, G3PHO and Barry Chambers, G8AGN Handbook Published ten times per year, this newsletter keeps you edited by Dick Biddulph, totally up to date with all the new information and G8DPS technology in the field of Microwaves. If you want An up to date guide to the theory to find out what the ex- MICRo wer newsterree and practice of VHF and UHF perts are working on operation, with special chap- now, and the results • ters on antennas, EMC, propa- they are achieving, gation, receivers and transmit- then this is the news- ters. Includes simple easy-to- letter for you. Deliv- build constructional details on ered post free to your many items of equipment, par- home address. ticularly accessories and add- ons to your commercial trans- Special ceiver. We have even included specialist modes such as data Show and television to make this Price: handbook one of the most up to date, complete guides available £9.50 today. (one year sub) Special Show Price: £15.95 Make Sure Tou Pick Up These Bargains at the VHF Convention

The VHF/UHF DX Book edited by Ian White, G3SEK This is still the best guide around for working those DX stations on the VHF and UHF bands. If this is something you have never tried, this book will show you how to produce some truly ex- otic signals and, if you TBE get totally 'hooked' then you could one day VHF/UHF hear your own signals echoing back from the BOOK moon! Radio Auroras 3pecial ITADIO STATION by Charlie Newton, G2FKZ vxra mr SOOPAOATION Show Price: All you ever wanted to know about auroras - how they occur, how to Z 7:1017:6 £12.00 forecast them, and how best to use them - all in an easily readable r elr a nl RE (4 EMS form. Also provides a background into the way in which radio ANTENNAS amateurs have contributed to scientific research in this field. All ...N. . TO. V.TT 1. =IfTele

those interested in the experimental side of radio propagation will POW « SAPP140,6 enjoy this unique guide...... am coN .O. TOINOSATATT Special Show Price: £3.00 yaesu FT-847 i°

R UIN I l ...... unc SUIS - „,, tan( 1..DJ. .L.11.1U DIAN-HAL' 1- 1 .. rten T A "M U .... w elt I . 1 0

*

La?' W M « MC . " "«. available febne BEFIT - e v e" von 0 100 Watts on HF & Six Metres 1111. 8is FIVE TEAR EXT MED W • 0 50 Watts on Two Metres & Seventy. 1_ 0 e ML&S »is the first corneal:110 introdiaZ Centimeters a meaningful 5 Year cover plan for year O SSB/CW/FM &AM equipment. Don't let high servicing costs 0 Built In DSP put you off! 0 Tracking for satellite operation DEP OSITS NOW 0 Full duplex crossband operation £25 DEPOSIT REINS TAKEN 0 Voice announcement Most of the products advertised by ML&S 0 IF Shift £27.84 DEPOSIT & 42 x £50 Ti are available fun a small e depositepd 0 Built In Keyer 1 choose tef ay mor ou can ezoy if 1 O 1200/9K6 Ready * r uced mont y payme O CTCM built in icom IC-746 0 New 'cool blue'display , DELIVERY TO TOUR DOOR 0 Optional external Auto ATU ()Lenox( day couriers ;tee waitin to 0 Keypad entry with idont for blind sa deliver ycfte now pethase dire to operators on 5 yo door, anywhere in tl*U.K. or dest 0 Only a little larger than the FT-900 o eas locati s. 2

FLEXIBLE FINANCE tsi) £1695 Let our professionar'eales team tailo Now available from stock' finance package to suit jetitir individ I The !area HF Transceiver from Icom, white difference. requirements. Our super new-Budget Fir Not only do you get 100 Wads on HF ptss Six Metres but makes paying for your new purchase so yaesu much easier. you also get a staggering 100 Watts on Two metres All (fern a box not much bigger than 07e IC-7061 Don't those £21.84 DEPOSIT Mom Designers ever go to bed? & 42 o EH p.m. PART EXCHANGE HE to 2M lincl 6M1, 100VV on 2M Excellent noise blanker. Automatic DSP for noise, VX-1R All modes on all bands PST. APP notch and passband We desperately need your port echan ge Built in Kew Twin Pass Tuning right now - top prices paid. Do "I let it Auto ATU fated Optional Voice Module depreciate over another twelve Gen Coy receiver 12.5kle FM Narrow Capability we'll take your current transceiver Built in spectrum scam (similar to ic-7s6) Oued Fa Conversion an agreed CASH price and still ha looMemories AM TX & RX new rig on finance if you wish! £269 Latest edition front If the value of your part exchange is JRC JS T-245 greater than the value for deposit) of the the Yaesu stable. new purchase, we'll give you back the Ultra-compact, difference! Turn the value of your old op Dual Band into cash for the start of the year. yi ...... , 8 transceiver with wide band ( — DIAI dEAL . IA coverage receiver.

Call any of our sales hot lines now - we're • 5lIeW neat an ND eagerly awaiting your call - everything • LeerniceBattery sorted over the phryck ne, model, trade-in, II 5-1300MHz Mare collectii, dative d finance) Ever if Ill 6 Chlf&tel Alcia.Numeric you *ice apt live toc you can stiligilife display Possibly the ultimate HF transceiver. A huge 150-200W the pimp of mind leafing when lu ng II Built-in MS trxrirn output on HF + 6M. Superb engineering from the premier ivithilL&SI • Dual warn leatie Japanese manufacturer. FREE CTCSS WORTH £149. • 8JA Mani Et Il Sus 1918W47029:11 £63.54 DEPOSIT OPENING TIMES • litapq- I eth etas & 40 atom Open 6 days n week - 9:30-6.00

ACCESSORIES ( WIDEST CHOICE ) ( SEIM YOUR EQUIP11- 1E-011

A full range of accessories for all main As the official U.K's largest dealer of We're always short of good quality used equipment is always in stock or on order Yaesu. Icom, Standard & Kenwood gear and currently have E150.000 to with tho manufacturer. You can include a products, you'll find everything you could spend on increasing our used stock. So if selection of filters, a power supply or over dream of under one roof. Our friendly you're wanting to sell your current Tuner in the new finance deal. land non pushy) sales team will be transceiver (or accessory) for cash we delighted to show you around and supply would be pleased tio hear from you. 0181•566 1120 you with as much coffee as you can drink. EASY TO REMEMBER MAIL ORDER NUMBER: DIAL 07000 73 73 73 There Is a small Increase In call rate when CALL TODAY FOR THE LARGEST SELECTION OF NEW & USED EQUIPMENT IN EUROPE. using the 07000 number. IN TEL: 0181 - 566 1120 • FAX: 0181 - 566 1207 • CUSTOMER CARE: 0181 -5660566 ete n N WEB SITE: htln://www.marlin-lynch.co.uk • E-MAIL: [email protected]

1111: 5M 1:1 Il 14 i1/11) FACIIANCE (ES IRE 140 - 41 oRTHFIE A j E N UI E . 7... ALL ITEMS ARE AVAILABLE ON THE ML&S BUDGET PLAN

L O N D O N N V 1 3 . S R CLEARANCE BARGAINS Albrecht 25W 2m FM Mobile £159.95 Standard C568 2/70/23 Handie £299 Standard C108 Miniature FM Handie Standard C116 2m TCVR 70cm RX Handie £149 230mW £99 Palstar AT300 Antenna Tuner, 300W £115 ALL BRAédie# rietiv LIMITED STOCK. PLEASE CALL BEFORE SENDING ORDER

THE NEW KEN WOOD THG•71E YAESU FT-8100

Full feature, 6W Who's first to have a Dual band hand held (with TRIPLE BAND 2/6,170 optional battery Handle then? Icon; of pack), 200 memories and course! Enter the IC-T8E PC link-up with Read the specification software (not NOW, inc.) and get your deposit in quick! BEING e

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ICOM IC-207 ICOM IC-756 YAESU Ff.920 lAXEN ;

fflourrieffrep3 - 157 REHM IN BOARDS MD100 DESK MIC

Ma best value HF•Six Metre Transceiver pot even betted Now offered with FREE FM board HF, Six metres, 100 Watts on all bands and AM fitter by Yeesu UY only (18,99? F

£48.73 DEPOSIT & 55 x £50 p.m £31.25 DEPOSIT & 50 x £35 KEN WOOD TS4370S YAESU FT4000MP/AC ICOM IC•706MKilittatta ' IC-706mk11 AT-180 The only roni DSP H.F. Trainsceiver. (auto ATV) • FL223 SSB narrow filter. :\ E1473DEPOSIT&55xE48.73pn. E26.06 DEPOSIT & 52 X £5 p.m.

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£25 DEPOSIT & 42 z £25 pm. SECURES ANY STAN DA R D STANDARD C510 + CPB510 \TRANSCEIVER i STANDARD C156 PRICE BUS, BUY BOTH FOR ONLY £499 m eT1N LI' \ cif £149 Now wfth 5W Cad & Chatget £17.34 DEPOSIT & 23 z £25 p.m. tilt 1\1%111 Olt Well \I'llANGF:C}NISI "Mil e Martin Lynch can alit ollar finance terms apiolo months. Deposits hem a minimum of f25 We welcome your part exchange against any new [or usedll product provided its clean and in good working -142 order Call the Sales Desk lode y. AP11.19.1,, Payment protection is also available up to 36 months. All units are brand new and boxed and offered with full mancfacturers RTB warranty. All prices quoted for cashichegue or SwitchMelta card No additional charges for credit cards. F11.1.1) Martin Lynch is a licensed credit broker. Full written details are availahle on request. Finance is subject to status. E&OE. EIO p&p on all major items. AVE E-fE \ L O N ON' V% 13 9SB 11E111 CREPT micro transceivers The new Alinco DJ-CI and aline° DIM DJ C4 are so slim they will hide in a shirt pocket and 2 MIR ROHELD yet they have the power to • 144 • 1 6MHz transmit work repeaters miles away • Extenda receive Clear, clean audio, 20 118 - 17 Hz including memories plus a call (AM) air d channel and a lithium ion battery that can go 100 NEW LOW hours between charges £169 and the

• 20 memories plus Call channel, each memory capable of non-standard splits very BEST • CTCSS encode plus tone b in • 300mW • Large capacity internal 500mAlt'thium ion battery • Earphone/mic port • Self-storing telescoping antenna ifiIflIATURE • Includes soft case, earphone, auxiliary pocket" antenna and snap-in battery charger • Fast 2 hour charging time handheld transceivers • 56(W) x 94(H) x 10.6(D)mm (without projections The Alinco DJ-S11 and DJ-541 are practical miniature handhelds packed with features, yet Packed FULL of accessories simple to use and economically priced. • Soft case • Two scan functions • Earphone • 20 memories • Two hour charger • Programmable repeater shift • Rechargeable Lithium-ion botte • 1750Hz tone burst • Retractable antenna • CTCSS tone encoder • Flexible wire antenna for monitoring • Reverse repeater facility 4 • 5, 10, 12.5, 15, 20 8r 25kHz steps • High 340mW/Low 10mW RF output (DJ-S41C requires mod) aline° fifiS-49 • Belt clip 8r carry strap included SPERRER MIC i‘111\ Miniature speaker mic with lapel clip for use with D.I.C1 and DJ-C4 r -1-t!- £22.95 ahoco DJ-Sllf alinco ? MIR KM • 144 - 146MHz transmit 70 CMS WNW • Expandable receive • 430 • 440MHz transmit 144 - 158MHz • Extendable receive 420 • 458MHz £99.95 NEW LOWER PRICE 1. £169 aline° DJ-S41C 70 CMS HRRI1REIR • 430 - 440MHz • Expanndable receive 420 - 458MHz

NEW LOWER PRICE £99.95 in n o v a t i o n q u a l i t y

fl 111Ku llisirilncito7.for • 189 London Road • North End • Portsmouth • Hampshire • PO2 9AE • e-mail: [email protected] • website: http//www.nevada.co.uk NEyRu • tel: 01705 662145 • Fax: 01705 690626 The Alinco and DJ-C4

Reviewed by RadCom Staff

A 432MHz DJ-C4 alongside its 144MHz PON RECEIVING SAMPLES of sister, the Alinco's smallest ever VHF and UHF DJ-C1. Utransceivers, the first thing which stood out was the size of the box they came in. It, too, was the smallest ever. Opening it re- vealed two tiny boxes, one containing a trans- ceiver and one containing a base unit for re- charging the battery. In addition to the main box, came a wall transformer type mains power supply, rated at 9V, 150mA. Opening the boxes which contained the transcievers revealed just how thin they are (10.6mm), and one thing you could never call SPEAKER-MICROPHONE them is 'black' boxes, as the cases are finished The optional EMS-49 speaker microphone used in matt aluminium. during our tests is very much in proportion to the transceiver, ie tiny. It measures just 25mm T W O PEAS FRO M THE as standard. A range of speaker-microphones, (lin) wide at its widest point by 50mm (2in) earphone-microphones and a car charger SA ME PO D high. On receive, audio quality through the adapter are available as optional extras. THE DJ-C1 (144MHz model) and DJ-C4 minuscule speaker was perfectly acceptable. (432MHz model) are alike in so many ways ANTENNA At full volume, the speaker-microphone was that during the descriptive part of this review The DJ-CI comes with a short, built-in tele- perfectly adequate for quiet, indoor condi- we will refer just to the DJ-C 1 . Only where scopic antenna. This antenna extends to 100mm tions. Audio reports on transmit were also there is a difference between the two models (4in). The main antenna can be supplemented good. will we detail that difference. by the 70mm (3in) extension supplied. Alter- BATTERY CHARGING natively, if the transceiver is being used in a ACCESSORIES The lithium ion battery which comes ready pocket, the telescopic antenna can be retracted The DJ-C1 comes with a comfortable, padded fitted inside the DJ-C1 is not intended to be to protect it and the extension used on its own. earpiece. This is essential for normal opera- removed for charging. To charge it, the user tion, as the transceiver is not equipped with a must dock the transceiver into the base unit, loudspeaker. A push-on, flexible extension which, curiously, is about twice the size of for the built-in telescopic an- the transceiver. Charging a completely dis- tenna also comes charged battery takes

about two hours. During charg- ing, a green LED on the base unit glows, which extinguishes when charging is complete. A hinged clip holds the transceiver into the base unit, elimi- nating the possibility of it not making good electrical contact. The user releases the transceiver by pressing on the clip, where upon it lifts neatly clear. The manufacturers state that, under nor- mal conditions, the battery should be good

¡sew 0. _ see for 500 recharges.

FACILITIES Rotary controls are conspicuously absent from the DJ-Cl. Everything (except the AD..1.C4, docked tor rectateng. PTT and power) is controlled from seven membrane-type buttons on the front panel.

RadCom • February 1998 53 THE ALINC O DJ-CI AND DJ-C4 REVIE W

SPECIFICATIONS A DJ-C4 with its supplied accessories, the flexible antenna and in-ear earpiece. Dimensions: Width Height Depth 56mm 94mm 10.6mm .0. ()fa •41. Weight: 75g (2.65oz) AL MICO Battery type: Lithium ion 1 =11 Battery capacity: 500mAh Battery recharge time: 2 hours VIII8 Mode: F3E(FM) [1] Rx AF output: 20mW (32L2) 00•41 LIP •••0t1501. ; Tx RF output: 300mW co Rs type: Double convers on superhet Rx coverage: DJ-C1 DJ-C4 (standard) 144.000- 430.000- 145.9875MHz 439.9875MHz (extended) 118.000- 380.000- 173.9875MHz 474.9875MHz Current consumption (Rx): 30mA 40mA Current consumption (Tx): 240mA 240mA Price: £169 £169

Most of these buttons perform more than one tenna (even with the flexible extension it is a rally or contest site. function. Up/down (manual) channel selec- less then 0.1 wavelength). Transmit perform- In our opinion, about the only thing missing tion in 12.5kHz and 1MHz steps, scanning, ance was limited for the same reason. is the ability to connect an external antenna. A memory channel selection, programmable tone On continuous receive, a fully charged DJ- miniature coaxial socket would, via a suitable burst, programmable CTCSS, key lock and C4 lasted over 14 hours. adapter, have permitted the use of a main call channel selection, they are all accessed station or mobile antenna and/or a linear am- via the seven front panel buttons. On the top CONCLUSIONS plifier, in which case we believe the overall panel a slide switch controls the power, a red performance would have been equal to many THANKS TO A high degree of miniaturisa- LED indicates transmission and a 2.5mm stereo other 144MHz and 432MHz transceivers. tion and integration, Alinco have managed to jack socket is located for the earpiece / speaker- We would like to thank Nevada Commu- produce two extremely small transceivers, microphone. On the rear panel, two recessed nications for the loan of the samples re- each of them not much bigger than a credit electrical contacts automatically mate with viewed. card and only about 1 cm thick. They easily similarly placed contacts in the base unit slip into a shirt pocket, without weighing it when the transceiver is docked for battery down or creating a bulge. NOTE charging. The DJ-C1 and DJ-C4 make ideal short- [1] A DJ-C1 which has had the coverage ex- DISPLAY range transceivers, eg for operating through a tended, automatically switches to AM when receiving below 136MHz. • The liquid crystal display shows frequency, local repeater or packet radio BBS, or across indication of memory channel operation and its associated memory number, key lock, AM receive mode (extended DJ-C1 only), channel busy, repeater shift, CTCSS operation and whether the second function of the control buttons has been selected. Pressing the VOL! SQL button causes the frequency part of the liquid crystal display to cycle through its other functions, namely volume and squelch.

ON-AIR PERFORMANCE

ON 432MHz THE DJ-C4' s receive perform- ance was remarkably good, considering the non-resonant antenna. For example, a repeater about eight miles from the reviewer's home was audible throughout the house. Transmit performance was very much in line with ex- pectations, ie it was not possible to access the repeater in question. At about four miles dis- tance, a closer repeater was fully quieting throughout the house and accessible without difficulty.

On 144MHz the DJ-C1' s receive perform- The optional EMS-49 speaker-microphone, alongside a DJ-C1. Compare the size of the transceiver to the ance was limited by the shortness of the an- computer floppy disk it is sitting on.

54 RadCom • February 1998 Ham Radio Today 111 '1PCC ;MN t R' fPe70A1 P.IOGR.1.16RIP ,ÚK's-Premïer Ham Radio and1114 N1..10 Electronics Today International ::-The Proi leirde ener Magazine.THE Magazine for all Electronics Constructor, issue gives superb, in-depth coverage of allumv The single source guide to electronics for todo 4test equipment, together with features onsER and tomorrow, packed with numerous prole ers, packet radio, construction advice and clubBU for enthusiasts of all abilities. The detailed feu, s. Our Internationally respected editorial teamA RiVAL tures and up-to-the-minute news items keep all FOR are renowned for providing the authoritative wordR$2327 SWIPC readers fully informed of the latest, exciting UNIO L'L.VA on the current and future developments in this fast developments in this ever changing hobby, whilst PLUS et.r.shr we ., moving industry, making Ham Radio Today essentiala the equipment reviews ensure that you always 4 ,,,•¡ *aq Preen ara.a bum 'reading for all amateur radio enthusiasts....kid« O M know exactly what to buy. lbcdeignijklmnopqrsT xyzai . Both ETI and Ham Radio are published emy4 weeks and iare available from all good newsagents. Alternatively, all 13 issues can be delivered directly'ilógiour door by subscriptio

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RadCorn • February 1998 55 IN P R A C TI C E

BY IAN W HITE, G3SEK *

PCB CRIMP TERMINALS sistor'? if bipolar transistors are current- controlled devices, how can they work with an FOLLOWING-ON FRO M the discussions insulated gate? about PCB interconnections (in October and November 1996), miniature 2.8mm THE NAME IGBT is misleading. The IGBT push-on 'spade' connectors are useful for has an insulated gate, but it isn't a simple low-density applications, and also when bipolar transistor. In fact it's an IC: a four-layer higher voltages and/or currents are in- bipolar P-N-P-N device integrated with a MOS volved. (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) gate, to give a

THANKS TO G4GHP for this suggestion, high-impedance control input. which I have been using extensively on The P-N-P-N part can be regarded as a PNP and an NPN transistor, connected as shown in power supply projects in recent months. Fig 1 shows the three-part connector: the 'spade' Fig 2a. The collector current of NPN transistor TR1 becomes the base current of PNP transis- PCB terminal, push-on crimp connector and optional insulating cover. The 2.8mm (3/ tor TR2 and the collector current of TR2 be- comes the base current of TR1. Ignoring leak- 16in) connector is the next size down from age currents, both devices will normally be the familiar 6.3mm (/14 in) size. The male non-conducting. If you begin to inject current terminal comes in two thicknesses, 0.5mm and 0.8mm, and I strongly recommend the into the point Gl, TR1 will begin to turn on. Its collector current will turn on TR2, which in thicker grade because it's far more robust. For a firm mounting in the PC board, drill turn helps to turn on TR1 even more. A small base current into TR1 will make the circuit flip a 1.1mm hole and hold the blade with all the way from non-conduction to saturated pointed-nose pliers as you tap it gently into Fig 1: 2.8mm push-on 'spade' connectors for PC conduction - in other words it becomes a true the board with a small hammer. (Hints: The boards. The recommended 0.8mm thickness gives a very robust termination, but the 1.1 mm drill size is switch. This is the basis for the thyristor or SCR 1.1mm drill size is quite critical to give the critical. (Silicon Controlled Rectifier). Actually the pin a firm bite into the fibreglass. When the thyristor is manufactured as an integrated four- blade is driven fully home, the two small pack of 100, the push-on connectors (209- layer P-N-P-N device, shown in simplified spurs bite into the board as well. To fit 314) are £2.95 per 100. The insulating cov- form in Fig 2b, so there really is no separate several blades, place the board on a sheet of ers (209-363) are £1.74 per 100. Those prices TR1 or TR2. As you probably know, thyristors expanded polystyrene, which supports the are all plus VAT but include delivery, so are capable of switching extremely large cur- whole board quite rigidly while allowing each complete connection costs 5.0p non- rents with low on-state voltage drops. Once the the pin-ends of the blades to prick through. insulated or 7.1p with the insulating cover. thyristor is triggered, the gate input loses all Unless you are using a very small hammer Not a bad price for an effective solution control and the device stays 'latched' into the and are extremely accurate, do all this be- to a common problem. on-state for as long as current is flowing through fore mounting any other components!) When from anode to cathode. the blades are set firmly into the PC board IGBTS Fig 2a and the thyristor (Fig 2b) are the and soldered to a large copper pad behind, W1L4T IS AN 'Insulated Gate Bipolar Tran- immediate ancestors of the IGBT, whose ap- they are very strong and will survive a lot of connection and disconnection. The push-on tags are intended for crimp- ing, but crimp tools for this small size are extremely expensive. I make do with long- nosed pliers, squeezing alternately from above and from the sides, several times until the wire is gripped tightly, and always finish with an extra-hard squeeze from above. Note that there are two crimps, one over the bare wire and another to grip the insulation. For extra security when using these amateur crimping methods, you can touch the end of the wire with solder as shown in Fig 1. The insulating cover is optional. The best supplier for these items seems to be Farnell Components (Tel. 0113 263 6311). Other large distributors either don't sell them or don't offer sensible combina- tions of quantities and pricing. Most impor- tant of all, only Farnell make it clear which thickness of blade you're buying, and that really does matter. The 2.8 x 0.8mm blades (Farnell order code 209-272) are £1.33 per

*52 Abingdon Road, Drayton, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 41IP Fig 2: Ancestors of the IGBT - (a) A four-layer P-N-P-N structure behaves like two separate transistors, and [email protected] this forms the basis of the thyristor (b).

56 RadCom • February 1998 IN PRACTICE

proximate equivalent circuit is shown in Fig 3a. There are two key differences from Fig 2. One is obviously the small N-channel en- hancement MOSFET TR3 which is integrated into the device. You may already have noticed that another way of turning on both transistors in Fig 2a is by pulling point G2 low (more negative). This is what MOSFET TR3 does when a positive voltage is applied to its gate and it begins to conduct, allowing base cur- rent to flow from TR2. Collector current for TR2 then becomes base current for TR1 and the whole device turns on and starts to con- duct. The second key difference between the IGBT and the thyristor is that TR1 occupies Fig 3: The Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor. Note the symbol and the 'emitter-gate-collector' notation. only part of the current path through the de- vice, so its base-emitter junction is effectively three-legged device - be it a bipolar transistor, large power MOSFET requires significant shunted by a very low resistance R1 which a FET or a thyristor - because it allows the drive power because the gate capacitance has ensures that the device can never flip sud- device to be controlled using very little power. to be charged and discharged as you try to denly into the fully-conducting state. The ideal The very reason why power MOSFETs have vary the gate voltage. The MOS transistor in IGBT would involve only the PNP device become so popular is because they overcome an IGBT is quite a small device, so its gate TR2 and the MOSFET TR3. Thus we have a the problem that bipolar devices exhibit of capacitance and HF drive requirements tend device which has the gate control characteris- requiring a lot of driving power to the base. So to be lower than those of a MOSFET that is tics of an enhancement MOSFET, but the why haven't MOSFETs completely super- capable of handling comparable power. Thus conduction characteristics of a bipolar tran- seded bipolar transistors for power applica- the IGBT offers a favourable combination of sistor - approaching those of a thyristor when tions? The main reason is that, for roughly a lower saturation voltage than a comparable fully turned-on, but always remaining under comparable devices, bipolar transistors tend power MOSFET and easier control than either the control of the gate. to have significantly lower voltage drop and the MOSFET or a comparable bipolar device. Why is this a good combination? In other heat dissipation when turned fully on (or satu- However, charge storage effects tend to words, why was it necessary to invent the rated'). Also, a power MOSFET with a com- limit the high-frequency uses of IGBTs. IGBT? When considered as a switching de- parably low saturation resistance will tend to Switch-on times of IGBTs can be as long as vice and compared with a thyristor, the IGBT have quite a high gate capacitance, usually 100 nanoseconds and switch-off times are has the obvious advantage that it can be turned several nanofarads. This is irrelevant for DC typically several times longer, as the device off at will. Also, a high-impedance control applications, but in higher-frequency applica- has to empty-out its stored charge. However, input is usually a very desirable feature in any tions such as switch-mode power supplies a IGBTs are now turning up frequently in switch- mode power supplies, motor control inverters and other switching applications such as igni- 'J' NOTATION - SIMPLE! tion systems, and they can also be used in DC

1N YOUR COLUMNS you have been using j' notation for impedances. What does this applications such as linear regulators. These mean, and how does it relate to real component values? so-called 'ultra-fast' devices would probably be usable on 73kHz and 136kHz, but that's a YOU DON'T NEED MATHEMATICS to understand what something like (30 +j40)S1 long way from any of the HF bands. means in engineering terms - it's very simple! All it means is "30S1 of resistance in series You can probably substitute IGBTs for with 40S1 of inductive reactance". Changing the +j to -j simply means that the reactive power MOSFETs in a variety of applications, part is a capacitance instead. The mathematical meaning off only comes in when you but they are not quite drop-in replacements. In want to calculate the properties of the whole network, but most of the time jis simply particular, don't forget that many MOSFET a label that says "reactance". switching circuits make use of the reverse- If you want to convert between ±j values and inductor or capacitor values, you simply polarity protection diode from source to drain, use the ordinary RAE-level formulae. The + or - sign before the j tells you which which is inherent in the structure of a power formula to use: MOSFET (you get one whether you want it or +j means inductance (XL) so L = XL/(21cf) not). Many IGBTs now have a built-in diode

-j means capacitance (Xe) so C = 1 /(21cfXe) to make them more compatible with power MOSFETs, but you still need to check whether For example, (30 +j 40)S1 at 7.0MHz means 30S1 in series with 0.9 1mH. At the same an external diode is required. Fig 3b shows the frequency, (30 -j40)S1 means 30S1 in series with 5 68pF. commonly-used symbol for an IGBT, which There is a slight twist to this tale, because (R ±jX) usually means that the resistance is a cross between the symbols for a bipolar and reactance are in series, but that isn't guaranteed. When R and X are connected in and a MOSFET. The same applies to the parallel, many authors still write (R ±jX) but they really ought to warn you first. A less electrodes, which are named 'emitter' and common but much clearer notation to say that R and X are in parallel is (R // ±jX). 'collector' like a bipolar, but 'gate' like a FET. •

If you have new questions, or any comments to add to this month's column, I'd be very pleased to hear from you by mail or E-mail. But please remember

that I can only answer questions through this column, so they need to be on topics Gf general interest.

RadCom • February 1998 57 EUROTEK

TRA NSLATED AND EDITED BY ER WIN DAVID, G4L QI *

HEN DJ1ZB RETIRED to a coun- An automatic phone fax switch, even the ringers of some (all?) current telephones try house with a big garden and no and faxes are not connected directly across the one meeting all current EMC stand- W overhead utility lines, he hoped to audio pair (pins 2 and 5 of a modular plug), but have left behind the fog of big-city electronic ards, can intolerably inteifere with between pins 3 and 5. The ringing tone gets to pin 3 through a 1.8µF capacitor located be- noise. He was disappointed. There was a con- BF and VI1F recéption. In CQ-DL 11/ tinuous S6 carrier on 14.063MHz, impeding tween pins 2 and 3 in the master socket. Sec- his search for QRP stations. 28.126MHz was 97 Hans-Joachim Brandt, DJ1ZB, tells ondly, connecting a non BABT approved filter just as bad. 144MHz was not clean either, as how he traced and sanitised that RF and/or capacitors to public phone lines is ille- there were ill-defined noises in the CW seg- gal in the UK. source. ment and on FM scanning would stop at spuri- David Lauder, GOSNO, RadCom EMC col- ous, hum-modulated carriers. umnist, contributes the following suggestions, which are incorporated in Fig lb. They address DETECTIVE WORK the switch and the filter. 1.2mH common mode both problems. chokes [1] were inserted in each of the line BT sell modular RFI filters [3] which con- ON HF, THE INTERFERENCE level was pairs connected to the switch. Ferrite beads tain four chokes. Alternatively, winding six constant, indicating a nearby source. were placed on individual leads in those pairs turns of 2-pair cable through a Maplin BZ34M Everything new in the house was switched for increased effectiveness at VHF. A mains clip-on ferrite core should be as effective. If a off and then back on. That spotted the culprit. filter integral with a Euro-style chassis plug (eg switch uses a power transformer mounted on The noise carriers came from the phone-fax Maplin CT80B) is used where the mains sup- the mains plug, the low-voltage cord can be switch, which permits several phones and a ply enters the shielding box. wound on a core in the same way. modem to work with the fax from a single With these components, 14MHz and VHF If capacitance to earth is required for better outside line. This switch contains a 2MHz were clean, but the 28MHz 'birdie' persisted. HF attenuation, fit an earthed screen to the clock oscillator, not crystal controlled, which Probing with the snooper-loop showed that the outside of the cable. To do this, connect one emits the interfering harmonics. mains lead was clean but the phone lines were end of a flexible, tinned, bare wire to the shield As the switch was Telecom approved, it was not. It is assumed that the chokes are self- box and lay it along the phone cable. Wrap assumed to meet the EMC directives in force in resonant (maximum effect) far below 28MHz. kitchen foil around the wire and the cable, then the year of manufacture, 1995, including Adding le high-voltage [2] capacitors shown cover both with vinyl tape. The 'drain' wire EN50081-1 and EN55022. Calculations in Fig la, gave an improvement of near 30dB. makes contact with the foil and maintains showed that the maximum HF radiation per- This result requires some physical distance continuity if the foil splits due to flexing. One mitted under these standards is, within a radius between the shielded switch and the phone and metre of shielding, approx. 220pF to earth, of 10m, consistent with the S6 carriers ob- fax. The filtering hardly affects the pass band should suffice. served. Obviously the standards do not guaran- of an ordinary domestic phone line. tee RFI-free weak-signal reception! The shielding and filtering has also im- NOTES Next, the path(s) from the RFI source to the proved the immunity of the phone system [1] In common-mode chokes, the DC current station transceiver were investigated. A against 40m and 80m transmissions. Reduced in the off-hook phone line cannot saturate 'snooper loop' of a few square centimetres at ringing volume and speech break-through on its ferrite core. the end of a piece of coax connected to the the all-electronic second phone and mal-func- station transceiver was used to probe each [2] The high voltage rating (class Y) is required tion of the switch have been eliminated. cable connected to the switch. Both the power to prevent a fault condition on the mains and the audio lines carried - and presumably side affecting the phone line. IN THE UK radiated - the offending signals. [3] BT 'Freelance' LJU 10/14A plug-in RFI At this QTH, the phone line entrance and IF DJ1ZB's ASSEMBLY were used here, the filters are sold in BT retail shops. For details main telephone are near ground level. The fax second phone and fax might not ring because see RadCom 10/93, p74. • machine, fax switch and a second telephone are upstairs. The two- pair cable between them runs through the loft, right under the antennas. This is a worst-case sce- nario. Another, nearby amateur has no RFI. His (similar) switch is lo- cated in the basement, far below his antennas.

REMEDIES

FERRITE TOROIDS ON all wir- ing into and out of the switchproved ineffective; the higher frequencies apparently were radiated by the unshielded switch itself. Shielding was required, with filtering on all the leads coming out. The switch and all the filters were installed in a ventilated metal box with a metal partition between

* 22 Islam! Wall, Whitstable Kent CTS lEP. Fig 1: Shielding and filtering eliminate RFI from clock oscillator harmonics generated in a phone/fax switch; (a) at DJ1ZB, E-mail: e2daviageompuserve.com and (b) how it could be done without breaking UK regulations.

58 RadCom • February 1998 T E C H NI C A L T O PI C S

BY PAT HA WKER, G3VA *

250 W BROADBAND MOSFET technique, broadening the bandwidth and fur- 50S1 output is the preferred value, since it AMPLIFIER FOR 136KHZ ther enhancing stability. With the circuit as facilitates power output measurements. My shown (5042 in/out) the input VSWR is less Bird Throughline with a 2-30MHz sensor THE DECEMBER 1989 TT included an item than 1.4:1 from 60kHz to 1MHz. reads zero, but the cheap SWR bridge from '50W RF from Low-cost FET at 7MHz' con- "For a second version, I have reduced the my shack reads just 30% low on 136kHz, a tributed by David Bowman (then G8PD W, number of turns on the primary of the input usable figure. now GOMRF), using a 2SK413 n-channel transformer, to allow the amplifier to be driven "Since the amplifier is likely to require MOSFET costing under £5. Subsequently this from a TDA2030 audio-amplifier IC. The matching to electrically very short antennas was developed into a broadband 1.8 to 21MHz 'volume control' gives excellent control of (eg Marconi-T), my original thought was to push-pull amplifier using two of these devices RF output power. have a very low impedance output, perhaps (fully described in RadCom, February-March "I had some difficulty in selecting core less than 2Q. However, based on 73kHz expe- 1993), capable of 100W output from 1.8MHz material for T2 and T3. At 136kHz the ferrite rience, the addition of losses in practical load- to 14MHz, and slightly less on 18MHz and used in the 1993 HF design was on the edge of ing coils and ground systems raises the reso- 21MHz. saturation at 100W, with its temperature ris- nant feed impedance to a level higher than With the imminent introduction of the ing to over 80° after five to ten minutes. It 50Q; 80 to 200Q would be a good estimate. 136kHz allocation, he decided to re-examine appeared that a core of higher permeability For these impedance levels the toroid can be the use of low-cost MOSFETs as a means of and greater mass was needed. Finally, 3C85 tapped to give a good match directly into the providing high-power amplification at LF. material was selected. This ferrite is exten- antenna, but don't forget to use a low-pass The amplifier shown in Fig 1 provides some sively used in switched mode power supplies, filter." 250W output from 9W input. It is based on his but usually in the form of an E-type core. As 1993 design, but is optimised for LF opera- I had experienced flash-over with some E- G3PLX'S DSP ECHO- tion. It uses four 2SK413 devices in a parallel cored transformer designs on 73kHz, I DETECTION SYSTEM push-pull configuration. searched for a toroid so that the windings GOMRF writes: "Changes to the 1993 am- could be separate. Finally I discovered that FOLLO WING THE DETECTION of 209-mil- plifier include reduction of the power supply Philips Components manufacture several 3C85 lisecond echoes on his electronic hellschreiber voltage from 48 to 28 volts; paralleling of two toroid cores, and these are available from system (see TT, January 1998, p58-59), Peter MOSFET devices on each side of the push- Farnell Electronic Services. These worked Martinez, G3PLX decided to get to work with pull amplifier to increase output power; and perfectly. his DSP kit and establish a purpose-designed re-design of the output transformer and drain- "The output core is very large and barely Long Delayed Echo detection system. He feed choke using a more appropriate ferrite. warms up at 250W. It would be suitable for writes: "The 28V power supply allows use to be use at powers up to close on a kilowatt. An- "I programmed the kit to generate a chirp made of the large number of surplus switched- other advantage of the toroid is the possibility signal of 32mS duration which sweeps over a mode power supplies (SMPSU) now appear- of a series of taps for impedance matching. 2kHz bandwidth, shaped so that its envelope ing at rallies, etc. The 250W output is limited by my 28V, L1 4 x2SK413 +28V 12A SMPSU, rather than the MOSFET 1p. 100µ 470n amplifier itself. IR T T T "The technique of parallel- 470n 250V ("77 22n 22R ing pairs of FETs has been IW used in the H Granberg de- 470n_E—. 470n signs for Motorola, but this is 250V the first time I have tried it. In practice, simple paralleling IR o 1k 22R +12V T2 T3 works extremely well. The 1W • • 50ft

devices share current evenly 50D T 1k 9t 27t if operated in class B (ie just 470n on the point of conduction).

Better RF linearity can be 1 470n 10n 250 achieved in Class AB, with —I I 470n approximately 200mA per 250V 22R device idling current, but to 1W set this accurately would re- 470n1—. 470n ally require a separate bias 22n 250V source per device. "The inclusion of 1S1 resis- IR o lk 22R tors in series with the gates is +I2V 1W important for stability, as is the 4700pF capacitor across 470n

the input transformer. The 22S1 RSGB RC1674 resistors to earth on each de- vice provide a passive gate Fig 1: GOMRF's broadband LF amplifier, using four low-cost MOSFETs in parallel push-pull, providing 250 Watts or more at 136kHz. T1 Primary 18 turns 0.56mm wire, secondary 10 turns 0.8mm wire on Fair-Rite 59-61000401 toroid. T2 10 bifiliar turns, 0.8mm twisted pair on Philips 3C85 25/15/10 toroid. T3 Primary 9 turns, 1mm dia. Secondary 27 turns, 1mm dia *37 Dovercourt Road, London SE22 8SS enamelled copper wire on Philips 3C85 58/41/18 toroid. L1 RF choke rated at 12A.

RadCom • February 1998 59 TEC H NICAL TOPICS

amplitude looks like a carrier that is 100% layers by the vastly greater number of high- the update frequency without increasing the amplitude-modulated with one cycle of a power transmitters that came into operation small spacing between the stabilisation points. 31.25Hz sinewave. This is a well-documented from about 1940 onwards. The raising of the This is what he has done, although it took me technique for obtaining enhanced radar resolu- electron temperature of the plasma by RF was some time to understand fully the way it tion. My pulse, when processed by a matched found to be the cause of non-linear inonospheric worked. I am still puzzled by the statement filter in the DSP, gives a 1 mS resolution, but cross-modulation (The "Luxembourg Effect", 'refreshes the corrections at 257 times the rate with 12dB more energy per pulse than from a first observed in the 1930s). If this is correct, of the basic stabiliser', which seems mislead- normal lmS pulse. I arranged my TS930 trans- then we are unlikely ever again to observe ing, unless there is some further trick that I mitter so that it would send one of these chirps echoes lasting seconds rather than millisec- have failed to understand." every two seconds, switching quickly back to onds (other than in the form of moonbounce), PAOKSB has used a specific example to receive, with the DSP processing the signal for unless there is amass switch-off of the world's derive his own explanation of how the system about 400mS after each chirp, plotting the high-power transmitters. works, and feels that others may find this result (on the screen) in real time and saving it useful: "The shift registers operate as a delay line. Suppose that the clock frequency is (in a file) for later study. PAOKSB ENDORSES 'FAST' 10kHz. Every 0.1 milliseconds, the contents "I left this running on a number of days HUFF & PUFF during November, trying different bands and of the register are shifted one position towards TT, DECEMBER 1997, pp71-2 presented a times, but heard nothing. Eventually I began to the output. There are 256 stages, so it would brief outline and circuit diagram (December lose interest. However, at about 2100GMT on take 256 times 0.1 milliseconds, ie 25.6 milli- Fig 11, p71) of a new generation of 'fast' huff the evening of December 4, while about to call seconds, before an input appears at the output. and puff oscillator stabilisers, developed by CQ on 3.5MHz, I put out a single burst of "An input signal with a period of 25.6 Peter Lawton, G7IXH. carrier to check that the antenna was tuned. As milliseconds (about 39Hz) is shifted in phase There were a couple of minor errors in the the receiver came back on, I heard a distinct by 360° and appears at the output in phase diagram, the corrections for which are given in echo. I tried again and it was still there. My with the input signal. A similar situation exists Fig 2(a). For the 2N3819A input amplifier, the heart skipped a beat as I quickly loaded the for 2, 3, 4 . . . N times 39Hz, all of which get slider of RV1 and the 470k resistor are con- echo-sounder program. The result was a clear, phase shifts of 2, 3, 4 . . . N times 360° and are nected to the junction of the 1k5 resistor and sharp image of an echo,which gradually faded thus in phase with their input signals. So there the 1 OnF capacitor (shown as a cross-over). out over a period of about 10-12 minutes. are a large number of frequencies where in- Similarly for IC8 (CA4130), test pin 15 and the (G3PLX enclosed a copy of the image that puts/outputs of the shift registers are in phase. slider of RV5 are connected to pin 3 of IC8. fully confirms his claims. He could supply the "The switches in the HEF4053 IC operate G7IXH has also slightly modified the 5V power image in electronic form to anyone seriously as synchronous detectors, and produce aver- supply circuitry, the new arrangement being wishing to study it closely: Tel 01539 56870. age DC levels depending on the phase shift shown in Fig 2(b). With the integrator given its Fax on request. Internet: peter.martinez between the input signals and the control own lead from the 12V input and two 4.7µF @btinternet.com - G3VA). capacitors added "The image shows that the echo is very across the 5V sharp in the time-domain, being at least as supply,it helps to narrow as the resolution of my system, with a ensure thatno sam- signal level about 25dB above receiver noise at pling frequency its strongest. The delay was 218mS for most of gets on to the VFO. the time, but in the later stages wandered about These minor er- a bit. Microscopic inspection shows three dis- rors and changes tinct delay times, at 218, 220 and 223mS, did not prevent which fade in and out. Klaus Spaargaren, "In order to eliminate various possibilities, I PAOKSB (who de- changed radio frequency several times during veloped the origi- the 10 minutes or so that the echo was audible, nal Huff & Puff but there was no change in the echo. I also stabiliser in 1973 changed the pulse interval to a random value to and the improved ensure that I was not listening to an echo at version a couple of 2.218 seconds." years ago) from My personal guess remains that these ech- trying out oes are in some way connected with reflection G7IXH' s new of vertically radiated signals from ionisation of 'fast' arrange- a Van Allen belt, occurring for a brief period as ment. He com- the critical frequency of the much lower F Fig 2: Corrections and modifications to the December 1997 circuit diagram of ments: layers drops below 3.5MHz, permitting near- G7IXH's "next generation" Huff & Puff stabiliser. "With great in- vertical signals to pass through the lower F terest I have read t he contribution of Peter layers etc and reach a Van Allen belt suffi- signal. The average DC output is a maximum Lawton, G7IXH. It really is a great improve- ciently ionised to bounce some of the signal (5V) when the signals are in phase, and a ment, technically sound, and simple to imple- back down. There could well be other hypoth- minimum (OV) when they are 180° out of eses! ment. Please spare a few lines publicly to phase. As to the reason why the really long delay convey my congratulations to him. 'Why have "With the input frequency of the shift regis- echoes of the 1920s and 1930s seem to have not I thought of that myself?' was my first ter swept slowly upwards, a DC voltmeter vanished, my guess is that this may in some reaction when I understood the principle. It is connected to the output of the phase-sensitive way be connected with the "heating" of the so obvious and simple. rectifier HEF4053 (Test Point 15) would show electron-temperature of the lower ionospheric "The heart of the matter is indeed to increase a voltage gradually increasing from 0 to 5V,

60 RadCom • February 1998 TEC H NICAL TOPICS

then as the input frequency rises further it length of 256 bits is obtained. (Fig 3) requires 12 impedance-loading 'tanks' would gradually return to OV and then again "(3) Whilst I initially doubted whether the (resistance loaded traps), and the eight-arm rise, and fall, and so on. 'fast' stabiliser would behave well when the version 24. With a phase shift of 90° or 270°, the output from the digital mixer was at the ex- Although basically a design paper, it pro- average DC output would be half way be- treme ends of its range - especially since the vides worked examples of the impedance load- tween the minimum and maximum values, ie high output frequency looks irregular on an ing tanks and matching networks for both approximately 2.5V. In this situation the inte- oscilloscope - I was very pleased to find that versions. The loads enhance the antenna char- grator output remains stable, with its positive the stabiliser continued to operate perfectly acteristics to yield high gain and low VS WR by input connected to 2.5V. If the first frequency normally at these extreme frequencies. I could modifying the current distribution, and can started at 39Hz, the first frequency where the not find any stabilisation point where the 90° phase shift occurs is at about 49Hz, repre- system loses control and where the VFO fre- senting a stable operating point in a closed- quency would unintendedly jump to another loop situation.The next one would be 39Hz lock point. higher, and so on. PAOKSB also draws attention to the draw- "Because of the presence of the digital ing errors mentioned above. He also feels that mixer, the lock points of the VFO frequency the analog integrator should have been shown will be spaced less than 39Hz apart, so long as as a CA3140 rather than CA4130, but G7IXH the VFO frequency is lower than the 32MHz has not confirmed this. drive frequency of the digital mixer, which In retrospect, PAOKSB feels that the new itself can vary between 0Hz and half the clock 'fast' stabiliser has a conceptual affinity with frequency. As in my original design, G7IXH the 1970s oscillators stabilised by the early exploits this effect. mechanical 64-microsecond PAL colour TV "Now consider the update and the resulting delay lines (glass or steel), first described for ripple frequency. In the above example, where professional/military VHF applications by the closed loop would stabilise a 49Hz output Fig 3: Broadband four-arm loaded kite antenna, Mike Underwood, G3LKZ (see TT, August mounted over an infinite, perfectly conducting frequency of the digital mixer, then owing to ground plane. the configuration of the switches in the phase 1972 and July 1975) and later as an I-IF "PALO" VFO for amateur use by Brian Rose, G3ULR sensitive detector HF4053, the output ripple force it to radiate nearer to the horizon in the (TT, September 1975). I recall that G3ULR would be 98Hz, ie twice the input frequency. elevation plane with an almost omnidirectional At the next possible lockpoint (49 + 39 = sent me his VFO for evaluation. It was ex- pattern in the azimuth plane. tremely stable on its 15.625kHz lock points, 88Hz), the ripple frequency is 176Hz." Note that "kite" refers to the shape of these As PAOKSB sees it, the update frequency is but had an unfortunate tendency to occasion- antennas. They are not intended to be carried not constant. It varies at twice the value of the ally jump lock points, making it to my mind aloft by kites. output frequency of the digital mixer, which operationally impractical (apart from having itself can vary between 0Hz and half the clock 15.625kHz frequency steps). VOLTAGE REFLECTION frequency. In the example given above, the Finally, PAOKSB believes there is consid- COEFFICIENT update frequency could vary between a low erable room for further "improvements". As value and the clock frequency, depending on the spacing between the stable VFO frequen- BERNARD SPENCER, G3SM W writes: "I the VFO setting. cies depends on the delay time (number of was very pleased that Jim Ford, N6NF is speak- Even though the update frequency is not stages in the shift register and the clock fre- ing out against the common practice of quoting constant, PAOKSB agrees with G7IXH that it quency) a larger number of shift-register stages the match in terms of VSWR (see TT, Decem- is much higher than in his original designs - and than 256 seems feasible. He wonders whether ber 1997, p68). Standing Wave Ratio itself is that the 'fast' stabiliser can correct much more static computer memory ICs with some sim- not relevant, unless one is using a slotted line drift with less ripple on the VFO frequency. ple driver circuits could be used to make (or 3-Probe device) for measurement, which is PAOKSB built and experimented with a stabi- extremely long shift registers, working at a seldom the case nowadays, or if the peak volt- liser based on the G7IXH circuit of the Novem- high frequency. That should upgrade the per- age on a cable is being calculated. ber TT, subject to available components. He formance even further. He concludes: "I had "In RF matching, the easiest to visualise and found that it worked very well indeed when a lot of fun with my experiments and want to to manipulate is Voltage Reflection Coeffi- used on a 28MHz LC oscillator, with congratulate G7IXH again, and thank him for cient. This has a magnitude which can be used stabilisation points spaced about 40Hz. his fine contribution. I hope his detailed arti- instead of VSWR, and also a phase angle for PAOKSB comments: cle will appear soon." those who want it to specify completely a "(1) The operation of the HEF4053 switches complex impedance. The magnitude is simply the fraction of the forward voltage which is (apart from the initial action at switch-on, BROADBAND HF IMPEDANCE- forcing the output of the analog CA3140 to the reflected, expressed as a decimal. Also, the LOADED KITE ANTENNAS mid-range) resembles the operation of an ex- magnitude is zero for a perfect match, and "NEW DESIGNS OF ultra wide-band com- clusive OR gate. I used a digital HEF4030 unity for the worst possible match (short- cir- munication antennas using a genetic algorithm" EXOR instead of the HEF4053 analog switches. cuit or open-circuit). These are easy to visual- by Zwi Altman, Raj Mittra and Alona Boag The results appear identical. ise and to put into equations or into calculators. "(2) Shift registers type HEF4517 are sel- (IEEE Trans Ant & Prop, October 1997, This is unlike VSWR, where a short- circuit or dom found in the lists of IC retailers, probably pp1494-1501) describes a two-step design tech- open-circuit is infinity, or Return Loss where a because of low demand. Instead of using two nique that can result in vertically polarised kite perfect match is an infinite number of decibels. HEF4517 devices, I used four HEF4031 ICs, antennas capable of effective, low vertical Admittedly it is convenient to measure a mis- which are readily available in Holland. Each angle operation over ultra wide low VSWR match in terms of Return Loss if your measur- 4031 contains only one 64-bit shift register, but bandwidths of 4 to 30MHz (four-arm) or even ing system uses an attenuator or scale marked with four cascaded devices an overall register 2 to 30MHz (eight-arm). The four-arm version in decibels, but it is equally convenient to make

RadCom • February 1998 61 TEC H NICAL TOPICS

and use a system reading Reflection Coeffi- of the AMA loops. Fig 5 shows two AMA to genuine AMA loops of 0.8, 1.7 and 3.4 metre cient if you are constructing an instrument. loops on a single pole. diameters, he has carried out both rigorous "Of course, it is not difficult to calculate ZE1HJ is representative of the sceptics. To measurements and NEC-4 (EZNEC pro ver- Reflection Coefficient from VSWR or Return quote briefly from a long, well reasoned let- sion with the NEC-4D machine) studies on the Loss, or vice versa, but it is an unnecessary step ter: "There is no doubt that claims for the AMA-11 loop at 3.852MHz, showing in most cases when the Reflection Coefficient efficiency of magnetic loop antennas by both efficiencies of 4.7% and 5.5% respectively." is measured. The fixed resistive unbalanced manufacturers and writers of construction ar- VE2CV concludes: "A small compact loop bridge is called different things by different ticles are often greatly exaggerated. They ap- behaves like a loop. The method of tuning and makers, such as Reflection Coefficient Bridge', pear to result from a calculation of radiation matching, resonating by a capacitor, and mag- `SWR Bridge', 'Return Loss Bridge', or resistance derived from physical dimensions netically coupling power to the loop by means 'Autotester' etc. I prefer 'Reflection Coeffi- and an estimate of resistive losses only in the of a small coupling loop, is an efficient way to cient Bridge' (or simply 'Reflection Bridge'), loop itself, based on its dimensions and mate- resonate and match the loop. To keep conduc- because the basic output (before any diode or rial, perhaps with a fudge factor worked-in to tor losses low, the diameter of the loop's con- other non-linear device) is proportional to the ductor must be large. The conductor diameter Reflection Coefficient." of the DK5CZ AMA loops is 32mm, the loop being made from a formed (almost a perfect TUNED TRANSMITTING circle) aluminium tube." LOOPS CONTROVERSY Due to space considerations I drastically condensed the information from ZE1HJ and THE NOVEMBER, 1997 TT item reporting VE2CV. My apologies to these - and the other the belief of Professor Mike Underhill, G3LHZ correspondents - if I have misrepresented or and M J Blewen, G4VRN that the compact omitted their views. tuned transmitting loops tend to function pri- I passed the detailed (critical) comments marily as small folded dipoles rather than as made by G4XVF and VE2CV to G3LHZ, who, magnetic loops has certainly attracted serious although very much bound up with his profes- attention, indeed it would be possible to fill TT sional academic work, has provided additional for several months with the many thoughtful notes in support of his dominant dipole-mode comments received. On one point, virtually hypothesis. One of the contentions raised by all agree: these compact antennas are surpris- G4VXF related to the space in the IEE Confer- ingly effective no matter whether their total ence Paper given over to the calculation of radiation efficiency is or is not as low as was inductance. He points out that this is well suggested by Tony Henk, G4VXF in 1991. covered in NBS Technical Note C74. Using While the majority of those who wrote to this, G4XVF calculated the loop inductance as me - including Jack Hollingworth, ZF1HJ; Dr Fig 4: Basic design of the DL5CZ "Abstimmbare 1.74841 without introducing a fiddle factor, as John (Jack) Belrose, VE2CV; B Edginton, Magnetische Antennen" (AMA) tuned transmitting against the measured value of 1.7741. G3LHZ GOC WT; Jimmy Bolton, G3HBN - remain loop antennas with coupling loops, as manufactured has not yet had a chance to study C74, but he rather sceptical of the dipole-mode hypoth- in Germany since 1983. Currently there are some 24 models, grouped in four diameter sizes (0.6m, 1.3m, has checked the most quoted NBS inductance esis, there has also been some disbelief in the 1.7m and 3.4m). formula for a single-turn loop, which appears validity of the 1991 article of Tony Henk, in some editions of the ITT "Reference Data G4XVF. I would stress that G4XVF's find- allow for skin effect. As my friend G4XVF for Radio Engineers": ings as relating to the magnetic loop mode are pointed out in his excellent article, there are not disputed in any way by G3LHZ. I under- other significant sources of loss which result in L = a/100 (7.353 log 10 16a/d - 6.386 ) µH stand that most of those who commented much lower than anticipated efficiencies. where 'a' = mean radius of ring in inches, directly to G3LHZ supported his view that "Nevertheless, I do not share Tony's pessi- 'd' = diameter of wire in inches, and a/d >2.5 dipole-mode radiation from the loops may be mism. Like others, in practice I have found the dominant mode. these antennas, even when mounted close to But first a word of explanation about the the ground, perform almost as well as a dipole G3LHZ comments "There is no doubt that "AMA-3" loop, used by G3LHZ/G4VRN, at a much greater height. I have (at least until this is a very good formula, giving excellent and also reviewed by G3SJX in 1994. These now) considered the explanation to lie in there predicted results at low frequencies. Out of loops were, as stated, manufactured in the UK being a substantial lobe in the vertical plane at curiosity I have manipulated and changed the by Advanced Antennas and Ancilliaries (no a relatively low angle to the horizon, so that the units of the formula for direct comparison with longer trading), apparently based on a design loop, despite its low efficiency, radiates more the formulas given in my paper. Interestingly, by Dipl-Ing Christain Kaeferlein, DC5CZ, power than a dipole at the low angles required all formulas can be encompassed within ex- (Weingbergstrasse 5, Darmstadt D-64285, for DX communication." (On the other hand, actly the same expression. The only difference Germany), whose firm has, since 1983, manu- the attraction of loops for military applications is a single constant k (a fiddle factor?) which factured a range of Abstimmbare Magnetische is the strong vertical radiation required for differentiates between the formulas ... Theory Antennen (AMA) loop antennas, including short/medium range NVIS working - G3VA). derived from direct solutions of Maxwell's the AMA-3. The mathematical/electrical de- VE2CV has also found from personal expe- equations for wires gives k=1. The NBS loop sign of the German AMA-3 loops was based rience that loops can be an excellent choice for inductance formula corresponds to k = 2.166. on the work of Hans Wuertz, DL2FA (sum- HF camp/portable/mobile operation. Never- Our paper calculated k as equal to 2.09, but marised in TT, October 1986 and TT Scrap- theless he believes that "the proposed dipole- suggested it could be rounded down to 2.0. book 1985-89, P127-8). Detailed information mode for compact loops is in fact fiction . . . It Since 2.09 is nearer to 2.166, I am happy for on the original AMA loops, still in produc- is surprising how well compact loops work, others to accept a rounding up to 2.166 on the tion, has been published by DL5CZ in Ger- even on bands where the efficiency is very basis of the NBS measurements. The effect on man and English. Fig 4 shows the basic design poor (HF can be very forgiving)." With access the calculated inductance values is a little over

62 RadCom • February 1998 TEC H NICAL TOPICS

1%. The real mystery is why there is a two to one difference between theory and practice. It "STEREO" RECEPTION OF CW implies that the effective diameter of the wire TT HAS BEEN NOTED several times in TT that pseudo-stereo reception of weak CW or tube is doubled over its real diameter. Fur- signals can benefit from the so-called 'cocktail party' effect. This was first investigated and ther investigation is clearly necessary! patented by the late Dud Charman, G6CJ as long ago as 1958 and was first described in "Also in our paper we suggested that at TT in October 1973. A practical analogue-type two-channel (I/Q) stereocode filter was higher frequencies, approaching the first self- described fully by G6CJ and G3OTK in Radio Communication, September 1975, pp74- resonance of the loop where the circumference 81. Much simpler circuits providing phase shifts have also appeared in TT. of the loop becomes a half-wave, transmission The 'Digital Dimension ' column by Stan Horzepa, WAlLOU in QST, October 1997, p97 line effects should be taken into account. This notes that Brian Beezley, K6STI, well known for his NEC-type antenna software can be achieved with all the above inductance packages, has recently announced a new 2.0 version of his `DSP Blaster' software. This formulas by multiplying by the factor (tan y)/ now includes coherent stereo digital processing of CW signals, providing the listener with y, where y equals pi21)/2L This give inductance a flexible choice of: "listening to the I channel for monophonic SNR enhancement; values which are 27% higher at half the reso- monitoring the Q channel to check signal coherence and phase-lock quality; or you can nant frequency, +5.5% at a quarter wave, and select the incoherent bandpass filter output to obtain slow roll-off noise shaping without +1.3% at one-eighth-wave. (At 14.3MHz for carefully tuning for phase lock; or - best of all - you can use stereo . . . . as a result the CW an 0.833m diameter loop, the increase of 5.5% signal appears centred in your head while the noise becomes diffuse, non localised and non should be applied)." directional. This provides a striking spatial separation of signal and noise with off- G3LHZ then turns to the $64k question of frequency signals appearing off-centre but spatially distinct. whether dipole-mode radiation is fact or fic- While it is probable that the digital processing in this software is superior to and more tion. He writes: flexible than the 1975 analogue Stereocode filter, it does need a fairly sophisticated set up: "Judging by letters and phone calls received a 486 (or better) PC, math co-processor, VGA monitor, 16-bit Creative Labs sound card or passed on, the dipole-mode proposal has raised a lot of interest. There would appear to and mouse. The software package costs $125 (K6STI, 3532 Linda Vista, San Marcos, CA be slightly more believers than sceptics. The 92069, USA. e-mail [email protected]) case I would make for the dipole-mode now includes the following points, intended to coun- field, radiated from a vertical loop. 3ft long ter the negative comments so far received. for most applications NEC is enormously suc- fluorescent tubes remain ignited to at least cessful, like all simulations it is only as good as 1) Q values measured by SWR and antenna- two loop diameters distant from the loop its internal assumptions, no matter what arith- bandwidth methods are much lower than (with 100-400W) but only if deployed hori- predicted by the traditional loop radiation metical precision it has. zontally. This component is retained (domi- formulas. "For the time being, I rest my case for the nantly) in the far field. dipole mode of tuned loops on the above six 2) There is a large increase in Q, typically by 5) The SWR and match resistance at the minor points, but I am sure we have not heard the last two to three times, if the loop antenna is loop input remains approximately constant placed in a large, reasonably low-loss tin word on this subject. For example, I intend to for up to a three to one frequency range on box (three different screened rooms have make measurements of the far field phase and a given loop antenna. The traditional loop been tried). This is Wheeler's Cap method will try to relate this to the loop current phase. formulas would predict a nine to one change for measuring the ratio of radiation resist- This should give further information on the in antenna input resistance over this range, ance to antenna loss resistance. exact mechanism of radiation for this or any provided antenna losses are kept small. 3) The loop antenna does not get hot (enough), thick or thin wire antenna." 6) The patterns predicted by the NEC simula- even with 400W supplied to the antenna at tion code as given in VE2CV's 1993 QST the lowest frequency of operation. HERE AND THERE article are exactly those given by the as- 4) There is a strong, horizontally-polarised sumption that either the current around the PETER HALLS, G4CRY noted the 300W and loop is exactly uniform or that any out-of- 500W Class-E single MOSFET amplifiers balance currents do not radiate. These pat- mentioned in TT, August 1997, pp77-78. Af- terns do not show any dipole-mode radia- ter searching the Internet he discovered that tion. B Edginton, GOC WT has supplied kits of parts are being offered by Caltech (Puff loop measurements showing a two to one Distribution). Further details of these low- ratio in currents (I think he used thermocou- cost Class-E kits are given in QST, November ple-type RF ammeters, although this is for 1997, p94. Component-only kits cost $60 somewhat larger loop sizes). G4VRN is (outside USA), including shipping by surface checking this for smaller loop sizes, and we mail. For more information, call or write to also intend measuring the relative phases at Puff Distribution, MS136-03, California In- the two sides of the loop. Using a simple, stitute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125, ferrite rod current transformer, first indica- USA. Tel 818-395-2251; Fax 818-395-2137; tions are that the currents are exactly as one http: //www. systems . caltech. e du/EE/F acuity/ would expect at the ends of a shorted- rutledge/puff. html. transmis sion line of length equal to half- G4CRY mentions that he has purchased the loop circumference. At 14MHz a ratio of SGC500 linear from Nevada. It covers all HE 0.95:1 and at 28MHz a ratio of 0.75:1 were measured." bands without retuning after a QSY and is G3LHZ concludes: "It is a pity that NEC operated by RF sensing, although PTT is an fails to model the tuned loop correctly. This is option. It can be remotely sited and is a lot cheaper than some competitive solid state Fig 10: How a combination of 1.7m and 0.8m AMA because it fails to predict or take account of any loops can be mounted on a single pole. imbalance in current around the loop. While amplifiers. •

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64 RadCom • February 1998 until the end of September. CT1 same group that operated in recent the usual DX frequencies. QSL to HF and CT2 stations can use CT98; years from Cocos-Keeling, Christ- OKDX Foundation (see QTH Cor- CT4 stations CS98; CT3 stations mas Island, Bangladesh and Papua ner). DON FIELD, G3XTT (Madeira) CQ98; and CU stations New Guinea. They will focus on Cedric, HB9HFN, and 105 Shiplake Bottom, Peppard Common, (Azores) CU98 (see also the low bands, the WARC bands HB9DLZ will be active from Henley on Thames, RG9 51-1f e-mail: g3xtt©Iineone.net 'Awards'). and on RTTY. There should be Tonga and Western Samoa as fol- Another Libyan DXpedition good grey-line propagation to Eu- lows: 5 - 10 February as A35LZ will take place beginning 2 March rope at that time of the year, so (HB9DLZ) and A35FN THANKS JOHN and last possibly until 8 March. expect good signals on all bands. (HB9HFN) from Tongatapu. 10 - Operators will be Tiny/ON4CAT Members of the Czech DX 23 February as 5WOLZ (HB9DLZ) AFTER AN INCREDIBLE (YL), Patrick/ON4APS and Frank/ Foundation (OKDXF) will be and 5WOFN (HB9HFN) from 31 years of writing the HF ON4CEL. This will be the first YL heading for a multi-stop trip to the Western Samoa. They will be es- column for the Society's operation from 5A. The trio will Pacific with the following itiner- pecially active for Europe and magazine, John Allaway, sign 5A2 1 PA, which reportedly ary: Departure is from Prague on mostly on CW (80 - 10 metres). G3FKM, has retired. John first stands for the "celebration of the 18 Feb - to Frankfurt and the same QSL via home calls (via bureau took up his pen for the Janu- declaration of 'People Authority', day land in Los Angeles on 20 preferred). For more details see: ary 1966 edition of the RSGB and birth of the first Jamahiriya". Feb; from LA to Papetee, Tahiti http://www.qsl.net/hb9hfn/ Bulletin and I see that the Operations will be from the 5A1A on 24 Feb; from Papetee to Dave, N2NL, (ex WH2Z) was column (then called The HQ station. They will operate on Rarotonga and the same day flight due to be transferred to Guam in Month on the Air) included a all bands, conditions permitting. to Aitutaki atoll on 4 March; from January for at least two years. He contribution from myself as a Tiny will concentrate on SSB, Rarotonga to Tonga via Nadi (the expects to be on the air (mostly on schoolboy SWL! Most mem- Patrick will be on RTTY and Frank same day) on 14 March; from CW) in early spring. bers will recall no-one else in on SSB/CW. Frank will look for Tonga to W Samoa on 23 March; The special prefix DU100 will the HF chair so his retirement North American stations during from W Samoa to Fiji on 1 April; be used during 1998 to celebrate is a major milestone for the their grey-line on 40 and 80 me- from Fiji to Hawaii and then to the Philippines' 100th year of in- RSGB. John is a true profes- tres, mainly on CW. An Internet Europe. dependence. sional and he delivered his site is also available at: http:// If possible, the group might di- Andy, K2LE, will be active from copy on time and in good users .glo.be/—frankyb/5a21pa. vide during the stop on Western 2 to 15 February as P4/K2LE from order every month of the eight html Samoa and try to spend a few days Aruba and John, W1BIH, will be years of my editorship. This Bob Ferrero, W6RJ, and his son on American Samoa. The opera- back in Bonaire until the end of he continued to do despite Bob Jr, W6KR, will be on safari in tors will also have a licence for March, signing PJ9JT. recent ill health. Writing Cameroon from 15 February, op- Rotuma Island, but due to trans- Joe, VE3B W, was expecting to News was a labour of love erating as TJ1GB during the hours port problems, nothing is certain. be active as VE3B W/HR6 from and I know John will have of darkness. Equipment includes The operators will be OK1TN, Roatan Island off Honduras from given up the job with great an Icom IC706 and the OH1RY OK1KT and OK1VD, and the op- 1 to 22 February. reluctance and sadness that 'lightweight kilowatt'. Antennas eration has sponsorship from Ruby, K4UPS, and Bill, his illness finally prevented include a Force-12 C3S which will Alcatel Czech. They will be K4LTA, will be active from Gre- him from carrying on as the be used for 10 through 20 metres. equipped with linears as well as nada (J3) from 10 February until 3 columnist. He will continue On 30 through 160 metres they beams for the WARC bands and March. They will be joined by two to co-write the 1ARU News will use a vertical with elevated 20-10 metres and a vertical for 40 more operators for part of the time, column with Tim Hughes, radials. The emphasis will be on metres. If possible, at least two including the ARRL CW Contest. G3GVV. Mike Dennison, G3XDV, 160m and the low bands until 1 stations will be on the air. Callsigns The Finnish team which will be March. If time and space are avail- will be announced later, and an active from Guatemala, as men- Managing Editor able a Beverage will be installed. all-mode operation is expected on tioned last month, will include Radio ZS reports that a new AM HONOURED to be asked 40m beacon is operational 24 hours to take on the reins of this a day under the callsign ZS6FOR / column, which John Allaway, on 7.048MHz. Transmissions are G3FKM, has compiled diligently every 10 minutes for about one for many years. At the same time, minute. So far the beacon, which I am sorry that it should come outputs approximately 15W PEP about as a result ofJohn' s ill health on a north-facing sloper has been and I am sure I echo all of you in heard as far north as Zaire. expressing every good wish to Hide, JL1LJS, will be active as John. I can be reached via the 3D2LJ from Fiji between 30 April postal and e-mail addresses above, and 7 May. His operation will in- and would appreciate any input, clude 30, 17 and 12 metres. Peter, PBOALB, has announced including HF-related photographs, that he will operate for six weeks with material for the April HF during April and May as 9M8CC including initial scores for the 1998 from Sarawak, with a low-band tables to reach me by 5February. vertical and a beam for the high bands. QSL to his home call. DX NEWS A German group should be ac- TO COMMEMORATE Expo 98 tive from Chatham Island, a New New HF columnist Don Field, G3XTT, is an all-round top DXer specialising in in Portugal, Portuguese amateurs Zealand possession between 23 the lower HF bands and contesting. He is pictured operating G3ULT/P in HF can use a series of special prefixes February and 9 March. This is the NFD.

RadCom • February 1998 65 PROPAGATION MALTA MOSCOW ACUERVANCOUVE MONTREAL MEXICO Is ON ASCENSI MAURITI US ADEN BAHRAI N WNE DELHI BANGKOK EWNE YORK BERMUD A BARBADOS BOGOTA BUENOS NAI ROBI WELLI NGTON/L WELLI NGTON/S LI MA R DE JANEI RO LAS PALMAS DAKAR LAGOS CAPETOWN HARARE HONOLULU CYPRUS COLOMBO TEHERAN HONGKONG OSAKA GIBRALTAR LOS DENVE R JAMAICA FALKLAND Is Sth SHETLAND S EY CH ELL ES PE RTH SYDNEY/L SYDNEY/S SUVA/L SUVA/S SI NGAPORE FAIRBANKS ** RICA N. AME ** S. RICA AME ** AFRICA ** OCEANI A ** A ASI ICELAND ** EUROPE higher the number the greater the probability with 1 meaning 10 to 19 per cent of days, and so on. Additionally F-layer openings at 50 MHz and 1.8 MHz are indicated by a plus The time is represented vertically at two-hour intervals UTC for each band, ie 00=0000, 02=0200, etc. The probability of signals being heard is given on a 0 (indicated by a dot) to 9 scale; the The provisional mean sunspot number for December 1997 issued by the Sunspot Data Centre, Brussels was 41.5. The maximum daily sunspot number was 68 on 12 im /Ti me December and the minimum was 15 on 19 December. The predicted smoothed sunspot numbers for February, March and April are respectively: (classical method) ANGELES

AIRES

/ UTC

000001111122 0 2 4 6 8 0 2 46 8 0 2 HF 28MHz 665b2.. 2211 23 111 264463.. 236761..24675... 4...556 235 5631 1 5654 5654 3551 13221...1332.... 7 63..177 477762.. 466 4541 455 F-LAYER PR ATI OPAG N O PREDICTI NS O FOR FEBRUARY 1998 665 676 665

5443. 5453. 22 3. 223.32 14253. 63.14 2 1. 2 1. 3 1. 3 2442.2442. 5453.

..... 1 ... 1 3... 2... 1 ......

024 68024 6802 000001111122 • •• • ••• • I. •• • I.• I. I. 24MHz 7665 26465 54345 36775 144 5 11 12 . 332 278774..288785.. 357883.. 31 5773 3554 25551... 476575..788884.. 467871..76786... 44774... 78631... 4422 77774 8888 77771 77761 451 7 76777 6776 6763 67761 553. 1553. 4664 4664 121 17665 1. 1. 1453. 7665

. ...

and 3.5 MHz columns, with these latter bands having a probability of 9. 38, 40, 43 (±10); (SIDC adjusted values) 29, 30, 32 (±8). 024 68024 6802 000001111122 . 7882 ..266 .. 13 ...... 2788... 178883 ... 1788 . ...688761 ...... 58874 ... 87662. 662. 57 764563. . 88872 ...59 ..... 783. 687 .... 773. 776 .... 8767872. .... 56678 62...... 45.... 775 ... 14 .... 51.. 266 21 . .2 .674 .32 .1687773..1467773. 21MHz 5668841. 557871.. 77884 77884 787 888 81 678 666883.. 631. 667871 7751. 47761. 77762. 67652. 1. 2. 387662. 53 154 37761. 87662.

2 3. 4... 2... 5 2. 2

.1 .1.. 11.. 11.. 1.. 1 0 2 46 80246 8020 0 0001111 122 7 443. 7544551 35 .._776 27745541 36776651 555 544 241 266 55786 56787 5777 58786 54 18MHz 477 7888894. 6861875 86445862 755 4457861.446784.. 446783.. 87674...41. 8531 446883 888894 7762. 488881 88888 88887... 68777... 66786 68775 7642. 67663. 77553. 57 17 24 651. 751. 57773. 76543.

564. 554. 5651 8731 3. 7852 8852 2. 1. .131 .241 2 - . .

32. 2113 3.. 2113 0 2 46 8 0 2 46 8 0 20 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 244. 6642 2244 344. 36211 365 354. 665 354. 6554 3454 243 564 561 531 54. 112. 741. 1112754 2652 3.. 113 32. 2.. 454. 3686 7422 43. 1.. 3.12.. 212 131. 552. 2642...... 1235 . ...£78886 . .. 1' .. . .8888882 8778982._ 643. 15 2 15 45 12. 5 1. 12 11. 2133 125 . 1 1 2 .553 .16 .1565421..176211

21147985 112 66678832 225 73.. 335 .65 63112687 52225897 322 876 7884 .115 5 74..355 565 345 365 365 765 155 887884.. 14MHz 1 6897 7864 4221 1122 2354 7853 7832 71.. 51. 52. 7732 7411 74. 1 72.. 72.. 4551 4452 3353 2232 2253 151. 452 131. 2 1. 231. 1 132 242. 453. 132 54. 454. 132 45514321 555. 6771332. 2... 132 22.... 2 511.. 12 32 1. 2412766 5527655 32. 6655 024 68024 6802 000001111122 5671432.5782422. 5774 53211124 88 94 51... 489 897 62... 699 2 851.... 5788 842.... 5888 8431...8855 8532.. 2 7433.. 2 789 899453. .247884532. 898 99964.... 389 98 53.... 36 99 4798 9842... 4799 9832. .1.. 221341. ... 1432 .1.. 666 12 311252 14 132 .1 .2532 643 531. .53222552 .433 1. MHz .123112 22 32 32 33 .32.32 4321 5754 4631 561. 54. 452 4699 551 5888 5767 5756 5756 5335 5734 5633 4622 4511 6732643 5787 8987533 47997851 998 322357997884 8857985 7843 1235 1.. 1 1135 6888 .136 1 688 .14 688 .15 .37 2 887 .26 3 4 688 888 788 278 788 888 588 3 2333 1.. 2321 2 1 024 68024 6802 000001111122 256 367 578 355 2578 851 2588 2588 872 2678 872 873 73 157 168 1589897421 478 1479 878 1478 2 888 1 2588 788 2588 2588 885 883 883 84 2678 996 61 . 2 122.... 1 23 2673 2677 2677 2676 2578 1 1. 31. 31 3 .13 21. 31 1 21 21 1 31 1 31 2 31 2 21 2 2 2 1. 1 332 21. 21. 1 2 13. 2 12. 1 1 1. 23. 23.1 1 .21. 7MHz 1. 15 4 4

256. 142 4788 3688 262.

(H-) ++54 ++44 +++3 +4 ++3 +4 +4 .4++ 25+++ 4++ + + + 3 . . .24++ ++++ +++3 ++42 3+54 3+54 2++4 2553 3 4++4 4++4 4++3 4 0 246 8 02 46 8020 00 00 11 11 122 .222 253 2+4 5+4 4+4 .23

sign in the 28

3 3. 5MHz

4+ 3+ 2+ 5+ 5+ 3 25+ 255 25+ 25+ 255 3++ 255 35+ 35+ 35. 35+ 354 355 353 25.

2

RadCom •February 1998 H F

OH1TD, OH3JF, 01-16XY and 8NOW0G. The stationwill be open QTH CORNER OH7LIX. They will be active on from 0930 to 2100 (JST) between OKDX Foundation PO Box 73 Bradlec, 293 06 Mlada Boleslav, Czech Republic. all bands CW, SSB and RTTY and 7 and 22 February. TJ1GB R Whisler, K6SLO, 716 Hill Avenue, South San Francisco, hope the call TGOOH will be is- CA 94080, USA. ARRL INTERNATIONAL DX X W30 and XW30A Erik Sjolund, SMOAGD, Vestag 27, S-19556 Marsta, Sweden. sued to them. Look for them on 5A21PA Bureau or direct to Piesen Patrick, ON4APS, CW (1.827, 3.507, 7.007, 10.103/ CONTEST Koolkerkesteenweg 141, B-8800 Brugge, Belgium. 10.108, 14.007, 18.077, 21.007, 0000 21 February - 2400 22 24.897 and 28.007MHz), SSB February (CW) In the 1997 Contest, G4UPS (1.840, 3.789, 7.045, 14.195, 0000 7 March - 2400 8 March scored 8058 points, followed by 18.145, 21.295, 24.945 and (SSB) G4IQM (7232), G3ESF (6956), 28.495MHz) and RTTY (14.088, Single-operator, multi-band, sin- G3LIK (5550), GM3CFS (5215), 21.088 and 28.088MHz). QSL for gle-band, High-power, Low- GOREP (3775), G4ZIB (3520), RTTY contacts via OH6XY, and power (150W or less output), QRP G W3SYL (3100), GM3KLA for CW & SSB contacts via OH3JF. (5W or less output), single-opera- (2599), GOTTM (1909), G4MQC Thor, TF1MM, who was active tor assisted, multi-operator single- (1716), GOIEZ (1550), GOPZO recently as 4U/TF1MM, was op- transmitter, two transmitter and (1425), MOANI (465) and MOAIU erating from the Administrative Portugueses, the national amateur multi-transmitter classes. Ex- (160). In the multi-operator cat- HQ of UNOMIG (United Nations radio association of Portugal, is change RS/T and power. US/VE egory GB5TT scored 1638. In the Observer Mission In Georgia) in running a Diploma 'Lisboa' from stations send report and state/prov- listener category GM/BRS88921 Pitsunda, Abkhazia, Georgia. He 1 January until 30 September to ince (which are the multipliers, a scored 6345 points and BRS44395 reports there is no government celebrate Expo 98 in Lisbon. Score maximum of 62 per band). Three 3888. there to apply for a reciprocal li- 10 points for a mandatory contact points per completed QS0. Final cence, so the only possibility is to WORLD WIDE RTTY WPX with the official Expo station score is QS0 points multiplied by operate under the umbrella of the CONTEST CT98EXPO, 5 points for a QS0 the total multipliers from all bands. UN. This location counts as 4L with CT98REP, and 2 points for All entries must be postmarked no 0000 14 February - 2400 15 (Georgia). Thor suggests, "Please QS0s with other Portuguese (in- later than 30 days after the contest. February QSL only to the TF-Buro; not di- cluding Azores and Madeira) sta- E-mail entries are also acceptable. Sponsored by Hal Communica- rect to my home call. The callbook tions using the various '98' pre- tions Corp, this contest has single- address is no longer valid". He fixes. UK amateurs need 30 points DUTCH PACC CONTEST operator and multi-single sections, will QSL all contacts via the bu- in total to qualify for the Diploma, each with a maximum operating reau. 1200 14 February -120015 and a merit plaque is available for February time of 30 hours, with off-periods Charles, K4VUD, reports that achieving this score on at least to be at least 60 minutes. Multi- he is planning to return to Nepal 1.8 to 28MHz, CW and SSB, within three of the five main HE bands. two and multi-multi stations can sometime during February/March. the IARU recommended contest An official application form can operate the full 48 hours. Single- He will stay in Kathmandu, and segments. Note that SSB contacts be obtained from the REP awards operators can be all-band or sin- was hoping to receive donations on 1.8MHz are not allowed. Sin- manager in return for an SASE gle-band. The all-band category is of equipment for 9N1AA or gle-operator, multi-operator and and one IRC, or you can prepare further split into high and low 9N1HA, the only two native Ne- listener sections. Exchange RS/T your own application in the recog- (150W maximum) power sub- pal radio amateurs there today, and serial number (starting from nised format. categories. Exchange RST plus and take it out with him. Satish, 001). Dutch stations will give RS/ The awards are free, but you are serial number. Contacts between 9N IAA, has anew house and plans T plus two letters to indicate their asked to include 2 IRCs to cover stations in the same country count a permanent radio amateur instal- province (GR, FR, DR, OV, GD, postage. The REP Awards Man- one point, with a different country lation, although apparently he can- UT, NH, ZH, FL, ZL, NB and LB). ager is at PO Box 2483, 1112 in the same continent two points, not receive a beam, because of Each QS0 counts one point, and Lisboa Codex, Portugal. A further and with a different continent three import restrictions. He wants to stations may be worked only once Diploma, the Diploma 'Vasco de points. Score double on 40 and 80 get on RTTY and on amateur sat- per band, regardless of mode. Gama' is also being introduced, metres. The multiplier is the total ellites but currently has no TNC Score is QS0 points multiplied by with various classes, and allowing number of prefixes worked, re- and no 2m SSB gear. total of provinces worked on each retrospective credit for contacts gardless of band. Logs, All amateur radio operators at- band (a maximum of 72 in all). made since 15 November 1945. postmarked no later than 17 March, tending the forthcoming Winter Entries should be sent to Frank Points can be claimed for contacts go to Eddie Schneider, W6/ Olympic games in Nagano, Japan, E van Dijk, PA3BFM, Middlelaan not only with Portugal, but with a GOAZT, 1826 Van Ness, San will have the opportunity to oper- 24, NL-3721 PH Bilthoven, to be number of countries with historic Pablo, CA 94806, USA. Alterna- ate from the special event station received before the end of March. links with Portugal. I can provide tively, logs can be e-mailed. I can a photocopy of the full rules in Current Fee Item New Fee provide full rules in return for an return for an SASE. Free Initial application each year, member $10 SASE. $10 Additional application, member $20 $10 Initial application, foreign non-member $20 TH AN KS $20 Additional application, foreign non-member $30 A WARDS $2 Convention/HQ walk-in card check $5 SPECIAL THANKS go to my 10 cents Per additional QS0 15 cents THE ARRL DXCC Desk has an- regular sources, which include the Certificate fee (includes pin) $10 $10 nounced new fees for DXCC, RSGB DX News Sheet (G4BUE), $25 + shipping Honor Roll & 5-Band DXCC plaques $30 + shipping** $40+shipping #1 Honor Roll plaque $50+shipping** which went into effect on 1 Janu- OPDX Bulletin (KB8N W), and

* First application prices are for 120 QS0s maximum, and additional application prices are for 100 ary. All applicable fees are charged 425 DX News (I1JQJ). QS0s maximum. QS0s beyond those limits are charged at this price. on each application. The applicant I look forward to working many ** includes pin must supply return postage or an RSGB members from 9MOC (we Table 1: New fees for the ARRL DXCC, which went into effect on 1 January. SASE for any cards or informa- will be active from about 13 to 22 Diploma 'Lisboa' issued by Rede dos Emissores Portugueses, the national amateur radio association of Portugal, to celebrate Expo 98 in Lisbon (see tion requests. See Table 1. February - see the item in Janu- `Awards'). Elsewhere, Rede dos Emis sores ary's IIF). •

RadCom • February 1998 67 repeaters operated by the CSFMG 350W output. A photograph shows Russ Steenhoff, N2ODK, on 'IF VHF/UHF with a table showing their chan- the interior of G3MY's 50MHz Rigs and Transverters' and an ar- nels, CTCSS access tones, geo- amplifier. Several other Gs are ticle by SM5BSZ on 'Feeding NORMAN FITCH, G3FPK graphical locations, locators and using this valve on the band. Large Multiple Yagi Arrays'. The 40 Eskdale Gardens, Purley, Surrey CR8 I EZ E-mail: g3fpk©compuserve.com keepers. There are detailed reports John Livesey's, GOJJL, EMC VHF Journal is edited by Curtis on all of them. Jack Hood's, Column describes tracking the Braun, N2HKD, whose e-mail GM4C0X, 'Tech Talk' column is source of severe QRM affecting address is [email protected] Y THANKS TO those readers who sent Christ- mainly devoted to a reprint of an Neil Can's, GOJHL, new QTH. It and the postal address of the group M mas cards and com- article entitled 'Focus on Anten- was traced to faulty fuses on an is PO Box 92122, Rochester, NY ments about VHF/URF. In the nas'. This was published in an electricity pole at a nearby sewage 14692, USA. preface to the February 1997 col- industry journal Mobile Europe works. As usual, this is a very umn I commented on the lack of and deals with the possible health funny piece. David Whitaker, PROPAGATION risks associated with the use of BRS25429, reports on the activity in the run up to Christmas. IN THE OCTOBER issue of The mobile telephones. UKSMG's 1997 Summer Contest It was the same this time and it is Six and Ten Report OH2LX com- Issue 95 includes a list of the and there are two operating tables understandable that amateur radio ments on the apparent difference 377 group members on the books for 6m addicts. Six News is edited seems to have taken a back seat for in mid-latitude Sporadic-E (Es) on 12.10.97 in callsign order, to- by Chris Deacon, G4IFX. For a few weeks. propagation on either side of the gether with their forenames, lo- membership details contact lain While few reports were received Atlantic Ocean. He refers to the calities and which repeaters they Philipps, GORDI (QTHR), whose through the post and by fax, there ARRL journal QST for January use. FM News is edited by Dennis e-mail address is iain@sms. were some interesting items on the 1994 wherein Emil Pocock, Cram, GM3NIG. The secretary is xerox.com Internet. Meteor Scatter (MS) op- W3EP, stated: "September and Andy Hood, GM7GDE, whose The December issue of Four erators enjoyed the Leonids and October are statistically the least address is in the 1998 RSGB Year- Metres News includes: a descrip- Geminids showers and some good likely for Es, but the text books book (QTHR). His E-mail address tion of a five-eighths wavelength QS0s were completed via this agree that Es can happen at any is: [email protected] vertical antenna for 4m by Dave mode. The second leg of the ARRL time or season." Van says that in The November issue, number Cramp, G7RSD; an article on EME Contest was blessed with Scandinavia, March is the month 55, of Six News, the quarterly jour- losses in beam antennas by Mike favourable conditions. with the lowest probability of Es, nal of the UK Six Metre Group, Gibbings, G3FD W; a piece on bi- followed by February. This is also features an article by Mirko asing bipolar transistors by John BEACON NEWS the UK experience. Voznjak, YUlAD, and Mike King, Baker, GW3MH W, news items The Report includes analyses AFTER A LONG absence, the 2m G3MY, on a new Russian trans- and contest results. The editor is of 50MHz reports from UK ob- beacon GB3VHF, popularly mitting valve. The Gi7B is a co- Derek Thom, G3NKS, (QTHR) servers on Es, auroral, tropo and known as the Wrotham beacon, axial type valve, apparently de- and he now has an e-mail address MS modes. There are 50MHz re- returned to service on its new fre- veloped for radar systems, which - [email protected] ports from Finland, Jersey, Greece, quency (QRG) of 144.430MHz on is usable up to 2.7GHz. The maxi- The November issue of The VHF Sweden, Japan and South Africa 23 November 1997. It transmits mum ratings are given as 13.2V at Journal, published by the from which abroad picture ofband its callsign and locator, J001DH, 2A on the filament, 2.5kV plate Rochester VHF Group in New activity can be deduced. There is in Morse code. The keeper is Bob voltage, 350W dissipation and York, USA, includes a piece by the monthly table of solar and Mersh, G8JNZ. geomagnetic data which shows Geoff Brown, GJ4ICD, posts less variation in the Ottawa 2.8GHz monthly 50MHz reports on the solar flux than usual, averaging 85 Internet. He passes on news from units. ZS6PJS that the ZS6TWB beacon The Report is edited by Dr Steve is operational again from KG46RD Reed, GOAEV, and Prof Martin on 50.044MHz. It runs 15W to a 3- Harrison, G3USF. It is published ele Yagi beaming 330°. by the Six and Ten Reporting Club, details of which can be obtained PUBLICATIONS from GOAEV (QTHR). Steve's e- THE WINTER EDITION of FM mail address is steve.reed@ News, the newsletter of the Cen- me.rtz.co.uk. The club is an activ- tral Scotland FM Group, comprises ity of the RSGB Propagation Stud- 32 pages. Unfortunately they were ies Committee (PSC) whose not numbered (I put this down to website is at http://www.keele. 'footer trouble' which has afflicted ac.uk/deps/por/psc.htm G3FPK in the past). Eric Margetts, The November edition of GM4BOA, wrote a paper entitled SunMag, published by Neil Clarke, 'Wind turbines for use with re- GOCAS, includes an article about peaters' and an edited version is phenomena beneath the Sun's sur- published in this issue. Two of the face. These were discovered by CSFMG's repeaters located on scientists involved in the joint ven- remote hill tops are wind pow- ture between the European Space ered. Agency (ESA) and NASA from John Maclean, GM7TKA/P, operates 2400ft above sea level from Auchope There is a map showing the loca- Cairn, Cheviot Hills, during the Fourth RSGB 144MHz Backpackers contest in data downloaded from the Solar tions of the eight 2m and one 70cm August. and Heliospheric Observatory

68 RadCom • February 1998 VI-IF/L.11-1F

(SOHO) spacecraft. It seems that PDF and MicroSoft Word formats. British reporters LOCATOR SQUARES TABLE there are jet streams' or 'rivers' of They are fully indexed and can be to the NL, as it is STARTING DATE: 1-1-1979 electrically charged plasma, the searched in full text mode. There often known, were Callsign 50MHz 70MHz 144MHz 430MHz 1.3GHz Total study of which may lead to a fuller is a vast amount of information on Simon Freeman, G3IMV 520 15 586 125 53 1299 understanding of the sunspot cy- this 320MB CD-ROM. System G3LQR (J002), G4YTL - 45 379 68 - 492 G4RGK 267 - 339 221 78 905 cle. requirements are a Win32 operat- who completed with GOFIG 279 320 91 34 724 Another article deals with the ing system, eg Windows 95 or 24 stations on G4XEN 75 318 115 6 514 GW8JLY - - 292 36 - 328 mystery of why the temperature of Windows NT. It runs very fast on 1296MHz in the 15/ GOEVT 335 14 287 76 16 728 the Sun's corona is some three my 233MHz Dell system with a 16 November week- G4IGO 664 - 282 - - 946 G6HK_M 552 269 124 69 1014 million degrees while the surface 12/24 speed CD-ROM drive. end getting eight GJ4ICD 716 1 265 121 79 1182 temperature is 11,000 degrees This disk can be obtained free more initials. Peter G4DEZ 325 255 78 66 724 GW4FRX - 249 - - 249 Fahrenheit. The SOHO space- of charge from the ERO. The con- Blair, G3LTF G3FPK 246 - - 246 craft's instruments have detected tact is Tomas Ceslçy and the ERO (I091), ended with GIH WY - - 237 102 50 389 G3XDY - 25 230 163 114 532 that there is upwards transfer of address is Midtermolen 1, DK- a final 432MHz con- G4TIF 408 28 220 112 - 768 magnetic energy from the Sun's 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark. test score of 55x32 GWOPZT - - 212 - - 212 GIS WH 323 42 210 76 26 677 surface to the corona. There is From the UK the telephone number and 53x29 on GOEHV - 39 200 89 - 328 more than enough energy coming is 0045 35250300 and the fax 1296MHz. G7LIJ 74 198 - 272 up from the loops of the 'magnetic number is 0045 35250330. The e- GMOCLN - 1 198 199 Peter Etheridge, G7RAU - 198 - 198 carpet' to heat the corona to this mail address is [email protected], but G4ERG (1093), fin- G7CLY 205 196 2 401 high temperature. when I tried it my messaged GIWPF - 149 57 206 ished with 48x28 for GW6VZW 445 146 6 597 There are the usual tables of bounced. They have a website at a total points score G4ZHI - 142 29 - 171 daily solar, geomagnetic and par- http://www.ero.dk G8XTJ 206 133 - - 339 of 134,400. In the G6TTL 55 - 132 87 13 287 ticle data, sunspot data and a solar second leg he made G8TOK 238 26 131 54 27 476 flare list. These and other data are MOONBOUNCE GIUGH 257 - 126 - - 383 18 contacts, half of G3WQ M 223 116 32 2 373 also presented in graphical form. IAN WHITE, G3SEK, has for- them initials. His G7HUD 168 114 27 - 309 GOCAS is QTHR and can be GW7SMV 261 - 110 - 371 warded the complete information totals are now 93 G4OUT - 23 107 - - 130 reached via packet radio to on this year's European EME Con- initials, 24 DXCC G3FIJ 159 28 98 49 23 358 gOcas@gb7wrg.#19.gbr.eu and GOGCI 189 - 90 37 - 316 test, sponsored by the French na- countries and 19 GOHIK 103 6 81 24 214 via e-mail to [email protected]. tional society, the REF, and states. lain Mc- GOHVQ 342 71 - 413 co.uk G3UOL 29 70 - - 99 DUB US Magazine. There are two Hardy, GM3JFG GWOPLP 144 69 12 225 48-hour periods: 7/8 March for (1077), worked nine G7LXK 138 57 5 3 203 THE ERO G4OBK 215 56 - 271 432MHz, 2300MHz and above; 4/ stations in the con- GOJHC 620 48 - 668 THE European Radio- 5 April for 144MHz and 1296MHz. tests and has 21 ini- GM7SJC 176 41 1 218 G3KIP 129 - 34 - 163 communications Office (ERO) The rules run to two A4 pages so, tials in the log. GOUPU 21 20 30 12 6 89 was founded in May 1991 and is if you would like a copy, either Stuart Jones, M M IBGI 84 - 26 - - 110 G3NKS 3 50 10 2 - 65 located in Copenhagen, Denmark. send me an SASE or an e-mail GW3XY W (I071), No satellite, repeater or packet radio QS0s. If no updates It publishes regular Newsletters request. only operated in the received for a year entries will be deleted. Band of the month 144MHz. Next deadline is 12 February. summarizing the activities of the Matti Rouhiainen, OH2P0, re- November leg of the European Radiocommunications ports that his group did well in the contest and ended Committee (ERC) which brings second leg of the ARRL EME with 27x20 on 1296MHz. Insta- 9 August. 80 EME enthusiasts pre- together the radio regulatory ad- Contest on 15/16 November. In bility in his masthead preamp was registered along with 35 ladies and ministrations of the CEPT mem- spite of losing about eight hours of eventually traced to a little blue tit 10 children. The organizers have a ber countries. effective working time due to dam- that had taken up residence in the web page on http://ham.ireste.fr/ The aim of the ERC is to work age to the antenna from high winds W2IMU feed horn. When the dish eme98 towards the harmonization of all and heavy rain, they ended up on is in its parked position pointing radiocommunications matters 432MHz with a score of 147 and a upwards, it makes a perfect dry METEOR SCATTER throughout the CEPT member multiplier of 43. Most of the op- shelter complete with perches. countries. To this end it makes eration was by OH6DD assisted The most favourable weekend THE LEONIDS Recommendations which are dis- by OH2JTE. this month is 7/8 February as illus- The 1997 Leonids shower pro- cussed by all interested parties and In his December 432 and Above trated in G3SEK's Lunar Week- duced excellent results with peak these culminate in Decisions which EME News editor Allen Katz, end Calendar - see the January activity between 1030 and 1300 then have to be implemented. K2UVH, reports very positive con- RadCom, p23. With the Moon's on 17/10, according to prelimi- These Recommendations, Deci- ditions in the contest. Other high maximum declination reaching nary data from Rainer Arlt of the sions and Reports now number scorers on 432MHz were DL9KR 18.56°, there are over 29 hours of Visual Commission of the Inter- hundreds and cover every con- 137x42, N2IQU 132x37, 0E5JEL Moon time in the 48 hour period. national Meteor Organization ceivable use of the radio frequency 120x39, K1F0 121x37, UR5LX The 144/432MHz sky tempera- (IMO). Jorge Daglio, EA2LU spectrum. 116x39, OZ4M M 112x36, tures range between 575/44° K (IN92ET), reckons the peak was The ERO has produced a Com- DL9NDD 108x36 and JA5OVU and 345/25° K. The signal degra- at about 1000. He operated around pact Disc (CD), dated October 90x33. On 1296MHz 0E9XXI dation, referred to perigee, varies the 144.200MHz random SSB 1997, entitled `CEPT/ERC Deci- amassed 72x36 closely followed from -0.77dB to -1.20db and the QRGbutreports a tremendous pile- sions and Recommendations, Re- by K2DH 71x36. Next were K5JL Sun offset at Saturday midnight is up making it difficult to get ports and Information documents'. 65x34, 0E5JEL 64x31, OZ4MM +140°. callsigns. He completed with 16 There are more than 200 docu- 64x31, W2UHI 62x35 and This year's EME Conference stations between 0924 and 1114. ments available in Adobe Acrobat ZS6AXT 58x27. will be held in Paris, France on 7- He prefers CW skeds and can be

RadCom • February 1998 69 VI-IFIUI-IF

reached on the Internet at offers an explanation. He sug- mode signals (on the inner relative ea2lu@pna. servicom. es gests why bother to work stations to the braid) was shown in Fig 3 of Dave Butler, G4ASR (I081), on 6m MS when you can easily EMC that column. If a filter with 'braid contact them via Es? copied some very long bursts of DAVID LAUDER, GOSN O breaking' is required, the filter can 2-3min. On 6m he completed with In January' s VHF/UHF I men- 20 Sutherland Close, Barnet, Herts ENS 2JL be combined with a length of mini- DL4MDQ and 0E2UKL around tioned the latest version of E-mail: [email protected] ature coaxial cable wound through 0635. From 0657 he was on 2m OH5IY's MSSOFT program a ferrite ring. Although this is not and completed on SSB with 27 RADI050.ZIP. When you unzip HIS MONTH'S column a true transformer type 'braid gives practical details of stations in 11 countries. So, it it, all the files will be in one direc- breaker', it gives excellent results filters and ferrite chokes may well be that we are in for the tory, or folder if you run Win- T on most HF bands and has the for terrestrial TV, cable TV and predicted Leonids storm this year. dows 95. To get the displays of advantage of a lower pass-band activity, the `1\4' data files - eg satellite TV, particularly in areas loss than the transformer type. THE GEMINIDS GEM97.M - must be grouped in where terrestrial TV signals are The photo below shows this their own MSDATA sub-direc- weak. When a filter is required to home constructed filter and a fer- G4ASR participated in the annual prevent breakthrough of amateur tory or sub-folder. If not, you will rite ring choke housed in a plastic Bavarian Contest Club's transmissions on a neighbour' s TV get a message to say the data are box (Maplin Electronics type Geminids contest on 2m but or other equipment, it should: not available. MB1, stock No. LH2OW). Do not missed the peak. On 11/12 he • prevent breakthrough on all use a metal box, a metallised plas- completed with EA3BTZ (JN11), bands which you use or plan to FINAL ROUND-UP tic box or a box with a metal lid. on 12/12 with IC8FAX (JN70), use in future Even if the connectors are insu- on 13/12 with LY3GM (K014) THERE WERE NO reports of any • not degrade the TV picture no- lated from the box, the metal will and RW2F (K004) and on 14/12 band activity other than the EME ticeably add stray capacitance in parallel with SP2OFW (J093). All QS0s and MS news already reported. • be soundly constructed and un- with the ferrite ring. The strip of likely to develop a fault were on random CW at 2500 let- Any tropo openings that may have Veroboard for the filter should be • be neat, professional looking ters per minute. Dave doesn't like occurred were not mentioned ei- 22 holes long to fit in the slots in and as compact as possible this shower as it gives rather poor ther by post, fax or e-mail. the box. It should be glued in place • be neatly labelled to show what to keep it away from the ferrite performance in the easterly direc- Lack of activity is the subject it is and who owns it. ring. tion from his QTH. of the editorial in the December The last two points can be im- A ring made of Fair-Rite 43 OH5IY's raw count data at issue of Four Metres News. It has portant in some cases as neigh- material (available from the 87MHz for a 1300-1700km SW/ been raised from time to time in bours may object to the mere pres- RSGB) is wound with a length of VHF/UHF News and at RSGB NE path shows the peak to have ence of any filter, however well it 2.8mm diameter miniature 75S1 VHF Committee meetings. This been around midnight on 13/12. works. It is also possible that a TV coaxial cable such as Maplin problem is being studied by the Reflections were good in the service engineer may think it is XR88V. There is plenty of room RSGB Presidential Working 1800-0200 period. It would be unnecessary and may remove it. for 18 turns using less than one Group which is looking at the useful to have some more The AKD HPFS filter (RSGB metre of cable. To reduce stray future of the hobby. Geminids reports so as to get a Filter 3) is a high pass filter which capacitance, the winding is wound If you are interested in awards, more complete picture of the 1997 allows UHF TV signals to pass in two halves, taking care that all the Polish national society, PZK, through but has good rejection of shower. the turns are threaded through the promotes the SP-50MHz Award, all amateur bands 1.8 - 144MHz hole in the same direction (see also MS MISCELLANY the starting date for which is 1 (see the response curve in EMC, Fig 4 in the EMC section of any January 1995. The three classes June 1997). It also includes a 1:1 recent RSGB Call Book / Year- Bernie Gapinski, DK3XT, men- are: transformer 'braid breaker' to re- book). Self-locking cable ties se- tions a service for MS enthusiasts 1) for confirmed contacts with ject amateur signals (particularly cure the cable to the ring and the available in the USA. Called 'MS 10 Polish stations located in HF) which may be picked up 'on ring to the box. A 0.9m length of Rocks Live', it is a web service six middle field locators the braid' of the TV aerial feeder. this miniature coaxial cable adds that allows near realtime exchange This filter is likely to 2) for 20 SPs in 12 middle fields of mes sages . The originator is Bob solve the majority of Colyard, but Bernie did not men- 3) for 30 SPs located in all nine TVI problems except: tion his callsign. Bob has now call areas and 20 middle fields. • on the 430 - 440MHz kindly dedicated some of his web If you want further details, send amateur band where space to 'European Rockers' and me an SASE for a photocopy. Filter 5 or Filter 8 are required you can access it at http:// • in areas where the TV www.cybercomm.net/cgi-bin/ DEADLINES signal is weak and cgiwrap/slapshot/mseuro.sh RATHER A LEAN month for re- the pass band loss Serafim Matos da Silva, CT4KQ, ports so let's hope there are more causes a noticeable says there is a realtime MS 'chat next month. The deadline for the loss of picture qual- room' on the Internet at http:// April issue is 12 February - note ity. 194.65 .81.43/ham/cluster.html it's very early due to the short There have been comments on month - and for May it is 19 LOW LOSS TVI FILTERS the Internet about the lack of MS March. I have a new telephone activity on 6m. This mode should answering and fax machine but it For weak signal areas, a be, and is, quite easy, producing is still on 0181 763 9457. lower loss filter is re- good reflections with much less My CompuServe ID is g3fpk quired, such as the one described in EMC, June Top: AKD HPFS filter. Middle: Boxed ferrite ring ERP than is considered necessary and the Internet address is g3fpk@ choke and high pass filter with coaxial connectors 1997. The response of on 2m. Dan, WA7TPZ (CN92), compuserve.com • for UHF TV. Bottom: Boxed ferrite ring choke this filter for differential with 'F' type connectors for cable TV.

70 RadCom • February 1998 EMC

dB loss coaxial cable, which is about 2dB connectors cannot be threaded in 50Q Impedance at 1800MHz, but the mismatch through a ring, the only practical test circuit /2 A due to the panel-mounted 'F' type solution is to use a large split fer- AT 20K connectors which are only in- rite yoke ring core as shown be- 40 L1OK tended for use below 1000MHz. low. Ferrite yoke rings from scrap -5K The mismatch introduced by two CRT deflection coils normally A 30 3K Maplin FE98G 'F' type sockets have the right permeability for starts to become significant above amateur EMC applications, al- though the results can be some- 20 B -1K 800MHz and can cause a loss of up to 20dB at some frequencies what variable. Other types of scrap D \ MK ^500 around 1800MHz! ferrite cores such as transformer 10 cores normally have completely 300 Better quality 'F' type sockets -100 different RF characteristics and may be available but unless these E are not suitable. A typical 1.5m 0 0 are specified for use up to 2GHz, 1.8 3 5 7 10 14 21 28 50 70 144MHz long SCART lead is only long 24 the best solution is to get a 1.5m A 18 enough to allow about seven turns length of 75S1 satellite TV cable 13 however. The typical impedance C such as CT100 type. Thread it of a seven turn winding on a yoke D seven times through two RSGB E - 0 RSGB RC1671 ring core are shown by curve 'C' ferrite rings as shown below. The in Fig 1. cable should be wound loosely as Fig 1: Impedance of various windings on ferrite cores: (A) 18 turns of miniature coaxial cable on one Fair-Rite grade 43 ring. (B) 7 turns of standard coaxial shown because bending it too CLIP-ON CORES cable on two Fair-Rite grade 43 rings. (C) 7 turns of coaxial cable or SCART sharply will damage it. The im- cable on a ferrite yoke ring core. (D) 8 turns of miniature coaxial cable on a Clip-on ferrite cores such as the pedance of this winding is shown Maplin BZ34M clip-on ferrite core (E) A single 'turn' of cable on a Maplin BZ34M Maplin BZ34M (see photo on page by curve 'B' in Fig 1. As this loose clip-on ferrite core (cable passing straight through). 72) are useful for cables which winding doesn't look very nice, it cannot be threaded through a ring should only be used in neighbours' only about ldB of additional loss acts as the centre pin of the plug. core. It is important to ensure that satellite systems if there is no other in the UHF TV band. The imped- Maplin FE98X plugs are suitable the two halves of the core can ance of the winding to common but need to be fitted using a crimp- solution. Two 'F' type plugs should close together without the slight- mode signals Con the braid') is ing tool. Alternatively, there is a be fitted to the cable and an 'F' est air gap. A core with a 13mm shown by curve 'A' in Fig 1. screw-on type (FUO4E) which type straight coupler should be diameter hole can accommodate does not require crimping. used to connect this to the satellite about six turns of thin loudspeaker CABLE TV downlead. This coupler should be cable or eight turns of miniature SATELLITE TV The December 1997 EMC Col- a high quality type suitable for use coaxial cable. An eight turn wind- umn explained how to tackle The downlead from the LNB (Low up to 2GHz. ing gives the characteristics shown breakthrough of amateur transmis- Noise Block converter) in a satel- by curve 'D' in Fig 1. The poorer CHOKED SCART CABLES sions on a television set connected lite TV dish carries the first IF at high frequency performance com- to a cable TV system. If break- 950 - 1750MHz on older systems In some cases of HF breakthrough pared to a ring core is due to greater through occurs on the HF bands or 950 - 1950MHz on newer sys- on a TV, video recorder or satellite stray capacitance in parallel with and other types of filtering have tems covering the Astra 1D satel- receiver, a ferrite ring is required the winding. not cured the problem, it may be lite. The coaxial cable is normally on the SCART cable in addition to For a thick cable which can only necessary to fit a ferrite ring on the fairly well screened with foil and other types of filtering. This can pass through the core once, the cable to the RF input of the cable braid so there should be little leak- also be used to reduce RFI radi- impedance is shown by curve E' TV converter box. One solution is age of signals into or out of the ated by some types of TV. As in Fig 1. A single 'turn' on this to wind standard coaxial cable cable. Nevertheless, the braid of SCART cables are thick and the type of core generally has little or through two ferrite rings but a the cable can act as a receiv- no effect on the HF bands. neater and more effective solution ing aerial for amateur HF sig- Three or four cores in series is one ferrite ring in a small plastic nals and can also radiate may start to give a useful im- box. The photo on page 70 shows QRM generated by the dig- pedance but this becomes ex- a ferrite ring in a box fitted with ital electronics in some satel- pensive unless you can find panel mounted 'F' type sockets lite receivers. Either prob- these cores surplus at a rally. such as Maplin FE98G. A UHF lem can be tackled by wind- UP ON THE ROOF high-pass filter should not be in- ing the satellite downlead cluded for cable TV applications. through a ferrite core near Bruce Piggott, GONSH, re- The ferrite ring and cable are the the indoor receiver. Other ports that recently, one of his same as described above but the types of filter cannot be fit- neighbours had a satellite TV box can be smaller, for example a ted in a satellite TV downlead system installed. Previously, Maplin H2855 ABS box (BZ72P). as it also carries the DC sup- when the neighbour only had This box has ridges all round the ply to the LNB. one coaxial downlead from inside which must be trimmed off The boxed ferrite ring de- the TV aerial, there had been where the 'F' type sockets are fit- scribed above for cable TV no problem. Now that a sec- ted. This can be done carefully might appear suitable for sat- ond downlead had been in- using a quarter inch woodworking ellite TV but when I tested it stalled for the satellite dish, it

chisel! up to 1800MHz, I found that Top: A length of 6.6mm diameter coaxial cable appeared that the braids of the A short length of coaxial cable the loss increases signifi- wound onto two Fair-Rite grade 43 rings. Centre: two downleads were acting with 'F' type plugs is also required. cantly above 850MHz. The A scrap deflection coil assembly from a small as two halves of an HF dipole. CRT and a the split ferrite yoke ring core from a Note that with these plugs, the problem is not so much the larger CRT. Bottom: A SCART cable wound onto This was receiving Bruce's centre core of the coaxial cable loss in 0.9m of miniature a ferrite yoke ring core. HF transmissions and feed-

RadCom • February 1998 71 lems to be solved without the need The general principle to be re- for a ladder! DATA membered is that people should look for local mirrors when trying LOW PASS FILTER? ROGER J COOKE, G3LDI to obtain files. Thanks to David The Old Nursery, The Drift, Swardeston, Woolley for this information. SOME CATALOGUES claim that Norwich NR 14 8LQ an HE low pass filter 'dramati- E-mail: [email protected] cally reduces the chance of TV AN EPIC CONCEPT EQUESTS FOR help have interference from ham radio or BACK IN 1994, HP and Intel got reached' me from those try- CB'. This type of claim seems to R together and announced they were rig to access various have been lifted directly from to design a breakthrough proces- Internet sites to obtain software American sales literature and is sor, code-named Merced. Indus- programs mentioned in previous not applicable to the UK where try barely raised an eyebrow; the columns, especially sbfft12.zip terrestrial TV broadcasting only obstacles seemed too formidable. uses the UHF band, 470-860MHz. (Data Steam, July 1997). David The whole project seemed like There has, of course, been no VHF Woolley, G3ZZF, commented that another case of vapourware. TV broadcasting in the UK since the main problem with the original However, things have moved 405 line transmissions ceased in URL is that it points to a site in quite dramatically with Intel and Top: Maplin BZ34M clip-on ferrite core 1984. The use of a low pass filter Scandinavia, which is not well HP now discussing their work on with 13mm diameter hole. Bottom: A with a cut-off frequency around connected to the UK. Meanwhile, length of miniature coaxial cable the now completed IA-64 instruc- 35MHz at the output of an ama- Simtelnet is one of the primary wound onto a clip-on ferrite core. tion set. Leading design engineers teur HE transmitter is a wise pre- MS-DOS archives and is mirrored presented papers at the Micro- ing them into the satellite receiver caution against harmonic radia- by almost every server supporting and/or the TV set. The result was tion but don't expect it to cure TV a Microsoftuser base. Nearly every breakthrough, particularly on the interference in the UK! Internet Service Provider is likely 18MHz band. to have it on their own local FTP Fortunately, Bruce was on good ANY OLD `STATS? site, eg for Demon: ftp:// terms with his neighbours. He FOLLO WING THE item on ther- ftp.demon.net/pub/simtelnet/ loaned the neighbour an AKD mostat RFI in EMC, October 1997, msdos/hamradio/sbfft12.zip HPFS filter for fitting into the I received an e-mail from some- Failing that, the best connected downlead from the terrestrial TV one in the RA who is investigating public site in the UK is almost aerial. This completely cured the certainly Imperial College: ftp:// breakthrough but caused a notice- why some types of gas boiler ther- sunsite.doc.ic.ac.uk/Mirrors/ able increase in noise on the TV mostat are prone to arcing when ftp.cdrom.com/pub/simtelnet- signal which is already weak at they wear out. He would like to Bruce's QTH in Welwyn Garden obtain some arcing gas boiler ther- msdos/hamradio/sbfft12.zip City. Bruce then asked the neigh- mostats for testing. If you have an Apparently, the Lancaster URL bour to remove the filter and turned old thermostat which was removed I quoted is not particularly good his attention to the new satellite from your own gas boiler due to because it is a dynamically con- downlead. Passing the cable once arcing, or if you are in the business structed page from a site that is not through a clip-on ferrite core near of servicing gas boilers, please that well connected. It is not even the satellite receiver had no effect contact me at the address at the top the proper reference for the file so Bruce tried fitting it elsewhere. of this column. itself, which would have been: Fitting it to the cable half way up http://micros.hensa.ac.uk/cgi- the outside wall resulted in some LIGHT PROGRAM ME bin/browser/get: improvement and moving it up by mirrors/simtelnet/ THE DECEMBER EMC column Columnist Roger Cooke, the gutter had even more effect. ms do s/hamradio/ included an item on low voltage G3LDI, seen here during a Bruce then climbed up a ladder recent visit to RSGB HQ. lighting. Word on this subject has sbfft12.zip onto the roof of the bungalow and This is also dy- found a point half way up the roof arrived from Ron Watkins, namic; the problem with dynamic processor Forum in California in where the ferrite core completely GOMYE. His next-door-but-one pages is that they take more re- October 1997. Forget Risc and cured the breakthrough on 18MHz. neighbour spent £500 on having sources on the server. As a result Cisc technology, they said. The and also on other bands. low voltage lighting installed in they are slower and, normally, future henceforth will be Epic (Ex- As shown by curve 'E' in Fig 1, 1996. The installation consists of cannot be cached by intermediate plicitly Parallel Instruction Com- a single turn on a clip-on core 18 miniature 12 volt spotlights with only introduces an impedance of dichroic reflectors, powered by caches, meaning that they have to puting). Epic technology intro- about 100Q at 18MHz. This is nine electronic transformers. Ron be fetched end to end, rather than duces a number of concepts all to generally too low to have any reports that the QRM from the from the copy in the local server enable more parallelism, the si- useful effect unless it is positioned electronic transformers extends providers' cache. multaneous execution of inde- at a certain point on a cable where over 300 yards and affects the LW Even Lancaster mirror it on their pendent instructions, even with it can damp a resonance on a cer- and MW broadcast bands and ftp site, and it is probably from that large chunks of code. tain band. You are, of course, amateur bands up to 14MHz. His site that their cgi-bin/browser pro- There are any number of possi- advised not to climb up on your next door neighbour also reports gram actually gets it: ftp:// ble developments that can be made neighbour's roof, even if you are interference from the electronic micros .hensa.ac.uk/mirrors/ to the micro architecture to gener- on good terms with them! The transformers on his MW radio. It simtelnet/msdos/hamradio/ ate an IA-64 family of processors. filters and ferrite ring chokes de- remains to be seen what can be sbfft12.zip Merced is simply the present code scribed in this month's EMC col- done in this case and I would be name for the anticipated first gen- umn should enable most TVI prob- interested to hear of any others. • Packet: G3LDI@GB7DI eration of IA-64 silicon imple-

72 RadCom • February 1998 Ete ye Forme. Me O D C a In- S .d. Back Seep Flrareth Hone Some Forefeet Mist Feat Mal

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Those with Internet facilities e BM/LW • nthrors/sindebteemsdoehairtradio t ie lp Select the nanu of a file to download it A fie marked with CI 'sate.« file and mig ilht contort:1 usefi QRP who wish to look at the Whiterook descriptive text A file marked with è is an archive of other files, selecang its fienarne downloads it and range of products can find them on selectos tir browses rts contents Search REV GEORGE DOBBS, G3RJV their webpage at www.west.net/ St Aidan's Vicarage, 498 Manchester Road, elar tram 0 lABC DE VG HIJ KL MN OP R S T V W XY —wpc/ Parent directory Rochdale OLI I 3HE Their postal address is (Subject o E-mail: g3dv©gclrp.demon.co.uk Whiterook Products Company, .- -- d rowse LJ oo mda,cen io Dec 971133R 309 South Brookshire Ave, ECENTLY I HAVE been Ventura, CA 93003, USA. 1 looking at a range of prod-

* IHEot04 rep W M 30 Jun 96 79 25K Software from Simtelnet ucts offered by a Califor- 1 Omuf04 sto[ Wi 301 = 96 6783 K R is available from the nian company, Whiterook Prod- NORCAL CHALLENGE Imperial College website. A ucts, which includes an interesting AN OPEN RADIO design compe- array of small Morse keys for port- tition has been announced by the able operation. Northern California QRP Club The ones which attracted my (NorCal). Inspired by Wayne mentation of the architecture by around. The users have multiplied attention were a miniature straight Burdick, N6KR, it is to be judged Intel, to be launched in 1999. dramatically in the last decade, key and a miniature iambic pad- at the 1998 Dayton Hamvention in In contrast, Deschutes, another but are they all members of the dle. The Model MK-11 Pocket May. Should anyone in the UK Intel code word, refers to Intel's local packet users group? Will they Micro Key, a conventional straight wish to take up the challenge but forthcoming second generation of all lend a hand to support the work Morse key, is only 2 x 1 x 1.6 cannot attend the Dayton IA-32 architecture Pentium II proc- involved in setting up Nodes etc? inches and weighs one ounce. A Hamvention, I will be willing to essors. To see how different prod- It cannot all be left to the Sysop to small knob pushes on a flexible take along and submit the entry. ucts implementing the same archi- pick up the tab on all the costs piece of printed circuit board which To quote their rules: "The ob- tectural model can be, consider involved. There is another old in turn operates a micro-switch on ject of this contest is to build a the difference between the 386 cliché which goes, 'If you want to the base. The MK-11 sells for ham-band transceiver using only processor, introduced by Intel in dance, you have to pay the band'. $10.95 in the USA. one kind of active device, the ven- 1985 as the first implementation So, hopefully, you will consider The Model MK-44 Pocket Iam- erable 2N2222 NPN transistor. of the IA-332 architecture model, getting involved. Together we can bic Mini-Paddle is a 2 x 2 x 1.6 NPN transistors can function at all and the current generation of make the network one to be en- inch iambic paddle key which stages of a radio, oscillators, RF or 266MHz Pentium II processors. vied, but sitting on your butt will weighs 1.6 ounces. It allows full AF amplifiers, mixers, switching achieve little. Of course, there are iambic operation from two flex- and timing circuits, and you get to GET INVOLVED! many who do support their local ible arms which make contact to a use up to 22 of them! groups, to whom I offer my sincer- central ground post. Specifically SOME 12 YEARS ago we were est thanks. I have seen pictures QRP column 1st Rev George encouraged is on the edge of the packet data of these keys used Dobbs, G3R JV, shows off a revolution. It was going to be pos- with miniature port- circuit durin g his forum at PACKET IN THE USA Dayton Ha mvention 1997. sible to send your mail to the far able QRP transceiv- Perhaps he c ould be showing flung corners of the planet and WE ARE SEVERELY limited ers. The MK-44 off your 2N2 2222 transceiver receive a reply almost the same when it comes to VHF/UHF fre- sells for $12.95 in circuit at thi s year's Dayton Hamvention (see text). day! Well, we are now on the sec- quency availability and there have the USA. ond decade of this so-called revo- been some comments about the Also from White- lution and it seems that we have amount of channels we are at rook Products is a Pocket Centre competition from Internet cramp- present using for data. But com- Insulator MK-66, a centre insula- ing our style. By now we should pared to the USA, our situation is tor for dipole and similar antennas have in the UK a backbone for- farcical! There is a far better ama- which incorporates an SO-239 warding of at least 19.2kbaud with teur band allocation there and it's socket and wing nut terminals to user access at 9600 baud mini- no wonder they can have very take the dipole wires. The whole is mum and none of this slow snail- little inter-nodal problems, with mounted in a weatherproof box, 2 pace 1200 baud stuff. all the available frequencies to use. x 2 x 1.4 inches, and weighs 1.6 Why are we not moving ahead? They don't even have to ask when ounces. The MK-66 sells for $12.95 in the USA. The story about the hen who was they wish to set up a node or BBS, A very novel item sold by the making bread serves as an appro- although relying on individuals is firm is the QRP Pocket LED Min- priate allegory. The hen asked for not the way to go. Having this many channels makes it much Light! This is a tiny box - 2 x 2 x help from all the other farm ani- 0.7 inches - which houses three mals, who, it appeared were far easier to setup networks with little conflict. • super bright LEDs which are said too busy, so she ended up making to provide a beam of distributed outright theft of existing circuits it alone. When she asked who to build the transceiver. In fact, tà. FU RT HE R RE A DIN G light for portable operation. The would like to help eat the bread, light is weighed at the back so that you don't necessarily have to de- Packet Radio Primer suddenly everybody was free! it can be placed on top of a small sign a thing; if you want, just glue by Dave Coomber, G8UYZ, This is aimed at those users who transceiver to provide light in front together existing circuits. But do it and Marlyn Croft, G8NZU wonder why it takes more than a of the rig. It is operated by an with style! day to get mail to Australia, or Your First Packet Station external 12 volt source and draws This contest will appeal to those why a DX Cluster is down, or why by Steve Jelly, GOWSJ about 20mA. who are all thumbs, since the fin- the local Node is so slow. The Watch this space for reports on ished rigs will not be judged by Available from the RSGB Book answer is quite simple; get your Whiterook's MX44 twin paddle appearance or construction tech- Shop. See pages 92 and 93. heads out of the sand and look and MK11 Straight Key. nique, just by what they do and

RadCom • February 1998 73 how well they do it. The winner radio will be inferred from the capacitor to resonate the loop. Tune will have the honour of having his schematics and from the test re- SWL until you find the big RTTY signal or her design named the official sults you supply. However, those on 73.3MHz, or the HBG beacon `NorCal 2222 Transceiver'! rigs that are deemed safe to oper- BOB TREACHER, BRS 32525 on 75.0MHz. Try values around 93 Elibank Road, Eltham, SE9 There will of course be tangible ate may also be tested on the air 2200pF until it produces maxi- E-Mail: [email protected] prizes, too, and there's always the using real antennas. (If the judges mum signal. That's all that is possibility that the winning design have a lot of fun with your radio, it needed to get going! HE CHILTERN DX Club might become a NorCal kit. Rules: can' t hurt your chances. If they fry Set the receiver for CW - you DXpedition to Spratly Is- 1) The 2N2222 is the cockroach of their power supply and get dirty will need 500Hz bandwidth or less land (see January RadCom, T - rotate the loop antenna for the NPN transistors: no matter what faces from exploding electrolytics, page 69) takes place between 13 happens to us or to the planet, it 'will' hurt your chances. Since lowest background noise and then and 22 February and I am han- you'll still be able to find them in you never know who might be disconnect it and make sure the dling all SWL reports. If any lis- huge quantities. Your task is to use judging - we certainly don't, try to noise level drops with no antenna tener hears the expedition and these ubiquitous parts to design a make your radio foolproof") connected - this is to make sure wants a QSL card direct, they can radio for a post-apocalyptic world; Entries will be judged at 8pm send their card direct to me with a radio that could be built in any Saturday night at Dayton 1998 at suitable postage. If you are happy country, no matter how remote it the Day's hm, Dayton South in the trignere m om may be from Silicon Valley. QRP Hospitality room. Have fun! to receive your 9MOC QSL card via the RSGB QSL Bureau, please 2) You may use up to 22 2N2222- This contest is sponsored by send it 'via G3SWH' who will family transistors, including the NorCal QRP Club and the deci- sion of the judges chosen by forward all the cards to me. 11-79 AWARD 2N2222, 2N2222A, PN2222, Nu C-037 PN2222A, exact NTE equivalent, NorCal is final." 11115 S IC COPP 11IM: etc. You can use as many other 73kHz REVISITED

Bill McCoosichie electronic and mechanical com- CZEBRIS CONTEST I HAVE RECEIVED an update ponents as you like (including di- THIS IS AN annual event jointly on the 73kHz scene from Stephen BRS 88921 odes), as well as any kind of pack- sponsored by the G QRP Club and Dyke, G3ROZ. He sees 73kHz as aging. But do not use ICs, other the Ok QRP Club. Summary of the a band where SWL activity is re- 70 YfiiRS MUIR' INDIO IN BULGARIA transistor types, or mixers such as ally important and offers a simple DDLSlALINIG QMCI5 &IFH 10 Di ir:F ini Rules: Fur gairipulim lot LZ Cbotvai 19,fi the Tuf-1 or SBL-1 etc. 1) When: 160OUTC 27 Feb - 'frame' antenna as a good starting "44 3) Feel free to incorporate parts of 2359UTC 1 Mar. point to get listeners on to the published circuits into your de- band: Fig 1. Such an antenna is 2) Where: CW only on 3560, 7030, sign. Cite all references used, and considered advisable as, if the lis- 14060, 21060, 28060 (all ±). try not to 'borrow' more than 25% tener has a local noise source Certificate awarded to Bill 3) Power: not to exceed 5W out- of your design from any single nearby, the frame will null it out. McConachle, BRS88921, for his put. Stations unable to measure participation and second place in the article. Also, let us know which A visit to the local DIY store to LZ DX Contest in 1996. output can calculate using half their circuits you designed from scratch, buy four 1 m lengths of plastic DC input (eg 10W DC = 5W RF or modified, and explain what you tubular conduit, four 90 degree that the noise from the antenna is output). learned or observed in the integra- angle pieces, two wall mounting greater than that produced by the tion process. 4) Call `CQ ARP'. U-brackets and a broom handle receiver. If it is not, the receiver is 4) The transceiver may operate on 5) Exchange: RST/Power/Name. will make up the frame. Simply not sensitive enough and work will any ham band(s) and any legal 6) Scoring: Stations may only be make the conduit and angle pieces have to be done before any ama- mode(s), but must meet FCC regu- worked once per band. Only QRP/ into a lm square and wind 16 turns teurs will be heard, even if the lations. QRP contacts may be counted. of aerial wire inside. Mount it ver- RTTY signal is 59++. If all is well, 5) For each design you submit, tically on the broom handle boom G3ROZ suggests that early Sun- Your loe QS0 with QRP station: please provide the following: with the U-brackets. Make the sim- day morning is a good time to UK OK/OM Europe Non- a) Working prototype of the de- ple IC op-amp `balun' (using a listen. He suggests tuning between Europe sign low noise high dynamic range op- 72.0 and 73.5kHz, and waiting for UK 2 4 2 3 amp). Adjust the Select On Test someone to appear. He proved that b) Complete, readable schematic OK/OM 4 2 2 3 on one 8.5in x 1 1 in page European 4 4 1 2 c) One-page, typed description of Non-European 4 4 2 1 1k the design, including operating in- No multipliers, final score is total number of points. 1k 22p structions 7) Logs: separate sheets for each 2200p 1 d) Results from your own bench To Rx 2200p band showing (for each QSO) Ae skt tests. Judging: Entries will be 6 Date, Time, Call, Exchanges (RST/ I2200p-4- 1k AD797 II Oc judged strictly by how creatively Power/Name) sent/received. Also D 7 the designer applied the 2N2222 include a summary sheet showing 'Balun" in his or her design. Entries will be your name and callsign, claimed 22p = not be judged by appearance, con- score for each band, and brief de- struction techniques, finish detail, tails of you station. AD797 etc, nor on how many 2N2222s -V 8) UK stations send logs to G3XJS 0, 40 — (12 to 15V -) were actually used (for example, Out-0 the judges will not be impressed All other stations send logs to P To 0 by the use of a 2N2222s base- Doudera, OK1CZ, Ul.Baterie 1, .8,1. emitter junction as a simple switch- 16200, Praha 6, Czech Republic. +V RSGB RC1 670 (12 to 15V +) ing diode). 9) All logs to be received by 15 In general, performance of the April. • Fig 1: Active LF antenna using an op-amp.

74 RadCom • February 1998 the frame antenna worked when DX WATCH of South Midlands Communica- he heard G3LDO at 083OUTC at a tions Ltd. The Camel Trophy men- YOUR LETTERS this month sug QSL distance of 150km with the an- gest that the amateur bands are tioned on the card is a combina- tenna only a few feet above ground JOHN HALL, G3KVA tion of competition, expedition and finally starting to deliver. Indeed, Corfe Lodge, Ipswich Road, Long Stratton, level. the Solar Flux Indexwas approach- Norfolk NR I 5 2 TA adventure held annually since 1981 It seems that most 73kHz activ- ing 120 at the time of writing this. in some of the remotest parts of the ity is from south-east England, but globe. Teams from four continents, The long awaited improvement is IRST, NEWS of a change many amateurs have, as yet, failed under way, which makes 1998, in on the Sub Manager front. using Landrover vehicles, com- to make contacts and are desper- terms of good openings on 21, 24 George Ripley, GD3AHV, pete against nature and themselves ate to receive SWL reports to prove F and 28MHz, full of promise. Al- has given up the position of Sub to win this coveted trophy. that their signal is being heard. ready, stations from the USA are Manager for the GD series and has Not being on the band myself, it being heard on 24 and 28MHz, been replaced by Andrew Kissack, SPRATLY CARDS would be interesting to hear from and 24MHz is opening at around GDOTEP, whose address is 30 any listener with their experiences THERE IS A DXpedition to the 0900 on some days to the Far East of conditions and activity at 73kHz Highview Road, Douglas, Isle of Spratly Islands between 13 and 22 and to ZL. Remembering the poor Man IM2 5BH. February (see January RadCom, All-Time scores offered by almost Meanwhile, Gordon Foote, ISWL ACTIVITY all listeners on 24MHz when the page 69) and the call will be 9MOC. G7NCR, who looks after the In a moment of weakness, Phil AS IN PREVIOUS years, the In- last All Time table appeared, the G6AAA to G6ZZZ series, has in- Whitchurch, G3SWH, agreed to ternational Short Wave League time is fast approaching when it is formed me that he has changed be the QSL Manager for the call (ISWL) will be activating the club necessary to check that band (and address. He has moved to 64 Sta- callsign GX4BJC/P in 1998. This 18MHz) before deciding to spend and, under normal circumstances, ble Yard, Tyntesfield, Wrexall, year the operating rota will ensure most of your listening time on we would send all the incoming Bristol BS48 1NS. that the GN, GS and GC prefixes 14MHz. cards to his QSL Sub Manager. Gordon also raised a couple of are aired. Any listener who hears There were quite a few reports However, the expedition is confi- points; after receiving several the special callsign will be able to of the CQ W W SSB weekend on dently expected to generate some boxes of cards from the Bureau, obtain a special QSL card from the 25 and 26 October 1997. There 40,000 QS0s and most of the re- QSL Manager GODBX. were two real advantages - 14MHz most envelopes never have cards sultant QSL cards will turn up at The full rota is: February staying open all night and 28MHz for them, and most cards have no the Bureau. GX4BJC/P by GOKOC (Didcot); offering DX for quite a large por- envelopes. Gordon says most ama- To save the Sub-Manager Pat March GX4BJC/P by GOLCB tion of the day. teurs are too optimistic about the McVey, GOPXJ, who covers the (Wantage); April GX4BJC/P by Philip Davies, RS95258, con- numbers of cards they will receive, G3R to T series from being totally GOLGF (Norfolk); May GX4BJC/ sidered his best logging that week- lodging far too many envelopes overwhelmed, we are going to P by GODBX (Louth); June end was V8EA, who was heard on for the returns they actually extract the 9MOC cards at the Bu- GN4BJC/P by GI4CBG (Belfast); 3.808MHz at 2240 on the Sunday achieve. reau level and forward them July GS4BJC/P by GMOPK W (Isle evening. Apart from CQ W W, he straight on to Phil. of Lewis); August GX4BJC/P by referred to the California QS0 TOUGH TRAVELS G4IUF (Harrogate); September Party at the beginning of October A STRANGE CALL GX4BJC/P by G4EUI (Birming- when 21MHz came alive to W6 PICTURED BELO W is a detail ham); October GX4BJC/P by and W7 once the contest started! from the colourful card used by COLIN MORGAN, GW3RYR/ GOIYZ (Derby); November On LF, the best logging was argu- JT1FB W which is the club station 7Q7CM, wrote to me about the GC4BJC/P by GW3CN W (North ably that of5A2A on 1.8MHz SSB, odd callsign Wales); December GX4BJC/P by while on 17MHz best DX was FoA8H I referred MOBAX (Christchurch). possibly KHO/JP1UEE. • to in the July 1996 QSL. Colin says that the A8 might CQ WORLD WIDE 160m RULES have been the 1) The objective is to hear as many countries, US states and Canadian provinces as possible on the 160m band. prefix for Liberia When: SSB: 220OUTC 27 February to 160OUTC 1 March 1998. (if that was the Sections: Single and multi-operator sections. prefix in the '30s) Scoring: Stations from the SWLs own country count 2 points. Stations from other because many of countries in the same continent as the SWL count 5 points. Stations from countries in other continents count 10 points. the world's mer- Multiplier: Each DXCC country (not Wand VE), US state and Canadian Province chant vessels are/ heard counts as a multiplier. Countries are those on the current DXCC list plus were registered in additional countries from the WAE list (IT9, GM Shetland Is, etc). that country. Final Score: Total points multiplied by the total number of multipliers (DX countries, states and provinces). Colin says that it Awards: A plaque will be awarded to the overall winner of both the SSB and CW is possible that sections. Certificates of merit will be sent to the runner-up and third placed SWL in G2XG's ship was each section and the leading listener in each DXCC country, providing the listener has at least 25% of the winner's score. so registered. He Logs: Logs should show Date, Time (UTC), station heard, RS(T) report and country thinks the Fo bit prefix or country abbreviation, USA state or Canadian province given by station refers to G2XG's heard, RS(T) report of station heard [no report shall be less than 33 (9) and reports are not expected to be 59 (9) in every case], station worked, multiplier, points. Any rank - First Of- unmarked duplicate will lose 10 times the logging value. IBM and MS-DOS ficer? compatible logs will be accepted. A Multiplier check list must be provided. Entries: Logs mustbe postmarked no later than 27 March 1998. Please enclose 2 IRC or $1 for Results Booklet. Logs must be sent to CQ 160 Contest Director, Bob RSGB QSL Bureau, PO Treacher BRS32525, 93 Elibank Road, Eltham, London 5E9 1QJ, England. Box 1773, Potters Bar, Hens EN6 3EP, England

RadCom • February 1998 75 lations. The position will be de- development of Amateur Radio. IARU veloped by the Council following Tom Atkins, VE3CDM, was ap- the receipt of the final report of pointed chairman. JOHN ALLA WAY, G3FKM* FASC in September 1998. (12) A resolution was adopted TIM HUGHES, G3GVV 6) A budget for 1998-2000 was encouraging the promotion and 10 Farm Lane, Tonbridge TNI 0 3DG adopted as submitted by the Inter- development of Amateur Radio national Secretariat. The budget digital technology. OLLO WING THE Region includes provision for financial (13) The Council recognized the 3 Conference in Beijing, the contributions from the three re- need to review the structure of the IARU Administrative F gional organizations to defray a Carl Watson, W1NV/GOVLW, sent in this IARU to ensure its long-term vi- Council held a meeting to set in QSL from LA4QC who served on the 1949 portion of the expenses that are ability, and as a first step, decided to 1952 Norwegian-Swedish-British motion a number of proposals. assumed by the International Sec- that an ad hoc committee be desig- Antarctic Expedition. These are highlighted below: retariat beyond its constitutional nated by the president to provide a 1) The ITU meetings at which obligation. preliminary report for the next MORE ABOUT 'JOE' IARU representation will be re- (7) Planning for IARU participa- meeting of the Council. quired during the coming year were THIS COLUMN has previously tion in the next World TELECO M (14) Reports were received from reported that some customers felt identified and the appointment of (Geneva, 1999) was reviewed. A the international co-ordinators and that returns from Brian 'Joe' Poole, representatives was announced by report was received from Region 1 advisers who report to the Council 9Q5MRC, were less than satisfac- the President after with the Inter- on their preparation for amateur on specialized areas of interest, tory (see QSL, August and Octo- national Secretariat. The Council radio participation in TELECOM and they were re-appointed to new ber 1997). Happily, it would ap- reaffirmed that in the selection of 98 in South Africa which is being terms. They are Robert E Knowles, pear that these alleged problems representatives to such meetings, organized by the Region in ac- ZL1BAD, IARU Monitoring Sys- are now being resolved. Don Ma- appropriate consultation with the cordance with IARU policy. tem; John G Troster, W6ISQ, son, GOSOV, and Bill Watson, regional organizations shall take (8) The IARU Strategic Plan for IARU Beacon Project; Hans van G4EHT, have both informed me place. the Development of Support for de Groenendaal, ZS5AKV, IARU that they are now in receipt of QSL 2) The participation of the Re- Amateur Radio was updated. The Satellite Adviser; and Christian M cards for 9Q5MRC for which they gions in the activities of regional as sociated action plan for 1998-99 Verholt, OZ8CY, IARU EMC are both very grateful. and sub-regional telecommunica- was approved and has the goal of Adviser. tions organizations was reviewed. employing resources to enhance (15) Finding that the work of the BUREAU INSIGHT These organizations are assuming the support for amateur radio in Ad Hoc Beacon Committee could increasing importance. Africa. The implementation of the A REQUEST ABOUT how the be considered complete, the mem- 3) The Council agreed on instruc- plan will be co-ordinated between RSGB QSL Bureau works has bers were thanked for their valu- tions to be given to the IARU the International Secretariat and reached me from Dave Swift, able contribution and the commit- delegation to the 1997 World Ra- IARU Region 1. MOAVK. He says he has no idea tee was discharged. diocommunication Conference (9) The present and anticipated how often cards are despatched to (16) The theme for World Ama- (WRC-97). The International Sec- future requirements for radio spec- various countries or received from retariat will update this material as trum allocations to the Amateur teur Radio Day, 20 September other countries. As far as I am new information becomes avail- and Amateur-Satellite Services 1998, was selected as 'Amateur concerned, the Bureau sends out able. The core delegation will con- were reviewed, updated and ap- Radio - Communicating World- to other countries and to QSL Sub sist of Larry Price, W4RA; Michael proved. wide for Three Quarters of a Cen- Managers when there is a reason- Owen, VK3KI; and Wojciech (10) An Ad Hoc Monitoring Serv- tury'. The theme was chosen in able quantity of cards to go com- Nietyksza, SP5FM. ice Review Committee was ap- recognition of the anniversary of mensurate with the most cost ef- 4) The status of the action plan pointed to review the terms of ref- the first transoceanic two way ama- fective carriage rate. developed by the 7MHz Strategy erence of the IARU Monitoring teur communication between Incoming cards come in very Committee and previously adopted System and make such recommen- France and the United States in erratically. Some weeks we have by the Council was reviewed. Fol- dations as to the future growth as it November 1923. The theme of no deliveries. Other weeks we are lowing WRC 97, information will may deem appropriate, Pedro World Amateur Radio Day in 1997 up to eyes in parcels from over- be sent out to Member Societies Seidermann, YV5BPG, was ap- is '35 Years of Amateur Radio in seas. Dave says he would like to updating the plan in the light of pointed chairman. Space'. Beginning in the year propose that a list of countries to decisions take at that conference. (11) An Amateur Radio Outlook 2000, World Amateur Radio Day which cards have been despatched 5) The second report published by Committee was established, in the will occur in April, on the anniver- and countries from which cards the Future of the Amateur Service light of changing technology and sary of the founding of the IARU have been received should be pub- Committee (FASC) was consid- the Internet, to make recommen- in Paris in 1925. lished monthly in this column. I ered. The Region 3 Conference dations as to the future growth and (17) The next regular meeting of don't have a problem with that has shared the results of a the Council will be held request but I honestly do not see comprehensive review of in Caracas, Venezuela, be- what such a list would achieve. the FASC report to the ginning on October 3, What it would do is get certain conference. These com- 1998, following the IARU people very excited, particularly ments will be incorporated Region 2 Conference. • if they were awaiting a card from into a further report to be a rare location and I listed that circulated as the next step The Calcutta Key has been country as having recently sent us in the process of develop- awarded to David Rankin, some cards. However, should their 9V1RH, "for outstanding ing an IARU position re- service to International card not be in that particular con- garding the possible revi- friendship". His daughter signment I can envisage getting sion of Article S25 of the Sheila (left) accepted the award on his behalf from some angry letters asking why it international radio regu- Young Amateur of the Year wasn't - a question that would be Emma Constantine,2E1BVJ, impossible for me to answer. • *For G3FAM is QIBR. at the RSGB AGM.

76 RadCom • February 1998 remarkable, with signals that are is the EWE antenna which fits into 'TEST' completely inaudible on the trans- a much smaller space and I can mit antenna standing right out from include details on it in a future ANDY COOK, G4PIQ the QRM. This is possible because column if there is sufficient inter- Fishers Farm, Colchester Rd, Tendring, Essex, lq PMililos E M B E R S CO 16 9AA. E-mail: g4piq©blacksheep.org Beverages show a surprising est. However, on the Internet, as amount of directivity for just a ever, you'll find information at relatively short piece of wire. • Peter Chapman, G3JSR, needs HE SUNSPOTS are now http://www.qth.com/ka9fox- help to make a balun to match an definitely on the climb. In case you haven't come across ewe_antennas.txt and http:// unmodified W WII type 1154 T Solar activity levels are one before, a basic Beverage is www.qth.com/ka9fox/ewe- simply a length of wire in a straight transmitter into a 50S1 LPF / quite variable at present with some vs_beverage.txt - line, supportedjust a few feet above ATU. It is required for the Duxford very active periods followed by the ground (usually around 4 to Radio Society, GB2IWM, part of some very quiet periods, and this ARRL DX EVE NTS makes for unpredictable condi- 8ft), fed against earth through a the Imperial War Museum. Please SO, WITH HOPES of high flux tions. However, with the flux head- 9:1 transformer at the near end, write to G3JSR, QTHR if you can numbers, and your shiny new Bev- ing up towards 120, the CW leg of and terminated to ground by help. erages, how about doing a contest! CQ W W at the end of November around 450Q at the far end (to Almost every year at this time I • Hugh Wynne, BRS89027, is had some excellent conditions on make it uni-directional). There are mention the ARRL DX events, on the look-out for circuits of very the high bands and on 10m in a number of 'magic lengths' sug- simple, ceramic-resonator particular. I'd been hoping to put gested for Beverages, but the ex- and I make no apology for doing it based, transistor oscillators for in a real effort for the contest, but act length is not overly important. again because they are great fun mediumwave 522 - 1611kHz, work prevented that so I had to Often quoted are roughly multi- contests in which you could be preferably able to work from a content myself with a little casual ples of 290ft for 80m and 160m - competitive with wire antennas 1.5V cell, together with methods operating using just a 160m di- the longer the antenna, the sharper with a little imagination, and they of audio amplitude modulation. pole. However, using this antenna the main lobe but also the smaller are also good ones for getting new- Please tel/ fax 0141 332 7153 or there were some really excellent the front to back. 580ft is a typical comers involved since the objec- write to 103 New City Rd, Glas- signals from the USA and else- length for top band, but with many tives are fairly straightforward and gow G4 9JX. where - for the first time in ages, people using a greater length, and the rules allow for lots of fun with- 10m sounded just like 15m! It was, with 290ft being about the short- out too many constraints. • Ray Elgy, G8EZT, needs a pro- therefore, a great shame that the est useful. gram for an EPRO M writer - same conditions didn't occur again Signals are consid- 'Sunshine' EW-901, about 5 - 8 during the ARRL 10m contest two erably weaker on the years old, on a 5.25M floppy disk. weeks later, where the USA guys Beverages than on Please write to G8EZT, QTHR if were quite weak and watery on my transmit antennas, but you can help. dodgy antenna system. they are mainly used • Ray Palmer, G3YJJ, requires The CW leg of CQ W W also on 160m and 80m, and a circuit diagram of the Micro- brought about some remarkable they can also be big wave Modules MMT 144 / 28 scores considering the equipment help on 40m. On all transverter. Please write to that some people were using. In these bands receivers G3YJJ, QTHR. the Caribbean, the multi-multi are usually external entry 6Y4A made some big totals noise limited, so there • R A Henshall, GOVJR, re- using just verticals and small Yagi is a fair bit of gain in quires circuit diagrams of Ardent contesters Rolando Caponi, LU2FYU, and antennas. Now, of course, this is hand, but watch it Roberto Marinesco, LU5FYV, (in the foreground) HAMEG Oscilloscope 20MHz at the multi-multi station LU4FM. much easier from the Caribbean around dawn if you are model HM203-5. Please call Mr than it is from over here, but their using an FT-1000MP Henshall on 01270 663093 if you QS0 total of almost 3800 on 40m, in the tuned front end position The aim is for the rest of the are able to help. where they just used two pairs of where the gain is depressed inside world to work the USA and • Malcolm Skull, MOBEB, is phased shortened verticals, is the lower amateur bands. Canada, and multipliers are US looking for operating and main- quite remarkable. Ron Stone, There are a whole variety of states and Canadian provinces tenance manual for an SE Labo- GW3YDX, did a single band tweaks which can be applied to worked on each band. Apart from ratories dual-beam oscilloscope 3.5MHz entry using just a delta Beverages, such as sloping the first the single operator sections, there EM102D with a two-channel loop on transmit and four Bever- few tens of feet at each end, run- are multi-single, multi-2 and multi- EMS 05 module fitted. If you can ages on receive to make a huge ning two wires phased and multi sections. Unlike the CQW W help please call Malcolm on 01642 2250 QS0s and 120 countries. switched together for better contests, the multi-single rule al- 647978 or write to 15 Hambleton directivity and bi-directionality lows only one transmitter and no TRY A GOOD BEVERAGE! Square, Billingham, Cleveland and you'll find a lot of information multiplier station, but the multi-2 on the Internet - for example at TS23 2RZ. Judging from performances, it does section is great, enabling groups seem that the Beverage antennas http://www.contesting.com/ who want a little more to do to run • Don Symonds, GOPRZ, re- can make a big difference to a km9p/w3lpl.html two stations at full tilt at once. The quires a circuit diagram for a station's performance on the low The downside of the Beverage CW leg is on 21 /22 February, and Seesure LCR bridge and also bands. Being able to hear the peo- is that it does need quite a lot of the SSB one on 7 / 8 March. Maybe any information on obtaining ple calling you is a real help. When real estate to fit it in, though peo- I'll even make it on this year! • spares and service for Ferro- a Beverage antenna on receive is ple do report reasonable success graph tape recorders. Please call set up right, it really can be quite with putting them along fences, TURN TO PAGE 82 FOR Don on 01703 261877 or write to through hedges and woods and so CONTEST CLASSIFIED GOPRZ, QTHR. Packet: G4P1Q@GB7:11XM.#36.GBR.EU on. An alternative to the Beverage

RadCom • February 1998 77 HAYDON COMMUNICATIONS MAIL ORDER: 0181-951 5781/2 London showroom & Mail Order W. Midlands showroom 32 High St. Edgware, Middx HA8 7EL. Unit 1, Canal View Ind. Est., Brierley Hill, W. Mids. Tel: 0181-951 5781/2. Fax: 0181-951 5782 Tel: 01384 481681 Open Mon-Fri 9.30-5.30pm. Sat 9.30-2pm Open Mon-Fri 9.30-5pm. Sat 9.30-2pm = DELUXE G5RVS Multi-stranded plastic rooted heavy duty antenna wire. All TSB-33 0 1 GF 144/70,6.5/9dB (3m) £6 9.9 5 ports reusable. Stainless steel and TSB-3 3 0 2 GF 144/70, 4.5/7.2d8 (1.7m) £5 4.9 5 galvanised fittings. Full size - 102ft. NEW Q-TEK WINCHES A range of fully galvanized all steel TSB-33 0 3 GF 144/70, 3/6‘18 (1.1m) £3 9.9 5 construction winches with safety ratchet. TSB-3 31 5 GF 144/70 8.5/11dB (5.4m) £1 4 9.95 Only '.'2â 190Z (Seto SAE FOR SPEC SHEET) TSB-36 0 8 GF 50/144/70, 2.15/6.2/8.4dBi gain ...... £79.95 Half size Sift. Only Carriage 16.00. ftwoul STANDARD WINCHES ACCESSORIES P&P 22.00 on the following (DIRECT PULL( P&P £8 TSA-6001N Duplexer (+Coax) 2/70 (N/N259( £24.95 STANDARD G5RVS 400LB £21 TSA-6003 Duplexer (Coax) 2/70 (PL/259's) £19.95 Full size 102f1 £24.00 P&P £4 QW-800 BOOLB £27 (FX-514 Triplexer (6/2/70) (Coax) £56.95 Half size 51ft £21.00 P&P £4 CIW-1000 1000LB £31 CPA1-1200 1200LB £36 M O BILE A NTE N N AS £6.50 delivery NEW O-TEK INDUCTORS 80mtr inductors. QW-1400 1400LB £45 DB-7900 144/70 (ms, (5/7.6dB) 1.5m £29.99 Add them to your 'A size G5RV and convert it to a full size. BRAKE WINCHES AVAILABLE DB-770M 144/70 Ems, (3/5.5dB) 1 m £24.95 (New length only 69 feet total). 72,e-231.3 P&P £2 DB-1304 144/70 (ms, (2.15 /3.8dB) .41cms £19.95 COAX SWITCHES (P&P F2 50) Dli-EL2E 144MHz, 4ths,1 4.5dB {1.8m) £29.95 DR-285 144MHz, 'Aths, 3.4dB (1.3m) £15.95 CX-401 4 way (50-239) £44.95 .f.t. (ALL 50MTR ROLLS) PL-6M 50MHz 'A wove (1m) £16.95 COPPER WIRE CX-401 'N' 4 way (N TYPE) £49.95 Enamelled £9.95 P&P £5 CX-201 2 way (50-239) £18.95 ACCESSORIES P&Pf2.50 on the following Hard drawn £1 2.00 P&P £5 CX-201 'N' 2 way (N-type) £24.95 MT-1301 H/Duty Mug Mnt + Coax Top Duality £24.95 Multi-Stranded (Grey PVC) £8.00 P&P £5 MT-3302 H/Duty Hatch/trunk Mut Top Quality £24.95 Extra H/duty (Clear coated) £20.00 P&P £5 TELESC OPIC M ASTS (F-8PF2 2m band pass filter £49.95 Flexweave (H/duly) £30.00 P&P £5 5 section telescopic mats. Starting at U" in diameter Q-Tek 6m band pass filter £42.95 Flexweove H/duty (20 mirs) £12.00 P&P £5 and finishing with a top section of diameter we Flexweave (PVC coated 20 mirs) £16.00 P&P £5 offer a 8 metre and a 12 metre version. Each most is supplied with guy rings and stainless steel pins for il-f eKANTEW-AS locking the sections when erected. The closed height U-120 headset -0- Post & parking £8.50 A high quality headset that will fit hand portable + most HF of the 8 metre mast is just 5 feet and the 12 metre O-TEK IL SPECIALS & VHF/UHF turs via optional interface. version at 10 feet. All sections are extruded aluminium tube with o 16 gauge wall thickness. 2m Sete (boom 4519dBd) £36.00 2m Iele (boom 60111d8d) £45.00 rrl'e 120 9=1 P&P £3.50 8 mirs 12 mtrs 2m 12e1e (boom 126113.8dBd) £69.00 Supplied with two pin molded plug-will fit Carriage £10.00. 70cm Iele (boom 28111d8d) £24.00 Alinco/Yaesu/Standord/ADVIcoin hand holds) G U Y WI RE KITS P&P £5 70cm 12ele (boom 48113.8dBd) £44.00 F-3035 8 pin "Standard" round £16.95 Standard kits £20.95 F-303Y 8 pin "Yoesu" round £16.95 Heavy duty kits £25.95 0-TEK YAGIS FOR 2/4/6m + 70cm F-303K 8 pin "Kenwood" round £16.95 ******** NEW PRODUCTS ******** * * F-3031 8 pin "Icom" round £16.95 2m 5e1e (boom 63'/9dBd) £36.00 * * Heavy duty free 2m 8e1e (boom 125111d8d) £46.00 F-303YP Modulor "Yoesu" phone £16.95 * standing tri-pod. ONLY * * 2m I I ele (boom 186112 7d8d) £65.00 F-303KP Modular "Kenwood" phone £16.95 : Constructed to mil * 2m Sete crossed (boom 6419e) £69.00 F-303(P Modular "Icom" phone £16.95 I' spec. Available for our Œi3L3ogit * : 8m or 12m telescopic 2m Bete crossed (boom 126"/Ilad) £85.00 P&P £10 * * masts (specify which). * 4m 3e1e (boom 45"/7dBd) £39.00 * * ********************** ***** ** 4m 5e1e (boom 12819d8d) £59.00 D-308B BLACK DELUXE DESK MIC (with up/down). Super quality. (Supplied with 6m 3e1e (boom 72"/7dBd) £49.00 SECTIONAL MASTS Carriage £8.50 8 pin pre-wired 6m Sete (boom 142"/9c113d) £69.00 4 o 5 foot ollumium sections each swaged at one end. 70cm 13ele (boom 76112d8d) £36.00 Yaesu lead) f,?':, /12119c;g1 OPTIONAL LEADS (P&P £150) 70cm 13e1e crossed (boom 83112dBil) £55.00 r/r" dia £19.95 A-08 8 pin "Alinco" round £9.95 K-08 8 pin "Kenwood" round £9.95 dia £29.95 Q-TEK 1189-CV ue l-08 8 pin "Icom" round £9.95 70cm M U (boom 12") £16.95 AM-08 Modular phone "Alinco" £9.95 ur din £36.95 2mtr HB9CV (boom 20") £19.95 YM-08 Modular phone "Yaesu" £9.95 2" dia £45.95 4mtr HB9CV (boom 22.5") £29.00 6mtr HB9CV (boom 32.5') £36.00 NISSEI WALL BRACKETS 10mtr HB9CV (boom 521 £65.00 6" Stand off £6.95 P&P £5 METERS 9" Stand off £8.95 P&P £5 NEW HF MOBILE WHIPS (PL-259) 12" T&K Brackets £12.00 P&P £8 Easy to mount HF mobile whips ready to go with PL-259 fining. RS-102 .8-150MHz (200W) £59.95 p&p £5 18" T&K Brackets £18.00 P&P £8 RS-402 25-525MHz (200W) £59.95 p&p £5 PL-80 80m whip (approx 1.5m long) £21.95 24" T&K Brackets £20.00 P&P £8 RS-101 .8-60MHz (3kW) £79.95 p&p £5 PL-40 40m whip (approx 1.5m (ong) £19.95 RS-502 .8-525MHz (200W) £99.95 p&p £5 DL-60 * Dummy load * DC-500MHz * bOW max PL-20 20m whip (approx 1.5m long) £19.95 TSA6601 44/430MHz Pocket PWR/SWR PL-6m 6m whip (approx 1.2m long) £16.95 Inter (60W) £34.95 p&p £1 * PL-259 fitting £16.99 P&P £1 THEAl&EEAsgtlynK NEW YEAR SALE NOW ON1

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NEXT DAY DELIVERY £10 (UK MAINLAND) WE NOW ACCEPT LOMBARD TRICITY CHARGECARDS Contest Feature ARS, G3 WAS/P,WINNING operated WAYS bymust be in gaining experience with barbeque.maybe including It'spub,patronise your whereas a phone. oth- theproblems. Of local course,radio And equipment food all this is and essential before sorting the out originallyenderal finallyof an months all, empty arrives of a field fun planning, and weekend. what becomes was After the week- sev- doubtgin. contributed AG3VHB, coupleG3NAS, lead of G3NKC, toONCE 80ft the G3NLY AGAIN, their and the towers field Lichfield stationthe no in local theing one Open from club'sand of Novice the one the FieldPerhaps Novice appearance to best Full Dayfor callsign. more ways effort!this Licence 36% of disappointing oflisted and just progress- year'scross-section G4s Surely three 24%. onchoice! event, the A was MO further summary of GOs licence sheets accountingers are holders for completelytoo. Someoperators groups computer canantenna get hardwareassembling toing the mastareas and trailer, micro- awningstion. erecting, softwarea of home, and skill There masts tents, campsite are assembling and and tasks caravans, expertise. and for radio varied sta- Tow- spirit, competitiveness and, most 511X Section by a considerable mar- s e lf -ca te r ing , F RadCom • February 1998 *16 18% were Class B licence holders. It was pleasing to Colgrave Road, Plumtree, Nttthgh rn NG12 ity,are incorporating an excellent team club activ- IELD DAY CONTESTS reported by Chris Burbanks, G3SJJ* SSB FieldDay 1997 see a good GOOAU/P.Cranwell,Colin M1AOT operate Singleton, GOFOG, and Lee multipliers.Hill,MOBCF G7MMQ searchesIn keeps In the for guard, the background, foreground, while BobCranwell, David were again the Stratfordbut were on besetpliers. Avon withpaths, I several guesswhen, and I how me-have whichup to let duringknowledge way keep their to the this beam, and con- time, experience when which tells built- difference.theoperating restcoupled ofday There theefficiency, a and with well is year DX plenty chasing a makes practiced reservoir of the but contest during at team of the effort end of the are& now DRS, carving-out GOSOA/P.ditions. Thesethe a guysall niche contest,chanical their fortest plus antennas problems, Group, poortact at GM5VG/P, weather which some rateto tried affected stage look con- upoperators whilst for hard of important what working band to multi- propagation be on secret out! The Windy Yett Con- Restricted Section winners band, andkeepingmaintain finding a check awell, new ofhigh ones which in contact onwith order coun- the as rate to many arrive stations whilst at the as possible. finalknowledge enabledZ- Match them antenna to find matching units on 40m,ample,current 20m and a Frenchtries 15m and is station other worth havecountry. bands. been worked worked The Forterest strategy ex- on which ofe requiring xchange then testTHE is i OBJECTIVE is n toSTRATEGY f to multipliers o rma OF establish t any ionothers e con-the f f as ic 15m didn't! contact ienPlanning opening tcontributed ly and on andthemselves. Sunday (again) to that station A propagation nest of efficiency. pre-tuned score. InSSB this Field case Day has a multiplier the added in- is a you need to be on a band at a but not South Notts, butworked. GI,produce GD, A look be a at gained. VK two multiplier logs Likewise, in on the 80m a greyline given time,comments butthe "Multipliers Lichfield whattries isand thatterestingly, operators a appeared are fewand a given other OE the inCaribbeans for European neither.GW, other his HA, OK,four HB, F and on way coun- worked I, less. 9A 80m,G3 round. WAS/P plus EA,Open by whilst found OH A section four Lichfield, closer In- 28that GOOAU/P revealed multipliers look made wouldn'opening reveals that then t at canotherwise a dawnthree be further found to multipliers, Australia have on two 80m been and multipliers 10m, could if another can one strange thing - you could say that I asked Dave, G3NKC, one of 81 SSB FIELD DAY 1997

time? Often it's experience only SSB FIELD DAY 1997 that can give you that gut feel. I 80 40 20 15 10 think we were very slick this year Open Section Callsign Q 1%1 Q M Q M Q M Q 1%1 QS0s Mulls Score 1 Lichfield ARS G3WAS/P 205 28 228 48 791 68 130 59 15 12 1369 215 996,243 on mutts; we always put a lot of 2 Windy Yett CG GM5VG/P 247 24 275 39 256 48 219 51 115 17 1112 179 730,461 effort on that. Our antenna separa- 3 East Notts CG G3TBK/P 199 21 232 25 605 66 132 51 21 11 1189 174 723,560 4 South Notts ARC GOOAU/P 215 24 206 22 579 60 69 36 20 9 1089 151 588,956 tion was good, to minimise on 5 Swansea ARS G W4CC/P 187 21 184 30 466 53 113 34 47 12 997 150 531,657 crud on an R7000+ about 200ft 6 Melton Mowbray ARS G4FOX/P 176 17 226 24 553 59 40 15 4 3 999 118 425,906 7 Port Talbot RC M WOAGE/P 164 18 69 16 498 72 88 26 2 2 821 134 378,242 away. The multiplier total this year 8 Ipswich RC G4IRC/P 192 20 184 31 320 46 62 28 11 6 769 131 374,094 must be a record - more than we 9 Clifton ARS G3GHN/P 122 15 61 7 459 52 90 22 25 10 757 106 273,707 10 South Essex ARS G4RSE/P 176 19 133 18 222 47 82 26 0 0 613 110 253,306 were getting at sunspot maximum! 11 Mimram CG MOABC/P 105 14 40 10 470 43 87 32 6 2 708 101 242,868 12 Banff & DARC GM3GG/P 141 16 61 12 292 46 56 21 9 2 559 97 204,175 No matter what though, you al- 13 Reigate A.T.S G5LK/P 147 18 124 16 256 46 0 0 27 11 554 91 185,808 ways miss 'easy' countries - ei- 14 Homsea ARC G4EKT/P 62 10 106 24 311 35 21 14 7 5 507 88 158,684 15 Poole RS G4PRS/P 95 16 50 15 28 14 21 11 10 4 204 60 50,285 ther, as you say, you get some we 16 G30EP G30EP/P 6 3 28 7 34 10 1,533 would expect (assume we were on Restricted Section Callsign Q 1%1 Q M Q M Q M Q 1%1 QS0s Mulls Score a different band) or the country 1 Stratford on Avon & DRS GOSOA/P 202 19 120 19 147 39 107 37 20 12 596 126 300,783 2 Gravesend RS G3GRS/P 200 20 168 19 95 31 70 44 9 9 542 123 270,595 appears not to be active at all on a 3 Echelford ARS G3UES/P 217 23 137 16 130 40 30 15 14 4 528 98 216,642 4 Granta CG G4KNO/P 170 16 109 20 73 24 57 34 14 6 423 100 177,510 band. We are not very good at 5 G3SEM G3SEM/P 177 19 160 20 91 33 34 20 2 2 464 94 172,877 moving people from one band to 6 Torbay ARS G3NJA/P 124 131 87 50 11 403 101 170,174 7 RAF ARS G8FC/P 264 17 135 18 46 19 35 19 6 2 486 75 150,811 another - a tactic used a lot in 8 Havering & DARC G4HRC/P 364 21 128 18 25 16 26 12 5 4 548 71 150,688 CQW W, of course. I doubt if we 9 White Noise Listeners CG GOWNL/P 183 15 Ill 18 132 27 33 17 8 3 467 80 150,544 10 Wisbech RC G4PQL/P 151 10 177 22 94 34 16 11 1 1 439 78 140,652 even tried it!" 11 Scunthorpe Steel G4FUH/P 252 20 141 18 38 19 37 12 2 2 470 71 137,327 12 Isle of Wight CG G3SKY/P 195 18 62 14 101 29 22 11 9 4 389 76 115,224 13 Queen Mary CG G6Q M/P 224 18 69 13 88 18 29 16 0 0 410 65 113,364 EQUIPMENT 14 Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC GMONTL/P 131 13 105 18 49 22 26 14 23 10 334 77 111,139 15 Red Rose ARG GOW MR/P 242 21 73 11 16 11 16 8 20 4 367 55 78,478 THE RULES PERMIT a trans- 16 Taunton & DARC G3XZ W/P 117 12 96 17 29 15 3 3 0 0 245 47 52,109 17 Crowborough & DARS GOCR W/P 48 7 53 16 73 31 16 11 0 0 190 65 48,927 ceiver plus a second receiver for 18 Yarmouth RC G3YRC/P 91 9 85 18 21 14 5 3 0 0 202 44 39,692 19 Axe Vale ARC G8CA/P 50 8 35 10 49 17 20 11 0 0 154 46 29,271 multiplier spotting. In practice this Check logs received from G3RAL/P, G4ARN/P, G3YDD/P is difficult to achieve, since few groups have access to a contest- grade receiver. A second trans- band-switched onto the band be- Asian and Caribbean multipliers. that the operator can choose the ceiver is permissible, so long as ing used or monitored. Quarter- The Restricted Section is just optimum time to call. the transmitter is disabled. Like- wave coaxial stubs on both sta- that, and gives little choice com- wise, steps should be taken to make tions can also be used to filter out pared with the Open section. Strat- SOAP-BOX sure sub-receivers are not used harmonic radiation. Restricted sec- ford perfected their double-ex- GOOD WEATHER, a fun week- when another transceiver is tion entrants need to be particu- tended Zepp for 20m, and again end - G3NJA/P. present. This applies to both the larly ingenuitive, since only one used 5 pre-tuned matching units. The first time we've done this main and spotting station. The rules antenna is allowed. A simple relay Gravesend used a loop configura- contest, very enjoyable - GOWNL/P. need clarifying in this respect, but system and separate matching tion known as the Field Day Spe- Our first foray into HF contest- in the meantime it is hoped that units for each band might be one cial. This is a variant of the an- ing and we loved every minute. entrants observe the spirit of what answer. tenna used successfully by some Back for the next one a lot wiser we are trying to achieve. This year Americans in their Field Day event. and better prepared - GMONTLP. main station equipment featured ANTENNAS Incidentally I believe it is one of Our first attempt at contesting, five FT1000MPs, three the models included with ELNEC COMPETITION AT THE TOP of much enjoyed. We 'llbe back next FT1000Ds, three TS950s and four and EZNEC antenna simulation the Open section is strong, which year - G3SKY/P. TS850s. The restwas a good cross- programs. dictates gain on the three HE bands. RF zapped the computer so we section of earlier generation Yaesu The leading stations used TH7, used a written log and entered them and Kenwood radios. Newer trans- TH6 and TH7 beams respectively. LOGGING in after the contest. Super weather ceivers incorporate data connec- and super food! - GOCRW/P. A couple of other groups further THIS YEAR ONLY TWO paper tion to a computer, which is most Our new 2 element 40m helped, down used home-made mono logs were received. These were useful for rapid band changing but no rotator limited it's effec- banders. 40m can provide some transferred to disk by John, when using a logging program. tiveness. - GW4COP. good European runs as well as GOJQN. The most popular log- Antennas or matching units can Next year we'll remember to DX, plus useful multipliers, so ging program is Super Duper, also be changed from the band check the generator oil-level. Lost once more some gain is necessary. written by Paul O'Kane, EI5DI. data output socket on the radios. In an hour in finding a 24-hour petrol A 2 element Cushcraft yagi was In addition to real-time logging, it the Open section, linear amplifiers station - G4KNO/P. used by three of the top five groups, provides a final score and the ap- are permitted, and groups who have The weather was horrendous, whilst G3TBK/P had a pair of propriate files for submission. access to more than one amplifier with high winds and heavy rain Lichfield used CT (from KlEA), can effect rapid band changing by phased dipoles and South Notts making assembly of the antennas having them pre-tuned and allo- have been experimenting with and South Notts used NA (from very difficult. Everything went cated to specific antennas. The phased delta loops. The bulk of K8CC). Both of these provide wrong - GM5VG/P. multiplier spotting station needs 80m contacts will be with the UK connection to the DX Cluster and We were nearly caught-out this particular attention, to prevent and Europe, so a reasonably high can be networked to a computer at year, when the motorised winch overload from the main station. dipole is all that is required. At the multiplier spotting position. on our tower wouldn't operate. It Bandpass filters are available 80ft, Lichfield's antenna probably Details of a new multiplier can be took an hour to sort out - which, again, can be automatically helped them hook the additional transferred to the main station, so G3WAS/P. •

82 RadCom • February 1998 [ C O N T E S T C L A S SI FI E D

50MHZ BACKPACKERS TROPHY - 1997 V H F R E S U L T S ENTRIES HAVE SEEN yet another significant increase compared with last two years events. This year, the two sessions had very different propagation conditions. The first session saw 432 MHZ FM CONTEST - JUNE 1997 very little DX whilst the second saw lots of DX in excess of 1000km. The weather also varied greatly between the two sessions, with reports of high winds and giant hail stones in the first CONDITIONS AND ENTRIES were well down on last year, with novice stations conspicu- session, but fine, dry weather in the second. ous by their absence. Was this down to the timing of the event, or were there any other reasons The tabulation shows the normalised scores of all of the stations who took part in either that the VHFCC should know about? or both of the sessions. The overall winner and the winner of the 50MHz Backpackers Trophy Once again the event was enjoyed by all these that took part, even though things were very quiet. is the Jersey Amateur Radio Society (GJ8RVT/P, IOW multi-operator section) who managed Congratulations to Geoff, GWIATZ, one of the events' stalwarts, who won with a large to win their section in both sessions, thanks to accurate logging. The runner-up is G8JAY/P margin, and to G4MGR who stayed at home this year to lead the single operator fixed table. from the IOW single operator section, who managed to beat off a determined challenge from G4MD/P and last year's winners, the West Kent Amateur Radio Society. Finally, thank you Martin Platt G4XU M to everyone who sent their entries in on disk or via e-mail.

Ian, GOFCT SINGLE OPERATOR FIXED SECTION Pos Call Loe Score QS0s Mults Best DX km Pos Name Callsign BP1 BP2 Total 1 G4MGR 83KH 43204 51 14 2EIFDQ 171 1*# Jersey ARS GJ8RVT/P 1000 1000 2000 2 G3MEH 91 QS 25872 28 14 GOOKD 155 2* G8JAY/P 1000 525 1525 3 G3PIA 91IN 17095 23 13 G4DEE/P 241 3 G4MD/P 524 893 1418 4 G3FIJ OIKV 1580 14 5 G3MEH 104 4 West Kent ARS GI WKS/P 373 1000 1373 5 2EIDXB OIKV 183 14 3 GOBPU 29 5 Castle CG MOAFC/P 91 1000 1091 OTHERS 6= GORMX/P 1000 0 1000 Pos Call Loe Score QS0s Mults Best DX km 6= GWOPZO/P 1000 0 1000 1 GWIATZ/P 83LC 96684 66 21 G3PIA 209 6= GW8ZRE/P 0 1000 1000 2 GOTOU/P 83RU 48594 53 14 GIKHX/P 283 9 GOSOO/P 294 536 831 3 GIKHX/P 8IPH 21154 25 14 GOTOU/P 283 10 GD7KHG/P 512 276 788 4 GIWAC 92131 20400 24 16 G4DEE/P 142 11 G4DBL/P 379 0 379 5 GOVZS/P 9IME 560 40 14 GIKHX/P 123 12 Bristol ARC GW7TQR/P 308 0 308 13 G3XNUP 0 269 269 14 G4FAA/P 160 0 160 15 Cockenzie & Port Seton ARC M MIBGI/P 0 121 121 16 G8ORG/P 0 114 114 2ND 50MHZ BACKPACKERS CONTEST - JULY 1997 17 G8GSQ/P 58 0 58 18 G4MPK/P 54 0 54 WITH THE SHORTEST 'Best DX' at almost 1850km, none of the entrants complained about * Certificate winner # Trophy winner the propagation conditions into Europe and the Mediterranean during this contest, with excellent openings into Italy reported by many stations. Indeed, the main problem encoun- tered by most people was finding UK stations to work! However, the weather was not so kind, with several stations reporting S5 noise from static, due to local thunderstorms. 3RD 144MHZ BACKPACKERS CONTEST - JUL 97 Congratulations to the Jersey ARS, GJ8RVT/P for winning the 10W Multi Operator THIS BACKPACKERS contest coincided with VHF NFD. A few stations commented on the section, to the West Kent ARS, GIWKS/P for winning the 3W Multi Operator section, to high level of QRM from the high-power VHF NFD stations. Most stations found the weather MOAFC/P for winning the IOW Single Operator section, and to GW8ZRE/P for winning the fine and sunny, but with variable radio conditions. Deep QSB was noted by one or two 3W Single Operator section. Congratulation also to the runners-up in each section. stations, but there were certainly more continental stations worked during this session Ian, GOFCT compared with the previous two sessions. Congratulations to MWIBCG/P for winning the 10W multi-operator section, to the Cleddau ARS, GWOSYG/P, for winning the 3W multi- operator section, to GW8ZRE/P for winning the IOW single operator section and finally to 10W MULTI OPERATOR SECTION G8NSZ/P for winning the 3W single operator section. Pos Callsign Loe QS0s Molts Points Total Best DX km Power Ant I GJ8RVT/P IN89WF 94 47 108907 5118629 IW8PQ 1849 10 5 ele Ian Pawson, GOFCT 2 G3XISUP l09IKG 48 36 38294 1378584 IW9CER 1941 10 3 ele

3W MULTI OPERATOR SECTION 10W MULTI-OPERATOR Pos Callsign Loe QS0s Molts Points Total Best DX km Power Ant Pos Group Call Loc QS0 Mul Pts Total Best DX km I GIWKS/P JOOIBH 40 36 32414 1166904 9H5EE 2058 3 5 ele 1 - M W1BCG/P I081KW 156 39 29102 1134978 GM8LFB 709 10W SINGLE OPERATOR SECTION 2 Wirral + DARC GW4MGR/P I083JA 126 37 26892 995004 DL3EBM 656 3 One Man & His Dog CG G8N WM/P I092TR 87 35 17526 613410 F6GCT 499 Pos Callsign Loe QS0s Mutts Points Total Best DX km Power Ant 4 - GOKYS/P 109111 88 33 14398 475134 GMOFRG/P529 I MOAFC/P I084SA 81 70 55363 3875410 IW9CEW 2217 10 5 ele 5 - G8TVT/P 1094NI 51 25 13724 343100 TM2DX 533 2 GOSOO/P 1091SE 56 46 45199 2079154 IW9DSW 1951 10 5 ele 6 Coulsdon ATS G4FUR/P I091WH 60 21 6675 140175 EI7M/P 476 3 G8JAY/P 1091AW 48 43 47314 2034502 9H5EE 2207 8 5 ele 7 Jersey ARS Ladies GJ8RVT/P IN89WF 18 13 3069 39897 F6BGI 839 4 GD7KHG/P I074SF 27 30 35667 1070010 IW8PQ 2314 10 5 ele 5 MMIBGEP I085TX 27 23 20446 470258 ISOQDV 1936 10 7 ele 3W MULTI-OPERATOR 6 G8ORG/P 1083 VE 28 29 15270 442830 IK8YTN/8 1927 10 HB9CV Pos Group Call Loe QS0 Mul Pts Total Best DX km 3W SINGLE OPERATOR SECTION 1 Cleddau ARS GWOSYG/P I071NP 99 37 28628 1059236 PI4EUR/P 614 2 - GOGRI/P I081EE 86 39 20019 780741 DL3EBM 686 Pos Callsign Loe QS0s Molts Points Total Best DX km Power Ant 3 - GW4IDF/P I082KA 68 30 14176 425280 DL3EBM 641 I GW8ZRE/P 1083JF 27 30 25695 770850 IW8PQ 2173 2.5 Whip 4 West Kent ARS G1WKS/P J001BH 57 25 8547 213675 DK5DQ/P 498 2 G4MD/P I082TB 29 28 24597 688716 IW8PQ 2049 2.5 3 ele 5 The Barpackers CG M1BAR/P I083XG 61 19 7918 150442 EI4GRC/P 504 6 - M1ARV/P I093AK 41 19 5127 97413 EI7NUP 339

10W SINGLE OPERATOR Pos Call Loe QS0 Mul Pts Total Best DX km CONTESTS THIS MONTH 1 GW8ZRE/P I0831F 133 34 24813 843642 ON4AKV/P 619 2 GOTOU/P I084SA 110 26 23314 606164 TM2DX 545 3 GOSOO/P I09 I SE 88 34 15972 543048 GMOFRG/P 576 BF Contests 4 G7TER/P I094KH 66 32 16101 515232 DL3EBM 575 5 G70 MO/P I080WX 76 34 14507 493238 F5MZN/P 983 Date Time Mode Contest 6 G8ORG/P I083VC 49 28 9671 270788 DL3EBM 592 1 Feb 1600-1800 CW LF Cumulative 7 GOHDV/P I093SN 61 22 10641 234102 ON6RM/P 559 12 Feb 1900-2200 Phone 15th BYLARA Contest (Dec 97p23) 14 Feb 1000-1300 Phone 15th BYLARA Contest (Dec 97p23) 8 F/MOAFC/P IN88GS 44 21 9985 209685 F5NBX/P 518 14/15 Feb 2100-0100 CW I.8MHz 9 GM4WLL/P I085JU 30 17 9205 156485 G7D WUP 590 14-15 Feb 0000-2400 CIT/SSB Dutch PACC Contest (Feb 98p6?) 14-15 Feb 0000-2400 RTTY Worldwide RTTY TX Contest (Feb 98 p67) 3W SINGLE OPERATOR 21/22 Feb 0000-2400 CW ARRL International DX Contest (Feb 98 p62) Pos Call Loe QS0 Mul Pts Total Best DX km 27/29 Feb 2200-1600 SSB CQ 160m SSB (Jan 98pá) 1 G8NSZ/P I091AU 92 37 16051 593887 DL3EBM 562 28 Feb / 1 Mar 1500-0900 CW 7MHz DX 2 G8JAY/P I091A W 79 34 15864 539376 PA3FJY 569 3 GW5NF/P I08ILS 76 29 15716 455764 ON7WP 543 VHF Contests 4 GWOPZO/P 1083ID 46 29 14433 418557 ON4ASL/A 537 Date Time Mode Contest 5 GW7LQD/P I082K W 88 27 13997 377919 F5MZN/P 605 1 Feb 0900-1500 All 432MHz Fixed / AFS 6 GI JDM/P I090SV 59 30 11322 339660 GMOFRG/P 604 12 Feb 1900-2200 Phone 15th BYLARA Contest (Dec 97p23) 7 GI7JYK/P I074BQ 46 23 14534 334282 ON4ASL/A 768 14 Feb 1000-1300 Phone 15th BYLARA Contest (Dec 97p23) 8 GU6AJE/P IN89PK 35 29 9591 278139 GI4GTY/P 590 The full rules of all RSGB HF and VHF / UHF contests were published in the RSGB Contesting Guide 9 GOOKD/P I093EC 41 18 7203 129654 TM2DX 430 in the September 1997 RadCom. Brief rules for non-RSGB contests, which are listed in italics above, 10 GOVUT/P JOOIRJ 29 13 6787 88231 G4FZN/P 408 can be found in the RadCom HF or VHF / UHF columns, which start on the pages indicated. 11 GOLJD/P J001 GJ 13 11 1906 20966 GW8ZRE/P 327

RadCom • February 1998 83 short wave magazine Whether you are brand new to the hobby of radio monitoring or a seasoned DXer, there is something in Short Wive Magazine for you every month! Britain's leading radio monitoring publication, now in its 61st year, brings you the hottest and latest from the fields of h.f. utility listening, scanning, weather and broadcast satellite monitoring, both Military and civil airband; together with constructional projects ranging from really useful accessories to actual receivers. SWM regular columns are the definitive source of information for tens of thousands of radio hobbyist and radio professional. Stay up-to-date with the latest products in the listening hobby by reading new product reviews written by recognised authorities in the field. The propagation section, gives you the low-down with both a forecast of the MUF/OWF/LUF and the previous months actual solar data. •., Crammed full of essential info for any radio enthusiast - can you really afford to be without it?

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84 RadCom • February 1998 THE RSGB OLD TIMERS' HO N OUR ROLL

G3DQY Mr J Vaughan G3HCT Mr J Bazley G3JNB Mr V E Brand GD3HDL Dr S E Kelly CONTINUED FROM PAGE 45 G3DSK Mr R A Lord G3HCY Mr H W Cross G3JNM Mr T R Whittaker GI3FJX Mr J Davidson G3DSS Mai G S Symons G3HEA Mr JU Burke G3JNVV Mr H L Fleming GI3HXH Dr J J Cosgrove G3DSV Mr RVVP Wilson G3HES Mr KG Pugh G3J0C Mr 0 S Chilvers GI3ILV Mr J Thompson 51 YEARS (continued) G3DTA Mr G F Nottingham G3HGM Mr J A Ewen G3JQS Mr J Guttridge GMOUPE Dr G R Sutherland G4KEE Mr V A Tomkins G3DUL Mr H H Pickering G3HHD Mr T J Hayward G3JSF Mr A W Baker GM2CPC Mr CAL Orr G5DS Mr J L Danks G3DVQ Mr RH Pounder G3HHU Dr JCVV Ickringill G3JTI Mr FVVJ Broomfield GM3BMI Mr A Bolton G5SD Mr DE Campbell G3DVVVV Mr G Cripps G3HIA Mr HC Young G3JTJ Mr T Jones GM3COQ Mr D Oswald G5XV Mr R Y Parry G3DXJ Mr T H Holbert G3HLR Mr A Dickins G3JTX Mr E G VViffen GM3DDL Mr J Jackson G6XN Mr L Moxon G3DZT Mr J H Beamand G3HMF Mr G G Kenyon G3JVL Mr MH Walters GM3DEE Mr R P Russell G8ACR Mr RVV Yates G3EBG Mr W H Reckitt G3HPM Mr P J Mullock G3JVVG Mr L Stuart GM3EDZ Mr T P Hughes G8BFS Mr J F Dudeney G3ECM Mr P W Bowles G3HPP Kynoch R & TVS G3JVVP Mr B C Leighton GM3ENJ Mr K Street G8MVD Mr K VVilks G3EDD Mr B A Armstrong G3HPZ Mr DWG Boast G3JYG Mr J Kirby GM3EVVC Mr R B Irvine GD3AHV Mr G W Ripley G3EDM Mr G L Mills G3HQH Mr H Froggatt G3KBQ Mr PH Huntsman GM3FAH Mr J C McCulloch GD8COH Mr ST Dimmock G3EDS Mr K G Perkins G3HQX Mr J Brodzky G3KDA Mr M G Rimmer GM3GBX Mr G Dawson GM3ACL Mr D Robb G3EFK Mr W T Clegg G3HRB Mr J Coatsworth G3KDP Mr A G Bounds GM3GNM Mr ACVV Biddell GM3DPL Mr E G Morgan G3EFP Mr J C Pennell G3HRD Mr J Ellis G3KFC Mr FVV Clasby GM3GRG Mr DR Rollo GM3DSD Mr A Trayler G3EGV Mr R Staniforth G3HRE Mr F Watson G3KGVV Mr J D Smith GM3GVD Mr JA Dunlop GM3JOA Mr H E Stanway G3EHP Mr J Wilmot G3HRN Mr D L Wright G3KHR Mr J W Fox GM3HAT Mr M C Hately GVV3EPF Mr PJ Curtis G3EHZ Mr AH VVreford G3HRP Mr TJ Wright G3KKD Mr I M Waters GM3HOM Mr J Reilly GVV3JBH Mr JS Hammond G3EKD Mr A A Sparrow G3HSP Mr AF Ward G3KKP Mr J Burgess GM3H0Q Mr DD Stobie RS12233 Mr H W Sennett G3ELF Mr F W Malpass G3HTA Mr JD Forward G3KMH Mr VVH Ferguson GM3IBU Mr A VV VVright RS12415 Mr H J VVood G3E0Q Mr M Flinn G3HTC Mr GE Storey G3KPJ Mr A W Butcher GM3IQL Mr A Lawrence RS12840 Mr JL Butcher G3EQF Mr P E Templeman G3HTP Mr E G Drackley G3KPU Mr E Prince GM3ITE Mr RVVG Costford RS13129 Mr E Chester G3ERR Mr JAW Edwards G3HUL Mr D M Mallett G3KQF Mr J Anthony GM3JDR Mr D Robertson RS14170 Mr D H Clements G3ESF Mr A R Harrower G3HVX Mr VVH Wells G3KSP Mr P 0 Hooper RS644 Mr HJ Darling G3ETH Mr J L Goldberg G3HVVVV York Amateur RS G3KTN Mr J F Brown GM3JIJ Mr J D Hague VE7DVV Mr J Williams G3ETX Mr FR Wilson G3HYH Mr S P Hay G3KXE Mr E W Bettles GM3KAM Mr D Mather VK6PZ Mr P Zeid OBE G3EVC Mr D J Pye G3HZI Mr C L Hatfull G3KXT Mr R I Richardson GM3LGU Mr R 1 Pryde GM3MGT Mr A VV Hope 50 YEARS G3EVT Mr R J Mutton G3HZJ Mr VVJ Walsh G3LMR Mr JK Eley G3EVVY Mr P F VValder G3HZM Mr M Barnsley G3LMX Mr T W Mitchell GM3NYG Miss J G Fish 7Q7RM Mr R Macfarlane G3EXP Mr AJ Bassett G3HZT Mr PS Fraser G3LQVV Mr K Wallace GM3OBC Mr R Thomson CT1DFK Mr A B Reeder G3EZE Mr G H Standing G3HZVV Mr D C Mainhood G3LUY Mr EVV Brett GM3SFH Mr A J Oliphant DJOOS Mr F C Hartles G3EZZ Mr J Eaton G3IAS AM Smith G3LZG Mr E Griffiths GM8FHV J Heinrichson EA7FSF Mr F Pilkington G3FAU Mr V Cundall G3ICH Mr P N Pitt G3MBL Mr A G Edwards GU3HKV Mr E H Page El6HP Mr W D Sellars G3FBN Mr W J Bolton G3ICQ Mr D VViginton G3MCVV Mr RAE Fronius GVV3EJR Mr J B Armstrong El9BT Mr D Cullen G3FDS Mr CF Ford G3IDVV Mr R Reynolds G3MDM Mr G J McGee GVV3EMI Mr M P Hopkins GOFMU Mr A J Turner G3FDVV Mr M Gibbings G3IED Mr G H Yule G3MEA Mr S Harle GVV3FPF Mr P F Jones GOSMV Mr I C Murray G3FFH Mr J Frings G3IER Mr D G Martin G3MGI Mr D Binns GVV3FPH Mr J W Hayes G1KEP Mr J G Houghton G3FFY Mr MH Stedman G3IEVV Mr S J Heard G3MGVV Mr R Wheeler GVV3GEN Mr C F Cole G2ACN Mr BJ Bale G3FHL Mr GC Bagley G3IFB Mr F H Bliss G3MUI Mr D J Durrant GVV3GKZ Mr MD Fowler G2ALZ Mr W H Heywood G3FIA Mr A D Lowden G3IFX Mr A R Cooke G3MVV Mr Norman Miller GVV3HCL Mr DEC Lockyer G2CBC Mr VVEG Smith G3FIB Mr G A Livesey G3IGI Mr LER Hall G3MZO Mr D Rosen GVV3HHF Mr S Jones G2CVY Mr VVHJ Yeo G3FIJ Mr F R Howe G3IGP Mr JGH Pearce G3NE0 Mr P Bagshaw GVV3IEQ Mr P Hudson G2CYN Mr M Hely G3FJE Shefford & DARS G3IGU Mr K H Coates G3NHU Mr A D Besford GVV3IGG Mr JPG Jones G2DOT Mr K Clark G3FJT Mr EA Coward G3IGV Mr J W Birkbeck G3NOX Mr JRT Royle GVV3INVV A Davies G2DUS Mr I B Howard G3FKF Salisbury ARC G3IGVV Mr M G Whitaker G3NTA Mr G A Couzens GVV3JAZ Mr BM Poole G2FHK Mr D A Smith G3FKI Mr E C Lambert G3IGZ Mr D W Bruce G3NVVR Wirral ARS GVV3JET Mr C Richards G2FYY Mr MB Rowles G3FKM Dr E J Allaway G3IHX Mr N J Bond G3OCA Mr K Frankcom GVV3JSV Mr DAS Holmes G2HBA Mr C H Spencer G3FMT Mr D W Robinson G3111 Mr G P Lovelock G30EG Mr EF Harverson GVV3KFE Mr E P Essery G2HDR Mr CN Chapman G3FNK Mr C Drinkwater G3IIV Mr A Davies G3OFK Mr N P Henry GVV3KJVV Mr PEW Allely G2HKVV Mr R Uphill G3FNZ JA Lambert G3IIY Mr E C Clayson G3ORC Mr RRJ Caines GVV3MDK Mr R Jones G2HLL Mr F H Pickard G3FOP Mr R G Barrell G3IJA Mr J Allan G3ORVV Mr E J Gregory GVV4BYA Mr P A Braham G2XP Sutton & Cheam RS G3FPK Mr NAS Fitch G3IJE Mr M J Powell G3PMVV Mr K W Dews GVV4HX0 Mr M Probert G2XV Cambridge & DRC G3FRX Mr J A Wilkes G3IJU E Briggs G3PTJ Mr J Robinson HB9AJU Mr GAS Lander G3FTP Mr E Davis G3IJVV Mr GS Garrett G3PXJ Mr SA Gaunt G3AVE Mr FCP Flanner HB9ALV Mr K J Marley G3FTQ Mr A Frost G3IKL Mr RT Craxton G3QX Mr T R Barlow G3AYZ Mr J F Turner RS15448 Mr AS Kitching G3FVC Mr E C Palmer G3IKR Mr J P Moore G3RKK Mr AJ Shepherd G3BD Mr M T Elvy RS15845 Mr L Grout G3FVL Mr H J Hudson G3IMV Mr J Hunter G3RQS Mr R A Rimmer G3BDH Mr RR Flaum RS15851 Mr K J Edwards G3FVV Mr R C Fagg G3INA Mr R G Robinson G3SKI Mr R A Bravery G3BDQ Mr J D Heys RS16137 Mr SVV Gough G3FVVB Mr P L Hunt G3INL Mr AA Chisholm G3SOL Mr JBG Parker G3BFP Mr JN Headland RS16324 Mr VVGH Lee G3FYP Mr PS Robson G3I01 Mr N R Pascoe G3SVC Spen Valley ARS RS16822 Mr GF Oliver G3BHT Mr B G Meaden G3FZL Mr GMC Stone G3IPV Mr P W Haylett G3TEV Mr M J Mills RS17032 Mr B M Collings G3BNG Mr RS Andrews G3FZVV Mr EA Matthews G3ISD Mr E J Hatch G3VDL J A St. Leger RS17044 Mr M Woodfield G3BOK Mr W G Rennison G3GA0 Mr LJ Avery G3ISX Mr C J Leal G3VHP CBH Bradshaw G3BON Mr W J Rawlings G3GBU Stoke on Trent ARS G3ITH Mr R D Franklin G3VRB Mr J D Nias RS17058 AMC Macklow-Smith G3BPE Mr R G Holland G3GEJ Mr L M Airey G3IUZ Canon H R Davis G3VVKS West Kent ARS RS17229 Mr E G Blachford G3BRQ Mr KB Tackley G3GFG Mr D R Payne G3IVF Mr H E Smith G3VVUZ Mr P H Brown RS17624 Mr F J Shepherd G3BRT Mr GOJ Parfitt G3GFT Mr G Oldfield G3IVZ Mr W E Stephen G3YJJ Mr RT Palmer RS18567 Mr A H Turner G3BSU Mr A F Cleall G3GGG Mr RA Bishop G3IVVT J P Hewitt G3YLJ Mr J Boraston RS18568 Mr D F Neale G3BUF Mr B J Fost G3GGL Mr G VVormald G3IXB Mr GM Cook G4CCA Mr MJL Fadil RS18978 Mr R G Clement G3BVVV Mr C P Townley G3GGO Mr C N VVridgway G3IYF Mr D E Baker G4CDB Mr G Lindsay RS18994 Mr H T Mason G3BYG Mr NLH Williams G3GGS Mr W E Waring G3IYT Mr SR Walker G4DMP Mr D M Pratt RS19292 Mr DK Cocking G3BYY Mr E W Elliott G3GIH Mr J C Bird G3IZJ Mr M J Faulkner G4GLX Mr LCH Glenister RS19489 Mr T H Tarr G3BZS Mr CJ VVhistlecroft G3GIQ Mr H F Lewis G3IZQ Mr H Hyman G4IER C D Colbeck RS19530 Mr EA Bovey G3CCC Mr H Barnes G3GJV Mr H Brooke G3JBP Mr J Claydon G4LKX Mr D C Hepworth RS19615 Mr M Addicott G3CCM Mr VVR Harris G3GJVV Mr T I Lundegard G3JBQ Mr J S Munn G4LU Mr S F Brown RS19877 Mr H J George RS20103 Mr A J Kightley G3CDE Dr GA Jackson G3GKI Mr F V Kershaw G3JBR Mr D P Tipper G4ONP Loughton & DARS RS20443 Mr MB Greenberg G3CEG Mr B King G3GLB JE Lacey G3JDP Mr A B Altschul G4RD Mr F Briggs RS20537 Mr RA Townsend G3CEL Mr A Stafford G3GLL Mr T N Green G3JFR Mr N B Cottrell G5BZ Mr GGE Bennett G3GMM Mr E McFarland G3JFVV Mr FS White G5MS Manchester & DARS RS21683 Mr JCP Sharp G3CMT Mr A H Hooke G3GMY Mr FEA Green G3JHI Mr RLS Hathaway G6BZ M C Bunting RS21800 Mr K Bentley-Briscoe G3COY Mr V J Reynolds G3GNQ Mr GC Cutting G3JHP Mr EVVG Allen G6FNA Mr B Lambert RS4190 Mr FJVV Trollope G3CVVV Mr R F Saunders G3GOT Mr B W Legrys G3JIE Mr D C Youngs G6IPU Mr G A Edwards VE3EZP Mr JC Watson G3CXT Mr G H Clarke G3GRV Mr G Halse G3JII Mr A J Isaac G6JY Mr FT Farmer VK2AYD Mr D A Pilley G3CYH Mr L Austin G3GUD Mr JVVA Bosworth G3JIP Mr J W Hill G6UQ Stockport RS VK2BE Mr LW Louttit G3DCZ Mr RG McDonald G3GVM Mr F Robins G3JIZ Mr J M Read G8ACJ Mr F Mathews VK3XX Mr G S Bracewell G3DEB Mr T A Bennett G3GVV Mr R J Hughes G3JJA Mr EF Steventon G8BOP Mr M J Palmer VK6HD Mr M E Bazley G3DGVV Mr D Early G3GVVD Mr MC Pavely G3JKF Mr K V Franklin G8CDVV Mr E H Double VK6LK Col GRK Lyon G3DIC Mr C H Bullivant G3GVVI Mr N Spivey G3JKT Mr J Huggett G8FEI Mr G D Gaunt VK6PG Mr AJ Gibbs G3DJK Mr K Rosier G3GVVR Mr A G Stormont G3JKV Mr VVF Blanchard G8HLE REVV Marshall VK6RV Mr RGB Vaughan G3DNH Mr JA Spicer G3GXVV Mr JGA Lamb G3JLH Mr I L Hampton G8IDL Mr DAD Smith VK6TP Mr T H Price G3DNR Mr P O'Brien G3GYF Mr AJF Powell G3JLN Mr F G Blain G8NJF Mr A J Cox VK7LZ Mr C P Wright G3D0J Mr W J Omer G3GZJ Mr F J Crisp G3JMB Mr J Brooker MBE G8TB Mr BVV Wynn VP9C Mr C C Dumbrille G3DOV Mr D C Dove G3HAZ Mr R Rew G3JME Mr M Watson G8VVKX Mr R D Denton VV8PR Mr D R Hearsum G3DPVV Mr RL Knight G3HBN Mr J R Bolton G3JMX Mr PC Hayward GD3FLH Isle of Man ARS Z24JVV Mr L W Laing G3DQL Mr G E Sumption G3HBVV Mr A L Mynett G3JMY Mr E C Halliday GD3FXN Mr A D Radcliffe ZB1AH Mr F Hague

RadCom • February 1998 85 pv; • Dx .70TH Award winning HF Transceiver with 6 mtrs HF Pe forma e _ by a • TX - all HF + 6mtr The DX70 TH packs a hefty 100W punch on all Ham bands 1.8 - 50MHz. it is backed • RX - general coverage superb receiver with narrow filters fitted as standard. Make no mistake - this is a real DX 150kHz - 30-MHz operators transceiver ideal for use at home, in the car, or for that portable 50MHz - 54MHz • SSB. CW. AM. FM and'dlgttal medes X pedition. General coverage receive is included and wideband transmit facilities for export • 100 memories ustomers. The detachable front panel allows remote mounting and additional security. • Detachable faceplate and remote mounting kit available • Speech processor standard • Narrow filters fitted as standard . • . AF RIT. • • 100W output on HF & 6mtrs • ,— ALINDÔ M A MSCERMA DX-715 f VEO MEMO SPLIT • Selectable 4 stage RF gain M•V MW PRIO SPLIT MIMED NB HAD Acc-s I_1 e l 13 -20dB to +10dB vFOA - • Superb TX audio and RX /1 /1 tit 1 — I r r.;;RoLT, • Excellent RX sensitivity • • SOL .elIF • / 1 1. I I_ I.LI U.L.0 TX RX • Full break in on CW CHK/SE7 tAt APO BUSY • All mode squelch • Scan facilities FUNC RIT • CTCSS encoder • Noise blanker MULTI FUNCTION • Quick offset for DX pile-ups MODE o • IF shift control POWER SSB CW AM/FM • Separate HF & 6M antenna sockets M F SEL NB AGC 'lute

RF FILTER H/L 11 , •

• EDX-1 -EDX-2 ,HF Antenna Tuner om Wire Antenna Tuner The EDX-1 is a coaxial Quickly matches random tuner with built in Power wire antennas, mobile and SWR meters. The ATL1 whips, verticals, is rated at 120W and covers 160-10 meters inverted Ls. Wired including WARC bands. / for DX70 - but can be used with most HF Transceivers. •1.6MHz - 30MHz • 200W PEP

HF stainless steel mobile • Covers all HF Amateur Bands antenna complete with spring hose. • General coverage receive (150kHz - 30MHz) Covers: 3.5 - 30MHz • 100 memories (when used with EDX-2

U M U M W» auto ATLI) • 100W. SSB, CW & FM, 40W AM ....WA .IOJr • t Length: 2.7 metres • Built in speech compressor

• Computer control with optional ERW-4 • • .1 ' 858.85

• Full QSK in CW modes r4inat M s MANI J LiJ -..•-QRM/QRN reduction with IF shift. RF •‘• NM A M roog attenuator and optional CW filter High quality multi-band

NO WI trapped HF vertical - ,0 Two VFOs + memory operation mode » Emu Covers: 8 0/40 /2045/ 10 • Basic model upgradeable to (T) model Length: 5.65 metres with • EJ33U Electronic keyer,v ,z,•..... ' Power: 500 Watts _ - • f134-U CTCSS with 2.2 intr radials built in for high efficiency. Maybe • El35U CW filter mounted on a roof or mast E675.00 £175.00 d level. £8 P&P NEW LOWIR PHI

UK Distributors for Alinco Droducts tel: 01705 662145 fax: 01705 690626 . • 189 LONDON ROAD • NORTH END • PORTSMOUTH • HANTS-•f02 9AE • e-mail: [email protected] • website: http//www.nevada.co.uk NE (DISTRIBVA UTI O N DIVISI O N • Spectrum channel display • Optional extended receive DJ-G5EY including Airband 108-173.995MHz Dual Band Handheld 400-511.995MHz NEW I. • t A brilliant twin band handheld that 800-999.990MHz DINER does everything including spectrum • Full VHF/UHF Duplex display of adjacent channels. The • Over air cloning PRICE RX has a superb front end that • Cross band repeat 4. does not suffer with breakthrough • Up to 5W RF output 1299 95 like some other handhelds. It has memories •100 £8 P&P CTC S/DTMF built in as standard. • 11111,ferefelriefk

• Tr ip

P: ".• The DR140 is simple to operate, easy to program and dependable se' • DR-140E 2 Metre Mobile/Base in use. The clean design, large controls and display show that Alinco are listening to what operators are saying. The DR140 2 Metre Handheld combines solid construction and easy maintenance with popular features and advanced functions. A new slim line 2 meter • Optional receive to cover Airband, PMR & Marine handheld that's easy to 118.135.995MHz [AM) use and has an enormous

w 4F 136-173.995MHz IFMI clear display. /4',*" • 51 memories ealit I • )) • Time out timer 124%05 • Up to 5W output with

I Alpha numeric display £8 P.m- 9.6V NiCad pack) • 50W FM output • 40 memories channels • Electronic squelch • c/w DTMF mix • Cloning capable • CTCSS encoder • DTMF fitted DR-150 2 Metre Mobile • Battery save facility A full featured 50W FM mobile radio that's crammed I • Scan functions The DR-150 ta e diC2s. in,to the • Time out timer 69,95 21st century! 8 P&P 4,.. 411,41:0 ;"eir • Optional ext ••• III r. ze ge) 1)1,1 .L) (i2J, 135-950M P-IS CID • Channel Sco , „,. Low Cost 2mtr Handheld • CTCSS encoder 1219 .15 • 100 memory ch £8 P&P A powerful super slim 2mtr • On air cloning handheld with a huge easy to read display. DR-430 UHF Mobile • Up to 5W RF output (with opt. EBP-36N A rugged easy to use 70cm mobile battery pack) transceiver with optional extended • 40 memory channels receive coverage. • Includes NiCads and • 400 - 490MHz charger • 35W RF output • CTCSS tone encoder fitted • CTCSS encoder • Battery save function • 20 memories expandable to 100 • Scan function • Frequency or channel display • Time out timer setting

The DR-610E dual band transceiver equipped with hinco'. Advanced Channel Sco lises 'Real lime Monitor' on different frequencies simultaneously giving yo visual scanning capability ap. potential for making numeré .11) lee hie ar contacts. • AM Airband RX • 120 memories • Optional extended receive inc airband • VHF 50W/UHF 35W max • • VHF 108 - 174MHz • Channel Scope • UHF 420 - 470MHz • Full duplex k• CTCSS enc DR-605E Dual Band Mobile Earyibto use twin band mobile TX that delivers both high power and performance with user friendly features. lac 141.1141:0 •", L“Z•à../5 as review plc rirt 'Pi 5 no" !ER ti 5ø RA JUL, .4-11J • 50W 12m1- 35W (70cms) ..,iositito '11 • 100 memories le/1 a. 1M1 "4":,11' • Full Duplex Wafer thin credit card size transceivers • CTCSS encoder fitted 13 £9195 300mW RF output - repeater offsets - CTCSS "t.,•:"". • '.-•• • J j U2mtr Handheld 1169.95 . - DR-MO 6TH • 144 • 146MHz transmit • Extendable receive 118 174MHz ómtr FM Mobile 50 - 54MHz 8249.95 including (AMI Air band P&P With the new 6 metre repeaters now up and JJ,-e,5123 70cms Handheld £169.95 running, this is the ideal radio for the Band. • 430-440MHz transmit With an optimised receive front end, CTCSS Aumm • Extendable receive 420 - 4581VIFiz encode and easy to use controls you will be amazed at the range achievable. 111111M1 Speaker Mic Miniature speaker inic with 1441 , clip fo use with atC1 and 0.1-04. '«:•;" CA: ) .li, $ e •It ;' , • e I, M E M B E R S' A DVERTISE ME N TS

RSGB Members wishing to place an advertisement in this section must use the official form incorporated on the • are asked to use their callsign and QTHR, provided their address in the current edition of the RSGB Amateur label carrier of Radio Communication. This will prove membership and must be for the current month. No • Callbook is correct. RS members will have to provide their name and address or telephone number. Please acknowledgment will be sent. Ads not clearly worded, or which do not comply with these conditions will be include yourtown and phone number in the free boxes provided to assist readers. Advertisementswill be placed returned. If an ad is cancelled no refund will be due. An advertisement longer than 60 words will be charged pro • in the first available edition of RadCom. rata. Trade or business ads, even from members, will not be accepted. Traders who wish to use this facility must • The closing date for copy is the first day of the month prior to publication cg, the deadline for March is send a signed declaration that the items for sale are part of, or intended for, their own personal amateur station. 1 February. The RSGB reservesthe rightto refuse ads, and accepts no responsibilityfor errors or omissions, orforthe quality • of goods for sale or exchange. Each advertisement must be accompanied by the correct remittance, as a credit Warning: Members are advised to ensure that the equipment theyintend to purchase is not sutject to a current card payment, cheque or postal order made payable to the Radio Society of Great Britain. Please note that • hire purchase agreement. The 'purchase' of goods legally owned by a finance company could result in the because this is a subsidised service to members, no correspondence can be entered into. Licensed members • 'purchaser' losing both the goods and the cash paid.

with boom mic &foot switch £990. Grundig Sat CODAR AT5 Tx, and power unit. 0181 946 FT-840 HF 100W only used three times, fitted 700 Rx LW, MW, SW, LSB, USB, FM, RDS 6145 (London). FM option, perfect condition, in box £595. portable £120. Global 2000 SVVL ATU new COLLINS 51-J4 vgc £450. FRG 7 digital like G3LBA. 01865 821503 (Abingdon). FOR SALE boxed £50. MFJ815 HF 2kVV watt meter/ SVVR new £125. CRF 320 CRF 330 wanted. Racal G2DSF silent key. Daiwa NS660 SVVR £40. £30. Hand crafted solid wood & brass Morse 17 vgc £125. 0181 813 9193 (Middx). MJF-784B DSP £100. ERA Microreader £50. 25 years RadCom, almost complete, offers. key £25. CX4OIN coax switch £15. MFJ-260C COMPUTER Packard Bell Legend 316SX col- Vibroplex 4899 twin paddle key £40. 1 pair 10m mobile whip, SMC1OSE 'oscar' gutter 300W dummy load £20. AKD VVA1 VHF / UHF our monitor 40mB HDD £250. Laser printer matched 6146B valves £10. Z-match ATU mount, £5. 2m 8 ele beam £10. G4BGH. 01235 wave meter £10. SVVR 30 in line pwr / SVVR Ricoh £125. Both with manuals. 0181 531 £20. Heathkit GDO £10. Many other items. 862232 (VVantage). meter £15. QS300 handi mount £10. Airlight 6649 (Highams Park). Carriage extra. Contact Mick, G4KKS on 0116 headset& boom mic £5. Terry, G40XD. 01462 CUSHCRAFT 13 B2N 13-ele 2m 'N' Yagis 2 288 6934 (Leicester). ICOM IC-821H 2m / 70cm all mode base sta- 435248 after 6pm. (Hitchin). months old, £80 each (4 available). 203-CD G3TS0 80m single band tow. 15W o/p gwo tion. Equipped CTCSS tone squelch unit. Hand- 20m 3-eleYagi, 2 months old £250. Butternut used mobile £120 ono. G3XYD. 0589 303177 book. Boxed in new condition with all supplied TKINS Johnson 521A-7 surveillance Rx, 20 - HF6V, as new £90. KR-500 elevation rotator (Poole). accessories unused £1100. BNOS 2m 100W 80MHz, panoramic display, gwo £575. VVJ- £90. IC-202 2m SSB £80. Stolle rotator £25. HRO 1 - 30MHz 5 coils spare valves fair work- linear amplifier model LPM 144 to 100 £120. 9477G tuneable demodulator £575. EIP451 VVavetek portable spectrum analyser 1MHz - ing condition some attention will improve. Tokyo Hi-power 70cm 60W linear amplifier microwave pulse freq counter to 18GHz, £350. 480MHz with data £160. MM 500MHz DFM Doug. 01548 580088 (Kingsbridge). model HL6OU £75. Buyer collects or pays Racal 1992, 1.3GHz counter £350. Motorola £30. 01778 440 079 (Lincs). HW9 Heath kit 2VV CRP CVV with RIT&CVVfilter carriage. 01986 798524 (Woodbridge). P210 UHF x 3 c/w 6 way charger, £450. Philips DRAKE TR7 plus PSU excellent cond. Club rig complete station include rig, transformer with PRP76 UHF x 2 c/w 5 way charger£375. 01908 little used £395 ovno. 01432 263575 (Her- speaker and Kent pump key covers all bands JRC JST-135, tow, general coverage, good 365726 (Milton Keynes). eford). HF except topband £275. David, G3HUT. condition, boxed, JRC separate speaker, mic, DRAKE TR7, manual, fan, NB .3 CVV filter 01904 763325 (York). fitted CVV filter, very low mileage £695 ono. FC- YAESU FT-650 fully loaded internal PSU boxed mic £550. MN7 ATU boxed £160. IC-575A six/ten metre 10W all mode perfect 102 antenna tuning unit, SVVR / power meters, CTCSS filters and DVS2 boxed with manual Datong FL3 filter, mains adaptor £70. 01823 order £520. G3LBA. 01865 821503 also very low mileage £85 ono. Aiga rotator, £750. Kenwood TS-940SAT boxed with manual 680778 (Hemyock, Devon). (Abingdon). medium size, direction indicator£55. Butternut £850. Yaesu FRG-8800 £285. Toshiba 486 EDDYSTONE S640 receiver with handbook ICOM 751 excellent condition £350. Yaesu 5 band bow-tie mini-beam, been up 5 yrs, will colour notebook £450. Akai reel to reel tape vgc £110 ono. AR-88D with handbook £60. power supply FP-80 as new £25 ono. TH3JR clean up. £40. 0161 456 4300 (Stockport). recorder £60. Laurence, G1SVVL. Mobile 0468 Audio voltmeter £10. Eddystone 77OR for beam £100. 16 el 2m Yagi £10. RadComs 644625. 01252 815874 (Fleet). spares £25. 01245 381961 (Chelmsford). complete sets 1988 - 96 with indexes free for KENWOOD TS-130S tow with VVARC bands, ET-4336 HF Tx £200. Various 19 sets from collection. Timewave DSP-9+ £100 ono. (Half mic, 100W PEP £300. Hi-mound MK-704 pad- YAESU FT-726R including 10 - 15m module, £80. Wanted. Morse keys type D RAF Navy price of new unit). 01226 287301 (Barnsley). dle keyer new £20. AEA Morsematic keyerwith 2m module and 70cms module. Technical etc. Ham'Iund Super-pro Rx with PSU work- ICOM 775DSP. Also 1200W amp £3000. No paddle key £60. Antenna current probe MFJ- manual, operating manual. Yaesu fist micro- ing slight mods £60. A14 HF trx LP version offers. JST-245 plus 1.200W amp £2500. No 206 1.6-40MHz £60. Antenna bridge MFJ- phone offers around £550. Can deliver in the with ATU no headset £100. Ben. 01562 offers. 01637850103. Answer mach ine. (Corn- 204B 1.6 - 35MHz £60. Lafayette field strength North of England or collection welcome. For 743253. [email protected] wall). meter TM-16A 3-55MHz 8 x 8cm scale tel- more details contact Mark on 01274 739435 (VVorcs). ICOM IC-251E 2m multimode, immac original escopic antenna £20. Optoelectronics Inc Se- (Bradford). FDK-430 explorer 10W vgc original box circuit condition, box, manual, hand mic, etc £300. ries 7000 frequency cou nter with leather carry £100. Oskerblock SVVR200 chart vgc £30. Adrian, G4JBH. 01935 413163 (Yeovil). ing case and manual. 10Hz to 600MHz £90. YAESU FT-736 multimode, including 6m, 2m, Carr paid. G4VIJ. 01782 623156 (Staffs). ICOM IC-251E tow with Mutek front end, 2m Swan VVM-6200 SVVR/ pwr meter 50 - 150MHz 70cms, CVV filter, keyer excellent condition FOR sale. TS130V with VVARC bands £275 base station, multimode, mintcondition, boxed, £35. Leader LAC-897 144MHz ATU with pwr/ £1175. Yaesu FT-221 2m multimode £180. ono. Ask for Dale 1000 - 1500 or evenings. manuals £325. loom SM-8 base mic brand SVVR meter £50. Kenwood LF-30A low pass Yaesu FC-700 ATU £60. High power packet 0141 781 1176 (Glasgow). new £60. Azden PCS-300 5W 2m h/held tow filter (TVI) new £30. Para Dynamics Corp low including Yaesu 270RH FM 5/40W plus PK88 FT-1000MP AC 250 / 500 filters, FH1 remote + charger and manual 140 - 150MHz £120. pass filter PDC-98 lkW new £35. Barker & controller £225. loom 737 HF as new used as keypad £1600. Alinco DX70 with mobile an- G6RLH. 01322 523668 (Bexley). Williamson Inc air inductor type 2008 80 turns receiver only £800. Rare Sugiyama multimode tennas £500. Alinco DR120 5 - 50W 2m ICOM IC-735 all mode HF tow Curtis keyer, 7cm dia new stock £25. Barker & Williamson HF plus 4m, 2m spares or repair offers. John, mobile, whip antenna £150. All under one narrow CVV filter, CTCSS tone unit, comp inc air inductor 60 turns 8cm dia new stock £25. G7ANQ QTHR. 01203 393852 (Nuneaton). year old. Boxed with manuals. G3KNJ. 01923 control, manuals, vgc, £435 ono. loom ICR- 61 turn inductor ceramic former 81mm dia 244069 after 6pm. (Watford). 7000 all mode 25MHz - 2GHz scanning Rx, 242mm length. Silver plated £10. Coaxial ce- 45 foot triangular self supporting mast 2 x 20' FT-101 FV-101 external VFO, extension inc remote control, freq speak manuals, orig ramic rotary switch 2kVV RF 16cm x 8.5cm dia sections, 5' top unit with drive shelf and bear- speaker, plus YC-601 digital display, includes pkg, vgc, £450 ono. Phone AM or evenings. 3 banks 1 x 9 and 2 x 11-way single pole £25. ing £85. Buyercollects.G3KBR. 01223501712 microphone, all manuals, pristine condition Brian. 01904 769245 (York - N Yorks). E F Johnson 230pF variable capacitor 154-16- (Cambridge). and gwo £350. Swan 350 (400W PEP) with ICOM IC-T7E dual band h/held vgc in box with 13. 25 x 7 x 7cm 1.5kVV new £25. New rectan- 486DX 2.50 computer 530 meg hd, 12 meg matching powersupply/speakerand 144MHz spare battery five months old £190. 01252 gular meters 4cm lmA £3. 6cm 100uA £6. 7cm memory, 10 x CD-ROM, Internet blaster mo- transverter, microphone, manuals included, 332035 (Farnham). 500mA £6. Eimac vacuum capacitor 10pF dem, Astound 3D-16PNP sound card, gwo and condition £250. Dave, GOBSM QTHR. ICOM IC-VV2E 2m / 70cm handie with IC-BP4 VC12-32 £5. 2m XY crossed Yagi 16 element speaker, Tatung SVGA monitor with on site 01543 372958 (Walsall). charger HM6S spk / mic case DC-lead £200 £35. 70cm XY Yagi with phasing harnesses warranty, mouse, keyboard, with Windows or FT-101E hardly used, one owner, superb con- ono or p/exchange 23cm units for FT- £60 (buyer collects). Technical Associates XC- VVin95 installed £450 ovno. Also IBM386 80 dition, extras £275. Drake RV7 £90. MS7 £35. 736R.Graham. 01242 518776 (Cheltenham). 1 crystal frequency generator 1MHz 500kHz meg HD colour monitor, windows etc £150. 7077 mic £35. Aux7 £25. SL-500 £40. TR7 w/ ICOM T7E see RadCom inside back page 100kHz 50kHz 10kHz 10kHz 5kHz 1kHz £20. 01536 522007 (Northants). s man £25. All vgc. Collins F455 Y 2.1 filter August 97 with up and down collar mic, cover CSC MZX550 handheld frequencycounterwith 70CM SMC-545L1 xtal 432.675MHz (packet £40. Kokusai MF455-lock £35. C221 charts / carry case battery charger as new 144 70cm. probes 100Hz to 50MHz £50. Fishers radio cluster)with 6 ele Yagi £75. JPS NIR-10 audio PSU £25. RadComs 20 yrs offers. G3KDA. Good reason for sale. G4ILR QTHR. 01603 corp 440-T stereophonic FM multiplex receiver DSP £175. G3ZSS. 01252783124 (Farnham). 01305 832974 (Weymouth). 782396 (Norwich). 80W distortion 0.8% response 20 - 22000 ALTRON 42ft three section lattice telescopic FT-225RD 2m multimode base stn £300. FT- JRC JST-245 HF + 50MHz tow 150W with CVV ±1.5dB 88 - 108MHz £65. Telequipment D51 wall mounted mast. Complete with stub mast, 780R 70cms multimode mobile £250. Daiwa filters CFL 231 (300Hz) CFL 232 (500Hz) double beam oscilloscope 20MHz £125. Printer cage, Yaesu steady bearing, TB3 H F tri-bander all mode active filter model AF-606K with PLL CMF 144 monitor board. NVA 319 external NEC dot matrix pinwriter P2200. 24 pin £50. and Kenpro KR600 rotator plus feeder. All in £45. 01748 835337 (Richmond, N Yorks). speaker, new, boxed, 4 months old £2350. Printer ribbons for star LC10 or NX1000 £1 ea. excellent condition. New house forces sale. FT-290 Mk1 Mutekfrontend vehicleslide mount 01203 313109 (Nuneaton). DFI HS-3000 handy scanner with board and FL-2510 10W linear, new nicads, helical and JRC NRD-525 offers for this first class Rx in software £15. Sanyo x6 CD-ROM with installa- Contact Jim, GOPMX. 0191 386 8835. original antenna, scan mic £200 ono. FT- spotless cond and would prefer buyer in- tion disc new £25. Plus parcel post on all items ALTRON tilt over mast 10m, very heavy galva- 4700RH 2 / 70 dual band mobile detachable spects at this 0TH. 0141 779 2709 (Glas- unless collected. e-mail 100630.771@ nised construction with winch and base insu- gow). compuserve.com (Hampshire). lators. Type ACC4HDBP/RM. Evenings only head. Fitted DTMF & CTCSS complete in please. 01473 311259 (Ipswich). original box. Rare sought after rig complete KENTtwin paddle key unused with Chris mould- ing iambic keyer unit £45. Not sold separate. SILENT key sale. FT-990 mic, boxed mint AN astonishing bargain loom IC-02E h/setfour with duplexer £270 ono. FT-203R 2m h/held 01254 240802. GOBPQ QTHR. (Blackburn). condition £900. FT-726R mic, 6m 2m £600. spare batteries nicad case spkr/mic manual complete with case and charger but need new KEN WOOD 690S unused £850. Navico Many sundry items also. GOOZD QTHR. 01794 £110 ono. FT-680R multimode manual £320 battery. Original box and instructions £50 ono AMR1000S £120 ono. Capco SPC300 £90. 340349 (Romsey, Hants). ono. 01792 791046 (Swansea). or £450 the lot. Phone Paul. 0974 392453 BACK issues of RadCom from 1976 - approxi- (Northampton / Southampton). Digital multimeter frequency counter. Phone for info. 01624 801592 (Isle of Man). SI LE NTkey sale. Trio TS-830S vgc £350. Trio mately 200 issues. Any offers? 01493669305. FT-4700RH Yaesu dual band 2m - 70cms KENWOOD 930S FSK new digital board £650. TR-9000 2m / all £220. Trio TR-7500 2m FM BBC-B computer, colour monitor, 5/14 & extended frequency boxed plus Tiny 2 with Trio 830S new 6146s CVV filter, workshop drives, packet programme installed, MT81 connecting leads all manuals excellent condi- £85. Yaesu FT-101E (spare valves) £200. manual £450. Kenwood VFO 240 £100. TM- printer, software games, ham programmes. tion £350. 4m PMR xtld to 70.450 six channel Yaesu FT-200 + Mutek £200. Yaesu YC-601B 231E £180. Pakratt PK88 £80. Pakratt 232 All leads, bargain £85. Yaesu FL-2100Z linear type PMR 29425W squelch control fully work- (digital) £50. Yaesu FT-747GX vgc £380. £160. Linear Explorer soft start mod £500. excellent order with 2 spare valves. Cetron ing £40. Ask for Bill, G7JGVV. 01772 683098 (boxed). Rotator controller KR-60ORC £30. Diamond 2m vertical £20. Full G5RV £20. Chicago Bencher key + keyer £35. M/modules USA matched 600W output, slow start fitted, (Preston). Amstrad 8512 packet interface £30. Rotator transvertor 2m-70cm £50. M/modules buyer collect £450. 01452 332260 (Glouces- FT-709R70cm handie boxed charger caradap- Emotator 502 SAX £150. Ring G3YAA 1630 transverter 2m - 10m £350. Please telephone ter). tor £80. Buyer collect. Ian, G8AVVL QTHR. - 1800 or 2200 - 1400. 01482 866865 between 1800/1900 hrs. G3ZJY QTHR. 01590 BROADCAST video tape recorder Ampex 01530 244078 (Leicester). (Beverley). 645872 (Lymington). VRR2 1 reel to reel fully working. 'Merlin' FT-736R 6 + 2 + 70 fitted with CTCSS. Also KENWOOD SM-230 monitor scope mint con- moded for 2hrtapes plus second machine for keyer unit, pristine condition £950. RJC525 dition with manual, in original box, seldom TS-570D HF DSP tow, SSB filter, & Tx crystal spares. Manuals and various other bits £250. 10-160 rec + manuals £500. Getting new rig. used. Mark, GI3YDH QTHR. 01232 795783 fitted, Daiwa PS-304 Mk2 PSU, Heil head set 0181 998 3502 (Ealing, London). G7GVVH. 01474 568 974 (Gravesend). (Belfast).

Confused by type numbers? You need the RSGB Rig Guide. See pages 92/93

88 RadCom • February 1998 ME MBERS' ADVERTISEMENTS

KENWOOD TL-922 perfect working order in- NEMS Clarke R-1047 telemetery receiver and 2m FM 10W mobile £100. TS-700 2m ASCII / CVV £25. Telequip dual trace oscillo- cluding two new spare 3-500Z tubes £950. spare units with manual not working but in fair multimode £250. All ono, most in boxes. scope 320. Emigrating. Tel Tony. 01604 Hygain TH-7DXX Yagi £400 ono. Buyer col- condition £100. CV157 SSB converter for G4VRX. 0976 263075 (Birmingham). 767754 (Northampton). lects or carriage extra. G3MLO QTHR. Tel- Collins R390 and 390A receivers untested but TS-830S with 500Hz CVV filter and DFC-230 YAESU FT-790 Mk1 70cm m/m with 25W amp ephone evenings. 01227 709634 (Canter- complete and in good condition with manual ext VFO exc cond £475. MML 432 / 100 70cm good condition £200. Alinco 6m FM 20W used bury). £150. Redifon R550A and R1000M manuals linear 3150. Both ono. 01522 868284 (Lin- once under guarantee £150. 0171 771 0309 KENWOOD TM-441E 70cm mobile tow very Racal 9081/2 signal generator manual £40. coln). (London, Brighton). good condition boxed manual, extended re- All prices negotiable plus carriage. Telephone VERSATOWER 3-section tilting 9m gd cond YAESU FT-8000R VHF / UHF tow with ceive £200 ono. 01952 415207 (Telford). Allan even ings/weekends on ly. 01925445605 buyer removes £120. Yaesu FT-200 with wideband receive. Mintcond, boxed with man, KENWOOD TR-751E multimodevgc little use. (VVarrington). G3LLL clipper+ PS200 PSU boxed c/w book mic, mobile bracket and Sirio HP-2070 dual Mobile fitting, mic, instruction/service manu- OSCILLOSCOPE Techtron ix 465 DC-100MHz diagrams £120. loom IC-290E 2m multimode band mobile antenna £350. Phone Martin, als. 1/4 & 5/8 whip antennas with mounts dual beam with users manual, all leads and with 25W PA fitted c/w mobile bracket, book & GOHRZ QTHR. 0181 597 0234. (Romford). £400. 01322 525097 (Bexley). service manual £300 including carriage and diagrams £120. Bob, GMOGRVV. Evenings. YAESU FT-8500 dual band mobile, mint £375. KENWOOD TS-440 with voice readout. Plus insurance. 01934843507 (VVinscombe, Som- 01292 591422 (Ayrshire). HP-6207 -11GHz signal generatorplus manu- AT-250 auto; ATU and Capco magnetic loop: erset). VIBROPLEX Brass Racer paddle, unused, als £100. AOR-950 scanner £50. Buyers col- 10 -20m £900. Will split. Bill, GVVOPQI. 01492 PC486DX 10x CD-ROM, modem, sound card, boxed £65. G4ZPY paddle gold plated £30. lect. 01922 473492 (Walsall). 623672 (Penmaenmawr). SVGA monitor £475 ovno. PC386 colour Kenwood SM-230 station monitor boxed new KENWOOD TS-440SAT with SSB filter, very monitor £150 ovno. Yaesu FT-840 FM mint condition £350. Diamond SX-200 VSVVR / good condition with box and manuals £550. £600. MVT-7100 £175. 01536 522007 power meter 1.8 to 200MHz PEP / average Buyer collects. GOUEF. 01452 300920 (Northants). boxed £30. PC486/50200MB hard drive 16MB WANTED (Gloucester). PSUs home-brew 13.8V fixed, fully filtered, RAM with monitor, keyboard, mouse, soft- KENWOOD TS-450S, perfect, PSU £750. protected, metered, case, 10 amp max, £30. ware, excellent condition boxed £195. Epson WANTED The following Plessey ICs: SL623, Versatower, 3 sec, telescopic £270. FT-480R 6 amp max £20, plus carr. GM3LGU QTHR. LX-800 D/M printer with page + tractor feed, SL622, 5L611, SL952, SP8740, SP8790, all mode, mic, manual £250. BC-221 charts, 01369 870341 (Dunoon). excellent condition £30. Yaesu YC-355D some similar numbers may be of use. Call spare valves £40. 70cm 13 el, Yagi, new £50. PYMAR 2000 2m FM mobile £40. D100 DXTV 200MHz frequency counter £32. 01342 evening after 6pm. Peter. 0181 857 4084 2m LPY beam £20. 2m / 70cm, vertical 6.0 / converter £20. RadCom simple spectrum 714402 (Crawley). (London). 8.4 dBi £50. G-40ORC rotator, bottom bracket, analyser £40. Unused Challenger SP-5000 VINTAGE valves. All tested good £3 each. BRITISH any radio A16/PRC316. Complete cable £170. Ad m iralty hand books £35. Valves, positioner £20. J S Roberts, G8FDJ. 0114 283 10DI, ACP, AC/P, AC/HL, AC2/HL, HL21DD, system or any items and accessories. Also radio magazines, components, coax cable, 3847 (Sheffield). K23B, PM26, T31, TDD2A, VP4 (5-pin), VP4 wanted Butternut HF vertical. G3GTJ QTHR. enquire. G3PYP. 01225 708816 (Melksham). RA6790/GM needs attention spares or repair (7-pin), CV1111, VT50, U17, NR74, 01963 240319 (Castle Cary). KENWOOD TS-530S boxed with mic, hand- £550. RA-1772 voc £550. R800VLF + spares PENDD4020, QP240, APP4C, HFP2, KT31, CIRCUIT diagram / handbook for Microwave book excellent condition £325. G4JTR. 0118 £500. Motorola HF 0-30 as new £1000. QP21, QP22B, TH2, VP215, VR107, VR129, Modules transverter 144 / 28 2m all costs 947 6873 (Reading). RA1792 £1000. Many manuals POA. W42, 220IPT, HXT4, 202-DDT, 202-STH, 202- KENWOOD TS-530S CVV filter VFO/valves VC3OODLP antenna tuner £75. RA1779 VPB, FC2, FC4, L63, KT263. SAE enquiries repaid for photocopies etc. John, GM7LSI £300. loom IC-271E £300. Trio TS-700G m/ £1000. MA2232 £350. RA1784 £1000. Loads othertypes. Please add £2 postage. Cheques QTHR. Tel anytime: 01343 540441 (Elgin). mode £200. KW-201 Rx £80. McElroy bug of bits for all above inc filters. 01323 487919 to K Bailey, 40 Seymour Close, Birmingham, COLLINS TCS-12 Tx (not worried if modified £40. All items very good to excellent cash / (VVillingdon). B29 7JD. but must be in good order). Good price + p/p carry. 0121 474 4856 (West Mids). ROTATORYaesu G60ORC never used, in box WORKING well, 1969 ev Atlanta tow 3.5 - offered. Contact Peter 01287 634397 works KENWOOD TS-850SAT inc 500Hz CVV filter £210. Microwave Modules 23cm transverter 28MHz 500VVSSB, 350VV CVV, 125AM, sepa- 0TH 9 - 5pm, will ring you back. "Thanks". PS52 PSU £950 ono. Yaesu FT-290R Mk1 2m SSB input £150. 01483 831044 (Guild- rate KW VFO, KW power supply, digital ELEMENTS for Bird Thruline WHY. Jones and Mutek £200. Yupiteru MVT7000 scanner ford). readout, Shure mic £210. Yaesu, V/UHF Paddle. Heil headset or insert. Old bug key. £150. All boxed with manuals. Watson W300 SEM Tranzmatch w/Ezitune £60. Diamond tribander 726R sat unit 70cm 2m 6m HF 21 - Your price paid. Please fax or phone. 01226 2m / 70cm antenna, unused, £50. Hy-gain SX200 SVVR / pwr £50. Kent brass key £25. 28MHz, DTMF mic Yaesu YM-48A £680. SP- 761499 (Penistone). TH3 Mk3 damaged spares or repair. Prefer Yu piteru MVT-7100 £200. Boxed books radio 102 speakerunit. 01952251478 (Wellington). FOR FT-736R 23cm unit FEX-736-1.2 (B) cat buyer inspects / collects. Weekends only. designers handbook by L Smith, Radio Hand- YAESU 48OR 2m m/mode boxed manuals interface FIF-232C or cat/TNC for IC-505 FM G4RVVD QTHR. 01283 533161 (Burton-on- book 7th edn 1940 USA offers. GOBUE QTHR. bracket g/con £275 ono. Yaesu 40ORC rota- unit. Graham, G4FUJ. See for sale. 01242 Trent). 01427 718340 (nr Lincoln). tor with bottom bracket gwo £125. Martin, 518776 (Cheltenham). KENWOOD TS-870S plus Manson powersup- SILENT key sale TS-120V £230. KW-2000A GOMVP. 01903 690518 (Worthing). FT-243 and 10X xtals range 7.001MHz to ply both new unused (see log) boxed manuals £100. TR-2200G £40. 2m h/held AR-425 YAESU 560 tow 3.5 - 30MHz 400W mic spare 7.010MHz. Brian Otter, 9J2B0, Box 34554, schematics £1450. Yaesu 40ORC rotatorwith Mizuho GDO FX-1 £25. Gould 20MHz scope set valves handbook Star Master key Mk2 Lusaka Zambia. brackets unused £140. G4MH minibeam as 0S300 £40. Kantronics KAM 100k memory paddle. Excellent cond £350 ono. 01572 G2DAF receiver wanted, need not be working new £65. Optoelectrics RF digital minicounter £230. All ovno. Buyer collects. 0161 4394952 812472 (Oakham). but must be complete. Also required: Barlow model 3300 55. Kent Morse trainer£40. Kent (Stockport). YAESU FRG-7700 with FRV-770 VHF con- Wadley XCR-30 receiver. Ken, R5171940. paddle key £25. VVelz SVVR meter 1.8 -150MHz SILENT key sale. Kenwood TS-450S c/w PS- verter only £200. Frank. 01295 670108 (nr 01870 602675 (Isle of Benbecula). £20. Kenwood low pass filter LF-30A £20. 30 PSU, in gwo includes manual & box £475. Warwick). GEM Quad or beam with max 12ft turning 0115 939 6328 (Notts). Prefer buyer inspects and collects. Peter, YAESU FRT-7700 antenna tuner £39. Yaesu radius urgently required. Lost my home brew KW1000 HF linearvgc £315 ono. Mike, GOKAS G3HEE. 01780 755001 (Stamford). MD-100 A8X desk mic (new) £95. RadComs quad in xmas gales. 0161 747 8779 (Man- QTHR. 01372 820612 (Epsom, Surrey). SILENT key sale. MFJ-1278 multi-mode turbo 1985-1993 March 1986 missing. P/VVireless chester). LINEAR Amp HF Explorer 1200,9 bands, soft modem, boxed, £165. Microset 13.8V 35A 12 - 1982, 9 - 1983 offers. Lafayette HA-230 HELP help wanted. Parmeko transformer cat start for long life, as new £950. Yaesu FT- PSU £85. Optronics 3300 frequency counter general coverage receiver, full build instruc- no P2538 model 6000/79, 500 - 0 - 500, 6.3 - 900AT. General coverage transmit and re- £80. High quality paddle key, £35. Indoor box tions, offers. Buyer collects. 01524 414030 6.3 - 6.3 plus 5V or equivalent for TS0 linear. ceive. Narrow CVV filter, new, unused, boxed portable loop ant, boxed, £95. All items excel- (Morecambe). Ted, G4TLY QTHR. 01666 922935 £750. Prefer buyer inspect and collect or lent condition. Eliot, GOVVXL. 0181 690 8865 YAESU FT-1000 vgc £1700. Hanson FS-71-H (Malmesbury). delivery at cost. G3UGK. 01202 525740 (SE London). 1.8 - 60MHz auto SVVR and peak reading pwr HF receiver FRG-7 or similar for 10m satellite (Bournemouth). STANDARD C108 VHF h/held with speaker / meter £40. Computer 386 inc screen ideal for operations. Phone 01788 578556 anytime. LOWE HF-225 receiver boxed manuals FM- mic. Unwanted gift. Boxed as new, Rx 100 - logging also printer £230. 2 way and 4 way (Warwickshire). AMS board fitted £290. Yaesu FT-221 manual 175MHz output 250mVV, very small and neat coaxial switchs £20 and £30. Phone Steve, ICOM IC-4KL linear. ASTU for balanced 160m £190. Sony Pro-80 boxed manual, frequency £85. 01403 263344 (Horsham). GOKEY QTHR. 01932 242536 (Surrey). antenna. Good for full legal power. EX627 converter £170. Buyer collects. Peter. 0181 TET HF vertical with radials 3 traps 10 thru 40m YAESU FT-102 with SP-102 speaker and desk automatic antenna selector. 01527 541502 661 1466 (Sutton). 21ft high new condition bargain £90. Reason mic in true mint order£399. Standard scanner (Redd itch). LOWE HF-225. PR-150 pre-selector. Datong for sale, want Butternut mini-beam or p/x for AX400500kHz - 1300MHz less than half price LOAN of service manual for IC-735, expenses active aerial £375. AKD 6001 6m tow new Cobweb. GOADL QTHR. 0161 280 3064 £125. 2m ZL-Special £15 new QRZ someone paid, plus bonus. Will phone back. Thanks. condition £125. Slow scan TV equipment (Radcliffe). please, items m ust go. 0121353 3364 (Sutton Alan, G4HEQ. 01202 661196 (Poole, Dor- Robot 1200C, Robot 400, Robot 70A. Monitor TOWER, professional, 15m made by Francis Coldfield). set). 1435/MS4 video monitorVVV5300 e/b all leads and Lewis 1 x 6m, 3 x 3m sections. Disman- YAESU FT-221 complete with Mutek front-end MICROWAVE Modules transverter 432 / 28 in etc £175. Buyer collects or p/p extra. 01484 tled and ready for collection £100. 19-inch and digital frequency display, excellent condi- gwo. G7NFO. 01788 578556 anytime. 654650 (Huddersfield). standard equipment rack from RS, beige / tion £220. Tokyo Hi-power 144MHz linear (Rugby). MANUALS Commandant HS transmitter, brown with smoked glass door c/w power amplifier 130W output model HL-110V in- NATIONAL FB7 or FBX-A receiverwith plug in Apollo receiver, Salvor Tx, Sentinel Rx, Life- distribution panel £50. Yaesu FT-101EE with cludes 30A PSU £140.Variousvintage broad- coils, orcoils only. HRO powersupply for 2.5V guard, Lodestar AKD N Argonaut Survivor II, second external VFO, manual, AC / DC leads cast receivers from £30. All in perfect order. filaments. GM2FVV QTHR. 01786 811237 maritime radio equipment £30. 01609 881576 good working order £150. Four drawer steel Phone for details. 0117 963 4160 (Bristol). (Stirling). (Northallerton). filing cabinet £25. 01652648635 (Kirton, North YAESU FT-290R II, clip on 25W amp, mobile OWNER'S manual for KW-600 linear amp. MFJ-486 Grand Master ,contest memory keyer, Lincs). mount, nicads, charger, carrying case. All Photocopy would be fine. 0181 958 8848 manual £50. Compaq LTE286 laptop, power TRIO TR-3200 with charger, manual, case, boxed with manuals £360 ono. Microwave (Edgware). supply, case, manual £120. KW-1000 linear >tailed 3 channels £30. Datong ASP RF speech Modules 144MHz 100W amp 10W in with PLESSEY linear integrated circuittype SL610. amp, manual £200. Timewave DSP59+ audio processor £50. Kenwood MC-355 mic £20. preamp. Suit IC-706? £80. 0956 208003 or One or two req. GVV3KAJ QTHR. 01686 0181 308 0051 (Sidcup). filter £75. Direct reading in line SVVR / power 01423 869593 (Knaresborough). 413511 (Llanidloes). YAESU FT-290R Mk1 including case, mic, meter NT427H, 1.8 - 150MHz, 20-200W £50. TRIO TS-430 HF tow matching spkr. Drae PSION series 2 LZ/LZ64 organizer and any handbook, nicads, charger, vgc bargain at Shack PSU 300W, 13.8V @ 5A (twice), 24V PSU, ATU £550. Yaesu FT-207R 2m h/held interesting accessories, such as data packs, £150. G4EOVV. 01794 500595 (Hants). @ 5A, 5 - 15V @ 0.5A, 5V @ 20A, new, boxed with NC-2 base charger £50. 01395 264872 comms links, printers etc. Required for stu- YAESU FT-290R2 brand new with all accs £15. Kenpro 2m h/held, charger £20. Stepped (Exmouth, Devon). dent MSc research project. Contact Lee, boxed £395. Wanted. FT-101ZD III must be in 50 ohm attenuator 1 - 120dB £15. GOEFO, e- TRIO TS-5305P £300. AT-230 antenna tuner GOPVO. 01706 842355 (Shaw, Oldham). pristine condition. Also FC-902. Phone mail: [email protected] Collect £50. BMK Multiterm AmTOR RTTY CVV inc RTTY demodulator module rack mounted 19- anytime. 01203 382215 (Nuneaton). or carriage extra. 01483 566441 (Guildford). software £30. Kent key £20. Phone 01424 inch, any type, must be working, your price, YAESU FT-726R 6m / 2m / 70cm multimode. MOMENTUM MCL 1100 decoder with monitor anywhere collection. 01538 385735 (Staf- 221457 (Bexhill-on-Sea). Gd cond. Man. Original packing. £675. 0181 PSU & book £275. Datong FL2 filter £65. fordshire). TS-570D mint boxed warranty until Feb 98 882 5125 (London). GVV4RZU QTHR. 01437 710544 £1000. TS-440S auto ATU IF232C interface YAESU FT-736R 2 / 70 / 6, CTCSS SP-767 SCRAPYaesu FT-290 and 790 rigsforspares. (Pembrokeshire). seeker PC program £675. TS-180S AT-180 boxed manuals best base station ever £1250 All costs covered. Can collect in Manchester MOSLEY TS-33JR. Works but needs some matching PSU £425. TS-830S AT-230 ovno. Postage included. Ring after 6pm. 0973 area. Contact Andy, G1HBE. 0161 303 8857 new tubing £50. Commodore 64/128 screen speaker MC50 mic £600. TS-830S £450. 413069 (Newcastle). (Dukinfield). printer disc drive cassette mouse, all leads, DFC230 external VFO for TS-830S £30. FT- YAESU FT-757GXII HF tcvrwith MN-188 hand THE following Yaesu items: YK-901 keyboard, manuals lots software £90. Beogram 1000 7B 100W HF mobile 80-10m digital £225. FL- scanning microphone 757AS auto antenna, FF-501 DX low pass filter, YD-844 desk mic, radiogram teak surround cassette deck works 2100Z non VVARC linear £250. TS-751E 2m 757HD power supply £750. loom IC-2525 2m QTR-24 clock. Shure 526T II desk mic, Hansen but needs new speakers £50. Buyers collect. multimode £400. TS-9130 2m multimode hand Tx/Rx £140. As new Commodore 64 FS-5E SVVR / power meter. Nigel, G4KZZ GOEHO QTHR. 01582 793311 (Redbourn). £300. TS-7730 2m FM 20W £135. FT-227R plus technical software TIFI / TX3 RTTY / QTHR. 01723 890786 (Scarborough).

RadCom • February 1998 89 EVENTS DIARY

EXETER ARS - 9, ES; 16, OTA. D G3EQM, tation of society bygones; 16, workshop. D01934 CLUB NEWS QTHR. 415700. SIL E N T KE YS DEADLINE - Items for club news should EXMOUTH ARC - 11, AGM; 25, JS. D 01395 WIMBLEDON & DARS- 13, T 'Photocopiers' by 271880. G8Z0J; 27, MP. 01737 356745. sent to the RadCom Office at HQ to GLOUCESTER AR & ES - 2, RLO visit and WOLVERHAMPTON ARS- 3, committee meet- E REG RET arrive by the 26th of the month, ie ap- discussion; 9, T 'Classic Receivers part 1 - the ing; 17, VID (early radar). D 01902 751936. to record the proximately a month before publication. RA 17'. 01452 618930 (OH). WORTHING & DARC - 4, discussion; 18, T For example, 26 January for the March GRIMSBY ARS - 5, 'Antenna trap construction' 'Home brew HF Receiver' by G8JVE; 25, OTA. passing of the issue. News items should be sent in by G4EBK; 19, 'Computer night' by M1AKU, D D 01903 753893. writing (fax or letter) and be signed by the G4EBK QTHR. YEOVIL ARC - 5, T 'My way with printed circuit following radio HALIFAX & DARS- 17, T'A strange meeting at boards' by G31C0; 12, T 'HF Receiver Design' club secretary or the person responsible Cranwell' by G4KQJ. D 01422 202306. by G3PCJ; 19, T 'Radio Experiences in the Far amateurs: for publicity. Post cards for this purpose FIAMBLETON ARS - 5, T'6m'. D 01845 537547. East' by G3CQR. D 01460 54657 (EVV). are available from RSGB HQ. FIASTINGS E& RC- 18, AGM. D 01424 830454. GONPX Mr S M Veale HODDESDON RC - 5, Inter-club left foot Morse Note: This is a service for clubs affiliated GOOBC Mr C J Crabb 03.12.97 competition; 19, visit by Badger Boards. D 0181 RALLIES AND to the RSGB. The announcements are 292 3678. GOOZH Mrs Sue Squibb 17.12.97 intended to notify non-members and HORNDEAN & DARC - 3, Club social; 24, B&B. EVENTS GOSAB Mr R E Bartholomew July 97 potential members of your club of spe- D 01705 472846. This is a list of all rallies, hamfests, GOWDH Mr B C Ballam 04.12.97 cific events. Therefore, 'committee meet- HORNSEA ARC - 4, T '40m/20m QRP Trx' by GODEB; 11, T 'Transistor biasing' by G3RMX; exhibitions and conventions notified to G1YSU Mr T A F Weatherley ing', 'natter night' and `ragchew evening' 18, activity evening; 25, T by MOABP. D 01964 HQ (as at press date). Items are given in etcwill not be included. Basic, unchanged G3G WH Mr G E Martin 25.11.97 562258. detail for the next three months inclusive details about RSGB affiliated clubs are ITCHEN VALLEY ARC - 13, T, 'An Introduction and in brief thereafter. Please send de- G3HEP Mr D E Wadlow published annually in the RSGB Call to Ionospheric Propagation' by G2BDV; 27, T tailed information, including contact G3KGC Mr R J B Morgan 01.11.97 'The wee H Antenna' by GOVVEH. D 01703 Book and Information Directory. callsign and telephone numbers direct to G3YQR Mr S J Whiteman 29.11.97 APPLEDORE & DARC -16,1 'Eyes in the Sky' 813827. HQ and marked 'Rally News - DIARY'. by GOFCL. D 01237 471802. LINCOLN & DARS- 11, VID 'Basic Radio Meas- GW4JVE Mr N F C Phillips 1 FEBRUARY AYLESBURYVALE RS -4,AD. D01296432234 urements'; 25, T 'BONSAI' by Bob Peach. D G7CWK Mr G Noble Nov 97 HARWELL Radio & Computing Rally - 01235 BANGOR & DARS - 4, CC and rig clinic. D 01522 537751. 815399. RS39328 Mr J Y Gall 26.11.97 01247 460716. LIVERPOOL & DARS - 3, RP; 10, OTA; 17, Q; SOUTH ESSEX ARS Radio Rally - 01268 BRACKNELL ARC - 11, Radio Software. D 24, ES. D 0151 722 1178. Z23J0 Mr M Geddes 01.04.97 697978. 01344 420577. LOTHIANS RS - 11, T 'Are your keys really BROMLEY & DARS -17,1 'Clandestine Radio' necessary' by GM4FH; 25, T 'Repeaters' by 8 FEBRUARY by G3VA. D 0181 777 0420. GM4COX. D 0131 663 8501. KIDDERMINSTER Radio & Electronics Fair - BROMSGROVEARS- 10, Equipment on show; LOUGHBOROUGH & DARC - 3, OTA; 10, Vin- KidderminsterCollege, Hoo Road, Kidderminster, 24, Speaker from the DTI. D 01527 875573. tage equipment; 17, 'Operating Procedures - a Worcs. OT (10.00). £1.50. TS, B&B, FM, C. TI BURY ST EDMUNDS ARS - 17, T 'Seeing the practical session on HF' by G3KVVY; 25, club 145.550MHz. 01527 545823 or 01562 69652. 5 APRIL voltages inside an integrated circuit' by GOHEM. project. D 01509 218259. 15 FEBRUARY CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE Radio Ama- D 01284 787234 (EVV). MALVERN HILLS RAC - 10, T'PCBs my Way' CAMBRIDGE & DARC Rally - Ambulance Sta- teur, Electronics & Computer Fair - TI, CP, BUXTON RA - 10, T (data related); 24, Discus- by G4EYJ, G1KVVF and G4IDF. D01905351568 tion, Addenbrooks Hospital. TI (2m), OT 10am, B&B, £1. 01454 633524. sion on fox hunt. D 01298 25506. (EVV). TS, CBS, B&B. 01954 200072. RED ROSE Rally - Horwich Leisure Centre, CAMBRIDGE & DARC - 6, T 'A nice bit of NEWBURY & DARS - 25, l'Analogue Devices' NORTHERN Cross Rally - Thornes Park Athlet- Horwich, Bolton. Jcn 5, M61. OT (10.30am / crackling, or can we get a modern CD from an by G4CLF. D 01635 826019. ics Stadium, Wakefield. Just out of town on the 11am) B&B, TS, £1.50 /£1. 01204 494308. original 78?' by Dr Godsill; 13, RP; 15, C&DARC NORFOLK ARC - 4, T 'DXing for the absolute Horbury Road. Easy accessfrom M 1 jcn 39 & 40. 19 APRIL TI (2m,70cm), 01 (10.30/11.00). Details 01924 Rally; 20, Club project. D 01223 872258 (E). beginner' by G3JNB; 11, OTA; 18, VID 'Battle of SWANSEA Amateur Radio and Computer 379680. CHELMSFORD ARS - 3, T 'Commercial Satel- the beams'; 25, OTA. D 01953 604769. Show- Swansea Leisure Centre, on the A4067 lites' by G7RGG. D 01245 256654. NORTH FERRIBY UNITED ARS - 13, AGM; 20, 22 FEBRUARY Swansea to Mumbles road. TI, OT (10.20), TS, CHELTENHAM ARA - 6, T 'Power Generation' MP. D 01482 656324. BARRY Amateur Radio and Computer Rally - B&B, SIG, LB, C 01792 404422. by MAGNOX. D 01242 241099. NORTH WAKEFIELD RC - 5, T 'Digital Trans- 01222 832253. YEOVIL ARC QRP Convention - Digby Hall, CHESHUNT & DARC - 11, VID 'VKOIR'; 18, mission Systems, Old and New' by G4RCH; 14/ RSGB National VHF Convention - See pages Sherborne, Dorset. TS, B&B, MT. 01935813054. 48 and 49 for details or call Norman, G3MVV, on members forum; 25, JS. D 01707 651532. 15, TDOTA (Guides) Special Event Station. D 25 APRIL CORNISH RAC - 5, T 'Underground Photogra- 01277 225563 or Marcia, 2E1 DAY, at RSGB HQ 0113 253 9087. INTERNATIONAL MARCONI DAY run by Cor- phy' by Roy. D 01209 820118. on 01707 659015. POLDHU ARC -. 10, T/VID 'Visit to Sweden - nish Radio Amateurs. 01209 212314. COULSDON ATS - 9, 'Practical Computing in early transmitters' by G3AHX. D 01326 240738. 28 FEBRUARY Amateur Radio'. D 0181 684 0610. 26 APRIL RSGB BRISTOL Group - 24, T 'Cost effective RAINHAM Radio Rally - Rainham School for COVENTRY ARS - 6, JS; 13, OTA; 20, AD; 27, BRITISH Amateur Television Club Rally - HF equipment, built, designed and published in Girls, Derwent Way, Rainham, Kent ME8 OBX. OTA. D 01203 673999. jcn 4 M2 motorway, A278 to Gillingham or from Sports Connexion, Leamington Road, Ryton- RadCom' by G4BVVE. D 01225 420442. DACORUM AR&TS - 3, Informal; 17, T 'The A2 at Rainham. CP, £2, OT (9.30/10am), TS, on-Dunsmore, near Coventry. OT (10am, SALOP ARS - 5, OTA; 12, Q; 19, OTA; 26, TBA. Science of Fires' by Stan Ames. D 01442 211925. SIG, LB, C. 01634 365980. 9.30am). £1. 50p. TS, SIG, CBS, C, LB. 01788 D G7SBD, QTHR. 890365. e-mail [email protected] DERBY& DARS - 4, JS; 9, Committee meeting; TYNESIDE ARC Rally - Temple Park Centre, SHEFFORD & DARS - 5, VID (contests); 19, John Reid Road, South Shields. CP, 01 (10.30! 11, natter night; 18, Q; 25, Rally 98. D 01332 27 APRIL AGM. D 01462 851722. 11.00). Admission by programme £1. B&B starts 556875. ANNUAL Morse Enthusiasts Group Get-to- SILVERTHORN RC - 6, CC; 20, T 'Yaesu FT- at 12 noon. MT, LB, C, FAM. 0191 265 1718. DEVIZES & DARC - 6, Maths for the RAE; 13, gether - Birthday party for Samuel Morse. 757GX Mk2' by GOCIB. D 0181 505 1871. Licence conditions; 20, Transmitter interference; 718 MARCH GM4HYF, QTHR. SOUTH BRISTOL ARC-4, 10m activity evening LONDON Amateur Radio & Computer Show- 27, NRAE mock exam. D 01380 724533. 3 MAY DOVER RC - 11, Fire Brigade, Maidstone, visit. and committee meeting; 11, Amateur radio soft- Lee Valley Leisure Centre, Picketts Lock Lane, ANGLO-SCOTTISH Rally -01573226372 D 01304 821007. ware demonstration by G4RZY; 18, Display of London N9. TI, CP, OT (10am), TS, RSGB DRAGON ARC - 2, T 'Shipbuilders of Amlwch' Morse keys by G4UGO; 25, Simple Home Con- stand, B&B, SIG, MT, LB, C, DF, LEC, CS. 4 MAY 01923 893929. by Bryan Hope; 16, VID. D 01248 600963. struction by GOTDS. D 01275 834282. DARTMOOR Radio Rally - 01822 852586. DUNSTABLE DOWNS RC -.6, Library night; 20, SOUTHDO WN ARS - 2, T 'The day to day 8 MARCH MID CHESHIRE ARS Rally -0160677787 RP; 27, AGM. Details 01582 861936. operation of the Sovereign Harbour Marina' by WYTHALL RC Radio Club Rally -VVythall Park, 10 MAY Dan Hughes, Marina Operations Manager. D EAST CLEVELAND ARC - 6, T 'Folding An- Silver Street, VVythall, near Birmingham on the DRAYTON MANOR Radio & Computer Rally - tenna Masts' by G4OLK; 13, T'Radio Direction 01825 763022. A435 two miles from jcn 3 of M42. OT 10am - Details 0121 422 9787 or 0121 443 1189. Finding' by MOBJX; 20, 'Bring and show'; 27, T SOUTHEND & DRS - 19, AGM. D GOTTM 4pm. £1. B&B, TS, LB. TI 145.550MHz. 0121 'Antennas for Small Gardens' by MOBJX. D QTHR. 246 7267 (evenings and weekends). 15 - 17 MAY DAYTON HAMVENTION- Details Tom, N8YFVV 01642 475671. SOUTH MANCHESTER RC - 6, Attack the 14 MARCH on 001 513 276 6931. EAST KENT RS - 2, T 'The KTV repeater on Shack; 13, T 'Digital Telephones Uncovered' by WEST WALES Amateur Radio & Computer Sheppey' by G8GHH; 16, T 'Aerials I have G3ZDM; 20, Shack developments; 27, T '2m Rally - Penparcau School, Aberystwyth. OT 17 MAY known' by G3FUN. D 01227 742288. Band Changes' by G4IRB. D 0161 969 1964. (10am - 10.30- 4pm). £1. CP, DF, B&B, TS, SIG, DUNSTABLE DOWNS RC Car Boot Sale - ECHELFORD ARS - 26, CC. D 01784 456513. SOUTH NOTTS ARC - 4, Members' forum; 11, C. TI 145.550MHz. 01545 580675. DDRC, PO Box4053, Dunstable, Beds LU5 5ZJ. EDG WARE & DARS - 12, VID; 26, OTA. D 0181 OTA; 21, TDOTA; 25, OTA. D 01509 672846. 15 MARCH 24 MAY 953 2164 STOURBRIDGE & DARS - 2, OTA; 16, CC. D NORBRECK Amateur Radio, Electronics and PLYMOUTH RC Rally -01752662051 (during 01384 395206. Computing Exhibition - Norbreck Castle Exhi- office hours). STRATFORD UPON AVON & DRS - 9, Test bition Centre, Blackpool. 0151 630 5790. 14 JUNE equipment evening; 23, Members' projects and TIVERTON ARC Rally - OT 10am, C. 01884 ALDERSHOT Amateur Radio Rally - Details VACUUM capacitor 8/10kV 1/2000pF phone problems. D 01789 773286. 252259. or e-mail radio g3rcq@compuserve. 01708 01252 837860. SURREY RCC - 3, T'VVhat's new in Avionics' by 22 MARCH 374043. Cash waiting or tell me what you G10EQ. D 0181 660 7517. 21 JUNE BOURNEMOUTH RS Annual Sale - Kinson have? (Romford). SUTTON & CHEAM RS - 19, CC. D 0181 644 DENBY DALE ARS Computer & Amateur Community Centre, Pelhams, Kinson, Bourne- W ANTED TS-50 in top condition G4EVP, 55 Radio Fair - Trade 01484 861782 or 01484 9945. mouth. OT 10am - 4pm. TI 145.550MHz. B&B. Elliotts Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, VVV8 664360. TELFORD & DARS - 4, Committee/novices 01202 535219 or 0850 240931. 1PG. 01902 847296 (Wolverhampton). OTA; 11, T'SSB. How it's done' by G3JKX; 12, NEWBURY & DARS Car Boot Sale - 01635 29 MARCH YAESU FRS1-4R remote antenna unit for FC- Q; 18, Under £5 CC; 25, T 'The "Y" service and 826019. CUNNINGHAME & DARC Radio & Computer 102 tuner your price for unit in good condition. Enigma' by G3BQQ. D 01952 299677. 26 - 28 JUNE 01670 811950 (Stakeford). Rally - Magnum Centre, Harbourside, Irvine, TORBAY ARS - 20, AGM. D 01803 864528 HAM RADIO 98 Friedrichshafen- Ernie, G4LUE Ayrshire, Scotland. B&B, TS, OT (10.30/11.00). (OH). on 01226 716339 or 0836 748958. MT. 01560 321009. TROWBRIDGE & DARC - 4, T'Facts and Falla- PONTEFRACT & DARS Component Fair - 28 JUNE cies of Amateur Radio' by G3RZP. D 01225 01977 606345 (office hours) or 01977 616935 LONGLEAT Amateur Radio Rally - 0117 EXCHANGE 864698 (EVV). (evening hours). 9402950. VALE OF EVESHAM RAC - 5, VID. D 01385 4 APRIL KEN WOOD TM-241E 144MHz 50W FM mo- 41508. 5 JULY CAMBRIDGESHIRE Repeater Group Annual bile CTCSS encode/decode, wide Rx& Tx for VERULAM ARC - 24, T 'The Heard Island THREE COUNTIES Radio & Rally - Bottisham Sports Centre (part of Village marine VHF 12V only VVHY? or sell £175. Ian, DXpedition' by VV3VVL. D 01923 262180. Computer Rally- 01789 762041. College), Lode Road, Bottisham, near Cam- York Radio Rally-01904 628036. GOYAP. 01379 740742 (Diss). WESTON-SUPER-MARE RS - 2, Slide presen- bridge. TS, CBS, B&B, A. 01920 821536.

90 RadCom • February 1998 Barga"ij lore in our Special New Year ra j‘ganza! t •

Treat yoursel one of our special oney-saving of rs and boost your mateur radio h rary - or take a look at a different a ect of this exciting hobby. 4 Members' Sale 0 Price Price4‘ The VHF/UHF DX Book £15.30 £12.00 Test Equipment for Radio Amateurs £9.32 £7.50 Practical Receivers for Beginners £10.63 £7.50 0 Space Radio Handbook £11.15 £7.50 Practical Transmitters for Novices £10.45 £7.50 RAE Manual (15 Edn) £7.60 £5.00 RSGB Rig Guide £9.99 £5.00 Amateur Radio for Beginners £3.50 50p Radio Auroras £8.02 £3.00 Training for the Novice Licence £5.80 £5.00 (Instructors' Manual) RadCom Bound Volumes (1986, 87, 94) £21.75 £7.50 Super Frequency CD ROM (1994, 95 edns) £37.89 £2.50 ARRL Operating Manual (1995, 96 Edns) £1 15 £2.50

All prices PLUS post and packing

) /7 101.

Ring Em ma or Julia on 01707 660888 and place your order NO W while stocks last! ANTENNAS NON-MEMBERS MEMBERS HF Antenna Collection - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £10.99 £9.54 RSGB Yearbook HF Antennas For All Locations - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £14.69 £12.48 1998 EDITION Practical Wire Antennas - 4th Ed (RSGB) £8.92 £7.58 C) Practical Antennas For Novices - 1st Ed (RSGB) £6.29 £5.35 This new edition of the ever-popular The Antenna Experimenters Guide - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £15.00 £12.75 RSGB Call Book and Information Direc- Antenna Compendium - Vol 1 (ARRL) £11.39 £9.68 Antenna Compendium - Vol 2 (ARRL) £11.39 £9.68 tory has been further enhanced with the Antenna Compendium - Vol 3 (ARRL) £14.70 £12.49 inclusion of even more information on Antenna Compendium - Vol 4 (ARRL) £20.29 £17.25 Antenna Compendium - Vol 5 (ARRL) £20.29 £17.25 amateur radio than ever before! Antenna Compendium Set - Vol 1, 2, 3, 4 (ARRL) N/A £45.00 And this year there are many new Antenna Impedance Matching (ARRL) £16.26 £13.82 features which will be completely re- Low Profile Amateur Radio (ARRL) £9.09 £7.72 Simple Low Cost Wire Antennas (ARRL) £9.52 £8.09 vised each year - hence the new name - The ARRL Antenna Book - 18th Ed (ARRL) £26.14 £22.22 RSGB Yearbook. Some of these new Vertical Antenna Classics (ARRL) £12.55 £10.67 features are listed below. Of course AWARDS there is still all of the data you would 1997 IOTA Directory & Year Book (RSGB) £8.47 £7.20 K1BV Awards Directory (K1BV) £17.13 £14.56 expect to find in an RSGB Call Book, including the complete CALL BOOKS UK and Republic of Ireland callsign listing. There are more than 130 CallSeeker '98 (CD-ROM) - NEW (RSGB) £13.95 £11.90 pages of amateur radio information - an essential guide to keep close RSGB Yearbook - 1998 Edition - NEW (RSGB) £13.95 £11.90 to hand in your shack. 1998 Super Frequency List (CD-ROM) (KLINGENFUSS) £22.53 £19.15 1998 Radio Amateur World Callbook (CD-ROM) (VV&G) £44.59 £37.90 New Features Include: D-I-Y RADIO, RADCOM BACK ISSUES & BINDERS Annual Report on the Work of the RSGB • History of Amateur D-I-Y Radio Back Issues (1 (RSGB) £2.00 £2.00 Radio • 1998 Rally Dates • Trophy Presentation listing • Amateur RadCom '96 (CD-ROM) (RSGB) £18.81 £15.99 Radio Trade listing • Band Plans - Inc. changes from the Tel Aviv RadCom Bound Vols: 1986, 1987 (RSGB) £25.00 £7.50 RadCom Bound Vols: 1995, 1996 (RSGB) £25.00 £21.25 Conference • Enhanced Beacon Information • New UK District RadCom Back Issues (1 (+p&p) (RSGB) £3.50 £2.50 listing • Plus all of your favourites RadCom Easibinder (RSGB) N/A £6.29 EMC The Radio Amateur's Guide To EMC - 1st Ed (RSGB) £8.92 £7.58 Members' price: £11.90 (plus P&P) Radio Frequency Interference (ARRL) £13.12 £11.15 EMC FILTERS Filter 1 - Braid Breaker (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 Filter 2 - HPF For FM Band 2 (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 Filter 3 - HPF & Braid Breaker (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 CallSeeker 98 Filter 4 - Notch At 145MHz (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 Filter 5 - Notch At 435MHz (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 CD ROM FOR WINDO WS Filter 6 - Notch At 50MHz (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 For the first time - the complete contents of Filter 7 - Notch At 70MHz (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 Filter 8 - High Pass 6 Sect (AKD) £25.88 £22.00 the RSGB Yearbook is available on CD Filter 10 - 28MHz Notch (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 ROM! The UK Callsign directory is Filter 15 - 21MHz Notch (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 Filter 20 - 14MHz Notch (AKD) £9.40 £7.99 accessed by a sophisticated yet easy-to-use Packet of 2 Ferrite Rings, FAIR-RITE 43 Material (AKD) £4.50 £3.82 search program, whilst all of the information traditionally GENERAL TECHNICAL found in an RSGB Call Book can be viewed using the supplied LF Experimenter's Source Book - 1st Ed (RSGB) £7.50 £7.50 Adobe Acrobat software. C) Practical Receivers For Beginners - 1st Ed (RSGB) £12.50 £7.50 Callseeker 98 provides the ideal medium for rapidly searching for C) Practical Transmitters For Novices - 1st Ed (RSGB) £12.29 £7.50 PMR Conversion Handbook - NEW - 1st Ed (RSGB) £15.28 £12.99 all or part of a callsign, post code, town, keyword etc. All 130+ Radio Communication Handbook - 6th Ed (RSGB) £21.00 £17.85 amateur radio information pages are available on screen or via your Radio Data Reference Book - 6th Ed (RSGB) £10.35 £8.80 Technical Topics Scrapbook 1985-89 - 1st Ed (RSGB) £9.45 £8.03 printer in exactly the same format as the printed Yearbook. Test Equipment for the Radio Amateur - 3rd Ed (RSGB) £10.97 £7.50 Includes Adobe Acrobat software. Requires a 486PC; Windows ARRL Handbook 1998 (ARRL) £28.22 £23.99 95: 8MB RAM; 15MB hard disk; CD ROM drive; VGA. C) First Steps In Radio (ARRL) £5.77 £4.90 Introduction to RF Design (ARRL) £25.62 £21.78 Solid State Design (ARRL) £12.23 £10.39 The New Shortwave Propagation Handbook (CQ) £14.34 £12.19 Members' price: £11.90 (plus P&P) VV1FB's Design Notebook (ARRL) £8.61 £7.32 HISTORY World At Their Fingertips - 1st Ed (RSGB) £6.30 £5.35 Members ONLY - Buy them both together at LOG BOOKS AND LOG SHEETS the Special Price of £18.80 (plus P&P). Log Book Cover (RSGB) £6.50 £5.52 Log Book - Receiving (RSGB) £3.67 £3.12 A saving of £5.00 on the individual prices! Log Book - Transmitting (RSGB) £3.67 £3.12 Log Sheets - HF Contest (RSGB) £4.20 £3.57 Log Sheets - VHF Contest (RSGB) £4.20 £3.57 1-101/11 T O O R EPE - MAPS/CHARTS/LISTS/ATLASES PRICES:Please quote yourMembership AVAILABILITY: Goods are available over 1997 Prefix Guide (RSGB) £5.88 £5.00 number or callsign when ordering. 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0 1•1 LIIV E C.4 92 B ) coic o ffff

MICRO WAVES NON-MEMBERS MEMBERS Microwave Handbook Volume 1 - 3rd Ed (RSGB) £10.49 £8.92 Microwave Handbook Volume 2 - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £15.74 £13.38 The VHF/UHF Microwave Handbook Volume 3 - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £15.74 £13.38 Microwave Set, Vol 1, 2 & 3 (RSGB) N/A £30.00 MORSE CODE Handbook Instant Morse (CD-ROM) (RSGB) £43.08 £36.62 EDITED BY Morse Code For Radio Amateurs - 8th Ed (RSGB) £4.19 £3.56 Morse Code The Essential Language (ARRL) £5.35 £4.55 DICK BIDDULPH, G8DPS Morse Instruction Tapes 5 to 10VVPM (2 tapes) (ARRL) £8.93 £7.60 Morse Instruction Tapes 10 to 15VVPM (2 tapes) (ARRL) £8.93 £7.60 Successor to the VHF/UHF Morse Instruction Tapes 15 to 22VVPM (2 tapes) (ARRL) £11.02 £9.37 Manual Your Introduction to Morse Code (2 tapes) (ARRL) £11.02 £9.37 OPERATING AIDS This guide to the theory and Amateur Radio Operating Manual - 4th Ed (RSGB) £12.23 £10.40 practice of amateur radio re- ARDF Handbook - 1st Ed (RSGB) N/A £5.20 The RSGB Rig Guide - 1st Ed (RSGB) £11.75 £5.00 ception and transmission on the C) Your First Amateur Station - NEW - 1st Ed (RSGB) £5.74 £4.99 VHF and UHF bands gives the ARRL Operating Manual - 1997 Ed (ARRL) £17.83 £15.15 Conversation Guide (CD-ROM) (DARC) £28.24 £24.00 reader the background to such DX Edge Propagation Aid (XANTEK) £14.69 £12.49 essential topics as antennas, Low Band DXing - 2nd Ed (ARRL) £16.26 £13.82 C) Operating An Amateur Radio Station (ARRL) £2.62 £2.23 EMC, propagation, receivers QRP (LO W POWER) and transmitters, together G-QRP Club Circuit Handbook - 1st Ed (RSGB) £8.92 £7.58 with constructional details of many items of equipment. G-QRP Club Antenna Handbook (GQRPC) £7.33 £6.23 QRP Power (ARRL) £12.55 £10.67 As most amateurs today use commercial transceivers, the em- VV1FB's QRP Notebook (2nd Edition) (ARRL) £8.30 £7.05 phasis is on accessories and add-ons which are relatively simple QST MAGAZINE (ARRL) to build. One Year (airmail) (ARRL) £88.24 £75.00 One Year (surface mail) (ARRL) £34.41 £29.25 Specialised modes such as data and television are also cov- Two Years (surface mail) (ARRL) £70.73 £60.12 Three Years (surface mail) (ARRL) £103.24 £87.75 ered, making this handbook one of the most complete guides RSGB NEWSLETTERS around for VHF/UHF operators. DX News Sheet - (inc postage) (RSGB) £32.95 £28.00 Microwave Newsletter - (inc postage) (RSGB) £11.15 £9.50 RLO Newsletter - (inc postage) (RSGB) £7.06 £6.00 Members' price: £15.95 (plus P&P) Free samples of newsletters and overseas rates are available on request. SATELLITE The Space Radio Handbook - 1st Ed (RSGB) £13.12 £11.15 Satellite Anthology - 3rd Ed (ARRL) £8.40 £7.14 Satellite Experimenters Handbook (ARRL) £14.69 £12.48 Your First Amateur The Weather Satellite Handbook (ARRL) £15.74 £13.38 SHORT WAVE LISTENER Passport to World Band Radio 1998 (IBS) £14.99 £12.74 Station World Radio TV Handbook 1998 TBA TBA SPECIAL MODES By Colin Redwood, G6MXL Packet Radio Primer - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £8.92 £7.59 The second book in the RSGB Pocket C) Your First Packet Station - 1st Ed (RSGB) £5.74 £4.99 Am Packet Radio Link Layer Protocol (AX25) (ARRL) £6.82 £5.80 Guide Series, this book has been writ- Packet, Speed & More Speed (ARRL) £15.88 £13.00 ten to help the newly-licensed radio Slow Scan TV Explained (BATC) £5.00 £4.25 amateur move on to the next stage - SUNDRIES Badges: Callsign standard (includes engraving) (RSGB) £4.00 setting up his or her very own radio Callsign deluxe (includes engraving) (RSGB) £4.50 shack. So many new licensees have Car Stickers - RSGB Diamond (RSGB) £1.00 Car Stickers - I Love Amateur Radio (RSGB) £1.10 asked the question "What do I do Car Stickers - I'm On The Air ... (RSGB) £1.10 Lapel mini (RSGB) £1.20 now?" that we decided to publish Lapel standard (RSGB) £1.40 this guide to help all new amateurs RSGB 1998 Radio Amateur & SWL Diary - NEW (RSGB £4.90 £4.25 RSGB Ties - Red or Blue (RSGB) £9.50 through those early uncertain days. TRAINING C) Amateur Radio for Beginners - 1st Ed £3.50 £0.50 C) How to Pass the Radio Amateur Exam - 3rd Ed (RSGB) £8.93 £7.60 Members' price: £4.99 (plus P&P) C) Novice Licence Student's Notebook - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £5.00 £5.00 C) Radio Amateurs Examination Manual - 15th Ed (RSGB) £8.93 £5.00 C) RAE Revision Notes - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £5.24 £4.45 C) Revision Questions for the Novice RAE - 1st Ed(RSGB) £5.87 £4.99 24-HOUR SALES HOTLINE: 01707 660888 C) Training for the Novice Licence - Instructor's Manual - 2nd Ed (RSGB) £6.83 £5.00 C) Basic Radio and Electronics Calculations (RP) £13.95 £11.86 For your convenience C) Novice Radio Amateurs Examination - Additional Worksheets (RS) £5.25 £4.46 you can now send in your order by E-mail to: C) Radio Amateurs Question & Answers - Reference Manual - 5th Ed (RP) £13.95 £11.85 C) RAE End of Course Test Papers - NEW (RP) £13.95 £11.85 VHF/UHF salesgrsgb.org.uk Radio Auroras - 1st Ed (RSGB) £9.43 £3.00 The VHF/UHF Handbook - NEW (RSGB) £18.80 £15.95 Remember to add post & packing (see How to Order - opposite) and VHF Contesting Handbook (RSGB) N/A £4.25 include your full name, callsign and mailing address with your order. UHF/ Microwave Experimenters Manual (ARRL) £16.42 £13.96 VHF/UHF DX Book (Reprint) - 1st Ed (DIR) £18.00 £12.00 VHF/Microwave Projects Manual (ARRL) £11.61 £9.87 24-HOUR SALES HOTLINE: 01707 660888

ttp ‘4,14, I e .s gb.. a r g 93 11 JULY 28 - 29 NOVEMBER CORNISH Radio Rally and Com- LONDON Amateur Radio & Computer Show - puter Fair - 01209 820118. 01923 893929 12 JULY 13 DECEMBER CONGRATULATIONS SUSSEXAmateur Radio and Com- VERULAM ARC Rally - 01923 262180, trade puter Fair - 01903 763978. enquiries 01923 265572. To the following whom our records show as haying reached fifty o sixty 19 JULY years continuous RSGB membership this month: HUMBER BRIDGE Radio & Computer Rally - 50 years 01482 837042. GB CALLS Mr C H Spencer, G2HBA Mr J P Hewitt, G3IWT 26 JULY These callsigns are valid for use from the COLCHESTER Radio and Computer Rally - date given but the period of operation Mr W J Rawlings, G3BON Mr J Boraston, G3YLJ 01206 851189. may vary from 1-28 days. Operating Mr G H Clarke, G3CXT Mr A D Radcliffe, GD3FXN RUGBY AIS Rally - 01788 550778 or 0966 433497. details are provided in an abbreviated Mr R G McDonald, G3DCZ Mr G F Oliver, RS16822 form as follows: T = 160m; L = 80 or 40m; Mr T A Bennett, G3DEB 2 AUGUST H = HF bands (30 - 10m); V = 6 and / or RSGB National Mobile Rally- Norman, G3MVV 4m; 2 = 2m; 70 = 70cm; S = Satellite and Mr F R Howe, G3FIJ 60 Years on 01277 225563. P = Packet. Please send operational Mr E C Palmer, G3FVC Mr A J Hallett, G3CQ 14 AUGUST details of your special event station to Mr J W A Bosworth, G3GUD COCKENZIE & Port Seton ARC Annual Radio the RadCom office at least five weeks Junk Night -01875811723 before publication. Mr J R Bolton, G3HBN 16 AUGUST 3 Feb GB2MIL: Millennium. Pembs. T L Mr E J Hatch, G3ISD GREAT Eastern Radio & Computer Rally - H V 27 P (GVV4ZYV) 01553 765614. 14 Feb GB5TT: PACC Contest Call. Essex. (G4UHM) 6 SEPTEMBER 21 / 22 Feb Thinking Day on the Air - about BRISTOL Radio & Computer Rally - 01275 100 stations taking part. 834282. 25 / 26 SEPTEMBER LEICESTER Amateur Radio and Electronics KEY Exhibition - 01455 823344. See you at the 9-11 OCTOBER Rallies & Events TI - Talk-In; CP - Car Park; £ - admission; OT - RSGB International HF & IOTA Convention - Opening Time - time for disabled visitors ap- Details Fay, 2E1EUA, on 01707 659015. pears first ie (10.30/11am); TS - Trade Stands; 11 OCTOBER FM - Flea Market; CBS - Car Boot Sale; B&B - RSGB National VHF Convention NORTH WAKEFIELD RC Radio & Computer Bring and Buy; A -Auction; SIG -Special Interest Rally - 01226 202151, trade 01226 390384. Groups; MT- Morse Tests; LB- Licensed Bar; C - Catering; DF - Disabled Facilities; WIN - prize Sunday 22 February 1 NOVEMBER draw, raffle; LEC - LECtures / seminars; FAM - GREAT NORTHERN Hamfest - 01226 716339 FAMily attractions; CS - Camp Site. Sandown Exhibition Centre, Esher, Surrey or 0836 748958. Club News 10.30am to 5pm 7 / 8 NOVEMBER AD - Annual Dinner; AGM - Annual General NORTH WALES Radio & Electronics Show - Meeting; ARDF -Amateur Radio Direction Find- Admission: Convention & Exhibition £3.00 01745 591704. ing; B&B - Bring and Buy; CON - CONstruction; 8 NOVEMBER CC - Construction Competition; D - details; ES - Under 14 (accompanied by an adult £1.50) Equipment Sale; JS - Junk Sale; MP - Morse BIRMINGHAM Radio &Computer Rally -0121 practice; OTA- On The Air; Q - Quiz; RP - Rally 443 1189, trade enquiries 0121 422 9787. Preparations; T - Talk; VID - VIDeo;

WIN A FREE TRIP TO FtlIEDRICHSHAFEN . • ... AND VISIT HAM RADIO '98

TAKE THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY to visit FOR FREE the largest European amateur radio exhibition, held annually in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The lucky winner of this competition will travel by coach to the Hotel Holdenreggenpark, just ten minutes awayfrom the beautiful town of Lindau on Lake Constance. Your travel and accommodation will be free and all you will have to pay for is your meals and extras. The coach departs on Monday 22 June at 4.30pm from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, picking up passengers on the way to Doverfor the midnight channel crossing. You are then treated to a picturesque journey through France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany's Black Forest to Lindau on the Bodensee, arriving Tuesday afternoon. Refreshment stops will be taken en route.There will be plenty of time to take a look round the surrounding area, and the coach will take you to and from the Hamfest on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so that you can take advantage of transporting your purchases from the flea market back home easily. The return journey starts from Lindau on Monday 29 June, arriving in Bransley at mid-day on the Tuesday. Just answer the following questions and send them on a postcard to Marcia Brimson, 2E1DAY, Radio Society of Great Britain, Cranborne Road, Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JE. Entries must arrive by 31 March 1998. 1 Which countries does the coach travel through on its journey to Lindau? 2 How long will it take to reach Lindau from Barnsley? o 3 How many days does the Hamfest last? 3 (Don't forget to include your name, callsign and telephone number on your entry!) o Further details of this amateur radio trip to Friedrichshafen can be obtained from the organisers, Barnsley & District ARC, do Ernie Bailey, G4LUE, 8 Hild Avenue, Cudworth, Barnsley, South Yorkshire S72 8RN.

94 RadCom • February 1998 T H E L A S T W O R D

NEW LOOK RADCOM wireless telegraphy", and excludes, The ' transparent' banner of the front OFFERING INCENTIVES inter alia, the use of the station for looks like the ink did not take to the Entry into the construction competition at our local club has ". .. propaganda purposes including . the sending of news or messages paper, and, as such looks awful. fallen from eight, to four, to two entries in the past two years on behalf of any social, political, Why all the waste of space at the (there are approximately 80 club members!). This year I was religious, or commercial organisa- tops of all the pages? The adverts go determined to boost entries, so arranged for four prizes: a bottle tion." It is clear to me that the opera- to the top of the pages, so why not the of champagne; a digital multimeter; a headset with boom mic; tion of sectarian religious nets is a content? The dotted line along the and a voltage measuring screwdriver, plus certificates. In violation of the licence. addition, everybody who entered was to be given a neon tester top looks hideous and just highlights In some circles there is also an old screwdriver. the area of the page that is being lost. unwritten rule which forbids talk At the AGM, the Editor was saying To make life easier, I arranged for 50 plug-in mains trans- about women, religion or politics. that he was always pushed for space formers (20V / 2A) plus diode rectifiers plus capacitors to be Those who wish to exhibit their pi- in RadCom. May I therefore urge given free to the club members, together with a sheet of ety should do so in church, and not him to look at filling the whole page suggested circuits - probably about 20 minutes work to con- on 80m. For those who cannot get to with copy and he will find he has struct. The result of all this was just four entries! church, I suggest the Internet. several extra column inches, nay feet, Can anyone suggest how I can kickstart club constructions? Gecf Bagley, G3HIL to play with. I have run out of ideas and would appreciate some input. R G Whittering, G3URA John (Full name and address siippliea) A MORSE MYSTERY Some 30 years ago, I used to make Congratulations on the new layout slow Morse transmissions and help for January' s RadCom - it looks very BEDTIME READING maritime mobiles, or indeed of the beginners to learn Morse. I was be- attractive and clean. I was absolutely appalled recently to radio amateurs who support yachts- witched, bothered and bewildered, learn than Watson-Gupthill Publi- man on a voluntary basis. There are Peter Bowyer, G4MJS by people who could receive okay cations are about to discontinue the many nets being operated, and it but just could not send Morse. I like the new format - it looks good. paper version of the Radio Amateur would be impossible to include eve- David Buddery, G30EP, (TheLast Richard Newstead, G3CW Callbook and that the ARRL also ryone, but I feel I must mention the Word, January 98) hits the nail on plan to do the same with the Hand- people who run the UK Maritime [Thanks to all those who commented the head. They were disabled in some book for Radio Amateurs. I under- Mobile Net. They are probably on the new look, most cf whom liked way, which was not understood at stand that both publications in future known to many of your readers, but the time. it. Overall there is no loss cftext with will only be available on CD-ROM. I would like to offer a big thank you I now suffer with Parkinson's dis- the new format - we did check this This sounds suspiciously like a deci- to G4FRN, G4YZH, and GOIAD, ease, and tend to send 'Chinese' carefully. As for filling the whole sion made by an accountant! and to all the others who stand in Morse. I can understand their prob- page, nice idea but Jam fraid that Ido most of my reading in bed - I when they are otherwise engaged. I lem, and apologise to them. Being in it would make the magazine very rest my case. am sure I speak on behalf of all the my eighties now, I can appreciate yachtsmen, whether they be radio djficult to read; we already use far Bernard Whiny, G3HW X memory problems. My memory is amateurs or SWLs, for the excellent less "white space" than the other [Firstly, it is important to squash the like a string bag with a hole in it. To work they do. magazines in our field. - Ed] rumour that the ARRL Handbook is newly licensed operators, I would I would be interested to hear how to be CD only. It quite simply is not say, use Morse straight away, but be many readers of RadCom are Mari- MOTOR CYCLING EMC true and never was. Secondly, it is careful not to send at sixteens until time Mobiles. The fact that we are certainly cheaper to print and post a you can receive at that speed, it is so On top of car keys and Traffic Mate away from our home bases so much CD than a huge book, so you may easy to do that. You will get frus- comes another low power device does make it difficult to have a regu- well be right about the international trated with Al transmissions, and being brought into the UK and used lar feature but it may be of interest to call books. I suggest you write give it up, when all the time it is your as an intercom on a motorcycle, rider readers generally and we may be directly to Watson-Gfipthill with your fault. to pillion / motorcycle to motorcycle able to exchange useful information comments. In the meantime we will basis. The radios are marketed in on antennas, grounding, electrolysis John Barker, G3SAZ continue to stock the call books in Germany and use 433.075 to and computers, etc, aboard ship. whatever form they are published. - 433.775MHz with a power output of Ray Theakston, GOUKO MARCONI PLAQUE THEFT Ed] 10m W on FM, 6 channels and 25kHz I was amazed to read in the January spacing. A KEY POINT issue of RadCom (page 9) about the MARITIME MOBILES theft of a brass plaque marking Mar- The RA tell me they would not be Surely to list deceased class '13' ra- I am a maritime mobile and spend coni's transmission between allowed in the UK, but, nonetheless, dio amateurs under the heading of the greater part of the year sailing Lavemoch and Flat Holm Island in items are being brought in. 'Silent Keys' must be a contradic- with my wife. I retired in 1991 and 1947. Fortunately, in this case, the re- tion in terms. sailed from Whitby in June of that For the plaque to be left for more tailer concerned suspected there Patrick Higham, G8JLM year for the Mediterranean in our than 50 years and then be chiselled might be a problem and consulted Sadler 35 yacht. I met Arthur Mor- off the wall in the nineties indicates the RA. ris, VEOFC, who, in the space of one RELIGIOUS NETS still further the lack of respect for I think, as a potential motorcy- hour, brainwashed me into becom- May I express my concern over the other people or objects these days. cling customer, I would be a bit ing a radio amateur. This I did, and it operation of religious nets on the I have spoken with Glyn Jones, miffed if my new intercom device was one of the best decisions I have amateur bands. GWOANA, and have offered to pay started overhearing amateur radio made. According to the RA Booklet for its replacement. I only hope that 70cm repeaters local to my line of The reason for writing to you is BR68, the stated purpose of the they find a nineties vandal-proof way travel. that one rarely sees mentioned in Amateur Radio Licence is that of of making it impossible to remove. Phil Manning, G1LKJ RadCom information to and from "self-training in communication by Martin Lynch, G411KS

Please note that the views expressed in The Last Word are not necessarily those of the RSGB. We reserve the right to edit letters for publication. All letters are acknowledged and may be passed to the relevant department or committee.

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96 RadCom • February 1998 TECHNICAL MANUALS for VVWII SUPER-DUPER, El5DI's CONTEST QSL CARDS - low cost, quick Radio and Radar. Hundreds in stock. LOGGER. "Highly recommended" - delivery, superior designs, quality Classified RAF. Army, Navy, Luftwaffe, RaciCom, September 1993. HF guaranteed, personal designs our Wehrmacht, US Forces. Tel: 0151 722 £25.00, VHF £25.00. both £39.00. speciality, L.S.A.E. for samples: The advertisements 1178 or SAE with requirements to Paul O'Kane El5D1, 36 Coolkill. Standfast Press, 5 South Drive, Inskip, VINTAGE TECHNICAL SERVICES. 28 Sandyford, Dublin 18 (00 353 1295 Classified advertisements 58p per Preston PR4 OUT. Welbourne Road. LIVERPOOL L16 3668). www.iolie/-okanep Version word (VAT inc.) minimum 14 words 6AJ. 9.00 is ready now for the new RSGB £8.70. District Code multipliers. Clubs - All classified advertisements MUST ESSEX AMATEUR RADIO SERVICES. please enquire about group New and used amateur equipment registration rates. be prepaid. POWERBEAM ANTENNAS- from bought and sold. PX welcome. All Please write clearly. No responsibility G4COM Optimised Current Vector accepted for errors. Latest date for warranted and serviced. 8am till 9pm. Vagis. 2M-2.5WL (9 ELE) 15.00Bi acceptance is 1st of issue month. Ring Alan - 01268 752522, 4 Northern £84.95. Leaflets 01288 381289. G4TYF LOG. Try before you buy. Avenue, Benfleet, Essex SS7 7SN. Cheques should be made Send S.A.E. for Demo. Updates £5.00. 64 Gurney Valley, Bp Auckland payable to RSGB. DL14 8RW. Tel: 01388 607500. Copy and payment to Malcolm G4TJB QSL CARDS printed to your MISCELLANEOUS Taylor Associates, P.O. Box 3241, specification, send large SAE for samples and full product list. Unit 6, VIDEO TAPE CONVERSIONS to and Bournemouth BH8 8WT. PC SSTV-DATA Tx/Fix pack £29.95 Worle Industrial Centre. Coker Road, from all modes N.T.S.C.: S.E.C.A.M.: Telephone: 01202 777852 PC/AMIGA SSTV/Packet Interfaces, Worle. Weston-super-Mare BS22 OBX. P.A.L.N.: P.A.L.M. Digital processing. Fax: 01202 317902 SAE leaflets, 1.44 demo £1. G8SLB. Tel/Fax: (01934) 512757. Fast and economic service. Also 'cine' Peter Lockwood, 36 Davington Road, conversions. Phono G4WMP 0932 Dagenham, RM8 2LR. 0181-5950823. 846139. FOR SALE CTCSS ENCODERS £20 each, Dencoders £39 each + postage £1.75 G3LLL FOR ALINCO,YAESU AND (Inc vat) CWO MDH radio telephones. PC software by G4BMK for RTTY ICOM, new and second hand, sales PATENTS, TEIADE MARKS, Tel/Fax 01646 651599 (GW4CBR Amtor Pactor CW with callsIgn and service. Holdings Amateur DESIGNS, COPYRIGHT. For QTHR). database and on-screen tuning aid, Electronics, 45 Johnston St. professional advice contact KINGS plus built modem £165. State callsign. Blackburn BB2 1EF. Tel. 01254 59595. PATENT AGENCY LTD (Est 1886 by BMK Communication Ltd, 2 Beacon Open normally Thurs. Fri. Sat. Lunch Benj. T. King). Dir J.B. King (G5TA Close, SEAFORD BN25 2J7. (01323) 12-1.30. But phone and check. USED AMATEUR EQUIPMENT? mem, RSGB) Regd. Patent and Trade 893378. Buying or selling? See you at Mark Agent. Information, fees and 'www.hamradio-mart.co.uk'. Cheap literature on request. Phone 0171-248 rates! No internet access? SAE: 6161. Fax: 0171-831 0926.73 RESTRICTED SPACE AND FULL G4TNY. 41 Onslow Crescent, Farringdon Road. London EC1M 3JB, SIZE MULTIBAND AERIALS, Colchester. Essex CO2 8UN. 28/132ft, built, kits, parts, baluns, data sae. Aerial Guide £1.50. G2DYM. CALL IN ON THE 'GOOD NEWS' HOLIDAY Uplowman, Devon E;(16 7PH. Tel: LANDWEHR VHF/UHF MASTHEAD CHRISTIAN NETS! Every Sunday at 01398 361215 anytime. PREAMPLIFIERS, 2 metre 145MAS Sam and 2pm around 3747 KHz and ACCOMMODATION £150 and 70cm 435MA £155 plus 144.205 Mhz at 2pm sharing Christian £4.50 p&p. Write, phone, fax or email fellowship over the air. Info from for leaflet. Qualitas Radio, 23 Dark WACRAL, 51 Alma Road, Brixham, FLYING FROM GATWICK? Stay at LIMITED SPACE ANTENNA 160-10 Lane, Hollywood, Birmingham B47 South Devon T05 8QR - Tel: 01803 Mill Lodge Guest House, 4 minutes metres 84' overall with 76 of 5BS. Note new telephone numbers, 854504. from airport. Transport available. balanced feedline £59.95 plus £5.00 0121 246 7267. Fax 0121 246 7268. Telephone (01293) 771170. P&P. Choke Baluns Std model £36.85. Email: gOeyoecompuserve.com Vagi model £37.45 (state boom size) G5RV £28.50 all Inc P&P. Amidon COMPUTER SOFTWARE & Cores, limited stocks available. Send 2 METRE AERIAL Array Yargi with NORTH WALES. Caravan, bunk SAE for full details of all the above. HARDWARE KR400 Toyomura 360 degree rototer house, camping. Elevated site. Use Ferromagnetics. P.O. Box 577, Mold. and controls tapped with DPCP22J of shack and beam antenna. Open Flintshire. CH7 1AH. Vertical Antenna also 20 foot scaffold INSTRUCTOR MORSE all year. Rural setting. "Tynrhos", pole. £100 for quick sale. 01895 PROFESSIONAL - The ultimate Mynytho, Pwilheli, LL53 7PS (01758 448393. Morse Code training package for 740712). beginners and advanced users (for "RAYNET"YELLOW REFLECTIVE IBM PCs & Compatibles). As used by TABARDS with "RAYNET". Medium the US Military, Canadian Military and THE RIG REVEIW contains details of BED AND BREAKFAST/MEALS. £11,00, Large £11.50, XLarge £12.00. the British Military! Price £169.00 + PP over 550 rigs. Unravel those small "RAYNET CONTROLLER" 50p extra. + VAT-Tel 01526 833042 - SCOTLAND NORTH COAST. ads. and tell an IC2SRE from an EPSON PX4+ lap top computer. built- email imorseesdesign.demon.co.uk GMOEXN QTHR. HF available. in printer, charger Eprom for packet IC2SE. Covering 25 years of Packet/Pactor. Tel: 01847 851774. manufacture and describing each rigs £46.50 inc. pp. Non reversible battery main features and original price. Price connectors line/panel mounting (10 £5 post free from Twrog Press. See pairs/pack) £7.00. Mike Watson SHACKLOG 4.4 the PC logging below. G8CPH. Ipswich (01473) 831448. system. Real time and post event OSO logging. QSL labels. Database analysis, reports, import, packet QSL CARDS. Gloss or Tinted Cards. terminal. Plus lots more!! Only OSL CARDS printed to your own SAE for Samples to Twrog Press, £29.50!! SASE (+disk for demo copy) specification on white or coloured Penybont, Gellilydan, Blaenau for full details. IOTA database gloss card. SAE for sample pack to: Ffestinlog, Gwynedd LL41 4EP. (G3KMA) £7.50. IOTA Awards RSGB AMATEUR RADIO The Caswell Press, 11 Barons Way. Manager £5.00 Alan Jubb, G3PMR, Woodhatch, Reigate, Surrey. 01737 30 West Street, Gt. Gransden, SANDY, INSURANCE SCHEME 244916. Low-cost ADSP-2104 DSP £75 Inc. SG19 3AU. 01767 677913. "ALL RISKS" INSURANCE for AD9850 125 MHz DDS chip on SMD portable/mobile/base station amateur adaptor: £25 inc. TUF-1 DBM: £6 inc. radio and ancillary equipment. A G1HSM (QTHR). Tel: 0118 947 1424. G4UXD's 'UK-QS0' MORSE TUTOR- service for RSGB members only. Also ALUMINIUM TUBE. Heavy-duty Email: [email protected]. PRACTISE DOES EVERYTHING! public liability and equipment for (scaffold) tube approx. dimensions Reviewed Feb/94/95 'Novice News'. affiliated clubs and societies. Details 20' long. 2" dia. " (4.5mm) wall PC-compats. Everything adjustable. and leaflets from Amateur Radio thickness, 20' and 10' lengths PROGRAMMED PROMS FOR PMR 150 tests! Teaches correct keying! Insurance Services Ltd, Freepost, 10 available £1.80 + VAT per ft. C.W.O. EQUIPMENT Details, S.A.E.: Atlanta £10-99. SAE details. P. Brandon, 1 Philpot Lane. London EC3B 3PA. Rusper Hire (Crawley) 01293 871621 Communications (RC), PO Box 5, Woodlands Rd., Chester CH4 8LB, Telephone: 0171 338 0111. Fax: 0171 office hours only. Chatteris, Cambridgeshire PE16 6JT. 01244-683563. 338 0112.

RadCom • February 1998 97 Bournemouth Ractto Society Advertisers index Aerial Techniques 64 Martin Lynch & Son 4,16,50,51,97 11th Annual Sale Bournemouth Radio Society 98 Nevada Communications

Sunday, March 22nd,1998 C. M. Howes Communications 44 14,15,52,86,87 Radio, Electronics, Computers Castle Electronics 22 PW Publishing 46,84 Bring & Buy Refreshments Cliveden Recruitment plc 96 Quartslab Marketing 64 Kinson Community Centre, Pelhams Park, Kinson, Bournemouth Cushcraft Corporation 5 R & D Instru-MeT 64 full details in RodCom Events Diary or horn John GI HOK on 01202 535219 (after 6pm) , Datong Electronics 55 R & N Electronics 64

Essex Amateur Rodio Services 84 R A Kent 84 RADIO AMATEUR, ELECTRONICS & COMPUTER FAIR FBS Ltd 84 Radio Active 96 SUNDAY 5th APRIL CHELTENHA M RACEC OURSE FDS Graphics 22 Radio Amateur Supplies 64 GOLD CUP ROOM Signposted from Junc. 11 M5 G.W.M. Radio Ltd 98 Radio World 27 10.00am to 3.30pm TALK IN S22 G5BK G4ZPY Paddle Keys 84 SMC 20,21 ADMISSION £1.00 Refreshments & Ample Free Parking Ham Radio Today 55 Spectrum Communications 27 Bring and Buy Enquiries and Booking Hands Electronic Kits 84 Sussex Surplus 43 Ian (G4FLN) AUSTIN FAIRS TEL. 01454 633524: 0850 389505 Hately Antenna Technology 46 Tennamast Scotland 96

Haydon Communications 78,79,80 The QRP Component Company 27

STORNO 4662 UHF synth h/holds supplied with Ni•Cad no ants £15 ICOM (UK) Ltd IBC WACRAL 98 STORNO 4114 VHF as above £15 STORNO 2.way desktop chargers for above senes £15 STORNO 5662 UHF synthesised 12v mobiles supplied with pre•programmed EPROM. BCD switches etc and full into to make 100CH. 70cms mobile, 15w 0/P. just needs 2 J. Birkett 46 Walford Electronics 84 crystals, mic and LIS (not supplied) to complete the kit £45 STORNO 5114s VHF high band mobiles synthesised supplied sets only but with circuits and 2m. Modification into £35 PYE PF85 3CH FM WheIds for 2m with Ni-Cad *ant £30 Kenwood Electronics IFC Waters & Stanton Electronics PYE M293 'E' band AM 6CH mobiles, OK to mod for 4m or RAC rally channel etc with t,4IC -L/S £25 PYE 5002 'E' band FM Whole no batte or ants but supplied in original ex MoD packing. 2 units for £25 VINTAGE - now/unissued hand microphones for wireless sets No. 18 in original ex MoD Klingenfuss Publications 55 22,28,29,30,31 packing. 2 units for £15 RACAL mast mounting bracket for rear of a Landrover, fully adjustable for 3in mast originally meant for MA716, 8 metre mast supplied unissued in original packing, dosort colour £35 Lake Electronics 96 Wilson Valves 64 Please send self stamped addressed envelope for mail Hsi NOTE CLOSED ALL DAY ON WEDNESDAYS Lowe Electronics 6,7 Yaesu (UK) Ltd. UDC A' ".>" 1.:rle cie...-" x =Ltn.'gv-e_he zro =u m.bn u ....-- TocnnIral Modrficalion anqtarvou aftrr 4.33/é.m. plop. or ear.C OP G.W.M. RADIO LTD m,„ 40/42 PORTLAND ROAD, WORTHING, SUSSEX BN11 1 ON TELEPHONE: 01903 234897 FAX: 01903 239050 NEXT ADVERTISEMENT COPY DATE The display advertisement copy date for our APRIL 1998 issue is: 2nd February 1998 c 0 CHRISTIAN Advertisers, please note that the address for copy and enquiries (except Members' Ads) is: Malcolm Taylor Associates R.AII0 AMATEURS! P 0 Box 3241 The World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners BOURNEMOUTH BH8 8WT actively promotes Christian fellowship worldwide. Regular nets, Telephone + 44 1202 777852 Fax + 44 1202 317902 activity days, Annual Conference (2nd-4th October 1998), handbook, magazine etc. Call our UK Sunday SSB nets 3747kHz et Email: [email protected] Born and 2pm, or 144.205MHz of 3pm. Web site: http://www.mta.mcmail.com For more information telephone 01803 854504 USA Advertisers can contact us at: or write to our Membership Secretary Malcolm Taylor Associates WACRAL 11 Quaker Road, Nashua. N.H 03063 51 Alma Road, Brixham, South Devon, TQ5 8QR 9See Internet Web Page liTTP://www.GOPP ademon.co.uk Telephone/Fax (603) 889 3519

98 RadCom • February 1998 o 1COM New Year's RevoItilion! IC-746 - the transceiver that everyone's been asking for! The IC-746 is ICOM's latest HF/VHF transceiver, providing wideband coverage; HF to 50MHz through to 144MHz. Superior design, VHF base-station capabilities, DSP and 100 watt RF output make this THEtransceiver to own in '98.

1.8MHz-144MHz multimode coverage • Auto antenna tuner with preset memories • Tone squelch standard with 50-tone frequencies 100W output for all HF, 50MHz and • Compact size 287 x 120 x 317 (mm) 144MHz bands Ample CW functions with 4-channel e Memo pad with 10 channels memory keyer DSP fitted as standard • Large, easy-to-read • 12.5kHz FM narrow capability Continually adjustable noise reduction function display • Quick split, ideal for DX'ers Selectable APF with 3 passband widths • 3 different antenna connections ...••••• ' Twin PBT, first in .003a. • 2-step pre-amp (single for 144MHz) a mid-range radio • Optional UT-102 voice synthesizer Auto notch filter I e0

o ICOM

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(corn (UK) Ltd. Sea Street Herne Bay Kent CT6 8LD. Telephone: 01 227 741741. Fax: 01227 741742. Internet: http://www.icomuk.co.uk e-mail: [email protected]

Count On us! "The VX-1R is smaller than most pagers!" VX-1 R Ultra-Compact "Over 19 hours of -Looks like Yaesu use from the Dual-Band Handheld did it again!" rechargable lithium ion battery!" The world's smallest HT with all the high-tech features you'd want in the world!

The ultra-compact size of the VX-1R Dual-Band is the first thing you notice as you cradle it in your palm. But the high-tech features make this radio one you must have now! Simple combinations, using seven buttons and one knob, control this marvel of engineering. One soft key touch and wide receive

VHF/UHF 76-999 MHz Rx; 4 144-146, 430-440 MHz Tx, or AM/FM Broadcast - even TV sound, spring to life! Touch again for Yaesu-exclusives, SmartSearch"1 and ARTSrm, or Priority Channel eatures Alarm. Built-in CTCSS and DCS Frequency Coverage Encode/Decode for 2m/440 amateur Wide Multi-Band Receive RX: 76-999 MHz*" FT-50R bands, CTCSS/DCS Tone Search, TX:144-146, 430-440 MHz Compact and Dual Watch, are included along AM/FM/TV Broadcast Receive Dual Band with 291 Memory Channels in 9 • AM Aircraft Receive Handheld • CTCSS Encode/Decode banks with 500 mW power output. • DCS Encode/Decode Backlit LCD Display shows ' CTCSS/DCS Tone Search • Dual Watch FT-51R 6-character alphanumeric capability; • SmartSearchTM Dual Band backlit keypad makes operation • Auto Range Transpond Handheld easy in dim light. And, although the SystemTM (ARTSTM) • Priority Channel Alarm ea. ••-• ••• VX-1R is the world's smallest dual- • ADMS-1D WindowsTm tyi et: band HT, you get over 19 hours* of Programmable al gee.t • 1 Watt External Power Supply use with just a 1 hour recharge from • 80 Minute Rapid Charger its long-lasting lithium ion battery! • Flexible Antenna, Belt Clip, Hand Strap Big features, small size - the most E S — Cellular blocked satisfying combination in the world! ...leading the way.s'fI

*Battery Life: 5-5-90 duty cycle. http://www.yaesu.co.uk

Specifications subject to change without notice. Specifications guaranteed only within amateur bands. Some accessories and/or options are standard in certain areas. Check with your local Yaesu dealer for specific details.

YAESU UK LTD, Unit 2, Maple Grove Business Centre, Lawrence, Rd., Hounslow, Middlesex, TW4 6DR, U.K. 0181-814-2001