,Pqr H©VEMBEI!! 2009 CCOPCHUHEC MG N0 Shortwave Listening Scanning AM & FM Radio History PAr PrP r P '-PLUS: Exploring The/World On .A Radio DXpedition oPAC WArrijeters lirtintenna Basics 01 iYH I E StIZ Dd 1.I9IG- S." 01J1V...... TH PROFESSIONAL STANDARD ContinuousandLSB, Wide USB, CW,FMFrequency (cellularAM -Narrow, Coverage: frequencies AM, Wide -00 AM,arekHz FMblocked) - 2.6 -Narrow, GHz / PresetWorldReal -Time ClockShortwave Spectrum with BroadcastU-C/Local Scope Station Settings Memory Bank DigitalDual2000(OptionalReduction, ReceiveMemory Signal DSP-1 Notch ProcessingChannels requires) Filter, / 100/Narrcw Band Memory pass CW Filter,NoiseGroupsPeak Filter Extensive Scanning Capability/Smart SearchTM E'MT SETTOK 1Y0TAG MODE SU WIIA 1E /S011111111111111014' Mr IIPII MTh'WM Ms SET PA% CAA SONT COMMUNICATIONSMT RECEIVER0.1 -2599.99998MHz =.000tIFEj M WAM/FM-N/WFMLSB/USB/CW/AM-N/AM/*Cellular blocked - A wl:cink 20VP -500 FrequencyCARRY THEcoverage WORLD : 0.1-1299.99995 WITH YOU! MHz COMMUNICFTIONS RECEIVER RealMultipleHugeModes -Time Memory : Rowe-NFM, 60-ch Capacity:VIM,Source Band AM, Scope Capability 1091USB, Range ChannelsLSB, -Polycarbonate CW Case elmRSETW Full6 MHz Illumination / Step 103 For kHz Display And Keypad- el alMW,45SCH/SCN S41°TEP Front-end*ConvenientALL -MODE 20 "Pre3et" dB WIDEBAND Attenuator Operating RECEIVER Mode sails40Low'®RcomoDE YA.E SIT `1111160, Choi, of Ow orid Aiop !Wen"' For the latesthttp://www.vertexstandard.com Yaesu news, visit us on the Internet:someoptionsSpecifications countries may Je subjectClimk saidard with to in yourchange certain local withoutareas. Yaesu Frequency Dealernotice forSome specific coverage accessories details. may differ and/or in Cypress,Vertex1C900US Headquarters Walker StandardCA 90630 Street (714)827-7600 Universal Radio Quality equipment since 1942. GRUNDIG G4000A GRUT1DIG G4000A SUPER SPECIAL The Grundig G4000A, historically has been our This may be the best shortwavebest selling radio here at Universal. We think the radio offer in our 67 year history! reason is value. Dollar for dollar no other radio offers this much performance and so many fea- Buy the Grundig G4000A at ourtures.Coverage is complete, including long special sale price of $99.99 andwave, AM band and shortwave from 1711 to 30000 kHz. FM stereo is provided to the head- we will also include both: CO phone jack. A thumb wheel knob on the side of (Doc!) -0- I/ FREE Grundig AN200 the radio provides smooth single sideband AM loop antenna (SSB) tuning.The illuminated digital display 000 Ocn provides tuning resolution at 1 or 5 kHz on V FREE Eton FR350 emer- shortwave. Two bandwidths are featured (nar- gency AM -FM -SW radio. row for maximum selectivity, or wide position for best audio fidelity). The keypad will quickly get you to any frequency or store up to 40 of your favorite G4000A $129.95 stations in the presets. The presets may be accessed directly or you can scan through them by FR350 59.98 using the radio's second set of Up/Down buttons. The G4000A can also frequency search. The dual digital clock is visible while the radio is playing. Other refinements include: snooze and sleep AN200 29.95 buttons, lock, High/Low tone switch, Local/DX switch, and 9/10 kHz MW scan selection. Jacks for Regular Total 21-978, 8 earphone (3.5 mm), antenna (3.5 mm) and 9 VDC input. The G4000A comes with: AC adapter stereo earbuds, wind-up antenna, and Owners Manual. Requires six AA cells (not supplied). The $99.99(+$7.95 UPS) cabinet has a stunning titanium colored finish. 8"Wx5"Hx1.5"D. 1 Lb. 5 oz. One year limitedwarranty. AN200 and FR350 are also sold separately. Grundig G4000A Order #4000 Regular Price 5129.05 SALE '99.99 i/ Receive a FREE eton FR350 FR350 GRUF1DIG with your Satellit 750 purchase. Satellit 750 Be prepared and aware with the eton FR350 emergency radio. This affordable portable re- ceives AM, FM plus 7 shortwave bands: 5800- 6350, 6950-7500, 9350-10050, 11550-12200, 13400-14000, 15000-15700, 17400-18050 and 21200-21950 kHz. The FR350 has an analog The Grundig Satellit 750 is an exciting portable that brings you the world of long wave, AM and dial and operates from a wind-up generator, or shortwave reception as well as FM and the VHF aeronautical band. Your complete shortwava 4.5 VDC or 3 AA cells (not supplied). The gen- coverage includes the S.S.B. mode allowing the reception of ham radio operators, maritime and erator charges the supplied, replaceable NiMH shortwave aeronautical stations. Tune your favorite stations by the conventional tuning knob, quick battery. Two turns per second for 90 seconds will provide 40 to 60 minutes of operation. keypad entry or via the 1000 memories. Enjoy the fidelity you have come to expect from Grundig enhanced by separate bass and treble controls. Other features include: backlit LCD, wide/narrow There is also a built-in triple LED emergency light source and a siren function. Moistureselectivity, signal strength meter, rotatable AM ferrite antenna, earphone jack, external antenna protected rear panel jacks for: earphone, 4.5jack, line output jack plus a 24 hour clock with dual alarm and sleep feature. 14.65 x 7.24 x 5.75''. Grundig Satellit 750 Order #0750 List Price 5400.00 5299.95 VDC input and phone charger output.The FR350 has the additional capability of re- charging certain cell phones with several com- AN200 mon cellular power adapters included. With a GRUflDIG black canvas carry case, 4.5 VDC 120 VAC The Grundig AN200 is a passive, fully adjustable indoor AM adapter, NiMH battery and Owner's Manual . band antenna. Inductive coupling makes it easy to use with Only 8.7 x 4.5 x 2" 1.3 Lbs. most portables that have an AM Ferrite bar antenna. Simply FR350 White Order #1350 858.98 placing this antenna near the radio will improve reception! Just FR350 Blue Order #4912 $58.98 adjust the AN200 tuning knob for maximum gain. There is also FR350 Red Order #4909 558.98 an output jack for a "wired" connection to radios with AM FR350 Black Order #4910 $58.98 antenna terminals. The supplied cable has a 3.5mm plug at FR350 Orange Order #4911 558.98 one end bare wires at the other end. FR350 Camo.Order #4913 558.98 Grundig AN200 Order #0912 $29.95 Universal Radio, Inc. UPS ground: 51-550=55.95, 550-5100=$7.95, s100-s500=s9.95. 6830 Americana Pkwy. Reynoldsburg, Ohio www.universal-radio.com Visit our website for more exciting 43068-4113 U.S.A. new and used shortwave radios. 800 431-3939 Orders & Prices Visa Prices and specs. are subject to change 614 866-4267 Information MasterCard Special offers are subject to change. 614 866-2339 FAX Line Discover Returns subject to a 15% restocking fee. [email protected] JCB Prices shown do not include shipping. POPULAR NOVEMBER 2009 ONTENTS VOLUME 28, NUMBER 3 COLUMNS 10 Horizons Sunspots Anyone? by Rob de Santos 26 Global Information Guide The Possible Passing Of Passport, But Some Happier News, Too by Gerry L. Dexter 42 World Band Tuning Tips World News, Commentary, Music, Sports, And Drama At Your Fingertips 53 The Antenna Room TVAntenna Basics by Kent Britain, WA5VJB 60 EmComm Essentials Lessons Learned From The "October Surprise": Simple Preparedness Steps YouCan Take by John Kasupski, KC2HMZ 63 The Propagation Corner A Sunspot Puzzle by Tomas Hood, NW7US 69 Shannon's Broadcast Classics FEATURES "Looking" At Broadcast History: A Cornucopia Of The Visual Side Of 12 The Technology Of Modern The Radio Hobby Rebellion by Shannon Huniwell Text Messaging And Twitter Vs. 78 Utility Communications Digest RepressiveRegimes Decoding MIL -STD -188-110A With by Kirk A. Kleinschmidt, NTOZ MuItiPSK In TestStages by John Kasupski, KC2HMZ 20 Robots, Radios, And Rescue Where Public Safety And A 84 The Loose Connection Technological Frontier Meet Radio Vs. Gardening: by Don Rotolo, N21RZ Bill Slam-dunks A Zucchini by Bill Price, N3AVY FEATURED COLUMNS 36 Broadcast Technology ON THE COVER Exploring The World On A DEPARTMENTS Radio DXpedition Innovators in the field of radio -controlled robotics are creating powerful new tools to stand by Bruce A. Conti in for human responders in dangerous situation- 4 Tuning In slike search and rescue, including the first An Editorial 56 RF Bits known use of S&R robots: the aftermath of the 6 Newsworthy InternetRadio Roundup: World Trade Center disaster of 9/1i. See "Robots. Radios, And Rescue," by Don Rotolo, Unwired, InfoCentral, And A Sampling From The WiFi Scene N2IRZ, starting on page 20, for more. (Cover Washington Beat by Dan Srebnick, K2DLS Photo: A "bucket brigade" at the site of the World Trade Center clears debris to search for sur- 44 Power Up 74 The Wireless Connection vivors after the 9/11 attacks, U.S. Navy photo by Radios & High -Tech Gear Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Jim Watson; AC Voltmeters For Dummies Inset: Mesa Robotics' Matilda II Search and 82 Radio Fun by Peter J. Bertini Rescue Robot, courtesy Mesa Robotics) Tri N isAndToons web: www.popular-communications.com Tap into secret Shortwave Signals Turn mysterious signals into exciting text messages with the MFJ MultiReaderT m! MF1-46213 Listen to maritime users, diplomats and ama- MFJ AutoTrakr" Morse code speed tracking. tours send and receive error -free messages using Use 12 VDC or use 110 VAC with MFJ-1312D 519995 various forms of TOR (Telex -Over -Radio). AC adapter, $15.95. 5V4Wx.2'/2Hx51/4D inches. Plug this ell Monitor Morse code from hams, military, self-contained commercial, aeronautical, diplomatic, maritime MFJ Multi - WiFi Yagi Antenna -- 15 dBi -- all over the world -- Australia, Russia, Japan, etc.16 -elements extends range Reader'" into Monitor any station 24 hours a day by printing your shortwave receiver's earphone jack.