o o OO@ Build: • Pro-Style ~ ESR Meter / • K.I.S.S. Trickle ,,- Charger ..- Beautiful HI-land Unleash The Power R-605TQ VHF/UHF Dual-Band Mobile/Base Full 2 Meter/440 Performance DR-620T VHF/UHF • 100 memory ch.1nnels, + a -Ca'" ch.Jnnel for each band Dual-Band Mobile/Base •cress encoded+dN:OdN and tone scan • CrcJSj-band repeat iind full duplex capability First Amateur Twin Band Mobile To Support • 9600 bps packer ready with dedicated terminals Optional Digital Voice Communications' • Internal dup'e1Cer ~ one easy antenna connection • RX·VHF 136-173.995 MHz, UHF 42tJ...449.994 MHz • TX·VHF 144-147.995 MHz, UHF 430-449.994 MHz • RX·VHF 108·173.995 MHz, UHF 335-480 MHz • MARS capability (permit requim/) • TX-VHF 144-J47.995 MHz, UHF 430-449.995 MHz • OUTPUT HIL - 5015 watts VHF, 3515 watts UHF • Receives Airband and Wide FM • Time-out timer (ideal for repeaterand padcel • Front control unit separation (optional EDS-9 kit required) operation) • Advanced 10F3 digit." mode with speech compression technology (Ej.47U required)- • 200 memory channels • Advancrd EI·SOU TNC (optional) supports dig;-peat mode • Remote control features including parameter setting and direct frequency entry through the microphone DJ- V5TH VHF/UHF • Dual-Bimd receiver with VIU, VI¥, UlU capability Dual-Band FM Transceiver • CTCSS/Des encode/decode and European Tone..bursts 5 watts ofoutput power, in a compact package. • OUTPUT: HIMlL·50/10/5 watts VHF • Alphanumeric Display, up to 6 characters • OUTPUT: HIMlL·35/JO/5 watts UHF • TX·VHF 144·147.995 MHz, UHF 420449.995 MHz • 200 memory channels plus two call channels • Full VHF + UHF Amaleur Band Coverage • Receive Range, (76 • 999MHz) Ask your dealer includes Wide FM capability • Up to 5 W.1tts output, 3 output settings about the full line of •crcss encode+decode DrMF squelch and Iron Horse antennas & European Tone bunts accessories! • 4 scan modes,. 5 programmable scan banks • MARS capability (pMnit required) DJ·596T VHF/UHF Dual-Band HT with Digital Voice Option' Loaded with features! The breakthrough design supports optional digital voice communications and you can easily switch the unit between analog and digital modes! • Full 4.5 watts output VHFI4w UHF • Full 2m and 440 band coverage • Powerful NiMH battery • Accepts 6 to 16 VDC' direct input • roo IMmories in any combination • Illuminated Keys and display of VHF or UHF channels • Wide and narrow FM modes • Direct frequency input from keypad • to aurodial memories • Each memory capdble of"odd splir- operation. • Theft a/ann feature • Alph.lnumeric channell.lbels • Optional E/-40U Digital Voice Bo.1m!· • crCSS/DeS encode+decode plus tone bursts • Programming/Clone softw;are available Distributed in North America by Amateur Distributing LLC • 2] S. High SL. Covington. OH 45318 • (93n 47]·2840 Specincationssubj«t to change without notice or obligation. ' Digital tommunitaliQfl\ flC'q\li~ at Iea~ t'oW s.imilarly equipp«!lt;lnKeiven. Digiloll mode lTWy noIlx- ~l in \Orne tounlrie\. See FAQ on digital ,II ....ww.alirw;o.wm. ProdtK'" ifllended lor use by properly liceesed opt"taKlo'\. f'tomlih requin-'d for MARS use. Spe\:;ifteliom ~ ubit'<l lo ch.lnge without nulict Of OOliR"lion. JANUARY 2003 THE TEAM ISSUE 1506 EI Supremo & Founder THE NEW! Wayne Green W2NSD/t ASlociale Publisher F. l. MariOn Amateur Executive Editor Jack Bumeh Radio Today Managing Edit or Joyce Sa wtelle TABLE OF CONTENTS Technical Editor Larry Antonuk WB9RAT FEATURES DEPARTMENTS Conlrib!Jling Culprit . 10 Build This Amazing ESR Meter - K8Z0A 48 Abo ve & Beyond -WB61GP Mike Btyce WB8VGE A simple project for everybody's shack. 49 Ad Index Jim Gray II 64 Barter 'n' Buy Jack Heller KB7NO 19 K.I.S.S. Trickle Charger- K9TRG 41 Calendar Event s Chuck Houghton WB61GP And the ABCs of battery maintenance. 42 The Dig ital Port - K87NO Andy MacAnisler W5ACM 46 Hamsats - W5ACM Joe Moell KOOV 25 Experimenting with Hall-Effect Sensors - W6WTU 52 Homing In - KOOV 8 Letters Steve Nowak KE8YN/O For fun and knowledge. Dr_RiCk Olsen N6NA 4 Never Say Die - W2NS0l1 45 On the Go - KE8YNlO 29 On the Face of It, A Good Idea - AA2JZ 60 Propagation -Gray Advertising Sale. How to ace those finishing touches on your 1 OR X Everyn Gallison WS7A home-brewed pride-and-joys. 63 Radio Bookshop 21704 S .E. 35th 51. rssaouen WA 98029 35 Travels with Henryk - Part 9 - SMOJHF E-Mail 425-557 -9611 The Dominican Republic. where the main mode Fax: 425-557 -961 2 IS merengue. design73@3;ol.com crre uteucn 382m FM Ham History 101 - K1NUN Frances Hyvarinen It's time you got your degree. w eb P.a~ t' www.wayncg rccn.corn Data Entry & Other Stult 40 To the Rescue - KE6FBO Norman Marion A story about 2m and winches - we hope. Business Ottlce 2002 Annual Index EdilOlial • Advertising • Qrrulation page 31 Feedback · Product Reviews 73 Amateur Radio Today Magaz ine 70 Hancock Rd. COVER: House and antenna Peterborough NH 03458·1 107 of Romeo HJ3 BR R. Santiago, 603-924-0058 Dominican Republi c. Photo Fa x: 603-924-8613 ORH by S~1 0JHF. Reprints: 53 per article ••• Back issues: $5 each Printed in the USA II you look on the front of the bill. you will see the Dollar Power United Sta les Treasury Seal. On the top you will see Take out a one-dollar bill and look at it. The one­ lhe scales for a balanced budget, and for fairness. In dollar bill you have fi rst came off the presses in 1957 the center you have a carpenter's square, a 1001 used in its present design. lor an even cut. Underneath is the key to Ihe United This so-called 'paper" money is in fact a cotton Stales Treasury. That's all pretty easy to figu re out, and linen blend, with red and blue minute silk fibers but what is on the back. of thatdollar bill is something running through it. It is actually material. We 've all we should all know. washed it without it falling apart. A special blend 01 Tum the bill over and you will see two crces. Both ink is used. the contents we will never know. II is circles together comprise th e Great Seal of the United overp rinted with symbols and men it is starched to States.The First Coolinenlal Congress requested that make it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look. Continued on page 6 ;;J",ASP0TR~N 9 Autry Irvine, CA 92618 O" ~ ,O~ (949) 458·72n . {949} 458-0826 ... POWER ON WITH ASTRON I ~Gi ( E SWITCHING POWER SUPPLlES _ SPECI AL FEATURES: PROTECTION FEATU RES: • HIGH EFACIENCYSWITCHING TECHNOlOGY • CURRENT LIMITING SPECIFICALLY FILTERED FDA USEWITH • OVEAVOlTAGE PROTECTION CQMMUN1CATQ.lS EQUIP MENT. FOR All • FUSE PROTECTION FREOUENCIES lNCllJDlNG jjf. • OVER TEMPERATURE SHIJTDOWN MODEL 55-1OTK • HEAVY DUTY DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS: • lOW PROFil E. LIGHTWEIGHT PACKAGE INPUT VOLTAGE : 115 VAG Sl),'6OHZ • EMl FILTER OR 220 VAG SO'60HZ • MEETS FCC CLASS B SWITCH SELECTABLE OUTPUT VOlTAGE : 13, 8VDC AVAILABLE WITH THE FOLLOWING APPROVALS: UL, CUL, CE,TUV. MODEL 55-1 21F DESKTOP SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES MODEL CO NT. (Amps) ICS SIZE (Inches) Wl {lbs.) 55-10 7 10 t ~ x 6 x9 32 55-12 10 '2 1% x6 x9 3A 5$·18 15 ia 1%x 6x 9 55·25 20 25 2'li x 7 x 9'1i '6s.a 55·30 25 30 3'1, x 7 x9'JO 5 0 MODEL 55-18 DES KTOP SWTTCHII'+G POWER SU PPlIES WITH VOlT AND AMP METERS MODEL CONT. (Am ps) ICS SIZE (inches) wt.(lbs.) SS-25M ' 20 25 2- ~ . 7 .9"'0 4.2 SS-3OM ' 25 30 3%. 7. 9'10 5.0 MODEL 55-25M RACKMOUNT SWITCHING POWER SUPPLIES MODEL CONT. (Amps) ICS SIZE (inche s) W1.(lbs.) SAM·25 20 es 3 ~ x19 . 9-11 6.5 SRM ·30 25 30 31t x 19 . 9'1i 7.0 WITH SEPARATE VO LT & AMP METERS MODEL CO NT. (Amps) ICS size (inches) Wl.(lbs.) SRM -25M 20 25 3 ';' x19 X 9'/, 6.5 SRM -30M 25 30 3Y, x19 x 9Y. 7.0 MODEL 5RM-30 2 ea SWITCHING POWER SU PP LIES ON ONE RACK PANEL MODEL CONT.IAmps) ICS SIZE (inches) Wl.(lbs.) SRM-2S·2 20 25 3',1; x19. 9'~ 10,5 SR~,t.30·2 25 30 3',1; .19 .9'.; 11 ,0 WITH SEPARATE VOLT & AMP METERS MODEL CONT· IAmps) ICS SIZE ( i nc~l wt..(lbs.) SRM·25M ·2 20 es 3:4.19. 9\'0 10.5 SRM·3OM·2 25 30 M .1 9 .~ 11 .0 MODEL 5RM-30M -2 CUSTOM POWER SUPPL IES FOR RADIOS BEL OW NEW SwrrCHING MODELS EF JOHNSON AVENGER GX- MC41 S5·1OGX. SS·l2GX EF JOHN SON AVENGER GX· MC42 SS-l8GX EF JOHNSON GT·ML61 SS-12EFJ EF JOHNSON GT·ML63 SS-16EFJ EF JOHN SON 9800 SERIE S SS- IO-EFJ-96. SS-12-EFJ'96, 5S·16-EFJ-96 GE MARC SE RIES SS·12MC MODEL 55-1 25M/GTX GE MONOGRAM SE RIES & MAX ON SM-4000 SE RIES SS·10MG, SS-12MG ICOM IC·F11020 & IC-F2020 SS- 10IF,SS-12 1F KE NWOOD TK760, 762, 840 , 860, 940, 941 SS·10lK KENWOODTK760H, 762 H SS·12TK ORSS- l 8TK MOTOROLA LOW POWER SMSO, SM 12O, & GTX S5·105M'GTX MOTO ROLA HIGH POWER SMSO. SM120. & GTX S5-105MiGTX, 55-12SM'GTX , 55·18SM.-GTX MOTOROLA RAD IUS a GM 300 55·10RA MOTOROLA RADIUS & OM 300 55-12RA MOTOROLA RADIUS & GM 300 55·16RA UNIDEN SMH1525, 5MU4525 5S·10SMU.