Drake Accessories designed for convenience and accuracy

Drake Directional RF Wattmeters

Drake RCS-4
Remote Coax Switch
• Remotely Selects One
of Five Antennas
• Grounds All Unused
Antennas
• Grounds All Antennas
in Gnd Position for
Lightning Protection
W-4 1.8-54 MHz WV-4 20-200 MHz • Front Panel Indicator
Monitors Antenna
Drake directional. through line wattmeters, using Selection Interval
printed circuits, toroids. and state of the art techniques, • Protected Against
permit versatile performance and unsurpassed ac- Adverse Weather
curacy, yet at a lower cost. Conditions
In contrast to VSWR measuring devices of the past, • S0-239 Connectors
Drake wattmeters are frequency insensitive throughout Provided for Main
their specified range, requiring no adjustments for Coax Feed-Line and
power or VSWR measurements. Individual Antenna
Negligible insertion loss allows continuous moni- Feed-Lines
toring of either forward or reflected power for fast ac- •Handles 2000 Watts
curate tune up and checking of transmitter-antenna PEP
performance. •Available in 120 V-ac
Indirectly measure radiated power (forward power or 240 V-ac
minus reflected power) and VSWR by means of a plastic 50/60Hz Versions
nomogram included.
Each wattmeter makes possible quick, accurate ad-
justments of antenna resonance and impedance
match, when placed between transmitter and matching
network.
High accuracy; ideal as laboratory instruments.
Removable coupler allows remote metering.

Specifications W-4 WV-4 • Control unit works on 110/220 v -ac, 50'60 Hz, and supplies
necessary voltage to mot or. • E xcellent for single coax feed to
Frequency
multi band quads or arrays of monobanders. The five positions
Coverage 1.8 ·54 MHz 20-200 MHz allow a single coax feed to three beams and two dipoles, or
Line Impedance 50 ohm resistive 50 ohm resistive other similar combinations. • Control cable (not suppli ed) same
as for HAM-M rotator.• Selects antennas remotely, g rou nds all
Power Capabillty 2000 W continuous 1 000 W continuous unused antennas. Gnd position grounds all antennas when
Jacks, Remov- Two 50239 input and Type N input and leaving station . "Rain-Hat" construction shields motor and
able Coupler output connectors output connectors. switches.• Up to30 MHz, insertion of switc h changes VSWR no
m ore than 1.05:1. • From 30MHz to 150MHz, inserti on changes
Semiconductors Two 1N295 power Two 1N695 power VSWR no more t han 1.5:1. •Motor: 24 V-ac, 2 amp. Lubri cation
meter rectifier s meter rectifiers good to -40"F. • Switch Rf Capability: Maximum legal li mit.
Accuracy :!: [5% of reading +1% of full scale)

• 80-10 Meters
Drake MN-4 & MN-2000 Matching Networks • Antenna Selector and
By-Pass Switches included
A Drake matching network is a worthwhi le addition to any
amateur stat ion where peak perfo rmance is desired. Basically
identical, except for power handling capabi lities, the MN-4 and
MN- 2000 enable feedli ne SWR's of 5:1 to be matched to the
t ransmitter . If input impedance is purely resistive, even higher
SWR 's can be handled.• Besides presenting a 50 ohm load to
the transmitter, the Matchi ng Network's built in rf wattmeter
allows acc urate and cont inuous power m easurement and
MN-4 (300 Watts) MN-2000 (2000 Watts) VSWR ind ication. The advanced wattmeter c ircu itry yi elds
frequency-insensitive readings f rom 2 t o 30 MHz, and accuracy
until now obtainable o nly in expensive wattmeters.
To receive a FREE Drake Fu ll Line Caralog. Specifications subject to change without notice
please send name and date of th;s publication to.·

~ I J•ti
R. L. DRAKE COMPANY I~ •4
i 31 ®
540 Richard St., Miamisburg, Ohio 45342
Phone, (513) 866-2421 •Telex, 288-017
Western Sales and Service Center, 2020 Weste rn Street, Las Vegas, Nev ada 89102 • 7021382-9470
DENTRON MLA-2500 linear amplifier DENTRON MT-3000A antenna tuner
• Con tun uous duty po wer supply• 160 thru 10 meter coverage• • 160 thru 1O meter coverage • Handles a full 3KW PEP •
2000 + watts PEP input o n SS B • 1000 w atts DC inpu t on CW, Cont inuo us tuni ng 1.8 - 3 0 me • Built-in dual watt meters • Built-
ATTY, SSTV • Two externa l-anode ce ram ic/meta l tr iodes i n 50 ohm du mmy load fo r proper exciter adj ustment• A ntenna
operating in grounded grid • Covers MARS w/o mod ifications • selector switch enables you to by- pass th e tuner direct or select
50 ohm input/output im pedance • Bui lt-in RF watt meter. the dummy load or 5 other antenna systems.

799.50 is list price. Call Toll-Free for quote. 349.50 is list price. Cal l Toll-Free for quo te.

~:iii_~\ './ifi:
,;if~tl
DENTRON 160-10AT DENTRON Trim Tenna
super tuner 20 meter beam DENTRON all band
Balanced li ne, coax cab le, ran dom, or For the amateur wh o w ants fantasti c doublet antenna
long wire antennas, the 160- 10ATwill performance w ith good looks! • Fro nt This all band doublet or inverted
match it-160 th ru 10 meters • Con- element: 16' driver w ith H-0 coil s fed antenna covers 160 thru 10 meters.
tunuous tuning, 1.8-30 me • 3 inputs directly with 52 ohm coax • Refl ecto r Has total length of 130 ft. of 14 ga.
• Handles 500 watts DC, 1000 watts element: 17' with 15 dB F/B ratio • 8 W stranded copper wire. The doublet is
PEP • Heavy duty, 2-co re Balun (3'12' turn ing radius • 4 dB forward gain tuned & cen ter fert th ru 100 ft. of 470
dia. x 3" H) • Tapped in ductor #12 over dipole • Elements 7 feet apart ohm PVC covered transmission line.
ga. wire. • Weight: 14 lbs. Assembly is complete.

129.50 li st price . Ca ll for quo te. 129.50 list price. Call for quo te. 24.50 is Long's low price.

Remember , yo u ca n ca ll TOLL-FREE: 1-800-633-3410 in U.S.A. o r ca ll 1-800-292-8668 in

Al abama fo r o ur lo w pri ce quot e. Ho urs: 9:00 AM til 5: 30 PM , Mo nday thru Frid ay.

BANKAM ERICARO
f i ,J wl& LongS Electronics
MAIL ORDERS P 0. BOX 11347 BIR MIN GHAM . A L 35202 • STREET ADDRESS : 3521 1OTH AVENUE NORTH B IRMIN GHAM . ALABAMA 35234

More detail s? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 1

 Antennas For of your radio. In fact you will be
lHISMONrHS Tiny Yards able to determine a number of
things that can only be dis-
Just because your pool is not covered with this versatile in-
deep enough to dive into doesn't strument.
mean that you should never
learn to swim - and there is a
parallel in the antenna situation
that many SWLs and hams must Questions About Linears
contend with. Some surprising Buying a linear amplifier is
results can be obtained from usually a large investment, and
skywires that are far from ideal. you should be as careful about it
K41PV speaks from experience as you would with any other ex-

HORIZONS as he shows you how to make

the best of the available space.
penditure. If you choose wisely,
it will last long and serve you
well. Here is a brief guide to
some areas of comparison to
Fried Ham check into before you make your
In some Amateur radio equip- decision.
SSTV
ment there are voltages and cur-
You can watch slow-scan televi- rents high enough to be lethal, if
sion by adding a piece of equip- you don't know how to protect
ment to your amateur-band yourself and your gear. Proper
Questions? And Answers!
receiver. To send a picture, you grounding and insulation - and Here is the third part of the
need only an addition to your a thorough understanding of series exploring the why and
transmitter. Thanks to a system what and what not to do in an how of the questions and sub-
that requires no more space in a emergency - are the keys to jects in the FCC Study Guide
ham band than a voice signal, safety. and the Novice License exam.
you can exchange images with The Rules and Regulations sec-
fellow hams the world over. tion is almost finished , and
Veteran SSTVer W2DD gives you Accessories For W1SL gets started into the area
a tantalizing glimpse of what it of Operating Practices.
takes.
Your Station
Your operating needs and
desires will change with time as
you progress through the ranks
of amateur radio. As you grow, The Cover
A Better Code-Practice your station will also grow. Here Amateurs around the world can
Oscillator is a guide to the orderly growth be seen as wel I as heard, thanks
It is not hard to find instructions of your station equipment, to slow-scan television. W2DD
for building a code-practice beginning with the most-needed provided our cover photograph
oscillator, nor is it difficult to things to get you started and and the story on page 12.
build one. What makes this one followed by goodies that can
better than the rest? It can be a wait until later.
very useful gadget to have
HAM RADIO HORIZONS Novem-
around the shack after you no ber 1977, Volume 1, No. 9. Pub-
longer need to practice sending The Oscilloscope
lished mo nthly by Communica-
Morse code. Author Blakeslee An oscilloscope i s a use ful t ions Technology, In c ., Green-
gives you two versions to analytical tool for the home - ville, New Hampshire 03048. One-
choose from: one is a dual- builder because it can be used year subsc ription rate , $10.00;
purpose practice oscillator and to display both de and ac three- year subsc r iption rate,
tester, the other is a minimum- signals generated by the circuits $24.00. Second-class postage
cost box that uses parts from a you are testing . You can meas- paid at Greenville , New
defunct transistor radio. Maybe ure voltage, frequency , and a Hamps hire 03048 and additional
offices.
you'll like them so much that variety of other parameters that
you'll want to build both! affect the health and well-being

2 ~ November 1977
 Call toll-free 800-647-8660
for products by MFJ ENTERPRISES

MFJ..16010 ST Super Antenna Tuner MFJ-1601 O Antenna Tuner CWF-2BX Super CW Filter
Thi s NEW MFJ Super Antenna Tuner matches every- Now you can operate all bands - 160 thru 10 Meters This MFJ Super CW Filter gives you 80 Hz bendwldth,
thing from 160 thru 10 Meters: dipoles, Inverted •M•, - with a single random wire and run your full trans- and extremel y steep skirts with no ringing for rezor
long wires, verticals, mablle whips, beams, balance ceiver power output - up to 200 waits RF power sharp selectivity that lets you pull signals out of heeyY
lines, coax lines. Up to 200 watts RF OUTPUT. Built-In OUTPUT. ORM. Plugs between receiver end phones or connect
balun, too! • Small enough to carry in your hip pocket. 2-3116 x between audio stage for • P••ker opera tion.
3-114 x 4 inches • Matches low and high impedance by • Selectable BW: 80, 1 1o. 1 80 Hz • 60 dB down one
• Operat e all bands with one antenna • Works with all inlerchanging input and output • S0·239 coaxial connec· octave from center frequency of 750 Hz for 80 Hz BW
solld state and tu be rigs • Ultra com pac t: 5 x 2 x 6 tors • 1 2 position tapped Inductor. Stacked toroid cores • Reduces noises 1 5 dB • 9 V battery • 2~3/ 16 x
inc hes • Uses toroid cores • At 1.8 MHz tuner matc hes 25 to 200 ohms. 3· 114 x 4 inches • CWF·2PC, wired PC board, $ 19 .95 .

MFJ·8043 IC Deluxe Electronic Keyer CMOS-8043 Electronic Keyer LSP-520BX II Log Speech Processor
This NEW MFJ Deluxe Keyer gl•es you more feotures State of the art design uses CURTl5-8043 Keyer-on-a- Up to 400 % more · RF power. Plugs between your
per dollar than any other keyer available. chlp. microphone and tra nsmitter.
• Uses Curtis-8043 keyer c hip • Sends iambic. auto-
matlc, semi-automatic , manual • Use squeeze. single • Built·in Key • Dot memory • Iambic operation with • Gives your audio punch power to slic e throug h ORM
lever. or straight key • Dot memory. self-completing dots external squeeze key • 8 to 50 WP M • Sidetone and • 30 dB IC log amp and 3 active filters • Rf protecte<l
and dashes. jam proof spacing. instant start • RF proof
speaker • Speed, volume. tone. weigh! controls • Ultra • 9 V battery • Two Mic jacks: Y." phone jacks, un·
• Solid state keying ±300 V max • Weight, tone, vol·
ume, speed controls • Uses 4 C·cells; external power reliable solid state keying .:!:.300 volts max. • 4 position committed 4 pin jack • Output cable • 2-118 x 3·5/8 x
jack • 6 x 6 x 2 inches • Sidetone and speaker • Op· swilch for TUNE, OFF, ON, SIOETONE OFF • Uses 4 5·9116 inches • LSP·520BX, in standard MFJ en·
tional squeeze key: $29.95 penlight ce lls • 2-3/16 x 3 · 1/4 x 4 inches c losure , elec1ronically identic al, $49 .95.

s49gs
SBF-2BX SSB Filter MFJ-200BX Frequency Standard MFJ-1030BX Receiver Preselector
Dramatically improves reodablllty. Prov ides strong, precise markers every 1 oo, S D, or 25 Clearly copy we8k unreadable sj~nals (increases signal
• Optimizes your audio to reduce sideband splatter, re · KHz well Into VHF region. 3 to 5 " S" units).
move low and high pitched ORM, hiss, static crashes, • More than 20 dB tow noise gain • Separate input and
background noise, 60 and 120 Hz hum • Reduces • Exclusive c ircuitry suppresses all unwanted markers output tuning control s give maximum gain and RF selec-
fatique during contest. OX, and rag chewing • Plugs • Markers are gated tor positive identification. CMOS tivity to significantly reject out-of-band signals and reduce
between phones and receiver or connect between audio IC's with transistor output. • No direct connection image responses • Dual gale MOS FET for low noise,
stage for speaker operation • Selectable bandwidth IC necessary • Uses 9 vo lt battery • Adjustable trimmer strong signal handling abilities • Completely stable • Op-
active audio filter • Uses 9 volt battery • 2· 3/ 16 x for zero beating to WWV • Switch selects 100. 50, 25 timized lor 10 thru 30 MHz • 9 V battery • 2 · 1/ 8 x
3 - 114 x 4 inches KHz or OFF • 2-3 11 6 x 3· 114 x 4 inches 3 ·5/8 x 5-9/16 inches

s17gs
~ · -~
MFJ.40T QRP Transmitter CP0-555 Code Oscillator C-500 Digital Alarm Clock
Work th e world with 5 won s .on 40 Meter CW. For the Newcomer to learn the Morse code. Thi s digit.II alarm clock Is also an ID Timer. Assembled,
For the O ld Timer to polish his flat. too!
• No tuning • Matches 50 ohm load • Clean output
For the Code Instruc tor to teach his c lasses. • Gives 10 buzz every 9 minutes automatically. or after
wit h low harmonic content • Power amplifier transistor
• Send crisp clear code w ith plent y of volume for class· tapping ID/doze button • Pressing ID/doze button dis·
protecled against burnout • Switch selects 3 crystals
room use • Self contained speaker, volume, tone con· play s seconds • Large .63 inch digits • Easily zeros
or VFO Input• 12 VOC • 2-3116 x 3· 114 x 4 inches
lrols , aluminum cabinet • 9 V battery • Top quality U.S. to WWV • AM and PM LED lndlcalors • Power out indi-
MFJ-40V, Companion VFO $29.95 cons lruction • Uses 555 IC timer • 2·3/ 16 x 3 ·1/4 x calor • Fast set. slow set buttons • 11 O VAC , 60 Hz
MFJ- 120C, IC Regulated Power Supply, 4 inches • 3· 1/8 x 3~3/4 x 3 ·3/8 inches • One year warranty
1 amp. 12 voe .. $29 95 TK-555. Optional Telegraph Key . $1 .95 by Fairchild

Order any product from MFJ and try It_ If not delighted, return within 30 days for a prompt refund (less shipping).
Order today. Money back if not delighted. One year unconditional guarantee. Add $2.00 shipping/handling.
Order By Mall or Call TOLL FREE 800-647-8660 and Charge It On '!!!! •
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In Europe contact: ING I. STERN, lohkoppelstrasse 27, 2000 Hamburg 76, West Germany. Tel.: (040) 299-6110, Telex: 2161808 STEX D
4 ELEMENT- 3 BAND
10-15-20 METER BEAM
Cushcraft engineers have incorporated more than 30 years of design
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Enjoy a new world of DX communications with ATB-34!

SPECIFICATIONS
FORWARD GAIN - 7.5 dBd W IND SFC - 5.4 Sq.Ft.
F/B RATIO - 30 dB WEIGHT - 42 Lbs.
VSWR - 1.5- 1 WIND SURVIVAL - 90 MPH.
POWER HANDLING - 2000 WATTS PEP
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CORPORATION

BOX 4680, MANCHESTER, N.H. 03108

 November, 1977
Volume 1, Number 9

T.H. Tenney, Jr., W1 NLB

Publisher
James R. Fisk, W1 HR
Edltor·in·Chlef

Edltorl1I Staff
Thomas F. McMullen, Jr., W1SL
Managing Editor
CONrENrs
Patricia A. Hawes, WA 1WPM
Executive Editor
Slow-Scan Television 12
Charles J. Carroll, K1XX William H. DeWitt, W2DD
Alfred Wil son, W6NIF
Assistant Editors A Better Code-Practice Oscillator 20
Publlshlng Staff Douglas A. Blakeslee, W1 KLK
C. Edward Buffington, WB1AMU
Assistant Publisher Antennas for Limited Space 26
Fred D. Moller, Jr., WA1USO Joseph J. Carr, K41PV
Advertising Manager
James H. Gray, W2EUQ Safety Tips for Radio Amateurs 34
Assistant Adverti sing Manager
Therese R. Bourgault
Devere Logan, W1 H EO
Circulation Manager
Amateur Station Accessories 38
Ham Radio Horizons
Is published monthly by
James H. Gray, W2EUQ
Communications Technology, Inc
Greenville, N ew Hampshire 03048 Basic Oscilloscope Uses 46
Telephone 603·878·1441
Loran Joly, WB0KTH
Subscription rates are
$10.00 per year, worldwide Questions About Linears 54
Copyright 1977 by Communications
Richard W. Ehrhorn, W4ETO
Technology, Inc. Title registered
at U.S. Patent Office Questions? And Answers! Part 3 56
Microfilm copies
Thomas F. McMullen, W1SL
are available from
University Mic rofilms, International
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103 Activities Calendar 72 Newsline 11
Ad Check 80 Post Box 68
Cassette tapes of selected articles
f rom Ham Radio Horizons are available to Ad Scan 75 Product Showcase 64
the blind and physically handicapped Advertiser's Index 80 Propagation Chart 71
f rom Recorded Periodicals
919 Walnut Street, 8th Floor
DX Forecaster 70 The View from Here 6
Philadelphla, Pennsylvania 19107 Focus and Comment 8 This Month's Horizons 2

November 1977 ~ 5
 ~~c -~
ov
lRE '.JIEW FROM HERE

As more and more amateurs switch to factory-made gear, and as industry uses more
ICs and disposable plug-in modules, the life of the dyed-in-the-wool ham homebrewer
gets tougher and tougher. If you've recently tried any of the construction articles in the
amateur magazines, you are already well acquainted with the hassle involved in
obtaining a few needed components.
At one time you could drop in at your local corner radio store with a list of parts and
the man behind the counter would fill your order. But that was when the vacuum tubes,
resistors, and capacitors in your ham gear were the same as those in the family radio.
It's not the same anymore - now the transistors and ICs in the radio and television
sets are designed specifically for that purpose and have operating characteristics that
are of little use elsewhere. There are exceptions, but they are few and far between.
Another problem that faces the serious home builder is the tremendous variety of
transistors and ICs available from different manufacturers. Although some types of
devices are made by more than one company, in most cases the semiconductor
manufacturers crank out devices that are completely different from those of their
competitors. And to add insult to injury, the same device may carry a dozen different
part numbers: a 2N number, a replacement number, plus special numbers for units sold
in large quantities to equipment manufacturers.
There is only one way to combat this lunacy: arm yourself with a good semiconductor
cross-reference guide and a wide selection of electronic parts catalogs . Tops on the list
of replacement guides is Howard Sams' Transistor Substitution Handbook available
from Ham Radio's Communications Bookstore. This handy little paper back, which is
updated every year, covers practically every transistor ever made, from 2N34 to
2N6500, with recommended substitutes. 1t also covers devices from Japan and Europe,
as well as replacement types manufactured by Delco, General Electric, International
Rectifier, Motorola, RCA, Semitronics, Sylvania, and Workman . Most of these
manufacturers also publish replacement guides, available for the asking from their
authorized distributors.
If you live in a large metropolitan area, chances are that there is an industrial
electronics supply house that can fill your parts needs. Many of these firms don't
advertise because they are not particularly interested in small quantity sales, but if you
show up at their office, they will sell you the parts. If you want to find them, pick up
your telephone directory and check the Yellow Pages: look under " Electronic
Equipment and Supplies."
If you live out in the sticks, the problem is more difficult, unless you can get into the
city. If you can't, you must purchase your components through the mail. There are many
mail-order electronics supply houses which cater to the needs of amateurs, and many
of them advertise in Ham Radio Horizons and in our sister publication , ham radio . Most
of these suppliers publish listings of the components they have in stock, and a
postcard request will bring you a copy.
Jim Fisk, W1 HR
editor-in-chief

6 m November 1977
 aockwise from. lower left: IC-;lll 4MHz. 2 meter, AllM~e; l~.~.i~b~~e.: IC-245 Mobile 2 meter- Tra~sc~v~r;
·IC-225 Mobile VHF . . .
FM Transceiver; IC-502 'P~i;tab!e 50 MHz SSS Transceive.;· Ic,:U.5. P~rtable 2 meter FM Tranceiver; IC,30A Mobile UHF FM Transceiver.

Ask your dealer for ICOM's complete product line catalog, or

mail your request to an address below.
VHF/UH F AMATEUR AND MARINE COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT Distributed by:

ICOM WEST, INC. ICOM EAST, INC. ICOMCANADA

C• •)IICOMI
._ ~<.- '. . .
Suite 3
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(206) 747-:;)020
" :. ;
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" ·;· ~

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 7

 FOCUS &COMMENr
I'd like to take a moment to talk about Public Relations. Yes, I know many clubs and
individuals have taken the time to write stories for their local newspaper, to appear for
an interview on local radio or television, and have gotten reporters from the various
media to cover their special -event activities. Also, many stations that operate at the the
fairs and expositions throughout the country are doing a great job of exposing the
general public to amateur radio (or is it the other way around). All of this is great stuff,
but that is not the part of Public Relations I want to talk about.
I would like to ask: Are you getting the message across?
For instance, look at a typical newspaper release from the local field day group.
It's full of news about the great things that amateurs do in emergencies, and tells how
this is a practice run for operators and equipment - preparation for the real thing -
and all that. Unfortunately, it is also full of the usual ham jargon. You and I
understand it perfectly, but John Q. Newspaper-reader is no better off than if he read
the list of additives on the side of his favorite brand of canned beans! He has been told
that a group of people who call themselves hams have done something , but he is not
sure what or how. What is a QSO? Is handling traffic the same thing that the cop on
the corner does at rush hour? What kind of propagation are they talking about? It goes
on - beams, Yagis, rigs, ARRL, OSCAR, repeaters, points, CW, phone - a truly
confusing babble to those we are trying to impress with our good works.
Or maybe your effort never made it into print because the paper had a sharp editor
who said, "Our readers will never understand all that junk - dump the story."
I'm sure that many of you have had the experience of trying to answer a question
from a fellow-worker, a non-amateur acquaintance, your next-door neighbor, or the like.
All they did was ask a very simple question because there was something about
amateur radio or your station that they didn' t understand. Did you notice a confused or
perplexed look on their face when you said , " Oh, I always use a processor on SSB to
break the pileups when chasing DX." Or, "Yeah, that's a delta-loop beam for working
OSCAR." Did you find the right words to explain what you were talking about, or did
you let them go away, still wondering what that funny-looking antenna was?
Believe me, it is worth taking the time to explain amateur radio to the curious, or to
the public that reads newspaper releases. You don't have to g ive them a complete
history, theory, or language course, but you can find enough common words to get your
message acros s. You 'll be avoiding trouble in the long run, because the more the
public understands amateur radio, the less they will tend to blame hams for every
flicker on their TV screen, or every squawk from their hi-fi set. The old saw, "Fear and
suspicion feed on ignorance," is just as t rue in our field as any other.
Try it, the next time you are preparing a story for your local newspaper, or talking to a
reporter or television crew; find the right words to reach your audience. Avoid the
alphabet soup that is legible only to another ham. Now you're communicating!
Tom McMullen, W1SL
Managing Editor

8 ~ November 1977
 SERVING HAMS BETTER
NORTH, SOUTH ... EAST, WEST.
ALL LEADING BRANDS ••• IN-DEPTH STOCKS . .. NEW/USED EQUIPMENT

*MICROPHONE
VHF SPECIALS
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526T (") ASTATIC

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CUSH CRAFT
ATB-34
YAESU 221R COMPLETE 3-BAND BEAM
SSS/FM/ CW/ AM Three active elements each band. Covers 14-14.35.
21-21.45 and 28-29 MHz. Excellent gain and
a
pattern characteristics. Uses new High coaxial
traps for lower losses. Rated at 2 KW p.e.p.
TRI-EX Direct 52 ohm feed through 1:1 balun (supplied).
SM-40 Ruggedly constructed but lightweight: weighs
only 42 pounds. Easily assembled and installed.
Standard of TELES-
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Max. el. length: 32.8'. Turning radius: 18.9' .
Boom length: 18' . Wind surface area: 5.4 sq. ft.
Shipping weight: 49 pounds.

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t00UTLET
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NORTH (Main Office) SOUTH Bob Ferrero,
Anaheim, Calif. 92801 Burlingame, Calif. 94010 Van Nuys , Calif. 91401 K6AHV / W6RJ.
2620 W. La Palma, (714) 761-3033 999 Howard Ave., (415) 342-5757 13754 Victory Blvd:, (213 ) 988-2212 Jim Raffer ty,
1 mile east of Knott's Berry Farm. 5 miles south on 101 from S.F. Airport. Dealer 1nqu1nes 1nv1ted. WA9UCE / K6AAR,

• 1- 1 •ATLAS• BIRD• COE• COLLINS• CUSHCRAFT • CURTIS• DENTAON •DRAKE • EIMAC • HUSTLER
• HY-GAIN• ICOM • KENWOOD• KLM •MOSLEY• SWAN• TEMPO• TEN TEC • TRI-EX • YAESU •more.
other well known nar.is .
give you courteous,
personalized service.

More details? Ad Check page 80. Novem ber 1977 m 9

 ALO Industries, Inc.
215 Via El Centro
Oceanside, CA. 92054
( 714) 433-6123
$495
1nclu?1ng microphone and
mobile mount, too.

ALDA 1OJ is comp Iete1y monufoaured in the U.SA

NEWSLJN._F _________
COMMUNI CATOR LICENSE WAS KNOCKED DOWN but not entirely out by the Commissioners in
a July meeting (October Newsline) because of budget considerations . As proposed, the
Communicator privileges would have been phone only on 220 - 225 and 420 - 450 MHz, reserving
435 -438 fo r satel l ite communications. The Communicator would become the entry-level
license , with Element 2 (the present Novice written exam) reoriented to include phone
material, and administered by FCC Field Offices. To upgrade to Novice, a Communicator
would pass a volunteer-administered CW exam.
Commissioners Final Vote was unanimous against funding the Communicator in next
year s budget. Their rejection was tempered, however, by a reconnnendation that the
concept be re-coordinated with the objectors and then resubmitted at a later date.
Rejection at this time pretty well pushes the time-table for the Communicator back
another year, until early 1980 .
CW SENDING TEST is being dropped by the FCC for all Commission adm inistered Amateur
examinations, shortening and simplifying (since examiners won't need CW qualifications)
the exams.
Novice Exams Administered by vo lunteer examiners will still require a sending test,
however, to weed out really bad f ists.
AN "AMATEUR/COMMERCIAL" REPEATER, VK5RTV, has been licensed by the Australian
government to operate with 435 MHz in, 579.25 MHz (UHF TV channel 35) out! The
precedent-making system has been licensed to the city of Adelaide for the specific
purpose of "increasing public awareness of Amateur Radio" - Adelaide boasts a popu-
lation of over three quarter million .
ANOTHER RF! BILL , this one giving the FCC authority to establish "minimum standards
with respect to certain electronic equipment that is susceptible to radio frequency
energy interference," was introduced into the U. S . House of Repre sentatives in July
by Representative Charles Vanik of Ohio. The new bil l , HR8 49 6, would amend Section
302 of the Communicati ons Act of 1934 t o give the FCC such authority. The new bi ll
is another in t he series introduced by Rep resen tative Vanik and by Barry Go ldwater
in the Senate (S864) that attempt to put the burden of RFI prevention where it be-
longs - on the makers of potentially suscepti ble equipment - rather than on the
users of properly functioning transmitting eq uipment . It has been re ferr ed to the
House Commit tee on I nte rs tate and Foreign Commerce for study.
EXTENSIVE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS used in 197 7 autos are running into prob l ems from RFI.
A recent Ill ino i s Bel l notice warned that the Cruise Control in 1977 Cadillacs i s
sensitive to s trong RF f i elds, which could cause su dden speed changes. Some e l e ctronic
skid control braking systems have locked up from RF!, and complete engine failur e in
fuel -injected systems has been reported by 2- meter users .
Cadi llac Owners With Cruise Control th at disengages wi t h RFI have an easy solution
to their problem. Request a "Suppressed Speed Sensor," par t number 646 - 6900, from
your dea ler . It's a "no-charge" fix.
ALMOST 9 . 3 PER CENT GROWTH in the U.S . Amateur population was recorded for the first
six months of 1977, with Novice Class licenses logging C\ whopping 53% jump ! The total
number of Ama teur licensees went from 29029 1 to 3172 23 during the six-month period,
an almos t 20% annua l growth rate!
INTERFERENCE ON 160 and possibly the high end of 75 meters could r esult from the
FCC s recent approval of wide - band swept ant i-theft systems . The three bands authorized
for such systems are 1.7-2.3, 4.05-4.95, and 7.4- 9 . 0 MHz, with a maximum f ield streng th
of 100 microvolts pe r meter at 30 meters.
Anti - Theft Systems mus t not interfe re with radio commun i cations, so can be shut
down if they bother Ama teur operations.
UNITED PRESS INTERNATIONAL will be promoting the Amateur Service with a biweekly
Amateur Radio column to be distributed to UPI ' s 8000 subscribers . ARRL will provide
much of the input for the column to WAlVVF of UPI - appropriate items should be chan-
neled through Pete O'De l l at the League.
20-KHZ CHANNEL SPACING for 10-meter FM was adopted by the Texas VHF-FM Soci e ty at
its s ummer meeting in San Antonio. The decision reversed the group ' s prior s uppor t of
the ARRL 10-meter band plan (October Newsline) for 15-kHz channels - the League's new
Repeater Directory shows only one system on t he 15-kHz channe l s while 10 are on
20-kH z centers .
FORMER GETTYSBURG Special Licensing Chief Richard Ziegler received a sentence of
90 days in jail and 21 months probation for hi s conviction for bribery in connecti on
with the issuance of Amateur two-letter callsigns ( see News l ine, August and October).

November 1977 m 11
 BY BILL DEWITT, W2DD

After you talk to the world, send

your picture - and receive one in return

Imagine the fun and excitement of '>ending and receiv ing still pictures
around the world without the use of exotic equ ipment or satell ites!
Impossible? Not at al I! Approximately twelve thousand hams in over one-
hundred countries are swapping pictures by the use of slow-scan televi-
sion {SSTV) every day. Interest in this type of personal comm uni cation
appears to be growing by leaps and bounds.
I've included some photographs of well equipped stations in France
and Japan to emphasize the global nature of SSTV. You can see Andre
Balout , F6AXT, of Paris, at the microphone, next to his home made SSTV

12 m November 1977
Slow-scan television has universal appeal. Starting from the upper left and going c lockwise you can see Andre Balout, F6AXT, of
Paris, at the microphone of his stat ion which incl udes a homebrew SSTV monitor. The photograph was furnished by Andre's mother,
F6AYF. Nex t is the well equipped station of K. Sasak i, JA7FS, of Fukushima, Japan. His stat ion puts in a fine signal and good SSTV
pictures into the United States. At the bottom right, John Wood ruff of Durham, New Hampshire, watches a CQ from G3WW. John
has been a "short-wave viewer" for many years, and likes to watc h the SSTV scene on his Robot monitor, or on a recently acq uired
Robot model 300 scan converter. In the last phot og raph, a caricature of W200 watches over the equipment as Bill mans the camera
to take a shot o f his SSTV hamshack.

equipment. A Japanese SSTV License requirements for SSTV of the 10-meter band.
station, JA7FS, heard and seen Most SSTV activity occurs on Often-used frequencies are
frequently in the United States, the high-frequency bands; it is approximately 3845 kHz, 7171
is also shown . Operator of this not permitted in the 160-meter kHz, 14230 kHz, 21340 kHz, and
beautifully equipped station is band , but there are specific 28680 kHz. In some areas of
K. Sasaki of Fukushima. " meeting places" for slow- the country the two-meter band
Not all SSTV viewers are scanners on the 75, 40, 20, 15, is used for local picture-
licensed amateurs. In the and 10 meter bands. swapping sessions during the
university town of Durham, At the moment, FCC evening hours. Needless to
New Hampshire, a political- regulations limit SSTV say, the urge to get on SSTV
science professor, Dr. John transmissions on the 3.5 has spurred many hams along
Woodruff, has been a short- through 21 MHz bands to in their efforts to obtain higher-
wave-viewer for about six years. holders of the Advanced and class licenses.
In addition to watching the ham Extra Class Operator's licenses
scene, John likes to experi- because SSTV transmissions No special transmitters
ment with a closed-circuit are permitted only in segments or receivers are needed
system. He is shown watching that are within those sub- The equipment for receiving
a CQ from G3WW in England. allocations. General -Class and transmi tt ing SSTV is used
This brings up a point of license holders may use SSTV in conjunction with conven-
interest. anywhere in the phone portion tional ssb receivers, trans-

November 1977 m 13
 ···~'"'" ~·

Fig. 1. If you are looking for SSTV monitors, you might find a
~P~, •~•
...~-~·"'
••tV'- ',.~
~'"' .
,>e> J '

Robot like this early Model 70, shown here with matching
camera. Later versions would be 70A, B, or C. All are good buys
for the newcomer if you can find one secondhand. The Venus
Scientific SS-2 Monitor at the right also has a P-7 phosphor and
is a good unit either assembled or as a kit.

mitters, and transceivers. viewing TV images is called a are called slow-scan monitors
Further, SSTV pictures can be monitor. Using monitors like because the image appears at
recorded on an ordinary audio those shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the slow scanning rate and
tape recorder. in conjunction with a good cannot be refreshed or renewed
The output from a slow-scan communications receiver, you at a rate within the persistency
camera or pattern generator is can join the fun of receiving of the human eye. Fig. 4 shows
in the audio range, and can be pictures from hams all over the an image of the very attractive
applied to most transmitters world. There are two kinds of wife of F6BIG as received on a
through the microphone jack. monitors used by SSTV P-7 monitor at my station.
The signals required to create operators.
an image on a monitor are The Robot Model 70 monitor Another kind of monitor
likewise in the audio range, and shown in Fig. 1 uses a cathode You can view SSTV on a
can be obtained from either the ray tube (CRT) like those used regular TV set (fast scan) type
earphone jack or the speaker in radar sets. The phosphor• monitor. This is possible
connection of your station used in its display screen has a through the use of a device
receiver. long persistency compared to called a scan converter. Scan
those of regular TV tubes; it is converters are used to convert
What's in a name? called a P-7 phosphor. conventional TV (the output of
SSTV gets its name from the Pictures displayed on a P-7 a regular TV camera) to SSTV
fact that the system operates monitor are seen as a bright - or to convert SSTV to
at slower scanning rates than scan from top to bottom of the regular TV. The latter con·
are used for broadcast monitor screen. As shown in version offers a great advan·
television. The device used for Fig. 3, the picture is seen as a tage because the transient
transient image, fading away at
the top as it is completed at
the bottom. However, a photo-
graph of the screen, and to
some extent, the integrating
capability of the eye/brain
visual-perception system yields
a complete image such as that
shown in Fig. 30.
Monitors using the P-7 CRT

·Phosphor is a coating that is applied

to the inside of the face of a cathode-
ray tube. It is a chemical compound
and when struck by a beam of
electrons it emits light. The chemicals
can be selected to produce light in
various colors and short or long
persistence. Short persistence
Fig. 2. Don't let appearances fool you. phosphors stop emitting light almost
The Panasonic TV set is monitoring a immediately after the electron beam is
slow-scan signal that has been con- no longer exciting them. Long
verted by the Robot digital scan con- persistence screens can cont inue to Dexter Phibbs, W41PA, looks very proud
verter below it. It is no accident that the emit light tor several seconds, of his homebrew monitor. It is compact
call letters W2DD appear on the face depending upon the chemical makeup and rugged , with a P-7 phosphor screen.
staring at you. and the electron beam's intensity. The power supply is separate.

14 m November 1977
 complete picture is called a
frame; every frame is
composed of 120 lines rather
than 525 lines as used in
Commercial TV broadcasting in
the United States.
As might be expected, this
reduction in the number of
lines per picture does reduce
overall picture quality.
However, as you have already
seen, the system produces
rewarding results within its
limits of detail. See Fig. 6 for a
comparison of 120-line SSTV
and 525-line standard TV
111111 pictures.
Let's get into the nitty-gritty
22 ,2 222 for a moment and see why
MacDonald went to an eight·
second frame time.
333333 Why eight seconds?

444444 ~ Every radio signal occupies a

certain bandwidth in the
electro-magnetic spectrum. In
w z& · •
general, it can be said that the
rate of transmission of picture
Fig. 3. A complete frame of slow-scan television requires an 8-second scan of the information determines the
screen. It starts at the top (upper left), and works its way down the face of the cathode-
ray tube (upper right). As it continues and gets near the bottom, the information at the
bandwidth of a TV signal.
top of the screen Is beginning to fade away (l ower right). A film-camera exposure of the Conventional TV requires about
entire sequence s hows the complete image as in the lower left photograph. 3 MHz for black and white
pictures; in the high-frequ ency
amateur bands such a system
nature of P-7 SSTV imag es is Kentucky. MacDonald 's system would exceed the total
eliminated; each picture can be makes it possible to transmit a frequency range of any given
viewed as a bright, complete square format black and white, hamband. It was for this reason
image for as long as desired. still picture in eight seconds that MacDonald s lowed down
Take another look at th e (fifteen lines per second). Each the entire process, making it
monitor shown in Fig. 2. It's a
Panasonic Model TR·920M,
s imilar to a TV set without the Amateur Radio and SSTV received natio nwide public ity when the Viki ng Landers sent
tuner, and is displaying a slow· photographs back f rom Mars . The Jet Propul sion Laboratory Amateur Rad io Club
operated a stati on to commemorate the event. They sent s low-scan pic tu res of Mars
scan picture converted to scenes to amateurs all over the wo rl d. Stan Brokl, K6YYQ, is at the operat ing conso le
broadcast TV scanning rates by while being f ilmed by a member of the NBC Today staff (photo c ourtesy K6PGX).
a Robot Model 400 Scan
Converter. A picture of the wife
of YV1 AQE, in Venezuela, as
received by this system is
shown in Fig. 5. Another
continent and another lovely
lady - SSTV is really great!
More on monitors and scan
converters later. Now let's get
bac k to th e story of SSTV in
general.
SSTV is not exactly new!
SSTV as used by hams today
is based on a system invented
about twenty years ago by
Copthorne Mac Donald, then a
young radio amateur in hi s
junior year at the University of

Novem ber 1977 m 15

Fig. 4. From France to New York state, the SSTV signal produces Fig. 5. This is the attractive wife of YV1 AQE, In Venezuela. The
an exc ellent image of the wife of F6BIG, as received at W2DD. image has a fine dot pattern, which is typical of pictures pro-
duced by the Robot 400 scan converters.

possible to transmit still television. As mentioned makes it possible to use a

pictures within the 3-kHz earlier, SSTV pictures are made good qual ity cassette or reel-to-
bandwidth allowed for amateur up of 120 lines; the frame rate reel tape machine to record
hf-band voice transmissions. In is one every 8 seconds. Normal materia l for transmitting or
this way, MacDonald opened . TV rate is 30 frames per second receiv ing pictures. Most
the door for worldwide amateur (made up to two nominal 256- monitors are equipped with
video communications! line scans at one sixtieth of a phono type connections for
Virtuall y all TV systems now second each). In addition, in record ing and playback pur-
in regular use employ the the SSTV system, brightness poses. Slow-scan operators
scanning principle to generate information in the original generally make up a tape con-
and reproduce television image is converted to audio tain i ng a CQ, station identifi-
images. In a television camera tones . Wh ites are converted to cation , and a few favorite
the object being televised is 2300 Hz; blacks are converted pictures for regu lar use.
optically imaged on the target to 1500 Hz. Tones for shades of Maybe you've guessed by
of a vidicon tube. As this target gray vary between these two this time that an SSTV signal
is electronically scanned, the frequencies . sounds like a bird warbling up
optical image is transformed Synchronizing·pulses are an and down the scale. Well,
into a variable-amplitude signal important part of a TV signal. almost! The use of a variable
which corresponds to I ight and They tell the cathode-ray tube frequency (instead of variable
dark areas. This signal is then when to start a new line and amplitude) to convey bright-
amplified and used to modulate when to start a new frame. In ness information was hit upon
a TV transmitter. At the the SSTV system these sync by MacDonald to reduce the
receiving end, the video signal pulses become short bursts of effects of fading and noise on
is extracted from the radio a 1200 Hz audio tone. Since the SSTV picture. So, in effect,
carrier and is used to control 1200 Hz is lower than the black- SSTV signals are a form of fm
the brightness of a cathode-ray level tone of 1500 Hz, these superimposed on an ssb signal.
(TV) tube as its screen is pulses are not apparent on the
scanned in synchronism with screen when a picture is Getting started
the transmitted video. received. As in the case with many
other facets of ham radio, there
Some differences Tape recording SSTV are many levels of commitment
In MacDonald's SSTV The fact that all of the so far as the time and the
system, the same principles of information necessary to money you put into SSTV are
scanning are used, but the rate construct an SSTV picture is concerned.
of transmission is much slower contained in the audio range The basic requirement for
than that used in broadcast between 1200 and 2300 Hz joining the fun of viewing SSTV

16 ~ November 1977
 pictures is a monitor; so your In the second-hand depart-
ti rst step is either to bu i Id or ment there are several good
buy one. If you want to be able possibilities. Robot Research
to transmit, too, then you need made about 4000 of their
at least a tape recorder (and a excellent P-7 monitors over a
friend with a camera who can period of about five years. They
make up a CQ tape for you). were called the model 70, 70A,
Owning a camera permits you etc., according to the features
to make your own tapes or live they include. Among the Robot
transmissions. SSTV keyboards monitors, your best bet would
which generate alpha-numeric be the model 70C. However, all
characters are also available. of them are well designed and
More on these items later. Fig. 7. Experimenters who would like to very reliable.
What you acquire will certainly build their own monitor will find the task Although fewer are available,
depend upon your nature and made a bit easier if they use printed· the Venus monitors and P-7
your pocketbook! circuit board kits such as this one. It was
designed by W0LMD, and is sold by Larry
monitors manufactured by the
Thousands of hams have Pryor, WA9MFF, 5940 Carrollton, In· Sumner Electronics and
built their own P-7 monitors. dianapolis, Indiana 46220, for $20 plus Engineering Corporation (SEEC)
Depending upon your skill and postage. That price is for the board only; are also good buys.
the availability of parts, this you'll have to buy the parts separately. If you have an opportunity to
may be the route for you to go. see a homebrew monitor in
The ARRL publication, operation and appraise its
Specialized Communications board is made and sold by performance you may wish to
Techniques for the Radio Larry Pryor, WA9MFF, for $20 find a bargain in this way. Do
Amateur, describes how to plus postage (for the board yourself a favor and don't buy
convert an oscilloscope to a only). His address is 5940 anything that is non-operational
P-7 monitor. A neat and Carrollton, Indianapolis, Indiana "but could be fixed up - .etc."
compact homebrewed monitor 46220. The WA9MFF board If you can find a good
was built by Dexter Phibbs, does not include provision for homebrew job, this might be
W41PA. You can see from his the CRT's high-voltage power your lowest cost approach to
photograph that Dexter enjoys supply. getting started in SSTV.
building his equipment as An excellent monitor You really should acquire a
much as he does using it to available in kit form is the tape recorder. Get a cassette
receive SSTV signals. Venus Scientific model SS-2. recorder if you don't already
The task of building a Complete with all parts and own one, or a reel-to-reel
monitor can be greatly cabinet it sells for $235. This machine - one that has a wow
simplified by the use of a PC Venus SS-2 is the only and flutter figure of less than
board such as the one shown commercially built P-7 monitor 0.2 per cent for best results.
in Fig. 7. The circuitry of this 6 now produced in the United Cheap ones will give you j ittery
x 8 inch (15x20cm) board was States. It sel Is for $285 lines in the picture. You can
designed by W0LMD, but the completely wired. store pictures on tape for

Fig. 6. A comparison between a slow-scan picture (from a scan converter) and one seen on a normal TV screen such as you would
watch your local broadcast station on. The loss of fine detail is because of the restricted bandwidth, and hence less picture informa·
tion, of the SSTV system.

November 1977 m 17
 the various equipment arrays
described here - but it
appears that the range of
expenditures could be from
around $50 (for a homebrew P-7
monitor) to around $1000 (for a
scan converter, plus came ra,
plus fast-scan monitor, plus
tape recorde r). That's a broad
span of costs - but don't
forget , the fun you' ll have isn 't
necessarily in proport ion to the
dollars you'll spend! If cons-
truction is your favorite indoor
sport, building a monitor from
scratch or converting an old
oscilloscope to SSTV operation
can be just as reward ing as
plugg ing in the latest
"gray box."
Within the next few years it's
certain that the use of
Fig. 8. Double-decker scan conversion in W2DD's shack. The pyramid at the right in- microprocessors and sig nal-
cludes a Robot model 300 scan converter on the botto m, a Robot model 400 Digital
scan converter In the middle, and a Sony TV set on top. process ing ICs of many
descriptions will greatly change
the equipment arrays fou nd in
playback to the sender - or scan converters make it ham stations . This applies to
just to keep for future possible to view slow-scan TV CW, voice , ATTY , facsimile , and
reference and demonstration as bright, complete images on of course, SSTV. The rate at
purposes. a black and white screen. Any which this changeover occurs
If you decide that SSTV is for image can be "frozen" for will depend upon the cost of
you, then perhaps it's time to viewing as long as desired. the chips and the size of the
own a camera. For the sake of Robot Research has amateur market.
brevity, since cameras repre- produced two kinds of scan At the risk of sounding like
sent a very large subject, my converters capable of both fast- " Father Time," let me say that
suggestion would be that to-slow and slow-to-fast in 54 years of ham radio noth-
owners of Robot, Venus, or conversion. Their original scan ing but SSTV has equalled the
SEEC monitors buy cameras converter, the Model 300, used excitement of my first QSO
from the same manufacturer. a storage tube to effect the with a spark-coil transmitter !
Homebrewing a camera is a scan conversion. The currently Don't let the question of what
tough job, but it can be done produced Model 400 scan might be available " soon " keep
by an experienced builder. A converter employs a completely you from the fun of what's
two-part article, "The WB2DCX solid-state digital conversion going on right now. Here 's
Plumbicon SSTV Camera, " by system and is simpler to hoping that you will soon be
James McKeown, appearing in operate, see Fig. 8. showing up on my monitor
the June and July, 1977, issues If you can afford to go all out screen , and please write to me
of CQ magazine, is recom- and get the best that SSTV if you have any questions. My
mended to those inclined to offers, a scan converter is the address is 2112 Turk Hill Road,
homebrew everything. answer. You 'll need a fast-scan Fairport, New York 14450. HRH
An alternative for the builder monitor and a camera to go
is to buy a used security type with it, and of course, a good
TV camera (they operate at fast- tape recorder. To round out the If you would li ke more detailed
scan rates) and build a scan equipment array, you might information about Slow-Scan
converter to convert its output also include an SSTV keyboard. TV, inc lud ing technical details
to SSTV. W6MXV and DL2RZ This is a typewriter-like device about how t o set up or build
sell a fast-to-slow converter kit that can generate alpha- you r own station, there is a
for this purpose. numeric characters such as book that wi ll help. It is called
used for signal reports or other The Complete Handbook of
Scan conversion messages. Slow Scan TV, by Dave Ingram ,
K4TWJ . It is available for
The biggest single reason for This article was written to $9.95 from ham radio's Commu-
the recent upsurge of interest bring the SSTV scene into nications Bookstore, Greenville ,
in SSTV is the availability of perspective for those relatively New Hamp shire 03048. Order
scan converters designed for new to ham radio. It's difficult T-859.
the ham SSTV market. These to attach firm dollar figures to

18 ~ November 1977
 l
oo~~
.
.
-· o- o­-
~ ~

~~~-~ ~~~ ~ -~ ~
TEN-TEC TRITON IV

'f'PLUS . .. ~

DEAR OM:
S·E·R·V-1-C-E
There are TWO IMPORTANT FACTORS in any purchase of ham radio gear - the
PRODUCT and the DEALER - or, in otherwords, WHAT you buy and WHERE or from
whom you buy it. Hence, at BURGHARDT AMATEUR CENTER, we stock & sell AND
Guarantee & S-E-R-V-1-C-E only TOP-QUALITY /BRAND-NAME merchandise plus we
carry a COMPLETE LINE of operating aids & accessories to fill virtually
every ham need. BUT, it's not so much WHAT we sell, rather HOW we sell
it that's worth your consideration.
When it comes to FAST DELIVERY, HONEST DEALING and COURTEOUS/
DEPENDABLE S-E-R-V-1-C-E, we don't just advertise it - WE GIVE IT!!
Ham radio is our ONLY business, and as such, we don't pretend to be " Big
Operators" or " Wheeler-
Dealers" but choose in-
stead to offer FRIEND-
SHIP and PERSONAL
S-E-R-V-1-C-E plus RE-
LIABILITY to those
who realize there is MORE to a " GOOD DEAL" than just the
"lowest price" available. In the final analysis, the "REPUTATION " of the DEALER
standing behind your purchase is worth as much or MORE than the quality of the product
itself.
In short, we S-E-R-V-1-C-E WHAT WE SELL as well as those we sell to, and we firmly
believe that there is NO SUBSTITUTE for the kind of " GOOD" S-E-R-V-1-C-E that we
are READY, WILLING and ABLE to provide you with. Sure, it may cost you a little more
" NOW" - but, when you deal with us, it will SAVE YOU a lot of time, a lot of trouble and
a lot of hassles in the long run. WE'RE FOR REAL - THERE'S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT!
MAIL & TELEPHONE ORDERS •• • "WELCOMED" - They're our business!! SERVICE?? NO PROBLEM! It's OUR Policy.

73's STAN BURGHARDT w•1T BILL BURGHARDT WBtlNBO JIM SMITH WBtlMJY ERV HEIMBUCK K;<lTZ

STORE HOURS: 124 First Avenue Northwest

TUESDAY thru SATURDAY P.O. Box 73
9:00 A .M . to 5:00 P.M. Watertown , South Dakota 57201
Closed Sunday & Monday Phone 605·886-7314

Write today for our latest Bulletin/ Used Equipment list. "America 's Most Reliable Amateur Radio Dealer"
Your Full-Line Ham Dealer Where S-E-R-V-1-C-E is our most important product.
 provide both training and
testing . The American Radio
Relay League has developed a
program for use by c lubs and
others interested in organizing
Novice classes.
For newcomers as well as
old timers who have let their
Iicenses lapse, but want to
restart, the Novice experience
should not be missed. The
friendships that deve lop during
the classes last a lifetime.
Operating in the Novice bands
provides valuable experience -
and fun. There's great
comradeship because everyone
is a beginner; your mistakes in
code and procedu re are not
noticed; the first confirmation
cards you garner become prize
possessions.
A Better Code-Practice The gadget(s)
My device to aid the Novice

Oscillator BY DOUG BLAKESLEE, W1 KLK

is a combination code-practice
oscillator (CPO) and a
continuity meter which gives
an audible indication of
To obtain their licenses, hams where as others must rely on resistance values. It was
must pass a (Morse) code test - and pay for - service from developed from an idea
and a written examination FCC-I icensed professionals. published by Cal Graf.1
about radio theory and Federal The FCC Novice Class Building the gadget wi l l aid in
Communications Commission license exam is the starting your understanding of how
(FCC) regulations. It is this test point for most Amateurs, basic radio components are
of proficiency that sets myself included . Novice assembled , relating theory to
Amateurs apart from those with examinations consist of a practice. Used as a CPO, the
radio operator's permits* or Morse code test at five words unit will help yo u learn to send
citizen's bands (CB) licenses. per minute (sending and and receive Morse code. When
The abilities a ham receiving) and a multipl e-choice your Novice days are over the
demonstrates by passing the written test covering FCC rules un it will continue to be useful
exam bring him two major and elementary radio theory; for continuity checks.
privileges: First , he is permitted individuals and club groups can Two vers ions of the device
nearly unrestricted use of a
wide range of frequency bands SUPPLY
(f-V}
181
extending from just above the STAR T
!?.'- - - ----- -- -- ...,
broadcast segment to
microwaves and, second, he is
permitted to transmit
1-+-- - - 0RESET
information in a number of 1(41

modes including code, I

radiotelephone, rad io Teletype ,
RI
and televisio n. By way of I
OUTPUT
I OU TPUT
contrast, permit holders and (6)
FLIP- FLOP ORN ER
I '31
CBers are restricted to just a I
I
few desig nated channels. I
Amateurs, because they have I
I
shown a level of technical I
competence, can build and
repair their own equipment, NE~55 l
._ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - GRouND( 1) - - -
• A Restric ted third class radio OR
COMM ON - V
telephone permit, such as is issued to
pilots for us ing transmi tters aboard Fig.1. A functional block diagram of the NE555 timer IC. See the text for an explana-
aircraft. tion of how the parts of the c irc uit operate.

20 ~ November 1977
have been built: One to provide
a full range of features , and the
other to function only as a
L~y .
~Tl-
• "0---11 11
JI
J7
~
I
I (
Pf
Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of
the co de-pra c ti ce oscil-
lator/continuity checker. Part
numbers given in parenthesis
CPO. The second version uses are from Radio Shack, catalog
components from a defunct 9V~ number 276.
22• CR I
transistor radio to minimize RI

r
UI 680
cost, but the circuits for both R6

versions are based on the

TO SP£AK£R
popular NE555 integrated Jl OR HfADPHONfS

circuit (IC). 1200

The NE555 was designed as

a precision timer which would
need a minimum of external BT1 9·volt transistor radio R1,R2,R3, V2- or 1/.i ·watt
components. It was introduced type (23·464) R4,R6 composition (series
by Signetics several years ago; C1 ,C2 Ceramic, 0.01 µ.F 271·000 or 271-1300)
today most of the large (272-131) R5 Linear-taper control,
semiconductor houses make CR1 Light·emitting diode, 1000 ohm , panel
555s.2 Art Fury, WA6JLJ, who red (276-090 or mount (271·1714
worked for Signetics when the 276·041) shunted with 1200-
NE555 was developed, J1 ,J2 Phono jack, panel ohm composition
delighted in showing off the mount (274-346) resistor)
capabilities of the new IC with J3,J4 Binding post, panel U1 NE555 timer IC
a toy tank. The tank performed mount (274-661 ) (276-1723)
a series of driving and firing
sequences, each controlled by
a NE555. Since then, the tank the left-hand edge of the implies, the comparator
has been retired, and several diagram. The dotted line shows compares input voltages.
hundred more practical the IC package. Everything Now, let's take a look at
applications of the IC have inside the dotted line is inside what happens when we try to
been published - everything the IC, and everything outside use this circuit as a timer.
from a delay timer for the dotted Iine is an external Inside the NE555 are two
windshield wipers to a missing component or lead that you resistors, R and 2R, connected
pulse detector. add when building a circuit. At to the power supply (voltage
the borders are numbers that source) in such a way that they
Theory of operation correspond to pin numbers on supp ly a reference voltage of
Whil e it isn 't necessary to the IC itself, together with about 213 of the power·supply
understand how the 555 works function labels that I have voltage at their jun ction. The
to build the gadget, you'll find added to show what happens, reference voltage is applied to
the learning process that where, and why. one t erminal of the comparator.
comes with each construction The NE555 contains, among Outside the IC, there is a
project is enjoyable. A other things, a voltage·divider series combination of a resistor
simpl ified diagram of the network consisting of resistors and capacitor, R1 and C1 ,
internal workings of the NE555 R and 2R, a voltage connected between the
is shown in Fig. 1. comparator, two transistors , a positive supply voltage terminal
In most circuit diagrams, flip-flop logic gate,• and an and ground. These establish
operations and current flow are output driver c ircuit. the timing cycle. The junction
considered to take place from The voltage comparator is a between them is connected to
left to right, so let's begin at type of electronic switch that the other terminal of the
compares two voltages voltage comparator. In this way,
appearing at its input terminals the voltage on the external
(shown at the base of the capacitor can be compared to
There are two interesting books triangle on the left·hand side). the referenc e voltage inside
available on the NE555 timer The output of the comparator is the IC.
integrated circuit: IC Timer
at the apex, or point, of the
Cookbook by Walter Jung from
Howard W. Sams, order 21416,
triangle at the right-hand side. •A flip·flop is a digital logic element
When the input voltages are that stores one bit of information in
$9.95. The 555 Timer Applica- binary language, such as on/off,
tions Sourcebook With different, the comparator is on; high/low, 1/0, and the like. The f lip-flop
Experiments by Howard M. that is, a voltage close to the may assume either of two stable
Berlin, W3HB, order BB-555, supply voltage appears at its states, depending upon the input
$6.95. Available from ham output terminal. When the two signal. One stable state represents on,
radio's Communications input voltages are the same, high, or logic 1. The other stable state
Bookstore, Greenville, New represents off, low or logic 0. It will
the voltage at the output drops change (or flip) from one state to th e
Hampshire 03048. nearly to zero, or ground, other when the proper trigger is
potential. Just as its name applied.

November 1977 m 21
 drawing as R2. If a short circuit
or low resistance is placed
across J3 and J4, the audio
tone produced is high. As the
resistance of R2 is made larger,
the frequen cy goes down. A
very high resistance produces
an output of on ly a few cycles
per second (hertz) which makes
a pulsing or popping sound in
the speaker. A light-emitting
diode (LED) has been included
to provide a visual indication of
the slow pul ses. (At high
freq uencies the LED is still
The test oscillator is built on a small square of PC board. Perforated board may be used pulsing, but the rate is far too
as well. and the components are connected to each other with small scraps of left-over fast for the eye to follow , so it
wire.
appears to be on ,continuously.)
A timing cycle begins with a initiated by the start lead. The Typical frequencies produced
output driver circuit is by various values or R2 are
starting pulse when the
comparator output voltage capable of handling a current g iven in Table 1 .
drops to nearly ground of 200 mA. Table 1. Approximate output
potential. This voltage drop In the practical circuits of frequency for var ious resistance
resets the flip-flop which Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the internal values.
release s the short placed parts of the 555 are ignored, R2, frequency,
across C1 by transistor 01. and the IC is treated as a block, ohms hertz
Current beg ins to flow through U1. Pins 6 and 2 have been
R1, charging capacitor C1. As connected together so the IC 10M 5
soon as the capacitor reaches automatically resets after each 1M 45
time cycle. With appropriate 100k 470
the reference voltage (2/J 10k 2800
supply voltage) the comparator resistance and capacitance 1000 3000
triggers the flip-flop , shorting values that make the timing SHORT 5000
C1 to ground through transistor cycle fast enough, the IC
01 . Thi s completes a full cycle. functions as an audio oscillator For code practice using the
You can change the timing with sufficient output to drive
circuit of Fig. 2, use a
cycle by c hang ing the values of small speakers. A variable
68-kilohm resistor for R2, and
R1 and/or C1 , whi ch determines resistor, R5 in Fig. 2, can be
insert the key in series with
the time constant of the circuit. used t o adjust the volume.
one of the battery leads. The
Not ice that during a timing Two jacks, J3 and J4, have audio output from J2 can be
cyc le, C1 can also be been provided to allow for connected directly to a small
discharged by an external reset connection of external 8- or 45-ohm speaker. If high
lead. The timing cycle is resistances, denoted on the volume is needed, use a
The resistor between the two terminals on the left of the oscillator panel must be 500-ohm primary , 8-ohm
removed before you use the box to check the continuity of a circuit. Leave the resistor secondary transformer (Radio
in place, and connect a key in series with one battery lead to use the osc illator for code Shack 273-1381 or similar) with
prac tice. For an interesti ng effect, connect a light -sens itive res isto r (No. 6H3052, 10 the high-i mpedance winding
fo r $1 .98 from Po ly Paks, P.O. Box 942H, Lynnfield , MA 01940), to the terminals and
li sten to the tone vary as you change the amount of light that hits the resistor. connected to J2 and the low
impedance winding connected
to the speaker. Or, output from
J2 can be fed to a public
address system - if you have
a large code class.
The unit is assembled on an
etched ci rcu it board. The foil
pattern for the board is given in
Fig. 4 , if you can make you r
own , or a board can be
purchased from Whitehouse.*
In stall the compone nts on the
board following the layout of
Fig. 5. It is worth the money (35
ce nts) to use a socket (Radio
Shack 276-1995 or similar) for

22 m November 1977
 panel components to the
circuit board .
Some cost can be saved if

•
the continuity-meter,
adjustable-volume , and LED-
...
RZ
lamp features are eliminated .
An old transistor radio can
# •PART OF
supply the expensive 00
TRANSISTOR
RA DIO components: case, speaker,
battery, battery clip and key
jack. The transistor radio Fig. 4. Full-size pattern for the printed·
C1,C2 Ceramic, 0.01 µF earphone is cut off, and its circuit board, foil s i de . A parts ·
(272-131) cord and plug are used to placement guide is given in Fig. 5.
R1 ,R2, 112 . or 1/4 watt connect a key. The circuit of
R3 composition (series the simplified CPO is given in
271-000 or 271-1300) Fig. 3. The new components: point for external connections.
U1 NE555 timer (276-1723) three resistors two capacitors, In my unit I mounted the circuit
Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of the code· and U1 , cost approximately $2. board and battery using dabs of
practice oscillator built in a transistor· If you want a different tone Duco cement - a method
radio case. Components marked with an or volume level, the values of somewhat lacking in elegance,
asterisk are original parts of the radio . R2 and R3, respectively, can be but most effective. Of course,
Others with part numbers are from Radio
Shack. varied. Because so few the original transistor-radio
components are used, they can circuit board was first removed
be quickly assembled on a and discarded.
U1. Occasionally you may have small piece of Perfboard (Radio
a bad IC or damage the unit, It works
Shack 276-1395). Bend the
and it is difficult to remove an leads from the resistors and As a CPO, it is only
IC without damage to both the capacitors until they form necessary to connect the key,
circuit board and your state of appropriate connections, then and start to practice . The
mind. Mount the components solder. A lead can be looped continuity feature proved most
on the board a few at a time. through the board and out useful when trying to identify
Bend the leads slightly to hold again to form a convenient tie cable leads dangling beneath
the parts in place while you the radio-shack table. A beep
turn the board over. Solder from the gadget announced
each part in place and then that the right pair of leads has
trim the leads close to the been found.
board. The transistor-radio version
Version one of the gadget is of the unit was built so I could
built in a 3-1/4 by 2-1/8 by 1-1/8 bone up on sending code with
inch (83x54x29mm) bakelite box a hand key, preparatory to
with aluminum cover (Radio taking an Amateur Extra-Class
Shack 270-230). If you intend to exam . After years of using
mount a speaker within the electronic and keyboard keyers,
unit, a slightly larger enclosure practice was needed in hand-
will be needed. Don't overlook sent Morse. For several weeks I
kitchen cast-aways; many fine carried the gadget in my
enclosures have been made briefcase, catching a few
from cookie, cracker, and meat minutes of practice whenever
tins. In our version, the jacks possible. During one trip, the
and volume control were earphone jack shorted . I
mounted on the aluminum returned to find a number of
panel , then the circuit board people staring at my case,
was mounted using stand-off which was making an unusual
posts. It is not necessary to noise.
duplicate my unit exactly; Practice pays off. A few
neither parts placement nor hours with the CPO enabled me
layout is critical. The final to send something approxi-
assembly step is to wire the mating the code at 20 words
*The circuit board is available from G. The low-cost version of the code prac- per minute, at least enough to
R. Whitehouse, 15 Newbury Drive, tice oscillator f its inside this discarded please the FCC examiner in
Amherst, New Hampshire 03031 for transi stor-radio case with room to spare. Boston. Six weeks later that
$3.00 postpaid; or a complete kit of The unit shown here was built on a piece coveted Amateur Extra-Class
components for Fig. 3 (3 resistors, 2 of perforated board. You can build it the
capacitors, U1 , socket, and PC board) same way, or use a printed circuit board license arrived in the mail.
for $5.00 postpaid. as in Fig. 4. Now, the gadget is in use by a

November 1977 [fill 23

 with the unknown wire on J3,
and the common wire on J4,
and go to the far end of the
circuit and short one wire at a
time to the common. When you
hear the tone, you know you
have a complete circuit.
Another example of the use
for this handy box would be to
test a coaxial cable and
fittings. If you can get at both
ends of the cable, hook the
center conductor at one end to
J3, and the center at the other
end to J4. If the conductor and
the fittings are good, you will
hear a tone. If you do not hear
a tone, the conductor is open
somewhere - perhaps there is
a poor connection inside one
of the fittings. Next, connect
the center conductor to J3, and
the braid or outer conductor to
J4. The circuit should be open,
and you should not hear
anything. If you get a tone,
then there is a short circuit
somewhere. Again, the most
likely place is the connector or
Fig. 5. Parts-placement guide for both version s of the oscillator are given here. If you fitting.
are building the c ontinuity-checker version, use the layout shown at A and the
schematic diagram in Fig. 2. A key may be inserted in the circuit by breaking the bat- To extend the use of the
tery connection at the point shown. If you are building th e code practi ce oscillator into tester for transmission lines,
an old transistor radio c ase, use the layout shown at 8 , and the schematic diagram in you can hook the box to the
Fig. 3. Parts marked with an asterisk(*) are original parts from the radio. line in your shack or at the
bottom of a tower. Then , if you
are checking for shorts or
young lady named Barbara, always like to start with white , opens at the top of the tower,
who is a student in the Novice if possible, because that is the you will be able to hear the
classes run by the Norwalk accepted neutral, or ground, results of the test as you work.
(Connecticut) radio club. color coding in most electrical Some antennas should present
Learning the code takes some work. Check this wire to be a de short circuit at the end of
time and concentration, but it sure that it is not broken by the line, and others are open
isn't hard. Try it yourself; join hooking one end of it to J3, circuited to de, so you should
Barbara, myself, and several and the other end to J4. You be aware of what the antenna
hundred thousand others may have to use a long jumper looks like to the test box.
around the world in the fun of to get from J4 to the other end Note that this test indicates
Amateur Radio. of the wire in question, or, if only the short or open
there is a ground circuit, such condition of the line for de - it
Using the continuity tester as a copper pipe that you can will tell you nothing about the
This box can be valuab le get at from both ends, use that condition of the line for radio
"third hand " when you want to as the return to J4. If there is frequencies. Moisture, for
check the continuity of a continuous c ircuit through the example, will upset the
circuit that you have just wire you want to test back to performance of the cable for rf
installed. For instance, you the test box, you should hear a energy, but have no effect on
have a bundle of wires that high-pitched tone. Be sure that the s imple test performed with
disappear into a wall or there is no voltage of any kind the continuity tester.
conduit, and come out on the wire that you are
somewhere else in the house, testing, or you will probably References
maybe for an intercom circuit. blow out the NE555 IC. 1. Cal Graf, " Audio Cont inuity
The color-coding may not be Once you have determined Tester Indicates Resistance
too clear, or perhaps there is a that the common wire that you Valu es," Electronics, April 7, 1976.
break in one of the wires. First have chosen is good, you can 2. Doug Blakeslee, " Time - IC
find a common wire, of then find and label each wire in Cont rolled," QST, June, 1972.
whatever color you choose . I turn by hooking the box to one, HRH

24 m November 1977
 THE HEATHKIT HW-101: ONE OF THE
FINEST VALUES IN AMATEUR RADIO

Has the features you NEED for real operating ease, convenience and versatility.
A traditional Heathkit value than 100 Hz per hour after 30 minutes warmup, with less than
100 Hz variation for a 10% line voltage variation. An FET VFO
The Heathkit HW-101 is probably the most popular Amateur provides excellent thermal stability for heavy-duty operating
Radio transceiver in use today, and with good reason. It's without excessive heat buildup. And the performance-proven
performance-proven design is recognized by Amateurs world- 6146 finals give you a much cleaner signal than TV-type
wide for quality and value, and its low kit-form price makes it sweep tubes.
the least expensive, FULL-FEATURED Amateur transceiver
around. Compare the HW-101 with other units selling for much
more, and you'll be convinced !
Operating features for REAL convenience
The HW-101 is one of the easiest-to-operate transceivers we
Full Coverage And Full Power know of, it's id ea l for beginners and it' s a real pleasure for
experienced radi o Amateurs. Smooth dial drive with a 36-1
The HW-101 gives you complete coverage of all Amateur ra- ratio and an extra-large tuning knob provide backlash-free
dio frequen cies without expensive add-ons or accessories. tuning. An easy-to-read front panel meter shows signal-
Its 180 watts input PEP and 170 watts CW mean s you'll get strength on receive, ALC voltage on transmit, and can be
your signal out loud and clear. It's id ea l for setting up a basic switched to read relative power output or final amplifier
operating station, and it' s compatible with all Heathkit linears, cathode current. Frequency readout is on a large, backlighted
so you can add even more power when you need it. dial marked with 5 kHz divisions. There's a front panel mike
input and phone jack, RF and AF gain controls, mode and
A receiver section that really performs bandswitches, MIC/CW level, driver preselector and final
L ess than 0.35 µV sensitivity for 10 dB S + N / N on SSB brings controls. All controls are smooth, positive and precise to give
in weak stations loud and clear. The high-q uality crystal IF you a truly "professional" feel.
filter keeps sign als separate with a selectivity of 2.1 kHz at 6
dB down, and 7 kHz at 60 dB down. Image and IF rejection of Famous Heathkit ease of assembly
better than 50 dB help bring you world-wide receiving that's
The HW-101 features a wide-open chassis layout for easy
clean, clear and crisp. There's an optional 400 Hz CW filter
assembly and service should you ever need it. Uncrowded
available too.
circuit boards , a color-coded wiring harness and special
"Switch Boards" with built-in wafer switches greatly simplify
And a transmitter section to match assembly. Our world-famous step-by-step assembly manual
The HW-101 transmitter operates PTT or VOX on SSB and tells you exactly what to do and how to do it, even how to
CW transceive is provided by operating VOX from a keyed solder. And our "We won't let you fail" promise is your as-
ton e, using grid block keying. Frequency stability is better surance of technical help should you need it.

----------·
There's more for the Ham at Heath

HEATHKIT ~ ~ Heath Company, Dept. 343.350 I

FREE
HEATH
;j\jQM•l§l·= Benton Harbor, Michigan 49022
CATALOG Please send me my FREE Heathkit Catal og.
I am not on your mailing list.
I
Read about other fine Ham equipment and our
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I
everything from lamp dimmers to color televi-
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Mo re details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 25
 TINY
yards

JOSEPH J. CARR, K41PV

Many people are forced to preferences? It seems that have become popular, although
live with severely limited once again it is necessary to some are more popular with
antenna possibilities. When drag out some limited-space writers than with peop le who
you are renting an apartment, antenna tricks. actually have to bu ild them .
or living on somebody else's Many article and textbook Let's review some of these
property, then rules other than treatments of limited-space designs and look at some
purely engineering antennas seem to be lacking in practical considerations. It is
considerations must apply. If the practica l sort of " how to ..." fairly easy to visualize the
an antenna is even permitted in information that will allow you lim ited-space problem but what
the first place, it must often be to implement these techniques . about the matter of l imited
a non-permanent and The ARRL Antenna Book is a access? Even in cases where
unobtrusive structure. very good so urce of ideas for there is plenty of room to put
Unfortunately, that can also limited-space antennas, up an antenna there may be
mean a serious reduction in especially the later editions, several good reasons for not
effectiveness. Of course, we but even that book leaves me being able to take advantage of
would all like to have a full- with more questions t han it the space: the teenager with
sized antenna at optimum answers. In this article an parents not too sympathetic to
height but circumstances force attempt is made to distill the unsightly antenna structures,
us on occasion to be knowledge gained through t he locati on of power lines,
somewhat more realistic. Now many years of trying antennas no ladder, no money to
that my wife and I are the that would perform on the high- buy one, no place to store
proud owners of a little frequency bands and thereby it if you bought a ladder,
suburban duplex abode, I give you some of the missi ng physical disability, or
assumed that those difficulties " how to ... " wisdom. whatever.
would be things of the past. The antennas selected for
Only money, the property Standard wisdom this article , incidentally, were
layout, and my wife's tastes in An examination of the chosen because t hey are
outside decor world affect our standard amateur antenna reasonably easy to build and
antenna dreams. Money? literature (see bibliography) will use. I decided that on ly
Property layout? Aesthetic reveal a number of designs that coaxially fed antennas wou ld

26 m November 1977
be described because open your bedroom or attic space.
feeders, despite their unique This type of antenna works
flexibility, are often a pain in best when installed in an /
SUPPORTS
the neck. upstairs bedroom or the attic,
The dipole is probably the but will give at least moderate
most common form of simple results when installed in
amateur radio antenna and, in almost any room except the
many instances, may be basement. Of course, in a
considered a limited-space bedroom installation the SIDE Vl£W
type. Ideally, the dipole is technique might be pretty well
center fed with 72 to 75-ohm limited to the upper high- Fig. 2. An outdoor installation in limited
space can often be accomplished by
coaxial cable and is stretched frequency bands (14, 21, and 28 using plastic rope as supports. Keep the
between two widely spaced MHz) but in even moderate- straight portion of the antenna as long
supports, sags little or none, sized attics a 7-MHz antenna as possible for best results.
and is relatively high above the might be possible.
ground. But you can almost bet The dipole of Fig. 2 is for
that real-life dipoles never meet either attic or outdoor family, landlord, or other
these criteria. Most are so un- installation. In the attic version political problems. Of course,
ideal, in fact, that it rarely the horizontal portion might be you want the main portion of
matters much at all whether we run along the beam at the peak the antenna as high as possible
use 52- or 72-ohm cable as the of the roof and the drooping and that means it should be
feedline. There is little chance ends would probably be attached to the ceiling. Other
that the impedance comes perpendicular to the main wire. considerations, though, may
anywhere near the theoretical The outside version is suitable make it mandatory that it be
ideal. for installation where the nailed or stapled to the
Another bit of standard normal length of a half-wave baseboard. I have used both U·
advice is that the dipole must antenna is greater than the shaped tacks and staples to
be run in a straight line distance between possible hold light-weight wire to the
perpendicular to the direction support structures. Such ceiling/wall junction. You may
that you want to transmit or antennas are often used on the find that this is unsightly, but it
receive. But again, the advice is three lower bands (160, 80, and works. Wire supports that take
applicable only to those 40 meters) in city or suburban the place of conduit might be
situations where an ideal areas. Insulators are installed less aggravating to others.
antenna can be erected. In your at points A and B so that ropes These plastic races are
situation you may not be able from trees or other supports adhesive-backed and are
to approximate the ideal but can be attached. relatively easy to install. When
must be satisfied with The antenna layout of Fig. 3 building any of the antennas of
something similar to the is unique in that it can be Figs. 1, 2, or 3, wherever
antenna lay-outs shown in Fig. either a side view or a top view. possible, try your best for
1. I have used this type of If it is a top view then the bent symmetry. The two halves of
antenna on numerous portions are run horizontally the antenna wire (see Fig. 3)
occasions with some success. away from the main run. In the should be as nearly equal as
The normal half-wave dipole is side-view version we have a possible for the given situation.
constructed but is installed situation where no further It also helps to make section A
with the legs bent to horizontal run is possible and as long as possible; minimizing
accommodate the geometry of the bent portions of the the lengths of the bent portions
antenna are run up the side of seems to pay rich dividends. It
a building or up a tree. might be a good idea to use a
Wire antennas built inside an 1:1 balun transformer at the
attic may be supported by TV feedpoint. Several
hardware, specifically the manufacturers offer such
standoff insulators used to devices for sale.
support TV transmission line. Another alternative limited-
These are available in either space dipole is shown in Fig. 4.
nail or wood-screw This antenna is made shorter
configurations that can be than normal and is made
fastened directly to the ridge resonant by placing an inductor
pole at the roof peak. in series with each of the two
Construction details for the legs. Again, a 1:1 balun is used
Fig. 1. An antenna for an indoor in·
bedroom version are a little at the feedpoint. The exact
stallation can be bent to fit the space more difficult, and are details of this antenna, along
available. somewhat more subject to with design instructions and a

November 1977 m 27
 Fig. 3. Another version of a "bent" shortcoming of many articles decent antenna will also
antenna could have the ends pointing written about long wire prevent you from being
in different directions.
r
a
antennas is that they either
understress the importance of
successful w ith the long wire.
If, for example, the ground wi re

l a good ground or they do not is more than a few feet long,

tell you what constitutes a your efforts will seem to be in
,...---r-
__•_______,_-[_Jil --_._ __, good ground. You must use a vain. Often a wide range

T
ground system such as that antenna coupler such as the
discussed in the Antenna Book Transmatch or at least an L-
even if it means chemically section network (Fig. 6) is man-
a EITHER TOP
datory. All of this tends to
OR treating the earth. I have tried

J
SIDE VJfW
using power-line grounds in the lessen the apparent low cost of
shack (not recommended), the long w ire. The inductor in
water pipes, (have you ever the coupler can be either B&W
tried grounding to coil stock fitted with an
graph, are given on pages 211 a plastic water pipe? Don't!), alligator clip and lead to short
and 212 of the The ARAL and even a run of heavy out unwanted turns or it can be
Antenna Book. This antenna is stranded wire to a 6-foot (2m) a rotary inductor. The latter is a
best installed in a straight line copper ground rod driven in the bit more expensive but is very
away from any obstructions. earth outside the shack. None conven ient if the antenna is to
The coils do not have the of these methods offered much cover a wide range of
mechanical strength to support in the way of success. Even the frequencies. The coupling
the wire so a configuration copper wire to the earth was circuit is ad j usted for best
such as that shown in the only partially effective because results: A low swr seen by a
photograph must be used. This the length of the grounding transmitter, or loudest signal in
is a ceramic insulator used to wire was excessive. Usually, your receiver. Many long-wire
support both the coil stock and the very factors that preclude antennas seem to defy their
the two sections of wire. If you the construction of a really builder's every attempt to make
are interested in building this
type of antenna, look up the
article in the Antenna Book.
Also, you might want to find a
way to waterproof the coils. In
the one I built, an afternoon
rainstorm detuned the coils
and rendered them temporarily
useless. One amateur has
reported success with the use
of Lucite tubing with the ends
plugged with GE silicone seal.
Fig. 5 shows what is,
perhaps, the simplest to build,
easiest to i nstal I, but most
maddening to tune of all
antennas used by amateurs:
the long wire or Marconi
antenna. The principle
advantage of this antenna is
that it can be installed almost
anyplace and doesn't have to
be straight. The length
designated A in Fig. 4 should
be at least a quarter
wavelength long on the lowest
band to be covered but even
that is not too critical. The long
wire is truly a multiband
antenna, if you can make it
work right. The problem is that
a good ground, not the kind
normally used by most For those who can use a transmitter to help in determining the performance of an
amateurs or SWLs, is antenna an swr meter is a valuable tool. Experimenters w ithout transmitters w ill have
absolutely essential . A to use other method s, such as the grid·dip meter shown here.

28 m N o v embe r 1977
r ·1 1ack a confederate to help, this
------J"~--fl-__.r.:".:'-_ _ ___: type of antenna is a little more
u 1 1 Lz trouble to put up but is still
1--a~ f.-a--..j
\_ very easy, even for a single
1.. ~ installer. The only real limit is
COAXIAL ~ a•LUH the height of the attic vent.
•EEOL••E Antennas up to the 20-meter
Fig. 4. It is possib le to use loading, or size (although more realistically
compensating, coils to obtain good per- 15-meters) are possible in most
formance from an antenna that is two-story homes. I put together
physically short. one such antenna in which the
feedpoint was just outside the
attic vent and a right-angle run,
them work. In almost all cases half inside and half outside the
where this is true it is usually hou se was used. It wasn't
traceable to an improper or nearly as good as one
insufficient ground. Believe me, completely outside the building
tuning a long wire and coupler but it worked well enough at
with a poor ground system is a the time. The only problem that
lot like trying to nail Jello to might pop up, assuming that
the wall! you have an attic with a vent in
the first place, is the danger of
Vertical antennas rf burns or shocks from a Compensating inductances for a short
Fig. 7 shows one solution to transmitter to small children antenna (Fig. 4) can be made by plac ing a
the limited-access problem. It who wander into or normally coil around an Insulator.
is a vertical dipole that has play in the yard. Unfortunately,
been tried by many people with this is a very real consideration
success. In fact, some insist but is not insurmountable. really at a low ebb, but the
that it works better than the Not to be overlooked in any system works better if built
classic horizontal dipole. The article on limited-space from aluminum tubing. The
vertical dipole can be built on antennas is the classic quarter- larger the tubing , the better the
the ground and then be raised wavelength vertical or ground- results, o r at least so says the
to the attic vent by using a plane antenna. A number of "standard wisdom."
rope which had been previously manufacturers offer verticals It is interesting to note that
dropped out the vent slots. A with traps designed to cover aluminum tubing is
small fishing weight will make many frequency bands. You manufactured so that adjacent
it easier to drop the rope to the can try your hand at building sizes will f it into one another;
ground but be careful to keep it one of your own; an example is the smaller inside the larger.
from swinging. Even a tiny shown in Fig. 8. The main This makes it relatively easy to
weight is quite capable of radiator can be a piece of make a vertical rad iator that is
breaking a window pane! If you copper wire if your finances are strong enough to withstand the
rigors of a rooftop installation.
Unfortunately, you may have to
locate a metal-products
distributor or call one of the
re presentatives for the larger
aluminum manufacturers in
order to find adjacent sizes.
Some radio-parts suppliers
make it their business to stock
popular sizes up to an inch
(25mm) or so outside diameter.
You will find that most local
hardware stores or building-
supply houses carry only 1-inch
AHTE'*IA
COUPLER
(25mm) and 3/4-inch (19mm) OD
~ tubing and these are not
~-- ~- --
L __ J --- suitable for telescoping. Also,
they usually stock the six-foot
(2m) lengths and it is likely that
Fig. 5. A long-wire antenna can be erected In many configurations, and often is of a ran-
you will want either eight or ten
dom length. To perform well, this antenna requires a superb ground system and a foot (2.5-3m) sizes. The radials
coupler or matching device. can be made from heavy wire

November 1977 m 29
Table 1. B & W Coil Stock and Palomar noise bridges, but
B&W Diameter Turns Pitch Wire size Inductance it wasn't until recently that they
(mm) (,,H)•
part number inches (mm) per inch (mm) AWG were tried . I thank K4NFU for
3025 2.0 (51) 6 (4.0) 12 (2.1) 33.0 putting me on to these
3026 2.0 (51) 8 (3.0) 14 (1.6) 59.0
3027 2.0 (51) 10 (2.5) 16 (1.3) 92.0 instruments because they have
3029 2.5 (64) 6 (4 .0) 12 (2.1) 5 1.0 paid rich dividends; not
3030 2.0 (51) 8 (3.0) 14 (1.6) 90.0
3048 1.25 (32) 6 (4.0) 14 (1.6) 5.0 something one normally
3049 1.25 (32) 10 (2.5) 18 (1 .0) 14.0 expects from such inexpensive
(38) 6 (4.0) 14 (1.6) 7.0
3052 1.5
(38) 8 (3.0) 16 (1.3) 12.5
instruments.
3053 1.5
3054 1.5 (38) 10 (25) 18 (1.0) 20.0 Our instrumentation package
3059 1.75 (44) 10 (2.5) 16 (1.3) 26.0 should, or at least cou ld,
3061 2.0 (51) 4 (6.5) 12 (2.1) 15.0
3063 2.5 (64) 4 (6.5) 12 (2.1) 22.5 include an swr meter, a dip
3064 3.0 (76) 4 (65) 12 (2. 1) 32.0 meter, an impedance bridge
B & w coi l stock Is m anufactured by Barker & Williamson. Canal Street . Bristol, Pennsylvania 19007, and Is and a noise bridge. All of these
available f rom many electronics parts dealers.
have very definite uses in
" Inductance o f entire piece of coi l stock. Smaller inductances can be made by cutting the stock.
doping out an antenna system
and all are recommended. Also
(no. 14 AWG or 1.6mm is good). power meter with 0-200 and to be included is a receiver,
You can use TV-rotor wire of 0-2000 watt ranges. It is preferably a general-coverage
the type that has four insulated difficult to overstate the type , and a low-power
conductors . You can cut each advantages of having an swr transmitter.
wire to a quarter wavelength on meter connected while making The frustration quotient for
different bands. The same antenna adjustments. Also antenna installing can be great
admonition about the shock or used by many experimenters is if you lack certain essentials.
burn hazard still applies. The the dip meter, an example of When building an antenna that
radials may be angled upwards which is shown in the requires inductors to
away from the ground for photograph. This instrument is compensate for the length, you
increased safety. In fact, it is a vfo which has its resonant will want several sizes of coil
usually the case that these tank-circuit inductor mounted available. It is wise to keep
antennas are mounted on the externally to the case. This coil some standard B&W coils in
roof or high on the side of the is coupled to the antenna or stock. Choose those with few
house. Either a length of 2 x 4 other circu it under inspection turns per inch, large diameter,
lumber (5x10cm}, bolted to the and the oscil lator frequency is and large wire size (smaller
wall , or regu lar TV-antenna adjusted. When the vfo is tuned AWG numbers). Table 1 shows
mounting hardware will work to the resonant frequency of some of the B&W type
wel I as a support for the the antenna, power will be numbers which I have found to
vertical antenna. A multiband absorbed from its coil; this be useful in amateur antenna
vertical -antenna system in causes a dip in the meter work. If you prefer to use the
which the radial s are reading . rotary-inductor approach , then
connected in parallel and the Although the dip meter can choose one with a maximum
vertical portion is resonated by be used to check out an inductance in the 15- to 30-µ.H
an inductor is shown in Fig. 9. antenna system in this manner, ran ge. Taps for different bands
Coil-tap-selection can be it is better to use it as the on non-rating inductors can be
manual, if it is easy to reach signal source for an antenna- either soldered on or they can
that part of the installation, or impedance bridge. I have used be made by using alligator
it can be done through relays. the Leader LIM-870A antenna- clips or coil clips that are
impedance bridge in some of sometimes seen in older
Antenna instrumentation the experiments made on marine radiotelephones. You
Even with the so-cal led ideal antennas and have found it to will find, though, that any of
antennas, it is not too easy to be very helpful. In many cases the c lip techniques will be
make adjustments without at you really don't care what the subject to corrosion and will
least some test equipment. natural resonant frequency of require cleaning from
Probably the most basic an antenna is so long as you time to time.
instrument, and one that know its impedance at the
should be a part of every ham frequency of interest. Unless TO TRAHSMfTTER - - i=>----....J'V'{'
Lt
' "'--- - - - TO ANTENNA
shack, is the swr meter. A great the impedance is too extreme OR RECEfVER ;;.,

number of swr meters are on this will allow you to build a Cl

the market or can be built from matching transformer. A meter

Ct J4 0 or ZOO pf: MAX
scratch. A popular one is the such as the LIM-870A will help
you to determine the Fig. 6. Matching circuits take on many
Heathkit HM-102 which can be forms. A very popular one is the L-
assembled as a simple, one- impedance of the antenna. network shown here, which will cover a
evening project. This particular For years I have seen the wide range because both the inductance
model also functions as an rf advertisements for the Omega and capacitance are variable.

30 m Nove mber 1977

 When using an antenna
noise bridge or the antenna
impedance meter just follow
the manufacturer's instructions
and act according to the
information the instrument
......_ ENO INSULATOR gives you. Incidentally, not all
low-cost instruments are prone
to terrible errors. I have used
the Palomar and Omega noise
bridges and the Leader
COAX THROUGH / - BALU.\I OR
impedance bridge on the same
W'N DO W CENTER INSULATOR
project with similar results.
Many amateurs use an swr
meter for help in making
antenna adjustments because
,,.,,.-- ENO INSULATOR
it is the most commonly
available instrument. This
,,.,,.-- STA<[ technique works fine if
everything goes according to
Fig. 7. A simple, yet effective, installa· plan but can lead to difficulty if
tion of a vertical antenna can be made by things begin to go wrong. In
using the features of a house, such as an that case, you might be better A p l umbe r 's delight with bal un and
end wall with a vent or louvre. matching coi ls can be mounted on a
off using one of the other piece of board before it is fastened to
instruments listed above; they the end wall of a house.
might lead you to truth and
light where the swr meter cou ld
One last item that may be not. Additionally, a license is then t he coil has too many
desirable when building an required to operate a turns, but if it is lower upband
antenna is a balun matching transmitter to provide power for then the coil has too few turns.
transformer. If a relatively an swr meter. Move the tap in the direction
standard antenna is Your initial adjustment might ind icated by the initial
contemplated then you can use be to short out an arbitrary information and measuFe again.
a standard 1:1 or 4:1 number of turns on the Continue this process, moving
transformer. These are inductor and measure the swr the tap a turn or fraction of a
generally low enough in cost to or impedance at the desired turn at a time unti l the swr is at
justify their use. In those cases frequency. Then change the its minimum point. Your initial
where a really oddball antenna frequency, either up or down selection of turns might be too
impedance is found then you band (25 kHz or more), and far off; most people tend
may want to try one of the non- make another measurement. If toward the optimistic side. In
standard transformer ratios that the swr is lower downband that case you should try
can be realized using the from the original frequency picking another "initial"
Amidon toroid Balun kit (about selection of coil turns. On this
$5.00) or the Amidon T-200-2 second attempt try using about
core, some enameled wire and half as many turns as you did
the instructions given in the first time. If the situation
seems to be reversing (see the
several ARRL books including
the new Data Book.
RADIATOR L• + advantage of keeping written
notes?) then split the
Adjustments difference. In a short while you
This phase of any antenna wi ll find the correct placement
construction project may well for the coil taps.
be the single most important Adjusting previously untuned
step to the overal I success of antennas can be a time
the antenna. You are strongly consuming and tiring task. This
advised to keep detailed should prompt you to make it
records of your trials as you as easy on yourself as
make your experimental possible. One of the things
adjustments. This will allow Fig. 8. The classic ground-plane antenna which will facilitate t he
you to analyze any problems requires radial wires or other well· adjustments is to g ive
conducting medium as part of the
that develop as you work and system. Only two radials are shown here,
consideration to the mechanics
will also allow you to duplicate but performance will increase markedly of the situation. Dipoles,
your efforts in the future. when more are added. whether vertical or horizontal,

November 1977 m 31
 the roof line. This made raising
and lowering the wire
somewhat easier - especially
handy since I was work ing
alone. A 1 :1 balun was
connected at the feedpoint and
the Drake MN-4 was used to
tune the system. Although I
use only low power from an
elderly Heath DX-608
transmitter, the system Fig. 10. A "s l ipole" (slanted dipole)
antenna should work well, and may be
Another answer to the " where to mount regularly nets good signal the only answer if yo ur house has metal
it" question is to Jet the an tenna pro- reports from Europe and South siding.
trud e f ro m a window, as my plumber's
delight is doing here.
America. This is not too
exciting to the wizened DXer
with a high-performance beam ,
should be fastened at both perhaps, but it is sufficient for tubing for the radiator and a
ends with pulleys and ropes so many hours of enjoyment . piece of B&W coil stock to
they may be easily lowered to Several articles and a few make the thing resonant. The
the ground to be trimmed. You antenna manufacturers offer grounding, or ground plane, is
will sometimes find that what is usually described as a taken care of by using radials
vertical antennas are easier to "cliff dwellers special" or in a manner similar to that of
rough-in on the ground or something similar. These are the full-length vertical antenna.
leaning up against the wall of window-ledge-mounted One advantage of these radials
the house. At least when the antennas that, although they is that they can be run to
structure is mounted on the are not super performers, will almost any support , even if it is
roof most of the preliminary work for people who simply necessary that they be bent. It
work has been completed, cannot install a proper antenna_ is best to keep them at least
leaving only the fine tuning to The photographs show a 45 ° from the radiator. WB4ZOH
be done. In some cases the version of this type of antenna: has used a similar system in
difference in performance my own "Plumber's Delight." which an antenna designed for
between the positions is Most similar antennas shown mobile use is mounted on an
sufficiently small that it can be in the literature suffer from the apartment-house balcony and a
ignored. same nail-and-Jello problem as rotor-cable radial system was
the long wire does because it tacked along the baseboard
Two experiments is seldom easy for anyone who inside the apartment.
Everybody "knows" that a must use such an antenna to Bandchanging is possible
dipole should be either all get a decent ground. In my either by adjusting the loading
horizontal or all vertical. At my version of the antenna, I used coil or by changing the
new location neither was an eight-foot (2-5m) piece of 1- resonator. Fig. 11 shows the
possible. The vertical run was inch (25mm) OD aluminum swr plotted for both the slipole
interrupted because the only and the plumber's delight on
fenced-in wall on the house 20-meters. In both cases, the
had the trash cans and gas swr seen by the transmitter
meter at its base. Additionally, was reduced to very nearly 1:1
the wall was simply not high by the Drake MN-4 antenna
enough for a 20-meter dipole. A coupler. A W2AU balun (1 :1)
horizontal dipole was not
f ON HIGHEST BAND
was used in the final version of
possible because, in the first this antenna.
place, my new neighbor was The last offering to be made
not amenable to amateur radio, here is the two-band version of
and secondly, he did not think K I rr-~-o----4.
the plumber's delight that I
•2
my antenna, tied to his tree, "' o---~-o----< ,·,
erected on the cinder-block
was entirely in his own best side of the house. Radials form
COAX TO
interests. The only tree on my ~
• I

TRANSMrTTER the ground-plane system

own lot was so small that my
portly (fat) frame would not
make it safely to a level
suitable for dipole anchoring_
//
------/-/
~· ~~~·~L~~~rwn ONE
'~·~-~~
becc.,..se the antenna is too
high to be properly grounded
through a wire. Incidentally, a
frequent mistake made by
Hence, the " slipole" (slanted builders of vertical antennas is
Fig. 9. A vertical or ground-plane antenna
dipole) shown in Fig. 10 was can be made to work over a wide range of that they use too few radials . A
built. A pulley for a flagpole- frequencies by using a tapped coil to good rule of thumb, up to the
style rope was installed near change the resonance point. point of being ridiculous , is the

32 m November 1977
Fig. 11. An example of 25 rather to work stateside
plotting the performance 2 .4

of an antenna is this swr 2.3 stations and whatever DX could

vs f requency graph of
2.2
21 be picked off without too much
two antennas described 20
ct. 1.9
frustration. My initial goal was
in the text. ~ 1.8
ti) 1.7
to get on the air by any means!
PLUMBER'S D(L/GHT""
16
15
For a parting shot I would like
14 to officially, humbly, and
13
1.2 publicly issue thanks to
" ~.L.LLLLL..LLL::..5:3:3:n~L....L..l--L..J....LJL.L..Ll K4NFU, WB4ZOH, and WA4EPI.
14 14.1 14.Z /4.3
FREQUENCY- MHz
Bibliography

"more the better." At least two surplus advertisements and at 1. The ARAL Antenna Book, 13th
radials per band is normally the Edi t ion, American Rad io Relay
a few hamfests. The original League, Newi ngton, Connecticut,
minimum acceptable tuning was done when the 1974.
arrangement. In most instances antenna was on the ground and
2. Louis M. Dezettel , W5REZ,
where someone obtains poor only minor adjustments were
Amateur Tests and Measurements,
results from a vertical antenna needed when the mounting was Editors & Engineers , New Augusta,
mounted above the ground, the completed. This makes it easier Indiana, 1969.
trouble can be traced to too for a 300 pounder like me to 3. William I. Orr, W6SAI, Wire
few, or inappropriately get the antenna up and working Antennas for Radio Amateurs ,
designed, radials. The coil (I don't like ladders). Radio Publications, Inc., Wilt on,
stock used for both antennas is A question that is often Connecticut, 1974.
B&W 3063. The relay might be a asked is " Will these antennas 4. William I. Orr, W6SAI, editor
little hard to obtain. I work in work as well as a high and Radio Handbook, 18th Edition ,
medical electronics and was clear dipole?" The answer, in a Editors & Engi neers , New Augusta,
able to salvage it from some word, is no. In most cases they Indiana, 1970.
defective equipment. It is a do not work as well as a good 5. The ARAL Radio Amateurs
Torr model TMR-10 vacuum dipole or vertical. But it is not Handbook, 52nd Edition , American
relay. Several similar relays my purpose to light cigarettes Radio Relay League, Newington,
have been seen recently in the in Asia with my signal but Connecticut, 1975. HRH

Glossary of Terms
Balun is a device that will provide measurement of the impedance power level s or an indicatio n of
a transition between an characteristic of antennas or rat io is possible.
unbalanced (to ground) line s uch feedlines. Transmatch is a device t hat uses a
as coaxial cable, and a balanced combinatio n of variable capacitors
line or antenna such as twin-lead Radiator is the active portion of an and induct ors to provide a means
or a dipole. antenna system. Although the t erm of matching between unequal
relates to a transmitting antenna, it impedances. Most often used
Dipole is a balanced antenna, is proper in a receiving system as between a low-impedance
usually (but not necessarily) one- well. transmi ssion line and a high·
half wave in length . As commonly
impedance line or antenna.
built it consists of two equal SWR refers to Standing Wave
lengths of wire placed end-to-end Ratio , also Voltage Standing Wave VFO means Variable Frequency
with some form o f transmiss ion Rati o (VSWR). The ratio between Oscillator: The t uning con trol of
line connected at th e juncture. the energy being tran smitted most transmitters or receivers. Can
toward the antenna (or load) and be used to describe almost any
Ground plane is commonly used to that portion of the energy being oscillator that is not fixed (crystal·
describe a type of antenna that reflected back toward the source. control led) in frequency, especially
has a system of radial wires those that have a con nection to a
mo unted adjacent to the feedpoint dial or knob fo r adjustment.
of a one-quarter wavelength SWR bridge is also called SWR
antenna. Meter, which is more nearly ·>-..14 is a symbol represen ting o ne
correct because very few are a true quarter wavelength. Th e Greek
Noise bridge is a test instrument bridge type of instrument. In lette r lambda (>-.) is used t o
that applies a wide-band (noise) essence, it is an rt detector that represent one wavelength at the
type of signal to the circuit being samples both the energy going f requency of interest. Thus, >.
checked, as opposed t o a si ng le- t oward the antenna (load) and the divided by a nu mber or :>..
frequency (carrier) that more energy reflected back. The mult iplied by a number can be
precise instruments require. The indicator may be calibrated so that used to represent fractions or
most common use is to obtain a eith er a direct co mpari son of multiples of a wavelength.

Novembe r 1977 ~ 33
 w iring is voltage's partner -
current; it's the current that
kills.
Let's look over some
different current levels and see
what effect they could have on
your body. At half a
m illiampere (0.0005 ampere)
there's no sensat ion, but at
about two mill iamperes (0.002
to 0.025 ampere) there is a
painful shock and at above 16
an inability to let go. When the
current hits 25 mil liamperes or
more, the muscles jerk in
violent contractions; and from
50 to 200 mil liamperes (0.05 to
0.2 ampere) the heart has
convulsions called fibrillation ,
and death can result. Burns
and paralysis of breathing
occur at levels over the 100-
mi I Iiampere (0.1 ampere) level.
Several things in addition to
the amount and duration of
current flow determine the
severity of shock. For example,
the part of the body through
w hich current flows is an
important factor. If you
remember to keep one hand in
BY DEVERE "DEE" LOGAN, W1HEO it the right way, every time. your pocket when working
Unfortunately, a small around hot circuits, you'll keep
As a newcomer to Amateur number of drivers, backyard accidental brushes with current
radio, the most important thing builders, home craftsmen, do-it- from traveling through your
for you to remember is that yourself electricians, and yes chest, from one hand to
radio equipment is powered by - even hams - become anothe r by way of your heart.
electricity, and must be treated statistics each year because The electrical resistance of
with respect. Not fear, but they ignore the basic safety your body determines how
knowledgeable caution. Your rules, either through not much current flows on contact.
ham shack is not much knowing them or through When skin becomes moist, its
different than your garage, your becoming careless.
workshop, or even your kitchen; So, in the interest of keeping Table 1 gives an idea of t he
if you are careless, they all new hams alive, well, and on relative physiological effects of
contain potential dangers that the air, Ham Radio Horizons variou s current levels on t he
can put an abrupt and untimely passes along these safety tips human body, ranging fro m no
end to your activity. that could possibly save your effect th rough heart convulsions
Hams who work for industry, life! and deat h. The curre nt depends
or in a trade, are made upon voltage and skin resistance
constantly aware of the hazards Ac circuits (see text).
that surround them, and safe An understanding of danger
work practices become a from common 115-volt
normal and routine part of their alternating current is basic to Current Effect on Body
everyday lives. It's something an appreciation of potential 0.5mA no sensation
like driving a car - there is a trouble around the house and 2mA awareness
safe way to operate an in the shack. Don't ignore the 10mA muscular
c o ntractions
automobile, and if you want to shock potential from a wall 5-25 mA painful shock
become a successful and long- socket, and remember that 25-50 mA violent muscle
1ived driver, you spend a great even 50 volts has been known co ntracti o ns
deal of time learning how to to kill when conditions were 100 mA burns, breathing
drive properly and safely; just right (or wrong). The real paral ysis
then you go out and do villain lurking in household 50-200 mA heart co nvu lsio ns

34 m November 1977.
resistance goes down, and 3. Treat all equipment as being commercial alternating-current
more current can flow. hot until found cold by test. frequencies affect the human
Standard 60-hertz, 115-volts 4. Properly ground power tools body primarily by fla~h burn~
residential wiring circuits and avoid making a ground and current penetration, radio
produce more pronounced return path through your body. frequency current (200 kHz
physiological effects than does through microwaves) has a
5. Treat insulated conductors
equ ivalent uninterrupted ~c tendency to flow on the surface
voltage. Also, at frequencies as if they were bare of the skin with very little
conductors, because the
considerably above 60 hertz, penetration. Body contact with
the body doesn't experience insulation may be faulty. a high-frequency conductor will
6. Keep one hand in your
pocket while wo~ki~g around
hot circuits to eliminate a
current path by way of your
heart, and be alert to other
possible ground paths through
your bare arms or head.
7. Use extreme caution when
installing antennas and be alert
to potential shock hazards from
nearby power lines or the
possibility of an equally fatal
fall from a roof -top or ladder.
8. Don't install antennas w~ere
they could fall into power Imes.
Don't (Match your care in developing
a well-engineered piece of
equipment with a well·
any sensation of current flow engineered installation.) Don't
except heat.
Ohms law applies to skin Grounds
resistance as it does to all A good ground sy~tem is usually result in a severe burn,
electrical circuits. When your essential for all stations but the chance of receiving a
skin is dry, it may have a because it provides protection lethal shock is small, providing
resistance of 100· to 500· for the operator and provides a there is no de voltage involved.
thousand ohms, but when you vital part of rf circuits. A solid (Although pinhole-size rf burns
perspire it can drop to 1000 waterpipe ground using .heavy do leave a vivid reminder of
ohms, and when in water, only copper wire to connect 1t to the accidental encounters!) The
150 ohms. By Ohms law, then, equipment is good, and the safe approach to the use of
if your wet hands come into addition of a separate ground transmitting equipment is to
contact with 110 volts: wire to a six-foot (2m) ground shield the rf conductors and
rod driven into moist soil is isolate the high voltage.
110 (volts) _ 0. 73 ampere better yet. (A ground-strap High voltage
150 (ohms) - (730 milliamperes) jumper around the wat.er meter High voltage usually means
will insure good electrical any potential over 600 volts .. It's
continuity and prevent a shock often a standard procedure in
hazard at the meter.) shops and laboratories to
From the scale mentioned
If your radio equipment lacks provide elaborate safeguards
previously, this much current
three-prong grounded plugs, against high voltages, but the
would result in loss of
add them by all means. To be ham shack may lack this
breathing, heart stoppage, and
sure of zero potential on protection.
burns.
equipment cabinets , bond the The ham literature has
Safety engineers offer
chassis and cabinets together advocated interlock switches
several pointers to avoid shock: with heavy wire or strap. A final and circuit breakers for years.
1. Don't handle electrical gear check with an ohmmeter is a While these devices are old
with wet hands or when good idea to make sure that reliables, that fact shouldn't
standing on a damp floor. everything is solidly and diminish their importance; they
2. Remove rings, watches, . completely grounded. save lives. If your station has
chains or other objects having exposed high voltage points
exposed conductive mat~ri~I RF circuits (and it shouldn't), the minimum
when working near electnc1ty. While direct current and that should be done is to

Novem ber 1977 r:::;::J 35

enclose the area with a screen as possible with the power start resuscitation immediately,
and post a DANGER - HIGH turned off. using methods developed by
VOLTAGE sign_nearby. Children the American Red Cross and
and pets have a habit of getting First aid
the American Heart
into the wrong places, so In an electrical emergency, a Association.
beware. rescuer should know what to
Make sure that your station do quickly! When the heart Power tools
can be cut off from the ac line beat and breathing of an Hams who do a bit of
by means of an emergency unconscious patient, have building should also be familiar
relay or circuit breaker in case stopped , you have only four with some basic rules of
of accident or overload . A new minutes to act. Life-saving power-tool safety. First, know
electrical device that emerged requires more than speed ; it your power tool by reading the
in recent years in the Ground demands a knowledge of the manual carefully so that you
Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI), most recent heart-lung understand the tool's
which is installed in the ac line resuscitation techniques and, applications, limitations, and
and trips when leakage current potential hazards. Ground all
amounts to only five tools by using three-prong
milliamperes. The GFCI is a plugs . Keep your work area
fast device, and trips in only clean and free from hazards,
one-fortieth of a second - less avoiding damp or wet
time than a heartbeat. locations. Keep all children at a
Filter capacitors in high- safe distance. Use the right
voltage power supplies store tool and don't force it. Wear
plenty of punch unless they are the proper clothing. (Remember
bridged with bleeder resistors the neck-tie-in-the machinery
to discharge them completely cartoon?)
after operation. Don't Use safety glasses. Many
Remember that you don 't industrial plants have strict
have to make bodily contact rules about this, and most
with high-voltage conductors to preferably, recent participation refuse to allow personnel into
receive a fatal electric shock. in training and practice shop areas unless safety
The distance an arc will travel sessions.* If you hear of a glasses are worn. Using the
from a live, uninsulated training course being given same tools in the ham shack at
conductor to a person's body nearby, enroll right away. home presents the same
depends upon several factors: In electric shock, the victim potential danger as in the
Voltage level to ground; shape , must be safely removed from factory. Save your eyes with an
size and arrangement of contact with the source of inexpensive pair of safety
electrodes; other material in current. Turn off the power or glasses. (Ever notice those
the vicinity of the arc gap; and separate the person from the flying aluminum chips when
such factors as temperature, current source with a wooden you drill a chassis?)
humidity, and pressure of the pole , heavy rubber gloves, an Other tool tips: Secure your
air. A scale of safe distances insulated object, or clothing . work with clamps or a vise.
would recommend a one-foot Make sure your hands are dry Don't overreach - keep your
(30c m) space at potential s and that you 're standing on a footing and balance. Maintain
between 750 and 3500 volts , dry surface. Don 't touch the your tools, disconnect them
increasing to 45 feet (14m) at victim with your bare hands, when they're not in use, and
around two-million volts. and don't move him any farther don't carry a plugged-in tool
If it's necessary to test high- than necessary. Even if the with your finger on the switch.
voltage devices such as linear patient appears to be dead, Soldering irons can cause
amplifiers, the previously nasty burns, so be careful
mentioned safety practices are *The modern technique used in when working with them. Keep
reviving victims of elec trical shock (or
a must. In addition , a high- other causes of heart stoppage) is
combustible materials away
quality electrical insulator such called cardio·pulmonary resusc itation from hot irons, use proper
as a rubber mat under the (CPR). When properly done, it greatly holders, and don't leave the
shack work table would add improves the chances that the patient shack with an iron still
some shock protection , as will recover; if applied In a wron g plugged in.
manner, it can cause great harm. The
would the use of proper technique should be learned by These safety tips are offered
nonconducting table surfaces. taking a course that is given by the in the interest of creating more
The insulation on all test leads Heart Association or the American Red safety-conscious hams. Safety
should have a voltage rating Cross. It requires 9 to 12 hours of is a state of mind, and
study and prac tice to acquire the
sufficient to handle the technique, but Is well worth the time hopefully yours is now on the
equipment under test. Also, spent In order to have the ability to safe side. Remember - safety
plan to conduct as much work save a life. is no accident! HRH

36 m November 1977
OBJECTIVE: To design a no-compromise HF no-tune band change. Built-in regulated power sup-
transceiver for the beginning Ham or Old Timer and ply. Overload protection. Linear crystal mixed VFO.
at an economical, affordable price. Direct frequency readout. Offset receiver tuning,
CRITERIA: Cw transmit, cw and ssh receive. defeatable. Built-in speaker. Sensitive receiver sec-
Full break-in. 70 watts input. Full band coverage tion. High selectivity - three position. Sidetone with
80-15 meters, 1 MHz on 10. All solid state. Instant, adjustable level. Full line of matching accessories.

THE RESULT ... TEN TEC Cenfuryj/2/

The Century/21 was designed and tooled from scratch for high
performance cw. A unique Double Direct Conversion receiver
performs as well as the conventional superhet. Broadband
transmitter with instant break-in is a highly desired luxury.
Accessory keyer and crystal calibrator available now, with ad-
ditional accessories to follow. And . . .
._J i

,liilri
THE AFFORDABLE PRICE:
I

Century/21, Model 570 .................. $289.00

Century Keyer, Model 670 ............ 29.00 • TE'N'~TECw:;·~c.-
Century Ca librator, Model 276 ...... 29.00 sEVIERVILLE, TENNESSEE 37862
EXPORT,5715 LIN COLN AVE., CHI CAGO, Ill. 60646
 ham radio
AC
CES
SC
.~ RIES
Station accessories are use-
ful and convenient, but should
be selected with certain priori·
ties in mind. It's not only a mat-
ter of what, but also when ...

BY JIM GRAY, W2EUQ

11_1
I I
::1cnn
L _I LIU

38 m November 1977
 A station accessory is a little medicine? Every Radio Amateur
like dessert: You can get along I've ever known has succumbed
without it, but it sure makes to this malady, and I'm no
life sweeter. When you first exception, just in case you
became a radio amateur, you thought I might be on the soap
knew that you had to have a box. The virus is deadly and
receiver, transmitter, key, clock, incurable. The best remedy
and antenna. Then you figured therefore is preventive
that you might just as well medicine and a full knowledge
have a microphone, seeing as of how best to protect yourself.
how it was on sale at a good As your career in amateur
price, because you were going radio progresses, there's no
to be on phone as soon as you question that station
got your next ticket. Then you accessories and operating aids Clocks for your station can take many
forms , but the recent trend is to go
had that QSO with the antenna will become desirable - even digital. Even among the digital types
expert and he couldn 't necessary, but there ought to there are a lot of choices, ranging from
understand how you were able be a preferred method in your the decorative and modernistic creation
to go on the air without an swr madness; some sort of priority as shown, to the bare-bones kit that you
bridge in the line, so you can put in your own enclosure. These,
list that you can work from and and other styles are offered by Digital
bought a combined swr bridge plan against. Your question Concepts Corporation.
and reflected power meter. should be: "Which accessories
After a few months of shall I buy first and which ones
operating with your straight later?" which provides the necessary
key, you heard some really nice voltage every time the
CW. The ham at the other end Accessories before the fact transmitter is switched to
told you that he was using an You don't have your license "transmit." If your transmitter
electronic keyer, so you went yet, but you've already started is one of these, use this
out and bought one of those, putting together a station. voltage source for operating
too. Next, you bought a That's only common sense, the antenna changeover relay.
speaker to replace that tinny- right? Right! Now, what do you If not, you will have to find
sounding one, a digital clock need, and in what order? Let another source of the
with LED display, and a me suggest right at the necessary voltage, usually a
frequency counter. beginning that you really don't wall socket and you'll have to
About this time your need as much as you think you provide a separate switch that
operating desk had to be do, but there are some goes on and off with your
enlarged to hold all the conveniences that will make transmitter. An exta set of
goodies, so a new chair to operating easier and better for contacts on the transmit switch
match the desk was naturally you. is a possibility, or an extra set
added . Pretty soon you decided Question: Does your station of contacts on an internal relay
that a phone patch would be a have a separate transmitter and brought out to the rear panel of
big help when you got your receiver, or do you use a the transmitter.
General ticket , so that was transceiver? Most transceivers Some changeover relays are
added. When your new antenna have built-in send/receive available with coils that operate
was put up, you decided that a relays for automatically from 6 to 12 volts, ac or de. If
coaxial switch would be useful, changing the antenna back and such a power source is more
and that was the next addition. forth between the transmit and readily available to you, get a
Where does this disease receive functions. If you don't relay with the proper coi I to
stop? Is there any known cure? have this luxury but have a match the available power.
What about preventive separate transmitter and Investing in a good antenna
receiver, chances are that you changeover relay will repay you
have planned on manually many times in operating
switching the antenna. Let me convenience and flexibility, so
The photographs for the lead suggest that you buy a coaxial
artwork are compliments of the make this your top priority.
following adverti sers: R. L.
antenna relay instead. Several
different kinds are available, Where am I?
Drake, Ham Radio Center,
Ten -Tee, Inc., Heath Company, and Dow-Key is one of the The next thing - or maybe
Cubic Corporation, Palomar most popular. even the first thing - you must
Engineers, Vibroplex Company, The coil of the most common know is your exact frequency.
Inc., MFJ Enterprises, type of changeover relay The amateur bands are wide,
Spectronics West, and Yaesu operates from 117 volts, ac. On but if you plan to operate in a
Electronics Corporation. many transmitters there will be narrow sub-band, such as the
an accessory strip or socket Novice band, you have to be

November 1977 [!:!:] 39

 comparison. The foregoing
assumes that you have a
transmitter vfo, and can slide
around the bands at will. For
those of you who have crystal-
controlled transmitters, and
cannot move around the bands
so easily, your next accessory
could very well be a vfo.
Call them Antenna Tuners , Matching
Networks, Tran smatches, Matchboxes, Variable frequency oscillators
or whatever; they're all accessories to There was a time in the
help your transmitter "see" a proper im- history of amateur radio when
pedance at its output. Most of them also
have provision to use either coaxial the transmitting frequency of
cable or balanced feedline to the anten- every station was control led by
na. This one is designed for medium- · quartz crystals. Every Amateur
power applications. Others are available had a handful of crystals for
that will handle the full legal amateur
power limit. Some, such as the Drake
different frequencies in the
unit shown here, have power and SWR various bands he wanted to
indicating meters as part of the package. use. These were almost
identical to the CB channel Dummy loads serve many useful pur-
crystals, and they insured that poses, and the main one is to absorb
able to stay within its limits. the transmitter was exactly on , power output while you tune up your
Many receivers and or very close to, a known transmitter. You can also make a quick
check from time to time to see if all is
transmitters with variable frequency. In those bygone well in your rig. You can make a com-
frequency oscillators lack days transmitters were not parison between how your transmitter
calibration accuracy, and might frequency tunable, so every loads into a dummy load and into your
cause you to operate on a time you wished to change antenna - thus gaining an idea of the
frequency that is illegal for you, frequency, you inserted a well-being of the antenna or feedline.
The Barker and Will iamson unit is rated
even if you think you're okay_ If different crystal. Some of those to 1000 watts, intermittent duty, and a
your transmitter or transceiver old transmitters are still around light comes on when it has been
does not have a built-in crystal today, at bargain prices. Don't overheated.
calibrator, buy one. A crystal be afraid to buy one, because cases, and instantly give you
calibrator is a tiny, low-power you can add an external vfo - freedom of movement.
transmitter that produces a lot purchased separately - and
of harmonics, but is controlled convert your transmitter from Listen, you guys
by a 100-kHz crystal. The its former rock-bound state into If the transmitter is the heart
calibrator provides a marker a slider. The external vfos plug of your station, the receiver
signal that is audible in your into the crystal sockets of represents its ears and eyes.
receiver every 100 kHz those old transmitters in most To be able to work another
throughout the bands from the station you must be able to
lowest to the highest. Fancier hear it. Very likely you will have
calibrators provide signals purchased the best receiver
every 25 or even every 5 kHz_ you can afford, and it will be
You need the 100 kHz marker at excel lent for 80 and 40 meters,
least, and a fancy one only if but how is it on 15 meters - or
you can afford it. the new Novice segment of 10
With a calibrator you can find meters? The higher frequencies
the band edges and do your often cause problems for older
own receiver calibrating, receivers where a lack of
knowing that your transmitted sensitivity and high internal
signal can always be placed noise (generated by the
within the proper band or sub- receiver components
band . The calibrator itself can themselves) cause them to
be calibrated with one of the "hear" poorly.
WWV frequency broadcasts on You can often overcome a
5.0, 10.0, and 15 MHz. (Note: If you operate on more than one band, poor receiver's inadequacies on
2.5, 20, and 25 MHz may be you might have several antennas. The the higher frequencies by
discontinued). The instructions chore of c hanging from one feedline to adding a preamplifier between
packed with your calibrator tell another is eliminated if you install a the antenna and the receiver
Barker and Williamson coaxial selector
you how to properly adjust it switch in your station. Don't forget to antenna terminals. The
for maximum accuracy, using reserve one position for the dummy load preamplifier amplifies incoming
your receiver and WWV as a (for tuneup purposes). signals without adding

40 m November 1977
 new tuners have built-in meters
that indicate either swr or
reflected power. By tuning your
transmitter to its normal rated
current, and adjusting the tuner
for minimum reflected power,
you have done the best thing
possible to insure a good
signal in the receiver of a far
away ham.
Some antennas are cut to The ATRONICS Code Reader receives
frequency and operate over just Morse c ode and displays it on an alpha·
Electronic keyers can be obtained in a one band. These are fed with numeric readout. It c an be used as an aid
wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and to teaching or learning code if hooked to
with a tremendous range of features. coaxial cab le and do not a keyer or keyboard, or as an off·the-air
Any of them can be a great help to form- require an antenna tuner to copying device if hooked to a receiver.
ing c ode characters w ith correct spac· match them to a transmitter. Also, it c ould be very helpful to people
ing. Most of them will key either tube or who have a hearing problem.
solid-state rigs. Some, like the Heath load it, dummy
HD-1410, have keyer paddles built in.
Others requ ire an external keyer paddle, When you transfer power to
which is an advantage if you want to get your antenna, you are said to dummy load, only a minor
at the spring-tension and contac t· be loading it. Looking at it from tweak or touch-up will be
spacing adjustments. the other end, the antenna necessary when transferring rt
represents a resistive load to to the real load - your
appreciably to the noise, and your transmitter. When your antenna. The dummy load will
gives you the effect of a new antenna is connected to your help prevent you from receiving
receiver for just a transmitter and the transmitter that infamous " pink ticket"
comparatively few dollars. tuned to resonance, a signal from the FCC. I got one once
Sometimes a combination will be radiated . Unfortunately, and , believe me, it isn 't worth
converter-preamplifier will do there are times when it is the hassle.
the trick. These operate by illegal to radiate a signal
using the existing receiver as a because it will interfere with Accessories after the fact
fixed i-f, and tuning the another station. Yet you may The foregoing items will
converter; and sometimes by want to load the antenna and allow you to put a decent
using the receiver as a tunable tune the transmitter to that signal on the air and should
i-f. In either case, your hearing frequency. What do you do? take care of your immediate
will be improved and, along You obtain a dummy load, needs for equipment. As time
with it, your ability to work that's what. A dummy load is goes by, however, you'll want
weak stations. really a resistor that " looks" some other items to make your
like an antenna to the operating easier, smoother, and
The skywire transmitter and accepts power more pleasant. In short, you'll
Most of us are in a hurry to from the transmitter for tuning want to upgrade your station.
get on the air and tend to purposes. You can plug in the Here are some ideas.
skimp in the antenna dummy load, tune the
department. This is not a good transmitter, and never put an Electronic keyer
practice, because - next to interfering signal on the air. Electronic keyers are a big
your receiver - a good Your next purchase ought to convenience and offer an
antenna is the most valuable be a dummy load. If you can't opportunity for you to increase
piece of equipment you can buy it, make it. Once the your sending speed and
own. Put up the longest, transm itter is tuned to the improve the quality of your CW
highest antenna you can transmissions. Some of the
manage. If it is a long wire, you older tube-type keyers are still
will need a tuner to resonate it available at reasonable prices,
on the various frequencies you and do an excellent job. The
plan to work. The antenna tuner newer ones are solid-state and
is something like a gearshift in battery-powered, in addition to
a car, it takes power from the being smaller. An electronic
power source and puts it where keyer makes self-completing
you need it most, with dots and dashes; by holding
maximum efficiency. If wire You can buy a single set of keyer pad· the lever to the right , dots are
antennas are your choice, get dies on a base, or you can get paddles produced and by holding the
and a straight key together on one base.
an antenna tuner that will be Ham Radio Center, St. Louis, Missouri,
lever to the left, dashes are
able to match your antenna to offers th is dual model, and several styles made - automatically. A
the transmitter. Most of the of keyer paddles alone. · disadvantage of an automatic

November 1977 fil 41

 connected in parallel with the
electronic keyer, or at least
ready to plug in at a moment's
notice. There are times when
you will want it, even after you
become a high-speed operator.
Mechanical keyers are called
"bugs." They have adjustable
speed and are somewhat less
expensive than electronic
keyers. Paddle feel is good and
many adjustments are possible
-
A device to indicate the amount of power
coming out of the transmitter should be
very high on your list of desi rable ac-
Next leap past an automatic key for a cessories. They are avai lable in many
dyed-in-the-wool CW man is a Morse to suit your individual style. power ranges, but most will handle up to
keyboard. This beautiful accessory One thing , though , dashes 1000 watts. Many of them include cir-
works best, of course, if you can touch· must be made manually; dots cuitry to look at reflected power (or
type. It makes all of the necessary dots are automatic. SWR). Wh il e obtaining extremely low
and dashes, together with proper speed SWR is usually not very importan t , this
and spacing, for any letter or sy mbol that Both mechanical bugs and metering feature can be invaluable when
you type. Besides that, some keyboards electronic keyers are easily you want to make a quick check to see if
are capable of sending code at variable adj usted to a wide range of all is well at the antenna end of things.
speeds up to 100 words per minute; sending speeds, all the way
mu ch faster than most CW operators
can copy. A deluxe accessory. from about 5 to 50 words per
minute. Some of the keyers
have memory devices that will is almost perfect and really
keyer is that it requires you to store several complete sounds that way. It is easy to
conform to it, and you tend to sentences. Contest operators copy, and machine-like in
lose a characteristic style of like these because they can put rhythm and speed. Speed is
se nding - or fist - as it's a complete ca and station adjustable from about 5 words
called. In some cases this is identification in the memory per minute or less to over 100
good, but in general your fist and - by pushing a button - words per minute!
will sound very regular and have the information sent at
mechanical when using a any desired speed. Antenna rotators and beams
keyer. If you are an outright One of the latest innovations Someday you will want to put
individualist, you may not want is the Morse keyboard, up a rotary beam antenna to
to give up your own style. something like a typewriter, concentrate your signal in a
When you buy a keyer, think that automatically converts favored direction and to
about whether you want one typed information into Morse exclude unwanted signals from
with a built-in paddle or an code characters. If you're a other directions. A great variety
external paddle. The keyers good typist , you may want to of beams are available, but the
with external paddl es usually give one of these a try, most popu lar are the Yagi and
provide a somewhat superior although it is a large departure the cubical quad types. Beams
control of the paddle from the old way of doing are available in mono-band
adjustments and feel , but they th ings. Code sent by keyboard styles or multiband styles with
tend to be larger and are made j ust one feedline. Multiband
up of two units: The paddle, Among the devices designed to help the beams are usually tri-banders,
and the box containing the CW operator to separate signals on a covering ten, fifteen, and
electronic circuits. All-in -o ne crowded band is this Binaural Synthe· twenty meters. They are large,
sizer-Filter from Hildreth Engineering. It
units are smaller, and syn th es izes a binaural sound from a
rather heavy, and quite
everything is contained in a monaural source, whi ch can be used to expensive, but they do give
single box, but paddle separate signals into two groups - one your signal a big advantage
adjustments and feel are not as in eac h ea r if yo u use earphones over a signal radiated from an
easy to control. designed for " both-ears " listening . It ordinary antenna. You will want
also put s a unique " tone-tag" modula-
Kit keyers are also available, tion on any signal that is at the crossover to put the antenna as high as
and if you feel like beginning point of the two filters. It was o riginally possible and clear of
some home construction described in the November, 1976 iss ue su rrounding objects, which
projects, this route is a good of ham radio , page 52. requires a tower.
one because you can save To point the beam you will
some money, gain experience, need a rotator with a remote
and produce an excellent directional ind icator in the
quality keyer that could last as shack. You can build a beam
long as you need a key. One but you will probably want to
thing , though , don 't ever give buy a rotator. For the large r tri -
up your straight key! Leave it at banders, a heavy-duty rotator is
your operating position, a must, but for the small, light

42 ~ November 1977
mono-banders for ten or fifteen influence people. The choice is
meters, you can sometimes get up to you.
away with a heavy-duty TV
rotator. Don 't expect to put up
a beam, sup port, and rotator '
1 ~ --lf.- :ii.'~*·-
\~
~
.
~· ~·· ·~''
...... .......... """' "~'"
Some fin al ideas
By now, you may have a
cheaply; figure on spending good idea of what your station
several hundred to a thousand needs, but you may wonder
dollars. Like anything else, Phone patches are devices to allow you just where to put all this
to connect your receiver and transmitter
performance carries a steep to the telephone lines. In this way you
equipment and how to arrange
price. can let someone on the air talk directly it. Above all, your operating
Phone patches to friends or relatives at the other end of position should be convenient
a telephone line. It is also helpful in and comfortable. Many
Eventually, after you obtain emergency situations, where the speed amateurs arrange their stations
operating privileges in the of a direct conversation, without a go·
in console form , with the major
phone bands, you may want to between, is essential. Mos t of the
"patc hes" ava ilable have features pieces of equipment arranged
perform a service for overseas simi lar to this one by Heath - simple in the center, and accessories
stations in countries having control s to adjust the transmit and placed on either side or above
third-party traffic agreements receive audio, and a meter so you can
the major items, possibly
with the United States. In monitor the audio level across the phone
line. arranged in a U-shape. Leave
particular, U.S. servicemen plenty of space at the front of
overseas are always looking for a wiggly green line on an the desk for writing , and room
a way to talk to their families illuminated screen. for your forearm to rest when
and friends back home. Oscilloscopes are similar to you use your key or keyer. A
amateur radio has been a television sets because they good lamp that provides
traditional means of doing this, display visual information on illumination but doesn' t shine
and stations equipped with cathode-ray tubes in somewhat in your eyes will be a big help,
phone-patch facilit ies can the same manner. For example, and you may want to consider
perform this useful and happy you can see what your the type having an adjustable
service. modulated signal looks like, arm that can be fastened to an
Basically, a phone patch is a and compare its waveform with edge of your table or desk.
device that connects your an ideal waveform. By this A station clock should be
home telephone to your comparison you can adjust easily visible from the
receiver and transmitter, so your transmitter to provide the operating position , and will
that a party at the other end of desired waveform , and know probably be a digital type set to
the line can speak through your that your transmitted signal is GMT. If you are a DXer, a world
transmitter and listen through beyond reproach . Another type map will be helpful to you. Try
your receiver. Phone patches of oscilloscope can be to find a map that has callsign
can be built or bought, but connected to your receiver and prefixes for the various
must be designed not to shows a panoramic display of countries marked in it, and also
interfere in any way with the signals over a considerable the various zones of the world
telephone company circuits. portion of the band you're prominently displayed. Great
This requires an interface using. You can compare circle bearings from your
device approved by the relative signal strengths, find location to other countries will
telephone company. open spaces where you can be a help in pointing your beam
Phone patches are mixed transmit and receive with in the proper direction.
blessings because many minimum interference, and Last but not least, you'll
stations make nuisances of generally get an overall view of want a microphone that
themselves requesting your what's going on. compliments your voice and
services, at times and places Monitor scopes are available transmitter. My suggestion
most inconvenient to you. You in kit form and can be built into would be a dynamic
will want to treat this whole useful and interesting station microphone of restricted audio
matter cautiously, and not go accessories. You can also buy range, designed for single-
roaring into phone patching them ready to use, at a higher sideband operation. There are
without listening to other price of course. Some types dozens of types and makes
stations performing this have the ability to serve as from which to choose. So
service. Listen first. then both waveform monitors and listen to the stations that
decide. panoramic viewers, serving sound the best and ask their
Monitor scopes and such both your transmitter and operators what they use.
A good way to "look" at your receiver needs. When another With a completely equipped
signal, or signals from other station asks, "How's my station, the rest is up to you.
stations, is with an signal?" you can tell him Use it conservatively and
oscilloscope - a device that exactly how it is. This may, or courteously, and make friends
displays a signal in the form of may not, win friends and for amateur radio. HRH

November 1977 m 43
An oscilloscope is one of the is a combination of these two screen of the cathode-ray
most useful pieces of test basic directions. The moving tube (CRT).
equipment available for the dot is said to sweep across the
electronic hobbyist, builder, screen and form a trace in the Focus - for adjusting the
experimenter, and radio phosphor. Phosphors can be sharpness of the trace from a
amateur. You can use it to selected for their persistence, blur to a distinct line.
display peak voltage against a that is, the length of time they Vertical-Horizontal Position -
time base, to measure peak-to· will glow after being excited by for centering the trace on the
peak voltages, for signal the electrons, but this is screen.
waveform analysis, and - with determined by the
the aid of a small outboard manufacturer of the cathode· Vertical Attenuator - for
accessory - for testing ray tube and really doesn't adjusting the strength of the
semiconductors. Before we concern us now. signal presented to the vertical
take a closer look at some of The controls on an amplifier circuit in the scope.
its details, let's first find out a oscilloscope may seem When set in the X1 position,
little about what kind of animal bewildering at first, but once the signal is fed directly to the
the oscilloscope really is, and the basic purpose of each vertical amplifier. When set to
where it comes from. control is learned, the X10, the signal is attenuated
An oscilloscope is related to oscilloscope becomes a very (reduced in strength) by a
your television set because simple instrument to use. Most factor of 10. Some scopes have
both contain a cathode-ray tube 'scopes have the following numerous attenuator steps.
capable of displaying controls, and some may have
information on its screen. A more: Vertical Gain - for adjusting
cathode-ray tube produces a
stream of electrons that are
Intensity - for adjusting the
the amplification of the vertical
amplifier circuit and the height
,
focused or concentrated in a brightness of the trace on the of display.
beam and accelerated to a Horizontal Selector - for
phosphor screen placed on the selecting one of various
inside surface of the tube's horizontal inputs such as
faceplate. The beam of sawtooth sweep, 60 Hz source,
electrons excites the phosphor +
a ._,~-+-~~~~~-.-'-
or external synchronization, to
screen and forms a glowing, be applied to the horizontal
P- P•2 82X
greenish-white dot. The RMS
amplifier circuits.
oscilloscope and TV set also
have deflection circuits that act Phasing Control - for
Fig. 1. Shows a typical sine-wave trace of
upon the electron beam and one complete cycle, and Illustrates the adjusting the starting point of a
move it up or down and left or differences between peak-to-peak and trace to any desired point on
right, or in some direction that rms voltages. the displayed waveform.

46 m November1977
Coarse Sweep - for adjusting a waveform representing an one complete cycle.
the range of sweep frequencies externally-generated signal, Expensive oscilloscopes
(coarse tuning} applied to the that signal is introduced have a desirable feature known
horizontal amplifier. through the vertical input as triggered sweep, meaning
terminal on the front panel of that the input pulse or signal
Vernier Sweep - for adjusting starts and stops the sweep.
the oscilloscope. The
the frequency of the sweep horizontal-sweep frequency is Triggered-sweep oscilloscopes
voltage applied to the adjusted to the frequency of have precisely-calibrated
horizontal amplifier (fine the input signal by adjusting vertical and horizontal gain
tuning) within the range set by the Coarse and Vernier controls to facilitate time and
the Coarse Sweep control. sweep controls, until the voltage measurements, and
Inserting the Signal waveform trace is stabilized usually have a square-wave
When it is desired to observe on the screen. Example: A voltage term inal for calibration
single sine wave, that is, purposes .
The input signal passes
through a blocking capacitor on
its way to the vertical amplifier
circuit of the oscilloscope . The
capacitor may be switched in
or out of the signal path. If the
capacitor is switched in, any de
voltage present on the input
signal will be prevented from
appearing on the displayed
trace. If the capacitor is
switched out, a trace
representing the ac voltage , as
well as the de voltage, will be
displayed on the screen.
(!(
Using the Oscilloscope
The active ham or
experimenter can find a
number of different and
valuable uses for the
oscilloscope. For example :
Voltage measurement. The
oscilloscope can display de,
sine wave, square wave, sweep,
and synchronizing voltages.
The sine wave voltage is used
for calibrating the scope for
peak-to-peak (p-p) voltage
measurements. Fig. 1 shows
the relationship between peak
and rms voltage.
Rms voltage is usually read
with the aid of a meter, and
peak·to-peak voltage may be
determined by multiplying the ·
rms value by 2.82. Therefore,
the common line voltage found
in the home will read 117 volts
Fig. 2. These are Lissajous figures pro· ac on the meter, but is actually
duced by s ine-wave inputs of d ifferent f re- 330 volts peak-to-peak. Having
quenc ies fed to the vertical and horizontal calibrated the oscilloscope by
input terminals. At the uppe r left , th e f re· adju sting the sine waveform
quenc ies are identi cal; a ratio of 1:1. A ratio
of 2:1 (horizontal frequency twice that of the
trace to the proper height on
vertica l) is s hown at upper right. Other the screen, other voltages may
ratios can be determined by counting the be displayed and accurately
peaks (no matter how g radual the c urve is) determined.
in eac h direction. To calibrate the vertical gain
control, hook up the low

November 1977 m 47
voltage (output) side of a 117- as the result of applying sine
to 6.3-volt ac transformer to the wave signals to both the
vertical input terminal of the vertical and horizontal input
oscilloscope. Since the p-p terminals of the oscilloscope. AUOIO
OSCILLATOR
value of 6.3 volts rms is For example, a known ,
approximately 18 volts (actually standard-frequency, ac voltage,
17.77 volts), adjust the vertical such as the 60-cycle power
gain control until the trace frequency, is applied to the
pattern occupies a vertical horizontal amplifier terminals,
height of 18 divisions on the while an unknown-frequency ac INPUT

plastic grid that overlies the voltage is applied to the

AM"LIF'rER
face of the cathode ray tube. vertical amplifier terminals of UN0£R
TEST
This grid, or reticule, is divided the oscilloscope. The resulting
into tenths of an inch (2.54mm), waveform displayed on the OUTPUT
just for this purpose. As long screen will be a symmetrical LO AD

as the vert ical gain control is pattern of interlocking traces

left at this calibration point, whose dimensions and
each mark on the plastic appearance are the result of
reticule will represent one volt. the ratio between the horizontal
Now you may apply any ac and vertical input frequencies. VERTICAL
voltage up to 6.3 volts rms to By counting the loops on both INPUT
the vertical input terminals of sides of the patterns , you can OSCILLOSCOPE

the oscilloscope , and find the ratio and, therefore , HORIZONTAL

INPUT
accurately " read" its exact determine the unknown
peak-to-peak value. The same frequency. Fig. 2 shows a few
procedure may be followed patterns that you may Ftg. 3 Block diagram showing t he basic
with other voltages by first encounter, and how to count c onnections between an aud io osc il·
calibrating the 'scope to a the loops to find the ratio. lator, and audio ampl ifier and an oscillo·
known voltage in the manner scope for the purpose of determining the
described above. Power output measurement phase relationship between t he signal
fed into the amplifier and t he amplified
Suppose you want to output signal.
Frequency measurement measure the power output of
Lissajous figures are used to an audio amplifier. Connect the
measure frequency. A speaker-output terminals of the terminals of the oscilloscope.
Lissajous f igure is a waveform ampl ifier to a load resistor Hook up a signal generator, set
trace appearing on the screen across the vertical-input it to 1000 Hz, and connect its
output to the input of the
The real value of a oscilloscope becomes apparent when you use it as a diagnostic tool amplifier. Now increase the
to look inside an ailing electronic ci rcu it. gain of the audio amplifier until
the displayed waveform beg ins
to look distorted, and then
reduce it until the distortion
just disappears. Then, having
first calibrated your 'scope to a
known voltage as mentioned
earlier, you can read the peak-
to-peak voltage put out by the
amplifier. You then mu ltip ly the
peak-to-peak value by 0.355 to
find the rms voltage, and use
the foll owing formula to
determine power:

p = IJ..2
R
(1)

where E is the rms voltage, A is

the voice coil impedance (or
oad resistance) in ohms, and P
is power in watts.
Phase shift
An amplifier is supposed to
shift the phase of an input

48 fr.'TI.
l.h!A.l November 1977
 signal by a multiple of 180
degrees, but the actual phase
shift may be more or less than
this. To determine the input -
output phase relationship of a
particular amplifier, proceed as
follows. Hook up an audio
oscillator and an audio
frequency ampli fier as shown
in Fig. 3. On the oscilloscope,
set the vertical and horizontal
amplifier gain controls for the
same amount of amplification.
Now, vary the frequency of the
O degrees (In phase) 101015degrees audio oscillator through the
range of frequencies for which
the ampl ifier was designed and
compare the patterns you see
on the osc illoscope with those
shown in Fig. 4.
For a permanent record of
your amplifier's performance ,
plot a chart of frequency vs
phase shift, using graph paper.
Lay out values of phase shift
from 0 to 180 degrees, using
convenient steps of ten or
fifteen degrees per increment,
along the ordinate (vertical
axis), and lay out frequencies,
20 to 30 degrees 60 to 80 degrees
from the lowest to the highest
you intend to measure, along
the abscissa (horizontal axis) of
the paper. Now, by watching
the 'scope patterns at any
particular frequency in the
range you should be able to
find the numbe r of degrees of
i nput/output phase shift at that
frequen cy. Make a mark on the
graph paper where each of the
frequency and phase·shift
values intersect. After plotting
frequ ency vs phase shift for all
the frequencies you are
interested in observing,
90 degrees Approximately 150 degrees connect the plotted po ints on
the graph to form a smooth
curve. At some point, the
input/output phase relationship
should be 180 degrees. If not,
there may be some problems
w ith the amplifier design or its
function. In any case, your
'scope will have given you an
accurate picture of your
Fig. 4 . Illu strates the Lissajous pattern s amplifier's performan ce. The
obtained with the setup of Fig. 3 when a abscissa represents zero phase
variety of phase relationships between
input and output signals are displayed
sh ift.1
on th e osc ill osco pe. In a properly
designed and operating amplifier, the
Audio response measurement
relationship should be 180 degrees. To test an amplifier for audio
180degrees response, you need a square

November 1977 Ill 49

 Fig. 6 An auxiliary or " out- 560 TO SCOPE
C VV-----<~---1>--<l
.---S£-'V ~!:UT~ CA L
board" device that can be at-
tached to an oscilloscope for
the purpose of analyzing cir· N
II '----
63 VAC

-
tOO

--+-- -+-----<>
TO SCOPE
H()R1ZOHTAL
'NPUT
cu it components such as
semiconductors , resistors , Tf'ST
CL IPS 1000
capacitors ; and shorted or OR
PROBES
open circuts.

'1

terminals of the oscilloscope, see the waveform from an

as before. Connect the sweep amplifier having poor low·
terminal of the square wave frequency response, with phase
Oscilloscopes can be simple or com- generator to the horizontal shift, and with poor high·
plicated, but don 't let the number of input terminal of the frequency response.
knobs and controls scare you. They all fit oscilloscope. If the square
into one of three categories: one group wave generator has no sweep Outboard devices
controls the brightness and focus of
what is on the screen; another group terminal , then the square wave In order to extend the
controls the speed, timing , and width of output signal will also serve as versati lity and usefulness of
scanning in a horizontal direction; and a sweep signal merely by your oscilloscope, there are
another group controls the gain of the connecting the generator several outboard devices that
amplifiers for vertical movement of the
spot. With a bit of practice, you can use a
output to the horizontal input you can use to " conve rt" your
scope for anything that you would need terminal of the 'scope. Now 'scope for making other
a volt-ohm-milliammeter for, plus a lot observe the patterns on the measurements. The device
more. oscilloscope as you set the shown in Fig. 6 is a simple
square wave generator to circuit that will allow you to
several frequencies within the test transistors, diodes,
wave generator which is frequency range of the resistors, capacitors, and
another form of signal amplifier being tested. inductors.2 It is called a
generator that produces square Fig. 5 illustrates the various semiconductor tracer and
waves instead of the sine waveforms, based on square "draws" Lissajous f igures on
waves produced by an ordinary wave forms, obtainable with a the oscilloscope screen . The
audio oscillator. The output of simple set up. In a properly circuit is very handy for testing
the square wave generator operating amplifier, the steep semiconductors without
should be connected to input sides show good high· removing them from their
of the amplifier under test. The frequency response, and the circuits. For example, a "noisy"
output of the amplifier is flat tops indicate good low· semiconductor will produce a
connected to the vertical input frequency response. You can very "fuzzy" pattern on the

Output from an amplifier having good high-frequenc y res ponse, ind icat ed by t he steep sides o f t he waveform and good low frequenc y response in-
d icated by the flat t ops of the waveform

Waveform disp lay ed with the amp lifier has Phase s hi ft, ind icated by the square wave pat- Waveform when high·freq uency response is
poor low-frequency response; note the s teeply tern distorted toward something that approx- poor; note the rounded comers and sloping
sloping tops o n the wavefo rm imates a s ine wave sides

Fig. 5. Variations of a square wave pattern that could be obtained when a square wave oscillator, an audio amplifier and an
oscilloscope are used to determine "linearity" of the amplifier's frequency response.

50 m November 1977
 $29.95 each 'K-1 FIELD REPLACEABLE,
PLUG-IN. FREQUENCY
Wired and tested, complete with · DETE~MINING"' ELEMENTS
K-1 element $3.00 each

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 51

 capacitance that often distorts
the waveform. Low capacitance
probes can be constructed or
purchased that will eliminate
the problem of capacitance as
well as hum pick-up. Although
the probe attenuates the signal
appreciably, most
oscilloscopes have sufficient
amplif ier gain to increase the
signal voltage sufficiently to
obtain a viewable display.
Safety and precautions
Short circuit or shorted component Open circuit or component 1. Use shielded leads to all
inputs of the oscilloscope. This
reduces pick-up of hum and
unwanted signals.
2. Do not align a receiver
until the oscilloscope and the
receiver have had a warm-up
time of at least ten minutes. In
fact, this is a good rule to
remember with any test
equipment. Allow enough
warm-up time for the
equipment to stabilize.
3. Always ground the chassis
of the oscilloscope to protect
yourself from shock and to
Resistance Inductance
reduce the pick-up of stray
signals, such as 60- or 120-Hz
Fig. 7. Typical Lissajous patterns ob- hum for example, that may be
tained using the circuit of Fig. 6 to
analyze various components and circuit present in the test equipment
conditions. or in the equipment being
tested.
oscilloscope. Fig. 7 illustrates References
a variety of patterns that can be
produced by the circuit of Fig. 1. George Zwick, The
6 when its two probes are Oscilloscope , Gernsback
bridged across the part to be Publications, Inc., 1954, page 136.
tested. This handy circuit 2. David L. Ludlow, "The
applies only one volt at one Octopus", QST, January, 1975,
milliampere to the page 40.
semiconductor, ensuring that 3. The Radio Amateur's Handbook,
no damage will be done to it. Capacitance
American Radio Relay League,
Circuit components arranged in Newington, Connecticut, 1976,
pages 374, 399. HRH
series or parallel configurations
may also be tested with this equipment in addition to the
outboard device. oscillator, and a pick-up/tuning
unit are needed. ARRL's
Monitoring your ssb transmitter publication, The Radio
Amateur's Handbook, gives the
A single-sideband transmitter necessary information needed
cannot be completely tested by to construct and use these
a meter because a meter pieces of test equipment. 3
cannot follow the complex When using your
output waveform produced by oscilloscope, you should use a
the fluctuations of the human shielded cable to reduce hum
voice. To view the output of a pickup that will affect the
ssb transmitter, you need waveform trace. Unfortunately,
several pieces of test shielded cable introduces " No daddy don't care If we play In here ... "

52 m November 1977
 Para-Graphics iS now offering the finest quality cards
available anywhere. Our stock cards are designed by a
staff of professional designers. We offer a selection of
20 stock cards covering a wide variety of subject matter,
all designed with your QSL needs in mind.
Or if you would like lo design your own cards, we offer
a large selection of Ari Samples, type styles, and colors
for you to choose from. We even have several cards that
we will custom design for you using a photograph of you,
your family, or whatever you like.
Whatever your QSL needs,
Para-Graphics offers you the very best.

Send 50¢ with this coupon

for yom: FULL COLOR CATALOG.

Dept. HRH-2
para·graphics P. 0. Box 268
Whitehall, Pa. 18052

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 ~ 53

 contest or at the crucial
moment when you are trying to
crack the pile-up on that rare
once-in-a-lifetime DX station.
Specifications meaningful?
You bet they are; but what's
.. - - -----.. not specified may tell you as
[}Ii- 0 Ul'ff• lt'J much as what is. Look for hard,
precise numbers and facts -
9 (l look out for glittering
generalizations and grandoise
• • phraseology.
Long-term average d-c power
input tells you more about an
amplifier's real ruggedness
than does any other specifi-
cation, but you won 't find such
a figure in many specification
sheets. This is also referred to
as " continuous-duty, no-time-
limit (NTL), fsk at 100 per
cent duty cycle," or in a variety
of other, equivalent ways. It's
more impressive to emphasize
peak (PEP) or CW power limits
which assume, often implicitly
rather than openly, a duty cycle
limited to as little as 20 to 50
per cent. Responsible manufac-
turers clearly and unambig-
uously specify the duty cycle
for each mode.
How important is PEP?
Peak Envelope Power is the
maximum level to which the
• • amplifier can be driven
momentarily on voice peaks. It
is largely determined by tube
(or tran sistor) characteristics
and t ypically ranges from 2 to 5
times the long-term average
Questi0ns power capability of the
equipment. Unless your
About Linears operation is confined to
occasional periods of ssb, PEP
alone is not a very useful
Things you should ask before you buy a linear: amplifier indi cator of a particular
amplifier's servicability for your
BY DICK EHRHORN, W4ETO purposes.

Linear amplifiers are different contest. At some stations, the How about the efficiency?
things to different people. To linear is capable of reaching Most high-quality, modern,
some, a linear may be useful to the full legal power limit that amplifiers using Eimac (or
boost 10 watts from a two- amateurs are allowed; other similar) grounded-g rid triode
meter ssb rig up to the 60- or linears work at half that level. tubes tend to deliver about the
100-watt level for extending Whatever the use you have for same level of efficiency -
their mobile range. To others, it a linear amplifier, it is wise to commonly around 60 per cent
is a means of having the ask some searching questions - on the lower frequency
co nvenience of a low-power and read the specifications amateur bands. Some
(QRP) rig for travel, but the careful ly. Not only do you want deteriorate noticeably on 10
punch of a big signal at home it to last a long time, but you meters; some don't. Some fairly
when the going gets rough in a don't need a failure during a popular, lower-priced linears

54 [fill November 1977

using older tube types and/or equal, a power transformer's over all major heat-generating
poorly designed output circuits capability goes down faster components - particularly the
may operate at less than 50 per than its size and weight. power transformer - before
cent efficiency on son:ie banc;Js. pushing it over or through the
Manufacturers of quality equip- Tubes: Nearly all modern, high-
tubes. What happens to the hot
ment generally specify effi- quality amplifiers use triodes air after it's heated by the
ciency and/or typical rt power specifically designed and rated
tubes? Is it exhausted directly
output as well as de input. tor grounded-grid rt linear-
to the outside, or does it
amplifier service. The tube circulate inside the cabinet and
Should I worry manufacturers' ratings are the
contribute to heating of the
about distortion? best indication of maximum other components? How is the
potential power capability.
A new FCC rule requires that transformer cooled? At the very
Eimac's operating-hours least, provision should be made
each harmonic or other warranty illustrates the point:
spurious (i.e., outside the for relatively unobstructed
it's pro-rated to 3000 hours for natural convection; forced-air
amateur band in use) output tubes used in amateur linears.
from any high-power amplifier cooling is much better.
However, don't forget that Restricting transformer
operating below 30 MHz be at plate dissipation capability -
least 40-41 dB weaker than the ventilation, or perhaps even
and hence the average power exposing it to radiated or
fundamental frequency output. that any tube(s) can safely
As a rule, amplifiers convected tube heat, is simply
handle - depends entirely on poor design.
incorporating full Pi·L output the effectiveness of the cooling
networks will have harmonics system provided by the "Special features" are
at least 10-15 dB lower than equipment manufacturer! really worthwhile?
those that use a simple Pi
circuit. Manufacturers are not Plate output network. At 14 It costs relatively little to
ordinarily hesitant to point out MHz and above, plate-tuning- include full frequency coverage
thi s feature and specify coil losses can become of 160 through 10 meters in a
harmonic suppression , which is significant unless heavy, low- typical new amplifier, and the
typically 50 dB or greater with loss inductors are used and extra versati I ity can be very
the Pi-L. If harmonic output is the operating Q is well convenient to have. A built-in rf
not specified for an amplifier. controlled. Quality equipment directional wattmeter capable
that has a simple Pi network, rt has heavy copper tubing for of measuring both forward and
is well to check further. these coils, which are silver reflected power makes it easy
plated to keep the losses low to check ampl ifier performance
What can I tell about over many years of use. The and antenna vswr without the
a linear by looking? Pi-L type output network also extra cost of an external
A close look inside can tell permits the use of lower loaded instrument. Finally, a HI/LO or
you a great deal about Q and hence yields lower SSB/CW switch , which provides
components, workmanship, and losses than are practical with a a choice of high or medium
overall quality. straight Pi circuit. plate voltages, can be very
Vacuum-variable tuning convenient for tuning up or for
Transformer. The size and switching quickly from ssb to
capacitors are compact,
weight of the power CW or slow-scan TV at full
flashover resistant, and help to
transformer(s) provide an maintain a more efficient tank legal power without the need to
excellent guide to long-term readjust the loading. It might
circuit Q at the higher .
average power capability. A frequencies; unfortunately their also be worth checking for
conventional transformer suitable reduction drives on the
cost limits their use to the
capable of powering an more expensive linear tuning and loading controls to
amplifier to 1000 watts de input amplifiers. make amplifier adjustment easy
on a true no-time-limit basis The high-powered output on the higher amateur bands.
typically weighs 40-45 pounds circuit is also an excellent area
and would just fit in a Does the factory
to inspect for design details warranty mean anything?
rectangular box of roughly 300 and workmanship that spell
c ubic inches (4900 cm3). The manufacturer's warranty
quality. Check for the use of
The use of a filter choke is by far your best protection
heavy conductors which are
reduces required transformer against defects or major
neatly wrapped or crimped, and
capacity by about 30 per cent, failures. The terms and
thoroughly sweat-soldered into duration of the factory warranty
and a custom transformer smooth, shiny joints.
using a tape-wound core of also may offer a pretty good
special grain-oriented steel Cooling system. Amplifiers idea of the confidence he has
may be only one-half the size generate heat, and heat is the in his product - confidence
and weight of a conventional enemy of electronic equipment. built up as a result of the
unit - but much more Look for thoughtful design that reliability record of the
expensive. Other factors being circulates cool incoming air equipment. HRH

November 1977 rr;:T1

LL!.l.l 55
 Permit w ith privileges authorized
by the Permit , but which exceed
the privileges of the licensee's
permanent operator license, the
station must be identified in t he
following manner:
(1) On radiotelephony, by the
transmission of the station call
sign, followed by the word
"interim", followed by the special
Identifier shown on the interim
permit;
(2) On radiotelegraphy, by the
transmiss ion of the station call
~n , followed by the fraction bar
ON, followed by the spec ial
identifier shown on the

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS interim permit.

(g) The identification required
by this section shall be given on
each frequency being utilized for
BY THOMAS McMULLEN, W1SL identified by the transmission of transmission and shall be
its call sign at the beginning and transmitted either by telegraphy
end of each single transmission using the international Morse
I hope you can bear with me as o r exchange of transmissions code, or by telephony, using the
I con tin ue going through the and at intervals not to exceed 10 English language. If the
minu tes during any single identi f ication required by this
Rul es and Regulations part of section is made by an automatic
this series. Sure, there are a lot transmission or exchange of
transmissions of more than 10 device used only f or identi-
of them, but remember that the minut es duration. Additionally, at fication by telegraphy, t he code
planning committee had to the end of an exchange of s peed shall not exceed 20 words
think of a lot of possibilities , teleg raphy (other than teleprinter) per minute. The Commiss ion
or telephony transmissions encourages the use of a
and try to formulate rules that nationally or Int ernat ionally
between amateu r statio ns, the
would fit any situation that call s ign (or the generally recognized standard phonetic
might ari se. The world accepted netwo rk identifier) shall alphabet as an aid for correct
changed, techn ology advanced, be g iven for the station , or for at telephone Ident ificat ion.
and as the amateurs made use least one of the group of I would guess that the
stations, with w hi ch communi-
of the changes they brought up practice of over-identifying is
cation was established.
questions and situati ons that (b) Under conditions when the one that is most noticeable
did not fit the original rules. control operator is other than the among the beginning amateur
Thi s called for revisions and , in station licensee, the statio n on the high-freq uency bands,
some cases, additi ons to the identification shall be the and almost all amateur stations
assigned call sign for that
rule s. There will still be stat io n. However, when a station identify too frequently when
chang es, of cou rse, but we can is operated within the privileges they are talking through
do our best to und erstand what of t he operator's class of license repeaters or on vhf fm . Perhaps
we have to use at the moment. but whic h exceed those o f the it is because they misread the
So , smile . . . here we go again. station licensee, station first paragraph in section 97.87.
iden t ification shall be made by
following the stat ion call sign The confusing part see ms to
Station operation be that phrase , " each single
with the operator's primary
As an amateu r, you have station call s ign (i.e. transmission." There is more to
great fle xibility in how you WN4XXZ/W4XX). the sentence, and the very next
(c) A repeater stati o n shal l be
operate your stati on, when you identified by rad io-telephony or part should clea r it up, "or
operate it, and who you can by radio t elegraphy when In exc hange of tran smissions,"
talk to. There are very few service at in tervals not to exceed Wh at they are tryi ng to say is
restri ctions on what you say 5 minutes at a level of that if you are going to make
over your stati on, and the mod ulation sufficient to be j ust one transmission, or you
intelligible through the repeated
paperwork t hat goes with transmission . think that there is a chance
keeping you r stat ion legal is (d) A control station must be that you wi ll make ju st one,
minimal. Station identi fication iden t ified by its assigned station you should ident ify at the
is required, not only to tell the call sig n unless its emissions beg inning and end of it. For
contain the call sign identifi·
other amateur who you are, bu t cation of the remotely controlled instance, you have been
to aid th e FCC (o r anyone else) statio n. listening to your fri end on
in locating you if the need (e) An auxiliary link stat ion BO-meter CW for several
arise s. Here are the FCC rul es must be iden t ified by its mi nutes, and he is going to
regarding identification: assigned stat io n call sign unless
it s emissions con tain the cal l
turn it back t o you. You have an
sign of its associated station. interruption and know that it
97.87 Station identification.
(f) When operating under the will be some time before you
(a) An amateur station s hall be authori ty of an Interim Amateur come back to fini sh up the

56 ~ N ovember 1977
QSO, but you don't want to the net, your call, and away you license must be posted in a
leave him hanging there. You go. If the group is not an conspicuous place (that means
might answer him something organized net with a name, where it can be seen) in your
like this: then you can use the call of station, or you can keep it on
one of those you have been your person (in a wallet or
WB6XXX DE WB1XXX R TNX JOE talking to as the one you are pocket). However, if you
BT SORRY BUT MUST GO NW BT
WIFE CANT GET CAR STARTED
signing out with . This can be operate portable or mobile, you
BT WILL CALL U WHEN I GET the " net control" station, or can have a photocopy of the
BACK BT WB6XXX DE one who seems to be in charge license with the mobile station
WB1XXX AR of things. Those who are in the while the original stays at
net or group must sti II identify home. This provision keeps you
That was one single from having to take the original
transmission from you, but you license out of its frame and put
hope there will be more. You it in your car every time you go
have identified properly and anywhere, and it allows you to
everyone is aware of who is provide a guest mobile operator
talking and what they are with proof that the station he is
doing. Later, you have the car using is properly licensed.
problem taken care of, and Also, if you are licensee of
come back to see if Joe is still more than one station (maybe
around. you have a remotely-controlled
WB6XXX DE WB1XXX ARE YOU station, or are trustee of a club
STILL HERE JOE BK station) you can post the
WB1XXX DE WB6XXX YES I AM original at that remote location,
HERE BT WHAT'S WRONG? BK and have a photocopy at your
BK THE CARS FLOODED AND home or control point.
BATT WAS LOW BT HAD TO The important things to
USE JUMPERS BK remember here are that the
BK RR THAT HAPPENED TO ME document which licenses you
LAST MO BT ... as an individual must stay with
"Whose call do I use?"
you if you expect to operate
The conversation continues like any place other than home; the
this for several more one that licenses your station
exchanges. You notice that it every ten minutes. It might go
like this : must stay with that station.
has been more than 8 or 9
minutes since you called Joe, "WD9ZZZ AND THE GROUP THIS Frequency measurement
so on the next break (BK) from IS WB1YYY ... " Broadcast stations,
him you go through a complete commercial two-way radio
identification procedure: License availability
services, television stations,
There are no tricks hidden in and the like must all determine
WHATYEARFORDISTHAT?BK the language of this section. It
WB6XXX DE WB1XXX IT IS 1971 their transmitting frequency to
states simply that you must a very precise degree, and
YOU KNOW GOOD CURE FOR
have your original operators maintain it within some very
FLOODING CARB? BK
license with you when you narrow tolerances. You , as an
WB1XXX DE WB6XXX NO NOT
operate an amateur station , and amateur, do not have to be that
FOR TT YEAR BT MY 1955
HADA .. . that it must be available upon precise. You must be certain
demand if a representative of that you are within your
You have satisfied the "end of the FCC wants to see it. authorized band or sub-band,
a series of transmissions" part Amateurs who are invited to and if you are operating close
of the rules, and because he operate ARRL's Maxim to the edge of that band, be
took the hint from you, Joe did Memorial Station, W1AW, are aware of the accuracy of your
the same. Of course at the end always asked to bring their measuring equipment and stay
of the whole contact (QSO) you original operators license within the limits of that
should both identify again. along. This is so the control accuracy. The section of the
The part of the rules about operator at that station can be FCC rules that governs
network or group identification sure of your license class and frequency measurements is as
is very nice. I can remember privileges before letting you at follows:
when a station signing out of a the key or microphone. It's his
net or roundtable discussion obligation as the control 97.75 Frequency measurement
had to give the call of every operator to do so. The station- and regular check.
The l icensee of an amateur
station in the group! It is no license requirement is similar, station shall provide for
longer necessary to do that - but with a couple of important measurement of the emitted
you simply state the name of differences. The original station carrier frequency or frequencies

November 1977 lE:J 57

 and shall establish procedure for hear from your own transmitter, measurement is upon your
making such measurement will cause several spurious
regularly. The measurement of
shoulders.
t he emitted carrier frequency or signals to be generated right in
frequencies shall be made by the receiver itself. One of these One-way transmissions
means independent of the means could be fooling you into When the Amateur Radio
used to control the radio thinki ng it was the main signal, Service was being established,
frequency or frequencies
generated by the transmitting
while in fact the actual trans- and the rules for its operation
apparatus and shall be of mitted energy was outside the were being put together, there
sufficient accuuracy to assure band, or perhaps in a different was some concern that a few
operation within the amateur part of the band , causing amateurs might want to use the
frequency band used . interference to someone. frequencies for broadcasting
purposes. Th e commercial
In the early days of radio, broadcast stations wanted to
you could check the wave- protect their inte res ts, and the
length of your transmitter by people beh ind the amateur
using a simple tuned circuit service wanted to protect their
with a calibrated dial and an frequencies , so a prov ision
indicator, such as a small bulb prohibiting broadcasting (one-
or meter in series with the coil. way transmissions) was
As the radio spectrum became inc luded. Personall y, I think
more crowded, the simple this was a very wise decision
tuned circuit, or wavemeter, - imagine having to wait
was no longer accurate through a couple of commer-
enough. The amateur frequency " Amateurs cannot commun icate with cial messages whi le you
segments were becom ing more other services." wanted to work that choice bit
sharply defined and an amateur of DX. Or the hard-to-get
needed to know just where the station in Idaho (which you
limits of his band of If your station does not have need for WAS) was on only for
frequencies were; this required a crystal calibrator of some the purpose of advertising
a more sophisticated means of sort in it, by all means get one . potatoes!
checking. Frequency standards There are several makes Anyway, there had to be a
were the usual piece of offered in the advertisement in prohibition against broad-
equipment that ruled the day, most ham magazines, and casting, but there had to be
and many versions were some will operate for many some exceptions for
described in amateur literature. months while powered by small emergency situations, code
They were highly stable batteries. A sample question practi ce, or for radio control of
crystal-controlled oscillators, for the frequency-checking part model s. Here is the text
usually working at 100 kHz, and of the rules might go some- concerning one-way
had good harmonic output so thing like this: transmissions starting with an
you could check frequencies The accuracy of measure- excerpt from section 97.89:
every 100 kHz up as far as
ment of your transmitter
30 MHz. A modernized version (b) Amateur stations may be
frequency shall be
of this oscillator is still used for transmitting signals, or
recommended to check your (a) 0.01% communications, or energy, to
(b) sufficient t o be sure that you are receiving apparatus for the
operating frequency. Many within the amateur band or measurement of emissions,
receivers or transceivers have segment temporary observati on of
them built in, under the name (c) 0.5% transmission phenomena, radio
crystal calibrator, or simply (d) as stated by the manufacturer o f control of remote objects, and
t he transmitter similar experimental purposes
calibrator. They are of
sufficient accuracy to enable and for the purposes set forth in
The correct answer (b), is easy 97.91 .
you to determine the safe to live with as long as you
97.91 One-way communications.
limits of the band edge or know the limitations of your In addition to the experimental
segment, provided that you ability to read your dial or one-way transmission permitted
c heck them against WWV or meter. If you cannot determine by 97.89, the following kinds of
another standard-frequency the frequency, as shown on a one-way communications,
station on a regular bas is. dial or digital readout, to better addressed to amateur stations,
are authorized and will not be
It is not sufficient to use than 100 hertz, and if your construed as broadcasting:
your stat ion receiver alone to crystal calibrator is no more (a) Emergency communications,
check your transmitter fre- stable than, say, 50 hertz, you including bonafide emergency
quency, especially in the case have to allow for those uncer- drill practice transmissions;
(b) Information bulletins
where you have a transmitter tainties in your measurement consisting solely of subject
separate from the receiver. A system. The responsibility for matter having direct Interest to
strong signal, such as you will determining the accuracy of the amateur radio service as

58 r::::;::J November 1977

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 such; (c) Round-table discussions (d) Control stations and an amateur signal many t imes,
or net-type operations where au xiliary link stations may not be and he is always approximately
more than two amateur stations used to communicate with any
are in communication, each other station than those shown the same strength, day or
station taking a turn at in the system network diagram. night, then he must be
t ransmitting to other station(s) of reaching you by ground wave
the group; and (d) Code practice Radio phenomena - again and is not too far away -
transmissions intended for
persons learning or improving
Okay, enough of the rules for ground-wave signals follow a
proficiency in the International a while. Let's get back to the predictable rule of decreasing
Morse Code. radio phenomena explanation strength versus distance.
that I started last month. However, if you hear an
In addition to the early fears As you recall , I showed how amateur signal that has a
about broadcasting and the fading characteristic, and
possibility that broadcasters eventually disapppears entirely,
might want to use the amateur the station was some distance
frequencies, there was a need away and the signal was
to keep the amateur stations reflected to you - a sky wave.
and the other services apart. A little ex perience in listening,
Again, it is mostly a matter of and studying the diagrams and
protection . Ship-to-shore, point- propagation information in
to-point, land mobile (police, Horizons and other
taxi , business radio), aircraft, publ ications, and you'll be able
all of these services had their to predict where you will be
"Imagine waiting through an Idaho hearing signals from at any
place in the spectrum and had potato commerc ial in you r quest for
no business talking to Worked All States." given time of day, or on a
amateurs, nor did the amateurs particular amateur band.
need to talk to them. All of the Let me take a moment here
business-related radio services some sig·nals were bent back to to talk about the terms
had plenty to do with their earth by an ionized layer, and reflected and refracted. Strictly
time, and to them, time is that the density of that layer speaking, a reflected wave is
money. They just do not need determined what frequency was not the same as a refracted
the distraction and confusion bent (refracted, reflected), and one. Reflection is what you see
that would result if an amateur what frequency was either in a mirror, where the light from
station could talk to their absorbed or allowed to pass the subject bounces from the
operators. Thus the following through into space. shiny surface and returns to
section concerns amateur There is likely to be a question you. Refraction means the rays
communication with stations in on your examination that talks are bent upon passing through
other services: about sky wave and ground an area of differing density.
wave. This is tied directly into You will notice this effect when
97.89 Points of Communications. the ionosphere and the way a you have part of your arm or
(a) Amateur stations may signal propagates. Any signal leg under water; it appears to
communicate with : that arrives at your station by bend at the point where it
(1) Other amateur stations,
excepting those prohibited by
way of the reflective layers of enters the water. This is
Appendix 2. the ionosphere is a sky wave; because the light rays reaching
(2) Stations In other services a signal that arrives directly, your eye from the portion of
licensed by the Commission, and without reflection, is a ground your leg that is under water
with U.S. Government stations wave. The a-m broadcast bends as it crosses the
for civil defense purposes in
accordance with Subpart F of station that is located a few boundary between water and
this part, in emergencies and, on miles away from you is air. This bend displaces the
a temporary basis, for test reaching you by ground wave image that you see.
purposes. - indeed, that type of In amateur radio circles the two
(3) Any station which is
authorized by the Commission to
coverage is what they use to terms are often interchanged.
communicate with amateur serve the community that they Fig. 1 , page 54, in part 2 of this
stations. are licensed for. When you hear series, shows that the radio
(b) Amateur stations may be a broadcast station from the signal is actually refracted
used for transmitting signals or other side of the country, the
communications, or energy, to
(bent) by passing through the
receiving apparatus for the signal is arriving by reflection ionized layers; if the frequency-
measurement of emissions, or refraction , and is a sky wave. to-ionization relationship is
temporary observation of It works the same way on the critical the signal will be bent
transmission phenomena, radio amateur bands. How do you tell enough to return to earth. It
control or remote objects, and
similar experimental purposes
the difference? By knowing appears to the person on earth
and for the purposes set forth in what to expect, and by that it has been reflected from
97.91. listening to the characteristics the ionosphere, and as far as
(c) [Reserved) of the signal. If you have heard the results are concerned, this

60 m November 1977
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is true. Refraction is more {c) may be posted where it can be provides daytime propagation ,
noticeable when amateurs talk seen at a fi xed location and that the distance was great
through the OSCAR satellites a {d) all of the above enough to require skywave
few minutes before the A school club station in New propagation. Recal I that the
satellites are actually above the Jersey wishes to set up a lower bands (longer wave-
visual horizon; the ionosphere schedule with another club lengths) are absorbed during
has bent (refracted) the radio station in Colorado during their daylight hours, so 160, 80, and
waves enough to get them to noon break. They should try 40 meters are out. That leaves
the satellite when it was not in 15 meters as the correct
{a) 40 meters
a line-of-sight position . answer (c). Twenty meters
{b) 80 meters
Of course, the activity of the might be a good band also, but
{c) 15 meters these questions are for the
sun has a lot to do with the
distance and strength of the {d) 160 meters Novice class license, and there
signals that you will be You should identify your are no Novice privileges on that
hearing, too. If you want to station band. Therefore, I didn 't
really get involved in the DX {a) on the hour and half hour include that band in the
predicting game, you' ll want to (b) at the beg inning and end of a
choices .
listen regularly to the Bureau of series of transmissions , and at The answer to the third
Standards station WWV on 2.5, intervals not longer than 10 question is (b), but don't let the
5, 10, or 15 MHz. They provide minutes legal-sounding language and
daily information about the {c) at least twice a day the length of the answer fool
solar activity and the effects (d) none of the above you - it is just possible that
that this activity has upon the someone could word an incor-
ionosphere and magnetic field There is no way of guessing rect answer so that it had the
around the earth. what subjects are going to be same style and language.
From time to time they will covered in the examination
make announcements about papers you will receive from Next subject
solar storms in progress or the FCC, and there certainly We 've gone through more of
expected. They give this will not be a question on every the Rules and Regulations
warning so that people who subject that we cover in the section, finished off the radio
must have communications for series , but you can sort of play phenomena subjects, and had a
their business can plan ahead a game with the study material few sample questions to see if
- set up alternative circuits for by looking at a section or you are paying attention. Let's
use in case their main one subject and try to find ways to look at the next subject in the
goes dead. Severe magnetic ask questions about it. For Study Guide: Operating
storms (solar flares, very high example, suppose you were Procedures.
activity) can actually cause a giving a test on the subject of There are three sub-sections
communications blackout that station logs. Read the material here: Basic Principles,
extends from just above the and make up questions in the Telegraphy Procedures, and
broadcast band up to 30 or 40 same style that the FCC does. Public Service Operating . Much
MHz. When you experience one Remember, they must be of the material in this section
of these, you'll think your multiple choice (for ease in is not covered in the Rules and
receiver just died. It can scoring them), and can be Regulations, but the FCC
happen very fast - you'll be answered by checking only one wants to know if you are
listening to another ham giving box in answers column. A prepared to operate in the
you a signal report and game like that will not only amateur bands. It's sort of like
location, etc., and before he help you learn the material, but visiting a foreign country; you
can finish, the whole band also will get you accustomed should be able to use the
goes dead. It's a strange to the type of questions you native language well enough to
sensation to hear the radio will see on the exam sheet. survive before you go there.
"world" die like that! Now, to the answers to the The longer you stay, the easier
I have covered a lot of questions I just gave you. The it will be for you to talk to
territory in this installment, so answer to the first one is (d), people. Becoming a ham radio
here are some sample because all three answers are operator works like that; a little
questions to sharpen you correct, and you can f ind them study will teach you enough of
up a bit: in the text of the rules section the basic language and
about operator license courtesy and procedures so
availability (97.83). you can start. The longer you
An amateur operator license
The second question takes a are at it, the more relaxed you
{a) should be kept in the personal bit of thought, but you can will be in operating on the ham
possess ion of the li censee reason it out in short order. bands, and the more you will
{b) must be available for inspection Note that the time specified enjoy it.
by an FCC representative was noon, requiring a band that Courtesy is, of course, an

62 IE::J November 1977

important part of amateur radio him, you would be bothering
not only him, but the other two
5 KW PEP INPUT
operating. The courtesy and
patience you need for hamming stations as well. Meantime, the WITH THIS NEW BALUN
is the same as that you need first two are getting burned up
for everyday life. You wouldn't because of all this commotion
walk up to two people on the on top of their frequency. So,
street and break into their courtesy counts.
conversation, and the same A couple of common-sense
applies to conversation (QSOs) rules will help here. One is to
you hear on the air. If you really always listen first before you
want to join them, wait until call. A good way to start on a
the right moment, and then crowded band is to find what
ask. This can be done during a appears to be a clear spot , then
break or during the procedure send QRL? de WB1YYY (Are
of turning it over to the other you busy?). If someone is
station. If they are busy, they'll listening to a station you
ask you to wait; if not, they will cannot hear, he should reply
invite you to join them . " QRL (or ORM) pse QSY."
In almost all parts of the Meaning " I am busy (or the
great world of amateur radio frequency is in use) please
courtesy and common sense move to another frequency."
will make life a lot easier for He might also send "ORM ," On all bands 160 to 10 meters.
everyone. Of course there are which means that you are inter- Runs cool as a c ucumber at its CCS
the bad actors, the clods, who fering with another station. You rating of 2 KW (Continuous output
will try your patience, but you'll will hear a similar procedure power through the balun at matched
find them in other parts of life, used on the phone parts of the load).
4" dia. Wt. 24 oz. $32.50 PPD.
too - amateur radio has no amateur bands, and it is the
more and no less a percentage mark of an operator who is AND FOR FULL LEGAL POWER
of them than the rest of the considerate of his fellow ham.
world has. If someone persists Well , that's enough for this the t ime tested Model lK balun is
still available. Rated at 1 KW CCS (3
in ruining your party, just time - I'll get into Q signals, KW PEP input) .
remember that it is supposed beginning and ending signs, 2%" dia. Wt. 9 oz. $16.95 PPD.
to be a relaxing, fun-type , frequency selection and
hobby. If you get worked up sharing, and avoiding inter- ONLYPALOMARBALUNS
over what the other guy is ference, to finish up the HAVE ALL THESE FEATURES
doing, then he is succeeding operating procedures next
but you are not. time. And maybe, just maybe, • Toroidal core for highest efficiency.
Then too, another ham may I'll be able to get to the end of • Teflon insulated wire to prevent
arc-over. 0 K for tuned feeders.
not realize that he is bothering the Rules and Regulations • Stainless steel eye bolts take antenna
someone. You can often hear portion. Then we can get into tension. Won't rust, won't pull apart.
two or three stations at the the really interesting parts , like • Epoxy filled case. Absolutely water-
same time on the same Electrical Principles - and proof.
• Lightning protection built-in.
frequency . The usual that's what makes the whole • Wideband 1.7 to 30 MHz.
circumstance is that two of electronic world possible. HRH • Hang-up hook provided.
them are having a QSO, but • Now available in either 1: 1 or 4: 1
because of propagation ratio. 1: 1 ratio matches 50 or 75
conditions, the third guy ohm coax to 50 or 75 ohm balanced
load (dipoles and inverted Vees). 4: 1
cannot hear either one of them. ratio matches 50 or 75 ohm coax to
He is sure that the frequency is 200 to 300 ohm balanced load.
clear, and starts calling CO, or
tuning his rig (it's supposed to
Free descriptive brochure on request.
be done into a dummy load, Order direct.
though) or begins a QSO of his Model 2K $32.50 Model 1 K $16.95
own. You, off to the side, can Center insulator without balun $7.95
hear the whole thing, because Postpaid U.S. & Canada.
Specify ratio 1 : 1 or 4: 1
you have good propagation
California residents add 6% tax.
conditions to all three of the Send check or money order to:
stations, so it may sound to
you as if the last guy in was
being discourteous. Now,
obviously, if you were to say,
" I'll fi x him - give him a dose "There, there, dear, of course
of his own medicine," and he's not sending CW .. . After all
jump in on top just to annoy it's just an old movie."

Novem ber 1977 ~ 63

 average reader at it for several However, Lehman is definitely
PRODUCT evenings, if he can force himself
to put it down, or all night if he
accustomed to writing top-grade
material; he has w ritten screen
cannot. There is almost continu- plays for several wel I-kn ow n
ous action throughout the story, fi lms suc h as West Side Story ,
and the way author Lehman has The King and I, and Who's Afraid
brought a mateur radio int o of Virginia Woolf, and ot hers. He
focus ear ly in th e co nverging has received six Writer's Guild
lives of the characters portrayed awards and six Academy Award
almost guarantees that it will nominations.
play a significant part in the un- The French Atlantic Affair was
foldin g story. not written for hams alone -
Not that ham s are all po r· you don't pi n your hopes of mak·
trayed as knights in sh ining ar- ing a best se ller on a potential
SHOWCASE mor - their feet of clay are
clearl y evident so that the unin-
audience of a few hundred thou-
sand. The book is written to ap-
formed reader can see that they peal to people who wou ld be
are ordinary human beings like spellbound w ith such stories as
everyone else. A s suc h they Hotel, Airport, and Where Eagles
The French have their hang-ups, problems, Dare ; it can be very favorably
and families who se patience compared to these best sellers.
Atlantic Affair with this obsession wears thin The action is almost non-stop,
at times. The attitudes and opin- and one segme nt bui lds sus-
L io ns about hams and their tech-
nical vices are all too familiar to
pense that is guaranteed t o
evoke i nterest in th e next page
~~ many of us who have been the
focal point of similar comments
from fri ends and wives who are
or c hapter - this reviewer suf-
fered the consequences of lack
of sleep all the next day because
not completely dedicated to the of the irrestible urge to see how
hobby of chasing DX or burning things ended .
the midnight hours away con- Th e plot involves desperate
versing with a stranger in a far people, hij ac k ing , ru t hl ess
corner of the land. murder, high suspense , ex -
To an experienced amateur, it hilarating t riumph s, computers
would seem th at the author and people in a nerve-grinding
knows about ham radio from the think-tank session, and through
inside - the equipment is re al, i t all, some skillful r adio
th e procedures are correct, the amateurs t ry t o provide hope
language is right, and the bands and salvation for the doomed .
go dead at the right t ime; there Th ere is also much man-and-
is even the right kind of nit-wit woman act io n in the exp licit
who clobbers the frequency in manner of many contemporary
the middle of an important ex- novels, therefore the book is
c hange. To balance the scale recommended for adul t reading
against the baddies there is the only.
good guy who provides a phone- Whi le it is unli ke ly that any of
patch across the co ntinent t o yo u hams who read it w ill
In the midst of so much mis- overcome the dead-band prob- become heroes of the level at-
taken publicity about Amateur lem, and a very understanding tained by the operators involved
Radio, wherein problems caus- ham on Long Island who cance ls in this story, you w ill be com-
ed by CB stations are blamed on out of an important golf engage- forted to know that you are not
the ham by an uninformed press, ment to take part in t he high alone in being a member of a
it is refreshing to see a book that drama. group whose hobby, abi lity, and
has amateur radio woven into The author doe s know about dedicat ion is mi s und er stood
the plot as one of the " good amateur rad io - he is K6DXK, and underrated .
guys." Moreover, the book is not and has been as bu sy on the air Am ateur rad io plays a vital
one that would normally rate as at the typewriter. The way he part in Th e Fren ch Atlantic
just a casual glance and then be tells it, the time spent at the ham Affair, and the resulting publ i-
placed on the shelf. rig at times overshadowed the city should be most beneficial to
The French Atlantic Affair, by writing, so the book was some- our hobby and image. If t he story
Ernest Lehman, is a novel of what of a combination of the two makes it into a hit movie (the
such length that will keep the important factors in hi s life. sc ree n rights have been pur-

64 m November 1977
chased by MGM), that's all to the prolong battery life. The DE-120 National
better. is available for most standard
The French Atlantic Affair has microphone connectors (please Semiconductor CB
been selected by the Literary specify when ordering) and is Radio IC Brochure
Guild and by the Playboy Book priced at $49.95 plus $2.00 ship-
Club, and is being published by ping . For additional information, A new booklet describing
Atheneum Publishers; copies write Dynamic Electronics, Inc., several components designed
are available from Ham Radio's Box 896, Hartselle, Alabama for use in Citizen's Band radio
Communications Bookstore, 35640, or use ad check on manufacture is now available
Greenville, New Hampshire page 80. from National Semiconductor
03048; $10.95 postpaid. Not
recommended for young
readers.

Speech compressor

If you have been concerned

about your transmitter's talk
power, and haven't decided
whether or not to use a speech
compressor, you may be in -
terested in Dynamic Electronics
DE-120 Speech Compressor
designed to shape the speech
waveform for improved voice
communications.
Amplitude compression is ob-
tained by reducing the WHEN QRM RAGES AND THE PILE-UPS DEEPEN,
amplitude of large voice peaks WOULDN'T YOU LIKE TO HAVE . ..
while increasing the amplitude • ALL THE ROCK-CRU SHING POWER YOUR LICEN SE ALLOW S - on a// modes - w ith no need
of small ones to effect a great in- to 'baby' your linear. no duty cycle or time limit at all?
• INSTANT BANOCHANGE 'NO-TUNE-UP' all the way from 10 through 80 meters, w ith the
crease in average talk power. In exclusive ALPHA 3741
order to reduce transmitter • COVERAGE ALL TH E WAY DOWN TO 160 M ETER S w ith the smooth-tuning, extra-rugged
strain the frequency response is ALPHA 76 powerhouse?
limited to a range of approx- • CRISP, PENET RAT ING " TA LK POWER" - as much as 10 dB extra to 'punch through' w hen
the going gets really tough, with the ALPHA / VOMAX split band speech processor ? It's as
imately 300 to 1800 Hertz. effective as the best rf processor, lower in distortion, and very easy to use with any rig I
The output level of the DE-120 • THE PROTECTION OF A FACTORY WARRANTY T HAT RUN S A FULL 18 MONTHS - six
can be adjusted by means of a times as long as competitive units? [ETO tries to build every ALPHA to last forever .. . and
we're making progress: not o ne single case of ALPHA 76, no. or 374 power transformer
trim pot located on the circuit foilure hos evor been reported I)
board, while the compression • THE PURE PLEASUR E OF OWNING ALPHA?
level is adjusted by means of a
front panel control. With a high
compression level setting , the
ALPHA: SURE YOU CAN BUY A CHEAPER LINEAR
BUT IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOU WANT7

peak output remains the same START ENJ OYIN G THE ALPHA EDGE NOW. Call or visit your nearest ALPHA/ ETO dealer, or
ET D direct, right away, and you can have prompt delivery of your new ALPHA linear amplifier
whether the operator whispers and ALPHA / VOMAX processor. While you're at it, ask for illustrated literature describing all
or shouts into the microphone, ALPHA produ cts in detail, as well as a copy of "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About
and maintains a 100% modula- (Comparing ) Linears . .. But Didn't Know Whom to Ask."
tion level without overmodula-
tion at all voice levels.
Power is supplied by an inter-
nal battery activated by the
microphone push-to-talk switch,
to minimize battery drain and
El. EHRHORN TECHNOLOGICAL OPERATIONS. INC.
BOX 708, CANON CITY . CO 81212 1303) 275-1613

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 65

Corporation . It contains a products. Each of five new IC terns , 5-pin audio amplifiers,
description of products and devices replaces thirty or more microprocessor-controlled tun·
options for CB radio manufac- components , reducing the part ing systems , linear ICs, light
turers , which reflect National's count and manufacturing cost. emitting diodes (LEDS) , clock
sophisticated approach to elec- One of the ICs, a new micropro- modules , rt-output discrete
tronic technology. cessor-controlled tuning sys- components, and voltage
National began designing in- tem , is particularly designed to regulators.
tegrated circuits specifically for provide a wide range of user The booklet emphasizes that
CB radios in 1975, and now features. use of National's CB devices
offers a comprehensive selec- The products described in the means maximum cost effective-
tion of consumer-oriented CB booklet include synthesizer sys· ness, volume availability, and
extensive application backup
services to facilitate successful
and speedy implementation of
CB design. Titled National Semi-
QUALITY KENWOOD TRANSCEIVERS conductor Personal Communi-
cations: CB radio , the booklet is
. . . from KLAUS RADIO available without charge from
National Semiconductor Corp. ,
2900 Semiconductor Drive,
Santa Clara, California 95051; or
The TS-820 is the rig that is the
talk of the Ham Bands. Too many use ad check on page 80.
built·in features to list here. What
a rig and only $830.00 ppd. in
U.S.A. Many accessories are al so
ava i lable to increase your oper- Battery-check
ating pleasure and station ver-
satility.

Super 2·meter operating capability

is yours with this ultimate design.
Operates all modes: SSB (upper
& lower), FM, AM and CW. 4 MHz
coverage (144 to 148 MHz). The
combination of this unit's many
exciting features with the quality
& reliability that is inherent in
TS-700A Kenwood equipment is yours for
2M TRANSCEIVER only $599.00 ppd. in U.S.A.

Guess which transceiver has made

the Kenwood name near and dear
to Amateur operators, probably
more than any other piece of
equipment? That's right, the TS-
520. Reliability is the name of Enjoyable, trouble-free mobile
this rig in capital letters. 80 t hru operation requires vehicle bat-
10 meters with many, many built·
in features for on ly $629.00 ppd.
teries that are in topnotch condi·
in U.S.A. tion. Battery-check continuously
monitors the status of battery ,
This brand new mobi le transceiver charging system, and electrical
(TR-7400A) with the astonishing loads. These top-quality,
price tag is causing quite a com-
motion. Two meters with 25W or expanded-scale meters feature
lOW out put (selectable), digital exceptional accuracy and
read·out, 144 through 148 MHz
and 800 channels are some of the
reading ease, and are individual·
features · that make this such a ly calibrated. Battery-check
TR-7400A great buy at $399.00 ppd. in U.S.A. gives a warning indication of
2M MOBILE TRANSCEIVER
trouble allowing you to take ear-
Send SASE NOW for detailed info on these systems as well as on many other fine ly, money-saving corrective ac-
li nes. Or, better still, v isit our store Monday thru Friday from 8 :00 a. m . thru 5 :00 p .m .
The Amateurs at Klaus Rad io are here to assist you in the selection of t h e optimum
tion . Available for 12, 24, and 28
unit to f ullfill your needs. volt systems. Price is $39.95
postpaid for the panel-mount
version . Other mounting styles
D&DiO Inc. are available. For more informa-
tion write to Frank Stifter at
8400 N. Pioneer Parkway, Peoria, IL 61614 Electronic Specialists, Box 122,
Jim Plack W9NWE - Phone 309-691-4840 Natick, Massachusetts 01760, or
use ad check on page 80.

66 ~ November 1977 More details? Ad Check page 80.

 Small size ...
giant performance Hand-Held
TWO MODELS AVAILABLE:
2.5 Watt MARK II and Th e new arrivals to the Wilson fam ily
4 Watt MARK IV of quality high performing hand-
held radios are the small American-
SPECIFICATIONS:
made small sized MARK II and MARK IV.
• Range: 144-148 MHz The ul t imate hand-held for t he amateur who
• 6 Channel Operation demands qua I ity, performance and va lue.
• Individual Trimmers on all TX
and RX Xtals. FEATURES:
"' •Current Drain: RX 15mA,
TX - Mark II, 500 mA. - Lightweight and compact size - fits
Mark IV 900 mA comfortably in the palm of your hand.
• 12 KHz Ceramic Filter - Rugged Lexan® case.
• 10.7 MHz and 455 kHz IF - Same dependable perfo rmance
• Spurious and Harmonics: 50 dB as all Wil son Hand-Helds.
below carrier - Microswitch Speaker-Mic
• BNC (Twist type) Antenna buil t i n.
Connector
• .3 Microvolt Sensitivity for 20 - Priced at
dB Queiting
• Uses special rechargeable Ni-
Cad Battery Pack
$19995 MARK II
(2.5 watt)
• New improved Rubber Duck
included
$23995 MARK IV
(4 watt)
• One pair Xtals 52/52 included
• Weight: 16 oz. (.45 Kg) inc.
batteries
•Size: 6" x 1.770" x 2.440"
ACCESSORIES AVAILABLE
Incl ude LC-4 Leather Case, WC12 AC
Wall Battery Charger, BC4 Desk Type
Battery Charger, SM4 Speaker Mic, Touch
Tone Pad, Tone Options.

Other Wilson units

available are the VHF
Models 1402SM, 2.5 watt,
Model 1405SM Switchable 1
a~d 5"watt and 4502SM, 450 MHz,
2202SM, 220 MHz UHF units and
Wilson's WE800 synthesized 2 meter portable rig .
'

f t I \

FOR SIZE COMPARISON, THE NEW

MARK IV IS ILLUSTRATED NEXT TO
~·w11~;;'1i;;;1;;;1;~Gao;;.
P.O. Box 19000 • Las Vegas, Nevada 89119 • (702) 739-1931 • TELEX 684-522
WILSON'S 1405SM SWITCHABLE 1 & 5
WATT RADIO.
 for the non-hams too. I'll be extent. It was acquired by another
looking forward to the next issue service and used for a non·
with confidence that it will emergency operating signal, so the
broaden my horizons and may Amateurs attempted to salvage
bring a laugh or two as well. some of the use by adding another
William Marvin R to the call. However, the QRRR
Superior, Wisconsin call has been discontinued
because of lack of interest or use.
The Morse Code call sos, and the
Dear Horizons: voice call MA Y·DA Y are in current
In your "Not so Rocky Road use for emergency situations.
from CB to Ham" article, in your Editor
very first issue, I would suggest
that you correct the values of what
little amount a ham rig can cost. A
Dear Horizons:
centibuck - never, a hectobuck -
Congratulations on the fine , new
yes!
magazine. I'm glad to be a charter
Buck Table subscriber.
Dear Horizons: kilobuck ;;;;; $1000.00 The article in th e May issue on
Thank you for the sample copy hectobuck ;;;;; 100.00 transmission lines by W1 HR was
of your new publication. After decabuck ;;;;; 10.00 most interesting and answered
reading "The Far Horizon - An buck ;;;;; 1.00 some questions for me. One
Evening of DX," and "Get on the decibuck = .1 question that was not touched ,
Air on a Budget," I had to have my centibuck = .01 however, concerns the braid
own subscription. "The Far millibuck = .001 covering on coaxial cable - more
speci fically, the amount of braid.
Horizon - An Evening of DX," was
written with such reality that I If you are to change to the metric At one time RG -81U was built to
actually felt myself at the system please start right. Hi! military specifications so the
operating position of the rig Please enter me for a 3-year amount of braid coverage was
working the DX mentioned. I subscription. stipulated. Is that still true? It
believe your magazine is what we Dave Douglas, WBSBAY seems to me that the braid on
have needed for some time. I am New Orleans, Louisiana some coaxial cable is becoming
looking forward to receiving it. more and more skimpy.
0. T. Webb, Jr., K4ADT Al so, I was surprised to see that
Dave, would you believe that we the losses of polyfoam coax are
Morganton, North Carolina
were trying to beat the pain of very similar to those of solid
inflation by driving the cost down? polyethylene. Is thi s really true?
We have more of the same on Didn't think so. Thanks for your Raymond Brock, WA1WIP
letter, and I'll write on the Madison, Connecticut
hand, and author W9KNI is still
writing (and working DX). I asked blackboard one hectotimes ...
Editor
Bob if he wasn't worried about the
competition that he would be Cable loss is a direct function of
stirring up, to which he replied, the insulating material, and since
"No, I figure I've a few years s tart Dear Horizons: polyfoam consists of foamed
on them!" Maybe we'll see your Your short story, "The Call From polyethylene, the sma ll difference
call in his stories sometime. Thank Cedro Canyon," emphasizes the in loss is accurate. Manufacturers
you for writing. Editor use of ORRR as the amateur's call advertise polyfoam as low loss,
for help. Although originally used but the actual difference between
by ships on the sea, sos is polyfoam and solid polyethylene
universally understood by cables is insignificant.
everyone, amateu rs or otherwise, Although some manufacturers
Dear Horizons: as a distress sig nal. It is also still build RG·BIU to military
I would kinda like t o drop a few much shorter to send sos than specifications, other
lines to say how good your QRRR I doubt that the greater manufacturers do not. In many
Horizons magazine is. I am not a majority of amateurs know what cases, in fact, you'll find coax
ham but an avid SWL. I hope this QRRR means. advertised as RG·B "type." This is
magazine will give me some much Would it not be more practical a euphemism for coax which
needed material and help for my and effective to f orget t he ORRR doesn't meet military
t icket! and stick with sos? requirements. The price of copper
My old ham friend , K9STU, M. Michael Dorr, WB9WCR has increased in recent years, and
hasn 't been on the air for some Palatine, Illinois rather than increase the cost of
twenty years but the ham spirit is cable, some manufacturers have
sti ll there. He gave me his old simply reduced braid coverage. To
receivers. This shows me that You are correct, Michael, in stating make sure you're getting good
hams are really self sacrif icing for that sos would be more practical braid, select RG-213/U when you
th e hobby as well as for those who and effective. I did some digging want 50-ohm coax. An additional
are willing to join the ranks. ~nto the QRRR emergency call, and benefit of RG-213/U is that it has a
Thi s is why I'm subscrib ing to found that at one time the signal non-contaminating outer jacket.
your fine magazine that is written QRR was used by amateurs to some Editor

68 m November 1977
 MORSE CODE COURSES
.... ·- --the-·-. -·--
famous
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OUR 2 NOVICE COURSES TAKE YOU FROM The keys that are easy
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VERIFY ACCURACY, INFO ON OTHER HAM LICENSE
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STANDAR D 2 TRACK MONAURAL CASSnTES PROVID E60 MINUTES EACH Of Model HK-1
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SC IENTIFICALLY PREPARED CODE PRAC TICE ( L EITERS , ~UNBER S,PUNC ­ • Use wit h H K· 5 or a ny
TUATIOH,COO E CROUPS, WORO SJCASSETIES ARE DES I ~NED TO MINIMIZE el ect r onic keyer
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more copy than 75th edition. • Dot m emory
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multiple choice questions similar to
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03048
HAM RADIO CENTER, INC.
8 340- 4 2 Olive B lvd. • P.O . B o x 2 8271 • St. Lou is. M O 631 32

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 69

 M
E
T
E
DX lorecaster
R
and HF too Nove111ber, 1.977
SATELLITE
November is contest month, Eighty meters is an excellent
HEADQUARTERS with the second (CW) section DX band during the fall and
of CQ's Worldwide DX Contest winter, so be sure to have your
See Erickson taking place on November 26 antennas ready to go before
and 27, and the ARRL the bad weather sets in. You'll

~i£~::~::t:ons f\ 1 Sweepstakes on November 5 find signals from Euro pe and

and 6 (CW), and November 19 Africa coming in best around
and 20 (Phone). midnight, from Central and
Sunspot Cycle 21 is really on South America between mid·
the upswing now, and its night and sunrise, and from t he
needs! / benefi c ial effects will combine South Pacific and Far East just
Call or Write for with the normal seasonal before sunrise.
Erickson's Deal increase in propagation to
One-Sixty meters, although an
• Ameco • ASP• Atlas provide good-to-excellent DX
exce llent winter-time band,
• Belden• Bird• CDE conditions during mu ch of the
will begin to s lum p for
month.
• CES• Collins• Cu shcraft DXers as the effects of suns pot
• Dentron • Drake • HAL Ten and Fifteen meters are cycle 21 become mo re prom i-
expected to provide good DX nent. However, there will still
• Hy-Gain • lcom • KLM be a lot of DX activity for the
possibilities during the daylight
• Kenwood• Larsen• MFJ hours, with ten showing its next year or two on this band.
• Midland• Mosley• NPC best form around local midday, Be alert for DX when the path
• Newtronics • Nye and fifteen being good betwee n you and the area of
substantially all day. Central the world you want to work lies
• Regency• Shure• Swan and South American DX shou Id in darkness, with the sun
• Standard• TPL • Tempo be co mmonplace on both beginning to rise at the eastern
• Ten-Tee• Wilson •Yaesu bands while, on good days, end of the path. A set of sunset
openings to Europe and Africa and sunrise tables is of great
Touhy
may be expected during the help to the top-band DXer. •
early forenoon hours. Openings
Speciaf Notice. The period
to the Pacific and Far East
between November 3rd and
294 should be present during the
11th is expected to be
local late-afternoon hours on
disturbed ionosphericall y, with
good days.
E
the peak expected on the 9th
~ Twenty meters is always the and 10th . Unusual weather
"'
I DXer's workhorse, and will be conditions may coincide or
open most days from sunrise shortly follow, last ing through
until s unset and later, local the 13th. A m inor disturbance
time, to various areas of the is expected on the 16th or
globe. Use the chart on the 17th, with unusual weather
facing page for where and condit ions following by a day
when . or two. In general, the f irst two
weeks of the month may be
Forty meters will offer s ignals
disturbed, and the last two
from Europe, beginning in the weeks will be relatively quiet.
late afternoon hours, and the
Hours: 9:30-9 Mon. & Thurs, band will remain open all night •rhe American Ephemeris and Nautical

-
9:30-5:30 Tues, Wed. & Fri. until after sunrise. For best Almanac, 1977, available for $10.30
9-3 Sat. from the US Government Printing
reception of DX to the south Office, Wash ington, DC.
and east of your location, listen tON4UN's sunrise/sunset booklet is
from early evening until about 2 available for $10 from John A.
ERICKSON AM ; for DX to the north and Devoldere, ON4UN, Poelstraat 215, 9220
COMMUNICATIONS west of your location, listen Merelbeke, Belgium. Send name,
5935 N. Milwaukee Ave. address, and QTH coordinate, for a
Chicago, IL 60646 from about 2 AM until after personal computer print out for your
(312) 631 ·5181 sunrise. own location.

70 m November 1977
 WESTERN USA MID USA EASTERN USA
N NE E SE s SW w NW N NE E SE s SW w NW N NE E SE s SW w NW
GMT PST t /-+'-. MST t /-+'-. / CST EST
.___
--
0000
--
- 4:00 15 -
/~' -
20 20 15 15* 15* 15
-
5:00 15 - 20 15 15
, ~
6:00
.... --- t / ..... , / ....
15 15 15 7:00
15 40 - 40 40 20 - 15
,
0100
- 5:00
' 6:00
' 7:00 8:00
--
0200
-
6:00
20* - 20 20 20 20* 20 20
7:00
-
15 40 - 15 20 15 15 20* --- 20 40 40 40 40 20 20 - '
20* - 20 20 20 20 20 40 40 40 20 20 15 15 20* --- 8:00 9:00
-
- 20 80"' 40 40 80*
-- '---
20 20 -
....___
0300 7:00
-8:00
9:00 10:00
-- 0----
40 80 80* 40 20 20 20 20
-
20 80* 40 20 20 - 20 - --- 20 80"' - 40 80* 20 20 -
....___
0400 8:00 - 40 40 40 20 20 20 - 9:00 20 SO* 40 20 20 - 20 - --- 10:00 11 :00 -
-- 0----
- 80"' - 80 80*
'---
- -
0500 9:00 - 40 40 40 20 20 20 - 10:00
- 20 - 20
-- 11 :00 12:00
0----
-- - - 80* 80* 20 - 80"' - 80 80* - - -
'---
0600 10:00 - 40 - 40 20 40 20 - 11 :00 20 - 20 ---
- 12:00 1 00
-- '--- -
- 80* - 80* - 80"' - - 80* - - -
.____ ....___
0700 11 :00 - 80 - 80* 20 40 20 1 00 2 co
--
- 12:00 - 80 - 80* - - - ~
- 80"' - - 80"' - - -
0800
-
12:00
.__ - - - 80* 20 40 - 40 1 00 - 80 - 80* - 40 - 40 2 00
- J 00 - 40 - - 80"' 40 - -
'---
--
0900 1·00 - - - 80* -
-
80* - 80* 200
- 40 •·OO 40
0----
-- 0----
- - - 40 40 - 40 300 - - - 80 40 40 40
1000 2:00 - - - 80* 40 --- --- 5 00
- '---
80* - 80* 3·00 0----
- - - 40 40 80* - 80* ' -4-00- 40 - - - 80 40 80* 80"'
1100 3·00 - - - 80* 40 80* 20 80* 4 00 - - - 40 40 5:00
- 6 00 40 - - - - 40 80* 80"'
~
-- '---
80* 80* 80* .___
1200 4 00 40 - 40 40 5 00 40 80* 80* 80* 600
- 7.00 40
~
- - 80* 40* 80* ,_____ - - - 40 20 - - - 40* 20 80*
1300 5:00 40 6 00
--- - 8·00
-- '---
- - 40 40 80* 40* 80* ,_____ 40 - - 40 - 40 80* 80* 700 ~
20 20* - - 15"' 40* 20 40"'
1400 s·oo 80* - 7 00 --- 9 00
-- '---
- 20 - 40 40 40 20 20 - - - 20 40 40 800 20 15* - 10 15"' 20 20 20
1500 7 00
,_____ 80* 20 - 20 - 800
40 40 40 ,_____
- 20 15 - - - 20 40 20 ,_____900
--- --- 1000 20 15* 15 15* 15* 20 - 20
-- ....___
1600 800 40 15 20 10 20 20 20 9 00 11 00
~
- 0----
20 15 - 15 - 20 20 20 10 00 ~
- 15" 15* 15* 20* 20 - -
- -
1700 9 00 40 15 20 10 - 20 20 20 10 00 20 15 15* 15* 11 12 00
'---- 0----
- 20 20 20 00 - 20"' 15* 15* 20* - - -
- '----
1800 10 ·00 15 15 10 20 20 - 11 00 20 15 15* 15* 1:00
- ~
- - ,_____ - 20 20 20 1200 - - 20 15* 15 20* 10 - -
z I 1900 11 :00 20 15 10 20 20 20 12·00 2:00
0 ~
- - - 15 15* 15* - 20 20 - ' -1:00---
- 20 15 15 20* 10 15* 10
<
(1) I 2000 12·00 - 20 15 10 - 20 15 20 1:00 - - 20 15 15
- ---- 3:00 - - 20 20 20* 15 15* 15"
~
3 - 20* 15 - ' -2:00
---
...._____
r;;;
(1) I 2100 1:00 - 20 15 10 15* 15 20 2:00 4:00
~ -
~
- - 0----
- 20 15 15 - 15 15 15 3:00 ~
- 20 20 20* 15 15 15"
..... -
CD I 2200 2:00 3:00 5:00
....., 15 - 20 10 15 15* 15 15 - 20 20 15 15 15 15* 15 4:00 15 - 20 20 20* 20* 15 15
....., - -
I 2300 3:00
- 4:00 6:00
---
15 - 20 10 15 15* 15 15 - - 20 15 15 15 15* 15 5:00 15 40 20 - 20 20* 15 15
- - - --- <
~ a: < c < < c !:!
<c
w iii z ::; iii z
<( <(
a:i < < < <(
-...J z<(
< < < <
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...... ...J (.) 0 -' 0 ...J 0 <_,
:::E <( a:< .... ...J < ... ... ...J 0 ::;
< w ;:: 1- - <J) w 0 < ;:: <J) <J) ~ "'<
w a. a: w <JlZ < w w < 1- w <
a: <
a:w a: a.
a:w a: < < a. a:
a:w
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> ..... 0 :E < =>< ..... 0 :E < w 0 ..... :E < .....
<l: W ...a: .....
- c
z
zw
0
a:
=>
w
<
,,;
...z
<
3:
w
z
·O
3:0
a:
...<
zw
0
a:
=>
w
<
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<
,,;
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z
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a:
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w
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~z
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::>
<(
.....
~

HAM CALENDAR November 1977

~ SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
z
0
< l\MSA T £as1to.asr tJe1 3850 li:Hz ['l•J:l•lill
ct>
· Alt 1 ~1er., <U1?!'\3 eo:ei1s sucn as 8PM £ST 101ooz Weonesca)·
3 'lf!WAlf Will· Morml'ig)
CT Sfe rJovemner ..:•n COfl'ei;1s a1e shawn on 11\t GM f 'f LRL Anrao1etSJ·y Ptic"!f SAROC tiAWAt• \'.'H"t. - .:-11
M.'SA.T M.o-Con:ine;1 !lei 38SO ARRL C~.' S.,.,etDSlal>.es - !>·6
ct> tl.JVS on .... nacn !he) ta~e p!Jce evtl'\ 1-1~;w 1(~1' •"1\11 Feso1: Ho:€' aric:
.-Hz 8PM CST I0200Z Pa11r - 3 4 ?.SGB 7 MH; CW Con:es1 !>·6
Jt.oui;in 1r-ey mav ilClu.i tlr 1>eg1n on Counl'v C·uti O'l Oan~
s l:or1n
""'
..... \\'ea1escay Morn1ng1
1t:e e\•en1ng o' rne 01eceo1nQ a.av '" Sr-01e - •nlo SA.AOC Box 9.:5
t4orrn A'T'(:'11ca AMSAT Wes1coas1 Nfl 38!>0 lcHl
co 8Dt.11Ce1 C1·y He'..clC!a 89005
...... 7Pt~ PST (03001 wronescay
Mornn'IQI
E>.emomc Ceiie· Int Su1naav
...... Wesr Coas! Oua11ly11g Run
P.t1:v - 2919 u Haskell -
Oitll.'tS Te;>Js- 4-5

2 3 4 5
AMSAI Easrcoas\ Nel Ja50 kHi
I/JEST COASl BUlll'.llN !!PM FS I (01007 We<lneselav
Morning! Deltlw.:tre OSO P,u1y - Dy lhc Oel.1warc ARC - 12 13· ·
En1100 & J1,ins:n11too ov W&lF E11rope;an RTIV C.ontit51 - I?· 13
BPl>I PS I 3~•10 KCS A I 11 A.MSAl Mid-Con1irien1 Ncr 38'>0
kH/ 8Pt.4 CST !OX>OZ ln1e1nahon.il Pohce Ass:itltlhon Pariy - 1?·1Jt
WPM
Yleclnesl1ay Mo·nmg)
A'.tSAl WPSIC0..1SI Ner 3850 kH/
JPN PST !0300Z Ylecnesoay
Morr1nql

6 7 8 9 10 II 12
ARFll Phone Swceosia w.c~ - 19 20
AMSA l Eas1co.:s1 Ne! 38~ !cH/ Honeywell I ZOO Rac10 CluD Ham A1JCllO.'l - 1n me c.ale1ena at Honeywell
ln!orma11on Svs1ems - JOO Conco1a ROJO - 81 11e·1c.i MA (of! Roule J a1
SPM EST f0100Z WeCriesoa.,
M o1"lr'ICJ)
e~11 271 - noon lo S?M
WIJ..W OuaMring Run wwox~ ~nterl\a110.,a1 cw conresi - ooooz 11 119-2.aooz 11 120 ·
AMSA1 Mid Col'll1t1ie,,1 t,e1 38SO
•Hl BPM CST 102001
OBJC.Cl•YE To con·•t1 as""'"'·· dr"'..i!ll>u' f dCIQ \:.11111,m;'" dS, lltd:ty ITU
Wto1-'!SOa1 M()fn·ng\
1ones anc s1anaa10 DX counn t1s1 coo"mes us1nc a.1 a".l•lclolt
AMSA1 Wes:coas1 1.e: 38~ l\"11 1reo1.e...c-es i:AcDuE1.c.cs A11 ,11'js.11;neo 4M.i1'u' o•nc ·reaue nc~s trom
7PM PST t0300Z wecnesoa,. 1 11.' ~l IO 2!> GH1 •"'Cl\.ono r·ansoooce·s <1'1C reoti111t1s o! a!T\aleur
Ylel 111es SAS[ 101 1'110 F r an~ Je1:;:"le \\~4 i 906 Hotoway ~.l1owes1
M0tning1
C•ly OK USA 731 10
ARRl FIOHOil Gull CO.lSI Con~e1111on - By tne florio.1 Gulf Coast 19
ARC - Clea1v.-a1e1 Oe;icfl fl - 19·20
13 14 15 16 17 18
AM SAT Eas1co.ast Ne t 3850 kH l Th~ilk$gi-l11'~
8PM FS T i0100l Wednesday
WESI COAST BUllETIN Morning)
Echted & T1ansm11fed by W6ZF -
AMSA l Mt11·Conl1nen1 Ner 3850 CO WW OX CW Contes! - ?6· 17
BP M PSI 3S40 KCS A t . 12 kHI BPM CST (0100Z
YIPM
Weclnesoay Mommgt
AMSAT Westcoas1 Net 38!10 kHl: .
, .. M PS I 103001 WedneS<1cly
Morning)

201 21 22 231 24 25 26
·· oe1awarc OSO Pariy - 8'f 1rie Delaware AAC - 0001·06001 & 1600·
I The 1n1ernatmr1.ll Poh1.t: A'1~()(.i.tl1 m1 AC·Gi:Jm,111 '.)t:Cl!Oll (IPARCI tS

1 ~ 1 . 12
AMSAT Cas tcoas! Nel 38!:10 kHz
8PM ES T (QIOOZ Wed nesday
M01nm91
A~SAT M1d·Commen1 r~el 3850
•
2;wu1 1111t - OOOl ·0600£ & 1600·2200Z 11113 • S1a11ons ma}' tie
wntketl once per oanc per mooe lor OSO points EXCHANG E OSO no
RSf T) cina Ont SCORtt.G OelJ~·:Are s1ai 1ons score 1 po1nr lor eacn OSO
mull!ltly 101.11 Dy nu rnoe1 o! ARRl stct1Cns anc OX counrtteS wvr~eo Others
arg.lnit11"19 a comes1 wri1ch m.w cnilOh:! par11c,pa1ors 10 work the SHERLOCK
HOLMES AWAAO 1SHA1 lhe conies! is ooen to an rao.o Ama 1eu rs ano
SWLs CONTEST PfRIOO oaoo 10001 & 1400·1700l 11112-0800·1000l
& 1400·1700Z llf1J - CW & SSB - crossOJn<I i11na crossmode not
16 19 21 26 kH1 SPM CST 102001 QC! 5 OOIR!S 1or e.ach 0t1avwe co11toiCI Mul;rpiy :o:ai Cy 1 rl one Delaware
1 1 anov.eo FREOUCNC•CS !.2!> ~ ttt - CW 3!17~ 70'!> 14075 21075
.Ved'lescay Mom1ng1 counrv is v.•orkeo oi,· 3 11 ~o coun11es al'IC o.,· !I 11 a t 1hree co11niies are
AMSAT '//es1coas1 Net 38~ ~HI w:ir~eel tt.ew Cas!e >.el"! & Susse;.J FREOuEt.ClfS r:w - 3560 7060 2307S - SSB 36~ 101"'> 1.:195 2119J 18650 For rno•e <malls ru·es
/PM PST 103001 WedneSClay 14060 ?1060 28160 - ?ni:;ne - 397!> 7275 1.in5 21 .:2s 26650 IP4RC membt•sn p 1is1 e1c sena SASF 1:1 v RCe G.;m,:i1no W840.JO 7606
Morning) 1.ov1c c 3710 1120 21120 2a1eo SASE Ol Dec 31 to Jonn R low 1<1ngsovrv R0.10 Alet<tr>01i.1 YA 22310
KJVHR 11 Scol1 4•,IC O·l\-e r:e.\'.ll lo. OE 19713

27 28 29 30
1-----------------------------------
1 I

i
I
CFP . . . FOR ALL l I
VLF CONVERTER
YOUR AMATEUR NEEDS

• YAESU FT·101EE

ORDER TODAY! Write or

Call WA2KTJ, WB2LVW

CUSHCRAFT ATLAS
CIR (Astro 200) TEMPO
DENTRON TEN TEC
DRAKE YAESU *
0 Remember, we take care of your warranty repai rs

duri ng warranty for Yaesu.

Transmitter sates to licensed amateurs only.
WANTED: Good clean trades!
Mail Orders accepted. N. Y. residents add sales tax.
SASE will get our list of used Amateur Equipment. • New device opens up the world of Very Low Frequency radio.
C F P COMMUNICATIONS • Gives reception of the 1750 meter band at 160-190 KHz
211 NORTH MAIN STREET
HORSEHEADS, N . Y. 14845
where transmitters of one watt power can be operated
PHONE: 607-739-0187 without FCC license.
STORE HOURS: TUes. to Fri. 10-6. Sat. 10·4
subject to Hamfests. Closed Sun. and Mon.
• Also covers the navigation radiobeacon band , standard
---------------------------------- frequency broadcasts, ship-to-shore communications, and
the European low frequency broadcast band.
MADISON
SUPER STATION BUYS The converter moves al I these signals to the 80 meter amateur
HY GAIN 18AVT/WB +
100 ft. RG8 coax band where they can be tuned in on an ordinary shortwave
.. . $ 100. 18V vertical .. . $19.95. Model
214 2m Yagi .. . $21.50 receiver.
VHF S PECIAL: Ken wood TS-700A List
.. . $599 Ca ll for quote
KLM : Antennas, Linears, Accessories In The converter is simple to use and has no tuning adjustments.
Stock. FREE balun w/2m base antenna.
ROTORS: N EW HAM X (turns 28 sq. ft. of Tuning of VLF signals is done entirely by the receiver which
antenna) List ... $32 5 Order now for $289.
KLM KR400 Rotor • • • $85.00. COE Big picks up 10 KHz signals at 3510 KHz, 100 KHZ signals at 3600
Talk Rotor • •• $79.00. COE HAM·ll • • • KHz, 500 KHz signals at 4000 KHz.
$129.00
WE STOCK JANEL PREAMPS, TECHNICAL
BOOKS (ARRL, Sams , Tab, Tl, RCA & T he VLF converter has crystal control for accurate frequency
more).
~kRAOO S~~s~ATTMETER & slugs. TELEX conver sion, a low noi se rt ampl ifi er for high sens itiv it y, and a
SWAN: WM 6200 VHF Wattmeter . . . $49.95 multipole filter to cut broadcast and 80 meter interference.
SWR IA Meter $21.95
CETRON 572 B tubes $24.95 ea.
KESTER Solder 1# 60/40, .062 $6.50 All this performance is packed into a sma ll 3" x 11/2" x 6" die
NYLON CORO 5000 ft. +
per roll $15.00
BELDEN 14 gauge copper stranded an· cast aluminum case with UHF (S0-239) co nnectors.
tenna wire $5.00/100 ft.
RG8 f oam Xtra-Fle• coax 23¢ ft.
RGB foam Su perflex coax 23 ¢ fl. The unique Palomar Engineers circuit eliminates the compl ex
22 gauge plastic covered for long wire,
rad ials $3.50/ 1000 ft. bandswitching and tuning adjustments usually found in VLF
convert ers. Free descriptive brochure sent on request.
CALL FOR FAST QUOTE ON THESE OR
ITEMS NOT LISTED: YAESU FT3010,
FT301 , FTIOIE. ATLAS 350XL , KENWOOD Order direct. VLF Converter $55.00 postpaid in U.S. and
TS520S, TS600A, TR7400A, TEMPO 20 20
& ETO ALPHA. CALL FOR FAST QUOTE Canada. California res idents add sales tax.
OR WRITE & INCLUDE YOUR PHON E
~~!t_~E~A~[ ~~-HAVE YOUR BARGAIN,
Explore the interesting world of VLF. Order your converter
TERMS: All prices FOB Houston. Prices subject t o today! Send check or money order to:
change without notice. All Items Guaranteed. Some
items subject to prior sale. Send letterhead for
Amateur dealers price list. Texas residents add
5% tax. Please add postage estimate, excess
refunded.

MADISON PALOIVIAR ENGINEERS

ELECTRONICS SUPPLY, INC. P.O. Box 455, ESCONDIDO, CA. 92025 - Phone [714] 747-3343
1508 McKinney Houston, Te xas 77002
713/658-0268 N ites 713/497-5683

Mo re details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 73

 NEW! IC KEVER
The World's Greatest
Sending Device

Adjustable to Any
Desi red Speed
Now available from Palomar
Engineers - the new Electronic
IC KEVER. Highly prized by
professional operators because it
is EASIER, QUICKER, and
MORE ACCURATE. Let Kester Solder aid you in your home repairs or hobbies. For that household
item that needs repairing - a radio, TV , model train, jewelry, appliances, minor
It transmits with amazing ease electri cal repairs, plumbing, etc. - Save money- repair it yourself. Soldering
CLEAR , CLEAN-CUT signals at with Kester is a simple, inexpensive way to permanently join two metals.
any desired speed. Saves the
arm. Prevents cramp, and When you Solder go "First Cl ass" - use Kester Solder.
enables anyo ne to send with the For valuable soldering information send self-addressed stamped envelope to
skill of an expert. Kester for a FREE Copy of "Soldering Simplified".
SPECIAL
RADIO MODEL

Equipped with large specially

constructed contact points.
rn KESTER SOLDER
Litton 4 20 1 WRIGHT W OOD AVENUE / CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60639
Keys any amateur transmitter
with ease. Sends Manual,
Semi - Automatic, Full
Automatic, Dot Memory ,
Squeeze, and Iambic - MORE
FEATURES than any other
AMATEUR PRODUCTS GALORE!
keyer. H as built-in sidetone, YAESU KENWOOD
speaker, speed and volume FT-3010 all s o lid-state transceiver; 160·10
contro l s, BATTERY meters; AM, CW, SSS, FSK; 200 watts
OPERATED, heavy s hielded PEP input on SSB, 200 watts DC input on
die-cast m etal case . FULL V CW, and 50 watts DC input on AM or FSK;
features 100-Hz frequency stability, 6·
ADJUSTABLE contact spacing digit LEO frequency display; tailored audio
and paddle tension . The perfe ct re spon se, 0.25 µ sensitivity, variable se·
paddle touch will AMAZE you . lectivity from 0.6 to 12 kHz, requires only
lJ.5-volts DC powe r s ource; matching AC
s upply and s peaker available.
Every a mateur and licensed
operator should know how to TS-520S
send with the IC KEVER. 160-lOM TRANSCEIVER
EASY TO LEARN . Sent Ask around a bout Kenwood's TS·520. It's
anywhe re on receipt of price. in cons tant us e a ro und the globe and has
a record of relia bility that is univers a lly
Free brochure sent on request. adm ired. US B, LSB, CW, opera tes AC or
Send check or money order. DC, WWV receiver, RIT, VOX a nd noise
blanke r a re some fe atu res that ma ke the
IC KEVER $97.50 postpaid in TS·520 a very welcome compa nion in
U.S . and Canada. IC KEVER yo ur shack.
LESS PADD LE and non ~ kid Also, come in and a sk a bo ut the NEW
Kenwood TS-8 20 tha t has a ll of t he great
base $ 67.50. Add 6 % s ales tax
in C alifornia. •FT·lOlE TRANSCEIVER
features fou nd in the TS-520 plus so
ma ny truly uniq ue ope rat ing adva ntages
tha t it is the Pacesette r of the industry.
Italy write i2VTT, P .O. Box
Popular? I g uess! Ove r 200,000 units of KENWOOD
37, 22063 Cantu.
th is FT-10 1 s eries are in serv ice a round TR·7400A two-meter FM transceiver COV·
Fully guaranteed by the the world . 10 th ru 160M, SSB, CW, AM, ers 144-148 MHz in 5-kHz steps, select·
built-in WWV rece pt ion, solid s tate, RF able simplex and 600-kHz offs et; PLL cir·
world's o ldes t manufacturer of cuitry with unlock protection; LEO digital
el ectronic key s. ORDER spe ech processor, VOX, AC o r DC ope ra-
fr equency display; CTCS encode-decode,
tion a re some of the man y reasons for plus tone-burs t; MOSFET with helical res ·
YOURS NOW!
t his rig's popularity. We' ll be happy to onators, plus 2-pole 10.7-kHz c rystal IF
discuss t he many fine features of th e filter for superior sensitivity and selec-
tivity, and much more. Write today for
FT-IOIE wit h you today. details and price.
Call or visit wit h us today for assista nce in selecti ng the Amateur product that is the most likely to
meet your operating requirements.
PALOMAR
ENGINEERS RSE HAM SHACK
BOX 455, ESCONDIDO, CA 92025 ju....,...,j 120 7 W. 14 MILE, CLAWSON, MICHIGAN 480 17 !Ill
Phone: (714) 747.3343 3 13-43 5-5660

74 m Novembe r 1977 More details? Ad Check page 80.

 NEW YORK: Greater Syracuse (RAGS) Hamfest
Saturday, October 8 from 9 A .M. to 6 P.M. at the
Syracuse Auto Auc ti on, 4 miles south of
Syracuse, N.Y. o n U.S. Route 11 between
Nedrow and LaFayette. Flea market, cw and wir·
ing contests, forums, panels and eyeball QSOs.
Lu nc h co unter, nearby campsi te and Apple
Festival fo r the famil y. Talk-in on 31/91. Tickets
are $1.50 before Octo ber 1 and $2.00 at t he gate.
Fo r furt he r in f o r ma t ion , con t ac t R oger
Hamilton, WA2AEW, c/o RAGS, P.O. Box 88,
Liverpool, New York 13088.
CODE PRACTICE OSCILLATORS, hand keys,
elect ronic s keyers, other produ cts. Free
catalog. Globalman Products, Box 246, El Toro,
CA 92630. 714-533·4400.
1977 ARRL FLORIDA GULF COAST CONVEN·
TION , Clearwater Beach, November 19 & 20.
Sponsored by Flo rida Gulf Coast A .R. C. Ex·
hibit s, f lea market, technical sessio ns, FCC ex·
ams, forums and muc h more. F ull in fo and reser-
vation for Sheraton Hotel, contact: F.G.C.A.R.C.
Convention, P.O. Box 157, Clearwater, FL 33517 .

FREE LICENSING CLASSES in Fl ushing, NY

area. Send inquiries to FRATS (Flush ing Radio
A mateu r Technical Society), 62026 Boels en
RATES Regular classified is available MOBILE IGNITION SHIELDING provides more Crescent, Rego Park , NY 11374.
at 50~ per word. Display classified (1 inch range with no noise. Bonding strap sale less
deep x 2% inches wide) is $50, or at the than 50¢ each. Literature. Estes Engineering, VARIABLE AND TRIMMER CAPACITORS - RF
930 Marine Drive, Port Angeles, Wash. 98362. chokes - Mi niductors; stocked for immediate
12x rate is $35. All Ad Scan payable in ad- shipment. First class stamp for flyer. D & V
vance. No cash discounts or agency com- VHF CONFERENCE Western Michigan Universl· Rad io Part s, Rt#2, 12805 Sarle, F reeland,
missions allowed. ty will hold Its 23rd annual VHF Conference, Michigan 48623.
November 19, 1977. Contact Dr. Glade Wiicox,
HAMFESTS Sponsored by non-profit
W9UHF/8, Dept. of Electrical Eng., WMU CADILLAC" of QSL's! - New! Samples:
organizations receive one free regular Kalamazoo, Michigan 49008. $1.00 (Ref undab le) - M AC' S SHACK, Box
classified ad (subject to our editing). #1171-G, Garland , Texas 75040.
Repeat insertions of hamfest ads pay the
standard rate. QSL's with cl ass! Unbeat able qualit y -
AWARD CERTIFICATES reasonable pric e. Samples. OS L's Unli mited ,
COPY No special layout or ar- Award for Public Service or Emergency Box 27553, At lanta, GA 30327.
rangements available. Material should be Communications Award. Send 2.00 each,
typewritten or clearly printed (not all event, name and address. FREE Infor- STOP THIEVES! P ro te c t you r rig wi t h
capitals) and must include full name and mation. 49' er RADIO CLUB, Box guaranteed slid e mo u nt . $7.95 ppd . Adams
address. We reserve the right to reject un- H-101, Box 408, Chadron, NE 69337.
1400-HH, Downey, Calif. 90240 .
suitable copy. Ham Radio cannot check
KNIGHT RAIDERS VHF CLUB auction and flea
each advertiser and thus cannot be held market at St. Joseph 's Church, East Rutherford,
NEW Color video tape recorders $250.00, TV
responsible for claims made. Liability for NJ; 10 AM, October 8, 1977. Free ad mission, free
camera $150.00, videotapes $4.00, Cartrivision
correctness of material limted to cor- manuals, parts and accessories. D. Trimble 5835 parking, exhibit ions, make rese rvations befo re
rected ad in next available issue. Herma St., San Jose, CA 95123. October 1st t hro ugh Knight Raiders VHF Clu b,
DEADLINE 15th of fourth preceding P.O. Box 1054, Passaic, NJ 07055. For more in-
TOROIDS 88 or 44 mH. Same day shipment. 5 for formation , call Bob Kovales ki (201)473·7113.
month.
$3.50 postpaid. Gul l Electronics, 12690 Rt. 30, N.
SEND MATERIAL TO: Ad Scan, Ham Huntington, PA 15642.
Radio Horizons, Greenville, N. H. 03048. SST T-1 RANDOM WIRE ANTENNA TUNER
A ll b and ope?r;mon ( 160- 10 rne1e•5I w•t h
ENGRAVED NAMETAGS ·1Yz"x21h"- $3.00. m os! 11ny rrmdom len91h w 1 •~ - 200 wall
QTH added ·$0.50. Black, blue, red, green, o u 111u 1 (l()we• c~p;ib1 l 1tv . lde'!ll 10 1 portable
01 home Opcra1100 . T o10 1d induc101 !Qt
walnut. White letters. Beveled. Locking pin. 1
~m all ~·1c 3 " 4 -1 14 " 2-3 . 8 _ Bu-il1-1n n t:'on

FREE PASSES are avai lable to HAM RADIO Other colors available. Tag-it Co., Box 2062, In· iu uc u p mU1c<1to•. S0-2 39 C:O<I" c;un n l'rlcr
Gua1111Huc(j 11)1 1 yL , 10 i:lav !Hal. Cornl)(K;t
HORIZONS subscribers upon request, from Cal- dianapolis, In. 46206. - a,1sy rouse- . . .only 529 .9 5 pos1 pa1d . iA<ld
S n lr~ T.1~ Hl Cal•U !2131 376-5887
Comm/Expo'77, the first total communications
SST ELECTRONICS. P.O. BOX l. LAWNDALE. CA. 90260
show anywhere! Seminars will be held at the
In ORLANDO
new Los Angeles Bonaventure Hotel, and free The "New Guys On The Block" have those hard·to-
shuttle service will be provided back & forth to find parts for Amat eurs, plus FREE Catalog . Sola r Cel ls , N icads, Kits,
the Convention Center. September 24 · 26, 1977. KLM Mini-Products Bearcat 210 Ca lc ula tors , Digi ta l Wa tc h M odul es,
Hy-Gain Shure and much Ultrasonics, Strobes, LEDS, Transistors, !C's,
Interested individuals may obtain COMP tickets Cushcraft Astatic more!
by writing: CAL·COMM/EXP0'77, 809 E. Victoria, LAFAYETTE RADIO ELECTRONICS Un ique Components. Chane y's , Bo x 27038 ,
Dominguez Hills, CA 90745. Phone 213/CAL· Assoc. Store Denver, CO. 80227.
1811 Hwy 17 -92, Maitland, FL 32751
COMM . Dick K4RYR 305·831-227 1 Bob W4YYS PAN AMERICAN HAM JAMBOREE/EXPOS!·
THE VIDEO AMATEUR is a new publication of, TION, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Nat ional Guard Ar-
by and for the video enthusiast. Look to us for mory (State Road 84). Octobe r 29 & 30 starting at
HAMFEST Lima, Ohio October 9. The
service tips, modifications, bargains on video 12 noon on Sat urday to 10 PM. Sunday 9 AM to 5
North west Ohio ARC 3rd annual hamfest at the
gear and a wide exchange of products and in · PM. Tal k-in on 31/91 & 52 sim plex. Additio nal in-
Allen County Fairgrounds. Two large buildings,
formation. Send for a free copy to P.O. Box 250 format ion from WA4ZRW (305) 581·2718.
tables and table space avai lable. Dealers
Coyote, CA 95013.
welcome. For information and reservat ions NEW ORLEANS HAMFEST/COMPUTERFEST at
write, N.0.A.R.C., P.O. Box 211 , Lima , Ohio the ARRL Delta Division Convent ion for 1977.
~TRI POLE MULTl-B4ND 45802 Phone 640·1433 o r99 1·2716. September 24th & 25th at the Hilton Inn, Kenner,
QSL CARDS, $10/500, postage paid. Includes all LA (di rect ly across from the New Orleans Inter-
Al/.~a n d.intarrni. Gua ri nteed
pertinent data. Bowman Printing Service, 743 nat ional Ai rp ort). Banquet, p rizes, entertain·
&0 106 Meie1s P•US 160' 5 SWL Bands 8111\Hn
balun 2 'l(.W PEP rat1n9 •io ierun1n9 13!.'! or men!, exh ib its , foru ms, f lea markets, hospitality
Harvard, St. Louis, MO 63130.
1rap c.~nges 80 to 120 11inve11ed·V01 hor1ron1a1
A~·J1130~ 1n k11form or assembled
su ite , lad ies events, FCC exami nat io ns and
Ki4TSO·K S5• .95 c<1st+PP0 1n U$1\ SASE for my lists of old tubes, magazines , more . Contact New Orlean s Ham fest/Com-
Unl~ or u1fllltio Co. Dapt. H3
Ba12ftCl4111 h u,n:79QlS literature for sale. Harold L. Hasbrouck, 1157 puterf est, P.O. Box 10111 , Jefferson, LA 70181
!tlep~Cflt 191 ~) S92·1910
Palms Blvd., Ven ice, CA 90291. for more informat ion.

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 75

 STEREO YOUR KENWOOD
CW FILTER HEADQUARTERS

TR-7500
FM, lOW, 100 Channe ls, Digital Readout
Price $299

t /lelOW
TS-700A and rnodium
2 M TRA NSCEIVER rrequency
FM / AM /SSS/CW 1adiJ
~"'£
Price $599

~
Now a n audio fil t e r t ha t really
works. Connect to your receiver ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTORS. Inc.
pho ne jack , p lug y our phones into
Communication Special ists
t he fi lter a nd hear the diffe re nce a
for over 3 8 years
stable 8-pole active fi lte r can make.
Does n ot rin g or sound " tinny". 1960 PECK ST., MU SKEGON, MICH. 4 94 41
Multip le low Q fi lt ers add up to TEL. (6 16) 726-3 196 TELEX 2 2-8411
sharp s kirt se lectivity without
ringing.
S w it ch posi tion gives " wid e
band " fi lterin g (3 00 H z bandwidth ,
wid e sk irts ). Removes hum a nd
sp la tte r, peak s t h e sign al, but le t s
AT LAST!
AN AFFORDABLE 3 forthe
off-freq ue ncy signals come thro ugh . FIVE BANDER . adventure of it!
S wit c h po s iti on 2 gives
" na rrow-band " fi lt e rin g (80 Hz The adventure of
ba ndwidth , st eep s kirts ). Se lect s the
THE HFSV TRAP 80 METER DXing
by John Devoldere. ON4UN
sign al you w a nt, e lim ina t es the rest . Invaluable knowledge for any OXer. wtth a soec1al section on Grey·
VERTICAL ANTENNA hne orooag.a11on Discussion ol antennas basic to advanced
G reat ly improves recept ion in
COVERS 80 THROUGH 10 METERS
Order HR·BOM $4 . 50
heavy ORM .
WITH AUTOMATIC BANDSWITCHING Pure adventure:
Sw itc h po s iti o n SS FRENCH ATLANTIC AFFAIR
a nd feat uret : by Ern est Leh man. K6DXK
{Sim•J late d-S tereo) puts the narro w 1n1ngue and adven1ure on 1he high seas where Amateur Radio is the
b and filte r to one earphone, th e · EASY, FAST ASSEMBLY hero! Award·wmning author - as reviewed Ill !he August issue of
OST . !recommended for mature re,1clr.rsl
w id e b and filt er to t he oth er. Th e · STURDY ALUMINUM ALLOY Order A-FAA hardcover $1 0.95
s ign al is in both ' ph ones - the CONSTRUCTION The adventure of 160 to 190kHz
ORM in only one. By the alm ost · HIGH Q TRAPS LOW & MEDIUM FREQUENCY RADIO SCRAPBOOK
m agical act ion of t he ears and th e · FIBERGLASS MOUN TING POST by Ken Cornell . W21MB
Everylhtng 1ou wan1 10 know aboul Ille license-free 160· 190 kHz
b rain , the interference is rejected . · RADIAL WIRE band' See WI FB's revoew on 1he Miy ossue of OS r
Yet o ff -frequency calls can be · 27 FT. HEIGHT Order HR-LF $6 .95
heard . Great fo r con test o pe rat o rs, · - ti3;;1i3Ciio-;s-co-mm_u_nica1io~i eoiiksto~;-:
cw nets.
DX PROVEN! GREENVI LLE, NH 03048 l
I
Send for free brochure. Enc losed Is c heck or MO tor the following :
O rd er direct. $39.95 post paid in ONLY $64!&* I
n 80 METER n FRENCH r 1 LOW &MEOIU M I
U .S. and Can ad a. Californ ia plut $309 •hipping cont. U.S. OXong ATLANTIC FREQUENCY I
I
$ 14C!P Al aska & Ha wai i AFFAIR RAOIO I
residents add sales t ax. SCRAPBOOK
I
I
BUTTERNUT I
I
ELECTRO NICS- - - NAME_ _ __ _ _ __ _ _ __ _ __ :
COMPANY I

PALOMAR
I
ROUTE ONE ADDRESS
I
- - - - - - -- - -- - - II
LAKE CRYSTAL, MN. 5 6055
ENGINEERS phone 50 7 - 9 4 7- 3 12 8
S .A.S .£. fo f lntorm etlo n on thl • e nd
CITY
I
I
I
I
BOX 455, ESCONDIDO, CA 92025 I
ot h e r mo dei1 . I
Phone : (7141 747 -3343 STATE _ _ __ _ _ ZIP - - - - - - I
I
• MN. r e1l den t 1 a dd 4 ':\ .
-----------------------------------·
76 m November 1977 More det ails? Ad Check page 80.
 I • • .. , I I~
HALF-SIZE FULL PERFORMANC.E
Multi-Ban~
'O
HF Communications Ante_nnas

Here is an interesting~
., ESPECIALLY SUITABLE FOR THE NEW AMATEUR

I< I
general electronics hob-
75-10 HD THOUSANDS IN USE
by magazine. It's loaded
with lots of interesting MOR-GAIN HD DIPOLE SPECIFICATIONS MOR-GAIN HD Dipoles •• •
simple circuits and MODEL BANDS LENGTH PRICE • One half the length of conven· ·
<Meters> (feet) tional half·wave dipoleso
ideas, not only about 40-20 HD 40/20 36 $49.50 • Multi·band, Multi-frequency.
40-10 HD 40/20/15/10 36 59.50
radio, but in all phases of 80·40 HD 80/40 + 15 69 57.50
• Maximum efficiency • no traps,
loading coils, or stubs.
electronics including 75·40 HD 75/40 66 55.00 • Fully assembled and pre-tuned
75-40 HD <SPl 75/40 66 57.50 • no measuring, no cutting.
test gear, audio, remote 75-20 HD 75/40/20 66 66.50 • Proven performance ~ more than
75-20 HD (SP) 75/40/20 66 66.50 10,000 have been delivered.
control and security 75-10 HD 75/40/20/15/10 66 74.50 • Permit use of the . full capabili-
electronics. 75-10 HD <SP> 75/40/20/15/10 66 74.50 t ies of today's 5-band xcvrs.
80-10 HD 80/40/20/15/10 69 76.50
• One feedline for operation on
NOTE: 75 meter models are factory tuned to resonate at all bands.
We are sure that you will 3950 KHz. <SP) models are factory tuned to resonate at
• Lowest cost/highest perform· -
3800 KHz. 80 meter models are factory tuned to resonate ance antenna on t he market
find a number of worth· at 3650 KHz. today.
while projects in this WHY MOR-GAIN? • High~st performance for ·the l'jo:
NOVICE LICENSE OPERAT.ION. The MOR·GAIN HD ' v ice as well as the Extra-Class
British magazine. Dipole is. the ideal antenna for the ne'!' or Novice Op.
operator. As the Novice progresses to h!gher license • Guaranteed ONE YEAR.
classes he can easily re-tune the H.D Dipole to the
new frequencies of his higher license frequency priv-
ileges. The HD Dipole Is thus a one,-time lnvest.ment. LIMITED REAL ESTATE. Where real estate for an·
HD Dipole.s . are av~ilable for all Novice frequencies, tenna installation Is limited, the HD dipole Is the
Ideal solution. Operation on 80/75/40 meters Is now
1 Year(12 Issues) $11 .00 LEAST COST; Dollar for dollar,' the HD dipoles are possible since the . HD, dipole is only half the length
the highe$t performance least cost !'l~lti·band antennas
on the market today. For Example: \he 5-band 75-10 of a conventional half-wave dipole. For all-around
HD dipole • costs less than $15.00 per band • an operation, the HD dipole will outperform any trap
unbeatable -low cost. loaded horizontal or vertical dipole.
Contact your favorite dealer or order direct from MOR.GAIN today. Write for fully descriptive
Radio & Electronics four page brochure. •
Constructor Manufactured & Guaranteed by

Cl~)
Greenville, NH 03048 MOR-GAIN
2200N South 4th Street
~ Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
-.- - (913) 682-3142

1977 ARRL FLORIDA • iilil::• ::I ~E!!-':::2J

Save
CONVENTIO~
TRITON IV MIDLAND DRAKE

time

-1111
--
GULF COAST
Clearwater Beach and
energy ICDM IC-211 ICDM IC-22S KLM 2700
November 19 and 20

Only REAL Convention in the South· the easy way - just call
east with Exh ibitors, Flea Mkt., Tech-
nical Sessions, FCC Exams, Forums,
QCWA, AWA, SMIRK, 10·10 Club,
TOLL FREE HY-GAIN
HT 3806
DRAKE
MN-2000
SWAN
700 ex
etc. Full Lad ies activit ies plus hotel
facilities on th e Gulf.
800-258-5353 Factory Authorized
to order books from Ham Radio ' s
Communications Bookstore and • DRAKE • TEN-TEC • ICOM
Ray Spence, FCC Chief Eng., Bob • KLM • CUSHCRAFT • HYGAIN
and Ellen White, of ARRL as g uest
subscriptions to Amateur Radio ' s
best publications, Ham Radio HORI- • SWAN • MFJ • DENTRON
spea kers at Forums. Saturday Eve
ZONS , HAM RADIO Maga zine and HR • NYE VIKING • MIDLAND • COE
Ba nquet with IARU President, Noel Report.
Eat on , VE3CJ, as guest spea ker . CUSHCRAFT ATB-34 $199 .95
SAVE MONEY TOO!
Tickets: Adv'd. $3 Single; $5 Family 5% discount plus Free Shipping WE DEAL• WE TRADE
+ 2 Bonu s tickets. Banq uet: $9 on orders of $35 or more.
WE DISCOUNT• WE SHIP
(Reserve ea rly) Please use this number to PLACE ORDERS
ONLY . To inquire about book orders and CALL OR WRITE
Sponsored By sub scriptions pl ease write . or call
Florida Gulf Coast (603) 878-1441 .
Amateur Radio Council LEE ham·bone ART
GREENVILLE
Full Info and reservation for She ra- NH 03048 WA2ACF radio WB2YPP
ton Hotel contact:
F.G.C.A.R.C. Convention - Div. of Stereo Repair Shop
P. 0 . Box 157
Clea rwater, Florida 33517
3206 ERIE BLVD. EAST
SYRACUSE, N. Y. 13214
315-446·2266
We're Amateur Radio's Book People !

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 ~ 77

 fA~O

Your holiday includes:

• Attendance at SAROC Hawaiian Convention, Saturday and Sunday, November 5 and 6.
• Seven nights at the fabulous HYATT KUILIMA RESORT HOTEL and COUNTRY CLUB on
Oahu's North Shore.
• Roundtrip air transportation, double occupancy in hotel room and SAROC Advance
Registration just $350 per person. Limit 2 pieces of luggage per person. Tax and gratuity
included.
• Departs Los Angeles, November 1, 1977 - Returns November 8, 1977. (United Airlines
OTC Flight)
• $100 deposit immediately, full payment by September 15, 1977.
• SAROC Advance Registration $3.00, with Saturday Banquet $11 per person.
Write for further details

BOX 945, BOULDER CITY, NEVADA 89005

78 m November 1977 More details? Ad Check page 80.

 ANTENNAS VERTICALS QUADS Y AGIS
VERTICALS FREIGHT FREE!
With loading coil To the lower 48
FOR 80-40-20-15-10-6 METERS ALL ON THE SAME ANTENNA!!! COMPLETE PACKAGE!
Ideal for low space requirements . Ominidirectional "Rag-Chew" ability
SPECIFY Model Number TTV-80 - $35.00

QUADS-QUADS-QUADS
PREFERRED BY THOSE WITH " DX " IN MIND
STEEL REINFORCED STRESS POINTS KEEP YOUR QUAD DURABLE
Tri-bander 20-15-10 meters COMPLETE AND READY TO ASSEMBLE
SHIPPED cheapest way.
Freight charge C.O .D.
SPECIFY Model TTQ-3 - $68. 75

YAGI BEAMS
3 ELEMENTS 4 ELEMENTS
10 METERS TT103-42.00 TT104- 46.00 PROVEN PERFORMERS
15 METERS TT1 53-49.00 TT154-55.00 MONOBANDERS FOR BEST RESULTS
20 METERS TT203-55.00 TT204-65.00 shipped cheapest way. Freight charge C.O.D.
Send check or
6003 Maple Ave. Dept. 101-J
mo ney order to:
!TEXAS ADO 5% SALES l AX.) TEXTEC SYSTEMS Dallas, Texas 75235

PARTS PANIC \ifil

YAlSU

v
502-886-4534 i111r
POPULAR TOROID
ASSORTMENT YAESU -TEN-TEC -TEMPO - DENTRON
ONLY $9.95 • WE HAVE FULL SERVICE
($1 5.00 Value)
We Stock a Com·
ON WARRANTY AND NON·
plele Line of Pow· WARRANTY RADIOS.
dered Iron and Fer·
rite Product s. • ALL NEW DIGITAL MODELS
FOR CONVENIENCE AND LOWER COST, ARE NOW IN STOCK.
ASSORTMENT INCLUDES: 2 pcs. each,
T25-2, T25-6, T37-2, T37-6, T37-10, T37-12, • CALL US SOON FOR
TS0.10, TS0-12, T68-l0, T·80.2, T80·6,
T-94-2. 3 pcs. each, TS0-2, TS0.3, TS0.6, PERSONAL SERVICE.
T68·2, T68·3, T68-6 AND CONVENIENT
STORAGE BOX AND SPEC SHEETS.
FERRITE BEAD ASSORTMENT
Includes convenient plastic storage box and one
dozen each of FB43-l01, FB43·80l, FB64-101,
FB64·801, FB73·101 and FB73-801 plus new
spec sheets. Value $7.50 for $6.95.
NOW IN STOCK
Transmitting Variables - Roller Inductors -
Counter Dials - Air Wound Coi ls - Couplings
TEN·TEC
- Knobs - Receiving Variables - Toroids - 544 DIGITAL
R. F. Chokes - Coil Forms and more from Mil·
len · E. F. Johnson • Barker & Williamson • JW
Mil ler · Hammar lund. Send First Class Stamp for
Flyer. Add $2.00 to each order for shipping and
TRENTON, KY. 42286
handling. Prices subject to change.

COHOON
AMATEUR SUPPLY

More details? Ad Check page 80. Novem ber 1977 ~ 79

 CALL . TOLL FREE
800-228-4097
ADGHECK for prices on Yaesu, Tempo, Swan,
Ten-Tee, learn, MFJ, Nye-Viking,
AD INDEX
Drake, Hy-Gain, Dentron, COE, and
Midland.
Until Aug. 1 or Nebr. residents call
... for literature, in a hurry - we' ll 402-466-3733.
rush your name to the companies AGL Electronics 81
whose names you check . DRAKE ALD Industries 10
TR4·CW 80·10m hf trans. with CW filler ARAL Fla. Gulf Coast 77
reg. $699.00 Now $629.00
Place your check mark in the space between 34PNB Noise blanker for TR-4C Atlas Radio Cover IV
name and number. Exampl e: HRH ..!/!..- 150. reg. $1 00.00 Now $90.00 Atronics 53
RV·4C Remote VFO/ speaker Burghardt Amateur Center 19
reg. $1 50 00 Now $134.95
AC·4 AC power supply for TR-4C & T-4XC Butternut Electronics 76
AGL _ 558 Ham Outlet_ 595 reg. $1 20.00 Now $109.00 CFP Commu nicati ons 73
ALD _ 625 Heath _ 060 DC·4 DC power supply
reg. $1 35.00 Now $124.00 Cohoon Amateur Supp ly 79
AR AL • Henry_ 062 L4B Linear amplifier Communi catio ns Center 80
reg. $895.00 Now $789.00 Communications Specialists 51
Atlas_198 SSR·l Gen. coverage rcvr. .5-30 MHz
Herrman _ _ 568 reg. $350 00 Now $279.00 Cushcraft 4
Atronics __ 382 R-4C 80·10m r ec eiver Dentron Radio Co. 44, 45
lcom_065 reg. $5 J9 .95 Now $539.95
4-NB Noise blanker for R-4C Drake Co., R.L. Cover II
Burghard t _ 530 Kengore __ 073 reg $70.00 Now $64.00 Ehrhorn Technol ogl cal Operations 65
Butternut __ 603 T-4XC 80-lOm transmitter El ectro nic Distributors 76
Kenwood • reg. $599 .95 Now $539.95
C FP _022 TV·3300LP Low pass fi lter Erickson Co mmun ications 70
Kester · reg. $26.60 Now $19.95 Ham-Bone Radi o 77
Cohoon _ 559 MN·2000 Antenna Tuner
Kl aus _ 430 reg. $240.00 Now $219.95 "Ham" Buerger 59
Comm. MN-4 Antenna Tuner Ham Radio Center 53, 69
Center __ 534 Larsen _ _ 078 reg. $120 00 Now $109.95 Ham Radio's
1525 Encoder Microphone
Long·s _ _ 468 reg. $4 9.95 Now $45.95 Communications Bookstore 69, 76, 77
Comm.
Spec. _ 330 TR-33C, 2m Portable Xcvr Ham Radio Outlet 9
MFJ _ 082 reg $229 95 Now $209.95 Heath Company 25
Cushcraft _ 035 Henry Radio Stores 61
Dentron __ 259
Madison• HY-GAIN The Herrman Co. 69
Mor·Gain _ _ 089 TH6DXX 6 element super Thunderbird
reg. $249 95 Now $209.95 lcom 7
Drake __ 039 TH3-MK3 3 element tri-band
National _ 323 Kengore Corporation 59
1eg. $1 99 .9" Now $169.95
Dynamic 204BA 4 element 20m beam T rio-Kenwood Communi cations,
Pal omar __ 093
Elect. _ 041 rec $1 89 .95 Now $159.95 Inc. 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, Cover Ill
Para· Hy.Quad, 2 el. Quad, 10·20 meters Kester Sol der 74
E. T .O. • 1ec. $2 I 9.95 Now $189.95
Graphics __ 618 TH3JR 3 element tri·band Klaus Rad io, Inc. 66
Elect. Dist . _ 044 reg $144 50 Now $129.95 Larsen Antennas 59
ASE Ham · TH2MK3, 2 element tri-band
Elect. shack _ 607 reg. $1 39 .95 Now $124.95 Long's Electroni cs 1
Spec. _372 402BA 2 element , 40m MFJ Enterpri ses 3
Radio Construc tor reg $I 99. 95 Now $169.95
_ 586 Madison Electroni c Supply 73
Eri ckson __ 047 203BA 3 element 20m
reg $ 129. 95 Now $109.95 Mor-Gain 77
Ham· Bone SAROC • 153BA 3 element 15m Palom ar Engineers 63, 73, 74, 76
Radio_617 reg . $79.95 Now $69.95 Para-Graphics 53
T en-Tee• lOJBA 3 element l Om
" Ham" reg $54 95 Now $49.95 ASE Hamshack 74
Buerger _ _ 604 Textec __ 619 DB10· 15A 3 element 10, 15m Radio & Electronics Constructor 77
reg . $1 4 9 95 Now $134.95
Ham Center __ 491 Whitehouse __ 378 18HT Hy-Tower, reg $779 95 Now $239.95 SAROC 78
2BDQ Trap Doublet 40, 80m Ten-Tee 37
H. R.C. B. _ 150 Wiison_ 123 reg. $4'l 'l5 Now $44 .95
5BDQ Trap Doublet 10 thru 80m Textec Systems 79
reg. $79.95 Now $69.95 G. R. Whitehouse & Co. 79
12AVQ 10·20m vertical Wilson Electronics 67
reg. $37.95 Now $33.95
• Please con tact this advertiser directly. 14AVQ/ WB 10·40m ver tical
rec $67. 00 Now $57.00
Limit 15 inquiries per request. 18AVT;we 10-80m vertical
rce. $'l 7. 00 Now $84.95
LA-1 Lightning Arrestor
reg. $44 .95 Now $39.95
BN·86 Ferrite Balun
NOVEMBER , 1977 reg. $15.95 Now $14.95
Please use before December 3 1, 1977 203 3 el ?m beam $12.95 Foreign Subscription Agents
205 5 el 2m beam $16.95
208 8 el 2m beam
214 14 el 2m beam
$19.95
$26.95
for Ham Radio HORIZONS
273 4 el J·Pole $49.95 Ham Radio Au!trla Ham Rad io Holland
Tear off and mall to 3806 2m Handheld Kann Ueber M AL Ect ronics
Posllach24~ Postbus 88
•cg. $I 89 00 Now $169.00
HAM RADIO HORIZONS - " Ad Check" 3750 Tran sceiver D·7850 Loerrach
We st Germany
NL·2~4 0e llt
Holland
Greenville, N _H. 03048 reg. $1 895.00 Now $1695.00
Harn Radio B elg ium
CALL FOR DAILY SPECIALS Stereohouse
Bruss elsesi eenweg 416
Ham Rad io ltiily
STE , Vi a Mani ago 15
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 9·9218Gent
Belgi um
1·201 34 Milano
Italy
NAME-- - - -- - - -- --
T.1lk lo Bob, WB'.' ROZ. Joe, WA~;WRI, Don, Ham Radio CanaoCt
WB;"Y EZ, Roy, WB."WWA, or Bill WB;;::.YHJ. Box 11 4, GOderich H am Raoio Sw11Zer1and
Ont ario. Canada N 7A 3YS
Kar in Ueber
CAL~-------
800-228-4097 Ham Radt0 Europe Postla ch 2•S4
801C 44.4
0-7850 Loerrach
S-1 9-404 Upplanas Vasby West Germany
Sweden
STREET Nebr. residents call
Ham Ritdto France Ham Radio UK
402-466·3733 collect Chris11ane M ic hel P.O. Box 63, Harrow
F-89 117 Parly Mtddlesex HA3 6HS,
Fr ance Enol1nd
CITY _ __ __ _ __ _ __ ~

Communications Center Ham Radio Germany

Karin Uebet Holland Radio
2226 North 48th Street Postlach 2454 143 Greenway
0 ·7850 Loenach Greensid e. Johannesbu rg
STATE _ _ _ __ ZIP _ _ __ _ Lincoln, NE 68504 West Germa ny Republic o f South Africa

80 m November 1977
 A Message from Art •••
About AGL
We'll See You -
September 17th & 18th at RADIO EXPO, Chicago
October 7th, 8th & 9th at the ARRL WEST GULF
DIVISION CONVENTION, Austin
October 28th, 29th & 30th at the LAKE TEXOMA HAM FEST

(AGL £lectronics)
LAR ~Y USA.RY A.Rf t t OU SHOlDCR GOA DON Foc.G

,\. G. L . t s a comparative ly nc ·..· co:'!!pAny "' lt.h a r. old fashion -

ed phi los ophy about CJiv in t} o u r eu s to.~ r s tiH' bes t s e rvice we

can del i ver a t the mo st competi ti ve pr i ce .

· r:v e ryo ne o t ,;.c; . L. 1s a I 1c1.: n sc-d h.1111 oper i\ t o r- wi t h " st rong

elec t r o ni c s b ackyounLI , .:1 ml ,, l t h o u qh t•. G .L. 1s n e w , i.;e ' ve probab -

l y met and t:alk.cd with l!l()St of y ou .\t l'l ,, m ~ c s t s f o r the p ast ma ny

ye a rs. ( W~ wo ultl r .l t h~ r n ot. tl l~c u s:; h o w ll'l<lnyl.

We think we hav(! .Jcc:u 111ul1ttcd o n e o( t he most comp l ete i n v c n -

tor i ~fl o! el ..,c t roni c s i n t he uo uthwct< t. h'c' vc coaihi n e d tha t: ,with

oui- own :sll i 1 1 :i a nd b 1'ck;9ro und !J •.111d c n.•.. t e cl a bu:s incs:s t h a t we

hope you wi l l l i ke doi n.y b usinc: s s wi th.

By th ~ wa y, i( you like to " li<'r'tic t r.,de ~ Ort equip1?1cn t, you

ac e rPO c e th il n wel come. tn f.tct, we c ncou rago it .

St o p in and s ec f o r your,c lf, you 3Ul g o ing t o li ke A. G. L.

Art 11o u s ho l de r , K9TRG

Vice Pr csidcnt

J06& l o<f11Lil><r, S....•:tJ.09 • D~lt~•.Tnu H lH • 214/241-6414

CALL US TODAY TOLL FREE AT 1-800-527-7418

CALL 214·241·6414(in Texas)
LARRY WA5WWH GORDON N5AU MIKEWA5UOB MIKEWB5ACM TOM K5TM BOBW5XC

(AGL £lectronics)
3068 FOREST LANE, SUITE 309 • DALLAS, TEXAS 75234
-
8AHKAM !RICAR O
*#M

More details? Ad Check page 80. November 1977 m 81

 FULL COVERAGE TRANSCEIVER OUTSTANDING RECEIVER ups and when the going gets
The TS-5205 provides full cover- SENSITIVITY AND M INIM UM
CROSS M ODULATION rough.
age on all amateur bands from
1.8 to 29. 7 MHz. Kenwood gives The T5-5205 incorporates a VERNIER TUNING FOR FINAL
you 160 meter capability. WNV 35K35 dual gate M05FET for PLATE CONTROL
on 15.000 MHz.• and an auxil- outstanding cross modulation and A vernier tuning mechanism
iary band position for maximum spurious response characteristics. allows easy and accurate adjust-
flexibility. And with the addition The 35K35 has a low noise ment of the plate control during
of the TV-506 transverter. your figure (3.5 dB typ.) and high gain tune-up.
TS-5205 can cover 160 meters (18 dB typ.) for excellent
to 6 meters on 55B and CW. sensitivity. FINAL AMPLIFIER
DIGITAL DISPLAY DG-5 (option) The T5-5205 is completely solid
The Kenwood OG-5 provides NEW IM PROVED SPEECH state except for the d river (12B-
easy. accurate readout of your PROCESSOR Y7A) and the final tubes. Rather
operating frequency while trans- than subsitute TV sweep tubes as
An audio compression amplifier final amplifier tubes in a state of
mitting and receiving. gives you extra punch in the pile
the an amateur transceiver.
Kenwood has employed two
husky S-2001A (equivalent to
61468) tubes. These rugged,
time-proven tubes are known for
their long life and superb linearity.
c:_-p TS-520
f.!2Jpecifications
Amlleur Bands: 160·10 meters
An effective noise blanking cricuit plus 'fNN (receive oaly)
developed by Kenwood that vir- llodes: llSB, LS8, cw
tually eliminates ignition noise is Ant111111 Impedance: 50-75 Ohllls
built into the TS-620S. Freq11e11cy Stability: ~n ±l
kHz durin& oae hour alter one
minute of wann-up, and within
The TS-5205 has a bunt-in 20 , 100 Hz durint any 30 minute
dB attentuator that can be acti- period thereafter
vated by a push button swich Tubes & Semicondudors:
conveniently located on the Tubes ... 3
front panel. (S2001A x2, 12BY7A)
T111nsistors. . • . • . 52
'l6RC\l' , S . O~\. f OR FETs . • ... . . .. 19
Emt::I\.:.._ Rl:CE ~V.S ~ Diodes. . 101
A special jack on the rear panel Power Requi~ments: 120/220 Y
of the TS-520S provides receiver AC. 50/60 Hz, 13.8 Y DC
signals to an external receiver for (with optional OS-IA)
increased station versitility. A Powtf Consumption: Transmit:
switch on the rear panel deter- 280 Watts Receive: 26 Watts
(with heater ofO
mines the signal path ... the
Dimension: 333(13~) Wx153 (6--0)
receiver in the TS-820 or any Hx 335(13- (13-3/16) D mm(inch)
external receiver. Weight: 16.0 kg(35.2 lbs)
lll"C-520 - NEW RElv.OTI: Vf::O TRANSMITTER
RF Input Power: SSB: 200 Watts
The VF0-520 remote VFO ' PEP CW: 160 Watts DC
matches the styling of the TS- Carrier Suppression: Better than
520S and provides maximum -40 dB
operating f lexibility on the band Sideband Suppression: Better
selected on your TS-520S . than -50 dB
Spurious Radiation: Better than
AG i'>GWE\>: St.!.Pl"LV -40 dB
The TS-520S is completely self- Microphone Impedance: SOk Ohms
contained w ith a rugged AC AF Resoonse: 400 lo 2,600 Hz
power supply built-in . The addi-
RECEIVER
tion of the DS-1A DC-DC
Sensitivity: 0.25 uV for 10 dB
converter (opt ional) allows for (S+N)/ N
mobile operation of the TS-520S . Selectivity: SSB:2.4 kHz/ -6 dB,
4.4 kHz/ -60 dB
EA.S\ P.-:Ol\!E P.;1.:·cH CCl\!l\!ECT1CN
Selectivity: CW: 0.5 kHz/-6 dB.
The TS-5 20S has 2 convenient 1.5 kHz/-60 dB (witti optional
RCA phono jacks on the rear CW·520 filterJ
panel for PHONE PATCH IN and Image Ratio: Better than 50 dB
PHONE PATCH OUT. IF Rejection: Better than 50 dB
AF Output Power: 1.0 Watt (8
CW -5:20 - CW Ftt..t'ER (OPilON) Ohm load, with less lhan 10%
The CW-5 2 0 -500 Hz filter can be distortion)
easilly installed and will provide AF Output Impedance: 4 to 16
improved operation on CW . Ohms

A tJ"L,t=lt:O TYPE AGC ClRCUff DG-5

SPECIFICATIONS
The AGC circuit has 3 positions
Measuring Range: 100 Hz to
(OFF. FAST, SLOW) to enable 40 MHz
the TS-520S to be operated in Input Impedance: 5 k Ohms
the optimum cond ition at all Gate Time: 0.1 Sec.
times whether operating CW Input Sensitivity: 100 Hz to 40
or SSS. MHz... 200 mY nns or over. 10
kHz lo 10 MHz.• 50 mV or over
The TS-520S retains all of the :ne ;uiwry of digha. raadou: is ava:JabJe on -&.e TS-520S ":l>J ccnnarr!: ~. ;;i ::-.&
Measunng Accuracy: Internal hme
features of the original TS-520 base accuracy ± 0.1 count DG-5 reaoo~ ,o;>tion, ..:r.ore faar. jus'! !hs ave.raga r.;,ad::..r. c ;reui·t, fo'.s
that made it tops in its class: RIT Time Base: 10 MHz coun .er mixes '!i"•a carrier, JfO,-and .1a-rsrodvna fraquancias ~o gL1.s / t:>U /CJI
control • 8 -pole crystal filter • Operating Temperature: -10° to aX3Ct f raquar.cy. Tn1s har:.dsorr.iaiy~j!.cd ac:::::essoJY ~:: !>.&set'! 3,m.csi
Built-in 2 5 KHz calibrator • Front 50° C/ 14• 122° F anypl:aca- in youi; shack for aasy te read o:pera·1ien ... or sa·1 it on ma £1-asn-
panel carrier level control • Semi- Power Requirement: Supplied board di.;ring mo~ila oparation for safety and convenj:.nca. S j:.: bnlti d lghs
b reak-in CW with sidetone • from TS· 520S or 12 to 16 VDC displa y your opetatins 7r eQ"-1&..'lc-;.t w hile ytiu 1ransmfa a r::d raceiJa. Com,pl.aw
VOX/ PTT / MOX• TUNE position (nominal 13.8 VDC)
for low power tune up • Built-in with DH (disp!ay h o1dJ switch for rraqu.ency memory ~mcl 2 :;>-0shio1• im.;rrrd t;
Dimensions: 167(6·9/16) Wx
speaker • Built-in Cooling Fan • 43(1·11/ 16) H x 268(10-9/16) D selector. The !>G-5 can also ba us&d as a normal 1.raq:Jency cownta1 l..Jl lo :.A:J
Provisions for 4 fi xed frequency mm(inch) MHz at the lOUen of a switch. (lnp1.11 cable provkl.ad.)
channels • Heat er sw itch . Weight: L3 kg(2.9 lbs) NOTE: YS-520 owners can use t h e DG-5 with a DK-520 at.Japtat kit.
 ••

told you that the TS-820 would be Following are a few of the reads out to 100 Hz. Both
best. In little more than a year our TS-8208' many exciting receive and transmit frequen-
promise has become a fact. Now, in features. cies are displayed in easy to
r ponse to hundreds of requests from PLL • The TS-8205 employs read, Kenwood Blue digits.
amateurs, Kenwood offers the TS- the latest phase lock loop SPEECH PROCESSOR • An
circuitry. The single RF circuit provides quick
a2os·. . the same superb transceiver, conversion receiver section time constant compression
but with the digital readout factory
performance offers superb using a true RF comrressor
installed. As an owner of this beautiful protection against unwanted as opposed to an AF clipper.
rig, you will have at your fingertips cross-modulation. And now Amount of compression is
the combination of controls and fea - PLL allows the frequency to adjustable to the desired
tures that even under the toughest remain the same when level by a convenient front
operating conditions make switching sidebands (USB, panel control.
the TS 820S the Pacesetter that it is. LSB, CW) and eliminates IF SHIFT • The IF SHIFT
having to recalibrate each control varies the IF pass-
time. band without changing the
DIGITAL READOUT• The receive frequency. Enables
digital counter display is em- the operator to eliminate
ployed as an integral part of unwanted signals by moving
the VFO readout system. them out of the passband of
Counter mixes the cal'rier VFO, the receiver. This feature
and first heterodyne frequen- alone makes the TS-820S
cies to give exact frequency. a pacesetter.
Figures the frequency down
"The TS-820 •nd OG-1••1till 8vd-
to 10 Hz and digital display •ble Ml)llmely.
 •

An easy way to get on the 6

Experience the excitement of 6 has provisions for fixed frequency meter band with your TS-520 /
meters. The TS-600 all mode trans- operation on NETS or to listen for 5205. TS-820/ 8205 and most
ceiver lets you experience the fun beacons. State of the art features other transceivers. Simply plug
of 6 meter band openings. such as an effective noise blanker it in and you' re on ... full band
coverage with 10 watts output
This 10 watt, solid state rig covers and the RIT (Receiver Incremental
on SSB and CW.
50.0-54 .0 MHz. The VFO tunes the Tuning) circuit make the TS-600
band in 1 MHz segments. It also another Kenwood "Pacesetter" .

at an economical price .
--
Experience the luxury of 450 MHz
II II
ceiver is capable of FJ emission
on 23 crystal-controlled channels
two-pole crystal filter in the IF
section of the receiver for improved
The TR-8300 offers high quality (3 supplied) . The transmitter out- intermodulation characteristics.
and superb performance as a result put is 10 watts. Receiver sensitivity, spurious
of many years of improving VHF I The TR-8300 incorporates a 5 response, and temperature
UHF design techniques. The trans- section helical resonator and a characteristics are excellent.
 ••
. . . pacestlter in amaltur radio

h ek out the new ''built-Ins" : Features: Digital readout w ith " Kenwood Blue" digits•
dig tal readout, receiver pre-amp, High gain receiver pre-amp• 1 watt lower power switch•
Built in VOX • Semi-break in on CW • CW sidetone •
semi break in, and CW sidetonel
Operates all modes: SSB (upper & lower), FM, AM and CW
cour e, it's still all mode, 144-148 • Completely solid state circuit ry provides stable, long last-
MHz and VFO controlled . ing, trouble-free operation • AC and DC capability (operate
from your car. boat, or as a base station through its built-in
power supply)• 4 MHz band coverage (144 to 148 MHz) •
Automatically switches transmit frequency 600 KHz for
repeater operation. Simply d ial in your receive frequency
and the radio does the rest . . . simplex, repeater; reverse • Or
accomplish the same by plugging a single crystal into one
of the 11 crystal positions for you r favorite channel •
Transmit/ Receive capability on 44 channels with 11 crystals.

Handsomely styled and a perfect compan ion to on the VF0-700S selects the VFO in use and
the TS-700S. Th is unit provides you with the the appropriate frequency is displayed on the
extra versatility and the luxury of having a digital readout in the TS-7005 . In addit ion a
second VFO in your shack . Great for split momentary contact " frequency check" switch
frequency operation and for tuning off fre- allows you to spot check the frequency of the
quency to check the band . The function switch VFO not in use.
Features Kenwood's unique Continuous Tone Coded
Squelch system, 4 MHz band coverage, 25 watt
output and fully synthesized 800 channel operation.
This compact package gives you the kind of parfonn-
ance specifications you' ve always wanted in a
2-meter amateur rig.
Outstanding sensitivity, large-sized hetical resonators
w ith High Q 10 minimize undesirable out-of-band
interference, and give a 2-pole 10. 7 MHz monolithic
crystal f ilter combine to give your TR-7400A outstand-
ing receiver perfonnance. Intermodulation character-
istics (Better than 66dB), spurious (Better than - 80dB),
image rejection (Better than -70d8), and a versatile
squelch system make the T~-7400A tops in its class.
Shown w ith the PS-8 power supply
(Active filters and Tone Burst Modules optional)

This 100 channel PLL synthesized 146-148 MHz

transceiver comes with 88 pre-programmed channels
for use on all standard repeater frequencies (as per
ARRL Band Plan) and most si.mplex channels. For
added flexibility, there are 6 diode-programmable
switch positions. The 1 5 KHz shift function makes
these 6 positions into 12 channels. 10 watt output,
± 600 KHz offset and LED digital frequency display
are just a few of the many fine features of the TR-7500 .
The PS-6 is the handsomely styled, matching power
supply for the TR-7500. Its 3 .5 amp current capacity
and built-in speaker make it the perfect companjon for
home use of the TR-7 500.

The high performance portable 2-meter FM

transceiver. 146-148 MHz, 1 2 channels (6
supplied), 2 watts or 400 mW RF output.
Everything you need is included: Ni-Cad
battery pack, charger, carrying case
and microphone.
 ••

Kenwood developed the T -5990 t ransmitter and R-5990

receiver for the most discriminating amateur.
The R-5990 is the most complete receiver ever offered . It is
entirely solid-S1ate, superbly reliable and compact. It covers the
full amateur band, 10 through 160 meters, CW, LSB, USB,
AM and FM.
The T-5 990 is solid-state with the exception of only three
tubes, has built-in power supply and full metering. It operates
CW, LSB, USB and AM and, of course, is a perfect match to
the R-5990 receiver.
If you have never considered the advantages of operating a
receiver / t ransmitter combination . . .maybe you should.
Because of the larger number of controls and dual VFOs the
combination offers flexibility impossible to duplicate with a
transceiver.
Compare the specs of the R-5990 and the T-5990 w ith any
other brand . Remember, the R-5990 is all solid state (and in-

...
cludes four f ilters). Your choice will obviously be the Kenwood .
~

••
Dependable operation, superior specifications and excellent
features make the R-3 00 an unexcelled value for the
shortwave listener. It offers fu ll band coverage w ith a
frequency range of 170 KHz to 30.0 M Hz• Receives AM ,
SSB and CW • Features large, easy to read drum dials
with fast smooth dial action • Band spread is calibrated for
the 10 foreign broadcast bands. easily tuned with the use
of a built-in 500 KHz calibrat or • Automatic noise limiter •
3-way power supply system (AC/ Batteries/ External DC)
. . . take it anyplace • Automatically sw itches to battery
power in the event of AC power failure.
 'line f,tfllip111e11t tl1at befll11gs in ever11
well equipped station
~ l~J'l\i.~$; CC-29A ... . 2 Meter Converter for TR-7 500 . .. 1 00 Channel Synthesized
820 Series R-599D 2 M FM Transceiver
TS-820S . .. TS-820 w ith Digital CC-69 . . ... 6 Meter Converter for TR-8300 ... 70 CM FM Transceiver
Installed R-599D (450 MHz)
TS-820 . ... 10- 1 60 M Deluxe FM-599A . . FM Filter for R-599D TV-506 . . . . 6 M Transverter for
Transceiver 520/ 820/ 599 Series
DG-1 .. .. . . Digital Frequency Display 2:-.. 0l'tT vvA\..'E LtSY'.;:N,ll\'.G
for TS-820 R-300 General Coverage SWL Receiver l?Ci?l!SLAli'. STATU Gil\!. .:A.~(gi!~~@tMIE~
VF0-820 ... Deluxe Remote VFO for HS-4 . .. . . . Headphone Set
for TS-820 / 820S MB· 1A . .. .. Mounting Bracket for
CW-820 ... 500 Hz CW Filter for
VH.'L= U l\llt::S
TR-2200A
TS-820/ 820S TS-600 . . . . 6 M All Mode Transceiver
MC-50 . . . . Desk Microphone
DS-1 A . .. .. DC·OC Converter for TS-700S .. . 2 M All Mode Digital
Transceiver PS-5 . .. ... Power Supply for TR-8300
520/820 Series
VF0-700S . .Remote VFO for TS-700S PS-6 .. . . . . Power Supply for TR· 7500
520 Series PS-8 . . . . . . Power Supply for TR-7 400A
TS-520S . .. 160-10 M Transceiver SP-70 . .. . . Matching Speaker for
TS-600 / 700 Series VOX-3 . .. . VOX for TS-600/700A
DG-5 ... . .. Digital Frequency Display
for TS-520 Series TR-2200A. 2 M Portable FM
VF0-520 ... Remote VFO for TS-520 Transceiver Trio-Kenwood stocks a complete line of
and TS-520S TR· 7 400A . 2 M Synthesized Deluxe replacement parts, accessories, and manuals
SP-520 . . . . External Speaker for FM Transceiver for all Kenwood models.
520/820 Series
CW-520 . . . 500 Hz CW Filter for MORIE .A.C-'.:;2SS0Li:cl~S:
TS-520/ 520S Description Model # For use with
DK-520 . . . . Digital Adaptor Kit for Rubber Helical Antenna RA-1 TR-2200A
TS-520
Telescoping Whip Antenna T90-0082-05 TR-2200A
5990 Series Ni-Cad Battery Pack {set) PB-15 TR-2200A
R-599D .. .. 160-10 M Solid State
4 Pin Mic. Connector rn1:0403.05 All Models
Receiver
T-599D .... 80-10 M Matching Active Filter Elements See Service Manual TR-7400A
Transmitter Tone Burst Modules See.Service Manual TS-700A; TR-7400A
S-599 . . . . . External Speaker for 599D AC Cables Specify Model All Models
Series DC Cables Specify Model All Models'

The MC-50 dynamic microphone has been

designed expressly for amateur radio operation
as a splendid addition to any Kenwood shack.
Complete with PTT and LOCK switches. and a
microphone plug for instant hook-up to any
Kenwood rig. Easily converted to high or low
impedance. (600 or 50k ohm).

TRIO-KENWOOD COMMUNICATIONS INC.

1111 WEST WALNUT / COMPTON, CA 90220
&
~.
KEN\N'OOD
/ u1nMll•1 111 n111111<111 1 111/ 1..
The ATLAS 210x/215x fits thent all!
ECONOMICAL • POWERFUL • RELIABLE COMMUNICATIONS
FOR MOBILE • PORTABLE OR MARITIME MOBILE.
The Atlas transceiver is by fa r the most And with the ex c lu sive Atlas Mobile
popular sing l e sideband amateur SSB Mounting Kit, th e 210x / 215x can easily be
transceiver for mobile and maritime serv- transferred fro m boat to car in seconds. "'
ice. With its low power co nsumptio n, small Simply slip it o ut of one mo unting kit into
size: 3%'' x 9 %'' x 9%'', and light weight: the o ther, a nd co nnectio n s for th e an -
7 pounds, it fits into any automobile, boat. tenna jack, mic jack and AC or DC input
or even an attache case. are made automatically.

Despite its compact design it packs a hefty The Atlas 210x/ 215x is a powerful, reli-
200 watts of power providing inexpensive able, yet lightweight amateur radio that fits
world wide comm unications on 5 amateur almost anything that moves, and is avail-
band s. able at most amateur radio stores.

Atlas 21 Ox or 215x .. . ... . . .. .. . . $679.

Model 210x covers 3.5, 7 , 14, 21 and 28
MHz ham bands. Model 215x covers 1.8,
3.5, 7, 14, and 21 MHz ham bands.
Plug-in Mobile Kit . .......... . $ 48.

For complete information see your Atlas

dealer, or drop us a card and we 'II mail
you a brochure with dealer list.

417 Via Del Monte, Oceanside, CA 92054

Phone (714) 433-1983
Special Customer Service Direct Line
(71 4) 433-9591.