December 2002
Articles from the
December 2002 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
Happy
Holidays to everyone
from all of us at
CQ!
The December issue of CQ is our annual history and nostalgia special, and we start out with a fascinating article on the history of voice, or "phone," communications in ham radio. While radio broadcasting has used voice since its birth in the 1920s, phone didn't really take off among hams until the 1950s. Author Ron Thomas, W8QYR, explains why.
Next, regular CQ contributor Bob Shrader, W6BNB, takes us back to the earliest days of Morse code communications -- even before the days of radio -- with a look at double-speed code keys, also known as "Cootie Keys." He also shows us how to build one of these classics and use it on the air today. Author Clarke Homoly, W0RPC, follows the same theme with his article titled, "Build Your Own 'Vintage' Radios." They have that wonderful look of old-time gear but secretly use modern components to operate.
If you have some honest, for real, vintage radios in your shack, you know they have power needs that aren't easily met with today's 12-volt DC supplies. John Karasz, WB2GMY, solves your problem with a build-it-yourself power supply project that provides 190 to 300 volts DC plus either 2-1/2 or 7-1/2 volts AC needed for running tube rigs.
Beyond the world of vintage radio, we have the results of the 2002 CQ World Wide 160-Meter Contest, and rules for the 2003 CQ World Wide WPX Contest next March and May. Finally among our features, regular contributor George Murphy, VE3ERP, shows us how to -- literally -- build a ham shack in a closet.
Columns
Moving to our columns for December, "Washington Readout" Editor Fred Maia, W5YI, starts us out with a report on opposition that's developed to the FCC's plan for two new amateur bands. Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, fills us in on ham activity during Hurricane Season. "Math's Notes" Editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, continues his laser series with a column on optical power measurements.
If you're looking for goodies for the holidays, we've got a double dose for you, back to back, in Dave Ingram's "World of Ideas" column, followed by Karl Thurber's "What's New?" column. In the Beginner's Corner, Pete O'Dell, WB2D, looks at operating FM simplex, and signs off on his final column before turning the reins over to Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, who takes over the column in January. Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, goes mobile in his QRP column, and Computers-and-Internet Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, asks the rhetorical question, Why bother having a computer in your shack? -- and then tells you why.
VHF-Plus Editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, takes a look at Transequatorial Propagation, a phenomenon you'll find in wintertime that makes very long-distance north-south contacts possible on 6 meters, as long as you're not too far from the magnetic equator. Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, goes into his mailbag to answer some questions from readers and fills us in -- as always -- on interesting awards for which you can qualify. Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, begins a series on contesting for newcomers, and our DX and Propagation columns are full of their usual helpful and interesting information.
Rules: 2003 CQ World Wide WPX Contest
