December 2006
Articles from the
December 2006 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
The December issue of CQ opens with a summary of one of the most significant FCC actions affecting amateur radio in years, a huge expansion of the HF phone bands, along with added CW privileges for Novices and Technicians with code credit. The ruling also covered a variety of other issues (but not the code test question). We have highlights in the December issue and will have detailed analysis in January. The new rules take effect on December 15, 2006.
Next, we have the results of the 2006 CQ World Wide 160 Meter Contests. Conditions - and activity - were much better on the CW weekend than on the SSB weekend, and a variety of new records were set on CW. We've also got a CQ Review of the Array Solutions Power Master VSWR and RF Power Meter, by Contributing Editor Phil Salas, AD5X.
Among our columns, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, offers some "Reflections" on technology and life today vs. when he got started in ham radio in the 1950s; Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, writes about "Searching for Hams" - as the value of ham radio becomes more obvious to emergency management officials, some are finding it hard to find enough hams to fill the need. Beginner's Editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, introduces ham radio's "other radio," radio-control of model airplanes, cars and boats, and "Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, introduces the FCC's new Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
QRP editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, has some "Holiday Fun QRP-Style" for us, featuring the latest version of the classic Tuna Tin 2 micropower transmitter, a new QRP transceiver kit from Doug Hendricks, KI6DS, and a couple of portable antennas rom DWM Communications. Next, Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, goes over design considerations for setting up a wireless local area network, and "Weekender" editor Phil Salas, AD5X, offers plans building an LED "Nite-Lite" for portable operating.
K4TWJ returns with "Goodies for the Holidays" in his "World of Ideas" column, followed by more goodies in W8FX's "What's New" column. "Radio Classics" editor Joe Veras, K9OCO, looks at "The 8 Eras of the Golden Age" of American-made amateur radio equipment, DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, updates us on upcoming DXpeditions, and Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, clears up some confusion about single-band or mode endorsements for the CQ USA-CA Counties Award.
"VHF-Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, reports on AMSAT's annual space symposium and some changes in direction for the amateur satellite organization, while Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, offers advice on "Improving Your CW Contesting Skills" (he wrote about improving phone skills in November). Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, encourages us to check out experimental activity in "the basement," the very low frequency range around 500 kHz, as well as providing his usual propagation predictions for the coming month. Finally, we wrap up the year with our annual index of articles for the year. An updated master index of CQ articles from 1980-2006 will follow on our website.
That's a look at the upcoming December 2006 issue of CQ magazine, which should be on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes by late November. For information on becoming a CQ subscriber, click the "Click Here to Subscribe" button at the top of this page.
Patience
November 2006
Contest Calendar
December 2006
Contest Calendar
