February 2004
Articles from the
February 2004 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
CQ for February 2004 features our annual Market Survey, by Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, which focuses this time on VHF/UHF FM mobile rigs. We start the issue, though, with a note from Publisher Dick Ross, K2MGA, about problems we've been having with issues being damaged or destroyed on their way to subscribers' mailboxes. This problem is at least as frustrating to us as it is to you, and we appreciate your patience while we try to get it solved.
Our lead feature for February is about a dream come true for Ed Madison, W2SN, who’s been a lifelong fan of Pitcairn Island, its history and its people. In “The 100-Minute DXpedition,” Ed tells us the story of his opportunity to visit the famed island and to operate there, however briefly, as VP6EM. Next, Tony Japha, N2UN, takes us behind the sunspot numbers to show us how the “K index” of geomagnetic activity proves what most HF operators already thought – propagation in 2003 was much worse than usual for this point in the sunspot cycle. On the same topic, Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, focuses his column this month on NASA satellite images showing huge cracks in the Earth’s magnetosphere, which normally shields us from most of the magnetic energy emitted by the sun.
We have two CQ reviews in the February issue: Rick Littlefield, K1BQT, looks at the Kuranishi SWR Analyzer sold in the US by NCG – the Comet Antenna people; and QRP Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, reviews the new Elecraft KX-1 CW transceiver in his QRP column. Regular CQ contributor Bob Shrader, W6BNB, offers a look back at the “Not-so-Good Old Days” of early radio, and Roger Cooke, G3LDI, brings us up to date on the state of amateur packet and digital communications “across the pond” in the United Kingdom.
We’ve also got the rules for the 2004 CQ World Wide WPX Contest – the SSB weekend is March 27-28; and the CW weekend is May 29-30. Finally in our features, Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, returns with a look at battery power options for Yaesu’s portable FT-897 HF-plus transceiver.
Moving on to our regular columns, besides the Propagation and QRP topics already mentioned above, “Math’s Notes” Editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, brings us some “Food for Thought” on communications via magnetic induction; “What’s New” Editor Karl Thurber, W8FX, introduces us to a new software defined radio from Flex Radio Systems plus a bunch of other new goodies; Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, focuses on not becoming an emegency victim yourself; Beginners’ Editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, digs into gel cells as power alternatives for handhelds, and “Washington Readout” Editor Fred Maia, W5YI, answers commonly-asked questions about FCC licensing rules.
Contributing Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, focuses his “World of Ideas” column this month on a revival of interest in crystal radios; Mobiling Editor Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, looks as motorized HF antennas for mobile use; Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, offers tips on security for your computer and the information you have stored on it, and “VHF-Plus” Editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, brings us up to date on new records set recently on the ultra-high microwave bands.
DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, has the results of the 2003 “Most Wanted” survey conducted by The DX Magazine; Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, notes the growing number of non-US hams completing the difficult-from-anywhere USA-CA or USA Counties Award; and Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, takes us minute-by-minute through a one-hour period of intense contest operating at PJ2T, where he operated the SSB weekend of last year’s CQ World Wide DX Contest.
That's a preview of what will be in February issue of CQ, which should be in readers’ mailboxes and on newsstands in mid-January.
2004 CQ World Wide WPX Contest Rules
Feburary 2004 Contest Calendar