July 2004
Articles from the
July 2004 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
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The July issue of CQ is packed with updated information on the latest FCC happenings -- from Broadband over Power Lines to a wide-ranging proposal that would, among other things, reallocate the Novice and Tech Plus bands on 80, 40 and 15 meters to make room for bigger phone bands, while giving Novices and Technicians with code credit access to the full General Class CW portions of those bands. You'll find details in Ham Radio News, the "Zero Bias" editorial, "Washington Readout" and "VHF Plus."
Our main focus, though, as it is in every issue, is on sharing the fun and excitement of ham radio's vast array of operating and technical activities. This month, we start with the conclusion of a two-part article on building a new transceiver from an old junked TV set or VCR. We call it "The Phoenix Transceiver: Rising from the Ashes," and it's by Dan Metzger, K8JWR (Please note: Two errors slipped into the schematic for this project, both at the lower left on page 12 of the June issue. The coil labeled L3 should have a value of 9 uH, 39 turns; and the 100k resistor to the left of Q5 should be labeled R10. We apologize for any confusion. Click here to view corrected schematic). Next, Bob Doherty, K1VV, takes us aboard the USS Salem, a museum ship featuring an active ham station -- just in time for July's "Museum Ships Weekend" on the ham bands. We've got the results of the 2003 CQ World Wide WPX RTTY Contest, plus the rules for the 2004 CQ World Wide RTTY DX Contest. If RTTY is a new term to you, it's short for "radioteletype," although very few RTTY-active hams today still use "real" teletype machines. RTTY today is one of many HF digital modes that you can work with a computer and a sound card connected to your transceiver. These contests combine the fun of on-air competition with today's very popular HF digital mode operating (although ham radio RTTY and these contests have been with us for many years).
Also in our July issue, we honor ham radio pioneers and top operators with our annual induction of new members into our CQ Amateur Radio Hall of Fame, CQ Contest Hall of Fame, and CQ DX Hall of Fame. This year, we have 15 inductees into the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame and 2 new members of the Contest Hall of Fame (there were no nominees this year for the DX Hall of Fame). Next, we go back to serious stuff with a "Blueprint for Victory" over antenna bans imposed by homeowners' associations, restrictive covenants, etc. It's written by Don Schellhardt of the National Antenna Consortium and should be required reading for all.
Finally among our feature articles, Contributing Editor Ken Neubeck, WB2AMU, tells us all about using windmills for power at portable operating locations, such as a Field Day site (yes, we know Field Day is in June and this is the July issue, but most readers will get their copy in late June, just before this year's Field Day event). Speaking of WB2AMU, he and fellow CQ Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, have just written an excellent practical guide to "VHF Propagation." It focuses on the most common types of path enhancements that VHF operators are likely to encounter, along with tips on how to take advantage of these long-range openings when they occur. The book is published by CQ and is available in our online bookstore and at ham radio dealers nationwide.
Our July columns start out with W5YI's "Washington Readout," which, as we mentioned earlier, takes a detailed look at the FCC's "cleanup" proposal, dealing with a dozen different petitions that have been sitting on various desks in Washington for months - some for two years or longer. The goal is to "clear the decks" for dealing with the 18 additional petitions received since last summer for changing or eliminating code test requirements and/or broadly restructuring amateur licensing (seen by proponents as a continuation of the process that began with the FCC's previous restructuring decision in 2000). Next, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, offers some "summer circuits," while Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, looks back at springtime weather emergencies and how hams helped provide vital communications.
"How it Works" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, shows us how antennas radiate HF radio signals, while Antennas Editor Kent Britain, WA5VJB, takes us up to VHF and UHF with a new installment in his "Cheap Yagis" series, which began several years back, in our sister publication, CQ VHF. In "Beginner's Corner," column editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, looks at ham radio through the lens of science experiments that many of us remember from our younger days, and "Magic in the Sky" editor Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, asks how your "ratings" would be if the concept of TV ratings "sweeps month" was applied to ham radio. Would your QSOs rate as fun, exciting and interesting ... or sleep-inducing? Next, in "World of Ideas," K4TWJ continues his annual focus on collectible keys and keyers, while new varieties of code keys highlight this month's "What's New?" column by Karl Thurber, W8FX. (Contrary to popular belief, interest among hams in Morse code operating is growing, not dying.)
More info on BPL is on the mind of "VHF-Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, this month. While not strictly a VHF issue, planned BPL frequencies go through and above the 6-meter ham band, and there is great concern about harmonics of BPL signals causing interference far beyond the 2-80 MHz range envisioned by its proponents. On a related topic, Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, looks at the problems of power line noise -- even without BPL -- and its effects on contest operations. DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, reports on the opening of ARRL's Logbook of the World files for DXCC award credit, and brings us a review of Ward Silver's new book, Ham Radio for Dummies. According to the review, even experienced hams can learn a thing or two from this book.
Finally, Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, reports on growing interet among DX stations in earning the USA Counties Award (USA-CA), a difficult enough task for people within the US, let alone those in other countries. And, Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, writes about summertime tropospheric ducting and other seasonal phenomena that result in great opportunities for working DX on the VHF bands.
That's a look at the highlights of the July, 2004 issue of CQ, which should be on newsstands and in readers' maiboxes by late June. For information on becoming a CQ subscriber, click the "Subscribe Here" button on our home page.
Rules - 2004 CQ WW RTTY DX Contest
2004 Inductees – CQ Amateur Radio and Contest Halls of Fame
Mark Pride, K1RX, at his multi-multi contest station in Kensington, New Hampshire.