June 2007
Articles from the
June 2007 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
The June issue of CQ starts with an exciting look at what may be a previously unrecognized type of propagation, dubbed by the authors as "Guided Sporadic-E" or "Whispering Gallery" propagation. Authors Toshi Kusano, JA1ELY, and Mac Obara, TZ6JA, suggest that this mode might explain last summer's massive transoceanic band openings on 6 meters, at the bottom of the sunspot cycle when "conventional wisdom" says six should be open only for local and regional contacts. The key to success with this mode, the authors say, is tilting your antenna up at a 25-35-degree angle!
Next, Bill Myers, K1GQ, reviews the Ten-Tec Orion II transceiver. He says there were a bunch of "little things" giving him some doubts about the rig -- until he put it on the air in a couple of contests. The Orion's receiver, he says, is simply "the best money can buy." Contributing Editor Phil Salas, AD5X, reviews the Array Solutions AIM4170 Antenna and Lab RF Analyzer. Phil says the swept-frequency readout on this unit puts it in a whole new class when compared with single-frequency measurements of other analyzers.
We've also got the results of last year's CQ DX Marathon, the first running of the year-long event since 1947! Unlimited Class winner N0FW managed to work 286 countries in all 40 CQ zones despite being at the bottom of the sunspot cycle and the so-called "WARC bands" being off limits. Contacts on the 30, 17 and 12-meter bands will count for Marathon credit this year, so we expect 2007 scores to be even higher. Speaking of scores, last year's CQ World Wide VHF Contest was a record-breaker in just about every category, and we're looking forward to even greater participation this year. Rules for the 2007 running of the contest (July 14-15) are in this issue.
Our Propagation column moves to center stage this month, as Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, examines the critical relationship between antennas and your ability to make the most of available propagation. Next, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, looks at the growing trend toward "super-capacitor" power supplies in which high-capacity capacitors (1 farad or more) replace batteries for storing electrical energy.
Continuing with our June columns, "World of Ideas" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, offers part two of his annual look at code keys, or what he terms "Amateur Radio's Works of Art." Next, AD5X returns with his "Weekender" column, offering plans for building a 200-watt dummy load and peak detector, and Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, looks at hams who are "helping others to be prepared." We've also got an update on the ongoing conflict between the ARRL and the American Red Cross over the Red Cross's new requirement for background checks on all volunteers (including hams providing communications for seven or more days at a time). Despite Red Cross statements to the contrary, so far it appears that you still need to authorize credit and "mode of living" checks along with a criminal background check.
Next, "Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, provides guidance for working your way through the "jungle" of applying for a vanity callsign; QRP Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, shares some of the amazing possibilities of low-power communication, such as K0KE's story of working VK9 (Cocos-Keeling Is.) with 200 milliwatts, using test equipment as his transmitter and receiver!
Beginner's Editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, shows newer hams how to put better signals into their local repeater by putting up and "upside down antenna;" Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, offers an overview of HF digital modes and a guide to getting started on PSK-31; and New Products Editor Karl Thurber, W8FX, looks at new software defined radios, a headphone selector/mixer and more.
Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, introduces a series of awards from the Finnish Amateur Radio League; DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, looks at activity in "Mongolia and … Nowhere?" Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, asks, "Am I Contesting or DXing?" and VHF-Plus Editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, tells us about yet another big commercial satellite dish being put into service for amateur moonbounce communications.
That's a brief look at what's coming up in the June issue of CQ magazine, which should be on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes by late May. For information on becoming a CQ subscriber, click the "Click Here to Subscribe" button at the top of this page.
The 2007 CQ World-WideVHF Contest
On the Cover:
On the Cover:
ARRL Field Day is 75 years old! Hams around the country will operate from
makeshift stations such as this one near Pritchard, Idaho, put together by
the Kootenai Amateur Radio Society. (Cover photo by Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI)
