June 2005
Articles from the
June 2005 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
Hams generally try to avoid discussing politics on the air, but world politics often have a direct impact on ham radio -- sometimes determining who can talk to who or whether a particular location counts as a separate "entity" for awards and contests. In our lead feature this month, W4YO looks at the stories behind some of the places on the "deleted" list in "Geopolitics and Amateur Radio."
Next, we conclude our introduction of new awards and activities intended to promote more DXing activity with a beginner's award called the CQ iDX Award. Our goal is to bring VHF-only hams into the "sport" of DXing by encouraging them to use the DXing resources available to them now -- internet-linked repeater networks such as IRLP and Echolink (however, computer-to-computer QSOs will not count for the award). By encouraging people to discover the fun of talking to hams in faraway places, we hope to get them interested enough to continue seeking out faraway places once they become active on HF. The announcement and rules will also be posted here on the CQ website.
We continue with a review of the Comet CHA-250B HF/VHF vertical antenna by Dan Danket, N6PEQ, who reports that it's an excellent choice for those living in space-restricted areas.
Next, we revisit the subject of long-delayed echoes, a topic that seems to have caught our readers' attention and won't let go. We start with selected letters responding to TZ6JA's February article suggesting the possibility that an ionosphere in space might be responsible for long-delayed echoes, and follow with "On Technical Investigations … or, Research for the Radio Amateur," in which CQ book author Bob Haviland, W4MB, suggests a variety of subjects on which hams could conduct meaningful technical research.
The June issue continues with this month's installment of our 60th anniversary feature, "60 Great Things About Ham Radio," a look at "Hilltopping in the CQ World Wide VHF Contest," by Contest Director John Lindholm, W1XX, and the rules for this year's event, coming up on July 16 and 17. Those rules are also posted here on the CQ website.
We normally don't include our reader survey results among our highlights, but this month is different -- our March survey, whose results are reported in the June issue, asked about homebrewing and kit-building activity, and we were amazed at how many CQ readers are active builders -- despite the "common wisdom" that hams don't build anymore. The survey results are on page 40 of the June issue.
Next, we have a review of Heil Sound's version of the ClearSpeech® DSP Speaker System, by Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, plus a project by frequent contributor Phil Salas, AD5X, on building a "Voltage Conditioner for the IC-703." This helps smooth out voltage variations you're likely to encounter in mobile or portable settings while using a "take anywhere" rig such as the 703.
June's columns start out with "Public Service," in which column editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, reports on the possibility that there was a small-scale tsunami after the March earthquake in the Indian Ocean; a look at the "Topoff 3" terrorism-preparedness exercise in the northeastern U.S., and a suggestion or two for this year's Field Day in late June.
"Beginner's Corner" editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, follows with his column, titled, "The 'Not Field Day' Field Day," a report on one club's efforts last year to make Field Day a more realistic emergency preparedness exercise.
Next, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, revisits one of his favorite topics, optical communications, and "World of Ideas" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, continues his annual look at one of his favorite topics (and our readers' as well), imaginative and classic code keys.
Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, examines what he calls "The (Digital) Circle of Life," in which everything seems to come together after a while; "What's New" editor Karl Thurber, W8FX, highlights the latest goodies for your ham shack; "Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, answers questions about the FCC's amateur callsign system; and QRP Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, discusses low-power operating as something for any lifestyle.
VHF-Plus Editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, reports on the first-ever EME (Earth-Moon-Earth) contacts on 47 GHz; Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, discusses low-cost ways of producing nice-looking award certificates, as he's hearing that commercial printing costs are prompting some sponsors to discontinue award programs; DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, provides a forum for discussing ongoing efforts to gain access for hams to two U.S. islands in the Caribbean, Navassa (KP1) and Desecheo (KP5); Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, looks at frequency sharing during contest weekends, and Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, keeps us up-to-date on what to expect this summer as the current sunspot cycle continues its decline.
That's a look at what's coming up in the June issue of CQ, which should be on newsstands and in readers’ mailboxes by late May, and available hot-off-the-presses at the CQ booth at the Dayton Hamvention®. We expect to be the same place we were last year -- in booths 74 and 75 in the main arena. We hope to see many of you there!
But is it Radio?
Rules: CQ World Wide VHF Contest
