June 2006
Articles from the
June 2006 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
The June issue of CQ starts with a first-person "inside story" of the 3Y0X DXpedition to Peter I Island, off the coast of Antarctica, by team co-leader Ralph Fedor, K0IR. You'll read about the challenges of getting to, onto and off of the island, as well as the experience of operating a major DXpedition from on top of a glacier!
Next, Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, asks, "Are You Ready for Alberto?" Hurricane season begins June 1, and forecasters are predicting another year like last year, with a probability of better than 4 in 5 that at least one major hurricane will strike the U.S. (Alberto is the first name on this year's Atlantic hurricane list).
The first of two CQ Reviews follows - a look by Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, at the GAM Electronics TG series of vertical VHF antennas. Next, Harvey Laidman, W8DX, shows us how to refurbish the classic Yaesu FT-736R VHF/UHF multimode transceiver in his article, "Rescue the Champion." Then, radio authority Bob Shrader, W6BNB, explains "Selective Fading," a phenomenon he says is responsible for many of the deep fades and dropouts experienced on the bands.
Next, in time for Field Day, Alan Margot, W6FZA, shows us how to build "A Three-Band Field Day Dipole," and WB6NOA returns with his second review of the issue, this one on the MAHA Eight Slot Multiple-Cell-Size Professional Battery Charger. To finsh off our features for the month, Hugh Paul, W6POK, offers yet another antenna you can build on the cheap in his article, "Build a Hustler/Hamstick Combo Antenna."
Among our columns, this month's "Math's Notes," by Irwin Math, WA2NDM, covers "Modification of the Kenwood SM-220 Panoramic Apadper Module," then "Weekender" editor Phil Salas, AD5X, presents plans for building "A Simple RF Detector." Next, QRP Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, devotes his column this month to "Pigs, Buddies and 'Tennas." (Wanna know what he's talking about? You'll have to read the issue.)
"Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, asks (and answers) the question of "Why is is Taking So Long (for the FCC) to Finalize the Morse Code Proceeding?" Next, Beginner's Editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, looks at ways we can all help to promote ham radio, especially at Field Day, and "World of Ideas" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, follows "Beginner's Corner" with "More Helpful Notes for Newer Amateurs." Dave's topic this month is looking at a few of the many ham radio habits and traditions.
Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, shares his initial experiences operating D-Star - the Japan Amateur Radio League's new digital standard - with ICOM's ID-1 digital and analog transceiver. Next, we go back in time as "Radio Classics" editor Joe Veras, K9OCO, looks at collectors who specialize in "twins," matching transmitter/receiver pairs. From old to "What's New," New Products Editor Karl Thuber, W8FX, checks out a variety of new goodies, from a micro repeater controller by NHRC and the Logikey K-5 Morse keyer by Idiom Press to the Versa-Tee antenna from Buddipole and a handheld Vector Antenna Analyzer from Timewave Technology.
"VHF-Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, covers a wide range of topics dealing with the VHF and UHF bands, this month featuring a look at the very active six months of International Space Station Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, on his return to Earth. Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, introduces a new county award for Indiana, plus a variety of awards from overseas. DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, revisits on-air manners (or lack thereof) with "More on Operating the Pile-Ups," Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, asks the rhetorical question, "Has Contesting Become Too Popular?", and we wrap up with Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, making predictions for band conditions during Field Day.
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.
QSL Cards:
Here to Stay
On the Cover:
Heading home - The final
helicopter flight ferrying operators and equipment off of Peter I island at
the end of the 3Y0X DXpedition. Inset: FM5CD operates 3Y0X on 75-meter phone
(Cover photo by Ralph Fedor, K0IR)
