Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions
Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions
Questions discussed in Part 3: (dates indicate last modification)
** What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?
(pre-4/92)
** What is the best way to learn Morse Code? (10/92)
** What is the standard for measuring Morse code speed? (pre-4/92)
** What is the standard phonetic alphabet? (new 9/93)
** I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean??? (6/93)
** What do all those "tones" mean? (pre-4/92)
** Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio if I live outside the US?
(9/93)
** How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another
country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another
country (on vacation)? (9/93)
** My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what
do I do? (9/93)
** I got TVI...HELP!!! (9/93)
** Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham? (pre-4/92)
** On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio?
(10/92)
** Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission
of the captain? (4/92)
** How do I modify my current Amateur license? (9/93)
** I'm confused about XXX, should I ask the FCC? (9/93)
** Is there any information on antique radios? (pre-4/92)
** Where can I buy vacuum tubes? (9/93)
** What do I need to get started in packet radio? (9/93)
** What do I need to get started in satellite communications? (9/93)
** What is available to get started in ATV, SSTV and WEFAX? (9/93)
** What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate? (9/93)
--Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently-asked Questions
** What are the different US amateur classes and what can each of them do?
Novice - has CW (Morse code) privileges on 4 HF bands (80, 40, 15,
and 10 meter), Voice privileges on 10 meters, and privileges
on 2 VHF/UHF bands (220 MHz and 1290 MHz).
Required are 5 wpm Morse code test and 30-question Novice test.
Technician - has full privileges on all VHF/UHF bands above 30 MHz.
Required are Novice test and 25-question Tech test.
Technician may access Novice HF bands by passing the 5 wpm Morse
code test.
General - has all Technician privileges, plus larger access to more
HF bands, including CW and Voice on 160, 80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15,
12, and 10 meter bands. A General class amateur can give Novice
tests.
Required are 13 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech and 25-question
General test.
Advanced - has all General privileges, plus wider band access on 80,
40, 20, and 15 meter bands. An Advanced class amateur can
also become a VE and give tests to Novice and Tech tests.
Required are 13 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech, General and
50-question Advanced test. The Advanced test is the most difficult
of the five written tests.
Amateur Extra - has full privileges on all amateur bands. An Extra
can become a VE and give all amateur tests.
Required are 20 wpm Morse code test, Novice, Tech, General,
Advanced and 40-question Extra test.
** What is the best way to learn Morse Code?
This is becoming an increasingly common question as many "no-code"
Technicians realize they can add more privileges to their license if
they learn Morse Code. The following list of suggestions should
be helpful in finding ways to approach the effort.
* Listen to code at a rate faster than you can copy.
* Participate in Novice-Roundup and/or Field Day. Practice whenever
you get the chance!
* Avoid the "deciphering" plateau around 5 WPM and and character
plateau at 10 WPM by listening to the fast Farnsworth-paced
"beat" of each letter and the "beat" of common words. (See the
question on Morse code speed for more information on Farnsworth
pacing.)
* Practice to develop a "copy buffer" so you copy about 5 characters
behind. (This is not easy but it's how the higher speeds are done.)
* Practice both with headphones and "open-air" copy as the code test
may be in either format. (If you only practice one, you may fumble
on the other.)
* Most of all, don't give up! Recognize when you reach plateaus
and keep trying until you break through them.
** What is the standard for measuring Morse code speed?
The word PARIS was chosen as the standard length for CW code speed.
Each dit counts for one count, each dash counts for three counts,
intra-character spacing is one count, inter-character spacing is three
counts and inter-word spacing is seven counts, so the word PARIS is
exactly 50 counts:
PPPPPPPPPPPPP AAAAA RRRRRRRRR IIIII SSSSSSSSS
. - - . . - . - . . . . . .
1 1 3 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 3 1 1 3 1 1 3 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 7 = 50
^ ^ ^
^Intra-character ^Inter-character Inter-word^
So 5 words-per-minute = 250 counts-per-minute / 50 counts-per-word or
one count every 240 milliseconds. 13 words-per-minute is one count
every ~92.3 milliseconds. This method of sending code is sometimes
called "Slow Code", because at 5 wpm it sounds VERY SLOW.
The "Farnsworth" method is accomplished by sending the dits and dashes
and intra-character spacing at a higher speed, then increasing the
inter-character and inter-word spacing to slow the sending speed down
to the desired speed. For example, to send at 5 wpm with 13 wpm
characters in Farnsworth method, the dits and intra-character spacing
would be 92.3 milliseconds, the dash would be 276.9 milliseconds, the
inter-character spacing would be 1.443 seconds and inter-word spacing
would be 3.367 seconds.
** What is the standard phonetic alphabet?
Though no standard phonetics are required on amateur radio, good
operating procedures include using the standard phonetic alphabet
to help communicate more clearly. The recommended phonetics are
those also in use by aviation (internationally by ICAO treaty) and
some militaries (in most English-speaking countries.)
alfa bravo charlie delta echo foxtrot golf hotel india juliet kilo
lima mike november oscar papa quebec romeo sierra tango uniform
victor whiskey x-ray yankee zulu
The numbers are spelled differently to suggest a particular
pronunciation. Also, nine was changed to "niner" to avoid confusion
with the German word "nein" for "no", though that change is not
commonly used by Hams. (Usually you'll only hear "niner" from Hams
who are also pilots.)
zero one two tree fower fife six seven eight niner
When first making contact with another Ham, it is a good idea to
say callsigns in phonetics to give the other side a better chance
of understanding them correctly.
** I'm confused. What do all those abbreviations mean???
AM Amplitude Modulation
AMSAT Amateur Satellite Corporation [see rec.radio.amateur.space]
AMTOR Amateur Teleprinter Over Radio. A more sophisticated version
of RTTY. Also used commercially as SITOR (Simplex Teleprinter
Over Radio). [see rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc]
ARRL American Radio Relay League
ATV Amateur Television - a way to see who you're talking to!
CAP Civil Air Patrol is a volunteer organization that searches for
downed aircraft and missing kids and uses frequencies just
outside of the ham bands and often uses modified Amateur radios
CB Citizen's Band radio, this is NOT part of Amateur Radio and
does not require any license to operate [see rec.radio.cb]
CQ An on-the-air request for a conversation with anyone
"dupes" A dupe sheet is a duplicate check sheet, in matrix format, used
to quickly check that you have not had a "duplicate" contact
with someone (on a specific band or mode) in a contest
Elmer An amateur radio mentor, or "Master Craftsman" to a new ham.
Could refer to anyone, regardless of age or gender.
FCC Federal Communications Commission, the "law enforcers"
FM Frequency Modulation
FieldDay A June activity to practice emergency communications for
24 hours....wives call it 'an exercise in male bonding' :-).
HF High Frequency - 3 MHz to 30 MHz
HT Handy-Talky, a shorthand for "hand held radio"
LF Low Frequency - 30 kHz to 3 MHz
MARS Military Affiliate Radio System, military affiliated Amateurs
who provide free communications for overseas GIs and other
Federal services. MARS operators are licensed under DoD
instead of FCC.
NTS National Traffic System, a way to send radiograms
OF Old Friend, or Old F#$%, used to denote an older ham
OM Old Man, refers to any ham, including female hams
packet computer bulletin boards/electronic mail via Amateur Radio
[see rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc]
PRB Private Radio Bureau, administers Amateur and CB services
QSO One of the Q signals used in Morse code to mean "conversation"
QCWA Quarter Century Wireless Association, membership means you've
been a ham for more than 25 years
RTTY Radio Teletype - older form of computer communications on HF
[see rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc]
SAREX In Amateur Radio talk, Shuttle Amateur Radio EXperiment, a
chance to talk to astronauts in space. In CAP talk, Search
and Rescue EXercise, practicing for the real thing.
[see rec.radio.amateur.space]
SK Silent Key, a nice polite way to say a ham has passed on "to
that great antenna farm in the sky"
SSB Single Side Band - need less band width than AM or FM
SSTV Slow Scan TeleVision - REALLY slow, low data rate, typically
used on the lower frequency bands
SWL shortwave listening [see rec.radio.shortwave]
UHF Ultra High Frequency - 300 MHz and above
ULF Ultra Low Frequency - 30 Hz to 300 Hz
VHF Very High Frequency - 30 MHz to 300 MHz
VLF Very Low Frequency - 300 Hz to 30 kHz, audio frequencies
WARC World Administrative Radio Conference, a summit meeting that
occurs every few years, required by international treaty to
determine how the spectrum get sliced up to all vying
communications services (last one was in 1992)
XYL eX-Young Lady, or wife
YL Young Lady, non-ham girlfriend or female ham
2m Shorthand for "2 meters" (144-147.995 MHz), which is a
reference to the wavelength of a common Amateur frequency
band used for local communications
** What do all those "tones" mean?
Sub-Audible Tone: A low tone that you're not supposed to be able to
hear. It's used as a "PL Tone." PL is "Private Line", a trademark
of Motorola for their implementation of CTCSS (Continuous Tone Coded
Squelch System). Basically, the transmitter sends the signal with
the Sub-Audible tone and the receiver only opens when it hears signals
with that tone. Signals without the proper tone are ignored. This
is useful for "closed" repeaters, or for repeaters on the same
frequency that have overlapping geographic areas.
Tone encode refers to the feature of providing the tone on transmit.
Tone decode refers to the feature of responding to the tone on receive.
Tone squelch refers to all of the above. DTMF refers to Dual Tone
Multi-Frequency, or "Touch Tone" which is a trademark of AT&T. DTSS
probably means Dual Tone Squelch System and refers to the feature of
providing a predefined sequence of Touch Tone digits to open the
repeater for transmit. DTSS is an alternate method from CTCSS, which
provides a way to use a "closed" repeater even if your radio doesn't
do Sub-Audible Tones.
** Where can I learn more about Amateur Radio if I live outside the US?
First, check if there is a Ham Radio-related newsgroup specific to
your country. See the country-specific newsgroups in "the rec.radio.*
newsgroups" in Part II of this FAQ.
Also, write to the ARRL and ask. They can usually tell you how to get
a license in your country. See also the ARRL e-mail server. (Details
are in Part 2.)
If you know of any location where this information is available
electronically, whether by an e-mail server, anonymous FTP, or a
contact person, please mail it to us so we can include it here. Send
it to hamradio-faq@amdahl.com.
** How can I get a "reciprocal license" if I am a licensed ham from another
country or if I am a FCC licensed ham who wants to operate in another
country (on vacation)?
Editor's note (11/92): the regulations affecting this question are
being changed. Contact your local Volunteer Examiner (VE) and ask
about a VE 60-day pass. More details will be included in future
revisions of the FAQ.
This paragraph is soon to be obsolete:
You need to submit a FCC Form 610-A to the FCC, PO Box 1020,
Gettysburg, PA 17326. They will then send you a reciprocal permit
for alien amateur licensee (FCC Form 610-AL). You must be a citizen
of a country with which the United States has arrangements to grant
reciprocal operating permits to visiting alien Amateur operators.
This information is still current:
For FCC licensed hams operating abroad, the following guidelines
apply:
* A reciprocal license is required in all foreign countries (that have
a reciprocal operating agreement with the US), except Canada, where
the FCC license is automatically valid.
* Send a SASE to ARRL Regulatory Information Branch, telling them
which country you are going to visit and they will send you the
info and an application form. Foreign hams can likewise request
information from their national Amateur radio society.
* Submit your application with a certified copy of your Amateur
license (ie, notarized copy), and fee if applicable (use a bank draft
of a bank that does business in that country) to the appropriate
licensing administration of the foreign country. Processing may
take 30 to 90 days.
* If less than one month, you could try sending the application and
pick up the permit upon arrival in that country.
* Most countries will not allow you to bring communications equipment
into their country without a license or permit. If you applied, but
haven't received the permit yet, show the copy and your FCC license
to the customs officer, however, the equipment may still be held at
customs until your departure.
* Be sure to use only those frequencies covered by your FCC license
which are also used in the foreign country, unless otherwise
authorized.
See also the file RECIP-OP on the ARRL e-mail server. (See Part 2.)
** My apartment or housing complex does not allow outdoor antennas, now what
do I do?
[see also rec.radio.amateur.antenna]
First of all, don't despair. Many hams have similar problems. Many
books offer advice for the growing group of hams that cannot put up
antennas. Some options are:
* Install an "invisible" antenna made of magnet wire.
* Disguise an antenna as a flag pole.
* Install an antenna in the attic.
* ASK the apartment manager. You may find they will let you put up
something as long as it "is invisible" or "doesn't disturb your
neighbors" or "doesn't attract lightning".
* Operate primarily from your car.
* If the restriction is due to local ordinance, you may have relief
via PRB-1. Meet with the local government and seek an informal
compromise. It is possible to win in court...but it's expensive and
time consuming.
* If you are restricted by "covenants" attached to the deed of your
home, your options are severely limited. Covenants are considered
to be private, voluntary contracts between individuals and are
outside of the intended application of PRB-1. In many cases, you
can petition the Homeowner's Association for an exception. Sometimes
you can win in court on the basis that other violations of the
covenants by others without action taken constitutes abandonment
of the agreement.
* For further information, contact the General Consel's office of the
ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111.
See also the file ANTS-INDOOR on the ARRL e-mail server.
** I got TVI...HELP!!!
Here's some hints on Television interference, but this is not a
complete list. There are also books on the subject available from
ARRL.
* If cable TV is an underground feed, look for central distribution
box. Check for a grounding rod.
* Try installing torroids on the cable TV cable close to the TV, and
maybe torroids on the AC cord as well.
* VCRs are notorious for RF leakers, try disconnecting the VCR.
* Check to see if interference is better or worse when cable is
disconnected and you use rabbit ears instead. It could be the
cable company's problem!
* Calling the cable company may get results, since they are also
responsible for RF leakage from their equipment. However, they
are very often obstinate. Good luck! Try some or all of these
suggestions before calling the cable company:
1. Log the interference, noting geographical location, frequency,
and characteristics.
2. Bring it to the cable company's attention in writing, preferably
addressed to "Chief Engineer", or "Technical Staff".
3. Don't be accusatory, instead ask for assistance in resolving
the problem. Try to work it out with someone technically
knowledgeable.
4. Do mention your "licensed radio system", but try not to be too
specific about "ham" or "CB" unless requested.
* Try moving the radio antenna further away from the TV sets. Make
sure the SWR is LOW.
See also the series of files on the ARRL e-mail server on various
aspects of electromagnetic interference. The filenames start with
"EMI-" like EMI-CATVI (cable TV), EMI-GEN (general notes on EMI),
EMI-AUDIO (interference to audio devices), etc.
** Did you know that you can get college credit for being a ham?
It's true! You can receive up to 14 credits in electronics and
engineering thru placement tests for CLEP (College Level Entrance
Placement) exams and DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional
Educational Support) exams if you have an Advanced or Extra class
Amateur license. For more information, ask your campus education
office or (for DANTES) your military education office.
** On what frequencies do JPL and GSFC retransmit the shuttle audio?
[see also rec.radio.amateur.space]
Station VHF 10m 15m 20m 40m 80m Video
WA3NAN 147.45 28.650 21.395 14.295 7.185 3.860
W6VIO 224.04 21.280 14.282 7.165
K6MF 145.585 7.165 3.840
W5RRR 146.64 28.495 21.350 14.280 7.227 3.850
W6FXN (temporarily out of service - looking for new frequency)
KA9SZX 146.88 426.25
K4GCC 146.94
WA4VME 145.17
W6TRW 145.32
All frequencies are in MHz. Use FM on VHF, USB on 10-20m, LSB on
40-80m.
WA3NAN - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), Greenbelt, MD
W6VIO - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA
K6MF - NASA Ames Research Center (ARC), Moffett Field, CA
W5RRR - NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX
W6FXN - Los Angeles, CA
KA9SZX - Champaign-Urbana, IL
K4GCC - Titusville, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)
WA4VME - Melbourne, FL (near or at Kennedy Space Center)
W6TRW - TRW ARC, Redondo Beach, CA (shuttle audio may be overridden
by repeater usage)
** Can I take my HT on an airplane and operate it if I get the permission
of the captain?
Technically, maybe. But don't count on it. In general, you can't use
a radio or scanner on an airline (or charter) *unless* the airline
allows it and the pilot-in-command (PIC) determines that it will not
interfere with the instruments and radios on that specific aircraft.
Very few US airlines allow passengers to use radios so be ready to
disconnect the antenna when you ask. (Don't even ask to transmit.)
For reference (in the US) the pertinent portion of the Federal Aviation
Regulations (FARs) is Part 91, paragraph 91.21.
Due to airport security, you may have a little difficulty carrying the
HT (or any electronic equipment) onto the airplane. Generally, you
can appease the security guards, simply by showing that the unit is
operational and doesn't have a bomb inside. For a radio, just turning
it on and opening the squelch satisfies them. Expect more difficulty
during periods of increased security.
On a private airplane, it is legal to operate an amateur radio if you
have the permission of the PIC. It is still possible for the radio to
interfere with the plane's navigation or communication equipment, so
be sure to ask first. Always obey the requests of the PIC. He knows
his airplane and radios better than you do.
** How do I modify my current Amateur license?
To modify your license (change of address, change of station location,
change of name, renewal, or even change of callsign), submit an FCC
Form 610 to the FCC. Forms are available from the FCC or ARRL or a
local VE session or ham radio store. Do NOT use a photocopy. Check
off the appropriate boxes, fill in the new/changed information, SIGN
THE FORM, and attach a copy of your current license (or a brief letter
of explanation for its absence, ie, "my dog ate it"). NOTE: If you
check the box to change your callsign, YOU WILL GET A NEW CALLSIGN,
even if all you wanted was to supply a new address; if you want to keep
your callsign, DON'T CHECK THAT BOX. Send the form to FCC, POB 1020,
Gettysburg, PA 17326. Turnaround time (for CURRENT licensees only)
is about 2-4 weeks.
ANY ham can apply for a new callsign (this is different from the past
where you can only get a new callsign if you move or upgrade). You
can't specify WHICH ONE you want, a new one comes from the same pool
as new licensees for that class of license. The callsign is based on
your mailing address. For overseas military and civilians, be sure to
specify a station location that is within FCC jurisdiction.
New licenses are for 10-year terms. If you apply for renewal before
its expiration date, the expired license is valid for 60 days after
expiration to allow for the new license to arrive. You have up to
2 years after expiration (5 years for an old 5-year license) to renew
before re-examination is required (but you can't operate with an
expired license). You will lose your current callsign after 1 year
after expiration if you don't renew.
For more information on FCC Form 610, see the file FCC-610-INFO on
the ARRL e-mail server. (See Part 2 for details.)
** I'm confused about XXX, should I ask the FCC?
[see also rec.radio.amateur.policy]
Whatever "XXX" is in this case, the overwhelming ARRL and net opinion
is a resounding "NO!", at least not as a first step. Amateurs are
generally very law-abiding people and have historically written the
FCC asking for clarification on some operating practice or another.
This is a very dangerous practice, for several reasons.
Most amateur radio regulations (contained in Part 97) are generally
very loosely-worded, so as not to restrict experimentation and new
techniques. But asking the FCC for a clarification will set in motion
the process of "clarifying" it for everyone (i.e. new rulemaking.)
Examples of such restrictive rulings include varying topics like when
Hams can help non-profit agencies or effectively forcing packet BBS
sysops to screen messages before forwarding them. They were the result
of well-intentioned questions by Hams that forced the FCC to make a
ruling where they previously allowed the amateur radio community to
police itself.
Under all circumstances, it is better to first read the rules yourself.
Then, if there's a problem, ask your national amateur radio organiza-
tion (such as the ARRL in the US) which can give qualified advice about
interpretation of FCC regulations. Organizations like the ARRL also
have the influence to ask the FCC informally, without forcing a ruling.
Even if asking the FCC doesn't result in a restrictive ruling, it is
generally a good idea to not overburden an under-staffed and under-
funded government agency with a lot of correspondence. The Amateur
Radio Service has traditionally been a low-workload "hands-off"
service, and has enjoyed a wide latitude from the FCC. Please don't
ruin this image for your fellow amateurs.
For more discussion on how and when to contact the FCC, see the file
FCC-CONTACTING on the ARRL e-mail server. (See Part 2 for details.)
** Is there any information on antique radios?
Antique radio classifieds: ARC, PO Box 802-B6, Carlisle, MA 01741 -
old radios, TVs, ham equipment, 40s and 50s radios,
telegraph, books, etc.
Hallicrafter Service manuals: Ardco Electronics, PO Box 95, Dept Q,
Berwyn, IL 60402
Antique Wireless Association, Bruce Kelley, W2ICE, Route 3, Holcomb,
NY 14469 - sponsors the Wireless Museum
** Where can I buy vacuum tubes?
Kirby, 298 West Carmel Drive, Carmel, IN 46032 (1-317-843-2212)
Antique Electronic Supply, Box 1810, Tempe, AZ 85281 (1-602-894-9503)
Fair Radio Sales, Box 1105, Lima OH 45802
Fala Electronics, Box 1376-1 Milwaukee, WI 53201
Southern Radio Supply, 1909 Tulane Ave, New Orleans, LA 70112
(10504-524-2343)
See also the file VACUUM-TUBES on the ARRL e-mail server. (See Part 2)
** What do I need to get started in packet radio?
[see also rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc]
Packet radio is a digital form of communication using radios. There
are OTHER digital forms, as well, like CW, RTTY and AMTOR. To use
packet radio, you'll need a radio (2 meters and 70 centimeters are
most popular), a box that converts radio signals to digital signals
that a computer can understand (called a TNC or terminal node control-
ler) and a computer or terminal. For some computers or TNCs you may
need special software as well. However, most TNCs and computers get
along quite well with just a terminal emulator software package. Most
personal computers can be interfaced to use with packet radio. Since
there are many digipeaters, generally even an HT will work with
packet radio.
Your first source of information on Packet Radio should be the
rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc newsgroup. It has its own regularly-
posted FAQ that goes into much more depth on the subject than this
one can. See also the mailing list and archives info in Part 2.
For more information on packet radio, you might try TAPR (Tucson
Amateur Packet Radio), PO Box 12925, Tucson, AZ 85732 (602-749-9479).
See also the files PACKET-INTRO, PACKET-NEW, and PACKET-GLOSSARY on
the ARRL e-mail server or the directory /hamradio/packet on the
KA6ETB e-mail HAM-server. (See Part 2.)
** What do I need to get started in satellite communications?
[see also rec.radio.amateur.space]
For more information about Amateur Satellite Communications, try
AMSAT (Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation), PO Box 27, Washington,
DC 20044 (301-589-6062). They also have an international net on
Sundays on 14.282 MHz at 1900Z.
ARRL publishes a book on this subject: The Satellite Experimenter's
Handbook. Ham Radio stores in your area may either have it or be
able to order it. Or you can order it direct from ARRL.
See also the contents of the directory /hamradio/satelite on the
KA6ETB e-mail HAM-server. The ARRL e-mail server has a bibliography
on satellite materials in the file SATELLITES-B.
** What is available to get started in ATV, SSTV and WEFAX?
This is a large subject area in itself. Amateur Television (ATV),
Slow-scan TV (SSTV), and Weather FAX (WEFAX) all deal with transmitted
pictures. (ATV includes moving pictures and audio just like your
household TV.)
Equipment is available to interface to most common microcomputers
including PC clones, Amigas (which are prominent in most video
applications anyway), Atari ST, and others. (At last check, we didn't
see Macintosh on the list.) There are also a handful of publications
on the subject.
All this information is available via FTP in the /pub/ham-radio
directory at ftp.cs.buffalo.edu. (See Part 2 for more information
on FTP.) The file called sstv_wefax_info is maintained by John
Langner WB2OSZ (johnl@avs.com).
The ARRL e-mail server contains an introduction to SSTV in the
file SSTV-INFO. (See Part 2 for more information on the ARRL e-mail
server.) There is a bibliography of ATV articles from QST in the
file TV-B. (See Part 2 for details.)
The KA6ETB e-mail HAM-server has files on SSTV and WEFAX in the
directory /hamradio/sstvfax.
Another resource is the regularly-posted UseNet Elmers Directory.
The list contains a volunteer Elmer who can help with ATV, SSTV, and
WEFAX questions.
** What are these contests I sometimes hear, and how do I participate?
Dozens of contests are held each year, usually at weekends, and can
provide useful operating experience. They typically last for 24 or 48
hrs, and are usually on SSB or CW only (the Russian CQ-Mir contest is
on both modes at the same time). You can participate by making one
QSO or several thousands. In most contests you send a signal report
(traditionally 59 or 599) followed by a number that is different for
different contests - the most common one is a serial number (so you
send 599 001 for your first QSO, then 599 002 etc). The exchange may,
however, be your age (All Asian contests), your CQ or ITU zone (CQWW
and IARU contests, respectively), your state (ARRL contests) or
something else. Read "Contest Corral" in QST for the rules for all
major contests - the more serious contester may wish to subscribe to
the National Contest Journal, or join the e-mail contest mailing group
(write to Trey, WN4KKN, at garlough@tgv.com). Knowing the rules can
prevent embarrassment - you will get a cool reception if you are a W
or VE and call a W/VE in the ARRL contests, since they can only work
non-W/VE stations. Otherwise, QSOs made in contests are just as
valid for DXCC (DX Century Club - more than 100 contacts), WAS (worked
all states) and other awards as are 30-minute ragchews. Although not
strictly a contest, the annual Field Day provides very useful operating
experience under less than optimal conditions and is highly recommended
for new operators - check with your local club for their Field Day
plans some weeks before the (late June) event.
For more information on contests, the ARRL e-mail server has the
following files: CONTESTS-93 (as of this writing, substitute current
year), CONTEST-LOGS (for contest log formats), FORM-10M (10m contest
entry form), FORM-VHF (VHF contest entry form), and others.
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