Rec.radio.amateur.misc Frequently Asked Questions

Part 3 - Amateur Radio Advanced and Technical Questions

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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------------------Part 3--



**  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.

