amateur radio station g-13038

84 Pages·2017·10.37 MB·English

AMATEUR RADIO
RECEIVING
STATION G-13038
Regular Features
Airband, Scanning,
Junior Listeners, SSB
Utility Listening,
Propagation and
Broadcast Enthusiasts
RELIGIOUS BROADCAST SPECIAL
1,000 Channel \Videband Scanner
Frequency Range: 50 Hz - 600MHz
800 MHz - 131WMHz
Receiving Modes: AM - FM - \Videband FM
Search Steps 5kHz to 995kHz
Selectable 10dB Attenuator
Tape Recorder Output Socket
{ Automatic Tape Recorder Switching Circuit
Keypad or Rotary Tune Co
Switchable Audio 5'
-All/fetal Case For Improved EMC Co, ,r it
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A AILABLE FROM YOUR I A I EALER
OR DIRECT FROM
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189 LONDON ROAD, NORTH END,
PORTSMOUTH P02 9AE
USE YOUR CREDIT CARD FOR SAM
119
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VOL. 50 ISSUE 5 MAY 1992 10
ICS FAX -2 Review
ON SALE APRIL 23
Mike Richards
(Next Issue on sale MAY 28)
15
Peter G. Rayer G-13038
1P
EDITOR: Dick Ganderton, C. Eng., MIEE, GBVFH A Novel 3.5MHz Receiver
ART EDITOR: Steve Hunt
with Reaction - Part 1
NEWS & FEATURES: Elaine Richards G4LFM
Ian Hickman
EDITORIAL
Enefco House, The Quay, tP An IF Output - the Easy Way
:.
Poole, Dorset BH15 1PP John Wells
TEL: [phone] L/
FAX: [phone] Retuning hi-fi Headphones for
CREDIT CARD ORDERS: [phone]
Short Wave Listening
(Out of hours service by answering machine)
Richard Q. Marris
ADVERTISEMENT DEPARTMENT 30
ADVERTISEMENT MANAGER Special Book Offer - Ferrell's
Roger Hall G4TNT Confidential Frequency List
TEL: [phone]
31
FAX: [phone]
Religious Broadcasters
-
ADVERTISEMENT PRODUCTION (Poole)
an Overview
Marcia Brogan
Andrew Steele
TEL: [phone]
FAX: [phone]
Broadcasting The Gospel
PW PUBLISHING LTD. 1992. Dick Ganderton
Copyright in all drawings, photographs and articles
published in Short Wave Magazine is fully protected an¡i 34
reproduction or imitation in whole or in part is expressly World by 2000
forbidden. All reasonable precautions are taken by Short
Wave Magazineto ensure that the advice and data given FEBA Radio Interview
to our readers is reliable. We cannot however guarantee
it and we cannot accept legal responsibility for it. Prices 31
are those current as we go to press. Short Wave
Sony ICF-SW77 World Band
Magazine is published monthly for S45 per year by PW
Publishing Ltd., Enefco House, The Quay, Poole Dorset Receiver Review
9H15 1PP. Second class postage paid at Middlesex, NJ.
Postmaster: send address changes to C & C Mailers Peter Shore
International, 40 Foxhall, Middlesex, NJ 08846.
Cover:
53 Airband 63 Long Medium & Short
48 Amateur Bands Round -up 67 Watching Brief
The story behind our main
cover picture this month 44 Bandscan N. America 6 News
is told on page 15. 74 Book Service 44 Airband
The inset picture shows 59 Decode 43 PCB Service
the 'people of the dance' - 49 DXTV Round -up 67 RadioLine
the Yao Muslims from
Malawi and was kindly 2 Editorial 4 Rallies
supplied by FEBA Radio to 25 First Aid 47 Satellite TV News
go with our Religious 4 Grassroots 54 Scanning
Broadcasters feature. 56 Info in Orbit 2 Services
FEBA Radio's 76 Index to Advertisers 43 SSB Utility Listening
Programming Director
5 Junior Listener 77 SWM Subscribers' Club
Tony Ford is interviewd by
Trevor Barnes on page 39. 2 Letters 77 Trading Post
12 Listen With Grandad
- ...GOOD LISTENING
BOOK SPECIAL OFFER TRADING POST
COUPON SWM MAY 1992 COUPON SWM MAY 1992 1
?/I/
or -9,é1
The choice of Religious Broadcasters as the special subject this
SWM SERVICES month, was made, not because of any pious beliefs on my part,
but rather because these stations are very popular with short
Subscriptions wave listeners throughout the world. They broadcast on regular
schedules with recognisable programmes, so it is relatively easy
Subscriptions are available at£21 per
to listen to them. Their programmes, particularly those aimed at
annum to UK addresses £23 in Europe the DXer, can also be very interesting. Obviously it is not
andf25 overseas. Subscription copies possible to mention every single religious broadcaster and
are despatched by Accelerated station in the space allocated in this issue. The omission of any
station does not imply that they do not merit the attentions of
Surface Post outside Europe. Airmail
readers or that they are in some way beyond the pale.
rates for overseas subscriptions can
So far the choice of special subjects seems to have been
be quoted on request. Joint popular with you, the readers and we have more lined up
subscriptions to both Short Wave during the rest of this year.
Magazine and Practical Wireless are
Dear Sir
available at£34 (UK) £37 (Europe) and
At least two of the recently
£39 (rest of world).
released hostages have
praised the positive effect of
BBC overseas radio services
Components for SWM
during their captivity but from
Projects
time to time governments of
In general all components used in all political hues are tempted
constructing SWM projects are Dear Sir to threaten the continuous of
available from a variety of component Being a reader of Short Wave Magazine for a great number such broadcasts on the
suppliers. Where special, or difficult of years (I have copies going back to 1963 priced 2/9), I have grounds of money saving. It is
to obtain, components are specified, noticed quite a few changes in the style of your magazine only when there is a war or a
over that period. cold war that broadcasts in the
a supplier will be quoted in the article.
However, I must congratulate you on February's edition, language of the 'hostile'
The printed circuitboardsfor SWM
the colour and format. The airband special was of particular country are stepped up, and
projects are available from the SWM
interest to me as I live between two airports. By the way, I there have even been
PCB Service. am 63 years old and my first non-commercial reception was examples of axed foreign
in 1954, Cullercoates Radio on a Bush receiver. language services on the
Back Numbers and My present station is a Trio R2000 with a Global a.t.u. grounds that the people of
Binders and random wire, I also have a Realistic scanner. Your friendly nations don't need
Limited stocks of most issues of SWM magazine suites all interests in s.w.l. any cultivating and that they
for the past five years are available at John Devine ought to be listening in
£1.80 each including P&Pto addresses Co. Durham English anyway.
The hostages' positive
at home and overseas (by surface
opinions of the BBC should
mail).
Dear Sir perhaps be used by DXers and
Binders, each taking one volume
As an active member of Radio Also in view of the piece s.w.l.s world-wide as the basis
of the new style SWM, are available
Polonia's DX Club, I am about Radio Prague Monitor for a QSL - and letter -writing -
pricef5.5Oplusfl P&P for one binder, writing to bring the following Club on page 5 -'Junior campaign to support and
£2 P&P for two or more, UK or to your attention. Listener' - of the December encourage broadcasts from
overseas. Please state the year and In connection with your issue, I wonder if Jon Jones the stations which they listen
volume numberforwhichthe binder is feature on this station on page might be interested in to in the languages they want.
required. Prices include VAT where 6 of December 1991 issue of mentioning Polish Radio, Many UK s.w.l.s will be able to
appropriate. SWM. I sent them a Warsaw DX Club, new confirm, for example, that
photocopy. On two separate members very welcome, ten even when a non -British
Orders for p.c.b.s, back numbers,
DX Club programmes they reception reports to join, station simply announces its
binders and items from our Book
have referred to this and said attractive QSL cards, free title in English and other
Service should be sent to PW
how pleased and grateful they schedules and DX diploma languages between its
Publishing Ltd., FREEPOST, Post Sales are to Short Wave Magazine awards. callsigns, a very positive bond
Department, Enefco House, The Quay, for this write up, and they I would like to take this with listeners speaking that
Poole, Dorset BH15 1PP, with details have wondered who sent you opportunity of thanking you language is formed. This must
of your credit card or a cheque or the information. for the very interesting and be even more so for listeners
postal order payable to PW Publishing On Monday January 13, informative Short Wave in smaller world language
Ltd. Cheques with overseas orders this station changed its name Magazine each month. groups, so this is really not a
must be drawn on a London Clearing from Radio Polonia to Polish Sheila Hughes question of huge expense so
Radio, Warsaw and also Morden much as a desire to reach out
Bank and in sterling.
altered the schedule: more widely and to avoid
Credit card orders (Access,
0630-0730 9.525, 7.270 & Jon Jones would be pleased using radio as war
Mastercard, Eurocard or Visa) are also
6.135MHz to hear from any readers who propaganda by keeping
welcome bytelephoneto Poole (0202)
1600-1700 11.840 & belong to radio station DX tension down beforehand - a
665524. An answering machine will 9.525MHz Clubs as this is a good way for policy which short wave radio
accept your order out of office hours. 2000-2100 9.525, 7.270 & younger readers to start their is a very attractive and cost-
7.145MHz broadcasting hobby. Details to effective option.
2200-2300 7.270, 6.135, the address on page 5 please. Edward Turnbull
5.955 & 1.503MHz - Ed. Northumberland
2 Short Wave Magazine, May 1992
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Dear Sir
Recently, it was the 10th anniversary of the Argentinian Dear Sir
invasion of the Falkland Islands, which took place on 2 April Being mainly a broadcast IF YOU HAVE ANY
1982. band listener, I was unsure POINTS OF VIEW THAT
In the many books that have subsequently dealt with that about visiting the London
YOU WANT TO AIR
historic event, several state that with the words, "we have lots Amateur Radio & Computer
of new friends", Port Stanley's telex operator broke the news Show on Saturday March 7. PLEASE WRITE TO THE
to a stunned and disbelieving Britain. At least one of those However, I am very pleased
EDITOR. IF YOUR LETTER
books reproduces a photostat of that teleprinter exchange and that I did. Rather than catering
shows the time of that message to have been 4pm BST on 2 solely for licensed amateurs IS USED YOU WILL
April 1982. and computer buffs, there was RECEIVE A £5 VOUCHER
I am wondering if this was indeed the first confirmation much of interest to short wave
TO SPEND ON ANY SWM
from the Falklands that the invasion had actually taken place. listeners and indeed for any
Whilst I was recently in Port Stanley, I learned that an amateur kind of radio enthusiast. SERVICE.
radio operator may have been even earlier with the news. Apart from a wide selection
Unfortunately, I was not there long enough to pursue the of new and second-hand
matter further. Perhaps a reader may have received the receivers, I saw several The Editor reserves the
transmission, and may even have a tape recording of that suitable a.t.u.s, antennas, kits right to shorten any
historic signal. and lots of bits. There was a
letters for publication but
In view of the corning anniversary, it would be interesting good range of useful books
to be able to set the record straight. How, and precisely at and magazines, with some will try not to alter their
what time, did news of the invasion first reach the UK from the very tempting special offers,
sense. Letters must be
Falklands? particularly on the SWM/PW
Peter Cox, Plymouth stand! original and not have
My desire for an extension been submitted to other
speaker was easily satisfied as
magazines.The views
Dear Sir there were plenty to choose
I am almost sure to be the first DXers from Russia submitting a from, some at discontinued expressed in letters
letter the SWM. June 1991 copy was the first in my life prices. In fact, the three halls
published in this
accidentally received from my friend, Arma Aksland, living in were filled with stands
Colorado Springs (USA). While reading your magazine I realised offering an amazing variety of magazine are not
that I am doomed to stay an endless beginner in radio items, from antenna masts to necessarily those of Short
monitoring. Though I was a professional radioman during my Zener diodes. I was even able
Wave Magazine.
army service. to buy a Mothers' Day cardl
DXing is a rare hobby in our country because, for the first, we So whether you are
have a lack of good receivers available here, and for another, interested in amateur radio,
having a shortage of information sources. In fact, from your broadcast bands, utilities, outstanding read. From
magazine, from the only copy of it I received much more scanning or even CB, these reading your magazine I have
information about 'Tropical Short Wave' stations, for example, shows are well worth visiting. purchased a Sony SW7600
than I could gather by myself for a year period! Keith Mellor, Cheltenham radio and it is smashing. This
Because of these reasons, there is not even a small DX club in is the first time I have come
our city (Kazan), though its population is a little less than 1.5 Dear Sir across anything like Short
million. Taking an opportunity of getting familiar with Short Since playing with a strange Wave Magazine. The
Wave Magazine I would like very much to start post radio called an Eddystone at magazine and the short wave
communications with DXers in England and all over the world. I work, I couldn't believe the listening is incredible.
am 25, my name is Dmitri Souslov. I am sure to answer all of stations that where coming in. I now look forward to
your letters in English. Here is my address: Anyway, I was looking in W.H. reading you magazine and
Russia (Poccua) 420080 Smith one day and came s.w.l.ing for many years to
Kazan - 80 across Short Wave Magazine come.
PO Box 96 and I thought, what a good David Crookes
Dmitri Souslov, Kazan magazine this is. It really is an Plymouth
Dear Sir
Congratulations on a fine December issue. I must report to you
Dear Sir
my reception, in mid -October at 2015UTC on approximately
Over the last few months I by that method. By using the
13.75MHz (my Phillips D1875 won't allow a greater degree of
have read with interest the mail I could collect foreign
accuracy), in the 22m band, of what your 'SSB Utility Listening'
letters dealing with the stamps as well. Sometimes I
author Peter Rouse calls the 'number stations'.
receiving or otherwise of QSL got a card back, sometimes I
My SINPO on the 'numbers station' was 35533. I can not
cards from amateurs. did not, usually I did. Even as
confirm hearing a male voice, I received a female voice, speaking
When I first started an s.w.l., my cards were
English, reading a string of 3 to 5 character numeric strings.
collecting these many years favourably received.
Sometimes there was only one number spoken.
ago, I seem to recall it was Why should amateurs
During the course of reception of the 'numbers station' that I
dome on a one for one basis, expect a listener to send IRCs,
observed for 20 minutes I received no station identification and
all very friendly. I bought addressed envelopes, begging
heard only a female voice. Please note that my reception report
some specially printed cards letters, etc., which would all
was received on a.m. not s.s.b.
from PW, (1979 as shown add to the cost, over a pound I
Extrapolating the issue in my mind it would reasonably
here), and used the call books should imagine with postage
appear that someone is attempting to place at least one format of
to send one of these direct to from this end, to operators
broadcast on the air and may be operating a low power (<50kW)
the amateur as a short wave who are not interested today
transmitter in the Midlands or in Scotland.
listener. in getting reports from short
I hope my report helps in the 'number station' mystery. Please
Using the bureau took far wave listeners anyway.
let me know.
too long, one could die of old Cliff Stapleton
Bruce Graham, Argyll
age waiting for a return card Torquay
Short Wave Magazine, May 1992 3
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Acton, Brentford & Chiswick RC: 3rd Norfolk ARC: Wednesdays, 7.30pm. South Notts ARC: Fridays, 7pm.
Tuesdays, 7.30pm. May 19 - My The Norfolk Dumpling, The Livestock Highbank Community Centre or
May 3: The National Vintage FeedlineTunes MyAntenna byG3IGM. Market, Harford, Norfolk. April 29 - Fairham Community College, Farn-
Communications Fair will be held at Paul Truitt G4WQ0.071-938 2561. First HF NFD Briefing, May 6 - REAL borough Road, Clifton Estate, Not-
the NEC. It's a one -day event for Radio, 13th - GB3NB Repeater AGM, tingham. May 1 - Open Forum, 8th &
specialist collectors and others Barnsley & DARC: Mondays, 7.15pm. 20th - Project JUNO, What Happened 22nd - Construction (Fairha m College),
interested in buying and selling Darton Hotel, Station Road, Darton, by GOKRU, 27th - Final HF NFD Brief- 15th - OSCAR & FUJI Videos, 29th - On
vintage radios, telephones, Barnsley. April 27 - Getting Started on ing. Jack Simpson G3NJQ. (0603) Air. Ray G7ENK. [phone].
televisions, jukeboxes, Satellites by G4JJ, May 4 - Open Talk 747992.
gramophones, records and other on 1992 Rally, 11th - The RSGB by Stockport RS: 2nd &4th Wednesdays,
related mechanical -music items, G4EJP, 18th - Amateur Radio Obser- North Ferriby United ARS: Fridays, 7.45pm. Room 14, Dialstone Centre,
ancient or modern. vation Service by G3STG, 25th - The 8pm. North Ferriby United Football Lisburne Lane, Offerton, Stockport.
Novice Licence by GONMJ. Ernie Social Club, Church Road, North May 13 - Computers As Was/Today by
May 4: Dartmoor RC Rally will be G4LUE. 10226) 716339. Ferriby. May 1 - Way Ahead Meeting P. Stanley, 27th - Photographic Tips
held at St Paul's Church Hall, by G4VKK, 8th - QFE or QFH - What Are by G4RLD. John Verity G4ECI. 061-439
Yelverton. Doors open at 10.30am. Bromley & DARS: 3rd Tuesdays, They Talking About by G4VKK, 29th - 3831.
Free parking, usual traders, 7.30pm. The Victory Social Club, Surplus Equipment Sale. Frank Lee.
refreshments, Bring & Buy. George Kechill Gardens, Hayes. May 19 - Talk [phone]. Stratford upon Avon & DARS: 7.30pm.
Spray. Tel: [phone]. by Ian Daniels. Geoffrey Milne. 081- The Home Guard Club, Main Road,
462 2689. ARC of Nottingham: Thursdays, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon. May
May 10: The 8th Yeovil GRP 7.30pm. Sherwood Community Centre, 11 - Computers in Amateur Radio by
Convention will be held at the Conwy Valley RC: 1st Thursdays, Mansfield Road, Nottingham. April30 G40 IL. A. Beasley GOCXJ.060-882495.
Preston Centre, Monks Dale, Yeovil. 7.15pm. The Studio, Penrhos Road, - Electromagnetic Compatibility by
Doors open at 9am with admission Colwyn Bay, Clwyd. May? - Talk by Dr G8SOZ, May 7- Discussion onSummer Three Counties RC: Alternate
£1.50 including a lucky draw David Last, 14th - Visit to Pentir Na- Fox Hunts, 14th - Talk by Regional Wednesdays, 7.30pm. The Railway
programme. 10.15am - Chordal Hop tional Power Switching Station. Liaison Officer, 21st-144MHz Foxhunt Hotel, Liphook, Hants. May 6 - British
to VK, 11.30am - An 80m Merfyn Jones GW4NNL, 72b Princes & WAB Activity, 28th - RAYNET by Nuclear Fuels Ltd, Their Operations &
Construction Project, 2pm - HF Drive, Colwyn Bay, Clwyd. (0492) G3YUT. Rex Beastall. [phone]. The Environment, 20th - UoSAT, The
Antennas to Match Your Garden, 530725. Management & Equipment Needed
3.15am - Watch the Birdies. The Preston ARS: Alternate Thursdays. To Run The Ground Station. Dave
convention closes at 5pm. Derby& DARS. Wednesdays, 7.30pm. The Lonsdale Sports & Social Club, G4VKC.
119 Green Lane, Derby. April 29 - Fulwood Hall Lane, Fulwood. April 30 -
May 17: The annual Parkanaur Cheese & Wine Party, May 6 - Junk Windmill Land by Mr Dunkerley, May Tor ARA: Tuesdays, 7.30pm. Either
Amateur Radio Rally will be held in Sale, 13th - 144MHz DF Practice, All- 14 - Pageant of Lancaster Priory by Ernest BaileyCommunity Centre, New
the Silverwood Hotel, Lurgan, Co. Street, or Duke of Wellington,
Armagh. The rally will be open from Ambergate 852475. HF NFD. Eric Eastwood 61 WCQ. (0772) Chesterfield Road, Matlock. May 7 -
12 noon. Proceeds from the rally go 686708. Buffet & Get-together at Duke of
to the Stanley Eakins Memorial Dronfield & DARC: 1st & 4th Mon- Wellington. Vince Shirley. (0773)
Fund. Jim Lappin. Tel: [phone]. days, 7.30pm. Room 3, Gladys Buxton RSGB City of Bristol Group: last 826747.
School, Oakhill Road, Dronfield. Other Mondays, 7pm. The Small Lecture
May 17: The 35th Northern Mobile Mondays, socials atthe Fleur -de -Lys, Theatre, Queens Building, University Torbay ARS: Fridays, 7.30pm. ECC
Rally will take place in the Flower Main Road, Unstone. May 4 - No of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol. Social Club, Highweek, Newton Abbot.
Show Hall at the Great Yorkshire Meeting, 18th - Fox Hunt. Piers Old- April 27 - RSGB Morse Testing System May 22 -Junk Sale. Walt G3HTX. (0803)
Showground, Harrogate, north ham. Tel: [phone]. byG3ZJH, May 18- 1st British Amateur 526762.
Yorkshire. The Showground opens Radio Operation From Uzbekistan
10am, doors open 10.45am. Talk -in Edgware & DRS: 8pm. Watling Com- (U18), 25th - Picnic at Ashton Court at West of Scotland ARS: Fridays, 8pm.
on S22, Bring & Buy, bar and munity Centre, 145 Orange Hill Road, 2pm. Dave Coxon GOGHM. (0275) Scout Shop, 21 Elmbank Street, Glas-
cafeteria. Free parking and loads of Burnt Oak. May 14 - Advances in RF 855123. gow. May 8 - WAB, 25 Years On! by
stands. Entry and parking off Power Semiconductors by G3SGC, GM4FDM, 22nd - AGM. K. Fox. Jack
Wetherby to Harrogate Road. 28th - Constructors Contest & NFD South Bristol ARC: Wednesdays. Hood. 10698) 350926.
Separate arrangements for disabled Briefing. Hank Kay GOFAB. (081-205 Whitchurch Folkhouse Assoc, Bridge
visitors off Hookstone Wood Road. 1023). Farm House, East Dundry Rd, Wimbledon & DARS: 2nd & last Fri-
Mike. Tel: [phone]/507653. Whitchurch.April29- Mystery Subject days, 7.30pm. StAndrews Church Hall,
Hoddesdon RC: 1st & 3rd Thursdays, by G30UK, May 6 - 40m Evening, 13th Herbert Road, SW19. May 8 -General
May 24: The 16th Annual East 8pm. Conservative Club (side en- - Exhibition of Your Own Hobbies, 20th Activity Evening, 29th - Cable TV by
Suffolk Wireless Revival will be held trance), Rye Road, Hoddesdon. April - The Talking Brick by G4YZR, 27th - G3DPW. Chris Frost. 081-397 0427.
at the Maidenhall Sports Centre, 30 & May 14 - Social, 28th - EMC by Signwriting for the Rally. Len Baker.
Maidenhall Approach, Ipswich. G3ZKE. Roy G4UNL. 081-804 5643. Whitchurch 832222.
Doors open at 10am. There will be a
massive Bring & Buy, car boot sale, Lincoln SWC: Wednesdays, 8pm. City Southgate ARC: 2nd & 4th Thursdays.
antenna measurements and all the Engineers Club, Waterside South, Winchmore Hill Cricket Club Pavilion,
usual traders. Syd Mason. Tel: Lincoln. April 29, May 5 & 20th - Activ- Firs Lane, Winchmore Hill, London
[phone]. ity Night, 10th - Telecom Trail, Don- N21. May 14 - Early Radar, part 2 by
nington On Bain, 13th - AGM, 24th - Stan Woods. Brian Shelton GOMEE.
*May 30/31: RSGB National Rally at Fox Hunt. Patrick GOOSO, QTHR. 081-360 2453.
NEC Birmingham. The RSGB's
annual showpiece. Almost every Mansfield ARS: 1st Thursdays, 8pm.
major retailer/supplier in The Polish Catholic Club, off Windmill
Club Secretaries:
attendance, plus all the specialist Lane, Woodhouse Road, Mansfield.
amateur radio groups will be there May 7 - AGM. Mary GONZA. (0623) Send all details of your club's up-and-coming
too. Note that the date has been 755288. events to;
changed from that published before 'Grassroots',
so as not to coincide with the Midland ARS: 3rd Tuesdays, 7.30pm.
Lorna Mower
Dayton Ohio event in the USA. Free Headquarters Unit22,60RegentPlace,
parking is provided with a shuttle Birmingham B1 3NJ. April 27 - Com- Short Wave Magazine, Enefco House,
bus to the front of Hall 7. puter Night, May 25 - Computer Night, The Quay, Poole, Dorset BH15 1PP
29th - Atari Night. John Crane GOLAI.
021-628 7632 (evenings).
4 Short Wave Magazine, May 1992
/I/í/
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Young Amateur of the weeks, Scouts build radio something you'd like to go into for a
Year equipment and learn how to career, TELL YOUR TEACHER. You'll
communicate with it. In the photo be surprised how much they'll
If you're under 18 and interested in you can see the six Northampton encourage you.
radio, then perhaps you qualify for Scouts who were first to gain the Historic Radio Jon Jones
the title of Young Amateur of the new Badge with their leader and
PO Box 59
Year. You need to be either: the headquarters technology
Fishponds
involved in d.i.y. amateur radio adviser. An exhibition that might interest you
construction If any of you obtain the new is one on HMS Warrior 1860 in the Bristol BS16 4LH
operate radios badge, drop me a line with some
concerned with community radio details of the project you
(e.g. emergency communications completed, I'm sure others would
networks) be interested to know. That applies
encourage other to become to Guides and Brownies doing their
interested or Communicator Badge too.
be involved in school projects.
More Young Engineers
The closing date for entries is 31
July 1992 and you must be under 18 Needed
at that time.
Again this year, the award is I've heard some interesting news
being sponsored by the RSGB and from the DTI regarding young
The Radiocommunications Agency. people wishing to become
The winner collects a cash prize, an engineers and scientists. They want
RSGB amateur radio log book and a to encourage more of the brightest
visit to the Agency's Radio and best young people to choose
Monitoring Station at Baldock, careers in science and engineering.
Hertfordshire. Peter Lilley (he's the Trade &
All applications or nominations Industry Secretary - well he was at
for the award must be sent to: Young the time I wrote this, the General HM Naval base at Portsmouth. passing through it. A simple
Amateur of the Year Award 1992, Election is still three weeks away!) Between June 20 and 28, there will transformer would consist of a
Radio Society of Great Britain, launched a series of videos as part be an exhibition of Historic Radio magnetic core and two windings
Lambda House, Cranbourne Road, of 'Innovation Wealth from Science equipment circa 1890-1939. Whilst called the primary and secondary.
Potters Bar, Herts EN6 3JE. & Engineering'. A complicated way you're there you can always go and For the sake of this example we'll
Best of luck if you decide to have of saying that they want to visit all the other historic sights in assume that the secondary has
a go. encourage science and engineering Portsmouth and make it a really twice as many turns as the primary.
among school-childern! good day out. If any of you go, don't Let's see what happens if we
New Scouts Badge The videos use real examples to forget to tell me about it. connect an a.c. power source of
demonstrate how scientific ideas 100V at 1A. From this we can
I'm sure most of you have heard of are turned into commercial Transformers calculate that the impedance of the
the Scout movement, many may technology in area such as power source is 100/1 or 10052.
belong. But there is a new and telecommunications, biotechnology I came across the photograph Because the secondary has double
interesting Badge you can try for and the environment. above from Cirkit, advertising their the turns of the primary, the voltage
called The Scouts Radio The video series forms a part of toroidal mains transformers and is stepped -up to twice its original
Technicians Badge, which has been a full programme that includes a wondered how I could work such a value, i.e. 200V. But what happens to
sponsored by Adam Leisure Group series of local events bringing brilliant photo into the column! Well, the available current? If the current
plc. together schools and industry. So we've never discussed available remained the same we
The idea of the badge is to hopefully you may be seeing these transformers, so here goes. would have effectively made a
introduce Scouts to radio videos at school soon and if you So, just what does a transformer power gain which can't be right. The
technology. Over a period of six think that science and technology is do? Rather than get involved with answer is that the current is halved
lots of technicalities, I'll try and stick to 0.5A. All is reasonably
to simple language. The main straightforward so far, but what
feature of a transformer is its ability happens to the impedance? Let's
to change the impedance of a.c. work it out - we know the secondary
power. Many transformers also voltage is 200V and the current is
have the characteristic of passing 0.5A. Using the formula I gave
a.c. power but not d.c. What do I earlier, the secondary impedance
mean when I talk about impedance becomes 200/0.5 = 40052. The
changes? If we go back to basics all important point to note is that
electrical sources consist of two although the primary to secondary
key parameters - voltage and turns ratio is 1:2 the impedance ratio
current. It's the ratio between these is the turns ratio squared.
two that defines the impedance. The We have demonstrated three
formula is Impedance in Ohms(Q) = important parameters of a typical
Volts)V)/Amps(A). At this point I transformer which are.
ought to add a warning that this is a 1:The voltage is changed in
very simplified view and the direct proportion to the turns ratio.
calculation of impedance in real 2:The current is changed by the
circuits is somewhat more complex. inverse of the turns ratio.
Let's now look at a simple 3:The impedance changes by the
transformer and its effect on signals square of the turns ratio.
Short Wave Magazine, May 1992 5
10th Anniversary Weather
Monitoring
The Flight Refuelling Amateur
Radio Society will be ICS Electronics have introduced
celebrating its 10th a new range of equipment for the
Anniversary on Saturday May climatologist.
15 at its HQ at Merley, near The Perception II details barometric
Wimborne, Dorset. Special pressure, temperature and humidity as
event callsign GB2FRA will be well as highs and lows, alarms and a
operational on all h.f. bands. barometric trend arrow. There is an option for
The Society was initially a PC interface for graphing data. This unit costs
formed in a n effort to bring £169.95 including VAT.
together like-minded v.h.f. The second unit is more complex, the Weather
amateurs, but over the Wizard II features temperature, humidity, barometric
ensuing years activities have pressure, wind speed and direction, highs and lows, alarms and much more. Options for this unit
expanded to encompass all include a rain collector and a PC interface. This unit costs £229.95 including VAT.
aspects of amateur radio. Finally, the Weather Monitor II features temperature, wind direction, wind speed, wind chill,
From an initial 16 members barometric pressure, humidity, all highs and lows recorded with time and date, barometric trend
the Society now has over 100, alarm for change greater than 0.02, 0.04 or 0.O6in of mercury in an hour, a 12 or 24 hour clock and
including 48% Class A, 31% date. Options include, rain collector, external temperature/humidity sensor and computer storage,
Class B, 5% Novice and 16% analysis and graphing package. This unit costs £319.95 including VAT.
s.w.l., of whom most are ICS Electronics Ltd., Unit V, Rudford Industrial Estate, Ford, Arundel, West Sussex.
currently studying for the RAE.
In May 1987, the Society
Telethon '92 Receive
completed the construction of
Converters
a purpose designed HQ
Complex, which is currently The ITV Telethon is upon us once again and, in support of the
the venue for RAE, c.w. and HTV Region Appeal, Swindon & District ARC members are to muTek Ltd have a new range
four Novice training courses, spend 48 hours coaxing the world's radio amateurs out of the of receive converters for 144,
as well as being open for use 7 woodwork to make as many contacts with the station as possible 70, 50 and 28MHz. These
days a week. over the period. converters are available in
For further details of The Special Event Station, GB4SRC, will be on the air both kit and built forms, with
FRARS, please contact the 'promotionally' from May 14, the main event starting at 1800 on optional box kits. The range
Hon. Sec, Ian G2BDV, QTHR. Friday, May 29 until 1800 on Sunday 31st. will initially comprise six
The station will be located at the club shack at South Marston, models, with either 144 or
Swindon and a Telethon QSL card will be sent to all contacts. 28MHz i.f.s and receive
Sponsorship will be on a 'per call' basis or by donation. There frequencies for 144, 70, 50 and
Radio Exhibition
will be an opportunity to help swell the funds at the Swindon 28MHz. The first of these
Rally on Saturday May 16 at the Oasis Centre, Swindon. Just call models is the RXC 50c, a
The Fareham & District ARC in at the club stand and have your arm twisted! 50MHz receive converter with
will be holding an exhibition The same call will be on the air again during June 5-7 from the a 144MHz i.f. The specification
of historic radio equipment Lydiard Park Nostalgia Weekend where a great collection of for the completed converter
circa 1890-1939 between June steam engines, both stationary and mobile, classic vehicles and gives a conversion gain of
20 and 28. many other artifacts of bygone days will be gathered together. 6.5dB, a noise figure of 1.5dB
The exhibition will be on This is well worth a family visit of you can make it. Talk -in will be and an input intercept of
board HMS Warrior 1860, at on the 144MHz band, if required. OdBm. Full instructions for
the Naval Heritage area, HM construction and alignment
Naval Base, Portsmouth. Special Event Station are provided. The cost of the
For further details, contact kit is £27.50 plus £2.75 P&P,
Ray Maclean GOJVE, OTHR. with built models available at
Tel: [phone]. Bideford Bay ARC will be operating GB2DVN from Bideford £37.50 plus P&P.
North Devon to commemorate the end of the first stage of the Full details on this and
Milk Race on Monday May 25. There will be cards for all contacts other products from muTek
and s.w.l. reports. Ltd., PO Box 24, Long
For more information, contact: Mike Hammond G3PGA. Eaton, Nottingham NG70
Tel: [phone]NO.
Time Pieces
AMDAT have a wide range of Junghans clocks
in stock. Two examples are the radio -
controlled mantel clock, which is 150 x
200mm with an ABS case, stock number, 364/
7101 and the solid oak case wall clock, stock
number 368/7525.
The mantel clock is battery operated and
has an integrated radio receiver, a ferrite rod
antenna, a transmitter call key for optimum
reception control and a 32kHz quartz time base.
for more details, contact:
AMDAT, 4 Northville Road, Northville,
Bristol BS7 ORG. Tel: [phone].
6 Short Wave Magazine, May 1992
SRI on Astra
On March 19, Swiss Radio International started round-the- Stolen
clock transmissions to the entire European continent on the
Astra 1A satellite using a sub -carrier of the Swiss Teleclub
(7.2MHz). Now all SRI programmes can be heard under the Stolen from the Siskin stand at the Blackpool rally on March 15 was a
best reception conditions from Finland to Morocco and Fairmate HP2000E scanner. The serial number was 19429. It was
unboxed, without instructions and accessories. If you can help Siskin
Britain to Moscow.
For the moment, only a few individual listeners have trace this equipment, contact them:
access to this service. It's designed primarily for radio Siskin Electronics, 2 South Street, Hythe, Southampton
stations, resort hotels, embassies and consulates. Up to $04 OEB. Tel: [phone].
now, numerous European radio stations, notably in France,
Spain and Italy, have received SRI programmes by line or
through their cassette service. New from Grundig
Now, with the installation of a parabolic antenna of
between 400 and 1200mm, you can receive information,
documentary and music programmes from Switzerland at The Satellit 700 is similar in design to the popular Satellit 500,
any time of day or night. These SRI programmes are with even more to offer the short wave listener. Features include
already heard in Switzerland on the cable radio network f.m., m.w., I.w. and 1.6-30MHz s.w. coverage, automatic station
and digital radio. Now they can be also received in search or manual tuning, direct frequency input, 64 memory
Switzerland via Astra satellite free of charge. positions featuring 8 alternative frequencies each, RDS and built-
SRI programmes on Astra include about five hours of in b.f.o.
broadcasts in English and French respectively, three hours It also has a data monitor with indication of frequency,
in German and Italian, one and a half hours in Spanish and waveband, memory position, metre band, stereo, field strength,
45 minutes in Arabic. Added to this are music programmes battery check, station name (8 digits), RDS, external antenna,
produced by SRI itself or in collaboration with other mode, etc. You can program the station names for your favourite
stations. stations.
At the moment, SRI programmes on Astra are primarily The radio costs £349.99 from your local Grundig stockist.
conceived as a special service, but in the coming months
they will gradually be developed into a fully-fledged
European -wide broadcasting outlet. With this aim, they are
counting a lot on synergy within the Swiss Broadcasting
Corporation and co-operation within Europe.
Open Day
Waters & Stanton will be holding their annual open day on
Sunday May 10 from 10am to 5pm. Last year was so successful
they are aiming for something even bigger this year. There will
be free food and free drink for every one plus a prize draw. Those
needing talk -in should initially call GOPEP on 145.5MHz.
They will be offering some fantastic bargain and clearance
lines on a wide variety of amateur radio equipment covering two
floors of their premises.
Waters & Stanton Electronics, 22 main Road, Hockley,
Essex SS5 4QS. Tel: [phone].
DX TV News
Despite the monopoly of the Austrian air waves that the ORF enjoys, several 'pirate operators' successfully provide radio entertainment
from neighbouring countries within the v.h.f. f.m. band 88-108MHz. About 6 transmitters operate currently amongst these being C -D
International from Bratislava (Slovakia); MM2 - Moribor (Slovenia); Radio Zirog - Brenner (Italy); Antenne Austria - Sopron (Hungary). The
pirate operators are hoping that independent radio may be legalised in Austria during 1992, which will allow them to go 'inland' onto
Austrian soil.
The ORF however are expanding their own FM radio services with Big City Radio in Vienna, and the Blue Danube Radio servicewhich
operates in English in main towns such as Vienna, Fraz, Linz, Innsbruck and Salzburg is being re -launched as Euradio running 18 hours
a day and expanding into a 4th national network.The 'pirates' suspect this will remove all free f.m. channels and effectively block the pirates
aspirations as well!
With the on -going changes in Russia (or CIS, Commonwealth of Independent States) so the radio/TV service administration have also
changed. The Russian State Television now operates as 'Ostankino', after the main TV production centre and transmitting base inMoscow.
Ostankino will continue to be state financed during 1992 butfrom next year it is hoped that it will become a privatised commercial operation
with a 50% public share ownership. The Central TV First Channel will be passed to the CIS with each state having programme input
allocations (as will happen with the Central Radio). The 2nd channel will be 'for Russia', the 3rd for Moscow and the 4th channel for
education. Ostankino will continue to provide programme and technical services for the TV channels both Moscow and timeshifted for the
several time zones across the Soviet land mass.
My Gib contact advises that TVE Spain are now using NICAM for stereo enhancement on certain programmes but when aforeign
language film is shown one track remains as the original language whilst the other track is used for a Spanish dubbed sound trackwhich
TVE call 'Dual' transmission.
Australian TVDXer Robert Copeman advises that the two Ch. AO TV transmitters (46.25MHz nominal vision carrier) which have been
received during appropriate F2 layer conditions recently are: RTQ-0 (formerly DDQ-0) located at Toowoomba, Queensland running 150kW
at 46.171 MHz carrier; and AMBN-0 (ABC) located at Wagga, New South Wales running 100kW e.r.p. at 46.240MHz. (Note the actual vision
carrier offset can be received on a scanner and measured, thus confirming transmitter being received. During February 1992 a UK DXer
received 3 separate New Zealand TV Ch. 1 transmissions by measuring the incoming vision carrier and noting the offset relative to the
Roger Bunney.
45.25MHz nominal carrier).
Short Wave Magazine, May 1992 7
Aerial Systems for serious listeners
Look to Lowe
DX -One Electronic Antenna
1> £249 inc VAT
The World Radio TV Handbook said of the DX -One "... the best of its type available anywhere in the
world." It has a frequency range of 50kHz - 50MHz (*3dB) and 10kHz - 75MHz (*6dB); it is both
horizontally and vertically polarised, so low -angle (DX) signals suffer less selective fading. The output
level from the antenna is adjustable in steps from +6dB to -40dB for optimum matching. The extremely
high intercept point (+66dBm 2nd order, +40dBm 3rd order) and a very low noise figure (12.8 dB)
ensure optimum performance. The indoor unit contains a mains power supply, a step -wise attenuator and a very effective
medium wave suppression filter. It also has two receiver outputs for feeding two receivers without mutual interference.
SP -2 Antenna Splitter
£152 inc VAT
A growing number of radio enthusiasts have two receivers, but no space for two separate antennas. The
SP -2 is the answer for connecting two receivers to one antenna (be it active or passive). The SP -2 offers
a very high degree of isolation between the two receivers (<30 dB). The SP -2 ensures that, within the
frequency range of 50kHz - 50MHz), no unwanted mutual interference, heterodynesor signal loss will
occur as a result of connecting a second receiver.
With a single receiver, the SP -2 offers a precision step-attenuator (0- 40 dB) which helps to reduce receiver inter -modulation.
Included is a very effective switchable medium wave suppression filter.
For those with space for a second antenna (e.g. one horizontal, one vertical), the SP -2 offers a simple way to switch between
the two for comparison purposes.
Magnetic Longwire Balun
£36 inc VAT
This balun has been described in the trade press as the "most revolutionary development for shortwave
listeners in the last 25 years". Quite a claim! But this antenna device does solve one of the mostsevere
problems associated with random long wires; the input cable. An MLB allowsyou to use highly
screened co -axial cable between the antenna and receiver WITHOUT energy loss due to impedance
mismatch. Computers, light -dimmers, televisions, and fluorescent lights no longercause interference
problems. We recommend RG58/u 50ohm co -axial cable.
The MLB has been designed so that a very short length of antenna wire can be used and still be perfectly matched to the 50ohm
antenna input of the receiver. Even an antenna of just 12.5 metres (41 feet) provides good results from 100kHz - 40MHz without
the need for an antenna tuner. Static build-up on the antenna is allowed to leak away to earth potential- excellent for protecting
receivers with FET front end circuitry. Static noise levels on long, medium, and the tropical short wave bands of 60 & 90 metres
are considerably lower. The MLB is easy to mount on existing longwire or "T" antennas.
MLB Antenna: Mark I
£56 inc VAT
A complete passive wire antenna with a built-in MLB, the MLB Antenna: Mark I has excellent
performance on long, medium, and short waves. It is 12.5 metres in length and can be mounted vertically
or horizontally. Frequency range 100kHz - 40MHz.
The MLB Antenna: Mark I offers all the advantages of the Magnetic Longwire Balun like: coaxial
feeder, broadband performance without an antenna tuner and static decoupling. Heavy duty and
completely water -proof, it comes complete with nylon support cord, heavy-duty insulator, high -quality plastic coveredantenna
wire, PL 259 connector and a water -tight rubber sleeve to cover co-axial/MLB connection.
MLB Antenna: Mark II
£67 inc VAT
Similar to the Mark I, but 20 metres long. The MLB Antenna: Mark II offers improved performance at medium and longwave
frequencies, although the high frequency performance above 30MHz is reduced.
THE LISTENERS' BOOK OF THE YEAR GETS EVEN BETTER
The new 1992 issue of Passport to World Band Radio' is now with us and it'seven better than
before. The 200 pages have risen to almost 400 and every section carries the unmistakable author-
ity of the world's best short wave companion.
Broadcasts are listed as before; not only in frequency order but also by language, country of
origin AND the times of broadcasts. There are no less than 56 pages of receiver reviews, including
the latest NRD-535 and Drake R-8, together with news, views and general information.
If you own a short wave radio, you MUST have the 'Passport' by its side. The price lastyear
j
was £12.95; we have kept the price the same this year at £12.95 (plus £1.55 p&p.). Send off today.
LOWE ELECTRONICS LIMITED
LOWS
Chesterfield Road, Matlock, Derbyshire DM 5LE Telephone: [phone] Fax: [phone]
8 Short Wave Magazine, May 1992