WIXLIB

Further details of Doctor DX arefromavailableICSElectronics,on024365 590.Software'Refresh'This month the new releases fall in-operator comes when you plug yourMorse key in and attempt some contacts. If you are good - according toSpace InvadersFor RadioHams.the module - the station you have called will reply. This enables you to scorepoints - as in the real thing. There areslower Morse stations on the upper sec-!People who want to develop theirCW contest operating skills may be interested in a new computer game fromtion of each band and faster stationstowards the bottom of it.through the computer loudspeaker. Byentering your position and time of day,the conditions become appropriate toyour location in a sunspot maximumperiod. All 304 countries arerepresented and weighted according totheir amateur population.The real test of your skill as an1.8(152iMHZ20Currently attracting rave reviews inthe US, Doctor DX is supposed to helpto improve your contest operating ability without "embarrassing" yourself, orhaving to wait for a contest to comealong. But at a cost of 96.95, plus 1.50 p and p, it will be a lot cheaper toswallow your pride and enter a contest,after all, everyone has to startsomewhere! G1 CKF14.0 23.717 F5TX13 Fl 4 RX200(5204--I2414232538i:-26794I28ALLAMY197TM0 1984 AEAT 23 :16 54 UJ,CQS0RATE104/HRFurther words or text can be loaded intothe program from a previously prepareddata cassette. This feature is useful insetting up a dummy -run of the morsetest.A separate program is supplied onthe tutor cassette for the preparation ofdata tapes. The speed range is from 4to 24 words per minute and has beentimed using the standard 'PARIS' testword.Figures are included as a separatesection in the structured tutor and canbe intermixed with letters in the "text"modes. Punctuation characters mayalso be mixed with text and figures inthe "text" mode.The program is available oncassette price 6.90 including VAT andpost and packing from:2,COM-,DOCTOR DX(11. Structured tutor.(21. Specify letters to be practiced.(31. Select random words from internala wide range of letter combinations".odiN73.5 7 i4possible: -(41. Type in text to be coded.15). Load text from data cassette.Over two hundred words are availablein the standard internal library and theyhave apparently been chosen "to coveryour Commodore 64 and enables youto participate in a presumably life -likereconstruction of a worldwide DX CWcontest.A transceiver appears on your TVscreen and can be manipulated bytouching the function keys on the com-transmissions - including QRM -the sending and receiving of morsecode." Five modes of operation arelibrary.the USA. Called the 'Doctor DX', asmall module plugs into the back ofputer. The program emits the Morseto two main categories. The largest ofthese is that of 'Morse Tutor' type programmes. First up is a Morse tutor forthe Amstrad CPC464, a fairly new andeconomic machine which has receivedsome good reviews in the computerworld.The program which is available oncassette takes "a structured approachto the problem of gaining proficiency inD 00:00:00NSEW 48 M, 122 W31SCOREPTSCTRY ZONE QSOS887 147 3704 7401 7,652,634304 4073 50368MR**** M7EZJCC AZPNP COMMUNICATIONS, 62 LawesAvenue, NEWHAVEN East Sussex.BN9 9SB (02731 514465.Next up is a Morse tutor for theSpectrum 48K, one of an ever increasing number of tutors for this machine,and isintended"for thecompletebeginner." Using as much colour aspossible, this tutor is entertaining aswell as educative. Eight separate programs can be chosen from the menuand the Morse speed is variable upwards from about 3wpm. One of theprograms goes continually through theMorse alphabet, with an accompanyingdisplay to drum the alphabet in. Anunusual feature is that of 'Rest' whichtakes the form of an interval and takes6HAM 1b1010 TODAY JANUARY 1985

the stress out of learning Morse.The tape is available from Haroldthe CQ memory. Non -amateurs wil apparently be allocated a 'dummy'Bentley, "Sixty -One", Vale Crescentcallsign.South Ainsley Estate, Nottingham NG8Further details may be obtainedfrom John Pearson at 42 Chesterfield3 PQ.Also for the Spectrum 48K is anRoad,Barlborough,CHESTERFIELD,Derbys (02461 810652.Finally, we have a Morse transmitand receive program for the Oric-1 orAtmos Computers. This is of Frenchorigin and is retailed by a company call-ed "No Man's Land".The claimed main features are:complete decoding of Morse alphabet;automatic speed adjustment; direct input to low level source or loudspeakerNorth Luffenham. The special riggingteam of 8 RAF personnel, who were accustomed to 'Zip -Up' equipment,managed to erect the complete tower in2 days.However, if you are consideringthis sort of tower for your garden, theprice for a 6ft platform, 19ft 10" highis1127.30 exclusive of VAT.Further information can be obtained from the company on 0442 60101.'Zip -Up' Tower - 300' in two days!output without interface; audio fre-i; Program .' arpAtPwrson.RTTY Tx/Rx program from PearsonsComputing written by G1 FTU. Thisallows the 48K Spectrum computer totransmit and receive RTTY with no interface or terminal unit. The user simplyconnects the EAR and MIC sockets onthe Spectrum to the external speakerand audio input (or MIC) of his or hertransceiver.The program features split-screenoperation with full type -ahead duringreceive and transmit, and the user hashis or her own personalised CQ memoryand eight other memories, of up to 255quency selection by programme; filtering of short duration interferences;memory of 10240 characters; possibili-ty of saving screen and memory oncassette; simultaneous or delayed impression on decoding; monitoring func-tion enabling user to hear the signal'filtered by the Oric.Full, if a little confusing, instruc-tions of how to connect your Oric-1 /Atmos to your receiver/receive section are given. The instructions connecting your computer to a transmitter arerather sketchy and would be inadequatefor the novice, I feel. That being said, ata quick glance the program itself seemsvery good and I am not aware of a program of this kind for Oric computers being available from another source.Further details may be obtainedcharacters each, which may be savedon cassette.from "No Man's Land, 110 bis, AvenueOther features include baud ratevariable between 45 and 110 baud,duvariable transmit tones, on -screen tuning indicator, unshift-on-space, and theprogram has the capability to receivereversed 'mark' and 'space' tones.The program also provides the userGeneralFrance.Leclerc, 93500 Pantin,Up, Up andAwaywith a unique 'clarifier' facility for tuning accurately to FM RTTY tones.Pearsons Computing claim that theprogram "will run correctly on all issuesof the 48K Spectrum, including thosefitted with microdrives, printer, joystickinterface, etc" - so that you don'thave to dismantle the system in order touse the program - as with some of theamateur radio and other software onthe market today.andThe program costs 10 inclusiveorders from licenced amateursshould be accompanied by a callsign forAccess Equipment Ltd. have comeup with a versatile 'Zip Up' aluminiumscaffolding for building radio masts.These masts can be up to 300ft high ifyou have the planning permission and are made up of 'Zip -Up' stairwaysections of heavy gauge tube and builtin platforms. The ease of constructionis apparently enhanced by the lightnessof the frame and the easy clip -on structure.Recently, Access Equipment sup-plied a 300ft radio mast to the RAF atYaesu's newFRG8800(see'FRG8800Out Now!')HAM RADIO TODAY JANUARY 19857

for 32.50 plus VAT, but kits, we areassured, will be available soon. For further details contact PNP Communica-tions on 0273 514465.Low Cost 'RadioModen' FromICSThe Sussex based firm of ICShave been extremelyElectronicsbusy of late. Seldom a month has goneby of late without a press release of anew product appearing on the Editor'sdesk.John Worthington, keyer in hand, relaxing on 80m with an FT7.The CuriousEnigma Of JohnWorthingtonThere is little doubt that ten wattsto a random wire on such occasions isabout as useful as a rubber duck in alead mine and soon 'COI had no need tomime slumber. Look out for further pic-torial evidence of his wide spectrum ofactivities. 73 'COI"Every now and again the Editorgets a phone call from a reader who iscurious about HRT cartoonist GW3COI,alias John Worthington. He has to admit that he knows little about thisstrangely elusive man, except that hehas been drawing cartoons for theamateur radio press for well over twenty years.Occasional reports surface of himappearing at the CW ends of 80 and40m. The only tangible evidence of hisexistence apart from his cartoons lies inthe monthly invoice submitted to theoffices headed somewhatenigmatically "Piano Tuning andHRTRepairs, John Worthington". That is,until the photo shown nearby and thefollowing text arrived in the office."Dear Ed,Photograph shows a rare picture ofGW3C01 working A/ in a fairly 'safehouse'. He is of course using CW andthe equipment is a borrowed FT7 andhome brew iambic keyer. The operatoris in a semi -recumbent posture, enablinghim to assume an appearance ofslumber fairly rapidly should he hear theapproaching footsteps of the xyl withinstructions for some urgent householdchore. At the time of the photograph allhell was being let loose on the low endof eighty metres as it was the AnnualWorked All Cherished Veteran CarRegistration Numbers under which con-ditions a gentle ragchew at 18 wpm isquite an acheivement, as can be seenfrom the clenched face of the emigratedEnglishman. (He found later he had bit-ten through another pipe stem - andthis without his teeth).8Well, we're waiting.Previously known for their slightlyexpensive but very high quality AMTORand RTTY terminal units, ICS haverecently introduced a new, versatile lowcost terminal unit for the beginner, experimenter or VHF operator.Requiring12Volt DC inputat150mA, the RM-1 connects to a homecomputer via either TTL or RS232 levelinterfaces (both are supplied as standard).Itcan be used to send andreceive RTTY or AMTOR at up to 100Bauds with 170Hz shift. Also available.are CW send and receive and wide bandASCII communications at up to 1200Multi StandardUnitfrom PNPCommsPNP CommunicationsBauds. European IARU tone standardsare supported and the wide bandreceive mode can be used for receivingcommercial 425, 850 Hz shift RTTY, aswell as data transmissions from theUoSat series satellites.A range of software and cablehaveanounced that their new multi -standard"matched -filter" type RTTY/CWreceive only terminal unit is nowavailable.PNP seem to have aimed this unitat the serious SWL who has thenecessary home computer and can in-terface their communications receiverto it. The matched filter -rectifier integrator design appears also to makethe unit suiable for demodulating morsefrom 'CW reader' type programs.The terminal unit is made up of 2active filter chains: one fixed at1275Hz for "space", the other can beswitched to one of three frequency shiftpositions:-1445Hz for 170Hz shift, 1700Hz for425 Hz shift. 2125Hz for 850 Hz shift(used for Morse reception). It also hasan ALC to compensate for signal fadingand a "bar -graph" indicator for accurate tuning. It can receive signalsabove 200 bauds, including AMTORand commercial TOR transmissions.Compatible TTLs are used for normaland inverted signals.At present it is supplied ready builtpackages for the RM-1 is available fromICS for many of the more popular homemicro computers. Most other RTTYsoftware on the market can also be used with the RM-1. It is also plug compatible with other ICS terminal units.Packaged in an attractive screenprinted enclosure, with a comprehensive manual, ICS claim that the RM-1"lacks the extensive filtering of ICS'smore expensive terminal units, but isideal for most medium to strong signalapplications." The RM-1 is available for 70.50 inc VAT and postage from ICSat P 0 Box 2, ARUNDEL, West SussexBN18 0 NX.FRG -8 8 0 0 OutNow!In December, 1984 the FRG -8800will supplant the world renownedFRG -7700 as the latest Yaesu generalcoverage communications receiver, bringing the newest advances intechnology to the famous Yaesureceiver line that began with the FRG -7.HAM RADIO TODAY JANUARY 1985

The Merseyside Special Event Group who recently activated GBO and GB8BCL at the 'Beetle City' museum inLiverpool. From L -R, G4UVB, G4SYW, GlDFQ, G4KIN, G4YPD, G6ICR, QSL mgr G4VKV, G4HSF, and G6ZPW.Featuringaliquidlargecrystaldisplay with 100Hz frequency resolutionandincludingauniquemulti-coloured S/SINPO "bar graph" type indicator, the FRG -8800 also incorporates the Yaesu CAT System. Thisallows remote power control, mode andfrequency selection and signal strengthmeasurement for processing from theoperator's personal computer when us-kHz/rotation are selectable, with stepsof 25 or 500 Hz, respectively. The dualclock/timer includes power on/off and"sleep" functions.VI3WI, can be heard on the DX bands(conditions permitting) until 30th April,1985 (perhaps longer if sufficientThe FRV-8800 VHF converter,150 years of European settlement involunteers).Thecallsigncelebrateswhich mounts inside the FRG -8800, isavailable as an option to add the rangeof 118 to 173.99 MHz to the receiver.The FRV-7700 Converters, FRA-7700Victoria, Australia, and is being organised by the Wireless Institute of Australiaand its affiliated clubs.The volunteers hope to work all DXActive Antenna, FRT-7700 Antennabands and all modes and will send aed with one of the Yaesu FIF-series CATInterface Units. The CAT SystemTuner and FF-5 Lowpass Filter originallyspecial commemorative QSL directly ordesigned for the FRG -7700 are fullyallows the user to program his com-compatible with the FRG -8800.via the VK3 OSL bureau for any confirmed contact.puter for the type of receiver operationFrequencycoverage:that he desires, including such func-modestoautomaticallyselecttheclearest frequency of multi -frequencybroadcasts. The user can literally buildhis own receiver functions using almostany personal computer and BASIC orany other language.The FRG -8800 includes a21 -button keypad for frequency andmemory control via the internal 8 -bit.cpu. Additional button switches areprovided for mode and wide/narrow IFfilter selection, AGC release time, noiseblanker, display brightness, tuning rateselection and settling of the 24 hourdual (local/UTC) clock/timer. The 12 in-ternal memories can be selected byeither the keypad or a rotary switch.Three scanning modes are availablethrough the keypad, by which either allor only pre-programmed memories canbe scanned, or all frequencies betweentwo memories. Squelch is all mode, andknob tuning rates of either 6.25 or 125HAM RADIO TODAY JANUARY 1985MHz(150 kHz to25.999 MHz and 2MHz to 29.999MHz versions willtions as unlimited additional memories(the FRG -8800 includes 12 itself asstandard) and automatic tuning by station callsign (for broadcast stations) andtime, unlimited choice of scanningsystems and even voting reception150 kHz to 29.999also be available).Modes:AM (wide Et narrow)SSB (USB, LSB)Cw (wide Et 800Hznarrow)FM (narrow)FM wide to beavailable as optionA special award certificate isavailable for anyone making a radio contact (SWLs log) with one station in VK3(Victoria) between November and April.The organisers ask for Aus 2 orequivalent and the QSL to be sent toVictoria 150 Award, Wireless Instituteof Australia, 412 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, 3056, Victoria.Biggest Cat' YetFromElectrovalueIntermediate frequencies: 47.055 MHzand 455 kHz.The FRG -8800 hopefully will beavailable from authorised Yaesu importers SMC and Amateur ElectronicsUK and other Yaesu dealers about thetime of publication of this issue.Aussie SpecialEventA special commemorative callsign,Electrovalue have recently published their latest catalogue which is usual-ly updated and issued three times ayear, available free on demand at Elec-trovalue shops or mail order service.This is the largest to date in terms ofitems stocked and each item is individually priced.The catalogueis available fromElectrovalue Ltd, 28 St. Jude's Road,Englefield Green, Egham, Surrey TW200 HB.9

I trim)/ iL-TkgBEFORE COSir, quotations (HRT 2/10 Oct 84 p6)Caption: " Norman. . . delicate finaladjustments.people will no longerText: Col 2 ".regard amateurs as eccentric.pars 1. ". something you've built. notyourself. . "; pare 1. "having yet grasped the constructional. give a newside. . "; pare 2. "insight. . "; para 4. ". . fairly.serious analysis. " para 4.it is funny. . ";Col 3: ".". the Morse is a bitpara 4.ropey.";Please: "serious"?;"funny"?:with a dirty great "dumpy"screwdriver: in that fashion? Ha haHa Ha Ha Ha Ha He He He He He HeHe He. Oh dear! Excuse me while Ifind a tissue: my eyes are streaming,Not with sorrow!!! '00 was thisAncock? There was once a Normanwho was funny.Yours in pain,J W Short.P.S. I don't feel very well)The picture of 'Norman', the radioamateur in Channel 4's 'CO', used inOctober '84 HRT, was a promotionalshot, not a still from the actual play.Part 1 (6.5) Signals not being sent insecret code or cypher.Part 5 The licencee shall not permitany unauthorised person to operatethe station or have access toapparatus.Part 8 (para 1) recorded messagesshould only be retransmitted tooriginating station.Part 9 (para 2) The callsign shall besent at beginning and end of eachtransmission. Yes, it was sent at thestart but only once at the end rightthrough the programme.As for his attitude towards hisneighbours TVI problem and thefalsification of his logbook it certainlyisn't a very good impression of a radioamateur for anyone, is it?Maybe a good CBer would beproud of this programme but never anamateur or should I say a goodamateur! And you certainly weren'tkidding about the CW being ropey. Ihave not yet taken my Morse test, butam studying at the moment andcertainly can do better than this socalled G4 on the prog.Thank you for listening to mymoan, feeling better getting it off mychest.Regarding your list of Norman'smisdemeanours, I think you're being abit hard on him. For instance, while hewas often lax about giving his callsignat the end of each transmission hewas having a rather exciting time how many of us have not been guiltyof similar midemeanours whenworking a rather choice piece of DX?'CO' seemed to me to use amateurradio as a framework to investigatequestions like "how far will a personJanice, GM1 KHV66F0, the editor of SWM, and, if mygo in order to obtain fame" and "whodeserves to be famous?" Norman is a(fallible) man first and a radio amateursecond. I'm glad I've got this off mychest, too.GEOGRAPHICALBANDPLANNINGSir, referring to the 'Metrewave'article in HRT in November 1984, mayI suggest that G5 UM should check onthis statement that the concept ofgeographical bandplanning emergedfrom the fertile brain of the late G6F0.He will find that the idea was firstoutlined in a letter published in 'ShortWave Magazine'. sometime in theearly to mid 1950's, written by IanPaul, G3 CYY.The scheme was endorsed byThe technical adviser, G3 YXZ,ensured that the technicalpresentation of amateur radio in thecourse of the actual filming was veryfair and in no way is Normanportrayed as a technical buffoon inmine or Julie's opinion - animpression the shot should give.I found CO both serious and funny- as was Tony Hancock's 'The RadioHam'. You might find watching 'CQ' alittle uneasy - but not too painful, Ihope.AFTER COSir, I am afraid that I must have amoan about Channel 4's televisionProgramme 'CO' shown this evening.If, in Julie Darby's (G1CKF) reporton the programme, it gave theamateur publicity, I believe it was verybad publicity.G4ESB has some super equipment- if only someone had given him alittle more than basics on how to useit!He broke just about everyregulation on the licence and I quote:10HAM RAM TODAY JANUARY 1985

memory serves me right, was slightlymodified as a result of some debate inthe columns of SWM before beingmore or less universally adopted.Unfortunately, I no longer havethe large pile of SWM's from the lateforties and early fifties, given to mesome years ago, which would allowme to verify this, and the dates.T G Lambert, G8 EZL.MORE SPARRINGSir, J G Peel's letter ('PeacefulRAYNET' Nov HRT) surely avoids themain point which is that SPARS(Society for the Preservation ofAmateur Radio Standards) objects toRAYNET's involvement in exercisescalled by the CEPO (or a substitute)which are directly linked topolitical/military strategy, particularlywhen such exercises are performed onthe Amateur Bands. The final strawwas the exercise on March 1 0th(INTEX '84), previous to whichSPARS did not exist although anumber of concerned individuals hadbeen increasingly alarmed at thechanging complexion of the RAYNEThierarchy and its apparent enthusiasmto be associated with activities havinga political/military flavour.RAYNET came into being after the1953 East Coast floods and though,fortunately, only occasionally hasthere been a real need for theirservice

EMOTO 1102MXX The really big one for large HF monobanders EMOTO 1103M)0( As 1102MXX but greater turning power EMOTO 1102MSAX Circual dial . Here are the in-depth constructional details you can't find in books. PROJECT OMEGA ALL MODE TRANSCEIVER 44 In Part 9 G3WPO and G4JST describe the construction of the QRO PA.