(cid:10)(cid:43) (cid:22)(cid:152)(cid:204)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:219)(cid:136)(cid:105)(cid:220)(cid:195)(cid:92)(cid:202)(cid:42)(cid:192)(cid:156)(cid:118)(cid:176)(cid:202)(cid:13)(cid:147)(cid:136)(cid:143)(cid:202)(cid:21)(cid:105)(cid:136)(cid:195)(cid:195)(cid:105)(cid:143)(cid:213)(cid:118)(cid:204)(cid:93)(cid:202)(cid:171)(cid:176)(cid:202)(cid:211)(cid:110) http://www.cq-amateur-radio.com C (cid:10) (cid:69) (cid:47) (cid:34)(cid:31)(cid:31)(cid:49)(cid:32)(cid:22)(cid:10)(cid:1)(cid:47)(cid:22)(cid:34)(cid:32)(cid:45) (cid:13)(cid:10)(cid:21)(cid:32)(cid:34)(cid:29)(cid:34)(cid:20)(cid:57) APRIL 2016 EchoLink® Ready TM-V71A With the Kenwood TM-V71A you have a choice of where you want your speaker, on the top or on the bottom of the radio. Simply remove the faceplate and flip the main body, then reattach the face, it’s that simple! Yet another Kenwood 1st, this dual band transceiver has ten dedicated EchoLink® memory channels as well as EchoLink sysop-mode operation. 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SteppIR’s CrankIR vertical is the ultimate in portability and performance for those weekend (or longer) getaways. Its light weight and small size when stowed make it easy to take along anywhere. Its multi-band high performance has made it the antenna of choice for many very successful DXpeditions….it’s that good!! Our SmallIR and BigIR verticals provide excellent multi-band performance with a very small footprint and blend into just about any background. Using SteppIR’s patented remotely-tunable technology, they provide full band coverage with extremely low SWR on every band they cover. Lossy antenna tuners are NEVER needed with our antennas. SteppIR’s lineup of yagis is truly remarkable. We have 2, 3, 4, and 5 element designs that set the standard of performance in the Amateur industry. The 2 element design is perfect for limited space applications yet still offers full band frequency coverage from 40 meters to 6 meters continuously. 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SteppIR Antenna Systems | www.steppir.com | 425-453-1910 s APRIL EDITORIAL STAFF t BRANSON, MISSOURI — The 4 State QRP Group will hold the OxarkCon QRP Richard S. Moseson, W2VU, Editor n ConferenceFriday, April 1 and Saturday, April 2 at the Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Jason Feldman, KD2IWM, Associate Editor Center. Contact: Tom Brown, WØMFQ, P.O. Box 627, St. Charles, MO 63302. Website: Susan Moseson, Editorial Consultant <http://www.ozarkcon.com>. e FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS — The Fort Smith Area Amateur Radio Clubwill hold the CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Hanging Judge Hamfestand 2016 ARRL Delta Division ConventionSaturday, April 2 at Kent Britain, WA5VJB, Antennas Columbus Acres. Contact: Mike Cole, W5TMC, 124 Grant Street, Roland, OK 74954. Phone: Gerry L. Dexter,The Listening Post m (918) 427-1431. Website: <http://www.hangingjudgehamfest.com>. VE exams. Joe Eisenberg, KØNEB, Kit-Building JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — The Northern Florida Amateur Radio Societywill hold Tony Emanuele, WA8RJF, VHF the 14thJacksonville Radio Free FleaSaturday, April 2 at the Terry Parker Baptist Church Parking Lot. Website: <http://nofars.net>. Tomas Hood, NW7US,Propagation RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — The Raleigh Amateur Radio Societywill hold the 44th Dennis Lazar, W4DNN, QRP e Annual RARSfestand 2016 ARRL North Carolina State ConventionSaturday, April 2 at Irwin Math, WA2NDM,Math’s Notes the Jim Graham Building State Fairgrounds. Contact: Jeff Wittich, AC4ZO, (919) 362-4787. Ted Melinosky, K1BV,Awards c Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.rars.org/rarsfest>. Talk-in 146.64. VE Joe Moell, KØOV,Homing In exams and card checking. Ron Ochu, KOØZ,Learning Curve WELLBORN, FLORIDA — The Suwannee Amateur Radio Clubwill hold its 4thAnnual Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, Mobile/Radio Magic TailgateSaturday, April 2 at 1504 4thAvenue in Downtown Wellborn. Contact: SARC (386) n Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, Digital 249-3260. Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.suwanneearc.org>. Talk-in Rob de Santos, K8RKD,Communications Horizons 145.270 (PL 123). VE exams. u CLAREMORE, OKLAHOMA — Green Country Hamfest Inc. will hold the Green Country Cory GBSickles, WA3UVV, Hamfestand 2016 ARRL Oklahoma State ConventionFriday, April 8 and Saturday, April Emergency Communications, Off the Air 9 at the Claremore Expo Center. Contact: John Harwell, KD5NAQ, (918) 379-0950. Email: Bob Schenck, N2OO, DX o <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.greencountryhamfest.org>. Talk-in David Siddall, K3ZJ, Contesting 147.09+ (PL 88.5). VE exams. Tom Smerk, AA6TS, International COLUMBUS, INDIANA — The Columbus Amateur Radio Clubwill hold the 33rdAnnual Dan Srebnick, K2DLS,RFBits n Columbus HamfestSaturday, April 9 at the Bartholomew County Fairgrounds. Contact: Jason Togyer, KB3CNM,Spurious Signals Matthew Bruner, KC9BWO, 325 Robbins Street, Hope, IN 47246. Phone: (812) 375-4860. Gordon West, WB6NOA, Short Circuits Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.carcnet.net>. Talk-in 146.79- (PL 103.5). VE n exams. Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, The Ham Notebook CULPEPER, VIRGINIA — The Culpeper Amateur Radio Association will hold the AWARD MANAGEMENT Culpeper Amateur Radio SwapfestSaturday, April 9 at the Culpeper Agricultural Enterprise. a Contact: Bob Stohlman, K4RCG. Email: <[email protected]>. Website: John Bergman, KC5LK,WAZ Award <http://w4cul.org>. Talk-in 147.120+ (PL 146.2). Steve Bolia, N8BJQ, WPX Award CUYAHOGA FALLS, OHIO — The Cuyahoga Falls Amateur Radio Clubwill hold its 62nd Keith Gilbertson, KØKG,CQ DX Award Annual HamfestSaturday, April 9 at the Emidio and Sons Party Center. Contact: Ted Sarah, Ted Melinosky, K1BV, USA-CA Award W8TTS, (234) 206-0270. Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www. cfarc.org>. CONTEST MANAGEMENT HAMPTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE — The Port City Amateur Radio Clubwill hold the Andy Blank, N2NT, CQ 160 Meter Contest Seacoast Amateur Radio Flea MarketSaturday, April 9 at the St. James Masonic Lodge. Steve Bolia, N8BJQ,CQ VHF Contest Contact: Mark Pride, K1RX, (603) 775-0220 or Dick Cooper, W1MSN, (603) 474-2373. Email: Ed Muns, WØYK, CQRTTY Contest <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.w1wqm.org>. VE exams. John Sweeney, K9EL, CQDX Marathon MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE — The Mid-South Amateur Radio Associationwill hold the Randy Thompson, K5ZD, CQ WW DX Contest Memphis FreeFestSaturday, April 9 at the Bartlett Station Municipal Center. Contact: Tony Terry Zivney, N4TZ, CQ WW WPX Contest Brignole, WA4KHN, (901) 216-3263. Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://sites. google.com/a/maraonline.org>. Talk-in 147.03+ (PL 107.2). VE exams. BUSINESS STAFF MOBILE, ALABAMA — The Mobile Amateur Radio Clubwill hold the Mobile Hamfest Richard A. Ross, K2MGA, Publisher Saturday, April 9 at the Abba Shrine Center. Contact: L J. Early, W4LJE, (251) 635-2327. Charlie Payne, Advertising Director Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://w4iax.net>. Talk-in 146.94 or 146.82. VE exams. Emily Leary, Sales Coordinator PHOENIX, ARIZONA — The Arizona Amateur Radio Cluband the Amateur Radio Doris Watts, Accounting Department Council of Arizonawill hold the April Hamfestat DeVry Saturday, April 9 at DeVry University. CIRCULATION STAFF Contact: Gary Hamman (602) 996-8148. Email: <[email protected]>. Talk-in 147.060+. VE exams and card checking. Cheryl DiLorenzo, Customer Service Manager SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — The Communications Academywill be held Saturday, April PRODUCTION STAFF 9 and Sunday, April 10 at the South Seattle Community College-Jerry Brockey Center and Olympic Hall. Website: <http://www.commacademy.org>. Elizabeth Ryan,Art Director SELAH, WASHINGTON — The Yakima Amateur Radio Club will hold the Yakima Dorothy Kehrwieder, Production Director HamfestSaturday, April 9 at the Selah Civic Center. Contact: Bob Dameron, KE7HLK, (509) Emily Leary,Production Manager 452-3877. Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.w7aq.com>. Talk-in 146.660 Hal Keith, Illustrator (PL 123). VE exams. Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI,Staff Photographer SPRING GROVE, PENNSYLVANIA — The York Hamfest Foundationwill hold the 2016 Rod Somera,Webmaster York HamfestSaturday, April 9 at Elicker’s Grove Park. Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.yorkhamfest.com>. Talk-in 147.330+ (PL 123) or 146.52. VE exams and DXCC/WAS/VUC/WAC card checking. (cid:33)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:66)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0) TAMPA, FLORIDA — The Tampa Amateur Radio Clubwill hold TARCfest Hamfest CQ Communications, Inc. XXXVISaturday, April 9 at their clubhouse, 7801 North 22ndStreet. Contact: Bill Bode, N4WEB. 17 West John Street Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://hamclub.org>. VE exams. CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA — The Chesapeake Amateur Radio Servicewill hold its Hicksville, NY 11801 USA. SpringFest 2016Sunday, April 10 at the Moose Lodge #898. Contact: CARS, 120 Afton CQ Amateur Radio (ISSN0007-893X) Volume 72, No. 4. Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23505. Website: <http://w4car.org>. Talk-in 146.820 (PL 162.2) or Published monthly by CQCommunications, Inc., 17 West John 444.000 VE exams. Street, Hicksville, NY 11801, Telephone 516-681-2922. E-mail: FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS — The Framingham Amateur Radio Association [email protected]. Fax 516-681-2926. Web site: will hold the Framingham FleaSunday, April 10 at Keefe Technical School. Contact: Eric www.cq-amateur-radio.com. Periodicals Postage Paid at Taylor, KB1PJN, (508) 310-5913 (before 10 p.m.). Email: <[email protected]>. Website: Hicksville, NY 11801 and at additional mailing offices. <http://fara.org>. Talk-in 147.15. VE exams. Subscription prices (all in U.S. dollars): Domestic-one year STERLING, VIRGINIA — The VHF Super Conferencewill be held Friday, April 15 through, $38.95, two years $70.95, three years $102.95; Canada/ Sunday, April 17 at the Holiday Inn Washington Dulles Intl. Airport. Website: <http://vhfsu- Mexico-one year $51.95, two years $96.95, three years perconference.com>. $138.95: Foreign Air Post-one year $63.95, two years $120.95, VISALIA, CALIFORNIA — The Southern California DX Cluband the Northern California three years $177.95. U.S. Government Agencies:Sub- DX Clubwill hold the International DX ConventionFriday, April 15 through Sunday, April scriptions to CQare available to agencies of the United States government including military services, only on a cash with 17 at the Visalia Convention Center. Contact: Cathy Gardenias, K6VC, or Doug Miller, K6JEY. order basis. Requests for quotations, bids, contracts., etc. will Email: <[email protected]>. Website: <http://www.dxconvention.org>. DXCC/WAZ/ be refused and will not be returned or processed. Entire con- WAS/VUCC card checking. tents copyrighted 2016 by CQCommunications, Inc. CQdoes BRAINERD, MINNESOTA — The Brainerd Area Amateur Radio Clubwill hold the not assume responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts. Allow six Brainerd Area HamfestSaturday, April 16 at the Brainerd National Guard Armory. Contact: weeks for change of address. BAARC, 33247 East Shamineau Drive, Motley, MN 56466. Website: <http://www.brainerd- ham.org>. Talk-in 147.225+. VE exams and card checking. Printed in the U.S.A. DES MOINES, IOWA — The Des Moines Radio Amateur Associationwill hold the POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CQ Amateur Radio, 17 W. John Street., Hicksville, NY 11801 (cid:8)(cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:65)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:9) 2 • CQ • April 2016 Visit Our Web Site h Amateur Radio Parity Act Moves Ahead Petitions Could Impact 80 Meters, A bill in Congress that would hold private land use License Terms a agreements regarding amateur radio antennas to the The FCC is reviewing initial public comments as well same standards that already apply to municipalities, is as a pair of petitions that could shift the boundary m now another step closer to a vote in the House of between the 80-meter CW/RTTY band and the 75- Representatives. The House Energy and Commerce meter phone band, and do away with amateur radio Committee’s subcommittee on communications and license renewals. technology, which held hearings on H.R. 1301 in The 80-meter petition, submitted by the ARRL (RM- r January, sent the bill to the full committee on February 11759), seeks to shrink the 75-meter phone band by a 11 with a favorable recommendation. The bill, also 50 kHz in order to provide more spectrum for RTTY known as the Amateur Radio Parity Act, would require (radioteletype) and other data modes. According to the d that homeownwers’ associations and restrictive League, the FCC took away too much spectrum from covenants (CC&Rs) “reasonably accommodate” ama- the RTTY/data portion of the band when it expanded teur radio operation, the same rule that has applied to the 75-meter phone band by 150 kHz a decade ago. i o state and local governments since 1985. According to The ARRL seeks to move the bottom of the phone band the (cid:33)(cid:50)(cid:50)(cid:44)(cid:0)(cid:44)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82), the bill currently has over 100 co-spon- up to 3650 kHz and shift the segment for automatical- sors and a companion bill in the U.S. Senate, S. 1685, ly controlled digital stations from its current 3585-3600 n was approved last year by the Senate Committee on kHz to 3600-3615 kHz. Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The license term petition (RM-11760), was submitted e In a related story, the Missouri state legislature is by Mark Krotz, N7MK, of Mesa, Arizona. It seeks to have considering an identical measure to H.R.1301, which amateur licenses issued on a lifetime basis, rather than would implement its requirements on a state level. needing to be renewed every 10 years. Krotz claims it w The effort is being spearheaded by Larry Scantlan, would reduce the FCC’s workload and costs. The FCC KEØKZ, who says the Missouri bill can serve as a has already granted lifetime credit for certain amateur s template for similar actions in other states. Several examination elements (but not for others). states have already incorporated the “reasonable The Commission opened both petitions for 30-day accommodation” rule into their laws as they apply to public comment periods in late February. Those com- state, county, and local governments. ments will be used to help determine whether to issue a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). There China Continues Building Facilities will be additional opportunities for comment when and on Spratlys if an NPRM is issued. There may or may not be any DXpeditions in the near future from the Spratlys. But there is a chance that the Space Station “Ham TV” System Used island chain in the South China Sea may become a for First Time source of HF interference. The (cid:55)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:78) (cid:48)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:84) The digital amateur television (DATV) station reports that China is building what may be a powerful aboard the International Space Station — dubbed HF radar installation on one of the islands, possibly to “Ham TV” — was used for the first time in mid- monitor ships and aircraft in the South China Sea and February during a scheduled contact with the Royal the Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s most impor- Masonic School in Rickmansworth, England. The tant shipping lanes. Construction of this facility — what- downlink-only system allowed British astronaut Tim ever it may be — is part of a major effort by China to Peake, KG5BVI, to transmit live video on 2.4 GHz build up the islands and develop facilities there, which along with two-way audio on 2 meters during the it claims are primarily for civilian purposes but the U.S. Amateur Radio on the International Space Station and others believe are mostly military. (ARISS) contact, according to the (cid:33)(cid:50)(cid:50)(cid:44)(cid:0)(cid:44)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82). The The Spratlys are claimed, in whole or in part, by six TV signal was received by a ham in Italy and relayed different countries, and hams have mounted several to the school in England. DXpeditions there in the past 50 years, despite con- Schools or other educational organizations wish- siderable danger. In 1983, two German hams were ing to schedule future ARISS contacts have until killed when the Vietnamese Navy attacked and sank April 15 to apply for slots in the first half of 2017. their boat. Last year, evacuation of a sick ham on a According to the(cid:33)(cid:50)(cid:50)(cid:44)(cid:0)(cid:44)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82), schools/groups with DXpedition there was delayed several days after the best shot at being selected will be those that can Chinese forces fired on a Philippine Navy plane sent attract large numbers of participants and integrate to fly him out for medical care. the 10-minute voice contact into a well-developed educational plan. ARRL, Red Cross, Sign New Agreement Popular Science Archive Online The ARRL and the American Red Cross have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to govern their (cid:48)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:51)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:0)magazine has placed its entire relationship over the next five years. It lays out the 140-year archive online with free access browsing, framework for cooperation between the Red Cross and according to (cid:51)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:46)(cid:69)(cid:87)(cid:83). The the ARRL’s Amateur Radio Emergency Service magazine worked with Google to make the entire (ARES) on national, state, and local levels. A summary collection searchable. A search on “ham radio” of the agreement in the (cid:33)(cid:50)(cid:50)(cid:44)(cid:0)(cid:44)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0)says it also clar- returned 380 results (a search on “amateur radio” ifies that ARES members working with the Red Cross returned 190, with considerable duplication). but not registered as volunteers with the aid organi- The earliest is from 1916 and the most recent is zation do not need to undergo the background checks from 2008. required of Red Cross volunteers. (cid:8)(cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:65)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:9) www.cq-amateur-radio.com April 2016 • CQ • 3 VOLUME 72 NUMBER 4 APRIL 2016 CONTENTS FEATURES 10 T42US JOINT CUBAN/U.S. DXPEDITION: Operation Centered on CQWWSSB DX Contest (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:85)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:0)(cid:51)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:73)(cid:71)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:84)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:35)(cid:20)(cid:34)(cid:33)(cid:34) 16 RESULTS OF THE 2016 CQWW DX SSB CONTEST: It’s this kind of unexpected opening ... that makes the game of radiosport so fascinating (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:21)(cid:58)(cid:36) 26 A QRP “NEWBIE” TAKES ON THE CQWW SSB DX CONTEST (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:45)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:45)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:34)(cid:19)(cid:36) 28 (cid:35)(cid:49)(cid:0)(cid:37)(cid:56)(cid:35)(cid:44)(cid:53)(cid:51)(cid:41)(cid:54)(cid:37): IN HONOR OF HIS 40THANNIVERSARY WITH (cid:35)(cid:49)(cid:0)MAGAZINE(cid:12)(cid:0)WE INTERVIEW PROFESSOR EMIL HEISSELUFT (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:104)(cid:52)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:118)(cid:0)(cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:46)(cid:20)(cid:56)(cid:56) (cid:163)(cid:228) 35 GET READY FOR HIDDEN TRANSMITTER FUN ON CQWW FOXHUNTING WEEKEND: 2016 CQWW Foxhunting Weekend – May 14-15 (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:45)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:140)(cid:47)(cid:54) 93 COMPLETESCORES OF THE 2016 CQWW DX SSB CONTEST (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:77)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:21)(cid:58)(cid:36) COLUMNS 38 MATH’SNOTES: Unusual Optical Communications (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:45)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:33)(cid:18)(cid:46)(cid:36)(cid:45) 40 THELISTENINGPOST: ISISoff the Air (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:39)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:36)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0) 50 KIT-BUILDING: “Curiously Strong” (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:37)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:66)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)Ø(cid:46)(cid:37)(cid:34) 54 ANTENNAS: FLASH! EPADeclares the SWR an Endangered Species! (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:34)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:33)(cid:21)(cid:54)(cid:42)(cid:34) 56 LEARNINGCURVE: Common Amateur Radio Antenna Connectors (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:47)(cid:67)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:47)Ø(cid:58) 60 MAGICINTHESKY: It’s Showtime (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:42)(cid:69)(cid:70)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:69)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:84)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:33)(cid:22)(cid:42)(cid:50) (cid:206)(cid:120) (cid:120)(cid:228) 62 QRP: LOW-POWERCOMMUNICATIONS: Even QRP Fanatics Sometime Cheat (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:36)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:44)(cid:65)(cid:90)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:20)(cid:36)(cid:46)(cid:46) 67 CQWORLDWIDE: “Look! Up in the Sky!” (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:79)(cid:77)(cid:0)(cid:51)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:75)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:33)(cid:22)(cid:52)(cid:51) DEPARTMENTS 44 EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS: “Potpourri” (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:35)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:39)(cid:34)(cid:51)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:33)(cid:19)(cid:53)(cid:54)(cid:54) 70 VHF PLUS: What’s In Your Toolbox? (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:37)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:85)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:33)(cid:24)(cid:50)(cid:42)(cid:38) 72 AWARDS: Alaska’s Judicial Districts and Awards of the CQCW.RU Club (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:45)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:79)(cid:83)(cid:75)(cid:89)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:17)(cid:34)(cid:54) 76 DX: YF1AR/8 IOTATour (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:34)(cid:79)(cid:66)(cid:0)(cid:51)(cid:67)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:67)(cid:75)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:46)(cid:18)(cid:47)(cid:47) 82 CONTESTING: Youth in Ham Radio, CQ WW Director Resigns, (cid:199)(cid:200) Convention News, and WRTC2018 Happenings (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:36)(cid:65)(cid:86)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:51)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:68)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:43)(cid:19)(cid:58)(cid:42) 87 PROPAGATION: The Season of Lights On the Cover:The joint U.S./Cuban T42US team operated the CQ World Wide (cid:34)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:79)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:40)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:46)(cid:55)(cid:23)(cid:53)(cid:51) DX Contest SSB weekend from outside Havana. From left to right (see names on page 15): CO2PTE, WBØTKL, WX3K, USA Team Leader WB2REM, 2 ANNOUNCEMENTS 49 READER SURVEY CM2OY, WC3W, Federacion de Radioaficionados Cuba President CO2RP, 3 HAM RADIO NEWS 75 OURREADERSSAY CL2TV, Cuban Team Leader CM2KL, K9DIG, CO2JD, KC4BAB, CO2AME, CO2XK, KK4SHF, and CO2II. T42US story on page 10; CQWW SSB results 8 ZERO BIAS 110 HAMSHOP on page 16. (Cover photo by Karile Michel Garcia-Pola Grandito) 43 SPURIOUSSIGNALS AARR--DDVV11 MMuullttii--mmooddee DDiiggiittaallll VVooiiccee RReecceeiivveerr The AR-DV1 can It’s the FIRST multi-mode digital voice receiver to receive be used with and decode virtually ALL popular digital modes including: or without a MOTOTRBOTM, DMR, dPMRTM, APCO P25, NXDNTM, Icom D-StarTM, computer. 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Western Ave., Suite 112 Product and brand names are used for identification purposes Authority On Radio Torrance, CA 90501, USA only. All trademarks remain the property of their respective Communications Tel: 310-787-8615 Fax: 310-787-8619 owners. Specifications subject to change without notice or (cid:136)(cid:152)(cid:118)(cid:156)(cid:74)(cid:62)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:213)(cid:195)(cid:62)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147)(cid:202)(cid:85)(cid:202)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:220)(cid:176)(cid:62)(cid:156)(cid:192)(cid:213)(cid:195)(cid:62)(cid:176)(cid:86)(cid:156)(cid:147) obligation. *Cellular frequencies blocked in US. al U (cid:31)(cid:105)(cid:105)(cid:204)(cid:136)(cid:152)(cid:125)(cid:202)(cid:32)(cid:105)(cid:220)(cid:202)(cid:21)(cid:62)(cid:147)(cid:195)(cid:202)(cid:55)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:192)(cid:105)(cid:202)(cid:47)(cid:133)(cid:105)(cid:222)(cid:202)(cid:1)(cid:192)(cid:105) V 2 i W r o N,* Exactly what is it that qualifies one as a “real” ham? ing my “radio time” over the past couple of months build- t O I got a letter in response to my February editorial ing. I’ve still got a ways to go. It wouldn’t be completely i S (“How Old Are You Now?”) which raised some very incorrect to describe me right now as a “maker” who is d SE interesting points about how we view hams and ham radio, using ham radio projects in pursuit of a building hobby. O and how we perceive those members of our community My local astronomy club here in New Jersey — whose e M whose interests may not be in line with those of the advisor is a ham — is doing a program this month on EME CH “traditional” ham. The letter read, in part: (Earth-Moon-Earth, or Moonbounce). Perhaps some Q Y RI (cid:104)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:73)(cid:86)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:77)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:72)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:38)(cid:69)(cid:66)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:18)(cid:16)(cid:16)(cid:25)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:69) aam naetwe udri masetrnosnioonm teor sth weiilrl fainsdtr othnaotm amy ahtoebubry r.a Wdioit hc atanl ka dodf C B (cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:77)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:73)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:65)(cid:73)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:75)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:41) sending a ham radio satellite to Mars, we’ll need astron- (cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:77)(cid:89)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:104)(cid:55)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:14)(cid:118)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:78)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:65)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:79) omy skills to track it and tune it in if the project succeeds. (cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:48)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79) Let’s not forget that it was an amateur astronomer and a (cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:77)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:54)(cid:37)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:75)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:87) amateur radio operator, Grote Reber, who is considered (cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:39)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:136)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:83) the father of radio astronomy. (cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:75)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:89)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:71)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:37)(cid:88)(cid:84)(cid:82)(cid:65) All this brings us back to the age-old question of what – (cid:136)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:75)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:0)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:69) constitutes a “real ham.” Do you have to enjoy only tradi- (cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:75)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:52)(cid:69)(cid:67)(cid:72)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:73)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:81)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:77)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:84) tional ham radio activities, such as DXing, contesting, or s (cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:71)(cid:65)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:67)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:13)(cid:67)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:66)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:67)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:14) ragchewing? Do you have to operate HF? Do you need to (cid:52)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:73)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:80)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:77)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:78)(cid:68) know and use Morse code? Or are you a “real ham” if you a (cid:84)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:7)(cid:83)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:33)(cid:70)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:84)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:73)(cid:13) hold an FCC amateur radio license and make use of the (cid:84)(cid:89)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:75)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:70)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:86)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:65)(cid:75)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:82) privileges that it confers, whether as ends unto themselves i (cid:84)(cid:72)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:66)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:67)(cid:76)(cid:65)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:14)(cid:0)(cid:46)(cid:79)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:0)(cid:65)(cid:0)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:83)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:71)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:79) or as part of another activity, such as ballooning, building, b (cid:65)(cid:77)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:82)(cid:65)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:79)(cid:14)(cid:118) hiking, biking, or being prepared for an uncertain future? Our vote is for the latter. Of course, they (cid:87)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:0)getting into amateur radio by virtue Here’s a radical idea: Instead of lamenting new hams’ of taking their license exams. What the writer meant, I o lack of interest in traditional ham radio activities, how believe, was getting into ham radio as a hobby in and of about if we “meet them where they are?” Let’s invite the itself, rather than as part of a different hobby. r But let’s take a quick look at what’s involved in a typical folks from the ballooning course to make a presentation at a club meeting about how they make use of ham radio. e balloon flight using amateur radio (there’s enough of this Let’s invite local “makers” who are combining ham radio activity in the hobby that it has an “official” acronym — with other “making” activities to show them off at a club z ARHAB, or amateur radio high altitude ballooning): The meeting. Who knows? You might just find yourself tag- balloon’s payload will likely be transmitting telemetry on ging along on the next balloon launch, joining the makers’ altitude, speed, temperature, and GPS location data; an group or setting up a telescope alongside your antenna. APRS signal for tracking; and possibly live video via ama- And if these non-traditional hams are made to feel wel- teur television or digital stills via one data mode or anoth- come at your club meetings (and not pressured to con- er. The members of the ground crew will need to be form to someone else’s view of what constitutes “real” equipped and trained to receive these transmissions and ham radio), maybe they’ll discover additional aspects of make use of the information. In addition, once the balloon the hobby and broaden their interests as well. But even if bursts and the payload parachutes back to earth, the chase they don’t, so what? How we make use of our privileges team will likely use ARDF (amateur radio direction finding) on the airwaves is a personal choice, and there is no “right” techniques to locate it, and if more than one vehicle is or “wrong” way to “do” ham radio. involved, will probably coordinate via 2-meter or 70-cen- timeter FM. That’s pretty active hamming in my book, even if it is all in connection with a different primary activity. Issue Notes The writer goes on to say that when he went back to take A couple of quick notes relating to this month’s issue: his General exam a month later, the VEs asked the candi- First of all, we have a different sort of Professor Heisseluft dates the same questions, and that the answers were pret- feature for you this April. It has been 40 years since the ty much the same, except that several members of this sage of Grossmaul-an Der Danau penned his first article group identified themselves as “preppers,” who saw ham for (cid:35)(cid:49)(cid:12)and to commemorate that anniversary, we have radio as “their lifeline to survival when and if the apocalypse persuaded him to sit down for an interview with Ted came.” Well, here’s the deal on that: If you’re really going Cohen, N4XX. Longtime readers will recall that Ted con- to be prepared, and ready to make use of your ham license ducted a great number of “(cid:35)(cid:49)(cid:0)Interviews…” with leading in the aftermath of “the big one” (whichever “big one” that figures in amateur radio and the FCC back in the 1970s may be), that won’t be the time to start setting up your sta- and ’80s, so he is certainly well-qualified to chat with the tion, learning how to use the gear and learning the ins and good professor. You’ll find Ted’s interview beginning on outs of effective ham radio communications. No, the time page 28. to do all that is (cid:78)(cid:79)(cid:87), by getting on the air and learning about Much of this issue is dedicated to the results of the 2015 different operating modes, antennas, propagation, QRP, CQ World Wide DX Contest SSB weekend. We’ve brought etc., and keeping your skills sharp with regular practice, so back complete score listings after exiling them to the that you’re not starting from zero once you’ve wiped the Internet for a few years. We also have two contest-related you-know-what off the fan that it’s hit. A serious prepper features, our cover story on the joint U.S./Cuban contest won’t keep his or her ham gear locked up in a closet, but expedition from T42US and the story of how WB3D didn’t will use it regularly. let low power and a stealth antenna keep him from having I consider myself to be a fairly active ham, and I love a good time in the contest … and winning his category! But ham radio as a hobby in and of itself. But if you look at my there’s plenty more as well, even if contesting isn’t your HF logbook for the first two months of 2016, you would thing. Maybe ballooning? Enjoy the issue … and don’t let find it to be empty. That’s right. Zero contacts. I got a bunch the SWRs bite! (p. 54) of little radio kits at Christmastime and I’ve been spend- (cid:177)(cid:23)(cid:19)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:50)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:72)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:55)(cid:18)(cid:54)(cid:53) 8 • CQ • April 2016 Visit Our Web Site