Newsletter of the Framingham Amateur Radio Association January 2001, Vol. 68, No. 1 President's Message In This Issue Happy Real Millennium! Last year, as we all know, was just a rehearsal. The real start of the twenty-first century was January 1, 2001. President's Message I'm fully aware that it's only by chance that I'm the one writing this. However, This Month's Meeting since someone in the future may decide to publish something from this issue of Page 2- the Circuit, I'll try to make this an above average message. First Impressions If we look back to the beginning of the century, we find Marconi making the first By Charlie, NC1N practical commercial use of radio. Over the subsequent years, radio has saved Page 3- lives, won (and lost) wars, and fundamentally changed the way we live. Think for QSL Card a moment, how life would be without almost instantaneous worldwide FARA - The Early Years communication. Morse (some say it was really Vail's work) code is still being and more... used, over a hundred years after its invention, and was only commercially discontinued a few years ago. Now, try to imagine how radio will change in the coming century. We already have a good start on a global network of wireless phones (even without Iridium and Globalstar). The next step appears to be high quality wireless networks. We already use a 2.4 GHz wireless LAN at work. Non-ham amateurs are building public, unlicensed, wireless networks in some high-tech areas. Will we see a Linux-like wireless infrastructure develop? How does all this fit in with ham radio? Well, those wireless designers have to come from somewhere. The refrain over the past few years has been, "we're losing those kids to computers". In fact, the most valuable engineers in the coming century may be those who know both computers and radio. Take a look at the most popular methods of ham communication. Almost all of them use computers. And the two newest HF data modes, PSK31 and MFSK (see QST for Thursday, Jan 4 January 2001) both use general purpose computers and sound cards to eliminate This Month's Meeting the need for a separate modem. Just plug the radio right into the computer. All the work is done with digital signal processing. The newer multi-mode cellular Show and Tell night, see the equipment uses DSP receivers, too. And people with computers want to network them, preferably, without paying an arm and a leg. Check out the web, and notice article for more information. the interest in 2.4 GHz wireless networking cards and dish antennas. Ham radio is alive and well, because there will always be curious, inventive people, who want to try something new. Marconi would feel right at home. Happy New Millennium! Peter, KA1AXY Submitting Material to the Circuit This Month's Meeting Material may be submitted for publication by sending it directly to the editor. This can be done by phone, by US This month's meeting is a Show-and-Tell night. We haven't had one of those in a Mail, or via the Internet (preferred). The deadline for each issue is the Wednesday, one week before the long time. If you have something of interest to the group, please bring it with you monthly meeting. to January meeting and be prepared to say a word or two about it. Perhaps a cool by phone ham radio holiday present you received? Maybe a homebrew project? Pictures? A Home: "guess what it is" electronic part? An antique radio? Use your imagination. If you (508) 435-2055 (before 9:00PM please!) College: don't have something, just join us at the meeting....you never know what shows up (508) 910-5689 on Show-and-Tell night! by mail Robert Hess, N1UVA This Could Be Your Last Circuit! 1 Cold Spring Brook Road Hopkinton, MA 01748 I'd like to remind those of you who haven't yet paid your 2001 dues, that we need by internet to have them as soon as possible. That's so we can make sure you get your [email protected] February issue of the Circuit. First Impressions of the Yaesu Inrad, rather than Yaesu--they're side or the other... i.e., similar to IF shift FT-1000MP cheaper, and reportedly, better. (I but when you move one side of the By Charlie, NC1N stretched my budget to the breaking passband, the other side stays fixed. point buying the stock radio; I'll be 5. Auto notch (DSP)--very good at For years, I had been dreaming of adding filters later). removing heterodynes. buying a Yaesu FT-1000MP. I recently The 1000MP features integrated digital 6. Manual notch (non-DSP)--nothing to made the leap and bought a near-mint signal processing (DSP). It's pretty write home about. used one. Some folks who saw e-mail useful. On CW, it provides an effective For noise reduction: about my first reactions suggested I 240 Hz filter and is usable also on 60 Hz 1. Two traditional noise blankers... package it up as an article for the and 120 Hz. The bandpass filtering is pretty good. Circuit. less critical on SSB, but works well. 2. DSP noise reduction--very useful, but The 1000MP, while it shares a model Noise reduction, while not perfect, is doesn't work magic. number with Yaesu's top-of-the-line FT- quite good. The auto-notch is quite The 'MP does SSB, CW, FM, AM, 1000D, is actually more of a distant effective in subtracting carriers AFSK, and FSK. cousin than a close sibling. However, automatically. The downside of the MP's For AM reception--which SWLs care the brand-new FT-1000MP Mark V is a DSP is that, while it's driven by a DSP about--there are several options. close relative. The Mark V is derived detector that operates on the final IF, it 1. Traditional AM, full carrier. from the original MP, but adds functions as an audio DSP that is 2. Synchronous AM detection--to fight additional power, a Class A amplifier, OUTSIDE the AGC loop. This can lead carrier fading, receives in LSB and re- and additional filtering. It also adds to some artifacts in the received signal. injects a steady carrier. This can be quite $1000 to the price. The Mark V accepts (The new Mark V has an improvement nice. the same optional filters as the original in this area--it allows you to sync up the 3. Diversity sideband reception--receive MP. We're likely to see some additional DSP bandwidth with the analog IF opposite sidebands on each receiver. MPs coming on the used market due to bandwidth automatically). 4. Diversity signal reception--tune in the Mark V's introduction. Changing parameters on the DSP is not different frequencies for the same This review covers the original MP. I as easy as on a separate DSP unit--you station. expect we'll see more of them on the can set up one filter per mode. Actually, The MP features computer control--very used market with the introduction of the you can really set up two--by going important to contesters--and it works Mark V. But the MP, Mark V, and from analog to DSP demodulation, you well. Mine worked immediately with 1000D will all continue to be offered for can have it reduce the bandwidth a bit both CT and DX4WIN, no tweaking. sale by Yaesu for the time being. (The (or not, as you choose). To change As a relatively new contester, I had original FT-1000 is being discontinued) settings, you need to go into the menu never used computer control before. It is The 1000MP, like the 1000D, has dual system. Not hard, once you're used to it- truly neat with CT. Change bands on the receivers. You can receive on two -but not as easy as the front-panel radio and CT follows. Change bands in frequencies at the same time. Unlike the controls on a Timewave box. Also, all CT and the radio follows. As you tune FT-1000D, you are limited to receiving you can really tweak is the bandpass the radio, the band map follows. Press on the same (or very close) bands... the filter, although for voice modes you can return while on a station in the band receivers share the same front-end band independently set the low and high ends map, and the radio goes there. Of pass filter. of the filter. course, there's the infamous Alt + F4 to The MP provides cascaded IF filters So, for QRM fighting, you have at your grab the most-recent needed multiplier. (filters in two successive IFs) on the disposal: And I'll never again need to type in the main receiver: 2.4 kHz SSB cascaded 1. Fixed filters (mostly optional)--very frequency when posting a spot! filters are standard; there are good. As for the radio's legendary complexity: unpopulated slots for 2.0 kHz SSB 2. DSP filters--very good, but hard to It is a very complex radio to SET UP but filters; there are slots for 500 Hz CW tweak on the fly. Best to pick one per filters (one comes standard); and there mode and leave it. Easy to turn on and are unpopulated slots for 250 Hz CW off. filters. The subreceiver has a standard 3. IF shift--same as any other radio. 2.4 kHz SSB filter and a slot for a 500 4. IF width--shifts the width from one Hz CW filter. Most hams buy their add- on filters from Continued on page 3... Change of Address READ THE CIRCUIT ONLINE... Membership Dues SAVES PAPER AND POSTAGE If you would like to change the address Now available as an Adobe Acrobat file Annual membership dues are as email [email protected] and we'll set you on your Circuit label, please email follows: (Make checks payable to up! [email protected]. Or, you can call the FARA) Club at 508-879-8097 Regular FARA $15 QSL Card ...Continued from Page 2 FARA - The Early Years Write-up by Bob, W1RH Transcribed by Karen Hess should be no more complex than a 1000D to OPERATE. It's very much like The Framingham Amateur Radio a complex software package with many Association, formerly called the "tabs" in the "options" dialog box. There Community Radio Association, is are a zillion neat features you can tweak fortunate to have the notes dating back to your wishes. to the Club's first meeting. Karen Hess, I recently read a comparison of the hot W1RH's XYL, has transcribed the hand new Icom IC-756PRO in which the written notes, verbatim, and they will review said that the PRO had every toy appear in this and future issues of the he could dream of... but the 1000MP had Circuit. They make for fascinating every TOOL he needed as a contester. reading! With used MP's going for $1000 less October 13, 1933 The Japanese hams take a lot of pride in than the PRO, it's an attractive The 12th regular meeting of the C.A.R.A. was called their QSL cards. This nice looking card alternative. to order by Vice Pres. McLean at 8:45 p.m. is from Kenichi, JG2MQM and features The report of the Secty. was read and accepted. Pres. LaBarr arriving late took over the meeting and a picture of Ken in Tiedo, Spain. Thanks For Sale: advised the club that Treas. Marcoux would be to Leo, WA1HAM, for lending this QSL unable to continue his regular duties and wished for either an assistant or to have the club accept his to the Newsletter. Kenichi worked Leo MFJ Multi-band antenna for sale. resignation. Discussion. It was decided to elect a in February, 1999 on 15 meter sideband temporary Treas. to become permanent on receipt of MFJ-1796, 40-6 Meter capacitively formal resignation by Mr. Marcoux. using a Kenwood TS-850 and a 5 loaded, vertical antenna for sale. Robt. Reid was nominated by J. D. McLean. element beam. Nominations closed. Elected by unanimous vote. Practically new; most parts still partially The remainder of the meeting was devoted to assembled. Reason for sale: just too big discussion and advisability of having a regular code class and theory class each meeting night. for apt. space available. Asking $130. Mr. Blanke suggested a theory class each meeting The Circuit is in need of QSL Contact: WA1R (781) 663-4727 (days) night to be held after regular meeting for those who cards!!! If you would like to (508) 879-2087 (evenings) wished to prepare for an amateur license. Mr. Blanke was appointed by Pres. LaBarr to conduct a share your favorite QSL card, email: [email protected] series of 10 lectures on theory after regular meetings. Mr. Strickland having notified the club of his which could be your own, with inability to serve effectively as the publicity the club, please send it my way! committee. J. D. McLean was appointed to fill the [email protected] vacancy until elections in Jan. A caption or story would be Motion for adjournment by Mr. Blanke. Seconded. So voted. appreciated also. The FARA email reflector is working Don't let not having a scanner well. It provides us with an easy way to keep you from sending in your reach all our members who have email. favorite card. Many FARA You have to sign up so it will reach you, Members have access to though. scanners, including Bob, W1RH. To sign up, send a message to [email protected] with contents "subscribe FraminghamARA-L". (Without the quotes, of course). The subject can be left blank, the server only looks at the contents of the message. You'll get back a confirmation, follow its instructions exactly, then you're on the list!