THE RADIO H.F. INTERNET NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 NUMBER 007 -- JULY/JUILLET 2003 Edited and Distributed by Sheldon Harvey Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada Copyright 2003 Radio H.F. Publications E-MAIL: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com WEB PAGE: http://www.total.net/~radiohf DISCLAIMER: The content and comments included in the web sites featured in this newsletter are those of the individuals, groups or organizations responsible for each web site. They do not necessarily represent those of the editor, unless specifically noted. TO REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST OF THIS NEWSLETTER, SIMPLY CONTACT ME BY E-MAIL. THE DISTRIBUTION LIST IS PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL. RADIO H.F., CANADA'S SPECIALIST IN SHORTWAVE, SCANNING, AMATEUR RADIO, ANTENNAS, ACCESSORIES AND PUBLICATIONS SINCE 1995, BRINGS THIS NEWSLETTER TO YOU, FREE OF CHARGE. CONTACT RADIO H.F. AT: MAILING ADDRESS: RADIO H.F. P.O. Box 67063-Lemoyne St. Lambert, Quebec J4R 2T8 HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM (Eastern) CLOSED Sunday TELEPHONE & FAX: (450) 671-3773 TOLL FREE IN CANADA ONLY: 1-800-463-3773 E-MAIL: radiohf@total.net WEB PAGE: http://www.total.net/~radiohf VISA & MASTERCARD ACCEPTED Previous issues of this newsletter can be found at the following URL: http://www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/index.html The e-mail address for all contributions, comments, and subscription requests, is: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com As subscribers to this free Newsletter, you are encouraged to contribute to future editions. Please note that all contributors of web sites used in the Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter are entitled to a 2% discount on their next purchase from Radio H.F. Please send along any material for the newsletter to: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com Welcome to the July 2003 edition. Here in Montreal, the summer season is in full swing. The world-class Montreal International Jazz Festival has just wrapped up. We're now getting ready for the Montreal Comedy Festival starting up next. That will be followed by the International Film Festival later on in the year. If you've never had the chance to visit Montreal, summer is certainly one of the best times to do it. I just got back from a few days vacation in the Eastern Townships area of the province of Quebec. We are marking our 25th wedding anniversary on July 8th and were presented with a surprise anniversary party last week where we received a certificate for an all expenses paid weekend in the Townships. It was great to get away for a few days and enjoy the Quebec countryside. One important note before we go on. In the past two months, some of you may have received the monthly e-mail from me, but it was missing the body of the Newsletter. There seems to have been some hang-ups with Yahoo's e-mail delivery system. If you receive this month's Newsletter and the body of it is missing, simply drop me a note and ask me to resend it, or you could simply go to the archive site of past newsletters and pick up the ones you missed from there. Sorry for the inconvenience. On to this month's Newsletter. We have a special feature on Bastille Day, plus we mark the 34th anniversary of the first lunar landing. THE MONTHLY SURVEY Last month's survey question generated 32 responses including a lot of interesting answers, showing the diversity in interests and priorities among our readers. The question was: If you could have one famous person, living or dead, over to your home, for a one-on-one, sit-down dinner, who would it be? The number one choice, with 6 votes, is Sir Winston Churchill. Albert Einstein placed second with 3 votes, followed by Benjamin Franklin, Carl Sagan and Jesus Christ tied for third with 2 votes each. A few odd ones showed up in the votes, including Steve McQueen, Tony Bennett, Dolly Parton and Martha Stewart each getting one vote! THIS MONTH'S SURVEY Let's go back to travel as our subject for this month's survey. There are many internationally known tourist attractions around the world, such as Australia's Great Barrier Reef; France's Eiffel Tower; The Tower of London, Big Ben or Stonehenge in England; the Grand Canyon, Mount Rushmore or the Statue of Liberty in the USA; or the Great Wall of China. There are hundreds more that you can probably think of as well. This month our survey question is: If you could travel to any single major world attraction tomorrow, which one would you choose? Tell us which one it is and where it is located. Feel free to tell us why also. Please send your response, by e-mail, to hfnewsletter@yahoo.com CONTENTS THE COMMENTS ZONE THE CONTRIBUTORS ZONE THE MONTHLY SPECIAL ZONE THE RADIO ZONE THE GENERAL ZONE THE FUN & SERVICES ZONE THE HAMFEST/FLEAMARKET AND SPECIAL EVENTS ZONE THE RESOURCES ZONE THE COMMENTS ZONE NONE THE CONTRIBUTORS ZONE We're back down to just 6 contributors (not including myself). We have had a number of new subscribers coming on-board this month. Let's hope some of them decide to become participants in this exercise. I'd like to challenge all subscribers to make the effort over the next 3 months to send in just one web site which they feel would be of interest to other subscribers. Thanks to those who made the effort and took the time to contribute this month. John Bigony, Arlington, Texas Raymond Faguy, Pierrefonds, Quebec Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec Ricky Leong, Brossard, Quebec Shaun Merrigan, Edmonton, Alberta Richard Sim, Goose Bay, Labrador & Newfoundland Elmer Standish, Courtenay, British Columbia Yahoo Weekly Picks THE MONTHLY SPECIAL ZONE BASTILLE DAY -- JULY 14 http://www.hightowertrail.com/Bastil.htm Bastille Day, on the Fourteenth of July, is the French symbol of the end of the Monarchy and the beginning of the First Republic. The national holiday is a time when all citizens can feel themselves to be members of a republican nation. It is because this national holiday is rooted in the history of the birth of the Republic that it has great significance. THE FIRST LUNAR LANDING -- JULY 20 http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/ap11ann/FirstLunarLanding/cover.html This site features the story of the first lunar landing, as told by the three astronauts who participated in the mission in 1969. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ **RADIO H.F. PUBLICITY ZONE** COMING SOON FROM ICOM ICOM IC-7800 At this year's Dayton Hamvention, Icom unveiled the highly anticipated replacement to the popular IC-781. Although the unit probably won't be commercially available until 2004, there is a lot of talk about the unit already. For the official Icom announcement and initial specifications on this new unit, please click on the following: http://www.icomamerica.com/amateur/hf/ic7800release.html There is no pricing information on this unit at this time, but stay in touch with Radio HF for details as soon as they become available. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE RADIO ZONE WANTOK ENTERPRISE http://www.wantokent.com/ VIA Ricky Leong, Brossard, Quebec This Manitoba based firm states that its "Mission" is to make it feasible for every group/organization in the world to own, operate and maintain their own community broadcast station regardless of their socio-economic conditions. Check out their unique products but, beware, be sure of the broadcasting laws in your neck of the woods! UTILITY MONITORING CENTRAL http://www.chace-ortiz.org/umc/ VIA Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec This is the World Wide Web's premier information source for listeners of non-broadcast "utility" radio communications using digital transmission systems rather than voice to send messages. The Information section features stations operated by the world's military, diplomatic, commercial, government, humanitarian, intelligence and other organizations, monitored from the UK and USA between the frequencies of 10 kHz and 1 GHz. KLAUS' RADIO PAGE http://longwave.bei.t-online.de VIA Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec This is a collection of radio related material, most of it below 30 MHz., including frequencies, station schedules, antenna installations with photos, sounds and links. RADIO WAVES BELOW 22 KHZ. http://www.vlf.it/ VIA Shaun Merrigan, Edmonton, Alberta As one of my primary listening interests is VLF/LF, I think the following site is useful. This site is a clearinghouse for ELF/SLF/ULF/VLF enthusiasts. You will find everything from a message board to construction projects. USING A PC WITH SOUNDCARD AS A VLF RECEIVER http://www.qsl.net/dl4yhf/vlf_rcvr.htm VIA Shaun Merrigan, Edmonton, Alberta A free DSP program called Spectrum Lab which turns your soundcard into a VLF receiver. Spectrum Lab is also a very sophisticated audio DSP program. MARITIME RADIO HISTORICAL SOCIETY http://www.radiomarine.org/ VIA Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec This Society is dedicated to the goal of documenting, preserving and restoring the remaining artefacts of marine radio history. NORTH AMERICAN RAILROAD FREQUENCIES http://zippy.cso.uiuc.edu/~roma/rr-freqs/ VIA Ricky Leong, Brossard, Quebec Compiled by Jon Roma, this site includes two separate lists. One lists frequencies sorted alphabetically by company, while the second list is in numerical order by frequency. THE HAM BAND http://www.lastres.com/ajhuddle/hamband.html VIA Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec You're not going to believe this one! These people have put together a CD of songs all about ham radio. This has to be some of the corniest stuff I've heard in years. You can actually listen to these things right through the site, using Real Player. Guess they won't sell many CDs that way! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ **RADIO H.F. PUBLICITY ZONE** YAESU VR-5000 COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVER If you are looking for a full coverage table top receiver covering 100 kHz. through to 2.6 GHz., one option may be this unit from Yaesu. The VR-5000 is an all-mode receiver, with all the latest features and high-end specifications. For complete details on this receiver, including an on-line brochure and specification sheet, please click on: http://www.yaesu.com/amateur/vr5000.html Please contact Radio HF for details on pricing and availability on this and all other Yaesu products. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE GENERAL ZONE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF JOURNALISTS http://www.ifj.org/ VIA Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec The Federation represents around 500.000 members in more than 100 countries. The IFJ promotes international action to defend press freedom and social justice through strong, free and independent trade unions of journalists. MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTRE NEWS http://www.msfc.nasa.gov/news/index.html VIA Raymond Faguy, Pierrefonds, Quebec Get all the latest news about space, space flight and other related subjects in regular news releases from this centre. FLYTE COMM http://flytecomm.com/ VIA Richard Sim, Goose Bay, Labrador & Newfoundland This a great site to track most flights, giving lots of info like speed, altitude, etc. It shows a map of where the plane is. I find it useful for the commercial flights. EARTH OBSERVATORY http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ VIA Elmer Standish, Courtenay, British Columbia NASA's Earth Observatory provides satellite imagery and scientific information about Earth. The goal is to promote awareness of Earth's climate and environmental change. It's a great resource for educators or for anyone who likes to look at spectacular pictures. There is also a great collection of articles, glossaries, etc. ROBERT GENDLER'S ASTROIMAGING GALLERY http://www.robgendlerastropics.com VIA John Bigony, Arlington, Texas A collection of colour pictures of the universe. There are lots of astronomical links as well. SCIENCE HOBBYIST http://amasci.com/ VIA Elmer Standish, Courtenay, British Columbia William J. Beaty, Electrical Engineer, Science Exhibit Designer, Textbook Consultant, Lecturer, and Amateur Scientist has put together this web reference dealing with various aspects of science. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ **RADIO H.F. PUBLICITY ZONE** RADIO H.F. NATURE DIVISION A NEW PRODUCT LINE FROM RADIO H.F. Radio HF has opened up a new division featuring books and publications for the nature lover. The Radio H.F. Nature Division stocks books on birding, animals, insects, flowers, trees, and other nature related subjects. Our catalog will include some of the most popular titles in the field, including: National Audubon Society Field Guides National Audubon Society Picket Guides Sibley Field Guides to Birds Willow Creek Press books and calendars Willow Creed Press Pet Owners' Guides Peterson Field Guides (Birds, Plants, Mammals, Insects, Reptiles, Fishes) Peterson Audio Cassettes and CDs Storey Books (Birds, cats, dogs, butterflies) These, plus many other nature related publications are now available through Radio H.F. If you are interested in any of these subjects, please contact Radio H.F. Nature Division for a complete catalog, at: radiohf@total.net The Radio H.F. web site will soon be expanded to include the listing of publications available through our Nature Division. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE FUN & SERVICES ZONE WEB PORTAL TO COMPUTER SOFTWARE SITES http://home.hccnet.nl/e.ley/software.html VIA Elmer Standish, Courtenay, British Columbia If you are looking for links to anything to do with the world of computers and software, you'll probably find it on this page. THE I.T. PAGES http://www.devonlmc.org/ITs-win.htm VIA Elmer Standish, Courtenay, British Columbia This page is a multitude of useful links to computer information of all sorts. YOU DON'T KNOW DICK! http://www.fscwv.edu/users/rheffner/ydkd/ VIA Yahoo Weekly Picks Have some fun with this one. You may find out that you actually know quite a bit about "Dick"! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ **RADIO H.F. PUBLICITY ZONE** NEW PUBLICATIONS FROM RSGB-RADIO SOCIETY OF GREAT BRITAIN QRP Basics - by Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV Do you want a new challenge? Have you ever wanted to try QRP (using 5 watts and less)? Do you want to improve your QRP station? Do you want to build a working transmitter or receiver? This book will help you do all of these things. "QRP Basics" tells of the fun to be had by operating with low power, both from home and in the great outdoors. Advice is given on how to get the best results from a QRP station, and how to try out QRP if you haven't before. A large range of commercial QRP equipment and kits are described. Much of the book explains how to construct your own station, including complete transmitters and receivers, and accessories. Even the experienced constructor will appreciate the sections on toroidal coils, construction techniques and equipping a workshop. Finally, there are lists of contests, awards, books and organizations of interest to the QRP operator. "QRP Basics" will enrich your enjoyment of Amateur Radio. It will inspire you to start building. It may even get you out in the open air. Explore the fun! 208 pages. © 2003, by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). (ISBN: 1-872309-91-7) #9031 -- $39 Canadian Microwave Projects - Edited by Andy Barter, G8ATD Aimed at those who are interested in building equipment for the Amateur Radio microwave bands. Packed full of ideas from around the world, this book covers the subject with a variety of projects. The book has many contributors who have a wealth of experience in this area and they have produced many projects, design ideas, complete designs and modifications of commercial equipment. This title provides much useful information as to what can be achieved effectively and economically. Covers useful theory of designing microwave circuits and test equipment for the projects. The book includes chapters covering: Signal Sources Transverters Power Amplifiers Test Equipment Design This is a must-have-book for all those who are already active on the microwave bands and those looking for interesting projects to embark on. 200 pages. © 2003, by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) (ISBN: 1-872309-90-9) #9022 -- $39 Canadian RSGB Prefix Guide - 6th Edition by Fred Handscombe, G4BWP The complete guide to prefix identification and information. Ever wondered what that "unusual" call sign was? The fully updated "RSGB Prefix Guide" answers the question. This comprehensive list of prefixes is revised and improved. Not just a listing of prefixes and their entities, the guide provides a host of useful additional material. References include a prefix's continent, CQ Zone, ITU Zone, Latitude and Longitude and many other details. This edition still includes all the elements that have made the book so popular over the years such as DXCC deleted entities, Russian & CIS entities, etc. New features! The popular DXCC checklist has been added along with details of various award programs: IOTA, CQ WAZ, DXCC, WAS and others. Designed with a "lay flat" wire binding for ease of use. 48 pages. 6th Edition. © 2003, by Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB). (ISBN: 1-872309-85-2) #9046 -- $24 Canadian +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE HAMFEST/FLEAMARKET AND SPECIAL EVENTS ZONE Each month we list upcoming events, including hamfests, predominantly in Canada. NOTE: All times quoted are local. (Compiled by Vernon Ikeda VE2MBS, Pierrefonds, Quebec) July 11 to 13- 40th Annual International Hamfest Boissevain, Manitoba Location: International Peace Garden Registration begins Friday, July 11 at 6 PM Admission: $13 Talk-in: 146.520 simplex Information: Dave, VE4XN, 204-728-2463 E-mail: dsyndal@mb.sympatico.ca Web Page: http://www.mts.net/~holderr/ Saturday, July 12- NPARC Hamfest & Auction Thorold, Ontario Sponsored by the Niagara Peninsula ARC Location: Basil Reid Park, 699 Allanburg Road, Thorold, Ontario Gates open at 7 AM; Auction at 10 AM Admission: $5 Talk-in: 147,240 + Information: Dave Wilson, 905-262-5588 E-mail: ve3bbn@hotmail.com Web Page: http://www.qsl.net/ve3vm/tailgate.htm July 18-19- Saskhamfest 2003 Christopher Lake, Saskatchewan Talk-in: 146.820 or 146.610 Information by e-mail: ve5qu@rac.ca Web Page: http://www.saskhamfest.com Saturday, August 2- Westport Fleamarket, Westport, Ontario Sponsored by the Lanark North Leeds ARES Group Location: Westport Legion Time: Vendors 8 AM; Public 9 AM to 1 PM Admission: Free; Tables: $10 each; $5 for tailgaters Talk-in: 146.520 simplex Information: 613-283-9488 E-mail: jac@falls.igs.net Web Page: http://www.perth.igs.net/~lcares/lnlares3.htm Saturday, August 2- Hamfest 2003, St. Romuald, Quebec Sponsored by Assoc. Radio Experimentale du sud de Quebec Location: St. Romuald Arena Time: 9 AM to 3 PM Talk-in: 145.450- Information: Pierre Racine, 418-527-8680 E-mail: ve2coh@sympatico.ca Saturday, August 16- Hamfest 2003, Brantford, Ontario Sponsored by the Brantford Amateur Radio Club Location: Fairgrounds, Burford, Ontario Time: Vendors, 7:30 AM; Public, 9 AM to 3 PM Admission: $5; Tables: $8; Tailgaters: $4 Talk-in: 147.150+ Information: Ken Dobson, 519-757-7291 E-mail: Ken@Dobson.com Saturday, August 23- VHARA Hamfest 2003, Lindsay, Ontario Sponsored by the Victoria-Haliburton ARA Location: Manvers Arena, Lindsay, Ontario Time: Vendors 7 AM; Public 9 AM Admission: $5; Tables: $10; Tailgaters: $5 Talk-in: 147.195+ Information: Don Hutton, 705-374-4154 E-mail: donray@netcom.ca Web Page: http://yodeler.myftpsite.net/vhara/ Saturday, August 30- Ottawa Amateur Radio Club 7th Annual Hamfest, Carp, Ontario Location: Carp Agricultural Fairgrounds, 3970 Carp Road, north of Highway 417 Time: Vendors 8 AM; Public 10 AM Admission: $5; Tables: $10 Talk-in: 146.940- Information: Greg Danylchenko, 613-236-9291 E-mail: fleamarket@oarc.net Web Page: http://www.oarc.net/fleamarket/ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ *****RADIO H.F. PUBLICITY ZONE***** The complete ARRL, RSGB, Radio Amateurs of Canada, Radio Amateurs du Quebec Inc. catalogs, and hundreds of other specialty radio communications publications, CD Roms and softwares are available from Radio H.F. A completely new and updated book catalog can be viewed by going to the Radio H.F. web site at http://www.total.net/~radiohf, under publications, or go directly to the catalog at: http://www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/Cat2003Feb.html Don't forget the new Radio H.F. Nature Division. Hundreds of books in the fields of birding, animals, plants, etc. Contact Radio H.F. Nature Division for a complete listing of the titles currently available. Details of new ARRL and RSGB publications can be found at the ARRL web site at: http://www.arrl.org/catalog/?category=What%27s+New ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ THE RESOURCES ZONE The following is a listing of clubs, groups, and radio broadcasts that I am actively involved in. THE CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL DX CLUB CIDX is Canada's national radio monitoring club, serving radio hobbyists since 1962, now in our 41st year of operation. Our monthly newsletter, Messenger, covers all aspects of the radio monitoring hobby. Our July 2003 edition is now available. Sample copies are available for $2 each, in Canada or the U.S., or $3 overseas. Membership is open to radio hobbyists worldwide. Visit the CIDX web site for complete information, as well as special features and web site profiles, or for a membership application. http://www.anarc.org/cidx/ THE INTERNATIONAL RADIO REPORT The International Radio Report, on CKUT-FM Radio McGill, 90.3 FM in Montreal, is available via the Internet on RealAudio, live streaming, and on the airwaves of CKUT, Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM Eastern (1430 UTC). Celebrating 15 years on the air, co-host Bill Westenhaver and I present this weekly half-hour of news, information and developments in radio broadcasting. Visit the Radio McGill web page for full CKUT programming: http://www.ckut.ca You may also listen to the International Radio Report when you like. Archived editions of the programme have been posted on the web, thanks to the initiative of Ricky Leong, of Brossard, Quebec. Please check: http://members.fortunecity.com/crazyaboutradio/ Send your comments or questions to the International Radio Report, by e-mail, to radioreport@yahoo.com RADIO CANADA INTERNATIONAL'S MAPLE LEAF MAILBAG You can hear my bi-weekly "CIDX Report" on The Maple Leaf Mailbag, on Canada's international shortwave broadcaster Radio Canada International, with host Ian Jones. Find the times and frequencies on the Radio Canada International web site. When you travel abroad, take Canada with you, with Radio Canada International on shortwave. http://www.rcinet.ca That is all for this month. Radio H.F. is a mail order, telephone and on line business, with great products, great prices, and personalized service. Be sure to check out the Radio H.F. web site at http://www.total.net/~radiohf Please feel free to submit any information for the Newsletter by e-mail to hfnewsletter@yahoo.com. All previous editions of the Newsletter can be found at: http://www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/index.html CONTACT RADIO H.F. AT: MAILING ADDRESS: RADIO H.F. P.O. Box 67063-Lemoyne St. Lambert, Quebec J4R 2T8 HOURS OF OPERATION: Monday to Saturday, 10 AM to 5 PM (Eastern) CLOSED Sunday TELEPHONE & FAX: (450) 671-3773 TOLL FREE IN CANADA ONLY: 1-800-463-3773 E-MAIL: radiohf@total.net WEBPAGE: http://www.total.net/~radiohf Best wishes and 73 from Sheldon Harvey, VE2SHW Owner-Radio H.F. Canada's specialist in radio communications http://www.total.net/~radiohf President-Canadian International DX Club Canada's national radio monitoring club since 1962 http://www.anarc.org/cidx/ -- 30 --