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November 2002, Volume 4, Number 11
Edited and distributed by Sheldon Harvey
Greenfield Park, Quebec, Canada
Copyright © 2002 Radio H.F. Publications
e-mail: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com
Additional contact information and addresses below.
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
Disclaimer: The content and comments included in the websites featured in this newsletter are those of the individuals, groups or organizations responsible for each website. They do not necessarily represent those of the editor, unless specifically noted.
All subscribers' e-mail addresses are kept private and confidential, and will never be given or sold to any other organization. To have yourself added or removed from the distribution list of this newsletter, or to submit contributions, contact Sheldon by e-mail at hfnewsletter@yahoo.com. Remember that all contributors are entitled to a 2% discount on their next purchase from Radio H.F.
The Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter is brought to you, free of charge, by Radio H.F., Canada's specialist in shortwave, scanning, amateur radio, antennas, accessories & publications, since 1995.
Radio H.F.
P.O. Box 67063-Lemoyne
St. Lambert, Quebec
CANADA J4R 2T8
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 to 17:00 Eastern Time (1400-2100 UTC Apr.-Oct.; 1500-2200 UTC Nov.-Mar.)
Sunday: CLOSED
Telephone and Facsimile: +1 (450) 671-3773
Telephone, toll free, in Canada only: 1 800 463-3773
Facsimile: +1 (450) 671-3773
Visa & Mastercard accepted
Radio H.F.:
E-mail: radiohf@total.net
Website: www.total.net/~radiohf/
Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter:
E-mail: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com
Website: www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/
Welcome to Vol. 4 Number 11 of the Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter. Previous issues of this newsletter can be found at www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/ [right here! — Ed.].
Early November has brought the first snowfalls of the season here in the Montreal area, much earlier than expected. I hope it isn't a sign of a very long winter.
Next month brings us to the end of the 4th year of publication of the Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter. It will also be our special, annual Christmas/New Year edition.
This month's Monthly Special Zone features sites about several holidays occurring this month; Ramadan, Remembrance/Veteran's Day, Chanukah and U.S. Thanksgiving Day.
Only 40 responses to last month's survey question, down substantially from last month's record turnout. Last month's question asked about your pastimes. Seems like a lot of you must have little recreational time to spare! Of the 40 responses, there was actually very little duplication. The question was "What is your favourite pastime or hobby?"
Here are the multiple responses:
Internet: 8 votes
Dxing: 5 votes
Amateur radio: 4 votes
Photography (including digital): 3 votes
Others mentioned included astronomy, bird watching, swimming, curling, reading, crossword puzzles, plus several music-related categories.
Let's focus on music this month. I doubt there is anyone out there who doesn't listen to music of some type. Let's find out who likes who. The question this month is, "Who are your top 3 all-time favourite musical artists?" (individual singer, group or band, composer, etc. in any musical style.)
My top three are, Van Morrison, the Beatles and the Allman Brothers Band. This should be a very interesting exercise! I look forward to reading your responses. Please send along your response by e-mail to hfnewsletter@yahoo.com.
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
No comments this month!
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
Contributions are way, way down this month. Thanks to only 7 of you contributing to this month's edition. Next month is December, Christmas time! In the spirit of the season, why not consider giving a little something to all your fellow Newsletter subscribers? Send along one URL as a gift to share will all. Send it to hfnewsletter@yahoo.com.
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October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
www.stemnet.nf.ca/CITE/remembranceday.htm
Gander Academy's website dedicated to Remembrance Day in Canada. It also features links to Veteran's Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in Australia.
www.legion.ca/english/rday.htm
From the Royal Canadian Legion website, this page features information and history on Remembrance Day in Canada, the poppy, the emblem of Remembrance Day and other related material.
www.inflandersfields.be/english/eng-index.html
The website of the Flanders Field museum in Belgium. When you click on the "Main menu" button, you go to the Museum pages. There you will find a 'clickable' timeline on the history of the First World War, and detailed information on life at and behind the front. You may also take a virtual walk through the Museum.
www.holidays.net/ramadan/index.htm
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. It is during this month that Muslims observe the Fast of Ramadan. Lasting for the entire month, Muslims fast during the daylight hours and in the evening eat small meals and visit with friends and family. It is a time of worship and contemplation. A time to strengthen family and community ties.
The Moon is most important to Ramadan and the Muslim community. This site deals with the Moon, sightings of it, and other interesting related links.
The holiday period of Chanukah gets underway on November 29th and runs through to December 7. This site offers us a complete look at the history, traditions, background and related information on the holiday period.
The story, the traditions, the music, recipes, and more on the holiday period.
www.holidays.net/thanksgiving/
Thanksgiving Day in America is a time to offer thanks, of family gatherings and holiday meals. A time of turkeys, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. A time for Indian corn, holiday parades and giant balloons. So here for your entertainment are some fun Holiday things for you and your family. We've got stories of the Pilgrims and the first Thanksgiving, turkeys to take home, holiday pictures for the kids to print and color, tasty holiday recipes and e-greeting cards to send your friends and family. We hope you find something you like!
Butternut Antennas
HF Vertical antennas have long been popular with hams and for good reason. They can be very effective antennas for their size, and have the advantage of taking up very little space. The typical vertical radiates at a low angle of elevation, usually the most effective angle for working extended ground wave and for working DX when skip is in.
As space is becoming more and more of a factor for many amateur operators, verticals may be the answer. Butternut Antennas, a division of Bencher Inc., offers a selection of some of the most popular HF antennas on the market today.
To check out the various models available, with photos, specifications, etc., please check out the following Bencher's website at www.bencher.com/ant_select.html.
Butternut Antennas are available through Radio H.F. Please call, write or e-mail for complete details. See Radio H.F. contact information for mailing address, telephone or fax numbers, or e-mail address.
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
wwwstud.rz.uni-leipzig.de/~pge98crf/dx_e.html
Via: Steve Bass, Columbus, Ohio
A very helpful site for shortwave listeners. Provides a continuously-updated all-language schedule by time and by frequency.
www.radioenthusiast.com
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
A website established to help radio listeners of every interest get the most out of monitoring. The focus of this site is information and reviews on radio-related resource: books, websites, equipment, discussion forums, and more. The goal is to help you find the wide range of information and material you can use to improve your radio explorations.
webhome.idirect.com/~jproc/rrp/mc_mill_cove.html
Via: Jerry Proc, Toronto, Ontario
A historical perspective on the Canadian Forces radio station in Mill Cove, Nova Scotia, call sign CFH.
www.ominous-valve.com/tubes.html
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
A collection of interesting pages about tubes or valves. Be sure to read the page about border radio stations in Mexico as well. A really unique collection of work here.
cklw.timmins.net
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
This site is for you if you're interested in the "heyday" of the Big 8 (the 1960s and the early 1970s). CKLW is one of the classic border radio stations in the Windsor, Ontario/Detroit, Michigan area.
www.roguecom.com/rogueradio/
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
Rogue Radio Research is dedicated to the scholarly study of micro radio. This site contains original research on micro radio, general and specific guides, information, and annotated links to micro radio and related resources.
www.wdc.rl.ac.uk/ionosondes/ionosondes.html
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory operates ionosondes at RAL (Chilton) in the UK and at Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. Until June 1998 there was a third instrument at Lerwick in the UK. Ionograms and scaled URSI parameters from all three stations are archived in the WDC. The RAL ionosonde has replaced the instrument that was previously running at Slough.
Icom Receivers
Icom, known as one of the leaders in amateur radio equipment, also offers an excellent line of portable, base, and computer-controlled full-coverage receivers for shortwave listeners and scanner enthusiasts.
Portables such as the R-2, R-3 and R-10, base models such as the IC-R75 and their top of the line IC-R8500, plus the computer-controlled IC-PCR1000 are all available through Radio H.F. Note that Canadian versions of these units offer complete, unblocked frequency coverage.
You can check out the complete line of Icom receivers on their website at www.icomamerica.com/receivers/index.html. Please contact Radio H.F. for pricing and availability. See Radio H.F. contact information for mailing address, telephone or fax numbers, or e-mail address.
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
www.csis-scrs.gc.ca
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
The Internet site of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). CSIS is a government agency dedicated to protecting the national security interests of Canada and safeguarding its citizens. The main objective of the Service is to investigate and report on threats to the security of Canada, an objective that it pursues while respecting the law and protecting human rights. CSIS is unique in its role as the Government of Canada's principal advisor on national security. Be sure to check out the sections on terrorism and security screening. Also note that this is fully bilingual site, English and French.
www.iraqjournal.org
Via: Yahoo Weekly Picks
With Washington on the verge of seeking to destroy an already devastated country, a group of independent journalists and activists — spearheaded by Voices in the Wilderness and the Iraq Peace Team — are breaking ranks with the war chorus. Coordinated by independent journalists Jeremy Scahill and Jacqueline Soohen on the ground in Baghdad, IraqJournal provides a forum for the distribution of independent information and views from Iraq.
www.fair.org
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
FAIR, the national media watch group, has been offering well-documented criticism of media bias and censorship since 1986. We work to invigorate the First Amendment by advocating for greater diversity in the press and by scrutinizing media practices that marginalize public interest, minority and dissenting viewpoints. As an anti-censorship organization, we expose neglected news stories and defend working journalists when they are muzzled. As a progressive group, FAIR believes that structural reform is ultimately needed to break up the dominant media conglomerates, establish independent public broadcasting and promote strong non-profit sources of information.
www.mediachannel.org
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
MediaChannel.org is a non-profit, public interest website dedicated to global media issues. MediaChannel offers news, reports and commentary from our international network of media-issues organizations and publications, as well as original features from contributors and staff. Resources include thematic special reports, action toolkits, forums for discussion, an indexed directory of hundreds of affiliated groups and a search engine constituting the single largest on-line media-issues database. MediaChannel is concerned with the political, cultural and social impacts of the media, large and small. MediaChannel exists to provide information and diverse perspectives and inspire debate, collaboration, action and citizen engagement.
www.heavens-above.com
Via: Richard Sim, Goose Bay, Labrador & Newfoundland
If you're interested in satellites or astronomy, you've come to the right place! Our aim is to provide you with all the information you need to observe satellites such as the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle, spectacular events such as the dazzlingly bright flares from Iridium satellites as well as a wealth of other space flight and astronomical information. We not only provide the times of visibility, but also detailed star charts showing the satellite's track through the heavens. All our pages, including the graphics, are generated in real-time and customized for your location and time zone.
www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
This site is all about snow crystals and snowflakes, and how these remarkably complex and beautiful structures appear, quite literally, out of thin air. The many facets of snow crystals are described here, along with our attempts to understand their formation.
www.ideafinder.com
Via: Bob Margolis, Chicago, Illinois
A place to explore the exciting world of innovation. Whether you're a student, teacher, writer, inventor, history buff, or just looking for innovative consumer products, you'll find things you can use here. Come join us in Celebrating the Spirit of Innovation.
www.the-gadgeteer.com
Via: Elmer Standish, Courtenay, British Columbia
Find out about all the latest new gadgets out there in the marketplace. Products are discussed, reviewed and presented. This site is constantly offering up something new and innovative.
internationalsportseye.com
Via: Charles L. Williams, Publisher
A new sports website launching in early 2003, International SportsEye will feature over 40 sports from around the globe. Every Olympic sport, high school, professional, and collegiate sports are included. Men and women are given the same priority coverage. We invite you to become part of our mailing list and therefore become a subscriber, which entitles you to receive periodic updates about the launch date; and when we do launch, special information about our promotional activities with our upscale sponsors. There are no fees to being a subscriber, all that is required is your agreeing to become part of our mailing list.
Citizen's Band Radio
Many radio hobbyists got their first exposure to two-way radio communications with CB or citizen's band radio. Although many moved on to other forms of communications, there is still a world of communications being conducted on the CB band. The Alpha Tango groups operate DX worldwide; truckers use CB radio for communications on the road; others use it for recreational communications.
CB radios and accessories are available through Radio HF from many different companies; radios from Ranger, Cobra, Magnum, Galaxy, Alan, Uniden, plus antennas and accessories from Astatic, Cherokee, Firestick, K-40, Maco, Midland, Paradynamics, Shakespeare, Solarcon, Valor and Wilson.
Check out the Radio HF website, under the Citizens' Band section, for links to these and other CB companies. Contact Radio HF for any pricing and availability of these CB radios, antennas and accessories. See Radio H.F. contact information for mailing address, telephone or fax numbers, or e-mail address.
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
www.internetbumperstickers.com
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
Internet Bumper Stickers let you give the world a little piece of your mind. Use them in E-messages and Websites to proclaim, protest, profess or just kid around. They're free to use, so go ahead and download the ones you want. A great selection of on-line stickers you will want to use and share with others.
www.dumbbumpers.com
Via: Sheldon Harvey, Greenfield Park, Quebec
Dedicated to the observation and documentation of strange, unusual, and of course humorous bumper stickers found around the world. Enjoy the site, and after you're finished, take a look at many of the other wonderful dumb creations in The Dumb Network. If you have a bumper sticker to add be sure to tell us!
www.bcdb.com
Via: Yahoo Weekly Picks
The Internet's largest searchable database of cartoons, episode guides and crew lists.
www.snopes.com
Via: Ben Loveless, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
This site sets you straight on all those e-mail 'free offers' (such as Bill Gates sending every Windows user $50) or other e-mail hoaxes that just aren't true.
New Releases from the A.R.R.L.
Communications Quarterly CD-ROM 1990–1999
This CD-ROM collection covers volumes of Communications Quarterly published from 1990 to 1999. Gain access to advanced technical topics in articles which cover transmitter, receiver and transceiver projects, theory, antennas, troubleshooting and much more. High quality black-and-white page scans can be read on your computer screen or printed. Quickly search for articles by title and author, select specific year and issue, and browse individual articles and columns.
System Requirements: Microsoft Windows.
CD-ROM. 2002, American Radio Relay League, Inc.
(ISBN: 0-87259-878-0) #8780 — $63.95 Canadian
Antenna Compendium volume 7
Hooray for antennas! This is the seventh in the very popular ARRL Antenna Compendium series. Inside, you'll find articles covering a very wide range of antenna-related topics:
30, 40, 80 and 160-Metre Antennas
Measurements and Computations
Mobile Antennas
Multiband Antennas
Practical Tips
Propagation and Ground Effects
Quad Antennas
Special Antennas
Stealth Antennas
Tuners and Transmission Lines
Vertical Antennas
VHF/UHF Antennas
Wire Antennas
Yagi Antennas
This volume includes even more articles on low-band antennas and operating, and great designs for operating on the road-from cars, vans or motor homes. 208 pages. First edition, 2002, The American Radio Relay League. #8608 — $39.95 Canadian
Please contact Radio H.F. for ordering information on these new releases, or any other books or publications. See Radio H.F. contact information for mailing address, telephone or fax numbers, or e-mail address.
Top of this issue |
Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
Newsletter main page |
December 2002 issue
Note: all times given are in local time. Check with the local contact person for any last-minute changes or corrections. For obvious logistical reasons, only Canadian events, or those of particular interest to Canadians (e.g., Dayton Hamvention), are listed.
The 2002 hamfest season is over. Thank you to all those dedicated organizers who staged successful events throughout the year. Watch for listings of the 2003 events to appear here beginning in the January 2003 edition of the Newsletter.
Publications Now Available
The complete Radio Amateurs of Canada (RAC, www.rac.ca), Radio amateur du Québec (RAQI, www.raqi.qc.ca), American Radio Relay League (ARRL, www.arrl.org), and Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB, www.rsgb.org) catalogues, and hundreds of other specialty radio communications publications, CD-ROMs and software are available from Radio H.F. An updated catalogue can be viewed by going to the Radio H.F. website at www.total.net/~radiohf/, under publications, or go directly to the catalogue at: www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/Cat2002Jan.html.
You can see details of the new releases from ARRL, plus other ARRL products such as RSGB publications, on the ARRL website (www.arrl.org/catalog/?category=What%27s+New).
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
The Resources Zone:
Top of this section | Canadian International DX Club | International Radio Report | Montreal DX Listeners' Net | Radio Canada International
The following is a listing of clubs, groups, nets and radio broadcasts which I either operate, present, or am actively involved in.
CIDX is Canada's national radio monitoring club, serving radio hobbyists since 1962. This year marks CIDX's 40th year of serving its members. Our monthly newsletter, Messenger, covers all aspects of the radio monitoring hobby. Sample copies of recent issues are available for $2.00 each, in Canada or the U.S., or $3 elsewhere. Membership is open to radio hobbyists worldwide. Visit the CIDX website (www.anarc.org/cidx/) for complete information, as well as special features and website profiles, or to get a membership application.
The Resources Zone:
Top of this section | Canadian International DX Club | International Radio Report | Montreal DX Listeners' Net | Radio Canada International
The International Radio Report, on CKUT-FM Radio McGill, 90.3 MHz FM in Montreal, is available via the Internet on RealAudio at www.ckut.ca, Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM Eastern time (1430 UTC Apr.-Oct., 1530 UTC Nov.-Mar.). Now in its 15th year on the air, co-hosts Sheldon Harvey and Bill Westenhaver present this weekly half-hour of news, information and developments in radio broadcasting. Check out the CKUT website for the station's complete list of unique programmes.
You can also listen to recent International Radio Reports whenever you like. Thanks to one of our longtime listeners, Ricky Leong, archived editions of some of the programmes are available on demand at members.fortunecity.com/crazyaboutradio/. Also, you can send your comments to the International Radio Report by e-mail to radioreport@yahoo.com.
The Resources Zone:
Top of this section | Canadian International DX Club | International Radio Report | Montreal DX Listeners' Net | Radio Canada International
Every Sunday evening, on the West Island Amateur Radio Club (www.PubNIX.Net/wiarc/) 2-metre repeater, 146.910 MHz (-600), following the Swap Net at 20:00 Eastern, tune in for the "Montreal DX Listeners Net," a net featuring news about all aspects of radio, shortwave, AM/FM, utilities, scanning, amateur radio. Included are listening tips, developments in broadcasting, reception reports, HF and scanner frequency information, special topics, questions and comments. Now in its 9th year, it has had over 500 different participants. The net is operated by Sheldon Harvey, VE2SHW. Please feel free to participate. The Swap Net begins at 20:00, followed by a calendar of events including upcoming hamfests, amateur radio contests and special events amateur stations, plus a list of local events and meetings. The DX Net usually begins around 20:20 or 20:30 Eastern, and runs to approximately 22:00.
The Resources Zone:
Top of this section | Canadian International DX Club | International Radio Report | Montreal DX Listeners' Net | Radio Canada International
You can also hear Sheldon Harvey on his bi-weekly "CIDX Report" on Radio Canada International, Canada's international shortwave broadcaster, on the Maple Leaf Mailbag show, with host Ian Jones. Check out the Radio Canada International website (www.rcinet.ca) for complete details of times and frequencies. RCI also has a free e-mail news service available which issues daily bulletins of news and information from and about Canada. See the instructions on the RCI website if you wish to subscribe. When you travel abroad, take Canada with you, with Radio Canada International on shortwave.
That's all for this month. Radio H.F. operates as a mail-order, telephone, and on-line business, with the many products, great prices, and personalized service.
Your input is always welcome. Please feel free to send along your comments about the Newsletter, as well as any material you have to contribute, to me by e-mail at hfnewsletter@yahoo.com. Remember that you can find all previous issues of this newsletter at www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/index.html (right here! — Ed.).
Best wishes and 73 from Sheldon Harvey, VE2SHW
Owner, Radio H.F.
Canada's specialist in radio communications
www.total.net/~radiohf/
President, Canadian International DX Club
Canada's national radio monitoring club since 1962
www.anarc.org/cidx/
Radio H.F.
P.O. Box 67063-Lemoyne
St. Lambert, Quebec
CANADA J4R 2T8
Hours of Operation:
Monday to Saturday: 10:00 to 17:00 Eastern Time (1400-2100 UTC Apr.-Oct.; 1500-2200 UTC Nov.-Mar.)
Sunday: CLOSED
Telephone and Facsimile: +1 (450) 671-3773
Telephone, toll free, in Canada only: 1 800 463-3773
Facsimile: +1 (450) 671-3773
Visa & Mastercard accepted
Radio H.F.:
E-mail: radiohf@total.net
Website: www.total.net/~radiohf/
Radio H.F. Internet Newsletter:
E-mail: hfnewsletter@yahoo.com
Website: www.anarc.org/cidx/radiohf/
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Introduction |
October 2002 issue |
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December 2002 issue
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Last modified, 1307 UTC, 21 November 2002.