From handiham@mtn.org Thu Sep 18 16:48:45 2003 Received: from mail.infinetivity.com (mail01.mpls.mn.pixius.com [209.173.229.149]) by io.temples.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with ESMTP id h8IKmjF7009315 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:48:45 -0400 (EDT) Received: from Tiger (243-48-196-206.in-addr.infinetivity.com [206.196.48.243]) by mail.infinetivity.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with SMTP id h8IKnE8I004463 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 15:49:14 -0500 Reply-To: From: "Patrick Tice" To: "Eletter" Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 15:49:15 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Subject: [Handiham-list] Test 3 Sender: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org Errors-To: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org X-BeenThere: handiham-list@handiham.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: The Handiham E-Letter List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: This is a test message. Regards, Patrick Tice, WAØTDA, Manager Courage HANDI-HAM System 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 Toll-free membership renewal and donation line: 1-866-426-3442 (1-866-HANDIHAM) Voice: (763) 520-0512 FAX: (763) 520-0577 E-Mail: handiham@courage.org Website: http://www.handiham.org From handiham@mtn.org Thu Sep 18 16:49:59 2003 Received: from mail.infinetivity.com (mail01.mpls.mn.pixius.com [209.173.229.149]) by io.temples.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with ESMTP id h8IKnxF7009328 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:49:59 -0400 (EDT) Received: from Tiger (243-48-196-206.in-addr.infinetivity.com [206.196.48.243]) by mail.infinetivity.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with SMTP id h8IKoQ8I006297 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 15:50:27 -0500 Reply-To: From: "Patrick Tice" To: "Eletter" Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 15:50:27 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0008_01C37DFC.94BF9540" X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Subject: [Handiham-list] Test send 4: The Handiham E-Letter for September 17, 2003 Sender: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org Errors-To: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org X-BeenThere: handiham-list@handiham.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: The Handiham E-Letter List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0008_01C37DFC.94BF9540 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The Handiham E-Letter for September 17, 2003 This is a weekly news & information update from Courage Center's Handiham System. Listen to the e-letter by visiting the Handi-Ham Audio page at handiham.org. Please do not reply to this letter. Use the contact information below. For subscribe/unsubscribe information, please see the bottom of the page. Hello, everyone. Recently I have been getting some questions about the HANDIHAM World newsletter, which comes out in print and audio formats three times each year. Well, it's supposed to come out three times each year, that is! The fact of the matter is that, like many nonprofits in these poor economic times, we are really stretched pretty thin. Thus, in 2003 we are saving money to use for other member services by publishing only two issues of the HANDIHAM World. Now, as 2004 approaches, I am wondering how we can serve you best with the news and information about the Courage Handiham System, amateur radio, Radio Camps, and assistive technology. Since we do the weekly e-letter, we are reaching more and more people with more news and information more quickly. On the other hand, most of our HANDIHAM World mailing list recipients still do not use email publications. We're contemplating going to only two printed HANDIHAM World issues a year, rather than three, which would not only save money in mailing costs and production, but would save valuable staff time. Right now each HANDIHAM World is eight pages long. Eight pages times three issues each year equals 24 pages total. A nice compromise might be to go to two 12 page issues, which would still be the same number of total pages but would save quite a lot of money in production and mailing costs. Naturally, readers would end up with the same amount of content, since the number of pages would be the same. Please tell me what you think. Questions? Drop me a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. Pat, WA0TDA -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hurricane net activates - from an ARRL bulletin: ARRL is reporting that the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz and WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center have announced plans to activate. The HWN will activate Wednesday, September 17, at 1400 UTC (10 AM EDT). The storm has been downgraded to a category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 MPH and higher gusts. "As the hurricane achieves initial landfall, the HWN will focus specifically on storm reports into and out of the immediately affected areas and into the forecast path of the storm," said HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP. WX4NHC will commence operations September 17 at 2200 UTC (6 PM EDT), according to Amateur Radio Coordinator John McHugh, KU4GY. Pilgrim requested that health-and-welfare traffic be directed to other nets set up for that purpose. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) plans to activate on 14.265 MHz on September 18 at 1400 UTC (10 AM EDT) to handle emergency and health-and-welfare traffic. This is a reminder that anytime there is an emergency such as this, the Handiham 20 meter net, which is on 14.265 MHz, always stands down for the SATERN net. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Weekly e-letter administration problems: Oh, oh, prepare for some whining, to follow immediately. As I have mentioned above, staff time is limited at HANDIHAM headquarters. In recent months, there have been more requests for assistance with the mailing of the weekly e-letter. There are variety of reasons why a subscriber might not get the e-letter or not be able to logon to www.handiham.org/members. These include providing us with the wrong e-mail address, failure to follow the subscription process properly, having the e-letter get trapped in a filtering system designed to remove junk mail, changing e-mail addresses without telling the e-letter robot or anyone at HANDIHAMS, and so on. Every week I get a bunch of returned e-mail because of bad addresses. Weeks or months later we will hear by telephone from these subscribers who are wondering why they do not receive the weekly e-letter. Well, duh! We really need to cut down on all of this extra work, so we urge you to keep your e-mail address information up-to-date with us at all times. Remember, you can subscribe and unsubscribe by following the directions at the end of the e-letter. If you are reading the text version, the entire process is automated. If the e-mail from us is being trapped in your filtering system, that is something you will have to take care of, either by adjusting your e-mail software rules or by contacting your Internet service provider. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL "Logbook of the World" went live on September 15: ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW) system is a repository of log records submitted by users from around the world. When both participants in a QSO submit matching QSO records to LoTW, the result is a QSL that can be used for ARRL award credit. LoTW began operation on September 15, 2003. At Handihams, we are looking for blind users to test and report back to us on their success with this new system, which should greatly increase accessibility and efficiency in the entire QSL and contesting system. To minimize the chance of fraudulent submissions to LoTW, all QSO records must be digitally signed using a digital certificate obtained from ARRL. Obtaining such a certificate requires verification of the licensee's identity either through mail verification (US) or inspection by ARRL of required documentation (non-US). Software developed by ARRL can be used to convert a log file (in ADIF or Cabrillo file format) into a file of digitally signed QSO data, ready for submission to LoTW. We hope to hear from blind users who find specific logging software packages to their liking and who will share this information with us. We frequently get questions about easy, accessible logging software that can be used by blind hams. We have been pointing users to www.xmlog.com for W1ECT's freeware XMLog logging software. It does export in ADIF format and is thus compatible with LoTW! XMLog will work with late-model Windows versions, such as 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. -------------------------------------------------------------------- KA1USA EchoLink tutorial is online in audio format: Are you a blind ham who is considering the use of EchoLink with a screenreader? You should check out Roger's excellent audio tutorial as he talks you through using EchoLink with JAWS. Find it at: http://www.echolink.org/EchoLinkAndScreenReaders.mp3. We are also looking for help with EchoLink when used with Window-Eyes. We have heard that EchoLink is not supported by this screenreader, and any users who can either confirm this or else tell how they have made Window-Eyes work with EchoLink are most welcome to share the info with us! For users whose disabilities prevent the use of a computer mouse, EchoLink can be completely controlled by keyboard commands. Isn't it nice when software authors consider the needs of everyone? Three cheers for EchoLink, and remember to check into the Monday night Handiham net at 24:00 GMT by searching for W1AFV and connecting! -------------------------------------------------------------------- Handiham tape pricing to be updated: We are in the process of updating the way we charge for audio tape copies. The new system will be $2 per cassette, with a minimum of $5 for an item that is either one or two tapes. This will greatly simplify our pricing structure. As you might guess, this nominal amount does not really cover production costs and the balance is made up through donations. Some prices will go down and others up under this new system. This does not affec t the monthly audio digests or Handiham World tapes, which are always free to members with disabilities. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Trading Post: We are still looking for VS-1 voice chips or any gear that is accessible to blind hams. If you can donate, please give us a call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442 or email us at handiham@courage.org. Do you have an item for the trading post? Drop us a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Now it's time to "ask Elmer"! Dear Elmer, I was on EchoLink the other day talking station to station. I know when you are on a link or repeater you should identify your station every ten minutes & at the end of the contact. What about station to station? Because this isn't a repeater or link do the same rules apply? Thank you, Blake, KA5POW. Elmer says: Strictly speaking, unless you are speaking over a link that includes an on-the-air component, you do not need to identify in the usual way. But the problem with deviating from the usual identification procedure is that you may not necessarily know when there is an on-the-air user joining you! I strongly recommend that standard identification be used at all times, even on EchoLink connections that do not use the airwaves, so that you will stay in the habit of identifying your station legally, and so that you do in fact always stay legal if there should be an on-the-air link that you had not realized was there. Besides, it is simply good operating procedure (and the courteous thing to do) to stick with known and accepted standards of station identification. Elmer's e-mail address is elmer@handiham.org. You can e-mail Elmer with your questions, which he may or may not answer here, but it's worth a try. -------------------------------------------------------------------- RekkyTec Links: ARRL Logbook of the World website and download page: http://www.arrl.org/lotw/ ARRL Logbook of the World frequently asked questions (FAQ): http://www.arrl.org/lotw/faq.html SATERN North American Command: http://satern.org EchoLink: www.echolink.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Submit a Ham Radio Event for our October Events Page by e-mailing Laurie at n1yxu@arrl.net. Laurie has posted the September events, which you can find on www.handiham.org in the events section of the left sidebar navigation. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Courage Programs: http://www.couragecamps.org/programs.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL is the premier organization supporting and promoting the Amateur Radio service, both in the United States and worldwide. At Handi-Hams, we believe that the ARRL deserves the support of our members. In fact, we will help our members who cannot read regular print to fill out and submit their League memberships. For assistance, please e-mail the Handi-Ham Secretary, Nancy: hamradio@courage.org. www.arrl.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Best 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System! Pat, WA0TDA Manager, Courage Handi-Ham System The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handi-Ham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone in a choice of formats. This page provides instructions for subscribing to the text-only version. Other versions are audio and HTML, which has pictures and diagrams. You may also request a large print version. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the HTML version of the e-letter, send an e-mail to me at wa0tda@arrl.net and let me know what you want. This is not an automated service, so you will not get an immediate confirmation, but you do get personal service instead, and that's better anyway. To get on the text-only distribution list send mail to: handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu with a subject of "subscribe". For help with subscribing or unsubscribing to the text version, send mail to: handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu with a subject of "help". If you have problems subscribing, please let us know. ------=_NextPart_000_0008_01C37DFC.94BF9540 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
 
The Handiham E-Letter for September 17,=20 2003

This=20 is a weekly news & information update from Courage = Center's=20 Handiham System. 3Dspeaker=20Listen=20 to the e-letter by visiting the Handi-Ham Audio page at=20 handiham.org. Please do not reply to this letter.  = Use the=20 contact information below. For subscribe/unsubscribe = information,=20 please see the bottom of the page. =  

Hello, everyone. 

3D"Handiham

Recently I have been getting some = questions=20 about the HANDIHAM World newsletter, which comes out in = print and=20 audio formats three times each year.  Well, it's = supposed to=20 come out three times each year, that is!  The fact of = the=20 matter is that, like many nonprofits in these poor economic = times,=20 we are really stretched pretty thin.  Thus, in 2003 we = are=20 saving money to use for other member services by publishing = only two=20 issues of the HANDIHAM World.  Now, as 2004 approaches, = I am=20 wondering how we can serve you best with the news and = information=20 about the Courage Handiham System, amateur radio, Radio = Camps, and=20 assistive technology.  Since we do the weekly e-letter, = we are=20 reaching more and more people with more news and information = more=20 quickly.  On the other hand, most of our HANDIHAM World = mailing=20 list recipients still do not use email publications.  = We're=20 contemplating going to only two printed HANDIHAM World = issues a=20 year, rather than three, which would not only save money in = mailing=20 costs and production, but would save valuable staff = time. =20 Right now each HANDIHAM World is eight pages long.  = Eight pages=20 times three issues each year equals 24 pages total.  A = nice=20 compromise might be to go to two 12 page issues, which would = still=20 be the same number of total pages but would save quite a lot = of=20 money in production and mailing costs.  Naturally, = readers=20 would end up with the same amount of content, since the = number of=20 pages would be the same. Please tell me what you = think.

Questions? Drop me a line at wa0tda@arrl.net.

Pat, WA0TDA

Hurricane net activates - from an = ARRL=20 bulletin:

3D"ARRLARRL is reporting that = the Hurricane=20 Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz and WX4NHC at the National = Hurricane=20 Center have announced plans to activate. The HWN will = activate=20 Wednesday, September 17, at 1400 UTC (10 AM EDT). The storm = has been=20 downgraded to a category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 MPH = and=20 higher gusts.

"As the hurricane achieves initial = landfall, the=20 HWN will focus specifically on storm reports into and out of = the=20 immediately affected areas and into the forecast path of the = storm,"=20 said HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP. WX4NHC will commence = operations=20 September 17 at 2200 UTC (6 PM EDT), according to Amateur = Radio=20 Coordinator John McHugh, KU4GY.

Pilgrim requested that = health-and-welfare=20 traffic be directed to other nets set up for that purpose. = The=20 Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) plans = to=20 activate on 14.265 MHz on September 18 at 1400 UTC (10 AM = EDT) to=20 handle emergency and health-and-welfare traffic.

This is a reminder = that anytime=20 there is an emergency such as this, the Handiham 20 meter = net, which=20 is on 14.265 MHz, always stands down for the SATERN=20 net.

Weekly e-letter administration=20 problems:

3D"madOh, oh, prepare for some whining, to = follow=20 immediately. As I have mentioned above, staff time is = limited at=20 HANDIHAM headquarters.  In recent months, there have = been more=20 requests for assistance with the mailing of the weekly=20 e-letter.  There are variety of reasons why a = subscriber might=20 not get the e-letter or not be able to logon to www.handiham.org/members.   These include providing us with = the wrong=20 e-mail address, failure to follow the subscription process = properly,=20 having the e-letter get trapped in a filtering system = designed to=20 remove junk mail, changing e-mail addresses without telling = the=20 e-letter robot or anyone at HANDIHAMS, and so on.  = Every week I=20 get a bunch of returned e-mail because of bad = addresses.  Weeks=20 or months later we will hear by telephone from these = subscribers who=20 are wondering why they do not receive the weekly = e-letter. =20 Well, duh!  We really need to cut down on all of this = extra=20 work, so we urge you to keep your e-mail address information = up-to-date with us at all times.  Remember, you can = subscribe=20 and unsubscribe by following the directions at the end of = the=20 e-letter.  If you are reading the text version, the = entire=20 process is automated.  If the e-mail from us is being = trapped=20 in your filtering system, that is something you will have to = take=20 care of, either by adjusting your e-mail software rules or = by=20 contacting your Internet service = provider. 

3D"ARRLARRL "Logbook of the World" went = live on=20 September 15:

ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW) = system is a=20 repository of log records submitted by users from around the = world.=20 When both participants in a QSO submit matching QSO records = to LoTW,=20 the result is a QSL that can be used for ARRL award credit. = LoTW=20 began operation on September 15, 2003. At Handihams, we are = looking=20 for blind users to test and report back to us on their = success with=20 this new system, which should greatly increase accessibility = and=20 efficiency in the entire QSL and contesting = system. 

To minimize the chance of fraudulent = submissions=20 to LoTW, all QSO records must be digitally signed using a = digital=20 certificate obtained from ARRL. Obtaining such a certificate = requires verification of the licensee's identity either = through mail=20 verification (US) or inspection by ARRL of required = documentation=20 (non-US).

Software developed by ARRL can be used = to=20 convert a log file (in ADIF or Cabrillo file format) into a = file of=20 digitally signed QSO data, ready for submission to = LoTW.  We=20 hope to hear from blind users who find specific logging = software=20 packages to their liking and who will share this information = with=20 us.

We frequently get questions about = easy,=20 accessible logging software that can be used by blind hams. = We have=20 been pointing users to www.xmlog.com for = W1ECT's=20 freeware XMLog logging software. It does export in ADIF = format and=20 is thus compatible with LoTW! XMLog will work with = late-model=20 Windows versions, such as 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and=20 XP. 

KA1USA EchoLink tutorial is online = in audio=20 format: 

3D"EchoLink

Are you a blind ham who is considering = the use=20 of EchoLink with a screenreader? You should check out = Roger's=20 excellent audio tutorial as he talks you through using = EchoLink with=20 JAWS. Find it at: 
http://www.echolink.org/EchoLinkAndScreenReaders.mp3<= /A>.

We are also looking for help with = EchoLink when=20 used with Window-Eyes. We have heard that EchoLink is not = supported=20 by this screenreader, and any users who can either confirm = this or=20 else tell how they have made Window-Eyes work with EchoLink = are most=20 welcome to share the info with us!

For users whose disabilities prevent = the use of=20 a computer mouse, EchoLink can be completely controlled by = keyboard=20 commands. Isn't it nice when software authors consider the = needs of=20 everyone?  Three cheers for EchoLink, and remember to = check=20 into the Monday night Handiham net at 24:00 GMT by searching = for=20 W1AFV and connecting! 

Handiham tape pricing to be=20 updated:

3DcassetteWe are in the process = of updating=20 the way we charge for audio tape copies. The new system will = be $2=20 per cassette, with a minimum of $5 for an item that is = either one or=20 two tapes. This will greatly simplify our pricing structure. = As you=20 might guess, this nominal amount does not really cover = production=20 costs and the balance is made up through donations. Some = prices will=20 go down and others up under this new system. This does not = affect=20 the monthly audio digests or Handiham World tapes, which are = always=20 free to members with disabilities.

Trading Post:

3D"logWe are still looking = for VS-1 voice=20 chips or any gear that is accessible to blind hams. If you = can=20 donate, please give us a call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442 or = email=20 us at handiham@courage.org. 

Do you have an item for the trading = post? =20 Drop us a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. 

Now it's time to "ask Elmer"!=20  

3DIdea=20

Dear Elmer,

I was on EchoLink the other day = talking=20 station to station. I know when you are on a link or = repeater you=20 should identify your station every ten minutes & at the = end of=20 the contact. What about station to station? Because this = isn't a=20 repeater or link do the same rules = apply? 

Thank you, Blake, KA5POW.

Elmer says:

Strictly speaking, unless you are = speaking over=20 a link that includes an on-the-air component, you do not = need to=20 identify in the usual way. But the problem with deviating = from the=20 usual identification procedure is that you may not = necessarily know=20 when there is an on-the-air user joining you! I strongly = recommend=20 that standard identification be used at all times, even on = EchoLink=20 connections that do not use the airwaves, so that you will = stay in=20 the habit of identifying your station legally, and so that = you do in=20 fact always stay legal if there should be an on-the-air link = that=20 you had not realized was there. Besides, it is simply good = operating=20 procedure (and the courteous thing to do) to stick with = known and=20 accepted standards of station identification.

Elmer's e-mail address is  = elmer@handiham.org. You can=20 e-mail Elmer with your questions, which he may or may not = answer=20 here, but it's worth a try. 

RekkyTec=20 Links:

3D"RekkyTec

ARRL Logbook of the World website = and=20 download page: 
http://www.arrl.org/lotw/  

ARRL Logbook of the World = frequently asked=20 questions (FAQ): 
http://www.arrl.org/lotw/faq.html 

SATERN North American=20 Command: 
http://satern.org  

EchoLink: 
www.echolink.org 

Submit a Ham Radio Event for our = October=20 Events Page by e-mailing Laurie at n1yxu@arrl.net. = Laurie has=20 posted the September events, = which you=20 can find on www.handiham.org = in the=20 events section of the left sidebar = navigation.

Camp Courage = Programs: 
http://www.couragecamps.org/programs.htm 

3D"ARRLARRL is the = premier=20 organization supporting and promoting the Amateur Radio = service,=20 both in the United States and worldwide. At Handi-Hams, we = believe=20 that the ARRL deserves the support of our members. In fact, = we will=20 help our members who cannot read regular print to fill out = and=20 submit their League memberships.  For assistance, = please e-mail=20 the Handi-Ham Secretary, Nancy: hamradio@courage.org.  = ;=20

www.arrl.org  =20  

Best 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham = System!=20

Pat,=20 WA0TDA =  
Manager, Courage=20 Handi-Ham System  

The weekly e-letter is a = compilation of=20 software tips, operating information, and Handi-Ham = news.  It=20 is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone in = a choice=20 of formats. This page provides instructions for subscribing = to the=20 text-only version. Other versions are audio and HTML, which = has=20 pictures and diagrams. You may also request a large print = version.=20 To subscribe or unsubscribe to the HTML version of the=20 e-letter, send an e-mail to me at wa0tda@arrl.net  and let=20 me know what you want.  This is not an automated = service, so=20 you will not get an immediate confirmation, but you do get = personal=20 service instead, and that's better anyway. To get on the text-only distribution list send = mail=20 to: 
handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu  
with a subject of=20 "subscribe".  = For help with subscribing or unsubscribing to = the text=20 version, send mail to: 
handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu  
with a subject of "help". = If = you have=20 problems subscribing, please let us = know. 


------=_NextPart_000_0008_01C37DFC.94BF9540-- From handiham@mtn.org Thu Sep 18 17:07:23 2003 Received: from mail.infinetivity.com (mail01.mpls.mn.pixius.com [209.173.229.149]) by io.temples.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with ESMTP id h8IL7MF7009562 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:07:22 -0400 (EDT) Received: from Tiger (243-48-196-206.in-addr.infinetivity.com [206.196.48.243]) by mail.infinetivity.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with SMTP id h8IL7p8I026601 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:07:52 -0500 Reply-To: From: "Patrick Tice" To: "Eletter" Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:07:52 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Subject: [Handiham-list] Test 6 Sender: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org Errors-To: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org X-BeenThere: handiham-list@handiham.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: The Handiham E-Letter List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: Plain Text Regards, Patrick Tice, WAØTDA, Manager Courage HANDI-HAM System 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 Toll-free membership renewal and donation line: 1-866-426-3442 (1-866-HANDIHAM) Voice: (763) 520-0512 FAX: (763) 520-0577 E-Mail: handiham@courage.org Website: http://www.handiham.org Subscribe to the free weekly HANDI-HAM E-Letter by sending an e-mail to handiham@mtn.org with "subscribe" in the subject line. To get on the text-only distribution list send mail to:  handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu   with a subject of "subscribe".  From handiham@mtn.org Thu Sep 18 17:16:27 2003 Received: from mail.infinetivity.com (mail01.mpls.mn.pixius.com [209.173.229.149]) by io.temples.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with ESMTP id h8ILGPF7009662 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:16:26 -0400 (EDT) Received: from Tiger (243-48-196-206.in-addr.infinetivity.com [206.196.48.243]) by mail.infinetivity.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with SMTP id h8ILGs8I004366 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:16:55 -0500 Reply-To: From: "Patrick Tice" To: "Eletter" Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:16:55 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_000C_01C37E00.47089370" X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Subject: [Handiham-list] Test 7 - html Sender: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org Errors-To: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org X-BeenThere: handiham-list@handiham.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: The Handiham E-Letter List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_000C_01C37E00.47089370 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit HTML ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- Regards, Patrick Tice, WAØTDA, Manager Courage HANDI-HAM System 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 Toll-free membership renewal and donation line: 1-866-426-3442 (1-866-HANDIHAM) Voice: (763) 520-0512 FAX: (763) 520-0577 E-Mail: handiham@courage.org Website: http://www.handiham.org Subscribe to the free weekly HANDI-HAM E-Letter by sending an e-mail to handiham@mtn.org with "subscribe" in the subject line. To get on the text-only distribution list send mail to: handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu with a subject of "subscribe". ------=_NextPart_000_000C_01C37E00.47089370 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable HTML


Regards,

Patrick Tice, WA=D8TDA, = Manager
Courage=20 HANDI-HAM System
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN =20 55422

Toll-free membership renewal and donation line: = 1-866-426-3442=20 (1-866-HANDIHAM)
Voice: (763) 520-0512
FAX: (763) = 520-0577
E-Mail:=20 handiham@courage.org
Website: http://www.handiham.org

Subscribe to the free = weekly
HANDI-HAM E-Letter by sending an e-mail to handiham@mtn.org = with=20 "subscribe" in the subject line.  

To get on the = text-only=20 distribution list send mail=20 to: 
handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu  
with a = subject of=20 "subscribe". 

------=_NextPart_000_000C_01C37E00.47089370-- From handiham@mtn.org Thu Sep 18 17:17:46 2003 Received: from mail.infinetivity.com (mail01.mpls.mn.pixius.com [209.173.229.149]) by io.temples.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with ESMTP id h8ILHkF7009676 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 17:17:46 -0400 (EDT) Received: from Tiger (243-48-196-206.in-addr.infinetivity.com [206.196.48.243]) by mail.infinetivity.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with SMTP id h8ILIA8I005809 for ; Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:18:11 -0500 Reply-To: From: "Patrick Tice" To: "Eletter" Date: Thu, 18 Sep 2003 16:18:11 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0010_01C37E00.74381C80" X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) Importance: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Subject: [Handiham-list] Test 8: The Handiham E-Letter for September 17, 2003 Sender: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org Errors-To: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org X-BeenThere: handiham-list@handiham.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: The Handiham E-Letter List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0010_01C37E00.74381C80 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit The Handiham E-Letter for September 17, 2003 This is a weekly news & information update from Courage Center's Handiham System. Listen to the e-letter by visiting the Handi-Ham Audio page at handiham.org. Please do not reply to this letter. Use the contact information below. For subscribe/unsubscribe information, please see the bottom of the page. Hello, everyone. Recently I have been getting some questions about the HANDIHAM World newsletter, which comes out in print and audio formats three times each year. Well, it's supposed to come out three times each year, that is! The fact of the matter is that, like many nonprofits in these poor economic times, we are really stretched pretty thin. Thus, in 2003 we are saving money to use for other member services by publishing only two issues of the HANDIHAM World. Now, as 2004 approaches, I am wondering how we can serve you best with the news and information about the Courage Handiham System, amateur radio, Radio Camps, and assistive technology. Since we do the weekly e-letter, we are reaching more and more people with more news and information more quickly. On the other hand, most of our HANDIHAM World mailing list recipients still do not use email publications. We're contemplating going to only two printed HANDIHAM World issues a year, rather than three, which would not only save money in mailing costs and production, but would save valuable staff time. Right now each HANDIHAM World is eight pages long. Eight pages times three issues each year equals 24 pages total. A nice compromise might be to go to two 12 page issues, which would still be the same number of total pages but would save quite a lot of money in production and mailing costs. Naturally, readers would end up with the same amount of content, since the number of pages would be the same. Please tell me what you think. Questions? Drop me a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. Pat, WA0TDA -------------------------------------------------------------------- Hurricane net activates - from an ARRL bulletin: ARRL is reporting that the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz and WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center have announced plans to activate. The HWN will activate Wednesday, September 17, at 1400 UTC (10 AM EDT). The storm has been downgraded to a category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 MPH and higher gusts. "As the hurricane achieves initial landfall, the HWN will focus specifically on storm reports into and out of the immediately affected areas and into the forecast path of the storm," said HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP. WX4NHC will commence operations September 17 at 2200 UTC (6 PM EDT), according to Amateur Radio Coordinator John McHugh, KU4GY. Pilgrim requested that health-and-welfare traffic be directed to other nets set up for that purpose. The Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) plans to activate on 14.265 MHz on September 18 at 1400 UTC (10 AM EDT) to handle emergency and health-and-welfare traffic. This is a reminder that anytime there is an emergency such as this, the Handiham 20 meter net, which is on 14.265 MHz, always stands down for the SATERN net. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Weekly e-letter administration problems: Oh, oh, prepare for some whining, to follow immediately. As I have mentioned above, staff time is limited at HANDIHAM headquarters. In recent months, there have been more requests for assistance with the mailing of the weekly e-letter. There are variety of reasons why a subscriber might not get the e-letter or not be able to logon to www.handiham.org/members. These include providing us with the wrong e-mail address, failure to follow the subscription process properly, having the e-letter get trapped in a filtering system designed to remove junk mail, changing e-mail addresses without telling the e-letter robot or anyone at HANDIHAMS, and so on. Every week I get a bunch of returned e-mail because of bad addresses. Weeks or months later we will hear by telephone from these subscribers who are wondering why they do not receive the weekly e-letter. Well, duh! We really need to cut down on all of this extra work, so we urge you to keep your e-mail address information up-to-date with us at all times. Remember, you can subscribe and unsubscribe by following the directions at the end of the e-letter. If you are reading the text version, the entire process is automated. If the e-mail from us is being trapped in your filtering system, that is something you will have to take care of, either by adjusting your e-mail software rules or by contacting your Internet service provider. -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL "Logbook of the World" went live on September 15: ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW) system is a repository of log records submitted by users from around the world. When both participants in a QSO submit matching QSO records to LoTW, the result is a QSL that can be used for ARRL award credit. LoTW began operation on September 15, 2003. At Handihams, we are looking for blind users to test and report back to us on their success with this new system, which should greatly increase accessibility and efficiency in the entire QSL and contesting system. To minimize the chance of fraudulent submissions to LoTW, all QSO records must be digitally signed using a digital certificate obtained from ARRL. Obtaining such a certificate requires verification of the licensee's identity either through mail verification (US) or inspection by ARRL of required documentation (non-US). Software developed by ARRL can be used to convert a log file (in ADIF or Cabrillo file format) into a file of digitally signed QSO data, ready for submission to LoTW. We hope to hear from blind users who find specific logging software packages to their liking and who will share this information with us. We frequently get questions about easy, accessible logging software that can be used by blind hams. We have been pointing users to www.xmlog.com for W1ECT's freeware XMLog logging software. It does export in ADIF format and is thus compatible with LoTW! XMLog will work with late-model Windows versions, such as 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and XP. -------------------------------------------------------------------- KA1USA EchoLink tutorial is online in audio format: Are you a blind ham who is considering the use of EchoLink with a screenreader? You should check out Roger's excellent audio tutorial as he talks you through using EchoLink with JAWS. Find it at: http://www.echolink.org/EchoLinkAndScreenReaders.mp3. We are also looking for help with EchoLink when used with Window-Eyes. We have heard that EchoLink is not supported by this screenreader, and any users who can either confirm this or else tell how they have made Window-Eyes work with EchoLink are most welcome to share the info with us! For users whose disabilities prevent the use of a computer mouse, EchoLink can be completely controlled by keyboard commands. Isn't it nice when software authors consider the needs of everyone? Three cheers for EchoLink, and remember to check into the Monday night Handiham net at 24:00 GMT by searching for W1AFV and connecting! -------------------------------------------------------------------- Handiham tape pricing to be updated: We are in the process of updating the way we charge for audio tape copies. The new system will be $2 per cassette, with a minimum of $5 for an item that is either one or two tapes. This will greatly simplify our pricing structure. As you might guess, this nominal amount does not really cover production costs and the balance is made up through donations. Some prices will go down and others up under this new system. This does not affect the monthly audio digests or Handiham World tapes, which are always free to members with disabilities. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Trading Post: We are still looking for VS-1 voice chips or any gear that is accessible to blind hams. If you can donate, please give us a call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442 or email us at handiham@courage.org. Do you have an item for the trading post? Drop us a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Now it's time to "ask Elmer"! Dear Elmer, I was on EchoLink the other day talking station to station. I know when you are on a link or repeater you should identify your station every ten minutes & at the end of the contact. What about station to station? Because this isn't a repeater or link do the same rules apply? Thank you, Blake, KA5POW. Elmer says: Strictly speaking, unless you are speaking over a link that includes an on-the-air component, you do not need to identify in the usual way. But the problem with deviating from the usual identification procedure is that you may not necessarily know when there is an on-the-air user joining you! I strongly recommend that standard identification be used at all times, even on EchoLink connections that do not use the airwaves, so that you will stay in the habit of identifying your station legally, and so that you do in fact always stay legal if there should be an on-the-air link that you had not realized was there. Besides, it is simply good operating procedure (and the courteous thing to do) to stick with known and accepted standards of station identification. Elmer's e-mail address is elmer@handiham.org. You can e-mail Elmer with your questions, which he may or may not answer here, but it's worth a try. -------------------------------------------------------------------- RekkyTec Links: ARRL Logbook of the World website and download page: http://www.arrl.org/lotw/ ARRL Logbook of the World frequently asked questions (FAQ): http://www.arrl.org/lotw/faq.html SATERN North American Command: http://satern.org EchoLink: www.echolink.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Submit a Ham Radio Event for our October Events Page by e-mailing Laurie at n1yxu@arrl.net. Laurie has posted the September events, which you can find on www.handiham.org in the events section of the left sidebar navigation. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Courage Programs: http://www.couragecamps.org/programs.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL is the premier organization supporting and promoting the Amateur Radio service, both in the United States and worldwide. At Handi-Hams, we believe that the ARRL deserves the support of our members. In fact, we will help our members who cannot read regular print to fill out and submit their League memberships. For assistance, please e-mail the Handi-Ham Secretary, Nancy: hamradio@courage.org. www.arrl.org -------------------------------------------------------------------- Best 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System! Pat, WA0TDA Manager, Courage Handi-Ham System The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handi-Ham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone in a choice of formats. This page provides instructions for subscribing to the text-only version. Other versions are audio and HTML, which has pictures and diagrams. You may also request a large print version. To subscribe or unsubscribe to the HTML version of the e-letter, send an e-mail to me at wa0tda@arrl.net and let me know what you want. This is not an automated service, so you will not get an immediate confirmation, but you do get personal service instead, and that's better anyway. To get on the text-only distribution list send mail to: handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu with a subject of "subscribe". For help with subscribing or unsubscribing to the text version, send mail to: handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu with a subject of "help". If you have problems subscribing, please let us know. ------=_NextPart_000_0010_01C37E00.74381C80 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
 

The Handiham E-Letter for September 17,=20 2003

This=20 is a weekly news & information update from Courage = Center's=20 Handiham System. 3Dspeaker=20Listen=20 to the e-letter by visiting the Handi-Ham Audio page at=20 handiham.org. Please do not reply to this letter.  = Use the=20 contact information below. For subscribe/unsubscribe = information,=20 please see the bottom of the page. =  

Hello, everyone. 

3D"Handiham

Recently I have been getting some = questions=20 about the HANDIHAM World newsletter, which comes out in = print and=20 audio formats three times each year.  Well, it's = supposed to=20 come out three times each year, that is!  The fact of = the=20 matter is that, like many nonprofits in these poor economic = times,=20 we are really stretched pretty thin.  Thus, in 2003 we = are=20 saving money to use for other member services by publishing = only two=20 issues of the HANDIHAM World.  Now, as 2004 approaches, = I am=20 wondering how we can serve you best with the news and = information=20 about the Courage Handiham System, amateur radio, Radio = Camps, and=20 assistive technology.  Since we do the weekly e-letter, = we are=20 reaching more and more people with more news and information = more=20 quickly.  On the other hand, most of our HANDIHAM World = mailing=20 list recipients still do not use email publications.  = We're=20 contemplating going to only two printed HANDIHAM World = issues a=20 year, rather than three, which would not only save money in = mailing=20 costs and production, but would save valuable staff = time. =20 Right now each HANDIHAM World is eight pages long.  = Eight pages=20 times three issues each year equals 24 pages total.  A = nice=20 compromise might be to go to two 12 page issues, which would = still=20 be the same number of total pages but would save quite a lot = of=20 money in production and mailing costs.  Naturally, = readers=20 would end up with the same amount of content, since the = number of=20 pages would be the same. Please tell me what you = think.

Questions? Drop me a line at wa0tda@arrl.net.

Pat, WA0TDA

Hurricane net activates - from an = ARRL=20 bulletin:

3D"ARRLARRL is reporting that = the Hurricane=20 Watch Net (HWN) on 14.325 MHz and WX4NHC at the National = Hurricane=20 Center have announced plans to activate. The HWN will = activate=20 Wednesday, September 17, at 1400 UTC (10 AM EDT). The storm = has been=20 downgraded to a category 2 hurricane with winds of 105 MPH = and=20 higher gusts.

"As the hurricane achieves initial = landfall, the=20 HWN will focus specifically on storm reports into and out of = the=20 immediately affected areas and into the forecast path of the = storm,"=20 said HWN Manager Mike Pilgrim, K5MP. WX4NHC will commence = operations=20 September 17 at 2200 UTC (6 PM EDT), according to Amateur = Radio=20 Coordinator John McHugh, KU4GY.

Pilgrim requested that = health-and-welfare=20 traffic be directed to other nets set up for that purpose. = The=20 Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) plans = to=20 activate on 14.265 MHz on September 18 at 1400 UTC (10 AM = EDT) to=20 handle emergency and health-and-welfare traffic.

This is a reminder = that anytime=20 there is an emergency such as this, the Handiham 20 meter = net, which=20 is on 14.265 MHz, always stands down for the SATERN=20 net.

Weekly e-letter administration=20 problems:

3D"madOh, oh, prepare for some whining, to = follow=20 immediately. As I have mentioned above, staff time is = limited at=20 HANDIHAM headquarters.  In recent months, there have = been more=20 requests for assistance with the mailing of the weekly=20 e-letter.  There are variety of reasons why a = subscriber might=20 not get the e-letter or not be able to logon to www.handiham.org/members.   These include providing us with = the wrong=20 e-mail address, failure to follow the subscription process = properly,=20 having the e-letter get trapped in a filtering system = designed to=20 remove junk mail, changing e-mail addresses without telling = the=20 e-letter robot or anyone at HANDIHAMS, and so on.  = Every week I=20 get a bunch of returned e-mail because of bad = addresses.  Weeks=20 or months later we will hear by telephone from these = subscribers who=20 are wondering why they do not receive the weekly = e-letter. =20 Well, duh!  We really need to cut down on all of this = extra=20 work, so we urge you to keep your e-mail address information = up-to-date with us at all times.  Remember, you can = subscribe=20 and unsubscribe by following the directions at the end of = the=20 e-letter.  If you are reading the text version, the = entire=20 process is automated.  If the e-mail from us is being = trapped=20 in your filtering system, that is something you will have to = take=20 care of, either by adjusting your e-mail software rules or = by=20 contacting your Internet service = provider. 

3D"ARRLARRL "Logbook of the World" went = live on=20 September 15:

ARRL's Logbook of the World (LoTW) = system is a=20 repository of log records submitted by users from around the = world.=20 When both participants in a QSO submit matching QSO records = to LoTW,=20 the result is a QSL that can be used for ARRL award credit. = LoTW=20 began operation on September 15, 2003. At Handihams, we are = looking=20 for blind users to test and report back to us on their = success with=20 this new system, which should greatly increase accessibility = and=20 efficiency in the entire QSL and contesting = system. 

To minimize the chance of fraudulent = submissions=20 to LoTW, all QSO records must be digitally signed using a = digital=20 certificate obtained from ARRL. Obtaining such a certificate = requires verification of the licensee's identity either = through mail=20 verification (US) or inspection by ARRL of required = documentation=20 (non-US).

Software developed by ARRL can be used = to=20 convert a log file (in ADIF or Cabrillo file format) into a = file of=20 digitally signed QSO data, ready for submission to = LoTW.  We=20 hope to hear from blind users who find specific logging = software=20 packages to their liking and who will share this information = with=20 us.

We frequently get questions about = easy,=20 accessible logging software that can be used by blind hams. = We have=20 been pointing users to www.xmlog.com for = W1ECT's=20 freeware XMLog logging software. It does export in ADIF = format and=20 is thus compatible with LoTW! XMLog will work with = late-model=20 Windows versions, such as 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000 and=20 XP. 

KA1USA EchoLink tutorial is online = in audio=20 format: 

3D"EchoLink

Are you a blind ham who is considering = the use=20 of EchoLink with a screenreader? You should check out = Roger's=20 excellent audio tutorial as he talks you through using = EchoLink with=20 JAWS. Find it at: 
http://www.echolink.org/EchoLinkAndScreenReaders.mp3<= /A>.

We are also looking for help with = EchoLink when=20 used with Window-Eyes. We have heard that EchoLink is not = supported=20 by this screenreader, and any users who can either confirm = this or=20 else tell how they have made Window-Eyes work with EchoLink = are most=20 welcome to share the info with us!

For users whose disabilities prevent = the use of=20 a computer mouse, EchoLink can be completely controlled by = keyboard=20 commands. Isn't it nice when software authors consider the = needs of=20 everyone?  Three cheers for EchoLink, and remember to = check=20 into the Monday night Handiham net at 24:00 GMT by searching = for=20 W1AFV and connecting! 

Handiham tape pricing to be=20 updated:

3DcassetteWe are in the process = of updating=20 the way we charge for audio tape copies. The new system will = be $2=20 per cassette, with a minimum of $5 for an item that is = either one or=20 two tapes. This will greatly simplify our pricing structure. = As you=20 might guess, this nominal amount does not really cover = production=20 costs and the balance is made up through donations. Some = prices will=20 go down and others up under this new system. This does not = affect=20 the monthly audio digests or Handiham World tapes, which are = always=20 free to members with disabilities.

Trading Post:

3D"logWe are still looking = for VS-1 voice=20 chips or any gear that is accessible to blind hams. If you = can=20 donate, please give us a call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442 or = email=20 us at handiham@courage.org. 

Do you have an item for the trading = post? =20 Drop us a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. 

Now it's time to "ask Elmer"!=20  

3DIdea=20

Dear Elmer,

I was on EchoLink the other day = talking=20 station to station. I know when you are on a link or = repeater you=20 should identify your station every ten minutes & at the = end of=20 the contact. What about station to station? Because this = isn't a=20 repeater or link do the same rules = apply? 

Thank you, Blake, KA5POW.

Elmer says:

Strictly speaking, unless you are = speaking over=20 a link that includes an on-the-air component, you do not = need to=20 identify in the usual way. But the problem with deviating = from the=20 usual identification procedure is that you may not = necessarily know=20 when there is an on-the-air user joining you! I strongly = recommend=20 that standard identification be used at all times, even on = EchoLink=20 connections that do not use the airwaves, so that you will = stay in=20 the habit of identifying your station legally, and so that = you do in=20 fact always stay legal if there should be an on-the-air link = that=20 you had not realized was there. Besides, it is simply good = operating=20 procedure (and the courteous thing to do) to stick with = known and=20 accepted standards of station identification.

Elmer's e-mail address is  = elmer@handiham.org. You can=20 e-mail Elmer with your questions, which he may or may not = answer=20 here, but it's worth a try. 

RekkyTec=20 Links:

3D"RekkyTec

ARRL Logbook of the World website = and=20 download page: 
http://www.arrl.org/lotw/  

ARRL Logbook of the World = frequently asked=20 questions (FAQ): 
http://www.arrl.org/lotw/faq.html 

SATERN North American=20 Command: 
http://satern.org  

EchoLink: 
www.echolink.org 

Submit a Ham Radio Event for our = October=20 Events Page by e-mailing Laurie at n1yxu@arrl.net. = Laurie has=20 posted the September events, = which you=20 can find on www.handiham.org = in the=20 events section of the left sidebar = navigation.

Camp Courage = Programs: 
http://www.couragecamps.org/programs.htm 

3D"ARRLARRL is the = premier=20 organization supporting and promoting the Amateur Radio = service,=20 both in the United States and worldwide. At Handi-Hams, we = believe=20 that the ARRL deserves the support of our members. In fact, = we will=20 help our members who cannot read regular print to fill out = and=20 submit their League memberships.  For assistance, = please e-mail=20 the Handi-Ham Secretary, Nancy: hamradio@courage.org.  = ;=20

www.arrl.org  =20  

Best 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham = System!=20

Pat,=20 WA0TDA =  
Manager, Courage=20 Handi-Ham System  

The weekly e-letter is a = compilation of=20 software tips, operating information, and Handi-Ham = news.  It=20 is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone in = a choice=20 of formats. This page provides instructions for subscribing = to the=20 text-only version. Other versions are audio and HTML, which = has=20 pictures and diagrams. You may also request a large print = version.=20 To subscribe or unsubscribe to the HTML version of the=20 e-letter, send an e-mail to me at wa0tda@arrl.net  and let=20 me know what you want.  This is not an automated = service, so=20 you will not get an immediate confirmation, but you do get = personal=20 service instead, and that's better anyway. To get on the text-only distribution list send = mail=20 to: 
handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu  
with a subject of=20 "subscribe".  = For help with subscribing or unsubscribing to = the text=20 version, send mail to: 
handiham-request@cs.vassar.edu  
with a subject of "help". = If = you have=20 problems subscribing, please let us = know. 


------=_NextPart_000_0010_01C37E00.74381C80-- From handiham@mtn.org Wed Sep 24 14:29:26 2003 Received: from mail.infinetivity.com (mail01.mpls.mn.pixius.com [209.173.229.149]) by io.temples.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with ESMTP id h8OITMF7001570 for ; Wed, 24 Sep 2003 14:29:23 -0400 (EDT) Received: from Tiger (101-48-196-206.in-addr.infinetivity.com [206.196.48.101]) by mail.infinetivity.com (8.12.1/8.12.1) with SMTP id h8OITmls002778 for ; Wed, 24 Sep 2003 13:29:49 -0500 Reply-To: From: "Patrick Tice" To: "Eletter" Date: Wed, 24 Sep 2003 13:29:52 -0500 Message-ID: MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/related; boundary="----=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3829F.EF46EE80" X-Priority: 3 (Normal) X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook IMO, Build 9.0.2416 (9.0.2911.0) X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1165 Importance: Normal Subject: [Handiham-list] The Handi-Ham E-Letter for September 24, 2003 Sender: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org Errors-To: handiham-list-admin@handiham.org X-BeenThere: handiham-list@handiham.org X-Mailman-Version: 2.0.8 Precedence: bulk List-Help: List-Post: List-Subscribe: , List-Id: The Handiham E-Letter List-Unsubscribe: , List-Archive: This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0000_01C3829F.EF46EE80 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="----=_NextPart_001_0001_01C3829F.EF487520" ------=_NextPart_001_0001_01C3829F.EF487520 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit 09-24-2003 This is a weekly news & information update from Courage Center's Handiham System. Listen to the e-letter by visiting the Handi-Ham Audio page at handiham.org. Please do not reply to this letter. Use the contact information below. For subscribe/unsubscribe information, please see the bottom of the page. Hello, everyone. This is a special issue of the weekly e-letter, since it is the first edition being mailed out via our new handiham.org mailman automated list. In order to improve reliability and allow readers complete control over how they receive this e-letter, we had to completely rebuild the mailing system. What got all this started was several reports that people were not getting their weekly e-letter in plain text format. I knew that these same people had asked me to subscribe their e-mail addresses to the list, and I knew that I had done so. What could be wrong? Well, to my surprise and dismay, I found that the plain text e-mail robot had been malfunctioning since mid June, and had quit accepting subscription notices. The bad thing was that it didn't tell me that it wasn't working by rejecting subscription requests, so as far as I knew everything was fine. Now I have a real mess to figure out: who tried to subscribe after mid June and who was subscribed before mid June? Thankfully, the HTML version of the e-letter was never affected by this problem, so it was easy to convert over to the new system. This week, the e-letter will be sent to the new mailing system as well as the old plain text system, but the old HTML system will not be used from this point forward. In the next week or two, I hope to figure out the plain text version and how to get it converted. The new system allows readers to choose either plain text or HTML by getting a Digest version. Users can also stop the mailing whenever they go on vacation, then start it up again all on their own. It is easy to subscribe and unsubscribe when you change e-mail addresses. There is a new administration page right on the handiham.org website: http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-list Some of you may have noticed a welcome message from the new mailing system. This is perfectly normal, even though you have not used the link above, since I converted all the HTML subscribers to the new system already, and it automatically generates welcome messages. Those of you on the plain text system can either use the link above to subscribe or you can wait for me to change the system at which time you will receive the automated welcome message. Undoubtedly there will be some mistakes made, so I ask for your patience. If you should start receiving two mailings instead of just one, look at where the mailing is coming from and unsubscribe from the old list, not the new one! Since the automated list sends you a computer-generated password, you should save the welcome message so that you can refer to it later if you need to find your password. Don't worry, though, since the new system will remind you periodically about your password automatically. Incidentally, this is not the same password that is used in the HANDIHAM members-only website login. A very special thanks to ARRL EMA Section Manager Phil Temples, K9HI, for setting up this new system for us. Questions? Drop me a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. Pat, WA0TDA -------------------------------------------------------------------- Broadband Internet on the farm: There's been a lot of talk about broadband Internet service and the proposal now before the FCC to provide it over power lines. The problem with broadband Internet technologies is that it is like the "wild west" out there, with many competing systems and very little coordination. Some companies are committed to serving only people who live in metropolitan areas, where DSL telephone lines are available or where cable television service can carry the broadband Internet signal. If you live outside one of these areas you are out of luck and are pretty much stuck using an old-fashioned dial-up connection for your Internet service. Of course there are satellite alternatives, but they tend to be really expensive and the delay you experience as the signal travels to and from the satellite can be somewhat disconcerting! Thankfully, help is on the way in the form of wireless broadband capability that does not use power lines with their potential to interfere with amateur radio HF operations. In the upcoming addition of the fall/winter HANDIHAM World newsletter, Handiham volunteer Lyle Koehler, K0LR, will report on a new system that is working well for him even though he lives far from any city in a very rural area. Watch for the next issue in about a month. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Rohn Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy: From ARRLWeb, NEWINGTON, CT, Sep 22, 2003. Rohn Industries has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The best-known manufacturer of tower and tower hardware for the Amateur Radio community, the Peoria, Illinois-based company also manufactures towers, antenna support structures and "infrastructure equipment" for the telecommunications industry. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Window-Eyes and EchoLink - We get a report from KC8LAU: I'm a Window-Eyes user. I haven't had any problems with basic use of EchoLink. I sometimes use the keyboard shortcuts and other times I use options via the menus. They all display well. I'm not sure if anyone has been sending me text messages. That may be a problem with Window-Eyes. Also, it doesn't read the available EchoLink stations to connect to, or who else is connected to the station. I'm not an expert Window-Eyes user when it comes to manipulating the physical mouse, but all in all, Window-Eyes does a fine job. I have no problem connecting, chatting and disconnecting. Maybe users can write to GW Micro and see if they can be persuaded come up with some set files. I wasn't big on EchoLink at first, but now I like it. I have a good friend in Kentucky who lives near a repeater which has EchoLink. It is nice being able to hook up with him. It certainly beats running up the long distance phone bill. I've also been connecting to different EchoLink stations around the globe. (This was Jerry's first report. Now read on and see what happened next.) Last week I wrote you telling you about how well EchoLink works with Window-Eyes. Since then I upgraded to the latest version of EchoLink. For some reason Window-Eyes did not read the shortcut key strokes next to the different items in the menu. The one I use most is in the station menu. Sometimes I forget to hit the space bar to end the QSO or I just didn't hit it hard enough. In those cases I'd quickly open up the station menu drop down. If I still had a live microphone, so to speak, "tab" would have a check mark next to it and Window-Eyes would read it. Maybe the new version of EchoLink doesn't have the short cut key strokes. Fortunately the EchoLink download page gives you the option of installing a previous version. I went into the control panel and removed that version and re-installed the previous one. It works great again. 73, Jerry, KC8LAU -------------------------------------------------------------------- Log book of the world article to be available in audio: QST Magazine for October, 2003 is featuring an article introducing the new Logbook of the World. Avery, K0HLA, reports that he has received the N1BLF recording of this article along with other QST Digest articles for blind members, and he is producing and mailing out the tapes this week. We plan to keep the article available as a separate audio offering for our blind members, since this new way of logging is blind-accessible. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Extra online? Would an Extra Class course for HANDIHAM members offered online be a good idea? We know from experience that most hams upgrading from General or Advanced licenses usually study at home on their own. Starting this week HANDIHAMS has the ARRL Extra Class license manual in special four-track format, but is there is a need for some extra help? Perhaps it would be a good idea to offer some assistance online. What you think? Maybe we can get an Extra Class course or forum going for our Internet-connected members! -------------------------------------------------------------------- HANDIHAMS getting new tape recorder: On the recommendation of one of our blind volunteers, we have decided to acquire a new four-track cassette tape recorder from APH in Louisville, Kentucky. As you know, we offer study materials and books in four-track format, so it is necessary to have equipment at Handiham headquarters to both record and listen to this format. Several years ago, we lost the capability of making quality four-track recordings when one of our machines failed. Since that time we have been farming out all of the file conversions to volunteers. We will still do that, but now at least we will have a decent machine to make minor corrections and smaller conversions from other audio formats as the need arises. Another exciting new development is that we will have a new volunteer coming in to work on the tape library, helping staff to keep things organized and up-to-date. We will give you more news about the tape library in a future edition of the weekly e-letter. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Trading Post: We are still looking for VS-1 voice chips or any gear that is accessible to blind hams. If you can donate, please give us a call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442 or email us at handiham@courage.org. Do you have an item for the trading post? Drop us a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Now it's time to "ask Elmer"! Dear Elmer, The magnet in my two-meter mobile antenna came apart at the base. Can I re-glue the magnet back in it and what type of glue should I use if this is possible? Gary, KB2YAA Elmer says: Do you know what? This exact same thing happened to my two meter/70 cm magnet mount antenna! I had found a cheap miniature mag-mount dual band mobile antenna at a local hamfest. It had a small, round magnet in the base, a thin black radiator, and miniature coaxial cable with an SMA fitting. It would be perfect for use with my Yaesu HT whenever I went mobile in the XYL's car, which didn't have a mobile rig. The tiny coaxial cable easily fit through the back door gasket on the Honda, and it was long enough to easily reach the front seat and allow plenty of room to use the Yaesu. The problem showed up on a hot day during the summer when the Honda was parked in the driveway outside with the sun beating on the roof. For some reason, I decided to remove the antenna, and when I went to pull it off, the body of the antenna pulled away from the magnet and the magnet stayed on the roof of the car. It was time for some repair work! Back down my basement shop, I looked over several types of glue. One thing was for sure: there would be no other way to repair this antenna except to use glue. That was how the magnet had originally been secured and there was definitely no mechanical alternative in the tiny, molded antenna base. Hot glue and water soluble adhesives were definitely "out", since the roof of the car would be exposed to both high heat and plenty of water. Contact cement was a possibility, but I rejected it because it requires you to put a coating on both surfaces, and the base of the antenna didn't have much room to spare for a double coating of adhesive. I settled on one of those "super glue" products, since it required only a single coating, is water and heat resistant, and has a very watery, thin consistency. I dribbled a healthy coating around the bottom of the antenna base, then carefully inserted the round magnet. With this kind of adhesive, you need to apply pretty good pressure for the short time it takes to set. You have to be very careful not to get any on your fingers, since it is capable of sticking very well to your skin. Once I felt the magnet was secure, I let the whole mess sit on the work bench for a couple of days. Then I put the antenna back on top of the Honda and tested its holding capability on a hot day. It passed the test, and the same antenna was used for a long road trip with no problems in all! Elmer's e-mail address is elmer@handiham.org. You can e-mail Elmer with your questions, which he may or may not answer here, but it's worth a try. -------------------------------------------------------------------- RekkyTec Links: Net-By-Phone announces local access numbers: WA0CAF has informed us that the Net-By-Phone service now has local access telephone numbers. Call 1-877-NET-BY-PHONE (1-877-638-2974) to find out if they have local access available in your area. The Net-By-Phone service allows you to get and send e-mail without a computer. All you need is a telephone. EchoLink: www.echolink.org BBC online: I don't know about you, but before I became an amateur radio operator my first interest was shortwave listening. The BBC had one of the biggest signals around, and even though they no longer broadcast to North America, you can easily hear their Caribbean broadcast. Another alternative is to visit the BBC online at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/. One of the things I remember about the old BBC was that it was always strictly proper, a good source for news but not always a lot of fun. Well, that has all changed with the advent of the excellent BBC web site. Following a tip from Discover Magazine, I located the BBC's science section and found a really fun downloadable theremin, a weird electronic musical instrument: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/playground/theremin1.shtml -------------------------------------------------------------------- Submit a Ham Radio Event for our October Events Page by e-mailing Laurie at n1yxu@arrl.net. Laurie has posted the September events, which you can find on www.handiham.org in the events section of the left sidebar navigation. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Camp Courage Programs: http://www.couragecamps.org/programs.htm -------------------------------------------------------------------- ARRL is the premier organization supporting and promoting the Amateur Radio service, both in the United States and worldwide. At Handi-Hams, we believe that the ARRL deserves the support of our members. In fact, we will help our members who cannot read regular print to fill out and submit their League memberships. For assistance, please e-mail the Handi-Ham Secretary, Nancy: hamradio@courage.org. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Best 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System! Pat, WA0TDA Manager, Courage Handi-Ham System The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handi-Ham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone in a choice of formats. To administer your subscription, go to: http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-list If you have any problems subscribing, changing information, or unsubscribing, please e-mail wa0tda@handiham.org. ------=_NextPart_001_0001_01C3829F.EF487520 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
09-24-2003

This is=20 a weekly news & information update from Courage Center's = Handiham System. 3Dspeaker=20Listen=20 to the e-letter by visiting the Handi-Ham Audio page at=20 handiham.org. Please do not reply to this letter.  = Use the=20 contact information below. For subscribe/unsubscribe = information,=20 please see the bottom of the page. =  

Hello,=20 everyone. 

3D"Handiham

This is a special issue of the weekly = e-letter,=20 since it is the first edition being mailed out via our new=20 handiham.org mailman automated list.  In order to = improve=20 reliability and allow readers complete control over how they = receive=20 this e-letter, we had to completely rebuild the mailing=20 system.  What got all this started was several reports = that=20 people were not getting their weekly e-letter in plain text=20 format.  I knew that these same people had asked me to=20 subscribe their e-mail addresses to the list, and I knew = that I had=20 done so.  What could be wrong?  Well, to my = surprise and=20 dismay, I found that the plain text e-mail robot had been=20 malfunctioning since mid June, and had quit accepting = subscription=20 notices.  The bad thing was that it didn't tell me that = it=20 wasn't working by rejecting subscription requests, so as far = as I=20 knew everything was fine.  Now I have a real mess to = figure=20 out: who tried to subscribe after mid June and who was = subscribed=20 before mid June?  Thankfully, the HTML version of the = e-letter=20 was never affected by this problem, so it was easy to = convert over=20 to the new system.  This week, the e-letter will be = sent to the=20 new mailing system as well as the old plain text system, but = the old=20 HTML system will not be used from this point forward.  = In the=20 next week or two, I hope to figure out the plain text = version and=20 how to get it converted.  The new system allows readers = to=20 choose either plain text or HTML by getting a Digest = version. =20 Users can also stop the mailing whenever they go on = vacation, then=20 start it up again all on their own.  It is easy to = subscribe=20 and unsubscribe when you change e-mail addresses.  = There is a=20 new administration page right on the3D"mad handiham.org website:

http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-list 

Some of you may have noticed a welcome = message=20 from the new mailing system.  This is perfectly normal, = even=20 though you have not used the link above, since I converted = all the=20 HTML subscribers to the new system already, and it = automatically=20 generates welcome messages.  Those of you on the plain = text=20 system can either use the link above to subscribe or you can = wait=20 for me to change the system at which time you will receive = the=20 automated welcome message.  Undoubtedly there will be = some=20 mistakes made, so I ask for your patience.  If you = should start=20 receiving two mailings instead of just one, look at where = the=20 mailing is coming from and unsubscribe from the old list, = not the=20 new one! Since the automated list sends you a = computer-generated=20 password, you should save the welcome message so that you = can refer=20 to it later if you need to find your password.  Don't = worry,=20 though, since the new system will remind you periodically = about your=20 password automatically.  Incidentally, this is not the = same=20 password that is used in the HANDIHAM members-only website=20 login.

A very special thanks to ARRL EMA = Section=20 Manager Phil Temples, K9HI, for setting up this new system = for=20 us.

Questions? Drop me a line at wa0tda@arrl.net.

Pat, = WA0TDA

Broadband Internet on the=20 farm:

There's been a lot of talk about = broadband=20 Internet service and the proposal now before the FCC to = provide it=20 over power lines.  The problem with broadband Internet=20 technologies is that it is like the "wild west" out there, = with many=20 competing systems and very little coordination. Some = companies are=20 committed to serving only people who live in metropolitan = areas,=20 where DSL telephone lines are available or where cable = television=20 service can carry the broadband Internet signal.  If = you live=20 outside one of these areas you are out of luck and are = pretty much=20 stuck using an old-fashioned dial-up connection for your = Internet=20 service.  Of course there are satellite alternatives, = but they=20 tend to be really expensive and the delay you experience as = the=20 signal travels to and from the satellite can be somewhat=20 disconcerting!  Thankfully, help is on the way in the = form of=20 wireless broadband capability that does not use power lines = with=20 their potential to interfere with amateur radio HF = operations. =20 In the upcoming addition of the fall/winter HANDIHAM World=20 newsletter, Handiham volunteer Lyle Koehler, K0LR, will = report on a=20 new system that is working well for him even though he lives = far=20 from any city in a very rural area. Watch for the next issue = in=20 about a month.

Rohn Files for Chapter 11=20 Bankruptcy:

From ARRLWeb, NEWINGTON, = CT, Sep=20 22, 2003. Rohn Industries has filed a voluntary petition for = Chapter=20 11 bankruptcy. The best-known manufacturer of tower and = tower=20 hardware for the Amateur Radio community, the Peoria, = Illinois-based=20 company also manufactures towers, antenna support structures = and=20 "infrastructure equipment" for the telecommunications=20 industry.

Window-Eyes and EchoLink - We get a = report=20 from KC8LAU:

I'm a Window-Eyes user. I haven't had = any=20 problems with basic use of EchoLink. I sometimes use the = keyboard=20 shortcuts and other times I use options via the menus. They = all=20 display well. I'm not sure if anyone has been sending me = text=20 messages. That may be a problem with Window-Eyes. Also, it = doesn't=20 read the available EchoLink stations to connect to, or who = else is=20 connected to the station. I'm not an expert Window-Eyes user = when it=20 comes to manipulating the physical mouse, but all in all,=20 Window-Eyes does a fine job. I have no problem connecting, = chatting=20 and disconnecting. Maybe users can write to GW Micro and see = if they=20 can be persuaded come up with some set files. I wasn't big = on=20 EchoLink at first, but now I like it. I have a good friend = in=20 Kentucky who lives near a repeater which has EchoLink. It is = nice=20 being able to hook up with him. It certainly beats running = up the=20 long distance phone bill. I've also been connecting to = different=20 EchoLink stations around the globe. (This was Jerry's first=20 report.  Now read on and see what happened = next.)

Last week I wrote you telling you = about how well=20 EchoLink works with Window-Eyes. Since then I upgraded to = the latest=20 version of EchoLink. For some reason Window-Eyes did not = read the=20 shortcut key strokes next to the different items in the = menu. The=20 one I use most is in the station menu. Sometimes I forget to = hit the=20 space bar to end the QSO or I just didn't hit it hard = enough. In=20 those cases I'd quickly open up the station menu drop down. = If I=20 still had a live microphone, so to speak, "tab" would have a = check=20 mark next to it and Window-Eyes would read it. Maybe the new = version=20 of EchoLink doesn't have the short cut key strokes. = Fortunately the=20 EchoLink download page gives you the option of installing a = previous=20 version. I went into the control panel and removed that = version and=20 re-installed the previous one. It works great=20 again. 

73,  
Jerry, = KC8LAU

Log book of the world article to be = available=20 in audio:

QST Magazine for October, 2003 is = featuring an=20 article introducing the new Logbook of the World. Avery, = K0HLA,=20 reports that he has received the N1BLF recording of this = article=20 along with other QST Digest articles for blind members, and = he is=20 producing and mailing out the tapes this week.  We plan = to keep=20 the article available as a separate audio offering for our = blind=20 members, since this new way of logging is=20 blind-accessible.

Extra online?

Would an Extra Class course for = HANDIHAM members=20 offered online be a good idea?  We know from experience = that=20 most hams upgrading from General or Advanced licenses = usually study=20 at home on their own.  Starting this week HANDIHAMS has = the=20 ARRL Extra Class license manual in special four-track = format, but is=20 there is a need for some extra help?  Perhaps it would = be a=20 good idea to offer some assistance online.  What you=20 think?  Maybe we can get an Extra Class course or forum = going=20 for our Internet-connected members!

HANDIHAMS getting new tape=20 recorder:

3DcassetteOn the recommendation of one of our = blind=20 volunteers, we have decided to acquire a new four-track = cassette=20 tape recorder from APH in Louisville, Kentucky.  As you = know,=20 we offer study materials and books in four-track format, so = it is=20 necessary to have equipment at Handiham headquarters to both = record=20 and listen to this format.  Several years ago, we lost = the=20 capability of making quality four-track recordings when one = of our=20 machines failed.  Since that time we have been farming = out all=20 of the file conversions to volunteers.  We will still = do that,=20 but now at least we will have a decent machine to make minor = corrections and smaller conversions from other audio formats = as the=20 need arises.  Another exciting new development is that = we will=20 have a new volunteer coming in to work on the tape library, = helping=20 staff to keep things organized and up-to-date.  We will = give=20 you more news about the tape library in a future edition of = the=20 weekly e-letter.

Trading Post:

3D"logWe are still looking for VS-1 voice = chips or any=20 gear that is accessible to blind hams. If you can donate, = please=20 give us a call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442 or email us at = handiham@courage.org. 

Do you have an item for the trading = post? =20 Drop us a line at wa0tda@arrl.net. 

Now it's time to "ask Elmer"!=20  

3DIdea=20

Dear Elmer,

The magnet in my two-meter mobile = antenna=20 came apart at the base. Can I re-glue the magnet back in it = and what=20 type of glue should I use if this is = possible? 

Gary, KB2YAA

Elmer says:

Do you know what?  This exact = same thing=20 happened to my two meter/70 cm magnet mount antenna!  I = had=20 found a cheap miniature mag-mount dual band mobile antenna = at a=20 local hamfest.  It had a small, round magnet in the = base, a=20 thin black radiator, and miniature coaxial cable with an SMA = fitting.  It would be perfect for use with my Yaesu HT = whenever=20 I went mobile in the XYL's car, which didn't have a mobile = rig. The=20 tiny coaxial cable easily fit through the back door gasket = on the=20 Honda, and it was long enough to easily reach the front seat = and=20 allow plenty of room to use the Yaesu. The problem showed up = on a=20 hot day during the summer when the Honda was parked in the = driveway=20 outside with the sun beating on the roof.  For some = reason, I=20 decided to remove the antenna, and when I went to pull it = off, the=20 body of the antenna pulled away from the magnet and the = magnet=20 stayed on the roof of the car.  It was time for some = repair=20 work!

Back down my basement shop, I looked = over=20 several types of glue. One thing was for sure: there would = be no=20 other way to repair this antenna except to use glue.  = That was=20 how the magnet had originally been secured and there was = definitely=20 no mechanical alternative in the tiny, molded antenna = base. =20 Hot glue and water soluble adhesives were definitely "out", = since=20 the roof of the car would be exposed to both high heat and = plenty of=20 water.  Contact cement was a possibility, but I = rejected it=20 because it requires you to put a coating on both surfaces, = and the=20 base of the antenna didn't have much room to spare for a = double=20 coating of adhesive.  I settled on one of those "super = glue"=20 products, since it required only a single coating, is water = and heat=20 resistant, and has a very watery, thin consistency.  I = dribbled=20 a healthy coating around the bottom of the antenna base, = then=20 carefully inserted the round magnet.  With this kind of = adhesive, you need to apply pretty good pressure for the = short time=20 it takes to set.  You have to be very careful not to = get any on=20 your fingers, since it is capable of sticking very well to = your=20 skin.  Once I felt the magnet was secure, I let the = whole mess=20 sit on the work bench for a couple of days.  Then I put = the=20 antenna back on top of the Honda and tested its holding = capability=20 on a hot day.  It passed the test, and the same antenna = was=20 used for a long road trip with no problems in = all!

Elmer's e-mail address is  = elmer@handiham.org. You can=20 e-mail Elmer with your questions, which he may or may not = answer=20 here, but it's worth a try. 

RekkyTec=20 Links:

3D"RekkyTec

Net-By-Phone announces local access = numbers:

WA0CAF has informed us that the = Net-By-Phone=20 service now has local access telephone numbers. Call=20 1-877-NET-BY-PHONE (1-877-638-2974) to find out if they have = local=20 access available in your area. The Net-By-Phone service = allows you=20 to get and send e-mail without a computer.  All you = need is a=20 telephone.

EchoLink: 
www.echolink.org 

BBC online: I don't know about you, = but=20 before I became an amateur radio operator my first interest = was=20 shortwave listening.  The BBC had one of the biggest = signals=20 around, and even though they no longer broadcast to North = America,=20 you can easily hear their Caribbean broadcast.  Another = alternative is to visit the BBC online at: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/. 

One of the things I remember about = the old=20 BBC was that it was always strictly proper, a good source = for news=20 but not always a lot of fun. Well, that has all changed with = the=20 advent of the excellent BBC web site.  Following a tip = from=20 Discover=20 Magazine, I located the BBC's = science=20 section and found a really fun downloadable theremin, a = weird=20 electronic musical instrument: 
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/playground/theremin1.shtml 

Submit a Ham Radio Event for our = October=20 Events Page by e-mailing Laurie at n1yxu@arrl.net. = Laurie has=20 posted the September events, = which you=20 can find on www.handiham.org = in the=20 events section of the left sidebar = navigation.

Camp Courage = Programs: 
http://www.couragecamps.org/programs.htm 

3D"ARRLARRL is the premier = organization=20 supporting and promoting the Amateur Radio service, both in = the=20 United States and worldwide. At Handi-Hams, we believe that = the ARRL=20 deserves the support of our members. In fact, we will help = our=20 members who cannot read regular print to fill out and submit = their=20 League memberships.  For assistance, please e-mail the=20 Handi-Ham Secretary, Nancy: hamradio@courage.org.  = ;=20

 

Best 73 from all of us = at the=20 Courage Handiham System!

Pat,=20 WA0TDA