January 1989 Amigan Beacon Issue # 6 Greetings and Happy New Year: The Amigan Amateur Radio Group continues to grow steadily, we have just over 200 names on the main list, and about 85 names on overseas lists. Welcome, newcomers! United Kingdom: Bob, G3LMH, reports that the previous Amigan Beacon was distributed throughout the United Kingdom. He has sent out his second edition of the "Amigan Airwaves" newsletter, which looked very good. His mailing list currently contains about 50 names. West Germany and Europe: Peter, DF5ZI, reports that distribution of the Amigan Beacon went well last time around, with it being posted on packet and phone BBSs along with the print copy. Italy: Amigan Amateurs in Italy should contact Renato OPPIO - I3EJ, Via Monti Lessini 46, 37132 VERONA, ITALY. Renato is involved with the ARI (Italy's version of the ARRL), and has 20 names of Italian Amigan Amateurs on his list already. He is helping distribute the Amigan Beacon throughout Italy. He sent me a copy of Amigan Amateur info which appeared in the November issue of "Radio Rivista". Renato refers to Amigan Amateurs as "Hamigans" ! Australia: If you're an Amigan Amateur in Australia and would like to help out with newsletter and PD distribution there, please let me know. Slow Scan TV and FAX: A very comprehensive SSTV and FAX hardware and software system called AVT (Amiga Video Transceiver) is available for around $ 100 from: Black Belt Systems, 398 Johnson Road, RR#1 Box 4272, Glasgow, Montana, 59230, Phone: (406) 367-5509. Ben Blish - N4EJI (formerly of SoftCircuits) has developed the project which sends and receives 27 modes of Slow Scan TV and 9 modes of FAX. All of the popular B&W and color modes at different resolutions are covered. The system also includes an oscilloscope screen display which can be used to help tune in signals. A small 5 1/2" by 3" demodulator circuit board converts audio tones into digital information which is fed into the Amiga via the parallel port. Tones containing picture information are Amiga generated, so all that is needed to transmit SSTV and FAX is a cable from an Amiga audio output jack to your transmitter mic jack. You need at least 1 Megabyte of RAM to run AVT, 12 VDC power for the demodulator, and you'll want a box to the put the demodulator board in if you don't intend to install it in any existing equipment. This is the most impressive Amateur Radio program that I've seen on the Amiga yet. I have heard several stations stating that they are buying Amiga 500's because of this program alone. Ben has released the program for distribution so that folks can get a look at the system before buying. You need to purchase the hardware demodulator board to receive SSTV and FAX, but by running the software, you can see what a major project this is. Ham PD disk # 6 has the AVT demo program and text files with more details. Ben has been on the 20 meter AmigaNET, and is often on 14.230 Mhz to 14.235 Mhz or 28.680 Mhz Voice and SSTV. I ordered the system 5 weeks ago, received it 1 1/2 week later, and had it running the same day, so I can report that this system is for real, works very well, and is being shipped. The Amiga computer is a natural for use on slow scan and FAX because of the many video accessories available such as digitizers, paint programs, and titler programs. I suggest any Amigan Amateurs interested in SSTV and FAX should get in touch with Ben for more details on this system. AmigaNETs: The 75m and 20m AmigaNETs are doing well since the last newsletter. I'm still looking for help in the net control area, if you tune into a net frequency and don't hear anyone, please give some calls for the AmigaNET. The 75m AmigaNET is every Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM EST (00:00 GMT) on 3882 Khz, and the 20m AmigaNET is every Sunday evening at 6:00 PM EST (23:00 GMT) on 14.345 Mhz. Paul, WB5AGF, Wanda, KJ5C, and Mary, WB5DVA, have organized a 40 meter AmigaNET. They have been meeting on 7.170 Mhz, Saturday mornings at 10:00 AM Central time, 16:00 GMT. They welcome all stations to join them, and noted that they will consider changing the frequency if there are general class stations who want to participate. Europeans are invited to tune in the 40m European AmigaNET Saturday mornings at 08:00 GMT on 7.095 Mhz. Listen for Bob, G3MLH, and Pat, ON9CBF. Bob and Pat are also meeting Sunday mornings at 13:00 GMT at 3.77 Mhz, they welcome all Amateurs interested in Amigas to join them on either schedule. They especially invite Amigan Amateurs on mainland Europe - West Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Holland, Spain, and Italy. I know there are Amigan Amateurs in these countries, but we haven't heard them on the 20 meter AmigaNET yet, so maybe these times will be better for some. With these 3 new nets, most Amigans will have access to an an AmigaNET during daytime hours. If you want to know what is new in Amateur Radio related hardware and software in the time between newsletters, get on an AmigaNET. It's good to see this expansion, although Amigans on the West Coast could consider forming a 75 meter net, and with 10 meters perking up maybe someone will want to organize a net or schedule on that band. Several people have mentioned 10 meter nets in the past, if you like 10 meters, please consider it now the the band is open. PD Software: Beginning January 15, 1989 all Amiga Public Domain "Hamdisks" which I've compiled will be available for around $ 4.00 each from the 2 following public domain sources: Kinetic Designs, P.O. Box 1646, Orange Park, FL, 32067-1646, and Comp-U-Save, 410 Maple Ave., Westbury, NY 11590, Phone: (1-800-356-9997). Write to Kinetic Designs or Comp-U-Save for current disk listings, price, tax, shipping, and ordering information. I think that many people will prefer paying a reasonable fee for these disks instead of sending blank disks, envelopes, and postage to me. Of course, this will benefit me in the "spare time" department too. So, please send any Amiga Ham related software to me (I'll send you a disk of PD goodies back), I'll put PD disks together, then send copies to Kinetic Designs and Comp-U-Save so that they will have them available. I've been surprised how many Amigans do not have any public domain disks since most disks sent to me were blank. There are thousands of PD programs for Amigas, including terminal programs, games, demos, word processors, databases, ect... These PD programs are available from BBSs and PD disk houses. One of the best sources of Amiga PD is the Fred Fish collection, look in the back of any Amazing Computing Magazine for a detailed list. Comp-U-Save carries Fred Fish disks along with other PD disks (now our disks too). Kinetic Designs and Comp-U-Save have special offers like "buy 5 PD disks, get one free" sometimes, so write for current info. One fellow at Kinetic designs is a licensed Amateur Radio Operator - Russell Grokett, Jr., WA4EFH, so he is very interested in our PD disks. I understand that AmigaWorld magazine may begin listing Kinetic Designs PD disks. If this happens, our Ham PD disks would be listed in a major Amiga magazine which would make it easy for new Amigan Amateurs to get Ham related PD and find out about our group. I fell behind sending Ham PD disks out, especially overseas. I should have the backlog out soon, thanks for your patience. I think the new distribution system will work out better for everyone. Current Ham PD disk listings: Amateur Radio # 1: Morse Code training, Terminal Progs, N3ET PBBS, Satellite Tracking, ACE demos, Propagation, AtoB & BtoA... Amateur Radio # 2: Virus help, Previews, GIF picture transfer programs, Pictures... Amateur Radio # 3: removed from distribution due to virus... Access!, CONNPlex. Amateur Radio # 4: Satellite Tracking, RTTY for Kantronics UTU, K7KB Propagation, VE3AGC Beam heading prog., K7KB logging progs, Antenna calc, Updated Morse4.0, and other Morse programs, Betterspeech, AmigaTalk, newsletters 4-6, Amigan ham data base, ... Amateur Radio # 5: K2TA's TA-TERM progs for the AMT-1 and PK-232 (very nice menu driven term progs with speech, buffers, and logging built-in), N3ET's current version of AmigaBBS for Kantronics KPC-1,-2,-4, & KAMs. & 2 FAX pics. Amateur Radio # 6: SSTV/FAX demo software from Ben Blish - N4EJI - AVT version 1.08 and documentation. Write to Kinetic Designs, or Comp-U-Save for current disk info and listings. AMTOR: Harv, N9FHO, reports that there is often Amigans on AMTOR at 14.078 Mhz. around 1900 GMT or so. Harv frequents that spot along with several DX and stateside Amiga enthusiasts. If you're on AMTOR, you're welcome to check it out. Packet: The WB3JOE (MARC) PBBS on 145.09 Mhz in the Philadelphia, PA area has an Amiga public domain files section. WB3KTW is helping upload Amiga PD programs to the board. If you're interested, drop him a note @ WB3JOE. Several people have sent Mike, WA1PTC, blank disks for his updated CONNplex packet BBS program. Mike, KJ4HN, and Ian, G6KHW, have been pleased with the new version 880717, and have been running it at their QTHs for awhile now. If you're interested in Mike's CONNplex, drop him a note for details. He is in a "beta testing" phase of development with the program, and welcomes test sites for feedback. Satellite TV watching: Manuel, KP4EHE, reported on the 20m AmigaNET that people with home satellite receivers can view an Amiga 2000 at work on satellite M2 transponder T21 which broadcasts from Mexico using graphics created totally on an Amiga 2000. Speaking of Satellite TVRO, has anyone decoded ASCII off of a TVRO Satellite using an Amiga ? FAX: I received 2 disks containing very impressive FAX pictures from Leopuld Schuh (OE1-5420 SWL) that were received using commercial hardware and software produced by Volker Wertich, DF4PV, Bingerstr. 243, D-6507 INGELHEIM, Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany). I added Volker's name to the Amigan Amateur database so he will be receiving the newsletters. I hope he sends me some information about his products so I can pass details along in a future newsletter. Speech: Amateur Radio # 4 PD disk has 2 public domain programs that improve Amiga speech pronunciation and allow the narrator to "read" aloud anything on the screen - even menus. This is a big help for blind Amiga users. These programs (AmigaTalk and Betterspeech) were written by Chip Orange. There are now commercial versions of these programs which might be of interest to visually impaired hams. You can get more info from: Inspired Interfaces, phone: (617) 926-0439. A demo disk is available for a small fee. Disk Drives: Jack, K8JS, had some trouble finding a direct replacement for a 3.5" disk drive in his Amiga. He finally got a NEC 1035 drive to work in the machine. If you are having trouble with a disk drive, you might drop Jack an SASE for the details on finding a replacement drive. He said it's very easy to install. Amigas & RF ?: A Ham from Harrisburg, PA, has raised an interesting question. Can RF in the shack erase data on floppy and hard disks ? It would seem so, but how much RF at what distance ? If anyone has had some data erased by RF, I'd like to hear about it, and will pass the info along in a future newsletter. TCP/IP: Four months ago, Craig, N3BHA, sent me 2 disks containing TCP/IP source code and executable programs for the Amiga to run TCP/IP. Craig stated that there are still some bugs in the software, though it is usable. Just recently, Jerry Koniecki, WA2RKN, (@ WA2RKN) sent me 2 disks of TCP/IP arc and source files. I have not run this software here and would rather not release the disks until the code reaches a stable version. There are not icons with these versions, and they appear fairly involved to use. If you need the TCP/IP programs in this current form, send me 2 blank disks and postage. Amigan Amateur Database: Space doesn't permit sending printed copies of the Amigan Amateur mailing list. The newest list is on Hamdisk # 4. If your information is incorrect, or incomplete please drop me a note with the correct data. Welcome: Bill Petrisko, N7LWO, sent a packet message to me reporting his brand new callsign. Several years ago Bill and I chatted on an Amiga phone BBS (AmigaTalk) when Amigas were a new computer. I uploaded a discription about Amateur Radio and Packet Radio to see if there were any Amigans interested in becoming Hams, Bill was interested enough to follow up with letters to the ARRL to find a local ham club to help him with the tests and such. I kept Bill on the Amigan Beacon mailing list, wondering if he was still interested but not hearing much from him, so I was pleasantly surprised to get a packet note from him! Good job Bill! If you're on any telephone BBSs, consider uploading a message about Amateur Radio and Packet Radio. Many people think of Ham radio as the way it was 20 years ago... a roomful of equipment, a skyful of wire, and barely understandable SSB voices coming through the speaker. How things have changed! Small VHF FM gear, clear voices, and a Packet BBS network that spans the continent passing text, programs, pictures, and digital audio! Technology has brought us a long way.... Till next time, 73 & Happy Amiga-ing... Kathy Wehr - WB3KRN (@K3RLI for Packet mail) (CIS:71550,3507) RD#1 Box 193 Watsontown, PA 17777