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By Harold Ort, N2RLL, Editor
*Afghanistan continues to be the focus of the world's
attention - and it can be yours on the radio. We've got the
frequencies and times - check out "Voices From Afghanistan" for the
very latest on radio from this war-torn country beginning on page 8.
*Remember the old shortwave transmissions - "This is a
test for circuit adjustment purposes"? Those tests are long gone, but
there ARE still many shortwave broadcasters that still use SIDEBAND.
Be sure to read Gerry Dexter's article, "Snaring The Sidebanders" on
page 10 in our March issue - he's got all the worldwide sidebanders
from Argentina to the USA, including a touch catch from Somalia.
*I recently had the opportunity to use another portable
power source - this one from Statpower Technologies. It's the
xPower300. It's a very capable AC AND DC power source you can charge
at home or on the road, and use it when the power goes out, or when
you need portable power. I used it with everything from drills to
lights and yes, radios and found it had power to spare. Check out our
review beginning on page 14, complete with charts and photos!
*You’ve got questions and lots of great ideas for Peter
Bertini. Check out page 16 this month where he just opened his
Wireless Connection mailbag. Complete with photos and ideas for
crystal sets made from oatmeal boxes, it’s a must-read if you’re into
old time radio.
*It's been a while since we've had much shortwave news
from Colombia, but things are about to change. Look for Idea Radio,
being well heard on 7380 at various hours during the evening and early
morning. There's a ton more news about shortwave broadcasters in this
month's "Global Information Guide" beginning on page 20 - complete
with your loggings and photos.
*Our new column, "Computer Assisted Radio Monitoring"
by Joe Cooper is going to get YOU connected! This month Joe helps you
learn about serial ports and the connections you need to get started
in Computer Assisted Radio Monitoring on page 27.
*Mention radio "mods" in virtually any radio group and
you'll get a dozen different reactions. Let's face it, people have
been modifying radios since day one. This month, in our On The Go
column in Popular Communications we show you a great book: Radio/Tech
Modifications by ARTSCI (ART-SCI). Included in their books are CB and
ham radio mods - and there are plenty of scanner mods as well. Check
out On The Go this month on page 31.
*Laura Quarantiello’s “Washington Beat” column is
loaded with radio news from the FCC denying Alan Dixon and Robert K.
Leef’s petition to have FRS Channel 1 designated as an emergency
channel (we thought it was a good idea!), to yet another CBer told to
pay up, to Kenwood asking for a rule change for their Sky Command
remote controller. The news from DC begins on page 36.
*This month's Power Up section - our product
announcements include a new scanner from Alinco - the DJ-X3, a new
emergency warning receiver unlike one you've ever seen: The
WeatherAlert 2000 is the nation's first digital receiver for weather
warnings and civil emergencies, and ARTSCI's new Repeater MapBook.
There's also news from Computer Aided Technologies on OTR: Old Time
Radio. They've got a great selection of CDs that are JAM PACKED with
over 60 of your favorite Old Time Radio programs! It's all there
beginning on page 42.
*This month, columnist Bruce Conti in his “Broadcast
Technology” column reports on the five DXers – himself included - who
participated in the Marconi 100th anniversary DXpedition:
Jean Burnell, Mark Connelly, John Fisher, and Jim Renfrew. It’s
complete with photos and a bit of trivia, beginning on page 44. Bruce
also has lots of your broadcast band loggings and QSL information.
*Hopefully where you are it’s getting to feel like
spring (well, we can always THINK about it, right?) – and that means
antenna fix up time. This month Ken Reiss’ “Overheard” column on page
52 has a load of information that’ll make the job a lot easier – and
fun, too!
*Beginning on page 56 is Keith Stein’s “Space Monitor”
column – and there’s plenty of news about newly launched VHF/UHF
satellites AND the frequencies. Check out the monitoring reports and
much more every month in Space Monitor!
*This month our “Ham Discoveries” columnist, Kirk
Kleinschmidt, NT0Z steps on a few toes, but he does tell it like it
is. His topic: Repeaters. Check it out on page 58.
*Our Nation's airspace continues to go through major
changes - and you can stay on top of those changes, the multitude of
aviation frequency changes and much more in our Plane Sense column by
Bill Hoefer.
*If you're into Utility station monitoring on
shortwave, columnist Joe Cooper has a special column for you this
month on the history of UK station GKZ - this AND a whopping FIVE
pages of utility loggings are yours in Utility Radio Review beginning
on page 64.
*Remember the old Ham Radio magazine? CQ Communications
now has a superb THREE-CD set collection of Ham Radio magazine from
1968 to 1990. It's available separately for $59.95 or as a complete
set for $149.95. Check out page 75 for details - and go back in time
with Ham Radio magazine!
*Remember how it used to be? Not just life in general –
with less hurry and more free time – but even how our radio and other
hobby pursuits were just different back then? Bill Price, in his
“Loose Connection” column on page 80 remembers and ponders the
Internet and more this month.
I'd like to take a moment and personally thank everyone
that's responded to our survey questions over the past few months.
Yes, we've been remiss not providing your results, but our APRIL issue
of Popular Communications has FOUR month's worth of survey results
right up front. Remember, we're rewarding you by drawing a card from
each month's responses at random for a one-year gift subscription, so
send in YOUR card today!
Read March's
editorial click on the link below:
Tuning-In:
Half-Baked Ham
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