[W2CRA] Three items

[campbell, barry]

1.  Some of our list subscribers are currently using rcn cable modem
service, and it is changing to a new domain soon. If you are in that
situation, you need to go to the list at:
http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/w2cra and subscribe to the list with
your NEW address (not rcn.com). You can enter a new password and you will be
subscribed with the new address. You then must go to the bottom of that
page, enter your OLD email address to UNSUBSCRIBE from your rcn.com address.
I can't make the change as administrator, you have to do it.
2.  There has been some discussion after the revelation at Friday's meeting
that the .375 machine will, at sometime in the fairly new future, be going
to PL (More correctly, CTCSS, PL is trademarked...)of 151.4 Hz (5Z). There
are several reasons for doing this, including: a) the frequency coordinating
agency we are now with is requiring it; b)It will cut out all the noise from
the interference because it will no longer trigger the repeater; c)Every new
HT or mobile rig now has a CTCSS deck in it; d)3rd party installable ctcss
decks are readily available for old rigs; e) It's long past time to do this.

   CTCSS decks have to be installed in each of the satellite receivers as
well as the main receiver, and that will be done over a period of time as Ed
can get to it. We will certainly put a permanent announcement in the
repeater ID's that indicates the required CTCSS access and the frequency.
For those not so sure, CTCSS is a continuous tone (often called sub audible)
that is on when you transmit to the repeater. The repeater will "hear" only
those signals that have the tone present at the repeater receiver. CTCSS is
not "tone burst," that's a European requirement for most of their repeaters,
and is simply a 1750 Hz tone that appears as a burst at the beginning of a
transmission to the repeater.
   Programming your rigs is not difficult, usually, but there are certainly
enough members willing to help anyone having problems getting the tone
programmed. You can actually go ahead and program your equipment now, even
though it won't be "required" for a while yet.
3.  We're off again to Dayton, and anyone wanting to have some fun tracking
our wherabouts can go to http://www.wulfden.org/APRSQuery.shtml . He has
some of the best tracking search engines and maps I've seen. You can also go
to http://www.findu.com and go to either of the two links under the above
one too. I will be squawking W2CGX-15 from the car while driving, and
W2CGX-9 while walking around at the Hamvention. See you all when we get
back.
73, Barry W2CGX

Barry R. Campbell
Computer Technology Coordinator
Somerset County Technology Institute
Bridgewater NJ
908-526-8900 ext. 7229
908-526-9494 fax
bcampbell@scettc.org