UNICATIONS Low Power casting! - 1CD08635 POPULAR - World Radio History
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
1CD08635
POPULAR JULY 1998
UNICATIONS
Low Power
casting!
U.S. $3.50 CAN / INT'L $4.95
74851 0863
\I
Uf FER MON- SC ofil
STOP
COnditIOO
r.
WILE
MACK 0025.0ir
20C).
110X
Discover a world of
radio beyond your usual
AM/FM stations: over-
seas shortwave, search Ex
rescue, space shuttle
communications, Coast
Guard patrol. And much more. With
ICOM's new IC-PCR1000, it's easy!
Begin with a local FM station.
A few mouse clicks on the dial will Amaime, " 4t -r2. -
bps
open up a different realm of broad- 4/411
casts, like public safety (police, rI di&
fire) and
External AC adapter
included (not shown), 100% PC External
or use optional DC
power cord World Wide Receiver
Designed for you can listen to favorite stations in
Windows.' 3.11
and Windows' 95.
the background while working in
other applications.
Listen at home, work, A journey of a thousand miles begins
business band (taxi, road crews), school, or on the road. Because with the first step. To find your local
that you can scan for activity. the IC-PCR1000 is small and authorized IC-PCR1000 dealer, visit the
100% PC hardware external, you can ICOM America website at
Quickly, as your listening habits grow, take it anywhere - www.icomamerica.com
you'll want to take on more worldwide stash it away in
(HF) broadcasts, like the BBC. Other a laptop bag.
exotic sounds and voices, many in English, Since the radio's
are waiting to be explored. Let the
IC-PCR1000 take you there!
software interface
runs on Windows°,
Dealer Inquiries welcome. ©1997 ICOM America, Inc. 2380 116th Ave NE Bellevue, WA 98004 425-454-8155.
COM®
Makers of the
The ICOM logo is a registered trademark of ICOM, Inc. Cellular frequencies are blocked: unblocked versions are available only world's best radios
to FCC approved users. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. PCR1000PC198Y
for over 40 years.
CALL 425-450-6088 FOR FREE BROCHURE CIRCLE 82 ON READER SERVICE CARD
CALL FOR Wideband, All Mode Receive GPSIII
MORE INFO Capability From 5MHz to 1300 MHz. Combines a Global
Li PRICING Real -Time Bandscope Shows Band 41111isial.
we .dloy Pos tion Systems
Conditions And Busy Frequencies. (GFS) Receiver with
VSC Function. Voice Scan Control an Electronic Map. It
Pauses Scan Only When Modulated Not Only Shows You
Signals Are Received.
Communications Receiver
Communications Wideband. All Mode Receive the Lay of Land But
1000 Memory Channels With Also Just Where You Stand
Receiver For Computer 8 -Character Alphanumeric Names. Capability From 0.1 to 2000 MHz
Covers 01 1300MHz 1000 Memory Channels With
All Mode WFM. FM.
Channels Can Be Grouped Into
Banks With Each Bank Capable 8 -Character Alphanumeric Names GPSIII $369.95
AM. SSB, CW Superb High Receive Sensitivity
Of Holding A 10 -Character Name.
Empbys Band -Tracking Over Its Entire Range
Skip Function Helps Speed GPS12 $149.95 Street Pilot...$549.95
RF Filters Many More Features
Up Scanning. GPSII Plus...$249.95
Connects to Your PC
Many Other Features. CAL L FOR PRICING! Call For Accessories
Externally.
SONY uniderr
1CF-SC1PC BC895XLT AR8000B
Sony ICF-SCIPC Radio Frequency Scanner "TrunkTracker"
Total Control of Scanning from PC or Scanner. Handheld 1-1900MHz
Supplied CD-ROM Lists All Receivable Frequencies in "TrunkTracker. AM. NFM, WFM,
the US. SSB, CW
SCans All Frequencies Allowed by the FCC from 25MHz Alpha -Numeric.
to 1.300 MHz. 309.95 Computer Programmable
ICF-SCI UPS Included
300 Channel'AM/VVFM.'NFM
Call For More Info. (Not Computer Programmable,
BC9000XLT $379.95
$254.95 CALL FOR MORE
No CD -Rom) UPS
BC3000XLT $359.95
$319.95 259.95 UPS included
Included INFO & PRICING
Yaesu/Vertex VXF-1 YAE S U RELM
ADVENTURER FT-50RD VX-1R HS200
' 14 Channel Digital Coded Receive: 76-200MHz. 200 Channels,
FRS Two -Way Radio. 300-540MHz World's Smallest 10 Banks.
No License Required. 590-999MHz Dual -Band 13 Bands From
Weather Resistant. cellular blocked Amateur Handheld 26-960MHz, includes
500MW Output Power/2 Mile Range. Transmit: 144-148MHz CB and Aircraft.
la. DCS Digital Coded Squelch. 430-450MHz Wide -Band Receive From PL/CTCSS and
::::_. ARTS - Auto Range Transpond AM Aircraft Receive 76-999MHz. CTCSS/DCS DPL/DCS Included
::::- System Alerts You When a Similarly - Digital Coded Squelch
Programmed VXF-1 is Out of Range. High Speed Scanning
Alphanumeric. Display.
500mW Power Output
$219.95
Full Line of Accessories Available. 112 Memory Channels UPS Included
1 Watt w/External Power
Much. Much More!
each only or 2 for Call For More Into
S200
$99.95 $189.95
yellow .4:11,, UPS Included
Drake Shortwave Radios Cherokee CB
R8A $999.95 + $14 UPS CBS -1000 AM/SSB Base CALL SANGEAN GRUNDIG
R8B (new) $1159.95 + $14 UPS CBS -500 AM Base CALL Shortwave
SW8 $779.95 + $10 UPS CM -10 AM Mobile CALL
ATS-909
SW2 $489.95 + $7 UPS AH-27 Walkie CALL. Yacht Boy 400
SW1 $199.95 + $7 UPS AH-100 AM/SSB Walkie CALL $239.95 UPS Included
FR -465 Family Radio CALL
Base Mobile Scanner
SONY CALL FOR ALL CB EQUIPMENT - 200 Channels, 10 Banks
ICF2010 $349.95+ $7 UPS 10 -Meter 12 Bands From 29-960MHz
ICFSW77 $469.95 + $7 UPS 2950 CALL (Excluding Cellular)
AM' FM/ SSB Shortwave
ICF-7600G $169.95 + $6 UPS 2970 CALL PL'CTCSS and DPL/DCS
ICF 7600GS $234.95 + $7 UPS 2990 CALL $249.95 $169.95 Alphanumeric Display
1CFSW10000TS $469 95 $7 UPS Northstar .CALL + $8 UPS UPS Included Fast Scan (100 Ch. Per second)
HOURS: M -F 10am - 6.m SAT 10am-1.m UPS Group.
Infor. & Tech Help 860-666-6227
Cdift Sales .901410W11614100110.111101:
Web Site: www.lentimcomm.com
C.O.D.'s OK
SAME DAY
SHIPPING 21 Garfield r
Newington, CT 06111 or-Ir-P
StC:. 145
OPULAR
OMMUNICATIONS
JULY 1998 VOLUME 16, NUMBER 11
FEATURES
Here Comes Low Power FM Broadcasting 8
Microbroadcasting could be around the corner. Will you own
an LPFM station?
By J. Rodger Skinner, Jr.
The Mystery Station On "Island X" 13
Two secret anti -Castro stations of the '60s.
By Alice Brannigan
The 11th Annual Shortwave Listener's :alehu, Hawaii
Muth point
WinterFest! 16
A report on the annual gathering of radio enthusiasts page 64
in Kulpsville.
By Ken Reiss
Scanning The Globe: Summer Is Frere, And So Are Chuck's
Tips For Cool Scanning Action 48
The Pirate's Den: Fire Up Your Rc dio For Another Journey
Through Pirateland 52
Product Spotlight: RadioShack's I RO-2050 Base
TrunkTrackerm Scanner 54
Broadcast DXing: FCC Reconside.s Deregulation 58
Clandestine Communiqué: La Vcx del CID On The Air 63
The Listening Post: Voice Of Nige. ia Being Heard, And
Radio Australia QSLing Again! 64
Communications Confidential: Civil Aviation Primer,
Complete With Major World Air Route Areas (MWARA)
Frequencies 69
The Loose Connection: Life On Tye Farm Is A Mooving
Experience 80
page 28
page 8
DEPART1 1ENTS
COLUMNS Tuning In: Microstation Broadcasting: The Long -Overdue
Service 4
I he Radio Connection: Using The Voltmeter 18 Pop'Comm P.O. 6
antennas & Things: Where Do Natural Radio Signals Product Parade: AccuWeather's )VeatherPage Service
Come From? 22 And More 42
Radio Resources: New Battery Technology Requires How I Got Started: Luis Vega Of pompano Beach,
Special Chargers Florida 51
28
CB Scene: Watch What You Say 32
Readers' Market 78
The Old CB Shack: Wiring Old CB Microphones 34 ON THE COVER: Here's on -air dersonality, Robin Shannon
The Ham Column: Collecting Special -Event Wallpaper 37 of public radio station WBJB-FM 90.5 at Brookdale Community
College in Lincroft, New Jersey. The FCC is considering petitions
World Band Tuning Tips: The Easy Way To Navigate which would permit low power FM broadcasting that could put
International Shortwave Broadcast Bands 40 you on the air legally. Read about the fascinating possibilities in
ScanTech: Handheld Skyhooks 44 "Here Comes Low Power FM Broadcasting" on page 8. (Photo
by Larry Mulvehill)
2 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / July 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE
QUALITY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT SINCE 1942
COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVERS
YAE SU KENWOOD
Full Coverage
LW/MW/SW DRAKE
Digital Readout
Keypad Entry
32 Memories Made in
RF Gain America
The Drake SW -1 sets the stage for worldwide shortwave listening with ease,
simplicity and clarity. The SW -1 offers superb sensitivity, selectivity and full audio.
Coverage from 100 through 30000 kHz provides solid coverage of longwave, Universal Radio carries an excellent selection of new and
medium wave and shortwave in the AM mode (no SSB). This makes it an ideal used communications receivers. The new Japan Radio
broadcast receiver for the desk or bed -stand. Tuning is a snap via the keypad, NRD-345 is shown above. Only $799.95 (+$10)
manual tuning knob, Up/Down buttons or 32 programmable memories. The LED The American
display is positively huge for easy accurate frequency readout to 1 kHz. Antenna made Drake
inpLt is via a 50 ohm terminal or SO -239 jack. A 1/8" mini jack is provided for use SW -2 features
with earplug or headphones (not supplied). Includes AC wall adapter for operation SSB, Sync. Det.,
from 120 VAC 60 Hz. 10.875"x4.375"x7.625" 4.7 Lbs. One year limited warranty. 100 mems., and
Proudly made in Ohio, U.S.A.! A limited time offer. optional remote
List $299.00 Order #1100 $249,95 Sale '1 99.0° (+$7 UPS) (shown).$489.95 In stock now!
SANGEAN ATS-606AP PORTABLES GRUI1DIG
Universal has
It's all here. You get continuous coverage of LW, AM shortwave por-
and SW (153-30000 kHz) plus FM stereo. Enjoy 54 tables from Grun-
memories, scanning, dual clock timer, 1 kHz LCD, dig, Sony, San-
dual conversion circuit, dial light, dial lock, keypad gean and !corm
entry and local DX switch. Includes multivoltage AC The gorgeous new
adapter and wind-up antenna! Limited time offer. Grundig Porsche
One year limited warranty. Design is shown.
$149.95 (+$8 UPS).
Order #3319 $179795 Sale $99." (+$6 UPS)
New 3rd Ed. Chapter Titles: Introduction, Buying RADIO BOOKS
RECEIVERS 108 Chapters
A Used Receiver, Using This Book,
More Information, Repair &
Discover DXing! ByJ. Zondlo Discover
PAST & PRESENT 473 Pages New Second Edition! DXing!
Restoration, Allied, Ameco, Anritsu,
840 Photos AOR, Atlas, AWA, Bearcat, Bharat, Learn how to hear more AM, FM
,' -e-
Printed Mar.98 Cardwell, Collins, ComFocus, CPC, and TV stations. Chapters in-
Cubic, Dansk Radio, Davco, Debeg,
Covers 1942 clude: propagation, seasonal con-
Delmar, Drake, Echophone, KFyR
to 1997. Eddystone, Eldico, Elta, Eska, ditions, equipment, antennas and
770 Receivers Fairhaven, Galaxy, Geloso, General reference materials. Read the ,azin
660 Variants
Dynamics, Globe, Gonset, Hagenuk, "best bets" for hearing all fifty
Hallicrafters, Hammarlund, Harvey - states and ten countries on AM.
Includes 98 Wells, Heathkit, Howard, 'corn, WHOT
Other topics include: obtaining
U.S. and Intl. J.R.C., Kenwood-Trio, Kingsley,
manufacturers Knight Kit, KW, Lafayette, Lowe, LTV QSLs, keeping a log and radio kwyo -
Temco, Mackay, Marconi, McKay clubs. Also includes a list of AM
524.95 (+'2 ship) Dymek, Midland, Morrow, Mosley, clear channel stations and a list of
Multi-Elmac, Murphy, National, Nera, $5.95 (+$2)
Shortwave Receivers Past & Present VHF TV stations. 90 Pages. ©1998. woois
Norlin, Panasonic, PhaseTrack,
is your guide to over 770 shortwave and Philips, Philmore, Pierson Elec., Passport To World Band Radio 1998 New Edition!
Pierson -Holt, Plessey, Quality U.S. Graphic presentation of all shortwave broadcast stations.
amateur communications receivers made
Tech., Racal, R.C.A, Raytheon, Equipment reviews, too. 560 Pages! irr000 $19.95 (+$2)
from 1942 to 1997. This huge 473 page guide Realistic, Redifon, RF Comm., Rees World Radio TV Handbook 1998 New Edition!
includes 108 chapters, representing every Mace, RFT, RME, Rohde & Schwarz, All shortwave broadcast stations organized by country with
major receiver manufacturer. Here is Rosetta Labs, S.A.I.T., E.H. Scott,
M2000 $24.95 (+$2)
Sears, Siemens, Skanti, Sony, S.P. schedules, addresses, power, etc.
everything you need to know as a radio
Radio, Squires -Sanders, Standard, Joe Carr's Receiving Antenna Handbook
collector or informed receiver buyer. Entry STC, Sunair, Svenska, Swan, Taiyo, Arguably the best book devoted to receiving antennas for
information includes: receiver type, date Technical Material, Telefunken, TEN- #3113 $19.95 (+$2)
longwave through shortwave.
sold, photograph, size & weight, features, TEC, Thomson-CSF, Transworld,
Videoton-Mechlabor, Vigilant,
Pirate Radio By A. Yoder With audio CD!
reviews, specifications, new & used values,
Watkins -Johnson, Yaesu, Briefly Here is the incredible saga of America's underground illegal
va'iants, value rating and availability. This broadcasters (with CD). M3038 $29.95 (+$2)
Mentioned, Receivers That Never
brand new Third Edition features 840 photos. Were, Additional Information and Worldwide Aeronautical Frequency Dir. By R. Evans
Become an instant receiver expert! Model Number Index.
The definitive guide to commercial and military, HF and VHF -
UHF aeronautical communications including ACARS. Sec-
Universal Radio, Inc. ond Edition. 260 Pages. M0042 $19.95 (+$2)
6830 Americana Pkwy. Understanding ACARS. By E. Flynn Third Edition
$9.95 (+$2)
Reynoldsburg, Ohio Learn the ACARS aeronautical format. #0012
Please add $2 per title for surface shipping.
43068-4113 U.S.A.
VISIT UNIVERSAL RADIO ON THE INTERNET
lit 800 431-3939 Orders & Prices http://www.universal-radio.com
I 614 866-4267 Information Visa Prices and specs. are subject to change.
614 866-2339 FAX Line MasterCard Returns subject to a 15% restocking fee.
dx@universal-radio.com Discover Used equipment list available on re. uest.
BY HAROLD ORT, N2RLL, SSB-596 POPE LAR
COW 4UNICATIONS
Tuning In EDITORIAL STAFF
Harold Ort,I"12RLL, SSB-596, Editor
AN EDITORIAL (Internet e- PopularCom@aol.com)
Tom Kneitel, K2AES/SSB-13, Senior Editor
(Internet e- nail. K2AES,c4juno.com)
Microstation Broadcasting: Edith Lennon, N2ZRW, Managing Editor
Richard S. M neson, W2VU, Online Coordinator
The Long -Overdue Service (Internet e- W2Maamsat.org)
CON I'RIBUTING EDITORS
What would you say if we told Richard "RD' Baker, Utility Communications
you that the FCC is finally giv- "The creation of a low -power Ed Barnat, 11 A-44, CB SSB
ing serious consideration to a FM broadcast service would Peter J. Bertiii, K1ZJH, Restoration/Electronics
proposal that could revolutionize radio Joe Carr, K4I PV, Antennas
give ordinary folks the ability to Bruce Conti, sM/FM Broadcasts
broadcasting and put the dream of oper-
ating a legitimate radio station within the own and operate their own Joseph Coop. !I', Projects and Broadcast Band
small radio station . ." Gerry L Dext sr, Shortwave Broadcast
average person's reach? It isn't a dream: Jock Elliott, ..SB-734, Citizens Band
the FCC has indeed placed petitions on Bob Evans, A(:ARS
Public Notice. Of those petitions being Room 222, Federal Communications Ed Griffin, Coe -muter -Aided Radio
considered by the FCC for such a service, Commission, 1919 M Street, NW, Chuck Gysi, P'2DUP, Scanning
the one submitted by J. Rodger Skinner, Kirk Kleinschnidt, NTOZ, Amateur Radio
Washington, DC 20554. Note on the top Pat Murphy, F irate Radio
of Pompano Beach, Florida, is officially of your letter "Comments on RM-9242," Don Patrick, CB Restoration
designated RM-9242. Let's check out and tell the FCC that you've just found Bill Price, N3. WY, Humor/Communications
his petition. out about the proposal, and would like Ken Reiss, Tec hnicaVScanning
them to consider your submission to be Edward lead , Pirate and Alternative Radio
J.T. Ward, Sc inning
part of the record. While your comments Gordon West, WB6NOA, Radio Resources
What It's All About might not end up being part of the "offi-
cial" considerations, they will still go a E USINESS STAFF
At first look, and reported in Fred long way toward convincing the FCC Richard A. Ross, K2MGA, Publisher
Maia's W5YI Report, you'd get the im- we're serious about microstation broad- Donald R. Allen, W9CW, Advertising Mgr.
pression that microbroadcasting " . . . casting. Be sure to emphasize the need Emily Kreutz, -sales Assistant
Sal Del Gross.), Accounting Manager
could legalize pirate radio." Actually, the for high enough power, as requested Ann Marie De geo, Accounting Department
truth is, while Pop'Comm fully supports by Skinner, to make LPFM work. Flea Catherine Ross, Circulation Manager
each petitioner's visionary, open-mind- power and a mere half -mile coverage Melissa Kehruieder, Operations Manager
ed, and well -thought-out proposals, it doesn't cut it. Jean Sawchui, Data Processing
isn't all about legalizing pirate radio per Skinner has proposed three classes of Denise Pyne, Customer Service
se - it's about giving local communities stations. Specifically, they are: PR' )DUCTION STAFF
the long -overdue ability to reach out to Elizabeth Ryas,, Art Director
their prospective audiences with infor- LPFM-1 - Stations with power from Barbara McGc wan, Associate Art Director
mation, entertainment, news, and pro- 50 watts to a maximum of 3000 watts. Edmond Pesoi ten, Electronic Comp. Mgr.
gramming that only a grassroots broad- LPFM-2 - Stations with power from Dorothy Kehmieder, Production Manager
caster with ties to the local community 1 watt to 50 watts. Emily Kreutz,.kssistant Production Manager
Pat Le Blanc, I 'hototypographer
can provide. If approved by the FCC, and LPFM-3 - Stations with power from Hal Keith, TecHical Illustrator
down the road it reduces pirate activity, 1 watt to 20 watts, and only serving as Larry Mulvehil , WB2ZPI, Photographer
all the better. "Special Event" stations with a 10 -day
A publication of
Skinner, a communications consultant operating permit.
and broadcaster himself, has written a CQ ".;ommunications, Inc.
special feature titled "Here Comes Low 25 tewbridge Road
Without getting too technical, if the Hicksville, NY 11801-2953 USA
Power FM Broadcasting" on page 8 that FCC, or currently licensed full -power Offices: 25 Newbrid .e Road. Hicksville, NY 11801. Telephone
gives you an exclusive in-depth look at FM broadcasters react negatively to the (516) 681-2922. FAX (516) 681-2926 Web Site: Pot ular Communications (ISSN -073-3315) is pub-
the proposal we hope will be given the requested "3000 -watt maximum" in lished monthly by CC Communications, Inc. Periodical class postage
FCC's OK. Rodger told us as this issue RM-9242, they should be reminded that paid at Hicksville, IV and additional offices. Subscription prices
(payable in U.S. dollars): Domestic-one year $25.95. two years
went to press that " . . . for less than the the 3000 watts would give a maximum $45.95. three years 165.95. Canada/Mexico-one year $35.95,
two years $65.95, th ee years $95.95. Foreign Air Post-one year
price of a new car, the dream of owning range of up to 15 miles. So if broadcast- $45.95. two years $E5.95, three years $125.95.
and operating a community radio station ers are concerned about competition from U.S. Government igencies: Subscriptions to Popular Commun-
ications are available o agencies of the United States government.
could become a reality .. " these proposed microstations, that including military sere:es, only on a cash with order basis. Requests
His petition was presented to the FCC for quotations. bids. , ontracts, etc. will be refused and will not be
doesn't wash with us, and it shouldn't returned or processed
on February 19, and, although the com- influence the FCC. Remember, FM trans- Entire contents cot: vright C 1998 by CQ Communications, Inc.
Popular Communicat ons assumes no responsibility for unsolicited
ment filing dates have recently passed, lators, under current regulations, are manuscripts. photogr. phs, or drawings. Allow six weeks for change
you can still send a letter to the FCC, of address or delivery if first issue.
Printed in the Un ted States of America.
addressed to: Office of the Secretary, (Continued on page 77) Postmaster: Please : znd change of address to Popular Communi-
cations. 25 Newbridge Road. Hicksville. NY 11801.
4 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / July 1998 THE 4ONITORING MAGAZINE
Finding Unknown Frect-Tvencies Can Be
Tricky Without The Xplorer
0
The One And Only Xplorei
lit 1JW Wit
The Xplortr's high speed sweep doesn't miss a thing. CTCSS Decode
instgaliff,11Whibeglite any RP dirtier fron- 30MHz -
2GHz. Quickly determine audio quality on any analog
U
C radio and monitor that frequency.
vi
0 Qui4ly determines the frequeue o a dio and dis- DCS Decode The Xplorer Features:
0a) piayPtequeiWrOgnkai 'D display. 500 memories with time and date
a) 1000 frequency lockouts
Ideal for quick radio checks, automatically deter-
Built-in PC interface
C
mining a radio's frequency with out receiver setup *Displays: frequency, CTCSS, DCS
co time. DTMF, Deviation and Signal Strength
cr:
DTMF Decode Auto / manual hold and skip
1114 411111
461 725 MHz Sweeps 30MHz - 2GHz in < 1 second
r instantly determ s any CTCSS. DTMF 8e0327591' ( Cellular frequencies blocked )
S, or pre.ent for thai frequency.
0
0 READER CARD record-
FACTORCIVEEPTRECTE
FACTORY UNE 80032705912 ed freque ies to a
PC with s plied
/%11110%rmi Im 0"11"10%&1110md" PC cable
VI II V 16111.116.Iir
5S.2 NI: 14th /Venue Ft. Lauderdale FL 33334
I
II 11%.0
Telephone 954.771.2050 Fax 954..7i 1.2052 Email: sales@optoelect-onics.com
Specifications are subject to change without notice or obligation. Visa. Mistufard. C.O.D.
www.optoelectronics.com MADE IN U.S.A
PopsComm P.O.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
iv
Each month we select representative read- Been There, Done That! cally inclined. As for myself, I have stud-
er letters for our "Pop'Comm P.O." col- INN
ied countless hours, and for some reason
umn. We reserve the right to condense still get lost midway through the five
lengthy letters for space reasons and to edit
Dear Editor:
to conform to style. All letters submitted
must be signed and show a return mailing
address or valid e-mail address. Upon re-
This letter is being sent for only one
reason: To warn all radio owners about
theft. I recently became a victim of our
minute copy. I lere's my main point to the
code argumer t, using my own wife
"the teacher" with an outstanding GPA,
-
quest, we will withhold a sender's name if lower side of society. Two of my most as an example - and myself as compared
the letter is used in "Pop'Comm P.O." prized possessions, a Kenwood 2 -meter to her, a C+ student in college. She could
Address letters to: Harold Ort, N2RLL, mobile radio, and a Motorola 440 -MHz continue to n aster the upper levels of
SSB-5%, Editor, Popular Communica- mobile radio, were stolen from my car as written, as wel as the code test if she were
tions, 25 Newbridge Road, Hicksville, NY to apply herself to this task. And she may,
I slept just a few feet away in my house.
11801-2909, or send e-mail via the Internet
Of course I thought that either my car but as for her t eing able to, or having the
to .
insurance or my homeowner's insurance practical hand; -on skills to access vari-
Receiving Cellular, But ... would cover me, right? WRONG. Be-
cause I did not have comprehensive cov-
ous repeater si es with phone patch capa-
bility, changing frequencies and or PLs
Dear Editor: erage on my vehicle, my car insurance in her handhe d, or even just using my
Cellular transmissions are inadvertent- did not cover me. Also, because the radios Yaesu 5200 in my truck, my wife can't.
ly received too, right? In Canada we can were mounted on the transmission hump Even though I `lave shown her numerous
and do listen to the cellular frequencies, (as the insurance company said, PER- times, she still gets lost. If we are going
but we also have other interests. Peel MANENTLY), my homeowner's insur- to utilize ham -adio, I set the agreed fre-
Regional Police recently moved to 800 ance did not cover me. Now I am out quency and th; t's it.
MHz and the cell call images are driving approx. $700 of radio equipment. Back when .nir new-found communi-
me nuts. I don't want them when I'm My only hope is that by writing this cation hobby began, I tried unsuccessful-
chasing cops, but I can't avoid them. reminder, someone will avoid the expe- ly several time; to teach her how paging
Is it any wonder that many analog users rience that I had to go through. Whether and tone code squelch worked, all to no
think they have digital phones? The most CB, ham, or commercial radio, PLEASE avail. She now carries a tiny C -phone in
famous and popular analog cell phone has insure those radios. The few dollars spent her purse and only uses our base station
"Digital Personal Communicator" etched to purchase this insurance will save many when I am out i i the boondocks, or camp-
on the fold down flip! hours of frustration and depression. Trust ing, etc. So you see fellas, here's the big
Mo Janes, Ontario, Canada me, I know what I'm talking about. As kicker: The han I tests in general are a farce
my 16 year -old daughter would say, for beginners all the way up the ladder.
Dear Editor: "Been there, done that." They really don't teach anybody how to
A special congratulations to Chris Brad T. Gass, N3JPL, PA operate these n ore -often -than -not, com-
Smolinski on his excellent article on Spy plicated pieces of communications equip-
Numbers stations. Chris' well -written ment with any real,world practicality!
article and his excellent research have Changing With The Times The manufacttuers of these little compli-
made "spy monitoring" an organized cated monstro: ities should have their
possibility for the shortwave listener. No Dear Editor: heads examines. Group paging, to my
longer is it an accidental encounter. After reading "Harold's One Accurate knowledge, hat. never been utilized by
Winston Sweeney, VE3WFS, Ontario Statement" and Mr. Smith's response, I anyone I've co nmunicated with on the
feel compelled to enter my two cents air. And the pt sh of one wrong button
A Touching Article worth. I agree with both sides of this issue while traveling down the road can put the
- both present excellent arguments. For unit into some node you can't remember.
Dear Editor: me personally, it all started with a need Mr. Wayne Green said it very factual-
In the March issue, Alice Brannigan's for effective emergency communications ly back a whi e ago over nationwide
article "Small Voices For Freedom Were while exploring old ghost towns. Cell talkradio. If the big boys don't change
Heard" was one of the best I've read in a phones are very limited in the boondocks with the times, we hams will continue to
long time. It was about fighting against and mountainous terrain regions, unless lose our privileges and bandwidth. I don't
the odds, and trying to get their country you're at very high elevation. buy that hogwash about having too many
back from a dictator. She made me have Back in 1994, my wife and I both stud- operators out there clogging up the air-
a good feeling for the radio people. ied for, and received, our ham licenses. I waves. In my k rea of the San Joaquin
Please thank Alice for a touching arti- am presently a Tech, and she a Tech Plus. Valley, the UHFNHF is wide open with
cle. I enjoy your magazine. My wife passed the 5 WPM with no prob- numerous repeaters, with no one moni-
Jake Helms, PA lems whatsoever, as she is also very musi- toring the frequencies. If what the head
(Continued on page 38)
6 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / July 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINE
THE NEXT GENERATION BASE STATION CB MICROPHONE
DIGITAL EFFECTS PROCESSING MICROPHONE
The ASTATIC EchoMax unique sounds... ranging The affordable EchoMax 2000
2000 is the next generation from a "duet" effect to the is made in the U.S.A. by Astatic,
base station CB microphone sound of an announcer at a leaders in CB microphone tech-
with microprocessor controlled major league baseball stadium. nology, and comes with a one
digital echo. EchoMax 2000 also features year limited warranty.
EchoMax 2000 features an
ASTATIC exclusive we call
master gain control, heavy-duty
steel construction, two digitally dm or NW IP
"Slapback Echo."Slapback provides synthesized ETS tones, and dual
you with an entirely new range of relays which eliminate annoying MADE IN U.S.A.
receiver "pop." www.astatic.com
Wed. "44416
let
I Contact your local Astatic Dealer today!
To find the Astatic Dealer nearest to you, call 1-440-593-1111
CIRCLE 160 ON READER SERVICE CARD
Here Comes Low Power
FM Broadcasting
Will YOU Own An LPFM Radio Station?
B J. Rodger Skinner, .I W4FM
/f you're like me, or any of the other
13,000 people who call the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC)
each year wanting to know how to start
their own low power radio station, this
could be your lucky day! Like many oth-
ers, I started in broadcasting at age 16 by
building a mini -radio station in my base-
ment. I built the console, and my friend
Jack Hurray, who was more skilled in
electronics, built the small homebrew
transmitter. The three summers we spent
"on the air" were some of the most excit-
ing times of my life, and they led to my
35 -year career in broadcasting. In fact,
several friends were still talking about
that radio station at my 35th high school
class reunion last summer.
Timing Is Right For LPFM
Author Rodger Skinner, Jr., already has some of the equipment he plans to use for his
Several events have transpired over the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, LPFM station. (Photos by Lo en Matthews, W4YU)
last several years that work together to
make this the perfect time for the creation
of a Low Power FM (LPFM) broadcast er-mania is that in most markets today the pirates. In acts of civil disobedience,
service nationwide. A crucial part of this there are three or four companies that own which remind -ne somewhat of those of
plan is the ability to broadcast on 2nd and nearly all the radio stations, forcing the the civil rights movement of the 1960s,
3rd adjacent channels to existing stations price of stations beyond the reach of all pirates are taking to the airwaves, risking
without causing interference. Current but the wealthy, and the large corpora- fines, confisci tion of equipment, and
FCC rules, written decades ago, prohibit tions. Localism that was once the cor- possibly even imprisonment. Many of
use of these channels; however, vast im- nerstone of broadcasting has been lost. these local broadcasters have a desire to
provements in receiver design over the Local entry-level announcing positions serve their loot -1 community, but there is
years now make these 2nd and 3rd adja- are almost a thing of the past, replaced by nothing in cu -rent regulations permit
cent channel restrictions unnecessary, syndicated "sound alike" homogenized these stations.
thus making available several channels in programming delivered via satellite. The last element needed for this change
each market for use by LPFM stations. Concerned only with maximizing profits, was the recent appointment of the new
Comments filed by many engineering these Wall Street -type station owners cut FCC Chairmar , William Kennard, who
firms in the grandfathered short -spaced jobs and eliminated programming like is very sensitive to the problems created
FM proceeding at the FCC in 1996 local news and announcements of school by consolidation. His remarks in various
proved this point. Another factor was the closings during winter storms. trade publications show his sincerity in
Telecommunications Act of 1996, which Another element that calls out for lowering the Ix rrier to entry into broad-
removed the previous ownership limit of change is the spread of unlicensed so- cast station ova nership for individuals,
12 stations by any one company, and re- called "pirate radio stations" across the small business, minorities, women, and
sulted in the most massive consolidation country, which are found in virtually others of limited financial means. The
ever witnessed in broadcasting history, every city. With the removal of local pendulum of ch Inge has swung too far to
with some companies now owning hun- broadcast service by the mega -corpora- one side in radio and the time is right for
dreds of stations. The result of this merg- tion owners, the void is being filled by it to swing back with the creation of a
8 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / July 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINEInnovative
Got Opto? Products for
a Modern
Now is the time to get it! Planet
Xplorer R11
Iplore
11 .30Orl
Two line
Test Receiver: )299 lirt on the job or
just having fun, take along an
*Decode CTCSS, DCS, and D
.500 memories Optoelectrosics product and
*1000 frequenc-r lockout
03uilt-in PC int6rfade experience an entire world of
Capture 5 watt UHF signal from
yr ireless rommunicatfions.
R11 Test Receiver:
y. TOC131V-N
Built-in speaker for instant audio demodulation
LED frequency range indication display
iltVW
you nee'calibrate a radio
Reactioi Tune wit% Scout
Capture 5 wat UHF signal from 500 feet Optolinx
*1000 frequenq I
oscillator or just find frequen-
175 $10 cies around town, you will
always be prepared with an
0
so.
PC COMO! 000
onecurm,c
- 0 Optoelectrenics product.
0S456 / *'
jiExPerience the performance of
1lTest Receivers, Frequency
Optolinx Universal Interface:
3 Counters, and Computer
PC, or computer 3ontrol the ICOM R7000, 87100.88500,
R9000, R10 aid also the AOR /*MOO Use buit in data
3000A+ Control interfaces as so many
Scout slicer crcuit ice use with Trunks
ware not included with Optoling
$299 professi)nil technicians and
$349 hobbyists alike have relied
Counters ""I upon to gel the job done.
Factory
Direct Order
Cub, Ml, 3000APIus:
ing patented Digital Filter anc Digital Auto
rat- $50 LintV
Capture. All counters come with initial accu-
racy of +1- Ippon. High impecance amplifiers
standard on AC and 3000APIes. Call for addi-
8003275912
.
CIRCLE 176 ON
rillk iiimr11910111k ILI Erie
%PM II 111011=116i %at I 1111%011 III 1111010
5821 NE 14th Avenue Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33334 Telephone 954.77103050 Fax 9547712052 EMail sales@optoelectronics.com
Visa. MasterCarc. C.O.D. Prices are subject to change without notice or obligation. No price protection avalable on sale 4ems.
www.optoelectronics.comworked in the broadcast industry for years
LPFM Station Classes a chance to finally own their own radio
station. The! e stations will abide by the
Class majority of Fart -73 FCC rules that apply
Power (ERP) Max. Antenna 1 mV/m Contour
of Station Min. - Max. to full -power FM stations, and will serve
Hght/Ft (HAAT) Max. Range (Miles) a larger area of up to 15 miles range.
LPFM-1 stat ons will be a "primary ser-
LPFM-1 50 W-3000 W 328 15 vice" and have contours protected by all
Primary Service stations, LPFM and full -power FM alike.
The following chart shows the limits
LPFM-2 1 W-50 W 150 3.6 for power, antenna height, and coverage
Secondary Service to the 1 mV/i ri (60 dBu) contour of each
class of LPFM station.
LPFM-3 1 W-20 W 1(X) 2.3
Secondary Service
Special Event Station Plans To Keep It
10 -Day Only Permit A Local Service
Note: Three classes of stations are proposed in RM-9242, allowing something Bearing in mind the problems created
for each type of low power broadcaster. by the massiv.; consolidation of radio sta-
tions by large corporations, and wanting
to restore localism lost in this shuffle, I
local LPFM radio service. Sensing all of Starting at the bottom would be a class wanted to keep the LPFM service for
these changes, I began two years ago LPFM-3 station authorization, a 10 -day - "locals only." Out-of-towners and large
preparing a "petition for rulemaking" only temporary permit for "Special corporate brc adcast interests need not
which I filed at the FCC on February 20, Event" stations to broadcast at events apply. For th s reason, I came up with
1998, seeking creation of a Low Power such as automobile races, boating regat- what I call "t tie 50 -mile rule." Simply,
FM broadcast service nationwide. My tas, tennis matches, etc. any applicant for an LPFM license must
petition has been assigned rulemaking Next is a class LPFM-2 station, which prove primary local residence, for at least
number RM-9242 by the FCC, and serves I believe can satisfy the majority of the one-year prior within 50 miles of the pro-
as a plan for implementation of the LPFM "pirate broadcasters," giving them an posed station' ; antenna site. If the appli-
service, allowing for the ownership of opportunity to broadcast legally and pro- cant is a corporation, partnership, or other
your own LPFM station for less than the vide useful service to their local commu- entity, all stockholders, partners, or par-
price of a new car. nities. The LPFM-2 would have a mini- ties of interest must meet the 50 -mile lim-
mum of regulations, and could be up- itation. In add tion to this application re-
graded at any time to a LPFM-1 license, striction, I proposed that new entrants,
Petition To Create The if desired. Many LPFM-2-type stations those owning no other media interests
LPFM Service - RM-9242 will desire to broadcast with volunteers (radio/TV/new spaper, etc.), be given a 4 -
in a less restrictive environment serving to -1 preference: over those owning other
The petition calls for the creation of a community or part of an urban area. media, excluding Low Power TV sta-
three classes of LPFM stations, filling Lastly, the highest class LPFM-1 tions, which ire "secondary service."
the needs of a broad range of stations. license will allow many people who have Hundreds of small, local "mom and pop
owned" LPTVs, including mine, are be-
ing bumped of the air by the digital tele-
vision roll -out.
Where To Find The
RM-9242 Petition
Anyone intern ested in reading the entire
25 -page RM-92.42 petition can find it on
the Internet at my Web site at , and also
at the FCC Internet Web site, . Anyone lack-
ing access to tt e Internet can get a copy
of RM-9242 by sending $2 to cover
postage/copying costs to me at the ad-
dress at the end of this article.
There are also two other petitions deal-
ing with LPFM .)n the FCC Web site: RM-
Here's the view from the rooftop of a 400 -foot -tall building overlooking Fort Lauderdale
a great LPFM antenna site!
- 9246 deals with only "Special Event"
type stations; F M-9208 calls for a very
10 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / July 1998 THE JoIONITORING MAGAZINElow power radio service of only 1 -watt to prevent any interference from har- under consideration ul the FCC now
(one -half -mile -range) with only one monics and other spurious emissions that Although the comment filing deadline of
channel per city. Also on my Web site, could otherwise affect broadcast or other April 27 and reply -comment filing dead-
you will find a FAQ (frequently asked services. I believe that once this large new line of May 26 has passed, you might still
question) that describes in detail the rea- market for LPFM opens, there will be want to file informal comments at the
soning behind RM-9242. many manufacturers rushing in with FCC. Although these late -filed com-
lower price type -accepted equipment, ments will not be part of the official
Technical Considerations Of designed especially for LPFM, that meets record, they may show the FCC just how
An LPFM Application all FCC specifications. many people want this new service to be
created. Mark the top of your letter with
As President of TRA Communications How To Get Started "Comments on RM-9242" and mail an
Consultants, Inc., I have prepared and original and nine copies in one envelope
filed applications for new Low Power First, you must realize that the LPFM to: Office of the Secretary, Room 222,
Television stations and new full -power service has not yet been created, but is FCC, 1919 M Street NW, Washington,
FM stations for clients nationwide since
1980. Many have asked me why they
need an engineering study to be attached
to an LPFM application, as proposed in
ALIMADELTA Model VRC
RM-9242. "Can't I just find a clear spot
on the dial myself?" they ask. Variable Response Console
I proposed using desired -to -undesired
signal ratios to justify non-interference Advanced Audio Processing
for LPFM stations, since this method will Speaker System
allow more stations to be accommodated Provides Studio Level Audio Quality
than would be under a mileage separation for Music, Voice and CW/Data
method. This desired -to -undesired signal Communications Systems
ratio method of predicting interference
has been used successfully in the Low The Model VRC will enhance the reception
Power Television service. Since I partic- capabilities of ANY receiver, transceiver or
ipated in the rulemaking that created the scanner - even the expensive ones using DSP.
LPTV service years ago, I have borrowed You've never heard anything like it!
many of the ideas from that service to cre-
ate the Low Power FM service. Some Ducted Port Bass Reflex speaker system. Custom designed as an integral part of the
channels that may sound fairly clear may system. Compare it to any other outboard speaker - you'll be amazed.
not meet FCC interference requirements, Low distortion, low harmonic push-pull audio amplifier. Outperforms the typical single -
ended type found in other designs and provides clean, crisp audio. You can sit back
which is a mandatory prerequisite to and enjoy full audio response.
allow any channel to come on the air. I Continuously adjustable 12 dB bass boost/cut circuitry enhances bass response for high
have proposed that the signal of the inter- fidelity music, and reduces low frequency rumble for sharper voice clarity. LED light bar
fering (undesired) co -channel station be readout shows amount of boost or cut and is calibrated in dB.
at least 20 dB below the protected Continuously adjustable sharp cut-off "Sampled Data Switched Capacitor Audio Filter"
(desired) station's protected contour at can be set for optimum interference reduction for any mode and any band condition.
AM, FM, SSB, CW or data. LED light bar readout shows cut-off frequency and is cali-
that protected contour. Likewise, an inter- brated in kHz from 500 Hz to 10 kHz. As the knob is rotated each LED segment con-
fering (undesired) 1 st-adjacent station tinuously dims or brightens showing precise filter frequency.
must be at least 6 dB below the protect- Peaking circuitry (20 dB) allows CW/data signals to "pop" out of the background in
ed (desired) station's protected contour. adverse interference conditions allowing single -signal reception.
These are the same rules already being Continuously adjustable 40 dB deep notch circuitry effectively takes out interfering
used to predict interference for grandfa- heterodynes, providing clear reception. Notch width and frequency are adjustable.
thered short -spaced FM stations. It Special circuitry allows the peak and notch to exactly track each other. Therefore an
should be pointed out that hundreds of undesired signal can be peaked, making it easy to find, then by hitting the notch button
it simply disappears!
these grandfathered short -spaced full - Low level output for tape recorders, headphone output. 12 V wall transformer and jumpers
power FM stations have operated for are provided.
many years on 2nd and 3rd adjacent chan- At your Alpha Delta dealer
For direct U.S. orders add S7.00 shipping and handling. Exports quoted.
nels without any interference complaints.
This subject is dealt with in detail in RM- Toll -Free Order Line 888-302-8777
9242, another thing that sets it apart from
any other petitions on file. Although, I AMADEIXA Model VRC Variable Response Console $249.95 ea
AMADELTA Model VRC-2 Ducted Port Bass Reflex Speaker System
won't be able to quote rates for LPFM (Same as above but no amplifier/filter-a pair of these are great for your PC!) $99.95 ea
application preparation until the FCC
determines what will comprise the ser-
vice, I know that they will be far below
AIUMIDE 41,4 'L
what we have charged for full -power FM P.O. Box 620. Manchester, KY 40962 (606) 598-2029
application preparation. I have also called fax (606) 598-4413
for use of FCC type -accepted equipment Alpha Delta - Where Imagination And Reality Merge
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE July 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 11The book you've been
waiting Chart Showing Coverage To 1 niV/m (60 dBu)
for... Contour In Miles
Antenna Height in Feet (HAAT)
50 100 150 200 250 328
I watt .6 1.1 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0
20 W 1.6 2.3 2.8 3.3 3.7 4.2
50 W 2.1 2.9 3.6 4.1 4.6 5.3
100 W 2.4 3.5 4.3 5.0 5.6 6.4
250 W 3.0 4.4 5.5 6.3 7.1 8.1
500 W 3.5 5.3 6.5 7.6 8.5 9.7
This information -packed book is your most
reliable, unbiased source for detailed infor- 1000 W 4.1 6.3 7.8 9.0 10.1 11.5
mation on practically every piece of Amateur 2000 W 4.8 7.5 9.3 10.8 12.0 13.7
Radio equipment and every accessory item 3000 W 5.3 8.3 10.3 11.9 13.2 15.0
currently offered for sale in the United States.
From the biggest HF transceiver to Ham com-
puter software, it's in the CO Amateur Radio Notes: Distances calculated from FCC F(50/50) Distance to Contours Chart /
Equipment Buyer's Guide, complete with Figure 1 of Section 73.333 of FCC rules
specs and prices. There are over 2100 prod- HAAT= Height Above Average Terrain
uct listings (3100 including transceiver ERP= Effective Radiated Power (in watts)
accessories!).
Product listings cover: HF Transceivers,
VHF/UHF Multi -Mode Transceivers, VHF/
UHF Base/Mobile Transceivers, Handheld
DC 20554. You may wish to emphasize Section 257 of the Telecommunications
Transceivers, Receivers and Scanners, HF that the half -mile coverage proposed in Act of 1996, the FCC has a statutory
Linear Amplifiers, VHF/UHF Power RM-9208 is insufficient, and that you obligation to promote competition and
Amplifiers, Transceiver Accessories, want to see the power levels described in help small bu:;inesses enter the broad-
Repeaters, Packet and RTTY Equipment,
Amateur Television, HF Antennas, VHF/
RM-9242 enacted into the rules for casting field. Make your views known to
UHF Antennas, Accessories for Antennas, LPFM. Having worked for several radio your elected officials today. Remind them
Antenna Rotators, Towers and Masts, stations and having sold radio advertising that, come election day, we will remem-
Antenna Tuners, Measurement and Test for years, I know that inadequate cover- ber those who l elped us create LPFM and
Equipment, Ham Software, Training Tapes, age can doom an LPFM station, prevent-
Publications, and Miscellaneous Acces- those who did lot.
sories. Thousands of products are
ing it from being able to support itself So start scou ing around for an existing
described; many are illustrated. with commercial advertisers. Any store tower on whic 1 you might lease space,
owner will want your station's coverage and be prepares to give an engineer the
The CQ Amateur Radio Equipment Buyer's area to at least match his business trading
Guide also includes the most comprehen- tower registration number and the coor-
sive directory anywhere of Ham product area of 10 to 15 miles. Anything less, and dinates in degrees -minutes -seconds of
manufacturers and dealers in the USA, com- you will find yourself unable to pay the the antenna si .e to begin a frequency
plete with phone numbers, FAX numbers, bills at your new LPFM station. That's search and the preparation of your own
Web sites, and e-mail addresses. Dealer why the old full -power Class -A station
and Manufacturer listings include major
LPFM applicat on.
products manufactured or sold, and service owners wanted, and got, an increase from Get ready, LI'FM is coming!
and repair policies, where applicable, with 3000 to 6000 watts. If you want to oper-
475 dealers and manufacturers listed. ate with less power and cover a substan-
These listings alone are worth their weight tially smaller area, as in some very small
in gold.
markets, that is fine, and RM-9242 allows
The CO Amateur Radio Equipment Buyer's for that; however, in some larger markets, Editor's Note: Rodger can be con-
Guide is jam-packed with solid information the higher power will be necessary to tacted at the following address or
and great reading. In addition to being an cover even half of the market.
incredible source of insight into the current
phone number if you would like more
state of Ham Radio technology, it will con-
In addition to writing the FCC, you information or LPFM. As Rodger and
tinue to be a reliable Ham equipment refer- should also write and call your Congres- I have discussed over the past few
ence source for many years to come. sional representatives to enlist their sup- weeks, the time, has come for a worth-
port for RM-9242 and the creation of an while LPFM service.
For Fastest Service call LPFM service. The National Association
.1. Rodger Skin ter, Jr., W4FM
1-800-853-9797 or of Broadcasters (NAB) is opposing the
FAX 516-681-2926 IRA Communications Consultants, Inc.
creation of LPFM because they don't 6431 NW 65th 'ferrace
want any additional competition for their
sir'. stations, and they are pushing this point
Pompano Bead', FL 33067
Phone: 954-340-3110
to all those in Congress who will listen. E-mail: radiotv @cris.com
CO Communications, Inc. It is important that we remind our
25 Newbridge Road, Congressional representatives that under
Hicksville, NY 11801
12 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / Ju y 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINEThe Mystery Station On "Island X"
Two Secret Anti -Castro Stations!
1. Alice Braimigalt
The year was 1962 and the Cold War
was in full swing. The Soviets were
shipping missiles to Castro's
Cuba. President John Kennedy's leg-
endary confrontation with the Soviets
about this, and his naval blockade of
Cuba, appeared to bring the world one
step closer to the brink of armed conflict.
The Cold War was more a war of ide-
ologies, espionage, dirty tricks, subver-
sion, nerves, words, and propaganda
than anything else. So-called "black'.
(deep undercover) fronts and operations
abounded, especially in the area of broad- Radio Liberdad seemed to be located in Venezuela. At least that was what the CIA was
casting. One that became quite famous speculating in a confidential monitoring report. Some DXers, however, thought it was more
was Radio Swan (also known as Radio likely in the Netherlands Antilles.
Americas), a powerful anti -Castro CIA
AM and shortwave station located on
Swan Island, southwest of Cuba. It began the transmitter. A week was lost trying, At dusk, under cover of darkness, the
operating just about the time of the Bay and then replacing, wires. semi -trailers left the naval base at Key
of Pigs invasion in 1961. Much has been The power supply portion of the station West aboard two Army Transportation
written about Radio Swan. Another anti - was worked on in Alexandria, Virginia. Corps LCMs (mechanized landing craft)
Castro mystery station of the era was This consisted of two 200 -kW, 208 -volt for a classified destination referred to
Radio Liberdad. three-phase diesel generators. Then, they only as "Island X." At 4:30 a.m., before
Very little has been published about yet had to figure out how to install the trans- sunrise, they arrived at a sandy beach in
a third undercover anti -Castro broad- mitter and all other equipment required the Dry Tortugas where they were met by
caster, one hurriedly established by the for the station's operation in large semi- a contingent of Navy SEALs.
U.S. Navy in response to the 1962 Cuban trailers. Located 70 miles west of Key West, the
missile crisis. According to James F. This included a 20 -ton air condition- Dry Tortugas are a group of seven small,
Pinkham, one of the engineers who ing system, a studio and workshop, spare uninhabited coral islands at the entrance
worked on the project during its initial parts and diesel fuel, diesel generators, to the Gulf of Mexico (approximately
deployment, Navy Communications and a roof and side shutters to protect the 24-38-36N, 82-52-00W). Declared a
(Navcom) Systems Headquarters had electrical equipment from the elements. National Park in 1992, the Dry Tortugas
engaged two broadcast engineers to In all, the radio station was to occupy five lie within the territorial limits of Florida.
quickly and secretly ready a very old 50 - semi -trailers. They were named Las Tortugas (The
kW transmitter and towers for portable Turtles) because of the abundance of tur-
operation at a secret island site in the Convoy Time tles found there when discovered in 1513
Gulf of Mexico. The engineers were Jim by Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon, and
Pinkham's former employer, the late John Wiring was still in progress when the mariners later added the word Dry
H. Mullaney, PE, and Phil Nesbit. Navy started the truck convoy on its way because of the lack of fresh water.
The transmitter Navcom Systems to Key West, Florida. The idea was to Lighthouses were constructed on two of
wanted operational was a Westinghouse complete everything on site. Not long the keys in the 1800s. They are the site of
50G, a gigantic 20 -year -old relic that had after the trip started, they learned that the the ruins of Ft. Jefferson, an unfinished
long been mothballed. They worked tires on one van weren't strong enough. Civil War era fortification used as a prison
round the clock to restore this huge piece All of the tires blew out on the van car- until 1873. Legends of pirates and sunken
of equipment to operating condition at a rying the heavy transformers. When they gold abound in these islands.
Rockville, Maryland, site. It required arrived in Miami, the project was carry- One problem after another arose as
extensive restoration and repair. Restor- ing six engineers with secret clearance. they started to deploy the broadcast
ation was made difficult because Twenty-one broadcast trainees from a equipment, often relating to rush -modifi-
Westinghouse was unable to furnish an Miami school were sent over to help get cations made to the transmitter. The trans-
adequate set of manuals or blueprints for the station finished. former oil that had been stored for trans -
THE MONITORING MAGAZINE July 1998 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / 13VOA program, tor so eral It took
nearly 30 more years for someone who
had actually Norked at the temporary
island station t3 step forward and provide
any details!
We'd like to thank James Pinkham for
his help and co3peration in presenting the
material about this station. We'd also like
to thank IMAS Publications, Alexandria,
Virginia, for permitting us the use of some
of their (Copy ight 1997) material here.
James Pinkham is presently a control sys-
tems designer and consultant associated
with Multronics, Inc., Mullaney, Inc., and
other manufac urers. His e-mail address
is .
Rad o Liberdad,
And her Mystery
QSLs from the mysterious Radio Liberdad were not forthcoming from any of their many
announced mail addresses. But QSLs from the Free Russia NTS underground relays over Perhaps seccnd in fame only to Radio
Radio Liberdad came through readily. This NTS veri was received in 1963 by the late Ontario Swan/Americas as a 1960s anti -Castro
DXer, C.M. Stanbury, 11. station, Radio Liberdad, La Voz Anti-
Communista di: America, stayed deeply
port in an auxiliary tank had become con- by Cuba. So were signals from Marathon hidden. DXers went batty trying to find
taminated from residue of welding scraps (making the Navy's off -air pick-ups dif- out who finance d and operated it, its exact
and paint particles in the tank. The insu- ficult). The White House sent a dispatch purpose, or even its specific location.
lators substituted for the specified high- to the Officer in Charge, VOA, Marathon, It first appeared on the shortwave scene
voltage fiberglass types exploded when stating: "Continue operating at present in October of 1 )61, shortly after the Bay
RF was applied to the antennas. Florida experimental power level to act as relay of Pigs fiasco, Ind nearly simultaneous-
Power and Light provided an oil filtering to the Navy installation on Island X for ly with Radio Swan's metamorphosis into
Radio America:.. At first, two frequencies
were used, 731:: and 6999 kHz, the latter
Operating Moved From Island X having been u ;ed by Radio Escambre
MM. Libre, a one-shot transmission aired by
The station was set up on 1040 kHz. Three months after first being set up on the CIA at the end of the failed Cuban
The antenna was configured as a two - Island X, the station was moved to a new invasion. A third outlet on 15050 kHz was
tower directional with a dumbbell - location near the Key West Naval Air added in December. Then a year later,
shaped pattern having a large back lobe Station (NAS), announced as Sugar Loaf when the worst of the Cuban missile cri-
towards the central U.S. mainland that Key. Jim Pinkham did not participate in sis was over, the, were running a full sked
created some interference. It was beamed this relocation. At the new site, it used on 4005, 5067. 7318, and 15050 kHz,
towards Havana. with mediumw Ave on 1556 kHz (later
three towers for better pattern control. It
Program feed was a problem because changed to 14041 kHz).
continued in operation there for about During that r eriod, Radio Liberdad's
they couldn't get the microwave link from four years until damaged by a hurricane
Key West to work, even with the dishes anti-Communis propaganda operations
which took down the towers. The trans-
as high as possible at each end. Worse yet, were in full swing. After that, the station
mitter was then placed in mothballs. appeared to hav': hit the skids. By March
an error at Navcom System HQ in calcu- When Pinkham and Mullaney visited the
lating nautical miles versus statute miles of 1967, the owlets had been cut to two
NAS a decade later to survey the stored shortwave tram miners, and, as of late
had placed the stations 13 miles beyond transmitter for the Navy, it was still ser- 1969, they were only on 15050 kHz. At
the radio horizon. viceable. An FCC inspector from Miami best, the signals had never been particu-
Rack -mounted communications re- later advised Pinkham that it had been larly strong and appeared to be coming
ceivers were brought in by helicopter. reactivated for use on 1040 kHz by the from transmitters running between 5 and
These were used to pick up and relay the anti -Castro Radio Marti. 10 kW. By 1969. the 15 -MHz signals had
VOA's Cuban programming from the new Pinkham told us that because the oper- become so bad tt ey were barely readable.
VOA station on 1180 kHz that had also ations on Island X were deemed secret at
just gone on the air from Marathon, the time, no photos were permitted. So Intentiondly Mysterious
Florida. The VOA Marathon station was secret was this station's status and loca-
then still operating on low power (about tion that a VOA official didn't specifical- That Radio Li 3erdad was a mystery is
900 watts) while completing its antenna ly acknowledge it until 1969. In re-sponse an understatement. Intensive digging by
tune-up. Broadcasts of some Radio to a direct inquiry, he answered "I under- the news media ind members of the DX
Americas programming was also relayed stand that a transmitter located temporar- hobby were unable to turn up the slight-
by the Navy station. The Navy station's ily on Dry Tortugas in connection with est wisp of inf.( rmation. A number of
1040 -kHz signals were heavily jammed the military build-up at that time did relay attempts (via printed leaflets and through
14 / POPULAR COMMUNICATIONS / July 1998 THE MONITORING MAGAZINEYou can also read
