73 Magazine for Radio Amateurs

Magazine Overview

This issue of 73 Magazine for Radio Amateurs, dated August 1980, features a vibrant cover with the prominent number '73' and the magazine's title. It is priced at $2.95 and published in the USA. The content spans a diverse range of topics, from technical articles for radio amateurs to speculative discussions on UFOs and the future of communication.

Featured Articles and Content

Radio Manufacturing History

The magazine revisits the history of prominent amateur radio equipment manufacturers. Hallicrafters, National, and Hammarlund are discussed, with their decline attributed to factors such as a late adoption of sideband technology and market shifts, particularly the 1964 crunch. The article notes how these companies struggled, with Hallicrafters eventually being bought out and its assets diminished by theft. Hammarlund faced difficulties after a slump in receiver sales, and National's focus on military contracts proved insufficient. The piece highlights Drake as a survivor in the receiver field, attributing its success partly to sales of TVI filters.

UFOs and Time Travel Speculation

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to the topic of UFOs. The author observes a decline in organized UFO research groups like NICAP and APRO, with MUFON in Texas being the current prominent organization. The author expresses a desire to find a pattern in UFO reports and suggests that time travel might explain the phenomenon. This theory is supported by the instant appearance and disappearance of UFOs, as well as ancient cave paintings from 17,000 years ago that depict objects resembling modern UFOs. The author ponders the paradoxes of time travel, such as the grandfather paradox, and suggests that time travelers might adhere to rules to avoid altering the future, potentially explaining the consistency in some reports or the lack of clear information from alleged encounters. The possibility of extraterrestrial visitors exploring Earth's history is also raised, which could account for the variety of reported alien beings.

Emerging Technologies: Electronic Mail

The magazine explores the potential of microcomputers in revolutionizing communication through electronic mail. The author believes the microcomputer industry can outpace established telecommunication giants like Ma Bell and ITT in developing a slick, automatic messaging system. The proposed system involves a box that connects a microcomputer to telephone lines, allowing users to write messages via word processing and send them to any number. The system would automatically redial busy numbers and manage the connection and verification process, with notifications for incoming messages. This technology is presented as a significant advancement that could even compete with the postal service.

Technical Articles for Radio Amateurs

Several articles cater to the interests of radio amateurs:

• "The Soft Mount" (p. 32) discusses mobile mounts entering the space age.
• "Notes from Big Sky Country" (p. 36) continues the adventures of Dr. Hess.
• "Meet the Little Giant" (p. 46) focuses on an "everyman's sheet-metal tool."
• "On Ten FM" (p. 52) explores "home of the free, land of the brave."
• "The Rains of Morvi" (p. 60) details duty in disaster for Indian hams.
• "Those Fabulous Fifties" (p. 64) offers an era in retrospect.
• "Trash All Your Worries" (p. 70) covers the RFI caper involving Baron Von Rhonstead.
• "Two Dollars a Tone" (p. 74) presents an inexpensive subaudible generator based on the S2559.
• "The World Above 430" (p. 80) is the first part of a series on getting there.
• "Over There" (p. 86) shares notes from Kilroy.
• "Busman's Holiday" (p. 96) combines hamming with pleasure on vacation.
• "A Soft Approach to Logging" (p. 100) discusses electronic data base management for hams.
• "RTTY with the H8" (p. 106) describes a Heath-based RTTY system.
• "A Different Kind of Charger" (p. 115) offers advice on charging Gel/Cell batteries.
• "No Problem. No Problem" (p. 122) shares tales of DX contesting with VP2KC.

Regular Columns and Sections

The issue also includes a variety of regular features:

• Never Say Die (p. 4)
• Looking West (p. 10)
• DX (p. 14)
• RTTY Loop (p. 18)
• Ham Help (p. 20)
• Letters (p. 22)
• Contests (p. 24)
• Awards (p. 26)
• AMSAT (p. 28)
• New Products (p. 30)
• Social Events (p. 132)
• OSCAR Orbits (p. 164)
• FCC (p. 164)
• Corrections (p. 166)
• Dealer Directory (p. 193)
• Propagation (p. 193)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently bridges the gap between practical amateur radio operations and broader speculative topics like UFOs. The editorial stance appears to be one of open inquiry, encouraging readers to share their experiences and theories, particularly concerning unexplained phenomena. There's a clear interest in the history of amateur radio technology and its evolution, alongside a forward-looking perspective on emerging communication methods like electronic mail. The publication champions the resourcefulness of radio amateurs, as seen in articles about DIY projects and adapting existing tools. The UFO section, while speculative, reflects a serious engagement with the subject, seeking rational explanations or acknowledging the profound mysteries involved.