1989 04 00 73 Magazine - SETI and UFOs

Magazine Overview

This issue of 73 Amateur Radio, International Edition, from April 1989 (Issue #343), is published by A WGE Publication and priced at $2.95 in the USA and $3.95 in Canada. The cover prominently features articles on "VHF AND ABOVE ANTENNAS!" including "Wide-band discone," "Hot VHF/UHF HT antenna," "Tri-band vertical," and "Great VHF RFDer." It also highlights "HOME-BREW:" projects such as a "Uniden 10FM split mod!," "New life for Bird elements," and "PC monitor adaptor." Additionally, "REVIEWS:" are presented for a "2m/220 MHz mobile marvel," "Deluxe data decoder," and the "Smallest full-featured HT!" The cover also includes a photograph of a Kenwood radio.

Editorial: Suggestions for Construction Projects

The editorial section encourages readers to engage in building new amateur radio projects, emphasizing the need for innovation in areas like 10.5 GHz equipment, QRP gear for 10 meters, conversions of CB to 10 meters, small receivers and antennas for transmitter hunting, and simple test equipment. It calls for automatic call identifiers for HF rigs, narrow-band communication systems, and beacon stations for 6 meters and up, including beacon digipeaters. The author laments the underutilization of the 1250 MHz band and questions the FCC's allocation of 900 MHz if it remains unused. The piece criticizes the time spent on television and news, urging readers to focus on practical projects and "get those soldering pencils sharpened."

Editorial: Ham Suers

This section strongly condemns amateurs who resort to lawsuits against fellow amateurs or groups, viewing it as a serious detriment to the hobby. The author proposes revoking licenses of those who sue and even suggests extreme penalties. The core argument is that amateur radio is a hobby that relies on self-regulation, and causing trouble for the FCC could lead to the loss of frequencies. The author advocates for a national conference every other year to update regulations, modeled after the International Telecommunications Union, with proposed rule changes submitted by member clubs and voted on by delegates. This system, the author believes, would allow for regulations that meet immediate needs and encourage gentlemen's agreements. The FCC commissioners are reportedly enthusiastic about this approach.

Editorial: Buying Justice

Continuing the theme of legal issues, the author discusses the financial aspect of justice, stating that winning often depends on who has the money. The "Institute of Amateur Radio," founded 25 years prior, aimed to organize group ham travel and provide funds for amateurs fighting legal suits, achieving some success. However, due to personal issues and internal challenges, the Institute ceased to be active. The author expresses a desire to list the names of hams who have instituted lawsuits in the magazine, to raise awareness. The editorial reiterates that a ham license is a permit to operate, not a guarantee of a clear frequency or contact, and criticizes the desire to set up numerous repeaters as ego-driven rather than need-based.

Editorial: SETI, UFOs and Amateur Radio

This section delves into the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) and the prevalence of UFO reports. The author suggests that if intelligence isn't found on Earth, it's worth looking elsewhere. The article questions the probability of other civilizations and why they haven't been detected. It touches upon the age of the universe and conflicting scientific theories, including the possibility of multiple big bangs and the spread of life seeds by an older intelligence. The author notes that while the universe is estimated to be 15 billion years old, some meteors appear much older. The piece discusses the red shift of distant stars and galaxies as a basis for age estimation, but acknowledges inconsistencies with stars within the same galaxies. It posits that if our solar system is 5 billion years old and it took 5 billion years for civilization to develop to its current state, then other civilizations could have existed billions of years before ours. The question "Where is Everybody?" is posed, with computer simulations suggesting millions of civilizations in the galaxy.

Article: Not Fit Company-Yet

The author questions why, if the galaxy is teeming with civilizations, we haven't heard from them. It's suggested that they may know we're here and are allowing us to develop independently. The author expresses doubt about humanity's readiness to join a galactic civilization, citing the potential for nuclear self-destruction and environmental damage. The article references Tom Clancy's "Red Storm Rising" to illustrate the precariousness of the global situation and the rise of terrorism, raising concerns about the potential for a nuclear attack. The author speculates that in such a scenario, amateur radio operators might struggle to provide communications using Morse Code.

Article: It's in the Anomalies

This section revisits the idea that significant discoveries are often overlooked as anomalies. The author recalls an article from years ago about hams discovering the semiconductor phenomenon but ignoring it, potentially delaying the invention of the transistor. The piece wonders if similar opportunities are being missed today. It contrasts the past, when amateur radio led commercial radio in innovation, with the present, where amateurs are seen as lagging behind. The author criticizes the resistance to change, particularly the defense of 400-baud Morse Code in an era of high-speed digital communications, likening it to a "lynch mob" mentality. The potential loss of amateur radio frequencies due to underutilization and lack of modernization is highlighted.

Article: Narrow-Band CW

This article explores the potential for updating Continuous Wave (CW) communication. It builds on a previous discussion about reducing voice bandwidth and suggests that CW, with its inherent simplicity, offers significant opportunities for bandwidth and time economies. The author proposes moving beyond traditional hand keys and bugs to embrace modern digital electronics and computer interfaces. The article describes an experiment where CW bands were recorded and analyzed using a computer to decipher signals and identify common phrases and callsigns. The author suggests digitally encoding Morse code into short packets, allowing for more efficient transmission. The concept of assigning numbers to English words to reduce transmission length is explored, along with the idea of using 16-bit or 32-bit bytes for communication. The article also touches on the possibility of using a time assignment system to manage multiple simultaneous contacts on a single channel and the need for emergency communication systems powered by batteries and solar cells. The author calls for readers to submit their technical ideas and circuits to 73 magazine.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around innovation and modernization within amateur radio, particularly in antenna technology and communication modes like CW. There's a strong emphasis on practical, home-brew projects and the importance of amateur radio operators being at the forefront of technological development. The editorial stance is critical of complacency and resistance to change, advocating for embracing new technologies and efficient use of spectrum. The issue also addresses the legal and regulatory aspects of amateur radio, with a firm stance against lawsuits and a call for better self-regulation. Furthermore, it touches upon broader scientific and speculative topics like SETI and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, encouraging a forward-thinking and open-minded approach to discovery.