1998 01 00 73 Magazine

Magazine Overview

Title: 73 Amateur Radio Today
Issue Date: January 1998
Issue Number: #448
Price: USA $3.95, Canada $4.95
Cover Headline: Special Antenna Issue!

This issue of 73 Amateur Radio Today is dedicated to amateur radio antennas, featuring articles on building an active antenna, a 5-band QRP loop, and a 2m/900 MHz whip. It also highlights the DX Dynasty Award and includes a review of Automatic SatTracking. The magazine's content spans technical articles, editorial commentary on labor unions and the state of amateur radio licensing, and discussions on UFO phenomena and technological advancements.

Editorial and Commentary

The editorial section delves into the power of unions, drawing parallels between the printing industry, television, and the rail unions, arguing that workers who rely on unions for higher pay are lazy and unmotivated. The editor emphasizes personal responsibility in career advancement.

A significant portion of the commentary addresses the decline in new amateur radio licenses, noting a 94% drop in General and Extra Class licenses and a 91% drop in Advanced Class licenses in the two years leading up to August 1997. The editor suggests this might be a deliberate strategy by the ARRL to reduce QRM (interference) on HF bands, especially with sunspots expected to increase.

Technical Articles

Special Antenna Issue!

• The cover highlights several key antenna-related articles:
• Build An Active Antenna: Details on constructing an active antenna.
• 5-Band QRP Loop: Information on a loop antenna designed for 5 bands and low-power (QRP) operation.
• 2m/900 MHz Whip: A guide to a whip antenna for the 2-meter and 900 MHz bands.

Review: Automatic SatTracking

A review of a product or system related to automatic satellite tracking is featured.

UFOs and Technology

ET Mischief

This section reports on a UFO sighting in Hinsdale, New Hampshire, where a cylinder-shaped object was observed hovering. Shortly after, 25 cows on a nearby farm were found dead, having been electrocuted. Autopsies revealed no external signs of trauma like lightning strikes, and the barn showed no damage. The area where the cows lay, and where they were buried, exhibited high radiation. The following year, corn planted in the burial site formed a perfect circle and died when about six inches high.

Never Say Die (Continued)

This section continues the discussion on extraterrestrial visitation. It poses the question of why advanced alien civilizations might visit Earth, suggesting they might observe and occasionally 'nudge' humanity without significant interaction. The article references the Roswell incident, noting that pertinent Army records from 1946-1949 were destroyed without authorization.

It further explores the claim, made by an ex-Pentagon official and detailed in 'The Day After Roswell,' that alien technology recovered from UFO crashes was integrated into U.S. industries. A recent interview on the Art Bell show is cited, where a guest claimed the transistor was reverse-engineered from UFO artifacts, not invented by Shockley and his colleagues. The article also attributes the development of ICs, digital signal processing, lasers, modems, and nuclear-powered engines to this alien technology.

The author expresses skepticism, arguing that the development of these technologies, such as ICs and modems, appears to be a natural progression rather than a sudden jump. The timeline for nuclear power development (1945 for atomic and hydrogen bombs) predates the alleged integration of alien technology. The author concludes that most technological advancements have not shown sudden, inexplicable jumps, with the exception of transistors and fiber optics.

Letters and Opinions

Ozzie Levin W5RK

Ozzie Levin W5RK writes in agreement with the editor's stance on eliminating the code requirement for ham radio licenses, calling it a 'detrimental portion of the ham exams.' He shares his experience teaching ham radio classes for over 40 years and expresses pride in having trained many students who entered the electronics industry. Levin also mentions his work with pyramids and the 'Hieronymous machine,' noting that pyramids are affected by sunspot activity and that 'mind machines' he built based on these concepts work.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently advocates for the advancement and accessibility of amateur radio. There's a strong emphasis on practical technical skills, particularly in antenna design. The editor expresses a critical view of labor unions and promotes individual initiative and self-reliance. A recurring theme is the perceived decline in the hobby's popularity and the need for constructive proposals to revitalize it. The magazine also engages with speculative topics like UFOs and the potential influence of alien technology on human progress, often presenting these with a degree of skepticism or a call for critical evaluation of claims.

The editorial stance appears to be in favor of modernizing amateur radio, including the removal of the Morse code proficiency requirement, and encourages members to adapt to new technologies and challenges. There's a sense of urgency to preserve the hobby for future generations.