January 2006
Articles from the
January 2006 issue of CQ posted on our
website include:
Happy New Year! The January issue of CQ marks a couple of major milestones along with results from the 2005 SSB weekend of the CQ World Wide WPX Contest and rules for the 2006 running of both the "regular" WPX contest (SSB Mar 25-26, CW May 27-28) and the WPX RTTY Contest (Feb. 11-12).
We start out with a personal milestone -- contributor Ed Richmond, W4YO's, recollections of 50 years of DXing, along with the story of a contact that changed the focus of his career! Next, Bob Shrader, W6BNB, helps us mark the centennial of voice communications by radio with a look back at how those early voice signals were generated and decoded, along with advancements to the current day.
After the WPX SSB contest results - featuring an ever-increasing number of logs as well as 23 new records, despite the declining sunspot cycle - Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, reviews two new specialty antennas from Diamond Antennas - the Tunable Foxhunt Beam and the D220 Discone - and we have the announcement of the opening of 2006 nominations for the CQ Amateur Radio, Contest and DX Halls of Fame.
"Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, leads off our columns with a report on a new twist on BPL (Broadband over Power Lines) technology that may signal an end to the conflict between BPL providers and hams suffering interference on the HF bands. Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, continues our report on ham radio response to the hurricanes of 2005, with reports this month on Katrina, Rita and Wilma, as well as the unusual November tornadoes in the Midwest.
"Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, continues his December topic of oscilloscopes with plans for a simple way to fabricate a 50-ohm probe. "What's New" editor Karl Thurber, W8FX, reports on a new handheld from Alinco, Misty Hollow's new RB5000 calibrator, Cubex's portable antenna support system and more. Antennas Editor Kent Britain, WA5VJB, examines the (real) Sirius satellite antenna - including its potential ham uses - and Buckmaster's Off-Center Fed Dipole.
"How it Works" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, takes a look back at vacuum tubes, and compares them with transistors. "Magic in the Sky" editor Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, explores the joys of helping your neighbors in "The Last Radiogram." Beginner's Editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, reminds readers that nearly everyone has a story to tell related to ham radio, and that some of them might be interesting enough to share in the pages of CQ.
Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, offers "A Newcomer's Guide to DXing" in his monthly "World of Ideas" column, while "VHF Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, offers tips on rejuvenating fading radio clubs. DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, brings us up to date on the planned DXpedition to Peter I island off Antarctica. Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, offers suggestions for "2006 Contesting Resolutions," Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, profiles a new series of awards for contacting counties and cities in Utah, and Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, predicts "Good Conditions for 2006" despite our nearing the bottom of the 11-year sunspot cycle.
That's a sampling of what's ahead in the January 2006 issue of CQ, which should be on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes by late December. Happy New Year from all of us at CQ!!
The University of Amateur Radio
Nominations Open for 2006 CQ Halls of Fame
Rules: 2006 CQ World Wide RTTY WPX
Rules: 2006 CQ World Wide WPX Contest
December 2005
Contest Calendar
On the Cover:
Mark
Jensen, KA0WTX
of West Fargo,
North
Dakota
