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     October 2008

Articles from the

October 2008 issue
of CQ posted on our

website include:

The October issue of CQ starts out with an update of Lew McCoy's classic antenna project, "A One Element Rotary for 21 Mc," published more than 50 years ago in QST. In this update, author (and CQ WW VHF Contest Director) John Lindholm, W1XX, moves the antenna's resonant frequency to 18 MHz and shows us how to build it -- for less than $25! -- with an up-to-date parts list.

Next, Brittany Decker, KB1OGL brings us "A Rookie's Guide to Contesting," an article that is as much about ham radio as a family activity as it is about the nuts and bolts of contest operating. Brittany will be starting a quarterly youth column in CQ as of the December issue. On the topic of contesting, we have our annual update of all-time records in the CQ World Wide DX Contest in this issue, compiled by Fred Capossela, K6SSS. Remember to mark your calendar for the 2008 CQWW -- SSB on October 25 and 26; CW on November 29 and 30.

Neal Campbell, K3NC, reviews FlexRadio's new Flex-5000A software defined transceiver. In addition to its technical advances (of which there are many), the radio features open-source operating software and users are encouraged not only to suggest new features but to write the routines to make them happen (this aspect of the 5000 is the subject of W2VU's "Zero Bias" editorial this month).

Next, Bob Shrader, W6BNB, shows you time-tested ways to pass messages quickly and accurately, even under the pressure of an emergency, in his "Theory of Proper Message Handling." Finally among this month's features, Pete Kemp, KZ1Z, offers tips on making your slow-scan TV pictures look as good as possible in "Lights, Camera, Action! The Art and Science of Looking Your Best on SSTV."

Among our October columns, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, has a follow-up on September's easy-to-build frequency standard, with a frequency divider circuit that should let you use most whole-number frequency crystals as your signal sources. Speaking of building things, "More Vintage Homebrew" gear is in the spotlight this month in "World of Ideas," by Dave Ingram, K4TWJ. Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, focuses his October column on "Cooperation," highlighting the many roles played by hams in responding to Tropical Storm Edouard, as well as reminder about this year's annual scouting Jamboree on the Air (JOTA), scheduled for October 18 and 19.

"Beginner's Corner" editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, profiles "An Experienced Beginner," Helen Mahoney, KI6LQV. Helen is married to longtime ham Doug Millar, K6JEY, but has only recently begun discovering the wonders of ham radio for herself. "Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, reviews "Amateur Radio Licensing and Callsign Systems," a source of unending confusion, particularly among newer amateurs; and "Weekender" editor Phil Salas, AD5X, completes his three-part series on building a trap dipole from scratch (in August, he discussed building the antenna's high-voltage capacitors; last month, it was the traps themselves) by putting together all the pieces and building a trap dipole for both 12 and 17 meters.

"Magic in the Sky" editor Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, looks at advances in technology and their ongoing role in amateur radio (and vice versa); Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, takes a close look at the controversial CW Skimmer program (from a technical perspective - he doesn't take sides in the debate over its role in contesting) and provides an update on the legal situation regarding certain HF digital modes (specifically WinDRM and FDMDV); and QRP Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, discusses three treats for the low-power operator: a transmitter, a receiver and an award!

New Products Editor Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, heads out of doors with looks at a new portable field radio and a portable antenna, as well as an interface to let you control rig keying and push-to-talk through the USB port on your computer. Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, answers more questions about CQ's USA-Counties Award and focuses his spotlight on a variety of awards sponsored by YL organizations in Canada and Japan.

DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, has some suggestions on things to do while waiting for the sunspots to return; VHF-Plus Editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, continues his series on the radio effects of Earth's "magnetotail," focusing this month on the Northern Lights or Aurora Borealis; Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, reveals some of the top contesters' deepest, darkest secrets (such as his view that there are no deep, dark, contesting secrets), and Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, wraps up the issue with a look ahead to expected conditions for the SSB weekend of the CQ World Wide DX Contest on October 25 and 26.

That's a brief look at what's coming up in the October issue of CQ magazine, which should be on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes by late September. For information on becoming a CQ subscriber, click the "Click Here to Subscribe" button at the top of this page.

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Zero Bias

Annual
CQ Contest Calendar

September 2008
Contest Calendar

October 2008
Contest Calendar

September 2008 Announcements

October 2008 Announcements
 

On The Cover
The Haleys of Santa Fe, Texas are a five-ham family. Seen here, from left, are Cody, KB5WYJ, Casey, AB5RG, Cindy, W5CLH and Marty, AB5GU. Not in the photo is 15-year-old Wyatt, WY5ATT.