February 2009
Articles from the
February 2009
issue
of CQ posted on our
website include:
If it's February, then spring must be right around the corner, right? Well, that all depends on what Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog has to say about it, and our February issue of CQ starts out with a look at Phil's ham radio connections, courtesy of Henry Hill, WA3CVC. Next, we have our annual Market Survey of current ham equipment by Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA. Gordon's focus this year is on VHF/UHF handheld transceivers ... with more than two dozen models available, there's something to meet nearly everyone's needs and budget. Gordon also gets on the soapbox this month, with an Op-Ed encouraging hams and radio clubs to become digital TV "ambassadors," building goodwill for amateur radio by helping your neighbors through the DTV transition.
The February issue also has the results of last year's CQ World Wide VHF Contest. The 500+ entries marked a nearly 20% increase in logs submitted over 2007, and they showed more than 9000 stations active and making contest contacts. On the topic of contests, we also have the rules for this year's CQ WPX Contests -- SSB in March and CW in May.
FCC Chairman Kevin Martin found himself in the crosshairs of a Congressional committee report in early December, and our Washington editor, Fred Maia, W5YI, reports all the details of the committee staff's charges that Martin abused his power. Among the cases cited by the committee is the FCC's handling of BPL, or broadband over power lines.
Continuing with February's columns, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, continues his January commentary on a variety of issues facing our hobby. Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, reports on ham radio's participation in the National Weather Service's annual Skywarn Recognition Day; "World of Ideas" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, continues his "Hamming from the Shadows" series on ways to put a station on the air even if you are living with antenna restrictions; and Mobiling Editor Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, talks about the costs of mobile operating (falling fuel prices, rising rig prices), operating hands-free with a Bluetooth® headset and a very cool VHF/UHF station built into a heavy-duty transportable case for setting up nearly anywhere.
Digital Editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, takes a look at Podcasts and their connections to ham radio; the "Weekender" offers a "plumber's special" 20-meter ground plane antenna built from pipes and plumbing fittings, by John Kruk, K3KR; and Beginner's Editor Wayne Yoshida, KH6WZ, tries to help you find and fix various noises you may hear on your VHF/UHF rig.
QRP Editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, looks at clubs, kits and fun meets; New Products Editor Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, checks out a variety of antenna tuning accessories, a microwave dummy load and a longwave receiver; "VHF-Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, covers several topics in moonbounce (EME) communication; while Awards Editor Tec Melinosky, K1BV, reports on a short-term award that's been extended; DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, brings us up-to-date on the DXpedition to Desecheo; Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, looks at unwritten expectations in contesting, and Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, reports on the decreasing altitude of the ionosphere and its effects on long-distance radio communication.
Last but not least, this month we welcome the subscribers of WorldRadio's former print magazine to the ranks of CQ readers, while launching the new online-only version of WorldRadio Online on our website.
That's a brief look at what's coming up in the February issue of CQ magazine, which should be on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes by late January. For information on becoming a CQ subscriber, click the "Click Here to Subscribe" button at the top of this page.
It's (Not) the Network …
Or Is It?
February 2009
Contest Calendar
On The Cover
Kent Olson, KA0LDG, of Fargo,
North Dakota. (Cover photo by Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI).