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      November 2009

Articles from the

November 2009 issue
of CQ posted on our

website include:

The November issue of CQ introduces a new monthly column and takes us on a trip to Rod Serling country (if anyone out there in Webland remembers Rod Serling and his signature TV series, The Twilight Zone).

We start off with a possible visit to the "Ham Radio Twilight Zone" as Derek Yungling, K7FF, shares his unusual propagation experiences while operating mobile in last year's CQ World Wide DX Contest CW weekend (plus, he's got a really cool mobile HF setup) -- and remember that this year's CQWW CW Weekend is Nov 28th and 29th (click here for rules).  In addition, Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, offers some thoughts on what might have accounted for K7FF's experiences.

Next, "top band" propagation expert Bob Brown, NM7M, offers "A Comparison of 160-Meter DXing at Widely Separated Loctions," comparing the paths and DX experiences of active top-band hams in South Africa and Japan. He concludes that this information shows that keeping track of galactic cosmic rays, or GCR, is a reliable and groundbreaking method of predicting long-haul DX openings on 160 meters.

Speaking of 160 meters, we also have the rules for the 2010 CQ World Wide 160-Meter Contest.  We are continuing with last year's change of starting the contest at 2200 UTC on Friday and ending it at 2200 UTC on Sunday. On the topic of competition, remember that the operating period for the CQ Diamond Jubilee WAZ Award begins November 1 and runs through the end of 2010. See complete rules in October CQ and here on the web.  We have a recap of the rules in the November issue.

Contributing Editor Gordon West, WB6NOA, reviews the RIGblaster duo from West Mountain Radio. He says it's much more than a soundcard interface for multiple radios, but rather a complete 2-rig control center. Next, Gary Stouder, K9SG, who was the medical officer on two major DXpeditions, provides a comprehensive look at "Medical Considerations for DXpedtions." This is a must-read for anyone planning an expedition. Finally among our features, John Wood, WV5J, has a book review of Gulf to Gulf - The Long Walk, by Jeff Johnson, VK4XJJ. John wrote last year about Jeff's on-foot trek across Australia and the major role played by ham radio.

Among our columns this month, Irwin Math, WA2NDM gets us started with a look at planar parabolic reflectors in his always-fascinating "Math's Notes" column. Next, "Washington Readout" editor Fred Maia, W5YI, looks at the FCC's plans for promoting mobile high-speed internet access across the U.S. and how it might affect how hams use the internet. "World of Ideas" editor Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, continues his look at magical vacuum tube rigs of days gone by; and Public Service Editor Richard Fisher, KI6SN, takes a whimsical look at Canadian hams who combined fun and public service by providing communications for The Great International World Championship Bathtub Race!

Our "Kit-Building" column debuts with tips for successful kit-building by column editor Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB. Mobiling Editor Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, puts on a car salesman's hat and discusses the merits -- if you're in the market for a new mobile ham shack, um, car -- of possibly ordering a "fleet vehicle." K4TWJ returns with "How it Works," continuing his series on "HF'n with a Tube-Type Transceiver." And Antennas Editor Kent Britain, WA5VJB, has important information on "TVI in the DTV World." Seems the switch to digital TV has opened up all sorts of new TV interference hazards.

In this month's "What's New" column, we look at MFJ's entry into the field of scanners, a custom soundcard interface for Ten-Tec rigs, and other new products in the ham marketplace.

DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, reports that the FT5GA DXpedition to Glorioso is finally under way, provides a historical update on the "Most Wanted" survey, and looks at the TY1MS operation from hospital ship Africa Mercy. Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, offers instructions on how to apply for the USA-CA award using eQSL; and "VHF-Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, reports on a couple of ham radio balloon launches and plans by the U.S. Military Academy to build and launch its own satellite, with a lot of involvement by members of West Point's amateur radio club, W2KGY.

Finally, Contesting Editor John Dorr, K1AR, hands the keyboard over to fellow CQ WW Contest Committee member Roger Western, G3SXW, for "An Insider's View of CQ's Contests," and Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, predicts fair-to-good conditions for both the SSB weekend (Oct. 24-25) and the CW weekend (Nov. 28-29) of the 2009 CQ World Wide DX Contest. See Tomas's last-minute forecasts on his website at <https://prop.hfradio.org>.

That's a brief look at what's coming up in the November issue of CQ magazine, which should be on newsstands and in subscribers' mailboxes by late October. 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

A Decade in the
Rear-View Mirror

Corrections

Annual
CQ Contest Calendar