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CQ October 2012 
The October issue of CQ is our annual Emergency Communications Special, and once again, we're providing a mix of reporting on traditional ham radio EmComm and some innovative approaches to this very important part of amateur radio. Emergency Communications Special We start on our news page, with the breaking story (at press time) on the FCC's Congressionally-mandated report on amateur radio's value in emergencies and impediments that may reduce its effectiveness. We also have commentary on the decision in our October "Zero Bias" editorial, and will have an in-depth look at the FCC report in November's "Riley's Ramblings" column. EmComm Special feature articles include a report by Shelomo Alfassa, KI4GGU, on how hams in New York City merged online tracking data for the Staten Island Ferry with traditional amateur communications support during the 2012 Five Boro Bike Tour; tips from Ed Busch, K8MKN, on using community involvement to leverage assistance for your radio club in "Help Your Ham Club: Join the Kiwanis;" and the "Toyota Tacoma Truck-Tenna," by Philip Neidlinger, KA4KOE, on using a truck's trailer hitch as the base for a temporary vertical antenna installation. EmComm-focused columns in this issue include "Public Service" (of couse), in which column editor Richard Fisher, KI6SN, reports on two hams at different ends of the Earth helping a sailor in trouble in yet a third corner of the globe; "Learning Curve" editor Rich Arland, K7SZ, walks you through the process of becoming an EmComm volunteer, and "Magic in the Sky"columnist Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, continues that theme with a column on "Being Prepared." It's Not EmComm Only… Don't worry if emergency communications is not your primary ham radio interest. We've got plenty of other great articles in this month's issue as well, starting with the third and final installment in our Dayton "Safari" series on new goodies found at "the big show" in Ohio. We wrap up with a look at ham station accessories. We also have a rundown of our new contest reporting schedule, which will be phased in over the course of 2013. By the time we're done, most contest results will be published as much as four months earlier than at present. We also have our annual update of all-time records from the CQ World Wide DX Contest (don't forget this year's running - the SSB weekend at the end of October, and the SSB weekend on the fourth weekend in November). There's always a home in CQ for an antenna article, and this issue features a look at an innovative one, "A Small Spiral Antenna," by Grant Bingeman, KM5KG. Returning to our columns for the month, "Math's Notes" editor Irwin Math, WA2NDM, takes a nostalgic look at his early days in ham radio and at his first radio; and "Riley's Ramblings" editor Riley Hollingsworth, K4ZDH, writes about "Success Through Failure" and the value of making mistakes. "Digital Connection" editor Don Rotolo, N2IRZ, takes an in-depth look at the differences between D-STAR and Yaesu's new C4FM FDMA digital voice protocol (Don't know what all those initials stand for? Read the article!). Kit-Building Editor Joe Eisenberg, K0NEB, writes about "Serendipity and the Ft. Tuthill 160" top-band transceiver; QRP Editor Cam Hartford, N6GA, looks at the ways in which some QRPers personalize their low-power projects; and "What's New" editor John Wood, WV5J, checks out the fresh crop of summertime product introductions. Contesting Editor George Tranos, N2GA, digs into contest error rates -- something that's helpful to understand more about as he head into the big-time DX contesting season; DX Editor Carl Smith, N4AA, runs down upcoming DXpeditions and talks about why he thinks traditional QSLing will not be replaced by online confirmations, such as those available through Logbook of the World or eQSL. Wrapping up the issue, "VHF-Plus" editor Joe Lynch, N6CL, offers excerpts from the doctoral dissertation of Paul Verhage, KD4STH, on the effects of high-altitude amateur radio balloon launches on middle and high school students' attitudes toward science; Awards Editor Ted Melinosky, K1BV, reports on the MARAC 44 County Hunters Convention in the Pacific Northwest in July and some "newly discovered" awards you can earn; and Propagation Editor Tomas Hood, NW7US, looks at conditions to expect in October and predicts fair conditions for the CQWW SSB contest weekend on October 27-28. That's a brief look at what's coming up in the October issue of CQ magazine. For information on becoming a CQ subscriber, click here. Coming soon: 2013-2014 CQ Calendars! Click here to order your advance copy now! Articles from the October, 2012 issue of CQ posted on our website include: Zero Bias - "A Big, Fat Goose-egg" All-Time Records, CQ World Wide DX Contest October 2012 Contest Calendar October 2012 Hamfests and Special Events On the Cover: Greg Dean, N9NWO, at the former W9REG club station in Lafayette, Indiana. Our "On the Cover" report provides details and an explanation. (Cover photo by Larry Mulvehill, WB2ZPI). |
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