IVCA VISION NEWS
LETTER No.11 January
THE INTERNATIONAL VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS
ASSOCIATION
Keeping Amateurs informed on Developments in Visual Communication
around the world
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New SSTV Modes (build a better Mickey
mouse trap (MMSSTV) and they will come)
I wish to thank everyone for the replies to my
request for information and opinions on the New SSTV modes. I received several
interesting e-mails. It is no surprise that I found very little agreement and
even learned of more SSTV modes. You may wish to see the information on Charles
Franklys web site at http://www.baldeeaglejournal.com/ARA.htm
There seems to be wide range of opinions and several pros and cons on this
subject. As I have not had time to evaluate and run some of the new modes
like the MP115 and MP125, (we had to first figure how to change Xmit modes
using a right click on the mode buttons in MMSSTV Version 1.05e BetaI)
HI So far we see no startling advantage like some report using the
new modes with a similar frame time and will reserve judgment for now till we
have more experience with the MP and the numerous PD type modes but we
believe the cream will come to the top and the best methods will win out. (we
also remember when Single Side Band "SSB" was not very popular but is now the
most preferred voice/digital method on HF).Ray W5NOO
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) or
new Gadgets Galore
The largest convention and display of new electronic products (CES) is
taking place in Los Vegas Nev. as we write this and as most Americans are
just nuts for gadgets it is the place to check it all out. Like the new
Apple/iMac desktop with the thin flat panel screen and DVD recorder
etc. We also had a remarkable new device introduced by the Samsung Co.(the
wireless hand PC, NEXiO) which will permit users inside and outside the
home to view the Internet through a 5.1" reflective LCD screen with a
WVGA(800 x 480) that permits full web page viewing and also cell phone operation
with a desktop type viewing experience. The capabilities of the NEXiO will
significantly change the lifestyle and work style when wireless LAN and IMT 2000
provide sufficient broadband capabilities. This wireless hand held computer will
be the most important post-PC product in this decade.We also had thousands
of other new devices on display like the hand held storage device that takes
Compact flash and Smart Media cards and stores 60 Gig's of data (no computer
required). CES also had some software training seminars. Mr.
Microsoft "Bill Gates" is as usual a keynote speaker and lot's of
"swag" (giveaways). ( CES has more hype and hawking hucksters than you are
likely to ever find in a single location but displays some really neat new
products.)
Back Issues of the Vision News Letter (To remind and
inform new viewers)
Any one that would like a back issue of the VISION
News Letter can go to the Home web page of Frank DL1FH that is now maintaining a
history morgue file of the previous VISION News letters at
http://www.sstv.de/News/news.html
(Thanks Frank)
Lost and Found
We have just learned the lost IVCA
SSTV grand multiple contest winner trophy has been
finally found and sent to and received by Nils
Gustav Strom SM5EEP the winner after a long delay. Nils was the contest winner
for the following years 1990,1991,1992, 1993,1999,2000 (A truly remarkable
record for SSTV contesting, congratulations Nils)
Computer Tips
If you are considering an operating system up-grade to the new rugged
Windows XP espicilaty with an older PC first check your hardware and software
compatibility at Microsoft or at the
"PC Pitstop" at
http://www.pcpitstop.com Even some new
computers and software are not WinXP compatable! If you are looking for Graphic
pictures on the web you can also use "
Altavista" to locate
Graphics and video and music etc. at
Http://www.altavista.com We have
lot's of web search engines to use but I find the
Google is one
of the best general types and is a true spider (does a web site search) and
is not just a directory listing like say the Yahoo search engine it also
has several nice features like a Graphic Image search ability and a foreign
language conversion function, (the non english speaking may find this
usefull) It's available at
http://www.google.com
Lighting and Solid State Electronics Protection
(Or just un-plug that stuff)
I'm sure most are aware of the possible damage to electronics from lighting
and usually use some types of surge suppresser devices. I personally have had
more than $2000 in damage when we had a big lighting bolt hit my power wiring
and phone lines etc. I found that with my 3 computers connect to surge
protectors I still had damaged to all my 56k Modems and my Phone
answering machine and a solid state phone were lost along with the
Heat/Air-condition thermostat and a Satellite antenna,. This did not even
include the damage to the following items like my Flatbed Scanner, Zip Drive,
PK232, View Port VGA, USB adapter card and a TV/PCI tuner.capture card
and a Pasokon card and a USB to printer adapter cable device. I now turn
off all the power and unplug the antennas and phone lines to all my
computers and equipment as the surge protectors have so far failed to protect
anything. Note: Surpassingly no damage was found to my kitchen sink and its
electric disposal unit however!. (I'm lucky a neighbor Ham had a computer
power supply short and that started a house wiring fire the that did well over
$60000 in damage and totally destroyed his home.) Perhaps a few fuses or
circuit breakers and some Industrial strength UPS devices like the APC or
Black Out Busters and a good home insurance policy could also help
with these types of problems!
Help
Wanted
This is to remind every one we desperately need
information and news to put in the VISION News Letters. If you have any
information or Ideas or suggestion send them to me ray@junct.com I will repeat some
information in future news that I believe the new subscribers to VISION may find
interesting or useful. We would like to receive all your comments. (foreign
stations with limited English don't worry I'll figure it out) If any
one has any of the details regarding the contest rules etc. for IVCA
SSTV contest or would like to manage the contest contact me at ray@junct.com ASAP.
Language Translations
If the foreign stations have problems reading
my English I find you can use the free Google search engine using
"Language Tools" to translate text to several languages when you wipe on the
text in this e-mail and then copy it into the little window in the Google
translation function while on line! (It's not perfect but even my English is not
so good.) Only a few languages are provided but you can also use Google to
convert a foreign language web page text to a large number of languages as well.
.
Digital
Voice Developments
The first product we have seen to hit the market
that includes a digital voice function is the Alinco's model DJ-596
dual-band Hand Held that operates on 2 meters and 70 cm FM wide and narrow
band with 5 watts of power. (The digital voice mode uses the
open ITU TV.32 protocol and produces unencrypted GMSK direct-frequency that can
be received with any compatible device. For details go to http://www.alinco.com/usa.html
You may wish to also read the QST April 2002
article "Digital Voice : An Up Date and forecast" I am delighted with the new developments in Digital voice. If you are
familiar with the digital modes like Baudot,ASCII,Amtor,Packet,PSK31 etc. some
of the features like direct calling and error correcting, beacons and
digipeating etc. may also be practical as digital operation permits a large
number of options and functions. (we may even have Digital SSTV in the
future)
Happy Viewing 73 Ray W5NOO Director/Editor
IVCA
