Monthly newsletters are available to members through one of three options:

(A) Receive the newsletter via NOFARSnet, a distribution system sponsored by Yahoo Groups.  To subscribe to NOFARSnet, access  http://www.yahoogroups.com .  In the search box, enter NOFARSnet and then follow the instructions to subscribe. There is no cost but distribution is limited to NOFARS members so include your call sign or name to allow authentication as a current member. Or you may subscribe to NOFARSnet by sending an e-mail request to n4uf@nofars.net

(B) The www.nofars.net web site will announce when each monthly e-mail newsletter is available. Members may request the current issue by sending an e-mail to  n4uf@nofars.net after the web site announcement is posted. No permanent list will be kept so it will be up to each member to make a request each month.

(C) For those without Internet access,  a printout of each monthly e-mail newsletter is available by postal mail to members who send a supply of self-addressed, stamped envelopes to the editor in advance. Be sure to use “forever” stamps on your envelopes. Send your envelope supply to Billy Williams, N4UF; 10028 Garden Lake Court; Jacksonville, Florida 32219-4380 or bring to a NOFARS meeting. 12 stamped envelopes will be needed for each year. If a member without Internet access prefers to receive the Balanced Modulator without providing envelopes, an annual surcharge of $6 may be paid.  This does not include NOFARS dues.

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NORTHERN FLORIDA TRAFFIC WEB PAGE

NOFARS member Earl Leach, WX4J has established a web page which lists items of interest to traffic (message) handlers.  It can be accessed via http://home.comcast.net/~wx4j

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A NOFARS meeting program covered tips on learning more about the electronics theory on which Amateur Radio exams are based. Reference books are valuable in this regard. Reference and textbooks can be purchased cheaply at used book stores and online. The information in entry-level and even mid-level texts has not changed much over the years so an older edition is sufficient. The sequence of topics is fairly standard in most basic textbooks regardless of the author. Some widely used textbooks used in electronics courses include:

Electronic Communications by Robert Shrader.

Basic Electronics by Alexander Grob

Electricity And Electronics by Allen Mottershead

Electronic Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications by Thomas Floyd

Digital Fundamentals by Thomas Floyd

Data And Computer Communications by William Stallings

The ARRL Handbook (formerly Radio Amateur’s Handbook) is also a good book to study.

Books and study guides also are available for download via Internet. The progression of study is shown below along with some of the main subject areas in each category.

Direct Current (DC) Theory: Atomic structure, electronic units and prefixes, scientific and engineering notation, conductors and insulators, Ohms Law, multimeters, series and parallel circuits, DC voltage sources, voltage and current dividers.

Alternating Current (AC) Theory: Magnetism, generators, oscilloscope, inductance, transformers, capacitors, reactance, impedance, time constant, resonance, complex numbers and notation.

Electronic Devices: Diodes, bipolar transistors, field effect transistors, thyristors.

Analog Circuits: Rectification, regulation, amplifier, power control.

Digital Circuits: Numbering systems (binary, hexidecimal), logic gates, combinational logic, sequential logic, D/A and A/D conversion, multiplexers.

Microprocessors: Internal structure, basic operation, busses, machine language, higher level languages, computer architectures.

Basic Communications Systems: System layout, RF transmission, receivers, modulation, measurements, transmission lines, antennas, television, repeaters, trunking systems, communications law and procedures, specialty modes.

Digital Communications Systems: Coding, Decoding, Networks, RF, telephone systems, VoIP.

After acquiring an understanding in these areas, one may progress further into the specialties of the electronics field. Some of the more popular specialties include Computer Electronic Technology, Advanced Communications Technology, Industrial Electronics and Robotics. For basic electronics, a math background which includes algebra and trigonometry is needed. High school texts and electronic math books can be helpful. An understanding of calculus and other higher level math is needed for advanced circuit design.

Hardware lab trainers and project kits can help you understand the theory better through laying out circuits and testing devices. You should become proficient in using the multimeter, oscilloscope, logic analyzer and other basic test gear. Computer software programs such as Electronic Workbench allow you to design and troubleshoot circuits on your computer screen.

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No countywide zoning restrictions against outside Amateur Radio antennas are contained in Jacksonville’s ordinance code. While some city zoning employees mistakenly apply a 35-foot height limit on structures to include ham installations, Amateur Radio antennas are exempted from classification as “structures.”

When dealing with city government, it is best to research in advance. The ordinance code can be accessed online through www.coj.net or through a search using "Jacksonville Florida ordinance code."

If you don’t live in Duval County,  many other jurisdictions have their ordinance codes available via Internet.  You can order a copy of the code for most jurisdictions or conduct a search using the name of your jurisdiction followed by words such as “ordinance code.” Local libraries also usually have copies.

Notwithstanding our favorable treatment by city government in Jacksonville and Florida statutes which provide that government agencies must reasonably accommodate ham antennas with minimum necessary regulation, anyone desiring to erect an outdoor antenna can face many hurdles.

Terms such as “reasonably accommodate” and “minimum necessary regulation” are open to interpretation with many local governments in Florida justifying height limits as low as 15 feet as being reasonable. There has been mixed success in court, but claiming ones rights to an outdoor antenna can be very expensive.

Most subdivisions, especially Planned Unit Developments (PUDs) built in the past ten years, have restrictions against outside tower and antenna installations. These restrictions, known as CCRs, are recognized as contracts between private individuals and are stricter than zoning laws. When you move in, you accept.

If you are looking for a new home or lot upon which to build, chances are that if you purchase in any area built in the past decade, you will encounter difficulty in putting up most any type of outside ham antenna. If there are no overhead power lines or no outside antennas, other than small TV dishes, on other homes in a subdivision, you can be sure there are restrictions in place.

One good idea is to deal with a real estate agent and tell him or her that you want a home with no antenna restrictions. Usually, there is no charge for a home buyer to consult with an agent to help find a property.

A strategy is to find a home that is adjacent, but not inside a subdivision. If you buy a home on the edge of a restricted subdivision, you may also be able to purchase unrestricted adjacent property just outside the development.  Your editor uses this approach.

Properties along major thoroughfares with acreage that are not part of a subdivision are probably your best bet. You might even consider buying a large lot and having a home built.

Not all restrictions may be disclosed especially during early stages of a transaction. When you negotiate, have your agent put wording into offer sheets that state the sale will be void if antenna restrictions are uncovered.

Restrictions are posted on the Duval County Clerk of Court web site.  Do a search in the "official records" section using the name of your subdivision or the name of the Home Owners Assn.  Most other jurisdictions also post deed restrictions.  Otherwise, you can visit the Clerk of Court office and request an official copy.

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HAM RADIO MYTHOLOGY