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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS);faqs.197



- If someone speaking to you gets "walked over" so that you can't understand the
message, you basically have two options.  You can tell the person you were
listening to, "10-9, you were stepped on", or you can find out what the breaker
wants, "Go ahead break", before returning to your original conversation.  You
should eventually recognize the breaker and find out what they want.

- If two people are talking and you would like to interject a response, you
will probably just walk over someone.  Use the procedure above to properly
break into the conversation.

- If someone doesn't answer your breaks after two or three attempts.  Stop and
wait for several minutes or, in mobile units, for several highway miles or
city blocks.  Others may have their radios on and don't want to listen to the
same break more than three times in succession.

- In other circumstances, improvise.  Take into account other people's points
of view.  Give people proper access to the channel and try not to do anything
to annoy other units.

- If you make a mistake in any of the procedures above, don't waste air time on
a busy channel by apologizing.  (If the channel isn't busy, it's your choice.)
Just try to do it right in the future.  Everyone takes a little time to learn.

OK, now you know how to conduct yourself on the radio.  However, there are and
will probably always be units that don't.  Be patient.  You don't have auth-
ority to enforce any rules so don't break any by trying.
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From: [e-mail] (Ian Kluft)
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Subject: rec.radio.cb Frequently Asked Questions (Part 4 of 4)
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Rec.radio.cb Frequently Asked Questions (Part 4: Technical Trivia)
------------------------------------------------------------------
[last modified 11/21/92]

Questions discussed in Part 4: (dates indicate last modification)
* What is single sideband? (11/92)
* Do I really get 120 channels on a radio with single sideband? (12/91)
* What are "linear amplifiers" and can I use them with a CB? (4/92)
* Who is "Skip" and why can I hear him all the way across the continent? (3/92)
* How can I reduce engine noise on my mobile CB? (3/92)
* What is GMRS? (6/92)
* Where can I learn more about radio? (3/92)

--Rec.radio.cb Frequently-asked Questions-----------------------------Part 4--

* What is single sideband?
--------------------------

To understand single-sideband (SSB), one must first have a picture of what's
going on in a normal AM (amplitude modulation) transmission.  For example, on
Channel 21 (in North America, Australia, and Europe), a "carrier" is transmit-
ted at 27.215 MHz.  Your voice (or whatever you're transmitting) is used to
change (modulate) the height (amplitude) of the signal so that it can be
reconstructed as your voice on the receiving end.

Actually, the amplitude of the carrier does not change.  The addition
(modulation) of another signal, like your voice, onto the carrier will increase
the amplitude at other frequencies adjacent to the the carrier.  A 300 Hz tone,
for example, would add signals 300 Hz above and below the carrier.  Every
frequency component of your voice has the same additive effect.  These modula-
tion effects are the upper and lower sidebands of the transmitted signal.
Normal AM transmissions include the carrier signal, the upper sideband (USB)
and lower sideband (LSB).  The difference in frequency from the bottom of the
lower sideband to the top of the upper sideband is called the bandwidth of the
signal; it will be twice as wide as the highest frequency modulated onto the
carrier.  (For poorly filtered radios, this can unintentionally interfere with
adjacent channels if the bandwidth is too wide.  Poor filtering becomes easily
noticeable at higher power levels.)

There is enough information in either sideband to reconstruct the original
signal.  Therefore, radios which can use single sideband are able to filter
out the carrier and the opposite sideband before transmitting them, leaving
either the upper sideband or lower sideband, as selected by the CB operator.
Obviously, for a conversation to take place, both the transmitting and
receiving radios have to be on the same channel and sideband setting (i.e.
Channel 25 LSB.)  Some additional tuning will be necessary with a "clarifier"
control.

Assuming proper filtering within the radios, it should be possible for sep-
arate conversations to occur on the upper and lower sidebands of a given
channel without interfering with each other.


* Do I really get 120 channels on a radio with single sideband?
---------------------------------------------------------------

[This applies to the USA, Australia, Canada, and any other countries that use
AM and SSB on the same 40-channel band.]

Yes and no.  SSB does give you 120 different communications paths (40 AM, 40
USB, and 40 LSB) but they are not free of interference from each other.  The
upper and lower sidebands will interfere with the AM channel and vice versa.
With some radios, even the opposite sidebands can interfere with each other.

For example, (and this works for any channel - just fill in a different
number from 1 to 40) Channel 17 has an AM channel that every radio can use.
Radios with SSB will also be able to use the upper and lower sidebands.
However, within a few miles of each other, you can't effectively use the
AM channel if people are talking on either sideband.  Though not as strong,
users of sideband will know if someone is using the AM channel but the higher
legal power settings on sideband give them an advantage.


* What are "linear amplifiers" and can I use them with a CB?
------------------------------------------------------------

In the USA, UK, Australia, Japan, France, and Germany, it is ILLEGAL to use a
linear amplifier on Citizen's Band radio.  (Sorry, we don't yet have info on
Canada or other countries.)  In the USA and Australia, the maximum amount of
power that is rated for CB is 4 watts on AM and 12 watts PEP (peak envelope
power) on sideband.  In Japan, the Citizen's Radio band is limited to 1/2 watt
on AM and the Personal Radio band is limited to 5 watts on FM.  In France and
Germany, CBs can transmit up to 1 watt on AM and 4 watts on FM.  For other
countries, if there is a power limit on CB transmissions, any amplifier that
boosts a radio's power beyond that point is obviously in violation.

Linear amplifiers allow a radio to transmit using much greater power than
is legal.  They may range from 30 watts to above 500 watts.  The problem is
that, in reality, you can't communicate with anyone you can't hear.  But you
can easily interfere with people you can't hear if you use more than legal
power.  So a good antenna is the best solution for getting better range out of
your CB.

The reaction to questions about linear amplifiers on this newsgroup will vary
with the country you are from.  In countries where they are illegal, you will
probably find yourself severely flamed...  In other countries, to avoid a
negative response, you may want to limit the distribution of the article to
your country or continent, as appropriate.

Besides, most black-market linears are low quality and will distort your
signal and interfere with consumer electronics or other radio services.
(Stray signals from a linear outside of the CB frequencies can bring a swift
response from whoever it interferes with.)  It is far better to run a clean
radio with a clean signal into a high-quality coaxial feedline and antenna
tuned for low SWR.

Most radios are deliberately undertuned from the factory (to make sure that\
they are well within type-acceptance limits).  Take it down to a 2-way radio
shop and get it a "full-legal maxout" to 4 Watts AM, 12 Watts SSB at 100%
modulation.


* Who is "Skip" and why can I hear him all the way across the continent?
------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you've heard the term "skip" before, it refers to a condition where a radio
signal bounces (actually, refracts, but that's getting technical) off the Iono-
sphere, a higher layer in the Earth's atmosphere.  For all practical purposes,
this only happens during daytime hours because it's the Sun's radiation that
charges up the Ionosphere and allows the signals to be bounced back to the
surface.  (Some residual "charge" remains in the upper atmosphere during the
night but it is normally not as noticeable.)

It's called "skip" because, in terms of where a given signal can be heard, it
skips over a long distance before reaching the surface again.  The distances
vary but they can easily be over 1000 miles (1600km).  For example, in Califor-
nia, under skip conditions it's possible to hear signals from Alabama or other
eastern states.

However, skip is not a reliable means of communication.  Besides, it may also
be illegal to intentionally use skip for communications.  For example, in the
USA you may not use CB for communications beyond 150 miles.  (150mi = 240km)
CB is intended for local communications.

Skip signals are normally weak, though enough of them from different places
can add up to a lot of noise.  If you hear a strong signal, the person is prob-
ably using a linear amplifier which, as discussed above, is illegal in at least
the USA, UK, Japan, France, and Germany and frowned-upon almost everywhere.
Though there are some conditions when a legally-powered station with a special
antenna can create a strong signal via skip, these are rare.

Most CB users' experiences with skip is to turn their squelch higher to cut out
the heavy background noise during the daytime.  This means that anyone you
talk to (locally) will have to be close by to send a strong enough signal to
overcome the background noise and your squelch setting.  There's really no way
around this so get used to it.


* How can I reduce engine noise on my mobile CB?
------------------------------------------------

If you have problems with engine noise in a mobile installation, there are
several things you can do to reduce or eliminate the problem.
- Make sure you've completely installed your CB and the antenna is grounded
  properly.  Check the amount of noise with and without the antenna connected.
  If the noise is greater when the antenna is connected, the source is probably
  the ignition system.  If the noise remains unchanged after disconnecting the
  antenna, the source is probably in the CB's power supply.
- For ignition noise, there are several parts of the vehicle that can act like
  RF noise transmitters if not properly grounded.  Check (and connect to
  ground on the chassis/frame, if necessary) the engine block, hood, muffler,
  and exhaust pipe.
- Ignition noise can be further reduced by installing "magnetic suppression"
  spark plug cables.  (These are significantly more expensive than normal
  spark plug cables.)
- For power supply noise, check if you have a capacitor attached to your
  ignition coil, alternator, and distributor.  These can act as filters right
  at the source of the noise.
- Ensure that your antenna feedline and power lines are as far as possible from
  any of the noise sources mentioned above, especially the engine block.
- A shielded power cable can help as well.  Make sure it is of sufficient
  guage to handle your radio's power consumption and that the shielding has a
  good, strong connection to ground on the vehicle chassis or frame.
- Electronics stores such as Radio Shack sell cheap power filters for noise-
  reduction purposes.  You get what you pay for, though - most comments on this
  newsgroup are that they are not as effective as the other measures above.
Of course, the best performance can be obtained from a more expensive radio
with better noise suppression circuits.  These measures, however, will improve
the engine noise levels for nearly any mobile radio.


* What is GMRS?
---------------

[This applies only to the USA.]

The General Mobile Radio Service is another personal radio band.  Its frequency
allocation is in the ultra-high frequency (UHF) spectrum, co-located with some
other radio services in the range from 460-470 MHz.  It requires a license but
there is no examination.  Though GMRS is not CB, it is listed here because it
is intended for use by individuals.  A single GMRS license also covers the
members of the licensee's household.

GMRS is used for mobile-to-mobile or base-to-mobile communications but
base-to-base communications are prohibited.  One useful aspect of GMRS is that
repeaters are allowed so that a mobile GMRS station can extend its range well
beyond the limits of an ordinary 5-watt mobile transmitter.

Only individuals may obtain GMRS licenses.  Some businesses still have licenses
from before the rules were changed in 1989 but no new licenses are being issued
to "non-individuals."

Recent changes in regulations have given GMRS licensees access to the micro-
wave band at 31.0-31.3 GHz for both fixed and mobile use.  The licensee must
notify the FCC of each transmitter with a standard FCC form.

For more information, you can obtain compressed text files via anonymous FTP
at charon.amdahl.com in the /pub/radio/other directory in the files called
gmrs.intro.Z and gmrs.microwave.Z.  If you don't have access to the Internet
or need help with FTP, see the rec.radio.amateur.misc FAQ, Part 3.


* Where can I learn more about radio?
-------------------------------------

If you like what you see here and want to learn more about the technical
aspects of radio, you may be interested in getting an amateur ("ham") radio
license.  These licenses are available in almost every country in the world,
including all of the countries that have CB.

Amateur radio is very different from CB.  This is neither good nor bad - they
have different purposes.  With the training that a licensed amateur radio
operator is expected to have, much more powerful transmitters are allowed -
but the operator should know when that power is not necessary and refrain from
it.  Amateurs have no limits on the range of their communications (at least,
by law or treaty) so it is possible to make distant "DX" contacts using atmos-
pheric skip, satellites, or even bouncing signals off the Moon.  Again,
training and the willingness to cooperate (to avoid interference with others)
are necessary for obtaining and using these privileges.

In what may become a trend in other countries, Sweden and the USA have author-
ized a new amateur radio "no-code" license which requires only a written test
(no morse code).  However, the test is challenging enough to necessitate
several weeks of study so don't go unprepared.  More information, see the FAQ
articles in the rec.radio.amateur.misc newsgroup.

Even if you don't want the license, books intended for amateur radio operators
make available a wealth of information on understanding transmitters, recei-
vers, antennas, modulation, signal propagation, electronics, and many other
topics which also apply to CB.
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From: [e-mail] (William R. Shauck)
Subject: rec.games.chess FAQ: Table of Contents
Message-ID: <[e-mail]>
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Archive-name: chess-faq/part0

[1] Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE)
[2] The United States Chess Federation (USCF)
[3] Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
[4] American Chess Foundation (ACF)
[5] Ratings
[6] How USCF Ratings are Calculated
[7] How USCF Lifetime Titles are Earned
[8] Tournaments
[9] The Swiss Tournament Pairing System
[10] I'm a Novice/Intermediate.  How Do I Improve?
[11] Recommended Openings and Opening Books for Novices/Intermediates
[12] Publications
[13] Where to Get Books and Equipment
[14] State and Local Organizations (USA)
[15] Correspondence Organizations
[16] Bulletin Board Systems (BBS's)
[17] E-Mail Games, ICS, Mailing Lists, Usenet reader
[18] Material Available via Anonymous FTP
[19] Chess-Playing Computers
[20] Chess-Playing Software
[21] Database Software
[22] Utility Software
[23] Using Figurine Notation, Symbolic Annotation, or Diagrams in Printed Text
[24] Trivia
[25] Common Acronyms
[26] Variants
[27] Disclaimer and Copyright Notice

--
William R. Shauck                   Internet: [e-mail]


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From: [e-mail] (William R. Shauck)
Subject: rec.games.chess Answers to Frequently Asked Questions 92/11/15
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Archive-name: chess-faq/part1

This twice-monthly posting (1st and 15th) is intended to address some of the
frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the rec.games.chess newsgroup.  Because
the answers may not be complete, please feel free to ask questions.  This is
only intended to address first-level concerns, and not to stifle discussions.
The table of contents for this FAQ list is given in a separate posting.

The FAQ list was last revised on Nov. 15th.  Please address changes to
[e-mail].

[1] Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE)
-----------------------------------------------

FIDE (pronounced "fee-day") is an international chess organization that
organizes tournaments (e.g. Olympiad), grants titles, and controls the World
Championship cycle.  Write to: Federation Internationale des Echecs, Abendweg
1, P.O. Box 2841, CH-6002 Lucerne, Switzerland.  Phone [phone],9; fax
041 41 515846.

FIDE grants three over-the-board titles: FIDE Master (FM), International
Master (IM), and International Grandmaster (IGM; but more commonly just
"Grandmaster" and "GM").  FM can be obtained by keeping your FIDE rating over
2300 for 25 games.  IM and GM titles require performances at certain levels
for 25-30 games (2450 for IM and 2600 for GM).  This is usually achieved by
obtaining several "norms."  A norm is obtained when a player makes at least a
given score in a FIDE tournament.  The required score is a function of the
number of rounds and the strength of the opposition.  There are also minimum
rating requirements.  There are about 35 GM's, 60 IM's, and 100 FM's living
in the U.S., not all of whom are active players.

FIDE also grants titles for which only women are eligible: FIDE Woman Master,
International Woman Master (IWM; but _Chess Life_ often uses "Woman
International Master" and "WIM") and International Woman Grandmaster (WGM).
Women are also eligible for the other titles.

FIDE also grants titles for Chess Composition, Composition Judging,
Tournament Direction (as "Arbiter"), and Correspondence Chess; and maintains
a separate rating list (and titles) for "Action chess" (G/30).

There is another international organization that sometimes competes with and
sometimes cooperates with FIDE: the Grandmasters Association (GMA).  It has
been involved in disputes with FIDE.  For its address see [14].

[2] The United States Chess Federation (USCF)
---------------------------------------------

The USCF is the national chess organization of the United States.  It does
several things: (1) computes ratings for players who play in USCF-rated
tournaments, (2) publishes a monthly magazine called _Chess Life_, (3)
sponsors national over-the-board tournaments such as the National Open and
the U.S. Open, and a variety of correspondence (postal) tournaments, and
(4) officially represents the interests of chess in the U.S. to international
chess organizations.  Most over-the-board tournaments held in the U.S. are
USCF-rated.  This means that to play in them, you must join the USCF (this can
normally be done at the tournament site if you prefer).

_Chess Life_ includes a listing, sorted by state, of USCF-rated tournaments
to be held in the following few months.  It periodically publishes the
addresses of all state chess organizations (see [14]).  It also has chess
news, games from the U.S. and around the world, instructional and enjoyment
articles, and embedded catalogs from which you can purchase books and
equipment.

Regular memberships are $30/year, including a _Chess Life_ subscription.
Youth memberships (same benefits) for age 19 & under are $15/year.
Scholastic memberships for age 19 and under (provides a bimonthly publication
called _School Mates_ instead of _Chess Life_) are $7/year.  Senior
memberships (age 65 and over) are $20/year.  Life memberships are $600 or can
be had by paying double the regular membership rate for 10 years running.
_Chess Life_ subscription (without membership): $33/year.  Write to: United
States Chess Federation, 186 Route 9W, New Windsor, NY 12553-7698.  Phone
800-388-5464 or 914-562-8350.

Those with access to Internet e-mail have an active member of the USCF staff
available.  IM Elliott Winslow is Assistant Editor of _Chess Life_, and can
be reached at [e-mail].

[3] Chess Federation of Canada (CFC)
------------------------------------

The CFC maintains ratings of all players in good standing, runs tournaments,
attempts to promote chess in Canada, and sells equipment to both members and
non-members.  Members get a subscription to _En Passant_, a bimonthly
magazine.  The rating system used by the CFC is the Elo system, also used by
the USCF and FIDE.  Local variations make CFC ratings from 25-200 points
lower than USCF ratings for players of similar ability.  Dues range from
$25-$45 (Canadian), depending on province of residence.  Junior memberships
range from $15-$25 (Canadian).  Life memberships are also available,
depending on age.  Write to: Chess Federation of Canada, 2212 Gladwin
Crescent, E-1(b), Ottawa, Ontario, K1B 5N1, Canada.  Phone [phone]; fax
613-733-5209.

[4] American Chess Foundation (ACF)
-----------------------------------

The American Chess Foundation promotes chess in the U.S.  It sponsors some
promising young players and contributes money toward large tournaments (e.g.,
the U.S. Championship).  Write to: American Chess Foundation (President Fan
Adams, Executive Director Allan Kaufman), P.O. Box 302, Flushing, NY 11358.
Phone [phone].

[5] Ratings (with FIDE top-10 list)
-----------------------------------

Different countries have different rating systems.  The most common system in
use is called the Elo system, named after its inventor.  An excellent book on
the subject is _The Rating of Chessplayers, Past & Present_ by Arpad E. Elo
(copyright 1978; ISBN 0-668-04721-6).  FIDE and the USCF use the Elo system,
although in the USCF there have been some adjustments and additions in the
past which have distorted USCF ratings vis-a-vis systems which have been
"pure Elo" forever.

The 10 players rated highest by FIDE as of July 1992 (Helsingin Sanomat):

    1. Garri Kasparov (Russia)             2790
    2. Vasili Ivantschuk (Ukraine)         2720
    3. Anatoli Karpov (Russia)             2715
    4. Aleksey Shirov (Latvia)             2710
    5. Viswanathan Anand (India)           2690
    6. Boris Gelfand (Byelorussia)         2685
    7. Nigel Short (England)               2680
    8. Yevgeni Bareev (Russia)             2670
    9. Jan Timman (Holland)                2665
10-11. Gata Kamsky (USA)                   2655
10-11. Valeri Salov (Spain/Russia)         2655

FIDE maintains a separate women's rating list; its top 10 players (ibid):

    1. Judit Polgar (Hungary)              2575
    2. Zsuzsa Polgar (Hungary)             2540
    3. Pia Cramling (Sweden)               2530
    4. Maya Tshiburdanidze (Georgia)       2505
    5. Jun Xie (China)                     2480
    6. Zsofia Polgar (Hungary)             2445
    7. Nana Ioseliani (Georgia)            2445
    8. Ketevan Arakhamia (Georgia)         2435
    9. Nona Gaprindashvili (Georgia)       2435
   10. Svetlana Matveyeva (Russia)         2435

USCF has rating classes as follows (with number in class as of Oct. 1991):

Senior Master   2400 and above       211 players
Master          2200 - 2399          842 players
Expert          2000 - 2199        2,475 players
Class A         1800 - 1999        3,938 players
Class B         1600 - 1799        4,910 players
Class C         1400 - 1599        5,274 players
Class D         1200 - 1399        4,793 players
Class E         below 1200         5,968 players

There are more USCF members than the total 28,411 listed here.  These are
just those who have been active in tournaments recently.  The average rating
on this list is 1566.  Your rating is determined by your results and the
ratings of the players you play against.

There is no hard and fast relationship between the various rating scales.
For Grandmasters, their USCF rating *averages around* 100 points higher than
their FIDE rating.  This difference seems to increase with weaker players.
Some attempts are being made by USCF to remedy this.

One question which often arises is: Do Elo historical ratings of famous
players of the past enable us to predict how well they would do against
present day players?

Some discussion of this issue occurred in (the now discontinued) _Chess
Notes_ in 1988.  Edward Winter wrote, "Elo's retrospective rankings look less
and less convincing the more one studies them.  For example, George Walker is
attributed 2360, the same as George Botterill in January 1988 (who has thus
had the benefit of insight into a century and a half of chess development
since Walker's time)."  Ken Whyld responded this "shows a misunderstanding of
ELO.  The ratings do not reflect how a player from a past age would fare
against a present-day player. . . . Elo's figures measure competitive
ability, NOT the quality of play. . . . In chess we can only know the
standing of players within the pool of which they are a part.  It is idle
speculation to make comparisons between discrete periods."  Arpad Elo himself
then got into the discussion, saying, "The historical ratings have generated
controversy partly because people misunderstand what they represent . . . Mr.
Ken Whyld . . . correctly points out how ratings should be viewed, i.e., as a
measure of competitive ability, and that proper comparisons can be made only
between players of the same milieu. . . . There is also a fundamental point
that should not be overlooked: the rating scale itself is an arbitrary scale,
open ended, . . . with no reproducible fixed points."

[6] How USCF Ratings are Calculated
-----------------------------------

The following is a simplified version of how the USCF rating system works;
for a full version, write to the USCF (see [2]).

*** For the first 20 games (provisional rating): ***

Take the rating of the opponent +400 if the player wins.
Take the rating of the opponent -400 if the player loses.
Take the rating of the opponent if the game is a draw.