NEWS GROUPS, FAQ's AND MAIL LISTS

NEWS GROUPS AND MAIL LISTS EXPOSED

So what's a "Mail List" aka "Reflector" aka "E-Mail Newsletter"??? One of the wonders of the internet is the "Reflector" as it is a method of mailing and receiving specific topic information to/from a select group of folks interested in a specific discipline. You must subscribe to a Reflector, Mail List, or E-Mail Newsletter. Typically you have to send them your e-mail address (callsign in some cases) and register. For Mail Lists -- see URL: MailList

This is in contrast to News Groups which fall into two categories: moderated and unmoderated. In an unmoderated newsgroup, the local news server makes posted messages available for reading as soon as they are posted. In a moderated newsgroup, the local news server automatically e-mails the message to a moderation address, where a moderator acts as a gatekeeper, posting to the newsgroup only those messages which the moderator feels is appropriate, thus censoring non-relevant posts and garbage. News Groups are also known as Use Groups.

For both types of NewsGroups, topics such as ("rec.radio.amateur.dx") are posted to the world, for anyone to read or post there. You do not have to subscribe to a newsgroup or send anyone your E-Mail address -- just make it active in your browser newsgroup function. See HELP in the Browser menu. This shows how to invoke a newsgroup server and add the desired newsgroups. Once you have set up a newsgroup server, with most browsers, clicking on any newsgroup below will set it up automatically in your newsgroup listings in your mail box newsgroup section.

Some words of wisdom for beginners.

1. The posts are not necessarily a good representation of Amateur Radio. Since most NG's are unmoderated -- the goofballs of the world show up and spew junk and nonsense. Just ignore these as there is a lot of good information amidst the trash.

2. Don't get excited if someone swears and attacks you. It is just a bunch of little dots on the computer screen -- don't feed the monkeys with a reply. Personal attacks are symptomatic of intellectual bankruptcy, designed to get you all upset -- just ignore these manipulators.

3. Be aware of these:

TROLL: The act of posting a message in a newsgroup that is obviously exaggerating something on a particular topic, hoping to trick a newbie into posting a follow-up that points out the mistake. A highly controversial post for the purpose of enticing the unsuspecting reader to engage in a senseless argument.

FLAME BAIT: An intentionally inflammatory posting in a newsgroup or discussion group, designed to elicit a strong reaction and to create a flame war.

THE UNINFORMED GUESSERS: Not all you read in the NG's is the gospel. Good posters site a reference or source -- others just guess or may be misinformed. Caveat Lector !!

THE ANONS -- many posters do not give their name, callsign, or true e-mail address. This has come about because of spammers, stalkers, phone calls and real harassment. The anon posts are as good as any one elses.

OFF TOPICS: For reasons known to only themselves, zealots, hate mongers, and stump orators will post subjects having nothing to do with amateur radio. Just ignore them -- to reply is to encourage further stupidity.

NEWS GROUPS

Guide To Ham News Groups -- HTTP SITE -- All About Ham Radio News Groups - From Jeffrey Herman, KH6O Also see rec.radio.swap FAQ's

FAQ's For All News Groups -- All About News Groups

Hams Guide To Buying and Selling On The Internet -- Excellent - From KH6O

rec.radio.amateur.boatanchors FAQ

rec.antiques.radio+phono FAQ

DeJaNews -- Try Da Ja News to search for desired news group item

rec.radio.amateur.antenna: Antenna theory and construction.
rec.radio.amateur.boatanchors: Old Time Ham Gear News Group -- See FAQ
rec.radio.amateur.digital.misc: Digital Radio, Packet, AMTOR, G-TOR and Other TORS
rec.radio.amateur.dx: Amateur Radio DX News Group
rec.radio.amateur.equipment: Amateur Radio Hardware.
rec.radio.amateur.homebrew: Construction and Experimentation.
rec.radio.amateur.misc: Radio Practices, Contests, Events, etc.
rec.radio.amateur.policy: Radio use & regulation policy.
rec.radio.amateur.space: Space and Satellites
rec.radio.broadcasting: Broadcast Radio
rec.radio.info: Informational postings related to radio. (Moderated)
rec.radio.noncomm: Topics relating to noncommercial radio.
rec.radio.scanner: Broadcasting traffic above 30 MHz.
rec.radio.shortwave: Shortwave radio enthusiasts.; rec.radio.shortwave Newsgroup FAQs
rec.radio.swap: Sell, Buy, Trade and Swap of Radio Equipment
rec.antiques.radio+phono
rec.boats.electronics: Boaters Electronics
aus.radio.amateur.digital: Australian Ham Digital News
aus.radio.amateur.misc: Australian Ham Misc News
aus.radio.amsat: Australian Ham AMSAT News
aus.radio.amateur.wicen: Australian Ham WICEN News
aus.radio.scanner: Australian Scanner News
aus.radio.packet: Australian Ham Packet News
aus.radio.broadcast: Australian Broadcast News
aus.electronics: Australian Electronics News
uk.radio.amateur: U.K Amateur Radio News Group
japan.radio: Radio News Group from Japan
sci.electronics.basics: Basic Theory and Practice Discussions
sci.electronics.cad: CAD Stuff
sci.electronics.components: Parts Stuff
sci.electronics.design: Electronic Design Discussions
sci.electronics.equipment: Electronic Equipment Discussions
sci.electronics.misc: Misc Electronic Discussions
sci.electronics.repair: Fixing Electronics Discussions
sci.engr.semiconductors: Semiconductor Discussions
sci.physics.electromag: Electromagnetic Discussions

MORE Usenet Newsgroups
biz.books.technical - Technical Books
comp.arch.embedded - Embedded Systems Architecture
comp.dcom.telecom - Telecommunications
comp.dsp - Digital Signal Processing
comp.home.automation - Home Automation
comp.lang.ada - Ada Language
comp.lang.basic.misc - BASIC Language
comp.lang.basic.visual - Microsoft's Visual BASIC Language
comp.lang.c - C Language
comp.lang.c++ - C++ Language
comp.lang.forth - Forth Language
comp.lang.lisp - Lisp Language
comp.lang.modula2 - Modula2 Language
comp.lang.pascal - Pascal Language
comp.lang.postscript - Postscript Language
comp.lang.prolog - Prolog Language
comp.os.msdos.programmer - MSDOS Programming
comp.publish.cdrom.hardware - CDROM R & RW Discussions
comp.publish.cdrom.software - CDROM R & RW Discussions
comp.publish.cdrom.multimedia - CDROM R & RW Discussions
comp.publish.electronic.developer
comp.publish.electronic.end-user
comp.publish.electronic.misc
comp.sys.ibm.pc.programmer - IBM PC Programming
comp.sys.ibm.pc.soundcard.tech - Soundcard Programming
comp.realtime - Realtime Computing Issues
comp.robotics - Robotics
misc.books.technical - Technical Books
rec.games.programmer - Games Programming
rec.radio.cb - Citizen's Band Radio
rec.radio.noncomm - Noncommercial Broadcasters
rec.video.satellite.misc - Video Satellite Reception
rec.video.satellite.dbs - DBS (Small Dish) Satellite Reception
rec.video.satellite.tvro - TVRO (Large Dish) Satellite Reception
rec.video.cable-tv - Cable TV
sci.electronics.repair - Repairing Electronics
sci.engr.advanced-tv - HDTV
sci.nanotech - Nanotechnology
sci.virtual-worlds - Virtual Reality
sci.virtual-worlds.apps - Virtual Reality Application

ALT.HAM-RADIO NEWS GROUPS

alt.2600 - Hackers
alt.books.technical - Technical Books
alt.binaries.schematics.electronic
alt.engineering.electrical
alt.engineering.electrical.jobs
alt.electronics.analog.vlsi
alt.electronics.manufacture.circuitboard
alt.comp.hardware.homebuilt - Homebrew Computer Hardware Builders
alt.computer.consultants - Computer Consultants
alt.hackers - Hackers
alt.lang.basic - BASIC Language
alt.msdos.programmer - MSDOS Programming
alt.radio.pirate - Pirate Radio
alt.ham-radio.am
alt.ham-radio.amtor
alt.ham-radio.atv
alt.ham-radio.binaries
alt.ham-radio.digital-voice
alt.ham-radio.dxing
alt.ham-radio.eme
alt.ham-radio.exotic-modes
alt.ham-radio.fax
alt.ham-radio.flame
alt.ham-radio.fm
alt.ham-radio.hf
alt.ham-radio.mods
alt.ham-radio.morse
alt.ham-radio.nocode
alt.ham-radio.rtty
alt.ham-radio.slowscan
alt.ham-radio.spread
alt.ham-radio.ssb
alt.ham-radio.uwave
alt.ham-radio.vhf-uhf
su.org.ham-radio

Master List Of News Groups - From TILE.NET/LISTS
Get 133 "Radio News Groups", 37 Radio Mail Lists, 58 Radio FTP's

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ham Radio FAQ's - Hundreds Of Them - Type in subject "Amateur Radio, Antennas, etc