Ham Radio

• 
  ARRL Amateur Radio News

• Get Ready for the ARRL DX CW Contest

  9 Feb 2010 | 7:26 am

  The weekend of February 20-21 will be a busy one for CW operators as the 2010 ARRL DX CW Contest takes center stage. First started in 1929 as the ARRL International Relay Party, the ARRL DX CW contest lays claim to the longest running contest in Amateur Radio. Stations from all around the world -- from Australia to Zimbabwe -- should be active for this great event that takes place on 160-10 meters (contest QSOs are not permitted on 60, 30, 17 or 12 meters).

• Amateur Radio Operator Killed in Connecticut Explosion

  9 Feb 2010 | 7:07 am

  Chris Walters, N0HVK, of Florissant, Missouri, was killed in an explosion on Sunday, February 7. He was 48. Walters -- who was employed as a safety manager for an electrical subcontractor at the Kleen Energy Plant in Middletown, Connecticut -- was one of five men who were killed in the explosion; at least a dozen people were injured. The accident received national news coverage. According to officials, the plant was in the process of doing a “blow down” -- clearing the natural gas lines -- when the explosion occurred, but investigators are still determining the cause of the…

• Youth@HamRadio.Fun: Ham Radio 2.0

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:37 am

  Web 2.0 is the name that has been given to the second wind of the Internet evolution, characterized by new gadgets, new developments and new ways to have fun online. Amateur Radio is also experiencing a second wind, with more hams, more activity and more ways to enjoy the hobby than ever before. We are also experiencing a new marriage with the Internet, as well as a new immersion in social media.

• The K7RA Solar Update

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:55 pm

  As soon as sunspot 1041 went over the horizon at the end of January, sunspot 1043 emerged, high in our Sun's northern hemisphere. The average daily sunspot number this week fell more than 13 points to 14.6, and average daily solar flux declined nearly 7 points to 75. The geomagnetic activity was up, and the average daily planetary A index rose 2 points to 5.1. Sunspot numbers for January 28-February 3 were 13, 12, 25, 14, 16, 11 and 11, with a mean of 14.6. The 10.7 cm flux was 76.3, 73.3, 75, 75.3, 75.3, 75.2 and 74.4, with a mean of 75. He estimated planetary A indices were 3, 2, 4, 3, 6, 9…

• Surfin': Viewing the New Star of Ham Radio

  5 Feb 2010 | 5:00 am

  This week, Surfin' explores D-STAR via the telescope known as “the Internet.”

• 
  EHAM.NET

• Lester, Daniel C. 'Danny' KE9SE, (SK):

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:54 pm

  Dan Lester, an awesome husband, dad and grandpa, passed away at home on Saturday morning, Feb. 6, 2010. His loving family was at his side to take his final steps with him. Dan was born in Rochester, N.Y., on Nov. 5, 1958, son of the late William Lester and Marcia (Montford) Lester, who currently lives in Oregon. Following his graduation from high school, Dan enlisted in the United States Navy and served from 1968 until 1972. He was trained in instrument repair and technical repair of A-6 Aircraft and spent time aboard the USS Kitty Hawk. Following his discharge, he married the former Mary Kay…

• Amateur Radio Group Puts Focus On Emergency Communication:

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:54 pm

  A world without cell phones is difficult to imagine. The BlackBerry, the iPhone and now the Droid are I-can't-live-without-you devices for millions. But in the wake of a natural disaster or devastating emergency, cell phones and other infrastructure-dependent systems are the first to go. Enter amateur -- or ham -- radio, a method of using wireless-radio communication devices to talk with other radio operators using frequencies set aside by the Federal Communications Commission. Hams, as they're called, can talk to people across the county, across the country or even on the other side of the…

• CU Space Project to Study How a Violent Sun Can Affect Earth:

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:10 pm

  Set for launch Tuesday, a $32 million instrument package devised by the University of Colorado at Boulder should yield a better understanding of how the sun can violently affect Earth. When the sun acts up, it can affect satellites, power grids, astronauts, aircraft routing and crews, GPS, ground communications, cellphones and BlackBerrys. Called the Solar Dynamics Observatory, the spacecraft will pry into how solar activity occurs and the resulting space weather. "Data returned from this mission will have a huge impact on our ability to create better space weather models and to mitigate the…

• World War II-Era Navigation System Shut Down:

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:00 pm

  In a series of small ceremonies, the U.S. Coast Guard on Monday shut down Loran-C, a navigation and timing system that has guided mariners and aviators since World War II.

• Men Itching To Get a 'Classic Rig' Crackling Again:

  6 Feb 2010 | 4:24 pm

  OXFORD -- Through the dedication of two amateur radio operators, an old ham's memory will live on, and his radio will continue to serve. Myron Bennett, 72, of Oxford and Gary Jezbera, 57, of Wilcox both are amateur radio operators, also known as hams. They have tinkered with an antique Swan 350-C radio for almost three years to get it back in working order. The last time this Swan 350-C radio crackled over the airwaves was in the face of tragedy, but now Bennett wants to use it to reconnect with other ham operators and to bring help in times of disaster. Bennett stumbled across the radio…

• 
  QRZ Forums: Ham Radio News

• Ham radio satellite demo - San Pedro, CA

  G4TUT

  9 Feb 2010 | 2:24 am

  Ham radio satellite demo - San Pedro, CA Clint Bradford, K6LCS, will be presenting his 'Working Amateur Satellites With Your HT' multimedia session at the February 19, 2010 meeting of the K6AA United Radio Amateur Club in San Pedro. All are welcome to attend. "Tentatively, we'll have a workable pass of AO-51 at 5:17PM that evening," Clint reports. If you would like to show up early, Clint will be working the satellite from the meeting's parking lot. The meeting starts at 7PM. Friday, February 19, 2010 K6AA URAC meeting starts at 7PM Los Angeles Maritime Museum Berth 84 • Foot of 6th Street…

• Latest 2M yagi G/T performance table published

  G4TUT

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:23 am

  Latest 2M yagi G/T performance table published Lionel H. Edwards VE7BQH has just published his latest 2M yagi G/T performance table. This document has become a very important reference for serious DX'ers who wish to purchase or construct yagi antennas for 2M 144MHz. It provides key facts to help operators choose the right antenna for them. Lionel's table demands a huge effort on his part and thanks go to him for his time. The latest issue is now available on the Internet at: http://www.sm2cew.com/gt.htm Don't wait all week for the news! Amateur Radio News - updated daily - 365 days per year…

• EI7DAR Online Receiver

  G4TUT

  8 Feb 2010 | 4:19 am

  EI7DAR Online Receiver Dundalk Amateur Radio Society have now added a web controlled Icom IC 75 HF receiver to their website. This will enable users to have full control of the receiver and allows the advantage of listening remotely from a different location. It is also useful for checking your own station's transmit audio and signal strength. Full details can be found at www.ei7dar.com and clicking on the "Control - HF Radio" or directly at www.ei7dar.com/hf.html. User feedback is welcome via email to info@ei7dar.com. Get Southgate Amateur Radio News by Email Don't wait all week for the…

• ANS-038 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins

  K9JKM

  7 Feb 2010 | 6:41 am

  AMSAT NEWS SERVICE ANS-038 ANS is a free, weekly, news and information service of AMSAT North America, The Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation. ANS reports on the activities of a worldwide group of Amateur Radio operators who share an active interest in designing, building, launching and communicating through analog and digital Amateur Radio satellites. Please send any amateur satellite news or reports to: ans-editor@amsat.org In this edition: * FO-29 Status Update * AMSAT Activities at Orlando Hamcation * First call for speakers for the AMSAT-UK Colloquium 2010 * Satellite Presentation at…

• New postage rate in Russia

  UA6JD

  7 Feb 2010 | 6:09 am

  Effective since 1 Feb 2010 AIR MAIL 20 gr envelope - 23.10 rub SUF MAIL 20 gr envelope - 20.40 rub For registered mail add 45.60 rub At today's exchange rate, 23.1 Rubles is roughly $0.76 US, so one G$ is still plenty (in theory) Post to the charge on the usual letter up to 20 grammes has grown a little, however the prices for parcels post in weight in kg or two have grown almost twice that will have an effect on increase of quotations at transfer of cards through a bureau (cards from bureaues as a rule are dispatched in two-kilogram packages). Already managers of TAG bureau have declared…

• 
  QRZ Forums: Ham Radio Announcements

• W3G special event cancelle

  N2ADF

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:58 pm

  sorry W3G special event was cancelle

• W3G SPECIAL EVENT CANCELLE

  CO7HU

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:55 pm

  SORRY THE W3G SPECIAL EVENT WAS CANCELLE

• Great Desert of the World Ham radio (may2010)

  7X2DD

  6 Feb 2010 | 11:38 am

  [B]“THE GREAT DESERT OF THE WORLD” Djelfa Ham club[/B] (7X2VFK) Under patrona of the governor of the state of Djelfa and the Director of Youth and Sports, “the great Desert of the World” Djelfa radio club (7X2VFK) will organize an international HAM Meeting from 17 to 22 may 2010 with a special call for the event (all modes...), and a diploma instead of a QSL card. We provide transportation from Algiers airport to Djelfa and Djelfa to Algiers airport "Djelfa-Algiers =300 km", accommodation and catering and day of sightseeing around Djelfa (Salt rock, rock carvings, visit…

• Most western point of the European Continent

  CT2FZI

  5 Feb 2010 | 4:47 pm

  Hello to all, Tomorrow from 11am to 15pm LOCAL/UTC I will be operating from the most western part of the European Continent: Cabo da Roca, Sintra, Portugal Its a beautiful place, with a light house and a great landscape. Sea and sun on one side, green forest on the other side. I will test several of my home made antennas, from a doublet made of computer cable to a buddistick passing to a homemade hamstick and then the rybakov806 antenna. I will be very glad to have your help regarding the diferent antennas :) I will be on these frequencies: 80 Meters 3.790MHz 40 Meters 7.070MHz 20 Meters…

• ZS8M: Marion Island Dxpedition

  ZS1HF

  5 Feb 2010 | 5:45 am

  Hi All, Marion Island will be operation as ZS8M from end April 2010 for a year. Times, frequencies and QSL info to follow later. 73 Pierre ZS1HF / ZS8M

• 
  QRZ Forums: Hamfest & Event Calendar

• Antique/Vintage Radio collectors conference

  W4RON

  7 Feb 2010 | 8:54 am

  The 2010 Charlotte Antique Radio Conference is coming up. The dates are Thursday-Friday & Saturday, March 25,26,27 2010. It will be 3 full days of meeting, forums, old equipment contests, luncheons, banquet, and 3 auctions. One of the auction will be selling the estate collection of WB4KFL. This collection is full of museum quality display ready, rare early radios and wireless equipment. Form the main conference web page, http://charlottearc2010.homestead.com/index.html you can find full details on the show, detailed lists of the estate items to be sold, a page with on-line copies of our…

• Buffalo, MN Midwinter Madness March 27

  KD0BTH

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:27 am

  Midwinter Madness Hamfest sponsored by the Robbinsdale Radio Club. Hours are 8:00 Am to 1:30 PM. For info go to www.k0ltc.org

• BARA Hamfest

  K2DLB

  5 Feb 2010 | 5:27 am

  18 April 2010: BARA Hamfest sponsored by the Binghamton Amateur Radio Association, located at the Port Crane Fire Company, 844 Route 369 in Port Crane NY. For more information go to www.W2OW.org. Talk-in 146.865 (PL 146.2), contact: Brian Adee K2DLB, 1060 Bunn Hill Rd., Vestal NY, 13850, email: k2dlb at arrl.net. Tables available for $10.00 each. Reserve your tables early :)

• Florida - Palm Beach Radio Fest - March 13

  WB9JTK

  4 Feb 2010 | 1:56 pm

  Palm Beach Radio Fest, March 13, 2010 West Palm Beach, Florida PalmBeachRadioFest.com

• LIMARC Hamfest 2/28/10 Hickville, NY

  N2RGL

  3 Feb 2010 | 12:04 pm

  LIMARC Hamfest is Sunday, Feb 28, 2010 9a-1p (7a for sellers) Levittown Hall 201 Levittown Parkway, Hicksville, NY 11801 Talk-in on W2VL, 146.85 (136.5 PL, - offset) There will be a test session at noon. http://www.limarc.org/fest.htm I haven't been to a LIMARC hamfest in about 10 years, but I remember them being great. If I remember correctly, I got my ticket at a LIMARC hamfest test session, along with my first radio, a Yaesu FT-411 HT. Go with some gear to sell and some cash to buy and keep hamfests alive.

• 
  Amateur Radio News Online

• AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE™ REPORT 1695

  Amateur Radio Newsline

  5 Feb 2010 | 2:37 am

  News for the week in Amateur Radio for the week ending 5 February, 2010. Visit Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at http://www.arnewsline.org

• AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE™ REPORT 1694`

  Amateur Radio Newsline

  29 Jan 2010 | 2:24 am

  News for the week in Amateur Radio for the week ending 29 January, 2010. Visit Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at http://www.arnewsline.org

• AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE™ REPORT 1693

  Amateur Radio Newsline

  22 Jan 2010 | 2:29 am

  News for the week in Amateur Radio for the week ending 22 January, 2010. Visit Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at http://www.arnewsline.org

• AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE™ REPORT 1692

  Amateur Radio Newsline

  15 Jan 2010 | 2:18 am

  News for the week in Amateur Radio for the week ending 15 January, 2010. Visit Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at http://www.arnewsline.org

• AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE™ REPORT 1691

  Amateur Radio Newsline

  8 Jan 2010 | 3:58 am

  News for the week in Amateur Radio for the week ending 8 January, 2010. Visit Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at http://www.arnewsline.org

• 
  This Week in Amateur Radio Podcast

• This Week in Amateur Radio #877 - Week of 1/31/10

  31 Jan 2010 | 7:16 pm

  Edition #877 of This Week in Amateur Radio, and This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News, have been released. Both are now posted and available for download at www.twiar.org. Subscribe on our site or: FIND US NOW ON I-TUNES! --> You can also direct download through our portal for web enabled devices (PS3, Blackberry, etc) at www.kxkvi.blogspot.com. Visit our blog at www.twiari.blogspot.com. This Week in Amateur Radio Full Version with special features and all the latest news - Running time: 69 minutes. This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News version runs 58 minutes with limited special…

• This Week in Amateur Radio #875 - Week of 1/17/10

  17 Jan 2010 | 7:24 pm

  Edition #875 of This Week in Amateur Radio, and This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News, have been released. Both are now posted and available for download at www.twiar.org. Subscribe on our site or: FIND US NOW ON I-TUNES! --> You can also direct download through our portal for web enabled devices (PS3, Blackberry, etc) at www.kxkvi.blogspot.com. Visit our blog at www.twiari.blogspot.com. This Week in Amateur Radio Full Version with special features and all the latest news - Running time: 111 minutes. This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News version runs 58 minutes with limited special…

• This Week in Amateur Radio #874 - Week of 1/10/10

  11 Jan 2010 | 8:26 pm

  Edition #874 of This Week in Amateur Radio, and This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News, have been released. Both are now posted and available for download at www.twiar.org. Subscribe on our site or: FIND US NOW ON I-TUNES! --> You can also direct download through our portal for web enabled devices (PS3, Blackberry, etc) at www.kxkvi.blogspot.com. Visit our blog at www.twiari.blogspot.com. This Week in Amateur Radio Full Version with special features and all the latest news - Running time: 118 minutes. This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News version runs 60 minutes with limited special…

• This Week in Amateur Radio #872 - Week of 12/26/09

  26 Dec 2009 | 5:39 pm

  ** HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM TWIAR ** Edition #872 of This Week in Amateur Radio, and This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News, have been released. Both are now posted and available for download at www.twiar.org. This is our annual Christmas Special program. Subscribe on our site or: FIND US NOW ON I-TUNES! --> You can also direct download through our portal for web enabled devices (PS3, Blackberry, etc) at www.kxkvi.blogspot.com. Visit our blog at www.twiari.blogspot.com. This Week in Amateur Radio Full Version with special features and all the latest news, our technology guru Leo Laporte, The…

• This Week in Amateur Radio #869 - Week of 12/6/09

  6 Dec 2009 | 9:57 am

  Edition #869 of This Week in Amateur Radio, and This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News, have been released. Both are now posted and available for download at www.twiar.org. Subscribe on our site or: FIND US NOW ON I-TUNES! --> You can also direct download through our portal for web enabled devices (PS3, Blackberry, etc) at www.kxkvi.blogspot.com. Visit our blog at www.twiari.blogspot.com. This Week in Amateur Radio Full Version with special features and all the news,SPECIAL EXPANDED EDITION: 126 minutes. This Week in Amateur Radio Headline News version runs 60 minutes with limited special…

• 
  N5FDL

• Yaesu Confirms FTM-350R Troubles

  David Coursey, N5FDL

  26 Jan 2010 | 9:20 am

  This morning, I received an e-mail from Yaesu tech support telling me they had reproduced the NAVIgation problems that I’ve been experiencing and reporting on. Yaesu USA has sought help from Japan in dealing with the problem. Do you suppose this radio was actually tested before it was released? How difficult is it drive around and see if the navigation function points in the right direction? It appears the radio cannot be changed with a firmware upgrade, so I am expecting they may all need to go back to the factory. As I remember, there was also a recall of VX-8’s when they were…

• FTM-350R Bad Navigation Video

  David Coursey, N5FDL

  25 Jan 2010 | 9:00 pm

  As a demonstration for Yaesu, I drove around and documented the problems I am having with the NAVI feature of the new FTM-350R receiver. I misspeak a couple of times—reversing left and right—but the video clearly shows what I am describing and I repeat the correct information a number of times. Also, I had another crash tonight, while the radio was running in my parked car.    

• The FTM-350R: Navigation Doesn't Work

  David Coursey, N5FDL

  25 Jan 2010 | 1:52 pm

  Click for larger imageThis photo illustrates—you have to take my word for it until I can post a video—how my FTM-350R will not properly navigate to a “point” stored in the radio’s memory. In this case, I want to navigate to WY6E-11, which is ahead of me and off to the left. However, the display clearly shows the destination “D” as being behind me and off to the right. The error changes depending on the direction of travel. Going north, the target error is to the right but north and south seem to be ahead and behind, where they should be. Going west, a…

• Odd FTM-350R Behavior

  David Coursey, N5FDL

  24 Jan 2010 | 1:08 pm

  I need the help of my fellow FTM-350R owners to figure out whether I am doing something wrong or if this radio has a real problem. (No, the crashing issue has not recurred). OK, I want to use the NAVI function to drive to a location or “point” as the radio calls it. I have received a packet from a friend at his house. I saved the location as a point. I am now navigating to the point. I am south of the point, headed north, the NAVI screen (which I think is “heading up” on the display) shows me heading toward the point. The point is two blocks off the road I am on. It is…

• ARRL's 97.113 Wording

  David Coursey, N5FDL

  22 Jan 2010 | 8:32 am

  Here is the proposed wording for an amendment to 97.113 that was passed by the ARRL’s Board of Directors at its 1-15/16 meeting: §97.113 Prohibited Transmissions(a) No amateur station shall transmit:**********(3) Communications in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer, except that the station licensee or control operator may, on behalf an employer, participate in emergency preparedness and disaster drills that include amateur operations for the purpose of emergency response, disaster relief or the…

• 
  THE DXZONE GUIDE

• Packet Cluster Software

  The DXZone.com

  Software to run ham radio packet cluster software for windows and linux

• UBA HF QRP FoxHunt

  The DXZone.com

  Operating Modes/Radio Direction FindingFox hunting competition organized by UBA

• Linux DStar Development

  The DXZone.com

  Operating Modes/D-STARThe life and times of development of a Linux D-Star repeater and dplus node.

• G5RV Optimization

  The DXZone.com

  Antennas/G5RVOptimising a typical G5RV antenna by VK1OD

• ARI Fidenza Forums

  The DXZone.com

  Ham Radio/Regional/I ItalyPopular italian amateur radio forum by ARI Fidenza

• 
  Southgate Amateur Radio Club

• Portuguese Navy Radio Telegraphy Centenary

  The 'Portuguese Navy Hamradio Club – NRA' and the Navy itself feel proud to announce a double Special Event. In this month of February we celebrate the 1st centenary since radiotelegraphy began official service in the navy

• Alcatraz Island DXpedition

  Alcatraz Island is being activated on 80-15 metres and the Amateur Radio satellites from February 11-14

• SolderSmoke Podcast 121

  Edition 121 of the SolderSmoke Amateur Radio podcast is now available

• 3G phone power limits

  An Ofcom consultation aims to increase the power limits of 3G mobile licences to improve mobile phone coverage

• Big sunspot sparks solar activity

  Spaceweather reports that the sudden emergence of big sunspot 1045 over the weekend has caused a sharp uptick in solar activity

• 
  HF Radio Propogation Center

• Solar Report 1645 09 Feb 2010

  Solar Flux: 94 | Ap: 4 | Kp 0 (04 nT) at 1500 09 Feb

• Observed Space Weather 1645 09 Feb 2010

  Space weather for the past 24 hours has been minor. Radio blackouts reaching the R1 level occurred.

• Forecast Space Weather 1645 09 Feb 2010

  Space weather for the next 24 hours is expected to be minor. Radio blackouts reaching the R1 level are expected.

• Flares 1645 09 Feb 2010

  6h hi C2.7(0113Z 02/09) 24h hi M4.0(0736Z 02/08)

• Sunspots 1645 09 Feb 2010

  SSN: 71 (02/08/2010)

• 
  KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

• You Know You’re a Radio Geezer When…

  Dan KB6NU

  9 Feb 2010 | 6:24 am

  Reprinted with permission from the Feb 2010 newlsetter of the San Bernardino Microwave Society: You know you are a radio Geezer when: you have more tools than you’ll ever need, but can’t find them. you need to keep your radio’s user manual on the desk. your antennas are getting smaller and closer to the ground. it’s been 40 years since you’ve had the snot shocked out of you. you forget the band plans. you check into the weather net, the noontime net, the Bell Telephone net, and some other net just because they are there. you still have a phone patch and Q…

• CT2GQV’s Homebrew Blog

  Dan KB6NU

  8 Feb 2010 | 5:09 pm

  Ricardo, CT2GQV, writes the blog, The “Speaky” HF SSB transceiver and other homebrew projects. I found this blog because Ricardo linked to one of my blog posts. I like it a lot. Ricardo is a hard-core homebrewer, and has posts on a number of projects including: 0-500 Khz converter to 4 Mhz 100 w dummy load Attenuator Batery tester BFO for hf-radio Digital modes interface HF SWR meter Noise generator for filter aligment PCB helping hand RF Probe S9 signal generator …and much more. I’m adding it to my links list. It’s certainly worth reading.

• First, Check the PC Board

  Dan KB6NU

  7 Feb 2010 | 4:13 pm

  Building is a lot of fun. You can build your own stuff, or take advantage of the work done by other hams and build projects from the ham mags like QST or CQ. One of the advantages of building projects from magazines is that frequently someone has already designed a PC board for it. Even so, make sure you check that PC board before you start soldering parts. A recent purchase shows why. The image at right is a scan I made of a PC board that I purchased to make a little 80m transmitter for transmitter hunting. Last night, I gave it a visual inspection before beginning construction, and…

• Field Day Packets Available

  Dan KB6NU

  5 Feb 2010 | 7:10 am

  From the ARRL website: Attention All Amateurs… 2010 Field Day Packets Now Available (Feb 2, 2010) — It’s that time of year again — time to start gearing up for ARRL Field Day, June 26-27, 2010! ARRL’s flagship operating event — always held the fourth full weekend in June — brings together new and experienced hams for 24 hours of operating fun. Field Day packets are now available for download and include the complete rules (including changes for 2010), as well as other reference items such as forms, ARRL Section abbreviation list, entry submission…

• Green Radio?

  5X7JD

  4 Feb 2010 | 10:58 am

  I’ve been living in Uganda since October 14, 2009, just over three months. I have visited Uganda on four previous occasions for three to six weeks each time. I remember well my first visit in the summer of 1999. That was the year we were preparing for Y2K, and there were a whole bunch of voices predicting the meltdown of civilization. On that visit, I travelled across the countryside in an old Toyota LandCruiser. As we drove through village after village, I came to the conclusion that if the world were to meltdown because computers failed at midnight, December 31, 1999, it would have no…

• 
  9W2BBA Amateur Radio Station Blog

• Radio Amateur Examination & Morse Code Test series 2010-1

  9w2bba

  21 Jan 2010 | 5:23 pm

  The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) will be holding the first series of Radio Amateur Examination (RAE) and the Morse Code Test (CW) for the year 2010. 1.  The Morse Code Test (CW) will be held as: Date : 17 March 2010. Time : 10.00 a.m. Venue : SKMM HQ in Cyberjaya. Applications Close : 5 February 2010 at [...]

• Portal 9w2bba.net

  9w2bba

  28 Nov 2009 | 8:04 pm

  Setelah beberapa hari laman 9w2bba.net ditutup untuk urusan kemaskini dan pembaikan selepas beberapa percubaan penggodam utk masuk ke kawasan pentadbir hari ini ia telah mula beroperasi semula. Beberapa penambaikan telah dibuat dari segi keselamatan dan beberapa tambahan dibuat untuk mengelakan berlaku kejadian yang sama. Saya menjemput semua rakan-rakan untuk melawat laman ini dan memberi komen untuk [...]

• MARES RAE Preparation Class 2009-2

  9w2bba

  28 Oct 2009 | 1:28 am

  Class: MARES RAE Preparation Class 2009-2 Date: Saturday 14 – Sunday 15 Nov 2009 (2 days) Time: Registration: 8:00 AM (Saturday only) Class: 8:30 AM till 5:30 PM (both days) Venue: Auditorium (Ground Floor), Sekolah Kebangsaan Dato’ Onn Jaafar, Kompleks Sekolah Wawasan, Persiaran Kewajipan, USJ 15, 47630 Subang Jaya, Selangor GPS Lat/Lon: 3°2′10.43″N, 101°35′18.71″E (3.036231, 101.588531) Maps: Multimap [...]

• Eye-Ball At D’Tasik Restaurant, UNITEN, Bangi

  9w2bba

  1 Jun 2009 | 9:47 pm

  EYE-BALL AT D’TASIK RESTAURANT Come join us to an eye-ball event at D’Tasik Restaurant, UNITEN, Bangi. It is opened to all – radio amateurs, SWL and anybody who wishes to participate and have a good time. Do not miss out the chance to meet old friends and make new ones. Date: Saturday 27 Jun 2009 Time: Dinner time, [...]

• V17 ARDF Open 2009

  9w2bba

  10 Feb 2009 | 5:32 pm

  Dear all Visitor & Fox Hunters, You are cordially invited to participate in ARDF OPEN 2009 Competition jointly organized by Wilayah V17 groups and Pusat Kokurikulum Kuala Lumpur. The schedule as follows :- Date : 5 APRIL 2009 (revised) Time : 0800-1500 Venue : Pusat Kokurikulum Kuala Lumpur (map) Hunt mode: On foot/pedestrian route. Fees : Fox Hunt only Individual – RM40 Team (2 persons) [...]

• 
  W2LJ'S BLOG

• Not exactly the news I want to hear....

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:18 pm

  Steve KD1JV responded to me about removing and re-installing the upside down installed clock chip:Well, it can be done but is not easy. First, wick as much solder as possible off the pins on the sides of the package. Then hold the package with needle nose pliers and apply heat to the pads on one side of it, while applying a little torque to the package. You'll have to move the iron back and forth between the pads until both of them are hot enough to get the package to start to lift off the board. Then go do the other side and repeat. These things will take an amazing amount of heat without…

• This and that.

  7 Feb 2010 | 5:34 pm

  17 Meters was open again this afternoon. I worked Eduardo CO8LY in Cuba. He was calling CQ DX and was way over S9. He sounded more like he was down the block; than all the way just south of Florida. Unfortunately, it was one of those "599 TNX" kind of QSOs. We have worked several times before; and I wanted Eduardo to know his signal was really carrying. I guess New Jersey wasn't the kind of DX he was looking for.On the other hand, it looks like I am making some kind of progress with the PFR3A. I rewound T1 for the second time and re-installed with no improvement. So I decided that everything…

• FYBO Fun

  6 Feb 2010 | 4:50 pm

  I had a good time operating in the FYBO contest today, even though I wasn't intrepid enough to do it from outdoors. As it was, it was only 57F in the shack at the start; and hovered around that temperature all day long +/- a degree here and there.I was using the K2, which I disconnected from commercial power; and placed it on one of my 12V SLA batteries which I keep charged via a solar panel. At least I'll get to claim the "alternative power" bonus. The antenna was my ol' reliable G5RV. Here then, is my log (not long):16o5 N4BP 20M FL 80F 5W1618 AB9CA 20M AL 62F 5W1626 KB0PCI 20M MN 72F…

• Not too bad

  6 Feb 2010 | 7:18 am

  as snowstorms go .....I woke up this morning to find that everything outside was covered with a white, puffy blanket of snow. From the second floor of the house, where our bedroom is, it looked worse than it turned out to be. I got dressed and headed outside to clean the cars off and shovel, so that my wife Marianne could leave for the hospital, where she is a dialysis nurse.I took a yardstick out in the back yard, found a clear, undisturbed spot and measured only about three inches (7.5 cm) of snow. I'll take that any day compared to the 6-14 inches that they were predicting. Of course, it…

• This is interesting

  5 Feb 2010 | 6:05 pm

  Early reports said the snow was to start somewhere between 4:00 and 6:00 PM; just in time for the trip home from work. It's nearly 9:00 PM and the first flakes have not fallen. Hmmmm .... Does this mean the storm is moving more slowly than anticipated? If that's true, it will linger longer than expected and possibly dump a higher amount on us. Current forecast is calling for 6-14 inches. The farther South you are, the more snow you will most likely receive.In any event, the 2 Meter handheld is in the charging dock, as there will inevitably be a SkyWarn Net tomorrow on the K2GE, Sayreville NJ…

• 
  The KØNR Weblog

• Results from the 2-Day Technician Class

  K0NR

  6 Feb 2010 | 7:54 pm

  We finished up the second and last day of our 2-day Ham Radio Technician License Class. The class ended with a VE test session, which was done by one of the local VE teams. We had 19 out of 21 students pass Element 2, qualifying them for a Technician Class License, for a 90% success [...]

• Time to Change Part 97?

  K0NR

  23 Jan 2010 | 6:00 pm

  Part 97.113 has been the topic of much discussion lately, ever since the FCC communicated a rather narrow interpretation of the rules. See my previous post on this topic for more background information. From the ARRL web site, we find that the ARRL Board of Directors has chimed in: The Board instructed the ARRL staff to [...]

• This Spewed Out of the Internet #12

  K0NR

  16 Jan 2010 | 4:53 pm

  Things have been busy around the K0NR household with Christmas, New Years, a general strategy of goofing off but having to go back to work in January. Here’s a few things that have gotten my attention lately. It seems that some of our pirate radio friends down in Texas think the FCC does not have jurisdiction over [...]

• The Class is Full

  K0NR

  7 Jan 2010 | 4:51 pm

  Wow, the interest in the Ham Radio Technician License class has been intense! I was thinking we’d get 8 to 10 students. So far I’ve had over 30 people ask to be registered for the class but we had to cap it at 24. And some of our publicity efforts are just starting to kick [...]

• Circuit From the Past

  K0NR

  3 Jan 2010 | 2:30 pm

  I was trying to provide some semblance of order in our basement, which is the storage area for my extensive collection of great radio and computer treasures (sometimes referred to as “junk”). I ended up wading through piles of stuff that I didn’t even know I had. It was like Christmas all over again! I came [...]

• 
  WB4GBI

• Deja Vu all over again

  Moderator

  20 Jan 2010 | 8:34 pm

  Déjà vu all over again…   Well folks, I have had to write several “blog” entries that I never thought I would have to do so. This is one of them.   After only five months of service, the 146.94 antenna is defective, AGAIN.  Kevin, W4KEV, took some close-up pictures of the antenna, and I hope to post those pictures on the website soon. The two bottom elements are visibly broken. This is the cause of the “static” or arcing noise that you hear.  I know this is hard for some to understand when their receiver is showing .94 at full strength, but it is…

• MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!

  Moderator

  24 Dec 2009 | 9:37 pm

  Merry Christmas, Everyone! Once again, I am posting a “blog” entry that has nothing  to do with Amateur Radio or my repeaters, other than I used to read this poem over my repeaters on Christmas Eve. This was a long time ago, when all I had on the air was .47 and when I owned 145.43 in the early eighties.  Perhaps next Christmas, I will read it again, over all of the repeaters. Lets all remember the real reason for the season. One Solitary Life Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in an obscure village. He worked in a…

• Exciting news for 146.73!!

  Moderator

  7 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am

  EXCITING NEWS FOR 146.73!   I’m sure many of you know that I have been struggling with 146.73. I purchased the repeater from Sam (WB4HAP)’s widow, Debbie, and  after rebuilding it around a GE Mastr II unit, I took it back to its long-time home on English Mountain.  However, its performance has not been great.  The antenna was installed just above the 10 or 15 foot level on the tower, as that was the only space available.  However, I have been working with the tower owner (I rent space on the tower) and he has graciously allowed me to relocate the repeater…

• 146.94 is 42 years young!

  Moderator

  29 Oct 2009 | 9:23 pm

  146.94 is 42 YEARS YOUNG!!   Hello, everyone! It’s been a while since my last “blog.” I hope everyone is enjoying the new 146.94 antenna. Speaking of .94, I have been on a bit of a mission lately to find out exactly when .94 went on the air. For those of you who are recent additions to our great hobby, you might not know that the 146.94 repeater was the very first two meter repeater in East Tennessee. Its history is that of great and continuous service. I am VERY proud to be carrying on the tradition started by George, K4HXD, who was the creator and founder of this…

• 18 Sep 2009 | 1:47 pm

  Moderator

  18 Sep 2009 | 1:47 pm

  Sent from my iPod

• 
  EARC

• PayPal Update

  PayPal payments are now being accepted online for your membership fees.

• EARC Mini Field Day

  July 19th is the EARC Mini Field Day. Join us at the Hawaii Kai Boat Ramp from 4pm to midnight for our potluck event. Check out our event listing page for more info.

• Club Memorabilia

  The online order form for Club Memorabilia is up and working. Use it to place orders for your club polo shirt(s), patch(es), and/or ball cap(s).

• Online Application

  The online membership application is now up and working. You can use it to obtain a new membership, renew a previous one, or simply update your information such as address, phone, or email.

• Field Day

  Field day is the last full weekend in June. Details coming out soon on the EARC website.

• 
  HamFeed

• Dealer from Ft. Wayne Hamfest? HELP!!

  8 Feb 2010 | 8:13 am

  Hi and thanks for reading - I'm trying to locate the used computer dealer from the Ft. Wayne hamfest this past November. He was along the front wall...

• WTB BATTERY CASES

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:58 am

  *IM LOOKING FOR SOME BATTERY CASES FOR THE RADIO SHACK HTX-202 HT. AE1CT@YAHOO.COM*

• Modified double extended zepp question?

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:26 am

  I am interested in building a modified double extended zepp for 160m. Is there anyone out there that has worked with the 80m version of this...

• 25v 30 amps to 12v

  8 Feb 2010 | 7:08 am

  Hi i have two heavy duty cycle 28v transformers/psu's, one side is 115v Ac input the other side only has 28v out and connects to a diode bridge and...

• G3LIV PSK31 Interface

  8 Feb 2010 | 6:18 am

  Anyone know the pinout for Yaesu 5 pin din to 5 pin din lead for the g3liv interface. Johnny does not seem to be selling the leads now. ...

• 
  Practical Amateur Radio Podcast

• The Practical Amateur Radio Podcast v34.3

  Jerry G. Taylor

  31 Jan 2010 | 3:30 am

  We review 2009 New Years Resolutions and discuss 2010 plans. We also discuss attitudes in amateur radio

• The Practical Amateur Radio Podcast v33.2

  Jerry G. Taylor

  27 Dec 2009 | 3:30 am

  Our special year in review episode. Thank you for helping make this podcast successful.

• The Practical Amateur Radio Podcast v32.2

  Jerry G. Taylor

  13 Dec 2009 | 3:30 am

  We discuss the new ARRL website, an interview with Katie Allen, K1KRB.

• The Practical Amateur Radio Podcast v31.2

  Jerry G. Taylor

  1 Dec 2009 | 3:30 am

  We discuss amateur radio safety during this episode.

• The Practical Amateur Radio Podcast v30.2

  Jerry G. Taylor

  27 Nov 2009 | 3:30 am

  Part 3 of our 3 part discussion on antennas. we discuss HF antennas in this episode.

• 
  Advancing Ham Radio.. different ideas

• Developing Wireless Networking using OLSR

  kb9mwr

  3 Feb 2010 | 8:40 am

  I've written before that mesh network topology on-top of standard 802.11 can make a powerful system. There is a group of hams in North Texas pioneering the way. They have been developing firmware using the Optimized Link State Routing (OLSR) Protocol. This is an IP routing protocol which is optimized for mobile ad-hoc networks. You can read more about this groups work at their newly launched website:http://hsmm-mesh.org/This is the place for info about the efforts of a special interest group of Travis County ARES that is working on linking various hospitals and government agencies with high…

• RTTY - Packet - 802.11

  kb9mwr

  1 Feb 2010 | 9:49 pm

  Anybody remember 2 meter RTTY? There is still some on HF, but it was pretty popular from 1950 to 1980 even on two meters.RTTY declined in popularity, as faster, computerized transmission modes were developed, using less-expensive equipment.That equipment was the TNC. And now roughly 30 years later, (just like RTTY) it too has declined as faster, less-expensive equipment exists.

• Vellman K8055 & Activity Graphs

  kb9mwr

  31 Jan 2010 | 11:13 pm

  I recently picked up a Vellman K8055 interface board. My original application was in conjunction with Jonathan, G4KLX's D-Star project. He has since added other methods of support for transmitter control, such as legacy serial port keying.The Vellman board has 5 digital input channels and 8 digital output channels. In addition, there are two analogue inputs and two analogue outputs with 8 bit resolution. As one can imagine, it has a lot of potential applications.I had a guy interested in my repeater activity graph scripting that I mentioned a few years ago. That was designed around repeaters…

• VOIP / Asterisk / Phone Interfacing

  kb9mwr

  9 Jan 2010 | 11:32 pm

  For nearly a decade I tinkered to my hearts content with various applications and packet radio. I learned an immense amount about TCP/IP. From DOS based NOS packages, which lead to ethernet networking the shack, later to Linux.Well, I have been tinkering with Asterisk for about 6 years with the same enthusiasm. Much to my surprise, I learned that one of the original founders of our ham technology club has man of the same interests. So much love that Mike Kassner has the vanity callsign, K0PBX to reflect that.When it comes to interacting with other people not in the hobby, messages (sometimes…

• EmComm & AMSAT's Geostationary Satellite

  kb9mwr

  3 Jan 2010 | 1:37 pm

  A very interesting overview of AMSAT's phase IV Geostationary Satellite and the possible emergency communications implementations is in the Fall issue of CQ-VHF.As you can tell I don't have a lot of love for Emcomm, but here is something that actually makes sense. A high speed multi-media capable, geostationary satellite.AMSAT has recently begun negotiating with INTELSAT to get amateur radio communication payloads “piggybacked” on commercial geosynchronous communications satellites. This would be a first for amateur radio. It would allow earth stations to have 24/7/365 communications over…