QRZ Forums - Amateur Radio News
///////////////////////////////////////////
RFinder now finds repeaters over routes world wide!
Posted: 15 Aug 2014 01:52 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...!&goto=newpost
RFinder now finds repeaters over routes world wide!
In the next step of pushing the limits of The World Wide
Repeater Directory, the RFinder team has released Repeater Routes!
Already released on the web at
http://routes.rfinder.net, we have created an API that we expect to be
incorporated into RT Systems software very soon.
As always we encourage new users to obtain access to
RFinder via purchasing the app in Google Play on Android and The Apple App
Store on iPhone/iPad/iPod. Once you register your email and password in
the app, use that on http://routes.rfinder.net or http://web.rfinder.net,
RT Systems, CHIRP, etc.
The web version allows downloads in a variety of
formats including csv, tpe and several GPS POI formats including the AVMAP
Amateur Radio GPS.
The annual subscription for the World Wide Repeater
Directory is only $9.99 and for that one price, includes access from any
platform RFinder is available on: Android, iPhone, web, RT Systems,
RadioBuddy (iPhone), and two new third party applications coming soon for
Windows (by KB2SCS) and Macintosh (by KD2DMH).
More information: http://www.rfinder.net
Information for our open-source realtime radio
programmer, RFinderPi: http://rfinderpi.rfinder.net
Contact: , +1.631.610.5120, skype:
bobofthedeep
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zgbfjgwip9...2023.19.34.png
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/201...world_wide.htm
Follow Southgate News on Twitter
Join us on Facebook
///////////////////////////////////////////
UKHAS 2014 Conference Live Video Stream
Posted: 15 Aug 2014 01:47 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...m&goto=newpost
UKHAS 2014 Conference Live Video Stream
The UKHAS Conference this
Saturday, Aug 16, will be streamed live and the radio amateurs giving the
presentations will, if time permits, take questions via the web
The annual UK High Altitude Society (UKHAS)
conference at the University of Greenwich in London attracts those
interested in learning about building and flying High Altitude Balloons or
in tracking their 434 MHz signals.
There is an impressive line-up of speakers in
addition to which there will be workshops, demonstrations along with
amateur radio exams.
Morning Sessions
09:30 Assembly – Coffee / Tea + Biscuits
10.10 Introduction – James Coxon M6JCX and Anthony
Stirk M0UPU
10.20 Predictor – Daniel Richman M0ZDR and Adam Greig
M0RND
10.50 Advanced superpressure balloon technology – Dan
Bowen K2VOL Balloon Scientist Google Loon Project
11.30 WebSDR – Philip Crump M0DNY
11.40 UK Ham Radio Airborne Operation Update - Steve
Randall G8KHW
11.45 Break
12.00 $50SAT Low cost satellite- Stuart Robinson
GW7HPW
12.45 Batc.tv Introduction – Noel Matthews G8GTZ
13.00 Lunch / Show and Tell
Afternoon Sessions
Combination of workshop/lectures.
Main Lecture
14.30 STM32+DSP – Adam Greig M0RND, Jon Sowman M0JSN,
Matt Brezja M6VXO
15.30 UKHASNET – James Coxon M6JCX
Side Room
14:30 Pi In The Sky – Anthony Stirk M0UPU and Dave
Akerman M0RPI
15.30 Amateur Radio Exams
The video streaming will be available on Saturday,
August 16 at
http://stream.ukhas.org.uk/
UKHAS Conference
http://ukhas.org.uk/general:ukhasconference2014
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/201...deo_stream.htm
Follow Southgate News on Twitter
Become a Facebook fan
///////////////////////////////////////////
Week 4 QRZ Anniversary Sweepstakes Winner- Wayne Glover, WE7G
Posted: 14 Aug 2014 08:20 PM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...G&goto=newpost
This weekÂ’s prize winner hails from the Grand Canyon State, where QRZ is
based. Our winner is Wayne Glover, WE7G. Wayne will be receiving a $20
Gift certificate from our sponsor, Gigaparts as well as a one year,
Premium subscription to QRZ! Our Premium subscription entitles Wayne to an
Ad-free QRZ experience as well as access to our XML information. We hope
he'll enjoy the prize! After four weeks the Sweepstakes has about 77,000
entries. We hope that you'll all continue to visit the Sweepstakes page
to enter daily to win that unforgettable grand prize of a lifetime, the
TS-990s! If you haven't entered yet, you've still got plenty of time! You
can check in on the QRZ News Forum and on the QRZ.com Facebook Page to stay
up to date on the latest weekly giveaways and sponsor additions. You can
also follow us on Twitter @QRZ. Until next time, Good luck and 73 from the
entire QRZ.com team!
///////////////////////////////////////////
The ARRL Letter, August 14, 2014
Posted: 14 Aug 2014 01:19 PM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...4&goto=newpost
The ARRL Letter
August 14, 2014
Rick Lindquist, WW1ME, Editor
[Note: Clicking on the story links below will take you to the news article
as it appears in The ARRL Letter on the ARRL website.]
ARRL Teachers Institutes Chalk Up Another Successful SummerAmateur Radio
Operators Delighted With California City Council's Antenna Decision"Pacific
Endeavor-14" Exercise Stresses International CooperationCanadian Radio
Amateurs Will Join Special Event This Fall on 630 MetersW1AW Centennial
Operations Relocate on August 20 (UTC)W1AW Centennial Operations Head to
the Pacific in October and NovemberRadio Amateur Named to FEMA National
Advisory CouncilHam Radio Payload to Circle the MoonAMSAT Issues Call for
2014 Space Symposium PapersShortwave Broadcasting "of Marginal and
Continuously Declining Impact," Committee ConcludesNPR Program Features
WRTC2014Radio Amateurs Named to Order of CanadaSupport ARRL by Shopping at
AmazonSmileA Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRLThe K7RA Solar UpdateJust
Ahead in RadiosportUpcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions
and Events
ARRL Teachers Institutes Chalk Up Another Successful Summer
Thanks to the ARRL's 2014 Teachers Institutes on Wireless Technology,
nearly 3 dozen teachers will be heading back to school this fall better
equipped to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics
(STEM) principles into their curricula. A dozen educators also returned
home with an Amateur Radio license or a license upgrade.
As part of its outreach to schools, the ARRL Education & Technology Program
(ETP) sponsored two introductory Teachers Institute (TI) sessions and one
advanced class during June and July. "Introduction to Wireless Technology"
(TI-1) sessions took place in late June at Dayton, Ohio -- hosted by the
Dayton Amateur Radio Association -- and at ARRL Headquarters in Newington,
Connecticut. The advanced "Remote Sensing and Data Gathering" (TI-2) course
was held at ARRL Headquarters in July. The 4-day, expenses-paid
professional development seminars offer teachers from the elementary to the
university level tools and strategies to introduce basic electronics, radio
science, space technology, and satellite communication, as well as weather
science, microcontrollers, and basic robotics in their classrooms.
Two dozen teachers from 16 states attended the two introductory courses
under the guidance of Instructors Tommy Gober, N5DUX, and Larry Kendall,
K6NDL -- a new instructor who is a middle school technology teacher in
California.
"The curriculum is designed for motivated teachers and other school
staffers who want to learn more about wireless technology and bring that
knowledge to their students," ARRL Education Services Manager Debra
Johnson, K1DMJ, said. "Many expressed interest in coming back for more
training with satellite communications, the MAREA [Mars Lander/Marine
Amateur Radio Robotics Exploration Activity] program, and remote sensors
and data collection." MAREA is a hands-on activity designed to engage
students in learning programming skills for command and control of land or
marine robots via Amateur Radio packet.
During this summer's advanced (TI-2) session on remote sensing and data
gathering, Instructor Mark Spencer, WA8SME, demonstrated how to control the
movements of a robot through data packets sent via the International Space
Station (ISS) digipeater on 145.825 MHz. The satellite station at W1AW
tracked the ISS during a July 10 pass. W1AW received and decoded movement
instructions sent by Matt Severin, N8MS, in Eau Claire, Michigan. Those
data then were transferred to the robot through a wireless UHF link. Ten
teachers from nine states took part in the advanced course. All were
Amateur Radio licensees and ARRL members. The introductory wireless
technology course is a prerequisite to the advanced class.
New this year at the TI-2 course was a marine research buoy. The buoy is
outfitted with sensors to measure surrounding air and water temperature and
pressure, and it includes a GPS tracking device. A PIC controls data
sampling and storage. A Yaesu FT-270 handheld transceiver was used to
transmit data via the Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS).
"Each teacher received a buoy, assembled it, and learned how the data
measurements from the electronic sensors are converted to useable
information about the environment, how to program the PIC to sample the
data, how to configure APRS and receive the data and upload it into Excel
for evaluation and analysis," Johnson explained. "The buoy is a resource
designed for classroom use as well as for easy deployment in local bodies
of water. The teachers deployed their buoys in buckets, as they learned how
to program and set up their buoy systems."
Participants were enthusiastic in their anonymous post-session
comments. "This seminar was my first experience with remote data and
sensing using Amateur Radio," one advanced course participant said. Another
educator called the buoy project "exciting."
To date, the ARRL's Education & Technology Program has provided resources,
including radio equipment, to more than 500 teachers and schools. Your
contribution to support ARRL's successful efforts to promote Amateur Radio
in schools and to provide professional development for teachers in wireless
technology is welcome. Read more.
Amateur Radio Operators Delighted With California City Council's Antenna
Decision
The nearly 300 radio amateurs who live in Poway, California, may erect
antenna support structures of up to 65 feet with only a building permit and
a courtesy notice to their neighbors. The Poway City Council unanimously
approved the new ordinance on August 5. According to an August 6 Pomerado
News report by Steve Dreyer, the Council "declined to adopt an alternative
ordinance that would have required obtaining a special minor use permit"
for structures between 35 and 65 feet.
ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD, said the League has been working
with Poway's Amateur Radio community for "a very long time" on the matter.
Representing radio amateurs' interests in Poway was Felix Tinkov, whom
Imlay described as "a very competent and experienced land use lawyer."
Imlay noted that Tinkov is not a ham radio licensee but that he "gets
Amateur Radio and did a stellar job of advocating for the hams." ARRL's
Amateur Radio Legal Defense and Assistance Committee contributed funding
for the effort.
"It represented a big change in well-entrenched attitudes in Poway spanning
decades, so this is a big win for us," Imlay said.
Members of the Poway Amateur Radio Society (PARS) submitted a technical
report to the City Council. The report concluded that antenna support
structures of up to 65 feet would represent "reasonable accommodation" for
Amateur Radio communication under PRB-1, due to the area's varied
topography.
The subject of Poway's Amateur Radio antenna ordinance came up at the ARRL
Board of Directors January 2014 meeting. ARRL General Counsel Chris Imlay,
W3KD, reported that he'd been in contact with attorney Fred Hopengarten,
K1VR, on behalf of Howard Groveman, W6HDG, of Poway, who sought to install
a 59-foot crank-up antenna support structure. At the time Poway's ordinance
set a maximum height of 35 feet and required a variance for anything
taller, precluding Groveman's proposed antenna system.
According to the Pomerado account, the option that the city council
ultimately approved had been tweaked a bit from the version council members
had received earlier from city staffers. That option would have required
notification only to abutting property owners. This was expanded to a
250-foot radius, Dreyer's report said, adding that applicants would be
responsible for mailing the notices. The notices would alert neighbors that
an antenna would be erected, but neighbors would have no legal standing to
impede or block construction as long as the proposed structure met the
requirements of the city's ordinances.
Installing an antenna support structure taller than 65 feet would require a
new antenna permit and the approval of City Council. The Council asked for
a report in 1 year regarding how the new procedures are working. Read more.
"Pacific Endeavor-14" Exercise Stresses International Cooperation
Military Auxiliary Radio Service (MARS) stations from Okinawa and the US
West Coast joined members of the Canadian Forces Auxiliary Radio Service
(CFARS) to participate in the first phase of the US Pacific Command's
multinational "Pacific Endeavor-14" communication exercise that concluded
on August 11 (UTC). The disaster scenario was a massive earthquake in Nepal
that caused a large number of casualties and crippled the country's
infrastructure.
MARS and CFARS members scanned "emergency center of activity" frequencies
on the Amateur Radio HF bands, listening for information on the simulated
disaster from Nepalese amateur operators. Unfortunately, poor propagation
prevented Nepalese Amateur Radio operators from being heard by any other
participants. The Army MARS gateway station at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and
the 311th MARS gateway in Okinawa then simulated on-scene traffic, allowing
the other participants to complete the exercise. Details of the exercise
will be reported during the Global Amateur Radio Emergency Communications
(GAREC) conference August 12-15. GAREC-2014 is being held in conjunction
with the Huntsville (Alabama) Hamfest.
Because MARS and CFARS may operate on both Amateur Radio and military
frequencies, they can provide a bridge for radio amateurs outside the US
and Canada to communicate with military units responding under the
24-nation Multinational Communications Interoperability Program in the
disaster-prone Asia-Pacific region.
Part 2 of the Pacific Endeavor exercise is set for August 19. During the
second phase, traffic from Nepalese amateurs reporting on earthquake
aftershocks will be relayed to the US Pacific Command. -- Thanks to Bill
Sexton, N1IN, Army MARS Public Affairs Officer
Canadian Radio Amateurs Will Join Special Event This Fall on 630 Meters
Canadian radio amateurs will take part in the previously announced CW-only
special event operation on 600/630 meters this fall. The Maritime Radio
Historical Society (MRHS), which maintains the KPH/KSM commercial coast
stations, also will participate in the event. ARRL 600 Meter Experimental
Group Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, said the MRHS participants will conduct
a mini "Night of Nights" operation, with special attention to MF operation.
"This will give listeners the best chance of copying their MF signals by
operating during the fall and extending our operating hours well into the
evening hours Pacific time," he said. Coast station KPH will keep 500 kHz
and 426 kHz active, as well as HF, with special messages, press and weather
and will verify listener reports. Raab pointed out that the event will
coincide with the 106th anniversary of the Berlin Treaty that created the
international distress frequency at 500 kHz.
Amateur Radio operators in Canada gained access to the 472-479 kHz band on
May 1. Three Canadian radio amateurs will conduct cross-band communication
tests with amateurs operating on 80 and 40 meters. Joe Craig, VO1NA, in
Torbay, Newfoundland, will transmit on 477.7 kHz starting at 2130 UTC on
October 31 and continuing until 0130 UTC on November 1, and listen on 3562
and 7062 kHz. On the West Coast, Steve McDonald, VE7SL, on Mayne Island,
British Columbia, will be active November 1, 0200-0600 UTC, transmitting on
473.0 kHz and listening on 3566 and 7066 kHz. John Gibbs, VE7BDQ, in Delta,
British Columbia, will be on the air from 0100 until 1000 UTC on November
1, transmitting on 474.0 kHz and listening on 3536 kHz.
All stations either will call CQ or run "VVV" marker beacons while
listening on their respective receive (QSX) frequencies, which will be
included in the CQ or marker beacon.
"The official time period is 0000 UTC on November 1 through 2359 UTC on
November 2," Raab said. "These include Friday and Saturday evenings in
North America. Stations on the East Coast may start a little earlier if
they like."
All activity will occur between 465 and 480 kHz and between 495 and 510
kHz. Read more.
W1AW Centennial Operations Relocate on August 20 (UTC)
The ARRL Centennial W1AW portable operations taking place throughout 2014
from each of the 50 states and now in Oklahoma will relocate at 0000 UTC on
Wednesday, August 20 (the evening of August 19 in US time zones), to Ohio
(W1AW/8) and North Dakota (W1AW/0). During 2014 W1AW will be on the air
from every state (at least twice) and most US territories, and it will be
easy to work all states solely by contacting W1AW portable operations.
The ARRL Centennial QSO Party kicked off January 1 for a year-long
operating event in which participants can accumulate points and win awards.
The event is open to all, although only ARRL members and appointees,
elected officials, HQ staff and W1AW are worth ARRL Centennial QSO Party
points.
Working W1AW/x from each state is worth 5 points per mode/contact, even
when working the same state during its second week of activity.
To earn the "Worked all States with W1AW Award," work W1AW operating
portable from all 50 states. (Working W1AW or W100AW in Connecticut does
not count for Connecticut, however. For award credit, participants must
work W1AW/1 in Connecticut.) A W1AW WAS certificate and plaque will be
available.
The ARRL has posted an ARRL Centennial QSO Party leader board that
participants can use to determine how many points they have accumulated in
the Centennial QSO Party and in the W1AW WAS operations. Log in using your
Logbook of The World (LoTW) user name and password, and your position will
appear at the top of the leader boards. Results are updated daily, based on
contacts entered into LoTW.
The schedule has been updated recently. Check it often to make sure you
don't miss out on working a state.
W1AW Centennial Operations Head to the Pacific in October and November
The ARRL Centennial W1AW portable operations will be heading to the Pacific
this fall. From October 8 until October 21, W1AW/KH0 will be on the air
from The Radio Space of Tinian, on Tinian Island in the Northern Mariana
Islands. Ten operators from the US and Japan will support the activity.
Starting in early November, W1AW/KH8 will fire up from American Samoa.
Heading up the operation is Mike Goode, N9NS, who has at least 10 "seasoned
DXpeditioners" to operate. The group has received permission from the ARRL
to operate for longer than 1 week, and Goode anticipates that W1AW/KH8
could take to the air as early as November 1, continuing operation through
November 12, although the current W1AW Centennial QSO Party schedule
indicates that operation will run November 5 until November 18.
The team will put up at the Maliu Mai Beach Resort, which has hosted other
Amateur Radio operations, and their primary operating location will be that
of the late Larry Gandy, AH8LG, compliments of his widow Uti, KS6FO. Plans
call for three or four stations active on all bands from 1.8 through 28
MHz. The group may also set up a station at the hotel, and outside of their
W1AW operation, team members may operate as KH8Q or using their home call
signs /KH8.
As with other Centennial QSO Party contacts, confirmation will be via
Logbook of The World (LoTW). Stations contacting W1AW/KH0 or W1AW/KH8 may
be able to request cards directly or via the bureau through use of an
Online QSL Request System (OQRS). QSLs cards are not necessary, however,
and in due course, all QSLs will be sent via the bureau. -- Thanks to The
Daily DX
Radio Amateur Named to FEMA National Advisory Council
A Nevada radio amateur is among 12 new members appointed to the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Advisory Council (NAC). FEMA
announced the appointments by FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, KK4INZ, this
week. New NAC member Chris Smith, W4HMV, of Sparks, Nevada, was one of the
speakers at this year's ARRL Nevada Section Convention.
"FEMA is just one part of our nation's emergency management team," Fugate
said in a statement. "The National Advisory Council serves a vital role in
guiding our plans and strategies by ensuring we remain informed by diverse
viewpoints and experiences from every sector of society. I value the
expertise and input of each of these members, and appreciate their
dedication and commitment to ensuring effective emergency management."
Chris Smith comes from an Amateur Radio family. His father is Bill Smith,
W7HMV, an ARRL Life Member and Emergency Coordinator for Clark County
Nevada.
The NAC, which can include up to 35 members, provides recommendations to
the FEMA Administrator on a variety of emergency management issues. "For
example," a FEMA news release said, "the NAC recently made recommendations
regarding regional response and recovery capabilities as well as regarding
mutual aid agreements among different units of government."
Most NAC appointments are for 3-year terms.
Ham Radio Payload to Circle the Moon
A lunar flyby with a ham radio payload transmitting JT65B mode on 145.990
MHz is expected to take place toward the end of this year, giving
earthbound radio amateurs the opportunity to receive some otherworldly DX
signals as the payload flies around the Moon.
China has announced plans to launch a lunar orbiter carrying a 14 kg
battery-powered payload known as 4M-LXS, which was developed at LuxSpace.
Signals from the Amateur Radio payload can be decoded using the free WJST
software by Joe Taylor, K1JT.
The orbiter is one of the test models for Beijing's new lunar probe
Chang'e-5, which will land on the moon, collect samples, and return to
Earth. The launch, planned for 4th quarter 2014, is aimed at testing
technologies that are vital for the success of the spacecraft. The orbiter
will be launched into Lunar Transfer Orbit and then perform a lunar flyby
before re-entering Earth's atmosphere after 9 days.
The orbiter, which arrived by air in Xichang, Sichuan, on Sunday, August
10, has been transported to the Xichang Satellite Launch Center. -- Thanks
to AMSAT-UK
AMSAT Issues Call for 2014 Space Symposium Papers
AMSAT has issued a call for papers for its 32nd AMSAT Annual Meeting and
Space Symposium. This year's event takes place the weekend of October 10-12
at the DoubleTree Hotel, Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI),
Linthicum, Maryland.
Proposals for papers, symposium presentations and poster presentations are
invited on any topic of interest to the Amateur Satellite community. Final
copy must be submitted by September 15 for inclusion in the printed
proceedings. Send abstracts and papers to Dan Schultz, N8FGV.
The AMSAT Board of Directors will meet October 9-10. Technical
presentations on satellite design and operating begin on October 10. The
annual general meeting takes place on the afternoon of October 10. An ARISS
Operations Team meeting will be held on Sunday, October 12. -- Thanks to
AMSAT News Service via the 2014 Baltimore Symposium Committee
Shortwave Broadcasting "of Marginal and Continuously Declining Impact,"
Committee Concludes
The Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Special Committee on the Future
of Shortwave Broadcasting foresees a dim outlook for the medium. The
Committee this month released its assessment of the current and projected
use of shortwave radio as a platform for programming by US international
media.
"United States international media must optimize delivery by
audience/market," one main finding concluded. "While there is still a
critical need for shortwave in key countries, it is a medium of marginal
and continuously declining impact in most markets." The report said that
even in countries where shortwave radio will enjoys significant usage
levels, "audiences will migrate to other platforms as they become more
accessible."
Among other things, the Committee reviewed audience-based research,
including analysis of user experiences and user choices, as well as
opportunities and limits of the medium. It also examined "the
characteristics and listening experience of shortwave users in the BBG's
target markets, the use of shortwave radio by the BBG's networks, the
networks' relative success in reaching their target audiences through
shortwave, and the costs of operating the BBG's shortwave transmitting
facilities."
The panel recommended that the Broadcasting Board of Governors take "an
aggressive approach to reduce or eliminate shortwave broadcasts where there
is either minimal audience reach or the audience is not a target audience
based on the BBG's support of US foreign policy."
The report said that its evidence suggested that declining use of shortwave
radio is primarily due to the availability of high-quality content
on "preferred platforms" such as AM and FM radio, podcasts, and mobile
streaming, which are more widely used for audio consumption.
The committee found that shortwave use does not increase during times of
crisis. "Audiences continue to use their existing platforms (TV, FM, and
the Internet) or seek out anti-censorship tools, including online firewall
circumvention, private chat software, flash drives, and DVDs to access
content," the report said.
The report also said that shortwave radio was "a relatively expensive
platform to operate and maintain" and that digital shortwave radio (ie,
Digital Radio Mondiale or DRM) "is unlikely to become an established mass
media distribution methodology in enough of the BBG's current or future
markets to justify the costs."
The committee said it largely supports the reductions in shortwave radio
broadcasts previously approved by the Board. Those include recent cutbacks
in a number of Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, and Radio
Free Asia broadcasts. But, the committee added that given the current
situation in Ukraine and nearby states with significant Russian-speaking
populations, it recommended that the BBG revise its fiscal year 2014
operating plan to ensure that "shortwave broadcasts in Russian to Russia
and the Caucasus be continued at current levels, subject to re-evaluation
during FY16 budget formulation processes."
A fact sheet also is available. -- Thanks to Southgate Amateur Radio Club
News via G0SFJ
NPR Program Features WRTC2014
The National Public Radio weekend program "Only a Game" with host Bill
Littlefield featured World Radiosport Team Championship 2014 (WRTC2014)
during its August 9 broadcast. WRTC2014 Co-Chair Randy Thompson, K5ZD, said
the program segment reporter-producer Karen Given "did a great job" in
capturing the essence of the July event.
"If anything, I felt the piece was flying by in her attempt to capture so
much of what was going on," he told ARRL.
Thompson said one of the goals of WRTC2014 was to use the international
competition as a platform to promote Amateur Radio and radiosport. "Only a
Game" is produced by WBUR in Boston. The WRTC2014 website includes a
compilation of media coverage of the event.
Radio Amateurs Named to Order of Canada
Two radio amateurs were among those recently named to the Order of Canada.
The list of recipients included telecommunications researcher Veena Rawat,
VA3ITU, and Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, VA3OOG/KC5RNJ.
Rawat was honored as a "Companion of the Order of Canada" for contributions
to telecommunications engineering and for her leadership in establishing a
global regulatory framework for radio spectrum management. She has served
as president of the Communications Research Centre at Industry Canada and
as a vice president at Research in Motion. Rawat chaired the World
Radiocommunication Conference in 2003 and was instrumental in resolving the
40 meter "harmonization" issue that led to shifting international
broadcasters from part of the 7 MHz band.
Hadfield was honored as an "Officer of the Order of Canada" for "his
commitment to promoting scientific discovery and for sharing the wonders of
space exploration with the world." Hadfield was the International Space
Station Expedition 35 commander during his 2013 duty tour.
The Order of Canada is the third-highest award in Canada, to recognize
outstanding merit or distinguished service.
Support ARRL by Shopping at AmazonSmile
If you already shop on Amazon, or if you're looking for the perfect gift
for a family member or friend, we invite you to shop at AmazonSmile and
choose American Radio Relay League Inc (ARRL) as your charity of choice.
With every purchase you make via AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a
contribution to ARRL, which allows us to extend our reach in areas of
public service, advocacy, education and membership. We hope you will take
the opportunity to support ARRL and Amateur Radio with your eligible
purchases on AmazonSmile today! Please note, AmazonSmile is the same Amazon
you already know, with the same products, prices and service. Visit
AmazonSmile and log into your Amazon account (if you're new to Amazon,
you'll need to create one).
A Century of Amateur Radio and the ARRL
A comprehensive and fascinating article on long-delayed echoes (LDEs)
appeared in the February 1970 QST. LDEs are signals that have been
transmitted, go away somewhere, and then are heard -- at low signal levels
but often with good readability -- 10 or more seconds later. They were
first heard on the ham bands in 1927. An article in the May 1969 QST
described them and asked for reports from readers who had heard them. The
1970 follow-up article summarized more than 40 reports. A May 1971 QST
article later reported on more than 90 observed LDE events.
The effort to get more amateurs on the VHF and UHF bands continued, with
QST publishing articles on 432 MHz transmitters, 220 MHz kilowatt
amplifiers, state-of-the-art low-noise receiver preamplifiers, new
propagation modes and how to use them, portable beams for 2 meter
mountain-topping, and more.
The number of hams using very low power -- QRP -- also continued to grow,
with equipment and portable HF antennas featured in QST articles, as well
as reports of QRP use by hikers and mountain-climbing hams.
Repeaters for 2 meter FM operation were becoming very popular, and their
numbers were growing rapidly. QST described how to build repeater
duplexers, control equipment, antennas, and control links, and it kept
repeater control operators informed of relevant FCC rules as they were
developed.
Amateur Radio satellites continued to attract more and more attention. QST
articles provided information to encourage and help hams get up and running
on the satellites. Topics covered in those many articles included how to
plot satellite orbits, build beams that could be rotated in both azimuth
and elevation, construct circularly polarized beams, determine when you can
use the satellites for contacts over a given path, along with other tips
and information. As each new OSCAR was built and launched, QST carried
announcements and information on how to use it.
A nice article on "The $22,000,000.00 Ham Shack" appeared in the April 1970
QST. No, it wasn't an April Fool's article. It told of the first flight of
the new Boeing 747, with WA7IBL using one of the aircraft's radios to make
HF SSB contacts.
As the 1970s rolled along, many homeowners purchased hi-fi and stereo audio
equipment. Most consumer electronic equipment was not built to reject
interference from ham transmitters, however. Articles in QST during the
1970s told hams how to deal with those interference issues.
In 1970, the much-anticipated Heath SB-220 HF kilowatt linear amplifier
came on the market, with a selling price of $350.
As transistors' performance continued to improve, homebrew solid-state
equipment became progressively more popular. QST reported on many
interesting projects that used transistors, including VFOs, QRP rigs,
receivers and receiver preamplifiers, transmitting linear amplifiers, and
accessories. -- Al Brogdon, W1AB
The K7RA Solar Update
Tad Cook, K7RA, Seattle, Washington, reports: Solar activity showed further
signs of weakness this week, with the average daily sunspot number dropping
41.8 points to 94.9, while average daily solar flux declined 36.5 points to
113.1.
In the 45-day forecast for solar flux, it was surprising to see on August 3
a new solar flux prediction of 150 for August 31 through September 3. I had
anticipated that this prediction would drop, to be more in line with
predicted values before and after that period, and in the August 11
forecast, this is just what happened. The predicted solar flux for those
dates was revised to 125 for August 31 through September 2, then to 120 on
September 3, where it remains today.
That 45-day forecast predicts solar flux at 100 on August 14, 105 on August
15, 110 for August 16-17, 105 for August 18-19, then 110, 100 and 110 on
August 20-22, 115 for August 23-24, 120 for August 25-26, then 125 and 130
on August 27-28, and 125 for August 29 through September 2. Flux values are
expected to gradually drift upward to 135 by September 24, the day
following the fall equinox.
Predicted planetary A index is 10 on August 14, 8 for August 15-16, 5 for
August 17-21, then 8, 5 and 8 on August 22, 23, and 24, 5 for August 25-27,
8 for August 28-29, then 5, 12, 10 and 8 on August 30 through September 2,
5 for September 3-5, 8 on September 6, 5 for September 7-8, 8 on September
9, and 5 until September 18.
This weekly "Solar Update" in The ARRL Letter is a preview of
the "Propagation Bulletin" issued each Friday. The latest bulletin and an
archive of past propagation bulletins are on the ARRL website.
In this Friday's bulletin look for an updated forecast and reports from
readers. Send me your reports and observations.
Just Ahead in Radiosport
August 13-14 -- NAQCC Monthly QRP Sprint (CW)
August 16-17 -- ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest
August 16-17 -- SARTG WW RTTY Contest
August 16-17 -- 70 centimeter Digital EME Championship
August 16-17 -- Russian District Award Contest (SSB, CW)
August 16-17 -- Keymen's Club of Japan Contest (CW)
August 16-17 -- North American QSO Party (SSB)
August 16-17 -- Feld-Hell Gridloc Sprint
August 16 -- Dominican Republic Contest (SSB)
August 17 -- SARL Digital Contest
August 17 -- ARRL Rookie Roundup (RTTY)
August 18 -- Run For the Bacon (CW)
August 23 -- ALARA Contest (SSB, CW)
August 23 -- Kansas QSO Party
August 23-24 -- Ohio QSO Party
August 23-25 -- Hawaii QSO Party
August 24 -- South Africa DX CW Contest
See the ARRL Contest Calendar for more information.
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events
August 16-17 -- Southeastern Division Convention, Regional ARRL Centennial
Event, Huntsville, Alabama
August 17 -- Kansas State Convention, Salina, Kansas
August 23 -- West Virginia State Convention, Weston, West Virginia
August 23-24 -- JARL Ham Fair, Tokyo, Japan
August 24 -- Western Pennsylvania Section Convention, New Kensington,
Pennsylvania
August 30-31 -- North Carolina State Convention, (Shelby Hamfest), Shelby,
North Carolina
September 5-7 -- ARRL-TAPR Digital Communications Conference, Austin, Texas
September 6 -- Kentucky State Convention, Shepherdsville, Kentucky
September 6 -- Virginia Section Convention, Virginia Beach, Virginia
September 12-14 -- Southwestern Division Convention, San Diego, California
September 19-20 -- W9DXCC Convention, Schaumburg, Illinois
September 26-27 -- W4DXCC/SEDCO, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
September 26-28 -- Mid-Atlantic States VHF Conference, Bensalem,
Pennsylvania
September 27 -- North Dakota State Convention, West Fargo, North Dakota
September 27 -- Washington State Convention, Spokane Valley, Washington
October 4 -- Delaware State Convention, Georgetown, Delaware
October 5 -- Iowa Section Convention, West Liberty, Iowa
October 10-11 -- Florida State Convention, Melbourne, Florida
October 10-12 -- Pacific Division Convention (Pacificon), Santa Clara,
California
October 11 -- Pacific Northwest VHF Conference, Seaside, Oregon
October 12 -- Connecticut State Convention, Meriden, Connecticut
Find conventions and hamfests in your area.
The ARRL Letter appreciates the support of these advertisers:
Icom
Radio City
Radio Lights
DX Engineering
RF Concepts
Low Loss PWRgate
HRD Software
Timewave Technology, Inc
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc
ARRL members can opt to receive The ARRL Letter (with color images!)
directly via e-mail. If you are not an ARRL member, consider joining now to
receive this and other benefits, including the monthly ARRL journal, QST
(and the QST online digital edition). The ARRL — the national association
of Amateur Radio is the only organization representing Amateur Radio in the
US. As an ARRL member you support the ranks of thousands of other ham radio
enthusiasts shaping the Amateur Radio Service today. If you consider
yourself an active ham, you need ARRL now. Membership costs as little as
$39 a year. ARRL members have access to the ARRL Archive and Periodical
Search, the Product Review Archive, E-Mail Forwarding, a voice in the
affairs of ARRL and ham radio through locally appointed volunteers and much
more! Become part of the future of ham radio. Join the ARRL today!
ARRL -- Your One-Stop Resource for Amateur Radio News and Information
Join or Renew Today! ARRL membership includes QST, Amateur Radio's most
popular and informative journal, delivered to your mailbox each month.
Listen to ARRL Audio News, available every Friday.
Subscribe to...
NCJ -- National Contest Journal. Published bi-monthly, features articles by
top contesters, letters, hints, statistics, scores, NA Sprint and QSO
Parties.
QEX -- A Forum for Communications Experimenters. Published bi-monthly,
features technical articles, construction projects, columns and other items
of interest to radio amateurs and communications professionals.
Free of charge to ARRL members: Subscribe to the ARES E-Letter (monthly
public service and emergency communications news), the ARRL Contest Update
(bi-weekly contest newsletter), Division and Section news alerts -- and
much more!
Find us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter.
The ARRL Letter is published Thursdays, 50 times each year. ARRL members
and registered guests may subscribe at no cost or unsubscribe by editing
their profile.
Copyright © 2014 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights Reserved
///////////////////////////////////////////
MDSR (modulation demodulation software radio) is testing JT-65 mode
Posted: 13 Aug 2014 10:30 AM PDT
http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php...e&goto=newpost
Hi Everybody;
The MDSR Team is back from the summer break and we are currently testing
the JT-65 mode on 30m (10.138Mhz), 20m (14.076MHz),17 (18.102MHz) and 15m
(21.076MHz). The frequency band chosen depends on the time of day and when
band openings occur.
Frequencies will be announced in the Yahoo user group.
https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/mdsradio/info
If you have JT-65 capability, please help us to make as many contacts as
possible. The call sign that is being used is VE7DXW. If you do not have
JT-65 available but would like to have it, please send us a message and we
can help to get you set up with software and audio connections to your
radio.
The MDSR station will operate with the VE7DXW call sign and is operated out
of Vancouver, Canada. The output power is 20W and all contacts will be
logged on QRZ.com. On JT-65 worldwide contacts are possible any time a band
open up. In the last few days we made QSOs into USA, Canada, Ukraine,
Netherlands, Poland, Kazakhstan, Argentina, Brazil and many more.
The log-book will be also displayed on the MDSR home page of the MDSR
Demodulator-Modulator Software Radio:
http://users.skynet.be/myspace/mdsr/
Thanks for your help and see you on the bands! 73 and good DX...
The MDSR Team
Alex SchwarzVE7DXW