K1DWU's Ham Radio News

The iMac: Will ham radio be the same? - K9JY

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:20:12 +0000

Well, I took the plunge. I bought an iMac. Interestingly, it was over two months ago, but I haven't gotten around to doing any ham radio stuff with it yet. Too busy getting the rest of it setup for the business ( Cube Rules ). I've seen a bit of software out t... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

W1AW to Add New Digital Modes to Transmission Schedule - ARRL

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:19:47 +0000

On August 17, W1AW , the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, will replace its AMTOR and ASCII transmissions with PSK31 and MFSK16, respectively. RTTY (Baudot) will continue to be the first digital mode used in the transmission schedule. The frequencies used by... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Magnet Wire Antenna Experimentation - KC8QVO

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:19:31 +0000

Steve KA1VHF gave me this idea a couple weeks ago so I figured I would try it - use magnet wire to string up some nearly invisible antennas! The stuff I found is #34 with red enamel (I know the color means something, like the temperature rating maybe but I wou... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Digital Radio in Sydney gets a signal boost - VK2TPM

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:19:24 +0000

Last night I noticed that the ABC digital radio stations (transmitted by Broadcast Australia near Chatswood) had jumped up in strength. Clearly there was antenna work going on because the signal was going on and off during the evening.This morning the signal i... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Here's some 706 lovin' .. - KB1KIX

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:19:03 +0000

This is one robust portable HF rig I've had one of these for about five years now, what's not to love.‚ I've taken this rig to all the New England states, hiking on the Appalachian trail and had a blast maritime mobile. A lot of people don't know how truly fl... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Three More Representatives Sign On for HR 2160 - ARRL

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:18:53 +0000

On July 13, three more Congressmen - John Boozman (AR-3), Bob Filner (CA-51) and Dennis Moore (KS-3) -- pledged their support for HR 2160 , The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 . This brings the total number of co-sponsors to 18. ... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Orion/Orion II autotuner kit now available - Ten-Tec News

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:18:43 +0000

The model AT566K autotuner kit is now in stock and available for the Orion and Orion II transceivers. Very simple installation! $249.00 plus shipping. Read the illustrated installation manual . Click here to be taken to the order page. [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Oregon hams win exemption from mobile phone law - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:18:05 +0000

Drivers in Oregon will soon have to hang up their cellphones and texting devices under a new law that will ban the use of hand-held communications devices while driving, but mobile ham radio operations will not be affected [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Shuttle to launch satellites - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:17:49 +0000

The Space Shuttle Endeavour (STS-127) is scheduled to launch several small satellites from its payload bay [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Timor Island OC-148 - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:17:38 +0000

Arif, YC9MDX from Timor Island OC-148, has informed us that he will on the air during the RSGB IOTA Contest 2009 [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

D-Star contacts with Japan made easier - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:17:19 +0000

Ray, M3ZRJ, contacted us with news of an interesting new development for those using the D-Star system to contact radio hams in Japan [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Great Orme Mountain - Special Event Station - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:17:07 +0000

Over the period of the NWRS Llandudno Rally - that is the 31-10 and 1-11 of 2009 - Ted G7AIR will put on a Special Event Station atop the Great Orme Mountain, Llandudno [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Falcon 1 - CubeSAT and InnoSAT launch - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:16:47 +0000

The ATSB CubeSAT is scheduled to be launched by a SpaceX Falcon 1 rocket on July 14 from the Kwajalein launch site in the Pacific [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

USS Requin Special Event - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:11:45 +0000

Operators Tom WY3H and his son Ethan W3IRS, and also John K3WWP will operate N3AQC (NAQCC and FISTS Club Station) as a special event station from the USS Requin [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Oscar 5 in SatMagazine - Southgate ARC

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:11:35 +0000

The Oscar 5 satellite built by Australian Radio Amateurs at the end of the 60's is mentioned in the latest issue of SatMagazine [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

Contest Statistics since I've been a HAM - AJ4JD

Mon, 20 Jul 2009 05:11:21 +0000

I thought it would be interesting to do a bit of analysis of my contest results since I became a HAM and got into contesting. I've worked a few contests since I became a HAM back in April 2008. Some I just made a few contacts just for fun, and some I've worked... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-20]

EF Johnson Technologies, Inc. Introduces 5300 ES UHF and VHF Mobile Radios

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 04:04:05 +0000

[Source: PRNewswire - Technology / 07-19]

Whitman ARC, South Shore Fox Hunters Resolve Genesis ARS Repeater Interference - Eastern MA ARRL

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:39:14 +0000

A practice fox hunt turned into an actual radio direction finding event on Saturday, July 11, 2009 to combat interference that had silenced the Genesis Amateur Radio Society 's repeater in Plymouth for three days. Genesis club members traced the interfering si... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

WRC-11 Is Now WRC-12 - ARRL

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:38:40 +0000

The ITU Council, the 46-nation administrative oversight body of the International Telecommunication Union ( ITU ), has agreed to move the next World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC) to 2012. Originally scheduled for October 24-November 18, 2011 in Geneva, ... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

Free Your Mind - KE9V

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:38:27 +0000

Many years ago, a certain man in Europe was desperate to travel to the New World to seek better opportunities and a new life for himself and his family. He struggled for several years until he had scrimped and saved enough money for passage to America. On the ... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

Oregon Congressman Pledges Support for HR 2160 - ARRL

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:37:28 +0000

On July 10, Representative David Wu (OR-1) signed on as a co-sponsor to HR 2160 -- The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 -- bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 15. Click here for information on how to encourage your Congr... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

2009 ARRL DX CW Contest Results - ARRL Contest

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:37:22 +0000

[Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

CQ Serenade - KB6NU

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:37:15 +0000

I thought this YouTube video was kind of cute. It's a collage of ham radio photos accompanied by the tune CQ Serenade. There's even a French version . [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

Bletchley Park - A Celebration of Radio Communications - Southgate ARC

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:35:56 +0000

Second World War Heritage Site, Bletchley Park will be celebrating the essential contribution of radio to the war effort and it's subsequent significance at the family 'Wireless Waves' event on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

VE3MOON - 40th Anniversary of the Moon Landing - Southgate ARC

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:35:38 +0000

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the first manned moon landing, the special event callsign VE3MOON will be operating from 14-27 July on both the Amateur Radio satellites and HF [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

K5E - Apollo 11 40th Anniversary - Southgate ARC

Sat, 18 Jul 2009 17:35:30 +0000

The special event station K5E will be active on the Amateur Radio satellites to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landings [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-18]

Citizens Corps - A Good Way to Extend Amateur Radio Public Service

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 05:18:39 +0000

Here is a message from the National Office of Citizen Corps, passed down via ARRL Headquarters. As you may know, ARRL is affiliated with Citizen Corps, an initiative within the Department of Homeland Security to enhance public preparedness and safety. This ... [Source: ARRL WMA / 07-16]

Antenna Mounted, Hidden Room. Shorten Feedline, Go Digital! - MyHamShack.com

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:56:41 +0000

I got my antenna mounted in the attic on the second, just as was planned. (Amazing isn't it?) Turns out the plans I'd printed out were for a Collinear J-Pole, not just a J-Pole. The difference? The collinear is 2x taller, and it only just barely fit in... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-13]

IARU HF World Championship Recap - K2DSL

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:55:52 +0000

This past weekend was the 2009 IARU HF World Championship. I started out when the contest began Saturday morning and worked it for a few hours before taking my kids to the airport for a trip to visit their grandparents.‚ After returning from the airport I ope... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-13]

Missing Q-Signals - KC8QVO

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 05:55:40 +0000

For those that are CW operators you will surely get a kick out of reading this list of missing Q-Signals .My favorites: QAS?, QBS?, and, perhapps the most classic one of them all, QLF? Enjoy! [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-13]

Apollo Special Event Stations - KC5FM

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 01:37:10 +0000

The anniversary of the Apollo mission that put man on the moon has developed a number of special event stations. Echoes of Apollo is offering a Global Amateur Radio event on the 18th and 19th of July. A number of historic sites in Australia and other countrie... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Tucson CERT - Citizens Corp - Pima County RACES

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:46:55 +0000

Tucson Community Emergency Response Team - CERT/Citizens Corp [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Big Creek Triathlon: August 2

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 22:47:19 +0000

Members of Polk County Iowa ARES are encouraged to participate in these events as a way to train for and be prepared for emergency situations. If you want to volunteer or need more information, Please contact Craig Long at kc0ynn@gmail.com. [Source: HamFeed / 07-12]

Dancing with the Robot - CQ WPX Contest

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 21:22:18 +0000

Everyone who submits an electronic log for the WPX Contest must eventually 'dance with the robot.'‚ That's where you‚ email your log to ssb@cqwpx.com or cw@cqwpx.com .‚ The robot happily receives your log, checks it for key information, and then replies with... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Extra Topics - 012 - The Ham Radio Podclass - Ham Radio Podclass

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 19:46:51 +0000

Today we talk about HF digital modes and error correction. Also, listen for your chance to win big prizes in the Summer of Podcasts contest at www.podcastmadness.com though the Tech podcast network . Please Visit our Sponsor: Try Go to assist Express free for... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Memory Ride for Alzheimer's Research

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:17:52 +0000

By now you should be recovered from Field Day and Independence Day festivities, your (radio) batteries should be recharged and you must be eager for another Amateur Radio operating event -- Right?! [Source: ARRL WMA / 07-12]

CW and my Grandson Part II - MyHamShack.com

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:10:50 +0000

Back in June my Grandson Robert was down for his summer visit. He has always play around with my station. This year he asked about the CW keys next to the 756pro. I figure I would take a little time and see if I could spark a little interest with him le... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Special Event Station ZP15MWC : - VU2SGW

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:10:36 +0000

Special event station ZP15MWC will be aired July 12-19th from Asuncion, Paraguay, to celebrate the 15th Mennonite World Conference. QSL direct to PAƒ˜HEL [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

August is SARL HF Contest month - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:10:04 +0000

It is now time to start gearing up for the two SARL HF contests. The HF SSB contest will take place on 2 August and the CW version on 30 August. With more space on 40 metres and good conditions, this year's events may see record participation [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Wide Bay Mini Ham Fest - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:09:53 +0000

From being just an idea 5 weeks ago, Queensland's Wide Bay Mini Ham Fest will take place on Saturday 25th July [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Listen to 'Amateur Radio Mirror International' on podcast - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:09:47 +0000

The South African Radio League's weekly programme Amateur Radio Mirror International is now available on podcast by courtesy of Dick Stratford, ZS6RO [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

ARISS contact with students at Technopolis successful - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:09:31 +0000

On Saturday 11 July 2009, students at Technopolis, Mechelen, Belgium enjoyed a space talk with astronaut Frank De Winne, ON1DWN aboard the International Space Station [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Daily DX Bulletin - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:09:18 +0000

The Daily DX is a subscription e-mail bulletin that is available for 2 weeks free trial [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

AO-51 Apollo 11 40th Anniversary Special Event - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:08:53 +0000

AMSAT-NA will mark the 40th anniversary of the first manned lunar landing with a special event on AO-51 [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Slow progress for some on 40m extension - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:08:39 +0000

Dozens of countries in IARU Regions 1 and 3 are yet to adopt the 40m extension of 7.1 to 7.2MHz in their domestic regulations [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Learning CW - VK4VSP

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:08:17 +0000

I've been meaning to learn CW for ages now, but never quite got around to it. I downloaded Ray's excellent G4FON Koch trainer a while ago, but university studies got in the way and the laptop I had it on died late last year anyway. Well I have a break between ... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

EmComm Workshop, August 8, Boston - Eastern MA ARRL

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:07:52 +0000

Bob Salow, WA1IDA writes on BARC-List: An Emergency Communications Workshop will be held on Saturday, 8 August 2009 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Boston Salvation Army Headquarters at 147 Berkeley Street, Boston. The entrance is from Columbus Avenue opposite ... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

KY1N List of Volunteer Exam Sessions, 07/11/09 - Eastern MA ARRL

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:07:36 +0000

The KY1N Memorial List Scheduled Amateur Radio Volunteer Examinations - CT MA ME NH RI VT [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

FT-857D - Super Compact and Low Profile Mobile - KC8QVO

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:07:12 +0000

What do you do when you just have to take a radio with you on a car trip but you either can't use or don't want to bother with mobile antennas? Use HT antennas! The FT-857D is ideal for this. In my situation, I don't like going on road trips where I don't have... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Ham Radio Videos on the web - K2DSL

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:50 +0000

To kill time on my commute, I take ham radio videos and convert them for my Blackberry. The software I use is Any Video Converter free version. I put on earphones and listen to the videos on my train rides in/out of the city. The places I'm aware of for ham ra... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

K9EID releases affordable PR-20 UT microphone - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:30 +0000

If you have always wanted to try Bob Heil's famed PR-20 microphone in your hamshack but its high price was beyond your means, well now you can afford to own one [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Propagation de K7RA - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:21 +0000

Finally, some sunspot activity to report, and not one of those phantom spots, appearing one day and vanishing the next. Sunspot group 1024 first emerged a week ago, on July 3, 2009, with a daily sunspot number of 17, and the magnetic signature of a new cycle 2... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

IARU HF Championships - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:15 +0000

The IARU HF Championships take place this weekend, July 11th and 12th, and a large number of HQ stations are expected to be on-air for the event [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

The NZ4O Propagation Forecast #2009-23 - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:09 +0000

The NZ4O Daily LF/MF/HF/6M Frequency Radiowave Propagation Forecast #2009-23 has been published on Friday 07/10/2009 [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

RSGB Convention bookings open - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:06:03 +0000

Bookings are being taken for the 2009 RSGB Convention which takes place on 9, 10 and 11 October, at the Wyboston Lakes Centre in Bedfordshire [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

Dave Raycroft's ICPO Bulletin - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:05:57 +0000

ICPO - Islands, Castles and Portable Operations. Probably the most comprehesive listings available anywhere on the internet [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

RSGB confronts Ofcom over license database publication - Southgate ARC

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:05:49 +0000

The RSGB say they have written to UK regulator Ofcom raising concern at the release, in full, of the detailed amateur radio database on the Ofcom web site [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

ARRL Audio News: Jul 10, 2009; Vol 28 Number 27 - ARRL

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:05:22 +0000

ARRL Audio News--OPEN--In this edition . . .; ARRL Board of Directors, Standing Committees to Meet in Connecticut Next Week; ARRL Teachers Institute: It Is Elementary, It Is Advanced, It Is Something for Everyone; ARRL Audio News ID--Satellite Update--BREAK; A... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

ARRL Board of Directors, Standing Committees to Meet in Connecticut Next Week - ARRL

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:05:16 +0000

The ARRL Board of Directors holds their second meeting of 2009 July 17-18 in Windsor, Connecticut, with Directors, Vice Directors and ARRL Board officers in attendance. The meeting will be preceded on Thursday, July 16 with meetings of the Administration and F... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]

HamSphere closes - G4ILO

Sun, 12 Jul 2009 17:04:58 +0000

I received an email from Kelly, the operator of HamSphere , a virtual ionosphere (i.e. VOIP ham radio emulator) to say that the system has closed. It doesn't surprise me, since the system was free, and the cost of the web hosting and bandwidth must have been c... [Source: PlanetHam.org / 07-12]