Planet Ham

G4VXE (Tim): G4VXE Weather Station Data now on APRS

Tim (noreply@blogger.com) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 09:28:53 +0000

Having become a little more interested in APRS this week, having played with the iBCNU program, I remembered that the excellent Cumulus software that I use to publish my weather station data to Twitter and the Weather Underground also supports APRS. This morning, I've configured Cumulus to upload the G4VXE weather station data to APRS.

You can see it on the map here

IZ8GFQ (Quirino): Sabato 14 e domenica 15 novembre la Fiera dell'elettronica di Monza

noreply@blogger.com (Quirino Tirelli) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:49:00 +0000

Dopo il successo della scorsa edizione (quasi 10.000 presenze, ndr), apre i battenti sabato 14 e domenica 15 novembre presso la fiera di Monza, Expo Elettronica, salone della tecnologia a prezzi contenuti. “Scegli la qualità, il meglio a meno” è, infatti, il motto di questa edizione che vedrà protagonisti decine di espositori pronti a vendere a prezzi da discount novità, pezzi rari e articoli introvabili.

Ci sarà l’imbarazzo della scelta tra: computer pronti per l'uso, ma anche tutte le parti per poterne assemblare uno in casa, accessori per la telefonia mobile, centraline, fax, videocitofoni, micro-telecamere di ultima generazione; elettronica e accessori per l'auto, videogiochi, CD Rom, videocassette, film in DVD, lettori MP4 e MP5, lettori DVD e Tv portatili, scatole di montaggio, kit completi, condensatori, radio d'epoca, antenne, navigatori satellitari, valvole, strumenti di misura, ottici, riviste, libri, stampanti multifunzione e inchiostri, cartucce, toner compatibili delle migliori marche, CD e DVD vergini e, per gli hobbisti, tutti gli attrezzi per il fai date.

In più un gustoso mercatino dell’usato dedicato all’elettronica, surplus, all’ambito radioamatoriale e radio d’epoca.

Ingresso gratuito per tutti i possessori di patente per radioamatori.

KA3DRR (Scot): This Weekend In RadioSport | Bill Windle QSO Party

noreply@blogger.com (Scot R. Morrison) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:35:00 +0000

RadioSport International | Bill Windle QSO Party.
This event is not complex instead its objective is straightforward for those who are First Class CW Operators or for those who are willing to obtain this distinction as a noteworthy, personal accomplishment.

The essentials of the the First Class CW Operators Club (FOC) are 1.) Clean signal, 2.) A willingness to slow down to 3 words per minute for the struggling beginner, 3.) A helping hand for the aspirant down the street and, 4.) A feeling of one-ness who would like to see the level of Amateur Radio rise.

Perhaps, it is time for me to re-visit my Amateur Radio ideals, to set my sights on a noble pursuit. One must labor to the level of First Class CW Operator and, for me, this is the kind of stuff where leaders are forged while in the pursuit of excellence. One's ascent is a formalized process. It is not easy and requires determination and focus.

The purpose of the Bill Windle QSO Party is to encourage the use of and excellence in Morse code.

Download rules from WA7BNM's 8-Day Calendar (link). Additionally, note the exchange as a non-member and one must call CQ BW during the event.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

IQ2RD: 100 anni del Nobel per la Fisica a Guglielmo Marconi

iw2nud — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:14:49 +0000

giornate marconianewww_marconicentenarionobel_it-

EA1CS: LU1DZ

Sergio (noreply@blogger.com) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:02:38 +0000

En la pasada reunión del grupo argentino de CW LU1DZ presentó su libro:

Mientras las bandas se encuentran vacías, el índice del Flux Solar se mantiene cerca de los 70 o menos y los científicos nos hablan del ciclo de propagación más deprimido de los últimos 100 años, yo he querido escribir estas notas y anécdotas destinadas a interesar al amigo lector en las actividades de los concursos de radioaficionados.

Lo hago con más de 45 años de actividad concursera (casi todas mi vida de aficionado) e inspirado en un escrito de Rick Campbell KK7B, con el objeto de comprender algunos de los fenómenos de la transformación de la radioaficion en el contexto de la sociedad y su evolución, de modo que esto me motivo a recopilar viejos escritos y desarrollar nuevas ideas que sirvan para la comprensión de una de las tantas actividades apasionantes que permite la radioafición.

Ahora quiero anunciar e invitarlos a todos a un evento que resulta muy importante para mi y que deseo compartir con todos aquellos amantes de la radioaficion en general y de la telegrafía y los concursos en particular.

Entre las invitaciones que he recibido para hacer esta presentación, he elegido las siguientes fechas y lugares, cada una de los cuales lleva conmigo un profundo sentimiento de arraigo y pertenencia de mi vida cercana a la radiofrecuencia.

+ 24 de octubre en el Radio Club Almirante Guillermo Brown LU3DY, donde se anunciará la clave publica para su descarga gratuita por Internet.

Lo hago como una especie de contribución al registro histórico de Almirante Brown, "Cuna de Los Multioperadores Argentinos"

+ 14 de noviembre en la Reunión de Amigos del GACW especialmente para los miembros del GACW y los amigos concurrentes que deseen compartir "la fiebre concursera" al lado de los contesters. Un ambiente de amigos de la telegrafía apto para el dialogo y para disfrutar/compartir la experiencia en un ambiente de libertad.

A Uds. me debo y les profeso mi sincero cariño por haberme permitido disfrutar de su afecto y compañía con la radio a través de tantos años.

+ 28 de Noviembre en el Radio Club de los Andes LU8YE de la ciudad de San Martín de los Andes se efectuara la presentación con el apoyo de ejemplares impresos.

Es esta una especie de homenaje a este radio club "chiquito de tamaño", pero Grande en afectos con Camaradas y Compañeros cuya calidad humana ha hecho que yo los haya elegido para toda mi vida.

Alberto U. Silva LU1DZ

Nuevo libro de LU1DZ

Con la ayuda de mi amigo Gabriel Cornejo LU3DAT ya está disponible para la descarga este nuevo libro: Compendio para el Concursero Surero que incluye El Método Uranito y una buena parte de mi experiencia concursera, con la destacada participación de reconocidos actores del mundillo de los contesters y otros amigos que han querido apoyar esta idea con sus escritos.

Podría hacer una larga lista de las razones para dedicar mi tiempo a recopilar y escribir este libro, pero en verdad la mas importante de ellas es que intento desnudar mi experiencia y conocimientos acumulados a lo largo de tantos años, para que quienes no gozan de las mejores estaciones y/o habilidades desarrolladas tengan la oportunidad de leerlo y para que quienes no tienen la suerte de participar de alguno de los Talleres del GACW o de la cercanía de un concursero generosos, sientan la pasión que nos mueve a los radioaficionados concurseros y se sientan atrapados con la misma intensidad.

He elegido esta forma de expresión pues estoy convencido que es la mejor forma de hacerlo, evitando las intermediaciones que provocan distorsiones o la censura de quienes se muestran incómodos de compartir con quienes menos saben o de alentar a quienes recién se inician.

Se trata de la Versión Beta 1.0, de una edición digital en formato PDF comprimido, de algo más de 200 paginas, que Uds. podrán descargar gratuitamente para leer en su computadora o imprimir total o parcialmente si asi lo desean.

Para descargarlo deben visitar mi pagina en http://www.lu1dz.com.ar y seguir las instrucciones.

En ocasión de hacer la presentación publica con proyecciones y diapositivas, en fecha y lugar a determinar, informare de la clave para que puedan descomprimirlo sin dificultades.

Por su parte LU3DAT sugiere que:

Recomendamos que no espere a ultimo momento para su descarga.
En la presentación de este libro, se difundirá la clave para poder descomprimir el archivo. Si usted lo descargo con anticipación, evitara los problemas de lentitud provocados por descarga masiva del archivo.
Se trata de una edición digital con formato pdf, que podrá ser leído en su computadora, e impreso por usted mismo.
Para su descompresión recomendamos el uso del programa WINRAR que usted puede descargar del siguiente link: http://www.winrar.es/descargas/52

La elección de este tipo de formato digital, me permitirá introducir modificaciones y agregados sin que ello le produzca inversión alguna a los lectores.

Espero presentar una versión limitada impresa en papel en el Radio Club de los Andes LU8YE en ocasión del concurso CQ WW de CW a finales noviembre.

Agradezco a todos los amigos que me ayudaron a concretar este viejo anhelo y espero que todo el esfuerzo y tiempo dedicado a su concreción, pueda ser disfrutado y aprovechado por muchos de Uds.

Cordiales saludos.
Alberto LU1DZ

IZ8GFQ (Quirino): Tilimi, il CB virtuale per iPhone e touch

noreply@blogger.com (Quirino Tirelli) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 19:58:00 +0000

E' disponibile il nuovo software per iPhone che trasforma il cellulare in un CB.
Vai all'indirizzo per saperne di più

http://www.macitynet.it/macity/aA40688/tutti_radioamatori_con_tilimi_il_cb_virtuale_per_iphone_e_touch.shtml

IZ0EWJ (Diego): San Diego e la corsa

Diego IZØEWJ — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:04:32 +0000

Torna protagonista la corsa sul mio blog, seppur per una breve apparizione, ma indispensabile. Dopo un brevissmo periodo di stop, dovuto a fastidi muscolari, oggi ho ricominciato la stagione podistica. E’ stato un pò il primo giorno di scuola. Non potevo scegliere giorno migliore: 13 novembre 2009 il mio onomastico, San Diego appunto. Tutti coloro che in questi mesi non hanno avuto notizie attraverso questo blog della mia attività podistica stiano tranquilli. Non mi sono fermato, di correre dico. Del resto la corsa è una sorta di droga, difficile smettere! Per la location? Squadra che vince non si cambia, dunque quella già ampiamente sperimentata l’anno scorso che vi ripropongo in foto. E..udite udite..fissato anche il primo obiettivo per il 2010. Cos’è? Ne riparliamo a primavera! Buona corsa a tutti!

EA2CCG (Joaquin): Excusatio non petita, acusatio manifesta.

EA2CCG Joaquín Montoya (noreply@blogger.com) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:00:32 +0000

Tras el último capitulo de la novela por fascículos que nos hacen tragar a la fuerza me acuerdo de ese dicho que viene en el título.

Significa que todo aquel que se disculpa de una falta sin que nadie le haya pedido tales disculpas se está señalando como autor de la falta. En español se podría traducir por las expresiones "darse por aludido", "quien se excusa, se acusa", "disculpa no pedida o culpa manifiesta".

¿La letra a la fuerza entra? ¿ Repite que así se queda?

Se ve que a alguno le hicieron escribir 1000 veces mi maestro es bueno.

¿ A que vienen tantas justificaciones? ¿No basta con trabajar y hacerlo bien?¿ Que pasa si se hace mal?

Evidentemente entrar como elefante en cacharrería e intentar desviar las maniobras para hacerse grumete relatando supuestas singladuras que vienen muy lastradas con rutas irregulares en aguas oscuras que cada vez conoce más gente,pues no es lo que la gente está dispuesto a tragarse fácilmente cualquier cosa que le manden.

Eso si de todo lo que sabe mucha gente ni mu...eso no existe ¿Eh? Hay provincias que desaparecen del mapa. y se están quejando ¿ Cádiz existe? ¿ La Rioja existe? ¿ Alicante existe? Haciendo historia también nos podrían hablar del destierro del Cid y sus compañeros,pero eso tampoco existe. Oiga lo veo todo super claro,super transparente.

Peor el remedio que la enfermedad.Me acuerdo de aquellos QRX...pero en malo.¿ Se acuerda el escritor novel de los QRX y como se sentía cuando los leía? Pues así,o peor, me cuentan que se sienten los lectores obligados.

Alguno esta tomando algo que te hace ver la vida de color de rosa y miles de imvestigadores están detrás de el para comprar la fórmula que servirá para financiar alguna colección privada de viejos cacharros. Por lo menos así el gasto no se lo pasan a otros. ¿ Que suerte no?

Hay quien me pregunta por el rumbo de algun pícaro que tomó el portante para irse de viaje lejos,para luego "Ir por la Carrera y volver por el Muro".

O por lo menos eso me dicen,no se yo si es verdad o no o está por alguna esquina. Pero cuando un río suena un músico se está ahogando ( C.P.D.R.).

Me cuentan que otros que no son pícaros en absoluto lo que hacen es meterse en algunas cavidades,aún asi se les ve de lejos porque no se pueden ocultar.

M0SCG (Sands Contest Group): Welcome to More New Members

scg@gb7mbc.net (Sands Contest Group.) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:43:00 +0000

Kathy M3YOG

Stephanie G1LAT

Welcome to our two new YL members Kathy and Stephanie who joined our group this week.

IZ1CRR (Maury): P29 guestbook

i121171 (noreply@blogger.com) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:35:35 +0000

http://www.a-free-guestbook.com/gb/p29ni/

IK1LBL (Mario): 1er contest des appareils à tubes quise déroulera le samedi 19 Décembre 2009.

Mario (noreply@blogger.com) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 09:00:50 +0000

L'amico Bob ON4LDL mi ha invitato a promuovere il primo contest vintage per apparecchi a valvole voluto da lui...
Dopo il successo del nostro Contest Vintage vediamo di ripetere l'esperienza con questo....
Tutte le info e regolamento le troverete qui:

http://www.on4ldl.be

IZ8GFQ (Quirino): Libro sulle radiocomunicaizoni in emergenza

noreply@blogger.com (Quirino Tirelli) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:40:00 +0000

La Sezione di Ivrea dell’Associazione Radioamatori Italiani presenta questa sera, venerdì 13, il volume: “Le Radiocomunicazioni in Emergenza”, un manuale tecnico-operativo di Alberto Barbera IK1YLO e Marco Barberi IK5BHN.

Di estrema attualità, l’opera si rivolge a tutti coloro che operano nel settore della Protezione Civile e che devono conoscere cosa sono e come si organizzano le radiocomunicazioni d’emergenza. Il manuale è rivolto principalmente al mondo del volontariato ed è frutto dell’esperienza diretta degli autori, sia a livello dirigenziale che operativo.

Tra i temi trattati: cosa sono e come si organizzano le radiocomunicazioni d’emergenza; le normative nazionali ed internazionali; il ruolo delle associazioni di volontariato, per le quali le comunicazioni radio rappresentano un elemento fondamentale sia all’interno del gruppo che nei collegamenti esterni. Alberto Barbera IK1YLO, già Presidente della Sezione di Ivrea e poi Dirigente nazionale ARI, oggi è Emergency Communications Coordinator per l'Italia nell’ambito della I.A.R.U. (l’organizzazione mondiale delle associazioni di radioamatori), veste nella quale è stato recentemente invitato a Tokyo al convegno mondiale sulle radiocomunicazioni di emergenza per portare una relazione sull'emergenza Abruzzo.

«Abbiamo volutamente scelto il 5 novembre, Giornata Regionale della Protezione Civile, per annunciare questa interessante iniziativa che avrà luogo venerdì 13 nella nostra sede eporediese – ha spiegato Ivan Barberis, Presidente della sezione Ari di Ivrea -. Una scelta fatta per dare la giusta importanza alla Giornata Regionale e al tempo stesso per testimoniare che di Protezione Civile ci occupiamo ogni giorno, per migliorare le nostre conoscenze e le nostre capacità. Le radiocomunicazioni di emergenza rappresentano un tassello fondamentale nelle situazioni critiche, proprio in ragione dell’importanza di garantire il necessario scambio di informazioni non solo nei primi momenti di un’emergenza ma anche, e lo testimonia ad esempio il lungo periodo di attività in Abruzzo, nei giorni successivi al ripristino dei principali sistemi di comunicazione».

W2LJ (Larry): 40 Meter QRP Fox hunt success.

Larry W2LJ (w2lj@arrl.net) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:08:29 +0000

The local neighborhood QRN cooperated tonight, giving me pretty quiet band conditions on 40 Meters. I heard Dave AB9CA in Alabama right off the bat. Dave always has a pretty good signal into NJ; and tonight was no exception. He was an honest 579 and I worked him fairly early in the hunt.

Jim K9JWV in Utah was another story. I'm pretty sure I heard him all the way up near 7.050 MHz; but he was at ESP levels and I couldn't be 100% sure that it was him. But I am pretty sure that I heard a few hounds giving their exchanges.

40 Meters was quite long! Stronger than Jim in Utah were stations coming in from Brazil PY and Mexico XE. I would have stayed on the air to work a few; but am battling a head cold or sinus attack or something and all I want to do is get some rest.

73 de Larry W2LJ

EA2CCG (Joaquin): Una vuelta fallida por 40.

EA2CCG Joaquín Montoya (noreply@blogger.com) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:21:46 +0000

Ayer tenía fiesta y trasnoché un poco.Tenía que subir unos ficheros y como sabía que me iba a costar bastante tiempo pues aproveché para hacer un poco de radio.Los 20 estaban ya cerrados, así que opté por 40. La banda estaba ruidosa y escogí los alrededores de 7142.

Llamando no tuve mucha suerte tan solo un par de europeos. Escuché alguna estación con bastante empuje que trabajaba algo de USA pero no me llegaban nada fuerte los norteamericanos.

Hacía tiempo que no daba una ronda nocturna en esta banda,supongo que si hubiera trasnochado más igual hubiera tenido más suerte.Pero al final a eso de la 1 de la mañana me fui a la cama.

Por la mañana he madrugado y he visto que estaba KH7XS en 40.Lo escuchaba bastante bien con un split de 5 arriba.

Era un contacto interesante y a pesar de que he llamado un montón de veces no he podido hacerlo.

Evidentemente solo el escucharlo en esa banda pues ya me ha gustado hoy me he quedado con las ganas.Parece que esta estación puede seguir saliendo y habrá que estar atento para trabajarlo.Sus antenas son espectaculares así que seguiremos en la brecha.

Por la tarde tan solo he dado una pequeña vuelta por 15 sin más.

IK1JNS (Pino): CW-Keyer Tiny, keyer ma non solo di IK6JFF

admin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:58:36 +0000

Mi serviva un Keyer da collegare al mio SDR G40, e cercando in rete, ho trovato una piccola meraviglia elettronica che, al costo di circa 40 euro, mi ha offerto molte possibilita’ di piu’, magari future. Sicuramente indispensabile per i transceiver che non hanno un keyer interno, e’ dotato di un microprocessore, e permette di inviare [...]

W8MRC (Milford Amateur Radio Club): Convert an ATX Power Supply Into a Regular DC Power Supply!

k8ji — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:22:28 +0000

I found this interesting project to convert old computer power supplies into a DC Power Supply. I know I have several of these around so this may be a good winter project.

Convert an ATX Power Supply Into a Regular DC Power Supply! – More DIY How To Projects

W8MRC (Milford Amateur Radio Club): Newsletter – November 2009

k8ji — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:57:03 +0000

The November issue of “Wireline” is available here.

73, Steve

VU2SGW (Sailin): South India 80M Net :

saailin@gmail.com (Sai, VU2SGW) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:57:00 +0000

There is a net from 2nd october 2009 on 80 meters, Frequency 3636.36 from 8.30pm (IST) every day.The maximum checking was 24 and Minimum was 11 in it.

Those who are having antenna facility for 80M are requested to check in to the net. Please do inform others also to popularize the net.

Information given by VU3PMY OM, Yaseen. Qth: Iratupetta, central part of Kerala.

Courtesy : OM Varadanji, VU3ITI

HB9OAE (Maico): Al volante della Trabant, il mito targato DDR.

HB9OAE - N2OAE maico (noreply@blogger.com) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:09:26 +0000

La parola «Ostalgie» deriva dall'unione delle parole Ost (est) e nostalgie. E serve a definire appunto la nostalgia per la Germania Est. Non certo per la Stasi, il temibile servizio segreto che teneva sotto controllo migliaia di cittadini. Quanto per oggetti che per anni hanno fatto parte della vita quotidiana di chi viveva ad est della cortina di Ferro. Tra questi un posto di rilievo spetta sicuramente alla Trabant, la mitica auto della Germania est.

Nei giorni dell'anniversario della caduta del Muro abbiamo partecipato al Trabi Safari. Un tour nel cuore della Berlino socialista al volante dell'auto simbolo di quegli anni.

Guarda il filmato.

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid42616726001?bctid=49959962001

IZ1CRR (Maury): P29 OC-117 cancelled

i121171 (noreply@blogger.com) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 09:49:54 +0000

Hi Maury.This is Hans SM6CVX.

PLEASE inform on our web-page,that we can not make OC-117, captain of boat says no landing possible,,,to bad wx. So I have started from Normandby Isl OC-116 an will stay until saturday
0100 GMT. Also from OC-240 as planned .Qsl via SM6CVX
THANKS for all your help

Hans SM6CVX P29VCX

http://www.425dxn.org/dxped/p29_2009/

N1EY (Bill): Remants of a by-gone era.

webmaster — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:12:44 +0000

N1EY

KA3DRR (Scot): The Future Of RadioSport | ContestRank

noreply@blogger.com (Scot R. Morrison) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:55:00 +0000

Let the competition begin for those outside the Box or for those inside the Box.

ContestRank staked its Internet position with this statement, "This site was developed with the desire to acknowledge the participation and achievements of all contesters, worldwide, while providing a source for contest and contest-related information."

The goal at ContestRank is to present a contest ranking system that rewards participating operators actively involved in events other than the majors, effectively; the team deployed what was often spoken about, "The contest within a contest."

One begins to imagine the potential for RadioSport when this concept is widely adopted by worldwide operators. ContestRank adds value to my score moving competition against personal best to competition against an array of global competitors in addition to personal best.

Their model enhances RadioSport while providing an outlet for those outside of the Box or for those inside the Box as well. ContestRank takes RadioSport to the granular level and delivers a meaningful intrinsic product for those who want to compete.

I registered and discovered my open rank is 24,921 with a -8 position. Additionally, the website has an intuitive user interface and easy-to-navigate with multiple points of competitive interest.

Please be patient when registering. It takes the system a little bit of time to process and verify one's email account.

Thank you Kazik, DJ0MCZ for your lead email and your brother Leszek, SP9LJD for his exceptional, stand out website.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

W2LJ (Larry): Veteran's Day 2009 - Part Two

Larry W2LJ (w2lj@arrl.net) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:15:20 +0000

John Shannon posted this in his diary entry for the day. I get the same weekly letter that he gets from Newt Gingrich (we conservative whackaloons tend to flock together). However, reading this once again, caused a bit of mist to come to the eyes. It is so appropriate and meaningful on today, of all days, that I feel compelled to post it here, also.

Once again, to all Veteran's everywhere - Thank You !!!!

"Where Do We Get These Men and Women?"

"This Veterans Day, I am reminded once again of the wonderful line at the end of the movie adaptation of James Michener's The Bridges at Toko Ri.

A Navy Admiral is reflecting on the sacrifice of airmen given the mission of destroying a group of heavily defended bridges during the Korean War. The men were successful, but at the cost of their lives, leading the Admiral to famously ask:

"Where do we get these men?"

Today, the question is "Where do we get these men and women?" and last week, the answer was Killeen, Texas.

Answer: Killeen, Texas

Killeen is the home of heroes this Veterans Day; men and women who prove that our servicemen and women don't leave their bravery and selflessness behind on the battlefield.

Killeen was also the site of terrorism last week; proof that we are not immune from Islamic extremism inside our borders, even on our military bases.

Killeen is the home of Sgt. Kimberly Munley, a Department of Defense civilian police officer and an Army veteran.

Sgt. Munley was nearby getting her car tuned-up when the 911 call came in. Without waiting for backup, she was the first law enforcement official to arrive on the scene at Fort Hood.

"She Fired Until He Dropped. The Killing Ended."

Much has been written about Sgt. Munley's heroism, but few have described her behavior in the heat of a confrontation with the Fort Hood shooter better than the editorial writers at the Las Vegas Review-Sun

"Could Sgt. Munley, hit in the wrist and both thighs, really be blamed if she'd ducked for cover? She didn't. From all reports, she stood her ground under fire, calmly reacquiring her sight picture, putting four rounds right where she wanted, in the advancing murderer's center of mass. She fired until he dropped. The killing ended."

The Heroes Who Brought Down the Berlin Wall

This Veterans Day week also marks the celebration of another set of American heroes: The men and women who put their shoulders to the Berlin Wall and pushed -- until it finally fell 20 years ago this Monday.

Where did we get these men and women? From all across America and everywhere freedom and human dignity are valued.

For although the revolution in Eastern Europe occurred without a shot being fired, countless Americans -- not to mention Britons, Germans, Poles, Czechs, Slovaks and Hungarians -- sacrificed for that day.

Before there was a wall in Berlin, there was the Berlin blockade in 1948, when the Communist regime in Moscow tried to literally starve West Berlin to death. President Harry S. Truman ordered an airlift to feed West Berliners and resist Soviet aggression. Seventy-one American and British servicemen lost their lives.

And before there was a victory for freedom, 20 years ago this week, there were unflinching advocates for freedom in Eastern Europe like Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II.

These are the heroes we honor today.

Washington Seems More at Home with International Dictators Than America and Its Heroes

"Hero" is not a word we use a lot these days. We have a media dedicated to destroying, not showcasing, greatness. We have popular culture determined to celebrate victimhood rather than heroism. And we have a regime in Washington that seems more at home with international autocrats and dictators than America and its heroes.

But the inescapable fact of America is this: Ours is a country founded and defended, not by conciliation and sophisticated diplomatic gestures, but by honor, bravery and sacrifice.

Our heroes are not incidental to our nationhood but an essential part of it. Why? Because America is not, contrary to what our President believes, merely a nation among nations. We are, on our best days, closer to what Ronald Reagan believed: A shining city on a hill.

Take the Time Today to Thank a Veteran For His Service

The heroes of our city on a hill stretch back from Killeen, Texas, through a bloody 20th Century and a great Civil War, all the way to our founding.

They are the men who left a trail of blood in the snow of Northern Pennsylvania on Christmas night, 1776.

They are the men and women who serve today in Iraq and Afghanistan.

So make sure you take the time today to thank a veteran for his or her service. Take the time to remember and honor a hero.

Because in doing so you are answering the Navy Admiral's question at Toko Ri.

Where do we get these men and women? From a nation that remains worthy of their sacrifice."

Thank you, Mr. Gingrich for writing this.

73 de Larry W2LJ

PA5MW (Mark): Upgrade current VHF station

Mark, PA5MW (noreply@blogger.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:30:15 +0000

Planned changes

There's a few reasons why I'm planning some upgrades on my current VHF station. First there's the annual wear and tear; the 17el 6.67m 144MHz Tonna yagi has a bended boom, due to a storm last spring. The coax is some 5 years old and has a few connectors too many along the path. I want to raise that antenna to the max level officially allowed, which will involve another 1mtr above street level. There's an older 4el vertical yagi for long distance 145 FM repeaters for which I have a replacement 5 el version ready. The 70cm vertical omni and yagi combo is still awaiting going into service. And them some more minor things.
Then there's plenty of equipment in the shack which needs to be sorted out, optimised for performance and operation.

Check current beacons
Just for fun let's check two popular beacons.
Now this surely is very subjective since there are so many criteria involved which change from day to day. The weather today is cold, cloudy and moist. The FM repeater at 100km distance is a few dB down and shows some more noise on its signal than what is normal.
Waiting for the right up-swing in the very slow fading (several minutes to be exactly) I copy:

DB0FAI (A1A) on 144.490 from JN58IC
This German beacon uses a 16 el yagi mounted to a cows barn and puts out 100W pointed into my direction. Distance is 545km.
You can find more info on http://www.qsl.net/db0fai/

The displayed frequency shows the 28MHz IF ouput of the transverter plus its LO offset.
The beacon is at times pretty loud; some 34dB above the average noise level.

HB9HB (F1A) on 144.448 from JN37QF
This Swiss beacon puts out 10W into a 2el yagi also into my direction. Distance is 507km.
The location is on a mountain at 1395m ASL.
Details can be found at: http://www.hb9hb.ch
The F1A transmission effectively shows 2 signals after detection in CW mode with a 1 KHz difference. The signal on 448 sounds inverted, the one on 449 is normal. This makes finding HB9HB, which is always very weak at my place, both challenging and a good performance test for the receiving equipment.

Used equipment:

- Bended 17 el Tonna Yagi @ 12m ASL
- 25m Ecoflex 15 + 9m Ecoflex 10 coaxial cables
- Elecraft XV144 transverter (28Mhz output)
- home made 3dB splitter
- Modified Elecraft K2, optimised for 28Mhz
- Perseus SDR receiver

I'm using both the Perseus SDR as well as the Elecraft K2 for listening. The Perseus offers valuable virtual data, the K2 is the slightly better receiver. The 3dB splitter has no negative effect as there is plenty of signal from the transverter output.

IW0HK (Andrea): Nuova radio HF dell'Alinco: DX-SR8T

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:56:59 +0000

Da Universal Radio scopro il nuovo ricetrasmetittore HF dell’Alinco:

The Alinco DX-SR8T covers 160 to 10 meters in SSB, CW, AM and FM. The transmitter delivers a powerful 100 watts in SSB, CW and FM (40 watts on AM). And three power levels may be selected: 100 watts, 10 watts and a variable QRP setting of 0.1~2 Watts. The receiver tunes from 3 kHz to 35 MHz. Other features include: IF shift, 600 memories, band and memory scanning, attenuator, preamp, RIT, XIT, IF shift and NB

http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/hamhf/5008.html

EA2CCG (Joaquin): Comida en Zaragoza.

EA2CCG Joaquín Montoya (noreply@blogger.com) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:54:57 +0000

Ya vuelven a casa todos por Navidad y empezamos con las celebraciones...me llega esta carta informando sobre una comida navideña en Zaragoza. Me encantaría bajar pero ese finde me toca currar...y estoy haciendo puntos casa para el finde de Irun/Donosti ( si es que a todo no se puede). De todas formas es recomendable para todos pues me consta que el ambiente es magnífico.

"Estimado amigo:

Como viene siendo habitual, se va a organizar una comida de radioaficionados con motivo de la Navidad. Normalmente, en el mes de Diciembre, todos tenemos obligaciones con los amigos, familiares, compañeros de trabajo, por lo que es un mes complicado para organizar nada.

Por ello, nuestra comida, la de los radioaficionados de Zaragoza y de todos los amigos de pueblos y ciudades cercanas, se va a celebrar este mes de Noviembre.

En concreto será el día 29, Domingo, a las 14:00 (Hora EA).

Este año nos reuniremos en el Restaurante Casa Genaro, situado a la entrada de Cadrete.

En concreto, nada mas abandonar la carretera de Valencia (Km 12) y tomar la calle de Zaragoza que es la que lleva a Cadrete, es la primera explanada a la derecha. Las coordenadas GPS del lugar son: 41º 33´ 43,95´´ Norte - 0º 58´ 2,42´´ Oeste. De todas formas no hay pérdida y ya nos juntábamos hace años antes de los navegadores y los GPS.

De todas formas y fieles a la tradición, frecuencia de contactos, los repes y 145.500.

En este caso y como es habitual, será un menú con varios primeros y varios segundos a elegir, pan vino, postre y café. El precio unos 17 euros.

Contamos contigo y con tus familiares ya que es una buena ocasión para pasar un buen rato en compañía de estos amigos con los que compartes afición e incluso puede ser una oportunidad para ver a personas que hace tiempo no ves y conocer a otros radioaficionados con los que igual has realizado un QSO pero no conoces en persona.

Se agradecería que pasases esta información a todos tus conocidos y que cualquiera que esté interesado en pasar un buen rato pueda hacerlo.

Este año hay que fijar el número de asistentes 5 días antes de la comida por lo que te agradeceríamos que te apuntases, si ese es tu deseo, antes del 22 de Noviembre.

La forma de hacerlo, como de costumbre:

Correo electrónico a:

secretario@urez.org, ea2aff@ure.es, ea2hv@hotmail.com o ea2clc@wanadoo.es

También por teléfono, llamada o sms al 653-168865 (en el caso de sms indicando indicativo y número de personas que van a asistir.

Y, como no, por radio, a Pablo, EA2HV (649-179628) o Fernando, EA2CLC

Esperamos verte el domingo 29 de Noviembre en la comida de los Radioaficionados de Zaragoza en la cual se aprovechará, entre otras actividades, para la entrega de premios del Concurso Aragón 2009.

Tras la comida y entrega de trofeos se procederá al sorteo de regalos.

73 y DX y….hasta el día 29-N"

IW0HK (Andrea): Video

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:50:37 +0000

YB3TD (Rivai): Comment on Portable Two Way Radio by Two way radio

Two way radio — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:18:04 +0000

This just made my day much brighter. Thanks a lot. Something else I across was this http://www.2wayradioexpress.com .Take a look!

KA3DRR (Scot): 3830 Claimed Scores | 2009 ARRL Sweepstakes v.CW | Low Power

noreply@blogger.com (Scot R. Morrison) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:28:00 +0000

Multiple Operator.

W4WS (@W4NC) | 18 Qs | 17 Mults | 612 Points [PVRC].

Single Operator (S/O).

N5AW | 1228 Qs | 80 Mults | 24hrs | 196,480 Points [CTDXCC].
K7BG | 1205 Qs | 80 Mults | 23hrs56mins| 192,800 Points [Northern Rockies DX].
N4OGW | 1202 Qs | 80 Mults | 24hrs | 192,320 Points [ACG].

SO Unlimited.

VE1OP | 786 Qs | 80 Mults | 12.5hrs | 125,760 Points [MCC].
N9XX | 772 Qs | 80 Mults | 21hrs | 123,520 Points [SMC].
KM6I | 624 Qs | 80 Mults | 22hrs | 99,840 Points [NCCC].

The difference, when operator's clean sweep the multiplier map, is logged contacts. The next step in the process is log adjudication and successful copy of the exchange drives the top slots with eventual appearance in the Box. My congratulations to each because operating low-power is not easy and requires above average station engineering.

I would like to thank both Gordon, KM6I and Walt, N6XG for recording our Qs on 80m early Sunday morning. I'm inspired to push my signal quality and assured that I'm properly zero beating in addition 45-watts can successfully accomplish the mission!

Pour on the CQ.

W2LJ (Larry): 80 Meter Fox hunts

Larry W2LJ (w2lj@arrl.net) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:57:23 +0000

Thank God for the 80 Meter QRP Foxhunts! I bagged both Foxes tonight, Todd N9NE and Drew K9CW. Both were loud, and easy to find.

I have been doing terribly on the 40 Meter Thursday night hunts. So far, when propagation has been good, the local neighborhood QRN has been overwhelming; and when the QRN is gone, the propagation has been bad and the Foxes are at ESP levels.

At least with the 80 Meter hunts, I feel like I have a reasonable shot and that I am participating.

73 de Larry W2LJ