RadioSport

2013 CQ WPX CW?

2013-05-21T19:46:00.001-07:00

The summer highlight RadioSport event is about to transform the ionosphere and test the metal of high frequency operators this weekend yet not a word at the blog nor tweet in the #hamr flow. I do not want to speculate neither state directly my thoughts however am I missing something? After all, CQ Magazine's summer signature event recently changed leadership, as Randy, K5ZD was promoted into the CQ World Wide DX chair.

I'm curious why the silence especially given past interaction either at the blog or Facebook generated tweets?

The standard of interaction was set and it created a sense of excitement especially for those of us who connected during WPX SSB weekend. Our tweets were seen world wide as we road the storm into Saturday afternoon when reports suggested rapidly changing conditions while lifting everyone's morale. We certainly enjoyed every minute thereafter until the finish clock signalled zero hour on Sunday late afternoon.

In the meantime, I'm listening to Imagine Dragon's "Radioactive" as my theme song heading into CQ Magazine's signature summer event, wondering if I'll detect any transmission from the 'new' leadership at CQ WPX?

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Dayton in the Rearview Mirror | Smoke Curls

2013-05-19T08:20:00.001-07:00

I finished reading Jeff, KE9V's insightful commentary into the Big Show in Dayton, Ohio and I recommend reading his post. His insight is both objective and pragmatic.

Dayton in the Rearview Mirror | Smoke Curls: You couldn’t spit without hitting a booth manned by somebody that no one has ever heard of, promoting their new SDR offerings. This technology has reached the point of true democratization. Anyone can jump into the business of providing amateur radio transceivers and accessories crafted from low-cost hardware. I see this as good news and a positive sign that the future of amateur radio won’t be dictated by BIG companies.

The K7RA Solar Update | 6 Meter Commentary

2013-05-17T09:40:00.001-07:00

What is sporadic E? According to Radio-Electronics, "Es, arises when intense clouds of ionisation form in the E region of the ionosphere. Sporadic E clouds vary greatly in size and also in intensity of the ionisation. Some clouds maybe a few meters across, whereas others have been seen that are over 200 km across."

Furthermore, according to Radio-Electronics, the mechanisms behind sporadic E ionization is not yet fully understood with several phenomena that may give rise to its formation --

Electrical storms extending high in altitude with electrical effects well above the clouds possibly supplying the required energy to form sporadic E clouds.
Upper atmosphere winds with shear force winds in the upper atmosphere may give rise to sporadic E clouds.

I'm posting screenshots on Twitter of 6 meter signal trace activity and National Weather Service doppler radar screenshots. So far, I've seen significant activity in relationship to storm locations, especially in the Northeast and Midwest. However, with relatively few storms of note in the Southwest, may shear winds rising off the desert floor create enough energy to form sporadic E clouds?

The K7RA Solar Update: Jon Jones, N0JK, of Lawrence, Kansas, wrote: “Every dog has his day. I worked Luis, LU9EHF (grid square FF95), in Argentina on 50.130 MHz with 5 × 9 signals at 2159 UTC on May 10. I was running 100 W to a dipole antenna in the attic over the garage.

I suspect a fairly high wave angle to the E-skip link, given the strength of LU9EHF’s signal on the dipole. Perhaps a chordal hop E-skip linking to to trans-equatorial propagation? It was one of the more remarkable things I have heard on 6 meters.

ARRL Announces New Version of LoTW Software

2013-05-17T08:56:00.001-07:00

The proof is in the software and a lot is riding on the LoTW open source development project when client-side applications become available for download on Monday.

One of the chief complaints heard at local club meetings is the tedious conversion process from .adif to .tql files then uploading the new file at the website. However, as of Monday, you can sign and upload over the internet in one operation according to the release.

ARRL Announces New Version of LoTW Software: After much testing, the ARRL will release a new version of Trusted QSL, the open-source development project responsible for developing and maintaining the three Logbook of the World (LoTW) client-side applications: TQSL, TQSLCert and the TrustedQSL library. After six weeks of public beta testing, version 1.14 is ready for official release and will be available for download from the ARRL website beginning Monday, May 20.

The K7RA Solar Update | 6 Meter Commentary

2013-05-16T06:23:00.001-07:00

I'm observing National Weather Service doppler radar map throughout the day as an S1 solar radiation storm pummels the ionosphere according to Space Weather Now in addition to several storms tracking across the country. Last night, I observed 6 meter signal traces from the Pacific Northwest to Midwest however zero trace out of California, Nevada, Arizona, or Utah.

Nothing heard on 50.125 MHz from my location on the central coast of California.

The K7RA Solar Update: Jon Jones, N0JK, of Lawrence, Kansas, wrote on May 4: “There was an interesting opening today from the Midwest to South America. I was mobile (my wife was driving) on Kansas highway K-10 (just east of the K-7 intersection in Olathe) and I heard K3PA, K0HA and N0XA calling CQ or calling some of the DX. I didn’t hear any DX until 2150 UTC, when PY3RO showed up on 50.115 MHz SSB. He worked a ham in Kansas City and I called after their contact. I had a quick contact with him, and he peaked to 5 × 7.

The K7RA Solar Update | 6 Meter Commentary

2013-05-16T06:13:00.001-07:00

I'm going to post comments on 6 meter activity throughout the summer.

The K7RA Solar Update: Lance Collister, W7GJ, of Frenchtown, Montana, wrote about recent 6 meter adventures: “Well, I think the solar flux index being over 145 on Saturday (May 4) probably moved the trans-equatorial propagation further north than usual -- and with the early onset of E-skip, which just happened to connect me to Texas just at the right time late in the afternoon -- I got my first ionospheric link to South America on TEP this solar cycle. On Saturday, I completed SSB and CW contacts with Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. The next day, the solar flux index was still over 135 and I worked Chile weakly on CW, although I didn’t seem to have a good strong E-skip link like on Saturday. I’m still searching for Ecuador, Bolivia and Suriname.”

From ARRL | Ward Silver, N0AX, Elected President of Yasme Foundation

2013-05-16T06:01:00.001-07:00

A congratulatory shout out to Ward Silver, N0AX who is now leading the Yasme Foundation into #hamr future.

Ward Silver, N0AX, Elected President of Yasme Foundation: “I’m thrilled and grateful to be following Wayne Mills, N7NG, as President of the Yasme Foundation,” Silver told the ARRL. “Our founders -- Lloyd, W6KG, and Iris Colvin, W6QL -- saw DXing as a motivator for technical and operating excellence. As ham radio accelerates into its second century, we hope to continue supporting forward-looking projects and awards around the world that encourage international operating and enable innovation.

My 6 Meter Summer Challenge

2013-05-15T18:38:00.001-07:00

Listening is three quarters of the effort and the remaining 25 percent is right place, right time. The magic band is definitely not like operating on high frequency where I have spent all of my operating time since the late seventies. I have known the wonders and, now, I'm learning 6 meters especially on the central coast of California is much like sailing an ocean in the company of a very high frequency transceiver.

My Buddipole is located on the first floor deck perpendicular to Highway 101 which connects northern and southern California. The antenna seems to attract attention from those coming and going within our HOA community when located in the front yard. I am looking forward to the best location of three when Friday afternoon arrives. Also, I lengthened the whips to a very respectable 1.5:1 standing wave ratio, when located outside on the first floor.

Activity plummeted on this wavelength early in the week perhaps as a result of back to back solar storms with concurrent radio blackouts. However, signal traces picked up this afternoon, as storm systems tracked across the Pacific Northwest and Texas. I noted brief transequatorial activity out of the Gulf states meanwhile not enough for my off center fed dipole on the first floor terrace.

In the meantime, I'll listen on either 50.125 (USB) or transmit on CW calling frequency 50.090, when time allows.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

DX World | Heard Island DXpedition 2015

2013-05-14T10:26:00.001-07:00

Decisions like this are not easy especially as cost continues rising to a point of diminishing benefit for the organizer. Or, siege style expeditions have peaked and, going into Cycle 25 small and lit may achieve the same result at half the cost. If the lightweight DXpedition emerges as one of preferred choice to activate most wanted entities then it maybe time to consider one criterion -- DXpedition success depends on its loud signal?

The focus could shift from that of 'loud' is the responsibility of the DXpedition to that of antenna systems and receivers at one's operating location. Additionally, signal swarm management has to improve at both ends, from sending Morse code not at the speed of the DXpeditioneer rather at the speed of the swarm, as one example.

We've enjoyed over four decades of relatively stable DXpedition cost to benefit returns however we may not have the same luxury as the next four decades unfold? Perhaps, there maybe a significant uptick in digital DXpeditions operating low power to include Morse code, as these modes are proven performers under less than optimal conditions.

Overall, a $1.5M dollar price tag achieves a sense of untenable and unsustainable; Cordell Expeditions is sharp coming off their recent Clipperton success. The bottomline is the bottomline that is beginning to shape how-to organize an expedition to activating one on the most wanted list for the benefit of the world's DXing community.

Chase DX with respect and patience.

DX World: We wish to announce that the expedition to Heard Island has been rescheduled for January, 2015. The primary reason for this decision was the cost of using the preferred vessel, the Marion Dufresne to put the team on Heard Island for the required time. In spite of extensive negotiations and rescheduling of the cruise, it became clear that the cost of using this vessel will exceed $1 million, and therefore the total cost for the project would be about $1.5 million, as we noted earlier. In spite of our plan to increase the team size to 50 (which the M-D can accommodate) to partially cover this cost, we reluctantly concluded that sponsorship at this level would be impossible.

My 6 Meter Summer Challenge

2013-05-12T17:16:00.001-07:00

Good afternoon from the alternative #hamr shackadelic as our temperature peaks in the low 70s with a slight northwesterly breeze. I was wrong regarding the ideal location for my Buddipole off center fed dipole. First, locating the antenna system on either terrace was totally inefficient because our condo blocks the entire Pacific Northwest in addition coupling of objects in the near field. My standing wave ratio at both locations averaged 1.9:1 without using a transmatch.

I can understand the utility of a transmatch to cheat the load between a transciever and an antenna system such as off center fed dipoles, random wires, or ladder line fed. However, if you can trim your antenna system to resonance or as near to resonance as possible, consider it as one less component absorbing antenna sustenance that is energy.

Likewise, consider investing in an antenna analyzer, having such an instrument in your quiver is highly recommended. It allowed me to quickly analyze the Buddipole resonant frequency as configured for six meters. The system was resonanting high and I needed to move the resonant frequency in other words lenghthen the arms thus moving downward in frequency. The opposite is true if I needed to move up in frequency that is shorten the arms.

Additionally, I moved the tripod, 18 foot push up mast, center insulator, and whips into the front yard including 50 feet of RG8X into the front yard on Saturday afternoon. Eventually, using .50 increments totalling an inch of extension, the standing wave ratio dropped to a respectable 1.3:1 across 100 KHz of bandwidth. Furthermore, the apex of the antenna system is a few inches above our roof line, this also includes 360 degrees of rotation.

I can quickly assemble the Buddipole antenna system in a matter minutes.

On the other hand, does a storm system produce two effects on this band that is preceding and proceeding sporadic-e while tracking across land mass? The East Coast was highly active during the days of the storm system and for a few hours today as the storm powered down over New England? Also, ionized patches occurred in the west to include Northern California, the first I have seen this season. Although, 50 MHz signal out of Central and Southern California, was less than sparse.

Does heating of our Western deserts and rising hot air mass colliding with mountain ranges like the Wasatch and Sierras agitate and briefly energize the ionosphere at 50 MHz?

Overall, I spent this weekend fine tuning my equipment, patiently waited at 50.125 for a hint of an opening, and refined my operating strategy for the summer. In the meantime, I hope to see you in the log and help those who need grid square CM95 on Morse code.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

From ARRL | FCC and GAO Release Recommendations on Receiver Performance

2013-05-12T07:35:00.001-07:00

Our Amateur Radio service is a stakeholder of frequency allocations. Priorities are shifting, at least that is my understanding, to that of protecting digital television and handheld wireless devices. Additionally, the onus of direction is also shifting toward that of private enterprise, who is competing for publicly shared allocations.

Our service continues to deal with high frequency generated birdies as a result of poorly designed radio frequency transmitters at our desk tops and wireless routers. A quick Google search of radio frequency interference (RFI) "birdies" revealed 37,000 hits. Currently, the number of birdies on 6m at my location, is ridiculous. The RFI solution sometimes borders on that of alchemy.

The burden is by default that of the individual not of the company who manufactured the poorly designed transmitter.

The question of protecting reception needs re-framed into designing better transmitters? What good is a high fidelity receiver if transmitted spurious signals pollute adjacent bandwidth at 2nd and 3rd harmonics? As I once read a week or so ago, our service has a voice, we can ask manufacturers to design better transmitters that are equal to the performance of today's digital signal processing receivers.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

FCC and GAO Release Recommendations on Receiver Performance; Comments Invited: According to the Public Notice, the TAC white paper said that “an interference limits policy approach may not be appropriate in all cases. Are there other policy approaches that should be considered? Moreover, the GAO report identifies the lack of incentives for manufacturers or spectrum users to incur costs associated with using more robust receivers, and the difficulty of accommodating a changing spectrum environment, such as when spectrum is repurposed for a new use.

”The white paper also noted that “interference being experienced is widely distributed both geographically and temporally. This would be the case when, for example, widely deployed consumer devices like television sets or handheld wireless devices receiving signals ‘over the air’ are interfered with by, say, geographically dispersed private land mobile radio, amateur radio transmitters or other wireless devices operating in an adjacent band. Thus the base case would exclude resolution of interference that arises when multiple radio systems (i.e., transmitters and receivers) are co-located at a single antenna site, or on a single tower, or even share a single antenna on a tower.” The ARRL is studying all the documents in this proceeding and expects to file comments.

The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology (OET) is now seeking comments on whether and how the FCC should implement a policy that “incentivizes improved interference tolerance of wireless systems. Specifically, should the FCC adopt a policy of employing interference limits in certain cases of neighboring bands and services? Should the FCC adopt specific rules for establishing interference limits that are recommended by one or more multi-stakeholder groups? Should the FCC develop a compliance model [where]…there is industry-led establishment of standards and solutions and the Commission would get involved only via special petition?”

My 6 Meter Magic Band Summer Challenge

2013-05-10T18:52:00.001-07:00

Good evening from the #hamr shackadelic zone where clear blue sky and a temperature peaking in the mid-70s makes for a good evening to post on my blog. My 6m Magic Band summer challenge is underway with lots of questions especially related to propagation at this wavelength. I opened DX Maps to follow North American 50 MHz signal traffic including the National Weather Service radar map of the United States.

I observed sporadic-e DX Map signal traces, significant 6m activity located in the Northeast, and transequatorial propagation into South America from the Southeast. I noted sporadic-e traces from the Pacific Northwest into the Midwest this morning however there is zero trace from the West Coast as of this evening.

Six meter activity located within the radius of the storm system plowing through the Northeast was highly active. Is there a coorelation between storm systems and intense periods of sporadic-e or could this be casual because of storm generated disturbances in the ionosphere? It is rare on the Central Coast of California to experience storms of magnitude like those of the East Coast.

I did take note that mid-morning West Coast activity was traced at DX Maps then diminished by early afternoon. Are periods of intense sporadic-e activity the exception and not the rule from the West Coast? If so, then sever geomagnetic disturbances like a coronal mass ejection, would improve 6m propagation from my location on the coast?

This is my summer operating challenge and I'd like to answer my questions over the next 90 days! I logged one Q this morning within grid square CM94 with my Buddipole on the first floor terrace effectively radiating about 70 watts.

I hope that you find grid square CM95 in your log sometime this summer that is the Magic Band willing with a little help from our sun.

Ham radio is the ultimate wireless experience.

The Magic Band Season Or Get 6m Active

2013-05-09T19:19:00.001-07:00

Good evening from the alternative #hamr location and we are officially in a sever draught on the Central Coast of California. The HOA landscape deconstruction continues with its subsequent bio-mass reduction. Our ambient noise level that is the sounds of native birds has fallen to nearly zero decibels. Likewise, missing in action are scrub jays and humming birds, who shared space with other local airborne species. Privacy shrubbery was pulverized while shade trees morphed into saw dust.

As a result, I'm not sure if naked aluminum is a real good idea until I can determine the look of the new landscape and its bio-mass, this is a fickle situation. Luckily, the project coincided with the seasonal opening of 6m also known as the magic band. I took the time this afternoon and stowed my Kenwood TS850S high frequency wireless set in preparation for my endeavor.

My FT100 is 50 MHz ready and is now in the operating position for my first summer season dedicated to learning about the magic band. I have often read about the excitement that is possible on this wavelength. Likewise, the persistence of our low power, low profile station owners really motivated my summer challenge.

I configured my Buddipole antenna into a 6m off center fed dipole without arms and tuning coils. The antenna is located on our first floor terrace about 10 feet above the ground. A significant coupling issue dampened my attempt at increasing height as stand wave ratio rose significantly as the feed point approached the ceiling. I found a median point however I haven't ruled out my coax as its overall length is twenty five feet and mostly laying coiled up at the bottom of the tripod.

There are three possible locations for the antenna system that is first floor, second floor, and front yard. I have plenty of opportunity to experiment with each location as the radius of the antenna is relatively small in comparison to a high band flat top dipole. I'll keep you posted as to the results of each location while hedging my second floor terrace out performs the other two locations?

In the meantime, I'm feeling pretty stoked about experiencing 6m propagation as DX Maps was on fire with transequatorial propagation (TEP) into the afternoon. I have never really experienced a hard core sporadic-e opening on this wavelength neither F2 or TEP and life is too short for one mode or one wavelength only.

Ham radio the ultimate wireless experience!

Exclusive Interview With Rick Kiessig, ZL2HAM ViewProp Software Engineer

2013-05-08T09:03:00.001-07:00

Good morning from #hamr shackadelic as Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) interfacing with ViewProp continues populating DX Atlas with 93 active paths.

I want to thank Rick, ZL2HAM for answering a few questions about ViewProp (VP) while sharing his vision for our hobby. I believe, like many others, that RBN combined with tools like VP and DX Atlas, will redefine how we interpret propagation data. Perhaps, in the future, our connected transceivers will alert an operator as a path is beginning to open or suggest such-and-such DXpedition is active with high probability of success after analyzing azimuth data, time of day, and relative location to an RBN sensor?

Photograph of DX Atlas interfaced with View Prop

Share with us your start in ham radio and why this hobby instead of others?
I got my first ARRL license study guide in about 1970. I understood the technical side, but wasn’t able to learn the code using only cassette tapes and didn’t have an Elmer to show me another way. By the time the FCC removed the code requirement, my focus had changed to other hobbies. However, my day job involved aspects of RF, physics, mapping and so on, so I was able to apply my technical interests in that way for quite a few years. After moving from the US to New Zealand in 2006, I decided it would be fun to finally get my license, which I did in 2008. What I love about ham radio is the way that it brings together so many of my other interests. The social and community service aspects are also a big part of it for me.

Tell us about your motivation to create ViewProp?
It started when I learned about Software Defined Radio. The first time I saw an SDR waterfall, I was so amazed and excited that I knew I had to have one. I have a long-standing interest in maps (Alex VE3NEA’s DxAtlas program was the first ham-oriented software I ever purchased). I use DxAtlas regularly, so I noticed when Alex released CW Skimmer. Although I still don’t know CW (yet!), Skimmer’s waterfall-like display and auto-CW decoding seemed cool. When the RBN came along, I found the spots it produced to be useful for me, not to fill a bandmap, but in determining band openings. So the next step was to get a QS1R SDR receiver for myself, and set it up to feed the RBN. After observing and using the data for a while, I decided it could be much more powerful to visualize it on a map and some charts, which would be another merger of my interests (mapping, radio and software) – and ViewProp was born.

What is the role of ViewProp, Reverse Beacon Network, and DX Atlas in ham radio's future?
I have found the combination of VP, RBN and DxAtlas to be a very powerful tool for visualizing current and last 24 hr propagation from your QTH. The problem with tools based on VOACAP is they’re based on long-term estimates and averages. That may be fine if you’re building a fixed, always-on broadcast station (which is what VOACAP was designed for), but it’s not useful, and in fact it’s often totally misleading, when it comes to the tactical side of contesting, DXing and DXpeditions. What hams really need is current, up-to-date information on propagation *from their QTH* -- and that’s what VP provides.

The exact way that the various pieces fit together will almost certainly evolve over time. The technology is improving rapidly.

ViewProp collecting RBN data

Are there any similar products for release in the future?
If the length of my todo list is any indication, I hope so. I would love to do more. Exactly what and when will depend largely on the ham community’s response to VP. The more useful people find it to be, the more motivated I am to create similar products and new features.

Share with us your vision of ham radio in the year 2020?
I think the merger of computers and ham radio will continue and accelerate. 2020 is only 7 yrs away, so I doubt we’ll see anything too radical by then. However, in the same way that flat screen TVs were considered fancy, expensive and unnecessary to many when they first came out, but quickly went on to completely replace CRTs, I wouldn’t be surprised to see SDR replace conventional radios. I also expect to see increased integration between components. We’re already seeing some of that today with high-end amplifiers where all tuning operations are fully automated. As the software improves, I think digital modes may gain in popularity, in part because some of the newer modes work so much better than SSB or even CW under low SNR conditions.

Personally, I would love to see SSB evolve and eventually be replaced; I think we have the technology today to create a much more powerful, useful and flexible voice mode – not unlike the evolution from analog to digital with cell phones. However, the momentum behind existing technology is huge, so it will take time. I would also like to see the existing cluster networks re-invented. I think we can do many more interesting and useful things in that area than we are now.

Regarding VP, RBN and similar technologies, I think we’re just scratching the tip of the iceberg. It’s probable that we’ll see a wideband digital mode Skimmer of some kind well before 2020. There’s much more than can be done to increase our understanding and awareness of propagation and other operating conditions, both for what’s happening now, as well as analysis of past events and planning for future ones.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Home Owner Association Changes

2013-05-06T17:45:00.001-07:00

Our home owner association is currently deconstructing the landscape with most of the trees reduced to firewood. One of those trees more or less hide my vertical antenna from the common area visual impact. Instead, with the loss of natural camouflage, nearly 25 feet of naked aluminium stood out like really bad modern art. My vertical is horizontal as we await the the new landscape.

I understand Newington has engaged Washington specifically the Federal Communication Commission about antenna regulation in communities such as mine and contracts between individuals living in such communities. This particular issue, at least in my mind, is about contract law and not about emergency communication capability. However, you cannot keep a good ham radio operator down and I have Buddipole to bridge my antenna gap.

I'm reading a lot about magnetic loops inside apartments and inside attics. The new antenna location on the first floor terrace may not and is not ideal although part of the hobby is adapting to change. I have a chunk of the Pacific Ocean to point the Buddipole toward its radio horizon. Who knows what outcome will follow given this challenge while living inside my home owner association agreement?

Life is wireless.

Read Contest Club Boundaries By N2GA

2013-05-05T17:36:00.001-07:00

Good evening from the #hamr shackadelic alternative location with Acer Iconia Tab in hand after reading the May 2013 edition of CQ Magazine. Inside the pages of this issue you can read the wrap up CQ WW DX CW article written by Randy Thompson, K5ZD. Also, on page 84, George Tranos, N2GA in his contesting column titled, "Topical (Controversial?) Contesting Issues", sub-heading, Contest Club Boundaries; speaks to the current club boundary definition.

This specific topic is near and dear as one who resides between two major metropolitan population centers.

I'm located on the central coast of California that is 300 plus miles south of San Francisco and about 200 miles north of Los Angeles. Recently, as club competition goes, it is extremely important that point contributors fall within the defined fencing that is 171 miles of said club area. We have two major contest clubs in California both well respected as world class.

However, according to the rules, the central coast falls into the zone between the north and the south as understood on page eighty five in N2GA's column.

Is this and does this make sense? I believe this rule served our niche quite well for several decades. Will it continue serving our contest community in the future as population and demographics shift?

It does not make sense to me that a million point effort or a top twenty finish or better goes without benefiting a club's aggregate score. However, according to the current rule, there is no benefit other than personal. Likewise, I'm penalized and a club is penalized, because the geographic rule applies to all major events. What is the point beyond personal?

Likewise, the numbers are few on the central coast of California, perhaps and understandably so, why change the status quo? However, affiliation is important to me, and most likely many of you because world class clubs are fundamental to the success of RadioSport.

It is time to address the fence in RadioSport and seek an equitable solution that speaks to the future of contesting in addition shifting demographics and population. Perhaps, as suggested in N2GA's column, thinking about grid squares is a good beginning.

Contest on.

Latest SWPC 3-day Space Weather Forecast

2013-05-04T09:22:00.001-07:00

I'm looking forward to participating in the following activities through today -- 7 Land QSO Party; New England QSO Party; Indiana QSO Party; and ARI International DX Contest. I'm watching Reverse Beacon Network populating ViewProp with DX Atlas visualization. Currently, ViewProp is reporting 223 active paths, signal traffic azimuths suggest polar path activity between North America and Europe as significant.

West Coast signal density into Europe is moderate on 15m only.

Latest SWPC 3-day Space Weather Forecast:
IA. Analysis of Solar Active Regions and Activity from 02/2100Z to 03/2100Z: Solar activity has been at high levels for the past 24 hours. The largest solar event of the period was a M5 event observed at 03/1732Z from Region 1739 (N13E75). There are currently 8 numbered sunspot regions on the disk.

IB. Solar Activity Forecast: Solar activity is likely to be moderate with a slight chance for an X-class flare on days one, two, and three (04 May, 05 May, 06 May).

IIA. Geophysical Activity Summary 02/2100Z to 03/2100Z: The geomagnetic field has been at quiet levels for the past 24 hours. Solar wind speed, as measured by the ACE spacecraft, reached a peak speed of 482 km/s at 02/2141Z. Electrons greater than 2 MeV at geosynchronous orbit reached a peak level of 1905 pfu.

IIB. Geophysical Activity Forecast: The geomagnetic field is expected to be at quiet to unsettled levels on days one and three (04 May, 06 May) and quiet to active levels on day two (05 May). Protons have a slight chance of crossing threshold on days one, two, and three (04 May, 05 May, 06 May).

Contest on!

DX Engineering Gets Social Media

2013-05-03T10:36:00.000-07:00

Good morning from #hamr shackadelic zone where anticipation is building for a little weekend time in the operator's chair. Currently, outside the shack sliding door, blazing sunny sky with a temperature expected to peak in the high seventies. We're experiencing, as new's reports suggest, very dry conditions resulting from a near moisture free winter including a severe moisture deficit in the Sierra Mountain range.

On the other hand, tweet doesn't imply endorsement and DX Engineering is another example of #hamr business operators who are going to the granular social media level. As I've mentioned before, it isn't enough to have and maintain a stable of followers, instead, engagement is the currency that may convert into real world business transactions.

Furthermore, granular also equates into reading your follower's profile, at the minimum you gain insight into who are your customers such as commenting on my service in the U.S. Air Force in addition to favorite activities that may reach beyond ham radio.

The Dayton weekend is approaching and having a solid social media strategy would build future brand loyalty while reaching those who aren't attending. It may not seem worth it in the moment as the cash register rings however there is a different future awaiting all of us five to ten years down the road.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Read Chapter 3 Coaxial Stubs By W2VJN

2013-05-01T18:48:00.001-07:00

I'm reading Managing Interstation Interference written by George Custogeorge, W2VJN and his book is another recommendation for your #hamr reference library. I'd also suggest reading Chapter 3, Coaxial Stubs, because Field Day is fast approaching and having stub systems can decrease frustration when two or more transmitters are deployed. The Beach Boys ARC included coaxial stub construction as part of our educational component earning bonus points along the way.

Cutsogeorge described the basics on page seventeen as, "A coaxial stub is a length of transmission line that is shorted or open at one end. Generally, in amateur applications the stub would be connected to a transmission line between a radio and an antenna."

He further explained the purpose for coaxial stubs as a means to reduce transmitter harmonic in addition to receiver input signals. One must consider two signal components at the receiver input that is sub harmonics and harmonics according to Cutsogeorge.

Additionally, on page twenty two, W2VJN begins explaining how to make stubs to include Table 9, rough cut lengths for RG-213 followed up with tips on installing PL-259 connectors. Likewise, Custogeorge suggested shrink wrapping the ends or a piece of copper tubing with end cap. I'm noting his suggesting as an improvement for this year.

If one chapter is packed with information then Chapter 3 is one because W2VJN explained three stub configurations highlighted in Table 10 RG-213 as open, shorted, and open-short. Custogeorge follows up with specific tables describing characteristics and dimensions of each type.

Field Day is fast approaching and thinking about then constructing coaxial stubs could prevent unnecessary damage to your receiver at the level of two or more transmitters.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Read Chapter Three "Receiving And Transmitting Equipment"

2013-04-28T17:08:00.001-07:00

When was the last time I had a conversation about receive, transmit, and accessories found inside shackadelic near the beach? I'm leisurely reading Low Band DXing -- Antennas, Equipment, and Techniques for DXcitement on 160, 80, and 40 Meters written by John Devoldere, ON4UN; his book in its fifth edition is a must for the shack library.

Currently, I'm reading chapter three where the author talks about essential questions to ask of your equipment and accessories. His insight is compelling and provokes thinking about exactly what goes into the shack and its impact on the quality of your signal. Additionally, knowing how to properly use the latest gadget as your signal is an extension of your reputation, from local to global.

Certainly, state-of-the-art equipment and it's complexity with an aim to plug and play, has manufactured frustration for many to the bliss of the few. Furthermore, to the dismay of our statesmen, our current licensing process reduced technical proficiency to that of wrought memorization for the sake of the test itself.

I passed the extra class test however it did not make me an extra class operator capable of building my own amplifier. Instead, I need to further my #hamr education and seek out book's like ON4UN's who captured the technical lineage of our hobby. I never though to ask questions about using automatic level control or not to choose a microphone simply because it looks good.

Chapter three provides an excellent reference template when considering a purchase for the shack. John, ON4UN probes hard hitting questions to ask while providing solid suggestions that may make a difference in your signal quality.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Screenshots | ViewProp, DX Atlas, And Reverse Beacon Network

2013-04-28T12:52:00.001-07:00

Screenshot DX Atlas Populated Azimuth

PropView Azimuth vs. Time

PropView Band vs. Time

Good afternoon from #hamr shackadelic as I logged a few 15m Qs from the Florida QSO Party using The Morse Machine memory keyer. My experience was a little different from that of pressing keyboard function keys although it was as exciting. Band conditions seem satisfactory given a few hours in the operating chair. Also, followed up with ferrite chokes on all cabling leading to my Kenwood TS850S inputs including power cords.

I snapped a few screenshots of ViewProp and DX Atlas with Reverse Beacon Network feeds. I'm of the opinion this is only the beginning of a revolutionary change in the interpretation of spot data. Perhaps, many are questioning validity leading to reliability of the data, given erroneous inputs if not corrected prior to entering the system resulting in false positives.

Is it feasible or efficient given for example the West Coast Triad of skimmer sensors located in Utah, Nevada, and California that at least 3 sensors would vote on the accuracy of the input? If two of three sensors cannot agree then the input is deleted? I'm not a programmer and a voting system most likely would slow down output to individual users. Although, at face value, we are currently receiving raw data at our screens, without an interpretive product like ViewProp.

This explains why I'm enthused about ViewProp because Rick, ZL2HAM's product interprets the data into manageable modules leaving the end user to interpret the information displayed on the monitor.

Currently, both ViewProp and DX Atlas are running on my Acer notebook, admittedly it is much like observing a video game of sorts while Reverse Beacon Network populates in real time. Fascinating!

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

ViewProp, Reverse Beacon Network, And DX Atlas

2013-04-27T18:34:00.001-07:00

The method of reporting propagation information has changed because of a remarkable combination of software and hardware. I read several reflector postings about a freeware product that functions with DX Atlas and the Reverse Beacon Network. The function of ViewProp coded by Rick, ZL2HAM is to collect, collate, and report real time propagation as it applies to my location based on the data provided by the Reverse Beacon Network.

I purchased DX Atlas for $29.95 then waited for my product key prior to downloading the software from VE3NEA's website. The process required a little patience and it was well worth the wait. You can download a 30 day trial version of DX Atlas however after some thought I felt it was time to pony up cash for the full on monty. And, I was not disappointed wondering why it took me this long to invest in quality software.

Additionally, you cannot run ViewProp without DX Atlas, and I wanted in because the game is changing. I loaded location information into DX Atlas then opened ViewProp fed by the Reverse Beacon Network. I was extremely surprised after an hour of data compiling from beacons located in Utah, Nevada, and southern California. ViewProp provided band by band, spot to band, and time, band, spot data collated into bearing information, as an example of its game changing potency.

I was astonished at how quickly one could ascertain an opening based on ViewProp's bar graph visualizations to include bearing. Likewise, Reverse Beacon Network skimmer data flowed like a torrent on the second screen, while DX Atlas plotted the information to include spot concentrations to major population centers on the first screen. And, I haven't really started, either!

My hat is off to Rick, ZL2HAM creator of ViewProp to include the wizards behind the screens at Reverse Beacon Network and VE3NEA's DX Atlas. I recommend if you are into maximizing your time in the operating chair using high fidelity data then seriously consider DX Atlas with freeware ViewProp written by Rick, ZL2HAM.

Now, if only the West Coast had a fence line of skimmers like that of the East Coast Great Lakes array, we could put the hurt on when CQ World Wide rolls into the shack next year.

Contest on!

Did Ham Radio R.I.P. In 1950?

2013-04-24T18:16:00.001-07:00

Good late afternoon as our beach weather has completely reversed itself from sunny looks like summer to gray skies and cool temperatures. This is the kind of weather that almost demands a mid-afternoon siesta. I'm currently reading The World of Ham Radio, 1901 - 1950 written by Richard A. Bartlett and the book's epilogue leaves me to question ham radio's destiny on this side of the Atlantic.

Bartlett stated in his epilogue that the development of ham radio essentially ended in 1950 thereafter everything that followed is mere repitition. He mentioned the following developmental stages that is creation, acceptance, and regulation finally achieving a state of permanence within our culture. Additionally, there is one great exception according to Bartlett, that is in the area of technology.

Does Bartlett correctly assert with the exception of technological advancement that the best days of the hobby are really behind us?

Perhaps, because I'm thinking of the Internet and its disruptive impact, much like that of wireless point-to-point communications developed by 20th Century pioneers. Bartlett asserted that the first fifty years of experitmentation and development were the most exciting.

I can say it is the Internet disrupting ham radio and not ham radio disrupting the Internet. It would appear at face value that the same is beginning to happen with that of the Internet -- experitmentation, development, acceptance, regulation, and permanence.

Can we ignore the slow acceptance of analog-to-digital communications using software defined radio in the 21st Century? What about the impressive menu of low power digital modes capable of the same point-to-point communications?

I'm returning to Bartlett's statement on page 231 that is, "Having been created, accepted, regulated, and achieved permanent status by 1950, the story after that becomes one primarily of repetition."

Lastly, I'd like to close with something that Bartlett gives as a think about in the final paragraph on page two hundred and thirty, "[B]ut compared with the first fifty years in which radio advanced from the incredibly crude to the incredibly sophisticated, the story loses much of its fascination. Those first fifty years constitute the truly exciting, adventurous, developmental era of amateur radio."

Bartlett succinctly summarized our deepest struggle in telling our social story not as an epitath rather nothing lasts forever that all endeavors typically follow stages from experitmentation to permanence. Perhaps, we are writing the chapter that Bartlett did not, where ham radio reboots itself at the crossroad of Internet point-to-multiple point and analog point-to-point communication? The result is going to be the domain of today's innovators, experimentors, and adopters.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Read Crazy Idea: DXpedition To Cyprus By KC9UUS

2013-04-22T17:38:00.001-07:00

Good afternoon from #hamr alternative shackadelic as my day winds down and thoughts turn toward inspirational. I enjoyed Padraig Lysandrou, KC9UUS' article about his first ever holiday style DXpedition to the island of Cyprus in the May 2013 edition of QST magazine. His excitement and enthusiasim leaps off the pages.

Lysandrou is 15 years of age according to the article and his words communicate youthful passion for a hobby that is generally unknown to others in his cohort. Perhaps, like most of us, a teacher was instrumental during Lysandrou's discovery process ultimately leading to licensure. Lysandrou took the reigns of self leadership and quickly moved through the ranks culminating in Extra class priveleges.

According to his article, Lysandrou's chemistry teacher fired up the enthusiast and passionate, with ham radio high adventure video -- Peter Island DXpedition 3Y0X Antarctica 2006 digital video disc.

I can say that many of The Novices who were members of WB3CSO, Sharon High School Amateur Radio Club, dreamt of high ham radio adventure to far flung destinations like Cyprus. We sat in our chairs like mine on Edgewood Road logging stations in the deep south Pacific and calling each other using touch tone phones instead of rotary dials chatting about who logged who over the weekend. At the end of our conversation, we would again return to that dream, as if it was only a matter of time.

KC9UUS accomplished what most of us at WB3CSO could not and he accomplished the lion's share of the work himself! I have written that on this side of the Atlantic there is a significant age gap in the hobby. My attitude is changing after reading Lysandrou's article and the club success in Santa Barbara with there high altitude ballon challenge.

Slowly, ever so slowly, there may yet be a sea change among our future leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I have teachers like Mister Rapp to thank as we face probably the biggest challenge confronting the Silent Generation.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.

Read Easy, Cheap, Common-Mode Chokes By W1HIS

2013-04-21T15:07:00.001-07:00

Continuing my ongoing #hamr education as summer approaches and there is nothing like turning magazine pages. Are you having noise problems inside your HOA or CCR shack? I'd hedge each one of us have significant to severe problems related to multiple devices in close proximity to our antenna feed line leading directly to our transceivers.

Who wants Mister Buzz Kill inside the shack and, according to Chuck Counselman, W1HIS noise can travel from places like AC power cables, computer networks, and other conductors inside your residence. He mentioned that a handful of chokes reduced Mister Buzz Kill noise by more than 10 decibels sometimes even 20 decibels!

Counselman said, "Typically the most important path is the coax from your shack to the feed point of your antenna. The second most important path is the AC power line to your radio and any devices connected to your radio."

Likewise, in his article found in the January/February 2013 edition of the National Contest Journal, Counselman, W1HIS suggested using a strong cable tie with your snap on beads. I didn't think about that over time the plastic snap would relax and even a .001 inch gap may render the bead or choke ineffective.

Counselman talks about feed line on the tower as well and specifically how-to fix the situation. Don't let Mister Buzz Kill take the joy out of spinning the dial while listening for that all time new one.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.