Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all my visitors.
This year will not be missed.
The last 2 weeks have been great. My kids had a great Christmas and my son had the BEST Birthday ever. He said that to my parents.
Not bad for being new to the Blogging world. I managed to get 20 posts since October and had 650 visitors. That is better than my count on QRZ.
Happy New Year all.
73.

Severe Weather

Wow, Look at all the warnings and watches.
For more info; Click Here

Saturday after Christmas

We had a really great Christmas. I think we are one of the lucky parents whose kids slept in. The kids awoke around 9am. Once that happen my wife and I could hear them in the living room with excitement.
It took my wife and me forever to get organized before we handed out the presents.
The snow is almost gone. It has rained for the last 24 hours now. I was worried for awhile, we had a lot of snow on the roof and with the added warmth and rain the snow becomes very heavy.
Flood warnings have been posted throughout the state as the rain continues and the snow melts away.
My current conditions
Observation Time: Saturday, December 27 2:50 PM EST
Humidity ; 94%
Dew Point; 55°F (13°C)
Visibility; 4SM
Wind Speed; 16 MPH Gusts to 22
Wind Direction;South (180°)
Pressure;1003 mb (29.62 in)
Feels Like: 54°F (12°C) It's a Heat Wave
OvercastFog/Mist 57°F (14°C) Temp Trend:Steady

Christmas Eve

The snow just keeps on falling. We have had one storm after another the last 3 or 4 weeks it seems.
I have a 4 ft. fence in my front yard, see the pictures on my Dec. 14 post, anyway, the snow is 8” away from the top of the fence. The Candle in my picture is buried. Same with the snow man figure in my front yard.
This Saturday they are saying we will have rain, 40º temps and a thunderstorm late Saturday evening. Then the temperatures will start dropping to the 20’s on Sunday. Sounds like we may see lots of localized flooding, large puddles of water on roads, then slick roads as the water freezes. Forecast here

I know have recorded 56 inches of snow this season.

I have this link to Tracking Santa. Click Here
My daughter has been checking it out hourly. She is so very excited. Weren’t we all at that age?

Storm Results

We had a really nice Snow Storm on Sunday. It got so bad the NWS issued Blizzard Warnings for West Michigan.
Here in Muskegon the County Road Commission pulled there Snow plows of the road because they could not keep up with the drifts.
We got 11.4 inches of snow from this event. I have not had a chance to add up my snow accumulations yet, my guess is around 50 inches.
I will gather my info and post it here as an update.
Muskegon Chronicle has story on our weather. Click Here
Sunday we had our family Christmas Party. Weather wise it was a bad day but almost everyone showed up, great time and more than enough food.
My wife was asking me several questions today about an HT I use to have. We had gone through the same round of questions a few weeks ago. I wonder if, maybe Santa might have a little something in my Stocking.
I had to sell all my Ham gear to pay bills. I was given a mobile unit with a power supply but I need an antenna. It is a 2 meter rig.
I might try a little harder to upgrade this year. I have lost interest to some extent in Ham Radio. Looking for the bug.

Storm update

It is 8:40 pm or 1:40 Sunday, December 21, 2008 UTC time.
It has now just started to snow. I have 3 snow boards here at my QTH and will take measurements and give the avg. as I have done so far this winter season. I figured my blog site would be a great place for this info vs. space on my PC.

My Weather Station is reporting;

Wind Speed: 10.48 kts (5.39 m/s)
Max Wind Speed: 15.32 kts (7.88 m/s)
Wind Direction: 103° (ESE)
Air Temperature: 17.4 °F (-8.1 °C)
Wind Chill: 4.4 °F (-15.3 °C)
Dew Point: 11.3 °F (-11.5 °C)
Relative Humidity: 76.4 %
Station Pressure: 29.23 in Hg. (990.00 mb)
Sea Level Pressure: 29.94 in Hg. (1013.93 mb)

Another Winter Storm

We have just cleared our driveway again this morning. Yesterday the snowplows had our street turned into a one way. Last night they completed the job leaving a 2ft high by 3 ft wide snow bank at the end of our driveway. That is the worst part of keeping the driveway cleaned.
Glad we have a 8hp snow thrower.
We have another storm on the way tonight.
Local media forecasters indicate that snow will be moving in from the west Saturday night and picking up in intensity through Sunday morning.
Accumulations will range from 3-6 inches, with the highest amounts to the northwest of Grand Rapids. Another facet to this storm is the wind, which will really be whipping during the day on Sunday. Gusts will be in the range of 30 to 40 miles per hour and with falling snow, this could create extremely low visibilities. Expect near blizzard conditions at times Sunday with temperatures only in the teens. Wind chills will be much lower.
Information from the National weather service cautioned that temperatures will be bitterly cold as a strong cold front comes into the region carrying a blast of extremely cold arctic air. Wind chills could drop as low as 15 to 25 degrees below zero.
Gotta love winter in Michigan.

Comet 8P/Tuttle

Got this from Space weather. For all you star gazers.

RADIO METEORS:
The Ursid meteor shower caused by Comet 8P/Tuttle peaks this year on Dec. 22nd. About a dozen meteors per hour will fly out of the Little Dipper (Ursa Minor) as Earth passes through the comet's debris stream. Watching these northern meteors can be a chilling experience, so why not stay inside and listen to them instead? Spaceweather.com is broadcasting live audio from the Air Force Space Surveillance Radar in Texas. When a meteor passes over the radar--"ping"--there is an echo. Give it a try; feedback is welcomed.

A Blessed Surprise

Tonight my family and I received a blessed surprise.
The church that, well, my wife, kids and parents go too showed up at our door step singing Christmas Carols.
I/we have never had that happen before. I did not know how to act.
It was a very nice of the church to stop at our home. I wish I had warning though; I had just awoken from a nap not even a half hour before and was not feeling very well. I looked terrible and had bed head. If I had prior warning I would had a pot of hot coco prepared.
I think I am going to have to put more effort into going to church again. The church has been very good to us and it is hard to find such a church like ours.
Thanks Trinity for keeping us in your prayers and thoughts.

Digital TV participation

To All Clubs and HamsFrom ARRL Headquarters and the Michigan Section Manager.Special attention: RADIO CLUBS

Earlier this week, the ARRL received a request from the FCC asking thatARRL members provide technical educational assistance to theircommunities concerning the FCC-mandated digital television (DTV)conversion scheduled for February 17, 2009.

According to ARRL Media and Public Relations Manager Allen Pitts,W1AGP, Amateur Radio clubs across the country are being asked todevelop and implement plans to provide information throughout Januaryand February about the DTV conversion in their areas. The FCC isleaving it up to the clubs to decide how to do this, as local groupsunderstand the communities in ways that the FCC does not. Eachcommunity is a little different, Pitts said, so plans carried out bythe clubs will vary from community to community. Interested groupsshould contact their ARRL Section Manager.

Pitts stressed that hams should not make "house calls," sell anyequipment or do actual installations; the request is only to distributetechnical information and FCC materials. He commented: "As we all know,some folks just never get the message until too late. Materials forpresentations, education and many other activities are availableonline. Beginning early January, FCC staff will contact SectionManagers and leaders of interested clubs and, where possible, arrangeto meet to share even more information, audio, visual and printedmaterials, as well as and training aids, with the clubs involved thiseffort. We know the time is short, but your aid in this now will be appreciated.

"Now to the specifics for all Michigan ham clubs:
Please review the full announcement at: http://www.arrl. org/news/ stories/2008/ 12/10/10499/ ?nc=1
Discuss the implications for your club. This can be an excellent PRopportunity. Consider your available resources and assemble a team toevaluate your participation. Should your club desire to participate,please prepare the contact information and email it to me beforeDecember 27th. wa8efk@arrl. net

I will need the following contact information only: Club Name, Clublocation, Club Contact person's name, call, address, telephone number,and e-mail address. This will be loaded into a spreadsheet and sent tothe FCC.

The club will then be contacted by the FCC and set up to receive PRmaterial from the Commission along with handouts and training aids. Iwill also emphasize, at no time is anyone to enter someone's home orinstall equipment. That opens the door to too much liability.
This deadline is short, action is needed immediately.
73Dale WA8EFK
source

Ready for Christmas

Last night My Wife, Kids and I went out and got our Christmas tree. The place we usually go to get our tree turned out to be a disappointment. When we pulled in no one was there. Then 2 cars followed behind us and the owner went to help those folks first. Seemed to me he knew them. Not a big deal. After 20 minutes, the owner had still not even acknowledge us or even yelled out, “I’ll be with you in a minute”. Enough of that I said to the wife. So we left. We went to a tree farm and found an ugly tree. It is huge.

We cut about 14 inches off of it, got it decorated and we are now waiting for Christmas. The tree turned out to be the best tree we have ever had. My son was a great help in setting it up.

We decorated the outside of the house a few weeks ago. Again, my wife, son and daughter did most the work. I supervised. What an awesome job they had done.

Looks like we are in a meltdown here in Michigan, today the temperature made it to 36º. It started to rain about an hour ago. We had about 30 inches of snow on the ground as of this last Thursday.

I have felt pretty good the last 5 days. Better than I have in a long time. My wife and I even went to breakfast Friday and did some Christmas shopping. It felt good to get out.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Well, we did have snow the other night. Not much. I had about 3 inches at my QTH. Some Winter Storm!
The weather has been kinda weird.
Tonight, my family and I put up our Christmas Lights. It only took 4 hours this year. It was raining when we started and snowing when we called it a night. I will post some pictures of the outdoor lights this week.
Right now I am not feeling well so I am going to bed.

Winter Storm for West Michigan

The first Winter Storm of the Season.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 4pm Monday for all of West Michigan north of a line from Holland to Lansing for 6-8″ of new snow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Allegan, Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Van Buren, Kalamazoo, Calhoun and Jackson Counties. Very little snow from Allegan Co. south. The computer models keep the snow going with an additional 1-4″ overnight…the least to the south and more to the north of I-96. Temperatures will stay around 32 tonight and tomorrow. Any heavy snow will accumulate on the main roads…if it’s very light, main roads should just be wet. Side streets, rural roads, sidewalks and parking lots will be snow covered and slushy to slippery. Click here to see advisories/watches/warnings for neighboring states.

It's The Christmas Season

The Christmas season is here. I wonder If I made a list of radios, antennas and other gear, send it to Santa, do you think I may get lucky………..probably not.
So, maybe I will start with an antenna on my Christmas list seems how I have a rig w/ power supply.

I just hope to regain some of the interest I have lost in Amateur Radio.

SKYWARN Recognition Day December 6, 2008

This is one reason I got involved with Amateur Radio.
Storm Chasing.
I am all for the local communities having a SkyWarn program. I just wish they all had the same to of requirements. So often I hear HAMS sent out to many locations to report current weather conditions and I wonder if those out in the elements are really prepared for the worst.
They are out in the storm with no medical gear, No self protection gear. No idea when and where the storm is unless the have a real good Net control person who is watching the radar, local news and paying close conditions to the many local weather stations in there community.
I firmly believe these guys should take some training on what to do when out in the elements.

SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 6

The 10th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 6, 2008. SRD is co-sponsored by the ARRL and the National Weather Service (NWS) as a way to recognize the commitment made by Amateur Radio operators in helping to keep their communities safe. According to SRD Coordinator David Floyd, N5DBZ, Amateur Radio operators can visit their local participating NWS office, working as a team to contact other hams across the world throughout the 24 hour event.
2008 SKYWARN Recognition Day will be held on December 6 from 0000 UTC-2400 UTC. Last year, contacts were made in all 50 states and 40 countries during the 24 hour event. If you haven't joined in the fun, make 2008 your year to do so!

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE UPDATE

CALIFORNIA WILDFIRE UPDATE
Wildland fire activity remains light throughout most of the country. Yesterday, seven new fires were reported in California, one of which became a large fire. Currently, two major fires are burning in California. The Tea fire is 1,800 acres and has burned 111 residences. The new Sayre fire is 2,600 acres and destroyed 65 structures yesterday.
Significant fire potential continues in Southern California today. A building high pressure ridge across the West will bring warmer temperatures and drier conditions. Strong offshore winds in combination with low humidity and unseasonably warm temperatures will continue today across the southern mountains and valleys of Southern California. Widespread showers associated with a cold front will move across the east.

Sayre (Los Angeles City Fire Department): 2,600 acres at zero percent contained. This fire is three miles northeast of San Fernando. Numerous residences and power lines are threatened. A mandatory evacuation notice is in effect for the North West valley. Information: Call (800) 439-2909 or visit the web-site

Tea Incident (Montecito Fire Department): 1,800 acres at 40 percent contained. The fire is located one mile northeast of Montecito. About 1,500 residences are threatened. Mandatory evacuations are in effect in Montecito, Santa Barbara City and areas within Santa Barbara County. An early warning notification system helped to evacuate 4500 residents and communicated a voluntary evacuation of an additional 4500 residents. Information: Call 805-681-5197 or visit the
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

Global Simulated Emergency Test

Saturday November 8th 2008 04.00 - 08.00 UTCIARU Region 1 invites the HQ-Stations of all IARU member societies andstations of Emergency Communications Groups to participate in a GlobalSimulated Emergency Test on Saturday November 8th, 2008 04.00 – 08.00UTC. The operation will take place on and near the emergencyCentre-of-Activity (CoA) frequencies on 80, 40, 20, 17 and 15 metres (+-QRM ).The objectives of the test are;1/ increase the common interest in emergency communications.2/ test how usable the CoA frequencies are across ITU regions.3/ create practices for international emergency communication and4/ practice the relaying of messages using all modes.Please remember that this is not a contest, it is an emergencycommunications exercise !Following the recommendation of the GAREC conferences, participatingstations are requested to use /D in their callsign (D=distress/disaster)where permitted by their licensing administration.Traffic may be passed on voice (SSB), Data or CW modes as detailed below.Voice modeEach IARU Region will have a HQ station operating on voice as follows:Region 1 – GB4NRCRegion 2 – XE1LMRegion 3 – BY7PP
For further reading; Click Here

W1AW to Participate in Global Simulated Emergency Test (Nov 4, 2008) -- On November 8, W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, will be participating in the 2008 Global Simulated Emergency Test (GlobalSET), sponsored by IARU Region 1. The event runs from 0400-0800 UTC, but due to the W1AW transmission schedule, the ARRL station will be on the air from 0500-0800 UTC. ARRL Emergency Preparedness and Response Manager Dennis Dura, K2DCD, and ARRL Regulatory Information Manager Dan Henderson, N1ND, will be on the air from W1AW. According to event organizer Greg Mossop, G0DUB, the GlobalSET is an exercise for headquarters stations of IARU Member Societies and stations of emergency communications groups -- it is not a contest. Activity will be concentrated around the IARU Emergency Centre of Activity frequencies. Where permitted by their licensing administration, participating stations will use “/D” after their call sign, indicating distress or disaster. A list of participating stations can be found here.
Link to this item
source

Hurricane Net and WX4NHC to Activate for Paloma

Just when we thought the season was over.
We need to watch the forcast and be prepared.
It's a growing!

Hurricane Watch Net, VoIP Hurricane Net and WX4NHC to Activate for Paloma
As Hurricane Paloma, a Category 1 hurricane, makes its way through the Caribbean, WX4NHC, the Amateur Radio Station at the National Hurricane Center, the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) and the VoIP Hurricane Net (VoIPWXNet) plan to activate. According to the National Weather Service, Hurricane Paloma is expected to make a gradual turn toward the northeast Friday night and into Saturday, with the center of Paloma passing near the Cayman Islands late Friday or early Saturday and approaching the coast of central Cuba late Saturday. As of 10 AM EST on Friday, November 7, Paloma's center is about 75 miles south-southwest of Grand Cayman and about 245 miles west of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
HWN and WX4NHC are set to activate at 6 PM Friday. The VoIP Hurricane Net will activate in an informal mode Friday afternoon and will likely go into a formal mode later that afternoon into the night.
HWN Manager Dave Lefavour, W7GOX, said the Net will operate on their usual frequency of 14.325 MHz. "We will be providing the latest storm bulletins and collecting real time weather data from hams in the affected area for relay to the National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida," Lefavour said. "The Net plans to operate until the band closes due to propagation loss. This schedule is subject to change depending on storm forecast wind and track predictions."
WX4NHC will be monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. Secondary HF frequencies will be 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz +/- QRM, should we lose propagation on 20 meters. EchoLink "WX-Talk" Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 will also be monitored. WX4NHC will also monitor CWOP, APRS and MADIS/MESONET Automated weather stations in the affected area. Surface Reports using our Online Hurricane Report form will be monitored.
"We request all land based stations, as well as ships at sea in the areas affected, to send us weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports," said WX4NHC Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. "If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per hour to receive the latest Hurricane Advisories and to report your local conditions."
The National Weather Service reported that Paloma is strengthening and the storm is expected to reach Category 2 status late Friday, possibly reaching Category 3 intensity by Saturday.

source

KD8BIG- My Blog

I have not forgot the blog site.
The last few weeks since I started this I have been ill.
I have however, had several e-mails asking me about my point of view on many issues in regards to Amateur Radio. I will go into that later.

I can tell you that I have worked in Emergency Communications. ARES and RACES.
I am a Storm Spotter and love working weather events.
I have worked with the American Red Cross.
I have also worked with a group known as IRESC. International Radio Emergency Support Coalition. IRESC, (pronounced-"I Risk") is an Echo-Link based group that has many members able to connect to VOIP through a repeater system using many different frequencies.
I hope to in the near future have my storm chase vehicle on the road.

Anyway, I hope to learn more about amateur radio through this blog and maybe help others learn more about this great hobby.
73,
KD8BIG

New Header

WELCOME

New blog for KD8BIG.