Monday, November 30, 2009

The DX Zone

This is cool; my blog site is now listed on the USA : Ham Radio/Blogs/USA portion on the DX Zones blog list.
The DX Zone is a very helpful site with tons of information. I have a widget box on my side bar also.
When you’re on my blog give me a rating, the rating box is also on the side bar. If you give me a poor rating please let me know via guest book, e-mail or use the comments section.
Thanks to all of you for visiting.
73

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

He's Home

I am so happy, my dad was released from the hospital this afternoon. He still has a long road of recovery ahead. Thanks all for your support.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Hurricane Watch Net Event this Weekend

Hurricane Watch Net to Hold On the Air Event
Dave Lefavour, W7GOX, Manager of the Hurricane Watch Net, has announced that the HWN will be holding a two-day, on-the-air special event. “This event, which we’re calling ‘HWN/44,’ celebrates our 44th consecutive year of service. Our members will be using special event callsign K4H on 11/29 and 11/30. We’ll be operating on 14.325 MHz, of course, but, we’ll also have stations active on or near 7
More...

Myself, Looking forward to making the contact. Hope to hear you on HF.

Monday, November 23, 2009

ISS gets New Amateur Radio Antenna

New Ham Radio antenna installed on the ISS
New Ham Radio antenna installed on the ISS ARISS US Hardware Manager Lou McFadin, W5DID says that all the teamwork and effort to expand the ARISS amateur radio station aboard the ISS were successful this weekend when the new dual band 2m/70CM antenna was installed on the outside of ESA's Columbus module. Lou congratulated the team, "This is an example of what can be achieved by volunteer ham
More...

I like working the ISS. Always lots of fun working the birds.

Saturday, November 21, 2009

My Day

I did not participate in the SSB November Sweepstakes today, however I did listen to it to see how a contest and those who did participate operated. I can not wait till the next contest. I think I will give it a try.

I did make many DX contacts today, a few special event stations and many tuning their rigs for the contest.
I’m hoping to get my 160 meter antenna up soon, maybe next week. Right now I am enjoying 20 and 40 meters.
10 and 15 meters dose not seem to be very active. Then again, I only have a vertical.

Friday, November 20, 2009

My Ham Shack

Please excuse the mess. This is my Ham Shack. It is a work in progress.
It is amazing, my ham shack photo has been downloaded 78 times since this was posted. I have actually ran across e-mails and other blogs where others claim my shack as their own.
Some people have no shame. 1/30/10

Equipment;
Yaesu FT-897D w/ AT-897 Plus by LDG
Yaesu FT-7800
Yaesu FT-8900R
Yaesu VX-7R
WiRES II
Yaesu FP-1030A Power supply
Radio Shack HTX-242 powered w/ Astron RS-7
MFJ-969 300W Roller Tuner
LDG FT-Meter
Pro Set Plus “HEIL"

SSB November Sweeps Contest

The SSB portion of the ARRL November Sweepstakes -- the premier domestic HF contest -- takes place this weekend, running 2100 UTC Saturday, November 21 to 0300 Monday, November 23 (or 4 PM Saturday to 10 PM Sunday EST).

According to ARRL Contest Branch Manager Sean Kutzko, KX9X, the event -- first called "The January Contest" -- started back in 1929 as a competition for handling formal traffic messages. "Sweepstakes is one of the oldest traditions in Amateur Radio," Kutzko said. "The contest exchange contains more elements than usual, an homage to the traffic-handling days of yore. If you have never participated in Sweepstakes, you are really missing out on some serious fun!"
ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone)
Rules

2009 Japan Ham Fair

This looks like a fun Hamfest to attend.
One of these years I will make it to the Dayton Hamfest. All depends on my health.
Check it out; The 2009 Japan Ham Fair.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

SKYWARN Recognition Day

SKYWARN Recognition Day Set for December 5
The 11th Annual SKYWARN Recognition Day (SRD) Special Event will take place Saturday, December 5, 2009. 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.
Full Story

I did this a few years ago and it was really cool. I hope to do this again this year.

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

I'm back today

I know, I have not had time to post here. I have kept up on Facebook some.
Anyway, gonna play some radio today. I did play some over this last weekend.
I worked a couple of Special Event Stations in Georgia and Texas. Talked to Alaska, Colorado, Florida, New Mexico and Iowa.
Not to bad for the little station I have at the moment.

Updates on my parents will now be on Facebook. Gonna keep this for Radio Related stuff.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

Working Satellite SO-67

Interesting write up on QRZ today. I have not worked this Satellite yet. Gonna give it a shot.
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Thanks for sharing this on QRZ. com N3TL,

My profound thanks to John. K8YSE, for posting the recordings he's made of passes over North America of the new South African amateur satellite, SO-67. His recording, which he began at 15:00:38 UTC on 15 November, provides proof that - even amid the chaos of a pass like that one - very low power levels can work our amateur satellites.
More...

Sunday, November 8, 2009

My Week; (Recap)

Monday, my Mom was rushed into emergency surgery due to complications to a surgery she had a few weeks back. On Wednesday my Dad had a major stroke and now is in Hackley Hosp. He is in the re-hab unit and has a long road ahead of him. Mom got to go home this evening. My daughter was taken to the Emergency Room tonight with a 102ยบ fever. She is now home and doing better. Reaction to new medications.
Yesterday at 12:04am
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Mom is home. Dad is gonna be in hospital 4 several wks. Shelby taken to er at 7pm. Very high fever.
Fri at 9:44pm via Mobile Web
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What an awful week, Just received word that my dad has had a stroke. Mom is still in hospital. Her surgery this morning went well. More to follow later.
November 4 at 5:51pm
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Mom's surgery is done. All went well. She is in recovery.
November 4 at 10:37am
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I feel like a new man this morning. My voice is back, I can drink a glass of Coke without my throat being on fire. The true test is the dozen stuffed jalapeรฑo peppers my friend Mark Biggs dropped off to me. Mmmmm. Breakfast. Shelby is still sick, another missed day of school for her. Cameron is still healthy and Melissa is also doing much better.
November 4 at 6:29am
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My Mom is being rushed into emergency surgery at Hackley Hosp. I am not for sure what is going on. Melissa is on her way there now. I'm home sick with a vicious cold. Please pray for my Mom.
November 2 at 11:05am

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Saturday- 11/7/09

Went over to see how Mom was doing today. Then my brother Scott and I went up to visit Dad.
Dad looked pretty good. He got a shave today and also had his hair combed. He was just getting back into bed when we got there.
Dad ate his lunch and visited with us. He still dose not have much movement in his right arm or leg. His speech is also still the same.
We bought up some pictures of his dog and photos from the August Family Reunion. That really made his day.
After a while my brother and I went to the store and I purchased Dad some P.J. bottoms and Mom and Dad a new can opener.

Melissa stayed with Mom and did her dishes and house keeping.
Mom is looking very good. Both her and Dad really miss each other.

After all that we came home and did some yard work.
The new Craftsman Yard Vacuum works great.
I going to bed soon. Hope to be in bed by 8pm. I'm going to miss the Red Wings game. Oh well, Chris Osgood is to in net. They'll probably loose.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Feeling Better

I feel like a new man this morning. My voice is back, I can drink a glass of Coke without my throat being on fire. The true test is the dozen stuffed jalapeรฑo peppers my friend Mark Biggs dropped off to me. Mmmmm. Breakfast. Shelby is still sick, another missed day of school for her. Cameron is still healthy and Melissa is also doing much better.

My Stamp Collecting Blog

Counter Added January 1, 2011

free counters

HOW TO READ PROPAGATION NUMBERS

The A index [ LOW is GOOD ]

  • 1 to 6 is BEST
  • 7 to 9 is OK
  • 11 or more is BAD

Represents the overall geomagnetic condition of the ionosphere ("Ap" if averaged from the Kp-Index) (an average of the eight 3-hour K-Indices) ('A' referring to amplitude) over a given 24 hour period, ranging (linearly) typically from 1-100 but theoretically up to 400.

A lower A-Index generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; a low & steady Ap-Index generally suggest good propagation on the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

SFI index [ HIGH is GOOD ]

  • 70 NOT GOOD
  • 80 GOOD
  • 90 BETTER
  • 100+ BEST

The measure of total radio emissions from the sun at 10.7cm (2800 MHz), on a scale of 60 (no sunspots) to 300, generally corresponding to the sunspot level, but being too low in energy to cause ionization, not related to the ionization level of the Ionosphere.

Higher Solar Flux generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; Solar Flux rarely affects the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

K index [ LOW is GOOD ]

  • 0 or 1 is BEST
  • 2 is OK
  • 3 or more is BAD
  • 5 is VERY VERY BAD

The overall geomagnetic condition of the ionosphere ("Kp" if averaged over the planet) over the past 3 hours, measured by 13 magnetometers between 46 & 63 degrees of latitude, and ranging quasi-logarithmically from 0-9. Designed to detect solar particle radiation by its magnetic effect. A higher K-index generally means worse HF conditions.

A lower K-Index generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; a low & steady Kp-Index generally suggest good propagation on the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

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