DX info for the Up-Coming Week

In DX, JI5RPT will sign JD1BLY from Chichijima Island through January 2nd. Listen out for him using CW, SSB and digital modes on 80 through 6 meters. Possibly some satellite operation as well. QSL to JI5RPT.

SM6CPY, will be on the air from Rwanda in a holiday style operation signing 9X0PY through January 7th . QSL via SM6CPY.

DL1ZU is on a trip in Namibia through Jan 13th using an Icom IC-706. His primary operating modes will be CW plus PSK, RTTY and SSB. QSL via his home call.

EA1CYK/P will be operational from Deception Island in the South Shetland group during his spare time until March of 2012. He has been spotted with a good signal on 10 meters QSL via EA7LS.

G3SWH and G3OLU will be active from the Hawane Resort in western Swaziland between February 21st to the 29th. Propagation permitting, they plan to have two stations on the air for as many hours every day as is possible. Operation will be on CW only on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via G3SWH

Lastly, An international group of operators plan to visit Pitcarin Island and operate as VP6T between January 20th and February 4th. According to a web posing the operation hope to make at least 30,000 contacts while on the island. Operations will be on 160 through 10 meters including the 30, 17 and 12 meter bands. Modes to be used include CW, SSB and RTTY. The VP6T log will be uploaded to Logbook of the World during the operation if possible. QSL Manager is G3TXF. In addition to the usual routes they will also be using the new Online QSL Request Service provided by ClubLog. For more details and the suggested frequencies please visit www (dot) vp6t (dot) org.

Radio Amateur Society of Thailand Needs Our Help

Ham radio groups from around the world are being asked to assist the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand which is seeking help to rebuild its headquarters station, HS0AC. This following massive flooding that recently hit that nation not long ago.
--
According to Dick Flanagan, K7VC, in Minden, Nevada, there have already several offers of equipment to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand from members of the Northern California Contest Club. Also Rusty Epps, W6OAT, reports that the Yasme Foundation sent the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand a $2,000 donation to assist in the HS0AC rebuilding effort. But that will be only the beginning of what’s required to bring the station back on the air.

Flanagan says that what is probably needed most right now is someone or some organization to coordinate the assistance effort, solicit the offers and manage the shipping and paperwork. He speculates that perhaps that administrative role could be taken on as a cooperative effort between the Northern California Contest Club, the Northern California DX Club, the International DX Association and perhaps the ARRL.

K7VC notes that this would be a wonderful way for individuals and clubs to express their holiday feelings of generosity to our fellow hams in need, He adds that we can use this opportunity to demonstrate to our Thai ham radio brothers and sisters what a coordinated effort can do to help them rebuild their wonderful station. Those with suggestions can contact Dick Flanagan by e-mail to dick (at) k7vc (dot) com.

Photos of the devastation that the flooding brought to HS0AC at on-line at www.qsl.net/rast.

Rescue Radio: Changing Times - ARMY MARS PHASING OUT WINLINK

The Department of the Army has announced that it has begun to take steps to phase out the use of the WINLINK System. This is because of possible security breaches that might be incurred in the Internet aspect of transmissions using the mode. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more:
--
According to the December 21st ARRL ARES E-Letter, the military chain of command that governs Army MARS feels that the Internet portion of WINLKINK leaves the system significantly open to the possibility of intrusion. To deal with this it plans to replace WINLINK with a newer military e-mail system that has extensive protection against any form of hacking or any other form of incursion.

To accomplish this, Army MARS will be expanding on the concept of a national network that is voice, RTTY and PACTOR capable under MIL-STD 110A. It says that PACTOR will become even more important as the new areas of focus will be peer to peer and keyboard to keyboard PACTOR based communications.

Amateur modes such as MT-63, OLIVIA, and WINMOR, which cannot be used by the military, will be eventually phased out as well.

The ultimate goal of this change will be to help Army MARS return to what it is really supposed to be. That of a radio-only system to relay long haul traffic as it has done very successfully in the past.
--
While these changes will affect Army MARS nationally, it is not abandoning state and local served agencies. Army MARS says that it is moving away from providing them a winlink.org e-mail address. (ARRL ARES E-Letter)

CME expected at Earth on 28 December 2011

New sunspot 1387 erupted during the late hours of Christmas Day, producing an M4-class flare and hurling a CME toward Earth and Mars. Click to view an animated forecast track prepared by analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab:



The CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 28th at 1200 UT and a direct hit to the planet Mars on Dec. 30th at 1800 UT. Using onboard radiation sensors, NASA's Curiosity rover might be able to sense the CME when it passes the rover's spacecraft en route to Mars. Here on Earth, NOAA forecasters estimate a 30-to-40% chance of geomagnetic storms on Dec. 28th when the CME and an incoming solar wind stream (unrelated to the CME) could arrive in quick succession.

“The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio”

ARRL VIDEO TO BE RELEASED VIA DECEMBER 27th AND JAN 3rd NETCASTS
Two dates to mark down on your ham radio social calendar. The first is this Tuesday, December 27th at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. That’s when the ARRL will present an on-line premiere screening of its new video titled The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio.

To accomplish this the League has teamed up with Tom Medlin, W5KUB, who will be streaming it from his website at w5kub.com. The video will also be released earlier that day on-line at the ARRL’s own website at www.arrl.org and on the ARRL video pages on YouTube dot com. All three are a part of a new ARRL public relations campaign to interest the nations maker and hacker community in our world of ham radio.

Then a week later on January 3rd at 9 p.m. Eastern, the shows producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, along with Director Dave Bell, W6AQ and writer Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, will be the guests of Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordon West, WB6NOA. This on their weekly TWIT dot TV video podcast known as Ham Nation.

Bell, Feinberg and Pasternak will give you a behind the scenes look at how the DIY Magic of Amateur Radio video was conceived as well as how it was put together using the very latest digital video production techniques. You will also get to see the video in its entirety.

Look for this live netcast at 9 PM Eastern on Tuesday, January 3rd at live.twit.tv. If you miss it, wait about 24 hours for it to be posted at twit.tv/hn. (ARRL, ARNewsline™)

TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE: DISABILITY.GOV NOW ON LINE

www.disability.gov is the new federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities nationwide. The site links to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations.

In the Technology section, can be found information on assistive and accessible technologies, emergency communications systems; the accessibility features of new technologies like smart phones; and guidelines and standards related to technology accessibility for people with disabilities. Information is by State using the drop-down menu located on the left side of any page on Disability.gov, to find local resources that can help you pay for your assistive technology needs.

Disability.gov is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy in collaboration with 21 federal agency partners, including the FCC. (FCC)

Merry Christmas

Amateur Radio Operators to host Kids Day

Kids Day is an on-air event to encourage young people (licensed or not) to have fun with Amateur Radio and takes place Sunday January 8.

The Kids Day operating event is not a contest. It’s a way to tell young people worldwide about the magic and mystery of two way hobby radio communications.

To do this, Amateur radio stations are being asked to devote this short time window to promote the terrestrial hobby and ham radio satellite operations to youngsters. This, by providing a place to make contacts with other Kids Day stations around the world.

Walworth County Today report on the Lakes Area Amateur Radio Club plans for the day at
http://walworthcountytoday.com/news/...ds-day-darien/

Further information on Kids Day is at
http://www.arrl.org/kids-day

World War II Voluntary Interceptors

Here is a link to a BBC documentary on the work of Amateur Radio Interceptors during the Second World War, which some of you may find interesting.

http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/5108

Radio Direction Finder kit (DDF2020M)

DDF2020M Radio Direction Finder kit requires minimum assembly for 10~15 Minutes

The DDF2020M DF is an economical but very sophisticated Doppler DF “kit” with a GPS input, and RS232 output to provide the ability to indicate its location and draw bearing automatically or manually on Google Earth map to find the RF transmitter more conveniently.

DDF2020M kit Includes eight assembled / tested PC boards: MAIN board, 2 Sub boards, and 1 antenna board in the main unit. Completion work is required by the user to finish the DF main unit. Guidelines for the completion work are provided.

The user must provide a NB FM receiver, 5 antennas with mounts for external DF antenna unit and a PC for DF bearing (Windows OS). DDF2020 display program further requires a GPS receiver with NMEA 4800 baud output.

VHF Doppler DF – 5 Antennas primarily for mobile DF, 100~1000 MHz
Economy, high performance DSP / micro processor design, software intensive
Sold as a kit – Main unit, antenna unit and associated cables
RS232 output for Windows PCs (Agrello format)
Uses modified Joe Moell Wideband Antenna design
9 ~ 28 VDC operation
Optional GPS Receiver available.

Specifications:

Rcvr Freq: Determined by user-provided FM receiver, range 100 to 1000 MHz
Antenna: Four elements for DF and one auxiliary element for improving sensitivity and accuracy, wave vertical with assembled
Ant Scan: Scan rate 430 Hz, rotation clockwise (viewed from above antenna)
Ant Switch: Modified Joe Moell Wideband Doppler DF antenna design
Employs Agilent HSMP3893 SMT PIN diodes
SMT / stripline circuit design, SMA output connector
Audio Input: FM receiver speaker audio, 1.0K ohm load. 25db dynamic range.
GPS Input: 4800 baud RS232 input, NMEA $GPRMC, $GPGGA and / or $GPVTG messages.
Output 1: RS232 Agrello DF message, 4800 baud, 8N2. (15 messages / second )
Ant Outputs : Four discrete active HIGH outputs for DDF 2020 Antenna ( one per antenna )
DC Power : 9 ~ 28 VDC
Voice Filter : Switched-capacitor filter, (SCF) 4 sections. Bandwidth 0.2 Hz
Multi Display

The MultiDisplay of DDF2020M provides a combined numeric and pelorus display in the main board. A high quality display, with 2 microcomputers and an RS232 input that accepts Agrello DF messages.

The pelorus display employs 36 high density LEDs, with 4 yellow LEDs at cardinal headings. Option straps allow “hold/blink” of last valid DF data, or pelorus “orbit” when data goes invalid. All LEDs briefly “flash” (2 second intervals) for enhanced nighttime viewing

3 digit numeric readout, 0.36 inch characters
36 LED pelorus display, 4 yellow cardinal LEDS
Selectable HOLD/ORBIT display for old DF data
Power-on self-test

Link

http://www.thestealthmall.com/cart/index.php

Warning regarding Accessories connected to your Radio

Warning regarding accessories connected to your radio
Information from West Mountain Radio web site.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/content.php?page=supportpro
If you have a Rig Blaster or other interface connected to your 12 volt radio, DO NOT connect the negative terminal of the accessory to the negative terminal of your power supply. Here's why. If for any reason the 12 negative connection for your radio becomes disconnected from the power supply, the full current drawn by the radio will also flow through the ground loop circuit of the accessory. Your accessory will most likely fry and you may damage your radio. Connect the NEGATIVE wire of your accessory to the ground terminal on your rig, or use a wall wart (ugh). Better yet, to avoid ground loops, connect all your accessories to a separate DC source.
Example; use a 12 volt 10 AmpHour AGM battery, fused of course. The current draw on most of these accessories is in the milli amp range and will last weeks even if not turned off....

AIR 25 Inflated Antenna Tower for Amateur Radio & CERT

Quick Start Guide to setting up a 25 foot tall inflatable antenna tower invented by LTA Projects…and built especially for Amateur Radio and for CERT Teams. This is a revolutionary way to temporarily put your antenna up. Perfect where there are neighborhood restrictions on permanent antennas…or just to take your rig on the road with you. Or use it with a cell repeater if you’re an RV-er on the road looking for better cell reception at your stops in remote areas. It performs amazingly well in winds & is VERY safe to use. We have larger versions operating with Emergency Management and Law Enforcement all over the US. For more information or to purchase these affordable towers visit us at http://www.ltaprojects.com/

NYC Ops Situation Page

Access public content on the NYC Ops Situation
Page at....

http://www.vuetoo.com/nycops/Situationpagenews.asp?af=&sit=6443

KD8BIG / jinglemonster

I really love it when a fellow blogger finds my site. It is even more gratifying when they ask me to help promote their site.

Their Blog is located in my blog list~ Check them out.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,

I came across your blog, KD8BIG, while reading another radio blog. It’s a really cool site. Nice work!
I help run a blog on a jingles website, where we do have plans to regularly feature different radio stations. You can check out our first featured radio station here.
Since we do share a common interest for radio, I was wondering if you could help us out by putting a link on your site? We can return a link to yours if you'd like?
Please let me know if you’re interested.
Cheers!

www.jinglemonster.com.au
http://jinglemonster.com.au/our-blog/

VETERANS DAY 2011

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."

Asteroid 2005 YU55

2005 YU55, an asteroid larger than an aircraft carrier, is expected to pass by Earth at 6:28 p.m. EST today, but NASA says there is no chance it will collide with the Earth or moon.
NASA radars are monitoring 2005 YU55, an asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier, as it heads for a flyby of the Earth-Moon system later today. There is no danger to our planet. At closest approach on Tuesday, Nov. 8th, at 3:28 pm PST (23:28 UT), the 400m-wide space rock will be 324,600 kilometers away, about 85% the distance from Earth to the Moon. Professional astronomers are eagerly anticipating the flyby as the asteroid presents an exceptionally strong radar target. Powerful transmitters at Goldstone and Arecibo will ping the space rock as it passes by, revealing the asteroid's shape and texture in crisp detail, and pinpointing its orbit for future flyby calculations.

Asteroids this big have passed by Earth at similar distances many times before, but this is the first time astronomers have known about the flyby in advance. For instance, a similar encounter occurred in 1976 when 2010 XC15 split the distance between Earth and the Moon. Researchers didn't discover that space rock until 24 years after the flyby. The Nov. 8, 2011, passage of 2005 YU55 thus represents a rare opportunity for asteroid research.

Experienced amateur astronomers should be able to photograph 2005 YU55 as it zips through the constellations Aquila and Pegasus glowing like an 11th magnitude star. Even under the full moonlight of Nov. 8th, such a bright asteroid is within reach of mid-sized backyard telescopes. The timing of the flyby favors observers in western Europe and eastern parts of North America. Check Sky & Telescope for observing tips or go straight to JPL for the object's ephemeris.

Thai Amateurs Respond to Floods, Ask that 7.060-7.063 MHz Be Kept Clear

Authorities in Thailand continue to battle the country’s worst floods in decades, with the death toll rising to almost 300. While Thai hams are mostly using 2 meters to communicate, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee Chairman Jim Linton VK3PC, is asking all radio amateurs to keep 7.060-7.063MHz clear from unnecessary traffic, as Thai hams are also using 40 meters during the flooding that is affecting millions of people in North and Central Thailand.

“Amateur Radio has been assisting with flood relief communications, helping victims in the affected areas, said Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand’s (RAST) International Liaison Officer. “Operators are using RAST’s club station call sign HS0AC, and a special flood relief center with the call sign HS0AB has been established at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. Please be formally advised that Thai radio amateurs are standing by on 144.900 MHz, 145.000 MHz and 144.9375 MHz, as well as on frequencies of 7.060-7.063 MHz in the 40 meter HF band.” Waltham noted that RAST has posted a video (in Thai) to YouTube, showing the activities at the special flood relief Amateur Radio station at the airport.

Despite sandbags, Bangkok -- the country’s capital -- is under threat of flooding. In outlying areas, the floods have destroyed crops, inundated factories and damaged the homes or livelihoods of millions of people. About 110,000 people have sought refuge in shelters. It is expected for the flooding to continue for a week. The high tide will prevent the floodwater's escaping to the sea for a day or two, while the recovery efforts may take a year.

According to Linton, nearly three million people are affected by the floods, and the disaster has caused serious damage to the country`s agriculture and other industries, with Japan’s Toyota, Sony and Honda, along with USA’s Western Digital -- and many other factories to the north of Bangkok -- suspending production until the situation improves. Damage so far has been assessed at more than 20 billion baht ($65,295,400 USD). Waltham said that 26 out of the country’s 77 provinces are affected, and Bangkok is bracing for a large amount of run-off water that will coincide with the seasonal high tides, making it harder for the flood waters to flow out to sea

Comet Elenin

Today the world will not end! The supposed “Doomsday” comet Elenin will pass by, but at 35 million km or 90 times the Earth Moon distance, it will have NO effect on us at all.

It is about 3-5km wide and has the consistency of a slushee or snowy dirtball. It is so feeble that a strong solar storm in August appears to broken it into smaller pieces. Rising in the east very early in the morning at magnitude 10 it is not visible to the eye or even moderate sized telescope. An image by Michael Mattiazzo can be seen at:
http://members.westnet.com.au/mmatti/sc.htm

KD8BIG

Whoa, it has been nearly 4 week’s sine my last post.
It is amazing how fast time can escape you.
The last 4 weeks have not been good to me; I had a battle with Bacterial Pneumonia, the passing of a couple of friends, sick daughter & wife & other issues.

The good news is I/we are feeling better and I am ready to blog, play radio and catch up on some of my collections.

How about those Detroit Tigers~ (MLB) Oh yeah, they have a chance. If not that is fine, they had a great season and I look forward to next year.
I am glad that Football (NFL) & Hockey (NHL) are underway.

The weather has turned here in Michigan; most of the leaves have peaked and dropped in my region. The temps are now 50’s (10º c) for the high and mid to upper 30’s (1.6ºc) for the lows.
My son and wife have already begun the leave removal process. Most of the summer lawn furniture has been stored and I think we are ready for the long and cold winter months that are fast approaching~

I have made some upgrades to the shack, added some new equipment and also hope to upgrade my license very soon. I was to do that a few weeks ago but was very sick.
73,
de KD8BIG Mark

New Swarms of Earthquakes off the coast of Honshu Japan

I have received a message in regards to my thoughts about the current Earthquake Swarm off the East Coast of Honshu Japan.

In the last week they have had 13 earthquakes at 5.0 magnitude or larger.

I am an avid hobbyist in the Geophysics field. I have studied Climatology, Earthquakes and Earth Structure, Environmental Geophysics, Global Coastal Change, Many areas of Geology, Seismology, and Volcanology.
I do not hold a job in these fields. It is all an extensive hobby, one of many hobbies that I have.

This is my personal opinion.

So I was asked in this message if this is something to be concerned with?
In My Humble Opinion~ anytime there are swarms like this people should be concerned. Dose it mean the BIG One is going to happen again? No, not necessarily.
Earthquake Swarms are not unusual and happen all around the globe.
It is a good idea to be prepared. The March Japan Earthquake should have taught many lessons about preparedness.

By 5 September 2011, Japan had experienced over 900 aftershocks after the magnitude 9.0 (Mw) earthquake on March 11, 2011 with about 60 aftershocks being over magnitude 6.0 and three over magnitude 7.0. For conciseness, only earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.0 or an intensity greater than lower-6 on the shindo scale are listed here. Mw or Mw refers to the moment magnitude scale, while Mjma, Mjma, or Mj refer to the JMA magnitude scale.

On my blog before the March 11th Quake I had posted my concerns over the swarm then.
You can see my post;

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Friday, March 11, 2011
In the early morning hours of Friday, March 11, 2011, I was awake with a friend talking on the Amateur Radio when the Earthquake occurred,
I started at the moment the USGS e-mail came in, posting updates and working all my tools and resources to provide information.
That’s what we Amateur Radio Operators do in the event of a disaster.

You can see all the post in the month of March; Click Here

Here is a list of Earthquakes in the region 5.0 and larger from the dates
9/12/11 thru 9/18/11

9/12/11 -
5.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/13/11 -
5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/15/11-
6.2 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/16/11 -
5.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
6.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.2 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.5 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
6.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/17/11 -
5.2 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.6 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/18/11-
5.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN

Here are some more links of the current Earthquakes;

Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.0 and Greater in the World - Last 7 days

Google News

I got a New/Used Book this Morning

My wife found this book at a yard sale this morning.
Shortwave Receivers Past & Present: Communications Receivers 1942-1997 [Paperback]
VOA is heard by more than 93 million people in more than fifty languages. This book is an "insider´s story", reflecting the transformation of VOA from a propaganda organ to a more respected source of information, from shortwave in World War II to multimedia in the twenty-first century.
The author, Alan L. Heil, worked at the VOA as foreign correspondent, senior manager, and deputy director from 1962 until his retirement in 1998.
Buy this Book Today!
or read more about it...

The Bird Feeder Antenna

Shortwave antennas are large and trying to hide one can be like trying to hide an elephant. Many listeners try different configurations, snap together antennas, wires, and flag poles to conceal their antennas. Some work out, but most get caught in the end.
First, let's look at what you can and can't have. Most restrictive housing areas have a long list of items you can't have. Clothlines, TV antennas, sheds, flags, BBQ grills, etc. And most of all, the all important shortwave antenna. It has something to do with nice surroundings.
So, what to do?
Make a list of all forbidden items and place them in a column on the left side of the page.
Next, list what you can have and list them in the center of the page.
Finally, list the items that are readly available in the area of your home. Such items are trees, gutters, vents, fences, etc. Look closely and don't leave anything out.

A hidden shortwave antenna must be just that: Hidden.
I should not be visible to the naked eye, even at a point blank range.
So, list the areas that you have a ready access to.
If you can get to the roof, write it down.
How about the attic, basement, trees, etc, especially without much notice by your neighbours.
Most shortwave antennas are discovered not because of their design or placement, but rather a neighbour spies the listener installing the antenna - or at least doing something out of the ordinary.
For example creeping around on the roof, on a Saturday afternoon, is going to draw attention. Flinging wires over trees is sure to draw some attention.

The big point here is not to install the antenna by looking like your installing an antenna or doing something out of the ordinary.
There are some new designs out on the market such as PVC vent pipe antennas for 2m. But for now we'll stick to shortwave. Most contracts for condo/PUD dwellers will allow bird feeders. And even apartment dwellers on the bottom floor can benefit from this design.

The Bird Feeder

The Bird Feeder shortwave antenna is a vertical cage wire antenna.
A What? you might ask.
Imagine if you will eight flexible wires, evenly spaced in a circular pattern, much like a ground plane. Draw these wires vertically to form a wire 'tube' and connect them together with a ring at the top. Now imagine these wires inside a telescoping PVC mast. Top that off with a bird feeder. Now, instead of a ground plane system with radials you have to put in (the neighbours are watching), you have this 'wire tube' constructed as a vertical dipole. At 10m, the Bird Feeder antenna is a mere 17' tall when raised.
What would the neighbours say?
Or for that matter the manager?
"I raised it up for the birds to get into and it keeps the squirels out too. And look, I can take it out when I'm not using it or the weather is bad. Boy, I really like watching the birds from my window. Did you know that ..."
And then go on about some rare, but not unbelievable birds that frequent the feeder. Buy a book on the subject with some pages tagged to show them what you've seen so far. At worst, they'll think you're a flake and leave you alone. Next, go in and tune up 10m and catch some rare DX instead.

What do you have to actually put into the ground? Your coax and a PVC pipe to hold the mast up. Make it low in the ground and cap it so the mower doesn't take it off. For the most part, you can leave it up.
But do remember to put some seed in the feeder once in a while...

Bird Feeder Antenna - the details

This design sounds a bit far fetched, but it works. The vertical dipole, inside the PVC push-up, is invisable. It moves up and down and can be removed without drawing attention to the fact that it contains an antenna. The flagpole design has some problems. Not all PUDs, condos, or apartments allow flagpoles. They represent a permanent fixture. Not all associations or managers are that patriotic.
Although you can pack a good vertical in a flagpole, there is the problem of radials. You can run the vertical without radials, but that's another compromise.

The design for the Bird Feeder Antenna is very simple:
You can build the vertical dipole without much trouble. The dipole consists of up to 16 wire 1/4 wave elements. There are eight on each leg of the dipole. You may use less, it's up to you. You know the bandwidth of a wire dipole and you know the band spread on 10m. If you are a general or above, you will want the extra wire elements to give you the bandwidth you need.

First, let's look at the PVC tubular mast / bird feeder support. Most hardware and home improvement center have PVC tubing. Like the steel counterparts, the mast will be graduated (large at the bottom and smaller at the top. I'm not going to recommend any sizes here as availability at your store is going to dictate what sizes you will need. I will state the the top tube should be 2" in diameter or better. You will need that size to support the bird feeder and give the mast some strength.

___
 | | <-------  Attach upper ring
 | |           inside
 | |
 |_| <-------  Attach ring inside
|   | 
|   |
|   |
|___| <------- Attach ring inside
and continue two more times

The wire elements are attached in a ring format, evenly spaced, in a 360 degree pattern. Locations are noted in figure one. This allows the dipole to be folded up when the mast is lowered. More than eight wires on each leg of the dipole tends toward snags when raising and lowering.
Dipole wire element sizes are calculated by 246/f Mhz. But I recommend shorter lengths if eight elements are used. A balun can be inserted, but is not necessary. I feeder coax is needed from the dipole feed to the base of the mast. A UHF bullet (female to female) to attach your coax to.

Installing the Bird Feeder

The base piece for the bird feeder mast should be one size larger than the bottom section of the mast. The mast should be able to side in a snug fashion, but not too tight. Since you are installing a 'bird feeder', you shouldn't have any problem explaining what you are doing. Simply lay the bird feeder and mast right out in the open. Your nosey neighbors will know exactly what you're doing (almost). The coax is the tough part.
Trenches are out of the question. Use a sidewalk edger (manual) and make a thin cut in the grass. If you have other obsticles, you will have to deal with that when you come to it. The object is to do it when the neighbors are not going to notice. The thin cut in the lawn will not be seen and will 'heal' quickly. A tricky technique is to use a wheelblade on a handle. It will look like you are using a measuring device. The cable can be laid into the cut at dawn, when you are filling the bird feeder. Stepping on the cut lawn on the way back seals the cut. Now you're in business.

GEOMAGNETIC STORM

GEOMAGNETIC STORM: A CME hit Earth's magnetic field on Sept. 9th, and the impact ignited a geomagnetic storm, in progress. Northern Lights have since been spotted in the United States as far south as as Michigan, Montana and North Dakota. This could be the first of several hits from a series of CMEs expected to reach Earth during the weekend, so more geomagnetic activity is in the offing~

Remember, Geomagnetic storms can cause difficulties in communicating over long distances

Many communication systems utilize the ionosphere to reflect radio signals over long distances. Ionospheric storms can affect radio communication at all latitudes. Some radio frequencies are absorbed and others are reflected, leading to rapidly fluctuating signals and unexpected propagation paths. TV and commercial radio stations are little affected by solar activity, but ground-to-air, ship-to-shore, Voice of America, Radio Free Europe, and amateur radio are frequently disrupted. Radio operators using high frequencies rely upon solar and geomagnetic alerts to keep their communication circuits up and running.

Some military detection or early-warning systems are also affected by solar activity. The Over-the-Horizon Radar bounces signals off the ionosphere in order to monitor the launch of aircraft and missiles from long distances. During geomagnetic storms, this system can be severely hampered by radio clutter. Some submarine detection systems use the magnetic signatures of submarines as one input to their locating schemes. Geomagnetic storms can mask and distort these signals.

More info; http://www.arrl.org/news/the-k7ra-solar-update-181

Special Events Stations 9/ 8-12/ 11

09/03/2011 | 18th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival
Sep 3-Sep 11, 1400Z-0200Z, K4S, Martin, TN. Weakley County TN ARES. Various times, modes and bands through the week from various QTHs. QSL. Roger Elmore, KJ4AJP, 426 Jowers Rd, Martin, TN 38237. Check Web for schedule ares.mambm.com/event

09/07/2011 | West Alexander Fair
Sep 7-Sep 10, 1320Z-1320Z, WA3COM, Washington, PA. Washington Amateur Communications Inc/WACOM. 14.265 7.240 3.910 18.125. QSL. Ed Oelschlager, N3ZNI, 60 Carl Ave B2, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Display and operation of amateur radio in action at a local county fair. www.wacomarc.org

09/08/2011 | Hebron Harvest Fair
Sep 8-Sep 11, 0800Z-2000Z, NA1RL, Hebron, CT. Newington Amateur Radio League. 28.350 18.150 14.250 7.250. QSL. Richard Lawrence, KB1DMX, 335 Lloyd St, Newington, CT O6111. No SASE needed. www.narl.net

09/09/2011 | Old Mulkey Meeting House Special Event
Sep 9-Sep 11, 1500Z-0200Z, K4Y, Tompkinsville, KY. Monroe County Amateur Radio Group. 28.415 14.280 7.230 3.945. Certificate & QSL. Old Mulkey Meeting House State Park, 38 Old Mulkey Park Rd, Tompkinsville, KY 42167. This will be our 3rd annual Old Mulkey Meeting House Special Event. It is the burial site of Hannah Boone Pennington (Daniel Boone's sister).
E-Mail ~ kd4qhg@yahoo.com

09/09/2011 | Guardians of Freedom Airshow
Sep 9-Sep 11, 2300Z-2300Z, N0L, Lincoln, NE. Lincoln Amateur Radio Club. 28.450 21.365 14.330 7.282 3.982. QSL. Lincoln Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 5006, Lincoln, NE 68505. Operating times: 2300Z Sep 9 to 0300Z Sep 10; 1400Z Sep 10 to 0300Z Sep 11; and 1400Z to 2300Z on Sep 11. k0kkv.org

09/09/2011 | Operation Pigeon Link
Sep 9-Sep 10, 2200Z-2200Z, W5CCH, Oklahoma City, OK. Oklahoma City-County Health Department Amateur Radio Club. 14.265 7.265 14.070.15 (PSK). Certificate. Dave Cox, Oklahoma City-County Health Department, 921 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. www.occhd.org/w5cch

09/10/2011 | National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Sep 10-Sep 18, 0000Z-2359Z, K4MIA, Loxahatchee, FL. PBSE Radio Society. 21.300 18.150 14.265 PSK 14.070 7.185. QSL. Michael Bald, 6758 Hall Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470. SASE required. We are trying to operated from 68-16425 UH1H Huey helicopter at the VA Hospital. Please take time to honor our POWs/MIAs on Friday Sept 16. qrz.com/db/k4mia

09/10/2011 | 26th All-Horse Parade - Delaware, Ohio
Sep 10-Sep 18, 0000Z-2359Z, K8H, Delaware, OH. Delaware Amateur Radio Association. 21.340, 21.040 14.340, 14.040 7.240, 7.040 3.840, 3.540. Certificate. Online Special Event Certificate Only , See Web site for details, NA. www.k8es.org

09/10/2011 | Always Remember 10th Anniversary of the Attacks of 9/11/2001
Sep 10-Sep 11, 0200Z-0400Z, N1Y, Hancock, NY. Symbol Technologies Amateur Radio Club. 50.135 14.070 7.240 3.911 D-Star REF10C. QSL. STARC, One Motorola Plaza, B-13, Holtsville, NY 11742. Reading one name of the fallen with every QSO. Special Event QSL with #10 SASE.
E-Mail ~ w2sbl@motorolasolutions.com

09/10/2011 | The Home Depot Air Show
Sep 10, 1300Z-2100Z, W8Z, Zanesville, OH. Muskingum Valley Ham Radio Club. 7.250 146.610 W8ZZV Repeater. Certificate & QSL. Jim Mayercak, WX8J, 971 Somers St, Zanesville, OH 43701. www.qsl.net/n8hr/index.html

09/10/2011 | First Nuclear Powered Aircraft Carrier USS Enterprise (CVAN-65) :Launched 1960; US Air Force Birthday 1947
Sep 10, 1700Z-2359Z, NI6IW, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV-41) Museum Radio Operations Room. SSB 14.320 7.250 PSK31 14.070 D-STAR 012C 2 m 70 cm SOCAL rptrs. QSL. USS Midway Museum Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101-5811.
E-Mail~ kk6fz@arrl.net

09/10/2011 | Route 66 On The Air Special Event
Sep 10-Sep 18, 0001Z-2359Z, W6A-W6Q & W6T, San Bernardino, CA. Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club. 21.366 14.266 7.266 3.866. Certificate. Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 3788, San Bernardino, CA 92413. 12th Annual Route 66 On The Air Special Event; rules and other info see www.w6jbt.org

09/10/2011 | 3rd Annual Brutus Bash
Sep 10-Sep 11, 1000Z-1800Z, K0B, Pittsburg, KS. 4State QRPGroup. 14.285 14.060 7.285 7.040 7.030 3.985 3.560 qwatering holes on 15 and 10. Certificate & QSL. Bart Lawson, 711 E 31st St, Pittsburg, KS 66762. www.4sqrp.com/index.php

09/10/2011 | Indiana Parks on the Air
Sep 10, 1600Z-2359Z, N9D, Indiana Dunes State Park, Chesterton, IN. Lake County Amateur Radio Club. SSB and CW. QSL. Lake County ARC, PO Box 90, Crown Point, IN 46308. Indiana Parks on the Air see www.inpota.com. www.lakenetnwi.net/member/lcarc

09/11/2011 | 9/11 10th Anniversary Station - Fort Totten, New York
Sep 11, 1500Z-2300Z, NW2C, Bayside, NY. Northeast Wireless Radio Club. 14.250 14.080. Certificate & QSL. Northeast Wireless Radio Club, NW2C, 213-37 39th Ave, Suite 175, Bayside, NY 11361. Donation of $2 is asked for to partially cover the cost. www.NW2C.org/911.html

09/11/2011 | Pentagon Tenth Anniversary Commemoration of 9-11 Attacks
Sep 11-Sep 12, 1100Z-0100Z, K4AF, Arlington, VA. Pentagon Amateur Radio Club. 21.290 14.240 7.190 3.815. QSL. Pentagon Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 2322 , Arlington, VA 22202. Active operating frequencies posted during event at www.k4af.org. Operation to honor all those lost on 9-11, with special remembrance of the 184 people who lost their lives at the Pentagon and on board American Airlines Flight 77. www.k4af.org

09/11/2011 | York County,SC 9/11 Monument Dedication
Sep 11, 0800Z-1400Z, N4Y, Rock Hill, SC. Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department Amateur Radio Club. 14.240. QSL. Bethesda Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 8022, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

09/12/2011 | St Cyrus Shutter Telegraph - Over 200 Years
Sep 12-Sep 16, 0700Z-2100Z, GB5SCT, Honiton, ENGLAND. RSGB. 14.200. QSL. Via Buro or John Wakefield, 'Oakhurst', Lower Common Rd, West Wellow, Romsey, Hampshire SO51 6BT, ENGLAND. www.qrz.com/db/gb5sct

This Weekends Special Event Stations & Contest-9/1-5/11

This Weekends Special Event Stations

09/01/2011 | Fort Bridger Wyoming Mountain Man Rendezvous
Sep 1-Sep 5, 0800Z-2200Z, W7R, Fort Bridger, WY.
Local Ham KF7ELU. 14.270 14.245 14.240 14.070. QSL. Clayton Lowther, PO box 201, Fort Bridger, WY 82933. This is a Special event Station that will be operating throughout the Duration of the Annual Fort Bridger Rendezvous. The Rendezvous is a celebration of the Fur Trade Rendezvous Era that occurred in the Rocky mountains Between 1825-1840. It is one of the largest mountain man Gatherings in the Nation. Custom Full Color QSLs are available please send your QSL and a SASE or 1 Dollar with your QSL.

09/02/2011 | World Championship Barbecue Goat Cook-off
Sep 2-Sep 3, 2300Z-1900Z, WA5HOT, Brady, TX. Heart of Texas Ham Operators Group (HOT-HOG). 14.213 7.213 3.813. Certificate. Heart of Texas Ham Operators Group, 1103 S China St, Brady, TX 76825.
www.hothog.org

09/02/2011 | Dragon*Con with the Atlanta Radio Club
Sep 2-Sep 5, 1200Z-2359Z, W4D, Atlanta, GA. Atlanta Radio Club. 7.270 14.270. QSL. Atlanta Radio Club, 227 Sandy Springs Pl - Ste D-306, Atlanta, GA 30358.
www.atlantaradioclub.org

09/03/2011 | Ghost Town of Paradise
Sep 3-Sep 5, 1900Z-1900Z, K7RDG, Paradise, AZ. Cochise Amateur Radio Association.. 21.315 18.115 14.315 7.230. Certificate & QSL. Cochise ARA, PO Box 1855, Sierra Vista, AZ 85636. 8x10 SASE; 32nd Anniversary of Club operating from ghost town of Paradise, AZ.
www.k7rdg.org

09/03/2011 | 18th Annual Tennessee Soybean Festival
Sep 3-Sep 11, 1400Z-0200Z, K4S, Martin, TN. Weakley County TN ARES. Various times, modes and bands through the week from various QTHs. QSL. Roger Elmore, KJ4AJP, 426 Jowers Rd, Martin, TN 38237. Check Web for schedule
ares.mambm.com/event

09/05/2011 | Celebrating Labor Day
Sep 5, 1215Z-1800Z, K1R, Northfield, MA. 72 Rag Chew Net. 7.271 (8:15-9AM) 7.272 (9-2PM). Certificate. Robert Lobenstein, WA2AXZ, 1985 East 36 St, Brooklyn, NY 11234. www.ragchewers.net

09/07/2011 | West Alexander Fair
Sep 7-Sep 10, 1320Z-1320Z, WA3COM, Washington, PA. Washington Amateur Communications Inc/WACOM. 14.265 7.240 3.910 18.125. QSL. Ed Oelschlager, N3ZNI, 60 Carl Ave B2, Eighty Four, PA 15330. Display and operation of amateur radio in action at a local county fair.
www.wacomarc.org

This Weekends Contest

QRP Fox Hunt	Sep 2
NCCC Sprint Ladder	Sep 2
International G3ZQS Memorial Straight Key Contest	Sep 2-4
All Asian DX Contest, Phone	Sep 3-4
Russian RTTY WW Contest	Sep 3
Wake-Up! QRP Sprint	Sep 3
Colorado QSO Party	Sep 3-4
Brazil Independence Day BPSK31 CDX Contest	Sep 3-4
AGCW Straight Key Party	Sep 3
CWops Mini-CWT Test	Sep 3-4
RSGB SSB Field Day	Sep 3-4
IARU Region 1 Field Day, SSB	Sep 3-4
QCWA Fall QSO Party	Sep 3-4
DARC 10-Meter Digital Contest	Sep 4
Tennessee QSO Party	Sep 4-5
MI QRP Labor Day CW Sprint	Sep 5-6

LY37 Special Event Stations

I just got this info from a European friend a week ago. I forgot all about it until my friend (KE9V) on Twitter reminded me.

Lithuanian Amateur Radio Society - Lietuvos Radijo Mėgėjų Draugija (LRMD) organizing special event stations operation on the air from 2011-08-31 till 2011-09-18 to mark 37th European Men's Basketball Championship in Lithuania.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EuroBasket_2011, http://www.eurobasket2011.com/
It's big event in Lithuania where basketball most popular game.

http://www.lrmd.lt/apdovanojimai_en.htm

International CW Z Signals

New CW "Z Signals" Recently Approved for Use on ham bands

By international convention, CW operators have developed a list of standard three-character groups to improve brevity and comprehension on CW. Here are the most commonly used Z signals. (Z signals take the form of questions when followed by a question mark.)

ZRB I'm tuned up on the wrong band. Can you copy me anyway? You're tuned up on the wrong band, but I can copy you anyway.

ZRC Do you make cow sounds when you tune up on phone? I make cow sounds when I tune up on phone.

ZRD Are you in charge of donuts for your Amateur Radio club? I'm in charge of donuts for my Amateur Radio club.

ZRE Do you have to go eat now? I have to go eat now.

ZRG Are you going to Dayton? I'm going to Dayton.

ZRH Is it hot enough for you? It's hot enough for me.

ZRM Is your wall map laminated? My wall map is laminated.

ZRO Has your XYL/OM told you to get off the air yet? My XYL/OM says I have to get off the air.

ZRS What kind of chair are you sitting in? My chair is a ___________.

ZRT Were you just tuning across the band and decided to give me a shout? I was just tuning across the band and decided to give you a shout.

ZRW When was the last time you went outside? I went outside________ (1) last week, (2) this week, (3) can't remember.

ZSB Am I boring you to tears? I'm boring myself to tears.

ZSC What did you say your call sign was? I can't remember my call sign, or yours.

ZSD Do you know what all the buttons and dials on your rig are for? I don't know what all these buttons and dials on my rig are for.

ZSE What are you having for dinner? I'm having_________ for dinner.

ZSH Do you have a hat with your name and call sign on it? I have a hat with my name and call sign on it.

ZSK Do you tell new hams not to kerchunk, then do it anyway to demonstrate? I tell new hams not to kerchunk, then I do it anyway to demonstrate.

ZST Did you watch last week's episode of __________ on TV? I watched last week's episode of __________ on TV.

ZSY Can you make your voice real high so DX will think you're a YL? I can make my voice real high so DX will think I'm a YL.

ZZZ Are you starting to nod off? I'm starting to nod off.

CW Abbreviations You May Not Have Heard Of

When operating on CW, it's faster and easier to use universally understood abbreviations to stand for routine words and phrases that are exchanged often. Although abbreviations help to cut down unnecessary transmission, as a rule, don't abbreviate unnecessarily when working an operator of unknown experience.

BFS Box Full of Stuff

BFST Breakfast

CFE Coffee

CFSD Confused

CFT Confounded Fool Thing

CTH Colder Than Heck

DHK Doohickey

DNR Dinner

DNT Doughnut

DT Dinnertime

ET Eat

FUD Food

GOH Get Outta Here

HC Holy Cow

HLR Holler

HMD Humdinger

HMF Hamfest

HTH Hotter Than Heck

HNL Have a Nice Lunch

HWD Howdy

LCH Lunch

LSW Lifetime Supply of Wire

LT Lunchtime

NF No Fooling

NTD Nothing To Do

NTV Nothing on TV

OC Obsolete Computer

OCP Obsolete Computer Parts

SNK Snack

SYWT Say What?

TH Telegraphic Giggle (Tee Hee)

TRO Tie the Ribbon On it

TTE Time To Eat

TVT TV Tray

UCP Unidentifiable Computer Parts

UF Unknown Function

UGLI Ugly

UJP Unidentifiable Junk Parts

WCI Watchamacallit

WPO Wife Angry

YAL Y'all

74 Best wishes to yours for a long and prosperous life , a nice house, a good job, beautiful family, happy holidays, and enough DX to make you jump with joy!

89 I hope your family members change their minds and come home.

Ya gotta love CW~

Heil Pro Set Plus Head Set

Without question this is the best accessory in my shack. The Heil Pro Set Plus Head Set.
I can rag-chew while walking around in my shack, sitting in my recliner or while sitting at my desk. Having the HS-2 hand switch & Heil FS-2 dual footswitch was the bonus.

When rag-chewing with local friends they can tell if I am on the hand microphone or head set. The head set produces an unbelievable audio sound. The reception is also the best, wearing the head set I hear nothing that happens in my home or shack. Heck, the house could fall down and unless something fell on me I would not know.

The hand switch is great for walking around the room or sitting in the recliner, the foot switch is great while working DX or rag-chewing while working on the computer.

The Heil Pro Set Plus! is a dual mic element headset. It includes the HC-5 key element for articulate speech audio that is great for everyday rag-chewing and traffic handling. And it includes the HC-4 DX Dream Machine element designed to help you cut threw pile ups. This new "!" version features a audio phase switch. The Heil Pro Set Plus! is destined to be the new benchmark competition headset for DX and contest operators worldwide.

Switchable HC-5 and HC-4 elements
Phase Switch
Boom swings for left or right use
Self adjusting cushioned headband
Highly efficient tuned speaker cavities
Heavy duty cable system
Extremely light and comfortable
Removable cotton ear pads
Speaker Phase reversal switch
Rugged ¼” speaker swivel studs

So with all this do you want one now?
Well, you can not get a new one~ They have been discontinued.
Their replacement is the PSE-6.
The Heil Pro Set Elite series.
I will let you know what I think about that when I get it.
If it is anything like the Pro Set Plus~ Wow!

Effected by Hurricane Irene ?

Here are a list of links that may prove to be helpful~

South Carolina Emergency Management
Real-Time Water Data

North Carolina Division of Emergency Management
Real-Time Water Data

Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Real-Time Water Data

Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Real-Time Water Data

Delaware Emergency Management Agency
Real-Time Water Data

New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
Real-Time Water Data

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
Real-Time Water Data

NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency
Real-Time Water Data

Connecticut Dept. of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Real-Time Water Data

State of Rhode Island: Emergency Management Agency
Real-Time Water Data

Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Real-Time Water Data

Vermont Division of Emergency Management
Real-Time Water Data

NH - Homeland Security & Emergency Management,
Real-Time Water Data

Maine Emergency Management Agency
Real-Time Water Data

Virginia ARES/RACES

Virginia Section | ARES/RACES of VA
HURRICANE IRENE

All ARES personnel should check in with their local emergency coordinator or district emergency coordinator in the EC's absence to let him/her know of your availability.

ARES personnel DO NOT SELF-ACTIVATE! Wait until your leaders or served agencies activate you. This does not prevent anyone from preparing in advance.

MONITOR your local VHF/UHF frequencies and the ODEN HF net on 3947/7240 kHz.

Ed Krom
WD4KHP
VA ARRL Section Emergency Coordinator

North Carolina ARES SEC; Re Hurricane Irene

This was e-mailed to me~

Message from;

Tom Brown N4TAB
NC RACES Officer
NC ARES SEC

ARES Update #3

Re Hurricane Irene - Not a good scenario, at all.

The track of Hurricane Irene has turned more toward the West and places significant portions of Eastern NC in a perilous situation.The trajectory, plus the forecast wind field profiles, plus the forecast storm surges portends some tough days ahead.

NC ARES/Auxcomm folks may be tasked to support our state in unprecedented ways. Attendant to the potential for communications infrastructure failures is the very real likelihood of mandatory evacuations from affected areas and that may include EM personnel as well as volunteers in our Auxcomm ranks. Once evacuated, you may not re-enter the area until Recovery is complete. That means that the folks most familiar with the affected areas may not be available to serve during the Incident and recovery. Worse is the absence of institutional knowledge, such as frequency plans in IC-205 and IC-217 formats that have been previously/recently requested. Teams sent into affected areas without that information will have to play Monte Carlo, seeking assets. It's not too late to get that accomplished - an informal email to your EB ASEC John Sprouse N4VJJ or CB ASEC Steve Misel K4WEB will be a big step in filling that need.

Timing Owing to the projected timeline for Hurricane impact upon NC, it is not likely that dangerous wind fields will have exited NC prior to sundown on Saturday. That will affect initial damage assessment and the subsequent Recovery phase of the Incident. If that process identifies significant infrastructure damage, it is likely that Strike Teams will be formed for insertion into the affected areas. Comms will be a critical part oft the Team mission and, if the State's COMMs are impaired, ARES/Auxcomm will fill that role.

Capabilities We have identified, contacted and effected initial coordination with entities that can provide record traffic communications via Winlink Transportable assets, as well as tactical communications. These will come from NC ARES, NC MARS, SC ARES, SC MARS and other groups. This is Auxcomm at it's very best.

COMMS in NC The Tar Heel Emergency Net (THEN) will be active during the Hurricane impingement period. We have real experience that, although listening to HF during a hurricane is tedious and tiring, it is essential.

This is it Folks, this is a BIG Incident. Recall/refresh your ICS concepts and be ready to plug-in. This is the reason that we, all of us, signed-up and agreed to help. Now is the time.

Please. If you don't understand or need help in putting a plan in place, contact your EC. DEC, ASEC, SD and/or me.......one single ICS trained and motivated individual can make a difference.

Final tonight. Immediately prior to the onset of Hurricane Irene's insult upon NC, the NC ARES/ NC MARS/ Auxcomm Team will communicate to all members, jointly and severally, cogent information and instructions.

Please maintain situational awareness and be cognizant of changing circumstances.

Of most importance, be safe and take care of your loved ones, first.

73,
Tom Brown N4TAB
NC RACES Officer
NC ARES SEC

ALERT: FBI Issues Hurricane Scam Warning

In light of Hurricane Irene, the public is reminded to beware of fraudulent e-mails and websites claiming to conduct charitable relief efforts.

Tips On Avoiding Fraudulent Charitable Contribution Schemes

Recently several natural disasters, including tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes, have devastated lives and property. In the wake of these events that have caused emotional distress and great monetary loss to numerous victims, individuals across the nation often feel a desire to help these victims, frequently through monetary donations.

These disasters prompt individuals with criminal intent to solicit contributions purportedly for a charitable organization or a good cause. Therefore, before making a donation of any kind, consumers should adhere to certain guidelines, to include the following:

• Do not respond to unsolicited (SPAM) e-mail.
• Be skeptical of individuals representing themselves as officials soliciting via e-mail for donations.
• Do not click on links contained within an unsolicited e-mail.
• Be cautious of e-mail claiming to contain pictures in attached files, as the files may contain viruses. Only open attachments from known senders.
• To ensure contributions are received and used for intended purposes, make contributions directly to known organizations rather than relying on others to make the donation on your behalf.
• Validate the legitimacy of the organization by directly accessing the recognized charity or aid organization's website rather than following an alleged link to the site.
• Attempt to verify the legitimacy of the non-profit status of the organization by using various Internet-based resources, which also may assist in confirming the actual existence of the organization.
• Do not provide personal or financial information to anyone who solicits contributions: providing such information may compromise your identity and make you vulnerable to identity theft.

To obtain more information on charitable contribution schemes and other types of online schemes, visit www.LooksTooGoodToBeTrue.com.

If you believe you have been a victim of a charity related scheme, contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud by telephone at (866) 720-5721, or by fax at (225) 334-4707, or by e-mail at disaster@leo.gov.1 You can also report suspicious e-mail solicitations or fraudulent websites to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov.

1 National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) was originally established by the Department of Justice to investigate, prosecute, and deter fraud in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. Its mission has expanded to include suspected fraud from any natural or man-made disaster. More than 20 federal agencies, including the FBI, participate in the NCDF, allowing it to act as a centralized clearinghouse of information related to relief fraud.

Hurricane Irene News Links

Here are some Articles of interest in regards to Hurricane Irene~

IRENE 'WEAKENS A LITTLE'...

'Little change in strength expected' before NC landfall...

HURRICANE WARNING FROM NC TO NYC...

65 MILLION PEOPLE IN PATH...

VIDEO: 8 Swept Off Jetty By Wave...

NYC BRACES FOR UP TO 12" RAIN...

BREAKING: SUBWAYS, BUSES, TRAINS SHUT DOWN AT NOON SATURDAY...

Much of East already 'super-saturated'...

New moon could make flooding worse?

UPDATE: Irene Flight Cancellations Top 1,000...

Hurricane Irene Update (#3)

If Hurricane Irene proceeds as is currently forecast, then most people of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US States will be exposed to the worse storm conditions of their lifetime. For residents of the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast US States now is the time to prepare.
The National Hurricane Center is issuing warnings on category 2 Hurricane Irene. Tropical storm force winds are expected within the southern portion of the warning area along the United States east coast by late today. Hurricane force winds are expected to first reach the hurricane warning area tonight or Saturday morning, and then spread northward in the warning area through Saturday night. The latest five day precipitation forecast confirms the direction predicted in the last HPC forecast of the hurricane's path. The forecast moves a slightly greatest density of rain fall to the south. It shows the heaviest rainfall over eastern North Carolina, eastern Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, far east Pennsylvania, east southeast New York, Vermont, western Connecticut western Massachusetts, New Jersey, and northern New Hampshire with more than 14.8 to 8 inches forecast to fall along the greatest rainfall line. The nine panel Northern Hemisphere GFSx - NH - 500mb Hght/SLP plot and US loop is continues to show a major hurricane moving off the east coast of Florida up towards a North Carolina landfall then moving up the coast, but now diverges from HPC's forecast and shows the storm moving inland at the center of Long Island and then moving towards northern Maine. Currently, Irene has maximum winds of 110 MPH, hurricane force winds of that extend out 90 miles from the center, and tropical force winds of extend out to 290 miles. Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 10 inches, with isolated maximum amounts of 15 inches, from eastern North Carolina into southeastern virgin, eastern Maryland, Delaware, eastern Pennsylvania. New Jersey, southeastern New York, long island, western Connecticut, and western Massachusetts through Monday morning. These rains could cause widespread flooding and life-threatening flash floods. An extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 6 to 11 feet above ground level in the hurricane warning area in North Carolina, including the Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds. Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 4 to 8 feet above ground level over southern potions of the Chesapeake Bay, including tributaries, and the eastern shore of the Delmarva Peninsula. Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 3 to 6 feet above ground level along the Jersey shore. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large, destructive, and life-threatening waves.

Hurricane Irene Update (#2)

Update: NOAA, NHC say Hurricane Irene could become a Category 4 storm by Thursday. People from the Carolinas northward through New England are urged to monitor the progress of the storm.

North Carolina has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene approached the East Coast Thursday. Governors in Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland also declared states of emergency. Mandatory mass evacuations are being held in vulnerable coastal areas.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/204009/20110825/hurricane-irene-north-carolina.htm

ALBANY, N.Y. -- New York's governor has declared a state of emergency as Hurricane Irene moves up the Northeast Coast, threatening flooding of low-lying coastal cities and towns this weekend. Thursday, August 25, 2011.
http://www.wptz.com/r/28978509/detail.html

Mark Strait de KD8BIG

Global Disaster Network

KD8BIG Blog

KD8BIG Twitter

KD8BIG Facebook

Hurricane Irene Update ( #1)

If Hurricane Irene proceeds as is currently forecast, then most people of the northeast coast will be exposed to the worse storm conditions of their lifetime. For residents of the eastern US coast now is the time to prepare.
The National Hurricane Center is issuing warnings on category 3 Hurricane Irene. A turn toward the north-northwest is expected today, followed by a turn toward the north by early Friday. On the forecast track, the core of the hurricane will continue to move over the northwestern Bahamas today, and pass well offshore of the east coast of central and north Florida tonight and early Friday.. The five day precipitation forecast shows the greatest density of rain fall over Long Island, southern Connecticut and eastern New Jersey, with more than 10 inches forecast to fall. The nine panel Northern Hemisphere GFSx - NH - 500mb Hght/SLP plot and US loop is now showing a major hurricane moving off the east coast of Florida up towards a North Carolina landfall and moving towards a second Land fall on Long Island. Currently, Irene has maximum winds of 120 MPH, hurricane force winds of that extend out 70 miles from the center, and tropical force winds of extend out to 255 miles. Irene is expected to produce rainfall accumulations of 6 to 12 inches over the Bahamas during the next 36 hours. Rains will be diminishing across the Turks and Caicos Islands with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible, bringing the maximum storm total to 6 to 12 inches. In areas of onshore winds near the center of Irene, an extremely dangerous storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels over the Bahamas. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous waves.


Florida Division of Emergency Management
Florida: Emergency Information Line: 1-800-342-3557
Georgia EMA/Homeland Security
South Carolina Emergency Management
North Carolina Division of Emergency Management
Virginia Department of Emergency Management
Maryland Emergency Management Agency
Delaware Emergency Management Agency
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency
Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
State of Rhode Island: Emergency Management Agency
Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency
Vermont Division of Emergency Management
Homeland Security & Emergency Management, NH
Maine Emergency Management Agency

Hurricane Watch Net; Activated for Irene

The Hurricane Watch Net has activated as rapidly developing Hurricane Irene makes its way through the gulf. The net is active on 14.325, information is available at http://www.hwn.org

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/refresh/graphics_at4+shtml/085712.shtml?5-daynl


Irene could become major hurricane; Bahamas, U.S. at risk

2 P.M.: Hurricane Irene’s winds remained at 80 mph as the core of the storm churned just off the northeastern coast of Hispaniola.

But with little but warm water in its path, the National Hurricane Center expected Irene to continue strengthening over the next few days as it moves through the southeastern and central Bahamas. By Thursday, forecasters say it could be a major Category 3 hurricane with winds of up to 115 mph.

The storm remains a threat to much of the Atlantic coast, from South Florida to the Carolinas.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/08/22/2369736/hurricane-irene-slams-puerto-rico.html#ixzz1Vmm6RM2F

Telegraph Exhibit & Demonstration

On Saturday, August 27, the Toledo Chapter of the Morse Telegraph Club will be demonstrating telegraphy and exhibiting telegraph instruments at the Michigan Historical Museum at Lansing, Michigan. The event will run from 10-AM to 4-PM. We will have two “land line” telegraph circuits in operation, one of which will be connected to an AP news wire and the other of which will be used to converse with retired railroad and commercial telegraphers throughout the US and Canada.

In addition to the telegraph demonstration, one can stop by to see the special US Civil War sesquicentennial exhibit entitled “Plowshares into Swords.” This exhibit includes a telegraph display developed by members of the Morse Telegraph Club in conjunction with museum staff. One can see Civil War era telegraph instruments, hear actual news bulletins from 150-years ago reproduced on the telegraph sounder, and the children can type in a brief phrase on a computer terminal and hear it reproduced in American Morse Code.

Of course, there’s plenty there for the whole family, including numerous exhibits covering the history of Michigan. More information regarding this event may be found on the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Web Page at:

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7...9234--,00.html

The Morse Telegraph Club, Inc. is an association of retired railroad and commercial telegraphers, radio amateurs, historians, and others with an interest in the history and traditions of telegraphy. Our organization publishes an excellent quarterly journal entitled “Dots and Dashes.” In addition to constructing historically authentic telegraph exhibits for public museums throughout the US and Canada, members regularly demonstrate telegraphy at historical events, steam train excursions and so forth and present talks on the history of telegraphy and telecommunications. More information may be found at:

www.morsetelegraphclub.org

Thank you, and 73!

Contest 8/19-22/11

This Weekends Contest;

QRP Fox Hunt	Aug 19
NCCC Sprint Ladder	Aug 19
SARTG WW RTTY Contest	Aug 20-21
ARRL 10 GHz and Up Contest	Aug 20-21
Russian District Award Contest	Aug 20-21
Keyman's Club of Japan Contest	Aug 20-21
CWOps CW Open	Aug 20-21
North American QSO Party, SSB	Aug 20-21
Feld Hell Sprint	Aug 20
SARL Digital Contest	Aug 21
ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY	Aug 21
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	Aug 22

Special Event Station; 8/19-22/11

07/29/2011 | Sub 20 FIFA World Cup
Jul 29-Aug 20, 0000Z-1259Z, 5K3CMJ,
Bogato, COLOMBIA. Columbian Radio Amateurs. All HF Bands All Modes Satellite SSB RTTY CW. QSL. Special Station Sub 20 FIFA World Cup, Copa Mundial de Fútbol Sub-20, Columbia 2011, COLOMBIA. www.qrz.com/db/5k3cmj

08/11/2011 | Iowa State Fair
Aug 11-Aug 21, 1100Z-0300Z, W0ISF,
Des Moines, IA. Madison County DX Club. 14.250 7.250 146.520. QSL. Mark Mease, 2989 Truro Rd, Truro, IA 50257. Will operate at various times throughout the fair. 20,40 and whatever bands are open. Also simplex on grounds 146.520. mmease@netins.net

08/13/2011 | Carnation Days
Aug 20, 1400Z-2100Z, W8LKY,
Alliance, OH. Alliance Amateur Radio Club. 21.250 14.045 7.240 7.045. Certificate. AARC-W8LKY, PO Box 3344, Alliance, OH 44601. www.w8lky.org

08/19/2011 | International Lighthouse Weekend
Aug 19-Aug 22, 0000Z-2359Z, K6A,
San Pedro, CA. US Coast Guard Auxiliary. 14.285 7.290 3.885 1.840. QSL. Jason Gant, W6AUX, PO Box 15937, Long Beach, CA 90815. n6aux@uscgauxiliary.org

08/19/2011 | Red Bull Indianapolis GP
Aug 19-Aug 28, 1500Z-2200Z, W9IMS,
Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club. 21.340 14.240 7.240 3.840. Certificate & QSL. W9IMS, PO Box 30954, Indianapolis, IN 46230. SASE for QSL. $4 for certificate. Must work all three races in one year for certificate. www.qrz.com/db/W9IMS

08/19/2011 | 144th Annual Marshfield Fair
Aug 19-Aug 28, 1600Z-0059Z, NN1MF,
Marshfield, MA. Whitman Amateur Radio Club. 18.160 14.260 7.260 3.860 EchoLink: WA1NPO-R. Certificate & QSL. Whitman Amateur Radio Club, PO Box 48, Whitman, MA 02382. Times Are Daily. www.wa1npo.org

08/20/2011 | Anniversary of the "Kelly Little Green Men"
Aug 20, 1400Z-2000Z, W4K,
Hopkinsville, KY. Local Amateur Radio Operators. 21.300 14.260 7.250 3.915. Certificate. Jerry Holt, 7585 Hopkinsville-Mt Zoar Rd, Hopkinsville, KY 42240. Operating from the site that "Little Green Men" invaded the little community of Kelly, KY and terrified the local people on August 21, 1955.

08/20/2011 | 151st Anniversary of the Poney Express Reride
Aug 20, 1400Z-2200Z, W0KY,
Kearney, NE. Midway Amateur Radio Club. 14.270 7.280. Certificate. Midway ARC, PO Box 1231, Kearney, NE 68848. Event rescheduled from June. w0ky.kearney.net

08/20/2011 | Oelwein Railroad Days, Celebration of Chicago Great Western Railroad
Aug 20, 1500Z-2100Z, KC0QNI,
Oelwein, IA. Rural Iowa Amateur Radio Club. 7.285 7.240 3.980 147.345. QSL. Jerry Clark, 18 10th Ave NW, Oelwein, IA 50662. www.ruraliowaares.com

08/20/2011 | MARA 20th Anniversary
Aug 20-Aug 21, 1402Z-1621Z, W8USA,
Grand Rapids, MI. Michigan Amateur Radio Alliance. CW 14.180 7.075 3.550 SSB 14.230 7.230 3.845 145.230 94.8 pl. Certificate & QSL. MARA, PO Box 670, Comstock Park, MI 49321. $2 for certificate. Do not send envelope; we will supply. www.w8usa.org

08/20/2011 | Lost Coast DXpedition to Punta Gorda Lighthouse for International Lighthouse Weekend
Aug 20-Aug 21, 0001Z-2359Z, AF6TS,
Punta Gorda, CA. AF6TS. 21.200-21.450 14.150-14.350 7.125-7.300 3.600-4.000. QSL. Tyrel Carver, PO Box 8134, Eureka, CA 95502. AF6TS will be hosting a DXpedition to Punta Gorda Lighthouse, located along the Lost Coast Trail between Eureka and Shelter Cove in Northern California. af6ts@arrl.net

08/20/2011 | International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend Fire Island Lighthouse Station
Aug 20-Aug 21, 1100Z-1800Z, W2GSB/LT,
Ocean Beach, NY. The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club. 14.255 14.070 7.175 3.850. Certificate. W2GSB Lighthouse, PO Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704. Operating from the historic Fire Island Lighthouse on Fire Island, New York. Come down and relive history as the radio operators talk to other lighthouses around the world using radios and wire antennas just like Marconi did in 1901. SSB CW PSK Satellite. If your in the Long Island area and would like to join in please email us at info@gsbarc.org. www.gsbarc.org

08/20/2011 | Michigan City Lighthouse (#US0079) - International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
Aug 20-Aug 21, 1224Z-1224Z, W9AB,
Notre Dame, IN. Michiana Amateur Radio Club. 14.225 14.060 7.225 7.040. QSL. W9AB, 3220 E Jefferson Blvd, South Bend, IN 46615. community.michiana.org/marcsite

08/20/2011 | Charlotte-Genesee Light House US-320
Aug 20-Aug 21, 1600Z-2100Z, KU2US/W2COP,
Rochester, NY. KU2US, W2COP. 14.260 7.250. QSL. Ken Villone, PO Box 185, Conesus, NY 14435. Activation of the rare Charlotte-Genesee Light House US-320 on the shores of Lake Ontario and the Genesee River in Rochester, NY. SSB only. Full color QSL card, SASE appreciated. All QSL requests to KU2US at QRZ.com Bio. Direct only.

08/20/2011 | Charlotte-Genesee Light House US-320
Aug 20-Aug 21, 1600Z-2100Z, W2COP/KU2US,
Rochester, NY. KU2US and W2COP. 14.260 7.250. QSL. Ken Villone, PO Box 185, Conesus, NY 14435. Activation of the rare Charlotte-Genesee Light House US-320 on the shores of Lake Ontario and the Genesee River in Rochester, NY. SSB only. Full color QSL card, SASE appreciated. All QSL requests to KU2US at qrz.com bio. Direct only.

08/20/2011 | USS Albacore Historic Park 25th Anniversary
Aug 20, 1500Z-2100Z, W1GGA,
Portsmouth, NH. Albacore Park - Member of Historical Naval Ships Association. 3.895 7.225 14.300 21.325. QSL. Jim Andrews WA1UTO, 161 Sagamore Ave, Portsmouth, NH 03801. The USS Albacore was launched in1952 as a research vessel designed to test the teardrop-shaped hull used in modern day submarines. The vessel is dry docked in the Park and is open for tours. For more information visit www.ussalbacore.org

08/20/2011 | Opening of TWiT Studio
Aug 20-Aug 21, 1300Z-2200Z, W6KB,
Petaluma, CA. Redwood Empire DX Association. 40 20 m phone. QSL. W6TWT, PO Box 1018, Petaluma, CA 94953. Times are daily. twit.tv/hn

08/21/2011 | City of Cedarville Arkansas 13th Year of Incorporation
Aug 21-Aug 28, 1500Z-2359Z, W5C,
Cedarville, AR. W5BUB. 14.240 7.240. QSL. Ewell D. "Bub" Pendergrass, 1106 Country Meadow Ln, Cedarville, AR 72932.