KD8BIG

KD8BIG

Japan Earthquake Update;

The National Police Agency of Japan said on Friday that the March 11 earthquake and tsunami have left 14,616 people dead and 11,111 others unaccounted for in Japan by Thursday. In Miyagi Prefecture, 8,793 people were killed, while the figure for Iwate Prefecture was 4,283. About 126,000 survivors are still staying in shelters across the country. A 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific coastal areas of northeastern and eastern Japan on March 11, triggering an enormous tsunami. Heavy casualties and extensive damage have been caused by the twin disasters.

KD8BIG

I got a new book yesterday.

Space Weather: Physics and Effects Click Here (Amazon)
by; Volker Bothmer (Author) and Ioannis A. Daglis (Author)
Published in November of 2006

From the reviews:

"The volume surveys the broad expanse of space weather through 14 chapters contributed by 20 expert practitioners. … its extensive reference lists at the end of each chapter are extremely valuable. I believe the book functions best by sitting on the library reference shelf where it can be readily consulted as needed." (Thomas J. Bogdan, Physics Today, December 2007)

"Space Weather: Physics and Effects is an attempt to summarize the entire field of space weather. … It is generally well produced, includes an exhaustive table of contents and has nearly 40 pages of prefatory materials including a four-page list of acronyms, and what seems like an adequate index." (W. Jeffrey Hughes, EOS, March, 2009)

Book Description

The editors present a state-of-the-art overview on the Physics of Space Weather and its effects on technological and biological systems on the ground and in space. It opens with a general introduction on the subject, followed by a historical review on the major developments in the field of solar terrestrial relationships leading to its development into the up-to-date field of space weather. Specific emphasis is placed on the technological effects that have impacted society in the past century at times of major solar activity. Chapter 2 summarizes key milestones, starting from the base of solar observations with classic telescopes up to recent space observations and new mission developments with EUV and X-ray telescopes (e.g., STEREO), yielding an unprecedented view of the sun-earth system. Chapter 3 provides a scientific summary of the present understanding of the physics of the sun-earth system based on the latest results from spacecraft designed to observe the Sun, the interplanetary medium and geospace. Chapter 4 describes how the plasma and magnetic field structure of the earth's magnetosphere is impacted by the variation of the solar and interplanetary conditions, providing the necessary science and technology background for missions in low and near earth's orbit. Chapter 5 elaborates the physics of the layer of the earth's upper atmosphere that is the cause of disruptions in radio-wave communications and GPS (Global Positioning System) errors, which is of crucial importance for projects like Galileo. In Chapters 6-10, the impacts of technology used up to now in space, on earth and on life are reviewed.

KD8BIG

Proposals and Changes

to the Spectrum in

Certain Bands Below 1.7 GHz

The purpose of this paper, announced in DGTP-004-05, is to make provisional and proposed changes to allocations in the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations, and to the spectrum utilization of certain frequency bands below 1.7 GHz for several radio applications.

Spectrum accommodations are proposed or made for radio applications such as multi-use radios (MURS), trunked mobile, fixed wireless access applications and medical and utility telemetry applications.

Gazette Notice DGTP-004-05 invites interested parties to submit their comments to the Director General, Telecommunications Policy Branch, by January 25, 2006 for provisional decisions and by April 19, 2006 for all policy proposals.

2. Background

The demand for spectrum below 1.7 GHz for wireless services, particularly in major urban areas, continues to grow unabated.

3. Provisional Allocation Changes in the Frequency Bands 216–220 MHz and 220–225 MHz

The Department proposes provisional changes to the Canadian Table of Frequency Allocations216–220 MHz and 220–225 MHz. in the bands

3.1 Discussion

In 1993, the Department consulted on its spectrum policy for the range 30–960 MHz. Among the bands discussed was the sub-band 220–222 MHz (part of the band 220–225 MHz) and its potential reallocation from the amateur service to the mobile and fixed services. At the time, the U.S. had reduced the spectrum of the amateur service in the band 220–225 MHz and reallocated the sub-band 220–222 MHz to the mobile and fixed radio services. This was due to an urgent need for spectrum for mobile service requirements as well as to make more efficient use of this spectrum.

3.2 Provisional Allocations in the Bands 220–222 MHz and 219–220 MHz

In light of the public interest to open new spectrum for mobile and fixed radio services, the benefit of aligning this spectrum in a North American context, making a more efficient use of the spectrum and the public consultation carried out by the wireless industry (under the RABC), the Department is of the view that making provisional allocation changes is justified.

The Department is, herein, making provisional allocation changes in the sub-band 220–222 MHz, as follows:

The amateur service allocation is reduced from primary to secondary radio service status.
The mobile and fixed services are allocated on a primary basis.
Canadian footnote C11 will permit limited operation of the amateur service on a secondary basis.

3.3 Implementation of Spectrum Allocation Changes

Given the public discussion carried out over the past two years on the need to re-allocate the sub-band 220–222 MHz for mobile and fixed services, the availability of spectrum capacity in the band 222–225 MHz and the accommodation being made in the sub-bands 219–220 MHz and 220–222 MHz for the amateur service, the Department is making these frequency allocation changes provisional. All the information presented shows that this will advance the public interest and make a greater and more efficient use of the spectrum to meet pressing mobile service needs.

Thirty days after the release of this document these frequency allocation changes will be implemented for the bands 216–220 MHz and 220–222 MHz, unless the Department receives compelling arguments to the contrary.

To read the FULL REPORT; CLICK HERE

KD8BIG

Great Central U.S. Shakeout

Today, April 28, millions of Americans across the central U.S. will take part in an earthquake drill and a number of Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) groups are listed among the participants.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), report that at 10:15 am central, millions of Americans across the central U.S. will stop what they’re doing, whether at school, in the office, or at home, to take part in the first-ever public earthquake drill in the New Madrid Seismic Zone region.

And that’s not the only "first" – this Great Central U.S. Shakeout is also the first earthquake drill ever to be conducted in multiple U.S. states simultaneously.

FEMA Earthquakes Blog
http://blog.fema.gov/search/label/Earthquakes

Illinois Communication Groups
http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/st...communications

Kentucky Communication Groups
http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/st...communications

Missouri Communication Groups
http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/st...communications

Tennessee Communication Groups
http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/st...=communication

Macon County Amateur Radio Club
http://n0pr.org/2011/04/27/the-great...u-s-shake-out/

Great Central U.S. Shakeout
http://www.shakeout.org/centralus/

KD8BIG

James McLaughlin, WA2EWE/T6AF, Killed By Afghan Pilot

- 2011-04-27 23:55:09

James McLaughlin, WA2EWE/T6AF, was one of several killed in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 27. News sources say that eight American troops and a US contractor died Wednesday after an Afghan military pilot opened fire during a meeting in an operations room of the Afghan Air Corps at the Kabul airport -- the deadliest episode to date of an Afghan turning against his coalition partners, officials with the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISF) in Afghanistan said.

FCC visits West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Club

FCC representatives from the Miami Field Office will be at the WPBARC meeting on Wednesday April 27, 2011 giving a presentation on how they track down pirate stations and other rule violators. Because of its proximity to the Caribbean, Latin America and South America the South Florida area has a large number of pirate broadcasters on many frequencies and modes. The Miami Field Office is one of the busiest in the country and they are really experts at tracking down these violators.

The WPBARC meeting is in the Motorola Theater at the South Florida Science Museum, where the club has a permanent Ham Radio exhibit and club station, WS4FSM.

There will also be a raffle for an Icom ID-880H, provided by HRO Atlanta. Tickets will be available at the meeting but the winner does need to be present if you already have your ticket from another recent club event. (But you will want to be there for the FCC).

For more details, a map, etc visit the club's website www.wpbarc.com

73,
AJ4XM, Tom Loughney, President

KD8BIG

This looks like a cool toy to add to the shack. I have the MFJ-269 and I have not had any issues. I have compared it's reading to other analyzers and got the same readings.
So here we have the MFJ-266

MFJ HF/VHF/UHF Antenna Analyzer 1.5-185* MHz plus 300-490MHz

Get all the basic RF-diagnostic functions you need and more with MFJ’s new easy-to-use MFJ-266 digital analyzer!

The MFJ-266 covers HF, VHF, plus UHF amateur and commercial frequencies with digital precision. It also displays SWR, Complex Impedance, and Impedance magnitude simultaneously -- all on the same easy-to-read LCD screen. Use it to measure Capacitance, Inductance, Field Strength, Frequency, plus generate test signals. You can also fine tune stubs, analyze coax, test baluns and RF transformers, and perform many other important RF-related tasks around the shack or on the road!
Read more about it; Click Here

KD8BIG

'B' STANDS FOR ... BORING? On the Richter Scale of solar flares, B-class eruptions are weak and generally considered boring. Really? Consider the following B-class eruption recorded by NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) on April 23rd.

That wasn't boring. On the contrary, the blast hurled hundreds of thousands of tons of plasma above the stellar surface with a power akin to millions of atomic bombs. The only thing more amazing than the blast was its aftermath. For all that power, the explosion was insufficient to break the plasma free from the sun's grasp. Magnetic fields arcing above underlying sunspot 1193 held tight to the expanding gas and pulled it back down with a dynamic double bounce.

One of the most significant findings from SDO, barely a year after First Light, is that there are no truly boring solar flares. The observatory's Hubble-like cameras have revealed hidden power and fascination in even the smallest eruptions, leaving us waiting with anticipation for the next B-flare. Stay tuned.

source

KD8BIG

Beginning Tuesday, September 6, the Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) will cease broadcasting its geophysical alert message on WWV and WWVH. These messages inform listeners of the solar flux, the mid-latitude A and K indices and space weather storms, both current and predicted. Currently, the message is heard on minute 18 from WWV and minute 45 from WWVH. The information will still be available on the SWPC website. If you care to comment on this, or if you have any questions, the SPWC -- part of the National Weather Service (NWS) -- would like to hear from you.

KD8BIG

This is cool; It's not Amateur Radio related but it is amazing how technology keeps advancing.
Car engines could soon be fired by lasers instead of spark plugs.
Continue Reading

KD8BIG

A historic amateur radio movie 'Every Single Minute', about Amateur Radio and emergency communications, is available on YouTube.

Originally released in 2007 on Google Video it has recently been re-posted to YouTube.

In 1955, The Phil-Mont Mobile Radio Club, an association of mobile amateur radio operators in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area in the US provided emergency communications during the devastating flooding along the Delaware River and in the Pocono Mountains following Hurricane Diane, the sixth costliest U.S. hurricane of the 20th century.. fifty years before Hurricane Katrina.

In 1959, the club produced this short film to explain amateur radio, and especially mobile communications as practiced by the club.

The main film begins after a three minute interview with Jim Spencer, W3BBB, produced by a local cable channel many years later (Jim was a very young man W3QQH in the original film, and is now SK. The W3QV/R VHF / UHF / Echolink repeater system is named in his memory).

Watch Every Single Minute

KD8BIG

When I first set up my Amateur Radio Base Station I was a happy boy to say the least.
I had one radio, my FT-7800; it at the time was all I needed as I only held a technician license. Well, I also had my VX-7R HT-(Handy Talkie).
After pulling the radio in and out of the vehicle daily so I could participate in local nets and rag chewing in the house, I decided it was time to invest in another radio to keep in the house. At the time I was still only a Technician and really had not seen a use for any HF rigs so I went with the FT-8900. It had everything I needed and more considering I knew the FCC was going to allow Technicians privileges on 10 meters soon.
See more of my reasons for the FT-8900 here.

Then I became disabled, unable to work, drive or go very far from home.
With that I had no need to keep a second vehicle for my wife and me so I sold mine and brought the radio inside.
Shortly after that I had to sell my radios to pay medical bills.
Then I was a Ham with no radios.
A local ham felt for me and had a Radio Shack HTX 242 that was collecting dust and needed a home so he gave it to me. It was great to be back on the air. After a year of that happening the person who bought my original radios had not yet had the opportunity to take his amateur radio test and was moving his business out of state and had no need for my old radio gear so he, being a good friend gave me the gear back and told me not to worry about repaying him. He was glad it helped me and the family out.
A few months after that I decided it was time to upgrade to my General Class license and with that came the need for more radio equipment, i.e. my FT-897D. My wife told me that I should get the radio I wanted and get whatever accessories I needed. Well that was all I needed to hear so I went all out and not only bought the FT-897D but also purchased the Yaesu HRI-100, MFJ-1279M, MFJ-969 Deluxe Versa Tuner and the Yaesu FP-1030A power supply, followed with a couple of keys.
Yeeee Haaaaaa. I had it all.
Except the new Lap-Top and Desk Computer I now think I need.
So now I have all these new toys and only a 5 foot desk.
I now have 5 radios, 2 Police/Fire/Air Traffic scanners, Antenna Tuners, Sound Card Radio Interface, WiRES 2, Meters, Analzers and 2 power supplies.
That is plenty of room until I decided to re-arrange my room and desk.
I had a mess of power cords, wires and coax.
An Amateur Radio Station is not complete unless you have a computer, AM/FM Stereo with CD and Cassette decks.
I discovered that watching videos on You Tube sounded better if I had my computer connected to the stereo.
Desk lighting, I have 2 desk lights, very important. One is used more as a nite light so I can play around at night with-out causing my wife additional aggravation while trying to sleep. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the Lava Lamp, “Really”.

So now I am re-wiring everything and also trying to clean up the amount of wires. I have an electrician friend who will be running another couple of outlets to my room and I also decided it is time to have a ground bar instead of the 10 ground wires that come up from the basement to the equipment.
While looking for a ground bar I came across this, Ham Radio Grounding Kit by Storm Copper Components, Co.
I have not ordered it yet, I will this week and let you know how it works out along with a photo of it. Yes, I’m going with the one with my call sign.
In the mean time I guess I better continue to clean up this mess.
Before I go, I just remembered seeing High Current DC Multi-Outlet Strips in the MFJ catalog. Anyone have any experience with them? Are they worth getting? Hmmmmm~

KD8BIG

This is a follow -up on my Wednesday, April 20, 2011 post.
440 MHz Frequencies in Jeopardy??

FCC ISSUES SPLIT DECISION ON CHALLENGES TO RECON ROBOTICS USING 70 CM HAM BAND

Call this one a draw so far on for ham radio. This as the FCC has given radio amateurs a partial victory and a partial defeat in response to a challenge by members of the Amateur Radio Service and its national society. This, to an FCC waiver permitting ReconRobotics, Inc. to domestically operate its surveillance robot called the Recon Scout in the shared 70 centimeter amateur band. We have more in this report:

--

The FCC has denied several requests from the ham radio community, including an ARRL Petition for Reconsideration, of a rules waiver that permits the certification and licensing of the Recon Scout. This, to operate in the 430 to 448 MHz band.

In an Order on Reconsideration released on April 15, the FCC said that it found objections to use of 430 to 448 MHz as being unfounded. This based on the nature of the device, the way in which it must be sold and deployed, and that no other spectrum is as suitable for its operation.

In relation to the latter, the regulatory agency noted that operation of the Recon Scout in the 900 MHz band or high would require increased transmit power while still not guaranteeing the same quality of surveillance as afforded by operation on 70 centimeters. It also noted that the Recon Scout waiver states that these devices may not interfere with federal or non-federal stations operating from 420 to 450 MHz and those agencies using the Recon Scout must accept any interference received from all other spectrum users. In other words, as applied to ham radio operations, its users could not complain to the FCC if it received interference from any Amateur Service operations, but hams could complain if they were interfered with by operation of a Recon Scout.

On the plus side, the FCC did grant a request from the ARRL for changes in the labeling and instruction manual requirements of the Recon Scout. This, to insure that users of the device are aware of its limitations in regard to interference to its operation. As a result, Recon Scout transmitters delivered after April 15th are required to carry a warning on its product label and in its instruction manual basically stating that the Recon Scout must accept any interference received from federal or non-federal stations, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

The FCC Order also acknowledged that the ARRL was correct in arguing that the waiver was insufficient in that it did not waive applicable provisions of Section 2.106 of the Commission’s Rules, which contains the Table of Allocations of frequency bands to the various radio services. The Commission’s solution was to retroactively waive the Table of Allocations to the extent necessary to permit distribution and use of the Recon Scout.

For the Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Bruce Tennant, K6PZW in Los Angeles

--

For those not aware, ReconRobotics bills itself as a world leader in tactical robotic systems. It claims that more than 1,200 of the company’s robots have been deployed world-wide by the U.S. military and international friendly forces, federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, bomb squads and fire rescue teams. More about the company is on-line at www.reconrobotics.com. (FCC)

KD8BIG

KD8BIG

This Weekends Contest;

RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data	Apr 21
NCCC Sprint Ladder	Apr 22
10-10 Int. Spring Contest, Digital	Apr 23-24
SP DX RTTY Contest	Apr 23-24
Helvetia Contest	Apr 23-24
QRP to the Field	Apr 23-24
South Dakota QSO Party	Apr 23-24
Low Power Spring Sprint	Apr 25

KD8BIG

Representatives of a wide variety of industries and companies have joined the Coalition to Save Our GPS to resolve a serious threat to the reliability and viability of the Global Positioning System (GPS) - a national utility upon which millions of Americans rely every day.

To safeguard GPS, the Coalition seeks a number of remedies from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), which recently granted a waiver to a company called LightSquared that allows them to repurpose the satellite spectrum immediately neighboring that of the GPS.

LightSquared plans to transmit ground-based radio signals that would be one billion or more times more powerful as received on earth than GPS's low-powered satellite-based signals, potentially causing severe interference impacting millions of GPS receivers - including those used by the federal agencies, state and local governments, first responders, airlines, mariners, civil engineering, construction and surveying, agriculture, and everyday consumers in their cars and on handheld devices.

For further information on this issue and to voice your concern please go to the Coalitions website: http://www.saveourgps.org/

KD8BIG

Program Details:
From April 25, 2011 — May 9, 2011, your club can purchase directly from Icom America Inc, either a 2m or 70cm D-STAR repeater for US$3,000 (plus freight and applicable taxes).

Repeater Components in this program for $3,000
Controller RF Module Gateway Software	ID-RP2C ID-RP2000V or ID-RP4000V RS-RP2 G2

Bonus: If you can meet the following requirements within 90-days from the date of purchase, Icom will refund the original purchase price (US$3000).

Install in permanent location identified at the time of purchase
Fully operational on the USROOT trust server with Icom G2 Gateway Software and within the requirements outlined by the USROOT Administration team
Minimum of 10 users registered on the "Gateway"
Guarantee system on air for minimum of 1 year from date of installation

This program is limited to the first 70 qualifying clubs located in priority areas listed below or not within an existing D-STAR Repeater (100 Aeronautical Mile Radius). Send a club biography and an outline of how D-STAR will be used in your community toDSTAR.Promo@icomamerica.com to see if your club qualifies.

Priority areas:

Washington (Eastern)	Western Texas	Kentucky
Idaho	Nevada (North)	Illinois (Southern)
Montana	North Dakota	Indiana (Southern)
Wyoming	South Dakota	Arkansas
New Mexico	Minnesota (Northern)	Nebraska
New York (Up State)	Wisconsin (Northern)	Kansas

Limitations:
This promotion is for U.S. residents only. Applicants cannot be affiliated with employees of Icom, Inc., including any parent, subsidiary or entity affiliated with Icom, Inc. or the distribution channels of Icom products.

For more information about the D-STAR Promotion: DSTAR.Promo@icomamerica.com

For more information on D-STAR:
www.icomamerica.com/en/products/amateur/dstar/dstar/default.aspx

For more information on registering on the gateway:
Refer to the document "Joining the Network" on www.dstarusers.org

www.icomamerica.com/en/dstarpromo/

KD8BIG

I ran across this story this morning and thought I'd share it with you.

You can send it into buildings where hostages are being held, then move it from room to room as it transmits video via its miniature camera. Sleek and unobtrusive, the gadget can slip under furniture and roll down stairs. Only eight inches long and 1.2 pounds, it can be tossed through windows or onto burning roofs without sustaining damage.
On the other hand, the American Radio Relay League pretty much threw the book at Recon's request in its response to the request. The ARRL's opposition filing charged that the petition was vague, lacked appropriate technical specifications, and did not explore the possibility of using other frequencies for the gadget.
Read Full Story, Click Here

KD8BIG

Hello All,
Today, Monday, April 18, is World Amateur Radio Day
I hope to hear you on the bands.

Articles of Interest

Fewer crackle over HAM in country today
Upcoming ARISS ham radio contact with primary school in Argentina
Big B to brush up his ham radio skills
World Amateur Radio Day April 18

Archives
Dec 15, 1961 Eugene Register-Guard Oscar's Picked Up .By Eugene Ham's Radio
Feb 8, 1958 St. Petersburg Times - Did Amateur Radio Signal Kill Atlas?
Aug 23, 1928 Toledo News-Bee- … Doubt Expressed To Authenticity .Amateur Radio Operator..

KD8BIG

Towards the bottom of my post I have past info from Japan Amateur Radio League (JARL)
Here is an update obtained from several e-mails and SARC.

The amateur radio activity is continuing to help those mainly within the disaster recovery area struck by the worst earthquake in Japan in 140 years.

IARU Region 3 Secretary, Ken Yamamoto JA1CJP said “several stations are handling medium distance information exchange on 7.030/7.043 MHz.

“The operation in VHF and UHF bands becomes more active than in earlier days. About 250 transceivers with JARL licenses are used for communications between various refugee rest places and local government offices.

“Two sets of 430 MHz repeaters have also been delivered to the disaster area and they are operational now to enhance the existing repeaters coverage and provide easier communications between hand-held transceivers.”

The big earthquake, now graded at nine on the Ritcher scale, and followed by a tsunami hit north-eastern Japan on 11 March, and crippled a nuclear power facility. More than 13,500 have been killed.

The headquarters station of the Japan Amateur League (JARL) in Tokyo, JA1RL became a disaster communication centre in the days immediately after the disaster.

Ken JA1CJP said, “It should be noted that some towns are so heavily disrupted that the local government offices are also in the refugee centres and the residents are staying in multiple places.

“In such cases, amateur radio can contribute a lot to maintain the ties between the local government and residents.”

In the long haul the emergency communications to be provided through amateur radio, as the disruption to normal life will continue for some considerable time to come.

A presentation on the Japanese earthquake triple disaster will be made at the GAREC 2011 in Sun City, South Africa, in August this year.

Jim Linton VK3PC
Chairman, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee

KD8BIG

The Omaha native founded World Radio Laboratories in Council Bluffs in 1935 and it became one of the world's largest distributors of amateur radio equipment. Meyerson also established the World Radio electronics stores, a retail chain that operated in the Midlands from the 1950s to the 1980s.

Meyerson, known internationally by the radio call sign WØGFQ, died of complications from a stroke on Wednesday at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He had celebrated his 100th birthday on March 7.

WØGFQ, WØGFQ, WØGFQ;~This is KD8BIG

God Speed WØGFQ

Continue Reading; Click Here

KD8BIG

Monday, April 18, is World Amateur Radio Day and the theme for this year is 'Amateur Radio: The first technology-based social network'.

Long before the Internet and smart phones, Amateur Radio operators have been talking, texting and sharing for decades. But unlike those commercial services, Amateur Radio continues to attract people world-wide by providing international communications for free. And because it does not need pre-established supporting infrastructure, these radio-savvy “amateurs” can reach out to friends in every corner of the world, as well as into space.

Amateur Radio operators have been the leaders in developing many of today’s modern electronic and communications marvels. Today, the citizens of Earth think of “wireless” as being the ubiquitous cellular phone. But this technology is only made possible due to the pioneering work in radio technologies first explored by these “amateurs.”

Many of our leading electrical engineers draw from their practical experiences as Amateur Radio operators as they continue to develop applications blending computers and radios. Ham radio operators may be “amateur” because they are unpaid volunteers, but their skills and contributions to the world are of the highest order.

World Amateur Radio Day celebrates the founding on April 18, 1925 of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) and hams around the world will be on the air.

World Amateur Radio Day
http://www.iaru-r2.org/world-amateur-radio-day/

Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/group.php?gid=70269378675

KD8BIG

RSGB has agreed with Ofcom arrangements for all UK Radio Amateurs to opt to use special call-signs for a period of eleven days beginning on the date of the marriage of H.R.H. Prince William and Miss Catherine Middleton, 29th April 2011.

Use of the special prefix, which is "GR", "MR" or "2R" is conditional on allocation of a Notice of Variation to the License (NoV) which can be quickly obtained via a simple process on this RSGB web site, which also contains all relevant information.

The last date and time for application is 18:00 BST on Tuesday 26th April 2011. All NoVs which are approved by Ofcom will be provided by close of business on Thursday 28th April 2011. No postal applications will be accepted and all NoVs will be sent by Email to the address supplied as part of the application.
For more info, Click Here

KD8BIG

Hello all, still dealing with health issues and hoping to feel more like sitting at the desk soon. I really hate using the lap-top while in the recliner or in bed.
I am hoping to write up a few reviews next week on the HEIL Pro Set Plus, Yaesu FTM 350 AR and the MFJ 1279M Deluxe Multimode Sound Card Interface. It has been a while since I have done a review, mine or someone else's.

This weekends contest.

NCCC Sprint Ladder	Apr 15
Holyland DX Contest	Apr 15-16
TARA Skirmish Digital Prefix Contest	Apr 16
ARLHS Annual Spring Lites QSO Party	Apr 16-24
ES Open HF Championship	Apr 16
CQ Manchester Mineira DX Contest	Apr 16-17
Feld Hell Sprint	Apr 16
Michigan QSO Party	Apr 16-17
EU Spring Sprint, SSB	Apr 16
EA-QRP CW Contest	Apr 16-17
Ontario QSO Party	Apr 16-17
YU DX Contest	Apr 16-17
ARRL Rookie Roundup, SSB	Apr 17
Run for the Bacon QRP Contest	Apr 18

Articles of Interest;
Contest;

Dayton 2011 Contest Dinner

Dayton ConTest University - CTU USA 2011

WRTC 2014 Team Selection Critera Released

2010 WWSA Update

New Amateur Radio Operators Organization

98th Anniversary of the Titanic Disaster

Amateur Radio;
Big B to brush up his ham radio skills
ARNewsline Report 1757 -- April 15 2011:
ZM Amateur Radio prefix for Rugby World Cup
When Pig's Fly Special Event Stations‎
Amateur radio enthusiasts set to run Speyside special
Elementary School Students Make Contact with Astronauts

KD8BIG

A geomagnetic storm that sparked auroras around the Arctic Circle and sent Northern Lights spilling over the Canadian border into the United States on April 12th is subsiding.

KD8BIG

A geomagnetic storm that sparked auroras around the Arctic Circle and sent Northern Lights spilling over the Canadian border into the United States on April 12th is subsiding.

KD8BIG

A G1-class geomagnetic storm is in progress, sparked by a high-speed solar wind stream which is buffeting Earth's magnetic field.
To read more, Click Here

KD8BIG

It is hard to imagine the amount of strength and composer the citizens of Japan are going through.
One moth ago they suffered that devastating earthquake followed by the tsunami and then a nuclear crises. This is unbelievable, a true end of the world feeling they must have.
I really would not know where to start if this were to have happen to me, as much as I prepare myself and family for such an emergency, are we truly ready? I know it is tough enough to lose electricity for 3-4 days.
Dear Lord, I pray for the country of Japan and those effected. Please Lord, ease their burden and help them through this, for you know there needs. Amen.
Here is a large group of photos. Click Here.

KD8BIG

Astronomers from the Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland have found that recently-discovered asteroid 2010 SO16 has been following Earth around the Sun for more than 250,000 years. Relative to our planet, the asteroid describes a horseshoe-shaped path in space.
Click Here for more.

KD8BIG

Yuri Gagarin Special Event Stations

Many special event stations will be active around the world this week to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first human space flight

Special event stations R50YG and R50SK are active from Baikonur until April 14 and the special call R50KEDR will be on the air on April 12 from 0507 to 0655z to commemorate the 108 minutes of Gagarin's first flight.

Ari OH3KAV has posted this list of Russian stations that will be active:

R50YG "Yuri Gagarin"
R50SK "Sergey Korolev"
RG50D
RG50K
RG50F Star City training center
RG50C Landing Site
RG50G
R1961G
U5ARTEK/A
R3K Energija Space Flight Control Center

Clint Bradford K6LCS has posted this collection of Yuri Gagarin links

Transcriptions of the Vostok 1 flight audio
http://www.cosmoworld.ru/spaceencycl...tml?doc10.html
http://epizodsspace.airbase.ru/bibl/i_tsk/zv-reis.html

Audio recordings made during the Vostok 1 flight
http://rgantd.ru/gag70_cd/data/audio.htm
http://www.cosmoworld.ru/spaceencycl...l?index_g.html
http://rgantd.ru/vzal/korolev/razdel6.htm#p7

Russian government archive of scientific and technical documentation (RGANTG)
http://www.rgantd.ru/
http://rgantd.ru/ecfilm/catalog.htm

Miscellaneous recordings from space - including Vostok 1 launch phase
http://www.svengrahn.pp.se/sounds/sounds.htm

Gagarin photos, films
http://hochu.vkosmos.ru/?p=493
http://www.net-film.ru/ru/films-find...ок
http://rus-uk.livejournal.com/10187.html
http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=42518
http://allerleiten.livejournal.com/750652.htm
http://www.windmillbooks.net/space.c...51317998421477
http://www.spacevideo.ru
http://www.net-film.ru/ru/films-find...ИН
http://www.net-film.ru/ru/films-find...ок

ARISSat-1 to be activated on the ISS this Monday
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/apr...ation_0804.htm

Listen to the podcast with Dave Jordan, AA4KN, on the air talking
about ARISSat-1 on NPR's "Science Friday" program. (at the 4 min: 40
sec point)
http://www.sciencefriday.com/program/archives/201104083

Celebrate Yuri's Night
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/apr...brate_yuri.htm

source

KD8BIG

Newly-arriving data from NASA's STEREO probes suggest that a coronal mass ejection (CME) might be heading toward Earth. The source of the cloud appears to be sunspot complex 1185-1186, which experienced an episode of magnetic instability during the early hours of April 9th. Stay tuned for updates to this preliminary analysis.
CME movies: STEREO-A, STEREO-B.
source

KD8BIG

The last 5 weeks have been rough for me, two ambulance rides and 3 visits to the Emergency Room. I have lots of health issues at the moment and I am hoping this all slows down soon.
Mean while, as I stated the other week I hope to get into the swing of things soon. Thanks all for your e-mails and visits.
73,
de KD8BIG

KD8BIG

I have received several e-mails asking if I have heard anything in regards to the Amateur Radio Manufacturing Plants on Shutdown in Japan due to last months Earthquake/ Tsunami.

This is what I found from their web-sites;

YAESU
Click HERE for a message from the Yaesu CEO/President

KENWOOD
Kenwood Updates Current Status Of Company Operations In Japan
Click Here

ICOM
Read about Icom and the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan
Click Here

KD8BIG

The last few weeks I have not been feeling to well. Many health issues along with two ambulance rides to the hospital. I am hoping to get back into the swing of things over the next few days.

de KD8BIG
KD8BIG Twitter

Articles of Interest
Ham radios find place in high-tech wor
Girl, 8, parents band together as ham radio operators
Amateur radio balloon video
Ham radio operators concerned about losing band
Local hobbyists riding the waves‎
ULM students earn amateur radio licenses‎

This Weekends Contest

NCCC Sprint	Apr 1
SOC Hank Kohl Memorial CW Bash	Apr 2
LZ Open 40m Sprint Contest	Apr 2
ARCI Spring QSO Party	Apr 2-3
SP DX Contest	Apr 2-3
EA RTTY Contest	Apr 2-3
QCWA Spring QSO Party	Apr 2-3
Missouri QSO Party	Apr 2-3
RSGB RoPoCo SSB	Apr 3
RSGB 80m Club Championship, CW	Apr 4

Friday, April 29, 2011

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Proposals and Changes

to the Spectrum in

Certain Bands Below 1.7 GHz

2. Background

3. Provisional Allocation Changes in the Frequency Bands 216–220 MHz and 220–225 MHz

3.1 Discussion

3.2 Provisional Allocations in the Bands 220–222 MHz and 219–220 MHz

3.3 Implementation of Spectrum Allocation Changes

Great Central U.S. Shakeout

- 2011-04-27 23:55:09

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

FCC visits West Palm Beach Amateur Radio Club

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Monday, April 25, 2011

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Monday, April 18, 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Friday, April 15, 2011

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Monday, April 11, 2011

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Friday, April 1, 2011

My Stamp Collecting Blog

Counter Added January 1, 2011

HOW TO READ PROPAGATION NUMBERS

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KD8BIG

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