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.

KCRA to Activate Rare Lighthouse Saturday 8/20/11

This was E-Mailed to me

This Saturday (8/20/11) the Kings County Repeater Association will be participating in the annual International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend. The KCRA has once again chosen the rare Norton’s Point lighthouse in Coney Island, Brooklyn to hold this event under ILLW number US0091 and callsign KC2RA. In addition to being a lighthouse, this location was also a former Marconi wireless station and many wireless experiments were held there. If you’re in the neighborhood and would like to stop by you are welcome to do so; However, please use the “Contact Us” form located on our website first to let us know before the event, as the lighthouse is located in the private community of SeaGate.

Operating Plan (weather permitting):
Saturday, August 20^th 2011 from ~9:00 AM until ~7:00 PM (13:00z until 23:00z)
Number of stations: 5 (4, 100w HF, 1 D-Star)

40m – 7.250 SSB (NVIS)
20m – 14.295 SSB, 14.070 PSK31 (1/2w Dipole)
15m – Unknown, Find us! (Vertical)
10m – Unknown, Find us! (Vertical)
6m – Unknown, Find us! (Moxon)
D-Star – 145.67, REF020A, WG2MSK(B) repeater, those on non-trust IRCDDB or non-Dplus systems may call sign route to KC2RA (please indicate you are routing)
Commemorative QSL cards for users making contact via RF (sorry dongle users) are available for a SASE and your card to:

KCRA Lighthouse Event
PO Box 280288
Brooklyn, NY 11228-0288
USA

KD8BIG

Playing radio this afternoon while watching the Detroit Tigers and playing on the computer.
Hope to hear you on 28.400.00 USB.
73

This Weekends Contest & Special Event Stations: 8/12/11-8/15/11

I'm hoping the bands are in great shape for the weekend.
Here is a list of this weekends contest and Special Event Stations.
Good luck, happy DXing~
73 de KD8BIG

This Weekends Contest;

MMMonVHF/DUBUS 144 MHz Meteorscatter Sprint Contest	Aug 12-13
QRP Fox Hunt	Aug 12
NCCC Sprint Ladder	Aug 12
WAE DX Contest, CW	Aug 13-14
Maryland-DC QSO Party	Aug 13-14
SKCC Weekend Sprint	Aug 14

This Weekends Special Event Stations;

08/07/2011 | 95th Anniversary of Lassen Volcanic National Park
Aug 7-Aug 15, 0000Z-0000Z, N6L, Mineral, CA. Area Amateurs. 14.244 10-40 m. QSL. K6LSN, 5921 Cedars Rd, Redding, CA 96001. For Event QSL please send SASE. DX please send SAE w/ 2 US $. lassenbirthday.blogspot.com

08/10/2011 | 54th Annual Northern Illinois Steam Power Show & Threshing Bee
Aug 10-Aug 14, 1300Z-2100Z, W9S, Sycamore, IL. Kishwaukee Amateur Radio Club. 14.268 7.268 7.042 3.988. Certificate. Bob Yurs, W9ICU, 1107 Commercial St, Sycamore, IL 60178. www.kish-club.org

08/11/2011 | Naturist Society Western Gathering 2011
Aug 11-Aug 14, 2000Z-2000Z, NU6DE, Los Gatos, CA. Pacific Area Naturists Amateur Radio Society. 28.465 21.365 14.265 7.265. Certificate & QSL. Jim Campbell, PO Box 232445, Encinitas, CA 92023. Operating hours will be dependent on competing activities during this gathering. www.inaro.com

08/12/2011 | Navajo Code Talkers Day
Aug 12-Aug 14, 1400Z-0000Z, N7C, Window Rock, Navajo Nation, AZ. Navajo Amateur Radio Club. 20 40 m 14.265 7.265. QSL. Herbert Goodluck, N7HG, PO Box 3611, Window Rock, AZ 86515. www.qrz.com/db/n7c

08/13/2011 | Sonoma County Radio Amateurs Mini DX to CM79
Aug 13-Aug 14, 0000Z-1700Z, N6T, Santa Rosa, CA. Sonoma County Radio Amateurs. 144.200 50.120 50.091 14.250. QSL. SCRA, PO Box 116, Santa Rosa, CA 95402. www.sonomacountyradioamateurs.com

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

08/13/2011 | Super 322 Drive-in/Car show
Aug 13, 1400Z-2000Z, N3QC, Clearfield, PA. Quad-County Amateur Radio Club. 14.250 7.250. Certificate. QCARC, 3319 Allport Cutoff, Morrisdale, PA 16858. qcarc.org

08/13/2011 | US Coast Guard Birthday 1790, Navy Dental Corp Birthday
Aug 13, 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. kk6fz@arrl.net

08/13/2011 | Hillsboro Lighthouse
Aug 13, 0800Z-1530Z, W4BUG, Pompano Beach, FL. Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association. 14.285 146.610. QSL. W4BUG, PO Box 773, Pompano Beach, FL 33061-07. QSL with SASE w4bug.org

08/15/2011 | 42nd Anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival
Aug 15-Aug 17, 1700Z-1700Z, W2S, Fishkill, NY. WB2LQF. 14.034 7.034. Certificate. Stan Levandowski , 6 Chatham Ct, Fishkill, NY 12524. This is a single-station, single-operator, QRP CW-only special event commemorating the 42nd anniversary of the 1969 Woodstock Festival that took place on Max Yasgur's dairy farm in Bethel, NY. For certificate, send 9X12 SASE. wb2lqf@arrl.net

Again, good luck, If I missed a contest, let me know.
Send me a message to my KD8BIG Facebook page, feel free to follow.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/KD8BIG/165613683505542

Mark Austin, KB1GVR

I heard Mark on the bands from time to time. I never had the opertunity to have a QSO with him. Godspeed Mark

KB1GVR, KB1GVR, KB1GVR~
Nothing heard 73

Hello Folks,

The amateur radio space communications community has lost an avid operator, Mark Austin, KB1GVR, of Franklin, Maine. He became a silent key on August 8.

Mark was very prolific in space communications. His photo on QRZ.COM shows him posing at Kennedy Space Center. In 2002, he told me that he was listening to his scanner, I think in 1997, and heard Russian voices coming over the speaker about every hour and 36 minutes. He discovered the voices were from cosmonauts on board the Mir Space Station. He then started recording their SSTV broadcasts and later went out and bought his first computer so he could see the pictures he had previously recorded from the Soviet slow scan TV transmissions. That inspired him to earn his ham ticket so he could talk to the cosmonauts. And talk, he did. Since then, Mark has become well known aboard the space shuttles and International Space Station by many astronauts and cosmonauts.

Not only has Mark talked to them on voice mode, but became extremely proficient at using the space station and satellites to communicate digitally. He even discovered a new way of using one particular satellite to extend communication capability.

Mark had the opportunity to meet some of the spacemen he had befriended on-the-air when he made visits to Mission Control in Houston and to Kennedy Space Center, where he also was thrilled to watch a shuttle launch.

His enthusiasm with space communications inspired many hams to give it a try, including myself. His advice was spot on so that I twice successfully made voice contacts to the space station. I also had fun with Oscar-14 with Mark's tips. If you operated an APRS station in Maine, you would recognize the KB1GVR call sign, as Mark was also an avid APRS fan.

Mark's other pastimes included racing and flying with his brother in his plane where his same determination brought him lots of success, rewards, and joy. The walls of Mark's home were decorated with the many ham radio and racing certificates and awards he had earned. His vast collection of space communications QSL cards is amazing.

Mark was only 50 years old, but in his too-short life, he accomplished a lot. As N1DP said on last night's Washington County ARES Net, Godspeed Mark. We will miss you.

73, Phil Duggan, N1EP

Nevada Hands-free Law Outlaws CB Mobile Usage

I find this disturbing, I hope this law dose not gain traction and spread.
The Nevada legislature passed and the Governor signed Senate Bill 140: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/7...B/SB140_EN.pdf
which was meant to outlaw the use of texting devices and cellular phones without a hands-free device. Unfortunately, this poorly crafted law outlawed CB and other non-licensed services such as MURS and FRS. It also severely restricts Amateur Radio mobile operations. So, if you're traveling through Nevada, do not operate mobile as you can be pulled over and fined pretty heavily after January 2012.

ISS-Perseid Sky Show This Weekend

The Perseid meteor shower peaks this weekend, and the International Space Station is joining the show. Sky watchers in many US towns and cities are favored with ISS flybys on August 12-13 just when Perseid meteor activity is expected to crest under full moonlight.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2011/09aug_perseids2011/

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

The Perseid meteor shower peaks on Friday night August 12 and should produce good meteor scatter contacts on the Amateur Radio 50, 70 and 144 MHz bands.

Although the Moon may reduce the visual impact it won't affect the impact of the shower on radio propagation. The Perseids should still provide an abundance of Meteor trails which will reflect signals in the Amateur 50, 70 and 144 MHz bands allowing distances of up to 2,500 km to be worked.

About Meteor Scatter Propagation
http://www.jt6m.org/meteor-scatter.php

G7IZU Radio Reflection Detection Page
http://www.tvcomm.co.uk/radio/

WSJT Meteor Scatter Software
http://www.physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/K1JT/

Wired - Perseids
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/08/
perseid-meteor-shower/

Massive X6.9 Class Solar Flare

August 9, 2011 - The largest flare of the solar cycle, an R3 (Strong) Radio Blackout, alternatively classified as an X6, occurred today at 0805Z. Region 1263, now poised near the west limb, produced the event and a few others of lesser magnitude in the past day. The region remains hot at this writing.

A quick rise in the protons at GOES reached S1 (Minor) levels soon after the eruption. Given the location of the activity, any CMEs would likely be directed away from Earth so no significant Geomagnetic Storm activity is forecast.

*Solar Storms May Disrupt Gadgets

*Power companies prepare as solar storms set to hit Earth

HF SuperPacker Pro 100W Amplifier Home Construction Project

This project is designed to walk you through the build process step by step. We welcome first-time builders. Let us help you be all that you can be. The project parts and your efforts will provide you with a compact linear amplifier for use with QRP SSB/CW transmitters on the amateur bands 160 through 10 meters and which can be powered from a 12 volt DC supply. The design is a good balance between output power, physical size and battery power consumption. The completed amplifier will reward the builder with a clean, more powerful output signal for a QRP rig when radio conditions become marginal.

The HF SuperPacker Pro 100W Amplifier Home Construction Project is available to order.

For more info; Click Here

Current Special Event Stations

• 08/05/2011 | Hooverfest

  Aug 5-Aug 8, 1400Z-2300Z, K0H, Coralville, IA. Iowa City Amateur Radio Club (W0JV). 14.260 14.070 21.300 21.070. QSL. Iowa City Amateur Radio Club / K0H, PO Box 4, Iowa City, IA 52244. Expect to be on the air via Phone, PSK and some CW. www.icarc.org

• 08/05/2011 | 2011 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention

  Aug 5-Aug 7, 2200Z-1800Z, W1AW/5, Taos, NM. ARRL Rocky Mountain Division. 21.355 14.255 7.255 3.855. QSL. ARRL, W1AW/5, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. 80 40 20 15 m SSB CW and digital depending on time of day and propagation. Frequencies ending in "5" for 5th district (NM). www.2011convention.org

• 08/05/2011 | Brockway Mountain Special Event

  Aug 5-Aug 8, 1200Z-1200Z, W8B, Copper Harbor, MI. The Lone Wolfe Pack High Frequency Amateur Radio Society. 50.125 29.600 18.140 14.320. QSL. John Ponchaud, 325 Carpenter Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. Near Copper Harbor, Michigan, Grid Square EN67. Will be operating 160 meters through 440 MHz all modes. SASE for QSL appreciated. john-ab8ko @ sbcglobal.net

• 08/05/2011 | 90th Anniversary of the World’s First Live Play-by-Play Broadcast of a Baseball Game

  Aug 5-Aug 6, 1100Z-1100Z, K3D, Saxonburg, PA. North Hills Amateur Radio Club. 14.260 7.260. QSL. Chris Hyatt, KB3NPA, 201 Iola Ave, Glenshaw, PA 15116. From Saxonburg Museum in Roebling Park....one of the original KDKA transmitter sites. No LoTW or eQSL. www.nharc.org/K3D_Special-Event.html

• 08/05/2011 | Cove Fort Days

  Aug 5-Aug 6, 1400Z-2359Z, K7K, Cove Fort, UT. Cove Fort Amateur Radio Club. 50.150 14.250 7.272 3.985. Certificate. Alan Bryner, KK7UD, 4021 North 500 West, Ogden, UT 84414. www.qrz.com/db/k7k

• 08/06/2011 | River City Days

  Aug 6, 1400Z-2200Z, W0R, Red Wing, MN. Hiawatha Valley Radio Club. 147.300 14.300 21.300. Certificate. Bill Eichenlaub, 1966 Launa Ave, Red Wing, MN 55066.

• 08/06/2011 | USCG 221st Birthday

  Aug 6-Aug 7, 1400Z-0400Z, K1CG, Port Angeles, WA. Coast Guard CW Association. 21.052 14.052 7.052 3.552. QSL. Fred Goodwin, 424 N Bagley Ck Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362. K1CG will be operated by several different stations across the country starting on the east coast and moving west from 1400Z to 0400Z.

• 08/06/2011 | Point Reyes Lighthouse Activation

  Aug 6-Aug 7, 1600Z-2359Z, N6P, Point Reyes, CA. Valley of the Moon Amateur Radio Club. 14.270 7.270 PSK31 14.070 7.035. QSL. Ken McTaggart, N6KM, 402 4th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476. Times are daily. vomarc.org

• 08/06/2011 | Brat Days, Sheboygan WI

  Aug 6, 1300Z-2200Z, W9B, Sheboygan, WI. Sheboygan County Amateur Radio Club. 28.380 14.240 7.240. Certificate & QSL. John Draves, 1225 Carmen Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081.

• 08/06/2011 | Boulder County Colorado Fair - 142nd

  Aug 6, 1500Z-2359Z, W0ENO, Longmont, CO. Longmont Amateur Radio Club. 21.275 14.265 7.185. QSL. Doug Altman, KE0SI, 1641 Hartley Ct, Longmont, CO 80501. 5X7 SASE please www.w0eno.org

• 08/07/2011 | 95th Anniversary of Lassen Volcanic National Park

  Aug 7-Aug 15, 0000Z-0000Z, N6L, Mineral, CA. Area Amateurs. 14.244 10-40 m. QSL. K6LSN, 5921 Cedars Rd, Redding, CA 96001. For Event QSL please send SASE. DX please send SAE w/ 2 US $. lassenbirthday.blogspot.com

Investigation into Interference on 60 Meter

In July 2003, radio amateurs in the US received secondary privileges on 60 meters. Its strict guidelines -- no CW, operation just on five distinct channels using USB, a maximum effective radiated power of 50 W and only open to General, Advanced and Amateur Extra class licensees -- have prevented it from being popular. At first, amateurs interested in operating on 60 meters had to make modifications to the radios in use at the time. But now, more rigs are available that are designed to operate on 60 meters directly, or with a simple manipulation of menus.

Over time, radio amateurs heard various signals on the channels; users assumed these signals were those of government users and protected as such. Normally, advice to amateurs is to “use it or lose it” in regard to band usage, but on 60 meters, the watchword seemed to be “misuse” the band and lose it. So amateurs were cautious and compliant and when the band was made available to radio amateurs, users reported that everyone on the band was friendly and courteous, with at least one amateur reporting “that it was the way all the other bands used to be.”

To read more; Click Here

For more information on 60 meters, please check out the 60 Meters FAQ page on the ARRL website.

MFJ-9200

The MFJ-9200 is a bold new addition to MFJ’s legendary QRP transceiver line, delivering unmatched six-band CW performance in a compact pocket-sized package. QRP radios have always been small in size, but thanks to direct-digital synthesis and microprocessor technology, the MFJ-9200 represents a quantum leap over traditional designs with an unprecedented number of features for a very affordable price.

The MFJ-9200 covers 80 through 15 Meters using computer-modeled plug-in filter modules that yield no-compromise receiver performance and solid QRP+ transmit power on every band. There’s also built-in iambic keying with a manual-key sensor, a programmable CQ message, and seamless QSK T/R switching. DDS frequency control delivers rock-solid stability, precise 100-Hz readout, and eight memory channels per band. Plus, you get a choice of three main-dial tuning rates and RIT with 10-Hz tuning resolution.

Other features include selectable IF-band-width for monitoring SSB or CW, a 20-dB front-end attenuator for overload protection, and a switched backlight for the LCD display. There’s also plenty of receiver overlap for monitoring international short wave broadcasting.

MFJ-9200 runs on any power source between 8 and 15 VDC and draws a miserly 40 mA on receive with the display backlight turned off — perfect for prolonged off-the-grid adventures. Best of all, the QR-Pocket Radio is the smallest and lightest backpack transceiver currently available.

MFJ also offers a wide range of QRP accessories to compliment the MFJ-9200 QRPocket CW TransceiverTM. For example, the MFJ-561 Miniature Iambic Paddle is a perfect companion when you’re traveling light.

Also, consider picking up a pair of MFJ-392B light-weight stereo headphones for cushioned comfort and clear sound during those long QRP contest sessions.

For off-road adventure, check out MFJ’s line of Walkabout portable antennas that plug directly into the QRPocket CW Transceiver’s BNC connector. MFJ-1899T, (see left) features 80 through 6 Meter coverage with a “wander-lead” tapped loading coil and collapsible 52-inch whip. Requires MFJ-7703, BNC to BNC elbow connector.

For mono-band coverage, consider the collapsible MFJ-1880T, MFJ-1840T, MFJ-1830T, MFJ-1817T, or MFJ-1815T.

For random wire antennas, try the popular MFJ-902 miniature travel tuner.

Finally, when operating at home with your feet up, plug in the MFJ-4103 miniature switching power supply.

The MFJ-9200 QRPocket CW Transceiver comes complete with one band module of your choosing, and modules for the other bands.

Transceiver operation is intuitive, easy-to-master, and clearly explained in an easy-to-understand manual written by popular author and QRP Hall of Fame member Rick Littlefield, K1BQT.

We all know working rare DX is exciting, but being rare DX is a truly indescribable!

Given the MFJ-9200 QRPocket CW Transceiver’s diminutive size, features, wide coverage, and solid output, all of the ingredients are here to turn your next vacation or business trip into a expedition to remember!

Specifications:

Frequency Control: DDS, 60-MHz reference frequency Tuning Step: 100-Hz, 1-kHz, and 100-kHz RIT Step: 10-Hz VFO Memories: 8 per band VFO Display: LCD, 802-pixel, switched backlight VFO Display Frequency Resolution: 100-Hz, 10-Hz with RIT activated Operating Modes: Transmit – A1 (CW), Receive – A1, A3J (LSB or USB) CW Offset: ~700 Hz T/R Switching: Full QSK Frequency Coverage, MHz: Band:

80-M Receive: 3.2-4.9 Transmit: 3.5-4.0

40-M Receive: 5.9-7.5 Transmit: 7.0-7.3

30-M Receive: 9.4-12.1 Transmit: 10.1-10.15

20-M Receive: 13.5-15.8 Transmit: 14.0-14.35

17-M Receive: 17.4-19.1 Transmit: 18.068-18.168

15-M Receive: 18.5-22.0 Transmit: 21.0-21.45

Receiver MDS: 0.1-uV, all bands AGC Threshold: 3 to 5-uV, all bands Bandwidth: Selectable, 600-Hz CW, 2.5-Hz SSB Audio Output: 100-mW, 8-Ohm load, stereo plug Receiver Current Drain: ~40-mA no backlight, ~80 mA with backlight Transmitter Keying: Iambic automatic, straight-key sensing, CQ memory Speed Range: 3-45 WPM Transmitter Power: 5-W or better, all bands, at 12.6 Volts Harmonic and spur suppression: -50 dB or better, all operating voltages Typical Transmit Current: 0.9-A at 10-V, 1.2-A at 14-V Supply Voltage: 8-15 VDC at 1.5A Dimensions: 4.8″x3.15″x1.34″, 120x80x34-mm Weight: 7.4 oz, 200 gm

Price: $249

Source

ARISSat-1/KEDR

NASA will have live coverage of the spacewalk that will see the deployment of the amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1/KEDR.
HOUSTON --
Two cosmonauts will conduct a six-hour spacewalk on Wednesday, Aug. 3, to continue outfitting the Russian segment of the International Space Station. NASA Television will broadcast the spacewalk beginning at 9 a.m. CDT.

Expedition 28 Russian Flight Engineers Sergei Volkov and Alexander Samokutyaev will install laser communications equipment and replace experiments on the Zvezda service module. They also will retrieve a rendezvous antenna, relocate a boom structure to aid future spacewalks and deploy a small satellite equipped with an amateur radio transmitter and a student-built experiment.

The duo will wear Russian Orlan spacesuits and will emerge from the Pirs docking compartment airlock at about 9:30 a.m. The spacewalk will be the third for Volkov, who performed two spacewalks as Expedition 17 commander in 2008. This will be the first spacewalk for Samokutyaev.

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station