13 Colonies Special Event 2012

 A message from Ken Villone (KU2US) 

For the 4th straight year the "Original 13 Colony States" will be on the air! The 13 Colonies Special Event will start June 30th, Saturday, as a bonus day and end July 5th, 2012. Thats six days this year.

The event will start June 30th at 9am eastern Saturday (13:00 UTC)and end Thursday night July 5th at midnight (24:00 eastern-04:00 UTC). All modes will be represented which includes SSB, CW, Digital and Satellite.

A great certificate, which is different every year will be offered (Go to KU2US on qrz.com for photo and link to our website).

This years theme will be the Colonial era Navy and Tall ships. The USS Constitution is featured on the certificate. Also dont forget to collect all 13 Colony states QSL cards. Most are different this year, also featuring colonial tall ships.

We accomplished over 40,000 QSO's in 2011 and expect much more for this year. Join us on June 30th for this special event honoring our Constitution, the 13 original colony states and our men and women past and present in the military..Hope to put you all in the log. 73 KU2US/Event Manager.

KD8BIG; Storm Chaser

I was going to work DX today but I ended up wiring up my Ford Expedition to install a couple of rigs & other electronics.
Hi-Q-6/160 RT/MC-3-H antenna was also ordered.
Thinking of making it a Storm Chase Vehicle.

Stay tune for pictures and more info. 

Digifest 2012

This is a friendly reminder to those who love exotic digital modes and/or still don’t have nice RigExpert Antenna Analyzer :-).
The Annual Digifest will be held as usual on the 1st  full weekend of June (2012 dates are June 2nd  and 3rd ).
This is going to be Digifest’s 5th year and its popularity is growing with last year’s received LOGs number of more than 200.
Peculiarity of this Contest is the great variety of different categories of the participants in 5 digital modes: RTTY 75, BPSK 63, MFSK 16, HELLSCHREIBER, OLIVIA
and the most fair points calculation based on the distance between the stations.
The Contest consists of 3 convenient periods (8 hours each) during the weekend.
To add more adrenalin into this competition a special feature will be offered to those who like competing in real time – online results will be presented on a server.
And, of course, a lot of real nice prizes, mostly RigExpert AA-230 and AA-30 Antenna Analyzers and RigExpert USB Interfaces. All prizes sponsored by RigExpert Ukraine Ltd.
Since the number of the participants is relatively small and the most populated competing area is Europe, the “far away” stations from NA, SA, Africa, Asia and Australia are at great advantage.
From the last years’ experience those stations were the most prize winners. Considering this and also to support growing participation from Europe,
the sponsors “double” the prizes – i.e. separate main prizes are now available both for Europe and for the “rest of the World”.
But wait, that’s not all! For those of you who won’t be able to win “main prize” in respected category, there will be a lot of  small gifts, like T-shirts and paper awards.
All the prizes will be mailed to participants’ home addresses.
The results are usually available just 2 weeks after the end of the Contest,
So, lets just meet on the 1st weekend of  June and have fun!
Complete rules can be found at http://www.mixw.net/misc/DigiFest/index.html
and  http://www.rigexpert.com/index?s=main&f=digifest end http://ut7fp.kiev.ua

Internet Doomsday; July 9, 2012

Google plans to warn more than half a million users of a computer infection that may knock their computers off the Internet this summer.
Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system will be shut down July 9 -- killing connections for those people.
The FBI has run an impressive campaign for months, encouraging people to visit a website that will inform them whether they're infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/05/25/google-warns-hundreds-thousands-may-lose-internet-in-july/#ixzz1vvgQYoEk

MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint

The Michigan QRP Club sponsors one contest and three sprints per year. As well as being a lot of fun the contest environment offers us an opportunity to test that new kit, home brew, or antennas. Gives us a format to further develop our operating skills as well as re-acquaint with old friends and meet new fellow QRP'ers.
If you're not a hard core contester, come and join in the fun anyway if for nothing else think of the skill development value. All members and visitors from around the world are welcome and encouraged to join in.

For more info; 
The MI-QRP Club, WQ8RP
http://www.qsl.net/miqrpclub/contest.html

HORYU-2 Satellite

Amateurs Asked to Listen for HORYU-2 Satellite:

The Japanese HORYU-2 http://kitsat.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/index_e_new.html research satellite was launched May 17 at 1639 UTC as part of a mission that included the JAXA climate observation satellite Shizuku. HORYU-2 was built by students at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) and it carries the call sign JG6YBW. The satellite will conduct a variety of experiments including high-voltage power generation and space debris measurements. Amateurs have been asked to monitor HORYU-2's Morse code and 1200-baud AX.25 packet telemetry at 437.375 MHz. Telemetry decoding software is available for download http://kitsat.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/Documents/ground_station/Horyu2%20Data_Analysis_Program_japanese.zip. To encourage hams to submit reports, KIT will conduct a monthly prize drawing. Details are available here http://kitsat.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/Documents/ground_station/english/Receive_competition_eng.pdf.

Source:

The ARRL 

Yaesu FT1D digital FM handheld.

One of the most eagerly awaited products at Dayton Hamvention was the new Yaesu FT1D digital FM handheld.
It has, for an Amateur Radio rig, a number of innovations:
- A microphone that uses a mini-USB plug and has a built-in camera for low resolution (320x240) pictures,
- An 80 character group short messaging facility
- 9600 bps data transfer
- Micro-SD card slot
- E-GPS facility
Although the optonal extra microphone has a camera there appears to be no way to display the pictures on the radio which some may see as reducing it's usefulness.
The use of 9600 bps with 12.5 kHz channel spacing (is it 10 kHz in Japan?) was a surprise. Some had expected it to support 5 or 6.25 kHz channel spacing with a resultant data rate of 4800 bps (digital speech using an AMBE vocoder only requires a 3600 bps data rate).
The modulation used is what Yaesu describes as C4FM otherwise known as 4 level FSK or 4-FSK and is the same as that used for Digital PMR-446 equipment. 4-FSK has advantages over other types of digital modulation such as GMSK.
Both ICOM and Kenwood have been producing 4-FSK equipment for the PMR market since 2007 so in some ways it's surprising that Yaesu beat them both in releasing an amateur version of 4-FSK.
As yet Yaesu hasn't announced any mobiles, base stations or repeaters so it appears that FT1D's can only talk to other FT1D's in digital mode.
After Dayton some questions remain:
- Does it have APRS? The website of at least one amateur radio dealer had been saying the rig did APRS but the brochure makes no mention of it only refering to E-GPS
- Which Vocoder does it use? The AMBE seems the obvious choice but the brochure doesn't say
- What will it cost? Yaesu currently sell the VXD-10 high power digital handheld to the leisure market for 63,000 yen ($796) hopefully the FT1D will be cheaper!
http://tinyurl.com/VXD10-Handheld
- When will the FT1D be available? Well one Japanese retailer indicates that it could be another six months, see
http://tinyurl.com/CQCQDE-Shop
The FT1DR/E brochure can be seen at
http://www.radioworld.ca/product_brochures/amateur/
yaesu_brochures/ft1d_brochure_front.pdf
http://www.radioworld.ca/product_brochures/amateur/
yaesu_brochures/ft1d_brochure_back.pdf
N9XLC Blog on FT1D
http://n9xlc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/yeasu-ft-1d-redux.html
2005 Icom and Kenwood demo 'Very Narrowband Digital Communications Technology'
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/apr2005/
icom_kenwood_demo.htm

QRP in the Park

Hi Everyone,
We will be firing up the grills and putting our amateur radio skills into action as we kick off our first QRP IN THE PARK for 2012! If you ever wanted to work low power portable on CW, SSB phone, or the digital modes with HF, UHF, VHF bands; we invite you stop by and operate with us. All operators are encouraged to operated from battery for this event. No generators will be provided.
Where? HELDER PARK
3751 104th Avenue
Holland, Michigan
When? SATURDAY MAY 26TH – 3PM TO DUSK
Note: This event is weather permitting and will cancel if severe
weather is expected for the area. Please monitor this reflector and 147.06 K8DAA
repeater the evening of the event for any changes of times or event cancel.
See You There!
Jeff KB8QAP 
Holland Amateur Radio Club
source 

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

In addition to the fun starting at 3 pm, there will be a few 15
milliwatt transmitters hidden within the park. You are more than invited
to find them. There is no competition with this hunt, just the fun of
finding these little boxes.

Bring your own equipment, or there will be gear there to be loaned out
for you to hunt within the park.

IRA Fox Hunt; West Michigan

Independant Repeater Association Hamfest

Fox Hunt

Saturday, June 2, 2012
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Our fox for the day, Ole Tom, K8TB, says that NOBODY will find him this year.
...we will see, ...we will see!

Click Here for Fox Hunt Info.

2012 Annual IRA Hamfest

Saturday, June 2, 2012 8:00 AM until about 1:00 PM
Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Avenue
Hudsonville, MI 49426

Click Here for 2012 Hamfest Brochure

YAESU FTDX3000 HF/50 MHz 100 Watt Transceiver

The new FT DX 3000 HF+50 MHz 100 Watt Transceiver is another excited new product that is certain to capture the hearts of determined DXers and Contesters as well as Casual operators looking for solid communications. Using the newest down conversion and sharp edged crystal roofing filter technology, this fabulous radio attains outstanding receiver performance inherited from Amateur Radio’s leading HF radio; our proud FTDX5000.
The market has been waiting for a reasonably priced transceiver that takes a major performance leap forward – the FT DX 3000 is that feature filled compact radio package.

Technical info PDF File
Link

Vanity Callsign Fee to Increase .80 ¢

I am so happy that I am not in the market for a vanity call. 

Is it really worth the money? 

The FCC has released a Notice of Proposed Rule making that,
among other things, would raise the cost of obtaining a
vanity callsign to $15.00 for a ten year license term.  The
current cost is $14.20 which in essence means an increase of
only 80 ¢ if the rule making is approved.  (FCC)

BSA Announce "Interpreter Strip" for Morse Code

The Boy Scouts of America have just announced a new
"Interpreter Strip" for Morse Code.  An "Interpreter Strip"
on the uniform means that the Scout or adult leader is able
to communicate in a particular language.  
--

Those older Scouts and former Scouts among you may remember
the Boy Scout requirements that said a Scout had to learn
Morse Code or signal flags to send and receive a message.
And, even though that requirement has disappeared and Morse
Code is no longer mandatory to get any amateur radio license
in the United States, the BSA is reviving Morse Code as a
"language" worth learning.

You can probably credit Jim Wilson, K5ND, for getting this
one from concept to reality.

He's the BSA's "Jamboree on the Air" organizer and the
volunteer chairman for the next K2BSA operation at the 2013
National Boy Scouts Jamboree at the Summit in West Virigina.

Wilson works at BSA headquarters in Texas and is a big
promoter of amateur radio in Scouting.
So much so, Wilson says he organized a national Radio
Scouting advisory committee last year to get stronger
support in the amateur and Scouting community for JOTA.

Earlier this year, Wilson says a member of that committee
made a suggestion about getting some additional Scouting
recognition for amateur radio.

Wilson says there were some ideas that eventually evolved
into exploring the "interpreter" strip worn on the Scout
uniform to show a Scout has some ability to speak a certain
language.

Wilson admits he came up with the idea for "Morse" on the
strip - but in the letters of the language - dah-dah, dah-
dah-dah, di-dah-dit, dit-dit-dit, dit."

Wilson says he quickly moved the idea over to the BSA's
national awards committee where it got a favorable reception
and approval within months.

So how does a boy earn it?

Wilson says there are three requirements, the first....

"It's carrying on a 5-minute conversation in Morse Code at a
speed of at least 5 words per minute," Wilson explains.
"And, then the second one, copying correctly a 2-minute
message sent in Morse Code at a minimum of 5-words-per-
minute.

"And, copying of course means writing the message down as
it's received. And, then, three, sending a 25-word written
document in Morse Code at a minimum of 5 words per minute."

Wilson says Scouts can be certified by their Scoutmaster or
maybe even a ham who's an adult Scout leader.

Wilson says the idea is to further cement the bonds of
brotherhood between Scouting and ham radio operators. And,
of course, Wilson is....

"Eager to increase participation in amateur radio to provide
an opportunity for Scouts to get involved in a fun hobby, a
hobby that promotes communicating with lots of Scouts and
others around the country and around the world," Wilson
says. "And, it's science, it's technology, it's engineering,
it's math - the stem items that are of enormous interest
right now and frankly have been in Boy Scouting for quite
some time."

Articles of Interest

Amateur Radio Operators Train For Emergencies:

Amateur Radio Operators and Weather Spotting:

Monster Sunspot Threatens To Unleash Powerful Solar Flares

BA's New Police Radio System Blocks Public Scanner Access

FCC Seeks Higher Vanity Call Sign Fee

Valley Group Honors Young CERT Member

Ham Radio Operators Appreciated As A 'Treasure Of Oswego County'

Senate Approves Two New FCC Commissioners

Senate Approves Two New FCC Commissioners, Commission to Be at Full Strength

ARRL -- Six months after President Barack Obama nominated Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Varadaraj Pai to the Federal Communications Commission, the Senate confirmed their appointments on Monday, May 7. Rosenworcel, a Democrat, fills the seat vacated by Michael Copps who retired from the Commission earlier this year; her term runs through June 30, 2015. Pai, a Republican, replaces Meredith Attwell Baker,...

Michigan Summer Family Outing

ARRL Michigan Section Presents the 14th Annual

Michigan Summer Family Outing
July 5-8, 2012

Woodland Conference Center and Campground - Hale, MI

Includes a tape measure antenna building project and a 4-transmitter fox hunt

Click Here for project website and schedule
Click Here for Family Outing Brochure