Sunday Voice Net – Topic: TAPRN Winlink BBS

Hello TAPRN, Hope everyone had a great week.  We will be having our weekly Voice Net this Sunday, 3/10/13, at 9pm EST, God willing.  As always, we’ll do our best to be at 3.818, but history is proving 3.819 or higher due to QRM is needed. For this week’s topic, W0ECM has offered to discuss the TAPRN
More info; Click Here
 

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

H.A.M.

While researching a topic for discussion on the local 2 meter net I thought I would share this.

What does the HAM stand for in HAM radio?

There are several theories, but the most widely accepted is that H.A.M. is an acronym paying homage to three great radio pioneers: Heinrich Hertz (demonstrated existence of electromagnetic waves), Edwin Armstrong (invented modern FM radio), and Guglielmo Marconi (developed wireless telegraphy).

I have seen this theory many times before.
In preparation I discovered that Guglielmo(Guglielmo Marconi) is a difficult first name to pronounce. I am thankful for you tube. I found this an interesting short video and it also provided me with the pronunciation of Marconi's first name.

Santa Claus Net

This is a re-post reminder

This was distributed to me via the
WestMichiganHams
yahoo group.

On December 24, 2010 @ 2200 hrs local time.

Gather your children, and grandchildren, around your radios for the annual Santa net.

While Santa is delivering presents around the world, the children can call for Santa, KD8DEG, and Santa will ask each child if they have been good little boy's and girls, and what they would like for Christmas.

Elf Radar Frank, N8UVI, will be giving Santa's location using NORAD, along with Elf Techno Dave, KC8PCL, scribing, both located at Santa's communications center at the North Pole.

You can find the "Santa Net" on the Lowell repeater 145.270 pl 94.8; also use IRLP: node 9617; & Echolink: Michigan Conference node 96170 .

73

The originator & Elf - N8UVI Frank
Santa - KD8DEG Tom
Elf - KC8PCL Dave

Please note the changes for the IRLP and ECHOLINK Node numbers. We have been given permission to use the Michigan Conference and IRLP nodes for the Santa Net. This enables the net to run Nationally and World Wide.

THE SANTA NET Dec 24th

This was distributed to me via the
WestMichiganHams
yahoo group.

On December 24, 2010 @ 2200 hrs local time.

Gather your children, and grandchildren, around your radios
for the annual Santa net.

While Santa is delivering presents around the world,
the children can call for Santa, KD8DEG, and Santa
will ask each child if they have been good little boy's
and girls, and what they would like for Christmas.

Elf Radar Frank, N8UVI, will be giving Santa's location using
NORAD, along with Elf Techno Dave, KC8PCL, scribing, both located
at Santa's communications center at the North Pole.

You can find the "Santa Net" on the Lowell repeater 145.270 pl 94.8;
also use IRLP: node 9617; & Echolink: Michigan Conference node 96170 .

73

The originator & Elf - N8UVI Frank
Santa - KD8DEG Tom
Elf - KC8PCL Dave

Please note the changes for the IRLP and ECHOLINK Node numbers. We have been given permission to use the Michigan Conference and IRLP nodes for the Santa Net. This enables the net to run Nationally and World Wide.

Balloon Launch this Morning

The QRP ARCI sponsored iHAB-2 high altitude balloon will be launched tomorrow morning at 9AM CDT, 1400z, from Ottumwa, IA.

The beacon will be transmitting on 14.059 and sending "K6JSS IHAB 2" at about 15 wpm, with 10 seconds between transmissions. A picture of the beacon and a rough drawn schematic can be seen here http://www.wa0itp.com/ihabbeacon.html

If you hear the beacon please post a signal report to www.qrpspots.com and/or balloon@qrparci.com. A typical report might be "heard ihab 2 at 1430z, 579 indianpolis, IN de kb9bvn" QRP ARCI will be sending a nice certificate to those who send a report to balloon@qrparci.com

Live video streaming can be seen at
http://www.w0otm.com/iHAB/iHAB-2/

QRP Amateur Radio Club International

TechNet Report

We had the 3rd MAARC TechNet today, 09-18-10.
We had 8 check-ins
The net lasted 72 minutes. Wow.
Topics discussed; J-Poles;
*How to mount them
*How high is to high
*Should the be painted or not? Paint prevents corrosion.
* Stacked J-Poles
*Dose a J-Pole require a Balun?
We talked briefly about PSK and QPSK.

The TechNet Topic was about the K-Index.

K index [ LOW is GOOD ]
* 0 or 1 is BEST
* 2 is OK
* 3 or more is BAD
* 5 is VERY VERY BAD

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

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

W8ZHO/ MAARC TechNet

The MAARC 146.94 repeater is gaining another net! Called the TechNet, participants will focus on issues that relate to digital modes of communication and many other topics.
These might involve rockets, satellites, computer hardware and programming, astronomy events, contacting the International Space Station, working Amateur Radio Satellites, EME (Moonbounce) and how to use Orbital Plotting software.
Outside of Space topics we will also discuss;
How to use your radio, Radio Orienteering, building mini transmitters for ROCA, Antenna Construction, Sound Card-to-Rig Interfaces, Cables and Connectors, DSP Manufacturers, Interfaces Manufacturers, Radio Manufacturers, Packet Radio, PSK31, Radio Programming Cables, RTTY, Ham Radio Software, Networking issues, Operating System issues and many other High Tech Radio-Computer related issues and the list goes on. Check in Saturdays at 11:00 AM on 146.940 (-) (94.8PL)
Hope to hear you.

M.A.A.R.C. 2 Meter Net

I'm NCS tonight on the M.A.A.R.C. 2 meter net. Due to the current Hurricane and other Tropical Storms in the Atlantic I think I will talk about the Hurricane Watch Net.
The Hurricane Watch Net was established in 1965 for the purpose of providing support to the National Hurricane Center during times of tropical storm emergencies. Through our associated network of Amateur Radio Operators, emergency communications support to the NHC is of primary interest.
The Hurricane Watch Net and the operation at WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center in Miami are manned entirely by volunteers. We activate whenever a system has achieved hurricane status and is within 300 miles of populated land mass or at the request of the National Hurricane Center.

Net operations are conducted on 14.325 MHz.

The Hurricane Watch Net serves two purposes:

1. To disseminate the latest National Weather Service advisories on active hurricanes in both the Atlantic and Pacific side of the Americas. This includes transmissions to any maritime amateur radio operators that may be in the affected area.
   
2. To gather real-time ground level weather conditions from amateurs in the affected areas and to get these reports to the National Hurricane Center via WX4NHC in a timely and accurate fashion.
   

Along with these weather reports, often come reports on damaged roads power outages, structural damage, phone and communications links, and of course reports on injuries and deaths. These non-weather report items are usually relayed to other nets in operation on 20, 40, and 80 who are focusing on Health & Welfare, or by the crew at WX4NHC to the appropriate agencies that stay in touch with the National Hurricane Center.
For more info on the Hurricane Watch Net visit their web-site; http://www.hwn.org/

TechNet

On August 5th, I went to the M.A.A.R.C. Meeting and discussed to those in attendance about the club hosting a TechNet on the 146.940 repeater.

This is a sample of what I am thinking of in response from of those interested in being a part of the TechNet;

M.A.A.R.C. TechNet.

Topics include the latest news in the worlds manned and unmanned space programs, aeronautics, astronomy events and new discoveries. We will also cover Amateur Astronomy, Model, Mid and High Powered Rocketry, as well as Amateur Radio activities related to space such as monitoring meteor activity, contacting the International Space Station, using Amateur Radio Satellites, EME (Moonbounce) and how to use Orbital Plotting software.
Outside of Space topics we will also discuss;
How to use your radio, Radio Orienteering,Building mini transmitters for ROCA, Antenna Construction,Sound Card-to-Rig Interfaces, Cables and Connectors, DSP Manufacturers, Interfaces Manufacturers, Radio Manufacturers, Packet Radio, PSK31, Radio Programming Cables, RTTY, Ham Radio Software, Networking issues, Operating System issues and many other High Tech Radio-Computer related issues. This is just a few suggestions.