www.disability.gov is the new federal government website for comprehensive information on disability programs and services in communities nationwide. The site links to more than 14,000 resources from federal, state and local government agencies; academic institutions; and nonprofit organizations.
In the Technology section, can be found information on assistive and accessible technologies, emergency communications systems; the accessibility features of new technologies like smart phones; and guidelines and standards related to technology accessibility for people with disabilities. Information is by State using the drop-down menu located on the left side of any page on Disability.gov, to find local resources that can help you pay for your assistive technology needs.
Disability.gov is managed by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy in collaboration with 21 federal agency partners, including the FCC. (FCC)
Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Amateur Radio Operators to host Kids Day
Kids Day is an on-air event to encourage young people (licensed or not) to have fun with Amateur Radio and takes place Sunday January 8.
The Kids Day operating event is not a contest. It’s a way to tell young people worldwide about the magic and mystery of two way hobby radio communications.
To do this, Amateur radio stations are being asked to devote this short time window to promote the terrestrial hobby and ham radio satellite operations to youngsters. This, by providing a place to make contacts with other Kids Day stations around the world.
Walworth County Today report on the Lakes Area Amateur Radio Club plans for the day at
http://walworthcountytoday.com/news/...ds-day-darien/
Further information on Kids Day is at
http://www.arrl.org/kids-day
The Kids Day operating event is not a contest. It’s a way to tell young people worldwide about the magic and mystery of two way hobby radio communications.
To do this, Amateur radio stations are being asked to devote this short time window to promote the terrestrial hobby and ham radio satellite operations to youngsters. This, by providing a place to make contacts with other Kids Day stations around the world.
Walworth County Today report on the Lakes Area Amateur Radio Club plans for the day at
http://walworthcountytoday.com/news/...ds-day-darien/
Further information on Kids Day is at
http://www.arrl.org/kids-day
Thursday, December 8, 2011
World War II Voluntary Interceptors
Here is a link to a BBC documentary on the work of Amateur Radio Interceptors during the Second World War, which some of you may find interesting.
http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/5108
http://www.eafa.org.uk/catalogue/5108
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Radio Direction Finder kit (DDF2020M)
DDF2020M Radio Direction Finder kit requires minimum assembly for 10~15 Minutes
The DDF2020M DF is an economical but very sophisticated Doppler DF “kit” with a GPS input, and RS232 output to provide the ability to indicate its location and draw bearing automatically or manually on Google Earth map to find the RF transmitter more conveniently.
DDF2020M kit Includes eight assembled / tested PC boards: MAIN board, 2 Sub boards, and 1 antenna board in the main unit. Completion work is required by the user to finish the DF main unit. Guidelines for the completion work are provided.
The user must provide a NB FM receiver, 5 antennas with mounts for external DF antenna unit and a PC for DF bearing (Windows OS). DDF2020 display program further requires a GPS receiver with NMEA 4800 baud output.
VHF Doppler DF – 5 Antennas primarily for mobile DF, 100~1000 MHz
Economy, high performance DSP / micro processor design, software intensive
Sold as a kit – Main unit, antenna unit and associated cables
RS232 output for Windows PCs (Agrello format)
Uses modified Joe Moell Wideband Antenna design
9 ~ 28 VDC operation
Optional GPS Receiver available.
Specifications:
Rcvr Freq: Determined by user-provided FM receiver, range 100 to 1000 MHz
Antenna: Four elements for DF and one auxiliary element for improving sensitivity and accuracy, wave vertical with assembled
Ant Scan: Scan rate 430 Hz, rotation clockwise (viewed from above antenna)
Ant Switch: Modified Joe Moell Wideband Doppler DF antenna design
Employs Agilent HSMP3893 SMT PIN diodes
SMT / stripline circuit design, SMA output connector
Audio Input: FM receiver speaker audio, 1.0K ohm load. 25db dynamic range.
GPS Input: 4800 baud RS232 input, NMEA $GPRMC, $GPGGA and / or $GPVTG messages.
Output 1: RS232 Agrello DF message, 4800 baud, 8N2. (15 messages / second )
Ant Outputs : Four discrete active HIGH outputs for DDF 2020 Antenna ( one per antenna )
DC Power : 9 ~ 28 VDC
Voice Filter : Switched-capacitor filter, (SCF) 4 sections. Bandwidth 0.2 Hz
Multi Display
The MultiDisplay of DDF2020M provides a combined numeric and pelorus display in the main board. A high quality display, with 2 microcomputers and an RS232 input that accepts Agrello DF messages.
The pelorus display employs 36 high density LEDs, with 4 yellow LEDs at cardinal headings. Option straps allow “hold/blink” of last valid DF data, or pelorus “orbit” when data goes invalid. All LEDs briefly “flash” (2 second intervals) for enhanced nighttime viewing
3 digit numeric readout, 0.36 inch characters
36 LED pelorus display, 4 yellow cardinal LEDS
Selectable HOLD/ORBIT display for old DF data
Power-on self-test
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Warning regarding Accessories connected to your Radio
Warning regarding accessories connected to your radio
Information from West Mountain Radio web site.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/content.php?page=supportpro
If you have a Rig Blaster or other interface connected to your 12 volt radio, DO NOT connect the negative terminal of the accessory to the negative terminal of your power supply. Here's why. If for any reason the 12 negative connection for your radio becomes disconnected from the power supply, the full current drawn by the radio will also flow through the ground loop circuit of the accessory. Your accessory will most likely fry and you may damage your radio. Connect the NEGATIVE wire of your accessory to the ground terminal on your rig, or use a wall wart (ugh). Better yet, to avoid ground loops, connect all your accessories to a separate DC source.
Example; use a 12 volt 10 AmpHour AGM battery, fused of course. The current draw on most of these accessories is in the milli amp range and will last weeks even if not turned off....
Information from West Mountain Radio web site.
http://www.westmountainradio.com/content.php?page=supportpro
If you have a Rig Blaster or other interface connected to your 12 volt radio, DO NOT connect the negative terminal of the accessory to the negative terminal of your power supply. Here's why. If for any reason the 12 negative connection for your radio becomes disconnected from the power supply, the full current drawn by the radio will also flow through the ground loop circuit of the accessory. Your accessory will most likely fry and you may damage your radio. Connect the NEGATIVE wire of your accessory to the ground terminal on your rig, or use a wall wart (ugh). Better yet, to avoid ground loops, connect all your accessories to a separate DC source.
Example; use a 12 volt 10 AmpHour AGM battery, fused of course. The current draw on most of these accessories is in the milli amp range and will last weeks even if not turned off....
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
AIR 25 Inflated Antenna Tower for Amateur Radio & CERT
Quick Start Guide to setting up a 25 foot tall inflatable antenna tower invented by LTA Projects…and built especially for Amateur Radio and for CERT Teams. This is a revolutionary way to temporarily put your antenna up. Perfect where there are neighborhood restrictions on permanent antennas…or just to take your rig on the road with you. Or use it with a cell repeater if you’re an RV-er on the road looking for better cell reception at your stops in remote areas. It performs amazingly well in winds & is VERY safe to use. We have larger versions operating with Emergency Management and Law Enforcement all over the US. For more information or to purchase these affordable towers visit us at http://www.ltaprojects.com/
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
NYC Ops Situation Page
Access public content on the NYC Ops Situation
Page at....
http://www.vuetoo.com/nycops/Situationpagenews.asp?af=&sit=6443
Page at....
http://www.vuetoo.com/nycops/Situationpagenews.asp?af=&sit=6443
Saturday, November 19, 2011
KD8BIG / jinglemonster
I really love it when a fellow blogger finds my site. It is even more gratifying when they ask me to help promote their site.
Their Blog is located in my blog list~ Check them out.
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Hi,
I came across your blog, KD8BIG, while reading another radio blog. It’s a really cool site. Nice work!
I help run a blog on a jingles website, where we do have plans to regularly feature different radio stations. You can check out our first featured radio station here.
Since we do share a common interest for radio, I was wondering if you could help us out by putting a link on your site? We can return a link to yours if you'd like?
Please let me know if you’re interested.
Cheers!
www.jinglemonster.com.auI came across your blog, KD8BIG, while reading another radio blog. It’s a really cool site. Nice work!
I help run a blog on a jingles website, where we do have plans to regularly feature different radio stations. You can check out our first featured radio station here.
Since we do share a common interest for radio, I was wondering if you could help us out by putting a link on your site? We can return a link to yours if you'd like?
Please let me know if you’re interested.
Cheers!
http://jinglemonster.com.au/our-blog/
Friday, November 11, 2011
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
Asteroid 2005 YU55
2005 YU55, an asteroid larger than an aircraft carrier, is expected to pass by Earth at 6:28 p.m. EST today, but NASA says there is no chance it will collide with the Earth or moon.
NASA radars are monitoring 2005 YU55, an asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier, as it heads for a flyby of the Earth-Moon system later today. There is no danger to our planet. At closest approach on Tuesday, Nov. 8th, at 3:28 pm PST (23:28 UT), the 400m-wide space rock will be 324,600 kilometers away, about 85% the distance from Earth to the Moon. Professional astronomers are eagerly anticipating the flyby as the asteroid presents an exceptionally strong radar target. Powerful transmitters at Goldstone and Arecibo will ping the space rock as it passes by, revealing the asteroid's shape and texture in crisp detail, and pinpointing its orbit for future flyby calculations.
NASA radars are monitoring 2005 YU55, an asteroid the size of an aircraft carrier, as it heads for a flyby of the Earth-Moon system later today. There is no danger to our planet. At closest approach on Tuesday, Nov. 8th, at 3:28 pm PST (23:28 UT), the 400m-wide space rock will be 324,600 kilometers away, about 85% the distance from Earth to the Moon. Professional astronomers are eagerly anticipating the flyby as the asteroid presents an exceptionally strong radar target. Powerful transmitters at Goldstone and Arecibo will ping the space rock as it passes by, revealing the asteroid's shape and texture in crisp detail, and pinpointing its orbit for future flyby calculations.
Asteroids this big have passed by Earth at similar distances many times before, but this is the first time astronomers have known about the flyby in advance. For instance, a similar encounter occurred in 1976 when 2010 XC15 split the distance between Earth and the Moon. Researchers didn't discover that space rock until 24 years after the flyby. The Nov. 8, 2011, passage of 2005 YU55 thus represents a rare opportunity for asteroid research.
Experienced amateur astronomers should be able to photograph 2005 YU55 as it zips through the constellations Aquila and Pegasus glowing like an 11th magnitude star. Even under the full moonlight of Nov. 8th, such a bright asteroid is within reach of mid-sized backyard telescopes. The timing of the flyby favors observers in western Europe and eastern parts of North America. Check Sky & Telescope for observing tips or go straight to JPL for the object's ephemeris.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Thai Amateurs Respond to Floods, Ask that 7.060-7.063 MHz Be Kept Clear
Authorities in Thailand continue to battle the country’s worst floods in decades, with the death toll rising to almost 300. While Thai hams are mostly using 2 meters to communicate, IARU Region 3 Disaster Communications Committee Chairman Jim Linton VK3PC, is asking all radio amateurs to keep 7.060-7.063MHz clear from unnecessary traffic, as Thai hams are also using 40 meters during the flooding that is affecting millions of people in North and Central Thailand.
“Amateur Radio has been assisting with flood relief communications, helping victims in the affected areas, said Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand’s (RAST) International Liaison Officer. “Operators are using RAST’s club station call sign HS0AC, and a special flood relief center with the call sign HS0AB has been established at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. Please be formally advised that Thai radio amateurs are standing by on 144.900 MHz, 145.000 MHz and 144.9375 MHz, as well as on frequencies of 7.060-7.063 MHz in the 40 meter HF band.” Waltham noted that RAST has posted a video (in Thai) to YouTube, showing the activities at the special flood relief Amateur Radio station at the airport.
Despite sandbags, Bangkok -- the country’s capital -- is under threat of flooding. In outlying areas, the floods have destroyed crops, inundated factories and damaged the homes or livelihoods of millions of people. About 110,000 people have sought refuge in shelters. It is expected for the flooding to continue for a week. The high tide will prevent the floodwater's escaping to the sea for a day or two, while the recovery efforts may take a year.
According to Linton, nearly three million people are affected by the floods, and the disaster has caused serious damage to the country`s agriculture and other industries, with Japan’s Toyota, Sony and Honda, along with USA’s Western Digital -- and many other factories to the north of Bangkok -- suspending production until the situation improves. Damage so far has been assessed at more than 20 billion baht ($65,295,400 USD). Waltham said that 26 out of the country’s 77 provinces are affected, and Bangkok is bracing for a large amount of run-off water that will coincide with the seasonal high tides, making it harder for the flood waters to flow out to sea
“Amateur Radio has been assisting with flood relief communications, helping victims in the affected areas, said Tony Waltham, HS0ZDX, the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand’s (RAST) International Liaison Officer. “Operators are using RAST’s club station call sign HS0AC, and a special flood relief center with the call sign HS0AB has been established at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport. Please be formally advised that Thai radio amateurs are standing by on 144.900 MHz, 145.000 MHz and 144.9375 MHz, as well as on frequencies of 7.060-7.063 MHz in the 40 meter HF band.” Waltham noted that RAST has posted a video (in Thai) to YouTube, showing the activities at the special flood relief Amateur Radio station at the airport.
Despite sandbags, Bangkok -- the country’s capital -- is under threat of flooding. In outlying areas, the floods have destroyed crops, inundated factories and damaged the homes or livelihoods of millions of people. About 110,000 people have sought refuge in shelters. It is expected for the flooding to continue for a week. The high tide will prevent the floodwater's escaping to the sea for a day or two, while the recovery efforts may take a year.
According to Linton, nearly three million people are affected by the floods, and the disaster has caused serious damage to the country`s agriculture and other industries, with Japan’s Toyota, Sony and Honda, along with USA’s Western Digital -- and many other factories to the north of Bangkok -- suspending production until the situation improves. Damage so far has been assessed at more than 20 billion baht ($65,295,400 USD). Waltham said that 26 out of the country’s 77 provinces are affected, and Bangkok is bracing for a large amount of run-off water that will coincide with the seasonal high tides, making it harder for the flood waters to flow out to sea
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Comet Elenin
Today the world will not end! The supposed “Doomsday” comet Elenin will pass by, but at 35 million km or 90 times the Earth Moon distance, it will have NO effect on us at all.
It is about 3-5km wide and has the consistency of a slushee or snowy dirtball. It is so feeble that a strong solar storm in August appears to broken it into smaller pieces. Rising in the east very early in the morning at magnitude 10 it is not visible to the eye or even moderate sized telescope. An image by Michael Mattiazzo can be seen at:
http://members.westnet.com.au/mmatti/sc.htm
It is about 3-5km wide and has the consistency of a slushee or snowy dirtball. It is so feeble that a strong solar storm in August appears to broken it into smaller pieces. Rising in the east very early in the morning at magnitude 10 it is not visible to the eye or even moderate sized telescope. An image by Michael Mattiazzo can be seen at:
http://members.westnet.com.au/mmatti/sc.htm
Friday, October 14, 2011
KD8BIG
Whoa, it has been nearly 4 week’s sine my last post.
It is amazing how fast time can escape you.
The last 4 weeks have not been good to me; I had a battle with Bacterial Pneumonia, the passing of a couple of friends, sick daughter & wife & other issues.
The good news is I/we are feeling better and I am ready to blog, play radio and catch up on some of my collections.
How about those Detroit Tigers~ (MLB) Oh yeah, they have a chance. If not that is fine, they had a great season and I look forward to next year.
I am glad that Football (NFL) & Hockey (NHL) are underway.
The weather has turned here in Michigan; most of the leaves have peaked and dropped in my region. The temps are now 50’s (10º c) for the high and mid to upper 30’s (1.6ºc) for the lows.
My son and wife have already begun the leave removal process. Most of the summer lawn furniture has been stored and I think we are ready for the long and cold winter months that are fast approaching~
I have made some upgrades to the shack, added some new equipment and also hope to upgrade my license very soon. I was to do that a few weeks ago but was very sick.
73,
de KD8BIG Mark
It is amazing how fast time can escape you.
The last 4 weeks have not been good to me; I had a battle with Bacterial Pneumonia, the passing of a couple of friends, sick daughter & wife & other issues.
The good news is I/we are feeling better and I am ready to blog, play radio and catch up on some of my collections.
How about those Detroit Tigers~ (MLB) Oh yeah, they have a chance. If not that is fine, they had a great season and I look forward to next year.
I am glad that Football (NFL) & Hockey (NHL) are underway.
The weather has turned here in Michigan; most of the leaves have peaked and dropped in my region. The temps are now 50’s (10º c) for the high and mid to upper 30’s (1.6ºc) for the lows.
My son and wife have already begun the leave removal process. Most of the summer lawn furniture has been stored and I think we are ready for the long and cold winter months that are fast approaching~
I have made some upgrades to the shack, added some new equipment and also hope to upgrade my license very soon. I was to do that a few weeks ago but was very sick.
73,
de KD8BIG Mark
Sunday, September 18, 2011
New Swarms of Earthquakes off the coast of Honshu Japan
I have received a message in regards to my thoughts about the current Earthquake Swarm off the East Coast of Honshu Japan.
In the last week they have had 13 earthquakes at 5.0 magnitude or larger.
I am an avid hobbyist in the Geophysics field. I have studied Climatology, Earthquakes and Earth Structure, Environmental Geophysics, Global Coastal Change, Many areas of Geology, Seismology, and Volcanology.
I do not hold a job in these fields. It is all an extensive hobby, one of many hobbies that I have.
This is my personal opinion.
So I was asked in this message if this is something to be concerned with?
In My Humble Opinion~ anytime there are swarms like this people should be concerned. Dose it mean the BIG One is going to happen again? No, not necessarily.
Earthquake Swarms are not unusual and happen all around the globe.
It is a good idea to be prepared. The March Japan Earthquake should have taught many lessons about preparedness.
By 5 September 2011, Japan had experienced over 900 aftershocks after the magnitude 9.0 (Mw) earthquake on March 11, 2011 with about 60 aftershocks being over magnitude 6.0 and three over magnitude 7.0. For conciseness, only earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.0 or an intensity greater than lower-6 on the shindo scale are listed here. Mw or Mw refers to the moment magnitude scale, while Mjma, Mjma, or Mj refer to the JMA magnitude scale.
On my blog before the March 11th Quake I had posted my concerns over the swarm then.
You can see my post;
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
In the early morning hours of Friday, March 11, 2011, I was awake with a friend talking on the Amateur Radio when the Earthquake occurred,
I started at the moment the USGS e-mail came in, posting updates and working all my tools and resources to provide information.
That’s what we Amateur Radio Operators do in the event of a disaster.
You can see all the post in the month of March; Click Here
Here is a list of Earthquakes in the region 5.0 and larger from the dates
9/12/11 thru 9/18/11
9/12/11 -
5.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/13/11 -
5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/15/11-
6.2 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/16/11 -
5.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
6.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.2 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.5 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
6.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/17/11 -
5.2 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.6 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/18/11-
5.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Here are some more links of the current Earthquakes;
Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.0 and Greater in the World - Last 7 days
Google News
In the last week they have had 13 earthquakes at 5.0 magnitude or larger.
I am an avid hobbyist in the Geophysics field. I have studied Climatology, Earthquakes and Earth Structure, Environmental Geophysics, Global Coastal Change, Many areas of Geology, Seismology, and Volcanology.
I do not hold a job in these fields. It is all an extensive hobby, one of many hobbies that I have.
This is my personal opinion.
So I was asked in this message if this is something to be concerned with?
In My Humble Opinion~ anytime there are swarms like this people should be concerned. Dose it mean the BIG One is going to happen again? No, not necessarily.
Earthquake Swarms are not unusual and happen all around the globe.
It is a good idea to be prepared. The March Japan Earthquake should have taught many lessons about preparedness.
By 5 September 2011, Japan had experienced over 900 aftershocks after the magnitude 9.0 (Mw) earthquake on March 11, 2011 with about 60 aftershocks being over magnitude 6.0 and three over magnitude 7.0. For conciseness, only earthquakes with magnitudes greater than 7.0 or an intensity greater than lower-6 on the shindo scale are listed here. Mw or Mw refers to the moment magnitude scale, while Mjma, Mjma, or Mj refer to the JMA magnitude scale.
On my blog before the March 11th Quake I had posted my concerns over the swarm then.
You can see my post;
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
In the early morning hours of Friday, March 11, 2011, I was awake with a friend talking on the Amateur Radio when the Earthquake occurred,
I started at the moment the USGS e-mail came in, posting updates and working all my tools and resources to provide information.
That’s what we Amateur Radio Operators do in the event of a disaster.
You can see all the post in the month of March; Click Here
Here is a list of Earthquakes in the region 5.0 and larger from the dates
9/12/11 thru 9/18/11
9/12/11 -
5.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/13/11 -
5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/15/11-
6.2 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/16/11 -
5.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.7 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
6.0 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.2 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.5 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.0 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
6.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/17/11 -
5.2 OFF EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
5.6 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
9/18/11-
5.7 NEAR EAST COAST OF HONSHU, JAPAN
Here are some more links of the current Earthquakes;
Latest Earthquakes Magnitude 5.0 and Greater in the World - Last 7 days
Google News
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