NWS Radio Site is Off Air Due to Copper Theft

National Weather Service Coordination Meteorologist Hector Guererro reports that a case of vandalism at the Coleman National Weather Service transmission site in Texas. One that took the Weather Radio station transmitter temporarily off the air.

Guererro said that county authorities reported that vandals broke into the transmitter building north of Coleman and stole the copper data feed lines that come from the city of San Angelo. The weather alert transmitter, which identifies as WXN-89, operates at 162.475 MHz. News reports say that many area Weather Alert radios and scanners are tuned to that frequency.

The lines are being replaced and the transmitter should be back on the air by the time you hear this report. Federal officials as well as Coleman county authorities are investigating the break-in and vandalism that damaged the federal government transmitting facility. (Nuizer.com, Brownwooid News)
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KWWK KNOCKED OFF THE AIR BY COPPER THIEF

Rochester Minnesota police are investigating a recent copper theft that took a local radio station off the air. Early Monday, February 4th, someone broke into the KWWK radio transmitter and tower site. The thief made off with both copper transmission line and a motor. An engineer found the crime when he went into work around 4 a.m.. Damage to the property is estimated at $550. (KTTC, others)

U.S. Tornado Environment Browser

New:  A tornado environment browser for the contiguous United States is now available. A tornado environment—convective mode sample (2003-2011) displays statistical information of supercell-related convective parameters accompanied by smoothed tornadic convective mode climatology images. (Updated: January 22 2013)

source; http://www.spc.noaa.gov/exper/envbrowser/

ARISS has switched after experiencing issues w/Kenwood D700

ARISS has switched radios. After experiencing issues with the Kenwood D700 on two consecutive school contacts, Amateur Radio on the International Space Station operations have announced plans to use the Ericsson radio on the Columbus module for all contacts until problems with the D700 are resolved.

Frank Bauer, KA3HDO, is AMSAT's Vice President for Human Spaceflight Programs. He says that for some reason signals from the Service Module Kenwood D700 radio are much diminished. He notes that a recent contact with Israel had low audio levels. Another contact with the Hospital for Sick Children was even worse. Only one student was able to talk to Chris Hadfield before signals on the ground were lost even though the crew reports hearing the ground station well.

It should be noted that both these contacts were with made using telebridge stations which have above average gear. Also astro-ham Hadfield used the space stations IP Phone, immediately after the hospital radio contact and answered all the student's questions so that all was not lost. A later contact with a school in Japan using the Columbus Module Ericsson radio proved very successful. (ANS, ARISS)

WATCH: Meteorite Crash in Russia - UFO fears spark panic in the Urals

Metorite Impacts Russia; 500 injured.

Meteorite hits Russian Urals: Fireball explosion wreaks havoc, up to 500 injured (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

Click Here

http://rt.com/news/meteorite-crash-urals-chelyabinsk-283/

Close Earth Flyby of Asteroid

At 2:25 p.m. EST (19:25 UTC) on Friday, Feb. 15th, asteroid 2012 DA14 will fly past Earth only 17,200 miles above our planet's surface. This will put it well inside the orbit of geosynchronous satellites, closer than any asteroid of the same size has come since regular sky surveys began in the 1990s. Researchers speculate that Earth's gravity might even cause seismic activity on the 50m-wide space rock. Click to view a computer simulation of the flyby, courtesy of NASA:

During the hours around closest approach, the asteroid will brighten until it resembles a star of 8th magnitude. Theoretically, that’s an easy target for backyard telescopes. The problem is speed. The asteroid will be racing across the sky, moving almost a full degree (or twice the width of a full Moon) every minute. That’s going to be hard to track. Only the most experienced amateur astronomers are likely to succeed. For the rest of us, NASA will broadcast the asteroid's flyby on NASA TV.

Asteroid 2012 DA14 is about the same size as previous asteroids responsible for the Meteor Crater in Arizona and the Tunguska Event in Siberia. Unlike those objects, however, 2012 DA14 will not hit Earth. Even if seismic activity breaks the asteroid apart, there is no danger; the fragments would continue along the same non-intersecting path as the original asteroid.

source;
SpaceWeather.com 
 http://spaceweather.com/

NASA
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/asteroids/news/asteroid20130201315144.html

QCWA Dayton Banquet Announced

More Dayton Hamvention related news this week.  This in the
announcement by the Quarter Century Wireless Association
that it will be holding QCWA Banquet: on Friday May 17th at
the Dayton Airport Holiday Inn.  The dinner begins at 7:30
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time .  The after dinner speaker will
be  James Crabtree with a presentation on Lincoln.  Cost is
$25 per person.  Reservations and payment go to Jerry
Ragland, WA8BOB, 409 Park Av. Franklin, Ohio, 45005.

39th Annual Eastern VHF/UHF/MICROWAVE Conference

Registration is now open for the 39th annual Eastern VHF/UHF
and microwave conference to be held April 26th to the 28th
at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Manchester, Connecticut.
This years program includes numerous talks and presentations
for those who enjoy operating in the world above 50 MHz.
This yearly get together is sponsored by the North East Weak
Signal Group.  More information including registration and
hotel information can be found at
www.newsvhf.com/vhfconf.html 

(W1GHX, VHF Reflector)

Coalition Pushes FCC to Reclaim at least 120 MHZ of Broadcast Spectrum

The coalition of broadcasters willing to sell spectrum
rights has grown to 39 major market stations.  This
according to comments filed to the FCC by the Expanding
Opportunities for Broadcasters Coalition.  The trade group
also wants the regulatory agency to make the auction as
attractive as possible by not limiting wireless bidders or
which stations can share spectrum.

The coalition was formed because the principal broadcast
trade association, the National Association of Broadcasters,
is focusing on making sure the auctions hold harmless
broadcasters who are not selling and want to remain in the
business.  The coalition members don't have to identify
themselves publicly because of the obvious competitive and
operational issues related to publicizing their willingness
to sell.  However they are reportedly pushing the FCC to
reclaim at least 120 MHz of spectrum.

The deadline for comments on the FCC's framework for
broadcast incentive auctions was  January 25th.  Reply
comments are due in March.

Coalition Pushes FCC to Reclaim at least 120 MHZ
of Broadcast Spectrum 

Stealth ST-940B Mobile HF NVIS Magnetic Loop Antenna

The Stealth ST-940B Mobile HF NVIS Magnetic Loop Antenna has been developed to address the emerging need to reduce the visibility of vehicles fitted with traditional HF antenna systems. Earlier, the presence of large HF Whip or auto tune vehicular antenna used to make vehicles an easy target But, the unique design of the ST-940B provides for a hidden, almost undetectable presence of en efficient antenna system on the vehicle, which is camouflaged by shaping it as a regular luggage roof rack.
The highly efficient auto tune antenna radiates with an almost vertical take-off angle. It provides reliable communication within distances that are traditionally affected by skip zones created by the radiation pattern of non-NVIS antennas.
A closed H/Q loop circuitry ensures significant increase in transmitting end receiving power as well as reception immunity to ignition and industrial noise. Compared with the traditional whip-type vehicle antennas, the ST-940B gives an additional 9dB of omni-directional gain, even in regions with poor soil conductivity. As a result, the overall performance of the entire vehicular HF installation is now much higher than other vehicle antenna systems.
The NVIS Mobile loop ST-940B antenna is skillfully modeled with extensive use of NEC CAD software. The roof rack has been meticulously designed to become an integral part of the antenna system rather than building the antenna around a random rack. The fully functional roof rack can also be used for carrying almost any kind of cargo, except fuel and light flammables.
The all-welded lightweight aluminum construction of the ST-940B HF Mobile antenna provides physical strength, excellent tuning point stability and protects the mechanical parts of the antenna from damage. Made to the highest quality standards and with extensive knowledge of materials, the construction is free of environmental problems such as corrosion due to dissimilar metal joints, UV degrading, low temperature cracking and dehermetization.
The shock-sensitive components of the system are protected by aircraft-type shock absorbing vibroframe. The micro-processor controlled interface of the Stealth ST-940B allows for flexibility in connection with any type of mobile HF transceiver.

Features:

• Power Rating – The antenna is rated for a maximum RF power of 150W PEP.
• Fully Automatic Operation – The motorized folding loop can change its position within seconds from inside the moving vehicle at any time. The antenna is designed so that it normally operates when the hinged loop is raised. However to support ALE/CALM and other networking functions of modern transceivers, the antenna can work for reception even when the loop is folded down. This feature allows for the vehicle to maintain a “hidden look” till transmission is required.
• Multipurpose Graphic Remote Control – The rugged construction of the antenna remote control unit allows control and observation of the current antenna position and tuning parameters, through large, easily readable mnemonic symbols and messages on the bright OLED display that is installed on the vehicle’s dashboard.
• Intelligently Designed User Interface – It allows customers to change warning sound signals as well as provides computerized access for radio technicians to the system parameter settings and diagnostics.
• Easy Installation and Operation – The Antenna is easily installable on the hard roof of vehicles, end both installation & operation does not require highly qualified radio personnel.

More Info; Click Here
http://www.stealth-tele.com/plugins/custompages/detinf.php?id=372&id_categories=156

Night of Nights 10

This is a real cool video~
One day I might be half as good at sending CW~
Hat Tip to my Friend & Elmer, Bill (N8AM) for sharing this with me.



Video of 'DA', also known as Denice Stoops, the first female telegrapher who worked at KPH until the end of commercial morse operations and closure of the station in 1998.

Denice is seen here sending the closing transmissions of the MRHS (see them at www.radiomarine.org ) Night of Nights 10. Each year (in this case exactly 10 years) to the minute, that commercial morse operations ceased in the United States, former RCA shore station KPH comes alive to pay tribute to those who came before us to honor their skill and talents. Many other maritime shore stations and vessels join in, and thousands of people all over the world tune in each year to pay tribute, and copy the CW 'music' once again commanding the airwaves.

This video was shot in the control room at the KPH, KSM, KFS transmitter site and brought to a close Night of Nights X. The KPH 'wheel' is being sent in the beginning of the video before transmitter supervisor Steve Hawes 'pulls the plug' and connects DA's chrome Vibroplex bug to the panel to key all the transmitters at once. The whole building is electrified by the transmitters and the spirit of the men (and women) that were the only connection between those at sea and the world. It is an emotional experience to be part of such an event.

Kewl Mobile Antenna

I know nothing about this photo, it was sent via e-mail with a tag for Ham Radio News. I thought it was Kewl~

Log4Om version 1.11.4 Released

Log4Om is a fast and simple software developed in C# for complete ham radio station management.

Some of the key functions are:

• Interfaced with QRZ.COM e HAMQTH.COM for rapid search and QSO data enhancements (massive update supported).
• Innovative graphic DX Cluster management, with SPOT real time view on world map and auto tuning of the radio with CAT support.
• Super Cluster: An alternative cluster based on online data sent by users to HRDLog.net
• MySQL support for large databases and multi operator operations.
• CAT support for numerous radios, through HAMLIB and OMNIRIG
• Cluster integrated with propagation informations by HRDLog.net
• ADIF import and ADIF / Excel (csv) / PDF export of log
• Integrated with E-QSL, LOTW, ClubLog and HRDLog.net.
• Fast and simple forms for help OM’s to write old good paper QSL with ease.
• Complete log searching features, Log4Om enables the OM to update offline the QSO with updated informations.
• Optimized for “paper to electronic” log conversion, with features that drammatically speeds up the speed of inserting QSO (auto-time functions with predefined QSO separations, automatically set timings for fast pile-up management)
• Language selectable English and Italian
• Complete label print feature— — —

• Log4OM 1.11.4 (123) DUE TO SOME COMPONENT UPDATES A FULL UNINSTALL OF PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED VERSION IS REQUIRED
• Log4OM 1.11.4 Portable (USB key version) (25)
• Log4OM latest user manual (ENG) (471)

        For more info and images click HERE
http://www.pisto.it/wordpress/log4om-en/

Standard C-50D

Type: Amateur VHF/UHF transceiver
Frequency range: 144-146 / 430-440 MHz (10 m/50 W (CRF-081D) or 23 cm/10 W (CRF-301) options)
(5/10/12.5/20/25/50/100 KHz and 1 MHz steps)
Mode: FM
RF Power output: Hi: 50/40 W / Mid: 5/5 W / Lo: 1/1 W
Receiver system: 2 m/70 cm: Dual-conversion superheterodyne
1st IF: 21.8 MHz (2 m), 47.05 MHz (70 cm)
2nd IF: 455 KHz (2 m/70 cm)
Sensitivity: 0.16 uV (12 dB SINAD)
Selectivity: 12 KHz (-6 dB), 24 KHz (-60 dB)
Image rejection: 2 m: 65 dB
70 cm: 60 dB
Voltage: 13.8 VDC or mains
Current drain: RX: 1.3 A
TX: Max 12 A
Impedance: 50 ohms
Dimensions (W*H*D): 362*109*365 mm
Weight: 11.5 Kg
Manufactured: Japan, 1991-199x
Other: Remote control. 33 memories. CTCSS and DTMF options.
Related documents: PA modules: S-AV17 (2 m), M57788M (70 cm)

Amateur (Ham) Radio Articles of Interest

1. In Defense of Ham Radio
2. Sprint Says Yes to FM Chip in Smartphones
3. Harris Broadcast Looks Ahead to Gores
4. Smith-Mundt Act Amended
5. Codec Trends Special Report: Hartnett
6. Central Middle School Radio Club
7. Hamvention® Awards Nomination Deadline Extended to February 15
8. New Book on Handheld Transceivers, 2012 Periodicals DVD Now Available