If you live in Missouri you might have heard, there is a new Senate Bill, SB 567, that has been introduced by State Senator Robin Write-Jones, a Democrat-St Louis to be considered in 2012 by the Missouri Senate. There is good news though in this bill if you’re a ham radio operator. The last line of the bill contains the following exemption language:
Exempt are the use of two-way radio transmitters or receivers by a licensee of the Federal Communications Commission in the Amateur Radio Service.
That means that the mobile use of amateur transceivers is for now safe in Missouri.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Thursday, January 12, 2012
OPERA Encoded Signal Travels 2000 Miles
Opera has made a big debuet on the ham radio bands. Using the new Opera data mode, Gary Taylor, G4WGT, in Lancanshire in the United Kingdom has successfully transmitted a signal on 137.5 kHz across the North Atlantic to Joe Craig, VO1NA, in Toebay, Canada. This over a distance of 3,500 kilometers or 2200 miles.
Taylor transmitted six full callsign frames in a two hour period, which is a big time saving over other slow digital modes like QRSS. Opera was created by Graham Brown, G0NBD with the actual code written by Jose Ros, EA5HVK. This as a way of providing data operations for stations that only had the CW capability. The most up to date information on this mode can be found at groups.yahoo.com.
source.
Southgate Amateur Radio News
Taylor transmitted six full callsign frames in a two hour period, which is a big time saving over other slow digital modes like QRSS. Opera was created by Graham Brown, G0NBD with the actual code written by Jose Ros, EA5HVK. This as a way of providing data operations for stations that only had the CW capability. The most up to date information on this mode can be found at groups.yahoo.com.
source.
Southgate Amateur Radio News
FCC Rejects ARRL Partial Appeal on Club Callsigns
The FCC has rejected a motion for partial reconsideration of revised rules enacted by the FCC. These to limit the number of vanity calls that any individual or club can hold.
In its petition the League stated that it supports the Commission’s efforts to prevent club stations from obtaining an unfair share of desirable call signs. But it also expressed concern that the precise rule language adopted by the FCC did not preclude the abuses that the Report and Order intended to prohibit. Specifically, the ARRL believes that if a club has multiple station trustees, each of these trustees could obtain a vanity call sign for the club. That in turn could allow the club to obtain multiple vanity call signs.
But in denying the ARRL appeal the FCC said that the Leagues petition does not provide any grounds for reconsidering the Commission’s decision in the Report and Order. It said that the concerns expressed by ARRL about licensees attempting to evade the rules adopted in the Report and Order are already addressed by the Commission’s licensing rules and processes. It notes that Section 97.5(b)(2) of its rules states, in part, that a club station license grant may be held only by the person who is the license or trustee designated by an officer of the club. In simpler terms, only one vanity call sign per club. (FCC)
In its petition the League stated that it supports the Commission’s efforts to prevent club stations from obtaining an unfair share of desirable call signs. But it also expressed concern that the precise rule language adopted by the FCC did not preclude the abuses that the Report and Order intended to prohibit. Specifically, the ARRL believes that if a club has multiple station trustees, each of these trustees could obtain a vanity call sign for the club. That in turn could allow the club to obtain multiple vanity call signs.
But in denying the ARRL appeal the FCC said that the Leagues petition does not provide any grounds for reconsidering the Commission’s decision in the Report and Order. It said that the concerns expressed by ARRL about licensees attempting to evade the rules adopted in the Report and Order are already addressed by the Commission’s licensing rules and processes. It notes that Section 97.5(b)(2) of its rules states, in part, that a club station license grant may be held only by the person who is the license or trustee designated by an officer of the club. In simpler terms, only one vanity call sign per club. (FCC)
Saturday, January 7, 2012
ARRL SEEKING INPUT ON A 60 METER BANDPLAN
The ARRL is seeking input on a proposed new bandplan for the 5 MHz or 60 meter band.
As previously reported, last November the FCC released a Report and Order detailing new rules for the 5 MHz Amateur Radio band. This announcement brought with it a number of changes for 60 meter operators.
Changes include substituting a channel at 5 point 358 point 5 MHz for 5 point 368 MHz previously authorized. The effective radiated limit in the 60 meter band will be raised by 3 dB to 100 W Peak Envelope Power relative to a half-wave dipole. Also, three additional emission types are authorized. These are Data, RTTY and CW will be authorized as soon as an effective date for a rules change is announced.
The ARRL says that considering the expected increase in 60 meter activity when the FCC’s Report and Order finally takes effect, the League is asking for feedback to assist in crafting a
proposed band plan. If you’re a 60-meter operator, e-mail your suggestions to hf-band-plan (at) arrl (dot) org. You can also participate in an online survey at tinyurl.com/60-meter-plan.
ARRL http://www.arrl.org/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding new FCC rules for the US 60m amateur band:
The following URL:
http://tinyurl.com/60m-R-O-in-PR
redirects to a search of *all* US Gov't publications for FCC-11-171.
The first hit there was for the document sent from FCC to the Pres. of the Senate, which was
then sent to committee. Apparently, the new rules are being held up by the US Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation !
The Executive Communication, sent from FCC to the President of the US Senate, reads as follows:
EC–4237. A communication from the Chief
of the Policy and Rules Division, Office of
Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications
Commission, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled
‘‘Amendment of Parts 2 and 97 of the Commission’s
Rules to Facilitate Use by the
Amateur Radio Service of the Allocation at
5 MHz’’ (FCC 11–171) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on December 5,
2011; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
To search only the Federal Register for same, I created the following Tinyurl :
http://tinyurl.com/Search-FR-only-FCC-11-171
Use either of the above URLs for up-to-the-minute notification of the publishing of
the new 60m rules in the Federal Register, straight from the horse's mouth !
72,
Bill, N4QA
As previously reported, last November the FCC released a Report and Order detailing new rules for the 5 MHz Amateur Radio band. This announcement brought with it a number of changes for 60 meter operators.
Changes include substituting a channel at 5 point 358 point 5 MHz for 5 point 368 MHz previously authorized. The effective radiated limit in the 60 meter band will be raised by 3 dB to 100 W Peak Envelope Power relative to a half-wave dipole. Also, three additional emission types are authorized. These are Data, RTTY and CW will be authorized as soon as an effective date for a rules change is announced.
The ARRL says that considering the expected increase in 60 meter activity when the FCC’s Report and Order finally takes effect, the League is asking for feedback to assist in crafting a
proposed band plan. If you’re a 60-meter operator, e-mail your suggestions to hf-band-plan (at) arrl (dot) org. You can also participate in an online survey at tinyurl.com/60-meter-plan.ARRL http://www.arrl.org/
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Regarding new FCC rules for the US 60m amateur band:
The following URL:
http://tinyurl.com/60m-R-O-in-PR
redirects to a search of *all* US Gov't publications for FCC-11-171.
The first hit there was for the document sent from FCC to the Pres. of the Senate, which was
then sent to committee. Apparently, the new rules are being held up by the US Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation !
The Executive Communication, sent from FCC to the President of the US Senate, reads as follows:
EC–4237. A communication from the Chief
of the Policy and Rules Division, Office of
Engineering and Technology, Federal Communications
Commission, transmitting, pursuant
to law, the report of a rule entitled
‘‘Amendment of Parts 2 and 97 of the Commission’s
Rules to Facilitate Use by the
Amateur Radio Service of the Allocation at
5 MHz’’ (FCC 11–171) received in the Office of
the President of the Senate on December 5,
2011; to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation.
To search only the Federal Register for same, I created the following Tinyurl :
http://tinyurl.com/Search-FR-only-FCC-11-171
Use either of the above URLs for up-to-the-minute notification of the publishing of
the new 60m rules in the Federal Register, straight from the horse's mouth !
72,
Bill, N4QA
Friday, January 6, 2012
Mitt Romney/ Against Amateur Radio Operators
I personally do not like or care for Mitt Romney. Never have and never will.
Here is another great reason;
Mitt Romney "No, we don't need to deal with ham radio operators..."
Romney "Disses" Amateur Radio In Televised Town Meeting
Read about it here
http://ema.arrl.org/node/802
The television program can be viewed at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/5334306/detail.html.
Here is another great reason;
Mitt Romney "No, we don't need to deal with ham radio operators..."
Romney "Disses" Amateur Radio In Televised Town Meeting
Read about it here
http://ema.arrl.org/node/802
The television program can be viewed at http://www.thebostonchannel.com/video/5334306/detail.html.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Political Correctness/ Off Topic
Due to the climate of political correctness now pervading America, Kentuckians, Tennesseans and West Virginians will no longer be referred to as "HILLBILLIES."
You must now refer to us as APPALACHIAN-AMERICANS.And furthermore ....
HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:
1. She is not a "BABE" or a "CHICK" - She is a "BREASTED AMERICAN."
2. She is not a "SCREAMER" or a "MOANER" - She is "VOCALLY APPRECIATIVE."
3. She is not "EASY" - She is "HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE."
4. She is not a "DUMB BLONDE" - She is a "LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY."
5. She has not "BEEN AROUND" - She is a "PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION."
6. She is not an "AIR HEAD" - She is "REALITY IMPAIRED."
7. She does not get "DRUNK" or "TIPSY" - She gets "CHEMICALLY INCONVENIENCED"
8. She does not have "BREAST IMPLANTS" - She is "MEDICALLY ENHANCED."
9. She does not "NAG" you - She becomes "VERBALLY REPETITIVE."
10. She is not a "TRAMP" - She is "SEXUALLY EXTROVERTED."
12. She is not a "TWO-BIT HOOKER" - She is a "LOW COST PROVIDER."
HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:
1. He does not have a "BEER GUT" ~ He has developed a "LIQUID GRAIN STORAGE FACILITY."
2. He is not a "BAD DANCER" ~ He is "OVERLY CAUCASIAN."
3. He does not "GET LOST ALL THE TIME" ~ He "INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE DESTINATIONS."
4. He is not "BALDING" ~ He is in "FOLLICLE REGRESSION."
6. He does not get "FALLING-DOWN DRUNK" ~ He becomes "ACCIDENTALLY HORIZONTAL."
7. He does not act like a "TOTAL ASS" ~ He develops a case of RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION."
8. He is not a "MALE CHAUVINIST PIG" ~ He has "SWINE EMPATHY."
9. He is not afraid of "COMMITMENT" ~ He is "RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGED."
10. He is not "HORNY" ~ He is "SEXUALLY FOCUSED."
11. It's not his "CRACK" you see hanging out of his pants ~ It's "REAR CLEAVAGE."
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Saturday, December 31, 2011
DX info for the Up-Coming Week
In DX, JI5RPT will sign JD1BLY from Chichijima Island through January 2nd. Listen out for him using CW, SSB and digital modes on 80 through 6 meters. Possibly some satellite operation as well. QSL to JI5RPT.
SM6CPY, will be on the air from Rwanda in a holiday style operation signing 9X0PY through January 7th . QSL via SM6CPY.
DL1ZU is on a trip in Namibia through Jan 13th using an Icom IC-706. His primary operating modes will be CW plus PSK, RTTY and SSB. QSL via his home call.
EA1CYK/P will be operational from Deception Island in the South Shetland group during his spare time until March of 2012. He has been spotted with a good signal on 10 meters QSL via EA7LS.
G3SWH and G3OLU will be active from the Hawane Resort in western Swaziland between February 21st to the 29th. Propagation permitting, they plan to have two stations on the air for as many hours every day as is possible. Operation will be on CW only on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via G3SWH
Lastly, An international group of operators plan to visit Pitcarin Island and operate as VP6T between January 20th and February 4th. According to a web posing the operation hope to make at least 30,000 contacts while on the island. Operations will be on 160 through 10 meters including the 30, 17 and 12 meter bands. Modes to be used include CW, SSB and RTTY. The VP6T log will be uploaded to Logbook of the World during the operation if possible. QSL Manager is G3TXF. In addition to the usual routes they will also be using the new Online QSL Request Service provided by ClubLog. For more details and the suggested frequencies please visit www (dot) vp6t (dot) org.
SM6CPY, will be on the air from Rwanda in a holiday style operation signing 9X0PY through January 7th . QSL via SM6CPY.
DL1ZU is on a trip in Namibia through Jan 13th using an Icom IC-706. His primary operating modes will be CW plus PSK, RTTY and SSB. QSL via his home call.
EA1CYK/P will be operational from Deception Island in the South Shetland group during his spare time until March of 2012. He has been spotted with a good signal on 10 meters QSL via EA7LS.
G3SWH and G3OLU will be active from the Hawane Resort in western Swaziland between February 21st to the 29th. Propagation permitting, they plan to have two stations on the air for as many hours every day as is possible. Operation will be on CW only on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via G3SWH
Lastly, An international group of operators plan to visit Pitcarin Island and operate as VP6T between January 20th and February 4th. According to a web posing the operation hope to make at least 30,000 contacts while on the island. Operations will be on 160 through 10 meters including the 30, 17 and 12 meter bands. Modes to be used include CW, SSB and RTTY. The VP6T log will be uploaded to Logbook of the World during the operation if possible. QSL Manager is G3TXF. In addition to the usual routes they will also be using the new Online QSL Request Service provided by ClubLog. For more details and the suggested frequencies please visit www (dot) vp6t (dot) org.
Radio Amateur Society of Thailand Needs Our Help
Ham radio groups from around the world are being asked to assist the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand which is seeking help to rebuild its headquarters station, HS0AC. This following massive flooding that recently hit that nation not long ago.
--
According to Dick Flanagan, K7VC, in Minden, Nevada, there have already several offers of equipment to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand from members of the Northern California Contest Club. Also Rusty Epps, W6OAT, reports that the Yasme Foundation sent the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand a $2,000 donation to assist in the HS0AC rebuilding effort. But that will be only the beginning of what’s required to bring the station back on the air.
Flanagan says that what is probably needed most right now is someone or some organization to coordinate the assistance effort, solicit the offers and manage the shipping and paperwork. He speculates that perhaps that administrative role could be taken on as a cooperative effort between the Northern California Contest Club, the Northern California DX Club, the International DX Association and perhaps the ARRL.
K7VC notes that this would be a wonderful way for individuals and clubs to express their holiday feelings of generosity to our fellow hams in need, He adds that we can use this opportunity to demonstrate to our Thai ham radio brothers and sisters what a coordinated effort can do to help them rebuild their wonderful station. Those with suggestions can contact Dick Flanagan by e-mail to dick (at) k7vc (dot) com.
Photos of the devastation that the flooding brought to HS0AC at on-line at www.qsl.net/rast.
--
According to Dick Flanagan, K7VC, in Minden, Nevada, there have already several offers of equipment to the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand from members of the Northern California Contest Club. Also Rusty Epps, W6OAT, reports that the Yasme Foundation sent the Radio Amateur Society of Thailand a $2,000 donation to assist in the HS0AC rebuilding effort. But that will be only the beginning of what’s required to bring the station back on the air.
Flanagan says that what is probably needed most right now is someone or some organization to coordinate the assistance effort, solicit the offers and manage the shipping and paperwork. He speculates that perhaps that administrative role could be taken on as a cooperative effort between the Northern California Contest Club, the Northern California DX Club, the International DX Association and perhaps the ARRL.
K7VC notes that this would be a wonderful way for individuals and clubs to express their holiday feelings of generosity to our fellow hams in need, He adds that we can use this opportunity to demonstrate to our Thai ham radio brothers and sisters what a coordinated effort can do to help them rebuild their wonderful station. Those with suggestions can contact Dick Flanagan by e-mail to dick (at) k7vc (dot) com.
Photos of the devastation that the flooding brought to HS0AC at on-line at www.qsl.net/rast.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Rescue Radio: Changing Times - ARMY MARS PHASING OUT WINLINK
The Department of the Army has announced that it has begun to take steps to phase out the use of the WINLINK System. This is because of possible security breaches that might be incurred in the Internet aspect of transmissions using the mode. Amateur Radio Newsline's Bruce Tennant, K6PZW, has more:
--
According to the December 21st ARRL ARES E-Letter, the military chain of command that governs Army MARS feels that the Internet portion of WINLKINK leaves the system significantly open to the possibility of intrusion. To deal with this it plans to replace WINLINK with a newer military e-mail system that has extensive protection against any form of hacking or any other form of incursion.
To accomplish this, Army MARS will be expanding on the concept of a national network that is voice, RTTY and PACTOR capable under MIL-STD 110A. It says that PACTOR will become even more important as the new areas of focus will be peer to peer and keyboard to keyboard PACTOR based communications.
Amateur modes such as MT-63, OLIVIA, and WINMOR, which cannot be used by the military, will be eventually phased out as well.
The ultimate goal of this change will be to help Army MARS return to what it is really supposed to be. That of a radio-only system to relay long haul traffic as it has done very successfully in the past.
--
While these changes will affect Army MARS nationally, it is not abandoning state and local served agencies. Army MARS says that it is moving away from providing them a winlink.org e-mail address. (ARRL ARES E-Letter)
--
According to the December 21st ARRL ARES E-Letter, the military chain of command that governs Army MARS feels that the Internet portion of WINLKINK leaves the system significantly open to the possibility of intrusion. To deal with this it plans to replace WINLINK with a newer military e-mail system that has extensive protection against any form of hacking or any other form of incursion.
To accomplish this, Army MARS will be expanding on the concept of a national network that is voice, RTTY and PACTOR capable under MIL-STD 110A. It says that PACTOR will become even more important as the new areas of focus will be peer to peer and keyboard to keyboard PACTOR based communications.
Amateur modes such as MT-63, OLIVIA, and WINMOR, which cannot be used by the military, will be eventually phased out as well.
The ultimate goal of this change will be to help Army MARS return to what it is really supposed to be. That of a radio-only system to relay long haul traffic as it has done very successfully in the past.
--
While these changes will affect Army MARS nationally, it is not abandoning state and local served agencies. Army MARS says that it is moving away from providing them a winlink.org e-mail address. (ARRL ARES E-Letter)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
CME expected at Earth on 28 December 2011
New sunspot 1387 erupted during the late hours of Christmas Day, producing an M4-class flare and hurling a CME toward Earth and Mars. Click to view an animated forecast track prepared by analysts at the Goddard Space Weather Lab:
The CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 28th at 1200 UT and a direct hit to the planet Mars on Dec. 30th at 1800 UT. Using onboard radiation sensors, NASA's Curiosity rover might be able to sense the CME when it passes the rover's spacecraft en route to Mars. Here on Earth, NOAA forecasters estimate a 30-to-40% chance of geomagnetic storms on Dec. 28th when the CME and an incoming solar wind stream (unrelated to the CME) could arrive in quick succession.
The CME is expected to deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field on Dec. 28th at 1200 UT and a direct hit to the planet Mars on Dec. 30th at 1800 UT. Using onboard radiation sensors, NASA's Curiosity rover might be able to sense the CME when it passes the rover's spacecraft en route to Mars. Here on Earth, NOAA forecasters estimate a 30-to-40% chance of geomagnetic storms on Dec. 28th when the CME and an incoming solar wind stream (unrelated to the CME) could arrive in quick succession.
Monday, December 26, 2011
“The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio”
ARRL VIDEO TO BE RELEASED VIA DECEMBER 27th AND JAN 3rd NETCASTS
Two dates to mark down on your ham radio social calendar. The first is this Tuesday, December 27th at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. That’s when the ARRL will present an on-line premiere screening of its new video titled The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio.
To accomplish this the League has teamed up with Tom Medlin, W5KUB, who will be streaming it from his website at w5kub.com. The video will also be released earlier that day on-line at the ARRL’s own website at www.arrl.org and on the ARRL video pages on YouTube dot com. All three are a part of a new ARRL public relations campaign to interest the nations maker and hacker community in our world of ham radio.
Then a week later on January 3rd at 9 p.m. Eastern, the shows producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, along with Director Dave Bell, W6AQ and writer Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, will be the guests of Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordon West, WB6NOA. This on their weekly TWIT dot TV video podcast known as Ham Nation.
Bell, Feinberg and Pasternak will give you a behind the scenes look at how the DIY Magic of Amateur Radio video was conceived as well as how it was put together using the very latest digital video production techniques. You will also get to see the video in its entirety.
Look for this live netcast at 9 PM Eastern on Tuesday, January 3rd at live.twit.tv. If you miss it, wait about 24 hours for it to be posted at twit.tv/hn. (ARRL, ARNewsline™)
Two dates to mark down on your ham radio social calendar. The first is this Tuesday, December 27th at 8:30 p.m. Eastern time. That’s when the ARRL will present an on-line premiere screening of its new video titled The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio.
To accomplish this the League has teamed up with Tom Medlin, W5KUB, who will be streaming it from his website at w5kub.com. The video will also be released earlier that day on-line at the ARRL’s own website at www.arrl.org and on the ARRL video pages on YouTube dot com. All three are a part of a new ARRL public relations campaign to interest the nations maker and hacker community in our world of ham radio.
Then a week later on January 3rd at 9 p.m. Eastern, the shows producer Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF, along with Director Dave Bell, W6AQ and writer Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ, will be the guests of Bob Heil, K9EID, and Gordon West, WB6NOA. This on their weekly TWIT dot TV video podcast known as Ham Nation.
Bell, Feinberg and Pasternak will give you a behind the scenes look at how the DIY Magic of Amateur Radio video was conceived as well as how it was put together using the very latest digital video production techniques. You will also get to see the video in its entirety.
Look for this live netcast at 9 PM Eastern on Tuesday, January 3rd at live.twit.tv. If you miss it, wait about 24 hours for it to be posted at twit.tv/hn. (ARRL, ARNewsline™)
TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANCE: DISABILITY.GOV NOW ON LINE
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)
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)
Sunday, December 25, 2011
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