I’m back…😎

 It has been a long while.

In 2015 I got caught up in the social media nightmare. I created a Facebook page and a few groups for amateur radio. In the beginning, it was fun and enjoyable. After a couple of years the shine went away. Then the world of politics took over social media and it hasn’t been the same.

I’ve left it behind and decided to come back here.

I’m not sure how long I’ll use this platform. I do have a dot com account that has been under construction for several years. I should get it completed before the end of the year.

As for content. I plan to share my adventures in amateur radio and other hobbies that I’m active in.

Stay tune…

Portable Amateur Radio Antenna

Link of Interest

Super Antenna.

HF Portable Antennas - VHF - UHF - Stealth - Mobile - Base - Backpack - EmComm - Ham Radio - Marine - HF SSB - Gov - NGO - Commercial - CB - Survivalist - Prepper - MARS - CAP  

http://newsuperantenna.com/

Amateur Radio HF Emergency & Hurricane Nets

AMATEUR HIGH-FREQUENCY EMERGENCY & HURRICANE NETS

FREQ MODE LOCATION

03808.0 LSB Caribbean Wx

03845.0 LSB Gulf Coast West Hurricane

03862.5 LSB Mississippi Section Traffic

03865.0 LSB West Virginia Emergency

03872.5 LSB Mercury Amateur Radio Assoc / hurricane info net

03873.0 LSB West Gulf ARES Emergency (night)

03873.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane, Louisiana ARES Emergency (night), Mississippi ARES Emergency

03910.0 LSB Central Texas Emergency, Mississippi ARES, Louisiana Traffic

03915.0 LSB South Carolina SSB NTS

03923.0 LSB Mississippi ARES, North Carolina ARES Emergency (Tarheel)

03925.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane, Louisiana Emergency

03927.0 LSB North Carolina ARES (health & welfare)

03935.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane, Louisiana ARES (health & welfare), Texas ARES (health & welfare), Mississippi ARES (health & welfare), & Alabama Emer.

03940.0 LSB Southern Florida Emergency

03944.0 LSB West Gulf Emergency

03950.0 LSB Hurricane Watch (Amateur-to-National Hurricane Center), Northern Florida Emer.

03955.0 LSB South Texas Emergency

03960.0 LSB North East Coast Hurricane

03965.0 LSB Alabama Emergency

03967.0 LSB Gulf Coast (outgoing traffic)

03975.0 LSB Georgia ARES, Texas RACES

03993.5 LSB Gulf Coast (health & welfare)

03993.5 LSB South Carolina ARES/RACES Emergency

03995.0 LSB Gulf Coast Wx

07145.0 LSB Bermuda

07165.0 LSB Antigua/Antilles Emergency and Weather, Inter-island 40-meter (continuous watch)

07225.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane

07232.0 LSB North Carolina ARES Emergency

07235.0 LSB Louisiana Emergency, Central Gulf Coast Hurricane, Louisiana Emergency

07240.0 LSB American Red Cross US Gulf Coast Disaster, Texas Emergency

07242.0 LSB Southern Florida ARES Emergency

07243.0 LSB Alabama Emergency, South Carolina Emergency

07245.0 LSB Southern Louisiana

07247.5 LSB Northern Florida ARES Emergency

07248.0 LSB Texas RACES

07250.0 LSB Texas Emergency

07254.0 LSB Northern Florida Emergency

07260.0 LSB Gulf Coast West Hurricane

07264.0 LSB Gulf Coast (health & welfare)

07265.0 LSB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio (SATERN)

07268.0 LSB Bermuda

07273.0 LSB Texas ARES

07275.0 LSB Georgia ARES

07280.0 LSB NTS Region 5, Louisiana Emergency

07283.0 LSB Gulf Coast (outgoing only)

07285.0 LSB West Gulf ARES Emergency (day), Louisiana ARES Emergency (day)

07285.0 LSB Mississippi ARES Emergency, Texas ARES Emergency (day)

07290.0 LSB Central Gulf Coast Hurricane, Gulf Coast Wx, Louisiana ARES (health & welfare day), Texas ARES (health & welfare), & Mississippi ARES

14185.0 USB Caribbean Emergency

14222.0 USB Health & Welfare

14245.0 USB Health & Welfare

14265.0 USB Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio (SATERN) (health & welfare)

14268.0 USB Amateur Radio Readiness Group

14275.0 USB Bermuda & International Amateur Radio

14300.0 USB Intercontinental Traffic & Maritime Mobile Service

14303.0 USB International Assistance & Traffic

14313.0 USB Intercontinental Traffic & Maritime Mobile Service

14316.0 USB Health & Welfare

14320.0 USB Health & Welfare

14325.0 USB Hurricane Watch (Amateur-to-National Hurricane Center)

14340.0 USB Louisiana (1900)

21310.0 USB Health & Welfare (Spanish)

28450.0 USB Health & Welfare (Spanish)

2 METER SQUARE LOOP

I'm going to do this during the winter months. Nothing like spending a cold winter day at the workbench working on various projects. 

2 METER SQUARE LOOP

http://www.hamuniverse.com/loop.html

2015 IRA Grand Rapids Hamfest

The 2015 IRA Grand Rapids Hamfest on Saturday, June 6, from 8 am to noon. 

Location: Hudsonville Fairgrounds

More info at http://www.w8ira.org/linked/2015hamfestflyer.pdf

Central States VHF Society Annual Conference for 2015

The Central States VHF Society Annual Conference for 2015 will be held in the Denver Colorado Metro area between Thursday July 23rd and Sunday July 26th. The local sponsor this year is Rocky Mountain Ham Radio with the convention venue being the Denver Marriott Westminster Hotel. 

This years conference will feature technical programs, noise figure measurements, rover vehicles and more, The featured speaker for the Saturday evening banquet is Rick Roderick K5UR. Roderick is the First Vice President of ARRL and an avid VHF'er.

Conference registration, as well as a link to the conference venue for bookings is now available at

http://2015.csvhfs.org/

Solar e Power Cube 1500

While looking at generators and solar panels for my next outdoor excursion. Whether it's camping, field  station DXing or Emergency Communications. I came across this unique solar generator.

After doing some research I'm seriously considering making this my next purchase.

Solar e Power Cube 1500 Plus Portable Solar Generator 1500 Watt Inverter / 100 Ah Battery

EQplus: 8-Band EQ/Noise Gate

Use EQplus to expand your W2IHY 8-Band EQ/Noise Gate. Connect one simple cable from your 8-Bander to EQplus and you’re connected to world-class audio capabilities.

EQplus can be used as a stand-alone unit. If the onboard Dual-Band EQ meets your needs, put EQplus between your microphone and radio. If you find you’d like to have additional adjustability and control, you can always add a W2IHY 8-Band EQ later on.

Rack users: EQplus is a one-of-a-kind accessory that gives you unmatched capabilities in radio interfacing, impedance matching, level control and RF/audio isolation. Nothing else compares at any price.

Features:

Adjustable Compressor gives your signal a serious boost in loudness. Increase talk power while your signal stays squeaky-clean

Adjustable Downward Expander provides ultra-fast and transparent background noise reduction

Limiter manages onboard levels and works in harmony with compressor for big, full, commanding audio

Convenient front panel controls

Interface up to 3 radios

Use the Dual-Band EQ for a finishing touch on your lows and highs

Effects Processor adds smooth bright presence to your signal.

Source: http://www.w2ihy.com/eqplus-audio-equalzer.html

Amateur Radio Emergency Frequencies

Here is a list of amateur radio emergency frequencies to keep in mind when both looking for radios and coming up with a emergency communications plan:

34.90:       Used nationwide by the National Guard during emergencies.

39.46:       Used for inter-department emergency communications by local and state police forces.

47.42:       Used across the United States by the Red Cross for relief operations.

52.525:    Calling frequency used by ham radio operators in FM on their six-meter band.

121.50:     International aeronautical emergency frequency.

138.225: Disaster relief operations channel used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency; it is active during earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and other catastrophic events.

146.52:    Used by ham radio operators for non-repeater communications on the two-meter band; it is very busy in many parts of the country.

151.625:  Used by “itinerant” businesses, or those that travel about the country. Circuses, exhibitions, trade shows, and sports teams are some of the users you can hear. Other widely used itinerant channels are 154.57 and 154.60.

154.28:    Used for inter-department emergency communications by local fire departments; 154.265 and 154.295 also used.

155.160: Used for inter-department emergency communications by local and state agencies during search and rescue operations.

155.475: Used for inter-department emergency communications by local and state police forces.

156.75:    Used internationally for broadcasts of maritime weather alerts.

156.80:   International maritime distress, calling, and safety channel. All ships must monitor this frequency while at sea. It is also heavily used on rivers, lakes, etc.

162.40:   NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

162.425: NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

162.45:   NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

162.475: NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

162.50:   NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

162.525: NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

162.55:    NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

163.275: NOAA weather broadcasts and bulletins.

163.48750: Used nationwide by the National Guard during emergencies.

163.51250: The national disaster preparedness frequency used jointly by the armed forces.

164.50: National communications channel for the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

168.55: National channel used by civilian agencies of the federal government for communications during emergencies and disasters.

243.00: Used during military aviation emergencies.

259.70: Used by the Space Shuttle during re-entry and landing.

296.80: Used by the Space Shuttle during re-entry and landing.

311.00: Flight channel used by the U.S. Air Force.

317.70: Used by U.S. Coast Guard aviation.

317.80: Used by U.S. Coast Guard aviation.

319.40: Used by the U.S. Air Force.

340.20: Used by U.S. Navy aviators.

409.20: National communications channel for the Interstate Commerce Commission.

409.625: National communications channel for the Department of State.

462.675: Used for emergency communications and traveler assistance in the General Mobile Radio Service.

Field Station (1)

Today I spent some time working on my field station.

I'm hoping to get to to Pere Marquette Beach in the next few weeks and see what kind of DX I can work.

I also plan on doing several night time field setups this summer.

As of right now I'm not sure which antenna I will use, I leaning towards my MFJ-1798 which will operate 10 bands -- 75/80, 40, 30, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10, 6 and 2 Meters.

The MFJ-1798 is a great antenna that requires no ground or radials!

Making it a great field antenna.

I hope to work your station.

As for what radio I will be using, I will be using my Yaesu FT- 897D.

I will be posting more info as I plan with dates.

I hope to add your station to the log book. 

ACARC Trunk Sale

Allegan County Amateur Radio Club's annual trunk sale is this Saturday, May 2nd at:

 

Salem Township Hall

3003 142nd Ave

Dorr, MI 49323

 

Entry price, whether buying or selling, is $5 per vehicle. Vendor set up starts at 7AM with sales opening to the general public at 8AM and ending at 12PM. Talk-in will be on the 147.240 repeater (94.8pl).

 

The weather is promising to be great this year - see you Saturday!

 

2015 QRP To the Field

The official rules for QRP To the Field have been posted.

http://www.zianet.com/qrp/qrpttf/2015/ttf.htm 

Muskegon County Walking Challenge

Muskegon County Generational Walking Challenge encourages all ages to get active.

Has the winter kept you cooped up indoors for too long? Has it become difficult to climb the stairs? Have the kids been spending more time online than enjoying the fresh air? Health and recreation partners in Muskegon County are hosting an eight-week Generational Walking Challenge this spring to get all ages active in the great outdoors.

The Generational Walking Challenge will begin Monday, April 6, with a kick-off event at the Snug Harbor day-use area of Muskegon State Park. Bring the family to register for the walking challenge, then check out fitness presentations, free health screenings from the Health Project and information about local trails and parks. 

“This is part of the large partnership to promote healthy lifestyles using Michigan state parks and recreation areas as part of the ‘Big Green Gym’ program,” said Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Parks and Recreation Division.

"This short-term commitment can have a lifetime of benefits, and it all starts with the first step,” said Ann Conklin, chief operating officer for Michigan Recreation and Parks Association.

Registration for the challenge also is available by emailing bucke1@michigan.gov. All registered participants will receive a form to track their activity during the challenge. 

Muskegon State Park will host a weekly walk Mondays at 5 p.m. (meeting at Snug Harbor) to help participants complete their walking goals. The Generational Walking Challenge also encourages people to get out to local parks and trails and get active with running, bicycling and more. 

At the end of eight weeks, on May 9, participants can turn in their activity-tracking forms for a chance to win prizes. The grand prize for the family or group that logs the most minutes of activity is a two-night stay at Muskegon State Park’s yurt (limit seven people per team). P.J. Hoffmaster State Park will host a completion celebration Friday, May 29, at 5 p.m. Completion celebration attendees also can get information about other active living opportunities and resources in Muskegon and around Michigan. 

 

“This event not only gets people active, but it’s also a chance to spend time with loved ones,” said Elissa Buck, recreation programmer for the Michigan DNR. “It’s a great way for residents to explore Michigan’s parks and trails with their family and friends, and maybe start a new family activity tradition.”

This program is funded by the Department of Community Health's Active Living Grant, in partnership with Michigan Recreation and Park Association and the Michigan DNR. Other partners include the Health Project, EcoTrek Fitness and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. 

For more information about the Generational Walking Challenge, please contact Elissa Buck at 989-313-0000 or email bucke1@michigan.gov. 

Inside Michigan’s Great Outdoors subscribers are always the first to know about reservation opportunities, state park events and other outdoor happenings. Visit www.michigan.gov/dnr to subscribe now.

There is no charge to participate in the Generational Walking Challenge, but a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to Muskegon State Park and P.J. Hoffmaster State Park for the kick-off event, weekly walks and the completion celebration.

A Recreation Passport grants vehicle access to any Michigan state park, boat launch, state forest campground or nonmotorized state trailhead parking. Residents can purchase the Passport for just $11 ($5 for motorcycles) at the time of Michigan license plate renewal through Secretary of State. Forgot to check “YES” during renewal? Residents and nonresidents can purchase a Recreation Passport window sticker during regular business hours at state parks. Learn more about how the Recreation Passport supports state parks and local outdoor recreation opportunities at www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport.

 

Propagation: Realtime Band Conditions Web-Site

REALTIME BAND CONDITIONS WEB SITE 

Bandconditions.com is a new experimental website designed to provide 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 365 day a year real time band condition information to SSB, contesters and other operators interested in increasing their scores. It can also be of benefit to other Radio Amateurs to determine band conditions for nets and casual QSO's. 

This information is not based on any software predictions or any kind of satellite based readings. Instead it uses a new Ionospheric sounding method called "HF Ionospheric Interferometry" which operates very similarly to the PolSAR system used by NASA. Its in cybderspace at http://www.bandconditions.com/  (OPDX)

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to Lead Fight to Maintain Net Neutrality

FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler confirmed on Wednesday, February 3rd that he intends to bring wired and wireless broadband services under utility-style rules based on Title II of the Communications Act of 1934. He said Title II would bring to end the debate over how to ensure that the Internet remains open to everyone, a concept known as Net neutrality.

In an op-ed published Wednesday on Wired.com, Wheeler said the new rules will ban paid prioritization. Thats the idea that an Internet company can pay a premium to ensure that its traffic gets to the consumer faster than everyone else's.

Wheeler also said he would reinstate rules that had been part of the previous open Internet regulation, which went into effect in 2010, but was overruled last year by a federal appeals court, leading to the current situation. The previous rules banned an Internet service provider from blocking traffic or slowing down access to content on the Internet to favor their own services.

Title II of the Communications Act holds the potential to radically change how the Internet is governed by giving the FCC unprecedented authority over it. The provision originally gave the FCC the power to set rates and enforce the "common carrier" principle, or the idea that every customer is treated fairly, on telephone service. FCC Chairman Wheeler hopes to apply that principle to Internet traffic, preventing broadband providers from favoring one bit of data over another.

Net Neutrality is important in all aspects of today's society including amateur radio since more and more emerging communications technologies are dependent on it. And in the years ahead it will be even more so.