Massive X6.9 Class Solar Flare

August 9, 2011 - The largest flare of the solar cycle, an R3 (Strong) Radio Blackout, alternatively classified as an X6, occurred today at 0805Z. Region 1263, now poised near the west limb, produced the event and a few others of lesser magnitude in the past day. The region remains hot at this writing.

A quick rise in the protons at GOES reached S1 (Minor) levels soon after the eruption. Given the location of the activity, any CMEs would likely be directed away from Earth so no significant Geomagnetic Storm activity is forecast.

*Solar Storms May Disrupt Gadgets

*Power companies prepare as solar storms set to hit Earth

HF SuperPacker Pro 100W Amplifier Home Construction Project

This project is designed to walk you through the build process step by step. We welcome first-time builders. Let us help you be all that you can be. The project parts and your efforts will provide you with a compact linear amplifier for use with QRP SSB/CW transmitters on the amateur bands 160 through 10 meters and which can be powered from a 12 volt DC supply. The design is a good balance between output power, physical size and battery power consumption. The completed amplifier will reward the builder with a clean, more powerful output signal for a QRP rig when radio conditions become marginal.

The HF SuperPacker Pro 100W Amplifier Home Construction Project is available to order.

For more info; Click Here

Current Special Event Stations

• 08/05/2011 | Hooverfest

  Aug 5-Aug 8, 1400Z-2300Z, K0H, Coralville, IA. Iowa City Amateur Radio Club (W0JV). 14.260 14.070 21.300 21.070. QSL. Iowa City Amateur Radio Club / K0H, PO Box 4, Iowa City, IA 52244. Expect to be on the air via Phone, PSK and some CW. www.icarc.org

• 08/05/2011 | 2011 ARRL Rocky Mountain Division Convention

  Aug 5-Aug 7, 2200Z-1800Z, W1AW/5, Taos, NM. ARRL Rocky Mountain Division. 21.355 14.255 7.255 3.855. QSL. ARRL, W1AW/5, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. 80 40 20 15 m SSB CW and digital depending on time of day and propagation. Frequencies ending in "5" for 5th district (NM). www.2011convention.org

• 08/05/2011 | Brockway Mountain Special Event

  Aug 5-Aug 8, 1200Z-1200Z, W8B, Copper Harbor, MI. The Lone Wolfe Pack High Frequency Amateur Radio Society. 50.125 29.600 18.140 14.320. QSL. John Ponchaud, 325 Carpenter Road, Crystal Falls, MI 49920. Near Copper Harbor, Michigan, Grid Square EN67. Will be operating 160 meters through 440 MHz all modes. SASE for QSL appreciated. john-ab8ko @ sbcglobal.net

• 08/05/2011 | 90th Anniversary of the World’s First Live Play-by-Play Broadcast of a Baseball Game

  Aug 5-Aug 6, 1100Z-1100Z, K3D, Saxonburg, PA. North Hills Amateur Radio Club. 14.260 7.260. QSL. Chris Hyatt, KB3NPA, 201 Iola Ave, Glenshaw, PA 15116. From Saxonburg Museum in Roebling Park....one of the original KDKA transmitter sites. No LoTW or eQSL. www.nharc.org/K3D_Special-Event.html

• 08/05/2011 | Cove Fort Days

  Aug 5-Aug 6, 1400Z-2359Z, K7K, Cove Fort, UT. Cove Fort Amateur Radio Club. 50.150 14.250 7.272 3.985. Certificate. Alan Bryner, KK7UD, 4021 North 500 West, Ogden, UT 84414. www.qrz.com/db/k7k

• 08/06/2011 | River City Days

  Aug 6, 1400Z-2200Z, W0R, Red Wing, MN. Hiawatha Valley Radio Club. 147.300 14.300 21.300. Certificate. Bill Eichenlaub, 1966 Launa Ave, Red Wing, MN 55066.

• 08/06/2011 | USCG 221st Birthday

  Aug 6-Aug 7, 1400Z-0400Z, K1CG, Port Angeles, WA. Coast Guard CW Association. 21.052 14.052 7.052 3.552. QSL. Fred Goodwin, 424 N Bagley Ck Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362. K1CG will be operated by several different stations across the country starting on the east coast and moving west from 1400Z to 0400Z.

• 08/06/2011 | Point Reyes Lighthouse Activation

  Aug 6-Aug 7, 1600Z-2359Z, N6P, Point Reyes, CA. Valley of the Moon Amateur Radio Club. 14.270 7.270 PSK31 14.070 7.035. QSL. Ken McTaggart, N6KM, 402 4th St E, Sonoma, CA 95476. Times are daily. vomarc.org

• 08/06/2011 | Brat Days, Sheboygan WI

  Aug 6, 1300Z-2200Z, W9B, Sheboygan, WI. Sheboygan County Amateur Radio Club. 28.380 14.240 7.240. Certificate & QSL. John Draves, 1225 Carmen Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081.

• 08/06/2011 | Boulder County Colorado Fair - 142nd

  Aug 6, 1500Z-2359Z, W0ENO, Longmont, CO. Longmont Amateur Radio Club. 21.275 14.265 7.185. QSL. Doug Altman, KE0SI, 1641 Hartley Ct, Longmont, CO 80501. 5X7 SASE please www.w0eno.org

• 08/07/2011 | 95th Anniversary of Lassen Volcanic National Park

  Aug 7-Aug 15, 0000Z-0000Z, N6L, Mineral, CA. Area Amateurs. 14.244 10-40 m. QSL. K6LSN, 5921 Cedars Rd, Redding, CA 96001. For Event QSL please send SASE. DX please send SAE w/ 2 US $. lassenbirthday.blogspot.com

Investigation into Interference on 60 Meter

In July 2003, radio amateurs in the US received secondary privileges on 60 meters. Its strict guidelines -- no CW, operation just on five distinct channels using USB, a maximum effective radiated power of 50 W and only open to General, Advanced and Amateur Extra class licensees -- have prevented it from being popular. At first, amateurs interested in operating on 60 meters had to make modifications to the radios in use at the time. But now, more rigs are available that are designed to operate on 60 meters directly, or with a simple manipulation of menus.

Over time, radio amateurs heard various signals on the channels; users assumed these signals were those of government users and protected as such. Normally, advice to amateurs is to “use it or lose it” in regard to band usage, but on 60 meters, the watchword seemed to be “misuse” the band and lose it. So amateurs were cautious and compliant and when the band was made available to radio amateurs, users reported that everyone on the band was friendly and courteous, with at least one amateur reporting “that it was the way all the other bands used to be.”

To read more; Click Here

For more information on 60 meters, please check out the 60 Meters FAQ page on the ARRL website.

MFJ-9200

The MFJ-9200 is a bold new addition to MFJ’s legendary QRP transceiver line, delivering unmatched six-band CW performance in a compact pocket-sized package. QRP radios have always been small in size, but thanks to direct-digital synthesis and microprocessor technology, the MFJ-9200 represents a quantum leap over traditional designs with an unprecedented number of features for a very affordable price.

The MFJ-9200 covers 80 through 15 Meters using computer-modeled plug-in filter modules that yield no-compromise receiver performance and solid QRP+ transmit power on every band. There’s also built-in iambic keying with a manual-key sensor, a programmable CQ message, and seamless QSK T/R switching. DDS frequency control delivers rock-solid stability, precise 100-Hz readout, and eight memory channels per band. Plus, you get a choice of three main-dial tuning rates and RIT with 10-Hz tuning resolution.

Other features include selectable IF-band-width for monitoring SSB or CW, a 20-dB front-end attenuator for overload protection, and a switched backlight for the LCD display. There’s also plenty of receiver overlap for monitoring international short wave broadcasting.

MFJ-9200 runs on any power source between 8 and 15 VDC and draws a miserly 40 mA on receive with the display backlight turned off — perfect for prolonged off-the-grid adventures. Best of all, the QR-Pocket Radio is the smallest and lightest backpack transceiver currently available.

MFJ also offers a wide range of QRP accessories to compliment the MFJ-9200 QRPocket CW TransceiverTM. For example, the MFJ-561 Miniature Iambic Paddle is a perfect companion when you’re traveling light.

Also, consider picking up a pair of MFJ-392B light-weight stereo headphones for cushioned comfort and clear sound during those long QRP contest sessions.

For off-road adventure, check out MFJ’s line of Walkabout portable antennas that plug directly into the QRPocket CW Transceiver’s BNC connector. MFJ-1899T, (see left) features 80 through 6 Meter coverage with a “wander-lead” tapped loading coil and collapsible 52-inch whip. Requires MFJ-7703, BNC to BNC elbow connector.

For mono-band coverage, consider the collapsible MFJ-1880T, MFJ-1840T, MFJ-1830T, MFJ-1817T, or MFJ-1815T.

For random wire antennas, try the popular MFJ-902 miniature travel tuner.

Finally, when operating at home with your feet up, plug in the MFJ-4103 miniature switching power supply.

The MFJ-9200 QRPocket CW Transceiver comes complete with one band module of your choosing, and modules for the other bands.

Transceiver operation is intuitive, easy-to-master, and clearly explained in an easy-to-understand manual written by popular author and QRP Hall of Fame member Rick Littlefield, K1BQT.

We all know working rare DX is exciting, but being rare DX is a truly indescribable!

Given the MFJ-9200 QRPocket CW Transceiver’s diminutive size, features, wide coverage, and solid output, all of the ingredients are here to turn your next vacation or business trip into a expedition to remember!

Specifications:

Frequency Control: DDS, 60-MHz reference frequency Tuning Step: 100-Hz, 1-kHz, and 100-kHz RIT Step: 10-Hz VFO Memories: 8 per band VFO Display: LCD, 802-pixel, switched backlight VFO Display Frequency Resolution: 100-Hz, 10-Hz with RIT activated Operating Modes: Transmit – A1 (CW), Receive – A1, A3J (LSB or USB) CW Offset: ~700 Hz T/R Switching: Full QSK Frequency Coverage, MHz: Band:

80-M Receive: 3.2-4.9 Transmit: 3.5-4.0

40-M Receive: 5.9-7.5 Transmit: 7.0-7.3

30-M Receive: 9.4-12.1 Transmit: 10.1-10.15

20-M Receive: 13.5-15.8 Transmit: 14.0-14.35

17-M Receive: 17.4-19.1 Transmit: 18.068-18.168

15-M Receive: 18.5-22.0 Transmit: 21.0-21.45

Receiver MDS: 0.1-uV, all bands AGC Threshold: 3 to 5-uV, all bands Bandwidth: Selectable, 600-Hz CW, 2.5-Hz SSB Audio Output: 100-mW, 8-Ohm load, stereo plug Receiver Current Drain: ~40-mA no backlight, ~80 mA with backlight Transmitter Keying: Iambic automatic, straight-key sensing, CQ memory Speed Range: 3-45 WPM Transmitter Power: 5-W or better, all bands, at 12.6 Volts Harmonic and spur suppression: -50 dB or better, all operating voltages Typical Transmit Current: 0.9-A at 10-V, 1.2-A at 14-V Supply Voltage: 8-15 VDC at 1.5A Dimensions: 4.8″x3.15″x1.34″, 120x80x34-mm Weight: 7.4 oz, 200 gm

Price: $249

Source

ARISSat-1/KEDR

NASA will have live coverage of the spacewalk that will see the deployment of the amateur radio satellite ARISSat-1/KEDR.
HOUSTON --
Two cosmonauts will conduct a six-hour spacewalk on Wednesday, Aug. 3, to continue outfitting the Russian segment of the International Space Station. NASA Television will broadcast the spacewalk beginning at 9 a.m. CDT.

Expedition 28 Russian Flight Engineers Sergei Volkov and Alexander Samokutyaev will install laser communications equipment and replace experiments on the Zvezda service module. They also will retrieve a rendezvous antenna, relocate a boom structure to aid future spacewalks and deploy a small satellite equipped with an amateur radio transmitter and a student-built experiment.

The duo will wear Russian Orlan spacesuits and will emerge from the Pirs docking compartment airlock at about 9:30 a.m. The spacewalk will be the third for Volkov, who performed two spacewalks as Expedition 17 commander in 2008. This will be the first spacewalk for Samokutyaev.

For NASA TV downlink, schedule and streaming video information, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

For information about the International Space Station, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/station

Current Special Event Stations

Here is a list of current and upcoming Special Event Stations for the next few days.

• 07/23/2011 | Brickyard 400

  Jul 23-Jul 31, 1500Z-2200Z, W9IMS, Indianapolis, IN. Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club. 21.340 14.240 7.240 3.840. Certificate & QSL. W9IMS, PO Box 30954, Indianapolis, IN 46230. SASE for QSL. $4 for certificate. Must work all three races in one year for certificate. www.qrz.com/db/W9IMS

• 07/27/2011 | EAA Airventure 2011

  Jul 27-Jul 31, 1500Z-0000Z, W9ZL, Oshkosh, WI. Fox Cities Amateur Radio Club Inc. 14.270 7.250 52.550 FM 146.520. Certificate. FCARC Airventure 2011, PO Box 2346, Appleton, WI 54912. fcarc.us/eaa/eaa.htm

• 07/27/2011 | 22nd World Scout Jamboree

  Jul 27-Aug 8, 0200Z-0200Z, SJ22S, Rinkaby, SWEDEN. Boy Scouts. 80 40 20 15 10 6 m local VHF/EchoLink (434.750) SSB CW FM SSTV and PSK31. QSL. Jim Rooney, N4JJR, 10138 Granite Hill Dr, Parker, CO 80134. www.worldscoutjamboree.se and www.qrz.com/db/sj22s

• 07/29/2011 | Swiss Days at Berne, Indiana

  Jul 29-Jul 30, 1300Z-2000Z, W9A, Berne, IN. Adams County Amateur Radio Club. 14.270 14.034 7.270 7.034. QSL. Adams County Amateur Radio Club, c/o 817 W Main, Berne, IN 46711. wb9kqo.com

• 07/29/2011 | Fifty Years of Club Sponsored Barbecue Steak Fry

  Jul 28-Jul 30, 1800Z-2359Z, W0HQE, Victoria Springs SRA, NE. Central Nebraska Amateur Radio Club Inc. 21.335 14.250 14.055 7.250. QSL. Steve Lloyd, AG0L, 8900 Riverdale Rd, Plattsmouth, NE 68048. www.qrz.com/db/w0hqe

• 07/30/2011 | The 221st Birthday of the US Coast Guard

  Jul 30-Jul 31, 1400Z-2200Z, K4CG, Alexandria, VA. Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club. 14.250 10.110 7.270. QSL. US Coast Guard TISCOM, 7323 Telegraph Rd, Alexandria, VA 22315. k4us@mcarc.com or www.mvarc.org

• 07/30/2011 | D-Starters Academy

  Jul 30, 1200Z-2200Z, KJ4TJD , Tavares, FL. Central Florida D-Star Group. 444.500 MHz D-Star "B". Certificate. Paul Branch, 1246 Belmont Cir, Tavares, FL 32778. D-Star Academy for beginning and intermediate users. For further information check web site; Lake Receptions 4425 Highway 19A Mount Dora, FL 32757. www.cfldsg.org

• 07/30/2011 | Custer Institute

  Jul 30-Jul 31, 1705Z-0912Z, W2GSB, Southold, NY. The Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club. 14.255 14.070 7.175 3.850. Certificate. W2GSB/Custer, PO Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704. Operating from the Custer Institute, demonstrating Amateur Radio while gazing at the wonders of the universe. Come on down and see the stars while playing radio. www.gsbarc.org

• 07/30/2011 | Detroit Maker Faire

  Jul 30-Aug 1, 1400Z-0000Z, K8UTT, Dearborn, MI. Ford Amateur Radio League. 7.045 +/- QRM 14.045 +/- QRM 145.27- 100hz . Certificate & QSL. Bill Boyke, 509 N Elizabeth, Dearborn, MI 48128. https://sites.google.com/site/makerfairedetroitspecialevent/ or www.k8utt.org

Sunspot Group AR1260

After more than a week of quiet, solar activity is picking up. NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory is monitoring two big sunspot groups now emerging over the sun's eastern limb.
The leading sunspot group, AR1260, is crackling with C-class solar flares among a quartet of Earth-sized cores. Not far behind, sunspot AR1261 is larger and may harbor energy for flares of its own. At the moment, these two sunspot groups are too far off disk-center to affect Earth, but this will change in the days ahead.
Check out this short movie; click here

Amateur Radio saves Man’s Life

Lee Phillips K4USS had a stroke while driving to the Upperville Horse Show, fortunately he had his ham radio w/ APRS in his truck.

Using the ham radio he was able to call friends on the air and his Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS) provided a signal to track his position on a map

Read the Loudoun Times article at
http://www.loudountimes.com/index.ph..._mans_life111/

Automatic Packet Reporting System (APRS)
http://www.aprs.org/

This a video on YouTube showing reception of the South Sudan DXpedition station ST0R on 20m CW.

The Intrepid-DX Group and the DX Friends have combined efforts to plan the multi-national DXpedition to Southern Sudan to celebrate the birth of a new country. ST0R will be active from July 22 to August 10.

The YouTube description reads
Southern Sudan 2011 DXpedition First Amateur Radio License issued by Southern Sudan Government South Sudan.

Southern Sudan 2011
http://www.dxfriends.com/SouthernSudan2011/

W9IMS

W9IMS The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Amateur Radio Club

Brickyard 400 - July 25-31 & Red Bull Indianapolis GP - August 22-28:

We will operate from 1500Z through 0300Z on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of those two race weekends.

W9IMS info

Articles of Interest & This Weekends Contest

Here are some Articles of Interest;

ARRL Asks FCC to Keep 2300 MHz Proceeding Open

ISS crew to launch mini-satellite on August 3

Retransmission dates back to Apollo 11 days

These guys ham it up

Ham radio a calling for club aboard the USS Hornet

Aug 23, 1928

Some Doubt Expressed To Authenticity .Amateur Radio Operator Has ...

This Weekends Contest Opportunities

NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint	Jul 21
RSGB 80m Club Championship, Data	Jul 21
QRP Fox Hunt	Jul 22
NCCC Sprint Ladder	Jul 22
WAB 144 MHz QRO Phone	Jul 24

KD8BIG

To my Amateur Radio Friends and anyone interested;
Follow my Amateur Radio Post on Facebook here.
Follow my Amateur Radio Tweets here.

Space Shuttle Atlantis; LAST RE-ENTRY:

On July 21st, the crew of the International Space Station photographed an event that will never be repeated: the re-entry of a space shuttle. Marking the end of NASA's 30-year shuttle program, Atlantis dove Earthward in a fiery arc that only six lucky space travelers could see from above:

The green band of light in the background is called "airglow." Airglow is a luminous bubble that surounds our entire planet, decorating the top of the atmosphere with aurora-like color. Although airglow resembles the aurora borealis, its underlying physics is different. Airglow is caused by an assortment of chemical reactions in the upper atmosphere driven mainly by solar ultraviolet radiation; auroras, on the other hand, are prompted by gusts of solar wind.

More pictures from the last flight of Atlantis may be found here.

The 2011 Heat Wave

Whoa~ it is hot outside. I went out for 10 minutes, more than enough heat for me~ Was gonna do some antenna work, guess it will wait till next week sometime.
Stay cool all~