Yaesu FT-818

All mode, all bands 1.8-1296MHz with 5MHz and 70MHz
US version with additional 500 KHz and 5 MHz Bands
QRP 5W RF (2W 1296MHz not yet confirm)
3.5AHr Li-Ion battery pack (2hr charging)
Built in random wire and whip auto-ATU
Full color TFT display
Mulch-functionDSP noise reduction
RF Speech processor
QSK in CW

The rumors is circulating since end of 2010 but not yet clear when the new transceiver will be released…

Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

FCC Issues Inquiry on the Future of Amateur Radio Emergency Communications

The FCC is taking a look at amateur radios role in emergency communications. It also wants to know about obstacles to ham radio operations such as Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions better known as C C and R’s that keep radio amateurs from being able to fulfill their public service duties. It’s done this in a Public Notice given the identifier of G N Docket 12–91 also known as DA 12-523.
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Just how important is amateur radio during emergencies? What is ham radio's value to the community when disasters strike? The FCC wants to hear from you about these questions, because the Commission has a lot of homework to do for Congress. Most hams know that helping serve the community is one of the primary reasons the amateur radio service was founded.

Hams have a long history of helping during emergencies. They maintain close relationships with the National Weather Service and other public safety groups. When tornadoes raked Arkansas and Alabama in January, radio amateurs provided important communications support. They were active, as well, when a severe winter storm knocked out power and communications to villages along the Bering Sea in November, 2011.

The Commission is required to study amateur radio as part of a Public Law known as the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012. The FCC is to analyze ham radio's uses and capabilities during emergencies, and to submit its findings to House and Senate Committees.

The law also requires the Commission to analyze ham radio's importance as it relates to protecting lives and property. The Commission is to provide recommendations on how to enhance voluntary deployment of ham radio operators when needed. The law compels FCC to evaluate how best to integrate amateur radio into furthering various federal government initiatives that might require communications support.

If there are impediments along the way, the law requires that the Commission find ways to remove them. For example, the law questions whether antenna restrictions or unnecessary private land use restrictions wind up causing more problems than they solve.

In doing its study, FCC is directed to reach out to various entities including amateur radio, as well as various disaster and emergency response organizations.

The Commission has been given a list of specific questions to ask. If you want to comment, you can answer those questions, but you can also submit other comments, too, as long as they relate to the study.

The questions seek examples on various scenarios where amateur radio played a key role relating to emergency response and disaster relief.

Specific benefits ham radio provided are to be named.

Another question asks for examples of when ham radio is an advantage over other forms of communications during emergencies, and when does it complement those other systems.

Other questions cover a wide range of subjects, all involving amateur radio's role, how it can best be utilized, communications training, activities, planning and much more. One topic raised is whether existing rules governing the amateur radio service might need modifying to better facilitate emergency communications. The changes could be of an operational nature...or perhaps some technical limitations need to be addressed. The study asks whether rules changes would be a good idea to encourage development of innovative new technologies, whether voice, data or perhaps video.

In the past, some amateur radio emergency groups have expressed the desire to be able to interconnect directly with public safety and health care communications systems during emergencies. The Commission is to look into whether this should be considered, and if doing so, would enable hams to better serve the public, or whether would pose problems.

The possibility of national certification standards is mentioned as another subject to investigate.

If there are any current Commission rules that serve as impediments to what hams try to accomplish during emergencies, the FCC is told to name them and assess whether they should be changed or lifted to make it easier on hams trying to help during disasters.

If you want to submit comments, you have until May 17th to do so. You can file your comments electronically or by mail. To submit comments electronically, go to apps.fcc.gov/ecfs. Paper filings must include an original and one copy for each filing. Those must be mailed to the Commission's Secretary. The address is: Office of the Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, 445 12th St SW, Washington, DC, 20554.

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The FCC says that stakeholder entities and organizations, including the amateur radio, emergency response, and disaster communications communities, are particularly encouraged to submit comments. However the FCC says that those who do provide filings should not view this Public Notice as an opportunity to seek Commission rulings regarding specific situations. This is an overview inquiry only. And be certain to mention Docket 12-91 when you do submit your comments. The complete text of this FCC release can be downloaded in .PDF format at tinyurl.com/fcc-emcomm-study (FCC)


ARRL SAYS IT NEEDS CCR RESTRICTION INFORMATION ASAP

In a related story, if you live in a CC&R restricted community, have deed restrictions or homeowners association covenants that have prevented you from erecting amateur radio antennas then the ARRL wants to hear from you.

The League says that it is looking for input in two specific areas. These are recent amateur radio involvement in actual emergency communications and disaster relief and specific details about how CC&R’s and other private land use restrictions have impaired licensed amateurs to participate fully in these disaster relief communications.

If your ability to participate in ARES, RACES, SKYWARN, CERT, or other emergency and disaster relief communications has been limited because the inability to have adequate antennas due to such land use or owners association restrictions, you are asked to provide that information to the ARRL. Also to provide it as a narrative of your exact situation, giving as much detail as practical. Some areas for you to consider in writing your story might be:

Were there alternative properties without CC&Rs in the area you wished to reside?

The exact wording of what exactly does your CC&R’s prohibit or allow.

Have you applied for a waiver of the CC&R with the Home Owner's Association Architectural Review Committee but were denied? If so, what was the reason?

Whether you are an ARRL member or not, your information and situation are important to helping the League make the case for all amateurs. Please provide your documentation to the ARRL as soon as possible but definitely before Wednesday April 25th. It can either be uploaded to the ARRL website at www.arrl.org/ccr-study-information or they can be sent as an e-mail attachment to an email sent to CCRinfo (at) arrl (dot) org. (ARRL)

DX News

In DX, PA7JWC and PD7DB operating stroke PJ2 will be on the air from Curacao through the 9th April. They will operate SSB, CW, RTTY and PSK on 80 through 10 meters. QSLs via Logbook of The World is preferred otherwise send paper QSL’s to their home callsigns, either direct and via the bureau.

JA1XGI will be active as A35XG from Tonga through the 9th of April on 30, 17 and 12 metes using CW, SSB and digital modes. QSL him also via his home callsign, direct or via the bureau.

ON4AEO and several other operators will be active as 3DA0FC from Swaziland from April 6th to the 10th. They plan to operate SSB, RTTY and PSK on 80 through 10 meters. QSL via ON4CJK, direct or via the bureau.

Lastly, GM6TW will be operating from the Inner Hebrides from April 7th to 13th. His main operating location will be the Isle of Jura, but he also- hopes to activate from Islay and Colonsay as well. No frequencies or modes were given. QSL via M0UTD.

DX UNIVERSITY APRIL 20 – LAST CALL TO REGISTER

The annual 'DX University' will take place in Visalia, California, on Friday, April 20th. On the program are several of the world's most renowned DXers who will share their knowledge. You will also hear some vital tips on making DXCC and on achieving Honor Roll status.

So far over 120 hams have already reserved their place at this session. There are still a few seats left. Go to www.dxuniversity.com to register.

KD8BIG / Articles of Interest

Hello all,

I've been under the weather for the last few weeks so this is a short post~
Articles of Interest~

Google Declares “Morse Code Is Perfect” with New Gmail Tap Mail Program

On April 1, Google announced that it has unveiled a new way to use its popular Gmail e-mail system. Called Gmail Tap, it uses dots and dashes to form letters, a system of communicating that should be very familiar to radio amateurs. “Morse code is perfect,” said Gmail Tap Engineer Mitch Fedenko. “It’s just a dot and a dash. What’s simpler... [continue]

ARRL in Action: What Have We Been Up to Lately?

Compiled by S. Khrystyne Keane, K1SFAARRL News Editork1sfa@arrl.orgThis feature -- including convenient Web links to useful information -- is a concise monthly update of some of the things ARRL is doing on behalf of its members. This installment covers the month of March.New privileges on 60 meters went into effect on March 5. After communicating w... [continue]

Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, Wins March QST Cover Plaque Award

The winner of the QST Cover Plaque Award for March is Eric P. Nichols, KL7AJ, for his article “Three Wrong Assumptions about the Ionosphere.” Congratulations Eric! The QST Cover Plaque award -- given to the author or authors of the best article in each issue -- is determined by a vote of ARRL members on the QST Cover Plaque Poll web page. Cast ... [continue]

ARNewsline Report 1807 -- Mar. 30 2012:

The following is a Q-S-T. The next Global Amateur Radio Emergency Conference to be hekd in Malaysia; 1700 South African hams let their licenses lapse, World amateur Radio Day to celebrate 50 yesrs of ham radio in space, Japan to launch five new hamsats, DXCC is going on-line and Roving Reporter Pierre Pulinmyleg returns with a truly out of this... [continue]

Sunspots & the XYL

The sunspots were roaring and the Old Dxer was working DX night and day.
The faithful XYL had had it with his QRZing and blew her stack.
"DX DX DX - thats all you ever think about!" she groaned
"Why I'll bet you don't even remember our wedding date!!

"I mostly certainly do" was the immediate reply.
"It was June 14th, 1958 - Thats the night I worked
the XT1, the CRØ, and the P4~

International Museums Weekend Registration now Open

The International Museums Weekend special event operations will take place on the weekends of June 16th through the 17th and again on June 23rd and 24th. Radio amateurs are encouraged to participate in this event by setting up stations in their local museums.

The International Museums Weekend organizer Harry Bloomfield, M1BYT in Leeds in the U-K. He asks that all those intending to take part in the event to register their museum operation at www.ukradioamateur.co.uk/imw.

This is not only a fun event but one that permits you to showcase amateur radio to non-hams world wide.

Buoys on 10 Meters

The source of some mysterious weak signals on 29.684 MHz with an 81.9 Baud and 130 Hz shift have been located. According to the February IARU Region One newsletter, the signals came from the Spanish coastal area and were audible across all of Europe but only during band openings and only by directional antennas.

It turns out the source of transmissions by Datawell buoys. These buoys, produced in the Netherlands are used for measuring water temperatures and wave heights. They are designed to transmit with 75 milliwatts on frequencies between 27 and 40 MHz.

Dick Van Empelen, PA2GRU, of Heemstede in the Netherlands has since visited the Datawell Company and has informed them that the buoy transmissions on the amateur service 10 meter band are illegal. The operations chief promised to inform all Datawell offices about the situation. (IARU-R1)

Ten-Tec Model 238C HP Antenna Tuner

Description

Model 238C now features a large cross-needle SWR and peak reading power output meter. Model 238C uses our tried and true “L” match design used in the earlier 238/238A/238B models with a new cosmetic design, larger heavy duty tuning capacitor than the original and backlit cross-needle SWR and peak power output metering. The 238 was rated the LOWEST INSERTION LOSS of any high power antenna tuner available by the ARRL Lab in their survey article comparing the Amateur Radio tuner market (QST 2/03).

Specifications:

• CIRCUIT TYPE: Modified “L” Network
• RF POWER RATING: 2000 watts

FREQUENCY RANGE: 1.8 to 30 MHz

• OUTPUT MATCHING RANGE: At least 10:1 SWR, any phase angle,
• 1.8 to 30 MHz. 3000 ohms maximum at full power.
• INPUT IMPEDANCE: 50 ohms, nominal

CAPACITOR VOLTAGE RATING: 3500 volts

• INDUCTOR: 18 uh silver plated roller inductor
• SIZE: HWD (in inches) 5 x 12.125 x 13.5 (12.7 x 30.8 x 34.3 cm). Depth measurement includes rear panel connectors.
• WEIGHT: 16 lbs. (5.45 kg)
  

source; http://www.tentec.com/

Crossroads Hamfest 2012; Hamfest/Convention

03/17/2012 |

Crossroads Hamfest 2012

Location: Marshall, MI
Type: ARRL Hamfest
Sponsor: Southern Michigan Amateur Radio Society
Website: http://www.w8df.com/hamfest.html
Learn More

Kenwood TM281 2 Meter Transceiver

A preview of the Kenwood TM281 transceiver that will be fully reviewed in the May 2012 issue of QST magazine.


• Weather Alert Radio function checks the 1050 Hz tone from NOAA (U.S.A only).
• Menu allows for easy control and selecting of various functions.
• Up to 200 memory channels to program frequencies and other various data.
• (Up to 100 memory channels if Memory Channel Names are assigned to the channels.)
• Continuous Tone Coded Squelch System (CTCSS) or Digital Code Squelch (DCS) rejects unwanted calls from other stations.
• Equipped with an easy-to-read large LCD with alphanumeric display capability.
• FM & Narrow Band FM ready

• High Power 65 Watts
• Free PC software (Memory Control Program) is available

Price $ 169.95 USD

Amateur Radio QRP on Facebook

Come and join in the conversation or just take notes if you like.
A new Facebook page, Amateur Radio QRP
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amateur-Radio-QRP/242560105830171

QRP operation means transmitting at reduced power levels while aiming to maximize one's effective range while doing so.

Description

Most amateurs use approximately 100 watts of power, and in some parts of the world like the US, can use up to 1500 watts. QRP enthusiasts contend that this is not always necessary, and doing so wastes power, increases the likelihood of causing interference to nearby televisions, radios, and telephones and, for United States' amateurs is incompatible with FCC Part 97 rule, which states that one must use "the minimum power necessary to carry out the desired communications."

VHF/UHF Antenna

I’m looking to purchase one of the following?

CUSHCRAFT A270-10S BEAM 5ELE EA.

A270-6S 2M/440 DUBAND BEAM 3 EL. EA BAND

DB-218SAT VHF/UHF OSCAR LINK SYSTEM

Any thoughts?
73 de KD8BIG facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/KD8BIG/165613683505542

Next-Gen Weather Satellites to Improve Tornado Warnings

I meant to post this a couple of weeks ago.

Feb 29, 2012: When you read the following paragraph, consider the following: Tornado season hasn't even started yet. On Jan. 22 and 23, 2012, more than 37 tornadoes struck the southern USA. Ten of them tore across the Lower Mississippi Valley into Alabama. Worst hit were St. Clair and Jefferson County, Ala., where 2 people were killed, about 100 others injured, and at least $30 million in damage was done. It was a chilling reminder of the April 2011 onslaught of deadly tornadoes that took a staggering toll across southern and Midwestern states.

In southern parts of the USA, tornado season tends to peak in springtime. Yet January 2012 produced 73 winter tornadoes -- third most of any January in recorded history. Most of them struck southern states. And since over a quarter of the incredible 1,688 twisters confirmed across the US in 2011 occurred in the four-state region of Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee, residents there are becoming ever more wary of darkening skies.

"Even with our advances in science and communications, we can still be surprised by the deadliest storms," says NOAA scientist Steve Goodman. "But NOAA is working with NASA and university researchers to give more lead time in tornado warnings."

Southern tornadoes are especially insidious and challenging to track. The hilly, forested terrain in southern states makes an approaching twister harder to spot than in the flat Midwest. In the south you might not see the first evidence of an approaching tornado until it's almost in your back yard.

An Alabama resident describes the scene just before one of the April 2011 twisters struck near his home: "Suddenly, all the trees in my back yard corkscrewed violently, in unison, toward the northwest." Moments later, the storm was there.

Rain wrapped tornadoes are especially hard to see, as are night-time tornadoes. And records indicate that southern tornadoes often strike at night.

To reduce the surprise, NOAA and NASA² are developing the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R, or "GOES-R series," with the first expected to launch in late 2015. These next-generation weather satellites bristle with state-of-the-art instruments for improved scouting of these killer storms, even at night.

Tornadoes are, by their very nature, difficult to pin down. The Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on GOES-R will improve meteorologists' ability to assess conditions that spawn twisters. Compared to current GOES imagers, the ABI provides twice the spatial resolution, three times as many channels of information, and more than five times the update rate.

"ABI will give us a much clearer picture of the clouds – where and how tall they are, how much and what kind of moisture they hold, and how they are moving and intensifying," says NOAA research meteorologist Tim Schmit.

Most importantly, ABI can better detect the super-cold "overshooting tops" that mean severe weather is imminent. "Overshooting tops portend huge energy inside the cloud – it takes tremendous energy and upward velocity to poke through the lid of the tropopause," explains Schmit.

"During episodes of severe weather, ABI can show conditions every 30 to 60 seconds. The system in use now only shows them every 7.5 minutes. And in normal mode, ABI will send readings over the continental U.S. every 5 minutes as opposed to every 15-30 minutes."

Lightning is another key to tornadoes.

"Studies show that sudden changes in the total lightning correlate with [the onset of] tornadoes," says Goodman.

Detecting lightning is a new specialty of GOES-R.

"GOES-R's Geostationary Lightning Mapper, or GLM, will see all the lightning: cloud-to-ground, cloud-to-cloud, and inside each cloud. And since this is the first time we'll have lightning detection from geostationary orbit, it means GOES-R will constantly monitor and map the lightning across the western hemisphere."

The GLM is expected to give 7 more minutes of lead time in tornado warnings. Average lead time now is 13 minutes.

"With GOES-R you'll have upwards of 20 minutes to get to a safe haven."

That sure beats standing in your back yard, in the dark, waiting for the trees to twist.

Source: http://science.nasa.gov/science-news/science-at-nasa/2012/29feb_tornadosurprise/

KD8BIG

The last two weeks have been difficult for me.
I think I am over the rough patch for now and hope to get back to regular postings.

Yesterday I received a phone call from one of the W8ZHO Club directors; he had asked if I would be interested if I would like to be NCS once a month. I accepted the offer so now I will be NCS for the W8ZHO 2 meter net every third Wednesday of the month.

Other than that I have not done anything on the radio except some listening here and there. I hope to get back into the DX swing soon.
I am also considering eQSL, LoTW and others that are available. I will be looking into these this week and next before deciding what to do.

New Rules for 5 MHz (60 Meters)

Effective Monday, March 5th United States radio amateurs
were granted new operating privileges on the 60 meter band.
In addition to an increase in effective radiated power from
50 to 100 watts, hams can now transmit CW and PSK31. More
information on what modes can be used on what frequencies is
on-line at the ARRL website.