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 

10 Post-Apocalyptic Foods

*Canned or dried beans-Shelf-life: 30+ years
Kidney, pinto, black, or Lima — take your pick. Beans are the ultimate survival food because they're high in protein, easy to store, and come in many different varieties.
When combined with rice (another survival food) beans form a complete protein. That means the meal contains all of the nine essential amino acids to support your body. 

*Hard liquor-Shelf-life: Indefinite
In a time of crisis, alcohol is a must-have.
Unopened bottles of hard liquor like vodka, whiskey, and rum don't really go bad, though they may lose some of their "kick" as the years pass. Be careful about leaving them out in the sun though.
This is one of the more expensive items to have in your survival cupboard, but it has many practical uses besides drinking, like cleaning wounds. Having it available for a post-apocalyptic party doesn't hurt either.

*Honey- Shelf-life: Indefinite
Honey may crystallize over time, resulting in a heap of thick, sugary gunk at the bottom of containers, but in terms of safety, the golden liquid is practically immortal.
Honey can last for centuries if stored in a sealed jar, according to the National Honey Board.
Though it doesn't pack the same nutritional value (in terms of vitamins and minerals) as other foods, honey can add extra flavor to food, provide simple sugars, and can also be used to treat wounds and burns.
   Honey helps wounds in several ways. Its thickness provides a protective barrier. The hydrogen peroxide it contains is released slowly, killing germs in the wound. Some asyetunknown ingredients reduce inflammation, while others, perhaps amino acids and vitamin C, speed the growth of healthy tissue. Honey even makes wounds smell better, possibly because when bacteria in wounds eat honeys sugars, they give off sweetersmelling gases.

*Meals, Ready to Eat- Shelf-life: 5+ years
Commonly known as MREs, these pre-packaged meals have been sustaining American troops on the battlefield since 1981. Each foil pouch, which can be easily carried, prepared, and eaten, contains about 1,200 calories.
It's not just standard meat and potato dishes either. There are a wide range of entrees to choose from, including beef brisket, lemon pepper tuna, and vegetable lasagna for plant-eating preppers.
Depending on storing conditions, an MRE bag can stay fresh for up to five years. If you're less concerned about flavor, the pocket-size army grub can hold up for more than a decade. 

*Peanut Butter-Shelf-life: 2-5 years
Creamy, chunky, or organic, peanut butter is a cupboard mainstay for many Americans. Kept in low humidity the thick spread will last for quite some time. A high amount of Vitamin E prevents peanut butter from spoiling.
This is the one situation where you'll want to stay away from the all-natural stuff, which requires refrigeration because it does not contain preservatives.

*Pemmican-Shelf-life: Indefinite
Invented by Native Americans, pemmican was traditionally made from the lean meat of large game like buffalo, elk, or deer. The meat was dried over an open fire, mixed with fat, and pressed into little cakes. Sometimes berries were tossed in for extra flavor.
Pemmican makes the perfect survival treat because they're easy to make (there are only three basic ingredients), it's a good source of energy and protein, and it does not have to be refrigerated, cooked or heated.

Today, US Wellness Meats (http://www.grasslandbeef.com/StoreFront.bok) in Missouri makes packaged beef pemmican snack sticks and bars, which they say last up to two years in the freezer. 
Here's a recipe for homemade pemmican — for when your post-apocalyptic-self butchers an elk — which can supposedly last forever. 

Pemmican consists of lean, dried meat (usually beef nowadays, but bison, deer, and elk were common then) which is crushed to a powder and mixed with an equal amount of hot, rendered fat (usually beef tallow). Sometimes crushed, dried berries are added as well. A man could subsist entirely on pemmican, drawing on the fat for energy and the protein for strength (and glucose, when needed). The Inuit, Stefansson noted, spent weeks away from camp with nothing but pemmican to eat and snow to drink to no ill effect. Stefansson, a Canadian of Icelandic origin, often accompanied them on these treks and also lived off of pemmican quite happily, so its sustaining powers weren’t due to some specific genetic adaptation unique to the Inuit. In fact, when Stefansson returned home, he and colleague adopted a meat-only diet for a year, interested in its long-term effects. A controlled examination of their experience confirmed that both men remained healthy throughout.
So, pemmican has a reputation as a sort of superfood. While I’m usually leery of such claims, the fact that the stuff is essentially pure fat and protein (plus Stefansson’s accounts) made me think that maybe there was something to it. I set out to make my own batch.
I got about a pound and a half of lean, grass-fed shoulder roast, let it firm up in the freezer, then sliced it thin. After adding liberal amounts of salt and pepper, I set the oven to the lowest possible temperature (around 150 degrees) and laid out the strips of meat directly onto the rack. I cracked the oven door to prevent moisture buildup. At this point, I also put a handful of frozen wild blueberries on a small oven pan to dry out with the meat.

I let the meat dry out for about fifteen hours, or until it was crispy jerky that broke apart easily. I tossed the jerky in the food processor until it was powder. After the meat, in went the blueberries to process. Again, you want a powder.

Now I was ready to render some fat. I used grass-fed bison kidney fat, which was already diced into tiny pieces. I put about half a pound of that into a cast iron pan and cooked it slowly over super-low heat.

I made sure to stir the fat as it rendered out, and watched closely so that it wouldn’t burn. When the fat stops bubbling, the rendering is done.

Use a strainer to avoid all the crispy bits; you just want the pure, liquid fat.

Mix the meat and berry powder together, then slowly add the hot liquid fat. Pour just enough so that the fat soaks into the powder.

I think I poured too much too quickly, so I added a bit of almond meal to firm it up. Let it firm up, then cut it into squares or roll it into a ball. I went with a ball.

Pemmican will keep almost forever. Pure, dried protein and rendered (mostly saturated) fat are highly stable, so I wouldn’t worry about it going rancid. If it does, you’ll know.
Now, my pemmican wasn’t exactly delicious. In fact, it tasted a bit like bland dog food. Maybe I’ll jazz it up next time with some more salt and spices, but I don’t think pemmican is meant to be eaten for pleasure. This is utilitarian food, perfect for long treks through the wilderness. It gets the job done, and I’ll probably make it again. It definitely doesn’t taste bad; in fact, the taste grows on you after awhile.
My dog certainly enjoyed cleaning up the bowl.

*Powdered milk-Shelf life: Indefinite
Powdered milk is a mainstay of fallout shelters and food aid supplies when fresh milk isn't available. The dried stuff many not be very appealing, but it pretty much lasts forever and is useful for cooking and baking.
It's also easy to tell if the product has gone bad. If your powdered milk turns yellow, it's time to toss it.

*Ramen noodles-Shelf-life: 10+ years
The Japanese noodle is filling, easy to prepare, and light-weight. Some college kids even live on these squiggly pastas for years.
It makes sense: The dried bricks come with different-flavored packets and can be purchased for as little as 16 cents a pack. Mixed with some dehydrated vegetables, the noodles can make a nice meal.

*Rice-Shelf-life: 25+ years
Rice has long been a main food source for more than half of the world population. The hearty grain will continue to keep humanity strong and well-fed in the event of a disaster. 
Rice is also dirt cheap, comes in many types, and is easy to prepare.

*Twinkie-Shelf-life: 30 years
We're hopeful you scooped up a good amount of Twinkie boxes after Hostess announced plans to shut down its baking operations back in November.
The iconic golden snack cake may not be the most health-conscious munchy to bulk stock — it's mostly fat and sugar — but we figure when times get tough, the tough turn to junk food.
Though Hostess contends that the little cake's shelf-life is closer to 25 days, a science teacher from Maine once told the Associated Press that he harbored a Twinkie in his classroom for 30 years and despite being a little stale, it was probably still good enough to eat.

MX-P50A- A HF Power Amplifier for QRP Transceivers

MX-P50A hf power amplifier for QRP transceivers. Can be used both as a base and mobile unit, Extremely Small Compact and light weight, Full integration with the FT-817 using the supplied interface cable.
The amplifier incorporates various protection circuits such as high VOLTAGE,front mounted LED display.
This amplifier can be successfully used with other QRP rigs such as the ICOM IC-703(and Elecraft KX3), though automatic band switching will not be available and the band must be manually selected via the front band select switch.
Specifications:
Frequency (Band) Range : 80m 40m 20m-17m 15m-10m
Operating Modes : SSB CW AM RTTY and FM-Reduced duty cycle
Rf input : 5W
Out power : 50/60W
Band mode : AUTO/Manual
Power requirement : 13.8V 8A,(Cable Color Polarity Ж RED “+” BLACK “-”)
Cooling method:passive air cooling
Antenna connector : SO-239 50Ω
Size : 15/13/5 (cm) D/W/H
Weight : 1.2KG
Package list:
1x MX-P50A
1x Power cord
1x for FT-817ND ACC control cable
Price: $140 USD

source
http://www.12got.com/product/10805156121/MX-P50A+FT-817+IC-703+HF+amplifier+KX3+shortwave+shortwave+power+amplifier+power+amplifier

100 Years of Amateur Radio

December 13, 2012 marks the centennial anniversary of perhaps the the most important event in amateur radio history in the USA. The Radio Law of 1912, passed in August 1912 became effective on December 13, 1912. Radio schools at naval yards and army posts were crowded with amateurs of all levels of experience to get a license from the Department of Commerce.

Irving Vermilya, 1HAA, later W1ZE, became the first licensed amateur in the USA being issued Certificate of Skill #1 and is known for all time as Amateur Number One. A number of other amateurs followed suit and rather than seeing amateur radio die out as the Law's authors obviously intended, amateur radio began to flourish with a combination of adopting new technology (Edwin H. Armstrong invented the regenerative receiver in September 1912) for reception and later transmitting (CW emissions became feasible after the World War) along with organizing message relay routes. Amateurs led the way finding that the wavelengths shorter than 200 meters were not useless through the new technologies and, by the early 1920s, a declining solar cycle that enabled communications not only for transcontinental paths, but intercontinental as well.

A century later we enjoy this hobby of amateur radio precisely due to the unintended consequence of a law designed to kill amateur radio that did not state its intention exactly and instead allowed it to live and thrive for 15 years! In 1927 more comprehensive radio legislation was enacted and in 1934 the Communications Act created the FCC that we know today.

For more information visit the United States Early Radio History site by Thomas H. White. Thomas' site is not limited to amateur radio, however, and is quite comprehensive on a lot of radio topics. The ARRL publication, 200 Meters and Down by Clinton B. Desoto documents much of the early amateur radio history. An article by David Newkirk, ex WJ1Z, now W9VES, The Coming of The Law (available to ARRL members), published in the November 1993 issue of QST also documents the forces behind the enactment of the Radio Law of 1912 and how radio amateurs responded to it. The December 2012 issue of CQ has The Radio Act of 1912: A Century of Radio Regulation and Licensing by Rich Moseson, W2VU, providing another perspective on this red letter day. Certainly, more articles on this topic have been published over the years and make for good reading.

As of December 13, 2012 amateur radio will officially be 100 years old complete with examinations and licenses. Happy anniversary!

http://forums.qrz.com/showthread.php?371663-A-century-of-amateur-radio-licensing-December-13-2012&highlight=1912

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