Internet Doomsday; July 9, 2012

Google plans to warn more than half a million users of a computer infection that may knock their computers off the Internet this summer.
Unknown to most of them, their problem began when international hackers ran an online advertising scam to take control of infected computers around the world. In a highly unusual response, the FBI set up a safety net months ago using government computers to prevent Internet disruptions for those infected users. But that system will be shut down July 9 -- killing connections for those people.
The FBI has run an impressive campaign for months, encouraging people to visit a website that will inform them whether they're infected and explain how to fix the problem. After July 9, infected users won't be able to connect to the Internet.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/scitech/2012/05/25/google-warns-hundreds-thousands-may-lose-internet-in-july/#ixzz1vvgQYoEk

MI QRP Memorial Day CW Sprint

The Michigan QRP Club sponsors one contest and three sprints per year. As well as being a lot of fun the contest environment offers us an opportunity to test that new kit, home brew, or antennas. Gives us a format to further develop our operating skills as well as re-acquaint with old friends and meet new fellow QRP'ers.
If you're not a hard core contester, come and join in the fun anyway if for nothing else think of the skill development value. All members and visitors from around the world are welcome and encouraged to join in.

For more info; 
The MI-QRP Club, WQ8RP
http://www.qsl.net/miqrpclub/contest.html

HORYU-2 Satellite

Amateurs Asked to Listen for HORYU-2 Satellite:

The Japanese HORYU-2 http://kitsat.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/index_e_new.html research satellite was launched May 17 at 1639 UTC as part of a mission that included the JAXA climate observation satellite Shizuku. HORYU-2 was built by students at the Kyushu Institute of Technology (KIT) and it carries the call sign JG6YBW. The satellite will conduct a variety of experiments including high-voltage power generation and space debris measurements. Amateurs have been asked to monitor HORYU-2's Morse code and 1200-baud AX.25 packet telemetry at 437.375 MHz. Telemetry decoding software is available for download http://kitsat.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/Documents/ground_station/Horyu2%20Data_Analysis_Program_japanese.zip. To encourage hams to submit reports, KIT will conduct a monthly prize drawing. Details are available here http://kitsat.ele.kyutech.ac.jp/Documents/ground_station/english/Receive_competition_eng.pdf.

Source:

The ARRL 

Yaesu FT1D digital FM handheld.

One of the most eagerly awaited products at Dayton Hamvention was the new Yaesu FT1D digital FM handheld.
It has, for an Amateur Radio rig, a number of innovations:
- A microphone that uses a mini-USB plug and has a built-in camera for low resolution (320x240) pictures,
- An 80 character group short messaging facility
- 9600 bps data transfer
- Micro-SD card slot
- E-GPS facility
Although the optonal extra microphone has a camera there appears to be no way to display the pictures on the radio which some may see as reducing it's usefulness.
The use of 9600 bps with 12.5 kHz channel spacing (is it 10 kHz in Japan?) was a surprise. Some had expected it to support 5 or 6.25 kHz channel spacing with a resultant data rate of 4800 bps (digital speech using an AMBE vocoder only requires a 3600 bps data rate).
The modulation used is what Yaesu describes as C4FM otherwise known as 4 level FSK or 4-FSK and is the same as that used for Digital PMR-446 equipment. 4-FSK has advantages over other types of digital modulation such as GMSK.
Both ICOM and Kenwood have been producing 4-FSK equipment for the PMR market since 2007 so in some ways it's surprising that Yaesu beat them both in releasing an amateur version of 4-FSK.
As yet Yaesu hasn't announced any mobiles, base stations or repeaters so it appears that FT1D's can only talk to other FT1D's in digital mode.
After Dayton some questions remain:
- Does it have APRS? The website of at least one amateur radio dealer had been saying the rig did APRS but the brochure makes no mention of it only refering to E-GPS
- Which Vocoder does it use? The AMBE seems the obvious choice but the brochure doesn't say
- What will it cost? Yaesu currently sell the VXD-10 high power digital handheld to the leisure market for 63,000 yen ($796) hopefully the FT1D will be cheaper!
http://tinyurl.com/VXD10-Handheld
- When will the FT1D be available? Well one Japanese retailer indicates that it could be another six months, see
http://tinyurl.com/CQCQDE-Shop
The FT1DR/E brochure can be seen at
http://www.radioworld.ca/product_brochures/amateur/
yaesu_brochures/ft1d_brochure_front.pdf
http://www.radioworld.ca/product_brochures/amateur/
yaesu_brochures/ft1d_brochure_back.pdf
N9XLC Blog on FT1D
http://n9xlc.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/yeasu-ft-1d-redux.html
2005 Icom and Kenwood demo 'Very Narrowband Digital Communications Technology'
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/apr2005/
icom_kenwood_demo.htm

QRP in the Park

Hi Everyone,
We will be firing up the grills and putting our amateur radio skills into action as we kick off our first QRP IN THE PARK for 2012! If you ever wanted to work low power portable on CW, SSB phone, or the digital modes with HF, UHF, VHF bands; we invite you stop by and operate with us. All operators are encouraged to operated from battery for this event. No generators will be provided.
Where? HELDER PARK
3751 104th Avenue
Holland, Michigan
When? SATURDAY MAY 26TH – 3PM TO DUSK
Note: This event is weather permitting and will cancel if severe
weather is expected for the area. Please monitor this reflector and 147.06 K8DAA
repeater the evening of the event for any changes of times or event cancel.
See You There!
Jeff KB8QAP 
Holland Amateur Radio Club
source 

---------------------------------------------------------------

In addition to the fun starting at 3 pm, there will be a few 15
milliwatt transmitters hidden within the park. You are more than invited
to find them. There is no competition with this hunt, just the fun of
finding these little boxes.

Bring your own equipment, or there will be gear there to be loaned out
for you to hunt within the park.

IRA Fox Hunt; West Michigan

Independant Repeater Association Hamfest

Fox Hunt

Saturday, June 2, 2012
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm

Our fox for the day, Ole Tom, K8TB, says that NOBODY will find him this year.
...we will see, ...we will see!

Click Here for Fox Hunt Info.

2012 Annual IRA Hamfest

Saturday, June 2, 2012 8:00 AM until about 1:00 PM
Hudsonville Fairgrounds, 5235 Park Avenue
Hudsonville, MI 49426

Click Here for 2012 Hamfest Brochure

YAESU FTDX3000 HF/50 MHz 100 Watt Transceiver

The new FT DX 3000 HF+50 MHz 100 Watt Transceiver is another excited new product that is certain to capture the hearts of determined DXers and Contesters as well as Casual operators looking for solid communications. Using the newest down conversion and sharp edged crystal roofing filter technology, this fabulous radio attains outstanding receiver performance inherited from Amateur Radio’s leading HF radio; our proud FTDX5000.
The market has been waiting for a reasonably priced transceiver that takes a major performance leap forward – the FT DX 3000 is that feature filled compact radio package.

Technical info PDF File
Link

Vanity Callsign Fee to Increase .80 ¢

I am so happy that I am not in the market for a vanity call. 

Is it really worth the money? 

The FCC has released a Notice of Proposed Rule making that,
among other things, would raise the cost of obtaining a
vanity callsign to $15.00 for a ten year license term.  The
current cost is $14.20 which in essence means an increase of
only 80 ¢ if the rule making is approved.  (FCC)

BSA Announce "Interpreter Strip" for Morse Code

The Boy Scouts of America have just announced a new
"Interpreter Strip" for Morse Code.  An "Interpreter Strip"
on the uniform means that the Scout or adult leader is able
to communicate in a particular language.  
--

Those older Scouts and former Scouts among you may remember
the Boy Scout requirements that said a Scout had to learn
Morse Code or signal flags to send and receive a message.
And, even though that requirement has disappeared and Morse
Code is no longer mandatory to get any amateur radio license
in the United States, the BSA is reviving Morse Code as a
"language" worth learning.

You can probably credit Jim Wilson, K5ND, for getting this
one from concept to reality.

He's the BSA's "Jamboree on the Air" organizer and the
volunteer chairman for the next K2BSA operation at the 2013
National Boy Scouts Jamboree at the Summit in West Virigina.

Wilson works at BSA headquarters in Texas and is a big
promoter of amateur radio in Scouting.
So much so, Wilson says he organized a national Radio
Scouting advisory committee last year to get stronger
support in the amateur and Scouting community for JOTA.

Earlier this year, Wilson says a member of that committee
made a suggestion about getting some additional Scouting
recognition for amateur radio.

Wilson says there were some ideas that eventually evolved
into exploring the "interpreter" strip worn on the Scout
uniform to show a Scout has some ability to speak a certain
language.

Wilson admits he came up with the idea for "Morse" on the
strip - but in the letters of the language - dah-dah, dah-
dah-dah, di-dah-dit, dit-dit-dit, dit."

Wilson says he quickly moved the idea over to the BSA's
national awards committee where it got a favorable reception
and approval within months.

So how does a boy earn it?

Wilson says there are three requirements, the first....

"It's carrying on a 5-minute conversation in Morse Code at a
speed of at least 5 words per minute," Wilson explains.
"And, then the second one, copying correctly a 2-minute
message sent in Morse Code at a minimum of 5-words-per-
minute.

"And, copying of course means writing the message down as
it's received. And, then, three, sending a 25-word written
document in Morse Code at a minimum of 5 words per minute."

Wilson says Scouts can be certified by their Scoutmaster or
maybe even a ham who's an adult Scout leader.

Wilson says the idea is to further cement the bonds of
brotherhood between Scouting and ham radio operators. And,
of course, Wilson is....

"Eager to increase participation in amateur radio to provide
an opportunity for Scouts to get involved in a fun hobby, a
hobby that promotes communicating with lots of Scouts and
others around the country and around the world," Wilson
says. "And, it's science, it's technology, it's engineering,
it's math - the stem items that are of enormous interest
right now and frankly have been in Boy Scouting for quite
some time."

Articles of Interest

Amateur Radio Operators Train For Emergencies:

Amateur Radio Operators and Weather Spotting:

Monster Sunspot Threatens To Unleash Powerful Solar Flares

BA's New Police Radio System Blocks Public Scanner Access

FCC Seeks Higher Vanity Call Sign Fee

Valley Group Honors Young CERT Member

Ham Radio Operators Appreciated As A 'Treasure Of Oswego County'

Senate Approves Two New FCC Commissioners

Senate Approves Two New FCC Commissioners, Commission to Be at Full Strength

ARRL -- Six months after President Barack Obama nominated Jessica Rosenworcel and Ajit Varadaraj Pai to the Federal Communications Commission, the Senate confirmed their appointments on Monday, May 7. Rosenworcel, a Democrat, fills the seat vacated by Michael Copps who retired from the Commission earlier this year; her term runs through June 30, 2015. Pai, a Republican, replaces Meredith Attwell Baker,...

Michigan Summer Family Outing

ARRL Michigan Section Presents the 14th Annual

Michigan Summer Family Outing
July 5-8, 2012

Woodland Conference Center and Campground - Hale, MI

Includes a tape measure antenna building project and a 4-transmitter fox hunt

Click Here for project website and schedule
Click Here for Family Outing Brochure

7O6T Yemen DXpedition

The Daily DX is reporting that the 7O6T Yemen DXpedition will start 2100 UTC Monday, April 30 and will continue through 2100 UTC May 15. Yemen currently sits at #5 on DX Magazine’s most wanted list, behind North Korea, Navassa, Bouvet and Heard Island. The ARRL DXCC Desk will review the 7O6T DXpedition’s documentation before granting approval for the operation to count for DXCC credit.

The DXpedition will be on Socotra Island -- the largest island in the four-island Socotra archipelago located in the Indian Ocean -- about 353 kilometers south of the Yemen mainland. Socotra Island (AF-028) is also ranked #1 on the RSGB’s Islands on the Air (IOTA) list, with only .3 percent of IOTA participants claiming it. Due to Socotra’s location, Yemen is one of the few DXCC entities that cross continental borders (Asia and Africa). Socotra also counts for one of the three Diamond DXCC Entities that make up today’s Yemen (including Aden City and Yemen itself) from the 1937 DXCC List.

The DXpedition is led by Dmitri Zhikharev, RA9USU, and assisted by Harry Booklan RA3AUU, and Dave Collingham, K3LP. Currently, there are 11 operators on Socotra, with a rotation planned later in the operation. Operators plan to be on 160-10 meters on six stations using CW, SSB and RTTY. Five of the stations are equipped with an Elecraft K3 and ACOM 1010 amplifier; the sixth station has a Kenwood TS-590 and THP-400 amplifier. There will be various beams, verticals and vertical arrays, as well as Beverages and other receiving antennas.

 Look for 7O6T on the following frequencies:

160     CW 1.824 MHz    SSB 1.845 MHz             RTTY 0000
80       CW 3.504 MHz    SSB 3.780 MHz             RTTY 0000
40       CW 7.004 MHz    SSB 7.065/7.180 MHz    RTTY 7.035 MHz
30       CW 10.104 MHz                                      RTTY 10.140 MHz
20       CW 14.024 MHz  SSB 14.145 MHz           RTTY 14.080 MHz
17       CW 18.074 MHz  SSB 18.145 MHz          RTTY 18.100 MHz
15       CW 21.024 MHz  SSB 21.295 MHz          RTTY 21.080 MHz
12       CW 24.894 MHz  SSB 24.945 MHz          RTTY 24.920 MHz
10       CW 28.024 MHz  SSB 28.495 MHz          RTTY 28.080 MHz

Logs, photos and propagation forecasts will be posted to the 7O6T website as the DXpedition continues. QSL via Nick Averyanov, UA3DX. Updates regarding OQRS, direct, bureau and LoTW QSLing will also be posted to the website.

Only one Amateur Radio operation has taken place from Socotra Island: VS9SJF (VS9 Socotra Joint Forces), operated by John Farrar, G3UCQ (ex 5B4JF) during a Royal Air Force/Army expedition. At that time, Socotra was under British rule. “The Expedition was on the island for two months (December 1964-February 1965) and I contacted over 100 countries with my little 75 W rig, including, many from USA,” Farrar recounted. “The Heathkit DX-40U transmitter gave 74 W input on CQ and 60 W input controlled carrier modulation (AM). The receiver was an RCA AR88D. No electronic keyers in those days, so a good wrist was needed! The antennas comprised a W3DZZ trap dipole (80-10 meters) and a V-beam was later erected, aimed at USA, with the legs about 200 feet long and 30 feet high.”

Except for two brief periods, Socotra Island belonged to the sultans of Mahra. During the early 16th century, it was occupied by the Portuguese. In 1886, it became part of Britain’s Aden Protectorate until 1967, when it was joined with the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen), which became the Republic of Yemen in 1990.

Thanks to The Daily DX and the K8CX Ham Gallery for some information

US Part 97 Not Affected by Part 90 Narrowbanding

A lot of mis-information is going around in amateur radio FM
and repeater circles regarding an upcoming FCC mandate on
narrow-banding communications in the 150 to 512 MHz spectrum
is finally being debunked.  Ham radio is not affected by
this change.
----
Much of the mis-information regarding narrowband on amateur
radio FM appears to be coming from hams who have purchased
various low cost Part 90 radios built in China.  These
radios are capable of narrowband operation on the 2 meter
and 70 centimeter ham bands in addition to Part 90
frequencies.

The manuals that come with these radios are written with
Part 90 users in mind and much of the material has no
meaning to Part 97 Amateur Service operations.  However,
some hams do not realize this and that's likely the way the
erroneous rumors that ham radio FM and repeater operations
at 70 centimeters and above would have to narrowband got
started.

To make it clear, ham radio is not affected in any way by
this FCC edict and your ham gear is not going to become
obsolete.

The switch to 12.5 KHz from the current 25 KHz channel
spacing only affects operations in the FCC Part 90 regulated
services.  There is no narrow band mandate by the FCC for
Part 97 ham radio operations. Hams are free to voluntarily
switch to narrowband operations if they so desire, but the
Amateur Part 97 Service as a whole is not obligated to make
any change.