Monday, September 2, 2013

QScope.org : Free online statistics and charts application for logs

I am glad to introduce you to QScope.org.

http://www.qscope.org/

QScope.org is an online application that provides statistics and charts from HAM Radio logs.
Registration and access to the website are free.
While some features are designed with contesting in mind, most of the statistics will be useful for DXers and DXpeditions.
You just import your ADIF 2 or Cabrillo logs into QScope database and then browse the statistic and charts pages. The application allows for exporting your results in PDF and to share the web links to the charts you produced with your friends.
QScope permit you to create as many containers as you want and import as many logs as you need into them, so you can classified or aggregate the data the way you want.

QScope offers informations like* :
- Number of QSOs, Operating Time
- Unique callsigns worked, unique DXCCs entities, CQ and ITU Zones
- Average and Maximum QSO Rates over periods of 10, 30 and 60 minutes
- Activity Map showing which band, mode, operating position was more productive during a contest
- Charts with number of QSOs per unique callsign, band, mode or operator
- Charts with number of Points per unique callsign, band, mode or operator
- Charts with number of QSOs per CQ and ITU Zones
- Charts showing hour by hour, the Number of QSOs and Points, Number of new CQ and new ITU Zones worked, Number of new DXCC entities and new Prefixes worked
- Charts with Operating Time per band, mode or operator with parameter for pause duration
- Charts showing minute by minute how much was your QSO Rate for your whole log, per operator or per band, with parameter for the sample duration from 5 minutes to 60 minutes
- Charts with Maximum QSO Rates per band, mode or operator with parameter for the sample duration from 5 minutes to 60 minutes
* Note that the informations you can display depend on the data available in your logfile. ADIF logs containing more details than Cabrillo.

The beauty of a web application (have I said cloud computing?) is that more features and statistics can be easily added on the go and will benefit all users without need to download and install any new software. Of course improvements suggestions are welcome.

73,
Yan - XV4Y.
---
Yannick DEVOS - XV4Y
http://xv4y.radioclub.asia/

Sunday, September 1, 2013

EmComm East Conference to Feature ARRL COO WJ1B

ARRL Chief Operating Officer Harold Kramer, WJ1B, a Boston Marathon finish-line volunteer at the time the bombs exploded, will discuss his experience at EmComm East, an ARRL-sanctioned Amateur Radio emergency communication conference, September 29 in Rochester, New York.
The conference is aimed at radio amateurs involved in emergency, disaster response and recovery communications. Participants can attend training sessions on technical topics, learn from served agencies, and interact with other operators from around the region.
Most presentation slots have been filled, but a few openings remain. If interested, contactinfo@emcommeast.org EmComm East or visit the conference websitehttp://www.emcommeast.org. -- Thanks to Jeff Wigal, WY7Q, via The ARES-E Letter

Saturday, August 24, 2013

US & Canada Agree on New Border Spectrum Sharing Measure

The United States Federal Communications Commission and telecommunications regulator Industry Canada have agreed on three interim spectrum-sharing arrangements covering three types of wireless communications operations along the U.S.-Canada border. The arrangements govern various bands involving air-to-ground communications, fixed operations and specialized mobile radio services.
In the way of fixed services, the FCC, the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration and Industry Canada struck a sharing agreement governing 71 to 76, 81to 86 and 94.1 to 95 GHz. This is intended to facilitate deployment of fixed services within the border area. Such services include backhaul for mobile broadband networks, high-speed wireless local area networks and broadband Internet access over high bandwidth point-to-point links.
At 454.6625 to 454.9875 MHz and 459.6625 to 459.9875 MHz a Statement of Intent allows for creation of a nationwide digital system covering the sharing and coordination of spectrum for general aviation air-to-ground services. It provides for sharing of spectrum when operations are located within distances ranging from roughly 300 to 360 miles of the common border.
With regard to specialized mobile radio services at 896 to 901 and 935 to 940 MHz, the new arrangement governs the sharing and coordination of within roughly 60 miles of the common border and simplifies the criteria for permitting secondary users in the band. This is intended to enable more efficient use of the spectrum while protecting primary users. This particular agreement called Arrangement U may become part of a larger treaty or replacement agreement governing services operating above 30 MHz. The operational provisions of this arrangement will be applied on an interim basis pending further review. (RW, FCC, Industry Canada)

Friday, August 9, 2013

Louisiana Adopts Alert FM Statewide

If there’s ever another disaster like Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana will be in a far better position to advise its residents than back in August of 2005. This with the announcement by Louisiana’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness that it has adopted the Alert FM system as a way of notifying the state’s emergency managers in 64 parishes and 42 institutions of higher learning of an imminent threat to life or property.
According to the release, Louisiana’s Senator Mary Landrieu was an early supporter of the broadcast-based emergency alert systems. She is quoted as saying that with Alert FM, Louisiana has implemented a reliable method of distributing life-saving information to the citizens. She added that the dependability of broadcast transmissions can make the difference between life and death during an emergency.
As previously reported here on Newsline, Alert FM is an emergency notification system that delivers messages from state, local, and private sector officials to citizens, schools, businesses, and first responders using the Radio Data System or R-D-S sub- carrier of local FM radio stations. Messages are originated by designated officials and are then transported from a secure web-based portal to the data sub-carrier via GSS Net which is a secure satellite data delivery system. These alerts and messages are then received by FM stations and re-transmitted to Alert FM equipped receivers or to cell phones that have both active FM chips and properly installed software.
More about the Alert FM system is on line at alertfm.com. (Radio Weekly)

CHANCE OF STORMS

NOAA forecastesrs estimate a 65% chance of polar geomagnetic storms on August 10th when one and perhaps two CMEs are expected to hit Earth's magnetic field. The incoming clouds were propelled from the sun by a flurry of erupting magnetic filaments on Aug. 6-7. High-latitude sky watchers should be alert for auroras. 

Source: SpaceWeather.com

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

MAGNETIC FIELD REVERSAL ON THE SUN:

 It hasn't happened yet, but it's about to. Data from NASA-supported observatories show that the sun's global magnetic field will flip before the end of 2013. The reversal, which signals the arrival of Solar Maximum, will have ripple effects felt throughout the solar system. Get the full story and a video from Science@NASA.


Friday, July 12, 2013

ARRL says no to Encrypted Amateur Radio Communications

The ARRL is calling on the FCC to deny a Petition for Rule Making in RM-11699. This is a request that seeks to permit the encryption of certain amateur communications during emergency operations or related training exercises. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Norm Seeley, KI7UP, is here with the details:

As we previously reported, earlier this year the FCC accepted for filing a Petition for Rulemaking from Don Rolph, AB1PH, designated as RM-11699 and put it on public notice. In it Rolph suggested that an additional exception to Part 97.113 be made to permit encrypted communications when hams are participating in emergency services operations or related training exercises which may involve information covered by medical privacy requirements or other sensitive data. This could include logistical information concerning medical supplies, personnel movement or any other data designated by Federal authorities managing relief or training efforts.
But on July 8th the ARRL filed to oppose the AB1PH rules change request. The ARRL says that in its view there is no factual or legal basis for the assumption that encryption of transmissions is necessary in order to continue and enhance the utility of amateur radio emergency and disaster relief communication. The ARRL also characterized as erroneous the assumption that encryption of certain information may be required under the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability or HIPPA Act.

The ARRL is not alone in this view. Several other commenters on RM-11699 have also pointed out that the restrictions imposed by HIPPA can be overlooked in time of a dire emergency. 


source; Norm Seeley, KI7UP, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

North Hills Amateur Radio Club

What is Ham Radio Night? North Hills Amateur Radio Club:
The Sacramento area North Hills Amateur Radio Club hosts an annual What Is Ham Radio Night event. The members setup demonstrations and the evening is open to the public. This is to show future amateur radio operators different aspects of the hobby.

There were some other demonstrations that I did not cover. Satellite operation was tried, but no luck. I didn't get a chance to video the military radios either.

IRLP
http://www.irlp.net/

North Hills Amateur Radio Club
http://www.k6is.org/

ESpotter
http://espotter.weather.gov/

Wilderness Radio
http://www.fix.net/~jparker/wild.html

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Field Day 2013; Articles of Interest

I did not participate in Field Day this year, so I will just have to share some articles of interest in regards to Field Day Activities.

Ham radio day has locals connecting in La Quinta

Louisville amateur radio enthusiasts hold emergency preparedness 'field day'  

Ham radio has a field day at MCLB (Marine Corps Logistics Base) ALBANY, Ga.  

Amateur radio operators train for the worst-case scenario-  

Ham radio operators having a field day-  

Radio operators demonstrate skills during 'Field Day'- 

HAM radios key to emergency communication- 

Ham radio group tuned into hobby-  

Amateur radio enthusiasts have a field day-  

Field Day highlights emergency preparedness role of ham radio buffs-  

 

My Stamp Collecting Blog

Counter Added January 1, 2011

free counters

HOW TO READ PROPAGATION NUMBERS

The A index [ LOW is GOOD ]

  • 1 to 6 is BEST
  • 7 to 9 is OK
  • 11 or more is BAD

Represents the overall geomagnetic condition of the ionosphere ("Ap" if averaged from the Kp-Index) (an average of the eight 3-hour K-Indices) ('A' referring to amplitude) over a given 24 hour period, ranging (linearly) typically from 1-100 but theoretically up to 400.

A lower A-Index generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; a low & steady Ap-Index generally suggest good propagation on the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

SFI index [ HIGH is GOOD ]

  • 70 NOT GOOD
  • 80 GOOD
  • 90 BETTER
  • 100+ BEST

The measure of total radio emissions from the sun at 10.7cm (2800 MHz), on a scale of 60 (no sunspots) to 300, generally corresponding to the sunspot level, but being too low in energy to cause ionization, not related to the ionization level of the Ionosphere.

Higher Solar Flux generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; Solar Flux rarely affects the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

K index [ LOW is GOOD ]

  • 0 or 1 is BEST
  • 2 is OK
  • 3 or more is BAD
  • 5 is VERY VERY BAD

The overall geomagnetic condition of the ionosphere ("Kp" if averaged over the planet) over the past 3 hours, measured by 13 magnetometers between 46 & 63 degrees of latitude, and ranging quasi-logarithmically from 0-9. Designed to detect solar particle radiation by its magnetic effect. A higher K-index generally means worse HF conditions.

A lower K-Index generally suggests better propagation on the 10, 12, 15, 17, & 20 Meter Bands; a low & steady Kp-Index generally suggest good propagation on the 30, 40, 60, 80, & 160 Meter Bands.

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