K1DWU's Ham-News.com

ANZAC Day equals AM

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - A patriotic group in Northern Australia is working to get as many Australian and New Zealand radio hams on the AM mode on ANZAC Day afternoon (April 25) as an amateur radio salute to the servicemen and women in the many conflicts

FUNcube pictures released

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - AMSAT-UK has released images of the Command, Control and Telemetry (CCT) board being developed for the FUNcube Amateur Radio satellite

Netherlands Antilles

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - Three members of the Southeastern DX Club (SEDXC) and the K5D team (Bob K4UEE, Gregg W6IZT and George N4GRN) will be on the Island of Saba (NA-145, Grid Square is FK87) between March 11-15th

Eduspace website

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - ESA has completely redesigned its Eduspace website which provides an introduction to Earth observation and its applications

Working the Amateur Radio Satellites from Mexico

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - Patrick WD9EWK/VA7EWK has made available videos of contacts he made during a trip to Mexico via the Amateur Radio satellites SO-50 and AO-51

Digital ATV in the UK

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - Radio Amateurs in the UK are increasingly experimenting with Digital Amateur Television (DATV), Charles G4GUO is one of those

GB2SPD St Patrick's Day

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - Amateur radio station GB2SPD will be QRV from Slieve Gallion mountain in the Sperrins, Co. Derry on St Patrick's Day March 17th and possibly up until 21st March to mark St Patrick's Day 2010

M0OCT amateur radio Intermediate course

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - March 24th see's the start of an Amateur Radio Intermediate course and the exam on June 30th at The Conferance Room and Training Centre of M0OCT Amateur Radio Society, North east Derbyshire

ARISS to receive Boselli Award

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 09:38:58 +0000

Southgate ARC - The 'Associazione Italiana Radioascolto' A.I.R. (Italian Radio Listeners Association) has awarded the Boselli Prize 2010 to the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program

R. Henry Rice, KC9JXX (SK):

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:41:23 +0000

eHam.net News - R. Henry Rice, age 58, of Cambridge City, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Ind. He was born on March 29, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio, to Raymond and Vernie Johnson Rice. Henry lived to assist his parents in the antique business. He was a Wayne County ham radio operator. His call letters were KC9JXX. He also loved airplanes often volunteering at Richmond Municipal Airport. He was a member of sky warning in Richmond.

K3 completed to QRP stage

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:47:40 +0000

K1DWU - AE5X - The K3 is almost finished. All that's left to do is install the 100-watt PA and the fans. As a QRP rig, it is complete and I've had two QSOs with it. I'll put the PA in Wednesday after work, do final alignments and it should all be done at that point. ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-09]

The magic of QRP

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:47:23 +0000

K1DWU - W2LJ - and good weather are an exciting combination. Please read Jim W1PID's latest QRP adventure .The past few days have been gorgeous here in NJ, too. Highs have been in the 50s and the snow from just a week ago is now just a memory, pretty much. There ar... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-09]

Ham Radio Using Linux

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:47:04 +0000

K1DWU - 9W2PJU - Ham radio and linux is my main passion right now. im writing this post to encourage all ham radio operators to consider using open source operating system for their everyday task such as controlling their rigs, logging, plotting, creating new electron... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-09]

Tour de Cure

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:46:51 +0000

K1DWU - KE7VKQ - Tour de Cure annual bike race to raise money for the American Diabetes Association. KS7TAN Stan Hamnett was the Ham Operator for rest site 2 at the Corner of Continental Road and Camino del Sol in Green Valley, Az. [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-09]

Radio is more fun with eyeball QSOs

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:46:31 +0000

K1DWU - AC7FA - I had the pleasure of meeting and greeting many of my radio friends this weekend at the large, regional Mic and Key hamfest. Having some face-to-face contact with other hams develops a covalent bond of our shared interest in amateur radio in general an... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-09]

The business end of QRP

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:46:20 +0000

K1DWU - AE5X - Years ago, a posting to QRP-L‚ announced an upcoming kit that was gonna kick ass and take names on 20-meter CW. Its virtues were extolled far and wide. Terms like bullet-proof front-end were tossed around. It was a soon-to-be-legend. It was gonna be the... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-09]

Stillwater students rock the radio airwaves (Washington)

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 05:21:19 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - When is a retired Stillwater teacher not a retired Stillwater teacher? When the principal asks him to come back and work with the students doing Radio Roundup.

Stillwater Students Rock the Radio Airwaves:

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:29:56 +0000

eHam.net News - When is a retired Stillwater teacher not a retired Stillwater teacher? When the principal asks him to come back and work with the students doing Radio Roundup. Stillwater Elementary is one of a very few elementary schools nationwide that has an amateur radio program, which puts students on the air in real time. It's an activity that offers a unique learning experience which Stillwater students look forward to every year \& even if the teacher is retired! This year one hundred and thirty-two students were given the opportunity to make a radio contact with someone, somewhere in the world. Third, fourth and fifth grade students made radio contacts in 24 states as well as Canada and Tokyo, Japan.

Bob Schroeder, N2HX, Awarded 2009 ARRL Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:05:00 +0000

ARRL - H. Robert "Bob" Schroeder, N2HX, of Ewing, New Jersey, has been named the winner of the ARRL's 2009 Bill Orr, W6SAI, Technical Writing Award for his article "Electromagnetic Pulse and Its Implications for EmComm" that appeared in November 2009 issue of QST. The editorial staff commented on Schroeder's article, saying that "the topic of nuclear EMP is somewhat esoteric by itself, let alone discussing its impact on Amateur Radio, yet the author did an outstanding job of making the subject matter understandable even to the relatively non-technical ham. His writing is clear and to the point, offering practical advice not only for EMP mitigation as it applies to the unlikely event of a nuclear burst, but also extending the same principles to mitigation for lightning damage."

Hamvention® Awards Deadline Is March 15

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 16:12:48 +0000

ARRL - There are only a few days left to nominate individuals and clubs for the 2010 Dayton Hamvention® awards. While the Special Achievement Award, Technical Excellence Award and Amateur of the Year Award have been given for many years, Hamvention Awards Chairman Frank Beafore, WS8B, told the ARRL that in 2010, the Hamvention Awards Committee will also present a special award to the Amateur Radio Club of the Year. That award is tied to this year’s Hamvention theme, Amateur Radio Clubs Worldwide: The Lifeline. March 15 is the deadline for nominations for all four awards; winners will be notified in April and publicly honored at the 2010 Dayton Hamvention in May. Information on how to nominate a person or club for these awards is available at on the Dayton Hamvention Web site. Take this opportunity to recognize a special individual or club for their efforts on behalf of Amateur Radio.

The ARRL Second Homebrew Challenge -- And the Winners Are...

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:59:00 +0000

ARRL - We had a good response to the Second ARRL Homebrew Challenge -- here's a quick summary.

WSPR 2.0 build on Mac ports Snow Leopard 64bit

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:16:31 +0000

K1DWU - VK2TPM - I've finally been able to build and run WSPR on Snow Leopard on top of the Mac Ports platform.At this stage it involved some manual modification of the ./configure generated Makefile. The show stoppers for me were:portaudio as built with mac ports exi... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-08]

CQ BERU Returns For 2010 Commonwealth Contest

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:30:03 +0000

NS3T - After a focus last weekend on Canada and the United States in the ARRL SSB test, this weekend CQ BERU will be the order, as the 2010 Commonwealth Contest arrives with its unique theme of contacts only between stations in the British Commonwealth and Territories. John Sluymer VE3EJ is the defending Single-Operator BERU champ.

IARU Official Blasts Contesters For Out of Band Operations

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 02:30:01 +0000

NS3T - In an unusually public criticism of contesters by a top IARU official, the President of IARU Region I blasted the conduct of some contesters in the recent 2010 CQ 160 SSB Contest, saying a number of stations from Europe and Africa were making contacts on frequencies not allocated to their countries, raising the specter of possible contest disqualifications.

Tape Measure Beam Optimized for Radio Direction Finding:

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:30:54 +0000

eHam.net News - This antenna evolved during my search for a beam with a really great front-to-back ratio to use in hidden transmitter hunts. This design exhibits a very clean pattern and is perfect for RDF use. It trades a bit of forward gain in exchange for a very deep notch in the pattern toward the rear. (You could optimize the design for more forward gain, but at the expense of a really good notch in the pattern toward the rear.) It is a design that can be constructed using only simple hand tools (no machine shop needed) and still perform well. It has been duplicated several dozen times by other local hams and has been successfully used as a club construction project. When I designed this antenna I had one basic idea in mind. It had to be easy to get in and out of the car when hunting for a hidden transmitter. This would be accomplished by the use of steel "tape measure" elements. These elements could fold easily when fitting the antenna into my car and yet still be self supporting. I decided to use three elements to keep the boom from getting too long.

Volunteer Fairfax Steps In

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:33:56 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - When the paralyzing February snowstorms hit the region, the American Red Cross staffed emergency shelters in the area. Oak Marr was the shelter nearest to Vienna-Oakton. Getting the Red Cross workers to the shelter was a challenge. Enter Volunteer Fairfax.

Is the Web 2.0 Community the Next Pirate Radio?

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 17:33:53 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - Pirate radio is illegal or unregulated radio transmission. Its etymology can be traced to the unlicensed nature of the transmission, but historically there has been occasional but notable use of sea vessels - fitting the most common perception of a pirate - as broadcasting bases. The term is most commonly used to describe illegal broadcasting for entertainment or political purposes, but is also sometimes used for illegal two-way radio operation. Rules and regulations vary widely from country to country. In countries such as the US and many countries in Europe, many types of radio licenses exist, and often the term pirate radio generally describes the unlicensed broadcast of FM radio, AM radio, or short wave signals over a wide range.

Smallest Morse Key - Field Telephone Set D.MK.V

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:17:44 +0000

K1DWU - VE3MPG - This small key is part of a WWII Field Telephone Set D.MK.V. As you can see the set is in very fine condition and complete. It came up at a flea market many years ago and I dug it out of storage yesterday to have a good look at it. The original fiel... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-07]

Catching the Buzz

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:17:13 +0000

K1DWU - KE9V - Several years ago I was suffering through a two-hour daily commute that left me plenty of time to enjoy various podcasts while driving through the countryside. These days my commute is considerably longer, but I make it very infrequently and so not surp... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-07]

iPhone on echoLink

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:16:34 +0000

K1DWU - WA3FKG - Here is an interesting posting from the K3MJW mailing list. For you I-Phone geeks from WPA-ARES Special operational note: On February 28, 2010 I (K3WS) used my Apple Iphone running the EchoLink Application (yes there is an App for that) connected to ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-07]

My First Trip Over the Hill

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:12:15 +0000

K1DWU - W8TN - With the weather finally beginning to look like something less than you would find in the Arctic, I felt it was time to give the old broken leg a test and see how it could deal with the Hill behind my house. I have not been down to the tower since some... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-07]

ARRL International DX Contest SSB

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:11:52 +0000

K1DWU - K4SAC - This weekend is the ARRL International DX contest on SSB. You can find a copy of the rules by clicking here The contest runs for 48 hours and starts at 0000 UTC Saturday and ends at‚ 2400 UTC Sunday. All non WARC bands 160-10 are eligible for contestin... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-07]

DIY helical antenna for 2m

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:11:31 +0000

K1DWU - G4ILO - A few weeks ago I made a rubber duck helical antenna for my TH-F7E. I didn't get around to writing about it at the time, plus it took a while to get some reports of its performance. Well, it works extremely well, and I have just added a description of ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-07]

ARRL Seeks Input for New IARU Region 2 Band Plan

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:56:30 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - The International Amateur Radio Region 2 conference -- held later this year in El Salvador -- brings together delegations from the national Amateur Radio Societies in the Western Hemisphere. One of the topics on the agenda will be the Region 2 HF band plan. This band plan is "harmonized with" -- spectrum management-speak for "very similar to" -- the IARU Region 1 and Region 3 band plans.

FCC Seeks Comments for Waiver to Allow Radio in Hospital Emergency Drills

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:56:30 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - In February 2010, the American Hospital Association (AHA) filed a request with the FCC for a blanket waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) of the Commission's Rules "to permit hospitals seeking accreditation to use Amateur Radio operators who are hospital employees to transmit communications on behalf of the hospital as part of emergency preparedness drills."

FCC Reaffirms Statement on ROS

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:56:30 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - In mid-February, European amateurs first used a new, experimental digital mode known as ROS. On February 23, 2010 -- after FCC review of the original documents provided from the developer's Web site -- the FCC made the following statements on ROS:

Radio room to be used by EMA (Illinois)

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:56:30 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - The old radio room in the Jefferson County Courthouse is getting a facelift so others can be helped in case of an emergency. The Jefferson County Emergency Management Agency plans to use the old room as a communications base of operations during severe weather or emergency situations.

Amateur radioers keep lines of communication open (California)

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 04:56:30 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - Before Facebook, Twitter and text messaging, there was radio. And when a major disaster knocks out the power, cuts off access to the Internet and scrambles cell signals, radio is once again king.

Prestigious Italian Award to ARISS:

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 01:43:42 +0000

eHam.net News - Italian radio listeners' society AIR has awarded the prestigious 2010 Boselli prize to ARISS, the Amateur Radio in the International Space Station project. The award recognises how ARISS has shown the importance of radio communications to hundreds of young students in Europe and beyond. ARISS has spread the use of radio from the forefront of science in outer space to classrooms around the world. The prize will be delivered at the AIR AGM on 8 May in Faenza, Italy.

Radio Club de Chile Lists Emergency Frequencies, E-mail Address

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 14:29:03 +0000

ARRL - Radio Club de Chile (RCCH) President Dr Galdino Besomi, CE3PG, reports that the situation in Chile is “very complex” as the country suffers aftershocks registering 6.0 or higher after the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Chile on February 27. “Red Chilena Nor Austral de Servicio (RECNA) and RCCH networks are working in coordination whit the Army of Chile, handling information about people localization, condition of roads and support for the emergency administration,” IARU Region 2 (Area G) Emergency Coordinator Jorge Sierra, LU1AS, told he ARRL. He has asked the amateur community to keep the following frequencies free from non-essential, emergency traffic: 14.200, 7.050, 7.095 and 3.738 MHz. “Other frequencies could be in use, especially on 40 meters. Before using any frequency it is very important to make sure it’s free,” he advised. The RCCH has set up an e-mail address where people can request information concerning people affected by the earthquakes.

Ham-Radio Operators Ready When Called Upon to Help:

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 00:29:23 +0000

eHam.net News - TAVARES -- Lake County lately has managed to escape the devastation that in the past has been wrought by tornadoes and hurricanes, but the possibility for the deadly storms always exists. Members of the Royal Harbor Amateur Radio Club are ready to jump in and help at any time. When dangerous weather conditions occur, ham-radio operators known as Skywarn Spotters report tornadoes, hailstorms and heavy wind conditions to regional National Weather Service offices, club member Ted Luebbers said.

The K7RA Solar Update

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:08:00 +0000

ARRL - Two new sunspot groups appeared on March 1, numbered 1052 and 1053. The total number of sunspot groups appearing over the last month is 11. Looking at our 3-month moving average of daily sunspot numbers, the latest for December-January-February is 22.4, for the period centered on January. The average daily sunspot number for the month of February was 31. The fact that this is higher than the latest 3-month average is a welcome trend. The current 3-month average centered on January 2010 is very close to the 3-month average centered on January 2007, which was 22.7. That moving average has not been as high since. In fact, the closest it has been was February 2007, at 18.5. It was all downhill from there, and that average was below 10 from September 2007-October 2009. It now looks like we saw three minimums, which is why it was so easy to err when trying to locate the bottom. Several times we hit some low number, decided that things were improving, and then a few months later hit it again.

F5PL Records Mars Express Fly By:

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:07:42 +0000

eHam.net News - On Wednesday night, we had some of the biggest ground stations in the world listening in on Mars Express, along with collaborative stations from the JIVE network. The professionals weren't the only people listening to our signal though - amateur radio operator Bertrand Pinel (F5PL) from near Castelnaudary, France, used his 3.5m dish throughout the flyby to listen to the signal from Mars Express.

ARNewsline #1699 -- March 5 2010:

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 20:04:59 +0000

eHam.net News - The following is a Q-S-T. Ham radio responds to an earthquake in Chile and a tsunami it causes across the Pacific Ocean. Find out the details on Amateur Radio Newsline report number 1699 coming your way right now.

Surfin': Using the Internet as a Public Service Radio Scanner

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 13:00:00 +0000

ARRL - This week, Surfin' discovers yet another use for the Internet in the RF world.

Propagation Forecast Bulletin #9 de K7RA:

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:54:13 +0000

eHam.net News - Two new sunspot groups appeared on March 1, numbered 1052 and 1053. The total number of sunspot groups appearing over the last month is eleven. Looking at our 3-month moving average of daily sunspot numbers, the latest for December-January-February is 22.4, for the period centered on January. The average daily sunspot number for the month of February was 31. The fact that this is higher than the latest 3-month average is a welcome trend.

AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE™ REPORT 1699

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 10:15:59 +0000

ARN - Podcast - News for the week in Amateur Radio for the week ending 5 March, 2010. Visit Amateur Radio Newsline's only official website at http://www.arnewsline.org

WIA News Podcast for Sun, 7 Mar 2010

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 08:30:53 +0000

K1DWU - Wireless Institute of Australia - WIANEWS FOR WEEK COMMENCING MAR 7 2010. [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-05]

A Close Encounter for AMSAT-OSCAR 51

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:51:42 +0000

K1DWU - While many in North America were fast asleep Monday morning, March 1, the AMSAT-OSCAR 51 satellite had a potentially dangerous encounter with another spacecraft known as Formosat 3D. OSCAR 51 is a popular Amateur Radio satellite that often functions as a cross... [Source: HamFeed / 03-05]

eQSL Awards

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:49:40 +0000

K1DWU - K2DSL - I just happened to notice that if I was interested in doing so I could receive the eQSL WAS and eQSL DXCC awards. ‚ I'd just have to become at least a bronze member to print out the certificates. I upload to eQSL because it is pretty automated from my ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-05]

A New Addition to the Ham Shack

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:49:13 +0000

K1DWU - K6RJ - My new Yaesu FT-450 I recently acquired a Yaesu FT-450 HF + 6m transceiver to replace the aging Alinco DX-70 as my back up rig in my shack.‚ I've only had the 450 for a few days but I've already discovered there is a lot to like about this little rig.... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-05]

Annual WARN Training Session

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:48:40 +0000

K1DWU - W8MRC - We've been getting lots of inquiries as to when the annual WARN spotter training extravaganza will be this year. Well, all of the details have finally been ironed out. The annual spotter training session sponsored by the Weather Amate... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-05]

Amateur Operators Keep Lines of Communication Open:

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:06:24 +0000

eHam.net News - Before Facebook, Twitter and text messaging, there was radio. And when a major disaster knocks out the power, cuts off access to the Internet and scrambles cell signals, radio is once again king. Using battery-operated transmitters and a generator-powered station, a local crew of ham radio aficionados keep the lines of communication open when no other options are available. "We are the last stand of communication worldwide," said Mike Wapner, a director and member of the Santa Barbara Amateur Radio Club (SBARC). A group of local radio operators manned roadblocks during the Zaca fire several years ago and helped pass along messages between fire officials in rugged backcountry areas with no cell service. They also participate in emergency preparedness drills and practice setting up radio communications between different local agencies. Beyond emergency response, the club also provides communications during local events such as marathons, bike races and Fiesta parades, and its members meet up on specific frequencies to chat on topics ranging from aviation and maritime activities to shopping and nature.

ARRL Seeks Input for New IARU Region 2 Band Plan

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 19:45:59 +0000

ARRL - The International Amateur Radio Region 2 conference -- held later this year in El Salvador -- brings together delegations from the national Amateur Radio Societies in the Western Hemisphere. One of the topics on the agenda will be the Region 2 HF band plan. This band plan is "harmonized with" -- spectrum management-speak for "very similar to" -- the IARU Region 1 and Region 3 band plans.

DX News -- ARRL DX Bulletin #9:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:41:11 +0000

eHam.net News - This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by NC1L, The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, DXNL, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.

FCC Reaffirms Statement on ROS

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:21:00 +0000

ARRL - In mid-February, European amateurs first used a new, experimental digital mode known as ROS. On February 23, 2010 -- after FCC review of the original documents provided from the developer's Web site -- the FCC made the following statements on ROS:

Amateur Radio Quiz: Workbench Wisdom

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:30:00 +0000

ARRL - Even though you might be an inveterate tinkerer and builder, it's occasionally a good idea to put down those hot irons, sweep off the workbench and turn off the test equipment. This quiz is for you!

FCC Seeks Comments for Blanket Waiver to Allow Amateur Radio in Hospital Emergency Drills

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 16:18:00 +0000

ARRL - In February 2010, the American Hospital Association (AHA) filed a request with the FCC for a blanket waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) of the Commission's Rules "to permit hospitals seeking accreditation to use Amateur Radio operators who are hospital employees to transmit communications on behalf of the hospital as part of emergency preparedness drills." On March 3, the FCC issued a Public Notice -- WP Docket 10-54 -- seeking comments if the Commission "should grant AHA's request for a blanket waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) to permit amateur operators who are hospital employees to participate in emergency drills that are conducted by hospitals for accreditation purposes and that are not government-sponsored."Section 97.113(a)(3) specifically prohibits amateur stations from transmitting communications "in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer."

Tornado Drill Part Of Severe Storms Preparedness Month (Kentucky)

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:25:20 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - Even though winter continues to blast cold weather, ice and snow on Lexington and central Kentucky, spring storm season is just around the corner.The Division of Emergency Management wants to make sure you're ready. The month of March is declared as Severe Storms Preparedness Month and citizens are urged to take time out to make sure that they're prepared for what Mother Nature can dish out when warm weather comes in the spring.

A Close Encounter for AMSAT-OSCAR 51

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:25:19 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - While many in North America were fast asleep Monday morning, March 1, the AMSAT-OSCAR 51 satellite had a potentially dangerous encounter with another spacecraft known as Formosat 3D. OSCAR 51 is a popular Amateur Radio satellite that often functions as a crossband FM repeater, relaying brief conversations over hundreds of miles. Formosat 3D is part of a constellation of six remote sensing microsatellites that collect atmospheric data for weather prediction and for ionosphere, climate and gravity research. Both orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 miles.

Local Radio Club Ready For Fun Or Emergencies (Nevada)

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:25:19 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - Many people don't know what a ham radio operator is. "Unlike a CB radio that a person could buy and immediately use, ham operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and must follow the rules and regulations of the FCC," says Charles Lum Kee, founder of the Virgin Valley Radio Club.

Amateur Radio Operators Provide Communications Support in Haiti

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:25:19 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - After the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti on January 12, many Amateur Radio operators asked how they could volunteer their time and service to assist with communications support. When Project Medishare -- a partnership between the University of Miami Medical School (UoM) and physicians and health officials in Haiti -- needed help with their communications, Amateur Radio operators were quick to respond.

Eyes on stormy skies (Missouri)

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:25:18 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - The sky comes free. Last week, a full moon filled the winter sky. On a clear, moonless night, at least a thousand stars can be seen. In spring, during the heightened storm season, identifying clouds in that same sky can save lives.

This Week on the Radio:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:47:15 +0000

eHam.net News - This Week on the Radio:

Hamvention Awards:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:47:07 +0000

eHam.net News - There are only a few days left to nominate individuals and clubs for the Hamvention 2010 awards. While the Special Achievement Award, Technical Excellence Award, and Amateur of the Year Award have been given for many years, Awards Chairman Frank Beafore, WS8B, said this a year a special award with be given for Club of the Year. That award is tied to this year's Hamvention theme, Amateur Radio Clubs Worldwide: The Lifeline.

ARRL Seeks Input for New IARU Region 2 Band Plan:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:46:54 +0000

eHam.net News - The International Amateur Radio Region 2 conference -- held later this year in El Salvador -- brings together delegations from the national Amateur Radio Societies in the Western Hemisphere. One of the topics on the agenda will be the Region 2 HF band plan. This band plan is "harmonized with" -- spectrum management-speak for "very similar to" -- the IARU Region 1 and Region 3 band plans.

Radio Club de Chile Active After Earthquake:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:46:37 +0000

eHam.net News - On Monday, March 1, IARU Region 2 President Reinaldo Leandro, YV5AMH, spoke via telephone with Radio Club de Chile President Dr Galdino Besomi, CE3PG, regarding the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the South American nation on Saturday, February 27.

FCC Denies ARRL's Request for Declaratory Ruling:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:45:49 +0000

eHam.net News - In 2005, after the State of Florida adopted statutes aimed at pirate broadcasters and making it a felony to make a radio transmission without Commission authorization or to interfere with a licensed public or commercial radio station, the ARRL -- through General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD -- filed a Request for Declaratory Ruling (Request) with the FCC, seeking a declaratory ruling on portions of that statute.

Hawaii Hams Spurred to Action by Chilean Earthquake:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:45:32 +0000

eHam.net News - On Saturday, February 27 -- in reaction to a tsunami warning triggered by the Chilean earthquake -- 60 Amateur Radio operators participated in a tsunami radio net that operated throughout the island State of Hawaii. More than 25 real-time reports from observers around the state were relayed simultaneously to the State Emergency Operating Center (EOC) and the four county EOCs, providing timely information via Amateur Radio on sea level changes to emergency management officials.

FCC Seeks Comments for Waiver to Allow AR in Hospital Emergency Drills:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:44:34 +0000

eHam.net News - In February 2010, the American Hospital Association (AHA) filed a request with the FCC for a blanket waiver of Section 97.113(a)(3) of the Commission's Rules "to permit hospitals seeking accreditation to use Amateur Radio operators who are hospital employees to transmit communications on behalf of the hospital as part of emergency preparedness drills."

Amateur Radio in Space: A Close Encounter for AMSAT-OSCAR 51:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:44:17 +0000

eHam.net News - While many in North America were fast asleep Monday morning, March 1, the AMSAT-OSCAR 51 (AO-51) satellite had a potentially dangerous encounter with another spacecraft known as Formosat 3D. OSCAR 51 is a popular Amateur Radio satellite that often functions as a crossband FM repeater, relaying brief conversations over hundreds of miles. Formosat 3D is part of a constellation of six remote sensing microsatellites that collect atmospheric data for weather prediction and for ionosphere, climate and gravity research. Both orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 miles.

TAPR President Emeritus Dr. David Toth, VE3GYQ (SK):

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:43:56 +0000

eHam.net News - Dr David Toth, VE3GYQ -- President Emeritus of Tucson Amateur Packet Radio (TAPR) -- passed away Friday, February 26 after a long battle with cancer. He was 55. A resident of Spencerville, Ohio, Toth served as a Director and Executive Vice President of TAPR in the 1980s and was elected President of the organization in September 2005.

FCC Reaffirms Statement on ROS:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:43:34 +0000

eHam.net News - In mid-February, European amateurs first used a new, experimental digital mode known as ROS. On February 23, 2010 -- after FCC review of the original documents provided from the developer's Web site -- the FCC made a statement on ROS. The ARRL supports -- as one of the basic purposes of Amateur Radio -- the experimentation and advancing the technical skills of operators.

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

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:43:21 +0000

eHam.net News - This 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, including holding elections for and appointing people to League leadership positions, preparing for WRC-12, legislative actions, providing equipment for communications support in Haiti through the ARRL's Ham Aid program, developing on-the-air events, investigating power line noise and more.

Amateur Radio Operators Wrap Up Communications Support in Haiti:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:42:59 +0000

eHam.net News - After the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti on January 12, many Amateur Radio operators asked how they could volunteer their time and service to assist with communications support. When Project Medishare -- a partnership between the University of Miami Medical School (UM) and physicians and health officials in Haiti -- needed help with their communications, Amateur Radio operators were quick to respond. According to Jack Satterfield, W4GRJ/AFA4DG, Medishare has constructed several health clinics in Haiti over the years -- all of which were destroyed in the earthquake. "Medishare was able to rapidly deploy medical teams and assets to begin the overwhelming task facing the post earthquake medical needs," he told the ARRL.

ARRL Executive Committee Meeting Agenda Now Available:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:42:24 +0000

eHam.net News - At its January 2010 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors decided to make the agendas of Board and Executive Committee meetings available on the ARRL Web site.

ARRL Continuing Education Course Registration:

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:42:05 +0000

eHam.net News - Registration remains open through Sunday, March 21, 2010, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, April 2, 2010:

ANSR-54 Flight for March 6 Scrubbed, to be rescheduled.

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:06:04 +0000

K1DWU - Arizona Near Space Research - Due to very high upper level jet stream winds and their direction, the planned flight of ANSR-54 on March 6 has been scrubbed. The projected conditions and flight path predictions just made it too risky to proceed. This flight for... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-04]

AT Hikers Story: Three Hundred Zeroes

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:05:43 +0000

K1DWU - KC8QVO - I am not one to read books. I have books from my last quarter of college that I bought new because they were the only ones left and I needed at least something to flip through, which I never ended up reading. However, I read the recent article in QST ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-04]

K6MM's No Excuses 160m Vertical Antenna

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:05:05 +0000

K1DWU - KA3DRR - Photograph 1 depicts our first attempt at helically winding 97 feet 1 inch of AWG#14 wire on 2 inch PVC SCH40 before re-thinking our strategy. I opted for removing the long screw driver on the wire spool and approached our problem like taping a piece ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-04]

Fivehead QRP SSB transceiver kit

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:04:14 +0000

K1DWU - G3XBM - This afternoon Ted G4NUA came around to test the receiver section of his Fivehead 20m SSB transceiver kit from Walford kits in Somerset. I was surprised how small the transceiver was. We checked the RX with a signal generator and re-did the alignment. ... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-04]

Handiham World for 03 March 2010

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:04:06 +0000

K1DWU - HandiHam - Welcome to Handiham World! As we head into the longer daylight hours here in the Northern Hemisphere, band conditions will begin to favor the higher frequencies of the High-frequency (HF) spectrum and thunderstorm static and absorption will g... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-04]

Time for a Single License Class

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:03:42 +0000

K1DWU - KE9V - Lean in close here and let me whisper a secret in your ear Since upgrading to Extra class many years ago, I haven't paid the slightest bit of attention to the US amateur radio licensing process. I know, it sounds perfectly awful. I've never volunteered... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-04]

Volunteer spotters vital during severe weather (Iowa)

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:13:15 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - On a hot summer day not long ago, a friend pointed out a pretty cloud to Roland Newton. Newton squinted at the sky and grimaced. "Somebody is getting hailed on," the Kelley man said. Then he hustled to the nearest computer to check the regional forecast. Confirming what he saw, he flicked on his amateur radio setup and went to work.

Ham-radio operators ready when called upon to help (Florida)

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:13:15 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - Lake County lately has managed to escape the devastation that in the past has been wrought by tornadoes and hurricanes, but the possibility for the deadly storms always exists.

FCC Denies ARRL's Request for Declaratory Ruling

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:13:14 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - In 2005, after the State of Florida adopted statutes aimed at pirate broadcasters and making it a felony to make a radio transmission without Commission authorization or to interfere with a licensed public or commercial radio station, the ARRL -- through General Counsel Chris Imlay, W3KD -- filed a Request for Declaratory Ruling (Request) with the FCC, seeking a declaratory ruling on portions of that statute. The ARRL argued that the Statute was written so broadly that one could infer that Commission-licensed Amateur Radio stations in Florida would be subject to felony prosecution if their transmissions interfered with broadcast or other radio receivers. In 2006, New Jersey adopted a similar statute and the ARRL's Request was modified to include that state. Five years and one day after the original Request was filed with the Commission, the FCC denied the Request.

Hawaii Hams Spurred to Action by Chilean Earthquake

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:13:14 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - On Saturday, February 27, 60 Amateur Radio operators participated in a tsunami radio net that operated throughout the island State of Hawaii. More than 25 real-time reports from observers around the state were relayed simultaneously to the State Emergency Operating Center (EOC) and the four county EOCs, providing timely information via Amateur Radio on sea level changes to emergency management officials.

What's that noise? The fox (Minnesota)

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:13:13 +0000

This Week in Amateur Radio - A high-pitched tune sounded over the ham radio, followed by the beep of morse code. They were getting close. The Winona Amateur Radio Club held its "fox hunt" Saturday, when members combed the city in search of a hidden transmitter.

A Close Encounter for AMSAT-OSCAR 51

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 20:16:00 +0000

ARRL - While many in North America were fast asleep Monday morning, March 1, the AMSAT-OSCAR 51 satellite had a potentially dangerous encounter with another spacecraft known as Formosat 3D. OSCAR 51 is a popular Amateur Radio satellite that often functions as a crossband FM repeater, relaying brief conversations over hundreds of miles. Formosat 3D is part of a constellation of six remote sensing microsatellites that collect atmospheric data for weather prediction and for ionosphere, climate and gravity research. Both orbit at an altitude of approximately 500 miles.

ARRL Executive Committee Meeting Agenda Available

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:40:57 +0000

ARRL - At its January 2010 meeting, the ARRL Board of Directors decided to make the agendas of Board and Executive Committee meetings available on the ARRL Web site. The first opportunity to do so is for the Executive Committee meeting to be held March 13. The agenda is available here.

ARRL Continuing Education Online Course Registration

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 18:35:00 +0000

ARRL - Registration remains open through Sunday, March 21, 2010, for these online course sessions beginning on Friday, April 2, 2010: Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Level 1; Antenna Modeling; Radio Frequency Interference; Antenna Design and Construction; Ham Radio (Technician) License Course; Propagation; Analog Electronics, and Digital Electronics.

Amateur Radio Operators Provide Communications Support in Haiti

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:06:00 +0000

ARRL - After the 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the island nation of Haiti on January 12, many Amateur Radio operators asked how they could volunteer their time and service to assist with communications support. When Project Medishare -- a partnership between the University of Miami Medical School (UM) and physicians and health officials in Haiti -- needed help with their communications, Amateur Radio operators were quick to respond.

MacGyver of the Day: HAM Radio Hacker Diana Eng [DIY Week]

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 10:24:19 +0000

K1DWU - Ed. note: All this week, Senior Editor of MAKE magazine Phil Torrone is joining us to highlight a few modern day MacGyvers as we continue celebrating the DIY ethic at Lifehacker. Today's maker: HAM radio enthusiast Diana Eng. Hi Lifehackers! MAKE is best know... [Source: Lifehacker / 03-03]

RSGB Amateur Radio Tutors Reflector

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:37:11 +0000

Southgate ARC - This is a Yahoo group open to Registered Instructors for the UK Amateur Radio Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced Communication Examinations

Major Pacific ham radio DXpedition

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 09:37:11 +0000

Southgate ARC - After his recent trip from the Pacific, team leader, Hrane YT1AD announced that an international team of amateur radio operators will activate Tokelau (ZK3), Canton Island (T31 - Central Kiribati) and Wallis Island (FW)

K3 for sale

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:55:11 +0000

K1DWU - G4ILO - A K3 is for sale on the Elecraft reflector by Dan in Florida, who gives the reason for sale as large unexpected medical bills. I'm sorry for Dan and hope my linking to his ad from here will help him to get a good price for his radio. And I thank God th... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-03]

Beans and Cornbread

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:00:01 +0000

K1DWU - KE9V - My Dad was born in 1927, my Mom in '32 - children of the Great Depression. They learned some things about that hard scrabble life that they passed along. One of them being how to extend one dinner into two, and sometimes two and a lunch. Monday was lau... [Source: Planet-Ham.com / 03-03]

Radio Club Ready For Fun Or Emergencies:

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:14:26 +0000

eHam.net News - "Unlike a CB radio that a person could buy and immediately use, ham operators are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission and must follow the rules and regulations of the FCC," says Charles Lum Kee, founder of the Virgin Valley Radio Club. Ham operators must first pass the 35 question Technician exam to earn their license. While this test is not difficult, it does require some study in order to pass. The test is a combination of questions about radio safety, basic radio operating practices, radio fundamentals and FCC rules and regulations. "We have many highly trained members in this club and we are here to provide help and training," said Rich Hansen, president of the club. Hams engage in personal communications with other hams around the world as a hobby, but also stand ready to assist in emergencies when needed. There are an estimated 6 million amateur radio operators worldwide.

Volunteer Spotters Vital During Severe Weather:

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:14:18 +0000

eHam.net News - On a hot summer day not long ago, a friend pointed out a pretty cloud to Roland Newton. Newton squinted at the sky and grimaced. "Somebody is getting hailed on," the Kelley man said. Then he hustled to the nearest computer to check the regional forecast. Confirming what he saw, he flicked on his amateur radio setup and went to work. Work, in this case, is a volunteer gig as a storm spotter for the National Weather Service. Newton, 55, is one of nearly 3,000 spotters spread across Iowa. Many, like Newton, use amateur radio equipment to broadcast details to weather service meteorologists, who in turn use the information to augment their own forecasts and issue warnings. The spotters are a vital link in the weather service's effort to keep the public safe in times of severe weather. This spring, with piles of snow on the ground and flood warnings across the state, spotters will be busy - especially if temperatures warm quickly and spring showers bring April floods. In fact, the volunteers are so important, an amateur radio operator works side by side with meteorologists during storms. The volunteer mans a radio setup at the weather service's Johnston office and quickly relays the most important details.

Joint MARS Emergency Communications Support to "Project MEDISHARE" Ends

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:28:00 +0000

ARRL - The emergency communications support provided by Amateur Radio and MARS operators to the University of Miami Medical Center's Project MEDISHARE in Haiti has concluded, as normal communications links are re-established after a 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti on January 12, killing thousands and wiped out the island nation's communication infrastructure.