Here is more information about your primary national Amateur Radio organization, at work fro you.
On July 28, the FCC approved a modification that expands the ARRL’s 500 kHz experimental license WD2XSH. According to Experiment Coordinator Fritz Raab, W1FR, the expansion allows for more frequencies, more stations and portable operations
"We can now operate between 495-510 kHz," Raab said. "We were previously limited to 505-510 kHz. We will not be using 500 kHz itself so as to ensure that there is no conflict with the heritage stations on that frequency. The expansion also gives us the opportunity to expand the number of participating stations. We can now have 42 stations, where before we were limited to 23."
Raab said that the expansion will now let participants operate within 50 km of their designated stations. This was not allowed under the previous terms of the experimental license. "Some stations have reduced operating bands to ensure that they do not interfere with nearby non-directional beacons (NDB).
The FCC’s Office of Engineering and Technology granted the WD2XSH experimental license to the ARRL in September 2006. Find out more information on the ARRL’s 500 kHz Experiment in the July/August 2007 issue of QEX.
SOURCE: The American Radio Relay League, Inc.
Continue reading about FCC Expands ARRL’s Experimental License
Like most PC users, I occasionally use MS Paint for primitive image editing. Who knew that the application had the potential, when in the hands of an expert user, to produce world-class art from scratch.
As can be seen in the video below, you need to give MS Paint more respect. It might even be worth (shudder) reading the help file.
Peggy and I took a week off to visit our daughter and son-in-law in San Francisco. We had a great time with the entire family being together.
I also saw some very disturbing things. They can best be summed up by this memory. I saw a docked 200 plus foot-long yacht, complete with a seven passenger helicopter on its upper deck, that was in view of a man who was dumpster diving for his dinner.
How dare we dismiss the demand that all of our country’s citizens have a lifestyle that at least resembles civilization by calling it Socialism. You will note that the recent multi-billion dollar governmental assistance to big business was carefully called a “bailout” rather than the pejorative term “welfare” that would have been used if the beneficiary had been poor citizens. My own State of Michigan is targeting the blind and physically handicapped for major cuts in service by the state library system — rather than implementing an equitable tax structure that would require a larger contribution by the super-rich.
More churches need to preach Matthew 25:40, “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Instead, I have heard Pat Robertson say while referring to the IRS, “They are stealing our wealth.” We should be deeply ashamed.
The flashing beacon on the 500-foot radio tower that for years served KDKA Radio, located on top of Pittsburgh’s Grant Building, has been famous for spelling out "Pittsburgh" in International Morse Code since 1929. Unfortunately, it has lately begun to spell out "P-I-T-E-T-S-B-K-R-R-H", instead.
A computer sciences graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University noticed the typo, recorded it, notified the press and uploaded it to YouTube.com. The error is apparently due to aging equipment, rather than anyone’s poor spelling skills.
On July 10, 2009 Representative David Wu (OR-1) signed on as a co-sponsor to HR 2160 — The Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Enhancement Act of 2009 — bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 15.
Click here for information on how to encourage your Congressional representative to sponsor HR 2160.
SOURCE: the American Radio Relay League
Have you heard of Microsoft’s COFEE? That is an acronym for Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor, a USB thumb-drive that was distributed to more than 2000 law-enforcement officers in 15 countries including the United States.
According to Microsoft, it has the ability to decrypt passwords, search a computer’s Internet activity, and analyze the data stored on a computer—including data stored in volatile memory which could be lost if the computer were shut down for transport to a lab. Microsoft currently provides COFEE devices and online technical support free to law enforcement agencies.
Microsoft says it is, “…the latest example of Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to helping to create a safer, more trusted Internet experience for everyone, not just Microsoft’s customers.” More information is in the FAQ: Computer Online Forensic Evidence Extractor ( COFEE ).
Kind of gives new meaning ti the term coffee break.
Tired of having to plug your thumb drive, USB hard drive, or other USB device into a hub that is inconveniently located? The problem is neatly solved with the 3-Inch diameter Belkin model F5U402-03IN-KIT In-Desk USB Hub.
Product Description
Nearly all your mobile gadgets plug in to your computer through USB. You can make quick and convenient connections through the In-Desk USB Hub for your flash drive, camera, and more-and save space around your computer. The Hub easily fits into a 3-inch-round opening on your desk or other surface, and connects directly to your computer with the included USB cable.
Note: If your desk does not have a pre-drilled hole in it, you can drill one yourself using a 3-inch hole saw (requires separate purchase, not from Belkin). Kit Package Includes: In-Desk USB Hub, Mounting Ring, Power Adapter, USB 2.0 Cable and User Manual.
Product Features
.: Fits in a 3" grommet hole on your desk
.: Transfers files at speeds of up to 480Mbps
.: Works seamlessly with all your USB 1.1 and USB 2.0 devices
.: Connects up to 4 high-, full-, or low-speed devices
.: Installs with Plug-and-Play ease
SOURCE: Amazon.cpm
Hams are always looking for a way to improve their radio equipment’s signal strength with the least expense. Well, how about the use of a 1,353 feet (412 meter) tall antenna, for about fifteen bucks. Yes, it is possible.
All you need to do is take your handie-talkie, with its rubber duck antenna, up to the new attraction in Chicago. That would be “The Ledge”, glass balconies that jut out four feet over the west side of the Sears Tower’s 103rd floor Skydeck. They even have a glass floor.
The Ledge opened to the public on Thursday. You should be able to work me here in Southeastern Michigan on the two meter band from there.
In case you have not yet taken your summer vacation, be advised that you have the opportunity to see some fantastic attractions while traveling the roads of America. I was reminded of this fact when I was directed to the RoadsideAmerica.com Web site.
For example, I learned that my home state of Michigan has no fewer than three, so called, “mystery spots”. That number includes the one that must have been the world’s largest purveyor of self-promoting bumper stickers in the 1950’s and 60’s.
Visit the site before you leave home, the Museum of Bad Art, 2-Story Outhouses, Tiny Churches and Smiley Water Towers await you.
I am pleased to see that the Amateur Radio Emergency Service here in Genesee County, Michigan has added CPR to its training schedule. I have long thought that his should be adopted nationally. Considering the general physical condition of the average ham, it definitely should be taught to our wives, so that they could use it on us.
This month’s training will be on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR). Everyone, including fire & police personnel and the community is invited to attend either session.
YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO TAKE THIS CLASS IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN GCARES ACTIVITIES.
The cost for the class, due at class time, is $13 which pays for books, materials, and CPR certification card processing and distribution. The instructor, Nicholas Funk, is not charging any fees to teach these classes.
If you plan on attending please reply by email so that we know how many persons will be in attendance at either session.
The classes will be held on:
Saturday July 11 10:00 AM
Tuesday July 14 7:00 PM
Both classes to be held at the Genesee County Building, 1101 Beach Street, Flint in room G-25.
SOURCE: Bob Byler, K8RWB, AEC, Training, GCARES
My name is Bob, and I am a ham radio operator, freelance web developer and a retired commercial radio personality. It turns out that I also enjoy blogging...
