Slightly random… I have a Cisco SPA504G VoIP phone which I acquired ages ago and connected to Hamshack Hotline back when the UK still got 5 digit numbers.
The phone isn a 4-line one and subsequently I got a Hams over IP number for line 2, then an extended freedom network number on line 3. After that the phone sat for ages with only the three lines in green, waiting for a fourth.
I did consider buying a VoIP service to transfer our POTS number to once we upgraded to FTTP and lost the copper line. But then, all we used the landline phone for was ignoring junk calls, only ever making calls using my mobile phone which has free minutes and SMS, or using WhatsApp. So the landline went.
And still that fourth line was dark, just sitting there.
Along came CNet. I have had an interest in all things telephony and telegraphy from an early age. I always wanted a small mechanical PABX – I still don’t have one but I do have an eye out for a couple of old dial phones from my childhood. And that’s where the interest in CNet came from. Having investigated further I realised I could use that fourth line for access, and so it happened.
In the classic educational film titled “Electronics at Work,” produced by Westinghouse in 1943, viewers are introduced to the fascinating world of vacuum tubes. This film highlights the crucial role these devices played in both military and commercial sectors, including radio telecommunications, radar, and various industrial applications. The narrative suggests that vacuum tubes provided the […]
In the classic educational film titled “Electronics at Work,” produced by Westinghouse in 1943, viewers are introduced to the fascinating world of vacuum tubes. This film highlights the crucial role these devices played in both military and commercial sectors, including radio telecommunications, radar, and various industrial applications. The narrative suggests that vacuum tubes provided the […]
With all the news coming out of the United States recently between the attempted Assassination and the Republican Convention this might of been missed.
The following is a “Cut N Paste” from the CDC website (above link)
Requirements for all dogs
All dogs must:
Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the United States
Have an implanted International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip
This must have been implanted prior to any required rabies vaccination
The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records
Appear healthy upon arrival
Dogs may not enter the United States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
Isolation of the dog, veterinary examination, and additional testing, at the importer’s expense, may be required to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent spread if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.
Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet access. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must submit a new form and indicate you are making changes to an existing form. All information, including port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct at time of arrival.
This form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
There is no charge to importers for submitting this form.
Have additional documentation which varies depending on where the dog has been in the 6 months before entering or returning to the United States, or if the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the United States
Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.
Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
Have a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form is required for the importation (re-entry) of U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in high-risk countries for dog rabies within the 6 months before re-entry into the United States.
Please note, during the transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), the importer may instead present a copy of the USDA-endorsed export health certificate that was used to ship the dog from the United States, if that export health certificate was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months), the microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States. The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have NOT been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
Have one of the following documents:
A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States; or
A USDA endorsed export health certificate. The export certificate must demonstrate the dog is 6 months of age or older, list the microchip number, and either:
Be for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
Document a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
(This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)
Important information about the Certification ofU.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form
The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed before the dog departs the U.S. Before asking your veterinarian to complete this form, verify the following requirements will be met:
Ensure your dog will be at least 6 months of age on date of return to the U.S.
Have your dog microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip (implanted before any required rabies vaccinations)
Once your dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age, have a USDA-accredited veterinarian vaccinate your dog against rabies with a U.S.-licensed vaccine in accordance with manufacturer instructions
Ensure the veterinarian scans the dog for the ISO-compatible microchip and records the microchip number at the time of vaccine appointment. Rabies vaccines administered prior to microchip implantation will not be considered valid.
Ensure the rabies vaccination will be valid for the entire duration of your travels. If your dog’s U.S.-issued rabies vaccination lapses while overseas and your dog has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, your dog will need to be revaccinated overseas and meet requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs to return to the U.S., including having a rabies serology titer, arriving at a specific port of entry, and possible quarantine requirements.
Your dog must receive its initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28 days before leaving the United States. USDA-accredited veterinarians should only issue the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form for dogs that received their initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28-days previously. Booster vaccines are considered valid immediately.
Have the USDA-accredited veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccine to your dog complete the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form
Ensure the veterinarian submits this form to the USDA for official endorsement through the VEHCS portal
Obtain a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form from your veterinarian once it has been officially endorsed by the USDA
Your dog must travel with a printed copy of the official endorsed form upon your dog’s return to the United States if your dog has been in a high-risk country within the 6 months before returning to the U.S.
During the transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, may have either the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or the USDA endorsed export health certificate for re-entry into the United States. Without one of these forms your dog will need to meet the requirements specific to the risk category of the countries where they have been in the 6 months before returning to the United States.
The export health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and document the dog’s age (at least 6 months), microchip number, and the rabies vaccination date. The rabies vaccine must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60 days before travel out of the United States to allow sufficient time to prepare for travel
Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel back to the United States.Get your pet microchipped or have your veterinarian verify their microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit veterinarian to get your dog their rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Your dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old when it gets its first rabies vaccination.Make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination will be valid (not expired) for the entire duration of travel.
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel out of the United States
Contact your veterinarian to have them complete either:the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, orthe USDA endorsed export health certificate if your dog will be only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries and will return from the country listed on the certificate or that documents a valid rabies vaccination issued in the United States (if your dog will be in a high-risk country, this option is available during the transition period [which will expire on July 31, 2025])
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel back to the United States
Print a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate from USDA.Take a photo of your dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of your dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of return to the United States should have the photograph taken within 10 days before travel.Ensure you enter your dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print a copy of CDC Dog Import form receipt you will receive in your email and travel with it.CDC recommends you travel with at least 2 copies of this form in case the country you are visiting keeps one copy for their records. You will need to present this form for re-entry into the United States.Finalize travel arrangements with the airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel back to the United States
If traveling by air, present the following to the airline before boarding your dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificateArrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receiptPresent the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate
Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk of dog rabies within 6 months before entry
Dogs, including service dogs, that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do not have appropriate documentation of current U.S.-issued rabies vaccine must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
Have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
Ensure the dog is microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip before receiving the rabies vaccination and the number is recorded on the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be considered valid
Verify the dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies
The dog must have a valid (i.e., non-expired) rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the dog’s vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before arrival to the United States.
The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
Have a valid rabies serology titer (titer not required if dog has reservation for 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility)
The blood sample for the rabies serology titer must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have the sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at least 30 days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered.
The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory.
Passing results must be obtained in order for a serology to be valid.
Rabies serology titer results will be considered valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology titer will be required and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the new vaccination was administered.
If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
Have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for examination and revaccination (and quarantine if the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer)
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a reservation for examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip number, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States.
Dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be quarantined at the facility for 28 days at the importer’s expense after being revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
All CDC-registered animal care facility expenses, including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required), are the responsibility of the importer.
The facility will need copies of all required documents prior to confirming your reservation.
Ensure the dog meets any facility-specific requirements (contact facility for additional information).
If after arrival the CDC-registered animal care facility determines that your documents are not valid or the dog’s microchip number, age, or description does not match the paperwork provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.
Dogs that have evidence of illness or are not healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do not have contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which may extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required testing or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s expense, so please ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no evidence of fleas, ticks, or skin diseases).
Have an international flight that arrives directly at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation
Dogs must arrive to the U.S. at the airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the location where the dog has a reservation.
This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form
Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog receives required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility and is cleared for entry.
SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA: Service dogs, as defined in 14 CFR 382.3, may arrive by sea if they meet the requirements in the “All Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology titer, and are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are not service animals under this definition.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days (or more) before travel
Verify the dog will be at least 6 months old on day of arrival in the United States.Get the dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit a veterinarian to get the dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Vaccination must be current on date of arrival.The dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies.Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first rabies vaccine or if its rabies vaccination coverage has lapsed.Have the veterinarian collect a blood sample (at least 30 days after first valid rabies vaccine) to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer if you wish to avoid a quarantine for the dog.You may have this completed at a different time point, but the sample must be collected at least 30 days after the dog’s first rabies vaccination. Note that results may take weeks to obtain from the laboratory and samples must be drawn at least 4 weeks (28 days) before entering the United States.
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel
Contact veterinarian to have them complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form.The veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country for certificationIf not done already: last chance to have a veterinarian collect a blood sample to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer to avoid a quarantine for the dog. Titers MUST be collected at least 28 days before travel to the U.S.Receive copy of endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form from the official veterinarian in the exporting country.Book a reservation at CDC-registered animal care facility.All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country must have a reservation for (at minimum) examination, verification of age, microchip, and documents, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination.If the dog will not have a valid rabies serology at time of entry to the United States, you must also make a reservation for quarantine.Print a copy of the reservation confirmation from the CDC-registered animal care facility. This reservation confirmation MUST accompany the dog.Finalize the dog’s travel arrangements.Make sure the itinerary has the dog’s first point of arrival in the United States at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation.
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel
Take a photo of the dog and upload it to complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Ensure the airport entered into the form is the same one where the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation is located.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print a copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel
Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andreservation confirmation for the CDC-registered animal care facilityArrive at the location where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located and that is printed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andreservation confirmation for the CDC-registered animal care facilityFollow instructions provided by CBP and the CDC-registered animal care facility to ensure the dog is transferred to the facility.
Step 5: After travel
Follow the instructions of the CDC-registered animal care facility regarding where and when to pick up the dog after required services have been completed.
Requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6 months before entry
Countries that are not on the list of countries at high risk for dog rabies are considered to be free of or low risk for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) (called dog rabies-free or low-risk countries on these webpages).
Dogs, including service dogs, that have been ONLY in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before entry into the United States must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
Have one of the following (note: any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates):
Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. This form must be for the dog rabies-free or low risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated. The form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:
A single entry into the U.S. for 30 days after it was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, OR
Multiple entries into the U.S. for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if the rabies vaccination was administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, including the endorsement by an official veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
Valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate that either:
Is for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
Foreign export certificate that documents the dog is at least 6 months of age, lists the dog’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip number, and has been endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The certificate must be issued within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select it when you complete the CDC Dog ImportForm.)
Any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates. For example, if the dog’s documents were issued in France, the dog may not enter the U.S. via a land-border crossing from Mexico to the U.S.
*Examples of veterinary records that must accompany completed forms are European Union pet passports or proof of payment for veterinary services received in the exporting low-risk country for the previous 6 months. Records must include the dog’s microchip number.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days before travel
Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel.Get dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit a veterinarian to get your dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Rabies vaccination is not required if the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for 6 months, but is strongly recommended. It may also be required by the U.S. state or territory to which the dog is traveling.
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel
Ask the veterinarian to complete the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form† or other CDC-approved documentationThe veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country (or to USDA if the dog was vaccinated in the United States) for certification Collect veterinary records for past 6 months.These must list an address for the veterinarian in the low-risk country from where the dog is departing for the U.S. and the dog’s microchip number.Veterinary records are not needed if the dog’s documentation is a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, or a USDA endorsed export health certificate if the dog is returning from the dog rabies-free or low-risk country listed on the certificate.If the dog’s documentation is the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, the importer can present a valid rabies serology titer instead of veterinary records.Receive copy of Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States (or other CDC-approved documentation) from the veterinarian. Begin making travel arrangements and reservations.†The Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:A single entry for 30 days after the form was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country ORMultiple entries into the US for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if it contains information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies free or low-risk country
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel
Take a photo of the dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days of travel.Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel
Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United form States (or other CDC-approved documentation)☐ Arrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt.☐ Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form (or other CDC-approved documentation)
Note that this applies to Canadian Dogs entering the States and also American Dogs returning to the States.
Now it only makes sense that Canada will mirror the law as closely as possible to make it easier for American dogs entering Canada to return home after their visit. There is no official on when the Canadian restrictions (if any) will come into effect.
Keep watching the CBC News Website (link at the top) for more info.
With all the news coming out of the United States recently between the attempted Assassination and the Republican Convention this might of been missed.
The following is a “Cut N Paste” from the CDC website (above link)
Requirements for all dogs
All dogs must:
Be at least 6 months of age at time of entry or return to the United States
Have an implanted International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip
This must have been implanted prior to any required rabies vaccination
The microchip number must be documented on all required forms and in all accompanying veterinary records
Appear healthy upon arrival
Dogs may not enter the United States if they are carrying a disease contagious to people.
Isolation of the dog, veterinary examination, and additional testing, at the importer’s expense, may be required to determine if the dog has a contagious disease and prevent spread if the dog does not appear healthy upon arrival.
Have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt
This form should be filled out online ideally 2-10 days before arrival; however, it can also be completed right before travel (even in line at the border crossing) if you have internet access. If the information on the form changes before the dog arrives, you must submit a new form and indicate you are making changes to an existing form. All information, including port of entry where the dog is arriving, must be correct at time of arrival.
This form requires you to upload a clear photograph of the dog showing its face and body. Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.
There is no charge to importers for submitting this form.
Have additional documentation which varies depending on where the dog has been in the 6 months before entering or returning to the United States, or if the dog has a current rabies vaccine administered in the United States
Dogs that do not meet all entry requirements or do not have accurate and valid forms will be denied entry to the United States and returned to the country of departure at the importer’s expense. These requirements apply to all dogs, including service dogs and dogs that were born in the United States.
Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
Have a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
The Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form is required for the importation (re-entry) of U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in high-risk countries for dog rabies within the 6 months before re-entry into the United States.
Please note, during the transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), the importer may instead present a copy of the USDA-endorsed export health certificate that was used to ship the dog from the United States, if that export health certificate was issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and documents the dog’s age (at least 6 months), the microchip number, and valid rabies vaccination administered in the United States. The rabies vaccination must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.
Dogs with a current rabies vaccination administered in the United States that have NOT been in a high-risk country in the last 6 months must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section above
Have one of the following documents:
A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States; or
A USDA endorsed export health certificate. The export certificate must demonstrate the dog is 6 months of age or older, list the microchip number, and either:
Be for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
Document a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt
(This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select this location when you complete the CDC Dog Import Form.)
Important information about the Certification ofU.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form
The Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form must be completed before the dog departs the U.S. Before asking your veterinarian to complete this form, verify the following requirements will be met:
Ensure your dog will be at least 6 months of age on date of return to the U.S.
Have your dog microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip (implanted before any required rabies vaccinations)
Once your dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age, have a USDA-accredited veterinarian vaccinate your dog against rabies with a U.S.-licensed vaccine in accordance with manufacturer instructions
Ensure the veterinarian scans the dog for the ISO-compatible microchip and records the microchip number at the time of vaccine appointment. Rabies vaccines administered prior to microchip implantation will not be considered valid.
Ensure the rabies vaccination will be valid for the entire duration of your travels. If your dog’s U.S.-issued rabies vaccination lapses while overseas and your dog has been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, your dog will need to be revaccinated overseas and meet requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs to return to the U.S., including having a rabies serology titer, arriving at a specific port of entry, and possible quarantine requirements.
Your dog must receive its initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28 days before leaving the United States. USDA-accredited veterinarians should only issue the Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form for dogs that received their initial (first) rabies vaccine at least 28-days previously. Booster vaccines are considered valid immediately.
Have the USDA-accredited veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccine to your dog complete the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form
Ensure the veterinarian submits this form to the USDA for official endorsement through the VEHCS portal
Obtain a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form from your veterinarian once it has been officially endorsed by the USDA
Your dog must travel with a printed copy of the official endorsed form upon your dog’s return to the United States if your dog has been in a high-risk country within the 6 months before returning to the U.S.
During the transition period (which will expire on July 31, 2025), U.S.-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months, may have either the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or the USDA endorsed export health certificate for re-entry into the United States. Without one of these forms your dog will need to meet the requirements specific to the risk category of the countries where they have been in the 6 months before returning to the United States.
The export health certificate must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before July 31, 2025, and document the dog’s age (at least 6 months), microchip number, and the rabies vaccination date. The rabies vaccine must be valid (not expired) on the date of return or the form will be invalid.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60 days before travel out of the United States to allow sufficient time to prepare for travel
Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel back to the United States.Get your pet microchipped or have your veterinarian verify their microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit veterinarian to get your dog their rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Your dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) old when it gets its first rabies vaccination.Make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination will be valid (not expired) for the entire duration of travel.
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel out of the United States
Contact your veterinarian to have them complete either:the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, orthe USDA endorsed export health certificate if your dog will be only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries and will return from the country listed on the certificate or that documents a valid rabies vaccination issued in the United States (if your dog will be in a high-risk country, this option is available during the transition period [which will expire on July 31, 2025])
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel back to the United States
Print a copy of the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate from USDA.Take a photo of your dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of your dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of return to the United States should have the photograph taken within 10 days before travel.Ensure you enter your dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print a copy of CDC Dog Import form receipt you will receive in your email and travel with it.CDC recommends you travel with at least 2 copies of this form in case the country you are visiting keeps one copy for their records. You will need to present this form for re-entry into the United States.Finalize travel arrangements with the airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel back to the United States
If traveling by air, present the following to the airline before boarding your dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificateArrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receiptPresent the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form or USDA APHIS-endorsed export health certificate
Requirements for foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk of dog rabies within 6 months before entry
Dogs, including service dogs, that have been in a country at high-risk for dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do not have appropriate documentation of current U.S.-issued rabies vaccine must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
Have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
Ensure the dog is microchipped with an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip before receiving the rabies vaccination and the number is recorded on the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be considered valid
Verify the dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies
The dog must have a valid (i.e., non-expired) rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the dog’s vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at least 28 days before arrival to the United States.
The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
Have a valid rabies serology titer (titer not required if dog has reservation for 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility)
The blood sample for the rabies serology titer must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have the sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at least 30 days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no lapse in vaccine coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered.
The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory.
Passing results must be obtained in order for a serology to be valid.
Rabies serology titer results will be considered valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies vaccination coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology titer will be required and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the new vaccination was administered.
If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a CDC-registered animal care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
Have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for examination and revaccination (and quarantine if the dog does not have a valid rabies serology titer)
All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a reservation for examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip number, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States.
Dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be quarantined at the facility for 28 days at the importer’s expense after being revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
All CDC-registered animal care facility expenses, including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required), are the responsibility of the importer.
The facility will need copies of all required documents prior to confirming your reservation.
Ensure the dog meets any facility-specific requirements (contact facility for additional information).
If after arrival the CDC-registered animal care facility determines that your documents are not valid or the dog’s microchip number, age, or description does not match the paperwork provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of departure at your expense.
Dogs that have evidence of illness or are not healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do not have contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which may extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required testing or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s expense, so please ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no evidence of fleas, ticks, or skin diseases).
Have an international flight that arrives directly at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation
Dogs must arrive to the U.S. at the airport where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the location where the dog has a reservation.
This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form
Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog receives required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility and is cleared for entry.
SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA: Service dogs, as defined in 14 CFR 382.3, may arrive by sea if they meet the requirements in the “All Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology titer, and are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are not service animals under this definition.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days (or more) before travel
Verify the dog will be at least 6 months old on day of arrival in the United States.Get the dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit a veterinarian to get the dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Vaccination must be current on date of arrival.The dog must be at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies.Rabies vaccination must be administered at least 28 days before arrival if it is the dog’s first rabies vaccine or if its rabies vaccination coverage has lapsed.Have the veterinarian collect a blood sample (at least 30 days after first valid rabies vaccine) to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer if you wish to avoid a quarantine for the dog.You may have this completed at a different time point, but the sample must be collected at least 30 days after the dog’s first rabies vaccination. Note that results may take weeks to obtain from the laboratory and samples must be drawn at least 4 weeks (28 days) before entering the United States.
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel
Contact veterinarian to have them complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form.The veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country for certificationIf not done already: last chance to have a veterinarian collect a blood sample to send to a CDC-approved laboratory for a rabies serology titer to avoid a quarantine for the dog. Titers MUST be collected at least 28 days before travel to the U.S.Receive copy of endorsed Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form from the official veterinarian in the exporting country.Book a reservation at CDC-registered animal care facility.All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country must have a reservation for (at minimum) examination, verification of age, microchip, and documents, and administration of a rabies booster vaccination.If the dog will not have a valid rabies serology at time of entry to the United States, you must also make a reservation for quarantine.Print a copy of the reservation confirmation from the CDC-registered animal care facility. This reservation confirmation MUST accompany the dog.Finalize the dog’s travel arrangements.Make sure the itinerary has the dog’s first point of arrival in the United States at the airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation.
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel
Take a photo of the dog and upload it to complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days before arrival.Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Ensure the airport entered into the form is the same one where the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a reservation is located.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print a copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel
Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andreservation confirmation for the CDC-registered animal care facilityArrive at the location where the CDC-registered animal care facility is located and that is printed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt.Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andreservation confirmation for the CDC-registered animal care facilityFollow instructions provided by CBP and the CDC-registered animal care facility to ensure the dog is transferred to the facility.
Step 5: After travel
Follow the instructions of the CDC-registered animal care facility regarding where and when to pick up the dog after required services have been completed.
Requirements for dogs that have been ONLY in countries that are dog rabies-free or low-risk during the 6 months before entry
Countries that are not on the list of countries at high risk for dog rabies are considered to be free of or low risk for dog-mediated rabies virus variant (DMRVV) (called dog rabies-free or low-risk countries on these webpages).
Dogs, including service dogs, that have been ONLY in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries during the 6 months before entry into the United States must:
Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
Have one of the following (note: any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates):
Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form endorsed by an official veterinarian in the exporting country; AND valid rabies serology titer OR veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the 6 months before traveling to the U.S. This form must be for the dog rabies-free or low risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated. The form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:
A single entry into the U.S. for 30 days after it was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country, OR
Multiple entries into the U.S. for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if the rabies vaccination was administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country
Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, including the endorsement by an official veterinarian of the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog has been located; AND EITHER (1) a valid rabies serology titer OR (2) veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The form must be completed within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form that was endorsed by USDA before the dog departed the United States
Valid USDA-endorsed export health certificate that either:
Is for the dog rabies-free or low-risk country where the dog’s return itinerary originated (the form will only be valid for 30 days if it does not contain rabies vaccination information), or
Documents a valid (unexpired) rabies vaccination administered in the United States (the form will be valid for the duration of the rabies vaccination (1 or 3 years)).
Foreign export certificate that documents the dog is at least 6 months of age, lists the dog’s International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible microchip number, and has been endorsed by an official veterinarian of the exporting country; AND veterinary records* (which list the microchip number) for the dog from the exporting country for the previous 6 months. The certificate must be issued within 30 days before arrival to the United States and is valid for a single entry.
Arrive at the location listed on the CDC Dog Import Form receipt (This can be any airport, land border crossing, or sea port but you must select it when you complete the CDC Dog ImportForm.)
Any documentation that is not from the United States must be completed in the country where the dog’s travel originates. For example, if the dog’s documents were issued in France, the dog may not enter the U.S. via a land-border crossing from Mexico to the U.S.
*Examples of veterinary records that must accompany completed forms are European Union pet passports or proof of payment for veterinary services received in the exporting low-risk country for the previous 6 months. Records must include the dog’s microchip number.
Step 1: Recommend to begin 60-90 days before travel
Verify dog will be at least 6 months old on day of travel.Get dog microchipped or have a veterinarian verify its microchip number. Make sure the microchip number is listed on all veterinary records.Visit a veterinarian to get your dog its rabies vaccination (or booster) before travel.Rabies vaccination is not required if the dog has been only in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries for 6 months, but is strongly recommended. It may also be required by the U.S. state or territory to which the dog is traveling.
Step 2: Recommend to begin 30 days before travel
Ask the veterinarian to complete the Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form† or other CDC-approved documentationThe veterinarian must submit this form to an official government veterinarian in the exporting country (or to USDA if the dog was vaccinated in the United States) for certification Collect veterinary records for past 6 months.These must list an address for the veterinarian in the low-risk country from where the dog is departing for the U.S. and the dog’s microchip number.Veterinary records are not needed if the dog’s documentation is a valid Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, or a USDA endorsed export health certificate if the dog is returning from the dog rabies-free or low-risk country listed on the certificate.If the dog’s documentation is the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, the importer can present a valid rabies serology titer instead of veterinary records.Receive copy of Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States (or other CDC-approved documentation) from the veterinarian. Begin making travel arrangements and reservations.†The Certification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form has different entry requirements depending on whether and where the dog was vaccinated. The form is valid for:A single entry for 30 days after the form was issued if it does not contain information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies-free or low-risk country ORMultiple entries into the US for the duration the rabies vaccination is valid (1 or 3 years) if it contains information about rabies vaccination administered in a dog rabies free or low-risk country
Step 3: 2-10 days before travel
Take a photo of the dog and complete the CDC Dog Import Form.This form requires you to upload a picture (jpg, png, gif files only) of the dog showing its face and body.Dogs that will be less than one year of age at time of arrival should have the photograph taken within 10 days of travel.Ensure you enter the dog’s microchip number into this form correctly. This is very important.Submit a corrected form if any of the information on this form changes.Print copy of CDC Dog Import Form receipt you will receive in your email and ensure it accompanies the dog.Finalize travel arrangements with airline or transport company.
Step 4: Day of travel
Present the following to the airline before boarding the dog:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United form States (or other CDC-approved documentation)☐ Arrive at the location on CDC Dog Import Form receipt.☐ Present the following to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer:CDC Dog Import Form receipt andCertification of Dog Arriving from DMRVV-free or Low-Risk Country into the United States form (or other CDC-approved documentation)
Note that this applies to Canadian Dogs entering the States and also American Dogs returning to the States.
Now it only makes sense that Canada will mirror the law as closely as possible to make it easier for American dogs entering Canada to return home after their visit. There is no official on when the Canadian restrictions (if any) will come into effect.
Keep watching the CBC News Website (link at the top) for more info.
For last year’s Field Day, I took a stab at networking a couple of computers together with an ethernet cable so that our N1MM+ logging software could be synced up. It was both surprisingly easy to do, but equally daunting due to the curious lack of reasonably digestible tutorials tackling the topic on the interwebs. So now that Field Day is again upon us, I felt that same sort of dread that comes from staring up at a steep learning curve. Because quite frankly, I could not remember at all how to create a N1MM+ computer network. I checked back at my blog page on the topic, and was dismayed at how little of the process I documented. So, I am here to rectify that.
Here is my use case. I want to have three computers with Windows 10 operating systems host logging software (N1MM Logger Plus) for a multiple station ARRL Field Day event. All of the computers need to be synchronized with each other in order to avoid such dreaded contesting faux pas as “dupes”, i.e., getting the same person twice. I also do not want to have to rely on an internet in order to maintain communication between these computers.
As far as hardware goes, I already was in possession of three (quite aged) computers. I splurged on three new 25′ ethernet (CAT 6) cables (one for each computer), and a Linksys 8-Port Gigabit Ethernet Switch. I set up the computers simply by plugging one end of an ethernet cable into its ethernet port, and the other end of the cable into the switch. Remember the gigabit switch does need power to operate!
Before I began networking the computers, I had updated all of the necessary software, including Windows and N1MM+. All of the computers need to have the exact same version of N1MM+, as well as exactly the same inputted contest information, before N1MM+ is able to synchronize between multiple stations.
Once the hardware was gathered and the software was up-to-date, I followed the step-by-step procedure documented below.
Step 1: Go to internet icon, click, and “Open Network & Internet Settings”.
Step 2: Select “Ethernet” on left, and then “Network and Sharing Center” on right.
Step 3: The “Unidentified Network” is set to “private” which is what I want it to be. For contrast, my wifi network is set to “Public” (see arrow on the left). Click on the “Ethernet” hyperlink.
Step 4: Click on “Properties” of the first box that pops up. Then click on “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)”.
Step 5: Click “Use the following IP address” and add in “192.168.1.200” for “IP address”. The “Subnet mask” should just show up as 255.255.255.0. While I am no expert by any means in networking computers, I do think you can choose the last three digits of your IP address from 1 to 255 254 [Correction sent to me by my favorite critic, AC1JR!] I picked “200” rather arbitrarily. Once you are done, click “ok”, “ok”, and “close” on the multiple windows.
Step 6: If you need to make your network private because it is showing as public (see Step 3 above), you need type “secpol.msc” into the search bar and press enter.
Step 7: In the pop-up window, click on the “Network List Manager Policies” under the “Security Settings” tab. Then click “Unidentified Networks”. In the next pop-up, choose “Private”. Hit “Apply” and then “Ok”. Your “Unidentified Network” settings should now say “Private”.
Step 8: Open the file manager and click on “Network”. Your computer’s name should be listed there. My computer is named “PC-1”.
Step 9: Now it is time to network your second computer. Go back through Steps 1-8, but this time on the new computer. Below shows all of the steps ordered numerically. Don’t forget to change the ethernet connection to “Private” as shown above. The only difference is that you want to assign this computer a different IP address than the first one. I chose 192.168.1.201.
Step 10: Check the “Network” tab in the file manager to make sure the second computer (in my case, “PC-2”) shows up.
Step 11: Repeat these steps as many times as you need to in order to connect all of your computers to the network. Just change the last digits of the newly assigned static IP address, as they all have to be something different. I have three computers that are now linked together.
Step 12: Once your computers are all networked, open N1MM. Under the “Window” menu, find and click “Network Status”.
Step 13: Make sure that the most recent version of N1MM is installed or else you will get an error message when attempting to connect to the other networked computers (in red below). You also need to make sure that everything else about N1MM is identical, in particular that the contest information for the log is the same.
Step 14: When all of the computers are identically set-up, with the same software versions and contest information, open up the “Network Status” window. A bubble will show that gives you an option to turn on “Networked Computer Mode”. Click it!
Step 15: If you see all of your computers listed with no red error messages, your networking efforts are a success! Make sure you have designated one of the computers as the “Master” by checking the appropriate box.
There you have it! N1MM Logger Plus synchronized across multiple stations for Field Day! I hope to catch you on the air!
Late last week, I was made aware of some concerns that the POTA team were having relayed to them by various official agencies about the poor behavior of activators in parks and on public land. This led to a great post by Thomas K4SWL and some good discussion over in the ham radio corner of Mastodon.
This kind of discussion is right up my alley because, as I’ve discussed before, I am all about being as inconspicuous as possible when I’m out activating a park. In many ways, that simple fact has driven the gear I carry and the modes I use when I’m out and about. It also plays into site selection. I figured I would talk about that a bit and tie it back to the two activations that I did this weekend.
Picking An Activation Site
I’m a creature of habit. When I decide on a park as a place I’m going to spend some time, I immediately try to find the most out of the way place to set up my station. This is more difficult in some places than in others. When I’m working out at the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, there are several places near trailheads where picnic tables are isolated and leave a lot of room for people to enjoy the park with a bit of space. There are other places where the only tables are in very conspicuous spots and near a lot of foot traffic. I tend to gravitate to the former and leave the latter alone unless there are no other options. When I know I’m going to be in the line of sight of traffic, I handle my station appropriately by ensuring that no one could step on or get tangled up in a counterpoise and that I’m not using wires in trees which can cause all forms of grief near a trailhead.
When I’m activating West Branch SP – K-1999 this isn’t too difficult. The spot that I go to most weeks is in a field that is being reclaimed by nature per the parks department’s plan. There are a couple of tables here that I might use, but I take the one that is off on the point near the water. The general feeling out in this part of the park is one of desolation. I feel like the last person on earth out here except for the disc golfers who wander by at a good distance – 500 yards out or more.
The picnic table I most use for activations at K-1999; it is about 200 yards from the parking lot and farther off from the nearest trail. It is barely visible from the parking lot.
The empty parking lot near my normal activation spot.
What Gear To Use
I have come to appreciate and adore the efficiency of a wire antenna in a tree. I keep a random wire antenna and a 40-20-10 in my bag with a weight and throw line. It’s an elegant solution and it always works.
But…
There are a number of parks where putting lines into trees is not welcome. It’s also true that it can be distracting to have line in trees and wires dangling. If one is going to take this approach, there is a lot more to the site management portion of the activation. It’s up to the operator to ensure the safety of the other park patrons. This means that a wire in a tree might not be a great solution. I wouldn’t even consider it in more heavily travelled parks.
Masts are great for deploying wire antennas. I like to take a mast with me when I ride my bike to the park as I have a couple of clamps that will hold the mast to my bike and that removes the requirements for guying out the mast and making more of a mess. At that point, I’m really just managing the antenna and the feedline. I got pretty good at that deployment strategy last summer.
Mast attached to a bicycle holding up a wire antenna.
But…
Masts do draw attention to themselves. It’s difficult to minimize that. Sometimes, it’s easier to deploy a whip with a ground spike. I have a Chameleon setup that works every time. I always use it when we go camping because it’s low-profile when setup behind our camper and I can keep it close to the camper itself so that I don’t have a feedline out there waiting for one of the dogs to get wound up in it.
But…
Whips and spike mounted antennas still have radials to be managed. I find it’s easier to manage them because the antenna can be deployed out of the path of most other park visitors. That said, there are plenty of parks that do not allow for spikes to be driven into the ground. I keep a nifty clamp for my Chameleon whip on hand to attach it to a grill or picnic table to avoid breaking that rule.
All of that said…
Look, I broke down and got the Elecraft AX1 after watching a ton of videos where Thomas K4SWL went off and made more than enough contacts with really good distances with that little antenna. It’s almost impossible to see if you’re at a picnic table, it doesn’t require anything more than my cool table clamp or even the bipod to keep it upright, and it’s quick to setup and tear down. It doesn’t even feel like a compromise most times. I’m still getting coast to coast and Europe in there. There is a counterpoise, but it’s easily managed. Is this antenna for everyone? No. But boy does it work for me!
Modes
I’ve talked at length about how I don’t like doing phone at the park. Sitting at a picnic table and having what sounds a very dull phone conversation not unlike what one might expect in a call center isn’t something that I enjoy. I do OSPOTA every year and I will hunt with phone, but activating using phone isn’t my thing. What’s that mean?
I was very much a digital activator for most of my early POTA career. I have tuned my digital portable station to the point where there is very little left to optimize (in my opinion at this date). I can set up quickly and activate a park using FT8/FT4 or even RTTY. I’d love to get more digital modes into my repertoire and that’s something I’m working toward. Sure, I have to carry around my tablet and manage that, but it’s fun! It’s also QUIET.
The other mode that I’m finding is very low-profile is CW. It further reduces the footprint of my station and, through the judicious use of headphones, produces no impact on the park around me. The AX1 is fantastic on CW. QRP and CW go hand in hand. My key doesn’t make a sound that anyone can hear unless they are sitting right on rop of me in which case, I care a lot less about the noise.
My CW station deployed on a tarp resting on a picnic table. It takes up less than a third of the total surface area of the table. The AX1 is barely visible.
We don’t talk about this enough: We need to respect the sonic space of a park.
Is there anything more irritating when you’re camping than to hear the music of the site next to you? Is there anything less fun than being on a hike and unable to pass a group with a Bluetooth speaker that is cranking out song after song that gets in the way of you hearing the breeze in the trees or the river and the birds? Personally, I would rather sit next to a crying baby on a Trans-Atlantic flight than listen to the oldies coming out of a tinny speaker hanging from the fannypack of a speed-walking grandmother.
What’s that mean? It means that I want to have a little empathy for other park visitors and make sure that the sound of my radio goes into a pair of headphones rather than into the sonic space we’re sharing. No one wants to hear the beeping of my rig or the voices coming to me from the west coast. I’m very mindful of that. Keeping myself unheard is very important to me.
My Personal Practice
As you can see in the above photos, I’ve been frequenting a park that could be the set of a post-apocalyptic thriller. In fact, on Sunday, the only humans I saw at the park were this fisherman:
A single human fishing from a bass boat on the reservoir at K-1999.
and two people paddling kayaks in February in Northeast Ohio. Yeah. The water is liquid, gotta be in the boat. I have to imagine that they’re pretty chilly sitting on the water like that.
I’ve talked with one ranger in my entire time visiting this park. I’m including my childhood in that. He was out emptying trash and I asked him a couple of questions about the facilities that were being torn down. Good chat. He asked what I was doing and nodded along. OSPOTA has been around a long time and the parks department is well aware of us. It’s a good relationship.
In short, I go where it’s not crowded and use as little gear as possible, in the most compact way it can be deployed. Those are the guidelines. How does it work in practice?
Saturday Activation (10-Feb-2024)
I got to the park Saturday morning and set up. It was a dramatic and overcast day. There was a touch of wind – more than I’d normally like – but it was warm enough that I didn’t need gloves for most of the time I was out there.
40-meters was respectable and treating me well. I got most of my activation done there and then switched over to 30-meters. I managed to grab two contacts there and then…rain. Unpredicted rain. Cold, miserable, throw-the-radio-in-the-pack rain. I got everything packed up and headed out. I didn’t feel like setting up in the Jeep, so I went home and grabbed a nap.
QSO Map
The reach wasn’t all that impressive, but I got the contacts I needed. Not too shabby for 5 watts.
The QSO Map of the activation of K-1999 by KC8JC on 10-Feb-2024.
Sunday Activation (11-Feb-2024)
Superbowl Sunday is a great day to go to the park. There’s no one there. As I said above, there was not a single car anywhere in sight. Nor were there dog walkers or people fishing along the shore. It was me and the boats.
I got on the air and went from 40-meters which was maybe not as chatty as the day before and jumped right over to 20-meters. That was zipping along as one would expect. There was plenty of fading and QSB as the hour progressed and I got some fun comments in the POTA.app spotting log.
N4REE says: SRI JC – Hvy QSB tool you away from Ctl FL – 72
But the upside was getting my Mastodon buddy WJ3FF in the log with a more proper contact than our last go:
WJ3FF says: Got you again, a little more certainly this time!
Remember gang, always read the POTA spots if you can. There’s fun stuff in there.
QSO Map
A little more distance than the day before.
QSO Map of the activation of K-1999 by KC8JC on 11-Feb-2024.
Final
There is no doubt that when we’re out in the parks activating, we are representatives of the entire ham radio community. Not just POTA, but all hams. Poor behavior on the part of a single operator will sour other park patrons and park staff to our presence as a whole. The last thing anyone should want to do is wreck a great hobby for others. Being polite and respectful are table stakes here. If anything, we should go above and beyond the basic expectations of park goers and do what we can to leave the place better than we found it.
We are excited to announce that we are celebrating yet another significant milestone for the SatNOGS project as the SatNOGS DB stored its 200 millionth data frame!!!
The milestone data frame
The 200 millionth frame was received on the 31st of October. It was a frame of satellite 47438 – UVSQ-SAT that was received by ground station 2760 – M0GKK-BB. And it was observation #8429588 for the SatNOGS Network.
We can only be thrilled with the enormity of this massive number, and we are also very grateful for these contributions. Congratulations to all for reaching such a fantastic milestone!
The SatNOGS DB
The SatNOGS DB is a component of the SatNOGS project, and it is a collaborative effort to create a holistic, unified, global database for all the artificial objects in space. A point of reference for all the satellites and spacecraft. Data frames are sent to the SatNOGS DB from stations belonging to the SatNOGS Network, as well as independent stations and telemetry forwarders. The SatNOGS DB receives frames from more than 1500 stations around the globe. Tracking over 1650 satellites and 3040+ transmitters in 50 different modes and ten bands. All these add up to the amazing 200 Million data frames received. Thus constituting the SatNOGS DB, the biggest, open-source and crowd-sourced database for openly distributed satellite data.
The Libre Space Manifesto
Like all the Libre Space Foundation projects, the SatNOGS DB also adheres to the principles of the Libre Space Manifesto. Supporting and promoting Openness (Open development and governance, open data, open-source, and free access to Space) with dedication to enhancing knowledge and scientific research.
The SatNOGS Community
SatNOGS is brought to life and expanding because of the unceasing collaboration, devotion, and ongoing contribution of its community. The latter is comprised of a vast network of space enthusiasts, radio amateurs, university teams, satellite operators and ground station owners. All the members and the open-source supporters who make up the SatNOGS Community add to the project’s success.
To all of you, we are whole-heartedly grateful!
Do you want to join SatNOGS and be part of the next Milestone?
If the SatNOGS project has sparked your interest, and you love space and open-source technologies, then there are many ways you can contribute. You can help with the SatNOGS DB by joining the SatNOGS Network, setting up a station or forwarding the frames to the SatNOGS DB through the SiDS protocol. You can also opt to create decoders to help us decode the load of data received and visualise them on the SatNOGS Dashboard. If you are fluent in Python and/or JS, you can contribute to the satnogs-db web application.
The SatNOGS Community is a global, diverse, inclusive, collaborative, open community that welcomes people from different backgrounds. People who wish to contribute by devoting their valuable time, ideas, knowledge and expertise to the SatNOGS project. If this appeals to you, you can start by checking the SatNOGS knowledge-base wiki. You are also welcome to join our community forums and drop us a line on the chat. Get in touch with us!
We are looking forward to having you onboard the SatNOGS project and community. Join us now so that you are part of our next Milestone!
This week, Dave, KZ9V, shares with us how he modified his 40 through 10 meter end fed half wave antenna to work as a ¼ wave radiator on 80 meters using the window screen ground.
If you pass your full licence today, you can apply online to get a M0 callsign but you can also apply and get any previously issued prefix. Well, nearly every one. However, it’s not entirely obvious how to do this. In fact, when I spoke to ofcom about reserving a call or putting a hold on it, the guy said “oh don’t worry about it, hardly anyone knows how to apply for a G callsign anyway”.
You can get all the G# except G2, and they also no longer give out 2 letter callsigns, e.g. G3DX1. You can only get a two letter callsign one is given to you. This is typically if a relative of the original holder (who is now sk) writes a letter or does something that convinces ofcom to give it to you. The original holder doesn’t necessarily need to be a relative of yours, but perhaps the story has to be somewhat more convincing.
The process is fairly simple, but it will cost you a one off fee of £20 (compared to free if you get a M0). You fill in the form, email ofcom, wait for a reply in which an invoice is added to your ofcom account (that you’ll have as you’d have needed it for foundation and intermediate….unless you never bothered getting those or you did the direct to full exam). You pay the invoice online and your licence is generated immediately! This method can also be used if you want a club callsign that doesn’t start M0.
The form is pretty self-explanatory, but an important thing to note is that you only get to enter three choices of callsign, with the order of preference stated. If those ones aren’t available, then they’ll assign you a M0 callsign randomly. They don’t contact you to say those three aren’t available and would you like to try again. So I’d recommend calling them (020 7981 3131) before you send in your form to check the availability. Surprisingly, there’s virtually no wait and they’re happy to check a few calls, I tried three but sensed more than five and they might get annoyed – depends on who you get. You could of course call back another day and try some more.
The online application for M0 is great as it immediately tells you if the callsign is available or not, whereas the form you have to call to check. Now there are ways you can check yourself to try and screen things out.
What’s available?
Every so often someone does a freedom of information request to ofcom for all the amateur radio licences issued, and they produce a spreadsheet. Searching for this is a quick way to find it, or using the whatdotheyknow website and a search, such as this one against ofcom. This will show you what’s been taken, and then you can see if someone already has the call you want or not. Plus you can use Excel filtering and formula to check or test calls you are thinking of. Personally, I found these lists to be full of errors, so I’d recommend a second way to filter down your list of potential calls.
This would be via qrz.com. I think the majority of UK amateur radio operators make an account on QRZ. Even if they have absolutely nothing in their profile they probably have one. If you’re registered, then you can use the wildcard search and then look for profiles to see if someone has the call already. You can use a question mark (?) to match a single wildcard character or star (*) to match multiple characters. The thing to remember is the regional locator in the UK, so whilst G5ALX might look available, I actually have that callsign but my profile is under GM5ALX. Also, ofcom make available sk callsigns after two years…assuming they know the person is silent.
Of course, phoning them up and asking is the final test, but it’s best if you’ve got a shortlist prepared already. Assuming they say it’s available, then away goes your form and welcome to the full licence!
Future upgrades to the online system were part of the recent consultation, and so in time this process won’t be necessary and you can select all the prefixes and see immediately if it’s available or not. The consultation also suggested they would let people change their callsigns every so often, so maybe you’ll get another shot at it and you whole amateur radio career won’t all be resting on this decision!
How to pick a callsign?
This is all well and good, but how do you choose a callsign in the first place! In some ways the old style of “you get what you’re given” takes the pain out of it but it’s nice having a choice. It’s a personal preference, but there are a couple of things you might want to consider:
How does it sound phonetically?
How does it sound and what’s the weight via CW?
Say it out loud a few time, and see if you like the ring of it. There might be some words you don’t like, or you might want to avoid as in your accent they sound like other words. I find people think I’m saying papa when I say alpha, which can get annoying, so I might say “America” instead. Mike and Golf are only one syllable, which might seem good but the point of phonetics is to help the listener understand and one syllable only gives them one chance vs. two/three.
CW wise, I think it’s worth thinking about even if you don’t do CW now. You can’t change you callsign again, and even if we do get the ability later, will you really want to? You get used to things, and sorting out logbooks and QSL cards or even friends you’ve made, all rely on the same callsign. I think it’s worth considering, even if you still pick you call with a “terrible” CW factor.
I picked up that letter that end with dit ( . ) aren’t great as they might get missed, and particularly avoid your callsign ending in B or K or E. If you search about for advice, it seems like there aren’t any letters left that you should use! You can also calculate the weight of a call, such as on FISTs website, which is a measure of how long it takes to send. Given that we’re all G(RSL)# and three letters, I don’t think there’s a huge variation but maybe it helps differentiate some calls for you.
Think about when you’ve been on the air and heard others’ callsigns. I’m sure you’ve come across some that you think sound good. If you can’t remember them now, then try and make a note in your log when you do, and see what it is about them you like. I think repetition of letters makes things easier to copy. I’ve heard the DX call out “the delta delta call”, because it sticks out and instantly memorable.
This guy made some slides and a spreadsheet to help you decide. If you’re an analysis person then you might like it, but try not to spend too long!
If you got your full licence between 2018 and 2020 you could’ve got a G2 or a two letter callsign. ︎
My birthday turned out to be a fantastic day in terms of November weather for NE Ohio. It was sunny and the sky was perfectly clear. The temperatures were in the mid to upper 40s and there was the slightest breeze. Given that it was my birthday and a Saturday to boot, it was a perfect day to partake of my hobby and get outside. I decided that West Branch SP – K-1999 would be the park of the day.
I can’t emphasize enough how much I love this time of year. Not only is it my preferred weather, but also the park attendance drops significantly. On a Saturday like this one, it’s the disc golf crew and a couple of really, really hardcore fishermen. Maybe the occasional hiker, but it’s rare. I have seen an uptick in nature photographers, which is great! They don’t want to be talking to people any more than I do. In short, people who are out at the park on a day like this one are people who are there with a purpose. It’s wonderful.
My original thought was to use the AX1 since I’ve been really into that little guy, but I changed my mind and put the EFHW up in The Tree. I did not get it into The Tree on the first, second, or third try. So much for birthday luck! Once it was up, I was ready to go.
IC-705, log book, and paddles on a picnic table.
The thing that POTA gives us as a gift is silly statistics. Why are they silly? Because they don’t mean anything. Maybe they show a level of dedication to the hobby or how often one is getting on the air. That’s a pretty good metric to have around for mental health and all. These stats also give us points of interest. On this particular Saturday, if I got the park activated, it would be my 100th activation! What’s that mean? NOTHING! Again, one of the reasons I love POTA so much is that the points are imaginary and no one ever “wins”.
I got on the air and immediately noticed the my copying was A LOT better. I was grabbing full exchanges now and picking up the subtle differences. I was most pleased with myself when I copied in the parks of other activators who were getting us those sweet Park To Park contacts. This was noticeable improvement. That is exciting!
At one point, I had the wildest experience. A station was calling back to me and it sounded like there was a multi-tap delay and then it devolved into muddled garbage. At first, I thought two stations were doubling so I sent “W0?” because I definitely had that much for one of them. But things didn’t improve. This station had a serious issue. Finally, I made out W0DAN. OK. Cool! Then, immediately after that QSO, W0MM came back to me. What are the odds of that? I mean, probably pretty good, but this was completely new to me! The MM was making picking out the DAN almost impossible. When the stations sent “W0” they were just barely off in their timing. I don’t think either station could hear the other at all. Radio is weird magic.
For the day, I managed 27 CW contacts. It was a really wonderful way to spend my birthday. I can only hope the next 100 activations will be this much fun!
The SatNOGS Network has achieved yet another amazing Milestone! It has reached its eight millionth observation, and we are deeply grateful to the entire Community for this achievement!
Eight million Observations
On the 11th of August 2023, observation #8000000 was uploaded on the SatNOGS Network by station 2173 – PE0SAT-21 in the Netherlands. The observation was scheduled by Jan Van Gils (PE0SAT), receiving data from satellite TigriSat. The eight millionth observation is of good quality.
It is an observation coming from an operational satellite that has been making its way through space for almost ten years.
TigriSat
TigriSat is a 3U CubeSat built by Iraqi students in collaboration with the La Sapienza University of Rome. Its mission is to detect dust storms over Iraq. For this, the CubeSat features an RGB camera. It was launched into space by the Dniepr launch vehicle from Orenburg, Russia, on June 19, 2014. TigriSat is considered to be Iraq’s first satellite.
SatNOGS achieved another milestone!
We are thrilled that SatNOGS has achieved another astonishing Milestone. Everything accomplished is thanks to the active and vibrant community. As is the case, every SatNOGS achievement results from the collaborative work and the continuous efforts made by hundreds of ground station owners around the globe. They are the ones who have made this milestone (and everything) possible by scheduling observations, tracking satellites and, in general, dedicating time and effort to the success of the SatNOGS project.
SatNOGS in Numbers
The SatNOGS network counts over 240+ fully operational ground stations and 150+ in testing mode. The observations come from 1545+ satellites and 2890+ transmitters delivering over 192M data frames. As the numbers show, SatNOGS has significantly expanded and has become the biggest, global, open-source network of satellite ground stations.
Outer Space Open For All (The Libre Space Manifesto)
All Libre Space Foundation’s projects are built to enhance scientific research and knowledge about Space and to enable everyone interested in exploring Space for peaceful purposes. These values are also at the core of the Libre Space Manifesto.
Outer Space Open For All (the SatNOGS way)
Abiding by the Libre Space Manifesto values, SatNOGS is a project that not only is built and developed in a modular, open-source way but also the data collected is distributed openly. The SatNOGS community offers support and guidance in onboarding new members and even helps satellite teams with their missions. Throughout its years of operation, SatNOGS has helped hundreds of Satellite Teams from all over the world to successfully identify and track their satellite. The community and its members assist missions from all corners of the world to run their experiments and tests and successfully complete their missions. Not only can the community help you communicate with your satellite as it schedules around 10,000 observations per day, but it can also guide you throughout the onboarding process. Guide you through the actions you need to take and help you with creating and populating the dashboard of your mission with the data received. All you need to do is contact the SatNOGS team early on and provide the necessary details and information about your mission.
Want to join the SatNOGS community and be part of the next Milestone?
The SatNOGS community is open and inclusive, welcoming everyone who wishes to contribute their time, knowledge and expertise to the project. If SatNOGS has sparked your interest and you want to learn more, check out the SatNOGS wiki knowledge base. You can drop us a line on the community forums and the dedicated SatNOGS chat. We would love to hear from you and have you join the SatNOGS network and community and be part of the next million observations.
Join SatNOGS now and help make Outer Space Open for All!
After much research, I’ve decided what I’m going to replace the Hexbeam with. I’m aiming to put up a SteppIR UrbanBeam which will give me the same coverage as the Hexbeam with the addition of a folded dipole on 30m. At the same time, I’m going to replace all the coaxial cable with Messi & […]
We are excited to share with you the news of SatNOGS achieving yet another milestone, as it has reached 7 million observations.
On the 8th of January, observation #7000000 was uploaded on the SatNOGS Network by station 901 – VE2WI – UHF in Quebec, Canada. The observation was scheduled by Laurent Beaudet, the station owner, receiving data from AMSAT-OSCAR 7. Though the seven millionth observation is of a rather poor quality, it is, in fact, coming from a satellite that has been making its way through space for almost 50 years.
Satellite AMSAT-OSCAR 7 was launched on November 15, 1974, and by mid-1981, it had been rendered non-operational due to battery failure. It was almost 20 years later, in 2002, that it was brought back to life when one of the shorted batteries became an open circuit, and the satellite could operate again. This time using solar panels. What this means is that when in eclipse, the satellite cannot supply enough power to the transmitter to modulate the signal. When continuously illuminated, though, the mode will alternate between A and B every 24 hours. AMSAT-OSCAR 7 became SatNOGS‘s 7 millionth observation 20 years after its resurrection and 49 years after its deployment.
SatNOGS has achieved yet another astonishing Milestone, all thanks to its community. This is the result of the collaborative work and the continuous efforts made by hundreds of ground station owners around the globe. They are the ones who have made this milestone possible by scheduling observations, tracking satellites and, in general, dedicating time and effort to the success of the SatNOGS project.
So let us celebrate this Milestone by taking a closer look at some of the highlights of 2022 for SatNOGS and for everything the SatNOGS Community has achieved in the past year.
Making over 1.670.000 observations, an average of 4.5K observations per day.
Scheduling a sizeable number of observations per deployment ….(There was a time in 2022 that we scheduled over 1800 observations for the first 48 hours of a launch…)
On average, receiving the first signals of the satellites within the first few hours of their deployment.
Contributing to missions with more than 11K observations.. the GASPACS mission was one such mission…
Collaborating with International satellite teams from over 15 countries (Brasil, USA, Spain, Italy, France, Luxemburg, Germany, Finland, Turkey, Israel, UAE, India, Nepal, Korea, Taiwan, and Japan) and more than 20 Universities from around the world.
Celebrations and Goodbyes…
In 2022, SatNOGS and its Community celebrated anniversaries together as satellites continued their lonely yet magical journey through space.
and…
And bid goodbye to satellites that travelled in space and re-entered gloriously.
and
But we were not saddened…
As many of the satellites provided us with wonderful images before they disappeared…
RamSat, a CubeSat built by the students of the Robertsville Middle School in Oak Ridge (Oak Ridge Public Schools), Tennessee, USA, with the supervision and mentorship of the Oak Ridge National Lab, provided us with some breathtaking photos…
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and enlighted us with their insightful analyses that taught us beautiful things about space and satellites. The RamSat team was kind enough to share with the SatNOGS Community their findings during RamSat’s quest in space. The team shared some detailed analyses and helpful lessons learned. Among these analyses falls their input on the extreme temperatures RamSat experienced in space due to the intense conditions. https://community.libre.space/t/ramsat-mission-progress/8219/52.
Tracking our very own…
Among the year’s highlights was the return to space of the Libre Space Foundation. It was a moment of great excitement for the LSF team to track the QUBIK mission. To hunt the PICOBUS deployer and PocketQubes, QUBIK-3 and QUBIK-4, as they made it to orbit onboard Firefly Aerospace’s Alpha Flight 2.
Art and SatNOGS
A few months before 2022 was gone, Nye Thompson, a visual artist and a member of the SatNOGS Community, began working on an experimental art project using SatNOGS.
The project uses SSTV transmitted via a satellite as a way to generate and distribute new images. It’s also a kind of networked performance with the satellite.
You can find more details about how you can contribute to SatNOGS art in the dedicated thread on the Community Forum.
Wrapping up …
2022 was a great year for SatNOGS as the Network, and the DB continued to grow, and its Community kept expanding. SatNOGS has now proudly reached over 400 ground stations spread in 50 countries across the globe, having tracked 1177 satellites, 2180 transmitters, 165 million data frames and 7 million observations. It thus remains the world’s biggest open-source network of satellite ground stations.
Led by a Community that fosters collaboration, inclusivity and diversity, SatNOGS welcomes everyone who wishes to contribute their time, knowledge and expertise to the project. A project built and developed to enhance scientific research, knowledge about Space and to enable everyone interested, to explore Space for peaceful purposes, as the Libre Space Manifesto states explicitly.
You are welcome to join the project too, and be part of our next Milestone as we work hard to make…..
We are excited to share with you, the new milestone achieved by the SatNOGS network, as it has reached 6.000.000 observations!
On the 27th of May, observation #6000000 was uploaded on the SatNOGS network by station 1936 – VK4JBE-UHF, in Camp Hill, Queensland, Australia . The observation was scheduled by VK4JBE, the station owner, receiving data from AAUSAT-II, a Danish CubeSat of the University of Aalborg. Although the satellite is operational, it seems to be tumbling in space, resulting in generating rather poor observations.
Achieving the astonishing 6 Millionth Observation is a Milestone that SatNOGS has reached thanks to its community. This too is the result of the collaborative work and the continuous efforts made by hundreds of ground station owners around the globe. They are the ones who have made this milestone possible, by scheduling observations, tracking satellites and in general, dedicating time and effort to the success of the SatNOGS project. So let us take a closer look at some of the astonishing statistics of the project.
SatNOGS in Numbers
The SatNOGS network counts over 265+ fully operational ground stations and 145+ in testing mode. The observations come from 810+ satellites and 1500+ transmitters having delivered over 144M data frames. As the numbers show, SatNOGS has expanded greatly and has become the biggest, global, open-source network of satellite ground stations.
Outer Space Open For all
SatNOGS, much like all Libre Space Foundation’s projects, is built to enhance scientific research, and knowledge about Space, and to enable everyone interested, to explore Space for peaceful purposes. These are all, values that are at the core of the Libre Space Manifesto and guide SatNOGS too.
Thus, the project itself is not only built and developed in a modular, open-source way but the data collected is also distributed openly. The community offers support and guidance in onboarding new members and it even helps satellite teams with their missions. Not only can the community help you communicate with your satellite but they can also guide you throughout the onboarding process. All you need to do is contact the team and provide the necessary details and information about your mission.
Want to join the SatNOGS community and be part of the next million observations?
The SatNOGS community is open and inclusive, welcoming everyone who wishes to contribute their time, knowledge and expertise to the project. If SatNOGS has sparked your interest and you want to find out more, check out the SatNOGS wiki knowledge base. You are welcome to drop us a line on the community forums and the dedicated SatNOGS chat. We would love to hear from you and have you join the SatNOGS network and community.
A couple of months ago I happened to be at a swap meet in Northern Utah and talking to a gentlemen - with whom I had a passing acquaintance - as he was unloading his vehicles. One of the things that he placed on his table was a Kenwood TS-570D, in its original box, with a price tag on it that seemed to be too good to be true.
Asking about it, he said that it worked fine, but that the "tuner wouldn't stop", so it had to be used with the antenna tuner bypassed. Visually inspecting it, it looked to be in "good nick" (a 4 out of 5) so I shut up and gave him the money.
After digging out from underneath a few other projects, I finally took a look at it and sure enough, pressing the AT TUNE button started a bout of furious clicking that didn't stop for about 30 seconds with the radio beeping an error. I couldn't help but notice, however, that there was no SWR or power output indication while the tuner was doing its thing - but if I bypassed the tuner, both of these were true.
Going into the menu (#11 - "Antenna tuner operation while receiving") I set that to "on" and noticed that the receiver went mostly dead - a sure sign that something was amiss with the signal path through the tuner. Popping the covers, I whacked on the relays with the handle of a screwdriver while the radio was connected to an antenna and could hear signals come and go. This attempt at "percussive repair" quickly narrowed the culprit to relay K1, the relay that switches the antenna tuner in and out of the signal path.
A few weeks later, after having ordered and receive a new relay, I cleared enough space on the workbench to accommodate the radio and commenced a repair.
The repair:
The antenna tuner is on the same, large circuit board as the final and low-pass filter, which meant that not only were there a zillion screws to take out, but I also had to remove the white thermal heat-sink compound from several devices, un-clip the back panel connectors and un-plug a few signal cables. Using my trusty Hakko DFR-300 desoldering gun, I was able to cleanly remove both K1 and - because I had two relays, and they were identical - K3 as well, soldering in the replacement.
When I'd pulled the board, I also noticed that components "D10" - which is a glass discharge tube across Antenna connector #2 - had some internal discoloration, possibly indicating that it had seen some sort of stress, so I rummaged about and found two 350 volt Bourns gas discharge tubes and replaced both "D10" and "D11" - the unit on the Antenna #1 connector. Unlike the originals - which are glass - these are metal and ceramic, requiring that I put a piece of polyamide (a.k.a. Kapton) tape on the board to insulate them from the traces underneath. The leads of these new devices were also much heavier and would not fit through the board (drilling larger would remove through-plating!) so I soldered short lengths of #24 tinned wire through the holes and used these to attach the straight leads of the new discharge tubes.
After cleaning the board of flux with denatured alcohol and an old toothbrush, I put an appropriately sparse amount of heat sink compound on the required devices, loosely started all of the screws and with everything fitting, I snugged them all down, finishing with the RF output transistors - and then re-checking everything again to make sure that I didn't miss anything.
After plugging the connecting cables back in I noted that the receiver now worked through the tuner and pressed the AT Tune button and was greeted with lots of clicking and varying VSWR - but still, it continued and eventually errored out.
Figuring that the radio's computer may have been messed up, I did a complete CPU reset, but to no avail. Because the SWR and power indication were working correctly, I knew that this wasn't likely to be a component failure like the reverse power detection circuit, so it had to be something amiss with the configuration, so I referred to the service manual's section about the "Service Adjustment Mode".
Going through the Service Adjustment Mode Menu:
Like most modern radios, this one has a "Service Menu" where electronic calibration and adjustments are performed and to get to it, I inserted a wire between pins 8 and 9 of the ACC2 jack and powered up the radio while holding the N.R. and LSB USB keys and having done this, a new menu appeared. On a hunch, I quickly moved to menu #18 - the adjustment for the 100 watt power level.
What is supposed to happen is that if you key the radio, it will transmit a 100 watt carrier on 14.2 MHz, but instead, I got about 60 watts, and checking the related settings for 50, 25, 10 and 5 watts, I got very low power levels for each of those as well. To rule out an amplifier failure, I went back to the 100 watt set-up and pressed the DOWN button, eventually getting over 135 watts of output power, indicating that there was nothing wrong with the finals, but rather that the entire "soft calibration" procedure would have to be followed.
Starting at the beginning of the procedure which begins with receiver calibration, I found everything to be "wrong" in the software calibration, indicating that either it was improperly done, or the original calibration had somehow been lost and replaced with default values. I checked a few of the hardware adjustments, but found them to be spot on - the exception being the main reference oscillator, which was about 20 Hz off at 10 MHz, which I dialed back in, chalking this up with aging of the crystal.
During the procedure, I was reminded by a few peculiarities - and noticed some likely errors, and here they are in no particular order:
Many of these menu items are partially self-calibration, which is to say that you establish the condition called out in the procedure and push the UP or DOWN button. For example, on menu item #16 where the Squelch knob is calibrated, one merely sets it to the center of rotation, the voltage is shown on the screen in hexidecimal, and you press the button and the displayed value is stored temporarily in memory.
I'm a bit OCD when it comes to S-meter calibration, preferring my S-units to be 6 dB apart, S-9 to be represented by a -73dBm signal as noted by the IRU specifications, and for "20 over" to actually be "20 over S-9", or around -53 dBm. The procedure in the manual - and the radio itself doesn't permit this, exactly.
To set the "S1" signal level (menu item #3) would require a signal level -121 dBm, but the receiver's AGC doesn't track a signal below around -113 dBm. Instead, I noted the no-signal level on the display when menu #3 was selected and then set the signal level to an amplitude that just caused the hexidecimal number to increase and then pushed the button, setting "S1" to be equivalent to the lowest-possible signal level to which the AGC reacts.
To set the "S9" signal level (menu item #4) I set the signal generator to -73dBm and pressed the button.
To set the "Full scale" level (menu item #5) I set the signal generator to -23 dBm and pressed the button. If you have followed the math, you'll note that "Full Scale" - which is represented as "60 over" should really be -13 dBm, but I observed that the AGC seemed to compress a bit at this signal level and the "20 over" and "40 over" readings came out wrong: Using a level of -23 dBm got the desired results.
NOTE: The service menu forces the pre-amp to be enabled when doing the S-meter calibration (e.g. you can't disable it when in the service menu) so the S-meter calibration only holds when the pre-amp is turned on.
For setting menu item #1, "ALC Voltage" I was stumped for a bit. It mentions measuring "TP1" - but this is not the "TP1" on the transmitter board, but rather the TX/RX unit (the board underneath the radio).
I noticed that if step #7 was followed to set the 100 watt power level, it was difficult to properly set menu items 23-28 (the "TGC" parameters). These adjustments set to 100 watts, but if you have already set menu item #18 at 100 watts, you can't be sure that you've properly done it.
The work-around is that prior to step #6 in the procedure that you go to menu item #18 and adjust for higher than 100 watts - say, 125 watts. If this is done, you can adjust menu items 23-28 (noting that menu #27 is adjusted out-of-order in procedure step #6) to 100 watts.
Once procedure steps 6, 7 and 8 are done (but skipping the adjustment for menu #18 in step 7) you can go back to menu #18 and adjust for 100 watts.
For procedure steps 16 and 17, I didn't have a 150 ohm dummy load, but I did have several 50 ohm loads, so I put three of them in parallel - which yields 16.67 ohms, which is also a 3:1 VSWR - and completed these steps. It's worth noting that Yaesu uses 16.67 ohms for the equivalent step in its alignment procedures. To set the "40 watts" called out in step 17 I used the front-panel power meter, which would have already been calibrated in the procedure.
The result:
As mentioned, the "hardware" calibration seemed to be fine and only the "soft" calibration was off and after following this procedure, the tuner worked exactly as it should. What I suspect was occurring was a combination of the the output power being too low to calculate an SWR (e.g. setting the radio to "5 watts" yielded less then 2) and that the SWR meter calibration itself was incorrect and that this combination of factors prevented the tuner from being able to find a match.
Since the repair, the TS-570 has been used several times per week and it is working just as it should!
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