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This Week in Amateur Radio
- PODCAST: This Week in Amateur Radio Edition #1323 – Truncated 1-hour version
Thirteen Colonies Week Outcome 2024
A short tutorial to simulate your Kicad PCBs in openEMS using Gerber2EMS
OpenEMS, an open-source tool for simulating electromagnetic structures, has been a valuable resource for the scientific community for some time. Its capabilities continue to expand, thanks to ongoing contributions that add new functionalities. While...
The post A short tutorial to simulate your Kicad PCBs in openEMS using Gerber2EMS appeared first on Nuclearrambo.
Technological Unintended Consequences
From the Isle of Music and Uncle Bill’s Melting Pot Schedules for July 2024
Kyodo News Morning Edition via Radiofax: Expect the unexpected!
Meshtastic BBS
Meshtastic devices have really taken off in the UK over the last few months and there is now an established Mesh across a large portion of the UK mainland.
Looking to expand the device capability I stumbled across a really interesting little project that is still in the early stages of development but, is functional and worth trying out.
The TC²-BBS Meshtastic Version is a simple BBS system that runs on a RaspberryPi, Linux PC or virtual machine (VM) and can connect to a Meshtastic device via either serial, USB or TCP/IP. Having my M0AWS-1 Meshtastic node at home connected to Wifi I decided to use a TCP/IP connection to the device from a Linux VM running the Python based TC²-BBS Meshtastic BBS.
Following the instructions on how to deploy the BBS is pretty straight forward and it was up and running in no time at all. With a little editing of the code I soon had the Python based BBS software M0AWS branded and connected to my Meshtastic node-1.
![M0AWS Meshtastic BBS Main Menu accessible on M0AWS-1 node.](../themes/icons/grey.gif)
The BBS system is very reminiscent of the old packet BBS systems of a bygone era but, it is ideal for the Meshtastic world as the simple menus and user interface are easily transmitted in seconds via the Mesh using minimal bandwidth.
The BBS is accessible by opening a Direct Message session with the M0AWS-1 node. Sending the letter H to the node will get you the initial help screen showing the menu above and then from there onwards it’s just a matter of selecting the menu item and following the BBS prompts to use the BBS.
The BBS also works across MQTT. I tested it with Dave, G4PPN and it worked perfectly via the Meshtastic MQTT server.
This simple but, effective BBS for the Meshtastic network will add a new message store/forward capability to the Mesh and could prove to be very important to the development of the Meshtastic mesh in the UK and the rest of the world.
More soon …
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The SWLing Post
- Radio Waves: Switzerland to End Analog Radio, AM For Every Vehicle Act, AM v Safety, and Electromechanical Radio Transmitters
Radio Waves: Switzerland to End Analog Radio, AM For Every Vehicle Act, AM v Safety, and Electromechanical Radio Transmitters
Ham Radio Operator confesses to FT8 Sins and Proud of it
At Fish n Chips Cheap Ham Lunch Club (we share an order across 3 hams) and order a single X large coffee to share to keep it cheap they confessed:
>We are operating on FT8 right now while we break bread (flashing the biggest grin ever!)
How so?
>The auto robot mode on FT8
So this is an unattended station operating without AI but use of software controls? Don’t you need to be Advanced for that? I think you may be in violation.
>Yeah, its awesome. It just fills my log with contacts even when I am watching TV with my partner
Partner? Sorry what is that Partner. I hear that all the time ? that’s not morse code…… Aren’t you married?
>So I find this mode fascinating and has really got me back into the hobby again. I spend a lot of time listening to nets so this is interesting to me.
Yeah, its gotten very interesting as I see many Freebanders are also using FT8. There was some guy in Belgium sending SSTV on 27.580 and I caught the bottom third of the transmission so couldn’t get his Freeband callsign or number. Do you listen to the OMISS net on 7185? (How do I know?)
>Yes I do every night and I enjoy that. I heard a guy from PEI and everyone wanted to work him.
Do you check in to that net as they are always looking for VE3s? It could be fun
>Oh NO I would never check in to the net
Your killing me here as you just said you never Chicken into the net.
>Hold on let me ask the counter staff for some more Tartar sauce
So guys I was floored the other day when Ten opened up and there was all kinds of EU signals coming in and I made a bunch of contacts with a vertical with 10 watts. Just like the old days in CB when we had 12 watts and a Hustler antenna in the car. Cycle 25 is hear
>What frequency is that I would love to listen
Try 28.400 and then looking at the waterfall you can move the mouse to the drip and click. If you have a Drake TR4cw then move the dial left or right until you hear a signal.
I learned 2 things today:
- A partner is a person with whom someone is in a romantic or sexual relationship. The term is often used to refer to individuals who are not married, but who are in a committed relationship. Partners may live together, share financial responsibilities, and support each other emotionally. In some cases, partners may also have legal agreements that define their relationship, such as cohabitation agreements or domestic partnership agreements. The term “partner” is often used in LGBTQ+ communities as a gender-neutral alternative to “husband” or “wife.”. However, many married to the opposite sex are staying to use this term as well due to Identity and Gender ideology shaping everything. The extreme left will tell you this is the way we should explain our marriages to avoid being considered anti-DEI. OK I use partner in a business sense but there is nothing wrong with using wife or husband even if it considered bad politics or incorrect. Who cares about sexuality since its 2024. This is Gender Neutral Language.
2. Some Hams are enjoying the Hobby their own way and they are Happy listening and being a robot .
FT8 has become increasingly popular in amateur radio in recent years, and for a good reason.
This digital mode removes conversation and allows for fast contacts over long distances, even in low power mode and under challenging band conditions.
73s
John
And so it goes in this hobby that has a thousand hobbies even if you sin you will be forgiven by Marconi and Hiram (maybe even Tesla – the ham not the car)
A new study suggests that having one conversation with a friend (Ham) per day can have a significant effect on a person’s mental health. The study published in Communication Research.
However, for some making FT8 contacts in robot mode can be very uplifting. Whatever floats your boat but please wear a life jacket as the water is getting frothy and deep.
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FCC Enforcement Actions
When teaching ham radio license classes, I often get asked whether the FCC enforces the Part 97 rules and regulations. That is, how likely is it that the FCC would come after me if I violate the rules? This same question surfaces concerning the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS). This morning, I looked at the FCC Enforcement Actions page, to Continue reading FCC Enforcement Actions→
The post FCC Enforcement Actions appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
FCC Enforcement Actions
When teaching ham radio license classes, I often get asked whether the FCC enforces the Part 97 rules and regulations. That is, how likely is it that the FCC would come after me if I violate the rules? This same question surfaces concerning the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS).
This morning, I looked at the FCC Enforcement Actions page, to see what’s there. First off, there are a ton of actions against unlicensed FM broadcast stations, in response to the PIRATE Act pass by Congress in 2020. There are also many actions against people operating RoboCall systems via telephone. If you find yourself bored, go ahead and read through these enforcement actions.
Here are some actions taken by the FCC concerning Amateur Radio and GMRS in the past few years:
In June 2022, the FCC sent a Notice of Violation to David Dean, K0PWO, concerning a continuous carrier signal on 7.033 MHz from a remote station near Fairplay, Colorado. I recall there being a ruckus about this incident in the ham radio community but I did not know it resulted in a Notice of Violation.
In June 2022, the FCC issued a Notice of Apparent Liability (FCC talk for “we are fining you”) of $34k to Jason Frawley, WA7CQ. The FCC says that Frawley used his ham radio to transmit on frequencies allocated and authorized for government use during the Johnson wildfire near Elk River, Idaho.
In November 2022, the FCC sent a Notice of Violation to David Dean, K0PWO. (This is the same person with the stuck transmitter in June 2022.) The FCC received a complaint from the State of Colorado that someone (later found to be Dean) had an illegally cloned radio transmitting on the State’s digital trunked radio system (DTRS) without authorization.
In June 2023, the FCC issued a Notice of Violation to Martin Anderson, GMRS WQQP653 in Vancouver, WA. This relates to a stuck transmitter, apparently due to a faulty transceiver at a repeater site. It transmitted continuous, unmodulated signals on the frequency of 462.725 MHz.
In August 2023, the FCC issued a Notice of Violation to Jonathan Gutierrez, GMRS license WRTD259 in response to a complaint of intentional interference to a 462.625 MHz repeater in Mt. Holly, Pennsylvania.
In August 2023, the FCC issued a Notice of Violation to Alarm Detection Systems, licensee of radio station WQSK406 in Louisville, Colorado. This is not ham or GMRS-related but involves a business band radio on 460 MHz. Apparently, the company continued to operate legacy “wideband” FM radios after the FCC required business band radio users to switch to “narrowband” radios (12.5 kHz channels). I found this interesting because it is an action related to the use of improper radio gear and emission type.
In May 2024, the FCC issued a Notice of Unlicensed Operation to Skydive Elsinore, LLC, a skydiving company in Lake Elsinore, CA. This company was transmitting in the 70 cm amateur band on 442.725 MHz without a proper license.
From these notices, we can see that the FCC does enforce amateur and GMRS rules, but not as often as we’d like to see. Usually, the situation has to be a big nuisance before it escalates enough for the FCC to take action. If you make a simple mistake once or twice, you are highly unlikely to be cited. If you are a more consistent or flagrant rule breaker, then you might get a visit from the FCC.
Remember that the ARRL has the Volunteer Monitor program, operating under a formal agreement with the FCC, that can assist with on-the-air violations.
73 Bob K0NR
The post FCC Enforcement Actions appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
Technological Unintended Consequences
Ten with 9 using James Watt
WITH
using
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James Watt |
As some of you know I do some QRPp Parks on the Air activations using the QRP Labs QCX Mini. For the past couple of years I've had GREAT results using my 40 and 20 meter QCX Mini with what I call, "My Smoke Detector Battery" setup
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QRP Labs QCX Mini 40 Meters |
As most of you may know, during the month of June 2024, the sun has presented several Earth facing regions which have been quite active with solar storms, solar flares, large sunspot regions, CME's and HF radio blackouts. These conditions have not been favorable for QRPp communications. Living in Kentucky, USA this time of year also represents days and weeks of hot, humid weather with potential for almost daily thunderstorms. So far in June 2024; we've seen record low morning temperatures of 82 degrees and several days of temperatures exceeding 95 degrees with heat indices well over 100 degrees.
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Tufteln 40 / 20 Meter Linked EFHW |
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American Morse Equipment Ultra Porta Paddle |
Upon awaking before daybreak, I checked the NOAA Space Weather Predication Center's website for Space Weather conditions. It all looked favorable. Terrestrial weather had a Heat Advisory forecasted for July 2, 2024, so I decided to head out for a near sunrise Parks on the Air activation at Beargrass Creek State Nature Preserve US-7956 which is less than 4 miles from my QTH.
Shocking Underfoot
On the beach
13 Colonies update
If you remember my previous post where I commented:
“Onwards and upwards so…. Happy 4th of July to my American Friends…. I’ve already gotten 7 of the 13 Colonies station in the log and I started chasing them today.“
“Check out their website for more information.”
So it would seem that last evening I was lucky/skillful enough to get the remaining 6 colony stations in the log along with the WM2PEN Bonus Station in the log.
Last night I did hear the GB13COL Bonus Station on 20m ssb and could not break the pile up.
This morning I did hear the TM13COL Bonus on 15m cw but once again was unable to break the pile up.
So far out of the 14 contacts ( 13 colonies and 1 Bonus station) 3 contacts were made in CW and 11 were made using SSB.
Power levels are 90w for SSB and 40W for CW.
I’m (foolishly) feeling confident that before the event ends on July 7th I should be able to complete the SWEEP including the 3 bonus stations.
After all I only need 2 more…..
The last time I was able to do this was in 2022.
Once again Happy 4th of July to my Neighbors to the South
73bob
RAC Canada Day Contest-report
Well the RAC Canada Day Contest is over for another year.
As with all the RAC Contests I set certain goals for my self and for this one was no different.
The goals were as follows:
HAVE FUN- This is a must. I am a casual operator and not a “dyed in the wool” contester. The main thing is to have fun and keep it friendly… This was not an issue and I had a blast working across Canada.
TRY AND WORK CANADA COAST TO COAST TO COAST-
Well almost… I had contacts in:VE1, VE2, VE3, VE4, VE5, VE6, VE7, VE8, VE9 and VO1. East Coast to the West Coast and the North West Territory.
Unfortunately this time VO2,VY0, VY1 and VY2 escaped me.
HAVE A SCORE IN THE TOP 50% OF MY CATAGORY. Needless to say that this time its not going to happen. I made contacts on 15m, 20m and 40m and they were good contacts…. I just needed more of them.
After about 9 hours of radio stretching it out over a 24 hour period it was all over. One of the lowest scores I will not be submitting but it was still fun.
Onwards and upwards so…. Happy 4th of July to my American Friends…. I’ve already gotten 7 of the 13 Colonies station in the log and I started chasing them today.
Check out their website for more information.
.
Then it looks like its back to “Playing Pota” again ….
73bob
Chameleon PRV Heavy POTA Kit Review
A great add on to the MPAS kit or just as a stand alone.
I do find the counterpoise wires o be too thin and prone to breakage and want Chameleon to go back to the #16 Kevlar wire they are known for
Also the short length of the whip on20m is a bit finicky due to the ground I had but a grassy ground is usually pretty good but the radiation resistance was kind of low.
The kit adds items I dont have in my MPAS kit making for a well rounded deployment kit similar to this:
CHA MULTI CONFIGURATION COIL
The core component of the CHA PRV antenna, known as the CHA MCC (Multi Configuration Coil), serves as its foundation. The CHA PRV antenna is skillfully engineered and built to withstand rugged conditions, making it particularly suited for demanding portable applications such as Parks On the Air (POTA), Summits On the Air (SOTA), and other outdoor radio pursuits that necessitate an antenna that’s both efficient and easily transportable. This antenna is also an excellent choice for radio enthusiasts who reside in environments like RVs, apartments, or condos, where space is limited to a small balcony or patio.
Chameleon Antenna has designed the CHA PRV to perfectly complement the latest generation of compact multi-band/multi-mode QRP transceivers, including models like the Icom IC-705, Xiegu G90 or X6100, LAB 599 TX500, and the Yaesu FT-817/818.
SPECS
Power Handling: 500W SSB 300W CW 200W DATA
Materials: Anodize Aluminum OD Green, White Delrin, Stainless Steel and Silver Plated Copper wire
Bands Coverage: 2M to 40M with the SS58
DIMENSIONS
Diameter = 1 1/4″
Length Collapsed = 12 1/2″
Length Extended = 19 1/2″
Weight = 0.94 lb.
CHA MCC
1 X CHA MULTICONFIGURATION COIL
CHA PRV SOTA (LIGHT KIT)
1 X CHA MCC (Coil)
1 X CHA SS58
1 X CHA SPIKE MOUNT
1 X CHA PUCK HUB
4 X CHA TENT STAKES
4 X CHA B-RADIAL (12’6″)
4 X CHA WINDERS
1 X CHA WW RADIAL (34′)
1 X CHA TRIPOD ADAPTOR
1 X CHA 12′ COAX w/ integrated RFI Choke
CHA PRV POTA (HEAVY KIT)
1 X CHA MCC (Coil)
1 X CHA SS58
1 X CHA SPIKE MOUNT
1 X CHA PUCK HUB
4 X CHA TENT STAKES
4 X CHA B-RADIAL (12’6″)
4 X CHA WINDERS
1 X CHA WW RADIAL (34′)
1 X CHA TRIPOD ADAPTOR
1 X CHA EXTENDER12
1 X CHA UCM
1 X CHA 12′ COAX w/ integrated RFI Choke