Time to bring out the black book
In the past, I have like others had issues with RFI. When RFI's ugly head pops up I find myself wondering what I have tried in the past. If you are like me you have a hard time remembering if you had tried something and if so what happened. I decided it was time to roll out the black book. I will use this book to record what I have done, the results, and the steps I want to take. Recently I felt I had my RFI issue resolved but on Monday while taking part in the Medium speed CW contest I had N1MM macros freezing. The encouraging thing is this issue happened in the past and was terrible, now it hardly happens and gives me the impression I am slowly solving it. I have a few more ideas to try and the black book will help map a path forward in the journey.
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].
A test of CW skills
This weekend was the yearly running of the ARRL Sweepstakes CW contest. This is the first year I participated in the contest and it was a blast. This contest has a unique exchange from all other contests. In most CW contests the exchange is a signal report (always 599 or 5NN for CW) then one of the following serial number, ITU zone, CQ zone, state or province and possibly your name for some contests.
For the ARRL Sweepstakes contest the exchange is the following... let's take my exchange for example:
112A VE9KK 89 NB
To break it down 112 is the serial number so the station I contacted is the 112 contact for me.
The letter A (called precedence) signifies low power (more than 5w and not more than 100w) in a single op. Other letters are Q for QRP, U for single op unlimited power, M for multiop and S for school.
Then you send your call VE9KK
89 (called Check or CK) is the year I was licenced
NB (called Section or SEC) is the province.
Now think of all that info coming at you in some cases 32 to 34wpm. In this contest, it is very advisable to slow down to the station you are contacting speed. If not you will use up lots of time with repeats.
Now once you send all this you may be asked to resend any one or combination of your exchange as it may have been missed. For example, you may hear PREC, CK? I would then resend A and then 89.
Now the contest software from records most of the time fill in the stations CK, and SEC BUT sometimes it's wrong and it has to be changed on the fly.
My effort was part-time as I could not spend any time on Saturday evening it was only late morning and part of the afternoon I was able to take part.
This is a great exercise for your CW skills!
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].
ICQ Podcast Episode 442 – Weekend Projects
In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief and the episode's feature is Weekend Projects
We would like to thank our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate
- Dream Rig Contest Underway
- PRSENTER OPINON : Hurricane Helene has changed my outlook on emergency communications
- Tunisian Ham Camp for Youngsters Gets Yasme Grant
- AI Presenter Experiment Pulled From Polish Radio Station After One-Week
- Boeing-Built Satellite Explodes in Orbit
- Hams in Brazil Honor Pioneer of Wireless Telephony
- RSGB President honoured with RAYNET-UK award
- ARRL Members Raise $47,000 for STEM Education in Online Auction
- HAMSCI Receives Grant
Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].
Ham College 118
Ham College episode 118 is now available for download.
Ham College 118
Technician Exam Questions Part 5. T1E – Control operator: eligibility, designating, privileges, duties, location, required Control point, Control types: automatic, remote.
George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at [email protected].
Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 354
MFJ ends reign as king of Ham Radio parts
It was rough trying to say goodbye.
Mississippi Clarion Ledger
IC-9700 contest keyboard
An Arduino based IC-9700 Contest Keyboard allows a PS2 keyboard to drive an Icom IC-9700 or any modern CI-V radio for contesting.
VK3FS
Podcast: Ham’s Radio Ham Ham English
A Japanese radio program for Ham Radio enthusiasts by Ham Radio enthusiasts.
JA1WTO
Homebrew sferics receiver
Sferics, short for atmospherics, are RF signals in the VLF range generated by the millions of lightning discharges that strike the Earth daily.
Hackaday
Propagation experiments: Signal strength vs. tide levels
The lack of a relationship can in fact be new information.
Copasetic Flow
POTA activation report: Poor Common
There are dozens, if not hundreds of places in the UK called “Poor Common.”
Ian Renton
Mediumwave ferrite antenna for RX
In limited urban conditions its performance is sufficient.
SWLing Post
Video
Quick tour of CBC / Radio Canada satellite facilities
Visiting the CBC studios in Montreal.
saveitforparts
Home made Quansheng UV-K5 desktop transceiver
Turning the handheld Quansheng UV-K5 VHF/UHF transceiver into a desktop transceiver.
OM0ET
Linked elevated radial system
Game-changing antenna performance.
KB9VBR
How to build a Ham antenna for under $8.00
Building a Ham Radio antenna is easy.
My Ham Radio Journey
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Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.
The November – December 2024 SARC Communicator
The final issue of the year. The November-December Communicator, digital periodical of Surrey Amateur Radio Communications is now available for viewing or download. Some great projects and articles in this issue including a terrific Ham IV rotator upgrade, suggestions for affordable test instruments, and complete introduction to 3D printing, with special emphasis on amateur radio applications. Our regular columnists will also provide you with some interesting experiences.
Now read in over 165 countries, we bring you 125+ pages of Amateur Radio content from the Southwest corner of Canada and elsewhere. With less fluff and ads than other Amateur Radio publications, you will find Amateur Radio related articles, projects, profiles, news, tips and how-to's for all levels of the hobby.
Download the Nov-Dec 2024 Communicator
or read it on-line like a magazine
Previous Communicator issues:
Search for past Communicator issues
and a full searchable index is HERE.
As always, thank you to our contributors, and your feedback is always welcome.
The deadline for the next edition is December 15th.
If you have news or events from your club or photos, stories, projects or other items of interest from BC or elsewhere, please contact us at [email protected]
73,
John VE7TI
'The Communicator' Editor
LHS Episode #559: Welcome to Badgerton
Hello and welcome to the 559th episode of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this short topics episode, the hosts discuss ham radio in the Internet age, ham radio during national emergencies, Sonusmix for pipewire audio routing, Meadow, Jetbrains Rider, a new version of FreeDV and much more. Thanks for listening and have a great week.
73 de The LHS Crew
Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at [email protected].