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I applaud Pete Smith, N4ZR, Rick Walker, K4TD, Felipe Ceglia, PY1NB, and Nick Sinanis, F5VIH for their innovation — Reverse Beacon Network (RBN) Telnet Feed combines data output of all current RBN Skimmer receivers at no-charge for ham radio operators world wide.

Is this the end of ham radio as we know it?

Certainly, not.

Boomer And Millennial.
I’m a late Baby Boomer born in 1964 at the tail end of my generation. Some say, we are the silent cohort, our voices eclipsed by earlier Boomers and the later Millenials. However, what is not recognized; we witnessed and actively participated in all the infant technologies that are now beginning to mature.

I played Atari with its read only memory cartridges. I have dialed both a rotary and touch tone phone. I watched wireless television succumb to cable when Home Box Office was a big deal on the block. We used push button remotes tethered to a cable before the ubiquity of wireless remotes. Remember, when someone actually switched channels on an analog dial?

I pushed eight track cassettes into players before cassette tapes ruled one’s Sony walkman. I participated in the battle of beta and VHS for dominance in delivering home entertainment; renting a movie was a big deal. Today, format competition continues as Blu-Ray wrestles for market share against that of DVD.

Change is not a big deal for the silent cohort or those thereafter, perhaps, it is expected, sometimes begrudgingly, sometimes with fascination.

Disruption.
However, even beyond the CQ Contest Digest discussion, a chasm exists between keeping ham radio in its purist form and technological progress. I hear those who are steadfastly resolved that ham radio is nearing an apocalypse — robots will soon replace humans in RadioSport?

I’d like to know, how many still spin their dial, looking for a DXCC counter given the near efficiency of spotting networks? Can one with a reasonable commitment to occupation and family afford such a time consuming luxury? Retirees need not answer that question.

The same is said, dial tone replaced rotary, compact disc replaced VHS, and liquid crystal displays replaced cathode ray tubes. What happened to auto-patch? Essentially, at the end of the day, it is digital change and the anxiety that follows the disruption of long established comfort zones.

Conclusion.
The Reverse Beacon Network Telnet Feed is not the end of ham radio. It is technological progression perhaps at the level of software and digital signal processing. I did not immediately leap to the idea that it is the symbolic end of RadioSport, rather, RBN is the result of hard work by a group of men who care about the longevity of ham radio.

RBN is a beginning and not the end.

See Also.
Fi-Ni Report : Contester Criticizes New Technologies.

In State Multi Single.

• WE4S | 478 CWdgQ | 284 SSB | 51 CWdgMult | 46 SSBMult | 20hrs | 120,280 Points [TCG].
• W4LHS | 235 SSB | 51 SSBMult | 12,012 Points [Coastal Amateur Radio].
• N4YT | 182 SSB | 37 SSBMult | 8hrs41mins | 6,734 [SECC].

n = 3 scores submitted in this category.

In State Single Operator.

• WF4W | 545 CWdgQ | 52 CWdgMult | 16hrs25mins | 56,680 Points [ACG].
• NA4BW | 227 CWdgQ | 145 SSB | 43 CWdgM | 36 SSBMult | 6hrs35mins | 47,321 Points [SECC].
• N4DU | 419 CWdgQ | 47 CWdgMult | 8hrs5mins | 39,386 Points [SECC].

n = 10 scores submitted in this category.

Out of State Single Operator.

• N2CU | 159 CWdgQ | 57 SSB | 91 CWdgMult | 30 SSBMult | 9hrs | 45,375 Points [Western NY DX Association].
• KB3LIX | 137 CWdgQ | 56 SSB | 87 CWdgMult | 37 SSBMult | 40,920 Points [Allegheny Valley Radio Club].
• N2AA | 180 Qs | 105 CWdgMult | 14hrs | 37,800 Points.

n = 36 scores submitted in this category.

Congratulations Tom, N2CU for leading the Western New York DX Association to the GaQP club banner position for the year.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

Single Operator All Band.

• Z35F (BALE) | 505 Qs | 40 Mults | 119,200 Points.
• UA4ALI | 614 Qs | 55 Qs | 16 Hrs | 96,360 Points.
• SQ6NTE | 149 Qs | 29 Mults | 26,564 Points.
• N2WN | 54 Qs | 14 Mults | 756 Points [TCG].

n = 4 scores submitted in this category.

Successful franchise building is an exercise in persistence, patience, imagination, and creativity. What lead to the success of World Wide DX, WPX, and International DX RadioSport events?

Contest on.

XR0Y videoblog – part 8 from SQ8X on Vimeo.

Believe in your signal.

Photograph One illustrates completion of vertical section(s) one and two. I worked my lower back while winding but I’m confident the helical wind itself met my exacting standards. Duct tape used to secure every twelfth or so winding. My plan is glue the helical wind after field testing and final standing wave measurements are taken.

Photograph two taken of third man or a pair of vice grips used to secure first section wire splice. We discussed the wire splice illustration in the ARRL’s Antenna Handbook and concluded its six inch requirement with twist is best for dipole-like tensions. I scraped enamel coating from each AWG #14 solid core wire prior to soldering.

Photograph three depicts section one and two layout after completion of winding using a spool as illustrated in photograph two. The spool facilitated downward and upward motion creating enough necessary tension to wind antenna wire.

Photograph four captures approximate 1/2 inch winds thus far consuming 201 feet of copper wire between first and second sections.

Photograph five taken of a pair of slugs used to connect both sections. I opted for this type of connection as mechanically sound versus alligator clips given the potential for lateral motion. I’m constructing the antenna as a portable type rather than fixed. However I might be corrected on connection terms because I simply forgot after leaving the hardware store.

Remaining Project Objectives.
Section one is 45 percent complete and we’re fast approaching capacitance hat construction in the near future. Likewise, we’re discussing type of feed line for example, coaxial or window line as suggested in K6MM’s instructions. Furthermore, I’m brainstorming how-to fit 1/4 wave radials into the lot in the backyard, any suggestions?

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

P.S. Read K3LR’s method of installing a PL259 connector with photographs (link).

XR0Y Videoblog part 7 from SQ8X on Vimeo.

Team work leads to success.

Obstacles whatever they maybe either strengthen a team or creates cliquish-like behavior ultimately diminishing team potential. In the previous installment, Stan faced his deepest challenge through the darkest of the night. Instead, when everything from weather to human nature seemed against him, SQ8X followed the team’s mission and goal statement.

Zbig, SP7HOV tied in the entire experience while Stan questioned him about the RTTY swarm on 17 meters, “Beautiful.”

Believe in your signal.

XR0Y – part 6 – we are at Rapa Nui! from SQ8X on Vimeo.

Stan, SQ8X’s positive attitude reflects an ability to bring together like minded team members. A successful team, in most cases, will mirror the attitude of its leadership.

Leadership is exemplified by one’s ability to connect with zeitgeist or the spirit of the times. SQ8X demonstrates essential qualities like empathy in addition to persevering against adversity. Perseverance is a quality of leadership that I admire. Life is not always a silver spoon and how one deals with adversity is a good measure of character.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.