AmateurRadio.com

The COVID-19 global pandemic has certainly had a major impact to all of us.  While I certainly don’t need to point out all the pain points, for those who may stumble onto this blog posting you’re either interested in getting your ham radio license, planning to upgrade your license, already licensed at the level you want to be or just simply wanting to read the entire Internet while you are quarantined at home with nothing better to do.  If you fall into the latter category, then you’ve pretty much reached the end of the line. 

Controversy Galore

I’m sure the very mention of  moving away from the standard VE exam process has some old men stirred up beyond imagination.  I get it…I really do.  The most obvious concern of course would be some form of cheating.  I’ve also heard concerns that this new method of remote testing will replace the in-person exam process forever.   Then there’s the category of just being reluctant to change and the idea of “this is how we’ve always done it” mentality.  For those who are always reluctant to change, may I suggest reading a book titled “Who Moved My Cheese”, available on Amazon.  But I digress.

The Right Move

I personally support this idea of conducting online ham radio exams.  I believe the technology exists to be able to conduct a secure exam process and I believe within the hobby and service of amateur radio we have the resources to make this happen.  After all, one of the key points of our “Radio Amateur’s Code” is being Progressive!

More Information

Richard Bateman, KD7BBC who is also the owner of HamStudy.org recently recorded a short video discussing how he (and others) are working to help bring Online Amateur Radio exams to the US very soon.  I’ve embedded the video below for your ease in viewing.

Watch this video on YouTube.

Final Thoughts

As I said at the beginning, I do understand the concern some amateurs have regarding the subject of online exam testing.  But I have a greater concerns over how this pandemic will impact our hobby. I truly believe the efforts being led by Richard will only do our hobby good.   I’m sure at some point life will get back to some kind of normal.  I’m certainly looking forward to finding out just what the new normal will be.

What do you think?

Until next time…

73 de KDØBIK (Jerry)

Hello and welcome to Episode 338 of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this short-topics episode, the hosts discuss Linux distros for SDR, TensorFlow, Linux files on Windows, Qt, CW, open-source ventilators and much, much more. Hope you're staying safe and healthy during the global crisis. Thank you for listening!

73 de The LHS Crew

Here is this week’s space weather and geophysical report, issued 2020 Mar 30 0104 UTC.

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 23 – 29 March 2020

Solar activity was very low throughout the period. No active regions with sunspots were observed and no earth-directed CMEs were detected.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached high levels on 23-26 Mar and moderate levels were observed on 27-29 Mar.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet or quiet to unsettled levels throughout the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 30 March – 25 April 2020

Solar activity is expected to be very low throughout the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 19-22 Apr, and normal to moderate levels are expected to prevail throughout the remainder of the outlook period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach active levels on 30-31 Mar due to CH HSS influence. Generally quiet or quiet to unsettled conditions are expected to prevail throughout the remainder of the outlook period.

Don’t forget to visit our live space weather and radio propagation web site, at: http://SunSpotWatch.com/

Live Aurora mapping is at http://aurora.sunspotwatch.com/

If you are on Twitter, please follow these two users: 1. https://Twitter.com/NW7US 2. https://Twitter.com/hfradiospacewx

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Be sure to subscribe to our space weather and propagation email group, on Groups.io

https://groups.io/g/propagation-and-space-weather

Spread the word!

– – – – – – – – – – – – –

Links of interest:

+ Amazon space weather books: http://g.nw7us.us/fbssw-aSWSC
+ https://Twitter.com/NW7US
+ https://Twitter.com/hfradiospacewx

Space Weather and Ham Radio YouTube Channel News:

I am working on launching a YouTube channel overhaul, that includes series of videos about space weather, radio signal propagation, and more.

Additionally, I am working on improving the educational efforts via the email, Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, and other activities.

You can help!

Please consider becoming a Patron of these space weather and radio communications services, beginning with the YouTube channel:

https://www.patreon.com/NW7US

The YouTube channel:
https://YouTube.com/NW7US

..

In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Ed Durrant DD5LP, Frank Howell K4FMH and Bill Barns N3JIX to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is - Passion of Shortwave Listening with Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL.

ICQ AMATEUR/HAM RADIO PODCAST DONORS

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

- USA Conducts First All-Online Ham Radio Exam - Is April the month of Solar Minimum? - PC Magazine article on how to mitigate Zoom risk - Hamvention QSO Party - Lee Jennings Memorial Activity Marathon - GB1COR Special Event Station - IARU 95th Birthday - 144 MHz Trans-Atlantic record Extended to Almost 4,760kms

In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Ed Durrant DD5LP, Frank Howell K4FMH and Bill Barns N3JIX to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is - Passion of Shortwave Listening with Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL.

ICQ AMATEUR/HAM RADIO PODCAST DONORS

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

- USA Conducts First All-Online Ham Radio Exam - Is April the month of Solar Minimum? - PC Magazine article on how to mitigate Zoom risk - Hamvention QSO Party - Lee Jennings Memorial Activity Marathon - GB1COR Special Event Station - IARU 95th Birthday - 144 MHz Trans-Atlantic record Extended to Almost 4,760kms

In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Ed Durrant DD5LP, Frank Howell K4FMH and Bill Barns N3JIX to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is - Passion of Shortwave Listening with Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL.

ICQ AMATEUR/HAM RADIO PODCAST DONORS

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

- USA Conducts First All-Online Ham Radio Exam - Is April the month of Solar Minimum? - PC Magazine article on how to mitigate Zoom risk - Hamvention QSO Party - Lee Jennings Memorial Activity Marathon - GB1COR Special Event Station - IARU 95th Birthday - 144 MHz Trans-Atlantic record Extended to Almost 4,760kms

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 142 is now available for download.

Do you really know what’s shown in a Spectrum Display? George explains. Visually observing a signal fade. Emile’s DRM SSTV exploration. Mike discovers OpenWebRX is back and more.
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