Hello! Welcome to the latest installment of Linux in the Ham Shack, Episode 233. In this episode, the hosts discuss the World Radio Sport Team Challenge, making a difference through the ARRL, the Reverse Beacon Network, FT-8, two new Linux Mint releases, SUSE and OpenSUSE. There's also a return to the good ol' days of GitHub diving. Thanks as always for listening.

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].

It’s like slot machines for amateur radio.

 

Anthony, K3NG, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com.

Here is this week’s space weather and geophysical report, issued 2018 Jul 02 0504 UTC.

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 June – 01 July 2018

Solar activity was at very low levels. Region 2715 (N08, L=231, class/area Dao/070 on 23 Jun) was the only spotted region on the disk and was quiet throughout the summary period. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels throughout the period. A maximum flux of 5,570 pfu was observed at 28/1935 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity was at quiet to isolated G1 (Minor) storm periods from late on 25 Jun through 26 Jun in response to an SSBC from a positive to a negative sector observed midday on 25 Jun. A CIR signature was evident early on 26 Jun in advance of an equatorial, negative polarity CH HSS. Total field (Bt) peaked at 14 nT, the Bz component reached a maximum negative extent of -9 nT and wind speeds increased from about 400 km/s to about 670 km/s; all during 26 Jun. For the remainder of the summary period, field conditions were at quiet levels with an isolated unsettled interval late on 27 Jun. By the end of the summary period, Bt and Bz were at nominal levels while wind speeds decreased to near 350 km/s.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 02 July – 28 July 2018

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels through 10 Jul. With the return of old Region 2715 (N08, L=231) from 11-24 Jul, activity levels are expected to remain at very low levels, with a slight chance for C-class activity. A return to very low levels is expected from 25-28 Jul.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 02-10 Jul and again on 21-28 Jul due to CH HSS influence. Normal to moderate levels are expected from 11-20 Jul.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at unsettled to active levels on 15 Jul and 20-24 Jul with isolated G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms likely on 23 Jul, all due to recurrent CH HSS activity. Mostly quiet levels are expected for 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

..

Visit, subscribe: NW7US Radio Communications and Propagation YouTube Channel

Stories you’ll find in our July, 2018 issue:

The Development of Police Radio Communications in the United States
By John F. Schneider W9FGH

Policing in America before the 1920s was done by the beat policeman, who wandered his assigned neighborhood on foot. If he needed to communicate with his precinct officer, he used a street corner police call-box. The Detroit Police Department, led by a visionary police commissioner, was the first to seriously experiment with installing radio receivers in patrol cars, beginning in 1922 with the licensing of its own radio station, KOP. But, although the emerging technology of radio held obvious promise as a means of communication, there were still many shortcomings in its fledgling years that prevented its reliable use in vehicles. John notes the historical issues involved with police broadcasting and the general public tuning in—a nearly one-hundred year-old tradition.

Listening in on the WWI Western Front: The SCR-54A (BC-14A) Receiver
By Rich Post KB8TAD

One hundred years ago, the United States was at war. At the start of the World War I, the US Navy, as authorized by the President, ordered that all private radio transmitters and receivers, whether licensed or unlicensed, be dismantled. The order was not just for the spark transmitters of the day, but even simple hobbyist crystal receiving sets. Rich explores the SCR-54A BC14A , a state-of-the-art WWI radio receiver system, which along with a BC-15A spark transmitter wedged aboard an airplane would allow the pilot to provide reconnaissance from the battlefield. Rich takes a look at this combo, which took serious skills to operate in testing—let alone in battle.

Cheerio: Amateur Radio’s Checkered History at the BBC
By Richard Fisher KI6SN

Last fall, with the pomp and ceremony for which Great Britain is so well known, Lord Tony Hall, Baron Hall of Berkenhead, and head of the BBC, cut the ribbon to officially open amateur radio station G8BBC, turning the page to the newest chapter in the British Broadcasting Corporation’s on-again-off-again romance with amateur radio. Richard explains how hams at the BBC have fared over the decades, occupying a thin sliver of real estate, courtesy of the world’s most well known shortwave voice.

TSM Reviews: Palstar LA-1K Solid-State HF Amplifier
By Mark Haverstock K8MSH

Since the beginning of ham radio, vacuum tube amplifiers have dominated the market. They’re relatively economical to manufacture, tolerant of abuse, and have some leeway to match antennas that aren’t exactly resonant. More recently, solid-state amplifiers have gained traction among amateur radio operators. They’re instant-on and more convenient—getting you on the air with less operator intervention. Mark examines the Palstar LA-1K solid-state HF amplifier and finds some very positive attributes that come at a stiff price.

Scanning America
By Dan Veenaman
Portsmouth (VA), Grant County (WI) and the ISS

Federal Wavelenghts
By Chris Parris
More Federal Digital Modes

Milcom
By Larry Van Horn N5FPW
Update: Monitoring Military Hurricane Communications

Utility Planet
By Hugh Stegman
U.S. Radio Strangeness Continues

Shortwave Utility Logs
By Hugh Stegman and Mike Chace-Ortiz

VHF and Above
By Joe Lynch N6CL
Contests and Field Day for VHF and Above

Digitally Speaking
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
When Elephants Fight, it is the Ground that Suffers

Amateur Radio Insights
By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Static and Frustration from DC to Daylight—Welcome to Summer Propagation

Radio 101
By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
$664 Solution to Solar Cycle Doldrums

Radio Propagation
By Tomas Hood NW7US
The Sun in Sonic and Visual Art: an Aid to Scientists

The World of Shortwave Listening
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL
SDR Primer Part 2: Exploring the World of SDRs for $200 or Less

The Shortwave Listener
By Fred Waterer
40 Years of Shortwave Listening

Maritime Monitoring
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Sailing On

The Longwave Zone
By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
Looking Back, Looking Ahead

Adventures in Radio Restoration
By Rich Post KB8TAD
Ballantine 300 and the Boonton Connection

Antenna Connections
By Dan Farber AC0LW
Understanding Ground: A Review

The Spectrum Monitor is available in PDF format which can be read on any desktop, laptop, iPad®, Kindle® Fire, or other device capable of opening a PDF file. Annual subscription is $24. Individual monthly issues are available for $3 each.

Ken Reitz, KS4ZR, is publisher and managing editor of The Spectrum Monitor. Contact him at [email protected].

Ham College episode 42 is now available for download.
General Amateur Radio Exam part 13. Digital Modes pt 5, HF Antennas part 3.

01:00:21

Download
YouTube

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].

The post office delivered my change of direction this week. I’m very excited as this is going to be a 180 degree turn for me. This may sound odd but this box contains something that at times will frustrate me, take me in a direction I have never been before, expand both my  knowledge and skill and I hope as I will be retiring next year keep me amused and occupied for years to come. Below is a picture  the weller soldering iron preping some cable with Anderson power pole connectors........hmmmmm how on earth does Anderson power pole connectors fit in with my 180 degree turn?????

Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

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.