AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE(tm) REPORT #1795
Released January 6, 2012
IS AVAILABLE RIGHT NOW
This Weeks Newscast Anchored By Jim Damron, N8TMW
IN THIS WEEKS EDITION
HAM RADIO IN SPACE: ARISSAT-1 MISSION COMES TO A CLOSE
THE BPL FIGHT: IBEC CLOSES DOWN BPL OPERATIONS DUE TO FINANCIAL LOSSES
RESTRUCTURING: ARRL SEEKING INPUT ON A 60 METER BANDPLAN
TIME TRAVEL: SAMOA AND TOKELAU JUMP INTERNATIONAL DATELINE
DX SPECIAL: NCDXF CONTRIBUTES $15000 TO HK0NA OPERATION
RESCUE RADIO: FEMA PLANS MORE AND LONGER EAS TESTS
PUBLIC SERVICE: OPERATORS NEEDED FOR CANADIAN SKI MARATHON
HAMVENTION 2012: AWARDS NOMINATIONS DEADLINE IS JANUARY 15
And much more...
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Friday, January 06, 2012
10 Things Your IT Guy Wants You to Know
10 Things Your IT Guy Wants You to Know
by Jeremy L. Gaddis on May 31, 2009
1. If you come to me to ask technical questions, please don’t argue when you don’t like my answer. If you think you know more about what you’re asking than I do, then why even ask? On that same note, if I am arguing with you, it’s because I’m certain that I am correct; otherwise I’d just tell you “I don’t know” or perhaps point you somewhere that you could look it up. We don’t argue just for the sake of arguing.
2. When you start a conversation by insulting yourself (e.g. “I’m such an idiot”), you will not make me laugh or feel sorry for you; all you will succeed in doing is reminding me that yes, you are, indeed, an idiot, and that I’m going to hate having to talk to you. Trust me, you don’t want to start out this way.
3. We’re okay with you making mistakes; fixing them is part of our job. We are NOT, however, okay with you lying to us about a mistake that you made. It just makes it that much harder to resolve and thus makes our job more difficult. Be honest and we’ll get the problem fixed and both of us can continue on with our business. Lying to us and, therefore, costing us twice as much of our time will not win you any brownie points with IT.
4. There is no magic “Fix it” button. Everything takes some amount of work to fix, and not everything is worth fixing or — gasp! — even possible to fix. If I tell you that you’re going to have to re-do a document that you accidentally deleted two months ago, please don’t get mad at ME. I’m not ignoring your problem and it’s not that I don’t like you, we just can’t always fix everything.
5. Not everything you ask us to do is “urgent”. In fact, by marking things as “urgent” every time, you’ll almost certainly ensure that we treat none of it as a priority.
6. You are not the only one who needs help, and you usually don’t have the most urgent issue. Give us some time to get to your problem; it will get fixed.
7. E-mailing us several times about the same issue is not only unnecessary, it’s highly annoying as well. We record issues in a database so that we don’t lose track of them (remember how we ask that you create a ticket? That’s why.) We will typically respond as soon as we have a useful update to make. If your problem is urgent, please do let us know (but see number five).
8. Yes, we prefer e-mail over phone calls. It has nothing to do with being friendly or anti-social, it’s about efficiency. It is much faster and easier for us to list out a set of questions that we need answers to than it is for us to call and ask you them one by one. You can find the answers at your leisure and, while we’re waiting, we can work on other problems.
9. We may, at times, seem blunt and rude. It’s not that we mean to, we just don’t have the time to sugar coat things for you. We assume that we are both adults and can handle the reality of a problem. If you did something wrong, don’t be surprised when we tell you. We don’t care that it was a mistake because, honestly, it makes no difference to us. Please don’t take it personal, we just don’t want it to happen again.
10. Finally, yes, I can read your e-mail, yes, I can see what web pages you look at while you’re at work, yes, I can access every file on your work computer, and yes, I can tell if you are chatting with people on instant messenger (and can read what you’re typing, as well). But no, we don’t do it. It’s highly unethical and, perhaps more importantly, you really aren’t that interesting. Unless I am instructed to specifically monitor or investigate your actions, I don’t do it. There really are much more interesting things on the Internet than you.
I hope this didn’t come off the wrong way because, even as much as us IT guys refer to “users” as “lusers”, we do like (most of) you. Just like you, we’re here to do a job and we try to do it the best that we can. It’s easiest to do that if we all work together, stop pointing fingers, and give other people the space that we would like to get as well. If we can do that more often than not, things will go well and work out for all of us.
P.S. IT guys are easily bribed with food and/or beer (personally, I prefer the latter). That’s a sure way to get your problems moved to the top of the list. *grin*
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Shopping For Your First HF Rig
As a new amateur radio operator (and like many others) I ran out and bought a handheld (ht) first. This was an easy first purchase and getting going on 2m and/or 70cm is the quick fix that many like to engage in.
A new ham operators first real decision though is purchasing your first HF rig. This can be a daunting task considering the vast amount of choices on the market today.
All these questions seem to roll around in my head;
- Should I buy new gear or used?
- Should I buy a base station or portable or mobile rig?
- And in my case since I'm a uber-geek... should I buy solid state, or software defined?
- New operators should buy new gear whenever possible. At least at the very beginning. It takes experience to purchase and operate ham radio equipment and without that experience how do you know if used equipment is any good, or if it's working properly, or even how to interconnect all the pieces correctly. Your ham radio license course and exam focused a lot on what you shouldn't or can't do on the air waves. How do you know that your used equipment isn't generating spurious emissions?
- Your first rig should be an "All Band" base station rig for the most flexibility and overall experience. All band radios would be HF, VHF, and UHF typically. While this type of radio might not have the highest specifications related to performance or features, it's a great starting point and it can be affordable. As well once you upgrade to something better it's still very useful to you even if you just use it for VHF or UHF.
- Some suggest an "All Band Portable" rig like the Icom IC-7000, or Yaesu FT-897D. As seen below these radios are HF, VHF, and UHF, and they are also very compact for mobile and portable use. With options like snap on battery packs, snap on power supplies, and bolt on antenna tuners, these are perfect for a small home base station, but they are also something you can toss in a backpack. Mobile mounts are available for installation in a vehicle as well. Priced from $1000 - $1300 bucks they're very affordable to start with, and extremely flexible once you upgrade to something larger. What could start as a home base station for you, can later be a very handy camping portable or vehicle mounted radio.
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| Icom IC-7000 ($1300) All band portable radio |
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| Yaesu FT-897D ($1000) All band portable radio |
- Buy what's available from an Elmer, that comes with some training. This was a suggestion that I read that came with the following explanation. New or used, big or small, if you have a local club member, or friend, or family member (someone you can trust) who's willing to sell you an HF rig at a reasonable price and is willing to help you set it up, and better yet willing to sit with you and help you on it's operation this can be worth it's weight in gold. Obviously there is a lot of "if's" and "maybe's" in this suggestion but I see the point. I personally have a family friend with an all band transceiver, with a matching power supply and a matching antenna tuner willing to sell it all for $1000. I've looked online and this is a good deal and he might get $300 bucks more if he broke up the set and sold it all online or in a swap, but he's willing to sell it to me at a bit of a discount and in a nice "ready to go" bundle. On top of that, he's willing to be my "Elmer" and come and help me set it all up, mentor me on it's operation, and be there as an ongoing person I can call or email with questions. This could work out very well for you "if" everything works out as promised. In my case it wasn't exactly the rig I thought I was looking for, it's a bit older than I thought I might want, and it's a pretty complex rig, my learning curve might be more than I intended to undertake. But it's an incredible tempting offer.
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| Yaesu FT-847 (circa 1998 - 2005) HF, VHF/UHF and satellite. |
Normally, and for most people, I would assume that one of the four options above would be a great HF starting point for any new ham, but I didn't mention that I'm also a hardcore geek. I'm a Systems Administrator by profession and I've been working with computers for 20+ years. The moment I started researching amateur radio equipment I stumbled on software defined radios as an alternative to the traditional solid state style of radio I was smitten with the possibilities.
A software-defined radio system, or SDR, is a radio communication system where components that have been typically implemented in solid state or tube based transceiver (e.g. mixers, filters, amplifiers, modulators/demodulators, detectors, etc.) are instead implemented by means of software on a personal computer or embedded computing devices. While the concept of SDR is not new, the rapidly evolving capabilities of digital electronics are seeing a boom in SDR technology.
A modern SDR system (like those from FlexRadio Systems) consists of a high-end personal computer or laptop connected via USB or Fire-wire to a Flex Radio "black box" type of transceiver. The key connections on any radio transceiver like microphone, antenna, DC power, morse key, etc are still present on the "black box" but what missing when you see one (see below) is the miriad of dials, buttons, switches, and displays found on a traditional amateur radio.
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| Flex-1500 (entry level $650) USB connected SDR |
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| Flex-3000 (mid level $1500) Firewire connected SDR |
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| Sample screenshot of the Flex SDR software. This is point and click control for your radio |
- SDR technology gives you a radio which can receive and transmit widely different radio protocols based solely on the software used.
- Upgrading your SDR software can improve the operation of the radio extending it's lifetime and effectiveness with emerging technologies.
- Upgrading your software also add's new features and filters to your radio (most of the time for free).
- Customize the look and feel (and even the position of buttons etc) by changing to different "skins" for your SDR software.
9min video of a Flex SDR in operation
There are some downsides to any new ham operator starting off with a SDR type radio.
- First off how many people in your local club are going to able to help you operate an SDR system when you have little or no knowledge yourself? In a smaller club chances are the average age of an Elmer might be retirement. These men and women are a wealth of information at your disposal, but your bringing a 2013 electric sports car to a retro muscle car mechanic. Many hams are smart computer owners and operators, but you'd be smart to make sure that some support exists locally before biting off more than you can chew.
- Essential skills. Operating an SDR system provides lots of automatic and behind the scenes assistance in the software for tuning in that elusive signal. If you had the do the same work on a traditional rig you would be expected to know a bit more, and understand more about it's physical operation. Operating a traditional radio is like learning the ropes, maybe it's something you need to do to earn your respect and critical knowledge within the ham community. After a year or two, then maybe SDR would be a next step for someone geeky enough to venture ahead.
- Performance. I read reviews from amateur radio enthusiasts buying software defined radios and complaining about delay and lag, and overall performance from the system. When you purchase an SDR your computer is an essential part of the system, you can't attach it to a netbook, or sub $500 laptop, or 3 year old PC and expect it to rock your world. You should invest in a rock solid and lighting fast new (or almost new) PC to pair up with your SDR. The majority of the SDR processing is done by the computer, that means when operating the radio the computer should be dedicated to that task alone, with no shortcuts like running other apps or downloading of the internet in the background.
Let's face it though, I also like the idea of a radio with tons of tactile buttons and the big dials.
What did I purchase for my first rig? Well you'll have to wait and see. I haven't been able to decide, frankly I'm overwhelmed with the choices. Right now I'm saving for a holiday and that's my financial priority. In a few months it will be an entirely different story, it will be spring and I'll be eager to climb on the roof and put up antennas, or install a tower, or shoot some wire into the nearby tree's. I'll be ready for HF and then it's the time to decide what my first rig will be.
50 Rules for Dads of Daughters {by Michael Mitchell}
I want to pay credit where it's due. I found this list on the web at the following link http://www.fromdatestodiapers.com/50-rules-for-dads-of-daughters. It appears to be the creation of Michael Mitchell and it sounds like it was a repost of the original list found somewhere on Michael's own site http://lifetoheryears.com. Either way it's a great list and I wanted to have a copy for myself so I'm reposting it here.
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well
be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again
throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights
optional.
4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around
the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car,
and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day
soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life
happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her
birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will
suffice.
14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait ‘til her wedding day.
16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a
major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the
first time it happens.
20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her
eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open
spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the
pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s
their loss.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams
uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of
muscle fatigue.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and
when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing
this, tell me how.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready
for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
Tuesday, January 03, 2012
Are You New To 2m?
Are you a new ham radio operator like me?
I've been talking to a few people and the same analogy keeps coming up.
"Taking your first ham radio course and license exam is like going to college to learn to drive. You learn a lot about cars, you learn about engines, and electronics, you learn about physics and the science of motion, etc. At the end you take a long scary exam. You pass and someone gives you your license and you get into your first car and have no idea how to drive it?"
The point being made is that in an amateur radio course you learn lots about antenna theory, electronics, amps and receivers, propagation, etc. But very little time is spent telling you HOW to operate a ham radio, how to do something as simple as key the mic and talk.
Here is a new YouTube video from Tyler, N7TFP, showing us how to make our first contact using a local 2
meter VHF repeater.
I've watched a couple of Ryan's videos before, he does a fantastic job.
Monday, January 02, 2012
Another holiday nears completion
It's been a fast holiday. With almost two weeks off, it went by so quickly. Tonight is the last evening before going back to work. Best wishes and happy new year to everyone we hosted or visited with over the holidays.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Amateur Radio Newsline #1794
This Weeks News and Information...
*A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012 TO ALL*
AMATEUR RADIO NEWSLINE(tm) REPORT 1794
Released December 30, 2011
(Note: This is an extended newscast running 35 minutes and containing 3 breaks)
This Weeks Newscast Anchored By Jim Davis, W2JKD
IN THIS WEEKS EDITION
- RESCUE RADIO: HAMS CALLED OUT AS NORTH SEA STORM HITS NORWAY
- RESCUE RADIO: TROPICAL STORM HITS THE PHILIPPINES
- RESCUE RADIO: CHANGING TIMES - ARMY MARS PHASING OUT WINLINK
- AUSTRALIA SAYS OK ON CODEC 2 INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
- DONATIONS AND COORDINATION ASSISTANCE NEEDED TO HELP REBUILD RAST STATION DEVASTATED BY FLOODING
- ANRITSU DONATES USED HT’S TO NORCAL BSA
- SKN ON OSCAR 2012 DEDICATED TO W1JSM
- KIDS DAY OPERATING EVENT: JAN. 8 2012
- YAESU MUSEN NAME TO BE REACTIVATED JAN. 1
- HAM HAPPENINGS: ICOM ANNOUNCES D-STAR QSO PARTY WINNERS
- THE DIY MAGIC OF AMATEUR RADIO ON HAM NATION JAN 3
- And much more...
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Building a Ham Shack - First Purchases
I'm new to amatuer radio and I've had my license and callsign for less than a week. Like many people new to the hobby I started with a handheld. In my case I knew about some of the features I wanted in a HT but I still wasn't convinced which features I wanted in the $300 - $500 handheld radios on the market.
To make it simple on myself I decided to start very simple and inexpensive so I purchased a Wouxun KG-816 2m radio while I was taking the Amateur Basic license course. I'm a very hands on person and learn very quickly by playing with equipment or technology. Having a simple handheld with a USB programming cable and software I was able to program the unit and do a lot of listening on the local repeaters while I was taking the course. NOTE - I didn't have a license yet so I only listened, I had another licensed ham double check my programming and do any radio checks for me.
After a wrote and passed the license test I had already learned a lot from this hundred buck radio and upgraded to the latest Wouxun KG-UV6D which had just been released (dual-band 2m/70cm handheld, with speaker mic & USB cable). Staying with the same brand I kept it cheap again and now I had one dualband radio as my primary, and the original single band radio for something I could keep at work for listening to repeater activity during the day or toss into a vehicle or camper as a backup.
Purchasing two HT's so close together wasn't my original intention, but as I had originally predicted I learned a lot from the first unit and already had a shopping list of features I knew I wanted or needed in the second unit so the decision to purchase was easy. NOTE - What I've spent on both these radios is less than the starting point of many of the popular branded radios.
I'm using the KG-UV6D as my primary radio now and over the last few days since my callsign was assigned I've had a few QSO's with local club members on the 2m repeaters. So far the guys have been great and friendly, and I hope my operating protocol has been up to spec as I haven't heard any complaints :)
I have taken some advice and ordered two dual band mag mount antennas for my HT. I'm planning to mount one on my vehicle until I can get a proper mobile rig installed in there, and I'm going to try attaching the other to the exterior of my house so I can use the HT in my office with better reception. Currently without an exterior antenna I have to sit close by the repeater facing window for clear communications. I'm also getting a hum noise from my PC speakers when I key the handheld to close to it, getting the antenna outside should address that as well.
Within a year I predict I'll have an Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood hand held that will include APRS and a few other cool features I'm still discovering. For now I'm enjoying playing with the Wouzun's and don't regret trying them out.
Next post - Shopping for my first HF rig. New or used, portable or base, solid state or software defined?
To make it simple on myself I decided to start very simple and inexpensive so I purchased a Wouxun KG-816 2m radio while I was taking the Amateur Basic license course. I'm a very hands on person and learn very quickly by playing with equipment or technology. Having a simple handheld with a USB programming cable and software I was able to program the unit and do a lot of listening on the local repeaters while I was taking the course. NOTE - I didn't have a license yet so I only listened, I had another licensed ham double check my programming and do any radio checks for me.
After a wrote and passed the license test I had already learned a lot from this hundred buck radio and upgraded to the latest Wouxun KG-UV6D which had just been released (dual-band 2m/70cm handheld, with speaker mic & USB cable). Staying with the same brand I kept it cheap again and now I had one dualband radio as my primary, and the original single band radio for something I could keep at work for listening to repeater activity during the day or toss into a vehicle or camper as a backup.
Purchasing two HT's so close together wasn't my original intention, but as I had originally predicted I learned a lot from the first unit and already had a shopping list of features I knew I wanted or needed in the second unit so the decision to purchase was easy. NOTE - What I've spent on both these radios is less than the starting point of many of the popular branded radios.
I'm using the KG-UV6D as my primary radio now and over the last few days since my callsign was assigned I've had a few QSO's with local club members on the 2m repeaters. So far the guys have been great and friendly, and I hope my operating protocol has been up to spec as I haven't heard any complaints :)
I have taken some advice and ordered two dual band mag mount antennas for my HT. I'm planning to mount one on my vehicle until I can get a proper mobile rig installed in there, and I'm going to try attaching the other to the exterior of my house so I can use the HT in my office with better reception. Currently without an exterior antenna I have to sit close by the repeater facing window for clear communications. I'm also getting a hum noise from my PC speakers when I key the handheld to close to it, getting the antenna outside should address that as well.
Within a year I predict I'll have an Icom, Yaesu, or Kenwood hand held that will include APRS and a few other cool features I'm still discovering. For now I'm enjoying playing with the Wouzun's and don't regret trying them out.
Next post - Shopping for my first HF rig. New or used, portable or base, solid state or software defined?
A New Year, A New Hobby
Over the Christmas holidays I had conversations with friends and family about my excitement for ham radio. On a couple of occasions people would say things like "I can do that with my cell phone" when referring to different things that you can do with ham radio. This video explains some of the aspects of how amateur radio goes beyond traditional wireless communication.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
It's Official - Christmas Came Early - I have a Callsign (VA7AEJ)
From: Aaren Jensen
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 11:23 AM
To: Spectrum, Amateur, OS_NOD
Subject: My Christmas Gift from Industry Canada
Dear Santa
This fall I drove a long distance two nights a weeks to take a Amateur Radio Basic course with the club in Salmon Arm BC. My local club decided not to run a class this year and Salmon Arm was generous enough to welcome me into theirs, even though it was already underway. I spent more time in the car driving to and from each class, then I did in the classroom but it was all worth it.
I drove and I studied, I studied and I drove, and my wife and daughter missed me terribly for those two months.
On Tuesday Dec 13th I passed my exam with honors and since then I've eagerly awaited for my callsign to appear in your database. I'm starting to feel that I might be developing a mental disorder, like an obsessive compulsive behavior?
Each day since is like this...
On Monday you had a problem with your database and it was offline for most of the day. Santa, honestly I thought I broke it! I was waiting for a phone call asking me to stop checking the database!
Santa, today is my last day at work, I start my Christmas holidays tomorrow, and all I want for Christmas is my Amateur Radio Callsign.
I know Santa you are very busy this time of year and you have many many elves taking their holidays as well, I'm not asking to be put on top of the pile or get any type of preferential treatment.
I just needed to express my Christmas wish.
Merry Christmas :)
--
Aaren Jensen
Lumby B.C. Canada
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Spectrum.Amateur@ic.gc.ca wrote:
Hello Aaren,
Your application will be processed this week. We have a back-log of applications and the service standard is 3 weeks for processing these applications. Accredited examiners can also submit exam results directly online and a call sign can be selected immediately and is then immediately assigned.
Regards,
Amateur Radio Service Centre | Centre de service pour la radio amateur
Spectrum Management Operations Branch |
Direction générale des opérations de la gestion du spectre
Industry Canada | Industrie Canada
P.O. Box 9654 Station T, Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
C.P. 9654 Succursale T ,Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
Telephone | Téléphone 1-888-780-3333
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-991-5575
spectrum.amateur@ic.gc.ca
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Aaren Jensen
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 12:29 PM
To: Spectrum, Amateur, OS_NOD
Subject: Re: My Christmas Gift from Industry Canada
Thanks Santa
Merry Christmas!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------On Thur, Dec 22, 2011 at 6:41 AM
Spectrum.Amateur@ic.gc.ca wrote:
Hello Aaren,
This is to let you know that Christmas has come early this year. Happy holidays, enjoy.
From Santa
P.S. Don't forgot the milk and cookies!
Amateur Radio Service Centre | Centre de service pour la radio amateur
Spectrum Management Operations Branch |
Direction générale des opérations de la gestion du spectre
Industry Canada | Industrie Canada
P.O. Box 9654 Station T, Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
C.P. 9654 Succursale T ,Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
Telephone | Téléphone 1-888-780-3333
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-991-5575
spectrum.amateur@ic.gc.ca
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 11:23 AM
To: Spectrum, Amateur, OS_NOD
Subject: My Christmas Gift from Industry Canada
Dear Santa
This fall I drove a long distance two nights a weeks to take a Amateur Radio Basic course with the club in Salmon Arm BC. My local club decided not to run a class this year and Salmon Arm was generous enough to welcome me into theirs, even though it was already underway. I spent more time in the car driving to and from each class, then I did in the classroom but it was all worth it.
I drove and I studied, I studied and I drove, and my wife and daughter missed me terribly for those two months.
On Tuesday Dec 13th I passed my exam with honors and since then I've eagerly awaited for my callsign to appear in your database. I'm starting to feel that I might be developing a mental disorder, like an obsessive compulsive behavior?
Each day since is like this...
- awake and login to the database and search for my name and callsign.
- drive to work and login to the database and search for my name and callsign.
- look for free moments throughout the day and login to the database and search for my name and callsign.
- drive home and login to the database and search for my name and callsign.
- stop by my computer just before bed and login to the database and search for my name and callsign.
On Monday you had a problem with your database and it was offline for most of the day. Santa, honestly I thought I broke it! I was waiting for a phone call asking me to stop checking the database!
Santa, today is my last day at work, I start my Christmas holidays tomorrow, and all I want for Christmas is my Amateur Radio Callsign.
I know Santa you are very busy this time of year and you have many many elves taking their holidays as well, I'm not asking to be put on top of the pile or get any type of preferential treatment.
I just needed to express my Christmas wish.
Merry Christmas :)
--
Aaren Jensen
Lumby B.C. Canada
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On Wed, Dec 21, 2011 at 8:57 AM
Spectrum.Amateur@ic.gc.ca wrote:
Hello Aaren,
Your application will be processed this week. We have a back-log of applications and the service standard is 3 weeks for processing these applications. Accredited examiners can also submit exam results directly online and a call sign can be selected immediately and is then immediately assigned.
Regards,
Amateur Radio Service Centre | Centre de service pour la radio amateur
Spectrum Management Operations Branch |
Direction générale des opérations de la gestion du spectre
Industry Canada | Industrie Canada
P.O. Box 9654 Station T, Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
C.P. 9654 Succursale T ,Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
Telephone | Téléphone 1-888-780-3333
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-991-5575
spectrum.amateur@ic.gc.ca
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Aaren Jensen
Sent: Wednesday, December 21, 2011 12:29 PM
To: Spectrum, Amateur, OS_NOD
Subject: Re: My Christmas Gift from Industry Canada
Thanks Santa
Merry Christmas!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------On Thur, Dec 22, 2011 at 6:41 AM
Spectrum.Amateur@ic.gc.ca wrote:
Hello Aaren,
This is to let you know that Christmas has come early this year. Happy holidays, enjoy.
From Santa
P.S. Don't forgot the milk and cookies!
Amateur Radio Service Centre | Centre de service pour la radio amateur
Spectrum Management Operations Branch |
Direction générale des opérations de la gestion du spectre
Industry Canada | Industrie Canada
P.O. Box 9654 Station T, Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
C.P. 9654 Succursale T ,Ottawa ON K1G 6K9
Telephone | Téléphone 1-888-780-3333
Facsimile | Télécopieur 613-991-5575
spectrum.amateur@ic.gc.ca
Government of Canada | Gouvernement du Canada
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Ham Radio Graduation
It was the perfect scenario for my personality...
I've been taking my Amateur Radio Basic course for two months and the test was scheduled for a Thursday night. The examiner had offered to come into the Tuesday night class and we would do a "test" test and then review it. This was meant to be the final review class before we wrote the final test.
I studied like a maniac on the weekend before and used the practice software to take a "test" test many many many times. When I wandered into the Tuesday night review class I was ready to write the real test, but I was also calm as I knew we weren't writing the real test. The examiner opended the class by saying something magical...
"Well since the practice test I was planning on giving you this evening is a legitimate copy of the test and since some of you seem ready to write the real test how about (if you want) we can treat this as a proper test and let you write it if your ready"
Some people were not ready and decided to write the real test on the Thursday as originally planned. I was one of the people who was ready and did.
For my personality this was a perfect situation, no time to psych myself out and worry. Within 5 minutes of being told I could write the exam now, I was actually writing the exam.
35 minutes later I had a 89% score and had passed the license exam with honors. This was my goal all along so I was very pleased.
In Canada there are only 3 licenses for ham radio operators
Merry Christmas!
I've been taking my Amateur Radio Basic course for two months and the test was scheduled for a Thursday night. The examiner had offered to come into the Tuesday night class and we would do a "test" test and then review it. This was meant to be the final review class before we wrote the final test.
I studied like a maniac on the weekend before and used the practice software to take a "test" test many many many times. When I wandered into the Tuesday night review class I was ready to write the real test, but I was also calm as I knew we weren't writing the real test. The examiner opended the class by saying something magical...
"Well since the practice test I was planning on giving you this evening is a legitimate copy of the test and since some of you seem ready to write the real test how about (if you want) we can treat this as a proper test and let you write it if your ready"
Some people were not ready and decided to write the real test on the Thursday as originally planned. I was one of the people who was ready and did.
For my personality this was a perfect situation, no time to psych myself out and worry. Within 5 minutes of being told I could write the exam now, I was actually writing the exam.
35 minutes later I had a 89% score and had passed the license exam with honors. This was my goal all along so I was very pleased.
In Canada there are only 3 licenses for ham radio operators
- Basic - Pass with 70% or higher and you have rights on VHF and UHF up to 250 watts. This is a mandatory license everyone must pass first.
- Basic with honors - Pass the same exam with 80% or higher and you unlock HF frequencies as well.
- Morse - Add this license to your Basic by passing a separate exam with 5 words per minute (or higher) morse code and your licensed for CW, plus you unlock the HF frequencies if you didn't already have them as a result of a Basic with Honors.
- Advanced - Add this license to your Basic by passing a separate exam. By passing you will be allowed a 1000 watt amplifier limit (an increase from 250 watt for Basic), you will be allowed to build your own gear, and setup equipment for clubs (i.e. repeaters, etc), plus you unlock the HF frequencies if you didn't already have them as a result of a Basic with Honors.
Merry Christmas!
Friday, October 28, 2011
Amateur Radio Update
Well another class under my belt and about 5-6 more hours of reading over the last few days. Last night's class dealt with more electronics theory. My understanding and absorption factor felt much higher than the first class so I'm slightly more confident today.
I found a 3.5 hour series of audio podcasts for the entry level US amateur radio licence course and I've listened to that while commuting over the last few days as well. While the rules and regs vary slightly, the rest of the material was pretty good.
I've also started studying the question bank for the final test, it's 1000 questions and answers published by Industry Canada. The 100 question final exam is randomly generated from this bank of 1000 so it's a great study tool if you have a good memory.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Ham Radio Classes Begin
Fast forward to over 30 years later and I'm finally starting the classes to get my first amateur radio license. The "Basic" qualification in Canada is the starting point. I'm taking an 8-9 week course with the Salmon Arm amateur radio club and it's going to be a bit of an effort with the long commute two nights per week, I'll be spending more time driving back and forth then in a class, but I'm really excited and feel it's well worth the time invested.
The Basic license is issued if you pass the final test with 70% or higher. The Basic with Honors license comes with a grade higher than 80%. Passing with Honors is important because it comes with the right to broadcast on a bunch of additional HF frequencies.
Wish me luck! I'll hopefully have more updates as the classes progress.
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