Amateur Radio

Amateur Radio related items.

World Radio TV Handbook to Cease Publication

Posted on by VA3DBJ

The EI7GL blog reports that publication of the World Radio TV Handbook (WRTH) will cease with the current 76th edition. For many years, the WRTH provided information about shortwave broadcast times and frequencies, but the number of listeners has dwindled as broadcasting has shifted to the internet. In addition, information on international broadcasting schedules and frequencies is also available on the internet.

In a statement, the publishers said, “Having produced this book for the past 24 years, we are very sorry to announce that WRTH 2022 will be the final edition of World Radio TV Handbook produced and published by WRTH Publications. We realize that this news will be disappointing for many people. We wish to thank you all for your loyal support over the years. Good DX and Happy Listening.”

British Columbia State of Emergency Declaration November 2021

Posted on by VA3DBJ

Story by ALAN GRIFFIN

British Columbia declares state of emergency:

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021PSSG0073-002190

BC Government news release

Radio Amateurs of Canada has had several inquiries in regard to the emergency situation in British Columbia.

At present, we are not aware of any Amateur activities related to the flooding/landslides in BC.

The situation is expected to be stable despite the possibilities of additional rain over the next few days. Localized flooding and landslides may still occur especially due to the temporary nature of repairs this week.

It has been observed that national and international reporting may not accurately reflect the current situation especially in areas outside of the BC lower mainland.

Railroad, pipeline and limited road access is now in place in most areas.

BC Government News Release: November 17, 2021:

The British Columbia government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to mitigate impacts on transportation networks and movement of essential goods and supplies, and to support the provincewide response and recovery from the widespread damage caused by severe flooding and landslides in British Columbia.

“Provincial, federal and local governments are working with emergency personnel to make sure people and communities get the help they need as they work through yet another natural disaster. This provincial declaration of emergency will ensure the transport of goods, and essential and emergency services,” said Premier John Horgan. “Thank you to everyone for doing what you can to stay safe and to help one another as we work through this catastrophic time.”

Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, made the declaration on Nov. 17, 2021, based on the recommendation from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and Emergency Management BC. The declaration will take effect immediately.

“This provincewide declaration will help us with the challenges ahead as we recover from the utter devastation that’s been caused by this natural disaster,” said Farnworth. “Getting our rail and roadways back up and in operation is a top priority, and the declaration will enable us to put the resources in place to make that happen.”

The state of emergency is initially in effect for 14 days and may be extended or rescinded as necessary. The state of emergency applies to the whole province and ensures federal, provincial and local resources can be delivered in a co-ordinated response to protect the public, which remains the provincial government’s top priority.

“Our focus is on clearing, repairing and reopening roads to connect the Interior and the North to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, to get our supply chains moving,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “We are working closely with multiple partners to make this happen. It is a big job, but collectively we are up to the challenge and will get things opened up again just as soon as we possibly can.”

There are approximately 17,775 people evacuated due to impacts from the flooding, with 5,918 properties on Evacuation Order, and 3,632 properties on Evacuation Alert.

The federal government has responded to and accepted British Columbia’s requests for assistance. In the coming days, additional federal personnel and resources will be arriving in B.C. to assist.

The state of emergency gives agencies, such as the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Emergency Management BC, the RCMP and others the ability to use extraordinary measures to protect people and communities.”

Quick Facts:

  • Declarations of provincial states of emergency may be issued by the minister responsible under the Emergency Program Act.
  • The provincial government can extend the period of a declaration made by the minister responsible.

Learn More:

For information on evacuation orders and alerts, visit Emergency Info BC:

https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/

For BC’s response to floods and mudslides visit:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/natural-disaster/support/home

For the latest information on roads and travel, visit: www.drivebc.ca

Santa 3916 Net

Posted on by VA3DBJ

For the 16th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets will be presenting The Santa Net on 3.916 MHz. Good girls and boys can talk to Santa Claus, via amateur radio, nightly at 7:15 PM (Central) starting Friday, November 26, 2021. The Santa Net will run nightly through Christmas Eve, December 24, 2021.

Pete Thomson (KE5GGY), of The 3916 Nets, commented on The 3916 Santa Net. He said, “Christmastime and Santa Net is an exciting time on the 3916 Nets. Every year we connect hundreds of children with Santa and we’re looking forward to another busy year.”

Youngsters can talk to “Santa at The North Pole” via strategically placed operators who relay the voice of Santa. Thomson said that The Santa Net is a team effort that involves the efforts of a number of 3916 Net members. He said, “In our first year, we connected 10 kids to Santa on Ham Radio and it’s grown steadily since. This year we’re hoping to connect over 1,000 children with Santa Claus.”

Prior to each night’s Santa Net, pre-net check-ins can be made at www.cqsanta.com Third party rules and regulations apply.

The Santa Nets are presented annually by The 3916 Nets. The Rag Chew Crew, The Tailgaters and The Freewheelers are all amateur radio nets that meet on 3.916 MHz nightly.

For more information on The 3916 Nets, go to http://www.3916nets.com For more information on The Santa Net, email KE5GGY at Gmail dot com.

AMSAT-NA Elects Officers, Discusses Ongoing and Future Satellite Projects

Posted on by VA3DBJ

AMSAT-NA President Robert Bankston, KE4AL, told the 2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium on October 30 that the organization is looking ahead to future satellite missions but will “go commercial” in order to keep enough satellites in space. Bankston, who was re-elected at a virtual Board meeting on October 29, said AMSAT is in solid financial position and donations are “healthy.” Bankston said membership numbers are holding strong, with more than 4,000 members in 76 countries, and that recent administrative modernization has reduced overhead costs by more than 30%.

Vice President-Development Frank Karnauskas, N1UW, noted that, despite AMSAT’s solid financial standing, additional funds are needed to design, build, and launch satellites. Consequently, AMSAT is ramping up its grant-writing efforts, applying for grants from philanthropic organizations and corporate sponsors.

Bankston said AMSAT’s strategic plan prioritizes putting satellites into high-Earth orbits. He also summarized the GOLF (Greater Orbit, Larger Footprint) initiative as part of its plan to reach higher orbits. AMSAT will not be giving up on low-Earth satellites (FM CubeSats), however. “FM satellites are very important and can serve as a stepping stone to more sophisticated spacecraft,” Bankston said. AO-91 and AO-92 are “living on borrowed time,” so new initiatives are in order.

Bankston said purchasing commercial satellites can shorten the development time. AMSAT plans to purchase a v/U 1U FM CubeSat, powered by four lithium-ion cells, but the Board said 90% of funding would have to be obtained from external sources. This would not be a permanent approach, however.

Bankston said the organization will be seeking additional volunteers to put its plans into action. “Any expansion of the strategic plan will need more volunteers,” Bankston said, adding that current volunteers “are pretty much at full bandwidth.”

Vice President-Engineering Jerry Buxton, N0JY, reviewed satellite projects in the pipeline. These include providing a linear transponder module to the University of Maine for its MESAT1, set to launch in 2022.

The GOLF-TEE (Technology Evaluation Environment) CubeSat is under construction and has been added to a launch manifest tentatively for summer of 2022. Supply chain issues are impacting construction. GOLF-1 is planned for delivery 1 year after the completion of GOLF-TEE.

Bankston mentioned new regulations that will govern satellite launches in the future. The Orbital Debris Assessment Regulations (ODAR) complicate the design and licensing of the GOLF 3U platforms, however.

A new AMSAT award program was announced to recognize the contribution of rover stations to the world of grid hunting. The award is called the Reverse VUCC Award — or VUCC/r. Earning it could be tough. Rather than contacting a set number of grids per band, the goal is to make contacts from a set number of grids per band. AMSAT took over the issuance of this award from the Central States VHF Society in September. The number of grids coincides with the ARRL award.

Also: As of November 1, FM contacts will no longer be accepted toward the Robert W. Barbee Jr., W4AMI Award. A consensus of AMSAT Board members expressed concern over the demands being placed on the limited availability of FM satellite repeaters. The Barbee Award requires the submission of 1,000 satellite contacts via OSCAR-6 or later satellites. Endorsements are available.

The AMSAT Board also heard reports from officers and representatives. The 2021 AMSAT Dr. Tom Clark, K3IO, Memorial Space Symposium and Annual General Meeting is available on AMSAT’s YouTube channel. 

U.S. Veterans Day 2021 Special Events Announced

Posted on by VA3DBJ

Amateur radio special events have been announced to commemorate Veterans Day.

In Cleburne, Texas, N5VET has been on the air since November 1 for a 15-day event. Announced frequencies include 7.235, 7,240, 14.045, and 14.255 MHz, although the sponsoring Club KC5NX says it will operate on most bands and modes. QSL to KC5NX.

The K1USN Radio Club will be on the air on November 11 to mark Veterans Day. K1USN will be on the air on the HF bands, SSB, CW, and FT8, 1300 – 2100 UTC. Anyone working K1USN on Veterans Day 2021 can request a certificate. K1USN QSL cards will be available for all contacts. Send a #10 SASE to K1RV or QSL via the bureau.

In New Jersey, Special Event WS2E will operate from High Point State Park on November 11, 1230 – 2330 UTC. This operation will be valid for Parks on the Air (POTA) K-1619). A Summits on the Air (SOTA) activation is also possible. Multiple stations will be on the air. The High Point monument is a tribute to the “glory and honor and eternal memory of New Jersey’s heroes by land, sea, and air in all wars of our country.” It is the highest elevation in New Jersey. Operation will be mostly on SSB and CW, 40 – 10 meters. A certificate and QSL are available. Contact Michael Sorton, WS2E.

An operation from the submarine USS Cobia in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, is set for November 12 –13, 1400 – 2100 UTC, sponsored by the USS Cobia Amateur Radio Club (NB9QV). Operation will be on 40 and 20 meters, SSB, ±7.240 and ±14.240 MHz. QSL to W6BSF with a #10 SASE.

The USS Midway Museum Ship special event to mark Veterans Day and the anniversary of the US Marine Corps will take place on November 13, 1700 – 2359 UTC. Listen for NI6IW in San Diego, California. Operation will be on CW and PSK on various HF bands as well as D-Star. QSL with an SASE to NI6IW.

Amateurs invited to participate in the Antarctic Eclipse Festival in December

Posted on by VA3DBJ

The HamSCI Antarctic Eclipse Festival in December is seeking Amateur Radio participation.

As the shadow of the moon passes across Antarctica on December 4, it will generate traveling ionospheric disturbances that will, in turn, affect radio propagation.

The unusual geometry of this year’s eclipses will give researchers an opportunity to investigate complicated ionospheric dynamics over the poles as the long daytime of polar summer is briefly interrupted by the eclipse.

During this and other HamSCI eclipse festivals, Radio Amateurs and citizen-scientists are asked to collect Doppler-shift data from time-standard stations, such as WWV.

All that’s needed is an HF radio connected to a computer. A GPS-disciplined oscillator is helpful for collecting data, but it is not required. Data collection will run from December 1 through December 10, and the results will be made available for scientific analysis.

All Radio Amateurs and shortwave listeners are invited to join in, even those located far from the path of totality. In 2020, more than 100 individuals from 45 countries took part in eclipse festivals.The instructions are available in multiple languages.

HamSCI is an initiative of Amateur Radio operators and geospace scientists dedicated to advancing scientific research and understanding through Amateur Radio activities. Eclipse festivals are pilot campaigns for the Personal Space Weather Station (PSWS), HamSCI’s flagship project. The PSWS team seeks to develop a global network of citizen-science stations. Participants monitor the geospace environment to deepen scientific understanding and enhance the radio art.

For more information on the Antarctic Eclipse Festival and how to participate, visit the HamSCI website. – Thanks to Kristina Collins, KD8OXT

For the results of the December 2020 Eclipse Festival please visit:

https://hamsci.org/december-2020-eclipse-festival-frequency-measurement

Original news item: courtesy of the American Radio Relay League (ARRL)

The 2022 ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications is Now Available

Posted on by VA3DBJ

The ARRL Handbook for Radio Communications for 2022 is a must-have for every radio amateur’s bookshelf. Whether you’re an experienced ham or new to the hobby, you’ll find information you can use to advance your amateur radio knowledge and skills. This current, comprehensive, and complete reference is available in three formats — traditional softcover, a six-volume, shrink-wrapped book set (box not included), and digital eBook.

The 2022 edition features new projects and tools, including 3D printing techniques for ham radio construction, battery selection for portable operation, analog-to-digital converter overload, solid-state amplifier linearity, an update on Solar Cycle 25, and more.

The Handbook six-volume book set, ARRL Item No. 1519, ISBN 978-1-62595-151-9, is $59.95 retail. The Handbook softcover book, ARRL Item No. 1502, ISBN 978-1-62595-150-2, is $49.95 retail.

More new books have also just been stocked in the ARRL Store, including the second edition of Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur by Ward Silver, N0AX. This new edition shows you how to make sure your station follows current standards for lightning protection and RF grounding. It details effective grounding and bonding techniques for the home, portable or mobile station, as well as for towers and antennas.

Also just out: More Arduino for Ham Radio by popular author and experimenter Glen Popiel, KW5GP, introduces many of the new Arduino boards and add-on modules, followed by an overview of the software, tools, and techniques needed to bring projects to life. Practical projects showcase a wide variety of applications and include how the software sketches work.

Grounding and Bonding for the Radio Amateur, ARRL Item No. 1496, ISBN 978-1-62595-149-6, is $25.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $22.95.

More Arduino for Ham Radio, ARRL Item No. 1472, ISBN 978-1-62595-147-2, is $39.95 retail, special ARRL Member Price $34.95.

Order from the ARRL Store, from your ARRL Dealer, or call (860) 594-0355 or toll-free in the US (888) 277-5289. 

SKYWARN Online Training (Fall Session)

Posted on by VA3DBJ

Booking now for fall sessions

SKYWARN™ is a national effort to save lives during severe weather emergencies with an expanding network of trained weather spotters. The services performed by SKYWARN™ spotters have saved many lives.

The National Weather Service has a number of devices for detecting severe thunderstorms. Included in these are Doppler radar, satellite, and lightning detection networks.  However, the most important tool for observing thunderstorms is the trained eye of the storm spotter.

By providing observations, SKYWARN™ spotters assist National Weather Service members in their warning decisions and enable the National Weather Service to fulfill its mission of protecting life and property.

Storm spotters are, and always will be, an indispensable part of the severe local warning program.

The National Weather Service office in Buffalo participates in the annual  ARRL – SKYWARN™ special event.  For details on the national event, QSL instructions and the rest of the statistics, check out the Special event homepage.

NWS Buffalo SKYWARN™Training Sessions

SKYWARN™ is a nationwide program of spotters that report severe weather to the National Weather Service. Anyone can become a SKYWARN™ spotter for the National Weather Service, all you have to do is attend one of our Spotter Training Sessions. There is no charge for the training.

SKYWARN™ training sessions are held throughout our area of responsibility based on demand. SKYWARN training sessions for Severe Convective Weather (Thunderstorms, Tornadoes, Flash Floods, etc.) are conducted from March through May. SKYWARN training sessions for Winter Weather are conducted from September through November. The basic training session provides a brief overview to the National Weather Service (the organization and our responsibilities), the equipment we use (including capabilities and limitations), and basic severe weather meteorology (including how thunderstorms, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes form). Training sessions last about two hours.

SKYWARN training sessions for Winter Weather are conducted from September through November. 

Attendees are instructed what types of severe weather the National Weather Service is interested in hearing about and are given an 800 telephone number for 24 hour access make reports directly to the NWS forecasters.

For more information, please contact:
Mike Fries — [email protected] — WFO Buffalo, Warning Coordination Meteorologist
Jon Hitchcock — [email protected] — WFO Buffalo, SKYWARN Program Coordinator

Fall 2021 Training Schedule

Note: Fall training covers winter storms, lake effect snow, measuring snow, reporting to the NWS, and winter weather safety. All of the scheduled training sessions will cover the same material

DATETIMECOUNTYLOCATIONORGANIZATION
Monday 10/25/2111 AMOnlineOnlineRegistration Required!NWS Buffalo Click Here for Registration
Tuesday 11/2/217 PMOnlineOnline Registration Required!NWS Buffalo Click Here for Registration
Tuesday 11/16/217 PMOnlineOnlineRegistration Required!NWS Buffalo Click Here for Registration
Wednesday 12/1/217 PMOnlineOnlineRegistration Required!NWS Buffalo Click Here for Registration

For more information from NOAA NWS Buffalo, click here.

Hurricane Watch Net Activates for “Catastrophic” Hurricane Ida

Posted on by VA3DBJ

August 29, 2021 | For immediate release |


The following news item is courtesy of the American Radio Relay League:

The Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) is on Alert Level 5, “Catastrophic Response Mode,” as Hurricane Ida heads toward landfall on the coast of Louisiana today — the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina — after gaining considerable strength in the Gulf of Mexico.

The net, on 14.325 and 7.268 MHz, works in concert with WX4NHC at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami to share real-time surface-weather observations with the Center’s forecasters.

In its 1500 UTC report, the NHC said the “eye of extremely dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Ida nearing the southeastern coast of Louisiana… catastrophic storm surge and hurricane-force winds moving onshore.”

Officials are saying Ida could be the most powerful hurricane to hit Louisiana in more than a century.

As of 1500 UTC, Hurricane Ida was some 85 miles south of New Orleans with maximum sustained winds of 150 MPH, moving northwest at 13 MPH. WX4NHC plans to be active until midnight Eastern Time for Hurricane Ida, welcoming all reports from stations in the affected area.

“These surface reports are very important to the NHC, as they are real-time reports of weather data, flooding, or damage that help the NHC Hurricane Specialists fill in gaps in data and help understand what is happening at the ground level,” Julio Ripoll, WD4R, at the Hurricane Center explained. WX4NHC will be monitoring the HWN, the VoIP Hurricane Net, Winlink, APRS, and other modes.

The VoIP Hurricane Net uses EchoLink WX-TALK Conference, node 7203. (IRLP node 9219). The WX4NHC Hurricane Report Form is online.

“This remains a serious, life-threatening situation,” the National Weather Service tweeted.

Source: ARRL – Hurricane Watch Net Activates for “Catastrophic” Hurricane Ida (arrl.org)

IARU-R2 Issues Alert about Today’s Earthquake In Haiti

Posted on by VA3DBJ

For immediate release: 

https://www.rac.ca/iaru-r2-issues-alert-about-todays-earthquake-in-haiti/

The following information is courtesy of the International Amateur Radio Union Region 2:

According to preliminary information from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), this morning at 12:29 UTC, an earthquake measuring 7.2 degrees on the Richter scale occurred about 12 kilometres northeast (NE) of Saint-Louis du Sud and 33 kilometres to the east-northeast (ENE) of Les Cayes, Haiti. 

This event was located at 18.352ºN and 73.4801W at a depth of 10 kilometres. 

According to the reports of Mr. Jean-Robert Gaillard, HH2JR, President of the Radio Club of Haiti, there has been significant structural damage. 

We request the IARU-R2 member societies to protect the following emergency frequencies in Haiti: 3750 kHz, 7150 kHz and 14330 kHz. 

We will stay alert. 

Carlos Alberto Santamaría González, CO2JC. 
EmCor IARU-R2.