EHAM      QTH     QRZ     ARRL      HRO      ICOM      KENWOOD    YAESU  ELBO ROOM

TUEDAY EDITON: I bought a MFJ 259b in mint condition for a steal yesterday. I have bought and sold three of these and now primarily use the RigExpert analyzer which are a really nice product from Ukraine. I still like having one of these 259's around, maybe I am a hoarder....

Radio alerts to avert man-animal conflicts, villagers death lead to safety measure

Villages of Baro Choukir Bosh, Chhoto Choukir Bosh, Chepani, Chhipra and Samuktala which are located on the fringes of the BTR (east) division decided to get themselves covered by ham radios, which are also referred to as amateur radios, following the death of two youths from Chepani

The death of two villagers during an elephant attack in a remote Alipurduar district village last monsoon prompted youths of the area to take to ham radio for better coordination to avoid man-animal conflict.

Villages of Baro Choukir Bosh, Chhoto Choukir Bosh, Chepani, Chhipra and Samuktala which are located on the fringes of the BTR (east) division decided to get themselves covered by ham radios, which are also referred to as amateur radios, following the death of two youths from Chepani.

The youths purchased five ham radios and then trained themselves.

“Training is very easy and no rocket science. We then obtained a licence from the government to legally operate the radios,” said Swarup Saha, secretary, North Bengal Amature Radio Society. The society was formed by youths of the five villages.

Any individual above the age of 12 years can become a ham radio operator in India after qualifying in Amateur Station Operators Certificate examinations, which is conducted by the Wireless Planning and Coordination (WPC) wing of the Union ministry of communications.

The initiative was started by the villagers about three months ago.

“We are now able to spread messages about wildlife movement and depredation much quicker and easier. We have managed to reduce crop damage through the use of this network,” said a villager.

Earlier, the villagers would rely on mobile phones to communicate with the forest officials. “However, mobile connectivity is a major issue in remote villages,” the villager added.

Each village has kept a radio set each.

“We have individual call signs to connect with any particular radio set. If my sign is VU3KOX the call sign of my friend Priyam Iswarary, who is based in Chhoto Choukir Bosh is VU3YY. Information regarding the movement of wild animals is shared using the call sign,” said Shah.

The youths have bought two sets for ₹6,000 each while the remaining three costs ₹18,000 each by pooling in their funds.

“It costs less than some mobile phones,” said Shah.

Harikrishnan P.J., the deputy field director of the BTR, said that the use of ham radio has been effective.

“The radio network is useful in sharing information about the presence of wild animals in villages. The radio works well in remote areas and we are receiving information early. We will discuss with the villagers on how we can further expand the initiative,” said Harikrishnan.

 

Colorado High School Students Visit the Plishner Radio Astronomy and Space Sciences Center

MONDAY EDITION: Damn cold this morning..7200, what an embarrassment to ham radio, enough said.....

The following are a handful of recently published newsletters from the world of ham radio.

• Hot Iron #128: February, 2025 THE JOURNAL OF THE CONSTRUCTOR’S CLUB (PDF)
  Hot Iron archive

• The Communicator March - April 2025 (PDF)
  The Communicator archive

• The Logger's Bark March 2025 (PDF)
  The Logger's Bark archive

• Skywaves March 2025 (PDF)
  Skywaves archive

• Random Wire Review: Issue 122
  February 28, 2025: New TechNote on using a softphone with Hamshack Hotline. Voice-over-IP services for amateur radio: Hamshack Hotline, Hams Over IP, and Amateur Wire are covered. Restoration book.
  Random Wire archive

• Amateur Radio News and Notes 2/28/2025
  Mount Vernon Amateur Radio Club
  Amateur Radio News and Notes archive

• Zero Retries 0191
  2025-02-28 — Zero Retries Store!, Other Amateur Radio VOIP Services, Why Hasn’t Anyone Tried to Develop Something Like IP400 Sooner?, Amateur Radio Over Different “Radio” Mediums, DigiPi Version 1.9-3
  Zero Retries archive

Staten Island Teachers Learn to Use Radio Tech to Teach STEM

WEEKEND EDITION: The ways things are going I think we ought to start teaching the kids to duck under therir desks at school when they hear the siren blow....This week, there will be a great planetary alignment, also known colloquially as a planetary parade, where all the planets in our solar system will be visible simultaneously in the night sky. Weather permitting, just after sunset, all seven planets will be visible in a line called an ecliptic.

Get On the Air for the ARRL International DX Contest

Retrotectacular: Ham Radio As It Was

We hear a lot about how ham radio isn’t what it used to be. But what was it like? Well, the ARRL’s film “The Ham’s Wide World” shows a snapshot of the radio hobby in the 1960s, which you can watch below. The narrator is no other than the famous ham [Arthur Godfrey] and also features fellow ham and U.S. Senator [Barry Goldwater]. But the real stars of the show are all the vintage gear: Heathkit, Swan, and a very oddly placed Drake.

The story starts with a QSO between a Mexican grocer and a U.S. teenager. But it quickly turns to a Field Day event. Since the film is from the ARRL, the terminology and explanations make sense. You’ll hear real Morse code and accurate ham lingo.

Is ham radio really different today? Truthfully, not so much. Hams still talk to people worldwide and set up mobile and portable stations. Sure, hams use different modes in addition to voice. There are many options that weren’t available to the hams of the 1960s, but many people still work with old gear and older modes and enjoy newer things like microwave communications, satellite work, and even merging radio with the Internet.

In a case of history repeating itself, there is an example of hams providing communications during a California wildfire. Hams still provide emergency communication in quite a few situations. It is hard to remember that before the advent of cell phones, a significant thing hams like [Barry Goldwater] did was to connect servicemen and scientists overseas to their families via a “phone patch.” Not much of that is happening today, of course, but you can still listen in to ham radio contacts that are partially over the Internet right in your web browser.

Amateur Radio Newsline Report

COMBINED TECHNOLOGIES HELP ASTRONOMERS FIGHT RFI

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our top story is about something ham radio operators know all too well - the plague of RFI that disrupts communications. Astronomers have come up with what they hope is a solution for what's been troubling their sensitive radio telescope in Australia, and Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us about it.

GRAHAM: An unlikely source of RFI that was compromising signals received by a radio telescope in Western Australia has been identified as an airplane deflecting broadcast signals. Realising that the ever-growing presence of orbiting satellites may pose the same hazard, causing astronomers' data to become contaminated, scientists have devised what they hope is a solution.

The stray signals that were interfering with the sensitive telescopes in the Murchison Widefield Array were even more puzzling because the array is an area designated by the government as a radio quiet zone. Stranger still, the signal turned out to be a broadcast signal from Australian TV and appeared to move across the sky. Researchers at Brown University in the US who are involved with the Murchison project, determined that an airplane had been deflecting the signal, and had likely been doing so for nearly five years.

This form of signal deflection, of course, held implications for other objects in the sky, most prominently, satellites whose numbers are growing each year. With this in mind, researchers at the university devised a method of filtering the RFI via a new method that combined two existing technologies already in use: Near-field corrections and beam forming. The former allows the radio telescope to adjust to closer objects more accurately instead of strictly peering into deep space. The latter adds to the sharpened focus through use of a beam, just as its name suggests. Using this combination, scientists confirmed that the RFI had been deflected off an airplane moving at 492 miles per hour and had originally been transmitted by Channel 7 on Australian digital TV.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

(SPACE.COM, BROWN UNIVERSITY)

**
BRAZILIAN YL DXPEDITION CELEBRATES WOMEN'S PROGRESS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Saturday the 8th of March is International Women’s Day but in the amateur radio world, it is being celebrated as International YLs’ Day by one group of DXpeditioners. We hear about them from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: The São Paulo chapter of LABRE, Brazil’s national amateur radio society, has organised a two-day DXpedition that will take seven YLs and their radio equipment to Ilha Comprida, IOTA number SA-Ø24, an island off the state’s south coast. Three of the seven operators are younger than 20. The team will be on the air on the 8th and 9th of March to recognise and celebrate women’s progress in the world and, of course, to help any and all radio operators score contacts toward IOTA, POTA, WWFF and DIB, Brazil’s own diploma Island award. The YLs will be calling QRZ as PR2L, using CW, SSB and the digital modes.

A commemorative QSL card will be available. For details, visit QRZ.com

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(GUILLERMO CRIMERIUS, PY2BIL)

**
YLRL OFFERING 3 MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

NEIL/ANCHOR: Speaking of YLs, the Young Ladies Radio League is offering scholarships again to promising young women who have their ham license - and the deadline to apply is a little more than a month away. We have details from Jack Parker W8ISH.

JACK: The international list of YLs honoring the memory of Ethel Smith K4LMB, Martha Wessel, KØEPE and Mary Lou Brown, NM7N, is a long and impressive roster. Scholarships from the Young Ladies Radio League are named in memory of each of these three women.

The YLRL is accepting applications for this year’s scholarships. The deadline is April 30th.
The Ethel Smith and Mary Lou Brown scholarships award $2.500 each. The Martha Wessel scholarship awards $1.500. Winners will be announced in July.

An application form and details on how to qualify are available on the website. You’ll find a link in the text version of this week’s newscast at arnewsline.org

[DO NOT READ: https://YLRL.net/Scholarship ]

This is Jack Parker W8ISH.

(YLRL)

**
SILENT KEY: RAIN REPORT'S ALANSON P. "HAP" HOLLY, KC9RP

NEIL/ANCHOR: Our next story is one that Newsline is particularly sad to report. The amateur radio community has lost an influential and selfless member -- and Newsline has lost a personal friend. We hear about him from Don Wilbanks AE5DW.

DON: We at Amateur Radio Newsline are mourning the passing of Alanson P. Holly, better known as Hap Holly, KC9RP. Hap is known as the founder and moderator of the Radio Amateur Information Network, The RAIN Report, an audio information service for amateur radio since 1990. At the age of 4 Hap began having vision issues. One morning, at age 7, he woke up totally blind. Both of Hap's parents were totally blind as well. A book written by his mother in 1988, "What Love Sees", told the story of the challenges of blind parents raising a blind child. In 1996 it became a CBS made-for-TV movie starring Richard Thomas and Anna Beth Gish. It aired several times a year on Lifetime from 1999 through 2002.

Hap earned his Novice license in 1965 at age 14. A year later he earned his General and in 1981 his Advanced class license. He was a phone patch station and net control for the Westcars traffic net After graduation from college in Illinois, he met his future wife, Stephanie. They wed in 1976.

Hap has said that he owes a great deal of gratitude to Newsline's founder Bill Pasternak, WA6ITF. Hap was a faithful Newsline listener and Bill was only too happy to encourage and help Hap with The Rain Report. Hap would share his booth space with Newsline at Hamvention when it was at Hara Arena. I met Hap there. Bill and I recorded and produced several Newsline eposides over the course of a few years on a laptop sitting in that booth.

In 2002 Hap was named Amateur of the Year at Dayton Hamvention. Away from ham radio, Hap was a professional keyboardist and a past president of the Des Plaines, IL Toastmasters Club. He was an audio engineer and monitor for Horizons for the Blind. For Hap, blindness was never a disability, only a challenge that fine-tuned his other senses. He was truly an inspiration. Hap passed from this world on Monday, February 24th. He was a friend to the entire amateur community, a friend to Newsline and a truly inspirational presence to anyone having the great fortune to have met him.

Good DX on farther up the dial, Hap. Tell Bill we said 73.

I'm Don Wilbanks, AE5DW.


NEIL/ANCHOR: The 220 MHz Guys Amateur Radio Club in Chicago, where Hap held a lifetime membership, told Newsline that a memorial service was being planned for this May.

**
ALABAMA ACTIVATION RECALLS 'BLOODY SUNDAY' OF US CIVIL RIGHTS ERA

NEIL/ANCHOR: Two hams who'll be on the air in Alabama in March aren't just activating a POTA site but reminding the world of one of the most painful moments in the history of civil rights in the US. We hear more from Travis Lisk N3ILS.

TRAVIS: The challenging road to defending their constitutional right to vote led hundreds of Black civil rights marchers onto another road -- one that led them outside Selma, Alabama on March 7th, 1965. There, as they arrived at the Edmund Pettus Bridge bound for the governor's office in Montgomery, the marchers were assaulted by state and local police and forced back into Selma. That violent day came to be known as Bloody Sunday. This protest was also an outcry over the killing of civil rights protester Jimmie Lee Jackson who was beaten and shot during a march for voting rights one month earlier.

Bloody Sunday marked the first of three historic marches that led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 later that year. Its story is told along the 54-mile route now known as the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail.

Sixty years later, amateur radio operators are marking the anniversary of Bloody Sunday by calling QRZ on the weekend of March 8th and 9th to call attention to that long, painful period in US history. This is a POTA activation. The trail is designated by Parks on the Air as US-4580. Listen for Tom KB5FHK and Sloan N3UPS, who will be operating SSB on HF and linear transponder satellites. Tom told Newsline that the operators will begin on 40m around 0000 UTC on that Saturday. They will return on Sunday after 1300 UTC to operate on 10, 15 and 20 metres as well as via linear transponder satellites.

Sloan and Tom will be sending commemorative QSL cards featuring an image of the Edmund Pettus Bridge, a symbol of turbulence and struggle - and ultimately of change.

This is Travis Lisk N3ILS.
*

YHOTY NOMINATING WINDOW OPENS

NEIL/ANCHOR: It’s time for the amateur radio community to help us begin identifying candidates to nominate for the Bill Pasternak WA6ITF Memorial Amateur Radio Newsline Young Ham of the Year award. Amateur Radio Newsline’s Mark Abramowicz (pronouncer Abram-a-vich) NT3V is chairman of the award committee and has more…

MARK: Do you know a young ham who brings a unique set of skills to the hobby we love?

Is it someone who you might have recruited through a Field Day visit or exposure to a Scouting Jamboree on the Air event?

How about a young person who joined your local radio club after finding an Elmer and getting licensed?

Maybe you are that Elmer.

How about a young ham who found their way from being a regular check-in for your club’s weekly 2-meter net to being invited to join the net control team and working and organizing public service events?

Is it a young person whose love of earth-space science was stimulated by hearing the International Space Station astronauts on the air – thanks to your mentorship - and arranging for that person to make contact via ham radio with one of them?

Perhaps, this future leader in our hobby got exposed to contesting and became competitive thanks to your help and support after getting on the air in QSO parties or DX contests.

These are the kinds of young people Amateur Radio Newsline is looking to recognize for their accomplishments.

Candidates should be 18 years or younger and from the continental United States.

It’s easy to nominate someone.

But you are the one who has to take the initiative and fill out that on-line application to bring someone who might be selected as our next Young Ham of the Year to the attention of our Amateur Radio Newsline judges.

You’ll find everything you need to know at the awards tab on our website – arnewsline.org.

Deadline for online applications is May 31.

I’m Mark Abramowicz, NT3V.

**
GET READY FOR RAPID DEPLOYMENT AMATEUR RADIO

NEIL/ANCHOR: What amateur radio operating strategy combines a little bit of being mobile, a little bit of fixed and - if you so choose - a little bit of maritime? It’s spelled R a D A R, which is the acronym for Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. Get ready, RaDAR Rally day is just weeks away, as we hear from Randy Sly W4XJ.

RANDY: Eddie Leighton, ZS6BNE pioneered the operating concept more than a decade ago in South Africa with an event known as the RaDAR Challenge which was embraced worldwide by portable operators. This year the RaDAR Rally, which takes place on April 5th, keeps the spirit and the strategy of the original challenge. The four-hour rally is particularly appealing to hams who are accustomed to working portable outdoors and this is an activity that can be combined with Summits On The Air and Parks On The Air. Operators spend four hours setting up a station as quickly as possible, making five contacts, then dismantling the station and moving to another location to do the same thing again. According to the rules, the required distances vary depending on whether the radio operator is walking, cycling, driving or even canoeing. All bands and modes are acceptable but use of terrestrial repeaters is not.

This is Randy Sly, W4XJ

DO NOT READ: www.radarrally.info

**
TECHNIQUE MAY MAKE SOLAR PANELS MORE AFFORDABLE

NEIL/ANCHOR: If you use solar panels in your portable operation, or are thinking about it, this development in solar power technology on a much larger scale may be of interest to you. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF brings us the details.

JIM: Harnessing the sun’s power doesn’t come easily or affordably but researchers at the University of Tokyo believe they’re working on a future for solar panels that will be cheaper and more efficient: They announced recently that they have combined titanium dioxide with selenium, a production process that could bring down the heavy costs of extracting titanium from its ore so it can be used in a variety of energy-related products, including solar panels. The scientists’ method relies on introducing an element known as yttrium into the process of purifying the titanium. So far, they have been impressed with the resulting performance.

According to recent reports in Business Today and on MSN.com, the only drawback is that the element leaves traces of itself behind in the final result, enough of a contaminant that it could compromise its durability and its resistance to corrosion.

The next challenge? Minimise what is left behind so that a new type of solar cell will be available in the future with a higher level of energy efficiency and affordability.

This is Jim Meachen ZL2BHF.

(MSN, BUSINESS TODAY)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, Bo, OZ1DJJ, is in Greenland using the callsign OX3LX until the 14th of March. He will primarily remain on the main island, IOTA number NA-Ø18 but may take a day trip to Manitsoq, IOTA number NA-22Ø. He will be operating holiday style since this is a work-related trip. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Dave, G4BUO, is on the air from Samoa, IOTA number OC-Ø97, using the callsign 5WØUO until the 3rd of March. Dave operates mainly CW. QSLs will be uploaded to LoTW in early April.

In Jamaica, IOTA number NA-Ø97, Iain, G4SGX will be calling QRZ as G4SGX/6Y from the 1st through to the 21st of March. Iain operates mainly CW and will be on 80-10 metres. Listen for him in the RSGB Commonwealth Contest on the 8th and 9th of March. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

Mamoru, JH3VAA, is on the air with the callsign 8Q7VA from the Maldives, IOTA number AS-Ø13, until the 5th of May. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: BROADCAST STUDENTS GET SCHOOLED IN AMATEUR RADIO

NEIL/ANCHOR: We end this week by sharing a happy discovery at a Maryland high school where students learning about professional radio have fallen in love with the amateur side of things. Here's Kent Peterson KCØDGY to tell us what happened.

KENT: There was electricity in the air - or perhaps it was electromagnetism - when high school students in Kent County, Maryland, participated in their first ARRL School Club Roundup last fall. With the support and some loaned equipment from the Kent Amateur Radio Society, K3ARS, the students logged contacts in the US and a number of others overseas. For them it was "a pivotal moment," the radio society president, Chris Cote, KE5NJ, told Newsline. He said it exceeded everyone's expectations.

Earlier this year, the sparks flew again, in a manner of speaking, during Winter Field Day. Some of the teens, who are involved with WKHS, Kent County High School's FM radio station, returned to experience once more what the amateur side of the medium can do - and just how far it can go - by calling CQ from the school parking lot with members of KARS.

Now even more students are along for the ride. With the help of Chris Cote and KARS, Chris Singleton, KE3MC, is guiding them on that journey -- one that the broadcast engineer took himself not so long ago when he was still a student at the school: Chris Singleton teaches the broadcasting course on the Eastern Shore, Maryland campus where he is also manager of the school's FM radio station. Along with Chris Cote, he is encouraging the students to study for their license and to set their sights a little higher. They're hoping to reapply for an astronaut contact through Amateur Radio on the International Space Station, crossing fingers that the second time will be the charm. If they were thrilled about working Moscow during last fall's roundup, imagine what a low Earth orbit QSO will feel like to them.

FRIDAY EDITION: In today's video we test some bulletproof masks! I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching!....

Discover the hidden stories behind your favorite devices at this new Huntsville museum

Exhibits at the museum will include information on early American life and the development of the telegraph, telephone, radio, television, recorded sound and computers and will feature a HAM shack, scan lab and an AM radio station.SIGNALS Museum Facebook page

A new museum will be opening in Huntsville on Saturday.

Located on Pratt Avenue between Memorial Parkway and Church Street, the SIGNALS Museum of Information Explosion will open its doors to the public at 10 a.m. It is a communication technology museum that will provide a hands on, immersive experience where guests can explore, interact and learn about communication technologies throughout history.

“Our vision is to educate and inspire visitors and the world by bringing the magnificent history of communication technology to life, and by highlighting the scientists, engineers and business leaders who made our connected information world possible,” museum founder Marc Bendickson said.

Bendickson is the former CEO and chairman of the board of Dynetics and is a member of both the Alabama Business Hall of Fame and the Alabama Engineering Hall of Fame.

The museum aims to preserve 2,000 artifacts of communications importance and celebrate the community’s role in the development of computer technology. Museum personnel also hope to Inspire the next generation to invent and create.

The museum will showcase stories with 3D technology.

The museum’s programs include guided tours, journeys through interactive displays, hands on learning for school groups, radio building and Morse Code camps.

The museum will provide comprehensive communications literature and audio library, an event space situated within its collection, volunteer opportunities, a working ham-radio shack and an operational on-site radio tower.

Exhibits at the museum will include information on early American life and the development of the telegraph, telephone, radio, television, recorded sound and computers and will feature a HAM shack, scan lab and an AM radio station.

The exhibits will feature antiques, artifacts, digital interactive experiments and augmented and virtual reality content.

Among Bendickson’s favorite exhibits are the ones on radio, phonographs and telegraphs.

“I’m a radio guy,” he said. “The biggest part of my hobby is radio, so I’ve probably repaired and collected about 2,000 radios over my years.”

Bendickson also said he was a big fan of Edison and Columbia phonographs.

THURSDAY EDITION: Gloomy start here on the rock, a good day to start the eBay operation back up at the club. We have a few radios to check out, photo, and get listed....I often wonder how the hell I ever had time for real work in my retirement...

 In a World Without USB…

It is easy to forget that many technology juggernauts weren’t always the only game in town. Ethernet seems ubiquitous today, but it had to fight past several competing standards. VHS and Blu-ray beat out their respective competitors. But what about USB? Sure, it was off to a rocky start in the beginning, but what was the real competition at that time? SCSI? Firewire? While those had plusses and minuses, neither were really in a position to fill the gap that USB would inhabit. But [Ernie Smith] remembers ACCESS.bus (or, sometimes, A.b) — what you might be using today if USB hadn’t taken over the world.

Back in the mid-1980s, there were several competing serial bus systems including Apple Desktop Bus and some other brand-specific things from companies like Commodore (the IEC bus) and Atari (SIO). The problem is that all of these things belong to one company. If you wanted to make, say, keyboards, this was terrible. Your Apple keyboard didn’t fit your Atari or your IBM computer. But there was a very robust serial protocol already in use — one you’ve probably used yourself. IIC or I2C (depending on who you ask).

I2C is robust, simple, and cheap to implement with reasonable licensing from Philips. It just needed a little tweaking to make it suitable for peripheral use, and that was the idea behind ACCESS.bus. [Ernie] tracked down a 1991 article that covered the technology and explained a good bit of the how and why. You can also find a comparison of A.b, I2C, and SMBus in this old datasheet. You can even find the 3.0 version of the spec online. While DEC was instrumental in the standard, some of their equipment used SERIAL.bus, which was identical except for using 12 V power and having a slightly different pinout.

The DEC Station 5000 was an early adopter of ACCESS.bus. From the user’s guide:

In theory, one ACCESS.bus port could handle 125 devices. It didn’t have a hub architecture like USB, but instead, you plugged one device into another. So your mouse plugs into your keyboard, which plugs into your printer, and finally connects to your PC.

The speed wasn’t that great — about 100 kilobits per second. So if ACCESS.bus had won, it would have needed to speed up when flash drives and the like became popular. However, ACCESS.bus does sort of live even today. Computer monitors that support DDC — that is, all of them in modern times — use a form of ACCESS.bus so the screen you are reading this on is using it right now so the monitor and PC can communicate things like refresh rates.

We love to read (and write) these deep dives into obscure tech. The Avatar Shark comes to mind. Or drives that used photographic film.

The ARRL Solar Report

 

WEDNESDAY EDITION: 50 and sunny today, melt that damn snow.....We saw Kris on the bar cam down on the island as we were talking on 3928, nice shirt Kriss! ...

Kriss - KA1GJU sent this from St. John's, notice the HRO coffee cup?

Pocket Device Tracks Planets And The ISS

Ever been at a party and landed in a heated argument about exactly where the International Space Station (ISS) is passing over at that very instant? Me neither, but it’s probably happened to someone. Assuming you were in that situation, and lacked access to your smartphone or any other form of internet connected device, you might like the pocket-sized Screen Tracker from [mars91].

The concept is simple. It’s a keychain-sized item that combines an ESP32, a Neopixel LED, and a small LCD screen on a compact PCB with a couple of buttons. It’s programmed to communicate over the ESP32’s WiFi connection to query a small custom website running on AWS. That website processes orbit data for the ISS and the positions of the planets, so they can be displayed on the LCD screen above a map of the Earth. We’re not sure what font it uses, but it looks pretty cool—like something out of a 90s sci-fi movie.

It’s a great little curio, and these sort of projects can have great educational value to boot. Creating something like this will teach you about basic orbits, as well as how to work with screens and APIs and getting embedded devices online. It may sound trivial when you’ve done it before, but you can learn all kinds of skills pursuing builds like these.

Blog – Hackaday Read More

TUESDAY EDITION: Ten meters was fun yesterday, lots of dx stations available for the picking. 100 watts, no amplifier needed...Google's second generation of its AI mathematics system combines a language model with a symbolic engine to solve complex geometry problems better than International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) gold medalists.

How IT Leaders Can Help With Emergency Communications

IT leaders have long been encouraged to move beyond technical details and focus on solving business problems at a strategic level. Yet, when disaster strikes—like a natural disaster that knocks out power and disrupts communication—they’re suddenly expected to step back into a hands-on role, restoring systems and reconnecting employees. This shift in expectations feels abrupt and unfair.

Really? The AI manager we hired is fleeing wildfires, unable to communicate, and we’re looking to IT for a solution.

So, can IT leaders actually help? Yes, they can. A global communications network already exists—built for emergencies, privately owned yet publicly accessible. It’s operational, waiting for us to turn on our radios and connect. And best of all? It’s free.

Ham radio (also known as amateur radio) is a century-old technology that is still relevant today. But we can’t rely on it for emergency communication because, quite simply, most people don’t know how to use it.

It’s perhaps a bit more complicated than that, but this is where IT leaders come in. I believe we need their expertise to integrate ham radio into modern communication strategies at a societal level.

Radio Options For Emergency Communications

A key technical concept in radio communication is the repeater—a high-powered radio installed on towers or elevated locations to extend the range of low-powered radios. Since radio signals require a clear line of sight, obstacles like buildings or mountains can block communication. However, a handheld radio can reach a repeater, which then rebroadcasts the signal to a wider area. For example, with a simple $50 radio, I can talk to friends in neighboring towns as long as we all connect through a repeater.

There are four main types of radio communication options, but three of them—while widely used—aren’t ideal for emergency situations. I think it's important we take a look at why this is:

1. Land Mobile Radio (LMR)

A high-end, repeater-based system used in critical sectors like emergency services, logistics and utilities. It’s secure and reliable but also expensive. If your organization needs LMR, you likely already have it. If you don’t, the cost can be hard to justify.

2. CB Radio

A cheap and easy-to-use option that requires no license. While CB can be effective for local communication, it does not support repeaters, limiting its range. Some CB users extend range using single sideband mode, but there is no infrastructure to reliably relay messages over long distances.

3. General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS)

Known informally as basic walkie-talkies, GMRS provides decent FM-quality communication, is affordable and supports repeaters in the U.S. However, outside the U.S., GMRS repeaters aren’t approved, making it unreliable for global emergency communication.

Since LMR is costly, CB lacks repeaters and GMRS is regionally limited, ham radio remains the most viable option for emergency communication.

Ham Radio: Ready To Use Now

Ham is the most flexible option for emergency communications with high-powered radios and a global network of repeaters that makes it ubiquitously available to use non-commercially for hobbies, experimentation, education and emergency communications.

So, why aren’t we all using ham radio? The main reason is simple: Most people don’t know enough about it. But let’s break that down.

Many people under 50 don’t realize that ham radio is free to use. With a handheld radio and access to repeaters, you can communicate with your local community. However, there’s one catch—you need a license. While the license itself is free, passing the test requires study, and many people don’t see the need until they’ve learned more about the system. This is a classic example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect: You don’t know what you don’t know.

In the past decade, the emergency preparedness industry has inspired many to buy inexpensive amateur radios as a way to check "emergency communications" off their prep list. However, when buyers never get licensed or learn how to use them properly, this leaves a massive, untapped potential for emergency communication.

Meanwhile, experienced ham operators—many of whom are part of local amateur radio clubs (ARCs)—are a dwindling but invaluable resource. These experts have built and maintained repeater networks for decades, but with fewer new operators getting certified, funding and knowledge transfer are becoming real challenges.

If more people got licensed and used the radios they already own, we’d have a global emergency communication system ready to go. The infrastructure is there—we just need to activate it.

How IT Leaders Can Help

I could lay out a detailed step-by-step plan tailored to your location, but there’s a simpler and more effective approach. IT leaders are uniquely positioned to facilitate this effort by leveraging internal expertise and partnerships. Connect with experienced ham operators—both within your organization and at your local ARC. Start a serious discussion around:

Maximizing Value From Unused Radios

Many radios sit unused simply because new users find the technology overwhelming. By offering training, certification and a supportive community, we can bridge this gap. The concepts are simpler than they seem, but experienced radio enthusiasts sometimes make them sound more complex than necessary.

Simplifying Radio Programming With Standardized Channel Plans

Pre-programmed "channel plans" can improve the user experience. For example, my decade-old channel plan is programmed into dozens of radios used in my community, significantly reducing the training time for new users.

Powering Radios During Outages

Many users struggle to size solar solutions for small-power needs like radio charging. Collaborate with facilities teams to identify scalable power solutions, such as backup battery stations or solar charging hubs, ensuring radios remain operational when they’re needed most.

Supporting Local Repeater Networks

Funding, operations and power redundancy for local repeater networks are becoming more challenging. In the past, private repeaters had a home atop hospitals, universities and corporate offices, but tighter budgets and liability concerns are changing that. Can your organization offer space and power to keep private radio networks running?

Closing Thoughts

Let’s not overcomplicate this. Handheld radios are affordable, and the infrastructure is already in place. By getting more people licensed and equipped, we could activate a global emergency communications network almost overnight.

Your Favorite Basic Oscilloscope Operation Guide?

Like many pieces of lab equipment, oscilloscopes are both extremely useful and rather intimidating to a fledgling user. Unlike a digital multimeter with its point-and-measure functionality, digital storage oscilloscopes (DSOs) require fundamental knowledge before they can be used properly. Yet at the same time nobody likes reading manuals, so what is one to do? Try the Absolute Beginner’s Guide to DSOs  by [Arthur Pini]

[Pini’s] Cliff’s Notes version of your scope’s manual isn’t half bad. It covers the basic user interface and usage of a (stand-alone) DSO. Unfortunately, it focuses a bit too much on a fancy touch-screen Teledyne LeCroy MSO rather than something the average hobbyist is likely to have lying around.

We rather like the PSA-type videos such as the classic ‘“How not to blow up your oscilloscope” video by [Dave] over at EEVBlog. Many guides and introductions cover “what to do,” but covering common safety issues like improper grounding, isolation, or voltages might be a better place to start.

What tutorial or reference work would you hand to an oscilloscope newbie? We can endorse a hands-on approach with a suitable test board. We also enjoyed [Alan’s] video on the topic. Even if you are an old hand, do you know how to use all those strange trigger modes?

 

Blog – Hackaday Read More

 

MONDAY EDITION: It looks like we might get warm enough this week to get rid of some of this snow...

Billings remembers ham Dan DuBray, former KULR-TV anchor, and community icon

[QRZ lists a callsign for Daniel J. Dubray as NS5G – GW]

Dan DuBray, a former reporter and weekend anchor at KULR-TV, passed away last weekend. DuBray was well-known in Billings for his contributions to journalism and his vibrant personality.

DuBray grew up in Billings and graduated from Billings West High in 1976. After attending college in Utah, he returned to his hometown to start his broadcasting career in radio before transitioning to television.

DuBray retired in 2018 as a federal civil servant. He was remembered as a thoughtful journalist who could handle serious subjects with care while finding lightheartedness when appropriate. “He could take a serious subject and treat it seriously and do justice to it. We could also find some light heartedness in even some subjects which didn’t seem to lend themselves to that,” said Rye.

DuBray was also a ham radio enthusiast and a lover of music. Alexa shared that she plans to honor her father’s memory by completing the testing to take over his call sign.

Read more – KULR: https://bit.ly/3ERAmdV

Go ahead, try RaDAR!

Do you love the outdoors, Parks On The Air? I have a challenge for you, RaDAR.

RaDAR is Rapid Deployment Amateur Radio. Eddie Leighton ZS6BNE conceived the RaDAR concept in South Africa. You may have heard of the RaDAR Challenge. The RaDAR Rally is the same idea, with some tweaks to the rules.

The RaDAR Rally is a four-hour on-the-air event that tests your ham knowledge, portable equipment, and physical skills. Its for-hour duration creates an urgency that demands optimized equipment and operating strategies. The RaDAR Rally is on the first Saturdays of April and November. Choose four hours during the UTC day. The following Sunday is a backup date if Saturday is unfavorable for you. You may choose any outdoor venue where you can operate legally and safely. Parks are a natural choice. Make it as scenic as you can. You may combine RaDAR Rally with Parks on the Air, POTA or Summits On The Air, SOTA,

Arrive at your first deployment, make at least five contacts, and move to the next deployment. Repeat as many times as possible for four hours. You can walk, canoe, bicycle, or use a motorized vehicle between deployments. The distances are at least one kilometer for walking or canoeing, two kilometers for bicycling, and six kilometers for a motorized vehicle. You can combine modes of movement during a Rally as you desire. You can also reuse a deployment location. The last deployment must have at least one contact. Research your venue. Choose the rig, antennas, and conveyances to optimize your score. Use practice deployments to build your skills and evaluate your gear. Remember to pack items for your comfort and safety.

All amateur bands and modes are allowed except terrestrial repeaters. You may work a station on multiple bands/modes at a deployment location and work them again on another deployment. You can use any means to spot your activity. The exchange varies with the situation. When calling CQ RaDAR, Exchange signal report, and location. Answering a CQ: Use the exchange for their activity. For RaDAR to RaDAR contacts, exchange signal report and an eight-digit grid square.

RaDAR operators appreciate ham friends who help them get those five contacts required to move. Since RaDAR ops bounce between operating and moving, often with low power and compromise antennas, they are like rare DX. Please chase them.

The QSO points earned are three for RaDAR-to-RADAR contacts, two for POTA or SOTA contacts, and one for all other stations. The final score equals the total QSO points times the number of deployments plus bonus points. There are three bonus points for each non-motorized transition and five bonus points when all contacts are QRP.

Registration starts one month before the event. The RaDAR Rally rules are at www.radarrally.info. You can also subscribe to the RaDAR Group at https://groups.io/g/RaDAR.

Please prepare for the next RaDAR Rally coming up on April 5th, 2025. Read the rules. Evaluate your gear, techniques, and strategy. Practice deploying and moving. Make your plan and register. Enjoy the event. Submit your summary and share your experience on social media. This completes my pitch for the RaDAR Rally. Send your questions to my email, lanekg@gmail.com.

WEEKEND EDITION: This will make you smile...

Political prisoner and amateur radio enthusiast Vladimir Rumyantsev is free. He served 2.5 years for spreading “fake news” about the Russian army on his pirate radio

In December 2022, Vladimir Rumyantsev, a stoker from Vologda, was sentenced to three years in a penal colony for “fake news” about the Russian military. The reason was several anti-war videos he posted on social media and a pirate radio station he set up to broadcast independent Russian voices. Today, he got out of prison.

Vladimir Rumyantsev, a stoker from the Northern Russian city of Vologda, had a passion for radio. With a transmitter he ordered from AliExpress, he started a pirate broadcast. Even before the invasion of Ukraine, he actively spoke out against the authorities, participating in rallies, including those in support of Alexei Navalny.

When Russia’s full-scale invasion in Ukraine started, Rumyantsev took part in anti-war rallies in Vologda and was fined twice for “discrediting” the military. While previously broadcasting music, he switched to airing anti-war political programs and podcasts from independent media outlets.

In April 2022, FSB officers detected his radio signal, conducted a search at the elderly man’s apartment, seized all transmitters, interrogated him, and demanded that he cease his activities. Rumyantsev did not. After the interrogation, he posted a message on VKontakte imitating a “foreign agent” disclaimer, denouncing the invasion in Ukraine as a war crime and genocide.

Read more – Media Zone: https://en.zona.media/article/2025/02/21/radio

High School and a Sci-Fi Movie Spark Interest in Amateur Radio

Steve Schickel was a young high school student in the late ’80s and was introduced to amateur radio through his electronics classes. He also spent time working at a local RadioShack and watching science fiction movies at a nearby theater in his hometown of Pensacola, Florida.

Amateur radio’s next biggest influence on Steve came in 1997, on opening night of the movie “Contact,” about a scientist …

Read more

American Radio Relay League | Ham Radio Association and Resources – Read More

Amateur Radio Newsline Report

UK REGULATOR EYES SPECTRUM SHARING ON 6 GHZ BAND

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We begin this week with a story about spectrum-sparing. The concept is nothing new for radio amateurs, but now in the UK, the regulator is proposing that, for the first time, spectrum-sharing should be done between two different technologies. We have the details from Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

JEREMY: With traffic increasing in the UK for the usage of both Wi-Fi and mobile services, Ofcom is exploring ways for both technologies to share the upper part of the 6 GHz band - frequencies between 6.425 and 7.125 GHz. The regulator is hoping that its implementation will benefit mobile networks, especially in crowded areas, and at the same time provide support for advanced Wi-Fi services. The proposed sharing would require both services to explore ways of integrating shared usage, perhaps by developing a sensing capability in which one could detect the other’s presence on a frequency.

In a statement, Ofcom said the change would provide a basis for the future, eventually supporting virtual and augmented reality as well as AI. Meanwhile, Ofcom said that it hopes to see the lower part of the 6 GHz band, frequencies between 5.925 and 6.425, used for higher-power Wi-Fi outdoors whose frequencies are at present only allocated for low-power indoor use.

This is Jeremy Boot G4NJH.

(OFCOM)

**
DOGS PULL SLEDS AND MICHIGAN HAMS PULL LONG SHIFTS ON AIR

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Winter racing fans in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula finally got what they waited two years for: enough snow in the region for the return of a sled-dog race that is a qualifier to the world-famous Iditarod. Hams weren’t pulling sleds but they were on the scene anyway, pulling down some big responsibilities to ensure participant safety. Here’s Dave Parks WB8ODF with that story.

DAVE: It’s called the UP200 and its 228-mile snow-covered path through near-wilderness, creek crossings and challenging terrain in northern Michigan brings out sled dogs, racing fans and amateur radio operators. Significant snowfall this year also put two smaller, concurrent races back in action: the Midnight Run and the Jack Pine.

The races between the 13th and 17th of February challenged the four-footed athletes, the sledders’ navigational skills and some 30 radio amateurs responsible for keeping everyone as safe and as on-track as they could. Radio communication was coordinated by Tom Perry, KE8TPT, and many of the hams were from the Hiawatha Amateur Radio Association.

Tom told local media outlets that the success of the system drew heavily on having a robust linked repeater system in the region. This allowed everyone to hear all the other radio operators. With cell phone access not being an option, that kept everyone - including the hams - in the race. The Iditarod, a major sporting event in Alaska, will be held next month in Anchorage.

This is Dave Parks WB8ODF.

(WZMQ TV)

**
ARGENTINE RADIO CLUB HOSTING ITS FIRST YL MEET-UP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: It's a first for YLs in Argentina: the national radio society is hosting an international meet-up of YLs. Graham Kemp VK4BB tells us about it.

GRAHAM: The Argentine Radio Club is hosting its first international gathering of female radio amateurs and has extended the registration deadline until the 25th of February. The meeting is taking place from March 6th through to the 8th at the Scout camp in Mar del Plata and is being held in recognition of International Women’s Day on Saturday, March 8th.

Marina, LU1VYL, who is on the national society’s board of directors, told Newsline that the talks and workshops will cover a variety of topics, including a discussion of why national radio societies play such a vital role in defending amateurs’ use of the spectrum in each country. Radio Club YL Chile, CE4YLC, will share the story of how their club evolved and grew. A number of DXpeditioners have presentations planned so they can share their adventures.

Workshops will include an introduction to DX, practical ways to study CW and construction of double bazooka dipoles and CW oscillators.

There’s good news for those who want to get on the air: Marina said there will be a station at the camp site.

Spots are limited and Marina said that after the closing date, no more participants can be accommodated. See the link in the text version of this week’s newscast to complete a registration form.

This is Graham Kemp VK4BB.

[DO NOT READ: https://forms.gle/rTSxsVHeU2xCiDtA7 ]

(YL BEAM NEWSLETTER; MARINA LU1VYL)

**
SILENT KEY: SOUND ENGINEER, POTA ENTHUSIAST IAN KUHN, KI9W

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: The music world and the amateur radio family have been sharing grief over the death of a beloved member of both communities. We learn more about him from Paul Braun WD9GCO.

PAUL: Ian Kuhn, KI9W, lived and thrived in the world of sound: The sound of amateur radio, which filled his life with friends and outdoor adventures, and the musical sounds of American rock. Ian was an integral part of the Dave Matthews Band — the musicians who relied on his talents as a sound engineer and stage manager to bring polish to their performances — and they made him part of their family.

Ian, who had pancreatic cancer, died on the 10th of February at his home in Illinois. His death was announced by the band on its website and by his amateur radio friends on Facebook.

Though Ian found joy in using his professional talents to give DMB and other music groups their concert-ready sound, he was just as immersed in amateur radio and the people he met on and off the air. Ian was an active member and supporter of the 100 Watts and a Wire community that grew out of a podcast begun in 2015 by Christian Cudnik, KØSTH. Christian told Newsline that the two became very close friends. Christian recalled when he and Ian called CQ from the famous Arch in Christian's home city of St. Louis, Missouri -- twice. Ian would often remark how lucky he was that he could tour with the band and find a way to operate portable from POTA parks near many of the concert venues.

Christian told Newsline: [quote] "He was a dear friend and I'll always miss him." [endquote]

Ian was 53.

For Amateur Radio Newsline, I’m Paul Braun, WD9GCO

(DAVE MATTHEWS BAND, CHRISTIAN CUDNIK, KØSTH, FACEBOOK)

**
YOUTUBE TRIBUTE HONORS BELOVED NEW ZEALAND CW OP

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: When a friend becomes a Silent Key, some hams offer up a final call during their net if that operator was a regular check-in. When a ham has checked into many others' lives as a friend and a mentor, however, sometimes the tribute calls for a long-lasting video. Jim Meachen ZL2BHF tells us about one such video.

JIM: The YouTube tribute by Nick ZL2NEB to his friend Gerard ZL2GVA, is a video QSL card of sorts, the final courtesy for a contact that changed his life and brought him into the amateur radio community.

Gerard, who was originally licenced in 1992 as PE1ONB, opened the door to ham radio for Nick and became his Elmer and later, fellow operator, on his POTA adventures.

Gerard, who was an enthusiastic CW operator and a net control operator for the NZ Net, died of cancer at age 59 in November of 2024. On the 1st of February, a celebration of his life was held in New Zealand. Nick's video, posted on YouTube a day later, is an appreciation on a personal level, a reflection on what friendship can mean, especially in a tight-knit community of radio operators.
Nick urges hams to continue being communicators and always say what needs to be said - on and off the air.

Upon viewing the video, amateurs around the world responded, touched by the words and images. One commentator wrote: [quote] "When we Tx we send radio waves out into space that travel on forever. May his voice always be out there and remembered." [endquote]

To see the short video, follow the link in the text version of this week's newscast at arnewsline.org

**
NEW LOOK AT MEASURING RF POLLUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: Amateurs in South Africa will be taking a new look at RF pollution next month at a technical symposium hosted by the South African Radio League. Jason Daniels VK2LAW brings us that story.

JASON: In Germany, the national amateur radio society, the D A R C, has been keeping a watchful ear on radio interference, tracking the increase in noise generated over the years by residential and commercial electronics. The effort, known as Electrical Noise Area Measurement System, or ENAMS, focuses on frequencies between 66 kHz and 31 MHz and collects its information from more than 50 monitoring points around the country. Each of the ENAMS units is capable of storing as much as 5 years of collected data on a local disk drive without having the need for an Internet connection.

One of the senior engineers with ENAMS will be presenting a look at the initiative at the Centenary Technical symposium of the South African Radio League when it takes place on the 22nd of March.

The league has had an increasing focus on RF pollution. SARL said that the presentation by Andreas Lock, DG8AL, underscores that pollution of the RF spectrum is second only to concerns about climate change.

(WIA, SARL)

**
FREE ADMISSION FOR YOUTH AT INT'L DX CONVENTION

SKEETER/ANCHOR: If you love DXing and are under the age of 18, you're in luck at this spring's International DX Convention in California. Ralph Squillace KK6ITB explains.

RALPH: The doors to the International DX Convention in Visalia, California are opening extra wide at the Visalia Conference Center, where young visitors up to the age of 18 are being given entrance for free. Youngsters will get access at no cost to the convention's forums and programs as well as the exhibit hall. The 76th annual convention is sponsored by the Northern California DX Club and will be held from April 11th through to the 13th. The free registration does not include meals, the bus tour or any raffle tickets.

The deadline for anyone to pre-register online is April 3rd. Paying guests who are planning to attend but do not register in advance can expect a 10 percent increase in admission fee.

More details can be found at dxconvention dot com (dxconvention.com)

This is Ralph Squillace KK6ITB.

(DXCONVENTION.COM)

**
WORLD OF DX

In the World of DX, members of the Radio Club Jean [pron: Jhonn] Bart, F6KMB, will be using the special callsign TM6C between the 24th of February and the 9th of March. This activation is in recognition of the traditional Dunkirk Carnival. QSL via F6KMB.

The Liga Dominicana de Radio Amateurs, HI8LD, will be using the callsign HI2LD from Isla Saona, IOTA Number NA-122, on the 27th of February at around 1300 UTC. They will be using SSB on 40, 20, and 10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

On Rodrigues Island, IOTA Number AF-Ø17, listen for a four-person team of operators from the Czech Republic using the callsign 3B9DJ. They will be on the air from the 24th of March through to the 5th of April. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

A team of operators from Poland are active from Nilaveli, Sri Lanka, IOTA Number AS-ØØ3, until the 1st of March. They are using the callsign 4S7SPG using CW, SSB, FT8 and RTTY on 80 through 10 metres. See QRZ.com for QSL details.

(425 DX BULLETIN)

**
KICKER: BIOGRAPHICAL FILM TO END A SILENT KEY'S RADIO SILENCE

STEPHEN/ANCHOR: We end this week's report with word that a noted actor has reportedly been signed to play a well-known and much-loved late-night radio host - who was also an active ham before he became a Silent Key. What's in store? Ralph Squillace KK6ITB tells us.

RALPH: You might say that Radio Silence is what followed the death of Art Bell, the original host of a popular late-night paranormal radio talk show and a lifelong amateur radio operator. He held the callsigns W6OBB in the US and 4F1AB, in the Philippines.

Radio Silence, in this case, is the American TV film and production company that is working on a biopic about the high-profile talk-show host, who died in 2018. The starring role has reportedly been given to two-time Oscar nominee Paul Giamatti, who is known for roles in "Cinderella Man" and "American Splendor," among numerous other films.

Both the actor and the man he will portray enjoyed playing to a devoted audience. Art Bell's five-hour syndicated call-in radio show, "Coast to Coast AM," attracted an estimated 10 million listeners. They tuned in regularly to hear stories of encounters with UFOs, visitors from other planets or eerie experiences in the realm of the paranormal.

According to a number of entertainment media outlets, Universal, Warner Bros. and Amazon are among the entertainment companies vying for the rights to the film.

It remains unclear who will ultimately end up having that coveted close encounter.

FRIDAY EDITION: Tracing the history of snow clearing, from horses to the first snowblower....

Ham Radio Documentary Series Educates Radio Amateurs

Ham Radio Gizmos Platform Launches Documentary Series to Educate and Inspire Ham Enthusiasts

Orlando, FL HamCation – Ham Radio Gizmos proudly announced the launch of its groundbreaking documentary platform designed to educate and inspire the ham radio community. This innovative series melds rich historical narratives with modern technological insights, offering viewers an in-depth look at the evolution of the ham radio hobby.

Led by industry veteran Lee Love (callsign N2LEE), whose diverse background spans decades in marketing and extensive television production, as well as15 years as a commercial advertising photographer and director in the Washington, DC area, Ham Radio Gizmos is set to transform how enthusiasts engage with ham radio history and innovation.

“Our documentary series is a journey through time, showcasing the untold stories of ham radio’s past while highlighting the breakthroughs that continue to shape its future,” said Lee Love, Founder & Chief Storyteller at Ham Radio Gizmos. “By connecting historical insights with today’s cutting-edge technology, we aim to empower both new and seasoned hams with knowledge and inspiration.”

Key Highlights of the Documentary Series:

• Historical Exploration: Delve into little-known narratives that reveal the origins and evolution of ham radio.
• Modern Innovation: Understand how early breakthroughs have paved the way for today’s technological advancements.
• Expert Storytelling: Benefit from Lee Love’s unparalleled expertise, blending decades of industry experience with a passion for ham radio.
• Engaging Multimedia Content: Experience documentaries enriched with archival footage, expert interviews, and in-depth analysis.

Ham Radio Gizmos is dedicated to providing a comprehensive resource that not only educates but also celebrates the legacy and future of ham radio. Through this documentary series, the platform promises to be an indispensable guide for enthusiasts eager to explore the technical and historical dimensions of the hobby.

About Ham Radio Gizmos
Ham Radio Gizmos is an innovative digital platform committed to exploring the rich legacy and evolving future of ham radio. Through engaging documentaries and expert content, the platform seeks to educate, inspire, and empower the ham radio community by bridging historical milestones with modern technological advancements.

Media Contact

Lee Love
Founder & Chief Storyteller
Ham Radio Gizmos
Email: press@HamRadioGizmos.com
Youtube: Youtube.com/@HamRadioGizmos
Website: HamRadioGizmos.com

Improving Aluminium-Ion Batteries With Aluminium-Fluoride Salt

There are many rechargeable battery chemistries, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Currently lithium-ion and similar (e.g. Li-Po) rule the roost due to their high energy density at least acceptable number of recharge cycles, but aluminium-ion (Al-ion) may become a more viable competitor after a recently published paper by Chinese researchers claims to have overcome some of the biggest hurdles. In the paper as published in ACS Central Science by [Ke Guo] et al. the use of solid-state electrolyte, a charge cycle endurance beating LiFePO4 (LFP) and excellent recyclability are claimed.

It’s been known for a while that theoretically Al-ion batteries can be superior to Li-ion in terms of energy density, but the difficulty lies in the electrolyte, including its interface with the electrodes. The newly developed electrolyte (F-SSAF) uses aluminium-fluoride (AlF3) to provide a reliable interface between the aluminium and carbon electrodes, with the prototype cell demonstrating 10,000 cycles with very little cell degradation. Here the AlF3 provides the framework for the EMIC-AlCl3 electrolyte. FEC (fluoroethylene carbonate) is introduced to resolve electrolyte-electrode interface issues.

A recovery of >80% of the AlF3 during a recycling phase is also claimed, which for a prototype seems to be a good start. Of course, as the authors note in their conclusion, other frameworks than AlF3 are still to be investigated, but this study brings Al-ion batteries a little bit closer to that ever-elusive step of commercialization and dislodging Li-ion.

Blog – Hackaday Read More

 

THURSDAY EDITION: WASHINGTON — Rep. August Pfluger has introduced legislation that aims to ensure amateur radio operators can participate during times of emergency.

The Amateur Radio Emergency Preparedness Act (HR 1094) seeks to prohibit certain private land use restrictions that limit the installation and operation of amateur radio station antennas. Doing so would require an amendment to the Communications Act of 1934.

If passed, homeowner associations would be prohibited from preventing or banning amateur radio antennas on private property.

“Natural disasters and other emergency situations that hinder our regular lines of communication are unfortunately unavoidable, which is why we must bolster our emergency preparedness by removing the barriers amateur radio operators often run into when installing antennas,” Pfluger said in a statement. “Amateur radio plays a vital role in public safety by delivering critical information to people at all times.

“My district is home to dozens of amateur radio operators ready to volunteer in the event of an emergency, and I am proud to lead this legislation.”

The bill has bipartisan and bicameral support from support from fellow Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT), Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT).

It's not all fun and games at the Elbo room, someone has to clean up this dump every morning....

 

Operation Veritable Special Event Operational Through February 28th

Radio Club Limburg (RCL) is operating special event station PA8ØOV to honor the Allied pincer movement during World War II. The event will be active February 13th through February 28th. PA8ØOV will be active on SSB, CW, and various digital modes. SQL cards will be available.

The event is also open to the public for those that will be near the city of Gennep in the old town hall.

This event runs every 5 years, with the next event scheduled to take place in 2030. See the PA8ØOV website for more details.

Source: Surrey Amateur Radio Communications

Amateur Radio Daily – Read More

Young Ladies Radio League Launches Pico Balloon

The Young Ladies Radio League (YLRL) launched a Pico Balloon on Saturday February 15th from Arizona, US. The balloon is currently traversing the Atlantic ocean at around 44,000 feet.

Yesterday morning in the dark at 1210utc Vicki N6KLS president of YLRL, Tom N6BT and myself [K7CNT] launched the YLRL K4LMB Pico Balloon from Kingman, Arizona. Was very calm air and the balloon went straight up and within 3 hours it was at 43,000ft heading straight for Nogales AZ, it dipped into Mexico and then turned back to the NE and crossed the Rio Grande River and ended the day south of Midland Texas. It traveled a whopping 1,800 miles overnight and is out over the Atlantic Ocean this morning at 44,000ft. This balloon and tracker was generously donated by Bob Goulden KJ7VBX. Thank you Bob, the YLRL group members are very excited about this flight and are hoping for a great flight. It’s at a great altitude so far and traveling at 94 mph.

The balloon can be tracked here

 

WEDNESDAY EDITION: A run over to the club with a few meters to check the health of  few antennas...

Jeff Dunham Finds A NOS 1958 Philco Predicta

When you see a ventriloquist like [Jeff Dunham], you probably expect to see him with a puppet. This time – spoilers ahead – you won’t. Besides his fame on stage, [Dunham] is also a collector of vintage tech and a die-hard television enthusiast. In the video below, [Dunham] has gotten his hands on a rarity: an unboxed 1958 Philco Predicta TV. The original tape was still on the box. We get to follow along on his adventure to restore this sleek, retro-futuristic relic!

[Dunham]’s fascination with the Predicta stems from its historical significance and bold design. At a time when television was making its way into American homes, the Predicta dared to be different with its swivel-mounted picture tube and early printed circuit boards. Despite its brave aesthetics, the Predicta’s ambition led to notorious reliability issues. Yet, finding one in pristine condition, sealed and untouched for over six decades, is like unearthing a technological time capsule.

What makes this story unique is [Dunham]’s connection to both broadcasting and his craft. As a ventriloquist inspired by Edgar Bergen — whose radio shows captivated America — [Dunham] delights in restoring a TV from the same brand that first brought his idol’s voice to airwaves. His love for storytelling seamlessly translates into this restoration adventure.

After unboxing, [Dunham’s] team faces several challenges: navigating fragile components, securing the original shipping brace, and cautiously ramping up voltage to breathe life into the Predicta. The suspense peaks in the satisfying crackle of static, and the flicker of a 65-year-old screen finally awakened from slumber.

Have you ever come across an opportunity like this? Tell us about your favorite new old stock find in the comments. Buying these can be a risk, since components have a shelf life. We appreciate when these old TVs play period-appropriate shows. Who wants to watch Game of Thrones on a Predicta?

Blog – Hackaday Read More

Repairing an Old Heathkit ‘Scope

With so many cheap oscilloscopes out there, the market for old units isn’t what it used to be. But if you have a really old scope, like the Heathkit O-10 that [Ken] found in his basement, there is vintage cred to having one. [Ken’s] didn’t work, so a repair session ensued. You can see the results in the video below.

You can tell this is in an old scope — probably from the mid 1950s — because of its round tube with no graticle. Like many period scopes, the test probe input was just 5-way binding posts. The O-10 was the first Heathkit “O-series” scope that used printed circuit boards.

The device looked pretty good inside, except for a few dents. Of course, the box has tubes in it, so every power up test involves waiting for the tubes to warm up. [Ken] was very excited when he finally got a single green dot on the screen. That did, however, require a new CRT.

It wasn’t long after that he was able to put a waveform in and the scope did a good job of reproducing it. The unit would look good in an old movie, but might not be the most practical bench instrument these days.

These Heathkit scopes and their cousins were very popular in their day. The $70 price tag sounds cheap, but in the mid-1950s, that was about a month’s rent in a four-room house. While primitive by today’s standards, scopes had come a long way in 9 or 10 years.