Amateur Radio Tid Bits

Hello all, I hope that you and yours had a safe and pleasant week.
What about that propagation on 2m last Friday (6/18/10)? It was unreal, I worked stations
in TX, OK, and KS on 2m SSB. I hope that you were able to enjoy the opening too.
Can you believe it, Field Day is tomorrow? I hope that you will be participating with your local club or
by yourself. I'm hoping to be at the Richmond Amateur Radio Club (RARC) Field Day event if possible.
Have fun this weekend and enjoy Field Day or whatever activity you have planned.
****** Check out the new VHF and HF real time band conditions section*******
Don't forget about this weekends special event(s) and contest(s):
get on the air this weekend and make some new and exiciting friends, not to mention some contacts.
ARRL Field Day: 1800Z, Jun 26 to 2100Z, Jun 27-- CW, SSB, DIGITAL, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m and 70cm
Marconi Memorial HF Contest: 1400Z, Jun 26 to 1400Z, Jun 27-- CW, Digital, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
His Maj. King of Spain Contest, SSB: 1200Z, Jun 26 to 1200Z, Jun 27-- SSB, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10m
Check out the Current & Upcoming DX Operations Section at the end of the news letter.
========================================================================================================
For those of you who like me enjoy VHF/UHF weak signal, here's the latest for this weekend from
the Hepburn forecast.
Well it looks like this weekend it will be pretty much like last weekend propagation wise.
The US East Coast from Maine to the Florida Keys, South Eastern US and parts of the Mid West
can expect good conditions all weekend with good conditions extending into Monday. :)
Hope to hear you on the air for this weekends ARRL Field Day.
Tropo Forecast For June 26
From Prince Edward Island Canada to the Florida Keys conditions will vary from moderate to strong the farther South you go.
Folks who live along the gulf coast from Florida to the Texas panhandle can expect good to strong conditions.
Folks who live in the Southeast can expect moderate to very good conditions depending on how far inland you are.
Folks in the mid west can expect moderate to very good conditions depending on far you are from the Gulf Coast.
Tropo Forecast For June 20
Sunday will be a carbon copy of Saturday.
From Prince Edward Island Canada to the Florida Keys conditions will vary from moderate to strong the farther South you go.
Folks who live along the gulf coast from Florida to the Texas panhandle can expect good to strong conditions.
Folks who live in the Southeast can expect moderate to very good conditions depending on how far inland you are.
Folks in the mid west can expect moderate to very good conditions depending on far you are from the Gulf Coast.
Fire up your VHF/UHF all mode gear and make some contacts.
=======================================================================================================================
I hope that you all were able to make some Dx contacts.
========================================================================================================
Come join us every Wed for the RARC 10m net at 7:00pm on 28.470 USB past
RARC D-STAR 2m net on 147.255 no pl
(limited coverage area) at 8pm every Wed following the 10m net.
Come Join us every Sunday at 7pm for the RARC 6m net on 50.135 USB
Every night at around 10PM listen out for the PB& J Lounge with Penny N3LUV
more great talk radio. Click here for more info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pbnjlounge
Thought For The Week: "...
"Small minds talk about people, Average minds speak of events, Great minds discuss ideas" Unkown
=========================================================================================
So, with that said here are a few tid bits for all you radio hounds =========================================================================================
ARRL Field Day: 1800Z, Jun 26 to 2100Z, Jun 27-- CW, SSB, DIGITAL, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m and 70cm
Marconi Memorial HF Contest: 1400Z, Jun 26 to 1400Z, Jun 27-- CW, Digital, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
His Maj. King of Spain Contest, SSB: 1200Z, Jun 26 to 1200Z, Jun 27-- SSB, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10m
For more Special Event Information scroll to the Special Events Section.
****************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Public Service Links National and International
American Red Cross Disaster Services -- http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/
American Red Cross Home Page -- http://www.redcross.org/
ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) -
http://www.emergency-radio.org/
Hazardous Materials Transportation Placards -- http://environmentalchemistry.com/yogi/hazmat/placards/
Ireland / Amateur Radio Emergency Network (AREN) - http://www.irts.ie/aren/
National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (NVOAD) - http://www.nvoad.org/
RACES / Guidance for Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service - (Old) Official FEMA Guidelines
(Note that current FEMA guidelines recognize RACES but do not provide the specific guidance of this document) - http://www.co.hernando.fl.us/em/PDF/Guidance.pdf
Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) - (Privately maintained website): http://www.usraces.org/
REACT International -- http://www.reactintl.org/
Salvation Army (USA) Home Page -- http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) -- http://satern.org/
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief -- http://www.namb.net/dr/
*************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Announced DX Operations: http://www.ng3k.com/Misc/adxo.html
QRP frequencies guide: www.niftyaccessories.com
Click here for current Gray Line Propagation Map
Use the link Below to check out the latest VHF propagation:
Click Here for Current Propagation Map
New MUF On-Line Conditions Map; http://137.229.36.30/cgi-bin/digisonde/latest.cgi
look at the at the line titiled MUF at bottom of screen to see current MUF.
Check out the Nets Section too for info on VHF/UHF and HF Nets!!
links for Dipoles and Lengths:
http://www.ku4ay.net/dipole.html
http://www.qsl.net/kd7rem/antdipole.htm
http://www.hamuniverse.com/multidipole.html
http://www.angelfire.com/nb/ni4l/ni4ldipole.html
From N3JBH FAN DIPOLE OR MULTIPLE BAND DIPOLE SPECS:
(Each leg is shown in length so you will need two legs.)
10 METERS = 8'4"
12 METERS = 9'5"
15 METERS = 11'1"
17 METERS = 12'10"
20 METERS = 16'8"
30 METERS = 23'2"
40 METERS = 32'9"
60 METERS = 43'7"
75 METERS = 60'9"
80 METERS = 65'6"
160 METERS = 123'5"
137 KHZ = 1708'1"
========================================================================================
HAM RADIO NEWS
**********************************************************************************************************************************
WISCONSIN TOWN ORDERS HAM TOWER TO BE LOWERED OR TAKEN DOWN
The Commissioners sitting on the Mount Pleasant panel unanimously rejected the request by Jim Markstrom, KB9MMA, to keep the 62-foot tower at his home. This, after staff members cited several concerns. These being that the height exceeds the limit allowed by a village ordinance; that a similar tower collapsed in the late 1990s; and concerns by neighbors said Markstrom misrepresented their views on it.
Madison attorney Mark Hazelbaker is representing the Markstroms. He pointed to federal and state laws that require local governments to "reasonably accommodate" amateur radio communication when the authority attempts to restrict it for health, safety or aesthetic reasons. He also noted that an engineer's report showed the tower's base was safe and actually overbuilt. Hazelbaker stated that even if it were to fall, the study suggests it would most likely collapse within itself.
He said lowering the tower to 28 feet which the highest allowed by Mount Pleasant based on the distance it could fall, would unreasonably limit transmissions. But Mount Pleasant officials countered that wasn't the case with a ham radio tower that fell onto a play area at home fewer than 15 years ago.
Jim Markstrom is a 35-year-old professor and engineer who volunteers as amateur radio emergency coordinator for Racine County. His 10-year-old son Samm, KC9POP, recently won an award for relaying severe weather reports via ham radio.
Mount Pleasant began investigating the tower after receiving complaints from nearby residents about interference on home electronics. Although local governments cannot legally intervene on that basis, officials determined Markstrom never received zoning approval to put up the tower. Ten neighbors signed a petition asking Mount Pleasant to order its removal. (ARN)
OMAN GIVES HAMS 6 METERS
The International Amateur Radio Union's Region One website reports that Omani hams have been given access to part of the 6 meter band. The report attributed to A41KB says that radio amateurs in that nation can now use the 50 to 52 MHz under permit by the Omani Telecommunications Regulatory Authority. Omani hams have this access on a secondary basis to other users of the spectrum. More is on line at www.iaru-r1.org. (IARU Region 1)
THAI HAMS TO HAVE 6 METERS FOR CQWW VHF CONTEST
Hams in Thailand have been authorized to use of 6 meters during the CQWW VHF contest. Thai amateur radio operators to operate 50 to 54 MHz during the CQ Worldwide VHF contest for 48 hours on July 17th and 18th by a blanket permit granted by the National Telecommunications Commission. This will be the first use of the 50 to 54 MHz allocation by Thai hams for 18 years. The last time such permission had been granted was in 1992 during the Southeast Asia Net Convention that year. (RAST)
75th Anniversary of America's Oldest Traffic Net
The year 2010 will mark an important anniversary in the History of Amateur Radio: The birth of the first public service net.
Before the implementation of a net concept, radiogram traffic and emergency communications activity was conducted on a system of schedules and random contacts. Radiogram traffic moved across the country on Trunk Line networks staffed on a daily basis by iron man traffic handlers. From these key stations, traffic was routed to its destination via individual schedules, directional CQ requests, and similar techniques. The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Corps, National Traffic System, and similar programs had not yet emerged.
This all changed during the autumn of 1935 when members of the Detroit Amateur Radio Association (DARA) formed the Michigan Net and adopted the net call QMN. The plan was simple and elegant in concept. Using the relatively new technology of crystal control, radio amateurs from throughout the State of Michigan would gather on a single spot frequency to exchange radiogram traffic and coordinate emergency communications response to disasters. A QMN Committee standardized the procedures and created the familiar QN-Signals so familiar to generations of traffic handlers. With the creation of QMN, the modern traffic net was born.
This year, QMN will celebrate its Diamond Anniversary with a very special event! A 75th Anniversary Banquet will be held at Owosso, Michigan on Saturday, October 23, 2010. Activities include:
A special event station on 7055 KHz and 3563 KHz using the call K8QMN. This special event station will use vintage equipment from the 1930s and 40s. Visitors will have an opportunity to sit down at the key and experience QSOs using 1930s era receivers.
A presentation entitled An Early History of Radio will be featured along with a talk on the history of QMN.
Long-time members will reminisce about their experiences in Amateur Radio.
Vintage radio equipment will be on display for all to enjoy.
A working Morse Telegraph Circuit will be available on site for those who would like to see land-line telegraphy and American Morse Code in use.
A special commemorative booklet will be provided to each attendee. This commemorative booklet will include an excellent history of QMN written by the Don Devendorf, W8EGI (SK), along with an introduction covering the early history of Amateur Radio.
QMN members both past and present are invited to attend, as are all radio amateurs with an interest in the history of Amateur Radio and the history of public service communications.
Those wishing to attend this event should request a registration form from James Wades, WB8SIW at the following e-mail:
You wont want to miss this celebration to be held on October 23, 2010 at the Comstock Inn, Owosso, Michigan.
More Information on the Michigan Net, QMN may be found at:
www.michigannet.org (WB8SIW)
AO-51 Operations Team Announces Field Day Schedule
AMSAT-NA VP Operations, Drew KO4MA says the AO-51 Command Team and
Operations Group has announced the AO-51 configuration for Field
Day:
June 21 10:40Z - June 24 09:35Z FM Repeater, V/S to allow testing
of V/S station equipment prior to Field Day:
Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM
Downlink: 2401.200 Mhz FM
June 24 09:35Z - June 27 06:40Z FM Repeater, V/U
Please observe the 1 QSO per repeater Field Day rule
Uplink: 145.920 Mhz FM, PL 67Hz
Downlink: 435.300 Mhz FM
June 27 06:40 - June 27 22:00Z FM Repeater, V/S
Please observe the 1 QSO per repeater Field Day rule
Uplink: 145.880 Mhz FM
Downlink: 2401.200 Mhz FM
AMSAT Field Day rules and scoring instructions are available on-line at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/awards/amsatfd.php
Read the latest AO-51 Command Team and Operations Group News on-line at:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/echo/CTNews.php (AMSAT)
Field Day 2010 Expedition - K3I
The 1900 Group has coordinated a Field Day 2010 expedition to Assateague Island (NA-139) starting Friday, June 25th to Sunday the 27th. Our team is comprised of operators located in the Northeastern portion of the US who can be heard regularly on 1900khz at 8PM EST.
Our planned operating location is approximately 12 miles south of the Assateague Island beach parking lot on the Maryland side of the Virginia border. A 1x1 callsign has been assigned and we will be operating as K3I.
Non-Field Day operation will begin approximately 5PM EST Friday evening until the scheduled start time of Field Day 2010 Saturday afternoon.
If you are an IOTA or grid square collector, we will be on NA-139 in grid square FM28.
For more information including a band plan and operator roster, feel free to visit our website, http://www.k3i.us.
73 and we look forward to working you!
The K3I Field Day 2010 Expedition Team
================================================================================================================= Current HF and VHF Band Conditions:
Click here: http://www.hamqsl.com/solar101vhf.php
=================================================================================================================
Propagation Forecast:
ARLP004 Propagation de K7RA
Sunspot numbers were lower for the past week, compared to the
previous period. Average daily sunspot numbers fell nearly 11
points to 16.1.
ARRL Field Day is this weekend, and it looks like we could have
unsettled to active geomagnetic conditions. NOAA predicts solar
flux for June 25-27 at 75, 75 and 76, and planetary A index at 8, 15
and 12. Beyond that, the predicted solar flux for June 28 through
July 1 is 76, 77, 77 and 72, with planetary A index of 10, 10, 12
and 15.
Geophysical Institute Prague calls for unsettled conditions June 25,
unsettled to active June 26, unsettled June 27-28, quiet to
unsettled June 29, and unsettled June 30 and July 1.
The predicted solar flux for this weekend is slightly higher than it
has been this week. In fact, solar flux has been below the 75-76
range since June 11-13.
Of course, we want solar flux and sunspot numbers to be high, with
geomagnetic indices such as planetary A index to be low.
In Propagation Forecast bulletins ARLP024 and ARLP023 we talked
about solar flux, both observed and adjusted. The adjusted values
are based on what the measurements would be if the distance from
Earth to Sun were at one AU or Astronomical Unit, which is the
average distance.
ARLP023 mentioned an alleged increasing discrepancy between sunspots
and solar flux, which seems apparent when you look at the
information at http://www.solen.info/solar/ and see the gradually
declining solar flux. But actually this is probably due to the
changing distance between Earth and Sun, since these are observed
numbers, not adjusted.
As noted in ARLP024, the observed values would be adjusted down in
January and up recently to get the adjusted values, and this would
probably yield a more constant value in the chart in the previous
paragraph. If you want, you could chart it out yourself using the
numbers at, http://tinyurl.com/ks8tvn. Just compare the observed
values in the "fluxobsflux" column with the adjusted values in the
"fluxadjflux" column.
Sunspot numbers for June 17 through 23 were 14, 16, 28, 13, 14, 14,
and 14 with a mean of 16.1. 10.7 cm flux was 70.4, 70.5, 68.9, 70,
72, 73.3 and 74 with a mean of 71.3. Estimated planetary A indices
were 10, 5, 4, 3, 5, 6 and 4 with a mean of 5.3. Estimated
mid-latitude A indices were 8, 4, 2, 2, 6, 5 and 2 with a mean of
4.1.
===========================================================================================================
From SPACEWEATHER.COM (www.spaceweather.com)
Solar wind
speed: 422.3 km/sec
density: 11.2 protons/cm3
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 0345 UT
X-ray Solar Flares
6-hr max: B1 2315 UT Jun25
24-hr: B2 1020 UT Jun25
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at: 2355 UT
Daily Sun: 25 Jun 10
Sunspot 1082 poses no threat for strong solar flares. Credit: SOHO/MDI
Sunspot number: 12
What is the sunspot number?
Updated 24 Jun 2010
Spotless Days
Current Stretch: 0 days
2010 total: 35 days (20%)
2009 total: 260 days (71%)
Since 2004: 803 days
Typical Solar Min: 486 days
explanation | more info
Updated 24 Jun 2010
The Radio Sun
10.7 cm flux: 74 sfu
explanation | more data
Updated 24 Jun 2010
Current Auroral Oval:
Switch to: Europe, USA, New Zealand, Antarctica
Credit: NOAA/POES
Planetary K-index
Now: Kp= 3 quiet
24-hr max: Kp= 3 quiet
explanation | more data
Interplanetary Mag. Field
Btotal: 9.2 nT
Bz: 1.3 nT north
explanation | more data
Updated: Today at 0346 UT
Coronal Holes:
A solar wind stream flowing from the indicated coronal hole could reach Earth as early as June 26th. Credit: SDO/AIA
SPACE WEATHER
NOAA Forecasts
Updated at: 2010 Jun 25 2201 UTC
FLARE 0-24 hr 24-48 hr
CLASS M 01 % 01 %
CLASS X 01 % 01 %
Geomagnetic Storms:
Probabilities for significant disturbances in Earth's magnetic field are given for three activity levels: active, minor storm, severe storm
Updated at: 2010 Jun 25 2201 UTC
Mid-latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr
ACTIVE 25 % 20 %
MINOR 15 % 10 %
SEVERE 05 % 05 %
High latitudes 0-24 hr 24-48 hr
ACTIVE 30 % 25 %
MINOR 25 % 15 %
SEVERE 05 % 05 %
========================================================================================
Ham Gear For Sale:
Tarheel Antennas: http://www.tarheelantennas.com/
M2 Antennas: http://www.m2inc.com/index2.html
===========================================================================================
REPEATER INFO
===========================================================================================
Southern Maryland Linked Repeater System
http://www.n3px.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=11
This Southern Maryland Linked Repeater System is EchoIRLP Enabled.
If you are in the Southern maryland are and wish to use this system
Here's how you link to IRLP or ECHOLINK.
Use "B" as your prefix for IRLP access
example: B9250 for reflector 9250
Use "C" as your prefix for Echolink access
example: C9999 for conference 9999
Use "73" to disconnect
RARC 2m D-STAR repeater on 147.255 no pl
(limited coverage area)
Repeater Mapping with Google maps
by k5ehx
South Carolina repeater Info; thanks to Charlie AE4UX for this info.
http://www.angelfire.com/nv/lcrs/repeaters.html
Linked system of repeaters that cover most of Colorado: http://www.colcon.org/
EchoLink Repeaters:
EchoLink USA VIRGINIA CULPEPPER,VA 147.120 W4CUL Node 300136 146.2
EchoLink USA VIRGINIA Petersburg,Va 444.275-R 444.2750 KG4YJB Node 93516 103.5
EchoLink USA NORTH CAROLINA Raleigh 444.675 KD4RAA-R Node 51071 100.0
EchoLink USA VIRGINIA Norfolk,VA 145.330 W4VB Node 311763 131.8
Echolink USA VIRGINIA Three Dog Linked Repeater Group 444.175 (Hub) Node 126596 103.5 http://www.varepeaters.com/
145.270 ECHO LINK NODE 6106 COLUMBIA S.C.
444.725 131.8 Echolink node 2014 Columbia NC at 1200 ft, K4OBX-L covers NOBX
444.925 131.8 Echolink node 2003 Hatteras Island at 300 ft K4OBX-R covers SOBX
444.300 131.8 Echolink node 312941 Elizabeth City NC WA4VTX-R covers 168/ECT
The Wakefield SkyWarn Echolink Conference Server is operating under the "*WX4AKQ*" conference ID or Node Number "491248".
This server is available 24/7 and is open for non weather use by any Licensed Ham connected to a Echolink Station as long as it's not in use by SkyWarn for weather traffic.
NCHEARS Linked System that is connected to Echolink. Echolink Node: 8092
INFO: http://www.nchears.org/news.php
Each weekend from 5 PM Friday until about 9:15 PM Sunday several repeaters of NC HEARS, SC HEART and the VA 3 Dog Repeater Group are linked together to provide coverage across parts of 3 states.
Here is a map showing the repeater locations and frequency / PL info. If there are any additions or corrections, please let me know.
Hope this is helpful.
Derek
KD4ADL
***********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
IRLP REPEATERS:
Carolina 440 Linked repeater System : http://www.caryncrepeater.com/repeaters_on_link.htm W4RAT 146.880 PL= 74.4 & W4RAT 442.550 PL=74.4 146.625 pl 131.8 IRLP node 8270, Hatteras Island at 300 ft. K4OBX 442.425 pl 131.8 IRLP node 5680 Hatteras Island. full time link to Carolina 440 Link System
===========================================================================================
*********************************************************************************************************************
NETS
==========================================================================
EchoLink Traders Net
Net time is every Wednesday at 10 am untill about 11 am + or
on the *SCARS* Echo Link Node, receive only
The Family Net on Ecolink
come one come all to the family net it on ecolink wed and fri 10 am to 11am eastern time come join us and be part of the family meet new friends great group lots of fun the kink is on (c4qlp) link . the node is (290251) please come in and join us
75 Meter Interstate Sideband Net
9:30 est(0230 UTC), the H.A.M.Group's Weds night net on Echolink happens on node 77433
M-F ECARS 7.255 LSB http://ecars7255.com/
M-F SCARS 7.251 LSB http://www.southcars.com/
MidCars on 7.258 LSB 9:00 AM To 5:00 PM each day
Rotten Apples 7.238 LSB 6-7am ET & 7-8 pm et http://hometown.aol.com:80/RottenApplesARG/rottenapples.html
75M evening HF net in Alaska on 3.933 Mhz at 8 pm to 9 pm Alaska time on Wednesdays only.
Chattahoochee 10 Meter Group
Tuesdays - 8:30PM EDT
28.335 USB (+ or - QRM)
Net Controls: K4VIC, W4OZA, KI4FCQ
HF 75M YL BCYLARA Net
First and third Tuesdays each month on 3.748MHz + or -. Net time varies due to propagation and seasonal changes. Net time starting March 6, 2007 will be 6pm local BC time. Net shuts down end of May for the summer. Net control is Elizabeth VA7TK. YLs/OMs welcomed! http://www.qsl.net/ylradio/nets.html
Try the Georgia Training Net... on 80m http://www.ad4dx.com/gtn/
meets daily at 9:00 PM EDT, 0100 hours UTC, on 3549 Khz - 3.549 Mhz
Mississippi Slow Net @ 3541.0 mHz Monday through Friday 19:00 CST (00:00 Z) net control - W3TWD
6 Meter Very Slow Code 50.210 Thursday nite 8:00 PM. This will help those that would like to get
practice in improving their Morse code speed and have 6 meter authority. Doc, AI4JN, generally
calls this net out of Columbia, SC.... Know that net control has had a few check in using only dipoles and
low power quite away from Columbia SC.
*********
You are invited to check into the South Carolina Single Sideband Net each evening at 7:00 PM Local
time. Frequency is 3.915. It is a Traffic Net for any traffic coming in and out of South Carolina
via the Carolinas Net. You are welcome any evening. Give it a try. South Carolina SSB Net:
http://www.w4jf.com/sc_ssb_net.htm
*******
Russ KD4HDR has started a new HF SSB net on the
first Saturday of the month at 9PM on 3959KHz for testing
and experimentation. Mark it on your calendar and join in!
*******
* Tuesdays Sanlapper SSB Six Meter Net, 8:00pm 50.250.
* Wed Lake Norman SSB Six Meter Net, 8:00pm 50.130
* Sunday 9PM Lexington AREA 2M FM simplex net 146.55
* First Sat Monthly RARC 9PM 3.959 MHz +/- QRM
* Daily: The Carolinas Slow Net(CSN) starts at 8:00 PM on 3695 kHz
* Daily: South Carolina Single Sideband Net 7:00 PM at 3.915.
RARC 6m Nets:
Sunday 7:00pm 50.135 usb
Wed 7:00pm 50.135 usb
RARC 10m net
Wed 7:00pm 28.470 usb
RARC 2m net on there new D-STAR repeater on 147.255 no pl
(limited coverage area) at 8pm every Wed following the 10m net.
N4VEM Packet Net is every Wed night at 8:15pm on 145.730
If you are local to Richmond just connect to N4VEM "c n4vem" and enter "c" for conference.
N4VEM Packet Net Info
VA Digital Net
My simplex Echolink Node(Node # 282700; simplex Freq 146.595 PL = 97.4) is up when I'm in town So, look for it on the Echolink Nodes status web site to find out when it's up and available.
www.echolink.net
Virginia Fone Net
Give a listen to 3947 at 4pm and 7:30pm to the Virginia Fone Net.
At 6pm on the same freq. you'll hear the Virginia Sideband Net, an ARRL traffic net, and usually before the 7:30 VFN.
The VFN is a pretty good bunch of guys, and the net was started in the 1930's, so some of these guys have been around for decades.
Tune in and make new friends.
Carolina 440 Ragchew Net.
For those of you interested in joing a fun net every Monday night
at 7:30 pm the Carolina 440 ragchew net is the one. This net is
is held via the 440 linked repeater system in North Carolina and is
available via IRLP Node 4270. Join in and make new friends.
http://www.caryncrepeater.com/Carolina440ragchew.htm
====================================================================================
Special Events/Contests/Hamfests
************************************************************************************************************************************************
ARRL Field Day: 1800Z, Jun 26 to 2100Z, Jun 27-- CW, SSB, DIGITAL, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10, 6, 2m and 70cm
INFO: http://www.arrl.org/files/file/2010%20Rules.pdf
Marconi Memorial HF Contest: 1400Z, Jun 26 to 1400Z, Jun 27-- CW, Digital, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, 10m
INFO: http://www.arifano.it/Contest_Marconi.htm
His Maj. King of Spain Contest, SSB: 1200Z, Jun 26 to 1200Z, Jun 27-- SSB, Band: 160, 80, 40, 20, 17, 15, 12, 10m
INFO: http://www.ure.es/contest/431-sm-el-rey-contest-english-version.html
Jun 23-Jun 28, 1800Z-1800Z, W3S, Field Day at Camp Anawana for the 100th Anniversary of Boy Scouts,
Amity, PA. Boy Scouts of America, KA3PMW and N3TRF. 28.400 21.300 14.200 7.200. QSL www.w3sfieldday.com
Jun 26, 1600Z-2359Z, NI6IW, Amateur Radio Field Day, San Diego, CA. USS Midway (CV 41) Museum Radio Operations Room. SSB 14.320 7.250 CW 14.060 7.055 PSK-31 7.070 D-STAR 2m/70 SOCAL rptrs. QSL. USS Midway Radio Room, 910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101-5811. kk6fz@arrl.net
Jun 26, 1600Z-2359Z, WR7UKC, 101st Anniversry of Milwaukee Rail Road Service to the Pacific Northwest,
South Cle Elum, WA. Upper Kittitas County Amateur Radio Club. PSK31 14.268 7.268 3.880. QSL.
www.qsl.net/wr7ukc/specialevent.htm
Jun 26-Jun 27, 1030Z-1800Z, WP4CRG, Field Day 2010, Lares, PR,
PR. Caribbean Amateur Radio Group. 14.070 PSK31 28.400 SSB 7.080 SSB 144.300 SSB.
QSL. Serafin Martinez - Coordinator, HC 4 Box 43014, Hatillo, PR 00659, PR.
Jul 1-Jul 6, 0900Z-1200Z, KU2US, Second Annual 4th of July Week -- The Original 13 Colonies - 2010,
Conesus, NY. The US 13 Original Colonies Group. All bands except WARC & 60 m.
Certificate. Ken Villone -- KU2US Awards Manager, PO Box 185, Conesus, NY 14435.
************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Here are a few Propagation Beacons to try to listen for:
10 Meter Beacon INFO -->
Ten Meter Beacon Spotter: http://10mbeacons.com/
http://www.caryncrepeater.com/k4jdr_10_meter_beacon.htm
These are links to lists of the known 10 meter beacons worldwide:
http://www.mydarc.de/dl8wx/baken_kw.htm
http://userpages.troycable.net/~wj5o/bcn.htm
This is a link to a 10 meter beacon-spotter website and other information:
http://10mbeacons.com/beaconspot/spot90.php
There is also a beacon spotter email reflector with daily logs here:
http://www.explore.force9.co.uk/beacons/hfbeacons.htm
VHF/UHF BEACONS by WZ1V
http://www.newsvhf.com/beacons2.html
Beacons Near Richmond VA:
144.280 N4MW FM17kn VA New Kent 30W+Sqloop@20'
Beacons, 50MHz, World-Wide
Propagation Beacons to the South:
144.285 WD4GSM EM86qv VA Wise 4200' asl
144.296 WD4KPD FM15mm NC Washington 20W+2halos @30'
144.299 K0GHZ FM25 NC Hatteras 30W to Hor. Loop @ 50'
144.300 KD4NMI FM05rt NC Knightdale 10W vertical omni @575'
144.276 KD4ESV FL BRADENTON
432.307 WA4PGI FM07bw VA Covington 5W+crossed dipoles,+/-5KHz
432.347 WD4GSM EM86qv VA Wise 4200' asl
Propagation Beacons to the North:
144.284 W3CCX FM29jw PA Philadelphia 4W to single loop @ 435'
144.295 W3VD FM19ne MD Laurel 10W +halo freq varies
144.297 K3DEL FM28fn DE Sussex cty. 5W to yagi @ 135'
144.276 W2RTB FN12 NY 15W +Eggbeater @450' asl
144.288 KN2MET FN30 NY
144.287 W2IK FN30js NY LI 50W horiz Loop
144.289 WA2UMX FN23xc NY Providence 20W + 2 Big Wheels 1620'ASL
432.306 W2RTB FN12 NY 15W +Eggbeater @450' asl
432.313 W3VD FM19ne MD Laurel 7W +turnstile
432.297 K3DEL FM28fn DE Sussex cty. 5W to yagi @ 135'
Propagation Beacons In Canada
50.007 VA2ZFN FN 07PJ BELLETERRE, QC Canada
50.008 VE8SIX CP 38 Inuvik Canada
50.001 VE1SMU 11 El 25 FN 84 Halifax
50.005 VE8R DP 33 Canada
50.018 VE4ARM EN 19 BRANDON,MB Canada
50.020 VE8WD J-pole vert. 25 DP 22 Yellowknife
50.025 VE4SPT EN 19 THOMPSON, MB
50.031 VE6XIS Yagi 25 DO 21 Calgary Canada
50.033 VE7FG CO 83 PRINCE GEORGE, BC
50.036 VE4VHF Omni vert 35 EN 19 Headingly Canada
50.037 VE4VHF Omni vert. 35 EN 19 Manitoba
50.040 VO1ZA-6 GN 37js NF Carbonear
50.041 VE6EMU 4 Elm 40 DO 33 Camrose
50.044 VE6ARC Omni 40 DO 05 Grand Prairie
50.048 VE6ARC Omni vert 50 DO 75 Grand Prairie,Canada
50.048 VE8BY Vert. 30 FP 53 Iqaluit
50.049 VE8BW/B DP 33 Canada
50.049 VE3BCN 3 FN 03 Brampton Canada
50.050 VA2WW/B FN 57 Canada
50.053 VE1PZ Loop 15 3 FN 85 QR Picton
50.054 VE2YAT FN 48 lm ST-HONORE, QC Canada
50.059 VE3UBL Turnstile 8 FN 03 Pickering
50.065 VE9MS 2 * loop 1 FN 65 Geary,NB
50.072 VE1CCP FN 86 I.Pr.Edward Canada
50.073 VE1MQ Turnstile 10 FN 65 Fredericton Canada
50.073 VE1MQ Loop 5 FN 65 Geary,Canada
50.075 VE9MS Loop 5 FN 65 Fredericton Canada
50.077 VE3DRL Vert 30 FN 03 Toronto Canada
50.086 VE2STL Vert. Dipole 1.5 FN 46 Kinnars Mill
50.086 VE2TH Dipole 3 FN 46 Val Belair,Canada
50.088 VE2TWO Dipole 18 FO 13 Evain
50.088 VE1SIX Vert FN 66 N.Brunswick Canada
50.088 VE1ASJ FN 67 St Johns,Canada
50.089 VE2TWO Dipole 18 FN 13 Radisson Canada
50.150 VE7RAN Vert 100 DO 11 Penticton,Canada
50.110 VE7SIX Vert CN 88 Kaleden Canada
144.280 VE2FUT 15W+Turnstile 550'ASL FN 25wg PQ Rigeau
144.281 VE4ARM 10W 3el yagi @ 53'to SE EN 09jw MB Austin
144.284 VE1CBC FN 63NS Yarmouth
144.285 VE6EMU 20W to 5el yagi aimed N DO33pa Alberta
144.292 VE8BY 23W to 8 bay dipole array FP53rs Iqaluit
144.295 VE1SMU 10W yagi pointed WSW FN74os NS Lake George
144.299 VE1SMU/H 15W 7el Yagi SW,FSK FN84 NS Halifax
144.400 VO1ZA 250W 11 el yagi to Europe. GN37js NF Carbonear
144.287 VE1SMU 10W 5 el yagi to W GN03 Sable Is 144.278 VE3ZAP EN94 222.055 VE1SMU 10W to 5el yagi to west GN03 Sable Island
222.057 VE1SMU 10W yagi pointed WSW FN74os NS Lake George 432.300 VE1SMU 8'dish to west GN03 Sable Island
432.300 VE4ARM 20W to 3el yagi @ 53'to SE EN09jw MB Austin
432.328 VE2CLO 10W + 2x12 yagissouth/west FN35 Montreal
432.339 VE1SMU/H FN84 NS Halifax
432.348 VE1SMU 10W yagi to WSW FN74os NS Lake George
Sources Radio Amaeturs of Canada
WZ1V Ron Limas
G3USF's Worldwide List Of 50MHz Beacons
DX Summit
MARCONI RADIO CLUB OF NEWFOUNDLAND INC.
The 6 metre beacon (VO1ZA) operates on the campus of Memorial University and was designed and installed by members of the MUN ARC in June of 1990. It operates on a frequency of 50.0400 MHz (space) 50.0395 MHz (mark) FSK CW with 1.5 watts output to a 0.27 wave gamma fed vertical (omni). The beacon is maintained by the Marconi Radio Club of Newfoundland. Following an electrical storm, the beacon was off the air for several days. Service was restored on 1500 UTC 5 September 2005.
A 2 metre CW transatlantic beacon is operating on 144.400 MHz,+-0.5 kHz transmitting with an ERP of 2.2 kW and beaming 60 degrees.
A 2 metre FM beacon transmitts audio Morse on 146.31 MHz. This beacon has been on the air since 14 September 1986 and has been used to study seasonal variability in local VHF propagation. It also serves as a bench mark for repeater antenna receiving performance in the region.
A long wave beacon is in operation on 137.7770 kHz
http://www.ucs.mun.ca/~jcraig/beac2.htm
Current & Upcoming DX Operations
Start
Date End
Date DXCC
Entity Call QSL
via Reported
by
2010 Jun02 2010 Jun06 Tokelau ZK3X UR3HR DXW.Net
20100308 By UX0HX RK3FA UT5UY UT1HF US7UX UR3HR fm OC-048; 160-10m; CW SSB + digital; 3 stns; verticals + vertical arrays; QSL OK via Buro or direct
2010 Jun02 2010 Jun08 Ascension I ZD8J JE1WVQ OPDX
20100510 By JE1WVQ fm Georgetown (AF-003)
2010 Jun03 2010 Jun06 Liechtenstein HB0 LotW OK1FJD
20100424 By OK6DJ as HB0/OK6DJ/p; G5RV, dipole; IARU Region 1 Field Day; QSL also OK via OK1DRQ, Buro or direct
2010 Jun03 2010 Jun09 West Kiribati T30XG JA1XGI OPDX
20100322 By JA1XGI; 40-6m; CW + digital; QSL OK via JARL Buro or direct; call sign may be T30/T32XG
2010 Jun05 2010 Jun26 Maldives 8Q7TB PF4T DXW.Net
20100111 By PF4T; 40 20m, possibly 17 15 10m; SSB RTTY PSK31; see Web page for QSL details
2010 Jun06 2010 Jun28 Singapore 9V1 LotW AD6ZJ
20100428 By AD6ZJ as 9V1/AD6ZJ; HF w/ focus on WARC; RTTY SSB CW; time permitting, mainly weekends and nights; QSL also OK via AD6ZJ, Buro or direct
2010 Jun08 2010 Jun12 Sint Maarten PJ7
PA3LEO IK1PMR
20100518 By IK1PMR as PJ7/IK1PMR and PA3LEO using PJ7/PA3LEO; focus on WARC; CW RTTY; 100w; holiday style operation
2010 Jun08 2010 Jun17 St Martin FS K9EL K9EL
20100505 By K9EL as FS/K9EL; 80-6m; CW SSB RTTY; verticals, possibly a yagi for 6m; holiday style operation
2010 Jun09 2010 Jun19 Montserrat VP2MRT LotW KB4CRT
20100504 By KB4CRT; 40-2m; 100w, some QRP; QSL also OK via KB4CRT direct (US SASE, DX 2GS )
2010 Jun10 2010 Jun17 Turks & Caicos VQ5M KD2JA WB2REM
20100118 By WB2REM KD2JA fm Providenciales I (NA-002, FL31vs) for ARRL VHF Contest (6m only, mixed mode); QRV using VP5/WB2REM and VP5/KD2JA outside contest, 160-6m, CW SSB
2010 Jun10 2010 Jun21 San Andres 5J0BV K7BV Direct DXW.Net
20100504 By K7BV fm San Andres I (NA-033, EK92dm); HF + 6m; 50.106.2 MHz breakable beacon; wire + vert on HF, 8el 42.5' boom on 6m
2010 Jun10 2010 Jun24 Albania ZA LotW HG5XA
20100424 By HG5XA as ZA/HA5X fm Orikum; holiday style operation; QSL also available via OQRS, details TBA
2010 Jun11 2010 Jun17 Guernsey GU 2E0WMG F5NQL
20100413 By 2E0WMG as 2U0WMG/p fm Herm I (EU-114); 80-15m; SSB
2010 Jun12 2010 Jun19 Malta 9H3XW G5XW Direct VA3RJ
20100415 By G5XW fm EU-023, MIA MM-001, WLOTA LH-1113; SSB
2010 Jun12 2010 Jun21 Anguilla VP2E
PA3LEO IK1PMR
20100518 By IK1PMR as VP2EMR and PA3LEO using VP2ECF (call signs requested); focus on WARC; CW RTTY; 100w; holiday style operation
2010 Jun12 2010 Jun25 Malta 9H3BS G0SGB Direct VA3RJ
20100318 By G0SGB fm EU-023 (MIA MM-001, WLOTA LH-1113), also fm Gozo I (EU-023, MIA MM-004, WLOTA LH-0046) with TBD
2010 Jun18 2010 Jun20 Taiwan BW2 JK2VOC Direct JK2VOC
20100420 By JK2VOC as BW2/JK2VOC
2010 Jun19 2010 Jul03 Malta 9H3MK OH1MN VA3RJ
20100514 By OH1MN fm EU-023 (MIA MM-001, WLOTA LH-1113); holiday style operation; QSL OK via Buro or direct
2010 Jun22 2010 Jun27 Liechtensten HB0 See Info OPDX
20100322 By OZ1MDX as HB0/OU4U; HF; CW SSB RTTY, perhaps PSK31; Direct QSL via M0URX, Buro request at Web link
2010 Jun28 2010 Jul05 St Vincent J8 KB3RHR OPDX
20091221 By W9DR as J8/W9DR and W8IF as J8/W8IF fm Bequia I (NA-025); 6m
2010 Jul01 2010 Jul13 Cape Verde Is D44TOI HB9BOI DXW.Net
20100412 By HB9BOI fm Sal I (AF-086); HF
2010 Jul05 2010 Jul14 St Pierre & Miquelon FP LotW K9OT
20100314 By K9OT as FP/K9OT and KB9LIE as FP/KB9LIE fm Miquelon I (NA-032, DIFO FP-002, GN17); 80-10m, possibly 160 10m; CW SSB; QSL also OK via home_call, Buro or direct
2010 Jul07 2010 Jul22 Mongolia JT1 IW5ELA IW5ELA
20100330 By IW5ELA as JT1/IW5ELA; 40-15m; verticals + wires; holiday style operation; QSL OK via Buro or direct
2010 Jul09 2010 Jul25 Bahamas C6
Home Call VA3RJ
20100520 By NA6M as C6AMS, also N5BW (C6AMR), K2CK (C6ASH), K5AB (C6AAB) W5ETY (C6ATY) fm Eleuthera I (NA-001, FL15)
2010 Jul10 2010 Jul24 Corsica TK10B F8BBL OPDX
20091221 By F8BBL fm Golfe de Valinco and possibly Sanguinaires I (EU-104) + Lavezzi I (EU-164)
2010 Jul12 2010 Jul19 Belize V31 See Info OPDX
20100412 By K5YY as V31YY (QSL via K5YY, also W5SJ using V31SJ and W5UQ with V31UQ (QSL both via W5JAY); HF; QRV for CQ VHF Contest; will check 60m after sunset on the hour
2010 Jul13 2010 Jul14 Fiji 3D2 Home Call JA2NQG
20100408 By JA2NQG JH2BNL JI2UAY as TBD; 160-10m; CW SSB RTTY, perhaps some FM
2010 Jul14 2010 Jul24 Wallis & Futuna FW5M Home Call JA2NQG
20100408 By JA2NQG fm Wallis I (OC-054); also JH2BNL using TO2BNL and JI2UAY using FW5FM; 160-10m; CW SSB RTTY, perhaps some FM; will also try to activate Hoorn I (OC-118)
2010 Jul16 2010 Jul24 Sardinia IS0E
TBA 425DXN
20100515 By EA3AKA EA3GHZ EA5EOR EC5BME fm EU-024 (JN40iu); 80-10m; SSB CW
2010 Jul17 2010 Jul31 Seychelles S79BWW CT1BWW CT1BWW
20100420 By CT1BWW fm Mahe (AF-024, LI75sf); 80-6m; CW SSB, perhaps RTTY; QSL OK via Buro or direct
2010 Jul21 2010 Jul31 Senegal 6V7W
EA5KA EA6TS
20100519 By EA1AP EA1CJ EA1SA EA5KA; 160-6m, focus on 6m; SSB CW RTTY; 3 stns; Loc. IK14ll
2010 Jul24 2010 Jul31 Malta 9H3Y IT9ABY IT9ABY
20100511 By IT9ABY IT9WKU IT9ZRU IW9HJT; QSL via Buro OK, direct preferred
2010 Jul25 2010 Jul31 Senegal 6V7EA
TBA 425DXN
20100515 By EA1AP EA1CJ EA1SA EA5KA; 160-6m; SSB CW RTTY; call sign requested
2010 Aug16 2010 Aug19 Botswana A25 Home Call VA3RJ
20100423 By W2LPL as A25/W2LPL fm Tuli Bloc, W2DBL likewise; HF; mainly SSB
2010 Aug18 2010 Aug25 Alaska KL7RRC See Info 425DXN
20100220 By RV3ACA N6PYN N3QQ UA9OBA fm Chirikof I (NA-235); dates tentative; Russia + Europe QSL via UA9OBA, others via N7RO
2010 Aug26 2010 Sep01 Alaska KL7 See Info 425DXN
20100220 By RV3ACA N6PYN N3QQ UA9OBA as N6PYN/KL7 fm NA-239; dates tentative; Russia + Europe QSL via UA9OBA, others via N7RO
2010 Sep16 2010 Sep20 Greenland OX6YL LA6RHA
20100325 By OZ7AGR LA6RHA LA8FOA IT9ESZ F5RPB DJ6US fm Kangerlussuaq; CW SSB; all YL team
2010 Oct07 2010 Oct22 Temotu H40KJ SP5DRH SP5DRH
20100425 By SP5DRH fm Pigeon I (OC-065), also SP3BQ using H40BQ (QSL via SP3BQ); focus on 160m; mainly CW, some RTTY
2010 Oct08 2010 Oct18 Netherlands Antilles PJ2 LotW K8ND
20100512 By K8ND as PJ2/K8ND fm Curacao; QSL also OK via K8ND
2010 Oct10 2010 Oct20 Sint Maarten PJ7 KQ1F K1XM
20100504 By K1XM + others as TBD fm QTH of PJ8UQ; 160-10m; SSB CW RTTY
2010 Oct20 2010 Oct30 Greenland OX
TBA DL2VFR
20100516 By DF9TM as OX/DF9TM; DL2SWW DL1RTL DL2VFR likewise, fm Tasiilaq Ammasallik (NA-151, WFF OZFF-006); HF; CW SSB RTTY
2010 Oct22 2010 Nov01 Sable I CY0 N0TG N0TG
20100215 By WA4DAN AA4VK N0TG AI5P as TBD; OQRS to be available
2010 Oct25 2010 Nov01 Senegal 6V7T F5RAV F5RAV
20100411 By F5RAV
2010 Oct26 2010 Nov02 St Pierre & Miquelon FP LotW KV1J
20100507 By KV1J as FP/KV1J fm Miquelon I; 160-6m; SSB CW RTTY PSK31 + AO-51; QSL also OK via KV1J, Buro or direct
2010 Nov01 2010 Nov15 Vanuatu YJ0HA LotW HA0HW
20100502 By HA5UK HA5AO fm Efate I (OC-035); 160-10m; CW SSB RTTY PSK SSTV; QSL also OK via HA5UK, Buro or direct
2010 Nov17 2010 Dec01 Palmyra Jarvis Is N5E TBA DXW.Net
20100426 By 25 ops fm Jarvis I; 160-6m; CW SSB RTTY; dates tentative; QRV for CQWW DX CW
2010 Nov19 2010 Dec05 Kermadec I ZL8X OQRS DXW.Net
20100215 By DJ5IW DJ7EO DJ9RR DK1II DL1MGB DL3DXX DL5CW DL5LYM DL5XL DL6FBL DL8OH DL8LAS SP5XVY; 160-10m; CW SSB RTTY; 7 QRO stns; online QSL request system
Amateur Radio In The News
- 50th Dutch Ham Radio Convention - Southgate Amateur Radio Club
- Ham radio station operating from a Boeing 737 - Southgate Amateur Radio Club
- Ham radio enthusiasts descend on Dallas park - Gaston Gazette
- ARNewsline Report 1725 -- Sept 3 2010: - eHam.net
- Planning for Disaster in the Face of Earl - CTO Edge (blog)
- Sept. 2010 letter from Supervisor Snider - TriValley Central
- Community Meetings 9-4 - Walton Sun
- CQ Unveils New Website: - eHam.net
- Hometown Happenings 0902 - Tbo.com
- Ham radio operators getting busy in Dallas - Gaston Gazette

Recent comments
12 hours 1 min ago
20 weeks 14 hours ago
47 weeks 4 days ago
51 weeks 12 hours ago
51 weeks 2 days ago
51 weeks 2 days ago
1 year 2 days ago
1 year 1 week ago
1 year 5 weeks ago
1 year 5 weeks ago