April 30, 2007 by kb3ljm.

IBM said on Wednesday it will be able to make microchips faster and more energy efficient by stacking components on top of each other, a breakthrough that cuts the distance an electrical signal needs to travel. The technique works by drilling tiny holes through a wafer of silicon and filling them with metal. Components such as memory can then be stacked on top of the main part of the chip, eliminating the need for wires stretching out to the sides. IBM likened the method to replacing a sprawling airport parking lot with a multi-storied garage right next to the terminal. Like people walking from the garage to the terminal, electrical signals do not have to travel as far in a chip with stacked components. “It opens up a range of applications and neat things we can do,” said Lisa Su, head of semiconductor research at IBM. IBM will use the method to make power management chips for wireless devices later this year, allowing them to use 40 per cent less power than previous versions, Su said in an interview. Eventually, IBM plans to incorporate the technique into full-blown processors, she said. It is the latest achievement by International Business Machine Corp’s semiconductor researchers, who have in recent months hit upon several breakthroughs in materials science and chip design. “We have been working on techniques like this for the past 10 years and you never know when they are going to come to market,” Su said. “The scope of innovation you have to deal with is much larger. It’s not just materials and atoms, but systems and how you put components together.” [Thanks, N3CVA for forwarding this to us]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070412/tc_nm/ibm_chip_dc_2

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April 30, 2007 by kb3ljm.

The ARRL has announced it’s withdrawing its controversial November 2005 Petition for Rule Making (RM-11306) calling on the FCC to establish a regulatory regime to segment bands by necessary bandwidth rather than by emission mode. The League cited “widespread misconceptions” surrounding the petition as a primary reason for deciding to remove it from FCC consideration. The ARRL left open the option of refiling the same or a similar petition in the future, however.

http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/101/?nc=1

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

GB3LEX, the 10GHz beacon located at the Leicestershire Repeater group site near Junction 22 of the M1 motorway, became operational on its assigned frequency of 10368.955MHz during the afternoon of 15 April. It beams south and ahs a beamwidth of 90 degrees. The ERP is 0.5W. Reception reports would be welcome to Geoff, G4AFJ , telephone 01 455 823344. [GB2RS]

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April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Since the beginning of 2005 the German telecommunication authorities have licensed a propagation study experiment on medium wave MF. The first license for an experimental station on 440 kHz plus/minus 100 Hz was issued to Walter, DJ2LF under the callsign DI2AG. In May 2006, Geri, DK8KW got the second license to operate under the callsign DI2BO at his home location in Peine near Hannover, locator JO52BH. Early in 2007 the experimental radio licenses were extended to a second frequency. Besides 440 kHz also 505.1 kHz plus/minus 100 Hz may now be used. This frequency falls into the frequency range of the Experimental radio group with the callsign WD2XSH in the U.S. Also, the Swedish authorities have issued one license for this frequency range. This frequency is also very close to the new amateur radio band 501 to 504 kHz which was issued recently on an experimental basis. DI2BO currently transmits in QRSS3 interrupted by CW identification. For the time being the beacon will remain permanently on 24/7 on 505.015 kHz. Reception reports are welcome, either via DK8KW or direct. Correct reception reports will be confirmed by a special QSL card.

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April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

Sunspots have reappeared over the past few days after six days of nothing. So far in April we’ve seen 18 days with zero spots, but a large sunspot, Number 953, now is rolling into view. A solar wind stream also is expected to hit Earth, causing a geomagnetic upset on Saturday, April 28. The Australian Space Forecast Centre predicts quiet-to-unsettled conditions April 27, active-to-minor storm conditions April 28, and active conditions April 29. The US Air Force predicts the planetary A index from April 27 through May 1 at 5, 25, 15, 10 and 8. Similar predictions from Geophysical Institute Prague give us quiet conditions April 27, active April 28, unsettled to active April 29, unsettled April 30, quiet to unsettled May 1, and back to quiet May 2-3.http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/27/100/?nc=1

Posted in K7RA Solar Update, ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

On Saturday 9 June the Torbay Amateur Television and Microwave Group will be hosting the fifth in a series of workshops being held throughout the UK. The event is suitable for anyone interested in the microwave bands and the workshop is specifically aimed at those who have no experience of these frequencies. The day will be structured around a series of introductory talks and practical demonstrations of microwave stations and operation. There will be a number of experienced microwave operators present during the day so that all your questions can be answered. It is to be held at the Abbrook Park Sports and Social Club, Kinsteignton, Newton Abbot, Devon from 10am and it is free of charge. Ken Harper, G0EKH, is managing the event andanyone wishing to attend this workshop should contact him via e-mail to norstech@blueyonder.co.uk or by telephone on 01626 202 925.

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April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

GUINEA, 3X.

Serge, 3XM6JR and Alex, 3XD2Z are QRV from here for a few months. They plan to be active soon on 6-meters for the E-skip season. QSL 3XM6JR via UA6JR and 3XD2Z via RW3AZ.

TANZANIA, 5H.

Sigfrido is QRV as 5H0RS for one year. He has been active on 20 meters SSB at various times. QSL via IT9YVO.

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, A6.

Rashad, A61R has been active on 20 meters around 1630z.

CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, TL.

Patrice is QRV as TL8PB and has been active on 20 meters around 1930z. QSL via LA0HF.

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/dx/2007-arld017.html

Posted in ARRL DX BULLETIN | Comments Off

April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

An unfavorable weather forecast at the launch and recovery sites has led sponsors to postpone the launch of the ARBONET-2 high-altitude balloon, which will carry an Amateur Radio payload. Originally was set to go April 27, ARBONET-2 now will take flight Saturday, May 5, 9 AM CDT (1400 UTC), from the Red River County Airport in Clarksville, Texas. Using the call sign K5FRC, the “Amateur Radio Balloons over North East Texas” mission will carry a crossband repeater (445.800 MHz up/147.560 MHz down), APRS (144.390 MHz) and a homing and data beacon (145.560 MHz). A 10-meter CW beacon on 28.061 MHz will identify as K5RWK. The ARBONET-2 flight is being dedicated to long-time Amateur Radio high-altitude balloon enthusiast Kim R. Miles, N9IS, who died March 27. He was a prominent member of the Central Indiana Windtrax organization with more than 30 high-altitude balloon flight operations to his credit. A launch net (K5FRC) will commence at 8:30 AM CDT (1330 UTC) on launch day and continue until recovery on 7.260 MHz (plus or minus QRM). The flight is expected to last about two hours. The ARBONET team requests reception reports to the ARBONET Web site. A commemorative QSL card will be available for those submitting reports.http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7409

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

April 27, 2007 by kb3ljm.

It’s been just a little more than two months since the FCC dropped the requirement that Amateur Radio applicants pass a Morse code test to earn operating privileges below 30 MHz. While the initial avalanche of applications immediately following February 23, when the no-Morse testing regime went into effect, has abated somewhat, business remains brisk for the ARRL Volunteer Examiner Coordinator staff.http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2007/04/26/100/?nc=1

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April 26, 2007 by kb3ljm.

May 26-27

CQ WW WPX Contest, CW

May 26

VK Trans-Tasm. 80 M , CW

May 27-28

MI QRP Mem Day Sprint, CW

June 9

Asia-Pacific Sprint, SSB

June 9-11

ARRL June VHF QSO Party

June 16

SARL Youth for Amateur Radio

June 23-24

ARRL Field Day

July 1

RAC Canada day Contest

July 8

DARC 10 M. Digital Contest

http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/index.html

Posted in WA7BNM Contest Calendar | Comments Off