April 28, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Amateur radio cartoonist Robert Beasley, K6BJH, whose deft drawings sparked many a grin, died February 16, 2008; he was 82. His wife, Helen, survives Bob. According to his autobiography, he was first licensed in southern California in 1953. Following retirement, Bob fulfilled his lifelong desire to become a cartoonist. His work was featured in QST, Worldradio, Electric Radio, Spec-Com Journal, Radioscan and Badger State Smoke Signals. Collections of his cartoons were published as: The Best of Beasley and The Best of Beasley: K6BJH on Amateur Television.

Source: K9YA Telegraph, 5/2008

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April 26, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Yes, it’s that time again! Hamfest time is here.We need your help, not only on July 20, but now! Here’s how you can help: Call the BRATS info-line at 410-461-1212 and leave a message. Say “I want to help with the hamfest”. Let us know when you will be available, on July 19, 20 and 21 as well as now…We will get back to you. We can only pull it off if you help.
Thanks and 73, Mayer, W3GXK

Posted in Some Thoughts | Comments Off

April 25, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Show off your ham radio pride with ARRL’s new line of HAM apparel. The new shirt, sweatshirt and ball cap feature the very popular oval Euro design with “HAM” emblazoned in the center and the ARRL Web site address centered underneath it. The T shirt is a pre-shrunk black Hanes beefy-T with white contrast stitching. The HAM oval is screenprinted on the left chest. This trendy T shirt comes in unisex sizes from small to 3X for only $12.95 each. The heavyweight black sweatshirt features a quarter-zip neckline with a brass metal zipper and leather pull. The HAM oval is embroidered on the left chest. This sweatshirt is perfect for the still chilly nights of spring and comes in unisex sizes from small to 3X for only $34.95 each. The black ballcap features the HAM oval embroidered in the center of the cap. With an adjustable Velcro tab closure, this cap is sure to fit just about anyone. Get yours for only $12.95. Receive a free HAM Euro sticker (a $2 value) when you order one of these three HAM items before May 31, 2008.

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8150

Posted in ARRL Web Extra | Comments Off

April 9, 2008 by kb3ljm.

Technical papers are solicited for presentation at the 27th annual ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference (DCC), Friday-Sunday, September 26-28, in Chicago, Illinois. Papers will also be published in the Conference Proceedings. Authors do not need to attend the conference to have their papers included in the Proceedings. The submission deadline is July 31. The ARRL/TAPR Digital Communications Conference is an international forum for technically minded radio amateurs to meet and present new ideas and techniques. Paper/presentation topic areas include — but are not limited to – software defined radio (SDR), digital voice, digital satellite communication, digital signal processing (DSP), HF digital modes, adapting IEEE 802.11 systems for Amateur Radio, Global Positioning System (GPS), Automatic Position Reporting System (APRS), Linux in Amateur Radio, AX.25 updates and Internet operability with Amateur Radio networks. Submit papers to Maty Weinberg, KB1EIB, ARRL, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111 or via e-mail. Papers will be published exactly as submitted, and authors will retain all rights. ARRL will provide additional information on the 2008 DCC as it becomes available.

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8133

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April 9, 2008 by kb3ljm.

In a personal essay published in the April 2008 issue of The National Review, the late William F. Buckley Jr described a fascinating story involving himself, Senator Barry Goldwater, K7UGA (SK), and of course ham radio. It seems that Mr Buckley was part of a 12 man trip to a very remote outpost at the South Pole. In addition to his son, his old pal Barry Goldwater and Barry Jr were also members of this expedition. Buckley described being in a crowded Soviet igloo, entertained with “trays of caviar and tumblers of vodka.” After toasting his Russian host, he was suddenly taken aside by Barry Jr. “Dad wants to see you” he said, pointing to the door. Buckley was taken to another igloo, apparently the radio shack. “Thought you might like to talk to your wife,” the senior Goldwater said. Buckley describes the prideful look on Goldwater’s face, having maneuvered the Soviet radio to contact his wife back home in Arizona! Although he was a man famous for his complete control of the English language, Bill Buckley said he was “speechless” as he heard the telephone ringing and his wife answering the telephone! He said, “It’s me darling” and his wife responded, “It’s three o’clock in the morning!” Buckley exclaimed, “I’m calling from the South Pole!” This story reminded me of the many nights back in the late 1970s when I gladly helped with phone patches from the US Navy base at McMurdo, Antarctica. Just as Senator Goldwater did, I awakened many people in the wee hours of the morning with a phone call from their loved ones on the bottom of the world! — Bruce Jackson, KA5ELC, Cordova, Tennessee

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8132

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April 8, 2008 by kb3ljm.

The Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard are co-sponsoring the annual Military/Amateur Radio communications tests in celebration of the 58th anniversary of Armed Forces Day (AFD). Although the actual Armed Forces Day is celebrated on May 17, the AFD Military/Amateur Crossband Communications Test will be conducted on May 10 to prevent conflict with the Dayton Hamvention, scheduled for May 16-18.
Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in ARRL Letter | Comments Off

April 8, 2008 by kb3ljm.

“Baltimore/Washington is the latest airport to embrace the new landscaping trend of installing artificial turf on the tarmac. It’s ideal for unpaved areas on the tarmac because foreign debris in dirt and soil near runways can be safety hazards, says Joe Dobson of AvTurf. Airports have typically grown natural grass in these areas, but grass can be difficult and expensive to maintain and attract unwanted animals and birds. In addition, Astroturf is being used to replace the green paint or yellow X signs used to help pilots distinguish decommissioned taxiways. Painted asphalt can be hard to see at night for pilots, especially if paint fades, says Dobson. Among airports that have recently laid down artificial turf: New York’s John F. Kennedy, Atlanta, Detroit, Toronto, Chicago O’Hare, Chicago Midway and Boston.”

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sky/2008/04/airport-check-i.html

Posted in Travel, USA Today | Comments Off

April 8, 2008 by kb3ljm.

With more than 20,000 listings for VHF/UHF repeaters across the US and Canada, The ARRL Repeater Directory 2008-2009 is a must have. Once again, the ARRL is offering two sizes of the Repeater Directory — pocket size and desktop. This year, not only is the pocket-sized Repeater Directory a half-inch larger than previous editions, it boasts a larger font size, making for easier reading. For the first time ever, this year’s editions feature handy indexing tabs on the cover, easier to read listings and a “Key to Repeater Notes” located right up front in the Directory. Along with these new features, both editions have the features you know and enjoy from prior years: Repeater operating practices, repeater lingo and hints for newly licensed hams; Frequency Coordinator contact information; listings for D-Star and APCO 25 repeaters; a guide to using CTCSS tones and Digital Coded Squelch (DCS); VHF/UHF band plans and a 2 meter channel-spacing map; IRLP (Internet linked) nodes; tips for handling interference; listings for IRLP, WIRES-II and EchoLink (Internet linked) nodes; emergency message handling procedures, and a transceiver memory log. Order your copy of The ARRL Repeater Directory 2008-2009 today at the ARRL Online Store.

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8118

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April 8, 2008 by kb3ljm.

CROATIA, 9A.

Members from the Varazdin Radioclub are QRV as 9A60A until December 2008 in celebration of the club’s 60 years. Activity is on all bands. This includes entries in several upcomingcontests. QSL via 9A7A.

NEPAL, 9N.

Stig, LA7JO is QRV as 9N7JO until June 30. Activity is on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31. QSL direct to his Thailand address.

QATAR, A7.

Bill, NM7H is QRV as A7/G0MKT until the middle of June. Activity is on 40 to 6 meters using mostly CW with some SSB and PSK. QSL to home call.

IRAN, EP.

Sadegh, EP3HF has been active on 15 meters around 0900z and 20 meters around 1530z. QSL direct.

MINAMI TORISHIMA, JD1.

Masafumi, JD1BMM has been active on 17 meters between 2100 and 2300z. QSL to home call.

WAKE ISLAND, KH9.

Colin, WA2YUN is QRV as WA2YUN/KH9 and is here probably until the end of 2009. Activity is on 160 to 10 meters. QSL via K2PF.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, P2.

David, P29GQ is usually active on the ANZANet between 0500 to 0600z on weekends. QSL to home call.

FRANZ JOSEF LAND, R1FJ.

Station R1FJT is QRV from the Krenkel Polar station on Heyss Island. Activity is on 80 to 17 meters using CW. QSL via UA4RC.

OPERATION APPROVED FOR DXCC CREDIT.
The following operation is approved for DXCC credit: Wake Island, G4GIR/KH9, 2007 operation.

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw/dx/2008-arld015.html

Posted in ARRL DX BULLETIN | Comments Off

April 8, 2008 by kb3ljm.

ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, reports that DXCC has completed processing applications for 2007. As such, St Barthelemy (FJ) has been added to the DXCC computer system and Logbook of The World (LoTW). With the addition, this moves the #1 Honor Roll position to 338 current entities; operators now need 329 entities to qualify for Honor Roll. “While DXCC has completed applications for 2007, there are a number of application returns still being mailed, so it may be another 2-3 weeks before applicants receive their 2007 return,” Moore said. “LoTW is now accepting certificate requests for St Barthelemy; once those logs are submitted, the matches should occur and applicants can claim DXCC credit.” For programmers who use the DXCC entity numbering system, the entity code for St Barthelemy is 516.

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=8122

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