December 2005 – Page 3 – Spinning and Grinning

Amateur Radio Magazines

Here are the four monthly magazines I subscribe to. Let me know if there are any other magazines out there worth subscribing to?

CQ is the world’s leading independent magazine devoted to amateur radio. For more than a half-century, CQ has been on ham radio’s leading edge — the first to promote mobile operating (in the 1950s), semiconductors (in the 1960s) and packet radio — the original e-mail (in the 1980s). The amateur satellite program got its start with an idea in the pages of CQ!

Our primary focus has always been on operating activities, including DXing and contesting, but construction projects and technical articles regularly find a home in CQ as well.

CQ’s greatest strength has always been in its regular columns. Today’s lineup includes:
Amateur satellites, antennas, awards, beginners, contesting, digital, DXing, FCC news, mobiling`, new products, propagation, public service, QRP (low-power), Radio Classics, technical topics and VHF. In addition, Dave Ingram, K4TWJ, covers “The World of Ideas” and “How it Works”; Jeff Reinhardt, AA6JR, offers perspectives on “Magic in the Sky”; and at-large editors Ken Neubeck, WB2AMU, and Gordon West, WB6NOA, share their insights on a variety of ham topics.

The #1 magazine in the field of general hobby radio, Popular Communications covers short-wave listening (“world-band radio”), broadcast-band DXing (listening for faraway AM, FM & TV broadcast stations), scanning public service and other VHF/UHF frequencies, amateur radio, citizens band (CB), emergency communications, satellites, monitoring clandestine and pirate stations, and more. Popular Communications has been published since 1982.

QST magazine is the most widely read Amateur Radio publication in the country. Each month, ARRL members “read all about it” in QST. Since 1915, QST has delivered the latest news and practical information from the world of Amateur Radio. Rely on QST as your source for equipment reviews, clever technical tips, projects, timely happenings, and critical FCC news. All hams, regardless of license class or experience, will find it indispensable.

A full-spectrum monthly magazine for the radio listener, Monitoring Times covers scanning, shortwave and other radio topics from below 500 kHz to 900 MHz and above. Presented in an easy-to-understand style by our experienced writing staff, we’ll help you get the most out of your time and your equipment with practical listening tips and frequencies.

International Space Station crew sends holiday greetings from space

“What a wonderful place to spend Christmas!” That was the word this week from Expedition 12 Commander Bill McArthur, KC5ACR, and his crewmate and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev on the International Space Station. Wearing Santa hats, the astronaut and the cosmonaut extend Christmas and new year’s greetings to everyone on Earth in a video clip available from NASA TV during which they take turns at the microphone. In it, McArthur says that this is his favorite time of year, and he regrets not being able to spend it with his family this year. “As we look down on the earth, especially during this time of year, it really strikes us how fortunate mankind is to live on such a wonderful, beautiful planet,” McArthur goes on to say during the greeting, which runs about almost four minutes. “And also we realize we have great responsibilities as stewards of this planet.” McArthur and Tokarev will return to Earth in April.

Now that I have my paddle….

Here’s a post I recently made to the SolidCpyCW Yahoo Group and some of the responses:

Subject : [SolidCpyCW] Now that I have my paddle….

I’ve taken your advice and hid away the straight key and got a paddle. I’ve got the paddle hooked up to my IC-706 but have a few questions about some of the settings.

CW pitch – 600 Hz is default.

Carrier Freq – default is 0 Hz. I know this has to do with BFO, but don’t know what to set it to.

Ratio – adjusts the key ratio or weight? Selectable from 2.8 to 4.5 and the default is 3.0

Key Speed – Default is 20 wpm…. I can barely manage 5 wpm.

I also purchased the 500Hz CW filter for this rig – any recommendations on how to use the filter would be great.

One more question – if someone could just run down a standard QSO from calling CQ to BFO to the basic exchange of info and 73… it would be helpful.

73 Scott KD7PJQ

From : Brian <ble81@yahoo.com>
Reply-To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Sent : Monday, December 19, 2005 2:32 AM
To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Subject : [SolidCpyCW] Re: Now that I have my paddle….</ble81@yahoo.com>

Hi there Scott,

I can’t answer all of your questions but I will give you what I know…

First of all… The paddles are a good choice for gaining speed and ease of sending CW.

The tone pitch setting that I like to use is 700Hz… although I have heard and read where some guys like the lower 600Hz better. This is a “personal” setting as far as what you like and what is easier for you to hear and copy.

As far as the key ratio or weight, I would have to say leave it where it is now and if it feels uncomfortable then change it.

Your key speed is also “personal”.

Just as a thought… Rigs and keyers often have a different approach to what is the keyer speed. (The example that I would give is on field day this year, I got to work in the 40 Meter CW “tent” and they had an Icom rig set up and I had to have them set the key speed down a little bit as I was not able to hear code at their speeds and the keyer said that I was at 18 WPM. I thought that was too fast for me but I was able to make out the code so it must be right. I came home and set my personal keyer for 18 WPM and it was WAY TOO FAST for me. I tried to set my FT767 for the 18 WPM and it was still too fast. I also tried setting my CW computer program for 18 WPM and it was again too fast. So I guess as a rule of thumb is that all keyers are not the same as far as the keyer speed goes.)

If 20 is too fast, set it to what sounds good to you. that will be your code speed on this rig.

A standard QSO would be:

CQ CQ CQ de KD7PJQ KD7PJQ K (pause)repeat as needed for a QSO.
(When the other station replies it will be your call then thier call) KD7PJQ KD7PJQ de KC9FAV KC9FAV KN (KN means ONLY the satation mentioned may answer…”K” leaves it open to any station.)

Your reply:
KC9FAV de KD7PJQ = tnx fer call ur rst is 589 589 =
Name here is Scott Scott QTH Hampton, VA Hampton, VA =
Rig is Icom IC-706 at 50 watts ant is inverted vee antenna at 30 feet =
So hw cpy? KC9FAV de KD7PJQ KN

I would send you the same information and it would look pretty much the same so I won’t repeat it all… after these “pleasantries” are sent then you can chat about the weather ( wx hr is cold and icy = temp is 22 F) or whatever you feel like you want to chat about…
Maybe a secondary hobby or your family and kids or how long you have been a ham. ( Ham since 2003 es upgraded to gen at end of march es cw op since then…
This is pretty much open forum but don’t forget to identlfy every 10 minutes.
I usually do it when I pass it over.

Another tip is to reply with a name to make it like a conversation. “KD7PJQ de KC9FAV FB Scott es solid cpy = =My rig is Yaesu FT 767 GX at 5 watts to Dipole ANT 40 FT up== ” The = sign is also a prosign send BT together.

Pretty much that is all until you get to the end and it changes quite a bit from OP to OP… Some say: “tnk fer qso and hpe c u agn” some say: “Nice chat es 73”
I Usually say :tnx for call and take care hope to c u agn soon 73.
KD7PJQ de KC9FAV Dit Dit…

But all have to end with each other’s call “KD7PJQ de KC9FAV” I will add Dit – Dit just to put a final cap on every QSO that I make.

I hope this will help you Scott.
This is about all I can answer from your post.

Brian – KC9FAV

From : Andrew <snowbirder@yahoo.com>
Reply-To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Sent : Monday, December 19, 2005 12:52 PM
To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Subject : [SolidCpyCW] Re: Now that I have my paddle….</snowbirder@yahoo.com>

Hi Scott,

I am brand new to all of this also and have yet to make my first contact.
I have been nervously sending my first CQ’s this week, no luck yet.

Here are two great FAQ’s for your first contact: http://www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm

and a prior post here on SolidCpy from Paul: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SolidCpyCW/message/682

Both great reads if your making your first call.

Drew
now KE7FSP ! 🙂

From : wn6bdb <wn6bdb@hotmail.com>
Reply-To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Sent : Monday, December 19, 2005 10:10 PM
To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Subject : [SolidCpyCW] Re: Now that I have my paddle….</wn6bdb@hotmail.com>

My preference is to set my CW sidetone to the same frequency I listen to other stations at. Just tune in a station you can copy and decide what tone you prefer to listen at then set your sidetone to the same frequency.

Until your CW skill improves a lot, it’s not a good idea to change the dot/dash ratio. Variations in these settings can effect how you send and how well you’re understood.

Keyer speed is set at the speed that you’re listening at. If you’re talking to someone who sends at 5 wpm then set your speed to 5 wpm. (If they’re going to fast for you, just set your speed at the speed you’re comfortable at and ask them to QRS. The other station should adjust his keyer to match your speed).

For suggestions about operating procedure look at: http://www.netwalk.com/~fsv/CWguide.htm#Finding%20Someone%20To%20Talk

Some more suggestions:
· Practice sending off the air for a few days before you have your first QSO.
· Use the information you’ll be sending on the air for your practice sessions.
· Record your practice session and listen to it the next day. Listen for rhythm and clarity. It’s a lot easier to find someone to talk to if you have a good fist.
· Write down your standard QSO exchange, keep a copy on your operating desk and read it as you send (it makes it a lot easier to send and remember what to say)
Have some fun.
Steve .. AI7W

From : Roger Banks <ke5aqd@sbcglobal.net>
Reply-To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Sent : Tuesday, December 20, 2005 9:18 AM
To : SolidCpyCW@yahoogroups.com
Subject : Re: [SolidCpyCW] Re: Now that I have my paddle….</ke5aqd@sbcglobal.net>

wn6bdb wrote:
>
> · Write down your standard QSO exchange, keep a copy on
> your operating desk and read it as you send (it makes
> it a lot easier to send and remember what to say)

I’d like to reiterate this one. After almost 700 CW QSOs I still, every once in awhile, glance up at my cheat sheet tacked up on the wall.

—
Roger Banks – KE5AQD
Austin, Texas
ke5aqd@ke5aqd.com
http://www.ke5aqd.com

ARISS-Russia “Space Patrol” holiday operating event set

ARISS-Russia “Space Patrol” holiday operating event set (Dec 22, 2005) — ARISS-Russia’s Sergey Samburov, RV3DR, has announced that his team and Russian Space Agency Roscosmos/Energia will sponsor “Space Patrol,” a space-related operating event, December 25 and 26. The activity will be both space-based and ground-based and on HF as well as VHF. International Space Station Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev will take part from space via RS0ISS. Special pass times are December 25 at 2056 UTC, and December 26 at 1947 UTC. Western Europeans should listen 10 minutes prior. RS0ISS will use 145.99 MHz FM simplex (145.55 MHz FM simplex will be a back-up frequency). Worldwide earthbound ham radio operations on HF will begin December 25 at 1200 UTC and continue through the following day. Frequencies are on or about 7.080-7.090 MHz (transmit) listening on 7.290 MHz, 14.180-14.290 MHz and 21.280-21.390 MHz. Hams and cosmonauts will be on the air from Energia’s R3K in Korolev and from RK3DZB at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City. Cosmonauts planning to participate (most likely on December 26 from RK3DZB) include Mir and ISS veterans Sergei Krikalev, U5MIR; Yuri Usachev, RW3FU; and Alexander Kaleri, U8MIR. The activity commemorates the first anniversary of the death of cosmonaut Gennady Strekalev, U6MIR. “Space Patrol” participants are eligible for a certificate and a commemorative QSL card. Details on how to obtain these will be announced.

You might be a HAM if….!

The most complete list yet…….You might be a HAM if….!

* You know the Latitude and Longitude of your home QTH.
* You ask for a Bird 43 for a Father’s day gift.
* You receive a Bird 43 for a Father’s day gift.
* You calculate the HAAT for your new QTH before you sign the loan papers.
* Your teenager refuses to ride in your car because it looks like a porcupine
* Your XYL refuses to ride in your car because all the radios give her a headache.
* You ever replaced a perfectly good car battery just to get a higher capacity one.
* Your criterion for a new QTH includes ground elevation, and no antenna restrictions.
* You ever received a TVI complaint.
* You ever loaded up something strange like your bedsprings or gutters.
* You tried to figure out how to put a stealth antenna onto a public utility pole
* Your neighbor threatened to call the FCC for you interfering with an electronic device in their house.
* You ever had an antenna fall down.
* You ever had the same roll of coax up at 3 different locations.
* Your XYL accuses you of moving all those boxes of wire for the last 20 years, but never using any of it.
* You wear a watch that displays time in a 24-hour format.
* The local Radio Shack knows you by name.
* You consider a repeater directory a necessary glove box item.
* You ever took a detour just to look at a new tower that has sprung up.
* You use your ham call as a computer password.
* You ever used your ham call as a part of an email address.
* You ever bought a ham study guide for another family member in hopes of getting her/him interested.
* You plan your vacation to take in as many hamfests as possible.
* You’ve ever figured out how long a slinky really is.
* You ever tapped out HI in Morse on your car horn to another ham.
* You remember people by their call sign better than their names.
* You ever took a spring vacation to Ohio, so you could drop in on Dayton.
* You go to an antique flea market with your non-ham spouse, just so she/he would feel guilty when you > wanted to go the ham flea market.
* Your call sign shows up on your business cards.
* You ever put a GPS tracker in the XYL’s car, just so you could watch her on APRS.
* You and the XYL took a cruise so you could visit the radio room.
* Ham radio magazines comprise more than 50% of your bathroom library.
* A ham radio activity is included in your business resume.
* You have taken a radio to work just to see how you get out or to use during a lunch hour.
* You’ve looked at the cordless phone and wondered if you could tweak it over to a ham band.
* You’ve automatically tuned into the RACES or ARES freq. during a storm rather than the Nat. Weather > Service.
* Your tried to bring in SW by modifiying a crystal radio.
* You factor in a few extra hours on a business trip so you can visit a ham radio retail establishment
* You ever fell off a ladder while putting up an antenna.
* You ever put up an antenna in a snow storm.
* You ever had to patch your roof after an antenna project
* Your teenager thinks all your friends are weird.
* You have many other interests, but over the years keep ham radio as a core activity.
* You actually try your radio’s submersible capability while taking a bath.
* You convert a walking stick into a pedestrian antenna.

My QSL card…

I mentioned back in my 16 OCT entry that I had to come up with my own QSL card… well here was the first version:

I got the above cards made at Kinkos and wasn’t very happy with either the service or the final product. I’m now through the first 100 cards so I did a little research and found another printer that specializes in QSL cards. Here’s the prototype for my new card:

Mail Call

From QRZ.com:
In 1975 Armando Villamor, WA4QVH, (ex-K2ZZH) participated in the evacuation of Saigon, South Vietnam, as RADIO OFFICER on the USNS GREENVILLE VICTORY (T-AK 237).. Also holds Amateur License from Belize, Central America, V31AV and FCC Commercial 1st Class Radiotelegraph licence with Ship Radar Endorsement and six month service Endorsement.

In 1975 six crewmembers from the USNS GREENVILLE VICTORY joined A MARINE AMPHIBIOUS ASSAULT UNIT to recapture the SS MAYAGUEZ previously boarded and captured by the Khmer Rouge in international waters off the Cambodian coast. Served as the Radio Officer on USNS GREENVILLE VICTORY in that operation.

To see details about evacuation of Saigon and the MAYAGUEZ incident please browse to:

http://hometown.aol.com/avilla2090/armando/web/index.htm

Mail Call

My first QSL card from another country.

From QRZ.com:
Thank you for stopping by to learn a little bit more about me. I was born in 1965 and like a lot of hams, I got into radio at an early age. Became an official ham in 1993 and made the move to extra in 2004. I have a stay at home XYL and 2 young boys who are beginning to show an interest in ham radio. I am now retired which gives me a lot more time to spend with my family and friends. Not to mention ham radio and my other hobbies which include the outdoors, firearms and restoring tube radios. I also enjoy military history and collecting military items from the civil war to Vietnam. This goes with-out saying the honor it is to be able to talk with any veteran. Thank you again for my freedoms.

I strongly feel that the ham community is a fraternity of wonderful people that are always there to help out. And as such, I would also be more then happy to help any one at any time any way that I can. Please feel free to email me about any thing. Together, there is no problem that we can not solve.

My motto has always been 100% ham-spirit in every sense of the word.

QSL info = 100% Direct or via Bureau. I also upload the logbook to LOTW and eQSL. Please do NOT send a SASE as these are not needed at all. But please send the paper QSL’s as I do collect them.

Thank you once again for stopping by and I’ll be looking forward to the next time we meet.

73 John

Hello!!! Welcome to Rhode Island! I started amateur radio in Dec 1997 as Prev.call (KB1CGG). Really like to ten meter activity. Got into 1010 international. 1010# 70008 more than likely did work all states but lost log while moving. Rig used is Icom IC-706MIIG, doing mostly digital modes. I hope that all the new hams have as much fun as i do. GOD BLESS US ALL.Best 73’s to all. de n1zw Robin

Old Point Comfort Light, Fort Monroe, Virginia

The oldest standing structure at Fort Monroe, the Old Point Comfort Light was built in 1802. The adjacent Victorian keeper’s dwelling was added in 1900. The tower is 54 feet high, and still retains the 4th order fresnel lens that was installed in the 1850’s.

Old Point Comfort is still an active aid to navigation, standing lookout over Hampton Roads Harbor. The second-oldest lighthouse on the Chesapeake, Old Point Comfort witnessed the battle between the Monitor and Merrimack during the Civil War.

Fort Monroe is open to the public, and the lighthouse grounds can be easily approached. You can also explore the WWII gun placements near the lighthouse.

ARLHS #USA 567, 37°00’N 76°18’W

Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS)

The purposes of the Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society (ARLHS) are to promote public awareness of both ham radio and lighthouses, preserving lights that are in danger of extinction, and paying tribute to the role that hams and lighthouse keepers have played in contributing to maritime safety. A complete statement of our purposes can be found on the society’s Welcome Page.

We sponsor four annual events:
SL: The Spring Lites QSO Party, generally held in April
NLLW: The National Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend QSO Party, in early August
ILLW: The International Lighthouse-Lightship Weekend, held the third weekend in August in conjunction with GM4SUC
LCL: Lighthouse Christmas Lights QSO Party, end of December>January.
Note that the ILLW is a special event and not a contest.

In addition to the above, members take various excursions or expeditions, sometimes with little advance notice, to lighthouse, and they activate the lights for a day or more. These events are usually posted on our “BeaconBot,” an automated e-mail reflector, which you can join for free by signing up on Page 6 of our web site.

Next, we offer an extensive awards program (WAS-LH, WAC-LH, DXCC-LH, etc.). Details can be found at Page 9 of the web site, and a book of awards, rules, and application forms is available for download in PDF format.

Very important is our ARLHS World List of Lights. You should check this list to obtain the official ARLHS number of the lighthouses you work. We update this list every day, and it has become the de facto standard for all known light beacons in the world. When you cite the number on your QSLs or in correspondence, be sure to give the complete number, which includes the letters “ARLHS” in the prefix; for example, cite ARLHS USA-045 and not just USA-045 or 045. Since there are several other numbering systems being used by others, this helps make it clear which system you are using.

If you join the society, you will have access to the complete database of members around the world, along with their mailing addresses for QSLs etc. E-mail addresses are not made public (to avoid spamming), but are available for most members upon request to club officials.

Upon joining, you will be assigned a unique member number that is yours for life. Once given to you, it will never be reassigned to others, even if you choose not to renew your membership. It is used in various events to exchange with others for awards, etc.

The ARLHS club station call is KC2HOU and the ARLHS newsletter is called The ARLHS Lighthouse Lens.

Your membership grants you reproduction rights to the official ARLHS logo and acronym. You may use it on stationery, envelopes, or QSL cards as long as you are an active member of the Society.

Each year the ARLHS holds its annual convention. In the past this has been at St Simons Light in Georgia. This year (2004) it will be on North Carolina’s Outer Banks, and in future years we expect to move around the country. Perhaps the Great Lakes in 2005. It’s one or two days of LH operating, demos, food, and drink. A fun time for all (spouses are invited) and one that has grown from a handful of members the first year to over 100 or more.

More info here.