From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Mar 1 08:48:12 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2019 08:48:12 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] NOVICE RIG ROUNDUP STARTS TONIGHT!! In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <25910782-e00b-81e1-4238-c313860f514e@bellsouth.net> From FLBoatanchors: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FLBOATANCHORS NOVICE RIG ROUNDUP The 2019 NRR will be held 0000 UTC March 2 to 2359 UTC March 10 novicerigroundup.org This is a GRASS ROOTS event. We have a few sponsors but NO BIG ORGANIZATION. HARD WORKING volunteers put this together every spring!!! Minimal help from ARRL and SKKC - they DO list us on their EVENT / CONTEST calendars these days! STARTING TONIGHT Fri 01-March at 0000 UTC (7 pm EST) NOVICE RIG ROUNDUP is here again! Starting tonight!! 80m CW 40m CW 15m CW 10m CW 2m AM It's all happening starting this evening at 0000 UTC for NINE DAYS! LISTEN IN !! or JOIN THE FUN, mostly on 80m and 40m CW of course. ANYONE is welcome with ANY RIG!!!!! Special electronic online logger for all your QSOs. (OR "Q's" if you are a contest nut (doubt!))) This is kind of non-competitive event but oddly they have prizes (randomly drawn.) We expect a little mayhem with hundreds of signals (like the old days!) Join the fun, especially on 40m CW Details: http://NoviceRigRoundup.org http://NoviceRigRoundup.com From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Mar 1 15:27:06 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 1 Mar 2019 15:27:06 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] A Month Without Sunspots In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20190301185731.9c89cda0c2.5dba93db@mail144.atl221.rsgsv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20190301185731.9c89cda0c2.5dba93db@mail144.atl221.rsgsv.net> Message-ID: <010ae0f1-86b5-4ce4-ef1f-4011271f5bf5@bellsouth.net> Space Weather News for March 1, 2019 http://spaceweather.com https://www.spaceweatheralerts.com A MONTH WITHOUT SUNSPOTS: The sun has just passed an entire calendar month with no sunspots. The last time this happened, in August 2008, the sun was in the nadir of a century-class Solar Minimum. The current stretch of blank suns shows that Solar Minimum has returned, and it could be as deep as the last one. Visit Spaceweather.com for more information and current sunspot counts. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Mar 3 09:05:13 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2019 09:05:13 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Buy a Tower(with home) - Move to Texas Message-ID: https://www.hamradiohomes.com/listings/van-alstyne-texas/ From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Mar 3 12:00:29 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 3 Mar 2019 12:00:29 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] 2019 State of the Hobby Survey - N8RMA Message-ID: Site: http://www.radiosoth.org/2019/03/2019-state-of-hobby-survey.html QRZ: http://forums.qrz.com/index.php?threads/2019-state-of-ham-radio-survey.648493/ March 01, 2019 Get ready operators - the 2019 State of the Hobby Survey is here! I first want to take a moment to sincerely thank everyone for the fantastic participation in 2018. Our inaugural survey in 2017 found around 600 responses but 2018 came booming in with nearly 3,000 responses, voicing their opinions! A huge shout out to the blog / websites owners, podcast producers and large clubs for taking the time to promote the survey within their respective audiences - I could not have done this without you! If you have not had a chance to see the results from previous years, they are listed here: * 2018 * 2017 The survey started out in 2017 as simple curiosity. While browsing Reddit I began to notice several users posting surveys for highly specific topics. I made sure to participate yet often wondered what the results were. I then decided to host my own survey, to collect the opinions from the community on a variety of topics for comparison over the years. I wanted to ensure I made the results widely available for anyone to consume for whatever reason. Thanks to feedback and inquiry from hundreds of participants, I've made a few minor changes to the survey. This year I've included some questions specific to 2019, which of course will change year to year. I hope to keep the core portion of the survey mainly intact (for that comparison) and continue to modify the annual section as deemed fit. As always, please subscribe to my blog for email alerts on future survey and result activities. 2019 State of the Hobby Survey *** Privacy Notice *** I am not affiliated with a company or organization, I am merely an individual conducting a survey for myself and others to learn more about the state of the hobby. Just a guy in Michigan. Any demographic questions are optional and are fairly standard for surveys. No data will be sold or given to anyone - it's to be used by me personally for the survey results only. No personal information will be associated with specific responses, including call signs. From n8pr at bellsouth.net Fri Mar 8 15:33:35 2019 From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR) Date: Fri, 8 Mar 2019 15:33:35 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Saturday Lunch meeting Message-ID: <4C3A57DA5EB7450F93E77A3408178A58@PeteRGateway> We will be meeting tomorrow at the Falcon Pub at 11:30-20 Noon Sorry that this slipped my mind with 2 other meetings this week. Hope to see you there... If you have a presentation that we can use, please bring it. I will try to find something, but at this late date, it is touch and go... 73,, PeteR N8PR From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Mar 9 14:08:30 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2019 14:08:30 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] 3Y0I - DXPedition Information Message-ID: A couple of bitter word https://bouvetoya.org/a-couple-of-bitter-words/ 8/03/2019 0 Comments Posted by Bouvetoya.org Important update regarding information sources regarding the 3Y?I DXpedition. Since now on, the only website providing direct information about our mission is https://bouvetoya.org ? our DXpedition website. Wayne N?UN, responsible for managing our rebeldxgroup.com website had to step back due to personal reasons. He has recently been deliberately attacked by a number of American hams using words ?scammer? and other offensive terms and we do all agree he didn?t deserve such behavior. Due to the above, we will not update that website anymore. The updates on 3Y?I will also be available at our Facebook pages: facebook.com/bouvetoya.org and facebook.com/rebeldxgroup + at Twitter: twitter.com/Bouvetoyaorg To all those individuals calling names and calling our project a ?scam? ? we kindly remind a couple of facts.* Our expedition is covered by private funds and it?s been a very independent, personal project. *Unlike other major DXpedition, for instance, 3Y?Z, we did not receive any foundation sponsorship and WE WILL not ask nor accept ANY. The only third party money we received up to date (less 5% of our total budget, the entire rest is covered by private funds) come from 100% VOLUNTARY donations of individual supporters ? we are very grateful for their trust in our enterprise! Unlike those organizers, we will not accept any unclear rules of funding DXpeditions by foundations? board members who are participants of the same DXpeditions applying for grants! As for us, the lack of transparency, twisted rules and sponsoring themselves with other foundations? and individual sponsors? funds is simply unacceptable. Yes, we are in Cape Town for over 4 months now, and according to our plan, this has been a good decision making. Unlike 3Y?Z leaders, asking for almost $1 mln donations for over 2 years of preparations, but at the same time not being able to inspect their vessel in full in prior of departure (which outcome we all know), we are able to examine each and every bolt and screw at our ship and we personally helped to fix past technical problems and we got involved in preparations to obtain full SAMSA?s strict and difficult to pass certification by end of February. Note: nobody rebuked their 2 years of preparations and asking for more and more money that as final result ? landed into a bin. We are being criticized for staying and working in Cape Town for our own money, although we do that on purpose: we want to take a closer look at the preparations in person ? to make things more than twice sure we don?t miss something. These bitter words of ours may hurt, but we feel like being deliberately criticized and attacked on purpose ? just because we?ve been brave enough to be solitude standing, independent, willing to activate top DXCC #2 and being able to do that. Unfortunately, it?s so clear that there are other competitive DXpeditions? participants among those individuals who attack us and our friends. They are generally speaking ? the ones who didn?t succeed recently, and now trying to torpedo our plans, using some tricks and methods not only among hams, but also here in South Africa. Actually, we consider that once back to Cape Town from Bouvet, we will write a long story about all backstage events and will address them to those rude troublemakers. As bringing to a close, we fully guarantee we will NOT read all comments like those anymore and they will all be totally ignored by the 3Y?I Team. They bring absolutely no input to our plans and their authors may keep their thoughts for themselves ? we don?t need you! Moreover, we will continue our independent plans and projects. We devote our private time, resources, knowledge, family time and money in something that is not their invention and they have absolutely no rights to impact our plans. They may feel free to get started with their own, separate DX projects ? nobody, including us, will stop them, too. Good luck! As a bottom line: if you belong to that group of individuals not wishing us best of luck ? please do not call us while 3Y?I will be on the air. We don?t need you nor your support. Your QSL card neither. We will enjoy the trip ? regardless of its final outcome ? much more than you, and we?ll have nothing to regret. Activating Bouvet Island our goal and sacrifice, not yours. From n8pr at bellsouth.net Sun Mar 10 13:13:44 2019 From: n8pr at bellsouth.net (Pete Rimmel N8PR) Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2019 13:13:44 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Possible Mobile Operating Legislation - Florida In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <878BAE1628AC495F853E2385C14B0AC1@PeteRGateway> The text below is taken from another ham who sent this to me. We need to be aware that hams in Florida may loose the privilege of operating mobile. There is a bill in committees of both the State of Florida House and Senate to eliminate the portion of the text which would allow a ham radio operator to operate mobile. It additionally names it as a class one violation which is a serious offense, right up there with texting while driving. (They are adding putting on make-up and other distractions as well) With over 42 thousand ham radio operators in the State of Florida, many of whom activate every time there is a hurricane threat, we need to convince the lawmakers that an exemption is appropriate and necessary for the safety of the State. The Governor of Florida recently praised the many hams who came out after Hurricane Irma (and others in the past) when we were the ONLY means of communication when the cel/internet system and fire/police systems were completely knocked out. Many in other states may not be aware that at every Hurricane threat, hams go to hospitals, EOC offices, the National Weather Service and neighborhood shelters in order to be there if and when the need arises for their help in communications throughout the State and farther. Others, with their mobile stations can go to any place needed to assist until commercial means of communication has been re-established. Without Mobile stations available the possibility of this type of help is greatly diminished. Please help the State of Florida add an exception to the upcoming changes in the law so that ham radio operators may be prepared to assist when needed. We may even need help from the ARRL attorneys to work with the Senate and House in order to properly word the exception. Please contact your local State representatives and let them know that we do a service to the community in times of need. Links to their offices are in the text below. Thank you and 73, Peter Rimmel ARRL Technical Specialist (NOTE: some wording of the following has been changed to make the text apply to the entire State) From: KW1K Joe Pfeuffer Hello Florida Hams! There is something brewing that everyone who operates a mobile 2-way radio should know? Text courtesy of Dave, N9HF. Edited for clarity. ?As you, all may, or may not be aware of, the friendly senators and representatives in Tallahassee are in the process of making texting or doing other distracting things while driving a motor vehicle a stoppable (primary) offense. We have all heard the stories from other states about how operating ham radio (or other two-way mobile radios) got sucked into the fray and the hams had to go through major hassles to get us exempted from the legal definition. If the wording stands as ?other distractions? we will be at the mercy of every [Law Enforcement Officer?s] interpretation of ?distracting?. NOTE: the exception is there in the law, now, but has been targeted for elimination (PR) Contact your representatives and ask that the wording of the bill be such as to expressly exempt ?AMATEUR RADIO!? Republican Senator Wilton Simpson is the one who is pushing this bill. Simpson, who has been a member of the Florida Senate since 2012, represents the 10th District, which includes Citrus, Hernando and part of Pasco County. Previously, he represented the 18th District from 2012 to 2016. I recommend everyone contact their representative and tell them that Amateur Radio and other two-way radios need to be exempted from this bill! You can find your Senate representative by going to http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/#Senators and search for your county. Florida House representatives Jackie Toledo and House Speaker Jose Oliva are promising that a similar House bill that hasn?t been heard in committee yet, will get a hearing. I would also recommend you contact you House representative and tell them to make sure Amateur Radio and other two-way radios need to be exempted from this bill! You can find your House representative by going to https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/representatives.aspx and search for your county. The Senate bill is listed as CS/CS/SB 76 or S 76, sponsored by Senator Wilton Simpson. The House bill is listed as HB 107, sponsored by Jackie Toledo. Please feel free to forward this! Thank you! 73, Kevin Bess - KK4BFN ARRL North Florida Section Manager From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Mar 15 08:31:52 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2019 08:31:52 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] morseDX - CW sessions In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: Sent to me and probably many others. Site at the bottom is interesting with lots of Old Novice Rigs.? - Bill W2CQ Copy without writing with a new Morse code learning platform on https://morseDX.com that includes * Letters & Numbers [Use it at absolutely no cost] * Common Words * Sentences * Hollywood Film Lines * Q-Signals * Books & Novels, and * Code Drill Designed for CW beginners as well as advanced brass pounders and rag chewers. And it's mobile compatible on all smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers. It just might keep you from developing writer's cramp! 73, Rick https://morseDX.com As advertised on https://www.AmateurRadio.com From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Mar 19 11:01:09 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2019 11:01:09 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Interesting Free Software Message-ID: *From the W9MDB QRZ page: - Bill W2CQ(I like TimeFudge for PC Time) * Audio settings for WSJT-X (or any digital mode)?here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/mcj4hklxxgwswsy/FT8Noise5.pdf?dl=1 Handle here is Mike...I contribute to WSJT-X and hamlib and have a few utilities too below. If you're doing FT8/JT modes and not using JTAlert make sure you go get it.? You'll never know how you worked JT modes without it. I have 5 software packages on here that are free for use. #1 A utility to parse ADIF and generate a unique ADIF grid list for grid mapping. #2 A LOTW QSL mapping/grid program to track WAS and DXCC (simple count) #3 A time utility to allow you to make small adjustments to your system time using any reference you want. #4 A File "tail" utility to watch a log file for example constantly updating with the last lines added. #5 A utility to average signal reports in WSJT-X's ALL.TXT file by freq,mode,callsign. #1 First program here creates an ADIF of unique grids from your log for use with http://wg7j.reinalda.net/gridmapper/gridmapper.php or http://tools.adventureradio.de/analyzer/ It pulls out QSLs first to maximize the # of confirmed showing on your map.? Both mappers have file size limits and can't handle a large file so this minimal set of just-what-you-need works quite nicely with his mapper.? I do this for my grandson as he likes to see the map. https://www.dropbox.com/s/9ma9f62t5axs5bp/GridStrip1.0.exe?dl=1 #2 LOTW QSL software.? Save some trees and go electronic....new features include grid hiding and display of top-ten worked calls per state on the grid page.? See the help file. You can get rid of your paper WAS logs, display a map or grid of what you've worked/need, see your top QSO partners by state & mode, and easily see what has changed on your LOTW account (added states, countries, DXCC, etc) without having to login to LOTW. https://www.dropbox.com/s/luzyi953zh2zkpt/LOTWQSL1.9.8.exe?dl=1 See the help file for the change log. This version probably does NOT work with XP..;..thanks to Microsoft for that one. #3 TimeFudge -- allows you to make small adjustments to your system time for hand-syncing via WWV or http://www.time.is https://www.dropbox.com/s/b39x5zismr5pv2v/TimeFudgeSetup1_3.exe?dl=1 #4 FileTail -- a Windows version of the Unix "tail" command to view new lines added to a file (like watching your ADIF file). https://www.dropbox.com/s/02so87jfv1afk05/FileTail1.5.exe?dl=1 You use patterns like these: Search for certain callsigns -- \b means match as a word: "W9MDB\b|W1AAA\b|W1AAB\b" Search for certain callsigns follow by any grid pattern: "(W9MDB\b|W1ABC\b).[A-R][A-Z][0-9][0-9]\b" Search for locator grid: "[A-R][A-X][0-9][0-9]\b" Same type patterns work for the "not" entry too to eliminate things you do not want to see. You can test expressions here: http://regexstorm.net/tester From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Mar 20 16:43:55 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2019 16:43:55 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Earth-Directed Solar Flare In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20190320193703.8949d7ee19.aafa602f@mail23.sea31.mcsv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20190320193703.8949d7ee19.aafa602f@mail23.sea31.mcsv.net> Message-ID: *Space Weather News for March 20, 2019* http://spaceweather.com https://www.spaceweatheralerts.com *EARTH-DIRECTED SOLAR FLARE: * A new and rapidly growing sunspot, AR2736, announced itself this morning with a C4-class solar flare. The Earth-directed explosion sent minor waves of ionization rippling through Earth's upper atmosphere and caused a shortwave radio "brownout" over parts of Europe and Africa. Moreover, the explosion hurled a coronal mass ejection (CME) into space, which might deliver a glancing blow to Earth's magnetic field later this week. Visit Spaceweather.com for updates. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Mar 21 17:16:37 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2019 17:16:37 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Big Sunspot AR2736 Crackling with Flares In-Reply-To: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20190321204136.a6a997f907.9191b838@mail17.suw151.rsgsv.net> References: <0c5fce34d5ca05f64a13d085d.d71faae82a.20190321204136.a6a997f907.9191b838@mail17.suw151.rsgsv.net> Message-ID: <7a63f51a-8890-60ce-b53f-c56c34223091@bellsouth.net> *Space Weather News for March 21, 2019* http://spaceweather.com https://www.spaceweatheralerts.com *BIG SUNSPOT: * Sunspot AR2736, which hurled a CME toward Earth yesterday, is growing larger and crackling with C-class solar flares. The active region now sprawls across more than 100,000 km of the solar disk and contains multiple dark cores as large as Earth, making it one of the biggest sunspots in recent years. Visit Spaceweather.com to watch a movie of the growing spot and to find out what makes it so explosive. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Mar 22 16:43:02 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 22 Mar 2019 16:43:02 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] W4HM Daily HF-MF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast #2019-82 In-Reply-To: <66EA373F9C9A4481AD60088E21F5167A@ThomasPC> References: <66EA373F9C9A4481AD60088E21F5167A@ThomasPC> Message-ID: *>>>>>Sorry for the MIA since February 6, 2019. I also do this for a living and at times the work load can get extremely high and something has to go. So it is the ?free? version of the daily MF-HF radio wave propagation forecast that gets set aside.* ** *This is a new abbreviated version of the daily forecast.<<<<<* ** *Greetings to my fellow hamateur radio and SWL radio enthusiasts around the* *world.* ** *Welcome to my ?not for profit? W4HM Daily HF-MF Radio Wave Propagation* *Forecast.* ** *It?s the only accurate daily global HF-MF radio wave propagation forecast produced on the planet.* ** *I'm a heliophysicist, troposphere meteorologist/climatologist, physical oceanographer and one of the few on the planet with advanced education and forecast experience in all aforementioned disciplines. In troposphere weather forecasting I have 46 years of experience and in solar, space and geomagnetic weather forecasting 31 years.* ** *This is created and disseminated by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM in Lakeland, FL, USA ? 1988-2019.* ** *If you find this daily HF-MF radio wave propagation forecast useful to your* *hamateur and SWL radio activities, feel free to drop me a line and let me* *know at* ** *thomasfgiella at gmail.com* ** *I enjoy hearing from likeminded fellow radio enthusiasts.* ** *Hams and SWLs that are interested in solar, space & geomagnetic weather as* *well as radio wave propagation are a special group of people interested in* *broadening their knowledge in science.* ** *Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF-MF radio wave* *propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and* *give me credit for it.* ** *Here is my new HF-MF radio wave propagation web page where you can sign up to receive this daily HF-MF radio wave propagation forecast via email. * ** *It's a NO SPAM voluntary "opt" in email type group hosted by Groups.io, so* *you have to sign up by using an existing email address and creating a * *password.* ** *https://groups.io/g/w4hmradiowavepropagationforecast*_****_** ** *>>>>W4HM Solar Cycle 24 Update and Solar Cycle 25 Forecast- Short and to the point.* ** *Solar minimum will begin later in 2019 and may last longer than any previous solar cycle in the 20th century. When solar cycle 25 finally gets underway it could be the weakest since the middle of the 19th century. Another ?Dalton? type lesser grand solar minimum may occur with a corresponding cooling of earth?s climate. * ** *This would negate anthropogenic climate change (harmful man induced global warming) if it were occurring, which it isn?t. * ** *(((((The above one sentence brings with it a daily withering personal and professional attack upon me by the ignorant left wing.))))) We are talking about some unhinged, mentally unstable people.* ** *For more truth on the left wing lie of anthropogenic climate change (harmful man induced global warming) check out **https://wattsupwiththat.com**and **http://www.climatedepot.com*_****_ ** *On February 1, 2008 I forecasted that solar cycle 24 would be the smallest solar cycle in the past 100 years. That forecast verified. I also forecasted that solar cycle 25 would be almost non nonexistent**.<<<<* ** *#82 issued Friday March 22, 2019 at 1630 UTC* ** *GLOBAL (HF-MF) (3000-30000 kHz- 300-3000 kHz) RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED-*** ** *Radio wave propagation condition ?trend? on Mar 22, 2019- steady.* ** *Radio wave propagation condition ?trend? on Mar 23, 2019- minor to moderate deterioration.* ** *Radio wave propagation condition ?trend? on Mar 24, 2019- steady.* ** *Northern Hemisphere HF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast *g*-* ** *3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9 +1 to 9 at night and S1-3 at day, 6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+ 1 to 9 at night and S4-7 at day, 13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S0 at night and S3-4 at day, 21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day, 24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day, * *28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.* ** *Southern Hemisphere HF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast *g*-* ** *3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9 +1 to 9 at night and S1-3 at day, 6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+ 1 to 9 at night and S4-7 at day, 13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S0 at night and S3-4 at day, 21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day, 24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day, * *28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.* ** *GLOBAL (MF) MEDIUM FREQUENCY (300-3000 KHZ) RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED-* ** *FORECASTED NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SHORT PATH-* *-East <-> West To 1100 Mi /1800 km * *S9-+5-10* **North <-> South To 1100 Mi /1800 km* *S7-8* *+South <-> North To 1100 Mi /1800 km* *S5-6* * **FORECASTED SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SHORT PATH-* *-East <-> West To 1100 Mi / 1800 km* *S9-+5-10* **South <-> North To 1100 Mi /1800 km* *S7-8* *+North <-> South To 1100 Mi / 1800 km* *S5-6* *FORECASTED GREAT CIRCLE LONG OR SKEWED PATH- * *Northern Hemisphere (TA) Trans Atlantic, (TI) Trans Indian, (TP) Trans Pacific and cross Equatorial propagation conditions in**excess of approximately 3200 mi / 5200 km-* *High Latitude* *S7-8* *Mid Latitude* *S9+5-10* *Low latitude* *S9-+1* ** *FORECASTED GREAT CIRCLE LONG OR SKEWED PATH- * *Southern Hemisphere (TA) Trans Atlantic, (TI) Trans Indian, (TP) Trans Pacific and cross Equatorial propagation conditions in**excess of approximately 3200 mi / 5200 km-* *High Latitude* *S7-8* *Mid Latitude* *S9+5-10* *Low latitude* *S9-+1* ** *This HF-MF Radio wave propagation forecast is produced based on the SIGINT_CAP HF-MF radio wave propagation prediction software. * *I wrote it beginning in the late 1980?s but I?m sorry to say that it still can?t be distributed to the general public. It does outperform VOA CAP and Prop Lab.* *I do check the actual band conditions at my location in the USA and tweak the forecast manually where and when necessary.* ** *I also check global HF-MF radio wave propagation conditions via remoted radio* *receivers on every continent of the globe and tweak the forecast manually if* *and when necessary.* ** *And last but not least I look at ionsonde stations on every continent of the* *globe.* ** *The hamateur radio JT65A mode RF signal levels received are based on 5 watts* *and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The hamateur radio PSK31 mode RF signal levels received are based on 25* *watts and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The hamateur radio CW mode RF signal levels received are based on 50 watts* *and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The hamateur radio SSB RF mode signal levels received are based on 100 watts* *and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The HF shortwave broadcast band AM Mode RF signal levels are based on* *100,000 watts (100 kw) and a typical high gain VOA type curtain array* *antenna.* ** *The MF broadcast band AM Mode RF signal levels are based on 50,000 watts (50 kw) and an omnidirectional vertical antenna.* ** *Please keep in mind that this is a relatively simplified HF-MF radio wave* *propagation forecast, so as to keep it easily understandable and applicable* *by the average radio enthusiast.* ** *Standard Disclaimer-* ** *Note! I use error prone RAW public domain data from the NOAA Space* *Environment Center, other U.S. government entities and educational* *institutions, to produce this daily HF-MF radio wave propagation* *forecast. This data is gathered and made public by the U.S. Government using* *taxpayer $$$ (including mine).* ** *However this daily HF-MF propagation forecast that I produce from the RAW* *public domain data is my personal intellectual property. Therefore this* *daily HF-MF radio wave propagation forecast contained herein is copyrighted ?* *1988-2019 by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM.* ** *Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF-MF radio wave* *propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and* *give me credit for it.* ** *Also HF-MF radio wave propagation forecasting is still an inexact* *science and therefore also an art. The forecasts are not official but for* *educational and hobby related purposes only and are subject to human error* *and acts of God, therefore no guarantee or warranty implied.* ** From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Mar 23 09:16:51 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 23 Mar 2019 09:16:51 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Cy Harris Free Flee - April 13 Message-ID: <93c7011c-77a7-9a40-2c9b-c4e1f45fe716@bellsouth.net> Cy Harris Free Flee HAMFEST/CONVENTION 04/13/2019 Start Date: 04/13/2019 End Date: 04/13/2019 Location: Collins Center 3900 NE 3 Avenue Oakland Park, FL Sponsor: Broward Amateur Radio Club Type: ARRL Hamfest Talk-In: 146.91 (PL 110.0) Public Contact: Anthony Becker , N4AEB 3721 West State Road 84, Unit 102 Davie, FL 33312 Phone: 954-612-9303 Email: n4aeb at arrl.net https://www.facebook.com/events/374361916626935/ From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Mar 26 15:10:03 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 26 Mar 2019 15:10:03 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Announcement - 2019 Florida QSO Party April 27&28 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <5a8592d1-f28c-60e1-72e4-14fbf2123663@bellsouth.net> *CQ FLORIDA QSO PARTY!* Hello FQP Friends, The 2019?Florida QSO Party will soon be here April 27&28 and we sure hope you'll join us.? All 67 counties will be active. *Extra! Extra!* *2019 FQP Rules Changes-* *- New Expedition Category added; perfect for portable multi-county adventurers/campers* *- Lowering the Low Power limit from 150W to 100W output* *- Suggested frequency ranges are established*** Please check out the rules and further details at our *Web Site:*http://www.floridaqsoparty.org/ *The Florida QSO Party* Object: Everyone works Florida, Florida works Everyone Activate and work ALL Florida counties Have as much FUN as possible! When: *April 27 & 28, 2019* Two ten hour operating periods, with a ten hour break: Saturday, April 27 1600Z (Noon EDT) - 0159Z (9:59 PM EDT) Sunday, April 28 1200Z (8 AM EDT) - 2159Z (5:59 PM EDT) 20 Hours total Exchange: RST and County (Florida stations) RST and QTH (State, Province or Country for non-FL) Where: 10, 15, 20 and 40 Meters *SUGGESTED OPERATING FREQUENCIES:* CW: ?????7.020-7.045, 14.025-14.055, 21.030-21.050, 28.030-28.050 MHz Phone: 7.185-7.245, 14.240-14.295, 21.320-21.350, and 28.450-28.480 MHz Contacts outside these frequency ranges are still valid; see rules for details. *MOBILE WINDOW: *We expect at least 15 Mobile stations will be on and most can be found here: *CW: ?7.025-7.035, 14.040-14.050, 21.040-21.050, 28.040-28.050 MHz** **SSB:?7.230-7.240, 14.265-14.275? MHz **/If you are not mobile, *please* refrain from calling CQ in these windows./**/ /* Categories: Single Op, Multi Op, Multi-Multi, Mobile, Expedition, Technician and School. Three power levels: QRP, Low, and High Power. Use CW, SSB or both. 22nd Anniversary Special Event Award- 2019 FQP Spelling Bee! We will have a total of 6 special 1x1 stations below whose suffixes spell *CITRUS. *Contact all 6 of these 1x1 stations to earn this award.? These stations will be on both modes full-time and should be very accessible. QSL these 1x1 calls active in FQP via KU9C direct or via bureau. The callsigns and hosts are - TBA soon! Prizes: Beautiful color Certificates for top participants Plaques for top finishing entrants. *Web Site:*http://www.floridaqsoparty.org/ Detailed rules, mobile routes, past results, plaques, county maps and much more! *//* *//* */ACTION REQUIRED!!!/* *_Florida Stations of all types_*?? /please go to the FQP website and register your fixed, mobile, expedition and 1x1 Spelling Bee operations; just click on the ?Counties" link and then the _Activation Forms_?to get started ? thanks!/ Logs to logs at floridaqsoparty.org ?or via US mail to: Florida QSO Party, c/o Ron Harps, K8NZ, 1997 Willow Glen Ln Columbus, OH 43229-1550. Any questions or feedback? Please feel free to reply to my e-mail: cqdenx4n at gmail.com *_We highly encourage_*?you to sign up to the new FQP email Group fqp at groups.io . Please see details below. THANK YOU in advance for making the 2019 FQP another terrific event! 73, Chris, NX4N, on behalf of: Chris, W4WF and Dan, K1TO ? President and Past President Florida Contest Group, proud sponsors of the FQP since?1998 *P.S. ? IMPORTANT New FQP email Group* We have a terrific new FQP email group via Groups.io.? Below is an article from K5KG (thanks George!) with instructions on how to join our new FQP email group - we hope you will do so today! --------------------- *_ANNOUNCING:? FLORIDA QSO PARTY (FQP) GROUP EMAIL REFLECTOR_* *_by George K5KG_* *The Florida Contest Group (FCG) maintains an email reflector on Groups.io, called FQP at groups.io *. Groups.io was developed in 2014, and has become the most advanced email group service on the Internet.? The FCG is using the Groups.io?s basic service at no-cost.? This service allows for an unlimited number of subscribers, provides a Group directory and calendar, the attachment of files and photos to messages, and offers 1GB of file and photo storage. *FQP at groups.io* *?was established to support the Florida QSO Party*?which occurs every April, although some subscribers use it year-round. *This email reflector is not limited to FCG members, and anyone can belong.*? There are currently 83 subscribers on FQP at groups.io .? As the 2019 FQP approaches, we expect the number of subscribers on FQP at groups.io ?to escalate rapidly. Anyone wishing to subscribe to the FQP email reflector may send an email request to George, K5KG at k5kg at k5kg.com . Upon receiving your request to join, George will send you an invitation to subscribe to the reflector.? When you receive the invitation, simply follow the instructions, and sign yourself up. *Here are some tips about using the **FQP at groups.io* *?reflector:* 1.)When you join a reflector, go into your *PROFILE*, and *enter your call sign and first name (or nickname) in the _Display Name_?field*. *_It is critical that your Display Name and/or email address identify your CALL SIGN so we can properly administer your account._*? (We have had times when a ?BillyBob? subscribed with an email address of ?swampbuggy at xyz.com ?, leaving us in the dark about who he was because he did not provide a call sign.) 2.)You can post a photo in the PROFILE.?? This is optional, but if you do enter a photo, it will appear in the Directory of all subscribers.? Typically, subscribers post their photo, but it could be a photo of their shack, antennas, etc. 3.)?Subscribers can choose any one of these Email Delivery options a.Individual Messages b.Full Featured Digest ? group of up to 12 messages individually (rich formatting) c.Plain Digest ? group of up to 12 messages individually (plain formatting) d.Daily Summary ? delivered in the morning of group?s messages from previous day e.No Email 4.)Subscribers can set up a Signature format to include in messages for Web or Email postings 5.)The reflectors are not moderated, so we ask all subscribers to keep their messages related to ham radio related-topics, and suitable for reading by all age groups.? Frequently, subscribers will post for-sale, wanted-to-buy or how-to messages on the reflectors, and this is perfectly acceptable. 6.)The FCG?s old FQP email reflector fqp at kkn.net ?has been discontinued and is no longer supported. *In summary, FQP at groups.io ?is an Florida QSO Party email reflector that the FCG operates at no cost to the subscribers. _If you are currently a subscriber, please check the DISPLAY NAME in your PROFILE to make sure it identifies your CALL SIGN and NAME._?? If you are not a subscriber, drop me an email so I can get you on board.* 73, George Wagner, K5KG K5kg at k5kg.com From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Mar 27 09:46:05 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 27 Mar 2019 09:46:05 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] =?utf-8?q?3Y=C3=98I_Press_Release_?= =?utf-8?b?IzQsTWFyY2ggMjcsIDIwMTksM1nDmEkgUE9TVFBPTkVE?= Message-ID: <3b92b356-13d5-fad0-dca6-cab476fa1fa1@bellsouth.net> https://bouvetoya.org/3yoi-postponed/ 3Y?I Press Release #4 March 27, 2019 3Y?I POSTPONED And yet! The captain of the MV Atlantic Tuna had to take a difficult but responsible decision to take a course back to Cape Town, South Africa. But the 3Y?I Expedition *is NOT canceled* ? we don?t give up that easily I just had a long conversation with Dom 3Z9DX on board on the MV Atlantic Tuna. The seas calmed down enough to let them do a proper technical inspection of damages caused by the severe cyclonic storm last night. Here are more details on the latest dramatic events. On March 26, 2019, the vessel has been approaching a cyclonal storm wandering nearby Bouvet Island. The captain analyzed the latest weather reports indicating a chance to break through the storm ? it hasn?t been that strong at that time. Unfortunately, the storm developed and intensified in a matter of an hour. Around 5-6 o?clock GMT, just 70 nautical miles off Bouvet island, the ship has been hit by a series of 11+ meters (36+ ft) tall waves + wind exceeding 83 knots/h (approx. 160 km/h). The fierce oceanic forces swept past the upper deck, taking one of the radars, including VSAT, VHF and HF marine antennas, off the mast and throwing them all overboard. The hit was so hard the vessel tilted as much as 45? (but that?s still safe in terms of the vessel?s construction). EACH AND EVERY TEAM / CREW MEMBER IS FINE, FEELING OK AND SAFE! With lack of the most important navigational tools, the captain declared it?s not safe to navigate and they need to go back to Cape Town to secure both all participants on the board, their equipment and the vessel?s gear. In addition, all forecasts for coming hours are not positive. The Team totally relies on the captain?s decisions ? he has more than 20 years of sailing experience in similar areas on both hemispheres. The Team did not try to push things forward and they all followed the captain?s order and agreed it?s better to postpone plans for safety reasons. The ship is now heading back for Cape Town, South Africa, and once back it will go through a process of all necessary repairs and technical inspections. Once the Team estimates the necessary time to fix everything at the ship, another decision will be taken: to return to Bouvet?ya in yet April, or to postpone the expedition for next coming season. Nevertheless? *THE DXPEDITION IS NOT CANCELED!* Regardless of the final outcome of our attempts, it?s clear that activating Bouvet Island is one of the most difficult and the most dangerous undertakes of the ham radio ? and not only ? history. Yet, the 3Y?I?s events will be long discussed and analyzed by the Team to ?attack? the island one more time ? as soon as possible ? again all marked with ?safety-first? principles. The Team has dedicated more than 4 months living in Cape Town, right next to the vessel, to prepare things in person. We have sacrificed Christmas time and spent that special time without our families. And yet, have spent an enormous amount of our private funds to make it all happen for the ham radio?s sake. But we don?t give up, and we all know we gained your trust in our current and future ham radio attempts. We really appreciate that! Until now, Bouvet Island vs. Hams 2:0! But that?s just the first half of the show. Long live the ham radio legacy and its supporters! Stan SP8S The 3Y?I Press officer From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Mar 29 11:30:57 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 29 Mar 2019 11:30:57 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] W4HM Daily HF-MF Radio Wave Propagation Forecast #2019-89 In-Reply-To: <6A70CB1EAD63447B9FC594FC4E86B686@ThomasPC> References: <6A70CB1EAD63447B9FC594FC4E86B686@ThomasPC> Message-ID: *#89 issued Friday March 29, 2019 at 1400 UTC* ** *GLOBAL (HF-MF) (3000-30000 kHz- 300-3000 kHz) RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED-*** ** *Radio wave propagation condition ?trend? on Mar 29, 2019- steady.* ** *Radio wave propagation condition ?trend? on Mar 30, 2019- steady.* ** *Radio wave propagation condition ?trend? on Mar 31, 2019- steady.* ** ** ** *NORTHERN HEMISPHERE HF RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION FORECAST *g*-* ** *3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9 at night and S1-2 at day, 6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+ 1 to 9 at night and S4-7 at day, 13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S0 at night and S3-4 at day, 21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day, 24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day, * *28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.* ** ** *SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE HF RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION FORECAST *g*-* ** *3150-3400, 3500-4100, 4750-5050, 5700-6300 kHz- S9 at night and S1-2 at day, 6900-7800, 9200-9995, 10000-10150, 11500-12200 kHz- S9+ 1 to 9 at night and S4-7 at day, 13570-13850, 14000-14350, 15005-15900, 17450-17950, 18068-18168 kHz- S0 at night and S3-4 at day, 21000-21850 kHz- S0 at night and S1-2 at day, 24890-24990, 25600-26100 kHz- S0 at night and S1 at day, * *28000-29700 kHz- S0 at night and S0 at day.* ** *GLOBAL (MF) (300-3000 KHZ) RADIO WAVE PROPAGATION CONDITIONS EXPECTED-* ** *FORECASTED NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SHORT PATH-* *-East <-> West To 1100 Mi /1800 km * *S9* **North <-> South To 1100 Mi /1800 km* *S5-6* *+South <-> North To 1100 Mi /1800 km* *S7-8* * **FORECASTED SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE SHORT PATH-* *-East <-> West To 1100 Mi / 1800 km* *S9* **South <-> North To 1100 Mi /1800 km* *S5-6* *+North <-> South To 1100 Mi / 1800 km* *S7-8* *FORECASTED GREAT CIRCLE LONG OR SKEWED PATH- * *Northern Hemisphere (TA) Trans Atlantic, (TI) Trans Indian, (TP) Trans Pacific and cross Equatorial propagation conditions in**excess of approximately 3200 mi / 5200 km-* *High Latitude* *S3-4* *Mid Latitude* *S5-6* *Low latitude* *S3-4* ** *FORECASTED GREAT CIRCLE LONG OR SKEWED PATH- * *Southern Hemisphere (TA) Trans Atlantic, (TI) Trans Indian, (TP) Trans Pacific and cross Equatorial propagation conditions in**excess of approximately 3200 mi / 5200 km-* *High Latitude* *S3-4* *Mid Latitude* *S5-6* *Low latitude* *S3-4* ** *This HF-MF Radio wave propagation forecast is produced based on the SIGINT_CAP HF-MF radio wave propagation prediction software. X and O ray tracing is included.* *I wrote it beginning in the late 1980?s but I?m sorry to say that it still can?t be distributed to the general public. It does outperform VOA CAP and Prop Lab.* *I do check the actual band conditions at my location in the USA and tweak the forecast manually where and when necessary.* ** *I also check global HF-MF radio wave propagation conditions via remoted radio* *receivers on every continent of the globe and tweak the forecast manually if* *and when necessary.* ** *And last but not least I look at ionsonde stations on every continent of the* *globe.* ** *The hamateur radio JT65A mode RF signal levels received are based on 5 watts* *and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The hamateur radio PSK31 mode RF signal levels received are based on 25* *watts and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The hamateur radio CW mode RF signal levels received are based on 50 watts* *and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The hamateur radio SSB RF mode signal levels received are based on 100 watts* *and ? wave dipole up at 40 feet.* ** *The HF shortwave broadcast band AM Mode RF signal levels are based on* *100,000 watts (100 kw) and a typical high gain VOA type curtain array* *antenna.* ** *The MF broadcast band AM Mode RF signal levels are based on 50,000 watts (50 kw) and an omnidirectional vertical antenna.* ** *Please keep in mind that this is a relatively simplified HF-MF radio wave* *propagation forecast, so as to keep it easily understandable and applicable* *by the average radio enthusiast.* ** *Standard Disclaimer-* ** *Note! I use error prone RAW public domain data from the NOAA Space* *Environment Center, other U.S. government entities and educational* *institutions, to produce this daily HF-MF radio wave propagation* *forecast. This data is gathered and made public by the U.S. Government using* *taxpayer $$$ (including mine).* ** *However this daily HF-MF propagation forecast that I produce from the RAW* *public domain data is my personal intellectual property. Therefore this* *daily HF-MF radio wave propagation forecast contained herein is copyrighted ?* *1988-2019 by Thomas F. Giella, W4HM.* ** *Feel free without prior permission to redistribute this daily HF-MF radio wave* *propagation forecast, as long as you redistribute it in its entirety and* *give me credit for it.* ** *Also HF-MF radio wave propagation forecasting is still an inexact* *science and therefore also an art. The forecasts are not official but for* *educational and hobby related purposes only and are subject to human error* *and acts of God, therefore no guarantee or warranty implied.* ** ** From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Mar 31 08:39:14 2019 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2019 08:39:14 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Newly released Rule Making impacting CW/DATA HF band segments: Message-ID: <74af7673-b637-a7f1-a6eb-c2ba58103dc4@bellsouth.net> From Another List: - W2CQ Newly released Rule Making impacting CW/DATA HF band segments: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/search/filings?proceedings_name=RM-11831&sort=date_disseminated,DESC Very Important, impacts on 16-239 which ARRL has suspended, and RM-11759. See ARRL suspension document at: https://ecfsapi.fcc.gov/file/1032717663093/ARRL%20Ltr%202%20FCC%2016-239%2003_27_2019.pdf