From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Aug 14 16:52:57 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 14 Aug 2020 16:52:57 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] SmartSDR for your Mac In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <9cb47414-a672-5be0-bf24-42a90a2eb1ba@bellsouth.net> / / /From Tony N2MFT:/ SmartSDR for your Mac macappstorebadge (Available on the Mac App Store after August 15th) SDR has never been easier! SmartSDR is now available for your Mac. It has never been easier to operate your FlexRadio 6xxx Radio. SmartSDR for Mac is the big brother of SmartSDR for iOS . However, it is a complete separate native Mac Version with many additional features. It does not use Catalyst and thus it provides the full Mac look and feel. FT8 integrated SmartSDR for Mac comes with integrated FT8 and FT4. No Cables, Audio drivers, settings ? just do FT8! https://roskosch.de/smartsdr-for-mac/?mc_cid=dbe339f59f&mc_eid=d41a1be790-- From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Aug 16 09:35:22 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2020 09:35:22 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] CW For Dummies References: <92001d93-ce36-7cdb-4ce6-d63ae8cbfdb4.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <92001d93-ce36-7cdb-4ce6-d63ae8cbfdb4@bellsouth.net> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJGrlUXCZzc From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Aug 16 12:33:58 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2020 12:33:58 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] K9ZDK: Return of a Silent Key In-Reply-To: <32144e2d-0b9d-c482-1ed3-7db789b00691@verizon.net> References: <32144e2d-0b9d-c482-1ed3-7db789b00691@verizon.net> Message-ID: From Bill NA2M: I met the author Dan Van Hoy, K7DAN in Dayton several years ago. He was at a table at Hara representing C.CRANE selling shortwave radios. His sister sent this article to my daughter Linda. Bill Hellman, NA2M K9ZDK: Return of a Silent Key 8 Replies /*Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Dan Van Hoy (VR2HF), who writes:*/ It was one of the most sublime moments in my 55+ years in radio. Almost every night I listen to shortwave station, KNLS in Anchor Point, Alaska, from my home in Hong Kong. KNLS broadcasts to Asia and the Pacific in English, Russian and Mandarin. The English broadcast is an amazing mix of secular and Christian music and topics, science, current affairs and more. It has something for both the seeker and the saint and is one of the most informative and entertaining shows on radio. On this particular Monday evening, August 3, 2020, I tuned in late to the English broadcast from KNLS at 1000 UTC, but went on to listen to the remainder of the show. To my complete surprise as the show closed I heard ?73 de K9ZDK? in Morse code and quickly wrote down that callsign. I assumed it was the engineer on duty, obviously a ham, having a little on-air fun with a big transmitter and antenna. A few minutes later, I also heard ?CQ de K9ZDK? at the beginning of the Russian program at 1100 UTC. So, I looked up K9ZDK on QRZ.com ?and found it was Zavier, a young ham who had become a silent key in June of 2019. Zavier Klingensmith (K9ZDK) Silent Key A little more online sleuthing and a phone call later revealed that his father, Thomas, KL0K, was at the controls of KNLS that night sending Zavier?s final CQ and 73 on this planet with at least 1 million watts of power (ERP: 100KW TX + 10dBd TCI curtain array) all around Asia and the Pacific. His call on CW was heard on every English, Russian and Mandarin show that evening over 16 hours of broadcasts (two Continental 100 KW transmitters). Wow! In Zavier?s memory, Thomas has created a DIY kit for an Iambic Keyer and is offering it for FREE (though you might want to send some $$ for his production and mailing costs?my suggestion) to anyone who asks. Details can be found at Thomas?, KL0K, QRZ page . Maybe one of the first things you can send when your keyer is completed is,?K9ZDK de YOUR CALL, 73 OM!? Thomas, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Thanks for the amazing on-air tribute to Zavier. I suspect he was listening with a big, big smile! Dan VR2HF, Hong Kong (K7DAN, USA) Spread the radio love From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Aug 16 15:58:34 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 16 Aug 2020 15:58:34 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Glen Zook K9STH SK References: Message-ID: <7476E795-49E1-4813-9BD5-BAA3DCC28433@bellsouth.net> From QRZ: > Long time QRZ member Glen Zook K9STH silent key as of August 13. > > The following is from his daughters Facebook page. > > Glen Earl Zook passed away on August 13, 2020 in his home surrounded by family and friends. Born and raised in La Porte, Indiana, Glen received a scholarship to Georgia Tech where he obtained both an electrical engineering degree and business management degree. He also met his wife of 55 years in Atlanta on a blind date. They married and made their way to the Dallas area with a job offer from Collins Radio right after Glen graduated. > > An engineering mind meant a life long passion for learning. A profoundly gifted man, there wasn't much he couldn't accomplish. He had an ongoing newspaper column for many years, cross country runner in college, softball coach, catcher when he played softball, talented musician who played trumpet and cornet and loved participating in marching band growing up, photography was a passion, and he also was a talented singer, which came in handy for entertaining his three daughters on family road trips. The core of his engineering brain was his mechanical aptitude. He could fix anything. As a ham radio operator of 60 years, he knew radios backwards and forwards and was an expert in repairing and restoring antique radios. > > An extrovert among extroverts, he could happily talk for hours, truly enjoying being around people. He was a storyteller not only of family history, but historical knowledge of the civil war and WW2, two of his favorite interests. So much so, he was also a civil war reenactor, on the Union side of course. His wife loved to collect clocks and he would buy her one after another. Over 100 at last count. He took the time to wind each one that needed it on a regular basis, and every time time changed, he would go through the house and change every single one. He passed on his love of animals to all his children and referred to their pets as granddogs and grandcats. > > No man is perfect, and he often ruffled people's feathers, had big, outspoken opinions, was stubborn as a mule right up to the end. He is not a man easily forgotten and the stories of his life will be passed down among family and told for generations to come. > > Glen was preceded in death by his father Glen Zook and mother Irene and his brother David Zook. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, children Rebecca and husband Ed, Kelly and husband Mike, and Wendy and husband Kevin along with 5 grandchildren and his sister Linda and husband Jerry. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Aug 17 08:55:58 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 17 Aug 2020 08:55:58 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Reconstruction of a secret WW2 radio station References: <3e603427-9121-85b8-254a-864e8dc0867a.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <3e603427-9121-85b8-254a-864e8dc0867a@bellsouth.net> Reconstruction of a secret WW2 radio station This reconstruction of a "secret" WW2 radio station is based on the story (fact/fiction) contained in the book "The Key Messenger" https://sites.google.com/view/ww2secretradiostation/introduction?authuser=0 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Aug 27 17:03:09 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 27 Aug 2020 17:03:09 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Board of Directors Elects New ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA References: <35333ddc-4d99-3ed6-91ca-4c54473a702e.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <35333ddc-4d99-3ed6-91ca-4c54473a702e@bellsouth.net> Board of Directors Elects New ARRL CEO David Minster, NA2AA The ARRL Board of Directors has elected David Minster, NA2AA, of Wayne, New Jersey, as ARRL's new Chief Executive Officer, starting on September 28. Minster is currently Managing Partner at Talentrian Partners, a management consulting firm serving the consumer goods and luxury goods industries. Minster began his career as a software engineer, moving into management at Unilever, as a Chief Information Officer of this globally recognized portfolio of brands that includes Elizabeth Arden Company, Chesebrough-Ponds Canada, Thomas J. Lipton Co., and others. From there, he moved to fine jewelry manufacturer and retailer David Yurman, where he served as COO and CIO. More recently, Minster served as CEO of jewelry brands Scott Kay and Judith Ripka. "Building a culture of accomplishment and accountability is what I do best," he said. "My initial focus will be working with the Board on establishing strategic goals and concrete plans to navigate ARRL through the digital transformation required for the coming decades of its Second Century. This includes exciting and innovative ways to be engaged in amateur radio, while growing activity and membership." Minster got his Novice license, WB2MAE, in 1977, when he was in his teens. He progressed from Advanced to Amateur Extra and, after a stint as NW2D, he settled on the vanity call sign NA2AA in the 1990s as a way to honor a mentor, N2AA, and the contest station that he used to frequent, K2GL, in Tuxedo Park, New York. Minster's ham radio pursuits have ranged far and wide over the years. His background includes National Traffic System training and participation in public service events, as well as contesting from home, club stations, and contest stations in the Caribbean -- particularly on Bonaire, where he is a member of PJ4G. Primarily a CW operator, Minster collects unique and vintage bugs and keys. Minster earned a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from The Ohio State University and has a special interest in satellites, digital communications, remote operation, and ham radio computing and software. He has written keyer software for the commercial market, and contest logging, packet, and satellite telemetry software for personal use. In addition to being an ARRL member, Minster is a member of AMSAT, the Frankford Radio Club, the Straight Key Century Club, CWops, and the North American QRP CW Club. "I spend every day of my life, one way or another, engaged in amateur radio. It is more than just a hobby for me; it is my community. It is where I live; where I have built lifelong friendships, and friendships that span the globe. Amateur radio allows me to dream and to experiment. I can't wait to bring my energy and boundless enthusiasm in service to ARRL." ARRL President Rick Roderick, K5UR, said, "We are excited to welcome David as our new CEO, and look forward to his progressive leadership. His experience in management and operations, plus his activities in amateur radio, will serve our organization and members well." Minster will succeed Barry J. Shelley, N1VXY, who was CEO in 2018, and who has been serving as ARRL's Interim CEO since January 2020. Shelley had been ARRL's Chief Financial Officer since January 1992. From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Aug 28 09:15:49 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 28 Aug 2020 09:15:49 -0400 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] FCC Grants Temporary Waiver to Permit PACTOR 4 for Emergency Communications In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <8c39f21c-6e72-3270-f8b1-b6ddcaf0a73c@bellsouth.net> /From Tony N2MFT:/ FCC Grants Temporary Waiver to Permit PACTOR 4 for Emergency Communications 08/27/2020 The FCC has granted an ARRL request for a 30-day waiver to facilitate relief communications in the wake of Hurricane Laura. The waiver temporarily permits amateur data transmissions at a higher symbol rate than currently permitted under the FCC?s rules. ARRL pointed out in its request that Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES) members would be working with federal, state, and local emergency management officials to assist with disaster relief and may use radio modems capable of both PACTOR 3 and PACTOR 4 emissions. The higher data rates PACTOR 4 offers are critical to sending hurricane relief communications, including lists of needed and distributed supplies. Section 97.307(f) limits the symbol rate ? also known as the baud rate ? for HF amateur radioteletype (RTTY) and data transmissions to 300 bauds for frequencies below 28 MHz (except on 60 meters), and 1200 bauds in the 10 meter band. ?The digital code used to encode the signal being transmitted must be one of the codes specified in section 97.309(a) of the Commission?s rules, but an amateur station transmitting a RTTY or data emission using one of the specified digital codes may use any technique whose technical characteristics have been publicly documented, such as CLOVER, G-TOR, or PACTOR,? the FCC pointed out in granting the request. In 2016, in response to an ARRL petition for rulemaking, the Commission proposed to remove the symbol rate limitations, which it tentatively concluded had become unnecessary due to advances in modulation techniques and no longer served a useful purpose. That proceeding, WT Docket 16-239,?is still pending. ARRL sought the waiver for radio amateurs directly involved with hurricane relief on HF using PACTOR 4. PACTOR 4 permits relatively high-speed data transmission, and the FCC has granted temporary waivers in the past to permit the use of this protocol in similar events. ?ARRL stands ready to assist the area potentially impacted by Hurricane Laura to conduct disaster relief communications,? the FCC said. ?We conclude that granting the requested waiver is in the public interest. Hurricane Laura has the potential to cause massive destruction states along the Gulf of Mexico, and communications services will likely be disrupted.? The waiver is limited to PACTOR 3 and PACTOR 4 transmissions directly involved with HF hurricane relief communications. http://www.arrl.org/news/fcc-grants-temporary-waiver-to-permit-pactor-4-for-emergency-communications