From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Feb 4 14:43:45 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 4 Feb 2020 14:43:45 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] 96-year-old ham radio operator makes an out-of-this world connection References: <500b940b-3bc7-59df-e482-cb52481fa4b3.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <500b940b-3bc7-59df-e482-cb52481fa4b3@bellsouth.net> 96-year-old ham radio operator makes an out-of-this world connection Scott Lightfoot Videojournalist, CTV News Toronto @SLightfootCTV Contact Published Wednesday, January 22, 2020 8:02PM EST Last Updated Thursday, January 23, 2020 7:58AM EST SHARE 1K TORONTO -- For decades, Jean Moffatt has been reaching out over the airwaves. An amateur?or ham?radio operator, Moffatt has connected with people around the globe. ?You can always talk to other people, in other parts of the world,? Moffatt said, speaking to CTV News Toronto. ?You can send your signals to satellites. I?ve talked to people from the Arctic to the Antarctic.? And on Wednesday at the Ontario Science Centre, the 96-year-old got to go even further. space A ham radio connection, relayed through northern Italy, allowed the senior and a group of students to speak with Commander Luca Parmitano aboard the International Space Station (ISS). In her first question, Moffatt told the astronaut she was very excited, admitting that this was the ?manifestation? of a bucket-list wish she had for many years. Parmitano told the Toronto senior he was really honoured to speak with her, before answering her questions. Moffatt wanted to know if the Italian astronaut?s views on extra-terrestrials had changed since entering space, and asked about his thoughts on cleaning up the environment, adding that as a ?mature woman? she had done lots of cleaning in her life. space Moffatt grew up in North Bay and moved to Toronto as a young girl with her family hoping that there would be opportunities for a girl interested in science and technology. ?When we moved to Toronto I desperately wanted to go to university, but my mom and dad had bought a house, and there was just enough money for my brother to go to university.? Undeterred, Moffatt said she took a course in amateur radio and shortly after, got her licence. More than 30 years ago, after retiring, and the death of her husband, Moffatt started volunteering at the Ontario Science Centre, an endeavor she admits wasn?t successful at first. ?I was working in the greenhouse, killing all the plants because I cannot keep plants alive?. space Armed with her radio licence, she helped set up the centre?s first radio shack with the call sign VE3 OSC. The idea to connect the nonagenarian with the ISS came just after Moffatt?s 96th birthday. ?She mentioned to me that one of the things she?s always wanted to do was talk to an astronaut? Christine Pigeon, the volunteer co-ordinator at the Science Centre told CTV News Toronto. It all started with an e-mail, and three months later with the help of ham radio operators and NASA, Moffatt made her connection. While the connection wasn?t crystal clear, Moffatt was moved to tears, telling family and those who had gathered to watch that it was the ?highlight? of her life. Moffatt plans to keep volunteering at the centre, introducing younger people to an older form of technology, and to keep speaking to anyone who can pick up her signal. ?It?s kind of a last resort in our crazy world.. and I love amateur radio,? Moffatt added. _Article with Photos_ https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/96-year-old-ham-radio-operator-makes-an-out-of-this-world-connection-1.4779505 From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Feb 6 14:11:41 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 6 Feb 2020 14:11:41 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] ARLB005 ARRL HF Band Planning Committee Seeks Comments on Recommendations In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: ZCZC AG05 QST de W1AW ARRL Bulletin 5? ARLB005 >From ARRL Headquarters Newington CT? February 5, 2020 To all radio amateurs SB QST ARL ARLB005 ARLB005 ARRL HF Band Planning Committee Seeks Comments on Recommendations The ARRL HF Band Planning Committee is seeking comments and suggestions from the Amateur Radio community on its report to the ARRL Board. At the Board's January meeting, the committee presented its specific recommendations in graphical form for each HF band and each US license class, with the goal of increasing harmony on the HF bands, particularly between CW and digital users. The recommendations can be found online in PDF format on the arrl.org web site. "In general, the committee is of the opinion that there is justification for additional space to become available for digital modes, as well as for the operation of digital stations under automatic control," the committee told the Board. "The very changes in spectrum usage that have required our committee's resurgence indicate that digital modes of communication are already increasing in popularity, and the trend is expected to continue or even accelerate. To this end, we have tried to ensure that digital allocations are sufficient for at least a modicum of growth." The committee also anticipates an increase in automatically controlled digital stations (ACDS). The report further points to "significant use" of modern data modes in emergency communication and said its recommendations provide significant support for the evolution and continued relevance of amateur radio.? "Our failure to adapt to these needs could consign amateur radio to the technological scrap heap," the report said. The committee was revived last summer to consider conflicts between FT and JT modes and other modes. The panel's approach has been to designate distinct assignments for CW, narrowband (NB) data 500 Hz, wideband (WB) data 2800 Hz, and ACDS. For its work, the committee presumed approval of three ARRL petitions to the FCC: RM-11708 (WT Docket WT 16-239-"symbol rate" proceeding), RM-11759 (80/75 meter allocations), and RM-11828 (enhanced Technician privileges).? The committee also assumed that users can agree to sharing arrangements within a given allocation-narrowband vs wideband sharing within the ACDS allocation, for example. It also took into consideration how mode usage is regulated or planned elsewhere in the world. In terms of mode classes, the committee agreed on CW, NB data, WB data, NB with ACDS, and WB with ACDS. The committee said it considered these mode classes incompatible and that they should not have overlapping allocations, with the exception of CW, which is authorized within any amateur radio allocation. The committee's approach would maintain the existing low-end 25-kHz CW-only sub-bands for exclusive use by Amateur Extra class licensees. The panel encouraged CW identification and a listen-before-transmitting protocol for ACDS, if feasible. It also decided that a single allocation for ACDS without regard to bandwidth would be the best approach. "We note that this will put responsibility on the digital community to hold an effective dialog on the issue and to then self-regulate the users of this segment to adhere to the eventual agreement." A need for flexibility in allocations is desirable, the committee said, and considered whether allocations might be time-of-day or time-of-week dependent, for example. "Modern amateurs must expect to adapt to this kind of fluid assignment of spectrum to incompatible uses, using time-based sharing, rather than only a single assignment," the committee said, expressing the hope that as band plan/sharing agreements are reached that they consider the advantage of non-simultaneous sharing possibilities. Reiterating the position ARRL has taken in recent FCC filings, the committee said it sees encryption and open-source as enforcement matters as being outside the scope of the Band Planning Committee. The Committee would like comments by February 19. Comments may be filed online at, http://www.arrl.org/bandplan . NNNN From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sat Feb 8 08:10:03 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sat, 8 Feb 2020 08:10:03 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Phone Classic Exchange References: <29d77332-ac9d-8491-549f-5b84d0de77f9.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <29d77332-ac9d-8491-549f-5b84d0de77f9@bellsouth.net> _From Heathkit Group: Bill W2CQ_ The Phone Classic Exchange will take place Sunday Feb 9 1400Z to Feb 10 0800Z and Tuesday Feb 11 1400Z to Feb 12 0800Z. The CX is a no-pressure contest celebrating the older commercial and Home Brew equipment that was the pride and joy of ham shacks many decades ago. The object is to encourage restoration, operation and enjoyment of this older Classic equipment. You need not operate a Classic rig to participate in the CX. You may use any rig in the contest although new gear is a distinct scoring disadvantage as your multipliers are directly related to the age of the equipment you use!? However, you can still work the "great ones" with modern equipment. There are two (2) entry categories per mode: ?Three or fewer receiver-transmitter pairs ?Four or more receiver-transmitter pairs. Suggested frequencies:????????? 160M?? 80M??? 40M 20M?????? 15M?????? 10M??????? 6M??????????? 2M ??????????????????????????????? AM????????? 1.890?? 3.860 7.270? 14.280?? 21.400? 29.000?? 50.400?? 144.300 ??????????????????????????????? SSB????????? 1.920?? 3.840 7.250?? 14.260? 21.380? 28.600?? 50.125?? 144.200 +/- QRM. Listen up and down at least 5-10 Khz for crystal controlled stations. See http://classicexchange.org/winter2020/Winter_2020_CX_Rules.pdf for complete details including scoring, categories, bonuses, and log submissions. Questions? Contact Mark K3MSB: myscupper at gmail.com or Ron K2RP: K2RP at arrl.net Or you can contact me Howie WB2AWQ:? WB2AWQ at arrl.net From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Feb 10 07:59:32 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 10 Feb 2020 07:59:32 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] We Knew There Had To Be More... References: <98553092-22ef-f603-525d-8576af26a5e5.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <98553092-22ef-f603-525d-8576af26a5e5@bellsouth.net> Graphene amplifier unlocks hidden frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum https://phys.org/news/2020-02-graphene-amplifier-hidden-frequencies-electromagnetic.html?utm_source=nwletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=weekly-nwletter From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Feb 12 14:16:07 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2020 14:16:07 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Fwd: MFJ at Orlando Hamcation 2020 In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: MFJ at Orlando Hamcation 2020 *Orlando Hamcation News* Image The Orlando Hamcation kicked off Friday, February 7, 2020 with a HUGE crowd full of hams wanting to spend lots of money!? MFJ unveiled its new 2020 look with a new sign and new rolling displays!? MFJ also unveiled its new MFJ-2786 automatic loop antenna with controller, a new MFJ-1669 Mobile Antenna with built-in ATU, new 45 and 25 Amp power supplies with PowerPolesTM and more! Checkout the latest news <#> Image *MFJ-2786* The automatic loop antenna portion is raised on a telescopic fiberglass mast.? The loop antenna will now tune with the radio. *MFJ-2786 Controller* The Loop Controller sits inside at the station and connects your radio to the antenna.? It automatically tunes the antenna when you tune on your radio. Image Image *The New look MFJ Hamfest Display* The new look includes a 12x4 foot multicolor double-sided sign and rolling carts with the MFJ gear permanently displayed.? It is exciting that MFJ finally discovered the wheel after 48 years of traveling to hamfests Thanks for your business at Orlando Hamcation.? MFJ was proud to be a big part of the show and looks forward to 2021! *www.mfjenterprises.com* Check out the new 2020 catalog available online! 300 Industrial Park Rd Starkville Mississippi 39759 USA Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Feb 13 12:19:34 2020 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 13 Feb 2020 12:19:34 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] [Radio Officers, &c] Recording of 100th Anniversary of Marconi Spanning Atlantic re-enactment. In-Reply-To: <68f07b39-c3d3-75bd-cbc1-40d376ab1fd0@verizon.net> References: <68f07b39-c3d3-75bd-cbc1-40d376ab1fd0@verizon.net> Message-ID: <7062dc8c-4a00-f768-396b-687d3ddddcf5@bellsouth.net> From Bill NA2M: Recording of 100th Anniversary of Marconi Spanning Atlantic re-enactment. Here are a few recordings made at the time of the centennial of the trans-Atlantic spark transmission by Marconi. VE3BBN had permission to use spark on 80m amateur radio band. All he was allowed to send was what you hear repeated over and over! http://qsl.net/n1ea/spark/dec12.wav http://qsl.net/n1ea/spark/spark.mp3 http://qsl.net/n1ea/spark/ve3bbn12dec01-1.mp3 http://qsl.net/n1ea/spark/ve3bbn12dec01-2.mp3 The one spark.mp3 appears to be close enough to hear the musical note of the spark. Probably done by diode detection at the VE3BBN site. More info here: https://www.qsl.net/g4rfr/marconi.htm