From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Feb 3 08:39:09 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 3 Feb 2021 08:39:09 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Art Collins References: Message-ID: Some may have an interest in older radios, particularly Collins. Wikipedia has an excellent Biography on Collins and his history. Great reading. - Bill W2CQ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_A._Collins -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bmarx at bellsouth.net Thu Feb 4 18:58:17 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Thu, 4 Feb 2021 18:58:17 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] FT8 and the Other WSJT-X Digital Modes are "Tools, " K1JT Says References: <551bd075-8919-2293-e253-6640972df9c7.ref@bellsouth.net> Message-ID: <551bd075-8919-2293-e253-6640972df9c7@bellsouth.net> /From The ARRL Letter for February 4, 2021/ FT8 and the Other /WSJT-X/ Digital Modes are "Tools," K1JT Says According to /WSJT-X/ software co-developer Joe Taylor, K1JT, the very popular FT8 and the other digital modes in the software suite "are tools, freely available to hams who want to use them. They are very good at some things, not so good at others." Nonetheless, FT8 -- and, by extension, its contest-mode variation, FT4 -- especially have become game-changers on the HF bands, although, as Taylor has explained, FT8 "was explicitly designed" for making contacts during weak, multi-hop, sporadic-E openings on 6 meters. "It's extremely good at that," he added, and noted that transcontinental and intercontinental DX on 6 meters has greatly benefited from the use of FT8 over the past several years. Developed in 2017, FT8 is named after its developers -- Taylor, and Steven Franke, K9AN. The numeral designates the mode's eight-frequency shift-keying format. Taylor said that while the development team knew that FT8 would be very useful for weak-signal DXing on HF as well as on 6 meters, it did not foresee that it would have the sort of impact it's had on HF operating. Taylor agreed that FT8 is "a mature mode," with the protocol's details published in /QEX/. "Details of message structure, in particular, will not change in a way that is not backward compatible," he said. Although some FT8 fans may feel the mode is running out of room on some bands, Taylor said that as far as he and his fellow /WSJT-X/ developers are concerned, the 3 kHz slices of spectrum suggested for FT8 use are just that -- suggestions. "There is no reason why additional slices should not be used when over-occupancy requires it," he told ARRL. "We don't attempt to dictate such usage patterns; band planning is best done by committees created for that purpose." Many radio amateurs are taking advantage of the FT8 and FT4 modes all the time. FT8 watering holes are sometimes the only places to find signals on bands that otherwise might be considered dead. The /WSJT/ Development Group this week announced the general availability release of /WSJT-X/ Version 2.3.0. It includes a new Q65 mode but does not involve any changes to the FT8 protocol. A summary of new features can be found in the /WSJT-X 2.3/ /User Guide //./ The /Release Notes / offer additional information, including a list of important program changes since the /WSJT-X 2.2/. Upgrading from earlier versions of /WSJT-X/ should be seamless. Installation packages for Windows, Linux, and Macintosh are available. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bmarx at bellsouth.net Fri Feb 5 13:32:07 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Fri, 5 Feb 2021 13:32:07 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Plans to Retrieve Titanic Wireless Equipment Put on Indefinite Hold In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <497ca36d-8658-1fef-b4d7-996ceacd8695@bellsouth.net> image.png image.png Plans to Retrieve Titanic Wireless Equipment Put on Indefinite Hold 02/02/2021image.png? image.png RMS Titanic, Inc., (RMST) the company that owns salvage rights to the Titanicshipwreck, has indefinitely put off its plans to retrieve the vessel?s radio equipment for exhibit. The company cited the coronavirus pandemic for the delay, according to a court filing the company made on January 29. The Atlanta-based company said its plans have faced ?increasing difficulty associated with international travel and logistics, and the associated health risks to the expedition team.? RMST?s primary source of revenue comes from its exhibits of its vast collection of Titanic relics, which have been closed or seen only limited attendance due to virus-related restrictions. RMST ? a subsidiary of Premier Exhibitions and the ?salvor-in-possession? of the Titanic wreck site ? said its planned expedition to recover the ship?s wireless station equipment remains a top priority, however, and will ?take place as soon as reasonably practicable.? The Marconi-equipped station transmitted the distress calls after the Titanic (on its maiden voyage) struck an iceberg some 370 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in 1912 and began sinking. The transmissions, heard by some nearby vessels, have been credited with helping rescue some 700 passengers in lifeboats deployed from the Titanic, but about 1,500 passengers were lost in the disaster. RMST has said the radio transmitter could unlock some of the secrets about a missed warning message and distress calls sent from the ship. The coronavirus pandemic aside, RMST has been in an ongoing legal battle with the US government over whether the recovery operation would be legal. In May of 2020, a US federal judge in Virginia gave permission to retrieve the ill-fated ship?s wireless gear. The judge ruled that the radio gear has ?significant historical, educational, scientific, and cultural value? and could soon be lost within the rapidly decaying wreck, and said the company would be permitted ?minimally to cut into the wreck? to access the radio room. RMST has said it would try to avoid cutting into the ship, noting that the radio room may be reachable via an already-open skylight. But, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has contended that the retrieval expedition is still prohibited under US law and under an international agreement between the US and the UK. NOAA has argued that any benefit to be realized from cutting into the vessel to recover the Marconi equipment would not be ?worth the cost to the resource and not in the public interest.? RMST sought permission to carry out what it called a ?surgical removal and retrieval? of the Marconi radio equipment, which is in poor shape after more than a century under water. The undersea retrieval would mark the first time an artifact was collected from within the Titanic, which many believe should remain undisturbed as the final resting place of the victims of the maritime disaster. The wreck sits on the ocean floor some 2 1/2 miles beneath the surface and remained undiscovered until 1985. RMST plans to use a manned submarine to reach the wreck and would then deploy a remotely controlled submarine to retrieve the radio equipment. http://www.arrl.org/news/plans-to-retrieve-titanic-wireless-equipment-put-on-indefinite-hold -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: gbjiaojiemojekll.png Type: image/png Size: 50831 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: mlobmnbkackaaphk.png Type: image/png Size: 108170 bytes Desc: not available URL: From bmarx at bellsouth.net Wed Feb 10 15:26:04 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Wed, 10 Feb 2021 15:26:04 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] HamCation QSO Party - Saturday References: Message-ID: From another list: Once again COVID-19 has led to cancellation of a major hamfest, the*Orlando HamCation*, which would have been this weekend. So in place of theusual in-person get-together, HamCation will be running various virtual events, including the on-the-air HamCation QSO Party. This will be a casual event (i.e., no logs required, etc.) running from 1500Z Saturday to 0300Z Sunday. Exchange Name, QTH, and the *expected high temperature at your QTH*. (Sorry, we folks in Florida like to rub it in about our weather, at least until the hurricanes come!) Everybody can work everybody ? it's not limited to Florida QSOs.? CW & SSB, 80m thru 10m. To add to the fun, we are activating nine 1x1 Special Event stations whose suffixes spell ?HAMCATION?.? Work them all and earn a certificate. K4*H *? W4*A *? K4*M *? W4*C*? N4*A*? K4*T *? W4I- K4*O *? W4*N* Rules and FAQs are available here: https://www.hamcation.com/special-event-station If you're not a RTTY contester doing the CQ WW WPX Contest, there aren't many other events this weekend. We hope you'll stop by and say hello! 73? -? ?Jim? ?K8MR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bmarx at bellsouth.net Mon Feb 15 10:26:05 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Mon, 15 Feb 2021 10:26:05 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] In case you missed the forums at Orlando Hamcation this year In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <2d62a05a-a9e8-c922-943e-42b2475e57ed@bellsouth.net> /From Tony N2MFT:- Bill W2CQ/ Almost as good as attending Orlando Hamcation this year were the forums. I always hate attending?a conference since they have several forums running concurrently. Thanks to ZOOM and the click of a button they?were recorded this year. Good work! Times and Tracks Find Out What's Going On In Your Area Of Interest The HamCation 2021 Forums and Speakers is now virtual via webinars. These webinars will be split up into four (4) categories: Vendor, Youth, Technology, and Contesting. To view the Vendor Webinars on YouTube go to: www.tinyurl.com/hamcationvendor To view the Technology Webinars on YouTube go to: www.tinyurl.com/hamcationtechnology To view the Contesting Webinars?on YouTube go to: www.tinyurl.com/hamcationcontesting To view the Youth Webinars?on YouTube go to: www.tinyurl.com/hamcationyouth You'll have to register for each webinar you will want to attend. Webinars will be Saturday, February 13, 2021 from 10AM to 4PM EST and Sunday, February 14, 2021 from 10AM to 4PM EST. Anyone who registers and attends at least one webinar will receive one free entry into the prize drawings. https://www.hamcation.com/forums-speakers -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Feb 16 13:14:49 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 16 Feb 2021 13:14:49 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] All radio stations world wide-really clear... In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: From Tony N2MFT: ?- Bill W2CQ The green dots on this Google Earth map represent radio stations all over the world. Click on any one of the dots and you will immediately hear that station with very good reception. For example, halfway up Ireland's east coast, there is a station playing Irish pub music. Any of you who are multilingual will certainly enjoy this. http://radio.garden/live/toulouse/radiopresence From bmarx at bellsouth.net Sun Feb 21 09:30:41 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Sun, 21 Feb 2021 09:30:41 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Free Rohn 25 and CL-33 In-Reply-To: <237842713.438353.1613904165239@mail.yahoo.com> References: <237842713.438353.1613904165239@mail.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <67327ef4-305a-970a-b014-fe79c0d79189@bellsouth.net> Hi Bill, I hope you are well. I have a 30 foot Rohn tower free to a good home.? I also have a Mosely CL - 33 - WARC Band at the top.? I am only using the driven elements as dipoles since Wilma went through. I do have the broken elements that can be repaired.? . The rotor has a broken wire but other than that it works. If you know anyone that would want it they can come over and take it down in the next couple of weeks.? The wife and I are moving to be with our son and his family in Wisconsin. I also have a. Fr- 101s and Fr101 Yaesu twins I'd like to offer. The tx has problems but the receiver is fine the last time I had it on. Thanks very much, Jeff K3JMH Jeff Huff -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From bmarx at bellsouth.net Tue Feb 23 10:59:28 2021 From: bmarx at bellsouth.net (Bill) Date: Tue, 23 Feb 2021 10:59:28 -0500 Subject: [QCWA Everglades Chapter #69] Classic Exchange Winter 2021 CW In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <40c0368e-da01-7942-c8db-a16795e520a6@bellsouth.net> The CW portion of Winter 2021 CX will take place on Sunday Feb 28 1400Z to Mar 1 0800Z Tuesday Mar 2 1400Z to Mar 3 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. Call: "CQ CX" Suggested CW frequencies +/- QRM: 160M 1.810 80M 3.545 40M 7.045 20M 14.045 15M 21.045 10M 28.045 6M 50.095 2M 144.100 Listen up and down for stations using crystal control. The bonus points this Winter are for E.F. Johnson equipment. Full details at http://www.classicexchange.org/announcments/Winter_2021_CX_Rules.pdf Questions? Contact e-mail: K3MSB: myscupper at gmail.com or K2RP: k2rp at arrl.net or contact me! 73, Howie WB2AWQ/7 WB2AWQ at arrl.net