Astron power supply meter lights sure don’t last long (at least the “bulb in meter” style ones). It very well may be the newer backlit LED meters they sell now will last, but that’s not an option when this old Astron has worked so well, for so long. I need lights, not a new power supply. Anyway, I finally got tired enough of not having those old meter lights to let me know with a quick glance that my Astron RS-35M power supply was on, so I did a little something to correct that.
Two 3/16″ holes centered in the meter tops, a pair of modified Hy-Gain LED Iluminator KITS and a little hot glue later and voilà, I can see again!
A few pictures, before, during, and after (click to enlarge):
There’s a growing movement in some Ham Radio circles that if you’ve ever worked an “entity” previously, you should relegate yourself to the sidelines in order to allow some “little pistol” a better chance at working that “new one”.
Really?
Nonsense! After building a station through just under 50 years in Ham Radio, I will work who I want, when I want, where I want. You have a better “chance” at winning the lottery than me not participating in a pileup for somebody I feel like chasing.
Time, money, knowledge, signal, skill – all earned for what? To sit on the sidelines?
While working a pileup on 20 Meters, my friend Meralda VP6MW surprised me, not that she was on her radio from Pitcairn Island, but she surprised me with the strength of her signal!
Well, today she got her new Hex Beam operational she received from Stan KE5EE. I’m a believer!
Congratulations Meralda, here’s the recording from our QSO:
This is a “republish” of a post I made in January, 2016. Why is it relative now? Well, with possible activation(s) of Bouvet over the next few years, it shows the “longpath” for all of North America is probably your best (and possibly only) chance to log Bouvet. With mountain ranges from 1,300′ to over 2,300′ blocking all of North America on the short path from Camp Fie on Bouvet (see AE5X map below), you may wish to start making preparations to tool up your station for the longpath over Asia. And here is my relevant story of working Kerguelen in the South Atlantic – over the longpath…
I guess my parents were right – “sometimes doing your homework pays off”.
Over the last few days I’ve noticed that Nicolas FT4XU on Kerguelen Island has a rhythm. He usually starts off on or around 14.130 simplex, then when the pile-up forms he receives split up 5 – 10. After a while operating on 14.130, he’s been immediately going to 14.330. So when I heard him over the longpath on 14.130 this morning, I went and readied the gear for a run on 14.330 just in case he did what he had been doing in the past. I’d have loved to work him on “nice and quiet” 14.130, but that portion of the band is out of our US Extra Class privileges. So I waited. And I waited a little more. Then damnit, he just vanished!
But I had already set the VFO’s to RX on 14.330 and TX on 14.335 so I checked there, and in the midst of some heavy QRM both above and below from the net geezers, there he was!
50 watts, a shoulder high dipole out in the middle of absolute nowhere from Kerguelen Island over the longpath into Colorado. All Time New One #329 for me – Ham Radio awesomeness!
Ken, LA7GIA announced today that the 3Y0J DXpedition to Bouvet Island is ON for 2022! More info can be found on their Website at 3Y0J.no.
“The 3Y0J team are delighted to inform about our continued effort to activate Bouvet island. After cancellation of the previous attempt due to the ill-fated sale of the vessel Braveheart we decided to continue the effort and search for a suitable and affordable vessel.” Continued…
My Collins 32V-2 transmitter restored by Howard Mills W3HM is for sale on eBay. Reserve’s been met, she’s gonna’ go. What a beauty! Only 2 days left! Read (and reread) the description fella’s!
All day I’ve scanned the bands and DX Cluster on both CW and SSB on all bands for Cocos-Keeling (VK9CE) and guess what? Nothing. How frustrating to invest and build a station, put aluminum in the sky, get a little goo, and pffft – nothing. VK9CE has been on that Ham Radio destroying computer software mode, all day. You know the mode where their unmanned computer talks to your unmanned computer. Don’t think it happens? Do your homework as it most assuredly does. They, nor you ever heard a thing. The automated software does the scripted connectivity.
Don’t worry you little pistols. There’s no need for an antenna. No need for some power. Hell, no need for a microphone or a CW key (or keyer)! You just need some computer software where your computer can earn ARRL’s DXCC in a day!
FT8 is destroying Ham Radio. Note, I didn’t say FT8 is killing Ham Radio, I said it is destroying it.
I saw the upcoming Bouvet DXpedition is all about FT8, even more so than they were on Conway Reef. If it comes down to it, I’d rather die with 339 DXCC entities than work Bouvet on FT8. Not going to happen. From the Rebel DX Group site I read today, “We will be testing some our new ideas to operate 5 different stations on FT8 (FOX & HUND) at the same time by 1 operator.”
As co-founder of the Rebel DX Group a few years ago, I walked away when it became clear FT8 was ruining what I consider “Amateur Radio”. I handed over my domains and Website I spent hundreds, if not a thousand hours developing. I do not want to be affiliated in any way with DXpeditions that operate more than 20% or so FT8. And I won’t donate either. You FT8’ers can pull your own weight and subsidize these computer efforts. It’s only fair, right?
FT8 isn’t rebellious, it’s stupid. In my opinion FT8 is like a self-driving car. No operating skills required. How much fun is sitting in a car you’re not driving? You get my point?
And a pleasant reminder. This is my Blog. You don’t like it – turn the dial. Go tell the world how FT8 is saving Ham Radio on your own social media.
An FCC Enforcement Advisory Warning? In 48 years a Amateur (Ham) Radio Operator, I’ve never seen this.
Federal Communications Commission DA 21-73
Released: January 17, 2021
FCC ENFORCEMENT ADVISORY WARNING: AMATEUR AND PERSONAL RADIO SERVICES LICENSEES AND OPERATORS MAY NOT USE RADIO EQUIPMENT TO COMMIT OR FACILITATE CRIMINAL ACTS
The Enforcement Bureau (Bureau) of the Federal Communications Commission issues this Enforcement Advisory to remind licensees in the Amateur Radio Service, as well as licensees and operators in the Personal Radio Services, that the Commission prohibits the use of radios in those services to commit or facilitate criminal acts.
The Bureau has become aware of discussions on social media platforms suggesting that certain radio services regulated by the Commission may be an alternative to social media platforms for groups to communicate and coordinate future activities.
The Bureau recognizes that these services can be used for a wide range of permitted purposes, including speech that is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Amateur and Personal Radio Services, however, may not be used to commit or facilitate crimes.
Specifically, the Bureau reminds amateur licensees that they are prohibited from transmitting “communications intended to facilitate a criminal act” or “messages encoded for the purpose of obscuring their meaning.” 47 CFR § 97.113(a)(4).
Likewise, individuals operating radios in the Personal Radio Services, a category that includes Citizens Band radios, Family Radio Service walkie-talkies, and General Mobile Radio Service, are prohibited from using those radios “in connection with any activity which is against Federal, State or local law.” 47 CFR § 95.333(a).
Individuals using radios in the Amateur or Personal Radio Services in this manner may be subject to severe penalties, including significant fines, seizure of the offending equipment, and, in some cases, criminal prosecution. 47 U.S.C. §§ 401, 501, 503, 510.
Media inquiries should be directed to 202-418-0500 or MediaRelations@fcc.gov.
To file a complaint with the FCC, visit https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov or call 1-888-CALL-FCC. To report a crime, contact your local law enforcement office or the FBI.
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (Braille, large print, electronic files, audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (202) 418-0432 (TTY).
“Strongly Advise“? Seems to me after reading FCC Order 20-126 there is NO wiggle room. Either submit an email address, or lose your license.
PART 97 – AMATEUR RADIO SERVICE
§ 97.21 Application for a modified or renewed license grant.
(a) A person holding a valid amateur station license grant:
(1) Must apply to the FCC for a modification of the license grant as necessary to show the correct Federal Communications Commission mailing and e-mail address, licensee name, club name, license trustee name, or license custodian name in accordance with § 1.913 of this chapter.
§ 97.23 Mailing and e-mail addresses.
Each license grant must show the grantee’s correct name, mailing address, and e-mail address. The e-mail address must be an address where the grantee can receive electronic correspondence. Revocation of the station license or suspension of the operator license may result when correspondence from the FCC is returned as undeliverable because the grantee failed to provide the correct e-mail address.
Me thinks you best “get with it” OM, there can be no doubt Big Brother is watching (and waiting) for you rebels with no email addresses 🙂 Here’s a link to get your FRN number for your Callsign on the FCC ULS:
To update your license grant with an email address, you need to know your FRN number. You can find that from the “Search Your Amateur Radio Callsign” link. Once you have your FRN Number, you can either sign up (or if already signed up, Log In) at the FCC License Manager. Once in License Manager you can update your license and add your email address.
For years I used the free version of Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) by Simon, HB9DRV. It worked great. But over the years since Simon sold HRD in 2011, the only way to update the Country Manager database or Unique Callsign database was to edit them yourself. Frankly I got tired of trying to stay on top of changes so I finally moved on over to the one-time “paid” version.
And I’m glad I did!
I’ll probably make a few more Blog posts on the features in Ham Radio Deluxe over the coming months, but I’ll keep this post to just the HRD Rotator program. For my three electronic rotor controllers HRD Rotator is absolutely fantastic!
Here’s a screenshot of HRD Rotator controlling my three electronic controllers (click to enlarge):
I simply set the rotator type, set the com port for each rotator, set for 1 second refresh interval from the pulldown menu, and “connect”. HRD remembers my settings so I only have to set them once initially, then the program remembers them every time I open HRD. I point & shoot with the mouse so no more holding down levers or fingers slipping off the controller brake for me! In my case, the Hy-Gain Tailtwister rotator on Com 3 is powered by our Ham Supply Rotor-EZ With RS 232 board mounted inside a Hy-Gain controller, Com 4 is a Alpha Spid “RAK” rotator powered by an Alpha Spid electronic controller, and Com 5 is a Yaesu G-800 rotator powered by our internal Ham Supply RotorCard mounted in a Yaesu G-800DXA controller. Hands off control of all three rotators!
Here’s a snapshot of my HRD Logbook program with one rotator chosen. As you can see I have the screen stacked with several utilities in HRD. Logging, DX Cluster, rotator control, audio recording, QRZ lookup, and more. If I want to change the rotator heading all I have to do is click the new heading and HRD Rotator in combination with my chosen electronic controller do the rest. One click on 315° and my antenna is on its way to Japan. 90° to South Africa. 180° to the South Pole. I can watch the pointer follow the rotator in real time and am also assured the antenna is where I want it. Easy stuff, and as always HRD is rock solid. No flaky bugs or crashes.
That’s about it for this Part I review of Ham Radio Deluxe. Check back soon for Part II. I’ll probably review the HRD Logbook, some of its functions, awards tracking and their one click LoTW upload/download utility. Awesome sauce. Click their link/logo on the right if you’d like to find out more about Ham Radio Deluxe software, straight from the company itself. Visit Ham Radio Deluxe
After weeks of calm, solar activity is suddenly high again, with twostrong solar flares erupting from opposite sides of the Sun. ACoronal Mass Ejection (CME) was associated with a strong solar flareon May 12, but modeling shows the ejection passing behind Earth. Thegeomagnetic field has been at unsettled to active conditions.A CME associated with a […]
It was a flurry of activity around the exhibit space for ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® and beyond. Trucks being unloaded, tables being arranged, boxes being opened and even tablecloths being ironed were among the sights and sounds Thursday at Ohio’s Greene County Fairgrounds as hundreds of ham radio manufacturers, retailers, clubs, and organizations […]
ARRL The National Association for Amateur Radio® in a recent filing encouraged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to listen to industry stakeholders about the detrimental impacts that changes to the 902-928 MHz band would have for current users.The FCC is considering a petition by NextNav, Inc., a licensee in the 900-MHz Location and Monitoring Service […]
The Solar Geophysical Activity Report and Forecast from theUSAF/NOAA indicates that solar activity has been at low levels forthe past 24 hours.There are currently four numbered sunspot regions on the solar disk.Solar activity is expected to be low with a chance for M-classflares on May 10 and 11.A simultaneous filament eruption produced a narrow Coronal […]
I took a peak at the updated Log Stats from ZS8W a bit ago. In my April 19 post "ZS8W Marion Island By YL2GM", well before the operation commenced I predicted, The post ZS8W Stats first appeared on N0UN.net.
RF-101 Linear Amp. I saw a sale ad pop up for a "linear amplifier project" on a local radio club forum, and the best part of this project ad was it said, "FREE" The post 60’s RF-101 Linear Amplifier first appeared on N0UN.net.
ZS8W Marion Island By YL2GM. Normally I'd be excited at the chance to work ZS8W but there's a couple items that have tempered my enthusiasm on this activation. The post ZS8W Marion Island By YL2GM first appeared on N0UN.net.
SV1GA/A Mount Athos WFWL (Work First Worry Later). Turned on the radio a couple days ago and heard a big pileup for SV1GA/A on Mount Athos. Turned my 173BA... The post SV1GA/A Mount Athos WFWL first appeared on N0UN.net.
I Like This DXpedition 9L5A! I'm a Ham Radio operator that stays on top of current DXpeditions (like 9L5A) in this hobby. The post I Like This DXpedition 9L5A first appeared on N0UN.net.
FT4GL Automation. So how can it be this automated FT8 operation from Glorioso (FT4GL) has been approved for DXCC? The post FT4GL Automation first appeared on N0UN.net.
FT4GL Glorioso On The Air! Well, "Kinda". That's funny. I just pulled the Club Log stats. Don't even need to explain (.0007). Those that know, know! hahahaha! The post FT4GL Glorioso On The Air! “Kinda” first appeared on N0UN.net.
Cure for stray RF on my signal. And here's the $10 permanent fix: Also works on decoupling magnetic field hum from a pole pig transformer in a linear amplifier. The post Cure For Stray RF On My Signal first appeared on N0UN.net.
DXer vs. TXTer. They are not the same. Dom, T32TT calling N0UN on "Phone" from East Kiribati: (video). Guess this picture says it all: Lazy is, as lazy does. The post DXer vs. TXTer first appeared on N0UN.net.
9N7CI Nepal On The Air!
3Y0J – Bouvet DXpedition 2022!
