With the results in from the recent DXpedition to Banaba (T33T), I’d say we’re well on the way to having a major part of Ham Radio and DXing become nothing more than lazy, mindless computer scripted text messaging – that’s FT8. And like I’ve heard from many real “communicators” in our hobby, “that ain’t Ham Radio!”
The stats: Of 97,193 logged during the T33T DXpedition:
96.6% FT8/4
3.56% Phone
0.005% CW
Take from that what you will but there’s a bunch of us that see just how far this FT8 cancer has spread in 4 years.
I recently saw these on the Internet, think I may spend some of the money I’ve saved NOT donating to these lazy, mindless computer scripted text messaging DXpeditions on some new wearable gear to the next Ham Radio Swapmeet:
And since I’ve learned a thing or two about you folks that are tripping over yourselves in support of this lazy, mindless computer scripted text messaging app called FT8, your “in support of” comments will be canceled here, just as you have deleted, blocked, locked and canceled our comments all around town. Just a thought – perhaps you can convey, discuss and communicate your thoughts through FT8? Oh wait….
Drake MS-4 Speaker Replacement – that little cackle in my MS-4 Speaker’s been buggin’ me. Nothing intolerable, just annoying. Anybody that’s been around awhile knows these old 50+ year old rigs have a wholesome, full sound – a real pleasure to listen to. I like listening to their warm tones while working in the shack. But after decades things wear out – and then they develop an annoying cackle (where have I heard an annoying cackle before?).
So while listening on 20 Meters a few evenings ago I decided to Google if anybody still made a replacement speaker. I found a new one for $37 at Surplus Sales of Nebraska: SPKR-4-57
It arrived today, just a couple days after I ordered it.
The new speaker is quite a bit heavier than the old one – in fact, it’s over double the weight! 28.8 ounces versus 13.7 ounces. The magnet is quite a bit larger and heavier, even though they’re both 5″ X 7″ speakers (optical illusion in the pics).
Here’s a couple pics of the R & R:
Here’s a short video of the Drake B Line with the new speaker mounted in the MS-4. Ahhhhh, beautiful, warm, wholesome audio again (and NO cackle!):
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
Solar activity continued at low levels with isolated C-classflaring. Regions 4381 and 4384 remained the primary drivers ofactivity. The largest event of the period was a C2.9 flare fromRegion 4381 on March 3. Region 4384 continues to rotate further ontothe disk, but foreshortening still hinders a definitivecharacterization of its magnetic complexity. Region 4378 showed somenew […]
Spaceweather.com for February 27 reports about a minor CME hurlingtowards Earth.Solar activity remains at low levels due primarily to C-class flaresjust beyond the SE limb near S21. The largest was a C5.3 flare onFebruary 25. On the visible disk, an approximate 5-degree filamenteruption was observed centered near S08W27 with an associated C2.6flare.The eruption was accompanied […]
A historic blizzard paralyzed much of the Northeast in late February, and amateur radio operators were on the air to help forecasters keep track of the storm’s impact. Southeastern New England was one of the hardest-hit areas. ARRL Eastern Massachusetts Section Emergency Coordinator and Boston-area SKYWARN Coordinator Rob Macedo, KD1CY, provided this summary for ARRL […]
Due to a severe winter storm, ARRL Headquarters and the Maxim Memorial Station, W1AW, will be closed on Monday, February 23, for the safety of our staff. Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has declared a state of emergency ahead of a blizzard that is moving into the state Sunday and continuing into Monday.There will be no W1AW bulletin or […]
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is looking for qualified applicants for Field Agents in seven Enforcement Bureau (EB) offices across the United States: Atlanta, GA; Boston, MA; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; New Orleans, LA; New York, NY, and Portland, OR. Incumbents will resolve Radio Frequency (RF) interference, educate users, and enforce regulations. The GS levels […]
Solar activity returned to low levels this past week. The strongestevent of the period was a C1.8 flare on February 17 from region4374. This region was also responsible for a C1.4 flare on February18. The only other flare of note was a C1.1 flare on February 17from an unnumbered plage region near S05E85. (A plage […]
3Y0K 20M Longpath Signal. What a signal from 3Y0K on Bouvet via the Longpath this morning! After this SSB recording he only got stronger! N0UN working 3Y0K 20M SSB
I started another recording now 30 minutes after their sunrise (0540Z) and 3Y0K is much, MUCH stronger. IF I knew they would get this loud I would've waited to call.
I read news 3Y0K Bouvet may (or may not) be on the air so I figured what the heck, I'll point my antenna over Asia and call CQ DX. 9N1CA and XV9R called in!
In the afternoon, when the weather improved, we began flying supplies and personnel onshore. The first test flight took off at 17:02, and we continued with two more passengers and three more cargo round trips...
3Y0K Vessel Docked In South Africa. Looks the the vessel "Argus" has docked in Cape Town South Africa according to the Marine Traffic Website. I suspect they're
Bouvet 3Y0K. A friendly reminder for the upcoming Bouvet DXpedition in about a month from now. For North America the "Longpath" on the higher bands is probably
N0UN FT-Hater Fan Club. Judging by numerous N0UN CW & FT8 duplicate Q's over the last 10 days in the KP5/NP3VI log, I'd say the N0UN FT-Hater Club is hard at it
KP3/NP3VI Desecheo Stats. Club Log stats for KP5/NP3VI. Of 18,934 Q's (so far) since they've been "on the air" - 53% are FT8 contacts, 7% are SSB and 40% are CW
KP5/NP3VI 20M SSB. And this is why I record most of my QSO's. So I can go back and make sure I got it right. In this case I did not. Clear as day you can hear
KP5/NP3VI Desecheo Confirmed. Well that was fast! I heard KP5/NP3VI on 15M CW this afternoon. I needed them for number 338 active entities worked in my quest
3G0XQ San Ambrosio Canceled. Felipe XQ7IR says he's still working on getting permissions for next fishing season, but for January & February 2026 there's no
Are You Ready? Have you done anything to increase your chances of working Bouvet 3Y0K, San Ambrosio 3G0XQ and Desecheo KP5/NP3VI over the next couple months?
FT8. Over a year and half ago I wrote this post: FT8 Is Destroying Ham Radio.
9N7CI Nepal On The Air!
3Y0J – Bouvet DXpedition 2022!
Recent Comments