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DXER Ham Radio DX News

The latest dx news/current propagation and more. Visit mike's Amateur Radio Page at www.qsl.net/swlham

Sunday, December 31, 2017

2017 highlights, 2018 goals

A traditional post for many years on my blog. A review of 2017 and preview on 2018. This year has gone in a flash, too fast, too many things happen. Another radio friend lost, I guess this will happen more often when you get older. But at least I did place the antenna tower finally after almost 10 years. When I moved to this house in 2008 I thought it would take a year or two to get the tower up again but besides the hobby other things occupied my time and the tower was the last thing that was on my mind. The "emergency" antennas worked reasonable well making the tower less important.
This was not a good year DX wise, only three new DXCC worked and three new on WSPR. I did work some interesting new ones on 60m, so it wasn't that bad. But I have been experimenting a lot more compared to previous years. I started with a power supply, did some FSQ and JTDX experiments, made a GPS timer working though it still has some hickups, measured the loss in PL259 connectors, failed a RaDAR activation, did various magnetic loop experiments that finally resulted in a very good usable portable magloop, did some tests with a WSPR transmitter kit and modified it a little and created another KISS digimode audio interface. Finally did some maintenance and repairs on both the Create as the Kenpro rotor. This year truly became a "maker" year and I learned a lot from the experiences. Did I meet my goal for this year, yes I did!

The tower is up again and now there is the challenge to reroute coax and cables to the new tower. I already took care over the Kenpro rotor that will be mounted in the mast again. There will be a small cabinet at the base of the mast that already has the lightning protectors and a galvanic separator mounted inside. I'm thinking about mounting the Alu tape multiband vertical on top of the antenna tower, it will be at a feedpoint height of about 16 meter which is 7 meters above the height I use now. It will not have the three radials I use now but a 7 meter wire as opposite capacity hanging outside the mast to make it a vertical dipole. I might try the mast as radiator as well, see what works best for me? The plan is to mount at least a 5 elem. beam for the 6m band. And till I have any idea about a multiband beam I mount a 5 element 10m beam as well below the 6m beam. At least, that's the idea and my goal for 2018...

Wishing all my readers a very healthy, prosperous and DX full new year!

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Ham College 36

Ham College episode 36 is now available for download. General Amateur Radio Exam part 7. More operation discussion. More Impedance questions. 01:13:00 Download YouTube

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Happy New Year – 2018

I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all who read this blog; and share the hobby of Amateur Radio a very Happy New Year!May 2018 always be in VFO A.May 2017 always be in VFO B.May you get all those ATNOs that 2018 has to offer.May you get that new...

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V31TA Turneffe Atoll. From DXNews.com

Jim , W2JHP will be active again from Turneffe Atoll, IOTA NA-123, 3 - 10 January 2018 as V31TA.

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V31TA – Belize

Jim, W2JHP will again be active as V31TA from Turneffe Island NA-123, Belize between January 3-10, 2018. Limited activity on SSB, possibly some PSK. 100 Watts. QSL via EA5GL, LoTW.

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Happy New Year - 2018


I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all who read this blog; and share the hobby of Amateur Radio a very Happy New Year!

May 2018 always be in VFO A.
May 2017 always be in VFO B.
May you get all those ATNOs that 2018 has to offer.
May you get that new piece of gear that you've been dreaming about.
May the bands favor you with the most agreeable conditions.
May your friendships and your enjoyment of the hobby always increase.
May your worries and cares always decrease.

But most importantly, may your friends and loved ones be favored with good health, prosperity, happiness and joy. That is my most sincere wish for you all!

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!




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Ceramic DC Receiver on the Cover of SPRAT. Happy New Year to All! Straight Key Night.

G-QRP very kindly put my little DC Receiver on the cover of issue Nr. 173.   (Very sorry to see that GM3OXX has become a Silent Key. )  As we often say on the podcast, if you are not subscribing to this wonderful magazine, you are missing out on a lot of great ideas and circuits. Information on how to join the club and start receiving SPRAT can be found here: http://ift.tt/2DDZ6l1  It

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Atlas Obscura: “This weather report has been making waves for 150 years.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2018 !

Like to wish all readers and followers a very healthy and happy 2018 filled with DX ! 73 Col MM0NDX @ DX-World.net

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A70X – Al Safliyah Island, AS-088

DECEMBER 31, 2017 – A70X is set-up and ready to go. QRV soon (January 1st) DECEMBER 14, 2017 — QARS is very delighted to announce that a number of local hams and some from outside the country might join the group to reactive Al-Safliya Island AS-088, QSL via M0OXO. JANUARY 6, 2017 – A70X started […]

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5W20SAMOA – Samoa

20th anniversary of continuous on the air of 5W1SA from Samoa since 1998 Atsu, 5W1SA says: I have enjoyed operating HF and 6m from OC-097, Samoa for the last 20 years. (Approximately 100K QSO logged). I have asked and obtained the callsign 5W20SAMOA from Office of the Regulator as a special event station for celebrate […]

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Propagation Report from Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP

Southgate ARC - Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is expected to be at low levels

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Visually impaired woman sees world through ham radio

Southgate ARC - The Benton County Enterprise reports blind since birth, Kelly Stanfield of rural Lincoln didn’t let her disability stop her from become an amateur radio operator. She now has the callsign W0YQG

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VK6ARN NewsWest

Southgate ARC - In the news this week we look back at 2017, follow the stories that coloured our world, look at events that happened, things that changed and things that didn't

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New Year, New Skill - Radio amateurs offer training classes

Southgate ARC - Is learning a new skill one of your New Year’s resolutions for 2018? If so, amateur radio clubs have a new opportunity for you

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InnovAntennas - Justin G0KSC to talk at Chelmsford

Southgate ARC - For their meeting on Tuesday, January 2 the Chelmsford Amateur Radio Society are pleased to have guest speaker Justin Johnson G0KSC, antenna developer and founder of InnovAntennas, all are welcome to attend

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Geomagnetic storm predicted

Southgate ARC - NOAA forecasters say there is a 50% chance of G1-class geomagnetic storms on Jan. 1st when a high-speed stream of solar wind engulfs Earth's magnetic field

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3Y0Z Bouvet Island DXpedition

Southgate ARC - We recently reached yet another milestone in our quest to activate Bouvet Island. DAP, the Chilean company that owns and operates the M/V Betanzos and the helicopters has satisfied the last contractual requirements, prior to departure. We submitted to them a "fit for purpose" checklist with 120 items as part of our contract. They have satisfied all the checklist items, and we will be transferring almost ½ million US dollars to them in the next few days

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Upcoming ARISS contact with Higher National School of Computer Science and Systems Analysis (ENSIAS)

Southgate ARC - An International Space Station school contact has been planned with participants at Higher National School of Computer Science and Systems Analysis on 03 Jan

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98% pass rate for radio amateurs upgrading in Cuba

Southgate ARC - On Saturday, December 16, 103 new radio amateurs passed their examination, and entered Cuba’s third category license (CL prefix), while about a hundred expanded their privileges by moving to the country's top categories (CM and CO)

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STEM Isn't Just for Kids:

eHam.net News - "We don't know anything about how electronics work," my two students told me when we started. In less than an hour they had made a working flashlight, their faces lighting up as bright as the LED light they were now turning on and off. This wasn't a school project, but a workshop put on by Juneau Makerspace, and my students were far closer to retirement age than school age. What's more, they could see immediate use for their newly learned skill. "Now we can make our craft projects light up," they said. If anybody in town gets a handknit Christmas sweater from this year with working lights, my apologies. You have probably often heard about the importance of teaching STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) to kids. There's even a monthly column in the newspaper about it (this one right here), but what is often overlooked is the importance of STEM for adults. If we want to get our students excited to learn more STEM skills, then it would help if they saw us adults taking a similar interest. There's good reason to learn STEM skills for yourself, and not just to make your clothes light up (though that is a good reason, so maybe I'm not sorry about your Christmas sweater). If you have a hobby that involves making something, whether it's woodworking or ceramics, or yes, knitting Christmas sweaters, you're using STEM skills without even realizing it. Do you need to consider the properties of different materials in a craft project like different fabrics or paints? That's science. Do you operate a tool to help you in your hobby like a sewing machine or a ham radio? That's technology. Do you find the most efficient way to put something together, whether it's furniture or a photo slideshow? That's engineering. Is there measuring involved? That's math. Learning more about your hobby or interests is, in effect, pursuing STEM education.

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STEM Isn't Just for Kids:

"We don't know anything about how electronics work," my two students told me when we started. In less than an hour they had made a working flashlight, their faces lighting up as bright as the LED light they were now turning on and off. This wasn't a school project, but a workshop put on by Juneau Makerspace, and my students were far closer to retirement age than school age. What's more, they could see immediate use for their newly learned skill. "Now we can make our craft projects light up," they said. If anybody in town gets a handknit Christmas sweater from this year with working lights, my apologies. You have probably often heard about the importance of teaching STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Math) to kids. There's even a monthly column in the newspaper about it (this one right here), but what is often overlooked is the importance of STEM for adults. If we want to get our students excited to learn more STEM skills, then it would help if they saw us adults taking a similar interest. There's good reason to learn STEM skills for yourself, and not just to make your clothes light up (though that is a good reason, so maybe I'm not sorry about your Christmas sweater). If you have a hobby that involves making something, whether it's woodworking or ceramics, or yes, knitting Christmas sweaters, you're using STEM skills without even realizing it. Do you need to consider the properties of different materials in a craft project like different fabrics or paints? That's science. Do you operate a tool to help you in your hobby like a sewing machine or a ham radio? That's technology. Do you find the most efficient way to put something together, whether it's furniture or a photo slideshow? That's engineering. Is there measuring involved? That's math. Learning more about your hobby or interests is, in effect, pursuing STEM education.

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Brief Medium Wave Tests of the HF+ and FDM-S2 SDRs in a Suburban Location

Saturday, December 30, 2017

The "BK 1929 QSO Party" From BC

With this being my final blogspot of 2017, let me take this opportunity to wish all readers and radio friends season's greetings and good health and happiness in the coming new year.  It's hard to believe that this is blog posting #470, having started blogging in the spring of 2014 ... how time flies when you're having fun. It flies even quicker when your both old and having fun at the same time!


The AWA's annual premier operating event, the "Bruce Kelley 1929 QSO Party", affectionately known as the "BK", has once again come and gone and some have already begun the countdown to next year's fun!

The hoped-for good conditions, not seen in the past few years, almost became a reality as it wasn't a complete washout like last year's event. Spread over two consecutive Saturday evenings, the best conditions were on the second night, but with just a few east coast stations making it into the log. Several of the 'eastern regulars' were just never heard here, as the band was not quite up to par ... maybe next year will see a return to the great low band conditions of the past.

As usual, I began on 40m, shortly after the BK start at around 1500 local time, and a good hour and a half before local sunset. Usually, 40m isn't too productive until closer to sunset and then, only briefly, as eastern stations have usually moved down to 80m just as the band opens up out here. Contacts with KØPK (MN) and K4JYS (KY) were followed by exchanges with locals VE7BDQ (John) and new BK'er VE7CNF (Toby).

As always, K4JYS's 1929 designed Hartley oscillator using a 210 at 20W input, made it up to this region consistently and was 559 with over an hour of daylight remaining.

K4JYS's 210 Hartley

John and Toby both chose to build relatively rare 1929 designed Colpitts oscillators and were both exceptionally strong here.

VE7BDQ's Colpitts 45s


VE7CNF's Colpitts 45s

Here is a recording of VE7CNF's Colpitts on 80m thanks to Mark, VA7MM.

KK7UV, Steve in Montana, called in next, using his painstakingly restored REL MOPA (Master Oscillator Power Amplifier). His 5W input was a solid S7 here.

KK7UV's REL

Moving down to 80m just after 1700 local time, netted contacts with WB9WHG (WI), KØSM (NY), W2ICE (NY), WA9WFA (MN) and W8KGI (NM) all before dinner hour.

I think Scott (WA9WFA) may be the only other Colpitts user and was a solid 569 here using his pair of 10s at 20W input.

WA9WFA's Colpitts '10s

The band slowly deteriorated later in the evening but not before working N4GJV (NC) on his 3W Hartley oscillator and then finishing with back to back contacts with KØPK and KØKP, both in MN.

KØKP's Hartley '10

Weekend two started again in daylight on 40m, with the 25W Hartley signal of W2AN in New York booming into Mayne Island at 589! Truly remarkable with sunset being over 30 minutes away. What looked to be a really good night shaping up turned out to be disappointing once again ... but for a few strong 'spotlight' openings to the east, most east coast signals evaded me once again.

W2AN's Hartley 203A

Back on 80 right at sunset brought W2AN (NY) once again followed by WØNYQ (MN) with his 4W TNT doing a nice job at 569.

WØNYQ's 4W TNT with a 245

80m contacts were completed with N8YE (OH), NO3M (PA), W3GMS (PA) and the highlight of the evening, N2OUV, Joe in NY, running his 10W '29 Hartley and peaking 579 on the transcontinental path. I rarely work Joe but when I do it's always a delight as it was his YouTube video that originally inspired me to become a '29 builder and participant!

N2OUV's 211 Hartley



Hats off as well to Joe, W3GMS in PA whose rare original 18W TNT was putting an impressively solid signal into the west coast for over an hour ... he must have a great antenna.


W3GMS's Original '29 210 TNT

Once again, I used my homebrew MOPA using type '10s for all contacts but I could have just as readily used my Hull Hartley or TNT as there was absolutely no wind on either weekend ... a very rare happening here on the ocean!

VE7SL's '10  MOPA
I had just 23 AWA contacts this year, maybe the poorest result for me so far. I went QRT at around 12 a.m. EST but normally would have stayed later and risen early for the east coast on 80 and 40 but for the fact that I had injured my back earlier in the week and found it very difficult to sit for any length of time ... just twisting around to zero the VFO on the rig sitting behind me was difficult.

One great positive was the appearance of several newcomers to the '29 Party, which seems to be growing in popularity each year. There is still a lot of interest in '29-style construction it would seem and if this is something that you might like to try for next year's event, here are some helpful guidelines from some of my previous blogs to help get those homebrew juices flowing. It's never too early to warm-up that soldering iron!
There is also some hands-on '29-style building info on my website that can be reached here.

While you are at it, don't forget to sign onto the AWAGroup of '29 Builders as there is plenty of help, discussion and good advice waiting for you there.



Hopefully we will see YOU and your new '29 transmitter next year along with those expected great band conditions!

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The “BK 1929 QSO Party” From BC

With this being my final blogspot of 2017, let me take this opportunity to wish all readers and radio friends season's greetings and good health and happiness in the coming new year.  It's hard to believe that this is blog posting #470, having sta...

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Interior photos of Monitor Sensors 630m transverter

I recently opened my transverter to have a look around and took some photos while on my sightseeing trip. If you've wondered about its innards, here they are: .   .   .   . .

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WW PMC Contest

WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 1200Z, Jan 6 to 1200Z, Jan 7

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PODXS 070 Club PSKFest

WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 0000Z-2400Z, Jan 6

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Kid's Day Contest

WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 1800Z-2359Z, Jan 6

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EUCW 160m Contest

WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 2000Z-2300Z, Jan 6 and 0400Z-0700Z, Jan 7

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ARRL RTTY Roundup

WA7BNM Contest Calendar - 1800Z, Jan 6 to 2400Z, Jan 7

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CW key dilemma

Well here we are it's almost the end of 2017 as I was out for a pint with my Ipad and looking at some of the blogs  I follow. I came across PE4BAS's blog and after reading his post I checked out the blogs that he follows to see what else was new i...

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Michael is favorably impressed with the C. Crane CC Skywave SSB

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Michael (N9YZM), who writes:

Hi Thomas,

I took the plunge and purchased the Skywave SSB. It was under the tree on Christmas morning.

It was with some trepidation that I unwrapped it and installed a pair of AA batteries. I had read all the reviews regarding whistles and whines and had decided to give it a go anyway, particularly with the knowledge of the manufacturer’s excellent reputation for product support.

I am pleased to report no whistles or whines so far!

This morning I was listening to the breakfast club net on 3973 kHz. Reception, with just the whip, was not quite as good as my Commradio CR1-a with the W6LVP loop, but still very readable, and good enough to put a smile on my face and remove any thoughts of returning the radio to the manufacturer.

Air band, Weather Channel, FM, AM all seem to work great. I bought the radio primarily to throw in the bag when travelling, and can’t wait for the next business trip! I will still take the PL-880, and do some comparisons.

If I could change anything on the Skywave SSB, It would be to soften up (or remove) the detent on the tuning knob.

Holy Grail definitely comes to mind !!

Excellent, Michael! It sounds like your Skywave SSB is one that received a proper calibration and quality control run! I think you’ll find it makes for a superb compact travel radio.

Thanks for sharing your review!

As a side note, my full (4,300 word–!) review of the Skywave SSB has been published in the January 2018 issue of The Spectrum Monitor magazine.  You can purchase and download the issue for $3, or (better) purchase a one year subscription for only $24. As I’ve said before, TSM is one of the best values in our radio hobby!



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TI7W TI5/N4YDU Costa Rica. From DXNews.com

Nathan, N4YDU will be active as TI7W from Costa Rica, in ARRL DX CW Contest 17 - 18 February 2018.

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Building the Ceramic Discrete Direct Conversion Receiver - Part 3 -- The Audio Amplifier

Once you have achieved JOVO and have the oscillator covering the frequency range you desire, it will be time to build the audio amplifier stage.  Now, I'm sure many of you will be tempted to just throw an LM386 or 741 op amp in there.  But don't do that!   You want to build the WHOLE receiver.  Don't let that IC manufacturer rob you of the FULL HB EXPERIENCE. The DISCRETE amplifier

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6 Meter Horizontal Dipole Antenna Project by KK5ID


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80/40 Meter Loaded Dipole Antenna – high on solder


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End Fed Antennas – Where’s the other half?


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Why Ham Radio Fans Want to Spend Next Summer on an Island Full of Bird Poop

Interesting article in the non-ham media: "Baker Island, a small, uninhabited atoll about halfway between Hawaii and Australia, boasts a few claims to fame. As we wrote last year, it’s one of just two named spots in the world that fall within time zone UTC-12:00, which means it’s the last place on Earth to ring out the old year. Despite these charms, unlike most places, it had a fairly quiet

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Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 187

2017 Year in Review For this last issue of the year, I pulled the most popular links from each issue and complied the top 10 as a ‘look back’ on the world of Amateur Radio in 2017. Enjoy! –Cale K4HCK #10 End Fed Antennas – Where’s the other half? I was shocked to say the […]

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Propagation de K7RA

Southgate ARC - There were no zero-sunspot days over the past reporting week, December 21-27. Then on Thursday, December 28 there were no sunspots. So far in 2017 there have been 102 days with no sunspots, or 28%

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REMINDER: W1AW begins scheduled transmissions on 6 meters starting January 2, 2018

Southgate ARC - Just a reminder that beginning with the 9 AM EST (1400 UTC) fast code practice on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, W1AW will add 6 meters - specifically 50350 kHz - to its regular CW code practice, and CW, digital and phone bulletin transmission schedule

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Rewind – a look back at our history 60 years ago

Southgate ARC - The year 1958 was the International Geophysical Year and saw the start of many technical things we have today. During that year the Earth's magnetosphere was discovered plus a number of other notable milestones. The year was important in the development of Amateur Radio and electronics generally

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Radio ham gives CubeSat talk at Chaos Communication Congress

Southgate ARC - On December 29, Pierros Papadeas SV1QVE gave a presentation about the Libre Space Foundation UPSat Open Source satellite to the Chaos Communication Congress in Leipzig

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MacLoggerDX Version 6.16 released

Southgate ARC - Dog Park Software is pleased to announce that version 6.16 of MacLoggerDX has been released

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Foundations of Amateur Radio - Episode 134

Southgate ARC - There is a saying in my family, which I'll translate into English for you, "No Onno, it's not slippery."

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First transatlantic 472 kHz band contact

Southgate ARC - The ARRL reports on first transatlantic contact on 630 meters (472 kHz) which took place between David Bowman G0MRF and Dave Riley AA1A

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EL79 Grid Chase activation

Southgate ARC - We are kicking off ARRL 2018 International Grid Chase on New Years Day. Members of the Panama City Amateur Radio Club will activate Grid Square EL79 in Northwest Florida using their individual calls. They are K4LIX, N4KGL, N4UVR, and WA6QKN

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Z2LA – Zimbabwe

A Norwegian team will be active as Z2LA in March 2018. Full details forthcoming..

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Z2LA Zimbabwe. From DXNews.com

Radio Amateurs from Norway will be active as Z2LA, from Zimbabwe, in March 2018.

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HK4GOO/1 Fuerte Island. From DXNews.com

Gabo, HK4GOO will be active as HK4GOO/1, from Fuerte Island, IOTA SA - 078, 1 - 4 January 2018.

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City to Host National Radio Field Day:

eHam.net News - Officials will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Winter Field Day exercise Jan. 27-28 at the Civic Center at 1206 W. Avenue B.

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City to Host National Radio Field Day:

Officials will be participating in the national Amateur Radio Winter Field Day exercise Jan. 27-28 at the Civic Center at 1206 W. Avenue B.

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Why Ham Radio Fans Want to Spend Next Summer on an Island Full of Bird Poop

eHam.net News - BAKER ISLAND, A SMALL, UNINHABITED atoll about halfway between Hawaii and Australia, boasts a few claims to fame. As we wrote last year, it's one of just two named spots in the world that fall within time zone UTC-12:00, which means it's the last place on Earth to ring out the old year. Despite these charms, unlike most places, it had a fairly quiet 2017: as usual, it spent its time hosting hermit crabs, lizards, and a heck of a lot of quality bird poop. But in 2018, things will be different. Baker Island will welcome a group of people who have (actually!) always wanted to go there: fourteen extremely excited ham radio operators, who call themselves the Dateline DX Association, will be journeying to the island in June. There, they plan to spend 12 straight days fielding approximately 75,000 radio calls from Baker Island fans all over the world. Amateur or "ham" radio had its heyday in the early 20th century, when interested hobbyists began putting together their own wireless communication systems and taking to the airwaves to beam messages to their friends. "We were the original Facebook," says Don Greenbaum, one of the leaders of the Baker Island team, who has been involved with the ham radio community for about 50 years.

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Why Ham Radio Fans Want to Spend Next Summer on an Island Full of Bird Poop

BAKER ISLAND, A SMALL, UNINHABITED atoll about halfway between Hawaii and Australia, boasts a few claims to fame. As we wrote last year, it's one of just two named spots in the world that fall within time zone UTC-12:00, which means it's the last place on Earth to ring out the old year. Despite these charms, unlike most places, it had a fairly quiet 2017: as usual, it spent its time hosting hermit crabs, lizards, and a heck of a lot of quality bird poop. But in 2018, things will be different. Baker Island will welcome a group of people who have (actually!) always wanted to go there: fourteen extremely excited ham radio operators, who call themselves the Dateline DX Association, will be journeying to the island in June. There, they plan to spend 12 straight days fielding approximately 75,000 radio calls from Baker Island fans all over the world. Amateur or "ham" radio had its heyday in the early 20th century, when interested hobbyists began putting together their own wireless communication systems and taking to the airwaves to beam messages to their friends. "We were the original Facebook," says Don Greenbaum, one of the leaders of the Baker Island team, who has been involved with the ham radio community for about 50 years.

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Friday, December 29, 2017

IOTA news from the DARC

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Page last updated on: Wednesday, December 27, 2017

IOTA News from the
Deutscher Amateur Radio Club

28 December, 2017

Island activities:

IOTA QRGs
CW: 28040 24920 21040 18098 14040 10114 7030 3530 kHz
SSB: 28560 28460 24950 21260 18128 14260 7055 3760 kHz

AS-088, A7, Qatar group: Members of the Qatar Amateur Radio Society
are planning to activate Al-Safliyah Island from the 1st to 6th of
January as A70X. QSL via M0OXO. https://asia088.com/

AS-047; JA6, Daito Islands: Take/JI3DST will be active as JI3DST/6
from Kita-Daito Island on HF (SSB, CW, RTTY, FT8) between Dec. 28 and Jan. 9. QSL via JI3DST.

EU-038; PA, Noord Holland/ Friesland/Groningen Province group:
Jef/DD2CW is going to operate as PA/DD2CW from Texel between Dec.
30 and Jan 4 on HF (SSB, CW). QSL via DD2CW (d/B).

EU-171; OZ, Jylland North group: Thomas/DL7UZO operates from
Jylland between Dec. 28 and Jan. 4 as 5P9z/p. QRV on 160-10m on CW,
SSB, RTTY. QSL via DL7UZO (d/B). http://5p9z.com/home/

NA-107; FM, Martinique: Heli/DD0VR pays Martinique a visit from the
1st to 10th of January. QRV as FM/DD0VR on 20, 15, and 10m (SSB
only). QSL via h/c (d/B)

Deutscher Amateur Radio Club
e-mail: iota@dxhf.darc.de

RSGB IOTA website

Check-out the latest IOTA News bulletin from OPDX

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Roadtrip in 5...4...3...2...1...

. .

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I have to pick up a space heater!

For the shack. I didn't participate in the 40 Meter QRP Fox Hunt last night as it was only 56F (13C) in the basement. Years ago, in my youth, that wouldn't have bothered me. Now it's just too uncomfortable and I confess that I've become a creature of comfort.

We're experiencing a blast of Arctic air here in NJ and whenever the outside temperature ventures into the "teens",  the basement becomes very chilly. Once it gets below 60F (15C) down there, it just gets too chilly for me to spend any significant amount of time behind the radio.

As it is, I typically wear three shirts at home during the winter months - a long sleeved T as a first layer, followed up with a golf type polo shirt as a second layer, with a heavier sweat shirt as a third layer.  In order to keep the gas bill at a manageable level, we keep the thermostat at 66F for the day and 64F for the night.

I need to move to the Carolinas, or Tennessee or somewhere like that. Or buy a space heater for the shack - which I think I will do.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least (and your fingers aren't frozen)!

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OJ9X joint Santa Radio 2017, Finland 100th anniversary of independence operation to end with 2017

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OJ9X joint Santa Radio 2017, Finland 100th anniversary of independence operation to end with 2017

The ARRL report Amateur Radio activity under the special OJ9X call sign to mark the Santa Radio 2017 and Finland’s 100th anniversary of independence has resulted in more than 42,000 contacts.

The multiple OJ9X operators are aiming for at least 50,000 contacts by the time the event wraps up on December 31.

Activity continues on all bands, including 2-meter meteor scatter and moonbounce as well as 60 meters.

All contacts will be confirmed by Club Log, Logbook of the World (LoTW), and QSL bureaus.

ARRL




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QRSS experiments: FSKCW and Slow Hell

These last few days I've been experimenting with my QRPLabs Ultimate 2 and Ultimate 3s transmitting on 7 MHz. In addition to WSPR, the modes transmitted have been FSKCW with 6 second long dots, and Slow Hell with 17 second long characters. The result a...

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OK - new project

Since Santa didn't bring the Arrow antenna that I wanted in order to try my hand at the FM satellites (and possibly get more Field Day points this year), and my homebrew magloop turned out so well - I've decided to try my hand at another:

http://ift.tt/PsFdUb

And it comes complete with a video!


Doesn't look too expensive to build and I think we have enough coat hangers in various places around the house where I wouldn't have to go out and buy any.

The Arrow antenna is nice and all, but the cost was around $140, if I remember correctly. That's a lot to pay for something that I just want to play with from time to time and not be really dedicated to. This will probably serve me just as well; and I could use whatever $$$ I manage to save in the future towards more QRP and CW stuff.

And the last benefit ..... there's NOTHING like homebrewing something and have it work. I know I'm jumping the gun here; but KG0ZZ certainly makes look "do-able".

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!


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6060 from Somalia

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6O6O from Somalia

Operators Ken LA7GIA and Adrian KO8SCA will be active as 6O6O from Somalia between January 3-16th, 2018.

Activity will be on 160-10 meters using CW, SSB, RTTY and FT8. They will be using their Elecraft K3 radios into a beam, verticals, dipoles and beverages as well as high power amplifiers.

If there is Internet available on the site, they will do a live ClubLog and LoTW uploads on all QSOs. Paper QSL cards are via M0OXO and his OQRS.

Adrian informs OPDX that Somalia is a country ravaged by poverty and war, but it is slowly returning to normal.

Their DXpedition will also have a humanitarian aspect. Both Ken and Adrian will pay for all the DXpedition expenses. All money raised during the DXpedition will go to the not-for-profit Doctors Without Borders (DWOB) [see the following Web page (http://ift.tt/tc9VwP) which recently returned to Somalia see http://ift.tt/2BKT0Sv after an absence of a few years.

They have also set up a dedicated PayPal address for these donations 6o6o@la7gia.com. Closing date for donations is February 1st, 2018, when donations will be wire transferred to DWOB.

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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

I know, some of you are probably saying, "Wait, what? Christmas is over!"

But it's really not ...... remember the song, "The Twelve Days of Christmas"?  Christmas is more than a day, it IS a season.  So don't throw out or put away those Christmas trees just yet. Enjoy the Season!

I hope Santa was good to you and left a key, radio or some neat accessory under your tree.  I got some shave soap (I wet shave - an electric razor just tears up my face and especially my neck!), a shirt and that personal weather station I had been wanting.


It's not a Peet Brothers unit, rather one of the more inexpensive ones. And that's fine by me. I just want something that I can hook up to WeatherUnderground and play around with. This will do just fine and I am grateful for it.

We did not get a white Christmas this year. But it was very windy and cold. in fact, our daily high temperatures for the next week or so are not to exceed the high 20s F (-3C).  And the NY NJ PA Weather Guy, who I follow on Twitter, is saying something about the possibility of a major winter storm for our area next weekend.  We shall see.

In the meantime, I hope to get on the air a few evenings this week to see how the 160 Meter band is doing and to see if I can squeeze out a contact or two.  It's been a long time since I got on the air looking just to chew the fat for a bit.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!




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Trying a “Short” Beverage Antenna on 160m

I wanted to do something to improve my Station performance on 160m, so I thought a Receive Antenna would be the way to go. Everyone tells me that you need a decent RX Antenna for 160m, because you can not expect much on the RX side, from a 160m dipole. The dipole is sure to be mounted too low for any useful dipole directivity pattern, so something is needed to hear those far-away stations.

My QTH only had about 250′ linear length in the E/W or NE/SW direction, I put out a beverage antenna to give it a try. I used a single wire mounted at a height of about 7-8 feet above ground. I put a ground rod at each end, and used a DX Engineering transformer for the Beverage. The result was that it was just too short to help much on 160m. I could not see any benefit.

While this antenna was not helpful on 160m, it did help on some of the higher Bands, mainly 40 and 20 meters. It gave some directivity and helped to knock down the booming signals from some of the W5 and W9 stations that can make constesting on the East Coast a difficult challenge. So. at least this antenna proved to be somewhat useful, although not on the desired 160 meter Band.

Next up, I am going to try a Beverage-on-ground, and will let you know if that helps me on 160 meters.

73 and Merry Christmas

 

 




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Look out for LU and PY stations on 50MHz SSSP

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Look out for LU and PY stations on 50MHz SSSP

SARL News report skeds have been arranged with stations in Argentina and Brazil between 10:00 and 13:00 UTC during the Short-path Summer Solstice Propagation (SSSP) season by Pieter Jacobs, V51PJ, in Namibia.

They will be using 50,250 MHz digital and alternate between FT8 and JT65a modes. All ZS VHF stations are welcome to join in the tests and could also try analogue on 50,110 MHz, the international DX calling frequency.

Many 50 MHz SSSP contacts have already been made over the years on analogue between Japan and Europe, during their summer solstice in June, while in the southern hemisphere New Zealand has hooked up with South American stations. All ZS stations are welcome to join in the tests.

Australian stations have already alerted us that they will be looking for Division 2 and 5 stations in South Africa on 50,276 MHz JT65a second period or try 50,110 MHz for analogue. So, the possibility is there for South African stations to work Australia and/or New Zealand on 50 MHz SSSP for the first time.

The South African Radio League

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THE Gift - Christmas Day 2017


I came that you might have life and live it more abundantly.
I came to make all things new.
I came that you might have Eternal Life.

Merry Christmas!
May you be surrounded this day, and all the year through
by family, friends, warmth, joy, peace, happiness and health!

From the W2LJ household to yours!


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uBITX progress

With the granddaughters here a few days for Christmas, I sat through Nanny McPhee last night (and actually enjoyed it) - but then it was time to get my daily radio fix. Rather than getting on the air I warmed up the soldering iron and wired up the harnesses to their corresponding connectors. This is really all there is to "building" the uBITX and I was going to wait until my housing arrived

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SV5DKL FT8 Robot - Fully automatic, working unattended - HowTo Tutorial Video

Here follows exactly what is described in this post title:

 


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FT8 anomaly or long delayed echo?

My friend Alf, LA2NTA, has sent med these screenshots from when he has been operating FT8. The first image is when operating 10 meters and took place early in November.Two of LA2NTA CQs being received by himself on 10 meter (in red)It shows how his own...

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ICQ Podcast Episode 256 – Your Questions Answered

In this, our end of year episode, Colin M6BOY is joined by Martin M1MRB, Edmund Spicer M0MNG, Bill Barnes N3JIX, Ed Durrant DD5LP, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Chris Howard M0TCH and Leslie Butterfield G0CIB to answer your Amateur / Ham Radio questions.

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The Gift



Daniel was proud of his daughter, Kaitlyn. At 17 years old, she was a senior in High School. Her grades were excellent; and her future looked bright, indeed. Although not considered to be one of the popular kids at school, Kate had her share of friends, all “good kids” as Daniel thought of them. Kate had a relatively normal social life for a teenager, and was even involved in a couple clubs at school.

The one she was most enthusiastic about was the West Valley High Amateur Radio Club. Kate had earned her Ham license early on as a 9 year old. Even back then, she knew the high school had a club and she eagerly anticipated becoming a member one day. It was a natural fit and she joined in her Freshman Year. She blossomed under the tutelage of the club’s Faculty Adviser, Mr. Jackson. By her Sophomore year, Kate was elected Vice-President and then President in her Senior year.

All the equipment in Kate’s shack at home had either been donated or had been built by hand. Daniel regretted not being able to purchase any fancy or exotic radio equipment for his daughter. Due to a workplace accident, he was on disability and its resulting fixed income. A legal settlement provided enough to allow them to keep their house and live relatively worry free, and the monthly disability check provided for food on the table and clean clothes for his wife and their three children. “Niceties” like vacations, or expensive gadgets were out of the question, though. But the family didn't live in the Stone Age, either. They had a computer and access to the Internet, just the same as every other average American family.

It didn’t matter much to Kate as she actually enjoyed “homebrewing” her own gear. She did have one wish though, and that was for an HF all band, all mode transceiver that would allow her more freedom to explore the Ham bands than her homemade gear would allow. So she set about earning it. Serving as a life guard at the community pool during the summers and tutoring school kids from the neighborhood had allowed her to earn just enough money for what a lot of experienced Amateurs would consider a “beginner’s rig”. Even though Kate was a veteran Ham, this would be her very first piece of commercial gear that she could consider to be her own. Finally the day came, and Daniel had offered to drive Kate to the closest Amateur Radio store closest to them. They set out for the “Ham Radio Depot”, on a cold but sunny Saturday December morning. “Ham Radio Depot” was a chain of stores located in several states, and the closest one was just over the state line.

Daniel told Kate that first he had to stop for gas for the trip. Kaitlyn offered to pump the tank full while her dad went into the store part of the gas station in order to buy them both some sodas and snacks to tide them over while they made their way to the store. As Kate was pumping the tank full, a disheveled man wearing old, beat up clothes walked up to her. Even though he was unkempt and had long shaggy hair and looked like he could use a shower and a shave, he had a kind face and a gentle voice. “Hey there, young lady, you got any change you could spare?” Kate was about to answer the man when the owner of the gas station chased after the old man.

“Get away from here you old boozer! I’ve told you never to come back here again!”

With a sigh, the man shrugged his shoulders and then thrust his hands deep into his jacket pockets and left. It was obvious that he didn’t want to make too much trouble As the man was walking away, Kate asked the gas station owner who the man was.

“I dunno. some old boozer who lives underneath the underpass over by the Interstate. Says he's a veteran, but I think he’s just an old panhandler just looking for handouts from my customers.”

Kate finished filling up the tank; and placed the nozzle back on the pump. When her Dad returned he told him what happened, Daniel told Kate to get into the car so they could get started. As they made their way onto the road, Kate spotted the man who had been chased away, just ahead of them a little bit.

“Dad, stop the car and let’s talk with this guy for a bit.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Kate. We don’t know who this guy is.”

“ I don’t know much about him, either, Dad. But I don’t think he’s bad. He just had a way about him that tells me there’s more to the story than what the guy who owns the gas station said about him.”

Knowing his daughter had a big heart; and against his better judgment, Daniel headed towards the stranger. As they pulled up to him, Daniel slowed the car and Kate rolled the window down.

“Hey mister, remember me?”

The old guy looked at him, “Oh, you’re the kid from back at the gas station. I'm sorry if I scared you. I meant no harm.”

Daniel stopped the car and the two of them got out. “Not at all, Mister. I was wondering if we could do anything for you?”

“I’m sorry young lady, I was just looking for some spare change. I wasn’t about to buy beer or drugs or anything like that. I wanted to buy some food for me and my friends.”

Daniel chimed in, “Hi there, Old Timer! I’m Daniel and this is my daughter, Kate. Just who are you and your friends that you need to buy food for?”

The old man answered, “The name is Robert. I’m a Viet Nam vet. I’m a bit down on my luck and have no home. I lost my Maggie in '06 to breast cancer. Then in 2008, I lost my job in the recession. Before I even realized, the bank foreclosed on the mortgage and I was out on the streets. Nobody wants to hire an old guy like me, Now I live with some other vet friends – one from the Gulf War, another like me from “Nam.”

“Where do you guys stay? Do you really live under the underpass up the road?” Kate asked.

“Yep. Me and my friends built a few shacks out of cardboard and some old sheet metal we’ve come across. It’s not the Waldorf, but it keeps us dry and decently warm.” Robert answered.

“What branch were you in? If you don't mind me asking, that is.” asked Daniel”

“I’m a Navy man, sir. I was posted on a surveillance ship off the coast of North Viet Nam. I was a radio intercept technician”

Kate couldn’t contain herself “Radio? Really?”

“Yes, ma'am! I served on the USS Jamestown AGTR-3. We were parked off the coast of North Vietnam to monitor Viet Cong communications.”

Kate explained her own interest in radio and how she had been a Ham since her younger days They talked for a bit. When Daniel felt that Robert was on the up and up and wasn’t scamming them, he handed him a twenty dollar bill.

“It’s not much, but it’s about all the spare I have on me, Robert. Sorry I can’t offer you more.”

Robert shook his hand, “I’m much obliged to you, sir. I thank you for your kindness.”

Daniel answered, “No sir, not at all. Thank you for your service. I only wish there was more I could do for you. Well, we better head off. I’m taking Kate here to but a Ham radio that she earned for herself.”

“That’s OK.” Robert said. “You’ve done more than most. You’ve treated me like ordinary folk and didn’t just chase me away. Have a good trip and maybe we’ll meet up again, some day. I’d sure like to see that shiny new rig of yours, Kate.”

Daniel and Kate got in the car and drove away. Kate watched Robert walk away in the rear view mirror. She was quiet for a long time.

“You OK, Kate?” Daniel asked his daughter.

“Yeah, Dad. I’m OK. But it’s not right, Robert being homeless and all. He did his time in the Navy, he made a sacrifice for us. Somebody should do something for him now.”

They drove a little longer.

“Dad? Would you turn around?”

“Why, Kate?” he asked.

“I want to go to the Camp-More store and buy some stuff for those guys. I want to use my radio money.”

“Kate, you’ve worked so hard and long for that! If anyone deserves that new radio, it’s you! Are you sure, Honey?”

“I'm sure Dad. I just can’t go spending on myself, when I know there are men right here in our own town who need our help”.

Daniel reluctantly agreed. He knew his daughter’s heart was in the right place. He also knew her determination. Once she set her mind to something, that was it, so he knew better than to try and talk her out of her decision. They stopped at the sporting goods store on the way home and bought some warm sleeping bags and some other camping gear. Then they went to the local big box store and bought some blankets and some non-perishable food stuff.

“You want to take this stuff over there now, Kate?”

“Yeah. Let’s go”

They group of vets weren’t hard to find. There was only the one underpass in town that ran under the interstate. Robert saw them pull up, he had recognized their car.

“Kate, Daniel! You’re back so soon! What radio gear did you buy?”

“I didn’t, Robert. We went and got some stuff for you and your friends.”

Daniel opened up the trunk and started to unload all the items they had bought.

Robert was stunned. “Why thank you so much! God bless your souls. You didn’t have to do this, Kate!”

Kate answered, “I know I didn’t have to, I wanted to”.

“But your radio! Your Dad told me how you worked so hard!”

“There’s some things more important than radio, Robert. You sacrificed for this country. It’s time somebody did something for you.” The teenager said.

Robert and Daniel looked at him and then at each other. Both had misty eyes.

“That’s some daughter you have there, Daniel”

“Don’t you think I don’t know it, Robert?”

They all shook hands again and Daniel and Kaitlyn left for home.

“This isn’t over by a long shot, Dad.”

That night, Kate got on the family computer and started a Go Fund Me page. She explained the need the homeless veterans had. She sent the link to all her high school and Ham friends. She posted the link on social media, and it went viral. Before long, the Go Fund Me page had raised over $5,000. Kate’s social media posts had been seen by a local newspaper reporter and the story got spread even farther and wider.

As Christmas approached Kate was approached by a hotel owner who was touched by the story and was willing to put up the three veterans in some of his rooms until they got on their feet. Some local business men also got in touch with Kate to offer employment to the three Veterans.

On Christmas Eve, Kate, her Dad and her closest high school friends drove out to the place where the homeless Veterans were camped out. “Hi Kate! Hi Daniel! Good to see you! Who are all those people?” Robert asked, warily.

“Just some good friends, Robert. We wanted to come out and see you – we have some Christmas gifts for you and your buddies.”

Kate explained the Go Fund Me page to Robert and handed him the cash they had raised. Then the local hotel owner, Mr. McCutcheon explained to Robert that he had warm rooms to offer, and they could live there for a few months until the Veteran's got back on their feet.

“I don't know what to say.” Robert said. “I don't know how we'll ever be able to pay you back for all this.”

Then from the back of the crowd, a man stepped forward. “I think I can help with that. My name is Dave Taylor. I'm the manager of the local Home Handyman Outlet store. From the looks of the way you gentlemen built up your shelters here, it's obvious you're pretty handy and know a thing or two about building things. I came to offer you jobs at the local store in town, if you want them.”

Robert and his two comrades were flabbergasted. Never before had anyone ever gone out of their way for them they way Kaitlyn and Daniel had. A reporter from the local newspaper, Sherry Edwards, stepped forward and asked Robert and Kaitlyn and Daniel if she could interview them for a story for the paper. They agreed and the four of them agreed to meet at the diner in town in an hour for some coffee and conversation. As the little crowd started to disperse, Robert have Daniel and Kaitlyn a big hug. “God bless you both! You've been so kind. How can I ever repay you?”

Daniel replied, “Robert, you paid it forward, by your service to our country. Now it's time we re-paid YOU! You know, if you want to really repay us, though, then join us for Christmas dinner at our house tomorrow. I can't promise you anything fancy, just some hot food, a warm house and my the company of my family."

That Christmas was one of the best ever for Daniel and his family. He appreciated all the gifts he had. Even though life had dealt him some hardships and tough times, he had a family who loved him and who he loved back. He was proud of his daughter for her big heart, and for the fine young woman she had grown up to be.

The day after Christmas, the family was sitting around the table after breakfast when the door bell rang. Daniel looked at his wife and kids, “Are we expecting company?”

“I'm not expecting anyone, dear. You're brother is coming for a visit, but that's not until the weekend.” she said.

Daniel went to answer the door. There was a man there with a box under his arm.

“Is this the Walker residence?” he asked.

“Yes, I'm Daniel Walker. What can I do for you?” Daniel asked.

“Is your daughter, Kaitlyn home, Mr. Walker?”

“What's this all about?” Daniel asked. The two men talked quietly for a bit. The rest of the family in the kitchen were bursting with curiosity. Daniel finally walked into the kitchen along with the man from the front door. “Hi Honey” he said to his wife, “This is Ted Baker and he came to see Kaitlyn.”

Kaitlyn had a puzzled look on her face, “Me?” she asked.

Ted Baker spoke up, “Hi Kaitlyn! I'm the manager of the local Ham Radio Depot store. We read on Facebook about what you did for those Veterans in town here. We were especially touched by your selflessness and that you sacrificed the money you had saved to buy what was going to be your new rig. To us, that exemplified the Spirit of Ham Radio. So on behalf of Ham Radio Depot and all your fellow Amateur Radio friends, worldwide, we'd like to present you with this brand new Icom IC-7300.

Kaitlyn looked like she was about to faint. It was the last thing she ever expected and when she recovered, all she could squeak out was, “Really?”

Ted laughed and answered, “Really, Kaitlyn. You've showed us what Ham Radio is all about and what we can all be, if only we aspire to it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!”

Daniel and his wife beamed. This was truly the best Christmas they had had in quite a long time.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!

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DXing on 80m with the KX2

With the new 630m band serving as a major distraction, it's been a long time since I've been on 80m after sunset. But 80m conditions last night were such that the DX cluster was filled with spots for the band so I decided to have a look. I initially thought that a DX contest must be in progress - the band sounded like 20 back when 20 meters was the place to be for DXing. The KX2 was already

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The Mighty KBC moves to 6,150 kHz

(Source: The Mighty KBC)

Moving frequency!

Important news for our listeners across the pond! On December 31 we are moving to 6150 kHz. Sunday 00:00 – 02:00 UTC. Please spread the word.



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MacLoggerDX Version 6.16 Released:

eHam.net News - Dog Park Software is pleased to announce that version 6.16 of MacLoggerDX has been released.

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MacLoggerDX Version 6.16 Released:

Dog Park Software is pleased to announce that version 6.16 of MacLoggerDX has been released.

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W1AW Begins Scheduled Transmissions on 6 Meters Starting January 2, 2018:

eHam.net News - Just a reminder that beginning with the 9 AM EST (1400 UTC) fast code practice on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, W1AW will add 6 meters - specifically 50350 kHz - to its regular CW code practice, and CW, digital and phone bulletin transmission schedule.

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W1AW Begins Scheduled Transmissions on 6 Meters Starting January 2, 2018:

Just a reminder that beginning with the 9 AM EST (1400 UTC) fast code practice on Tuesday, January 2, 2018, W1AW will add 6 meters - specifically 50350 kHz - to its regular CW code practice, and CW, digital and phone bulletin transmission schedule.

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Propagation Forecast Bulletin #51 de K7RA:

eHam.net News - There were no zero-sunspot days over the past reporting week, December 21-27. Then on Thursday, December 28 there were no sunspots. So far in 2017 there have been 102 days with no sunspots, or 28 percent.

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Propagation Forecast Bulletin #51 de K7RA:

There were no zero-sunspot days over the past reporting week, December 21-27. Then on Thursday, December 28 there were no sunspots. So far in 2017 there have been 102 days with no sunspots, or 28 percent.

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425 DX News No. 1391

30 December 2017                                          A.R.I. DX Bulletin
                                   No 1391
 
                         ===========================
                         *** 4 2 5  D X  N E W S ***
                         ****  DX  INFORMATION  ****
                         ===========================
                          Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH
                        Direttore Responsabile  I2VGW
 
3D2    – Jim, WB2TJO will be active again  as 3D2JS  from  Taveuni (OC-016),
         Fiji between early January and the middle of March. He will operate
         CW and SSB on  40, 30, 20, 17  and  15 metres.  QSL direct  to home
         call. [TNX DX World]
3V     – Dave, EI9FBB and Col, MM0NDX will be active  as  3V8CQ  from Djerba
         Island (AF-083) from 30 December to 2 January. They will operate CW
         and SSB on the HF bands.  QSL via operator’s instructions.  [TNX DX
         World]
9A     – During 2018 Dragan, 9A6W and Tom, 9A2AA will  use  9A36W and 9A61AA
         respectively  to  mark  their  36 and 61 years  of activity on  the
         amateur radio  bands.  QSL via home calls,  direct or bureau.  [TNX
         9A2AA]
A5     – Pat, N2IEN will be active as  A52PD from  Bhutan  on  2-14 January.
         He will operate CW and  digital  modes on  the  HF bands.  [TNX The
         Daily DX]
A7     – Alain, F6BFH is waiting for his A7/F6BFH licence  to be issued.  He
         will be in Qatar on 1-12 January, with activity on the HF bands  in
         his spare time. QSL via home call. He is also likely to operate for
         48 hours from IOTA group  AS-088 with  the A70X team [425DXN 1389].
         [TNX Les Nouvelles DX]
C5     – C5DX will be activated again on 9-16 February as part of  a  school
         trip to the Gambia.  A party  of eighteen students and three  staff
         from  Sandringham  School  in  St. Albans  will  visit  the  Senior
         Secondary High School in Farafenni. Alan, will lead the  DXpedition
         aspect to the trip. He will operate mainly CW, while four  licenced
         students  from  the  Sandringham  School ARC (Jessica M6LPJ,  Polly
         M6POG, Morgan M6MXD and  Stan M6SQO) will  operate SSB.  It will be
         their first DXpedition so please be patient with them as they learn
         the craft  of  DX operating.  QSL  via  LoTW  or  direct to  G4DJX;
         logsearch on Club Log. [TNX G3ZAY]
CN     – Manfred/DK1BT,  Wolf/DL4WK,  Sigi/DL7DF and  Frank/DL7UFR  will  be
         active as CN2DF and CN2FR from Tahazout, Morocco on 13-20 February.
         They will operate CW, SSB, RTTY and PSK31 on 160-10 metres with two
         stations. QSLs via DL7DF, direct  or  bureau, and LoTW  “within six
         months  after  the DXpedition”.  See  http://ift.tt/2lr5uop  for
         logsearch and OQRS.
D6     – IK5BCM, IK5CBE and IK5CRH will be active  as D68I  from  the Comoro
         Islands (AF-007) from 28 January to 10 February.  They will operate
         CW, SSB and digital modes on 80-10 metres. QSL via IK5CRH.
DL     – Celebrating  90 years  of  amateur  radio  in the city  of  Wismar,
         special event station DM90AIW will be active  from  1 January to 30
         June. All QSOs will be confirmed automatically  via the bureau  and
         eQSL. Logsearch on Club Log. [TNX DX Newsletter]
DL     – Special callsign DA200FWR  will be  in use  from  1 January  to  31
         December to commemorate  the  200th  anniversary  of  the birth  of
         Cooperative  pioneer  Friedrich Wilhelm Raiffeisen.  The  “idea and
         practice  of  organizing  shared  interests  in  cooperatives”  was
         inscribed in 2016 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible
         Cultural Heritage of  Humanity.  QSL via the bureau,  or direct  to
         DK2PU. [TNX DX Newsletter]
DL     – Special callsign DJ70WAE  will  be  active  from  1 January  to  31
         December to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Worked All Europe
         (WAE) award. QSL via the DARC bureau.
DL     – Special callsign DK200MARX will be in use on  all bands  and  modes
         from 1 January to 31 December to commemorate the  200th anniversary
         of the birth of Karl Marx. QSL via the bureau, or direct  to DK5PZ;
         logsearch on Club Log. [TNX DX Newsletter]
E3     – Zorro, JH1AJT will visit Eritrea again on 14-23 January. He will be
         joined by Franz DJ9ZB,  Champ E21EIC,  Dima RA9USU  and  Yan RZ3FW,
         with  planned activity as E31A on 160-6 metres  CW, SSB, RTTY.  The
         main purpose of this  trip  is  to  support  the  Eritrea  National
         Olympic Committee. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, or via JH1AJT.  [TNX DX
         World]
EI     – Special event station EI50AOM will be  active  in  January-March to
         memorialize  the  tragedy  of  Aer  Lingus Flight 712  (tail-number
         EI-AOM), which crashed  en route  from Cork to London  on  24 March
         1968 killing all passengers  and crew.  The station will devote one
         day beginning 22 January to  remember  each  of the 61 persons  who
         died, with operations culminating  on the  fiftieth anniversary  of
         the crash. This is still the largest  single loss of life in  Irish
         civil aviation history. QSL via EI2KA, direct or bureau, and LoTW.
EI     – To commemorate the sinking of Royal Mail Ship Leinster during World
         War I (10 October 1918), special callsign EI100MCV will  be  active
         between 1 January and 31 December, with particular activity  in the
         weeks around the date of  10 October.  This was, and still is,  the
         single largest loss of life in the  Irish sea with  a  total of 567
         people  lost.  The  intention  is  to  use  all  modes  and  bands,
         operating on or close to  frequencies  ending with 18.  QSL via the
         bureau.
G      – Celebrating  the  New Year  2018,  special  event stations  GB0HNY,
         GB1HNY, GB2HNY, GB5HNY, GB8HNY and GB9HNY  will be active  from  28
         December until 24 January. The are being run  by  members  of Denby
         Dale ARS: “whilst we are not issuing any QSL cards”, they say, “you
         Can  claim  a  special  commemorative  certificate  for  working  3
         stations by sending your list of contacts via email only to Darran,
         G0BWB (g0bwb[@]g0bwb.com)”.
G      – Celebrating the anniversary of the founding  of  KW Electronics  by
         Rowley Shears, G8KW (5 January 1953), special event  station  GB8KW
         will be active from  Eltham, England  on 6-7 January using  vintage
         equipment. QSL via G0UKN.
GM     – Special event station GB2KW will be  active  on  1-28 January  from
         near  Inverness, Scotland  using  a variety  of  different  vintage
         transceivers,  transmitters  and   receivers  manufactured  by   KW
         Electronics Ltd during the  1960s and 1970s.  Activity  will be  on
         160, 80, 40 and 20 metres  SSB and CW.  QSL via LoTW and eQSL only,
         no paper QSLs will be available.
HH     – Special callsign HH70A will be active from 1 January for six months
         to celebrate the 70th anniversary of  the  Radio Club d’Haiti.  QSL
         via W3HNK. [TNX DX World]
HR     – Gerard, F2JD will be active again as HR5/F2JD from Copan,  Honduras
         from 15 February to 10 May.  He will  operate  CW, SSB and  digital
         modes on all bands. QSL via  F6AJA,  direct or bureau; logsearch on
         http://ift.tt/1qcInOz. [TNX Les Nouvelles DX]
I      – ARI Fidenza will use a series of special callsigns throughout  2018
         to honour twelve of “the most eminent scientists who  have  given a
         fundamental  contribution  to  the  theoretical,  experimental  and
         technological development of the  Radio Communications technology”:
         II4MXW  (James Clerk Maxwell) in January,  II4HRZ  (Heinrich Rudolf
         Hertz) in February, II4CAO (Temistocle Calzecchi Onesti)  in March,
         II4MAR (Guglielmo Marconi) in April, II4TES (Nikola Tesla)  in May,
         II4AMP  (Andre-Marie Ampere)  in June,  II4COU (Charles-Augustin de
         Coulomb)  in  July,  II4VOL  (Alessandro Volta)  in August,  II4LNZ
         (Heinrich Lenz)  in  September,  II4OER (Hans Christian Orsted)  in
         October,  II4HNR (Joseph Henry)  in November  and  II4FRD  (Michael
         Faraday) in December.  See http://ift.tt/1TtvwmV  for  complete
         information  on  the  “Science Milestones  in the  History of Radio
         Award”. QSLs via IQ4FE, bureau or direct. [TNX IK4CIE]
PA     – Jef, DD2CW will be active as  PA/DD2CW  from  Texel Island (EU-038)
         from 30 December to 4 January. He will operate SSB and CW on the HF
         bands. QSL via home call. Direct or bureau. [TNX DX Newsletter]
UA     – Special event station UE18NY will be active  from  30 December to 8
         January for the “Russian New Year 2018” radio marathon organized by
         the  Miller DX Club.  Other special callsigns  will be active  from
         the various  Federal Districts of Russia: UE18A (Northwest),  UE18C
         (Central),  UE18E  (Volga),  UE18F (South), UE18G (North Caucasus),
         UE18M (Ural),  UE18U (Siberia)  and  UE18Z (Far East).  A number of
         certificates will be available, see http://mdxc.hamlog.ru.
UA_ant – Nikolai,  RW6ACM  has  been  active  as  RI1ANA  from  Molodezhnaya
         Station,  Antarctica (AN-016)  since  23 December, and will  remain
         there until February.  In his spare time  he  operates CW, SSB  and
         digital modes on the the HF bands. QSL via Club Log’s OQRS, LoTW or
         via RN1ON, direct or bureau.
VU     – Bernard, VU2BMS (DL2GAC) reports that 6-16 January  are  the  dates
         for AU2WBR’s  activity  from  Sagar Island, (AS-153) [425DXN 1389].
         The station might be QRV also  at other times  until 31 March.  QSL
         via VU2NRO.
XT     – Harald, DF2WO will be  active  again  as  XT2AW  from  Ouagadougou,
         Burkina Faso on 8-22 January. He will operate  CW, SSB and FT8 with
         a focus on 80, 60 , 40 and 30m. QSL via M0OXO’s OQRS and LoTW.
YJ     – Chris, VK2YUS will be active  again as YJ0CA  from  Efate (OC-035),
         Vanuatu on 9-17 January.  He will operate SSB on 40 and  20 metres.
         QSL direct to home call. [TNX The Daily DX]
 
SOUTHEAST ASIA TRIP —> John, KB4FB  will  be  back  to  Southeast Asia  in
January-February, with holiday style activities from Vietnam as 3W9FB (early
January and again early February), Laos as XW4FB (two weeks starting  around
9 January), Thailand as HS0ZEG (a week starting around 23 January). QSLs via
LoTW. [TNX The Daily DX]
 
                         ===========================
                         *** 4 2 5  D X  N E W S ***
                         ****  GOOD TO KNOW … ****
                         ===========================
                          Edited by  I1JQJ & IK1ADH
                        Direttore Responsabile  I2VGW
 
Access to the main functions of www.425dxn.org is provided by the 425DXN App
for Android. It is available on Google Play – free of charge, no ads. Enjoy!
 
DAYTON CONTEST UNIVERSITY —> Registration is  now  open  for  2018  Dayton
Contest University (CTU), to be held all day on 17 May at the  Crowne  Plaza
Hotel  in Dayton, Ohio. It will be the twelfth year in a row for CTU Dayton.
Complete details can be found on http://ift.tt/2mZtsWW.
 
—————————————————————————-
 
QSLs received  direct  or  through  managers:  3XY3D  (AF-051),  5X2B,  7V9A
(AF-094), 9X2AW,  A25BE,  A25BI,  CE2AWW,  CT9/DL5AXX,  DU1/SP5APW (OC-090),
E51WL, H40GC, HD086QRC, J5T,  LU3XX (SA-008), P40L,  PZ5V,  R71RRC (AS-071),
RI0ZF (AS-039), S01WS, S21ZAS (AS-127), S21ZDC (AS-140),  S9CQ, S9YY,  TZ9A,
VK5CE/8 (OC-198), VK9CI, VK9CZ, VK9XI, VP8DXU, VU2GSM, YJ0JA, ZA1WW.
 
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               425 DX News is a free of charge weekly bulletin
      edited by Mauro Pregliasco, I1JQJ and Valeria Pregliasco, IK1ADH
 
            Its contents may be used, reproduced and distributed
                        in part or full provided that
               “425 DX News” or “425DXN” receive proper credit
 
          Contributors are invited to send their DX information to
              Mauro Pregliasco, I1JQJ  (i1jqj…@gmail.com)
                      The deadline is 12 UTC on Fridays
 
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                           Direttore Responsabile
                            Gabriele Villa, I2VGW
               Giornalista Professionista – Tessera n. 071675
                      Ordine Nazionale dei Giornalisti
                                Roma, Italia
 
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