The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio

So many people still look at ham radio as ancient and obsolete. However, we have our own satellites, we create new and innovative communications protocols, we build and invent new electronic devices, and that’s just a sampling of activity. We’re also not just about emergency communications, though that is a definite service we provide. We are a community of scientists, astronauts, teachers, students, wives, husbands, children, and clubs. Check out this video, and share it around.

This video, “The DIY Magic of Amateur Radio,” is an 8-minute video released by the ARRL that follows some of the innovative, imaginative and fun ways “hams” use radio technology in new and creative ways. The presentation is directed toward the DIY (do it yourself) movement, which is inspiring a new generation of creators, hackers and innovators. The message should be helpful for existing members to shape the ways they understand and talk about ham radio. For more information and related resources, visit http://www.arrl.org/wedothat-radio-org

From my friend, Bill:

This video took us the last 14 months. It is now available for viewing on YouTube. My personal thanks to everyone involved in its production for making it a reality. You are all listed in the credits (and I pray I didn’t forget anyone). Special thanks to our Director Dave Bell, W6AQ; our Writer Henry Feinberg, K2SSQ and our Principal Cameraman Dave Booth, KC6WFS who freely donated their time and creative talent to this project. We sincerely hope that all of you will enjoy it.

If you are interested and want to ask me about it, feel free to contact me.  You can also follow me on Twitter - @NW7US - while I have a set of topics about which I typically tweet, amateur radio is on the top of my list.  Just Tweet me your question.  I’ll do my best to answer you.  - Tomas, NW7US

(Source: nw7us.us)

Team-N6UHB Activates Mt Herman, CO for Summits on the Air - SOTA

 See Old Goat Steve/WG0AT and his hiking buddies, Chuck/N6UHB and Naomi/Ham-to-Be, set up a mountain-top antenna shootout, complete a Summits on the Air (SOTA) activation, and engage in other ham silliness. Witness for yourself the wonder goats, Rooster and Peanut, hauling our gear to the top of Mount Herman. Hear colorful goat complaints (translated from goat-speak into English) about human incompetence and the injustices goats suffer in the company of ham radio operators. End the day hearing Chuck and Naomi’s comments on the hike, ham radio, and techniques for avoiding malicious head-butting by 230-pound pack goats. Rated G (for Goats and General audience viewing - although children should be warned not to try any of this at home).

“Ham Radio is more than just sitting in your basement staring at a radio!” …Says us Goats

(Source: youtube.com)

ACE-HF PRO (Latest Version = 2.06) is the most advanced and the most accurate high frequency ionospheric radio signal propagation modeling and forecasting software for amateur radio (HAM Radio) and shortwave radio listening (SWLing) operators, in the World.

ACE stands for Animated Communications Effectiveness, a coverage display technique originally developed for U.S. Navy submarine communications. ACE-HF PRO, Version 2.06, is the System Simulation and Visualization software written for HAM Radio Operations and Short Wave Listener Operation. See the reviews, at this link, for the full details on the features for Ham Radio and SWLing.

The ACE method shows a sequential series of coverage maps. When the maps are animated, a movie is shown that displays reception of the signal in question. This helps you see in a glance what operating conditions are like during the period you are modeling. In addition, all graphs and circuit analysis results can be animated, to give you a complete picture of what’s expected in the model you are displaying.

This video is an example movie created by NW7US that illustrates the footprint (area coverage) over 24 hours during July 2011 of a 100-watt JT65A digital signal using an isotropic antenna. Of course, JT65A is a weak-signal mode, so using 100-watts is more than typical, but for the sake of illustration, is helpful in creating this movie that reveals the coverage that such a signal has even while the Sun is not very active. The ACE-HF Pro analysis for this movie is based on a monthly smoothed sunspot count of 40.

ACE-HF’s advantage is that the effects of the day’s passage may be easily understood, and can easily be changed during your engineering sessions. ACE shows when the HF bands will be open in different world areas. ACE-HF is for Ham and SWL operators. It offers easy-to-use features that give you an edge during your planned operations.

(Source: hfradio.org)