The NW7US Beacon

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)

Wizardry: a great demonstration of Lenz’s Law!

An induced electromotive force (emf) always gives rise to a current whose magnetic field opposes the original change in magnetic flux.

As the magnet moves through the copper pipe, an excellent conductor of electricity, the magnet is inducing a current in the pipe, in turn creating a secondary magnetic field that opposes the movement of the magnet down the pipe. This secondary field causes the magnet to slowly fall through the pipe.

Here is an explanation of Lenz’s Law:

(Source: nw7us.us)