The NW7US Beacon

The FISTS International Morse Code Preservation Society Celebrates 25 Years In 2012

FISTS is an international group of individuals and clubs that support the use, preservation and education of Morse code. Practically speakinking, the club is devoted exclusively to the use of Morse code by way of radio, usually through the mode known as “CW”. CW operators, CW operating and people who are passionate about Morse code are welcome to be members.

FISTS is a well established and recognized Morse code (CW-mode on the radio) organization in the world of amateur radio. Founded in 1987 by Geo Longden, G3ZQS, it now has a membership in the thousands, is world-wide, and growing daily.

What FISTS wants to accomplish:

1. To further the use of CW on the amateur bands.
2. To encourage newcomers to the CW mode.
3. To engender friendship within the membership.

The International Morse Code, sometimes referred to as ‘CW’ in Amateur Radio jargon because a continuous wave is turned on and off with the long and short elements of the morse code characters, is a type of character encoding that transmits telegraphic information using rhythm. Morse code uses a standardized sequence of short and long elements to represent the letters, numerals, punctuation and special characters of a given message. The short and long elements can be formed by sounds, marks, or pulses, in on off keying and are commonly known as “dots” and “dashes” or “dits” and “dahs”. The speed of Morse code is measured in words per minute (WPM) or characters per minute, while fixed-length data forms of telecommunication transmission are usually measured in baud or bps.

Why is it called ‘Morse Code’? This character encoding was devised by Samuel F. B. Morse, the creator of the electric telegraph. This ‘Morse Code’ came in two flavors, in the beginning. One was in use by the railroads of America, and is known as ‘American Morse Code’. And, there was a unified, internationally-used version (adopted by radio operators), now known as the ‘International Morse Code’. Now, when most people refer to ‘Morse Code’ or ‘CW’, they mean, ‘International Morse Code.’

The most popular current use of Morse code is by amateur radio operators, although it is no longer a requirement for amateur licensing in many countries. In the professional field, pilots and air traffic controllers are usually familiar with Morse code and require a basic understanding. Navigational aids in the field of aviation, such as VORs and NDBs, constantly transmit their identity in Morse code. Morse code is designed to be read by humans without a decoding device, making it useful for sending automated digital data in voice channels. For emergency signaling, Morse code can be sent by way of improvised sources that can be easily “keyed” on and off, making Morse code one of the most versatile methods of telecommunication in existence.

More information:
+ My CW / Morse code website - http://cw.hfradio.org/
+ The FISTS Website - http://FISTS.org

What a Weta!

Adventurer Mark Moffett has found the world’s biggest insect — which is so huge it can eat carrots. The former park ranger discovered the giant weta up a tree, and this specimen is being declared the largest ever found.

He came across the cricket-like creature, which has a wing span of seven inches, after two days of searching on a tiny island. The creepy crawly is only found on Little Barrier Island, in New Zealand. The species was wiped off the mainland by rats accidentally introduced by Europeans.

(The above picture and story are from here.)

However, not everyone is agreeing with the Bug Doctor, Mike.

According to Stuff.co.nz:

An American tourist has claimed he’s found the world’s biggest insect during a two-day hunt on Auckland’s Little Barrier Island - but the experts aren’t buying his tall tale.

Mark Moffett, a former park ranger from Colorado, found the Little Barrier giant weta up a tree and snapped it nibbling a carrot.

Moffett’s photos have been published on Britain’s Daily Mail and Sun news websites where he claims to have found the largest ever specimen.

“The giant weta is the largest insect in the world, and this is the biggest one ever found, she weighs the equivalent to three mice,” he told the Daily Mail.

“She enjoyed the carrot so much she seemed to ignore the fact she was resting on our hands and carried on munching away.

“She would have finished the carrot very quickly, but this is an extremely endangered species and we didn’t want to risk indigestion.”

The nocturnal creature, known as wetapunga or “god of ugly things”, is the largest sub-species of the giant weta, weighing the same as a small bird.

But Landcare Research entomologist Dr Thomas Buckley says, based on Moffett’s photos, the weta’s size looks about average for its species.

“The species itself is the heaviest in the world but whether that individual is the heaviest you couldn’t really say.

“From the picture it’s a female, but it just looks like an average sized one of that species.”

The largest ever recorded weighed 71 grams - larger than the average sparrow.

Buckley says, while the species is endangered, they are fairly easy to find on the island.

“On Little Barrier they’re reasonably common, you can go out at night and see them on the trunks of trees, but you won’t see them on the mainland. They disappeared years ago from the mainland.

“During the day they’ll be wedged away in rotten trees and hollows, and at night you’ll see them out walking around and looking for mates and feeding and so on.”

The wetapunga can grow up to 10 centimetres long and its leg span can reach 20 centimetres.

- Auckland Now

Either way, this is one strange, and unique little (little!?) creature.

I am the 1%

I watch the Sun, both night and day, and listen for faint whispers of Human Communications…

And I cast my voice and my thoughts out to the world by way of the Ionosphere, sharing and educating about shortwave radio, space weather, and the propagation of radio signals — the freedom of Human Communication.

I #OccupyShortwave

Help me reach the 99%

… the 99% who are not connected by the Ionosphere and the Sun … the 99% who are not YET Amateur Radio Operators and who are not yet shortwave radio-enabled …

I’m the 1% … educating and enabling THAT 99% … to communicate … outside of the establishment…

One of my shortwave radio (and fellow amateur radio) acquaintances, a fellow who blogs over at Shortwave America, Tweeted some sentiment along the lines of wanting to have our own ‘movement’ to change the world, at least the world of shortwave radio.  A type of “occupy shortwave” where we could stem the tide against the eroding away of shortwave relevance in a communications world tied together by fiber optics, satellite links, and instant gratification.

As he wrote:

Early on in the evening of November 6th, 2011, after watching a fast decline in amateur radio use, shortwave broadcast, and growing fatigue by members of the radio community on both ends of the spectrum, hastag #OccupyShortwave started showing up on twitter. Before a complete hour could elapse, pirate operators started showing up on 6945Khz and then the famed NW7US almost immediately joined the quickly-growing movement.

Why occupy shortwave? To bring about a new growth, awareness, and popularity to both the amateur radio and shortwave / HF radio communities. Members of the movement want to get the message through that there is more than just studying a license manual and going to class, and earning a license. There is more than being an SWL who sits at the radio receiver spinning a dial, chasing QSL cards and free swag from shortwave stations and amateur operators.

#OccupyShortwave members are the 1% trying to reach the 99% who are not yet amateur operators or SWL’s. There is a whole lot of science and learning involved in radio. There is truly something for everyone, whether it be those of you who are math geniuses who love electronic component level work, those of you who like to enjoy the science of antenna feedlines, antennas, power supplies, and radio propagation which in turn gets you into space weather, or those of you who like to engineer sound, learn about geography and culture, radio / satellite communications, maritime radio operations, etc.

Communicate outside the establishment, become a convert from the 99% to the 1% who educate and enable people to become involved in radio. Radio involvement could be an avocation for you, or a career. It could be a volunteer experience on the weekends or during times of distress, it could be whatever experience you are looking to have; but you have to actually take that initiative. Together, if we all get “radio active”, we CAN be the 99% instead of the 1% who are hardly noticed or cared about anymore.

Together, we can put radio on the map again! #OccupyShortwave on FACEBOOK and Twitter. The Internet is only a tool, a promotion medium. The Internet relies upon an infrastructure that can always have the plug pulled. Occupying shortwave and amateur radio lawfully, means that we all get behind the mic in the studio or in our shacks and fire up the bands according to license class privilege to make a difference!

WE WILL Occupy!

My friend is on to something.  The shortwave radio slice, starting from just above the AM Broadcast band (say, 1800 KHz) up to 30 MHz, is still a critical slice of the radio spectrum.  You will find it occupied by trans-continental air traffic control (pilots aboard airliners flying over the oceans, talking with ground control about their flight plans, for instance), Arctic fishing vessels, Military air traffic, Amateur Radio operators, science expeditions, ships navigating rough seas, sailing vessels seeking the help of a coast guard because pirates have started the chase… and so much more.  Shortwave radio is not just the spectrum of International Broadcasters like the Voice of America or the BBC.  It even gives voice to clandestine and pirate broadcasters…

Shortwave radio is not dead.  Shortwave radio is viable.  But, International Shortwave Broadcasting is becoming more and more challenged because of the current World Economy.  More and more International Broadcasting stations are cutting back or even going off the air permanently because they simply do not have a budget to continue broadcasting.

But, perhaps Shortwave Radio is not dying.  Perhaps Shortwave Radio just needs to become a priority again, to the masses.

I believe we must each do our part. We must reach out to each other, assisting, educating, encouraging. We who are part of the 1% must help expand our ranks, because freedom to communicate using technology must remain a skill and an option for all peoples. And, this mode of communication is possible by way of the Ionosphere, without the need for satellites, cables, fiber optics, or any other infrastructure, but with only radio waves with the help of the Ionosphere under the influence of the Sun.

#OccupyShortwave

Feel free to visit my shortwave page: http://swl.hfradio.org

#OccupyShortwave

A truly enjoyable experience: shortwave radio via the ionosphere, great Darjeeling tea, a warm pipe with slow-burning fine tobacco, while taking notes of the wispy Morse code signals with a medium-point nibbed fountain pen…

I started listening to shortwave radio when I was about seven years old.  I discovered the world, just by tuning a dial and letting the ionosphere bring in exotic signals from around the globe.  Africa, Asia, Europe, and broadcasts from closer stations, too.  Those days were not Internet days.  Television was not yet the hundred-channelized cable experience.  But, radio was red-hot.

As I grew older, I was infected with the Morse code bug, and then joined the Military to become a Signal Corpsman.  After that, I became an amateur radio operator.  Earlier in my life journey, the pipe and its peaceful joy entered into my experience, along with the fountain pen addiction.  And fine teas.  Real tea.  Not herbal beverages, though those suffice at times.  No, fine teas like a refreshing Darjeeling.  Or an invigorating Earl Grey.

The love of the pipe came during my high school days, actually.  I know what you might conclude: what a terrible habit to acquire.  Although it is not a habit like cigar or cigarette smoking, as I only smoke a pipe on special occasions (typically on cold Autumn or Winter nights, or while camping, or maybe while listening to exotic shortwave signals—never on a daily basis), I will argue that for me, it is not a terrible habit.  It is a great stress relief, all in itself.  

For those in the know, pipe smoke is not inhaled in the same way as cigarette smoke.  Pipe smoke is enjoyed more in the sinus realm.  That helps regulate breathing.  Some say that this aspect of pipe smoking extends the life of the pipe smoker.  

My first real experience with pipe was when my older brother went through his outdoors, “Mountain Man / Foxfire” mode—a mode he really has never grown out of.  He’s now living here in Montana, too, raising horses, a family, and living somewhat of a “Foxfire” life.  He picked up the pipe because all Mountain Men smoked pipes, too, you know.  My brother was, of course, my role model.  What he did was cool by me.  Therefore, the pipe became attractive.  Yet, I did not just go start smoking a pipe.  It was just attractive as an image.

Then, I discovered J.R.R.Tolkien and Middle Earth.  Hobbits and Elves and Dwarves, and of course, wizards all filled my imagination.  A certain Gandalf was known to smoke a rather contemplative pipe.  And, so did Mr. Tolkien.

That pushed me over the edge.  You see, I fancied myself a contemplative, literate sort of fellow, too.  And, I loved mushrooms and travels.  After all, I was a shortwave radio listener, and dabbled in the magic of the ionosphere and sunspots.

So began my venture into my enjoyment of a warm, glowing bowl of fine tobacco, a journey actually of trying many flavors and types of fine mixes of tobaccos, as I came to discover.  That in itself has become a hobby.

And that’s when I discovered the world of tea.  There’s so much more to tea than just dropping a tea bag from the local super market into a hot cup of water.  Oh, my, yes.  So much more.

Just like with pipe tobacco, there is a multitude of varieties of teas.  On the highest level, there are green teas, white teas, oolong teas, and black teas.  And within each of those categories, there are many different types, based on the region from which they are grown and harvested, how they are “cured”, from what part of the plant they are harvested, and even how the tea is brewed!  It is an art.  And, therefore, a very enjoyable and relaxing form of life-giving activity that I find part of my daily ritual.

Lately, I have decided that I must include in my life the human expression of the art of hand writing.  Not sitting at the computer typing out my thoughts.  No.  I feel that picking up a fountain pen, and letting my thoughts flow out onto paper is a pure form of personal expression.  I’ve missed that. I’ve let that lapse for far too long.  My penmanship has truly suffered after years of neglect.  Now, I take it very slowly, and enjoy the discipline of re-acquiring my handwriting skills.

When all of these great stress-relieving aspects of daily life come together in one exercise of the hunt for exotic world signals, my joy is complete.  Nothing is more thrilling than hunting for a faint signal from some remote part of the world, and finally catching it.  All the while, enjoying the other aspects of my vices.  Yes, these vices converge at the moment I “bag the prize” of the hunt.  If this is an amateur radio moment and I am actually able to make a two-way contact, even more is my joy.

How about you?  Do you have a combination of “vices” with which you enjoy your hobby?

Below: My current shortwave station (both transmit and receive). Yes, I smoke my pipe out on the patio (upstairs).  I can take my radio out with me…

Look at this lady - Let us never forget! Her name is Irena Sendler.

The world hasn’t just become wicked…it’s always been wicked. The prize doesn’t always go to the most deserving.

Yes, I have verified (via Snopes and on Wikipedia) that the following is true:

During WWII Irena obtained permission to work in the Warsaw ghetto as a plumbing/sewer specialist. She had an ‘ulterior motive’. She (being German) KNEW what the Nazi’s plans were for the Jews.

Irena smuggled infants out in the bottom of the tool box she carried. She also carried in the back of her truck a burlap sack, for larger kids. She had a dog in the back of her truck that she trained to bark when the Nazi soldiers let her in and out of the ghetto. The soldiers of course wanted nothing to do with the dog; the barking covered the kids’/infants’ noise. During her time of doing this, she managed to smuggle out and save at least 2,500 kids/infants.

She was caught. The Nazi’s broke both her legs, arms and beat her severely. Irena kept a record of the names of all the kids she smuggled out and kept them in a glass jar, buried under a tree in her back yard. After the war, she tried to locate any parents that may have survived it and reunited the family. Most had been gassed. Those kids she helped got placed into foster family homes or adopted.

Recently, Irena was up for the Nobel Peace Prize. She was not selected. President Obama won, one year before becoming President, for his work as a community organizer for ACORN. Al Gore won, also—for a show on Global Warming.

In MEMORIAM - some 63 YEARS LATER, I’m doing my small part by posting this message. I hope you’ll consider doing the same. It is now more than 60 years after the Second World War in Europe ended. This post is being shared as a memorial, in memory of the six million Jews, 20 million Russians and Gypsies and others, 10 million Christians and 1,900 Catholic priests who were murdered, massacred, raped, burned, starved and humiliated!

Now, more than ever, with Iran and other countries and people claiming the HOLOCAUST to be ‘a myth’, it is imperative to make sure the world never forgets, because there are others who would like to do evil, again.

Honor Irene and the many others who stood for what is right and noble. Never forget. Let her light shine.