Ares I-X launches !!

First launch of the Ares Rocket

The stars and stripes on the American flag reflect NASA’s commitment to teamwork as the Constellation Program’s Ares I-X test rocket roars off Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The rocket produces 2.96 million pounds of thrust at liftoff and reaches a speed of 100 mph in eight seconds. Liftoff of the 6-minute flight test was at 11:30 a.m. EDT Oct. 28. This was the first launch from Kennedy’s pads of a vehicle other than the space shuttle since the Apollo Program’s Saturn rockets were retired. The parts used to make the Ares I-X booster flew on 30 different shuttle missions ranging from STS-29 in 1989 to STS-106 in 2000. The data returned from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will be used to refine the design of future launch vehicles and bring NASA one step closer to reaching its exploration goals. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

VHF propagation

More than high-power, more than big antennas, more than tall towers – what I likes is some good VHF propagation… I’ve been hearing some distant repeaters during the morning drive this last week, and had hopes to catch me some decent signals during a good band opening. This weekend the propagation indicator map (you can see the current image below, on the right) had some good red paint over the south eastern US. I don’t know if the big HF contest event had folks distracted, or as Craig – K4XR suggested – a microwave conference in Texas; but there sure weren’t many folks on 144.200 this weekend…

I did catch one good contact Sunday evening tho; about 0150Z I worked Clayton – W4KVW in EM80, just west of Jacksonville, Florida. That distance is ~406 miles. I always like to point out that I’m only running 30 watts, with an omni-directional antenna in the attic. Shortly after that I heard Jimmy – W4ZRZ working Drew – KO4MA (also in Florida), but I couldn’t hear Drew… Maybe we’ll have some more good conditions like this before the winter cold settles in. These big cold fronts really spice up the bands.

Good VHF conditions for southeast US this weekend.

This is a piece of the map I grabbed showing where the conditions were enhanced at the time we made that contact. Thanks NG0E (his system makes these maps http://www.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/ham/aprs/path.cgi?map=na – and we watch em !)

Good DX and 73 for now /;^)

2009 Boy Scout JOTA

Come see us at BJ HS, Madison AL.

What is 97.113 ???

In case you have not heard this rumbling on the horizon, you probably want to watch this for future development. Everyone that has connection to Amateur Radio is familiar with the FCC’s requirement that ham radio not be used for business purpose (specifically Part 97.113). Most of us recognize the obvious situations where that would be an issue, but recently a gray area has come to be in the spotlight. What if someone who is employed by a local Emergency Management Organization happens to also have a ham license, and is participating in a training exercise sponsored by that EMA… Unfortunately the FCC is taking the position that it would not be appropriate for that EMA employee to use the ham radio as part of that exercise. Another example given by the FCC points out the difference between a Red Cross employee transmitting health & welfare traffic on behalf of an individual that has been relocated to a shelter, and a Red Cross employee using ham radio to manage Red Cross resources (read as ‘Red Cross Business’).

Whether you agree with this interpretation or not – you need to know the background facts, and stay informed as to how this is playing out. Even while rule-making proposals are being worked, the fact remains that the FCC has stated their position on this, and we all need to be aware of how to stay out of trouble with the laws as they are currently interpreted. Especially if you are a paid employee of ANY emergency relief or response unit, and hold an amateur radio license – you NEED to read carefully on this subject and understand what all this means, and how it effects you. If you are a volunteer, you need to help ensure that others are not inadvertently mis-interpreted as being in violation.

For those who are only just now learning of this issue, here is a brief time-line (with links following): I first became aware of this issue in June 2009, while reading blog entries(1) by David Coursey – N5FDL, an Emergency Coordinator in California. He indicated that he had received a request for guidance from a volunteer, and that he had been in contact with the FCC. Based upon the FCC response, he further indicated that a Rule Making Proposal needed to be in the works. In August several of us collaborated in the construction of a White Paper(2), with background information and FCC responses. On Sept 1st, the ARRL issued their view of this situation in QST magazine’s “It Seems to Us”(3). On Sept 18, Alabama ARES members received this update(4) from the Section EC regarding the weekly regional HF net. N5FDL also posted his ‘Don’t panic’ updated guidance(5) on 97.113 compliance. Apparently groups around the country are considering their response to this issue as well.

There will be more on this touchy subject going forward, and you can follow along via http://n5fdl.com/97113-blog-and-forum/ . To be sure, there are other valid reference sites, and you are welcome to post comments here (or on N5FDL.com) with any additional relevant information.

Be sure to help spread the word among your fellow hams and emergency workers. This IS important…

Thanks /;^)

(1) Update on Business Communications – June 17 2009
http://n5fdl.com/davids-blog/2009/6/17/important-update-on-business-communications.html

(2) N5FDL White Paper with background and FCC responses.
http://n5fdl.com/97113

(3) ARRL issues their insight in September QST
http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2009/09/01/10982/

(4) Alabama Section ARES responds
http://www.hmcraces.org/BB/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=238

(5) Updated 97.113 Guidance from N5FDL on 18 September
http://n5fdl.com/davids-blog/2009/9/18/dont-panic-97113a-can-be-dealt-with.html

September VHF contesting

We all know that the only radio contesting I ever participate in is the VHF contests… and even then it is only to see if I can beat my previous score. It certainly is not to impress my wife. With ‘in-attic‘ antennas I’m about the only one I can beat. I’m actually pretty pleased with these antennas tho, because I don’t have to twist a rotator back and forth, and I can work just about anyone that I can hear. Sometimes I hear things the other guys don’t, cause they are pointed off to the side or something. Often omni-directional antennas get a bad rap, but they do have their advantages. I had some preamps on there last year, but then I could hear folks that can’t hear me. I do rely on other folks that have big antennas on tall towers with serious power for my DX. Still tho I really enjoy having so many stations on for a good weekend of VHF. Again this contest, we had a local ARES Simplex Exercise Saturday afternoon, to bring out a few more operators, and introduce them to the world of VHF without repeaters. Pretty good participation !

I don’t have a lot of space in my shack, and share the desk with my computer stuff.

the Radio side of my desk

Several years back I built these desk-boxes to hold the radio gear, thinking they would be

Sept VHF QSO Party

Don’t forget the annual September VHF QSO Party runs from 1pm Saturday to 10pm Sunday (CDT) this weekend. Lots of fun meeting up with old and new friends in the region. Check the rules and other details on the ARRL website. The Alabama ARES group is also conducting a Simplex Exercise Saturday from 2-6 pm CDT, so don’t forget to listen on those FM frequencies as well for some extra contacts. Maybe we’ll get some new VHF contesters. If you scroll down further, you can see an example from the propagation map that NG0E generates from the APRS-IS beacon data-base. This is helpful to recognize where the signals might be strongest. Even if you are not into the contest for competition, it is a valuable exercise to see how well your equipment is operating. The rest of us will appreciate the additional contacts – so join in !
Enjoy /;^)

ISS and Discovery in orbit

Tonight I managed to catch the International Space Station and the Discovery orbiter about 6 hours after they separated. I caught them in this two minute exposure with a Nikon D-40 as they drew a line in the sky from Texas to Michigan. It doesn’t take long at 17,500 miles per hour. You can’t tell from this time exposure photo, but Discovery was about 5 seconds ahead of ISS, and not nearly as bright. You may have gone outside to watch about 8:15 CDT… It is always very special to me to see them playing chase so far above. It seems so far away, but they are only about 200 miles above the surface of the earth.

ISS & Discovery leave streak across the sky.

You can use the excellent web site http://heavens-above.com for accurate predictions from your location. I have saved my Latitude and Longitude in my login profile, and I can quickly find details on overhead passes for ISS and/or any other visible satellite. The pass detail provides links to star charts and a ground track for reference. This sample illustrates the ground track for the pass in the picture above. The picture shows from about 8:15 to 8:17 CDT.

Sample image of ISS groundtrack

Heavens-Above also has a neat little program that shows me where the ISS is currently located, and I show that in the sidebar of this web site. The ISS should be visible again Wednesday and Thursday nights in the southeastern US.
Enjoy /;^)

W1HKJ explains ARQ transfer time

An error correction method employed in amateur digital communication is known as Automatic Repeat reQuest (ARQ). I won’t get into those details here, but this mode can be used to ensure error-free delivery of simple messages over weak signal radio links as we often encounter in ham radio. In particular this method is available in the flarq program as part of the Narrow Band Emergency Messaging System (NBEMS) package. NBEMS provides amateur operators with the tools to operate several digital modes, regardless of

Autumn VHF Propogation

Looks like some good VHF propogation for the eastern US coast this morning. Wish I was at home listening for some on 6 meters. This time of year is known for enhanced propogation at VHF frequencies. You can check this map for an overview of conditions based upon analysis of beacons heard via the APRS-IS network on 144.390 MHz. Here is the link : http://www.mountainlake.k12.mn.us/ham/aprs/path.cgi?map=na

VHF propogation indicator

W4HMC-1

I managed to spend a few hours in the ham radio room at the HMCEMA’s EOC Friday afternoon. The antique Kenwood radio we are using for the APRS station was in need of some adjustments to the setup, so I took the opportunity to clean up a bit and re-arrange some of the station components. There are still a few things to fix up, and possibly a ‘newer’ used computer to replace the old Windows98 system that is currently providing the APRS software (we are using UI-View32). Look for W4HMC-1 on a map near you. See all APRS stations in the area via http://aprs.fi.

Amateur Radio station @ HMC EMA