tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8235884408525309892024-02-20T01:10:58.638-05:00The View from Mt. TirzahVarious rants regarding amateur radio, economics, politics, and life in what passes for the Styx, from the perspective of a good-ole-boy wannabe.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-88433938861357334512023-11-24T12:12:00.001-05:002023-11-24T12:12:31.550-05:00Weekly Propagation Forecast from the ARRL<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.arrl.org/img/130x97/exact/News/latest021011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.arrl.org/img/130x97/exact/News/latest021011.jpg" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.arrl.org/news/the-k7ra-solar-update-151">The K7RA Solar Update</a><br />
<br />
The weekly Solar Weather update from Todd Cook, K7RA. There's always some interesting news about amateur radio propagation. This week auroral propagation is in the news.</div>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-80333383337484109782023-11-24T12:12:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:12:18.000-05:00ARRL DX News for 31 MarchSB DX @ ARL $ARLD013<br />
ARLD013 DX news<br />
<br />
ZCZC AE13<br />
QST de W1AW <br />
DX Bulletin 13 ARLD013<br />
From ARRL Headquarters <br />
Newington CT March 31, 2011<br />
To all radio amateurs <br />
<br />
SB DX ARL ARLD013<br />
ARLD013 DX news<br />
<br />
This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by<br />
NC1L, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, DXNL, INDX, Contest<br />
Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and WA7BNM web sites.<br />
Thanks to all.<br />
<br />
UGANDA, 5X. Sergei, UV5EVJ is QRV as 5X1VJ from Entebbe until June<br />
8. Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL to home call.<br />
<br />
SIERRA LEONE, 9L. Operators PA3A, PA3AN, PA8AD, PD0CAV and EL2DT<br />
plan to be QRV as 9L5MS from April 2 to April 18. Activity will be<br />
with three stations on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL<br />
direct via PA3AWW.<br />
<br />
LIBERIA, EL. A group of operators are QRV as 5M2TT until April 13.<br />
Activity is on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY with three<br />
stations active simultaneously. QSL direct via I2YSB.<br />
<br />
TAJIKISTAN, EY. Rakkim, EY7AD has been active on 17 meters using<br />
SSB around 1400z. QSL direct.<br />
<br />
SCOTLAND, GM. A group of operators will be QRV as GS4MWS from Arran<br />
Island, IOTA EU-123, from April 2 to 7. QSL via M0PAI.<br />
<br />
SAUDI ARABIA, HZ. Peter, HZ1PS has been active using RTTY on 15<br />
meters between 1700 and 1800z. QSL via IZ8CLM.<br />
<br />
SVALBARD, JW. Francois, F8DVD is QRV as JW/F8DVD from the<br />
Longyearbyen radio club on Spitsbergen, IOTA EU-026, from April 1 to<br />
8. Activity is on all HF bands using CW and SSB. QSL via bureau.<br />
<br />
MARIANA ISLANDS, KH0. Kirk, WE8A is QRV as WE8A/KH0 until April 2.<br />
Activity is on 80 to 10 meters, with an emphasis on the newer bands,<br />
using CW and SSB. QSL direct.<br />
<br />
BULGARIA, LZ. Some members of the Bulgarian Federation of Radio<br />
Amateurs are QRV as LZ85R until December 31 to celebrate the 85th<br />
anniversary of the first radio club of Bulgaria. QSL via LZ1BJ.<br />
<br />
GREENLAND, OX. Michael, DB5MH is QRV as OX/DB5MH until April 7. He<br />
is using QRP power on 20 meters SSB around 2000 to 2200z. QSL to<br />
home call.<br />
<br />
ARUBA, P4. Dee, W1HEO will be QRV as P4/W1HEO from April 3 to 16.<br />
Activity will be on 160 to 10 meters using CW and SSB with an<br />
emphasis on 30 to 10 meters. QSL to home call.<br />
<br />
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC, TL. Christian, TL0A is QRV from Bakouma<br />
for the next five weeks. QSL direct.<br />
<br />
MACQUARIE ISLAND, VK0. Kevin, VK0KEV is usually QRV in his spare<br />
time between 0530 to 0645z and again from 0745 to 0845z. QSL via<br />
JE1LET.<br />
<br />
BERMUDA, VP9. Operators Wade, AA8LL and Liz, K8LIZ are QRV as<br />
VP9/homecalls from Hamilton Parish until April 4. Activity is<br />
holiday style on most HF bands using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL to home<br />
calls.<br />
<br />
VIET NAM, XV. Retu, OH4MDY will be QRV as XV2RZ from April 4 to 17.<br />
Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW and SSB. QSL direct via<br />
XU7MDY.<br />
<br />
ALBANIA, ZA. Franck, F4DTO will be QRV as ZA/F4DTO from Elbasan<br />
from April 2 to 16. Activity will be on 40 to 10 meters using<br />
mostly SSB. QSL to home call.<br />
<br />
TRISTAN DA CUNHA AND GOUGH ISLANDS, ZD9. John, ZD9GI has been<br />
active on 20 meters using SSB around 1700z. QSL via ZS1A.<br />
<br />
THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The QCWA Spring QSO Party, SOC Hank Kohl<br />
Memorial CW Bash, LZ Open 40-Meter CW Sprint Contest, ARCI Spring CW<br />
QSO Party, SP DX Contest, EA RTTY Contest, Missouri QSO Party and<br />
the RSGB RoPoCo SSB are all on tap for this weekend. RSGB 80-Meter<br />
Club CW Championship is scheduled for April 4. The ARS Spartan CW<br />
Sprint is scheduled for April 5. Please see April QST, page 80 and<br />
the ARRL and WA7BNM contest web sites for details.<br />
NNNN<br />
/EXBubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-81521395567602363292021-06-19T15:09:00.000-04:002023-11-24T12:07:11.450-05:00Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-64546705299717312072014-10-18T16:12:00.001-04:002023-11-24T12:07:10.942-05:00EmptinessWhat?Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-11624942764228933062012-02-29T10:21:00.003-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.342-05:00Baseball Clock<embed src="http://www.clocklink.com/clocks/1002-white.swf?TimeZone=EST&" width="250" height="250" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash">Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-39596974789428854772011-10-02T13:31:00.000-04:002023-11-24T12:07:10.633-05:00Imported post: Facebook Note: 2011-10-02T13:31:06
We had heard the locals rave about The Homestead for years, so when we had a chance to go to celebrate a birthday with friends, we were anticipating a wonderful dining experience. We ended up being sorely disappointed.
The birthday girl (my lady) ordered the hot crab dip as an appetizer, and it arrived dry, firm, and luke warm, not hot. It was also flavorless. The pita chips that were intended to be used as a scoop for the dip were stale.
Three out of four entrees were inproperly cooked. The prime rib was ordered rare, arrived medium-well, and was sent back, only to be replaced by a cut that was medium-rare at best. My T-bone was also ordered rare, and arrived cooked medium. I would have sent it back as well, but decided not to because I was hungry. It was tough and flavorless. I ordered the twice baked potato casserole as my side dish, and it was barely warm and flavorless. After I added salt and pepper to it, I could taste a rancid background flavor.
One of our guests ordered the chicken tenders which arrived dry, and cold. The accompanying fries appeared to still be frozen inside. There was also no catsup on the table, nor was there any sort of dipping sauce served with the tenders. Our other guest ordered the Cajun Catfish, which he said was good. Oh, I almost forgot - I ordered the fried oysters as a side to my steak. They were dry and cold, and the dipping sauce that was served with them was unremarkable.
I've seen better chicken tenders at the ballpark, I've had better steak cooked on my grill, and I expect the twice baked potato casserole will make some diners ill. The steaks were clearly assembly line jobs, and the side dishes were clearly not made to order, but frozen days earlier, and reheated for service.
Our server was inattentive and a klutz, our entrees were served about the same time we got back from the salad bar, the food was bad to disgustingly bad. The fact that so many Personians love the place just goes to show that the people here have no idea at all what a good dining experience is.
If you want to strap on the feed bag and don't care how your food looks, tastes, or is prepared, then this is the place for you.
We won't be going back. Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-52566204322650179892011-06-04T17:03:00.001-04:002023-11-24T12:07:10.847-05:00PoliticsIs it even possible to have political beliefs without having them cause someone else to put a finger in your face?Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-11694118424770998992011-06-04T15:08:00.003-04:002023-11-24T12:07:10.366-05:00K7RA weekly Solar Update, 3 June, 2011Propagation Forecast Bulletin 22 ARLP022<br />
From Tad Cook, K7RA<br />
Seattle, WA June 3, 2011<br />
To all radio amateurs <br />
<br />
SB PROP ARL ARLP022<br />
ARLP022 Propagation de K7RA<br />
<br />
Sunspot activity is up sharply this week, with the average daily<br />
sunspot number increasing over 55 points to 89.9. Average solar<br />
flux rose nearly 20 points to 103.1.<br />
<br />
The latest forecast shows solar flux at 115 on June 3, 110 on June<br />
4-6, 105 on June 7-8, 100 on June 9-14, rising to 105 on June 15 and<br />
110 on June 16-26. Planetary A index is predicted to be 12, 20, 15<br />
and 10 on June 3-6, 5 on June 7-10, 8 on June 11-13 and 5 on June<br />
14-21. The next period of high geomagnetic activity is projected<br />
for Jun 22-27, at 12, 22, 18, 18, 15 and 8. Note that ARRL Field Day<br />
for 2011 is June 25-26, which should be just after the predicted<br />
peak in geomagnetic activity, currently predicted for June 23.<br />
<br />
Geophysical Institute Prague sees unsettled to active conditions<br />
June 3-4, unsettled June 5, quiet conditions June 6-7, and quiet to<br />
unsettled June 8-9.<br />
<br />
With the passing of May, we can look at some moving averages of<br />
sunspot numbers.<br />
<br />
74.4 was the average daily sunspot number for the latest 3-month<br />
period, March through May, centered on April. The three month<br />
moving averages centered on May 2010 through April 2011 were 16.4,<br />
20.4, 23.2, 28.9, 33, 35.6, 31, 30.1, 35.3, 55.7, 72.3 and 74.4.<br />
<br />
The average sunspot number for May was 61.5, down somewhat from<br />
March and April. The monthly averages of daily sunspot numbers for<br />
January through May 2011 were 32.3, 53.5, 81.1, 80.8 and 61.5.<br />
<br />
Currently there are eight sunspot groups visible. You can see a<br />
daily sunspot update at,<br />
http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpmenu/forecasts/SRS.html.<br />
<br />
Check<br />
http://www.space.com/11858-dark-sunspots-origins-explained.html for<br />
an article titled "Mysterious Origins of Dark Sunspots Explained."<br />
The journal Science has an abstract for the article mentioned in the<br />
Dark Sunspots piece at,<br />
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2011/06/01/science.1206429.<br />
Often with an account at your local library you can log in and read<br />
the full text of the article.<br />
<br />
Another article similar to the "Dark Sunspots" article is on the<br />
http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/4378/century-old-sunspot-problem-solved<br />
site.<br />
<br />
Don Tucker, W7WLL who lives in Yachats (pronounced YAH-HOTS) on the<br />
Oregon coast, writes "The bands, particularly 20, have been so hot<br />
that I worked WAC and probably could'a worked DXCC in one 24 hour<br />
period if I'd tried!! Antennas, antennas, antennas. Can't hear 'em,<br />
can't work 'em."<br />
<br />
Check out Don's station and antennas at http://www.qrz.com/db/w7wll.<br />
<br />
Bob Elek, W3HKK of Johnstown, Ohio reminds us of the upcoming ARRL<br />
June VHF QSO Party, which runs from 1800 UTC June 11 through 0259<br />
UTC June 13. See http://www.arrl.org/june-vhf-qso-party for<br />
details. Bob writes - concerning 6 meters - "My own observation<br />
over 2010 and 2011 is that during last year's Es season there were<br />
many more broad strong openings 1000 miles out, and therefore more<br />
double/triple hop openings than I've heard this year. In 2011, I<br />
often hear a handful of signals, often up and down into the noise,<br />
and that's it. How much of this is based on antenna height, and very<br />
low angle of radiation I have no idea. But it just seems like 6<br />
meters has been a far tougher Es band this year."<br />
<br />
Jon Jones, N0JK of Lawrence, Kansas writes: "On Sunday May 22, 6<br />
meters opened via multi-hop Es to the Caribbean most of the day. I<br />
worked FG5FR at 1928 UTC on 50.105 MHz. Franz was a solid 559 on my<br />
dipole. Heard numerous KP4s, 9Y4D and P43A. FJ/OS1T was on earlier<br />
and gave many a new country on 6M."<br />
<br />
Later Jon wrote: "I heard K0ZN EM28 working K0SBV DM42 on May 29.<br />
K0ZN is in DeSoto, about 15 miles from Lawrence."<br />
<br />
Kent Doucy, N0IRM of Galena, Missouri had a nice 15 meter opening.<br />
He writes, "At 0454 UTC on May 31, 2011 I found 5W1SA from Samoa<br />
calling CQ on 21.020 with a great 579 signal. A little later at 0528<br />
UTC I was also able to work Brad FO/N6JA on Marquesas Island on<br />
21.018, he was a little harder copy with a 519 signal. Nothing else<br />
was heard after that but it was a nice short lived late 15 meter<br />
opening to the Midwest." See Kent's antennas at<br />
http://www.qrz.com/db/n0irm .<br />
<br />
Rudy Hanau, K2EVY of Rye, New York had some interesting comments<br />
regarding backscatter: "Most of us have run into HF backscatter at<br />
one time or another. In my experience the other station and I find<br />
ourselves pointing our beams at some common point out of line with<br />
the direct path between us.<br />
<br />
"However, this incident was a bit different. On May 29 the SFI was<br />
101 and the A index was 36. Not your most common set of conditions<br />
and, I suspect the geomagnetic activity associated with the high A<br />
is involved. Twenty meters was very sparsely populated and K6ZA's S9<br />
signal stood out. My QTH is Rye Brook, NY (FN31) and Barry is in<br />
Walnut Grove, CA (CM87). His bearing should have been 280 degrees,<br />
just a bit north of West for me, and indeed it was. He was just<br />
finishing another QSO and I called him. He told me he had been<br />
working KL7 and was looking North! I swung North and lost him. He<br />
looked East and lost me. We were both S9 or better when our antennas<br />
were about 90 degrees to one another. We scratched our heads and<br />
looked every which way for another path but there was none.<br />
<br />
"I signed after about 30 minutes and Barry went on to work another<br />
station (more about that later). When working backscatter we usually<br />
think of some far off reflecting area such as aurora over Alaska or<br />
the pole. In mulling this contact over the only explanation I can<br />
offer is that the reflecting area was very near Walnut Grove and was<br />
omnidirectional, like a vertical. If it was 50 or 100 miles north<br />
of Barry it would be indistinguishable from Barry's QTH for me<br />
whereas Barry would have to point north to see it.<br />
<br />
"Barry described his next contact as follows: 'After our QSO I was<br />
called by a Laughlin, Nevada station SE of me, also same scenario.<br />
He was seeing me at normal NW direction. He was strongest to the<br />
North. Then, during the 30 min contact, I found I could move the<br />
beam toward the east with no change in strength and then he began to<br />
peak more toward him and less to the North. By the end, he was 40<br />
over at SE, and no propagation to the north at all."'<br />
<br />
There is a slightly revised solar cycle prediction from NASA at<br />
http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/predict.shtml. This month it says<br />
"Three consecutive months with average daily sunspot numbers above<br />
40 has raised the predicted maximum above the 64.2 for the Cycle 14<br />
maximum in 1907." Last month it said "Two consecutive months with<br />
average daily sunspot numbers in the 50s has raised the predicted<br />
maximum above the 64.2 for the Cycle 14 maximum in 1907."<br />
<br />
If you would like to make a comment or have a tip for our readers,<br />
email the author at, k7ra@arrl.net.<br />
<br />
For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL<br />
Technical Information Service web page at<br />
http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals. For an explanation of the<br />
numbers used in this bulletin, see<br />
http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere. An archive of past<br />
propagation bulletins is at<br />
http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation. Find more good<br />
information and tutorials on propagation at<br />
http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/k9la/index.html.<br />
<br />
Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve<br />
overseas locations are at http://arrl.org/propagation.<br />
<br />
Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL<br />
bulletins are at http://arrl.org/bulletins.<br />
<br />
Sunspot numbers for May 26 through June 1 were 40, 65, 91, 89, 105,<br />
132, and 107, with a mean of 89.9. 10.7 cm flux was 82.7, 89.9, 101,<br />
110.8, 111.9, 112, and 113.6, with a mean of 103.1. Estimated<br />
planetary A indices were 7, 11, 40, 32, 9, 13, and 12, with a mean<br />
of 17.7. Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 7, 32, 17, 7, 10,<br />
and 9, with a mean of 12.3.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-81092562539068564782011-04-07T22:18:00.000-04:002023-11-24T12:07:11.426-05:00ARRL DX News for 7 April, 2011ARLD014 DX news<br />
<br />
ZCZC AE14<br />
QST de W1AW <br />
DX Bulletin 14 ARLD014<br />
From ARRL Headquarters <br />
Newington CT April 7, 2011<br />
To all radio amateurs <br />
<br />
SB DX ARL ARLD014<br />
ARLD014 DX news<br />
<br />
This week's bulletin was made possible with information provided by<br />
9A2JK, HA0HW, NC1L, QRZ DX, The Daily DX, the OPDX Bulletin, DXNL,<br />
INDX, Contest Corral from QST and the ARRL Contest Calendar and<br />
WA7BNM web sites. Thanks to all.<br />
<br />
CROATIA, 9A. Operators HA5AUC, HA5BWW and HA7PC will be QRV as<br />
9A/home calls from Rab Island, IOTA EU-136, from April 11 to 18.<br />
Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using mostly CW with some SSB.<br />
QSL to home calls. In addition, special event station 9A11P is QRV<br />
throughout 2011 in celebration of the city of Djurdjevac. Activity<br />
is on all HF bands. QSL via bureau.<br />
<br />
SIERRA LEONE, 9L. Operators PA3A, PA3AN, PA8AD, PD0CAV and EL2DT<br />
are active as 9L5MS until April 18. Activity is with three stations<br />
on 160 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and RTTY. QSL direct via PA3AWW.<br />
<br />
MOROCCO, CN. Special event station 5F6SIA is QRV until the end of<br />
June during the 6th International Exhibition of Agriculture here.<br />
QSL via G5XW.<br />
<br />
URUGUAY, CX. Special event station CX1T is QRV until April 10 from<br />
the historic Fort of Santa Teresa in celebration of the bicentennial<br />
of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay. Activity is on all bands and<br />
modes. QSL via EA5KB.<br />
<br />
REUNION ISLAND, FR. Olivier, F4FLF will be QRV as TO2Z from April 9<br />
to 22. Activity is holiday style during his local evening hours on<br />
all HF bands using SSB, RTTY and PSK. QSL to home call.<br />
<br />
SVALBARD, JW. Frank, LA1RSA will be QRV as JW1RSA from the club<br />
station in Longyearbyen from April 9 to 15. QSL to home call.<br />
<br />
AMERICAN SAMOA, KH8. Rick, AI5P is QRV as AI5P/KH8 from Tutuila<br />
Island, IOTA OC-045, until April 18. Activity is holiday style on<br />
the HF bands. QSL direct to home call.<br />
<br />
PUERTO RICO, KP4. Special event station N4S will be QRV on April 12<br />
to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the flight into space of Yuri<br />
Gagarin and the 30th anniversary of the maiden flight of the space<br />
shuttle Columbia, both of which took place on April 12. Activity is<br />
on 80 to 10 meters using SSB and PSK1000 on 145.950 MHz. QSL via<br />
WP3GW.<br />
<br />
PAPUA NEW GUINEA, P2. Tim, KD5SSF is QRV as P29ZL from Ukarumpa for<br />
the next two years while working as an aid worker. Activity is on<br />
40, 20, 15 and 10 meters using mostly SSB with PSK31 during his<br />
evenings and weekends. QSL via operator's instructions.<br />
<br />
SEYCHELLES, S7. Operators F6AXX, F8DSI and F5HEW are QRV as S79UFT<br />
from Mahe, IOTA AF-024, until April 15. Activity is on 80 to 10<br />
meters using CW and PSK. QSL via F6AXX.<br />
<br />
SUDAN, ST. Robert, S53R is QRV as ST2AR in Khartoum until the<br />
Summer of 2012 while working with the World Food Program. Activity<br />
is on 160 to 6 meters. QSL direct to home call.<br />
<br />
MOUNT ATHOS, SV/A. Monk Apollo, SV2ASP/A has been active using RTTY<br />
on 12 meters between 1400 and 1700z. QSL direct.<br />
<br />
KAZAKHSTAN, UN. Special event stations R50YG and R50SK are QRV from<br />
Baikonur until April 14 in celebration of the 50th anniversary of<br />
the first flight of Yuri Gagarin. This includes an entry in the<br />
Gagarin Cup contest. In addition, special call R50KEDR will be QRV<br />
on April 12 from 0507 to 0655z to commemorate the 108 minutes of<br />
Gagarin's first flight. QSL via operators' instructions.<br />
<br />
VIET NAM, XV. Mal, VK6LC will be QRV as XV2LC from Ho Chi Minh city<br />
from April 10 to 25. Afterwards, he will be QRV as XV4LC from the<br />
Mekong Delta from April 20 to 25. Activity is on 20 meters using CW<br />
and SSB. QSL direct to home call.<br />
<br />
ASCENSION ISLAND, ZD8. Mike, M0PRL is QRV as ZD8PRL until April 9.<br />
Activity is holiday style using SSB on 40 to 10 meters. QSL to home<br />
call.<br />
<br />
THIS WEEKEND ON THE RADIO. The Japan International DX CW Contest,<br />
NCCC Sprint, Montana QSO Party, PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors<br />
Contest, New Mexico QSO Party, EU Spring CW Sprint, Georgia QSO<br />
Party, Yuri Gagarin International DX CW Contest, SKCC Weekend CW<br />
Sprint, UBA Spring SSB Contest, International Vintage HF Contest and<br />
the Hungarian Straight Key CW Contest will certainly keep contesters<br />
busy this upcoming weekend. The 144 MHz Spring Sprint is scheduled<br />
for April 11. The RSGB 80-Meter Club SSB Championship, NAQCC-EU<br />
Monthly CW Sprint, NAQCC Straight Key/Bug CW Sprint and CWops<br />
Mini-CWT Test are scheduled for April 13. Please see April QST,<br />
page 80 and the ARRL and WA7BNM contest web sites for details.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-52059087266693593852011-04-01T10:42:00.001-04:002023-11-24T12:07:10.824-05:00More than 4 months in the making.I stepped on the scale this morning and was pleasantly surprised to see a new number show up - 295.8, solidly below the 300 level where I've been hovering since around Thanksgiving. That is a documented 35 lbs and possibly as much as 55 lbs, since I was too heavy for the 330 lb limit on the scale when I first started paying attention. <br/> <br/> I think I'll go celebrate with a pizza for lunch!<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-12432938635616987892011-03-31T23:59:00.001-04:002023-11-24T12:07:10.416-05:00The ARRL Letter, 31 March+ Public Service: Hams Help When Phones Fail at Southern California Hospital <br />
Public Service : Western Pennsylvania Hams Respond as Tornado Sweeps Through Area <br />
+ Amateur Radio in Space: Two Astronauts Get Their Ham Ticket <br />
+ NCVEC Deletes Question from Amateur Extra Question Pool <br />
+ ARRL Nebraska Section Introduces "Elmer Squad" <br />
+ New Mars Rover to Feature Morse Code <br />
On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey <br />
Solar Update <br />
+ Silent Key: Internet Pioneer Paul Baran, W3KAS (SK) <br />
+ Silent Key: Owner of Industrial Communication Engineers Mike Koss, W9SU (SK) <br />
This Week on the Radio <br />
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events <br />
+ Available on ARRL Audio News<br />
<br />
+ Public Service: Hams Help When Phones Fail at Southern California Hospital<br />
<br />
<br />
When nurses and other caregivers picked up their phones at Children's Hospital of Orange County in California in the early morning on March 21, there was no dial tone. A power surge caused the central processor in the hospital's phone switch to fail. Following established procedures, the lead operator at the hospital switchboard immediately activated the Hospital Disaster Support Communications System, using an off-switch tie-line to reach April Moell, WA6OPS, head of this ARES® group that specializes in helping hospitals when their communications fail. Read more here.<br />
<br />
Public Service : Western Pennsylvania Hams Respond as Tornado Sweeps Through Area<br />
<br />
This tornado -- as seen just outside of Pittsburgh -- swept through Western Pennsylvania on March 23, destroying at least 30 homes and damaging another 90. [Photo courtesy of Rebecca Mink and Rabe Marsh, W3TNU]<br />
<br />
At approximately 4:30 on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 23, severe thunderstorms started to roll into Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, producing golf ball-sized hail and heavy winds. Members of the Westmoreland County Public Service/ARES® group began to meet on the W3CRC repeater in Derry, Pennsylvania, which serves as the main ARES®/SKYWARN repeater in Westmoreland County. Soon after, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for the area and the Public Service Net was opened formally at 5 PM. Walter Bashaw, W3ZEH, began taking check-ins and reports of severe weather, relaying them to the NWS in Pittsburgh. Read more here.<br />
<br />
+ Amateur Radio in Space: Two Astronauts Get Their Ham Ticket<br />
<br />
Chris Cassidy, KF5KDR (left), and Luca Parmatano, KF5KDP, will journey to the International Space Station in 2013.<br />
<br />
Even though they aren't scheduled to go to the International Space Station until 2013, two astronauts -- Chris Cassidy and Luca Parmitano -- are now licensed amateurs. Cassidy, who received the call sign KF5KDR, is scheduled to head to the ISS in March 2013 as part of Expedition 35. Parmitano -- an Italian from the European Space Agency -- is KF5KDP; he goes to the ISS three months later in May, as part of Expedition 36.<br />
<br />
"Our aim is to have at least one crew member licensed and trained in on-air protocol, who is somewhat excited about ham radio and the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station program, per expedition," explained ARRL ARISS Program Manager Rosalie White, K1STO. NASA ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, told the ARRL that both Cassidy and Parmitano are "excited and interested in the educational aspects of Amateur Radio on board the ISS." Read more here.<br />
<br />
<br />
+ NCVEC Deletes Question from Amateur Extra Question Pool<br />
<br />
<br />
Due to the FCC revising the rules concerning Spread Spectrum, the Question Pool Committee of the National Council of Volunteer Examiner Coordinator ( NCVEC) has decided to delete a question from the Amateur Extra class question pool. According to QPC Chairman Rol Anders, K3RA, as of April 29 when the new Spread Spectrum rule change goes into effect, the answer to question E1F13 in the Amateur Extra class question pool will no longer be correct . Read more here.<br />
<br />
+ ARRL Nebraska Section Introduces "Elmer Squad"<br />
The Nebraska Elmer Squad made its first official appearance earlier this month at the ARRL Nebraska State Convention in Lincoln. Darwin Piatt, W9HZC, and Darrel Swenson, K0AWB, were on hand to answer questions about the Squad's mission and plans. According to ARRL Nebraska Section Manager Art Zygielbaum, K0AIZ, the Squad is gathering a list of volunteer Elmers throughout the state who are willing to assist not only new Amateur Radio operators, but current operators who need some technical assistance.<br />
Darwin Piatt, W9HZC (left) and Darrel Swenson, K0AWB, discuss the ARRL Nebraska Section's "Elmer Squad" with ARRL Field Organization Supervisor Steve Ewald, WV1X (standing) at the ARRL Nebraska State Convention earlier this month. [Barry Buelow, W0IY, Photo]<br />
<br />
<br />
"Mentoring of new or prospective hams will be an ongoing part of the mission," Zygielbaum told the ARRL. "The intent is to have Elmers participate in their local area radio clubs and give presentations on various subjects relating to Amateur Radio." Nearly a dozen hams signed up at the State Convention to be a part of the Elmer Squad.<br />
<br />
Piatt and Swenson said that they believe that people should remember that Amateur Radio is a hobby -- and it should be fun. Both men are QRP operators and builders; part of their enjoyment comes from passing on the fun of building to others.<br />
<br />
The Elmer Squad will be traveling around Nebraska this summer and fall, giving presentations and signing up more Elmers. In addition, Piatt and Swenson are working on a Nebraska Elmer Squad website. Zygielbaum said that this will provide a central contact point to match Elmers with those who would like assistance. Once the site is up and running, the URL will be posted on the ARRL Nebraska Section website.<br />
<br />
"Our motto is 'Hey, this is a hobby -- it is supposed to be fun!'" Zygielbaum explained. "We're looking for good people to help us keep it that way."<br />
<br />
+ New Mars Rover to Feature Morse Code<br />
As the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) builds the next Mars rover -- this one is named Curiosity -- to deploy to the red planet in the fall of 2011, they're having a little fun with it. Back in 2007 when the Curiosity team was putting together the rover, its wheel cleats had a raised pattern with the letters "JPL," leaving a little stamp of the rover's birthplace everywhere it rolled. "At the time, I asked whether the real rover would have those wheels, and they said, no, they weren't going to get to advertise JPL with each turn of each of the rover's six wheels; the real rover would have some other pattern," said Emily Lakdawalla of The Planetary Society in her blog. Lakdawalla is the organization's Science and Technology Coordinator.<br />
JPL's Mars Science Laboratory Lead Engineer Jaime Waydo with Curiosity -- and the rover's old wheels. [Emily Lakdawalla, Photo]<br />
<br />
<br />
Lakdawalla said that there is nothing special about the shapes of the markers in Opportunity's wheels; they are just square holes through the wheels through which the wheels were bolted to the lander during cruise and landing." Opportunity is the name of the rover that went to Mars back in 2003. "But Curiosity didn't need holes in its wheels for attaching to any lander -- there isn't one. So the engineers got to make the markers in any shape they wanted to."<br />
<br />
But in March 2011, she saw a video of the rover as it is today: "I had to chuckle at those 'visual odometry markers' [on its tires]. Before I explain why, I'll point out that they really are useful things to have in rover wheels. The repeating pattern of the 'visual odometry markers'...makes it fairly easy for both the rover and human operators to determine visually how far the rover has roved using rear-view imagery."<br />
The tires on the new Mars rover -- set to launch in November or December 2011 -- will display the letters JPL in Morse code. [Photo courtesy of NASA/JPL]<br />
<br />
<br />
So what pattern did JPL choose to put on Curiosity's wheels? One that Lakdawalla called "very amusing. The holes are in a pattern of short squares and longer rectangles -- almost like dots and dashes. Morse code." And what does it spell out in Morse code? JPL.<br />
<br />
According to JPL, Curiosity is about the size of a small SUV -- 10 feet long (not including the arm), 9 feet wide and 7 feet tall -- or about the height of a basketball player -- and weighs 2000 pounds. It features a geology lab, rocker-bogie suspension, a rock-vaporizing laser and lots of cameras. Curiosity will search areas of Mars for past or present conditions favorable for life and for conditions capable of preserving a record of life. It is set to launch between November 25-December 18, 2011 from Cape Canaveral, Florida and will arrive on Mars between August 6-20, 2012. The prime mission will last one Mars year, or about 23 Earth months<br />
<br />
<br />
On the Air : NIST to Conduct Time and Frequency User Survey<br />
<br />
<br />
The National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) Time and Frequency Division is conducting a survey to learn more about its users, seeking to determine how the agency can make its services more useful in the future. NIST services include WWV, WWVH and WWVB, which provide reference time and frequency signals via radio. The NIST also provides the Internet Time Service -- which provides accurate time synchronization to computer systems -- and several other services to offer accurate time information via telephone or web pages. Radio amateurs are encouraged to complete the survey. Read more here.<br />
<br />
Solar Update<br />
<br />
The Sun, as seen on Thursday, March 31, 2011 from NASA's SOHO Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Telescope. This image was taken at 304 Angstrom; the bright material is at 60,000 to 80,000 Kelvin.<br />
<br />
Tad "The Sun is shining, it's a lovely day" Cook, K7RA, reports: The activity we could see recently on our Sun's far side -- thanks to the STEREO mission -- has been rotating into view, producing some nice sunspot activity, resulting in improved upper-HF propagation. Compared to the previous week (March 17-23), the past week (March 24-30) showed average daily sunspot numbers up more than 61 points to 102.1, while the average daily solar flux was up nearly 20 points to 114.7. Geomagnetic conditions were quieter as well, and reports from readers show greatly improved propagation on 20, 15 and 10 meters. This table shows a new sunspot group on March 23, two more groups appeared March 24, two more on March 25 and another two more on March 27. The latest prediction from USAF/NOAA sees improving conditions, with the projected solar flux for March 31-April 1 at 125 and 130, then 135 on April 2-7. The predicted planetary A index is 10 and 8 on March 31 and April 1, followed by 5 on April 2-7 and 8 on April 8. Conditions should be very good for the next week, especially when compared to this time last year. Look for more information on the ARRL website -- including an updated forecast and reports from readers, as well as the latest 3-month moving average of sunspot numbers -- on Friday, April 1. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service Propagation page. This week's "Tad Cookism" is brought to you by the song Avenue Q Theme from the musical Avenue Q.<br />
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+ Silent Key: Internet Pioneer Paul Baran, W3KAS (SK)<br />
<br />
Paul Baran, W3KAS (SK)<br />
<br />
Paul Baran, W3KAS -- an engineer who helped create the technical underpinnings for the ARPANET, the government-sponsored precursor to today's Internet -- died March 27 at his home in Palo Alto, California. He was 84. According to his son David, the cause of death was related to complications from lung cancer. Baran was one of the three inventors of packet-switched networks.<br />
<br />
In the early 1960s, Baran was working on a "survivable" communications system when he thought up one of its core concepts: Breaking up a single message into smaller pieces, having them travel different, unpredictable paths to their destination and only then putting them back together. It's called packet switching and it's how everything still gets to your e-mail inbox. Read more here.<br />
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<br />
+ Silent Key: Owner of Industrial Communication Engineers Mike Koss, W9SU (SK)<br />
<br />
Mike Koss, W9SU (left), receives the IRCC Technical Excellence Award in 2005 from Jack Parker, W8ISH. [Photo courtesy of the ARRL Indiana Section]<br />
<br />
Mike Koss, W9SU, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away Monday, March 28. He was 57. According to his friend Brian Smith, W9IND, Koss was found on his workshop floor and paramedics were unable to revive him. Industrial Communications Engineers (ICE) is well known in the amateur community for surge protectors, line filters, RF switches and more.<br />
<br />
On March 31, ICE released the following statement concerning the company: "Industrial Communication Engineers (ICE), Ltd, its employees and the Indianapolis Amateur Radio community mourn the passing of company founder Mike Koss, W9SU, on March 28, 2011. Due to Mike's sudden and unexpected death, ICE has temporarily suspended accepting new orders. We are in the process of reorganizing the company, as well as identifying and fulfilling current open orders and products returned for repair. Read more here.<br />
<br />
This Week on the Radio<br />
This week:<br />
<br />
April 2-3 -- Missouri QSO Party; QCWA Spring QSO Party; ARCI Spring QSO Party; SP DX Contest; EA RTTY Contest<br />
April 5 -- ARS Spartan Sprint<br />
<br />
Just as in this Gil cartoon from the March 1965 issue of QST, we, too, must show some patience for sunspots. The way Solar Cycle 24 is coming along, we are sure to be in for some exciting times on the higher bands!<br />
<br />
Next week:<br />
<br />
April 9 -- PODXS 070 Club PSK 31 Flavors Contest (local time); EU Spring Sprint (CW)<br />
April 9-10 -- Montana QSO Party; New Mexico QSO Party; Georgia QSO Party; JIDX CW Contest<br />
April 10 -- SKCC Weekend Sprint; UBA Spring Contest (SSB)<br />
April 11 -- 144 MHz Spring Sprint (local time)<br />
April 13 -- NAQCC Straight Key/Bug Sprint<br />
April 13-14 -- CWops Mini-CWT Test<br />
All dates, unless otherwise stated, are UTC. See the ARRL Contest Branch page, the ARRL Contest Update and the WA7BNM Contest Calendar for more info. Looking for a Special Event station? Be sure to check out the ARRL Special Event Stations Web page.<br />
<br />
Upcoming ARRL Section, State and Division Conventions and Events<br />
April 2-3 -- ARRL New Jersey State Convention, Ewing, New Jersey<br />
April 22-24 -- ARRL Idaho State Convention, Boise, Idaho<br />
April 23 -- ARRL Louisiana State Convention, Monroe, Louisiana; ARRL North Carolina State Convention, Raleigh, North Carolina<br />
May 7 -- ARRL South Carolina State Convention, Spartanburg, South Carolina<br />
June 3-5 -- ARRL Northwestern Division Convention (SeaPac), Seaside, Oregon; ARRL Wyoming State Convention, Cheyenne, Wyoming<br />
June 4 -- ARRL Atlantic Division Convention, Rochester, New York; ARRL East Bay Section Convention, Berkeley, California; ARRL Georgia State Convention, Marietta, Georgia<br />
June 10-11 -- ARRL National Convention, Plano, Texas<br />
June 11 -- ARRL Tennessee State Convention, Knoxville, Tennessee<br />
To find a convention or hamfest near you, click here.<br />
<br />
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Copyright © 2011 American Radio Relay League, Inc. All Rights ReservedBubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-4114163447341550002011-03-08T06:03:00.002-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.247-05:00Space Shuttle Discovery lands Wednesday, Sun Becoming More ActiveTen meters was open yesterday afternoon, maybe this is the reason. Gonna start checking 10 and 6 more often! <a href="http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/astronomy/story/46699/last-space-shuttle-discovery-landing-wednesday-sun-becoming-active.asp">http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/astronomy/story/46699/last-space-shuttle-discovery-landing-wednesday-sun-becoming-active.asp</a><br />
<div style="clear: both; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;">Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-54985268560131865682011-03-05T12:26:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.870-05:00K7RA weekly Solar UpdateCourtesy of the ARRL, here is Tad Cook, K7RA's weekly solar propagation column:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #224466; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"><span class="date" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; display: block; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">03/05/2011</span></span><br />
<div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Solar activity is rising again, but the average sunspot numbers and solar flux are down, compared with last week. This week, the average daily sunspot number declined more than 14 points to 50.9, and the average daily solar flux was off 7 points to 96.8. The average daily planetary A index rose from 6.1 to 9, and the average mid-latitude A index was about the same, declining from 5.4 to 5.1. Sunspot numbers for February 24-March 2 were 23, 31, 49, 44, 54, 72 and 83, with a mean of 50.9. The 10.7 cm flux was 88.9, 88.2, 90.2, 90.4, 95.8, 110.5 and 113.4, with a mean of 96.8. The estimated planetary A indices were 3, 3, 4, 2, 3, 31 and 17, with a mean of 9. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 0, 1, 2, 1, 2, 18 and 12, with a mean of 5.1.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You can see daily sunspot and solar flux numbers, updated after 0230 <a href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/DSD.txt" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>. Geomagnetic indices are updated 8 times per day <a href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpdir/indices/DGD.txt" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>. Our weekly data reports in this bulletin run Thursday through Wednesday, so at the above links you can see that yesterday (Thursday, March 3), the planetary A index dropped from 17 to 12, and the daily sunspot number went from 83 to 71. The most active day for geomagnetic indexes was March 1, with a planetary A index of 31; the planetary K index rose as high as 6 on that day. Polar propagation paths were disturbed, with the College A index (measured near Fairbanks, Alaska) for March 1-3 at 53, 43 and 23.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">NOAA and USAF predict solar flux of 120 on March 4-11, 110 on March 12-15, 105 on March 16-17 and 100 on March 18-21. The planetary A index is forecast at 12 on March 4-5, 5 on March 6-13, 7 on March 14-15 and 5 on March 16-21. You can get the daily NOAA/USAF prediction for solar flux and planetary A index <a href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/ftpmenu/forecasts/45DF.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>. The forecast is usually updated by 2130 daily. Geophysical Institute Prague predicts unsettled geomagnetic activity March 4-5, quiet to unsettled March 6, quiet March 7, quiet to unsettled March 8-9 and quiet again on March 10.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It looks like good conditions for the <a href="http://www.arrl.org/arrl-dx" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">ARRL International SSB DX Contest</a> this weekend, or at least much more interesting than the past few years, due to increased solar activity. Along with this comes the greater risk of geomagnetic disruption from solar flares, coronal mass ejections and gusts of solar wind. I received some comments from 80 and 160 meter DXers during the recent minimum, noting that they loved the absence of solar activity because everything was so quiet and stable.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">For this year’s DX contest, we are seeing sunspot numbers in the range of 20-100, but for the first 10 days of March 2010, the average sunspot number was 20.1. For 2009 it was 2.4, 2008 it was 3.7, 2007 it was 14.9 and in 2006, it was 14.1.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The monthly average of sunspot numbers for December 2010-February 2011 was 22, 32.2 and 53.5, reflecting the rise in solar activity. The three-month moving average of sunspot numbers centered on January -- an average of all daily sunspot numbers for December 2010 through February 2011 -- was 35.3. The three-month moving average of daily sunspot numbers centered on each month of 2010 was 22.4, 25.7, 22.3, 18.5, 16.4, 20.4, 23.2, 28.9, 33, 35.6, 31 and 30.1. The average centered on January 2011 is back up to the level it was in November 2010, 35.6.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The big news this week was about the solar model explaining the deep solar minimum we’ve just experienced. Thanks to all the readers who sent emails about this. See the story <a href="http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/03/110302131859.htm" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>, <a href="http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v471/n7336/extref/nature09786-s1.pdf" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>, <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/sunearth/news/solar-cycle23.html" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a> and <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/522578main_conveyorbelt.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #4466bb; cursor: pointer; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a>.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jonathon Ballard, KI4UKF, lives in Stokes County, North Carolina, less than 10 miles south of the Virginia state line. On Wednesday, March 2 at 1655 (just before noon local time), he heard Claudio Costa, LW2ECC (Argentina), calling CQ on 2 meter FM, on 144.48 MHz. KI4UKF was using a Moxon wire antenna tacked to a wall, and said the signal was steady for several minutes at about S6, then faded away. He e-mailed Claudio, who confirmed the transmission. Claudio was using three 5/8 wave verticals and 160 W.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">John Shew, N4QQ, of Silver Spring, Maryland was in Curacao for the ARRL DX CW Contest and operated at PJ2T. He had some interesting observations about trans-equatorial propagation on 6 meters into South America: “Thursday evening around 8 PM (0000 February 19), W9VA and I decided to check 6 meters, looking south for TE propagation. The equipment at PJ2T is a Yaesu FT-2000 and a M2 5-element at 70 feet with a clear shot over water to South America. Much to our joy, the band was full of LU beacons at S9 strength. At 0015, we tuned up to 50.110 and I called CQ using the call PJ2/N4QQ. Over the next 15 minutes, I worked 16 stations in 14 grid squares. Signal strengths were S7-S9 plus. “We kinda worked the band empty after 15 minutes but it was still open, but there were no more stations calling us so we moved back over to the HF bands.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It was a great thrill for me to experience TE propagation for the first time after reading about it many times in the ARRL VHF column over the last 50 years. Signals sounded slightly hollow, but were quite strong with no obvious fading. The band appeared to open to all areas at once, with no obvious flashlight effect, experienced during E-skip. I plotted the grid squares I worked, and they fall in a band about 600 miles deep between 2700 and 3300 miles to the south, crossing the entire South American continent. The plotted skip zone appears to slightly skew from southwest to northeast, with stations to the west farther south than those to the east.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“As I have no experience with TE, I don’t know if this propagation is common for this time of year, or if it occurs throughout the year or if it is enhanced by recent solar events. Solar flux peaked somewhere between 115-125 during our time in PJ2. With our attention focused on the DX contest, we didn’t have a lot of time to check 6 meters, but the few days we did check it appeared open to the south from 0000 to at least 0200.</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“It was my impression that TE is a very reliable mode of communication to the south from the southern Caribbean this time of year in the early evening. I have been checking 6 meter spots for the last week, and the Brazilians and Argentineans have been having a field day beaming north in the late afternoon and early evening, with numerous contacts with KP4, TI, FM, YV, P40 and the like. PY5XX and others have also worked Spain and Portugal in Southern Europe and the Canary Islands in Africa. In fact, I think now I understand one reason why 6 meters is so popular with the Southern Brazilians and Argentineans. From PJ2, it appears there are only five countries we can work on TE -- Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile. I worked all but one in less than 15 minutes. Maybe four or five more countries can be worked from PJ2 via TE, if one counts islands with DXpeditions like Juan Fernandez or Trinidad. On the other hand, Brazilians and Argentineans see in their regular TE skip zone maybe 25 countries with active 6 meter populations; the countries include the northern coastal South American countries, much of Central America, the Yucatan and most of the Caribbean from Puerto Rico south.”</div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Thanks, John for a fascinating report!</div>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-51379321224995294402011-03-05T12:20:00.001-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.778-05:00An example of the letter that will be generated.The Honorable Brad Miller<br />
United States House of Representatives<br />
1127 Longworth House Office Building<br />
Washington, DC 20515<br />
<br />
March 5, 2011<br />
<br />
Dear Representative Miller:<br />
<br />
As a voter in your district and as one of the nearly 700,000 federally licensed<br />
Amateur Radio operators across the nation, I ask that you oppose H.R. 607, the<br />
"Broadband for First Responders Act of 2011" in its current form. H.R. 607 was<br />
introduced by Congressman Peter King (R-NY) and referred to the House Committee<br />
on Energy and Commerce.<br />
<br />
H.R. 607 proposes to allocate the "D-Block" of frequencies (frequencies previously<br />
occupied by analog television) to be developed into an interoperable Public Safety<br />
wireless network. Earlier, it had been expected that the D-Block would be auctioned<br />
by the FCC for commercial use, but there is now substantial support for the allocation<br />
of the D-Block to Public Safety. H.R. 607 also provides for the reallocation of other<br />
spectrum for auction to commercial users, in order to offset the loss of revenue<br />
anticipated by the auction of the D-Block.<br />
<br />
While I strongly support the work of the Public Safety officials who put their lives<br />
on the line for our safety, my opposition to the bill stems from the inclusion of the<br />
420-440 MHz spectrum (the UHF 70-cm band) as part of a frequency swap and auction.<br />
Very little of this spectrum is allocated to Public Safety, and only in very limited<br />
areas. Rather, it is allocated to government radiolocation services on a primary basis,<br />
with Amateur Radio allocated on a secondary basis. The Federal government uses this<br />
band for critical defense purposes, including Pave Paws radars for detecting<br />
surface-launched missiles aimed at the United States, and for airborne radars used<br />
for drug interdiction. The Amateur Service carefully coordinates its uses of this band<br />
to insure compatibility. The two services have a very good record of sharing this<br />
spectrum successfully, putting it to good use for both military and civilian purposes<br />
in the national interest.<br />
<br />
Amateur radio emergency communications rely heavily on our limited frequency<br />
allocations in the VHF and UHF radio bands. The loss of access to the 420-440 MHz<br />
spectrum would make it very difficult for us to maintain this capability and would<br />
mean we could no longer use numerous systems that have been constructed on our own<br />
time and at personal expense to provide this important communications support.<br />
<br />
Amateur Radio operators across the country repeatedly demonstrate our commitment to<br />
public service and emergency communications. Through our work with FEMA and other<br />
Homeland Security activities, state and local Emergency Management offices, and<br />
numerous charitable relief agencies, volunteer Amateur Radio operators assist the first<br />
responders, doing so at no cost to the agencies we support. The role of the Amateur<br />
Radio Service as a partner to Public Safety in providing supporting public service and<br />
emergency communications necessitates our retention of full access to the entire<br />
70-cm band.<br />
<br />
We understand and support that Public Safety officials must have the spectrum they need<br />
to do their jobs. However, it is not necessary to do so in the ill-conceived manner<br />
proposed in this bill. Other pending legislation provides for this important goal<br />
to be realized without the proposed reallocation of non-Public Safety spectrum for<br />
commercial auction that is included in H.R. 607. I urge you to oppose H.R. 607<br />
in its current form. Thank you for your consideration.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<br />
Your Name<br />
Your Address<br />
Your city and zipBubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-89216063721245081882011-03-05T12:06:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:11.568-05:00Attention all Amateur Radio Operators - your action is needed!HR-607 has been introduced into Congress which will take away a majority of the Amateur Radio 420 - 450 MHz band. <a href="http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-members-respond-to-hr-607">Here's an explanation from the ARRL</a> of the proposed legislation, and examples of how some amateurs have been incorrectly responding to the situation. Today I received this email from the Flex Radio reflector which contains more detail, and a link to a website which will allow a ham to easily prepare a response to this issue, and also determines who your House Representative is. Here's the text of that email:<br />
___________________________________________________________<br />
A FLASH message from the West Gulf Division Director, David Woolweaver,<br />
K5RAV<br />
<br />
Your assistance to defend one of our amateur bands is urgently<br />
requested. Please read and follow through on the requested action<br />
described below. This is an important issue for every Amateur Radio<br />
Operator in the nation.<br />
<br />
You may have already heard that our 440 MHz band is being threatened by<br />
a bill introduced into the U.S. House of Representatives. In its<br />
current form, HR 607 provides for the creation and maintenance of a<br />
nationwide Public Safety broadband network. As a part of that network,<br />
the bill proposes to allocate the so-called D-Block of frequencies<br />
in the 700 MHz range. The D-Block consists of two, 5 MHz wide<br />
segments of spectrum (758-763 MHz and 788-793 MHz) that became<br />
available when the FCC ended analog television broadcasts in June 2009.<br />
It was initially expected that the D-Block would be auctioned for<br />
commercial use.<br />
<br />
HR 607 provides for the reallocation of other spectrum for auction to<br />
commercial users in order to offset the loss of revenue that will occur<br />
as the result of the allocation of the D-Block to Public Safety<br />
instead of commercial auction. Among the bands to be reallocated for<br />
commercial auction within ten years of passage of HR 607 are the paired<br />
bands of 420-440 MHz and 450-470 MHz.<br />
<br />
The concept for this proposed network has merit. Everyone wants first<br />
responders to have the radio systems they need in order to protect<br />
themselves and us. However, there is absolutely no need to reallocate<br />
for auction the 440 MHz band to make it happen. We must let our U.S.<br />
Representatives know we oppose the current wording of HR 607.<br />
<br />
What can I do? A web site to automatically prepare a letter opposing<br />
HR 607 has been created to assist you. Go to<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.kd4pyr.net/hamletter.htm">http://www.kd4pyr.net/hamletter.htm</a>.<br />
<br />
Insert your call sign where indicated and follow the simple<br />
instructions. The name and address of your U.S. Representative will<br />
automatically be inserted into the letter along with your name and<br />
address. The letter will then be displayed ready to be printed and<br />
signed.<br />
<br />
IMPORTANT: Please be certain to observe the following once you have<br />
printed your letter:<br />
<br />
- Be sure to sign it. Letters without a handwritten signature are not<br />
effective.<br />
<br />
- Signed letters can be sent by fax or postal mail to -<br />
<br />
John Chwat<br />
Chwat & Co.,<br />
Suite 103, 625 Slaters Lane, Alexandria, VA 22314<br />
Fax number: (703) 684-7594<br />
<br />
- The letter can also be signed and scanned into .pdf format and then<br />
E-Mailed as a file attachment to: <a href="mailto:john.chwat@chwatco.com">john.chwat@chwatco.com</a>. Chwat and<br />
Co. is the ARRL s legislative relations firm in Washington, D.C.<br />
<br />
- Do not send this letter or any letter about HR 607 to your U.S.<br />
Senators at this time. The bill has only been filed in the U.S. House<br />
of Representatives. .<br />
<br />
-WHY should the letter be mailed to John Chwat and NOT your<br />
Representative? There are two reasons. First, all postal mail<br />
addressed to members of the U.S. Congress is delayed 6 to 8 weeks to<br />
search for the inclusion of hazardous materials. Remember the Anthrax<br />
incident? Second, Mr. Chwat will increase the value of your individual<br />
letter by combining it with others. He will then hand carry the stack<br />
of letters directly to your Representative's office. This manner of<br />
delivery makes a particular impact on members of Congress.<br />
<br />
Share the web site information with your amateur radio friends. <b><u>It is<br />
not necessary to be an ARRL member to use the site.</u></b> The more<br />
letters sent to Representatives the better.<br />
<br />
This is your opportunity to make a stand against this legislation.<br />
Help save the 70cm band by completing and mailing the opposition letter<br />
as requested.<br />
_____________________________________________________<br />
<br />
The highlighting of that sentence above is mine. You do not have to<br />
be a League member to act to protect our precious spectrum.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-89667323985576645172011-02-20T13:21:00.002-05:002023-11-24T12:07:11.591-05:00Boogity boogity boogity!Let's go racing, boys!Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-20519647072399001332011-02-19T10:14:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.490-05:00The Obama Administration Comes to a Worrisome Realization<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://glennbeckclips.com/ObamaEgypt.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://glennbeckclips.com/ObamaEgypt.gif" /></a></div>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-44701989625373484062011-02-18T21:41:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.731-05:0035 minutes on the exercise bikeI'm soaking wet with sweat, but the burn is feeling good.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-14095682081687220052011-02-18T20:04:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.441-05:00Courtesy the ARRL, the K7RA weekly propagation report.A dramatic surge in solar activity is underway, with a level of<br />
sunspot numbers and solar flux not seen since 2005-2006. Tuesday's<br />
sunspot number of 100 has not been equaled or exceeded since April<br />
6, 2006 when it was 105. On Wednesday the solar flux was 114.1, and<br />
the last time it was that high or higher was September 15, 2005 at<br />
119.4.<br />
<br />
Average daily sunspot numbers rose this week by more than 25 points<br />
to 69.9, and average daily solar flux was up 20 points to 103.5.<br />
<br />
NOAA/USAF predicts solar flux at 110 on February 18-19, 105 on<br />
February 20, 100 on February 21, and 105 on February 22-24.<br />
Planetary A index is predicted at 25 and 12 on February 18-19, and 5<br />
on February 20-28, then rising to 7, 10, 10 and 7 on March 1-4.<br />
<br />
Geophysical Institute Prague predicts active conditions on February<br />
18, unsettled to active February 19, unsettled February 20, quiet to<br />
unsettled February 21, and quiet conditions February 22-24.<br />
<br />
This weekend is the ARRL International DX CW Contest, and Bob<br />
Marston, K6TW notes that a geomagnetic storm is predicted for<br />
Friday, just before the start of the contest. This is due to two<br />
coronal mass ejections, one on February 13 at 1735z, and the other<br />
on February 15 at 0156z. A CME hit Earth's magnetic field at 0100z<br />
today, February 18, but was not as strong as expected. It is<br />
possible we may be spared major geo-storms. However, there is a new<br />
alert from Solar Storm Watch of an expected CME direct hit at 0900z<br />
on February 18. The planetary K index on February 18 at 0300, 0600<br />
and 0900z was 3, 4 and 5.<br />
<br />
Most of the activity this week has been from large sunspot group<br />
1158, which will soon rotate out of view over the Sun's western<br />
limb. More centrally positioned is sunspot 1161, and there seems to<br />
be a new sunspot emerging above it. It is probably significant that<br />
USAF/NOAA revised the solar flux estimate upward for the near term<br />
between Wednesday's and Thursday's prediction.<br />
<br />
K6TW introduced us to a resource for updates on solar activity,<br />
<a href="http://www.solarstormwatch.com/">http://www.solarstormwatch.com</a>, and specifically a Twitter resource,<br />
which you can read without a Twitter account at<br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/solarstormwatch">http://twitter.com/solarstormwatch</a>.<br />
<br />
Fred Honnold, KH7Y of Ocean View, Hawaii (south part of the big<br />
island of Hawaii) has a report of some 10 meter longpath to Europe<br />
propagation on February 14.<br />
<br />
"I wanted to let you know about some excellent long path QSO last<br />
night from 0923 till 1055. The bands were still alive but it was<br />
1AM here and I just quit. Signal levels on 15 meters from the KW<br />
stations were S8 or so on 12 meters the signals were still strong so<br />
after working about 100 stations on 12 meters I moved to 10 meters.<br />
I worked many European stations with signals S1 to S5. The best<br />
signals were from EA1DR S9+ and S57S very loud."<br />
<br />
You can see the spots by going to DX Sherlock at<br />
<a href="http://www.vhfdx.info/spots">http://www.vhfdx.info/spots</a>. Just select 28 MHz, February 14 from<br />
1000z to 1059z, containing the callsign KH7Y, set maximum number of<br />
returned QSOs at 100, then Submit Query.<br />
<br />
An article on the ARRL web site about sunspot 1158 and this week's<br />
activity mentions that "According to NASA, the Sun will reach its<br />
next maximum this year, give or take one year."<br />
<br />
I don't think this is true, as the latest prediction for the next<br />
solar maximum is in 2013. If you check a recent Preliminary Report<br />
and Forecast at <a href="http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly/pdf/prf1849.pdf">http://www.swpc.noaa.gov/weekly/pdf/prf1849.pdf</a>,<br />
look on page 10 and note that the highest smoothed sunspot number in<br />
the near future is 90, predicted for February through July 2013.<br />
<br />
If you would like to make a comment or have a tip for our readers,<br />
email the author at, <a href="mailto:k7ra@arrl.net">k7ra@arrl.net</a>.<br />
<br />
For more information concerning radio propagation, see the ARRL<br />
Technical Information Service web page at<br />
<a href="http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals">http://arrl.org/propagation-of-rf-signals</a>. For an explanation of the<br />
numbers used in this bulletin, see<br />
<a href="http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere">http://arrl.org/the-sun-the-earth-the-ionosphere</a>. An archive of past<br />
propagation bulletins is at<br />
<a href="http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation">http://arrl.org/w1aw-bulletins-archive-propagation</a>. Find more good<br />
information and tutorials on propagation at<br />
<a href="http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/k9la/index.html">http://mysite.ncnetwork.net/k9la/index.html</a>.<br />
<br />
Monthly propagation charts between four USA regions and twelve<br />
overseas locations are at <a href="http://arrl.org/propagation">http://arrl.org/propagation</a>.<br />
<br />
Instructions for starting or ending email distribution of ARRL<br />
bulletins are at <a href="http://arrl.org/bulletins">http://arrl.org/bulletins</a>.<br />
<br />
Sunspot numbers for February 10 through 16 were 38, 54, 63, 84, 90,<br />
100, and 60, with a mean of 69.9. 10.7 cm flux was 91.4, 91.2, 95.6,<br />
106.8, 112.6, 112.8 and 114.1 with a mean of 103.5. Estimated<br />
planetary A indices were 3, 4, 4, 2, 10, 5 and 2 with a mean of 4.3.<br />
Estimated mid-latitude A indices were 4, 3, 2, 1, 6, 4 and 1 with a<br />
mean of 3.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-770657128851324592011-02-18T15:22:00.001-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.192-05:00I hate that I'm missing the nice weatherIt's 75 degrees outside, and a beautiful day. Yet here I am sitting in my cube, slaving away, doing desktop support at my office. In a perfect world, I might be on the lake with a fishing pole in my hand. In a perfect world, I might be sitting on my deck with a tasty adult beverage on the table next to me. In a perfect world, I might be taking my dogs for a walk. But this is not a perfect world, there are bills to be paid, groceries to be bought, heating and cooling to be paid for. So I'm sitting in my cube, slaving away, doing desktop support at my office.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-1587497549578516922011-02-18T13:20:00.002-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.224-05:00Study Shows 80% of Americans Think Most Statistics are WrongIncluding this headline.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-28691903522128434962011-02-17T15:07:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.586-05:00More information on the Valentine's Day FlareExperts expect minimal impact other than the possibility of Auroral activity.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/516921main_x2flare.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" src="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/516921main_x2flare.gif" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>You can clearly see the shock wave as the flare event occurs.<br />
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<a href="http://ow.ly/3Ywg3">The story on the NASA website.</a>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-8516341743256240262011-02-17T09:43:00.000-05:002023-11-24T12:07:10.318-05:00Radio communications may be problematic through this Saturday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/travel/2011/solar_flare.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/travel/2011/solar_flare.png" width="320" /></a></div>The sun, which has been extremely quiet over the last few years, has come to life and is starting to generate CMEs in the direction of earth. <a href="http://www.accuweather.com/blogs/astronomy/story/45873/huge-solar-flare-to-cause-northern-lights-show-interfere-with-communications.asp">Link to story on AccuWeather</a> Hopefully tomorrow's Late Night Radio session on 3675KHz at 0200Z won't be adversely affected.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-80543113710433047412011-02-15T11:16:00.008-05:002023-11-24T12:07:11.401-05:00Sunspot 1158 Unleashes A Strong Solar Flare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/travel/2011/large-flare.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://vortex.accuweather.com/adc2004/pub/includes/columns/travel/2011/large-flare.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Remnants of the CME are expected to reach the earth's magnetic field sometime today. Expect reports of increased auroral activity, and a potential increase in the MUF at least for awhile. <a href="http://ow.ly/3WPr7">The story on AccuWeather.com</a><br />
<div style="clear: both; font-size: xx-small; text-align: center;"><a href="http://spaceweather.com/images2011/13feb11/ar1158_anim.gif?PHPSESSID=46ed27nlld25oba317t1bfd4a7" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="57" src="http://spaceweather.com/images2011/13feb11/ar1158_anim.gif?PHPSESSID=46ed27nlld25oba317t1bfd4a7" width="320" /></a><br />
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Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-823588440852530989.post-76732417193209769642011-02-11T14:46:00.001-05:002023-11-24T12:07:11.330-05:00The Government's Case against Baseball's Home Run King is going, going ...... gone?<br />
<br />
<a href="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-MM759_barryb_DV_20110211135721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-MM759_barryb_DV_20110211135721.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2011/02/11/with-trial-looming-feds-streamline-charges-against-bonds/">With Trial Looming, Feds Streamline Charges Against Bonds</a><br />
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Fans loved to hate Bonds. Sports Writers used to hate Bonds. Now it may be the Government's turn. Time, reluctant witnesses, and the fact that public simply doesn't care any more has made the urgency and ability to prosecute him dubious. The Feds have dropped the number of charges against Bonds from 11 to 5. And after all, how do you prove he perjured himself, when your most damaging witness has said that he would go to jail before he would testify against Bonds? It may be time to stick an asterisk in this one.Bubba Warbuckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09713113439263395522noreply@blogger.com0