Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1907
Amateur Radio News 10 2019
Amateur Radio Stories:
Here is a recap of what happened in the web this week, through the eyes of the DXZone and other ham radio sources on the web.
- Propagation Report from Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is expected to remain at low levels… - The K7RA Solar Update
At 2256 UTC on February 28 the Australian Space Forecast Centre issued a Geomagnetic Disturbance Warning. “The Earth is currently under the influence of strongly elevated solar wind speed associated with a coronal hole. A period of significant sout… - IOTA news from the DARC
Compiled by Andreas, DK5ON of the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club… - ARISS contact planned for students in Spain
An International Space Station school contact has been planned for David St-Jacques KG5FYI with Ceip Nuestra Senora Del Carmen, Torre De La Reina, Spain… - The Space Weather Woman
The latest space weather forecast from Dr Tamitha Skov… - The Doctor Will See You Now!
- Service Authority signs MOU with radio hams
Water Online reports the Prince William County Service Authority has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an Amateur Radio group… - VE7DXW’s “RF Seismograph” May Be Real Seismograph
Alex Schwarz, VE7DXW, in British Columbia, Canada, is exploring the possibility that “RF signatures” detected by the RF Seismograph propagation tool could also be indicating earthquakes, and may even be able to predict them shortly before they oc… - WWV Centennial Special Event Will Use WW0WWV
With its funding secure for another year, WWV, the world’s oldest continuously operating radio station, will have extra reason to celebrate its centennial this fall. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Northern Colorad… - DARC: Radar makes 5 MHz band ‘useless’
Germany’s DARC reports: Once again we have problems with short wave radars. On almost every evening at 5310-5410 kHz the Russian coastal radar ‘Sunflower’ broadcasts. This also makes our new miniband useless … - A New QST QuickStats Poll Has Been Posted
- 50th Anniversary AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award (Limited Edition) starts March 3rd
Get those uplinks ready! Much like the regular AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Communications Achievement Award, the 50th Anniversary Limited Edition is unique in that the award certificates will be printed on one of the original goldenrod paper stock certific… - National Inwards QSL Bureau Volunteers sought (or is that SORT)
The WIA National Inwards Bureau, located at the WIA offices in Bayswater, is seeking expressions of interest from WIA members who would be willing to assist in the sorting and distribution of incoming QSL cards received at the Bureau… - FCC Announces Career Opportunities
- Space station astronaut and students chat thanks to radio hams
Middle school students at Faith Christian Academy in Orlando had an out-of-this-world experience — the chance to talk with an astronaut on the International Space Station… - The Latest Episode of ARRL Audio News is Available
Listen to the new episode of ARRL Audio News on your iOS or Android podcast app, or online at http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/. Audio News is also retransmitted on a number of FM repeaters. Click here and then scroll down to see the list. … - SARL Hamnet 40m Simulated Emergency Contest
The SARL Hamnet 40m Contest is a SSB contest and is open to all Radio Amateurs in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Lesotho, Marion Island and South African Antarctica and only QSOs with these areas will count … - Consultation on amending regulations for short range radar equipment
Ofcom has proposed amendments to the Wireless Telegraphy (Automotive Short Range Radar) (Exemption) Regulations 2013… - RSGB Cricket World Cup Radio Marathon 2019
The RSGB is pleased to invite all radio amateurs across the world to join us in celebrating the Cricket World Cup which is being held in England and Wales in 2019. We are organising an International Amateur Radio Marathon for the duration of the com… - Conference Preparatory Meeting
The Conference Preparatory Meeting for WRC-19 second session meets in Geneva 18-28 February 2019. The main task of the approximately 1400 delegates from 103 ITU Member States and 86 Sector Members is to review the Draft CPM Report in support of&nbs… - Brief ARRL Website Outage Planned for Wednesday, February 27
Some services on the ARRL website may be interrupted briefly on Wednesday, February 27, sometime between 1100 UTC and 1300 UTC. This outage is to accommodate a hardware test of the existing failover system for all systems behind the Rackspace firewal… - Moving to broadband-based call services
Ofcom has published information for industry relating to the future move to landline calls being delivered over broadband… - W1AW Changes Date for February West Coast Qualifying Run Transmission Date
- Russian “Sunflower” Coastal Radar Showing Up on 60, 40, and 75 Meters
- TWR marks 65 years in ministry
On Friday, Trans World Radio, which strives to share God’s Word through mixed media, marked 65 years in ministry…
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1906
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1905
CQ WW 160 Meter Contest
CQ World Wide 160-Meter Contest
The contest consists of two separate events. The CW mode is held the final full weekend of January. The Phone mode is held the final full weekend of February.
Contest Dates and Quick Contest Information
CW:
2200Z January 25 – 2200Z January 27, 2019
SSB:
2200Z February 22 – 2200Z February 24, 2019
OBJECTIVE:
For amateurs around the world to contact other amateurs in as many U.S. states, Canadian provinces, and countries as possible utilizing the 160 meter band.
BAND USE:
1810–2000 kHz in ITU Region 1. 1800–2000 kHz in ITU Regions 2 and 3. All entrants are encouraged to spread out as much as possible, obeying frequency restrictions and power limits for their own country. Any violations of the ITU band use may result in disqualification.
EXCHANGE:
RS(T) and state for U.S., province for Canada, and CQ Zone for DX. Note: Zones are location indicators only and do not count for multipliers.
DEADLINES FOR LOG SUBMISSIONS ARE 5 DAYS!
Please read full CQWW 160m Contest Rules
Entry Statistics
Amateur Radio News 08 2019
Amateur Radio Stories:
Here is a recap of what happened in the web this week, through the eyes of the DXZone and other ham radio sources on the web.
- FCC: Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity Procedures are Now in Effect
The FCC is reminding electronic device retailers that Supplier’s Declaration of Conformity (SDoC) procedures are now in effect and being enforced. In an FCC Enforcement Advisory released February 15, the FCC Enforcement Bureau (EB) pointed out that… - College Park School makes first contact with the ISS
Students at College Park School got a chance to take their learning out of this world. During an assembly on February 13, students got to ask Canadian astronaut David Saint-Jacques, KG5FYI questions while he’s aboard the International Space Station… - Planned Experiment Will Disconnect Russia from the Internet
Authorities and major internet providers in Russia intend to disconnect the country from the internet as part of a planned experiment purportedly aimed at enhancing national security, the Russian news agency RosBiznesKonsalting (RBK) has reported. Th… - ARRL Headquarters Seeks Radiosport and Field Services Manager
ARRL is accepting applications for the position of Radiosport and Field Services Manager at ARRL Headquarters in Newington, Connecticut. This is a full-time, exempt position with a competitive salary. The successful candidate would be responsible for… - The Latest Episode of ARRL Audio News is Available
Listen to the new episode of ARRL Audio News on your iOS or Android podcast app, or online at http://www.blubrry.com/arrlaudionews/. Audio News is also retransmitted on a number of FM repeaters. Click here and then scroll down to see the list. … - Geostationary satellite transponder active
The geostationary amateur radio narrowband transponder on the Es’hail-2/QO-100 was made available for amateur experimental use on the afternoon of Tuesday, 12 February 2019. The 250kHz bandwidth transponder uses the 2.4GHz band for the uplink w… - HamSCI Workshop Receives National Science Foundation Grant
- The only radio ham in Taiwan for 25 years
Tim Chen BV2A was famous among amateur radio enthusiasts as the only person allowed to operate in Taiwan until 1985, when the government started issuing more licenses … - Amateur Radio is Aboard during Attempt to Become Oldest Circumnavigator
- IOTA news from the DARC
Compiled by Andreas, DK5ON of the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club… - Radio hams transfer Crypto Currency on 40m band
CryptoVibes reports amateur radio was used to send Bitcoin from Toronto to Michigan on 7.077 MHz using the digital mode JS8Call… - The K7RA Solar Update
Another week passed with no sunspots, and as of February 14 it has been over two weeks since any sunspots were observed, the last on January 30. February 7 through 13 saw average daily solar flux decline from 71.1 to 70.4, compared to the previous se… - Latvian Amateur Radio League “Godfather” Herbert “Andy” Anderson, K7GEX, SK
Andy Anderson, K7GEX, of Edmonds, Washington, died February 5 after a lengthy illness. An ARRL Life Member, he was 84. His friend Andy Neimers, VA7FJT, said Anderson was the “godfather” of the Latvian Amateur Radio League (LRAL) and a founding me… - Ninth District Incoming QSL Bureau has New Manager and Address
Erik Andersen, K9EU, of Naperville, Illinois, has assumed the role of manager for the Ninth District Incoming QSL Bureau. He is a long-time volunteer with the Bureau as well as a noted and accomplished DXer and contester. He succeeds John Meyers, K9Q… - NZ QRPers Group
Membership of this New Zealand-based group is free, just send your Callsign, first name, QTH, and to receive Newsletters and other QRP information… - Turkish special event
Members of the Giresun Amateur Radio Society (GITRAD – Giresun Telsiz Radyo Amatorleri ve Doga Sporlari Dernegi) are celebrating its 10th anniversary with the special callsign TC10GITRAD… - Build your own Space Weather dashboard
For the Ham Radio community I wrote an article on how to build your own Space Weather Dashboard with NOAA data… - EF50: The tube that changed everything
From today’s perspective, vacuum tubes are pretty low tech. But for a while they were the pinnacle of high tech, and heavy research followed the promise shown by early vacuum tubes in transmission and computing… - US Navy Explores Amateur Radio as a Training Adjunct
The US Navy’s Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) has adopted Amateur Radio training as a possible new approach to basic RF and electronics instruction. More than 20 NAWCWD employees took part in a week-long class in Point Mugu, Cali… - The Doctor Will See You Now!
- RSGB Company Secretary vacancy
Stephen Purser, GW4SHF, RSGB Company Secretary has advised the Board that after more than two years in the role he wishes to step down in the spring. Stephen has been instrumental in updating the legal documents relating to the Society and regularly … - The Space Weather Woman
The latest space weather forecast from Dr Tamitha Skov… - Radio hams to distribute radios
Radio amateurs in West Bengal planned to distribute radio sets free of charge on World Radio Day, February 13… - Infoline issue 387 posted
- DX News from the ARRL
The American Radio Relay League’s round-up of the forthcoming week’s DX activity on the amateur radio bands…
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1904
Bitcoin Sent Through Amateur Radio 40 Meters Band
Bitcoin transmission done on 7MHz using JS8Call
During a recent experiment, has been demonstrated that is possibile to transfer Bitcoin without the use of the internet.
This has been made possible by implementing a digital data trasmission through the airwaves using an amateur radio application named JS8Call on the amateur radio band of 40 meters, corresponding to the 7 MHz.
Why Bitcoin over Radio ?
Due to some governaments interferences that are already obstacling in some countries the cryptocurrencies diffusion, developers are constantly looking to transfer Bitcoins with alternative ways.
This is not the only experiment, and is not the only bitcoin transmission over radio. In Finland bitcoins are transferred via radio using the DVB-T network.
In the recent past there have been conducted several tests using mesh network (Mesh networks are a type of computer network where nodes communicate directly with each other, in a peer-to-peer fashion) or even via satellite, but this time it has been used a communicaton method that, by definition, does not rely on third parties: amateur radio.
Amateur Radio HF communications, unlike commercial systems, is independent of terrestrial facilities and permit real time long distance contacts even cross-border.
The Expeiment has begun when Novak replied to a tweet asking:
“Has anyone used Ham radio to propagate Bitcoin blocks? Keen on exploring mesh networks that span across borders.”
Second attempt today, through the #SnowStorm.
Sending free #Bitcoin over #JS8Call [7.077Mhz]
To RX you don't need a Ham license–in most countries. Get your SDR connected to @js8call and a 7Mhz (40m) antenna.
*(for experimental non-commercial purpose)
— NVK (@nvk) February 12, 2019
The experiment succeeded by transmitting a bitcoin transaction fromToronto (Canada) to Michigan (USA) using the band of 7 MHz, currently allocated to the Amateur Radio Service.
As wallet has been used a brain wallet. Brain wallets are cryptocurrency wallets that allow users to receive virtual currencies but storing the seed phrase just in users’ heads.
Read more
- https://bitcoinist.com/bitcoin-sent-ham-radio/
- https://www.cryptovibes.com/crypto-news/bitcoin-transaction-shortwave-radio/
- https://bitsonline.com/bitcoin-radio-no-internet/
Is this legal ?
It’s important to remember that the usage of amateur radio equipment and frequencies is restricted to certified amateur radio operators only and content of transmission should be related to amateur radio only as clearly stated by ITU in Article 25 Section I, on definition of amateur radio service:
“Transmissions between amateur stations of different countries shall be limited to communications incidental to the purposes of the amateur service, as defined in No. 1.56 and to remarks of a personal character”
Learn more about what is amateur radio or ham radio
FDM-S2 SDR Receiver by ELAD
Direct sampling receiver based on 122.88MHz 16bit single channel ADC converter covering HF 6m and offering the possbility to exploiting the undersamplig mode covering FM Broadcasting Band and exploring part of VHF Band (135-160)MHz.
ELAD FDM-S2 Ranges and specs:
- HF: 9kHz-52MHz MDS: -132dBm @14MHz, Clipping lev -8dBm
- FM: 74-108MHz sensitivity <2uV 12dB SINAD @98MHz, Clip lev -3dBm
- VHF: 135-160MHz MDS -137dBm @145MHz, Clipping level -19dBm
- Separate antenna inputs for HF/6m and FM/VHF/Bypass ranges
- Max. DDC Bw 6144kHz (Aliasing free viewable bandwidth up to 5 Megahertz)
Currently available selectable bitstreams:
192ksps-32bit, 384ksps-32bit, 768ksps-32bit, 1536ksps-32bit, 3072ksps-32bit, 6144ksps-16bit
Special double DDC mode of 2 x 384kHz bandwidth to be placed within one of the input ranges.
4 virtual receivers freely tunable within DDC window
Each virtual receiver holds settings for mode,bandwidth,volume,squelch and audio output routing.
Patent pending Triple Tuning Bar for coarse and fine spectrum navigation
CWU,CWL,USB,LSB,AM,SAM,FM,WFM,DSB,RTTY,DRM,RDS modes
Interference rejection: Noise Blanker,Adaptive Noise Reduction and auto notch, special 2 manual notches (directly placed in DDC spectrum)
Integrated DRM decoding, text and station schedule update.
Integrated WFM Stereo with RDS decoding.
Universal CAT control and OmniRig(tm) integration
Customizable IF panadapter facilities for integration with existing transceiver/receivers
User definable bandplan, specified settings per frequency range.
XML based memory management
DX cluster data integration and EIBI database import
Plotting of memory, database and cluster information directly on spectrum screen
Proprietary Ext IO bus for accessory equipment, also offering 8 DC lines for universal switching (*via SFE1.0 board)
Supported by 3rd party software: SDR-RadioV2 , Winrad, HDSDR, Studio 1
DDC Spectrum recorder with automated timeschedule control
Seperate IF/AF spectrum windows for detailed signal analysis
Easy, fully informative User Interface with deep customization
Resizable windows and multi-monitor support
Wideband secondary Audio/IF outputs for decoder software (eg CW Skimmer,WeatherFax)
Full integration of the Tmate(tm) series controllers
Compact size 110 (W) x 90 (D) x 40 (H) mm and 360g, come with 2 BNC to SMA adapters, USB cable, USB double cable adapter, CD and safe bag.
Some ELAD S2 Videos on Youtube
Amateur Radio News 07 2019
Amateur Radio Stories:
Here is a recap of what happened in the web this week, through the eyes of the DXZone and other ham radio sources on the web.
- ARISS contact planned for students in Luzern, Switzerland
An International Space Station school contact has been planned for David St-Jacques KG5FYI with Kantonsschule Musegg, Luzern, Switzerland… - The March Edition of Digital QST is Now Available!
- 2019 Visalia Top Band Dinner
Announcing the Top Band Dinner at the 2019 Visalia International DX Convention… - The February 2019 Communicator
The February 2019 Communicator is now available, and includes an in-depth look at digital mode FT8, plus Amateur Radio News from the SW corner of Canada and elsewhere… - Electronics Notes opens a Ham Radio store
Electronics Notes has opened a ham radio store. This offers some really excellent bargains which do not appear with many other amateur radio stores… - The MarconISSta project
Dear ARISS participants, URGENT
You may be aware of the MarconISSta project that has been running on the ARISS station in the Columbus module of the ISS … - Incredible video of South Pole auroras
Cold-weather astrophotography pioneer Robert Schwarz has just released a new video of Southern Lights dancing over the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station… - World Scout Jamboree is Possible ARISS Amateur Radio Contact Host
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station US team (ARISS-US) has announced the list of schools or organizations that may host Amateur Radio contacts with International Space Station (ISS) crew members from July through December. The list i… - ARRL Board Gives the Go-Ahead to Lifelong Learning Initiative
ARRL is undertaking a new initiative to provide online educational opportunities to a broad range of radio amateurs. The Lifelong Learning Initiative will seek to provide a series of learning tracks that will serve the needs of the various interest g… - Revisions to Digital Radio Technical Codes
Ofcom has today published a consultation proposing changes to the technical rules that digital radio (DAB) broadcasters need to follow… - EURAO Newsletter February 2019
The EURAO Newsletter comes out quarterly, either in pdf format and as a website… - 1979-1982 Transglobe expedition – Syncal30 TRA931 wanted for London exhibition
In Early September The 1979-1982 Transglobe expedition, the only world’s first continuous circumpolar navigation via surface transport via both Poles will celebrate 40 years since the start of the expedition… - LFA Yagi inventor to retire
Justin Johnson G0KSC of InnovAntennas and WandS and inventor of the LFA Yagi has announced on Twitter that he is to retire… - AMSAT Announces 50th Anniversary Space Symposium in Washington, DC
The 2019 AMSAT 50th Anniversary Symposium will be held at The Hilton Arlington in Arlington, VA, in the Washington, DC Metro Area on October 18, 19, and 20, 2019.
The Hilton Arlington is located in the heart of the Ballston neighborhood of Arlington… - ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager to Step Down
ARRL Emergency Preparedness Manager Mike Corey, KI1U, has announced that he will depart ARRL on February 15 to pursue another career opportunity. He has been part of the ARRL staff since 2010.“Mike has accomplished much during his nine years on t… - Plate pirates target ham radio operators
CBC reports thieves steal specialized amateur radio callsign licence plates right off their vehicles… - DXCC Most Wanted
The ‘DXCC Most Wanted’ entities list has been updated on ClubLog as of January 29th. The list contain 340 entities and here are the top 10 entities… - Jock white Summary sheets updated.
- Membership Services currently offline
The issue with the renewal of a security certificate that was producing warnings in Membership Services has now been resolved. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this caused…. - Microsoft Compatibility Official Steers Enterprise Users Away from Internet Explorer
Microsoft, which transitioned to its new browser Edge several years ago, is now advising enterprise users to avoid its legacy browser, Internet Explorer (IE). Microsoft Worldwide Lead for Application Compatibility Chris Jackson said this week that IE… - ISS Packet Radio System is Back in Operation with New Equipment
The Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) packet system is back on the air with new equipment. The replacement gear arrived last November and had been awaiting unpacking and installation. ARISS hardware team members on the ground w… - Brief ARRL Website Outage Planned for Wednesday, February 13
Some services on the ARRL website may be interrupted briefly on Wednesday, February 13, sometime between 1100 UTC and 1300 UTC. This outage is to accommodate a hardware test of the existing failover system for all systems behind the Rackspace firewal… - Ham radio course cancelled due to lack of interest
Iceland’s amateur radio society, the IRA, reports only four people registered to take the Amateur Radio course and exam planned to run from February to May… - Ham College 49
General Amateur Radio Exam part 20. More on modulation. Coaxial cable loss explored… - Two milestones in Distance Learning
The Bath-Based Advanced Distance Learning Team (BBADL) have announced that their 700th student has passed the Advanced amateur radio exam. They have also just passed the £15,000 mark for donations to radio charities…