CQ WW DX CW: November 23-24 Starts 00:00:00 UTC Saturday Ends 23:59:59 UTC Sunday
The CQ WW is the largest Amateur Radio competition in the world. Over 35,000 participants take to the airwaves on the last weekend of October with the goal of making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible.
GOAL: For amateurs around the world to contact as many other amateurs in as many CQ zones and countries as possible.
BANDS: Six bands only: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz. Observance of established band plans is strongly encouraged.
EXCHANGE: RST report plus CQ Zone number of the station location (e.g., 599 05).
Read all rules in several languages on official CQ World Wide DX Contest Page
TR4W (TR for Windows) is a free and open source log book program for operating in ham radio contests. Based on source code of the TR LOG MS-DOS program, kindly provided by Larry Tyree, N6TR, supports 155 contests and SO2R
LM is a program to edit contest logs afterwards, a so-called contest post processor. With help of LM you can convert row data to many different file formats. Allow a quick input interface, and contest score for several contest. Can import & export a batch of logs and to create result lists.
N1MM Logger+ is one of the most popular contest logging programs for Windows and it is the evolution of the N1MM classic. N1MM Logger plus is fully free to download and to use software featuring automatic CW generation, rotator and radio control, suport for So2R, cluster support, winkeyer interface, import export cabrillo and adif formats and many more features. Download N1MM from the official web site with latest callsign files and updated.
SkookumLogger is a free contest logging program for Mac OS X 10.7 or later, supporting CW and SSB events on the six HF contest bands plus 6m, 4m, 2m, and 70cm
SunSDR2 DX is a direct sampling 100 watt SDR transceiver developed for the serious DX’er and contest operator.
The SunSDR2 DX transceiver based on the well-known SunSDR2 PRO transceiver with several hardware improvements.
Like its predecessor, the SunSDR2 DX covers all HF bands plus 50 MHz and 144 MHz VHF bands with a general coverage receiver. It combines high performance and 100 watt transmit power on HF Bands in a compact size with a LAN interface for maximum flexibility.
Remote control over DSL or mobile 3G or 4G connections provide a full SDR experience using the Expert Remote System.
Hardware improvements in comparison to SunSDR2 PRO:
Improved supply system, which leads to less heating and less power consumption
HPF for VHF (100 MHz) to eliminate strong out-of-band stations coming from HF
LPF for HF (70 MHz) to eliminate strong out-of-band stations coming from VHF
New VHF LNA chip – PGA103+
Newhigh-performance built-in stereo audio codec 24 bit with 114 dB dynamic range
Sturdy DIP-type ExtCtrl connector
New connectors: external tuner control, external fan control, GND
Antuino is an accurate instrument that can be used in the field to measure SWR, field strength, modulation, etc. In the lab, it can be used to sweep filters, measure gain, distortion, frequency response, etc. It works upto 150 Mhz. On the third harmonic, it is usable on 435 Mhz band as well (with reduced sensitivity).
Details on projects by WA3TFS published in QST magazine over the past few years. Includes an online shop with several ham radio kits, circuit boards, simple SDR transceivers
The mini Radio Solutions miniVNA PRO is the only affordable vector network analyser (VNA) I know of that offers remote wireless operation. This is very interesting because it allows to measure the input impedance of HF antennas installed at height without having to deal with coax cable lengths, baluns nor common mode suppression chokes. However, to render the miniVNA PRO truly field proof, it requires a number of significant modifications.
An interesting page about Quad antennas. Modelling QUAD antennas, comparing quad antennas to yagi antennas. Information on QUAD Antenna tuning and home brewing with help on calculating dimensions and tuning.
Daki Funkversand is a German based web shop for Amateur- & CB-Radio equipment. Our shop includes products such as radios, antennas, equipment, PMR, LPD & Freenet.
Cubical Quad Antenna On-line Calculator helps on defining the size of each element and spreader. Simply give the resonating frequency and it will calculate size of each element.
ICChip, as an electronics-guide website, provides you with the industry professional electronic components data sheets, parameters, packaging and brand manufacturer information, as well as product-risk assessment and control, other environmental conflict mineral procurement and reporting solutions. Hope these semiconductors and electronic components data in each document can solve your problems and meet your requirements.
Portable specialist SOTABEAMS has launched a new carbon-fibre portable telescopic mast. The Carbon-6 has an extended length of 6 metres (19.6 ft) but weights just 300 grams (10.6 ounces).
Its packed length is only 43 cm (17 inches) making it a mast that can be taken pretty much anywhere.
The Carbon-6 has been designed for light-duty operations and is best suited for supporting the centre of end-fed wire antenna in inverted vee fashion.
It is likely that this will be a popular choice for the portable operator who undertakes more “extreme” forms of travel or just wants to travel light!
We are pleased to announce a new member of the SDRplay family – the RSPdx
The RSPdx is a replacement for the highly successful RSP2 and RSP2pro SDR receivers, which have been extensively redesigned to provide enhanced performance with additional and improved pre-selection filters, improved intermodulation performance, the addition of a user selectable DAB notch filter and more software selectable attenuation steps . The RSPdx , when used in conjunction with SDRplay’s own SDRuno software, introduces a special HDR (High Dynamic Range) mode for reception within selected bands below 2MHz. HDR mode delivers improved intermodulation performance and fewer spurious responses for those challenging bands.
The RSP2 and RSP2pro design is over 3 years old now, and so the RSPdx has taken advantage of a lot of the learning from our work on the newer RSP1A and RSPduo designs as well as ongoing feedback from customers.
These three videos give more information as follows:
In the coming weeks, links to more demos and articles relating the RSPdx will be added to our apps and support catalogue: https://www.sdrplay.com/apps-catalogue/
The pricing for the RSPdx will be similar to the RSP2pro (approximately $199 USD or £159 GBP excluding taxes) and the current schedule is for units to be available to buy from around 22nd November – wither direct from this website (click on purchase) or from our authorised channel partners and resellers: https://www.sdrplay.com/distributors/
About SDR Play RSPdx
The SDRplay RSPdx is a complete redesign of the popular RSP2 and RSP2pro multi-antenna receiver. It’s a wideband fullfeatured 14-bit SDR which covers the entire RF spectrum from 1kHz to 2GHz.
Combined with the power of readily available SDR receiver software (including ‘SDRuno’ supplied by SDRplay) you can monitor up to 10MHz spectrum at a time.
The RSPdx provides three software selectable antenna inputs, and an external clock input. All it needs is a computer and an antenna to provide excellent communications receiver functionality. A documented API allows developers to create new demodulators or applications around the platform.
KEY BENEFITS & FEATURES
Covers all frequencies from 1kHz through VLF, LF, MW, HF, VHF, UHF and L-band to 2GHz, with no gaps
Receive, monitor and record up to 10MHz of spectrum at a time
Performance below 2MHz substantially enhanced – improved dynamic range and selectivity
Software selectable choice of 3 antenna ports
Enhanced ability to cope with extremely strong signals
External clock input for synchronisation purposes, or connection to GPS reference clock for extra frequency accuracy
Excellent dynamic range for challenging reception conditions
Free use of windows-based SDRuno software which provides an ever-increasing feature-set
Strong and growing software support network
Calibrated S meter/ RF power and SNR measurement with SDRuno (including datalogging to .CSV file capability)
Documented API provided to allow demodulator or application development on multiple platforms
SDRplay limited is a UK company and consists of a small group of engineers with strong connections to the UK Wireless semiconductor industry. SDRplay announced its first product, the RSP1 in August 2014
This Field Day Vertical Antenna project is the result of many years of attending various field day sites and realizing that what was needed is a simple, easy to assemble vertical antenna. The design of this Field Day Antenna is not very novel and leverages ideas from Butternut verticals and ARRL publications. The one essential requirement was that the antenna can be raised by just one person. The design of this Field Day Antenna is an above ground mounted ground plane vertical.
A classic document originally presented in Proceedings of the Institute of Radio Engineers in 1937 and is, still today, the standard referenced by the FCC, text books and many amateur radio publications.
Download the official IC-705 RF direct sampling VHF, UHF, HF, D-Star all mode 10W QRP portable transceiver. Pre-release information in a PDF file all in English.
An unusual Titan DX antenna seutp, done without the standard counterpoise. This document is not an official manual, but rather a personal note to record the antenna setup with the custom wire counterpoise.
The Ultimate Control Software for the IC-7300, IC-7610, IC-7600, IC-7850, IC-7851 and Others is a control software suite that includes additional interesting features such as support for the built in Spectrum Scope, Audio monitors, Shortwave DB, CW Terminal, Clublog Spotting, Memory management, interface to Ham Radio Deluxe Logbook, DM780, n1mm+, log4om, DXLab and other. Runs on Windows OS, commercial licence.
A review of the GAP Challenger DX Antenna that is not a traditional 1/4 wave vertical, but is a vertical dipole, this gives it several advantages over a standard 1/4 wave vertical, mainly the reduced number of radials, with excellent performances.
Win4Yaesu Suite is a commercial software for Yaesu FTDX and FT991 Radios. It includes support for SDRPlay and LPPAN panadapters. It interfaces to all third party hardware and software programs including HRDLogbook, DM780, DXLabsSuite, NAP3, N1MM+ and many more.
This EXCEL Program Worksheet calculates the common-mode impedance of a 1:1 Guanella (current) balun which is placed at the feed point of a balanced antenna system fed via coax.
This online calculator will give as output the Inductance L of a coil, including the total lenght of the wire needed to wound the coil. As input, requires the Diameter, number of turns, wire diameter and turn spacing
The ADALM-PLUTO active learning module (PlutoSDR) is an easy to use tool marketed by Analog Devices Inc. that can be used to approach the Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology or to learn the basic concepts and topics of electronic engineering or again to explore advanced topics in the field of radio frequency communications, both in “instructor” and “self-learning” mode.
PlutoSDR allows students to better understand the real RF world around them and is applicable to all students, at all levels, in all areas. Learning in a practical way with PlutoSDR will guarantee a solid base particularly suitable for students who follow a scientific, technological or engineering study path.
The PlutoSDR active learning module is a tool that “amplifies” the relationship between theory and practical activity in the field of radiofrequency.
PlutoSDR provides a personal portable laboratory that, when used with a host, can increase classroom learning. A variety of software packages like MATLAB or Simulink provide an innovative graphical user interface (GUI), which allows intuitive use and minimizes the learning curve, allowing students to learn faster, work smarter and explore more!
The ADALM-PLUTO active learning module is a learning tool for everyone.
Based on the Analog Devices AD9363, it offers a reception channel and a transmission channel that can be managed in full duplex, able to generate or measure analog RF signals from 325 to 3800 MHz, up to 61.44 MSPS, with a width 20 MHz band. PlutoSDR is completely autonomous, truly pocket-sized (it fits perfectly in the shirt pocket) and is entirely powered by USB with the default firmware. With support for OS X ™, Windows ™ and Linux ™, it enables the exploration and understanding of RF systems regardless of where the user is or when.
In practice, adding RX filters, an antenna and a pair of VHF-UHF-microwave amplifiers with PlutoSDR it is possible to build a 144-430-1200-2400 MHz quad-band, both for SSB use and for digital transmissions, using the PC as control console SDR. With the necessary adjustments it also accepts full-duplex for satellite use.
The cost is just over 100 euros, truly within the reach of every experimenter.
Features
Portable self-contained RF learning module
Cost-effective experimentation platform
Based on Analog Devices AD9363 Highly Integrated RF Agile Transceiver and Xilinx® Zynq Z-7010 FPGA
RF coverage from 325 MHz to 3.8 GHz
Up to 20 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth
Flexible rate, 12-bit ADC and DAC
One transmitter and one receiver, half or full duplex
MATLAB® Simulink® support
GNU Radio sink and source blocks
Libiio, a C, C++, C#, and Python API
USB 2.0 Interface
High quality plastic enclosure
PlutoSDR Host Interface
The PlutoSDR supports the following USB device classes:
X Mass storage (for easy firmware updates)
X Serial (for interacting with the Linux kernel/userspace on PlutoSDR)
X Networking/RNDIS (for loading and controlling custom ARM® applications)
X Libiio (bulk USB for SDR data transfer and control)
X Device firmware upgrade (for backup firmware upgrades)
Open Source
The PlutoSDR open source firmware is built from Das U-Boot, the Linux kernel, and Buildroot. As part of the class materials, the firmware is able to be run, copied, distributed, studied, changed, and improved with Vivado® HL WebPACKTM Edition (license free). Supporting USB 2.0 On-the-Go, the PlutoSDR can attach to a variety of USB peripherals (wired networking, Wi-Fi dongles, audio, etc.), which extends functionality. All documentation is open and available at wiki.analog.com/plutosdr.
Connecting RF Theory with RF Practice
The PlutoSDR works as a portable lab that, when used with a host, can
augment classroom learning. MATLAB® and Simulink® are two of the
many software packages supported by PlutoSDR, and it provides an
intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) so students can learn faster, work
smarter, and explore more.
Made for Teachers, Students, and Self-Learners
The PlutoSDR features independent receive and transmit channels that can
be operated in full duplex. The active learning module can generate or acquire
RF analog signals from 325 MHz to 3800 MHz at up to 61.44 megasamples
per second (MSPS). Small enough to fit in a shirt pocket, the PlutoSDR
is completely self-contained and entirely USB powered with the default
firmware. Because PlutoSDR is enabled by libiio drivers, it supports OS X®,
Windows®, and Linux®, which allows students to learn and explore on a
variety of devices.
The Adalm Pluto by Analog Devices is a Portable self-contained RF learning module, based on Analog Devices AD9363--Highly Integrated RF Agile Transceiver and Xilinx® Zynq Z-7010 FPGA. Includes one transmitter and one receiver, half or full duplex and cover 325 MHz to 3.8 GHz
With dozens of available online tutorials for SDR-based projects, PlutoSDR boasts labs and teaching material covering topics such as ADS-B aircraft position, receiving NOAA and Meteor-M2 weather satellite imagery, GSM analysis, listening to TETRA signals, pager decoding, and many more!
CQ WW DX SSB: October 26-27 Starts 00:00:00 UTC Saturday Ends 23:59:59 UTC Sunday
The CQ WW SSB is the largest Amateur Radio competition in the world. Over 35,000 participants take to the airwaves on the last weekend of October with the goal of making as many contacts with as many different DXCC entities and CQ Zones as possible.
GOAL: For amateurs around the world to contact as many other amateurs in as many CQ zones and countries as possible.
BANDS: Six bands only: 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21 and 28 MHz. Observance of established band plans is strongly encouraged.
EXCHANGE: RS report plus CQ Zone number of the station location (e.g., 59 05).
TR4W (TR for Windows) is a free and open source log book program for operating in ham radio contests. Based on source code of the TR LOG MS-DOS program, kindly provided by Larry Tyree, N6TR, supports 155 contests and SO2R
LM is a program to edit contest logs afterwards, a so-called contest post processor. With help of LM you can convert row data to many different file formats. Allow a quick input interface, and contest score for several contest. Can import & export a batch of logs and to create result lists.
N1MM Logger+ is one of the most popular contest logging programs for Windows and it is the evolution of the N1MM classic. N1MM Logger plus is fully free to download and to use software featuring automatic CW generation, rotator and radio control, suport for So2R, cluster support, winkeyer interface, import export cabrillo and adif formats and many more features. Download N1MM from the official web site with latest callsign files and updated.
SkookumLogger is a free contest logging program for Mac OS X 10.7 or later, supporting CW and SSB events on the six HF contest bands plus 6m, 4m, 2m, and 70cm
This document is a must read for anyone considering building a good low cost HF multi-band antenna system. The author combine in this document four important ingredients to produce simple but effective antenna system, like antennas of non resonant length, line attenuation, the transmatch and the balun
In this experiment the autor is going to explore the use of a 1:64 matching network on the End Fed Long Wire Antenna. Experiment will consist in build a 80-40-20-15-10 meter End Fed Long Wire Antenna with a 1:64 matching network from the documentation available on the internet
A review of the 30 meter MonoGap Antenna. This review covers from the unboxing go the Gap product, the assembly of the elements, the test and tuning phase and a performance report during the years
Complete plan for making a 2-meter J-Pole antenna. This drawing in PDF File includes a detailed list of the parts needed to assemble the Jpole antenna for 144 MHz.
Many times, persons doing research about their ancestors know that a relative was a ham radio operator, and they are interested in learning the call sign held by that person. Depending on the year when the person was licensed, this can sometimes be a very difficult process.
This is a QST Article published in January 1982 by W1FB D. Demaw and HH Beverage and is a complete review of the original article published in 1922, which updates and reivew the beverage antenna theory and developlment, explaining the antenna design of transformers and gives accurate reports on antenna general performance.
I have RFI, now what– Locating it. This article is the first of a three parts article, that covers the problem of locating the RFI source. Author make use of an SDR receiver to locate RFI emissions. Ai interesting RFI location process diagrams helps on following the various phases, permitting the discovery of almost 75% of the RFI issues.
This EXCEL Program Worksheet calculates the safe operating conditons for a toroidal transformer operating between 1 and 50 MHz. Manufacturer data for complex permeability, magnetic dimensions, and saturation flux density must be available. Some core types which are commonly used in amateur transmission are included. The program produces limiting winding voltages for linear operation and temperature rise over the range of frequencies and power specified.
Reference site of the HAMVOIP AllstarLink AllstarLink provides hams with a means of connecting radios, repeaters or simplex links, over the internet. It is built upon the asterisk open source PBX and runs on Linux
JOTA-JOTI is the largest Scouting event in the world with over 1.3 million Scouts participating across 150+ countries. Scouts and Guides across the world connect with each other during JOTA-JOTI using the airwaves and the internet.
JOTA is a spectacular opportunity to introduce Scouts to amateur radio. For many, this will be their first exposure to the world of ham radio. Some will go on to become hams, enjoying the hobby for a lifetime. A few will even find the basis of a career in science and technology.
The event has been held the third weekend of October since 1957.
The next Jota will be 18-20 October 2019
Why is there a JOTA-JOTI ?
Jamboree on the Air – Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA-JOTI) is a fun and exciting annual experience for all young people in Scouting using the widest range of technology communication channels to educate, promote cultural awareness, develop tolerance, as well as enhance sharing, collaboration and teamwork, along with building a sense of belonging to the worldwide Scout Movement. It is a “travel-free” Jamboree that takes place wherever you are in the world
JOTA-JOTI Purpose
Jamboree on the Air – Jamboree on the Internet (JOTA-JOTI) is a fun and exciting annual experience for all young people in Scouting using the widest range of technology communication channels to educate, promote cultural awareness, develop tolerance, as well as enhance sharing, collaboration and teamwork, along with building a sense of belonging to the worldwide Scout Movement. It is a “travel-free” Jamboree that takes place wherever you are in the world.
JOTA-JOTI Description
Jamboree on the Air – Jamboree on the Internet promotes a Scout’s sense of belonging to the worldwide Scout Movement and builds cultural awareness, develops tolerance, advocates sharing and collaboration as well as demonstrates teamwork.
It provides exciting opportunities for young people to explore technology and to develop technical skills including fostering innovation and creativity through communicating with other Scouts. A wide range of activities using communication technology are the chief methods of attaining these goals.
JOTA-JOTI strives for a meaningful engagement of as many young people from as many parts of the world as possible annually on the third weekend in October. This weekend is also an occasion to celebrate Scouting and to generate positive energy to support the development of the Scout Movement.
The event seeks to promote quality Scouting in a manner faithful to the purpose, principles and method of Scouting and consistent with the needs and aspirations of young people in today’s world.
The JOTA-JOTI programme shall be a reflection of the Promise, Law, Principles and Method of Scouting, as defined by the WOSM Constitution, and shall also reflect the most up-to-date policies and initiatives of WOSM relating to youth programme for all ages.
JOTA Operating Rules
All radio operators must operate their station strictly in accordance with FCC regulations.
Stations should try to contact each other by calling “CQ Jamboree” or “CQ JOTA” or by answering other stations sending this call.
Any authorized amateur radio frequency may be used. It is suggested that the frequencies listed below be used, at least for a starting point. Once contact is established, you can move to another frequency to leave the calling frequency open for others.
Any amateur mode of operation can be used such, as CW, SSB, PSK, SSTV, FM, and satellite. The more modes in operation, the more exciting the event will be for the Scouts.
JOTA is not a contest. The idea is to contact other Scout stations and allow as many Scouts as possible to talk to other Scouts and learn about who they are and what they are doing. You might think about counting the Scouts on both sides of the QSO rather than the number of QSOs!
JOTA Suggested Frequencies
All frequencies are shown as megahertz.
Primary HF recommendations are for General Class licensees. Technicians may take advantage of 10 m and VHF/UHF for voice communications.
After contact is made on Calling Channel or frequency, move to another channel or frequency for QSO.
Experiment with modes prior to JOTA or Radio Scouting demo. ‘Murphy’s Law’ prevails!
Use web search tools to find lots of helpful information about any of the modes commonly used for JOTA and Radio Scouting.
WOSM (World Organization of the Scouting Movement) calling frequencies are shown to indicate center of international activity.
World Wide JOTA HF Frequencies
Band
SSB (phone)
CW (Morse)
80 m
3.690 & 3.940 MHz
3.570 MHz
40 m
7.090 & 7.190 MHz
7.030 MHz
20 m
14.290 MHz
14.060 MHz
17 m
18.140 MHz
18.080 MHz
15 m
21.360 MHz
21.140 MHz
12 m
24.960 MHz
24.910 MHz
10 m
28.390 MHz
28.180 MHz
6 m
50.160 MHz
50.160 MHz
European JOTA Frequencies
JOTA isa worldwide event, and JOTA staions in Euripe are looking for contacts. To avoid a conflcit with the Worked All Germany contenst, European JOTA stations will be active on these band segments:
80 m
CW 3.560-3.800 kHz
SSB 3.650-3.700 kHz
40 m
CW 7.040-7.200 kHz
SSB 7.080-7.140 kHz
20 m
CW 14.060-14.350 kHz
SSB 14.100-14.125 kHZ and 14.280-14.350 kHZ
15 m
SSB 21.350-21.450 kHz
10 m
SSB 28.225-28.400 kHz
2 Meter FM Simplex
147.450, 147.480, 147.510, 147.540* * Use 147.540 as Calling Channel. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO or auxiliary or control link. Avoid 146.520, the National FM Simplex Calling Frequency, as well as 146.550, which is commonly used by mobiles and RVers.
70 CM FM Simplex
446.000*, 445.950, 446.050, 446.100, 446.150 * Use 446.000 as Calling Channel. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO or auxiliary or control link.
D-STAR
REF033A has been allocated as a full-time JOTA/Radio Scouting D-STAR Reflector. After contact is established, stations should disconnect from REF033A and connect to one or other repeater or migrate to an unused Reflector.
SIMPLEX Channels: 145.670*, 145.640, 145.610, 438.010. * 145.670 and 438.010 are commonly used as the National D-STAR Simplex Channels and should be used only as Calling Channels for JOTA. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO.
DMR
All wide area talkgroups are permitted for use for JOTA for establishing contacts. After contact is established, stations should utilize as few resources as possible. For international, national, and regional QSO’s, stations should move their transmissions to one of the DMR-MARC UA talkgroups or to the DCI TAC-310 talkgroup.
For intrastate contacts, stations may use their area’s statewide talkgroup (if applicable). The use of your repeater’s local talkgroup (if applicable) is always permitted.
SIMPLEX Channels: 441.0000*, 446.5000, 446.0750, 433.4500, 145.7900*, 145.5100. All simplex frequencies operate on time-slot 1 and use color code 1. (*are commonly used as the National DMR Simplex Channels and should be used only as Calling Channels for JOTA. Always listen first to avoid interfering with another QSO.)
Need More Information?
Go to scouting.org/jota, for the information provided by the Boy Scouts of America.
The DXZone is the largest human created and maintained library of web sites dedicated to Amateur Radio, currently lists 20.000+ links organized into 600+ categories and subcategories. Ham Radio operators review new sites every day since 1998, for potential inclusion in the Directory, and to evaluate the best place to list them