Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1912
World Amateur Radio Day 2019
Every April 18, radio amateurs worldwide take to the airwaves in celebration of World Amateur Radio Day. It was on this day in 1925 that the International Amateur Radio Union was formed in Paris.
Amateur Radio experimenters were the first to discover that the short wave spectrum – far from being a wasteland – could support worldwide propagation. In the rush to use these shorter wavelengths, Amateur Radio was “in grave danger of being pushed aside,” the IARU’s history has noted. Amateur Radio pioneers met in Paris in 1925 and created the IARU to support Amateur Radio worldwide.
Just two years later, at the International Radiotelegraph Conference, Amateur Radio gained the allocations still recognized today — 160, 80, 40, 20, and 10 meters. Since its founding, the IARU has worked tirelessly to defend and expand the frequency allocations for Amateur Radio. Thanks to the support of enlightened administrations in every part of the globe, radio amateurs are now able to experiment and communicate in frequency bands strategically located throughout the radio spectrum. From the 25 countries that formed the IARU in 1925, the IARU has grown to include 160 member-societies in three regions. IARU Region 1 includes Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Northern Asia. Region 2 covers the Americas, and Region 3 is comprised of Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific island nations, and most of Asia. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has recognized the IARU as representing the interests of Amateur Radio.
Today, Amateur Radio is more popular than ever, with more than 3,000,000 licensed operators!
World Amateur Radio Day is the day when IARU Member-Societies can show our capabilities to the public and enjoy global friendship with other Amateurs worldwide.
We have provided a poster for World Amateur Radio Day. Any club may download it and use it to promote WARD in their area. The poster comes in two sizes: 61cm x 91cm and a small (A4) flyer.
Groups should promote their WARD activity on social media by using the hash tag #WorldAmateurRadioDay on Twitter and Facebook. IARU will list all WARD activities on this page. To have your WARD activity listed, send an email to IARU Secretary David Sumner, K1ZZ.
April 18 is the day for all of Amateur Radio to celebrate and tell the world about the science we can help teach, the community service we can provide and the fun we have.
We hope you will join in the fun and education that is World Amateur Radio Day!
Activation Information:
Brazil: LABRE Roraima PV8AA will have various activities and satellite communications with Scout participation, including by young Venezuelan refugees..
Denmark: Denmark will be active on the 18th of April with more special call sign stations.
The callsign will be 5PØWARD and 5PØWHD.
Every single operator can use this special call signs for the 24 hours operation on the 18th.
The single operator will be assigned with a special suffix extension in mean of a personal number that shall be used throughout the day.
Extended suffix will be in the range from ØØ-99 – ex. 5PØWARD/36 5PØWHD/7.
Special station at Danish Contest Academy [OZ5E] will be activated with the call sign 5PØWARD/60 to honor one of the founders OZ1ADL Jan.
There will be a special award for contacts with stations on all modes and bands.
Further information, including rules for award can be found on https://www.qrz.com/db/5p0ward
Malaysia: On 18 April 2019 9M4CMN (9w2pck@marts.org.my) will be on the air from Segamat, Southern Malaysia and 9M4CKK (9m2cio@marts.org.my) will be active from Tumpat, East Coast of Malaysia from 0230hrs to 1530hrs UTC.
Portugal: The REP – Rede dos Emissores Portugueses will hold an Open House on Thursday, 18th April 2019, from 10h until 17h, at REP’s headquarters in Avenida Yasser Arafat 4 A, 2700-375 Amadora, demonstrating an installation of a portable and QRP amateur station, how to operate it and transport it.
United States (New Jersey): The Fair Lawn (NJ) Amateur Radio Club (FLARC) will hold an Open House
on Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 2PM-9PM EDT at FLARC’s clubhouse which is located within the Fair Lawn Recreation Center, 10-10 20th Street in Fair Lawn, NJ. Club members will be available to demonstrate the operating capabilities of its stations, discuss the many interests encompassed by amateur radio operators and discuss the role that amateur radio and the club play in public service activities by providing communication from local parades to natural disasters.
For more information, please visit the club’s website at www.fairlawnarc.org or call 201-791-3841.
Worldwide: The World Radio Network and the World Friendship Net will be participating in World Amateur Radio Day 2019.
For the second time in a row, the special event call sign W2W has been secured for this event. As well there will be a commemorative special event “WORLD AMATEUR RADIO DAY 2019” QSL Card. We will have a 12 hour net with 10 different net controllers from all over the world.
Please join us as we celebrate amateur radio all around the world on 18 April at 16:00 UTC via ECHOLINK on the “World” Conference server (IRLP 9251) and for the first time on Allstar Node #47620 – World Conference Hub.
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1911
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1910
MagPi Magazine Features Amateur Radio
Seven amazing ham radio projects featured on MagPi a popular Raspberry Pi magazine, available for free in PDF Format
MagPi Issue 80, Raspeberry Pi official magazine, contains an interesting articles on amateur radio projects implemented with Rasperry Pi.
Article is by Dave Honess M6DNT and Rob Zwetsloot and includes
- Pictures from Space via Ham Radio – Have you ever wanted to receive a radio signal from space? It’s fun and a lot easier than you might think!
- What is Ham Radio? – an introduction to amateur radio form early days.
- Using Ham Radio with Raspberry Pi – What you need to get started using amateur radio applications
- Amazing Ham Radio Projects – 7 projects
Some readers raised concerns about the FM Transmitter project on Page 72. MagPi has removed this project from the Digital Edition and are investigating further.
MagPi Free PDF Download
The whole MagPi issue 80 can be downloaded for free
More Raspberry Pi Ham Radio Projects
On The DXZone we also featured 9 Ham Radio Raspberry Pi Projects and more Amateur Radio Rasperry Pi Ideas containing interesting applications that can be easily run on the Raspibian device.
CQ WPX SSB Contest 2019
The 2019 CQ World-Wide WPX Contest
http://www.cqwpx.com/rules.htm
SSB: March 30-31, 2019 CW: May 25-26, 2019
[SSB is always the last full weekend of March, CW is always the last full weekend of May]
Starts: 0000 UTC Saturday Ends: 2359 UTC Sunday
Objective
For amateurs world wide to contact as many amateurs and prefixes as possible during the contest period.
Period of Operation
48 hours. Single Operator stations may operate 36 of the 48 hours – off times must be a minimum of 60 minutes during which no QSO is logged. Multi-operator stations may operate the full 48 hours.
Bands
Only the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 MHz bands may be used.
Observance of established band plans is strongly encouraged.
EXCHANGE:
RS(T) report plus a progressive contact serial number starting with 001 for the first contact. Note: Multi-Two and Multi-Unlimited entrants use separate serial number sequences on each band.
SCORING:
A. Score: The final score is the result of the total QSO points multiplied by the number of different prefixes worked.
B. QSO Points: A station may be worked once on each band for QSO point credit:
- Contacts between stations on different continents are worth three (3) points on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and six (6) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz.
- Contacts between stations on the same continent, but different countries, are worth one (1) point on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and two (2) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz. Exception: For North American stations only—contacts between stations within the North American boundaries (both stations must be located in North America) are worth two (2) points on 28, 21, and 14 MHz and four (4) points on 7, 3.5, and 1.8 MHz.
- Contacts between stations in the same country are worth 1 point regardless of band.
C. Prefix Multipliers: The prefix multiplier is the number of valid prefixes worked.
Each PREFIX is counted only once regardless of the band or number of times the same prefix is worked.
- A PREFIX is the letter/numeral combination which forms the first part of the amateur call. Examples: N8, W8, WD8, HG1, HG19, KC2, OE2, OE25, LY1000, etc. Any difference in the numbering, lettering, or order of same shall count as a separate prefix. A station operating from a DXCC entity different from that indicated by its call sign is required to sign portable. The portable prefix must be an authorized prefix of the country/call area of operation. In cases of portable operation, the portable designator will then become the prefix. Example: N8BJQ operating from Wake Island would sign N8BJQ/KH9 or N8BJQ/NH9. KH6XXX operating from Ohio must use an authorized prefix for the U.S. 8th district (/W8, /AD8, etc.). Portable designators without numbers will be assigned a zero (Ø) after the second letter of the portable designator to form the prefix. Example: PA/N8BJQ would become PAØ. All calls without numbers will be assigned a zero (Ø) after the first two letters to form the prefix. Example: XEFTJW would count as XEØ. Maritime mobile, mobile, /A, /E, /J, /P, or other license class identifiers do not count as prefixes.
- Special event, commemorative, and other unique prefix stations are encouraged to participate. Prefixes must be assigned by the licensing authority of the country of operation.
Official CQ WW WPX Contest Rules
Be sure to read the official rules at CQ WW WPX Contest page
Contest Software
A curation of contest programs taken from our Contest Software links page
Amateur Radio News 12 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 Calgary, Canada
An International Space Station school contact has been planned for David St-Jacques KG5FYI with North Point School for Boys, Calgary, Alberta, Canada… - The K7RA Solar Update
Following a month of no sunspots in February, solar activity returned on March 5-12, then disappeared over five days, returning last week on March 18-20.But our reporting week (Always Thursday through the following Wednesday) ended with a bang when t… - OH10X IOTA “Ice DXpedition” to Inakari Island Logs More Than 8,000 Contacts
- Propagation de K7RA
Sunspots reemerged for 8 days on March 5-12. Average daily sunspot numbers rose from 4.4 in last week’s bulletin to 9.9 this week (March 7-13). Average daily solar flux barely changed, from 70.6 to 70.9. Average planetary A index declined from 12.6 t… - Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, Appointed as New ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager
Headquarters veteran Bart Jahnke, W9JJ, has been appointed as ARRL Radiosport and Field Services Manager. Jahnke, who has served as ARRL Contest Branch Manager for the past 3 years, succeeds Norm Fusaro, W3IZ, who was recently promoted to Director of… - Commenting electronically on FCC proceedings
Those interested in posting brief comments on Petitions for Rulemaking (PRMs) to the FCC, such as the ARRL Technician Enhancement proposal (RM-11828) using the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) should access FCC Electronic Comment Filing System… - FCC cites amateur service rule violations
ARRL reports on further developments regarding the case of alleged unlicensed FM broadcasting on 95.7 MHz… - ARRL Field Day Web Content Updated for 2019
- 3Y0I DXpedition Team Reports It has Departed for Bouvet Island
- Comments Due March 22 on Proposed Updates to the National Emergency Communications Plan
- Amateur radio in UK Spectrum Policy Forum report
The UK Spectrum Policy Forum (SPF) have released the report Valuing the impact of radio spectrum use on the UK economy which features amateur radio… - Ofcom confirms approach to recovering costs for satellite filing work
Ofcom has just published a statement on recovering the costs for its satellite filing work from industry… - Photo tour of the 2019 Charlotte Hamfest
Last weekend, we attended the 2019 Charlotte (North Carolina) Hamfest. This regional hamfest was well-attended and flea market vendors had a wide variety of radio items for sale
… - “Tyro” License Proposal Now Open for Public Comment
The same day that the FCC put ARRL’s Technician Enhancement petition on public notice, it also invited comments on another proposal, designated RM-11829, asking the FCC to create a “Tyro” license class that would require a minimal online examin… - W1AW Endowment Contributions will be Properly Credited Despite Incorrect Return Envelope
Due to an inadvertent mix-up, a recent ARRL solicitation letter to benefit the W1AW Endowment Fund included a return envelope designating the Spectrum Defense Fund.“We apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused for those who … - Earth-directed solar flare
A new and rapidly growing sunspot, AR2736, announced itself this morning with a C4-class solar flare … - Tony’s 10m Band Report
Well obviously Saturday and Sunday were the best days with the rest of the days nowhere. Star of the week without a doubt 5X3C (Uganda) along with KP3Z (Puerto Rico). There have been some spoof stations about. I can’t find TI/2KC2MXH but it looks w… - 23-24 March Activity Days – 5th Anniversary of RDRC
We invite you to the Birthday of RDRC – activity days Made in Russia 2019. Our club was founded on March 21, 2014 … - ARRL supports no change to Table of Allocations for 45.5 – 47 and 47 – 47.2 GHz bands
The FCC has opened a brief window for public comment on recommendations approved by the World Radiocommunication Conference Advisory Committee (WAC). Comments are due March 18 on International Bureau Docket 16-185… - Propagation Report from Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is expected to remain at low levels… - FoxTelem Version 1.07 Released
I’m officially releasing version 1.07 of FoxTelem. A test version has been out for a while, but it had several issues, including a lower decode rate than 1.06. That prevented release for a while. Those issues (and something like 65 other defect… - Commenting Electronically on FCC Proceedings
Those interested posting brief comments on Petitions for Rulemaking (PRMs) to the FCC, such as the ARRL Technician Enhancement proposal (RM-11828) using the Electronic Comment Filing System (ECFS) should access FCC Electronic Comment Filing System Ex… - FCC invites comments on ARRL Technician Enhancement proposal
The FCC has invited public comments on ARRL’s 2018 Petition for Rule Making, now designated as RM-11828, which asks the FCC to expand HF privileges for Technician licensees to include limited phone privileges on 75, 40, and 15 meters, plus RTTY and d… - ICQ Podcast – UHF/VHF Weekender Transceiver Kit Review
In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL and Frank Howell K4FMH to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin M6BOY rounds up the news in brief and this episode’s feature is a review of the UHF/VH… - General Class Element 3 Question Pool Errata Released
Top Amateur Radio Websites – Issue 1909
Amateur Radio News 11 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.
- IOTA news from OPDX
Weekly IOTA News – compiled by Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW, editor of the Ohio/Penn DX Bulletin… - GQRP Club Founder the Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV, SK
The founder of the GQRP Club and Amateur Radio author the Rev. George Dobbs, G3RJV, of Littleborough, England, died on March 11. He was 75. Dobbs was reported to have been in ill health for some time and had been living in a care facility, where his … - ITU Strengthening Emergency Telecommunications in the Americas
In the aftermath of disasters, alternative telecommunication systems are often needed to fill in for systems that have been damaged or destroyed. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) says its members consider emergency communication as a p… - IOTA news from the DARC
Compiled by Andreas, DK5ON of the Deutscher Amateur Radio Club… - ARRL Announces 2019 Teachers Institutes on Wireless Technology Sessions
As part of its educational outreach through the Education & Technology Program (ETP), ARRL will offer three sessions of the Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology in July. These week-long workshops will be held at ARRL Headquarters in Newingto… - Propagation de K7RA
After no sunspots over the entire month of February, sunspot group 2734 appeared on March 5. So far the new sunspot numbers are 14, 17, and 14 on March 5-7. I believe this was the longest consecutive period (33 days) with no sunspots on this declinin… - Survey: FT8 Growing as DX Mode in an Era of Waning Propagation
In the 2018 update of his survey of modes used on the air, Club Log’s Michael Wells, G7VJR, says the number of Club Log users uploading at least one FT8 contact to the site grew from 8,000 in 2017 to 14,200 in 2018. Wells worked with data from Club… - ARISS contact planned for students in Calgary, Canada
An International Space Station school contact has been planned for David St-Jacques KG5FYI with North Point School for Boys, Calgary, Alberta, Canada… - Propagation Report from Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP
Hannes Coetzee, ZS6BZP, reports that the solar activity is expected to remain at low levels… - St Patrick’s Day Award
Ireland’s South Eastern Amateur Radio Group will be active in the St Patrick’s Day Award which takes place 12 noon on the 16th March to 12 noon on the 18th March UTC… - Infoline issue 388 posted
- NASA coverage for next Space Station crew launch and docking
Two American astronauts and a Russian cosmonaut are set to join the crew aboard the International Space Station on Thursday, March 14. The trio’s arrival will return the orbiting laboratory’s population to six, including three NASA astronauts… - IARUMS Region 1 Newsletter February 2019 available!
The IARUMS Region 1 Newsletter February 2019 is now available. Click here!
… - How to support AMSAT
AMSAT relies on the support of our members and the amateur radio community to Keep Amateur Radio in Space… - Reunion Island
Croatian operators from the Radio Club Marjan (9A1CBM) and Radioclub Kastilac (9A1CIG) will use the special callsign, TO19A, between April 27th and May 8th… - Help support a ham
Mike, V51MA, has been a very active ham in Namibia and he has been through a lot of difficulty. We should help to get him back on the air soon… - More Mentors Needed for New ARRL Emergency Communications Course Sessions
High interest in the recently announced updated ARRL Introduction to Emergency Communications (EC-001) course is prompting a call for additional class mentors to help meet the demand, which ARRL Lifelong Learning Manager Kris Bickell, K1BIC, says “… - Canada’s Amateur Radio Population Showing Continued Growth
- 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… - GNU licensed KLog Logbook software v.0.9.7 released
Jaime, EA4TV, released KLog v.0.9.7, a multiplatform free hamradio logging program which is able to run in Linux, Windows and macOS… - FCC requesting comments on two ham radio license proposals
The ARRL reports the FCC has invited public comments on two separate proposals on amateur radio licensing… - Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS/F5VKP, Receives IARU Diamond Award
The Administrative Council of the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) has recognized Hans Zimmermann, HB9AQS/F5VKP, for his success over many years in gaining recognition, at the International Telecommunication Union and other international bodi… - VK6WIA NewsWest
NewsWest for 10th March 2019, History of Amateur Radio edition. NewsWest is the VK6 news programme by, for and about Radio Amateurs… - Reminder: Daylight Saving Time Begins in Most of the US on March 10
In most of the US, Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins on Sunday, March 10, at 2 AM local time. Set clocks ahead by 1 hour. The start of DST does not affect Universal Coordinated Time (UTC), also known as Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or simply Zulu (Z), a… - March GEO Newsletter available for download
The March PDF of the weather satellite publication GEO Newsletter produced by the Group for Earth Observation is now available for free download…