This video shows an example of 50WPM (250 characters per minute) morse code sending with a Begali Scultpure. This video is worth watching so do look out for it.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Got my first lighthouse QSL card :
On 23rd. Feb,2009 I got my first lighthouse QSL card of course it was an VU lighthouse. I worked them on 20M and 40M.
My log entry:
17/08/2008 Feq: 7.085 UTC: 02.31 RST: 59
17/08/2008 Feq: 14.220 UTC: 13.54 RST: 59
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
My HF rig ICOM IC-718 :
When I got my tickets on 1st. August, 2006 immediate thing came into my mind is which HF rig I should go for. One thing was for sure that I will go for only HF rig that does not have VHF/UHF. This is always a tough call for we HAMs. Ultimately after doing lot of surfing on internet I made up my mind to go for ICOM IC-718 which was available at the lowest price of any new 100W HF radio in any category.
IC-718 offers a lot of bang for the buck. Although the IC-718 does not include an antenna tuner, provision is made for one of two ICOM external tuners. Personally I use a manual ATU (MFJ-901B) cheap best and easy to use. The IC-718 is generally easy to operate and includes all the basic controls and capabilities to get you on the air. If u need to add features through available options, the price will go considerably. By purchasing options late, you may minimize the initial pain. This I have been using it with no complains up till now. Have worked almost 119 countries and that too on simple Dipole as well as inverted vee. It is simply great!
IC-718 offers a lot of bang for the buck. Although the IC-718 does not include an antenna tuner, provision is made for one of two ICOM external tuners. Personally I use a manual ATU (MFJ-901B) cheap best and easy to use. The IC-718 is generally easy to operate and includes all the basic controls and capabilities to get you on the air. If u need to add features through available options, the price will go considerably. By purchasing options late, you may minimize the initial pain. This I have been using it with no complains up till now. Have worked almost 119 countries and that too on simple Dipole as well as inverted vee. It is simply great!
Monday, February 23, 2009
CW Skimmer :
CW Skimmer is perhaps the most unusual Morse decoder, designed for contesting by Alex shovkoplyas, VE3NEA, this window's application continuously scans the audio output of your receiver and displays the visual signature and call sign of every CW signal it can "hear". As it decodes call signs, CW Skimmer lists them in a kind of "band-map" along the right-hand side of the waterfall display next to the signal traces. The decoded text appears along the bottom of the window.
To use CW Skimmer you'll need a PC running windows 98 or XP with a sound card connected to the audio output of your transceiver. CW skimmer also requires a radio with a computer control (CAT) interface. Fortunately, most modern transceivers include this feature.
You'll find the CW Skimmer page on the web at www.dxatlas.com/cwskimmer/.
Courtesy : WB8IMY
To use CW Skimmer you'll need a PC running windows 98 or XP with a sound card connected to the audio output of your transceiver. CW skimmer also requires a radio with a computer control (CAT) interface. Fortunately, most modern transceivers include this feature.
You'll find the CW Skimmer page on the web at www.dxatlas.com/cwskimmer/.
Courtesy : WB8IMY
Friday, February 20, 2009
7Th MA-HAM 2009 :
I fell I am very lucky this year, Yes, I am continuously having many opportunities to attend ham meets one after the other and able to see all my good old friends frequently. Thanks to the organizers of these meets for enabling me to do so.
After the Yecaud meet in January, on 14th Feb, I went to The MA-HAM meet, arranged by of the veteran, VU2VIT Vittalji, VU2INA Inar, VU3MPK Appan and VU2KBX Anna. As usual this is another meet at the famous tourist spot Mahapalipuram, started at 9.am in the morning and went on till 5 pm in the evening.
Every year this MA-HAM meet is arranged on the second Saturday of February. For this meet no registration or entrance or any other fee is charged. In this respect I would dare to say that THIS IS THE ONLY ONE HAM MEET BEING CONDUCTED AT SUCH A LOW AND CHEAPER COST EVER IN INDIA. All hams were invited earnestly, received respectfully in the venue, allowed to meet each other, chat, discuss and exchange information and experience between themselves through eyeball and a few talks and speeches were given by some hams, arranged on the spot. Between 1 pm to 2 pm all were requested to go for lunch to any hotels nearby, which are many in number, and have the food, to suit their taste and pocket. Really this was a thrilling experience to everyone who participated in such a meet.
I went through a record kept at the venue for registration and found that the number of participants in the year 07 was 54, in 08 was 143 and during this year, 09 it was 89. The entire expenses were born by sponsors, VU2TTL, VU3MII, VU3CPE, VU3MPK and SWL Nathan only, by way of their own contribution and private collection. They refused to receive any more donations from others. When I asked them why, the answer was that do not want to have any more money than what is required and they had sufficient fund by that time. When I again suggested receiving and keeping that for next year’s need, they replied that if they have more money then it would lead to politics and problems and hence declined that suggestion. What a fine statement? Have your ever heard like this in your life? In this world where chances are expected by all to get money, these individual behaved differently. I was really surprised and astonished. Really it was a bold venture and attempt by them to satisfy the hunger of all the hams by their own efforts.
Right from 8-30 am on words, all the hams started flowing in one by one and in groups, with lot of expectation and anxiety. By 9-30 the entire hall was full and I could see all the hams chatting with each other happily, exchanging greetings and reminding their earlier meets with them and passing on their activities details and improvements and new applications made in their shacks. I could see a great happiness in their eyes and in the interaction between all of them. Every one was shifting their positions from one to the other and was discussing with lot of interest. This went on till 11 am and after that, all were requested to take their seats and an informal meeting started. Every one was requested to make a self introduction.
After this, VU2PTR gave a talk on “Tips for a Home Brewer”; VU2GUR talked on “Satellite Communications”. Then some others came and expressed their critical experience on various applications. At 1 pm the crowd dispersed for lunch.
After the Lunch, all assembled to witness the different stalls exhibited by VU2LB, VU2PTR, VU2PAL, VU2MPK, VU2VSD, VU3STJ, VU2ARA, held personal discussions with them to satisfy their requirements and received their need also from them. A CD from VU2RQ, jam, containing very useful information was also available,
During this period all SWLs separately had a small gathering between themselves and they met some experienced hams, to get details on subjects such as, how to become a ham, how to attend the classes, what are the subjects to be studied, what would be the type of exam they have to undergo, where to write the exam etc., They were fully informed and I felt they were much benefited by such eyeball discussion.
With much happiness and satisfaction that they all attended a useful meet, one by one left the premises, taking leave of others and I also did the same and came back with a similar satisfaction and experience.
I thought that I should express my impression and as the result I have reduced everything as a small write up, which I hope all the readers will read, enjoy and have a feeling that either they should have attended this meet or they must avail at least the next opportunity without fail.
Courtesy : K.Santhanam
After the Yecaud meet in January, on 14th Feb, I went to The MA-HAM meet, arranged by of the veteran, VU2VIT Vittalji, VU2INA Inar, VU3MPK Appan and VU2KBX Anna. As usual this is another meet at the famous tourist spot Mahapalipuram, started at 9.am in the morning and went on till 5 pm in the evening.
Every year this MA-HAM meet is arranged on the second Saturday of February. For this meet no registration or entrance or any other fee is charged. In this respect I would dare to say that THIS IS THE ONLY ONE HAM MEET BEING CONDUCTED AT SUCH A LOW AND CHEAPER COST EVER IN INDIA. All hams were invited earnestly, received respectfully in the venue, allowed to meet each other, chat, discuss and exchange information and experience between themselves through eyeball and a few talks and speeches were given by some hams, arranged on the spot. Between 1 pm to 2 pm all were requested to go for lunch to any hotels nearby, which are many in number, and have the food, to suit their taste and pocket. Really this was a thrilling experience to everyone who participated in such a meet.
I went through a record kept at the venue for registration and found that the number of participants in the year 07 was 54, in 08 was 143 and during this year, 09 it was 89. The entire expenses were born by sponsors, VU2TTL, VU3MII, VU3CPE, VU3MPK and SWL Nathan only, by way of their own contribution and private collection. They refused to receive any more donations from others. When I asked them why, the answer was that do not want to have any more money than what is required and they had sufficient fund by that time. When I again suggested receiving and keeping that for next year’s need, they replied that if they have more money then it would lead to politics and problems and hence declined that suggestion. What a fine statement? Have your ever heard like this in your life? In this world where chances are expected by all to get money, these individual behaved differently. I was really surprised and astonished. Really it was a bold venture and attempt by them to satisfy the hunger of all the hams by their own efforts.
Right from 8-30 am on words, all the hams started flowing in one by one and in groups, with lot of expectation and anxiety. By 9-30 the entire hall was full and I could see all the hams chatting with each other happily, exchanging greetings and reminding their earlier meets with them and passing on their activities details and improvements and new applications made in their shacks. I could see a great happiness in their eyes and in the interaction between all of them. Every one was shifting their positions from one to the other and was discussing with lot of interest. This went on till 11 am and after that, all were requested to take their seats and an informal meeting started. Every one was requested to make a self introduction.
After this, VU2PTR gave a talk on “Tips for a Home Brewer”; VU2GUR talked on “Satellite Communications”. Then some others came and expressed their critical experience on various applications. At 1 pm the crowd dispersed for lunch.
After the Lunch, all assembled to witness the different stalls exhibited by VU2LB, VU2PTR, VU2PAL, VU2MPK, VU2VSD, VU3STJ, VU2ARA, held personal discussions with them to satisfy their requirements and received their need also from them. A CD from VU2RQ, jam, containing very useful information was also available,
During this period all SWLs separately had a small gathering between themselves and they met some experienced hams, to get details on subjects such as, how to become a ham, how to attend the classes, what are the subjects to be studied, what would be the type of exam they have to undergo, where to write the exam etc., They were fully informed and I felt they were much benefited by such eyeball discussion.
With much happiness and satisfaction that they all attended a useful meet, one by one left the premises, taking leave of others and I also did the same and came back with a similar satisfaction and experience.
I thought that I should express my impression and as the result I have reduced everything as a small write up, which I hope all the readers will read, enjoy and have a feeling that either they should have attended this meet or they must avail at least the next opportunity without fail.
Courtesy : K.Santhanam
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Mahabalipuram eyeball meet :
Seventh Mahabalipuram eyeball meet was held on 14th February 2009, you can see the overwhelming response from the photos itself Click here
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Interesting information on radials :
Rudy Severns, N6LF has done a series of experiments on elevated radials
http://www.antennasbyn6lf.com
Ralph Holland has done a study of the height of radials above ground
http://www.arising.com.au/people/Holland/Ralph/shortvert.htm
Monday, February 16, 2009
Generations in Contest - 2009 :
Aim: This is the 3rd “ Generations Contest” organised by ARSI, your national society. It is a contest for all the age groups of VU operators. You have to exchange “the year of your first Amateur licensing” with the other participants. Suppose, you might have got Grade II in 1985 and graduated to Advanced Category in 2003, you have to give 1985 for the exchange, and not 2003. This contest is open for VU QSOs only. Regular/Occasional Net controllers, Organizers of this contest, are not ELIGIBLE FOR ANY PRIZES. They may, however, take part and send their logs to help the participants.
Date and Time: The Contest takes place between 0530 Hrs. IST of 28th,February 2009 and 1730 Hrs. IST of 1st March 2009.
Modes: CW or Phone or Mixed.
Categories: Single Operators take part in the following categories:
Single Band: CW or Phone or Mixed.
Multi bands: CW or Phone or Mixed.
Bands: All bands from 160 to 10 metres. No WARC bands.
Exchange:No RS/RST is required. The year (in four figures) in which you got your first licence and continuing without a break. is the important exchange.
QSO points: The difference between 2008 and the four figure year you get in your contest QSO.Example: If operator “A” gives you 1985 in Phone mode, then the QSO points are (2008-1985)=23. If operator “B” gives you 1995 in Phone mode, the points are 2008-1995= 13. If operator “C” gives you 1967 in Phone mode, then the points are (2008-1967)= 41.
Bonus:If a station is worked in CW, you get an incentive 5 points as bonus, in addition to the points you get, as shown in examples earlier. This is to encourage CW. Example: If operator “A” gave you 1985 in CW mode, the QSO points are (2008-1985)=23+ bonus 5=28. If operator “B”gave you 1995 in CW, then the points are (2008-1995)=13 + bonus 5=17. If operator “C”gave you 1967 in CW, then the points are (2008-1967)=41 + bonus 5=46.
Duplication: The same station cannot be worked again in any band or mode.
Multipliers:None.
Compulsory: All participants must SEND logs, else their QSOs will not be accounted for. This is
very much needed for cross-checking logs received.
SWLs:You can log a station only once in any mode or band and claim points, but, logging the same station again has NO QSO point value. A complete QSO only, is to be reported.
Total Score: QSO points from a band or all bands, totaled together, is the Final Score.
Awards: Special awards for the oldest licence holder (his amateur age) and the youngest licence holder (amateur age) would be issued. All categories carry first three place awards.
Dead Line: All contest logs are to be sent by mail, to reach VU2UR-Arasu, Contest Manager, MIG-6, 80 Feet Road, Kengeri Upanagara, Bangalore 560060 before expiry of 30 days from the last date of the contest.
Any feed back regarding this contest, may please be sent to: gopal.madhavan@gmail.com and vu2ur@rediffmail.com.
All the very best in the Contest and Good Luck.
Courtesy : VU2UR, OM Arasuji
Date and Time: The Contest takes place between 0530 Hrs. IST of 28th,February 2009 and 1730 Hrs. IST of 1st March 2009.
Modes: CW or Phone or Mixed.
Categories: Single Operators take part in the following categories:
Single Band: CW or Phone or Mixed.
Multi bands: CW or Phone or Mixed.
Bands: All bands from 160 to 10 metres. No WARC bands.
Exchange:No RS/RST is required. The year (in four figures) in which you got your first licence and continuing without a break. is the important exchange.
QSO points: The difference between 2008 and the four figure year you get in your contest QSO.Example: If operator “A” gives you 1985 in Phone mode, then the QSO points are (2008-1985)=23. If operator “B” gives you 1995 in Phone mode, the points are 2008-1995= 13. If operator “C” gives you 1967 in Phone mode, then the points are (2008-1967)= 41.
Bonus:If a station is worked in CW, you get an incentive 5 points as bonus, in addition to the points you get, as shown in examples earlier. This is to encourage CW. Example: If operator “A” gave you 1985 in CW mode, the QSO points are (2008-1985)=23+ bonus 5=28. If operator “B”gave you 1995 in CW, then the points are (2008-1995)=13 + bonus 5=17. If operator “C”gave you 1967 in CW, then the points are (2008-1967)=41 + bonus 5=46.
Duplication: The same station cannot be worked again in any band or mode.
Multipliers:None.
Compulsory: All participants must SEND logs, else their QSOs will not be accounted for. This is
very much needed for cross-checking logs received.
SWLs:You can log a station only once in any mode or band and claim points, but, logging the same station again has NO QSO point value. A complete QSO only, is to be reported.
Total Score: QSO points from a band or all bands, totaled together, is the Final Score.
Awards: Special awards for the oldest licence holder (his amateur age) and the youngest licence holder (amateur age) would be issued. All categories carry first three place awards.
Dead Line: All contest logs are to be sent by mail, to reach VU2UR-Arasu, Contest Manager, MIG-6, 80 Feet Road, Kengeri Upanagara, Bangalore 560060 before expiry of 30 days from the last date of the contest.
Any feed back regarding this contest, may please be sent to: gopal.madhavan@gmail.com
All the very best in the Contest and Good Luck.
Courtesy : VU2UR, OM Arasuji
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Day, and it's in CW :
Lately, Venus has been spectacular as our Evening Star,"says astronomy professor Jimmy Westlake of Colorado Mountain College in Steamboat Springs, CO. "I took advantage of moonlight on the snow and used the light from Venus, the mythological Goddess of Love, to create this 'Venus Valentine' to the world.
The 'dots' were 30-second exposures and the 'dashes' were 3-minute exposures," he explains.
For more info visit : http://spaceweather.com/
Friday, February 13, 2009
AMSAT Updates :
AMSAT India Sponsors VO-52 Operating Certificate.
Nitin, VU3TYG announced AMSAT India will issue a certificate for Amateur Radio operators who establish two way contact through VO-52 between January 26, 2009 until May 5, 2009.
Japan Launches Amateur Radio Satellites.
Japan successfully launched its GOSAT IBUKI satellite on January 23, 2009. GOSAT - Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite is an environmental monitoring satellite launched from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center aboard the H-IIA F15 booster.
Nitin, VU3TYG announced AMSAT India will issue a certificate for Amateur Radio operators who establish two way contact through VO-52 between January 26, 2009 until May 5, 2009.
Japan Launches Amateur Radio Satellites.
Japan successfully launched its GOSAT IBUKI satellite on January 23, 2009. GOSAT - Greenhouse gases Observing SATellite is an environmental monitoring satellite launched from Japan's Tanegashima Space Center aboard the H-IIA F15 booster.
Read more...... http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/index.php
Low-cost "SDR" receiver for 40M :
The SoftRock-40 is a small, low-cost, good-performing 40-meter "software defined radio" receiver that plugs into a computer USB port and delivers I-Q audio signals to the computer's sound card. It was designed by Tony Parks, KB9YIG and Bill Tracey, KD5TFD as an "SDR sampler project" for hams everywhere to easily try out software defined radio.
For more info : http://www.amqrp.org/kits/softrock40/
For more info : http://www.amqrp.org/kits/softrock40/
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Automatic Power Off Switch :
You will never have to turn on or off your radio(s) again. The APO3 is basically a voltage controlled switch. When the vehicle voltage is higher than the APO3 set point, the relay is turned on and power is provided to the load side.
The APO3 is basically a voltage controlled switch. When the vehicle voltage is higher than the APO3 set point, the relay is turned on and power is provided to the load side. When the voltage drops below the APO3 voltage set point and stays there for longer than the time set point, the APO3 relay turns off and power is removed from the load side.
For more info visit : http://www.powerwerx.com/
The APO3 is basically a voltage controlled switch. When the vehicle voltage is higher than the APO3 set point, the relay is turned on and power is provided to the load side. When the voltage drops below the APO3 voltage set point and stays there for longer than the time set point, the APO3 relay turns off and power is removed from the load side.
For more info visit : http://www.powerwerx.com/
To build a yagi :
The ARRL Antenna Book companion CD has a program called Yagi for Windows. It'll tell you front to back, gain and dimensions for various matching networks and comes with anumber of sample designs to start with.
My personal favorite is WA5VJB's "Cheap Yagi" plans:
http://www.wa5vjb.com/yagi-pdf/cheapyagi.pdf
Courtesy : Mark K5LXP, Albuquerque
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Listen satellites using webSDR :
You can listen for the new Amateur Radio satellites, launched Friday Jan 23, by using a Web based Software Defined Radio (SDR).
Some of the Radio Amateurs who were involved in the very successful Delfi-C3/DO-64 Amateur Radio satellite have made available a WebSDR receiver that listeners around the world can use to receive signals from the new Amateur Radio satellites.
A WebSDR station consists of one or more receivers hooked up to a PC and internet. This enables users to tune in to different signals simultaneously.
One receiver is for VLF reception and one is currently used for the 70cm satellite segment.
The URL of the receiver is http://websdr.pa3weg.nl/
Courtesy : PA3WEG, OM Wouter (arsicom@yahoogroups.com)
Some of the Radio Amateurs who were involved in the very successful Delfi-C3/DO-64 Amateur Radio satellite have made available a WebSDR receiver that listeners around the world can use to receive signals from the new Amateur Radio satellites.
A WebSDR station consists of one or more receivers hooked up to a PC and internet. This enables users to tune in to different signals simultaneously.
One receiver is for VLF reception and one is currently used for the 70cm satellite segment.
The URL of the receiver is http://websdr.pa3weg.nl/
Courtesy : PA3WEG, OM Wouter (arsicom@yahoogroups.com)
Friday, February 6, 2009
AU30SHI - Special Call :
VU2SMN OM Suhas, VU2SMS OM Manju & VU2ROE OM Roney with call sign AU30SHI , 19th Feb, 2009 birth date of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Place of operation Shivneri hill fort near Junnar in Pune district, Maharashtra. Birth place of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Dates : 21st (1830 UTC) 22nd Feb (1829UTC) 2009.
Frequencies : 7070, 14250, 14215, 21280, 28290, all in KHz.
QSL's VIA VU2DSI,
DATTA DEOGAONKAR,
"SURABHI" MEHERABAD
AHMEDNAGAR-414006.
INDIA.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Interesting website :
While doing some searching for some power/wattage/ amperage formulas, I came across this website:
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-ohm.htm
Thought it might be valuable to someone who is studying (or will be studying) for either the General or Extra class tickets. Hope it can help someone.
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/calculator-ohm.htm
Thought it might be valuable to someone who is studying (or will be studying) for either the General or Extra class tickets. Hope it can help someone.
Courtesy : 73 de KCØJPO/AFA8JP, OM John Murphy Email : kc0jpo@arrl. net
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Online Homebrew Amateur Radio Project :
Thanks for the ATS1 20m SSB Kit. It is a mammoth effort done by VU3CAV (Rajani) and XYL of Rajani alongwith VU2GTI (Gaurav) - popularly known as the Greatest Transmitter of India - in bringing out this relaunch of the popular ATS1 20m SSB Kit.
We should not forget VU2MMP MADHAN MOHAN PRASAD, fundamental of VU3CAV in whose memory the ATS1 20m SSB kit is re-launched. VU2MMP was instrumental in training N number of hams at various locations - the same enthusiasm and aura could be seen/felt in the efforts done by VU3CAV.
The duo - Gaurav and Rajani - truly in the spirit of Ham Radio are bent upon to disseminate the dying interest of Making Ones Own Radio, which is actual Amateur Radio Hobby.
The kit has an excellent professional grade Printed Circuit Board, carefully packed components in plastic labelled locking bags. The price tag too is down-to-earth.
I will urge the Novice hams who are still waiting for some invisible Guru must start searching the basic tools required in assembling of the ATS1 20m SSB Kit. They can approach VU2GTI [vu2gti@yahoo. com] and VU3CAV [rajanim@spancotele. com] for the details.
Courtesy : VU2OEC, OM Rajesh Chandwani
We should not forget VU2MMP MADHAN MOHAN PRASAD, fundamental of VU3CAV in whose memory the ATS1 20m SSB kit is re-launched. VU2MMP was instrumental in training N number of hams at various locations - the same enthusiasm and aura could be seen/felt in the efforts done by VU3CAV.
The duo - Gaurav and Rajani - truly in the spirit of Ham Radio are bent upon to disseminate the dying interest of Making Ones Own Radio, which is actual Amateur Radio Hobby.
The kit has an excellent professional grade Printed Circuit Board, carefully packed components in plastic labelled locking bags. The price tag too is down-to-earth.
I will urge the Novice hams who are still waiting for some invisible Guru must start searching the basic tools required in assembling of the ATS1 20m SSB Kit. They can approach VU2GTI [vu2gti@yahoo. com] and VU3CAV [rajanim@spancotele. com] for the details.
Anxiously waiting for the first ONLINE STEP, that is, guidance/picture to appear on www.vu2.in website of VU2GTI.
Courtesy : VU2OEC, OM Rajesh Chandwani
Monday, February 2, 2009
FieldFox RF Analyzer :
The FieldFox RF Analyzer is the world’s most integrated handheld instrument for wireless network installation and maintenance. It combines cable/antenna analysis, spectrum analysis, power meter measurements and vector network analysis into one rugged, compact, lightweight and weather-resistant package. Standard accessories include AC/DC adapter, battery, soft carrying case, user manual and FieldFox Data Link software.
For more info click here
For more info click here
Ham radio classes in Bangalore :
Indian Institute of Hams (I.I.H.) is conducting classes for Amateur Radio Examination.The classes will commence on 15th of Feb 2009 for a duration of 6 days (3 sat & 3 Sun). The examinations will be in the month of April 2009. Those who are interested may please pass on this info to SWLs to join the classes.
Location : Sree Kanteerava outdoor stadium second floor.
contact VU2FI on email : ham7388@gmail.com.
Location : Sree Kanteerava outdoor stadium second floor.
contact VU2FI on email : ham7388@gmail.com.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
