MALTA, 9H :

Members of the Dutch Society of Radio Amateurs will be QRV with special callsign 9H9PA from Qawra from September 5th to 28th. Activity will be on 80 to 6 meters using CW, SSB and various digital modes.

QSL via PB9ZR.

6Y1V :

The operators of the contest station 6Y1V in Hopewell, Jamaica are offering a young radio amateur the chance to join their team for the 2009 CQWW SSB or CW contest

Their website at http://www.6y1v.com/youth.htm says:

Once again we are sponsoring one young ham operator (21 or under) to join our team and receive an all expense paid trip to operate in the 2009 CQWW SSB or CW contest with the 6Y1V team. You can reside in any country in the world and be considered for this opportunity provided you hold a valid amateur radio license in your country.

This is a gift to a young ham whom has a passion for Ham Radio and DX'ing/contesting. It is our way of giving something back to this great hobby that has given so much to us!

Courtesy : QRZ

8Q7AK :

Andrew, G7COD, will be operational for the seventh time from the Island of Embudu in the Kaafu Atoll, Maldives, AS-013 using the call 8Q7AK from 11th October to 25th October 2009. Using SSB and CW on the 80 to 10 metre bands including WARC, he will be operational every day from approximately 07:00 to 08:30, 09:00 to 10:30, 13:00 to 1500 and 17:30 to 18:00 UTC.

Spot frequencies to be used are:

3.793, 7.063, 14.190, 18.133, 21.253 and 24.953 MHz SSB ± 10KHz to allow for QRM.

3.503, 7.003, 10.103, 14.003, 18.073, 21.003 and 24.893 MHz CW ± to allow for QRM.

For comprehensive details of qsl information etc, please check 8Q7AK on www.qrz.com

All qsl’s should be sent via the bureau or direct to G7COD.

Please note: 8Q7AK is approved for DXCC credits.

Infact I am lucky I worked Andy many a times on this call. So do not miss this opportunity.

AT8LHC - Yes we did it :

Operating from Kadalur Point Lighthouse - Kerala from 7th to 16th August 2009 making more than 600 QSO and reaching more than 50 countries .

Operators were VU2OJ, VU2LX, VU2UR and VU2JHM.

Special Thanks to VU2MTY OM Ashraf, VU2ATB OM Sunil and VU3SIO OM Sanil Deep for out of the way help and support. OM Vishwanath, VU2VJT OM Thomas, OM Vidjit VU2KIV and his Friends for their visit. International Lighthouse and Lightship Week of www.arlhs.com has our countries entry.

Kadalur Point Lighthouse celebrating its Centenary this October is situated close to Nandi Bazaar near Qualindy Railway Station between Calicut and Cannannore (Kasargod).

For photos of AT8LHC
1) Click here
2) Click here

Courtesy : OM Lion Ajoy, VU2JHM

Dayton 2009 pictures :

Here are some Dayton Hamvention 2009 pictures:

http://shipwreck.hopto.org/images/albums/ham/usa/dayton2009/

enjoy !

KH2 Operation :

KH2 Guam – George K6SV and Dennis K7BV will be active from Guam signing their respective calls/KH2 Aug 25-28 (JA time) operating SSB/CW on HF+6M from the WH2DX rental QTH http://www.wh2dx.com/.

QSL via K6HRO.

Homebrew SDR-ZAZ :

VU2ZAZ, OM Naidu recently homebrewed SDR-ZAZ, following AC5OG, OM Gary Youngblood article 'A Software-Defined Radio for the Masses'. It is an all mode (SSB,AM,CW etc), all band (11Khz to 65 MHz) 1W transceiver.

He has developed 2 versions,one using completely SMD components and the other using both SMD and conventional components. The 1st version is having 3 boards as suggested in the article and I foiled the same PCB pattern. However this version costs a little higher. The 2nd version board is a single board using hybrid components (SMD and conventional).

It costs far less. Both the Rigs are working superb with him delivering 1W SSB from 3Mhz to 60Mhz. Above all he is also also enjoying the general radio.Both the boards are commercial grade boards with good legend printed on the boards.

So friends you need not spend huge amounts for any commercial product. You can straight away build your own commercial grade SDR-ZAZ (SDR-1000) using his boards. The total cost of the project is around.

Rs. 7000/- ie. Less than 150$.

Interested HAMs can contact him to have boards and to buy the components.

VU2ZAZ
B.N.A.M.NAIDU
Plot No: 38,
DwarakaNagar Phase-2
Boduppal,
Hyderabad-500039,
INDIA
Email: bnam1954@yahoo.co.in

Radio hams remember VU2RG :

On the birth anniversary of the late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, many recall his contribution to the development of ham radio as a hobby in the country. Radio hams recall Rajiv Gandhi (VU2RG) simply as Rajiv and the work he did to promote the hobby.

Read more

India Bhuvan :

Enter India's Bhuvan, a Geoportal of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) showcasing Indian Imaging Capabilities in Multi-sensor, Multi-platform and Multi-temporal domain. The portal gives a gateway to explore and discover virtual earth in 3D space with specific emphasis on Indian region.

Bhuvan is an initiative to showcase this distinctiveness of Indian imaging capabilities including the thematic information derived from such imagery which could be of vital importance to common man with a focus on Indian region. Bhuvan, an ambitious project of ISRO to take Indian images and thematic information in multiple spatial resolutions to people through a web portal through easy access to information on basic natural resources in the geospatial domain.

Bhuvan showcases Indian images by the superimposition of these IRS satellite imagery on 3D globe. It displays satellite images of varying resolution of India’s surface, allowing users to visually see things like cities and important places of interest looking perpendicularly down or at an oblique angle, with different perspectives and can navigate through 3D viewing environment. The degree of resolution showcased is based on the points of interest and popularity, but most of the Indian terrain is covered upto at least 5.8 meters of resolution with the least spatial resolution being 55 meters from AWifs Sensor.

With such rich content, Bhuvan opens the door to graphic visualization of digital geospatial India allowing individuals to experience the fully interactive terrain viewing capabilities.

http://bhuvan2.nrsc.gov.in/

MFJ-616 Speech Enhancer :

Excellent reviews and information summary on MFJ-616 Speech Enhancer. Its really outstanding.

For Reviews : Click here
For Product Information : Click here

Workshop On Disaster Management :

The Regional Training Institute, All India Radio organised a 5-day Workshop on Disaster Management during 10th -14th August 2009.

Over 20 Program officers and other senior officials of All India Radio from various States including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa visiting NIAR on 12th August 2009, as part of their program to gain knowledge and information about amateur radio communications and interact with experts in this field.

A live demonstration of various modes of amateur radio communication including digital and internet related technologies popularly used by Hams was shown to the participants.

During the course of interaction, one of the participant emotionally charged the atmosphere by narrating his own personal experience of how the information on critical illness of his daughter was relayed to him by Hams at CM's residence in Bhubaneshwar through the Resident Commissioners office in New Delhi during Orissa Super Cyclone relief communications, reached him in-time, which saved the life of his daughter.

It was indeed a prized and exhilarating moment, when the hearts were speaking all the words, as the participants applauded the spirit of radio amateurs for their sincere commitment towards service to society in times of need.

The three hour session was truly an experience to cherish and remembered for a long time.

Several Hams who participated in the Orissa Super Cyclone operations including Mr. S.B.Ram - VU2LIC, Mr. Chaitanya Kumar -VU3MCK, Mr. Yogesh, Ms. Bhanumathy - VU2BL, Mr.Jose Jacob - VU2JOS were all present on the occasion.

Courtesy : OM Mohan, VU2MYH

VU2TCD Repeater Linked To Echolink :

Information to all those who are active on Echolink can check into the VU2TCD Repeater through the link vu2tcd-r. The net is on at 7.00am and 21.15pm IST daily.The link is on other time also to have a contact with vhf stations in and around the repeater.......

Courtesy : VU3ITI, OM Varadan

Emergency feature on the Yaesu FT-60R :

Thanks to internet we do have many forums, egroup etc which helps us to update our knowledge in latest technology in amateur radio. I being a member of FT-60 yahoo egroup came through and interesting email which I would like to share with you all. I found it worth reading.

After testing the Emergency feature of the FT-60R, I created the following for your enjoyment. Please... enjoy.

From the manual: "Use this feature if you are out on a walk and want a quick way of alerting a family member to a dangerous situation. The alarm sound may discourage an attacker and allow you to escape."

Mr. Ham: "It's a lovely day for a walk."

Attacker: "I'm going to attack you."

Mr. Ham: "Wait right there, Mr. Attacker while I unlock my FT-60R keypad, place it in VFO mode, set the volume to maximum, and hold down the Emergency key shortcut for 2 seconds."

FT-60R: *blink, blink, blink* *beep, beep, beep*

Mr. Ham: "Ah ha! Now Mr. Attacker, my blinking LCD display and DTMF keypad will blind you while the beeping sound will disorient you."

Attacker: "Oh no!"

Mr. Ham: "In 60 seconds, my FT-60R will also send SOS DE CALLSIGN via MCW on the UHF calling frequency and any amateur radio operator within 1/2 mile who both knows the frequency of and is monitoring the UHF calling frequency will hear *beep, beep* on his radio too. He will then return home and either retrieve his UHF direction finding go-kit or improvise some from the ARRL Handbook. When he returns and locates my position, he will then call the authorities and inform them of my situation."

Attacker: "I am discouraged. "

Courtesy : FT-60 Yahooegroup by OM Nick

Met a HAM friend from Romania :

Met OM Florian, YO9GJX from Romania, Campina on GTALK very interesting fellow, he works satellites. As I wanted to know how to work satellites he guided me step by step. He gave me a link which is a must for any layman http://www.hamradio.selfip.com/i6ibe/

We had a long chat on internet and the best part is that we both being hams have never worked on radio with each other hi hi. He was inspired by a very good friend SW1JGW. Infact his website is also interesting http://www.sw1jgw.com/.

As I use windows as operating system he guided me to use Orbitron to track the satellites and told me to try it with AO51.

His working condition for satellites are:
linux debian machine
For RX 6el yagi for 435.300
A Jingtong handy
For TX DR135 with two antennas
Jpole and a Turnstill connected with a 2m splitter

He is a member at GACW cw club for a long time.

Winner of All Six Major DX Contests :

Scott Redd, K0DQ, operating the 2008 CW weekend of the CQ World Wide DX Contest from Aruba as P40Q, racked up over a million more points than his closest competitor in the Single-Operator Low Power Class, and became perhaps the only person ever to win single-op world championships in all six major ham radio DX contests.

Read more

Mysore Repeater QRV :

Since the last 15 days, Mysore Repeater on Chamundi Hills is QRV after a long break - New Location, New Antenna, New height.

Operating Frequency :
Repeater TX - 145.725
Repeater RX - 145.125

We have had good reports from VU2OJ in Kerala, VU2RCT from Mangalore and a lot of other hams in Bangalore who were not able to get through to the repeater previously.

I have put up a 5-element beam and am able to access with 5 watts from south Bangalore 24x7 - S-7 report.

Courtesy : OM Madhu, VU2MUD

Computer PSU :

There are a lot of interesting articles in these sites. For hams who have not visited these sites it would be a eye opener. This article from Antennexon computer PSU's for ham use is one which made me brew a few PSU's for junk computer power supplies.

http://www.antennex.com/preview/archive3/powers.htm

Courtesy : OM Paddy, VU2PEP

AT8LHC - Kadalur Point Light House :

Kadalur Point / Thikkoti / Sacrifice Rock Lighthouse in Kerala will be QRV on air from 7th to 16th of August 2009.

For details : http://www.qrz.com/AT8LHC

ARSI Club station in Bangalore :

The Amateur Radio Society of India has signed a protocol agreement with the Red Cross Society in Bangalore to work with them on emergency communications. The Club Station VU2ZH will be inaugurated by the Governor of Karnataka at 0900 HRS on Wednesday the 12th August 2009 at:

Indian Red Cross Society
No.26, Red Cross Bhavan,
1st Floor, Race Course Road,
Bangalore -560 001.

ARSI has requested stations to stand by and give reports and maybe exchange a few words with the Governor at that time. Stations in Bangalore on the VHF repeater and HF and as many stations as possible on 7050 between 0900 and 0930 from all over India.All are invited to attend the inauguration- you must be there by 0830 as there will be security issues with the Governor attending. The station will have both HF and VHF capabilities.

The equipment consists of:

1. A Yaesu FT757 GX with power supply and accessories (kindly donated by OM Chandru,VU2RCR).

2. A Fritzel multiband HF Vertical antenna (kindly donated by the late OM Robert,VU2MKP).

3. A VHF base station and antenna.


The station will be available to all ARSI members and a special access card will be issued to identify them to the security at the building.

We hope that this will be the first of many such stations set up throughout India

Courtesy : OM Gopal, VU2GMN

Happy Birthday VUHam egroup :

VUHams email group is celebrating 10th birthday. As of now it has 549 members and over 7150 emails have been distributed through this group. This group is exclusively for discussing matters regarding radio and communications and it was started by OM Binu,VU2NGB.

258 emails have been passed through the group in the last month alone. This is an all time record. The previous highest was 173 in March 2005.

Find VUHam's on Orkut and facebook
http://www.orkut.com/Main#Community.aspx?cmm=33441468

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=10830&uid=26750731696#/group.php?gid=26750731696

Hardline Connectors :

The lure of the hardline - Since hardline is now available in India at affordable prices, some of us may be tempted to use them. The big limitation is that hardline connectors are very expensive - it costs almost Rs.1200 fora pair of connectors. Check out this site you could make yours for less than Rs.50.

http://www.hamstuff.com/Hardline/hardlineprep.html

Courtesy : OM Paddy, VU2PEP

Hams go to the Moon everyday :

If you ever wanted to try to 'go to the moon' and back there are Hams doing this everyday bouncing signals off the moons surface and back to earth or Earth-Moon-Earth (EME) communications:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EME_(communications)

It use to be that only the very big stations with lots of money and multiple large arrays could be into this but thanks to those larger EME stations and to a new software (WSJT) there are stations working EME with as little as 50w and smaller single Yagi's...... .

Do you have a multimode 2 meter or 6 meter rig, a PC (to download WSJT program) and a smaller 2 or 6 meter yagi and at least 50w to 100w you just might get addicted to EME (of course you will be using or contacting those larger EME stations that can hear your signal and you hear theirs).

Here is some more information for those interested but there are hundreds of Hams trying this and making contacts using EME...don't think it can't be you or that you can't join in!

If you have a directional antenna, a 2m SSB transceiver with 50 W output and a PC?

Step by step guide to EME :

http://www.vhfdx.net/jt65bintro.html

http://www.n1bug.net/operate/emebasic.html#EMEOp

Home pages of some EME operators :

http://www.qsl.net/wb5apd/jt44-eme.html

http://www.qsl.net/wb5apd/eme.html

EME Skeds below :

http://www.chris.org/cgi-bin/jt65emeA

http://www.pingjockey.net/cgi-bin/pingtalk


Courtesy : Ham Radio Help Group

Recce of repeater at Doddabetta :

OM Ibrahim, VU3IRH will be putting up a repeater at Doddabetta near Ooty will be on as planned, and the station will be on between 0730 and 12.00 hours on Sunday 2nd August 2009. OM Ananth, VU3GPF, President Anamalai Amateur Radio Club and his team will be reaching Ooty on Saturday evening to ensure the station is ready by Sunday morning.

The 10W simplex station will be on 145.000. The team is also trying out a home-brew repeater putting out 1 watt on frequency 145.000 +600 KHz. The antennas used are omni double-stacked 5/8 collinear. The team consists of VU3IRH, VU2NJX, VU3UKK, VU2TPP, VU3GPF and others, operators using their own callsigns for contacts.

When it will be installed, this would be the highest repeater in India.