Know More About Coax Cable :

Found in the latest ARRL Contest Update, this technical FAQ by Jim K9YC on coax cable says it all: http://audiosystemsgroup.com/Coax-Stubs.pdf

Pneumatic Antenna Launcher :

Interesting link on Pneumatic Antenna Launcher : Click here

8 Year OM Gets DXCC :

8 year old William Ferguson, KJ4EYZ, was formally presented his DXCC certificate at a Virginia DX Century Club.

Read More

HAM Radio Books :

Now you can order HAM Radio books online and that too from VU vendor.

For more info visit :
http://www.flipkart.com/search.php?query=ham+radio

VU2RBI - Commonwealth Observance day :

Ham Radio in focus on Commonwealth Observance Day, Westminster Abbey, 8th March 2010.

The Royal Commonwealth Society had invited Mrs. Bharathi, VU2RBI, Chief Coordinator, National Institute of Amateur Radio (NIAR) to present a testimony on the eve of Commonwealth Observance Day, 8th March 2010 at the West Minster Abbey, London in the presence of Her Majesty Queen of England, Prince of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, High Commissioners of Commonwealth Countries and a group of school children etc., narrating her experiences in the field of Amateur Radio Communication and contribution to the society for promoting Science & Technology. It is indeed a rare honor and privilege to an Indian women amateur radio operator to receive this invitation from among the 54 Commonwealth countries.

After the ceremony, a tea party at Royal Commonwealth Society was organised, and followed by reception at Buckingham Palace, where she met Her Majesty the Queen of England. Mrs. Bharathi explained to the Queen about her involvement in the promotion of Amateur Radio Communication in India and the activities of National Institute of Amateur Radio, Hyderabad in the last three decades in disaster management. The Royal Commonwealth Foundation, London has shown great interest in promoting Amateur Radio Communication as a part of disaster management in the Commonwealth Nations.

Further, Ms.Bharathi met Mr. Dave Wilson, M0OBW, President of Radio Society of Great Britain (RSGB) and other Officials and exchanged the information on the subject of development of Amateur Radio Communication in India and UK.

Please find below testimony speech at the Royal Commonwealth Observance Day on 8th March,2010.

TESTIMONY SPEECH OF MRS. BHARATHI, VU2RBI,
Communication is one of the most general needs of the society and the way we fulfil it has varied from smoke signals to telephones to satellite communications, but our main aims have always been the same -- that is to “say what we want” and “to hear when we wish to”. Though these may seem simple, but to achieve them when required has been one of the most important challenges of communication technology.

I have 30 years of experience in Amateur Radio communication, which I adopted in 1980 under my guru Mr. S. Suri, VU2MY, Founder and Chairman of National Institute of Amateur radio, supported by Ministry of Information Technology, Govt. of India. I believed in promoting this subject by conducting training classes and demonstrations and introducing to youngsters to inculcate scientific thinking in their minds. Besides being a scientific hobby, Amateur Radio communication provides one with discipline and interaction between fellow amateurs and scopeto serve the society in the hour of need. To mention one such opportunity I intercepted an
SOS sent out by a team of four foreigners in distress in the Bay of Bengal and alerted the Navy who saved their lives.

I have closely associated my self with emergency communication through Amateur Radio during different disasters including the 2004 Tsunami in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Orissa super cyclone in 1999 and Gujarat earth quake in 2001.

I have been fortunate to have practiced all modes of communications covering voice, telegraphy, digital and satellite through Amateur radio during my career. Even in 2010, it’s a fact that telecommunication is still a very rare service in many parts of the world including Commonwealth Nations which has lead to a great divide between nations or even within nations themselves. It is also a fact that billions of dollars are being spent for development of telecommunications by various countries but the simple technologies such as Amateur Radio communications have been put on the back burner. I believe it is critical to promote Amateur Radio as a second line of communication, as it is a time tested means in case of emergencies and a scientific hobby.

Courtesy : VU2JOS, OM Jose.

IOTA Expedition From Failaka Island :

Kuwait Amateur Radio Society is pleased to announce the 2010 IOTA expedition from Failaka Island (AS118) with special call sign 9K2F during the period from 1-5 April 2010.

For more info : http://9k2ra.net/

First Activation Of TX062 Goat Island :

On Saturday March 20, 2010 1400utc to 2200utc.

First ever activation and Qualification of Goat Island TX062 on Caddo Lake by club WC5C. Members will Kayak, canoe, motor boat out to the Island after staying at a beautiful resort nearby on the lake. Commemorative QSL card will be dispatched to all contacts.

The club has previously canoed and kayaked to First Activate Goat Island on Lake Worth, and Greer Island, Willow Island, and also Pelican Island on Eagle Mountain Lake. Canoe, Kayak and Ham visitors to the operation are invited, stop by and be sociable!

Operation will be as near as possible to 7.250, 14.250, 21.350 and relayed requests to QSY to 80M from Texas stations will be honored. Goat Island on Caddo Lake is registered as TX062 as part of the United States Islands awards program.

Get more information about Amateur Radio.

Activated Islands at the US Islands website:
http://www.usislands.org

Courtesy : kB5YLG, OM David.

Got Junker D.B.G.M :

Got Junker D.B.G.M Morse key in a mint condition from junk market just two days back. "Yoon-ker" as it is pronounced. This Key - D.B.G.M. - is one of the famous Junker family. It is a post war key.

For more information :
http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/1972

ZS – World Soccer Championship :

Amateur Radio special event station ZS1ØWCS is on the air between now and July 12th. Activity is to celebrate the 2010 Soccer World Cup being held in South Africa between June 11th and July 11th.

QSL : SARL Bureau or direct to ZS4BS.

QSL info from IK3QAR at : http://www.ik3qar.it/manager/man_result.php?call=ZS10WCS&s=n

Homebrewed Handy Stand By VU2PJN :

Homebrewing has never been cup of tea for me, I just know to press the PTT and be on air hi hi. But thanks to this wonderful hobby most of the friends whom I am in contact with are all good homebrewers and one of them is VU2PJN, OM Prakash. In-fact OM Prakash is so net in his work that what ever he homebrews its almost as good as commercial.

Coming to the point, after getting my tickets I was using a dual bander handy Yaesu FT60 with an external 5/8 lambda. Basically I am a rag-chewer, after local net we do our rag-chewing for at least one hour. Using a handy and doing rag-chewing is bit difficult and painful because pressing the PTT your thumb gets swollen. One fine day I got a lima lima from one of my school friend from HongKong, usually he comes to India twice a year. He asked me if I want anything from HongKong, So I ordered a compatible speaker microphone for my handy MH-34 B4B from Yaesu. I got the same in one week after the lima lima, now I was bit comfortable in doing rag-chew.

I do internet surfing a lot on amateur radio, one day I came across a handy stand and my purpose was solved. This was the thing which I would certainly like to have it, the main idea behind it was the handy stand will act like a base station as I was having speaker microphone with me. Immediately I emailed the link to OM Prakash . It was so kind of him that he homebrewed it in two days time. Gone are the painful days now hi hi.

From the bottom of my heart I would like to thank OM Prakash for his excellent workmanship which I would like to share with you all with handy stands photos.

VU2JRT's Experience With 2 Meters :

Imagine how long 2 meters signals can be heard? 40 to 50 kms or up-to 300 kms? But VU2JRT, OM Jagdish from Surat is receiving Gandhinagar repeater signal 340 to 350 days in a year which is 300 kms.

This has been possible with his home-brewed 5 Element cubical quad antenna. He has installed his cubical quad antenna with his practical experience, the antenna is 8-10 degree upwards to the sky and as a result whole the year he gets Gandhinagar repeater signals even in worst condition. Previously he had QSO with A41KW at Masirah Islands a DX on 25th October, 1996 at around 7.14 am. It was his dream experience on 2 meters which came true. In-fact he has highlighted this QSO in his log book too, no doubt that QSO was due to the extraordinary band conditions he claims.

Sometimes he triggers Mumbai repeater too and of course Matheran repeater with ease with just 7 watts almost crystal clear audio. He got his II grade license in November 1990 with callsign VU3JRT and then upgraded his license with I grade with callsign VU2JRT in March 1992. And finally advance grade with the same call in June 2000.

He strongly believes that for a good design of any antenna one must have a SWR/PWR meter. He has constructed many different types of antennas like J-Pole, Super J-Pole, Slim Jim, 5/8 lambda, Mobile mini and fold-able ground plane, strip Antenna, Cubical Quad and others. By experience he also found that all the connectors and antenna elements should be in stainless steel which is more favourable for all climates.

Courtesy : GIAR Hamfest souvenir 2007

IOTA Dxpedition :

From 24th till 27th April there will be an IOTA activation from The Isle of Eigg on the west coast of Scotland.

IOTA EU008, IOSA NH03, WAB NM48, IARU Locator IO66WV.

This is a joint activation by members of Kilmarnock and Loudoun ARC and South Cheshire ARS.

The call will be GM6TW the club call of SCARS info at http://www.qrz.com/.

QSL via G0UZP Paul.

Team Graham MM0GHM (KLARC), Gordon MM0GOR (KLARC) and Mark M0UTD (SCARS)

They will have three operating station and will also be active with RTTY, PSK31 and SSTV.

Courtesy : OM Graham, MM0GHM Secretary KLARC.