AmateurRadio.com

Regardless of your political leanings (the producer of this movie, Lawrence Bender, also produced Al Gore’s An Inconvenient Truth), the subject of Countdown to Zero should be of interest and concern to everyone.  At the very least, I think we can all agree that these weapons should be accounted for and not be in the hands of terrorists and rogue nations.  If the movie is (or will be) playing in your area, see it.

Electromagnetic pulse (EMP) from an atomic blast is a real threat to our communication infrastructure, including our ham radio equipment.  A single weapon detonated over the United States could wipe out most communications equipment from coast to coast.  Don’t take my word for it, though.  Read this excerpt from The Commission to Assess the Threat to the United States from Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Attack’s Executive Report:

EMP IS CAPABLE OF CAUSING CATASTROPHE FOR THE NATION

The high-altitude nuclear weapon-generated electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is one of a small number of threats that has the potential to hold our society seriously at risk and might result in defeat of our military forces.

The damage level could be sufficient to be catastrophic to the Nation, and our current vulnerability invites attack.

Briefly, a single nuclear weapon exploded at high altitude above the United States will interact with the Earth’s atmosphere, ionosphere, and magnetic field to produce an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) radiating down to the Earth and additionally create electrical currents in the Earth. EMP effects are both direct and indirect. The former are due to electromagnetic “shocking” of electronics and stressing of electrical systems, and the latter arise from the damage that “shocked”—upset, damaged, and destroyed—electronics controls then inflict on the systems in which they are embedded. The indirect effects can be even more severe than the direct effects.

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I’m a big Blackberry fan and I was pretty excited to read G4ILO’s post a few days ago about APRSBB, a soon-to-be-released APRS client for Blackberry. I tracked down the developer, Chris Struttman KJ4HPQ of The Blue Array Network LLC, who agreed to be interviewed about what he’s been working on and what we can expect from the project:

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We are very pleased to announce the winner of
1,000 full-color photo QSL cards
from KB3IFH QSL Cards!

Thanks to Randy at KB3IFH QSL Cards for sponsoring this month’s drawing.
We had over 750 entries!

We’re giving away another great prize in September.
Stay tuned and get ready to enter.

OK, on to what you’ve all been waiting for!

The winner of our August 2010 prize giveaway is…

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AmateurRadio.com is offering a free prize drawing!

With the help of our generous sponsor, KB3IFH QSL Cards, we’re holding a drawing for 1,000 free full-color photo QSL cards. This is a US$100 value.
Enter now to win!

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Image courtesy of Astrid's Embroidery

1. Quick Identification

   It’s very important that other hams can identify you quickly at hamfests, classes, license tests, club meetings, and other events.  A callsign hat lets others know, from across the room, who you are.  If you are involved in EmComm, being recognizable is even more important.

2. Conversation Starter

   If you have your call on your license plate, you’ll be able to relate to this.  “What does WA7MDE mean?”  There are a few ways to answer this, but it really is a great opportunity to educate the public about our hobby and the contributions Amateur Radio operators make to society.  By displaying your callsign proudly, you’ll be surprised how many people will ask you what it means.  You might also meet other hams in your area, at the grocery store or a local restaurant, and have the chance to have an eyeball QSO with a new friend.   Use the opportunity!  Network and grow the hobby in your area.  While our hobby is often about talking to people all over the world, the real fun happens in your own community when you have the chance to interact with others who share your interests.

3. Support Our Hobby

   Are you proud to be in this hobby?  Are you proud of the service we offer to the community? Then why aren’t you showing it?  There is something special about the camaraderie that the men and women in our hobby share.  You’ve worked hard for your Extra (or General or Technician) call.  You should wear it on your person proudly.

Where can you buy one?  Most communities have local embroidery shops that will make you a hat for under $15 or $20.  If you don’t have a shop in your area or you would rather buy one from a fellow ham, Todd WM8C owns and operates Astrid’s Embroidery in Michigan.  They ship all over the United States and offer a huge selection of styles.  They even have a huge gallery for you to browse through.  Not comfortable ordering online?  Call them at (269) 795-7297.

Know of other embroidery shops owned by hams?  Post them in the comments!

Ryan, K3SFG, asked us to pass this along to our readers:

CQ young hams…CQ young hams…

The Youth Net takes place every Saturday @ 2 pm (CA Time, PDST)

It is on the N6NFI Repeater, 145.230 -100. Young hams, 18 or younger, can also check-in through Echolink, using KR6DD-R (271122) or N6WN-R (477737).

Please help us get the word out, and if you have any questions, suggestion, etc., please contact K3SFG at [email protected].

Note: Only hams 18 and younger can check-in to this net. Unlicensed youth can check-in under the supervision of a control operator.

Please visit http://www.sbara.org/index.html and click on Youth Group in the left side bar.

Thanks and 73!

– Ryan, K3SFG