AmateurRadio.com

Hello and welcome to the 332nd episode of Linux in the Ham Shack. In these troubling times of global viruses, we can be healthy and maintain social distance by talking with you via the Intertubes. In this episode, we talk about COVID-19 (duh), learning Morse Code, homebrewing, open data sharing, legendary DXpeditions, more COVID-19, WEFAX, mesh networking and much more. Thank you for tuning in and stay safe out there!

73 de The LHS Crew

Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at [email protected].

Here is this week’s space weather and geophysical report, issued 2020 Mar 16 0057 UTC.

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 09 – 15 March 2020

Solar activity was very low. Region 2758 (S29, L=229, class/area Cro/020 on 08 Mar) was absent of significant flare activity and decayed to plage on 10 Mar. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed during the reporting period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit reached moderate levels throughout the period with a peak flux of 175 pfu observed at 10/2110 UTC.

Geomagnetic field activity reached unsettled levels on 12-13 Mar in response to weak CH HSS influence. Quiet conditions prevailed during the remainder of the period.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 16 March – 11 April 2020

Solar activity is expected to continue at very low levels.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to reach high levels on 20-22 Mar in response to recurrent CH HSS influence.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to reach active levels on 27 Mar and unsettled levels on 19-21, 27-28 Mar due to CH HSS effects. Quiet conditions are expected for the remainder of the outlook period.

Don’t forget to visit our live space weather and radio propagation web site, at: http://SunSpotWatch.com/

Live Aurora mapping is at http://aurora.sunspotwatch.com/

If you are on Twitter, please follow these two users: 1. https://Twitter.com/NW7US 2. https://Twitter.com/hfradiospacewx

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Be sure to subscribe to our space weather and propagation email group, on Groups.io

https://groups.io/g/propagation-and-space-weather

Spread the word!

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Links of interest:

+ Amazon space weather books: http://g.nw7us.us/fbssw-aSWSC
+ https://Twitter.com/NW7US
+ https://Twitter.com/hfradiospacewx

Space Weather and Ham Radio YouTube Channel News:

I am working on launching a YouTube channel overhaul, that includes series of videos about space weather, radio signal propagation, and more.

Additionally, I am working on improving the educational efforts via the email, Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, and other activities.

You can help!

Please consider becoming a Patron of these space weather and radio communications services, beginning with the YouTube channel:

https://www.patreon.com/NW7US

The YouTube channel:
https://YouTube.com/NW7US

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Visit, subscribe: NW7US Radio Communications and Propagation YouTube Channel

In this episode, Martin M1MRB is joined by Chris Howard M0TCH, Martin Rothwell M0SGL, Ed Durrant DD5LP 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 - Kit Building Tips.

ICQ AMATEUR/HAM RADIO PODCAST DONORS

We would like to thank David Strachan (2M0WHX) and Terry Bradford and our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate

- Clubs as Hubs? - New Ham Radio Syllabus: Exam Pass Rate Figures Released - Motorola wins Copyright Infringement Case against Hytera - RSGB Exam Papers - Attracting youth to ham radio: Get out of their way! - A Working Scale Model of a HF Curtain - Ofcom Stops Issuing Short Full Calls - New QO-100 Band Plan Announced - Hamvention Officials Keeping an Eye on Coronavirus

Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at [email protected].

AmateurLogic.TV Episode 141 is now available for download.

RSPDUO Tone and DCS Decoding, Exploring RigPi Deeper, Coronavirus Hoarding, and more.
1:17:39
Download
YouTube

George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at [email protected].

What is going on?

Back in November 2017 I ordered and built the Funk Amateur FA-VA4 antenna analyzer kit. The kit was built and passed the smoke test without issue. I then went through the calibration process and it was successful (so I thought). I was not able to get the unit to work and I felt it was due to user error and tried to run the calibration again but without success. No matter what band I checked the SWR was off the scale. I even connected the device to a dummy load without success. I read and reread the manual and even checked out some YouTube videos and was just getting more frustrated so I was thinking of selling it to someone who knew how to operate the unit. As I watched more Youtube videos it seemed like a very straight forward unit to operate. Over the course of a year or more, I picked up the unit and tried to figure it out but just could not.

The issue

This past week I picked it up again and was looking it over but in so doing for some strange it occurred to me to open up the kit and look over my work. It's embarrassing to say but as I looked the board over I saw that the female BNC connector  I did not solder the BNC center pin to the PCB board!!! I soldered this pin, did a reset to the unit and then ran the calibration again BUT this time the calibration took a lot longer. Once it was done I connected it to my Endfed antenna and checked 15m this is a band that I know the SWR is decent. Low and behold the unit worked as it should way back in 2017!! I just can't believe that I overlooked the obvious to open the kit up and have a look around. I now get to discover this great unit that I built years ago.

All is well

Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

As I watch the news and as a side note, I am getting very worn on hearing every detail they can pick at regarding COVID-19 anyway......Hamvention is not that far off considering all the advance planning that has to be done. As you know this is one of the largest gatherings of Amateur radio ops, SWL's and those just interested in radio communications. It is the grandstand for manufactures to release new and newly improved radio gear.  This gathering is the Meca within the radio world as we all at one time or another want to make our way to this event! On March 3rd a press release from the organizers of Hamvention was released.  Has COVID-19 changed your Hamvention plans? Now in the Hamvention press release, it said the following:
From my perspective, I am not to comforted to know that to date (as of March 3rd) there have been no confirmed COVID-19 cases. Hamvention is just not made of those from Ohio but worldwide. The demographics of our hobby are not spring chickens, COVID-19 and an elderly populous gathering do not mix well. I am guessing by now my readers understand my direction for attending Hamvention this year.....BUT does it have to be cancelled or can it be possibly rescheduled? It would be nice if Hamvention had a plan "B".




Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

Hello and welcome to Episode 331 of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this episode, we bring listeners on to talk with us and field questions from the chat. We discuss Hamvention and COVID-19, FT-8, antenna designs, amateur radio exams, new acquisitions and much, much more. Thank you to all who participated and thank you to all our supporters, Patreons and benefactors. We couldn't do this without you.

73 de The LHS Crew

Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at [email protected].