Welcome to Episode 217 of Linux in the Ham Shack. In this episode, the hosts touch on upcoming hamfests and Hamvention 2018, FCC workshops on disaster preparedness, DX opportunities on 10 Meters, the death of Facebook, new and update ham radio software on Github and much more. Thanks for listening and please don't forget to donate to or share our Hamvention 2018 campaign. Thanks a bunch!

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 2018 Mar 26 0143 UTC.

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 19 – 25 March 2018

Solar activity was very low. The sun was spotless and absent of significant flare activity. No Earth-directed CMEs were observed during the period.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was at high levels on 19-25 March.

Geomagnetic field activity reached G1 (Minor) storm levels on 19 March and active levels on 23-25 March due to the influence of recurrent, negative polarity CH HSS effects. Quiet to unsettled conditions were observed on 20-22 March.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 26 March – 21 April 2018

Solar activity is expected to be at very low levels throughout the outlook period.

No proton events are expected at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit is expected to be at high levels on 26-28, 30-31 March and 01-02, 12-21 April. Normal to moderate levels are expected for the rest of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is likely to be at G1 (Minor) storm levels on 26 March and 12 April with active periods likely on 26, 29-30 March, and 11-15, 19, 21 April due to effects from multiple, recurrent CH HSSs. Quiet to unsettled levels 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

Check out the stunning view of our Sun in action, as seen during the last five years with the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXN-MdoGM9g

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NOTICE: When you buy this (or any item after starting with this link), you are helping us keep our SunSpotWatch.com and other resources “on the air” (up and running!). In other words, you are helping the entire community. So, check out this book:

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Visit, subscribe: NW7US Radio Communications and Propagation YouTube Channel

There is no doubt in my mind that FT8 has been phenomenal.

Every day this new digital mode seems to attract more and more people. It works with the briefest of openings and the software needed is free. It takes up about 60Hz only and works with weak signals. On a recent (rare for me) visit to 20m, DX from all over the world was spotted.

Even on 2m VHF, most days I spot signals from all over western Europe under flat conditions even with my omni antenna.

What will the Es season bring on 6m this year with this mode?

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/hf-ft8

Roger Lapthorn, G3XBM, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from Cambridge, England.

Ham College episode 39 is now available for download.

General Amateur Radio Exam questions part 10. Digital Modes pt 2, Interference.
58:18

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].

It been some time since I posted on the blog but it's the same old same old reason......very busy these days at work. I had Friday off and got on the radio in the afternoon to see what was happening. The band scope showed just few signals on 20m but I tuned up the Mag loop with plans of netting some contacts. I was pleasantly surprised that in just over a leisurely hour I contacted Jamaica 6Y5WJ, Italy IQ3MW, IF9A from the island of Favignana EU-54 it's near Trapani Sicily Italy and Slovenia S52F and S51DX. A great afternoon on CW and low power to boot.
Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.

Welcome to the latest Weekender edition of Linux in the Ham Shack! We're all ready for the weekend and we hope you are too. In this episode we give you some tips on special event stations and contests to participate in over the next two weekends, Linux challenges to try, some Scotch to partake of and a great fruit salad to try as well. Enjoy!

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].