AmateurRadio.com

Here is this week’s space weather and geophysical report, issued 2015 Jun 01 0141 UTC.

Highlights of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 25 – 31 May 2015

Solar activity was at very low levels for the majority of the period with the exception of 27 May when low levels were observed. The period was dominated by only low-to-mid level B-class flares with an isolated C1 flare at 2131 UTC on 27 May. The only C-class event of the period originated from Region 2456 (S16, L=199, class/area=Cso/70 on 30 May) but no coronal mass ejection (CME) was observed with this event. Multiple prominence and filament eruptions were observed throughout the period but none resulted in Earth-directed CMEs.

No proton events were observed at geosynchronous orbit.

The greater than 2 MeV electron flux at geosynchronous orbit was normal levels throughout the period.

Geomagnetic field activity was generally quiet throughout the period with an isolated period of unsettled activity observed between 27/1200-1500 UTC.

Forecast of Solar and Geomagnetic Activity 01 June – 27 June 2015

Solar activity is expected to be very low with a chance for C-class flare activity 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 moderate levels on 15-19 Jun and high levels on 10-14 Jun with normal levels expected for the remainder of the period.

Geomagnetic field activity is expected to be at active levels on 10 and 14-15 Jun with G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storms likely on 08-09 Jun, all in response to recurrent coronal hole high speed stream influence. Quiet to unsettled geomagnetic field activity is expected for the remainder of the 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/

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courtesy: http://www.dxmaps.com/

This is not what the 6m propagation map should be looking like at the start of June! So far, the 6m Sporadic-e (Es) season is MIA and usually by this time there have been some significant openings. Even the usual east-coast European slaughter has not yet started.

Most 6m diehards understand that the cause of summer Es is high-speed wind shear events, way up in the E layer region but a new theory suggests otherwise:

courtesy: nz3m.com

So come on folks, let's spark-up those barbecues and get 6m cooking once again!
Steve McDonald, VE7SL, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from British Columbia, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

New Elecraft synthesizer

Old synthesizer board

The time sure has been flying here at VE3WDM! I just can't believe it has been over a month since my last post. I have been off and on the radio more off than on, not sure why other than the evenings seem to get away from me. As for the weekends it's sunny out and the weather has finally changed from snow and cold to nice sunny days with great weather need I say more..........guess what I am saying is Julie and I have been out and about. My last post was when I modified the K3 and since then I also installed the new Synthesizer board as well. I have not even had a chance to really give the new addition to the rig a workout. I have been reading very positive reviews on the Elecraft user group site. I am looking forward to getting on the air and trying this new board out. This weekend the WPX CW contest is on and that would had been a great time to check out how this new and improved synthesizer board improved things!

The board installed in the K3

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

This was a rig I built and used a few years ago for 10m CW.  As you can see, the design is simple but it worked across the Atlantic many times. Pull the crystal too much and the RX-TX offset becomes too great. Ideal as a simple rig for 10m CW.

See https://sites.google.com/site/g3xbmqrp3/hf/10m_tenner .

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

Stories you’ll find in our June, 2015 issue:

Keeping the Ships Moving on Canada’s Welland Canal
By Ron Walsh VE3GO
Radio communications plays a vital role as up to 32 vessels each day navigate Canada’s Welland Canal. And, with over 24 miles of locks, routing each one through in 11 hours is a study in efficiency. That is particularly important in December when cold weather and the closing of navigation for the winter can make such transits urgent. TSM Maritime Monitoring columnist, Ron Walsh, get a rare inside view.

The Challenge of Over-the-Air TV DX
By Danny Oglethorpe
With the FCC’s spectrum auction and TV-band repacking looming, is Over-the-Air TV DX still possible? The answer is, “Yes!” according to long-time TV and FM DXer, Danny Oglethorpe, who has logged more than 1,100 TV stations since the 1960s. Danny explains the differences between Tropospheric Bending and Sporadic E-skip; the two paths for TVDX to your antenna.

Add CW and SSB to Your Portable SW Receiver the Easy Way
By Richard Fisher KI6SN
One of the serious shortcomings of a large portion of portable, multi-band shortwave receivers and many vintage shortwave radios is their inability to decipher SSB or CW signals. For some SWLers it isn’t that big of a deal. For others, it can put a real damper on the enjoyment of the full spectrum the radio covers. But, there’s a way to add an outboard BFO to any radio on which you would like to copy CW or SSB signals. Richards shows us how.

Digitally Speaking: System Fusion – “The Roar of the Crowd”
By Cory GB Sickles WA3UVV
After using digital voice for an extended period of time, most find analog FM to be “muddy,” “noisy,” and of a lower quality than they previously thought. And, whether you find favor with DMR, D-STAR, NXDN, P25 or System Fusion, Cory urges you to try digital voice for yourself and see what you think, after using it regularly for a few weeks. He believes you’ll be amazed at how your perceptions change. Cory also takes a peek at Yaesu’s new digital 2-meter/70-cm 50-watt mobile transceiver and scanning receiver.

SDRplay RSP Shortwave Receiver
By Thomas Witherspoon K4SWL
He’s back! And, with yet another software defined shortwave receiver; this time it’s the UK-based SDRplay. But, at a fraction of the price of his previously reviewed SDR, could the SDRplay come even close in operation? Find out why Thomas is so impressed by this new SDR.

Scanning America By Dan Veenaman
Scanner Update from Dayton

Federal Wavelengths By Chris Parris
Washington, DC—Scanner Dreamland or Nightmare?

Utility Planet By Hugh Stegman NV6H
US Coast Guard Plans Big HF Comm Changes

Digital HF: Intercept and Analyze By Mike Chace-Ortiz AB1TZ/G6DHU
Decoding the MIL-STD 188-110B 2400 bd HF Modem

HF Utility Logs By Mike Chace-Ortiz and Hugh Stegman

Amateur Radio Insights By Kirk Kleinschmidt NT0Z
Two Meters: The “No Magic” Band?

Radio 101 By Ken Reitz KS4ZR
Meet the New 20-Meter Band (Hint: it’s on VHF)

Radio Propagation By Tomas Hood NW7US
The 10.7-cm Radio Flux

The World of Shortwave Listening By Andrew Yoder
Corsette-Building Project

The Shortwave Listener By Fred Waterer
Shortwave’s Continuing Impact

Amateur Radio Satellites By Keith Baker KB1SF/VA3KSF
From Famine to Feast

The Longwave Zone By Kevin O’Hern Carey WB2QMY
An Easy-to-Build Natural Radio Receiver

Adventures in Radio Restoration By Rich Post KB8TAD
First Look at a Zenith 5K037 “Farm” Set

The Broadcast Tower By Doug Smith W9WI
FCC Fines, Interference and Pot-Talk Flop

Antenna Connections By Dan Farber AC0LW
Round and Round: Loop Antennas

Radio Horizons
International Shortwave Broadcast Guide Summer 2015

The Spectrum Monitor is available in PDF format which can be read on any desktop, laptop, iPad®, Kindle® Fire, or other device capable of opening a PDF file. Annual subscription (12 issues, beginning with the January 2015 issue) is $24. Individual monthly issues are available for $3 each.

Ken Reitz, KS4ZR, is publisher and managing editor of The Spectrum Monitor. Contact him at [email protected].

I wonder how many of you see yourselves in this short video ... I know that I do.


As a kid, I always loved to take things apart to see how they worked. Although building wasn't the driving-force to get my ticket as a teenager, I soon became an ardent homebrewer and have loved building radio gear all of my life. When in high school my favorite classes, and teachers, were the shop courses which led me to become a Tech-Ed teacher at 21 years of age. I think it all started with an early case of the ' knack'.
Steve McDonald, VE7SL, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from British Columbia, Canada. Contact him at [email protected].

Ham College episode 5 is now available for download.

Ham College, the new show for those new to the hobby and those wishing to get into Amateur Radio.

In episode 5 we talk about Current. What it is, who named it, how to and how not to measure it. More questions and answers from the Technical class question pool.

54:34

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].