I was happy to contribute an article to the recent ARRL Parks On The Air (POTA) book. This piece is based on my Pikes Peak mountain topping article that appeared in the June 2023 issue of QST. This book is a collection of articles about POTA from 14 different authors, each writing about a different aspect of the program. The articles are all easy to read and generally provide a first-hand account of how the author has experienced POTA operating. There is plenty of beginner information and operating tips sprinkled throughout the book. More experienced POTA enthusiasts will probably pick up a few new ideas as well.

The Table of Contents below lists the articles and authors, giving you a good idea of the material covered. The meat of the book is only 118 pages long and it is quite easy to read.

My piece covered the triple activation I did from the summit of Pikes Peak, combining POTA, SOTA, and the June VHF Contest into one mountaintop adventure. For POTA, the park was the Pike National Forest (K-4404). I’ve done this type of combo activation in the past, sometimes just SOTA + POTA or just SOTA + VHF Contest. This time I did all three.

The book is available directly from the ARRL or from the usual book outlets such as Amazon.

73 Bob K0NR

The post ARRL POTA Book appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.

The FCC will be voting on and will likely approve a Report and Order that eliminates the symbol rate restriction on HF data transmissions, replacing it with a bandwidth limit of 2.8 kHz. See FCC To Vote on Removing Symbol Rate Restrictions. The symbol rate limit of 300-baud is an obsolete way of limiting the signal bandwidth, created back when the data transmissions were predominately Frequency Shift Keying (FSK). It was a simple, practical way to regulate the bandwidth at that time but technology has moved on. The use of digital signal processing and efficient wireless encoding techniques require a better approach to bandwidth regulation.

A practical impact of this change is to allow higher speed protocols such as PACTOR-4 having a bandwidth of 2.4 kHz. I suspect we will see other protocols emerge that squeeze the best data rate out of the 2.8 kHz bandwidth.

Living in a Narrowband World

The FCC proposal implements a 2.8 kHz bandwidth limit on data emissions on the HF bands. Some folks have suggested a narrower bandwidth while others argue that wider bandwidth signals should be allowed. And some even think we should have no bandwidth limit at all.

The problem is that the amateur HF bands are not very wide. For example, the popular 20m band is 14.0 to 14.350 MHz, providing only 350 kHz of spectrum. Common practice on this and the other HF bands is to use modulation types that have bandwidths of 3 kHz or less. (Yeah, AM signals are twice that wide, at 6 KHz, a topic for another day.) Of course, CW and some of the data modes are much narrower than 3 kHz. But the general approach to regulating HF is to allow many narrowband signals on the band. Limiting HF data transmissions to 2.8 kHz bandwidth is consistent with existing practice while still allowing for innovation and experimentation.

VHF/UHF Bandwidth Limits

The FCC also plans to issue a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPR) that:

• Proposes to remove the baud rate limitation in the 2200 meter and 630 meter bands, which the Commission allocated for amateur radio use after it released the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in 2016.
• Proposes to remove the baud rate limitation in the VHF and UHF bands.
• Seeks comment on the appropriate bandwidth limitation for the 2200 meter band, the 630 meter band, and the VHF/UHF bands.

I won’t comment on the 2200 meter and 630 meter bands. The FCC proposes to remove the symbol rate limit on the VHF and UHF bands and asks what bandwidth limit is appropriate. The current bandwidth limits are 20 kHz for the 6m and 2m bands, 100 kHz for the 1.25m and 70 cm bands, and the FCC seems fine leaving these the same. Authorized emission types are listed in FCC Part 97.305.

With 4 MHz of spectrum, the 2m band is much wider than any of the HF bands. It might be tempting to conclude that there is plenty of room for wideband signals on this band. Many hams think 2 meters is just used for FM simplex and repeaters but a closer look reveals that it supports many diverse modes: weak-signal SSB/CW, meteor scatter, EME, FM simplex, FM repeaters, digital voice modes (D-STAR, DMR, Fusion), satellites, and more. The 20-kHz limit seems appropriate, as it roughly matches the bandwidth of the most common (FM) voice signals on that band. It is not an appropriate band for trying out wider bandwidth signals.

The 6m band should probably keep the same 20-kHz limit. (I don’t think there is a compelling reason to change it.) The 1.25m band already allows 100-kHz bandwidth data signals, which some radio amateurs have used for higher-speed data links (still not what I would call wideband).

The 70 cm band is much bigger (420 MHz to 450 MHz) and could accommodate some wider bandwidth signals. Perhaps the existing 100-kHz limit should be increased? Keep in mind that fast-scan ATV is allowed on this band with a bandwidth of 6 MHz. Maybe we can make some room for a few larger bandwidth data channels, to encourage innovation and experimentation.

The bands above 70 cm have no bandwidth limit other than the signal must stay within the designated ham band. It has been this way for a long time, without causing any issues (that I know of).

Conclusion

The FCC’s proposal makes a lot of sense and it is long overdue. Frankly, it is a bit of an embarrassment that it has taken so long.

Better late than never.

73 Bob K0NR

The post Adios Symbol Rate Limit appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.

This is the most difficult article I’ve ever had to write, not only because I lost a very good friend, but also because it’s so hard for me to put into words and express the impact this person had on my life and others.

I met Rob about 25 years ago. Rob lived in Philly working long hours programming minicomputers. He developed various medical issues and had to retire early, relocating to the Poconos here in Pennsylvania. He tended to be a night owl, sleeping all day and relentlessly pursuing amateur radio projects at night. We served at our struggling local ham radio club for several years, me as president, him as vice president. He joked his callsign should be VP4LIFE. Rob was a ever-present friendly voice on the local 2 meter repeater, welcoming beginners and having conversations with other night owls well into the morning. We spent many a night at Field Day, operating the CW station and we both substantially improved our CW skills over the years.

Rob and I tended to be mentors to each other. We frequently had multi-week email conversations going about projects. Rob would get interested in a topic and he’d call or email me. Rob always seemed to know the right questions to ask. I would research the topic and inevitably get interested in it. We went down many technical rabbit holes over the years, some going nowhere, others resulting in some sort of rig, circuit, or antenna. I would often wake up in the morning to one or several 10,000+ word emails with pictures showing what Rob was experimenting with. Rob never bought a few components for a project, he’d buy 1,000 of each, and stockpile the unused parts in case he wanted to build more of something or give the parts away to others. Our last major conversation was about making vacuum tubes from scratch, with him collecting the necessary tooling and materials to do this. We complemented each other well, with Rob having the energy, curiosity, and ability to create the spark, and me with the technical know-how to figure things out and fan the spark to become a fire. I can honestly say I am a better radio amateur and person today because of Rob.

I’m still in shock over the loss of Rob. I often see some neat project and think that I should email Rob, but realize he’s no longer around. I open in my email in morning expecting to read a long diatribe about some late night experiments, but there is nothing there.

Robert Roomberg, KB3BYT, 63 years old, Silent Key. Dit dit.

This article was originally posted in Radio Artisan.

Ham College episode 106 is now available for download.

Extra Class Exam Questions – Part 44
E9B Antenna patterns and designs: E and H plane patterns, gain as a function of pattern,antenna modeling.

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Spin the Random Topic Wheel (Segment 1)

• All About The Magic Band

This Weekend in Hedonism (Segment 2)

• Cheryl’s Recipe Corner!

• Pan de Muertos (Mexican Bread of the Dead)

• Description

• With Halloween and Día de los Muertos coming up in the next few days, I decided to share a recipe for Pan de muertos!  It is a bread made for the November 2 celebration known as Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in Mexico. You can also mold the bread into different shapes like angels and animals.  The Anise seed, while suggested, is optional.  But you definitely need the orange zest!

• Ingredients (Bread)

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine

• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup white sugar

• 2 teaspoons anise seed

• 1-1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 2 large eggs, beaten

• 1 tablespoon orange zest

• Ingredients (Glaze)

• 1/4 cup white sugar

• 1/4 cup orange juice

• 2 teaspoons orange zest

• 2 tablespoons white sugar

• Directions

• To make the bread: Heat milk and butter in a medium saucepan over low heat until butter melts. Remove from heat and add warm water. Mixture should be around 110 degrees F (43 degrees C). Combine 1 cup flour, sugar, anise seed, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Beat in warm milk mixture, then add eggs and orange zest; beat until well combined. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and continue adding more flour until dough is soft. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic. Place dough into a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, 1 to 2 hours. Punch dough down and shape into a large round loaf with a round knob on top. Place dough onto a baking sheet; loosely cover with plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until just about doubled in size, about 1 hour. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 35 to 45 minutes. Cool slightly before brushing with glaze. To make the glaze: Combine 1/4 cup sugar, orange juice, and orange zest in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat and boil for 2 minutes. Brush glaze over top of warm bread. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons sugar.

• Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner

• Frida’s Flowers

• Description

• Let’s keep the Dia de los Muertos celebration going with a tasty cocktail!

• Ingredients

• 2 parts White tequila

• 3/4 part Strawberry -OR- hibiscus syrup

• 1 part Fresh lime juice

• 1/4 part Creme de cacao

• Directions

• Shake all ingredients vigorously with plenty of ice. Strain into a coupe or Martini glass. Garnish with edible flowers (optional).

• Russ’s Drink Corner

• Old Elk Blended Straight Bourbon Whiskey

• Description

• The key to our bourbon is our high malted barley content in our mashbill. By investing in our bourbon and using four times more malted barley than traditional recipes, we’ve created a non-traditional bourbon that generates sweet and light components. Aged for five years, the malted barley combined with the spicy essence of clove from the rye, and the classic rich bourbon character from the corn amounts to a robust and smooth taste profile.

• Details

• Mashbill: 51% Corn, 34% Malted Barley, 15% Rye

• Proof: 88 (44% ABV)

• Region: Fort Collins, Colorado

• Color: Medium caramel

• Nose: Sweet vanilla and caramel, banana, clove spice, hint of maple and almonds

• Taste: Maple syrup, almond, bitter orange, raw bran, chocolate, deep wood and coconut, saltgrass

• Finish: Salted caramel, light woody notes, malted grain, nuts and honey

• Price: $50 (750ml)

• Rating: 86

• Bill’s Whatever Corner

• Rossville Union Bottled in Bond Straight Rye Whiskey

• ROSSVILLE UNION’S MASTER DISTILLER, IAN STIRSMAN, HAND SELECTED THIS BOTTLED-IN-BOND, SIX-YEAR-OLD RYE WHISKEY. THIS MASTERFULLY CRAFTED, 2023 LIMITED-RELEASE RYE WHISKEY IS CARAMEL AND MOCHA-FORWARD WITH A RICH, CANDIED FRUIT BODY AND A SLIGHT GREEN APPLE, MALTED CHOCOLATE, AND CINNAMON FINISH.

• Aged 6 Years 50% ABV

Segment 3 (Announcements & Feedback)

• Show Topic Suggestions

• We are running low on Weekender topics. If you have any ideas or any topics you’d like to hear us fumble on about, please send them our way.

• LinuxFest Northwest Wrapup

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• Facebook

• David Burklin

• John Bogner

• Les Moses

• Glen Butcher

• Felim Doyle

• Antonio Patricio

• Simuel Beckwith

• Pete Summers

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• 19 more…

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• @Morad_

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• Pierre Boldt

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• ohTHATguy

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• Live Chat

• Ted, WA0EIR

Another month has zoomed by and it's CLE time once again. This is a challenge for all newcomers to NDB listening and the ultimate test of your medium frequency receiving capabilities. Can you meet the challenge?

From CLE organizers comes the following info:

Hello all