AmateurRadio.com

It seems to have evolved that the time I think of doing some DSTAR operating is when I’m out in the garden on a Sunday morning doing whatever chores are possible or needed (possible relates to the winter weather!). This morning, I popped out to clean out the henhouse for the girls and booted up the Raspberry Pi and DVAP.  Happily it came up straightaway, which isn’t always the case and I ventured out.

As usual, there were some nice QSOs to be had; Tom AA8RT in Dallas, talking about the winter storm they’d had last week, Ian VK6SKY who, at the other end of the temperature scale was having a really hot summer with over 40C. Another really nice QSO was with John LA2QAA on Frei Island.

John is kind enough to read this blog (hello John!) and it was interesting to talk to him about some of his satellite experiences, as a control station for Oscar-7 as well as how difficult it is to use the SO-50 satellite from his high latitude.

After I’d finished the nice QSO with John, it just came onto rain, so I finished off freshening the henhouse and ventured in.

I took the opportunity to update the G4KLX ircDDBGateway and DVAPNode software on my Raspberry Pi to the latest versions (20131001 and 20130904 respectively) as it was a little while since I’d done that.

Series Six Episode Twenty-Five of the ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast has been released. The latest news and Martin reviews which digital mode to use.

• Summits on the Air revitalised by involvement from "Down Under"
• Comet ISON disintegrates, no lives!
• GB3EB new Eastbourne 2m VHF repeater
• Kerry Amateur Radio Group repeater move
• New VK6RIO beacon on 144.950 MHz to beam at South Africa
• Latvian Special Prefix
• December is Ham Radio YOTA month!
• VHF Communications magazine closes
• Radio microphones changes in NZ
• Vandalism at Australian amateur radio club
• ARRL granted use of W100AW for League’s centennial
• RSGB IET Lectures available
• Could you write software for IOTA?

Series Six Episode Twenty-Five of the ICQ Amateur / Ham Radio Podcast has been released. The latest news and Martin reviews which digital mode to use.

• Summits on the Air revitalised by involvement from "Down Under"
• Comet ISON disintegrates, no lives!
• GB3EB new Eastbourne 2m VHF repeater
• Kerry Amateur Radio Group repeater move
• New VK6RIO beacon on 144.950 MHz to beam at South Africa
• Latvian Special Prefix
• December is Ham Radio YOTA month!
• VHF Communications magazine closes
• Radio microphones changes in NZ
• Vandalism at Australian amateur radio club
• ARRL granted use of W100AW for League’s centennial
• RSGB IET Lectures available
• Could you write software for IOTA?

Christmas Eve dawned, bright and sunny. George and Davy took the money that the club had donated, and went out to buy gifts for the adults that would be attending the Christmas Eve dinner at the soup kitchen. They bought nothing extravagant. But they did come back with plenty of toiletries, warm socks, hats and pairs of gloves, some cosmetics for the women. All basic necessities that a lot of these people could not afford to buy for themselves.

Donna started her day by visiting the Church. She knelt down and prayed before the manger scene that had been set up, “Lord, today is Christmas Eve, and tonight we’re going to try and take care of some of the least of your people.  You know what I had planned and You also know what happened to those plans.  I’m really worried about tonight, Lord.  I know that Jason, Davy and his radio friends have promised to help, but I am worried that not having done anything like this before, that they’re in way over their heads. I am worried there will not be enough, and that these folks will come and be disappointed.  But I am going to lay this before you, Lord.  I trust that You will bring it all to a good end, but I could sure use a Christmas miracle”

The day flew by quickly, and Davy, Jason and Jimmy met Donna and Maria at the soup kitchen at 2:00 PM sharp. They began warming up the food that was to be served that evening.  On the menu was a traditional Christmas dinner of roasted turkey (donated by a local restaurant – the owner was a close friend of Chuck  WB2MSV)  along with sweet potatoes, dressing, cranberry sauce, peas and carrots, pumpkin and apple pies and ice cream.

“So Jason, where are all these helpers you promised?” Donna asked.

Davy answered for his father. “Don’t worry Mrs. Pescarelli, they’ll all be here.”

Then as if on cue, a caravan of car after car after car pulled into the parking lot. Hams, their wives and their children came, bearing cookies, desserts, toys for the kids, and coats – warm winter coats. Another one of Chuck’s friends from a local thrift shop had provided donated coats for kids, coats for adults…coats for anyone who needed one. Some of the coats were never used and still had their store tags on them.  Donna was overwhelmed by the outpouring of generosity. By the time everything was collected to be handed out, she realized that she now had two or three times the amount that was stolen.

True to fashion, the Radio Amateurs jumped in and took over. Not only did they help to finish setting up,  but they rolled up their sleeves and stayed to help to with preparing the food. They welcomed the guests and served dinner. Afterwards, yet another TCARC club member, Charlie N2LHD, came dressed as Santa, and handed out the toys to the kids. There were enough presents so that each child got not just one, but two or three things that were on their lists. In addition, the Ham’s wives, or XYLs, as they were affectionately known, went to each adult and handed out bags containing home made cookies, socks, toiletries, and other personal items. Anyone who needed or wanted a new coat, hat, or gloves was welcomed to a side room where they could pick out their size from the donated items.

For several hours, there was merriment and joy in the air as food was eaten, gifts were opened, fellowship was enjoyed and Christmas Carols were sung. As the St. Nicholas Soup Kitchen Christmas party was winding down, Donna went up to Santa to thank him.

“Don’t thank me, Ma’am” Charlie explained. “If anyone deserves thanks, it’s George, Davy and Jimmy, and our Club President, Chuck Phillips.  They are the ones who pulled this off.”

Chuck WB2MSV started talking with Donna, “You see Ma’am, we Hams have a favorite saying that we’re ready for “When all else fails.” George, Davy and Jimmy explained your situation to us at our last club meeting, and it sure looked to us like you had a real emergency on your hands. Well, we Hams seem to do our best when the chips are down, and we weren’t about to stand by when you needed help the most. We might not have been responding to a blackout or a storm, but the chance to save Christmas for a bunch of good folks was more than we could pass up. And besides, isn’t this the time of year for giving?”

Donna answered by giving Chuck, Charlie, Jason, George, Davy and Jimmy a great big hug. “You are all wonderful in my book. When we were robbed, it really threw me.  I just about lost all my faith that people would still do good things these days. But I took Jason’s advice and said a prayer to ask God for a Christmas miracle. It looks like He gave me one, along with a bunch of Christmas radio angels,  And believe me, both I and these people sorely needed you. God bless you all .. and Merry Christmas!”

As they were leaving the building and heading for home, a light snow began to fall.  As they were walking to their car, Jason looked at Davy and said, “C’mon over here, Bud”.

“What’s up, Dad?” Davy asked.

His father gave him a big hug. “You’re not too old for one of these from your Old Man, are you?”

“Never, Dad” Davy replied, grinning.

“Davy, I just want you to know how proud of you I am. You’re turning into quite the young man.”

“Thanks, Dad. Merry Christmas. Let’s go home”.

“Sounds good to me. Merry Christmas, Davy”

The End

Author’s Note – some of the names and some of the call signs used in this story are actual names and calls of some of the finest Hams I have had the privilege to know, and who are now Silent Keys. One or two of the calls may have been re-issued through the Vanity Call Sign Program, but being remembered here in a special way are the original holders:

Chuck Phillips WB2MSV
Charlie Laterra N2LHD
Mark Rosenwald N2EBA
Julius Kardos WV2O
George Miller K2FD
Norm Bendel KB2SBB

These gentlemen listed above were selfless to a fault and would give you the shirt off  their backs, if they saw the need. Had the circumstances of this story been real, these gentlemen would have been first in line to lend a helping hand.

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!

Its been some time since I bought myself any new toys but the two purchases I have made really are for when I am QRP with my go pack.

Firstly I have changed the rucksack I use. The previous pack was excellent initially but I quickly understood its limitations and when full of kit I realised that everything essentially falls down to the bottom and makes the pack really quite uncomfortable to carry.

After much research I noticed a few reviews of the 5.11 rush series. They have 3 packs designed and named the 12, 24 & 72. I decided to go for the 5.11 Rush 24 which has a capacity of 34 litres which is pretty much the same as the previous pack, but this one has may compartments and sections to store the kit.

One big advantage of this pack is the MOLLE (Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment) strapping that the back pack has all over it. Meaning that you can purchase extra modular pouches, cases and attachments to the outside of the pack. So far I have managed to pack the water bottles, mast and VX8 hand-held radio to the outside of the pack with specifically designed pouches. This of course leaves the inside completely free to carry the essentials. Click here for more info on the 5.11 Rush 24

With the repacking and organising of the new case I did document (stock check I suppose) the contents of the pack so I know exactly what I am carrying – and can adjust with ease what I want to carry. I documented it in the form of a mind map, and I’m sure there are bits that I have missed off – feel free to comment.

As I was packing the case I also really decided it was time to change the battery power I have been carrying for some time to a new light weight alternative.

Weighing in at a quarter of the weight of the SLA, I have opted for a Lithium Polymer pack designed by Debam. Its not cheap but well worth the investment when it radically reduces the weight of the pack. The battery is 8Ah and comes with its own fuel gauge, choices of charging adaptors and comes in its own case.

The pack is also smaller than the old SLA, but 1 disadvantage is that I cannot use the Solar panel with this pack as I doesn’t being trickle charged. So the SLA pack complete with Watts Up meter will remain intact and live in the boot of the car. Click here for the details of the battery.

The following evening, the meeting of the Twin Counties Amateur Radio Club promptly started on time. Chuck Phillips WB2MSV, the TCARC President, called the meeting to order,  The club members were antsy and eager to get the business portion of the meeting done with, so that the festivities could begin.

“OK, before we adjourn and go to the party matters at hand, is there any new business to discuss?” Chuck asked.

George Mason raised his hand, and immediately you could hear a few groans.  “What is it now, George?” Julius WV2O yelled from the back of the crowded room.

“You just hold your horses, Jules” Chuck admonished. “George has the floor.  We’ll get to the pizza soon enough. They’re not even here yet, anyways!”  Everybody had a good laugh at that one.

George got up before the assembly, and with Davy and Jimmy’s help, explained what had happened over at the soup kitchen.

Someone from the back spoke up,”Well George, Davy, Jimmy, that sure is a stroke of tough luck,  I feel bad and all, but what can we do about it?”

That’s when George spelled out his plan.  “Look guys, I know it’s close to Christmas, and that a lot of you are tapped out.  But these folks have it a lot worse than we do. We all have warm houses, plenty of food and warm clothes on our backs. We all have shacks filled with radio gear, some of it pretty darned expensive! Most of the folks who go to this soup kitchen have very little or next to nothing.  We’re fortunate enough to have family and friends to rely on.  These folks have no one.

C’mon fellas – we’re supposed to be known for serving the public, right?  A hurricane, a blizzard, a search and rescue or some other crisis comes up and we’re all there with our radios, waiting and ready to help out. This is really no different, when you think about it.  This is a man made disaster instead of a natural one, that’s all.  You guys have come through in the clutch so many times before, that I can’t even count them all. I can’t believe that you’d just let this one pass us by”.

The room went silent.  Then Norm KB2SBB chimed in from the right side of the room, “I’ve had my share of tough times.  When I lost my job after we were first married, Martha and I really struggled. It looked pretty bleak for a long time, so I know what these people are going through. I move that we donate $200 from the Club Treasury AND donate tonight’s proceeds from the 50/50 to the soup kitchen. Anybody want to second that?”

George K2FD stuck his hand up. “I’ll second that in a heartbeat.  And on top of that, here’s 25 bucks of my own”.  He handed N2EBA the cash.  Then he said, “C’mon guys, there weren’t all that many kids on the list that George and Davy and Jimmy mentioned.  I think there were like twenty or so?  How about if we each get one of those kids a gift and bring them to that Christmas Eve party?” By the time the Club Christmas party refreshments had arrived, all the children’s gift purchases were accounted for. In addition, someone actually passed a hat around and about $500 had been donated if you included the official club donations. Davy gave all the members of the Club the details about the Soup Kitchen Christmas Eve party. All the guys insisted on being there and agreed to assemble at the appointed time.  As they were leaving, Chuck pulled George over on the side and  the two were discussing something in a low voice. George’s eyes lit up and a smile about a mile wide appeared on his face.

Later that night, when George Mason dropped Jimmy off at home, they both excitedly told Jason what had happened.  Jason couldn’t believe his ears. He immediately called Donna Pescarelli, and without giving too many details, told her not to worry, that all was being taken care of.

“Jason are you sure about all of this?” Donna asked, just a bit skeptically.  She wasn’t exactly filled with her usual Christmas spirit ever since the burglary.

“Donna, if there’s one thing I’ve learned in the past year, it’s not to doubt Davy, Jimmy, George or any of their Amateur Radio buddies. Look Donna, you were Abby’s best friend. You always trusted her. You can trust me and Davy, too. Oh, and by the way, tell all your regular volunteers to take Christmas Eve off, and spend it with their families. They deserve it. Davy’s Amateur Radio Club promised to cover the whole shebang.”

Donna was incredulous. “I don’t know what to say!”

Jason answered, “Then don’t say anything, just be at the kitchen early on Christmas Eve. We’ll all meet you there.”

To be concluded tomorrow …….

72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP – When you care to send the very least!

An action-packed episode awaits your eager ears. In Episode #119 of Linux in the Ham Shack, your intrepid hosts discuss the new Cinnamon desktop, Amazon's desire to make deliveries by unmanned drones, WEFAX and slow-scan television. On top of that, there is information on the best light weight desktop environments for your computer, and the announcement of a new contest where you can win a Raspberry Pi. Check out the Contest page for more details. Thanks as always for being a loyal listener, and have a very merry holiday season!

73 de The LHS Guys