Posts Tagged ‘humor’
You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers
September 27th, 2015 | 
Author: 
K3NG has performed an important public service by tabulating the answers to the top ten amateur radio questions swirling about the interwebz. This will save thousands of hours for hams searching for this critical information.
Unfortunately, he did not include the questions, so you will have to use your imagination on that. But its not difficult.
73, Bob K0NR
The post You’ve Got Questions, We’ve Got Answers appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
This Spewed Out of the Internet #31
This is another update on important stuff spewing forth from the interwebz. It has been a while since I’ve done this, so we’ve got some catching up to do.
The KØNR Radio Site has expanded to Facebook. “Like” us there.
There is a statewide email list available to Colorado radio amateurs. Join us there to stay informed about regional events.
Grid locators are important for VHF/UHF operating. I came across this web site that does a good job of mapping the grids. I wrote a Shack Talk article over at HamRadioSchool.com that explains Simplex, Duplex, Offset and Split. Stu WØSTU posted a very helpful article explaing NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) Antennas.
In June, Keysight Technologies donated some professional measurement software to the ARRL. Yeah, I had something to do with that.
From the Cheaters Gonna Cheat Department:
- CQ Magazine busts UT5UGR for padding his log in CQ WW contest
- The FCC fines David J. Tolassi, W4BHV, for failing to identify properly
- The FCC also went after Michael Guernsey, KZ8O, with a $22,000 fine. Ouch.
- The FCC also fined Daniel R. Hicks, KB8UYZ, for malicious interference to VHF repeaters.
The Ham Hijinks crew contributed some outstanding literary works to the ham radio community. Recently, they’ve latched onto the theme of hams using cheap radios to not make any contacts on VHF:
- Club Votes: Bob Should Buy New Radio
- No One, Anywhere, Having Good VHF QSOs
- Optimistic 6m DXer Ready for Opening of the Year
- New Ham Unsure If He Really Needs to Stand When Told To Stand By
Dodge uses Morse Code in one of their car commercials. Speaking of cars, check out Wired’s article: Hackers Remotely Kill a Jeep on the Highway.
Steve WGØAT created another SOTA video, this one with Clay NF1R on Mount Herman.
I heard this song by Phil Collins on a the radio recently and I’m convinced its about the heartbreak of trying to work a rare DXpedition. Give a listen.
And then there’s this…a very well done video about ham radio that has lots of people talking.
Well, that’s all for now.
73, Bob K0NR
The post This Spewed Out of the Internet #31 appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
Happy Morse Code Day!
Does this make Samuel the original "Old Man"? Sorry Mr. Maxim*, I think Mr. Morse has seniority on you for that title, as Mr. Morse would be celebrating his 224th birthday today, were he of the kin of Methuselah.
Now that QRPTTF is over, except for e-mailing in my log summary, I thought I'd post where my signal was being heard on Saturday, according to the Reverse Beacon Network.
Bob W3BBO and I were discussing QRPTTF yesterday amongst ourselves, and it occurred to both of us that the western half of the nation seems to have reported larger QSO totals than the eastern half of the nation. This based on e-mails sent to QRP-L that we had read. Not sure what that means, but so far I haven't seen many e-mails from anyone east of the Mississippi with log summaries of around 40 QSOs or so. It will be interesting to see how it breaks down geographically once the results are in.
The EARCHI does get heard, and being on the top of a high hill (we call those mountains, here in NJ) sure makes a difference. And this makes for the other important lesson I've learned from events such as these. As nice as it would be to come in 1st place in a contest such as QRPTTF, the real prize won is enjoying a day outdoors, playing radio in the fresh air and sunshine, being able to forget about everyday worries, cares and concerns, even if it's just for a couple hours.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
* - For those of you who are new to the Ham radio game, Hiram Percy Maxim who founded the ARRL, often wrote editorials under the pseudonym "The Old Man". Since HPM lived from 1869 - 1936. I guess that makes Mr. Morse the rightful holder of "The Old Man" title.
Haunted?
You know the story. The other night, I loaded the latest version of TQSL for LotW and requested a new call sign certificate from the ARRL. The certificate came, I tried loading it, it wasn't recognized. I tried re-booting the computer several times - nada. I uninstalled TQSL and re-downloaded it and re-installed it. Zilch.
I e-mailed the League and described my problem. They kindly sent me an eleven page .pdf file, describing what to do with troublesome call sign certificates. I was going to un-install TQSL again, delete my certificates and start from scratch. But then I got this nagging little feeling. Give it one more shot, a little voice said.
I successfully signed and uploaded my ADIF file to Newington, without so much as a hiccup, burp or hitch. I did NOTHING new, different or out of the ordinary. Tonight it worked like a charm, when the other night nothing worked. Then I took a look at the certificate properties. "Successfully loaded 2/23/2015" or words to that effect. What? But that's not possible! At least that's not what it was saying the other night! The other night, the certificate couldn't be found!
Excuse me while I run out for some Holy Water. Computers are dark magic and evil. Either that, or I have just crossed over into the Twilight Zone.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
This would be great!
From Jim Massara N2EST:
"Eric Nichols, KL7AJ, and I are pitching the idea of returning Gil's classic "Jeeves" character in new cartoons to the pages of QST as a Rip Van Winkle character -- the hobby's changed, but he hasn't. We think it would be a great way to celebrate the League's centennial by connecting the hobby's past to its future. If you like the idea, email QST managing editor Becky Schoenfeld, W1BXY at [email protected] and tell her so -- and share this post of a sample cartoon in as many places as possible."
Jeff goes on to comment further:
"Fellow ham cartoonist/QSL artist Jim Massara N2EST and his partner in crime Eric Nichols KL7AJ are promoting the idea of a returning Gil Gildersleeve's Jeeves to the pages of QST. I think it would be swell to see Jeeves back where he belongs, trying to keep up like the rest of us geezers. It's a grand tradition. Many classic newspaper comics were carried on by other artists far far after the originals passed on. We grow up with cartoon characters like Jeeves, and they become little parts of of lives, and the continuity can be a small but real comfort."
Back to W2LJ - If I am not mistaken, 2015 is the Centennial of QST. I, for one, would love to see this. I am going to send Becky an enthusiastic e-mail. I hope you'll do the same.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
A Christmas Story – Shep style!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
This Spewed Out of the Internet #30
Reporting on more critical information spewing forth from the interwebz, here’s some stuff you just can’t live without.
In a surprise move, Baofeng introduces yet another dualband HT, but this one might be the best yet. Maybe. See the PD0AC first impressions of the GT-3 Mark II.
Yaesu has announced a new dualband HT, the FT2DR, that has a Big Honking Display and touchscreen interface.
The crack reporting team over at Ham Hijinks keeps cranking out ham radio news: Turkey Takes Toll on Ham.
The ARRL is looking into changing some of the VHF contest rules. The first proposal includes allowing self-spotting and the use of non-amateur assistance. I say “heck yeah!”
If you ever thought it would be a good idea to use a banana as a Morse code keyer, check out this video. Meanwhile, Burger King has recognized the importance of ham radio for space communications (video).
The QRZNow web site got caught “borrowing” content from other ham radio web sites without permission or providing attribution.
Stu W0STU over at HamRadioSchool.com has been straining his brain on the topic of complex impedance. If you need some help understanding this (ahem) complex topic, take a look at his three part article on the subject: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
If you are worried about exposure to excessive EMF (Electromagnetic Field), you’ll want to consider this device over at Amazon.com. Be sure to read the reviews to get the full entertainment value.
73, Bob K0NR
The post This Spewed Out of the Internet #30 appeared first on The KØNR Radio Site.
