Wednesday, July 26, 2017

N9M Special Event Station

NMLRA














See the page at
http://n9m.ripleycounty.net

In amateur radio, a Special Event Station is a special operation usually in observation or commemoration of a special or historical event. These events usually will have a special 1x1 call sign, or some other special vanity call sign. These stations generally operate for a short time and have special QSL cards to commemorate the event.

Saturday, July 22, 2017

New FT8 Mode Included in WSJT-X

In 3 days I have made just under one hundred contacts with this new Amiture Radio Mode.You will need an interface to your computer or with some of the newer radios you need only a USB cable. The software is free. There is every U.S. state and tons of DX. Give it a try, its fun.
See my log at the bottom of my page. I am using 25 watts or less and have made several QSOs with 1 watt.
See a demo on YouTube.
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from the ARRL
A beta release of WSJT-X, version 1.8.0-rc1, includes a new FT8 mode, featuring a faster turnaround, and it’s already showing up on the bands. According to the notes for the candidate release, FT8 offers “sensitivity down to –20 dB on the AWGN channel,” and contacts 4 times faster than JT65 or JT9. An auto-sequencing feature offers the option to respond automatically to the first decoded reply to your CQ. The beta WSJT-X also offers a new mode for accurate frequency calibration of your radio, improved CAT radio control, and enhanced JT65, QRA64, and MSK144 decoder performance. According to The Daily DX, on July 11, Frank Donovan, W3LPL, reported what he called “lots of semi-rare DX activity” using the new FT8 mode. He mentioned A92AA, OY1DZ, VR2XMT, and YE2IJ on 40 meters, and TR8CA and YI3WHR on 20. — Thanks to The ARRL Contest Update and The Daily DX

Thursday, July 20, 2017

Apollo 11 July 20, 1969



Apollo 11 was the spaceflight that landed the first two humans on the Moon. Mission commander Neil Armstrong and pilot Buzz Aldrin, both American, landed the lunar module Eagle on July 20, 1969, at 20:18 UTC. Armstrong became the first to step onto the lunar surface six hours later on July 21 at 02:56:15 UTC; Aldrin joined him about 20 minutes later. They spent about two and a quarter hours together outside the spacecraft, and collected 47.5 pounds (21.5 kg) of lunar material to bring back to Earth. Michael Collins piloted the command module Columbia alone in lunar orbit while they were on the Moon's surface. Armstrong and Aldrin spent just under a day on the lunar surface before rendezvousing with Columbia in lunar orbit.
Read MORE

The Journeys of Apollo 11, " The Conquest of the Moon ", NASA documentary (2009) HD
See the VIDEO on YouTube


Wednesday, July 19, 2017

I have a new antenna

I have a new antenna and it is working very well. It is in the shape of a dipole (kind of) the center is about 18 ft high the two ends are 16 ft. The overall length is 135 ft. It is fed with 300 ohm 94 ft of parallel feedline. From there it goes into a 1 to 1 balun coil, then 25 ft. RG8 coax to the tuner. It compares to my full wave delta loop on 75 meters. With the Palstar tunner it is usable on all bands 75 through 10 meters. It is much better on 30 meters than my 1/4 wave ground mounted 30 meter vertical. It works North and South stations as well as my Phased verticals on 40 meters. With the new mode of FT8 in the last 2 days I have worked about 3/4 of the United States and Canada. Several stations in South America and Europe have been contacted. All with 25 watts or less. The only improvement I could make to the antenna would be change the feedline to 600 ohm, but that won't come for some time because I do not have any and to buy new will be about $75.00 I just wish I could put it up higher as I'm sure it would work even better. Here is a drawing of the antenna.

Tuesday, July 18, 2017





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Friday, July 14, 2017

Thursday, July 06, 2017

Christmas Island


As a Ham Radio Operator I have in the past talked to other Hams on Christmas Island. (VK9X) Not knowing very many facts about Christmas Is., Yesterday I spoke with Doctor Alcorn who has visited there. He enlightened me on the many things he enjoyed while there. He is a fisherman and landed many woppers as he called them. He also spoke of the birds the Island is noted for. Now I know just a little more, So next time I communicate with a Ham on Christmas Is. I can know a little more about his location. When I returned home I searched on the net for more information and found an informative page, The link (URL) is posted lower.  

Christmas Island is an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean, lying south of Java, Indonesia. A national park covers most of the 135-sq-km island, offering rainforest hikes to wetlands and waterfalls like Hugh's Dale. Native wildlife includes nesting seabirds and the red crab, a land species known for its late-fall migration to the sea. The island is ringed with snorkelling and diving reefs.

Learn MORE
Also






Wednesday, July 05, 2017

My friend Dr. Bob Mulford

In honor of Dr. Bob Mulford for 40 years
of service to the people of Ripley
and surrounding counties

This plaque hangs in his old office on the East side of the Versailles Square

Tuesday, July 04, 2017

Remembering Tyson School



See the video larger on YouTube

See class photos from Versailles school

See photos of Versailles High School


Independence Day


In the United States, Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July or the Fourth, is a holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain. On Independence Day there are many events such as fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, picnics, concerts, baseball games, political speeches and ceremonies, and various other public and private events. These events celebrate the history, government, and traditions of the United States.
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from wikipedia.org