Lots of Ham Radio Photos

Top 20 15 10 Bottom 17 12 Meters

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Solar activity at a record low

In my 45 years as an Amateur Radio Operator (ham) I have not seen propagation this low. On June 25th, 2016 the Solar flux was at 77 and there were zero sun spots. To make the best of a very bad situation I did manage to contact two stations in Austrialia (VK) on the 40 meter band (7Mhz.) Solar activity cycles every eleven years and the perditions were; the low was one year ago. I think the low must be now in 2016. For all Amateur Radio operators lets hope for better conditions with Mr. Sun in the future. ..... Jack WB9OTX

The Sunspot Cycle

The sun controls the Amateur (Ham) radio frequencies,  posted at the web site is loads of information for the Ham operator and others.

http://solarscience.msfc.nasa.gov/SunspotCycle.shtml

How far can you talk ?

Many many times this question is ask of me and I'm sure it is ask of all radio amateurs. There is no standard answer. I have to think everytime it is asked. There can be many answers, but Here are a few.
With an HF (high frequency) radio, you can reach the entire world...if the conditions are favorable. The range of HF transmissions is affected by the ionosphere, which is like the weather: it changes constantly, it's unpredictable, and you can't do anything about it.

It depends on the codition of the sun. Is there a solar storm? Propagation peaks on eleven year cycles. The cycle is now on the downward swing. The peak was about two years ago.

The belt clipper boys with only VHF and UHF privileges are limited to very short distances, About 25 miles or so. Working through a repeater station the range can be over 100.

It is hard but not impossible to to work (talk) 100 countries in a weekend.

Click to Enlarge

The key to working distance (DX) is finding another Ham at a rare location. Lots of places are uninhabited and a Ham must go there.

The time of day and the frequency used will determine the distance covered. For example, at about 7:00AM on a frequency of 7.200 MHZ. you can work West Australians (VK6 Perth). At Noon on 14.100 you can work Europe.

(Photo courtesy American Radio Relay League)

X1M Platinum

X1M SSB CW 4 watt xceiver

The postman dropped off this little QRP rig today about noon. I had to solder the power connector on witch took about 15 minutes, I put an adapter on the BNC antenna receptacle so I could use a PL259. I flipped the power on and the internal speaker came to life. I got a stiff neck bobbing  my head to focus my bifocals in on the very small LED menu. Its going to take a few days to remember all the menu ajustments. The first contact was to a station in So. Dakota on the 20 meter SSB band, my report was 44. The second contact was on 75 meters and the guys couldn't get over how good I sounded with only 4 watts of power. I was running S8 to 9 with good audio. I called CQ on the 20 meter QRP frequency but received no replies. Tomorrow is another day and I can't wait for 15 & 10 to open up. I'm going to build a portable antenna for 40 and 20, also a small nicad battery pack to operate portable back packing. I can run 1500 watts with other radios I have but I get a bigger kick out of the flea power this little radio puts out..... Jack WB9OTX
Flash: 10/20/13 Ten meters was open today. I worked about 12 or 15 stations all over Europe. I am getting more proficient with the menu commands now. A great fun radio, I love it !!

EME "Go Work Yourself"

As you may know or not know I am a Ham Radio Operator. I have did or at least tried about everything that the hobby has to offer. EME (earth moon earth) is the hardest contact to make. I have contacted more than sixty stations throughout the world that encludes stations on all continents (WAC). Here is a video that will describe some of the high points of a EME station....... Jack WB9OTX
See my EME logbook   See my EME antennas

EME "Go Work Yourself"
Pete N8PR dropped by our booth in Orlando to tell us a story, and we roped him into talking about one of this passions - EME (Earth-Moon-Earth). With new software and techniques, you don't need that monster station anymore. But you'll need more than an HT. Somewhere in between....

International Space Station

See the International Space Station from your house?
http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/
If you are an Amateur (Ham) radio operator you could talk to the astronauts on board.
If you are not but have a radio scanner you can hear them. Just listen on 145.800 & or 145.825 FM mode.  You can get further information at:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/
I have made contact with the ISS and received their QSL card.
See a larger photos at:

QSL Front
QSL Back