Field Day at WB1GOF

Join the PART club for Field Day, 2006. I walked around the operating area and talked with several of the operators during the contest this year. Some were brand new, some were "old timers". We operated the GOTA station ("Get On The Air") using the club callsign of WB1GOF, and the rest of the stations were using KD1D. We operated from 160 meters, up to 1294.5 MHz, and even snagged a QSO through the ISS space station repeater! Total claimed QSOs: around 500. Total operators and visitors: 35.

Show notes

PART is at http://www.wb1gof.org
Field Day details are at http://www.arrl.org
Scott's blog about this event is at 100 Pound DXpedition, shortcut at http://tinyurl.com/ztudn

Radio signals from MARS

No, not the planet Mars.

Join me as I talk with Justin Kates, KB3JUV. This busy guy is involved with ARES, SKYWARN, Winlink 2000, Emergency Communications, and the subject of this podcast, the Military Affiliate Radio System (MARS).

Show notes

US Army MARS web page
US Navy-Marine Corps MARS
US Air Force MARS

MARS on Wikipedia
Justin's home page

ARES and SKYWARN

Today's interview with Rob Macedo, KD1CY, covers ARES and SKYWARN, and weather reporting. Rob is the SEC for the EMA section. What do all those acronyms mean? You'll have to tune in to find out.

Show notes

ARRL's EMA page
SKYWARN
Field Day Weather and Safety Tips

Growing up as a ham

Today's interview with Brent, KA1NHG, is a walk down memory lane. "What is it like growing up as a ham? Do you think it changed your life?"

Let kids in on the secret as soon as they are interested - this hobby opens up many new avenues and pathways in their lives.

Using a generator on Field Day?

Before you go out and buy just any old generator, listen to this interview with Greg Greaves, from Huntsville Generator in Alabama. Greg is an expert in selecting the right tool for the job. Don't risk your new transceiver or computer, by using the wrong power source.

http://www.huntsvillegenerator.com/ 866-735-9696
http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/genwat.asp
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outdoor/generator/application.aspx
http://www.onan.com/onan/index.jsp

Handi-hams

My longtime friend Phil Temples, K9HI, talks about his participation in HandiHams. This organization provides help, services, and materials for hams (and aspiring hams) who aren't able to do some things themselves due to physical limitations.

Check it out at: http://www.handiham.org

Their web site says: "Blind? Have a disability? This is a great place to start learning ham radio!"

It sure is.

Maritime radio

This interview with Scott Baker, VA7WT, actually involves two subjects: maritime radio, and ham radio software. Scott is active with the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary, and also a software author, including some very useful ham radio utilities. Another busy guy, doing fun stuff with ham radio!

Show notes

World Time can be downloaded from Scott's site at http://www.pawprint.net/wt/history/
Scanner Recorder is at http://www.davee.com/scanrec/
Scott's blog is at http://www.bosunsmate.org/news/

(This note is to you audio purists out there: Yes, I know, the audio levels are too low. Please forgive me for that. Regardless, this one is a lot of fun, and just turn up your volume, and ignore my goof. That technical difficulty will be fixed by the next time I talk to Scott! Guaranteed. -- Dave)

Hunting Polar Bears

...but not the usual kind. Ron and Ed discuss the Polar Bear Moonlight Madness, where they go out in the cold winter night and work some stations using QRP power.

Join me, with Ron (WB3AAL) and Ed (WA3WSJ) to discuss a new club that was started "just for the fun of it", but turned into another exciting time when ham radio meets the great outdoors.

This one is a lot of fun.

Spark an interest in someone

During Atlanticon 2006, I talked with my friend Omar, KW7OS, about differences between homebrew radios in the 1960's and in the 2000's. The short version is that you can still do it, easily, and inexpensively.

Omar's ham radio background started with a childhood interest, probably playing no small part finding himself as a grown-up engineer working for NASA, among other places.

This conversation started with "What kind of stuff have you done in your ham radio career that other people might want to try?"

Omar's info on QRZ.COM is at http://www.qrz.com/callsign/kw7os

And the winner of the Boston Marathon is...

And the winner of the Boston Marathon is... YOU!!!

Today we are talking about the Boston Marathon, 2006.

Here is the Q&A:

Was Dave there? Yes.
Did he run it? Sort of.
What did he run? EVERYTHING ABOVE AUDIO FREQS.

He was NET CONTROL, bay-bee! He ran the whole thing, as far as us hams are concerned. Check it out here.

Show notes

Anderson Powerpole is the standard, and it really works. Go to any of these sites to see more.

West Mountain Radio is a great source for power-related stuff (they are one of the best companies I have ever dealt with, online or off, ham radio or other). http://www.westmountainradio.com/SuperPWRgate.htm

Astron has been making power supplies since I was a kid. They are all about power. http://www.astroncorp.com/sps.shtml

NMO mounts are used very commonly for mobile antennas. They are especially good for their o-ring and waterproof design.
http://www.westcoastmall.net/shop/default.php?cPath=21_94_158

Boston Marathon links are here. http://www.baa.org

Kenwood's web site is at http://www.kenwood.net

Do you want to get your ham license? Start here, http://www.arrl.org and go to the elmer's page to see who is close-by to help. Our hobby is one that greets new members like long-lost family members!!! CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ CQ

The Prodigal Ham?

I had a great conversation with Ed Breneiser, WA3WSJ in the hallway of Atlanticon 2006. After a few minutes, I said "Wait a second! Let me capture this for the 99 Hobbies gang. This is good stuff!" Ed has been licensed since 1973, and lost interest in the hobby for a while. He re-kindled his interest and now really has "done it all". I think you will enjoy this one.

Show notes:

Ed's page at QRZ
Readiness from the ARRL and the ARRL home page
Ed's home page
His callsign shows up 700 times on Google

Hiking the Appalachian Trail

...with a radio in your backpack, that is! Listen to my interview with Ron, WB3AAL about the excitement, and the hazards, of using a battery-powered ham radio while hiking the AT. Ron gave a presentation about this at Atlanticon 2006, and later, he and I talked about it so that you could hear all about it. Ron's bio is here.

Show notes:

EPA QRP Club
Ron's web site
Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Amateur Radio Lighthouse Society
WA3WSJ's Antenna
Ron uses a K1 and K2 for portable operation

Public service events

Join me with Dave Jenkins, N1MXV as we discuss preparation for helping with public service events such as the Boston Marathon.

Show notes:

http://www.baa.org/Volunteering/BostonMarathon...
http://amateur-radio.net/marc/index2.html
http://www.baa.org/Volunteering/BostonMarathon...

1296 moonbounce??? (Part I)

Believe it or not, you can bounce your signal off the moon using commonly available parts, mostly from your local hardware store. I interviewed Marc, N2UO, about his work in this area. Marc gave a spellbinding presentation at Atlanticon 2006 titled "Homebrewing a 1296 MHz Earth-Moon-Earth Station". I present it here in two parts: part one and look for the conclusion just down the page. See a short biography of Marc here.

Show notes:

www.nitehawk.com/rasmit (note: link may not be dependable, try here ).
Marc's home page is http://www.qsl.net/n2uo .

1296 Moonbounce (part II)

Listen to part II of my interview with Marc here.

Go take that ham radio exam!

Listen to my interview with Nancy, N1OEZ, who has given over one hundred ham radio tests. After hearing this, you won't have any fear of taking the test.

Show notes:

N1OEZ on QRZ.com
VEC program at ARRL
KSU Amateur Club, and info about taking the test

Homebrew HF antenna: $25

Listen to my converstaion with Dave, N1MXV, about his weekend project of building a 20-meter vertical, from Home Depot parts and ordinary hand tools. Total cost of parts: $25. Talking across the Atlantic: priceless!

Show notes:

N1MXV on QRZ.com

DX-pedition

Have you ever wondered what a DX-pedition was like? Ever wondered what it is? Scott, NE1RD, tells us about his trip to the US Virgin Islands in March 2006.

Show notes:

NE1RD on QRZ.com
Scott's DX-pedition article
Buddipole Antennas

Buying your first ham radio?

Buying your first radio? Listen to Peter from HRO talk about some things you should consider.

Show notes:

KI1M on QRZ.com
Manufacturer's page from HRO (top right of page)