Amateur Radio as a hobby The absolute beauty of amateur radio is that it is not a
single hobby it is virtually limitless in scope.
When I first set up DigitalHam I had recently discovered APRS and the entire focus of the site
was devoted to that. I threw in a little PSK31 related info too because as that used computers
it seemed to fit in with the digital part of the site name. Next up came the aquisition of a
weather station which with a little bodging I was able to use to produce a weather feed through
UIView to the worldwide amateur APRSserv network.
Well I still run UIView 24x7 and I've fitted my TMD700E into my latest car and fire it up most
times I'm driving but my focus has now moved on to polar orbiting weather satellite reception.
This is still radio related but doesn't need a Ham licence or indeed a licence of any sort
to persue - no matter to me it is still a part of amateur radio. Having produced a turnstile
for reception I was a little disappointed with the results and the next project was a Quadrifilar
Helix or QHA constructed using 8mm microbore tubing from plans found on the web. I suppose once I am
happy with the results my attention will move on again but where I currently have no idea.
The only real limit to Ham Radio is finding the time and having the imagination. Who knows -
maybe next year I'll finally have set up a decent HF antenna system and actually be able to
talk across the world. Maybe I'll have found the time to use that Morse Tutor I bought on
eBay a few years back and return to the ultimate Digital communication system that hams have
used since the hobby first began!!
The 137MHz homebrew quadrifilar helix or QHA and turnstile pictured on the left feed NOAA satelite signals to a R2ZX specialised satellite receiver.
The R2ZX output signal is fed to a normal PC soundard from which WXtoIMG software creates the sort of image you see above.
Amateur Radio News courtesy of Southgate ARC
Big sunspot sparks solar activity
Spaceweather reports that the sudden emergence of big sunspot 1045 over the weekend has caused a sharp uptick in solar activity..more
Endeavour in Orbit
About two minutes into flight, the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters propelling Endeavour into space successfully separated and fell away. The shuttle and its crew have safely attained low-Earth orbit..more
2010 Visalia IDXC IOTA Dinner
The 15th annual Islands On The Air (IOTA) Dinner will be held on Friday, April 16th, in the Plaza Room of the Holiday Inn Hotel, Visalia, California in conjunction with the 61st annual Visalia International DX Convention..more
IRTS supporting Engineers Week 2010
Following the success of last year, IRTS, the Irish Radio Transmitters Society, together with local radio clubs, is once more involved in Engineers Week organised by Engineers Ireland from 8th to 13th February. This year sees an expanded number of locations and sessions..more
HAMNET Report 7th February
HAMNET is a voluntary group of South African radio amateurs who make their unique communication skills available to assist and help others in distress during and after disasters. Hamnet National Director Francois Botha, ZS6BUU provides this audio report on recent activities..more
Repeater meeting
The keepers of Sligo, West Tyrone and Fermanagh Amateur Radio Repeaters are among an expected strong attendance for talks and an equipment demonstration led off by John McCullough GI4BWM, Chairman of the RSGB Emerging Technology Coordinating Committee..more
Latest 2M yagi G/T performance table published
Lionel H. Edwards VE7BQH has just published his latest 2M yagi G/T performance table..more
FO-29 status update
The JARL FO-29 command team report that, after long eclipse periods caused a negative power budget on FO-29 in early November, 2009 which took it off the air temporarily, the command team have switched the satellite from continuous operation to scheduled operations..more
IOTA news from OPDX
Weekly IOTA News - compiled by Tedd Mirgliotta, KB8NW..more
EI7DAR Online Receiver
Dundalk Amateur Radio Society have now added a web controlled Icom IC 75 HF receiver to their website..more
Number 1 son M0XDK Corrie has been using his web skills too and is in the process
of building a web based display of APRS beacons using Google Mapping and a live APRS-IS feed.
The site is currently running on an ADSL line from his home. Take a peek at
APRSinfo.com to see how the project
is progressing.
If you found this site useful please tell your friends. 73s de G6KIZ
Change is inevitable except from vending machines.
