CE9 logs are online

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The logs of the CE9 dxpedition are now online

We're solar sailing !

In an unexpected reversal of fortune, NASA's NanoSail-D spacecraft has unfurled a gleaming sheet of space-age fabric 650 km above Earth, becoming the first-ever solar sail to circle our planet.  To learn more about the NanoSail-D imaging challenge and contest rules, satellite tracking predictions and sighting times, visit: http://www.nanosail.org

Operating site at Diego Ramirez

CE9IOTA WEBSITE

P29NI, P29VLR, P29VCX

Derek, G3KHZ is organising a 6th trip in April. Team members are: SM6CVX, Stig (from Sweden), CT1AGF, G3JKX, G3UKV, G3KHZ

The flights are booked and they plan to board M/V Barbarian on 1st April. They go first to Feni Island OC-101 (P29VCX), then Nuguria OC-257 (P29NI) and finally Green Island OC-231 (P29VLR).

Hans will go to Louisiade OC-117 (P29VCX) after the main dxpedition is finished, from 22 to 25 April. 

The website is here where you can send your PayPal contribution

New pics from CE9 DXped on SA-097

Marking on Gonzalo Island

More here

R&S®ZVH Cable and Antenna Analyzer

1. Frequency range from 100 kHz to 3.6 GHz or 8 GHz
2. 100 dB (typ.) dynamic range for filter and antenna isolation measurements
3. Built-in DC voltage supply (bias) for active components such as amplifiers
4. Power meter option
5. Saving of measurement results on SD memory card or USB memory stick
6. Easy operation with user-configurable test sequences (wizard)
7. Easy-to-replace Li-ion battery for up to 4.5 h of operation
8. Rugged, splash-proof housing for rough work in the field
9. Easy handling due to low weight (3 kg with battery) and easy-to-reach function keys

LINK

NASA Seeks Amateur Radio Operators' Aid

On Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 11:30 a.m. EST, engineers at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., confirmed that the NanoSail-D nanosatellite ejected from Fast Affordable Scientific and Technology Satellite, FASTSAT. The ejection event occurred spontaneously and was identified this morning when engineers at the center analyzed onboard FASTSAT telemetry. The ejection of NanoSail-D also has been confirmed by ground-based satellite tracking assets.

Amateur ham operators are asked to listen for the signal to verify NanoSail-D is operating. This information should be sent to the NanoSail-D dashboard at: http://nanosaild.engr.scu.edu/dashboard.htm. The NanoSail-D beacon signal can be found at 437.270 MHz.

Source

Scanner Radio for Android

Allows you to listen to live audio from over 2,300 police and fire scanners, weather radios, and amateur radio repeaters from around the world (with more being added daily). Configure alerts to have the app notify you when lots of people are listening to a scanner (indicating that something big may be happening). Listen to two scanners at once by using Scanner Radio Pro to listen to one scanner and while listening to another with this version of the app.

First photos from SA-031

Check the DXped website for more photos.

Children's Cell Phone Toy Recalled

Reports say the antenna could break off, which causes a choking hazard. The toys are the Toddler Talk Toy mobile phones, model number 1231, the phone with a boy's face on the screen.

425 toolbar

On the 425 toolbar you have up to 16 engines for your searches. They are: Google, 425 bulletins, QRZ, DxWatch, DxZone, Latest spots, IK3QAR managers, Hamcall, Dxscape, eHam, DXcalendar, F5LEN DXCC info, Wikipedia, eBay, YouTube and NoBids. If you have other engines to suggest use the msg button on the toolbar to send me your comments.

Another feature in the 425 toolbar is the antenna heading/distance calculator, powered by DxWatch.com. Click the drop down menu at the Earth icon ;the last item is the antenna heading/distance: fill the field with your gridlocator and choose between kilometers and miles. The table will appear for all the DXCC countries. For example, to beam 9X Rwanda from JN35ub point 150°/330° (short/long path) and the distance is 5681 km. Give it a try ! If you still don't have the 425toolbar you can freely download it here!

And last but nor least the Google, Microsoft and Yahoo zoomable maps. You can find them clicking the button on the toolbar. The 425 toolbar has already been downloaded by 4570 users and every day about 500 operations are performed with the toolbar. For Explorer and Firefox browser and it's FREE !

RXCLUS 8.5

A new version 8.5 will be released in a few weeks (hopefully at the end of January). http://www.hb9bza.net/rxclus/

DxCoffee's Party

For its first year, DxCoffee is organizing a full week-end of radio and friendship in the San Marino Republic. You can visit an amazing Country, meet others Hams from worldwide, operate the special event callsign T70DXC. Join today!

Northern California DX Foundation 2010 Report

NCDXF sincerely appreciates all of the contributions we receive annually from many Radio Amateurs and DXer's. Contributions may be designated to the General Fund, the W6EEN Memorial Scholarship Fund, and/or the NCDXF Beacon Fund. We particularly want to recognize those major contributors who were extremely generous in 2010:

http://www.ncdxf.org/pages/majorcontributors.html

NCDXF supported many DXpeditions in 2010 and many more in 2011. NCDXF also supported WRTC 2010 in Russia and plans to support WRTC 2014 in New England. See http://www.ncdxf.org for more details. NCDXF is a 501 ( c ) 3 and as such, contributions may be tax deductible.

P29 2011 DXpedition

Derek, G3KHZ is organising a 6th trip in April. Team members are: SM6CVX, Stig (from Sweden), CT1AGF, G3JKX, G3UKV, G3KHZ

The flights are booked and they plan to board M/V Barbarian on 1st April. They go first to Feni Island OC-101 (P29VCX), then Nuguria OC-257 (P29NI) and finally Green Island OC-231 (P29VLR).

Hans will go to Louisiade OC-117 (P29VCX) after the main dxpedition is finished, from 22 to 25 April. 

The website is under construction here.

The Yasme Excellence Awards

The Yasme Excellence Awards are given to individuals who through their own service, creativity, effort and dedication have made a significant contribution

to amateur radio. (http://www.yasme.org/excellence.html) The contribution may be in recognition of technical, operating or organizational achievement as all three are necessary for amateur radio to grow and prosper. The YASME Foundation recognizes the following individuals in order to inspire them and others on behalf of amateur radio now and in the future.


Ramón Santoyo V, XE1KK who is recognized for his work in advancing Mexican ham radio and representation within the international radio community. In addition, Ramón serves as IARU Region 2 Secretary. He has been a tireless advocate of amateur radio in Central America and a strong proponent of radiosport and the World Radiosport Team Championships. Voices like Ramón's help the amateur community work together worldwide, strengthening our position and reputation as important members of the wireless community.

Makoto (Mako) Mori, JE3HHT who deserves much credit for popularizing RTTY by writing the MMTTY software modem and making it available for integration into logging software. He also wrote MMVARI, which implements other popular digital modes, and several other digital mode software products. MMTTY is a great product and Mako has exhibited great ham spirit with a huge effect as can be observed as RTTY operation continues to be the fastest growing mode of HF digital operation.

Bruce Horn, WA7BNM who continues to generate useful and innovative web sites including a complete upgrade of his excellent contest calendar Web site. Bruce supports contesting with a web site that enables contesters to convert paper and other forms of contest logs to Cabrillo format. His 3830 score reporting and compilation service has changed the nature of radiosport. Bruce was also a key player in the initial efforts to develop methods of exchanging scoring information in the web-friendly XML format.

Rick Meuthing, KN6KB for developing the new WINMOR sound-card digital mode software now gaining wide use in the worldwide Winlink 2000 system. Many attempts at approaching the performance of the proprietary PACTOR III protocol and hardware failed before WINMOR, attesting to the difficulty of the problem. Rick also invented an improved "channel busy" detector that senses many different types of modulation and will drastically reduce the inter mode QRM common from other semi-automated digital protocols.

Mikael Styrefors, SM2O who has developed the Remote Radio Interface. The ability to connect radios and operators transparently and robustly over the Internet is a key technological element of putting top-grade remote HF stations on the air - something more common every day. Remote stations will undoubtedly be important and popular in making and keeping amateur radio available to urban and suburban amateurs in the future as they deal with mounting antenna restrictions and an increasingly noise-filled and interference-prone electromagnetic environment.

Alex Shovkoplyas, VE3NEA for developing DX Atlas, Morse Runner, HAM-CAP, CW Skimmer, Rocky and other innovative software. Alex's products are making a remarkable impact on the competitive HF operating environment. The quality of the software is remarkable, and having it available to the amateur community at little or no cost demonstrates excellent ham spirit. Programs like these are rapidly expanding the technological frontier of radio in general and are prime examples of how amateurs can continue to make contributions.

Pepe Ardid, EA5KB who makes it possible for many Latin American DXers, who are in many cases saddled with deficient postal services and QSL Bureaus, to confirm contacts with attractive and unique QSL cards. Confirmations are rapid and he confirms not only direct but via bureau as well. Pepe contributes countless hours of service in support of his fellow amateurs so they can continue to participate in one of amateur radio's most cherished traditions.

For additional information about the Yasme Foundation see www.yasme.org

FRANZIS-TUBES RADIO: first images

Six days to receive the kit !

Inside the pack

The radio case with instructions

The electronic parts