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Sunday, August 24, 2008
AG5RS works Texas Balloon BLT-24 from Dubai
From our man in Dubai, Ron Sparks, AG5RS:
Hi Bill,
Yesterday was the annual South Texas Balloon Launch Team launch BLT-24. It went quite well and I was able to participate even from Dubai. This year they got an IRLP to Echolink to Repeater hookup going and I was able to Echolink to that ground repeater, then do a QSO across the balloon crossband repeater. So my signal went by "the tubes" all the way to Clear Lake Texas, then by radio wave up to the balloon at 90,000 feet and back down to everyone in about a 300 mile circle of Texas. Pretty neat. At the same time I monitored the APRS packets coming out of the balloon via the APRS web page in Finland, so I was able to have a map on the screen with real time GPS data from the balloon while I was making the QSO.
You have really bitten me with the QRSS bug and I want to build a beacon to carry up to A61Q's house and install. Sadly I don't know where to get any components here in the UAE (Soldersmoke listeners might know where to point me for local purchases?). So, I am putting together a "Bill of Materials" and will order it from Mouser in the US and have it shipped to me. I just know Murphy will probably cause me to miss one resistor or something and then have to wait another two weeks and pay for that much more cardboard to be shipped -- sigh.
All the best.
73, Ron, AG5RS
---------------------
Ron also asks if anyone has any advice on how a foreigner might get a ham license in Dubai.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Philo T. Farnsworth -- Radio Hero
I briefly thought about a title for this blog entry that would declare Philo T. Farnsworth to be a Knack victim, but in his case that just seemed a bit flip. Read Chapter One of Paul Schatzkin's excellent book and I think you'll see what I mean. What an impressive guy.
Chapter One Of "The Boy Who Invented Television":
http://www.farnovision.com/tbwit/chapter1.html
Chapter One Of "The Boy Who Invented Television":
http://www.farnovision.com/tbwit/chapter1.html
Labels:
Farnsworth--Philo,
radio history
On the Air (QRP) from Vietnam
Our friend Jonathan, 7J1AWL, managed to overcome the bureaucratic barriers, and was on the air from some really beautiful locations in Vietnam.
Check out his pictures and videos: XV2OC
I really like the shot of Oscar in the helmet.
Check out his pictures and videos: XV2OC
I really like the shot of Oscar in the helmet.
Labels:
Vietnam
Thursday, August 21, 2008
NUKE KNACK!
Sure, some of your guys have solar panels and wind-powered generators, but how many of you have NUCLEAR FUSION goin' on in the shack? These guys do. They DEFINITELY have The Knack. Be sure to watch the video in which the guy admits that he has an agreement with his wife to replace the house if he actually blows it up!
Check it out: Wall Street Journal Fusion Article
This all reminds me of a wonderful book I got as a kid: "The Amateur Scientist" by C.L. Strong. "Build a Homemade Atom Smasher" was one of the projects. Homebrew X-Rays were also in there.
Check it out: Wall Street Journal Fusion Article
This all reminds me of a wonderful book I got as a kid: "The Amateur Scientist" by C.L. Strong. "Build a Homemade Atom Smasher" was one of the projects. Homebrew X-Rays were also in there.
Labels:
Fusion
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Jupiter
This image (by Michael Weasner) is very similar to what we see when we look at Jupiter through our six inch reflector telescope. Billy and I were up on the roof last night, looking at Jupiter and the moons. Sky and Telescope magazine publishes a nice chart showing how the moons will be configured each evening. Arnie Coro, CO2KK, in the most recent edition of Radio Havana Cuba's "DXers Unlimited" program mentions how easy it is to receive radio signals from Jupiter. I haven't tried that yet, but as a Knack victim, I feel the urge to do so.
We also watched OUR moon rise over Rome, and saw a satellite pass overhead. Saw some neat double-stars, and I taught Billy about averted vision.
We also watched OUR moon rise over Rome, and saw a satellite pass overhead. Saw some neat double-stars, and I taught Billy about averted vision.
Labels:
astronomy
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Carl and Jerry: KNACK VICTIMS!
These guys definitely have The Knack. Check out Jeff, K7JPD's Carl and Jerry web site:
http://www.copperwood.com/carlandjerry.htm
http://www.copperwood.com/carlandjerry.htm
Labels:
Karl and Jerry
Monday, August 18, 2008
Digital Designers Discover Hands. Wayne Green
Sent in by Mike, kc7IT, here is an interesting article on how software guys are being encouraged to build things with their hands:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/technology/17ping.html
Sent in by our musician, Mark "Moj" Johnson, W8MOJ, here is an update on Wayne Green of "73" magazine fame:
http://www.computerworld.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/technology/17ping.html
Sent in by our musician, Mark "Moj" Johnson, W8MOJ, here is an update on Wayne Green of "73" magazine fame:
http://www.computerworld.com
Labels:
Green -- Wayne
Sunday, August 17, 2008
SolderSmoke #90
http://www.soldersmoke.com
August 17, 2008
August in Rome, Italian beaches, Circeo
Hardrock Cafe, My Sharona, The Knack
The Planet Mechanics
VK6DI on QRSS
Listen to me talking to Jean Shepherd (1976)
SolderSmoke (sort of) in Australia in 1944
Herman Munster is not an appliance op...
Book Review: "The Science of Radio"
August QST: KD1JV's rig, pneumatic switching, QRP WAS
Conrad's Garage, KDKA, K4HU (SK)
Kits and Parts by W8DIZ
Working on 80 meter DSB rig
Computer fixed, counter still dead
MAILBAG:
7J1AWL in Vietnam
Jerry, NR5A, gets a Drake 2A
KB1DRK recommends Spitfish
SM5QU on Apollo Backpack Radios (AM!)
AC7ZN reports WB8LZG has aerielitis
W8NF on Dorkbot (Knack? or no Knack?)
G0FUW to speak at Basingstoke 1 September
M0JRQ on the meanings of "knackered"
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Conrad's Garage -- Birth of KDKA -- K4HU, SK
Harry Mills, K4HU, passed away recently. Harry was 100 years old and was active on the ham bands right up until the end. National Public Radio featured Harry and his ham station in an "All Things Considered" segment about early radio. It came out in 2001. I don't know how I missed this one -- it is really great. Have a listen: NPR program on KDKA, K4HU
Labels:
Old radio,
radio history
Friday, August 15, 2008
Bicycling across 30 meters
I was having lunch today, thinking about ON5EX's QRSS bicycle. I've showed it to my wife and kids -- we all think it is really very clever. But then I realized that at the same time I've been admiring Johan's bicycle artistry, I've been using his online grabber: http://www.on5ex.be/grabber/grabber.html
I wondered how he transmits and receives at the same time. Then I noted the black stripes on the grabber screen, each about one bicycle long. Clever fellow!
Inspired by Johan, I have put my humble QRSS3 CW MEPT back in the band. I'm at around 10140070, visible on Claudio's grabber now. Reports would be appreciated.
I wondered how he transmits and receives at the same time. Then I noted the black stripes on the grabber screen, each about one bicycle long. Clever fellow!
Inspired by Johan, I have put my humble QRSS3 CW MEPT back in the band. I'm at around 10140070, visible on Claudio's grabber now. Reports would be appreciated.
Labels:
QRSS
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
"It's always a hazy day on Titan."
Now for some real DX. The Cassini probe is exploring the moons of Saturn. Above you see a picture of the planet in eclipse -- the sun is behind it. Click on the picture to make it larger. Look closely between the rings at around the ten o'clock position. That's us. That's Earth.
"New Scientist" has a really amazing video on the mission's highlights: http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn14276
"New Scientist" has a really amazing video on the mission's highlights: http://space.newscientist.com/article/dn14276
Bicycle Riding on 10140010 Hz
Sure, you can talk on SSB.... but can you ride a bike on SSB? Apparently you can on QRSS!
Who is the mystery rider on 10140010?
Who is the mystery rider on 10140010?
Labels:
QRSS
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