HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS MI
1215 PM EDT TUE AUG 31 2010

MIZ037>040-043>046-050>052-056>059-064>067-071>074-010945-
MASON-LAKE-OSCEOLA-CLARE-OCEANA-NEWAYGO-MECOSTA-ISABELLA-MUSKEGON-
MONTCALM-GRATIOT-OTTAWA-KENT-IONIA-CLINTON-ALLEGAN-BARRY-EATON-
INGHAM-VAN BUREN-KALAMAZOO-CALHOUN-JACKSON-
1215 PM EDT TUE AUG 31 2010

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHWEST LOWER
MICHIGAN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

THUNDERSTORMS ARE LIKELY LATE TONIGHT GENERALLY NORTH AND WEST OF A
LINE FROM MUSKEGON TO BIG RAPIDS TO HOUGHTON LAKE. SEVERE WEATHER IS
NOT EXPECTED BUT LOCALLY HEAVY RAINFALL IS POSSIBLE. STORM MOTION
WILL BE EAST NORTHEAST AT AROUND 30 MPH.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...WEDNESDAY THROUGH MONDAY

THUNDERSTORMS ARE POSSIBLE WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY AS A SLOW
MOVING COLD FRONT PUSHES THROUGH.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

Air Quality Alert!!

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY
MIZ037-043-050-056-057-064-010400-

AIR QUALITY ADVISORY
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN
138 PM EDT MON AUG 30 2010

...AIR QUALITY ALERT FOR TUESDAY AUGUST 31ST...

THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT HAS
DECLARED TUESDAY...AUGUST 31ST...TO BE AN ACTION DAY FOR
ELEVATED LEVELS OF OZONE. POLLUTANTS ARE EXPECTED TO BE IN THE
UNHEALTHY FOR SENSITIVE GROUPS RANGE.

THE ACTION DAY IS IN EFFECT FOR THE FOLLOWING MICHIGAN COUNTIES...

ALLEGAN...KENT...MASON...MUSKEGON...OCEANA...AND OTTAWA COUNTIES.

PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES ARE URGED TO AVOID ACTIVITIES WHICH LEAD
TO OZONE FORMATION. THESE ACTIVITIES INCLUDE...REFUELING VEHICLES
OR TOPPING OFF WHEN REFUELING...USING GASOLINE POWERED LAWN
EQUIPMENT...AND USING CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID. POSITIVE ACTIVITIES
INCLUDE...CAR POOLING...BIKING TO WORK...DELAYING OR COMBINING
ERRANDS AND USING WATER BASED PAINTS.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ACTIVE CHILDREN AND ADULTS...AND PERSONS
WITH RESPIRATORY DISEASES SUCH AS ASTHMA...LIMIT PROLONGED
OUTDOOR EXERTION.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION...PLEASE SEE THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT AIR QUALITY INDEX PAGE ON THE
INTERNET AT...HTTP://WWW.DEQMIAIR.ORG

Summer 1988 vs. 2010

August 31st, 2010 at 2:10 am by Bill Steffen under Bill's Blog, Weather

<–click on the image (from NCDC) to see full screen.  This is a map of temperatures from the summer of 1988.   A number of people have commented about how the summer of 2010 could be warmer than the summer of 1988.  In the summer of 1988 we had 37 days that reached 90°, fourteen of those days got up to 95° or higher and there was one day that hit 100° (the only 100-degree temperature we have had since 1964 in G.R.).   Yesterday was only the 8th 90-degree day of 2010 and none of those days has been warmer than 93°.  So, 1988 wins if you are looking for the hottest high temperature days.  However, when you look at the whole 24-hour period and average out the highs and lows put together, 2010 is a clear winner.  June, July and August of 1988 were +1.4°, +3.3° and +3.8° above normal.  June, July and August of 2010 are +2.1°, +4.1° and +5.3°.   In 1988 we had only 1.07″ of rain in May and 0.25″ of rain in June (driest June ever).  The dry conditions made for large daily (diurnal) swings in temperature.  In June of 1988, we hit 90° ten times, but we also had 10 mornings with lows in the 40s (six mornings with lows of 40-42).  On July 4th, 1988 – we had a high of 93 and a low of 53.  The high was 11 degrees warmer than average, the low was 7 degrees cooler than average…so the day wound up only two degrees warmer than average.   August 1-17 was very hot (13 of 17 days hitting 90), but we didn’t get warmer than 81° after the 17th.  Sept. of 1988 was cooler than average with 7.49″ of rain.  We’re on track to have the warmest summer since 1955.  The five hottest summers in Grand Rapids occurred between 1921 and 1955.

The K7RA Solar Update

This week, we saw three days -- August 21-23 -- with no sunspots, and the average daily sunspot numbers for the week -- August 19-25 -- declined over 28 points to 8, compared to the previous week. The average daily solar flux was down more than 8 points to 75.3. The last period of three days or more without sunspots ended on May 20, 2010, about 100 days ago. Sunspot numbers for August 19-25 were 11, 11, 0, 0, 0, 11 and 23, with a mean of 8. The 10.7 cm flux was 77.9, 77.1, 75.5, 74.6, 74.9, 73.6 and 73.5, with a mean of 75.3. The estimated planetary A indices were 5, 4, 3, 4, 7, 18 and 20, with a mean of 8.7. The estimated mid-latitude A indices were 3, 1, 3, 0, 5, 13 and 15, with a mean of 5.7.
Sunspot group 1100 disappeared on August 21, only to return August 25. In this case, the sunspot group didn’t transit the non-Earth-facing side of the Sun, but it just faded from view, returning just as it is about to rotate off of the Sun’s western limb. Sunspot group 1101 appeared on August 24, and on August 25, it had grown to three times its initial size. The daily sunspot numbers for August 24-26 were 11, 23 and 23.
Remember: The sunspot number is not the same as the number of sunspots. The smallest non-0 sunspot number is 11; it gets 10 points for being a sunspot group and one point for containing one sunspot. The sunspot number of 23 on August 25-26 represents two sunspot groups at 10 points each -- one containing one sunspot (1 point) and the other containing two sunspots (2 points). On August 25, it appears that a new smaller sunspot may be emerging between the eastern horizon and sunspot group 1101.
A stiff solar wind from a coronal hole increased geomagnetic activity, and the planetary A index for August 21-26 was 3, 4, 7, 18, 20 and 11. The latest projection shows this decreasing, with the planetary A index on August 27-28 at 10 and 8, followed by a quiet reading of 5 until September 19. Solar flux for the same period is expected to be 75 for August 27-September 3, then 85 on September 4-5. We’ll see the  fall equinox in a few weeks -- this is a good time for HF propagation. The autumnal equinox will be at 0309 UTC on September 23, 2010.
David Moore of Morro Bay, California sent in another article about the weak Sun and solar conveyor belt, this time from the National Science Foundation.
Jeff Hartley, N8II, of Shepherdstown, West Virginia, sent this in on August 23: “Lots of great over and near-the-pole propagation was a daily occurrence on 17 and 20 meters since Thursday, August 19. The RDA Russian contest was a blast with many new Russian vanity calls in many areas of Asia worked here. It’s interesting to note that around 0100 local (2100 UTC) in European Russia, there was a nice opening from UA1 to UA6 into here on 20 meters, whereas only UA6 was workable in the 2-3 hours before that. I love the calls like RG8U, RG6G, R7AA and R9DX. Around 0140, I actually had a very nice run of Russian Asians from zone 17-18 at around 80-100 per hour for about 25-30 minutes. UA0YAY in Zone 23 was loud on CW. Signals from the big guns were S9+. Seventeen meters has been open daily to Southeast Asia around 1300-1430. Over the past few days I have heard YB4IR, and worked VR2XMT, 9M6NRO, 9V1DE, UA0SV and some JAs, most with good signals. Fifteen meters was pretty punk until today, when a few Europeans were finally heard around 1500.”

Hurricane Earl Continues to Strengthen, Watch Nets Activated

With Hurricane Earl now a category 2 storm -- and expected to become a major hurricane -- WX4NHC and the Hurricane Watch Net (HWN) -- activated at 8 AM EDT on Monday, August 30; WX4NHC is the Amateur Radio station at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. As of 8 AM (EDT) on Monday, August 30, Earl’s center is approximately 25 miles east north-northeast of St Martin in the northern Leeward Islands and is expected to steadily strengthen over the next few days. Earl was moving to the west-northwest near 14 miles per hour, with hurricane force winds of up to 50 miles extending outward from Earl’s center, with tropical storm force winds extending outward up to 175 miles.
Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 110 MPH, but higher gusts have been reported. Earl is a Category 2 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. NHC forecasters are calling for Earl to strengthen throughout the day on Monday, becoming a major hurricane later in the day. A hurricane warning is now in effect for the US Virgin Islands, Antigua, Barbuda, Montserrat, St Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, St Martin, St Barthelemy, St Maarten, Saba, St Eustatius and the British Virgin Islands. A hurricane watch and tropical storm warning are in effect for Puerto Rico, including the islands of Culebra and Vieques.
NHC officials are forecasting that Earl will likely head northward, threatening the US Virgin Islands on Monday and moving toward the US Eastern Seaboard sometime after Wednesday, September 1. Dangerous rip currents and swells generated by Earl should begin to impact the Southeast Atlantic Coast -- including Florida’s East Coast -- on Tuesday
WX4NHC is monitoring the Hurricane Watch Net on 14.325 MHz. Secondary HF frequencies will be 7.268 MHz and 3.950 MHz +/- QRM, should propagation be lost on 20 meters. EchoLink “WX-Talk” Conference Room and IRLP node 9219 is also being monitored. WX4NHC is also monitoring CWOP, APRS and MADIS/MESONET automated weather stations in the affected area, as well as EchoLink “WX-Talk” Conference Room and IRLP node 9219. Surface reports using WX4NHC’s Online Hurricane Report form are also being monitored.
The VoIP Hurricane Net will be active for Earl for as long as required to support WX4NHC with surface reports from stations within the affected area, or from amateurs who have contacts within the affected area who can relay information from those contacts. Stations can connect via EchoLink by connecting to the *WX_TALK* EchoLink conference node 7203, as well as via IRLP through IRLP reflector 9219. Several listen-only components for stations have been set up for those who don’t have contact with the affected area, enabling them to monitor the hurricane net. The listen-only information is posted in the VoIP hurricane net activation announcement on the VoIP Hurricane Net Web site.
“We request all land based stations, as well as ships at sea in the areas affected, to send us weather data (measured or estimated) and damage reports,” said WX4NHC Assistant Coordinator Julio Ripoll, WD4R. “If you are in the affected area and normally monitor on a local Net on VHF, 40 or 80 meters, we would appreciate your checking into the HWN NET or EchoLink/IRLP Net once per hour to receive the latest hurricane advisories and to report your local conditions.”
Wind: Hurricane conditions are now spreading across the northern Leeward Islands and will spread westward into the Virgin Islands later on Monday. Tropical storm conditions are expected to spread over Puerto Rico on Monday, with hurricane conditions possible this evening and tonight.
Storm Surge: Storm surge will raise water levels by as much as 2-4 feet above ground level, primarily near the coast within the hurricane warning area, and 1-3 feet in the tropical storm warning area. The surge will be accompanied by large and dangerous battering waves.
Rainfall: Earl is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 4-8 inches over the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with possible isolated maximum amounts of 12 inches, especially over higher elevations. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

My next antenna project 5 element 2 meter quad

I will be using 1" square aluminum tubing, instead of the  wood boom, as described in the drawing. Also will be using, Belden 9913 coax. I will post pics of the process.

Radio Amateurs Hero

ARRL VHF Contest Sept. 11-13

The annual ARRL VHF contest is coming up. It will be on September 11-13. I am not much of a contester, but the idea of a VHF contest sparks my interest. I will be contacting some "Ham" buddies of mine, and see if they are willing to give it a go.I worked 2 and 6 meters one year for Field Day, and consider this about the same. I had a blast then, and I know I will again with, the ARRL VHF contest. So I would encourage anyone reading this to participate. I understand that some might think that you need a huge antenna array, but a vertical, and a FM 2, 6 meter rig would be great!

For more info please go to, http://www.arrl.org/september-vhf-qso-party

Have a blast! de Patrick KI8UM

A Frosty Fall?

August 27th, 2010 at 12:30 am by Bill Steffen under Bill's Blog, Weather

<–click the pictures for full screen.  This is the (U.S.) CFC model forecast for September (left) and October (right)…or should I say Septembrrrrr and Octobrrrr!  It’s forecasting major cooler than normal conditions over the central U.S.  I think the model is wrong (remember this model forecast a cool summer for us).   First, we know that September is going to start warmer than average.  Second, the analog maps (and the other data I’ve looked at) haven’t let me down lately and they continue to give us overall warmer than average temperatures into the early fall.  So, I’ll stick with my forecast for a warmer than average Sept. /early Oct.  I’ll leave the thread up and come Halloween we can look back and see who was right.

When Are You going to get On the Air? by K9ZW

Hey, this is something I am guilty of right now. Significant additional work responsibilities have whittled away at my “free time” and summer activities have taken another chunk.

In my case my work-load and sunny weather induced hiatus is temporary – as soon as I have my time reorganized I’ll be on the air a bit more. My hiatus is also only partial, with operating time reduced to a couple times a week.

For too many of us it is more serious – we end up seldom on the air at all for extended periods of time. Tongue in check only a little, it seems that many of the people offering operating advice to other newer hams are people from this rarely on the air group.

Not that they don’t have plenty to offer, but the really neat “come over to my shack and I’ll demonstrate how I am doing it, and then let you have a go” isn’t usually part of their offer to the newer ham. Come to find out that some haven’t had an operating station for years.

How to fight these blahs – yeah, what seem to work for me to get on the air that might also work for you?

* Make and keep Skeds – set up a schedule to meet with friends regularly on the air.
* Work Special Events – make a plan to work that special DX or Event station while they are up.
* Be part of Club Events – sign up to operate at a club event.
* Be an Elmer - invite a newer yet ham to come over so you can demonstrate & share how you are operating.
* Improve your Station – make a plan and rework your station so you just “have” to test out the new configuration.
* Take a Class - the ARRL on-line Digital HF Class comes to mind, as the greater number of graduates become active working HF digital mode.
* Go Portable/Mobile/QRP – trying that new challenge may just get you fired up!
* Contesting – work a few sprints, ladders, QSO Parties or full contests.
* Different Mode Operating – brush off that CW key, or go digital – over how about RTTY or AM?
* Homebrew Some Gear – just like the reconfiguration you would need to test this newly built gear!
* Move your Station into your Living Area – many hams share the frustration I have of my station being tucked away in the house, move it no more than 10 steps from your usual traffic pattern area and most people are rewarded with more operating time.
* Leave your Station on to Receive & Listen – you’ll want to work what you hear!
* Use DX Spots or a Skimmer Type Feed as your Screen Saver – so you have an on-going display of hints to work.
* Get involved in an On-Air group – groups like OMISS, 10-10, Century Club or similar operating groups offer an increased fellowship is magic to increasing your operating satisfaction.
* Do a Mini-DXpedition - operating from an Island, uncommon County/Grid Square, Lighthouse, Museum Ship or Event Location can spark a lot of interest.
* Get Family Involved – if the XYL and children in your household want airtime, you may be inspired to get on more too!
* Make Your Station a Group Opportunity - Adding an Audio System with Guest Headsets, or a modified Aircraft Type 2-way intercom may make it fun!
* Work to an Award – that WAS (Worked All States – perhaps in a new mode/band), DXCC, IOTA, County Collectors or other award can be a goal to work to.
* Get really out of your usual “box” and add something special – maybe satellite operations, a vintage station, that 160m set-up you never had, microwave or some other special technique/set-up.
* Roll in EchoLink/ILRP type VoIP/hybrid-VoIP-Radio operations – whether to augment your on the air time or substitute during life periods when you don’t have a operating opportunity, these fun “near-ham” activities can keep you interested.

These are but a handful of the many ways to spark your interest!

See you on the air, and soon I hope!

73

Steve
K9ZW

Most detailed sunspot ever

August 25th, 2010 at 8:12 pm by Bill Steffen under Bill's Blog, Weather

<–this is the most detailed picture of a sunspot (yes, I guess there are a few up there now) ever taken.  It’s from the Big Bear Observatory on Big Bear Lake at an elevation of 6700 feet in California.   The sunspot is about as big as the Earth (it would take about 110 Earths to go across the diameter of the sun one time).  The temperature of the middle of the sunspot is about 6500F, while the surrounding area is at about 10,400F.   We have been in an extended period of minimal sunspot activity for the last several years.  The Earth moves in orbit around the sun at a speed of approximately 67,000 mph.  The sun is closest to the Earth in the first week of January and farthest away in the first week of July.  The sun is actually slightly bigger and brighter in the Northern Hemisphere winter than in the summer.

This Weekends Special Events Stations in Michigan

• 08/28/2010 | Cascades Civil War Muster

  Aug 28, 1500Z-2300Z, W8JXN, Jackson, MI. Cascades Amateur Radio Society. 14.225. Certificate. CARS, Inc, PO Box 512, Jackson, MI 49204. www.w8jxn.org
  
  
   
  

Amateur Logic TV Kenwood TS-2000 as SDR

A Very Bright Weekend For Lighthouses

This year's International Lighthouse & Lightship Weekend was from all accounts, a fantastic two days.
There was a record 447 registrations, four more than last year. On the country tally, Germany came out on top with 60 registrations, five up on 2009.
Australia was the improver with 57, eight more than its record set last year.
Often heard during QSOs with lighthouse stations were comments from others seriously thinking about being involved in the future. Such is the enthusiasm demonstrated for the fun event that already 30 registrations have been made for next year online at the website ILLW.NET
Also in the feedback section are various reports from last weekend, for example Rizal 9M2RDX of West Malaysia detailing how he was part of a team of seven radio amateurs at the Gelang Lighthouse.
Gert PA2LO who went portable with three friends to the Netherland’s Vischpoort lighthouse and enjoyed every minute of it, making many DX contacts.
Members of the Tableland Radio and Electronics Club travelled 300kms to reach the Archer Point Lighthouse north of Cairns in Far North Queensland Australia on a very exposed headland. Dale VK4DMC reports that a total of 36 other lighthouses were contacted on the weekend around Australia, New Zealand and the United States of America.
It was more than a great weekend from the perspective of the Amateur Radio Victoria team VK3WI at the Williamstown Lighthouse and Timeball Tower in the inner west of Melbourne. Up to 40 other lighthouses were logged, mostly VK but also in ZL and G-land.
The 20m band opened up both days with DX worked from Europe, Africa, North America and Martique, plus back-to-back QSOs with a R1 station in Russian Antarctica and then Canada.
Want to know more? Then check out the website ILLW.NET or the International Lighthouse and Lightship Weekend Facebook page.
 
Jim Linton VK3PC

2 Meter FM Simplex Net Thursday

The weekly 2 meter FM simplex net is tonight, Thursday August 26th 2010. The net starts at 21:00 EST. from WI. I will be looking for stations starting at 20:30 EST. Also there is another FM simplex net on 146.460 by W9VE in EN43. Hope to hear some stations, here in EN63ug, starting at 20:30 EST, on 146.430. For more info click this link KC9BQA .

International Space Station by Bill Steffen WoodTV8.com

International Space Station

August 25th, 2010 at 5:08 pm by Bill Steffen under Bill's Blog, Weather We have several good flyovers of the Intl. Space Station coming up this week in the evening from Wednesday to Saturday. Tonight’s flyover is at 9:31 PM. It’ll appear 16 degrees above the SSW horizon. It’ll climb to about 40 degrees above the horizon to the SE, then it’ll move to the E, disappearing at 16 degrees above the ENE horizon four minutes later. Here’s a link to a map that shows where the space station is right now (takes a little while to open the page). Here’s another tracking map with the position of the sun. The Space Station circles the globe about every 93 minutes. It’s about the size of a football field and flies about 220 miles above the ground, about the distance between Grand Rapids and Indianapolis. Check out the list of Space Station Flyovers for West Michigan. Also, check out www.spaceweather.com for details on auroras, the number of sunspots (like none right now, AGAIN), asteroid approaches and more. They have a picture and details of a fireball that occurred on Jupiter – video of that here. Sky and Telescope’s Sky at a Glance will show you the current position of the moon and planets. Venus is still bright in the western sky at sunset. You can also get the latest on West Michigan astronomical events from the Grand Rapids Amateur Astronomical Assn. Thanks to Steve Schrier for finding these very cool high res. pics. of Planet Earth.

VHF Propagation Map August 25 ,2010

2 Meter FM Simplex Net Thursday

I want welcome everyone to the weekly 2 meter FM simplex net @ 21:00 hrs EST. It is on the frequency of 146.430 MHz. Usually Todd KC9BQA of Adell, WI. is net control. He located about 40 miles N NW of Milwaukee, WI.

Also I will be conducting an earlier net here in W MI. I am located in North Muskegon, MI. This Net will be on the same frequency. 146.430 Starting at 20:00 EST. So please feel free to jump in. All are welcome. Just an informal, FM DX net. And please stick around for the later FM Simplex net, that starts at 21:00 hrs. Hope hear some of you.

73's de KI8UM

2 Meter SSB Long Range Net 144.240

SSB 2 Meter Long Range Net, is tomorrow night. Wednesday August 24th. For more info. Visit KC9BQA's website www.kc9bqa.com

SOMETHING FISHY:

According to folklore, tonight's full Moon is the Sturgeon Moon, named by Native American tribes of the Great Lakes who caught lots of sturgeon during the month of August. A moon named after an ancient slimy fish? Go outside and take a look. It's prettier than it sounds.

Nexrad Aug 23

N7QVC Dual Band J-Pole

Copper Cactus Dual-Band Super J-Pole Antenna Project

Your going to like this super J-pole  project, This home made j-pole is easy to build and sturdy, While looking for an jpole antenna project to build I remembered seeing a Marine antenna called the Super J-Pole in the 1988 ARRL Antenna Handbook, which claimed a 6 db gain over a quarter wave ground plane. I didn’t have a machine shop at my disposal to fabricate the parts shown in the Marine antenna article so I set about redesigning the antenna using materials that were easy to find and work with. I have had very good results working with copper J-Poles, so I built my refined version of the classic J-Pole. I then added a short insulated section, the extra half wave of vertical length, and the needed half-wave matching stub.

Here is a schematic drawing of the home brew J-pole

Materials All the materials except the S0239 fitting can be found at any good hardware store, and the whole antenna can be made in less than an hour. In my design I use 1/2" copper schedule M tubing and 1/4" soft copper tubing. I had experimented with using Teflon insulator, but have since changed my design to use a 9" length of hardwood dowel with three coats of lacquer as the insulator, for more strength. Clean all the tubing, and then from the 1/2" tubing cut one piece each of the following lengths: 57-1/2"; 38"; 19"; 2", and a piece about 3" long for a stub to mount the antenna. In addition to the tubing, buy a 1/2" elbow, a 1/2" Tee, two 1/2" end caps a 1/2" threaded fitting, and a cast iron floor flange for mounting. Get a piece of 3/16" or 1/4" soft copper tubing 42" long. Find the center of the 1/4" tubing and bend it around a 1"-to-1-1/4" diameter water pipe or dowel.

Put the Heat to it Now fire up the torch and start the assembly process from the bottom. See Figure 1. Use flux on all joints, solder the 1/2" threaded fitting to the mounting stub, and solder the 1/2" Tee fitting. Then proceed with the 57-1/2" section, 2" cross piece, and 19" section. Pay close attention to getting the 19" piece parallel to the 57-1/2" piece. After these have cooled, drill through both the 57-1/2" section of the 1/2" tubing and the hardwood dowel about 1/4" from the top end of the 1/2" tubing, and the bottom of the 38" section of the tubing. (See Photo A.) Then insert the 1/4" tubing to the 1/2" tubing and sweat solder the end caps. After these have cooled, clean the entire antenna, bend the half wave matching section to a half circle of about 4" radius around the antenna to help the balance and match.

Simplify the Feed Point of the J-pole The feed point also needed to be made simpler, so I elongated one of the mounting holes of a panel mount SO-239 fitting and inserted a stainless steel adjustable band clamp. This goes on the 57 1/2" long section of 1/2" tubing. A short 2-3/4" length of # 14 copper stranded wire is soldered to the center terminal to go over to the 19" section. I used another stainless clamp to attach this. (See Photo B.) While experimenting to find the proper feed point, I found that the distance above the crossbar should be about 3". Part's List 1 10-foot section of schedule M 1/2" copper tubing 1 1/2" copper elbow  1/2" copper Tee fitting 2 1/2" copper end caps  1/2" copper threaded fitting (for mounting) 1 1/2" cast floor flange (for mounting) 1 Piece of 3/16" or 1/4" soft copper tubing 42" long 1 Piece of 1/2" hardwood dowel of Fiberglas rod 1 SO-239 panel mount coaxial fitting 1 Piece of # 14 stranded copper wire 2 3/8" by 7/8" stainless band clamps Tools needed: Tape measure Tubing cutter Propane torch Solder and flux Electrical tape Caulking compound Screwdriver A weight to keep parts aligned while soldering Steel wool or a Scotch Brite pad (for cleaning all copper) Spray can of clear exterior lacquer (to finish-coat completedantenna)

Building Suggestions 1. You may use a Fiberglas rod as an insulator, but you will have to be very careful with the torch or you may weaken or burn the rod, or make it brittle. 2. When cutting the 1/2" copper tubing, cut the 57-1/2" piece from one end of the 10" length, and the 38" piece from the other end. By doing this you will have factory-cut edges for inserting the 1/2" dowel. 3. Be sure to keep the flame of the torch away from the insulator to avoid burning it. 4. Use paste flux on all joints when fitting the pieces together. Use enough flux, since you will be cleaning the entire antenna with solvent after assembly. 5. Use a weight to hold the 19", 57-1/2", and 2" pieces, and the Tee and the elbow, flat when they are sweat soldered together. 6. Use a ruler or caliper to check the spacing between the 19" and 57-1/2" pieces, to keep them parallel to each other. 7. When drilling the SO-239 fitting, use the drill press. Be careful not to drill into the threads of the fitting. After the holes are drilled, file the opening flat for a better band clamp fit. 8. After the best match has been found, you may want to solder the SO-239 and the stranded wire end to the 1/2" tubing. 9. When the antenna has been cleaned and matched, spray the entire antenna with a coat or two of clear lacquer to keep it looking nice. 10. After everything else has been done, apply silicon or a butyl rubber compound to the insulating section, then cover the joint with electrician's tape for a weather tight seal. 11. A 1/2" pipe coupling and a length of pipe may be used in place of floor flange for mounting in a roof

VHF Propagation Map August 23,2010

The VHF propagation looks excellent for tonight. Look for strong VHF DX signals, here in the Great Lakes, and extended to the West WI. and MN. after sundown.

KJ4OIE

Watch live streaming video from kj4oie at livestream.com

432MHz 8 Element Quagi Antenna

432MHz 8 Element Quagi Antenna ...


How to build a 432 Mhz Quagi

The boom is made from wood.{Do not use any type of metal for this.} This boom length is 61 inches and 1/2 inch thick. Mark the boom as to where the elements are to be spaced and drill a 1/8 inch hole in the center of the boom material.After you have done all this apply a few coats of stain. This will preserve the wood from the abuse of the weather. Use #12 wire to form the quad elements. Cut the wire to the correct lengths (see chart below). The quad elements are supported at the top and bottom of the element with a Plexiglas strip with a hole centered at both ends. The bottom of the quad the feed point. Apply a little epoxy to where the wire passes through the support holes. An alternate method would be to place element in boom to correct position and use some Super Glue to secure the elements in place. The Super Glue will wick into the hole and should secure the elements properly. Either technique will secure the wire so it will not move around.

Next solder one end of the wire to the center of an type-N conector feed it through the holes in the Plexiglas and bend it into shape. Then finish the element by soldering the loop closed to the ground tab on the N connector. An alternative to the N-type connector to save cost would be to solder the coax directly to the feed point. Be sure to secure coax to boom or mast to prevent deforming the loop. Coax should exit perpendicular to loop element. On the reflector just solder to two ends of the wire together.

You will note that this is a balanced feed antenna which we are feeding using unbalanced coax. In practice this has not been a problem but if it is not in your nature to do this, you can place some ferrite beads on the coax to form an inline 1:1 Balun. Make sure the beads are good at 432 MHz. I suppose a coax 1/4 choke could also be used so check the ARRL handbook if you want to try one of these.

The directors are mounted through the boom. Epoxy or Super Glue them as well. They can be made from any 1/8 inch metal rods. Cut them to the EXACT size!

I used stainless steel welding rods which are available at a hardware store.

At UHF frequencies even 1/8 inch difference in length will make the antenna perform differently.

Element Lengths:

Reflector Loop:		28"		Number 12 copper, soldered closed loop
Driven Loop:		26.625"		Number 12 copper, feed point at bottom
Director 1:		11.7500"		1/8" Stainless welding rod
Director 2:		11.6875"		1/8" Stainless welding rod
Director 3:		11.6250"		1/8" Stainless welding rod
Director 4:		11.5625"		1/8" Stainless welding rod
Director 5:		11.5000"		1/8" Stainless welding rod
Director 6:		11.4375"		1/8" Stainless welding rod

Element Spacing:

End of Boom-R:		5.00"
R-DE:		7.00"
DE-D1:		5.25"
D1-D2:		11.00"
D2-D3:		5.85"
D3-D4:		8.73"
D4-D5:		8.73"
D5-D6:		8.73"
D6-End of Boom:		0.75"

Notes:		Total boom length approximately 61" long
		Boom width is 1/2" where elements go through
		Boom height can be anything from 1" to 2" tall
		Reflector & driven element support must be an insulator
		Small capacitance tabs, 1/2" x 1/2" could be added to driven element for tuning
		Tabs added 1/2 way between upper & lower support structure of loop on both sides

Credit for this information goes to n2kbk

KC9BQA BLOG

KC9BQA

Best Tropo Opening of the Summer Well Underway

    I’m celebrating our 27th anniversary for a few days.   Checking the laptop for a few minutes and it’s clear that a major tropo opening is underway.  Quick check of email, the 144 prop logger and the on4kst.com chat archives (use the “review” option under the main “menu” button) shows many 400-800 mile contacts being made.   N0IRS in Kansas City reported working W VA on 2m for a new all-time state.   Fellow in Winnipeg CA area is reporting plenty of interference to local 400 MHz comms from stations in ND and MN.   So don’t forget about those higher bands.   Often times tropo is better on higher bands — in good tropo openings it’s not uncommon to run into random activity on 222, 432 or even the microwave bands.  
    Conditions got good last night, and have stayed good even though it’s midday.   This bodes very well for tonight, and perhaps the next few days.    The guys who enjoy 10 gigging really have their fingers crossed as the first weekend of the 10 gig contest is this weekend.
    I have to note with considerable irony that when we got away for our anniversary last year, that also coincided with a huge tropo opening.    Enjoy!   

ISS Frequencies

Visit the ISS FAN CLUB

ISS Frequencies

Amateur Radio Frequencies (Note: Only one mode active at a time)
FM VOICE for ITU Region 1: Europe-Middle East-Africa-North Asia

• Downlink 145.800
• Uplink 145.200

FM VOICE for ITU Region 2&3: North and South America-Caribbean-Greenland-Australia-South Asia

• Downlink 145.800
• Uplink 144.490

FM U/v VOICE Repeater (Worldwide)

• Downlink 145.800
• Uplink 437.800

FM V/u with PL VOICE Repeater (Worldwide)

• Downlink 437.800
• Uplink 145.990 with 67.0 PL

FM L/v VOICE Repeater (Worldwide)

• Downlink 145.800
• Uplink 1269.650

AX.25 1200 Bd AFSK Packet Radio (Worldwide)

• Downlink 145.825
• Uplink 145.825

FM SSTV downlink (Worldwide)

• Downlink 145.800

UHF Simplex (rarely used)

• Downlink 437.550
• Uplink 437.550

Other Frequencies

121.125 FM

RS EVA from Orlan suit [Credit N5VHO]

121.75 FM

Downlink from Soyuz-TM (voice). RS EVA from Orlan suit. Soyuz VHF-2. Progress Telemetry. [Credit N5VHO]

130.167 AM

VHF-2 Downlink from Zarya (Service Module). RS EVA to Orlan suits [Credit N5VHO]

143.625 FM

VHF-1 downlink. Main Russian communications channel. Often active over Moskow. You can hear air to ground conversations in Russian. Sometimes English when US crews talk to their NASA representative in Star City. [Credit IZ6BYY]

VHF Propagation Aug. 22 2010

Boy Scouts Celebrate Anniversary with ARISS Contact

Boy Scouts Celebrate Anniversary with ARISS Contact

On Saturday, July 31, an Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact was held with the 2010 National Boy Scout Jamboree in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia. Doug Wheelock, KF5BOC answered 13 questions posed to him by the Scouts as approximately 800 others listened in.

Andrew Koenig, KE5GDB, who is Amateur Radio Newsline's 2009 Young Ham of the Year, initiated the biggest contact of the jamboree. Six Scouts representing Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, all got a chance to ask astronaut Wheelock a question, some relating to Scouting and the space program.
Prior to the contact, K2BSA Amateur Radio Association set up its radio station which thousands of Scouts toured. Some Scouts earned their Radio Merit Badges and amateur radio licenses as well. This year, the Jamboree celebrates 100 years of Scouting in the U.S., with attendees from all 50 states and other countries around the world. Forty-three thousand Scouts attended the National Jamboree.

K2BSA also operated on the satellites from the 2010 National Scout Jamboree amateur radio station. QSL cards for the 100th anniversary are available. Send your card, and SASE, to the QRZ.com K2BSA address.

A Salute to HAM "AMers" Big Boy Toys

Ham Radio Deluxe (HRD) with the Yaesu FT-897D

Heathkit HA-14 Amplifier

D-STAR Programming Part 1 (ARVN)

Amateur Radio Station KI7F On 6 Meters during Sporadic-E opening.

ThunderStorms in the area

Hazard Tornadoes EF2+ Tornadoes Likelihood Low Very Low Severe Wind 65 kt+ Wind Moderate Moderate Severe Hail 2"+ Hail

ARRL 10 GHz & Up contest this weekend.

Full Contest Details

1. Object: North American amateurs work as many amateur stations in as many different locations as possible in North America on bands from 10-GHz through Light.
2. Date and Contest Period: Third full weekend of August and September. The dates are August 21-22, 2010 and September 18-19, 2010. Operations may take place for 24 hours total on each contest weekend. Each weekend begins at 6:00 AM local Saturday though 12:00 midnight local Sunday. Listening times counts as operating time. Times off must be clearly indicated in the log.
3. Entry Categories:
   1. 3.1. 10 GHz only.
   2. 3.2. 10 GHz and up.
4. Exchange: Six-character Maidenhead Locator (see April 1994 QST, p 86 or Here)
   1. 4.1. Signal report is optional
5. Miscellaneous:
   1. 5.1. Scheduling contacts is both permissible and encouraged.
   2. 5.2. Stations are encouraged to operate from more than a single location. For purposes of the contest, a change of location is defined as a move of at least 16 km (10 miles). A station may be reworked on each band for additional credit by either end of the contact moving to a new location.
   3. 5.3. Contacts may not be duplicated on the second weekend (that is at least one end of the QSO must be from a different location).
   4. 5.4. Contacts must be made over a minimum distance of 1 km.
   5. 5.5. A transmitter used to contact one or more stations may not be used subsequently under any other call during the contest period. The intent of this rule is to prohibit "manufactured" contacts.
   6. 5.6. Contacts with aeronautical mobiles do not count.
6. Scoring:
   1. 6.1. Distance points: The distance in km between stations for each successfully completed QSO is calculated. Distance = distance in km.
   2. 6.2. QSO points: Count 100 QSO points for each unique call sign worked per band. Portable indicators added to a call sign are not considered as making the call sign unique.
   3. 6.3. Total Score: Equals distance points plus QSO points.
   4. 6.4. There are no multipliers.
   5. 6.5. In making the distance calculations, a string (or ruler) and map may be used. However, calculations by computer program are preferred. Several such programs are available in the commercial market, including a basic program listing in The ARRL World Grid Locator Atlas ($5). For purposes of making calculations, stations are defined as being located in the center of the 6-character locator sub-square (most computer programs make this assumption).
   6. 6.6. Scoring example: On the first weekend, W9JJ operating from Mt Greylock, MA works W1VD (distance 97 km) and W1LJ/1 (distance 107 km) on 10 GHz; and W1LJ/1 (distance 107 km) on 24 GHz. On the second weekend, W9JJ operating from Pack Monadnock, NH works the following stations: W1VD (154 km), W1VT (205 km), W1LJ (157 km), and K1RO (147 km) on 10 GHz; and K1RO (147 km) on 24 GHz.
      1. Distance points = 97 + 107 + 107 + 154 + 205 + 157 + 147 + 147= 1121
         QSO points = 100 X 6 = 600 (10 GHz: W1VD, W1LJ, W1VT, K1RO; 24 GHz: W1LJ, K1RO)
         Final Score = 1121 + 600 = 1721
7. Schedules:
   1. 7.1. Schedules may be set up by use of the HF calling frequency of 3818 kHz on the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before the contest weekends starting at 7 PM local. Also, 144.230 and 146.55 MHz can be monitored during the contest to arrange schedules with other stations. Paired stations should move off these frequencies once contact has been made.
8. Reporting:
   1. 8.1 Official forms are available at the ARRL Contest Web Page at: www.arrl.org/contests
   2. 8.2. Electronic entries must include the required information from the ARRL summary sheet (available online) completely filled out and a log file indicating band, date, time, call sign, the exchange information plus distance of contacts in km. The Cabrillo format is not required for the 10 GHz and Up Contest.
   3. 8.3. Logs must be submitted no later than 0000 UTC Tuesday, October 19, 2010.) Paper logs may be mailed to ARRL Contest Branch, 225 Main St, Newington, CT 06111. Electronic logs should be emailed to 10GHZ@arrl.org Incomplete or late logs may be classified as “check log.”
9. Awards: Suitable awards will be presented.

Special Events Station this weekend.

08/21/2010 | Lighthouse/Lightship Weekend at the Fire Island Lighthouse

Aug 21-Aug 22, 1600Z-1600Z, W2GSB/LH, Fire Island, NY. Great South Bay Amateur Radio Club. 14.225 7.175 3.850 14.070 PSK. QSL. W2GSB/LH, PO Box 1356, West Babylon, NY 11704. www.gsbarc.org

08/21/2010 | 29th Annual Sweet Corn Festival

Aug 21-Aug 22, 1200Z-2200Z, K8FBN, Fairborn, OH. Upper Valley Amateur Radio Club. 14.070 75 40 and 20 SSB and PSK31. QSL. K8FBN, 36 E Routzong Dr, Fairborn, OH 45324. 

08/21/2010 | Split Rock Lighthouse Turns 100 -- IL/LW

Aug 21, 0900Z-1800Z, K0ARF, Saint Cloud, MN. K0ARF. 14.270. QSL. L. Scott Hall, 3001 8 St N, Saint Cloud, MN 56303.

AURORAS UNDERFOOT

 On August 13th a minor solar wind stream hit Earth's magnetic field. The impact did not trigger widespread displays of auroras on Earth, but the view from orbit was sublime:

NASA astronaut Doug Wheelock took the picture from the International Space Station and quickly tweeted it down to Earth, captioned by lyrics from the Don McLean ballad "Vincent" (aka "Starry Starry Night"). Note how the planet directly below the auroras is partially sunlit. The auroras are nevertheless visible against the black, starry backdrop beyond the planet's limb. The ISS is a nice place for sky watching!
Another solar wind stream is heading for Earth, due to arrive on August 24th (see "Coronal Hole," below). Stay tuned to Wheelock's twitter feed for more aurora sightings from space.

Current Station as of Thus. Aug. 19, 2010