CONTEST CALENDAR

This link will make sure you never miss an Amateur Radio Contest: WA7BNM Contest Calendar

DIGITAL LIBRARY OF AMATEUR RADIO AND COMMUNICATIONS

The Digital Library of Amateur Radio and Communications is a library of materials and collections related to amateur radio and early communications. The DLARC is funded by a significant grant from Amateur Radio Digital Communications, a private foundation, to create a digital library that documents, preserves, and provides open access to the history of this community.: https://archive.org/details/dlarc

LEARN TO PASS ARRL RADIOGRAMS

ATEN has been operating daily since the beginning. There have been times when the net was very busy handling traffic. The net meets each day practicing the passing of formal written Radiogram Traffic messages into and out of our coverage area. We have a great bunch of people that make up the Net. We practice every day for that emergency which we hope never comes. Visit https://www.atenaz.net/ for more information or listen in on 3986 kHz at 5:30 PM MST or 0030Z daily October 15 through April 14 or  7:00 PM MST or 0200Z April 15 Through October 14.

View this presentation for more information on ARRL NTS and Radiograms.

How to be a ham radio operator during public service events and nets

DAILY PROPAGATION NET

There is a rather informal Activity Group that meets on-Air daily. This is an awesome resource for testing out new gear, especially antennas and microphones.

The idea is to check-in so they get you on a list. Then each station is called to make a CQ call and all the other stations, that hear it, will respond with a signal report. Every ten minutes they do an ID call  so it is a chance to jump in if you are late to the party.

The daily schedule is:

  • 17 Meters: On or about 18.1575 MHz  starting at  17:30 UTC for approx. 1 hour
  • 15 Meters: On or about 21.383 MHz starting at  18:30 UTC for about 30 minutes. If You hear Roger (ZL1XR) in New Zealand, sometimes he sticks around for QSOs afterward.
  • 12 Meters (if conditions allow): On or about 24.970 MHz for up-to 30 minutes. Then, if conditions are really good,…
  • 10 Meters: On or about 28.420 MHz  for as long as necessary.

Visit https://hfqso.com/ for more info.

CURRENT PROPAGATION MAP

https://prop.kc2g.com/

And … a short video that explains this stuff.

SOME HAM TOOLS AND INTERESTING LINKS

ABOUT WINLINK

Winlink is a digital radio communications system that allows amateur radio operators to send and receive electronic mail (e-mail) and attachments without having a direct connection to the Internet. Winlink is a store and forward messaging system. Being able to send and receive e-mail without an internet connection is especially valuable during times of commercial communication outages.

Ever wonder where WinLink came from? Here is the definitive PDF that explains its origins and and the basis for how it works (still). https://n7tar.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Radio_Only_Winlink.pdf

NOTE: The section about Message Pickup Stations (MPS) is outdated. This is all automatic between the message repositories now.

ABOUT DMR (Digital Mobile Radio)

Rick’s  (KJ7ROX) Presentations to TARA, Parts 1 & 2

ANTENNA LINKS

End Fed Half Wave Antennas (EFHW)

Interest in the EFHW antenna has sky-rocketed over the last few years, and like many topics under the heading of antennas, accuracy of information can vary.
The following website(s) may help to clear up any questions or confusion about cores and winding ratios.

End Fed Half Wave Antenna presentation by Todd Longfellow, N7TWL. Given at 10 June 2023 meeting

The End Fed Half Wave Antenna – pdf.   Click here to get PP  End Fed Half Wave – PowerPoint

Bob’s (KJ7ZTF) Inverted V Fan Dipole Wire Length Chart.

Click here to view the PDF.

Cool Antenna Projects (submitted by KJ7ROX)

Roll-Up 2 Meter Antenna

2 Meter Slot Antenna using a Satellite TV Dish

Useful Links for J-Pole Antennas (please report broken links)
Antenna Installation Tips

Lightning, Grounding & Bonding for Hams

Tape Measure Beam Optimized for Radio Direction Finding

All the information can be found here: https://n7tar.org/2022/06/12/tape-measure-beam-optimized-for-radio-direction-finding/ Submitted by Hal (KG5LVG)

MISCELLANEOUS LINKS & INFORMATION

Weather & Lightning Links – (Courtesy KG5LVG – Hal)
Build or Repair a Remote Antenna Switch:

https://n7tar.org/2023/11/05/woodys-remote-antenna-switcher/

Pat’s (KD6PZB) All-Star Node
Solar Powered 8 Watt Repeater (submitted by KJ7YYI)

Here is a video describing a Baofeng 8 Watt, solar Powered, highly portable, repeater

Space Weather – https://n7tar.org/2022/01/03/space-weather-information/

COMPUTER STUFF

Is Your Browser Leaking Information?
Linux Instead of Windows 11?

If you are considering Linux as an alternative to upgrading to Windows 11, here is a short video on an excellent Windows-like distro to try.

MATH FOR AMATEURS

The following series of videos demonstrates some math by using it in solving a practical problem.

NanoVNA RESOURCES

Website: https://nanovna.com/ The website has guides and links, including the Saver application

Rick’s (KJ7ROX) NanoVNA Guide – Revision 1

https://n7tar.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Using-NanoVNA-for-SWR-Measurement-Rev1.pdf

More NanoVNA documentation (not tested for quality or accuracy)

Absolute_Beginner_Guide_NanoVNA_v1_5
Absolute_Beginner_Guide_NanoVNA_v1_6
Introduction_to_Network_Analyzer_Measurements
NanoVNA H2_English (1)
NanoVNA N4WYE Jan 21, 2020 v3
NanoVNA User Guide_20190527.
NanoVNA User Guide_20190711

PROGRAMMING HTs USING CHIRP

How-to Video: Using Chirp to Program an HT

HANDY SCANNER FREQUENCIES

  • Payson PD and FD – PD is moving to encrypted trunking, however, FD is staying as is
  • ScannerFreqs    just a few to get you started

SKYWARN – National Weather Service Information Page

https://www.weather.gov/psr/skywarn.html