Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for 27 February 2013

Courage Center Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of Wednesday, 27 February 2013

This is a free weekly news & information update from Courage Center Handiham System. Our contact information is at the end, or simply email handiham@couragecenter.org for changes in subscriptions or to comment. You can listen to this news online.
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Welcome to Handiham World.

New release of 6.20200 remote base software brings back CW!

We lead off this week with a report on what is happening with the Internet Remote Base project. Thanks to Jose, KK4JZX, for the following report:

It’s here! 6.20200

Yes, folks, another update to the Web Transceiver client. Another milestone achieved! Want to have 200 watt support, well we have it and we want you to try it on W0ZSW. Much more robustness, well, we have it, thus you benefit! Welcome to the new and improved remote base client. One short month brings lots of fixes for version 6.2 of the client. Give it a try, and you will find that the new client boasts some nice improvements. You asked, we answered! Take advantage of a very new version of web transceiver with improved default browser support. Yes, you are reading correctly, we have implemented default browser support. For those of you who wanted the client to launch your default web browser, well you got it, try it now! How about CW support? Well, it was always there but we simply overlooked one coding error and finally fixed it for version 6.2. Our good friends can now continue using CW as the CW filters have been fixed.
Update as soon as possible to take advantage of the new and improved Web Transceiver. If you find something wrong, just e-mail us. We can tell you that your request won’t go into the bit bucket. The sooner you report issues, the sooner issues will be fixed. So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself to the new download page and get the latest version of web transceiver. Once you update, you will officially be at version 6.2.0.200 and you can begin taking advantage of some of the new and improved Remote Base client features.
We wish you the very best of luck, 73 : KK4JZX

The future of the W4MQ remote client is bright. We hope that, as we continue to enhance this client, we are able to provide value. Look for the following enhancements as we move forward: 1. Screen Reader Accessible versions of W4MQ
2. Support for new versions of Skype
3. Better support for hot keys within the client
4. and much much more!
Happy operating - From The Handiham Remote Base Client Team!

The Remote Base health report for today is a good one: W0EQO and W0ZSW are both on line and there is only one scheduled outage for mid-afternoon at W0ZSW, where the rig control computer will need to be rebooted for updates from Microsoft. Please join me in thanking our remote base team volunteers for their wonderful effort! Read more and download the new client at the remote base website:
http://handiham.org/remotebase/
Patrick Tice, WA0TDA
Handiham Manager

Correspondence:

Jose, KK4JZX, writes about the Thursday Tech Net:

I want to thank all those folks that joined us on the TechNet last night. It was truly amazing. We had a very interesting scenario in which there is a Plasma television. The issue was that every time the operator keys up, the TV freezes and has to be reset. There was an incredible amount of discussion surrounding this topic. We had other topics of course but it was truly amazing. Join us next week as we discuss many other Amateur Radio related technology topics.

73,
Jose – KK4JZX

Gord, VA3WXA, wrote WEATHER RADIO LISTENERS NEWSLETTER NET IRLP REFLECTOR CHANGE:

As has been mentioned in a past issue, Gord, VA3WXA has started a newsletter and a net on IRLP on Saturday evenings to go along with it. It was on IRLP reflector 9034 up until December 8th and since then it is now on IRLP reflector 9038. You can also connect to it via Echolink VE3ZHR-L 591897. The Weather Radio Listeners Newsletter Net meets on Saturday evenings at: 8:00 PM AT, 7:00 PM ET, 6:00 PM CT, 5:00 PM MT and at 4:00 PM PT. The main focus is on Weather Radio but we are also open to talking about SKYWARN and other related topics. We have recently started a roundtable section after taking check ins and any weather or Weather Radio related topic is fair game. The latest issue of the newsletter is now out and there is a lot of material that may be of interest to most people. The section devoted to SKYWARN and CANWARN is getting some interest from the National Weather Service and Environment Canada, with this issue discussing Superstorm Sandy and even an article on the North American Ice Storm of 1998.

If you aren't on the mailing list already and you would like to join, send an email to blindgordie@gmail.com.

Since the last article on this topic we have had 2 new recipients thanks to this weekly newsletter and hopefully there are more of you who are reading or listening to this that are interested.

Thanks & 73,
Gord, VA3WXA

Ken, K3FMK, found a bunch of ham radio related apps for Apple devices:

Hello! Here are just a few ham radio apps I found for the Apple iPod Touch, iPad Mini, iPad or iPhone:

Antenna Array
Antenna analyzer
CQ Roll Call Insight (Seems to be some sort of newspaper for ham radio operators.)
Echolink (For the iPod Touch and the iPhone.)
Elevation (Current elevation GPS and Map in meters or feet)
Frequency Counter
Ham (iPhone ham radio app)
Ham Dashboard (iPhone ham radio app) $2.99
Ham Radio Handbook (Good reference for ham radio!)
Ham Square (iPhone ham radio app)
Ham Tracker (iPhone ham radio app) $2.99
HamIAm (Good reference for ham radio!)
HRO (Ham Radio Outlet)
iPTT (Push To Talk)
iSDR (Receiver covering 7179.7 kHz to 7222.0 kHz)
Maidenhead (Latitude, Longitude and Maidenhead within 100 meters)
My Altitude (Coordinates (x2), Altitude, Metric and English, Barometric Pressure)
Q Codes
QST (Digital version ARRL magazine)
SICE Telecom
Air GHz! Advanced Radiolink Calculator
Skype

If memory serves me correctly, many were free from the App Store! When I checked with the App Store for "ham radio" apps, the total came to 199. But, I only managed to check out about 125. Although many were free, or $0.99 and a little higher, I did find one at $24.99. Can't remember the name, but I think it had something to do with repeaters. I hope this selection works reasonably well for you and when you check the App Store, you find more that will fit your needs!

73 de K3FMK, Ken

Editor's Note: Thanks for that list, Ken. There are some great ham radio apps out there!

Handiham Nets are on on the air.

We are on the air daily at 11:00 USA Central Time, plus Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 19:00 USA Central Time.

The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets

Daily sessions:

Monday through Saturday 11:00 AM social net with designated net control station. Everyone is welcome to check in.
Sunday morning 11:00 AM informal Roundtable with no net control station or designated topic. Check in with your friends and enjoy a Sunday morning chat!

Evening sessions:

Wednesday evening Handiham Radio Club Social Net with a trivia question. This is a friendly, directed net with a net control station and the opportunity to answer a trivia question, if you wish.
Thursday evening Handiham Radio Club TechNet, a directed net with a net control station for the purpose of discussing technical topics in amateur radio. If you have a question or a technical problem, check in and report it to the net. Perhaps you will find an answer in the ensuing discussion, or perhaps you will be able to answer someone else's question about a technical issue.

EchoLink nodes:
Welcome to the NX0P repeater, 146.685 with a tone of 100Hz, Echolink node number 513917. The NX0P machine is near Albert Lea in far southern Minnesota, near the busy intersection of US Interstate highways 90 and 35.
*HANDIHAM* conference server Node 494492 (Our preferred high-capacity node.)
*VAN-IRLP*, node 256919
KA0PQW-R, node 267582
KA0PQW-L, node 538131
N0BVE-R, node 89680
On the 220 MHz band: 223.94 negative offset, Arden Hills, MN Tone 100 Hz - KA0PQW (link)
Other ways to connect:
IRLP node 9008 (Vancouver BC reflector)
WIRES system number 1427

A dip in the pool

It's time to test our knowledge by taking a dip in the pool - the question pool, that is!

Let's go to the Extra Class pool and look at a question about logic:
E7A10 asks, What is a truth table?
Possible answers are:
A. A table of logic symbols that indicate the high logic states of an op-amp
B. A diagram showing logic states when the digital device’s output is true
C. A list of inputs and corresponding outputs for a digital device
D. A table of logic symbols that indicates the low logic states of an op-amp
Wikipedia tells us that "...A truth table is a mathematical table used in logic—specifically in connection with Boolean algebra, Boolean functions, and propositional calculus—to compute the functional values of logical expressions on each of their functional arguments, that is, on each combination of values taken by their logical variables..." and that "truth tables can be used to tell whether a propositional expression is true for all legitimate input values, that is, logically valid."
You may not be thinking "logic" when you think about studying electronics, but it is at the core of the subject these days, thanks to the common use of digital devices. Turning again to Wikipedia, we find that "Boolean algebra is the sub-area of algebra in which the values of the variables are the truth values true and false, usually denoted 1 and 0 (respectively)."
So what this means is that we can have electronic switches - lots of them - in different states of on or off and in millions of different combinations. Make a circuit out of these things and pretty soon you have yourself a nice amateur radio transceiver! So what IS a truth table? It's answer C, A list of inputs and corresponding outputs for a digital device. As we design a circuit, we look at a need presented by the circuit, then we choose a digital device that can satisfy that need. To do this, we use truth tables. The truth table allows us to figure out what happens in a solid state logic gate by showing us the options of what happens at the device's output when certain conditions are present at the input.
So it might go, "If two inputs are both positive (or "on" or "high" or whatever you want to designate the off/on state), then the output will be negative (or "off" or "low" or whatever you want to designate that on/off state.) But if only one input is high and the other is low, then what happens at the output of the solid state gate? That is what the truth table will tell you. It is what you will use to pick the gate you need to make your circuit do what you want under the conditions you call for.
You can find out more about Boolean logic and truth tables in your Extra Class study manual, and on Wikipedia. Now that's logical, Mr. Spock!
Please e-mail handiham@couragecenter.org to comment.

This week @ HQ
We had a report that the audio podcast was not titled for the past three weeks. I have been unable to identify why this is a problem as the metadata is included in the MP3 file and the podcast does show up on iTunes. However, this particular user was getting the podcast via Juice. If anyone can suggest a solution please contact us.
The DAISY digest for our blind members is in production for March. Our thanks to Bob, N1BLF, Jim, KJ3P, and Ken, W9MJY, for reading this month. Watch for these DAISY materials in the members section on Friday.
Spring Break! The Handiham office will be closed March 8 through 12 for Spring Break. This office closing does not affect other Courage Center programs and services.
Photo: The great room in a typical wheelchair-accessible cabin at Radio Camp. Each cabin sports a complete kitchen for snacks and a laundry.
Radio Camp application packets will be ready for mailing in late March. 2013 camp dates call for arrival on July 28 and departure on August 2. We have confirmed that we will offer our campers who pass Technician at camp brand-new handheld radios. Radio camp will emphasize ham radio fun and getting on the air.
We will feature:

Technician beginner small group class - Get your first license and get on the air!
General Class study group for those who need a quick review before taking the General exam.
Extra Class study group for those who need a quick review before taking the Extra exam.
VE session conducted by SARA, the Stillwater (MN) Amateur Radio Association, on Thursday, August 1, at 1:30 PM.
Operating Skills small group get on the air sessions and discussions
Extra Class seminar for those with Extra Class licenses who want to participate in more advanced technical projects and discussions
Several stations to operate, including maritime mobile on the camp pontoon boat with Cap'n Bill, N0CIC
Sailing with Skipper Bill, K9BV
Handiham Radio Club meeting and elections
Dining in the nearby newly-remodeled Woodland dining hall.
Fun in the sun during Minnesota's excellent summer season - at Camp Courage on beautiful Cedar Lake!

For a Radio Camp application, email Nancy at hamradio@couragecenter.org or call her at 763-520-0512.
Our scheduled Extra Class lecture this week will cover the next section as we continue the topic of digital logic, and it will be available on Friday afternoon if all goes well. All courses, Tech though Extra, are on line for your use whenever you want to study or review. Teaching is done with thoughtful attention to descriptions for those who are blind, and we promote understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing the question pool. If you would like to use this service but do not understand how, please contact us. We can also put the audio lectures on your DAISY digital NLS cartridge if you prefer that method instead of downloading or streaming audio from the website. Our latest audio lectures cover concepts in the Extra Class course. Please join us in whatever course you need, and also please let us know if you would like a specific topic covered in our Operating Skills lecture series.
Handiham net information and news: The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets
Digital mailers are important: If you do mail a digital cartridge to us, please be sure that it is an approved free matter mailer. Otherwise it will quickly cost us several dollars to package and mail out, which is more than the cost of the mailer in the first place. We don't have a stock of cartridges or mailers and not including a mailer will result in a long delay getting your request back out to you.
DAISY audio digests are available for our blind members who do not have computers, playable in your Library of Congress digital player. Handiham members who use these players and who would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly audio digests on the special Library of Congress digital cartridge should send a blank cartridge to us in a cartridge mailer (no envelopes, please), so that we can place the files on it and return it to you via free matter postal mail. Your callsign should be on both the cartridge and the mailer so that we can make sure we know who it's from. Blank cartridges and mailers are available from APH, the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Catalog Number: 1-02610-00, Price: $12.00
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Mailer Catalog Number: 1-02611-00, Price: $2.50
Order Toll-Free: (800) 223-1839.
The Library of Congress NLS has a list of vendors for the digital cartridges:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/cartridges/index.html
Get it all on line as an alternative: Visit the DAISY section on the Handiham website after logging in.

Stay in touch

Be sure to send Nancy your changes of address, phone number changes, or email address changes so that we can continue to stay in touch with you. You may either email Nancy at hamradio@couragecenter.org or call her at 763-520-0512. If you need to use the toll-free number, call 1-866-426-3442.
Handiham Manager Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, may be reached at handiham@couragecenter.org or by phone at 763-520-0511.
Mornings Monday through Thursday are the best time to contact us.
The Courage Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who want to share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help us provide services to people with disabilities. We would really appreciate it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a planning kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can be given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Walt Seibert, KD0LPX, at 763-520-0532 or email him at walt.seibert@couragecenter.org.
Call 1-866-426-3442 toll-free. -- Help us get new hams on the air.
Get the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date with ham radio news.
You may listen in audio to the E-Letter at Handiham Weekly E-Letter in MP3 format
Email us to subscribe:
hamradio@couragecenter.org
That's it for this week. 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System!
Pat, WA0TDA
Manager, Courage Handiham System
Reach me by email at:
handiham@couragecenter.org

Nancy, Handiham Secretary:
hamradio@couragecenter.org

ARRL is the premier organization supporting amateur radio worldwide. Please contact Handihams for help joining the ARRL. We will be happy to help you fill out the paperwork!

The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handiham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone free of charge. Please email handiham@couragecenter.org for changes of address, unsubscribes, etc. Include your old email address and your new address.

Return to Handiham.org

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Courage Center Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of Wednesday, 20 February 2013

http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=372422406
RSS feed for the audio podcast if you use other podcasting software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham

Welcome to Handiham World.

Remote Base Report

Screenshot of w4mq IRB client software version 6.10242

We lead off this week with a report on what is happening with the Internet Remote Base project. This is because we have made really good progress with the software, and also because we have to explain why this whole process is not as straightforward as you might think.
First, a summary of what it is. The Handiham System operates two internet-enabled high-frequency amateur radio stations, W0EQO and W0ZSW. These club stations consist of Kenwood TS-480 transceivers interfaced to computers that are always running and connected to the internet. Approved users can log into either of the stations and control the radios, both for transmit and receive, and get on the air. This remote control operation allows users who cannot get on the air with their own stations, perhaps because they have no room for antennas, to enjoy HF amateur radio operating from a real HF station.
The rig control software is available from the Handiham website, but that wasn't always the case. It was kindly shared with us by Stan, W4MQ, the software author, because he wanted to see that it would be updated and continue to be available free of charge to amateur radio operators everywhere even though he would no longer be doing the updating. Bob, N2JEU, had taken over this task before we came on board - but sadly, Bob became a silent key before he could reach his goal. It was shortly after that when we approached Stan for permission to work directly with the software. A long time has passed, but we have made solid progress and have released our first update this past January. A software development team led by programmer Jose Tamayo, KK4JZX, is responsible for managing the software.
When the January software release was made available, it solved several serious problems, including delays in the software's response to commands. That delay could be very annoying when operating on the air. Unfortunately we did not realize that we had broken the CW filter system, leaving our CW users with only a very narrow 50 Hz filter, effectively killing Morse code operation! That will be fixed in the next release, as will a number of other things on our task list. I mention this because it is always hard to work with something as complicated as software. Even commercial software developers hit bumps in the road and have to send fixes and updates to their customers. We appreciate hearing from you whenever you find something wrong or if you have a suggestion to make something better.
But the software, although it is our major effort right now, is only a part of the remote base picture. The hardware - the stations themselves - are themselves complex installations that sometimes require intervention. The usual tasks are editing the station configuration files to add new users or to change something about how the station operates, rebooting the W4MQ host software, updating other software - including Windows - and just making sure that everything is still working. Outdoors, the stations have antennas that must stay up and in good condition in spite of snow, ice, wind, rain and whatever else the weatherman throws our way! One recent improvement was the mitigation of RFI from a nearby plasma TV set at the W0ZSW location. When you are responsible for stations like these, there is always something going on. It is not a "set it and forget it" type of operation, and we depend on users to tell us when something is not working right.
Another important but sometimes overlooked part of the Internet Remote Base project is the website support pages. Since we are a small team, we have little time to work closely with individual users who need tech support. That is where the website can help to answer user questions and guide them in everything from installation and setup to problem-solving later on. Here is a partial diagram of how the oldest part of the website support pages are organized.
Partial diagram of how the IRB webpages are arranged.

Partial diagram of how the IRB webpages are arranged.

Doing the website work is my job, and others contribute some of the text. Since our first station came on line in 2009, the website has been around in one form or another to help users get started. The problem is that as our remote base operations changed and grew, we kept adding to the old website. Now that website has outdated information, and worse still, it is difficult to navigate and find what you want. This was brought home to me recently when I went to look for some information myself and had a hard time figuring out where to go. This means that it is time to bring the Remote Base website up to a higher standard. We will be working to move all of the information from a static directory on Handiham.org to a database-enabled Wordpress site at http://handiham.org/remotebase/. This will make it easier to manage the information we put on the site and keep it up to date. In the current system we have too many things to manage, and sometimes information appears in two different places. Whenever that happens, there is always the danger that one page will say something different than the other. Having everything in one place will add much more reliability to the site and an additional bonus will be a search field that will help users find what they want more quickly.
So to sum up, we are working in three major areas:

Software development, maintenance, and testing
Hardware and station maintenance
Support and website services

This is not a trivial amount of effort! And when you consider that none of it even existed prior to 2008, when planning began, it is all the more impressive to see what our team has accomplished. As we move forward, we must manage our resources - business talk for not biting off more than we can chew. This will mean limiting the user base to being primarily a Handiham service, even though we do regularly get requests for Remote Base access from nonmembers. This will have to extend to tech support as well. It makes sense to ration our time helping members rather than someone who is not a member. On the other hand, since we do honor the spirit of Amateur Radio in helping each other whenever possible, we might consider some more interactive support solution such as a Yahoo Group for the remote base, which was suggested by Eliot, KE0N. Such a support group would be a place to post questions and solutions about remote base operation so that users would have a place to go for help no matter where they live and whether or not they are Handiham members. Of course we will also have the Remote Base website, which will be available to anyone for information and support.
Next, you see a photo of the W0ZSW remote base station itself, showing the TS-480HX transceiver, two Samlex SEC switching power supplies, the Systemax rig control computer, and the LDG AT-200PRO automatic antenna tuner. Both of our stations use RIGblaster interfaces to connect the radios to the computers.

W0ZSW remote base station showing TS480HX, power supplies, tuner, and computer

You may be wondering why there are two of the SEC 1235M power supplies instead of just one, as you would find in a typical station. Each supply can deliver 30 amps, but the Kenwood TS-480HX radio requires more current when operating at full power. The usual solution is to use two "regular" power supplies as we have done, but you can also use a single supply if it is capable of delivering over 40 amps. One of the changes coming with the newest software upgrade will be 200 watt operation on several bands. We had only been able to use the TS-480HX at 100 watts because that is the highest power level setting in the old version of the rig control software.
Antenna tuning is a potential problem with any club station, where you are going to have a number of different operators with different skill levels and different goals in where and how they want to operate. One person will want to operate 40 meter CW. Another will try snagging new contacts on 6 meter SSB. The antenna at the W0ZSW station is a 200 foot long "W0OXB Special", which is a type of double extended zepp wire antenna fed in the center with 450 ohm ladder line running to a current balun and then to 50 ohm coax and an antenna tuner. The tuner must be retuned every time the station's frequency is changed substantially, and you can't depend on every user to be able to do that consistently and accurately. That's why we chose an automatic antenna tuner, the LDG AT-200 Pro, to put in the coaxial line between the TS-480HX and the current balun. This excellent and reliable tuner tunes itself automatically when RF is applied at transmit. No other user intervention is required, making it about as foolproof as we can manage. It is worth mentioning here that the radio does not even have its own internal antenna tuner as some do. The TS-480HX (High Power) model gives up the internal antenna tuner available in the 100 watt TS-480SAT in order to fit in the larger amplifier components. In the future, we may make antenna improvements or add a second antenna, which is supported by the software. W0ZSW is located in Woodbury, Minnesota, east of the Twin Cities metropolitan area and not far from the Wisconsin border. Its grid square is EN34mv.
Here is a picture of the W0EQO remote base station at Courage North, in Northern Minnesota's pine forest and lake country, located in grid square EN27me. This is close to the headwaters of the Mississippi River. The station is a Kenwood TS-480SAT transceiver, a single Samlex power supply for 100 watt operation, an LDG AT-100 Pro automatic antenna tuner, and the rig control computer. The station is in an unheated equipment room in a region where outside temperatures can reach below minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit (-34 C.) Outdoors, the northern lights flash through the sky on dark star-filled nights and bears and wolves roam the woods. Needless to say, there is not a lot of urban RF interference here and the station is considered to be in a quiet location.
view of w0eqo setup, showing TS-480SAT station and computer

view of w0eqo setup, showing TS-480SAT station and computer

The antenna at W0EQO is a 125 foot G5RV, which is strung between two tall pine trees. Because the antenna will not tune on all bands, this station cannot be used on 160 or 6 meters. Neither station will transmit on 60 meters, although receiving is allowed anywhere the radio's frequency can be set. Although the radio does have an internal antenna tuner, this feature is disabled and the antenna is tuned automatically by the external LDG tuner as soon as RF is applied on transmit. The LDG matches a wider range than the internal tuner and does not require any special operator intervention.

The Remote Base health report for today is a good one: W0EQO and W0ZSW are both on line and there are no scheduled outages. Please join me in thanking our remote base team volunteers for their wonderful effort!

Patrick Tice, WA0TDA
Handiham Manager

Correspondence:

Jose, KK4JZX, writes:

To Handiham Members and Volunteers,

We are making progress and continuing to work on enhancing the remote base client software. The Remote Base Beta team has been working diligently in testing some very exciting fixes and features that will be released soon. If you have suggestions for improving the remote base client software, let us know and we will add your suggestions to the list. The sooner you get your suggestion in, the sooner you might see it in a future update. Want a peek at what’s coming up? Well, stay tuned as we continue to work to release the next version which will include fixes for the default browser issue and many more enhancements.

Thank you and enjoy. 73: KK4JZX

Ken, KB3LLA, passes along an invitation to visit Sendero Group at CSUN:

Join Sendero at CSUN 2013 in San Diego, February 27 - March 1 when we unveil what many of you have been eagerly awaiting!

What's new:

* Demonstrating the fully accessible turn-by-turn GPS iPhone application, The Seeing Eye GPS, in the Sendero Suite and at the booth.

* Announcing Sendero PC GPS, now you can run Sendero GPS as well as the virtual maps on your Windows laptop, ultrabook or tablet.

* Calling for testers, Sendero is conducting research on a People Finder application made possible by a grant from the Department of Education.

* Releasing 2013 Maps for BrailleNote, Braille Sense and Mobile Geo.

Visit http://senderogroup.com/news/csunform.asp to sign up and join in the fun!

Jim, KJ3P, writes about his volunteer recordings for the monthly DAISY digest, enjoyed by our blind members:

As always, I welcome your feedback, especially regarding the number and choice of articles.

73,
Jim Perry, KJ3P

Editor's Note: You may email us at handiham@couragecenter.org and we will pass your comments on to Jim and to our other reading volunteers.

Avery, K0HLA, recalls the Postal Service's delivery schedule in the old days:

Seems to me that when I was a young lad:

1) Post cards were a penny

2) Letters were 3 cents

3) There was no postal delivery on Saturdays to non-business addresses.

4) There was delivery on Saturdays only to business and emergency organizations like fire, police, hospitals, etc.

So, this NEW "no delivery on Saturdays" is not new. What is the big deal ?

73 & DX de K0HLA Avery
( CW Forever )

Mike, W1MWB, responds to the call for a new Worked All States challenge:

I think an IRB and conference-based WAS challenge would be a good thing. For example, just the other day I heard a station in NH calling for the NH QSO party. It was AF1T, whom I worked on 2 meter simplex. However, on 20 meters I could not get through the pileup as he was probably a bit too close geographically. If I had been on one of the handiham IRBs I would have most likely been able to make the contact, so I think utilizing the IRBs would be a good thing, and as you said, using the *HANDIHAM* server and associated systems would be good practice for new folks coming into the hobby. I look forward to hearing more on this.

73 for now,
Mike, W1MWB

Tom, KB3HG, writes about how people need to listen more during contests:

Good Humor for the contest, but didn't MN just have a QSO party of late? I tried to make contact; have a Boy Scout with me. What a bunch of contest alligators - all mouth and no ears, they never shut up. I'm a Delaware station and wanted to give a few contacts away. Not a chance; not 5NN so no returns. A mighty poor showing for a scout to see. If I get one scout started it will go to five or more real quick. I have managed to generate interest in the radio merit badges and now the new ribbon for the scouts.

Tom, KB3HG
FM29CQ
Newark, DE 19711

Editor's note: How many times have we mentioned in this very publication how important it is to listen? It bites to realize you might have worked Delaware had you only taken the time to listen carefully!

Handiham Nets are on on the air.

We are on the air daily at 11:00 USA Central Time, plus Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 19:00 USA Central Time.

The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets

Daily sessions:

Monday through Saturday 11:00 AM social net with designated net control station. Everyone is welcome to check in.
Sunday morning 11:00 AM informal Roundtable with no net control station or designated topic. Check in with your friends and enjoy a Sunday morning chat!

Evening sessions:

Wednesday evening Handiham Radio Club Social Net with a trivia question. This is a friendly, directed net with a net control station and the opportunity to answer a trivia question, if you wish.
Thursday evening Handiham Radio Club TechNet, a directed net with a net control station for the purpose of discussing technical topics in amateur radio. If you have a question or a technical problem, check in and report it to the net. Perhaps you will find an answer in the ensuing discussion, or perhaps you will be able to answer someone else's question about a technical issue.

A dip in the pool

Pat shows off his new Plantronics USB headset!

It's time to test our knowledge by taking a dip in the pool - the question pool, that is!

Let's go to the Extra Class pool and look at a question about power supplies:
E7D17 asks, "What is the primary reason that a high-frequency inverter type high-voltage power supply can be both less expensive and lighter in weight than a conventional power supply?"
Possible choices are:

A. The inverter design does not require any output filtering.
B. It uses a diode bridge rectifier for increased output.
C. The high frequency inverter design uses much smaller transformers and filter components for an equivalent power output.
D. It uses a large power-factor compensation capacitor to create “free power” from the unused portion of the AC cycle.
The reason I chose this question is that it refers to what are commonly called "switching" power supplies, or "switchers". These are the supplies we use at both Handiham Internet Remote Base installations. The reason these supplies can be so much smaller and lighter in weight than conventional supplies is that they do not need huge, heavy transformers. The correct answer is C: The high frequency inverter design uses much smaller transformers and filter components for an equivalent power output. Conventional designs operate at 60 Hz, the power line frequency, and their components need to be enormous by comparison to operate at such a low frequency. One advantage of the conventional design is that it is not likely to generate any interference in the HF range, as is common in switching designs. Most modern switchers have RFI suppression built in, and sometimes include a way to tune an interfering signal away from the ham bands.
Please e-mail handiham@couragecenter.org to comment.

This week @ HQ
Photo: The great room in a typical wheelchair-accessible cabin at Radio Camp. Each cabin sports a complete kitchen for snacks and a laundry.
Radio Camp application packets will be ready for mailing soon. 2013 camp dates call for arrival on July 28 and departure on August 2. We have confirmed that we will offer our campers who pass Technician at camp brand-new handheld radios. Radio camp will emphasize ham radio fun and getting on the air.
We will feature:

Technician beginner small group class - Get your first license and get on the air!
General Class study group for those who need a quick review before taking the General exam.
Extra Class study group for those who need a quick review before taking the Extra exam.
VE session conducted by SARA, the Stillwater (MN) Amateur Radio Association, on Thursday, August 1, at 1:30 PM.
Operating Skills small group get on the air sessions and discussions
Extra Class seminar for those with Extra Class licenses who want to participate in more advanced technical projects and discussions
Several stations to operate, including maritime mobile on the camp pontoon boat with Cap'n Bill, N0CIC
Sailing with Skipper Bill, K9BV
Handiham Radio Club meeting and elections
Dining in the nearby newly-remodeled Woodland dining hall.
Fun in the sun during Minnesota's excellent summer season - at Camp Courage on beautiful Cedar Lake!

For a Radio Camp application, email Nancy at hamradio@couragecenter.org or call her at 763-520-0512.
Our Remote Base Health Report will move to its new home on the Wordpress site this week. If you have been in the habit of checking the daily remote base report, you will soon find it at its new home.
Our scheduled Extra Class lecture this week will cover digital logic and will be available on Friday afternoon if all goes well. Due to the lack of time, I was unable to post this lecture last week. All courses, Tech though Extra, are on line for your use whenever you want to study or review. Teaching is done with thoughtful attention to descriptions for those who are blind, and we promote understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing the question pool. If you would like to use this service but do not understand how, please contact us. We can also put the audio lectures on your DAISY digital NLS cartridge if you prefer that method instead of downloading or streaming audio from the website. Our latest audio lectures cover concepts in the Extra Class course. Please join us in whatever course you need, and also please let us know if you would like a specific topic covered in our Operating Skills lecture series.
Handiham net information and news: The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets
Digital mailers are important: If you do mail a digital cartridge to us, please be sure that it is an approved free matter mailer. Otherwise it will quickly cost us several dollars to package and mail out, which is more than the cost of the mailer in the first place. We don't have a stock of cartridges or mailers and not including a mailer will result in a long delay getting your request back out to you.
DAISY audio digests are available for our blind members who do not have computers, playable in your Library of Congress digital player. Handiham members who use these players and who would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly audio digests on the special Library of Congress digital cartridge should send a blank cartridge to us in a cartridge mailer (no envelopes, please), so that we can place the files on it and return it to you via free matter postal mail. Your callsign should be on both the cartridge and the mailer so that we can make sure we know who it's from. Blank cartridges and mailers are available from APH, the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Catalog Number: 1-02610-00, Price: $12.00
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Mailer Catalog Number: 1-02611-00, Price: $2.50
Order Toll-Free: (800) 223-1839.
The Library of Congress NLS has a list of vendors for the digital cartridges:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/cartridges/index.html
Get it all on line as an alternative: Visit the DAISY section on the Handiham website after logging in.

Stay in touch

Be sure to send Nancy your changes of address, phone number changes, or email address changes so that we can continue to stay in touch with you. You may either email Nancy at hamradio@couragecenter.org or call her at 763-520-0512. If you need to use the toll-free number, call 1-866-426-3442.
Handiham Manager Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, may be reached at handiham@couragecenter.org or by phone at 763-520-0511.
Mornings Monday through Thursday are the best time to contact us.
The Courage Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who want to share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help us provide services to people with disabilities. We would really appreciate it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a planning kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can be given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Walt Seibert, KD0LPX, at 763-520-0532 or email him at walt.seibert@couragecenter.org.
Call 1-866-426-3442 toll-free. -- Help us get new hams on the air.
Get the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date with ham radio news.
You may listen in audio to the E-Letter at Handiham Weekly E-Letter in MP3 format
Email us to subscribe:
hamradio@couragecenter.org
That's it for this week. 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System!
Pat, WA0TDA
Manager, Courage Handiham System
Reach me by email at:
handiham@couragecenter.org

Nancy, Handiham Secretary:
hamradio@couragecenter.org

ARRL is the premier organization supporting amateur radio worldwide. Please contact Handihams for help joining the ARRL. We will be happy to help you fill out the paperwork!

The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handiham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone free of charge. Please email handiham@couragecenter.org for changes of address, unsubscribes, etc. Include your old email address and your new address.

Return to Handiham.org

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Courage Center Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of Wednesday, 13 February 2013

http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=372422406
RSS feed for the audio podcast if you use other podcasting software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham

Welcome to Handiham World.

How about an on the air challenge?

USB desk microphone by LCD screen showing W4MQ software running.

Yes, it is mid-February and the weather is totally rotten here in Minnesota, so that means that we need to look at indoor activities. Don't even get me started on how "winter" and "fun" don't make any sense when used in the same sentence. I am not a fan of snow and ice.

So I got to thinking, "What if we issued a challenge to our readers and listeners - something that would get people on the air - using our Internet Remote Base stations?"

I came up with "The 50 State Challenge". Of course you have heard of the famous ARRL award for working all states. Perhaps some of you have already achieved this worthy goal, or maybe you have even "worked all states" on a single band. There are enough variations on WAS to keep you busy and on the air for years. The challenge is to work every state in the United States, logging the contacts and obtaining verification. If, for example, you decide that working all states on whatever frequency band is available, you could work Iowa on 75 meters some morning easily using the IRB stations, which are located here in Minnesota. Then you could snag Hawaii on 15 or 20 meters. It would be a good way for a newcomer to the HF bands to learn the characteristics of different wavelengths - how the skip zone changes by time of day and through the seasons, and as solar activity waxes and wanes. Picking up both Iowa and Hawaii on 75 meters is a lot more challenging, though. Working all the states on a single band kicks the challenge up to a whole new level.

We have several goals here:

Increase on the air activity.
Build a solid user base for the remote base Internet stations.
Introduce an activity that can help Handiham members learn about HF propagation.
Build operator experience and confidence.
Provide a challenge that will be exciting and fun for Handiham members.

What do you think about issuing such a challenge, and providing a certificate for those who complete it? Perhaps this can be a Handiham radio club activity. It is something that could be administered by the club and actually operated by a group of volunteers so that no one person would have all the responsibility for the ongoing project. There would have to be some rules written up and it would have to be decided how contacts would be verified. I know that we have some Handiham members out there who have experience with this sort of thing and could either help or advise. Perhaps we could also have some kind of award with a certificate for working all 50 states on the Handiham EchoLink conference. This would provide an opportunity for our Technician Class licensees to learn basic operating skills as they try to collect all of the necessary contacts to earn the award.

Please let me know what you think about this idea. Of course, it will take some time to get things implemented and even more time as people get on the air and learn how to operate and log contacts. Winter will turn into Spring and Spring into Summer and before you know it will be Autumn and Winter again. It will take time to collect your QSOs, so we will have to be patient and make this a year-round activity that is pretty much open-ended. The nice thing about it is that it provides a goal to reach for while encouraging the use of the remote base stations and the Handiham conference server. It will provide a learning opportunity for HF newbies as they experience short-wave propagation across different bands at different times of the day and year. It will teach patience and build operating experience, and those things will stay with you always, as you enjoy Amateur Radio.

Patrick Tice, WA0TDA
Handiham Manager

Reminder: We have new W4MQ Client Software. Please upgrade as soon as possible.

Guest Receive Operation via W4MQ software:

The stations can be operated in a receive only mode by using the W4MQ software.

The username is "GUEST" with a password of "1234".

Please note that the W4MQ software must be installed and configured as shown in the W4MQ Client Software page.

W4MQ Client Software: This is where you want to begin if you are interested in what the whole remote base thing is about, or if you are interested in installing the software to use someone else's existing remote base station via your computer.
W4MQ Host Software: If you want to set up your own station as a remote base that can be accessed from the internet, you will need the Host software.

Remote Base Health Report

Remote Base health report: W0EQO is on line. W0ZSW is on line. We are testing a new beta software version that allows the full 200 Watt operation on W0ZSW.
Scheduled outages: none
Please visit the Remote Base Health Report for any notices of scheduled outages.
Users are asked to upgrade their software immediately. The new software fixes response time lags, and we are sure you will find it to be much better than the old version.
http://handiham.org/remotebase/

Correspondence:

Dick, WA0CAF, likes a website entitled "Guidelines To Make Accessible Documents" from Portland (OR) Community College:

http://www.pcc.edu/resources/instructional-support/access/

Ken, KB3LLA, likes "Link to Video That Gives Tips on Completing and Strengthening Your NASA Internship Application":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilkNreouUZU

Remote Base software development leader Jose, KK4JZX, writes:

Please join me in welcoming Joe, N3AIN, to the Remote Base Beta Team. We are very excited that Joe decided to join us. Joe is an Extra Class license holder and will help us in beta testing the Remote Base client. This team is truly talented and experienced. I am sure Joe's experience will add tremendous value to our team.

Editor's Note: We are looking for a few good volunteers to assist us on this project. If you are willing to help and have the qualifications listed below, please contact Pat, WA0TDA, at handiham@couragecenter.org to be considered. A member of the IRB Beta Testing Team should:

Be able to work and problem-solve independently when necessary, taking note of issues and logging them for communication to the group.
Know how to communicate clearly within a group while working toward a goal.
Have above-average computer skills.
Have solid amateur radio operating experience and knowledge of bands and modes of operation.
Have access to a sound-enabled computer system running the Windows operating system
High-speed Internet access.
Be willing to have their name, callsign, and email address shared within the group. (The discussion takes place by email in most cases.)
Be willing to share a Skype name and/or phone number with the group for group voice conferences if necessary.

Handiham Nets are on on the air!

We are on the air daily at 11:00 USA Central Time, plus Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 19:00 USA Central Time.

The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets

Daily sessions:

Monday through Saturday 11:00 AM social net with designated net control station. Everyone is welcome to check in.
Sunday morning 11:00 AM informal Roundtable with no net control station or designated topic. Check in with your friends and enjoy a Sunday morning chat!

Evening sessions:

Wednesday evening Handiham Radio Club Social Net with a trivia question. This is a friendly, directed net with a net control station and the opportunity to answer a trivia question, if you wish.
Thursday evening Handiham Radio Club TechNet, a directed net with a net control station for the purpose of discussing technical topics in amateur radio. If you have a question or a technical problem, check in and report it to the net. Perhaps you will find an answer in the ensuing discussion, or perhaps you will be able to answer someone else's question about a technical issue.

A dip in the pool

It's time to test our knowledge by taking a dip in the pool - the question pool, that is!

Let's go to the Extra Class pool for a mini-quiz on contesting. Have a way to record each of the five answers, and give yourself 20% for each correct answer. All five correct equals a perfect score of 100%.
E2C01 asks: Which of the following is true about contest operating?

A. Operators are permitted to make contacts even if they do not submit a log
B. Interference to other amateurs is unavoidable and therefore acceptable
C. It is mandatory to transmit the call sign of the station being worked as part of every transmission to that station
D. Every contest requires a signal report in the exchange

E2C02 asks: Which of the following best describes the term “self-spotting” in regards to contest operating?

A. The generally prohibited practice of posting one’s own call sign and frequency on a call sign spotting network
B. The acceptable practice of manually posting the call signs of stations on a call sign spotting network
C. A manual technique for rapidly zero beating or tuning to a station’s frequency before calling that station
D. An automatic method for rapidly zero beating or tuning to a station’s frequency before calling that station

E2C03 asks: From which of the following bands is amateur radio contesting generally excluded?

A. 30 meters
B. 6 meters
C. 2 meters
D. 33 cm

E2C04 asks: On which of the following frequencies is an amateur radio contest contact generally discouraged?

A. 3.525 MHz
B. 14.020 MHz
C. 28.330 MHz
D. 146.52 MHz

E2C05 asks: What is the function of a DX QSL Manager?

A. To allocate frequencies for DXpeditions
B. To handle the receiving and sending of confirmation cards for a DX station
C. To run a net to allow many stations to contact a rare DX station
D. To relay calls to and from a DX station
So how much do you think you know about contesting? If you have tried it at all, you don't need to be an Extra to know the answers to these questions! Here are the correct answers:
A. Operators are permitted to make contacts even if they do not submit a log
A. The generally prohibited practice of posting one’s own call sign and frequency on a call sign spotting network
A. 30 meters
D. 146.52 MHz
B. To handle the receiving and sending of confirmation cards for a DX station
How did you do?

Five correct = 100%. You are a contesting genius!
Four correct = 80%. You're a runner-up in this contest.
Three correct = 60%. Middle of the pack, but you'll do better with some practice.
Two correct = 40%. Just enough knowledge to be dangerous. Time to get on the air and listen during contest weekends.
One correct = 20%. You might want to think about some basic reading about operating and contesting. You have to start somewhere!

Please e-mail handiham@couragecenter.org to comment.

This week @ HQ
The Handiham office will be closed on Monday, February 18 for the United States Presidents' Day holiday. The office will reopen on Tuesday morning.
The February digest is mailing this week. Also check it out in the members section for the latest Daisy digest. Our scheduled Extra Class lecture will cover digital logic and will be available on Friday afternoon if all goes well. If I cannot post the lecture because of time constraints, we do have the previous lecture on display devices available right now. All courses, Tech though Extra, are on line for your use whenever you want to study or review. Teaching is done with thoughtful attention to descriptions for those who are blind, and we promote understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing the question pool. If you would like to use this service but do not understand how, please contact us. We can also put the audio lectures on your DAISY digital NLS cartridge if you prefer that method instead of downloading or streaming audio from the website. Our latest audio lectures cover concepts in the Extra Class course. Please join us in whatever course you need, and also please let us know if you would like a specific topic covered in our Operating Skills lecture series.
Handiham net information and news: The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets
Digital mailers are important: If you do mail a digital cartridge to us, please be sure that it is an approved free matter mailer. Otherwise it will quickly cost us several dollars to package and mail out, which is more than the cost of the mailer in the first place. We don't have a stock of cartridges or mailers and not including a mailer will result in a long delay getting your request back out to you.
DAISY audio digests are available for our blind members who do not have computers, playable in your Library of Congress digital player. Handiham members who use these players and who would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly audio digests on the special Library of Congress digital cartridge should send a blank cartridge to us in a cartridge mailer (no envelopes, please), so that we can place the files on it and return it to you via free matter postal mail. Your callsign should be on both the cartridge and the mailer so that we can make sure we know who it's from. Blank cartridges and mailers are available from APH, the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Catalog Number: 1-02610-00, Price: $12.00
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Mailer Catalog Number: 1-02611-00, Price: $2.50
Order Toll-Free: (800) 223-1839.
The Library of Congress NLS has a list of vendors for the digital cartridges:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/cartridges/index.html
Get it all on line as an alternative: Visit the DAISY section on the Handiham website after logging in.

Stay in touch

Be sure to send Nancy your changes of address, phone number changes, or email address changes so that we can continue to stay in touch with you. You may either email Nancy at hamradio@couragecenter.org or call her at 763-520-0512. If you need to use the toll-free number, call 1-866-426-3442.
Handiham Manager Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, may be reached at handiham@couragecenter.org or by phone at 763-520-0511.
Mornings Monday through Thursday are the best time to contact us.
The Courage Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who want to share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help us provide services to people with disabilities. We would really appreciate it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a planning kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can be given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Walt Seibert, KD0LPX, at 763-520-0532 or email him at walt.seibert@couragecenter.org.
Call 1-866-426-3442 toll-free. -- Help us get new hams on the air.
Get the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date with ham radio news.
You may listen in audio to the E-Letter at Handiham Weekly E-Letter in MP3 format
Email us to subscribe:
hamradio@couragecenter.org
That's it for this week. 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System!
Pat, WA0TDA
Manager, Courage Handiham System
Reach me by email at:
handiham@couragecenter.org

Nancy, Handiham Secretary:
hamradio@couragecenter.org

ARRL is the premier organization supporting amateur radio worldwide. Please contact Handihams for help joining the ARRL. We will be happy to help you fill out the paperwork!

The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handiham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone free of charge. Please email handiham@couragecenter.org for changes of address, unsubscribes, etc. Include your old email address and your new address.

Return to Handiham.org

Wednesday, February 06, 2013

Courage Center Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of Wednesday, 06 February 2013

http://www.itunes.com/podcast?id=372422406
RSS feed for the audio podcast if you use other podcasting software:
http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham

Welcome to Handiham World.

Tidiness is a ham radio virtue. Who knew?

A tie wrap keeps a coil of wire safely out of the way behind a radio during Field Day.

We start out today by looking behind a radio at a recent Field Day event. Usually we would be ogling the front of the radio so that we could see what model it was and what accessories might be in use. But we are not interested in the front panel today. Instead, we are emphasizing the virtue of good housekeeping in the ham shack - or at the Field Day site. This particular setup shows a neatly coiled feedline that is secured with a hook and loop wire tie, keeping it off the floor and out of the way.

Now, here is a question for you to ponder before we continue: What topic area is so important that it is found in EVERY Amateur Radio Question Pool? For extra credit, what is the element number?

But back to tidiness - that concept that seems so elusive to many of us. The thing about keeping things tidy - that is to say, in order so as to facilitate the efficient use of a space - is that it is something that needs to be done every day, every hour, every minute. This is a big problem for lots of people because they have not developed the discipline to keep their lives - and their ham shacks - orderly. It is easier to put a pair of wire cutters on the operating desk after trimming a ground lead than to return the tool to its designated place in the workshop.

"But wait", you protest, "I want to test the radio right after I hook up that ground lead, and I will put the wire cutter away later."

Ha, ha - We have all heard THAT before! That wire cutter will be there under a pile of paper on the desktop a month and a half from now. And when you need it you will wonder where it is.

I will never forget one workshop that I visited. The guy had a running tube-type rig under a pile of paper equipment manuals. What could possibly go wrong? Another time I visited an amateur operator whose bachelor pad was out in the country. His weed-filled yard was a veritable obstacle course of wire, tools, and assorted antenna parts. The ham shack was even worse - poorly-lighted and replete with junk arranged (if that is the word) in no particular order. I am pretty sure he had miles of wire but didn't own a single wire-tie. Lest you think I am preaching from a high horse and because I fancy myself a paragon of virtue, I might as well admit that my own installations have not always been the best examples of tidiness over the years. This comes from being lazy at times and not taking the time to put things away or to properly complete one task before taking on the next one.

Are you still thinking about that topic area that is so important that it is found in EVERY Amateur Radio Question Pool?

Well, it's SAFETY! Safety is Element 0 (the final element) in all of the pools. RF safety, wiring, tower safety, dangerous chemicals and toxic gases, shock hazards, power line dangers - all of these are covered in the pools, but there is one that is missing: tidiness.

Over the years I have learned the virtue of keeping a modicum of orderliness in the ham shack and around my antenna installations. Keeping clutter away from electronic equipment allows for better air flow and reduces fire hazards. Using wire guides and wire ties to keep wiring off the floor and out of the way will help you to avoid tripping hazards. Labeling wires that are bundled will help you identify the correct ones later on so that you reconnect gear correctly and avoid shorting something out or damaging it with RF. Properly burying coaxial feedlines and ground radials will eliminate a tripping hazard in the yard. Running antenna wires up and out of the way will keep others from running into them. A fence around the base of an antenna or tower can help keep pets and children away from the wiring. A pegboard for tools will make it easier to get those wire cutters back where they belong. Keeping the ham shack floor clear of clutter will make it easier for you and others to use the space without tripping. Get in the habit of always removing anything that doesn't permanently belong in the room as soon as you are finished using it. If you drink coffee or anything else in the ham shack, have a place for your beverage container that is off to the side and that is not directly above any electronic gear. Never leave half-finished food or drink on the ham shack desk, because it invites spills.

If you or another family member are blind, you need to pay close attention to keeping things in their place. If there are children in the house, especially small children, you need to keep things in order but part of your plan should be storage space - lockable if necessary - to keep dangerous chemicals, tools, or equipment away from curious little hands! If you are in the habit of putting the soldering gun away after you use it, the kids will not be able to pick it up and burn themselves. And these good habits are not just for you; they are for all of the family members to learn and follow. The family dog or cat might need your special attention. Jasper chewed through a headset wire in my ham shack and another time enjoyed a nice, crunchy set of iPod ear buds. This sort of thing can be addressed by keeping these items out of the reach of pets - something everyone in the family must learn. Pets can suffer serious injuries from sharp or toxic electronic parts or from electric shock. Properly dressing cables away from curious snouts and putting equipment away when you are finished using it can help, but a door on the ham shack may also be advisable.

If you work on equipment, take the time to put the covers back on. Not only is this safer for everyone in the family, but the cover can also act as an RF shield. Even if you are the only one who ever uses the ham shack, finishing repair jobs by putting the covers and shields back in place makes sense. You are never going to round up all the hardware if you don't do it now, and open circuitry can let in insects, rodents, and dust. For equipment with high voltage circuitry there is also a serious shock hazard. While you may think no one would be foolish enough to leave high voltage transmitter tubes exposed during operation, I have actually seen a supposedly experienced operator doing this. It is a serious breach of safety protocol - and could result in injury or death. Nonetheless, there sat the transmitter cover with the hardware scattered around the operating desk. A bit of attention to tidiness here could save a life!

You cannot take if for granted that no one will wander through your yard. I looked out one day to see a kid ride a bicycle through our back yard, right across the lawn. He rode over the radial field and under a wire antenna with no problem because I had taken the time to be tidy about the installation, keeping the wires out of the way. It is all about developing good habits that will put tidiness - and safety - on autopilot. Sloppiness and complacency can be a deadly combination. As the old saying goes, "A place for everything and everything in its place." Not only is it good housekeeping, but it will help to keep you safe in many aspects of amateur radio.

Patrick Tice, WA0TDA
Handiham Manager

Reminder: We have new W4MQ Client Software. Please upgrade as soon as possible.

Guest Receive Operation via W4MQ software:
The stations can be operated in a receive only mode by using the W4MQ software. The username is "GUEST" with a password of "1234". Please note that the W4MQ software must be installed and configured as shown in the W4MQ Client Software page.

Remote Base Health Report

Remote Base health report: W0EQO is on line. W0ZSW is on line. The radio at W0ZSW is a Kenwood TS-480HX. The radio at W0EQO is a Kenwood TS-480SAT. Speech readout of frequency is available on both radios for our blind users and is enabled by default. We have included a "widget" on solar conditions from G4ILO on the website. We have reports indicating that the information from this solar condition widget is screenreader-accessible.
Scheduled outages:
Please visit the Remote Base Health Report for any notices of scheduled outages. These outages are generally very short, but they are necessary when the host computer configuration file is updated on each station. When new users are added or some station parameter needs to be changed, the configuration file must be edited. The changes that are made do not take effect without a reboot of the W4MQ host software, so that takes the stations offline for a short time. Occasionally there will be a need to reboot the host computers. This is necessary to install some operating system or other software and security updates. These outages are also short duration, assuming everything installs correctly. Our typical scheduled outages are under five minutes.
Unscheduled outages:
Sometimes things just happen, right? The internet could fail, there could be a power outage, or in the summertime a thunderstorm might build up quickly, necessitating a station's shut down and antenna disconnect to prevent lightning damage. We could also have an equipment failure. If you notice that either station is off line for an extended period of time, please report it to us by email. We would rather hear about it from several users than not know a station is down!
Other issues:
Once in a while someone will adjust the RF gain control down and not return it to 100%, thus causing the station to seem "dead". We ask all users to please return the RF Gain to 100% if you do make an adjustment. However, we have not run into a situation where it is necessary to change the RF Gain in the first place because you can instead use the attenuator to do the same thing. If you change the attenuator setting, please return it to normal before logging off. We have noticed that one issue with the RF Gain setting is that it is very difficult to change using a screenreader. If you find the station in a misadjusted RF Gain condition, please email to let us know. We will fix it as soon as possible. Please think of others and do not change the RF Gain control from its normal 100% setting.
The Split Mode setting is another one that you should leave alone unless you actually want to run split! The reason is that the frequency readout will tell you the receive frequency, then when you transmit you may end up on another frequency with the split function enabled. The letter "S" toggles split mode on and off. The letter "E" sets the transmit frequency to be the same as the receive frequency while in split mode.
Lag in response while using the W4MQ software:
Users are asked to upgrade their software immediately. The new software fixes response time lags, and we are sure you will find it to be much better than the old version.
http://handiham.org/remotebase/

Correspondence:

Ken, KB3LLA, writes:

Ken takes one for the club while campaigning for the presidency. Camp Courage horse Elvis gives him a smooch!

I am writing to let you and the Handiham membership know that I will be stepping down as radio club president at radio camp this Summer. This will be the end of my current term. I feel that it is time to let someone else take over in order to bring new and fresh ideas to the club. I appreciate the opportunity that the membership, you, and the staff have given me to grow as both a person and as a ham since my initial election in 2008. I plan to help my successor have the same experiences. Additionally, I will now have the opportunity to move on to other challenges in the Handiham program and in the hobby. I plan to be as active as ever. To everyone, it has been both an honor and a privilege to serve as club president, and you can look forward to my continued friendship and involvement with the Handiham program. Thanks once again.
73, Ken, KB3LLA
Handiham Radio Club President
Editor's note: A big thank you to Ken for his years of service as club president. Ken was instrumental in helping us to design and implement the formal organization of the Handiham Radio Club, including the Constitution and the ARRL affiliation. I am happy to hear that he is going to still be involved with the club and Handihams after his term is up this summer.

Don, N4KC, writes:

Riding the Shortwaves book cover - by Don Keith N4KC - close up of HF rig tuned to 20 meters

Though not a handicapped ham, I do enjoy very much seeing your newsletter (I see it on www.AmateurRadio.com). I have written a book about amateur radio and I think your readership might be interested in it. It is titled RIDING THE SHORTWAVES: EXPLORING THE MAGIC OF AMATEUR RADIO. It is primarily aimed at those considering entering the hobby, or for those who might have been licensed but have never really found their niche or simply lost interest. I also talk a great deal about why ham radio has remained so vibrant despite the common misconception that the Internet, cell phones, Facebook and the like have taken its place. The final chapter in the book will be of considerable interest to handicapped hams. It is a short story that features a handiham as the principal character and is based on a couple of disabled ham friends of mine.
In a recent review of the book, QST says:
"...entertaining and informative...eminently readable by youth or adult, it covers the waterfront, from why Amateur Radio, at 100 years of age, remains fun and relevant...and more to the point, what you need to enjoy and explore ham radio's magic."
Yep, I'm trying to promote the book, but I really do think many of your readers would enjoy knowing about it. More info:
http://www.donkeith.com/index.php?p=21
Thanks, and keep up the good work.
Don Keith, N4KC
www.n4kc.com

Ron, W2WU, writes about Hurricane Sandy:

Cynthia Adams, KD2ANY, and Ronald Johnson, W2WU, worked together as emergency communicators during and following Hurricane Sandy, a monster storm that devastated large sections of East Coast housing and infrastructure.
We did 22 hours of emergency response during Hurricane Sandy, got home and watched part of our building's roof fly away and the power grid fail as transformers blew up. That was a light show! The project was 10 days without power/heat.
We were fortunate to have access to the emergency generator for our refrigerators. We keep medications needing refrigeration in them. We started identifying persons on life support needing power and getting extension cords to them. Management didn't know where to turn and vacated the tenants. Cynthia and I went to City Hall, saw the mayor and other officials who at our behest set up a limited response for food and blankets.
Management was spot buying gas/Diesel in 5 gallon cans. We had the County do a fuel drop for the emergency generator. The fuel truck had a police escort (lights/siren). In short
our landlord seems not to have any emergency plans or "it's not going to happen to us mentality."
Bottom line: We did what hams do naturally - respond to those in need.
If you want, publish this in the newsletter. The very best to you and the Handihams staff.
73, Cynthia, KD2ANY, and Ron, W2WU

Joe, N3AIN, writes:

Congratulations on the work you did on the remote software. The update went flawlessly. Much better than the old install. Just a few curiosity questions. You know my obsession with finding and solving RFI problems!. Well. In tuning around both remote bases yesterday, I heard two different kinds of noise. The W0EQO has what sounds to me like switching power supply noise that can be heard on the lower end of the broadcast band, just below 160 meters and on and around ten meg where WWV is. The W0ZSW has what sounds to me like plasma. I didn't mark down where I heard it, however. It's not a problem since the noise on neither of the rigs seems to be on the ham bands, but as I said, I'm obsessed with finding and clearing problems like this even when I know deep down inside it's not always possible. Do you know where the noise on the two bases is coming from? Just curious. If I were up there, I'd love to have the task of finding and filtering all that noise. It may not be possible, but it would be a neat project. In a perfect world, there would be no switching power supplies. Take care and happy, hopefully RFI-free hamming. - Joe
Editor's note: The noise at W0ZSW is from a plasma TV. RF chokes have been ordered to hopefully help that situation, which is worst on nights and weekends. The impact is severe. The noise at W0EQO could be coming from a switching power supply serving another piece of equipment in the server room at Courage North. The kitchen is on the floor just below, so there might also be a piece of equipment there causing the problem.

Avery, K0HLA, writes:

The March issue of Popular Communications will have an article on Ham Radio Deluxe 6.0.
BTW - It was fun listening to the HomePatrol-1 scanner earlier this week. Bunch of stuff because of President Obama being in town.
73, Avery

A member writes:

I remember several months ago when I was studying the Handiham general class lecture podcasts regarding measuring current and resistance and voltage. You stated that the good news was that talking multimeters were out there. The bad news was that we would likely need to find someone who had one and wanted to sell it as, at that time, no one was making a multimeter that talked.

Well, things have changed. I just received a new talking multimeter. I ordered it from the NFB Marketplace.

It is a digital talking multimeter that can handle up to 1000V dc or 700V ac. All functions including DC and AC voltage, DC and AC current, resistance, capacitance, frequency, continuity, and other functions are easily and clearly spoken. The cost is $49.00. Three AA batteries were included and installed although their website says the batteries are not included. It has a nice rubberized carry case and print manual.

In about three days my order was delivered. I took it out of the box and found that it had a solid weighty feel. This model is by Tophand. The mode selector rotor turns solidly and the speech and display buttons feel good to the touch. The speech synthesizer that does all of the talking is high quality and humanlike. The large 3.5” digital display is backlit and can be illuminated on demand or locked in the “on” position. The voice readout of the display is activated by either pressing a button on the face of the multimeter or by pressing a “speech” button on the “active” lead. Speech can be on demand or continuous.

I hope that this information will be useful to other visually impaired hams who haven’t been able to find a talking multimeter. If you or your readers need more information just contact the National Federation of the Blind at:
www.NFB.ORG/products-and-technology
You will find the talking multimeter in the section labeled “Measuring Devices and testing equipment”. Their phone is (410) 659-9314.

Handiham Nets are on on the air!

We are on the air daily at 11:00 USA Central Time, plus Wednesday & Thursday evenings at 19:00 USA Central Time.

The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets

Join us on the Thursday evening Handiham Radio Club TechNet. The frequency in the local Minnesota repeater coverage zone: 145.45 FM, negative offset with no tone and 444.65 MHz with 114.8 Hz tone in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota. The UHF repeater will be heard more easily in the Eastern Twin Cities. You will find our daily net on the air at 11:00 hours USA Central Time, with a Sunday roundtable session for a change of pace. A Wednesday evening session at 19:00 hours USA Central Time also offers a chance to take a guess at a trivia question (offered by some Net Control Stations) and visit with your friends on the air. Ideal for those who can't make the daily morning session! Then Thursday evening at 19:00 hours return to the Tech net and learn something new.

A dip in the pool

It's time to test our knowledge by taking a dip in the pool - the question pool, that is!

Let's go to the Extra Class pool:
E6F04 asks, "What is the photovoltaic effect?"
Possible answers are:
A. The conversion of voltage to current when exposed to light
B. The conversion of light to electrical energy
C. The conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy
D. The tendency of a battery to discharge when used outside
The correct answer is B, The conversion of light to electrical energy. The only reason I picked this question was that early this morning I noticed that our LED garden lights had snow on top of them. Of course they were not working, because the layer of snow was directly on top of the photocells that collect the light and turn it into a charging current for a double A cell in the light's housing. I cleaned off the snow so that they would charge in the daylight, and in about an hour it started snowing heavily again. Well, that's Minnesota.
Please e-mail handiham@couragecenter.org to comment.

This week @ HQ
WD8RJR is a silent key: We are sad to report that long-time Handiham volunteer and mentor Paul Baumgarte, WD8RJR, has become a silent key after a brief bout with cancer. He was 91 and a mentor to many hams in New York State and continued this outreach of helping others later on in western Ohio following his retirement.
The February digest is underway. Check it out in the members section for the latest Daisy digest. Meanwhile, all January DAISY files are available in the DAISY section of the website following member login. Please let me know if you have trouble using the DAISY files, because this is an important member service and we want you to take advantage of it. Thanks to Bob Zeida, N1BLF, for the Worldradio Daisy audio and to Jim, KJ3P, for the QCWA Journal and help with QST. Thanks to Ken Padgitt, W9MJY, for the Doctor column again this month. We are waiting for the recording of the CQ issue to complete the DAISY digest. Another member service is the audio lectures for Technician, General, and Extra. All courses are available on line for your use whenever you want to study or review. Teaching is done with thoughtful attention to descriptions for those who are blind, and we promote understanding concepts rather than simply memorizing the question pool. If you would like to use this service but do not understand how, please contact us. We can also put the audio lectures on your DAISY digital NLS cartridge if you prefer that method instead of downloading or streaming audio from the website. Our latest audio lectures cover concepts in the Extra Class course. Please join us in whatever course you need, and also please let us know if you would like a specific topic covered in our Operating Skills lecture series.
Handiham net information and news: The official and most current net news may be found at:
http://www.handiham.org/nets
Digital mailers are important: If you do mail a digital cartridge to us, please be sure that it is an approved free matter mailer. Otherwise it will quickly cost us several dollars to package and mail out, which is more than the cost of the mailer in the first place. We don't have a stock of cartridges or mailers and not including a mailer will result in a long delay getting your request back out to you.
DAISY audio digests are available for our blind members who do not have computers, playable in your Library of Congress digital player. Handiham members who use these players and who would prefer to receive a copy of the monthly audio digests on the special Library of Congress digital cartridge should send a blank cartridge to us in a cartridge mailer (no envelopes, please), so that we can place the files on it and return it to you via free matter postal mail. Your callsign should be on both the cartridge and the mailer so that we can make sure we know who it's from. Blank cartridges and mailers are available from APH, the American Printing House for the Blind, Inc.
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Catalog Number: 1-02610-00, Price: $12.00
Digital Talking Book Cartridge Mailer Catalog Number: 1-02611-00, Price: $2.50
Order Toll-Free: (800) 223-1839.
The Library of Congress NLS has a list of vendors for the digital cartridges:
http://www.loc.gov/nls/cartridges/index.html
Get it all on line as an alternative: Visit the DAISY section on the Handiham website after logging in.

Stay in touch

Be sure to send Nancy your changes of address, phone number changes, or email address changes so that we can continue to stay in touch with you. You may either email Nancy at hamradio@couragecenter.org or call her at 763-520-0512. If you need to use the toll-free number, call 1-866-426-3442.
Handiham Manager Patrick Tice, WA0TDA, may be reached at handiham@couragecenter.org or by phone at 763-520-0511.
Mornings Monday through Thursday are the best time to contact us.
The Courage Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who want to share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help us provide services to people with disabilities. We would really appreciate it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a planning kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can be given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Walt Seibert, KD0LPX, at 763-520-0532 or email him at walt.seibert@couragecenter.org.
Call 1-866-426-3442 toll-free. -- Help us get new hams on the air.
Get the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date with ham radio news.
You may listen in audio to the E-Letter at Handiham Weekly E-Letter in MP3 format
Email us to subscribe:
hamradio@couragecenter.org
That's it for this week. 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System!
Pat, WA0TDA
Manager, Courage Handiham System
Reach me by email at:
handiham@couragecenter.org

Nancy, Handiham Secretary:
hamradio@couragecenter.org

ARRL is the premier organization supporting amateur radio worldwide. Please contact Handihams for help joining the ARRL. We will be happy to help you fill out the paperwork!

The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating information, and Handiham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available to everyone free of charge. Please email handiham@couragecenter.org for changes of address, unsubscribes, etc. Include your old email address and your new address.

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