Sexism in Ham Radio

I started this blog posting pretty late one evening, but I decided my comments are strong enough that I would like the HAM community to read them as a main post instead of having them buried, and am tipsy enough to say what I really think.

Well hi there, Ham Radio opers, apparently we haven't met because you see no difference between me and a hired actress who doesn't know the first thing she's talking about. I'm the woman on that cover. I have also been a proud Ham radio operator going on 14 years now, and credit my love for this hobby for why I'm now getting a PhD in radio astronomy. I am also a good operator- a few years ago I single handedly set the record for my category/division in Sweepstakes, for example, and have the plaque and mug to prove it. I would say that's a helluva good street cred to be on the cover of a Ham radio book, and you would have posted a picture if you were on it because you'd be proud of it too. It's a natural reaction. And if your first thought is "yeah, but she's a girl so

How to handle a nasty HAM radio operator

We've all run across them, the sarcastic voice with a kilowatt behind it who spews negativity. They often hang together on a specific frequency and aren't above attacking a newbie who isn't operating exactly as they would like. What are some effective strategies for dealing with mean people on the air?

Riley Hollingsworth

Riley Hollingsworth K4ZDH spent 10 years as the lead enforcement agent for Amateur Radio at the FCC before he retired in 2008. He was effective, personable, and as you'll see in this talk at the Dayton Hamvention® in 2007... FUNNY. This is really a stand-up comedy routine. I've titled it 'One Big Knob."

Of course, he's making a point. One that we all know already, but clearly need to be reminded of from time to time. I talked with Riley later that day, and he asked if this departure from the standard "Enforcement Update" was the right thing to do. Well, see for yourself.


Canadian 🇨🇦 Amateur Radio Discussion ::
https://groups.io/g/HAMRadioCanada

Amateur Radio the gender imbalances in Ham radio, and why I will no longer use the term YL

I've had a bit of time to think about this lately, and hopefully enough time has passed since a certain other thread that we can avoid the baggage from there.

Ham radio has a gender problem. In the USA, it's about 15% women, but in my personal experience I feel there are far fewer active operating Hams who are female for whatever reason (for example, I logged a few hundred voice QSOs during the last Field Day, and it was definitely under 5% female). As a woman who got her license at 16 and has been active in this hobby for over a decade, plus one who is fairly visible in various ways in the hobby, a lot of people have asked me my thoughts on this. And to be clear, these are just my thoughts, and you're free to chime in on whether you agree or disagree with any of them.

Basically, for me the crux of it comes down to is Ham radio is not terribly good at making women feel like they belong in the field. What I mean about this is I have long ago lost count how many patronizing comments I got in QSOs and "creepy old guy" comments, and even though I lived really near Dayton for nearly all of the first decade I was licensed, I never went because I didn't think I'd enjoy a weekend of men staring at me. (You can argue this wouldn't have been the case, but it was my experience at local Hamventions and club meetings, which is why I guess I've never really attended either.) And, to be clear, I have many male dominated hobbies and work in a male dominated field- also, interestingly, estimated to be around 15% women- and honestly
nothing has make me feel like I don't belong quite as much like Ham radio. (I also hate to say it, but as a top 100 Reddit commenter you know who has sent me by farthe most hate mail and ad hominem attacks? /r/amateurradio users. Cheers guys! I figure if I'm making you mad, I'm doing something right!)

Once again, people are free to voice what they think about this, and I realize this isn't going to change overnight. But thinking about it, one obvious example example of this to me is the fact that in Ham radio we still commonly use YL, ie "young lady," to refer to all women regardless of age. I will freely admit that this didn't annoy me much when I was a young woman, but by now I am 30 years old and am going to have a doctorate in astrophysics by the end of the year (hopefully). And being called a YL is starting to feel really patronizing and condescending to me, in a way related to calling a grown man "boy." It definitely has been said to me many times in a way that does not make me feel like just another Ham radio operator.

As such, starting today I am no longer referring to myself or anyone else as a YL, and encourage other Hams to do the same. Fair warning, I'm toying with sending an article to QST on this too and will take what the comments here say into consideration for anything I write (if I do: see that dissertation due this year thing).

Best starter HF transceiver

What's a good starter HF transceiver, simple to operate, maybe the earliest model of Icom or Kenwood or any other brand that first came out with the built in antenna tuner, from $250 to $400 price range.

Answer : 

First you need to decide what type of operating and modes you want. Digital requires more stability, CW is a lot simpler, etc. Once you define that, then I think it will be a lot easier to define what you would like.

Answer : 

Although it's older technology, the Kenwood TS-130 is dead simple to operate, and can be found fairly inexpensively (less than $250). A TS-120 is also cool if you don't mind losing the WARC bands.... The Icom IC-718 is also popular, but will run you just a bit more (around $400 used, depending on the installed options).

Neither of these rigs have a built in tuner, but that's okay. You're better off with an outboard tuner. Most on-board tuners have a very limited tuning range (usually only about 3:1). That's enough for trimming a single band dipole, but not much more. An outboard tuner will match 10:1 or better, so you get a lot more tuning solutions.

I own both radios, and their both decent performers. I think the 130 has better ears, although the 718 has better specs. I've gotten good comments on the audio from both rigs, but I performed a simple mod to the Icom mic to make it sound better. The Icom is more feature-rich than the Kenwood, but is still relatively easy to use. Mine has the optional TCXO installed,

CQMM DX Contest 2015 Result

CQMM DX Contest 2015 Result

Release of full results of CQMM DX Contest 2015. Congratulations for all 978 participants from 112 DXCC entities took part of this competition sponsored by CWJF Group. Database shows 143,538 QSOs from all Continents. During cross checking log process, we could validate about 96% of QSOs among over 8,024 callsigns listed on all the received logs. We are very happy with world wide response to CQMM DX Contest. We hope have you again on the contest next year.

• 2015 Full Results

If you need more information about results, please contact us by email: help@cqmmdx.com

CONGRATS to the following :

VE2FK, VE1DT, VE3KZ, VE6UM, VA7ST, VA7MM, VA3FN, VE7JKZ

Callsign	Operator	Band	Power	80M	40M	20M	15M	10M	Total	Mults	Claimed Score	Final Score	Reduction	Club
PW2F	SINGLE-OP	ALL	HIGH	7	136	404	432	635	1614	291	1,763,751	1,697,985	-3.73%	ARAUCARIA DX GROUP
9A7R	SINGLE-OP	ALL	HIGH	15	225	286	466	152	1144	264	1,293,200	1,225,488	-5.24%	CROATIAN CONTEST CLUB
PY9MM	SINGLE-OP	ALL	HIGH	0	93	266	358	400	1117	242	1,031,695	983,488	-4.67%	RIO DX GROUP
PQ5FB	SINGLE-OP	ALL	HIGH	2	129	222	258	409	1020	245	958,607	911,645

HAM Radio Q-Code

Q-Code

These codes were originally developed to shorten transmission times when using CW, but are frequently used in voice transmissions. (eg. I am going to go QRT, thanks for the QSO.) The QRA...QUZ code range includes phrases applicable to all services and is allocated to the International Telecommunications Union. NATO's ACP 131(E), COMMUNICATIONS INSTRUCTIONS - OPERATING SIGNALS, March 1997, chapter 2 contains a full list of 'Q' codes. Other 'Q' code ranges are allocated specifically to aviation or maritime services; many of those codes have fallen into disuse as voice displaces CW in commercial operation.
The Q-code was originally instituted at the Radiotelegraph Convention held in London, 1912 and was intended for marine radiotelegraph use. The codes were based on an earlier list published by the British postmaster general's office in 1908.^[1] More information about the history and usage of Q-codes can be found here.

Q Codes Commonly Used by Radio Amateurs

Code	Meaning	Sample use
QRG	Exact frequency	HE TX ON QRG 14205 kHz
QRI	Tone (T in the RST code)	UR QRI IS 9
QRK	Intelligibility (R in the RST code)	UR QRK IS 5
QRL	This frequency is busy.	Used almost exclusively with morse code, usually as a question (QRL? - is this frequency busy?) before transmitting on a new frequency
QRM	Man-made interference	ANOTHER QSO UP 2 kHz CAUSING LOT OF QRM
QRN	Natural interference, e.g. static crashes	BAND NOISY TODAY LOT OF QRN
QRO	Increase power	NEED QRO WHEN PROP POOR
QRP	Decrease power	QRP TO 5 W (As a mode of operation, a QRP station is five watts or less, a QRPp station one watt or less)
QRQ	Send more quickly	TIME SHORT PSE QRQ
QRR	Temporarily unavailable/away, please wait	WILL BE QRR 30 MIN = THAT STN IS QRR NW
QRRR	Land distress	A non-standard call proposed by ARRL for land-based or railroad emergency traffic in situations where response from ships at sea (which listened for SOS) was neither needed nor desired.[2][3] Now deprecated.

HAM Radio 73 and 88

In 1859, Western Union standardized on the "92 code", a series of telegraphic abbreviations in which numbers (originally 1 to 92) were assigned meanings.^[6] These were later included as part of the "Philips Code", a series of abbreviations first published in 1879 by Walter Phillips of the Associated Press for use in the telegraphic transmission of press dispatches.^[7]
While most of the codes have fallen into disuse, the form 19 and 31 train orders remained in railroad use long beyond the end of landline telegraphy, the use of '30' at the end of a news wire story was continued through the teletypewriter era and the '73' and '88' greetings remain in use in amateur radiotelegraphy.

Western Union codes

Abbreviation	Meaning	Abbreviation	Meaning
1	Wait a minute.	25	Busy on another wire.
2	Very Important.	26	Put on ground wire.
3	What time is it?	27	Priority, very important.
4	Where shall I go ahead?	28	Do you get my writing?.
5	Have you business for me?	29	Private, deliver in sealed envelope.
6	I am ready.	30	No more - the end.
7	Are you ready?	31	Form 31 (permissive) train order.
8	Close your key, stop breaking.	32	I understand that I am to ....
9	Priority business. Wire Chief's call.	33	Answer is paid.
10	Keep this circuit closed.	34	Message for all officers.
12	Do you understand?	35	You may use my signal to answer this.
13	I understand.	37	Inform all interested.
14	What is the weather?	39	Important, with priority on through wire.

International Morse Code: Lesson 1

This is the first lesson in the International Morse Code course. This lesson covers letters E, T, I, and the number 5.

What is Amateur Radio?

What is Amateur Radio?

If you were to ask a dozen different amateurs what ham radio meant to them chances are you would get 12 different answers. Radio amateurs have discovered a richly rewarding high-tech hobby that has many different appeals to different people. Whether it is the ability to talk to local friends over the radio waves using a hand-held transceiver (HT), communicating digitally with packet radio to exchange personal messages or vital information in an emergency, talking to other hams anywhere in the world, or engaging in contests with other Radio Amateurs over the airwaves there is something for everyone. The section What Hams Do gets into more detail about these activities.
Amateurs or Hams?

Amateurs are often affectionately called hams or ham radio operators and frequently the public is more familiar with this term than with the legal term Radio Amateur. The source of the name ham is not known but it has been around almost from the beginning of amateur radio radio in the early 1900s. The name amateur has nothing to do with skill or knowledge but rather implies that ham radio cannot be used for commercial or revenue generating purposes. It is truly a hobby but often one that makes a difference especially in emergency or disaster situations.

HAM Radio Phonetic Alphabet

Phonetic Alphabet

A number of phonetic alphabets exist. The NATO version is most common and can be considered to be the "international" phonetic alphabet.

Letter	Code word	Pronunciation
A	Alpha	AL FAH
B	Bravo	BRAH VOH
C	Charlie	CHAR LEE
D	Delta	DELL TAH
E	Echo	ECK OH
F	Foxtrot	FOKS TROT
G	Golf	GAHLF
H	Hotel	HO TELL
I	India	IN DEE AH
J	Juliet	JEW LEE ETT
K	Kilo	KEY LOH
L	Lima	LEE MAH
M	Mike	MIKE
N	November	NO VEM BER
O	Oscar	OSS CAH
P	Papa	PAH PAH
Q	Quebec	KEH BECK
R	Romeo	ROW ME OH

HAM Radio Morse Code

Morse Code

Main articles: morse code, Wikipedia:Morse code
Morse code is a way to encode text through the generation of a carrier wave (CW). It is used to communicate over long distances or with low power (QRP).
You do not need to learn morse code to obtain a radio license or operate an amateur radio station anymore.
The code is composed of 5 elements:

1. short mark, dot or 'dit' (·) — one unit long
2. longer mark, dash or 'dah' (–) — three units long
3. intra-character gap (between the dots and dashes within a character) — one unit long
4. short gap (between letters) — three units long
5. medium gap (between words) — seven units long

Character	Code	Character	Code	Character	Code	Character	Code	Character	Code	Character	Code
A	· —	J	· — — —	S	· · ·	1	· — — — —	.	· — · — · —	:	— — — · · ·
B	— · · ·	K	— · —	T	—	2	· · — — —	,	— — · · — —	;	— · — · — ·
C	— · — ·	L	· — · ·	U	· · —	3	· · · — —	?	· · — — · ·	=	— · · · —
D	— · ·	M	— —	V	· · · —	4	· · · · —	''	· — — — — ·	+	· — · — ·
E	·	N	— ·	W	· — —	5	· · · · ·	!	— · — · — —	-	— · · · · —
F	· · — ·	O	— — —	X	— · · —	6	— · · · ·	/	— · · — ·	_	· · — — · —
G	— — ·	P	· — — ·	Y	— · — —	7	— — · · ·	(	— · — — ·	"	· — · · — ·
H	· · · ·	Q	— — · —	Z	— — · ·	8	— — — · ·	)	— · — — · —	$	· · · — · · —
I	· ·	R	· — ·	0	— — — — —	9	— — — — ·	&	· — · · ·	@	· — — · — ·

HAM radio hamspeak

Amateur radio | HAM radio hamspeak

If you've heard somebody use terminology you're not familiar with, look it up here and you're likely to find the definition.  If you don't find it, contact us and we will consider adding it to the list.

Search Tip: Use the "Find" feature of your browser to search for the occurrence of a particular word. Most popular browsers such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer and Netscape's Navigator allow you to access the "Find" feature by pressing Ctrl-F.

0-9|A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

?	"Slashed Zero" - distinguishes a ZERO from the letter "O". Intended to resolve ambiguity in callsigns like ""W?OF". Not needed for callsigns like "W0RK". Can be produced by pressing Alt?216 on your PC keyboard (Note: you must use the numeric keypad, not the numbers across the top row of the keyboard. This method should work in most PC-based editors such as e-mail clients, word processors, etc.)
73	"Best Regards" (Source: "Morse Code: The Essential Language", 2nd Ed., ARRL Publishing)
807	An old glass vacuum tube, several inches tall and around. Also, slang for a beer, as in "there's nothing like a cold 807 on a hot Arizona afternoon" (thanks to W7QY). According to our friends in Ireland, a pint of Guinness is known as a "Black 807" (thanks to GI4FUE).
88	"Hugs" and/or "Kisses"
ACSB	Amplitude Compandored Sideband modulation
AGC	"Automatic Gain Control"; a circuit in a radio which automatically adjusts the overall gain of the receiver
A-Index	Linear index for measuring the disturbance level in the earth's magnetic field. The index is defined over a period of one day (Courtesy of IPS Radio and Space Services, Sydney, Australia).
AM	"Amplitude Modulation"; slang often used is "Ancient Modulation" (courtesy of VE3FFK).
AMTOR	"Automatic Teleprinting Over Radio"; popular digital mode on HF
Antenna Gain	The ratio of the power required at the input of a loss-free reference antenna to the power supplied to the input of the given antenna to produce, in a given direction, the same field strength at the same distance (def. courtesy of Telecom Glossary 2000)
Antenna Party	A long-standing tradition among hams where several gather to assist a fellow ham in mounting antennas and/or towers. Often accompanied by malt consumables and lies AFTER the tower and the antennas are up and working...well, the consumables anyway (thanks to WD5CTQ).
AOS	"Acquisition of Signal" from a satellite; occurs when the satellite becomes "visible" to the antenna as it comes up from the horizon.
APRS	Automatic Packet Reporting System (Uses GPS + Packet Radio)
ARRL	"American Radio Relay League"; A U.S.-based organization which exists to support Amateur Radio.   For more information, please visit http://www.arrl.org.
ATV	"Amateur Television"; typically found on the 430 MHz and 1.2 GHz bands; see http://www.hampubs.com/atv.htm for more information (thanks to KG4LXA for the suggested link).

Yaesu System Fusion Introduction

Yaesu System Fusion Introduction Video

http://yaesufusion.blogspot.com/

DMR for EmComm

The CT ARES DMR microwave network has been down for at least four weeks.  This is public knowledge and has been public knowledge since the DMR connectivity was taken down as the result of an on-going reconfiguration of the microwave network.  Public knowledge as in:

• CT ARES leadership has been issuing approximately weekly updates on the network's status to all CT ARES members
• The fact that it is down has appeared in local news media
• It has NOT been tested on Sunday after the regular analog CT ARES net since it was brought down back in late April
• It has NOT been used daily for general COMMS since it was brought down back in late April 

A few of the CT ARES DMR repeaters have been brought back onto the microwave network, but it is slow going for various reasons.  

In the interim, the CT ARES DMR repeaters that are internet connected remain in network operations, as are those that have been transferred over to internet connection until the microwave network is fully operational.  In addition, there are a number of internet-connected MARC repeaters in the state.

*****

As to asking "... why wouldn't you use DMR for emcomm ...", that's like asking "... why wouldn't you use Echolink or D-Star for emcomm ..."  

The answer is:  with few exceptions, DMR repeaters (like Echolink and D-Star) are internet linked.  If internet is down within an area, then DMR linkage is almost undoubtedly down.  If internet is down within an area, then Echolink and D-Star linkage is almost undoubtedly down.  

If the internet is not down within the area, why would "they" need ham radio for communications across the area?

The goal of the CT ARES DMR microwave network is to have a statewide network that is not dependent on the internet, but rather runs on a high availability, redundant, and hardened network.

TORONTO DMR Newbies Night – May 6th May 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

TORONTO DMR Newbies Night – May 6th May 6 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

I just wanted to let you all know that the next Toronto DMR Newbies Night will be held on May 6th @ 7:00pm at the Tim Horton's at the intersection of Leslie Street & Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto. This event is intended to help beginners get started with DMR, such as providing radio purchasing advice, technical advice, plus programming or operating tips. In general, the more we can help folks get started with DMR, the more likely newcomers will jump on board.

We had an awesome turnout last time, so if any of you are able to attend, it would be great to see you there with your DMR radios and accessories. Also, if you know of anyone that might be interested in getting started with DMR, or is into DMR already, please forward this message to them. Of course, please feel free to spread the word on any of the many FM nets in the GTA.

Dstar vs Dmr rx only

You can make your own minds up from this, my icom 5100 is rx via raspi the dp3600 is rx via gb7mb both work great , I would have done fusion also but not a sausage on it up here ..a dead mode

Top 5 Ham Radio Transceiver Base Stations

Hams, also known as amateur or Ham radio operators, use radio transceivers to communicate with each other and provide emergency notification services. Although the continual advancement in technology has made the need of radio transceivers obsolete, many continue to use the device for the purpose of hobby. Once considered expensive equipment, ham radio transceiver base stations can now be purchased through more affordable means, making them ideal for those interested in this leisurely activity. When purchasing a ham radio transceiver base station at retailers such as eBay, buyers should consider the various types of broadcasting and familiarize themselves with the top five ranked models available based on consumer standards.

Types of Broadcasting

Ham radio transceiver base stations use either digital, analog, or a combination of both to broadcast signals. Buyers should consider the benefits and drawbacks of each as well as location when choosing the type that best suits their personal needs and wishes.

Digital Ham Radio Transceiver Base Stations

A digital ham radio transceiver base station uses digital technology, as opposed to analog. These transceivers allow for additional modes including digital radio teletype (RTTY), voice over IP (VOIP), and TCP/IP-based packet radio. Digital modes have replaced older radiotelegraphy methods. For example, RTTY has taken the place of Morse code, allowing users to communicate non-verbally over the radio. Digital ham radios also offer stronger signals and better adaptability to changing weather conditions, over that of analog ham radios. In addition, they are easier to operate and offer increased reliability to users. Digital ham radios can converse and hold multi-person conversations from various regions of the world over radio waves. They can also use signal repeaters and other tactics such as bouncing signals off the Northern Lights, to communicate with operators as far away as space. This allows astronauts occupying the International Space Station to remain in contact with those here on earth.

Analog Ham Radio Transceiver Base Stations

Analog ham radio transceiver base stations use a mechanical system. These radios offer increased stability in regards to power consumption. This is important, especially in the midst of emergencies when the ham radio needs to be able to run off the grid, with limited resources. Adding a computer to the ham radio increases power usage, which is often limited during states of emergency.

Digital and Analog Ham Radio Transceiver Base Stations

Digital and analog ham radio transceiver base stations can handle both digital and analog signals. These transceivers are ideal is regions where digital coverage is inconsistent as they ensure that there is no loss of signal. Digital and analog transceiver base stations are often more expensive because of their need to factor in additional electrical circuits.

Top Five Radio Transceiver Base Stations

With all the ham radio transceiver base stations available on the consumer market, it can be difficult deciding which models are a worthwhile investment. The following top five transceivers have received consistent positive reviews and have gain popularity based on their high performance standards and ease of use.

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My $50 entry level ham kit

An often seen post around here is "how do i get into the hobby on the cheap." in fact, just this past week i posted a similar question. I'll include a link to that below.
I thought it would be good to post back and document a little of my process and how I ultimately made my decision.

The sheer amount of possible activities under the "ham umbrella" is intimidating. On top of that, there is a huge amount of equipment with a mind-boggling amount of features and modes and frequencies/bands. If your coming into the hobby on a budget your likely very concerned that you'll end up buying the wrong gear for what you want to do and it'll end up in a closet somewhere as a busted hobby.

First thing I did was start researching all the different activities. I made a list of all the things i wanted to do with ham radio. CW, ads-b, QRP DX, home-brew radios and antennas, etc. I sorted these lists by the licenses it would require, as well as the cost/complexity of the equipment required. For example, rx-only from a local UHF/VHF repeater requires significantly less complicated and costly equipment than DX'ing on the super low bands.

Digital Mobile Radio DMR FAQ

1. What is DMR Digital Mobile Radio?

DMR, which is short for Digital Mobile Radio, is a published standard for digital voice communications utilizing TDMA technology. There are several manufacturers that build DMR radio equipment, including Motorola, Vertex Standard, Kirisun, Hytera and Connect Systems to name a few.

2. What is MOTOTRBO or TRBO?

MOTOTRBO, or sometimes called “TRBO” for short, is the brand name for Motorola’s suite of DMR capable radios.

3. What are the benefits of using DMR?

The common benefits of using DMR for ham radio users include:

• Keep in contact with your ham radio contacts using hundreds of interconnected repeaters world wide;
• Enjoy static free communications using the latest in digital voice technology;
• Talk longer with extended battery life, allowing up to a 40% improvement in talk time as compared to FM;
• Choose from a wide variety of radio models from a growing list of manufacturers;
• Take advantage of global text messaging capability;
• Enjoy automatic roaming capability, allowing operators to keep in contact with one another hands free while on the move.

4. Who can I talk to using DMR?

Using DMR, you can talk to other thousands of other DMR users world wide using hundreds of DMR repeaters located all over the globe. Unlike using IRLP or EchoLink where other repeaters are dialed-on-demand using a node number, DMR users can communicate with one another simply my meeting one of the available “talkgroups” or channels. The most commonly used