NexGen | Outdoor Hams, Inc.

Thanks PA1JIM for posting Outdoor Hams, Inc. and their absolutely fantastic mission. This is the stuff of NexGen ham radio operators.

Quotes.

• "...We provide practical technological experience to adolescents to better prepare them for participation in a global labor market which increasingly demands specialized and diverse technical skills."
• "...We encourage adolescents to pursue active lifestyles, reducing the likelihood that the individuals will suffer the physical and psychological ailments symptomatic of obesity, poor nutrition, and lethargy during the critical growth and development stages of adolescence and beyond."

73 from the shack.

Let The Photographs Talk | Flex-5000 | SDR-1000

I'm working on my software defined radio education and discovered shack photographs at FlexRadio Systems. Check out the Flex-5000 and SDR-1000 in shack action across stadium Earth.

A few terms for improved understanding as suggested at Wikipedia--

• direct conversion receiver.
• quadrature sampling detector.
• quadrature sampling exciter.

Also, I just learned universal software radio peripheral (USRP) uses a USB 2.0 interface, that's a new one for me. Additionally, ham radio operators are experimenting with new modulation methods for example according to Wikipedia, distributed real-time embedded analysis method (DREAM) open source project and high performance software defined radio (HPSDR) enabling performance over a range of 0MHz to 55MHz. Additionally, the HPSDR receiver will operate in the VHF and UHF range thus, an all mode SDR. Fascinating.

If one is interested in a list of papers from SDR 2006 Technical Conference and Product Exposition click here.

Learning is fun.

N6RNO "The Rhino" said "As a warm up, both clubs are going to be out for the California QSO party..."

Read comment here.

The ultimate state QSO party will command the attention of stadium Earth this October. Prepare your dipole, inverted vee, random wire, loop, and beam for the monster California QSO Party (CQP). All wattage welcomed in the spirit of ham radio competition and wholesome fun.

Start planning now because the fun amps up on October 4th and fifth. Need additional information on the state QSO party of state QSO parties click here.

KB.

Ben, N1WBV asked "And if you've signed up for Twitter..."

Read comment here.

I fully support HamTwits with all my geek pride and ham radio passion. And if one is interested in joining N1WBV's international listing join either Twitter, FriendFeed, or both. Then contact Ben for further information.

73 RadioSport Nation.

Dan, KB6NU commented "Cool. I just checked out HamRadio2.0..."

Read comment here.

I'm planning HamRadio2.0's beta broadcast for next weekend probably Sunday morning for an hour. Keep an eye on your Twitter feed. Additionally, I want to test my video, audio, and practice using the co-host feature as well. There are additional utilities that are available and beta testing is a good opportunity to work out the bugs.

Snippet of HamRadio2.0 Beta Transcript.
06:15 M0TZO : aka Gadget17 on Twitter
06:15 k4sac : Owensboro, KY
06:15 k4sac : My daughter is going to UC Davis
06:15 k4sac : she is doign a PhD in linguistics
06:16 M0TZO : He is in Elgin Scotland (so MM3PHP at moment)
06:16 k4sac : yeah she is smarter than me (IT) LOL
06:16 M0TZO : He will kick himself he missed this!
06:17 M0TZO : Well internet sites to start with :)
06:18 M0TZO : Can I include ones I run with pete?
06:18 k4sac : well, of course if you follow my blog I focus on operating (contesting, cw, etc)
06:18 M0TZO : www.hamradioforum.net / www.hamtests.co.uk (2,500 members now)
06:19 k4sac : but we can expand to discuss all issues
06:19 KD6WKS : greetings from Marty, KD6WKS
06:19 k4sac : skimmer is a big one right now
06:19 k4sac : LOTW, logging, software
06:19 M0TZO : Also, I am new to construction, but lover hearing about this topic
06:19 k4sac : greeting Marty
06:19 KD6WKS : mtmartin on Twitter, Hi
06:20 KD6WKS : Sure!
06:20 k4sac : k4sac and jackwilson99 on twitter
06:20 M0TZO : Would need to set a regular schedule
06:21 k4sac : wonder if Jeff KE9V would be interested in participating
06:22 k4sac : cool

Also, one must register with Ustream prior to joining the interactive HamRadio2.0 broadcast next weekend.

73 from the shackadelic.

The Clash of the Titans | PVRC vs. NCCC

The American Radio Relay League (ARRL) sponsored Sweepstakes is a longstanding RadioSport tradition. And two of the nations best contesting clubs are preparing for an epic confrontation. The Northern California Contest Club (NCCC) will defend the gavel. However, the Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC) who is celebrating 60-years of excellence wants the gavel in a big way.

This one is going to be epic and stories will be told for decades.

The overall outcome may depend on ham radio operators living in CC&R defined communities. This is an opportunity to work with the most experienced and knowledgeable contesters on planet Earth as well.

Live in an apartment? Live in a condo? Live in a regulated suburban dense community?

Don't miss this year's Sweepstakes. It going to be the clash of the titans.

Contest on.

Having Good Neighbors

Anyone living in a CC&R defined community understands. And my antenna drew the attention of the board of directors (BOD) during their latest community compliance inspection. Primarily, the BOD monitors the visual, nothing absolutely nothing, will obstruct the view of the ocean. Secondly, it is not like a city neighborhood, as one has greater independence and freedom of choice.

Hence my doublet is sandwiched between our condo and the neighbors. What is the issue?

I keep in mind the needs and concerns of my neighbors. All of whom support my endeavors and that of ham radio, overall. That is where the line of understanding extended. They communicated to the BOD, "What if there is an earthquake, a tsunami, or other disaster? We would go to Scot for help."

A big 'thank you' to my neighbors for their support of ham radio.

The bottomline message is, "Ham Radio is here for you."

Jeff, KE9V said "Nice job Scot -- great pics too!"

Read comment here.

I enjoyed ham radio fun at W6TK's barbecue. And listening to our Old Timers sharing ham radio wisdom was stellar.

Thanks for the comment Jeff and 73 OM.

Dan, KB6NU commented "Let's get the League into the 21st century!" | HamRadio2.0

Read comment here.

HamRadio2.0 is into action and we succeeded this morning at Ustream Live, Interactive Broadcasting; "Experience live video. In just minutes, you can broadcast and chat online with a global audience. Completely free, all it takes is a camera and Internet connection."

How HamRadio2.0 Happened
I simply directed a Tweeter message from Ustream with the appropriate URL channel and waited. It took a few tries but I finally got it correct. My live broadcast drew an audience of ham radio operator's from California, Kentucky, and England in a matter of 10-minutes. Additionally, one visitor was an old CBer familiar with ham radio and he learned the Morse code requirement is no longer necessary.

The planning for HamRadio2.0 beta streaming 1.1 is taking place at FriendFeed. I opened a room called HamRadio and DigitalCulture to facilitate the conversation among others.

Sequence of Events
This is how HamRadio2.0 materialized in a matter of two hours.

• Register at Ustream Live, Interactive Broadcasting.
• Opened channel.
• Invited followers at Tweeter.
• Broadcast.

One just needs to register at Ustream to access channel HamRadio2.0 and I would encourage joining FriendFeed and/or Tweeter as well. This is how it is getting done using the Internet.

73 from the shack.