2. February 2010 by admin.

Heil Sound - Really Rocks for Music - and for Ham Radio

Well just watch and listen to this video… I’ve been considering purchasing a Heil microphone for use in my HF/SSB Ham Radio station. I also noted from their web site that they make microphons for broadcasting and musical recording and on the road shows. I had no idea of the history of Heil. Check out this video and let me know what you think?

—
Alan Spicer - Radio Amateur KA4UDX

Alan Spicer Telecom / Marine Telecom
http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifityacht.net
+1 954-683-3426
communications (at) marinetelecom.net

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2. February 2010 by admin.

http://www.ct-digital.com

Stressed Networks - Johnathan Tombes - Editor

The seismic energy unleashed along a fault line between North America and Caribbean tectonic plates on January 12 was a sober reminder of the earth’s deadly and hidden powers.

The earthquake that began some 10 miles south-west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, also drew attention to the country’s poverty and weak infrastructure.

Natural disasters can play havoc on life and telecommunications networks. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, the earthquake in Haiti destroyed the link to the country’s one undersea fiber optic cable.

In such circumstances, equipment that orbits hundreds of miles above the earth’s surface has a distinct advantage. In news released on January 14, Intelsat said it responded to customer requests for assistance by establishing two networks to provide “critical communication links” supporting parties and relief efforts throughout the country.

More stress relief

Quite apart from geology, human forces also are playing their rol in stressing the business of telecommunications.

Demand for wireless services - - Haiti itself had seen a rise in mobile phone use from 5 percent of its population in 2006 to 35 percent in 2009 - - is fast outpacing revenue growth. As a result, business plans, particularly for mobile data, are under revision; and investors are placing a premium on complementary advertising systems.

(More in the February 2010 Communications Technology [available free and digital online copy] - GLOBAL. BROADBAND. EXCELLENCE)

—

Alan Spicer - Radio Amateur KA4UDX

Alan Spicer Telecom / Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

http://blog.marinetelecom.net

+1 954-683-3426

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

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2. February 2010 by admin.

http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139771

For 40 years, Computerworld has been the leading source of technology news and information for IT influencers worldwide. Computerworld’s award-winning Web site (Computerworld.com), weekly publication, focused conference series and custom research form the hub of the world’s largest global IT media network.  So it is quite a commendation when they published the October 2009 article

Want to bone up on wireless tech?

Try ham radio

Abundant spectrum resources and an engaged research community are drawing wireless experimenters back into a hobby that many had forgotten.

By John Edwards

October 29, 2009

See the article at http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9139771

—

73 de KA4UDX - Alan Spicer

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

http://blog.marinetelecom.net - http://www.youtube.com/user/alanspicertelecom

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2. February 2010 by admin.

Are you interested in technology?

Check out this link: http://wedothatradio.wordpress.com/

Ham Radio in the 21st Century! Ham Radios’ attaction is on the increase, and it’s really no wonder why … Many Radio Amateurs have a lot to do with current technologies (things we are using already) and things that are “in the works” and “things to come”. This blog tells about Light Wave Communications experimentation, Amateur Satellite Systems, Communications with the ISS - The what? Yes! The International Space Station… Also there are newer and older digital modes authorized and used in Amateur Radio. I have recently been using BPSK31 (PSK31 for short) on the HF bands and found it rather easy to connect a computer, with a sound card (most already have this), to the radio … download FREE software and start making contacts via the keyboard - computer - and radio all over the US and Canada.

Soooo… it’s a cool blog to check out. That URL again is: http://wedothatradio.wordpress.com/

—

73 de KA4UDX - Alan Spicer

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net - http://www.wifiyacht.net

http://blog.marinetelecom.net - http://www.youtube.com/user/alanspicertelecom

Yes I’m on YouTube! Have been for awhile. Some Marine Communications related videos are up on there, and several HF/SSB Amateur Radio Contact videos as well, and including some videos of Powerline RFI (Electrical Interference from Power Lines) - which is radio frequency interference that can affect amateur (and other radio services, broadcast, and public services) radio sites.

SK

[end of work. end of this contact!]

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2. February 2010 by admin.

Alan contacts W1AW on 2 seperate HF ham bands using 100watts SSB: 18.140Mhz on 17 Meters, after original contact on 100watts SSB: 14.229 Mhz on 20 Meters. No doubt they are running more power than me, but maybe not … I believe the guy on 20m said he was running 200watts. I’m sure they have really HIGH and really GOOD directional antennas at ARRL HQ !

Action	Callsign 1st	Date/Time 2nd	Band 3rd	Mode	RST	Comments
LIMITS	W1AW	01Jan70 - 01Feb10
	W1AW	01Feb2010 18:40	20m	SSB	59+20	Nice Contact with KC2PJL as W1AW thanks from Alan Spicer
	W1AW	01Feb2010 18:52	17m	SSB	57	Nice Contact with KC2PJH as W1AW thanks from Alan Spicer

http://www.arrl.org/w1aw.html

W1AW, the Hiram Percy Maxim Memorial Station, is a living memorial to the “Father of Organized Amateur Radio”, located at ARRL Headquarters in Newington CT. When visiting ARRL HQ, most amateurs choose W1AW as the place to see where Amateur Radio comes alive. What can you expect to see when you visit? Here’s a look inside. * Also last night for a couple of hours there was an apparently Sporatic-E band opening on 11m (CB Radio) and 10 Meter ham band. I pulled of 6 contacts on 10 meters that you normally cannot do as it is normally dead.

Action	Callsign 1st	Date/Time 2nd	Band 3rd	Mode	RST	Comments
LIMITS		01Jan70 - 01Feb10	10m
	KB1IXI	01Feb2010 01:23	10m	SSB	56	10 meter band opening nice to contact you
	KE4TZN	01Feb2010 01:56	10m	SSB	57	10 meter band opening nice to contact you
	KJ4IKO ( notify)	01Feb2010 01:09	10m	SSB	57	10 meter band opening nice to contact you
	KU4I	01Feb2010 01:29	10m	SSB	59	10 meter band opening nice to contact you
	N3UGY	01Feb2010 01:36	10m	SSB	57	nice long qso / rag chew … I really enjoyed it! Let’s do again!
	W4OTN	01Feb2010 01:27	10m	SSB	57	10 meter band opening nice to contact you

http://www.arrl.org/news/features/2001/07/30/1/

Think you might be interested in Amateur Radio? http://www.wedothat-radio.org/

—
Alan Spicer - 73 de KA4UDX, Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Grid Square: EL96we

DBA Alan Spicer Telcom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom
Computer Services, Wired/Wireless Networking,
Cell/Sat/Landline Communications, General Consulting…
Marine, Business, Small Office and Home Office (SOHO)

* Cost Savings and Integration of Multiple Internet Technologies
on board Sail and Motor Yachts * Documentation, Operating
Instructions, and Support after the Sale *

* http://www.marinetelecom.net/
* http://www.internetforyachts.net/
* http://www.wifiyacht.net/
* 954-683-3426

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2. February 2010 by admin.

I still have RFI on the Ham Radio and adjacent bands (rather broadband as it can be found on many frequencies) which makes most ham radio contacts impossible. Earlier I promised video and I have made several attempts but the videos tend to get rather large rather quickly. So here is an attempt to beat the 10 minute YouTube requirement. Actually this one came in at just over 5 minutes. It demonstrates the Radio Frequency Interference, which is quite prominent and quite disruptive to communications as signal levels average in the S7 to S9 range - which really cuts off my receive “ears”. I probably cannot hear 80 - 90 % of radio signals that I could otherwise communicate with - without the interference. Here’s the video embed:

Again I reference: http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/HTML/pwr-line-noise/index.html for an explanation of what this is, what the legalities are, and what should be done and how. I would certainly like to be acknowledged AGAIN by FP&L in regards to this ongoing problem. The initial response, at least from the Radio Guy with FP&L, was fantastic. He opened a trouble ticket to fix a specific piece of hardware on a specific FP&L power pole. Wether or not this was accomplished has not yet been communicated to me. The pulsing, stronger, RFI - which was identified at that time seems to be gone. But other apparently strong powerline RFI remains. I am trying in multiple channels (emails, FP&L web site email contact) to get communications between myself and FP&L going again. My Amateur Radio / Ham Radio Station remains at their disposal for demonstration of the RFI and for hooking up their equipment to indentify (”fingerprint”) the offending radio frequency interference. 

FCC Part 15 rules require that utilities and other operators of “incidental radiators,” such as power lines, cause no harmful interference to licensed operations

Power-line noise can interfere with radio communications and broadcasting. Essentially, the power-lines or associated hardware improperly generate unwanted radio signals that override or compete with desired radio signals. Power-line noise can impact radio and television reception — including cable TV head-end pick-up and Internet service. Disruption of radio communications, such as amateur radio, can also occur. Loss of critical communications, such as police, fire, military and other similar users of the radio spectrum can result in even more serious consequences.

—
I am a “licensed operation”:

Alan Spicer -KA4UDX

Alan Spicer Telecom / Alan Spicer Marine Telecom

http://www.marinetelecom.net and http://www.wifiyacht.net

+1 954-683-3426

communications (at) marinetelecom.net

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