Great Radio E-magazine!

I recently received my December issue of The Spectrum Monitor (TSM). I really look forward to getting this  publication each month! I am a charter subscriber since its beginning in 2014. It is very similar to the former Monitoring Times magazine which discontinued publication back in 2013.

Check out TSM on their web site at: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/index.aspx

TSM is usually around 100 pages and is packed with the latest on Amateur Radio, Shortwave, Scanning, Satellites, Radio/TV, Vintage radio, etc. The news and articles are always up to date and relevant. TSM is available only in PDF format and can be read on any device capable of opening a PDF file. I read TSM both on my tablet and PC. I also occasionally print out interesting articles that I might need for future reference in the shack. It's probably the Best $24.00 that we spend each year on this hobby!

The TSM publisher, Ken Reitz KS4ZR, is the former managing editor, features editor, columnist and feature writer for Monitoring Times. As well as a former feature writer and columnist for several other publications. TSM has some very experienced and talented writers that do a great job of covering many interesting topics each month! (learn more about the TSM staff here: http://www.thespectrummonitor.com/about-us.aspx )

Check out an older SWLing blog post review of TSM: https://swling.com/blog/2014/12/the-spectrum-monitor-only-24-for-a-years-subscription/

147.00 NY Swap Net is back Wednesdays at 7:00pm

 147.00 CNY Swap Net is back Wednesdays at 7:00pm 

The Central NY Swap Net is now being hosted by WB2KAO; Tim McGee on the W2QYT Auburn 147.00 repeater with a PL of 71.9. The purpose of this net is to sell, buy or swap gear of interest to Ham radio operators.

Have something to sell? have a question? Join Tim most Wednesdays at 7pm to carry on a CNY net tradition started by W2QYT; Jack Smith (SK).

Hope to catch you there!

Marathon Hamfest - Saturday 1/13/24

 The Upstate NY Hamfest season will be kicking off again in Marathon NY!

The Skyline Ham Radio Club Winterfest will take place on January 13, 2024 at the Marathon Civic Center in Marathon NY.

When: January 13th 2024 @ 7:00 AM till Noon 

Where: Marathon Civic Center, 11 Brink Street Marathon NY 

Admission is $6.00 per person

Tables are $10:00 per table. 

You can reserve tables at K2IWR@ARRL.net  or 315 395-7640. 

VE testing will be available as well at 9:00 AM across the street in the Historical Society building.

Oswego County Pathfinder Net changing to the 147.390 repeater

 

The Oswego County Pathfinder Net will be changing to the 147.390 repeater, +0.600 offset, and PL tone 103.5.  The Pathfinder Net will still operate Monday thru Friday at 9:00pm. 

Thanks,

Michael….KD2DVC 

Net manager 

Santa Nets - 2023

 

For the 16th consecutive year, The 3916 Nets will be presenting The Santa Net on 3.916 MHz. Good girls and boys can talk to Santa Claus, via amateur radio, nightly at 7:00 PM (Central) starting Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, through Christmas Eve, December 24th.

Pete Thomson (KE5GGY), of The 3916 Nets, commented on The 3916 Santa Net. He said, "Christmastime is a very special time for our nets every year. We enjoy helping young people and their families have a shared Christmas experience that they'll always remember. And we're thrilled to introduce young people to the excitement of amateur radio."

FCC to vote on elimination of the baud rate limit in the amateur radio bands

 

The FCC is expected to take action at its November meeting on a Report and Order that would eliminate the baud rate limitation and establish a bandwidth limitation in the amateur radio bands below 29.7 MHz. 

The order being circulated for tentative consideration by the commission would remove the baud rate limitation — the rate at which the carrier waveform amplitude, frequency and/or phase is varied to transmit information — for data emissions in the amateur radio bands, the FCC says. The current baud rate limits were adopted in 1980.

The order would implement a 2.8 kilohertz bandwidth limitation in place of the baud rate in amateur radio bands. The 2.8 kHz limitation is consistent with the commission’s treatment of other wireless radio services, the FCC says.

Read more here: https://www.radioworld.com/news-and-business/business-and-law/fcc-wants-to-bolster-amateur-radio

FCC fact sheet: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-397992A1.pdf

Skywarn Fall/Winter 2023-24 training - NWS Binghamton

 Fall/Winter Spotter Training 2023-24

more info: https://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining

Most Upstate NY NWS Offices are holding similar training this Fall. See the links below.

SKYWARN - Severe weather reporting program

What is SKYWARN?

The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, established SKYWARN® with partner organizations. SKYWARN® is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Although SKYWARN® spotters provide essential information for all types of weather hazards, the main responsibility of a SKYWARN® spotter is to identify and describe severe local storms. In the average year, 10,000 severe thunderstorms, 5,000 floods and more than 1,000 tornadoes occur across the United States. These events threatened lives and property.

Since the program started in the 1970s, the information provided by SKYWARN® spotters, coupled with Doppler radar technology, improved satellite and other data, has enabled NWS to issue more timely and accurate warnings for tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and flash floods.

Learn more at the National SKYWARN web site: https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN
Binghamton NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining
Buffalo NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn
Albany NY NWS SKYWARN page:  http://www.weather.gov/aly/skywarn

60 Meter band changes proposed by FCC - PLEASE COMMENT

Updated on 10/30/23 to reflect the extended dates for the comment period.

Comments are now due November 28, 2023 and replies December 28, 2023.

from the ARRL:

ARRL; The National Association for Amateur Radio® is asking that all radio amateurs urge the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to continue the existing use of the 60-meter band. The ARRL is encouraging expressions of support to the FCC for the current 100 watt ERP power limit (instead of reducing the power limit to 15 watts EIRP) and continuing secondary access to the current channels.  An opportunity to reply to comments ends on October 30,2023. Comments should be submitted in FCC Docket No. WT 23-120.

ARRL has assembled a web page with instructions on how to submit your comments, as well as background information on the issue: www.arrl.org/60-meter-band 

Its really pretty simple to comment on the FCC site. Just follow the ARRL instructions and link above that will take you directly to comment section form on the FCC web page.

And better yet, when you are done writing a comment consider checking in on the 60 Meter "Short & Sweet" net each day at 5:30pm EST on 5346.5 khz.

Operators still needed! Can You help? - Onondaga County Pumpkin Patrol -

10/18/23 update: Operators still needed! Can You help? 

Please contact John Edwards, K2JSE at Larcppoc@gmail.com or by phone at 315-453-7264 

Technician Class - Nov. 11-12, 20223 - Clay NY

Bear Bait Radio Club - upcoming Amateur Radio Technician licensing class and testing

(from The Bear Bait Radio Club web site:https://bearbaitradioclub.com/ )

Sign-up info email: WA2DTN1@gmail.com

LARC - Amateur radio licensing

 from the LARC October 2023 Longwire:

Solar Eclipse QSO Party Seeks Amateurs

 

ARRL is proud to partner with HamSCI to help promote participation in the Solar Eclipse QSO Party (SEQP). SEQPs are a series of global experiments -- and you can be a part of them. Solar eclipses will pass across the continental United States on October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024.

During these celestial events, you can join thousands of fellow amateurs as part of the largest crowd-sourced event for ham radio scientific exploration. The SEQP is part of the Festivals of Eclipse Ionospheric Science and is for learning more about how the ionosphere works.

All radio amateurs need to do is operate using any mode and any band for all or part of the day, then upload their logs. Participation can be from anywhere; you don't need to be near the path of the eclipse to contribute valuable data. You don't even have to be a licensed ham to participate in the experiment (only to transmit).

More information at: http://www.arrl.org/news/solar-eclipse-qso-party-seeks-amateurs-and-radio-enthusiasts-for-global-experiment

Elmira Hamfest - This Saturday 9/30/23

 One of the last hamfests of the year! Always a good one!

More info at: https://www.arast.info/arast_website/public/hamfest.php

Pumpkin Patrol 2023

 from the LARC "Longwire" September 2023 issue

Most upstate NY counties along the NYS Thruway are also participating in this event. Check with your local club to see if they are participating!

Other 2023 Upstate NY Pumpkin Patrol links:

Rochester (RARA) 2023 Pumpkin Patrol: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScF35sB9Mxma6RMcsiW4SuI78SC_e1TU6lBp_XPToXZzxQArQ/viewform

Antique Wireless Assoc. Conference - 9/26-30

 

More info at: https://www.antiquewireless.org/homepage/conf-main-page/

HF Activity Group - everyday on 17, 15, 12 and 10 meters!

 

If you want to have some fun or try a new HF antenna - these are the guys to check out! They start on 17M at 17:30z every

 afternoon. Lots of check-ins from across North America and usually around the world. Great group of folks here. 

Check out their web site for all the details: https://hfqso.com/about/

What frequencies? When?

FREQ MHz START GMT UNTIL GMT

18.1575         17:30         18:30

21.3830         18:30         19:15

24.9700         19:15         19:45

28.5700         19:45         20:15

The HF Radio Activity Group started over 10+ years ago with a small group of radio operators, W3FF, W8YCM and more.  This group of radio operators would meet every day on a specific set of frequencies across multiple HF bands.

The purpose is twofold, first to determine what the propagation is in real time for that day, for no other reason than curiosity about radio. The second reason is to have fun using amateur radio.

Bear Bait Tailgate Fest - Sat. 9/16/23

 

License Classes Syracuse/CNY - 9/23-24

 

ROC CITY Hamfest - Sat 8/26/23 - don't miss it!

 

More info: https://roccitynethamfest.com/

48th Annual Elmira Hamfest - Sat. 9/30/23

 

THIS IS OUR 48th YEAR!!! COME CELEBRATE WITH US!!!

September 30, 2023

At the Chemung County Fairgrounds, Horseheads, NY

CLICK HERE FOR 2023 BROCHURE

If extenuating circumstances result in the cancellation of the hamfest, monies will be reimbursed to those who purchase tickets.

Tickets: $6 in ADVANCE and $8 AT THE GATE.

SAVE! AND GET YOURS NOW!

Price INCLUDES Parking and admission.

Tickets ordered through PayPal will be mailed out on September 10

More info: https://www.arast.info/arast_website/public/hamfest.php

MARCONI RADIO INTERNATIONAL - looking for signal reports 8/14 & 8/15

 

MARCONI RADIO INTERNATIONAL LAST 2023 DAY SCHEDULE

Please be advised that Marconi Radio International (MRI) will be on the air this week with test transmissions on 14 and 15 August 2023, as follows:

17.00-18.30 UTC. The frequency is 6180 kHz (USB mode).

Reception reports (verified by eQSL) to this E-mail address: marconiradiointernational (at) gmail.com

Some lucky listeners will also receive our printed QSL card. Please don't forget to include your postal/street address, too!

Last but not least, we need your help! If you are a DX blogger, or use social networks, please post an announcement on your own blog and/or Facebook or send out a tweet. You can also forward this message to a friend.

Stay tuned!

Marconi Radio International

from the MRI facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mriworld

Operators needed - Great Race Auburn NY - Sunday 8/13

from Jerry; NK2C

 RAGS Public Service needs additional operator help with this Sunday event:

The Auburn Great Race.   

Please contact Walt - N2IK if you can help.

email: n2ikwkb@gmail.com

Ph. 315-243-0736

Roc City Hamfest - Sat. 8/26/23

 

more info: https://roccitynethamfest.com/

Speculator "Junk in the Trunk" Hamfest - Sat. Aug. 12th

 

link:  http:/www.adkhamfest.org 

2023 International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend - 8/19-20

International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend - August 19-20

A few years ago the International Association of Lighthouse Keepers decided to have an annual open day for lighthouses all around the world to encourage visitors to visit at their lighthouses. They decided that no better day could be decided upon other than the Sunday of the ILLW. This move has been highly successful as the media have become involved in quite a few of the countries involved in the event. The ILLW takes place on the 3rd full weekend in August each year and attracts over 500 lighthouse entries located in over 40 countries. It is one of the most popular international amateur radio events in existence probably because there are very few rules and it is not the usual contest type event. It is also free and there are no prizes for contacting large numbers of other stations. There is little doubt that the month of August has become "Lighthouse Month" due largely to the popularity and growth of the ILLW.

This year’s event takes place on the 3rd full weekend in August so if you haven’t done so already, find a lighthouse nearby and get a group together or do it solo and fire up a lighthouse station. In most cases if you don’t intend operating from within the lighthouse itself or one of its cottages, you really don’t need to get any approval. Most first time entrants are so enthused with the event that they return year after year. More info at: https://illw.net/


Several Upstate NY Lighthouses will be participating.

Charlotte Lighthouse - Rochester, N.Y. - more info at: http://www.geneseelighthouse.org/

Fort Niagara - Lewiston N.Y. 

Oswego Harbor Pier lighthouse, Oswego, N.Y. -

 Good afternoon,

 Once again this year I will be setting up a portable station at the H Lee White Maritime museum in Oswego, NY for the 2023 International Lighthouse / Lightship Weekend. The Station will be at the museum overlooking the Oswego West Pierhead Lighthouse. We can not set up at the lighthouse itself due to insurance and ongoing renovations. The set up details are as follows: August 19th and 20th are the operating dates with times of at least 9am – 4pm each day. Of course that depends on weather. If it is nice ….. I will stay longer!! 😊 There are over 300 lighthouse and lightships already registered with an anticipated total of over 500 worldwide that will have amateur radio stations set up. I will run SSB, CW, and digital on two transceivers and antennas. The event is open to the public and hams everywhere. Event details are available at ILLW.net.

Thank you,

73’s, Fred Legawiec, W2LGA, 315 317-8030

This Saturday! Moravia Hamfest - 7/22/23

 

Reminder!        Moravia Hamfest - 7/22/23

 3rd Annual Moravia Hamfest 

Saturday July 22,2023 - 6am until ?????

2220 State Route 38a

Moravia, NY 13118

VE testing at noon

Flea market - truck/car cruise-in

No admission fees/No parking fees

VE testing

No tailgate fees

50/50 raffle

Bring the kids, dogs, etc.

Jam session – bring your instruments

Great food available by Canadiagua Barbeque

Contact Mike W2JWW 315-730-9217

Ithaca Hamfest - Sat. August 5, 2023

 

more info at: https://tcara-ny.org/hamfest/

UARC Radiocom 2023 Hamfest - Utica - 7/22/23

 

See https://www.uticaarc.org/   front page for full details.

2023 ARRL Field Day

 Field Day is just a few weeks away........June 24th and 25th, 2023

If you want to meet some friendly hams or experience some different operating modes, why don't you stop by one of the many Field Day events taking place in Upstate NY. You will see various antenna and radio setups along with operators trying to share their knowledge and score some points making contacts through out the weekend.

 Its a lot of fun - so we hope to see you out there on field day!

What is Field Day?

Field Day is part educational event, part operating event, part public relations event – and ALL about FUN!  link:http://www.arrl.org/field-day

ARRL Field Day locator:  http://www.arrl.org/field-day-locator

Moravia Hamfest - 7/22/23

 3rd Annual Moravia Hamfest 

Saturday July 22,2023 - 6am until ?????

2220 State Route 38a

Moravia, NY 13118

VE testing at noon

Flea market - truck/car cruise-in

No admission fees/No parking fees

VE testing

No tailgate fees

50/50 raffle

Bring the kids, dogs, etc.

Jam session – bring your instruments

Great food available by Canadiagua Barbeque

Contact Mike W2JWW 315-730-9217

KLARA Hamfest - Sat. August 19th

 

KLARA Hamfest - August 19th, 2023

Saturday, August 19th, 2023    doors open at 0800 local time

Howard Community Center

7481 Hopkins Road

Avoca, NY

in the little hamlet of Howard, NY

Just off I-86 at Exit 35

For questions send an email to:

keukalakeara@gmail.com

Google Maps link    https://goo.gl/maps/n9FG92KCJ8wGV3Tx6

Friday Night camping

Join us for free on-site overnight camping. Self contained camping units only.

No electric. No water.

Campers must RSVP to

keukalakeara@gmail.com

Cortland Hamfest - Sat. June 10th, 2023

 The 41st annual Cortland Hamfest and Technology Fair will take place on Saturday June 10th at the
Cortland County Fairgrounds, 4301 Fairgrounds Dr. in Cortland.

Admission: $6.00 per person, under 12 free. Outdoor Flea market is free with admission. There are 25 indoor flea market spaces available for $10.00 per 10' length, first come first served.

VE tests will be available beginning at 9 AM.

Breakfast sandwiches and light lunch will be available by the 4-H Teen Council.

Travel Directions: I-81 to exit 12; turn left on to Route 281 South. Turn left again on to Fisher Ave, (8/10 mile) then right on to Fairgrounds Drive.

From Ithaca: Route 13 North to Route 281 North. Turn right onto Fisher Ave, then right on to Fairgrounds Drive.

For your GPS: 4301 Fairgrounds Dr. Cortland, NY 13045

 

We hope to see you there!

-- 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Andrew Slaugh KB2LUV
Secretary, Skyline Amateur Radio Club

More info at: http://www.arrl.org/hamfests/cortland-hamfest-2

Rochester Hamfest - Sat. 6/3/23

 

more info: https://www.rochesterham.org/hamfest.htm

ROGER'S RAGS HAMFEST on July 8, 2023 - save the date!

Plans are well underway for the ROGER'S RAGS HAMFEST on July 8, 2023.  See attached flyer.  A few notable details:

     - Tickets are available online at www.ragsclub.org.

     - We have a number of returning and new prize sponsors.  The prize total is now approaching $4000!!

     -The food service will be improved with breakfast and lunch in the main indoor area.

Tickets are still $5 or five for $20.   We look forward to seeing you!

Jerry, NK2C

Hamfest Co-chairman

International Museum Ship Weekend Event - Oswego NY - June 3-4, 2023

 

 In preparation for the International Museum Ship Weekend Event, Amateur radio station  W2LGA  will be set up at the US Army Tugboat LT-5 moored at the H Lee White Maritime Museum in Oswego, NY. This is one of the last remaining tugboats used during the invasion of Normandy in June of 1944 (D-Day). The tugs main mission was to assist in the construction of the temporary harbor Mulberry A, which was used to supply men, equipment, and ammunition to Omaha Beach. The LT-5 is the only known tugboat that actually shot down an enemy aircraft during the war. The LT-5 is being restored via the guidance of the maritime museum. The amateur radio station, W2LGA, will attempt to contact many other military ships all over the world with amateur radio stations set up. These ships include aircraft carriers, battleships, cruisers, submarines, lightships, tugs, ..etc.

  The radio station will be located near the tugboat and is free to the public. The H Lee White Maritime museum has tours of the LT-5 included with their overall museum admission charge. The radio station will be operating Saturday June 3^rd and Sunday June 4^th from 9:00am – 4:00pm. To learn more about the museum itself, go to www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com. for more information regarding the International Museum Ship Weekend, including a full list of participating ships, go to: https://www.nj2bb.org/museum/

 Contact information:

Fred Legawiec, W2LGA

Flegawiec1@twcny.rr.com

315 317-8030

 

SkyWarn Training - Spring 2023

 

Full training details: https://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining?fbclid=IwAR3BqP8Ro8aukfCNr5cRU2QSKsbK7kW1XKs9mK6fRtQ8L5X765o4TFOR23Y

Learn more at the National SKYWARN web site: https://www.weather.gov/SKYWARN
Binghamton NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/bgm/outreachSKYWARNtraining
Buffalo NY NWS SKYWARN page: http://www.weather.gov/buf/Skywarn
Albany NY NWS SKYWARN page:  http://www.weather.gov/aly/skywarn

Help During Solar Eclipses!

 Ham Radio operators, we’re calling you! Members of the Ham Radio Science Citizen Investigation (HamSCI) will be making radio contacts during the 2023 and 2024 North American eclipses, probing the Earth’s ionosphere. It will be a fun, friendly event with a competitive element—and you’re invited to participate. The upcoming eclipses (October 14, 2023, and April 8, 2024) provide unique opportunities to study these interactions.

Link to the complete NASA article: https://science.nasa.gov/science-news/citizenscience/ham-radio-operators-we-need-your-help-during-solar-eclipses?fbclid=IwAR3FHFBKQIHJ6iJcSz6urmzck9QdEwoDVWwrlyfIaSjeprbyy8kMv0SEj2s

Fast and easy testing for amateur radio licensing and upgrades

from N2EWC; Shaun and the NY Ham Team........

 Fast and easy testing for amateur radio licensing and upgrades!

Getting licensed or getting that long awaited upgrade has never been easier! The ALL NY HAM VE Team is now administering amateur radio exams bi-weekly online via zoom. Our team is made up of VEs from across New York state and are dedicated to making ham radio testing as easy and efficient as possible for all. 

Time doesn’t work? Not to worry, just contact us and we can schedule your exam by appointment. The next scheduled session will be held on May 9th @ 8pm.

View available sessions at https://ham.study/sessions/ALLNY or email us at ny.ham.team@gmail.com for more info. 

If you have used this service, please feel free to leave us comments below on how it went for you.

 

Save the Date: "Roger's RAGS Hamfest" - 7/8/23

 

link: www.RAGSClub.org

147.00 Auburn repeater update

 Just a quick update on the W2QYT 147.00 repeater in Auburn N.Y. from K2INH:

Some folks with certain, mostly Yaesu radios that had been experiencing problems getting into the repeater. There seemed to be an issue with the 71.9 PL tone opening the repeater.

The good news; there was an issue found with the controller board and a new controller looks to have solved the problem. If you were experiencing any issues, please give it a try!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just a quick note and link about the W2QYT 147.00 Repeater  history and founder:

We have recently uncovered an interesting interview with Jack Smith; W2QYT (Silent Key) from the mid-1990's.

What a great piece of Ham Radio history! Jack explains his start in Amateur Radio, repeater theory and operation of the 147.00 repeater (Auburn/Niles NY). Jack was a pillar of Ham Radio knowledge and experience here in CNY. We miss Jack's smiling face and booming voice on the airwaves here in Upstate NY. Thanks to John Luebs; N2PMQ (SK) and Lou Barbaglia; N2XSG who put this video together with Jack back many years ago.

If you have a memory of Jack or the W2QYT 147.00 repeater, PLEASE feel free to leave a comment below.

Check out the interview on our UpstateHam YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmF5D_p9Ed4