Morse Code Anniversary observed #ARRL #hamradio

"The first message sent by Morse code’s dots and dashes across a long distance traveled from Washington, D.C., to Baltimore on Friday, May 24, 1844-175 years ago."

There are a lot of CW operators left.  In fact, perhaps there are more CW operators than your favorite mode.

If you are interested in Morse Code, drop over to Learn CW Online.  It's a handy site for learning and brushing up on your skill.

No, CW is not required for an amateur radio license but it's still good to know, ex. while flying past various VOR sites.

What is #FakeHamRadio? #ARRL #hamradio

You saw the Tweet:

It’s as much #FakeHamRadio as SSB was when it started. You two sound like some of the hams that don’t like anything to change and want the hobby to die with them. Sounds like you two are #MissingTheBoat

— KG5GJT (@KG5GJT) May 20, 2019

This appears to be a disturbing trend on #HamRadio.  My technology is better than your technology.  "I like AM, FM, FT8, MT63, APRS, CW, D-Star, AllStar, Echolink, IRLP, insert your favorite mode here."

Folks, it's a big hobby.  My Icom dial goes south of 7.200 just as well as it goes north of it.  The power button is amazing.  Working simplex is just as enjoyable as repeaters (except the satellites are fun).  Nets are good for me but CW QSOs are enjoyable.  FM really is the Fun Mode but I'm still trying to get my Sidewinders On Two number.  With a hotspot in the car or at home, Allstar is great.  Skywarn is rewarding.  Chatting on APRS is fun too, on voice OR text.

Just as the Democrats, Libertarians, and Republicans, etc. want you to vote for them, we are a United States.  We also are the BEST Hobby on the Planet.  Don't forget the public ... the ham radio wannabes ... are watching.  Please create a unified front to them.  Give them a reason to join the ranks.  Bashing others is not going to be the way.

By the way, please join the chat on 3.885 Amplitude Modulation on the first Wednesday of the month.  Some of the best sounds on High Frequency can be heard on the Coast to Coast AM net can be heard.  Put your radio in AM mode and check into the net.  If done right, they can't tell you don't have a Gonset, Hammarlund, or Heathkit transmitter.

League Proposes Move to Delaware #ARRL #HamRadio

Two agenda items on the Executive Committee agenda for May are noteworthy.

First, the move from Connecticut to Delaware is wise but the move is not far enough west.  For an "Eight to Five" organization, the League would better service the Members if the relocation was further west.  There's land in Oklahoma.

In order to reach someone by phone at HQ, an Alaska or Hawaii amateur would have to get up at Dark Thirty.  Thankfully, the League has streamlined some customer service by using the web, online ordering, and email.

However, having Headquarters more centrally located out west, the League could serve better with lower transportation and shipping costs, if even for one or two time zones difference.

The other issue, the graduated Life Membership, is a good idea.  A 70-year-old would not live long enough to realize the benefit for the membership.  Yes, the League is a good organization and one I'm happy to support with an annual membership but, at the current lifetime cost, it's unreasonable to think a retiree, especially on a fixed income, is likely to jump at the opportunity.

Howard still works at @ARRL but ... #ARRL #hamradio

The "Put Howard to Work" event, which was to be presented on Monday, May 13, by the ICQ Amateur Radio Podcast and feature ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX, has been cancelled. Here is the official statement:


Earlier this week an announcement was made that ARRL CEO Howard Michel, WB2ITX, was going to be on air at Maxim Memorial Station W1AW on Monday afternoon, May 13, with the intent of giving ARRL members a chance to chat with the CEO and get to know him better as a ham. However, an issue was raised about this being a potential violation of FCC rules, in particular, Section 97.113 which states that "A station is also not allowed to transmit communication in which the station licensee or control operator has a pecuniary interest, including communications on behalf of an employer."

Given that the ARRL is Michel's employer, and that there was an effort to publicize an event at which members of the organization could chat with the CEO, such an event could be perceived as a benefit to the organization.

So out of an abundance of caution and to avoid any potential violation of FCC rules, or even an appearance of a violation, Michel has decided to suspend plans for the "Put Howard to Work" event that was scheduled for Monday, May 13.

Have you found the #teamJesus nets?

It seems to me that Jesus would have been an amateur radio operator, though, realistically, He would not need a radio, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIN, or Google+ technology to reach the hearts and minds of men.

However, I'm a Christian ham ... a member of the Christian Amateur Radio Fellowship and have participated in the Bible Fellowship Net.

Here's some others who mix their hobby with the Faith.

Idaho Christian Resources - Amateur Radio and Christian Links, MP3's and PDF Files

"Sunrise Bible Study Group"

Hams for Christ

"World Association of Christian Radio Amateurs and Listeners"

"Ambassadors for Christ Net meets daily on 7.280 MHz. Monday thru Friday at 18:00 UTC, Saturday at 19:00 UTC"

A number of RemoteHams stations are dedicated to Christian Networks.  Can't reach your favorite net because of propagation?  Check the remotes.

Are there others?