Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 414

Amateur Radio Weekly

Pebble HF
An ultra-affordable QRP radio kit with big potential.
QRPer

DLARC: The radio geek’s doomscrolling antidote
Immerse yourself in a digital collection of Amateur Radio and communication artifacts.
RadioWorld

Two Amateur Radio operators tapped into a Soviet frequency
Did they hear a woman burning alive in space?
Popular Mechanics

The power of the whisper
How WSPR and WSJT-X are redefining long-distance radio.
Bryan King

D75Link
D75Link connects via Bluetooth to the Kenwood TH-D75 in DV Gateway Mode and bridges voice to D-STAR reflectors (REF, XRF, DCS) over the internet.
VE4ELB

What is Ham Radio: A newcomer’s guide
Learn the basics of how to become a licensed Ham. Plus, tips on the gear you’ll need to start broadcasting.
Field & Stream

Installing a CB radio base station with proper grounding
It’s one of the best CB base station setups I’ve seen.
The SWLing Post

MorseBuddy
A web based Morse Code training app.
AA4OO

Opinion: Do the terms YL and OM reflect patriarchy or affectionate jargon?
Is it time for our Amateur Radio community to reconsider the use of gendered terms in our hobby?
Random Wire

Using Morserino M32 Pocket as Bluetooth keyboard
Your paired Bluetooth device receives the decoded characters as if they were keyboard keypresses.
LZ1PID

Handheld transceivers: A generational curse
All modern radios available today have the same Achilles’ heel that no amount of advances have been able to resolve: low transmit power and poor antennas.
Off Grid Ham

JS8Reporter
It reads MCF505 Area Assessment form data received via JS8Call and displays that data on an offline map of North America.
The SitRepNet Project

FCC warns Pittsburgh Amateur Radio operator for 911 interference
A BTech UV-Pro was transmitting over an Allegheny County EMS channel, commission alleges.
RadioWorld

Video

The tide waits for no Ham
Kayaking and Ham Radio.
Ham Radio and Kayaking with 2E0WMG

Off-grid radio data communications center
Let’s assemble an HT, amp, lithium battery, and power distribution system in a small, sealed ammo-box.
KM6LYW Radio

Testing prototype Discovery Drive Satellite Tracker
People keep asking me where to buy a satellite tracking rotator, and now there’s a new option.
saveitforparts

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Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.

Training for Sending Code – on the Web

Be Kind - Send Good Code

I have created a number of training aids to help me recognize morse code letters and words over the years, and I've used CW decoding apps on my phone to help me check if I'm sending copyable code. But I wanted to create a computerized coach that anyone could access to work on their sending skills and make it fun to use by tracking progress.

I've heard first hand that folks think they are sending copyable code when they are not.  Last week I was on 30m and someone was repeatedly calling CQ, but try as I might I could not decode their call.  Every time they'd send it there would be an unrecognizable character or two.  On each subsequent call it would sound like a different set of characters or non characters.  I tried to copy them to respond for about 3 minutes and gave up.  I kept seeing them call CQ on the waterfall but were never answered.  They needed to work on their sending.

The Web App

It not only shows if your sending the characters you think you are, it gauges whether your inter-character and word spacing is good.  It gauges your overall timing accuracy and in QSO mode, those measurements work toward unlocking virtual rigs and badges.  For straight key mode it measures your DIT to DAH ratio and gives you real time feedback on what your ratio is through the gauges under the decode window (hint: you want them to all be as close to straight up and down as possible).

How does it work ?

You are sending Morse with your selected keyboard input of straight key or emulated paddles. You are not typing letters, but working to send well timed code.

The QSO simulator alternates turns: it sends a line ending in K or BK, then it’s your turn. When you’re ready to hand the conversation back, send K (or BK) as a standalone word.

Decode window
You (decoded) shows what the app decoded from your keying. Use Clear to wipe it.

Progress per user
Progress is stored per-browser. Use Reset progress if you want to wipe skill points, unlocks, badges, and calibration.







Link to the web app - Morse Buddy


Currently the app supports keying using a paddle style interface with iambic keying through the keyboard using the [ ] keys, or the space bar as a straight key. I know it's not very satisfying to use a computer keyboard as a morse code key, and there's a small delay hearing the keyed tone when using the keyboard so I'm working on supporting actual paddles via Winkeyer or paddles and straight key through the dongle interface from CW-Morse via your local computer USB connection.

Be Kind

This is definitely still a work in progress and completely free. I'd appreciate constructive criticism, feature requests and bug reports in the comments.  Software bugs, not Vibroplex bugs; but if you can leave a Vibroplex bug in the comments that would be awesome as well.


That's all for now, so clean up your sending and keep folks from spinning the dial when they hear your call.



Richard Carpenter, AA4OO, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from North Carolina, USA. Contact him at aa4oo@hamradioqrp.com.

Ham College 136


Ham College episode 136 is now available for download.

Technician Exam Questions Part 22.
T8A – Basic characteristics of FM and SSB: Bandwidth of various modulation modes: CW, SSB, FM, fast-scan TV, Choice of emission type: selection of USB vs LSB, use of SSB for weak signal work, use of FM for VHF.
T8B – Amateur satellite operation: Doppler shift, basic orbits, operating protocols, modulation mode selection, transmitter power considerations, telemetry and telecommand, satellite tracking programs, beacons, uplink and downlink mode definitions, spin fading, definition of “LEO”, setting uplink power.

Download
YouTube


George Thomas, W5JDX, is co-host of AmateurLogic.TV, an original amateur radio video program hosted by George Thomas (W5JDX), Tommy Martin (N5ZNO), Peter Berrett (VK3PB), and Emile Diodene (KE5QKR). Contact him at george@amateurlogic.tv.

LHS Episode #609: The Weekender CXXXVII

Show Notes

Spin the Random Topic Wheel (Segment 1)

  • “Your Dream Car”

This Weekend in Hedonism (Segment 2)

Cheryl’s Recipe Corner

  • Honey Balsamic Glazed Ham

  • Description:

    • Russ was never a fan of baked ham, until he moved here and tried my mom’s (which I’ve shared that recipe before in the past; it was an orange juice and brown sugar mixture). While we hadn’t gotten the chance to try this recipe yet, he was excited to try it (because what is better with ham that a lot of tasty mustard?). This is in my menu rotation for Easter.
  • Ingredients

    • 1/2 fully cooked bone-in ham (about 7 lb. total; preferably shank end)
    • 2 tsp. black peppercorns
    • 1/2 cup honey
    • 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard
    • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
    • 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  • Directions

    • Heat oven to 375°F. Place ham, cut side down, on rack set in roasting pan; add 1/4 cup water to pan. Score ham on all sides in diamond pattern, cutting only 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Cover ham and pan tightly with foil and bake 11/2 hours.
    • Meanwhile, using heavy pan, crush peppercorns; place in bowl. Add honey, mustards, and vinegar and whisk to combine. Transfer 1/2 cup glaze to small bowl and reserve for serving.
    • Brush one-third of glaze (about 1/3 cup) over ham and bake, uncovered, 15 minutes; rotate ham in oven and repeat with another 1/3 cup glaze and bake another 15 minutes. Brush remaining 1/3 cup glaze over ham and bake until ham is heated through and internal temperature registers 140°F, 15 to 20 minutes more. Slice and serve with remaining glaze.

Cheryl’s Mixed Drink Corner

  • White Sangria

  • Description:

    • I have always been a huge fan of fruity drinks, and I am a huge fan of white wine… so what could be better for your Easter related meal?
  • Ingredients

    • 1/3 cup granulated sugar
    • 1/2 cup Applejack
    • 1/2 medium green apple, cored and diced
    • 1 medium orange, halved
    • 1 lime, thinly sliced
    • 1 mango or nectarine, pitted and sliced
    • 1 cup hulled and sliced strawberries
    • 2 (750-mL) bottles dry white wine, chilled
    • 1 (750-mL) bottle prosecco, chilled, to serve
    • Fresh mint or basil sprigs, to garnish
  • Directions

  • In a microwave-safe glass measuring cup, combine the sugar with ⅓ cup water. Microwave until the sugar is dissolved, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir well, then let cool completely.

  • In a large pitcher, combine the Applejack and apple. Let sit for 10 minutes until the flavors incorporate.

  • Squeeze half of the orange into the pitcher. Cut the remaining half of the orange into thin slices. Add the orange slices, lime, mango or nectarine, and strawberries; stir to combine. Pour the white wine over the fruit and stir to combine. Add 2 tablespoons of the simple syrup and taste for sweetness. Add more simple syrup, 1 tablespoon at a time, if desired.

  • Serve the sangria over ice, topped with a splash of chilled prosecco, if you like. Garnish with fresh mint or basil sprigs.

Russ’s Drink Corner

  • (I will occasionally pick something from Russ’s collection to mention… but I didn’t have time tonight)

Bill’s Whatever Corner

  • Charlie Russel Irish Style Red Ale - Harvest Moon Brewing - Belt, Montana
    • 5.5% ABV 20 IBU
    • Because the water in Belt is almost identical to the classic Burton water in England, we have brewed a beer very similar to an ale from that region. Two row pale ale malt combined with hops of a soft, flowery character but not overly aromatic or bitter, combine for an ale to be enjoyed year round. This ale is red in color and has malt character like an amber ale but with the hoppiness of a pale ale.

Segment 3 (Announcements & Feedback)

  • Memorial Service for Russ, K5TUX

    • There will be a memorial service for Russ at our home in Mt. Vernon, MO on November 1, 2026. Everyone is welcome! If you’d like to join us, please send an email to info@lhspodcast.info and we’ll send you more info!
  • Please Help Support the Show

    • Patreon, Paypal, Merch, Topics, YouTube

Segment 4 (New Subscribers, New Supporters & Live Participants)

  • Patreon

    • John Stengel
  • Live Show Participants

    • Delring, KQ4ALK
    • Mike, K6GTE

Russ Woodman, K5TUX, co-hosts the Linux in the Ham Shack podcast which is available for download in both MP3 and OGG audio format. Contact him at russ@bluecows.com.

ICQPodcast Episode 479 – Baofeng UV-5R Mini

In this episode, we join Martin Butler M1MRB, Dan Romanchik KB6NU, Caryn Eve Murray KD2GUT, Edmund Spicer M0MNG and Ed Durrant DD5LP to discuss the latest Amateur / Ham Radio news. Colin Butler (M6BOY) rounds up the news in brief, and the episode's feature is Baofeng UV-5R Mini Review.

We would like to thank our monthly and annual subscription donors for keeping the podcast advert free. To donate, please visit - http://www.icqpodcast.com/donate


Colin Butler, M6BOY, is the host of the ICQ Podcast, a weekly radio show about Amateur Radio. Contact him at info@icqpodcast.com.

Amateur Radio Weekly – Issue 413

Amateur Radio Weekly

OOTA: Out On The Air
Any location. Any antenna. Any power.
OOTA

What’s new at DLARC
We have lots of new documents and movies from Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Radio Amateurs’ Club. The club has been diligent about documenting its history: they recently sent dozens of documents, images, and films.
Zero Retries

A visit to Italy’s Begali Keys factory
We accepted the offer and started our trip to Italy with a visit to Brescia, where the company has been producing keys for more than 60 years.
OnAllBands

AetherSDR
A Linux-native client for FlexRadio Systems transceivers.
ten9876

KJ4WLC Ham Dashboard
Real-time Amateur Radio data.
KJ4WLC

A short and maybe not-so-sweet HF antenna
A lot of information has been posted online recently about very short portable vertical antennas.
Ham Radio Outside the Box

My time with Pat…So far
My love for pat has only grown over the past couple of years that I’ve been using it. Why? Because it’s simple and incredibly versatile.
KC8JC

Hush
An Open Source alternative to VARA-HF.
Hush

Ham Clock CYD
A stand-alone device that could operate even if the internet is not available.
KC1ENS

ARRL is hiring
We are currently hiring for several impactful positions.
ARRL

ARDC is hiring
ARDC seeks a mid-to-senior-level Software Developer and Technical Writer.
ARDC

Video

Talking across the continent through the International Space Station
I tried a couple new antennas for dual-band satellite operations.
saveitforparts

Otis NP4G: Dayton Hamvention 2026 Amateur of the Year
A Puerto Rican orthodontist, DXpeditioner, and president of INDEXA who has spent years turning big radio dreams into real-world action.
Q5

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Amateur Radio Weekly is curated by Cale Mooth K4HCK. Sign up free to receive ham radio's most relevant news, projects, technology and events by e-mail each week at http://www.hamweekly.com.

If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.

  About 10 years ago I posted about backing up your PC. Since May 2016 when I posted I would image even more radio op's depend to some degree on their PC's. Even if you are a minimalist when it comes to mixing ham radio and computers I am sure most of you have a PC and depend on it for something. MANY times in the past I have said "I have learned my lesson" when one of my beloved PC's either just stopped working or the OS hiccuped or was doing back flips. When one or all of these things happen and I do say WHEN because whether you like it or not you beloved PC will let you down. If you have not backed up it is to late and the fun begins to see what and if you can salvage anything.  I do backup and have for a very long time. I have a clone backup and an image backup. In my PC I have 4 drives all are SSD drives. The main drive is an M.2, then I have 3 1TB drives. The break down goes as follows, SSD 1 is for a clone, SSD 2 is for image and finally SSD3 another clone. Now I do realize there are some PC whiz bongs out there that will have advice for me regarding this but this works for me. Do I have cloud storage, no I don't. The way I figure it is I have enough on my PC for backup and well if the PC catches fire and the drives are toast I more to worry about as most likely either all or most of my house went with it.  Have I ever had to fall back on my backup's over the past few years....HELL YES! With the setup I have I can do the following: From the image drive I have multiple snap shots of what is on my PC. I can pick a date open it and look around via file explorer, the desktop and so on. For example I deleted a file on my PC but then 3 month later realize I really really need it. I can go to the image drive look for an image that is before the date I deleted the oh so important file. Then open that image and navigate to where that file is and I can drag it onto my desktop.   
My clone drives
  The clone drive is a duplicate drive of my main C drive. If I get up one morning and start the PC and greeted with ZERO Win11 working. No problem I just turn off the PC, restart, press a certain F key that takes me to my BIOS and tell my PC to boot from my clone drive. I then am back in biz, I then I have the time to determine if my C drive is software or hardware related. If it was a Windows melt down I can reformat the drive. Then ask my backup software clone of my drive I am now using back to my C drive. Then restart in BOIS and direct my PC to start using drive C again.  To both examples above the very import thing is to regularly backup your PC. You are wasting your time if you only back up let say every 6 months. So many things can change over that time and if you do need to use the clone you may have lots missing. I do a backup once a week and really with SSD drives it takes no time at all. In the above picture you can see the top drive SN770 section 3(C) has 299.52 GB of info. My clone drive below CT1000 has 291.26 GB of info and this is only after I did a backup yesterday.  The software I use is free and very simple to use. I have asked it on numerous occasions to save me and it has never let me down. The software is called Macrium Reflect free version. There is no long a free version available from the Macrium site they have stopped that. But if you are interested go to Oldergeeks website in the search bar type Macrium Reflect and you will be directed to working download of the free version and do so at your own risk.   

Mike Weir, VE9KK, is a regular contributor to AmateurRadio.com and writes from New Brunswick, Canada. Contact him at ve9kk@hotmail.com.

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