|
|
Zulu Time (GMT) Atomic Clock Time |
Radio Mountain QSL Address:
|
Wayne P Staats Akron OH 44313
|
|
e-mail me at WS8RM (at) arrl.net
(this page changed Feb 1 2008)
New: you can get here from there... just type ws8rm.com in your browser, same site / new name.
|
Like it or not, soon we will be joined by a lot of operators that are new to HF operation. We have an obligation to our hobby and ourselves to set an example for them to copy one that we are willing to live with in the future. The chart on the right shows the rate of decline in active amateur radio operators The spike in week 18 was caused by the rule change that eliminated CW. |
|
This program, BEACON v2.02, will show you which of the world's 18 HF beacons are transmitting -- in real time. You tune your HF rig to the beacon segment of what ever band you are interested in using. When (if) you hear a beacon transmitting, even if you can't copy it -- just look at the monitor. Its name and location and general beam heading is displayed. NO CONNECTION TO YOUR RIG OR COMPUTER IS NEEDED. Have more than one receiver? No problem, just run another copy in another window -- you will see different beacon ID's displayed for different bands. If you are only interested in a particular band using a command line option ex: BEACON band [20 17 15 12 or 10] will start with the band of interest. You could have an icon for each band and setting the clock for one does them all.
And to go with the BEACON program above, here is a nice free utility to keep you computer's clock in sync with WWV. It will check WWV once a day and set the clock. Just download and install...Atomic Clock Sync.
Here is a program I wrote to calculate SWR from Forward and Reflected power readings. Should be good for those using watt meters of the "BIRD" type. The program will also produce a "chart" of VSWRs from 1.1:1 to 3.0:1 if desired.
I wrote this one to prepare station RF Safety documentation required by the FCC for all amateur stations as of Sep 1, 2000. Just download the file and run it. You will only need to know the GAIN factor of your antenna(s) and the frequencies you desire to operate. It is based on the work of Dr Wayne Overbeck (N6NB) and is free to use and pass on.
Ever want to quicklyCONVERT to or from °C temperatures? This program will do it. Just type CONVERT 50F, or CONVERT 15C. If you type CONVERT with no options, you will get a chart from 1°F to 96°F. Perfect temperature range for QSOs with foreign countries.
Here's one based on the chart that Collins Radio used to give out (circa 1978). Amateur KD5DL converted it to BASIC then I modified it and compiled it. The basic idea is that you put in the distance to the station you wish to communicate with - in miles. Then it displays the higest and lowest frequencies and take-off angles to try. It does not consider the sun spot cycle or anything else, but if you have propagation, it should put you in the ball-park. Download: PROPAGATION
JUST FOR FUN! -> CEU Credit: What is Electricity?
R Hollingsworth's 10 Personal Suggestions for Today's Amateur Radio Operators.
R Hollingsworth's What is Good Amateur Practice? as published in WORLDRADIO
FCC Part 97 Rules that cover Amateur Radio Operation - PDF format.
All programs have been compiled to run on any IBM machine even an XT!