This Magazine Blog, produced in Melbourne, Australia, contains topical articles created by the author, or researched on-line, on topics of interest to him, with a focus on Australia. These interests include photography, hiking, high-frequency radio communications, computer technology, astrophysics, astronomy, local history of Melbourne's east, gardening, travel, Australian Football League, and the A-League.
Thursday, December 19, 2019
Volunteers Celebrate 98th Anniversary of ARRL Transatlantic Tests at W1AW
12/18/2019
A group of radio amateurs gathered on December 11 at W1AW to mark the 98th anniversary of the successful ARRL Transatlantic Tests. On December 11, 1921, a message transmitted by a group of Radio Club of America members at 1BCG in Greenwich, Connecticut, was copied by Paul Godley, 2ZE, in Scotland. Reporting on the accomplishment, ARRL Secretary Kenneth B. Warner, 1EH, declared “Excelsior!” Clark Burgard, N1BCG — who lives in Greenwich and fashions his call sign as n1BCG to honor the original 1BCG — was among those on hand at the Maxim Memorial Station.
“We completed a successful special event yesterday at W1AW commemorating the 98th anniversary of the Transatlantic Tests,” Burgard recounted. “This was particularly important historically to amateur radio as it was originally organized by the ARRL in 1921 to determine if low-power amateur radio stations using shortwave frequencies could actually be heard in Europe. Until then, it was thought impossible.”
Burgard pointed out that the 1921 event changed radio history, took three issues of QST to cover, and opened the door to the first two-way transatlantic tests a couple of years later. The 1921 transatlantic success marked the beginning of what would become routine communication between US radio amateurs and those in other parts of the world — literally the birth of DX.
Those pitching in to take part in the day-long anniversary celebration were Michael Pfaeffle, K3FEF; Lisa Kress; Brian Kress, KB3WFV; Bob Allison, WB1GCM; Blaine Morin, N1GTU; Clark Burgard, N1BCG; Chris Codella, W2PA; Glenn Cooper, W2BK, and Greg Fiozzo, KD2HRD.
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
Image: The Box Hill Show, 1911
This is a summary of notable frequency usage in the window 0600-0630 UTC on December 18, 2019, from Melbourne. Propagation was a combination of long path Europe/ME, and short path (daytime) Asia
9330 USA WCBQ English
7360 ROMANIA RRI French
9635 VIETNAM domestic
9700 TURKEY Turkish
11725 RNZI
11735 N. KOREA French
11745 S. ARABIA Arabic
11760 CHINA CNR1
11960 CHINA CNR1
11980 TAJIKISTAN RFA-Dushanbe Chinese
12035 IRAN Dari
12045 CHINA CNR1
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
Saturday, December 14, 2019
Friday, December 13, 2019
Houzetek Weather Station
Houzetek Weather Station
This
machine, model 657, made in China arrived yesterday December 13! It’s
beautifully presented and packaged, has an external sensor (uses 433 MHz
radio link, 150 metre range). Replaces an old model which conked out.
20 cm width. Has a “sound controller”. Huge range of features, giant
size numbers, multi-colored, humidity, date-time-calendar, alerts,
alarms snooze etc.
Runs
off three AAA batts (plus two AAAs for the transmitter), plus 240V
power supply, variable lighting. Plus “comfort gauge”. images of the
sun, clouds, projected “trend” forecasts, etc. Yes, it even displays the
temperatures! Blinking radio icon shows state of sensor and main
batts.
Display
turns off after eight seconds to conserve batt life, but will stay
illuminated continuously if external power supply connected.
The display unit can be activated by clapping, tapping the device, or talking to it!
Excellent user manual.
I scooped this up from a Sydney seller for AU$15, including postage! Selling through eBay and Amazon for AU$50!
Notes:
1.
Up to three transmitters (sensors) can be used, from different
locations, switchable on the device. Additional transmitters are
avajlable very cheaply on eBay. Lithium batts best for sensor(s), as
voltage drops below critical level when using other types. Multiple
sensors simulate a WiFi LAN radio network. Low-battery indicator for
main unit and outdoor transmitter(s)
2.
240V charger is a chopper device and generates low-intensity broadband
interference when used in proximity to sensitive communications'
receivers. Supplied charger power cord has the American two-pin plug,
needing an adapter (buy in stores for a song .
3. Sensors work well in fridges!
4. A USB port is provided for an alternative 1Amp power supply.
See http://houzetek.com for comprehensive specs and features
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Sunday, December 8, 2019
Port Nepean - its History (Parks Victoria)
Box Hill - the Way We Were
This vjdeo contains many still images showing historical scenes in Box Hill.
The Happy Wanderer
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