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This archive of 2009 lists the past items of interest to the general amateur radio community in Hawaii.


Schedule of visibility for Space Shuttle STS-129 Atlantis

November 20, 2009

You can click on this link to get the schedule for when the space shuttle will be visible over Honolulu during the STS-129 mission.

Additional testing session added

November 19, 2009

An additional testing session has been added for December 9, 2009. See this web page for more information.

The Ultimate Morse Code Decoder?

November 16, 2009

Looking for a reliable, easy to use device for decoding Morse Code? Check out this web page for more information.

Work-in-progress: Hawaii Radio/TV History

October 24, 2009

The radio and TV industry has been undergoing many changes over the past 20 years. The web page is a work-in-progress page, capturing bits and snippets of information as it is uncovered.

Kauai County considers mobile cellular phone legislation

October 24, 2009

The Honolulu Advertiser carried an article that the Kauai Council was considering a cellular telephone bill. The Honolulu Advertiser reports that the matter will be introduced as soon as November.

Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

Maui County considers mobile cellular phone legislation

October 17, 2009

I received an email from Mel, KH6H that the Maui Council was considering a cellular telephone bill. Maui News reports on the the Council meeting of October 16. The matter was referred to the Committee of the Whole

Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

ARRL Simulated Emergency Test, Sat Oct 3, 9:00 - 12:00 noon

October 1, 2009

The annual ARRL Simulated Emergency Test (SET) is scheduled in Hawaii for Saturday, October 3 from 9:00 am to 12 noon. The key objective is to encourage and exercise amateur radio operators in the art of formal messaging handling (sending written messages on behalf of an agency served during times of emergency.

Web pages for your review:

Standard starting frequencies are:

  • 80 meter voice: 3993.5 kHz LSB
  • 60 meter voice: 5330.5 kHz USB
  • 40 meter voice: 7088 kHz LSB
  • State-wide VHF Repeater system: 147.02, 147.04, 147.06 MHz FM
  • Oahu: 146.88 MHz FM Diamond Head Repeater
  • Big Island BIWARN VHF Repeater system:
  • Simplex: 146.52 MHz simplex
  • Single Side Band: 144.200 MHz USB

Pacific-wide frequencies for emergency events

September 29, 2009

Eric, KH6RT wondered if there was a Pacific-wide set of HF frequencies for monitoring and coordinating messages about events in the Pacific. These nets/frequencies come to mind:

  • 5330.5 kHz, 60 meter channel 1. General Hawaii NVIS frequency
  • 7088 kHz, Hawaiian Afternoon net. General Hawaii NVIS frequency
  • 14313 kHz, California-Hawaii Maritime Net.

Encore presentation for Two Meter SSB EARC presentation

September 18, 2009

Here's a link to an encore presentation of the EARC General Membership meeting on Two Meter Sideband radio. Check out the EARC meeting on USTREAM. Advance the time to 58:00 to the start of the presentation.

ISS and Space Shuttle STS-128 visible the week of Sept 2

August 29, 2009

The ISS and Space Shuttle Discovery are visible over Hawaii this week: Viewing times for Honolulu.

The latest status is found on NASA's Space Shuttle web site.

There are only six more Space Shuttle missions left.

You can check The ISS Fan Club web site to see the lastest status of amateur radio onboard the ISS.

Tropical Depression 11E, Hilda forms in Eastern Pacific

August 22, 2009, updated August 23, 2009

The National Hurricane Center has released Advisory #1 for the Eastern Pacific. Check out the Central Pacific Hurricane Center page for current updates.

Hawaii QSO Party is in progress this weekend

August 23, 2009

The Hawaii QSO Party is in progress this weekend. Check out the KARC webpage for more deatails.

Happy Birthday!

August 14, 2009

Google reminds us of the birthday of someone who's random discovery made modern life and ham radio possible. Find out by reading the technology blog.

Tropical Depression 9E forms in Eastern Pacific

August 9, 2009

The National Hurricane Center has released Advisory #1 for the Eastern Pacific. Check out the National Hurricane Center, Eastern Pacific page.

Nets for Hurricane Felicia

August 7, 2009, updated August 10, 2009

Hurricane Felicia approaches Hawaii. See SCD ARES Bulletin.

Nets scheduled for the storm are:

  • State Civil Defense, Nightly at 7:00 pm starting Sunday, August 9. VHF Repeater System (147.02, 147.04, 147.06) and HF 7088 kHz, 5330.5, 3993.5 kHz. The Monday night 7:00 pm 7088 kHz has been cancelled.
  • Oahu Department of Emergency Management, Nightly at 8:00 pm starting Friday, August 7. Diamond Head 146.88 MHz.
  • Big Island Nets are the BIWARN daily net at 8:00 am on the linked BIWARN repeater frequencies, the 4:00 pm Hawaiian Afternoon Net on 7088 kHz, and the 6:00 pm South Point net on repeater 145.29 MHz, PL 100 Hz.

The preliminary Skywarn operational net, tentatively starting Monday evening includes these IRLP and Echolink nodes. Users are reminded to pause one second before transmitting to allow each repeater node to reset and not time-out. Skywarn will issue informational updates at the top and the bottom of the hour, and monitor for messages.

  • Hilo EOC, IRLP Node 3725, 445.550 MHz simplex, PL 114.8 Hz
  • Maui Haleakala Repeater, 442.100 (+) MHz, PL 136.5 (via AH6GR)
  • Maui Wailuku Repeater, 442.750 (+) MHz, PL 136.5 (via AH6GR)
  • Windward Oahu, IRLP Node 3197, 444.375 (+) MHz, PL 114.8 (via KH6FV)
  • North Shore Oahu, IRLP Node 3668, 146.76 (-) MHz (via KH6FV)
  • West Oahu, IRLP Node 3217, 443.550 (+) MHz, PL 114.8 (via KH6FV)
  • West Oahu, EARC Mauna Kapu, 146.80 (-) / 444.100 (+) MHz, (via KH6FV)
  • Metro Honolulu RoundTop, IRLP Node 3080 443.425 (+) MHz, PL 114.8 (\via KH6FV)
  • Kauai EOC, IRLP Node 3730, 147.550 MHz simplex, PL 114.8 Hz
  • EchoLink Conference Server "HI-GATE" Node 357564 (via KH6FV)

The Skywarn, DEM and SCD nets will consolidate and perform monitoring and coverage at the NWS office and off-site.

The Oahu Chapter of the American Red Cross will operate on the 147.34+ MHz repeater.

Continue your preparations. Review your family emergency action plan with members of your family, and key relatives.

Monitor the Central Pacific Hurricane Center Web Page and NOAA Weather Radio 164.55/164.40 MHz. If you haven't yet, check out the Honolulu Advertiser Interactive Hurricane Page. You can get other information on emergency communications at this web page.

Low cost alcohol stove -- for Hurricane Felicia

August 5, 2009

So, you've finally got around to making preparations and stocking up for Hurricane Felicia. Have you gotten some form of camping stove to cook the food? If you haven't yet gotten one, check out plans for the Penny Stove. If you or someone in your family is a beer drinker, they just might do you the favor and provide some of the material you need for this project. What does this have to do with amateur radio? Simple. If you're not prepared, you won't be on the air for long during emergencies.

Learning Morse Code using YouTube

August 2, 2009

Who says learning Morse Code is boring. Check out this video on YouTube.

ISS and Space Shuttle STS-127 visible the week of July 27

July 25, 2009

Zeph, N7WAP reminded me that the ISS and Space Shuttle are visible over Hawaii this week: Viewing times for Honolulu.

The latest status is found on NASA's Space Shuttle web site.

There are only seven more Space Shuttle missions left.

You can check The ISS Fan Club web site to see the lastest status of amateur radio onboard the ISS.

Two books for the amateur radio library

July 18, 2009

Each person is responsible for his/her own continuing education, and their preparedness for emergency conditions. Two books each amateur radio operator should read and have in their library are: What To Do When The Sh*t Hits The Fan by Dave Black, and The ARRL Amateur Radio Emergency Communications Course, Level 1. The material will educate you on what you need to do in the days ahead to be prepared.

This information is beneficial if you study now, act on it, and prepare before the disaster. Once the disaster starts, you'll be left behind, or losing precious minutes at the stores.

As I said at the April 23, 2009 EARC meeting, if you believe you're going to stay at home and wait till the last minute to use your ham radio during an emergency and get prepared, you're waiting for the worst case scenario to hit before taking action. That means the problem is in your back yard, you're in trouble and you're unprepared.

Tropo Ducting reports available on QSL.NET

July 17, 2009

The QSL.NET web site features a blog for logging the KH6HME beacon spots. There's a few spots over the past week, and this is the season for tropo.

Amateur Radio and the Apollo missions

July 17, 2009

Ham radio operators in the day with the right kind of equipment could listen directly to the Apollo spacecraft as it went to and from the moon. See this article on some of the technology involved.

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) has just returned photographs of the landing sites from the various Apollo missions. See this webpage.

My favorite daily satellite photo has been restored

July 12, 2009

The Department of Meteorology at the University of Hawaii at Manoa has restored the composite infrared satellite photo with the overlay of surface level winds. See the satellite photo.

At one glance, it tells me what's happening with major weather/storm formations, as well as the prevailing winds in the area surrounding Hawaii and beyond. The pressure isobar lines shows the formation of high and low pressure areas, which steer these weather formations.

That, and a quick glance at the Spaceweather.com web site tells me of any changes in solar weather and upcoming coronal holes, which yields enhanced radio propagation in this time of low sunspot activity. So much of earth's weather is derived from the sun, that it's important to tabs with daily changes (unusual outbursts) in solar activity.

The return of El Nino

July 10, 2009

El Nino's back. Now is a good time to stock up and prepare for hurricane activity. Read the Honolulu Star-Bulletin article.

It's a good idea to stock a week's worth of supplies for your home. You'll need it for other self-preparedness needs, such as the upcoming "swine" H1N1 flu season.

Mobile Cellular Phone Ordinance for Oahu

June 6, 2009, Updated July 1, 2009

Randy, KH6IB brings up a good point. It's a good idea to have a copy of the final mobile cellular telephone bill that permits mobile amateur radio operations in the glove compartment of the car.

On the first day of Honolulu's new mobile cellular telephone ordinance, we have received reports that some police officers are not aware of the exemption for amateur radio.

Stations are encouraged to print out and keep a copy of Ordinance 09-6 and your FCC amateur radio license with your vehicle papers.

You can get further information at this web page.

The ISS and Field Day

June 25, 2009, updated July 10, 2009

For Field Day 2009, there is a good chance that the ISS will be in crossband repeater mode starting just before midnight Saturday, Hawaii time. Check out the ISS Fan Club web page for the latest status. There is a good pass (61 degrees maximum elevation, ascending, east of Hawaii) at 11:41 pm on Saturday night. If the astronauts are on, it'll be a good test for them prior to going over the continental US.

I made contact with Bob, VA3CSA on Saturday night, just before midnight!

Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD and amateur radio

June 25, 2009

Retired CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite, KB2GSD made this video clip for ARRL in 2003 about amateur radio emergency communications. Check out the video on YouTube.

Walter Cronkite became a silent key on July 17, 2009.

Dr. Wesley Peterson, father of the Cyclic Redundancy Check, SK May 6, 2009

May 27, 2009

Dr. Wesley Peterson, former University of Hawaii Chair of the Information and Computer Science Department and inventor of the CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) passed away May 6, 2009. He was a Novice amateur radio operator in his younger days and a former researcher at IBM.

If you are a user of a forward error correcting code, use Ethernet or the Internet, a block-oriented error detecting/correcting data transmission, or storage on a hard drive, you are the beneficiary of Dr. Peterson's ground breaking work in applied mathematics.

You can read more at his Wikipedia Article.

Makani Pahili 2009 Hurricane Exercise - June 2-3, 2009

May 23, 2009, updated May 28, 2009

Get prepared for the annual Makani Pahili 2009 hurricane exercise on June 2-3, 2009. This year will feature:

  • A radio setup at the Hawaii Convention Center, simulating a joint Federal-State-County EOC.
  • Radio nets on Tue Jun 2 morning, simulating xx hours before landfall on Oahu.
  • Radio nets on Tue Jun 2 7:00 - 9:00 pm, simulating 72 hours before landfall on Oahu.
  • Radio nets on Wed Jun 3 morning, simulating xx hours after landfall on Oahu.
  • Radio nets on Wed Jun 3 7:00 - 9:00 pm, simulating 48 hours after landfall on Oahu.

Net frequencies include: 7088 kHz, State-wide RACES VHF Repeater system, 146.88 Diamond Head repeater.

Stations are encouraged to develop exercise messages and pass the traffic in ICS 213 Message Format. Stations able to pass simulated traffic live into the EOC are encouraged to contact Kevin AH6QO. See web page for details.

The web page for the event is at Makani Pahili 2009.

Big Island gets exemption for Amateur Radio!

May 23, 2009

It appears that at the PSPRC committee meeting on Tuesday, May 19, that the cellular telephone bill for Hawaii County has been amended to a CD2 version that contains (a) an exemption for amateur radio, (b) with an effective date of January 1, 2010 and (c) recommends approval on first reading at the County Council (on June 2).

Click here for further information.

APRS web page updated to include UI-View32 for Windows

May 23, 2009

The APRS web page has been updated with information on how to download and configure UI-View32 for Windows.

UI-View32 is highly recommended for emergency communications use for APRS, as it displays APRS location reports on the main mapping screen, plus easily segregates bulletin messages onto another window.

You can also interface your UI-View32 APRS client to the Internet, and get position reports from the APRS IS servers without having to install a radio and TNC.

Instructions for building a JNOS V2.0 station for packet

May 3, 2009

Found a web site where John Martin, KF8KK took the time to document building a JNOS V2.0 station for packet from scratch. He uses DOS and Slackware Linux to get the station going.

Click here for further information.

JNOS is highly recommended for emergency communications use, as one can build a self-standing email system that uses Internet Protocol (IP), but is not dependent on the Internet (ISP connections, Domain Name Servers, etc) to keep operating and passing email messages.

You can preview information derived from JNOS V1.10 and MS-DOS at this web page.

Big Island expected to get exemption for Amateur Radio!

April 30, 2009

John KH7T reports he talked with his Council member about amateur radio, and he'll support an amendment for Bill 66 that will include the exemption for amateur radio that's included in Honolulu's version. The next PSPRC meeting is scheduled for May 19th in Hilo.

Click here for further information.

Oahu Cell Phone Bill passes Council with exemption for Amateur Radio!

April 22, 2009

The cellphone legislation for the City and County of Honolulu, Bill 4 CD2 FD1 (Okino's version) passed final reading at the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 10:40 am. This final version has an exemption for two-way radio for drivers that are using it in the scope and performance of their work-related duties and for amateur radio operators. Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

Many thanks go out to those who contributed and participated in the educational effort with the City Council. You can view their callsigns on the web page, as the page undergoes updates in the next couple of days.

The bill goes into effect on July 1, 2009, and requires drivers of vehicles to use a hands-free device if they use their cellular phone. Text messaging and emailing via cell phones, plus playing video games are banned. Merely holding an electronic device in your hand is sufficient for the infraction.

The amateur radio operators on the Big Island will need to work with the Hawaii County Council to incorporate the exemption for amateur radio into their version of the bill.

And soon, the effort will start to educate members of the State Legislature in terms of what will very likely be legislation at the State level in 2010.

Amateur Radio featured at Geek Meet, Sunday April 19, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, Magic Island

April 12, 2009

EARC and amateur radio will be at the Geek Meet on Sunday, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Magic Island. Check out this Honolulu Advertiser article.

Featured equipment includes the new Icom IC-7200, and the Hi-Q mobile antenna.

Oahu Cell Phone Bill gets third and possibly final reading at Council

April 18, 2009

The cellphone legislation for the City and County of Honolulu, Bill 4 CD2 FD1 will get it's third and possibly final reading at the City Council Meeting on Wednesday, April 22 at 10:00 am. Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

Hawaii County considers mobile cellular phone legislation

April 12, 2009

I received a call from Bob, AH6J that the Hawaii Tribune reports on Saturday, April 11 the Council of Hawaii County is considering a cellular telephone bill.

Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

Bryan, KH6BRY wins EARC Katashi Nose, KH6IJ Scholarship Award

April 12, 2009

Bryan, KH6BRY wins the EARC Katashi Nose, KH6IJ Scholarship Award at the Hawaii Science and Engineering Fair for constructing a model CubeSat satellite, with APRS and ATV onboard. Bryan also won six other awards. You can see a href="http://brysci.blogspot.com/">a video of Bryan's presentation on the web.

Megan Kurohara and Kelson Lau of Hilo won the second prize for constructing a microwave wireless power transfer system.

Study Guide web page updated with Joe, AH0A's guides

April 12, 2009

I found out about Joe Speroni's license study guides at the KARC meeting on Saturday, and have taken a quick look at them. They are very efficient, and covers all the materials in the question pool for the Technician, General and Extra exams. I've added the information to the Getting the Technician License

Senate Bill 1054, SD2, HD1 affects amateur radio

March 30, 2009

The cellphone bill SB 1054, SD2, HD1 has crossed over from the Senate and is before the House Judiciary Committee. This bill differs from the Honolulu Council Bill 4 in that it affects the entire State of Hawaii. Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

ISS School contact to be heard on 145.80 on Tuesday, March 31, 9:25 pm

March 30, 2009

An Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) contact has been scheduled with Kalori Catholic School in Wallaroo, Australia on Wednesday, Tuesday, March 31 at 9:25 PM (April 1 at 07:25 UTC) via telebridge station WH6PN in Hawaii.

Cellphone Bill 4, CD1 available for testimony

March 9, 2009

The cellphone bill 4, CD1 is now available for testimony by the City Council. NOW is the time to submit testimony, which is due by March 17. Click here for further information. Be sure to click the REFRESH page on your web browser to pick up the latest updates to this web page.

Amateur Radio: The self-powered Internet

March 6, 2009

Amateur Radio may be declining in numbers because of the emergence of the Internet, but it more than makes up for it in terms of knowledge and technique. It's true that in emergencies and disasters, amateur radio is one of the few means of communications that consistently operate.

Simply stated, it comes down to these reasons:

  • Amateur Radio operators are scattered throughout the community. At the moment of the emergency, they're already distributed in and around the affected area.
  • Amateur Radio operators are not only operators, but self-trained technicians. They can fix or reconfigure equipment without having to wait for someone to do it. In most cases, they are also self-funded and making a personal investment of money and time in their equipment and training.
  • When the amateur radio operator is equipped with emergency power, he/she is not dependent on someone else's electrical power to maintain service to the phone system or the Internet. He/she can operate using batteries, generators or other means of electricity.
  • They have access to a multitude of radio bands, each frequency band with it's own characteristics and propagation. They can choose the frequency band that will do the job at hand.
  • As a result, very few radio services or communications techniques have the same flexibility to work around problems and shortcomings as amateur radio operators.

On the side of personal skills, being a Net Control Station, a DX'er and contester over the airwaves helps one to grow in terms of skills, insights and patience valuable for running a meeting, and in inter-personal communications.

And, the ability to "elmer" or mentor others is an excellent platform for learning how to cross-educate others and the joy in helping others to grow.

The Internet has made it far easier to learn and experience amateur radio. There's so much out there in terms of information, software and offerings that it's far easier to gain that personal growth. In terms of amateur radio and the Internet, it's not a case of either/or; it's both! I'm glad you stopped by to check out the information on these and other web pages. Good luck in your personal journey.

Kauai ARC Swap Meet, April 11, 2009, Nawiliwili Harbor

March 5, 2009

The Kauai ARC is sponsoring a swap meet on April 11, 2009 at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club clubhouse at Nawiliwili Harbor from 9:00 am to 12 noon. Talk-in on 146.92-. Click here for the club's web page.

These Web Pages will be moving, by March 27, 2009

March 1, 2009

I found a notice on Hawaiian Telcom's web page that they are discontinuing blog and web site hosting services. Check out the Hawaiian Telcom web page.

The amateur radio web pages are being moved to. www.qsl.net/ah6rh/am-radio/in-hawaii.html.

You will notice some glitches in the amateur radio web pages while the migration is underway. The disposition of the non-amateur radio web pages have not been determined as of yet.

The Ultimate home computer-Morse Code Ham Radio Setup?

March 1, 2009

If you're looking for a home computer-ham radio setup that makes quick work of CW morse code and other HF digital modes check out this web page.

The Renaissance of 2m SSB, 6m SSB and ClearSpeech DSP

February 27, 2009

The February meeting of the EARC featured a presentation on two meter and six meter single sideband, and the advantages for weak signal and emergency communications work. Also, you get to hear a demo of the incredible processing power of the ClearSpeech DSP Noise Reduction Processor. Click here to see the recorded video streaming of the meeting. The presentation starts at 58:00 into the video stream.

These are some of the equipment featured in the presentation.

Emergency Communications Lessons Learned article updated

February 22, 2009

The web page with material and information on emergency communications, and the PDF article on lessons learned have been updated. Click here to see the web page.

Information on Studying for the Technician Class License

February 21, 2009

A web page with material and information for studying and passing the Technician Class license has finally debuted. Click here to see the material.

Hawaii Analog (NTSC) Broadcast TV History

February 21, 2009

Here are some YouTube links to (old) analog NTSC broadcast video sign-offs at the end of the broadcast day.

Webcam and Microphone concealed in a DTV Converter box

February 19, 2009

This is a shocker. A web camera and microphone are concealed in a DTV converter box. Check it out yourself by viewing this video.

KH6DAD and AH6RH on HPR, Wed Feb 18 5:00 pm, FM 89.3

February 12, 2009

Rich KH6DAD and Ron AH6RH were on Bytemarks Cafe, KIPO FM 89.3 on Wed Feb 18 5:00 pm to discuss about ham radio and the emergency response/communications network. You can download the podcast at Bytemarks Cafe Podcast. The segment on amateur radio starts 20 minutes into the file.

146.88 Repeater Rejuvenated

February 7, 2009

A work crew replaced the antenna cable on the 146.88 MHz repeater. The tests and reports show that the signals and audio are much, much better, and the performance and coverage are outstanding. Our emergency communications capabilities of this critical repeater has never been better in over 30 years.

Amateur Radio Legislation for 2009

February 7, 2009

Mel, WH6UG and David, AH7E brought to light House Bill 58, which affects amateur radio and home owners associations. See this web page for further information and status.

City Council Bill 67 (2008) FD1, Bill 4, House Bill 14, Senate Bills 249 and 760

February 1, 2009

A bill was passed by the City Council on January 28 with the intent of banning the use of cell phones and text messaging while operating a motor vehicle, which has an unintended affect on fleet dispatching systems. A bill for an ordinance was introduced by the City Council on January 28th with the intent of banning the use of handheld and mobile electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle on public roadways on Oahu. Similarly, House Bill 14 was introduced in the State House on January 22. Both bills are broadly written and could affect the use of two-way mobile radios. Senate Bills 249 and 760 also cover cellular phone usage while operating a motor vehicle. See this web page for further information and status.

Hawaii County Tsunami exercise, Tuesday Jan 27

January 18, 2009

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency will conduct an island-wide tsunami exercise on Tuesday 27 Jan 09 starting at 0830 hours local time. The duration of the exercise will be about four hours, which is the normal window of preparation for a tsunami approaching Hawaii island from the north.

The Hawaii County Civil Defense Emergency Operation Center (EOC), located in Hilo, plans to activate their amateur radio station on both HF and VHF for this exercise. Harvey, AH6JA, will be the operator-in-charge.

Please check in directly from your base, mobile, or portable station; or, from one of the ARES key stations participating in this test. Harvey, AH6JA, will announce the exercise scenario at the beginning of the exercise and make the final call at ENDEX.

On HF we will use 7088 kHz and/or 3888 kHz depending on band conditions.

On VHF we will use both the BIWARN and the RACES repeater networks. On the Big Island, the frequencies of the state RACES repeater system are 147.04 MHz on the east side and 147.02 MHz on the west side. As always, we will use 146.52 MHz for on-site intra-team communications.

If you have Winlink 2k capability, you may use it during the exercise; however, you must first send an e-mail to [email protected] in order to be added to the Winlink 2k whitelist.

If you have packet capability, you may send messages directly to [email protected] (the call sign used for the station at the EOC) through the AH6JA WL2K RMS Packet network.

To comply with FEMA policy, all formal messages should begin and end with the sentence: "This is an exercise message." When creating a message in ARRL format, this will add ten words to the CHECK field.

If you haven't already done so, now would be a good time to take FEMA courses ICS-100, ICS-200, and ICS-400. These are introductory level on-line courses that you can access from your home computer. The courses are free and you receive certificates for passing them.

This Tsunami Drill not only provides us with an opportunity to practice our emergency communication skills but also it serves to demonstrate the value and versatility that amateur radio operators can provide to various agencies on the Big Island. Please support this communications exercise by checking into at least one of the nets.

Big Island ECs, please forward this message to all Hams in your district. I will issue additional announcements regarding this event should they be needed.

73 and aloha, Eric KH6CQ
DEC, North Hawaii ARES

ISS was in regular crossband mode now, 437.80 up, 145.80 down

January 18, 2009

The ISS was in regular crossband repeater mode. 437.80 MHz up, 145.80 MHz down. The radio now seems to be tuned to an upcoming ARISS school contact.

Final days of the 25th anniversary commemorative event for Ham-in-space operations

January 10, 2009, updated January 17, 2009

The special commemorative event celebrating the 25th anniversary of amateur radio operations in space by a human ends on January 17th UTC (should end at 2:00 pm, January 17th, Hawaii time). If you've listened or made contact through the International Space Station (ISS) from November 30, 2008 through January 17, 2009, you are eligible for a special certificate. See AMSAT.ORG and ariss.org for details.

There is a special crossband mode for January 3 through 17. The uplink is 145.99 MHz PL 67.0 Hz, minus/plus 3.3 kHz doppler. The downlink is 437.80 MHz, plus/minus 10 kHz doppler.

You can get information on upcoming ISS passes at www.issfanclub.com.

You can get further information on how to make contact with the ISS at Web Page 1 and Web Page 2.

Note: The ISS was reboosted on Thursday, January 15. That has delayed the passtimes about a minute, as of 6:00 pm Thursday. Be advised you need to listen to the downlink of the repeater for audio (either an active QSO, your own signal on the repeater, or the repeater squelch tail) to determine if you're making through the repeater. You then need to adjust the pass times (delay it one minute, two minutes, three minutes, etc) as you observe. You may need to tune up and down to find the correct doppler-corrected frequency to adjust your times of operation. As always, listen for your signal on the downlink. If you don't hear the downlink, tune around. Remember the first rule of amateur radio: IF YOU CAN'T HEAR 'EM, YOU CAN'T WORK 'EM.

The doppler calculations for the evenings from Sunday evening Jan 11 through Wednesday evening Jan 14 are in this calculator log file. I will be in meetings on the evenings of Jan 12 and Jan 13, so I will not be around to activate the cross-band repeater early in the pass which serves as a beacon for the rest of you. The doppler calculations for Wed morning Jan 14, and remaining passes from Thursday morning Jan 15 through Saturday evening Jan 17 are in this calculator log file.

The doppler calculations for Sunday evening Jan 11 and Monday evening Jan 12 for KH6CPU, Lanai City are in this calculator log file. The doppler calculations for Tuesday evening Jan 13 and Wednesday evening Jan 14 for KH6CPU, Lanai City are in this calculator log file. The doppler calculations for Wednesday morning Jan 14 for KH6CPU, Lanai City are in this calculator log file. The doppler calculations for Thursday morning Jan 15 through Saturday evening Jan 17 are in this calculator log file. You will note that Cedric's doppler shifts occur at times different than on Oahu.

The doppler calculations for Tuesday evening Jan 13 through Saturday evening Jan 17 for Wailuku, Maui are in this calculator log file. You will note that these doppler shifts also occur at times different than on Oahu.

The doppler calculations for Thursday morning Jan 15 through Saturday evening Jan 17 for Waimea/Kamuela, Hawaii are in this calculator log file. You will note that these doppler shifts also occur at times different than on Oahu.

If you use these tables, PLEASE use them correctly. Do all of these preparations well before you attempt to work the ISS pass. You start the pass with the UHF downlink set to 437.810 MHz. Look for the rows that contains UHF downlink doppler shifts closest to (a) 7500 Hz, (b) 2500 Hz, (c) -2500 Hz and (d) -7500 Hz. These doppler shifts can be found on the extreme right hand column of the table. These doppler shifts represent the middle between 437.810 and 437.805, 437.805 and 437.800, etc. The UTC times on left of these rows are the UTC times you should change your VFO/memory frequency to (a) 437.805, (b) 437.800, (c) 437.795 and (d) 437.790 respectively. Subtract 10 hours from UTC time to get Hawaii Standard Time. (Quick Tip: UTC times between 00:00 and 10:00 are in the afternoon/evening, Hawaii time.)

Verify that you are able to hear the downlink. On the evening passes, you should be able to hear other stations actively accessing the repeater starting about 90 seconds into the pass. If your station is set up correctly, with a clear view of the sky, with no equipment problems and you follow the instructions above on when to change frequencies, you should hear the repeater activity.

PLEASE make sure you make the effort to set your clock to WWVH/NIST UTC Standard time. If you're off by as little as 30 seconds, you're going to mess up and not hear the downlink.

Operations have been easily and consistently made from a dual-band VHF/UHF mobile transceiver from the car with quarter-wave antennas running 50 watts of power. Again, the key to success is tuning the transmitter and receiver frequencies on schedule.

If you access the repeater, you should hear a 1/4 second squelch tail when you release the PTT on your microphone.

These stations are proficient at station operations and working the ISS reverse crossband repeater, and are eligible for an operating certificate from AMSAT.ORG.

  • AH6CP
  • KH6CPU
  • KH6DAD
  • WH7GG
  • WH7IN
  • WH7LH
  • N6NCT
  • KH6OM
  • WH7QR
  • AH6RH
  • KH7T
  • NH6TY
  • NH7WN

Click on this first link and this second link if you need information on how to file for a 25th anniversary cerificate.

If you've made successful crossband repeater contacts on the ISS before, please help the newcomers to the ISS by reserving the middle of the pass for them, and making contacts with the new stations. The experienced ones should use the beginning and the end of the passes, which are more difficult for the new ones to use.

These stations have been heard trying to work the ISS reverse crossband repeater.

  • KH6MSH
  • WH7PD
  • NH7ZD

These stations usually need one or more of these adjustments: (a) changing frequencies (especially the receive frequency) on schedule, (b) more transmit power, (c) unity gain antennas (or if using gain antennas, to provide proper tracking of the gain antennas).

Tentative SKYWARN activation at 6:00 pm, January 15, 2009, for high wind condition

January 15, 2009

SKYWARN in Honolulu is tentatively scheduled to activate at 6:00 pm due to the incoming high wind weather conditions that are expected to escalate starting Thursday, January 15. Frequencies will be the Oahu IRLP UHF repeater network. Additional frequencies monitored for traffic will be 146.88 MHz EARC Diamond Head repeater, and the State CD RACES VHF repeater system. DEM and State CD RACES are monitoring the situation to see if RACES radio operations will be activated.

Amateur Radio Support for the HURT 100, Jan 17-18, 2009

January 10, 2009

Amateur radio operators will be providing communications and web updates support for the Hawaii Ultra Running Team 100 endurance run. An (optional, but valuable) training session will be held January 10, 1-4 p.m at State Civil Defense, Diamond Head crater. Please contact Bart Aronoff, WH6AA, at wh6aa(at sign)arrl.net as soon as possible if you are able to provide communications support.

Power Blackout of Friday, December 26, 2008

January 10, 2009

A letter to the editor of the Honolulu Advertiser was published on Thursday, January 9th about the response by amateur radio operators to the island-wide power outage of December 26. The event made national news because President-elect Barrack Obama was vacationing on Oahu at the time.

Find out more by contacting:  rhashiro(remove this part)@hawaiiantel.net
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Updated: January 18, 2010

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