K3MRI

@WA3LTJ What do you think of this answer?

Welcome to Ham Community. We're not a large community but we're here to help each other out as much as possible. If you need anything special, don't hesitate to reach out. 73 Jim

A special welcome to my friend Michael. So glad to have you as part of Ham Community!! Now let's get to work on MCM 😅 73 Jim

Hi Carl, Sorry I took so long to welcome you aboard!! Getting ready for Hamvention, and going there, took a bit of effort. But hey, better late than never and THANKS for supporting us as an Ionosphere member. I cannot thank you enough. ANYTHING you need, or any ideas, please reach out. 73 Jim

Welcome to Ham Community. We're not a large community but we're here to help each other out as much as possible. If you need anything special, don't hesitate to reach out. 73 Jim

When comparing Continuous Wave (CW) and Single Sideband (SSB) signals, the primary difference comes from the nature of the signals themselves. Note that I am assuming here that you transmitted on CW and SSB at the same power level! CW is a simple on/off keying of a carrier wave. It's either transmitting at full power, or it's not transmitting at all - but at some point it is transmitting at full power!! As such, it's fairly easy to tune your antenna and transmission line for a good match at the single frequency of the CW signal but, again, it is at full power. SSB, on the other hand, is a more complex signal. It's derived from an Amplitude Modulated (AM) signal by removing (suppressing) one of the sidebands and the carrier. The result is a signal that varies in both frequency and amplitude, and that can cause a varying load on the antenna and transmission line, which in turn can cause the SWR to change. If you were to broadcast/yell a continuous high volume into the keyed mike, you would see that your SWR would go up. If you just key up, you're sending very low amplitude. In summary, CW signals have a constant frequency and amplitude which makes it easier to maintain a low SWR compared to a loud SSB signal, while SSB signals have varying frequency and amplitude which can lead to a lower or higher and more variable SWR. Hope this helps 😉 Jim

The most valiant heroes are the ones that no one has ever heard of. As for integrity, same! Which makes me wonder about the difference between integrity and heroism.

Such a good lesson!! And a nice chuckle to start my day.

@W4DOI , my YL and I hit the road tomorrow AM from DC to Xenia. I'll be on 146.52 all the way. Now back to packing.

I've never tried it. I will... anything that's on Mac is a happy place for me.

Apparently the exact date and location of the first amateur radio FM repeater installation is not well-documented. I've tried looking with little luck. It is generally accepted that the technology started to gain widespread use in the amateur radio community in the 1960s and 1970s, following the development of FM and repeater technologies for commercial and public safety use. As those of us who use it regularly know, the use of repeaters revolutionized VHF/UHF amateur radio by significantly increasing the range of communication and giving us a means of creating local bonds in ways that HF did not allow. If anyone has more information about the first FM repeater, at least in the U.S., but anywhere is fine, please do let me know... In the meantime, I'll keep digging.

I am often asked the difference between reactance and resistance. Thought I'd put something here. Resistance and reactance are both measures of the opposition to the flow of electric current, but they act in different ways and in response to different types of current. 1. Resistance (R): This is a measure of the opposition to the flow of direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) through a conductor. It arises due to collisions between charge carriers (typically electrons) and the atoms of the conductor. Resistance dissipates energy in the form of heat. The unit of resistance is the ohm (Ω). 2. Reactance (X): This is a measure of the opposition to the flow of AC current caused by capacitance or inductance. Unlike resistance, reactance does not dissipate energy as heat but instead stores it temporarily and returns it to the circuit. It causes a shift in the phase between current and voltage. - Capacitive reactance (Xc): This is due to the capacitance in a circuit. It decreases with increasing frequency. - Inductive reactance (Xl): This is due to the inductance in a circuit. It increases with increasing frequency. Reactance and resistance together make up impedance (Z), which is the total opposition to AC current. Impedance is a complex number that takes into account both the magnitude and phase shift caused by the reactance and resistance. The relationship can be expressed as Z = R + jX, where j is the imaginary unit.

Every day you impress me more. Not your goal, I know, but hey...

Some guy's pacemaker was listening to you 😆

That's my new way of calling fast CW operators 🥴 Which makes them Top Keyers!! The fastest known transmission of Morse code is a matter of some debate, as the speeds at which people can send and receive Morse code can vary greatly depending on their skill and practice. However, some of the fastest Morse code operators, or "high-speed telegraphers," have been known to send and receive messages at speeds of around 60 to 75 words per minute (WPM). In 1942, Theodore Roosevelt McElroy set a world record by copying Morse code at a speed of 75.2 WPM during a contest held by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL). This record has not been officially broken since then, and many consider it the fastest known transmission of Morse code. It is important to note that these high-speed transmissions are exceptional cases, and most amateur radio operators typically send and receive Morse code at speeds ranging from 5 to 35 WPM. I'm curious who knows someone or who is someone who has operated in that oxygen-thin top sphere of operators. I'm sure not, but my dad was. Anyone else?

N1MM, as we all know, is well-regarded by many amateur radio operators for its extensive features, ease of use, and frequent updates. It is particularly popular among contesters and DXers. The software is free to use, which is another reason for its wide adoption. Some of the positive aspects people appreciate about N1MM Logger include: 1. Extensive feature set: N1MM Logger supports a wide range of contest types and radio protocols. It provides an array of tools and functions for logging, tracking, and analyzing contacts. 2. Customization: The software is highly customizable, allowing users to tailor it to their needs and preferences. 3. Active development and support: The developers are active in the community, providing regular updates and addressing user feedback. The user community is also a valuable resource for support and advice. 4. Integration with other software: N1MM Logger can integrate with various other applications and services, such as CW skimmers, digital mode software, and online log submission platforms. However, some operators may find the software challenging to set up and configure, especially if they are new to amateur radio or contest logging. Additionally, since it is a Windows-based application, users who prefer other operating systems might have to use emulation software or search for alternative logging applications. Overall, N1MM Logger is widely considered a powerful and reliable logging application for amateur radio operators, though its ease of use and compatibility may vary depending on the user's experience and preferences. Currently, my field day team uses it, though I have used others in the past. What about you all, what are your thoughts on N1MM?

Gotcha. Whereas in my case, I'm counting the days until Maria retires and we hit the road in the RV and I can get away from this apartment. Being here has severely hampered my HF joy! 1346 days, give or take a few minutes.

It's actually quite worth it Lind. Don't just ask me, ask Alan also. In any case, we'll be there again this year, so if you change your mind 😉

Welcome Jamie.

Now that, my friend, is what I call a definitive piece of work. Wow. I'll download it, flip all the pages 90-degrees, and find time to read more of it than is wise. You know, if I were to start my career over, and I am being serious, I would consider becoming a transmission/broadcast engineer! Long Live The Wave!