Short Skip - February 2023

By Tim McGillen/N9CA   2023 LCARC President
February  2023 issue
    *Click on blue wording to open the internet  topic  links


Hello everyone,  Here is the latest…January’s Club program was a tour of Chicago’s 91.5 FM radio station on the 93rd floor of the former John Hancock Building. Our thanks to Mark Skowronski K9MQ

February LCARC Club meeting will be Friday February 10th  at 7:30pm (Always the 2nd Friday of the month).

February’s Program  “State-Of-The-Art  Electronic Testing and Repair Equipment” presented by George Pazak/KD9FCI

​The LCARC Information NET    Every Wednesday - at 8:00pm. 147.000 and 442.075 (pl 131.8)   Informal, informative, and fun. A great way to stay connected with local hams. Typically 30 minutes long.
 
LOCAL HR NETS
Courtesy of KC9UNS   www.tinyurl.com/chicago-ham-nets
 
Hunting For NDBs In CLE288
YNE - 207 Norway House, MB (tnx ve3gop.com)Yes! It's CLE time once again. This is a challenge for all newcomers to NDB listening and the ultimate test of your medium frequency receiving capabilities. Can you meet the challenge?'
https://youtu.be/waIFtVodHHM
 
Russian Meteorological Satellite M2 Has Failed
Meteor “M2” was launched July 2014 and failed late December 2022. Meteor M2 was a Russian meteorological satellite whose LRPT transmissions at 137 MHz were relatively easily received by anyone with a simple satellite antenna plus an RTL-SDR dongle and a computer.
Low-Rate Picture Transmission (LRPT) is a digital transmission system, intended to deliver images and data from an orbital weather satellite directly to end users via a VHF radio signal. It is used aboard polar-orbiting, near-Earth weather satellite programs such as MetOp and NPOESS.
Instructions for receiving LRPT images are posted on the Internet.
M2 should not be confused with satellite M2-1 who’s launch rocket blew up, or M2-2 which is now partially operational in orbit after being struck by a micro-meteorite.
A replacement satellite “M2-3” is in the works  and being prepared to be launched in 2023.
NOAA’s  meteorological satellites in orbit use a 60 year old analog system called automatic picture transmission (APT).  BTW, lots of older NOAA, USAF, and Department of Defense satellites have mysteriously “expoloded” or disintegrated while in orbit leaving space debris fields. Hmmmm 
Newer USAF & DMSP satellites transmit their data classified as “need-to-know”.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_Meteorological_Satellite_Program


PROS AND CONS OF HF ATTIC ANTENNAS
In a perfect world, all hams would have plenty of room for antennas. HOAs wouldn’t exist, and there would be no need to hide antennas in the attic (provided you have one). While the performance of antennas located outside will almost always be better, locating them inside and in a roof space may be the only option—and a workable one.   
Here’s the article’s link found with other great – (worth a look) - ham stuff at www.onallbands.com     a HR blog by DX Engineering
www.onallbands.com/pros-and-cons-of-hf-attic-antennas/


February 2023, Facebook Live HR Events
FB Live with Tim, K3LR every Friday at 3:00 pm CST (20:00 UTC)
FB Live with Tim, K3LR, and Jeff, KB8ZWT, every Tuesday at 12:15 pm CST (17:15 UTC)
Manufacturer Showcase, every Thursday at 1:30 pm CST (18:30 UTC)
 
ARRL Audio News
Listen to ARRL Audio News, a new 10-13 minute edition is available every Friday. ARRL Audio News is a summary of the week's top news stories in the world of amateur radio and ARRL, along with interviews and other features.
 
3Y0J Bouvet Island DXpedition
The 3Y0J Bouvet Island DX-pedition is an amateur radio event planned for late January through February 2023. The expedition's goals are the same as other DXpeditions: to contact as many amateur radio stations as possible from a remote location. 
 
http://www.3y0j.no  
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3093983840726129 
 
 
K7RA Solar Update     www.K7RA@ARRL.net
K7RA Solar Update is posted Fridays on the ARRL website. For more information concerning radio propagation, visit the ARRL Technical Information Service, read "What the Numbers Mean..." and check out the Propagation Page of Carl Luetzelschwab, K9LA. Also VOACAP Online for Ham Radio website.
 
15, 12, & 10 METER BANDS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
 
Solar Cycle 25 is bubbling up faster than expected. Solar Flux Index (SFI) can vary from the 50s up to 300. Higher SFI  = more ham radio DX propagation. Lately SFI is between 140 and 190        www.dxmaps.com
During the mornings, Europe is open to the US. While in the afternoon, propagation favors the southwest: Asia, New Zealand, and Australia.
All, I say ALL , ham licenses have privileges on 10 meters for Voice, CW and digital modes. The antenna needs for 10 meters such as a horizontal or vertical dipole are simple… just 16 and a half feet long… total. Higher may be better, but just 15 feet off the ground will do nicely (as will an attic install). While the max output for the Tech license is 200 watts, you can work the world with QRP on 10 meters.
 
LIVE VE EXAM SESSION
02/11/2023 | Valparaiso IN 46383-4820
Sponsor: Porter County ARC                 www.PC-ARC.net
Location: Valparaiso Public Library Downtown
Time: 9:00 AM (Walk-ins allowed)
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ARES 2 meter NET  
Tuesday evening at 7:00pm. N9IAA repeater 146.685 MHz PL 173.8
ARES HF Net
Sunday 4:00 PM - 80 meters 3.900 MHz – LSB
Worldwide Contests
www.ARRL.org/contest-calendar   *pick the month you wish
www.ContestCalendar.com



See you February 10th  @ 7:30 PM      73, Tim/N9CA

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