- NW7US

Pages: [1]
1
Technical Central / Propagation...
« on: July 04, 2013, 05:42:48 PM »
Hey, Folks.

I write the monthly columns covering radio propagation and space weather, in CQ Magazine, Popular Communications, and CQ VHF Quarterly.

I use various software tools, to help both analyze propagation, and also predict the conditions of various radio paths that I wish to engage (for DXing or other hunting).

One of the tools I use is ACE-HF Pro.

ACE stands for Animated Communications Effectiveness, a coverage display technique originally developed for U.S. Navy submarine communications. ACE-HF PRO, Version 2.06, is the System Simulation and Visualization software written for HAM Radio Operations and Short Wave Listener Operation. See the reviews, below, for the full details on the features for Ham Radio and SWLing.

The ACE method shows a sequential series of coverage maps. When the maps are animated, a movie is shown that displays reception of the signal in question. This helps you see in a glance what operating conditions are like during the period you are modeling. In addition, all graphs and circuit analysis results can be animated, to give you a complete picture of what's expected in the model you are displaying.

I've written various columns covering some key propagation topics:

HOW-TO: How do you make your HF ham station work more efficiently? The ANTENNA is the key! - introduction to Antenna Modeling
HOW-TO: Is HF Propagation Reciprocal?
HOW-TO: De-mystifying HF Radio Propagation and Modeling

REVIEW: An Amateur Radio Operator's Review of ACE-HF PRO version 2.06
REVIEW: A Shortwave Listening (SWLing) Review of ACE-HF PRO version 2.06
HOW-TO: Noise and Radio Signal Effectiveness; Modeling in ACE-HF Pro version 2.06

2
Digital Modes / The great DX mode: JT65A
« on: July 04, 2013, 05:33:50 PM »
I posted this message in the Technical forum, because of the technical information I have at my JT65A webpage.  I think that I should post this here, as well... I hope you don't mind the duplication.

If you have not yet tried out JT65A, I'd like to introduce this digital mode to you.  The links, below, give the technical and operational details.

Have you ever wondered how much of the noise you hear on the HF bands is actually comprised of signals too weak to be copied? JT65A is a weak-signal digital mode that allows you to pull great DX out from under the noise on the high frequency spectrum. The JT65A communications protocol was conceived and first implemented by Joe Taylor, K1JT. Joe, a Professor Emeritus of physics at Princeton University, shares a Nobel Prize with Russell Alan Hulse (ex-WB2LAV) for the discovery of the first pulsar in a binary system as well as the first confirmation of the existence of gravitational radiation in the amount and with the properties first predicted by Albert Einstein. Joe has contributed to the amateur radio community in much the same way, changing the playing field for weak-signal operation.



( See a video where I use JT65A: http://g.nw7us.us/138gMgD )

JT65A is actually a "sub-mode" of Joe's original JT65 protocol, which he designed to optimize EME contacts on the HF and VHF bands. JT65 includes error-correcting features that make it very robust, even with signals much too weak to be heard. It was later realized that this protocol, with some adaptation, would also be very usable for terrestrial HF communications.

I have a page dedicated to information regarding JT65A:  http://nw7us.us/jt65a.html

Join the Facebook community for JT65A here: https://www.facebook.com/jt65mode

3
Technical Central / About the digital mode, JT65A
« on: July 04, 2013, 05:03:44 PM »
Hey, folks...

If you have not yet tried out JT65A, I'd like to introduce this digital mode to you.  The links, below, give the technical and operational details.

I debated whether or not to post this here, or in the digital forum.  I figured that you'd like to know some technical information...

Have you ever wondered how much of the noise you hear on the HF bands is actually comprised of signals too weak to be copied? JT65A is a weak-signal digital mode that allows you to pull great DX out from under the noise on the high frequency spectrum. The JT65A communications protocol was conceived and first implemented by Joe Taylor, K1JT. Joe, a Professor Emeritus of physics at Princeton University, shares a Nobel Prize with Russell Alan Hulse (ex-WB2LAV) for the discovery of the first pulsar in a binary system as well as the first confirmation of the existence of gravitational radiation in the amount and with the properties first predicted by Albert Einstein. Joe has contributed to the amateur radio community in much the same way, changing the playing field for weak-signal operation.



( See a video where I use JT65A: http://g.nw7us.us/138gMgD )

JT65A is actually a "sub-mode" of Joe's original JT65 protocol, which he designed to optimize EME contacts on the HF and VHF bands. JT65 includes error-correcting features that make it very robust, even with signals much too weak to be heard. It was later realized that this protocol, with some adaptation, would also be very usable for terrestrial HF communications.

I have a page dedicated to information regarding JT65A:  http://nw7us.us/jt65a.html

Join the Facebook community for JT65A here: https://www.facebook.com/jt65mode

4
General discussion (QSO) / My introduction (NW7US) ...
« on: July 04, 2013, 05:00:19 PM »
Hey, folks.  Great to be a part of this forum.

I was first licensed in 1990.  Before that (since early 1970s) I was a shortwave radio listener and began studying Morse code and electronics.  I was in the Unites States Army Signal Corps., and finally after that, got my license.

I enjoy many aspects of the radio communications hobby, including Morse code operation, and, I like using digital modes like JT65A and Olivia. I am also a heliophile. That simply means that I study space weather and the Sun. I count sunspots, X-ray flares, and other space weather phenomenon.

I am a contributing editor for three magazines. I write about space weather and radio propagation for "CQ Communications Magazine", "CQ VHF Magazine", and "Popular Communications Magazine". Once and a while, I write about propagation and other radio-related topics in "Monitoring Times" or other publications, and some of my writing appear in books. I also run several websites.

I live in Omaha, Nebraska.

Hope to see you on the bands.  I look forward to a QSO.  And, of course, interacting here on the forums.

Cheers....

5
I came across a video from a fellow amateur radio operator, Aaron Miller. He brought up some points that I have considered, before. This topic seems to generate some emotional responses, and I wonder why. So, I created a response video (a "VR" - Video Response) in which I offer some opinions on the subject of CB vs. Ham Radio. What do you think?

Video link (this is my video) -> http://g.nw7us.us/17KKH51

Comments on YouTube are welcome. Comments here are also invited.

Cheers - Tomas

Pages: [1]