eHam.net News

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Help Your Scouts Earn the Signs, Signals and Codes Merit Badge:

Posted: 14 Dec 2015 04:04 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35793


American Sign Language has its own grammar, syntax and dialects. Wigwag and
semaphore both use flags but are completely different systems of
communication. Deck crews on aircraft carriers use a number of hand signals
to communicate with pilots and each other. Generally speaking, the more
sides a traffic sign has, the more critical its message. That's just some
of what Scouts will learn as they pursue the new Signs, Signals and Codes
merit badge, which debuted last February. As the name implies, the badge
covers a huge range of nonverbal communications techniques, from smoke
signals to emoticons. Eagle Scout Tim Malaney of Chula Vista, Calif., who
chaired the team that created the badge, says the goal is not so much to
develop proficiency as it is to whet Scouts' appetites to learn more. "If
you have an interest, you can go further," he says. The emphasis on
awareness over proficiency is a change from the Signaling merit badge,
which was discontinued in 1991. To earn that badge in the 1940s, for
example, Scouts had to send and receive Morse code at 35 letters per minute
and semaphore signals at 30 letters per minute. What's Covered?
Signs, Signals and Codes covers a broad array of topics, including
emergency communications, Morse code, American Sign Language, semaphore,
Braille, trail signs, silent signals of all sorts, traffic signs, map
symbols, emoticons and cryptography. While Scouts don't have to show
proficiency, they do have to use each form of communication; for several
requirements, they must both read and create short messages. "I think
there's a lot of opportunity for having fun," Malaney says. The badge also
covers the history of communication. Scouts might be surprised to learn
that before the introduction of the radio telegraph, "everything for
communicating was line of sight," Malaney says. For example, the ancient
Greeks used chains of message beacons to communicate across long distances.
The first "télégramme" was sent in 1794 in much the same manner, using an
early form of semaphore. How to Find Counselors: Given the broad range of
topics the badge covers, Malaney acknowledges that it could be difficult to
find expert merit badge counselors. One option, he says, is to identify a
counselor with expertise in one area who could then educate herself about
the other topics. Possibilities include ham radio operators, military
personnel or teachers who know American Sign Language or Braille.


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Centenary of ANZAC On Air Ends Soon:

Posted: 14 Dec 2015 04:03 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35792


The WIA ANZAC 100 program commemorating a century of that part of WW1 has
entered its 'last hurrah' phase, with the ANZAC-suffixed callsigns on air
for the next two weeks. The stations will mark the quiet departure of ANZAC
forces from Gallipoli on December 20, 1915, after an eight month battle,
that gave birth in Australia and New Zealand to the ANZAC legacy. The
multi-mode event by VI3ANZAC has a team of eight operators rostered to
maximise contacts. It ends on December 29-20 at the historic Fort
Gellibrand at Williamstown in Melbourne's inner west. In honour of the
Royal Australian Navy Bridge Train, a large team lead by Mike Charteris
VK4QS is to be heard through VI4ANZAC. It has a strong team of mainly
ex-Navy men at the Morse code key and on the microphone. In West Australia
VI6ANZAC organised by members of the Ham College with major operations this
weekend at the RAAF Museum Bull Creek among the Cobra Helicopter display,
and next weekend at the club's new shack in a scout hall. VI6ANZAC will be
on HF using SSB and sometimes CW, and plans to activate an FM satellite as
well. And don't be surprised if it too is on air at other times during
the 'last hurrah'.


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Space Weather Services Review -- Outcome:

Posted: 14 Dec 2015 04:02 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35791


The suggested withdrawal or reduction to a user-pays commercial operation
of the Ionospheric Prediction Service (IPS) has been found to be
ill-advised, and it will stay as a core function of the Bureau of
Meteorology. This is the result of a review lead by Professor Paul Cannon,
University of Birmingham, UK, into the need and uses of the domestic IPS
services. The WIA submitted that IPS information services, including
sunspot, geomagnetic and maximum usable frequency data, and other
information, is used by radio amateurs to best plan their communications
activities. The WIA said that many are dependent on the IPS services and
would be adversely affected if the free service was withdrawn.


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An Amateurlogic Christmas is He

Posted: 13 Dec 2015 04:00 PM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35790


The 2015 AmateurLogic Christmas Extravaganza.
Peter troubleshoots his Ugly Balun. Tommy
shows us a cheap, small, efficient voltage
regulator. Emile demonstrates the Cheap
Spectrum Analyzer. Mike, VE3MIC joins us to
introduce some new ALTV products just in time
for the holidays.


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QSO and WTWW to Air Christmas in the Ozarks!

Posted: 14 Dec 2015 07:45 AM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35789


QSO Radio Show and WTWW will be airing Christmas in the Ozarks with Bob
Heil - K9EID performing at his Big Allen Theater Organ. He will be playing
classic Christmas music for us which will air on WTWW.


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Shortwave Radio Picture Contest!

Posted: 14 Dec 2015 07:42 AM PST
http://www.eham.net/articles/35788


It's Christmas music on International Shortwave Radio Station WTWW. We want
the shortwave radio to take the place of the electric train under the
Christmas Tree! We are asking for pictures of your shortwave radios - the
most festive picture wins! Include yourself, friends and family, include
the Christmas tree, or deck your radio with boughs of Holly and all things
Christmas!