On the Web : June 2007


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SJRA

Our contributions to the South Jersey Radio Association club bulletin "Harmonics" includes lengthy Web addresses. As the URL's can be difficult or a nuisance to type into your Web browser, the postings here should make it easier to get to the Web sites SJRA members are interested in. Look for the posting at w2xq.com at the time "Harmonics" is scheduled for delivery in the south Jersey area. Questions, suggestions or contributions are always welcome.
SJRA's home territory

Westward ho

From May 2007 two new repeaters extend the W3BXW — w3bxw.com — 70 cm BEARS network westward along the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Cornwall on 442.150 covers the Lancaster/Lebanon area, and picks up where Honeybrook drops off Westbound. Summerdale on 442.450 covers the Harrisburg area. The standard PL tone of 131.8 is used for both repeaters. Remote receiver changes, both on 449.200: Wyndmoor, Montgomery County, is new, just outside the Philadelphia city limits. The Tabernacle receiver has moved to Waterford Works; the move provides better coverage in the Hammonton area, as the Tabernacle receiver was duplicating the coverage area of the Chatsworth receiver.

Check out the repeater map for a complete picture of the 440 MHz system that covers from New York City area to the bottom of the Delmarva Peninsula, southwest to beyond Baltimore, west to beyond Harrisburg, and all through the Poconos. More than a dozen repeaters are linked, and eight receivers listening to 449.200 supplement the coverage of the hub repeater in Bensalem on 444.200 MHz.

The Ions Are Coming

Predicting solar disturbances is a challenge at best. NASA published a story describing the capability to safeguard astronauts by providing a warning of up to an hour in advance. It doesn't directly address the business of solar propagation and radio amateur operations during disturbance, but nevertheless this is an interesting read. Dial it up at science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/25may_costep.htm, then search NASA and Google for more details.

Solar disturbances are spectactular events, and now we have an observatory that sees features as little as 90 miles wide from a distance of 93 million miles and shows magnetic lines of force. There is an incredible movie taken of a disruption last 13 December 2006. Read it here — http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/24apr_hubble4sun.htm — and check the associated links at the bottom of the page.

Old Time Radio

Last January I mentioned listening to old time radio (OTR) shows in lieu of rather boring television shows. I've done a bit of exploring and compiled a list of bookmarks — mysite.verizon.net/trscons/bm_old_time_radio.html — that some of you may find fun. (I used to listen to some of these old shows when I'd get home from school.) WNAR-1620 — wnar-am.com (ex-wnaram.org) — in Telford/Lansdale, PA, captures most of my listening time with the best variety (in my opinion) of shows I've found. A low-powered AM broadcaster, it's easier to hear via the Web. As an example of the fun programming aired weekdays between 8 and 10 p.m., there is (1) Challenge of the Yukon with Sgt Preston and his dog King, the (2) Lone Ranger, (3) Superman, (4) Johnny Dollar and (5) Gunsmoke (starring William Conrad). During a recent trip to Vermont, in a quiet reception location I did a scan of the AM band at night, and CHML-900 — 900chml.com — appears to be the only broadcaster I can find carrying OTR shows (normally 10p-2a). By the way, if you have suggestions for the bookmarks page, please let me know; use the e-mail link at the page's bottom.

Quickies

The Web site Spaceweather — spaceweather.com — showed some pictures of the International Space Station taken from ground by amateur observers using modest telescopes. Look at June 12 and 13 for examples of what can be seen if you know when to look. The addition of new panels makes the ISS easier to see each time the shuttle carries up a payload. Use the date selection archives fields on the top right of the page to go to the desired page.

We've had a few requests for the repeater list that we compiled last year, but then discontinued due to a lack of interest. A copy is now available at w2xq.com and we'd like your feedback if you use it. Corrections, updates et al are welcome.

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Revised 14 September 2007

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