- John K7JM

Hi John,

We posted an article that we thought you and your readers might be interested in having a look at, “40 Top Blogs About Ham Radio” (http://www.satellitedish.org/blog/2010/40-top-blogs-about-ham-radio/).  I am happy to let you know that your site has been included in this list.

Thanks for your time!

Sheryl Owen

The ARRL web site had a nice entry about Ubuntu for Ham Radio.  The article could have been four times as long and not cover all the aspects of why Ubuntu Linux is good for Ham Radio.  Also, several of the applications that the author mentioned in the ARRL article that he used with WINE, have alternates available for Linux, including PCB layout software, and Circuit analysis.  Almost ALL FREE.  Besides, Ubuntu’s super easy to install Ham Radio repository of applications, HERE is a page full of stuff, ranging from the latest and greatest to older Linux Ham Radio programs.  Ham Radio is about innovation, and experimentation.  It is sad to see so much of it is built up on a closed, unexperimentalable, unmodifiable, and costly solution like Windows.

73,
John – K7JM

I was very interested when I read an article in an Assemblies of God newsletter that I received.  It makes so much sense, like Salvation Army‘s SATERN, that Assembly of God’s Convoy of Hope, disaster response organization, should also have Ham Radio involvement.  Here is text from the newsletter:

Federal Communications Commission has authorized Convoy of Hope to form a ham radio club called the Convoy of Hope Amateur Radio Response Service (CARRS). Additional technology will assist in keeping lines of communication open to organization as natural disasters often disrupt commercial communications. For more information, e-mail USDRField@convoyofhope.org.

Convoy of Hope, a disaster response organization and partner with the Assemblies of God, has embarked on a campaign to network with ham radio operators within the Fellowship as a way to improve response to crises.

Because many commercial means of communication are unavailable during a natural disaster, 19 Convoy of Hope staff members have obtained a first-level technician amateur radio license, which allows for local area transmission. Several of those are working on a second-level license that would allow communication globally.

The Federal Communications Commission has authorized the organization to form a ham radio club called the Convoy of Hope Amateur Radio Response Service (CARRS).

“Having this technology in place and building a network through CARRS provides a platform for us to share critical disaster response information around the world with our adherents and missionaries,” says Convoy of Hope U.S. Disaster Response Field Services Director Paul Coroleuski.

Through CARRS, volunteer ham operators in the vicinity of a disaster will be able to relay initial damage assessment information that will help Convoy to better use resources as well as speed up response time.

Ham radio technology today has advanced capacities that include the ability to send e-mail and upload pictures.

“The initial response to this initiative has been overwhelming, and local chapters are expected to form around the nation,” Coroleuski says.

There are an estimated 6 million licensed ham radio operators around the world. For more information, e-mail USDRField@convoyofhope.org.

–Today’s Pentecostal Evangel

Can you decode this Morse Code?

Today is Samuel Morse’s birthday. Samuel Morse is the inventor of the Morse Code which many Amateur Radio Operators around the world (including me) use every day for fun and efficient communications.  Today, Google celebrated the day by modifying their search logo.  Can you decode it?

John

I have recently stumbled across a new podcast that has peaked my interest.

I am a Ham Radio operator, and my computers run on Ubuntu Linux.  So, when I came across a new podcast called “Linux in the HAM Shack“, I knew I had to check it out.  So far, they have five episodes out, so it is not too late to download them and get caught up easily.

Two Hams, Richard - KB5JBV and Russ – K5TUX, produce “Linux in the HAM Shack“.  Check it out and let them know what you think.  For now, they are specifically targeting new Hams, or new Linux users who are Hams, or both.  It sounds like it is going to be a great netcast (podcast).

John. K7JM

Click the picture to see a bit of my Ham Radio history.

Thanks for visiting my web site. Hidden among the posts and pages, is a page about me, K7JM.  My name is John McDougall and I reside in Jefferson City, Montana, a very small community south of the capital city of Helena.  I have been licensed since 1973, and love this hobby.  Click HERE to see a bit about my history in Ham Radio.

73, John – K7JM