Space Station Crew Uses HAM Radio to Call Earth

Here is a great YouTube video showing off Ham Radio on the International Space Station given by Expedition 25 commander Doug Wheelock.  He also gives a great partial tour through the Russian section of the ISS.  Very Interesting!

– John K7JM

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Linux In The Ham Shack

New Logo, New URL

I am an avid user of the Linux operating system, and of course, a Ham Radio Operator. There happens to be a great podcast that combines these two endeavors into one.  Linux In The Ham Shack.  Recently, they have moved their web page and therefore have a new URL and here it is:  http://lhspodcast.info/ Check out Russ’s and Richard’s Linux In The Ham Shack site and their podcast.  If you are a regular listener to the podcast, it might be worth mentioning that they also have a new feed, so if you have been missing episodes lately (like I have), try updating the podcast feed.

I’ve also updated their link on my Links page.  Check that page out for other places I visit often.

Keep up the great work guys!

John – K7JM

Field Day 2009

Field Day is just around the corner. If you are not involved with a local Amateur Radio Club, Field Day is just the way to start getting involved. To find a location near you, visit http://www.arrl.org/fieldday

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Learn CW Online

I love CW (That is: Morse Code).  On the Ham Radio bands, I operate almost exclusively CW.  It is fun and rewarding.  It is a challenge.  It is an easy way to get those DX contacts in the middle of the lowest part of the sun spot cycle.

There seems to be a resergence of interest in CW.  Eliminating CW as a requirement to get a Ham Radio license hasn’t done much to bolster our numbers.  CW is not the reason that our hobby has declining numbers.

Enter LCWO.net .  LCWO.net  is a web site I just discovered that will help you learn, or improve your CW skills.  LCWO stands for “Learn CW Online”.   I fiddled around  a bit on the site and found it very interesting; and it will even track your progress.  Give LCWO.net a try, it just might be the ticket to help you learn, or improve your CW.

CW is FUN!

John – K7JM

ARRLWeb: ARRL NEWS: Classic Exchange — A Vintage Radio Contest

The following is portion of a news entry from the ARRL. Click the link and read the whole post;  and if you have some vintage gear, fire it up and get ready for this fun sounding contest.  I am hoping that I will be able to participate in the fun.  Will you join me?
John – K7JM

Click the picture of my Vintage Heathkit gear and take a tour of my Ham Radio Shack.
Click the picture of my Vintage Heathkit gear and take a tour of my Ham Radio Shack.

Classic Exchange — A Vintage Radio Contest

By Mario Dianora, N2AK
dianoramd@verizon.net

ARRL – January 09, 2009


Warm-up those filaments for the Classic Exchange contest, January 25/26 and February 15/16.


Do you have any old equipment from the bygone days of radio? Are you a homebrewer who likes to make nifty low power (QRP) radios or replicas of old rigs? Well the good news is that you can put those pieces on the air in an operating event that will make you feel like you are in another era. That event is called Classic Exchange (CX) and it is held twice a year. The purpose of CX as described in their newsletter is to “Encourage restoration, operation and enjoyment of older commercial and homebrew ham gear.” Some years ago, I heard stations on 40 meter CW calling “CQ CX.” After some research, I discovered that this was a contest for vintage and homebrew gear. It sounded like a great way to get some use from the old rigs I had in my basement. Since then, I have rediscovered the magic of radio and await the next CX event for more of it.

via ARRLWeb: ARRL NEWS: Classic Exchange — A Vintage Radio Contest.

Straight Key Night Video


December 31 is SKN or Straight Key Night. It is an opportunity to get out that straight key and make some great contacts with others.  Many people fire up their vintage tube equipment and have a blast of the past.  Here is a little video from Steve – N0TU, encouraging us to participate in SKN.  I hope to get a couple of contacts in, in between family priorities.

John, K7JM

Who is K7JM?

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

The Lonesome Tower

I could put this old tower to good use.

I spent a couple of days on the roads in Eastern Montana. While out there, I spotted this old abandoned house with a tower attached to it.  It is just begging to be put to good use once again.  And, I would be willing to be the one to put it to good use.  I’m not sure how I could find the owner, or how I would get it across the state; but it is something to keep my mind occupied for awhile anyway.  Click on the picture to see a larger view.  Then, click on the little green arrow at the bottom of the picture to see the picture at full zoom.  John

Montana Ham Assists in Rescue of Fellow Amateur 600 Miles Away

I don’t normally copy posts from other blogs, but I thought this one was worth mentioning.  This is from the ARRL web site at http://arrl.org


On Sunday, September 21, Bob Williams, N7ODM, of
Bozeman, Montana, was just tuning around on 40 meters, giving his rig a
test just before a scheduled QSO with his brother Rich, K7URU, in
Spokane, when he heard a faint CW signal around 1 PM (MDT): Glenn
Russell Ruby Jr, W7AU, of Corvallis, Oregon had broken his leg and was
using a portable radio and Morse code to send out a call for help.
Williams said he was able to understand the injured man’s code even
when his signal became very weak.
Click Here for Full Story at ARRL.org