[image: Logo for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, part of Allina
Health]
*Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for
the week of Wednesday, October 25, 2017*
This is a free weekly news & information update from the Courage Kenny
Handiham Program <https://handiham.org>, serving people with disabilities
in Amateur Radio since 1967.
Our contact information is at the end.
Listen here:
https://handiham.org/audio/handiham25OCT2017.mp3
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*Welcome to Handiham World.*
*In this edition: *
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*A note from the coordinator*
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* Echolink Nets List*
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* Amateur Radio Podcasts *
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* Early Handiham Program History, Part 3*
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*Down memory lane…*
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*Check into our nets!*
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*...And more!*
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*A note from the coordinator...*
Handiham World was on vacation since I was at the Closing the Gap
conference last week. (If you ever wonder what is up with Handiham World,
just go to the website. If there are any changes, there will be an
announcement posted there.) The focus of the conference is on assistive
technology to meet the needs of persons with disabilities. Over the next
few weeks, you will get a taste of what I saw and learned through articles
in upcoming issues.
[image: Closing the Gap 2017 Conference logo with Conference information
and four pictures of persons with disabilities.]
In the E-Letter this week there are a couple of lists that are useful for
ham radio operators. The first is a list of Echolink nets compiled by John,
W2JLD. The second is a list of amateur radio related podcasts, put together
by John, NU6P. We continue reprinting a series of articles covering the
early history of the Handiham Program. Finally, there is an article from a
2015 issue of Handiham World in Down Memory Lane about working 6 meters.
Do you have a story to share about your ham radio related activities?
Please send your articles and stories via email to Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx
or by calling me at 612-775-2290.
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*List of Echolink Nets (ALL TIMES ARE EST)*
[image: Echolink Logo of antenna with radiating signal]
Editor’s note: Thanks to John, W2JLD, for this list of Echolink nets.
Monday - Saturday - 2pm Est. time - "The Alaska Morning Net"- Irlp
9101/Echolink WL7LP-R#9191
Monday - Saturday - 10am- Friends Conference - IRLP 9618- "The Good
Morning Net"- N0STY - Nasty
Monday - Friday - 7am-9am - Dodropin Conference - " Kowabunga Net"
Monday - Friday - 8am - "Professional Loafers NET"- VE3PBO -R - Node
891471
Monday - Friday - 9am-10am - KB4SVP-R - " Breakfast group"
Monday - Friday - 12noon - Handihams Conference server - Handiham net
Monday - Friday - 2:30pm-4pm -" Vagabond Ragchew Net"- WB9SZL-R, Node
420473
Monday - Friday - 7pm-9pm - KB4SVP-R -"Coffee shop"
Monday - Sunday - 8am - 9am - ELMIRA,ONT - "ERC NET" - U-NODE CONFERENCE
Monday - Sunday - 9pm - K4NET-L NET- NCS VARIES
Monday - 8pm - "220 Rag Chewers Net"- Friends Conf - IRLP 9618
Monday - 8pm - Georgia conference server
Monday - 8pm - The Guild Conference - GMARC - WW8GM-R - NCS VARIES
Monday - 8:30pm - Public svc Net- N3TN-R - Node #286427
Monday - 9pm - General Net- N3TN-R - Node #286427
Monday - 9pm - K8DAC-R - SVARA NET- SAGINAW,MICHIGAM
Monday - 9pm - K4NET - L- METRO ATLANTA 2M EMERGENCY NET
Monday - IRLP 9251 - 10:30pm - "Santa Cruz County Amateur Radio Club"
Tuesday - 7pm - N2AAR-R - FUN NET
Tuesday - 7pm - Dodropin Conference - "Ladies Tea Time"-
Tuesday - 7pm - *K7PB* Conference - K7PB - IRLP Caribbean Net
Tuesday - 8pm - GEORGIA CONFERENCE - ECHOLINK STORM NET
Tuesday - 8pm - Techlink Conf - Mississauga Amateur Radio Club- VA3WM
John
Tuesday - 8pm - Dodropin Conference - " Tuesday night Technology
Net"-V01UKZ - Darryl
Tuesday - 9pm-World Conference - "WORLD PARANORMAL NET"- KD2KVZ - David
Tuesday - 10pm-Michigan Conference - "NORTH AMERICAN HANDSHAKERS NET"
Wednesday - 5pm - The Guild Conference - "The Guild Coffee Net"
Wednesday - 7pm - W2QYT-R - CENTRAL NY SWAP NET
Wednesday - 7:30pm - VE3OSR Repeater - ECHOLINK Node # 333014
Wednesday - 8pm - U-NODE Conference - Elmira amateur radio club
Wednesday - 8pm - Handiham Conference - Handiham NET- N6NFF
Wednesday - 10pm -Dodropin Conference - HAM NATION-N3NTV - Dave
Thursday - 7pm - SCARS - "TIN NET"- VARIES
Thursday - 8pm - K8VON-R - Defiance, Oh ARC Net- K8VON-John
Thursday - 8pm - K2SRV-R- GAINES,NY - node #603973 - 442.875mhz/141.3/+5
offset - PCN Net- AC2UR - Steve
Thursday - 8pm - CROSSROADS NET - Cross Roads Conference server
Thursday - 9pm - "The Pet Net"- Friends Conference
Thursday - 10:30pm - WORLD Conf/9251 - The Outdoor Adventure Net
Thursday - 11:30pm - NATIONAL HISTORY NET - KB7KWK-L Node #538499
Friday - 12noon - Handiham Conference- N5XCX- Woody
Friday - 5pm - The Guild Conference - The Guild Fellowship Net- W4JMF -
Jason
Friday - 6pm - Friends Conf - "A.R.R.L. News discussion net"- N0STY -
Nasty
Friday - 7pm - ARUFON - AMATEUR RADIO UFO NET - ECHOLINK NET
Friday - 8pm - Techlink Conference - "The Technet" - VK6BQQ - Reggie
Friday- 8:30pm - DCF-ARC- Emcomm Net- N7BZN - Scott
Friday - 9pm - " The Net" - IRLP 9668- WB8ODF
Friday – 9:30pm - FRIENDS CONFERNCE - "YL NET"
Friday – 9:30pm - Starlink Conference - "THE FRIDAY NIGHT NET"- KW4QJ -
John
Saturday - 7 am -World Conference - "SCRAMBLED EGGS AND TOAST
NET"-W2JLD- John
Saturday - 7:30am - Dodropin - DX Morning Net- 9Y4C Dexter
Saturday - 8am - SCARS Conference - "SOUTH CARS NET"- N0STY - Nasty
Saturday - 12 noon - SCARS Conference - "INTERCONTINENTAL NET"- NCS
Varies
Saturday - 7pm - SCARS - " SATURDAY EVENING RAG CHEW NET"- NO7O
Saturday - 8pm - WX_TALK - "SKYWARN AND NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER NET"
Saturday - 9pm - DX-LINK - WIRES-X NET/AMERALINK REFLECTOR- WA3PNY-Jeff
Sunday - 10am - FRIENDS CONFERENCE - R.A.I.N. Report- N0STY - Nasty
Sunday - 6pm - FRIENDS CONFERENCE - "IOWA NET"
Sunday - 7pm - SCARS - "SUNDAY EVENING RAG CHEW NET"- K2HA
Sunday - 7pm - ARUFON - AMATEUR RADIO UFO
Sunday - 8pm - SBE CONFERNCE - "HAMS IN BROADCASTING"
Sunday - 8pm - W2VL-R - LIMARC - LONG ISLAND AMATEUR RADIO CLUB
Sunday - 8pm - MICHIGAN CONFERENCE -"MICHIGAN UPPER PENINSULA NET"-
Varies
Sunday - 8pm - KUEKA LAKE ARC- N2AAR-R - NODE #578244
Sunday - 8:30pm - " Skywarn Youth Net- EchoLink Node: 291849 or N∅NWS-R
Sunday - 9pm - DCF-ARC - Disaster Communications Forum Net
Sunday - 9pm - W8HP-L - "Hazel Park ARC Net" - 1st/last Sunday - KD8TBC
- Lee
------------------------------
* Amateur Radio Podcasts*
Editor’s note: Thanks to John, NU6P, for providing this list of ham
radio podcasts.
100 Watts and a Wire http://100wattsandawire.com/
ARES e Letter Audio Version from the ARRL
http://www.arrl.org/ares-e-letter-audio-version
ARRL Audio News http://www.arrl.org/arrl-audio-news
ARRL the Doctor is In http://www.arrl.org/doctor
Amateur Radio Newsline https://www.arnewsline.org/
Ham Nation https://twit.tv/shows/ham-nation
Ham Radio 360 http://hamradio360.com/index.php/category/podcast/
Ham Radio Now https://www.hamradionow.tv/home
Ham Talk Live https://www.spreaker.com/show/ham-talk-live
QSO Today http://www.qsotoday.com/
The RAIN Report http://therainreport.com/
This Week in Amateur Radio http://twiar.net/
------------------------------
* Early Handiham Program History, Part 3*
by Sr. Alverna O’Laughlin
[image: Sr. Alverna O’Laughlin]
* Handiham History: Beginnings of May Convocation and Radio Camp*
(Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of articles on the early
history of the Handiham Program.)
On December 2, 1969, the Articles of Incorporation were signed at the
Olmsted County Court House in Rochester, Minnesota, and the Program
received its nonprofit status. Article II stated, “The purpose for which
the corporation is organized are to encourage and promote an interest in
Amateur Radio among persons with disabilities and to help provide them with
encouragement, equipment, and training.”
It was apparent at this time that a name change was in order to broaden
the focus of this fast-growing group. The original name, “Handiham System
of Rochester, Minnesota” was changed to the “Handiham System of Minnesota.”
Founder Ned Carman, W0ZSW, said “Won’t it be wonderful when every person in
Minnesota with a disability has the opportunity of being an amateur radio
operator?”
The first annual May Convocation took place in 1969. Once established as
an affiliate of MiSCCA, we were qualified to use the Camp Courage site. The
purpose of the Convocation was to recruit new members—both those with
disabilities and those without disabilities.
With an increase in student members, we found a shortage of amateurs
willing to assist on a local level. For some, there was a willingness to
help, but a fear of persons with physical disabilities. The May weekend at
camp was a super opportunity to unite persons with and without disabilities
in a non-competitive atmosphere of relaxation and learning. There was a
tremendous turnout. Some spent the full weekend, while others came just for
one day. Approximately 70 persons participated.
Eddy Thorson recalls being hostess for the first May Convocation. “I’ll
never forget that Friday night sitting there armed only with a clipboard
while a horde of hungry people bearing suitcases converged upon me from all
directions! Awesome indeed.”
The May Convo was concluded with an interdenominational Sunday service,
conducted by clergy of three different religious convictions—Reverends
George Metcalf, W0JH, Frank Brentine, WN0CHA, and Cliff Gronneburg, W0KRK.
In September, 1970, radio week was added to the Handiham Program yearly
events. Radio week was a full week at Camp Courage for the purpose of
studying radio, Morse code, and theory. Emphasis was not placed on the
importance of studying prior to the session (or if it was, it was not
heeded), and several came unprepared. Ott Miller, W0EQO, then president of
the Program, was an excellent instructor but just could not teach
everything in one week. The FCC examiners arrived on Thursday to administer
the examinations. Out of the nine who took the General test, only two
passed. It was a real blow to Ott and Ned, who had worked so hard covering
the material. The only saving factor was that two people passed the
advanced test, and all of the Novices passed their tests. If nothing else,
we did learn a lesson—stress home preparation.
Camp Courage has two separate units—one for people with physical
disabilities and another for those with speech and hearing impairments.
Because we were late in making reservations for the physically disabled
side, we missed out and had to use the speech and hearing side. Those of us
who served as “motors” for the non-electric wheelchairs were mighty
tuckered out going up those hills three times a day. I don’t know what we
would have done without the cheerful, hard-working camp counselors! They
helped to smooth the difficult spots. All things were looked upon by them
as a challenge to be met. Bless them!
(Sr. Alverna’s account of the early years of the Handiham Program will
continue in the next issue of Handiham World.)
------------------------------
* Down memory lane...*
In honor of the celebration of 50 years of the Handiham Program, here is
an article from the June 3, 2015 issue of Handiham World written by Dr. Ron
Milliman, K8HSY.
[image: Amateur radio tuned to 50.125 megahertz.]
* Getting Started on 6 Meters *
By Dr. Ron Milliman, K8HSY
The 6 meter band (50-54 MHz) is often referred to as the “mystery band”
or the “magic band” by many hams. It is almost always available for short
distances, like line of sight, but it occasionally opens up for some
exciting DX opportunities too. You just never know when those exciting DX
openings are going to happen. When it does open up, it might only last for
a few minutes and then, suddenly go dead, available once again to only line
of sight contacts or somewhat longer contacts with the help of a repeater,
much like two meters.
6 meter propagation is substantially controlled by sun spot and
atmospheric conditions. For instance, on 6 meters when the solar flux index
numbers rise to between 150 and 200, the F-layer skip can provide,
literally, worldwide QSO opportunities. 6 can get really exciting when
openings arise from sporadic-E, aurora, meteor-scatter, trans-equatorial
and even moon bounce leading to some fun communications.
Of these propagation events, sporadic-E is most often used for 6 meter
long distance communications. Sporadic-E openings usually hit maximum
during the solstices in the months of June and December. When these
openings occur, such propagation often provides QSOs over distances of from
a few hundred miles to possibly even a few thousand miles or more with what
we call a "double-hop." These openings occur every year, no matter what the
sun spot index is. Though this propagation opening can happen at any time,
normally, the E-skip is most prevalent from May to July, with another
heightened opportunity during December and the first half of January.
Again, such openings can last for a few minutes up to a few hours. It is
lots of fun and excitement while it lasts, and you can work the skip quite
successfully with very little power and with even a very modest antenna
array.
* Equipment You Need *
It is especially easy to get on 6 meters these days because many of our
modern transceivers are designed to cover 160 through 6 meters. If you want
to get the best results working DX, however, you will need a transceiver
that provides more modes than just FM. You need a rig that will allow you
to work SSB and even CW if you enjoy operating CW. Ten watts is sufficient
when 6 is really open.
* Your Antenna *
There are numerous commercially made antennas on the market designed to
cover the 6 meter band, including Yagis, verticals, various types of wire
antennas, single-banders, multi-banders, etc. The prices range from well
below $100 to well over $1000, and they are available from most all of the
well-known brand name companies.
However, since the size of most 6 meter antennas is relatively small,
they are also quite easy to build yourself. There is an endless repertoire
of designs from which to select readily available online and described in
many articles published in the ham magazines. A simple dipole, for example,
is only 9’ 4” cut for the bottom of the band, and only 9’ cut for the
middle of the band. Even with this very basic of all antennas, you can
still make lots of DX contacts when 6 meters is open. When it isn’t open, a
dipole will also allow you to make solid local contacts working simplex or
through repeaters. Since a dipole has some directional characteristics, it
is also desirable and quite easy to homebrew a rotatable dipole from light
weight, aluminum tubing. In like manner, it is very easy to build a Yagi; a
3-element Yagi utilizing a director, driven element, and reflector, is
still quite small and will give you considerable added DB gain over a
simple dipole. Excellent results can also be obtained on 6 meters from
other simple antennas too. For instance, ground-planes and J-Poles are
popular 6 meter antennas. Construction details for all of these kinds of
antennas are readily available from many online sources.
Antenna polarization is another factor that needs to be considered,
depending upon what kind of communications you are seeking on 6 meters.
Antennas can be either horizontally or vertically polarized. While the
details of antenna polarization are beyond the scope of this basic article,
let it suffice to state that for working DX on 6 meters, polarization is
not very important. However, in contrast, for working short distance,
ground wave, how your antenna is polarized is considerably more important.
In general, 6 meter Yagis or rotatable dipoles tend to use horizontal
polarization, which have a higher angle of radiation than vertically
polarized antennas. Of course, a Yagi, for example, can be erected for
either horizontal or vertical polarization, and some are actually designed
for both. Verticals, ground-planes and J-Poles are all normally vertically
polarized antennas. Vertically polarized antennas have a lower angle of
radiation, and thus, they normally perform best over longer distances. The
ideal antenna would be both vertically and horizontally polarized, and
there are such antennas available commercially, and construction details
for home-brewing such arrays can be found online.
* Listen for the Beacons *
To help you know when 6 meters is open and open into which area of the
country or world, there are numerous beacons set up that you can listen
for. Here in the United States beacons can be heard in the frequency range
between 50.060 and 50.080 MHz. However, in other countries around the
globe, they are more scattered across the 6 meter band. For a comprehensive
and up-to-date list of 6 meter beacons go to:
G3USF's Worldwide List of 50MHz Beacons:
http://www.keele.ac.uk/depts/por/50.htm
* The 6 Meter Band Structure *
According to Dave Finley, N1IRZ in his article entitled: "Six Meters: An
Introduction," published in QRPp, Spring 2000, "...six meters is much more
rigidly structured in terms of what frequencies are used for what purposes
than the HF bands tend to be. 6 meters has a CW-only sub-band which runs
from 50.0 to 50.1 MHz... Also, Calling frequencies are used extensively.
From 50.100 to 50.125 is a "DX Window," in which domestic QSOs tend to be
discouraged. The DX calling frequency is 50.110. The traditional domestic
calling frequency is 50.125." Several years ago, back in the late 1990’s
and early 2000’s, there was a movement to extend the DX window to 50.130
and make 50.200 the new domestic calling frequency. The movement was
precipitated by the extension of six-meter privileges to hams in other
countries around the globe, resulting in a significant increase in the
number of DX stations on the air. However, this movement never really
caught on. N1IRZ goes on to point out that "...The recommended CW calling
frequency is 50.090, but you will often hear CW CQs on 50.125, too… I would
recommend monitoring both 50.125 and 50.200, as well as 50.090, during an
opening. If the opening seems really good, start checking 50.110 for DX
stations, too."
* Do You Know Your Grid Square? *
As N1IRZ points out you need to know your grid square when operating 6
meters because you are likely to be asked for it. The grid square system
"is almost universally used as a locator system by VHF, UHF and microwave
operators." It "divides the world into 32,400 squares, each 2 degrees of
longitude by 1 degree of latitude. There are larger "fields" of 100 locator
squares each, and each square is divided into smaller sub-squares. Most
generally, it will be sufficient if you only know your 2 degree by 1 degree
square."
Dave, N1IRZ, says: "VHF operators collect grid squares like HF operators
collect countries. Many are working toward the ARRL's VHF-UHF Century Club
(VUCC) award, which requires confirmed contacts with 100 grid squares.
During VHF contests, some enthusiasts go on "Grid Expeditions," to put rare
grid squares on the air, while others become "rovers" to operate from
several grids during the contest. Just as states or countries serve as
multipliers for HF-contest scores, grid squares are the typical multipliers
for VHF-contest scores."
To find your grid square, go to:
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/tools/grids.php
If you work 6 meters very much, it might be a good idea to even add your
grid square number to your QSL card information.
* The Key Word When Working 6 Meters *
The key word when working 6 meters is 'patience.' It requires
considerable patience, and you will need to make it a part of your ham
operating routine to check 6 meters frequently for band openings. Listening
for several beacons will let you know not only if the band is open but also
what part of the country or world is open to you. Of course, 6 is open
pretty much all of the time for local communications, much like 2 meters in
that regard.
Good luck...
Ron, K8HSY
Editor’s Note: Be sure to also check out the tutorials by Handiham
Volunteer Matt Arthur on 6 meters in the Op Skills section of the Members
Only website.
------------------------------
*Check into our Handiham nets... Everyone is welcome! *
How to find the Handiham Net:
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The Handiham EchoLink conference is 494492. Connect via your iPhone,
Android phone, PC, or on a connected simplex node or repeater system in
your area.
The Handiham Net will be on the air daily. If there is no net control
station on any scheduled net day, we will have a roundtable on the air
get-together.
[image: Cartoon multicolored stickman family holding hands, one
wheelchair user among them.]
Our daily Echolink net continues to operate for anyone and everyone who
wishes to participate at 11:00 hours CDT (Noon Eastern and 09:00 Pacific),
as well as Wednesday evenings at 19:00 hours CDT (7 PM). If you calculate
GMT, the time difference is that GMT is five hours ahead of Minnesota time
during the summer.
Doug, N6NFF, poses a trivia question in the first half of the Wednesday
evening session, so check in early if you want to take a guess. The answer
to the trivia question is generally given shortly after the half-hour mark.
A big THANK YOU to all of our net control stations and to Michael, KE7VI,
the Handiham Radio Club Net Manager.
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*Membership*
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*You can pay your Handiham dues and certain other program fees on
line. Simply follow the link to our secure payment site, then enter your
information and submit the payment. *
-
Handiham annual membership dues are $12.00. The lifetime
membership rate is $120.00.
MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYMENT LINK
<https://pay.usbank.com/default.aspx?id=COURAGE_KENNY_HANDIHAMS>
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If you want to donate to the Handiham Program, please use our
donation website. The instructions are at the following link:
DONATION LINK <http://www.handiham.org/drupal2/node/8>
How to contact us
There are several ways to contact us.
*Postal Mail: *
*Courage Kenny Handiham Program 3915 Golden Valley Road MR#78446 Golden
Valley, MN 55422*
* E-Mail: **Nancy.Meydell@xxxxxxxxxx* <Nancy.Meydell@xxxxxxxxxx>
* Preferred telephone: 1-612-775-2291 Toll-Free telephone: 1-866-HANDIHAM
(1-866-426-3442)*
Note: Mondays through Thursdays between 9:00 AM and 2:00 PM United
States Central Time are the best times to contact us.
You may also call Handiham Program Coordinator Lucinda Moody, AB8WF, at:
612-775-2290.
73, and I hope to hear you on the air soon!
For Handiham World, this is Lucinda Moody, AB8WF
The weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating
information, and Handiham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is
available to everyone free of charge. Please email
Nancy.Meydell@xxxxxxxxxx for changes of address, unsubscribes, etc.
Include your old email address and your new address.
