[handiham-world] Handiham World for January 13, 2020
- From: Handiham Program <HandihamProgram@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "handiham-world@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <handiham-world@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2020 04:57:09 +0000
[Logo for Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, part of Allina Health]
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the
week of January 13, 2020
This is a free weekly news & information update from the Courage Kenny Handiham
Program, serving people with disabilities in Amateur Radio since 1967.
Our contact information is at the end.
Listen here:
https://handiham.org/audio/handiham13JAN2020.mp3
Get this podcast in iTunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/handiham-world/id1457854439?mt=2&app=podcast
RSS feed for the audio podcast if you use other podcasting software:
https://handiham.org/wordpress1/feed/podcast/
Subscribe or change your subscription to the E-mail version
here.<//www.freelists.org/list/handiham-world>
________________________________
Welcome to Handiham World.
In this edition:
* A note from the coordinator
* News in Assistive Technology
* From the Mailbag
* Interview of the Week
* Ham Radio in the News
* A Dip in the Pool
* Website Update
* Equipment Connection
* Help Needed
* Check into our nets!
* ...And more!
________________________________
A note from the coordinator...
As we look forward to what 2020 will bring to the Handiham Program, let's
reflect a little on our growth in 2019. We had about 50 new members join, and
about 20 more past members returned to the Program after their memberships had
lapsed.
In 2020, we are once again holding Radio Camp at Camp Courage North from July
21 through 28. We are adding new curriculum to our camp education lineup along
with more study materials for campers to use in preparation for radio camp. We
will have some new instructors along with some returning instructors, including
teachers that some of our long-time members will recall from many years ago. We
will have even more radio stations set up for campers to use during the week,
giving campers plenty of opportunities to get comfortable with being on the air.
The website content will continue to expand, offering members with disabilities
more resources to enhance their growth in the amateur radio hobby.
Additionally, we will continue to focus on assistive technology as a tool to
improve accessibility for people of all abilities.
We will look forward to seeing everyone at the Dayton Hamvention in May. This
year, we have even more volunteers than last year planning to help staff the
booth. Hamvention provides an excellent opportunity to make connections with
Handiham Program members along with others in the amateur radio community, many
of whom are avid supporters of the Handiham Program.
There are still a few extra items from the latest merchandise list. If you want
to see if something is available for you to order, please contact Pemdy.
[Photo of stack of new gray sweatshirts with the Handiham Logo embroidered on
them.]
If you haven't already signed up to receive an application for the 2020 Radio
Camp, don't forget to let Pemdy know that you want to be on the list. The
applications will go out next month. Camp will include license class
instruction along with lots of hands-on amateur radio and training in science,
technology, math, and engineering. Instructors are experienced ham radio
operators from many locations who come together each summer to make this great
experience a reality for campers of all abilities. The week will also give
campers the opportunity to learn from each other while enjoying traditional
camp activities like swimming, meals in the great outdoors, and nightly
campfires.
[Photo of radio campers out on the pontoon boat on Lake George.]
If you are having trouble receiving your E-Letter, you can always go to
https://handiham.org/wordpress1/weekly-e-letter/ to see the latest E-Letter. ;
Additionally, you can go to https://handiham.org/audio/handiham.mp3 to listen ;
to the current podcast. These links are updated each time a new E-Letter and
podcast is released.
I will be in the office during my usual hours, but Pemdy will be out of the
office this week. If you call the Handiham Program office, and we do not
answer, please leave a message. When you leave that message, don't forget to
leave your name, phone number, call sign, if you have one, and the reason for
your call. Also, if you send an email, please include your name along with your
call sign, and the reason for your email to speed up the response time. As
always, if you need to update anything like your contact information, call
sign, license class, membership, or members only log-in information, you can
email us at handiham@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:handiham@xxxxxxxxxx>.
In the E-Letter, there is an article about some free NVDA tutorials, another
article about the new ARRL magazine for beginning and intermediate level hams,
and a new interview with Jerry Kloss, N0VOE. Of course, you can also find the
regular articles you see here each week.
Do you have a story to share about assistive technology or ham radio related
activities? Please send your articles and stories via email to
Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx> or by calling me at
612-775-2290.
________________________________
News in Assistive Technology
Learn NVDA, Free Screen Reader Tutorial
[photo words Learn NVDA]
NVDA has made a lot of improvements over the years, making it a successful free
screen reader. For those who are new to NVDA, however, learning to use the
program can be a daunting task. The American Foundation for the Blind offers
free tutorials to help you with installing the program, learning hotkeys,
installing and using Firefox, and even using Google Docs and Google Drive. You
can learn more at:
https://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/assistive-technology-videos/learn-nvda
________________________________
From the Mailbag
[Photo of mail carrier with mail bag and letter.]
Hi Lucinda,
The ARRL January VHF contest is coming up. It starts Saturday, January 18th, at
1900 UTC and runs until 0400 UTC on Monday morning, or 10:00 pm Central Time on
Sunday. The contest runs on 6 meters and above.
A quick note about logging and the TS-2000. While this won't really affect a
lot of people, I think it's worth knowing. I am now set up with the N3FJP
logging software. It works great. However, for the VHF contest, I operate 6
meters through 70 cm or 432 MHz. That includes 222 MHz or 1.25 meters.
The TS-2000 will not operate on 222 MHz, so now I was thinking, now how am I
going to log my 222 QSOs, seeing that the TS-2000 won't operate there? The rig
is set up for rig control. At first, I was thinking I was going to have to go
into the menus and change the band to reflect the 222 MHz QSOs. That wasn't
going to work really well.
Then I remembered that if you switch to the sub transceiver, you can dial up a
222 MHz frequency on the VFO. That works perfect! So, the log thinks I am on
222 MHz with the TS-2000, and I can operate with my other 222 MHz set - up. The
old 222 MHz set-up is way too old for any kind of computer control and not
worth spending the big amount of money to get something different.
So again, it proves how important it is to know your gear and what it will
actually do. Like I said, I know it won't affect most, but it's still worth
noting.
For anyone interested, my old 222 MHz set-up is an old Kenwood TS-130 for
10-meters, and that drives a modified Ten-Tec transverter which in turn drives
a modified amp. It's supposed to do about 45 watts, but it's got an amp
problem, so it only does about 9 or 10 watts right now.
So, if anyone is contesting and has a separate 222 MHz rig from your Kenwood
TS-2000, that's how to get around the logging problem. I hope to hear a lot of
folks on the bands, 50 MHz and above.
Thanks and 73,
Matt KA0PQW
________________________________
I had a blast participating in the North American QSO Party! I made 24 contacts
using an Elecraft KX3 running 5 watts into an Alpha Loop sitting on my window
sill. I submitted my log with a claimed score of 432 points. So much fun!
73,
Austin, KA3TTT
________________________________
Interview of the Week
This week, we welcome Jerry Kloss, N0VOE, who agreed to come back and do
another interview for 2020, even though he really wasn't sure he could improve
on the last one from 2018.
[Photo of arm in suit jacket with hand holding a large communications
microphone.]
JK: You know, I'm kind of a promoter of that Handiham Program. That's kind of
my style. That's what I did a lot of when I was on the staff there. The
beacons, the navigating beacons that we have up at camp, well that was my
invention. And I went to Lyle Koehler, K0LR, and he engineered those.
LM: The plans I have for those are from him.
JK: After we installed them, some of the sighted counselors that went around
the camp late at night, they said after we turned them off, they realized how
much they used them to know where they were.
JK: One time, I was coming up from the King Building by myself, and I got up
near the dining hall where the letter D is, and do you suppose I could find
that trail? I would go between the cars, and I could hear it. But I just
couldn't get connected with it, and I had been through there so many times! And
here one of the counselors had pulled it out of the ground, and he was walking
around the woods there with the thing, moving it around and making it difficult
for me.
JK: It was a little trick he pulled on me. I told him I couldn't believe it
because I could hear it so clearly, but do you suppose I could find where that
trail was?
LM: Wow!
JK: What would you like to talk about today?
LM: It was interesting going back to that interview we did in 2018 and seeing
how much of that has happened now.
JK: It's a treasure. I have it etched in stone here on my computer.
LM: And so, I just wanted to go back and catch up with you again, because here
we are in 2020, and the Handiham Program is about to turn 53 this year.
JK: I came on in 1972, I think, when I got my first ham license. It was quite
by accident that I got connected with the Handiham Program because I was
working at MNDOT, and I was kind of a jack of all trades. I'd been there
several years, and when we'd get into rough weather with snow and all that, the
phones would be ringing, and I'd go in there and help out in the dispatch
office.
JK: And that's where one of the technicians there in charge of keeping the
two-way radios working was in there, and he said, have you ever heard of
Handihams? And I didn't have a clue what it was. And he told me about it and
said I should check it out and get my ham radio license. And the rest is
history, I guess.
JK: Tony Tretter, W0KVO, was one of my instructors. How far back do you go?
When did we have our first interview? Do you remember that?
LM: The first time we talked was, I think, September of 2005.
JK: I had some miles on me by then! That was a great time in my working career.
I had the best JAWS computer, just really fast, top quality, that they provided
at the Courage Center. And people would call in, inquiring about the Program,
like you did. And I just loved getting them started!
JK: And Nancy Meydell set up this program where a month later, I would call
them and make sure they had all the material and understood what was next and
had them connected with a radio club in their area. We did all of that. And
then we would call at the three month mark, six months, and nine months-all the
students-we would just keep cycling them through and up to one year. After one
year, we would call them every six months. And once they were licensed, we
would take them out of the system for that particular part of my duties. I
really enjoyed that, and I met a lot of nice folks over the years.
Stay tuned for the next part of our interview with Jerry airing next week.
________________________________
Ham Radio in the News
ARRL's New On the Air Magazine on its Way to Members!
[Photo of ARRL logo.]
The ARRL has officially launched their new magazine, On the Air, aimed toward
the needs of beginning to intermediate level amateur radio operators. Members
who currently receive the print edition of QST can opt to receive On the Air
instead when they renew their membership. The ARRL has also launched a new
digital app that will offer both QST and On the Air to members.. You can learn
more at:
http://www.arrl.org/news/arrl-s-new-on-the-air-magazine-on-its-way-to-members
________________________________
A Dip in the Pool
[drawing of person studying]
It's time to test our knowledge by taking a dip in the question pool...
Let's go to the Extra Class pool this week to a question about voltage
regulators.
E7D13 asks: What is the equation for calculating power dissipation by a series
connected linear voltage regulator?
Possible answers are:
A. Input voltage multiplied by input current.
B. Input voltage divided by output current.
C. Voltage difference from input to output multiplied by output current.
D. Output voltage multiplied by output current.
While linear or analog voltage regulators are very clean, they can still be
very inefficient. A linear voltage regulator requires a supply voltage that is
significantly greater than the output voltage that is desired. As much as half
the supply voltage is dropped in the regulation circuitry in many high-power
regulated supplies, typically in larger series pass transistors mounted on
massive heat sinks. Just like in any series circuit, the power dissipation of
any component is equal to the voltage drop cross that component times the
current through that component, making answer C the correct choice.
________________________________
Website Update
[Photo of the words website update with construction equipment working on the
letters.]
Here are the latest updates on the new Handiham.org website. Don't forget to
monitor the site for updates throughout the week. When changes are made, I will
post to the website. You can also find the latest updates any time by going to
https://handiham.org/wordpress1/website-updates/. If you have any feedback ;
about the website, I would love to hear from you. If you are a current member
and your credentials are not allowing you to login to the site, please contact
Pemdy for assistance at handiham@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:handiham@xxxxxxxxxx> or
612-775-2291.
________________________________
Equipment Connection
[Photo of Icom IC-7200 with LDG auto-tuner and power supply.]
Equipment connections are happening, and the list is open! If you have a
request for the Equipment Connection, contact me, leaving your name and phone
number. I will call you to discuss your request. Please note that it may take
several days for a return call due to all the other things going on in the
Handiham Program. If you don't hear back from me after two weeks, you may
contact me a second time. Additionally, if you have received any equipment from
the Handiham Program during the last 12 months, you will automatically be
placed at the bottom of the list so that others can also participate in the
Equipment Connection.
Many thanks to the numerous people who have offered equipment for Handiham
Members. If you have equipment that you would like to donate to a Handiham
Program member, please email Lucinda at
Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx> or call
1-612-775-2290.
________________________________
Help Needed
[Photo of note with the words help needed written on it.]
The Handiham Program needs contributors to Handiham World. Do you have a
particular interest in amateur radio that you would like to share with others?
Maybe you have a particular mode or band you like to operate and have learned a
lot about. Or maybe you have some great stories to share from your experiences
in the amateur radio hobby. Put your writing skills to work for Handiham World
by sending your submissions to
Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx>.
We are always looking for more readers, including some with a background in
teaching in STEM related fields, especially if you have also worked with
students requiring accommodations. We also need some readers with a background
in teaching in STEM related fields, especially if you have also worked with
students requiring accommodations. This volunteer position requires you to use
your own equipment to record, however, we will provide the reading materials.
If you or someone you know would like to try reading material for the members
only section, please contact me for more information on how to submit a demo
recording.
We need help updating our available resources for members. If you are blind and
enjoy using your ham radio or assistive technology related devices, your
assistance is especially needed. It would be a big help to your fellow Handiham
Members if you would record a tutorial or product review. These need to be sent
in Mp3 format, and the Handiham Program reserves the right to edit the
recordings as needed before publishing in the Members Only section of the
Handiham.org website. Please contact me at
Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Lucinda.Moody@xxxxxxxxxx> or 612-775-2290 if
you have any questions.
I want to say a big thank you to those who have made or volunteered to make
tutorials for the Members Only portion of the website. We have already had a
number of members step up to offer their services, and their help is greatly
appreciated! We also have some new readers who are working on some books, so
keep watching for website updates as we add more content.
________________________________
Check into our Handiham nets... Everyone is welcome!
How to find the Handiham Net:
* 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 DMR Talkgroup on Brandmeister is 31990. On AllStar, it is
available at node 47367.
* 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.
[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 six hours ahead of Minnesota time during the winter.
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.
________________________________
Membership
* 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 $15.00. The lifetime membership
rate is $150.00.
MEMBERSHIP DUES PAYMENT
LINK<https://pay.usbank.com/default.aspx?id=COURAGE_KENNY_HANDIHAMS>
* If you want to donate to the Handiham Program, please use our donation
website. The instructions are at the following link: DONATION
LINK<https://handiham.org/wordpress1/donations/>
* As always, while our other services require that you have a current
Handiham Program membership, you do not have to be a member to receive the
Handiham World E-Letter.
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: handiham@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:handiham@xxxxxxxxxx>
Preferred telephone: 1-612-775-2291
Toll-Free telephone: 1-866-HANDIHAM (1-866-426-3442)
Note: Tuesdays through Thursdays between 9:00 AM and 3:00 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 assistive technology, operating
information, and Handiham Program news. It is published on Mondays, and is
available to everyone free of charge. Please email
handiham@xxxxxxxxxx<mailto:handiham@xxxxxxxxxx> for changes of address,
unsubscribes, etc. Include your old email address and your new address.
Other related posts:
- » [handiham-world] Handiham World for January 13, 2020 - Handiham Program
