Stupid operating practices
I listened to a German op from 5Z4. Nothing rare but... While he operated on 28032 kHz (+up) for longer time asking NA only, the EU was quiet. Very good. If he omitted to ask NA, I called. Reply OK NA ... and continued to work NA. Anyway, if you want NA, don't omit to add NA every time. He continued working NA with the addition that he will QRT in few minutes. Nothing wrong until he work last NA, then gone. This si silly, stupid practice encouraging deliberate QRM only. If you know that you have to go QRT, simply stop directional tactics and work everyone. It is rather unfair to let wait someone for tens of minutes, then QRT. Sometimes may be too late to whine about declining discipline (mostly of EU ops), if your operating is stupid and unfair. Food For Thought!
I am available for skeds on 60 metres
Although the operation on the 60 m band in OK still requires a special license, the number of applicants is now unlimited (in 2014 was the number of licenses limited to 10!).
Drop-Proof Antenna Analyzer
While working on antennas some people have a bad experience with the antena analyzer dropping from the tower etc. An useful solution would be to attach some kind of lanyard (cord, line) and then have the loop end over your head. That way, if this unit were to slip out of a pocket it would just hang at the end of the lanyard. I was also afraid of dropping the unit, or putting strain on the antenna connector of my SARK-110. Here is the solution.
TNX, TKS, THX or THNX?
A common modern and very stupid practice is to use THX or THNX abbreviations as an expression of thanks. These two „new form“ abbreviations came from internet but our new radio brethren transferred them onto radio waves. It is unchangeable sign that the user of such junky abbreviations is a NO-CODER. A thinking skilled ham can easily compare the sound of TNX and THX (or even worse THNX) on CW, unskilled “wannabe” ham radio newbie not. There is no apology regardless of the fact that these creatures can be seen almost exclusively on the cluster, in discussions and on the keyboard “macromodes”. So, please note that TNX or TKS are ham radio abbreviations, having their distinctive meaning and sound on the CW mode. THX or THNX are internet abbreviations, hardly acceptable among hams. Note also that there is nothing bad if you use TNX or TKS in internet discussions, emails etc.
Facebook Says OK to Ham Calls As Alternate Name
Officially licensed amateur radio operators may now use their call sign as their alternate name, or nickname, on their individual Facebook profiles. This thanks to Richard Bobbitt, NW7OR, who recently organized a petition drive on the social media site in the hope of achieving this goal.
It turned out that Jeff Ferland, KB1PNB, who works at the Facebook Headquarters in Menlo Park, California found the petition on an amateur radio Facebook Group to which he belongs. After doing a bit of research Ferland wrote the necessary code, then got it reviewed and approved.
To add your call Bobitt says to go to go to “Settings”, then click on “Edit Your Name.” In the middle of the page you will see the words “Alternate Name.” That’s where you can add your callsign.
Bobbitt says that the petition was originally the idea of Richard Allcorn, KW7PTL, without whom, this may not have happened so easily and quickly. Over 1000 hams on Facebook signed the petition within the first week or so after it was posted on the various Facebook ham radio pages.
(NW7OR)
Pietro Marino, IT9ZGY, Silent Key
The beacon of genuine and top level HAM activity in Sicily, Pietro Marino IT9ZGY, became Silent Key today, at age of 80. He was a superb example of HAM spirit and a great elmer for a lot of us. Licenced since 1952, over the years Pietro held prominent positions within ARI, on both regional and national levels. He was an enthusiastic contester and DXer, with 390/340 (Mixed), 377/338 (Phone) and 352/339 (CW) Entities confirmed, and a lifelong passion for the Top Band.
Fake FTDI chips
It was only a matter of time before fake FTDI RS232-USB adapter chips began to appear.
http://zeptobars.ru/en/read/FTDI-FT232RL-real-vs-fake-supereal
This fascinating page shows how some anonymous Chinese company has created a fake FT232RL chip using a mask-programmable microcontroller, and printed it with the "FTDI" name and logo.
Like Prolific (the real Prolific company, that is) FTDI have updated their drivers to detect these fakes... but that also means that anyone who has bought a fake chip will have a non-working adapter.
The message is always the same: fakes are hard to spot, so buy only from reliable distributors.
FYI, the real FTDI company is a family-owned firm right here in Scotland's 'Silicon Glen'.
73 from Ian GM3SEK
EUCW Snakes and Ladders
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