Courage Center Handiham System

November QST! As usual, I head for the Eclectic Technology column written by Steve Ford, WB8IMY, first thing when my copy of QST arrives. I am always guaranteed to learn something new every time.

Dear Elmer,

After getting some information on repeaters in my area, I find they use 6 meter repeaters also. Is most traffic in that band in a vertical polarization? If so, a vertical center-fed dipole or quarter wave vertical seems to make the most sense. If horizontal, then a center-fed dipole is logical. So which polarization is more predominant?

Signed: Potential 6 meter user

Elmer says:

Dear Elmer,

Can you recommend a website or software that will help me learn Morse code? I know code isn't a requirement anymore, but I'd like to learn it anyway so I can work more DX!

Signed,

More DX

Elmer says:

Dear More DX,

I would like you to try this website, which is the same one we recommend for studying for the written tests:

http://aa9pw.com/morsecode/

Dear Elmer,

How do I get to the text box in EchoLink while using keyboard commands? I use a screen reader and I want to try out the W0EQO-L remote base. I hear you can control the frequency of the TS-480 by putting the number in the text box.

Signed,
Eager Beaver

Dear Eager,

Pat Tice has certainly done a tremendous job on the new design of the Handiham web site. I really like the simple theme that he chose, and I'm considering "borrowing" it for a family of ham-related sites I maintain for the Eastern Mass. ARRL section.

Drupal is such a joy to work with. I'm constantly amazed at the new functionality and software "modules" that developers are introducing daily. There's even one to highlight ham activity authored by WT6X. You can see it in action over at his web site, http://www.wt6x.com/ham/.

Dear Elmer,

Our VE team and radio club have been trying to help a candidate with short-term memory loss. What can be done to help him succeed? It is hard for him to remember what he has studied.

Signed,
Concerned VE

Dear VE,