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The Handiham World for 14 May 2008
This is a weekly news & information update from Courage Center's Handiham System. Please do not reply to this message. Use the contact information below, or simply email handiham@courage.org. For subscribe/unsubscribe information, please see the bottom of the page. Contact us at: Courage Center - Handi-Ham System Welcome to Handiham World!
This will be a shorter edition of your Handiham World, since we are preparing to depart for Dayton. Visit Courage Center's Handiham System while you are at HAMVENTION®. We will be at booth number 332-C, where our display will include a voice-controlled Icom IC-706M2G with audio feedback. This system, called command & control, allows a blind user who also has very limited muscle control, to operate the transceiver, changing frequencies, modes, and other functions entirely by voice. The system then tells the user what it has done. The same headset microphone that controls the system by command is also used to modulate the rig. It's really a pretty cool deal, thanks to developers Lyle, K0LR, and Steve, WB5KIA. 
I was impressed with the portability of this ham radio emergency communications system. This photo was from Dayton HAMVENTION 2005, but similar exhibits have been at the 2006 and 2007 shows. I expect to see them again, with improvements, at this year's show. The system covers VHF and HF bands, and is housed in an orange plastic box that allows the user to quickly deploy in an emergency, rather than having to gather up radios, connectors, and assorted parts when time is of the essence. The plastic box can be closed to keep out rain. The orange color is highly visible. It's one of many good ideas that you can learn about when you visit Dayton, so we hope to see you there. Patrick Tice Avery's QTH: In which Avery asks YOU the questions.
Well, how is the QSL Contest going? There's still plenty of time left to make your contacts. Because of the Dayton Hamvention this coming weekend, the e-letter will be shorter than normal so I thought I would turn the tables on you and to ask YOU some questions.
No one has sent in any ham radio related funny stories lately, either. If you have any you would like to share, please email them to me. I hope I have given you just a few ideas of what can be done using Amateur Radio! Gosh! There are so many facets to this Amateur Radio stuff that it is no wonder it has been called the "KING of HOBBIES". So, until next time 73 es DX de K0HLA, Avery. You can reach me at: avery.finn@courage.org 763-520-0515 73 es DX de K0HLA Avery You can reach me at: Hams Called to Action in Aftermath of China Quake (ARRL)On Monday, May 12 at 0628 UTC, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit Sichuan, China. According to the Chinese Radio Sports Association, the Chinese IARU Member-Society, the following frequencies are reserved for emergency services involved in the rescue: 14.270, 7.050 and 7.060 MHz.
And this from CQ Newsroom: Amateurs in China are asking that 14.270 MHz be kept clear as an emergency frequency in the wake of yesterday's devastating earthquake there. Please remember that even if you cannot hear a station on the frequency, you might interfere with reception of transmissions by a station within range of both your signals and theirs. Michael Chen, BD5RV, reports in a post on QRZ.com that a group of radio amateurs is now transmitting from Wenchuan, the center of quake. Its signal reported to be very weak. They tried to keep communication with BY8AA in Chengdu, seeking information on resources needed. They were asking for raincoats, water, tents, and outdoor living facilities. Michael also asked that this request be forwarded as widely as possible. In nearby Myanmar (Burma), where tens of thousands of people were killed by a typhoon last week, CQ Public Service Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, passes on a report from G4HPE of the International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC) that there currently is no amateur radio activity there; and that while the UN has been permitted to set up both HF and VHF communications based in the capital city of Yangon (Rangoon) "for use by the entire humanitarian community," none of the frequencies in use are in the amateur bands. (Tnx WA3PZO) You can read the China story on ARRLweb: Web resource for learning about scams
From time to time we get questions from Handiham members about email messages they have received, unsolicited, seemingly from a Handiham source. While we do have several different mailing lists and multiple email addresses for different staff members, it is useful to know that anyone can send a fraudulent email that looks like it came from someone else. Read more on our beta website: Handiham Net Schedule Updated: Extended CW Net times, new EchoLink NodeThe latest Handiham Net Schedule is effective May 12, 2008. Up front is a change to the Friday CW Net: 7.112 MHz CW, 09:00 - 12:00 ET, plus whatever time is needed to wrap up the last contact: This is the Handiham Informal slow speed CW Net. Look for Paul, W8IRT. You may e-mail Paul at w8irt@aol.com with your ideas and signal reports, or to find out about schedule changes for the CW net. Paul advises us that the net remains true to local time, which means a one hour shift when changing to or from Daylight time in the Spring and Autumn. Join our worldwide EchoLink net every day but Sunday. All licensed operators are welcome. The net is controlled but informal, and there is no need to be a Handiham member to participate. Sometimes the net control station will throw out a discussion topic to liven things up! Listen in a few times if you are shy, and then take the plunge and throw out your callsign. We have added another node for your convenience. Days: Monday through Saturday, and Sunday if anyone wants to take an informal session. Times: 11:00 hours United States Central Time Monday through Saturday and a second Monday session at 19:00 Central Time. Frequency in the local Minnesota repeater coverage zone: 145.45 FM, negative offset with no tone in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota. EchoLink nodes: KA0PQW-R, node 267582 (Always on.) Our updated net schedule is on the beta site: If you have a correction in any part of the net schedule, please e-mail N5VLZ EchoLink net list I have modified the Echolink Nets page at http://www.wx1der.com/elk.htm with the above information...thanks for the update. Daryl,
Photo: N0LW, Luther, operating W0ZSW. The official silent key announcement has now appeared in the June, 2008 QST, so we are reporting the sad news of the death of Luther Washington, N0LW. Luther was a regular visitor to the Handiham headquarters station, and served on the Handiham Advisory Board. Luther had a long-time interest in radio, starting out on the air on the citizen's band. He soon found out that the Amateur Radio Service offered a lot more opportunity to grow in knowledge and operating skill. He had worked his way steadily up the licensing ladder, and learned good operating practices along the way. Always patient and kind, Luther made many friends on the air. He often checked into the PICONET on 75 meters when he was in Minnesota during the summertime. In the winter, his family lived in Mississippi, where he also operated HF and VHF. Luther will certainly be missed! This week at Headquarters We are short-staffed this week because of HAMVENTION. Pat, WA0TDA, will be at Dayton and there will be no Friday online education notification, nor will there be any new lectures. ARRL reports that they will not be publishing a Friday Audio News, although the regular letter will be sent by email as usual. May 14 Handiham Website update: The beta website is online at http://handiham.net. Please send comments to wa0tda@arrl.net. If you are a Handiham member and want your password to work on the new beta site, please use the website's Create new account link. Please use your callsign as your username, unless you are a Handiham member who is not yet licensed. In that case, just use your members only username as your username on handiham.net. If you are NOT a Handiham member, your access request will not go through. For membership, you can call toll-free at 1-866-426-3442, or email Nancy at hamradio@courage.org. *** Handiham members who pass their Technician license exams at Radio Camp this summer will receive new handheld radios. If you know a person with a disability who would enjoy ham radio, please send them our way. We want to get those new hams on the air! Camp begins on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 and finishes on Wednesday, August 27. Both Wednesdays are travel days. *** Stay in touch! Be sure to send Nancy your change of address, phone number changes, or email address changes so that we can continue to stay in touch with you. You may either email Nancy at hamradio@courage.org or call her toll-free at 1-866-426-3442. Mornings are the best time to contact us. *** Reminder: Contact Handihams Contest
You will have to work a Handiham member and send in a self-addressed stamped envelope along with their filled out QSL Card to me here at Handiham Headquarters. A contact will only count once no matter how many other bands or modes may be used. After the QSL's have been counted, they will be bundled and sent to the Handiham member who made the original contact. Echolink contacts count in this contest. The first three Handiham members that have the largest number of contacts sending in QSL's will receive one of the few remaining Handiham 40th Anniversary coffee mugs. Any band that you are able to use with your license class is acceptable and of course all FCC rules must be followed. For some of the old timers who may remember the "Novice Roundup" contest for only Novices, this is somewhat similar but yet a bit different at the same time. To make it a bit more interesting, a CW contact will count as 2 cards. To make it still more interesting, QRP (under 5 watts or less) counts as 5 cards. It must say on the QSL that was sent that it was a CW contact or a QRP contact to claim the extra points. So, it might be a good idea to brush up on your contest operating skills. Send all cards to: Courage Handiham Contest If you want call me, my direct line is: Elmer is goofing off this week, probably packing his bags for Dayton. You can write to Elmer with your questions:  RekkyTec Links Chinese Radio Sports Association: International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC): Free screenreader via the web: $39 Talking Digital Multimeter from a surplus vendor who has some units left: KNFB Reader:
Image: Meet our new dues collection agent! A huge alligator grabs Pat, WA0TDA. "Sure wish I'd renewed my Handiham dues sooner." For years Handiham membership renewals were done each July. This year, we are going to a monthly system. If you renew in March, your membership goes until the following March, for example. You will have several choices when you renew:
Return your renewal form and get entered in a drawing for a free Handiham coffee mug! There is a postage paid envelope provided, and of course we will do a drawing from each month's returned renewals. And you won't get a visit from you-know-who. Your support is critical! Please help. The Courage Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who want to share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help us provide services to people with disabilities. We would really appreciate it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a planning kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can be given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Nancy at: 1-866-426-3442 or email: Ask for a free DVD about the Handiham System. It’s perfect for your club program, too! The video tells your club about how we got started, the Radio Camps, and working with hams who have disabilities. Call 1-866-426-3442 toll-free. DONATE USED HAM GEAR 1-866-426-3442 toll-free Help us get new hams on the air. FREE! Get the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date with ham radio news.
Handiham members with disabilities can take an online audio course at www.handiham.org: • Beginner
That's it for this week. Pat, WA0TDA
ARRL is the premier organization supporting amateur radio worldwide. Please contact Handihams for help joining the ARRL. We will be happy to help you fill out the paperwork! 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 in a choice of formats. To administer your subscription to the HTML version, go to: The text-only version is at:
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Photo: Here I am, peeking over the top of the 2007 display at the Handiham booth during HAMVENTION®.
N0LW is a silent key
We have a large number of Handiham 40th Anniversary QSL cards left from our special event station at the last Minnesota Radio Camp. We want to send them out even though it’s 2008 (we are quite frugal, you know), but you are going to have to earn them. So I am announcing the Avery’s QTH use-up-our-old-QSL-cards contest!
Reminder: Handiham renewals are now on a monthly schedule
