From patt@courage.org Thu May 8 11:30:09 2008 From: patt@courage.org (Pat Tice) Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 05:30:09 -0500 Subject: [Handiham-list] The Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of 07 May 2008 Message-ID: <9474E08A858A2244B944342843D33C860103DF1E@exch.couragecenter.org> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------_=_NextPart_001_01C8B0F6.7D9E3B8E Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable =20 =09 E-Letter = It's Spring! It's great to be alive! And it's great to be a ham radio operator.=20 It's also fun to read the latest news from Handihams.=20 Courage Center's Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of 07 May 2008=20 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. Listen in MP3 or RealAudio, later in the day, after podcast audio is posted.=20 ipod Streaming MP3: http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.m3u Download the e-letter via accessible MP3: http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.mp3 The Handiham podcast is at: http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham Visit www.handiham.org =20 Contact us at: Courage Center - Handi-Ham System 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 Toll-Free: 1-866-426-3442 Email: hamradio@courage.org=20 ________________________________ Welcome to Handiham World! Picture: The Red Cross truck with many antennas, as shown to HAMVENTION participants. It is one of many informative displays that make the world's largest amateur radio trade show well worth your time and effort. Red Cross truck with antennas at HAMVENTION It's time to remind our readers and listeners about the biggest ham radio event of the year: Dayton HAMVENTION(r). Visit Courage Center's Handiham System while you are at HAMVENTION. We will be at booth number 332-C, which is indoors not too far from the forum rooms. If you attend, you will be part of the world's largest ham radio get-together, the place to meet your fellow amateur radio operators, learn about new technologies, and shop for new equipment. All of the "movers and shakers" in ham radio will be there, so it's fun, exciting, and a place to learn and grow. Dates are May 16, 17, & 18, 2008. Dr. Tom Behler, KB8TYJ, from Big Rapids, MI, will be giving a presentation in one of the forums at HAMVENTION, and I have accepted his kind invitation to attend, as there will be several references to Handihams. In addition, Tom says that he plans to cover the following topics: * An overview of some of the adaptive aids that I, as a blind ham and county emergency communications coordinator, use to help me do what I do. =20 * A discussion of actual or potential roles that people with disabilities could play in providing amateur radio communications during emergencies or other times of need.=20 * A brief overview of the new "Sociology Of Disasters And Emergency Preparedness" course that I now teach at my University. If you are at Dayton, you won't want to miss that! Patrick Tice wa0tda@arrl.net Handiham Manager ________________________________ Avery's QTH: In which Avery talks about SKYWARN 2008. Avery tries out a puff and sip keyer using air pressure to key a relay.=20 Photo: Avery checks out a puff and sip keyer that operates a microswitch with air pressure. Welcome once again to my Humble QTH:=20 Well, here I was in a parking lot sitting in my car watching the driving rain come down as I had the engine running with the heat on trying to dry out. I got soaked (to say the least) on the way out to my car. Yes! The sky was quite dark and people had their headlights on. A stream of water a couple inches deep was running through the lot. It reminded me of one year I was at Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio when the same thing happened and people in the flea market area were in a panic trying to get their items up off the ground so they wouldn't get wet. After the rain stopped and toward evening as people wanted to leave, tow trucks were called in to pull people's vehicles out of the heavy mud in what was once a nice dry solid dirt field. Some vehicles were up to their axles in mud.=20 The pouring rain also made me think about tornado season and SKYWARN. Some parts of North America have already been hit by tornadoes this season. They have the sad job of cleaning up and getting things back to normal again. SKYWARN is in most areas of the United States. Each area is slightly different but my suggestion is that all licensed amateur operators take the SKYWARN training and become SKYWARN spotters. It is very important that people with our communications knowledge and ability are around and can send in validated reports to the SKYWARN Emergency Operations Center. Many times the radar shows a "HOOK", or question mark type formation, but the people watching the radar have no real way of knowing if the wall cloud is rotating or not. That is where you the trained spotter take the stage. If you happen to be in the area of the "HOOK", you will be able to see the rotating wall cloud or just one that has formed but is not in rotation. Maybe even the clouds some people see are just harmless scud clouds but they think it is more serious. That is where your SKYWARN training becomes very important. You will know the differences and will be able to give a credible report to the EOC who will then pass it on and somewhere along the line it will end up on TV and radio to warn folks to take cover.=20 You do not want to be like the one person who called in this report on one of the local SKYWARN nets in this area. The report was something to the effect that there were no bugle clouds in sight and that the sky was clear! Of course the trained SKYWARN operators had quite a laugh out of it but it just shows why the training is so necessary.=20 It is important to know the correct terminology for the different cloud formations and to know things like a straight wind can also cause a lot of damage. It helps to know what repeaters or simplex frequencies are being used for SKYWARN nets. It is very important that the proper procedures are followed during the nets as lives are at stake. Even if you do not happen to want to become a SKYWARN Spotter, it is still a good idea to take the training, or go with a friend or relative to help you with the spotting, because you could be out somewhere with family or friends and the knowledge you have could save your life and or that of others with you. Don't forget the QSL card contest. You have until the last day of 2008 so there is still plenty of time left.=20 73 es DX de K0HLA Avery You can reach me at:=20 763-520-0515=20 avery.finn@courage.org =20 ________________________________ Looking for information: Does anyone know if Ham radio is providing post-storm emergency communications in Myanmar (Burma) (XZ)? ARES logo Last Saturday Myanmar's Irrawaddy Delta was devastated by Cyclone Nargis. Myanmar, also known as Burma, uses amateur radio prefix XZ. According to ARRL, until recently Amateur Radio has been banned in the Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. The cyclone (another name for a hurricane) was extremely powerful, and has killed tens of thousands of people in the region. Power lines are down over a wide area, and communications are difficult. So far we have seen no reports of amateur radio communications assistance related to Cyclone Nargis. If anyone has a story or web link about how ham radio is assisting in communications, please share it with us. The latest news is available on the Pacific page of the BBC website, where video and audio are also provided:=20 http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/default.stm =20 If you have heard anything about ham radio emergency operations here, please let us know:=20 wa0tda@arrl.net =20 ________________________________ Letters The most prepared man in America talks to amateur radio operators Col. Tom Simonet in official Air Force photo, wearing uniform Our affiliated amateur radio club, the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association will be welcoming Colonel Thomas J. Simonet as a guest speaker. The topic for the May 10th program is Emergency Preparedness, and Colonel Simonet is well-prepared. In fact, he has been called "the most prepared man in America". Col. Simonet has had a lengthy and distinguished career with the Air Force, and is currently assigned as an Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the State of MN. In that position, he coordinates with local communities, emergency managers, FEMA, and the Department of Defense to evaluate the most effective assets available to aid local communities when their resources become overwhelmed. This promises to be a very informative program for not only ham radio operators, but others as well. Being informed is an initial step in being prepared, so bring a friend and come join us for the May 10th meeting at 9 a.m. 73,=20 Shel, N0DRX Editor's note: If you live anywhere around the Twin Cities metropolitan area here in Minnesota or in western Wisconsin, this is a program that you shouldn't miss! The location is Boutwell's Landing, Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. If you use Google Earth, you can find a location easily with the following link to Boutwell's Landing: http://radioham.org/local/boutwells_landing.kmz =20 The street location is: 5600 Norwich Parkway, Oak Park Heights, MN 55082. The SARA-Handiham meeting is open to the public. ________________________________ Handiham Radio Club members, ARRL diamond logo It has been suggested that we apply for ARRL Special Service Club (SSC) status. Here is the information from ARRL. What do you think? How to Apply for or Renew SSC Status: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/app.html To become an SSC, you must fill out and submit an application form. Once received, ARRL HQ staff will forward the completed form to your ACC, who will contact you to discuss your club's projects. The name of your ACC is available from your Section Manager (see any current QST.) Check the club page on the ARRL web site. Existing Special Service Clubs may renew their SSC status by filling out and submitting the on-line renewal form: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/renewal.html =20 73, Linda Reeder, N7HVF Handiham Radio Club President Editor's note: Please send your comments on this topic to wa0tda@arrl.net and I'll make sure Linda gets them. The Handiham Radio Club meets at Radio Camp sessions.=20 ________________________________ Yes, it is all about ham radio - cartoon guy carrying books The cartoon guy's story=20 This image of a cartoon guy carrying a stack of ham radio study books with the titles reading "all about ham radio" dates back about 20 years, and was an original drawing created just for Courage Center's Handiham System. It appeared in a really creative little booklet that served as a brochure for marketing Handiham services. The booklet was provided for us through the generosity of Kiwanis International, a service organization that has also supported Courage Camps and other Courage Center projects and activities over the years. Of course that wonderful brochure eventually became too dated to continue using and was replaced by a series of others, as well as marketing tools like the Internet and our current Handiham DVD. The cartoon image remains and is in this story as a tribute and a thank you to Kiwanis International and all organizations and donors who help support the work of Courage Center's Handiham System. ________________________________ Handiham Net Schedule, Effective May 7, 2008 - New node added. 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 WA0TDA-L, node 302454=20 N0BVE-R, node 89680 ________________________________ Could another massive solar flare happen?=20 Cartoon sun NASA Science News for May 6, 2008 tells us about a flare that made history!=20 In September 1859, the sun unleashed a solar flare so intense it was visible to the unaided human eye. A ferocious geomagnetic storm ensued in which Northern Lights descended as far south as Cuba, the Bahamas and Hawaii. Meanwhile, telegraph engineers disconnected their batteries and powered communications by electricity from the auroras! Could it happen again? Read the story to find out. FULL STORY at http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/06may_carringtonflare.htm?list65 29 =20 ________________________________ This week at Headquarters May 7 Handiham Website update: The beta website is online at http://handiham.net . Today Phil, K9HI, performed the update to the latest version of Drupal, our content management system for the website. The upgrade was a bit bumpy, so if you experienced problems using the site this morning, that was the reason. Everything is now working again. 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. =20 ***=20 =20 Picture: Jeanne, KD0CVQ, strings a wire antenna in preparation for getting on the air at Radio Camp.=20 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. =20 ***=20 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. =20 ***=20 Reminder: Contact Handihams Contest Handiham 40 year logo by Aaron Kloss 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! 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=20 ATTN: Avery Finn=20 3915 Golden Valley Road=20 Golden Valley, MN 55422 If you want call me, my direct line is:=20 763-520-0515=20 Mornings are best. Email me at:=20 avery.finn@courage.org =20 ________________________________ Ask Elmer Dear Elmer, Do you have any idea where I could purchase an atmospheric balloon? I would like to try to hook up an antenna on it for Field Day and see how well it would perform.=20 Signed, Experimenter Elmer says: Well, that has to be the question of the day! I Googled it and found this company that sells weather balloons:=20 http://www.scientificsales.com =20 Let me know how this works out if you actually go through with it. There are some articles on ARRLweb here:=20 http://www.arrl.org/tis/info/balloon.html =20 Good luck on Field Day and stay away from that high-flying antenna if the lightning storms roll in! You can write to Elmer with your questions: elmer@handiham.org =20 ________________________________ plugged-in robot=20 RekkyTec Links Flying Blind LLC website, a resource for adaptive technology information: http://www.flying-blind.com/ =20 If you are blind yourself, we recommend skipping the intro page and using this link for Flying-Blind:=20 http://www.flying-blind.com/index2.html =20 Free screenreader via the web:=20 http://www.accessibilityisaright.org/ =20 $39 Talking Digital Multimeter from a surplus vendor who has some units left:=20 http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3D16562+TE =20 KNFB Reader:=20 http://www.knfbreader.com/products-mobile.php =20 ________________________________ Huge alligator grabbing Pat, WA0TDA Reminder: Handiham renewals are now on a monthly schedule Image: Meet our new dues collection agent! A huge alligator grabs Pat, WA0TDA. "Sure wish I'd renewed my Handiham dues sooner."=20 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: * Join at the usual $10 annual dues level for one year.=20 * Join for three years at $30.=20 * Lifetime membership is $100.=20 * If you can't afford the dues, request a sponsored membership for the year.=20 * Donate an extra amount of your choice to help support our activities.=20 * Discontinue your membership. 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.=20 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: hamradio@courage.org =20 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=20 1-866-426-3442 toll-free Help us get new hams on the air.=20 FREE! Get the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date with ham radio news.=20 * You may listen in audio to the E-Letter at www.handiham.org . =20 Email us to subscribe:=20 hamradio@courage.org =20 Handiham members with disabilities can take an online audio course at www.handiham.org : * Beginner=20 * General=20 * Extra=20 * Operating Skills ________________________________ That's it for this week.=20 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System! Pat, WA0TDA Manager, Courage Handi-ham System Reach me by email at:=20 patt@courage.org =20 * Nancy, Handiham Secretary: hamradio@courage.org=20 * Jerry, N0VOE, Student Coordinator: jerry.kloss@courage.org=20 * Avery, K0HLA, Educational Coordinator: avery.finn@courage.org =20 * Pat, WA0TDA, Manager, patt@courage.org=20 * Radio Camp email: radiocamp@courage.org =20 ARRL diamond logo=20 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: http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-list . The text-only version is at: http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-text-list . Send this announcement to a friend | Printable Version = ______________________________________________________________________ All Inbound Courage Center email is scanned by the MessageLabs Email Security System. For more information please visit http://www.messagelabs.com/email=20 ______________________________________________________________________ ------_=_NextPart_001_01C8B0F6.7D9E3B8E Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
 
= It's Spring! It's great to be = alive! And it's=20 great to be a ham radio operator.

It's also fun to read = the latest=20 news from Handihams.


Courage Center's = Handiham World=20 Weekly E-Letter for the week of 07 May 2008 =

This is a=20 weekly news & information update from Courage Center's = Handiham=20 System. Please do not reply to this message. Use the contact = information=20 below, or simply email handiham@courage.org. For = subscribe/unsubscribe=20 information, please see the bottom of the page.
Listen in MP3 or RealAudio, later in the day, = after=20 podcast audio is posted.

Streaming MP3:
http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.m3u
Download the e-letter via = accessible=20 MP3:
http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.mp3
The Handiham podcast = is at:http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham

Visit=20 www.handiham.org

Contact us=20 at:

Courage Center=20 - Handi-Ham System
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN = 55422

Toll-Free: 1-866-426-3442
Email: hamradio@courage.org =

Welcome to Handiham = World!

Picture: The Red Cross truck with many = antennas,=20 as shown to HAMVENTION participants. It is one of many informative = displays that make the world's largest amateur radio trade show = well worth=20 your time and effort.

3D"RedIt's time to = remind our readers=20 and listeners about the biggest ham radio event of the year: = Dayton=20 HAMVENTION®. Visit Courage Center's Handiham System while you = are at=20 HAMVENTION. We will be at booth number 332-C, which is indoors not = too far=20 from the forum rooms. If you attend, you will be part of the = world's=20 largest ham radio get-together, the place to meet your fellow = amateur=20 radio operators, learn about new technologies, and shop for new = equipment.=20 All of the "movers and shakers" in ham radio will be there, so = it's fun,=20 exciting, and a place to learn and grow. Dates are May 16, 17, = & 18,=20 2008.

Dr. Tom Behler, KB8TYJ, from Big Rapids, MI, = will be=20 giving a presentation in one of the forums at HAMVENTION, and I = have=20 accepted his kind invitation to attend, as there will be several=20 references to Handihams. In addition, Tom says that he plans to = cover the=20 following topics:

  • An overview of some of the adaptive aids = that I, as=20 a blind ham and county emergency communications coordinator, use = to help=20 me do what I do. =20
  • A discussion of actual or potential roles = that=20 people with disabilities could play in providing amateur radio=20 communications during emergencies or other times of need. =
  • A brief overview of the new "Sociology Of = Disasters=20 And Emergency Preparedness" course that I now teach at my=20 University.

If you are at Dayton, you won't want to miss = that!

Patrick Tice
wa0tda@arrl.net
Handiham=20 Manager

Avery's QTH: In which Avery talks about = SKYWARN=20 2008.

3D"Avery
Photo: Avery checks = out a puff and=20 sip keyer that operates a microswitch with air=20 pressure.

Welcome once again to my Humble = QTH: 

Well, here I was in a parking lot sitting in = my car=20 watching the driving rain come down as I had the engine running = with the=20 heat on trying to dry out. I got soaked (to say the least) on the = way out=20 to my car. Yes! The sky was quite dark and people had their = headlights on.=20 A stream of water a couple inches deep was running through the = lot. It=20 reminded me of one year I was at Hamvention in Dayton, Ohio when = the same=20 thing happened and people in the flea market area were in a panic = trying=20 to get their items up off the ground so they wouldn't get wet. = After the=20 rain stopped and toward evening as people wanted to leave, tow = trucks were=20 called in to pull people's vehicles out of the heavy mud in what = was once=20 a nice dry solid dirt field. Some vehicles were up to their axles = in=20 mud. 

The pouring rain also made me think about = tornado=20 season and SKYWARN. Some parts of North America have already been = hit by=20 tornadoes this season. They have the sad job of cleaning up and = getting=20 things back to normal again. SKYWARN is in most areas of the = United=20 States. Each area is slightly different but my suggestion is that = all=20 licensed amateur operators take the SKYWARN training and become = SKYWARN=20 spotters. It is very important that people with our communications = knowledge and ability are around and can send in validated reports = to the=20 SKYWARN Emergency Operations Center. Many times the radar shows a = "HOOK",=20 or question mark type formation, but the people watching the radar = have no=20 real way of knowing if the wall cloud is rotating or not. That is = where=20 you the trained spotter take the stage. If you happen to be in the = area of=20 the "HOOK", you will be able to see the rotating wall cloud or = just one=20 that has formed but is not in rotation. Maybe even the clouds some = people=20 see are just harmless scud clouds but they think it is more = serious. That=20 is where your SKYWARN training becomes very important. You will = know the=20 differences and will be able to give a credible report to the EOC = who will=20 then pass it on and somewhere along the line it will end up on TV = and=20 radio to warn folks to take cover. 

You do not want to be like the one person = who called=20 in this report on one of the local SKYWARN nets in this area. The = report=20 was something to the effect that there were no bugle clouds in = sight and=20 that the sky was clear! Of course the trained SKYWARN operators = had quite=20 a laugh out of it but it just shows why the training is so=20 necessary. 

It is important to know the correct = terminology for=20 the different cloud formations and to know things like a straight = wind can=20 also cause a lot of damage. It helps to know what repeaters or = simplex=20 frequencies are being used for SKYWARN nets. It is very important = that the=20 proper procedures are followed during the nets as lives are at = stake. Even=20 if you do not happen to want to become a SKYWARN Spotter, it is = still a=20 good idea to take the training, or go with a friend or relative to = help=20 you with the spotting, because you could be out somewhere with = family or=20 friends and the knowledge you have could save your life and or = that of=20 others with you. Don't forget the QSL card contest. You have until = the=20 last day of 2008 so there is still plenty of time = left. 

73 es DX de K0HLA Avery

You can reach me = at: 
763-520-0515 
avery.finn@courage.org

Looking for information: Does anyone know if Ham radio is providing post-storm = emergency=20 communications in Myanmar (Burma) (XZ)?

3D"ARESLast Saturday Myanmar's Irrawaddy Delta = was devastated=20 by Cyclone Nargis. Myanmar, also known as Burma, uses amateur = radio prefix=20 XZ. According to ARRL, until recently Amateur Radio has been = banned in the=20 Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma. The cyclone (another = name for a=20 hurricane) was extremely powerful, and has killed tens of = thousands of=20 people in the region. Power lines are down over a wide area, and=20 communications are difficult. So far we have seen no reports of = amateur=20 radio communications assistance related to Cyclone Nargis. If = anyone has a=20 story or web link about how ham radio is assisting in = communications,=20 please share it with us. The latest news is available on the = Pacific page=20 of the BBC website, where video and audio are also = provided: 
http://n= ews.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/default.stm

If you have heard anything about ham radio = emergency=20 operations here, please let us know: 
wa0tda@arrl.net

Letters

The most prepared man in America talks to = amateur=20 radio operators

3D"Col.Our affiliated = amateur radio=20 club, the Stillwater Amateur Radio Association will be welcoming = Colonel=20 Thomas J. Simonet as a guest speaker. The topic for the May 10th = program=20 is Emergency Preparedness,  and Colonel Simonet is = well-prepared. In=20 fact, he has been called "the most prepared man in=20 America".

Col. Simonet has had a lengthy and = distinguished=20 career with the Air Force, and is currently assigned as an = Emergency=20 Preparedness Liaison Officer for the State of MN. In that = position, he=20 coordinates with local communities, emergency managers, FEMA, and = the=20 Department of Defense to evaluate the most effective assets = available to=20 aid local communities when their resources become=20 overwhelmed.

This promises to be a very informative = program for=20 not only ham radio operators, but others as well. Being informed = is an=20 initial step in being prepared, so bring a friend and come join us = for the=20 May 10th meeting at 9 a.m.

73, 
Shel, N0DRX

Editor's note: If you live anywhere = around the Twin=20 Cities metropolitan area here in Minnesota or in western = Wisconsin, this=20 is a program that you shouldn't miss!  The location is = Boutwell's=20 Landing, Oak Park Heights, Minnesota. If you use Google Earth, you = can=20 find a location easily with the following link to Boutwell's=20 Landing:

http://radioham.org/local/boutwells_landing.kmz

The street location is: 5600 Norwich = Parkway, Oak=20 Park Heights, MN 55082.

The SARA-Handiham meeting is open to the=20 public.

Handiham Radio Club members,

3D"ARRLIt has been suggested that we = apply for ARRL=20 Special Service Club (SSC) status. Here is the information from = ARRL. What=20 do you think?

How to Apply for or Renew SSC Status:
http:/= /www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/app.html

To become an SSC, you must fill out and = submit an=20 application form. Once received, ARRL HQ staff will forward the = completed=20 form to your ACC, who will contact you to discuss your club's = projects.=20 The name of your ACC is available from your Section Manager (see = any=20 current QST.) Check the club page on the ARRL web site. Existing = Special=20 Service Clubs may renew their SSC status by filling out and = submitting the=20 on-line renewal form: http://www.arrl.org/FandES/field/club/forms/fsd7/renewal.html

73,

Linda Reeder, N7HVF
Handiham Radio Club=20 President

Editor's note: Please send your comments on = this topic=20 to wa0tda@arrl.net and I'll = make sure=20 Linda gets them. The Handiham Radio Club meets at Radio Camp=20 sessions. 

3D"Yes,The cartoon guy's story=20

This image of a cartoon guy carrying a stack = of ham=20 radio study books with the titles reading "all about ham radio" = dates back=20 about 20 years, and was an original drawing created just for = Courage=20 Center's Handiham System. It appeared in a really creative little = booklet=20 that served as a brochure for marketing Handiham services. The = booklet was=20 provided for us through the generosity of Kiwanis International, a = service=20 organization that has also supported Courage Camps and other = Courage=20 Center projects and activities over the years.

Of course that wonderful brochure eventually = became=20 too dated to continue using and was replaced by a series of = others, as=20 well as marketing tools like the Internet and our current Handiham = DVD.

The cartoon image remains and is in this = story as a=20 tribute and a thank you to Kiwanis International and all = organizations and=20 donors who help support the work of Courage Center's Handiham=20 System.

Handiham Net Schedule, Effective May 7, = 2008 - New=20 node added.

Join our worldwide EchoLink net every day = but Sunday.=20 All licensed operators are welcome. The net is controlled but = informal,=20 and there is no need to be a Handiham member to participate. = Sometimes the=20 net control station will throw out a discussion topic to liven = things up!=20 Listen in a few times if you are shy, and then take the plunge and = throw=20 out your callsign. We have added another node for your=20 convenience.

Days: Monday through Saturday, and Sunday if = anyone=20 wants to take an informal session.

Times: 11:00 hours United States Central = Time Monday=20 through Saturday and a second Monday session at 19:00 Central=20 Time.

Frequency in the local Minnesota repeater = coverage=20 zone: 145.45 FM, negative offset with no tone in the Twin Cities = of=20 Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota.

EchoLink nodes:

KA0PQW-R, node 267582
WA0TDA-L, node=20 302454 
N0BVE-R, node 89680

Could another massive solar flare=20 happen? 

3D"CartoonNASA Science News for May 6, 2008 tells us = about a=20 flare that made history! 

In September 1859, the sun unleashed a = solar flare=20 so intense it was visible to the unaided human eye. A ferocious=20 geomagnetic storm ensued in which Northern Lights descended as far = south=20 as Cuba, the Bahamas and Hawaii. Meanwhile, telegraph engineers=20 disconnected their batteries and powered communications by = electricity=20 from the auroras! Could it happen again? Read the story to find=20 out.

FULL STORY at

http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/06may_carringtonflar= e.htm?list6529

This week at=20 Headquarters

May 7 = Handiham Website=20 update: The beta website is online = at http://handiham.net. Today Phil, = K9HI,=20 performed the update to the latest version of Drupal, our content=20 management system for the website. The upgrade was a bit bumpy, so = if you=20 experienced problems using the site this morning, that was the=20 reason.  Everything is now working again. Please send = comments=20 to wa0tda@arrl.net. If you=20 are a Handiham member and want your password to work on the new = beta site,=20 please use the website's Create new = account link.=20 Please use your callsign as your username, unless you are a = Handiham=20 member who is not yet licensed. In that case, just use your = members only=20 username as your username on handiham.net. =20

***=20


Picture: Jeanne, KD0CVQ, strings a wire = antenna in=20 preparation for getting on the air at Radio Camp.=20

Handiham members who pass their = Technician license=20 exams at Radio Camp this summer will receive new handheld radios.=20 If you know a person with a = disability who=20 would enjoy ham radio, please send them our way. We want to get = those new=20 hams on the air! Camp begins on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 and = finishes on=20 Wednesday, August 27. Both Wednesdays are travel = days. =20

***=20

Stay in touch!  Be=20 sure to send Nancy your change of address, phone number changes, = or email=20 address changes so that we can continue to stay in touch with you. = You may=20 either email Nancy at hamradio@courage.org or = call her=20 toll-free at 1-866-426-3442. Mornings are the best time to contact = us. =20

***=20

Reminder: Contact Handihams = Contest

3D"HandihamWe have a large number of = Handiham 40th=20 Anniversary QSL cards left from our special event station at the = last=20 Minnesota Radio Camp. We want to send them out even though = it’s 2008 (we=20 are quite frugal, you know), but you are going to have to earn = them. So I=20 am announcing the Avery’s QTH use-up-our-old-QSL-cards = contest!

You will have to work a Handiham member and = send in a=20 self-addressed stamped envelope along with their filled out QSL = Card to me=20 here at Handiham Headquarters. A contact will only count once no = matter=20 how many other bands or modes may be used. After the QSL's have = been=20 counted, they will be bundled and sent to the Handiham member who = made the=20 original contact. Echolink contacts count in this = contest.

The first three Handiham members that = have the=20 largest number of contacts sending in QSL's will receive one of = the few=20 remaining Handiham 40th Anniversary coffee = mugs.

Any band that you are able to use with your = license=20 class is acceptable and of course all FCC rules must be followed. = For some=20 of the old timers who may remember the "Novice Roundup" contest = for only=20 Novices, this is somewhat similar but yet a bit different at the = same=20 time. To make it a bit more interesting, a CW contact will count = as 2=20 cards. To make it still more interesting, QRP (under 5 watts or = less)=20 counts as 5 cards. It must say on the QSL that was sent that it = was a CW=20 contact or a QRP contact to claim the extra points. So, it might = be a good=20 idea to brush up on your contest operating skills. Send all cards=20 to:

Courage Handiham Contest 
ATTN: = Avery=20 Finn 
3915 Golden Valley Road 
Golden Valley, MN=20 55422

If you want call me, my direct line=20 is: 
763-520-0515 
Mornings are best.

Email = me=20 at: 
avery.finn@courage.org

Ask Elmer

Dear Elmer,

Do you have any idea where I could = purchase an=20 atmospheric balloon? I would like to try to hook up an antenna on = it for=20 Field Day and see how well it would perform. 

Signed,
Experimenter

Elmer says:

Well, that has to be the question of the = day! I=20 Googled it and found this company that sells weather = balloons: 
http://www.scientificsales.c= om

Let me know how this works out if you = actually go=20 through with it. There are some articles on ARRLweb here: 
http://www.arrl.or= g/tis/info/balloon.html

Good luck on Field Day and stay away from = that=20 high-flying antenna if the lightning storms roll in!

You can write to Elmer with your = questions:
elmer@handiham.org

3D"plugged-in=20

RekkyTec=20 Links

Flying Blind = LLC website, a resource for adaptive technology = information:
http://www.flying-blind.com/

If you are blind = yourself, we=20 recommend skipping the intro page and using this link for=20 Flying-Blind: 
http://www.flying-bl= ind.com/index2.html

Free screenreader via = the=20 web: 
http://www.accessibili= tyisaright.org/

$39 Talking Digital=20 Multimeter from a surplus vendor who = has some=20 units left: 
http://ww= w.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3D16562+TE

KNFB=20 Reader: 
http://www.knf= breader.com/products-mobile.php

3D"HugeReminder: =20 Handiham renewals are now on a monthly schedule

Image: Meet our new dues collection = agent! A=20 huge alligator grabs Pat, WA0TDA.  "Sure wish I'd renewed my = Handiham=20 dues sooner." 

For years Handiham membership renewals were = done each=20 July. This year, we are going to a monthly system.  If you = renew in=20 March, your membership goes until the following March, for = example. You=20 will have several choices when you renew:

  • Join at the usual $10 annual dues level = for one=20 year.=20
  • Join for three years at $30.=20
  • Lifetime membership is $100.=20
  • If you can't afford the dues, request a = sponsored=20 membership for the year.=20
  • Donate an extra amount of your choice to = help=20 support our activities.=20
  • Discontinue your = membership.

Return your renewal form and get entered in = a drawing=20 for a free Handiham coffee mug! There is a postage paid envelope = provided,=20 and of course we will do a drawing from each month's returned = renewals.=20 And you won't get a visit from you-know-who.

Your support=20 is critical! Please help. 

The = Courage=20 Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who = want to=20 share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help = us=20 provide services to people with disabilities. We would really = appreciate=20 it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a = planning=20 kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can = be=20 given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Nancy at:=20 1-866-426-3442 or email:hamradio@courage.org

Ask = for a free DVD=20 about the Handiham System. It’s perfect for your club = program, too! The=20 video tells your club about how we got started, the Radio Camps, = and=20 working with hams who have disabilities. Call 1-866-426-3442=20 toll-free.

DONATE USED HAM=20 GEAR 

1-866-426-3442=20 toll-free Help us get new hams on the air.=20

FREE! Get the=20 Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay up-to-date = with ham=20 radio news. 

Handiham members=20 with disabilities can take an online audio course at www.handiham.org:

•=20 Beginner 
• General 
•=20 Extra 
• Operating = Skills

That's=20 it for this week. 
73 from all of us = at the=20 Courage Handiham System!

Pat,=20 WA0TDA
Manager, Courage Handi-ham System
Reach me by email at: patt@courage.org

 

ARRL=20 is the premier organization supporting amateur radio worldwide. = Please=20 contact Handihams for help joining the ARRL. We will be happy to = help you=20 fill out the paperwork!

The=20 weekly e-letter is a compilation of software tips, operating = information,=20 and Handiham news. It is published on Wednesdays, and is available = to=20 everyone in a choice of formats. To administer your subscription = to the=20 HTML version, go to:http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-lis= t.

The=20 text-only version is at:http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-tex= t-list.

 |   

______________= ________________________________________________________
All=20 Inbound Courage Center email is scanned by the MessageLabs Email = Security=20 System.
For more information please visit = http://www.messagelabs.com/email=20
_____________________________________________________________________= _
------_=_NextPart_001_01C8B0F6.7D9E3B8E-- From wa0tda@comcast.net Thu May 8 13:26:37 2008 From: wa0tda@comcast.net (Patrick Tice) Date: Thu, 8 May 2008 07:26:37 -0500 Subject: [Handiham-list] E-Letter Problem Message-ID: <736D4F3575FC4D429007979D44F3C742@WA0TDAHP> Dear Handiham E-Letter Subscriber, There is a problem delivering our email that has persisted over the past 12 hours. I have been unable to resolve it, so I suggest you go directly to the Handiham website to read your weekly e-letter. Podcast subscribers using podcatchers like iTunes or Juice are not affected and will get the audio as usual. You can read the weekly eletter in these three locations: http://www.handiham.net/node/71 http://www.handiham.org/article.php?sid=806 http://www.handiham.org/local/blind/this_week.htm We apologize for the inconvenience. Regards, Patrick Tice, WA0TDA Manager, Courage Handiham System 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 patt@courage.org 763-520-0511 Visit Handi-Hams on the web at http://handiham.org for our online audio news, information about our program, and much more. While you're there, link to www.courage.org and learn how abilities and disabilities can become possibilities. Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message is for sole use of intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, distribution or copying is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by replying to this e-mail and destroy/delete all copies of this e-mail message. From wa0tda@comcast.net Wed May 14 14:45:41 2008 From: wa0tda@comcast.net (Patrick Tice) Date: Wed, 14 May 2008 08:45:41 -0500 Subject: [Handiham-list] The Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of 14 May 2008 Message-ID: <4DE0C2B60A9E42AA8883A6A6788D5FA7@WA0TDAHP> This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ------=_NextPart_000_0018_01C8B59E.E5079A00 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit E-LetterWe will be at Hamvention this week, so don't miss this pre-Dayton update. Find out what questions Avery has to ask you, and more! Courage Center's Handiham World Weekly E-Letter for the week of 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. Listen in MP3 or RealAudio, later in the day, after podcast audio is posted. ipod Streaming MP3: http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.m3u Download the e-letter via accessible MP3: http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.mp3 The Handiham podcast is at: http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham Visit www.handiham.org Contact us at: Courage Center - Handi-Ham System 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 Toll-Free: 1-866-426-3442 Email: hamradio@courage.org _____ Welcome to Handiham World! Handihams at Dayton Hamvention 2007 - Pat peeking over display Photo: Here I am, peeking over the top of the 2007 display at the Handiham booth during HAMVENTIONR. 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 HAMVENTIONR. 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. Portable Radios - Ready for Ham Radio Emergency Communications 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 wa0tda@arrl.net Handiham Manager _____ Avery's QTH: In which Avery asks YOU the questions. Avery tries out a puff and sip keyer using air pressure to key a relay. Photo: Avery checks out a puff and sip keyer at the Handiham booth. This year Avery is staying home, so that he can be at the headquarters office answering phones. Boo hoo. 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. 1. I have mentioned that I have been known to play chess over the air and on some computer websites, but no one has responded to say whether or not they ever did. Now is as good a time as any to ask, "Do you play chess or some other game on the air?" 2. I mentioned several times about people who collect stamps from QSL cards they receive from people they talk to on the air and again no one responded. Is anyone doing this? In the past many people used to do it. Are there any QSL card stamp collectors out there? 3. How many of you have checked into a Handiham Net in the last 30 days or so? Better yet, how many have taken over as net control when the assigned net control was unable to do it for some reason and did not show up? 4. How many have "Elmered" someone else and helped them get a license or helped them get their equipment on the air? 5. Did anyone "homebrew" a working anything related to ham radio in the last 60 to 90 days? 6. Have you done anything with your local or national radio club? 7. Did you take part in any public service event lately? 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: 763-520-0515 avery.finn@courage.org _____ 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: http://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/13/10095/?nc=1 _____ Web resource for learning about scams 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: http://www.handiham.net/node/78 _____ Handiham Net Schedule Updated: Extended CW Net times, new EchoLink Node The 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.) WA0TDA-L, node 302454 (Available when Pat is at home - lots of bandwidth.) N0BVE-R, node 89680 (Use only if you have the latest EchoLink and correct port forwarding enabled.) Our updated net schedule is on the beta site: http://www.handiham.net/node/76 If you have a correction in any part of the net schedule, please e-mail wa0tda@arrl.net. _____ 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, N5VLZ _____ Luther, N0LW, now a silent key, operates W0ZSW. N0LW is a silent key 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 Handiham 40 year logo by Aaron Kloss 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! 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 ATTN: Avery Finn 3915 Golden Valley Road Golden Valley, MN 55422 If you want call me, my direct line is: 763-520-0515 Mornings are best. Email me at: avery.finn@courage.org _____ Elmer is goofing off this week, probably packing his bags for Dayton. You can write to Elmer with your questions: elmer@handiham.org _____ plugged-in robot RekkyTec Links Chinese Radio Sports Association: http://crsa.org.cn/english.php International Radio Emergency Support Coalition (IRESC): http://www.iresc.org/ Free screenreader via the web: http://www.accessibilityisaright.org/ $39 Talking Digital Multimeter from a surplus vendor who has some units left: http://www.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=16562+TE KNFB Reader: http://www.knfbreader.com/products-mobile.php _____ Huge alligator grabbing Pat, WA0TDA Reminder: Handiham renewals are now on a monthly schedule 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: * Join at the usual $10 annual dues level for one year. * Join for three years at $30. * Lifetime membership is $100. * If you can't afford the dues, request a sponsored membership for the year. * Donate an extra amount of your choice to help support our activities. * Discontinue your membership. 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: hamradio@courage.org 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. * You may listen in audio to the E-Letter at www.handiham.org . Email us to subscribe: hamradio@courage.org Handiham members with disabilities can take an online audio course at www.handiham.org : . Beginner . General . Extra . Operating Skills _____ That's it for this week. 73 from all of us at the Courage Handiham System! Pat, WA0TDA Manager, Courage Handi-ham System Reach me by email at: patt@courage.org * Nancy, Handiham Secretary: hamradio@courage.org * Jerry, N0VOE, Student Coordinator: jerry.kloss@courage.org * Avery, K0HLA, Educational Coordinator: avery.finn@courage.org * Pat, WA0TDA, Manager, patt@courage.org * Radio Camp email: radiocamp@courage.org ARRL diamond logo 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: http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-list. The text-only version is at: http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-text-list. Send this announcement to a friend | Printable Version ------=_NextPart_000_0018_01C8B59E.E5079A00 Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
= We will be at Hamvention this week, so don't = miss this=20 pre-Dayton update.

Find out what questions Avery has to ask = you,=20 and more!


Courage Center's = Handiham World=20 Weekly E-Letter for the week of 14 May 2008

This is=20 a weekly news & information update from Courage Center's = Handiham=20 System. Please do not reply to this message. Use the contact = information=20 below, or simply email handiham@courage.org. For = subscribe/unsubscribe=20 information, please see the bottom of the page.
Listen in MP3 or RealAudio, later in the day, = after=20 podcast audio is posted.

Streaming=20 MP3:
http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.m3u
Download the e-letter via = accessible=20 MP3:
http://www.handiham.org/audio/handiham.mp3
The Handiham podcast = is at:http://feeds.feedburner.com/handiham

Visit=20 www.handiham.org

Contact=20 us at:

Courage=20 Center - Handi-Ham System
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden = Valley, MN=20 55422

Toll-Free: 1-866-426-3442
Email: hamradio@courage.org =

Welcome to Handiham=20 World!

3D"HandihamsPhoto: Here I am, peeking = over the top of=20 the 2007 display at the Handiham booth during = HAMVENTION®.

This will be a shorter edition of = your Handiham=20 World, since we are preparing to depart for Dayton. Visit Courage = Center's=20 Handiham System while you are at HAMVENTION®. We will be at = booth number=20 332-C, where our display will include a voice-controlled Icom = IC-706M2G=20 with audio feedback. This system, called command & control, = allows a=20 blind user who also has very limited muscle control, to operate = the=20 transceiver, changing frequencies, modes, and other functions = entirely by=20 voice. The system then tells the user what it has done. The same = headset=20 microphone that controls the system by command is also used to = modulate=20 the rig. It's really a pretty cool deal, thanks to developers = Lyle, K0LR,=20 and Steve, WB5KIA.

=20

I was impressed with the = portability of this=20 ham radio emergency communications system. This photo was from = Dayton=20 HAMVENTION 2005, but similar exhibits have been at the 2006 and = 2007=20 shows. I expect to see them again, with improvements, at this = year's show.=20

The system covers VHF and HF bands, = and is=20 housed in an orange plastic box that allows the user to quickly = deploy in=20 an emergency, rather than having to gather up radios, connectors, = and=20 assorted parts when time is of the essence. The plastic box can be = closed=20 to keep out rain. The orange color is highly = visible.

It's one of many good ideas that = you can learn=20 about when you visit Dayton, so we hope to see you = there.

Patrick Tice
wa0tda@arrl.net
Handiham=20 Manager

Avery's QTH: In which Avery asks = YOU the=20 questions.

3D"Avery
Photo: Avery checks out a puff and = sip keyer=20 at the Handiham booth. This year Avery is staying home, so that he = can be=20 at the headquarters office answering phones. Boo = hoo.

Well, how is the QSL Contest going? = There's=20 still plenty of time left to make your contacts. Because of the = Dayton=20 Hamvention this coming weekend, the e-letter will be shorter than = normal=20 so I thought I would turn the tables on you and to ask YOU some=20 questions.

  1. I have mentioned that I have = been known to=20 play chess over the air and on some computer websites, but no = one has=20 responded to say whether or not they ever did. Now is as good a = time as=20 any to ask, "Do you play chess or some other game on the = air?"=20
  2. I mentioned several times about = people who=20 collect stamps from QSL cards they receive from people they talk = to on=20 the air and again no one responded. Is anyone doing this? In the = past=20 many people used to do it. Are there any QSL card stamp = collectors out=20 there?=20
  3. How many of you have checked = into a Handiham=20 Net in the last 30 days or so? Better yet, how many have taken = over as=20 net control when the assigned net control was unable to do it = for some=20 reason and did not show up?=20
  4. How many have "Elmered" someone = else and=20 helped them get a license or helped them get their equipment on = the=20 air?=20
  5. Did anyone "homebrew" a working = anything=20 related to ham radio in the last 60 to 90 days?=20
  6. Have you done anything with your = local or=20 national radio club?=20
  7. Did you take part in any public = service=20 event lately?

No one has sent in any ham radio = related funny=20 stories lately, either. If you have any you would like to share, = please=20 email them to me.

I hope I have given you just a few = ideas of=20 what can be done using Amateur Radio! Gosh! There are so many = facets to=20 this Amateur Radio stuff that it is no wonder it has been called = the "KING=20 of HOBBIES".

So, until next time 73 es DX de = K0HLA,=20 Avery.

You can reach me at:

avery.finn@courage.org

763-520-0515

73 es DX de K0HLA Avery

You can reach me at: =
763-520-0515
avery.finn@courage.org

Hams Called to Action in = Aftermath of China=20 Quake (ARRL)

On Monday, May 12 at 0628 UTC, a = magnitude 7.8=20 earthquake hit Sichuan, China. According to the Chinese Radio=20 Sports Association, the Chinese IARU Member-Society, the = following=20 frequencies are reserved for emergency services involved in the = rescue:=20 14.270, 7.050 and 7.060 MHz.

And this from CQ = Newsroom:

Amateurs in China are asking that = 14.270 MHz be=20 kept clear as an emergency frequency in the wake of yesterday's=20 devastating earthquake there. Please remember that even if you = cannot hear=20 a station on the frequency, you might interfere with reception of=20 transmissions by a station within range of both your signals and=20 theirs.

Michael Chen, BD5RV, reports in a = post on=20 QRZ.com that a group of radio amateurs is now transmitting from = Wenchuan,=20 the center of quake. Its signal reported to be very weak. They = tried to=20 keep communication with BY8AA in Chengdu, seeking information on = resources=20 needed. They were asking for raincoats, water, tents, and outdoor = living=20 facilities. Michael also asked that this request be forwarded as = widely as=20 possible.

In nearby Myanmar (Burma), where = tens of=20 thousands of people were killed by a typhoon last week, CQ Public = Service=20 Editor Bob Josuweit, WA3PZO, passes on a report from G4HPE of the = International Radio Emergency = Support=20 Coalition (IRESC) that there currently is no amateur radio = activity=20 there; and that while the UN has been permitted to set up both HF = and VHF=20 communications based in the capital city of Yangon (Rangoon) "for = use by=20 the entire humanitarian community," none of the frequencies in use = are in=20 the amateur bands.

(Tnx WA3PZO)

You can read the China story on = ARRLweb:
ht= tp://www.arrl.org/news/stories/2008/05/13/10095/?nc=3D1

Web resource for learning about scams=20
3D"Web=20

From time to time we get questions = from=20 Handiham members about email messages they have received, = unsolicited,=20 seemingly from a Handiham source. While we do have several = different=20 mailing lists and multiple email addresses for different staff = members, it=20 is useful to know that anyone can send a fraudulent email that = looks like=20 it came from someone else.

Read more on our beta website: =
http://www.handiham.net/node/78<= /A>

Handiham=20 Net Schedule Updated: Extended CW Net times, new EchoLink = Node=20

The latest Handiham Net Schedule is = effective=20 May 12, 2008. Up front is a change to the Friday CW = Net:

7.112 MHz CW, 09:00 - 12:00 ET, = plus whatever=20 time is needed to wrap up the last contact: This is the Handiham = Informal=20 slow speed CW Net. Look for Paul, W8IRT. You may e-mail Paul at w8irt@aol.com with your ideas = and signal=20 reports, or to find out about schedule changes for the CW net. = Paul=20 advises us that the net remains true to local time, which means a = one hour=20 shift when changing to or from Daylight time in the Spring and=20 Autumn.

Join our worldwide EchoLink net = every day but=20 Sunday. All licensed operators are welcome. The net is controlled = but=20 informal, and there is no need to be a Handiham member to = participate.=20 Sometimes the net control station will throw out a discussion = topic to=20 liven things up! Listen in a few times if you are shy, and then = take the=20 plunge and throw out your callsign. We have added another node for = your=20 convenience.

Days: Monday through Saturday, and = Sunday if=20 anyone wants to take an informal session.

Times: 11:00 hours United States = Central Time=20 Monday through Saturday and a second Monday session at 19:00 = Central=20 Time.

Frequency in the local Minnesota = repeater=20 coverage zone: 145.45 FM, negative offset with no tone in the Twin = Cities=20 of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota.

EchoLink nodes:

KA0PQW-R, node 267582 (Always=20 on.)
WA0TDA-L, node 302454 (Available when Pat is at home - = lots of=20 bandwidth.)
N0BVE-R, node 89680 (Use only if you have the = latest=20 EchoLink and correct port forwarding enabled.)

Our updated net schedule is on = the beta=20 site:
http://www.handiham.net/node= /76

If you have a correction in any = part of the net=20 schedule, please e-mail
wa0tda@arrl.net.

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,
N5VLZ

3D"Luther,N0LW is a silent key

Photo: N0LW, Luther, operating=20 W0ZSW.

The official silent key = announcement has now=20 appeared in the June, 2008 QST, so we are reporting the sad news = of the=20 death of Luther Washington, N0LW. Luther was a regular visitor to = the=20 Handiham headquarters station, and served on the Handiham Advisory = Board.=20

Luther had a long-time interest in = radio,=20 starting out on the air on the citizen's band. He soon found out = that the=20 Amateur Radio Service offered a lot more opportunity to grow in = knowledge=20 and operating skill. He had worked his way steadily up the = licensing=20 ladder, and learned good operating practices along the way. Always = patient=20 and kind, Luther made many friends on the air. He often checked = into the=20 PICONET on 75 meters when he was in Minnesota during the = summertime. In=20 the winter, his family lived in Mississippi, where he also = operated HF and=20 VHF.

Luther will certainly be = missed!

This week at=20 Headquarters

We are short-staffed this = week because=20 of HAMVENTION. Pat, WA0TDA, will be at Dayton and there will be no = Friday=20 online education notification, nor will there be any new lectures. = ARRL=20 reports that they will not be publishing a Friday Audio News, = although the=20 regular letter will be sent by email as = usual.

May 14 Handiham Website update: The = beta website=20 is online at http://handiham.net.=20 Please send comments to wa0tda@arrl.net. If you are a = Handiham=20 member and want your password to work on the new beta site, please = use the=20 website's Create = new=20 account link. Please use your callsign as your username, = unless you=20 are a Handiham member who is not yet licensed. In that case, just = use your=20 members only username as your username on handiham.net.

If you are NOT a Handiham member, = your access=20 request will not go through. For membership, you can call = toll-free at=20 1-866-426-3442, or email Nancy at hamradio@courage.org. =

***=20

Handiham members who pass their = Technician=20 license exams at Radio Camp this summer will receive new handheld = radios.=20 If you know a person with a disability who would enjoy ham = radio,=20 please send them our way. We want to get those new hams on the = air! Camp=20 begins on Wednesday, August 20, 2008 and finishes on Wednesday, = August 27.=20 Both Wednesdays are travel days.

***=20

Stay in touch! Be sure to = send Nancy=20 your change of address, phone number changes, or email address = changes so=20 that we can continue to stay in touch with you. You may either = email Nancy=20 at hamradio@courage.org or call=20 her toll-free at 1-866-426-3442. Mornings are the best time to = contact us.=20

***=20

Reminder: Contact Handihams=20 Contest

3D"HandihamWe have a large number of Handiham 40th = Anniversary QSL=20 cards left from our special event station at the last Minnesota = Radio=20 Camp. We want to send them out even though it’s 2008 (we are = quite frugal,=20 you know), but you are going to have to earn them. So I am = announcing the=20 Avery’s QTH use-up-our-old-QSL-cards contest!

You will have to work a Handiham = member and=20 send in a self-addressed stamped envelope along with their filled = out QSL=20 Card to me here at Handiham Headquarters. A contact will only = count once=20 no matter how many other bands or modes may be used. After the = QSL's have=20 been counted, they will be bundled and sent to the Handiham member = who=20 made the original contact. Echolink contacts count in this=20 contest.

The first three Handiham = members that=20 have the largest number of contacts sending in QSL's will receive = one of=20 the few remaining Handiham 40th Anniversary coffee=20 mugs.

Any band that you are able to use = with your=20 license class is acceptable and of course all FCC rules must be = followed.=20 For some of the old timers who may remember the "Novice Roundup" = contest=20 for only Novices, this is somewhat similar but yet a bit different = at the=20 same time. To make it a bit more interesting, a CW contact will = count as 2=20 cards. To make it still more interesting, QRP (under 5 watts or = less)=20 counts as 5 cards. It must say on the QSL that was sent that it = was a CW=20 contact or a QRP contact to claim the extra points. So, it might = be a good=20 idea to brush up on your contest operating skills. Send all cards=20 to:

Courage Handiham Contest
ATTN: = Avery Finn=20
3915 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN 55422

If you want call me, my direct = line is:=20
763-520-0515
Mornings are best.

Email me at:
avery.finn@courage.org

Elmer is goofing off this week, = probably=20 packing his bags for Dayton.

You can write to Elmer with your = questions:
elmer@handiham.org

3D"plugged-in=20

RekkyTec=20 Links

Chinese = Radio Sports=20 Association:
http://crsa.org.cn/english.ph= p

International Radio Emergency Support Coalition = (IRESC):
http://www.iresc.org/

Free = screenreader via the=20 web:
http://www.accessibili= tyisaright.org/

$39 Talking = Digital=20 Multimeter from a surplus vendor who has some units left:
http://ww= w.mpja.com/prodinfo.asp?number=3D16562+TE

KNFB=20 Reader:
http://www.knf= breader.com/products-mobile.php

3D"HugeReminder: Handiham renewals are now = on a monthly=20 schedule

Image: Meet our new dues = collection=20 agent! A huge alligator grabs Pat, WA0TDA. "Sure wish I'd renewed = my=20 Handiham dues sooner."

For years Handiham membership = renewals were=20 done each July. This year, we are going to a monthly system. If = you renew=20 in March, your membership goes until the following March, for = example. You=20 will have several choices when you renew:

  • Join at the usual $10 annual = dues level for=20 one year.=20
  • Join for three years at = $30.=20
  • Lifetime membership is = $100.=20
  • If you can't afford the dues, = request a=20 sponsored membership for the year.=20
  • Donate an extra amount of your = choice to=20 help support our activities.=20
  • Discontinue your = membership.

Return your renewal form and get = entered in a=20 drawing for a free Handiham coffee mug! There is a postage paid = envelope=20 provided, and of course we will do a drawing from each month's = returned=20 renewals. And you won't get a visit from you-know-who.

Your=20 support is critical! Please help.

The Courage=20 Handiham System depends on the support of people like you, who = want to=20 share the fun and friendship of ham radio with others. Please help = us=20 provide services to people with disabilities. We would really = appreciate=20 it if you would remember us in your estate plans. If you need a = planning=20 kit, please call. If you are wondering whether a gift of stock can = be=20 given to Handihams, the answer is yes! Please call Nancy at:=20 1-866-426-3442 or email:hamradio@courage.org

Ask for a=20 free DVD about the Handiham System. It’s perfect for your = club program,=20 too! The video tells your club about how we got started, the Radio = Camps,=20 and working with hams who have disabilities. Call 1-866-426-3442=20 toll-free.

DONATE USED=20 HAM GEAR

1-866-426-3442 toll-free Help us get new hams = on the=20 air.=20

FREE! Get=20 the Handiham E-Letter by email every Wednesday, and stay = up-to-date with=20 ham radio news.

  • You may=20 listen in audio to the E-Letter at www.handiham.org.
    Email us to = subscribe: hamradio@courage.org

Handiham=20 members with disabilities can take an online audio course at www.handiham.org:

• Beginner=20
• General
• Extra • Operating Skills

That's it for this week.
73 from=20 all of us at the Courage Handiham System!

Pat, WA0TDA
Manager, = Courage=20 Handi-ham System
Reach me by email at: patt@courage.org

3D"ARRL

ARRL is the premier organization supporting = amateur=20 radio worldwide. Please contact Handihams for help joining the = ARRL. We=20 will be happy to help you fill out the paperwork!

The weekly e-letter is a compilation of = software tips,=20 operating information, and Handiham news. It is published on = Wednesdays,=20 and is available to everyone in a choice of formats. To administer = your=20 subscription to the HTML version, go to:http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-lis= t.

The text-only version is at:http://www.handiham.org/mailman/listinfo/handiham-tex= t-list.

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