Courage Center Handiham System

 
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.

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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!

Photo: Here I am, peeking over the top of the 2007 display at the Handiham booth during HAMVENTION®.

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
wa0tda@arrl.net
Handiham Manager

Visit Courage Center's Handiham System while you are at Dayton HAMVENTION®. We will be at booth number 332-C, which is indoors not too far from the forum rooms.

HAMVENTION is 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.

Ozaukee Radio Club Swapfest on May 3rd at the Circle B Recreation Center (Hwy. 60 & Hwy. I) in Cedarburg WI. The area Club Presidents are invited to the 09:00 Round-table to discuss Club operating issues and share solutions. There will also be forums and a transmitter hunt weather permitting.

It promises to be a fun swapfest with many commercial and “amateur” vendors and with door prizes galore. Five dollars admission and ten dollars for a table at the door.

http://www.ozaukeeradioclub.org