Operational at the Station 
Phonetic Chart 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/newtohfbands.html  
Letter   Pronunciation   Letter   Pronunciation   Number   Pronunciation 
A   Alpha (AL fah)   N  November (no VEM ber)  0  ZEE row 
B   Bravo (BRAH VOH)    O   Oscar (OSS cah)   1  WUN 
C   Charlie (CHAR lee)   P   Papa (pah PAH)   2  TOO 
D   Delta (DELL tah)   Q   Quebec (keh BECK)   3  TREE 
E   Echo (ECK oh)   R   Romeo (ROW me oh)  4  FOW er 
F   Foxtrot (FOKS trot)   S  Sierra (see AIR rah)   5  FIFE 
G   Golf (GOLF)    T   Tango (TANG go)   6  SIX 
H   Hotel (hoh TELL)   U   Uniform (YOU nee form)  7  SEVEN 
I   India (IN dee ah)   V   Victor (VIK tah)   8  AIT 
J   Juliet (JEW lee ETT)   W  Whiskey (WISS key)   9  NINE er 
K   Kilo (KEY loh)    X   X Ray (ECKS RAY)    
L   Lima (LEE mah)    Y   Yankee (YANG key)    
M   Mike (MIKE)   Z   Zulu (ZOO loo)

Q-Signal Chart: 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/qsignals.html

RST System: Reporting Signal System 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/rst.html  
R=Readability 1=poor to 5=Perfect 
S=Strength    1=poor to 9=Very Good 
T=Tone for CW 
------ 
READABILITY 
   1. Unreadable. 
   2. Barely readable, occasional words distinguishable. 
   3. Readable with considerable difficulty. 
   4. Readable with practically no difficulty. 
   5. Perfectly readable. 
SIGNAL STRENGTH 
   1. Faint signals, barely perceptible. 
   2. Very weak signals. 
   3. Weak signals. 
   4. Fair signals. 
   5. Fairly good signals. 
   6. Good signals. 
   7. Moderately strong signals. 
   8. Strong signals. 
   9. Extremely strong signals. 
 
BAND CHARACTERISTICS.. WHAT TO EXPECT ON EACH BAND 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/hfbands.html  AND 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amateur_radio_frequency_allocations#160_Metres

HF SSB: 
SSB = sideband, LSB/USB 
LSB = lower sideband  (used on 40m through 160m.) 
USB= upper sideband  (used on 20m,17m, 15m, 12m, 10m and also on 6m, 2m, and 440 band.)

CALLING FREQUENCIES   
HF To 6M -- DX, DXpedition, SSB 
Frequencies suggested use.. Come and Condense this: 
http://ac6v.com/callfreq.htm#CALLING  
160Meter  
1.825 - SSB QRP Calling Freq 
1910 - SSB QRP Calling Freq 
80Meter 
3.790-3.800 SSB DX Window 
3.799 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here 
40Meters 
7.285 QRP SSB Calling frequency 
20Meters 
14.195 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split 
14.285 QRP SSB Calling frequency 
17 Meters 
18.130 SSB QRP Calling Freq 
18.145 DXpeditions SSB are frequently here -- Usually Split  
15 Metersw 
21.295 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split 
21.385 QRP SSB calling frequency 
12Meters 
24.950 QRP SSB Calling Freq 
24.945 Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate SSB Here -- Generally Listening Up-Split   
10Meters 
28.1010 10/10 Intl CW Calling Frequency 
28.110 QRP Novice/Tech Calling FREQ 
28.380 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency 
28.385 QRP SSB Calling frequency 
28.425 10/10 SSB Intl Calling Frequency - Another is 28.400 
28.495 SSB Rare DX & DXpeditions Frequently Operate Here - Split 
28.600 Old General Callin Frequency - Still used by Old Timers 
28.885 6M DX Liaison Frequency -- Listen here for 6 Meter DX opening announcements and discussions. 
6Meter 
50.100 to 50.130 DX Window (USB) 
50.110 DX Calling Frequency (USB) Usually Non-USA Stations Call Here. 
50.115 DXpeditions Frequently operate CW and SSB here 
50.125 USA National SSB Simplex Frequency (USB) Lots Of USA Hams Call Here For Local and Across Country 
50.300 FM Simplex Calling Frequency (West Coast)

CALL SIGNS: 
Vanity Call Signs: 
List of Available Call Signs: http://www.vanityhq.com/  
 
Available for Extras:  
Extra class type call signs, they can seek a 2x2 or 1x3 call sign (beginning with prefix N, K or W), or a 2x3 call sign (beginning with prefix letter K or W) - OR:  
 
Expired Call Sign Listings: http://www.qrz.com/i/expired.html  
Procedures for applying for new Vanity Call: http://www.qsl.net/aa3rr/Vanity%20Call%20Signs.htm  
A Basic Info Page: http://www.k8zt.com/vanity_callsign.htm

BEGIN AT THE FCC: 
http://wireless.fcc.gov/services/index.htm?id=amateur&job=call_signs_3&page=1

 
Look for newly filed applications: http://www.radioqth.net/lookup.aspx?CallsignId=2957176  
 
QSL CARDS ONLINE: 
http://www.radioqth.net/qsl.aspx  Make your own with a picture.

 
DX STUFF HERE 
DX PROPOGATION DATA (CONSTANT UPDATE) 
http://dx.qsl.net/propagation/ 
PROPOGATION CHART FOR MONTH WITH BEST FREQUENCIES AND TIMES FOR THE PROPOGATION. http://hfradio.org/fot_3.html

Says All information needed is on this one page. Has help and a forum. 
http://solarcycle24.com/  
 
DX CALLING FREQUENCIES (Checking to see if propagation is active) 
http://www.ac6v.com/callfreq.htm   
Condense this and put my frequencies on it. 
10 Meter Propogation Beacons 28.200 and 28.300 See what is happening on 10 Meters 28.400 Callchan 
6 Meters 50.060 to 50.080 Beacons, 50.110DX, 50.110CallingChan 
AM Channels: 3885, 7290, 14286, 21390, 2900-29200 
COMMON DX'ING FREQUENCIES 
SSB: 28490-28500, 24945, 21290-21300, 18145, 7045, 3790-3800, 1845 kHz; 
IMPROVING DX ETIQUITE: http://www.dx-code.org/dxcode4.htm  
 
PROPER WAY TO DX: 
Announce DX Callsign, Callsign, calling Country, CQDX, repeat twice and then say, and standing by, over? 
When you hear a contact, say last 3 letters of callsign  
 
DX NETS 
List of Dx Nets and Times UTC TIME, We are -5 hours before. 
http://ac6v.com/nets.htm#UTC  

SOFTWARE: 
All of the software in this category will probably be on this page.. It is related to the tracking of beacons.. Ve3sun is found listed here: 
http://www.ncdxf.org/beacon/beaconprograms.html#W32 
 
This looks like a bad ass piece of DX software. Predictions on when and where you can DX,, etc.. 
http://www.ve3sun.com/   
LOGGING  
Amateur Contact Log 3.0 http://www.n3fjp.com/  
Ham Radio Deluxe -- Free.. http://www.ham-radio-deluxe.com/HRDv5.aspx

Logging software from QRZ: W9JJ My preferred software applications are MARAC Logger for county hunting, N1MM for contesting, and the DXLab Suite for digital modes and general logging. 

MAPS: 
Links to lots of great maps: 
http://www.qsl.net/ve2pij/gridqra.html  
Interactive Ham Map 
http://www4.plala.or.jp/nomrax/hammaps.htm 
Interactive Asia Map 
http://www4.plala.or.jp/nomrax/TLD/index.html  
LOCATION INFORMATION: 
You can find all of this if you look yourself up on QRZ.com 
GRID SQUARE LOCATOR FOR HAM QRA LOCATOR 
VERY NICE  CALL SIGN LOOKUP, VERY ACCURATE QRA LOCATOR LOOKUP, AND REPEATER LOCATOR.  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
GRID SQUARE LOCATORS  
Find your Grid Square or Lat/Lon Coordinates  
BEST ONE:  Maidenhead Grid Square Locator 
To find a Grid location using an Address, Callsign, or 4 or 6 character Grid Square. 
http://www.levinecentral.com/ham/grid_square.php

To find Lat/Lon Coordinates for a Given Address.  Checks Google, USC and Yahoo and gives results. Also gives an address for the Lat/Long Coordinates. 
http://stevemorse.org/jcal/latlon.php

This one gives you the Grid ID, not Grid Number based on an address. http://agforceusa.com/rma/ri/prf/maps 
 
DISTANCE FROM ONE POINT TO ANOTHER  
You can find one point with an address, select it, find another, select it too, and it calculates the distance between the two points. Nice to use if you want to see if you can hit the repeater from where you will be. 
http://www.daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-distance-calculator.htm It can also be used to Calculate Altitude differences between two points.

Here is another, but I did not check it out. 
http://www.freemaptools.com/measure-distance.htm

----------------------------------------------------------------

DX AND CONTROL SOFTWARE 
GREAT SUPPORT FORUM FOR HAM RADIO DELUXE 
http://forums.ham-radio.ch/index.php 
DX SOFTWARE 
ACE-HF.. 99.00 MIGHT PURCHASE WHEN i HAVE MORE EXPERIENCE. SIMILAR TO VE3SUN

Serious DX ANTENNAS  
This is a must have.. later with tower.... Excellent DX antenna $2k pricing (Optibeam) 
http://www.optibeam.de/ or http://www.optibeam.info  
http://www.steppir.com/Catalog.html  
http://www.s9antennas.com/verticals.html Cheaper but users say good stuff. 
Not sure about this one, but looks good: 
LAZY H antenna http://www.kw2hv.com/lazy_h.html  
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx/antenna/wire/w8jk.html  
measurements: http://kk1cw.tripod.com/buildyourownwireant.html  
*******((((((((((( DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE XRAY ANTENNA )))))))************ Still need to find out about this switching inverted V antenna.  This guy sounded great, and what a difference when he switched legs on the antena. See separate document saved for more details.

RECEIVING ANTENNA ---- should try the K9AY… 
An article about Beverages from Howard http://www.w8ji.com/beverages.htm A very good article for last before you finally build one.

UTC TIME / DATE Resources 
UTC Time Chart: chart http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboututc.shtml 
UTC world times with city search: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/  
Get a free clock for your website: http://www.timeanddate.com/clocks/free.html 
World Time zone chart: http://www.timeanddate.com/library/abbreviations/timezones/  
HTTP://tycho.usno.navy.mil/cgi-bin/timer.pl 
http://www.world-time-zones.org/zones/eastern-daylight-time.htm 
 
DX CONTESTS 
DX Contests on Future Dates: 
http://www.qth.com/ka9fox/links_contest_info.shtml

CONTEST SOFTWARE: 
If you operate a contest you may want to get some contesting software. I talk about a simple contest logging program from N3FJP. This software is not free, but he sells it for $6-$10 for a single contest, or $39 for his entire package. N1MM offers an extensive contest logging program that is free, but it is a bit more complicated for the first time contester.

SHACK INFORMATION 
My LOCATOR is: EM85EH N35.33.508, W83.61.528 
Grid: EM85ei  (QRZ: EM85eh) 
CQ Zone:5 
ITU Zone:8 
Grid Sqare: EM85EH  
Equipment: 
HF TXRX: Kenwood TS-480SAT with built in Tuner at 100Watts Max 
Antenna: 80 Meter Inverted V Dipole Stainless Steel Broadband (www.KF4BWG.com  ) 
       Right now, works good on all bands, but will not tune on 40M or 30M yet. Still not finished adjusting. 
        Also, have several other antennas for comparison: 80M 14Ga Coated Inverted V RG8X feed, G5RV         80-10 Ladderline with RG8X feed, 40M Dipole inverted V coated 14Ga-RG8X feed, 40M Dipole           Ladderline to RG8X feed.  Searching for better ideas. Possibly the Folded Dipole, or some sort of         dual inverted V one (N/S) and one pointing (E/W), tied together at the top with a single feed that         can switch between legs, or two feeds, one to each leg, but fed cross ways instead of typical V. This         seems like it will work, but can’t find it documented anywhere. (referred to as X-Ray antenna) 
Antenna Remote Coax Switch: RCS-10 (8 Position Switch).

ANTENNAS 
ANTENNA THEORY  
Best Book for leanring Antennas: 21st Edition now: 
http://www.arrl.org/shop/The-ARRL-Antenna-Book/

NOW, a 22 Edition: The AARL ANTENNA BOOK http://www.universal-radio.com/catalog/books/0385.html  
Understanding Antennas For The Non-Technical Ham 75pages. 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/n4jaantennabook.html

RESEARCH LINKS for Antennas: 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/antennas.html  
http://www.hardcoredx... Something

 
MOBILE ANTENNAS 
The guy in Florida,,, KD4HGR has a great setup. Can hear him all over.. Everyone is impressed.. This is what he has: Mobile: Icom IC-706MK2G with a Little Tarheel 2 Antenna with a 54 Inch whip and a 12 Foot whip when I am on 160M which works great on 160 Meter Band. Tarheel says don’t drive with 12’ whip, won’t work. I think the Tarheal 75 might be the best for what I want.

A cheap antenna before the Tarheal II antenna.. 
http://www.mfjenterprises.com/Search.php?searchit=hf+stick  
Most people get the 40 and 80 meter whips, and a mount.. if magnet mount, the 3 magnet mount. It is a Hamstick Copy. 
Whips:  
MFJ-1640THF STICK, 40M, 3/8-24, W/WHIP, MOBILE ANTENNA14.95 
MFJ-1675THF STICK, 75M, 3/8-24, WITH WHIP, MOBILE ANTENNA19.95 
Look at the dipole Kit.. It has two whips and a dipole mount for portable. Better Price. 
MFJ-2275MINI-DIPOLE, 75M44.95 Possibly add an extra long whip, like 12’ … 
Look at the Magmount MFJ-336T 
 
Alpine Antennas 6 to 80 meters motorized with controller.. Excellent Reviews. 
Model 100SP is not painted $204.00 plus $50 for the controller. Ecellent price. 
Can Also be used as a Base Antenna 
http://www.alpineantenna.com/main/page_product_gallery_antennas.html  
 
MOBILE ANTENNA BONDING: 
http://www.eham.net/articles/25453 Howard sent this.. Some good links also from this site. 
 
PORTABLE VERTICLE HF ANTENNAS: 
PAC-12: This is a multiband antenna 80-10 plus 6m and 2m. Weighs 1lb and is 15 inches long when broken down. You can order a kit and put it together yourself... Good reviews: Was out of kits when I looked. http://www.pacificantenna.com/ Would like to experiment with this one. 
This guy is very smart.. Sure this antenna is goodtoo: easy list ofparts to buy. 
http://www.ad5x.com/images/Articles/VerticalRevH.pdf (Verticals more noise???) 
Another good Multiple vertical to build http://www.hamuniverse.com/kl7jrdualbandhfvertical.html  
 
Portable Antennas  
BUDDY POLE: A home made version: http://www.qsl.net/w3ff/antenna_design.htm 
Portable Masts and Mounts 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/kl7jrantennaraiser.html Build this one, drive up on it and then raise a portable mast with antenna (Can easily build this in the shop when I have time) 
BASE STATION ANTENNAS:

YAGI DIRECTIONAL ANTENNAS: 
Cool Video on Yagis.. with a light bulb: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lslHtCUSfN4&feature=fvwrel  
VERY GOOD SITE Shows how to build all sorts of YAGI antennas… OWL/OWA /LFA 
http://www.g0ksc.co.uk/an-introduction-to-owl-yagis.html Says he will help you and gives you all of the specs.

RECEIVE ANTENNAS: 
Beverage componants $79.00 saw demo nice.. (Directional) FROM Array Solutions in TX.  
Can use electric fence wire: Model SWSD-1.  80m 300-350 feet in a straight line. Where the Terminator is, is the direction 
http://www.arraysolutions.com/Products/singlewirebeverage.htm  
K9AW Loop Antenna. Full Kit $550.00

WANT TO BUILD THESE: 
Xray antenna (( Must Find out about this one.. See XrayAntenna.txt) THIS IS VERY STRONG 
COBRA ULTRALITE ROMEX ANTENNA: 
KA9MEH told me about the Cobra Ultralite Said he would help: 
Cobra UltraLite Romex and Ladderline Antenna., also Double Bazooka from coax,  
KA9MEH talked with me about several antennas.. ka9meh@juno.com 
VERNIE L COWAN Huntingburg, IN 47542 He told me about a Romex antenna.... 
Commercial Version 
http://www.k1jek.com/faq.html  
Best Build info 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/cobraantenna.html http://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/cobra-1.pdf http://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/frank_radio_cobra.pdf http://www.nonstopsystems.com/radio/frank_radio_antenna_cobra.htm  
---- 
CobWeb Antenna 20-10m 
The Original Maker - Omni directional (Have plastic poles now to build later) 
http://www.g3tpw.co.uk/index.html  
http://domain1809176.sites.streamlinedns.co.uk/cobwebb2_build.htm  
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ZSFuWiwjvpo/SCURg4d3_pI/AAAAAAAABDo/hhxWq26z-a0/s1600-h/Diagram.jpg  
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=17164  
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/g6unc-/cb1cobwebb.pdf 27 page document 
 
DOUBLE BAZOOKA ANTENNA 
BUILDING A DOUBLE BAZOOKA. 
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=12945 Read this first. 
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=12137 This next. 
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=12938 This next. 
http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?double-bazooka-coaxial-dipole-antenna,158 Verify measurements here: 
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=2453 Commercial Purchase, verify height and lengths here..  
http://shop.radiowavz.com/2M-Double-Bazooka-DBZ02.htm Commercial Purchase 
This same place has Windoms: http://shop.radiowavz.com/DX-OCF-WINDOM-80m40m20m10m-DX80.htm  
http://www.hamuniverse.com/bazooka.html  
http://www.leeslimo.com/bazooka.htm  
http://www.iw5edi.com/ham-radio/?double-bazooka-coaxial-dipole-antenna,158  
http://k3dav.webs.com/buildadoublebazookaant.htm  
A FOLDED DOUBLE BAZOOKA 
http://www.dxzone.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump2.cgi?ID=12950

T2FD - TILTED FOLDED DIPOLE (LOW NOISE  
 
Windom Antenna: This is supposed to be a good antenna..  Will try it too. 
A windom hand book from Buxcomm.com http://www.hamradioexpress.com/windom.htm  
http://shop.radiowavz.com/DX-OCF-WINDOM-80m40m20m10m-DX80.htm Also. 
Talked with the owner. He said his best pick antenna over all others including T2FD. Howard has the Carolina version of the windom.

 
MYSTERY ANTENNA:  
THIS ANTENNA IS VERY GOOD FOR ONE BAND... SEE WHAT IT IS, AND TRY IT. 
http://www.w5gi.com/mysteryantenna.htm 
 
A 20 Meter Coax fed Vertical Antenna. Build in a few minutes http://rogertango.com/articleread.aspx?idnumber=83452542  
 
DIPOLES 
How High Should my Diapole Antenna Be.. (Good Article) 
http://www.qsl.net/aa3rl/ant2.html  
Nice Article: also calculator for wavelengths with % shorter calculator. 
How High should my Dipole be? 
As for how high to try to get your antenna here is a simple chart to use. 
My experience….. Max here is my min’s.. 80m at 60 and 70’ what a difference for my QTH. 
17 meter 25' to 35' 
20 meter 25' to 35' 
40 meter 25' to 35' 
80 meter 40' to 60' 
160 meter 60' to 90' 
 
MULTI BAND DIPOLES:  
G5RV’s 
G5RV is a fantastic 20 Meter Dipole, but not much good on other bands.. There is a Modified version of the G5RV by ZS6BKW/G0GSF. Others argue good antenna.. QRP5 in VA has this antenna. Sounds great.

Ordered, but have not put this one up yet. Winter 2011 it needs to go up. 
The older version is made by W8AMZxyl on ebay: 
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140473270505&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en  231-855-0281 or email me at w8amz@yahoo.com should you have any. 
he also has a website www.W8AMZ.com.. I bought 80-10m G5rRV @49.00 and 40m Mono Dipole @$33.00 and 2 packs of 6 white dog bones for $5.00 each, plus some shipping. 
SEND  HIM THESE LINKS ********** This is the newer Style Multiband design which solves problems. 
http://www.karinya.net/g3txq/g5rv/  
http://g8jnj.webs.com/multibandhfantennas.htm

FAN DIPOLE ---  going to build this one..  Donnie KG4ZOD does well with his version of this. All tied to the same eyelet at the feed point. He is running 600watts.  
http://www.hamuniverse.com/multidipole.html

FOLDED DIPOLE (MultiBand) 
Company that sells folded dipole to Military.. Seems good... 
http://www.tennadyne.com/td_line.htm /$250 bucks.. TD-90 is best. 80-10 Meters Multiband. 
Home Make resources for Folded dipole: 
http://www.fact-index.com/t/t2/t2fd_antenna.html  
http://www.hard-core-dx.com/nordicdx/antenna/wire/t2fd.html  
Off Centerfed Folded Dipole $135.00  
http://www.packetradio.com/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=45&products_id=2363&zenid=hiuqnkp2vqq0245hl90r3c0ns1  
BuxComm.com Folded Dipoles 
1606T2FD=85'$ 
1080T2FD=65'$  
For some reason Buxcomm discontinued this antenna. Sent email to ask why, and what is better to replace it. .. Sent email to support@buxcomm.com 
Specs so you can build your own from their site: 
http://www.buxcomm.com/build_t2fd.htm  
Most believe this is mainly for short distances.. I don’t know. Seems like it might work well for DX.. Should build and try this one.

HOW TO TUNE A DIPOLE QUICKLY. 
http://www.hamuniverse.com/easydipole.html 
Summary: 
THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO CALCULATE THE PROPER LENGTH OF THE 1/2Wave Dipole FOR Best SWR 
First, determine which frequency you want to be resonant on your new antenna. 468/frequency=Total Length of antenna(both ends). Or use 234/frequency to determine the length of each end of the antenna. Make the antenna, add some extra length while making it, to be sure it will not be too short. Use the calculation to get you in the ballpark.. Remember the length you cut the antenna for, to use in the calculations that follow. Use one of the below, or use both to double check your calculations. 
1) Current Resonant Frequency / Wanted Resonant Frequency X Current Length=New Correct Length 
2) Find a constant for the new measurement, then apply it for a new measurement.  
Current Length x Current Resonant Frequency=new Constant for next calculation 
New Constant/the Desired Resonant Frequency=New Length to cut. The second time you do this, it should be near exact, if the first is not close enough for you. If the antenna is too long, it will resonant too low in frequency. If it is too short, it will resonate at a higher frequency than you desire. 
Use this Chart to Convert the .xx decimal feet to inches and fractions of an inch. 
from http://theoriginalpreppernetworks.com/APRN/APRN_blog/?page_id=1477

61.3 feet  Now we need to get that to feet and inches, so use the below guide to do that. 
.1 = 1-3/16 
.2 = 2-3/8 
.3 = 3-5/8 
.4 = 4-13/16 
.5 = 6 
.6 = 7-3/16 
.7 = 8-3/8 
.8 = 9-5/8 
.9 = 10-13/16      61.3 feet would then be 61' 3-5/8? 
OR:

You can calculate it manually:  
Summary: 6.37 feet example: Take the decimal fraction of the feet (.37) and Divide by .08333. This will convert decimal feet to decimal inches and decimal fractions of an inch. 
.37/.08333=4.44 inches. So, now, 6.37feet becomes 6’4.44”. Now convert .44 to a fraction of an inch. 
======================== 
http://www.simetric.co.uk/metres_to_feet.php  
To convert decimal fractions of an inch to fractions of an inch. 
Take the decimal fraction of feet and divide by 0.08333 (1/12th) and this will give you inches and decimals of an inch.

For example - 6.37 feet. Take the 0.37 feet and divide by 0.0833 = 4.44 inches  
So for 6.37 ft. we can also say 6 ft.- 4.44 in.  
Now take the 0.44 in. and round it down to 0.4 which is 4/10" 
We can now say 6.37' approximatly equals 6' - 4 4/10"

For fractions of an inch other than tenths, take the decimal remainder of inches and divide by:- 
0.125 for the number of eighths 
0.0625 for the number of sixteenths 
0.03125 for the number of thirty-seconds 
0.015625 for the number of sixty-fourths, and so on.

For example - 4.382 inches. For eighths, divide the remainder, 0.382 by 0.125 and the answer is 3.056 so the fraction is a bit over 3 eighths, therefore the answer ends up as approx. 4 3/8" 
1 millimetre is about one twenty-fifth of an inch ( 1 in. = 25.4 mm ) 

Dipole Measurements for 1/2 wave  
(468/Frequency=Total Length)(234/Frequency=each leg length) 
There is a chart \hamonly\antennas\wireantennas\HalfWaveDipoleMeasureChart.pdf.pdf 
This is a FULL CHART of each band, both Metric and SAE.

160 Meter	40 Meter
80 Meter:   234/3.6=65 feet  234/3.8=61.58 which is: 61'6-9/16"  234/4.0=58.5' or 58'6"	20 Meter

 

CONDUCTIVE GREASE FOR ANTENNA CONNECTIONS (NOT DIELECTRIC) 
The best Grease I have Found for Ground and coax connections is this: 
http://www.sanchem.com/ox.html  NO-OX-ID "A-SPECIAL"  
A Conductive Grease for Electrical contacts to give good connection and stop corrosion and oxidation. 
You can get it off of Ebay easily.. I bought a 8oz brush can from: wwwdottheaudiogurudotnet for $20. 

COAX INFO 
Cable Velocity Chart 
http://www.buxcomm.com/coax-vf.htm

VERTICAL ANTENNA  
A 20 Meter Coax fed Vertical Antenna. Build in a few minutes http://rogertango.com/articleread.aspx?idnumber=83452542

HOME BREW 4 to 1 Balun 
http://rogertango.com/articleread.aspx?idnumber=34232411

AUTOMATIC TUNER 
This is recommended by the best antenna makers for the Kenwood TS-480SAT.. Wide Range and works automatically with the radios tuner. $199.00.. Baluns on same page: KT-100 Tuner 
http://www.ldgelectronics.com/c/252/products/1/42/4 
The built in tuner in the 480SAT tunes well up to 4.0SWR. Anything over that, it does not like. Not sure of the efficiency factor of the tuner, tuning things not tuned, vs having a tuned antenna to begin with. 
Seems the tuned dipole works pretty darn good.. Have to test my 80m dipole on a band around 4.0, and have a second tuned dipole for the same frequency and test to see what actual results are..

MARS/CAP

MARS is the Military Affiliate Radio Service. They use HF and VHF frequencies near ham band to forward personal messages to/from military personnel. Very useful during major mobilization like we are seeing now. 
 
CAP is Civil Air Patrol. Part youth group and part domestic search and rescue auxiliary for the Air Force. They also use frequencies near ham band, and ham volunteers, to coordinate search activities and relay messsages. 

 What is the MURS frequency band? (Multi Use Radio Service)

The MURS frequency band consist of five VHF shared frequencies designated for private, two-way, short-distance voice or data communications for personal or business activities within the United States for which no individual station licenses are required. There is no frequency coordination or license requirement for the use of radio transceivers on MURS frequencies. These channels are available for use on a “shared” basis by the general public.

MURS Frequencies	Authorized Bandwidth
151.820 MHz	11.25 kHz
151.880 MHz	11.25 kHz
151.940 MHz	11.25 kHz
154.570 MHz	20.0 kHz
154.600 MHz	20.0 kHz

MURS Frequencies: 151.820 MHz , 151.880 MHz, 151.940 MHz, 154.570 MHz, 154.600 MHz MHz 

FRS AND GMRS FREQUENCIES 
FRS (Family Radio Service) is an unlicensed service. FRS (Family Radio Service)  
http://www.tech-faq.com/frs-family-radio-service.html  
Consists of 14 UHF channels on FM. FRS Channel 1 is unofficially used as a common call channel.

FRS (Family Radio Service) shares channels 1 through 7 with GMRS, and many FRS radios are also GMRS radios.

The maximum allowable power for a FRS (Family Radio Service) radio is .5 watts. GMRS radios are allowed to transmit on the channels they share with FRS at 5 watts, ten times the power of FRS radios.

Channel Frequency 1 462.5625 2 462.5875 3 462.6125 4 462.6375 5 462.6625 6 462.6875 7 462.7125 8 467.5625 9 467.5875 10 467.6125 11 467.6375 12 467.6625 13 467.6875 14 467.7125 
The frequencies utilized by FRS (Family Radio Service) are:

Channel	Frequency
1	462.5625
2	462.5875
3	462.6125
4	462.6375
5	462.6625
6	462.6875
7	462.7125
8	467.5625
9	467.5875
10	467.6125
11	467.6375
12	467.6625
13	467.6875
14	467.7125

 

GMRS (General Mobile Radio Service) is a licensed radio service. 
http://www.tech-faq.com/gmrs-general-mobile-radio-service.html  
GMRS consists of 16 UHF channels on FM, plus 7 channels that are shared with FRS.

The maximum allowable power for a GMRS radio is 50 watts. The GMRS channels which are shared with FRS are limited to 5 watts of power.

The use of repeaters is allowed on GMRS. Most GMRS repeaters use CTCS (Control Tone Coded Squelch). 
The frequencies assigned solely to GMRS are:

Designator	Simplex or Repeater Output	Repeater Input
550	462.550 MHz	467.550 MHz
575	462.575 MHz	467.575 MHz
600	462.600 MHz	467.600 MHz
625	462.625 MHz	467.625 MHz
650	462.650 MHz	467.650 MHz
675	462.675 MHz	467.675 MHz
700	462.700 MHz	467.700 MHz
725	462.725 MHz	467.725 MHz

 
The frequencies which GMRS shares with FRS are:

Designator	Frequency	FRS Channel
5625	462.5625 MHz	1
5875	462.5875 MHz	2
6125	462.6125 MHz	3
6375	462.6375 MHz	4
6625	462.6625 MHz	5
6875	462.6875 MHz	6
7125	462.7125 MHz	7

 
 

 
 
AN IDEA FOR A LOCAL HAM CLUB TO SPARK LOCAL INTEREST  
One day,, in a field of some sorts (Foot ball field with tall lights), I’ll put up a bunch of ropes and test 5 or 6 antennas at a time, inverted V- then flat top, pull down less performers and pull up others to test.. That would be a day of learning that would give years of experience with antennas..  
What a great idea for a local Ham Club on a Saturday. Ask Howard if they have ever done something like this. Man,, what an experience that would be..  Everyone buy, build, borrow, and bring and test. Hopefully on a single band, hopefully antennas tuned for the same frequency, and some contacts in different locations willing to give signal reports and comparisons to have access to the final data.  Hopefully not executed during my peak season, like everything else good. Ha.

LOCAL HAM CLUBS 
FARC in Franklin 
SMART-Smoky mountain Amateur Radio Team     http://www.main.nc.us/graham/smart/ 

TOWERS 
 
Check this place for used towers.. Has several in NC. 
http://www.usedtowers.com/products.html

http://universaltowers.com Aluminum Towers.. Guy on ebay selling them palcoelectronics, but you can order them off of their website. $1300 plus shipping for a 40 foot self standing fold over.. light weight. Has other lengths also. Will look into this maybe next year. Still interested mostly in jack up fold over for the height/weight. If aluminum, that much better. 
 
REPEATERS: 
Standard Repeater Input/Output Offsets 
Band             Offset +/- 
6 meters           1 MHz 
2 meters         600 kHz 
1.25 meters    1.6 MHz 
70 cm              5 MHz 
33 cm            12 MHz 
23 cm            20 MHz 
 
Digital Modes 
BPSK31 on 14.035 says a few. Trip is the master here.. on the todo list.

Worked all Counties 
Mobile Amateur Radio Awards Club 
http://www.marac.org/ This is the site to join and download the logger Software. 
This guy chatted with me on IRC and helped me get started.. Nice Guy.. 
Terry - WQ7A <wq7a@comcast.net>

 
The County Hunter Web: Check the planned trips page to find people on trips going through many counties http://www.cquest.com/ch/  
http://www.w6rk.com/ Top Left link (County Hunting Spots) takes you to real time spots on the web at http://ch.w6rk.com below. 
YOU WILL WANT TO REVIEW THIS: http://ch.w6rk.com/services.html

www.CountyHunter.com good starting Site.. 
 
How to load the IRC client (mIRC), also connect to: superhosts and irc.w6rk.com 
http://www.marac.org/chat.htm

Web based SPOTS:  
http://www.w6rk.com/irc/ This is actual IRC.. First Data is released here then below sites. 
http://ch.w6rk.com/ Best of the two.. shows how long ago spotted. 
http://spots.superhosts.net./ 

COUNTY HUNTER MAPS: 
These maps are great for finding counties, intersecting points, etc... 
http://www.mob-rule.com/cgi-bin/googlecounty_na.cgi?c=Graham&s=NC 
and: 
http://maps.huge.info/county.htm  Overlay of Counties over Road Maps.

MUST LOOK AT THIS: (Some type of NAOMI Map Program 
http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/naomi/intro.php  
How to find a County from Zip, city, State, etc.. http://www.naco.org/research/data/Pages/CitySearch.aspx

Here is another way to find Counties on a Map: (Better) 
http://maps.huge.info/county.htm 
WHEN YOU HAVE Time: Check links out here for software, etc.. 
http://www.dxzone.com/catalog/DX_Resources/County_Hunting/  
--------------------------------------------------------------------- 
SSB nets running on  
3.901, 7.188, 14.336, 18.136, 21.336, 24.936, 28.336

LOCAL HAM STUFF FOR SALE 
Need to keep an eye here for people with stuff to sell in NC.. 
http://www.cdxa.org/boneyard.shtml 

INTERNET PROGRAMS FOR RADIO COMMUNICATIONS 
Echo Link  
For Computer Based connection to Nodes all over the world using your sound card and microphone.

IRLP (Internet Relay Linking Program) 
Official Home Page: http://www.irlp.net/  
Local Nodes: K4RCC Down:444.700, Up:449.700 PL:131.8, or linked to: Balsam Down:444.875, Up:449.875 PL:131.8 (IRLP NODE:4397) 
HOWARD ESTES Might have an IRLP Node also:

This uses radio to tower(IRLP Node) to connect to other nodes using a radio and DTMF tones to Redirect or connect to other IRLP Nodes all over the world. You use your radio to connect to a local tower supporting IRLP, and then connect to others.  
4397K4RCCNC444.875+ PL131.8 IRLP-Node:4397 is a local node in Sylva/Cullowhee  Here is the IRLP website info on this node: http://status.irlp.net/index.php?PSTART=11&nodeid=4397 It is run by Russ Crisp K4RCC, and he has details about the node on his own website: http://www.k4rcc.com/irlp/ . The IRLP node is open and does not have any access codes or restrictions. Anyone can use it.  It can be reached by either of these two repeaters. 444.700 is a local repeater, covering the Sylva/Dillsboro area. 444.875 is a wide coverage repeater, covering much of WNC. 
It is ALSO an EMERGENCY SYSTEM REPEATER: 444.875 broadcasts alerts for Jackson, Haywood, and Buncombe Counties. 444.700 broadcasts alerts for Graham, Swain, Macon and Jackson Counties. 
Once you connect to an IRLP node, you can connect to Reflector IRLP nodes and talk all over the world. HERE IS A LIST OF REFLECTOR NODES: http://status.irlp.net/index.php . These allow multiple connections to each node, rather than a single connection to the regular nodes.  If you are lucky enough to be near a Reflector node, you can really use this system. If not, be polite, and don’t tie up the only IRLP node in your area. Some of the more popular Reflector nodes seem to be 9200, 9440, 9730. Seems these would be best to try things out.  Find them at the bottom of the list on this page:  
http://status.irlp.net/?PSTART=5&country=2  
 
 
 

SPACE STATION AND SATELLITE SIGHTING AND CONTACT 
ISS-International Space Station NA1SS 
Here is where to start: www.n2yo.com Tracking of satellites.

http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/JavaSSOP.html Is where you start the SKYWATCH JAVA APP that shows you where the Satellite tracking info will be.. Go here, and enter your zip code to get started. Then,  it takes you here: http://spaceflight1.nasa.gov/realdata/sightings/SSapplications/Post/JavaSSOP/JavaSSOP.html Change the Zip Code to Lat/Long Coordinates: 
Lattitued: 35.33508,Longitude: -83.61578

TimeLines for the ISS Crew: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines Basically 20 to 24 hours is best to contact them, or before after lunch, etc.. 
You might catch them at:  
1:10AM to 2:40AM Eastern at post sleep/breakfast,  
Or 07:00AM-07:15AM on some days for ham setup,  
08:00AM-09:00AM for lunch, or  
02:30PM-03:30 forPM PreSleep. 

 

 
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/  
144.49 KC5ZSZ DAN BURBANK COMMANDER, NA1SS 
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/reference/radio/amsat.html  Info about several satellites and their communication capabilities.  
They make contacts during their breaks, pre-sleep time and before and after mealtime 
2 meter, 70 cm, L band and S band

*Voice and Packet Downlink: 145.80 (Worldwide) (Listen for ISS Talking to Public or School) 
ISS General QSO’s Voice Uplink: 144.49 Listening on 145.80 for Regions 2 and 3 (The Americas, and the Pacific)  
Crossband FM repeater downlink: 145.80 MHz (Worldwide) 
Crossband FM repeater uplink: 437.80 MHz (Worldwide)

 
www.arissat1.com has predicted sightings for a period of time.  
www.n2yo.com is where this page went.

ANTENNAS: 
HOME MADE: 
http://www.amsat.org/amsat-new/information/faqs/crow/  
PURCHASED: 
http://www.arrowantennas.com/arrowii/146-437.html 
Need a Compas, AO51, Get frequencies (Uplink=TX) 145.920, down on 440.. Dopler effect, the frequencies get lower=Doppler effect (most pronounced on 440) need to program about 5 frequencies into the radio. AO51-A,B,C,D,E 10 Hz difference lower. 
Change based on fading receiption.. TX stays the same.. 
Free Software to predict when you can use it. 
www.Amsat.org to get familiar.. also has links to Schedules..(Last Week/This Week) 
SatScape is a good free JAVA applet software.. with the Ring. Predicts when it is overhead.. Columns Start of the pass, Azmuth, Peak time=where it is peak over you,, Peak elevation over you, length of time for the pass, etc.. 
Radio: squelch must be wide open.. Higher to lower frequencies.. Call sign-handheld, grid square,  
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSIAi-t0OQI The physician contact with ISS: 
Schedule or Time Line “Crews Daily TimeLine”… Busy schedule. 
Got link from AD7SX,, He is David KF7ETX.. Need to ask for copy of email,, with links to schedules and 6 or 7 other links.. 
He said Tracking Page from the ISS Fan Club web page. 
1. Make sure you are working on UTC time

2. Col Wheelock tends to be quite active after 2000 thru as late as 2400

Of course it has to be during times when they are on the air, typically off duty time before sleep period 
ISS Timelines 
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/timelines  

OTHER SATELLITE PAGES:

Most Up to Date Site to keep check on frequently. Currently Sats AO-50 and AO-27 Workikng: http://web.me.com/clintbradford/Work-Sat/Sat_Skeds.html  
ISS (ZARYA), SAUDISAT 1C,

 
REMOTE OPERATION OF YOUR RIG. 
Check into this one day. About $500 bucks. Put base of radio somewhere on a mountain with tower and beams and take head and get near internet and go to town. Works with the TS-480SAT and ICOM 706MKIIG. Super setup. 
http://www.remoterig.com/wp/?page_id=1051 W2RE is from New York. He has an antenna farm and ICOM 706MIIG radio and works this thing. When I get the Icom, check with him and see how this works on Cellphone or Satellite Radio. He is using a 1KW amplifier (NO TUNE AMP) ICOM PW1, 10-160 with antenna tuner. Works great for remote situations. Oh1tv oh1o. Green Herron. 
 
EMERGENCY OPERATIONS  
ARES:  
I am the Swain County Ares Event Coordinator now. 
Howard gave me this contact. Howard said he had some sort of grant to buy some equipment, etc.. but may be limited to the reservation. KE4ZCU Ken Maney 828-497-1785 from Cherokee No email. 
 

LOCAL NETS:  

HAM CONTACTS: 
KG4ZOD = DONNIE in NC 336-538-4983  
Dean 503-540-3270  Dean Davis <dean@alpinesoft.com>  
 
MURPHY CONTACTS: 
Ruth met old ham.. out of it for a while, now building shack again.  
KB9OK  (A) RANDY A HILSMANN (DR. ING) 40 Stone Drive Murphy, NC 28906 
Said 20 Meters is best DX Band 828-644-0070He is a hardware/software developer. kb9ok@yahoo.com. Lives out past Spur 60 on left, off of dickey road.

Ruth Met at Tag office 
AG4MM (E) Perry Stalcup 828-837-6694 THIS GUY IS STRICTLY DX.. doesn’t mind talking about it. No Email. Perry M Stalcup 160 Carolina Ln Murphy, NC 28906-2341 Both this guy and Ke4ts are on the same road going to Blairsville.

KE4TS (E) or KE4TSU James C Sooy 42 Cumberland Ln Murphy, NC 28906 No Email address.

K4OAC (E) John Parker told us about HamFest in Marietta 828-835-8061 
John C Parker, 285 Mary King Mountain Dr Murphy, NC 28906 k4oac@arrl.net

W4SDJ (G) James E Howard 150 Sherry Ln Murphy, NC 28906 howardje@earthlink.net From Tarheal Net.  
K4BNP (E)Thomas W Queen 12 Lynwood Cir Asheville, NC 28806 k4bnp@aol.com from Tarheal Net.  
WB4GUD (E)  HOWARD L ESTES 505 NORTH SUGAR CREEK DRIVE FRANKLIN, NC 28734 hlestes@earthlink.net  
KJ4CRT(G) WILLIAM C WIDENHOUSE PO BOX 417 OTTO, NC 28763 South of Franklin from Tarheal Net. 

KG4GPJ (G)  Larry Ford 237 Ford Rd Warne, NC 28909 kg4gpj@arrl.net Howard said he had a kit for Long Wire Beverage and Ameritron  AL-811 Amp soon for sale. He ran the FARC Net one night I checked in. He is the RACES Contact for CLAY County.

W3WDD (G) DANIEL S DE COURT PO BOX 1234 Cullowhee, NC 28723 Goes to College, has website, catch on echolink.. Knows electronics, rebuilds Motorolas.. You Guy that Checked in to the FARC Net.

KT4AM  (E) WILLIAM V FORBES 770 LAUREL DRIVE FRANKLIN, NC 28734 Checked into FARC. FORBESV@COMPUSERVE.COM  
 
KI4TJH (G) Joe West, 571 LICKLOD RD HAYESVILLE NC, 28904  Email: westki4tjh@gmail.com MET HIM AT THE RACES MEETING IN HAYSVILLE. Gave me his business card 828-361-4810 

BRYSON CITY CONTACTS: 
N0SU (E) DONALD NEGUS 56 PINE MEADOWS RD BRYSON CITY, NC 28713-5317 W443.40 on the Wouxun is Don and J4HAT(Pastor of Baptist Church) Did not talk with him directly, but got his call from K4JAT. He passed a message from W6WW to Mom.

K4JAT (E) John A Tagliarini 90 Enchanted Ridge Whittier, NC 28789 Pastor of Baptist Church. 
He and N0SU-Donald have the 443.40 Repeater on Lower Alarka. Spoke with him on the HT from behind the High school up on the mountain November 2011.

KT4WO (E)THOMAS (TRIP) R CARSWELL, JR 260 pleasant valley rd BRYSON CITY, NC 28713 .. This is who gave me the Antenna stock to build my first antenna. Was EC FOR ARES.  828-538-1673 , This address is the latest,= KT4WO@Winlink.org  
 

LOCAL VE’S 
KG4LVO EDWIN A FLOWERS (E) PO BOX 24 ANDREWS, NC 28901  kg4lvo@yahoo.com  
KJ4GTK Richard A Leineke 143 Lords Way Andrews, NC 28901 thefox64@verizon.net  
KG4WPV Marty W Clark PO BOX 1384 Andrews, NC 28901 kg4wpv@yahoo.com  
 

Look into NVIS Later.. Good start here: Howard sent this..  Sounds interesting. 
http://www.qsl.net/wb5ude/nvis/  and the NVIS time and frequency propagation chart is here http://hflink.com/propagation/  
http://www.starc.org/technotes/75-40%20meter-nvis.html#detail_b 75/40M portable antenna

BUYING HAM STUFF ON THE INTERNET: 
Always check this site: http://swap.qth.com/  
Best Price on the  Yaesu  FT 857D HF/VHF/UHF Mobile Transceiver

http://www.aesham.com/  $835 with the remote kit,, $14 shipping. Not sure if the DSP is included. 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/YAESU-FT-857D-HF-VHF-UHF-Mobile-Transceiver-FT857-D-857-/220516214356?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3357ca6654 has the same radio with free remote kit and optional DSP2 installed for $938 plus $25 shipping. 

POWER CONNECTORS: 
How to Install the Anderson Power Pole Connectors: 
http://www.westmountainradio.com/content.php?page=supportrr