Clear Frequencies Requested for Possible Nicaragua Earthquake Traffic

 I received this Special Bulletin from the ARRL and decided that it would be best to pass it along.

ARLX013 Clear Frequencies Requested for Possible Nicaragua Earthquake Traffic IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator Carlos Alberto Santamaria Gonzalez, CO2JC, has requested that radio amateurs in Central America avoid 7098 and 7198 kHz in the wake of an earthquake at 0957 UTC the morning of September 22 in Nicaragua. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the offshore magnitude 6.5 earthquake has also affected Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The earthquake was followed by another 4.0 temblor and other aftershocks of less intensity, as confirmed by Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez Perez, YN1J, President and National Emergency Coordinator of the Club de Radio Experimentadores de Nicaragua (CREN).

CREN is the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-society for Nicaragua.

 The earthquake occurred offshore in the North Pacific some 60 miles from Chinandega and approximately 52 miles southwest of the resort town of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua. The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of approximately 20 miles.

 According to the Nicaraguan Institute for Territorial Studies, the event was related to the tectonic processes of the collision between the Cocos and Caribe tectonic plates.

Emergency communicator Juan de la Cruz, YN1J, requested the frequency protection. No tsunami warning has been issued and there have been no immediate reports of damage. According to the USGS, "Little or no landsliding is expected, but some landslides could have occurred in highly susceptible areas." And, "The number of people living near areas that could have produced landslides in this earthquake is low, but landslide damage or fatalities are still possible in highly susceptible areas. This is not a direct estimate of landslide fatalities or losses."

This is a request for amateur radio operators in central America to stay clear on 7.098 MHz and 7.198 MHz. I personally think that it would be wise for amateur radio operators in the Americas to stay clear of those frequencies. On the other hand, it would also be ok to listen in as long as you don't transmit. 

72

Aaron@K5ATG.com

Clear Frequencies Requested for Possible Nicaragua Earthquake Traffic

 I received this Special Bulletin from the ARRL and decided that it would be best to pass it along.

ARLX013 Clear Frequencies Requested for Possible Nicaragua Earthquake Traffic IARU Region 2 Emergency Coordinator Carlos Alberto Santamaria Gonzalez, CO2JC, has requested that radio amateurs in Central America avoid 7098 and 7198 kHz in the wake of an earthquake at 0957 UTC the morning of September 22 in Nicaragua. The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the offshore magnitude 6.5 earthquake has also affected Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The earthquake was followed by another 4.0 temblor and other aftershocks of less intensity, as confirmed by Juan de la Cruz Rodriguez Perez, YN1J, President and National Emergency Coordinator of the Club de Radio Experimentadores de Nicaragua (CREN).

CREN is the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-society for Nicaragua.

 The earthquake occurred offshore in the North Pacific some 60 miles from Chinandega and approximately 52 miles southwest of the resort town of Jiquilillo, Nicaragua. The USGS said the quake occurred at a depth of approximately 20 miles.

 According to the Nicaraguan Institute for Territorial Studies, the event was related to the tectonic processes of the collision between the Cocos and Caribe tectonic plates.

Emergency communicator Juan de la Cruz, YN1J, requested the frequency protection. No tsunami warning has been issued and there have been no immediate reports of damage. According to the USGS, "Little or no landsliding is expected, but some landslides could have occurred in highly susceptible areas." And, "The number of people living near areas that could have produced landslides in this earthquake is low, but landslide damage or fatalities are still possible in highly susceptible areas. This is not a direct estimate of landslide fatalities or losses."

This is a request for amateur radio operators in central America to stay clear on 7.098 MHz and 7.198 MHz. I personally think that it would be wise for amateur radio operators in the Americas to stay clear of those frequencies. On the other hand, it would also be ok to listen in as long as you don't transmit. 

72

Aaron@K5ATG.com

Route 66 On The Air 2021 All Finished Up

 It is official now, Route 66 On The Air 2021 Edition is done and over with. I made just 83 QSO's and worked 26 of the 50 USA States. I operated QRP at power levels ranging from 1-4 watts on FT8. My rig used is an Elecraft K2 with an MGJ-1982HP 80-10 meter end-fed that is tacked along the eve of my one-story house. Here is my map. The map that I am using is a feature from N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log

 

Next year I would like to get more QSO's and more states. As always leave any comments below or you may contact me at Aaron@K5ATG.com

Route 66 On The Air 2021 All Finished Up

 It is official now, Route 66 On The Air 2021 Edition is done and over with. I made just 83 QSO's and worked 26 of the 50 USA States. I operated QRP at power levels ranging from 1-4 watts on FT8. My rig used is an Elecraft K2 with an MGJ-1982HP 80-10 meter end-fed that is tacked along the eve of my one-story house. Here is my map. The map that I am using is a feature from N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log

 

Next year I would like to get more QSO's and more states. As always leave any comments below or you may contact me at Aaron@K5ATG.com

An Amateurs Journey into the Lands of CW

 It pains me greatly to give you this secretive information. I know that this may send you into a deep depression, but it is for your own good. Have no fear! It will not hurt me more than it will hurt you so you don't have to worry about me. Here is the truth and since it is the truth then it has to be true, so I am not fabricating the truth. Ok, I'm now ready to tell you. 

I AM FLAWED

I know that it is very difficult for you to comprehend this but I'm afraid to say that it is true. I do have a flaw.  

I got my ham radio license waaaay back in the cold dark ages of 2013. Well actually it was a warm spring morning but I'm the one telling this story. In 2014 I upgraded to General Class and in early 2015 I started to learn CW. When they say that anyone can learn the code I was swept up and started studying it. I was logged on to LCWO for hours every day. In about 15 days I had already blown through all 40 lessons. Then it was time for me to get a key and pound the brass. My dreams were big. I would toss together a Michigan Mighty Might QRPp Transmitter 

Schematic for a Michigan Mighty Might

Then within a week I would have WAS and by the end of the year, I would have my place of Honor in the world of DXCC. That was my plan and not a soul could stop me! Hehehe 

Well, then reality hit me harder than a sumo wrestler hits a doughnut shop. I can't send worth a darn. Seriously though, my sending is impossible to decode. My hands and brain do not have a very reliable line of communication. Some of you may know that I suffer from one screwed-up back. Well, some of that has given me many forms of neurological damage. I can easily decode in my head and in fact a lot of times CW has a musical quality that can be really relaxing. Even so, I can get easily distracted by the television in the other room being too loud, the XYL saying something to me about me not paying attention to her, a squirrel running on top of the fence, a twig that I saw at the park last week. 

As I was saying if the quarterback would have done a quarterback sneak instead of a play-action he would have gotten that first down instead of having to bring out the punting team. 

You get my point. For me, the perfect device would be like the K3NG Keyer, or a K45 CW Modem w/USB Keyboard I/F or the MFJ-945 Memory Keyer/Keyboard. However, those are more expensive than what I can afford. Now the K3NG isn't expensive but it is a pretty serious Arduino project and I'm not ready to tackle something like that. 

I have heard of people running CW with a keyboard using FLDigi, Signalink, a CW Interface, and all kinds of other witchcraft. My problem is that I am just having trouble figuring that stuff out. I need something like a step-by-step. 

My ultimate goal would be to build a K3NG Keyer. It pretty much checks every box and then some with the features that it has. For me, I mainly want to send CW with a keyboard and have something that decodes the incoming CW. I know that it can be pretty tough on decoding CW but I don't need something that decodes perfectly. I prefer to decode in my head but would like a device that can help a little bit in case I need it. 

I'm going to start exploring different affordable ways for one to step into the world of CW by a keyboard. I know that there are going to be purists saying that sending by keyboard or having a decoder is cheating. To each his own view. Would you rather have a QSO with someone that has real disabilities and needs some help or would you rather not have anyone to rag chew with.

I do hope that you follow along with me. If you see that I'm doing something wrong or you see a betty way then please let me know. You can leave a comment in the comment section below or you can email me at Aaron@K5ATG.com

Until Next time

Be safe and radioactive

Aaron K5ATG

An Amateurs Journey into the Lands of CW

 It pains me greatly to give you this secretive information. I know that this may send you into a deep depression, but it is for your own good. Have no fear! It will not hurt me more than it will hurt you so you don't have to worry about me. Here is the truth and since it is the truth then it has to be true, so I am not fabricating the truth. Ok, I'm now ready to tell you. 

I AM FLAWED

I know that it is very difficult for you to comprehend this but I'm afraid to say that it is true. I do have a flaw.  

I got my ham radio license waaaay back in the cold dark ages of 2013. Well actually it was a warm spring morning but I'm the one telling this story. In 2014 I upgraded to General Class and in early 2015 I started to learn CW. When they say that anyone can learn the code I was swept up and started studying it. I was logged on to LCWO for hours every day. In about 15 days I had already blown through all 40 lessons. Then it was time for me to get a key and pound the brass. My dreams were big. I would toss together a Michigan Mighty Might QRPp Transmitter 

Schematic for a Michigan Mighty Might

Then within a week I would have WAS and by the end of the year, I would have my place of Honor in the world of DXCC. That was my plan and not a soul could stop me! Hehehe 

Well, then reality hit me harder than a sumo wrestler hits a doughnut shop. I can't send worth a darn. Seriously though, my sending is impossible to decode. My hands and brain do not have a very reliable line of communication. Some of you may know that I suffer from one screwed-up back. Well, some of that has given me many forms of neurological damage. I can easily decode in my head and in fact a lot of times CW has a musical quality that can be really relaxing. Even so, I can get easily distracted by the television in the other room being too loud, the XYL saying something to me about me not paying attention to her, a squirrel running on top of the fence, a twig that I saw at the park last week. 

As I was saying if the quarterback would have done a quarterback sneak instead of a play-action he would have gotten that first down instead of having to bring out the punting team. 

You get my point. For me, the perfect device would be like the K3NG Keyer, or a K45 CW Modem w/USB Keyboard I/F or the MFJ-945 Memory Keyer/Keyboard. However, those are more expensive than what I can afford. Now the K3NG isn't expensive but it is a pretty serious Arduino project and I'm not ready to tackle something like that. 

I have heard of people running CW with a keyboard using FLDigi, Signalink, a CW Interface, and all kinds of other witchcraft. My problem is that I am just having trouble figuring that stuff out. I need something like a step-by-step. 

My ultimate goal would be to build a K3NG Keyer. It pretty much checks every box and then some with the features that it has. For me, I mainly want to send CW with a keyboard and have something that decodes the incoming CW. I know that it can be pretty tough on decoding CW but I don't need something that decodes perfectly. I prefer to decode in my head but would like a device that can help a little bit in case I need it. 

I'm going to start exploring different affordable ways for one to step into the world of CW by a keyboard. I know that there are going to be purists saying that sending by keyboard or having a decoder is cheating. To each his own view. Would you rather have a QSO with someone that has real disabilities and needs some help or would you rather not have anyone to rag chew with.

I do hope that you follow along with me. If you see that I'm doing something wrong or you see a betty way then please let me know. You can leave a comment in the comment section below or you can email me at Aaron@K5ATG.com

Until Next time

Be safe and radioactive

Aaron K5ATG

Route 66 On The Air Progress

 This evening I spent a couple of hours operating as a Route 66 Special Event Station. Since I was operating within the Oklahoma City area I used the W6k call sign. I just operated on 40 Meters on FT8 at an outstanding 3 watts with my Elecraft K2. I made a total of 36 QSO's. Here is a map of the progress that I have made so far.

My only goal is to work as many stations as possible but I think that it would be pretty cool to work all 50 states for the special event. I have not worked any Route 66 Stations with my own call sign. I have a few more days to fill in the map. The map that I am using is a feature from N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log

If you have any comments please leave them in the comments section below. If you would like to keep updated then, please subscribe. Anything else you can reach me at Aaron@K5ATG.com

Route 66 On The Air Progress

 This evening I spent a couple of hours operating as a Route 66 Special Event Station. Since I was operating within the Oklahoma City area I used the W6k call sign. I just operated on 40 Meters on FT8 at an outstanding 3 watts with my Elecraft K2. I made a total of 36 QSO's. Here is a map of the progress that I have made so far.

My only goal is to work as many stations as possible but I think that it would be pretty cool to work all 50 states for the special event. I have not worked any Route 66 Stations with my own call sign. I have a few more days to fill in the map. The map that I am using is a feature from N3FJP's Amateur Contact Log

If you have any comments please leave them in the comments section below. If you would like to keep updated then, please subscribe. Anything else you can reach me at Aaron@K5ATG.com

Route 66 On The Air 2021

 It is hard to believe that it is time for one of my favorite radio events, Route 66 on The Air. This is where us amateur radio operators head out of the shack and pay tribute to the Mother Road, Route 66. We do this by setting up a special event station along Route 66 and we get on the air allowing other amateur radio operators contact us and then they will receive a special QSL Card. For the club that I am in Mid-Del Amateur Radio Club we use the callsign W6J. 

As a club we operate from Stroud, Oklahoma. Stroud is a town of roughly 2,500 people is and real close to being the halfway point between Oklahoma City and Tulsa on Route 66. Stroud is the typical American small town with an Americana type of Main Street. Actually in Stroud, Main Street is Route 66. We operate right next door to the world famous Rock Cafe. The historic Rock Cafe has some very good food and service. It first opened way back in 1939. In the early 2000's the Rock Cafe was visited several times by Pixar Animation Studios for it's Route 66 appeal and they fell in love with it to the point that they copied the character Sally Carrera in the movie Cars after Rock Cafe owner Dawn Welch. One great benefit from setting up and operating out radios right next to the Rock Cafe is the truly wonderful food that is cooked on "Betsy", the Rock Cafe's original grill that has produced over 5,000,000 happy memories in the form of ham burgers and chicken fried steak. 

This year Route 66 On The Air was started on 11 September 2021, the 20 year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. As mentioned earlier Stroud is the typical Americana small town that is not afraid of supporting America. 

The town of Stroud remembering the 9/11 attacks by proudly displaying Old Glory on Route 66.

Of course I kicked off Route 66 On The Air in Stroud right next to the Rock Cafe. While I was there operating a few other club members were there also. We were all either visiting with one another or getting on the radio. I was there with my mother in law Tanya KF5VBU. She was my transportation since I can no longer drive due to health issues. 

Me Aaron K5ATG operating the radio

Tanya KF5VBU working a pileup

Stan N5TAN (foreground) and Cameron KC5ZHU filling up the logbook

Because of the triple digit heat for the day me and Tanya KF5VBU stayed in Stroud until afternoon when it started getting hot. The we took Route 66 on up to Tulsa to get in a little bit of sight seeing. 

Me Aaron K5ATG at the Route 66 sign at the Route 66 Historic Village in Tulsa

An old oil derrick at the Route 66 Historical Village in Tulsa

Route 66 Pedestrian Bridge in Tulsa

Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

Praying Hands at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

Prayer Tower at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

To learn more about Route 66 On The Air please visit The Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club This is the fine club that works tirelessly to give us Route 66 On The Air every year since 1999.

That is it for now, if you have any comments please leave them in the comments section below or you may contact me directly at Aaron@K5ATG.com

If you are one of the luck ones and is able to get W6J in your logbook then here is the QSL Info. Send your QSL Card with SASE to PO BOX 30512 Midwest City, OK 73140.  

Route 66 On The Air 2021

 It is hard to believe that it is time for one of my favorite radio events, Route 66 on The Air. This is where us amateur radio operators head out of the shack and pay tribute to the Mother Road, Route 66. We do this by setting up a special event station along Route 66 and we get on the air allowing other amateur radio operators contact us and then they will receive a special QSL Card. For the club that I am in Mid-Del Amateur Radio Club we use the callsign W6J. 

As a club we operate from Stroud, Oklahoma. Stroud is a town of roughly 2,500 people is and real close to being the halfway point between Oklahoma City and Tulsa on Route 66. Stroud is the typical American small town with an Americana type of Main Street. Actually in Stroud, Main Street is Route 66. We operate right next door to the world famous Rock Cafe. The historic Rock Cafe has some very good food and service. It first opened way back in 1939. In the early 2000's the Rock Cafe was visited several times by Pixar Animation Studios for it's Route 66 appeal and they fell in love with it to the point that they copied the character Sally Carrera in the movie Cars after Rock Cafe owner Dawn Welch. One great benefit from setting up and operating out radios right next to the Rock Cafe is the truly wonderful food that is cooked on "Betsy", the Rock Cafe's original grill that has produced over 5,000,000 happy memories in the form of ham burgers and chicken fried steak. 

This year Route 66 On The Air was started on 11 September 2021, the 20 year anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. As mentioned earlier Stroud is the typical Americana small town that is not afraid of supporting America. 

The town of Stroud remembering the 9/11 attacks by proudly displaying Old Glory on Route 66.

Of course I kicked off Route 66 On The Air in Stroud right next to the Rock Cafe. While I was there operating a few other club members were there also. We were all either visiting with one another or getting on the radio. I was there with my mother in law Tanya KF5VBU. She was my transportation since I can no longer drive due to health issues. 

Me Aaron K5ATG operating the radio

Tanya KF5VBU working a pileup

Stan N5TAN (foreground) and Cameron KC5ZHU filling up the logbook

Because of the triple digit heat for the day me and Tanya KF5VBU stayed in Stroud until afternoon when it started getting hot. The we took Route 66 on up to Tulsa to get in a little bit of sight seeing. 

Me Aaron K5ATG at the Route 66 sign at the Route 66 Historic Village in Tulsa

An old oil derrick at the Route 66 Historical Village in Tulsa

Route 66 Pedestrian Bridge in Tulsa

Mabee Center at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

Praying Hands at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

Prayer Tower at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa

To learn more about Route 66 On The Air please visit The Citrus Belt Amateur Radio Club This is the fine club that works tirelessly to give us Route 66 On The Air every year since 1999.

That is it for now, if you have any comments please leave them in the comments section below or you may contact me directly at Aaron@K5ATG.com

If you are one of the luck ones and is able to get W6J in your logbook then here is the QSL Info. Send your QSL Card with SASE to PO BOX 30512 Midwest City, OK 73140.