Welcome to HCRA

Month: February 2015

  • More ISS SSTV passes this weekend… Maybe

    From ARISS:
    http://www.ariss.org/news.html

    February 11, 2015

    Another Round of SSTV Activity from the ISS is scheduled for Late February
    Space enthusiasts have another chance to receive SSTV image transmissions activity from the International Space Station.  Participants can anticipate watching for the transmissions from February 21, 2015 through February 23, 2015.

    The pictures to be downlinked will be a repeat of the Series 1 images commemorating Russian space history that were previously sent during the weekend of December 18, 2014 until December 20, 2014.

    SSTV transmissions will begin running non-stop on February 21 and ending at 21:30 UTC on February 23. As in previous sessions, the mode used to transmit the Slow Scan TV signals will be PD180 producing a high quality images with a frame scan of 187 seconds. A total of 12 different photos will be sent throughout an operation period. The transmit frequency will be 145.800 MHz with a 3-minute off time between transmissions. Received images can be uploaded to the image gallery found at http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php .

    Plans are being discussed for transmitting new images from space enthusiasts around the world in upcoming months. Watch for more details that will be released about the upcoming SSTV transmissions to begin February 21.

    Just a couple days after… NASA announced Upcoming EVA (Space Walk) was delayed to the same weekend as the planned transmissions.  Amateur radio equipment needs to be shut off during the EVA. Rumors are floating around about delaying the SSTV transmissions until the 22nd-24th. 

    Stay tuned to the following website to see if it’s still going to happen
    http://www.ariss.org/news.html

    If everything goes as planned, there are many chances to catch the ISS here in Hampden county. Below is an image of the upcoming ISS passes. The passes in the red box were originally going to be transmitting SSTV. Still not sure if it’s going to happen.

    ISSPass4If there is indeed a transmission, there are some really good overhead passes. All that is needed for the pass is receiver that can receive VHF, Audio cable, Laptop with SSTV software that can decode PD180 Mode (MMSSTV) and either a handheld directional antenna (Tape measure yagi for example)

    Stay Tuned…
    NT1K

  • QSL Card Sources

    Did last night’s meeting want you to start making QSL cards? Here are some sources in how to obtain some QSL cards! There are many printers that are local, regional and even international. These are just some of the many places

    • UX5UO Print – See a lot of QSL cards come from this printer. Prices range from $59 per 1000 to $160 per 1000 high quality
    • Cheap QSLs – $9.99 per 100, this would be great for a portable operation or if you don’t do much activity
    • Universal Radio’s Blank Globe Cards – for $5 you can get a 100 cards. But you would have to manually fill in all the information.
    • KB3IFH – Another known QSL card maker
    • Franklin Printing – $135 per 1000 for new cards, $85 per 1000 for reprints

    There are also options in how to print cards from home

    Not sure how to design your card?

    Some QSL card makers will help you out with your design at no cost or a small fee.
    Radio QTH offers to help you out. All you need to do is fill out the information, upload a picture and you now have a design!

    Avoid having to print, label and sort cards! Global QSL will do it for you! Check out their website for prices. It’s not bad considering the only work you need to do filter and send your electronic log file to them

    Card designed and printed? You can send direct or you can using either the ARRL Bureau or others to save on postage.

    Don’t forget that QSL cards will be coming back to you from the DX!

    You’ll need to have an account setup with the W1 QSL Bureau.
    Please checkout their website for more information

    A big thanks goes out to Eric (KV1J) who made the trek out to western mass and gave a great presentation. You now have an idea in what it takes to get you your QSL card.

    – Jeff (NT1K)
    HCRA At-Large

  • Next Meeting, February 6th 2015.

    From Larry Krainson (W1AST):

    HCRAQSL3

    Everyone still LOVES getting QSL cards in the mail. Sure LOTW works great, but the thrill of getting cards is still exciting. But, how does the QSL Bureau work? How does that batch of cards arrive at your mailbox?

    Come to the Friday night HCRA meeting to find out. Eric Williams, KV1J from the buro is coming out to talk to us and show some hands on what is involved.

    Come and join us at 7:30 pm at the Holyoke Hospital meeting room. Not only will you hear about an interesting subject, but you’ll get to chat in person with local hams that you haven’t seen since the last meeting or hams you’ve spoken to on the 10m net or local repeaters.

    I hope to see you there,

    Larry, W1AST

    Check out W1 QSL Bureau at:
    http://www.w1qsl.org/

    Click here for directions to the meeting location