HAM RADIO NOTOM (NoticeToOm)

  In every ham radio operator's journey, there comes a crossroads: should I stick with my trusty paper log or switch to dedicated logging software? It's clear that transitioning to an electronic log offers advantages that simply can't be matched by our old paper companion The real dilemma is how to navigate the dozens of freeware and payware logging software options available. Which one is the best? The answer is simple: the one that best meets your needs. I've tried almost every logging software for Windows, both payware and freeware. While I found most of them quite functional, each had its strengths and weaknesses. What I was looking for was a program that offered CAT control, a solid cluster system, smooth performance even with thousands of QSOs, support for digital QSLs like LOTW and eQSL, comprehensive award tracking, and an advanced filtering system to display specific fields. I had found a decent suite, but it struggled to handle the 50,000+ QSOs in my log, taki...

Cluster: Nirvana and Golgotha Technology, when used properly, is something truly wonderful. Our passion for radio is a perfect example of this. Tremendous strides have been made in the world of communications. Think of our radios, SDR technology, digital communications, and optimized antennas. Among the many technological innovations, we also have Mr.  Cluster. This tool was created to "publicize" stations on air and allows us to find a station we want to connect with. There’s no doubt that the cluster is a highly useful tool. I can filter results to see just one station or all the stations on a band, view the history of spots for a specific station, and much more. In short, we can say that the cluster greatly simplifies our lives when it comes to contacting an operator or a specific area. Then there’s the added benefit of pairing it with the radio’s CAT system. With this integration, simply clicking on a station tunes the radio to the correct frequency and emission mode. ...

  What characteristics should a radio software have? It should be: beautiful, organized, ergonomic, with a fast learning curve, comprehensive, versatile, able to integrate with other programs, trendy, and, most importantly, social. Well, if these are the requirements for having software on your PC that looks great on your screen… MULTIPSK shouldn’t even be considered. This program uses an outdated interface, and there’s an apparent lack of organization both in the settings screen and in the digital modes menu. You need to study, study, and study some more to use it effectively. Moreover, it doesn’t have its own built-in CAT system. To use it properly and manage your radio, you can rely on the excellent (though rather old) Commander by DXLab. The first few times you run the program… well… you feel a bit lost. Let’s say that, from a superficial and aesthetic point of view, this program might seem like one to discard. But is that really the case? My interest in this program began some...

A: how do you hear me now? B: You're S9 A: Wait... now? B: Wow! Now you're 9+20. What did you do? A: Ha ha ha, I turned on my power buddy C: hooooola hoooooola test test sorry, how do I sound? A and B: very strong 9+40 C: great thanks, I'm using hoooooollaaaa... 4.5KW. This is what happened a few nights ago on 40 meters with local stations. They didn't talk about anything but their signal. After countless tests, they were very happy, satisfied  and said goodbye. I kept  looking at the S-meter, which only showed S3 of noise.  Don't get me wrong. This post is not another one that wants to criticize power, but the correlation between happiness and power. Is happiness measured on a logarithmic scale like signal strength? To the posterity the tough sentence.. I repeat, everyone is free to use the power they deem appropriate, but my question is: what changes? If I can hear you well, what's the point of adding more power? But even if this operation is, let's say, t...

  Looking back, I can hardly believe I’ve been a licensed radio amateur for 34 years. I was trying to get back in time when radio ham passion lit up. Mumble.. when did my love for radio begin? My earliest memory takes me back to watching tv series such as Truck Driver and CHIPS , I was a little child. I was fascinated by the way these people could communicate through their radios. Since my childhood, I had a habit, something I still maintain today—gazing at antennas on rooftops. Those iron sculptures, reaching skyward, left me speechless. One day, at my uncle’s house, I went down to the basement with him to grab some tools. Let’s just say my uncle wasn’t the tidiest person; the underground room was packed with boxes and all sorts of random stuff. From one box, a CB walkie-talkie radio peeked out. I picked it up as if I had found a priceless gem. My uncle glanced over and said, “It doesn’t work, Daniel, but you can have it if you want.” I really was a happy camper. I remember...

A New Setup for Emcomm  I have dedicated my life to volunteering and have helped in various ways, from teaching languages to preparing documents, from explaining how to farm during COVID-19 to sharing advice on how to lead a happy life and maintain a united family, as well as providing practical assistance in many other areas. As a ham radio operator, I’ve had the opportunity to assist with emergency communications during several natural events, such as 7.5 earthquake we experienced in the Amazon a few years ago. Upon returning to Italy, I thought deeply about how I could continue helping people. Volunteering remains a part of my life here in Italy as well. However, I’ve noticed that global events and disasters are increasing dramatically. What recently happened in Spain deeply moved me. I asked myself: what can I do to give help in case on need? From these thoughts, "The CQD Project" was born. What is it about? In simple terms, I want to create a mobile emergency station ...

 Yesterday, I participated in the Italian 40&80 contest for a couple of hours. It was an enjoyable experience, even though I could only dedicate limited time to it. The objective was to contact as many Italian provinces as possible on the 40m and 80m bands. Despite operating with low power (100W), I had no trouble breaking through the pileups. This success was largely thanks to my end-fed antenna configured for NVIS propagation. NVIS (Near Vertical Incidence Skywave) is a technique that ensures reliable communications on low-frequency bands, typically between 2 and 10 MHz. By directing the radio wave vertically, it gets refracted back to the ground, covering an area of approximately 500 miles. Given the local nature of the contest, the antenna performed exceptionally well, allowing me to achieve excellent signal reports, even from stations up to 800 miles away.

Antennas: I have dismantled the 10-80 vertical antenna and the 20-meter dipole. I wanted to perform some tests while portable (/P). I only have the EFHW antenna at 16 ft AGL with a 49:1 UNUN. I also had to dismantle the 5-element Yagi for 50 MHz because the rotor stopped working. I need time to check my station, though. Cw:   I decided to dust off my keyer and go CW. I love CW. What you can do with Morse code cannot be achieved with voice unless you pump up the power. Of course, FT8 might be more efficient for some, but humans are by far the best decoders. Plus, it’s fun! "English on Air": Pre-orders are going great! The new book should be ready by late December. It’s a manual that helps operators communicate in English even if they’ve never studied it. The Standard and Premium versions will be ready to ship by the end of the month. The Gold edition with videos will be available in the first quarter of 2025. Attitude:   We sometimes have a bad attitude toward the present circ...

ENGLISH ON AIR   È con immenso piacere che annuncio l'imminente disponibilità della nuova versione del manuale   English on Air . Il manuale è pensato per chi desidera fare QSO in inglese, ma non conosce bene la lingua o non la conosce per nulla. English on Air  offre cenni grammaticali, frasi utili da utilizzare in radio con relative indicazioni di pronuncia, consigli per comunicare in modo più spontaneo, e linee guida su come gestire un QSO sia di base che più strutturato, trattando argomenti come condizioni meteo, stazione, antenna, e altro. Il manuale sarà inizialmente disponibile in due versioni: La versione  Standard  in formato PDF La versione  Premium  che include anche file audio MP3 con le pronunce In un secondo momento, verrà resa disponibile anche la versione  Gold , arricchita da video abbinati al manuale. English on Air  nasce come testo base per un corso di 8 ore, erogato in presenza o via Zoom, che insegna come operare in ingl...

WWFF and POTA operation  On 10/19/24, I activated two references, IFF and POTA. The outdoor operations had a dual purpose: to connect two references and to test the setup I would use in case of an emergency. The station consisted of a Kenwood 480 and a vertical antenna that is 8.5 meters tall, covering the 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10-meter bands with three radials for each band. I used a 45 A/h car battery. I decided to operate on the 40 and 20-meter bands. In two hours, I connected 25 stations. The vertical antenna works great for long distances but is not so optimal for short distances. On 11/10/24, I will return to the same location with a dipole. Considerations:  antenna setup time. 9:50 minutes. The homemade pole holder plate for supporting the antenna works very well; it is very sturdy. The choice of rigid cables for the radials was not a wise decision because laying out the rigid wires took me another 10 minutes. The radio was ready for operations in 8 minutes, making a tota...

A new (old) ham radio blog   I have decided to bring back the NOTOM section after more than two years. The idea popped into my head while I was operating from the Amazon jungle with the callsign OA9DVK. NOTOM is my take on the well-known NOTAMs in aviation – it stands for Notice To OM and is just a collection of thoughts, ideas, and feelings to help you get to know more about who I am and what I do. I’m not running a power station – I am a ‘little pistol’ with a big passion for radio and DXing. I had the privilege of operating from Peru for eight years, lately with a Peruvian callsign. Being on the ‘other side of the pileup,’ with the whole world calling you, was amazing. It taught me a lot and helped me grow. Now, I make the most of the modest setup I have. The love of radio doesn’t depend on where you are; it comes from the heart. My heart still races every time I turn on the radio and tune in to a station. I hope this section doesn’t bore you. Wishing you all the best, good DX, ...