HFRadio.org

07/06/2025

06/02/2025

Truth: not all amateur radio operators know about POTA.

This is a photo of The Trail to Old Man's Cave in Hocking Hills State park, Ohio. I hope to get there sometime this year, not just to see this cool park, but to also activate that park, for POTA (Parks on the Air) amateur radio activity. As a licensed amateur radio operator, I am now participating in a great aspect of this hobby: going to state parks, and "activating" that park on the radio waves on which we are licensed to operate. This activity is known as, POTA.

For those who do not know about POTA: POTA aims to promote emergency awareness and communications while encouraging outdoor activities among amateur radio operators. It provides a platform for hams to enjoy portable operations in scenic locations.

Some will tell you there is nothing "emergency awareness" in POTA - but, the skill of going to a non-residential, non-commercial site with permanent antenna systems, power, etc., to learn how to operate on MF, HF, and VHF/UHF, is a skill lending itself to emergency communications.

Licensed amateur radio operators can activate parks by setting up their equipment in designated areas. They then make contacts with other operators, earning points for each contact made. Operators can also work to achieve awards based on the number of parks activated or the number of contacts made.

POTA encourages operators to explore and enjoy the outdoors while engaging in their hobby. It fosters a sense of community among amateur radio enthusiasts, as operators share their experiences and achievements.

Participants can earn awards and certificates based on their achievements within the program, such as activating a certain number of parks or making a specific number of contacts.

More info: https://parksontheair.com/

Best regards,

Tomas - NW7US

10/20/2024

Just a bit ago, this morning, I worked an All-Time-New-One (ATNO), in my amateur radio DXCC journey. I worked HV0A, Vatican City, Italy. Nice to catch that one!

10/19/2024

Someday, I will buy the surrounding farm fields, and put something like this up. You can still farm the land, but just make room for the poles. :) :) :)

10/19/2024

The American chestnut tree (Castanea dentata) was once a dominant species in the Appalachian Mountains, an integral part of the forest ecosystem and the culture of the region. Known as the “redwood of the East,” these towering trees, some reaching over 100 feet tall, provided a reliable source of food, wood, and income for Appalachian communities. Chestnuts were a staple for wildlife, and their rot-resistant wood was highly valued for building and furniture making.

However, in the early 20th century, a devastating fungal blight, Cryphonectria parasitica, arrived from Asia and wiped out nearly all mature American chestnut trees in Appalachia and beyond. Within a few decades, the blight had reduced a forest giant to a rare sprout, as the fungus killed the trees above ground while their roots still managed to send up shoots that would eventually succumb again.

The loss of the American chestnut was more than an environmental catastrophe. It dealt a heavy blow to the Appalachian economy, particularly to rural farmers who relied on chestnut sales and the tree’s many uses. The chestnuts were a major fall crop, traded in markets and used as food for livestock.

Today, efforts are underway to restore the American chestnut to its former glory. Scientists and conservationists have developed blight-resistant hybrids, combining the genetics of American and Chinese chestnuts. Reintroducing these resilient trees into Appalachia could not only restore an iconic species but also revitalize local ecosystems and provide renewed economic benefits to the region.

For Appalachians, the American chestnut tree is a symbol of resilience, a reminder of the region’s deep-rooted connection to the land and the ongoing efforts to preserve its natural heritage.

I was never a resident of Appalachia until we moved to our current QTH (residence, in ham radio lingo). We are now officially living in Appalachia (albeit on the edge, it is in the boundaries). Now I am trying to learn all I can on Appalachia.

10/15/2024

XMODEM and BBS inventor has left us…

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/10/ward-christensen-bbs-inventor-and-architect-of-our-online-age-dies-at-age-78/

I ran several BBS services back in the day ... one was the Connecticut Yankee out of Hartford, CT (I was working at the Travelers, and the BBS was hosted in my area of the work floor - I ran it by walking over from my cubical, to the corner of the floor space where we had the whole system set up).

Christensen kick-started online culture by inspiring thousands of hobbyist communities.

10/11/2024

While a "pure white" Aurora Borealis is not technically possible, a very faint or subtle aurora can sometimes appear white to the naked eye, especially when the intensity of the color is low, making it seem like a whitish glow, rather than a distinct color; however, the actual aurora would still be composed of different colors, just not vibrant enough to see clearly with the human eye.

Auroral colors are directly tied to the chemistry of the air in the atmosphere.

The vibrant colors of the aurora are a fascinating display of chemistry and physics happening high above our heads. Here's a breakdown of the most common colors and their causes:

Green: The most common auroral color, green, is produced by oxygen atoms at an altitude of about 60-150 miles. When energized by solar particles, these oxygen atoms emit green light as they return to their ground state.

Red: A deeper red hue can be seen at higher altitudes, around 150-200 miles. This is also caused by oxygen atoms, but this time, they are excited to a different energy level, resulting in a red emission.

Blue: Nitrogen molecules are responsible for the blue color in auroras. When energized, they emit blue light. This color is often seen at lower altitudes, around 60 miles.

Purple/Violet: This color is a combination of red and blue emissions, often occurring when both oxygen and nitrogen are excited at the same time.

Pink: While less common, pink auroras can be seen when red emissions from high-altitude oxygen mix with the blue light from nitrogen.

10/10/2024

Tonight is the night.

Depending on where you are located, after dark, you may well SEE with your unaided eyes, the magic of the aurora, tonight!

10/08/2024

Hurricane Milton, Maritime Mobile Service Net, and Ham Radio Hurricane Net Livestream

Starting at about noon, Eastern time (USA), we will monitor the amateur radio emergency activity on the Hurricane Watch Net on shortwave radio via our livestream. Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJxRXh6ge2U

If you are in the path of the storm, HEED LOCAL DIRECTIVES SUCH AS EVACUATION ALERTS!

Join us for an informal live stream in which we will monitor the shortwave radio (HF, or High Frequency) hurricane net covering Hurricane Milton.Hurricane Wa...

10/08/2024

Hurricane Milton, Maritime Mobile Service Net, and Ham Radio Hurricane Net Livestream

Starting at about noon, Eastern time (USA), we will monitor the amateur radio emergency activity on the Hurricane Watch Net on shortwave radio via our livestream. Check it out:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNyIwjiyatQ

If you are in the path of the storm, HEED LOCAL DIRECTIVES SUCH AS EVACUATION ALERTS!

Join us for an informal live stream in which we will monitor the shortwave radio (HF, or High Frequency) hurricane net covering Hurricane Milton.Hurricane Wa...

10/08/2024

As of 8 PM, pressure now down to 897 mb with winds of 180 mph inside Category 5 Hurricane . It is now the 5th most intense Atlantic basin hurricane on record. Lower the pressure, the stronger the storm. Only 6 storms have ever dropped below 900 mb in the Atlantic basin in modern history, including now Milton. Atlantic Basin = Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico. Its eye is also incredibly small, only 4 miles wide in diameter. The Hurricane Hunters flew by it in under 30 seconds.

NOTE: Lower the pressure, the stronger the storm. Only 6 storms have ever dropped below 900 mb in the Atlantic basin on record, including now Milton.