New Record Set on Lowest Ham Band in Australia

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In Australia, a new record has been set for a contact on the 2200m-band.

Using barely 1 watt of power, a station south of Perth in Western Australia made a record-setting one-way contact into North America on the 2200-metre band, which at 136 kHz, is the lowest amateur band in Australia. The contact was made on 21st November 2022 between VK6MJM and received in the United States by Paul, KM5SW, in New Mexico. The distance was 16,164 kilometres and the power was 0.8 watts EIRP. The station was using a five-minute key-down mode known as WSJT-X FST4W-300 mode.

It was a big moment for the Western Australian Low-Frequency Experimenters Group, or WALFEG, which operates the station. It is led by Peter Hall, VK6HP, and is affiliated with the Wireless Institute of Australia.

Santa is On the Air Via Ham Radio

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Santa is On the Air Via Ham Radio

As Christmas approaches, many amateur radio clubs carry out an annual tradition of helping kids talk directly to Santa Claus while he is still at the North Pole before his big ride.

On Saturday 10th December 2022, the Wallingford Amateur Radio Group in Connecticut connected kids to Santa and Mrs. Claus via amateur radio during their Calling Santa event. The group organizes the event in cooperation with the Wallingford Health Department, Youth & Social Services, and support from an Amateur Radio Digital Communications (ARDC) grant to the Meriden Amateur Radio Club (MARC).

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