UK radio ham copies Canadian 144 MHz signal

RSGB VHF Manager John Regnault G4SWX in Suffolk, UK has received a signal from the Canadian station VC1T on 144 MHz 

Amateur Radio operators from Atlantic Canada were operating from Pouch Cove, Newfoundland, until 12 July 2014 in a bid to complete a 2 meter transatlantic contact and claim the Brendan trophy.

The "Brendan Quest" team were on the air as VC1T from grid GN37os on 144.155 MHz. The group activated on 4 July 2014, and a couple of days later, on 6 July 2014 at 1341 UTC, G4SWX was able to completely decode an FSK441 transmission from VC1T.

“They attempted to complete the QSO for 4 hours, but were not successful,” the team reported. “However, this reception should qualify for the Brendan Plate.” 

The team said a station in Ireland was able to copy parts of three transmissions. Because of the initial success, the group now will use FSK441 exclusively in its Brendan bid.

Full story - http://www.arrl.org/news/view/brendan-quest-team-s-2-meter-signal-copied-in-the-uk

Production End for Noise Polluting Plasma TVs

Panasonic have followed Samsung’s announcement that they will scrap production of Plasma TVs.

Failing demand for Plasma TV’s, along with new television technology (curved and ultra-high definition (UHD) TVs) is the reason for the withdrawal from the market.

Panasonic and Samsung are ending the production of Plasma TV.

This is very good news for the HF spectrum, but will not reduce efforts to improve emission standards for frequencies below 30MHz. The existing standards are based on conducted emissions at the connection ports of the apparatus - pressure has been building for many years now to have radiated emission test.

This will be an important step forward with so many new devices/ apparatus polluting the HF spectrum.

Work continues in CISPR to bring about this change, with radio amateurs leading the thinking.

Radio Hams Successful Voice Contact with ISS

US Amateur / Ham Radio Operator Clint Bradford

US Radio Ham Clint Bradford, K6LCS has posted an audio clip and back story of his successful FM voice contact with the International Space Station (ISS) on 28 June 2014.

“It was months in the making between ARISS and NASA representatives - and U.S. astronaut Wiseman was on the air for several passes across North America. No time for chit-chat - just quick acknowledgement of callsigns, and I was fortunate to get in at the beginning of the 11:11AM PDT pass here in Southern California.”

— US Ham Clint Bradford, K6LCS discussing working the ISS

Clint used a Yaesu FT-60R ("turned DOWN to just 2W TX power") and a home-brew tape measure beam to make the contact.

Full Story - http://work-sat.com/ISS-062814.html