US Radio Ham Receives Lifetime Recognition

Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society has rewarded one of their own for a lifetime of supporting the Amateur/Ham Radio Hobby.

Oscar Norris (W4OXH) who is currently 99 years old, was first licensed as an Amateur/Ham Radio operator in 1949. His initial operation was through an old military radio, after his interest in Amateur Radio was born from a shared magazine article from a friend.

What makes his operation of nearly seventy years more remarkable is Norris is blind.

Members of the Greater Gaston Amateur Radio Society, along with family and friends awarded Norris a plaque transcribed with his callsign and the motto - “For your generous contributions of time, resources and expertise in ham radio.”

Media Story - http://www.gastongazette.com/news/20170725/longtime-ham-radio-operator-gets-lifetime-recognition

FT8 Amateur/Ham Radio Mode Software Support

The new Amateur/Ham Radio digital mode, FT8 has attracted a lot of usages, including JT65 users.

The WSJT-X 1.8.0 beta software has the FT8 mode described as fast with an entire QSO taking about a minute, which is four times faster than JT65.

Developed by Steven K9AN and Joe K1JT – the name FT8 stands for its creators Franke and Taylor and 8-Frequency Shift Keying modulation.

Using a 15-second transmit and receive sequences it provides 50 per cent or better decoding probability down to minus-20 dB.

The software includes an auto-sequencing option can also respond automatically to a CQ call decoded reply.

Also included is an HF DXing mode and multi-hop sporadic-E propagation on 6 metres where deep fading may make fast and reliable QSO completion desirable.

Some are comparing FT8 use to that of JT65, and believe more are on air trying the new one.

WSJT Download - https://physics.princeton.edu/pulsar/k1jt/wsjtx.html

Pictures Received from ISS

The International Space Station has been transmitting SSTV pictures to Amateur/Ham Radio stations around the world on 145.800 MHz FM.
 
The Slow Scan Television images were transmitted up to 1800 GMT Sunday 23rd  July 2017 and were received by Amateur/Ham Radio operators using simple equipment such as a handheld radio or scanner with an outside antenna.

ISS SSTV Images - http://www.spaceflightsoftware.com/ARISS_SSTV/index.php

Receiving SSTV from the ISS - https://amsat-uk.org/beginners/iss-sstv/