Amateur Radio exhibition reflects unity in Europe
European Radio Societies exhibit in the European Parliament
From the 26th until 30th of April 2010, European radio societies will provide information about the Amateur Radio service in the European Parliament building.
Under the motto European Amateur Radio Benefiting Society and sponsored by MEP Birgit Sippel, who supports the goals and the socio-political importance of Amateur Radio, this exhibition will offer the possibility to become informed about this service.
“I am very much looking forward to sharing information on this radio service with my colleagues, their assistants and anyone else who is interested”, Mrs. Sippel said when she was approached to sponsor this undertaking.
Even though the Amateur Radio service exists since 1908, and many countries even have special laws to regulate it, the service is often unknown in public. Many politicians have never heard about this radio service, making this a very good starting point for the exhibition that you are about to view.
In the European Union alone, about 350,000 people of all ages are fascinated by this hobby. They operate their radios, socializing with others throughout the world while generating a large amount of international goodwill in the process. This combination of communication, technology and sports bonds them together and makes Amateur Radio unique.
Through personal contacts and demonstrating practical examples, the exhibitors will illustrate the Amateur Radio service, its structures and benefits for society. Young people that are extremely interesting in space exploration will often find themselves in the hobby, allowing them to actually communicate via self operated satellites, or speak to the International Space Station (ISS). However, a contact to the other side of the globe with self-built equipment and very limited antennas fascinates youngsters as well.
These technology-infected youngsters are likely to become engineers or high tech specialists, benefiting the wealth and growth of the EU.
Amateur Radio also helps in cases of emergencies, even as recently the earthquake disaster in Haiti or the Tsunami of 2006 has demonstrated. Amateur Radio operators were always the first to communicate to the outside world, since the telecom infrastructure was destroyed.
During the exhibition, 10 students from a school in Brussels will contact the ISS, which will be a highlight of the exhibition. In the meantime, models of the ISS and an Amateur Radio satellite will be shown. Visitors can also test their skills in telegraphy – better known as Morse Code – which is still one to the easiest modes of shortwave operation in low signal conditions.
Some European directives affect the Amateur Radio service as well. They will be presented and discussed. Future European legislation may also affect the service, making it necessary to inform visitors about special needs that this fine hobby has.
Showing posts with label QRZ. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QRZ. Show all posts
Amateur Radio exhibition reflects unity in Europe by G4TUT (QRZ.COM)
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Thursday, April 1, 2010
W0S Special Event
W0S Special EventI just caught a error in my listing. The Titanic didnt send the first SOS it just made it Famous. here is an article explaining it. I had someone write it for me and i didnt proof read it all the way through.
There is much mystery and misinformation surrounding the origin and use of maritime distress calls. Most of the general populace believes that "SOS" signifies "Save Our Ship." Casual students of radio history are aware that the use of "SOS" was preceded by "CQD." Why were these signals adopted? When were they used?
The practical use of wireless telegraphy was made possible by Guglielmo Marconi in the closing years of the 19th century. Until then, ships at sea out of visual range were very much isolated from shore and other ships. The wireless telegraphers used Morse Code to send messages. Morse Code is a way of "tapping" out letters using a series of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Spoken, short signals are referred to as "dih" and long signals are referred to as "dah". The letter "A" is represented by a dot followed by a dash By 1904 there were many trans-Atlantic British ships equipped with wireless communications. The wireless operators came from the ranks of railroad and postal telegraphers. In England a general call on the landline wire was a "CQ." "CQ" preceded time signals and special notices. "CQ" was generally adopted by telegraph and cable stations all over the world. By using "CQ," each station receives a message from a single transmission and an economy of time and labor was realized. Naturally, "CQ," went with the operators to sea and was likewise used for a general call. This sign for "all stations" was adopted soon after wireless came into being by both ships and shore stations.
In 1904, the Marconi company suggested the use of "CQD" for a distress signal. Although generally accepted to mean, "Come Quick Danger," that is not the case. It is a general call, "CQ," followed by "D," meaning distress. A strict interpretation would be "All stations, Distress."
At the second Berlin Radiotelegraphic Conference 1906, the subject of a danger signal was again addressed. Considerable discussion ensued and finally SOS was adopted. The thinking was that three dots, three dashes and three dots could not be misinterpreted. It was to be sent together as one string.
sosgraphic.gif (488 bytes)
The Marconi Yearbook of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony , 1918 states, "This signal [SOS] was adopted simply on account of its easy radiation and its unmistakable character. There is no special signification in the letter themselves, and it is entirely incorrect to put full stops between them [the letters]." All the popular interpretations of "SOS," "Save Our Ship," "Save Our Souls," or "Send Out Succour" are simply not valid. Stations hearing this distress call were to immediately cease handling traffic until the emergency was over and were likewise bound to answer the distress signal.
Although the use of "SOS" was officially ratified in 1908, the use of "CQD" lingered for several more years, especially in British service where it originated. It is well documented in personal accounts of Harold Bride, second Radio Officer, and in the logs of the SS Carpathia, that the Titanic first used "CQD" to call for help. When Captain Smith gave the order to radio for help, first radio officer Jack Phillips sent "CQD" six times followed by the Titanic call letters, "MGY." Later, at Brides suggestion, Phillips interspersed his calls with "SOS." In SOS to the Rescue, 1935, author Baarslag notes, "Although adopted intentionally in 1908, it [SOS] had not completely displaced the older 'CQD' in the British operators' affections." (It is interesting to observe that Marconi was waiting in New York to return home to England on the Titanic.)
The first recorded American use of "SOS" was in August of 1909. Wireless operator T. D. Haubner of the SS Arapahoe radioed for help when his ship lost its screw near Diamond Shoals, sometimes called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." The call was heard by the United Wireless station "HA" at Hatteras. A few months later, the SS Arapahoe received an "SOS" distress call from the SS Iroquois. Radio Officer Haubner therefore has the distinction of being involved in the first two incidents of the use of "SOS" in America, the first as the sender and the second as the receiver. The U.S. did not officially adopt "SOS" until 1912, being slow to adopt international wireless standards.
Related Articles:
Distress Signals
by Chief Warrant Officer Jim Krzenski
Commanding Officer, U.S.C.G. Station Fort Pierce, FL
Graphic Chart of Distress Signals
There is much mystery and misinformation surrounding the origin and use of maritime distress calls. Most of the general populace believes that "SOS" signifies "Save Our Ship." Casual students of radio history are aware that the use of "SOS" was preceded by "CQD." Why were these signals adopted? When were they used?
The practical use of wireless telegraphy was made possible by Guglielmo Marconi in the closing years of the 19th century. Until then, ships at sea out of visual range were very much isolated from shore and other ships. The wireless telegraphers used Morse Code to send messages. Morse Code is a way of "tapping" out letters using a series of dots (short signals) and dashes (long signals). Spoken, short signals are referred to as "dih" and long signals are referred to as "dah". The letter "A" is represented by a dot followed by a dash By 1904 there were many trans-Atlantic British ships equipped with wireless communications. The wireless operators came from the ranks of railroad and postal telegraphers. In England a general call on the landline wire was a "CQ." "CQ" preceded time signals and special notices. "CQ" was generally adopted by telegraph and cable stations all over the world. By using "CQ," each station receives a message from a single transmission and an economy of time and labor was realized. Naturally, "CQ," went with the operators to sea and was likewise used for a general call. This sign for "all stations" was adopted soon after wireless came into being by both ships and shore stations.
In 1904, the Marconi company suggested the use of "CQD" for a distress signal. Although generally accepted to mean, "Come Quick Danger," that is not the case. It is a general call, "CQ," followed by "D," meaning distress. A strict interpretation would be "All stations, Distress."
At the second Berlin Radiotelegraphic Conference 1906, the subject of a danger signal was again addressed. Considerable discussion ensued and finally SOS was adopted. The thinking was that three dots, three dashes and three dots could not be misinterpreted. It was to be sent together as one string.
sosgraphic.gif (488 bytes)
The Marconi Yearbook of Wireless Telegraphy and Telephony , 1918 states, "This signal [SOS] was adopted simply on account of its easy radiation and its unmistakable character. There is no special signification in the letter themselves, and it is entirely incorrect to put full stops between them [the letters]." All the popular interpretations of "SOS," "Save Our Ship," "Save Our Souls," or "Send Out Succour" are simply not valid. Stations hearing this distress call were to immediately cease handling traffic until the emergency was over and were likewise bound to answer the distress signal.
Although the use of "SOS" was officially ratified in 1908, the use of "CQD" lingered for several more years, especially in British service where it originated. It is well documented in personal accounts of Harold Bride, second Radio Officer, and in the logs of the SS Carpathia, that the Titanic first used "CQD" to call for help. When Captain Smith gave the order to radio for help, first radio officer Jack Phillips sent "CQD" six times followed by the Titanic call letters, "MGY." Later, at Brides suggestion, Phillips interspersed his calls with "SOS." In SOS to the Rescue, 1935, author Baarslag notes, "Although adopted intentionally in 1908, it [SOS] had not completely displaced the older 'CQD' in the British operators' affections." (It is interesting to observe that Marconi was waiting in New York to return home to England on the Titanic.)
The first recorded American use of "SOS" was in August of 1909. Wireless operator T. D. Haubner of the SS Arapahoe radioed for help when his ship lost its screw near Diamond Shoals, sometimes called the "Graveyard of the Atlantic." The call was heard by the United Wireless station "HA" at Hatteras. A few months later, the SS Arapahoe received an "SOS" distress call from the SS Iroquois. Radio Officer Haubner therefore has the distinction of being involved in the first two incidents of the use of "SOS" in America, the first as the sender and the second as the receiver. The U.S. did not officially adopt "SOS" until 1912, being slow to adopt international wireless standards.
Related Articles:
Distress Signals
by Chief Warrant Officer Jim Krzenski
Commanding Officer, U.S.C.G. Station Fort Pierce, FL
Graphic Chart of Distress Signals
(refer QRZ.com)
April 14 - Contesting Activities at Dayton 2010
Going to Dayton? Tim Duffy, K3LR provides an overview of contest related activities at Dayton 2010 including HARA, the flea market, dinners, suites, photos, hotels, CTU, pile up contest, pizza parties and other points of interest.
To register go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/910952307
May 25 - VHF Contesting - What to Do and How To Win
Veteran VHF contester and QST’s The World Above 50 MHz column editor Gene Zimmerman W3ZZ shares the secrets of successful VHF Contesting.
To register go to: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/978706411
You can also find the registration links by going to www.pvrc.org and clicking on Upcoming Webinars. Previous events are also on the PVRC web page under the Recorded Webinars link.
Ken K4ZW (Qrz.com)
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