This category is for featured articles that we want to include in the sidebars and other areas on our website.
The ARRL Rookie Roundup RTTY was held on Sunday, August 19th. The N1FD rookie multi-op team, operating from AB1OC’s QTH took 1st place overall in the contest!
Congratulations to the Rookies who operated in the contest:
Thanks to Jamey, AC1DC, and Fred, AB1OC for being elmers to the rookies!
Here are the final scores:
For the complete results, please visit http://www.b4h.net/arrlrr/rr_scores201808.php
Similar to the AO-7 satellite resurrection several years ago, the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) packet radio system on the International Space Station (ISS) has begun working again. NASA ISS Ham Radio Project Engineer Kenneth Ransom, N5VHO, said over the weekend that reports he’d received indicated that the NA1SS packet signal returned in mid-August.
Source: An Amazing Recovery: ARISS Packet System Revives
It appears that the 2m APRS digipeater on the ISS has come back to life! We’ll see if we can’t set up the digital side of our Portable Satellite Station at our Amateur Radio Exposition for Young People at the Boxboro Convention in September and give it a try!
Fred, AB1OC
Icom displayed three working demonstration units of the forthcoming IC-9700 VHF/UHF/1.2GHz transceiver, Icom Inc. at the Tokyo Hamfair, which took place in Ariake, Tokyo on August 25th – 26th.
Source: New Icom Amateur Products Shown at Tokyo Hamfair 2018
The IC-9700 is a new VHF/UHF radio that is based upon the Software Defined Radio (SDR) platform that Icom uses in the IC-7300 and IC-7610.
It looks like this is going to be an excellent radio for Satellite, EME, and other weak-signal work on the 2 m, 70 cm, and 23 cm bands. The IC-9700 features a pan adapter display which will be very useful for working contacts through linear satellites.
Based upon previous new Transceivers release by Icom, I would guess we are at least 8 months to a year away from the time when this radio will be offered for sale in the USA.
Here’s some video of the forthcoming IC-9700 as well as other gear from Icom. The video also features other new products and updated Firmware capabilities from Icom. Enjoy!
Fred, AB1OC
