131 results for author: Scott Toth


Audio Basics for Hams, Part 2 – All About the Pattern

If you had a chance to read Part 1 of this series, you now have a decent understanding of what makes a mic tick and the different types of mics that are in general use.  That's awesome, and it's definitely the information you need as a foundation to get a better understanding about mics and audio.  But as Paul Harvey used to day, here is "...the rest of the story!" We know that as a general rule, dynamic mics are good for higher sound pressures (volumes) and condenser mics provide better clarity, but there's more to knowing which mic to choose than just that.  Audio engineers (and hams, for that matter) need a little more variety in order to ...

Audio Basics for Hams, Part 1!

This week we had a great discussion on our Sunday evening Technical Forum (every Sunday at 7:30pm EST on the 145.150 W4GSO repeater, BTW!) about audio gear that we use to improve the quality of the sound we transmit or receive.  That got me to thinking that it might be nice to put together a series of posts about audio, the types of gear we use to manipulate audio, and other basics specifically related to our hobby.  So here (hear!) it is!  My plan is to divide ideas up into multiple posts so that we can explore the concepts in a little more depth than could be done otherwise.  I don't plan on getting too deep - it's not really necessary to do ...

13 Colonies Special Event

Now that everyone has survived Field Day it's time to set our sights on the next event- the 13 Colonies Special Event Stations!  If you've never worked this special event, it's a great time that comes with a fun reward at the end.  The event is in honor of Independence Day and the birth of the Republic. Starting Tuesday, June 30 and running through Sunday, July 5, there will be a total of 15 special event stations on the air on HF (and, in the case of Wm3PEN, on D-Star!).  There will be stations in each of the original 13 Colonies, and two additional stations: one in Philadelphia, and one in Durham, England.  The goal is to work all 15 statio...

Get on the air this weekend!

Did you know that you can talk to people in other parts of the country, or even other parts of the world, without having your amateur radio license?  You can!  You just need to have an amateur give you a hand and operate the station for you.  There's an awesome opportunity this weekend to do just that!  Come out to Tannenbaum Park in Greensboro on Saturday, June 27 or Sunday, June 28 and visit our GOTA (Get On The Air) Station that we'll have setup for field day.  Don't know where Tannenbaum Park is?  Click here for a map. We promise that you won't be disappointed with the experience, and the first 15 people to make 20 contacts at the GOTA ...

ARRL June VHF Contest This Weekend

Here is a contest that's open to all radio amateurs, regardless of license level!  If you've never had a chance to participate in a contest because you're a Technician or because you don't have space for HF equipment at your QTH, this weekend's VHF contest is your chance to try your hand at contesting.  According to the ARRL website, the objective of the contest is: To work as many amateur stations in as many different 2 degrees by 1 degree grid squares as possible using authorized frequencies above 50 MHz. Foreign stations work W/VE amateurs only. It's kinda like WAS on steroids since there are far more grid squares than states and because of ...

Amateur Radio Vanity Call Sign Fees to be Eliminated

The FCC has found that it costs the agency more to process the regulatory fees for amateur radio vanity call signs and other services such as GMRS than the fees themselves cover. Rather than increasing the rate, the FCC has decided to eliminate them altogether. This change will not go into effect until the required congressional notice has been given, which typically takes at least 90 days. Any fees paid prior to the institution of the change will not be refunded. This is great news and a welcome change from the tedious fee recovery process that has been normal. For more information, visit this page at ARRL's website.

Ham Radio Operators Aid in Nepalese Earthquake Response

Almost everyone has heard about the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that hit Nepal on April 25, 2015 and the devastation it left behind. More than 7,000 people were killed and many others were injured. Countless have been left homeless as the result of building collapses, and it has been difficult for people to find loved ones in the wake of the destruction and ensuing chaos. Amateur radio has played an important role in the rescue and recovery efforts in Nepal, often being the only means of communications due to the country's lack of reliable telephone and Internet infrastructure. In many ways, amateur radio operators have filled a crucial role. There ...

GARA Picnic May 16 at Hagan Stone Park

Come and have a fun and relaxing evening with GARA in shelter 5 at Hagan Stone Park in Pleasant Garden on Saturday, May 16. This is a great event to celebrate the start of summer and have fun with friends, old and new. Bring a radio or a frisbee and be ready to pack down excellent hamburgers and hot dogs.  Everyone is welcome! The picnic will start at 5pm and run until 8, with food being served around 6pm. If you'd like to attend, let Tom Bertolino, GARA president, or any board member know before May 13, and include the number of people you'll have there. You can also use the contact form on this site to let us know. The cost is a modest $7 per ...

World Amateur Radio Day April 18

This Saturday, April 18, is World Amateur Radio Day in honor of that day in 1925 that the International Amateur Radio Union was formed in Paris. According to the IARU, World Amateur Radio Day "is the day when IARU Member-Societies can show our capabilities to the public and enjoy global friendship with other Amateurs worldwide." There will be a number of Special Event Stations on the air for WARD from various countries such as Bahrain, India, Oman, and from our neighbor W4SNC, the Iredell County Amateur Radio Society! To see more information about the World Amateur Radio Day, visit the WARD page on the IARU website, found at http://www.iaru.org...

Rockingham County Amateur Radio Club Swapfest

The Rockingham County Amateur Radio Club will be holding their 11th annual Swapfest at the Community Baptist Church in Reidsville from 8am until noon on Saturday, May 9.  Admission is $4 in advance or $5 at the gate.  Plan on arriving early to find the best deals! For more information, see the flier on the RCARC's website here.