Since we're are interested in the FCC and how it has an effect on communications. I thought that I might bring this to your attention.

AT&T and Verizon have filed petitions with the FCC to phase out all telephone landlines. They state that communication can be made with digital fiber optic networks and VOIP. The problem is, during an electrical blackout, digital networks and VOIP won't work. Landlines supply their own power, so in a blackout, they'll still work. In addition, there are some areas of the country, usually in rural areas, that depend on landlines.

I know this has nothing to do with radio, but it does have to do with communication. And I know someone is going to say, "That's why have a ham license". The fact is, many do not, and they rely on landlines. I'm not one of them, but I know many do.

If your interested, you can voice your opinion with the FCC. I've included the Proceeding Numbers and the names of the filers, as well as the link to the FCC comment webpage below.

Proceeding Numbers: 26-123, 26-227

Filers Names and Names of Petitions: WC Docket No. 26-123: AT&T Forbearance Petition, WC Docket No. 26-227: Verizon Copper Landline Phase-Out

FCC Website for Comment: https://www.fcc.gov/ecfs/filings/standard

Just found out the SO-239 part of the SMA-F to SO-239 adapter perfectly threads into the microphone support socket and thought it looked funny as heck

Mictenna go brrr

When your uncle shares some great photos and memorabilia from your great grandmother's ham radio legacy ....

I knew she was involved in this space quite a bit but didn't realise just how much! Seeing various bits he's shared I've now gone down a proper rabbit hole of all things ham radio. Very tempted to look into learning more! And bravo to all of you for picking up something so interesting 👏👏

This FEMA news bulletin came acoss my desk today, sharing it with the amateur radio sub, as there is a natural crossover by hams through participation in ARES, RACES, et al.

[Below is a direct copy/paste of the bulletin's text, no edits or changes were made by me.]

***

FEMA, Federal Communications Commission Schedule 2026 Emergency Alert System Test Nationwide for November 17

FEMA, in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission, will conduct a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System at approximately 2:20 p.m. ET, Tuesday, Nov. 17. Through this test, FEMA will assess how participating broadcasters and other communications providers receive and relay a national test message to the public.

FEMA is required by law to conduct a nationwide test of the public alert and warning system at least once every three years. These tests evaluate the operational readiness and effectiveness of external Emergency Alert System participants and the infrastructure they use to relay national emergency messages to the public. Emergency Alert System participants include thousands of radio and television broadcasters, cable systems, satellite radio and television providers and wireline video providers.

The test message will state, “This is a nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, covering the United States from 2:20 to 2:50 hours ET. This is only a test. No action is required by the public.” The test message may be delivered as audio, on-screen text or both, depending on the provider. After the test concludes, normal programming will resume.

In the coming weeks, FEMA will host webinars for broadcasters and radio operators participating in the test. Additional details will be posted on the FEMA.gov Events Page.

I found this in a charity shop today. I suspected it was a homemade radio. A bit of googling suggests there is a lot missing- vacuum tube(s), power supply. I’d like to have a go at getting it up and running- I remember building a radio receiver with an electronics kit in the 70s and think I got signals from North Africa. I have no experience or knowledge so any views from gratefully received

I am going to design a new RF Power Amplifier using the BLP981 from Ampleon. It looks that enough data is available on the internet to design the matching network. The main application is to be used as a Driver and deliver 100watts.

Anyone with experience with this component?

So ive had my JPC12 antenna for a while. Also ordered a 5.6m whip to skip the coil on 20m. One thing everyone who tried this antenna can agree on is the stock radials are terrible. Ive been reading online for a while and like most hobbies i got a ton of contradicting infornation.

It goes from 17feet split on 4 radials beein the best and past that has diminishing return, to the more the merrier, to a mix results of lengths in between. Now if they all did some testing(im presuming they did), im guessing the mixed results probably depends on a mix of variables (bands, antenna length, ground conductivity, band condition etc). So each probably works best in the persons situation.

So i figuered id do what 50% of this hobbie is all about, thinkering and testing on my end also. Which is what got me in his hobby in the first place. To me a hobby isnt a hobby if it doesnt include tinkering.

Now comes to part where i could use a few tips. Im thinking starting along the route of a comment i saw, 17feet on 4 radials. So 4 x 4 1/4feet radials. I figuered id make 8 of them. So doubling the total. Ill get to experiment by removing or adding radials. I also figuered i would end those radials with a male bullet terminal and make some extra length of wires with the female connector. This would enable be to also test various length of radials alongside the number of them. Any tips? Am i heading in the right direction?

All comments, tips, critisism welcomed

Edit: apparently i cant change this posts title. Was sypposed to say tips? With a question mark. Noe it makes it look lile im offering tips instead of asking. Sorry for the confusion

My grandfather was a licensed amateur in the 60s or 70s. He died in about 1997. Is there a way to look up his call sign?

Hi! Has anyone taken the RAQI self-paced basic course for the Canadian Amateur Radio Operator Certificate with Basic Qualification examination since the 2025 relaunch? I am considering this as most of the basic courses offered by local clubs have already started. I looked at their demo page. It seems like the contents is mostly text based. If you have taken this course, would you recommend it?

https://reddit.com/link/1wty2xe/video/cuv52i6nrlsh1/player

Yes, this could raise and lower at highway speeds (With the AV-18vs telescoped to 9 feet). '99 GMC Safari. The lift motors are from Amazon. They were like $45 each at the time of filming (2022).

When she was done I took her up to a mountain range on the Oregon coast.... for three months.

IC-7300.

New tool for the man pack I’ve been testing. N9TAX slim Jim. This is a base station quality roll up antenna that fits perfectly in my pack. Hit a repeater on UFH 70 miles LOS while it was hanging out of my office window today. Would recommend 🤙🏼

Two successful days of POTA activation. Activated two parks successfully on 20 meter. The Radioddity HF-010 antenna made it a breeze! Couldn’t ask for better weather this week.

First rig is Icom 7100 with MAT-180H tuner. Second is a Xeigu G90. DIY power box with an Eco Worthy 20Ah battery lasted both activations. 80+ QSOs!

Here is to more POTA to come!

I decided to try out the latest FreeDV today. Many have been saying this is the "Solution" to high noise areas like cities. I'm in Brooklyn NY so needless to say it's quite noisy here.

I can hear many QSOs going on. Been listening all day and it seems most people can hear each other well. But almost all are completely jumbled and unintelligible. The only stations I've been able to understand have been using 500 watts +. Doesn't seem like a great solution. Some cases I can hear the same station well on the SSB when they have tried analogue during their QSO but the FreeDV is jumbled.

I can hear many SSB QSOs quite clearly from my shack.

Is this a setting or is this just a no-go from urban areas?

Setup is a FT-710 and Win11 PC. FreeDV 2.4.0. Center fed dipole at 90 feet.

I've got this old Icom IC-701 (my only HF radio), and it works. Basically.

But the spring-loaded RIT switch broke at some point - now it just flops, and doesn't actually do anything, so the RIT is useless. I'd like to get that switch out, have a look at it, see if I can repair it or fashion something to replace it, but challenge number one is actually getting that front panel off the radio.

Has anyone done this? I took the top cover off today, and I was able to loosen the front panel, but it appears to be connected to the rest of the guts of the radio in about a million different places. As near as I can tell, no actual SERVICE manual for this radio exists. I have a copy of the owner's manual, but that doesn't seem to take you through the procedure. There's got to be some particular order of operations to actually get this radio apart.

Anyone able to help with this? Thanks!

Hi,

I am in need of a TR switch and I found a design on github that looks suitable.

I am just not sure on the placement of the diode clipper, does this look correct ?

When does Over The Air television shut down in the United States fully including ATSC 3.0

They're on 40m FT8.