Check Your Signal On The Internet!

Here's a great example of why I love amateur radio -- hams helping their fellow hams!  If you don't have a close amateur radio friend who lives across the country, wouldn't it be nice to have a distant station give you a reception report, so that you can monitor your signal strength or make adjustments to your mic gain or antenna system?  Let's say you own an older "vintage" rig, like the Yaesu FT-101B, with analog tuning.  Wouldn't you like to check your dial's frequency calibration?  Well, thanks to hams with SDR (software-defined radio) websites, you now can!  All the popular HF, VHF, and UHF bands are covered, so you can easily check out all your rigs!  Here are two of my favorites SDR websites:

WEBSDR INTERNET RADIO

WebSDR is a Software-Defined Radio receiver connected to the internet, allowing many listeners to listen and tune it simultaneously. SDR technology makes it possible for all listeners to tune independently, and thus listen to different signals.  This is in contrast to the many classical receivers that are already available via the internet.  WebSDR is located at www.websdr.org.

More background information is available HERE and frequently asked questions are answered HERE. Questions and comments can be sent to PA3FWM, the author of the WebSDR software and maintainer of this website.

WebSDR Radio Station Coverage Area

S-METER INTERNET RADIO

Welcome to the S-Meter Website  Check your signal and listen to others on remote receivers. Read thousands of pages of ham radio information. Download virus-free radio-related design programs. There is no charge for receiver usage, any of the information, or any downloaded computer programs.

Menus take you to major content sections. Thousands of other pages are buried within. Search from the bottom of any page to find what you are looking for if you don't see it in a menu. This site is updated frequently, so be sure to Bookmark or add it to your Favorites so you can return easily. (Don't lose track of this site, because some things here can be difficult to find anywhere else!)

Listen To The Dallas, Texas Receiver On Your Smartphone  The Dallas receiver audio streaming technology has been changed for compatibility with modern Smartphones. Users of Windows Smartphones have been listening to receivers at the S-Meter site for years. Now Android, iPhone, and iPad users can listen to the Dallas receiver from their mobile devices. Clicking this link will take your Smartphone or iPad to the new Dallas receiver mobile streaming page Dallas Receiver Mobile. Desktop users should LISTEN HERE instead.

Newport OR Receiver Now Online The Kenwood R-5000 receiver that was running online from a site north of Salt Lake City for many years has been moved to Newport, Oregon and is now back online.  Click HERE to check your signal.

TECH NOTE: When using your laptop computer next to your ham rig, plug headphones into the audio-out jack of the computer (to hear your own transmission) and a dummy plug into the rig's headphone jack to mute the rig's audio, in order to prevent feedback.  Enjoy!

Radio Programming Made Easy!

THE RT SYSTEMS VERSION 4.5 UPDATE!

In discussing the new RT Systems software for programming amateur radios, especially the newly-introduced Chinese handhelds, several of you have emailed me asking me what makes this software different from the free versions you can easily download from the web.  Here's the answer: RT Systems new 4.5 version update of their extremely popular (and reliable) radio, programming software.

HERE'S WHAT'S NEW IN VERSION 4.50

USB CABLE • NO MORE COM PORT SETUP!

• RT Systems USB cables make it easier to transfer data between the radio and the computer.
• Plug and go. Once the cable is attached, you’re ready to “Getting data from” or “Sending data to” the radio... without struggling to set up the com port!
• See for yourself just how easy setting up your radio can be. Click Getting Stared and relax as we show you how.

SHARE FILES WITH OTHERS, EVEN IF THE "OTHER" HAS A

DIFFERENT RADIO THAN YOURS!

• Share files with others. Transfer easily via e-mail, CD, or flash drive.
• The RT Systems Version 4 file for any radio can be opened with the RT Systems Version 4 Programmer for ANY radio.
• The “shared” file opens in a generic screen from which you copy the channel details to a file for your radio.
• With just a few mouse clicks, the other radio is programmed and ready to use.

OPEN SEVERAL FILES AT ONCE!

• Files can be for the same or different radios (Version 4 Programmer for each radio required).
• Different color tabs at the top of the screen let you see that several files are open. Simply click a tab to switch between the files.
• Split the screen to see more than one file at once.  Click HERE to see how easily this is done.

NEW EDITING FEATURES

• Column editing with copy and paste. Change one. Copy it. Paste in the same column... once or repeatedly by highlighting several.
• Move-up or Move-Down to rearrange the order of the channels.
• Sort and Unsort.
• Copy and paste one or many channels. Select all to copy. Select only one to paste. Copied channels are pasted beginning with the selected channel.
• Copy within the same file or between files for different radios.
• Learn more about Copy and Paste with this 10-minute tutorial.

EASILY ENTER DETAILS FOR SPECIAL RADIO FUNCTIONS

• Learn more about D-Star setup using the built-in D-Star Calculator. The D-Star Calculator is part of the RT Systems Programmer for many Icom D-Star Radios. Check the Icom page on our site for a complete list of these radios
• Click D-Star Setup and relax, as we show you.
• Learn more about Hypermemories in the Yaesu FT-7800, FT-7900 and FT-8800 radios. Click Hypermemories and relax, as we show you.

What more info? Visit www.rtsystems.com.

Newly Licensed? Here's Help!

AMATEUR RADIO VHF-UHF STARTER FREQUENCIES

Get a good start in ham radio with some of Gordon West's favorite Southern California repeater and simplex radio frequencies for the most popular VHF & UHF amateur radio bands.  The lists below are configured for the popular Baofeng & Wouxun Chinese-made VHF-UHF dual-band portables, but you can input these frequencies into virtually any amateur radio, mobile or portable, manually or using a computer and programming software.  But if  programming your new radio with a computer is new to you, please feel free to email me. The top two lists below were designed especially for hams who are boaters and would like to monitor the marine channels along with the most popular Southern California repeater frequencies. The bottom two lists include MURS, FRS, and GMRS channels. Click on the links below to view/download the frequency list of your choice. 

Gordo's Top 60 + Marine Channels For The Baofeng UV5R.pdf 

Gordo's Top 60 + Marine Channels For The Baofeng UV3R.pdf  

Gordo's Top 100 Frequencies For The Baofeng UV5R.pdf 

Gordo's Top 99 Frequencies For The Baofeng UV3R.pdf

MARINE CHANNELS NOTE -- When you look at the frequency lists that contain the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Channels, you will notice something interesting: They are matched up with memory locations of the same number.  In other words, after turning on your radio, if you press "016," you will be taken to Marine Channel 16. Pressing "022" takes you to Channel 22, and so on. Special thanks to Tony Ashlin KI6DZV for this great programming idea!

BAOFENG PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE -- If you're a fan of Dan Smith's unique CHIRP Software for the computer programming of the inexpensive 128-channel Baofeng UV-5R dual-band radio, you will need the following image files.  The first link below will take you to Dan Smith's "CHIRP Download" webpage. CHIRP is available for all versions of Windows, as well as Linux and the popular Ubuntu operating systems.

Click HERE To Download The Free CHIRP Programming Software

Gordo's Top 60 + Marine Channels For The Baofeng UV5R.img  

Gordo's Top 100 Frequencies For The Baofeng UV5R.img 

WOUXUN PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE -- If you're a fan of Dan Smith's unique CHIRP Software for the computer programming of the inexpensive 199-channel Wouxun KG-UV6D/X dual-band radio, you will need the following image files.  The first link below will take you to Dan Smith's "CHIRP Download" webpage. CHIRP is available for all versions of Windows, as well as Linux and the popular Ubuntu operating systems. The second link is an Adobe PFD file of Gordo's exclusive frequency list. The last link is the CHIRP file you will upload to your radio.

Click HERE To Download The Free CHIRP Programming Software

Gordo's Top 100 + Marine Channels For The WouxunKG-UV6.pdf  

Gordo's Top 100 + Marine Channels For The Wouxun KG-UV6.img 

THE ABSOLUTE BEST PROGRAMMING SOFTWARE!

Bob Nagy in his video (see the Baofeng post below) tells how difficult it is to program these Chinese handhelds via the front keypad.  I can also tell you, that my attempts to program the Baofeng or Wouxun radios with the free downloadable Chinese PC software was equally disastrous. But, there is a solution -- RT Systems to the rescue!

I was so please recently to discover that RT Systems has entered the field by providing USB programming cables and Windows-based software for the most popular Chinese handheld and mobile radios, such as the Baofeng UV-5R.  As a ham radio operator, I have appreciated the intuitive RT Systems software for programming my HF rigs and Yaesu handhelds for years.  Not to go into great detail, but if you have ever been challenged by not being able to move memory channels up or down or had the “CSV Import-Export” dilemma drive you batty, you will love the ease and convenience of RT Systems software!  BTW, the USB cables and software are VERY affordable, too.  To see how easy programming your rig can be, visit www.rtsystemsinc.com.

Special thanks to Gordon West WB6NOA and Tony Ashlin KI6DZV for helping me in organizing the frequency lists and image files for this post. Bravo Zulu guys! Need more help? Email me your questions at w6aux@arrl.net.

The Radio Amateur's Code

THE RADIO AMATEUR IS:

• CONSIDERATE never knowingly operating in such a way as to lessen the pleasure of others.
• LOYAL offering loyalty, encouragement and support to other amateurs, local clubs and the American Radio Relay League, through which Amateur Radio in the United States is represented nationally and internationally.
• PROGRESSIVE with knowledge abreast of science, a well-built and efficient station, and operation beyond reproach.
• FRIENDLY with slow and patient operation when requested, friendly advice and counsel to the beginner, kindly assistance, co-operation and consideration for the interests of others. These are the hallmarks of the amateur spirit.
• BALANCED Radio is an avocation, never interfering with duties owed to family, job, school or community.
• PATRIOTIC with station and skills always ready for service to country and community

Those Chinese Radios • Part 1

BAOFENG UV-5R DUAL BAND HANDHELD

One of the most popular little HT portables to hit the US market from China is the Baofeng UV-5R dual band VHF-UHF portable transceiver.  At 4 watts, its a sufficient little radio for hitting your local repeaters or reaching your XYL. Because of its extremely small size and light weight, it makes an ideal radio for covert ops, security work, and celebrity protection details. The radio has a scrambler encryption option, and a "clear tube" earpiece with covert microphone is available from a number of suppliers and on eBay.

Click HERE To View Bob Nagy's Great Review & Setup Video

KEY FEATURES & TECHNICAL SPECS

This BAOFENG UV-5R transceiver is a small, light-weight multi-band FM transceiver with extensive receive frequency coverage, providing local-area two-way amateur radio communications along with unmatched monitoring capability. This HT meets the FCC & NTIA narrow band requirements of a Part 90 Accepted Transceiver.

• 25KHz/12.5KHz Switchable (W/N Band)
• Channel Step: 2.5/5/6.25/10/12.5/25 KHz
• Frequency Range: 136-174 / 400-480 MHz
• FM Broadcast Receive 65-108 MHz
• 128 Channels 50 CTCSS and 104 CDCSS
• Dual-Band Display, Dual Freq. Display, Dual-Standby
• 7.4V 1800mah Li-ion Battery Pack 

Frequency Range: 65-108 MHz (FM Receive Only)

136-174 MHz and 400-480 MHz (TX/RX)
Channels 128
Frequency Stability: ±2.5ppm
Antenna: High Gain Dual Band Antenna
Antenna Impedance: 50?
Operating Voltage: DC 7.4V
Mode of operation: Simple or semi-duplex
Dimension (W x H x D): 100 x 52 x 32 mm
Weight: 250g (including battery, antenna)
Transmitter Output power: 4W / 1W (Max 5W) 
Modulation Mode: 16k?F3E / 11k?F3E
Maximum Deviation: <5kHz(Wide) / <2.5kHz(Narrow)
Spurious Radiation: <7?W
Adjacent Ch. Power: <=-65dB(Wide) / <=-60dB(Narrow)
Pre-emphasis characteristics: 6dB
Current: <=1.6A(5W)
CTCSS/DCS deviation: 0.5±0.1kHz(Wide) / 0.3±0.1kHz(Narrow)
Intermediation Sensitivity: 8-12mv
Intermediation Distortion: <10%

PROGRAMMING THE BAOFENG UV-5R

Bob Nagy in his video (above) tells how difficult it is to program this handheld via the front keypad.  I can also tell you, that my attempt to program the Baofeng with the free downloadable Chinese PC software was equally disastrous. But, there is a solution -- RT Systems to the rescue!

I was so please recently to discover that RT Systems has entered the field by providing USB programming cables and Windows-based software for the most popular Chinese handheld and mobile radios, such as the Baofeng UV-5R.  As a ham radio operator, I have appreciated the intuitive RT Systems software for programming my HF rigs and Yaesu handhelds for years.  Not to go into great detail, but if you have ever been challenged by not being able to move memory channels up or down or had the “CSV Import-Export” dilemma drive you batty, you will love the ease and convenience of RT Systems software!  BTW, the USB cables and software are VERY affordable, too.  To see how easy programming your rig can be, visit www.rtsystemsinc.com.

WHERE TO BUY?

You can order one of these great little radios for as low as $49.95 (special sale price), by paying a visit to the website of Knight Radio by clicking HERE.  Knight Radio also sells a full line of extra batteries, speaker-mics, and other accessories for this radio.

And yes, Amazon.Com also sells the Baofeng UV-5R for an amazing low, low price of only $42.45!  Click HERE to jump directly to the Amazon website's Baofeng sale page.

When you order your Baofeng, look for a "package bundle" including an extra battery, extended range antenna, etc. You'll get more "bang for your buck!"

GOT A QUESTION?

There's a nice blog by a Dutch radio amateur, which has a ton of information on the Baofeng radios, links to user groups, and tips on doing firmware upgrades as they become available. The link to his blog is Thoughts of a Dutch Radio Amateur. Another good resource here in the USA, is the Yahoo Baofeng UV-5R Users Group, with a lot of the same type of information.  In the meantime, you can always leave me a comment with your email below, and I will get back to you within 24 hours.