With a stunning new technology, a well known company has decided to re-enter the Amateur market.  Will they re-invent Ham Radio when they do?

BUFFALO, NY — An upstate New York company has announced the development of a new technology with profound implications for modern communications, including Amateur Radio.  Dr. Robert F. “RF” Burns, president of Buffalo Chip Technology, provided some information at an April 1st press conference.

“We have successfully created what amounts to a very high gain, very broadbanded directional antenna in a single computer chip smaller than a book of matches.  Our discovery of Enhanced Integrated Electronic Input/Output (EIE-I/O) has enormous potential”

Montgomery Scott, chief engineer for the Enterprise, added some details.  “While it is true that you cannot change the laws of physics, it is sometimes possible to use them creatively.  What we have done here is exactly that.”  Scott went on to explain some of the background behind the breakthrough.  “Until now, electronic theory has described radio propagation in terms of Sine Waves.  One of our laddies, Jim Tiberius, started looking instead at Cosine Waves.  This led to the discovery of EIE-I/O, and the subsequent development of the CosineOptimized Waveform Chip.  C.O.W. chips may represent the most significant advance in electronics since the Di-Lithium Crystal.”

“Unlike Sine waveforms, which vary in length depending on frequency, Cosine Optimized Waveforms are almost uniformly short across the entire radio spectrum.  The functional equivalent of a nine element, full sized 40 meter beam antenna will now fit in a package no larger than a credit card.  The 80 and 160 meter versions will be the size of a pack of cigarettes.”

“EIE-I/O also has applications in transceiver design,” added company spokesman Richard Tracy.  He demonstrated a prototype of a full-featured, all mode HF through microwave rig.  The radio, including the antenna, is worn on the wrist and resembles an everyday wristwatch.  “We expect this to be especially popular with contesters and their families,” he continued.  Imagine being able to attend your daughter’s dance recital or your son’s soccer game, while never missing that big band opening!  And won’t the XYL be thrilled – no more ‘laundry problems’ caused working ‘just one more multiplier’ before a trip to the Theory Room.”

Industry insiders have reported a few nagging problems with the C.O.W. chips.  “They’re apparently made in a really ugly shade of brown,” said one.  “I don’t know how the market will accept that.”  Others pointed to a somewhat unpleasant odor emanating from the chips.  Buffalo Chip experts have described the problems as small, but unavoidable.

Newer hams may not be familiar with the company.  Many long-time Amateurs have fond memories of the firm, however.  Founder Joseph MacDonald was legendary for finding and developing electrical engineers.  “Sometimes it seemed like old MacDonald had a farm,” recalled one veteran.  “He always had a great crop of home-grown talent.”

Spokesman Burns confirmed the company’s re-entry into the Amateur Radio Market.  “Our management team believes that Amateur Radio operators deserve the best in C.O.W. Chip products and EIE-I/O technology.  We are committed to providing exactly that.”

Competitors were less than enthusiastic, saying it is a long overdue move.  According to one anonymous rival, “Suddenly, their management team is committed?  Big deal!  They should have been committed years ago!”  Said another, “It seems like just more of the same old bullcrap to me.  The major manufacturers have known about this technology for years.  The problem is in maintaining consistent quality control over the manufacturing process.  But if they can do that, I think the rest of us might be in deep doo-doo.”

Buffalo Chip personnel insist that they have solved the manufacturing and quality issues, and are ready to go.  Production of EIE-I/O units is expected to begin shortly.  According to a company press release, Quicksilver Radio Products has been appointed as the exclusive worldwide distributor.

Reprinted by permission for those who may have missed it.

The results of the 2010 Sweepstakes(CW) are posted on the ARRL website. Here are the results for the club.

At the last meeting we discussed the possibility of having a LoTW “workshop” for members who need some assistance. I’d like to get an idea if there is some support for this idea before we commit to a location for the meeting (we will require internet access).

How many people would take advantage of this workshop if offered? Please let me know as soon as possible.

If there’s enough interest I’ll contact those members about their specific needs to make sure all the prerequisites are met so I can help them (received post card with password for LoTW access, have files to be uploaded, etc.).

73,

Pat, NG1G

The next meeting will be held April 16 at a place to be announced later. Location depends upon the success of an experiment to provide internet access at the Crandall House.

So far we have:

At the March meeting interest was expressed in seeing presentations on all of the popular logging programs.If you have something to present on this subject or any other please step forward now.

Is there a volunteer for providing the lunch makings?

I see K3IU has listed a Heathkit SB-220 amplifier — apparently with few hours on it and nice upgrades — on Swapmeet.  This is a wonderful amplifier when converted for 6-meter DXing.  Those who have visited my shack have seen that I use one on 6-meters with great results.  Mine was converted by K1JX for use during VHF mountaintopping days….so it has made a lot of VHF contesting QSOs.  It puts out a KW easily on the Bird wattmeter.  If needed I  can probably get the details of how mine was converted.  I think there is a guy in CT who does it for a price (Google it).  Anyyway, when 160 craps out soon, you will see 6-meters start to open up.  Making DX contacts to Europe on 6-meters is pretty exciting.  During the peak summer season you will find the band open to CT3 and EA8 almost every day.  Then there is the ARRL June VHF Contest and CQ VHF Contest in July that gets a lot of stations QRV (and they both count for the CTRI Championship).  GL with the sale, Ken! 

The equinox period is a good time to hear and work the VKs on Top Band.  For example, this morning starting at about 6 AM EDST, the following VKs were heard:  VK6GX, VK6HD, VK3ZL.  These are regulars on 160 with good signals. VK3ZL answered my CQ at 6:30 local.  But VK6HD was a real 599 at 6:30.  I have no doubt that 100 watts would make it through at this time of the year.  Also for the first time, I was nearly astonished to hear BU2AQ on 1810.5 from 6:45 – 6:55…the first time I have heard him on Top Band.  I called but my experience with hearing him on 80 before is that he does not hear very well.  AA1K — a virtual beacon on 160 every morning — called him but AQ kept getting his call as K1AA.  Too bad!  I’ll listen again tomorrow and see if there is any hope of getting through. We probably only have another week or two of DX condions to the Pacific, so if any of you have Pacific DX aspirations on Top Band, start listening about 6 AM local or even a little earlier.  Things peak up about 6:45 AM.  GL!!  3/23/2011

This is a bit off topic but it has been my observation (no pun intended) that many Hams are interested in astronomy. To that end some of you may be interested in Earth’s Moon’s closest approach (perigee) in its orbit of our home world occurring this Saturday just before sunset. Thus the full moon which occurs at sunset will appear larger than usual. The coincidence of perigee and the full moon occurs once every 18 years.

More information may be seen by visiting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1yalg_Apdw

S1=ON S3=ON S4=ON

This will be a test in four parts.
1. Post published
2. Comment entered
3. Forum Topic created
4. Forum Topic reply entered

If you are part of the test group please report reception details. Any of the rest of you are certainly welcome to indicate whether/when you receive any of the test emails.

Ed W1PN

Ed, correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t see a complete list of current and active members in the club.  Direct me to this link if already created on this site.

Dan, ka1bno

Contest occurs: May 7 – 8, 2011

Attention all CTRI members: This is a call to arms for an all out assault on the all-time club score in the New England QSO Party (NEQP). To be successful will require the effort of each and every club member to contribute to the best of his or her ability.

Why NEQP? The New England QSO Party is our QSO Party. Stations outside of New England look to work us. It’s the closest thing to being rare DX as you can get. NEQP has a great following of hams stateside and DX that will be looking for you.

What’s the present club record? Actually, CTRI still holds the club record from 2004 with 8 entries and 418,603 points. Since then NEQP has grown much more popular. We can do much better than that.

What’s the goal? With the support of all club members we can score a total of one million points to set a new club record. What about YCCC? YCCC is considered “The Home Team” and is not in the club competition. We have several club members who have in the past posted very big scores in this contest. They are committed to giving it a full effort for CTRI.

But I’m a little pistol. To make the one million points will require we all pull together: Big guns and Little Pistols alike. You can operate SSB phone, CW/digital or both. See the attached rules.

I have trouble staying in the chair. That’s the beauty of NEQP. It starts at 4 PM EDT Saturday (May 7) and runs until 1 AM EDT Sunday (May 8). Then there is an off time when you can go to sleep. It opens again at 9 AM Sunday morning and runs until 8 PM EDT Sunday night: A maximum of 20 hours.

I don’t have an HF station. If your HF station is equipment challenged or you have limited contest experience, NEQP is just the right ticket for you. CTRI will run a multi-operator station as W1DX at the W1AN QTH, Ledyard CT which will be open to you. NEQP is ideal for gaining contesting experience. And W1AN’s is the ideal no-pressure venue. Please advise John (W1AN) on the reflector if you intend to operate at his QTH. This will help the club score immensely to reach its goal. No club member should have any excuse not to participate in this club venture.

What’s the exchange info? Signal report, county and state. Send 59 or 5NN to everyone. See the attached list of county abbreviations. You can work anyone, either in or out of New England. Stations outside New England will send you signal report and state/province or “DX.” Work stations once per band per mode [but no CW/digital QSOs in the phone bands].

I don’t have a logging program. You have enough time before the contest to get yourself a logging program. Ask any club members for their recommendations. Probably the simplest to learn in the short term is: http://www.n3fjp.com. If you still don’t get one, keep a paper log. After the contest, someone in the club will transcribe it into an e-submission format.

Where do I get more info? An NEQP package of rules etc. will be distributed at the March and April CTRI meetings. Please try to make at least one of these meetings. You don’t want to miss the “pep” talk. Any questions can then be answered. You can download the same material on www.neqp.org, if you can’t make a meeting.

Notice to members with non-1-land calls: If you think it would be advantageous to use a 1-land call, there are club members who are trustees of club calls that may be available. For example, if someone in Rhode Island would like to use KA1RI that can be arranged. Post on the reflector the availability of calls or if you desire one.

Will you commit to operate? As the club’s Contest Manager, I respectfully request that you let me know that you are with us for NEQP. Please e-mail me at:
w1xx [at] cox [dot] net
If you would like to indicate how much you expect to operate, that would be fine too. If you have any needs such as equipment, advice, etc., we’ll see what we can do for the club to help. Don’t hesitate to ask. This will be a fun event. And remember, it’s ONE MILLION OR BUST and bust is not an option! 73!

— John Lindholm, W1XX
CTRI Contest Manager

3/7/2011

[az-index id=”1″]