Field Day 2011 Plans

Some of you may have heard that won't be working Field Day 2011 at all this year. Well this has (Hopefully!) changed!

Thanks to some PERFECT timing (And my new apartment!), I WILL be working Field Day 2011 after all.

Thanks to this antenna which I plan to get from the local candy store next month & my ICOM IC 706 MKII-G rig, I plan to work the following bands & modes on Field Day this year.....

VOICE

6 Meters
10 Meters (Technician portion only)

CW

6 Meters
10 Meters (Where my licence allows me to work of course)
15 Meters (Where my licence allows me to work & if the band is open of course)
40 Meters (Where my licence allows me to work of course)

Now since I don't have the eye-hand coordination needed to properly work a Morse Code keyer (And even I did, I lack the neurological skills needed to decipher Morse Code anyhow), I'm afraid I'll be limited to a freebie computerized morse code program that can translate the code to text. Short of that, I won't be working CW at all

I'll also be streaming my activities on Hams On Cams via my UStream TV Channel as well

So, there you have it. Going from not working Field Day 2011 at all to working some HF on Field Day!!

Now I just have to hope that OLD MAN MURPHY stays away & doesn't strike (Knocking HARD on wood) :)

The Cybershack Upgrades To Web 2.0

Well it took quite awhile but I have FINALLY pulled it off as the KB0OXD Cybershack website has made the upgrade from Web 1.0 to a humble (Yet flashy in it's own little way) Web 2.0 website.

Please tell me what you think by taking the poll in the sidebar. I want your feedback. In fact, I look forward to it. Additionally, you can also leave comments below.

Cheers & 73! :)

Back To The Future TV Is **FINALLY** On The Air

After MANY years of trying with only mediocre success, I have FINALLY managed to actually get the station on the air. It is a LIVE station running everything under the sun in the area of Classic TV, low-budget Grade B movies which network stations would carry in the early days of TV & were ultimately relegated to Independent & Public TV stations later on (Sometimes in the wee hours of the morning too) & other cool stuff in the public domain (Most of it courtesy of the Internet Archive).

Until I get a web page built for the station (And for the radio sister station as well, which WILL be hosted on the KB0OXD Cybershack), you can watch it from the sidebar of my main blog via a small viewer I have installed. You can also watch it from the station page which also has a chat room as well.

Both the viewer on the main blog & the station page require the use of the Adobe Flash Player, so be sure to download & install it today. If you already have it & you're prompted for an update, I recommend letting the updater download & install the update so you are assured of having the very latest version of the Adobe Flash Player.

Well.....That's all the news that's fit to post from here.

Cheers & 73 :)

KB0OXD-L EchoLink Stream Is BACK UP

The KB0OXD-L EchoLink is once again BACK UP.  The stream requires a player which can play Windows Media Audio (It DOES NOT have to be Windows Media Player itself as there are plenty of alternatives nowadays).

For whatever reason, I cannot seem to get the SHOUTcast DSP to work with the LINE IN of my onboard sound so I can use it instead of Windows Media.  If anybody has any ideas as to how to tackle this issue, Drop Me A Line .

The stream was taken down for security reasons.

Weight Loss Support Nets On The Bands

DOWNLOAD THIS VIDEO TO YOUR HARD DRIVE OR APPLE DEVICE. Do NOT stream it from the site.

FEATURED: An idea to address the problem of weight issues for those of us who have them.

THE RATIONALE BEHIND THIS BLOG POST: Simple.

We all know how important mobility is (Especially when engaged in public service and emergency communications). The plain & simple facts are these....

IF YOU HAVE MOBILITY ISSUES, YOU ARE OF NO HELP TO ANYBODY!!!

It doesn't matter whether you're working a parade, a bicycle race, a papal visit or a wildfire. If you are going to engage in public service and/or emergency communications, MOBILITY IS A MUST.

If you have weight issues (Like I did and still do), then I can't think of a better venue for support than Ham Radio. It doesn't matter what you're doing to lose the weight. The main objective is that YOU ARE LOSING IT.

It also doesn't matter how you're dieting. You can be on some of the more well known and successful diets such as Weight Watchers & SlimFast or on one of those so-called "fad" diets like South Beach, Marie Callender's (My favorite) or Healthy Choice.

You can also go the surgical route and STILL GET THE SAME LEVEL OF SUPPORT.

And who's to say there aren't nutritionalists and other medical professionals in this field who are also Hams who COULD check in and regularly participate to give general tips and advice and for special program presentations which could help us in achieving our goals as well?

And then lastly, there's the ENCOURAGEMENT factor. We all know how we like to tease one another. We could use that in a manner that encourages someone struggling with whatever weight problems they're having. It's called SUPPORT. It's also called TURNING THAT FROWN UPSIDE DOWN.

Well I've said enough, but add what I've just said here to what said in the video (It's a joined two-part out of three parts since the point begins with part two and part one covers stuff not related to Ham Radio) and you decide.

Would You Support The Idea Of Weight Loss Support Nets On The Bands?

The poll is at the right.

Till next time....Cheers & 73 :)

EchoLink Node FINALLY Up & Running.....

Just posted to Twitter a little while ago....

FINALLY got my EchoLink node UP & RUNNING - YEAH!!! I'm listed as KB0OXD-L (Node #39953). I'm monitoring now so FEEL FREE to call me.

Those of you who are in the Denver Area can access the node by tuning into 147.465 Mhz (100 Hz. PL **REQUIRED**) as this keeps any RF junk out - NOT THE HAMS :). One word of caution though, I AM DIRECTIONAL TOWARD THE SOUTH (In fact, I have a panoramic view of the Southern horizon). As such, you might not be able to get it in places North of my QTH (Look me up in any callbook as I'm good in 'em all) unless you have a really good setup.

Beyond the PL Tone Requirement, it's an OPEN ACCESS node. Just punch in the No. of the node you wish to punch up and when you're finished, simply hit the # key. Pretty simple really (And it's also standard with just about every EchoLink simplex node here so I'm told).

Soon, I'll setup Live Streaming Audio so people can listen in (Particularly those who aren't Hams) using SHOUTcast as the source. But you know as they say - BABY STEPS...BABY STEPS!!

Anyway, I just wanted to announce to the world that my RF link is FINALLY up & running and available for people to use. :)

First Post

***NOTE: THIS NEWS ARTICLE IS _OUT OF DATE_!!! AN UPDATE WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY!!!***

We have a LOT to cover in this issue of the KB0OXD CyberShack News because there have been a LOT of changes recently and we haven't updated the KB0OXD CyberShack News in quite some time.

First and foremost, is the name change. We WERE known simply as "Radio KB0OXD" However, events forced us to change the name to something more "contemporary and modern", but yet still reflected the true spirit and meaning of the site.

Also, we've added a new feature to the site. And you're looking at it now (NOTE TO TEXT READERS - Scroll down to the links below). We have added video go our website so you can WATCH this newscast as you're getting updated. It is available in RealVideo here on the site and in Windows Media format via Lycos VideoCenter We wish to thank the folks at Lycos for offering this FREE service. Just click on your desired bitrate below (the bitrate is designed to match YOUR connection to the Internet. Please choose the right one that corresponds to the speed at which you are connected to the Internet at).

We have also been experimenting with Webcam software and have found the EarthCam software to be the closest to what we want (which is to put the live image RIGHT ON THE WEBSITE!!). to view our LIVE webcam, just click on the EarthCam logo on the main page and that will take you DIRECTLY to our cam page. DO TAKE NOTE THAT I AM **NOT** ON THE CAM 24/7 AND THE IMAGE YOU ARE SEEING IS A **PRE-RECORDED** ONE!!!! However, do feel free to leave a message or hang around until I am online (this site news update will also be included on our cam page as well).

Of course, If you know of software that does this even BETTER than EarthCam TV does, PLEASE Email Me and I will look into it.

We have TWO new Interactive Partners station. See the KB0OXD Cybershack Partners page for full details.

Speaking of our new Interactive Partners the KB0OXD Cybershack website will undergo a facelift. This facelift will be used to clean up the main page as well as eliminate old and outdated pages and links. It will also bring the KB0OXD Cybershack website more in line with those of our Interactive Partners We expect to unveil the new look soon. Stay tuned.

Want to leave a message, but just don't want to bother with opening your email program to do it??? Then the KB0OXD CyberShack ICQ Panel is for you. It doesn't matter what your message is. Just follow the onscreen instructions and press the SEND button. That's it!! You don't even need to have ICQ to do it. However, if you wish to have a copy of the world's best instant messaging software, click on the arrow below

We also plan to add panels for AOL Instant Messenger and the Yahoo! Pager in the very near future.
It should be noted that while I simply CANNOT be online ALL the time, I will try to be online at least ON OCCASION.

We are also available via IRLP as well. What is IRLP you say??? IRLP stands for Internet Radio Linking Project and its website can be found by clicking here It is basically a bunch of VHF and UHF repeaters which are linkable using DTMF commands transmitted to "nodes". I can be found on the N0PSR Node courtesy of the Rocky Mountain Radio League

However, as with my webcam and instant messaging software, I simply cannot be on the air 24/7. If you NEED to contact me, but cannot raise me through any other means, you can simply Email Me or (if you prefer), you can simply leave your message on ICQ and I will get it next time I log. You can also leave a message on my cam page in the appropriate place or by Signing The Gustbook

SPAMMERS TAKE NOTE - I REPORT THE RECEIVING OF SUCH MESSAGES TO OFFENDING ISPs!!! My name and email aliases are both VERY well known to Abuse Handlers!!! To See MY policy on dealing with spam, click on the arrow below.....

As many of you have gathered by now, I have decided to yank the audio and video database of stations which broadcast over the Internet. I have done this for several reasons. One of which being it was just simply becoming too much of a monter to keep updating. Another reason was the time I had to commit to it (which was about NONE). and another was, of course, copyright concerns which have gripped the entire broadcast industry. Though I hope to have some ham, shortwave, and scanner related stuff online very soon.

At this time, I am NOT asking for requests for other scanner stuff until I list the ones I am aware of. Once that is complete, THEN I will start taking requests (and will revise the KB0OXD CyberShack News to that effect).

You may have noticed the missing kids applets and the Columbine Memorial section at the top of the page. This is to stress the importance of PUBLIC & COMMUNITY SERVICE in Ham Radio and as such, that section will stay there unless there's an overwhelming amount of objections to it being there.

In addition, we must NEVER forget what happen at Columbine High School and as a Colorado Ham Radio Operator, I plan to continue to do my part by offering space on my websites to this very worthy cause. I also encourage other Hams to do the same on their sites as well.

I will soon be applying for a vanity call sign. When this goes through and my new vanity call has been posted on the various Internet databases, this site will most likely be transferred over to a new account. I will promptly advise everyone in some form when my application has been put in the mail, however do be advised that the transfer could happen WITHOUT (or with VERY LITTLE) notice. As such, I will soon apply for a Yahoo! Grojups listing so you can receive these site news updates via email.

This will also help facilitate the announcement of any changes during this transitional time period. Once I have applied for a Yahoo! Groups list and received the code to put on our website, the KB0OXD Cybershack News will be updated to indicate this. I also hope to have detailed information on what can be expected once my application DOES go into the mail so that you know what to expect. I will be speaking with Al Waller, K3TKJ and Mike Crane, KC5GJN (or whoever is in charge of these things at HamsNet) shortly to get the low down on what *I* can expect. I will pass this information on to you just as soon as I get it myself (assuming its newsworthy and appropriate for inclusion in the KB0OXD Cybershack News).

And finally, there's also a possibility I could be broadcasting on either broadcast AM or FM with one of those new small-wattage transmitters, however this is a long term goal. Stay Tuned.

And with that, that's the VERY latest from the KB0OXD Cybershack Newsroom.