This Week's Ham Operator Highlight: KD5JZC - Hoppy

I know Hoppy, KD5JZC from his frequent check-ins on the 5th region traffic net, the Louisiana traffic net, and from a number of pleasant HF conversations. 


Hoppy frequently has the loudest signal on the nets.  And,  despite his serious health problems, he is one of the friendliest-most-well-natured hams I have the pleasure of communicating with.  This is the reason why I chose Hoppy, KD5JZC, to highlight:


-Hoppy, KD5JZC-


1. Where is your QTH? 
I am located in Marksville, Louisiana within Avoyelles Parish (about 30 miles south of Alexandria, LA.).   I live with my Wife who has allowed me to put up towers and antennas and take over the Laundry room for my Ham Radio equipment and Weather Station. 


2. When did you become a ham? 
I became a HAM at the age of 60 back in 1996. The same year I retired and traveled full time in my Motor Home.  While on the road I studied for the Technician license and passed the test at a Family Motor Coach Association Rally in Pomona California. 


3. What or who inspired you to get involved in the hobby? 
My Dad took me to a friend he worked with who was a HAM back in 1949. I spent a whole day with him and talked to people all over the world. I made up my mind that some day I was going to become a Ham. I would have done it then but, in 1949 I also discovered girls.  So I never went back to my Dad's friend and did not become a Ham until many, many years later. 




4. Did you have an Elmer? If so, who was he and what do you remember most about him? 
Never had an ELMER but had some folks who encouraged me to become a Ham and had other Hams encourage me to upgrade to General and then on to Extra. 


5. What equipment do you run? 
I started with a Yaesu FT-7800R (vhf/uhf) in my Motor Home learning about repeaters and finding more Hams out on the road. I then bought a Kenwood TS-870 off of eBay. Screwdriver Antenna to mount in the tow bar receiver on the Motor Home so I could listen to DX etc while parked. That got me inspired to get my General and enjoyed talking. With the screw driver antenna I could just about talk to anybody that could hear me. That lasted until I could no longer live full time in my Motor Home (years of smoking got me and now I am on Oxygen 24/7) and in 2005 I settled down in Marksville. Giving up the living on the road. 


My oldest Son took over the Motor Home and I was able to put up a tower and a Butternut vertical antenna. 

I also started studying for the Extra license. My Youngest Son showed some interest in Ham Radio, so I told him if he studies and gets his license I would give him the Kenwood 870 (great Radio!). Well then came a Hurricane and took my little Rhone 25 tower with the Butternut and a longwire antenna to the ground. I set the Radio and tower and antennas on the side and proceeded to research towers. While I was doing that my Son Scott (KE5TJS) got his Ham license. So I gave him the Radio, antennas and the remains of the tower (5 good sections). He just needed to add a base to the tower and repair the bent up Butternut antenna. 

I also got me a new car and wanted the Kenwood TM-D710A mobile for the new car, so I gave my Son Scott the Yaesu FT-7800R. 


That gave him a mobile and HF radio with antennas and the encouragement to get his General.  I replaced the tower with a Self Supporting crank up/tilt over Aluminum tower from Heights Tower Co. located in Pensacola, Florida. Which happened to be where my two daughter live, and I had visited there often. 


I also bought a 4 El. (6 thru 40m) SteppIR antenna and a Yaesu G-2800XA Rotor as well as an Alpha Delta long wire for 80 and 160 meters. To replace the TS-870 and FT-7800R I purchased a Kenwood TS-2000. I soon realized I wanted better receiver and more power. 


I saved up and bought a Yaesu FT-2000, Yeasu DMU-2000 Data Management Unit, and a Yaesu Quadra VL-1000 Amplifier System. I have done some digital and have a Kantronics KAM XL and a Signalink USB wired up for the Kenwood TS-2000.   Works great for low power digital fun and pretty handy in time of emergency also. 


Because I need Oxygen 24/7 I have a machine here at home to supply the oxygen. We have a Natural Gas Generator for the whole house so I can operate while power is down and still use my Oxygen Machine and operate my Ham stations. 


6. What is your proudest amateur radio related accomplishment, if any? 
One of my proudest moments was when I got the Technician license at 60 years old. Another proud moment was when my youngest son got his General this year.  One other proud moment I hope to have in this life time will be to operate CW. Starting all over again learning the code.

My Newest Mode: SSTV - Does the 'V' Stand for Victim?

I decided to get more serious with getting Slow Scan TV (SSTV) to work.  I mean, how hard can it be?


I already had HRD, with the DM780 suite of sweet modes; one of which is SSTV.


So I tuned up 14.230MHZ, plugged in my sound card interface, connected my computer to the external speaker  port on the back of my radio, and I was ready to receive.


As I studied the layout of the SSTV page, I began wondering who in the world Martin and Scottie are because their names are on the window and have something to do (I discovered) with whether or not I  get a picture.


So I guessed and picked Martin..  Eventually, I heard the wiss-whir-sh-sh...wiss-wer sounds and a picture slowly appeared.  


It looked like a Roswell Alien! 


So, I frantically tried to figure out how to send an image back to the station.  I stumbled upon the method of 'Selecting Background' and chose a picture of my dog, Holly.

It was funny to me that even though I wanted to send a picture that would fill the foreground as well as the background that  the menu label read "select background".


So, I had an image to send.  I pressed F1: nothing!  That's what I used to transmit PSK-31, so  I tried F2: Again, nothing!


So, I scanned the entire SSTV window looking for a TX button: nothing! 


 About 30 minutes later, I thought it can't be so simple as to right click on the image I I plan on sending;.. And there it was:  a TX option!


So, I sent my dog, Holly, to God knows who... I hoped.


But, I didn't. I happened tohear a friend of mine, K5JRW on the same frequency talking.


I asked him to meet me on the local repeater; which he did.  We coordinated on different bands trying to get my  SSTV system working.  I could receive his signals, but he was getting nothing from me.


He suggested I try a different SSTV Program.  I downloaded it, installed it and discovered I had the old version of that software.  So, I removed it and downloaded the new version.


It was past lunch by this point so I suggested we give it a rest for the time being.  He agreed.


Later tonight I decided to try  out the DM780 again.


While I was transmitting CQ, I looked at my radio output meter. It was showing no output power.


For kicks, I decided to flip one of the switches on my Rig Blaster and WHAM it started working.


I am visually impaired.  I can't read anything without an aid of some sort, so I get lazy not wanting to take my magnifier to look at every little thing most people can see at a glance.
Ultimately, The 'V' may have stood for victim (if I chose to give up).  Instead, however, it stands for victorious!

FCC Upholds $17,000 Forfeiture Order

The ARRL has reported that David Edward Perka, KA3PRB, of Lewisburg, Tennessee can't get out of paying he $17,000 FCC Liability for Forfeiture (fine) levied againsst him in 2009.



According to the ARRL, Mr. Perka admitted to the FCC that he  “willfully and repeatedly violat[ed] section 301 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, by operating without a license in the Maritime Radio Service and willfully violat[ed] Section 333 of the Act by maliciously interfering with the United States Coast Guard on the International Distress, Safety and Calling Channel in Annapolis, Maryland.”


The fine was under review for a reduction because Mr. Perka claimed he was unable to pay that amount.  The FCC decided to keep the forfeiture at $17,000.


Link to ARRL Story


My Comment:
The FCC made an example out of this guy.  There are many FCC rule violators (malicious interferers)  out there that I wish would meet this kind of judgment.


On 75 meters for instance, around October when the band seems to go longer, there are some people in there who interfere with our Louisiana Traffic Net.  They use profanity, transmit recorded sounds, and never identify their stations.


People engaging in this type of behavior SHOULD PAY.


Also, again on 75 meters, while trying to enjoy a round table net, there is someone out there who (from tome to time) maliciously interferes with electronic sounds, whistles, or recordings.


I think there should be a special jail for folks who get caught engaging in this kind of behavior.  The cell should have 5 huge speakers on the walls that blast the same kind of nonsense they subjected others to over the air.

One of my Other Hobbies

I'm an amateur martial artist also.  I've been practicing with the staff in various forms since I was 14 years old.


By forms I mean sticks, canes, broom handles, shovel handles, ax handles, chucks and more.

Here Is Another video I made of Me doing this stuff.

Thumbs up to This Week's Ham Operator Highlight: Mickey Cox - K5MC

As much as Mickey, K5MC, contributes to the Amateur Radio Hobby, It's a no-brainer to include him in my Ham Operator Highlight.

He is the current ARRL Delta Division Director, and is currently campaigning for reelection.   

For the past 3 years, K5MC  has served  the division admirably, and should remain at his post.  

Of the two candidates running, Mickey has the character, drive, and personality making him the better choice.  Visit http://k5mc.com for more info.

I know Mickey from club meetings and seeing him operate CW on Field Day.  He's a friendly guy who really enjoys this fine hobby.

Here is his Highlight:

Mickey cox, K5MC

1. What is your QTH  & when did you become a ham?

I live in West Monroe, LA.  I became a ham in 1968 when I was 13 years old.

2. What or who inspired you to get involved in the hobby?

My school library had a book about ham radio that made the hobby sound interesting and it also included some neat radio photographs.  My dad encouraged me once I showed an interest.

3. Did you have an Elmer? If so, who was he and what do you remember most about him?

My dad was my main Elmer.  Although he never got a ham license himself, he knew a lot about radio electronics because of his job and own personal interest.  When I showed an interest in ham radio, my dad did everything he could to promote that interest.  My dad’s formal education stopped at high school, but he was probably the most accomplished man I’ve ever known.

4. What equipment do you run?

My main rig now is a Ten-Tec Orion II.  I also have several Kenwood rigs (940 and 2000) and a couple of older Ten-Tec rigs. 

5. What part(s) of the hobby gives you the most satisfaction?

My main operating interests are chasing DX and handling messages on a variety of National Traffic System nets.

6. What is your proudest amateur radio related accomplishment, if any?

Serving as Delta Division Director on the ARRL Board of Directors for the past three years has got to be my proudest accomplishment

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 I'd like to thank Mickey for Participating in this Highlight.  Best of luck to you on your reelection.  

Increase in Solar Activity Could Spell Trouble here on Earth

The San Jose Mercury is reporting that the sun has moved into an active cycle in which  solar ejections of charged particles capable of reaching Earth will increase the chances of communications disruptions.

Referring to the increased solar activity, Ben Burress, an astronomer with the Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland said, "We're seeing so much more now, compared with the last few years, and when you have them happening five times a day, there's a greater chance of one actually hitting us."

Joseph Kunches, a space scientist at the Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado describes the solar ejections as a "...cloud of plasma  thrown off the sun like a bowling ball, and sometimes we're at the other end of the bowling alley..."

The San Jose  Mercury  article gives a laundry list of  past disruptions caused due to these solar  Coronal Mass Ejections.  From electrical power grids going down, to air flight diversions, these solar storms can wreak havoc here on Earth.

Oh yeah, they can also effect radio propagation and increase noise on the hf amateur radio bands. 

Click Here to read the full Mercury Article.