Hamshpere Virtual Radio For Anyone Who Ever Wanted To Try Radio

  

When I was in my teens I got into radio not just listening to it but wanting to use it.  I got a CB radio and played with that for a bit then at 18 I got into ham radio my first call was VE2GOG.  Ham radio eventually led to professional broadcasting in the 90's and while that did not pan out very well the ham radio thing has actually be fun to do.  

These days I do not have a station on the air but, with the help of technology I am able to use my ham radio call I have today VA3UCT and get on the air so to speak.  What Hamsphere is?  Well it's a virtual representation of the bands as we call them.  You're able to use the 160M through 70CM bands.  Now to be clear these are not the actual full bands only portions of them due to the fact that your using the internet and bandwith does cost money.  But, there  is enough space to find a spot and have a chat or connect with a station in a rare part of the world.

Here are the cool things about Hamsphere and it's apps.

1. You do not need a license to operate.

2. It's a plug and play system.  You get a radio and you get a couple of plugins to start with to use.

3. The Hamsphere apps come in PC Mac and they have a mobile version for Android and IOS.

4. The 4.0 version uses an algorithm that connects and emulates real time propagation it actually uses the data associated with https://www.voacap.com a professional tool that predicts and offers current radio propagation conditions so operators know what bands to use to make contacts.  This data is plugged into the app and gives a real time feel for what the atmosphere is doing re radio.  Very realistic.

5. You can add plugins for a fee and also get antennas to try and use.

6. You can even use the Broadcast Band and play music on the simulated shortwave band.

There is only one band not open it was added but no antennas exist for it and that is the 6M band.  2M and 70CM are much like the real bands with repeaters on them.

Yes you will see the 11M band and can use it as at one time Hamsphere offered CB calls, they do not do so any longer.  Most non ham calls begin with a number and HS in the middle like 14HS1234.  Interestingly this call 14HS1234 is real it is a French station that is not active any longer, operator is Jean.  

So if you want to give Hamsphere a go head over to https://www.hamsphere.com and register.  Yo do get a free trial and you can get a membership if you want to and start your journey on this unique form of radio.  Yes I know many hams will say this is not real radio.  But, it's pretty darn close to it.

Note the radio pictured is the one I created after registering.  It was really easy to do.

C. T.

Acorn Woodpeckers - Woody Woodpecker Was Created Based On One

As a kid I watched cartoons, ya I know most kids do that no news here.  One of them featured an annoying bird called Woody Woodpecker.  The cartoon was quite popular.  The bird it was created from is called the Acorn Woodpecker.  

The bird is found in the U.S., Mexico and further down into Colombia.  They have also been found in parts of Canada.  Acorn Woodpeckers have a call that sounds similar to a laugh.  

Woody Woodpecker came into being after Walter Lantz and his wife were on their honeymoon.  An Acorn Woodpecker kept them awake during their stay at a cabin and Lantz was not to pleased.  His bride knew he was a cartoonist and suggested creating a cartoon, Lantz wanted to 86 the bird LOL.  He spared the bird and created the cartoon which has become famous and has been around since 1940.

The Acorn and other woodpeckers are amazing creatures.  For example they have air pockets that cushion it's brain from injury and the speed they peck at is 12MPH or 19.3 KM/H I do not recommend pretending to be a woodpecker ouch.

Check out the article on Britannica.com it has some interesting facts about woodpeckers in  general.  And if you want to see cartoons featuring Woody Woodpecker just GOOOOOGLE IT.  Happy Friday! and thanks for stopping by.

Cliff T.

I Never Thought Of That - Dog VS Floor

Dogs are lovable but, they are work and there is a lot to consider when you decide or are in the process of deciding to get a dog.  Food, medical, how to deal with things like vacations.  Kids are also a factor, you want to ensure that they and the dog get along.  But, there is another factor that comes into play that a lot of people probably do not think about.  Your house, and the dog vs the floor.  Dogs can really make a mess of your flooring and some dogs do not handle certain types of flooring well at all.  So you have to do some thinking here.

The first, obviously is finding a breed that will connect well with your family and be able to handle the environment you put your cuddly pooch into.

The second is the flooring you have.  Unless you are super wealthy your probably not going to change the flooring for your dog.  Then again if you are doing a renovation you may want to consider how your German Shepard or Poodle is going to navigate the floor.  This holds true if you are selecting a dog or have one already.

So to hep out I have a few links you can check.  They discuss flooring for dogs and are pretty similar in approach but still good to review so you have some solid facts to base decisions about dogs and floors.

Life Hacker has an article that speaks to what is and is not good flooring for dogs.

Bob Vila's site also tackles this topic, The Best Flooring for Dogs of 2021 discusses flooring and dogs.

The American Kennel Club also tackles the doggie vs floor issue.  The article is aptly titled What Is the Best Flooring for Dogs and Other Rambunctious House Pets?

As always do the Google and you should find more good resources to guide you re dogs and floors, this also may help with other pets that roam the home.

Cheers see you in the next post.

C. T.