Comments for AE5X

Comment on I’m betting it’s SV/A Mount Athos by Philip Derdevanis

Philip Derdevanis — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:43:05 +0000

Let’s not forget that this place is there for one reason only and is considered one of the holiest of places in the Eastern Orthodox religion, similar to how Vatican City is to Catholics. My father, born in San Francisco of Greek immigrants, sought permission to broadcast from there in 1982 and was denied. With letters of recommendation from the priest at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in San Francisco, the Orthodox Archbishop of North America, the past mayors of this city, George Christopher and Art Agnos who were Greek Orthodox, and state senator Petris all stating he was a very active member in good standing with the church, city, and state, and wanted to come there to test communications if an emergency would ever arise, he was denied again. One of his lifetime dreams was to broadcast from there so he just went on a hope and a prayer (literally). With the help of a distant cousin and local hams he had never met before, he just showed up and was able to gain an audience with the commission of priests who reviewed the letters, listened to why he wanted to broadcast, and what the importance of it was. He was finally granted permission but for a very limited time and he had to attend church with the monks, eat with them, and rest at the same time and could only broadcast a few hours each day. He broadcast from there in 1983 as W6LAS/SVA and here is what his card looked like.
http://hamgallery.com/qsl/country/MountAthos/w6las.jpg (with permission of host site)
From what I see, this “need to broadcast from there” attitude assumes this is just like anywhere else in the world, but it is not. I hope this is reviewed closely because my fear is that this place might get used just to log one on the books or send a card, that violates the principals for which Mt. Athos is there. It is a holy place and should be respected for that, and anyone applying for permission to go and broadcast needs to treat the place and its monks with respect and attend services eat and rest there to perhaps learn from this place as my father did.

Philip Derdevanis (W6LAS is no longer silent key. I now have my fathers call sign)

Comment on New CW/SSB all-band QRP rig (not a kit) by Rob

Rob — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:47:07 +0000

You do not mention selectivity, what kind of filters does it have?

Comment on A real-time “TU 5NN” Detector by alan

alan — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:15:31 +0000

How about a device to detect stations that give correct signal reports. 60 pecent of the stations i work give me 5NN reports. I only run 25w into a short wire – so i’m not talking about dx staions here. Can people really be so lazy that they cant take just 5 seconds to look at a meter?

Comment on “A Higher Call” – a (non radio) book review by John AE5X

John AE5X — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:51:26 +0000

Thanks for the link. I had no idea that there was a YouTube video of their meeting.

Comment on “A Higher Call” – a (non radio) book review by N5AB

N5AB — Sat, 11 May 2013 21:01:39 +0000

John,
The day before you posted this, I was listening to a podcast which had the author as a guest.
Here’s a link:
http://thedianerehmshow.org/shows/2012-12-20/adam-makos-higher-call-incredible-true-story-combat-and-chivalry-war-torn-skies-wor

Comment on Insightful comments/efforts on activating Myanmar (Burma) by Charly

Charly — Sat, 04 May 2013 14:09:35 +0000

May 4, 2013 at 12:11
Simon… Hams certainly hope you have a valid XZ ham license. I suggest you could help by putting your paperwork on one of your web sites. A nice clear presentation we can all look at.
3-5-2013 query to ARRL DXCC official reports that ARRL has not received any documentation from you to date. There is no confusion about what papers ARRL will want. Submit your license copy; the name, authority title/govt branch name, and contact information of the person and office issuing the license; and photographs of your self in XZ locations that clearly show your body present there is usually all ARRL needs. You have had over a year to send that documentation to ARRL.
Currently, information given me by various sources and a ham actually going to the proper office in the new capital city all report that the issuance of ham operating permits from the national government do not exist and can not exist at this time to anyone. Further, reports indicate that there is no authority inside that nation to grant operating permits at any govt level, local or otherwise.
It is this information that makes it so highly urgent that you just post your license/paperword on the Web.
Please help all hams in South East Asia present a fact and an image of legal ham activities because even one fake or rump activity can spread problems to many in the whole area. Thanks, 73
May 4, 2013 at 12:48
Simon… Regarding your message here of 5-9-2012. Please note that Myanmar national capital city is Naypyidaw, not Yongon. This change-over happened in 2006, and this new city is now populated and all national govt offices are located there. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naypyidaw
Further, the Region of Tanintharyi is NOT one of the self-administered States in Myanmar which indicates it is under the direct administrative authority located in Naypyidaw, the national government. Thus, it appears that it is impossible for you to have a valid ham permit from any official in Tanintharyi Region. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Administrative_divisions_of_Burma
I strongly urge you to help protect the integrity of and current delicate situation of ham licensing in all of S.E.Asia. One bad apple here can upset the area where people have worked hard to obtain what ham radio now has but could lose in a moments notice.
Because the Wiki Web sites noted here, seemingly correct, indicate your operation of any ham radio as you have publically described it is NOT VALID, I urge you to realign your statements with the facts of this situation. Please help SEA keep what ham permissions we have.
Tnx, 73, Charly K4VUD