Weather Radios Recalled by Oregon Scientific Due to Failure to Receive National Weather Service Alerts

Oregon Scientific WRB-308 Weather Radio

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Oregon Scientific Weather Radios
Units: About 66,000
Manufacturer: Oregon Scientific Inc., of Tualatin, Ore.

Hazard: The radios could fail to receive National Weather Service alert signals in certain areas of the country. In the event of severe weather, this failure could put a consumer’s life and property at risk.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.
Description: This recall involves the following Weather Radios and Weather Stations:

NAME -- MODEL
All Hazards Portable Weather Alert Radio -- WR103NX
Portable Public Alert Radio -- WR108
Public Alert Weather Station -- WRB308
John Deere Public Alert Weather Station -- WRB308J

Sold at: Retail stores nationwide, including some electronics and sporting goods stores, online retailers and in catalogs from December 2005 through June 2007 for between $30 and $150.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should not rely on the recalled weather radios to receive emergency information. Consumers should contact Oregon Scientific for instructions on returning the radio to receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Oregon Scientific at (800) 203-4921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www2.oregonscientific.com

Classic Country 1290 to Conduct DX Test

Jim Pogue (KH2AR@comcast.net) the IRCA/NRC Joint BCB DX Test Coordinator has strunk again.

WIRL 1290 kHz Peoria, IL DX Test

Date: Sunday morning (late Saturday night), Oct. 21, 2007. Time: 2 – 4 a.m. Central Time. 5,000 watts using their normal daytime pattern. Programming will consist of voice IDs, Morse code, 1,000 Hz tones and regular format Classic Country music. Reception reports may be sent to Wayne R. Miller, Chief Engineer, WIRL Radio, 331 Fulton, Suite 1200, Peoria, IL 61602. The station will accept recordings by e-mail or on disk (.mp3 or .wav OK but no cassettes please). Address for e-mail reports is wrm@jmpradio.com. NOTE: All requests for verifications must be accompanied by return postage in order to receive a reply. No eQSL service is being offered for this test. Our sincere thanks to Chief Engineer Wayne Miller for agreeing to conduct this test.

NASA Has a Predator?

Joe Cobb in Nashville made an interesting post on the Milcom newsgroup yesterday (August 30) regarding a NASA UAV. Joe wrote:

"While playing with Flight Explorer I found a NASA 870 and under a/c code it says MQ-9. I googled it and it come up as the UAV Predator. So NASA is flying a UAV (i guess for testing) and like their other planes it's showing up on Flight Explorer. Its current path at 0235Z shows it over Idaho and it's scheduled flight time is from 2208Z to 1423Z. Talk about a long loiter time."

Well Joe got me interested so a bit of research turned up this info on NASA's Predator Altair. Based on research I conducted at the Dryden website, this is the only MQ-9 in the Dryden inventory so it probably the one that is carrying the NASA 870 designation that Joe saw.

A milestone in the development of high-altitude, long-endurance remotely operated aircraft occurred Monday, June 9 with the first flight of NASA’s Altair, the first unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to feature triple-redundant flight systems and avionics for increased reliability.

The slender-wing aircraft lifted off the runway at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ flight test facility at El Mirage, Calif., at 8:36 a.m. for a checkout flight that evaluated the new aircraft’s basic airworthiness and flight controls. The rear-engine Altair glided to a landing on the remote desert runway 24 minutes later. The entire flight was conducted at low altitude within a comparatively short range of the El Mirage airstrip.

“This is what we’ve been waiting for,” said Glenn Hamilton, Altair project manager at NASA Dryden, after witnessing the first flight. “Now we can move forward with getting UAV’s into the national airspace and conducting research.”

Hamilton’s comments were echoed by Thomas J. Cassidy, president and chief executive officer of San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. “Altair’s first flight today is a culmination of 10 years of experience in building reliable unmanned aircraft based on a common design philosophy,” Cassidy added. “I am very proud of our design, manufacturing and flight-readiness teams for their dedication to a high performance level of excellence.”

Built to performance specifications established by NASA’s Earth Science Enterprise, Altair is an extended-wing version of the MQ-9 Predator B military UAV being developed under a partnership with GA-ASI. Altair is one of several UAVs designed for civil applications that have been developed or matured under the Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards, Calif.

After its initial airworthiness test flights, Altair will serve as the avionics test aircraft for the production version of the MQ-9 before being transferred to NASA. At NASA Dryden, the one-of-a-kind Altair will first be used to evaluate various new control, communications and collision-avoidance technologies that are critical to enabling UAVs to fly safely in national airspace with manned aircraft. Later, NASA will be able to use the Altair for a variety of environmental science missions, such as volcanic observation, forest fire monitoring and atmospheric sampling – missions that are often too dangerous, difficult or too lenghy for manned aircraft to perform. UAVs are uniquely positioned to perform long missions that have repetitive routines.

Altair is expected to be the first UAV able to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements to operate from conventional airports with piloted aircraft in the national airspace. In addition to triple-redundant avionics, Altair is configured with a fault-tolerant, dual-architecture flight control system and will be equipped with an automated collision-avoidance system as well as an air traffic control voice relay that will allow air-traffic controllers to talk to the ground-based Altair pilots through the aircraft. Command and control of the Altair as well as research data gathered by Altair will be transmitted through an “over the horizon” satellite link. That link will also allow scientists to receive research information as soon as the Altair obtains it.

Altair has been designed to fly continuously for up to 32 hours. It can reach a maximum altitude of about 52,000 feet (10 miles), and will have a maximum range of about 4,200 miles. It can carry up to 750 pounds of sensors, radar, communications and imaging equipment in its forward fuselage. The Altair is 34 feet long, and has a wingspan of 86 feet, 22 feet longer than the Predator B’s 64-foot wingspan. It is powered by a 700 horsepower rear-mounted Honeywell TPE-331-10T turboprop engine driving a three-blade controllable-pitch propeller. NASA and GA-ASI are jointly funding development of the Altair and Predator B prototypes under the ERAST program. GA-ASI also built the Altair's predecessor, the Altus 2, for NASA under ERAST.

NASA Dryden has had quite a few UAV aircraft over the years with this one coming online in 2003. You can see a complete photo collection of all the Dryden aircraft at http://www.dfrc.nasa.gov/Gallery/Photo/.

Voice of the Valley Will Conduct DX Test in October

Jim Pogue (KH2AR@comcast.net), the IRCA/NRC Joint DX Test Coordinator, has announced the first medium wave broadcast station that will conductung a special air test for BCB DXers.

WLPO-AM 1220 kHz La Salle, IL DX Test

Date: Saturday morning (late Friday night), Oct. 27, 2007. Time: 3:00 – 3:30 a.m. Central Time. 1,000 watts using their normal daytime pattern. Programming will consist of phonetic voice IDs, Morse code, sweep tones and unique music. Reception reports may be sent to Steve Vogler, Chief Engineer, WLPO Radio, 1 Broadcast Lane, Oglesby, IL 61348. The station will accept recordings by e-mail or on disk (.mp3 or .wav OK but no cassettes please). Address for e-mail reports is steve@wlpo.net.

Note: All requests for verifications must be accompanied by return postage in order to receive a reply. Out sincere thanks to Chief Engineer Steve Vogler for agreeing to conduct this test.

Operation Deep Freeze 2007-08 begins

Operation Deep Freeze 2007-8 has begun down in Antarctica. Get the complete story, pic and frequencies on my Milcom Monitoring Post Blog at http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/08/operation-deep-freeze-2007-08-begins.html

Photo above: A C-17 Globemaster III is downloaded during the winter fly-in for Operation Deep Freeze Aug. 20 at Pegasus Runway in Antarctica. A C-17 and 31 Airmen from McChord Air Force Base, Wash., began the annual winter fly-in augmentation of scientist, support personnel, food and equipment for the U.S. Antarctic Program at McMurdo Station. WinFly is the opening of the first flights to McMurdo Station, which closed for the austral winter in February. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)

USCG NMF HF FAX Schedule

USCG NMG HF FAX Schedule

Ham Radio HF Hurricane Watch Net Activated for Dean

The Amateur Radio Hurricane Watch Net has been activated for Hurricane Dean.

The net is operational on 14325.0 kHz USB.

For more information on this group go to http://www.hwn.org/

Get complete information on frequencies to monitor at:
http://monitor-post.blogspot.com/2007/06/n5fpw-hurcomm-monitoring-list-2007.html

Milair Band 225-400 MHz Spectrum Holes

If you are interested in exploring the world of 225-400 MHz spectrum holes, I have them listed on my Milcom Monitoring Post blog. Here are links to all six parts.

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/08/milair-spectrum-hole-list-part-1.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/08/milair-spectrum-hole-list-part-2.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2006/10/milair-spectruim-hole-list-part-3.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/01/milair-spectruim-hole-list-part-4.html

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/03/milair-spectrum-hole-list-part-5.html

And the final part just posted this morning at:

http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2007/08/milair-spectrum-hole-list-part-6.html

And if you don't have room for the complete list, here is the big Milcom challenge: These freqs are the biggest Milair unknowns on the planet. You hear something on these I would like to really hear from you. Try programming these mystery freqs: 233.600 252.300 252.600 277.300 293.900 298.200 336.700 371.400 MHz.

73, have fun and good hunting.

The Government Radio Freqs are Changing

It is truly amazing to watch the government/military aero/LMR bands in a state of flux. I have been writing about the changes for over three years now in the pages of Monitoring Times magazine. I also have been carefully documenting changes in the various gov radio bands as they changeover to narrowband technology. Even the spacing in the 30-50 MHz governement LMR bands seems to be changing.

Government/mil comms can pop up just about anywhere. But here are the government LMR/aero bands that are assigned within the NTIA Redbook:

VHF-Lo (20/25 kHz) 30.000-30.560, 32-33, 34-35, 36-37, 38-39, 40-42, 46.6-47.0, 49.6-50.0 MHz (primarily NFM/FM/Data, a tiny bit of AM)

VHF-Hi (All 12.5 kHz) 138-144 (AM/NFM/Data), 148-150.8 (AM/NFM/Data), 162-174 (NFM/Data) MHz

UHF 225-380 MHz (25 kHz - AM/NFM on satellite freqs), 380-400 MHz (12.5 kHz - AM/NFM), 406.1-420 MHz (12.5 kHz - NFM/Data)

The NTIA schedule of mandatory completion dates for narrowbanding for government agencies was January 1, 2005 for 162-174 MHz, and January 1, 2008 for 138-150.8 MHz and 406.1-420 MHz.

So you can expect to see major changes in the 138-144, 148-150.8 and 406.1-420 MHz bands between now and the end of this year. In fact, we are seeing major changes nearly everyday.

So let me give you a bit of sage scanner advice. A wise man passed this piece of wisdom along that will help you regain your scanner mojo --

"A search button should never gather dust...it should have the lettering worn off!"

And the successful radio hobbyist know this truth very well. You want to hear the good stuff - "you" have to find it.

When was the last time you took a tour (search) of your Gov/Mil LMR bands?

Still relying on a freq list produced from the last public GMF run in 1984?

Then it is time for you to go and wear out our search button. And if you do some searching and find some new stuff be sure to share it with the rest of us. It will really help piece together what is currently happening with these bands as they change over to new bandplans. If you do a bandscan for your local area on any of the bands above I would appreciate if you could forward those scans to this blog. If you don't want your name on it, I can do that also.

So hit those search buttons and give the LMR bands some attention today.

GRE PSR Scanner Information/Specifications

Last Friday was a great day. In addition to it being TGIF I had a chance to meet the GRE PS scanner team in the office at Grove Enterprises. They gave us a demo and then a chance to try out a PSR-500 handheld digital/analog trunking scanner.

And to add a bit of icing to the cake, the GRE staff brought along the latest and best information/specs on all six of their new scanners that will be released in the last quarter of 2007. So in the posts below I will present the latest US information/specs available on the new GRE PSR scanner line.

Larry Van Horn
Brasstown, NC

GRE PSR-100 Handheld Scanner

This scanner is a analog only, no trunking VHF/UHF scanner. No 700/800 MHz coverage.

● Frequency Coverage:
29.000-54.000 MHz (5-kHz steps FM)
108.0000-135.9875 MHz (12.5-kHz steps AM)
137.0000-143.9875 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
144.0000-148.0000 MHz (5-kHz steps FM)
148.0125-150.7875 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
150.8000-161.9950 MHz (5 kHz-steps FM)
162.0000-174.0000 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
380.0000-512.0000 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
*Only two tuning steps available.

● Double conversion receiver.
● Five pre-programmed bands: Marine, Fire Department/Police Department, Air (Civilian), Amateur Radio, Weather. Uses five "one-touch" keys.
● 200 memory channels in 10 banks.
● 200 channels lock-out in scan mode.
● 200 channels automatic scanning for VHF to UHF band.
● QUICK PROGRAM when receiving signals up to 200 channels.
● 45 channels per second scanning rate and 80 steps per second searching rate.
● "Zeromatic" tuning system.
● 10 digit channel and frequency display with all function indicators (seven segment).
● One built-in priority channel.
● Weather alert and SAME programming with 10 FIPS area code memories.
● Spectrum sweeper function (aka the older Signal Stalker functions).
● Skywarn function.
● Lock/Out Review key to confirm lock out frequencies sequentially.
● Change the direction of searching (up/down).
● Two second scan and search delay.
● Manual selection for channel.
● Scan mode [Leared channels (000.000 freq) do not scan].
● Tune from the channel frequency function.
● Program mode.
● Key lock for safety.
● Key press tones.
● LCD back-lighting.
● Low battery indicator by LCD.
● Duplicate frequency check system.
● PC programmable and unit-to-unit cloning.
● BNC antenna connector.
● Earphone jack (3.5mm stereo).
● External power jack and charge jack (EIAJ RC-5320A voltage classification 3).
● PC Interface and clone jack (3.5mm mono).
● Operating voltage: 6VDC (4 AA cells). Low battery icon on display.
● AC Adapter: GA-06D-2670 (9VDC 400 mA).
● Dimensions: Approximately: 63(w) x 40(d) x 145 (h) mm.
● Weight: Approximately 220 grams without antenna or batteries.
● Accesories: Rubber duck antenna, belt clip, owners manual, normal battery holder, and rechargable battery holder.
● Memory Backup: No battery backup required. EEPROM used.

This scanner has not yet been FCC type accepted so no pricing information is currently available.

GRE PSR-200 Desktop Scanner

This scanner is a analog only, no trunking VHF/UHF scanner. No 700/800 MHz coverage.

● Frequency Coverage:
29.000-54.000 MHz (5-kHz steps FM)
108.0000-135.9875 MHz (12.5-kHz steps AM)
137.0000-143.9875 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
144.0000-148.0000 MHz (5-kHz steps FM)
148.0125-150.7875 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
150.8000-161.9950 MHz (5 kHz-steps FM)
162.0000-174.0000 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
380.0000-512.0000 MHz (12.5-kHz steps FM)
*Only two tuning steps available.

● Double conversion receiver.
● Five pre-programmed bands: Marine, Fire Department/Police Department, Air (Civilian), Amateur Radio, Weather. Uses five "one-touch" keys.
● 200 memory channels in 10 banks.
● 200 channels lock-out in scan mode.
● 200 channels automatic scanning for VHF to UHF band.
● QUICK PROGRAM when receiving signals up to 200 channels.
● 45 channels per second scanning rate and 80 steps per second searching rate.
● "Zeromatic" tuning system.
● 10 digit channel and frequency display with all function indicators (seven segment).
● One built-in priority channel.
● Weather alert and SAME programming with 10 FIPS area code memories.
● Skywarn function.
● Lock/Out Review key to confirm lock out frequencies sequentially.
● Change the direction of searching (up/down).
● Two second scan and search delay.
● Manual selection for channel.
● Scan mode [Leared channels (000.000 freq) do not scan].
● Tune from the channel frequency function.
● Program mode.
● Key press tones.
● LCD back-lighting.
● Low battery indicator by LCD.
● Duplicate frequency check system.
● PC programmable and unit-to-unit cloning.
● BNC antenna connector.
● Earphone jack (3.5mm stereo).
● 9 VDC power jack.
● PC Interface and clone jack (3.5mm mono).
● Operating voltage: 120 VAC (60-Hz)
● Dimensions: Approximately: 210(w) x 175(d) x 60(h) mm.
● Weight: Approximately 700 grams without antenna.
● Accesories: Telescoping antenna, UL listed AC-DC adapter, and owners manual.
● Memory Backup: No battery backup required. EEPROM used.

This scanner has not yet been FCC type accepted so no pricing information is currently available.

GRE PSR-300 Handheld Scanner

This is an analog only trunking scanner. No digital decode capability.

● Frequency Coverage
25.000-54.000 MHz
108.0000-174.0000 MHz
216.0025-512.0000 MHz
764.0000-960.0000 MHz*
1240.000-1300.000 MHz

*Excludes by US federal law cellular telephone frequencies: 824-848.9875 and 869-893.9875 MHz.

● Frequency steps: 3.125, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 25-kHz
● New 700 MHz coverage** and upgradeable CPU firmware for future rebanding.
● 10 banks and 1000 channel memories for trunking bank and channel combined with conventional scanning mode memory.
● Scan both trunking channels and conventional channels at the same time.
● Multi trunking of Motorola (Type I, Type II and hybrid analog systems), EDACS wide and LTR.
● CTCSS and DCS sub-audible encoded squelch mode.
● 1500 Talkgroup ID memories in 10 ID banks, 5 sub-ID memories in each bank, and each sub-ID memory has 30 ID locations.
● Alphanumeric data entry.
● PC programmable and unit-to-unit cloning.
● Spectrum sweeper function.
● Pre-programmed marine, CB, FRS/GMRS/MURS, Public safety, Aircraft, Amateur radio, Railroad and Weather frequencies.
● Weather alert and SAME receiving 10 FIPS rea code memories.
● Skywarn function.
● Attenuator control (normal and global settings -- 20 dB)
● Frequency tune mode (Up/Down)
● "Zeromatic" tuning system.
● Search up or down function.
● 60 channels per second scanning rate and 75 steps per second search rate.
● Two second scan and search delay.
● Manual selection for channels.
● Scan mode [Cleared channels 000.000 freqs) are not scanned]
● Deleting a frequency from a memory channel.
● One search limit bank
● Key lock for safety.
● Key and alert tones.
● LCD 16 characters x four lines and eight icons.
● Signal strength meter.
● Backlit LCD and keypad.
● Built-in power save function and low battery indicator on the LCD.
● Triple conversion scanner.
● Crystal filer for the 2nd IF stage and a ceramic filer for the 3rd IF stage.
● 50 lock out frequencies per search bank (250 total search lockouts).
● Frequency and channel lock-out review.
● BNC antenna connector.
● Earphone jack (3.5 mm stereo).
● PC Interface/Clone jack (3.5mm stereo). Computer cable (GRE USB cable No. 30-3290)
● Operating voltage: 6 VDC (4 AA cells)
● External power and charger voltage: 9VDC regulated via external/charger.
● Dimensions: 65(w) x 42(d) x 145(h) mm.
● Weight: 240 grams without antenna and battery.
● Acessories: Rubber duck antenna, owners manual, normal battery holder, rechargable battery holder, and belt clip.
● Memory Backup: No battery backup required. EEPROM used.

This scanner has been FCC type accepted, but pricing is not currently available to the author.

**This is not a digital scanner so reception of anything intelligible will not happen in this band since it is entirely digital.

GRE PSR-400 Desktop Scanner

This is an analog only trunking scanner. No digital decode capability.

● Frequency Coverage
25.000-54.000 MHz
108.0000-174.0000 MHz
216.0025-512.0000 MHz
764.0000-960.0000 MHz*
1240.000-1300.000 MHz

*Excludes by US federal law cellular telephone frequencies: 824-848.9875 and 869-893.9875 MHz.

● Frequency steps: 3.125, 5, 6.25, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 25-kHz
● New 700 MHz coverage** and upgradeable CPU firmware for future rebanding.
● 10 banks and 1000 channel memories for trunking bank and channel combined with conventional scanning mode memory.
● Scan both trunking channels and conventional channels at the same time.
● Multi trunking of Motorola (Type I, Type II and hybrid analog systems), EDACS wide and LTR.
● CTCSS and DCS sub-audible encoded squelch mode.
● 1500 Talkgroup ID memories in 10 ID banks, 5 sub-ID memories in each bank, and each sub-ID memory has 30 ID locations.
● Alphanumeric data entry.
● PC programmable and unit-to-unit cloning.
● Spectrum sweeper function.
● Pre-programmed marine, CB, FRS/GMRS/MURS, Public safety, Aircraft, Amateur radio, Railroad and Weather frequencies.
● Weather alert and SAME receiving 10 FIPS rea code memories.
● Skywarn function.
● Attenuator control (normal and global settings -- 20 dB)
● Frequency tune mode (Up/Down)
● "Zeromatic" tuning system.
● Search up or down function.
● 60 channels per second scanning rate and 75 steps per second search rate.
● Two second scan and search delay.
● Manual selection for channels.
● Scan mode [Cleared channels 000.000 freqs) are not scanned]
● Deleting a frequency from a memory channel.
● One search limit bank
● Key lock for safety.
● LCD 16 characters x four lines and eight icons.
● Signal strength meter.
● Backlit LCD and keypad with dimmer.
● LCD contrast control
● Built-in power save function and low battery indicator on the LCD.
● Triple conversion scanner.
● Crystal filer for the 2nd IF stage and a ceramic filer for the 3rd IF stage.
● 50 lock out frequencies per search bank (250 total search lockouts).
● Frequency and channel lock-out review.
● BNC antenna connector.
● Earphone jack (3.5 mm stereo).
● PC Interface/Clone jack (3.5mm stereo). Computer cable (GRE USB cable No. 30-3290)
● External power jack
● Operating voltage: 13.8 VDC
● Dimensions: 185(w) x 135(d) x 55(h) mm, DIN-E in-dash mountable.
● Weight: 790 grams without antenna
● Acessories: Telescoping antenna, owners manual, mounting bracket, AC adapter, and DC cable.
● Memory Backup: No battery backup required. EEPROM used.

This scanner has not yet been FCC type accepted so no pricing information is currently available.

**This is not a digital scanner so reception of anything intelligible will not happen in this band since it is entirely digital.

GRE PSR-500 Handheld and PSR-600 Desktop/Mobile Scanners

The PS-500/600 are analog/digital trunking scanners.

● Frequency Coverage
25.000-54.000 MHz
108.0000-174.0000 MHz
216.0025-512.0000 MHz
764.0000-960.0000 MHz*
1240.000-1300.000 MHz

*Excludes by US federal law cellular telephone frequencies: 824-848.9875 and 869-893.9875 MHz.

● Intuitive "Object Oriented" User Interface Design -- Designed for ease of use, yet powerful enough to satisfy the most sophisticated expert. Common data entry, browsing and control methods are used for non-trunked conventional channels, trunking talkgroups, search configurations and Spectrum Sweeper setups. The radio grows with you - start out with a small and easy to manage configuration and expand it as you need to.

● Powerful and Flexible Scan List Functionality -- Allows you to arrange, group and scan objects according to your preference, with no limit to the number or types of objects in a Scan List, and no limit to the number Scan Lists an object can be a member of.

● Menu Driven Programming with Context Sensitive Help -- Each menu item provides a few lines of help text that provide assistance with programming and using the scanner.

● Upgradeable CPU and DSP Firmware -- You can easily keep your scanner current with software enhancements as they become available with free upgrades from GRE America.

● Flexible Free-Form Memory Organization -- Memory is assigned as objects are created using a sophisticated internal file management system. You are not constrained to traditional bank/channel scanner memory layouts. No memory is wasted as a result of bank/channel programming constraints. The scanner has sufficient main memory capacity to store over 1800 conventional channels, trunking talkgroups, search configurations and Spectrum Sweeper objects in any combination. This provides amble capacity for more sophisticated hobbyists and professionals while keeping the database size manageable for beginners.

● GRE's Exclusive V-Scanner Technology -- Allows you to save complete radio configurations within the radio for recall into main memory as needed in the field. This is similar to having a laptop computer and programming software available anytime. You can use V-Scanners to store configurations for different geographic areas or usage styles. Twenty-one V-Scanner folders are provided, each capable of storing over 1800 objects. Total memory capacity of main memory combined with V-Scanners is over 39,600 (1800+37800) objects.

● Multi-System Trunking -- Scan most common trunked system signaling formats, including Motorola, EDACS Standard, EDACS Narrow, LTR and P25 trunked radio networks. These new scanners will not trunk M/A-COM proprietary modes such as Open Sky and ProVoice. Talkgroup call and individual call monitoring are supported. Supports trunking operation in virtually any land mobile band including 700 MHz and the new US DoD 380-390 MHz band.

● P25 NAC Functionality -- Much like CTCSS and DCS with analog signals, a P25 Network Access Code (NAC) is used to provide selective squelch operation on conventional P25 channels. These GRE digital scanners will detect the NAC that is being used on a P25 conventional digital channel, and will allow the user to program NAC codes to block transmissions that do not have a matching NAC, including analog traffic on the same frequency.

● Remote Control Capability -- These scanners can be used with third party application software to remotely control a scanner from a personal computer.

● Exclusive ALERT LED -- Programmable tri-color LED that can be configured to illuminate or flash when certain channels are active. Eight user-defined colors and brightness levels can be specified from thousands of possible combinations. provides visual alerts when certain objects are active, e.g.-blue could be used to signal activity on say a police channel; red on a fire channel, and so on.

● Audible alarms -- Programmable audible alarms can be configured to sound when certain objects are active. Can be used in conjunction with, or separately from, the ALERT LED feature described above.

● GRE's Exclusive Automatic Adaptive Digital Tracking -- When monitoring Motorola and P25 digital systems, instantly adapts the digital decoder to the digital modulation format of the transmission signal, then analyzes the digital signal 50 times each second and adapts to any subtle changes caused by multipath signals or fading. No cumbersome manual adjustments are required.

● GRE's Exclusive Digital AGC -- Instantly compensates for low audio levels that are very common on digital systems. The radio digital comms are easier to listen to.

● Subaudible Squelch Decoder -- CTCSS and DCS subaudible squelch coding are processed by the same DSP chip that is used for P25 digital decoding. Provides fast and reliable decoding of subaudible squelch signaling with squelch tail elimination.

● High Speed PC Interface -- Uses GRE's 30-3290 USB cable in full duplex mode at six times the speed of previous scanner models for PC transfer and eight times the speed of previous models for radio-to-radio cloning.

● Spectrum Sweeper -- Quickly sweeps the scanner frequency ranges for transmissions from nearby transmitters.

● Real-time Signal Strength Indicator -- Shows relative signal strength of received signals.

● Trunking Control Data Output -- Streams decoded trunking control data from your PSR-500/600 to a personal computer for use with popular third party trunking control channel monitoring software. No slicer needed. Also streams NOAA weather radio SAME alert data.

● High Contrast LCD Display -- Provides one row of dedicated icons, and four rows of 16 characters for programming and scanning operation.

● SAME and All Hazards Weather Alerting -- The PSR-500/600 scanners can be operated in the dedicated SAME weather alerting mode, and alert you to severe weather and other hazards in specific area(s) that the user selects, or the scanner can check your local NOAA weather frequency periodically, even while scanning, and alert you when an All Hazards alert occurs.

● SKYWARN Storm Spotter Function -- Provides instant, one button access to frequencies used by storm spotter networks. You can monitor storm conditions as they occur, and may become aware of dangerous weather conditions before the media and emergency management officials are able to announce them to the general public.

● Sleek Compact Case Design -- Has a large speaker for adequate volume in most environments, and is designed for one-handed operation for ease of use.

● Eleven tuning steps.
● Triple conversion scanner.
● Attenuator (20 dB).
● 55 channels per second scan speed and 90 steps per second search speed.
● User defined service and limit searches.
● Key lock for safety (PSR-500 only).
● Backlit LCD and keypad with dimmer.
● LCD contrast control
● Built-in power save function and low battery indicator on the LCD (PSR-500 only).
● Frequency and channel lock-out review.
● BNC antenna connector.
● Earphone jack (3.5 mm stereo).
● PC Interface/Clone jack (3.5mm stereo). Computer cable (GRE USB cable No. 30-3290)
● Memory Backup: No battery backup required. EEPROM used.

PSR-500 Specifics:
● Operating voltage: 6 VDC (4 AA cells)
● External power and charger voltage: 9VDC regulated via external/charger.
● Dimensions: 65(w) x 42(d) x 145(h) mm.
● Acessories: Rubber duck antenna, owners manual, normal battery holder, rechargable battery holder, belt clip, and USB PC interface cable.

PSR-600 Specifics
● External power jack
● Operating voltage: 13.8 VDC
● Dimensions: 185(w) x 135(d) x 55(h) mm, DIN-E in-dash mountable.
● Acessories: Telescoping antenna, owners manual, mounting bracket, AC adapter, DC cable (with fuse), and USB PC interface cable.

This scanner has not yet been FCC type accepted so no pricing information is currently available.

Progress M-61 Launch Announcement

Photo courtesy of Jacques in Houten, The Netherlands, and the Russian launchers discussion forum on NASA Spacefilght.com.

Russian has launched a Progress cargo vehicle that will dock with the International Space Station (ISS) Pirs module on August 5.

The cargo craft is carrying 2.5 tons of foodstuffs, water, fuel, equipment for the International Space Station and presents from the Earth for the crew of Russian cosmonauts Fedor Yurchikhin and Oleg Kotov, and NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson. The equipment includes six new computers for the Russian segment of the ISS, which failed in mid-June."

Name: Progress M-61
International Designator: 2007-033A
SSC#: 32001
Launch Date/Time: August 2, 2007 at 1733 UTC.
Launch Site: LC1 - Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan
Launcher: Soyuz-U
Orbital Inclination: 51.628 deg
Apogee/Perigee: 250 x 230 km

A Bit of Sage Radio Scanner Hobby Advice

Looking for new frequencies? Can't hear the neat stuff you want to hear? Tired of all the old out of date list on the internet?

A wise man passed this piece of wisdom along that will help you regain your scanner mojo --

"A search button should never gather dust...it should have the lettering worn off!"

And the successful radio hobbyist know this truth very well. You want to hear the good stuff - "you" have to find it.

First 40 MHz Amateur Radio Propagation Beacon On The Air

For VHF amateur radio operators and scanner enthusiasts this beacon could be a great propagation tool. Thanks to QRZ.com, M5AKA, AA7BQ, and Mark KB4CVN for passing this tidbit along.

Ivan OZ7IS has announced that the first 40 MHz Amateur Radio propagation beacon OZ7IGY is now on the air on 40.021 MHz

Background:
The European Radiocommunications Office (ERO – now ERC) of the CEPT launched in March 1993 Phase II of a Detailed Spectrum Investigation (DSI) covering the frequency range 29.7 - 960 MHz.

The results were presented to Administrations in March 1995 with the objective of facilitating a European Table of Frequency Allocations and Utilisations to be implemented by the year 2008.

Regarding the Amateur Radio Service the DSI Management Team recommended (among other things) that 70 MHz to be considered as an amateur band AND: “frequencies in the vicinity of 40.680 MHz be considered for amateur propagation beacons.”

During the IARU, Region 1, C5 meeting in Vienna earlier this year David, G4ASR, told that the RSGB were planning such a 40 MHz beacon. I promised him to take a similar initiative when returning to Denmark.

In July the GB3RAL 40.050 and 60.050 MHz VHF beacons were approved and shortly after OZ7IGY received the permit to operate on 40.021 MHz.

On 26th of July (after paying the licence fee) at 18.20 UTC OZ7IGY became operational on:

40.021 MHz near Jystrup (Ringsted), JO55wm, 97 masl / 5 magl. The antenna is a dipole heading 255 / 75 degrees. Will shortly be changed to a Turnstile (X-dipole). The output to the antenna is 22 Watt keying in F1A (frequency Shift Keying) according to the IARU, Region 1, standard. 250 Hz shift.

The “licence” is valid for a year and the results of the experiments are to be reported to the ITST.

The “licence” is “experimental” on a non-inteference basis and will not create a precedent for any other kind of amateur radio activities in this part of the spectrum!

Please report to DX-summit whenever you hear the beacon. Then we can collect data for the report to ITST and may be able to argue for a renewal of the licence next year?

In 1993 the head of ERO was David Court, EI3IO (G3SDL, OZ3SDL etc….) I have a feeling that without his “stamp” on the DSI report we would not have had the ever increasing access to 70 MHz throughout Europe or these 40 MHz amateur propagation beacons!

Vy 73 de OZ7IS, Ivan - Email: oz7is at qrz.dk
Beaconkeeper – OZ7IGY - http://www.oz7igy.dk/

Related URLs :

GB3RAL now licenced for 40 and 60 MHz (7th July) http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2007/gb3ral.htm

Denmark to get 40 MHz beacon (19th July) http://www.southgatearc.org/news/july2007/danish_40mhz_beacon.htm