VX7 Commander

Yesterday I downloaded the VX-7 Commander from Jim Mitchell - KC8UNJ and used it to edit the memory settings on my Yaesu VX-7. It was a fantastic piece of free software that works with my HT to edit just about every setting you can think of. You can even use it to create your own icons for your Yaesu HT. I was very impressed.

Author and Teacher Gordon West speaks at HoSARC

Gordon West -WB6NOA gave a great post-CES show and amateur-radio-in-action talk at our club meeting in January. Mr. West touched on the new consumer gadgets coming out and the nicely priced new Icom 718. The new 100 channel, 100 watt rig hitting the market at around $500 seems a great value and many were happy about the report.

Armed with an AOR spectrum analyzer, Mr. West tested the newest in HD-TVs, power line devices and regular household appliances for RF noise and found most very quiet; with toasters, microwaves and other micro-processor controlled devices being the culprits when it comes to RF noise.

Mr. West also illustrated very clearly the need for highly trained radio operators. His presentation of taped transmissions of emergency communications trained amateur radio operators aiding FEMA in a very dramatic rescue of an overturned school bus during the California wild fires really brought home the need to be properly trained when the need arises.

At the end of his talk, Gordon West presented the club with a 5 cent amateur radio postage stamp he had received from Barry Goldwater himself. It was a very enjoyable presentation from a true gentleman in amateur radio. Below I have posted the video I shot of the talk. It ends with Rob Smith AB2UV talking about the web-cam simulcast of the talk we had on our website.