It’s an unfortunate fact that there are thousands of ‘bots’ out there trying to find a way to get into web sites like this one so they can fill the forums up with spam advertisements.
Sometimes, through no fault of your own, you might get caught up in the detection measures we have to use. This is what we see:
There is one thing we rely on to tell which of those requests are legitimate. A callsign. Many of us have our call in our email address, but not everyone does. If you just put your callsign in the message you leave, we’d be able to approve it instantly.
Thanks!
posted by Al Gritzmacher in Website and have Comments Off on Stop Spammers Allow Requests
As a Worked All States net, we are continuing to share several fun facts about those “states” we are attempting to work, as we strive toward completion of the Unbelievable Operating Achievement Award, or any of the other awards and/or endorsements.
This week, we focus on the sixth state to ratify the constitution, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. MA ratified the constitution on February 6th, 1788.
Massachusetts State Flag
Massachusetts, along with Virginia, Pennsylvania and Kentucky, are called “Commonwealths”. Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good.
One interesting fact about the state of Massachusetts, is that Maine was part of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts until 1820, when it voted to secede from Massachusetts to become a separate state. On March 15, 1820. Smart move on their part !! I can say that, I live in MA.
Other interesting and fun facts about MA include: Both volleyball and basketball were invented in Western, MA. In fact, today the Basketball Hall of Fame resides in the city of Springfield, and the Volleyball Hall of Fame is in Holyoke, both in Western MA.
Basketball Hall of Fame
Volleyball Hall of Fame
Other fun facts: The Chocolate Chip Cookie didn’t exist prior to 1938, when it was invented by the owner of the Toll House Inn in Whitman, Massachusetts.
There’s a Native American lake named Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg. It means “you fish on your side, I fish on my side, and no one fishes in the middle”. It’s located in Webster, MA and we just call it, Webster Lake.
Paul Revere actually shouted “The Regulars are coming out”, not “The British are coming”, since Massachusetts colonists still considered themselves British citizens at the time.
A 216-year old business in Dalton, Massachusetts called Crane & Co. produces almost all of the paper used for U.S. currency, as well as banknotes for many foreign countries.
Boston built the first subway system in the United States in 1897. It probably ran better then as well. I’ve had the misfortune of taking the “T” before and after sporting events in Boston. They are still looking for “Charlie on the MTA” !!
Hope you enjoyed the fun facts about Massachusetts. Can anyone guess which state will be the next we discuss ?
Tools for tracking progress toward BASIC Award, as well as forms to submit your application
A reminder to those chasing the BASIC AWARD, or the Unbelievable Operating Achievement Award, as well as all the GERATOL Endorsements, there are several tools available on the website for tracking your state totals and endorsements, as well as blank copies of the Award Application form.
One of the tools available is the Excel spreadsheet, which allows you to enter a state as you work it, by putting in the word “YES” in the Worked Column, along with the station call sign worked, in the “CALL” section. The spreadsheet then automatically calculates your totals. This can serve as a “quick check” for those working on their basic. Below is an example of the spreadsheet, before any contacts are entered:
Once you begin making contacts, simply put a YES in the state worked, along with the call sign of the station you worked: See below example:
By putting the word YES in worked column, and adding the station worked, the spreadsheet will automatically calculate the number of states you worked, and how many you still need to work. As the example shows, two states were worked and op needs 48 more.
Of course, once you have worked, logged and obtained QSL cards toward your basic, you must submit the application form and proof of QSL to our awards manager, Dave – KJ8V. Below is an example of the form:
Form may be downloaded off our website
Tools for tracking your GERATOL Endorsements
(Just a reminder, to use
GNEC, you MUST first download WinEQF logging software, and log your GERATOL
QSO’s with WinEQF.)
As a reminder to those returning to the net, and the GERATOL
Website, but especially for new folks joining the net, the GERATOL website was
not designed to track your individual endorsements and awards. The site does however, provide links to
files in the menu bar, which allow you to download and begin using for your
individual tracking purposes.
For example, using GNEC with the logging files from WinEqf affords a very useful tool for tracking the progress of your individual endorsements. Below is a typical screen shot of how progress is tracked using Frosty’s GNEC program in conjunction with WinEqf for endorsement status.
The green color button denotes you are greater than three
requirements from being completed.
Yellow only two requirements short and the orange color reflects you
only need one more requirement to complete the award and maroon reflects
completion. Here are some examples of the various buttons:
GREEN BUTTON Example: Endorsement #24 requires one to work all 50 with “K” 2×2 Call signs. In this case the op has 14 left to work
Example of progress toward Endorsement # 24
YELLOW BUTTON example: Endorsement #2 requires one to work all fifty states with “N” 1×2 Call signs. In this example, the op needs two more to complete the endorsement. (See below example)
Two more needed to complete Endorsement # 2
ORANGE BUTTON example: Endorsement #15, you must work all fifty
states with “W” 2×1 calls.
In this example, the op needs only to work the state of HI with a “W” 2×1 call.
Only 1 more needed to complete Endorsement # 15
Another neat feature of GNEC, is the ability for you to print your progress reports for each of the endorsements you are tracking. As the example above points out, simply hit the PRINT button, after running your status check, and voila. A nice printed summary of where you stand, which states you need.
Yet another great tool made available by W0FP, is the GLIST program. As with GNEC, the GLIST is available on our website, by simply downloading the latest version. There are detailed instructions on the site, where the files are located, on how to set these tools up.
Example of a GLIST report, using N1KL Call Sign
As you can see it reflects the GERATOL number, call sign, name, D #, along with other pertinent information endorsement seekers may be looking to obtain. You not only can sort it by GERATOL number, but by “D” number, Call sign, etc. See below example:
GLIST SORT PANEL
Just a reminder, the use of GNEC begins with downloading and using the logging software, WinEqf. That software is also available on the website for you to download and begin using. The key is to get your logging software as up to date as possible. This will insure maximizing the uses of GNEC and GLIST
To do this, if you have not been using WinEqf to log your GERATOL contacts, you may need to import those from whatever logging software you are currently using, or input them manually into WinEqf. Either way, it’s well worth the effort, for tracking progress against your GERATOL endorsements.
All the files in question, WinEqf, GNEC and GLIST, Basic Tracking Spreadsheet, may be found on our website by opening the website, looking at the main menu bar at the top of the site, and clicking on where it says “Files” See below:
Click on FILES to get all the goodies referenced
Once you have clicked on the “FILES” section, shown above. The dropdown menu then shown will list three items, including: Additional Aids and Forms for the GERATOL Net
Click on Additional Aids and Forms for the GERATOL Net and you will see the following shown below:
Begin by downloading the Win-EQF software. Set up the software as directed, and begin logging your GERATOL QSO’s. You can then download GNEC, following the instructions put out by Frosty, W0FP and begin updating GNEC, once you have contacts logged into WinEQF.
Below is a typical WinEqf log page, once properly set up and in use:
Also, remember you need to “marry” your WinEqf logging software to GNEC. Simply follow the instructions set out by Frosty, W0FP when attempting to do this. Those are found under the instructions, when you download GNEC
Regarding other awards, such as Vet Salute, Director’s Award, 50/50, etc. There are instructions on the site under the AWARD portion of the menu bar, for how to track and submit your QSO’s for those awards. Have fun, and good hunting. Kevin – N1KL
Frank Donovan, W3LPL, notes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) has published its official updated prediction of Solar Cycle 25 in new, interactive Solar Cycle Progression graphs. The updated prediction is based on the results of NOAA’s Solar Cycle 25 Prediction Panel.
“SWPC forecasts a solar maximum between 105 and 125, with the peak occurring between November 2024 and March 2026,” Donovan said. “There is broad consensus that solar minimum is ongoing this year — or may have already occurred — and that Cycle 25 will have no major change in the level of solar activity compared to Cycle 24.”
As Donovan explained, for many years the SWPC’s solar cycle predictions have used the Royal Observatory of Belgium’s International Sunspot Number. SWPC’s official solar cycle prediction now uses the SWPC sunspot number. The International Sunspot Number is typically about one-third lower than the SWPC sunspot number.
View of the W3LPL antenna farm
“While this is SWPC’s official Cycle 25 prediction, it’s important to note there is still divergence among various forecasting methods and members of the space weather forecasting community,” Donovan said. “Most forecasts and forecasters agree that the Cycle 25 is likely to be within ±20% of Cycle 24 and is likely to occur between 2024 and 2027.”
For those of you who utilize LoTW, the ARRL has announced that several improvements have been made to TQSL, which should improve the overall accuracy of LoTW database. As a casual CW contester, I have noticed a large increase in DX stations now using and uploading to LoTW. If you are chasing DXCC or other awards, it’s a great way to log QSO’s against what you may need, during a contest, and then receive confirmations rather quickly.
New TQSL Updates Announced
04/16/2020
The recently released TQSL version 2.5.2 application for uploading logs to Logbook of The World (LoTW) tightens requirements for data consistency, with the goal of improving the integrity of the LoTW database. Starting with TQSL version 2.5.2, discrepancies in submitted logs now are flagged, especially when it comes to the Amateur Data Interchange Format (ADIF) files frequently uploaded to LoTW. This has prompted questions and concerns, however, when the system fails to accept a user’s uploaded contact or log.
ADIF exists precisely to help ensure the accuracy of “data interchange” among amateur radio applications — different logging programs, for example. TQSL uses ADIF file data for cross-checks that help to keep inaccurate or incomplete information from contaminating the LoTW database, and that’s where some user issues have arisen. For example, the OPERATOR field, which should be a call sign, sometimes shows up as a name. Occasionally, operators have reversed their ITU and CQ zones. Another issue is in the MY_STATE field, which should show a US Postal Service two-letter state abbreviation. Anything else is a problem.
“The value of the checks added to TQSL is that it lets operators know when the data they’re handling in their computer-based logs is correct,” said TQSL Developer Rick Murphy, K1MU. “Just as most hams would not knowingly send out a QSL card with the wrong details, it’s important to make sure that when a ham submits a log to LoTW that the content of that log accurately captures the details. It also prevents operators from uploading logs that contain incorrect information.”
Some help is on the way. Murphy soon will release TQSL version 2.5.3, which, among other things, skips over the OPERATOR field check. “We have found that some of the checking performed for TQSL 2.5.2 was incomplete in some cases — for example, allowing incorrect zone information to pass, and overly strict in other cases — for example, the STATION_OWNER tag,” Murphy said. “We’ve taken feedback from users and made great strides in improving the way logs are checked to ensure that checking is more complete while not raising false alarms.”
The problem is not always with the user. The initial implementation of cross-checks in TQSL 2.5.2 revealed that not all logging applications conform to the ADIF standard, which is maintained and voted on by the 22-member ADIF group, which includes ARRL. TQSL 2.5.2 has offered support for operations from several locations, as well as the ability to detect uploads that contain incorrect location data, and the field used for checking location has been in the ADIF standard since 2004.
Some commenters have suggested that ARRL has not defined the ADIF fields appropriately, but this represents a misunderstanding of how the ADIF standard is developed and maintained. Logging applications are obliged to follow the standard, if they generate files that claim to be ADIF compatible.
“Operators have a right to insist that the logging applications they use conform to the standards agreed upon by the ADIF collective,” said Greg Widin, K0GW, the chair of the ARRL LoTW Committee. “Those who find that their logger is out of conformance should demand an update, or, if the logger is unsupported or the developer is unwilling to update, should investigate switching to an application that is a cooperative member of the universe of amateur radio logging applications.”
I am sorry to report that George Tomlinson AA4GT G#2533 D#633 became a silent key from complications due to COVID-19 on April 9, 2020, as reported by KN4SWS to N4CD and posted in the County Hunter Web Forum at this link: http://countyhunterweb.org/DisplayForum.php?id=15596.
George was a very active Geratoler as was his wife Mary NV4Z G#885 D#86 whom he married on September 2, 2000 and who predeceased him on July 21, 2018. He was also a very active county hunter and was 86 years old.
We will all miss George. Please stay home and stay safe during this pandemic!
As previously posted, over the next few months, we will be featuring information about our 50 States.
As a Worked All States net, it may be interesting to refresh our memories about the states we hear and/or work on the net. This week we will focus on the state of Connecticut, the fifth state to ratify the constitution.
Connecticut State Flag (Latin motto translated means: He who transplanted still sustains)
As with all our states, Connecticut has several nicknames. The official nickname is: “The Constitution State.” Connecticut is referred to as the “Constitution State” due to the fact that it has the first written constitution as recognized by many historians. It is also referred to as the “Nutmeg State”, because Connecticut’s early inhabitants had the reputation of being so ingenious and shrewd that they were able to make and sell wooden nutmegs.
Connecticut’s first European settlers were Dutchmen who established a small, short-lived settlement called Fort Hoop in Hartford at the confluence of the Park and Connecticut Rivers.
Connecticut State Capitol in Hartford
The Connecticut State Capitol is located north of Capitol Avenue and south of Bushnell Park in Hartford, the capital of Connecticut. The building houses the Connecticut General Assembly; the upper house, the State Senate, and lower house, the House of Representatives, as well as the office of the Governor. How many of you GERATOLers, have worked the Capitol of CT ???
Fun facts about the state of Connecticut:
1. Noah Webster, the author of the first dictionary, lived in West Hartford
2. The first automobile law was passed in Connecticut (and the speed limit was only 12 miles per hour).
3. Connecticut is home to the first hamburger, Polaroid camera, color television, and helicopter.
4. It’s illegal to walk on your hands in Hartford.
5. In order for a pickle to be considered a pickle in Connecticut, it must bounce.
6. Besides being known as the Consitution state, Connecticut is also known as the nutmeg state.
7. Our official state song is “Yankee Doodle.”
8. The Hartford Courant is the oldest continually published newspaper in America.
9. Connecticut never ratified the 18th amendment (prohibition).
10. The smallest natural waterfall in America, Mill Pond Falls, is located in Newington, Connecticut
These are just a few of the interesting facts about Connecticut. Have fun working CT as you pursue your W.A.S. or any of the GERATOL Awards and endorsements, that require you contact the Constitution State. You may wish to mention some of the fun facts to the folks you contact from CT.
posted by Kevin in GERATOL NET NEWS and have Comments Off on CONNECTICUT
Sent out as an email as well, from Webmaster, Al – AE2T
Kevin – N1KL and I have been working behind the scenes to ensure the security of the web page. Kevin noticed a lot of attempts to register bogus accounts. We have taken steps to stem that problem. It should not affect anyone who already has their account at all.
I also took some time today to install a SSL certificate on the site. You shouldn’t notice any difference, but the little lock symbol next to the address bar should now be locked. This helps keep the site secure, but also keeps your information more secure when logging in. We’re not a big, mission-critical site, and if we were hacked it would probably only be a big headache, but I had one certificate available with the host contract and I decided this was the best place to use it.
Also, I don’t get to use this to send you emails often, but I need to be familiar with how it works, so I’m using this opportunity to refresh my knowledge.
Hope everyone is having a great time on the net and working towards a lot of awards.
