Category Archives: Miscelleneous

The 900 MHz Band in Amateur Radio

The 900 MHz band is part of the UHF (Ultra High Frequency) spectrum and spans 902–928 MHz in the United States. This band is allocated as an ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band but is also shared with amateur radio on a secondary basis. Here’s an overview of its role in amateur radio:

Characteristics of the 900 MHz Band

  1. Propagation:
    • The 900 MHz band behaves similarly to other UHF frequencies but offers slightly higher attenuation due to its shorter wavelength.
    • Signals are primarily line-of-sight and can penetrate buildings better than higher frequencies like 1.2 GHz but less effectively than VHF.
  2. Bandwidth:
    • The band offers a wide 26 MHz of spectrum, allowing for high-speed data applications, experimentation, and voice communications.
  3. Shared Use:
    • As a shared band, amateur radio operators must avoid interfering with primary users like ISM equipment, which includes devices like cordless phones, Wi-Fi, and industrial systems.

Applications in Amateur Radio

  1. Repeater Systems:
    • 900 MHz is increasingly used for amateur radio repeaters, providing coverage in urban areas. These repeaters often require specialized equipment, as commercial 900 MHz devices may need modification for amateur use.
  2. Digital Modes:
    • Modes such as D-STAR, DMR, and P25 can operate in the 900 MHz range, enabling digital voice and data communication.
  3. Mesh Networking:
    • Amateur radio operators use the 900 MHz band for HSMM (High-Speed Multimedia Mesh) networks, leveraging it for broadband-like applications.
  4. Experimental Projects:
    • The band is popular for experimentation, including SDR (Software-Defined Radio), microwave link tests, and innovative antenna designs.

Equipment for the 900 MHz Band

  • Amateur radio equipment for this band is less common than for lower bands like VHF or HF.
  • Operators often repurpose commercial gear such as Motorola radios or modify ISM-band transceivers for amateur use.
  • SDR platforms like HackRF or BladeRF also support the 900 MHz band, making it accessible for tech-savvy operators.

Challenges and Considerations

  1. Interference:
    • The proliferation of ISM devices in the 900 MHz band can lead to interference, especially in densely populated areas.
  2. Limited Availability:
    • Off-the-shelf amateur radio gear for this band is relatively rare, requiring technical skills to adapt commercial equipment.
  3. Regulations:
    • Amateur radio use in this band is secondary, meaning operators must yield to primary users and comply with specific regulations.

Why Use the 900 MHz Band?

The 900 MHz band provides a unique opportunity for experimentation and communication in areas where lower bands might be congested. Its characteristics make it suitable for both voice and data applications, particularly in urban and suburban environments.

As technology evolves, the 900 MHz band is gaining popularity among amateurs who enjoy the challenge of working with higher frequencies and less conventional equipment.

Association News

IRLP and 900 MHz Repeater: Check out the new page re our connection to the Internet Radio Linking Project, our 900 MHz repeater and associated links.

§ 97.1 Basis and purpose.

The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:

(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.

(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.

(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.

(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.

(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s unique ability to enhance international goodwill.

Frequency of Fabric

Scientific Details of The Linen Frequency Study

In 2003, a study was done by a Jewish doctor, Heidi Yellen, on the frequencies of fabric.  According to this study, the human body has a signature frequency of 100, and organic cotton is the same – 100.  The study showed that if the number is lower than 100, it puts a strain on the body.  A diseased, nearly dead person has a frequency of about 15, and that is where polyester, rayon, and silk register. Nonorganic cotton registers a signature frequency of about 70. However, if the fabric has a higher frequency, it gives energy to the body.  This is where linen comes in as a super-fabric.  Its frequency is 5,000. Wool is also 5,000, but when mixed together with linen, the frequencies cancel each other out and fall to zero. Even wearing a wool sweater on top of a linen outfit in a study collapsed the electrical field. The reason for this could be that the energy field of wool flows from left to right, while that of linen flows in the opposite direction, from right to left. 

In an email dated 2/10/12, Dr. Yellen explained the process of this study:
“Frequency was determined by a technician named Ivanne Farr who used a digital instrument designed by a retired Texas A&M professor called the Ag-Environ machine. We had a public demonstration with an audience at internationally known artist Bob Summers home. 

“Bob Graham, the inventor, told us that his machine was created to analyze the signature frequencies of agricultural commodities to aid the farmer in determining the right time of harvest growth.  The gentleman identified signature frequencies that identified illness also and had turned to helping people get well.  Bob Graham stated that it was a ‘signature frequency of that plant’s species identity.’  The mHz is different, we were suggested that it would be the same as Rose essential oil.  

“There could be better devices so we have been looking around for more options.  There’s a device that a brilliant American agriculture scientist developed that does measure the frequency of Linen.  We have not yet acquired one but hope to soon!

“Dr. Philip Callahan, a noted physician and researcher, was able to prove the existence of this energy using plant leaves attached to an oscilloscope. About six months ago, he visited me in California and showed me a new development. He had discovered that flax cloth, as suggested in the Books of Moses [the Torah or Pentatuch], acts as an antenna for the energy. He found that when the pure flax cloth was put over a wound or local pain, it greatly accelerated the healing process. He was also using the flax seed cloth as a sophisticated antenna for his oscilloscope.  This is the instrument that he uses to determine energy of flax.”

Pgs. 19-20 of Whole Health, by Mark Mincolla Ph.D.

Annual Meeting 2023

Annual Business Meeting

October 21, the LRRA held their Annual Meeting at 4:30 PM in the old Lions Club Function Hall in Moultonborough on Old Route 109.

Elections where held for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Because all four incumbents have expressed the willingness to continue for another term, a nominating committee was not convened. An election still is required, however.

To see the official documents please see this page.

Liberty Repeater and Newfound Lake Marathon

From: Sam Sargent <n1sfm@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, September 6, 2023, 1:36 PM
To: Clayton N1VAU Ferry; Murphy P Bob N1KWH; Jim N1CRZ Robinton; Dave Worrall; Dave Megin; Cliff Dickinson; Justin Thibeault
Subject: Testing Liberty Hill repeater 9/5/23

Hello all,  

Bob N1KWH, Clayton N1VAU & I enjoyed another pleasant B&B at T-Bones in LCI last evening.  There was lots of good conversation.  It was good to catch up.  

Among the topics thoroughly discussed was the “Liberty” repeater 147.240+ (88.5 Hz) that has been installed on the tower that Clayton owns atop Liberty Hill in Gilford, NH.  This machine is associated with the “603” radio club that Clayton & Rick Zack have established.

Continue reading Liberty Repeater and Newfound Lake Marathon

NH ARES Announces New Facebook Page

Hampden County Radio Association: We’ve got a Facebook page up and running for New Hampshire ARES. If there is anything that you would like me to post on the page please get it to me and I’ll take care of it. For those clubs and ARES units that I found have Facebook pages, I’ve either followed or joined your pages to link us all together. Please pass this on to your members so that they can view and participate in the Facebook page. Hopefully this outreach effort will gain some traction and interest in ARES and boost out unit membership as we definitely need some help.

Continue reading NH ARES Announces New Facebook Page

Public Service Announcement September 2023

What is Ham Radio?

What is Ham Radio? It’s the most fun you can have with a radio. You can talk to people around the world, and even orbiting the earth, learn about electronics and be of service to your community.

There are thousands of amateur radio organizations across our country serving over 760 thousand licensed Hams, interacting with about a million more Hams worldwide.

Contact us to learn more about our local ham radio organization.

Lakes Region Repeater Association

***Enhanced Communication with Seamless Interoperability***

____________________

Listen to our Pubic Service Announcement on

WMEK 88.1 FM WRKJ 88.5 FM WWPC 91.7 FM WWLK 101.5 FM WLKZ 104.9 FM WSEW 88.7 FM

Ham Radio Antenna Upgrade

Ham radio antenna relocation and upgrade 2020. Work on tower, installation of platform and relocation of LRRA’s antennas.

Thanks to Crown Castle,  Green Mountain Communications and the Technical Committee.

Rockin’ the Lakes Region!!

Check out Jayson’s (KB1RFS) drone shots of the tower in its current configuration. (March 2021)

Ham radio antenna relocation and upgrade 2020.

ham radio antenna
2020 antenna relocation and upgrade

Work on the first phase of the tower project which involved the installation of a platform at 115ft and the relocation of most of the association’s antennas has been completed. During the relocation, the 2 Meter Telewave antenna was upgraded with two additional dipole bays (generously donated by several anonymous donors) and we have already seen an increase in the reach of the antenna do to its increased gain. There is still some adjustments and tweaks that need to be made to fully optimize the system post-relocation, but these are in the very capable hands of Frank/W1WU, Bob/N1EUN and the rest of the technical committee.

During the tower extension project, the safety climb cable between the pegs was replaced with a longer one to reach the top and new grommets were installed alternating with particular care to make sure the cable was not creating any mechanical noise on the tower that would affect our repeaters as it did in the past. 

The association thanks Crown Castle for going the extra mile to help keep mechanical noise on their tower to a minimum.   73!

Weather Station Project.

The tech  committee members,  with equipment donated to the association,  are working to establish a weather station at the repeater site that will eventually be remotely accessible and will provide wind speed direction indoor and outdoor temperature information for the site.   More to follow.

National Weather Servce

NWS Mission

Provide weather, water and climate data, forecasts, warnings, and impact-based decision support services for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy.

NWS Vision

A Weather-Ready Nation: Society is prepared for and responds to weather, water, and climate-dependent events.