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All kits have been tested and the forty-9er portions reorganized for ease of assembly.  Project Leader Matt now  has the kits again, except for one:  that kit's owner is soldering it together to check for assembly issues. This will not delay kit distribution.

We now have a reliable parts list for the modified Forty-9er part of the kit, based upon both the information contained in its schematic, and the prescribed modifications thereof . Lack of this list had been a major barrier to prospective volunteers for final inspection and testing .

The first kit is now tested and re-assembled. When six kits are ready, they will go back to Project Leader Matt. The seventh is being soldered together in order to discover any assembly issues.

The parts have been assembled into kits,

The parts in each kit are now being re-inventoried and tested

This also might help

Imagine the concept of a lump of matter which, on command, transforms itself into a complete ham rig, including antenna. Here is a documented, long article  about Programmable Matter. And here is a casual video about the same subject.

Finally, one more post about capacitors and their markings.

The above link is a bit more advanced, and broadens the discussion somewhat. But for now, we'll leave the truly advanced capacitor sites to experts in the field.

The following is from Bob, WA9D

I just found this idea suggested online. I am not at all sure how seriously to take it. But in case it might have relevance for you:

• On the one hand, you probably know, the FCC has done away with the fee for requesting a vanity call sign. (They worked out that it cost them more to process it than they received.)
• On the other, you may also know, there is under some consideration a move to make your license last as long as you do. Not expiring after 10 years unless you take action. (Unless you expire after 10 years... but is that taking action?) Whether that will happen, whether it would apply to all classes, etc., is unknown.

But putting those together people have pointed out that there might be fewer "desirable" calls available to request: Whoever has the call you would really like might just keep on owning it, whether active as a ham or not. So the suggestion was made, take this with whatever sized grain of salt you might want, that if you anticipate going for a vanity call you might be better off to look for one you like, soon.

I repeat that I have no extra knowledge about what the FCC will do nor about what effect it would have on availability of calls!
Bob ...  WA9D

Further info will be welcomed.   --Ed.

In 2017, a new gesynchronous satellite is planned, with Amateur Radio onboard. In effect, this will open up a new ham 'band', according to the ARRL.

http://www.arrl.org/news/first-geosynchronous-orbit-amateur-radio-payload-could-aid-disaster-communication

If you're new to digital ham ops, these might help:

For PSK31 -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSK31

For JT65-HF -

http://www.eham.net/articles/25604

Additional links welcomed. Just clik on 'Write a comment', above