iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

2026-09-28 - Checking Bluesky status My BlueSky feed wasn't happy yesterday morning and I was investigating whether it was MY ACCOUNT or something else. I BET everyone ELSE knows this, BlueSky has a STATUS page! This is now my FIRST stop if something isn't working perfectly :) status.bsky.app

status.bsky.app

Bluesky - Status

Bluesky Status

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

2026-08-12 - FAKE QR Codes on Parking Meters No matter where you live I think this is good to watch out for. The New Westminster Police are warning of FAKE QR Codes on parking meters. Please read the following from the NW Police website for details. www.nwpolice.org/news-media/m...

nwpolice.org

Police warn of fraudulent QR codes on parking meters

New Westminster – The New Westminster Police Department is warning the public about fraudulent QR codes attached to parking meters throughout the city. Police have received numerous calls from victims...

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

USB sticks - wrong SIZE - Part 3 I HOPE that for someone these were a TOP TIP! For your USB Flash drive/SD/Micro SD media, it is easy and free to check that what you received is what you purchased and to verify that when you WRITE data to the device, you can retrieve it.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

USB Wrong Size - Part 2 Many have said before, this isn't just an issue of "I paid for X but only received 1/8 x", it is more insidious. The drive REPORTS a wrong size so when you write or back up to the stick, the EXTRA disappears into the ether (implied ARRRGGGHHH if it is back up information)

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

USB sticks - wrong SIZE Anyone "in tech" this won't be a surprise-just FYI I ordered a couple small USB sticks from "offshore" (32GB & 64GB). When interrogated they were both 8GB!! There are many tools to check this, but one of my favorites is ValiDrive from Gibson Research www.grc.com/validrive.htm

grc.com

GRC | ValiDrive

ValiDrive, Fraudulent and Fake Drive Detection

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 23/01/2026

2026-01-23 Hummingbird feeders changing hummingbird beaks! There are two wonderful stories here. We have citizen scientists noticing changes & taking data & I always think this normally takes thousands of years. THIS one has happened in only seventy or eighty years! NEAT! www.npr.org/2025/05/23/n...

npr.org

Backyard feeders changed the shape of hummingbird beaks, scientists say

A new study details the evolutionary change of Anna's Hummingbirds, finding their beaks have grown longer and more tapered to get the most from common feeders.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

2026-01-09 - The Answer to WHAT are these? For those who saw my post the other day, the answer is . . . Write protection tabs for old 3.5" floppy disks. For those who are too young I have included an image to help people recognize them.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

2026-01-08 - I found these on the floor 🤣 I HOPE this makes all of you laugh. I was decommissioning some gear & when finished, found THESE on the floor. Be forewarned, you HAVE to be at least a certain vintage to even have a chance to recognize these 🤣. I will post an image of where they came from

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 05/12/2025

Profile between TWO points For SIMPLEX I like to get an idea if it is doable or not. Start here heywhatsthat.com/profiler.html Click on [ ] in the upper right hand corner [FULL SCREEN]. Scroll & zoom for the starting point then click. Now find your destination (press the shift key and click).

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

2025-10-06 Get your ISS SSTV Certificate IF you were able to get an image that was BARELY RECOGNIZABLE, PLEASE apply for your very own ARISS SSTV certificate. If you aren't a HAM, you can just use your name! Go here ariss-usa.org/ARISS_SSTV/s... fill it out and submit @arissintl.bsky.social #SSTV

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

2025-10-06 - Don't forget the ISS SSTV Certificate I think the REAL WIN is grabbing & SEEING the SSTV images appear. For those who want the certificate please apply. The MINIMUM standard is it ONLY has to be barely recognizable & they are very KIND! #ISS #SSTV #HAMRADIO @jessup-at-large.bsky.social‬

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 07/10/2025

This is PURE GOODNESS! I am super happy that you tried and did so well. Now the interesting question . . . . have you applied for your certificate? PLEASE say YES! #iss #sstv

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

ISS SSTV - 2025-10-03 - 2025-10-09 - The Game is AFOOT! I prefer posting "average" ISS SSTV images instead of only my best. I HOPE this will give everyone an idea of "how mine are going along" using modest gear. I used a vertical antenna, Kenwood V71, RPi and QSSTV. #ISS #SSTV #hamradio

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

2025-10-16 - The Great Shake out! On the WEST coast we should be thinking about seismic events and this has good information. www.shakeout.org In Metro Van www.shakeoutbc.ca Washington State www.shakeout.org/washington/ I have signed UP AND have a sturdy desk ready to dive underneath!

shakeout.org

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills

Great ShakeOut Earthquake Drills help people in homes, schools, and organizations worldwide improve preparedness and practice how to be safe during earthquakes. Register to participate in your state o...

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Now this is a great post about the ISS SSTV event and BETTER than mine, Peter included "pass data" for Vancouver BC! Nice job bud! #ISSSSTV #AmateurRadio @petervogel.bsky.social

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

ISS SSTV: If you haven't tried yet, please "give it a go"! The minimum is something "to hear the signal" and something to "translate the sounds to images". You don't even need cables. Robot36 and "ACOUSTIC Coupling" WORKS (Put the device NEXT to the speaker) #ISS #SSTV #hamradio

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

I LOVE these as they are an EASY WIN and this is a certificate event too! ISS SSTV - 2025-10-03 - 2025-10-09 : 145.800 MHz PD120 The ISS is going to be sending down IMAGES celebrating World Space Week! Please give it a go & be amazed #isssstv #amateurradio #SSTV

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

A local club is having a soldering seminar, so I built a portable kit. This means I can have acceptable gear that I am used to, at hand. Weller W60P, extra tips, Stand, Tip Tinner, Flux Paste, Wire Ball Cleaner, Wick Braid, Solder, Flush Cut pliers, Cutter Strippers, Desoldering Vacuum, Pelican Case

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 15/09/2025

2025-09-13 - Repeater SDRs Our local 2m/70cm repeater here in Van BC Can gave us access to the site SDRs. Although "OLD HAT" to some, I found it incredibly interesting. I watched the waveforms while running the net! Very few transceivers were off frequency/over deviating. #hamradio #amateurradio

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

As I posted about "getting your call sign" on the ISS APRS Map, I have to mention the next outage Sat Sept 13th 12:40 UTC/8:40am ET until Sun Sept 14th 14:05 UTC/10:05am ET ‪ARISS - Amateur Radio on the International Space Station‬ AND everyone should follow @arissintl.bsky.social

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 30/08/2025

2025-08-29 - Change to School Zone hours here in New Westminster & Burnaby BC Canada Burnaby & New Westminster have extended School Zone Hours. They are now 7am to 10pm School Days! (here are links to EACH City's websites) www.burnaby.ca/our-city/new... www.newwestcity.ca/2025/08/26/c....

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 22/08/2025

2025-08-22 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - POST game There are TONS of GREAT ways to beacon APRS through the ISS. I LOVE whatever you use! Normally I use a Kenwood V71, a Pi 4B & a VoxBox. A handheld with rubber duck antenna works great too! Please try & bask in the glory when you show up! ariss.net

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 19/08/2025

2025-08-18 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - The Review ISS APRS is 145.825 MHz simplex ISS passes, remember choose ALL & NOT visual passes www.n2yo.com Check that ISS transceiver is set to APRS www.ariss.org/current-stat... See if others are succeeding www.amsat.org/status/ Get on the map! ariss.net

ariss.net

Amateur Radio Stations heard via ISS

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

2025-08-18 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 7 We are finally HERE! go to ariss.net Wait for the ISS to be in RF range Run APRSDROID, hook up the cables, tune your HT to 145.825, put Vox on and give it a GO! Please remember to turn Vox off when done! Bask in the GLORY when your call sign shows up on the MAP!

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

2025-08-17 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 6.5 Brad's Top Tips Check ISS Status and Amsat Status first. Amsat tells if everyone else is succeeding. Remember when finding the ISS path, you do NOT want VISUAL range! This TOP tip reminds us that RF has an ability to hit the ISS when your eye can't see it.

amsat.org

AMSAT OSCAR Satellite Status

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 6 The MAGIC websites Current ISS radio setup www.ariss.org/current-stat... Status of the ISS and other satellites www.amsat.org/status/ The MAP the shows if you successfully beaconed THROUGH the ISS ariss.net When will the ISS be in RF Range www.n2yo.com

ariss.org

Current Status of ISS Stations

Status as of August 13 , 2025 Columbus Module radio: IORS (Kenwood D710GA) – STATUS - C onfigured . Default m ode is for cross band repeater (145.990 MHz up {PL 67} & 437.800 MHz...

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 5.5 I HOPE your earth based APRS test WORKED If it did then 90% of the work is done For ISS APRS all that has to be done is check that the ISS has APRS running find the ISS schedule change frequency to the ISS APRS frequency beacon and check the ISS APRS Map

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/08/2025

2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 5 Go to APRS www.aprs.fi Start APRS Droid. I use Audio AFSK out & use a cable between device & radio Put transceiver on 144.390 (For EARTH based APRS) Plug cable between APRS Droid Device & Transceiver Set transceiver for VOX Beacon & check on APRS.fi Disable VOX

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 4.5 (I know this is taking too many posts. I prefer a regimented process that makes success easier) Earlier I suggested APRS Droid but there are TONS of software & hardware solutions to beacon APRS. No matter your choice, I like it. (the image shows our end game)

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

2025-08-15 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 4 - The terrestrial tools - APRS Droid on Android A handheld (I like this for two reasons, VOX and it is easier in the field for the ISS portion) An appropriate cable from Device to Radio the website APRS.fi (to make sure all is working right)

aprs.fi

aprs.fi – live APRS map

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

2025-08-14 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 3 The BIG PLAN Check that terrestrial APRS working I will give the links/resources to track the ISS plus a website to check the ISS is set to APRS and also a website to see if others are having luck getting through to the ISS Load the ISS APRS Map Give it a GO!

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

2025-08-14 - APRS THROUGH the ISS - 2 Depending upon how long you have been involved with APRS, it can have different names & focus. For OUR purpose this doesn't matter, I just want everyone to be able to show up on a map 🤣!

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

2025-08-13 - APRS THROUGH the ISS! This will take MULTIPLE POSTS so please be patient as I will get there eventually 🤣 I am first going to give an overview of the process, then give a couple of "Brad's Top Tips" and finally end up at an "easy way" to get it to work.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

2025-08-12 - ISS APRS I HOPE my ISS SSTV posts gently nudged someone to try receiving the images last month. Perhaps a few even received an ARISS SSTV Award! I LOVE SSTV as it is an EASY WIN and the skills can be extended to . . . bouncing an APRS packed off of the ISS! Yes that is the next POST 😁

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

2025-07-27 HAMs Across the Border At the Peace Arch Park here on the west coast, we just celebrated the second annual HAMs Across The Border. All of these HAMs check into a local net but thought an "eyeball to eyeball QSO" might be fantastic option. The solution was a park that straddles the border!

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 18/07/2025

#ISS #SSTV #HAMRadio I HOPE that I have encouraged at least ONE person to "give it a go". There are still a couple of days left to PARTICIPATE and to earn your very own certificate! The minimum is "barely recognizable" and they are forgiving in this regard. This LARGE partial earned it this time

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

ISS SSTV: I would like to encourage anyone who hasn't tried yet, to "give it a go"! The minimum is something "to hear the signal" and something to "translate the sounds to images". You don't even need cables. Robot36 and "ACOUSTIC Coupling" (Put the device NEXT to the speaker) #ISS #SSTV #hamradio

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 17/07/2025

2025-07-17 : ISS SSTV, so far so good. Last time I showed my worst and now I am going to post the "range" of what I have received so far. For those who think you need "special gear", this is not the case, all of mine have been received with a vertical antenna on the balcony! #ISS #SSTV #hamradio

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 16/07/2025

N2QFD nicely DONE and fantastic capture! It is wonderful that you have reminded ALL of us that there are tons of different ways of "receiving" these images! Scanners, transceivers, SDRs or even websites that are connected to SDRs will allow you to PLAY! The only fail is if you don't try.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

#ISS #SSTV #hamradio 2025-07-15 . . . I started grabbing the ISS SSTV images yesterday. Instead of posting perfect images, I am going to post my worst one. My purpose is to show "new people" that not every image I GRAB is good 🤣and using this capture I was awarded the ISS SSTV certificate! Just TRY

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 15/07/2025

2025-07-14 - 2025-07-20 ISS SSTV The game is afoot! Once again I am joining in and striving to capture and decode images sent down from the ISS! If you are new to amateur radio or joining after an extended absence, this is an EASY win! My results (good AND BAD) are to follow.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

SPARC decluttering sale Sun June 8th 12pm-3pm I will Tx "Historic Vancouver" SSTV images & they will be displayed in "real time" at SPARC 145.600 MHz SIMPLEX 09:30-15:50 Every 10 mins on the ZEROS PD120 sparcradio.ca/june-8th-202... www.google.com/maps/place/4...

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

The ISS SSTV event 2025-04-11 - 16 was fantastic. Here are a couple of my "average" images. I approach this as something fun with the important part being participation! If you didn't play this time please ensure you do the NEXT one. It is still amazing to me that these images are coming from ORBIT!

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

Humorous SSTV on 2025-06-03 I need a bit of a chuckle so here we GO! 145.600 MHz simplex from the Quay in New Westminster. The theme is Humour. At 9:20pm, 9:30, 9:40 & 9:50 I will send out "Test Images" 10:00pm - 11:59pm - Images every 10 minutes on the zeros . . . . 10:00, 10:10, 10:20 . . . . .

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

AND Finally, if you have time, the BC Farm Museum is always worth a visit bcfma.com 9131 King Street Fort Langley BC, V1M 2R6 Daily 10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m. If you are a participant of the Rainbow Country Net, ensure you visit on SUNDAY and ask for Doreen to be your tour guide

bcfma.com

Welcome to The BC Farm Museum – Fort Langley, BC, Canada

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

The discussion about the SPARC museum in Van brought about another similarly named spot, only a few miles south of us . . the BELLINGHAM SPARK Museum of Electrical invention located at 1312 Bay Street Bellingham, WA Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. www.sparkmuseum.org/megazapper-e...

sparkmuseum.org

Loud, scary fun for the whole family! | SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

This morning on one of the largest 2m amateur radio nets in the world the SPARC museum here in Metro Van was mentioned. If you have the time and interest it is a wonderful place to spend a few hours sparcradio.ca Kerria Drive, Coquitlam, BC Open 10am to 3pm Sundays only: info@sparcradio.ca

sparcradio.ca

S.P.A.R.C. Museum | Society for the Preservation of Antique Radio in Canada

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

ISS SSTV - There is still time to GRAB some ISS SSTV images! Although most people post his/her BEST image, I like to post an AVERAGE one. You do NOT need CRAZY or expensive gear, you can just put your Mobile Phone next to the speaker on any receiver and the image will just appear-ACOUSTIC coupling!

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 12/04/2025

2025-04-11 - 2025-04-16 : ISS SSTV Event Certificate I was fortunate to grab an image from the first pass here on the West Coast of North America. Although the PD120 capture wasn't perfect, I submitted it and received this wonderful "keepsake". For those who participate, please remember to apply.

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VA7BWX @va7bwx.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

2025-04-11 - ISS SSTV "The game is afoot" For us on the West Coast of North America, I can say the first pass of the ISS SSTV Series 26 session is ON! My reception is not great, but for ME the purpose is JUST to PLAY. There are many more passes today so everyone can be part of it.

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