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HamSphere 3.0
Chaz Cone W4GKF
www.HamSphere.com
HamSphere 3.0
..is an extremely clever, extremely capable simulator of the entire ham radio experience!
Created by Kelly Lindman 5B4AIT
HamSphere 3.0
Ham radio --
HamSphere 3.0
Ham radio -- without the radio!
HamSphere 3.0
Ham radio -- without the radio!
No, really!
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere Described
HamSphere is a virtual shortwave client that works in Windows, Linux, Mac, iPhone and Android.
It is a communication system simulating shortwave propagation over a virtual ionosphere.
HamSphere 3.0
History
Kelly 5B4AIT created HamSphere and it went online in late 2007.
There are presently 7,361 subscribers, 7,302 outside the US.
233(!) countries presently active.
HamSphere 3.0
The thing that makes it unusual
Unlike Skype and other VOIP methodologies, HamSphere inserts QRM, QRN and uses simulated ionospheric models.
HamSphere 3.0
The thing that makes it unusual
Unlike Skype and other VOIP methodologies, HamSphere inserts QRM, QRN and uses simulated ionospheric models.
For example, you can’t work DX from the US on 160 meters in the daytime.
HamSphere 3.0
The thing that makes it unusual
Unlike Skype and other VOIP methodologies, HamSphere inserts QRM, QRN and uses simulated ionospheric models.
For example, you can’t work DX from the US on 160 meters in the daytime.
Sometimes condx are good, other times not so much.
You’d swear it was “real” radio!
HamSphere 3.0
How/Why did I get interested?
I have an 11yr old grandson who lives in California. When visiting here, he’s made contacts on my rig and showed some interest.
I signed him up for HamSphere and he lit up!
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
Here’s how I used to do it (with this metaphor)…
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“Imagine a long dog that reaches from New York to Chicago…”
Chicago New York
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“You step on his tail in New York and he barks in Chicago…”
Chicago New York
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“You step on his tail in New York and he barks in Chicago…”
Chicago New York
Ruff, Ruff!
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
That’s “TELEGRAPHY”.
Chicago New York
TELEGRAPHY!
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“Radio is the same thing – without the dog.”
Chicago New York
Radio!
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“Radio is the same thing – without the dog.”
Chicago New York
Ruff, Ruff!
Radio!
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“Well, HamSphere is the same thing –
Chicago New York
HamSphere 3.0
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“Well, HamSphere is the same thing – without the radio.”
Chicago New York
HamSphere!
Ruff, Ruff!
HamSphere 3.0
WHAT?!
Teaching about ham radio communications:
“Well, HamSphere is the same thing – without the radio.”
HamSphere 3.0
Just what is
HamSphere?
HamSphere 3.0
The magic word is:
SIMULATOR
HamSphere 3.0
The magic word is:
SIMULATOR
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
▄ No license required
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
▄ No license required
▄ Simulates 11 bands 6m through 160M
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
▄ No license required
▄ Simulates 11 bands 6m through 160M
▄ Phone, CW and SSTV
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
▄ No license required
▄ Simulates 11 bands 6m through 160M
▄ Phone, CW and SSTV
▄ Teaches proper operating protocol
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
▄ No license required
▄ Simulates 11 bands 6m through 160M
▄ Phone, CW and SSTV
▄ Teaches proper operating protocol
▄ Works over the internet
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ No RF, no radio, no antenna
▄ No license required
▄ Simulates 11 bands 6m through 160M
▄ Phone, CW and SSTV
▄ Teaches proper operating protocol
▄ Works over the internet
▄ Free client programs for PC, Mac, Linux, iPhone & Android
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Ionosphere simulation – very cool!
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Ionosphere simulation – very cool!
▄ Costs 30€ /year with a one week free trial
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Ionosphere simulation – very cool!
▄ Costs 30€ /year with a one week free trial
▄ Certificates for 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 DX countries, WAS, WAC, etc.
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Ionosphere simulation – very cool!
▄ Costs 30€ /year with a one week free trial
▄ Certificates for 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 DX countries, WAS, WAC, etc.
▄ Instant QSLs (with built-in design tool)
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Ionosphere simulation – very cool!
▄ Costs 30€ /year with a one week free trial
▄ Certificates for 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 DX countries, WAS, WAC, etc.
▄ Instant QSLs (with built-in design tool)
▄ Logbook in the HamSphere cloud
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Ionosphere simulation – very cool!
▄ Costs 30€ /year with a one week free trial
▄ Certificates for 25, 50, 75, 100, 150 DX countries, WAS, WAC, etc.
▄ Instant QSLs (with built-in design tool)
▄ Logbook in the HamSphere cloud
▄ DX cluster
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
▄ Double-sideband Phone + CW
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
▄ Double-sideband Phone + CW
▄ Digital/Analog SSTV
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
▄ Double-sideband Phone + CW
▄ Digital/Analog SSTV
▄ Chat function
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
▄ Double-sideband Phone + CW
▄ Digital/Analog SSTV
▄ Chat function
▄ Power setting from QRP to 2,500 watts
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
▄ Double-sideband Phone + CW
▄ Digital/Analog SSTV
▄ Chat function
▄ Power setting from QRP to 2,500 watts
▄ Contests
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere is an amateur radio simulator.
▄ Optional transmitter audio processing
▄ Double-sideband Phone + CW
▄ Digital/Analog SSTV
▄ Chat function
▄ Power setting from QRP to 2,500 watts
▄ Contests
▄ User Forums
HamSphere 3.0
What about call signs? ▄ If you have a ham radio callsign, you use it.
HamSphere 3.0
What about call signs? ▄ If you have a ham radio callsign, you use it.
▄ If you don’t, the system assigns one to you. The non-ham callsign consists of a country number, the letters “HS” (for HamSphere) and a serial number. The US is country number “2”.
HamSphere 3.0
What about call signs? ▄ If you have a ham radio callsign, you use it.
▄ If you don’t, the system assigns one to you. The non-ham callsign consists of a country number, the letters “HS” (for HamSphere) and a serial number. The US is country number “2”.
My grandson is 2HS153
HamSphere 3.0
Country prefixes (ISO codes)
Here are the first few HamSphere country prefixes:
1 Italy 8 Peru 15 Switzerland
2 USA 9 Canada 16 Belgium
3 Brazil 10 Mexico 17 Hawaii
4 Argentina 11 Puerto Rico 18 Greece
5 Venezuela 12 Uruguay 19 Netherlands
6 Colombia 13 Germany 20 Norway
7 Bonaire 14 France 21 Sweden
HamSphere 3.0
How can you be sure DX is really DX?
The system verifies each user’s location via his IP addresses.
The system ensures hams are who they say they are via the FCC database and QRZ.com
HamSphere 3.0
What does it look like on my computer?
HamSphere 3.0
The “Radio”:
HamSphere 3.0
The “Radio”:
Analog S-meter, Tuning knob, digital frequency display, spectrum analyzer (band scope), Receive volume, transmit power level, mic level, indicator lights
HamSphere 3.0
The “Radio”:
Server select, DX cluster, chat window
HamSphere 3.0
The “Radio”:
Band select, filters, PTT button, and more.
HamSphere 3.0
What does it look like on my iPhone?
HamSphere 3.0
Works on iPhone and Android devices.
No logging capability in this version.
Client app is free.
HamSphere 3.0
QSLs
▄ Each QSO can be confirmed instantly with a mouse-click, both directions.
▄ QSL cards can be designed online with an easy drag-and-drop interface.
▄ The system tracks awards for which you qualify.
▄ The awards program is automatic.
HamSphere 3.0
Here’s my QSL:
HamSphere 3.0
Here’s my grandson’s QSL:
HamSphere 3.0
What’s the point? Who is this for?
▄ Young folks whom you want to interest in ham radio
HamSphere 3.0
What’s the point? Who is this for?
▄ Young folks whom you want to interest in ham radio
▄ Folks who just want to “sniff-test” the ham radio experience before deciding to pursue the hobby
HamSphere 3.0
What’s the point? Who is this for?
▄ Young folks whom you want to interest in ham radio
▄ Folks who just want to “sniff-test” the ham radio experience before deciding to pursue the hobby
▄ Hams who can’t have a rig/antenna where they live
HamSphere 3.0
What’s the point? Who is this for?
▄ Young folks whom you want to interest in ham radio
▄ Folks who just want to “sniff-test” the ham radio experience before deciding to pursue the hobby
▄ Hams who can’t have a rig/antenna where they live
▄ Active hams who want another challenge (Honor Roll on all bands? Want something else to do?)
HamSphere 3.0
My opinion?
It’s the most fun you can have with ham radio – without a radio!
The top DX score is presently 187 confirmed countries; not easy to do!
Every day at 0000Z they post on the HamSphere website the top 1,000 users with DX confirmations.
HamSphere 3.0
What’s coming?
HamSphere 4.0
Modularized transceiver you can configure in dozens of ways
New propagation Model based on maidenhead grid squares and recognizing backscatter, Sporadic-E, Tropo and Grey Line propagation using daily Solar Flux numbers
A Rag-chewing option
New Antennas, some rotatable
New Amplifiers
HamSphere 3.0
…Netting it all out…
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere 3.0
Summary
▄ HamSphere is fun and inexpensive.
▄ All you need is a computer or an iPhone/Android
▄ You can try it for a week for free
▄ Everything you need to know is on the
website: www.HamSphere.com
▄ See you on the “bands”!
HamSphere 3.0
Chaz Cone W4GKF
www.HamSphere.com
HamSphere 3.0
HamSphere 3.0
