How to Update the Inovato Quadra to the New HamClock Backend

Here's a great video and instructions from Don, W8CPT on updating the Inovato Quadra to the new backend (as discussed in yesterday's (February 25) post).

The written instructions mentioned on hamclock.com, follow Don's video.

 

 

1.  Exit HamClock, then click on the terminal icon at the bottom of the screen.

2.  Type the following command and press Enter: sudo nano /etc/hosts

3.  If asked for a password, the default Quadra password is 1n0v@t0 — note that both characters that look like the letter O are zeros. The password won't show up as you type it — that's normal, just type it and press Enter.

4.  Use the arrow keys to move to the bottom of the file and add this line:  

3.128.20.228    clearskyinstitute.com

5.  Press Ctrl+O (that's the letter O, not zero) to save the file, then press Enter to confirm.

6.  Press Ctrl+X to exit nano.

7.  Type exit and press Enter to close the terminal, then restart HamClock.

New Backend HamClock Server Available

The first known community backend server for HamClock is now available for all HamClock users. The project, hamclock.com, is free for anyone to use and will keep existing HamClock installs running indefinitely.

Major work includes: rewriting the VOACAP propagation engine with cubic interpolation, building weather pressure maps in both millibar and inHg units at five resolutions, adding aurora map generation, real-time PSK Reporter spot data, Kp index from NOAA SWPC, overhauling satellite TLE tracking, and hardening the entire server for production use serving 1,600+ HamClocks.

With the passing of HamClock creator Elwood Downey (WB0OEW) on January 29 of this year, HamClock will stop working in June unless users point their installations to a new backend service. Updating existing HamClock installations is a relatively simple task. Users several options, including updating their hosts file, or updating the command used to start HamClock. Both require only simple text changes.  Full instructions are on hamclock.com.

Hamclock.com is run by Bruce Edrich (W4BAE), to whom, along with his team of contributors, the ham community owes a huge debt of gratitude.

In Bruce's words:

FCC Fines Radio Pirate $2,391,097

On January 22, 2026, the FCC released its annual report on the implementation of the PIRATE Act on broadcasting on FM and AM or adjacent bands.

Historically, the fight against pirate radios has proved to be tough because of the lack of repression capacity. For the past 5 years, pirate hunting has become a priority. Authorities have become aware of the danger to the public of such broadcasts as they can disrupt authorized stations that broadcast important public safety emergency alert messages.

The PIRATE Act increases the maximum penalties for operators of pirate radios and gives the FCC increased control over the owners and managers who allow the broadcast of pirate radio from their premises.

The FCC is conducting targeted checks and lawsuits against station owners as well as broadcasting site providers.

The amount of the fine is calculated based on the number of months the station aired.

Here's a partial list of the pirates walking the plank:

New Seasonal Landing Record - On Ice!

The ice runway at Alton Bay Seaplane Base (B18) on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee has set a new seasonal landing record.

Last Monday, 42 aircraft touched down on the frozen surface, bringing the season’s total to 774—surpassing the previous record of 764 set in 2025.

First established in the 1960s, the runway has long been a cherished—if sometimes unpredictable—winter tradition. Warm spells forced cancellations in 2023 and 2024.

WQ2XDM - New US Experimental Callsign For Radio Propagation Tests At 40 MHz & 70 MHz

John, EI7GL reports on interesting experimentation to be conducted by John, K9JMS in the 40 MHz (8m) and 70 MHz (4m) bands under a new individual experimental license issued by the FCC.

John, K9JMS recently received permission from the FCC to carry out propagation tests at 40 MHz (8m) and 70 MHz (4m) and he was granted the callsign WQ2XDM for a period of two years.

Note that this is NOT an amateur radio licence and no two way communications are allowed. Its purpose is strictly for "scientific and engineering-based propagation research".

The 40 MHz and 70 MHz bands are NOT amateur radio bands in the United States and this is a case of someone getting a permit to make narrow band digital transmissions and seeing if the signals are heard. 

John describes it as follows... "WQ2XDM Propagation Research - Florida-based experimental station studying low-VHF propagation on the 4 meter (70 MHz) and 8 meter (40 MHz) bands using weak-signal digital modes including WSPR and FT8."

The licence has the following conditions attached...

Best Propagation Tools

A new video by DX Engineering illustrates some of the best propagation tools  presently available to radio amateurs.  I use a few of them and look forward to exploring all of them.  Good stuff!