[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARC SHORTS DECEMBER 2016

[Rick Bunn]

ARC-SHORTS

DECEMBER 2016


Club Repeaters: 147.315 (PL 107.2), 444.6 (PL107.2), 224.82 (PL107.2), 53.13
(PL107.2) 927.6 (-25Mhz, PL107.2), and 1282.600 (PL 107.2), DSTAR 145.38Mhz,
442.060, and 1284.600 ALL AR UP AND RUNNING – HAM IT UP! Get on the air!

NEXT CLUB MEETING

Our December meeting was the party at Fiona’a Irish Pub.  Ian, N8IK was our
master of ceremonies and did a great job.  Looked like we had over 30
attendees.  We did not present awards this year, as no one provided
nominations.  Maybe next year.

Your editor apologies profusely for the failure to get this ARC SHORTS out
before the December meeting / party.   Like all things technology, my
computer’ OS get polluted and I did not get this &A*E thing working until
the day AFTER the party.  I now have a backup drive and a backup for the
backup.

Our November meeting was well attended but I missed it as I had a previous
commitment. I understand that Marc, KM4GML, provided more insight into the
Raspberry Pie.

ELECTIONS
President- Erik Misavage - KI4BXU 
Vice President - Monica H Wilson - KC2IAY
Secretary – Casey L Bonanno -  KM4GMQ
Treasurer – Ian Keith - N8IK

Many thanks to Erik and Monica for volunteering to stay on for a second
term and thanks to Casey and Ian for stepping up to take these important
jobs.
ELMERS CORNER

This column is for all members who have questions.  If you have a question
or a topic that you think would be of interest, please let Rick, N4ASX note
and he will research it and provide an answer.  

Antenna gain.  Many of us use only handheld VHF/UHF radios and others are
restricted in what antennas they can put up.  All antennas have advantages
and disadvantages.  Usually the adage is that the larger the better and the
higher up the better.  This is true to some extent, but proper matching of
the antenna and placement away from conducting surfaces is also important.
Some have used mobile antennas as they can be pulled inside when not in use.


For handhelds the first thing to note is that the antenna that comes with
the radio is usually not a very good radiator. The “rubber ducky” is meant
to provide a workable antenna.  The next step up in performance is an
aftermarket antenna that covers the bands for your handheld and gives you a
little more radiating efficiency.  I’ve found that, for the dual band (2
meters and 440MHz) a flexible quarterwave whip, while its less comfortable
to carry around works very well.  Many have also found that adding a ‘tiger
tail” counterpoise to the handheld helps. The tiger tail adds a tuned
counterpoise or the other half of the dipole to your handheld. For SMA
connectors, find a ring connector that fits over the radio’s connector and
touches the ground on the connector.  Next upgrade would be a mobile whip.
A magnetic mount with a 19” whip for 2 meters placed on a metal surface can
do great things when you’re at home.  If you’re running a dual band radio a
2 meter quarterwave will be a ¾ wavelength on 440Mhz.  If you have a few
more dollars a Larson or other dual band mobile will work well.  Keep the
original antenna and for hamfests or other applcations the original antenna
may be a good choice.  One of the biggest mistakes hams make is getting a
speaker/mic and putting the radio on their belts.  The antenna is then right
next to your body which blocks a great deal of your signal.  

A properly matched antenna not only improves your outgoing signal but has
the same effect on your received signal.  If you’re not hearing well,
chances are you’re not getting your signal out either.

For HF, we all want to cover all the bands, but a 75/80 meter antennas would
be 128’ end to end.  You can get shorter dipoles using loading coils and
they will match and they will work, but shorter antennas have a higher Q and
so the part of the band they match is much shorter.  I have an antenna that
is 130’ from end to end and will resonate on 160 meters but is NOT a really
good antenna, but it works.  I have it in case I need to work on that band,
but I don’t make a lot of contacts on 160.  Another issue is height.  Your
antennas should be ¼ wavelength above ground. For 75/80 meters that’s 64
feet up.  If you have a tree that tall then you’re ready to go.  But if
you’re can only get 30 feet up, much of your signal will be radiated at a
higher angle to ground.  Another way to go is to pick one or two bands that
you want to go after.  Many find that 40 meters and 20 meters provide the
best return on investment.  The 40-meter dipole is 64’ end to end and 20
meters is 32’ end to end and you needed height is 32’ for 40 meter and 16’
for 20 meters.  If you cut your antennas for THE frequency within the band
you’re interested in should not need an antenna tuner.  

Hamsticks are another approach for those who must keep a low profile.  Best
results are to have a few ¼ wavelength counterpoise wires on the feed point
of the ham stick or mobile antenna.  If your running 100 watts or less this
will make a significant difference.

Hope this helps
73 Rick
N4ASX

MEETING MINUTES.

The party went very well, lots of ham radio talk and other hobbies as well.
Food was good and I think we behaved ourselves to the point where we may be
able to go back next year.

Hamfests –
The next hamfest in our area is the SantaFest in Cheltenham, MD on December
10, 2016.  It’s sponsored by the American Legion and Prince George’s County
Emergency Repeater Association.  The location is the American Legion Youth
Camp, 9201 Surratts Road in Cheltenham, MD.   Talk-in will be on the 145.230
MHz repeater (PL 110.9 Hz).
It’s not too early to start thinking about the Maryland Mobileers Post
Holiday Hamfest on January 29, 2017.  The location is Odenton Fire Hall on
Route 175 in Odenton.  Talk-in will be on the 146.805 MHz repeater (PL 107.2
Hz).
A little farther down the Road is the Richmond Frostfest.  We are already
making plans to stop in Fredericksburg for breakfast and carpools are
forming.  
Training - 
Our current class finished on December 6.  We don’t have the results because
the exam was after press time.  I’ll have the results in time for the annual
dinner meeting on December 9.  

I am working on scheduling the next class starting in early March 2017.  If
you know of anybody who wants to earn their amateur radio license, let me or
any of the other instructors know so we can fill them in about the class.  I
will also post the class announcement on the club’s website and the ARRL’s
website.  

Contests -

December 10 and 11 – ARRL 10 Meter Contest. Exchange is RS(T) and state.  

January 14 and 15 – North American QSO Party, RTTY. Exchange is name and
state.
 
January 21 and 22 -   North American QSO Party, SSB. Exchange is name and
state.


As always, ham it up and get on the air.
73, 
Rich, KA4GFY


Future Programs

January 13th – Packet and APRS 
February 10th – Washington Birthday planning – City EMS (Tent)
March 10th  - 
April 14th  - 
May 12th  - 
June 9th  - Field Day Planning
July 14th  - 
August 11th  - 
September 8th  - 
October 13th  - 
November 10th  -   
December 8th – Annual Christmas / Holiday Party
Possible programs: City EMS and Radio system, D-Star part II, Antenna
Modeling, Contesting HF/VHF,  AMSAT,  AMRAD, RF Interference (power
company), Logging programs,  Dayton follow up, Marine Corps Marathon.

Let me know what you want to hear about.  HELP !!!!  If you have an idea for
a program, please let Rick know and he will try to find someone to provide
the program.  If you kown someone you would like to have present a program,
let me know Rick, N4ASX
Social Events

Monday Night Burgers – There is a group that gets together at 6:15 PM on
Mondays at a local burger joint.   Mark up on the 147.315 repeater and join
them for the fun.  Mark up on the repeater about 6PM and join the group.
The location does change!  IF you have a good spot, you might make a
suggestion.

Many years ago, the club visited the National Air and Space Museum.  This
would be a weekend event.