[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] Alexandria Radio Club - ARC SHORTS - July 2016

Mon Jul 4 13:26:24 EDT 2016

ARC-SHORTS

JULY 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 next meeting is JULY 8th.  We do not have a program other than to review
Field Day. My guess is that many of our members will be on vacation, but
look forward to seeing you all.  One of the items that comes up from time to
time is what members are working on or experimenting with.  I think this
would be a good meeting to have our members tell us about their projects.
Lots of interest in the small computers and projects.  Others are building
QRP rigs and still others are working on antennas.  Please bring something
to spark conversation and share what you've learned.

President's Corner

--------------------------

Hello, all! If you participated in Field Day, I hope you had some fun. One
thing about ham radio is that there are plenty of things available to do if
you don't have the means or ability to operate continuously. For example, I
help in sorting and sending out DX cards for the Sterling Park club. There
are volunteer examiners helping out grading ham exams for new hams and those
wanting to upgrade their privileges. There are the hamfest organizers, too.
I'm just getting started in mentioning non-operating activities that hams
do. 

73 DE KI4BXU

JUNE MEETING MINUTES

-----------------------------------

This was our  last meeting before Field Day and we used it to make sure we
were set to go.  More on Field Day in another article.

We've purchased an ICOM MKIIG with all of the options installed from Ian,
N8IK and we will install it in the trailer along with a mobile HF antenna.
For those that did not see the trailer it is now very well equipped for any
eventuality.  We may need to replace our two 80AHr batteries as they were
down to 8 Volts on Field Day.  

ARES - FIELD DAY

-------------------------

Ian, our Field Day lead has run off to Florida to visit family, so I will
humbly try to provide some insights into our Field Day effort.

First, the turn out from the club was good with more members operating then
we've had for a while.  Thanks to all who came out and helped out with set
up and operating.  

Band conditions were not very good and it wasn't just us, other clubs were
having the same problem.  When the sun fails to produce we lose the high HF
bands.  In the past would would talk about sacrificing a Novice class member
to the sun god for good conditions but without any Novices we had no one to
sacrifice!  All in all we still did a fine job.

Rich, KA4GFY worked out of the trailer on 75/80 meters on his dipole and
made over 100 contacts.  This is a very challenging band as you must avoid
the nets and the regulars who demand a frequency "just in case a friend
drops in".  This station was also great for our new hams to get started on
HF.  More on the trailer later.

Rick, N4ASX set up the 40 meter station using Ian's 34' vertical and that
station went over 100 contact despite the new operators who don't understand
that a sideband channels takes up 2-3 KHz. The Ten-Tec Eagle did well. Maybe
a dipole next year will help.  Ian, N8IK put his IC-706MKIIG to work on 40
meter CW on Sunday and added to our score (CW counts for 2 points per
contact.  I'm still hearing the CW.  

Harry, N4CWP set up his 756 Pro II on 20 meters, what a nice radio!  Not
sure how many contacts,  but on his water pipe vertical I think it did well.

Jay, NW3V was up on the club's IC-746 on 15 meters and worked hard but the
band conditions were not good.  Jay set up a dipole as a sloper.   

Tom, KJ4FUU and Erik, KI4BXU worked on 10 meters and again the that band was
so bad that you had to wonder if the antenna was connected.  Not for lack of
a very valiant effort.

This was the year when he had lots of younger hams who learned a great deal
about Field Day and HF operations.  Nathaniel, KM4UAD made at least 30
contacts on 75 meters and his sister Abigail Youhas, KM4UAC made a few as
well.  Nathaniel has already upgraded to General class under the tutelage of
his mom, Isha, KW4UK who became an EXTRA class at our last testing session.
Her OM is a Tech, but I'm betting that he will be an Extra before long.
Casey KM4GMQ and Zea KM4GMP were also on the air.  Their dad Mark KM4GML was
also working hard.  Great to see younger hams participating.  

Steve, W8RJH was our food chair again this year and truly outdid himself.  I
hope he found some time to operate.  Steve, keep the food and coffee going
for ALL of Field Day and this made Field Day a very fine affair indeed.  

Ted, W9TCE was not only working hard on the radios, but had a steady supply
of his famous lemon aid.  Without that Field Day would not be as great as it
was.

We had two generators that ran well and powered all 5 of our stations,  Don,
KI4D had his generator but it developed a fuel leak and we were not able to
use it, but we did make good use of the fuel he had.  

Part of Field Day is to see what works and what fails.

Out outstanding guest was Chief Corey Smedley who is our Alexandria Office
of Emergency Management (OEM) Chief.  Not sure if we put him on the air, but
I think he got a better understanding of our capabilities.  Look forward to
seeing him at one of meetings in the near future.  Chief thank you for your
help on getting the park and taking your time to come out.

The weather was outstanding. Last year we had to deal with 3" of rain, in
previous years we dealt with heat over 100 degrees, this year the weather
could not have been better.

I know I've missed a lot of folks who contributed greatly to our Field Day,
thank you all for participating, without a good turn out Field Day would not
be as great an experience as it was.

73 Rick

N4ASX

Hamfests -

-----------------

The next hamfest in the area is the Shenandoah Valley ARC's Berryville
Hamfest on August 7.  The location is the Clarke County Ruritan Fairgrounds.
It's a n easy drive out Route 7.  You will see the fairgrounds on the left
as you get closer.  Make the left at the light (Business Route 7) and look
for the hamfest on your left.  Talk in on the W4RKC 146.820 repeater (146.2
Hz PL).

Training - 

Our next class is scheduled to start in late September.  We are looking at
around September 27 and ending December 6, 2016.  If you know of somebody
who has wanted to be ham, let them know about our class.  The cost is still
$50, which includes the book, test fee and class materials.  

Contests -

----------------

July 9 and 10 - IARU HF World Championship.  CW and SSB.  Exchange is RST
and zone.  We are in ITU zone 8.

July 16 and 17 - CQ Worldwide VHF Contest.  CW and SSB, 6 and 2 meters.
Exchange is 4 character grid square.  Most of us are in FM18.

July 16 and 17 - North American QSO Party, RTTY.  Exchange is name and
state.

July 30 and 31 - RSGB Islands on the Air, CW and SSB.  Exchange is RST and
serial number.

Aug 6 and 7 - ARRL UHF Contest.  All Modes, 222 MHz and above.  Exchange is
4 character grid square.  Most of us are in FM18. 

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

73, 

Rich, KA4GFY

Sad News

-------------

It is with deep regret that I report the passing of two outstanding members
of the amateur community in our area.

Dr. Dennis Bodson, W4PWF, long time Vice President, and founding member of
the Arlington Amateur Radio Club has become a Silent Key.  Dennis was a
world class authority on antennas, and HF ALE,  He worked for the Defense
Communications Agency.  Dennis was also very active in ARRL and had been an
speaker at our club meetings for many years.  

Dick Harman, WA4USB, also passed last week. Dick was a major force in the
Mt. Vernon Amateur Radio Club, he was the repeater trustee for 146.655, very
active with ARES and with MVARC.  Dick would make the 6.655 repeater
available to us when there were public service events in Alexandria and set
it up in net mode when needed.

Both of these gentleman optimized what an amateur operator should strive to
be.  Their contributions are lasting and we will miss both of them.

73 Rick  

ARES

----------

I'm working with Chief Smedley on getting the city's radios installed.  The
hospital is working on a way to install their gear.  The trailer will get
some upgrades before the weather gets too oppressive which include the
installation of a newly acquired IC-706MKIIG, Tarheel II antennas and some
clean up of the current installation.  The solar cells seem to have failed,
so we will see what we can do to check that out and make sure the battery
system is working.  Some basic maintenance is also in order to make sure
that the rain stays out of the trailer.  The goal is to have it always ready
when needed.

For those who have volunteered as ARES members,  Please send my your
IS100,200,700 and 800 certificates if you have completed the courses and not
already done so. ONLY IS 100 is mandatory, based on FEMA requirements.  I
will pick up the city's background check forms for all members prior to the
next meeting and we can get those up to date.  The background check is
required by FEMA for those who would work in EOC, or at shelters.

I have the pics taken by Wilson KM4KLK and Harry, N4CWP and will continue to
make up ID badges for ARES members.  If you live in the City of Alexandria,
I would ask that you take the next CERT class.  You can than provide liaison
communications for CERT efforts via ARES when needed.

Marine Corps Marathon is in October, but the volunteer website is up.  It's
an ALL DAY event, MCM needs over 130 volunteers.  If you can, sign up.  If
you work on the Virginia side of the course you will need to be checked in
before 4AM.  For those on the DC side, you may be able to check in as late
as 6AM.  When the race passes your post you will be able to leave.
Assignments are based on your equipment, experience and your request.  When
you fill out the volunteer form you can request your assignment.

73 Rick

Future Programs

------------------------

July - Club member projects

August - DX Contesting (tent.)

September - HF Portable Operations (tent.)

October - ARES ops and City interface

November - Club Elections

December - Club Party

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.

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.

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