[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARC-SHORTS for AUGUST 2018

[Rick Bunn]

ARC-SHORTS

JULY 2018 POST FIELD DAY ISSUE


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 
ARE UP AND RUNNING - HAM IT UP! Get on the air!
SPECIAL NOTE:  DMR IS UP AND RUNNING 442.4125 +5Mhz Color Code 1.

NEXT CLUB MEETING

 Our meeting is held on the 2nd Friday of each month at the Alexandria
Police Dispatch Center at 3600-Wheeler Ave.   Just off Duke Street just east
of Quaker Lane.  Meeting starts at 7PM and ends at 9PM.  The next meeting is
August 10th..  

Our program will be Marine Corps Marathon (WD5DBC).  Mark KM4GML will also
provide us with more on Linex.  The MCM is THE biggest and most public of
public service events for amateur radio.  It takes about 135 operators
performing eyes on the course,  aid station support, logistics support at
food and water stops and organizational support for the Marine Corps' zone
commanders.  Additionally 6 meter ARPS has been used to track the progress
of the lead runner and the official end of the race.

Many of our members have dinner at Atlantis Restaurant in the Bradlee
Shopping Center on the south side of Rt 7 just east of 395 most arrive
around 5:30. Our program presenters are invited to join us. 

July Meeting

We had three short programs at the last meeting.  First was Mark, KM4GML
with an introduction to Linex.  Mark pointed out that older computers that 

Ian, N8IK gave an introduction to the hardware for the Amateur Radio
Emergency Data Network (AREDN).  The cost to set up a node is less then
$200, but it requires that the radio device be reprogrammed to operate on
the AREDN (ham radio) channels and in the MESH (self-discovery, ad hoc)
network mode.   Because this is a 2.4 GHz radio system, propagation is LINE
OF SIGHT with foliage being a significant factor.   The idea is that you get
data at WIFI data rates without interference from commercial WIFI
operations.  This system looks like a suitable candidate for replacing the
D-STAR 1.2Ghz data system at MCM and a way to operate at high data rates in
the event the internet (read MA-BELL) goes down.   If we have enough
interest, we may want to set up nodes around the city to support ARES and to
facilitate a larger area network.

We had a short run down on Field Day.  Our scores were up but we still need
to get some of our newer members on the air.  As we are at the bottom of the
sunspot cycle, it looks like we did quite well.

President's Corner

Today I was thinking about my goals; general life goals, habits I wish to
break, and goals for my hobbies, etc.  If you wish, join me in thinking
about your ham radio goals if you have any.  For myself, I would love to
earn WAS and DXCC as well as finally learn CW.
73,
Monica, KC2IAY



Berryville Hamfest

Berryville is one of the better local hamfests.  It's at the fairgrounds off
Rt. 7 and is under the trees, has a fair number of vendors and a big flee
market.  

This year it was a bit muddy, but the sun was out and while the weather was
a bit warm and muggy, it was a good hamfest.  Lots of gear of all types for
sale.  Many of the club regulars were there and it was the type of hamfest
where you can catch up with friends you have not seen in years.  WV8AA, Andy
was their and he has not been to a club meeting in quite a while.  He dose
live in WEST VIRGINIA, so I understand his absence.  Lots of older radio
gear and parts 

EDITORIAL

The club has over 50 members but the same few cover the work of the club.
There have been some comments that that core of members actually run the
club.  The club is made up of it's total membership.  If you have an idea or
want the club to take some action or not take action then you need to speak
up.

The club has term limits on its officers of two years.  The reason for this
is that we want fresh leadership and ideas. In order to ease the workload of
new officers the club has a robust chairmanship system where some of the
members continue to do some of the tasks.  The most important one is our
Trustee.  The Trustee is responsible for the legal operation of our
repeaters and other radios.  Rich, KA4GFY is our trustee.

We have a membership chair,  a newsletter editor,  a Field Day chair and
others who step forward.  

I make this point to impress on our members that there are a lot of things
to do in support of the club and I encourage all members to jump in.

73 Rick N4ASX

IMPROVING YOUR HF OPERATING SKILLS

One of the complaints about Field Day has been that there are only 5
operating positions and we have over 50 members.  That would imply that each
radio should support 10 operators.  When operations start at 2PM the radios
are usually operated by the team captains.  But about 5PM we break for
dinner and then many of our members disappear.  This may be that there is
some mic-fright.

In order to allow for more training on our club radios, I would like to
suggest that we pick three or four contests over the next year, leading up
to Field Day, to set up a radio or two in a park.  We have the trailer with
HF and other radios, the club has TWO generators and all we need to do is
get a few antennas in the air.   The idea would be for some of us who have
experience with HF to couch our newer members during a contest to help those
new members get the feel of HF operation.  At the next meeting we should
discuss this and pick a few weekends to set up.
73 Rick, N4ASX


For Sale: (NEW SECTION)

>From Steve, K3IZs items Call Rick N4ASX if your interested in the below
items

Steve had a bunch of odds and ends that were not sold at Berryville.  These
are a few of the items
2 Meter amp 3 -5 in 25 out - $35
Heil Traveler headset for ICOM radios - $35
Hamsticks for 8 bands - $10 each 
223 Mhz J-pole in plastic pipe - $15
Mag mount 2 meter antenna - $10 
A memory keyer,
HF Linear Amplifier interface
A homemade Can-Tenna dummy load 
A set of speakers for a computer
Lots of wall warts.
A few battery chargers.


Listed by Craig K4GOR

Icom IC 765		$600
Yaesu FT-1000	$1100
Yaesu FT-736		S400
Kenwood SM220	$300
Drake L7		$800
Heath SB200		$300
Collins 30S-1		$1600
Collins 51-S1		$900
Collins 75-S3C	$400
Collins 75-S1		$150
Collins 32-S3		$400
Collins 32-S1		$150
Henry 4K Ultra	$2500
If interested contact me by e mail  at gor.craig at verizon.net
<mailto:gor.craig at verizon.net> 

Listed by Rick, N4ASX

Ten Tec Corsair II station, Radio has 1.8Khz and 500Hz filters,  External
VFO and matching speaker and power supply - $600

MFJ 1.5KW tuner -$100

Astron 20A 12 Volt Power Supply $40.

I have a few Midland Commercial radios that can be programmed on a Windows
computer free to a good home.  I have ONE 6 meter 100 watt unit that has
been programmed with 22 channels.  This does not seem like a great deal of
memory, but there are not a lot of repeaters on 6 meters and only a few
simplex channels.  I have a 100 channel 2 meter radio , 40 watts and a 440
Mhz 22 channel 40 watt radio.  FREE to a good home.  I may even have the
programming software and some programming cables.

73 Rick N4ASX, N4ASX at cox.net <mailto:N4ASX at cox.net> 

THE NEXT GENERATION OF HAMS
Below is Matt, KN4IJH's harmonic getting into the gear.

 


Future Programs
August 10, ,2018 -  MCM and  Mark on Linex....
September 14,2018 -- City Emergency Service and ARES 
October 12, 2018 - Planning for 2019, Nominations, budget etc.
November 9, 2018 -- Elections
December 14,2018 - Annual Holiday Party.   (Fiona's ??)

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 know someone you would like to have present a program,
let me know Rick, N4ASX
Hamfests.-  
The VA Section Convention in VA Beach is on September 8, 2018 in VA Beach,
sponsored by Tidewater radio Conventions.  Its right off I-264 near the VA
Beach oceanfront at the VA Beach Convention Center.  Talk-in is on the
146.895 (PL 141.3.Hz) repeater.  Here is the link:
http://virginiabeachhamfest.com/
The Columbia Amateur Radio Association's CARAFest is on October 7, 2018 at
the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD.  Its near the
intersection of I-70 and Route 32.  Here is the link:
http://www.carafest.org/

Training - 
Our next class starts on October 2 and ends December 4, 2018.  If you know
of anyone interested in becoming a ham, let them know.   
The new Technician question pool became effective on July 1 and the
questions have been updated to cover areas today's Technicians will be doing
once licensed.

Contests - 
August 11 and 12 - Maryland - DC QSO Party. Exchange is class and state.
Most of us operating from home are a "Standard" station.    
August 18 and 19 - North American QSO Party, SSB.  Exchange is name and
state.
August 19 - ARRL Rookie Roundup, RTTY.  Exchange is name, 2 digit year you
were first licensed and state.
August 25 and 26 - Hawaii QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
August 25 and 26 - W/VE Islands QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
August 25 and 26 - Kansas QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
August 25 and 26 - Ohio QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
September 1 and 2 - Colorado QSO Party.  Exchange is name and state.
September 1 and 2 - Alabama QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
September 2 and 3 - Tennessee QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
September 8 through 10 - ARRL September VHF Contest.  Exchange is 4
character grid square.
September 15 and 16 - Iowa QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
September 15 and 16 - New Hampshire QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
September 15 and 16 - Washington State Salmon Run.  Exchange is RST and
state.
September 15 and 16 - New Jersey QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
Don't forget, be sure to send in your log within 5 days after the contest
ends for all ARRL sponsored contests. 
REMEMBER to support the CLUB'S score for contests by providing Ian N8IK your
info (Name, Call sign and Grid Square location) and submit your scores for
the contests you play in.  Contesting is one way we show that we are using
our frequency allocations. 
Contests may not be your thing, but contests are a great way to show outside
interests we do use our valuable spectrum.  By showing we use our spectrum,
other services will have a hard time proving that we don't use our spectrum
and it's up for re-allocation to someone else.  
Contests can also be a great way to become introduced to HF communications.
While it can be intense, pick the contest and jump in.  Most contests have a
limited exchange so it is usually easy to get what the other station needs.

Repeaters -  
 In addition to the regular Thursday night net on the 147.315 repeater,
there was a proposal in the February ARC Shorts to do a follow - on net on
other ARC repeaters.  The rotation would include other analog repeaters as
well as the digital repeaters.  
I have seen discussions on the ham radio websites and even heard on our
repeaters about digital voice modes i.e. DSTAR, DMR, System Fusion, P25 and
which one will become the "standard."  
DSTAR and System Fusion were created for ham radio.  There are some
capabilities unavailable on DMR.  DMR was designed for commercial users who
don't understand a lot about radio and hams have adapted it to their use, in
true ham fashion.  P25 is not as popular among hams, but there are dedicated
users.  
Some hams have said they are holding off buying any digital radios until one
mode becomes more popular than the others.  You may be waiting a long time.

Depending on who you are listening to or reading, the proponents of each
digital mode will tell you theirs is overtaking the others and theirs will
become the "standard."  A big part of that is where you are.  One mode
catches on in a particular area once a club or an individual takes the
plunge to put a new repeater featuring a new mode or a new band.  Hams start
buying equipment for that mode and band and it becomes popular in that area.

Let's not forget a big part of ham radio's reason for being is
experimentation.   By using any different modes at once, we are
experimenting.  There is plenty of room for all the modes, including ones
that haven't been invented yet.  
I know what some of you are thinking, there is no room for any more
repeaters, so how can we have room for different digital modes?  Easy, go to
one of the other VHF or UHF bands besides 2 meters or 70 cm.  
The club repeaters are all up and running.    The Alexandria Radio Club has
analog, DSTAR and DMR repeaters.  No other club in the area has that many
repeaters.  As always, ham it up and get on the air. 
73, Rich, KA4GFY

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 suggest it to
the group.



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