[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARC SHORTS - OCTOBER 2019

Wed Oct 2 13:49:30 EDT 2019

ARC-SHORTS

OCTOBER 2019

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.

:  DMR IS UP AND RUNNING 442.4125 +5Mhz Color Code 1.

            PLEASE USE OUR REPEATERS.

NEXT CLUB MEETING

Our next meeting is OCTOBER 11th.  We meet at 3600 Wheeler Ave in Alexandria
at 7PM and the meeting ends, more or less, at 9PM.   Many members get
together at Atlantis Restaurant in the Bradlee shopping center at 5PM for
dinner prior to the meeting.  The Bradlee shopping center is on the south
side of RT. 7 just east of 395, 3600 Wheeler is off of Duke Street about 1
block west of Quaker Lane.  Informal talk in on the 147.315 repeater.

SEPTEMBER MEETING Program 

Our program was provided by our own Ed, W4EDF on HF digital operations (this
was moved from the August meeting to allow Art W4ART to present the MCM
pitch.) Great program Ed!

MCM Set up

There are three race nets, two in DC and one in VA.  The race nets connect
the mile and half mile operators, food stops, water stops, turn points to
NCS.  Primary function is to report runners down, or any other issues on the
course within their areas. If time permits you can report the passage of the
first runners and the passage of the end of the race.

The medical net is tied into an internet server run by the Marine Corps.
Data is passed to the server when a runner checks into an AID STATION.  This
can be done on D-Star 1.2GHz data, 9600 Baud Packet or if you can make the
connection via AREDN.  

As I said earlier, this is a complex operation.  Ham radio Operators need to
check in at 3 or 4AM and need to be heading for their assigned points.  You
can depart the course when the last runner vehicle passes your location.
So, you can calculate your departure time by assuming a 15 minute line
starting at 8AM.  In departing you will need to avoid the active racecourse.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO HAVE EXPERIENCE to work this event.  There will be a
course dress rehearsal in the Columbus Day weekend, this is mostly for the
Aid Stations but it's a good time to find your assigned location.  Also, a
good time check your radio on the course.

This event NEEDs at least 135 operators.  If you can volunteer, PLEASE DO.
You get a nice shirt, lunch, and a great place to view 30,000 plus folks
running in one BIG (26.2 mile) circle.

Meeting minutes for September 2019 ARC Meeting

Date: 8/9/19

Time: 1900h

Location: Alexandria Police Dispatch Center

The August meeting program was provided by Ed, W4EDF on HF digital
operations.  Ed covered the use of FLDIGI which is FREE and can be
interfaced with a simple interface like the Tigertronics SIGNALINK USB.  Ed
covered  the great variety of modes available.

NEXT MEETING OCTOBER 11, 2019

I don't have a program for this meeting, but I have suggested that those who
have been experimenting with AREDN, bring your AREDN nodes and we can set
them up around the room and see if we can make the MESH work.

73 Rick

Hamfests -

The next hamfest in our area is the Mason Dixon Hamfest on October 27 in
Upperco, MD.  It's sponsored by the Carroll County Amateur Radio Club.  Here
is the link:   <https://k3pzn.net/hamfest/> https://k3pzn.net/hamfest/

Looking to December, it's the SantaFest in Cheltenham, MD on December 7,
2019.  It's sponsored by Prince Georges County ARES and The American Legion.
Here is the link:  <http://www.pgares.org/> http://www.pgares.org/

Training -

Our Fall, 2019 class will start on Tuesday, October 8 and end December 10,
2019.  Class is filling up, but if you know someone who is looking for a
class to earn their first license or upgrade to General, let them know.  Our
last class had an impressive 100% pass rate.

Contests -        

Contests - 

*	October 5 and 6 - California QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number
and state.
*	October 12 and 13 - Nevada QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number and
state.
*	October 12 and 13 - Pennsylvania QSO Party.  Exchange is serial
number and ARRL section.
*	October 12 and 13 - Arizona QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number
and state.
*	October 12 and 13 - South Dakota QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state.
*	October 14 through 18 - ARRL School Club Roundup.  Exchange is RST
and class.  Most of us will be "I" for single operator.  Anyone can
participate, not just school clubs.  
*	October 19 and 20 - New York QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
*	October 20 and 21 - Illinois QSO party.  Exchange is RST and state.
*	October 26 and 27 - CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB.  Exchange is RS
and CQ Zone (we are in zone 5).
*	Nov 2 and 3 - ARRL Sweepstakes, CW.  Exchange is the other station's
call, serial number, precedence, your call, check (year first licensed) and
section. 

While it's not a contest, don't forget Jamboree on the Air the weekend of
October 18 through 20.  Boy scouts and girl scouts from all over the world
will be on the air.  

 Don't forget, be sure to send in your log within 7 days after the contest
ends for all ARRL sponsored contests.  ARRL now uses a web application for
contest log submissions.  Here is the link:
<http://contest-log-submission.arrl.org/>
http://contest-log-submission.arrl.org/  Be sure to convert your file to
Cabrillo format before submitting.  Most logging programs support the
Cabrillo format.

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.  If the contest asks for a club affiliation, the
Alexandria Radio Club is on the list of contest clubs.  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.

State QSO parties are a great introduction to contesting.  Most are low-key
and the exchange is limited.   

Don't forget, be sure to send in your log within 7 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. 

Repeaters -

The club repeaters are all up and running.    We will have to resume the
follow-on net on one of the other repeaters after the Thursday net on the 2
meter analog repeater. 

Through the generosity of one of our repeater gurus, we have obtained a pair
of Motorola G1225 Radius mobile radios, cabling and controller to make a
mobile repeater for the club trailer.  It is programmed with the TMARC
Shared Non-protected pair on 442.900 MHz with 107.2 Hz PL both in and out.
I will work on installing them before we need the portable repeater for any
events.  The best part is these radios will run on 12 VDC, making them very
compatible with our trailer.  I am looking for a UHF antenna to put on a
pole so we can set up the repeater at public service events.

I am also looking for a permanent place to install the Motorola MTR-2000
repeater for coverage in Old Town.  Once we find a place to put it, I can
apply to TMARC for a UHF repeater pair.  TMARC has opened up another 1 MHz
between 441.000 and 442.000 MHz.    

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

73, Rich, KA4GFY

ARES

Short reminder, ANYONE can be an ARES volunteer,  Training is primarily the
FEMA on-line IS-100,200,700 and 800 classes about 30 minutes each and the
ARRL ARES class which is optional.  You can volunteer without these classes.
Training for members also includes our weekly nets and public service
events.  If you wish to volunteer send an E-Mail to Rick, N4ASX
<mailto:N4ASX at arrl.net> N4ASX at arrl.net

Marine Corps Marathon - October 27th all day - Howard still needs
volunteers.  Time is SHORT,  If you can support this event,  go to
<http://www.MARINEMARATON.COM> www.MARINEMARATON.COM to sign up as a
volunteer,  SELECT HAM OPERATOR.  After you sign up with the Marine Corps,
you need to go to  <http://www.MCMHAM.Org> www.MCMHAM.Org to provide details
on you car, your needs, gear etc.  This is also required for the background
check.

73 Rick

N4ASX

ARES emergency coordinator.

Future Programs

2019

October - AREDN show and tell - Demo - BRING YOUR AREDN node and laptop.

November - Club Elections - New President and Vice President.

December - Party

2020

January -

February -

March -

April -

May -  Field Day planning and preparation meeting

June - 

July - 

August - 

September -

October -

November - Elections

December - Party

At this time, I do not have programs for next year.  YOU DON'T NEED TO
PRESENT, just suggest a topic you would like 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

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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