[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARC SHORTS -- SEPTEMBER 2019 (Please pass on )

Sun Sep 1 13:42:03 EDT 2019

ARC-SHORTS

SEPTEMBER 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 SEPTEMBER 12th.  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.

Our next program is to be 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.) 

AUGUST MEETING Program / MCM Brief

Marine Corps Marathon OCTOBER 27th ALL DAY! NEED VOLUNTEERS

Our program for August was by Art, W4ART.  Art is a member of the MCM ham
radio leadership team.  The Marine Corps Marathon (MCM) is a very important
public service event.  It is one of the most complex operation and it's also
great training for anyone who wants to provide any form of emergency or
public service support to the community.  There are 30,000 runners and for
2019 they are adding additional length to the class for a SUPER MARATHON.
This will mean the need for more eyes on the course and at least one more
Medical Aid Station.

Most of the positions only require a 2 meter FM radio a Dual band may be
helpful, but not a requirement.  Most of the communications are via local FM
repeaters close to the course.  The Net Control Stations are on high ground
and if the repeater fails the NCS in most cases will be able to work you
simplex.

For those who volunteer a few points to keep in mind.

1 - It's a long day for most of the volunteers.  You will need to have
enough batteries to run your radio for up to 12 hours.  Most HT's can run on
a 12 Volt cord.  A gel cell or a battery pack made up of C or D cells will
last a long time.   If you only have an HT that's OK, make sure you put that
in your sign up information.  A good antenna is a must.  A mag mount is much
better than a rubber ducky.  If you must use a rubber ducky add a
counterpoise - 19" of wire on a ring connector between the antenna connector
and the antenna will help your signal.

2 - Parking can be a problem at some points in the course, but most of the
time you can work out of your vehicle, again make sure you make a point of
that when you sign up.  If you have medical issues, limited walking range,
other needs, make that clear as well.  

3 - If you have D-Star or Packet capability you may want to volunteer to
support an AID STATION.  If you do not have an ID-1 you may still be able to
support an AID STATION with 9600 Baud Packet radio.  If you have a Kenwood
TM-D710 you can run 9600 Packet with no problem.   In the past, I have used
Packet when the D-Star link had problems, not a website but fast.  One line
for each patient and it goes into the same database.

4- If you're interested in AREDN, MCM expects to try using AREDN but this is
secondary at this time.  They will be adding two new locations for this year
and need Aid Station digital operators.

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 July 2019 ARC Meeting

Date: 8/9/19

Time: 1900h

Location: Alexandria Police Dispatch Center

The August meeting program was provided by Art Feller W4ART on Marine Corps
Marathon (see above).  The originally scheduled program, Ed, W4EDF on HF
digital operations, will be the September program

Rich talked about the two Motorola radios donated to the club and is having
them programmed.  He is also moving forward on the 440 MHz repeater for the
trailer, or we may install it in OLD TOWN for local HT use (GW Parade, etc.)

SPECIAL THANKS TO RICH, KA4GFY for the following inputs.  

Hamfests -

The St. Mary's County Amateur Radio Association TailgateFest takes place on
October 5, 2019 at the Hollywood Volunteer Fire Department in Hollywood, MD.
Here is the link:  <http://www.k3hki.org/tailgate-fest-2019/>
http://www.k3hki.org/tailgate-fest-2019/

The Columbia Amateur Radio Association's CARAFest is on October 6, 2018 at
the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD.  It's near the
intersection of I-70 and Route 32.  Here is the link:
<http://www.carafest.org/> http://www.carafest.org/

Looking ahead to December is 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.  There are already students lining up, so 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 -        

*	September 14 to 16 - ARRL September VHF Contest.  Exchange is 4
character grid square.  Most of us are in FM18.
*	September 14 and 15 - Alabama QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state
*	.
*	September 14 and 15 - Texas QSO Party.  Exchange is RSTA and state.
*	September 21 and 22 - New Hampshire QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state.
*	September 21 and 22 - Washington State Salmon Run.  Exchange is RST
and state.
*	September 21 and 22 - New Jersey QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state.
*	September 21 and 22 - Iowa QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state
*	September 28 and 29 - Maine QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
*	September 28 and 29 - CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY.  Exchange is
RST, CQ zone and state.
*	October 5 and 6 - California QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number
and state.
*	October 12 13 - Nevada QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
*	October 12 and 13 - Arizona QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.
*	October 12 and 13 - Pennsylvania QSO Party.  Exchange is serial
number and ARRL section.
*	October 12 and 13 - South Dakota QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state. 

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 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 another 1 MHz
between 441.000 and 442.000 MHz.    

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

73, Rich, KA4GFY

ARES

I announced that I was stepping down as ARES Emergency Coordinator (EC) at
the end of the year.  I think we have a volunteer for the positions but will
wait to announce it until it is finalized.

My reason for stepping down is that I now spend 4 months out of the year in
Southwest Florida and so I'm not available for a good part of each year.  I
will still support ARES and public service events in Alexandria, but
regardless a new leadership is always a good idea.

I am NOW in Cape Coral Florida and we just got lucky!  It looks like
hurricane Dorian is going up the coast and will not affect this part of
Florida but make no mistake the hams in this area are well prepared.  The
Fort Myer Club has a strong ARES organization and part of that is that they
have pre-assigned positions for this type of an emergency.  While we were
not expecting Dorian to arrive until Monday or Tuesday, Last Thursday this
group was already making preparations for both support locally and if needed
to travel to the east coast to support operations wherever needed.   We, in
Alexandria, are very lucky in that we don't have the natural disasters that
can befall other parts of the country.  We still must be prepared.  

1 - Do you have your 'go-kit(s) ready to go?

2 - Radios, batteries, antennas both at home and ready to go if needed?

3 - Personal items ready to go?

4 - Is your QTH ready to survive and support you and your family in an
emergency?

Another item that came up with this hurricane was the call for volunteers
from other areas including our own.  There is now a requirement for
volunteers (IS-100,200,700 and 800) all told they may take a day or too to
complete.  I will also recommend the ARRL ARES Course.  More on that
information on that later.  In addition, the National Weather Service still
have their Skywatch program.  All should take the basic class.

Whether or not you volunteer to support ARES, it is always good to be
prepared for whatever comes up.

73 Rick

N4ASX

Future Programs

2019

September  - Ed W4EDF - Digital HF operations

October - Jim Wilson - Some history of the Alexandria Radio Club

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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