[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARCSHORTS APRIL 2020

Sun Apr 5 13:25:38 EDT 2020

ARC-SHORTS

APRIL 2020

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.

Presidents Input

COVID-19 has changed the course of so many things in our lives and in our
club planning for this year.  So many things are changing that our entire
timeline for club activities and presentations for the year may need to
revised.  However, because there are still so many uncertainties, we can
only be sure of changes needed in the few coming months.  We just can't be
certain about second half of the year.  A revised calendar will be published
reflecting those changes.

Our Club in-person meetings are indefinitely suspended and will be conducted
using the Zoom video teleconferencing (VTC) software.  We are aware of the
reported security issues with Zoom but have decided that since we don't
handle sensitive information, our risk in using the software is minimal
compared to the benefits of having our meetings.  Our next meeting will
feature a discussion of the Alexandria Community Emergency Response Team
(CERT) by Dr. Marjorie Windelberg, Alexandria CERT Co-Coordinator.

In view of the projections that Virginia COVID-19 cases outbreak may not
peak for another four to eight weeks from now, the start of Field Day
Planning will be delayed until mid- May. 

We are still working on a group buy for ARES safety vests and a cold weather
garment for which we are awaiting a new order of ARC patches to be
completed.  These patches are to be sewn on both garments.  

We have launched an effort to publish a list of Club Elmers to be available
as help for new members of the club or less experienced hams in the club.
This information will be circulated before our next meeting.

Please stay safe and keep up with your social distancing.

73 Don, KI4D

NEXT CLUB MEETING

February/MARCH Meeting Minutes

6 METERS - NO INTERESTED Cancelled

.

While there were not takers for the 6 meter net, using our repeaters while
we are SOCIAL DISTANCING is a good way to stay in touch with our ham radio
friends.  I listen on 147.315 when I'm in the shack.  I sometimes listen on
4464.6, 224.82 and 53.13.  Join in, ANYTIME.  Just drop your call.  Run down
your HT batteries, Check your gear,

Club Schedule

 Thanks to our club president for making this up and we have been running
well so far.  

*         February 1st - FROSTFEST, Richmond, VA   - Good turnout.

*         February 14th - Meeting, VA QSO Party Presentation  - Always good
to get Gordon to talk to us.

*         February 17th - George Washington Day Parade participation (9AM -
2:30PM) - Thanks to all who came out and helped make this a success.

*         March 2nd - License Classes begin (Ends May 5th with a VE
Session).  Now putting ZOOM to the test.  It will be interesting to see what
the pass rate is.  Welcome to all our new students.

*         March 7th  - St Patrick's Day Parade - Great showing.  Good PR for
our club.

*         March 13th - Meeting, Member GO-KIT Exhibits & Discussions or
ARDEN. MEETING CANCELLED.

*         March 21-22nd - VA QSO Party Weekend - GREAT EVENT.  I hope those
who worked the party will send in their reports so the club has a good
score.

*         March 29th WINTERFEST, Annandale, VA (We have tables!) - RAIDED BY
THE VIRUS, Maybe Barryville will make up for it.

You are here !!!

*         April 8th - Field Day planning committee kickoff meeting (John
Marshall Library)

*         April 10th - Meeting, Alexandria CERT - ZOOM !!!!!

*         May 14th - Meeting, WINLINK presentation

*         May 15-17th - HAMVENTION, Dayton, OH - CANCELLED due to virus.

*         June 12th - Meeting, Field Day final briefing

*         June 27-28 - FIELD DAY 2020

*         July 10th - Meeting,

*         August 14th - Meeting, Marine Corps Marathon Briefing

*         September 11th - Meeting,

*         October 14st -- Meeting,

*         October 25th - MARINE CORPS MARATHON

*         November 13th - Meeting, Club ELECTIONS

*         December 11th - Meeting, Christmas party

Programs in the works: AMSAT, AMRAD, HRO, EOC visit, SDRs

ARES

New requirements for ARES volunteers.  First, to find out what's going on in
the state FACEBOOK is the place to get info (so I'm told), All ARES
volunteers will be expected to sign up with ARRL ARES CONNECT VA.   I
understand that I will be able to keep records and post nets and events for
our group on this site.  Please sign up  <https://arrl.volunteerhub.com/>
https://arrl.volunteerhub.com/  Make sure you're on the Virginia site.
Another requirement is the TRAINING TASK BOOK.  I sent out the PDF earlier.
Note that you have a year to complete the requirement.  There are THREE
levels.  Level 1 is easy.  SKYWARN requirement is every two years and can be
done now ONLINE.  FEMA IS100 is also done online.  As for the other
requirements, let me know when you complete the items on the list, and I
will be happy to sign off as EC.

FOR SALE or to a Good home.

My XYL says I have run out of storage space and need to get rid of a few
radios. SO..

I have three or four Kenwood TR-7950 2 meter transceivers.  One only puts
out 22 watts, all have some lights out, but they all work!  All have 3 -
tone, Tone boards (107.2,141.3 and 156.?) which will work on MOST of the
local repeaters.  Free to a good home.

I also have an ICOM IC-2340H, one of the first dual band mobiles, I works
well but the UHF memory / VHO button has failed so you can only use the VFO
and not call up UHF memories.  Free to a good home. 50 watts VHF, 35 watts
UHF.

AZDEN 7500 6 meter mobile 50 watts out.  $75

Yeasu FT-8900 quad band with remote kit (10m, 6m, 2m, 70cm). $100.

Ten Tec Eagle HF/6m transceiver.  With built in tuner and filters.  $750
with microphone.

IC V8000 2 meter high output (75 watts), I have two of these radios and will
sell them for $100 each.  

Send me an e-mail and we can plan.

If you have items you are looking for or want to sell, send me a note and I
will include it in the next ARC SHORTS.

73 Rick

N4ASX at COX.NET

Hamfests -

The spread of COVID-19 (AKA Corona Virus) has put a major damper on
hamfests.  

So far in our area, Winterfest, FrostFest and Hagerstown Hamfests have been
cancelled.  The Raleigh, NC hamfest has been cancelled.  The Delmarva
hamfest has been cancelled.  The big disappointment to everyone is the
cancellation of Hamvention 2020.  The first time in their 68 year history.

As of late March, the Memorial Weekend Hamfest on May, on May 24, 2020
sponsored by the Maryland FM Association is still on the calendar.  It's
held at the Howard County Fairgrounds in West Friendship, MD, right off
Route 144 and I-70.  Talk-in will be on the MFMA repeaters, 146.760 (-),
224.760 (-) and 444.000 (+).  All need a 107.2 Hz PL tone to access them.
Here is the link:  <http://www.marylandfm.org/Hamfest.htm>
http://www.marylandfm.org/Hamfest.htm

In June, it's the Olde Virginia Hams hamfest in Manassas Park on June 13,
2020.  It's held at the Manassas Park Community Center, just off Route 28.
Talk-in on the Olde VA Hams 146.970 (PL 100 Hz) repeater.    Here is the
link:  <https://w4ovh.net/welcome-to-manassas-hamfest/>
https://w4ovh.net/welcome-to-manassas-hamfest/

The Father's Day Hamfest at Arcadia takes place on June 21, 2020 at the
Arcadia Fairgrounds in Upperco, MD.  It's sponsored by the Baltimore Amateur
Radio Club.  Talk -in is on BARC 2 meter repeater, 146.670 MHz (PL 107.2
Hz).  Here is the link:  <https://w3ft.com/hamfest/>
https://w3ft.com/hamfest/

With the ongoing COVID-19 situation, be sure to check the websites to make
sure the hamfest has not been cancelled.

Training -

Our class began on schedule March 10 with 18 students in attendance.  There
were four who indicated they were interested in coming, but other
commitments got in the way.

By the second week, we were unable to hold class in the Police Department
facility.  Don, KI4D, suggested we try Zoom.  It worked very well.  This may
be the way we hold classes for the foreseeable future.  

We are working on a contingency plan for the exam session if we do not get
access to the Police Department HQs building or the restriction on large
gatherings is still in place in early May.    

Contests -        

*         April 4 and 5 - Florida State Parks on the Air.  Exchange is
state.

*         April 4 and 5 - Louisiana QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and sate. 

*         April 4 and 5 - Missouri QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         April 4 and 5 - Mississippi QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         April 4 and 5 - Nebraska QSO Party.  Exchange is state.

*         April 5 - North American Sprint - SSB.  Exchange is other
station's call, your call, serial number and state. Sorry I did not get this
out sooner.

*          

*         April 11 and 12 - New Mexico QSO Party. Exchange is name and
state.

*         April 11 and 12 - Georgia QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         April 11 and 12 - North Dakota QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state.

*         April 18 and 19 - Texas State Parks on the Air.  Exchange is RST
and state.

*         April 18 and 19 - Michigan QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number
and state.

*         April 18 and 19 - Ontario QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         April 25 and 26 - Florida QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         May 2 and 3 - 7th call area QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         May 2 and 3 - Indiana QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         May 2 and 3 - Delaware QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         May 2 and 3 - New England QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         May 9 and 10 - Arkansas 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.  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.   

Speaking of state QSO parties, there is now a state QSO party challenge.
You can start accumulating multipliers by submitting a log in any state or
provincial QSO party to 3830scores.com QSOParty Groups.io.forum and State
QSOParty.com.   

Repeaters -

The club repeaters are all up and running.    We have resumed
(semi-regularly) the follow-on net on one of the other repeaters after the
Thursday net on the 2-meter analog repeater.  Don't forget the Monday night
6-meter net. 

We are making progress on the internet connection issue at the hospital.  We
determined the modem on our internet connection needed to be replaced, so we
are replacing it.  However, the COVID-19 situation may limit access to the
hospital to replace the modem.

You can use the DSTAR repeaters in local mode by not filling in the
"Repeater 2" position or link to another W4HFH DSTAR repeater by using
"W4HFH" in the first 5 positions and "A", "B", or "C" in the 8th position in
"Repeater 2." 

The local mode for the DMR repeater is talk group 27500.  Most code plugs
label the talk group as "Local."    

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

73, Rich, KA4GFY

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