[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] FW: ARC SHORTS JULY 2020

Mon Jul 6 15:56:04 EDT 2020

From: n4asx at cox.net <n4asx at cox.net> 
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 3:48 PM
To: 'alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net'
<alexandriaradioclub at mailman.qth.net>; 'Arthur Feller' <afeller at ieee.org>;
'Ed Gibbs' <beachteach15 at yahoo.com>; 'Corey Smedley
(corey.smedley at alexandriava.gov)' <corey.smedley at alexandriava.gov>; 'Ray
Whatley' <Ray.Whatley at alexandriava.gov>
Cc: 'Brendan O'Neill (km4hrr at gmail.com)' <km4hrr at gmail.com>; 'David Lane'
<KG4GIY at gmail.com>; 'Steve DeWeese' <deweeses at gmail.com>; 'Floyd Crawford'
<bluedevilsfan714 at gmail.com>; 'gary at sessums.org' <gary at sessums.org>; Lane
Thurmond <thurmondlane at yahoo.com>; 'Marshall' <mmdeberry at charter.net>
Subject: ARC SHORTS JULY 2020

ARC-SHORTS

July 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 7/5/2020

As you know our just completed Field Day 2020 was very, very different from
Field Days in the past. Despite the number of challenges posed by changes
this year, many club members participated in Field Day 2020 representing
Alexandria Radio Club.  

Many thanks to those who operated Field Day stations and will report ARRL
summaries giving affiliation with our club.  Preliminary results of Field
Day activities will be presented at the July meeting.

As we observe the continuing impacts of COVID-19 on our daily lives, we
naturally look forward when we can safely resume our normal club activities.
As of June 30th, Virginia Executive Order (EO)-67 Northern Virginia
implemented "Safer to Stay at Home" Phase 3 of reopening the economy, easing
some of the legal restrictions due to COVID-19.  However, there are many
strong caveats listed in
<https://www.governor.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/governor-of-vir
ginia/pdf/Forward-Virginia-Phase-Three-Guidelines.pdf> Virginia's guidance
for businesses, religious, and other gatherings.  

We are committed to a Zoom meeting for July, but we are not absolutely
certain about August, still hoping for a better COVID-19 scenario.  If the
Marine Corps Marathon is cancelled, as many other marathons have been, we
will have not have the scheduled marathon briefing for our August meeting.
For this reason, N4ASX and I are working on an alternative Zoom presentation
for the August meeting.  

Given the mixed set of indicators concerning reopening the economy and
continued spread of COVID-19 in some states, Alexandria Radio Club
leadership has not elected to recommend resumption of in-person club
activities.  

It is worth noting that because COVID-19 has spurred the phenomenal growth
in use of ZOOM as a vehicle for social interaction, a resulting benefit is
that amateur radio clubs are now sharing opportunities for other amateur
radio clubs to join their Zoom presentations that feature special
presentations. 

The passing of longtime club member Craig Church (K4GOR),
<https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/falls-church-va/craig-church-921
8827>
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/falls-church-va/craig-church-9218
827, has created opportunities for club leadership to review standardizing
ways the club can respond to and honor club SK members.  We are currently
working to develop ideas for improvements in this very meaningful area.  

We are delighted and fortunate to have several new club members, including
those passing FCC exams from our recent FCC license class.  New club members
joining during the month of June to present are Floyd Crawford (KO4DWA),
Eliu Napky, Ted Royster (N4JOG), Kelly Wilkin (KO4ERF), Michael Sullivan
(KO4ERE), and Bryan Pettigrew (Grew) (KO4ERX).  We welcome them, all.

As a reminder, we are looking forward to our monthly meeting on July 10th
that will feature an AMSAT presentation via Zoom by Paul Stoetzer, N8HM,
Executive Vice President of AMSAT.  Founded in 1969, the Radio Amateur
Satellite Corp. (AMSAT) is an all-volunteer organization that has been
devoted to "keeping amateur radio in space" over the past 50 years.  Details
on AMSAT Field Day 2020 rules may be found at:
<https://www.amsat.org/field-day/> https://www.amsat.org/field-day/.

Scheduled Activities and Presentations for 2020 updated as of July 3, 2020

*	January 10th - MEETING, 2020 Plans & Programs, Membership Dues
*	February 1st - FROSTFEST, Richmond, VA    
*	February 14th - MEETING, VA QSO Party, Gordon Miller ( NQ4K)
*	February 17th - George Washington Day Parade Participation
*	March 10th - License Classes begin (Ends May 5)
*	March 7th  - St Patrick's Day Parade  
*	March 13th - (CANCELLED) MEETING, AREDN, Joe Porcelli (KT3I) 
*	March 21-22nd - VA QSO Party Weekend
*	March 29th (CANCELLED) WINTERFEST, Annandale, VA
*	April 8th - (POSTPONED INDEFINITELY) FIELD DAY 2020 planning
committee kickoff (John Marshall Library) 
*	April 10th - ZOOM MEETING, Alexandria CERT, Dr. Marjorie Windelberg
*	May 8th - ZOOM MEETING, WINLINK, Greg Butler (KW6GB)
*	May 15-17th - (CANCELLED) HAMVENTION, Dayton, OH
*	May 16th - HAMVENTION QSO Party
*	June 12th - ZOOM MEETING, FIELD DAY 2020 final briefing
*	June 21st - ARC (STAY SAFE) License Class FCC Exams
*	June 27-28th - (STAY SAFE) FIELD DAY 2020 Weekend

You ARE HERE

*	July 10th - ZOOM MEETING, AMSAT, Paul Stoetzer (N8HM)
*	August 2nd - (CANCELLED), Berryville HAMFEST, Berryville, VA
*	August 14th - (TBD) MEETING, Marine Corps Marathon Briefing
*	September 11th - MEETING, TBA
*	October 9th -- MEETING, Ham Radio Outlet, Steve Gilmore (W4SHG)
*	October 25th - MARINE CORPS MARATHON
*	November 13th - Meeting, Year in Review, Elections
*	December 11th - Meeting, Christmas party

Please stay safe and keep up with your social distancing.

73 Don, KI4D

ARC Monthly Meeting Notes June 12, 2020

Craig E. Church (N4GOR) passed away June 11, 2020 COVID-19 the Alexandria
Radio Club acknowledged his passing with a moment of silence at our monthly
meeting. 

Don KI4D, provided us with an overview of Field Day 2020:

*	Work as many stations as possible
*	Develop your skills to meet the challenges to meet emergency
preparedness
*	Learn to operate in abnormal situations
*	Acquaint the general public with the capabilities of Amateur Radio

Field Day under COVID-19 Conditions

Along with Alexandria Radio Club, several other amateur radio clubs
successfully lobbied the ARRL Board of Directors for a waiver to allow ARRL
clubs to receive credit for Field Day 2020 stations operating safely from
home.  The waiver made it possible for ARC to operate as a "club" during
Field Day, with some differences from the past. The waiver has two important
provisions: 1.) allowing QSO points for class "D" to class "D" station
contacts and 2.) summing of individual scores into an aggregate "club"
score.  Field Day rules defines a class "D" station as a home station on
commercial power.

*	No public event involved
*	No Band Captains
*	Recommended Classes of Operation (B, C, or E)
*	Recommended Bonus Points
*	Identification of Club Operators
*	Collect "Club" logged contacts for Consolidation
*	Field Day QSOs should be conducted using individual ham call signs
with logs provided to N8IK or ARRL  <https://field-day.arrl.org/fdentry.php>
https://field-day.arrl.org/fdentry.php

Field Day Class Rules:

*	Class A - Club multi-station, public area within 300 meters, (not
possible this year for us)
*	Class B - Battery
*	Class C - Mobile
*	Class D - Home Station using commercial power
*	Class E - Home Station using Emergency Power

Field Day Logging Software:

The following logging software is known to offer support for Field Day, and
can be used for logging field day contacts.

*	FDLog
*	N3FJP
*	N1MM+
*	SkookumLogger (Mac OS)

The following Committee Reports were provided:

*	ARES/RACES - N4ASX
*	Membership - KW4UT
*	History Project - KI4D
*	Repeaters - KA4GFY/K4GOR
*	AREDN Project - N8IK
*	Trailer - KA4GFY
*	Webmaster - K4AXQ/N8IK

Old Business

Trailer Upgrade

NEXT MEETING JULY 10th

Our next meeting will be VIA ZOOM.  Don, KI4D, will send out the invitation
shortly.

As a reminder, Paul Stoetzer, N8HM, will give a presentation on AMSAT at our
monthly meeting next Friday.  

Paul is Executive Vice President of AMSAT and will give us an update on many
of the exciting things going on with amateur radio and satellites. 

As many of you may know our club has pledged to participate in Amateur Radio
on the International Space Station (ARISS), a program to inspire students,
worldwide, to pursue interests and  careers in science, technology,
engineering and math through amateur radio communications opportunities with
the International Space Station (ISS) on-orbit crew.  In the ARIIS program
the Alexandria Radio Club would provide an amateur radio communications link
from the ISS to Children at the Children's Hospital in Washington, DC.
Enclosed are links to the June AMSAT publication; and a link to the ARISS
program, which was recently reorganized as an independent non-profit
organization.

ANS-159 AMSAT News Service Weekly Bulletins for June 7th - AMSAT

<https://www.amsat.org/ans-159-amsat-news-service-weekly-bulletins-for-june-
7>
https://www.amsat.org/ans-159-amsat-news-service-weekly-bulletins-for-june-7
th/ 

ARISS - Home

 <https://www.ariss.org/> https://www.ariss.org/ 

73 Don, KI4D

FIELD DAY

This year was unique with our working from home stations most in the class
1D mode, but the exercise was valid in that in many emergencies we may be
asked to operate from our own stations.  If we had to we could have added
emergency power and replaced antennas.  Keep this in mind for your future
preparedness.  This event will if you work a fair number of hours, an good
idea how well your station works over the contest period.   Please remember
to put Alexandria Radio Club in your report so the club gets the points. If
you would, please send a copy of your summary to Don, KI4D.  Thanks to all
in the club who participated in a unique Fieldless Field Day.

If your using the N3FJP F.D. logging software, Go to Files, Then EXPORT.
Select. ADI export.  When you do this, you will get a screen that offers you
THREE outputs, SUMMARY, DUP SHEET and CABRILLO Select Summary and store it
where you can print it out. Or you can copy the contacts per band Go to the
ARRL website   <http://field-day.arrl.org/fdentriesrcvd.php>
http://field-day.arrl.org/fdentriesrcvd.php then fill out the submission.
YOUR CALL SIGN but there is a pull down for clubs.  Alexandria Radio Club in
the CLUB is in the pull down so use that, so we are all on the same page.

The site will accept you report, and you will get an e-mail confirmation
with your score based on how you filled in the form.   Please also send the
file copy of your summary to Don KI4D so he can get an idea of who
participated.  

73 Rick N4ASX

NEXT CLUB MEETING

We are still meeting on ZOOM until the COVID-19 issue is resolved.   A
reminder that ZOOM is always updating their application / software so before
you log into the ZOOM meeting, check for any updates.

As Don said above, our next program will be provided by AMSAT.  

MCM 2020

At this time, the MCM has NOT been cancelled.  For personal reasons I
(N4ASX) will not be able to participate, but I strongly encourage those who
can sign up and support this especially important event.  At a time when
this country is deeply divided, this event is something without a political
point of view.  It shows support for our Marines and the work they do for
us.  It also is an exceptionally good PR event for amateur radio.  For those
who are new to amateur radio, this event involves about 135 ham radio
operators provided medical communications support, eyes on the course,
safety support and some logistics support.  There are usually two or three
'race nets' a medical voice net and digital modes for passing patient
traffic from the aid stations to the top doctor and for sending medical
assistance where needed.  

BELOW IS FROM ART FELLER W4ART who is working as part of the Amateur Radio
Leadership Team for the MCM.

Signups begin 15 July 2020.  Go to:  <https://www.mcmham.org>
https://www.mcmham.org.

The marathon and 50K courses now planned to be the same as last year with
about 12K runners instead of 22K in the marathon.  10K will be virtual (not
on this course).  Race starting procedure expected to space out smaller
groups of runners.

Navy docs have been working hard with CDC guidelines and other resources to
keep all runners, spectators, and volunteers safe.  Specific details
expected soon.  If anything might put volunteers at risk, our operators will
be informed.

Most operation along the course will be on the 144 and 420 MHz bands using
NBFM voice.  Most hand- held radios will do.  Efficient antennas and
adequate power supply necessary.  (Will provide examples.  Antenna add on
can be made for ten cents.  Long life power supplies can be made for under
$10, often less than $5.)  Operators are expected to know how to operate
their own equipment.  Need help?  Ask sooner, rather than later.  This is a
great opportunity to learn.

Medical net operations will be on 128 Kbps D-Star and ARDN microwave
operations with 9600 bps packet for backup.  Interested?  More operators
needed!!!  Lots of help available!!!

New hams welcome and wanted, especially teaming with more experienced
operators.  Pick up ideas you'll use every day and when supporting other
events.

Number of hams needed will be the same as usual because the course we cover
remains the same.  

Come.  Learn.  Experience.  Get cool T-shirt.  Have fun!!

Thanks!!

73, Art Feller

W4ART Arlington VA

ARES

Many of our new members have expressed an interest in public service and
ARES.   As the Emergency Coordinator, I need all the help I can get!

At this time, I have 9 volunteers for Alexandria ARES.   ARRL is trying to
improve communications and coordination with ARES organizations the state
and national leadership.  This is a good thing, but most of our support is
based on LOCAL operations.   

We generally support our community and we are organized to support local
events.  Think of ARES as the communications support equivalent of the
Revolutionary minutemen.  For day to day type emergencies, our emergency
managers, fire, EMS, Police have all the communications they need and it is
evolving with technology.  Post 9/11/01 a great deal of government funding
was put into more communications equipment.  

So, with the changes in what the local governments have, what is our support
mission?  First, the city does not have the people to cover routine
emergencies and a major disaster.  So, ARES is available to cover the
increased load.  ARES can do an additional service in linking the City, the
Hospital, a disaster site, Red Cross as well as provide communications links
to other jurisdictions and we can, if time permits, provide health and
welfare traffic. 

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/  

When we get access to the hospital again, we will replace the DSL router for
D-STAR and DMR repeaters.  Hope to also figure out how to remote the two
Dual Band radios from the machinery room to the office where the hospital
wants us to set up our equipment.

Trailer work is now in the planning stages and CORVID-19 willing. 

1 - Recoat the roof.  We will need some structure to safely work on the
roof.

2 - Add the DMR (440 MHz), 900MHz and HF antennas.  Include a switch to
allow the IC706 to access the VHF and 6 meter antennas for all mode
operation on those bands.

3 - Install the IC706MKIIG, 900MHz mobile radio and the DMR (CS800).

4- Still looking for a replacement scanner radio.  If we get one, we will
want to replace the old Radio Shack scanner.

5 - add shelving and clean out the CRAP stored in the trailer.

6 - AREDN is also something we need to think about.

7 - A large monitor may be in the future as well.

73 Rick

N4ASX

Hamfests -

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

So far in our area, Winterfest, Fredfest and Hagerstown Hamfests have been
cancelled.  The Raleigh and Durham, NC hamfests have been cancelled.  The
Delmarva hamfest has been cancelled.  The Memorial weekend hamfest was
cancelled.  Added to that list is Olde VA Hams hamfest and the Father's Day
hamfest at Arcadia in June. In early June, the Berryville hamfest was added
to the list.  The big disappointment to everyone is the cancellation of
Hamvention 2020.  The first time in their 68-year history.

With the ongoing COVID-19 situation, be sure to check the websites to make
sure the hamfest has not been cancelled.  Looking at the ARRL hamfest
calendar, I see more and more hamfests with CANCELLED next to them.  This
may be a lean year for hamfests, or any other activity where people gather
in large numbers.  Check any hobby/activity and we are all going through the
same issues.  

Training -

Our first-ever online Zoom licensing class concluded with the exam on
Father's Day 2020, June 21.  Thanks to KA3RQR and KW4UJ, we were able to
secure a facility where social distancing could be practiced while the exam
session operated in a fairly normal manner.  Not every class member took an
exam that day because of conflicting activities.  However, here are the
class members and a few others who passed an exam that day:

Robin Salota                           KO4EQX

Patrick McGuinniss                 KO4EQT

Kelly Wilkin                           KO4ERF

Michaela LeMessurier            KO4EQV

Alan LeMessurier                    KO4ERC

Erik Gilliam                            KO4ERY

Don McClure                          KO4ERG

Pamela Larson                        KO4EQU

Bryan Pettigrew                      KO4ERX

Michael Sullivan                     KO4ERE

David Presson                         KO4EQW

Richard Puckett                      KO4EQY

Janet Prall                                KO4ERB

Anthony Chu                          KO4ERA

Craig Thoet                             KO4EQZ  

A big shout out to our very own Wilson, KM4KLK, who passed his Extra Class
exam.

A few class members have already joined the club and checked into the weekly
net.  When you hear them on the air, be sure to say "Hi" and welcome them to
the world of ham radio.  

FCC Application Grant OR Official FCC License

This email is to notify you of the recent grant of your application(s). The
Commission currently provides access to the official version of your
electronic licenses through License Manager in the Universal Licensing
System (ULS) or by email.

The official version of your recently granted license can be accessed using
the link below. Please note that this link will connect you to the most
current version of your license. If you use this link at a future date, any
changes made after the receipt date of this email will be reflected on the
authorization. This link will remain active for 30 days.

<http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/letterPdf/LetterPdfController?token=5a5f724
ea5354f7ab9ddef9461e23997&op=OfficialLetterPdf> Authorization Link

Contests -      

*         July 11 and 12 - IARU HF World Championship.  Exchange is RST and
ITU zone.  We are in ITU zone 8

*         July 19 and 20 - CQ Worldwide VHF Contest.  6-meter and 2-meter
bands.   Exchange is 4-character grid square.

*         Aug 1 and 2 - ARRL 222 MHz and up Distance Contest.  22 MHz and
up.  Exchange is 4 -character grid square.

*         Aug 1 and 2 - North American QSO Party-CW.  Exchange is name and
state.

*         Aug 8 and 9 - Maryland/DC QSO Party.  Exchange is entry class and
state for non-MD/DC stations.  Most of us operating from home will be a
"standard" station.

*         Aug 15 and 16 - North American QSO Party - SSB.  Exchange is name
and state.

*         Aug 16 - ARRL Rookie Roundup.  Exchange is name, 2 digit year your
were first licensed and state.

*         Aug 22 through 24 - Hawaii QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         Aug 22 and 23 - Ohio 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 analog repeaters are all up and running.   After replacing the
router on the DSTAR/DMR equipment, everything worked normally on the DMR
side right away.  A couple days later, the DSTAR trust figure located W4HFH
and things were functioning normally.  

The week after Field Day, the server at the DSTAR site expired and we are
back to local mode only on DSTAR until a new server can be installed.
Fortunately, we already had one that is in the process of being configured.
We should be back on in a couple of weeks.  

The DMR side works perfectly.  If you use the DMRVA codeplugs, they have
updated codeplugs on their website with the new DMR repeaters added for many
of the popular handheld and mobile DMR radios.  Their website is
<http://www.dmrva.org/> http://www.dmrva.org/

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.   

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

73, Rich, KA4GFY

-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: ARC SHORTS July 2020.pdf
Type: application/pdf
Size: 274142 bytes
Desc: not available
URL: <http://mailman.qth.net/pipermail/alexandriaradioclub/attachments/20200706/3123e802/attachment-0001.pdf>