[Alexandria Radio Club Reflector] ARC SHORTS OCTOBER 2020

[Rick Bunn]

ARC-SHORTS

 

OCTOBER 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.

 

Next Meeting

 

Due to the Corona Virus, our next meeting will be on ZOOM.  This has worked
out well and has as many participants as we have had in our in-person
meetings.  Encourage others to attend

Our speaker on October 9th at 7PM will be Steve, W4SHG, the manager at HRO
in Woodbridge and HRO's national sales manager, who will fill us in on
what's new and as Steve is also an active contester, I expect he can give us
some insight in to his contesting activities as well.  

 

We are also coming to the end of the year and that means that we have to
nominate new club officers and vote in November.  We have term limits and
this allows new ideas and to share the work of running the club.

 

Don, KI4D, has done an outstanding job as president and he has a few ideas
that may require changes to the by-laws.  He may bring them up at our next
meeting.

 

Last Meeting

 

Bob Nagy, AB5N, was last month's speaker and did an outstanding job of
providing details on the design of Software Defined Radios (SDRs) .  He also
talked about voltage converters and new technology in batteries.   The
advantage of ZOOM was that he could talk from Hot Springs, Arkansas!  

 

Presidents Corner

 

Based on Executive Order 68 as amended, the latest COVID-19 guidance from
the state of Virginia, it is still  "Safer to Stay at Home" with advice to
continue teleworking if possible, wash hands regularly, maintain six feet of
physical distance when outside of home, and get tested immediately if you
have COVID-19 symptoms. Although many of the legal restrictions have been
lifted under Phase III of opening, the Tidewater region of Virginia has
remained under continuing restrictions because of COVID-19 outbreaks.  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; we will continue with our virtual meetings using
Zoom.  

As a reminder, COVID-19 has caused cancellation of the Marine Corps Marathon
this month, for the first time in its 45-year history.  The Marathon has had
medical operations support from DC/Metro area ham radio operators for over
30 years.  

 

At our monthly club meeting this week, our guest speaker will be Steve
Gilmore (W4SHG), National Sales Manager for Ham Radio Outlet (HRO).  HRO is
a family owned business with 14 sales locations throughout the United States
which includes a formidable presence on the Internet, making it the largest
Ham Radio dealership in the world.

 

The ARC leadership group is now giving consideration to having a Holiday
picnic with social distancing in lieu of our regular Holiday party dinner
because of COVID-19.  No details have not been completed, but the idea has
had positive reactions.

 

Scheduled Activities and Presentations for 2020 updated as of September 6,
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
*	July 10th - ZOOM MEETING, AMSAT, Paul Stoetzer (N8HM)
*	August 2nd - (CANCELLED), Berryville HAMFEST, Berryville, VA
*	August 14th - ZOOM MEETING Ed's Twinlead Antennas, Dr. Ed Fong
(WB6IQN)
*	September 11th - ZOOM MEETING, SDR Trends, Bob Nagy (AB5N)

 

YOU ARE HERE

 

*	October 9th - ZOOM MEETING, Ham Radio Outlet, Steve Gilmore (W4SHG)
NOMINATIONS FOR NEXT YEAR'S CLUB OFFICERS
*	October 25th - (CANCELLED) MARINE CORPS MARATHON
*	November 13th - Meeting, Year in Review, Elections
*	December 11th - Meeting, Christmas party

 

ARES

 

First, I want to thank those who have signed up on ARES CONNECT.  We had 22
on our group, but we also had one SK and a few who signed up to keep an eye
on activities.  I have asked ARRL to either add an item to the sign up that
identifies the ONE group that the volunteer wants to work with as separate
from the groups they want to be members of.  In a widespread emergency, the
list should provide the EC with his or her volunteers.  If half of the
volunteers work for Fairfax, Arlington or another group, the EC does not
know who he or she can call on.

 

The city has told us that the VHF antennas are now installed on the EOC
(jail). One covers 144/440/50 and the second covers 144/440/220.  The radios
purchased a few years back by the city are a Kenwood TM-710A and an ICOM
ID-5100.  We may add an Alinco 6 meter and Alinco 220Mhz radio.  Note, the
710 allows packet and APRS operation and the ID-5100 provides D-Star
capability.  We may also use the city purchased Kenwood TS-480HTX on 6
meters.

 

We gave a brief to the new Alexandria Hospital emergency/communications
director and hope to get equipment up and running at the hospital shortly.

 

I am working on a new ARES SOP.  I would love to have inputs from all in the
club and all who volunteer for ARES.

 

73 Rick

N4ASX

 

ELMER'S INPUTS

 

Despite COVID-19 our last class, lead and managed by Rich, KA4GFY was a
great success with many of our students gaining not just the Technician
Class license, but also their General Class license.  This is great as it
allows them to work on High Frequency bands where, when conditions are good,
can allow you to talk around the world.  The Extra Class is a bit harder but
it's the highest level of amateur radio licenses.  In the past (pre 1986)
the Extra class was the ELMER class.  The now extinct Advanced Class was the
most technically challenging.  Advanced material is now part of the Extra
making that exam by far the most difficult.

 

For ne members a few things to remember about VHF/UHF operations.  At some
point more power does not get you more range.  If your pumping 50 watts into
a good OUTSIDE antenna, your still limited to LINE OF SIGHT.  For radio Line
of Sight means 4/3s of optical or direct line of sight, so if you can see 5
miles from your antenna you should be able to talk 6.7 miles before your
signal goes off into space.  Another issue is that as you go up in
frequency, trees, houses, building block more of your signal.  Earth is
another issue, if you live in a valley your signal will not get beyond the
hills around you. SO, what can you do?  The higher your antenna the better.
A rough rule of thumb is for each 1 foot of height you get an additional
mile of range.  Efficient antennas not only allow you to be heard at the end
of your line of sight, but also to HEAR that weak station.  Also, look at
your feedline to the antenna.  If you have an antenna that needs 100 feet of
coax and you buy RG-58 over the web, you will lose a great deal of your
received signal on 2 meters and much more on 440MHz.  RG-8, RG-213, RG-8x,
is more costly but better.  If you have a run of coax greater than 50 feet,
and plan to operate on 440 MHz think about LMR-240 or even LMR-400 (9913F7
equiv.).  

 

Another issue that seems to pop up is how to go CHEAP on your first radio.
If you are not sure about the hobby, then going with a BOUFONG radio may be
a good start but remember that any Handheld is limited.  The receiver
performance will not be as good as a more expensive radio and the rubber
duck antenna is not particularly good compared to a mobile whip on a magnet.

You can also put a quarter wave counterpoise on you antenna or build a
ground plane antenna that will allow you to have better performance.

 

Another STRONG recommendation for new operators.  You can buy used gear.
Even new mobile/base radios have gotten less expensive.  You will have to
add a power supply, coax cable and an antenna, but usually the mobiles are
better than handhelds in the receiving department.  Most now have up to 50
watts output.  A 2 meter only radio, made by a reputable company is less
then $200 and a dual band maybe a little over $300 new.  A power supply can
be a charger and an old car battery.  As for used gear, lots of very nice
radios can be had for $50 to $100.  Ask around at club meetings and you may
find a deal when a fellow member decides to move to a new radio.  This is
even more true of HF radios, I had a bunch of older VHF radios and gave them
to new members, because the XYL said they needed to go.

 

If you do decide to buy a NEW radio, you need to make a list of what
features you want.  If your only going to use 2 meters, then you don't need
a dual band radio.  If you only want to do FM and not D-Star or DMR, then FM
only is less complex.  Some who know they want more capability look too the
Shack in a box radio.  The ICOM 7100, FT-991A, Kenwood TS-2000 all come to
mind.  They have HF, VHF and UHF all in one box.

 

If you have questions for our longer time hams, please send them to Rick,
N4ASX at COX.NET.

 

73 Rick

N4ASX

Hamfests -

 

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

 

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

 

Here's hoping 2021 will be a better year.

 

Training -

            

Our next scheduled class is slated for early October, but we do not have the
OK to use the building yet.  There was insufficient interest in holding a
class this fall.  If there is enough interest in holding an online class, we
can start one.

 

I am in the process of learning how to do exams on line.  It's not as easy
as it sounds.   One online exam system looks very promising.  Another is
slightly complicated on the technical end, but much more involved on the
paperwork side.  

 

Being able to offer remote exams gives us another tool in the toolbox.  

 

Another alternative may the "drive-in" exam.  Test takers take up a space in
front of their vehicle and take the test while maintaining social
distancing.  This is a very viable option with cooler weather coming our
way.  I am looking for a possible place to do one.    

 

Contests -           

*         Oct 10 and 11 - Nevada QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         Oct 10 and 11 - Arizona QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         Oct 10 and 11 - Pennsylvania QSO Party.  Exchange is serial number
and ARRL section.

*         Oct 10 and 11 - South Dakota QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and
state.

*         Oct 17 and 18 - New York QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         Oct 18 and 19 - Illinois QSO Party.  Exchange is RST and state.

*         Oct 24 - Kentucky State Parks on the Air.  Exchange is your state.

*         Oct 24 and 25 - CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB.  Exchange is RST and
CQ Zone.  We are in zone 5.

*         Nov 1 - North American SSB Sprint Contest.  Exchange is other
station's call, your call, serial number, your name and state,

*         Nov 7 thru 9 - ARRL Sweepstakes, CW.  Exchange is the other
station's call, serial number, class, year first licensed and ARRL section.

*         Nov 21 thru 23 - ARRL Sweepstakes, SSB.  Exchange - see CW above.

*         Nov 28 and 29 - CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW.  Exchange - see SSB
above.

 

Every Sunday evening at 8 PM local time, the K1USN Radio Club sponsors the
"Slow Speed "Contest."  The exchange is similar to a QSO.  See the rules
here:  <http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html> http://www.k1usn.com/sst.html.

 

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/  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.   

 

There was some good news about the solar cycle.  ARRL reported the Royal
Observatory of Belgium determined the solar minimum between Solar Cycles 24
and 25 occurred in December 2019.  For the next few years, we should see
improved propagation on the HF bands. 

 

Repeaters -

 

The club repeaters are all up and running.  We are still in the process of
configuring the DSTAR server and resolving any issues.  Once the server is
placed in service, we should have full use of the DSTAR repeaters.  They are
working in local mode. 

 

The DMR side is working normally with access to the DMR servers.  If you use
the DMRVA codeplugs, they have updated codeplugs on their website with the
new DMR repeaters added since early this year for many of the popular
handheld and mobile DMR radios.  The codeplugs include more than just the
DMRVA system repeaters.  Their website is  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

 

 

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